Family Time

Today is Noel's Birthday and Bro also rang me up to arrange for dinner with dad....hence, I've decided to make it a dinner for both James' family and mine. With nieces and nephew together, I hope its a fun time tonight.....Just wasnt sure if Dad is patient enough to join in....He seems to be avoiding me for awhile...knowing I havent been very forgiving with his wrong-doings.

Biz trip 2009 - Saraji Mine at Moranbah

Just returned from a biz trip to Brisbane. It has been a year since I last travelled for Business..Eventhough I had a tiring & stressful trip with jet lag & demanding workload etc..., it is nonetheless a get-away from the routine office hour and a chance to meet my mentor after nearly 2 years....I was in a mine site meeting with 13 other Aussie men (I'm the only chinese lady & was a little intimidating to start with). Some are friendly and initiated introduction...some just kept to themselves and ignoring me. The meeting went well and wasnt too stressful (maybe becos SQ was the facilitator). Whilst there was no pre-alert on what I had to prepare....I'm glad I printed some shipping reports for emergency use. Qns were posed to me out of the blue for shipping figures & am glad I had the numbers with me...

This is a monthly Sales & operation planning meeting which will be attended by my manager in future...I was standing in whilst he was on vacation this time.....frankly, a good meeting that should be attended by the schedulers to build relationship and to understand the true bottlenecks in supply chain. Only downside is to travel 8hrs for one day's meeting, and it isnt possible to hold a tel.conference.

Now, I'm just looking forward to my vacation in 2 week's time. The next meeting was scheduled on 22nd Oct - the day before I return from my vacation that ends 22nd !

Back to Lilydale 2nd time since Jan !

Yes, it has been a long time since I return to Lilydale, first impression is that it is still tidy and things are in right place. But, as I step into dad's room and walk around house...i can feel layer of dust on my feet....As no one was home, I decided to do a quick clean up before zong and kyen arrive..

Sweep 3x. mopped 2x before I am satisfied with the cleanliness ! Just as I finished the last wipe. Both kyen and zong were home. Good timing !

Zong didnt call me "Gu-gu" when he first saw me, but he asked of Uncle James instead!
I guess he misses him since he didnt see him on past two "dates" with me, - which is >2months ago?...hope we can see him next week when bro is home then.

Whilst kyen was busy packing up the master bedroom (which Bro intend to rent out), I took mini break and play w/read to Zong. This was 2nd time i read to him and he listens and ask questions ....of cos this didnt take too long, maybe 10mins as children's attention span is short?
Nevertheless, I am glad I get to do that which allow me to have personal time with him....i also notice he learnt many words and can recognise or spell out the animals we saw on the binder.

We then left lilydale at 430pm and had our early dinner at Bakerzin. Good to see that he finished the Teriyaki Chicken Rice...and even love the chocolate amer cake ! It was a relaxing dinner that I enjoyed.

Miri - 4Days

Long await holiday is finally here....its more of an escape from work then anything else...I'm usually excited whenever I go overseas for mini holiday but not this time....well, few reason:

1) Its via JB airport, that means I had to take taxi from Queen Street, after clearing Customs check at Woodland....depending on Sun afternoon traffic...it may takes up to 2hrs on the road...before I reach airport with James, and may have to wait up 2hrs for flight to depart plus 2+ hrs in the air....Taxi driver said will pick us at 11.30 am and my departure time is 4pm !
7hrs min total journey just to get to my destination in East M'sia !!!

2) Miri - Quiet small town , there really isnt much to do there. of cos I know my main intent is to catch up with relatives especially my granny who is over 85yrs old. but its only short 4days trip, with us arriving evening on Sunday and returning Wed afternoon.

3) What really is borthering me is what mum has left for me in Miri....small shop that she has joint ownership with one of her sis. complicating & sensitive matter....that I had wanted to avoid but cant.

On the positive note, I've booked 2nights in Marriott Miri Resort. Hope to recharge after the stay in the 5star award hotel ... ...not forgetting the yummy local food....that should still be great...

Next Vacation in May

Finally, I had booked Air ticket to return to Miri, Sarawak in early May. I had been hesitating if I should return to East M'sia to visit relatives or to go BKK. Glad that I chance upon the Marriott website and found they have a 5-star award Resort & Spa in Miri (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/myymc-miri-marriott-resort-and-spa/), facing the South China sea....that is good enough to influence my decision making !

Miri is a small town next to Brunei, a small city centre in Sarawak. As we have only 4days annual leave to spare and since the only direct flight is Air Asia via JB airport, it has not been an attractive destination for my vacation due to the inconvenience. However, James has reminded me again that my granny is getting older, >85yrs old, and its almost 4-5yrs since we last return. So yes, main agenda is to visit my granny and relatives...then, to rest and relax by pool...enjoying the kolok mee, prawn mee and other fancy local food..

Well, since Feb.. I had been busy at work and alittle stressed...I needed a relaxing vacation, a place that I can recharge and return to work in full zest ! Too bad the leave seem to clash w my PMS ! else, I would truely enjoy this upcoming trip. ... dip in big pool and the spa session w James ....

My first Luxurious Padicure...

Tempted by the freebies thrown in and the persuasive sales staff, I signed up a padicure package in mid Jan at Hollywood Nails @ Suntec...for 15sessions @$450. I went for my 2nd session last night that begins with the pampering treats like, nail treatment, deep sea salt srub and paraffin wax! I was surprised when this "male" staff served me and I must admit, very curious as to why a guy is keen to learn this "traits" !....Oscar was as gentle or even more gentle then some ladies....and frankly, I can't differentiate much between service by guy or lady if I had not looked up ! Only pity is the half-leg scrub section was too brief and he didnt apply enough pressure and didnt cover up to my knee-cap.. maybe for fear of going to high up my leg! hahahha ...the feeling was funny as I may be too traditional, to have a guy doing padicure for me! He isnt the best "padicurist" put it that way, but a polite and soft-spoken slim chap.
I would request for someone else the next time...just so i can totally trust her skill and relax fully !

My First LV Bag ....From Paris

Manon MM Mini Lin - M95619,
This lightweight shoulder bag, in Monogram Mini Lin canvas, is my first (and only) LV bag I bought (for myself) when I was in Paris with James...there was a temptation to sell it away but i think its fated (cos after taking photo and ready to adv on fbk, I realise i need a URL which I didnt have)... think I should just keep it and use it. It will remind me of the sweet memories I had in Paris with "didadi" ! hehehe....i already saw 2-3 ladies carrying similar range when I returned to singapore...till now, I still left it in box untouch!!...its about time i use it ....bit of regret buying it cos I know I already have 5 other handbags I can carry to work....COACH/Kate Spade / Longchamp / LV. ....

No more Bags pls.....if you're reading this, darling...

Tiring week to end Feb

I used to say i'm happy being busy, but last week had been hectic...Not only was I staying back to finish work ....I had to work till 10pm on Wed and even with unfinish work for next morning...Just as I was approaching end of the week, I found out that the busy period will be extended for at least another 5 months ! the lady colleague who newly joined two months ago, had told me a shocking news that she is considering quiting ! Then there is also family matter that I am worried abt but had force myself not to think about it....
Fortunately, my other half has been very supportive, always listening to my problem and giving advises....He has also help to clean up the house so I dont have to worry when I get home after long day's work.
Today I put my laundry into the washing machine, finish the cycle of washing and whilst puting out to sun on bamboo stick, it suddenly stirke me i had forgotten to add the washing powder and softener ! This is the first time - hope the last time too !!! its now having the 2nd washing...as i type away....
sigh....no wonder they say its bad year for Oxen !

B'day Celebrations....

This year's celebration for James birthday had been fun ..not only did we have sumptous Italian Dinner at "Pasta Brava along Craig Road", we also met up with his bunch of bundies - coincidentally all were present despite the different flight schedules (think WL changed his schedule just to be around - so touched), the usual gang whom we celebrate x'mas together.

We met at Marina Sq and opened two bottles of Champagne that James brought along at the open area, before we went to Kbox. It has been years since I stepped into KTV , I've never enjoyed karaoke and always find it a drag to go to one. This time, I was really impressed. This gang can sing so well ! Its a joy to sit there and just listen to them, surrounded by beautiful songs, voices and laugthers..even KO's galfrd who never join any of our social outing attended and sang too! We continued celebrating again on next day to La-Bar as Ag's birthday was on Sat.
LA-Bar is a nicely decorated KTV pub near Maxwell/Outram area, popular with youngsters around mid 20's..Though I was really very tired after a long day's work and had only 4hrs sleep the night before, the happy moments shared with loved ones are too hard to resist...More importantly, James and I were happy.

Finally Back again!!!

Thanks to Lorr's encouragement....i finally manage to find my password and log in again after nearly 4 months!...many happy and unhappy events happend over this period....guess for now...I'm very tired (physically) while typing this away..due mainly to lack of sleep (only 4-5hrs) for two days in a row ! for close friends, they know i always have my 8hrs beauty sleep daily....age is catching up. Havent been up late for too long and the celebration for my didadi in past two nights were rather draining for me..

Work-Family-Friends-Love, my life simply revolves around this and I'm contented (no meaning to its order). For now, I just hope to keep my job and I think I will...