I usually formulate my pack list days ahead of the trip, build on over days and the day before leaving, just need to put stuff into bag. It is a proven system for me.
Wasn't the case yesterday. Although, the day wasn't all bad. I had dinner with Matty. I asked him if he was still coughing, he said "a little" (ok, it sure sounded like that!), I laughed and repeated the question, he looked me in the eye and said again, "a little" then smiled his toothy grin. How can a kid like that not make you melt?
I got home at 10pm to pack and realize my pack list is in the office. Brilliant Felicia! Then I couldn't find my Ugg boots which I wanted to wear. Tore the room apart, no Uggs. Don't tell me I messed up in Taiwan? I loved those boots - my uncle bought me those! By then it was close to 1am and I was too depressed to continue packing. Went to bed and resumed packing in the morning (while simultaneously on an 8am conference call).
In the process of tearing room apart, I found Speedy (my Polygon bike)'s normal pedals. I knew I didn't get rid of them, just couldn't find them for the life of me! Now who was it that was asking me for these? Hmm...
All done now but I certainly don't feel assured I got it all!
Too nervous so I canceled lunch with David Oh - even though he is rarely in Singapore, but I'm not in a good state of mind now! I'll make it up to you David, somehow someday! Did I pack sports bra? Arghh.. need to check!
Going to Vivocity for lunch so I can grab some $2 gloves from Daiso, change AUD and buy a toothbrush that I forgot to pack.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Sleep deprived due to stupidity
I forgot to bring my computer power adapter home yesterday. Found out at midnight. Had to come to office at 6:55am to take the 7am conf call. Unbelievably goon!
It's times like this I wish I was still in HP, where I had multiple computers at home and at work, power adapters everywhere and batteries too - different size/different weight for different purposes.
Point of the matter - I cannot make this mistake again. So sleepy now...
It's times like this I wish I was still in HP, where I had multiple computers at home and at work, power adapters everywhere and batteries too - different size/different weight for different purposes.
Point of the matter - I cannot make this mistake again. So sleepy now...
Meet 007 (the bike)
I'm like an agent now. Sold off CY's bike for him. Had to pick it up from his place even! -__-
007 was filthy, so I gave it a quick wash, lube it's parts so it doesn't rust and then put it up on Togoparts for sale. Yeah, I named it 007 after all, I spent a couple of days and also some intimate time washing and taking care of it.
Within 2 days I sold 007. Not too bad. Had to however, field a zillion texts/calls, most of whom weren't very polite, some even asking for as low as $500 + delivery it to them! Sold it to a friend of a friend of Peter's. So Peter snitched the Catlike headlight & taillight and substituted it with an el cheapo lights as his commission as he had to deliver it to his friend's friend.
Bye 007, I hope you get a new owner who will ride you often and ride you well.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Phobia - "travel guide syndrome"
As I make my appointments for my upcoming Taiwan trip (including my standard reservation for mala hotpot), some residual bad feelings comes back. Plus trying to book a whale watching trip. I got a little upset when I couldn't get a yes/no response from my run buddies. I am scarred from my earlier trip in Feb when my travel companions gave me grief when things go wrong. I can't control weather, if it's too cloudy to get a clear view, I feel bad too you know!
I calmed down after I texted Zi and she assured me she loves whales. Decided to just book the whale watching tour while there, no pressures on me that way. Realize that my 2 run buddies aren't "blamey" characters too, but was too blinded by my 'tour-guide' phobia.
Saw the uncomplicated message on FB and thought, well, if only things can be that simple. Life is not black nor white, it's shades of grey. You can be simple and direct - if unrelated to other people. Hmm...
Taiwan for the second time this year
Possibly a 3rd trip - business trip before the year is up. Assuming I don't change jobs before then! Haha.
This trip, I can feel it in my bones, will be much better than the Feb trip (where I was an unappreciated tour guide who got spat at instead of tipped at the end). I'm usually happy in Taiwan - that was an exception.
For the upcoming trip, my friends have already made appointments/arrangements, so gonna catchup and have a great time. Meeting my climbing buddies for some climbing then eat and get drunk here http://echo978.pixnet.net/blog/post/741848. Staying at the 5-star W hotel for free - thanks to Elmo. Overeat at the best mala hotpot in town with Vinny. And gonna go get myself some excellent massages. Only regret is not being able to make it to morning mass at St Bosco - I love the preacher there. Will have to attend the earlier English mass at Da-an church instead. My flight back is 1pm via Jetstar, a very unreliable airline, so it's best to be at the airport early.
I am so looking forward to this trip.
This trip, I can feel it in my bones, will be much better than the Feb trip (where I was an unappreciated tour guide who got spat at instead of tipped at the end). I'm usually happy in Taiwan - that was an exception.
For the upcoming trip, my friends have already made appointments/arrangements, so gonna catchup and have a great time. Meeting my climbing buddies for some climbing then eat and get drunk here http://echo978.pixnet.net/blog/post/741848. Staying at the 5-star W hotel for free - thanks to Elmo. Overeat at the best mala hotpot in town with Vinny. And gonna go get myself some excellent massages. Only regret is not being able to make it to morning mass at St Bosco - I love the preacher there. Will have to attend the earlier English mass at Da-an church instead. My flight back is 1pm via Jetstar, a very unreliable airline, so it's best to be at the airport early.
I am so looking forward to this trip.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Playing games
I really dislike it when people play games. Like knowing what presses a persons buttons, then you go deliberately do that, just to illicit a reaction. I really hate that. It's juvenile and totally un-Christian living - ie it is not a gesture of love.
Yes, I am direct. I choose to be direct because I hate it when people play games with me.
If you must play games, go do it to someone else please.
Yes, I am direct. I choose to be direct because I hate it when people play games with me.
If you must play games, go do it to someone else please.
35degrees heat = grouchy people?
I am convinced there is a direct relationship of blazing hot temperatures and people going ballistic.
My mom, Peter, now this awful viral video clip of 2 women fighting in our MRT. A younger lady had given up her priority seat to an older woman, who then instead of saying thank you for the seat, goes on to accuse her of staring. Hmm... What gives? Totally unprovoked attack considering she was given a seat! It's pent up resentment that just came to a boil cos certainly staring doesn't warrant a nuclear meltdown!
And the pent up resentment is a result of the last few weeks of awfully hot weather! Grumpy old lady just let it all built til melting point.
The weather bureau says maximum of 33 degrees in Singapore. I wonder where they measure that. Under the table of their aircon offices? My car reads 37degrees some afternoons. Now I know Garin doubts Roar's temperature reading - I disagree cos on mornings that Roar registers 27degrees, it feels exactly that.
Oh I can't wait for winter.... Yes, a holiday is in order, Australia here I come!
As a counselor once told me, never let your emotions build. Let it go, surrender to Him. So oommm... take it all Jesus!
My mom, Peter, now this awful viral video clip of 2 women fighting in our MRT. A younger lady had given up her priority seat to an older woman, who then instead of saying thank you for the seat, goes on to accuse her of staring. Hmm... What gives? Totally unprovoked attack considering she was given a seat! It's pent up resentment that just came to a boil cos certainly staring doesn't warrant a nuclear meltdown!
And the pent up resentment is a result of the last few weeks of awfully hot weather! Grumpy old lady just let it all built til melting point.
The weather bureau says maximum of 33 degrees in Singapore. I wonder where they measure that. Under the table of their aircon offices? My car reads 37degrees some afternoons. Now I know Garin doubts Roar's temperature reading - I disagree cos on mornings that Roar registers 27degrees, it feels exactly that.
Oh I can't wait for winter.... Yes, a holiday is in order, Australia here I come!
As a counselor once told me, never let your emotions build. Let it go, surrender to Him. So oommm... take it all Jesus!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
HP
I seriously have a problem with letting go. (Ok those who know me are probably slapping their foreheads with a "you don't say!" expression on their faces).
I had lunch twice this week with HP folks - well, I consider them my friends :) and even though I hear the horror stories from the ongoing restructurings, a part of my heart still beats faster whenever someone says, oh there're vacancices, you want to apply?
It seems there is no perfect job, no perfect environment. The question is, are you still learning/growing where you are now and, more importantly, where is He leading you? I'm not sure I have the answer to either question, I'm not even sure of my own feelings, but I know I can lean on Him.
I had lunch twice this week with HP folks - well, I consider them my friends :) and even though I hear the horror stories from the ongoing restructurings, a part of my heart still beats faster whenever someone says, oh there're vacancices, you want to apply?
It seems there is no perfect job, no perfect environment. The question is, are you still learning/growing where you are now and, more importantly, where is He leading you? I'm not sure I have the answer to either question, I'm not even sure of my own feelings, but I know I can lean on Him.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The smart home concept
My phone is smart, the LED TV I just purchased is smart, but yet "smartness" in the home is so slow to catch up. In tropical Singapore, there's only so much smarts you can enable your devices. You can turn on/off any appliance : lights, TV, portable fan, air-conditioning, oven... But it's not really all that life and death : is it?
Essentially we sell lighting (controlled via an app on Android/IOS) and smart meters (gas and electricity).
There's so much more that can be "made smart", question is, technology isn't quite there yet. First and foremost, we need 1 single standard : is it wifi or Zigbee? All the vendors in the smart home/green home needs to consolidate on 1 standard.
http://phys.org/news/2012-04-smartphone-smart-home.html
Essentially we sell lighting (controlled via an app on Android/IOS) and smart meters (gas and electricity).
There's so much more that can be "made smart", question is, technology isn't quite there yet. First and foremost, we need 1 single standard : is it wifi or Zigbee? All the vendors in the smart home/green home needs to consolidate on 1 standard.
http://phys.org/news/2012-04-smartphone-smart-home.html
When a baby's sick
Matty is sick. All week. Someone gave him a bug that is causing fever and a running nose. The runny nose in turn causes phlegm buildup in the throat which causes coughing. Not unlike what I struggled with earlier last month. I suspect his mother is the cause of all our infections!
I was over last night for dinner. Matty went to bed at 8:45pm as usual, and while Michy fed him his pre-bed time bottle, we sat down to watch some tv. Then we heard her yell for us - she usually just presses the baby monitor to beep for us (to not wake the baby) : Matty had coughed so hard, he puked all over her. She managed to clean him up while I held the naked boy. Then I took him to his parents room, and we both sat on the bed to watch comforting Sesame Street youtube videos on the iPad while the maid cleaned his room. Before I knew it, he puked everything else he had in him all over his parents' bed. Opps. My bad. Maid comes over to strip the sheets while Matty goes back to the shower.
You hear about how parents moan about their kids being sick. It's a first time for me. While it's hard to see the little guy cough so hard to expel the sticky phlegm, it also causes total upheaval in the house! Kids are a lot of work. Indeed.
I was over last night for dinner. Matty went to bed at 8:45pm as usual, and while Michy fed him his pre-bed time bottle, we sat down to watch some tv. Then we heard her yell for us - she usually just presses the baby monitor to beep for us (to not wake the baby) : Matty had coughed so hard, he puked all over her. She managed to clean him up while I held the naked boy. Then I took him to his parents room, and we both sat on the bed to watch comforting Sesame Street youtube videos on the iPad while the maid cleaned his room. Before I knew it, he puked everything else he had in him all over his parents' bed. Opps. My bad. Maid comes over to strip the sheets while Matty goes back to the shower.
You hear about how parents moan about their kids being sick. It's a first time for me. While it's hard to see the little guy cough so hard to expel the sticky phlegm, it also causes total upheaval in the house! Kids are a lot of work. Indeed.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Renovation diary - report 1
A very kind friend led me in her car all the way from Yishun into the car park in Bendemeer road for Audio House. Then she stepped out of the car, and pointed to me in case I was stupid enough to miss the front door. She's right. Audio House is cheaper than all the others plus they have price protection until date of delivery. So I got most of the electronics I need.
Then I swung over to Calligaris and bought the dining table & chairs I liked so much.
After weeks of looking at electronics/furniture shops, I am glad this phase is settled. Next phase - lights & toilet stuff but need to wait til I get the keys to the house next.
Then I swung over to Calligaris and bought the dining table & chairs I liked so much.
After weeks of looking at electronics/furniture shops, I am glad this phase is settled. Next phase - lights & toilet stuff but need to wait til I get the keys to the house next.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Learning about the saints
I wonder why I never bothered much, but this current module on the Saints has been quite enlightening.
“And it is the Lord, it is Jesus, Who is my judge. Therefore I will try always to think leniently of others, that He may judge me leniently, or rather not at all, since He says: "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.”― Thérèse de Lisieux, Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux
I've ordered her book, think it'll be a great read.
Back on the saddle
My last ride was last month - I had somehow missed 4 rides in a row due to either rain or other reasons.
I was nervous, thought I'd accompany the Ele as sweeper. But somehow that didn't happen.
I had started off in the front of the group, but everyone else started easy last night, with the group 1 peloton only roaring by along Changi Coastal road. Someone yelled my name, I inserted myself into the space created for 3 mins then got dropped unceremoniously.
Soon, a sad ragged group 2 formed consisting of similar wannabes who jumped on the train then got spat out. Chugged along slowly until I chanced upon Shinghui/Kahhoe and Mr Anderson. Inserted myself behind this little pack and drafted at 35-39km/h all the way to Shell.
At Shell, Peter and I offered to be sweeper for the return leg and McGyver Kelvin helped us along too. With 3 of us, we could take turns to stay as last man, while the other 2 take a short distance speed race. It actually got pretty fun. Shoot off until you can't, u-turn, pump the legs, u-turn back to the last guy, tag off with a "谢谢，换你来!". Still kept to R&R's motto of "safety and fun"!
Pity I'll be missing more rides in the upcoming weeks with some travels and my house renovations. I will be back yet!
I was nervous, thought I'd accompany the Ele as sweeper. But somehow that didn't happen.
I had started off in the front of the group, but everyone else started easy last night, with the group 1 peloton only roaring by along Changi Coastal road. Someone yelled my name, I inserted myself into the space created for 3 mins then got dropped unceremoniously.
Soon, a sad ragged group 2 formed consisting of similar wannabes who jumped on the train then got spat out. Chugged along slowly until I chanced upon Shinghui/Kahhoe and Mr Anderson. Inserted myself behind this little pack and drafted at 35-39km/h all the way to Shell.
At Shell, Peter and I offered to be sweeper for the return leg and McGyver Kelvin helped us along too. With 3 of us, we could take turns to stay as last man, while the other 2 take a short distance speed race. It actually got pretty fun. Shoot off until you can't, u-turn, pump the legs, u-turn back to the last guy, tag off with a "谢谢，换你来!". Still kept to R&R's motto of "safety and fun"!
Pity I'll be missing more rides in the upcoming weeks with some travels and my house renovations. I will be back yet!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Work? What's that?
A cycling friend called me a moment ago...
K - are you cycling later?
me - yes
K - meet you there now?
me - K, it's only 3:30pm!
K - I'm bored ma!
me - K, I have to work for a living u know...
K - ok then, I'll go to Sentosa
me - stop taunting me!
K - ok I rephrase, see you later!
me - depressed and demoralized, I return to my desk.
I need to live a 太太lifestyle - just taught Chris L from Houston that term ironically.
K - are you cycling later?
me - yes
K - meet you there now?
me - K, it's only 3:30pm!
K - I'm bored ma!
me - K, I have to work for a living u know...
K - ok then, I'll go to Sentosa
me - stop taunting me!
K - ok I rephrase, see you later!
me - depressed and demoralized, I return to my desk.
I need to live a 太太lifestyle - just taught Chris L from Houston that term ironically.
Slides
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Singpost opportunity
I have been going to the Ghim Moh post office of late - to pick up my internet purchases. Often I buy online simply because I'm too lazy to physically shop but have lots of time during conference calls and work hours to sit and surf online.
It struck me that Singpost who delivers most online packages are privy to all that information of who's buying what, the value of the purchases (declared for tax purposes) and even our personal info (our names, mobile phone no., sometimes our IC no. even). If they are smart enough, that information is worth billions. That's the value of Google - business analytics.
So I googled Singpost with my gem of an idea and they hired this ex-Mckinsey guy to head this up a year and a half ago. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1107354/1/.html.
Early last year they were hiring business analytics managers http://www.jobstreet.com.sg/jobs/2011/1/default/20/2457610.htm?fr=J. Well, guess I am at least 1.5 years behind the curve.
It struck me that Singpost who delivers most online packages are privy to all that information of who's buying what, the value of the purchases (declared for tax purposes) and even our personal info (our names, mobile phone no., sometimes our IC no. even). If they are smart enough, that information is worth billions. That's the value of Google - business analytics.
So I googled Singpost with my gem of an idea and they hired this ex-Mckinsey guy to head this up a year and a half ago. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1107354/1/.html.
Early last year they were hiring business analytics managers http://www.jobstreet.com.sg/jobs/2011/1/default/20/2457610.htm?fr=J. Well, guess I am at least 1.5 years behind the curve.
Monday, June 11, 2012
In search of the perfect running gait
Ironically, I'm blogging with a backache from yesterday's long run - as with every run longer than 10km.
Had my second session with my physiotherapist and I came in running attire. She video-ed my run and proclaims my gait ok although I slant slightly to the right side hence the ache. Also, it shows clearly that I am a heel striker, not forefoot - I thought I was midfoot striker the whole time!
I practised forefoot running with her on the treadmill - this certainly needs work. I wondered about changing my gait for the Gold Coast mara, but changed my mind after reading this :
http://www.sportsscientists.com/2008/04/running-technique-footstrike.html.
Notably this line from that study : if there is one thing you change in your running, don't focus on your footstrike, but rather on WHERE your feet land relative to your body.
I'll keep working on utilizing more of my butt muscles for a more complete stride for now. But won't risk injury changing my foot strike position. Besides, I just want to be able to enjoy my first overseas marathon on the Gold Coast and catch up with Chris Bennetts after the run!
Had my second session with my physiotherapist and I came in running attire. She video-ed my run and proclaims my gait ok although I slant slightly to the right side hence the ache. Also, it shows clearly that I am a heel striker, not forefoot - I thought I was midfoot striker the whole time!
I practised forefoot running with her on the treadmill - this certainly needs work. I wondered about changing my gait for the Gold Coast mara, but changed my mind after reading this :
http://www.sportsscientists.com/2008/04/running-technique-footstrike.html.
Notably this line from that study : if there is one thing you change in your running, don't focus on your footstrike, but rather on WHERE your feet land relative to your body.
I'll keep working on utilizing more of my butt muscles for a more complete stride for now. But won't risk injury changing my foot strike position. Besides, I just want to be able to enjoy my first overseas marathon on the Gold Coast and catch up with Chris Bennetts after the run!
Thank God for my car
I thank God for my car. I love you Roar. I realize how much independence and flexibility Roar has brought. On a whim, I can check out a furniture shop over my lunch hour. I can fly to Simei and back to work, comfortably and fast.
Friday, June 08, 2012
The Elixir of Youth
This is 拉拉, Ashley's son. He was 30 until he stumbled onto this secret. Today he looks like he's 8mos old.
Ok ok, he IS 8mos old, how cute is this!
Ok ok, he IS 8mos old, how cute is this!
Happiness
Just heard that Emily Wang is marrying Joe from the lab, both of them my ex-colleagues from the HP Taiwan team. Both incredibly nice people. Joe was the same guy who helped me pry my hammerhead shark key ring back into place. When I left Taiwan, they were having problems and Emily had moved out in a desperate bid to improve their relationship, I passed them literally most stuff from my house - from ironing board, laundry hanger to plates/forks/spoons. She just message me to say they are still using my stuff happily and the wedding is in September. I am really glad they made it work, cos I really liked them both. Very sincere and genuinely nice folks who deserve one another.
Over the climb last night, Jo - in between groaning and huffing up the walls, was telling me about the elephant's new-found love and how she's drowning in happiness right now. It is very heartwarming to hear that.
Amen to the Lord's faithfulness!
Sidenote : Joe used to manage our product samples, and I really miss those days when I'd go to Joe and draw my marketing sample NBs. I'm bitching because today I have a lousy barely working, heavy, slow & sucky Dell NB. Gimme a new NB now!
Over the climb last night, Jo - in between groaning and huffing up the walls, was telling me about the elephant's new-found love and how she's drowning in happiness right now. It is very heartwarming to hear that.
Amen to the Lord's faithfulness!
Sidenote : Joe used to manage our product samples, and I really miss those days when I'd go to Joe and draw my marketing sample NBs. I'm bitching because today I have a lousy barely working, heavy, slow & sucky Dell NB. Gimme a new NB now!
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
July come quickly!
Looking forward to July :
Jul 1 - Gold Coast marathon
Jul 7 - Rae's wedding in Taiwan
Jul 9 - New home is formally mine
July cannot come quicker!
Jul 1 - Gold Coast marathon
Jul 7 - Rae's wedding in Taiwan
Jul 9 - New home is formally mine
July cannot come quicker!
Looking at furniture and electronics
I browsed Furniture Mall last night and while I am thankful there are lots of furniture shops around, my choices are narrowed due to
- I want it simple, not ching chong! Read = I like the Italian designs but they are so expensive!
- I prefer to buy something that would last. Again, as the Danish owner of Danish Designs put it, "With furniture, you get what you pay for". That pure glass table top is nice, but the sharp edges might be painful if you stub your toe against the legs, and if there's going to be Matty running around...
And browsed IMM just now over lunch hour, without any success. Conclusion, I still like the Italian table and have no clue with to do with chairs. Headache! Will see Lush-lush over the weekend and hopefully they have something I like there.
And I have yet to start looking at lights. So much to do and so little time! I am buying this horsey lamp for the living room. And then there is no room for anything else so I will sit on the horse in place of a sofa / dining table etc.
- I want it simple, not ching chong! Read = I like the Italian designs but they are so expensive!
- I prefer to buy something that would last. Again, as the Danish owner of Danish Designs put it, "With furniture, you get what you pay for". That pure glass table top is nice, but the sharp edges might be painful if you stub your toe against the legs, and if there's going to be Matty running around...
And browsed IMM just now over lunch hour, without any success. Conclusion, I still like the Italian table and have no clue with to do with chairs. Headache! Will see Lush-lush over the weekend and hopefully they have something I like there.
And I have yet to start looking at lights. So much to do and so little time! I am buying this horsey lamp for the living room. And then there is no room for anything else so I will sit on the horse in place of a sofa / dining table etc.
Monday, June 04, 2012
Tired!
I am so tired! I spent the whole weekend looking at chairs/dining sets/sofa... Even though I engaged I&M's help since they have a better eye and also help me negotiate price better (I just saved $300+ because Michy pressed the ah beng salesguy really hard), but the I&M package comes with Matty and while he's very cute, but you really need to watch the busy QC engineer. He walks all over the shop (and I mean ALL OVER), pulling price tags off furniture, checking out stuff by tugging at them (Matty watch out for that huge statue!)... Utter mayhem.
At the end of every visit in a store, we forcibly yank all the price tags out of Matty's hands and give it back apologetically to the salesman over Matty's loud protests. Salesman then has to figure out which tag came from which furniture piece... probably muttering unmentionables about parents who can't control their kids...
And I am sleep-deprived from waking up early for yesterday's re-race (SIS Age Group) and sore because coach wanted to push me to faster times so we ran at sub 6 pace all the way (Runkeeper says average pace 5:27) and I am still short of 20km mileage for last week. My head is buzzing over which chairs to choose, and which contractor to engage. And I have a meeting with a headhunter in town in an hour. Tired!
At the end of every visit in a store, we forcibly yank all the price tags out of Matty's hands and give it back apologetically to the salesman over Matty's loud protests. Salesman then has to figure out which tag came from which furniture piece... probably muttering unmentionables about parents who can't control their kids...
And I am sleep-deprived from waking up early for yesterday's re-race (SIS Age Group) and sore because coach wanted to push me to faster times so we ran at sub 6 pace all the way (Runkeeper says average pace 5:27) and I am still short of 20km mileage for last week. My head is buzzing over which chairs to choose, and which contractor to engage. And I have a meeting with a headhunter in town in an hour. Tired!
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