24 April 2006

Tonight, we have got 2 visitors. 1 is my wife's friend n the other is her dog, a Silky Terrier. A really small n cute dog. It's was called Kiki. Kiki explored our whole house n likes to bite on small things found on the floor. She liked my gal a lot n chased her to play. When my gal wanted to sleep, Kiki tried to climb on her n my gal froze there fearing of being bite. N according to my gal, she climbed up to look at my daughter sleep.

Kiki was quite slow n could not catch the ball when we threw to her. My wife's friend brought her dog because she is going to home breed the dog n give it to us next year. So she is showing us the parent of our future dog.
According to her, maintenance of this dog is low but I want to make sure it's true n will ask around for more information.

It was no long before I had to leave home n go onboard, as usual. So I could not spend more time with Kiki. Really like her a lot. I am always fearful of dogs as they bites, but Kiki was okay.

23 April 2006

Today is Sunday. I went onboard this morning until about 9.20am. Went to Pek Kio Market to buy the famous prawn noodle for my wife n delicious carrot cake for our gal. Waited about 10 mins before I get the chance to buy the carrot cake. When on my way home, I stopped by to buy my favourite, Lotus Seed Bun.

I have not went to visit my grandfather n grandmother for a few weeks, so I was hoping today can go visit him especially after I dreamed the death of my grandfather. Really hoped he is doing okay n not hide any thing like health problem from us.

When we reached the place, then we realised that there was no lunch prepared for us. No one actually bothers to inform us, how sad, but maybe they forgotten like how I always forgot to tell them... :)

My grandfather offers to drive us to Jalan Besar market to take our lunch. Ordered claypot chicken rice n 1 small portion of black chicken soup. As we were not very hungry, we could not finish the rice. So my grandfather packet it back home for dinner.

The weather for today is very bad. 1 moment it was raining heavily, the next, it was burning hot. This could make one sick easily.

After lunch, went to Novena Square to buy some goceries n went home to rest.

I went to sleep when reached home because did not sleep well the previous night when waiting to go onboard. My wife was tired but she did not sleep n stayed up to prepare dinner. She is always looking up the receipe to search for better food to cook n I know it's tough for her. It's not easy to cook a meal n many gals do not know how to. I am really glad she could cook decent meals for us. But sometimes, I also cook some meals for them n I can only cook wastern food.

Tonight, there's no order to go onboard so I spent the night watching television. There are nice programs on Sunday night on Channel U, Channel 8 n Channel 5. So I got to switch between them once in a while. Then at about 9.30pm, my gal wanted to sleep n asked if I want to play Pangya. Had 2 games with my wife n her friend before sleeping...

22 April 2006

Today is Saturday n I am not working while my wife is. But today too tired to wake up n send her to work. So gave her money to take cab but it's already 8.30am when she left home n she got to reach office by 9am. I guess she will be late.

I cannot remember what time I woke up but I tidied up the house when I woke up. Until about 1pm, told my gal to go n bath, change clothes n get ready to go to Sun Plaza to attend music class. We reached Sun Plaza at 2pm, took lunch. Then I went to search for abacus for my gal because she is learning that in school. Cannot not find a suitable one n went home. I fell asleep when I reached home. At 4.20pm, they came home n I was awaken by the door bell.

At night, we went to a BBQ gathering among my ex-colleagues. I borrowed Nicky's Hyundai Getz n drove my family to Pasir Ris Costa Sand Chalet. Only a few came; Vincent, Eddie n wife, Giorson, Charles n wife. I guess the location is not so appealing as to attract more people to come. Had a great time with them n as usual, Vincent got drunk because someone brought red wine to drunk him. Then I used Nicky's car to send Vincent home but did not know exactly where he stayed. I think he was way too drunk to tell, so I dropped him opposite Blk 85 Bedok North. Then sent my family home n went back to the chalet to return the car. By the time I reached the chalet, all except for 2 friends had left the chalet. Chatted with Nicky a while n left the place too.

This morning, I woke up in fear because I dreamt that my grandfather died n saw his funeral. I was very sad in the dream n even when I was awake, I feared that my dream might come true. He is a very nice person to many but many people do not appreciate him like my own brother, my father n my uncle. He is very acknowledge, he can repair fans, electric flask, television, bicycle, motorbike, etc. He is even good in capentry stuffs like drilling or fixing a hard wire between 2 walls for hanging clothes.

Since when we were young, he adores me n my brother a lot. Our family used to live in Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 but we moved to current place after I finished Secondary 2. The current place is nearer to my grandfather, it's only less than 10 mins walk. My grandfather would frequently comes over n buy some nice titbits for us. He treats us fairly n we do not need to share the titbits as he always buy each of us individual titbits. He also adores my wife n our gal, sometimes he would give some pocket money to our gal to buy sweats. Nowadays he been working very hard to earn a living because my uncle is not treating him well. Anyway, I just hope one day, I would be earning twice as much as now, then I can take care of him like how he took care of us.

21 April 2006

Today stomach not feeling well, so I did not send my wife to work. After sending her to MRT, I went home n fell asleep. Woke up at 10.30am but still want to sleep. Went to bathe, changed n went to work. Sms Nicky n asked if he want to sleep or makan, he replied that he want to sleep n told me to buy some fruits for him. Went to Marine Parade to eat Yong Tau Hu with Yam rice, my favourite food. I wanted to eat it with noodle but I always get my shirt stained if I order dry noodles with chilli.

Then went shopping for a while to see what to things to buy although I do not have any ideas what I want to buy. Maybe memory no good, so always forget what to buy, so shop around to refresh my memory. Walked 10 mins but still don't know what to buy. So sat down n took a rest while waiting for the time to pass. It's 12.50pm but I do not feel like going to office too early. By right, I can reach office at 2pm but normally go back early to finish the paper works.

At about 3pm, my manager told me to go to MS Pier, get an oil sample n take it to SGS for testing, after that can go home from there.

When going home, my manager told me to go to PTP to check a ship there but still not sure of the timing yet. Then when I reached home at 6.15pm, realised that that ship stop pump at about 8pm. Although I have 1 hr n 45 mins to go in, it is not enough as motorbike lane will be super jam on Friday night. So I got to drive a car in to avoid the big JAM, managed to get Tom's car to go in. Lucky me but not so because there's still a little jam on car lane. Then my luck seems to run out fast as whichever lane or counter I chose is problematic n was held back at least for 10 mins. Normally, Singapore checkpoint clears a car in under 3 mins. So overall, I spent 30 mins at Singapore checkpoint.

When reached Malaysia checkpoint, I also went to the wrong counter n got to wait for another 5 mins. As Malaysia checkpoint is not as crowded as Singapore checkpoint, so I decided to
reverse the car n go to another counter. I did it with a little hesitation n luckily I did it eventually as after I was cleared at another counter, that stupid car was still not cleared yet.

To cut things short, I managed to reach my ship at 8.20pm but luckily the ship is only leaving at 9pm. I only go up to the ship for a short 10 mins but I panic n rushed for more than 1 hr. That's my job so I got no choice.

Reached back Sembawang at about 10pm, returned the car, went to buy dinner n went home.

When reached home, my wife's friend, Pearlyn was at our house chating. I joined in the chatting for a while but I was too tired to continue long. So I went to sleep at about 12am.

A very long n tiring day...

20 April 2006

Today morning went back to PropNex to look for my ex-manager, Jason. Spent some time talking with him n update myself but main motive is to get my commission from him. So far, I only closed 1 case after joining as part-time property agent for more than 6 months. Being a Property Agent takes up lot of time, being a part-time agent takes up more time. So it's not easy if you ask me, then the manager must also be acknowledge n helpful. My ex-manager has since transferred me to his manager because he said he is not good enough to teach. Hopefully I can gain more experience, change to a Programmer job n then I should start property part-time again.

That day when I was at Marina South Pier, I went to third floor to take a look n saw a beautiful scenary. Below are the photos to share:

19 April 2006

As usual, woke up at 6am but today got to send my wife to work by 7.45am must reach her office. Woke her up at 6am, still sleeping. 6.15am, still don't want to wake up. Finally at 6.30am, then she unwillingly woke up, walked to the bath.

By the time we leave home, it's about 7.25am n so we got about 20 mins to reach Toa Payoh which I think it's impossible. Normally I take at least 30 mins to reach Toa Payoh but I still try my best n went the fastest as I could. Still, we reached Toa Payoh at 7.55am, 10 mins late, not so bad.

Then I went to park my bike downstair n went for breakfast nearby. Searched for my favourite breakfast, Bee Hoon Noodle with egg, preferable chicken wing but I chose fried fish stick instead n a cup of hot milk tea. :)
I could eat this almost everyday since there's nothing much to eat in the morning so this is considered quite a light meal n affordable. Although porridge might be a better choice, porridge might costs more than a plate of Bee Hoon Noodle.

Actually, the hawker near to Parkway Parade sells nice Bee Hoon Noodle but the staff there very "kuai lan", so I told myself not to patronise them again. Whenever Nicky wants to buy Bee Hoon Noodle, I would go other stores to buy other food. If I really wants to eat Bee Hoon Noodle, I would look for other places to buy. I can go to Chong Pang, Toa Payoh or Katong to buy. But all except for Chong Pang store, are not as good as the Marine Parade store. I have not ever taken such steps to avoid a store, no matter how bad I was treated. This in fact, is my first time doing it n I do feel happy.

There's always bad attitude people around us but if we always give in to them, they will keep bullying us.

Did I mentioned that my luck this year is not very good? Yes, I am unlucky this year, different from what was mentioned in the forecastl for this year. Unlike my wife n Nicky, they seems to be having a better year than me despite that we are all Goats. Maybe like my wife said, I do not believe in Spirits n Gods, n so God do not bless me for the year. We always have disagreements when it comes to these Spirital things, I better not mention more, because religious is a very sensitive topic. I was also adviced not to attend any wedding n funeral this year, so I had to push away a wedding invitation of my ex-colleague, Liew. I just hope he understands why I cannot go. As much as possible n if my wallet permits, I would like to attend. I think it's sort of a gathering among old friends or colleagues. Liew is not a very good friend of mine but we got some common topics to talk about while I was still in CSIT. There are more good people in CSIT than there are in my current company n I do miss those days. People in CSIT especially my department, are friendly n easy-going. Perhaps our age gaps are not very big n even the old timers there are friendly. My current company has lots of "小人“, n I got to be on high alert every single day. It's tiring to be on the alert n watch what I say because words spread like fire in this company. U never know what words will reach boss' ears.

Some changes are going on in the company, but I just hope good changes happen n bad changes goes away.

I am happy that I could remember so much n could blog so much today. I still wish for a better tomorrow.

18 April 2006

I forgot what I did today, I guessed nothing big n important happened. But I realised that my memories fails me these recent years, could be due to age or maybe memory full just like a memory card. Sometimes needs to clear some memories or even format the memory card to store more new things. But too bad, human's memory cannot be erased at our own will.

But some memories are good n sweet while some are bad n bitter. It's always good to deliberately forget those bad memories n keep those good ones. But then, I remembered hearing a sentence from a Chinese drama series, "If there's no bad people, how to we know you are good people?" So I rephrase it, "If there's no bad memories, how do I know there's good memories?"

I hope I can remember more things whether it's good or bad, n write it down here so in case I lost my memories or whatever, I can read back n RECALL.

Going to sleep early today because I am not going onboard n my eyes are closing...

17 April 2006

This morning, I went to LTA to do ownership transfer n renew my roadtax for my motorbike at about 9am. There was no queue at that time unlike my friend who told me he waited an hour for his number to be called. When everything was processed within 10 mins, then the counter staff realised that the NETS system is down n I have to use cash. So no choice but to cancel my transaction n I have to leave the place to withdraw cash. It's costs $37 for the ownership transfer n $80 for a year's roadtax. It's not very expensive but I been spending money on this bike for past few months, quite sick of paying n paying especially for a six years old bike like this. But if u ask me not to ride bike, it's quite difficult for me especially of the nature of my job n the location of our new flat at Sembawang Drive.

There are too many things to consider if I give out riding bike:
1. I cannot fetch my gal in time as most of the time my wife cannot leave office on time.
2. The fact that my office is at Parkway Parade, at least a half an hour ride from home.
3. If I take public transport, it's about 5 mins walk from home to bus-stop, 15 mins to Sembawang MRT, 20 mins to Ang Mo Kio MRT, 5 mins walk to bus-stop, 55 mins to Parkway Parade n 10 mins walk to office. Total? 1 hr 50 mins.
4. I have to go onboard anytime (like 12am, 2am, 5am) n not much taxis comes inside to my house, so I got to call cab to Marina South Pier. Likewise, MS Pier is secluded n call cab is a must unless there are people coming into MS Pier. Although company allows me to claim taxi fare, it's not the money, it's the time needed to wait. I got to wait for taxi, wait for launch, wait for bunker clerk to call me, wait for stop pump. All these are time which money cannot buy back n it's wasted if I keep waiting for others to control my time.
5. There are quite a few more points to write but now I got to work first. Will update when I got the time later.

During lunchtime, my colleague, Nick told me I could be a Programmer by chance. In fact, he already told me a few days ago. But we kept bringing it out to discuss n state out all the possibilities. It is because our colleague, CY is taking 2 months unpaid leave to settle some family problems, so we anticipate that I might be posted to be a Programmer. A Programmer, A.K.A. Organiser or Planner, is to plan our barges to bunker for our customers in Singapore waters or at PTP Malaysia. But I am quite comfortable with current arrangements n job, so if I am really chosen to be Programmer, I guess I got no choice.

Then Nicky was telling me that I might not be suitable to be a Programmer n he said he too. I do not know if I am suitable or not but I know I must earn more $$$. In Singapore, if everyone choose a job which he likes or suits, I wondered if anyone will sweep the floor of Singapore, clear the rubbish daily, water the plants. I got no good qualifications, so I guess I can only follow the wind n turn. N wish for a better tomorrow.

Did I blogged too much today? I guess when there's a target, one can just keep blogging n blogging, until one reaches the end, then it's time to move on...

14 April 2006

It was almost a long weekend if I am not going to work tomorrow. Took leave on 13th April supposingly to bring my wife go out walk walk n relax her mind but it was raining almost the whole day. We could not wait n ride in the rain in order to catch some food before my wife's gastric relapses. But not only the rain spoilt the day but my wife is also facing some problems with her work. But things work out fine, maybe because she bought a gift for her colleague as an apology for being scolded by their boss.

Never been to the new revamped Marina South shopping centre so we went there after breakfast. It was really nicely done up but the nicest thing is that, motorbikes still do not need to pay for parking. Haha...

Then I bought a HWZ magazine because got free Sanyo AAA rechargable batteries which costs more than the magazine. N my wife bought a gift for 2 of her colleagues.

After shopping at Marina South, we went to Toa Payoh to pass the gift to my wife's colleague. Then it's time for shopping again, but this time for food. That night, I decided to cook but I can only cook western food, so we had beef bolognaise, sausage omelette n pizza for dinner. Not very delicious as my gal did not finished it. I did not enjoy it much too, still preferred the spaghetti with cream sauce.

Today, 14th April 2006 is a Good Friday which is also a holiday. It was also a rainy day so we stayed at home the whole day packing n throwing away our gal's toys. About 80% of the toys were thrown away, now the room looks more spacious n brighter. Soon, I will throw some things in our study room too. It's a pity we have to throw things away as some still looks fine n it costs money to buy. We were hoping to keep most for our second child.

At night, i was supposed to go onboard a barge in Port of Tanjong Palapas(PTP) in Malaysia but last minute my manager told me not to go as it was raining heavily n it was too dark for me to go in. He replaced that barge with another barge in Singapore, but was too called off. My wife n I were happy n decided to go to a Pasar Malam in Khatib after dinner.

After dinner, we were too tired to go out but our gal was sad when she heard that. So we decided to bring her downstair to play at the playground. The lights were out downstair so we brought her to nearby temple to pray. It was the first time my wife goes there to pray. She was having nightmares n so we prayed for peace. We had no loose money for donation to the temple so I called X to ask if it's okay to donate Malaysia ringgit. But I asked him, I told him I was serious about this, but he still laughed at me.

After praying for a peace of mind, we headed home for a Pangya game while our gal sleep. Pangya is a online golf game with cute characters to play with. Check it out here

10 April 2006

Been busy recently that I forgot what I did recent so unable to update accordingly. So many ships to check until I so tired. Luckily today no ships to check, if not I will be so tired that I would not want to wake up tomorrow morning.

This afternoon renewed my motorbike insurance at $205. Heart pain because really spent a lot on this motorbike these few months, still have not renew my roadtax n do a ownership transfer for the bike which costs about $117.


My day got worst when I realised that my rain shoes are missing after leaving them on my bike for drying. I have done this quite a few times but were never stolen. But it's partly my fault to trust that Singaporeans are good people n will not touch my dirty n smelly rain shoes.

So I guess I have to buy another pair tomorrow. It's a waste of money but I need it for my daily travelling use.

Having a little headache, could be an after effect from swimming during noon time yesterday. Brought my wife n gal to swimming at Yio Chu Kang swimming pool. My wife did not swim, only myself n my gal swam. She really improved her swimming skills a lot after sending her to swimming classes n she was showing off during the 3 hours of swimming. I suffered from a mild sun burn on the face, shoulder n back.

At night, we tried to complete the zig saw puzzle that was bought few months ago. But after about 1 hour, we only completed half of it. Will try again tomorrow. It's fun doing things as a family but my gal kept talking n complaining that she do not know what to do. Haha.

That's all...

04 April 2006

It's been quite sometime since I last updated my blog. I have been very busy so can hardly spend time here to update. Mostly busy with work as some might notice, I write my blogs in the daytime during office hour. Although writing blog do not takes up much time, thinking what to write does.

Anyway, I was busy with report writing requested by my Boss. In fact, the report in not finished at this point of time but it's 98% done, just need some touching up n reorganizing. N since the time now is 11.48am, I am giving myself a little break to write my blog.

My wife was asking, how come I have to do reports when I am only a Checker. Checker checks ships, not do reports. N not only do I do reports, I also
1. Run (official n personal) errands
2. Fix computers
3. Assists in purchasing laptops, computer spare parts
4. Learn to use the copier machine
5. Align excel spreadsheets for manager (as he is not good in computers)
6. Drive colleague to Clifford Pier
7. Wait in the car while my colleagues go to other people's office to get money
8. Advise people on which phone to buy
9. Help colleague to look after things in the cafe while they go back office for meeting


Lots of things happened during this period when I was not blogging like
1. bike spoilt n spent $93.
2. then spoilt again on the very same day when I collected the bike
3. realised my leather shoe got a hole on the sole
4. went to pray in the temple near our house for the first time
5. also brought my little gal to pray but did not offer incense
6. took my gal for a ride from motordiam back to home for the first time as I am not comfortable to leave her at home alone
7. went to new Marine South Pier. Nice place but location no good (pics are below)
8. went back to office on Saturday even though I do not have to because I went onboard the previous day
9. my gal attended her first lesson at Yamaha Music School, I was not inside the class to accompany her because my knowledge of music sucks, so I asked my wife to go in. Heard that our gal cried initially when teacher asked her to sing aloud. But slowly, she adapted n went along with the class.

That's all for today n try to update my blog as frequent as possible. Stay tuned...

New Marine South Pier