Siao Siao Ramblings

To be revived?

2015-06-25T13:33:00.002+08:00

For some reason I am thinking of reviving this blog.....am I free enough to be posting? Do I want to? I definitely want to record my baby's every step in his life but do I want to expose him to social media without his consent?

Fifty Shades

2013-01-28T20:11:00.000+08:00

I am oh so hooked to the Fifty Shades trilogy!

It is not something I will pick up from the bookstores usually but I have heard so much rave about this book but not once knowing what the book is all about. The first time I heard the name of the book was on a plane from Singapore to KL. A passenger was holding to Book 1. As we land and getting ready to get off the plane, the stewardess also mentioned that she has read it. After that, I have heard people speaking of the book one and off.

I told myself I have to have that book! It is a trilogy so I must make sure I buy all 3 at once. I was more aware of the books' presence and seems to be seeing it in every bookshops I go! I saw them again in Coles, Australia and they were on sale! But because I was with my cousin and I know for a fact that he'll pay if I picked them up, I passed. I kicked myself after that because I couldn't find it at that price anywhere else and we didn't have time to return to get them.

Then I saw them again in KL, on sale!!! I grabbed them and now I'm hooked. I just can't put the book down! I only started on the first book late last week and I'm on my third book now. I suspect I will finish it before the week's out. I did finish part 2 in a day :)

Go read it! For your benefit and a word of caution, it's an erotic book ;) People who knows me know that I'm a crime and investigation person so this is a breath of fresh air eh? LOL

No reply.... :(

2013-01-23T20:13:00.000+08:00

I am still waiting for Uncle's reply to confirm the dates for Kinmeng!!! Arghhh!!! Are we still going or not? If he doesn't reply still, I'm gonna ask mum to speak to him or maybe through Aunty Flo.

I might extend a couple of days in Taipei, that is if we go via Taipei since my trip there now is kaput. Might as well extend another 4 days or so just moving around Taipei city myself.

Uncle reply quick!

Longest CNY Break

2013-01-21T18:38:00.002+08:00

This CNY will be the first CNY which I will have more than a week off! I've taken a day off before the actual day because I have some more days left from last year which I need to clear.

First day of CNY is on the 10th and my leave starts on the 8th. I'm back at work on the 18th! HAHAHAHAHAH - 10 days off!!!!!

BKK Trip Planned

2013-01-21T18:36:00.002+08:00

Finally have the first draft of the itinerary sent out to my dad! I spent one whole Sunday sitting in front of my lappie researching and drafting it out! It's so tough to have to come up with an itinerary for a group of people who has totally opposite needs and wants! Well, sort of. Different enough.

I need to have an itinerary which is interesting enough but not too taxing while incorporating a right amount of shopping to interest some while not boring some others. I need to cover as many places as possible because most people will not return and I need to make it different plus interesting enough to keep others interested to continue traveling.

Anyway, first draft's out and sent to my dad. Gave him a few options where he can tweak a little here and there. He also gave me specific places and stuff he wants to visit/see so again, I need to do something which I can accommodate as much as possible.

Let's see what he comes back with.

Going to Bangkok!

2013-01-18T20:04:00.001+08:00

After months and months of discussing and disagreeing, we are finally going to Bangkok for CNY! From Da Nang to Hong Kong to Taiwan then Bintan and finally now Bangkok. Phew......

But because of that stupid cheater Travelsmoove which has now filed for liquidation WITH my money, I am ending up with 3 days leave from last year. I have no idea when to use them but I have to finish them by 31 March.

I am officially a creditor! Pray pray pray that I get back my money!!!

Back from Melbourne and off to Hong Kong

2012-10-30T20:56:00.000+08:00

Am back from Melbourne! A week in Melbourne did good to my skin :) It was terribly cold, nothing like Spring at all! It was averaging 12-13 degrees celcius the whole time I was there but me like though I still do not think much of Melbourne. Not my cup of tea unfortunately.

I honestly do not remember how I spent my days there because I have visited places I need to visit when I was there 10 years ago. So it was just very relaxing trip, sleeping 10 hours everyday. That is until Ann Gie arrived then I was sleeping a lot less -_-"

Sam's wedding was awesome. We learnt a lot about Vietnamese culture that day and saw a lot of pretty Vietnamese girls as well. The wedding was very well planned and grand. I'm pretty sure he spent quite a bit on that day alone though I would hate to guess how much. It was hard to leave - always is hard to see your holidays coming to an end but one have to return to reality sometime.

Anyway, it is off to Hong Kong tomorrow! I only just unpacked my luggage and then pack it up again for my trip to Hong Kong tomorrow! Can't wait to touch down in Hong Kong again after a decade!

Psst! Kevin Cheng is in Hong Kong right now!!! But fat chance of meeting him :( He's recuperating with an eye injury so no chance of bumping him on the streets not like I have the time to be walking around hopping to spot some stars anyway. This is a business trip.

Holiday....finally!

2012-10-19T19:23:00.000+08:00

Finally a holiday after more than 9 months! Australia tomorrow woot!! And it's Australia again after......10 years!

But it's also gonna be expensive :(

In other news, I received a surprise in the mail today. I won a Nescafe Dolce Gusto from DBS Card for using my credit card! I think they had a contest on sometime last month or something. You just have to charge a certain amount (can't recall something like $2000?) to your card and you're in running to win one!!

I will collect it when I'm back from Australia :)

WTF!!!

2012-10-15T20:08:00.000+08:00

How much damn more money do I have to spend?!?! If all the wedding ang pows, traveling, macbook repairs, glasses etc etc etc is not enough, let me add one more to the list.

Hear this:

My car's air-conditioner gave up on me today! FUCK! Honestly, fuck the words that I use. I got into my car this morning as usual to drive myself to work and the moment I switched on the air-cond, a foul smell was emitted then hot air then came the hissing sound. Immediately you know that something is damn wrong. So I ended up driving all the way for an hour with my windows down. Thank God it was 6.30am in the morning.

I was hoping that the car will decided to stop its nonsensical "strike" in the evening. Nope, the air-cond decided to continue its strike. I drove all the way in the hot sun with my windows down. Drove straight to a workshop and wow great news to end my sucky day! I was right - leakage. Leakages can happen either from the inside of the car or out. But as "lucky" as I am, the leakage had to happen from the inside which means more money and more hassle. It will take a day to repair and will cost me minimum $700!! If it was the outside $100-300 will do it. WTF!

I have no plans when I will bring it for repairs but I know I will rather drive with my windows down for now. Is it really time to change my car? I have been looking and considering that option. Or is it true what they say - a car knows when its owner is tempted to get rid of them then they start acting up? I'm just looking, preparing for the future for God's sake! Like it or not, the car must go by law in 2.5 years so live with it!

URGH!!!!

Broke again

2012-10-14T20:21:00.000+08:00

Did I mention I spent almost $1000 to get my Macbook out of the hospital? That's not even it - I still cannot use the wifi? OK I think I did - hey you can't blame me. Age's catching up

I spent another $1700 over the weekend. -_-"

For some reason, right is not happy with me and decided to fall "ill". I was diagnosed with astigmatism. Not critical, in fact very mild but because I have a lot of difficulties driving at night, my optician thinks it is best that I get myself a pair of prescribed glasses. So I said OK because driving at night is really a torture for me.

I combed her shop up and down, left and right for God knows how many times going from display units to display units. I shortlisted a couple. After a couple of rounds I managed to narrow down to 2 - both black frames but one had more character and rugged while the other is refined. I decided to go for the rugged version and then I saw the price tag!!!!! My choice $880. The other $580. Urgh! With discounts and all, I paid $880 with prescribed lenses.

This is how I look 4-eyed.

But that's just $880 so what else? I shared with Ann Gie to buy mum a new handbag and also a pair of new Anna Sui's sunglasses. She tried on a couple and really liked the Anna Sui one. She looks really chio in them lor......anyway, I paid for them when I went to collect my own today. Told my optician to call mum tomorrow to get her in to get her eyes checked then tell her what's going on. She's gonna be so surprised! Hehehehe

Macbook's home

2012-10-11T20:00:00.000+08:00

My dear came home couple of days ago. I paid $20 short of $1000 to repair the battery and re-install the system. The airport is still not repaired so I'm going online via LAN. Apparently one of the electronic board has given up. I was told that there is no point replacing it - it will cost more than $1500 and a new Mac is $3699. If I don't mind not having a wifi, then there is no hurry to change it.

Poor me.....am poorer than the church mouse!

Australia next weekend

2012-10-11T19:57:00.002+08:00

Finally - a holiday.....a long awaited holiday! Let's see...my last holiday of the year.....Bali! OMG really are you serious?

A lot of things need to be done before I fly - medical checkup (tomorrow), submit my medical report etc to complete my PR process, change money (sob sob) into Aussie dollars and Hong Kong dollars.

Nelson might not go - he hasn't decided. Whatever.....

I need to make sure all the important stuff at work are done before I leave. Quite scary if you ask me especially now that I do not have an assistant. I do not even dare to imagine if my mailbox will burst with emails when I return a week later but that's a thought for another day. I don't want to spoil my holiday.

I just looked at my flight details - I'm actually regretting why I took such a late flight out of Australia (or is it the only?). I am arriving only 11.30pm Sunday night and I need to work the next day!!!! Argh stupid! Back to office for 2 days then it's off to Hong Kong.

Busy times!

Macbook hospitalised

2012-09-24T13:42:00.004+08:00

My beloved MacBook Pro of 3 years was hospitalised on Saturday :(

I was using it as usual on Thursday evening when suddenly my webpages stopped loading. Thought it's my connection again so I switched the airport off and on again. When I did that, it says AirPort card not installed. *Jeng jeng jeng* Then the batter turned red asking me to service the battery

Tried re-starting it but nothing happened. It still shows AirPort card not installed. *Jeng Jeng Jeng* So I turned my lappy off hoping that it must be tired and needed rest coz I left it on since Sunday. I only put it to sleep whenever I'm done because I didn't wanna lose the tabs I had opened.

Friday was out all day and the first thing I did on Saturday morning when I woke up was to dash for my lappy. It wouldn't turn on!!!! The only thing I see appearing before my eyes was a white screen and a gray apple. Nothing happens after that.....tried a couple of times, same thing everytime.

Had to send it to "hospital" in the afternoon and when we were there, the lappy decided to turn itself on again! But airport card refused to wakeup still so my poor lappy has to be "warded". Now am just waiting for the call to see what exactly is wrong.

My dear lappy, I hope fixing you won't be too expensive!!!

Running low on dough Updated 19 Sep 2012

2012-09-19T19:20:00.000+08:00

**This list will be edited as we go along**

I just realised that I have too many holiday/travel plans coming up and a lot of events (eg: weddings etc) coming up 2nd half of this year........bad money planning - I'm heading for doomsday :(

OK here's what.

July
1) Births - 2 (colleague & close friend)
2) Weddings - 1 (close friend)
3) Visitors - 1 (close friend from Estonia)
4) Birthday - 1 (hubby)

August

1) Birthday - 1 (mine)
2) Wedding - 1 (friend I made in Kenya) - Added 20 June 2012

September

1) Births - 2 (both are very close friends)

2) Birthday - 2 (grandma and best friend)

3) Wedding - 2 (close friend) Updated 03 September 2012
4) Outing - colleagues

October

1) Travel - 2 (KUL, AUS) Updated 19 September 2012

2) Wedding - 1 (cousin)

November

1) Travel - 4 (2XHKG, Malacca and KUL)

2) Wedding - 1 (cousin)

December

1) Christmas
2) Wedding - 2 Updated 03 September 2012

3) Travel - 1 (SGN) Updated 19 September 2012

January

Free??

February

1) Chinese New Year

2) Travel - 1 (family trip)

March

1) Travel - 1 (TWN)

ARRRRRRGHHHHH!

A day of good news

2012-09-19T19:18:00.000+08:00

A good day but as usual, nothing so fantastic as it comes to an end.....

First I received confirmation that I will go to Vietnam on business trip in December to attend coffee conference. Made reservations for myself and a colleague who will be attending the conference with me.

Then, the news of my successful application for Singaporean PR came in the mail. Refer to my other post on this topic alone.

I left the office on time today - did not leave earlier. Stayed till my official end of the day. The moment I got home, received an SMS from my manager - my promotion has been confirmed! I will be promoted effective 1st Oct! I don't know what I will be promoted to because of the current organisational changes but I'm guessing that I'll be called Senior Account Manager or something like that.

Finally came the fact that I will not have to fly budget to Hong Kong =p I'm flying SQ!

Ahhh.....of course the day ends by going home and...........ok stop.

A PR today

2012-09-19T19:12:00.000+08:00

I received my Singapore PR approval today! It isn't anything impressive to be offered the PR because to be honest, apart from being able to apply for any jobs in the market and have retirement fund contribution from the company, there is no other benefits by being a Singaporean PR.

Instead, I think there might be more disadvantages for those of us who would prefer to remain Malaysia or have no intentions of moving to Singapore. For example, I will never ever be allowed to drive a Malaysian car into Singapore for as long as I am still a PR.

But what surprises me is the duration between application and being approved. I submitted my application on 15th August 2012 and was told that I will hear from them within 4 to 6 months. I have many friends who are now Singaporean PRs and the average waiting time is 4 months. But I got mine within a month! The letter was dated 17th September and I received it today! A colleague applied for hers back in January and received her letter only mid-May.

Whatever the reason why i got mine so quickly - I have now 2 weeks to submit some more documents before I get my blue ID card. Next stop - medical checkup!

Lynn in London!

2012-09-12T20:22:00.001+08:00

Lynn has finally arrived in London! A new beginning that will change her life forever - this is the beginning and I'm super impressed with what I have heard so far about how mum is coping! Super cool mum man!

I can still remember when I first got the news that I will be leaving for Moscow. Mum started getting emotional like 2 months before I was scheduled to fly. Everytime I go shopping for something she gets emotional, when someone asks when I will be leaving she gets emotional - basically anything that will link to me leaving, she will get emotional. But this time, hmm....peaceful!

Apparently Anlynn has started walking around in London on her own already!

Have fun Lynn!

Leaving the nest

2012-09-10T19:41:00.000+08:00

The "little" girl's last night at home - she will be leaving the nest tomorrow finally her turn. She's actually the first to be leaving the nest at such a young age - going to London tomorrow to further her studies. Both Gie and I attended uni in KL so that was the furthest we went until I left home to Moscow when I was 25.

I don't want to know how the atmosphere is at home right now - I can only guess. I said goodbye on Sunday and Gie is back home right now. I guess I will only see her again in 9 months, if she comes home for summer otherwise I don't know when.......Gie will see her most often, whenever she flies London she will most likely get to meet her for dinner or something.

She'll be going to KL tomorrow on her on just like how I left for Moscow but at least she has a friend flying with her and our cousin has arranged a cab to be waiting for her at the airport.

I'm sure she'll be great and will love London.

Bon voyage, have a safe flight tomorrow Lynn! And enjoy your time in London!

Officially Kevin Cheng'd fan

2012-09-03T21:00:00.001+08:00

There my Fanclub membership pack arrived in the post today 😊😊❤❤

Didn't manage to get an autograph, this will do for now. Though not autographed in front of me but still autographed by him. It's not printed ok! He autographed them!

Visitors and Lynn leaving

2012-09-03T20:57:00.000+08:00

This week is a busy week back home - 2 visitors are in town, one from China and another from Australia. Mum's gonna have her hand full again with 2 visitors in tow and grandma to take care of. To top it up, she's busy getting Lynn ready for her maiden journey to the other half of the world - London!

Yes, Lynn will be the first in our family to study overseas. She's always always different! She went to a Chinese primary while two of us went to national school. She went to our rival secondary school. She went to rival college in KL. She went into arts. She is a straight As student. She did not learn to play the piano (only a couple of months so that doesn't count). And now, she's going overseas. Hmmm.....bizarre.....

Anyway, I will be seeing her for the last time this year this coming weekend when I go back to catch up with her before she flies off on 911. Then it will be a year before I get to see her again. Gie will be seeing her more often since London is practically her 3rd home now, after BP and SG. Lynn will be missing out on a lot like our CNY trip to wherever but she will be having a lot of fun on her own too! Freaking jealous!!! London!!! C'mon I only ended up in Moscow, Italy then Africa! Now am back. Told her do not ever return.

Anyway, sister, you'll do well. Don't worry too much. London's a civilized country you will survive.

Meeting Kevin Cheng finally!!!!

2012-08-20T16:10:00.002+08:00

Finally my turn to be able to receive Kevin! He kept his flight details very secret but the few of us kept in touch with fans all over trying to find out his flight details. Eventually, Elyn from Singapore got news that he was spotted in Shanghai airport at around 12+am this morning (18 August 2012) and, really appreciate it, she texted telling me the exact flight which Kevin was on.

There was only 2 possible flights which Kevin will be on and a third which was had a slim chance so even if the news didn't come, I would have tried my luck at the airport anyway.

I am first going to share the pictures sent by Elyn. My own will be uploaded later - I actually did not take that many because I was really talking to him, studying him but I managed to get one with him.

There was about 14 fans who turned up at the airport. The reason why Kevin have requested for his flight to be kept a secret is because he was arriving at 6am at Changi Airport Singapore. His flight actually earlier than scheduled at 5.20am and thank God most of us were already there. We noticed 2 security personnels and a lady whom I was told is from StarHub - the main event organizer for tonight's StarHub TVB Awards. We knew we came to the right place and waiting for the right person.

At around 5.30am, I noticed a silhouette inside the belt area - a very slim (maybe thin) and good height man with a cap. It was too far away so it is not possible to see the facial features but I was looking at his sides then back. Of so many passengers arriving and waiting for their luggages at the belt, he caught my attention. Fans at that time didn't notice him at all because he was just too far away. Anyway, I know then that was Kelvin and alerted the other fans. 2 of us walked up to the glass doors and started snapping pictures - max out our zooms. My sister who went to the airport with me actually said the girl from StarHub asked the security why are we snapping photos already. Obviously she didn't notice Kevin is already waiting at the belt.

After awhile, there he is - walking out pushing his trolley out of the glass doors. The first thing he said when he us was "Thank you all for coming but this is too early. Way too early. How did you know? I told them not to tell!" He sounded tired and he sounded guilty that we are that at that unearthly hour. For awhile, all he could utter was "It's too early man" All in English - he speaks with a strong American accent in perfect English, which kinda took me by surprise because the only times I hear him speaking a word or two of English are all in the TV series he was in and none of them sounded like how he spoke this morning.

Security whisked him away very quickly. I asked for a picture. He smiled and said "I look like shit!" I said "No you don't!" He turned back as he was walking "Yes I do!" The security said "Too early" I said "OK understand" He turned again and said "Can we do the picture tonight when I look better - not crap?" I smiled "Of course" He said he didn't sleep at all - he had scenes to film today, went straight to the airport and didn't sleep on the plane. He's extremely tired and he said he looks like crap.

When we got to the van which was already waiting while they were loading his luggages, he actually stood there to speak to us. He asked if all of us will be there tonight? He said he will try to arrange a photo session with us then. All of us agreed. And again, he kept saying it is too early in the morning for us to be there. Then he boarded the van. As he did that, all of us remained at the scene, chatting and looking at each other's pictures.

Suddenly, there was a light in the van again - he opened the door of the van. He stepped out and said "You still want pictures? Let's do it in case I am not able to do pictures later." Isn't he just sooooo nice!!!?????

I walked forward first to have my pictures taken then my sister. Subsequently it was a blur for me because I was busy checking the pictures but I think there were 2 others who went forward to get a pic with him. Then he left.

Kevin was extremely nice - he doesn't look a bit crap. If he looked crap then, I really cannot imagine how he looks like if he's looking good! I finally understand what they mean when other fans say that he's extremely nice to fans and takes good care of them. He was friendly and apologetic. He accedes to our requests if he can.

Kevin, see you in a couple of hours :) (I am going to StarHub TVB Awards 2012 which is why he is in Singapore for)

So excited to finally have met him! He is soooooo good looking!!!! OMG! I can die lor....But I look damn bad in the pics - so obvious I haven't slept. I only slept for 3 hours before waking up to go to the airport ok.......hai.....should have slept like at 8pm so to look my best right?

Starhub TVB Awards 2012

2012-08-06T21:55:00.001+08:00

I am going!! Kevin is attending too, well that's why I am going!!!!

I will go with my little sis - gonna leave the hubby at home =p So excited!!! Now I need to consider what I should wear - I cannot underdress because it's a red carpet event so many will be in gowns but I do not want to overdress as well then it will make following Kevin around very very difficult.....hmmm...very tough decision I need to make here.

Dukan Diet Stage 3

2012-08-06T21:50:00.001+08:00

Am going into stage 3, consolidating now and in 44 days will move on to the final stage which is stabilisation which literally mean going back to normal life and hopefully will not rebound.

Let's see.

Blogging on iPhone

2012-08-06T21:48:00.001+08:00

Am trying out the Blogger app on iPhone. Not good. Not user friendly at all and yes suppose to be simple but a little too simple.

Disappointed 😒

RIP

2012-07-13T11:38:00.001+08:00

Black Friday indeed.

As I write, I might have lost my uncle already. He, who has been on life support since his accident on 5 July 2012, will be taken off the life support today.

My last update was 3 hours ago from my aunt in Australia who told me they are still waiting for his son to arrive from New Zealand. She was making her way to the hospital and an aunt from Sydney had arrive.

I am sure 3 hours later, right now, they must either be finishing up the paperwork or whatever. I know pulling the plug is a very easy thing and only takes a while. My grandmother was taken off life support the same way last April too. It is just a matter of minutes.

I will be taking time off work today after an important meeting to rush home to be with my family. Grandma seem to be able to sense something because out of the blue she was asking for him last night.

Uncle, we don't see you enough. Regret not writing to you enough nor trying to get to know you enough. It is so unfortunate that this had to happen and none of us had the chance to say goodbye.

You will not be forgotten - what happened on that tragic day will remain a mystery.

Rest In Peace Uncle.