Buy 2 get 6 free! =D

** Photo on right: My favourite Magnum Ice-Cream - Yoghurt Fresh!
It is an ice-cream with yoghurt and raspberry sauce, coated with milk chocolate.
If you like sweet and sour, or raspberry ripple ice cream, you confirm like this ice-cream!

Just in case you didn't see correctly, Wall's Magnum single-pack ice-cream (from Germany and NOT Thailand) is selling at provision shops/7-11/Cheers outlets/Shell petrol stations at $3.90 for the 2 ice-cream (in other words, it is a 1 for 1 offer - because it usually cost $3.90 per stick!).. It is an offer NOT to be missed, and offer is valid until 31 March 2009.

Anyway, been searching high and low for this Yoghurt Fresh ice-cream around my neighbourhood (since it was on offer), and I only found 2 sticks.. my dad bought the other time.. Then it was no news, until today.. I went to this particular store.. here was the conversation..

Went to store and saw that there are plenty stocks for Yoghurt Fresh, and took 8 packets (since its 1 for 1, and I only pay for 4 packets).

Me: 1 for 1 right?
Cashier: Yes.

Cashier: (scans and total bill came up $7.80).
Me: (shocked because its supposed to be $15.60).. aunty, 8 packets leh..

Cashier: Ya what! 1 for 1, so I charge you 4 packets.
Me: (still confused).. Orh.. Ok.. (wanted to go and take another 8 packets, since its so cheap because of miscount! But then I didn't go back to take, because if so, there is a high chance that the cashier will realise that she has miscounted, and charge me the original price!)

Cashier: (register shows $2.20 as change)
Me: (receives receipt and $2).. eh aunty.. $2.20 change right?

Cashier: Ya.
Me: I only got $2. Where is the $0.20?

Cashier: (checks what she gives me, and realises that she didn't give me $0.20.. and she force open the cash register and give me back the $0.20).
Me: Thank you.

Me: (checks receipt in train back home and realises that the cashier only key in 4 packets, and the computer automatically check it as 2 packets, which costs me only $7.80!)..

This must be God's blessing (because its supposed to be buy 4, get 4 free.. whilst I got buy 2, get 6 free)! Saying of which, I think I will buy more Yoghurt Fresh ice-cream to stock up in my freezer, since promotion is ending soon.. =)

Oh.. did I mention to you that actually, my friend didn't try before this Yoghurt Fresh ice-cream, and when she saw the offer, she immediately SMS me, and I was told today by herself, that in great faith (because she trust my taste), she bought 10 sticks at one go (and pay only for 5 sticks!).. and she said she didn't regret since! She loves it becos' its both sour and sweet at the same time (so fans of sourness - like me - will love it!).. haha.. (told you that its nice.. so my recommendation most of the time is correct one!) =)

Deeply in love with my Yoghurt Fresh,
<<< abriel >>>

Being 25!

** Photo on left: Office birthday celebration - My birthday cake (chocolate cheesecake) and a token of appreciation from my company.

I have reached the age of 25 on this day.. and as the saying goes, "a year older is a year wiser".

I am seriously touched by the number of SMS-es and Facebook comments! They just kept coming, and each time I see them, I would just be so touched.. in fact, just thinking of it, will cause a tear or two in my eye.. ya..

Thank you all for your well-wishes and prezzies.. its not the presents that counts, but rather the thought of it.. so I affirm and appreciate each and everyone of you!

THANK YOU~,
<<< abriel >>>

Disappointed..

Dun wish to blog much today, except to say that I'm disappointed..

Today was supposed to meet up with my army friends to discuss about our holiday trip in October.. but morning, I've received one SMS from one of them that he has to report back to work (though he is off today) as one of his colleagues is on MC.. so no choice have to cancel, because its only 2 persons (including me) in the discussion.. What's the point?

I know all these can't be helped, but probably because I've placed very high hopes in today's meeting, and because it didn't pull through, I will feel naturally disappointed..

And mind you, this disappointment doesn't stop like 1-2 hrs.. it started from the time when my friend replied that he is not coming, till the point after work..

So after work, wanted to go and repair my phone at Wisma's Sony Ericsson service centre, but I can only collect it on Sunday if I do so.. I cannot live without my phone that long.. so ya..
Then went to Borders to see see look look, before going home on bus 105, and then now blogging this blogpost loh.. Believe me.. I'm still feeling a tinge of disappointment and I wonder when will this wear off.. haix..

A teardrop of disappointment,
<<< abriel >>>

Discover Scuba Diving!

Scuba Diving is fun I tell you.. I was that close of signing up for the licence, but it will cost me a whopping $550 for the licence and the open dive @ Dayang or Tioman (very expensive leh!).. so ah.. looks like I have to give up this dream of mine for the time being.. but I got the person's namecard, so if I ever want to go for it, I will be able to loh.. just have to wait!

Anyway, today was quite interesting.. here's a lowdown..

** Photo on right: A group pic (in our wet suits) before we set off for the dive! Don't we look professional? =P

Left my lab quite late to the diving place, as I got some last minute urgent matters to attend to..
To make things worst, the cab driver actually did not know the place, and as if that was not enough, we have to travel via AYE -> ECP -> KPE -> TPE (Jalan Kayu) and I tell you.. super long journey.. and guess what.. there was an accident (involving 4 cars) at AYE, so there was this big jam.. haix..
And I have to like reach there within 10 mins, and I was only at AYE.. so ya..

My other colleagues were actually waiting, so not so nice to reach there late loh.. haix..
But I did anyway, after a whopping $33.20 (meter charge + call charge + peak hour surcharge + ERP) on cab fare (but thank God its claimable!)..

** Photo on left: Playing a fool with the snorkle masks! Quite nerd hor.. haha.. =P

When reached, I was required to fill in this super detailed indemity form.. then wait for like about 15-20 minutes before we can begin..

We were then briefed about the equipment (how to handle the tank, inflate/deflate the BCD at surface, clearing the regulator, etc)..

Then we go into the pool, and the instructors helped to put on the oxygen tank (which is 14kg) onto our backs.. it felt like nothing.. haha..
A few minutes later, we were all breathing underwater and one-by-one, we were supposed to do some basic techniques of diving (from clearing mask underwater to more complicated tasks like retrieving back the regulator in the event that it misplaced out of our mouths during the dive)..

** Photo on right: All of us in the full diving gear, and getting instructions from the instructor under the surface of the water!

The whole learning process take about 45 mins to an hour, and the whole time, we were mostly breathing from our oxygen tanks, which actually made our throat quite dry (because of compressed air) after the dive.. so ya..

It came to the time where the basics were taught, and then, we practice our own in the pool.. so ya.. managed to swim quite a bit, and experienced real diving..

And the lesson ended and it was time to go home.. but ya.. I'm actually longing for an open dive (but of course, have to get the licence to do so prior to the dive), and as mentioned above, it will cost at least $550 for me to do so, but I don't have the money.. oh well.. I shall see how.. if got kakki, sure onz one! So if you are interested, we can learn together.. contact me if you are interested =)

The other day where Tjow and myself were at Starbucks, I told him that I was going Scuba Diving trial today, and he was like telling me about his friend, of how his friend bought a very expensive camera completed with professional lens, to take underwater, and he actually started from an Olyumpus camera.. but oh well..
I told Tjow seriously that I won't be so crazy one loh..
But after today's dive, I finally knew why his friend actually bought the professional camera with lens, because able to be diving underwater with the fishes, is considered a privileged thing for people who love the ocean (including me!).. so ya.. so I told Tjow that if ever I'm going for open dive, I may actually consider to get an underwater camera.. haix.. hope not bah.. since now no money for open dive, means no money for camera.. haha..

Oh well.. gtg and end my blogpost here.. super tired.. tml, one whole department is coming to my lab for a training session, and guess what! My colleagues (in my department) is conducting a training..
And I'm in charge of explaining and demostrating 4 equipments.. stress, and may get "crowd-fright" loh.. haix.. hope not bah..

Under the sea,
<<< abriel >>>

Run.. Run.. Run..

Man! Believe it or not.. I actually ran an approximately 8.5km!! Yes.. 8.5km!!
Here is the route that I've ran:

Serangoon Avenue 2 -> Boundary Road -> Lorong Chuan -> Braddell Road -> Bartley Road -> Serangoon Avenue 1 -> Serangoon Central -> Serangoon Central Drive -> Serangoon Avenue 2

So ya.. that run took me close to an hour, but I didn't regret it! The weather was shiok I tell you.. so if end of the year I'm going for the Standchart Marathon (21km), where high chance that I will do so, then it will take an approximate 2 hrs, which is somewhat normal...

I actually did a slow jog rather than run.. If I run, I would have died liaox.. haha..

Then came home after the run.. bathe.. watch my recorded programmes on my Hubstation, then leave for church..

Church was okay, but the dinner fellowship was better! Went to Zion Road Market to eat.. very nice.. in fact, was just talking it in office last Thursday, and viola.. Saturday just went to eat.. yummy!
Had my favourite dumplings & guo-tie, with a bowl of Big Prawn Noodles (from Adam Road).. Satisfied! =)

After that, went to Starbucks @ Great World City to accompany Tjow for coffee (I didn't drink, because I was too full!).. then got a lift from Tjow to Wheelock Place, and went home by bus loh.. so ya..

Just reached home not long ago, and I cleaned my dog (becos she poo-ed *eww*) and then blog this..

Finally I have run after a week of not doing so! =).. An achievement.. if time and weather permits, I will run this same 8.5km route next Saturday again!

跑吧孩子!,
<<< abriel >>>

Mad rush..

I was never this busy until this morning..

This morning, one email was enough to get me all frenzy, because I'm expected to coordinate enquires and get replies within just a working day, and send an email to the respective parties involved at the next working day..

I was totally upset about this matter, because in the first place, everything was not confirmed initially and suddenly, an email was written and sent to me and my bosses, to do this and that..
And the email was written in such a way that if anything goes wrong and I can't meet the deadline, I would have to answer for it, because it is my responsibility..
Called up my boss and seek her advice.. Later, I talk to the respective parties, and have agreed that the deadline would have to be extended.. It is possible for me to do the necessary paperwork, but getting a reply at the next working day is simply too much.. so ya..

Then in the evening, my big boss came to lab, and then, we had an urgent meeting.. Intially, it was just a short update of a situation.. but what I didn't expect that it dragged for about 2 hrs..
So now when my boss said short mtg of about 30 mins, I won't believe liaox.. I'm expecting it to be at least 1 hr.. if can keep within 2 hrs, consider very short liaox.. so ya..
And then your big boss talking in mtg, say just short update, and she just go on and on and on.. you can say "sorry.. a bit too long liaox?".. no mah.. her position in my department is one grade higher than my direct supervisor.. so ya.. We all know her pattern, so everytime she calls for mtg, we koe its at least 1 hr, though she mentioned that its short.. haha..
The only time when she keeps it short and sweet, is she has to either rush back main office for another mtg, or had an important appt after the mtg.. haha.. other than that, don't expect anything less than 1 hr!

Ok.. I have ranted enough.. feeling sleepy (though I slept for 8 hrs yesterday!)..

I hate last minute work,
<<< abriel >>>

Called to serve the Nation once more!

Just finish watching "Perfect Cut 2" on Channel U, which explains why this post was so late.
Nice show.. if you have not catch it, you should.. =)

Anyway, about two hours ago, just received an SMS and email telling me to acknowledge a message which actually states that my next reservist is from 09 September 2009 to 26 September 2009.
When I receive this message, I was somewhat confused, as dun koe whether should I be happy or sad.. and calls to my mobile came in fast and furious within minutes of the notification.. apparently, my friends who received the same message called to ask me whether I have the same date for reservist.. so ya..
Thank God that quite a few of my batch mates were actually being called up on the same reservist date as me.. and 2 of them were my best mates who went with me to Bangkok last year (they are Boon Sen & Kokwei).. so ya..

Have also set a date for my Bangkok trip gang to meet up again, and most probably, will go to Hong Kong this year for my holiday.. so ya.. see how lah.. see whether "do-able" or not loh.. haha..

Ha.. ok lah.. at least I've got good buddies to tide me through the 18 days of reservist (super long lah I tell you!).. and abt a mth later after reservist, I hope I can look forward for my holiday trip in 2009. =).. its been 5 mths already since I've came back from Bangkok, and memories were still vivid in my mind!
Besides the trip to look forward to after my reservist, I still can look forward to my company's activities (eg: the Standchart Marathon & Annual Dinner & Dance).. so ya.. the most I just miss my company's active day only loh.. ha.. 1 event only.. won't die =)

Ok lah.. very tired liaox.. its late..
Gonna sleep now..

Left, right, left, right.,
<<< abriel >>>

Finally!

** Photo on left: My Adidas Jacket!

Finally, after months of contemplating whether should I make such a purchase, and I'm glad I did!

It was a coveted cover (at least for me!), and I decide not to hold back anymore.. Just buy and settle with it, or else, the thought would be lingering till its uncontrollable.. haha.. oh well.. it cost me SGD$129.. and I have thought for it quite long before buying this, so you can say this is not a hasty purchase.. so ya..

But anyway, because my birthday is in 2 wks time (ie. 23 March 2009) *hint *hint*, ha.. this could well be my own birthday present to myself.. haha.. what an irony right..

Yesterday was also my dog's birthday, but instead, gave my family a treat at Sushi Tei.. it costs me another $108.. ha.. family, ok lah.. haha..

Oh.. I'm now eating Marks & Spencer breakfast cereals.. they are good! I like the Apple & Cinnamon ones! ha..

So as per usual birthday blogs, here are my wishlist/needs (if you can fulfill it, good for you.. if not, then just treat it just a story? haha.. but of course, I would wish to have it fulfilled.. haha).. so here it is:

(a) Crumpler laptop/messenger bag (the first one I had is starting to give way!)
(b) Watches (I very open-minded one.. You give me watch, I take.. unlike those old ppl say what send you go die earlier and stuff.. haha)
(c) Some Adidas sports Climacool t-shirts (I wear size M)
(d) A Toyota Vios 1.6 Auto (from Borneo Motors).. haha.. kidding, but if you can fulfill it, very good.. I would be grateful *grinz*..
(e) Vitamin M (which will always come in useful everytime!)
(f) iPod Touch (who won't mind another gadget?)
(g) iPhone (my current SE phone is giving way)
(h) Canon IXUS 870 IS Silver camera (my current one a bit of problem liaox)

So you see.. everything on my list is impt.. I have thought through each item.. ha..

Ok lah.. gtg and sleep liaox..
Hope my wishlist can be fulfilled lah =P..

"Nothing is impossible",
<<< abriel >>>

An exhausting 2 days!!

It was an exhausting 2 days, but it was fun.. here's wat happen..

Yesterday was the day after 5 months, where we played badminton again.. and it was okay at first, but the aching part didn't come in till at nite when I reach home and all.. it was quite torturing, but it was expected.. have not been playing for a while, so naturally, pain everywhere..

** Photo on left: Participants of Jog & Cycle @ East Coast Park (33 colleagues came to the event!)

And this evening, becos' I'm part of the wellness committee in my company, I'm tasked to plan this first event of the year, which is an annual jog & cycle event @ East Coast Park..

I was actually only expecting the most 20 people turning up, but the replies I've received after I send out the invitation email, just came in fast and furious!
When the registrations close, I have a total of 33 people coming for the event, and for me, it surpasses my expectations.. so ya.. so I was happy in a way lah!

** Photo on right: Me (being the organiser for the event) giving a welcome speech to all! Nervous sia!!

When we reached there, it was about to rain, but it didn't.. so becos I was the organiser, I had to give a so-called speech, and break the ice initially lah.. I asked each of the 33 persons to introduce themselves to each other, and all were like "huh".. I was like "don't care.. just do it".. haha..
(And I think after so many emails flying around every single employee's mailbox, where I signed off my name after each email, all who came, actually recognised me liaox.. haha.. whether good or bad, I don't know.. haha..)

Even though I had experience of speaking to big crowds, my welcome speech was a bit of a bad thing, becos' my tongue suddenly become tight, and I was stummering throughout.. at one point, I forgotten what to say, and just felt hard to convey the message across.. ha.. I was that nervous! Moreover, mine was the first event to kickstart the whole Wellness program this year!.. so ya..

** Photo on left: Posing for the camera with 2 of my colleagues..

It rained shortly after my speech.. and we waited like 15-20 mins for the rain to stop.. In the meantime, there was a lot of camwhoring.. haha..

It then came to the time when the rain stop, and almost all went for the bicycle rental.. haha.. so besides being the organiser, I had to take photos as well.. haha.. so armed with a camera, went round to camwhore ppl and take their pics.. haha..

By the time the participants are done, and its my turn to rent a bike, it was already 1800 hrs when I started cycling.. and becos I have to help in laying out of the food as well, have to finish cycling before 1830 hrs.. so ya.. not very worth the money I've paid (its $6 for 2 hrs), but oh well.. its ok lah.. company sponsoring $5/bicycle rental.. ha.. so technically, I only pay $1.. haha..

** Photo on right: Posing for the camera before tugging into the delicious finger food from Kriston Catering!

And as all outings, mostly will have food, and this time, it is no exception.. My company ordered finger food from Kriston Catering, and the food is not bad actually.. but heard its very expensive.. haha.. Kriston Catering leh.. dun play play.. haha..

Anyway, tat was more or less my dinner.. and surprisingly, I didn't feel hungry sia!

But like all organisers, must let participants eat first, then they eat mah.. so ya.. when I went back for the food after they have taken the share, there was not much sushi left.. haha.. so I grabbed a couple of sushis.. managed to eat my favourite - the maki with cucumber.. =)

** Photo on left: Colleagues from my department! They are so supportive of me, that they are the first few people to sign up for the event! Thanks peepz!

The night ended with each department taking photos! And ya.. Am so glad that the event is over liaox.. 1 event down.. I've got more events to organise.. let's see..

(a) Idol Nite - July 2009
(b) Food Safari - August 2009
(c) Annual Dinner & Dance - December 2009

Yupz.. ok.. tats it.. glad its all over now.. quite fun to plan actually.. haha.. the Idol Nite would be the next one.. heard I have to go to some pubs to recee.. woohoo~.. Glad to see the nightscene again!
And when Idol Nite comes, I get headache.. I have to memorise songs and choose songs again.. would it be Wong Lee Hom or JJ Lin again or maybe some other singer? I don't know.. let's see bah.. =)

Sleeping for the nite.. starting to feel body ache now (especially the buttocks..)

A successful event-management member,
<<< abriel >>>