"Red" Bombs are dangerous!

Just this week alone, I have received 2 "red bombs" from my colleagues at work..

Here is a lowdown:

20 September 2009: Wedding Lunch @ Hilltop Garden Restaurant, Civil Service Club
18 October 2009: Wedding Dinner @ Rasa Sentosa

But both not confirmed that I can attend, because it is either I'm on NS commitments or work commitments.. But if both can make it, both must go loh, becos' the 2 persons who invited me to their weddings are current colleagues, and we have a good working relationship.. so ya.. must "shang lian" mah..
But if I do go, I really going "bok gai" le.. and I can say my well is going to dry soon.. haix..

Boom Boom Pow!,
<<< abriel >>>

A step of faith!

StanChart Singapore Marathon 2009 on 06 December 2009
I'm taking this huge step of faith this year, because I have signed up for the 21km StanChart Marathon 2009.. I didn't took part last year, as I was involved in OCC Youth Camp 2008 as Camp Chairman.. so this year (2009), I have relinquished my appointment, and thus, I would be able to join now..
I'm indeed challenging myself this time round (to run 21km), as the JP Morgan Challenge earlier this year (just 5km), was quite a bit of a torture.. a lot of people, and I almost "died", though my weekly jogs are like 8km.. hmm.. maybe its the time factor? Because the JP Morgan Run is in evenings at about 5pm, whilst, StanChart Marathon starts at 6.45am.. so ya.. maybe I'm used to running in the morning bah, and tat is usually the time I wake up for my weekly jogs.. so ya..

Joining this StanChart Marathon has its worthy causes too! Because for every 1km I run, my company, Cerebos, will donate $100 on my behalf, to The Straits Time Pocket Money Fund, and for this event, I have easily solely raised $2100 for charity.. So ya..

But then, this would mean that I have more training to do.. haix.. looks like I have to buck up on my running le..

Jiayou!,
<<< abriel >>>

How I love retail therapy!!

** Photo on left: PUMA Originals YarnDye Pique Polo (Dark Olive Green)

It's been a while since I've really done some retail therapy.. and since hands are starting to itch, and still quite free, decided to head downtown to see see look look, and hope to buy something loh..

I had a birthday gift of $30 TANGS voucher, and I was thinking that I might as well just head down to TANGS Orchard to look see look see..
Cldn't find anything at first, but after careful observation, spotted this PUMA polo tee you see on the left!

It was priced at $59, but after that $30 voucher I had, I had to pay only $29. Not a bad deal right?? Moreover, its my favourite colour (ie. green)! =)

** Photo on right: iPod Nano 4th Generation Armband

If you didn't know, ION Orchard has opened its doors to the public as of 21 July 2009 onwards.. and me being the inquisitive one, decide to take a look for myself.. Went with my parents of course..

The main ION in ION Orchard was quite boring, becos everything was branded stuff, and those super high end kind.. so ya.. but the supermarket, Thirty-Sixty Market Place (operated by Dairy Farm Group - which manages Cold Storage), was quite a sight.. And by the way, didn't I tell you, I love supermarkets? Maybe its because of my love for food, which is why you ask me go supermarkets, though its those that I walk over and over again, I can still walk for hours (depending on the size of the supermarket place).

Then I decided to walk to this place called ION Station at Basement 4 of the building, and man.. it was then the place where I can really say shopping.. The familiar brands are like Fox, G2000, etc..
Just then, I chanced upon a shop called Epicentre, and man.. ain't I excited!

Went it to check the place out, and I chanced upon the iPod armband (for use of my weekly runs, as well as the planned StanChart Marathon 2009, happening in December 2009).. decided to walk round the stall to see see look look before deciding, becos' I always have the habit of impulse purchase..

Just as I walk, one service person came over to serve me, and the surprising thing is that he knows my name.. I looked up and saw one of my secondary school buddy (who happens to be in the GOH contingent last time as well as stay just abt 15 mins away from my house!), ZiJing.. And we had a short chat, and he asked me what to buy, and recommend me some stuff, which of course I knew he was trying to push up his sales.. haha..

Then I asked him whether got staff discount, and he said that it would be too obvious that he is buying for a friend.. so it would be best if we do "under-table".. haha.. but oh well, I didn't want him to lose his sales, so I just decide to buy it using my EpiCentre card, which offers me a 5% discount, and not very great actually! Got it at $52.25 after discount, from the original of $55..

Then had dinner with parents, and came home to blog this post..

Going to sleep now.. long week ahead.. sianx,
<<< abriel >>>

The Musical: $ing Dollar!

Went to catch this musical, $ing Dollar!, today after work.. A very good musical I must say.. and of course, with the same people behind the production of "Dim Sum Dollies", how can the musical not be funny?

Won't want to spoil the fun for you.. do catch it if you are interested ya =)
But I got quite upclose to the performers, becos I paid $98 for the ticket (which allowed me to sit 5 rows from the front.. so everything was quite upclose!)

But despite this happiness, there was a sad news which broke up in office this morning.. an official email has been sent out that because there were not enough male badminton players this year, therefore, my company will NOT be participating in this year's Badminton CCG.
This to me is a very sad piece of news.. Yes, despite that last year I did went for Badminton CCG, but you see.. I did not get to play and represent the company, because I was only a reserve player..
This year, most of the new guys who join the company, has gone to play soccer instead, and this leaves very few people to play for Badminton CCG.
Moroever, the top 2 players in my company is also engaged in their personal work commitments, which ultimately, the decision has been made that we would not be participating in Badminton CCG.. You know how sad I am right now? Imagine not playing for company 2 years in a row!

My brother at work, Kian Hong, did offer to join in if there were not enough people, but the problem is that he is representing the company in soccer CCG, which may be held on the same day.. so ya.. appreciate his help lah..

Kept looking for other people to play, but they give excuses like have something on that weekend.. haix.. wat to do?

Sad now loh, despite the laughs I had earlier at the musical,
<<< abriel >>>

A student-teacher chat on MSN!

Facebook certainly has its perks!
And guess what.. I have found my Secondary's CCA, Choir, teacher-in-charge on Facebook, and added him into my account..

He could not recognise me at first, because he thought who I was.. then I later describe with more details, and he finally remembered who I was..

He added me into MSN, and we just talk like nobody's business.. It was machiam some old friend.. and as usual (when I met first interacted with him during my secondary school days), his typical character was to suan people, and let's just say that I was quite numb to it already (all thanks to my NS brother, Sidney)..

But it was a refreshing change and I must say.. and did quite a bit of catching-up as well.. so ya..

Looking forward to chat with him again (despite his suanning, becos he is very nice to talk to de), and if given the opportunity, will try to meet up loh.. will see how bah..

Cyber-meet the teacher-and-student session,
<<< abriel >>>

Cerebos Idol Nite 2009 - A Resounding Success!!

** Photo on right: Singing on-stage with my co-host, Priscilla, the opening song for the event, "戀愛ing" by 五月天.

Okay peepz.. Thank you for your prayers.. The event was a resounding success, and I could only thank 1 person, and that is God, who has really helped me through this very challenging job! With all the memorising of the lyrics for 2 songs, scripting for emcees of the whole event, ideas of how to fire up the excitement of the audience when revealing the results, etc, I could not have done it without His help! To God be the glory! =)

I started singing the opening song with hands really cold and shivering (just like what I did experience last year when I was a contestant).. Though its only a small part of the song which we need to sing (just 1 verse and 1 chorus.. but I tell you.. the atmosphere and nervousness and all is really scary!).. but as time goes by, I got more into the "mood of things" and thus, I was not so nervous afterall!!

** Photo on left: Doubling up as a registration helper at the counter before the start of the event! Don't we look professional? =P

The photo you see on the left, because I was one-third of the organising team for Cerebos Idol Nite 2009, I was "called up" to help in the registration process, as there were not enough people to help out at the registration counter, because there would be a sudden influx of people coming to the event, as they had taken the company transport.

But it was good in a way that at least I can roughly gauge how many people actually came for the event, which helps to settle a teeny-bit (say 0.01%) of my nervousness! hahaha.. =P

And by the way, the PowerPoint backdrop you see at the back of this counter, was shown in the WHOLE of Zirca.. every screen in Zirca is screening this PowerPoint presentation, and it was done by none other than me! But I must say this is God's hand on it as well.. because apparently, when I woke up yesterday morning, this idea just popped into my head (which I think it must be God's work, because I don't usually get ideas the minute I wake up).. and then when I reach office, I immediately worked on the PowerPoint, and God actually gave me ideas of how to design this PowerPoint.
As if its nothing great you may think, God actually provided me the perfect solution to screen this PowerPoint, because I ran into some difficulties initially.. God actually provided a loaned laptop for me (from my IT department colleague), without me asking my IT colleague directly! So ya.. I was indeed amazed by His much-needed assistance & provision! Amen!

** Photo on right: Singing on-stage with my co-host again, Priscilla, with the kick-off "open mike session" song, "梁山伯与茱丽叶".

And the show went on, with me changing outfits (if you've notice!) when one of the finalists was singing! It was indeed a race against time, as I only got a maximum of approximately 3 minutes to change (which was actually my whole outfit!).. but really thank God, it was on time!

The photo you see on the right was taken by one of my colleagues [whom I've tasked him to "zou kang" (which is to take photos of me during the event itself).. haha.. good friend of mine!].. Not bad huh?? haha..

Anyway, there is even a video taken of this whole "Open Mike" segment, which of course features me.. and guess what! It's loaded on YouTube.. cfm not I load up one, but I know who did.. but I'm not telling you.. and according to the owner of this loaded up video, and I have checked the statistics, it has the highest viewership rates, and as of this blogpost is written, it has already 249 views (*gulpz*), whilst the rest of them only has about 20-30 views..
Something did happen during this singing segment of mine, so if you are curious, you go find yourself on YouTube.. I for one, won't give you the link..
If you visit my Facebook page, I have already uploaded the video from the link.. but only if you are friends with me, then you are able to see.. if not, too bad.. just let this picture satisfy your curiosity bah.. =)

** Photo on left: The Cerebos Idol 2009 Champion, Silas Chey (from Regional Marketing), giving the audience an encore performance!

Right from the start (even before the competition starts - ie, when I saw the contesting submission of his performing item) , I already knew this guy, Silas, a newbie from Regional Marketing, has the potential to get the title of Cerebos Idol Nite 2009, because he would be playing and singing his song with a guitar.. He was like the "wedding singer" of sorts.. He sang "It's Not Easy To Be Me" (a rock song) unplugged!.. So you see.. with this kind of song unplugged and his dashing good looks, it sure did seranate into the hearts of a lot of females who were at the event! And I was spot-on.. he was crowned and won the title of "Cerebos Idol 2009".

And there is a section of the programme, whereby its called, "Guess The Idol" contest, and man.. the 3 winners were ALL ladies, and they range from girls to aunties.. and I'm not kidding.. If you have my Facebook account, you just go and see the photos and you know what I mean! A totally "female-killer" (from girls to aunties)!!! =P

** Photo on right: How could I forget to take a photo with the Champion, Silas?

The event ended and I was indeed very relieved that its over.. Its like a big and heavy stone that has been lifted, and my spirits were naturally high!

Some of us literally just go round and mingle with some who stayed on, and just congratulating ourselves that the event was over and all.. And of course, there were a lot of camwhore moments!

Everyone after the event wanted to take a picture with Silas (who is the Champion), and he indeed was really busy and all!
Not too sure whether he has a cramp on his mouth loh, because I think he was smiling a lot! Hahaha..

Frankly speaking, I actually still feel a tinge of disappointment that I was not allowed to compete in this year's Idol event (becos I was the emcee for the event!), because singing has always been one of my passions.. But oh well.. 2009 no chance, never mind, because it is over!
And if I still have the chance to participate in Cerebos Idol 2010, I will!.. but this time, it would be a CONTESTANT and not emcee anymore.. =)..

But its really a good change this year.. At least I still get to sing and all, and accidentally make instant headlines in Cerebos (because of my Open Mike act), and I really do mean headlines! It has been the talking point for the people, from the end of the event yesterday, even till today (from Main Office to my lab at Science Park 2).. There are some subsidary companies under Cerebos as well, so dun koe whether they know it or not.. so ya.. this headline is really big!

But oh well.. It's all in the name of fun, and all for the show! Just hope this headline will just die down after a while (because the official event PowerPoint presentation of this event was not released yet [not written by me], and I reckon, this whole thing will start again when the event's PowerPoint presentation is officially released throughout the whole company, and load in Intranet to let all our counterparts in other countries to view - if they wish to!).. Oh well.. Really hope this thing will die down within say a week's time? Not too sure whether its possible, but I hope it will! =)

** Photo on left: A group picture of some of us who stayed on after the event, just to mingle around a little!

Anyway, I had altogether 4 glasses of vodka lime and 4 glasses of Tiger Beer that single night.. I was sober (which is to say I can answer you properly and tell directions and all), but just that my head felt really light.. and I shared cab home with a good buddy (a.k.a. brother) of mine, Kian Hong.. and I was glad we took a cab home, because my head was really spinning! And mind you, that was only about 2200 hrs.. didn't want to stay out too late or drink anymore, because I would have to work the next day (which is today)..

After reaching home, I rested for a while and drank 750ml of water (just to dilute the alcohol in my blood), before bathing and sleeping for the nite..
And when I was on my bed, my head was spinning more than ever, and in a matter of 5 minutes, I was asleep!!

Woke up this morning with a stiff-neck.. and occasional dizzy spells only sprout when its about 9+am in office.. Not too sure whether its a hangover or not enough sleep, and this continued like for the whole day.. haix..

Oh well.. I have asked for it, so I cannot complain.. haha..
But ultimately, I still had a very great time hosting Cerebos Idol 2009! And I guess, 1 year from now, if given the chance, I will be taking part in Cerebos Idol 2010! So do stay tune to see what tricks I'm up to next year as a contestant ya =)

Ok.. I spend too long blogging liaox..

Stiff neck not so stiff anymore, but occasional dizzy spells still present,
<<< abriel >>>

Stress!

Fwah.. Super stress ah..

Tomorrow is Cerebos Idol 2009... there are a gazillion things for me to remember.. song lyrics.. programme flow.. script.. and most of all, all other contestants, their performance is only max 3 mins, but for me and my co-host, its emceeing the whole show which is 2 hrs.. which is equals to a 2 hrs performance!! Stress I tell you.. Stress!!

Wish me all the best bah!!

Eeks,
<<< abriel >>>

Silence is golden.

Somethings are better left unsaid. Period.

Friday at last..

Well.. yesterday's KTV session was shiok (by the time I bathe and sleep, it was already 0100 hrs this morning!).. but today, its like a killer.. eyes can only manage to half open.. And then this morning (when I take the bus to lab), I really thought I saw bus no. 10, but it came to be dun koe what bus.. and it went in a totally different direction.. But fortunately, the bus-stop to lab was near, and manage to reach lab on time.. so ya..

Then I worked till about 1830 hrs on my work.. finish up, and then continue to work on my Cerebos Idol Nite 2009 admin stuff (like drafting emails, finalising the poster, etc).. Not easy I tell you.. By the time I'm done, its already about 2200 hrs..
And my dinner tonight was only a banana and 2 small packets of biscuits.. Was too busy at work to go tapow or call delivery! This is definately the smallest dinner I've had in my life! Am just worried that if this kind of meals go on, I will get gastric sooner or later.. so cannot be a habit lah..

Cabbed home, and then blog this post..
And after which, I will go to dreamland.. Really need my sleep..

Zzzzz,
<<< abriel >>>

My work week so far..

Well.. it has been so far a super stressful one.. Have been to office at 0700 hrs on Monday (29/6), because I just came back to work after my 3 days first aid course..

But today was one which is rarely but good to have, stress reliever!
I went to Rain KTV @ UE Square, for the Cerebos Idol Nite 2009 practice, and a few of us literally sang from 1800 hrs to 2330 hrs, as they allowed us to sing till they closed at 0200 hrs, because no one booked the room!.. so ya..

I managed to find some suitable songs for the Idol Nite emcee-ing, as well as also sing to my heart's content!
What's best is that all these, is sponsored by my company! How cool is that right! =)
Woohoo~..

Ok.. Totally shagged..

Need to sleep liaox,
<<< abriel >>>