Back to work...

You know one of the most dreaded things after such a long break (which refers to my 3 wks ICT) is actually the pile of work that you have to complete..

And that was what happened to me today.. a pile of invoices, laboratories analysis test result reports, etc.. At every possible space that was left on the table, something was there to cover it, until I couldn't see anything at all.. scary but true..

So its me actually slowly clearing up the pile till 1950 hrs then I finish work and left for home to eat dinner and all.. and all I can say now is that I am very tired.. extremely tired..

I'm attending a workshop tomorrow at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, so at least its a break for me.. then at night, follow my boss to entertain some guests.. so tomorrow lunch and dinner is good food again.. haix.. getting fat again..

Oh well.. need to sleep le..

Good nite world,
<<< abriel >>>

Makan and more makan!

** Photo on left: The Best of Taiwan Porridge @ Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore.

Hohoho.. finally I'm free.. and to celebrate this occasion, I gave a treat to my parents.. and we proceeded to Goodwood Park Hotel to eat the ala carte Taiwan Porridge Buffet.. the spread was not too bad.. but did I mention that the desserts were the best? I love the dark chocolate cake and the lime sorbet ice cream.. best of all, it only costs $33++ per pax (which includes unlimited servings of porridge, food and desserts!)..

This I can say is much more worth it than the one I had at Oasis Restaurant, where everything is ala carte.. so ya..
So porridge lovers, what are you waiting for? Its only valid till 30 November 2009 @ Coffee Lounge, Goodwood Park Hotel Singapore!

(If you pay with a UOB card, one dines free with 3 paying adults! - which means you pay for 3 adults, and the 4th adult gets to dine for free!.. cool huh!!)

And its the time of the year where I will buy mooncakes for my family too.. This year is amazing.. I didn't buy any durian snowskin mooncakes, but instead, bought quite a few of alcoholic ones from Bakerzin, and the fruity ones from Goodwood Park Hotel (minus the durian mooncake, which I find so-so only).

A brief description of what I bought are as follows:

** Photo on right: Mooncakes from Bakerzin.

Bakerzin

Assorted Truffle Mini Snowskin (8 pcs for $36 nett)

- Brandied Cherry : 2 pcs
- Rum & Raisin : 2 pcs
- Pink Champagne : 2 pcs
- Single Malt Whisky : 2 pcs

This is in fact the first year where I bought alcoholic snowskin mooncakes.. there is always a first time mah.. =)

** Photo on left: Mooncakes from Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore.

Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore

- Soursop Paste in Snowskin (New! Flavour) : 2 pcs - $23.54
- Mango with Pomelo in Snowskin (Back by Popular Demand) : 2 pcs - $23.54

This costs me a total of $47.08, but because I paid by Citibank credit card, I was given a 15% discount, and I only paid $40. Cool huh?
(But offer of 15% discount is not valid at Takashimaya & Vivocity, so I went to Goodwood Park Hotel itself to get it loh, in order to be eligible for the discount.)

So ya.. spend quite a lot today, but it was at least well-spent.. for parents, ok lah.. =)

Okok.. I'm tired already..
Still feeling so full despite we left the buffet place like 2.5 hrs ago, but nevertheless, need to sleep already..

I love porridge,
<<< abriel >>>

ICT over~!

Finally.. my ICT is over.. 3 weeks of being green just irks me!
But there are pros and cons of being out of ICT..

Pros:
(a) No more green uniform.
(b) No more early wake up timings (like 5 am - 6 am).
(c) No more "Eric Tsang".. haha.. =P

Cons:
(a) "Holiday chalet" is over.
(b) Seeing some people who is a little wee-bit irritating.
(c) Pile of work to be completed back in lab.

The past 3D2N in field camp was just a plain torture.. You may think an OC Runner where got torture? Just sit back and follow instructions.. dun need to 'chiong sua'.. it's true to some extend, but what you don't know are as follows:

(a) Kenna 18 mosquito bites on both hands and thighs during the entire 3D2N field camp period, despite burning a LOT of mosquito coils.

(b) Surviving on only about 4-5 hours of sleep each of the 2 nites, and its usually after 12am-1am, then I can turn in for the day..

(c) Sleeping in the most awkward locations:
(i) Back seat of the Rover vehicle [where it is all metal and only has a width of about 50cm)
(ii) On the roadside
(iii) A tentage located in the MIDDLE of the dense jungle, and tall vegetation all around.
(iv) On a GS bench (which has only a length of about 1.2 metres to 1.5 metres, and width of about 0.5 metres)

(d) Not able to defecate for 58 hours.

(e) Not able to bathe and change clothings (underwear, socks, uniform) for 58 hours.

(f) Spectacles suddenly broke almost into half, and that was only the beginning of field camp day 2.

(g) Oily hair and face.

(h) Inhaling much mosquito coil smoke and second-hand smoke from cigarates.

But now, its all over.. but I'm still having this occasional splitting headache (although I slept from 2100 hrs yesterday to 0600 hrs this morning to go back to camp for my ICT out-process).

I think I have not recover enough, so gonna sleep early tonite, and miss church tomorrow again to recover from my fatigue.. because I have to back to work on Monday (28 Sept), and I know that if I did not have enough sleep, I won't be able to concentrate on my work.

But at least all I can say is that at least this ICT, I have made at least one more good buddy (because he is my buddy in field camp, and we are only 2 HQ personnels who stayed outfield.. so its helping each other out..).. but anyway, got his contacts, so we will be contacting each other loh..

Ok.. I think I talk too much..
I need to turn in for the night already.. *Yawnz*

ICT out, Cerebos in,
<<< abriel >>>

Another day of shopping @ Adidas

** Photo on left: My new running tee from Adidas!

Woohoo~ Did some retail therapy today at Adidas.. bought this tee you see on the left for $45.. too bad I don't have the StanChart Marathon 2009 confirmation slip, or else, I could have got 20% off this price.. so ya..

The moment I saw this shirt, I got attracted to it, like a bee to a flower.. haha..

Ok.. I'm going to enjoy my purchase le..

I have one more day to enjoy before all hell breaks loose in field camp from Tuesday to Thursday.. haix..

Oh well.. loving Adidas every minute,
<<< abriel >>>

I passed my IPPT! Woohoo~

Woohoo~.. a miracle happened! I passed my IPPT!!
And I was just 25 secs away from a silver award.. haix.. but I have passed with incentive, which I can say I can $100 richer.. haha.. though I'm quite sad that I could not get $200 (becos' Silver is $200), but at least better than nothing, and I must give God all the glory! =)

Anyway, my scores are as follows:

Sit-Ups: 40 (5 points)
Chin-Ups: 7 (3 points)
Standing Broad Jump: 221 cm (3 points)
Shuttle Run: 10.4 sec (4 points)
2.4km Run: 12 mins 25 secs (2 points)

So yupz.. quite happy le.. so I can say my running of 6km weekly helps.. haha..
Ok.. now everywhere backache le.. will need to sleep now.. Tired..

Cheers,
<<< abriel >>>

Stupid boys!

Just as I was engrossed looking through Youtube for some christian songs versions, there came a group of boys who actually threw something through my top window (which is obviously open becos I did not on the aircon).. and I thought it was some fly or something.. but I was wrong!

They were tiny LIVE frogs! Stupid childish boys.. no wonder I hear some laughter somewhere.. all these ppl too free.. if I can curse, I will curse.. but becos' its against my faith, I will not.. but ya..

Now I have just finish searching each and every corner of my room, just in case the frogs are still around!

And I hate frogs.. ewww....

Stupid boys,
<<< abriel >>>

My ICT week so far..

So far so good.. nothing much to be done in camp.. have started to be the CSM's runner as well already, instead of the OC.. haha.. oh well.. guess its my job then!

And yes.. my IPPT I was 1 step closer to getting a silver award (amazing huh?), and suddenly, CAT 1 strikes when we are able to run for our last station, which is 2.4km run.. so you know what this means? I have to re-do EVERYTHING again loh.. haix.. totally sad and disappointed about it.. and the question will still remain, whether I can perform the same standard this coming Tuesday (15/9) when its the reserved date.. haix.. oh well.. only time could tell..

Ok lah.. gtg le.. tired...

Nitex world,
<<< abriel >>>

My first day at ICT

Well well.. I'm online! Surprised? haha..
You must be wondering why am I online when I'm in reservist (commonly known as ICT - In Camp Training)..

For a simple reason that my unit didn't cater for us breakfast and dinner, and hence, no need to stay in... but I have to report super early to camp everyday.. so ya..

Anyway, today went to camp was ok.. saw quite a number of familiar faces, and these would be the faces that would accompany me for my entire NS reservist 10 year cycle! So ya..

Morning was so so only.. lotsa waiting before a whole lot of briefing about discipline issues, programmes, etc.. Then we got split into our various platoons, and subsequently, sections.. I got assigned and then the fateful thing came.. What happened was this..

Something happened (dun ask me what, because I don't know!) and my buddy, Boon Sen, thought he kenna call up, because the staff sgt called his surname, and he thought the staff sgt called his name..

He stand up (but it was a case of mistaken identity), and then the OC (Officer-in-Command) saw, but said nothing.. Then he went to introduce the various appointments for this new flight (which will be together until all R.O.D).. and then lastly, he called for his "runner"..
If you do not know what is a runner, it is a person who is like a personal assistant. Wherever the person goes, this runner will follow.. You can say this runner is a "dog" lah.. but of course, this "dog" has some special privileges lah, but what is it, don't know yet.. That's what I heard from all the seniors or those who are ready to R.O.D. after this ICT, as it is their last!

And then he introduced his "runner", but this person replied that he is already in his last ICT already.. so this OC was saying, "what for give me a runner who is at his last ICT? Don't want..".. and then he asked for volunteers..
No one raised their hand.. all kept quiet..

And then, you remember Boon Sen? Ahh.. he was sitting beside me.. and then, because he stood up, the OC has noticed him already, and he started walking towards him.. I was like "eh.. cannot be so zhun lah hor".. and low and behold, he announce to the whole flight that I was his runner.. I was like "huh"..

So people was telling me that I will remain this post till I R.O.D. (8-9 yrs later), but how true it is, I don't know loh..
And I'm really lost.. really don't know what to do.. so I blurred for a while.. Later, my OC asked me to sit in the front.. and you see.. the whole flight know already loh..

And of course, some of the people are jealous, and they are like "cold blanket".. but I didn't care.. Since I'm assigned this title, I just do my best, like how I do mine when I'm at work loh.. so ya..
I mean this title is not I choose, but its the OC's decision.. You can say I was hand-picked.. so ya..

As to whether I need to do those "chiong-sua" work, I don't know.. only time will tell.. so ya.. but I must be prepared to do it loh, just in case..

Ok lah.. nothing else to update le.. I'm very tired.. tml need to wake up at 5am, and report at camp at 7.15am, because IPPT is tomorrow..

Runner-at-work,
<<< abriel >>>

Finally!

** Photo on right: I have been waiting for this Mac OS X Snow Leopard for a looonnngggg time!!

Alas! After weeks of waiting, finally I got my hands on the Mac OS X Snow Leopard.. Just finished installing it not too long ago, and frankly speaking, I don't see that much diff.. but the shutdown speed, and the wallpapers are superb!
Now, my Mac desktop wallpaper is a picture of the Snow Leopard! Awesome!! =D

I had asked my friend, Zijing, who works at EpiCentre ION Orchard, to help me reserve.. haha.. Not bad huh =)

So ya.. hope this would make me a little bit happier, because Wed (9/9) is the start of my reservist.. sianx..

Oh well.. I shall stop blogging and play with my Mac already!

I love the Snow Leopard,
<<< abriel >>>

It's K Time!

** Photo on left: Believe it or not, this is the FIRST time I stepped into K-Box!

This was so last minute.. Met up with Yizhou and Kok Wei (which were my army friends, as well as holiday kakkis).. and they decided to go K-box and sing Karaoke!
At first, I was quite hesitant, but then, its just for fun, so I was game for it..

And yes.. I was a K-box first timer.. I usually go to Partyworld for KTV, but never K-Box.. but oh well.. to me, it is the same..
After all the taxes and all, each of us pay $36.. quite expensive if you ask me.. but it was about 4 hrs of singing non-stop.. haha..

But what I did enjoy was the company, because I did have a good laugh, and after such an long week at work (have been working late nites quite constant, becos I would need to finish - if possible - the paperwork for my projects on hand.. so ya.. and yes.. I'm super stressed up!), what a good way to end the week by laughing it off... haha..

Left quite early, or else really no bus le.. then came home and on aircon and sleep loh.. haha.. Super hot ok.. *grinz*

Singing,
<<< abriel >>>