A prelude to a busy and long week

Well.. one thing for sure.. I do NOT look forward to go back to work tomorrow, because there would be this whole pile of work for me to do.. not only paperwork, but practical work as well.. and i have to finish the practical work by tues (and its a LOT!), and paperwork from wed-thurs.. I'm so busy to the brim that I don't know what to do!
I maybe going on business trip this coming sunday (1-nov), and all paperwork needs to be settled and approved before I embark on this business trip to Thailand.. and ya.. needless to say, I need time to pack and also prepare.. ahh.. this is killing me..

Anyway, my Sunday was so so.. went to church for music practice, before running some errands at VivoCity (at the same time, do some price research of the DV3 HP laptop which I intend to get.. its priced at $1699 at Best Denki, with a 4GB ram and 500GB hdd.. it was certainly very tempting, but I decide to wait till the IT fair nxt month (26 nov - 29 nov) @ Expo.. may have better deals.. so ya.. will see how lah..

Okay.. I need to sleep le.. waking up at 5am for the next 2 consecutive days, to get to office by 7am (instead of the normal 8.30am), because I want to finish it as fast as I could.. so ya.. Cannot waste anymore time..

Time to turn in le,
<<< abriel >>>

My eyes can't open! Help!

Ok.. tonite I came back straight after church.. was supposed to join Tjow for dinner and stuff, but because I worked till 2am this morning (doing up the last D&D email publicity poster), and then wake up 6 hrs later to jog my last 9km training (before I proceed to 18km in Nov) for my StanChart Marathon 2009 (running only the 21km!), I'm totally shagged!
The aircon in NEL train (which I took home from church) made my eyes even drier, and it was indeed a very difficult ride.. my eyes can't open, and I do mean literally!

Oh man.. after this blogpost, I'm going to crash onto my bed le.. so ya..

*Yawnz*,
<<< abriel >>>

A tiring week

This is a very tough week.. have been working late nites.. not only my work projects but also on other stuff like D&D email publicity!

Its like after a hard day's work, and back at home, slogging on the computer to do up the various email publicity poster. Super tiring..
And you want to know what's worst? My PC had to break down on Mon (19/10) itself, and all my posters were in the PC.. no way for me to retrieve! But thank God that it is only the last 4 which I didn't transfer to my thumbdrive previously!
But these 4 posters got me 2 days to finish it.. so in a way, I have wasted all my time and effort.. no photoshop and pictures that I've saved were all gone! No way of retrieving it! ahhh..
But my Mac came to the rescue.. though not much I can do, but thank God tat I manage to play around with the functions for a bit, before I started to get into the full swing, and complete 1 poster per nite..

I have completed 3 so far, and tonite is the last one.. Will do so after I have blogged this.. and I wonder what time I will sleep tonight.. and frankly speaking, I'm getting very tired.. my eyes could hardly open.. oh man..

Okay.. better get back to work.. or else don't know what time I will sleep tonite again..

"Production Studio" in its final rush,
<<< abriel >>>

Changi Airport Experience - Part 2

Just as I thought that I can rely on my army friends since one of them had said earlier that they want to meet up, has agreed to do it, though it would be tiring to do so after my church service today.. and guess what.. my friend SMS-ed me that he and the other friend (who plans to meet up too) was too tired after they attended a function yesterday, and therefore, they need to "fly aeroplane" on today's meeting..

And mind you, this is the SECOND "fly aeroplane" experience, and it is NOT a good feeling.. sometimes, I just wonder why ppl can promise something when in the end, they don't fulfill?

I don't understand them sometimes!,
<<< abriel >>>

Changi Airport experience

I thought this could be the end of my turmoil at work.. but no.. this morning, my boss asked me to a formula just to try to further improve.. I really didn't want to do it, but I have no choice..

In the end you know what? The formula cannot be used.. wasted my time setting up the machine, doing up the formula, etc.. arghh.. sometimes, I really wish that she could be more fix-minded.. she keeps changing her thoughts/decisions around.. arghh..

Then never mind.. I showed my disatisfaction by not going lunch with her at Clementi, though I very much wanted to go.. oh well.. sometimes must show some colour.. this act may not be obvious to show disatisfaction, but at least to me, it is.. so ya..

Then just now in late afternoon, was supposed to meet one of my ex-colleague for dinner to celebrate her belated birthday.. but last minute, she SMS-ed me and said that she has to work OT last minute, so cannot go.. I was like, "what?".. she apologised but I can't do anything right..
But she said it was only tentative, and would give me a reply soon to confirm, after I wanted to meet her so much, to pass her the birthday present I bought.. it was something which I don't want to keep in my cupboard.. no space le..

I hate it when people "fly aeroplane", but since this is a last minute work thingy, I cannot expect her to like drop everything at her workplace just to meet me right? She is afterall an employee.

In the end, I waited till like 1930 hrs, when she told me that she really can't meet.. then I was like sianx for a while.. Then I thought I just do some paperwork and stuff... and the more I do, the more I realise I couldn't finish.. But it was a Friday, so I left office like at 2130 hrs.. so ya..

Took a cab home (since can claim from company), and the can driver was quite entertaining.. nice cab driver.. very friendly.. unlike the one I took 2 days back, where this cab driver was like complaining that the route I specified was as long as the route that he wanted to take initially.

Now online, blog this blogpost, before I really go and sleep already! I'm really tired.. but oh wait.. I still need to do my company's D&D email poster.. haix.. looks like it would be a long nite for me again!

Why everyone likes to fly aeroplane at the expense of my only time of enjoyment?,
<<< abriel >>>

A tiring work week so far..

It doesn't help when office I'm rushing through, so that I would be able to get a formula out in time (and mind you, the expectation here is within 2-3 days, you need to get 2 formula out!)..

And I was disappointed with my boss, or shld I said got angry with her.. you know me lah.. Always think ahead, and always pessimistic.. I ask my boss whilst I was doing the trial, "what if cannot work?".. she answered me in a very fierce manner, "Nothing is impossible. I refuse to accept".. wah.. I tell you, at that moment, I was this close to just walk away and tell her to do it herself.. I was that close..

Here am I rushing like mad, and not even a word of appreciation/thanks.. here she starts scolding me and all.. talk to me as if I'm some measly creature which fail to exist in this world!

But I tolerated and controlled my anger.. Thank God.. and man, she just went off 5.30pm sharp after work, and leave me to "die".. no form of encouragement, no help given.. But I manage to do up a formula and inform her via SMS..

And I was indeed rushing for time, and she said that I should try other methods to improve the formula, because my trying wasn't exhausive.. I told her that I will only do that if have time or current situation fails, because here am I trying to get the formulas out ASAP, and there, she tries to stop me and wants me to improve further..
Hello! This is me doing it and not herself loh.. Sometimes, I really don't know what she is thinking.. but oh well..

And believe it or not, I just came home about an hour back.. I'm so tired, and today is only Thursday.. sigh..

Work is tiring,
<<< abriel >>>

Great news from M1!

The article which says it all! Woohoo~
Just as I thought all hope is gone for iPhone, have received a tremendous piece of news, and that is M1 is going to sell the iPhone by the end of this year, and man.. ain't I excited..

My phone can be upgraded at no extra cost from 06 December 2009 onwards.
I was just about to go for a Take3 plan and get the LG Joy GM730/ LG Arena 900, but now since M1 has stated that they will sell iPhones by the end of this year, I'm going to say goodbye to LG phones, and hello to Apple!!

Woohoo~..
Am elated to hear this piece of news..

Wanna land my hands on an iPhone 3GS,
<<< abriel >>>

Work is starting to be busy again..

Well.. work is starting to be busy again.. just had this project which is due in 2 weeks time, which involves coming up with a NEW formula and NOT one, but TWO!!
And yes, my boss is starting to get 'gan chiong' that we can't meet deadline, and she rushes me instead..

And you know, when she rush me and its my project, I would get stressed super easily, and yes.. as the days go by, more rushing is wearing off my patience.. I hope I don't bite!!

Roar,
<<< abriel >>>

Back to "Production Studio" work again..

Cerebos Dinner & Dance 2009 Email Teaser
(to be released on 12 October 2009)
Well.. first of all, I must really thank God for giving me ideas of how to do up an email teaser for my company's D&D this year! I actually prayed before I started, and after much searching, I don't know why I just went to search for photos and viola, this photo just came at the right time..
And this photo somewhat suits the theme.. dun tell you first.. cannot tell, just in case some people of my company is reading it.. =D..
So ya.. really must give credit to God.. Thank You Father! =)

But I must say that this website (freedigitalphotos.net)is really good for photos, and yes.. I did abstract the photos from there.. so must give them a bit of credit.. click here.

So ya.. this looks easy right? But actually it didn't! It took me almost a whole day to do this.. and I die die have to finish it today, because Mon (12 Oct) is the deadline le.. And it was only told to me that I'm in charge of email communication like yesterday (Thurs - 8 Oct) during meeting.. so ya..

Now in fact, I'm doing another one, which will be telling the theme.. but this one I cannot reveal yet.. so ya..

If you want to know, you will just have to keep tuned in to my blog ya =)

*Yawnz*,
<<< abriel >>>

Run till I can't anymore!

** Photo on left: My 9km run route!

Yes.. after weeks of no running (because in reservist), my training for StanChart Marathon 2009 is back in full swing again.. but this time, it was a 9km run, instead of the normal 6km..

I tell you.. I was at this 6km mark, and I was about to turn back, but decided to press on for another 3km (despite headache and fatigue starts to set in), since my aim is to finish 9km today, and I'm glad I did! =)

So I'm going to continue this for like a month, and when November comes, I'm going to run this same route, but 2 rounds instead.. and man.. that would end my training for my 21km route, though its only 18km.. but ya.. I tell you.. it's enough to kill!

Oh well.. I'm very tired le.. need to turn in for the nite..

*Yawnz*,
<<< abriel >>>

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 >>>