Cabs vs Cabs

If you have been reading the papers, there have been quite a number of articles about Singapore’s public transportation systems, especially on cabs. In particularly, why aren’t there enough cabs and the ways to solve this “old” problem.

Many people have also compared Singapore’s cabbing experience with Hong Kong, indicating why Hong Kong, despite being twice as crowded, do not have the cab shortage problem.

Since I just came back from Hong Kong earlier this month, I just wana share my cabbing experience.

I remembered how I always laughed at those Hong Kong drama serials, showing actresses somehow ALWAYS being able to get cabs on the roads by just flagging their arms and “POOF”, a cab will arrive.

THAT IS TRUE IN HONG KONG.

I have tried and tested that a few times. In fact, all I need is to stand vaguely still near the side of the road and cabs will somehow miraculously appear and by the time I raise my arm, POOF: the cab is in front of me! Even in the peak hours (ie: morning at 8 plus), there are still empty cabs around, NOT that many but the ratio definitely seems higher than Singapore’s.

Cabs in Hong Kong are definitely very, very affordable. So the suggestion of raising the taxi charges to solve the demand and supply issue of Singapore cabs is totally bullshit. Secondly, there isn’t midnight surcharge. In fact, there isn’t any bloody surcharges EXCEPT for an additional HK$5 for every luggage in the boot. No airport surcharge, no public holiday surcharge, no peak hour surcharge.

Personally, I do not have any constructive suggestions but all I know is that Hong Kong can do it. Tai Pei can do it but why can’t Singapore do it without increasing the fares, despite being one of the countries with one of the highest number of cabs per capita??? Maybe if we have better public bus services, like private companies to give premium services, or a wider coverage of our rail network, or cabbies get to own their cabs instead of renting from our govt-linked companies, like Comfort (which net profit grows at 10+% annually?!?!) We might solve the problem?

Can I recover in time?

Last week was easily the worst week this year. Even beat the week that I removed my wisdom tooth!

Started feeling under the weather on last Tuesdy, 13 Nov, after Linkin Park’s concert. Thought that maybe I got the bug from S, so I popped 3 tablets of my trusted “ Ying Qiao” and went to bed.

The next day, still felt kinda lousy, but not lousy enough to slack at home. So, I went to work although the headache and itchy throat was bugging me.

15 Nov. Felt kinda ill. Surprised that the Ying Qiao didn’t work. Ying Qiao always works for me. Went out with the boys for dinner and a short drink despite the pounding heacdache, body-ache and sore throat.

16 Nov. Had to crawl to office to settle some IPO matters. Finally saw the company’s doc. Took the usual pack of flu medication without any antibiotics for the bad throat. I usually do not eat antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. I thought I can still hang in there.

WHAM. I had high fever that very same night. The body-ache hit me full force the next day. It was so bad and painful that my body felt as if it had worked out continuously for 3 days or something. I could barely walk to the kitchen to take my medication. Thinking that I can sleep off the pain, I just took tons of painkillers and stayed unconscious for almost the whole day until evening.

Then I noticed that I have this red rash on my thighs that looked strangely familiar. I had that almost 10 yrs ago when I was admitted to the hospital for Dengue Fever. Swearing… I told BF that this shit might be Dengue and I ought to go for a blood test.

So, we headed for a near-by hospital. Did a blood test that would show the platelet count, as well as any indication of a viral infection or bacteria infection (ie: NOT dengue). The result was rather inconclusive. My platelet count was 179 (normal range: 150-400) not low enough for Dengue Fever yet the result was also negative for viral or bacteria infection.

Basically, the doctor didn’t know what was wrong with me and said that most probably a mild case of Dengue or Dengue-in-its-early-stage. So, I went home and scheduled for another blood test two days later.

Rolled around in bed for the whole of Sunday. Did another blood test on Monday. Platelet count was 157. Barely scratch past the “normal” range. But thankfully, there wasn’t any fever thus, no need to be hospitalized.

Crawled back home again. Trying hard not to faint along the way. Rested for another 3 days and … Phew. I felt better.

Now, I am back in office and thinking of going for a short run later at the gym. I’m just praying that I can recover in time for my half-marathon next Sunday, 2 Dec.

I’ve been training hard for this run and really want to clock a decent timing.

*pray*

Linkin Park Concert 13Nov07

I went to my very first concert in Singapore EVER… Linkin Park 13 Nov07. So suaku right? I’m also embarrass to let people that it took me almost 28 years to watch a concert in Singapore leh.

Anyway, the concert ROCKS. Linkin Park definitely rocks. The lead singer, Chester has so much stage presence and energy that he is unbelievable. And he is so BAD BOY cute… the piercings, the tattoos and the I-wana-f*ck-you attitude is just so cool. I’m behaving almost like I’m 16 again and drooling over a rock star.

What caught me by surprise, was the diversity of the crowd. I saw kids who are like what, EIGHT years old, and then I saw this old couple who has have been at least 65 yrs old. And the coolest thing was that the old couple was standing and jiggling for the most part of the concert! *respect*

If Linkin Park ever decides to throw another concert in Singapore, I’ll definitely wana catch them again. But, gotta do some “tutorials” as I do not know most of Linkin Park’s songs. Nonetheless, the energy of the band totally got to me and I was jumping and jumping for most part of the concert too!

However, there were a few booboos that kinda screwed up the concert. Firstly, the concert started ONE hour late. It started at 9 pm instead of 8 (that was actually fine since we were half hour late ourselves). Secondly, there weren’t any warm-up bands, so the crowd was getting restless after waiting for 45 mins or so. Thirdly, the concert lasted 1.5 hrs only, should give us at least 2 hours lah… piangs.

Nonetheless, I still had fun and was quite blown away by Chester’s voice and presence.

Below is a spoof of Linkin Park. What really cracks me up is that “asian” guy in the spoof band. Wah Lau…

Hong Kong Trip 31 Oct – 7 Nov 2007

Almost wanted to post an entry to end it all. Something like “That’s it folks, I’m not going to blog anymore. I’ll like to thank every single one of you, who has been reading my crap.”

But… I can’t bring myself to do it. So, here I am again. Sorry folks, you still have to endure my crap.

I just came back from Hong Kong, the Mecca of shopperholics and guess what, I didn’t buy ANYTHING except for a silly scarf from Zara. In fact, BF had to convince me to buy that scarf, as I am against the idea of buying anything from shops that I can find in Singapore. So, I was disappointed with my shopping experience in Hong Kong.

As for food, I am sensitive to MSG and unfortunately, almost everything that I ate was laden with MSG and I would feel sick half-way through each meal. And to be frank, I am not a big fan of Cantonese cuisine to start with. So sadly, my eating experience sucked too.

Thankfully, we made two short trips to Shen Zhen and Macau, and they were rather fun and I enjoyed my stay at the new Venetian Macau. Having won some money helped as well!

Had a spa session in Shen Zhen’s swankiest spa for 6 hours and that only cost me S$100!!! I had pedicure and foot reflexology, massage for 90 mins, lazed around in my chair with my own tv for only a 100 bucks. Talk about value-for-money manz.

Oh, and the best part, BF and I actually missed our return flight to Singapore! We happily went to the airport and wanted to check in and to our horror, we realised that our flight was YESTERDAY.

Thankfully the plane wasn’t full and we were able to buy tickets on the spot. Geez…

I had my best white burgundy in my life on last Friday 5 Oct07 at Culina@Dempsey.

It was a Ramonet Chassagne Montrachet "Ruchottes", 2002. I have heard about Ramonet before and his famous whites, but as Ramonets usually cost a couple of hudnreds per bottle, I have never tried one ever before, so I was really excited to know that our wine Guru, Alvin brought his VERY LAST bottle last Friday.

OMG. I swear that I almost teared when I first nosed the wine. The first thing that hit me was its creaminess and richness YET not in a cloying manner. It had notes of mints and lemon yet such richness and I was just smelling the wine!

And when I first tasted the wine, I swear I almost cried. It was full bodied and with such complexity and acidity, yet so lush and elegant.

I was totally blown away.

Wanting to savour every drop, I drank the wine really s-l-o-w-l-y, and also to observe whether the wine will shut down or evolve into something else. As I proceeded along with the dinner, the wine managed to hold its ground and maintain its nose and palate structure for the whole of 4 hours! Even AFTER 4 hours, it still had that lemon creaminess and complexity at its palate.

What an amazing wine!

Now, I understand why people will pay hundreds or thousands for a bottle of Ramonet.

Below is the tasting note that Alex had so kindly prepared while the rest of us were busy pigging out!

**********************************************************************************

Thanks to Chee Wee, Ryan and Alvin, we had a most enjoyable evening of good food, fine wines and great company at Culina :) Our chef for the night, Ryan has whipped up a delectable four course dinner to match the wonderful flights of burgs and dessert wines.

First course - Freshly shucked oysters with pozu gelatin

Faiveley Chablis "Beauroy" 2005 The nose is a bit oaky but exhibit typical burg note. The ripe richness seems to mask the minerality and acidity one comes to expect of a Chablis. Pairs well with the oysters.

Robert Ampeau Mersault "La Piece Sous La Bois" 1994 The nose has an initial whiff of reduction but exhibits an underlying complex honey note once the sulphur blows away. Rich golden colour suggests some age in the bottle. Hint of cardboard due to secondary notes. Well rounded palate and good length.

Second course - Oven roasted trout with vegetables, potatoes

Ramonet Chassagne Montrachet "Ruchottes" 2002 What can I say about this wine? Absolutely captivating, one will find it difficult to tear away from its expressive layered nose of rich, minty, buttery lemon cream. Full bodied and rich creaminess on the palate and a finish that just goes on and on. Could not bear to drink this up right away. Nurse it through the 4 hours dinner and find myself keep going back to nose the wonderful bouquet of this wine. The intensity and sustainability of the nose is amazing. Voted WOTN by Jean and a number of us. Alas, it is Alvin's last bottle :(

Entree - Crackling pork belly

Robert Ampeau Pommard 1989 Aged brick red colour and lots of sediments, initial nose of dried fruits. After some time in the glass, the nose reminds one of luo ha guo.

Louis Jadot Clos de Beze 1997 Strong earthy note, robust plum and leathery. Lush and full on the palate with lively acidity, exhibiting youthfulness despite a decade in the bottle. Multi-layered and amazing density. Developed notes of indian spice after some time in the glass.

Faiveley Nuit St-Georges "Les Porets Saint Georges" 1996 Earthy note with bright acidity.

AF Gros Vosne Romanee "Clos de la Fontaine" 2005 Fresh nose of sweet fruits with hints of rose petal. Jean detected the spiciness which betrays its Vosne character. Attractive mocha, chocolate finish. Chee Wee thought that it could be a Richebourg but minus the density. A very enjoyable wine :)

Ecard Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru "Les Serpentieres" 2006 Cask sample which just flew in this afternoon. Bright red cherry with good acidity, detect hints of raspberry cream. Lovely!

Dessert - Plum tart with vanilla ice cream

Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen "Clos Saint Urbain" Vendage Tardive 1998 Orange peel note. Very rich sweetness but well balanced by the lively acidity

Inniskillin Icewine 1998 Rich golden colour, almost like a cognac. Nose of dried apricot, well balanced and lively. Rich sweetness which wraps round the palate. A real treat to finish the dinner with :)

This is so far the best meal this year.

Some funny photos of cats (not mine though)]

Just wana share some kitty photos. I particularly like the black and white one, yelling you to get into the car. Geez… super hilarious.

Wana congratulate my salsa instructors for being new kitty mummy and daddy! They have just adopted a cat and he is just such a darling! (a sleepy one though) Really happy to see that the little kitty is bringing a lot of joy, laughter and entertainment to the couple, especially since the new kitty mummy has never had a kitty before and she is just so amused by kitty’s silly games like hide-and-seek and catch-my-wriggling-fingers-if you-can.

Loving a cat requires unconditional love. Unlike a dog, which is more eager to please, cats usually have mood swings and usually only come to you for affection when they want it. Of course, some cats are more loving and “manja” in nature, but cats just have an independent streak in them that makes them so alluring yet frustrating at times!

Want to pay a special tribute to all my 7 cats:

1) Hmm-hmnp (It’s not really a name, but a sound that she likes to make when she was a kitten. In fact, she still makes that noise once a while. When she is happy…)
2) Chou-Chou (which means Smelly in Mandarin)
3) Dai-Dai (which means Silly in Mandarin)
4) Xiao-Xiao (which means “Small in Mandarin)
5) Girl-Girl
6) Lu-Lu
7) Dong-Dong

As you can see, my mum and I aren’t very creative when it comes to naming our cats!

Was out on last Friday at the newest, hippest place in town – Dempsey Hill @ Tanglin Village. It was my first time at Dempsey hill, which is the newly renovated area with all the new restaurants.

Previously, Dempsey is such a shithole – but in a good way. The area was dark, exclusive, with only 2 winebars and some furniture shops with scary looking statues. It was a perfect place for a rendezvous with a secret lover. (not that I have one lah, but you get the picture right?)

Then people started to check out the place and before you knew it, restaurants started to pop everywhere like mushrooms after a thunder storm. First, there was PS Café, then Oosh Bar, then Dempsey Hill…. And now, I need to find a new place to meet my secret lover. Damn.

Anyway, wanted to check out Margaritas but it was so crowded that we gave up and headed for a Japanese restaurant, just next to Angel’share. The food at that Japanese is rather mediocre and forgettable. However, there is this ONE dish that I liked – 6 pieces of broiled sushi and it was reasonably priced at $15 bucks or so. Other than that… didn’t really like the rest.

After that, we proceeded to Angel’share, which is something like a wine bar. Basically it’s like a smaller version of Oosh Bar but the prices of the wines are just as ridiculous. On average, the mark-up on each bottle of wine is about 300%. OUCH… Guess someone has to pay for the décor and atmosphere.

Nonetheless, I had a good time catching up with my friends. Friends… ahh, what can we do without friends. Other than family and spouse, friends are like the most important social relationship to a human being. In fact, for some people, friends are placed above family and spouse… … or football.

Just wana share some silly pictures of my beloved friends, with my beloved friends…

A group of my friends recently got together to celebrate one of the girl’s birthday. Firstly, we had dinner at Olive, a restaurant located at Labrador Park.

Labrador Park is most famous for its underground tunnel to Sentosa, which was dug during the 2nd World War. Unfortunately, the tunnel is not opened to the public; nonetheless, you can still see some “old” bunkers around the park.

That was my very first trip to Labrador park, it kinda looked a little creepy. Well, after all, quite a number of people died here during the world war.

Anyway, as for the restaurant, Olive, the food was okay. I wouldn’t say it was great, but it wasn’t bad either. But, I will not travel all the way to Labrador Park just to dine at Olive. I had mushroom-and-prawn-pasta done in Al dante style which was pleasant. We also shared some starters – Caesar salad, Portobello mushroom and fig-with-Parma ham.

What left an impression is fig with Parma ham as I never had fresh fig before, and the usual combination that other restaurants serve is rock melon with Parma ham. The fresh figs were sweet and crisp. In fact, I find the sweetness of the figs really complemented the Parma ham. Unfortunately, the Parma ham was dry and not that fresh, thus, it was a little kill-joy.

Talking about Parma ham, recently BF bought quite a chunk from the new Culina at Dempsey road (I have not been there yet!) and oh my gosh, they are so fresh and yummy!

BF and I are HUGE fans of Parma Ham, we can eat and eat and eat and die of dehydration! (Parma ham is super salty) and previously, we always lament that it is impossible to find fresh Parma Ham in Singapore.

Until the new culina@Dempsey comes to our rescue! Anyway, I will definitely hop over to Dempsey this weekend and check out all the good stuffs!

Hmmm, this time round, I must remember to bring my camera!

http://www.blogthings.com/whatamericancityareyouquiz/


This is so weird… all along I have a “love-hate” relationship with New York. New York is like an abusive, manipulative, bad-boy BF who is brad-Pitt-gorgeous and great in bed.

Seriously.

I still remember vividly when I first arrived in New York; I was like “Yeek, UGLY city!” So god-damn dirty and people are ridiculously rude AND pretentious. It took me almost 3 months to appreciate New York for its buzz, diversity, fuck-it attitude, and its… *gasp* beauty.

New York is really, truly amazing. Shopping is great (if you can afford it), food is fantastic. You can find GREAT and I mean, blow-your-mind-GREAT restaurants of different cuisines all around the world. The nightlife is unbelievable. I watched so much ballet and opera to last me a life time. I watched Madonna LIVE in concert at Madison Square Garden.

Everyday in New York is exciting and you'll never know what/who is going to throw in your way.

THAT is what I love about New York.

And after staying in New York for slightly over a year, many people have asked me whether I will like to stay there again.

Strangely, the answer is “no”

I don’t think I can handle its craziness, noise, filth, zest and energy. They are all too much for me.

Given the choice, I’ll rather stay in the country-side, some place like Margaret River in Perth or Burgundy in France, where I can breathe fresh air, eat my home-grown vegetables, drink my self-made wine; where I can play with my 2 dogs and 3 cats in the morning sun; where I can look at endless greenery and feel my space and existence in this world and not having to share that with anyone.

Guess I am not that competitive anymore. Guess I am getting old.

Shape’s 10km run on 9Sep07

Stupid me. Forgot to bring camera!

So, yesterday I went for my first organized run of the year – Shape Run 2007 for women only. In total, there were a total of 6000+ women who took part in yesterday’s run and I was one of the many!

Although the run was supposed to be for ladies only, there was this one angmoh GUY, who made the effort and took the trouble to dress up as a woman! A really ugly one though… he wore this long and curly wig, ridiculous make-up, a baby-pink Tshirt, a short white skirt and to top it all, a pair of screaming, BRIGHT pink leggings. He looked absolutely hilarious! Oh, of course, he had HUGE, fake boobs, most probably stuffed with toilet paper or something.

What a sport! Wish I had a camera with me to snap a few pictures of him. Damn.

And there was this another guy who was running slightly ahead of his girlfriend (outside the barricade) to take pictures of his girlfriend for the whole of the 10 km run! Wah… so sweet. Mine was at home snoring away. Talking about SUPPORT huh?

Anyway, I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t clock less than 1 hour for my 10km run. I haven’t got my official timing yet, but according to my watch, my timing should be around 1 hour and 4 mins. Sigh, couldn’t pick up enough speed during the last 3 km of the run.

Nonetheless, I completed the run without stopping to walk and actually felt rather fresh after the run. Although at one point, I nearly vomited the banana that I had for breakfast. Yeek… no more bananas before a run!

All in all, I had fun and will most probably do it next year again! ;p

Ratatouille vs 881

Watched 2 movies during the last weekend, one was about a rat trying to be a cook, another was about 2 ladies trying to fulfill their dreams as Geitai singers (a.k.a stage singers).

Ok, I’ll comment on Ratatouille since I watched that first. An enjoyable cartoon, especially if you were to watch it with wine and food buffs, as there will be many special comments like:

“That is not Cheval Blanc loh… Look at the label, it’s Lafite loh?! Illustrator doesn’t know his wines man”

“Saffron is from Italy meh?”

For me, I HATE rats, although Remy (the main character) is quite cute, but no, no, no, no, no, can I relate to having rats in the kitchen. Not even after this show! I was literally cringing towards the end of the movie where there was this scene: kitchen was FULL of rats.

SO GROSS.

I still enjoy Finding Nemo the most; fish is definitely easier on the eye than rats. Note that: Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Ratatouille are all by Pixar.

Next, 881 is a local production by a local director, Royston Tan. I watched this movie with my mum as this movie reaches out to the Hokkien speaking crowd. My mum enjoyed tremendously and cried buckets towards the end. Now, she is telling everyone (ie: my relatives and neighbors) to watch the show and my mum is now, a hard core Royston Fan.

Personally, this movie is a tad too cheesy for my taste and all those “special” effects are way too exaggerated. Nonetheless, I have to admit that those Hokkien songs are very touching indeed and I even teared a few times as well. This is a good movie to bring your parents and grandparents to watch especially if they can understand Hokkien. In fact, it seemed to me that up to 60% of that day’s movie crowd was about 55 years old and above.

Between Ratatouille and 881, I’ll prefer to pay for 881 since this is a local production and I firmly believe that all local artists deserve our support! As for Ratatouille, a DVD will be good enough. At least the rats don’t look so big…

Rose among the thorns

I’ve been hanging out with BF’s friends lately and most of them are really much older than us. I’ll say that on average, we are like 10 years younger, thus we are like the “kids” among the “uncles”…

Usually we will get together over wines and dinners, and these “uncles” are serious about their wines manz! I always learn so much from these “uncles”, be it about wines, about markets, about properties, about life… …

So much so that, I find some of my peers extremely boring and to a certain extend, childish.

I’m not trying to be snobbish here, just trying to justify to myself that I am NOT suffering from pre-mature aging! Just that I’ve been hanging around with too many old farts!

But seriously, I really like to listen to their experiences… there are important lessons to be learnt and hopefully, from their stories and experience, I can learn from their errors and not to commit the same mistakes. But at times, I feel that I am just a free loader, and felt like a bimbo. These gatherings usually make me feel a bit stupid.

Anyway, above is a picture taken at the Jade restaurant @ the forum. O yah, another point that I’ve noticed: very few lady drinkers…

Some of my pictures from Perth (Aug2007)

I just came back from Perth, Australia and it was one of my best holidays! Although most of my "happy times" were spent in Margaret River (3 hrs drive away from Perth) instead of Perth's Perth.

Totally unexpected.

Days before the trip, I thought I would be so bored that I would chew off my fingers. And the weather during our first two days didn't help as it was rainy, grey, cold and totally "london weather" - a.k.a sucky weather.

Thankfully, by the time we hit Margret, weather was really wonderful. Sunny, blue skies with the cold winds. Wah.... shiok. Natural air-con is the best!

So BF and I spent 4 days 3 nights in Margaret River and stayed at The Central Avenue Apt. Totally recommended! It was just really close to the main town, the apt was tastefully furnished, everything was new and fully equipped. Our daily routine included - wake up, go wine tasting, eat lunch, go wine tasting again, get high, drive back to our apt to cook dinner, drink even more wine and then knock out.

And that was like the most relaxing holiday ever! I guess being high most of the time kinda helped... ...

All in all, we had a great trip and BF is already planning another trip to Margaret River again in another few years' time. However, the next time round, we'll like to have another 2 mates to travel with us as that will be much. MUCH cheaper with the car rental and the apt.

O yah, hopefully they will be wine lovers too. =p

I feel lost without… Harry...

During the week when I was alone at home, dealing with pain and cough, there was only one guy who was keeping me company all those while… and that was Harry.

Harry Potter.

Yup, I am one of the grannies out there who actually reads Harry Potter. I read the first two books of Harry Potter and realised that the movies actually did quite a good job, thus for part 3, 4 and 5, I only watched the movies and saved on some time and money. Ha.

However, after watching Part 5 – “Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix” AND with the craze about the final book of “Harry Potter and the deathly hallows”, I simply HAD to read the last two books!

Thus, I started to hunt for book 6 – “Harry Potter and the half blood prince” and guess what? It was sold out everywhere! Getting desperate, I went online to the website of our National Library Board, found the book and reserved it for only S$1.50!

After two sleepless nights, I finished book 5 and practically ran to the nearest Popular Bookshop and bought Book 7.

Many of you should know by now that Harry Potter did NOT die and it was a happy ending after all. Although it was all cliché and predictable, I am really glad Harry defeated the Dark lord and lived to get married to Ginny. I got all warm and fuzzy at the part where Ron and Hermione’s children were kicking a rocket with Harry and Ginny’s kids…

Awww…

Now that I am done with the final book, I am a little lost and depressed. Even re-reading Lord of the Rings did not cheering me up. Hmmm, I have the urge to re-read book one – “Harry and the Philosopher’s Stone” and the whole series all over again!

What a week…

Last week was a bad, bad, bad, bad week…

Firstly, my lower-left wisdom tooth was really driving me nuts. Sick and tired of the constant, dull (but sometimes sharp) pain, I called up my dentist and decided to get the bugger out once and for all. Had the surgery (a mini one but still a surgery nonetheless!) on Wednesday (25Jul) morning.

OH-MY-GOSH. That was &^#$* painful! Either my dentist is lousy or somehow I am immune to the 3 jabs of anesthesia that he poked into my gums, I could still feel pain when he stitched my wound?! Even he muttered “weird that you can feel pain at this point”

But the worst pain came like 2 hrs after the surgery when the anesthesia wore off and I was left rolling on my bed, groaning with pain. My left cheek started to swell and my face kinda looked lope-sided. And strangely, I developed blue-black bruises at my lower left check as well.

Weaken by pain and the lack of food, I, somehow caught a really, nasty flu bug and started coughing, sneezing, body aching all over and at the same time, still gripping with the maddening pain at my lower left cheek.

Was really sick during the past weekend and decided to see a doctor about my flu. The doc took a look at the antibiotics that my earlier dentist prescribed and screamed, “Why are you eating amoxicillin when you are allergic to penicillin? No wonder you are not getting well?!”

O manz, so I was munching on poison instead of medicine, no wonder my body was protesting. So the doc gave me another set of antibiotics, cough syrup, anti phlegm pills and some small little green pills to let me sleep better at night instead of coughing my lungs out.

Amid, the coughing and the aching at home, I was still watching the markets rather keenly but stock markets across the world had a minor correction last week, which means that I am not earning much this month. What the hell…

All in all, it was a really shitty week. But I am on the road to recovery. Feeling slightly better already. At least I’m no longer coughing my lungs out.

The only consolation – I passed my CFA level 1! *Yeah!* I can finally move on to level 2 next June. Think I gotta start studying sometime in Sept. O boy.

Bad morning…

Today must be the WORST morning of 2007 ( I hope!)

First, I woke up feeling as if I did not sleep at all. Somehow, my sleep was interrupted and instead of feeling fresh and well-rested, I felt as if I had been awake the whole night.

I looked into the mirror and saw my huge eye bags and dark shadows that no concealer seemed to help.

Fed-up, and late for work, I simply rushed out, looking like shit.

On the train, I was yawning at the rate of 25 times/min. I just felt so god-damn tired!

“Never mind, things will be better after my coffee” as I muttered to myself as I was getting off the shuttle bus to my office and was walking, walking, walking and suddenly…

SPAT.

I tripped and fell.

In front of a bunch of tourists from China!!!

And my right knee hurt like hell as it took almost all of my body weight when I fell. It now hurt so much that I’m wondering whether I fractured my kneecap.

Those tourists tried to help me up but I managed to get up by myself, picked up my composure, wore my heels and continued to walk in style.

Behind me, I could hear those HORRIBLE tourists laughing and commented that maybe my shoes were too big. I just wana say 2 words: BAD KARMA.

Now, I am hobbling around as I can’t bend my right leg and I seriously don’t think I can run for the next 1 week at least.

Argh. Just my unlucky day!

Banyan Tree, indeed!

Dinner on the "rocks" - a romantic setting for a couple

View of the sea from my villa

Villas

I went for a 2days-1night, super short holiday to Bintan (Indonesia) just the previous Sunday. BF and I checked into the uber Banyan Tree resort and spa, the acclaimed 6 stars resort, and I must say I am totally impressed!

The stay was rather expensive, but it worth every, freaking penny. I felt like a Javanese princess, surrounded by the lush and beautiful scenery. My villa was facing the South China Sea and the view simply took my breath away…

The service was excellent and the spa experience was mind blowing! The massage was really good, where it was done in a “spa villa” just for the two of us. It felt extremely exclusive. The spa started with a foot bath and a short foot massage at the upper floor of the villa, and once again, there was the beautiful view of the sea and the beach. Then we descended to the lower floor where we chose the type of incense and the type of massage oil to use. After that, we proceeded to a 90-minute full body massage that just melted my body. And to end it off, we had a light refreshment with fresh fruits and hot ginger tea. Hmmm… very therapeutic!

Oh, did I mention about the Jacuzzi in my villa? Just heavenly… looking at the sea, listening to the waves and soaking in a Jacuzzi, sipping champagne. Ahhhh…. That’s life.

I will definitely go for another Banyan Tree spa experience again. I’m day dreaming about my trip to Maldives already…

Property prices going crazy!

Currently, there is only one topic among Singaporeans and that is "PROPERTY".

A typical conversation will be:

"How? Got buy property or not?"

"Where got money to buy?!? It's getting crazy, even HDB flat can sell for $720,ooo. I think I should change job and be a property agent instead."

Below is an article taken from The Business Times, 6 Jul 2007. I just find this extremely entertaining. Enjoy!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Published July 6, 2007. “Business Times”

Every property agent has his day

By JAIME EE

MORNING. Wake up. Brush teeth. Practise saying, 'Sorry, we already have an offer, but if you're keen you can try and offer more' in as convincing a tone as possible. Or, if it's a very rushed day, shorten it to 'Your offer too low'.

Get dressed, go and take quick look at car - a nice new BMW financed with commissions from selling high-floor HDB flats with a view of the sea. This is not to be confused with apartments that are 'facing sea', because in this case there might be several housing estates between said apartment and actual sea. Even so, it is not wrong to advertise it as 'facing sea' because it is technically correct. But never mind. Take good look at BMW and allow yourself a well deserved smirk of satisfaction.

OK, start working. Phone starts to ring, mostly from potential buyers whose reaction to your asking prices ranges from 'How much did you say?', 'Ha?' or 'Are you crazy?!' in various languages or dialects. Ordinarily, you would embark on your smooth sales talk: 'It's facing the sea. It's only just renovated last year. The owners already have many offers so if you're keen you just have to join the queue.' Alternatively, if a successful deal was closed yesterday, there is no need to engage in smooth sales talk and a simple 'take it or leave it' will do.

Finally, one buyer says 'OK' and wants to view the place. Immediately, your suspicions arise. Is that a serious buyer or another agent trying to muscle in on your deal? Weigh the pros and cons and decide to take the safe option by not giving the caller the actual address. Instead, tell him to meet you at the nearest petrol station.

On second thoughts, play it safe and arrange to meet him in Ang Mo Kio before driving to the actual location in Tiong Bahru. During the ride, it becomes increasingly clear that the guy is a rival. No problem. You bring him to another block, give him a fake unit number and tell him to go and see the owner first while you park the car. Then you go to the real location and gloat.

Phone rings. No, it's not the guy you left at the wrong address. It's another potential buyer. Talk to him for a while and it turns out to be another agent who wants to be your co-broker. You tell him to keep his paws off in no uncertain terms. You hang up and daydream about the new sports rims you are thinking of getting for your new BMW.

Spend the afternoon dealing with unrealistic clients. Try to convince owner of fourth-floor flat in Jurong West that there is no way that having a canal in front qualifies as a waterfront view. After that, try to explain to another potential seller that being located within walking distance of a highly rated prawn noodle stall is no reason to ask for $250,000 above valuation. Remind yourself that this is why you prefer to deal with prime district properties, where all you have to say is 'District 9,10,11, near IR and Sentosa' to get clients to pull out their cheque books.

Finally, at the end of the day, you go home, park your BMW and enter your newly renovated home - another day, another one per cent downpayment cheque. Yes. Life is good for the Singapore property agent. Now, to go get those new sports rims.

If you can, please adopt a pet from SPCA

I am proud to announce that I am a member of the SPCA, in fact, I just joined the membership today and have also enclosed a GIRO form to donate to the SPCA on a monthly basis.

Why the sudden kind gesture?

All along I’m an animal lover, many of you should know that I have 7 cats at home and one of them is adopted from the SPCA! All my cats are strays and 6 of them are adopted when they were closed-eyed-hamster-look-alike kittens, which means that my family spent many days and nights, bottle-feedings the kitties, or else, they would have starved to death.

By the way, all of them have been neutered.

I was reading an acquaintance’s blog and it seems that she and her hubby had just bought a puppy. And I can’t help feeling a little sad.

There are so many cute doggies, waiting for a family to take them home and yet, most people are always more keen to BUY a new puppy instead of giving these older dogs a chance. It doesn’t help that most of the dogs being put up for adoption are NOT HDB approved, thus, if you know of anyone who is staying in a private apartment or better still, a house with a garden, please encourage them to adopt a pet instead of buying one.

There are also cats, rabbits and hamsters for adoption. So, any pet lovers who have the intention to get a pet please do consider adopting one from the SPCA instead.

Here’s the link to the animals being put up for adoption:
http://www.spca.org.sg/adoption/adoption.asp