These Few Days

The weekend was rather quiet. Actually I cannot really remember what I did on Saturday! I could remember meeting up with Derrick on Sunday, though.... hmm.......must be the age! Hahahahaha!

Went to UOB this afternoon. Was supposed to pass a gift to David on behalf of Richard H'ng..... I left it in the taxi! So careless of me! The worse thing was.... I could not remember the colour of the taxi! Called Comfort/CitiCab and hopefully some kind soul will return the gift.... so terrible of me......

Had lunch with some ex-colleagues. Today is Kelly and Alicia last day. Met Alicia and wished her best wishes!

It's not going to be easy for PD. NATAS is exactly 1 month's time. Hope they can sail through. Was told that sales figure not very promising.......

Received an sms regarding the job interview. Should have the confirmation news by tomorrow. Hopefully, it's good news. Will be a new start for me again.....

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Surprised!

Was chatting with ex colleague on msn and heard that my ex boss and another manager have tendered and the last day would be Monday! This is really a surprise!

I knew that she would not be there long....but did not expect to be so soon! Must really be bad........The Manager resigned without securing any job! She has had enough!

Well....certainly wish them all the best....they were very kind to me when I was there....


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Back To Reality

It's 2 weeks since I finished off at UOBTP. Been too relaxed, I think! The short trip to Shanghai was great! Never thought I would actually visit China till I am 50+.....! Hahahahahaha!

Yesterday, I had a interview and put on my usual business attire. Was feeling a little uncomfy! Hahahahaha! Anyway, the interview went rather well. Just waiting for the HR to revert. They hope I could start work 1st July...that's next week! I am OK...but that means I have to cancel my trip to NZ. Well, will see how it goes!

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About Shanghai

During this trip to Shanghai, certain things caught my attention..

1. Since 1st June, the shops have gone green. Bring your own bag or pay for the bag. A lot of people actually pays for the bags... additional 20 cents or more, depending on the size.
2. The MRT system is very efficient. Just outside the Hotel I stayed was the entrance to the MRT - Line 4. As the hotel is over at PuDong, needed to travel to PuXi most of the time. PuXi is where the happenings are. PuDong is a newly developed area and the famous HuaiHai Road and Nan Jing Road are over at PuXi.

What struck me most was the MRT card. I bought a stored value card and you could use it on MRT, Bus, and even Taxi. I actually paid my taxi fare using the MRT card! It was really great! They should have this here....

3. When I was shopping at 1 supermarket and about to leave the place, the security guard checked my receipt! Apparently, this is very common at a lot of places. I thought it was quite cool..... hahahahaha!

4. Most of the time when I pay using the RMB100 note, the cashier would check to see if it is genuine. There's too many fake notes floating in China and usually the cashier would check. So far so good.....

5. One night, I paid for dinner and Richard asked for receipt. I found out that there's lucky scratch on the RMB100 receipt. Every RMB100 receipt gets a scratch! This is really interesting! Maybe we should have this here......

6. Many places have discount at this moment. Instead of stating 50%, many place would state 'spend RMB300 and you will get back RMB150'!

7. On the 1st day of arrival, I was waiting to get on to the car and Oliver jokingly asked if I was going to drive! I was standing at the driver's side! In China, its left hand driver! Opposite with us! Also, we have to look left first and then right, before crossing!

8. Travelled across the Huangpu Bridge a couple of times. This is the bridge linking PuDong and PuXi. Very nice Bridge, looks very much like the Yokohama Rainbow Bridge. Of course, there's also underground tunnels linking both.

9. Travelling outside Shanghai would be fun. Place such as Zhou Zhuang, Zhujiajiao ...riverside towns are great to move around. Of course, there is also Suzhou, Hangzhou, Wuxi, Xitang and Wuzhen which are within 200km from Shanghai

10. XinTianDi is the place to hang out at night. Many pubs, restaurants, eateries, etc.. Ang Mohs hang out place! Great place to meet up with friends! Not cheap, though!

Will I go back to Shanghai again????? Yes, of course!!!!!

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Shanghai ...... Part II ( 19 - 24 June)

Did not do much on Monday. Stayed in apartment .... relaxed....

Went to nearby Yaohan to take a look. .... a stretch of shopping complexes. Met up with Xiao Fei and then back to apartment.

Went out with Richard and Xiao Fei for dinner. went to Wu Jiang Road which was the Food Street. Basically it was just a street with shops selling grilled/barbecue stuff. Decided to go somewhere else for dinner. Walked aimlessly for a while before decided on a Sichuan restaurant. The food was rather good.... especially the basin of chili and pepper/chili oil (catfish dish)! They enjoyed the '口水鸡' dish (steam chicken with lots of chili oil) very much! After dinner, we went over to XinTianDi （新天地） to take a look - lots of pubs & restaurants - like Boat Quay/Clarke Quay.

Another relaxed day on Tuesday. Went to the nearby Wal-mart (big supermarket near the apartment). Had breakfast at 好工夫 （Bruce Lee) restaurant...simple fare but delicious! Watched a couple of DVDs (that boring????? NO...it was rather relaxing...) before it was time to 'check out'. Met up with Richard for coffee before Louis came to pick me up.

Went over to Oliver's office to take a look. Was supposed to have dinner with Richard and guests but had to cancel. Ended up having dinner with Oliver (n staff) and Jennifer. Dinner was at a Japanese restaurant. Eat all you want at RMB150.... drinks included! Such a good deal!

Then, it was time to go to the airport. Check in was rather speedy. Lots of people on this midnight flight. Shops at this airport look rather miserable. Hardly see anyone shop. The staff were not very service oriented as well... Anyway, soon....home sweet home.Arrived at about 5am this morning..... the flight was smooth..... glad to be back.... need to rest....recharge......

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Shanghai...Part I (19 - 24 June)

Arrived into Shanghai on Thursday night after 5 hours' flight. My 1st trip to China! Wow!!!! Upon arrival, cleared immigration and custom and Xiao Fei was at the airport to meet me. He travelled 2 hours by bus from home to airport! So touched! Sob...sob...sob....
Waited for Oliver to come and he was running late. Finally came and drove us to the hotel - Sheraton Hotel & Residence. Took about 40 mins to get to hotel. Richard was at the lobby to welcome us.
Checked in into his apartment. It was great catching up with him again! Ordered room service and freshened up before calling it a night.

Got up early on Friday morning, though slept late the night before! Older people sleep less!Went to Huai Hai Road and then Nan King Road and also Superbrand Mall before returning to the apartment. Met up with friends of Richard for drinks and dinner (at Chinese restaurant in hotel).

Saturday morning was to Yu Garden. Big huge Garden with lots of shops! Quite an interesting place to visit.
Went to Westin for lunch and met up with the DOS - Lily. lunch was not too bad. After lunch, went to the Bund with Xiao Fei and then back to the apartment to rest before going out for dinner at the Shanghai Uncle Restaurant - Shanghai Food! Food was rather good! Went to the Bund again - for the night view. Early night.

Long day today. Met up with Stanley & Jennifer at around 8am... trip to Zhou Zhuang. This is about 1 hour's drive out of Shanghai. The water village - Venice of the East. Very interesting place and worth spending time walking around the vicinity. Cost 100 RMB to enter. Lunch was delicious! We had the most famous dish there - braised Pig Throttle! Simply delicious! Melt in the mouth! Hahahahaha! We order some dishes and the price was rather reasonable. We also visited Zhujiajiao (similar to Zhou Zhuang). The trip was really worth it!
Dinner tonight was at the 4 Points, together with Lily and Oliver. The company was superb! We had a wonderful time!

The trip continues............

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Shanghai, Here I Come!

Today's the day! Leaving for Shanghai this afternoon! You ask if I am very excited....the truth is .... not really..... why???!!!!!!

Usually I would get excited over a coming trip. However, that feeling does not last. There have been times where I just do not feeling like travelling, the day before the flight! And, I am talking about my own holiday! Strange!

I am looking forward to meet Oliver and Richard. Oliver was a colleague many years ago. Came from Shanghai to work and now back in Shanghai; Richard is a hotelier that I have known since maybe 1993 and now stations in Shanghai. It would be great to catch up with old friends! That reminds me how old I am! Sigh......... Hahahahahaha!


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Skin Care

It's amazing with the range of skin care products available in the market! Why the topic suddenly???!!!!!!

Well,it has been a topic with some friends lately." What are you using at the moment"; " I heard that this range of skincare is very good"..... etc....

I have a friend who swears by Biotherm. He uses the different range of skincare under this brand. At this moment, he uses the new Silver range - Hydra Detox-2.

Another friend is into Dr Secret. This is a set of 5 different bottles, each for a purpose. The set is not cheap! This is from BWL (MLM) and the HQ is at Toa Payoh (within the same block of my previous Company). Many people have used it and many swear by it as well!

My friend, what are you using at this moment? Are you in need of some skincare products? I use the Apricot Scrub from St Ives to wash my face every day. That's all!

Hmm..maybe I should look into something else ...age is catching up.... need to maintain my face...maybe some face lifting cream..... night repair cream, etc.... hahahahaaha!

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Concerned

Many of my friends are concerned about my resignation and my future. The last few days, many chatted with me and wanted to know what plans I have in mind......

During the exit interview, HR told me a lot about the Company. The Management has big plan.....very big plan. I really doubt, with the current strength, the colleagues can handle. It's going to be very tough! HR also talked about some of the staff. HQ is aware of what has been happening in the office and there would be major changes expected...not immediate but coming. Well, if the changes take place, I would be very happy... for the benefits of the staff and management.

Looking forward to the coming Shanghai trip..... worry about the rest later....


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Tiring Sunday

Went to check out some clothings for my Shanghai friend.... So tiring walking around...really not young anymore! Hahahahaha!

Met up with Alan at Kinokuniya....to look at Japanese-English Dictionary. He could not decide which one to buy and ended up buying both! Kane mochi!

Did some window shopping in Orchard before travelling to Tiong Bahru for movie. Already quite tired and as usual.....fell asleep during the show! Hahahahhahahaha!

Enjoyed the day out...just tired......

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Enjoyable Evening

Met up with Kay and Lian for dinner. Went to Hotpot at Paradiz Centre. Food was ok...the stock was unique..... 生鱼与苹果 － 熬了8个小时！好甜！The ala carte buffet spread looked quite good.... but nothing compared with the one at Tanjong Katong.... my favourite steamboat!

After hotpot, went to Albert Court Hotel's vicinity for ......... Durian! Yeh!!!!!!! Had some durians and 'Man goes Thin' - Mangosteen! Well.... best durian still not in season yet...... haiz..... must wait.....

Still, it was a good evening.... with great company!

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Pleasant Friday

Caught up with a friend yesterday. He is my Japanese language 'practise kaki'! Happened to be on leave yesterday and had time to catch up.

Went to Great World City to catch a movie - Kung Fu Panda.... so comfortable and actually fell asleep during the movie! Hahahahhaha!

Met up just after 3pm for coffee with Alan. We chatted and chatted and before we decided to get up, it was already passed 8:30pm! Hahahahaha! We had so much to chat about, anything and everything! Chatted about work, about friends, about holidays and adventures during those holidays, etc. It was really very fun!

Had dinner at Zion Road Food Court and continued to chat! Hahahaha!

The evening was indeed enjoyable! Hope he enjoy it as much as I did!

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Life After 11 June....

So used to waking up in the morning and getting to work.... still getting up early.....

Usually if I take leave, I would go away.... Garry has invited me to go KL today but I declined. Would really love to go but trying not to spend unnecessary especially when I am travelling to Shanghai next week for almost 1 week.

Have some ex colleagues to catch up these few days and then maybe looking for a job..... got to survive....

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Otanjobi

Otanjobi Omedeto, Keiko San!

I remember back in 1987, I made my 1st overseas trip to Japan and I was hosted by Francis and Kondo. They threw a welcome party for me at Shin Shin restaurant (owned by Francis) and that's where I met Keiko. Very fun loving lady and now wife of Keiko. She brought me to Disneyland!

All these years, we have kept in touch and I had visited them and stayed at their place many times.

During my last visit a few years back, she was so excited that when she went marketing (to cook sukiyaki for me), she kept telling everyone about me!

Called her this morning to wish her!

Today is also Cindy's Birthday! Cindy was my manager in my previous job. She was incredible! Very pleasant, bubbly lady! I really enjoyed working with her!

Happy Birthday!

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Thank You, My Dear Friend

Your sms came as a surprise.... agreed to meet up was like another wish came true! Hahahahahaha! （没那么严重吧？？？！！！）

So happy to see you again! Have always hope to meet up again and tonight will be a night worth remembering! Been able to catch up for a chat meant a lot to me!

You have always been very dear to me.... and all these years...though we hardly get to meet up.....the feeling has not diminished! You are very special and always have been...... I am sure you know that!

We all need to move on and live happily..... While you continue with your life, I just want you to know that I will ALWAYS be here for you and you will ALWAYS hold a very special place in my heart!

Thank you, my dear friend!

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Yesterday was my last day.... sent out email to my suppliers to inform them of who would be taking over my duties and also to my colleagues. Shocked many! Hahahaha! I am not surprised that many still have no idea that I left!

Usually when one leaves, there's long thank you email and also contact details. For me.... very short message, that's all! No contact details! Well, if there's hardly any conversation in the 1st place, would there be conversation after I leave???? Hahahahaha! Those colleagues of mine who are close, would naturally have my contacts!

How did I feel? Honestly..... happy and sad.... Happy that I am finally out of this place! Sad that I am out of this place... Huh???? Confused???!!!!!!!! Hahahahaha! Happy that I do not need to put up with all the nonsense ...but sad that I could not stay on as I am sure I would achieve much if I persevere. Well, life goes on!

Will relax these few days..... have actually gone for interview. Will see how it goes. Where? Secret..... hahahahahaha!

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Last Few Days

Supposed to help out till this Friday..but still have 2.5 off days to clear.So, will be going off on Wednesday afternoon.

Handed HKG and MFM over to Kathleen. She leaves for Japan tonight with a big group - 170+ people! Safe journey!

The rest of the destinations will be handed over to Lian. Probably will hand over on Wednesday morning, then go over to head office to hand over passes.

So soon.....


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Birthdays Again

Sent a birthday sms to a very dear friend...rather... 2 of them! Many, many years ago, 1982 (wow! So long ago! Hahahahaha!) I was out with my classmate who had a pen-pal, Karen, from NZ in town and we had dinner together. Karen has a twin brother, Kevin, who then became my pen-pal! We started to write to each other and after some years, we finally met in NZ! It was very funny!

I was leading a group to NZ and the weather at Mount Cook was bad and we had some time to kill. Kevin runs a deer & cattle farm and I managed to contact him and got my group to his farm for a visit! It was a treat for the passengers! It was a wish come true for me! We met again when I had another group doing farm stay and the farm I had was his father's neighbour's farm!

Yesterday was Karen & Kevin's birthday! Karen is in Sydney with her kids for holiday! Happy Birthday, my friends!

Yesterday was Stanley's (ex-colleague) birthday as well. Called him and the ringing tone was not local...... must be leading tour overseas. Anyway, I remember your Birthday, Stanley!

Today is Rener's Birthday! I have known him since maybe 1988/89! Old friend who has been in touch ever since! Happy Birthday, my old friend!

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Counting Down.......

Last year in July, I tendered my resignation at my previous company. Almost 10 months later, I did the same. I have never worked less than 1 year in any company...... Haiz.......

My lady boss told me that she would let me know as to who would be taking over my areas of responsibility and when my last day would be. By right, I could leave immediately and the company would still have to pay me!

Would want to leave a good impression ........... Will hand over probably ........

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Hong Kong Trade Mission

Spent a whole day at Marriott Hotel for Hong Kong Trade Mission. Many hoteliers, suppliers, operaors are in Singapore to promote Hong Kong.

Met up with quite a few people and some are very interested to work with us... I won't be around to see through.....

Had dinner with Richard. A belated birthday treat for him.


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Tendered

Chamonix......Mont Blanc..... Heard of this? Chamonix is a village located at the foot of the famous Mount Blanc, the highest summit in Europe. 1 hour from Geneva Airport and 6 .5 hours from Paris by TGV/local trains. How do I know? The lady from there came to my office this morning and did a presentation! Had enquiries before but did not know the place..... Now I do...but.....will not be of much use to me....

Tendered my resignation this afternoon. My boss had a chat with me and she seemed to feel that I did the right thing to move on. It has not been easy for her as well and she also has her own plan. She asked if I would be honest during the exit interview but I told him that if I do that... those people still working would be affected. If the Company is too blind to see the

truth....so be it. Paths will crossed and so better be diplomatic...hahahahaha!

Time to move on with my plan.... at least I have taken the 1st step...

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Happy Birthday, Nancy

In 1998, I set up leisure travel in Safe2Travel (Safe & Mansfield, then). Some of the staff from the previous company came over and helped me set up and run the leisure travel. The initial year was very tough but the staff did not give up and we managed to hit target the 1st year in operations! We worked together for almost 3 years and that was a very challenging 3 years. A lot of achievements and I could not have done it without the help of Nancy.

Happy Birthday, Nancy! Though it has been many years, I have not forgotten the times we worked together!


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Happy Birthday, Richard

A dear friend's Birthday...Happy Birthday, Richard!

Will catch up for dinner soon!


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