Its been a tiring week. I guess partly is my stamina is not there yet. Need a while to get used to the full-time hours. Also after that, I have stuff like either guitar make-up, gym, dinner with collegues and others. So pretty much almost everyday after work, I headed out. I will go back home to take a bath and change into my usual clothes before heading out.
This coming week also pretty hectic. Guitar make-up has been changed again. So I be free on Monday and Tuesday. Wed to Sat afternoon, all have things up. Also havent been logging in much online. Pretty much very tired and sleepy by the time I reach home. I do check my stocks via I-touch but didnt update my excel file. Hence also not blogging as much. A final dinner with collegues this coming friday. Given the Chinese culture of attending the first few, the subsequent ones, I might not go.
Today I went to the gym for the 2nd time only. But cos quite tired, only managed 1hr 10mins cos the gym closes at 8pm during weekends. Cancelled my driving slot... too tired and wanted to rest. This week cant manage 3 cos of the full schedule. Next week, maybe have to go Mon, Tue and then Sun... See whether I suffer from muscle-aches tomorrow. Today at the gym, arms felt weaker??? Hmm guess I have to put shorter days inbetween work-outs. Mon and Sun meant a 6-day break inbetween. But I have CCA which is a sport-related one, maybe that would explain the weakness in the arms? Finally fetched my watch back and yes I can look at the time.
Anything else worth mentioning? Hmm supposed to have guitar evaluation in 6 weeks' time... err havent been practicing as much as I would have liked... then have jap test this coming wed and I just glanced only halfway through, 3 weeks of newspapers articles to cut and increasing more... the pile of newspapers is sitting in my room.... tidy up clothings/table and room, which is in a bit of mess with the increased work clothes, etc etc.
So far at this point of time, I am pretty much contented. Not only with the fact that I am working full time and earning money, my gradual progress in my other endeavours (exercise, guitar, jap) and also my general outlook. Am pretty much comfortable in my own skin. I adknowledge I am not perfect and have flaws. Despite this, I have managed to change myself gradually in terms of personality and others. Changing myself into someone that I would like to be. Yet a leopard cannot fully change its spots. There are parts about me that I dont want to change. Dont want to go into the other extreme and change myself completely into someone else. Again there is no right or wrong in this, to each his own. I wanna keep these up and not leave behind anymore regrets.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Overdue March Expenses
In March, I slightly went over my budget for normal expenses and the total sum, I spent quite a bit cos of driving.
Following previous budget of $20-25 per day for 30 days, budget for normal expenses is $600 to $750.
For normal expenses, the final figure I arrived at is $888.80. Exceeded by $138.80. Reasons were cos of extra spent
1) Sand spa $100 for facial and body sand
2) Watch $23.90
3) Cardigan $40
4) Sunglasses $20
5) Hair cut $28.80
6) 3 mths supply of glucasamine
7) new photo for resume $15
8) extra cab rides $27
So its a case of quite a fair bit of expenditure outside normal spending on food, transport, phone bills. But quite a bit are work-related and full-time work is starting, so I will monitor these work-related expenditure.
Add in guitar $120 and driving $1090 cos I topped up and booked enough driving slots to last from end April to End July plus 1 driving test. So its all in at a shot.
Total amount spent is $2088.80 Very pain. Big dip into reserves but consolation is that work is starting and a fixed and more reliable income is coming in from April onwards.
Following previous budget of $20-25 per day for 30 days, budget for normal expenses is $600 to $750.
For normal expenses, the final figure I arrived at is $888.80. Exceeded by $138.80. Reasons were cos of extra spent
1) Sand spa $100 for facial and body sand
2) Watch $23.90
3) Cardigan $40
4) Sunglasses $20
5) Hair cut $28.80
6) 3 mths supply of glucasamine
7) new photo for resume $15
8) extra cab rides $27
So its a case of quite a fair bit of expenditure outside normal spending on food, transport, phone bills. But quite a bit are work-related and full-time work is starting, so I will monitor these work-related expenditure.
Add in guitar $120 and driving $1090 cos I topped up and booked enough driving slots to last from end April to End July plus 1 driving test. So its all in at a shot.
Total amount spent is $2088.80 Very pain. Big dip into reserves but consolation is that work is starting and a fixed and more reliable income is coming in from April onwards.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Eye-opening Welcome Dinner
There are 3 dinners in a row of 3 weeks that I tio. First one is the welcome for the new staff of the 3 campus, the second one is the level dinner and the third one is for the entire school staff.
Cos we are locals and dont really know the full extent of which ones are the ones to miss or which one is the most formal. AND also for Chinese culture, the first few go to "show face" hence for 2 dinner buffet, I paid $50+$70, another is at a restaurant so depends on the food ordered then. But internet research showed me that its a pricey restaurant. OUCH, still waiting for first salary to come in at the end of the month.
So for the first dinner buffet. On the actual day, then the locals were told that the new staff have to put up an item... and they chosen "fashion walk with a pose". Omfg, we the locals were complaining that why we were'nt told of this earlier. IF we had known, think might not attend. Guess that's why we were not told. And cos its at the Jap association, so it seems rather formal. I went back earlier to change and even put on make-up. Had to share cab with collegues to go there. All the male staff were in shirt, tie and blazer/jacket. The women more flexible but... if I had known that, wouldnt have to rush to change specially.
And guess what, there were cross-dressing guys doing para-para dance. My eyes bled and my brain short-circuited. Didnt want to look too closely, otherwise my food might come out. Paid $50 but dont think I even come close to $15 in terms of value. The show of arm-pit hair, hairy legs = very bad taste. Also a near-40s man in a Panda top with a panda hood. My eyes. We had a collegue cross-dress but I think his is in better taste, but the other was really a whole bunch of 6-7 guys wearing an assortment of wigs, bra, short skirts. A cultural shock for me cos though I am aware of such stuff in their parties, I didnt expect to witness one in person. Also these are Educators?
So cos everyone quite on (except for the locals), when its my turn, only 1 pose comes to mind. Typical for me but after that I had several collegues ask me if I work out or I am strong. Guess what, we won the inter-school competition. A silver horse about 20cm tall. I can only describe the rest of the staff (surprisingly again, ALL but a few collegues came for the event) I had thought its just for new people but of course need audience and stuff that meant most of the other staff. So supportive. I can only use one word to describe them when we won. "Euphoria" - Mass double hand high five, group pics, whole staff pics.
Well glad it came to a safe ending around 9pm. We left and a local collegue dropped me off. She won a bag of jap rice in the final "Jun Ten Pon" game and won that. That bag of jap rice cost $20. Well really eye-opener for us locals. Hope the remaining dinners are more un-happening and more like our local dinners.
Cos we are locals and dont really know the full extent of which ones are the ones to miss or which one is the most formal. AND also for Chinese culture, the first few go to "show face" hence for 2 dinner buffet, I paid $50+$70, another is at a restaurant so depends on the food ordered then. But internet research showed me that its a pricey restaurant. OUCH, still waiting for first salary to come in at the end of the month.
So for the first dinner buffet. On the actual day, then the locals were told that the new staff have to put up an item... and they chosen "fashion walk with a pose". Omfg, we the locals were complaining that why we were'nt told of this earlier. IF we had known, think might not attend. Guess that's why we were not told. And cos its at the Jap association, so it seems rather formal. I went back earlier to change and even put on make-up. Had to share cab with collegues to go there. All the male staff were in shirt, tie and blazer/jacket. The women more flexible but... if I had known that, wouldnt have to rush to change specially.
And guess what, there were cross-dressing guys doing para-para dance. My eyes bled and my brain short-circuited. Didnt want to look too closely, otherwise my food might come out. Paid $50 but dont think I even come close to $15 in terms of value. The show of arm-pit hair, hairy legs = very bad taste. Also a near-40s man in a Panda top with a panda hood. My eyes. We had a collegue cross-dress but I think his is in better taste, but the other was really a whole bunch of 6-7 guys wearing an assortment of wigs, bra, short skirts. A cultural shock for me cos though I am aware of such stuff in their parties, I didnt expect to witness one in person. Also these are Educators?
So cos everyone quite on (except for the locals), when its my turn, only 1 pose comes to mind. Typical for me but after that I had several collegues ask me if I work out or I am strong. Guess what, we won the inter-school competition. A silver horse about 20cm tall. I can only describe the rest of the staff (surprisingly again, ALL but a few collegues came for the event) I had thought its just for new people but of course need audience and stuff that meant most of the other staff. So supportive. I can only use one word to describe them when we won. "Euphoria" - Mass double hand high five, group pics, whole staff pics.
Well glad it came to a safe ending around 9pm. We left and a local collegue dropped me off. She won a bag of jap rice in the final "Jun Ten Pon" game and won that. That bag of jap rice cost $20. Well really eye-opener for us locals. Hope the remaining dinners are more un-happening and more like our local dinners.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Eye-opening 1st week at school
Monday
Three is a ceremony with new educators sitting on the chairs on the stage. Then got to do a 1min max self-introduction. I did mine in English and then sat back on the seats. Then a representative of the students have to make a speech to the educators. A lot of bowing and stuff then we got off the stage. That was first official ceremony with the sec 2 and 3 students. Later on had to do another whole staff together self-introd including maintanence staff, cleaner staff, office staff. They really value team-work.
Tuesday
This is the very formal ceremony to welcome the incoming sec 1. All the students from sec 1 to 3 are in school from the normal hours. We start officially at 8.15am everyday. Then time table is suspended and they stay with their home room aka form teachers in their base classrooms.
The formal ceremony begins at 2pm. There was only 20 mins allocated for lunch, which meant we had to eat in. BUT I didnt pack any lunch, luckily we could order bento like the students at $8 ouch. So I didnt have much to do, do your own stuff. I did already occupy my time at work reading through sec 1 to sec 3 student's textbook, looked through 3 levels of resource materials, looked through the phoneics file and even already surfed online to look for good websites with ws, stuff that could be used. Think I already am trying quite hard to make sure I am not doing non-work stuff but there's only so much to do. Stone a bit, go make drink, go toilet, go walk around the school to check out where the rooms are according to the floor plans.
The formal ceremony meant I had to add a jacket (one I had since JC graduation) and yes I can wear it still. Then each staff is given a brooch made of fresh orchids, tied with a ribbon and with a safety pin for pinning on your top. I pinned mine on my jacket and also put on light make-up but didnt do any hair. Just combed it. We went up and sat on 3 rows according to level at the side of the hall. Then it was very very very hot. I was sweating 5mins when I went in. Had to keep resisting the urge to fan myself with the programme sheet which has all the names of the Sec 1 incoming students. But it was not proper so just bear it. Then the form teachers of the class led the Sec 1 students in and it took about 10mins for all to be seated, we had to keep applauding as each pair of students walked down the red carpet. The interesting cultural difference is that everyone applauded and continued to keep the applause in volume throughout for an entire 10+ minutes. An eye-opener for us locals who can hardly keep up the applause after the firnst 20seconds. The parents were filiming with video cameras and using powerful Sony cameras with very powerful lenses. Eye-opener indeed.
Then one part of the ceremony involves the reading out of every Sec 1 student's name by the form teacher. When their names are read, they have to stand and adknowledge with a loud "Hai" (which in jap means Yes, Understand etc etc) Then they present the class, all sit down and move onto the next class. After that, there is a speech by P to students. Then a representative from Sec 1 makes a speech on behalf of the entire Sec 1 corhort. Then a representative from Sec 3 makes a speech on behalf of the Seniors to the incoming Sec 1. The entire educators have to move on infront to give a bow and say "Onegashimasu" when they are introduced to the entire school with Sec 1-3 and parents. End off with school song and later applaud the Sec 1 as they make their way out of the hall much like how they entered the Hall. I was dripping sweat off my brows, over the sides of my face, my blouse was almost soaked. I had never sweated so much in formal attire before. The only time I sweated so much was when I exercised. Next time I shall carry a hankerchief or small towel like what they do. After that still had to take individual photo but had some time to cool down in the staff room. I was knocked out very early at night before 9pm. Slept all the way until I woke up in the wee hours of the morning.
Wednesday
Still in formal cos have an entire staff photo-taking in the morning. Then after I wiped off my very light make-up with the wet tissue. Classes still hadnt started officially cos this entire week, suspended for tests, both academically and physically and ceremonies. I had to do another self-introd with the level staff with the level students whom I am assigned to.
I was assigned bus duty so it meant when school ends, I have to board the bus to check that the students are accounted for. I have a partner who is a Jap so she can read all those Kanji jap names that I really dont have the ability to read. Then had to ride on the bus with them to check that it goes to the right route reflected in the list. Luckily that's only once a year. But everyday, I have to wave to the students in the bus as the buses are departing at the assigned time. I have to wave at every bus as it drives by. Woah... another eye-opener.
For the other 2 locals, they are bored to tears during some of the ceremonies cos they dont understand a word of jap nor do they know that much of the culture, I guess. I know some practice cos I ever saw them either on tv or in manga when they show school life. The only difference is that I am seeing and having to do some of them in real life now. Well I am grateful for the slack now. Not wanting to go all-out. Just wanna do enough for now.
Next week classes would start but not confirmed classes but guess more self-introduction to do.
Three is a ceremony with new educators sitting on the chairs on the stage. Then got to do a 1min max self-introduction. I did mine in English and then sat back on the seats. Then a representative of the students have to make a speech to the educators. A lot of bowing and stuff then we got off the stage. That was first official ceremony with the sec 2 and 3 students. Later on had to do another whole staff together self-introd including maintanence staff, cleaner staff, office staff. They really value team-work.
Tuesday
This is the very formal ceremony to welcome the incoming sec 1. All the students from sec 1 to 3 are in school from the normal hours. We start officially at 8.15am everyday. Then time table is suspended and they stay with their home room aka form teachers in their base classrooms.
The formal ceremony begins at 2pm. There was only 20 mins allocated for lunch, which meant we had to eat in. BUT I didnt pack any lunch, luckily we could order bento like the students at $8 ouch. So I didnt have much to do, do your own stuff. I did already occupy my time at work reading through sec 1 to sec 3 student's textbook, looked through 3 levels of resource materials, looked through the phoneics file and even already surfed online to look for good websites with ws, stuff that could be used. Think I already am trying quite hard to make sure I am not doing non-work stuff but there's only so much to do. Stone a bit, go make drink, go toilet, go walk around the school to check out where the rooms are according to the floor plans.
The formal ceremony meant I had to add a jacket (one I had since JC graduation) and yes I can wear it still. Then each staff is given a brooch made of fresh orchids, tied with a ribbon and with a safety pin for pinning on your top. I pinned mine on my jacket and also put on light make-up but didnt do any hair. Just combed it. We went up and sat on 3 rows according to level at the side of the hall. Then it was very very very hot. I was sweating 5mins when I went in. Had to keep resisting the urge to fan myself with the programme sheet which has all the names of the Sec 1 incoming students. But it was not proper so just bear it. Then the form teachers of the class led the Sec 1 students in and it took about 10mins for all to be seated, we had to keep applauding as each pair of students walked down the red carpet. The interesting cultural difference is that everyone applauded and continued to keep the applause in volume throughout for an entire 10+ minutes. An eye-opener for us locals who can hardly keep up the applause after the firnst 20seconds. The parents were filiming with video cameras and using powerful Sony cameras with very powerful lenses. Eye-opener indeed.
Then one part of the ceremony involves the reading out of every Sec 1 student's name by the form teacher. When their names are read, they have to stand and adknowledge with a loud "Hai" (which in jap means Yes, Understand etc etc) Then they present the class, all sit down and move onto the next class. After that, there is a speech by P to students. Then a representative from Sec 1 makes a speech on behalf of the entire Sec 1 corhort. Then a representative from Sec 3 makes a speech on behalf of the Seniors to the incoming Sec 1. The entire educators have to move on infront to give a bow and say "Onegashimasu" when they are introduced to the entire school with Sec 1-3 and parents. End off with school song and later applaud the Sec 1 as they make their way out of the hall much like how they entered the Hall. I was dripping sweat off my brows, over the sides of my face, my blouse was almost soaked. I had never sweated so much in formal attire before. The only time I sweated so much was when I exercised. Next time I shall carry a hankerchief or small towel like what they do. After that still had to take individual photo but had some time to cool down in the staff room. I was knocked out very early at night before 9pm. Slept all the way until I woke up in the wee hours of the morning.
Wednesday
Still in formal cos have an entire staff photo-taking in the morning. Then after I wiped off my very light make-up with the wet tissue. Classes still hadnt started officially cos this entire week, suspended for tests, both academically and physically and ceremonies. I had to do another self-introd with the level staff with the level students whom I am assigned to.
I was assigned bus duty so it meant when school ends, I have to board the bus to check that the students are accounted for. I have a partner who is a Jap so she can read all those Kanji jap names that I really dont have the ability to read. Then had to ride on the bus with them to check that it goes to the right route reflected in the list. Luckily that's only once a year. But everyday, I have to wave to the students in the bus as the buses are departing at the assigned time. I have to wave at every bus as it drives by. Woah... another eye-opener.
For the other 2 locals, they are bored to tears during some of the ceremonies cos they dont understand a word of jap nor do they know that much of the culture, I guess. I know some practice cos I ever saw them either on tv or in manga when they show school life. The only difference is that I am seeing and having to do some of them in real life now. Well I am grateful for the slack now. Not wanting to go all-out. Just wanna do enough for now.
Next week classes would start but not confirmed classes but guess more self-introduction to do.
Monday, April 12, 2010
JB CitySquare
On Sat, Quet and me headed to Citysquare JB. I waited at the Causeway Point. Coincidentally, I was interested to buy a memory neck pillow cos my sisters slept on a very good one, my mom bought from Sea Horse brand. That pillow is SOOOO magical that when I lie on it, I would fall asleep very quickly and land in a deep sleep. So much so that everytime I try to wake, I end up turning over and snoozing more. So was looking out for an offer. So when I arrived, I saw that there's a Sea Horse brand outlet. Happily went in and bought a memory pillow (up $79) with a protector for $28.20. The pillow cost $23.70. I tried it, its not that magical in making me sleep cos its a different model but it has good neck support. Once I fell asleep, I slept rather well. The only prob is falling asleep sooner.
Then to kill time, I headed to the arcade and saw a Guitar Hero. So played happily 2 tries. Got Quet her brunch from Old Chang Kee and then headed to toilet. She came and picked me up successfully. Then we followed the I-phone GPS to try to reach the Woodland checkpoint but couldnt turn right at a vital junction plus got a traffic police there, ended up having to turn up onto the BKE and head there. Luckily without too much misadventure.
At the Malaysia checkpoint, I had to get down to get a white card for Quet and secondly to locate a Touch & Go counter to buy one. Its really my first time getting down at the new Iskandar checkpoint. For the white card, have to go to any immigration counter to get but it meant having to gesture for the car that is driving into the counter to stop, quickly get, then cross back. Then after that saw a counter that has a Touch & Go sign and got down again, to purchase the card. Luckily the car that was at the counter, was kinda not-moving cos I saw the car filling in the white card at the counter. Phew, risk life and limb to get those. Hence a bit jam-my.
Reached Citysquare with much less adventure than Jusco Tebrau. Even though turn a bit wrongly but was able to detour back very quickly and easily. WE arrived around 4 plus. I withdrew money from the atm in my bank that was located in Citysquare itself and then we headed to eat first. Malacca chicken. Its nice, though I find that either I am eating Secret recipe, or Vivo or Malacca chicken whenever I go to JB...
After our stomachs were satisated, we headed to the top floor and the plan was to walk down cos the first floor are all the branded stuff and hence more pricey. I bought 2 new waterbottles, 1 litre and 750ml spare. Just in case, I lose my bottle again... Its rather cheap, about $20 ringgit for both at Popular. Then we walked into those gift shops and looked around. Many designer clocks, lamps, frames etc.
When we went one floor down to the 3rd floor, and walked into Inner City, aka pirate heaven, bought dvds. Now Quet herself knows why there is big damage whenever I head into one. This time, spent lesser cos they dont have the anime I wanted. Then bought a Share Investors Malaysia edition to check out the results of my Malaysian counters. Also see if can kiv anything else.
We took quite a while to make it out of the 3rd floor. An innocent request to go to the toilet and saw a music shop and headed in, yielded me a Ukelele with a book on 'How to play the Ukelele'. Its a budget type but low price enough. It cost RM$78 and the book cost $22. So that's RM$110. (I actually reached home around 11pm plus and tried to figure out a bit with the help of the book for a couple of hours. Then the next day I tried to tune the ukelele using hearing and took a long while to figure out this tuning method using hearing which my guitar instructor is preaching. Then spent a bit more time working out the songs and notes. Can play about 3 songs from the book and using guitar playing techniques helps. I should practice even more for Guitar and try to apply this insight into tuning and also the individual notes on each fret and commit to memory. I can somewhat do for the ukelele but failed previously to do for the guitar.)
Then 2nd floor, there's another level of Inner City and Thai Odessey is there too. I've passed by many times in CitySquare cos my dad dont do massage. We booked a slot and happily walked around. Then after 20mins, had a Thai massage for $78. Though I wanted to do a neck and shoulder but the lady is quite good and after she pressed, then I discover that certain parts of my legs were actually sore. Hmm so a full body once in a while is good. Btw her no is 124 and Quet's one is 130, she also liked her massage so kiv these numbers.
After the massage, we were actually mostly broke and had already "show hand" before even heading into Watson... So I drew more ringgit but not enough cos I overbought, so I used the atm directly instead once I found out that they accept. Though they call atm - a debit instead of just atm. Learn something new. In Malaysia, atm = debit card? or at least they call it a debit. After that we even more officially "show-hand"
Headed home after that. Next time got chance should go in to eat zhi char dinner. Though I dont really know where exactly my dad dabao that delicious Pi Pa Duck, Mutton Murtabak and Sweet and Sour Deep Fried Whole Fish. Those were eaten very very long ago and the taste remains in memory.
__________________________________
Sunday I spent the time fiddling with the ukelele. I should name it Aoi still cos of the colour. Then hid at home, slept, later in the evening, headed to gym for the 3rd time this week. Though cos I overslept, only had enough time to do 1hr workout cos the gym was closing in an hour.
__________________________________
Today had a rather eye-opening about school ceremony, the more formal one is tomorrow. Some interesting practices about school buses too... Though that I would have to do. Reached home rather stoned and headed out to the gym. Today still very very crowded but during free weights felt a bit weak. Dunno is it that muscles feel a bit weak cos of Sunday's workout. But no physical pain in muscles hence went to gym. Also I think tomorrow there is guitar makeup. Then Jap on Wed, Guitar on Sat. Left with again, Monday, Thursday and Sunday, unless I try to go on Sat to allow rest between Mon and Sun. Need to bath now. Very stoned.
Then to kill time, I headed to the arcade and saw a Guitar Hero. So played happily 2 tries. Got Quet her brunch from Old Chang Kee and then headed to toilet. She came and picked me up successfully. Then we followed the I-phone GPS to try to reach the Woodland checkpoint but couldnt turn right at a vital junction plus got a traffic police there, ended up having to turn up onto the BKE and head there. Luckily without too much misadventure.
At the Malaysia checkpoint, I had to get down to get a white card for Quet and secondly to locate a Touch & Go counter to buy one. Its really my first time getting down at the new Iskandar checkpoint. For the white card, have to go to any immigration counter to get but it meant having to gesture for the car that is driving into the counter to stop, quickly get, then cross back. Then after that saw a counter that has a Touch & Go sign and got down again, to purchase the card. Luckily the car that was at the counter, was kinda not-moving cos I saw the car filling in the white card at the counter. Phew, risk life and limb to get those. Hence a bit jam-my.
Reached Citysquare with much less adventure than Jusco Tebrau. Even though turn a bit wrongly but was able to detour back very quickly and easily. WE arrived around 4 plus. I withdrew money from the atm in my bank that was located in Citysquare itself and then we headed to eat first. Malacca chicken. Its nice, though I find that either I am eating Secret recipe, or Vivo or Malacca chicken whenever I go to JB...
After our stomachs were satisated, we headed to the top floor and the plan was to walk down cos the first floor are all the branded stuff and hence more pricey. I bought 2 new waterbottles, 1 litre and 750ml spare. Just in case, I lose my bottle again... Its rather cheap, about $20 ringgit for both at Popular. Then we walked into those gift shops and looked around. Many designer clocks, lamps, frames etc.
When we went one floor down to the 3rd floor, and walked into Inner City, aka pirate heaven, bought dvds. Now Quet herself knows why there is big damage whenever I head into one. This time, spent lesser cos they dont have the anime I wanted. Then bought a Share Investors Malaysia edition to check out the results of my Malaysian counters. Also see if can kiv anything else.
We took quite a while to make it out of the 3rd floor. An innocent request to go to the toilet and saw a music shop and headed in, yielded me a Ukelele with a book on 'How to play the Ukelele'. Its a budget type but low price enough. It cost RM$78 and the book cost $22. So that's RM$110. (I actually reached home around 11pm plus and tried to figure out a bit with the help of the book for a couple of hours. Then the next day I tried to tune the ukelele using hearing and took a long while to figure out this tuning method using hearing which my guitar instructor is preaching. Then spent a bit more time working out the songs and notes. Can play about 3 songs from the book and using guitar playing techniques helps. I should practice even more for Guitar and try to apply this insight into tuning and also the individual notes on each fret and commit to memory. I can somewhat do for the ukelele but failed previously to do for the guitar.)
Then 2nd floor, there's another level of Inner City and Thai Odessey is there too. I've passed by many times in CitySquare cos my dad dont do massage. We booked a slot and happily walked around. Then after 20mins, had a Thai massage for $78. Though I wanted to do a neck and shoulder but the lady is quite good and after she pressed, then I discover that certain parts of my legs were actually sore. Hmm so a full body once in a while is good. Btw her no is 124 and Quet's one is 130, she also liked her massage so kiv these numbers.
After the massage, we were actually mostly broke and had already "show hand" before even heading into Watson... So I drew more ringgit but not enough cos I overbought, so I used the atm directly instead once I found out that they accept. Though they call atm - a debit instead of just atm. Learn something new. In Malaysia, atm = debit card? or at least they call it a debit. After that we even more officially "show-hand"
Headed home after that. Next time got chance should go in to eat zhi char dinner. Though I dont really know where exactly my dad dabao that delicious Pi Pa Duck, Mutton Murtabak and Sweet and Sour Deep Fried Whole Fish. Those were eaten very very long ago and the taste remains in memory.
__________________________________
Sunday I spent the time fiddling with the ukelele. I should name it Aoi still cos of the colour. Then hid at home, slept, later in the evening, headed to gym for the 3rd time this week. Though cos I overslept, only had enough time to do 1hr workout cos the gym was closing in an hour.
__________________________________
Today had a rather eye-opening about school ceremony, the more formal one is tomorrow. Some interesting practices about school buses too... Though that I would have to do. Reached home rather stoned and headed out to the gym. Today still very very crowded but during free weights felt a bit weak. Dunno is it that muscles feel a bit weak cos of Sunday's workout. But no physical pain in muscles hence went to gym. Also I think tomorrow there is guitar makeup. Then Jap on Wed, Guitar on Sat. Left with again, Monday, Thursday and Sunday, unless I try to go on Sat to allow rest between Mon and Sun. Need to bath now. Very stoned.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
2nd gym workout this week
Today at least I ended earlier. There's a ceremony at Jap assocation. So I had to attend it for first part of it, 20mins. Took a cab with collegues from workplace. Then after the ceremony which involves speech from various vips, cant really catch much of the content cos of the depth of vocab used. But got a lift home with a local collegue, reached home b4 2pm. Hungry though I had lunch, cooked magee mee with egg white, watched Naruto and dozed off. Then woke up at 7pm plus, really overslept to head to gym for 2nd time this week. After workout, dabao a Chinese rojak and ate some rice with veg together at home.
I met the other part-time staff yesterday. Her hourly rate is almost twice of mine cos she told me she negotiated a shorter time for her part time (Something I have to learn) But I kept the perspective that eg my sisters leave home earlier than me, work about the same hours, come home later than me, earn a few hundred dollars lesser than me. Okay with that it helps to keep a balanced perspective. Also comparing here and there also doesnt get one anywhere. I still think it matters how much nett amount is left after all the expenses and also whether I can generate returns from it.
Anyway am I all out to get the money?
Partly hence the need for a full-time instead of a part-time. Also even if tuition is lucrative in terms of hourly pay but in terms of total pay at the end of the month, it really depends on the number of students you have and the time spent travelling to and fro are not in, your prep time for the lesson/resource/qns. And the lack of cpf. Yup this year, since I be getting cpf, I intend to invest my cpf. Currently almost used up the entire amount allocated for stocks. Only amt above 20k is allowed to be invested and of this amt, only about 30% is allowed for stocks. Hence need to build up more cpf.
Also I dont mind a change in environment and a change in pace. I find I have been rather slack, but its a bit boring wayanging. I think by the end of the year, I might get better at it. Actually dunno why also do I have to turn up when almost everything doesnt involve me and this is my only grouse at this point. The contract didnt have to show up this week. Good for me that I get into the rhythm of the work, the routine of ironing my clothes before I sleep, waking up promptly once I hear the alarm, eat breakfast drink coffee, get ready. Head out, walk in, change shoes and settle personal stuff in locker then head into the staffroom. Definitely have more rhythm after these few days of practice.
Looking at the itenary for tomorrow, I am not sure if I needed to head in, maybe later a bit or try to come back a bit earlier if possible. Maybe the latter. I think there are search for activities that I need to do, but not one that can occupy me for the whole day.
At least this is the calm before terms starts next week. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Think this Sat might go gym cos no guitar. Free up Sunday for slacking around.
I met the other part-time staff yesterday. Her hourly rate is almost twice of mine cos she told me she negotiated a shorter time for her part time (Something I have to learn) But I kept the perspective that eg my sisters leave home earlier than me, work about the same hours, come home later than me, earn a few hundred dollars lesser than me. Okay with that it helps to keep a balanced perspective. Also comparing here and there also doesnt get one anywhere. I still think it matters how much nett amount is left after all the expenses and also whether I can generate returns from it.
Anyway am I all out to get the money?
Partly hence the need for a full-time instead of a part-time. Also even if tuition is lucrative in terms of hourly pay but in terms of total pay at the end of the month, it really depends on the number of students you have and the time spent travelling to and fro are not in, your prep time for the lesson/resource/qns. And the lack of cpf. Yup this year, since I be getting cpf, I intend to invest my cpf. Currently almost used up the entire amount allocated for stocks. Only amt above 20k is allowed to be invested and of this amt, only about 30% is allowed for stocks. Hence need to build up more cpf.
Also I dont mind a change in environment and a change in pace. I find I have been rather slack, but its a bit boring wayanging. I think by the end of the year, I might get better at it. Actually dunno why also do I have to turn up when almost everything doesnt involve me and this is my only grouse at this point. The contract didnt have to show up this week. Good for me that I get into the rhythm of the work, the routine of ironing my clothes before I sleep, waking up promptly once I hear the alarm, eat breakfast drink coffee, get ready. Head out, walk in, change shoes and settle personal stuff in locker then head into the staffroom. Definitely have more rhythm after these few days of practice.
Looking at the itenary for tomorrow, I am not sure if I needed to head in, maybe later a bit or try to come back a bit earlier if possible. Maybe the latter. I think there are search for activities that I need to do, but not one that can occupy me for the whole day.
At least this is the calm before terms starts next week. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Think this Sat might go gym cos no guitar. Free up Sunday for slacking around.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
3rd day
Today another day where I am relatively free. I did try to search for more stuff online.
After lunch, the pace got even slower. So far my collegues have been rather nice and asking me to eat lunch with them. Today I went to a Kyushu jap restaurant nearby. We walked about 5-10mins to a place I am aware of but hardly ever visit. Cos more accessible if you either live nearby or take a car. I ordered their Katsu don and the pork is very thick indeed. Generous serving and couldnt finish the rice despite my growling stomach earlier. Not too expensive, after service charge and gst, I paid $10.70 A different departure from eating hawker food in hawker centre. This is in an air condition restaurant. Again I get a chance to use my broken Jap as some sort of conversation.
Then met up with the other lady around 4pm, who is local and would be working with me. She's an ex-educator too, same age but married with kids. Surprisingly its very easy to talk and that made time pass a bit faster. After work, headed home, drop stuff, changed and head out for Jap lesson.
Tried the Angry Whopper. For those who dont know the signficance. Its part of the April's fool prank with Ris Low as a guest DJ at 98.7 Shan and Rozz show for a week prior. Then Rozz didnt get on with Ris and supposedly walked out of the studio on the day before April Fool. Then many listeners were very concerned that Rozz might quit the show. She didnt answer any calls or sms. Then on April Fool, she revealed that it was a prank. During the duration of a week, MANY were irriated with Ris cos of the things she said and the way she 'acted' (they thought it was genuine) and then Burger King launched this Angry Whopper with 3 levels of spiciness, Irritated, Frustrated and Infuriated.
I ordered a Irritated Whopper Meal and was surprised to find it quite spicy. I had stopped eating spicy food for quite a few years and obviously my tolerance has fallen quite a bit. I did ask for ketchup sauce to the amusement of the cashier, to go with the meal. Usually I would finish the Whopper and still feel hungry. I managed to eat most of it, left 1/4 buns. Ate a few fries and drank my Coke lite. All to help manage calories.
After jap class, Tab and I headed to town to just sit a bit before we had to go home. Both of us working, though she still wakes up earlier than I do. I still need to wake early and I still sleep late... Ended up with more 0 calorie drink, Diet Snapple before class and Coke Zero after class. I think my taste buds are rebelling a bit cos really didnt feel like drinking plain water. Dont mind sugarless tea but they dont really have it.
Tomorrow another early day. Small consolation that I should be able to end earlier cos of ceremony though I have to attend. Still havent ironed my outfit yet. Formal. Think come home, rest a bit then go straight to gym, 2nd time for this week. Then Sat once more cos guitar got postponed to Tue. Then Sunday can rest and get ready for start of term.
After lunch, the pace got even slower. So far my collegues have been rather nice and asking me to eat lunch with them. Today I went to a Kyushu jap restaurant nearby. We walked about 5-10mins to a place I am aware of but hardly ever visit. Cos more accessible if you either live nearby or take a car. I ordered their Katsu don and the pork is very thick indeed. Generous serving and couldnt finish the rice despite my growling stomach earlier. Not too expensive, after service charge and gst, I paid $10.70 A different departure from eating hawker food in hawker centre. This is in an air condition restaurant. Again I get a chance to use my broken Jap as some sort of conversation.
Then met up with the other lady around 4pm, who is local and would be working with me. She's an ex-educator too, same age but married with kids. Surprisingly its very easy to talk and that made time pass a bit faster. After work, headed home, drop stuff, changed and head out for Jap lesson.
Tried the Angry Whopper. For those who dont know the signficance. Its part of the April's fool prank with Ris Low as a guest DJ at 98.7 Shan and Rozz show for a week prior. Then Rozz didnt get on with Ris and supposedly walked out of the studio on the day before April Fool. Then many listeners were very concerned that Rozz might quit the show. She didnt answer any calls or sms. Then on April Fool, she revealed that it was a prank. During the duration of a week, MANY were irriated with Ris cos of the things she said and the way she 'acted' (they thought it was genuine) and then Burger King launched this Angry Whopper with 3 levels of spiciness, Irritated, Frustrated and Infuriated.
I ordered a Irritated Whopper Meal and was surprised to find it quite spicy. I had stopped eating spicy food for quite a few years and obviously my tolerance has fallen quite a bit. I did ask for ketchup sauce to the amusement of the cashier, to go with the meal. Usually I would finish the Whopper and still feel hungry. I managed to eat most of it, left 1/4 buns. Ate a few fries and drank my Coke lite. All to help manage calories.
After jap class, Tab and I headed to town to just sit a bit before we had to go home. Both of us working, though she still wakes up earlier than I do. I still need to wake early and I still sleep late... Ended up with more 0 calorie drink, Diet Snapple before class and Coke Zero after class. I think my taste buds are rebelling a bit cos really didnt feel like drinking plain water. Dont mind sugarless tea but they dont really have it.
Tomorrow another early day. Small consolation that I should be able to end earlier cos of ceremony though I have to attend. Still havent ironed my outfit yet. Formal. Think come home, rest a bit then go straight to gym, 2nd time for this week. Then Sat once more cos guitar got postponed to Tue. Then Sunday can rest and get ready for start of term.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Stamina ga nai
Today went in for my 2nd day at work. I wasnt involved in some discussions, so I looked for online resource/websites and chanced upon one that allows customisation and is free. Just the whole printing in colour thingy and laminating that kinda stops me from going crazy priting those out. Those 2 factors and also storage space made me rethink. But I kept exploring.
Then later sat down for a long meeting with about 15+ docs from the various school stuff eg cca, guidelines. All in Jap and briefed in jap. Another lost in translation. I could understand from 20-40% of content depending on the familarity of topics.
At least I stopped myself from listening to every word spoken by others when many are talking at the same time. Eg office discussion, office chatter. So I am learning to tune out. Some collegues are nice and try to speak to me a bit in Eng, asked me to sit together for lunch. So far, I try to speak a bit in Jap too when I can.
Still its only my second day of work and after I got off, I still felt a bit more stoned than usual. Rested at home a bit, ate my dinner early and headed out for guitar make-up. I need to practice and think more about guitar. K that is for weekend. Need to brush up memory and ty to apply what is learnt and remember those instead of just playing from the sheets. But that type of skill takes time and effort to develop.
Travelled back by bus and reached home 10.30pm+ Quite stoned by now. Bathed and then went online for a short while. So fast, its almost 12am? Going to iron my top and then sleep liao.
Then later sat down for a long meeting with about 15+ docs from the various school stuff eg cca, guidelines. All in Jap and briefed in jap. Another lost in translation. I could understand from 20-40% of content depending on the familarity of topics.
At least I stopped myself from listening to every word spoken by others when many are talking at the same time. Eg office discussion, office chatter. So I am learning to tune out. Some collegues are nice and try to speak to me a bit in Eng, asked me to sit together for lunch. So far, I try to speak a bit in Jap too when I can.
Still its only my second day of work and after I got off, I still felt a bit more stoned than usual. Rested at home a bit, ate my dinner early and headed out for guitar make-up. I need to practice and think more about guitar. K that is for weekend. Need to brush up memory and ty to apply what is learnt and remember those instead of just playing from the sheets. But that type of skill takes time and effort to develop.
Travelled back by bus and reached home 10.30pm+ Quite stoned by now. Bathed and then went online for a short while. So fast, its almost 12am? Going to iron my top and then sleep liao.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Monday 1st Gym session of the week
Woke up to switch off my alarm at 7am but went back to sleep cos today I didnt need to go in. So it was raining and I dozed off quickly. But around 8.30 plus, I woke and then near 9am, my Kanchong dad came into the room to check if I needed to go to work. I didnt tell him I didnt need to go in cos he didnt listen most of the time. Then had to tell him in irritated manner that no need to go.
Today is Qing Ming in the sense to pray for ancestors from home. My mom had bought back vegetarian food to pray. Then helped her wipe the bowls and plates which she washed. Then lit inscense. Then I went next door to eat my breakfast near 10. Still trying to get into the habit of eating a full breakfast. Then came back, helped to fold more ingots from the paper money.
Rested a bit more after lunch and headed out to collect forms for mom and sister who both wanted to set up share trading account. So I took a bus to Bukit Batok Central. After that I went to the bank to change my old and worn atm cards. That took quite a while cos of the long queue of people. Then I took a bus home.
Reached home around 4pm, too tired from all the travelling to go gym straight. So slept cos didnt want to do anything else. No jing sheng. Woke up at 5.45pm and then got ready to gym. Yesterday just went once, that was for last week's twice quota.
Starting this week is thrice a week. Cos tue got guitar (make-up), wed got jap, fri maybe go out, Sat also got stuff. So that leaves me Mon, Thur and Sun to do this week's quota. Next week, cos no guitar make-up, got 4 days to play around to put in the 3 slots, maybe even Sat depending on how things go.
AND yes, the gym is bloody crowded. The ratio of guys to gals is about 15:1 And they are all milling around the weights sections. So I do my cardio-machines-weight (at gal's section)-cruches-stretches/cool-down wont go to the guys weights area.
Today is Qing Ming in the sense to pray for ancestors from home. My mom had bought back vegetarian food to pray. Then helped her wipe the bowls and plates which she washed. Then lit inscense. Then I went next door to eat my breakfast near 10. Still trying to get into the habit of eating a full breakfast. Then came back, helped to fold more ingots from the paper money.
Rested a bit more after lunch and headed out to collect forms for mom and sister who both wanted to set up share trading account. So I took a bus to Bukit Batok Central. After that I went to the bank to change my old and worn atm cards. That took quite a while cos of the long queue of people. Then I took a bus home.
Reached home around 4pm, too tired from all the travelling to go gym straight. So slept cos didnt want to do anything else. No jing sheng. Woke up at 5.45pm and then got ready to gym. Yesterday just went once, that was for last week's twice quota.
Starting this week is thrice a week. Cos tue got guitar (make-up), wed got jap, fri maybe go out, Sat also got stuff. So that leaves me Mon, Thur and Sun to do this week's quota. Next week, cos no guitar make-up, got 4 days to play around to put in the 3 slots, maybe even Sat depending on how things go.
AND yes, the gym is bloody crowded. The ratio of guys to gals is about 15:1 And they are all milling around the weights sections. So I do my cardio-machines-weight (at gal's section)-cruches-stretches/cool-down wont go to the guys weights area.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Think will continue normal posts
I have been thinking abt my list of 100 stuff to do but progress is slow nearing 70. I have really thought through alot. And all the updating is done under that post. Since I am somewhat stuck, I shall leave it for future updates and continue my normal posts.
This week I hit my 2 gyms per week. Each workout is any 1.5hrs cos I do 20+5ims of the elipitical cross-trainer aka stepper. Then do machines for leg, abs, triceps, then move to free weights for bicep, tricep, shoulder. Weights-wise I haven't reached 3 sets yet, do 2. But for machines, do 3 sets. Then is crunches, side crunches and leg lifts 30 each. Still have room to improve cos can only do 1 set of 30. Feel tired after though.
I had eaten delicious porridge from a stall downstairs at my unit. It was raining and I didn't want to go next door to eat breakfast. So I went downstairs and settled for fish porridge. It's one of the best porridge I ever eaten. Didn't expect that maybe the weather helped but it had bits of Chinese celery that makes it very tasty. Then lunch my dad brought is to eat at the Bukit Timah hawker centre. There is really alot of food though cos I was really watching my diet very closely, many of the 'delicious' food like fried kway tiao, hokkien mee, 五香, herbal lamb soup, pasta and pizza, dessert, fried carrot cake and more. I decided to abstain and chose Jap food. Ate the Saba and karage set. My mom bought tomyam soup and fried carrot to share. Ate a bit of those. Then I got a 仙草 with soy milk but think my area one taste better. Also dabaoed 木薯 and it was supposed to come with coconut milk and gulang melaku. I asked to add just a bit of the melaku and skipped the milk.
Then we headed home and I headed to gym around 4pm. Did ear lighter dinner and ate the remaining mushu. Though I had a bit of hunger and ate 3 little chocolate that I bought from the IR. Nobody eating it... Now I think I will take my weights to do some arm sets... To off-set those calories. Tomorrow since I don't have to work. I be going to the gym? hopefully I won't have severe case of muscle aches. I intend to up my exercise sessions to 3 times a week starting tomorrow.
This week I hit my 2 gyms per week. Each workout is any 1.5hrs cos I do 20+5ims of the elipitical cross-trainer aka stepper. Then do machines for leg, abs, triceps, then move to free weights for bicep, tricep, shoulder. Weights-wise I haven't reached 3 sets yet, do 2. But for machines, do 3 sets. Then is crunches, side crunches and leg lifts 30 each. Still have room to improve cos can only do 1 set of 30. Feel tired after though.
I had eaten delicious porridge from a stall downstairs at my unit. It was raining and I didn't want to go next door to eat breakfast. So I went downstairs and settled for fish porridge. It's one of the best porridge I ever eaten. Didn't expect that maybe the weather helped but it had bits of Chinese celery that makes it very tasty. Then lunch my dad brought is to eat at the Bukit Timah hawker centre. There is really alot of food though cos I was really watching my diet very closely, many of the 'delicious' food like fried kway tiao, hokkien mee, 五香, herbal lamb soup, pasta and pizza, dessert, fried carrot cake and more. I decided to abstain and chose Jap food. Ate the Saba and karage set. My mom bought tomyam soup and fried carrot to share. Ate a bit of those. Then I got a 仙草 with soy milk but think my area one taste better. Also dabaoed 木薯 and it was supposed to come with coconut milk and gulang melaku. I asked to add just a bit of the melaku and skipped the milk.
Then we headed home and I headed to gym around 4pm. Did ear lighter dinner and ate the remaining mushu. Though I had a bit of hunger and ate 3 little chocolate that I bought from the IR. Nobody eating it... Now I think I will take my weights to do some arm sets... To off-set those calories. Tomorrow since I don't have to work. I be going to the gym? hopefully I won't have severe case of muscle aches. I intend to up my exercise sessions to 3 times a week starting tomorrow.
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