Yep it was doomed to failure when the P first told the rest during contact time that the parent volunteer gp wanted to celebrate teacher's day by sending us for a 3D2N stay @ xxxxgol (an ulu area in spore) First P asked those who wanted to go, a few hands raised. Then P turned the question around, who didnt want to go, one hand went up. Hence it was decided this way. It was to be held on a weekend, fri til sun @ xxxgol. U can literally hear all the teachers thinking to themselves, "spend a weekend with my colleuges, I'll rather spend it with my family."
As I didnt want to stay on Sat or Sun, my precious weekend, I signed for the friday one. It meant I had to stay over but heck I could leave in early noon of Sat. Fair enough, I showed my face there. So it meant I stayed back after school til 6.30pm plus doing admin, marking exams papers, tallying marks, supervise a bit of cca. It meant I had to pack my bag and lugged it to work as its not a good idea to spend 1hr 10mins to then fro to get my luggage after work. Basically by the time we reached the place, I had been awake almost 12hrs, working 10hrs plus. Didnt have lunch, hungry for dinner. I had a quick shower and felt much more refreshed. Man its really good to have a bath after a LONG day.
We set off from work, a measley 5 of us. Arriving at the place, it reminds me of a bungalow low rise dormatory. Yar the beds were double storied with a connecting common bathroom which didnt have any toilet paper. Didnt squeeze in a roll cos my bag too full. Note to self-always squeeze in a roll if i am going anywhere... ulu.
There we were joined by 2 other collegues, then by 2 other parents. They had bought lots of fruits. We ate that as a primary dinner with the 2 packs of snacks I brought along. Asked another who was on the way to dabao. We played some poker games using the deck of card I brought. Notice the pattern? Using 2 of the stuff I brought along in anticipation of lack of activities there. It didnt hit 3 cos I didnt have the toilet roll. Anyway the other collegue arrived with our dabao dinner, we ate a secondary dinner. He was asked to bring his set of mahjong.
Later after dinner, I went to the bed. I laid down, talking mainly with the other BT who was with me. We kept commenting abt the state we had landed up in. It was a friday, a time to go out chill and relax. We were still there wearing masks, facing pple whom have seen the whole day. Then the number of pple staying overnite was pathetic. 4 including myself. The BT went to a friends' place. After she left, I just dozed off. The next thing I knew, I was woken up around 6.30am by the noise of the other two noisily getting ready for the next activity on Sat morning.
We were to get ready and go for a guided tour of Pulau Ubin. Its a first for me, but then again, its not exactly that I have never been in nature before. Living in malaysia with gardens, fields, playing in the garden, going for hiking trips like Taman Negara, bat cave, climb hill, canapy walk, Redang, Tioman, mangrove swamps, monkey-watching at the tiny strip of sand of a beach at my hometown, I have seen my fair share of animals and plants. So to sum it up; there are some things that I have never seen before but most of it is "seen those before, done those before".
The interesting things happened before we went to Ubin. Saw my first 3 travesites in Changi Village in singapore. Its not that I havent seen but its just I've heard so much about the CV but never been there to witness. Second was my order of Roti Tissue was more like Roti Cardboard, cos it was rather think, not crispy. Still decent but not the thinnest I've ever had.
Me and the BT had to lug our luggage with us on the entire journey cos we were leaving earlier not going for the afternoon program. We went off around 1pm after eating Ayam Pentai. My cab fare from CV to home was $23. Ouch 3 days of my usual cab fare.
Hopefully the high absentism rate would discourage anymore of such ideas. It was not popular in the first place. Why not seriously think about it before just rephrasing the question and just deciding like that. I am not sure about the turnout for the rest of the events but a gut feeling from the general consesus gathered from talking to some showed, almost nil want to stay overnite, most will show up for one day and some aint going at all. Well that's planning for ya, civil service style, well to be fair, educator-style...
Now I am feeling kinda sian cos my weekend feels so short. Tom is another week, a hectic one. Just wish for it to be over before it had even begun. Signz. This monday's Toto is 3m, already bought my hope. Now just hopeing.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
KL trip Reloaded (this time, next time will be Remixed =P )
On Friday afternoon around 3pm, I had packed up for the 2nd trip with Uni friends to KL. Looking back, its been *gasps* almost 5-6 years since the first shopping trip to KL with Tab, Krynnder, Candle and Quetzal. Time really flies.
Yet this is exciting in many aspects and different too.
For one, Fake Husband (aka FH) was driving - we sped 300km down to KL at a breakneck speed of 150km/hr. The most my dad clocked was 90km/hr. It seems like a jiffy then we were in KL.
A second difference was the accomodation. We stayed at the Concord KL, which FH said was the worse lot of the 5-star hotels there. Well it was much bigger with better facilities (flat-screen tv, bathtub, walk-in wardrobe) than the cheapo hotel we stayed last time. Though we had to squeeze 3 rather big-sized ladies on the bed and a guy on the ergonomical couch, it was still enjoyable in that aspect. I have stayed in worse places, so it seems heavenly. Even my bro's place, grandparent's place all much much pale in comparision.
Financial purchasing power is much much bigger this time. Both FH and I brought an average of RM$1.1k per pop. Luckily we brought extra cos Tab n Quetzal brought near to nil... I had thought that by bringing so much, its definitely enough for me to spend, so I didnt bring my msia ATM card with about RM$3k inside along. Man I was wrong. Note to self - Next trip to Msia, to carry atm card irregardless. Food was the one that we kinda splurged on. Well money well-spent, cos its all halved in Sing dollars.
Yet there are things that are similar to the previous KL trip. For one, we didnt buy much, and interestingly all of us bought 2 pairs of footwear. Mine was a pair of POWER flip flops and a pair of BUM canvas shoes (forgot the term), costing a grand total of RM$70 only. Huh? Think Tab's and Quetzal's shoes cost only a bit more .
We went to similar shopping places as last time, KLCC and Bukit Bintang shopping. Man so much has changed. So much more different than last time. Either I was not aware of brands then or KLCC has much more stuff than last time.
Then there are NEW experiences.
(Fri)
Along the way, we ate at msia KFC, the first in at least 5 years. Nice with free flow of chilli sauce.
After the three of us, FH, Tab and I arrived and checked into the Premier room, Tab fell fast asleep shortly due to headache. FH and I headed out near 9pm, we talked and walked til we reached the Bukit Bintang area about 2km from the Hotel. It didnt seem that far cos we were chatting about the numerous 5 star hotels that lined that street. Near the Hotel was an entire street of clubs and pub. We passed that and headed to the Lot 10 area cos FH highly recommend this 'Liang Xin' massage place. He mentioned that it was purely massage, nothing extra. So we went there and I had my FIRST back and shoulder massage while he did a foot session. It cost RM$50 per 45mins. There is only one word to describe it - PAIN! Totemo PAIN. The young lady who did me was very strong though she looked about Quetzal's size. I was laid on my front while she did the back first then moving onto the head. I kinda have a high threshold for pain, yet I almost nearly scream out and hit the ground with my hand saying "I submit" like those wrestling matches submission holds.... Sidenote, those very painful spots still hurt on Sunday when we drove back to spore. Strangely when I looked over at FH, who eventually did a foot and body massage. Yet he was not the least in pain, until the guy accidentally kneeled onto his love handles. Either his pain threshold dam high or their pain neural network dam screwed up.
Well after that session, we headed on walking, til the backlane of roadside stalls. We went and found a good RAMI burger stall. Its at the back of the lane. We had a juicy and crispy Ayam Special for a mere RM$2.50. It had mayo and chilli sauce with onions, cucumber, lettuce, patty cut into half and fried and egg wrapped. Both of us made a mess eating. The ice milo and nescafe was very thick and nice. Its a match in heaven. Yum yum, should have eat more of it then, haha.
Then we headed back, walking back to the hotel near 1am. There was time enough for a nice shower and even time to clear email(FH) and mark compo(me). We set off after 2am to fetch Quetzal from the bus station. It was still a dingy area. Then we headed back to that food street for some char quay tiao. Drank another round of nice thick milo. Unfortuanately the cqt not as nice, yet we saw some cool and expensive mercedes. An SL55 model with the licence plate W1. Later we headed back and slept for the night. Most of us slept near 4am.
SAT
Yet magically I woke up near 7.30am. Went back to sleep then around 9am, the MIA Tab and I went for the complimentary 2 breakfasts. Quetzal and FH slept in. The breakfast was good, I had 3 rounds, eating enough breakfast to last an entire week. When we went back bloated, FH was out with his cousins. Then we all headed out to KLCC. Well we visited SPADE and more. I was more interested in the Bata than the branded stuff. After that we ate at the Secret Recipe. Took a cab to Bukit Bintang for more shoes. Then after I brought Tab and Quetzal to the 'Liang Xin' then headed back to the hotel. I was getting hungry, dabao a pack of Malay food, took the Metrojaya LRT 2 stops back to the hotel. Ate and had a nice dip in the bath-tub. Then slept on the free bed. That was already near 5pm.
Next thing I knew, both were back. Quetzal slept and me too. We woke up near 8.30pm and headed out for dinner. Tab was feeling ill then she did her 'concuss' act on the bed. Both of us headed out, contemplating to either eat at the Hard Rock Cafe or the wood-baked pizza place we passed by on the walk to KLCC. we headed hungrily for the latter. The name is "Langkawi Bar - Beach Club Cafe". We had a Langkawi set; a pizza, a jug of pepsi, chicken wings and garlic bread. Ordered a pint of Carlsburg draft beer. One word "Oiishi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Totemo. The sound system was good that the songs they played sounded good. Near 9pm, they had a live band. Some songs were nice especially when the male lead singer didnt sing. haha the other members sounded nicer lah.
We went back later and I dozed off soon. Poor Quetzal, no mobility. FH was out to meet his cousins and friends, Tab n I were dead to the world. She was watching cable tv until she dozed off too.
SUN
The final morning saw me waking up at another ungodly hour of near 7.30am. I tried to sleep but couldnt. Might as well, I took a long shower, got changed and finish my packing. Tab - the supposedly 'Morning' person was still dead near 8.30am. I had to nudge her awake. We went for the second compimentary breakfast. Another round of eating a week's worth of breakfast. We headed back and got packed. Checked out near 12pm and headed to Jalan Imbi for the famous bah kut teh. It was nice. My first bah kut teh in god-knows-how-many-years (more than 7years). Headed back to Spore.
Reached near 5pm, luckily no jam at first causeway. We went to Clementi for Botak Jones meal. And I got home. Spent some time bathing and unpacking then went online to maple a bit.
On the whole, it was really an interesting trip. There were elements that were similar yet so totally different. Definitely enjoyed it alot more. In fact on Monday morning while heading down to work in the cab, up until 10am, I was still in the holiday-mood. My soul was still in KL... enjoying the night life, living it up with the good food, not having to worry about waking up.... *signz*
Yet this is exciting in many aspects and different too.
For one, Fake Husband (aka FH) was driving - we sped 300km down to KL at a breakneck speed of 150km/hr. The most my dad clocked was 90km/hr. It seems like a jiffy then we were in KL.
A second difference was the accomodation. We stayed at the Concord KL, which FH said was the worse lot of the 5-star hotels there. Well it was much bigger with better facilities (flat-screen tv, bathtub, walk-in wardrobe) than the cheapo hotel we stayed last time. Though we had to squeeze 3 rather big-sized ladies on the bed and a guy on the ergonomical couch, it was still enjoyable in that aspect. I have stayed in worse places, so it seems heavenly. Even my bro's place, grandparent's place all much much pale in comparision.
Financial purchasing power is much much bigger this time. Both FH and I brought an average of RM$1.1k per pop. Luckily we brought extra cos Tab n Quetzal brought near to nil... I had thought that by bringing so much, its definitely enough for me to spend, so I didnt bring my msia ATM card with about RM$3k inside along. Man I was wrong. Note to self - Next trip to Msia, to carry atm card irregardless. Food was the one that we kinda splurged on. Well money well-spent, cos its all halved in Sing dollars.
Yet there are things that are similar to the previous KL trip. For one, we didnt buy much, and interestingly all of us bought 2 pairs of footwear. Mine was a pair of POWER flip flops and a pair of BUM canvas shoes (forgot the term), costing a grand total of RM$70 only. Huh? Think Tab's and Quetzal's shoes cost only a bit more .
We went to similar shopping places as last time, KLCC and Bukit Bintang shopping. Man so much has changed. So much more different than last time. Either I was not aware of brands then or KLCC has much more stuff than last time.
Then there are NEW experiences.
(Fri)
Along the way, we ate at msia KFC, the first in at least 5 years. Nice with free flow of chilli sauce.
After the three of us, FH, Tab and I arrived and checked into the Premier room, Tab fell fast asleep shortly due to headache. FH and I headed out near 9pm, we talked and walked til we reached the Bukit Bintang area about 2km from the Hotel. It didnt seem that far cos we were chatting about the numerous 5 star hotels that lined that street. Near the Hotel was an entire street of clubs and pub. We passed that and headed to the Lot 10 area cos FH highly recommend this 'Liang Xin' massage place. He mentioned that it was purely massage, nothing extra. So we went there and I had my FIRST back and shoulder massage while he did a foot session. It cost RM$50 per 45mins. There is only one word to describe it - PAIN! Totemo PAIN. The young lady who did me was very strong though she looked about Quetzal's size. I was laid on my front while she did the back first then moving onto the head. I kinda have a high threshold for pain, yet I almost nearly scream out and hit the ground with my hand saying "I submit" like those wrestling matches submission holds.... Sidenote, those very painful spots still hurt on Sunday when we drove back to spore. Strangely when I looked over at FH, who eventually did a foot and body massage. Yet he was not the least in pain, until the guy accidentally kneeled onto his love handles. Either his pain threshold dam high or their pain neural network dam screwed up.
Well after that session, we headed on walking, til the backlane of roadside stalls. We went and found a good RAMI burger stall. Its at the back of the lane. We had a juicy and crispy Ayam Special for a mere RM$2.50. It had mayo and chilli sauce with onions, cucumber, lettuce, patty cut into half and fried and egg wrapped. Both of us made a mess eating. The ice milo and nescafe was very thick and nice. Its a match in heaven. Yum yum, should have eat more of it then, haha.
Then we headed back, walking back to the hotel near 1am. There was time enough for a nice shower and even time to clear email(FH) and mark compo(me). We set off after 2am to fetch Quetzal from the bus station. It was still a dingy area. Then we headed back to that food street for some char quay tiao. Drank another round of nice thick milo. Unfortuanately the cqt not as nice, yet we saw some cool and expensive mercedes. An SL55 model with the licence plate W1. Later we headed back and slept for the night. Most of us slept near 4am.
SAT
Yet magically I woke up near 7.30am. Went back to sleep then around 9am, the MIA Tab and I went for the complimentary 2 breakfasts. Quetzal and FH slept in. The breakfast was good, I had 3 rounds, eating enough breakfast to last an entire week. When we went back bloated, FH was out with his cousins. Then we all headed out to KLCC. Well we visited SPADE and more. I was more interested in the Bata than the branded stuff. After that we ate at the Secret Recipe. Took a cab to Bukit Bintang for more shoes. Then after I brought Tab and Quetzal to the 'Liang Xin' then headed back to the hotel. I was getting hungry, dabao a pack of Malay food, took the Metrojaya LRT 2 stops back to the hotel. Ate and had a nice dip in the bath-tub. Then slept on the free bed. That was already near 5pm.
Next thing I knew, both were back. Quetzal slept and me too. We woke up near 8.30pm and headed out for dinner. Tab was feeling ill then she did her 'concuss' act on the bed. Both of us headed out, contemplating to either eat at the Hard Rock Cafe or the wood-baked pizza place we passed by on the walk to KLCC. we headed hungrily for the latter. The name is "Langkawi Bar - Beach Club Cafe". We had a Langkawi set; a pizza, a jug of pepsi, chicken wings and garlic bread. Ordered a pint of Carlsburg draft beer. One word "Oiishi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Totemo. The sound system was good that the songs they played sounded good. Near 9pm, they had a live band. Some songs were nice especially when the male lead singer didnt sing. haha the other members sounded nicer lah.
We went back later and I dozed off soon. Poor Quetzal, no mobility. FH was out to meet his cousins and friends, Tab n I were dead to the world. She was watching cable tv until she dozed off too.
SUN
The final morning saw me waking up at another ungodly hour of near 7.30am. I tried to sleep but couldnt. Might as well, I took a long shower, got changed and finish my packing. Tab - the supposedly 'Morning' person was still dead near 8.30am. I had to nudge her awake. We went for the second compimentary breakfast. Another round of eating a week's worth of breakfast. We headed back and got packed. Checked out near 12pm and headed to Jalan Imbi for the famous bah kut teh. It was nice. My first bah kut teh in god-knows-how-many-years (more than 7years). Headed back to Spore.
Reached near 5pm, luckily no jam at first causeway. We went to Clementi for Botak Jones meal. And I got home. Spent some time bathing and unpacking then went online to maple a bit.
On the whole, it was really an interesting trip. There were elements that were similar yet so totally different. Definitely enjoyed it alot more. In fact on Monday morning while heading down to work in the cab, up until 10am, I was still in the holiday-mood. My soul was still in KL... enjoying the night life, living it up with the good food, not having to worry about waking up.... *signz*
Monday, August 06, 2007
Ramblings....
It was not so long ago, during an event on a saturday 3 weeks back that a student showed me an article, the title "What would you have done, if you have several millions?" My response to that two students was,
"Well IF I have a few million, the only thing I can confirm is - I'll be an Educator no more."
But they continue asking, about the things I will be doing during my free time. I just told them, I'll do things that I feel like doing, like doing, go places where I feel like going, want to go.
"Eeeks, after a while it will be very sian one.",one replied.
Well I will bet to differ.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Fast forward to last Sunday. My sister is complaining a bit, cos we had gone out to another buffet lunch and when we reached home, went online to play a bit of NeoPet and Maplestory. Then she said,
"Yucks, this is kinda sian, got free time then just play games, life is just so empty..." Not that she doesnt have other activities to do eg play her er hu but she just login. Later she was watching videos on YouTube.
I heard what she said and replied to her,
"Well I am rather happy having time to do the things I like, instead of having to defer them, or no energy etc. I'll rather do this all day. Tom will be Monday, later you want to do what you want, also no time or energy. Would that be better?"
To which she remarked "Yar at least work will give me a purpose. At least doing something meaningful."
Our conversation ended there, not that we were arguing but it struck a chord. A couple of years back when I had just graduated, I had similar thoughts too. Fast forward, my thoughts have taken a 180o turn. Who would have expected that, definitely not me.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I looked at my Dad, who be retiring after Sept. He seems to be trying very hard to adjust himself to the extra time, the fact that he can come home on time and even the weekends. Last time up til recently, he worked hard. I would not see him from 8am til sometimes as late as 8pm. Even weekends he went back to the office to finish up some work. Now that his health is not so good, reached the age of 61, retiring real soon, he seems to be lost.
He'd be up late, as late as 2am. Or up early, as early as 4am in the morning (woe to me who is woken up by the bright light or tv sounds) He doesnt seem to know what to do on weekdays when he comes home. Eat dinner, drink wine, watch tv until he dozes off... Later wake up again, switch on tv and continue.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxXX
Is this the life I want? Previously 4 years earlier, I would have viewed this as a norm. The price to pay for doing a job, earning income. An inevitable outcome of being an employee. Being eager to repay my bond, it seems even if I didnt like it, there is no way around it.
Fast forward to now. My priorities have really changed. My time and health and energy level is important. I can manage very easily to find things to fill my time, be it playing games, reading more books, comics, going out, looking at the sky etc.
I do not really need a job to provide me with the purpose to live through one day.
I can find plentiful of things to do that serve the purpose I want. I guess I want more control of my time n effort. To channel it to somewhere I value more, than say spending 1hr 10mins daily to travel home.
The regret again stems from my tight timetable. Irritating that I cant take JLPT 4 cos it falls on thurs, which is one of the 2 class slots for Lvl 5. Tried going for weekday jap lesson before, either reach late cos very far, or take cab then jam and expensive, or reach there then stone n regret going. Dun want a repeat for the other things I wanna do eg Guitar. Still havent commited to anything else besides the weekend Jap course. Dont really know if I have the energy, cos educators so many things, teach, admin, cca plus training after work up to 100hrs plus meeting. Its just not so worth it.
Before I get carried away with my complaints, lets just end it. The gist is I dont need work to give me a sense of purpose. Maybe an income, yes. At least until eventually the remote hope of getting a few million to spare comes along...
*Dream........... dream dream dream*
"Well IF I have a few million, the only thing I can confirm is - I'll be an Educator no more."
But they continue asking, about the things I will be doing during my free time. I just told them, I'll do things that I feel like doing, like doing, go places where I feel like going, want to go.
"Eeeks, after a while it will be very sian one.",one replied.
Well I will bet to differ.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Fast forward to last Sunday. My sister is complaining a bit, cos we had gone out to another buffet lunch and when we reached home, went online to play a bit of NeoPet and Maplestory. Then she said,
"Yucks, this is kinda sian, got free time then just play games, life is just so empty..." Not that she doesnt have other activities to do eg play her er hu but she just login. Later she was watching videos on YouTube.
I heard what she said and replied to her,
"Well I am rather happy having time to do the things I like, instead of having to defer them, or no energy etc. I'll rather do this all day. Tom will be Monday, later you want to do what you want, also no time or energy. Would that be better?"
To which she remarked "Yar at least work will give me a purpose. At least doing something meaningful."
Our conversation ended there, not that we were arguing but it struck a chord. A couple of years back when I had just graduated, I had similar thoughts too. Fast forward, my thoughts have taken a 180o turn. Who would have expected that, definitely not me.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I looked at my Dad, who be retiring after Sept. He seems to be trying very hard to adjust himself to the extra time, the fact that he can come home on time and even the weekends. Last time up til recently, he worked hard. I would not see him from 8am til sometimes as late as 8pm. Even weekends he went back to the office to finish up some work. Now that his health is not so good, reached the age of 61, retiring real soon, he seems to be lost.
He'd be up late, as late as 2am. Or up early, as early as 4am in the morning (woe to me who is woken up by the bright light or tv sounds) He doesnt seem to know what to do on weekdays when he comes home. Eat dinner, drink wine, watch tv until he dozes off... Later wake up again, switch on tv and continue.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxXX
Is this the life I want? Previously 4 years earlier, I would have viewed this as a norm. The price to pay for doing a job, earning income. An inevitable outcome of being an employee. Being eager to repay my bond, it seems even if I didnt like it, there is no way around it.
Fast forward to now. My priorities have really changed. My time and health and energy level is important. I can manage very easily to find things to fill my time, be it playing games, reading more books, comics, going out, looking at the sky etc.
I do not really need a job to provide me with the purpose to live through one day.
I can find plentiful of things to do that serve the purpose I want. I guess I want more control of my time n effort. To channel it to somewhere I value more, than say spending 1hr 10mins daily to travel home.
The regret again stems from my tight timetable. Irritating that I cant take JLPT 4 cos it falls on thurs, which is one of the 2 class slots for Lvl 5. Tried going for weekday jap lesson before, either reach late cos very far, or take cab then jam and expensive, or reach there then stone n regret going. Dun want a repeat for the other things I wanna do eg Guitar. Still havent commited to anything else besides the weekend Jap course. Dont really know if I have the energy, cos educators so many things, teach, admin, cca plus training after work up to 100hrs plus meeting. Its just not so worth it.
Before I get carried away with my complaints, lets just end it. The gist is I dont need work to give me a sense of purpose. Maybe an income, yes. At least until eventually the remote hope of getting a few million to spare comes along...
*Dream........... dream dream dream*
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