It’s gonna be PAYDAY soon which I’m very excited about due to my current abject poverty state and what did I do this month so far? Nothing. First two weeks, I was on leave (to enjoy the splendour of Switzerland) and then when I came back, I was forced asked nicely to go on leave for 3 more days. I wasn’t intending to waste my precious leave so I went to the docs and due to the aftermath of excessive swiss chocolates and cheese fondue, I got 3 days of MC instead. Proceeded to rot through 2 days of very "taxing" training and then, voila the 3rd weekend of the month is already here!

I’ve become very accustomed to rotting but I’ve managed to squeeze in a few things.

Like watching Ocean’s Thirteen. Possibly late in catching this movie but it was worth my time. George Clooney cannot even pretend to disappoint and I continued to be blown away at the bag of tricks in store. Nevertheless, I don’t think it was half as good as Ocean’s 11 but this one takes the cake for humour. Chinese guy was hilarious too. Sadly, Al Pacino wasn’t given much of a chance to display his total talent.

Did some shopping too, despite my resolve NOT to spend any more money since Switzerland committed daily daylight robbery on my beleagured wallet. Mango sale this time was disappointing but I still managed to blow off $100 on two lovely skirts and a top. Phuture London was having a sale too so I blew off some more money on a lovely dress. *faint* (makes mental note NOT to spend anymore money….until well…Bonus day!)

Oh ya, tried out this restaurant called "Chopsticks Copper Chimney" at Race Course Road. When I saw it, I was feeling nostalgic about this restaurant called "Rice Bowl" in Bangalore, India. It’s a favourite and a hit among the young in Bangalore and fits Indian taste buds very well - delightful Indian Chinese food. Recalling my love for Rice Bowl, I went straight in to this restaurant. You see, I love Chinese food, but I usually feel that’s it’s too bland for me. My colleagues often laugh at me when they see me taking at least 3 to 4 helpings of chilli sauce for chicken rice and heaping them all over the rice and then complaining that it’s still pretty bland. Heh, my taste buds are very Indian. Well, this restaurant’s not too bad. Definitely hit the notes well for Indian Chinese food and price range is OK. A bit on the salty side, I must say though.

And is it just me or is Little India REALLY becoming like India? MY God, the traffic situation is just TERRIBLE there, especially around Mustafa. Pedestrians behaving like the roads belong to them and taxi drivers (as usual) oblivious to other road users. Excessive car honking, a serious dearth of space to manouvere your car and worse, more instances of carefully driving in alleys. Driving in Little India has become STRESSFUL! *faint*

The rotter’s life is coming to an end tomorrow cos I have to commence real work. And I caught sight of a blip in the radar on my schedule. The shiTyard job is set to come back to haunt me. More gloomy days in store for me….sigh.

Who said Auditors can’t have fun? Woo hoo…loved this week. Been great, ending at 6 on most days promptly which gave me ample time to do lots of things like

- shopping

- meeting up with Tby

- exercising (ok fine, i didn’t go to the gym but i swam….twice)

- chilling out with colleagues

- Welcome back gathering for MxchelleChia!

First we went to Goodwood Park Hotel. JasxnLee’s food recommendation sucked….for once. For that kind of money, the buffet is totally not worth it. Food’s totally crap and selection is really limited. Don’t bother wasting money on this one…

Next we went to the Clinic. It’s insy winsy compared to MoS of course, but the music is good after several hours. LOL, cos before the trance music comes on, they play shity retro. After that we headed to Pump Room which I totally cannot stand. I’m sure it’s a hot favourite with many people but I cannot relate to RnB music at all, which is all they play there. Bleargh. Then everyone went off and I met R and we went back to the Clinic where really good music was playing. Haha, sure made my money worthwhile then.

Me and HOT HOT Michelle

Attack of the Best Friends

Buffet @ Goodwood Park

Group shot outside Goodwood Park

Group shot @ the Clinic

Michelle and Me

Such excited faces

Alex is so happy

Caught the latest news. Bob Woolmer, Pakistan’s cricket coach was found dead. Some conspiracy stories have emerged, including that he was poisoned and strangled, possibly to hush up any aftermaths of match fixing. Cricket has been abysmal this year, to say the least. It’s hardly any consolation if India even makes it to the Super 8s, after being slapped in the face with regards to the defeat by Bangladesh. Of all the minnows in the world, being defeated by Bangladesh is really worse than being slapped in the face. Probably akin to being run over by a car when all you were expecting was a gentle breeze.

Anyway, today I received insight into the new meaning of overhyped. I’m referring to Mr. Bean’s Holiday.

You wouldn’t quite believe it, but there was hardly a cinema you could get a seat at for this movie on a Saturday. Virtually all cinemas had sold out or selling fast status. That’ll probably give you the idea that this is some kind of blockbuster movie but it isn’t…and you probably should not expect it to be one. Instead, it’s a typical Bean movie which his usal bag of trite and hackneyed tricks that lead him to a disaster-filled path where he tries his best to get out of the huge mess that he created himself (and others too). It isn’t anything new but some parts of the movie are really overdone, like it’s too ridiculous or something - even for Mr. Bean. Too much for some cheap laughs, if you ask me. And the fact that there were kids who were sleeping during the movie points to the questionablity of the entertain-ability of the movie. If kids can’t appreciate Mr Bean, who can?

Earlier in the day, went to Olio Dome at Suntec City for lunch. I would recommend this place. The mixed grill is really good (ask for the steak to be replaced by chicken thighs and you’ll be pleased too). The soup’s good too and I dare say that the service was exemplary. The decor and ambience are soothing with the use of sofas and wood.

We didn’t make it to the NATAS fair. Decided to give it a miss and go full steam to find a bloody cinema that had seats for Mr Bean, which clearly was an uphill task. Finally ended up at Great World City, rotting at TCC for hours before catching a late show. The TCC there is pretty good. Service was really good despite the fact that we were kinda hogging the comfy seats. I discovered a magazine to look forward to every month - Harper’s Bazaar. It’s one of the few magazines I’ve come across that can engage me for hours and makes me wanna read and look at every single page. It got me glued - the writers really have good style and the photography is simply amazing. Loves it. Oh - and I got new shoes… but I need more pairs! My shoe closet is literally begging for more inhabitants. Perhaps I’ll get more shoes this weekend. Wish me luck!

Sometimes you picture me–
I’m walking too far ahead
You’re calling to me, I can’t hear
What you’ve said–
Then you say–go slow–
I fall behind–
The second hand unwinds

If you’re lost you can look–and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you–I’ll be waiting
Time after time

Well well, that song doesn’t mean anything to me but I just like it a lot. There are many versions to this, including one by Cyndi Lauper and Eva Cassidy, but my favourite one’s gotta be INOJ’s. Very uplifting. I’m not gonna be catching anyone anytime soon cos’ I’m finally officially single and very happy now. I’ve come to realise that a relationship is not even on my list of wants/to-dos at the moment so I’m gonna be a happy single and unavailable person for quite some time at least.

In other news this week, well, it’s been nothing short of great. I started on a really nice engagement for which I doubt I’ll have to work late for the next 3 weeks. (Finally rid of the shipyard!) Yesterday, I went to Moghul Mahal for my friend’s farewell party. I think it’s now my fav. Indian restaurant. All the food I had was very good! Now the funny thing is that my mom took down the address wrongly for it and she just wrote this:

Moghul Mahal Hotel *
Mobtel Hotel
Clarke Quay

*(It’s an Indian thing to call restaurants hotels - don’t ask)

Have you even heard of “Mobtel Hotel”? Me neither - and my mom acutally chided me for not knowing it. I did a check on the net and found nothing. I assured her that no taxi driver would know it either. Nonetheless, I figured it shouldn’t be too difficult and just decided to get to Clarke Quay and go find it there. Imagine my eyes rolling when I find it. The hotel name reads:

NOVOTEL - clearly a far cry from Mobtel

My mom’s just too funny sometimes.

Anyway, finally tried out Fig and Olive at Vivocity today. Not bad. Not bad at all. Place is a bit cramped but food ain’t too bad. Nothing to rave about, at least not to the extent that people have been raving about.

Random Qn: How many of you think that men wearing Polo Ralph Lauren cologne is still sexy?

My take: So yester-year….ok make that yester-don’t-know-when. It’s become so commonplace every tom, dick and harry’s wearing it. I think men should get something new. The less “extremely distinguishable” it is, the better is it.

Hello all… I am soooo sorry for the lack of updates. I’ve been too busy for the past two weeks….er….shopping and relaxing! Heh, I’ve been ending work early the past two weeks and have rewarded myself to healthy daily doses of shopping and pigging out.

The wonderful thing about going back to work at the office (ie not at clients’ places) is that you get to meet all your friends again. And I’ve missed Ks and Hynz so much! I’d been so used to Ks’ company during my 3 years in uni and we kind of expected to have the same amount of time when we started work but were in for a rude shock. Anyway, we’ve had fun hanging out again like old times and being up to our old antics in the office. I’m gonna go back to godforsaken-part-of-the-country again next week so I’m gonna miss them again. Sigh… Nevertheless, I’ve got loads of shopping and good bargains to be proud of so far. heh.

Yesterday had dinner with Tby and Day too. (Crap - didn’t have time to do any shopping) Tried out this new place at Suntec called Surf and Steak or something like that. Anyway, not gonna go back there again. Food ain’t really good and takes like FOREVER to wait for. I’m not exagerating. After waiting for what seemed like eternity for 2 dishes to arrive we had to wait SOME MORE for the last dish. And it wasn’t worth the wait. Bah, humbug.

Tomorrow I’m gonna go watch Dreamgirls. Initially planned to go do my hair but something came up (will fill u in in another post). I’m also celebrating the fact that I’ve officially ended all lessons and only have two more sessions of presentations to go for and I’m done with my Masters….save for the thesis…which I haven’t started on yet.

Tuesday - Got my manicure and pedicure done. My manicurist was very displeased at the pathetic state of my nails.

Wednesday - Shopping and then went for a complimentary massage (courtesy of Tby) at a certain spa in town. The massage was very good and I would recommend it to just about anyone but I was most certainly turned off by the salesperson who attended to me after the session. I dislike lousy salespeople. I know I’m not a salesperson myself but my dad’s a classic salesman so I know all the traits of salespeople very well and I always feel the urge to CONDEMN BAD sales tactics.

Bad move no.1: <in a condescending tone> "So, you’re just here for a free massage is it?"

Oh this one really rubbed me the wrong way. Just because I was soooo irritated by this statement I decided to teach her a lesson. (and for cheapo me to get more free fruits and drinks)

Bad move no.2: Not being knowledgeable about your own products and worse, being vague and YET trying to sound like you know soooo much.

Pissed me off too. Telling me that your staff are "all very well experienced and are selectively selected" does not tell me ANYTHING. A fly-by-night spa also will tell me the same rubbish. A good spa like yours should naturally be able to sell itself better so you should arm yourself with proper facts like telling me what the hell your "treament facials" mean other than just blabbering to me that "you can really see results on your face in a short time". What results? Arrrghhh… so frustrating to deal with wishy-washy types who think they can "smoke you".

Bad move no.3: Being very inflexible about your packages. Come on, if you really wanted my business you would accomodate me at least some what when I give you a reasonable offer apart from the miserable 2 you recommended to me. At least negotiate something. Don’t tell me your boss says this is the package blah blah blah. There are no rules in sales. They’re merely guidelines.

Seriously, I would have purchased a package from them if not for their horrible salesperson. I had already resolved not to get anything from her after bad move no.1 but she just got worse by the minute.

Thursday - Met Tby and tried out Bakerzin (is that how you spell it?) Ok this place attracted me from outside so that’s why I chose it over New York New York. And not many of the staff there will tell you this but you can actually get 10% off with your Charles&Keith Card. Don’t ask me what’s the connection between food and shoes but my guess is that they’re related companies. Anyway, it had good food, good service and nice decor but my entire dining experience was ruined by their "stinginess". I also dislike restaurants which don’t give free water and indirectly force customers to buy overpriced drinks or dumb mineral water and make their food extra spicy. It’s not good at all in the long term. I’m sooo turned off (my eyebrows literally shot up when I saw the lime juice going for nearly $6) that I don’t want to go back!

Friday - Met Aisha dearie (finally!!!) and we tried out New York New York (finally!). I’m sooo glad I got to see you - I’ve missed you!!! I’m glad we can still talk like old times. I realised that although I’ve changed in terms of what I like and dislike, I’m still the same person in terms of personality. I haven’t changed much at all since high school. Wow. Caught up on some gossip (haha) and recalled the good ‘ol days. Babe, thanks for being a real sport although you were sick. Hope you get better soon! As for New York New York, it’s good. Good food, lovely decor (makes me really wanna be in manhattan right now) and good service. But the queue is really really long. Puts new meaning to the phrase location location location. It’s all about location baby.

Saturday - Watched Blood Diamond with Dy and Tby. I’ld say it was a good movie. Leo’s acting skills have improved by a mile. I thought casting of Jen Connelly was abit "off" - expected a prettier girl for pretty boy Leo. I’m quite tired of the whole Journalist-meets-bad-boy-and-makes-him-spill-the-beans routine. It’s really quite trite and hackneyed. Can’t scriptwriters come up with something new? But but…I like the show. Would recommend it.

Went for a haircut too. My head feels sooooo much lighter now. And cos my hairstylist ironed my hair I’m missing my rebonded hair now. I’m quite sick of my ponytail. But I’m soooo lazy to go rebond my hair…for the nth time.

Sunday - Going to St. James Power Station. Yeah! Heard it’s better than MoS. Hmmm….I’m a loyal MoS fan so I’ll give my verdict later. Cya guys and have a great week ahead of you!

Yesterday I met up with my JC Classmates - the turn out was pretty good. Jx, Kw, CCC, Antz, Catz, xy, nd, tx, yw, pj all came. And we ate at Kublai Khan. Ok the food wasn’t too good - at least not for the money we paid. I remember I went there a very looong time ago and thought it was very very good. back then it was a lot more upmarket and high-end. Now, it’s just another restaurant. Bah.

Wah…class photo

Jiaxin, Chean Chia and ME

Chean Chia and Kok Wee

Kw, wish u all the best in the States. Hope you enjoy your trip there and *behave*

After that, me, jx, pj, xy, tx and cat went to watch Borat. Oh my God, it was hilarious but seriously gross man.

It’s about this reporter from Kazakhstan who goes to America to film a documentary and it turns out to be full of gaffes - depicted fully with racial/religious stereotypes, stereotypes about americans and kazakhs. And THAT scene. Oh man, THAT scene. I think even if you tried finding for such porno you couldn’t find it. It was that pornographic. Oh man, the very thought is giving me the chills. Eeeeew. BUT, I do recommend you to watch the movie. Bloody hilarious.

I enjoyed yersterday. It was good to see all you guys after soooo long. LOVED the Dorothy Perkins bag. It’s totally hot. I hope you guys all love the pressies I picked out for you!

After an enjoyable yesterday (albeit being sick), it was miserable today. Went back to office to work and I was surprised to see so many people. Ks and I were grumbling the whole day I think. She was stuck in some screwed-up stock-take and I was just stuck. Bah. Now, back to being sick.

The long weekend was full of good food, thankfully as good food never fails to make me happy.

Friday went to my mom’s second most favourite Chinese restaurant (her first is Goodwood Park) - Man Fu Yuan restaurant at Hotel Intercontinental. My dad had some customer dinner there so we shamelessly went along.

That’s my mom holding the baby. So cute!!! Anyway, after that just went down to the lounge to have the To-Die-For-Chocolate Milkshake. I swear by it. It’s the best choc milkshake I’ve tried.

Hotel Intercontinental Lounge

To die for chocolate milkshake

On Saturday had some guests over at my house but had good home-cooked food of course.

On Sunday, went to have Christmas dinner with my family first at Vivocity at this Thai restaurant called Thai Accent. I highly recommend it - price is reasonable and it really good. The clear tom yam + green curry chicken + steamed garoupa are all good.

After that went to meet Tby and Day for Christmas gift-exchange party and sleepover at tby’s. Haha. That turned out to be a joke - plans not going according to plan is an understatement. Nevertheless I’m glad I had your company for Christmas and had fun losing at Taiti. See u soon on Friday guys…

Today I just rotted at home and spent some time photoshopping. Heh. Now off to meet Bab for Hoegardens + carom. I’ll get a manicure another day. The cold weather in Shanghai already ruined my nails. So no worries about ruining my nails again.

Overall, the long weekend was great! Happy holidays to one and all. For those returning to work tomorrow like me, I feel for ya!

1. Still working like a dog but looking forward to end of current engagement this week.

2. Watched this movie called Quinceanera with Tby and Day. It’s a spanish/english (spanglish?) movie about this pregnant virgin (yup it’s scientifically possible) who gets dumped by a guy who claimed to love her and by her parents as her dad is a pastor. Her brother’s gay so he got thrown out of his house too. They stay with their granduncle who’s a real sweetie. So the story deals with issues around homosexuality, parents, love, pre-martial sex and justified superficiality. Does that sound ironic? Justified superficiality? Or is that an oxymoron?

Personally I think superficiality is a misused word. I don’t think it is as negative as people make it out to be. I think it’s perfectly all right to be obsessed with designer clothing/shoes/bags, make-up, shopping or designer homes/luxury cars. I don’t think that’s being superficial. Maybe that’s being materialistic but there isn’t anything wrong with being materialistic. Yes, once upon a time I used to call materialistic people shallow and superficial. But that was when I was a young, dumb, angstly teen. So for those who misuse the word superficiality, you ought to grow up! It’s high time you did that.

3. I dumped Al. I know it’s mean but he’s such a boy. He had the cheek to complain about me not spending enough time blah blah blah. Seriously, there are more important things in life to deal with than relationships with boys. It’s quite strange that it was the very reason I had broken up with T for. I do regret it now. Because now I understand. I thought it was all about me me me. It took me this long to realise it isn’t. It’s sad that it takes another person’s actions to teach me this and not my own.

4. I’m still sick. I don’t know why. It’s been so long and I’ve avoided all my sin foods for the longest time possible. I’ve practically given up coke, except for the one craving I gave into at the shity Manhattan Fish restuarant - which is really a bad version of Fish & Co - even the menu/serving arrangements/sauces bear an uncanny resemblance to Fish & Co - and it all sucked. I honestly would have complained hadn’t it been for the nice service staff. Cos the food really sucked.

Check out the amount of leftover food. This was after we had footed the bill.

Anyway, yeah, i’m still sick. I’m planning to wait till day after tomorrow at least to go back to the doctor cos I think the firm will think I’m crazy for racking up medical bills in a month. But still that makes it consecutive 3 months of doctor visits. Bleargh…

5. Upcoming plans
- lessons on fri night and sat. (I can’t believe they sent the assignments to be done by tom like er, yesterday. luckily I came back early today from work so I can work on it tonight)
- spa session on sun at fullerton
- german movie on sun also (forgot the title)
- shopping on sun also (marathon sunday in mind)
- next week moving to new office at One Raffles Quay. Building looks really swanky but no use - I hardly spend any time in office anyway.
- next next week going to Shanghai! - it’s my second time to Shanghai and it’s the second time I’m having an ultra rushed/packed time in Shanghai. Don’t even know if I’ll have time to visit my friends there!

Went out with Day and Tby yesterday. Typically, ate Fish&co….for the nth time. BUT we tried a new coffee place this time, called Cream Bistro at Pacific Plaza. The cake ain’t very good but I suppose the food’s good there - guys we should go there next time. I am determined to boycott Fish&Co and Swensons. Time for new places.

@Fish & Co

Foodies love Fish&Co

Platter…again

Orchard Road lights up for Christmas

Lights 2

Lighted Tree

Tby Me and Day

Us again at a tree

Later was supposed to meet Mxchelle but somehow didn’t drag my ass down. As usual, my phone is useless. But Bab came over for swimming and Bailey’s. Heh. Something different other than over typical whoregardens.

Wanna Come In?

Bab shoots Poseur

And now a time for me to cut my hair, do mask, go for pedi+manicure and gym. Sunday is pamper day.