Xmas 08

Almost pek chek-ed on xmas eve.

A lot of things couldn't be done by myself due to time constraint. I thought that at least could have a breather for me to do some last minute shopping.. but then again, unexpected things do happen. Planning ahead, i'd have to buy xmas presents during november liao.

Was home at 9 plus yesterday coz of OT.. and still haven't wrap the present for gift exchange. Was so "touched" went one of the staff da bao noodles for us while we were rushing some orders. Need to rush so many things, and still was already quite late for the xmas dinner.

Was nice to be able to sit and relax, and watch tv. Just so happen that it was a horror movie.. lol.. Then it was mj after so so long. On the whole tiring, but great to be able to find things to joke about.

Back home again in the morning, and then was off again to grandma's place for xmas celebration in the afternoon. Food was nice as usual, and even parky got plenty.

Stayed for a while before going back home to catch some sleep. Work resumes on boxing day.. and as usual after PH, work is plentiful.. how great. I really need to rest a bit more.

7.

At least something now.

But still, i'm aching 24/7 all over... plus a little bonus today. 2 fine pieces of chocolate chips got embedded in my fingers. Now i make sure i bring a nail clipper too.. lol.

Slowly but surely, i'm picking up. I don't foresee being as such forever, but this is part of the prerequisite. It will be all that i can absorb during the next few months.. the more i learn, the better it will be.

A bit being able to recognise size by sight, and also to differentiate some of the different types. Also was learning other types as well. However, it is all the custom-made that are the cash cows.. and so knowing the basics is still not enough.

Still going band practices on sundays.. especially when there isn't anyone to back me up. Then the only free day of the week was use to do some last minute shopping. In the end i spend quite a bit on the working attire (wearing jeans is quite uncomfortable lor..), and was so glad that the boutiques are all having 40% discount.. wahaha.. plus my debit card, i get another 10% on top.. wow leh.. haha.. 2 for the price of one, and the other boutique is also the same. Still a little bit more shopping to do in town.. and i wonder where i can borrow the time from.

Coming saturday will be a performance at tbsc. 4pm to reach, but work ends at 6. Maybe apply for EFO (early fall out) and reach before 6 for the sound test ba. 2nd jan, another mini performance.. zzz.. so happening lor.. then feb another one at botanical.. wahhhhhhh.. I wonder how people balance work and personal life.. maybe coz they no need to work 10 hours per day, including saturdays ba.

Recession, but the chocolate factory is lacking staff (skilled one i mean).. sadly, this is one of those jobs that locals will not want to do. Given the same salary, i rather soak myself in air-condition whole day long, and have a seat to sit lor. But i think, slowly, i'm beginning to adapt.

By the way, happy belated bday to parky.. 2 years old liao wor.

Kampong

In the end, all the pre holidays dieu were gone, and so i have the luxury to nua at home. Luxury coz i'll be off at the factory after monday's PH.

Watched a bit of kampong soccer on tv (15 mins or so) and really can't tell the team being a representative of one's nation. And even with such 'tactical' employment of 'foreign talents', it still isn't as impressive to that of world class. I mean, you get the people from all over the world.. so what? And not too distant ago, way before the F1, GP, and YOG, there was some sort of goal to goal at 2010.. and now what? Don't ever compare our league with that of other states.. it was said there isn't enough talents to form two parties, what more 10 or more soccer teams? Basically, it's just kampong soccer at different levels. I think the odds are so odd that probability at the pools also can't keep track. I don't mean to be mean, but this is really the case. There are things we just aren't taught or have to luxury to do all day... so don't expect it.

However i still enjoyed any home goal, for it pisses off the other party. LOL.. the more they boo-ed, the more disappointed they will be they they get trashed. And really, nobody is stopping them from following.. i mean, don't be too emotional la.. it really impedes a lot.

And so we won. Or should i say they won? And it don't matter much if they won.. so long as they don't lose.

Oh ya.. by the way, the fishy smell came out from the ISO tank. It's confirmed, it's gone.

I Suspect..

.. that the last of the haha crab is up the lorry liao.

Don't know why, it seems different from the other molting.. even if that is a surface molt. I've since ISO it to another tank.. less it be a crab it crab world or whatever kind of epidemic spreading it their own world. Wait for a few more days.. till the dead fishy smell comes out, and i'll be able to confirm le.

I guess crabbing is unpredictable.. lol.. i mean in the wild they might have 15 years of lifespan.. and might grow till very very big (maybe the size of a golf ball).. but in captivity, chances are slim. A year plus.. not too long, yet ain't too short.

Right now still left one active hermit in the main tank.. the one i got from PM (other than the one being eaten alive =X ).. and i wonder will it be never ending or not.. that is, if there will be any replacement or not. Perhaps not now.

Just no hermit crabs for xmas presents please.. lol.. if not it will be never ending.. and spare the hermits from PPS.

What a 'Wonderful' World

Was super late for band pract today, coz saw an opportunity to re-park the kuti R1. The R1 was under my stewardship for a week coz sis was overseas. Of coz, i could have driven the kuti R1 to boonlay (and be on time).. but really, it was a bit too small for such a long journey. Also, the last vios incident (check 12/8/06 entry) got me banned from driving.. at least on the then vios. Now the vios was sold.. and in its place, the kuti R1.

And so i took the R1 round the carpark.. and found that it was indeed very light. On the PIE, i think the R1 can fly lor. Really very small.. 3m by 1.5m.. haha.. at least now my parking won't miss. So shifted the R1 to the spot designated by my sis, coz that was supposed to be the 'safe' spot. R1 is 600 cc only.. i think if i put my baobei horn in, already the engine cmi.

Decided to take public transport instead.. and so was super late. Reached at around 10.30am, and the actual practice haven't start.. Today warmed up with the big big note piece - "what a wonderful world". LOL.. how ironic.. it isn't wonderful at all with all the downturn and retrenchment lor.. and also, the 1st read with rather "what a horrific world".. haha.. i guess it's the instrumentation ba.. we really need more parts... if not it's quite empty also. Actually the song was nice.. but i didn't quite like the arrangement.. too many in unison le.. of coz, i think the piece is graded quite easy.. see the size of the notes already can tell le.

What a horrific world.. another round of retrenchment from the FIs, and another round of rally for worthless structured financial products. High notes 5, minibond series 5 and 6, and now pinnacle notes series 9 and 10. When will all these ever end? I have nothing to say liao.. apparently, something is very wrong here, no matter from whose point of view.

On a slightly brighter side, the village got its first xmas card for 2008 wor... and it was addressed to......... pakki! LOL.. and he got his own economic/xmas package in advance too. 3 bags of dog biscuits, 1 bag of yogurt for dogs(wonder what the..), and a tube of toothpaste.. all courtesy of the village chief. In this downturn, i think pakki is the most fortunate de lor.. and i still can't get over the fact that he got xmas card addressed to him.. LOL.

No NOR

Today i went downstairs to check the mail, but no NOR (notification of results) yet. My friend already got it.. so perhaps it'll be here tomorrow. After which, i have absolutely no excuse le. I know i've been procrastinating on finding a job, and i've given all sorts of excuses.. and i've got loads of them still.

Bear time must hold more cash wor.. so don't anyhow spend. Wait for opportunity and then invest in one good company to maximize wealth. Notice the word is invest, not bet hor. All the salary earned will be eroded by inflation sooner or later. Finance like econs, is quite difficult lor.. coz there are always 2 sides to every story. So oil prices falling is bad news.. depending on the 'majority' of people siding each view (and hence sliding the market direction). They win by numbers. So Mac and Mae got 'rescued' and the STI chiong until don't know like what.. maybe only to chwee a few days later when people starts taking out profit. You'll never know and i'll never know too.. if not i can really forget about going to work and just sit by my comp every morning waiting to earn 3k in an hour (a joke shared by my friend). If only it was so easy, then i can forget about buying toto too.

My hair got shorter by the day.. if this keeps on, i'll be botak before i know it. With a short short haircut, my face looks super plump.. for the 1st time. Suddenly had so much to zhng before work starts, and perhaps, i might take down feature one of these days. Been putting on 3kgs since the euros, and now i couldn't stand hunger pangs. And now i crave for the ribeye steak i saw 2 saturdays back.

And now then i know that pakki got 'special attention' that day at the groomer's. He was giving some treats to take home too. Only he got.. coz the groomer said pakki was very cute. Most probably is the toot haircut he got when my sis tried to DIY. No wonder he seems so happy.

I substituted this Entry with..

Pakki is almost 21 months old le, and still as cute as the 1st day he came.




He looks sleepy though..


After grooming.

Pakki went to a new groomer this week, as recommended by one of the staff of the chocolate factory. She was having a grooming course there, and so we can get discount. Quite a nice place, coz the moment pakki went in, they feed him some treats.. plus, the learners there were all so delighted by pakki's arrival. When the job was done, pakki got 'dressed up' with a bandanna. Too bad he missed the class 95 bandanna when he went for the dog walk the other time.. coz i think bandannas look very nice on dogs.

Was on my way to boonlay for pract when i saw one stray dog crossing the road. It almost got knocked down by a truck.. and the dog siam.. then it ran down the middle of the road.. so very dangerous. Strays are so poor thing.. especially in this urban place. The other time, another stray at my place here died coz it ate a dead bird. I wondered why people would want to abandon their pets lor.. they really can't survive outside.. and other shelters also won't have place for them to stay in.

Those that feed strays also are no better.. coz the more you feed, they more they reproduce.. and this is very irresponsible lor (if you want, bring them home.. not just feed as and when you like).. 不知是爱还是害. Want to feed go to the sea and feed the fishes or prawns la.. But not silverfishes hor.. i don't like them.. they are so all over the place hindering and irritating. Please do not feed them.

At band today, i kind of like the acoustics of the 2nd level. Very spacious and makes a nice echo. Superb for hiding imperfections. Was trying my projections as such, and found the scc's holton 179 to be very very nice. Tone not really that good, but it was easier to project. Plus, it didn't have that much tuning problems at the higher octaves. Quite very nice indeed. And i was so glad that the 179 was so nice today.

Rain came and had to abandon all my night activities.. i dislike rain when i had to go places. I could have stayed all night at scc though.. that is if my stomach don't rebel.

Home soon, and instant instant noodles as usual. I think this is the Nth time i ate instant noodles this week le. Instant noodles with crab sticks and egg.. cost less than $1. To think that MGR w/egg cost $4.50.. that amounts to daylight robbery. Thought i kind of missed the kopi tarik there.. so now, i switched to home-made milo instead. And there are variations of milo lor.. i thought milo mocha already quite pro le... now they introduce cereal de.. wah.. i can have 3 sachets everyday also won't get bored.


I think my pots and kettles are going to be as black as each other if this keeps on.

Thursday at hq for the dry run, campus superstar Benjamin came and he sang 伯乐. It was very nice even though that was just a partial rehearsal. And the song was nice too.. lol.. the melody got stuck le.

Read this on the SSA times, "cherry blossoms are cherry blossoms, peach blossoms are peach blossoms". I find it quite meaningful, though sometimes i still forget. I got STM, but there is no need to remind my of my STM. When i forget, i remember.

My Saturday night ruin by rain (saving me some cash in the process).. I wonder where all the life will go when work begins. So why not grab it now? It is a once in a lifetime opportunity wor. if not now, then when? (looks so familiar)

Last Sunday

Some overdue post.

Went for MG last sunday with my sis wor, but the toopid bus no.5 didn't want to cooperate.. and so we just missed the actual gongyo. So perhaps, got to set off earlier for the coming week lo. It was a good start anyway.

Went 'pee-collecting' for pakki in the late noon at grandma's place.. coz coffee was there too. I thought only pakki was hyperactive.. coffee was very active too.. no wonder they are 'cousins'.

In the end, pakki still failed to learn how to pee at home.. zzz..

That Cup of Tea

3am, and i still couldn't get to sleep. Must be that cup of tea, or so i thought.

Listening to the piano version of Tifa's theme of my blog at this hour with my earphone, it just felt so different.

Been quite a while since i've cleared all my modules, and yet, it seems like just not long ago.

Was with the rest of the then warlords, including ah gong zm for lunch today. Was talking about the days when we used to crub, even when we've got lessons to attend the following day. After school, we'll go to the clementi K-box (was still very new then) and sang until evening. It was so fun being a student. How i missed those days. Now that the rest of them are all working, sometimes it can be difficult to coordinate the time even for lunch. For now at least, i've been able to.. but, who knows what when i start working? Maybe for some reason, i might end up where i don't want to.

Today the village chief was not happy with one of the staff of the chocolate factory... coz that guy chute pattern to the customers coz there were "too many" of them.. "too many" by his standards, and so he was unhappy having to serve the customers.. i think he threw the chocolates to the customers wor. It was in fact, just 3 customers altogether.. not a lot by industry standards. In fact, he should be happy there are still people buying at this time of the year. Sometime ago, he already chute pattern le.. as if he was the pro like that. Maybe due to his experience, the rest of the staff couldn't challenge his position, and therefore, he was made the manager. Manager supposed to have CRM.. but he chased away customers like that. Some of the customers bothered to give feedback, and so it was known what he did (and didn't).

A new road was being built just opposite my block.. which means, they are really going to build "that hub" le. NIMBY lei.. But it seems, the pasture is always greener on the other side. People just like to compare and be envious (with no regards to any skeleton). So.. how come other people de estate kept increasing in value while ours are being made into "that hub"? LOL.. if life is fair, then we are no different to communism liao le. That said, people don't have any obligation for anything.. becoz they don't owe. Maybe it applies to moral obligations too.

That day while "chilling" at my void deck (like some ah zek like that), i saw a lady from the terrace with 4 dogs (!) of various sizes came over to the patch of grass opposite my block to let her dogs ease themselves. So inconsiderate lor.. there is a park built for them, yet they want to come over. Is our grass greener? No wonder people can step on dog poo. 4 poos leh.. how to siam? Then i saw another mini schnauzer just like pakki. Salt and pepper de.. and is female de.. and her behaviour is just like pakki lor.. lol.. all schnauzers, same pattern. She is smart too.. coz when she knows it's time to go back, she refuses to get into the lift.. haha.. so smart leh.

Pakki seems happy these days, coz he got into a nice village. Even grandpa and grandma dotes on him. The same to pakki's cousin coffee. He too got a nice village that cares and protects him. But sometimes, too doting can be quite harmful to the dog.. just the other day, the village chief open some durians (given by some friend of his) for pakki to eat, coz he was sniffing at the durian.. and that pakki liked it so much that he kept bugging us for more. The point is.. the durian was opened for pakki.. and we just happen to be able to eat coz pakki couldn't eat so much.. lol.. what is happening to the packing order? That pakki ar.. is making my mum laugh so much.. and i'm so glad that my sis chose him (ok la.. he was the only mini schnauzer left.. but who cares?).

My remaining hermies are quite well too, though i no longer fuss around them that much le.. perhaps i'm used to them doing their routine. Venti went into molting for the 3rd time in the year, and i haven't seen it for quite a while. Grande was alone in the large tank now that i've iso venti.. i don't want another case of cannibalism wor.

I'm just trying to make myself tired so that i can have a good sleep, so this entry was kind of messy.

Pakki's Grooming Session

Due to inflation, pakki won't get to go to the groomers from yesterday onwards. Might as well.. coz they kept him in the small small cage for 6 or more hours.. then he got nothing to do. By the time he got home, he looked quite traumatized... wonder what they do to him lor.

So sis got him a shaver.. specially for dogs de wor! His shaver cost $90.. special one.. The blades were partly plastic so it won't hurt the dog.. how innovative. However, there is still a chance of hurting the dog's ears if not careful..

Pakki's grooming session (exculde bathing) costs around $40+.. so by the 2nd cut, it'll pay for the shaver le. The only thing is, after the cut, the whole place is super messy.. plus pakki is not being cooperative at all! LOL.. no wonder he looked so depressed after his visit to the groomers.. maybe they tied him up?


Pakki's new shaver


After the DIY grooming.. erm.. looks almost the same to me leh..

The movie "10 Promises To My Dog" was screened last week.. awww.. how cute the GR is. Wanted to watch the movie but.. oh well.. but from the review and the trailer, already was quite touching le..

Got the 10 promises from some forum.. apparently, there are quite a few translation.. i don't know jap, so i just cut and paste lor..

The 10 promises.. and the translation:


1. Please live patiently with me.
2. Please believe in me. Just doing that makes me happy.
3. Please don't forget that I have feelings.
4. There's a reason when I don't listen to you.
5. Please talk a lot to me. I can't speak human, but I understand.
6. Please don't hit me. Don't forget that I'm stronger when we fight.
7. Let's get along even when I get older.
8. I can only live about ten years. So please spend a lot of time with me.
9. You have school and friends. But I only have you.
10. When I die, please, stay by my side. And please remember. That I love you my whole life.




The GR (Golden Retriever.. in case you are wondering) is called "socks" wor... so cute... so i've decided to nick name Pakki as "gloves".. at least until the movie ends.. lol.

Pic of "Gloves"..

He looks like a GR too right? At least that's what i think so.. just that the colour is wrong again.. maybe a BR instead.

Euros

A day to the semi finals of euros, consists of mostly the runners up of the group table. Surprisingly, all in the "group of death" (group C) are already 'dead'. Defending champions of euro, runners up and champions of the last world cup are all out of the competition. Even favorites like portugal and holland are out.

In fact, if you bet against the favorites, you'll have made quite a bit during the quarters.

Almost thought of buying the german jersey.. haha.. and like me, pakki supports germany too(his breed is of a german descent).

Pakki's all ready for the semi finals le..

He plays soccer too..


with a homemade 'wig'.. hahahaa...

I hope the germans will win this time round.

2 Deaths in a Row

Actually i already noticed something was not quite right a few days back. Didn't expect it to be so soon though.

Well.. after 15 months, bacon passed away. And coincidentally, today is friday the 13th.

Goodbye bacon~

(hopes he find ham at the other side of the rainbow bridge)

At least he died peacefully.. unlike the hermie tall =( (2 deaths in a week.. how unfortunate)

Unexpected

One of my hermit was 'murdered' by another hermit... and the rest of the hermits just feast on it. A rather disturbing sight.

Ok.. now i do have a very empty shell le.

Still unsure why it happened.. most likely it's another case of a surface molt gone wrong. I've have fed them enough, so i don't think it was caused by a lack of food.

So now with the smallest hermit gone, i'm left with 2 of them..

And i thought they were "getting along well" wor.. Animals afterall, are still animals.. what can i expect?


Getting along well.. (or checking out the taste?)


The crime scene..


The remains.

Sigh =(

Pakki the 'Husky'

And now pakki looks like a husky.





The botak schnauzer trying to camo as husky.

Side Note

Was at CQ today wor.. haha.. but not the $18 de.. heng.

But there seems to be a slowdown in their business.. well.. from here, there is a hint of where the economy is heading (as with the stock market too).. they just need a reason real enough. Still, the train co. is giving dividends again~ yay~ haha.. another few much needed dollars into my bank.

Just the other day, grandpa came over, and when he saw my mum carrying pakki, he asked,"where's the other dog?" ahahahaha! he didn't recognise pakki after the botak cut.

Ok.. i'm back to my studies again.. maybe till 6am.

Same Same.. But DIfferent

Ok, i know what it feels like.. been there plenty of times le.. yet everytime seems much the same. Perhaps it'll end the same too.

Perhaps not this time.. it just is different. Maybe i'll get a different result, something that is better.

FR is not easy at all, but i hope to get at least a lower on this.. the problem being, we had a different examiner. Who knows what pattern she will chute? Sigh leh.. coz FR is so so difficult. Consol accounts is already killing me le.. and still got the Income Theory, FRS, Construction Contracts, Leases, Taxes, Exchange Rates, Framework, etc.. wow lor.

And plus the weather is so very warm these days.. i mean really very warm, even at 3am.. not a very nice environment to study in.. (my a/c cmi le.. and the fan is just blowing the warm air.. argh..)

Just heard, CQ steamboat just increased their price again.. from $15 to $18.. lol.. it was just $12 2 years ago leh.. they think what? We all cabbage head ar? Don't want to eat at cq le.. i'm just not happy at the way they treat us.

Same stuffs, different price..and maybe a even cmi service. What the?

A day since pakki got his botak cut.. and it just feels so different lor.. i'm not very used to it.. haha.. but still acts the way he does. I think he isn't use to it too.. poor pakki, he must have wondered where all the beard go.

Not Pakki Day

Pakki just got a new haircut yesterday... this time round it wasn't me who is botak.

Pakki's new look...


He doesn't look like a schnauzer anymore. I don't like the store that gave him the haircut.. coz it took them 6 hours just to get it done.. zzz.. poor pakki had to be kept there for so long lor. By the time he returned, he seems weird (and looks weird too) and we kept wondering whether we got the correct dog back or not.

But i think he looks neater this way.. haha.. at least i can see his eyes. He isn't quite used to it yet.. but it's better.. coz the weather is very warm these days lor.

Well, he looks like a jack russell lor.. hahaa.. just that the colour is wrong.

Pakki Day

Even Pakki got his own day... but not quite yet.. he'll have to wait till december.

I'm almost always at home now that the exam is near.. zz.. and i think i'm on my way to qualify for the 宅男 contest le wor. And pakki is on his way to qualify for the 宅狗 contest.

I'm get bored easily when studying.. so..


He looks like a 'cavedog' hor? My mum says he looks like the black bear shown on NGC.. lol..

And now pakki learns how to play hide and seek le.. and he's so smart at it. Pakki never fails to amaze me.. and he never fails to shock me too. It seems, he likes to play with insects too.. maybe even lizards. Everytime when i cook instant noodles in the middle of the night, he'll go around the kitchen looking for "小强" (roaches).. and maybe he was looking for something to eat as well.. "oh give him a home, where the Coc-kroaches roam~" of coz i won't him eat them la..

(another L entry during my break from FR..)

Poor Pakki (Parky)

Poor Pakki (or Parky as my sis insisted.. zzz)puked 3 times last night, and the whole village was rather busy trying to make him feel better. Don't know what happened also.. maybe coz ate too fast le? It was quite difficult to determine what happened.. coz they don't talk. Of coz prior to him puking, i already sense that something was wrong.. the usually hyperactive dog was very sticky.. and everywhere i went, he'll follow.. and he will show that 'pitiful' face. I thought what was wrong.. and then, he started puking.

So today, was monioring him closely.. if he pukes again, then we'll send him to the vet. The village chief called back twice to check on Pakki too. Thankfully, Pakki seems much better le.. just that he's still a bit not in the mood. Hopes he recover soon.

1st Surface Molt

Yeah! Venti crab got out of its surface molt. Still, its exo is soft and white.. so perhaps need to iso it for a while more until it is fully protected by its exo.


Out for a drink after the molting.