Whirlwind weekends

Just 3 months ago, I was talking about getting my diving course done.

In an unexpected turn of events, I did.

And what an unforgettable experience it was!

I wish I had more time to reflect on the whirlwind events that happened since July....

Leadership Residential Program

Experential Learning Program (Camp)

Diving @ Malapascua

Mad rush of lectures and homework and lectures and homework

Activity-filled weekends

Moon Party/BBQ @ John's private roof top

Macau holiday @ Presidential suite in Venetian

And I'm about to embark on a new adventure soon.

Can't wait!

pig careful

Last year around this time,

I was just back from Mexico -

which was a really nice city,

with loads of friendly people,

beautiful churches and museums,

food that makes you fart like a canon,

and cactuses as tall (or even taller) as I am.

I couldn't help but wonder

how things could be very different for me

if these events take an alternative turn.

Plans can only be made certain in retrospect.

The full story

Here I am
finally back home.

I had to call up jetstar to enquire for available tickets. Their system showed all tickets being sold out. I had a good 5 min chat with the operator, complaining about how ridiculous it is that I missed my flight, even when I checked in well ahead of 40 min!

So this time round, Jason made sure there's ample time to get to the airport, check in, go through immigration, and called to make sure I stay put at the boarding gate.

I felt like it was de javu all over again.

So in case I haven't told you, here's the full story... of how I missed my flight on that fateful thursday night.

I had arrived at the airport perfectly - remembering all the stuff I had to take home. Checked in my luggage, gone through immigration, and even walked past the boarding gate.

But for some reason, I thought I had sufficient time to go and buy some stuff.

See, my flight is at 815pm. From all my previous late-for-flight experiences, I had always managed to board the plane even when it's time for the plane to take off. My manila flight is the best case in point (I even had to throw away my skincare lotion, cos I was late for check in too).

But no... not with this flight.

I arrived at the boarding gate at 800pm. Another 15 min before the plane takes off. But 5 min too late - the ground staff told me the coach to the plane had already left.

What?!?! Coach to the plane??? How can I forget that this budget does that???

I tried to argue my way through, in hope of getting a buggy to take me to the plane, but NO.... unfriendly and unhelpful ground staff refused to budge.

"Go to Airline services counter."

And so I did, and so obviously the plane would have taken off.

And so I found out there are no other flights that evening, nor the following day. SQ, CX, UA... all fully booked -- Are there that many people going back to sg from hk?!?! Apparently.

And so I panicked, the thought of being stranded in hk, and missing CNY at home was terrible. Worse, my phone batt was going flat.

I made my one phone call and I ended up bawling my eyes out. Jason asked if I was kidding him. I wished it was all a nightmare and I'd wake up and everything would be alright.

The line was cut off before any solutions were offered. Phones at the airline services counter are just for internal use. And I have just a couple of coins (at times like this, I know i should have carried the damn heavy hk coins with me).

I reached for the payphone and I made the most difficult call that night - back home, to my mum. The first thing she asked me, "So soon reach sg already?" And I bawled once more. And before we could end the call properly, i ran out of coins.

It's great that there's free wifi at the airport and a bf who checks his bberry religiously. "He can pacify my mum", I thought.

So, no flights to sg, no other available ticket (and I don't want to pay and be waitlisted and having to wait at the airport), I made my way back to my hk home, WITH my checked-in luggage. Can you believe it?!?! They didn't even load my luggage on the plane!

This is indeed a series of unfortunate events which could have been prevented if:
1. the ground staff had been more proactive and helpful and assist me with calling the airline staff right away (the travelling time from gate to plane is only 3 minutes ... yes, I timed it this time)
2. the airline had identified passenger who had checked in luggage, went through immigration, so surely she must be loitering (or lost) in the airport somewhere AND make a final call for her throught the public announcement system OR her mobile -- why the hell do airlines get our contact details for??? so they can send direct emailers to junk up our mailbox????
3. the passenger had been advised that there will be a coach to the plane during check in and that would take time.

And of cos, I admit that I made the mistake of being late (but not THAT late).

Later during the night, after jason calmed my nerves and went through a list of solutions... he asked if there's anything I had learnt from this ordeal.

Yeah - never take freaking budget jet and be more demanding when you need immediate assistence.

Sigh, everyone is amazed that I can miss my flight - and in such a silly fashion too.

sniff sniff

Winter is here again. It's funny how you'd wake up one morning and find that the weather's changed completely.

I like winter, other than the fact that it always makes me sick - sniff sniff.

Last year, i told mich that i'd want to remember this feeling for a long time - of the cool breeze on my face under the sun; of snuggling comfy in bed a little longer in the mornings; of not having to worry about bad hair days ... while thinking i'm ending my hk hiatus.

I had never thought things would take such a turn and i'm back here again.

the past two weeks have been busy, as usual.

I was a butterfly one night; and a pirate the next.

j's trailwalker 100km hike lasted 30 hours.

my helim balloon lost much of its helium after the long wait, and after all the whacking in the wind. I still cannot imagine why anyone is so passionate and enthusiastic about doing a 100km hike, or go for foot massages....

I prefer to go cycling (actually, more so rollerblading -

but I think the roads in HK is far too bumpy).

A good get away from work - which never seems to be ending, nor stops to pile.

our little weekend get away at ho chi minh city really took my mind off work.

My fav part of the trip has got to be crawling through the cu chi tunnel, and riding in the city, and of cos the food! I wish I know some basic Vietnamese though, it's always nice to chat up the locals. :)

my sneezing frenzy has just started again. better head to bed.

why am I always not in the best of health when you come visit, mich??

HK - BKK

it's been a while.


the one week in HK felt longer than a week.


watched SATC the second time in HK (uncut version) on mon

didn't cry as much, but laughed harder

TUES night: went for a dance class with zhijin

Choice of music: Falling out, by Keyshia Cole

It was way good. The instructor was way good. Couldn't say the same for myself. I've slowly lost the passion for dance. I danced thinking that my steps were not good enough. extremely conscious of my moves.

I should be dancing without any inhibitions. why didn't i?

WED: never a good idea to skip lunch. I had two dresses, one blouse, a ring, a thinning wallet and an empty stomach.

Dinner was at RED at IFC with Fion and Steph. Healthy fusion food - i like. So much laughing my stomach ached.

Got tipsy with glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon, and the world started spinning, and slow dancing, and i was ... smiling. :)

THURS: butterflies in stomach. I hadn't gone for an interview in years. I mean, i meet people and conduct interviews/discussions with them... but this is different - although I thought i did farely well. I'm surprised how at ease i was when i was there. please. make it happen. Before Sunset.

FRI: the 13th. Two presentations, same set of materials, to two different groups of people. Five hours altogether. My throat was killing me. I stopped myself from talking the next couple of hours.

Dinner at cwb with fion - this girl can't bear to have me away from hk. haha. what would i do in hk without her...

It started pouring - the red storm warning. My cable signal went haywire and images appeared in spurts and slow motion. Not a good time to stay home, so we headed out to beijing club - where (I curse the day he was born!) idiot man grabbed my boobie. The Jager bomb got me. I puked that night. =.=

and I realise i don't have tears no more. why?

SAT: Mega junk day, or supposed to be mega junk day. But the rain wouldn't stop. So everybody stayed in bed, until it's time for brunch, at the press room. And it's time for me to pack my luggage, and get ready for the land of smiles.

Wanton shrimp soup and a couple rounds of walk around CWB and the girls were headed to the ifc for more shopping and lotsa sushi eating. zhijin and eileen said i have to try desserts at 'sift' before i leave hk. Best i ever had. =)

It's becoming a ritual - to go prive during the last night in hk. It was still raining, we were drenched, but spirits were not. I cannot even imagine how we ran in the rain in our high heels. Must be quite a sight. haha

SUN: Yum cha and all those philosophical talk about karma, random talk about 90's cartoon, bryan adam music.

And i almost missed my flight again.

I was the last passenger to board, but it's definitely not the last time i'm reaching the gate on the dot.

SUAN LUM with eileen - felt surreal. Feels like we never left singapore. Sooo much to catch up on, in the span of a week and she's gone back to sg the next morning.

man, i wish i can be home.

Once again...

Once again,

I'm home.

This 2 months (and a little more)

of being away from home

felt like a good loooong time.

I've been to the other side of the world and back

and also back to the living the last few nights in hk

infused with alcohol

drenched in delirious happiness

fed with empty calories

and slapped with guilt.

I wonder if it's starting to become a pattern.

oh well,

different lifestyle in different places.

now i'm home,

work and family becomes priority again.

more updates later

Never liked farewells

It's hard to imagine the bonds I made with people I only know for a week

the last weekend in Sao Paulo was the best time I spent in the city

Dinner and drinks at a local pub

with Norberto and wife, Alex and Elina

Lotsa beer and laughter

New portugese vocabulary learnt

I love these people

and it disgusts me to know our locals don't treat one another this way

I probably drank the most beer in my entire drinking history

the beer man just keep shoving glasses to you once you've finished your glass

and we still managed to go for desserts afterwards

at Ofner - 24 hours Brasil cafe

where Elina and Alex shared stories of their lives in Sao Paulo

how they met and fell in love (7 years!)

they're such a lovely couple

I'd really want to be at their wedding when the day comes

By the time i got back to the hotel

it was 5.30am

I took a shower and the sun had risen

Didn't sleep the whole night - packed my luggage - which is ready to burst

Lunch was at a Churrasco restaurant with Alex and Elina

lotsa meat - mr goh would have loved it

tried chicken heart and i didn't like it - haha

I didn't have time to visit downtown Sao Paulo

so Alex drove around downtown and explained the various history and buildings

and showed me the ugliest building in Sao Paulo

and introduced me to the exotic fruits of Brasil

I really like the high caloric Acai =)

I was going to take a taxi to the airport myself

but they offered to send me there

Alex: 'okay, i'm now going to turn my taxi meter on'

he's such a funny guy

he shared his experiences of missing flights

and i laughed until my stomach hurt

'a boy stuck in grown man's body' - is what mr goh calls him.

Took me 1 hour to queue and have my luggage checked in,

and i slept while standing in the line (alex: you're not allowed to sleep while queueing in brasil)

When it finally came to my turn,

the airline staff told me the gate is next to mackerdollagie

I: Huh? Do you speak english?

Airline staff: Yes. gate next to mackerdollagie.

I: what mackerdollagie?

Airline: yes, mackerdollagie.

I: Errrr... okay. mackerdollagie.

Turns out mackerdollagie is macdonalds in portugese.

then the worst part came

farewell

the hugs, the 'take care', 'i'll miss you', 'i'll write', 'i'll send you the pictures', 'thanks for taking care of me'

and i know it's going to be years before we ever meet again on the same land.

and tears just rolled down uncontrollably.

Last night in Sao Paulo

Once again

before I know it

it's time to leave another city

Sao Paulo and its Paulistas have been too kind to me

The people I interacted with, held meetings with

they're such friendly and outgoing people

Met a Japanese Brazilian today

who truly inspired me

with his entreprenuer story

-how many of us have dreams which really did become reality?-

You need to have a sharp eye for market opportunities

and seize them before they slip away

perservere

and give something back to society

he's only 32.

For a quick second,

I thought about working on this side of the world,

but just for a fleeting second.

Should I really spend more time thinking about it?

Anyway, Helder is extremely helpful

together with his gf,

we went Havaianas shopping

and I bought 13 pairs of slippers!

There's more to get

but I paisay to let them wait for me to choose.

They also took me music shopping

Axe (pronounced as A-cher) music

Forro music

Samba

Such happy tunes

but some apparently tell of sad stories

I love this one by Kid Abhelha very much

'Quero te Encontrar'

'I want to meet/find you'

If music be the food of love,

play on.

Music, food, love, culture, language

this international experience

cannot be bought;

the ties I made

I'd cherish so much.

when will i be back in this part of the world again?

Reporting LIVE from Washington DC

yes.

I've survived two legs of my flight to Sao Paulo.

12 hours non stop to San Frans - sat beside LaVelle, who loves Singaporeans more than Hong Kong people. Met Steven Loh and wife (both lovely Singaporeans) who are visiting their daughter (LaVelle thought he was visiting his 'doctor'- heeheee) - San frans, LA, then San Diego for 16 days. I did feel a bit home sick and thought of where to take my mum for holiday.

Planned to do some work on this flight but ended up sleeping most of the time - which is good, cos now I'm quite accustomed to the time difference.

And my new jetset neck cushion, head cushion, eye mask were put to good use. =)

Security at the US airport is tight. You remove shoes, belts, jackets - I'm surprised i passed the detector test, my braces are on me so long they've become a part of me. I've learnt to declare if I'm bringing foodstuff. The customs people were gonna chuck my 'chicken feet' away because they were made in china. (Chicken feet bought from some jap store okay - made in china... tmd.)

Officer: I'm sorry, you can't bring these in.. they're chicken and they're made in china. We're still very wary of the avian flu outbreak.

I: Hm... ok... (heart pain cos they're two big packets, and not cheap)

Officer: Oh wait... you're going to Brazil?

I: yea. I'm only transitting in San Frans and then DC.

Officer: oh, that's alright then. Take it to Brazil!

haha. I don't know what to make out of this.

Watched Enchanted on my way to DC all the while trying hard not to sleep. I think my nights of partying have trained me somewhat.

Another 2 hours of waiting, and 10 hours flight and I'll be in the land of the Paulistas.

Alex offered to take me around S.P. =)

I can't wait.

and I do miss you dear, and I'll try not to fall in love with the Brazilians.

Now, time for a cup of Starbucks.

Fly high

It's been such a crazy week

their secret is now in my hands

their words can't and won't bring me down.

I'm leaving for Sao Paulo, stopping by San frans and washington dc.

thanks all my dearies for your kind words and support.

I will have a great time in latin america.

=) it's really much better to be in my position than theirs.

Un Dos Tres

I cannot believe I am still awake at this time calling out to mexican english schools, but their staff 'NO SPEAK ENGLISH'!!!

I am SO TIRED.

but I can't wait to visit the city.

Idiopathic Hypersomnia

Basically means 'a disorder of severe sleepiness'.

I think I have it.

"It causes you to have disabling daytime sleepiness. This occurs despite an increased nightly sleep time of more than 10 hours.

People with this disorder may sleep 12 to 14 hours every night with few interruptions. Even after sleeping this long time at night, it is very hard for you to wake up. You may set many alarms and still have trouble waking up."

I have been sleeping later (con calls with toronto counterparts),

and waking up later,

and sleeping later still,

and waking up later still.

It's a vicious cycle.

Damn.

My bio-clock is screwed.

Thai tai tai

It's been two weeks since my last post.

How I wish I can instantly enter my thoughts and feelings and sights and sounds as soon as I experience them.


But that's obviously not possible - given the lack of time, and effort, and concentration. (Should probably have bought the 'blogger phone')


Tonight is a good night.


I'm waiting for the laundry to be done and sleepiness to crawl under my skin.


I have SO much I wanted to note down.


My work week in Bangkok:




Mr Goh sent me to the airport on Sunday morning, and we even managed to go Si Bei Lou to bai bai before heading to the airport. Throughout the journey, we didn't really talk much - though I know I'll miss him badly in bangkok... and then in Hong Kong.

It's just going to be one month... one month... and a little bit more.

Flight to bangkok was pleasant, clear skies. Lovely clouds. Then I thought about the movie 'Xin Dong' - and I thought about Mr Goh, and a handful of others. :)

Conveyor belt was jammed with luggages, and by the time I got to the hotel - Chatuchak was already closing!!

Then I thought about the Thai place which CCL took me when I visited 2 years ago - they had reallllllly good Thai mango salad and frozen coconut juice. I vaguely remembered it to be at MBK - but after walking so many rounds, I still couldn't find it. :( Settled for green chicken curry instead.

And to make my visit to MBK worthwhile, I decided to eat more

And after sunday night, it was just work work and more work.

I haven't ordered room service so frequently for all of my previous trips.

My first ride on a Tuk Tuk

and two nights of shopping at Suan Lum - where I was very often treated like a carrot head.

Vendor: "This bag... LEATHER... very good...2850 baht."
I: (Touching the material of the bag and comparing with my leather bag) "Are you sure this is LEATHER???"
Vendor: "Yes, LEATHER. Very good..."
I: "Er.. nah, it's okay." (starts to walk away)
Vendor: "How much you want?!?!? 2000 baht! 1000 baht!"
I: (walks further)
Vendor: "OKOK! 500 baht! How much you want?!?!"

I don't like to be treated like a carrot head.

Taxi driver: "Here to hotel, traffic jam. 160 baht."
I: "No, 80 baht."
Taxi driver: "No no, 160 baht."
I: "ok nevermind." (got off cab)

And I took another cab - cab fare was only 30-40 baht. =.=

Met up with Uncle Daniel, and his singapore friends and his Thai friend for dinner and drinks - first at RajDamri (where I was attacked by mosquitoes, had about 10 bites on both feet - tmd...)

Food and wine was not bad - but I was teasing Uncle dan's friend that nobody order carbonara when visiting thailand one la!


Then we headed to Sirocco after that.

DAMN BEAUTIFUL PLACE (Palace - like)

I never expected Bangkok to have such a place, so close to the skies.
The night winds were chilly, but the drinks kept us warm.
The jazz singer and band were great. Our conversations were lively.

Really enjoyed myself at the dome like place - as Nut puts it, this place really did make me feel like a princess.

Thanks Nut - for taking us to such a nice place, and thanks guys - for a lovely evening. :)

I had to leave for HK the next day and couldn't join them for high tea at Grand Hyatt! (Uncle dan has to rub it in....)

I must say the departure hall at the airport was so much nicer than the arrival hall. And thank goodness for the Dior staff - who managed to help me magically remove a 5cm blue ballpoint pen ink on my bag. I don't even know when the ink got there! Heng ah... if not, i really very DUI.


I checked in much earlier - fearing the repeat of the manila incident.
None of the bottles in this pic belongs to me! Muahahahahahah.


Wah rao. It's 3am. I don't even have time to talk about HK.

Shen ah - give me more time ba!