Hi all just a short post before I turn in and get ready for another week at work. Nothing much happened since the last post, managed to get a few things settled, namely my IA project, Cal's bday gift and booking of my basic theory test...a little more on those as we go along.

Before I start, just wanna thank god for averting a potential disaster. Some of you might have been aware that 13th Oct marks Hari Raya but on a more solemn note, Malaysia witnessed a disaster on that day. A ferry departing from Mersing to Pulau Tioman carrying close to 50 holiday makers caught fire halfway through the journey and forced the passengers to jump into the sea to avoid the intense furnance. In the end 4 people died and 5 are still missing out at sea. I want to thank god because the we were toying with the idea of going during the Hari Raya weekend instead of a week before. It could very well have been us on that ferry if we were to go exactly a week later. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families...

Ok so I managed to smoke my NTU lecturer into approving my IA project...with a little "professionalism" in using the right words, i'm well on my way with starting the report...just hope the work load ain't heavy at the office. Spent last Sunday at scb's place with freeuns, DJ Linda (hohoho new nick) & Zen playing forfeit mahjong and Wii. Yes I lost in mahjong and I had to do something! Yes they made me eat the worse thing on earth...peas+carrot+corn combo!

Not happy at all - Fake Fake Fake!!!!

Watched Resident Evil 3 with rong mei and milo on Tuesday...no comment on it but at least I watched RE2 the night before on my PC. So I roughly get what this whole game/movie storyline is about. No big deal but probably one of the better films to be released after the summer blockbusters.

Met up with the gang to get Cal's bday gift which was probably the easiest of this year's lot...haha all I did was just ask her what she wanted and she was very helpful! No frills and time wasting to search for the elusive gift that she may not even fancy. Hmmm photos will be up after celebrating this coming Sunday. No spoilers here sorry...

Managed to siam my IA's OT from 2am to 5pm! Haha don't ask how cos its a trade secret...will have to kill you if I told you. Went down to BBDC at 12.45pm to register and book my basic theory test. Waited 2+hrs before I got it done...bumped into MK on the way home...long time no see and still looking young! Reached home around 4pm before arranging with scb to go out. Bumped into Ms Tight while on the way to meet them...doubt she saw me or recg me. Watched Super Bad and it was Super Funny! Lotsa smart ass convos and not for the faint hearted!! They brought me...this kampung boy to Cosy Bay...its the place with the floating tent like structures that can change colours. I have been wondering what those were since I was a kid traveling along the ECP. Yeah so apparently Cosy Bay is a pretty cool place...with a beer garden thingy there. Chilled there over drinks and played "Big 2" till closing time.

So that concludes my short post...hahaha goodnight!

Hey guys! Been back from Tioman 2 days ago and haven't really found the time to update about it since I had to slip right back into work. Nothing much other than the trip and the never ending supply of OT. Before I talk about the trip, had a major wake up call that brought me down to earth. Lecturer's visit did not go smoothly at all. To cut the long boring story short, he's not impressed by what we have been asked to do by my IA company so far. Being in the middle I can see the reasoning from both sides but that doesn't count for anything as the grade given from my lecturer will outweigh that of the IA company. Major miscommunication and unrealistic expectations from all parties will cause such a problem.

Ok Tioman trip! 3D2N at Tioman Paya Resort @ $201. It was a super relaxing trip period. Want to thank god for the awesome weather, he made it bright and sunny when we were outdoors and sent the rain when we were resting to cool us. Managed to get a massive tan which was a little well done...skin is still hot to the touch after 2 days. Travelled with scb and what can I say...she's a great travel buddy and I really enjoyed myself. During the monsoon season which was the period we travelled the entire island is almost empty. When I signed the resort register, there were only 4 occupied rooms before us and they all checked out the very next day leaving scb & I in one chalet together with Nitin & Karthik (will talk abt them later) in another. Haha total 4 guest...the beaches were hardly populated except the odd couple of ppl here and there at random times of the day.

Day 1...
Arrived at Bugis Village Mac at 5am to have breakfast with scb...poor girl was out the whole night and did not sleep a wink! Headed down to Golden Mile Complex to check in and collect our travel vouchers. Boarded a 44 seater coach PZ1484 haha yes I remembered the coach number! Used the Woodlands checkpoint this time around, I guess its nearer to Pahang. Arrived at Tanjong Gemok ferry terminal around 11.15am and had to wait for the 12pm ferry to Tioman.

Reached Tioman Paya Resort around 2pm and checked in to find out how empty the Island is at this time of the year. Noticed losta "SHIT" on the floor on the way to the resort. Settled into the room before we decided to explore abit of the Island. Walked along the super fine sandy beaches and almost got our feet scorched by the hot sand! We faster ran to waddle into the crystal clear waters to cool off and continued walking along the beach to find a nice spot to dip! Stumbled upon this mini Island a few meters from the beach which we easily got to by walking through thigh deep waters.

Took some "souvenior" pics there and found a huge ass clam shell(about 30kg)! Then I heard a sound...scb's stomach growling! Decided to leave for a snack at Paya Beach Spa and Dive Resort beach bar...also scared the tide might come in. Ordered Islander Pizza and Chicken Wings...not bad and 2 huge cans of Heineken @RM3.50ea! Witness a showdown between a monitor lizard and a cat...no winners there. Returned back to bathe and fell asleep until dinner time!!!!...Nothing much for the rest of day 1, turned in early as we had an early day tour the next day. Oh yeah dinner sucks!


Early morning @Golden Mile Complex + Tanjong Gemok Ferry Terminal

Unhappy with our ferry seats + Paya Beach Jetty

30kg shell which I can't lift + Lizard vs Cat (look at the size)

Our accomodations...scb "chop-ed" 3 beds with her stuff

Day 2...
Had to wake up and have breakfast before 9.30am because that when the guide will meet us and take us on our snorkeling excursion. Breakfast was average, fried bee hoon and noodles with 2 sunny side-up eggs and 2 sausages. I remembered telling scb not to eat too much before going on our snorkeling trip during dinner the night before...hmmm I must have forgotten that myself. The resort prepared a packed lunch of fried rice, a chicken wing and a sausage in the morning which we had to carry along with us. The food will be cold by the time consumed!

1st stop Renggis Island! Was about a 15min boat ride from Paya beach jetty. The boat ride was fine, with the wind blowing at your face and we got to sight see along the coast. The problem started once the boat anchored just off Renggis...the waves rocked the boat and I started feeling abit sick. Worse was when I jumped off the boat with my snorkeling gear...hitting the water and bobbling up and down due to the waves against the life jacket was a very very bad idea! But the view was amazing! A myriad of colours from the sealife swarming all around you...its almost like being in another world. The guide attracted the fishes bu throwing pieces of bread into the sea...it sent the fishes into a feeding frenzy but otherwise they were harmless to us...no nibbling at us at all. Yeah so after about 15min trying to overcome feeling sick and feeling in awe of the beauty I decided to call it quits and climb back onboard and feed the fishes instead. Yeah we bought a loaf of bread before the boat ride. The boat rocked further and I was reaching my climax soon...but I controlled. Nitin & Khartik the 2 India guys I mentioned above did not swim...apparently 1 of them can't swim so they both decided to feed and take photos and videos! So instead of the allocated 1hr at Renggis, we left after about 30mins to Marine Park!

The journey to Marine Park was longer about another 20mins from Renggis. Trust me...I felt like a whale was swimming in my belly! I just sat there looking as green as the sea, there were periods of comfort when I dozed off =D haha amazing isn't it! Thankfully Marine Park allowed visitors on dry land! I quickly scampered onto the Marine Park jetty and i'm beginning to feel happy! Fed somemore fishes there...the "lil" buggers are actually HUGE! They kinda look like tuna...yum! Anyway Marine Park is an enclosed area of the natural sea nearer to the coast line. The waters aren't as clear but its still clear enough to see through to the sea bed. Scb was already frolicking with the fishes and I joined her after I felt I won't show the Tioman locals our Singaporean Icon...the Merlion. Decided to forgo the flippers and lifejacket and it really made swimming easier! The weather started to take a turn for the worse...better go back to the jetty. The rains came pouring down shortly but it was just a passing coastal shower. I left my packed lunch untouched...don't want a relapse later on the boat. The 4 of us decided to take alook at Marine Park's visitor centre. Nothing much, just lotsa educational posters and historical facts about Tioman. There were some sealife specimens on display. Scb fell in love with the cats there...strange.

1pm we made out way back to the jetty for our last stop...DFS aka DUTY FREE Shopping. Spent RM49 on 1 bottle of red wine, 1 330ml bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label and a bottle opener. Yes and I lost my sis's camera battery somewhere along the way from the jetty to the DFS store...so going to get my arse kicked when I tell her. Scb bought souveniors back for her colleagues.

The boat took us back to Paya beach where we made our way back to our resort...arranged to meet the guys in 30mins to explore the rockfall. It was rather pathetic...no pictures of that so we decided not to waste our time there and go back to the beach we found the previous day. Snorkled abit more and chatted with the guys and found that they started working in Singapore for only 1.5 months at Barclays Capital @_@ nothing eventful until Khartik injured himself when he stumbled on to some barnacles...cuts on his middle finger and foot concluded our time there.

Went back to hotel...showered and slept because it rained...starving since I had no lunch I had a fitful sleep. Woke extremely hungry around 5.30pm and decided to go buy food alone since scb was sound asleep. Packed the best meal I had on Tioman back...french fries and tioman spring rolls! Scb was already awake waiting for the food when I got back hahaha...proceeded out to try to catch sunset pictures but too late! Dinner and drinks followed, poor me had to finish like 90% of the alcohol by myself. Went to bed with a heavy head HAHAHA...very nice!


Early morning @Paya Beach Jetty + Sick me

Scb getting ready to frolick with the fishys...

Impending doom from scb + Grp pic (3 guys, a girl & a Rocky boat)

I've seen better days (before being sick) + Turtle birthing process

Day 3...
Nothing much for the last day as we are heading back to Singapore. Woke up for breakfast as usual and it seemed fitting that we were greeted with possibly the best meal provided by the resort for the entire stay. Western style...eggs, sausages and toasts. Headed back out to the beach for the last few moments of photo taking. Checked out with the guys and we made our way quietly back to the jetty. It sucks to walk away from a holiday at the end cos you know whats in store back home. The ferry was 15mins late but it was well compensated because this ferry had a top deck that allowed people to go out to enjoy the sea breeze and the view instead of being cooped up in the seats. Fortunately the coach was already waiting for us at the other side and wasted no time in heading back home...reached Singapore close to 8pm and that concludes 3D2N of my Tioman trip.


Washing feet...+ Looking cool

Back to back + Giant shit-like objects littered all over Tioman


Scb discovers she's not "Alone" + Piggy-backing Pigs

Due to my busy working schedule and lazy bones, I apologise for taking almost 3 days to type out this entry. The date stamp is when I started out and only finished it today...hahaha

See you guys! OT beckons over the coming few weekends...

Ok i've been reduced to updating just once a week...I find updating blog is like writing my logbook need to think of things to type. Its much easier of course since anything goes on the blog. So its the end of September and in a few minutes we will be ushering in October. This is is such a fly by! You don't really think of it until you recall a particular incident that seems semi fresh in your memory and then you'll realise it has almost been a year! Which is a good thing...wef 1st Oct I will have 9 weeks more to go for my IA! Haha sorry guys just ignore me counting down the weeks.

So nothing much has happened in the past week with the exception of a super boring ass Saturday! But I had things to do so yeah it was bored but time passed by rather quickly. Watched "I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry" at Vivocity with Rong Mei and Mitch and had like Chong Pang Nasi Lemak at the Food Republic there. Petai with Ikan Bilis = $2(seriously wtf man...these Ikan Bilis come from where?). Manage to get my beach shorts for the upcoming tioman trip! After the movie went down to ICB to meet freeuns. Dude I hope it gets better and things work out eventually...all I can is try to be there when you need someone to talk to but think positive okay?

Upcoming events in October - both the good and the bad! Anyway the birthday babies this month are Yvonne and Caline! So Happy Birthday for now although I doubt you 2 are my readers...Good thing coming up will be next weekend's Tioman trip! I think it will be uber fun just wish you guys could come as well but there is always next time. Will update with pictures when I return but I think scb will beat me to that somehow she very garang when it comes to photos. Work on Hari Raya...sux ass and work on the following Saturday as well...Major OT hours needed...sian...sad...shack!

Yeah scrolling back to the opening para - its going to our 1st "gou gou finer" anni soon...wah lau super fast! I still remember it clearly like it was just this year! Hopefully many more annis to come unless....=X Hahaha no la a promise is a promise sealed when we gou-ed our "finer"! Well goodbye September...Hello October! Hello Monday blues...Ciao!

Yes i'm getting flak for not updating this space again! Haha all I can say is if you care enough to check back, you'll be rewarded with an update. Yup i'm officially in the 2nd half of my IA term. Really looking forward to Dec 7th though the official end date is 8th but that is a Saturday and my company doesn't work on Sats...most of the time...and what better news to top off the end of my IA is that Zoukout 2007 has been scheduled to take place on that very day, the 8th of Dec 2007. The past 2 years has been rather different and those of you who have read my previous posts will probably know what i'm talking about. If I do go this year, I hope it will be another different experience and hopefully and better one. Points the consider is the DJ lineup this time around as well as who is going with me. I know a few regulars but i'm hoping to see the rest join in this time around as well.

NTU supervisor will be coming down on the 3rd of Oct for a visit. I'm seriously pondering if I should be honest about the work we do here or to play it up and make it seem that we are really getting wealth of experience and training. Haha I think you guys will know from that statement whats going on. Will think about that together with KY but in the meantime, I got to make my progress logbook as professional as I can with whatever time I have left before 3rd Oct. Stayed home pretty much the past 2 Sats, bumming around, watching movies and updating the logbook. Yeah and I finally did OT again after awhile...still not used to the idea of doing OT.

Watched 1408 2 Sats ago, totally impromptu which was funny because my movie date and I were just bumming around the whole day, complaining to each other how bored this Sat has turned out to be and after like 8-10hrs later @9pm+ we decided to go catch the midnight movie...Hahaha! The movie was everything I expected it to be, comedic with a handful of spooks and not all grey like the other horror movies. The last part of the show really gave me goosebumps but no spoilers here...would recommend you guys to watch it. This Sat was pretty much the same except I had to work OT(remember? I mentioned in the above para...) once again, very impromptu I arranged a 10pm dinner followed by clubbing at MOS. A rather interesting observation this week for me and scb. The last time I've seen you 5 times a week was way back in shss days but how come after 11yrs that can still happen?!?! Tues+Wed+Fri+Sat+Sun=5days Wah wah wee wah!!!...oh finally settled for Tioman today, yep will pray for good weather and a big thank you to scb for buying me an awesome dinner on Tues at Vivocity Marche and Kolo Mee for lunch today. Food never tasted so good! But I belive you still owe me an Apple Crumble...

Well something alittle more sombre from me and I have this to say to you guys. I hope it sheds some form of realisation for those of you at a crossroads. I very simply want to say that in the context of choice making, we all have fears of making the wrong choices. We also tend to seek opinions from the ppl close to us and half the time we will get a totally opposite view but how often to listen to others? Personally it doesn't matter what other think or whether your choice is right or wrong. Most importantly is that you need to be honest with yourself and make the choice that you want and accepting the consequences that follows. When it comes down to one's own choice, there is no right or wrong only how you deal with it.

I hope you understand what i'm saying and I know you have alot on your mind at the moment and there are somethings you don't wanna talk abt. Well we shan't talk abt this anymore unless you feel the need to talk abt it. Like i've said before, how it plays out for you in the end, whether I agree with you or not, i'll be behind you all the way. I just hope you'll look at the bigger picture because every small thing causes a ripple outward and that in turn will touch all corners.

Before I go...MAN UTD WON 2-0 defeating the broken Chelsea who recently "sacked" the special one...haha nice going to both teams!! Goodnight!!

~Edited~

Ok this is really a 1st for me. I'm actually blogging overseas right now...haha yeah landed safe and sound in HKG but i'm down with a massive cold...nasal orgasm all over again with a mild sore throat. Paid HKG$120 for 24hrs of internet use. Tmr's itinery will be a halfday city tour followed by dinner with the relatives. The timeslots inbetween will probably be spent shopping again. I hope I feel much better tmr morning...sigh...anyway I will do a mini photo entry whenever I can so look out for updates.

Woah okay i'm finally back in Singapore and boy was it a trip! Being on self medication throughout the whole trip was a really pain in the cojones. I shall go on a Vit C supplement daily for 1 week before my next trip. Yeah so I failed to deliver in the above mentioned portion about updating abit daily because I was too sick + did not have time + ran out of internet hrs...so now i'm gonna deliver!! Will be posting random pics...

Day 1

Some views from the coach from airport to hotel - really tall guildings


Toll booth and typical night view in HKG


My Hotel - Largos Hotel


1st meal in HKG with an all chinese menu - Char Siew + Siew Yoke Fan

Day 2


Breakfast for day 2

View from the peak and realising i'm not "Alone" after 24 years


Supposed cure for the sniffles and cough - Both don't work!

Day 3


Empty train station at Luo Wo - Everyone rushing to Shenzhen customs


RAH! I'm coming through! - @ Window of the World (Shenzhen)


Emo shot at Stonehedge


Harlor harlor anybody home


Creative shot...forgot what french structure this is

Day 4


Night View @ Avenue of the Stars - Nice place to take that special someone


Stephen Chow's Star with no visible hand print & Windy + city skyline as backdrop


Spoils of war!!!

Thats all for my mini photoblog but what I can say is please do not join any tours to HKG its really not worth the $ and its really really easy to travel around HKG armed with just a map and $. Speaking the language is only a plus point if you intend to shop and eat alot! Will definately go back to HKG in the near future so much to see and do and of course i'm hoping to experience winter there if there is a chance. The thrill for me minus the fact that I was sick is really travelling around a foreign country all by yourself...its a pretty satisfying feeling to come out of the trip knowing more.

Next up Tioman?