The Big 30 . . .

One-third of my life has passed. One-third!!! Seriously, it's shocking how fast time passes. Thinking back the last 30 years of my life, most of it is a blur. I'm not one for pictures or memories, but now I regret not chronicling them. Memories, in the end, it's what we have to bring along with us.

My birthday passed with out much fanfare. I had to work on the day like I've always had to . . . having birthdays on the last day of the month and working in Finance doesn't mix well. Meimei brought me to this nice cozy restaurant at Central. Good ambience and service, though the food was passable. I like low-key and *kiss thankfully Meimei knows me all too well.

So 30 . . . hmm a weird juncture in life. The next few years are going to be very exciting. Yet I dread having to turn 30 so soon. Guess I just like the boyhood comforts and the carefree-ness of youth. Good thing I get to share the next two-thirds of life with Meimei. That's the biggest encouragement to take the step towards the future.

2 Times the Accountant

Interesting development at work today.

I just sat down after morning coffee and out of the blue T*resa walked into my cubicle. "Huh?" I thought. Nevermind let's see what she has to say.

"Ivan, you are a ACCA graduate right? Have you done GL before" "Yahh . . . ??" I was scrambling to think of where she is going with this. "Ok, not sure if you have heard about it, but KL just tendered last Wednesday the 15th and her last day is next month 14th." "Oh shit . . . I didn't know about that." "As you know I'm going for my maternity leave so I can't get a replacement for her right now. I've talked it through with HR and I want you to take over TD Finance till I come back." "Oh ok . . ." "In the meantime, we are proposing to ask CY to come over to take over your team temporarily. Then when I come back we'll hire another person to take over AP and you can come over permanently."

Up to here I was kinda on the receiving end, mostly due to minor shock of hearing KL leaving and more importantly that someone else is coming over to take over my team, which I've painstakely build up over the past months. I would think my team is the strongest at the moment among the 4 under T*resa, and to have it taken away jolted me.

"Hmmm, I think I can take over TD at the moment while still managing my team. My team is very efficient and I'm sure I can manage both teams." In retrospect, most people would say I'm crazy to be taking 2 teams, but I didn't want to give up my team, yet I can't say no to T*resa. Thus I took the risk and said I wanted both . . .

"Ok, set. I'll go propose to G*ru now to have you take over TD and CY to come over." "Oh ok . . ." Wait, didn't she hear what I just said? Bah . . . it was more of a "informing you" conversation rather than a discussion up to now.

So off she went to G*ru's office. Then half an hour later she came back. "Ok just discussed with G*ru. He is not comfortable with CY coming over and having a look at our things. So we have decided that you will take both teams temporarily. Are you able to cope with that?" "Hmm should be ok." "How about I transfer P2P project to WH?" "Nope, it's ok, I want to run the project." "Ok, then we'll transfer the payment checking to him ok?" "Yup, sure." And that was it. I have to now break into 2, sharing my time with 2 teams. Hopefully this pans out.

Detour: I was tasked as the P2P project representative for AP ahead of WH a few days ago. WH didn't take it too well. But I'm not giving up this opportunity, considering he was supposed to be the Workflow project lead but I did most of the setup instead. I think G*ru and T*resa saw it and decided to appoint me as the project lead instead, rather than giving WH a name in the P2P project, like what happen with Workflow.

After thought: Am I taking more than I can handle? Hmm maybe. But this is also a very very good opportunity to show my abilities. It's kinda do or die thing. If I survive, I suspect I can go further in this company. Fail and it's byebye. So the next 6 months are the most critical period in my career at this company. I'm going to try my best and pull through it. *Jia you!!!!*

The Police Car Mystery

Ok, finally the mystery of the white land rover with the electronic signboard has been solved! It is indeed a police car, abit looking nothing like one when it doesn't turn on it's sirens. See: This is police vehicle

I chanced on the police car again on PIE today. This time it had 4 police escort motorcycles with it. You could see it from a mile away with it's siren lights on. Hmm I didn't notice them the other few times I saw it, well I guess mostly because they weren't turned on and it was dark in the night.

Anyways, it has a SGX XXXXL car plate number. I still find it weird that a police vehicle would have normal car plate. Nevermind, at least one of the mysteries of the Singapore roads have been solved. Now . . . what could a real life American-sized cow be doing on the expressway?

Nicotine Termination Notice - May 2009

"My dad just mentioned to me to ask you to quit by May next year." "Huh???!!!" "My grandmother is celebrating her 85th Birthday next May and wants to meet you." "What???!!! How did this happen???"

I've just been given a deadline to quit my puffing. May 2009 . . . 8 months from now. Apparently I was used as a bait to get Meimei's grandmother to celebrate her 85th Bday at a restaurant. A bait . . . without my consent! Oh well, it's kinda nice that Meimei's papa actually thought of me. At least that shows I have some kind of standing now. But bait??!! Darn I feel like a little worm on the end of a fishing rod. But nevermind, the more important thing is May 2009. *faint . . . "You've been served."

Let Me In Honey!!

Weird weird thing happen today.

Day started out a normal saturday. Then it got worst and worst by the hour. First I woke up with a sniff. Then right after coffee my nose starts to drip. Drip, drip, drip, Achooo!!! Oops, feel a sneezing pan coming.

Before leaving the house to meet Meimei, tried looking for the $150 Robinson vouchers. I know I misplaced them. But now after ransacking the house and car, it's no where to be found and finally dawned on me that I losted it. Darn it . . . $150 gone. I could have just went there and bought useless stuff . . . At least I have the useless stuff, not like now, empty handed and a foul mood instead for being stupid.

Lunch was at Simpang Bedok Yong Tao Hu. I'm not sure if it was my cold or general lousy mood but it tasted bland. I didn't complain about it to Meimei as the day was already bad enough. We were hit with bad traffic and went in circles to get here. Nevermind I thought, must be me . . . seriously it tasted bad, but I could just be me . . .

Went to Courts to check out cameras. Bought a cutesy pink wireless mouse for Meimei. Oh and tried the Latte and Cheesecake at the O'Brien outlet in Courts . . . Crap nonsense . . . the cheesecake Meimei made was so much better than this! Anyways we went walking around, looked through the warehouse sale. All this while I was sneezing badly and Meimei finally made the call to go home. I was too weak by that time to protest and went along.

We went back to the car and as usual I stick my key into the keyhole. *Twist . . . eh? something is stuck . . . I can't turn my key all the way . . . *try again. Oh shit . . . something's not right.

Apparently my car's central locking system just went kuku . . . I can't open the door on the driver's side. Which means . . . I have to climb in by the passenger side and squeeze into my seat! What in the world is happening! Everything is breaking apart! Honestly . . . is it because I just got my pay? So much crap has happened since the turn of the year that it's no longer funny. Phhhffffff.

Shanghai Ren Jia

Lao Da brought us to a new place today. It's supposedly reputable for it's authentic Shanghainese Food. We ordered several items, like the usual Xiao Long Bao, Jia Xiang Mien, Fried Bao, etc.

The item I loved the most was the Black-Butt Bao aka Fried Bao. . . Yum! haha. This is seriously good, though I got burned on the lips by the hot oil while trying the first one. The filling is normal, but it's the aroma of the bao-bread that struck a cord with my taste buds. Definitely one to come back for.

Feast@East The Buffet Restaurant

I was at Roxy Square today for off-site training. Car is still in the workshop, so I took a cab from home to meet Meimei for breakfast. Meimei was so nice, accompanying me to Roxy hehehe. We had Mc Donald's breakfast. Love a slow and quiet morning hehe. After that she got on a bus home and I was off to the Roxy Hotel for my Advanced Coaching training.

The highlight of the day though was the lunch. I was half expecting it to be another normal passable buffet lunch. But surprisingly I enjoyed it very much. It even has durian paste for dessert. Michelle from TM was at my table and she mentioned the chef of the place actually came from Ellenborough market cafe, which is famous for their durian paste. Hmmm interesting. No wonder they have it here. And it's not just the paste. They have a variety of desserts and a pretty decent selection for appetizers and main course. I enjoyed it enough to even take a brochure for Meimei to have a look. I think I'll be back at this place again. Hehehe Yum!

MRT & Bus - This Feels Weird

I'm sure i'm gonna get a lot of flak for saying this. "It's been so long, so this is how riding on the MRT feels like". Yeah yeah, go ahead and flame away, scrowl and complain all you want. It's the truth I've not taken an MRT ride for the past 5 years. Nothing to be ashamed off nor am I being proud about it. Just stating a simple fact.

Anyways, with my car at the workshop, I took a cab to Bedok to meet Meimei. Ouch $30, wow this is more expensive than driving! And if things couldn't get any worst. The workshop called me close to lunch time that the total cost to replace the bonnet and spraypaint is not $580, but $1200 now. Damn! There goes all my money this month. Crap, I could have claim the insurance, pay $400 for the excess and be done with it . . . Seriously pissed.

Anyways back to the MRT, smells weird. It has a plastickey smell . . . very weird. But besides that, I feel a general sense of nostalgia. Hahaha, 5 years is a long time you know. I even had to borrow a E-links card from Meimei. Good to experience it though, brings you back to reality.

Oh yes, let's not forget the bus ride. We took a ride from Suntec to Changi Airport for Popeye's. It's like my old school days! Hahahaha.

Making a Claim?

I brought the car to IDAC yesterday. Filled out the form and approached the counter when my number blinked. "Eh, sorry sir, we do not process AIA insured cars here. AIA doesn't use IDAC" "Huh? What? I thought every motor insurance uses IDAC for accident reporting?" "Nope, AIA doesn't. Sorry sir, we can't help you."

Ah what nonsense. Ok nvm, called up AIA and thankfully they have a authorised reporting center at Orix which is just round the corner. So I drove off in search of it. I keep seeing it on the opposite side of the road but could never get a clear way to get there. In the end it took me 5 rounds around the entire industrial estate to get to the entrance of Orix. Phhhffff.

So I sat at the counter to fill up the form again. This time there is a customer service rep to help me write down the details. All I had to do was to tell him what happened. Then came the time to indicate whether to claim insurance on the repairs or not. The rep took a look at the car and said the repairs would cost something between 2-3 thousand. So I called my dad to ask for his opinion. I told him I wanted to claim the excess (paying just $400 with the insurance company paying for the rest), but what I got was a dressing down. He literally blow his top at me. What the hell! . . .

Nevermind, since you don't want me to claim insurance. Fine, I won't. I made the report and drove over to a workshop just round the corner (haha, everything is close by) recommended by Ah Ming. He helpfully came down from his office to check in the car for me. Quote for replacing the bonnet and spray painting came to $580. Hmm ok, not too bad. So I left the car with the workshop.

Ping Pong Pang!

Bad bad bad . . . How did this shit happen again . . .

Can't really remember much. One moment I was on the filter lane to get into PIE from Macpherson. I turned my head right to check my blind spot. Next, "Stop!!!" . . . I jammed the brakes. As I hear the brakes screeched, I see the back of the lorry slowly coming towards me. It was only a few seconds, but the scene took an eternity. Damnit, I'm at the butt of the lorry . . .

It seems another lorry infront had came to a sudden stop. And the following car and lorry jammed their brakes to avoid hitting. I was next . . . but sadly I couldn't avoid a collision. My bonnet was dented. Mostly cosmetic damage. The lorry's tail bar got banged up. Other than that, not much damage. We exchanged phone numbers and personal details, took lots of pictures and went our own way. I'm not gonna go into the vivid details, because honestly I rather forget about this episode.

A Good Deed

I did a good deed today. Nothing much except I wished someone did the same for me when I was down on my luck.

It all started yesterday . . . (cue old man with bubbles forming into a thought cloud pic) hehe. I had just brought Meimei home from a wedding dinner at M Hotel and it had started to rain. As I walk along the pathway to the car, I noticed something on the floor. I went close to check it out and sure as the sun, it was a wallet. Looking like it was dropped by someone living nearby, or as I hoped. I ransacked it looking for a phone number so I could call the owner. All this while I was on the phone with Meimei telling her about my find.

Sidetrack - In the wallet: About 8 credit cards from all the banks in Singapore, 60+ dollars in cash, Driving licence, ID card, some name cards of his insurance agent, membership cards. Why would anyone need 8 credit cards?? If you have it, then you have it. Don't need so many to tell the world you have it. Phhffff.

In the end all I could find was an address. Oh . . . it's the same block as Meimei. So I went up to the 11th floor and banged on the door. But oh well, no one was home. Hmm I'll try this tomorrow night again.

Fast forward to tonight. The door was ajar as I approached. Then a lady came to the door looking suspiciously at me. "Yes? what do you want?" Damnit . . . I'm here to do a good deed and yet I'm being eyed like a criminal. "Does Mr. XXX live here?" "Yes, why are you looking for him?" (All this while she gives me the cold shoulder treatment) "I found his wallet last night. Is he in so I can pass it to him?" I pulled out the ID card and stuffed it into her face.

Now she looks stunned. "Oh! My brother dropped his wallet?? How careless of him!" Ding ding ding! Lightbulb blinking in my head . . . wait a sec, she is his sister or so she claims. She doesn't know he dropped his wallet? Hmmm is she really who she say she is? Hmmm.

"Is Mr XXX in? I'll like to pass the wallet to him personally." "No he isn't. But you can pass the wallet to me. I'm his sister." "Hmmm, but I rather pass it directly to him" This time it was my turn to eye her suspiciously. I looked at the ID picture, then stared at her, then at the address, then at the unit number. I think I was so obvious she caught it hahahah. She suddenly turned friendly and opened the grill door. She called her brother, hmm I couldn't catch her conversation, but I assume as much as she came back and told me her brother just told her about it over the phone.

Again, eyeing her with suspicion and distaste, I handled her the wallet. (Me thinking) "Oh well, this is the correct address. No sense wasting more time on this. Just get it off my hands before the owner decides to cast a bomoh spell on it. Can't be too careful with Indonesians."

She took it and first thing she went for was the cash. She was satisfied with the contents and turned to say "Hey, thanks. My brother would like to reward you with something." "Nah, it's ok. I have to go now." I walked to the elevator "No really, my brother is very thankful you brought his wallet back. Please wait." "No, it's ok. Just ask your brother to be careful next time." "Eh, do you live around here?" "No I don't live here, just came over to friend's place" "Oh does your friend live around here?" Hmmm, I getting a sense she is trying to flirt with me *Alarm bells* "Yes, my girlfriend lives around this area" "Oh ok . . ." She looks visibily disappointed. The elevator finally arrived and I scurried away.

Phew . . . why is returning a wallet so troublesome? Haiz, doesn't pay to be nice. But oh well, at least I know I did a good deed.

This is a Police Vehicle . . .

I just chanced on something very peculiar on our roads. "This is a police vehicle. Please stay clear. Thank you." reads the electronic scrolling signboard on the back windscreen of a normal SUV with normal car licence plate. Wait a second. What is this? A police car? Nope, no siren on it's top. Special car plates? Nope, normal car plates. Uniformed police? Nope, a lady in the mid-forties in the driver seat.

I've seen this twice now on PIE while on my way home at night. I seriously wonder if that is truly a police vehicle . . . Seriously, are we allowed to do that if it wasn't a police car? Searches on the web came up with nothing. So I'm still bewildered by it and yet curious at the same time. If any police officer is reading this, could you kindly enlightened me? I'll have to do a more thorough search. It's itching me, because it looks like someone is masquerading as a police car . . . I'll hold that thought till told otherwise. Next time I see it, I'll make sure to get the exact licence plate number.

Even Numbers

I just discovered another quirk. Seems I've had this all the while but never noticed (Read my other post on quirks My Little Quirks). Anyways, this one is pretty simple and you wouldn't really notice it.

Volume at Even Numbers on the Car Radio
Yes, I don't know why but I just have to put the volume at an even number. If I want to move the volume louder or softer, I do it in intervals of 2. So it'll always be at volume 8, 10, 12, 14 etc. It just irks me if it was at an odd number. My body will feel uneasy and tense. Weird? Yeah I think so too. Come to think of it, I do the same on my home radio!

Honestly I think sub-consciously I associate even numbers with roundness, warm, right. And odd numbers as pokey, out of place, wrong. Seriously weird but oh well that's how I am.

The Istana

My first ever walk into the Istana. I'm nearing the big 30 and never once did I ever thought of going into the Istana, home of our President. I must have passed it a million times but the curious part of me to explore never appeared. For those who would like to find out more about the Istana (in the comforts of home), you can go to www.Istana.gov.sg/.

So today Istana was having an open house and Meimei decided to go check it out as well. She has never been there too, though not as surprising as me, considering she wasn't born a Singaporean. She is one now though so it's free entry for her hehe. So anyways we loitered in Plaza Singapura till about 3.30pm before we finally went in.

" I really don't know how I let you talk me into this . . . " " Is there anywhere we can get water here? " " My whole back is wet and so are my armpits . . . "(Spoken) Arhmm, ok a better word would be complain. " My legs are breaking! " " Oh my eyes! my eyes! I'm going blind from the scorching sun!" (Thought) Hmm the thought part was exaggerated hehe. I still love you dear!

So we braved the hot sun, the crowds, the long winding slope, the agony and climbed our way to the Istana Main Building. It was well worth it . . . we saw our President live! Straight in the flesh! Meimei was so excited and we managed to get a picture of him! He was on his Meet-the-People sessions hehe. It's not everyday that you get to meet them in person you know. So yeah it was well worth it. We even toured the ground floor and viewed priceless artifacts from other countries. If only the guard at the stairs would look away, I would have sneak up for a private viewing heheheh.

All in all it was a pretty good day, topped off with a magnificient dinner at the Korea foodcourt stall at the Le Meridien Hotel.

Bug Attack!

It gave me a fright. I was taking my first step into my room to turn on the lights. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain on my foot and immediately jerked upwards. On came the lights and there it was, a huge beetle about 8 cm long scurring away. The pic on the right isn't doing it justice. It looks so small in a big size NTUC plastic bag.

As I hopped on one leg, I shouted and shouted for help. But no one heard me. So I screamed at the top of my voice for my dad, who then came running up the stairs with a lizard swat. It was hiding in a corner when we found it. My dad proceeded to whack the nuts out of it. Amazingly after about ten whacks ... it was still alive and cricketing away. Eventually we had to use a wooden pole to it. And it took 2 hits before it finally died.

I hope the sting wasn't poisonous . . .