oh the blunders

I got tickets to the Jamal Abdillah's concert yesterday. But I thought I should give it to someone who would enjoy it more. I gave it to my domestic helper maid, Rus (what is so degrading about the word 'maid' anyway? why DID I think it's degrading? It's degrading as you make it to be. A maid is a female employee employed to help with household chores and that is exactly what it is. Nothing bad about that. Without my maid, my house may be a mess and I owe a lot to her being around. So.. back to the topic)... to Rus and my hubby's aunt, Cik Ita.

But I guess they were not sure how to get to the concert place, so I wanted to send them. Concert would begin at 8pm. So I said we should leave right after our maghrib at home. Hubby wanted to send to, with kids in tow.. so with all the hussle, we left home about 7:27pm

We were asking ourselves, why the concert was done today, it being an F1 weekend in Singapore, surely the place must be crowded and not easy to get to. We planned where hubby should drop Rus, Cik Ita and me, so that I can walk them to the concert place and smoothly and quickly get them to the door, so they wouldn't get lost trying to find the place.

I told hubby we should drop at Raffles City and I'll walk from the underpass to Esplanade. We got down at the hotel side. By that time it was 745pm. I was walking fast as Rus and Cik ita followed quickly behind. We headed to the City hall MRT basement. I know there is walkway to Esplanade from there.

But when we got down, and walking quickly and talking, Rus mentioned that there is a train station at Esplanade itself. Really? Ok then why don't we just take the train there. So I queued up for my train tickets (mind you, this is the first time on a train after a long time). Cik Ita and Rus have their MRT store valued cards. So they had to wait for me while I queued for mine.

After about 2-3 mins, I manage to get my tickets and we went in. We went down the two floors looking for the train to Esplanade. I realise then, that to get to Esplanade we had to change train at Dhoby Ghaut - to the Circle Line. I remembered the very long walk at Dhoby Ghaut, to get from one train line to the other. I told Rus and Cik Ita, that by the time we got to Dhoby Ghaut and walk to Circle Line for the Esplanade train, we would have reached Esplanade if we just walk through the walkway upstairs.

Agreed, we went back up and out, and started walking quickly towards Esplanade. Time check 8:07pm.

When we reach the exit to Esplanade about 8.15pm or so, it was blocked by officers. I asked them how to get to Esplanade because we have a concert to get to. They said the route is blocked, unless we have the F1 pass. He then asked us to try a 'Gate 7' up ahead. We walked further.

It seemed blocked, so we went around upstairs and downstairs trying to find a way to Esplanade. I asked an officer who was standing beside a map, again - how to get to Esplanade. And again, I was asked if I have the F1 pass. "No I don't have an F1 pass, but I do have our concert tickets and it is today, 24th September," I said. I took out the tickets and showed the officer. He read it out. "Yes... 24th September, 8pm, Singapore Indoor Stadium. Hmm.. Ok maybe you can go up here, and walk this way.." pointing to the map beside him.

I realised my biggest blunder then. 'Singapore Indoor Stadium'??? Not Esplanade?? SH*T!

I said, thank you and assured the officer, we'll find our way. I quickly called my husband to tell him of this I told him I'd just take the train to Kallang to meet him there (since I had no idea where he is). As we were walking back towards City Hall MRT station, we saw my hubby and the kids. He asked if there is a station near the Indoor Stadium - I said the nearest I know of is Kallang. He said that that is far, and therefore we should go by car.

We finally got to the place at about 845pm. I saw a 'Stadium' MRT station just beside the Indoor stadium. Pfft Erni.. right. Kallang is the nearest. Anyhow, I walked them to the concert venue door entrance to ensure that they get in correctly, before I felt relieved about leaving them. I hoped that the concert would not end soon.

I felt quite guilty for my blunder and my ignorance about the public transport route, causing them all the unnecessary impromptu brisk walking exercise and the late arrival. When we arrived I heard Jamal singing already. But alhamdulillah, the concert finally ended at 1045pm which was about 2 hrs after they arrived. So, berbaloi jugak lah all the drama.

Haih.

yesterday a doctor, today a teacher

Yesterday I was writing down scribbling down notes, as my colleague replied to my questions about her system requirements. As I was writing, I went like 'o-o-okay, so what is the other event where you require this alert?'.
She answered and I took that down as I said..'ok, and what about... ". As I was scribbling and replying, momentarily I felt like I'm a doctor.


But.. ok yeah right.

Today, I chatted with my good friend over whatsapp, giving my 2-cents worth about the situation she was in. At the end of the conversation, she said she was summarising the conversation. When she said that, I suddenly felt like I'm a teacher/lecturer.

These 3-secs-feeling-like-you're-someone-else was quite fun. It's like being in their shoes for 3 secs.



But then again, about the teacher/lecturer part.. it COULD mean that I was talking too much. :-|

creating awareness for... what again?

Last year, supposedly, for breast cancer awareness month, they had the 'put the colour of the bra that you have on now' on your FB status. This message was supposedly sent to only all the females. So the males would have no idea what these colours in the FB statuses are. But I was wondering who really started it? Just like these stupid 'women's rights crap' - what if it was a male who started it.. and he sent out another set of message to all males only.. 'hey guys! check out what colour bra the women are wearing today, on their FB status! haha!' Siow. Even if it wasn't a male who started it.. the male who got to know about it.. can send it to all the males.

This time, I get a message asking us to update our FB status, indicating where we normally place our handbags at home - but we have to say it like 'I like it on the _____________' It's so damn obviously misleading and creates wild imaginations for those who doesn't know - especially the guys. Now it could be possible that if it's a guy who started it - he's sending another set of message to all the guys 'hey guys.. check out where the girls like it ;) '

All these, for breast cancer awareness? I don't see how that creates awareness for breast cancer, I mean SERIOUSLY.. how? I know it creates wild thoughts and imaginations, that's for sure. You want to have a breast cancer awareness program? Why not ask everyone to just update FB status "Have you checked yourself for breast cancer today?"

*October is the breast cancer awareness month.

do you wanna p?

"D'ya wanna pee?"
"Huh?
"Do you wanna pee?"
"Huh?
"Do you want to pee?"
"Oh.. err..ok"

This was overheard at work, not in school. Quite cute.. but not cool.

She could have said.. 'Do you want to go to the ladies with me?' ... hmm.. ok maybe not. That might give 'another' kind of impression in this upside down crazy world. Or maybe she can say, 'I'm going to the ladies, you wanna.. join me ... come also...go too?'

Why am i even blogging about this.

Oh! 515! time to go home!

me, and mee upeh

I have been craving wanting to eat mee upeh for a few months already now. Ever since I saw it being served on New Year's Day 2010. And only yesterday, I managed to have one.

Though we've been saying 'mee upeh' and when we order, we also ask for 'mee upeh', I just realised, it's not really 'MEE' upeh, i.e. it's not some specific type of mee. Rather it's mee (noodle) served or packed in daun upeh.

You can order 'mee upeh' at three different places and you'll find that you're served with different types of noodles. At Simpang Bedok, they serve mee hongkong in it, at Bedok Corner it's like mee bandung, at Geylang, I was told, they serve hokkien mee.

My father says it CAN be any type of noodle, especially with gravy - it's just packed in upeh.. that's mee upeh. It used to be the norm in the 50s and 60s.

Actually the thing that really draws me to this mee (served in) upeh is that it reminds me of those times when i was little, and Mak would always buy a few packets of mee kuah packed in upeh, at Geylang market after our weekly religious class, EVERYTIME. That stall was well known, I think. I remember having to queue, and there'll be quite a number of people queueing for the mee upeh. I wonder if the seller is still around and still selling his mee kuah, packed in upeh. He would skillfully put the cooked hot noodles in upeh, and tie a rafia string through the upeh leaf, so that we can carry it back. Cool.

And you know, it is environmentally friendly too.

where I'm from

Yesterday, was the company department CNY dinner, where some of us don't know each other, because some are new and we are situated all over Singapore, so we only meet during company events. In our department, we have people from all over, namely, India, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore (of course), etc..

So, there's this one 'new' guy, a Singaporean, seated at the same table as ours. And he asked me where I'm from. I asked him to guess. He said, 'somewhere in the Middle East'.

Must be my black eye liner.

for two?

just now we went on a double date. my fren-her hubby, hubby and me. we were going to watch 'couples retreat'. the guys went to get the movie tix.

at the ticket counter, the counter guy looked at them both, then asked,'for two?'

:p

poor guys..

Today, I had the opportunity to talk to two interesting group of people, from two totally different cultures.

The first group of people I spoke to, were the guys from India. First we were talking about attractions in Singapore, then it went on to cultures in Singapore.. and then one of them mentioned about differences on the train. I thought they were going to talk about how clean and comfortable trains in Singapore are, and how dirty it is over there. But I was wrong. Luckily, I didn't say it out.

They told me that when an Indian guy goes up the train in India, and he opens up a newspaper to read, the people around him, on the train, can actually ask him for pages, that he's not reading. And so those people in the train, will be reading all the different pages of the newspaper.. it's shared. Mind you, they don't know each other. And when the guy wants to get down, he can ask for the pages back. I was like... REALLY??????????

So, when this guy first came to Singapore, and took the train for the first time, he felt awkward ignoring people, so he turned to the stranger beside him, smiled at him and said, 'Hi I'm Anand', and the guy next to him gave him a funny look and went.. 'ok..' heh.. poor guy.


Then, during the event dinner, I was seated with some people I don't know. Then one guy, he looked Japanese, he kept looking at me and suddenly he asked.. 'kamu bisa bahasa melayu?' And started speaking in Indonesian..

I told him I thought he was Japanese.. didn't know he is Indonesian Chinese.. He said, he IS Japanese. He has been in Indonesia for 2 months, and has been taking Bahasa lessons for two months now. Impressive. The other Japanese guy seated next to him, he explained, is stationed in India.. and he is suffering because there's no Japanese food, and he is still trying to adapt to the surroundings and culture and food in India. And most times, he can't understand the Indians.. especially outside the office.

To think that he will be there for another 21 months... poor guy.

Ion (pronounced ai-on)

I know why there's lesser things to blog about now. I mean to really go into detail to describe...

It's because, basically, it's all the SAME stuff repeating themselves in life. You know.. like the 'circle of life'.

I can't tell you how many times I've stared at a blank screen, trying to think of something useful to blogged about, that I haven't blog about before.

But now that I'm here, I do have something to say.

This week I went to the range to hit some golf balls. This morning, both my arms were aching, especially the right one.
I was thinking of taking up golf, so that I can spend a bit of time with my husband and son, and my husband can buy me cute and nice ladies golf stuff that he said he would get for me, if I play golf. Oh and most interesting of all, is to be able to go onto the golf course, where the scenery's beautiful, spacious and green.. to take photos. Having said all that, let's see if I will stay interested long enough, for me to get the license to play.

On fashion news, last night, when I was with Nurleen (hi!), my daughter called to say that she has 'nothing' to wear to graduation night. I told her to go find SOMETHING to wear from home. There MUST be something. A few minutes later, hubby called to ask me to give her support and bring her out to buy something to wear. It was nearly 8pm. What time was I suppose to go home, fetch her and go out again? Anyhow I listened to the husband and went back. To cut the story short, at last the husband, brought my daughter and me out, to ION Orchard, to find something there.

He said to go to Uniqlo. I like that shop. Some of the clothes look chic, and comfortable AND they are affordable - from Tokyo. The washing instructions were in Japanese, but...oh well. I have a strong feeling that I'll be back there again to shop for pants, jeans, shirt, cardigans etc.

Then, we went to Dr Cafe Coffee. Hubby wanted to try. I think the place, ambience, drink choices - are better than starbucks and coffee bean. And they also have the dates cookies, which I like. I wonder if they have an outlet in KL.

I love it, that we did not patronise or consume any western products, while out shopping last night. I mean like clothes from tokyo and drinks from arab... that's what I think is cool.

30 mins more to end of work week. Yippie.

*unplugged!*

It's been a long time..

I suddenly remember having this with my cousins when I was young, when we visited my late grandma in marine parade. :)


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Having the 'best satay'.

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Ngee Ann poly overhead bridge.

Briskwalked there.


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a useful gift to give

what good is a PSP to a poor boy in a village, when he can't find a proper place to recharge his toy? Instead, what the boy would appreciate more, is.. not too much food neither very expensive ones, but just a little more that what they can afford then. Or a change of school clothes and some school books and that is more blissful for them.

And a gift bring more happiness to those who can't afford most things, than to those who already have most of what they want.

Then, what do you give a rich man? Nothing expensive and branded - you'll be wasting your money cause they'll have their own specific taste. I think a good book is good - or just something he can't get in his rich man's world - which may be cheap.

I know of well-off people, who get loads of presents for their kid's birthday, most are unopened for years, and then sometimes 're-cycled' and given to someone else. I'm sure they keep a tag lah, of who gave them that, so that they don't end up giving it back to the same person. But you see.. what is the point of all these? It's not appreciated, not on purpose though - it's not even the receiver's fault, actually. They just don't need those stuff, not to mention the clutter.

And what I surely would like to avoid, is to give/receive a gift, that was bought without much thought. That is, bought just for the sake of giving SOMETHING. Like I have MANY photo frames still unopened in the drawer.

If we don't have the time to actually think of something USEFUL to get, I think we should just give money. Then, they can get what they want. :) Like the other day, when Hadi got money for his birthday - he collected them all, and now he can get an mp3 player for himself. great.

I believe the best material gift that one can give a person, is something that we know she wants, but has always been reluctant to get, because they don't want to spend on such 'luxury'. Or it is something that they want, but it's difficult to get. Then suddenly, he/she gets it as a gift. 10 secs bliss. Ok.. maybe an hour of bliss. THAT, I think, would be the best material gift.

uninvited guest at our not so new house

I didn't tell you yet right? - that we had an uninvited guest early last week.

It was a weekday, and we were all not home, except for Rus.

Rus was coming out from the kitchen, when she noticed something moving at our balcony. She quickly realised it was a monkey. It was happily sitting there, facing the pool, enjoying the breeze and eating our inti-less kuih pau.

Rus scolded him in Javanese with local Malay style, since the monkey is afterall, a Singaporean. Translated as "Hey! waaah.. you happily eat my pau?!". The monkey was surprised by her surprised action, and quickly went away, with another pau that was already in it's other hand.

The thing is, the plate and serviette cover looked like it was untouched. Only when you lift the serviette, you'll notice the 2 paus missing. :)

When my husband told me about the incident, I reacted with excitement. He was not so happy that I was happy about it. If I was home at that time.. I would surely have run for my camera and the picture, if good, would probably be on this blog already. :D

But no lah, I won't consider inviting the monkeys over. We definitely do not want that to become a habit.

what happened

I have..

attended two lectures, both very enriching.
and two concerts, both very entertaining.
the two lectures were by inspirational speakers
and the two concerts were by talented singers.

I didnt even mean for this to look like a poem.

But anyway, let's start with the concert first, cause I'd like to end this post with thoughts about the lectures, so that I, and you all (yes, I first, then you all, cause I don't think there's much of 'you all' that I'd like to flatter myself with), can hopefully ponder about it for a while after this.
sorry guys, it was late, i was too tired and couldn't think properly. insyaAllah, will post about the talks asap!

So right. The first concert I went to, was M Nasir's. Went to KL to watch him, with hubby Aida and Hilmy. Fun trip, I like. I think he, M Nasir that is, is an eccentric person. Smart too and good with the audience. I'm not a BIG fan of his, but I DO enjoy his concerts (I've been to THREE so far, thanks to hubby). I think he is the only performer who has received the honour of my attending to their concerts that many time. And I haven't even been to an Anuar Zain's or Siti Nurhaliza's before. Not that I'm a fan of them also lah. In fact, I think he is the only Malay performer's concert I have ever been to. Not counting the time when I was given a free ticket to watch a ROCK! concert, back when I was 21. hmm.

Anyhow, that night, he sang my all time favourite song, Suatu Masa - he sang it almost perfectly. :) Love it.. and songs from his phoenix album, which I think is the best album by him in this decade.


The next concert I went to, was Jason Mraz's!!! When he came down for Singfest, friends who know that I LOVE his songs, asked if I want to go. Of course not!. Me? at Singfest? with all those sweaty kids, STANDING in the HOT sun the whole day only to watch him sing for.. what? 45 mins? No.. I told them, if he has his OWN concert, ask me again. And maybe he heard me.. :D He came to do his own concert. And so, immediately, my friends asked - and this time, I went. And as expected, his vocals were 99.98 perfect. Although I think I would have enjoyed his concert much much much more, if it was just him with an acoustic guitar and that (is it TACO ?) guy. but hey.. it was still good! He sang You and I both, I'm yours, Mr curiosity, the geek in the pink..hmm. but he didn't sing Life is Wonderful - I love that song. After that, my sisters and I.. we went out for coffee and chat.. till late at night. :p I enjoyed myself there too. luv u girls!

I think I should talk about the two lectures on another post. I need to gather my thoughts.

nothing, really.

Let me warn you first, this entry is going to be quite mindless. Just to get the brain juice flowing. I just love the feel of my fingers typing something. Sometimes I'd just type back verses from the Quran or passages from an article.

However for the past few days or weeks even, I have been wanting to write, but never really getting to it. It's not that I don't have time, sometimes I do, but I just end up doing something else. something mundane, like going through FB updates. Quite pathetic I know.

I've also been putting off things like uploading loads of photos that I've taken. And also charging my camera battery. Now both my cameras have run out of battery life and I have not charged them yet. Only NOW, I'm charging the lumix battery.

Sometimes I feel like I should write something that would be positive for others or even me, when I read it back. Something useful and not something aimless like this.

Still I'm quite careful not to reveal all that I feel or what I really really think about. After all, I want to be an ethical person, I am Muslim. So..I watch my mouth.. i mean my fingers.

Right.. I think the juices have started to flow, so I'm going to update, for the benefit of myself in future, insyaAllah, where I've been going and what I have been seeing for the last 2-3 weeks. (let's see if I'll finish the next post).

And I feel good, to have typed this much. :)

a mother's point of view

FUZZ
My son... da PANDAI main bola!
(My son, knows how to play soccer already!)

MDM BLOSSOM
Eeh?! Waaaah!
Errm.. you're talking about the 6 mth old baby, right?



Yeap, she WAS talking about her only son, the six-mth old boy, Dani. Apparently, he can kick the ball .. and 'gelecek' too! Good boy Dani!



We mothers always see more in our children, kan? :p

an avid photographer, I'm not

I cannot start another topic before this :
May God save the innocent ones and defeat those arrogant bullies. May the Palestinians, the Gazans be relieved of this tremendous test, may they be rewarded with the best, possibly in this life and surely in the Hereafter. Ameen.

Right. So while innocent civilians are getting bombed and killed in Gaza, and I'm here in the peaceful office....


...I received an email from Aida about some best National Geography photos.. awesome. I have a book at home from BBCNews and the pictures are also awesome, makes me speechless when I see them.. Subhanallah. I wish can I see those sights and capture those kind of beauty, myself.

Coincidentally just before i got that email, my colleague was just showing me his lenses, which he bought at USD1800 I think.. he said it's good for indoor photoshoot and portrait. He asked me if I'll buy this lens in future.. Well, of course not. I don't think I'll spend that much on a lens.

As it is, I already have another lens, which I hardly ever use. I guess I'm not a real avid photographer, cause I can't be bothered to carry or, if I DO carry, I can't be bothered to change the lens.. I just don't feel the drive to go to that extent yet.. in fact I feel limited with some of the lens...like the other one I have. I don't have time to explore.

Based on my own limited experience.. I'll just stick to my kit lens, which is good enough for me so far..the only thing I'm very frustrated about is that I cannot take macro shots with it.. even with the other lens I bought.. yup..I bought the other lens because i THOUGHT i could take macro shots with that.. but noooooooooo.. apparently.. real macro lenses are much more expensive - and I seriously can't bring myself to go buy some expensive lens that I know I will hardly use.

I don't think my love for photography is in the equipments, but of course I do want to capture those sights I see or those views I have, exactly as I see them, but sometimes you cannot capture that with your normal cameras. So that's where I hope this simple DSLR can help. But I have not been having much luck with low-light situations.

Maybe I should just get a high end point and shoot camera. They have all kinds of features now, that matches the DSLR, but without having to change lenses every now and then. Only thing is, the picture may not be as sharp. But of course, my husband will surely nag at me, if I go get yet another camera.

I should just go for a photography course, when I can squeeze out more time out of me.
Or Norza.. wud you have time to give me a pointer or two?

day off

I love rainy mornings when I'm home. Alhamdulillah.

I read in the papers today that the Singapore Flyer got stucked yesterday, for 5 hours! Apparently, it happened before.. just earlier this month. Now I'll know what to do the next time I plan on going on the Singapore Flyer. I'll get a book, some snacks and some drinks ready - just in case I get stuck up there for 5 hours.. at least I can enjoy myself, reading the book and having a good view. A mat would be nice too, but it's quite clean in the cabin.. you can sit on the floor.



Last night, we were at this restaurant called 'Badoque' and it's at Simpang Bedok. The food was ok, but we had more fun with the names of their coffee. Their range of coffee was under the title 'Hot Joe'.. Joe referring to the coffee. Then they have.. Joe Tos - for cappucino and Joe Ngang for mocha.. etc. Fiza ordered Joe Tos for Aida.. and the clueless Filipino waitress asked, 'You want your joe tos now or later?' We told her to let Aida finish her ice cream first.

We were laughing away and I felt bad for the Filipino waitress who must have had no idea what the word means in Malay. So I explained to her. I wonder if she'll think twice, the next time she wants to ask her customers, 'do you want your joetos now or later?'

delayed blogging

my oh my.. it has been more than 10 days since i last blogged.

Bukan tak nak.. or bukan takde benda nak cakap.. but I just couldn't keep up with myself. So much has been happening.. my days have been quite packed.. with some meaningful and some unmeaningful things.

There were things I wanted to blog about.. like my visit to the doctor. And the and filipino guide on the nite safari pram tram, with their filipino slangs.. it was cute, but i thought not appropriate, i mean you would hv the visitors think that this is a singaporean slang. Oh, and my trip to damansara with our neighbours here.. who have named themselves..ourselves.. the RT Gang.

But now, as i think about it right now.. it's not as interesting to relate now, as it was, just when it happened. Like.. how we almost hit a bike on the highway, coming back from damansara.. cause the bike was coming onto our lane at the last minute without checking his back! but he realised just in time to stay in his lane.. but he gave us the shock of our lives. phew.. alhamdulillah nothing happened.

blogging, is like spending my time, with myself, but at the same time, updating others who cares.

I'm getting incoherent.. and this post is pointless, but a start for me nonetheless.

have a great happy weekend my friends!

pics pics pics

1. random






2. night safari (no flash photographies please)

can you see the bwasingas in the background?



this is near the leopard cage..


3. raya haji








apa nak jadi.. yang tua bangka ni pun main psp?!

4. trip to damansara