Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Yipppy dih doooo dah, yippy dih yay!


This morning, I was called in the office. My mind was racing with questions after questions – what did I do now? Is it bad? Is he going to tell me off? Boss, please don’t spit on my face, but just speak… I don’t really need the shower coz I already had one at home… Okay, that wasn’t nice… but the truth can never be denied – don’t you think? Yes, he’s a spitter spatter when he starts talking… Ewwwwww!!!

So, anyway, there I was, facing Mr BC… “Right, I’m giving you the P45.” Then he start to laugh… Okay, I think he says P45 – but doesn’t that mean I’m fired? Over here, when the employee give you the P45, it means that you’ve been kicked out of the office, vamoos (donno how to spell it so, this will do!)… Get outta here! Get your ass out of this office… But actually, he was just pulling my leg… Ha! Ha! (Not amused laugh)… Damn funny lah you! (NOT!)

Okay, okay! On with the show…

“Good news for you MJ. We’ve decided to give you a Bonus.”

If you are a woman, I could kiss you but since you’re not, all I could do is hug myself smiled gleefully!

“Oh! Thank you so much!” I said as calmly and as a matter of factly as I can.

“We’ve decided to give you £500 bonus but unfortunately it’s taxed. Also, we’ve bought you a present. This one, not taxed at all. You see, since the £500 is taxed, we decided to give you a present as a bonus too which is not taxed!”

“Golly, golly gosh! That’s so generous of you! Ah! You shouldn’t have! Thank you so much!”


“I’ll bring it in on Thursday… And also, I’m sorry to say this but you’ve got to come to work on Thursday and Friday. Strangely, it will be busy and that’s why we really need you to come to work!”

Aaaah! And there it is… There’s always a catch isn’t there?

Oh well! At least I’m able to bring the holiday days forward to next year… More holidays for me then!

Bought some well wishes cards for family and friends back in Singapore, so will send it to them tomorrow…

On top of that, my friend text me today and asked us if we would like to watch Miss Saigon in Manchester on the 7th January which without hesitation I accept the invite!

We were supposed to watch it last year for my birthday, but we missed it so this time, definitely will go for the show!

And on top of all that, that, that - naturally, I am and will watch TAKE THAT live in Manchester Arena in March (or is it May?) – now why would I want to miss that?

All I need to do now is find people to go with me! Any takers?

Monday, December 19, 2005

Start Again



I've decided to start cross stitching again and so, over the weekend, bought myself these patterns over the internet. In all, it costs me about £28...

Arabian Woman (small frame)

Time Frame to do this: Donno! Maybe 3 months? Maybe Less? This is for me? Need to think... Who should I give this to?????

(Cooking)

This I will give it to my Mak to hang it in the kitchen & once it's all done will frame it nicely... Might take me a year, knowing how slow I can be, but by God I will finish it!


(Watching the Trains)

And this is for James uncle, Uncle Dennis as he likes train, so I will stitch this for his Christmas present next year... Yes, I know it's too early but kowing me, I might give him in Christmas 2007 instead! Hee! Hee!

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Random...


So that's my father-n-law. I know its cruel to take a picture of him while he's sleeping but I just couldn't resist you see! It's just hilarious to hear him snoring away, and like I say, I just couldn't resist taking the picture... He's a very nice man and a wonderful father-in-law!


Took this during the Great Yorkshire Show... How cute is that eh?


The Lily that I received from my Parent's-In-Law for our 3rd anniversary. Beautiful!


It was a long wait to the Starting Field! It's the Race for Life...




My lucky number...



In loving memory of...

Friday, December 16, 2005

Seclude

Exotic Selection

Another Friday, another day, another night by myself. Chilling in, watching Simpsons and later on will watch Rush Hour 1 & 2 on DVD that James bough. Help myself to a brownie that I made few days back and top with with Double Cream - delicious! Soft Vanilla Ice Cream would be nice, but didn't buy some, so double cream will do. The window cleaner came around to collect his fee - that's done and over with, but I still owe him ₤1.60 as I was short of change. I tell you, this window cleaner could be well over 30 - maybe even 40 but he sure is fit as a fiddle and just look so good looking... Shhhhh! Don't tell James I said that... Hee! Hee! He comes around once a month to clean our windows and Friday night will be his 'collection' night.

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So anyway, I bought myself a box of Twinings Infusions Exotic Selection Of Fruit Flavour Tea Bags.

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It include mixtures of Pear & Guava, Pink Grapefruit-Mandarin & Lime, Orange- Mango & Cinnamon & Mandarin & Lychee – very exotic don’t you think? Right now I’m drinking Orange, Mango & Cinnamon tea. It’s absolutely gorgeous and uplifting! You feel refresh and just tastes excellent! You can taste the orange and mango but not so much of the cinnamon and it’s also caffeine free. You can add sugar or honey but not recommended to drink it with milk! Eeewwk! Won’t taste right at all I tell ya! So, go grab one and try it!
You’ll love it I tell ya! Image hosted by Photobucket.com

James out on a company's night out and so, as usual, just me, my slippers (shown above) and my teddy!

Received a Christmas card from R today! It was unexpected and I was thrilled! R, if you’re reading this, thanks a million! Your card is on its way!

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Tempting Enough?

Its 2006 - Another New Year!

I started packing all the clothes that needed. GC bought me this huge luggage which also consist of 2 other luggage – a medium and small one. She said it’s a going away present from her. I was chuffed, I was touched by her gestures. When I arrived home with the luggage, mak & ayah were taken aback! “Besarnya! Takkan engkau nak bawak semua baju pergi UK?” Ayah asked following a nervous laugh. The thought of me leaving for good was just about to hit him but Mak was as always, cool and collective. “Baguslah bawak beg besar ginik! Macam-macam boleh letak kan? Betul ker GC belikan? Baik nah dia tu eh?”

I started packing my clothes and other stuff that I might needed and that will remind me of home. The space was massive! I could smuggle my niece and nephew into the country with just this one bag!

While packing, I got to thinking. Will I survive there? Will I ever make any friends? What will happen to me? What will I do if me and James argue and I need to talk to someone? Will I cope? Questions after questions kept rolling in my mind. I started to get nervous, panick, sweaty! Is this really what I want? Can I pull this off? I heard stories – not good, all the bad ones. Stories where when a woman leave her country and family to be with her foreign husband, she won’t be allowed to leave or see her family, her life will be destroyed, but what am I talking about? he's not like that! He’s a loving, kind gentle human being. He wouldn’t, can’t do those things, or could he? They say people change after marriage, so will I see a side of him that I never knew existed? Am I just being paranoid? YES I am!

18th January 2003, I arrived! My new home, new life, new country. Exciting things are just awaiting for me! Nervous? For sure! Excited? Oh very! It’s thrilling not knowing what’s going to happen!


And so my new life was about to begin…

And two years on, I’m still here, surviving the cold weather, the new job which I utterly starting to loathe! Got my driving licence, applied for an indefinite Visa to stay here longer (why?), house still there but still not decorated properly, car already battered and bruised by yours truly, James much happier on the new site and apparently I will get a Satellite Navigator for Christmas which were to be a surprise and James not suppose to tell me (which he didn’t) but I guessed it and he didn’t deny it so, when the time comes, I got to act surprise! James's not convinced that I can act surprise but I’ll show him an Oscar winning performance! I’ll show him what a good actress I am!


So, in 2 weeks time, the new year will come and out goes the old year!

New resolution? What resolution? Every year everyone make new resolutions. Some stick to it some don’t. Me on the other hand, I know that if I make new resolutions, it’s likely it will not be resolve! So, next year, just like this year, I will go with the flow.

Another year another new chapter to complete. So many things that I want to do next year but the main thing that without doubt that got to be done is flying back home to Singapore to see my beloved family and be there in time for my friend’s wedding! And also, to try and make MJ and James juniors! Yes, you heard it right! Juniors with an ‘s’. If possible I want 4 but in reality, even with just 1 I am humbly grateful! For that I can’t wait!

I know things will never go to plan, but I’ll pray hard that this will.

Next year, I have decided to join the Halifax Thespians and to get involve with the theatre production - That is if I’m being chosen. I’ve always love the theatre though I’ve never been involve in one, but I know that it’s for me. Maybe yes, maybe no but we’ll see! Wait for this space!

In the year 2006, I’ve got to make sure that I make an effort to meet people and get to know more people and not be a loner. 2 years that I’ve been here, the only friends that I made were virtual friends which is great, no doubt about it but unfortunately, I’m unable to go out with them for dinner or movies or just hang out! Therefore, I must open up to opportunities and look for a new job! Be more assertive and friendlier than I was before!

In 2006, I must read more books be it about Literature, History or Religion – anything to widen my horizon! I must start to use my creativity and learn to draw, knit, create a mosaic, collage work… I must go back to my art skills that I have left behind. I loved to sketch, and so I must start that again… Birthday wish (yes, I am thinking ahead) is for someone to get me a Cannon EOS 305 (I think it’s a 305 or is it a 350? Need to check on that one again!) Camera, coz I want to take up photography!

Also, I must make sure that I am more considerate, tolerable with James and to nag less… Give him more space and stop yakkity yakking when he’s trying to sleep.

So, with all that, I leave you with these questions:

What are your hope and dreams in 2006?
What do you think should change in 2006?
What will be your resolution in 2006 – go on, do share with us all!?
Will I ever meet you in 2006?
What will your new year be like?
What significant things do you hope to happen in 2006?

Go on! Tell me! I really want to know!

Ahhhh Choooo!!!!


Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Tired...

These are the pictures I took while making the Christmas present for my in-laws. This was an in-complete work. Somehow I didn't get the chance to take pictures of the finished work... Maybe, I'll snap some during Christmas when the in-laws open it up!

Materials that I used were Cinnamon sticks & mostly different types of pot pouris and also coloured transparent leaves...

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I made a mistake of cutting the sides of the cardboard when the pictures and stuffs were already pasted thinking that an idea would just pop out which it did in the end!


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Bought a 19" x 19" frame with deep base and that's where I put my creation. Hope they like it! Pictures were of James and his brother when they were kids...

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Promise will take the complete work with the frame etc on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, all the presents are wrap up!!!

So, what y'all think? It took me about 3 days to complete the whole thing - what with touch ups here and there and even At one point I thought it look crap but then I did some spraying here and there, add more materails on the side, bought more stuff and in the end, it's all worth it! It look pretty good! Hopefully the parents will like it though!


Ooops I did it Again (Badly!)

And so it happened yet again. I injured my car for the second time in 3 months since I received that driving licence (yes, that!) and this time, it’s on the left side of the car just above the tyres/rims… whatever you call it… Dent and horrible scratch… Meaow!

First it was on the right now it’s the left - Heck! It’s even now isn’t it? How careless can I be? I knocked the bricks off the wall… That was the second time that the bricks was knocked off from it’s place. First, it was James who did it with his Peugeot and now, me… Mind you, the brick wall aren’t ours but the neighbour, so it seems we have to do some damage control… Oh and the neighbour came over our place last night and me being blur I just smiled and let him went on with what he wanted to say…


I have to admit it’s my fault… Totally my fault! Normally I parked the car closer to the right hand side giving ample space on the left but this time, since James parked it aligned in the middle, I didn’t realised how tight it was! The driveway is really very tight (for me that is) and so for the car to get in and out, you’ve got to be extremely careful and look both mirrors… It’s like you’ve got to move your head fast to the left and right so that you don’t hit anything but obviously I weren’t looking where I was going or where the car is heading, was I? This happened just as we were about to set off to work… It was a cold horrible Monday morning & we both were feeling that Monday blues and both not feeling too good and now this happened! What a nightmare!

I did look on my left side mirror (I think) and thinking that the coast was clear I reversed the car slowly, looking mostly right then left and that’s when I heard the sound that I dreaded to hear… the crunching sound – kkkrrreeeeeegghhhkkkkkk (however you want it to crunch!). It doesn’t sound good – DUH! You think?. I stopped the car immediately and at that moment was in a panic stage… I could see James standing at the sidewalk, looking utterly unimpressed! Shocked! Annoyed! Bemuzed! Horrific look all over his face!


Nothing major, just a scratch – ugly scratch… scratch that will cost money to repair that’s for sure but I was wrong! Seems like I dented the panels and it need a whole new work… this will cost about £400-£500… That’s it! No more luxury for me! Need to save me money to pay for this! Sigh! What a nightmare!!!! James says I can't go to R's wedding if we gotta pay for the repair!!! Noooooooo!!!

Seriously, I am not a bad driver! I drive well, only sometimes I have my moments but I am not a bad driver at all! The only problem for me is parking the car in the driveway (or anywhere for that matters) which always makes me nervous knowing/seeing how tight the space are… but trust me, I am not a bad driver! You will be safe with me driving the Vauxhall Corsa.

Besides that incident, the weekend was average.

Sat at home, do some cleaning, wash the clothes, watch some DVDs, wrap all the presents for the in-laws, went to the supermarket and did our weekly shopping and on Sunday, we went to the Pub Quiz to win some prize! Hee! Hee! We we got home from the Pub, felt like we were the one smoking 100 sticks coz damn do we stink from all that smoke! It was awful and disgusting! Prize now has increased to £201! The lot of us are itching to get that pot of money!!!

On a lighter note, I made a present by hand for my mum & dad in-laws? Will put the pictures once James sort out the computer at home!

What I want for Christmas is for someone to give me £500!

Thursday, December 08, 2005

A Minute more And Counting...


Wanna post but then my minute has gone and I'm going home now! Till tomorrow! :D

Friday, December 02, 2005

Let's Play A part in Saving Lives...

Weather’s not been good to us these past few days or even weeks. Yes, we know that we will get the odd showers or even snow now and again, but this year, it arrive too soon! Too soon I tell you! I presume that it must be raining in Singapore coz I always have this thinking tanking that when it snow in the UK it will rain in Singapore…

Christmas is Around the corner... No, I don't celebrate this festival, but what I do celebrate is the gifts... Receiving and giving of it. People have start sending Christmas or New Year Cards to friends and families and what we receive from our Client today, is totally a different thing... Instead of sending us a Christmas Card, they send this e-mail instead:

“Dear Friends,

The Season’s Greetings to you and your colleagues.

At this festive time we turn our thoughts to friends and family and wish that they are well, enjoying good health and fortune, and looking forward to spending quality time with their family.

We also become more aware of those who do not have such good luck, or have much to look forward to, other than poverty, hunger or disease.

Here at (Company’s Name) we are also conscious of the increasing volumes of waste and the consequent environmental damage created by the annual frenzied orgy of Christmas card exchange.

Therefore, in line with our commitment to operate in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner, and in common with many other caring organisations we shall no longer be sending cards to all our customers, clients, friends and preferred suppliers. Instead we shall be making a donation of equivalent value to
Save the Children UK or to Sponsor A Child Worldvision.

Our action does not of course detract from our sincere wish that you enjoy a truly happy festive season, and that the New Year brings all you wish for yourself and your loved ones.”

So my dear most charitable friends and families Have a heart… Dig deeper in your pockets, piggy banks, monkey banks, whatever banks you have and make a donation to save lives of thousands of children in the UK and if possible, all part of the world! Trust me, you'll feel elevated after making that donation...