Nature's Course
Let nature take its own course and thing might turn out fine.I called up Robinson for this assignment although I submitted my name through John Little as well after the John Little assignment. They assigned me to the Selling Floor as there was enough Cashiers, at that point of time, which is what I initially wanted to do as its more fun and time pass faster.
But those on the John Little Little name lists all ended up as Cashiers but they were only called up by Robinson a few days before the sales. So they are all having fun at the counter while I have to stand at the Crystal Section bored and having nothing much to do.
I learnt that things might not turn out well even if you go seeking for it than if you just wait for it to come your way.
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andi at 08:11
Prices
This is a boring assignment.I am not cut out for doing sales but I wanted this experience and I learnt some things everyday. Not only about crystals but on human resource and marketing as well.
I guess the management made a blunder by selling crystals at a warehouse sales. People buy stuff like clothes, toiletries, and housewares which must be cheap; not high end items like crystals. As all the crystals are at the same price, some of the smaller items are not any cheaper than what the market is selling. And knowing Singapore, most will want big and nice items.
So they decide to keep the over-priced items and converted the floor space to sell other items.
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andi at 11:43
Rubbish Bins
What happened to all the rubbish bins in the MRT stations?I was holding on to a piece of tissue and the plastic bag that contained my breakfast which I devoured earlier on while rushing to catch the train this morning. When I want to throw them away, I could not find a single rubbish bin in the whole of Toa Payoh MRT station.
So I clung on to that pathetic plastic bag and the piece of paper which has my saliva and remains of my breakfast all the way to the Expo before disposing it off.
I am sure that the absence of the rubbish bins has something to with all the red and white signs that says:
"No Littering - Fine $1000".
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andi at 23:48
Selling Crystal
I am an imposter!Went to The Airport for a briefing about the assignment that I might be taking up, but its a 5 month contract. Leaving it to the agency to sort out the administrative part and I will just wait for the outcome.
Spent almost 2 hours walking around The Airport watching people and planes before heading to Simei after lunch. Walked around East Point a bit and went over to Expo at 2:30 pm.
I was surprised that they assigned me to the crystal section and they expect us to be expert selling crystals after a 15 minute briefing! So I felt like an imposter talking about how many percent lead this vase contain and the design of this bowl is classic while the other is modern.
Not sure if I will enjoy this assignment.
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andi at 23:58
Fun Day
This is funny day.Wanted to swim at Safra but thy are cleaning the pool today. Ended up watching two cute guys practicing table tennis and they seems to be bothered by my presence. Went to play the mahjong game at the arcade and came home after that.
Chatted on line and guess what? I chatted with the same guy that came to my place on Saturday! So I invited him over to finish up our un-finished business. Met him downstairs and we went up and down the lift several times before finally reaching my house.
Had some role play session of prisoner of war and it included one of us being tied up and some funny questioning of the prisoner and stuff. Both of us finally released each other after two hours or so of the hot steamy session.
Slept till 6 plus to catch up on the lost sleep the last few days.
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andi at 19:23
Interesting Weekend
This is an interesting weekend!On Saturday morning, I went to Robinsons for a briefing on their Warehouse Sale Assignment. So I will be working at Expo again! But not as a cashier this time as I wanted to have a feel of what is it like to be on the Selling Floor serving nasty and kiasu customers. Came home after having lunch at The Pennisular Food Court and chatted on line.
Chatted with this guy, who later came over to my house for some action. To my horror, my mum came back early before the guy reach my place! Anyway, my mum was sleeping when he arrived and we just shut ourselves in my room. In the middle of our tryst, I heard my father coming back too.
The thrill of having a hanky panky session with a hot guy when your parents are in the house is damn thrilling. However, it is just touchy touchy without any juices flowing. When we had enough in my room, I accompanied him downstairs and we went up and down the lift several times kissing and touching!
Saturday evening is spent more proper as I went to Bukit Purmei to watch their procession. It was grand, there was Dragons, Green Lions, South Lions. North Lions and 2 Drums Troupes. A total of 8 Sedan Chairs and 5 Mediums. Didn't take part in the procession cause I don't know them well but followed for the fun of it.
Sunday morning is spent on the net at home and left for my friends' temple at Kallang. Took part in their procession as they asked me to help out. We started off at 3 pm and only finished at 11 pm. Although they have less sedan chairs and such but they have 15 mediums in the procession which is not a common sight.
Finally reached home and tired out by all the activities.
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andi at 23:59
Revelations
I just had a talk with C Y.He messaged me on Thursday afternoon but I only saw the message on Friday evening, so I went over to his place to see him as he said he had important issues to discuss. I quite expected what he said to me after hearing from Cauli the other day on what That Woman said when she knows that CY is trying to pursue me to return to HIT.
But I was rather surprised at the way he deliver the message to me. If not for all the training, I would have taken what he said at face value but the reality is that: since That Woman is against the idea of me going back, C Y would have to find a way of displacing me if I really want to go back as he was the one that asked me to do so.
He conveniently told me that he have enough manpower in HIT at the present moment and would place me in LST should I really decide to go back and goes on how can I find my own niche there and how to reunite the two places in the future. He also went on to say that one should serve where one is needed most and not at places that has been established - read HIT - and to bring the system that we learnt under him there. I was rather surprised that he will be placing DJ at his place after his contract expires at HIT.
This time round, I merely listened and talk less when conversing with him cause I realized that the more I say, the more people will know your vulnerability and be able to manipulate you.
I finally know where should I head for after the talk with him.
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andi at 01:23
Learning Experience
I learnt something from this assignment.How to deal with people tactfully and how to win the trust of the people you are working with. I was quite surprised that I am working as a Team Manager for this assignment as its a relatively short one. I ended up with 15 people in my Team whereas Fionna and Cheok who are more senior has only 8 and 5 people in their Teams respectively.
Lunch on the 1st day was chaotic as I released two at time with half hour interval which ended up with the last few to go late when more people are coming in. The 2nd day was no better as I released four at a time with half hour interval which ended up with many counters empty and unable to process the registration. I learnt on the 3rd day to let two to go for lunch at 15 minutes interval and everybody is happy as all finished lunch by 1:15 pm and not too many counters are closed at the same time.
The other thing I learnt is how to deal with difficult visitors in a way that will not embarrass them and the organizers. It will normally work out fine If you are sincere and polite. On the other hand, if you are too protective and trying to establish a point, it will usually end up with unhappiness and resulting in a chaotic outcome.
This assignment is a real learning experience.
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andi at 18:41
Maze
I have an entertaining maze for this few day.You know some places that requires people to queue up has these poles and velvet ropes to create a maze where you go - in and out of the cherry window - to reach the counter at the end of it?
I have one of these at the event that I am on now, which the generally normal people would gladly follow the route that is charted by these poles and ropes. It does look intimidating but we actually arranged it in such a way that you don't have to go into the maze, although you still have to make a small round from the entrance to the exit for crowd control purpose.
But there will be people who think they are smart by jumping over the ropes so they don't have to snake in and out of the maze in order to save that few seconds of time as they are in a rush to do last minute whatever. However, they are also the people that normally make a fool of themselves as they will eventually trip over one of those ropes and bring all the poles down, and end up looking stupid and at a lost on whether to put them back or not. Most of the time, they will not do so cause they won't know how to rearrange the maze.
These people did provided some form of amusement to this assignment.
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andi at 23:21
See See Look Look
Met up with Jave in the evening.I actually called him only at 6 plus asking if he wants to meet and go see see look look at the temple. So we met for dinner to have Japanese food at the food court in Toa Payoh Central before going over the Temple to see.
However, it was not as grand as yesterday but we did have a good talk in Macs about many things, especially topics on Chinese culture and things like that which brought many joy in our childhood and how it affected our outlook in life.
Going to sleep early tonite as quite tired out by work and the evening outs this two days.
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andi at 22:45
Halls and Deities
I am working on an event in Expo.The exhibition spans all of the six halls there and the walk from Hall 1 to Hall 6 which I did a few times today, is like doing a cross country! Its only towards the end of the day Then I realized that there is shuttle bus to transport people between the two halls!
Went to Kallang at nite to see my friend's temple holding some celebrations and it was grand. They have 11 mediums going into trance and the deities they invited included Shan Cai Tong Zi, 2 Monkey Gods, Ne Za San Tai Zi, Liang Hua San Zi, Zhong Tan Yuan Shuai, Zhang Gong Shen Jun, Guan Ti Shen Jun, Ji Gong Hou Fo, Gan Tian Da Ti and Xuan Tian Shang Ti.
Drove to Geylang Lorong 11 which is nearby after finishing at the temple to buy Soya Bean Milk from Yong He for dad.
Not too boring a day.
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andi at 22:22
Reconciliation
Its exactly one year since I last saw Ven De Zhen.She is a Buddhist nun that I known for ten years who saw me going through the different patches in life and provided tremendous support in all my doings.
I went with Cauli to her place at Pacific Mansion to have lunch and we talked for hours after lunch. If not for she and Cauli need to attend a talk, we probably would be talking more.
She too went through a rough ride last year but I am glad that she is doing fine now. Updated each other on what happened to us the past year and I realized that we went through similar happenings. The only difference was she is stronger and able to work her way through while I choose the easy way out by calling it quits.
The older generation was right that those born in the year of the dog needs to clear a big hurdle last year. If you make it, you fly to the top of the tree; if not, then you will have to slowly wriggle your way up.
The circumstances I am in seems to be clearer now.
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andi at 13:23
Quick Thoughts
Got this from MindSay.I am? andi
I want? money!
I have? nothing
I wish? to have everything
I hate? bitchy people
I miss? the last 3 years
I fear? growing old
I hear? music
I search? for love
I wonder? where am i going
I regret? being born
I love? chocolates
I ache? for love
I always? ponder
I am not? what i am
I dance? no way!
I sing? off key
I cry? easily
I am not always? happy
I write? crap
I win? some but lose more
I lose? all the time
I confuse? ???
I should? sleep more
Three things you are often complimented for? not sure
You get embarrassed when? girls date me
What upsets you? nasty people
You like to cook? you dare to eat what i cook?!
You have a secret you have not shared with anyone? i am gay!
You set your watch a few minutes ahead? nope. i like to be on the dot
You bite your fingernails? no way
You believe in love? yes
Who is ... ?
The prettiest person of the opposite sex you know? errrm... this is hard
The weirdest person you know? myself!
The loudest person you know? too many to list
Your close friends? don't get too close to me
The person that knows the most about you? i don't even know myself at all...
Most boring teacher? myself
What is ... ?
Your most overused phrase? fuck
Last image/thought you go to sleep with? haiz... have to wake up after sleeping
Your best feature? too shy to say
Inside joke? ha ha
Do you ... ?
Take a shower everyday? about twice or thrice a day
Have any crushes? of course! but only on guys!
Think you've been in love? nope
Want to get married? is gay marriage legal???
Have any tattoos/where? tot of having but never have the courage
Piercing/where? too pain
Get along with your parents? sometimes
When You See This Name You Think Of...
Ryan? cute
Rob? thief
Stephanie? eeerrkks
Heather? summer
Aaron? kwok
Amy? yip
Eve? my sis
Jon? join
Alex? smart
Justin? fat
Ricky? Martin
Jack? and Jill went up the hill
If you want to steal this, please leave the link to MindSay.
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andi at 07:00
Death Dream
I dreamt that I died.I was a Japanese soldier and performing some form of guard duty with two others. I was looking from far at the two of them saluting every car passing through at the gate. Then we were sitting together and sharing cigarettes, After awhile, two of us decided to go buy cigarettes cause we run out of it.
The next thing I know was that it was tomorrow in the dream and saw people which I can't see the face. They seems to be my family members coming to camp and looked very gloomy. They wanted to give me something but I can't take it which made me realized that I am dead and they have to give it to my friend - the one that didn't die. The other who went to buy things with me was also dead. I was trying real hard in the dream to remember how I died but just have no recollection of what happened after deciding to buy cigarettes.
I vaguely remember that we were trying to lift something but couldn't do so because we were dead. There was another scene that I was able to do something else that I can't do if I am alive - really can't remember what was it that I was doing.
In a separate dream, I was in a hostel overseas somewhere and it was the first day of school. The system really sucks and I was debating to carry on or call it quits and go home.
I think the dreams serves a purpose.
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andi at 07:00
Weekend Woes
Not my average Sunday.Spent the morning doing up this blog site and watching telly at the same time. Napped awhile on the sofa after lunch and woke up slightly late to catch the 1:30 pm show on Ch U. When to Tea Chapter to meet Jave to have a session of Chinese tea. It was supposed to be an outing with forum people but we knew that no one will be coming! The Teahouse was full but I still got a table as I am on rather personal terms with the staff there.
Ah Le, Rabbit and Kor came down for awhile but we left them to have dinner by themselves after leaving the tea house while Jave and I adjourned to Nines Cafe and had a long talk about what happened to me in the last three years and seek his opinion about how should I go on from here.
Went to Popular to pick up a book Jave wanted and concluded a rather serious - for me at least - Sunday.
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andi at 23:55
Not My Day
Yesterday was a frustrating day.The briefing by the organizers for next week's exhibition is supposed to be at 3 pm but Arvina arranged for all those involved to be at The Expo at 1 pm. So you can imagine the people were frustrated like those waiting forever for the next MRT train to come and were all silently swearing but too polite to say so.
The briefing finally ended at 4 pm and I rushed down with William to City Hall wanting to meet Tim, but he called up to say he can't make it at 4:15 pm while we were in the train. So we went to Marina Square to have dinner at the foodcourt and I had imitation Japanese food that taste horrible. Spent some time in the arcade and I won 18 credits playing the mahjong game and so we spent close to 2 hours there to finish up the credits, which means I won more credits on and off through the game.
Adjourned to Shogun and watched Matrix Reloaded which they were playing there. Had wanted to go home early but decided to stay on when I met a guy Jack which I wanted to engage myself with but he ended up with someone else cause I was too shy to carry on talking to him after exchanging names. Did some free performance which nobody was interested in watching nor joining in but ended up with me laughing for no reason. Stayed there till about 1 am and it was getting crowded as I was leaving but I was too tired to stay on.
Had a good chat with Ken at Shogun whom I known almost 10 years back but only met a few times and the conversation set me thinking about what am I going to do with the rest of life - again.
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andi at 23:45
Black Out
No, not the Big Black Out last week at the West end of the island .But the period I blanked out three years of my life, just like moving files to the recycle bin on the computer. I just shut it out from my mind and don't recall a single thing of that period. Although I still maintain contact with one person from that stage, I don't remember how I got to know her, only knows that she is an important link to that black era.
I refused to pick up calls which I found very irritating from the people that I known then, and deleted the numbers of most. I even changed my mobile number time and again to avoid them.
Life goes on for me like a zombie you see in those Chinese ghost movies. I just eat, sleep, study and spent most of my free time on the net. There were many places that I avoided cause I know if I visit them, it will bring back memories.
It was scary and depressing knowing that you lived for a span of time without any re-collections of it. But I overcame my own emotions and just as I am getting adjusted to my new and boring lifestyle, the one person that I respected like The Oracle appeared with one question which threw me into a dilemma to make a decision, which will again affect the rest of my life.
The One Hundred Million Dollars Question.
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andi at 10:10
If I Were
I stole this from phoenyx who stole from someone who stole from someone... you get the picture. But I added some taglines after each question for your amusement.1. If I were a month, I'd be: Decemeber - Lots of party!
2. If I were a day of the week, I'd be: Friday - The begining of the weekend!
3. If I were a time of day, I'd be: 11 pm - Bedtime!
4. If I were a planet, I'd be: Earth - I love Mother Nature!
5. If I were a sea animal, I'd be: Whale - Big and strong
6. If I were a direction, I'd be: North - At The Top of The World
7. If I were a piece of furniture, I'd be: Dining Table - Good Food!
8. If I were a sin, I'd be: Theft - Then I can syeal your heart
9. If I were a historical figure, I'd be: Qin Shi Huang - Someone I admire
10. If I were a liquid, I'd be: H2O - Can't live without it
11. If I were a tree, I'd be: Chengal - its one of the strongest wood
12. If I were a bird, I'd be: Eagle - To soar in the sky
13. If I were a flower, I'd be: Lotus - The symbol for Purity
14. If I were a kind of weather, I'd be: Sunny - To bring cheer to everyone!
15. If I were a mythical creature, I'd be: Dragon - I want Power!
16. If I were a musical instrument, I'd be: Harp - Produces soothing music
17. If I were an animal, I'd be: Dog I am a loyal guy but don't make me bite!
18. If I were a color, I'd be: Blue - My favorite colour
19. If I were an emotion, I'd be: Excitment - I love to live on the edge
20. If I were a vegetable, I'd be: Cabbage - Stout
21. If I were a sound, I'd be: Om - Its a mystical sound
22. If I were an element, I'd be: Silver - I don't really like gold
23. If I were a car, I'd be: Volkwagon - Don't ask me why
24. If I were a song, I'd be: Tears In Heaven - I cry whenever I sing this song
25. If I were a movie, I'd be: The Wedding Banquet - Obviously
26. If I were a food, I'd be: Tow Huay - Its smooth!
27. If I were a place, I'd be: Taiwan - Taiwan guys are cute!
28. If I were a material, I'd be: Silk - Its soft!
29. If I were a taste, I'd be: Bitter Sweet - Best of both worlds
30. If I were a scent, I'd be: Sandal Wood - I love it!
31. If I were a religion, I'd be: Buddhism - I am a Buddhist
32. If I were a word, I'd be: Fuck - ha ha
33. If I were an object, I'd be: Computer - the wonders of technology
34. If I were a body part, I'd be: Hair - Top of the body
35. If I were a facial expression, I'd be: Smile - It brings happiness
36. If I were a part of a house, I'd be: Study Room - I am an Intellect
37. If I were a subject in school, I'd be: Mathematics - love to play with numbers
38. If I were a cartoon character, I'd be: Robin - so far the only twink I like
39. If I were a shape, I'd be a: Square - I am the neat and tidy kind
40. If I were a number, I'd be: 69 - my fav sex position
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andi at 16:02
Airport
Went to The Airport today.Nope, not to pass time but to drop in in Kelly Services' Office to register for an assignment to work in The Aiport. But not very hopeful that I will be in the assignment as there might be some security clearance problem given my travk record.
There was also a breifing for those working in next week's exhibition assignment. But I think it was a waste of time as I already know what is going to be said as I have done so many exhibition assignments before. Nevetheless, it still good to meet up with See Yang and update him on my present circumstances.
Wandered around the Airport awhile before comong home to change the look - again! - of this blog.
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andi at 22:50
Coffee at Nines
Meet Cauli this evening.We had Japanese food at Chinatoen Point Food Court and coffee at NInes Cafe afte dinner. She provided me with all the happenings and news about the place and also what is in the grapevine there.
I have serious doubts about returning after hearing her.
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andi at 23:55
Jobless Again
I woke up at 5 plus this morning although there is no need to wake up so early.My body clock has tuned itself to to wake up at 5 plus as I need to be at Expo by 8 o'clock for the past week but as today is the last day for this assignment, we were only required to report at 10 o'closk. Surf the net awhlie before setting off at 9 o'clock and reached Expo in 45 mins. we were dismissed at 1 plus as there was nothing much left for us to.
So now I am now officially unemployed again.
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andi at 15:22
I am Lost
Lost and tired.I have given up all that I have - which was nothing except my scooter - three years ago.
In the past three years - which was the most enjoyable time of my life - I had everything. Pride, Fame, Achievements, Doing what I really enjoy. But I choose to give it all up again last year ending up with nothing - not even my scooter; like the song goes:"Not a shirt on my back, not a penny to my name..."
Now the choice is presented to me again to give up all of my nothing to have everything but I will lose my freedom.
I am lost.
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andi at 20:34
No Price Tag
I dreamt that I was sitting in the MRT train between two people and they were talking to each other.A:"Can I have the SKU and price point for E V polo shirt? The article no is EV202-450."
B:"29810058, $12.00."
It goes on for a few cycles, then one of them ask me to run to the other end of the train to find out the price for a bra, which woke me up.
Nope, I am not bonkers or nuts. Its just that this was one of the most common message that we heard the Supervisors asking The Department Heads during the last 5 days at The John Little Warehouse Sale. Whenever we come across an item without price tag, we have to wave, jump, throw the item into the air or run towards the other end of the hall to grab the to attention of the cashiers' controller.
They will then use the walkie talkie to check the price for us while irritated customers stares at you with that - why it takes so long and I should not have got the stupid bra, panty, shirt without price tag but as its the only decent piece among the mess of clearance goods and the sign board says its only $5.00 so I die die must buy it - look.
I would not want to be a cashier or sales personnel for the rest of my life but it was a good experience doing it for the past few days, it opened my eyes on how departmental stores control their stocks and especially how they control their cash tills. I admire the trust they have in the temp staff, many are students waiting to start their Poly or ITE courses. Most of the younger temps, who were fooling around most of the time, doesn't seems to understand that handling cash is a sensitive issue and the company do have plain clothes security staff watching over the temp cashiers.
All in all, I would say that it was a good experience for me to try out operating the cash register, understanding how credit cards and NETS work on the retailer's side and to provide some form of customer service as I am those type that prefers to be served and waited on. I also realized that why some people are overcharged during these type of sales as some of the temp staff merely scan items without checking if the items are those that are 2 for $10.00 etc.
I came across customers who insist on going through the receipt after everything is packed into the plastic bags; customers who pass you item by item to be scan in; customers who ask you the price of each item even though the price tag is there and many more.
And I learnt how to entertain impatient customers while waiting for the price of their bras by doing para para, tap dance, line dance - and almost a strip show.
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andi at 20:09
Lost Children and Handphones
"Ding Tong Ding Tong""Would the parent of this lost spoilt brat in blue superman tee-shirt and dark blue pants come to the stage area to claim your wailing son who refuses to shut up?"
"Ding Tong Ding Tong"
"Ding Tong Ding Tong"
"Would the parent of this lost pretty girl aged about 5 in pink poker dot dress that looks like barbie doll who is tearing down the displays kindly rush to the stage area before there is no stage left as your daughter is busy dismantling the stage with other lost children!"
"Ding Tong Ding Tong"
"Ding Tong Ding Tong"
" A multi colored mobile phone Nokkia 3310 is found in the cash counter, would the owner claim it from the stage area before the battery goes flat as its ringing non-stop since we found it."
"Ding Tong Ding Tong"
"Ding Tong Ding Tong"
"A mobile phone Nokkia 8210 is lost. The owner dumped it among the clothes at the 1 hour special buy corner when she realizes that the dress she wants to buy is going dirt cheap."
"Ding Tong Ding Tong"
You get the picture? Most of the announcements are about lost mobile phones and lost children. Most of the time, handphones are just conveniently left in the bins containing the clothes or on the cash counters while the owner shops. Its just plain carelessness.
Children, I am not sure. Maybe due to the fact that they have legs, they tend to lose themselves. So we could have an area in the Children's Department for them to play games while the parents shop to their heart content and collect them when they are done and hopefully the children will pester the parents to buy some clothes or toys to add on to the sales figure.
Or we should just provide some form of value added customer service by giving out strings to tie the children to their parents.
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andi at 20:31
I am an Order Freak
Yes, I am an order freak.If you step into my room, you will suddenly feel as if you have transcend from the chaotic mess of my family dwellings to some place that reminds you of an army barracks. I have minimal furnishing and everything is neat and in place.
Books on the shelves are classified according to mainly English and Chinese which are sub divided into local and foreign authors, classics and non-fiction. I have a shelve dedicated to books on Buddhism and one for all my Chinese Tea books - its my life - as well!
Clothes in the cupboard are grouped according to t-shirts, short selves, long sleeves, etc... and all must face towards the same direction. Properly the seven years in the army has drilled this orderliness into me!
A friend once commented that she noticed I like to mark out my territory when I settle down somewhere, be it at the workplace or even for a quick meal at makan places. I guess this is influence by my Chinese Horoscope - no prize for guessing which one!
So don't be surprised if I start urinating by your sofa when I visit your house, I am just marking my territory.
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andi at 06:23
John Little Warehouse Sale
I am temp-ing at The John Little Warehouse Sale.So after knocking off yesterday, I went shopping and got a Hush Puppy Polo-T for $5.00 - although the size is smaller than what I am used to wearing and its the last piece from the clearance stock - but its a real bargain!
I got Simple Facial Gel at 2 for $13.00 as well - which is much cheaper then the normal price, and 2 bottles of Juz shower foam at 2 for $10.00 - the last 2 bottles actually lasted since the last John Little Warehouse Sale.
That goes half of yesterday's pay as well.
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andi at 05:23
The Game of Elimination
Are You Game on Mediocorps 5 and My DreamD8 contest by SingTel set me thinking about elimination in life.For contestants to survive in both games, they must try their best not to be eliminated. In life, we too struggle not to be eliminated. From P3, most would have been eliminated from The Gifted Programme. Sometimes I wonder how do you gaudge if a person is really gifted at the tender age of 10? What about late bloomers?
The next year in P4, you struggle hard not to be eliminated from the EM1 list of the brighter lot, or fight for dear life to at least stay in EM2. Once you are branded in EM3, it's thank you but please don't try too hard as you are going to be the outcast later on in life.
Come PSLE, its another round of elimination to qualify the cream of the crops for Special, some to Express and the lowest caste to, ironically, Normal. And if you shuay shuay land yourself in Normal Technical, then It's The End for you after Sec 4 as you will land yourself in a vocational institute to become the blue collared workers to fuel the state's production lines.
Those in Express, please don't be complacent as you still risk being eliminated should you slip below the margin to join those who cannot make it. Then its another round of fighting to stay in the elite come the Sec 2 Streaming Exams.
Those with grades that qualify for the Science Stream, good luck to you as you will most properly be on your way to the success. The next lot that qualifies for Commerce, you still stand a good chance to become a banker or at least an accountant later on in life. For those in the Arts Stream, dream on if you think you can become somebody. Most to most, you will just have to heed MOE's advice: For those who can, Teach.
For me, I was eliminated at A levels and could ony dream of going to the U.
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andi at 20:16
The Loner in Me
I am basically a Loner, not that I am lonely or without friends but I seems to prefer doing things alone.My closer friends has came to accept the fact that I seldom confirm my attendance for any gatherings or functions, much less expect me to help out in any preparations. But if I give my word that I will be going, then I will gladly fetch people, buy things and run errands - especially buying birthday cakes - if I can use my dad's car. If I can't use the car, forget it.
I tend to be rather extreme in a social group, either ultra quiet or very high morale and jumping about. But anyway, neither will my presence add any much colour to a gathering nor would it be any less fun should I not attend. I tend to avoid occasions with big groups as I prefer quality time spent with a small clique of friends.
Never expect me to attend wedding dinners unless its someone real close as I simply hate sitting with nine strangers waiting forever for the next dish with bored servers looking at watches wishing that the dinner would not go on forever while the newly weds are being ridiculed on stage. If you value my friendship, invite me to the ROM ceremony where I can congratulate you whole heartedly or just have a simple meal together with your better half where you can really introduce me to your life partner.
My mood swings very fast and I can be laughing and jovious one minute but silent and redrawn the next. Don't worry if that happens, it just means that I am pondering or sorting out some issues in my mind. The only time to panic should this happens is when I am behind the wheels as I will tend to lose the sense of directions and start missing turns and unsure of which route to take. Most of my friends who ever took the car I am driving would have experience it.
Its this trait in my character that makes me quite hesitant to accept people into my little world yet on the other hand, I am always thinking that my social circle is not wide enough. But I have also long learnt that I do not have to change myself to accommodate anyone nor would I expect anyone to do the same.
The silence of solitude is blissful but no man is an island.
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andi at 18:27
The Million Dollar Question
No its not Who Wants To Be A Millionaire on tellyBut 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th Aunty plus a couple more relatives cornering me at weddings and goes in a melodramatic voice: "Boy ah! When is your turn ah? Aunty waiting very long to drink your tea leah!"
So through out the years, I have formulated 10 great responses to the question, which don't really work as they tend to do it again the very next wedding:
1. I am gay and go on about true love between Leslie Chung and Mr Tang.
2. Want to concentrate on studies/career/volunteer work.
3. Waiting for the right one to appear and give a citeria that even ms universe can't fit.
4. Waiting for you to introduce but backfired as the some did really introduce.
5. Can't afford to get married - and bring the conversation to bad economical climate.
6. Got attend SDS activities but most of the people turn out to be gays & lesbians.
7. Don't want to give up the sky for a single star.
8. My true love married my best friend and too heartbroken to start new relationship.
9. Have to divorce after getting married and tells her how many divorced couples I know.
If all else fails, I still have an ace which I have never used nor will have the courage to do so ~
10. Ask them at the next funeral: when is your turn.
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andi at 21:43
Temple Outing
The outing seems surreal, four twenty something year old guys meeting for the first time to go temple visiting on a Sunday morning. I have met Jave a couple of times but it was the first time meeting Phoenyx and Bernard.After a hearty breakfast, we went to Telok Blangah to visit the first two temples. Both temples have the same name of Wan Shou San Guan Yin Tang, dedicated to The Goddess of Mercy. One is at he foot of the hill nearer to the main road and the other on top of the hill. I observed that if there are more than one temple on a hill, the one higher up would attract more devotees. Is it due to the human mentatly that the higher the temple is built, the nearer to Heaven it is? The architecture of both are similar colonial style built around WWII, spent some time admiring the images and building structure.
The next temple we went to is Yu Huang Dian dedicated to The Jade Emperor, The Temple is old but they have renovated sometimes back so the architecture is not as appealing. Stayed a short while as both Jave and Phoenyx felt a bit strange.
Then its to the Temple that we originally wanted to visit for this outing, also known as Yu Huang Dian as its one of the few temples - or it might be the only one - that prays to Nu Wa, who in very ancient times made coloured stones to patch up the sky when it has hole. She is sussposed to be the Mother of All Humans, so we as her children, please stop destroying the Earth. From the layout of the temple, could tell that its has certain Buddhist influence although its a Taoist temple. The Temple also has a shirne dedicated to Dou Mu Yuan Jun and Jiu Huang Xing Jun, the personification of the nine planets in the solar system, at the rear hall.
The last temple on the itinary is Xian Gu Dian at Old Tampines Road dedicated to He Xian GU, but we didn't really go into the temple, only went as far as the front door as the medium was in very dramatic trance on the floor singing something that sounds like Hokkien Opera. We weren't sure how would she or her devotees react if we go in so we just stayed outside for a while.
The outing ended with us having lunch at Tampines S11 foodcourt.
[Will fill in more details if I have time]
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andi at 23:39
New Looks!
My blog has evolved!Spent the whole morning and half the afternoon doing it up, so now I have a Tag Board, Comments and Counter. Do leave a comment or tag line if you read my blog.
Went Toa Payoh Central to buy hand phone casing for my two phones, got a blue bengish one for the 3310 and a full black one which looks very sleek for the 8210. Wanted to get a birthday card for my sis but can't seems to find any shops selling them, so I took the train down to the Gift Shop at Novena Station to get them. I also got a tiny bear for her as she loves soft toys.
Then its to Sandy's house for dinner with Angeline and Hong. Had a really filling dinner coz they cook something like 12 dishes for 6 people, so we spent almost 2 hours eating dinner and watching miss universe singapore on telly, which I wasn't really interested.
Bought a cake home to celebrate sis birthday and will be turning in early as will be going on a temple outing tomorrow.
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andi at 23:24
A Combination of Tea and Ducks
Today's events were totally unplanned but nevertheless, I had a wonderful day.I was looking at the mess on top of my head when I finally decided that its time to do something about it. I had actually wanted to cut my hair yesterday but didn't do so cause of taking up the temp assignment.
So, I went to collect a vcd that I reserved from the library before trying out a new hair salon in the central. The stylist who is called Lionel did quite a good job but seems too cut it bit too short, but I think it will look alright next week.
Angeline called when I was on my way to swim at Safra, asking if I want to meet her and Hong for Chinese Tea in Chinatown. I was at the same time sms-ing Jarrod to arrange for a meeting tomorrow when I got one of my sudden brain waves and asked him to join us at Chinatown. I really want to tap his ex experience of running the camp company. Turned out that he is very good company that can chat about almost everything under the stand.
We had a great time at the Tea Chapter talking cock and as usual when guys got together, the topic will ultimately shift to army talk, which must have bored the girls to death!
We went to Lau Pa Sa to have satay for dinner and guess what? We had Duck Satay! This is the first time I have heard of it, but it tasted alright. By the way, we had the usual chicken, beef and mutton satay as well.
Ended up in Merlion Park after dinner for awhile and carry on talking about everything and anything. Really enjoyed the day with old friends and new.
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andi at 23:40
The Best Self Control Of A Man Is The Ability To Control His Orgasmmaystar designs