Last Days of 2007

Had a good time enjoying myself since I left my attachment organization. We had an unintended gathering at Marche,Vivocity some time before Christmas.

Our small group of 5 had originally intended to catch a movie - The Golden Compass, but however our little group swelled into 12 when we met up with another group in the vicinity. We had such a great time in Marche, and it had been a while since I'd been in any gatherings.

Christmas is just over, and I received an Adidas cap from a friend. I've always wanted a cap, and now I have a near-complete set of Adidas accessories. My next target - An Adidas shoe.

After being unemployed for almost two weeks and near to exhausting whatever financial reserves I possess, I have managed to land myself a job back in Tanjong Pagar area. I really have to thank my friend for introducing this job to me and thank God that I have managed to secure the offer.

While signing the offer of employment, another company I'd interviewed in the past week called. They meant to summon me for another round of interview, but upon telling them I'd secured a job offer, they offered me the post immediately through the phone. I politely decline them after prompt considerations.

The offer was more than expected. I feel lucky to be have this group of friends, for they are like god-sent angels, encouraging me, helping to tide through financial difficulties. A number of them introduced jobs to me, and for this I'm thankful.

I still remember the other day, a friend called me in the morning on the way to an interview and gave me all kinds of possible interview tips, placating my overwhelming sense of anxiety.

One bonus - our lunch kakis is expanding, since another friend will soon be working in the same area as well. Anyway I'll have to work hard from now on. May God bless all those who has the will to succeed...

Christmas in a few days' time

It's that time of the year again. Christmas will be here in a few days' time and the festive mood now hangs in the air. In a short while more, year 2007 will silently fade away, to be forever tucked in a minute corner of our minds, as did all the years that had passed before, while we busy ourselves in ushering the new year.

I haven't been able to blog frequently as my internet connection was down for the past 2 weeks. Now in the midst of job hunting and participating in the upcoming festive season, I had kept myself busy.

The last few days of my attachment coincided with a Christmas bash by my attachment company. Had plenty of good food in and out, and somehow I happened to patronize Sakae Sushi at Icon Building for 3 consecutive days. Each visit was with different ladies, and I believed the cashier had recognized me. Took some online test and got labeled as THE FLIRT, gosh!!!

Very budgeted meal at Sakae Sushi with a colleague:

Right outside Sakae Sushi

With pretty ghost, I guessed she must have been waiting for this picture for some time:

Speaking of Christmas, there were some gift exchanges. For some reason, I had been cracking my head over what gift to purchase, and in the end, I got this:

I wonder what would the recipient's reaction be.

The other day, I was at Orchard with some friends. One of them casually commented that I'm in a way diplomatic, much to my astonishment. On some reflection thereafter, I probably agreed.

Unknowingly, I've changed into being diplomatic. I still remember the trivial tiff in my friend's car then, and I, surprisingly, stood on the fence, leaving the "victim" fuming for a while, and the rest cheering. Conventionally I would point out the outright wrong, but I chose not to then. Maybe I have become more cautious and timid.

Another friend remarked I would always have something nice and soothing to say about something or somebody. Sometimes I feel like a little hypocrite. Barely a few months ago, I couldn't believe I would speak and act in such manner, but lately it had always been the case. Hmm, have I really changed?

December Farewell

People come, people go. At different points of our lives, we cross paths with many different people. Some, stayed on the same path with us till the end. Some we may never see again after a short while. For most of the short few decades of our lives, we are either solitary walkers or in constant collision with people from different paths or a combination of both .

The merciless wheel of time has put an end to my attachment period. I believed each of us has emerged with a blatant taste of working life and some fond memories. I count my blessings to have such a memorable attachment period.

Just the other day, the same colleague decided to give us another sumptuous farewell lunch treat before proceeding with his overseas assignment.

Sirloin Steak with red wine

Grilled salmon steak and grilled fish meal

Grilled chicken meal

The past week has been merciful on me. My money was on the verge of running dry, and the respective organization I worked in happened to have so many food leftover from some meetings that all of us do not have to go for lunch. I hardly have to spend.

Nevertheless, the attachment stint will be worth reminiscing. I'm grateful for all the help rendered, especially from our little "General Help Desk" corner. Probably we will meet again some day. All the best!! I'll miss the egg tarts...

Had a great weekend

A week after my birthday, I finally met up with my polytechnic close friends for a mini gathering and also to celebrate my birthday. We have not seen each other for a long long time.

I appreciate that one of my polytechnic friends decided to unexpectedly give me a birthday lunch treat in town despite having to rush to work later in the day, and that his workplace is nowhere near town.

Irish Lamb Stew... Yum yum...

Met my poly buddies in the evening and we finally got to eat at Sushi Tei in Vivocity. We had always wanted to eat there but somehow never made it.

Tentatively we are planning an overseas trip next year. Anyway we had such a good time that we ended up missing the last trains and buses. Luckily, there's the 1N and 8N service.

Gosh I really miss my polytechnic days. We'd played truant and many kinds of mischiefs. Soon I'll be missing my IA days.

Returned to NTU for lunch, and immediately I felt a little suffocated. A group of us briefly celebrated a friend's birthday at canteen 2. Later I went for some mahjong session. Haven't play for ages.

Really thankful for such an eventful weekend. Glad that I have managed to spend my birthday with all my closer friends, be it new or old friends.

It's been a long week...

I am glad that the long lethargic week is almost over, and I can now recoup my very much deprived sleep. I have been anticipating this weekend, and the weekend fun has just begun.

To be honest, I miss my days in the polytechnic. For old times' sake we will be having a mini-gathering, and everyone sounded rather enthusiastic.

My days as an intern are now numbered, and I need to find a job SOON enough. Hopefully I'll find a job that can provide me opportunity to grow and learn many things.

Met a friend at Tanjong Pagar for lunch the other day, and I unexpectedly got myself a birthday present - another ADIDAS jersey, and a lunch treat at one of the nearby restaurants.

Starters (left), Ox Stew (Right)


Pork chop. My friend simply adores pork chop!

My birthday present - ADIDAS shirt (climacool material)


Acting displeased for "sneak photo"

To date, I have received 2 nice ADIDAS jersey shirts and an ESPRIT wallet from another group of friends. I can now save on jersey shirts. I had been wondering if I would get any wallet and I got it, with a nice compartment for coins. I had been looking for a wallet like this. What was astonishing is that in addition I received a CASIO watch from another friend - a nice blend of digital and analog display.

My birthday gifts...


Both are November sagi..

Mini group photos...

I liked all the presents very much. Thank you. Also thanks to those who had sent in their greetings. This year has been rather fulfilling. Though I couldn't celebrate with my parents, I managed to celebrate with closer groups of friends. Finally celebrations are over!

It seemed that around this time of the year many of my friends got recalled for reservist. Almost every other guy that I know had received a recall letter or is now doing his reservist. Hmm, there'll be many interesting stories to listen to.

Happy Birthday to myself!

Birthdays are stark reminders of one's age increment. Yesterday I turned one year older and was well on my way into the mid-twenties. I celebrated the day with my dear colleagues at a restaurant named TAO's, and there were a few patrons whose birthday happens to fall on the same day as me.

The dinner meal is a 7-course meal set. It starts off with an appetizer inclusive of a mango/sour plum sorbet, followed by a salad set. A small plate of tasty grilled mushroom is served afterwards.

Soup ensued, and we soon have the main course. Beverages are a small pot of special tea, and lastly the meal concluded with some desserts. Let's go for some pictures.

Menu and restaurant atmosphere

Mango sobets...

For the starters and salad:

Bacon gratin with breads... Yummy...

Huai san (left) and farm boy splendor (right)

Curry yogurt prawn salad

The humble grilled mushroom served:

The soups we had:

Fish soup (left) and shark-fin melon herbal soup (right)

Cream of mushroom

And now the main course:

Stew beef with rice, Japanese style (left) and slow cooked pork back ribs (right)

Baked Atlantic flounder with cheese

Our complimentary beverages:

Ice grape mellow tea (left) and Lavender tea (right)

Orange juice (left) and ice rose apple tea (right)

Ice summer peach tea

Not forgetting the desserts:

Yam ice cream (left) and sesame pudding (right)

Home-made chocolate mousse

Service was rather good and prompt, and servings were just right. Utensils I feel were rather exquisite, and ZY fell head over heels over the utensils that she wanted to possess a set of them.

At the end of it, the staffs came over and sang me a birthday song. There was a complimentary birthday gift from the restaurant. My colleagues presented me my birthday present, and I liked it very much. THANKS A LOT.

My colleagues and I

Me and my birthday cake for the dinner

Birthday present from my colleagues

No comments...

Stripes and more stripes... Lolx

Group photo..

Got a teapot from tao's

Like the ambiance and food in Tao's. The food proportion is just right. Affordable, friendly staffs and rather prompt service. Definitely can recommend this place for any upcoming birthdays of my friends, or just for chilling out.

I like the handmade birthday card very much as well. The concept is rather creative and neatly presented, and not forgetting the amount of dedication required to design this card.

We went for a pool session at Paradiz. Coincidentally I have been around here for almost every other week of this month, haha... We then hit the arcades for some games. Haven't been in the arcades for quite some time.

All in all I enjoyed myself very much. We must find another day to go for Daytona again, lolx... Can't believe I lose to Joyce!!! As some of my friends as well as poly friends are busy this week, I looked forward to spending a belated birthday with them next week.