Ups and Downs

Touted to be the most exciting shopping trip ever, everyone was looking forward to this trip including myself, though I was there only 5 months ago. But when it comes to splashing your money on clothes, shoes and bags it will never ever suffice.

There were lots of highs and lows about this trip: Before, During & After! Supposedly to be 6 of us embarking on this trip but HL, Jef and Stel had to drop out due to work commitments. Jenn also almost didn't make it for this trip after cancelling it twice cos of SPF's travel restriction for staff in view of the H1N1 pandemic. Fortunately the restriction were lifted just days before 24th of July. Coincidentally Eliza and Lays booked on the same period as us on different flights.

All hell broke loose when you have 4 women coming together to wipe out the mall as much as possible. On average we spent around 6 hours per day, combing Platinum and Chatuchak. Our shopping mission was interrupted for a moment on the 3rd day in Platinum when Lays became an unfortunate pickpocket victim. Her shopping bag were cut at both sides unknowingly resulting in the loss of her wallet and handphone. It was kinda freaky cos it happened along a very short distance from the last time Lays still had her valuables with her. The thugs would have to get very close to her to make the cutting on her bag. My heart really goes out to her. . . I know how it felt like to lose your valuables. . . The unlucky incident didn't manage to dampen our spirit though. The ladies went on to add a few more shoes and dresses to their wardrobe.

We parted with Lays and Eliza at Khao San after our foot massage on the last night, and hoping to see them back in Singapore soon. But little did we know that our return flights were delayed the next day upon reaching the airport. Flights departure were pushed to 2 hrs later, so we convened again at Starbucks while waiting for departure. Weary and broke. . . I still had to drag myself to work the next morning and suffered the most severe post-holiday blues. . .

Counting down . . .

Have already cruised through my 2nd IPPT and have yet to be called up for ICT, shrugs. . . Just like last year, I took the IPPT so as to receive the monetary incentive in time for the upcoming Bangkok spree. Thanks to Huiliang's pace, we clinched the Gold again though he had to be contented with the same 24pts result as last year.



I watched "Obsessed" with Jenn and Lynn after that. With Beyonce starring in it, I wouldn't miss it for the world. I am not being biased, but the movie is really good. The nail biting scenes were so heart thumping and nerve wrecking that I felt as if it was a horror movie. Ali Larter was so convincing in her role as a slut that will surely have viewers flooding her inbox with hate mails after the show.


It was supposed to be a WRTS outing for a 1 year commemoration cum disbanding session. But since we couldn't have a full attendance, we shall just let it diminish into obscurity. We shall continue as a trio through the Bangkok trip (4 more days girls!!) til maybe Jenn get leashed around the "Collar." Back to MP3 days soon. . .

Going Bananas!

I really lived up to the "Banana Man" title around the office. Was so surprised at the overwhelming celebrations by my colleagues. At 0830, while I was still half awake at my desk and touching up my hair, my dearest colleagues from Inflight, Jasmine & Azura suddenly burst open the door, sang a birthday song at the top of their lungs and quickly ran back to their office. It sure woke me up, and some others who were around.

After lunch, they bought me this frozen banana coated with chocolate and nuts from Swensen's. I never knew such snack existed. Along with that, they burst through the door again, this time with the crowd from Inflight with a Swensen's ice cream and another song. Soon after trying to get back to work, Ground Services came in with another cake. . . chocolate banana from Secret Recipe, and another song. Today's quota have way exceeded with the second slice that I had to finish.

Just before knocking off, 3 of my fellow Social Committee members came through the door again with something on their hand. I would have either fainted or hide under the table if it was another cake. Phew, they gave me this cute T shirt from Nike with a banana slogan on it.

I am quite moved by all the sweet gestures, not only from my colleagues, also from my friends and team mates. In all, I had 4 Birthdays cakes over the past few days. With all that binging, I was worried that my IPPT Gold would be jeorpadised this Sat so I went for a 2.4km trial after work. Fortunately I am still on track for the $400. . .

Is it 10th, 12th or 14th?

It was my turn for the remnants of 3B13 to celebrate the yearly birthday celebrations. As I grow older, I do not really have much enthusiasm to commemorate the day I was born 24 years ago. However for the sake of formality and with some 'catching up' to do, we will usually have dinner together.

Since the actual day falls on a Tuesday, the dinner was brought forward 4 days earlier. My sincere thanks to them for bothering to make some time to attend the dinner. Also, for the lovely Adidas bag and watch gifts, though I had to wait for Lingzi who was late for the occasion to personally hand the gifts to me.

I had the honour of receiving early birthday wishes from 2 over-eagerly friends who thought that my Birthday was over, and wished me belated greetings. Fangs send me an SMS on the 11th, apologising for totally forgotten about it but claiming confidently that she knew it was my Birthday on the 10th. I didn't know how to react to that and just replied thanks with a hint of hesitation. The other one was Eliza, who asked if she was too late in wishing me this morning. Anyway, I appreciate their gesture, for (almost) remembering that I'm gonna be 24.

The honours doesn't stop there. Yesterday, Kiyah Splashhies celebrated my birthday together with 2 other July babies, Guolong & Edward, during the BBQ session at Pasir Ris Park. It was not the best time to have a BBQ as it was pouring heavily. The rain came and went 3 times throughout the night. The weather didn't dampen the mood though as all of us just stood by the pit sheltering the food with umbrellas. We stick through the rain and braved the cold weather together. One team, One beat, One stroke indeed. . .

The E.N.D.

One of the must-have album this year, Black Eyed Peas are back with their best album yet, The E.N.D (Energy Never Dies). I only managed to get hold of the album 2 weeks after its release. Kept going back to Gramophone Parkway Parade after my gym sessions only to find out that the Deluxe Edition was sold out.

To date, The E.N.D has produced two No. 1's Billboard singles, with "Boom Boom Pow" topping the chart for 12 weeks and succeeded by the current reigning No. 1, "I Gotta Feeling". The album itself debuts at No. 1 on its release. That already speaks a lot about the album. BEP is well known for churning out hot party songs, frequently being spinned at clubs. With catchy hooks and beats, their tunes are favourites among partygoers.

Just like its previous 2 albums since the inclusion of Fergie in its lineup, The E.N.D has the same formula used. Majority of the tracks are fast tracks with catchy beats. Besides "Boom Boom Pow", others include "Imma Be", "Showdown" and "Electric City". Every BEP albums will have at least a socially-conscious track talking about politics and discrimination. For this album the track is called "One Tribe". However this track doesn't seem to have the impact like its previous Elephunk's "Where Is The Love" had. A Fergie solo "Out Of My Head" and the usual Apl De Ap's tribute song to his Filipino Roots "Mare" is also worth listening to.

The Deluxe edition comes a with second disc with tracks from BEP's previous album reinvented and remixed. The title also has been given a fresh name. The familiar tunes includes "Lets Get Re-Started", "Shut The Phunk Up" and "Pump It Harder". Rumours has it that there were tension among BEP members, especially between Fergie and Will.i.am. It seems that Fergie wants things to be done her way. With her successful solo effort a few years ago, fame has apparently got the better of The Dutchess. No doubt that Fergie is the reason BEP became commercially successful since her recruitment for Elephunk. The album title itself has a double meaning. Will we see the E.N.D of BEP? Time will only tell whether the quartet will keep the energy going on. .