Gracy Bee

The end of the year~

Posted on December 30th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Memory Lane.

Wow…….in just a day time, we would bid farewell to 2007, and welcome a brand new 2008!!

Couldn’t help but reflecting on what I have done/ experienced in the past.

So what I have done? Have complied selected pix………

2005

The summer in Birmingham. Then colleagues Tang and Leon are our best friends at work. Having farewell dinner the night before and take pix at the iconic building - Selfridges in Birmingham.

Revisited Lancaster, where I had spent 2 years for undergrad. This is Ashton Memorial - the equivalent of Taj Hahal in India. Lord Ashton built this in memory for his beloved 2nd wife. AAww….that is so sweet!!

Farewell dinner for me. Going home for the summer. With Mendez, Tim, Kossina and John

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter in Birmingham. Rarely there is snow, but in recent years, snow has become a common sight. Taken this on my way home. On campus

Xmas party gathering

The yearly German Xmas fest in Birmingham City Centre

2006
Allen is going home for good to China. Held a farewell meal for him. Here with the crew of China House.

Chinese New Year Eve celebrations. Previous years I’m always working. This year, I made the exception by taking leave from work to celebrate.

Our table

Can’t do without the lion dance. But pity the dancers who has to performed in the cold

Party time!!

Another gathering. Always find time for gathering. This time in Cheryl’s place

My birthday. A rainbow shining and managed to get this shot at the uni campus.

My brothers, Clement, Lanx and Felix celebrated with me. Thanks so much, guys.

Been to London on various trips for various reasons. This trip is to meet new malaysians cum photo taking since previous one not so well taken.

Hyde Park (yup, very warm day)

Victoria Bridge ( Pple mistaken this as the famed London Bridge)

Nope, this is not the bridge haha

The BIg Ben and Parliament House

At Greenwich. I think this is the ship that was being burnt down

tMaritime Museum

The Greenwich Meridian we have learnt in school.

This is the position!

Where we stand

 

 

 

London’s Chinatown. Not the nicest and largest one in UK

Our little friend, can see them everywhere in the UK, not just London

Summer time!! Finally the time for outdoor activities!! BBQ time! We have more gathering this year due to some of us, including myself leaving UK for good.

Good time to visit the famous theme park: Alton Towers. A must go if you are in the Midlands!

With Michelle, our then Branch Manager and Xiuchuan. She is the best I have worked for, and the other crew in our team.

There are more pix, but i guess that will do for now. I really miss all of you and the great time we had, my dear friends. Do take care!

Happy New Year!

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Changi Airport Terminal 3 Open House

Posted on December 25th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.

*This is a post dated entry*

Yeah, visited T3 Open house early this month, but only managed to write it now!

I have been there countless of time, but I still accompanied my family there to take a look at our new terminal everybody has been talking about.

I have to admit it is a beautiful airport with lotsa greenery and sunlight.

Departure Hall 

 Immigration

 Giant Fan

Up to today, I don’t understand the purpose of this fan. Anybody to enlighten?

Immigration 

 

We headed for lunch after touring the huge airport. Very tired leh…..

 

After lunch, we went to the viewing gallery where the kids are exciting to see aircrafts.

Hmm…what are they looking at? Look down~

SIA A380 aircraft! 

 Ah…..we made it just in time for the landing of the aircraft! Even seeing it a few times already, don’t know why it still excites me when I see it again!

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Merry Xmas!

Posted on December 25th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.

WOAH…..haven’t been updating my blog for such a long time! Yeah, been super busy lazy ever since I have started my new position in the company. Previously my job scope is to come to work, work and go home when time is up - AND THAT IS IT. Now, even when the time is up, is still work work and meetings outstanding!

What is good about my new position, is I don’t feel as bored as before, the working hours are more or less ’stable’ (with some questionable OT) and fixed days off. But what is not so good is there are even shittier moments that can be stressful. The workload can take up some of your personal life and I can’t move around freely.

So far, I think I’m still coping ok with few shitty experiences but I’m very grateful to my subordinates who have been supporting and giving me advices. Thank you so much my trainers!!!

There are times where I do still miss my previous job scope though that is what pple thought as low paying job. I do feel bored at times, but overall I enjoyed the experience whereby I get to see a lot of different people everyday; I’m not desk bound all day long and get to get around easily. The best of all: during shitty moments, is for that period and then the people involved will disappear and never get to see them again!

So I know there are pple who thought I’m having a good life there….but hey, sad to say, I’m no better than anybody else!!

^^^^^^

Yesterday Xmas Eve, my department arranged for a brunch session and it was quite a gathering from Terminal 1, 2 and 3. For the 1st time I joined such events in corporations. Have quite a good fun amongst stress and work! My section can be such a fun loving group of pple that brought life and fun to the ocassion!

Waiting for our presents!

That is our half day at work: celebrating!!

^^^^^^

My cousin decided to push forward the Xmas party to eve instead of actual Xmas day. Hence our house was threw into a furry of activities to prepare for the party. It was a yearly ritual ever since my 3rd cousin was baptised. Hence, me being in Spore only this year, this is my 1st year joining them.

The presents the children are so eagar to open!

The feast!

It was quite a spread and all the children are all so excited about the party!

Compared to my previous years, my xmas are always working due to peak seasons. Now, it is my 1st time celebrating Xmas with family.

MERRY XMAS TO ALL!

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Farewell, the 5 paddlers

Posted on November 30th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Memory Lane.

It was such a sad news -the 5 who perished in Cambodia after the Dragon Boat race.

They are so young, so promising and optimistic. And yet they have to go in such a manner. Life is so cruel.

May all of you rest in peace…….

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Bali - Day 4

Posted on November 30th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.

It was our ‘last day’ in Bali, and is considered our free time. We decided to hang around the Kuta area and the beach. We went shopping ( yes, more of it!) nearby and after that, we went to Kuta Beach.

^^^^^^ 

I was quite disappointed that the beach was dirty and full of dead shells and corals (perhaps) as the waves rushed to and fro the shore. No different from Msia’s Port Dickson. It was after that we decided to go to Dream Land further south of Bali. Heard the beach is cleaner and beautiful there.

^^^^^^ 

Finally after 1 1/2 drive, we were there. The car stopped on top of the cliff and need to climb down. Woah liao eh…….need to exercise before we reach Dream land.

The beach is definitely better than in Kuta. The sand are cleaner and water much cleaner too. BUT…..the waves are much much stronger here and geez…..no swimming We were at the shore waiting for the waves to hit us and wow…….we all nearly get dragged back!We all turned havoc and threw sand bomb at each other…..yeah…….it all started with J………eerks!

It was turning dusk and we all have to leave. After cleaning ourselves, we stayed and enjoyed the sunset before we headed off for dinner.

waiting to upload pix…

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Phew!

Posted on November 30th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

Phew, what a drastic change of events for the last 1 1/2 weeks!

Been so busy after assuming my new position in the company that I have no time to breath as yet! So much that my bali blog post was not completed.

Shall continue!

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Bali - Day 3

Posted on November 6th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.

I had planned to go to see the volcano in Bali. Yesterday our driver discouraged us and say ‘there is nothing to see there’. But somehow, we did plan to go up north. And so we went: oh a 3 hour drive - along kampung roads. Hmm…I keep wondering: how come no highway?

Everybody become restless and most sleeped on the journey, including myself. Such a looooooong and draggy journey…………….

^^^^^^

Finally, the car drove up the hill, with roads similar to the old Gentings road. And there it is… the Volcano!

the sneak preview: Batur Volcano

Having never seen a volcano in my life, this is a breathtaking view! It last erupted in 1964 and still remain active. I was praying hard that it don’t show eruption activity (actually I was hoping there is! )

Wow…this is not a mountain but a volcano!

This peak is Gunung Batur at 1717m, and this is one of the 4 peaks of the volcano. Ah? there are 4?? Oh my god, this peak is resting on one BIG crater rim of 11km. GASP!

The crater lake:Danau Batur

This lake is very important to the local Balinese and the temple nearby worship Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu: the goddess of the lake. It is known that the goddess control the irrigation of water for agriculture (Rough Guide). Still, it is a stunning view from afar.

Could this be the lava flow of the previous eruption?

I did plan to climb up the volcano, but that was shelfed. But the view from afar is satisfying for me already. We couldn’t resist taking a group picture. haha!

 

All of us

 

^^^^^^

 

We headed for lunch after staying for about 1 hr. We came by this restaurant.

 

 

Hmmm looks interesting!! And there are lotsa people in there! Look like it is a popular restaurant.

 

 

 

 The whole restaurant is about ducks. Really all about ducks. Even the entrance are lined up with stone craving ducks.

 

 

The toilet sign is not spared! But is cute!

 

 

 My mouth watering lunch

 

Hmmm…..this is my portion. Yummy! Yummy! The best meal I had in days. The cripsy duck is similar to the one I used to have in England, but this is fresher. Ooooh…now make my mouth waters as I typed it.

 

^^^^^^

 

We now head on to the temple of Gunung Dewi (I think- gotta check the name again).

 

At the entrance

 

 

Purifying

 

Entering the temples have a strict rule. The need to purify, wearing sarong etc. We decided not to go in but took some pictures before we set off.

 

 

 wow…one of the altars………look at the gold cravings!

 

 

 

 

Side entrance

 

 

 

 We went straight to Sukawati market place to buy souvenirs. I bought bag for my niece A, 2 t shirts for my nephews D and S; and necklaces. Though the prices are bargainable, X told me that the prices have increased through the years.

 

 

 

 

^^^^^^

 

After a long day, we went back to hotel first to take shower and then head to Japanese restaurant for dinner. We ordered a bottle of wine, with courtest of J’s bro in law B and we all got tipsy after that. So much that……….we decided to take crazy pictures.

One of them………..

Ohhh….how I fear you…..

 

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Bali - Day 2

Posted on October 21st, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.

As we can’t managed to get more rooms in the hotel due to the peak season, 6 people would be sleeping in 2 rooms. So J, me and his sister X were sharing 1 room. Oh….I’m holidaying with J’s family - sisters, bro in law and friend.

Amazingly, I can’t sleep despite being so tired.

The highlight of the hotel - not me

^^^^^^

J’s eldest sister XX has hired a driver and car to take us around Bali. Today we are going to East Bali to visit the Tanah Lot Temple and water sports in Jimbaran Bay.

Bali’s town and surroundings don’t differ a lot from Malaysia, so I felt pretty quite at home. What are different: the ultra narrow road that can handle heavy 2 way traffic; the kampung area that do not have wooden houses and the sparsely dispersed shops and quite nicely decorated for some I have to say.

On our way

^^^^^^

We reached the area of Tanah Lot in late morning. I’m quite surprised that there are 2 lanes of ‘Domestic’ and ‘International’, which needless to say the latter would have more expensive entry fee. Haha….as J’s family are Indonesian, I just tagged along and keep mum that I become a local for that 5 min!

The fee entrance

 

Shops

Tanah Lot Temple is situated on the small island by the sea. Gosh, that is a breath taking view! The sea breeze is cooling, the stones and cliffs……..aww….

The entrance to the temple

Tanah Lot Temple. Isn’t it amazing?

 

 

hehe…din expect to see this!

^^^^^^

After the photo taking session, we head off for lunch. Our driver introduced us to Kudeta.

 

A restaurant with a nice view facing the sea. The sea breeze greeted us and we don’t feel warm and sticky. Mostly served western food, but pity the food don’t quite fit with the ambience.

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We wanted to do snorkelling, but as it was all fully booked, we can only settled down for something else. Waiting for the photos to come!

While waiting for our driver, I came across this structure. Gotta wow at this

You can practically see this all over in Bali, no matter in houses or restaurants. It is evident that they incorporate their arts and religion in their daily lives.

After that, we went for Jimbaran Bay for seafood. They recommend this restaurant

The seatings are by the sea, admiring the sunset. It was quite an experience. However, we were quite disappointed with the service. J told me that the local restaurants look down on Indonesian themselves, and so they tend to serve the tourists 1st. Indeed, after a fruitless 1/2 hr wait, they decided to leave for another place.

So don’t come to this place!!

^^^^^^

We went to another restaurant further down the bay.

Here the service is much better and not so packed. B, J’s bro in law ordered the food and here are our feast!!

The seafood are yummy!!! Better than those served in Malaysia!!!

We heard the traditional Balinese music not far away. Oh my god, is the traditional dance celebrating someone’s wedding! Quickly went over to take pix

Dance
End of Day 2 - quite an exhausting day

 

 

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Bali

Posted on October 20th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Places.

Juz back from Bali!!

Yeah, it was a last min decision trip. J came to Singapore and ask me if I want to join them in Bali for holidays for 5 days. Well, why not? However, I’m worried about my leave as it was indeed last minute, but I still try anyway. No harm trying right?? AND HOLA!! They really approved my leave 2 days later for next week!! YIPEE!!! And they found a hotel to stay for 6 person! Yipee!! And all of us found air tickets to Bali! YIPEEE!!!

Date set: 15 Oct 07

^^^^^^

My flight was at 1630 and I was in the airport early, so I took a walk around. Didn’t know that there is a catus garden! Chey! How can I not know right??

Not in a desert

^^^^^^

I flew with Garuda Indonesia, and the journey time is 2 hr 20 min. Getting quite restless, so decided to have a wine this time.

Cheers

I were to meet J and the rest in Bali itself as they were leaving from Jakarta. I reached there at around 7pm. Alas…waste a day already..the said holiday was 5 days, but in fact is only 3 days as 2 days will be spent on travelling. But who cares?? I’m still on holiday!!! GOSH, till the time I have arrived in Bali, I still can’t believe I’m in Bali, and J also can’t believe that after 1 year, we were holidaying together in Indonesia!

After having dinner, we went for short walk around the area. As it was already at night, we can’t do much, so after a short walk we rejoined as a group and went to Hard Rock to listen to the band. Not bad, but the sound system is not really that good….eeks….

^^^^^^

At midnight, we decided to call it a day. Check in hotel: Hotel Kuta Paradiso

End of Day 1

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Another gathering

Posted on October 7th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.

Yesterday, after I met up with my P sch friends, I went on to meet my friend J whom I know him in UK. It was the last min decision for him to come over to Spore, so we met up for dinner.

We have been keep in contact via emails and SMS. It has been a while since I last saw J and so I was expecting to see some little changes in him. He keep saying he has aged…ok we shall see!!

^^^^^^

It is refreshing to see old friend again, and as usual we gossiped and talked about what has happened during that year of absence in UK. A lot to talk about, family, work, friends we knew etc. We went to Clarke Quay for dinner.

What was upsetting was to get to know about the work. We knew each other in this restaurant and both of us worked together for 3 years b4 we resigned. It was enjoyable working there for that 3 years as I have met wonderful colleagues to work with, despite having gloomy politics coming from our bosses. I have faced quite a few incidents at work that sad to say try to break the friendship with my friends but all don’t seem to work on me as I strongly believe in myself and J, despite facing several . As he was telling me all, I couldn’t help but start to think back what had happened = all the same. The sad thing is that, another friend and J’s friendship were affected by it. Well, that is nothing much we can do, we just hope that time can heal and solve all problems that come with it.

J says it could be due to the business strategy that bosses are behaving like that. Perhaps so, and I’m not in the position to argue that. However, what I do not understand is that why involve your personal life into work politics and get people into trouble.

My bosses treated me well, but they are not the nicest one to work with. Through the years I was there, I get to know more of their behaviour and try to adapt to save myself amd my friendship with others. It was a bore and mental torture at times, but it was the friendships and customers that keep me in high spirits. It was so much to the torture that I was so relieved during my last day at work, and never again keep in contact with them.
Anyway, they don’t treat people that nice and quite often belittle people. I always believe in retribution, and I’m not sure if they got theirs already. Their newborn daughter was dead after 3 days, they have a new son, recently diagnosed with autism. As much as I don’t quite like them, I felt sorry for their children. I hope the best for them.

As for me and J, we want to move forward and leaving behind the work place’s memories. In my opinion, after so much trouble, I’m still glad to keep my friendship with J.

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