YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW ME }

Thursday, January 10, 2008

1) During the winter season, a mask is a must. (if not, you will regret) It really helps alot especially for those who are damn afraid of cold (like me,lol) Well, depends on individual's tolerance level and the temperature at that time.

2) Cabs are so much cheaper there! The fares only jumps by distance covered and they are almost everywhere. Just beware of some private drivers out there. They charge at least 50% higher.

3) Traffic is of course not as well controlled there but definitely better than in Bangkok (for those who went before, you know what i mean. the traffic is terrible). But don't ever assume that vehicles will look out for you. Do look out for the traffic lights and the vehicles, try to cross when there's a chance or you will never get to your destination. (cos it's always green light to them)

4) Again, clothings/bags/barangs barangs are soooo much cheaper there! (of cos i don't mean shopping malls). There are so many nice clothings there, especially for ladies. But your bargaining skills must be good. Never hurry a purchase. Be sure of a price in mind and tell them how much you are willing to pay. (as low as possible!) Many of the shops there are selling the same items diagonally/besides each other so don't be afraid that you can't get what you want. Just be patient. However, if you are not sure how much an item is worth, just quote the lowest price you think it's worth or are willing to pay. To get good buys, you must be thick skinned.
My experience is, do abit of research on the internet beforehand. It comes in handy. You will know where you can bargain on prices and you can learn some skills on bargaining as well.

*Important: Never agree on a price they quote you. 99% of the time, it's 50%-80% on top of what it's worth. Take your time to pick and choose while you are there. Pretend to walk out of the shop if they don't want to lower their price. I bet the next moment, you will find them shouting for you back into their shop continuously even when you are already 3 or 4 shops away.

A point to note: Some can be quite aggressive and will pester/pull you into their shop when you walk away.

5) Variety of food- Definitely more than Singapore and it's cheap and nice! Even for those i don't like initially by looks, i find it interesting upon trying.

Woo~~ I would say that this trip is an eye-opener to me.

{ 12:59 PM }

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

1) Thank you for being there for me when i needed you

2) Thank you for sending me to school (even if u're sick... i will never forget)

3) Thank you for sending me back home (even though it's a long journey back)

4) Thank you for guiding me in my schoolwork

5) Thank you for sharing your wonderful knowledge with me (you has always been so wonderful, as a whole)

6) Thank you for encouraging me to learn new things (though my blading skills sux to the max but i am happy that i have my own blades and can skate around! erm, actually should be strolling, not skating, haha) Pardon me for that... i have a phobia of falling when i was young, while walking on a ladder at a playground) As for swimming, i think i will never master because i am afraid of deep water. Even 1.7m depth(around my height, i am afraid liao... i think i can only walk in water... sometimes even walking, i am afraid when the water level increases... i am afraid i won't be able to get out on time) Gosh, i must make sure my kids learn swimming when they are young, to overcome the fear of water. It's easier to learn things when young and they can learn it fast. Don't be like me... -_-

7) Thank you for reminding me the importance of education (i will hang on there... 1 more year or so)

8) Thank you for bringing me to all parts of this little island to try good food

9) Thank you for those short phone calls now and then. You give me care and concern that i wanted most and not through material stuffs. You are so unique to me because you care for me through your own special ways.

10) Thank you for helping me to save money for future benefits.

With these, i feel so fortunate!!! Yippee!

{ 11:56 AM }

Hey everyone! It's a brand new year again! What are you new year's resolutions? How do you spend your last day of 2007?

To me, 2008 is merely a skip of a digit. Life still goes on. I spent the eve of the new year and my first day of 2008 in Shanghai. The feeling is quite fresh, to spend it out of Singapore (perhaps it's my first time). I don't celebrate new year's day normally. I think everyday is gonna be a more special day to spend it with our loved ones.

2007 had been a packed year for me. New things to learn, new people, new experiences and new hard lessons. Few years back, i know nothing. Few years later, i began to pick up things. I found out something. As i know more, i realized that i actually know lesser. Sounds confusing? It simply means that as i know more new things, i realized that there are sooo many things out in this world for me to learn, therefore i feel that i need to give myself a hard push to keep up with things/people that are moving ahead.

Another hard lesson in 2007. I lost my wallet on the last day of 2007. It's not the money that pains me (it's not alot anyway), it's an important lesson to me because this shows how careless i was. Not forgetting that i kept dropping small items during my China tour. (so clumsy). It was winter there and i couldn't feel with my gloves but that's not a good excuse because who doesn't wear gloves during winter? It seemed that i was the only one who kept dropping my belongings. haha. Really. I don't know why. Thinking back now, i think it's because i was freaking cold at that time... really really cold that i can't think much. I can feel that my brain is freezing and i had butter fingers then. This is the first time i lost my wallet in my 24 years of life (once is enough, it's a good lesson to me already) I usually keep my belongings well and i don't lose them. Not even dropping my hp once in at least two years. (i said 2 years is because usually i will trade in my hp for a new one after every 2 years when my contract with m1 ends.haha)

I can say i have broken my own record of losing my first item in 2007. I have told myself, that's the first and last time! I feel that i have been more aware of my surroundings after this incident. (though it may seems that i'm exaggerating small matters) Small things lead to big things. I wouldn't want similar things to happen again or worse, big problems.

Pardon me for making another realization again. Guess what i gonna say? I realized that i'm actually cold intolerance!!!! I know i am afraid of cold but to a limited extent. But i'm wrong. It actually exceeds my own limits! You guys would never imagine how cold i was in beijing/shanghai then. Especially beijing, i totally felt i'm dying soon! When the cold wind blows, i can feel myself turning into an ice any moment! Luckily, someone was besides me. If not for this someone, i think i can't take it any longer. Think it's a psychological and physiological effect. Really. No joke. (even back to Singapore now, i am still feeling very cold) I feel that i cannot tolerate coldness very well compared to few years back.

Thinking back now, i can still feel the coldness there. I felt so loved for the little warmth someone had given to me then. I told myself i gonna hang on there. I was running a fever then and the weather was cold but i tried to remain healthy. The breakfast buffet at Beijing was excellent but too bad i don't have much appetite. He was adventurous and tried many nice and interesting food but i can only admire, haha. (cos' no point trying, everything is tasteless so might as well save some calories). I was rather quiet then because i wasn't feeling good at all. I felt quite bad but there is little i could do. (and i was blur too, as usual, haha) However, i felt so loved and cared for during this trip. Quarrels are unavoidable at times, and it will make 2 persons closer. This is a better trip compared to the previous one because most of the quarrels had got to do with my kiddiness (i know i am like a kid, never grows... still continues joking when people has already give signs or warning) I really hope i can be a better person in this coming new year.

I know some of you do not encourage living together before marriage. I guess i belong to the traditional type. lol. But i feel that it's good to spend a few days staying together, for example during a trip. The reason is because i realized one thing (omg, another thing AGAIN). I believe u all agree that when two persons stay together, chances of quarrelling is higher. That's not always a bad thing, in a sense that you will find that you tend to give in to each other more. Since both are staying together, it's not good to avoid a problem. You will also find that you are more willing to give in to each other. After each problem is resolved, you will realize how much you really care for the person. Really.

Smiled. Saying goodbye is never easy. I am so glad this doesn't happen to me. (at least not anymore, i hope=)) Am back in Sg, together. Lastly, i will never visit cold countries anymore, i guess. I mean those below 10degrees type. I really cannot take it well.

{ 10:31 AM }