Taurus & Leo

This is a Place for me to give vent to my frustrations and my thoughts for the day...

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Taxis

Was waiting for cabs this morning over at my place instead of at Outram MRT station.

At least over at Outram, there is a queue of cabs waiting for me to board. Over at Hougang, the cabbies actually will stop to ask where you are going to decide if they would like to fetch you there. There is no "Changing Shift" signs on the windscreen, so they are not in the midst of changing shifts, some just drove pass me even when they are empty, there is similarly no "On Call" signs displayed anywhere. I can understand if you are changing shift or on call to pick up other passengers but if there is no signs being displayed and you don't want to pick up a fare, then you turn around to say that it is difficult to earn a living as a cabbie, then I think something is wrong with you people.

So many times in the morning when I tried to flag a cab from my place, I see the cabbies fetching their kids to school or perhaps those are not their kids but it is a paid fare but the funny thing is there is no adult with the kids in the cab except for the cab driver. So I leave it to you to make your conclusion as to whether it is a paid fare or not. I know that the other side of the arguement is that there is nothing wrong with fetching their kids to school but think of the opportunity cost of fetching your kids vs picking up a fare.

I am being whiny today because I had waited a long time for a cab but the cab that I took today actually told me that he had fetched me three times to my office. Wow, three times!!! So what I did was just sit back and napped all the way to office this morning. It is so good that the driver remember the way to my office and I don't have to keep a lookout that he is driving in the right direction.

Lunch time in 5 mins, got to go.....

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Had a scare from Jasper.....

Received a call from Cheryl on my way home last night, Jasper had fell from the bed and hit his face on the floor and his nose is bleeding. Told her that I am on the way back and for her to wait for me. James is at home so I am not too worried.

Caught a cab from Kovan station to rush home, called James to bring Jasper down so that I can bring him to Mt A. for an X-ray just in case he broke his nose or got a concussion.

Reached Mt A by 7pm, got a number and waited for our turn to see the doctor. Saw the Medic?? first, he looked at Jasper, asked a few questions and told us that it is up to the doctor to decide if he needs to be
X-rayed. Explaining that there is a surcharge if we want to have the X-ray as it is after office hours. Went out and waited somemore. Saw the doctor, he tested Jasper's responses and reflexes, saw his hugh bump on his head and checked his nose to see if it is broken and concluded that it is not broken. Decided that it is better to get him X-rayed so it is back to more waiting. James got me something to eat as I had not eaten anything for dinner yet.

The Technician/X-ray person came and brought them to the X-ray department downstairs while I waited upstairs for them. They were gone for quite a while about 10 to 15 minutes before they were back with the X-ray, gave them to the doctor and after he reviewed them, his conclusion is that Jasper's nose is not broken, he don't have concussion but would give him MC so that he need to do PE for the next 5 days.

By then Jasper was complaining that he is feeling cold and wants to go home. Settled the bill, cost me nearly $200 for it. Took a cab and went home.

Took a late dinner when we were home by 9pm. Falling asleep in front of the tv by 11pm, but didn't really have a good night sleep as I slept with Jasper and he kept waking me up when he flips and turns in him sleep. I am a light sleeper so kept waking up. Now I am so sleepy and the weather out there is gloomy, perfect for sleeping. How I wish that I am home in bed now.

Monday, August 29, 2005

Mooncakes


Suddenly I had a craving for mooncakes. The snowskin ones. I have not taken the traditional mooncakes for a long time as I find them too dry. The snowskins ones are much better.

Need to go mooncake shopping. Saw that Li Bai had got a new type of mooncake for this year. SnowskinWhite Truffle with White Lotus Seed Paste. Sounds yummy... white truffle... have to go and get some to try it out.

Spaced out


Feeling spaced out today. Didn't have much to do in the office as it is approaching month end once again but had done many things on Saturday.

  • Had my facial and pedicure done. So relaxed after all the pampering.
  • Went shopping at Liang Court, Taka and Tangs.
  • Changed my bank passbook.
  • Finishing my cross stitch piece soon

Caught a bit of F1 on Sunday night. Disappointed as usual as Schumi didn't even finish the race. Wasn't following it as closely as before.

Sunday was spent lazing around at home. Took a long afternoon nap and woke up just before dinner.

Watched Van Helsing on Cable at night. Had seen the movie so often but still watched it till the end. There isn't much good shows to watch over the weekend anyway.

Friday, August 26, 2005

It's weekend again


It's Friday again and I am looking forward to the weekend.

Had planned how I want to spend this weekend :


  • Go visit doctor to check that my cough is more or less cured/ok/gone
  • Go get my bank book changed. Since I had accidently bend a corner of it, it will not allow me to update using the machine. Had check with one of the branch and the teller assured me that it can work the next time I update my book but my book was rejected again last week when I tried to update it. This time die die also must get it changed. I don't like to queue at the bank just to update the book.
  • Go for facial. Time to pamper myself
  • Go for pedicure. Double pampering...hahahaha
  • Go shopping. Enough said.

Took cab to work from home again this morning but it cost be an extra $3 this morning due to the traffic jam at CTE. I had already came out early to get the cab to avoid the jam but still got caught in it. Told the driver the address, saying "Uncle, Tractor Road, please go by CTE, AYE and exit at Jln Boon Lay."

The uncle thought for a while and replied to me that he don't know how to go there. I stared at him for a while, then repeated the directions to him again, saying that that is the way to get there. "Oh, you know how to get there ar??" Of course I know how to get there, if not, I won't be giving you directions.

Finished reading "State of Fear" last night. Good book as usual, kept me in suspense till the end.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

)@)#(&%($*^)$(^*_@#)$%(*&%^


This basically describe my mood right now. Can you imagine being asked about a report that you had done in early May, how you derived/calculated some of the figures? That is like bl***y 3 months ago but my supervisor only ask me now. You mean you only get to review the report now? What did you do with the report once I send it to you? Save and file and just chuck it one side????

After much digging and backtracking, managed to get the figure for him but I am still rather unhappy that he will wait for 3 month before asking me how the figure is derived. Not that it is difficult but I need to go read up and recalculate the figures to get the total for him. It would have been much easier if you had asked me about it in May or June, even early July is ok with my but it is end August now.....

Enough blasting, going home soon.... must leave all office work in the office...

Falling asleep while looking at my comp


Okay, sign of sleep deprivation is when I start to fall asleep when I surf the net. Imagine, my eyes couldn't even keep themselves open. Caught myself a few times nooding off to zzzzland. Or should I blame it on lunch, yummy lunch today.

Finally, a moderately good night sleep last night. Was coughing a little but fell asleep soon and didn't wake up till my alarm rang this morning. Have not had a good night sleep for so long that I am tempted to just continue sleeping. Dragged myself to work this morning.

James had finally uploaded the photos online. Go view my wedding photos.

I look so fat in all the photos.... Have to really lose weight....

Reading Michael Crichton's "State of Fear" now. Fast moving book that keeps you glued to the pages.


Wednesday, August 24, 2005

In office today


Back in the office after being on leave yesterday. Was coughing away till the kids were ready for school on Tuesday morning. Went to see the Chinese physician to see if there is any improvement and was told that the "wind" was not totally out of my system as yet. Got another 3 doses of medicine to take. Mum was saying that in the past, my boss would have told me to stay home for good, taking so many days of leave these 2 weeks but I don't want to take that many days of leave too. It is just that if you are coughing till the wee hours of the morning, do you think you can function in the office later??

Anyway with 23 days of annual leave, the company will want you to clear most of your leave. We are only allowed to bring forward 5 days of leave. Now with only 5 days of my annual leave to clear in September and October, I won't have any problem in clearing all my leave this year. Maternity leave will start in early December or late November, 12 weeks of paid leave doing nothing at home expect to bond with baby. Total bliss.

Finally got my wedding photos, now will have to find a place to host the photos online.

Mabel, any good recommendations??

Monday, August 22, 2005

I am back but still coughing away....


I know that I have not been writing for a while but have been sick for a while.

Took leave last Tuesday to sleep in. Not enough sleep as I was coughing away.

Went to see the doctor again on Wednesday. Got MC to rest more. Anyway, after taking Piriton (I think the spelling should be correct), I was knocked out for 5 hours. Good medicine to take if I need to sleep.

Thursday and Friday, on halfday leave, coughing away at nite, can't sleep, I am not taking Piriton in the morning if not I can't function in the office. So worked halfday, come home, take medicine and sleep the afternoon away.
Finally went to see the Chinese Physician, got the medicine and had brewed 2 packets already. Seems to be getting better but last nite, was coughing till 3+ in the morning. Wondering when I will fall asleep in front of the computer.

Mum was saying, save up your leave for maternity.... told her that I will be on leave for 12 weeks... will be bored out of my mind by then. The last time, by the 6th week at home, I was already looking forward to be back at work. This time, 12 weeks at home, 12 weeks, what am I suppose to do with all the time in my hands?

First 4 weeks of Mat leave, will be baby baby baby, 2nd 4 weeks of Mat leave, have to start to set routine for baby, best to set up routine early so that baby will not feel strange being left with maid and mum. That leaves the last 4 weeks of Mat leave, have not thought of that I will be doing then, maybe getting into routine with baby.

Back to work first....

Monday, August 15, 2005

Something that I came across in Tomorrow

A post that I came across in Tomorrow from tristefemme about this girl who wrote about her pregnancy and how her boyfriend had broken up with her after she told him that she is 11 weeks pregnant.

A few other blogs had written about this and the boyfriend had actually replied on one of the blogs giving his side of the story... the girl replied on the same blog too. See their replies

Had read a lot more over at one of the forum about this girl and what is happening...In the end, only conclusion that I have is that news spread very very fast on the internet.

People with secrets, remember not to post anything up there as sooner or later, it will be read by the whole world....

Monday once again & I am still coughing away


It's Monday and I am still coughing away. Was on MC on Friday as I was up on Thursday nite coughing away. Friday morning, my head aches, my body aches, my shoulders aches from all the coughing. Had to see the doctor and was given one day MC.

I think the medicine from the doctor is not working at all. I still cough and stay awake after taking it. Shouldn't it make me sleepy so that I can have a good nite's sleep??

Didn't really want to come to work today but was worried that things will start to pile up if I don't get my a** back to work.... Turned out that today is a slow day. Will try to leave early today.

Went to Malaysia yesterday for breakfast and shopping. Came out by 2+ and went home to sleep.

Not in the best condition to write now as my head is aching again.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Dinner tonite


Hhhmmm... James' birthday today... going for dinner tonite... nothing fancy, he said not to spend too much $$ on dinner.

Boring day at work. Had finally finished reconciling the figures for one of my report. Spent a lot of time downloading it yesterday because no one told me that they had changed the rules for the sort version so I kept getting a report that some details is missing. I must have downloaded more than 10 times thinking that I had chose the wrong version. In the end, shot an email over to my colleague in HK to ask if she knows that the rules for the sort version was changed. Got her answer this morning that yes, it was changed and sorry that no one informed me. God, tell me early next time so that I won't be wasting time downloading the details...

Now, just waiting for time to pass, come on 5.15pm, I am waiting for you.

Monday, August 08, 2005

At work


Didn't know that so many people will come over to my workstation to ask why didn't I take the day off to enjoy the long weekend. Standard answer to all of them..."Got a report that I need to prepare and a System to close"

Have closed my system. Corporate told me to "go ahead and close it. We need to investigate why then figures are double the amount". So went ahead to close it.... If not, on Tuesday, emails will be send to the big boss here saying that I had missed my closing.

The other system is still running, must wait for it to be done before I can go in to extract the figures I need. Sigh, boring day at work. Most of the people in my division is on leave today. Why am I back in the office... just because of one report to submit and one system to close...

Anyway, had a good weekend, shopping and buying things. Tried to view the fireworks from the Esplanade but could only see some of it... the place is so packed with people. Lucky we manage to get a cab to go home after that... couldn't imagine taking the MRT or the bus... will be packed like sardines in a can, I believe.

Will try to go to the Expo tomorrow, Bookfair there. Can get more books. Went to Kino for books yesterday and book quite a few already. See if can get a few more tomorrow...

Friday, August 05, 2005

Friday again... but no long weekend for me


Friday once again but can't take leave on Monday to enjoy super long weekend. All because of the report that is due on Monday and Tuesday. Why can't the accountants close their books early?? Then all of us can take leave on Monday and take a good rest....

Anyway, even if we are on holiday doesn't mean that the rest of Asia Pacific offices are having holiday too. HK office had asked for the report latest by Tuesday for consolidation and submission to HQ in US.

Super boring now. My system problem still not solved yet. Wrote email to States telling System support about my 2-part system problem and only one part is solved. If the other part is not solved, how to close system???

Reading blogs and forums now... in the midst of sending more email to the States to help me solve the problem. If only the temp didn't mess up my system. I would have closed my system yesterday.

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Temp staff driving me crazy


Oh God, can't stand that temp staff over at accounting. Last month, I have checked and double checked with her before I close my Capital system. She had assured me that she will not post any more adjustments.

And guess what, when I do a check before I close my system today, I found that my beginning balance is off again..... Only one possibility, she had done adjustments after I had closed my system.

So I went over to her place and asked her about it. She innocently looked at me and asked in a little girl's voice, "I didn't adjust the amount of the orders, it is other adjustments that I had passed. Will that affect your system??"

Pissed, I showed her the printout with the beginning balance being off, "It will affect my system. It takes in figures from your GLS balances." I told her.

"Then how?" Widening her eyes even more, "What I am suppose to do now?" She asked.

"I don't think you can do anything now. I have to write to Corporate to ask for their help in adjusting the figures. In future, once you had confirm with me that you are done, you can't change your figures anymore." I am sick of telling her the same thing over the last few months.

A couple of months working here, still can't remember simple instructions not to change figures once you told me you are done. Then what actually can you remember?????

It is not like you are a fresh graduate, just coming out to work, you have been working in a BIG audit firm for a few years already. You mean you can't follow or remember simple instructions???? I will give you more leeway if you are a fresh grad, but come on, you have been working for years. I don't think I need to keep telling you what to do.

I do't think it is fair to me if you keep messing things up and don't think of the results downstream. Don't you know that information do flow from one system to the next?? Why do you think I need your assurance that you are done with your figures before I close my systems? FOR FUN????

Too pissed for words now....Have to write to Corporate to do adjustment for me.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Manners


Yesterday morning : a NUS girl holding the donation can when I step out of the Outram MRT on my way to the taxi stand. She smiled and asked if I would like to donate. I donated.

Yesterday evening : approaching the Boon Lay MRT, saw another NUS girl holding a donation can, NO Smiles, didn't say a word, just thrust out the can to my face, I ignored her and walked away. There is another girl who asked me for a donation when I am near the MRT and I replied her politely that I had donated. (Even if it was in the morning, but I did donate)

It is not that I am been mean or anything but the least you can do is give me a slight smile to let me know that you are doing this out of your heart, asking for donation, granted that you may be thirsty, tired and irritated after standing for the whole day but I seriously don't think I will donate to anyone who don't say a word and show me a sulky face.

After work, met James at Outram and got off at Kovan. We were queuing up to get out of the station when a "lady" stood beside him. I glanced at her but she kept her eyes straight ahead. Not thinking much, we moved forward and she cut into our queue and swiped her card to exit, NOT a single word from her like "Sorry but I am in a hurry", "Excuse me, can you let me pass?" NOTHING..... She had got an executive look on her but where are her manners???

I remarked quite loudly about "some people who don't know how to queue" but apparently she think that it is right to cut queue. She didn't turn back to look at me or give any indication that she heard what I say. When we were going up the escalator, I told James that she had got an elephant hide, arrows can't pierce through it. His reply was that eventually arrows will pierce through, so I remarked that perhaps it is dinosaur hide, most probably hers is a turtle shell, that will be hard enough....

Manners, where art thou? It is no wonder that we have not become the gracious society that we would like to have. Is it too much to smile when you are asking for donation? Is it too much to ask people to give way to you if you are in a hurry? It is only a form of courtesy, the most basic one of all... that is to ask for something nicely.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Caterpillars


Last Thursday, Jasper told me that his school is selling caterpillar sets... eg, you buy the caterpillar and watch it grow into a butterfly. "It cost $5 for a caterpillar and $3 for a pupa" he was telling me over the phone. Knowing that Cheryl will be wanting her own caterpillar... I told him to order 2 from his school so that jie jie can have one also. "But it will be $10 if we buy 2 caterpillars. Why don't we buy 1 caterpillar and 1 pupa? Then you only have to pay $8." He asked. So I asked him who is going to take the pupa? That is like an inactive stage whereby you can't see it do anything. So decided that we will take 2 caterpillars. Jasper came back on Friday to say that his teacher was on leave again. So I told him to wait, will get it by Monday.

Monday came and when I got home, first thing he told me is that the caterpillars are not there yet. Maybe the teacher needs to get all the orders before ordering it from the company, whatever... Then he got impatient, will we be getting it soon? Not wanting to raise his hopes too much, I told him latest by next week, he will be able to get the caterpillars. Why not this week? There are still 4 more days till weekend. So finally I told him that I don't know when the teacher will get the caterpillars for them but he just have to wait for it.

But on 2nd thought, why didn't the teacher at least tell the students when they can get it? Is it that difficult to tell them that "You will be getting the caterpillars on Thursday." Or perhaps she is worried that she will be on leave on Thursday again and will not be able to pass them the caterpillars.

Tired, didn't sleep well again last night. Didn't really want to leave my bed this morning. Just got one more disc before I finish my show. At long last. Want to get another serial but I think I will wait a while before I do that. Still got several things to do before I am free to concentrate on my shows.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Seven Swords....


It's Monday again. Back in the office reading and clearing all my emails. Getting ready for month end as usual. Had wanted to take leave on next Monday, but received a request today to submit a report by Aug 8th, there goes my super long weekend. Sigh.....

Saturday: Went for my detail scan, it's a girl... now James had taken to calling baby, "my little princess"... hhmmm... in this case, I will be queen...hahahahahaha..... After the scan, went to meet my galfren for a bite ~ brunch... before going for my pedicure and facial... meet James after that to go to Ikea as they are having their sales. Only bought 2 small items even thought we were there for nearly 3 hours... but we went for a bite before we went shopping and over at Ikea's restaurant, it is really pack with people. I believe that they make as much money from their restaurant as from their furniture. Most of the time you can't get a seat easily. After all that shopping, we took a slow bus ride home as we are in no hurry to get back. Nothing much to do expect for me to finish my HK serial. Left with 2 disc to finish the show... I am like taking forever to finish this show.

Sunday :Went to watch Seven Swords. The fight scenes are good. Sometimes the action is so fast that you don't even know what had happened. Have to get the DVD for this show... may have extra scenes in them. Hahahaha...

Went shopping before and after the movie. Didn't buy a lot of stuff, mostly window shopping and browsing around the shops, trying stuff out. Finally, a show that I had wanted to get is out on Yesasia. Now, just have to wait to see if the shops here will bring it in. It is a Korean horror show which I had seen the shots a long time ago.

Went out for lunch just now. Pop into the shop to get 2 pictures for doing cross-stitch, and the photocopy cost me $2 each, $4 for 2 designs. Is that the price now for a design? And it is a photocopy, not even original!!!????
But can't be helped, I don't have the design myself. What to do??? Just pay the lady boss that price and will keep it for as long as I can... Wonder how much she is charging for the threads... Will go to my neighbour shop for that instead. I believe that it will cost less there.

Need to go get a drink.....starting to feel thirsty again.