Goodbye 2015

It has been such a wonderful year. I'll always look back at 2015 fondly. 

To 2016 and beyond! 

Two days with the honey

I'm going crazy. 

I was incredibly tired (because I came back from an overnight flight yesterday morning) the whole of yesterday evening. 

I thought I'd sleep well last night but I only managed an hour's sleep. I'm not pleased!!! That's because Markus took two days off work to spend time with me after this flight. When I'm tired, I'm super cranky. I don't want him to waste his leave like this....

Hopefully the two days go smoothly. 

Craving

Lady M,

I miss desserts.....

End of 2015 is near

Floods in UK. Floods in South America. Warmest winter in pretty much all of Europe.

First time company said Top Coat not needed in winter for Dubai this year. 

Global warming is real. 

Please save the world T_T 

Do your part!! 

There are sooooo many ways every one can contribute, however small. 

Be conscious of your actions! 

Little things! Eg turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, and when you shampoo yourself. Separate your trash and recycle recyclables. Minimize wastage. Don't smoke - be it you, your car, or your house. Save electricity. Take public transport. Buy fuel efficient cars. Save paper (!!!). 

My heart hurts the most when I see photos of logging. Paper is so precious. Like water, people waste so much paper without knowing the extent of the damage to Mother Earth. Just because it is cheap doesn't mean you can waste it. Many third-world countries face landslides and flood in order to give the world cheap paper. 

Markus' nicest card to me

Everrrrrr. 

*teary-eyed* 

I feel like a princess. 

On the eve of the eve of the eve of Christmas

Because I'm going away, le sigh. 

Going to help my friend become a millionaire. The duties of a friend! 

Lucky Renée

If only that teddy bear was Hugh Jackman, the cover would be perfect. 

Unacceptable crew behaviour!

RESPECT. 

RESPECT. 

R E S P E C T. 

Update: I thought a shower would help. But before showering I got pissed off again because I had to wait for the helper who's late - delaying me when all I freaking need is SLEEP right now. Been awake almost 24 hours, went through a Bombay (self-explanatory) flight and still mad at a few colleagues, and then I don't know why I've been used again and again by people in this house thus I had to wait for the cleaner to arrive. I can't do anything for myself, no! Can't shower. Can't stay back in airport to write compliments that I wanna write. Nope nothing. Because my roster shows I come back at 7.30 in the morning, so the maid was arranged to come this morning as I AM ASSUMED TO BE HOME by then. 

I'm freaking tired. Of all days she chooses today to be extremely late. I gave up waiting for her. Went to shower but then heard her knocking on the door when I was putting on hair conditioner. Walked out with only a wrapped towel and obviously I had to inform her how displeased I am at her disrespect for TIME. 

(I'll show anybody who disrespects my time my signature dulan face.) 

So obviously things aren't going well even after a shower because sister here was still boiling mad when she was in he shower! 

This is gonna take a while. 

Merry Christmas!

It's another week away but I already feel like it's Christmas. 

All because I have received my first present! 

I had a gift exchange today with my long time friends. I received something I really wanted. Something I've wanted for maybe the last 2 years but I could never bring myself to buy it. It's not cheap, though not terribly expensive either. It's expensive enough to have me hesitate buying it for so long. I truly feel contented now :) 

Didn't I say it's wonderful being 30? 

I cannot wait

Ever since I moved out of home for college, I have been living with others. There was a really short stint where I had an entire place to myself in SG. It wasn't the most pleasant - it was actually rather lonely. 

Of all the times I've lived outside, I had the most freedom when I was living with two other flight crew in Tampines. Anyone could stay over, everyone respects each other's space and things (the importance of respecting the things in the fridge and kitchen cabinet!), the freedom to use the kitchen for cooking or baking, etc. 

Subsequently I moved in to the place where I currently rent a room. The family uses the kitchen every day to cook for their little girl. At most times, when my landlady is not around, the kitchen is ruled by her mother-in-law and she's not the tidiest person around. In fact I pretty much hate to walk into the kitchen just for a glass of water whenever she's around.

As the kitchen is being used all year round, I obviously have no chance at it. I won't even think about messy activities like baking.  

Recently also, using the washing machine has become a challenge. Somehow this electrical appliance has been increasingly used in place of a laundry basket. It annoys the **** out of me because how often am I at home to laundry?! 

Really!

It becomes a case of if I can't do it today because of clothes that are sitting inside, I'll have to wait till I come back from another flight 3 days later, if not 5 days later. 

As such I'm really looking forward to my own place with Markus. The laundry issue aside (that's a pretty recent issue) I have been waiting to have a place that's more personal and private. I can use the kitchen without having to worry that a few splatters of oil that I forgot to wipe away might annoy someone else or worry that using the oven for baking will incur too much electricity. I can buy a vase of flowers and put it right beside the TV without needing to worry that a kid might knock it over and break the pretty vase. I also won't have to eat at a dining table that's wrapped with greasing paper. Little things like that. 

I know some of you already live a life like that, but it hasn't been the case for me. And how better than to share this abode with only person you love? 

One more year! 

Lucky

Wore a pair of new suede shoes out today. 

On its maiden trip, it stepped on a massive pile of dog shit at a park behind the hotel. 

I don't know what to say. 

Sigh. 

All I know is, the hotel carpet stinks. And somewhere, the brush along an escalator has dog poo too ha ha ha ha ha. 

Love love love this vid

Hello everyone!! 

I keep forgetting to share this video! 

It's been around for two months now, so it's not that new now. Some of you might have already seen it but still, worth sharing. 

They're actually an item. And they sing so well together! 

Presenting US THE DUO http://youtu.be/Yj4nsZ3o1ag

I can actually imagine Shirline's siblings - Raymond and E Ling to be exact - doing this in perfect harmony too. 

Confession

I'm addicted to sweets treats. 

I began noticing my strong cravings for sweet stuff - chocolates especially - throughout the day, and especially right after meals. 

If I don't have chocolates near me, I feel uneasy. 

If I don't have a dessert after my meal, I don't feel satiated. 

This is bad. Chocolates and ice-cream were once treats, while it has become a part of the daily diet to me now. 

Not satisfied with just chocolates, ice-cream and cakes, I get cravings for creme brûlée ever so often. It drives me crazy because it's not something that's easy to find! 

Need to curb this addiction. 

T____T

Manners

Me and you, not close at all. 

Flown with you a few times, but never wanted to talk to you. 

Just because I've flown with you a few times doesn't mean we're pally. 

First of all, remember in the airline, it's all about seniority. 

I'm your senior by staff number and by rank. 

So don't talk to me about my personal stuff when I don't want to talk about it, and it's very daring of you to try to bring it up again a second time. 

Talking about things like that is rude unless you and I are close friends. Even by normal friends standard, people don't talk about such things. 

Know where you stand, woman. 

In airline lingo, I'll make sure I zap you if you cross the line one more time. 

In São Paulo

The wealth gap is so huge, that you see men picking rubbish from under an overhead bridge diagonally across a shop selling luxury boats. 

Leather Forever

Last weekend, Markus and I visited the Leather Forever exhibition by Hermes.

It was eye-opening to see the selection of exquisite leather and bags on display.

And after a tiring flight, all you need is this.

Wtf

Someone please tell me this is a hoax. This can't be real!!! 

http://youtu.be/xNk7G3kw2oc

Mr. No Problem

I've just come to realize I'm marrying a Mr. No Problem. 

Ddaebak! 

For most things, especially since now there's wedding planning and we do run into many things that need decision-making, he'd say no problem. Unless of course things are not within his control (read: PARENTS). Where he can and if he can talk to his parents about it, his answer is always, "No Problem." 

Can I have this? No problem. Can I do that? No problem. Can I get an additional dre$$ for the wedding? No problem. Can I invite her? No problem. Can I upgrade my diamonds? No problem. Can we buy this for the new house? No problem. Can I have *insert dream bag*? "...... If I've the money, no problem." 

Lol. 

DDAEBAK!

Merry Christmas

When Markus and I were in Japan, all he would drink there was Calpis. It's a weird drink that I still can't bring myself to like. 

If anything, other than the proposal, the most important thing that trip was Calpis. He'd fret if he couldn't find a vending machine that sold Calpis. Each vending machine that we walked past (you know there are vending machines every 100m in Japan...) he'd eye the bottle of Calpis. 

Well, guess what. I'm bringing Japan to him. Merry Christmas!, this will be his Christmas gift! >.< 

Le Petit Prince

This little blonde boy from an asteroid is this year's theme for Christmas at Wheelock Place. 

For a moment I thought it was Borders celebrating it, then I remembered Borders has closed down. Sigh. 

I suddenly have the urge to read the book again!

New year, new beginnings

I'm over the moon that the fiancé has a new job! FINALLY. Market is so bad out there and it felt like it was just impossible to find anything. Also with the surplus of lawyers in the island, it was really challenging. 

He starts next year right after Chinese New Year. I hope all will go smoothly for him. May it be a prosperous new year!

Finger feels a tad too bare

Sent my engagement ring in for resizing yesterday. 

It is too loose, sigh don't get me started on how that happened, and according to a jeweller in London last weekend my ring is about 1.5 sizes too large. 

When I met the man behind my ring, he said I could wear even two sizes down. 

Ok... Anyway told him to resize it about 1.5 sizes down. Initially I thought my wedding band would be able to 'cap' the ring and prevent it from sliding off. However I learned over the weekend that the wedding band is suppose to sit at the bottom and the engagement ring on top of it, because the band should sit closer to your heart. 

It was then decided that it's best to have it resized. 

And since last night I've been subconsciously trying to feel for the ring - but it's not there :( 

Cannot wait to get it back. 

Give me back Pierce Brosnan

The new James Bond movie 'Spectre' is so painful to watch. 

I fell asleep twice (to be fair, I partly attribute it to waking up too early in the morning for my dental appointment and the TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE Singapore-made advertisements that lasted 15 mins) and everything is so predictable, even the lines. I don't know if Daniel Craig was being cool or he's just emotionless... but he definitely lacked class. 

Without Judi Dench also, there's really not much to this movie. 

Realization

I keep buying tea without actually consuming it. 

I've discovered so many packets of tea in my room. Green teas, jasmines, infusions, etc. I'm not even much of a tea-drinker because I'm afraid of staining my teeth. But I just can't stop buying them!!! 

Just like the eternal problem I have with jeans. I don't wear jeans but I keep buying them. -___-

Pray for Paris

It is very worrying when the mass murders happened so near to where I am, London. And I am worried and extremely angry that such a thing could happen today - what happened to government intelligence? - so close to where I have family. 

I pray London will never see such attacks (again) and the rest of the world can live in peace. 

Honeymoon

I have finally realized what a honeymoon is for, in a modern context (because this wasn't what a honeymoon was suppose to be). It's a reward for newlyweds for overcoming the challenges of planning a wedding. On a honeymoon they finally can say they're done with it.

Of course, not all couples have the luxury of jetting off on a honeymoon right after the wedding. For these couples, be content with the bridal suite. 

I feel like Goldilocks

Because I've been having so much porridge. For five days straight I've been eating porridge. I came back to Singapore today and Markus' mom obviously got the memo about my tooth surgery so she prepared fish porridge for both meals. 

Also so far I've accidentally removed two stitches (one got trapped in my gauze and another came off while I was brushing my teeth). I am guessing all the stitches would have somehow been removed before my next dental appointment on Monday. 

Today's also a little exciting because I met up with my dad's cousin (yes I think that's what she is to him) who's a property agent in Singapore. The real hunt for a home begins now :) 

And the hunt for wedding bands happens this Friday in London. 

Too many things going on...! Can anyone else feel the excitement?!?

Nostalgia

This really made my day. This is something I used to bring to school. I went to Bee Bee unsure if it still sells this. And yes! From RM0.20 to RM0.80. 

Wisdom tooth surgery

I've put this surgery off for 10 years or so. 

Now it cannot be put off anymore. 

My diet, finally, starts today. -___-

In other news some of the bigger issues to the big day have been addressed. Date's set. After some effort the bridal studio has also been chosen. The next big issue is the venue for the banquet because while some hotels have started to accept bookings, some have not yet for 2017. On one hand we are afraid the hotels which are still available will be booked by others ahead of the release of those hotels which have not yet accepted 2017 bookings. On the other we are also curious to know what the package for those hotels will be like. 

Just an idea of how competitive it is (at least to me! No big deal to you!) Conrad has been booked out for the date I'm looking at. Pffffft. 

Today is my last stress-free day

Yes I'm gonna be zen today. Probably the last day that I'm gonna be until the big day arrives. 

First thing though is to get a journal tonight. Then work proper starts tomorrow. Fighting!!!! 

Need a time machine

OMG. SUDDENLY, I don't have enough time!!! 

Aishhhhh. 

Life is like a facial 2

I've never had problems remembering skincare steps because they all make sense to me. 

Cleanse, tone, a few serums, moisturize and don't forget the sunblock.

Anlynn's beautician gave me products and now my day regimen has 8 steps, night regimen has 9! And it's so confusing I've had to write them down as she taught me, and also resorted to labeling the bottles in numbers. 

Life is tough. Skincare can be too. 

Life is like a facial

Yesterday I visited Anlynn's beautician for a trial session. She gave me a heavenly face massage for a long time. I am guessing maybe 20 minutes. That was followed by the painful process of extracting whiteheads and pimples and other gunk. 

Then it was time for an ice-cold mask to calm the skin. 

That got me thinking that life is like a facial. You start off pampered and having things easy in the early years of your life. Don't have to lift a finger to get things you want, your parents are there for your every whims and fancies. In your adult life, you face a lot of shit but no choice, have to endure it. After all that hard work, you probably will reap some success and enjoy the fruits of the labor. 

__________________________________

After facial I went for scalp treatment and the theme song for Triumph in the Skies came on radio. It got me teary because I know I'll miss flying a lot after I quit!! T____T 

The waiting game

Alright, I'm engaged. 

Normally most brides-to-be start going into a frenzy of searching for an auspicious date, bridal studios, venues, caterers, door-gifts, florists, printers, and the biggest headache of all - gowns. Not all brides are like my friend Chin Shi who's as cool as a cucumber for she needs to plan weddings in BP and HK. A few I know are lucky enough to be able to quit their day jobs just to focus on the preparations for the big day. 

I'm the not-so-normal case of being engaged and sitting around waiting for Time to pass. 

Having to observe traditional customs of waiting for a 3-year mourning to be over, I have so much time in my hands while I wait. But I fear that once the mourning is over, I'll be in a worse rush than most brides. Things that I can't do now, I have a shorter window of completing them. 

Oh, the agony....!!! 

How about a game of quidditch?

Photo taken when Markus visited a farm in some remote place in the west of Singapore with a friend a few weekends back. 

Piece of shit

You do terribly representing the Malaysian people. You're NOT acting in the best interest of the people. PUI! 

Sime Darby must be feeding shitloads of money to YOU and the Indonesian government. 

Kakistocracy

Sorry, but did this word originate from Malay? Haha. Sounds like my government. 

Surprise 2

Pardon the English on the box. 

As I checked out of the hotel in Beijing, a staff said, "You left something in the hotel before?"

I was shocked. I said, YES! My toiletries! 

In May this year, I came back to Singapore without my hair conditioner, shampoo and facial cleanser. "Sian" is the only way to describe how I felt. 

It was troublesome to replace these things - and it's not everything that I could buy in Singapore. 

So imagine my surprise, 5 months later, while checking out I was told to wait while the staff went to pick up a pink box that contained all my lost items. It had already been flagged to my name hence the box was already set aside, waiting to be returned to its rightful owner. I am so impressed!! She appeared in front of me within 10 seconds with the box. 

I am sure hotels do spring cleaning of their lost and found items. To have them keep these toiletries for 5 months is really amazing.

Thank you Crowne Plaza Beijing! I'll be writing a compliment letter to the duty manager real soon! 

Surprise 1

The handmade cups have arrived!! 

Markus and I made these for each other in Kyoto. We came across this small pottery shop that offered classes so we booked a slot for ourselves. It wasn't exactly cheap but when we thought that we could make something for each other, it seemed like it was worth it. 

We chose something of medium-size to make. Then we made heart-shape cups and wrote a small message at the bottom of them.  

On mine, he just signed off as Honey. 

Because the cups had to be air-dried, we couldn't collect the cups immediately. Thankfully the shop had already included mailing fees in the price. 

I'm so surprised to see the overall result. Makes me happy just thinking of that day when we were clumsily destroying the clay in our hands - the cups would never be if not for the teacher guiding us patiently that day. 

And the best part? Markus said, "That's a last gift from a girlfriend to a boyfriend, and vice versa." Because the next day, he proposed. 

We will always treasure these cups. 

Gel nails to protect your own nails

Today I realized what gel polish is to your nail is very much like what tempered glass is to your smartphone. 

I have brittle nails. If I smash my finger into something or if I bend it too much, my nail would break. 

With gel nails, I realize the gel goes first, while the actual nail is ok. 

It's either that or my nails have become stronger, with the help of Imedeen Hair & Nails. 

Tomorrow's a happy day

Why? Because I'm not working and I can wear my ring HAHA. 

OK slap me. 

Anyway tomorrow is meet his grandma day. I've met her numerous times but tomorrow I'm suppose to meet her, show her the ring (oh she knew Markus was going to propose last week), and just say that we're engaged! 

Not much to do tomorrow. I do miss "Tao Huay"... I want to eat Tao Huay. 

THE reason Trump cannot be President

Among all the rubbish he's spouted, this will be THE reason IMHO he cannot be the next US President. 

Let the children live!!!! 

"Republican presidential primary front runner Donald Trump said that arming more citizens could help reduce the casualties from mass shootings, like the one at an Oregon community college last week." -WSJ 

Hazy Tuesday

PSI is unhealthy, at 172. 

Arrived back in SIN this morning and the boyfriend said, "Your future mother-in-law is picking you up." 

 

MIL. That sounds strange. 

In the lift, Auntie noticed the ring on my finger and exclaimed that it's so shiny. I said, "Ya! I keep looking at it because it's so pretty!" To which she replied, "Good that you like it! Now you need to hurry and plan for the future." 

Ummmm, I just touched down...? 

He did it

I'm engaged!!! 

It's not like I didn't expect it. As a typical Singaporean couple we have already talked about getting a flat so you know what's to come next. 

Just that the boy being a boy, he was excited and shy at the same time when he proposed. Totally funny!! And that's why I was laughing at him when he took the box out of his bag. At the same time though I couldn't believe it was happening and thus I cried. 

The funnier thing is how corny my dad can be. I didn't know Markus had called my folks before we flew off. And my dad told him to play me a particular song when he proposed. Till now I don't know what song it's suppose to be. 

Maybe my dad sang my mum a song when he proposed haha! 

All in all, I'm a super happy, contented and blissful girl. Looking back at what's been going on the last few weeks, I now know that the boy had been so excited about the proposal. For weeks he's been telling me Japan will be a great trip, and that he couldn't wait for the trip. He would now and then randomly say things like that. Saranghae!

Thirty is a great year :)

CHOKING

Back after more than a week to the foulest air! WTF IS THIS SHIT THAT SINGAPOREANS AND MALAYSIANS HAVE BEEN BREATHING??!? Mad foul!!!!! 

This is ridiculous. Children, old folks and the sick and weak have to deal with this shit. 

I'm glad I'll be off again tonight. For my friends and family, not so lucky! 

In other news, I have just finished my last flight as a probationer! YAY!!! 

Forgot my nail polish!!

Desperate times come desperate measures. 

I forgot to pack my nail polish! I've the base coat, the top coat but not the color itself. 

And one toe nail in particular chipped very badly. So what do I do? I've 3 more sectors to go. 

I scrapped a little bit of my lipstick off, smeared it over the toe nail, and topped it off with top coat! 

(In accordance to our grooming guide, lipstick and nail colors must match. Thank goodness for it!)

Chocolates

Forever love. 

Just this morning, Anlynn helped me to purchase 4 bags of Fassbender & Rausch chocolates to be sent to my hotel in Frankfurt. Hopefully I will receive the package before I fly back to Singapore.

After lunch earlier, I went to a newly opened Rewe (supermarket) nearby. Saw the most number of yellow Ritter Sport I've ever seen on the shelf and I just swept every packet from the shelf into my basket. The crispy cornflakes Ritter Sport is so hard to come by in Germany and usually there are only a few on the shelf as compared to the other varieties. In Singapore it's rather common but... $4 per bar vs €0.99. Come on..... 

 

As good as gold. 

Steam iron is so yesterday

I wonder if this iron will make me change my mind about ironing.

Looks like a gimmick but the reviews seem pretty good! 

Click here to learn about the new ironing sensation. 

One down, three to go

Am now in Frankfurt! 

Will be having really yummy pasta for lunch. I know, pasta in Frankfurt? Trust me. It's so good, it's worth craving for. Tripadvisor gives it really good ratings too. Every flight to Frankfurt crew will definitely have at least a meal there. 

Very upset about crew these days. I had a talk with a chief steward today regarding the attitude of young crew members. No initiative at all, and really doing minimal work. 

Makes me fume just seeing the way they work. But my chief has taken a more relaxed approach. I guess over time I'll come to terms with it and that there's no turning back with our onboard service. It's just hard to correct the Generation Strawberry. 

NYC

In a few days I'll be going to New York. The last time I was there was three years ago. I purposely change all my New York flights away for several reasons. This time, it wasn't so easy. This reminds me that being in the new rank, changing flights are not as easy as it was. One of it is definitely the number of us isn't just as many as the number of non-ranked crew. The chances of someone wanting to take your flight is thus lower. 

I don't know what to expect in New York. I know for sure that the hotel is different from when I was last there. It's a hotel in Times Square but I hear it sucks too. 

Honestly, not looking forward to it. 

After this flight however, Japan awaits! 

Ribbons

*yawn* 

Why we shouldn't celebrate birthdays for Indonesia

In a tiny island of about 6 million

This tiny island is very dense. Close to 6 million residents, who also are not the friendliest. People walk looking straight ahead at the destination and how to avoid oncoming crowd, but not at the faces of the crowd. 

So imagine my reaction when a foreigner asked me if we bump into the same people on the island a lot. WHAT? 

Dear. I know Russia is super big and Singapore is extremely small. The population isn't quite 500,000, mate. You think what, Batu Pahat is it? 

Safety and You

Dad and an aunt were injured when someone tried to snatch my aunt's handbag yesterday morning. (Dad sends my second aunt to work every morning on his bike) They both fell from his bike because of the struggle. 

It makes me so angry to know that family members and a parent is injured. And it makes me even more angry to know these buggers will most likely never be caught. 

In Singapore I've never worried about encountering snatch thieves. I've walked back to my place from the nearest bus stop many times late at night, a few times past midnight... My only worry during those times were people stopping to ask me how much I charge per hour. More worried of embarrassment than being hurt physically. For the record though, that hasn't happened too even though I live quite close to Joo Chiat Road where many karaoke bars operate. 

When I'm next free, I'm going to sit down and write to my town mayor. If he wants to continue winning the next elections.....

Little printer

My new toy arrived last week, and the boyfriend and I have been immortalizing our moments together. 

I made a namecard for the boyfriend using the app that came with it. I chose a really dorky photo of him for his namecard. Instead he was gracious and chose a nice one of me when he created mine. 

The boyfriend has some ideas of what to do with our photos. We aren't very arts & craft kinda people so it may never materialize. 

Now I've to constantly be on the lookout for the printing paper on sale. 

5 flights

Counting down to another holiday. 

Somewhere in the middle of the countdown, I've a flight to New York. Nooooo.....

I'm not alone!!!

I swear these people aren't exaggerating. 

I don't cook because I'm so so so afraid of oil splattering on my skin. I've had oil splatter on me a few times (just under ten) every time I tried to stand in for mum when she needs to go away to do something when she cooked. 

It's painful and I hate it. And that's why I don't even want to try cooking anything big i.e. anything more than an egg. 

These people have figured a way around the problem and I can see, their phobia is just as big if not worse than mine. And they definitely haven't got a choice but to cook! 

Cheers

58 years and going nowhere

5 more years to 2020 but Vision 2020 or Wawasan 2020 has never been more impossible than now. 

In my school days, it was on the backcover of exercise books. It was on murals in schools. It was a song we sang during Monday assembly. 

Today, nothing more is being said about it because everyone is embarrassed at the progress. From a vision it has become a fantasy. 

THANKS LEH, BN.  

Old-fashion cakes

I really miss old-fashion cakes. 

Yesterday during the super-long transit in the desert, we managed to throw one of our crew a surprise celebration. My boss bought him a blackforest cake from the supermarket the night before and wrapped it up in a laundry bag, saying it's a gift for his friend in this desert station. Refused to let us touch it - obviously we didn't know it was a CAKE and we would have carelessly swung the box around. 

Anyway I really enjoyed the cake. The cake was relatively cheap. Not your expensive and fancy red-velvet or tiramisu or triple chocolate. It's just good old-fashion blackforest with cream, cherries and chocolate rice bits. Reminded me of my childhood days - blackforest or chocolate cake were always my birthday cakes. 

Check out the decor on the trolley. Coriander, my friends! Coriander used to garnish food. And orchid flowers from the toilet!! Hahaha! 

Pride

I was in Saudi Arabia. 

The turnaround time was at least 4 hours. The crew chose to remain onboard to rest, while we waited for passengers to board. I managed to catch a 30-minute nap before heading back to another city in the Middle East. 

I chose to text the boyfriend to ask him how was Bersih, and if there were any violence. Naturally I was concerned about the safety of the participants too. I had left the hotel before Bersih 4.0 was due to begin. He replied, "The crowd is huge!!!"

I smiled to myself and I closed my eyes. My heart swelled with pride, just like it had when I learned that BP had fallen into opposition hands. 

Everytime there seemed like there's no hope, the people manage to give themselves hope. What a strong bunch of people Malaysians are!!! 

Making myself at home

I almost never lay my toiletries out properly because I'm never in the same room long enough. 

Most times, even at home, I just take what I need out from my big bag of toiletries and then chuck the item back in there once used, then reach in there again for the next thing I need. I can't live without my toiletries bag, simple as that. 

Today though I made a little extra effort to lay out all the things I need since I'm gonna be here for a week. Yes, a week. Might as well make myself super comfortable right. 

Just a minor problem on the side - I forgot to pack the mirroring device for my tablet! Can't watch my dramas on the Telly now. :( 

Speaking of making myself comfortable, I've already had a slice of chicken bak kwa and a bowl of Koko Krunch since I checked in! And I've got a really huge room too. 

Slob-mode ON. 

Aerobridge posters

HSBC ads are nice, but the aerobridges could do with a few of these: 

To the desert I go

32 degrees in Singapore is really unbearable already. 

For the next one week, I'll be in Dubai. It's 37 degrees at 11 pm, are u joking?!

I will be happy to stay in the hotel every day for a week. 

Vitamins

I've never popped so many vitamins and supplements in my life before. 

As if that's not enough, I'm buying more. I can't wait to go to London to stock up on Imedeen. 

Desires

You won't know how blessed it is to have a healthy body until your body breaks down. 

You won't appreciate a usual good night's sleep until you get congested nose and wake up every 15 minutes just to flip to the other side. 

You won't appreciate your usual 100 a day hair fall until you get 200 strands falling off after one hair wash. 

You won't appreciate all the junk food you're able to eat until you realize that's probably too much salt for you to take while your body isn't in optimal shape. 

You won't appreciate all the ice-cream you've been able to eat at one go until you get menstrual cramps. 

At 30, I feel incredibly old. 

Screwed big time

After a tiring overnight flight, I survived the day with just a short nap. Short because I wanted to sleep AT NIGHT and be up at 3.30 am to fly back to Singapore. 

Well guess what. Been tossing around for the past 5 hours and alarm goes off in about an hour.

Fml. FML. FML. 

The day-flight home is going to be shit. 

'Muricans

And we let them run the world...

4 more hours!!!

I've four more hours to the end of the standby. Should I get my off day tomorrow (pleasepleasepleasedon'tcallme) I shall:

1. Go to Lady M for millefeuille. 

2. Visit a few boutiques just because I'm still hunting for a bag to use in notorious European cities. 

3. Scalp treatment at Bedok. 

4. Collect Anshii's packages. 

5. Collect money-cannot-buy limited edition EZ-Link card from airport. 

Quite a busy day! 

This is so weird

I've been sick the last 3 days. 

Viral fever. 

I get tired easily so I've been sleeping a lot. Mum has been checking up on me via the boyfriend. 

And how strange is this that, while I'm right beside him he's texting mum about his work and my relatives who are coming back from Australia. 

Facing death in the eyes of others

2 weeks ago, on a flight that originated from States back to Singapore, I took on the last leg. I had a passenger who looked alright from the top half of the body. When you see the bottom half, you'd know something wasn't right. Anyway to cut the long story short, the passenger was actually very sick. His wife, who was his traveling companion, said he was going back to his country (another SE Asian country) to die. He had travelled all the way from States, braved that journey, to be able to die in his homeland. During the few hours of flight, the dutiful wife took good care of him to ensure that he gets oxygen, feeds him water and sings to him. It was such a pitiful sight. The brave wife looked strong throughout, only to break down crying at one point. No crew could stand by to watch that. We were all too heartbroken. 

As I shared this story with a crew on my last flight, she shared hers with me. 

The flight was from Australia to SIN. On the flight, a Caucasian teenage daughter and her father were sitting at the bulkhead row. She looked cheerful throughout the flight, just doing her own things. The father looked pretty emotionless the whole time. After landing, the daughter turned on her phone and there was a look of shock on her face. (My colleague witnessed the whole thing because her crew seat was just in front of them.) she turned to her father and asked "Dad, is mum dying?!"  

I also remember my landlady's story. It happened on her flight from Europe. A passenger passed away mid-flight. The crew tried to wake the elderly man up for his second meal only to realize his body had turned cold. The younger crew serving that zone were inconsolable because they were only serving him not so long ago. And there is a bond with every one of our pax. To receive his smile a few hours ago, and to be faced with a cold body now, is just too hard to take. Very unfortunately too, this man had no travelling companion. 

I learn from all these that I must be more compassionate towards my passengers. I don't know what they're going through. There may be something behind the cold face - his wife could be dying, her husband could be on the verge of death, he could be in pain. We don't know. And so I will try to return a smile to every cold shoulder I get just to make things better. 

 

Witnessing a proposal

I've never witnessed a proposal until last weekend. It was in Phuket, and together with Markus, we were part of Nic's entourage to get Michelle's hand. 

Plan A failed. It involved the beach and it was just raining every hour of the day with really gusty winds. The wet, sandy beach was definitely disgusting. 

Plan B failed also. It involved the outdoors of our villa. The weatherman really wasn't the least bit kind. 

Plan C, indoors. That got through. And I guess at the end of the day, it was just the two of them that mattered. The backdrop, the weather, the people standing around, didn't matter anymore. 

It was sweet to say the least. Michelle cried and I was fighting back my tears. I was in a pretty crappy mood that morning. I guess if I were in a better mood I would definitely have cried. 

While we didn't have good luck with the weather we had pretty decent luck with food in general. With the exception of Markus, all of us had pretty good meals. For some reason, Markus just had no luck with Pad Thais. 

This trip was the first time I went overseas with friends (except Batam if that's counted). I realized the constraints that came with that. Markus had long been against traveling with friends but I always thought it would be fun. This trip, we had to accommodate a few things which we normally wouldn't have to if it had just been us two. I wonder if there'll be another in future. 

Do you have that one Facebook friend who...

1. shares really good links and videos? You feel like you got indefinitely smarter just reading her posts everyday. 

2. takes so many selfies that you don't care much about? Babe, your clothes are boring, you don't even bother with makeup, and your selfies aren't interesting. 

3. shows off? Head-to-toe hashtag the brands like mad. 

4. needs to post every Starbucks drink he/she has? 

5. shares really terrible links. Her shared videos are not interesting at all. I've come to the point that I've concluded that every single video she shares is just a waste of time. I am actually amazed there are such boring, useless videos out there that people share on Facebook. I am guessing there is a group of people who have just odd wavelengths. 

6. posts everything that is dedicated or related to K-Pop? 

 

7. is always flying to different cities that you're so envious of? 

8. has Facebook just to sell makeup or supplements? 

I wish to delete offenders #2 and #5 the most. Cluttering up my Facebook!  

On one fateful flight to Singapore...

I had a strange passenger. 

A little rotund, rather quiet but definitely a heartbreaker. 

 

LAX TQ!

How could one lose a pouch with more than 200 U.S. Dollars and have it come back to you, with every single dollar and cent still there??? 

A cleaner or security personnel must have found it. I salute their honesty. 

That could be a week's grocery for them... 

Thank you also to whoever who's watching over me. <3 

I got you babe!

This is part of the Disney collection, sold only in California.

Took me a long time to decide on this. There was one which I preferred but that was a clip and I already have clips (one of which means something to me). And then it was down to Mickey vs. Minnie. 

Mickey triumphed. 

Minnie, I'll start a new bracelet in your colour, then I'll go back and get you ok? 

What is the matter with me

Why am I so forgetful? Is it the fault of the grey or the white? 

STOP LOSING THINGS, MINNIEMOOSE! >:(

30 is the new 70

My friends are determined to celebrate all birthdays this year with longevity peaches. 

Can't get enough of Japan

Was in Japan for about 24 hours, but when you take into consideration time required for rest and time spent at airport, there's really not much time to shop and eat.

Japan is HOT right now. The Japanese summer is real.

Kyoho and champagne grapes, in one picture. Note the difference in size. Kyohos are huge grapes, and champagne grapes are tiny grapes. Your common seedless grapes are somewhere in between.

Since it's summer, I took on the arduous task of bringing home a few bunches of succulent Kyoho grapes and champagne grapes as well. I tell you these are not real, man. How anything natural can be so sweet is beyond me. It was hard to carry these back without damaging them. Grapes aside, I can't think of any fruit harder to fly back than strawberries and peaches.


And since I cannot get enough of Japan, yours truly is going back there again on Friday.

Of Rhone, Yarra, Nappa and Casablanca

Over the last two days, I've been learning about wine regions, grape varietals, characteristics of wines and the aging and maturation processes of wines and spirits. 

Yesterday was truly dry. A few times I fought to stay awake in class. Today I went home happy and tipsy, and smelling a bit like I was in a different time zone (happy hour started a wee bit early). 

The wine that I found truly interesting was a New Zealand Gewürztraminer. Originally a grape varietal from Alsace, the Kiwis are trying their hands at this too. Unlike its European counterpart which has a stronger floral aroma, this one started off smelling like a can of sardines. Uh huh, sardines. The whole class started laughing because more than half of us indeed agreed that it smelled like sardines. And since it had a slightly metallic smell too, what did it smell like? A sardine can. 

However after allowing the wine to air a little, that pungent smell went away and it started to smell a lot better. And the surprise? It tasted really good and extremely different from how we first nosed it. 

After today's class I will definitely appreciate my next glass of wine a lot more. 

Meanwhile I hope I don't stumble and fall in tonight's game of laser tag. 

Stalking an ex

By the name of Pluto. 

Durians

So much durians in just three days! 

In BP, there was a major durian feast going on at #24. Two buckets of durians every night at least. And back in Singapore, there are durians too at Markus'. 

To be honest, durians stink. They taste really good, but they stink. 

I've figured how to let foreigners know how durians smell, in case they're all curious about the fruit. 

First, squeeze some white heads from the crevice between your nose and your cheek. Flatten those stuff between your fingers and smell it. 

Next, using the same finger(s), dig your navel that you haven't cleaned in the last 24 or more hours. Smell that finger again. That's what durians smell like! 

Birthday again

Before I went to London, the boyfriend treated me to lunch at Equinox. It had the most wonderful view of Singapore, and we did have a very enjoyable lunch. My guess is, we are going back there again soon. :P 

There wasn't a cake then so he made it up to me on Thursday night - the day I touched down from London and the night before I had to fly off to Frankfurt to work. 

I laughed so hard when I saw the cake!!! 

I would have been too shy to collect this! I'm sure the cake shop person would have told him to double-check the words before he collected the cake... O.O

His 脸皮 (skin) is quite thick, I must say. 

30 looks like it's gonna be a blast

30 and luvin' it! Or has 2015 just been such an exceptional year? 

The first European holiday with the folks this summer has been great. Showing the parents places that Lynn and I talk of, food we eat and gush over, the problems that the great London City can never seem to overcome (transportation), etc...And as with all things great, it had to end yesterday. So I left for Heathrow alone while they stay on a wee bit longer. Of course I felt torn. Leaving family behind, leaving London behind, back to work and back to reality. Of course, someone else was waiting for me on the other side of the world.....

Probably the heavens knew it so I was bumped up to Business Class for my flight home. How wonderful. Probably the only time I'll ever get to travel Business Class with The Company on a long-haul flight because I'll never be able to afford the exhorbitant tickets T___T

This is a gleeful me. 

When I got back to my place, the feeling of dread kicked in. The amount of laundry I've to do, my nails were not painted yet, my announcement texts haven't been updated, I've to unpack and pack for tomorrow's flight.... Argh the dread. 

Then when I opened my room door, I found a letter slotted underneath the door. 

A birthday card!! 

A card that made me laugh and cry at the same time. 

So emotional these days lah, I cannot take it. 

 

Looking forward to the days ahead. 2015 and being 30 both work well for me. 

So good to be back in Deutschland

It's just been two hours.

Asked a few people for directions and general inquiries, and those brief moments of contact with people when I paid for my duty-free shopping and food... all I can say is, it's bloody good to be back in Germany!!!!! 

What's up with the Austrian attitude?!?! Everyone acted like we owed them something. Even shop owners. Wtf. It was quite miserable to be honest. Yes the scenery is breathtaking but I really don't want to deal with THAT attitude again. So no, I will not be back there anytime soon. 

Dear Germans, despite the world calling you cold (like how we generalize Americans as being loud and obnoxious), you really aren't. Ich liebe dich!

I get this for S$4 in Japan and Amazon sells it for £17?!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005LIMESW/ref=tsm_1_tw_s_uk_nr8cid

I'm ready to take orders at $17 a piece. -__-

Camera is injured

Had to stick plaster on it. Poor thing. 

Heading back to London tomorrow. Wheeeeeee, duck rice!!

Summer 2015

2015, probably the best ever year!

Spring has come and gone, and it was wonderful as mentioned before. 

Summer is great as we speak! One week into my summer holidays and I do have a slight (unintended) tan already. 

Salzburg is so beautiful!!! But what's wrong with its people???? So hard to come across a friendly Austrian! 

Friendly Germans were everywhere but wow, cross a border and the people have got their noses right up there with the mountains. 

Haven't many pictures to show because they're mostly in my camera. 

Wolfgangsee, surrounded by mountains green with snot. 

And then it snapped

More Miu Miu woes. 

I brought this bag which I do not think is precious anymore with me on my Europe trip so that I can use it in the rain on wet days. 

On my first clear day, it rained in the morning. So I used the Miu Miu bag and the HARDWARE gave way just as I was stepping out of the house. 

Wow. Leather sucks, hardware also sucks. 

NO to PRADA & MIUMIU!

Yet another reason, on top of all that I've said before. Snapped for no good reason. I mean, who tugs at the clochette? 

Serious quality issues.

I rest my case. 

 

Hello Music.

Apple Music is here!!! 

Allowing one to access the iTunes Store library, Apple has made it especially sweet for us to pay $9.99 for its service. I've been using Spotify Premium for some time now and the next three months could be a make or break for Spotify. Many Spotify users will be looking for a reason to stay with Spotify for the same price. What makes Apple Music an even better option is that for $14.99, you can sign up for a family package (up to 6 Apple IDs), so that means I can share the cost with a few friends!

Unfortunately I am having trouble getting used to Apple Music's layout. I thought Spotify was confusing, but one probably needs a PhD when it comes to using Apple Music.

Listening to S Club 7 and miming to the songs now. I forget that S Club songs are so fun. 

Don't judge me. -_____- 

P/S: who remembers the hotness that is Rachel Stevens? 

The

It takes me to be in a foreign-speaking land, sitting in a corner of the breakfast room, and hearing crew members from another set speak (I don't even know where they are, I just heard them for a second) to make me realize that Singaporeans/Malaysians emphasize so much on the word "THE" in their sentences. Ouch my ears. 

I'm definitely a culprit of that too. Today, I promise to change that habit. 

Jealous much

What lucky guests!!! And how fortunate is this bride.... 

Pierre Herme! Ispahan macaron, the one macaron that I truly love! And creme brûlée, one of my fav desserts!!

Sigh, so much envy in such few lines. 

#LoveWins

And yes! Something good happened yesterday. I'm so glad that this is one HUGE step towards change in the 21st century. The U.S. has made this unprecedented move, and hopefully so will other countries e.g. Singapore. 

I have in my hopes that many of my gay friends will be able to get married one day to someone they love. 

Looked out of my office

And I saw Iceland! Hellloooo Iceland. Not much ice there. 

That Korean hero

Am watching an old Korean drama, 49 days, in Moscow. 

Han Kang-ssi..... 

<3

I know why I love Korean dramas. (As do other girls.) 

The male protagonist is always cool, arrogant and may even be harsh to the girl he likes at the start. Then he will slowly show the softer side - BUT only to the girl he loves. Even then, he still has a lot of pride and ego despite doing really sweet and silly stuff just for the special girl. 

And of course, he's always there to save the damsel in distress. 

My kind of man! 

How to do the turban

The boyfriend remarked that he's very impressed with how girls tie the turban after a shower. He tried and this is how he did it. 

#fail 

If you know how to open it, could you also please close it back?

Raffles Place you're boring

Seriously. 

Why are all the men here dressed in blue, or some kind of blue (like blue checks or blue stripes)??  

These men can hang out and walk in a group and they're all in blue. Don't they find it so damn strange?

-____-

Why am I spending so much money (and precious annual leave) this year on travel which are revisits?
HK, Phuket, London, Berlin.
So many more places that I really want to explore! aishhhhh chincha!!!!!



Came back from Down South today. 11 hours of flight, very hectic but generally a smooth and enjoyable flight. Passengers were really pleasant and that made it a lot easier. Someone told me, "Your service today is excellent!" Thank you sir, you really made my day!
Came back to Singapore into the arms of my one and only, and had dinner at his house. His mum threw in a whole mother hen into the pot for her soup and I was expected to finish that... o.O

Tomorrow!!! Questions will be answered to the big, newsworthy incident that happened on my flight.

Regression

My home country used to be so proud of its gymnasts. I remember our girls doing so well in the Commonwealth Games '98 in KL, and they were almost the darlings of the Games (to us Malaysians) other than our shuttlers. 

>>>>>>>> 

(Fast-forward) 

Now the attire of a Malaysian gymnast is under fire by regressive Muslims in the country. 

This isn't the first time they're talking like they've just emerged from the caves. But this time they criticized something that actually made the country PROUD, when they should reflect on themselves in the first place. 

 

FOTB

Strange how ice-cream defined a Fresh Of The Boat moment for me. 

I remember being in Singapore and seeing Häagen-Dazs ice-cream in the supermarket for the first time. Even though with little money in the pocket (probably I hadn't even drawn my first pay), it struck me how cheap it was compared to back home! Maybe it was the currency conversion, maybe it was the liberation that I'm earning my own money. Nevertheless I started to buy a lot of ice-cream after that. Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's. 

Of course, that was before. Now at this current place, can't leave anything out there man....