Scouty’s Weblog

The day started with a shock today. Firstly had over-slept and as a result, the morning routine ends up being quite a rush. As I was on the way to change, our neighbour’s maid came knocking at our door looking for my mum. It seems she has trouble waking up the old lady in the house, which she calls Ah Ma. So she was telling my mum, she can’t wake up Ah Ma and wanted my mum to go over and checked it out.

At first thought, my mum sensed something amiss, but nevertheless she still went over to check it out. As I was busy getting ready for work, thus I didn’t follow her until I had done my daily routine. So after dressing up, I went over the the neighbour’s place to see if things are ok. That’s where my mum had told me, the old lady had passed away.

At that moment, I just freeze for a moment before asking my mum if the maid had informed the old lady’s daughter. It seems her daughter was informed and on the way here. So I proceed back home to get ready for work, while the maid by now is pretty freaked out and had wanted my mum to stay and accompany here. So my mum told her to wait outside the flat while she go wash up.

I proceed to leave for work but with a feeling of sadness in my heart. Again, having to see another death… This time round it happened so close to me.

The old lady moved over here for I think 2 years odd, the structure of our flat is such that we have this 4 units located together along the same stretch of corridor, with a stair separating us from the other units along the same floor. So among the 4 units, my household is one of those that always have people at home most of the time, so it won’t take long before we got to know the old lady and her maid.

So being the typical friendly people, my mum got along pretty well with the old lady and her maid, that indirectly linked our household up with them. So from then on, I will also greet the old lady whenever I passed by her unit every morning when going to work. Thus knowing that she had passed away today, was indeed a sad news to me. The whole day was spent being moody and thinking of what happened.

Perhaps the only ironic thing that happened was that, deep in my sleep last night, I had this weird dream of seeing a blurry image of an old lady appearing in the midst of my dream. It actually caused me to wake up from my slumber as the whole image appeared pretty abruptly.  When I narrated my experience to my mum , she too had experience something similar too, also an image of a blurry old lady. Thinking back, from a very traditional Chinese point of view, perhaps that was the time the old lady had passed away, and somehow she had ‘came over’ to see us for one last time before moving off. As we were the only household that was in constant contact with her all the while.

Had sent my prayers to her in the morning, praying for the early repose of the old lady… Had spoken to my mum and we will be going over to her wake tomorrow evening. The very last thing we could do, paying our last respect to her and praying for her.

Having to overcome death is never easy… More so when the death occur so near to you. Ah Mm.. May you rest in peace. I will be sending my prayers to you.

Seen her today… though was pretty surprise to see her, but then again its always good to expect the expected to happen in life eh.

From the conversation, can see that things have definitely changed after what had happened. This would be something I had expected, though the challenge is in handling the situation when things come face to face. But well, I would said, both of us had managed to handle the situation pretty well.

Somehow can see that what was shared to her was being put into used. Ok.. Not trying to claim credit here, but I guess its heartening to see that from the tons of stuffs that were shared with her, there were at least some stuffs which she can pick up and use when the situation arises. So well done Lady!! A small step in applying what you had learnt.

If only my ‘kids’ were able to grasp such stuffs at her pace… That would surely make my job at work easier and when it comes to sharing such stuffs with them easier. But well… perhaps sometimes it really requires one to learn the hard way before they can grapple with how such stuffs work.

Anyway… its nice to see her today, especially with her new image of including a specs. Haa.. well… lets see if there is ever a chance to see each other again eh. Though I presume perceptions wouldn’t have changed much regardless of time eh.

But well… again no regrets, the blog post was indeed necessary to help ‘release’ the thoughts in me and as a way to remember that someone whom crossed into my path. As for the perceptions casted upon me, sadly I can’t do much to change it, since it is afterall one’s perception.

So to comfort myself with my favourite tag-line “Chill Man!!” Thats life!! 

Was at Chinatown yesterday to meet up R for our usual chill out session. So while waiting for him to arrive, I decided to go over to OG Peoples Park to visit my Lao Da (ex Senior Supervisor) and some of my ex-colleagues.

As she was having her dinner when I reached, thus I start catching up with my ex-colleagues first… then sms her to ask where is she. So she came back to the toys department shortly and I must say, she has aged quite abit…

Was very happy to see her after so long and we start talking and catching up. Somehow I always felt so happy to see her. Perhaps its the fact that when we see each other, we will talk about the days when I was working with her at OG Great World. Thinking back, life back then was so much fun.. Its pretty free and easy, no worries about things like office politics, don’t have to worry about people in your department trying to back-stab you and stuffs.

Through the talking, can see that she is also under-going quite abit of stress at work. As the departments she has to be in-charge of has increase, thus the pressures also increased. Perhaps the thing that always bother her is that, she always lack the staffs that she can rely on. Thus she will always go into the irriated mood easily, especially when things do not turn out the way she wanted. Was even jokingly telling her, I come back and help her…

Still remember those days when I was working with her… Somehow I had been able to get along well with her and thus able to know what she is thinking and what she wants, thus she had also trusted me greatly during those days, even though I am just a part-timer.

Had promised her that I will visit her more often and hopefully one day I will come with someone for her to see. Haa.. yes, another lady in my life that is chasing me to get hitched… To think she was even visualising the day where I will being my kids to show her and tell my kids she was the person I used to work with …. Didn’t know my Lao Da is thinking so far ahead….

Finally understood the concept of what the netizens meant when they said “whatever one choose to post online shall not complaint about non- privacy”.

Haa… since I chose to start this blog 2 years back, I didn’t really think much about the issue of non-privacy. I had even used this concept to ’shoot’ at fellow netizens in forums whom had complained about their privacy being invaded when people start flooding their blogs or sites due to some stuffs they posted.

Perhaps today is the day I learnt the essence behind this concept…. Haa… again since I chose to pen my thoughts down in a blog, I should be prepared that it will be accessible by anyone who knows the links.

Cest La Vie…. As an information professional, I guess I should abide by the rule of the new media… So to whoever is curious about my latest post… Happy Reading!

2nd attempt to pen down something about Miss L that had affected my mood for a while. Basically Miss L is someone I known during one of my ‘cheonging’ outing. She had score well in the looks and body department but apart from the exterior factor, she also has the charm of a lady and she knows how to use it her advantage. Her cute expression and the sometimes blur behaviour can melt one’s heart. Best part, she is by far one of the lady that can carry herself pretty well. If she didn’t speak, she can sometimes be mistaken as a Japanese mixed. Personally I had encounter and seen quite a bit of ladies from the same region where Miss L came from, and so far, none of those that I encounter can seriously hold up against her. Thus the heading for her, A Cut Above The Rest.

When I first saw her, she didn’t really got my attention as I was pretty much focus on another person. Nevertheless, I still asked for her contact before I left. So proceed to sms her a few days after the first encounter, pretty usual response of the Hi and How are you.

Got a sms from her during one of the night when I was out clubbing with E. So asked if she is keen to join us and she obliged since she mentioned that she is quite bored at work. So met her up at and brought her into the club. To be frank, that very night I walked in with her, she had already got the attention of a few male clubbers there. Even my friend, E whom has a high QC level of ladies was impressed with her looks.

So we drank, played some finger guessing games, listen to the live band and dance our time away. As that night was a theme night in the club, so the club’s photographer was moving around taking pictures of clubbers for the night. So we were lucky that our group photo was taken. The photo had since became part of my memories of Miss L.

Subsequently we still kept in contact via sms, and this time round, the tone of the sms had changed to that of more caring, she had even taken initiative to sms me at times. So we met up again for dinner one of the Friday. Well.. that brief dinner outing was great. That was the outing that make me realised the meaning of the word ‘Head-Turner’… First time I went out with a lady that had managed to grab the attention of guys and to the extend, having them turn back and look at her a 2nd time…. Ego-booster for me I would said.

That dinner outing was the one that had kind of change everything. We got around closer after that and meet up more frequently, to a certain extend, we were behaving more like a couple than just normal friends when we were out. Even the simple gesture of holding hands and walking around was seen as something blissful for me.  However that was also the time  I kind of realised that I had breech the rules of the game. I had allowed my feelings to get involved and to a certain extend, my feelings had got the better of me. From that moment on, decision-making process was disrupted with feelings taking the driver’s seat.

Perhaps its some divine intervention or what, the good times we had together were pretty short-lived. Somewhere this month, we start to get detached from each other. The sms from her start to stop and things just came to an abrupt end. Well, personally I knew the reason behind the detachment.. as I had long known how the game is supposed to be played and what is our individual’s objectives. So for Miss L, she is not able to gain her objectives from my end and its only wise for her to move on, while at my end.. it was a mistake to allow my feelings to get involved, as feelings aren’t suppose to be part of the game. So for the outcome that happened today, I would have pretty much expected it, though the unrealistic side of me is still hoping that this wasn’t the game.

Anyway… for Miss L and me, I can pretty much said that it is history. Whatever I can hold on till now is only the memories of the good times we had and also the photo taken at the club. As the famous saying from this old Solvil Titus ad by Andy Lau, 不在乎天长地久， 只在乎程经拥有. So we may not have worked out something, but at least we were there once.

The link to the ad for viewing pleasure…

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzE1MzcxODA=.html

Realised that I hasn’t been blogging as frequent. So decide to pen down some thoughts today, perhaps after penning down the thoughts I won’t feel so emo.

Well.. for the past few weeks, things have been pretty much of a challenge. Lots of things happened within this short 1 month. Happy stuffs, unhappy stuffs, complicated stuffs and stressful stuffs.

Happy stuffs?? Well, firstly had attended the baby’s 1st month of my good friend S. She had given birth to a cute and pretty daughter. So was down at her place last week to share the happy moments with S and A. Another happy stuff, finally had gotten my diploma cert from TP at the graduation ceremony. I guess it should be a joyous moment for the class of us in the part-time Diploma course. As our 3 years of hard work had paid off. So as of 19 May, I am officially a TP Diploma Graduate.

Unhappy stuffs?? Haa… this perhaps has been the something that has affected me even till now. Had thought that I will be able to manage my emotions and played the game accordingly. But well… letting my emotions run lose, I end up getting pretty much emotionally attached to this person. Should not go into much details about her, but all I can said is that the days with her was surely memorable. It brings back the feeling of dating life and during the time together, it does put me in great pride and joy to be seen walking around with such a babe. Haa.. the ego booster at work I guess… Didn’t know I still have such an ego residing in my life. ‘A cut above the rest’ would be the best phrase to describe my thoughts and feeling towards her. Anyway.. I guess I should have been prepared for this, since thats how the game works. Only consolation, a photo taken during an event at the club for memories sake.

Complicated stuffs?? Another issue that almost got me into a mess that I believe will come and haunt me and kick me in the ass. Again should not go into details, but its just another matter of the heart issues that I believe is dangerous and comes with complicated consquence. Though the tempation of going into it was pretty strong at one stage, but well… lucky the good old senses kicked in and was able to make a clear decision before things get real messed up.

Stressful stuffs?? Haa.. Perhaps this has yet to be develop into something stressful. Since the approach that each of us are taking is more on the defence mode. Knowing her character, I don’t think she will want to rock the boat and risk war over the matter which is considered to be history now. A wrong move at my end to be seen stepping into other people’s borders and in a certain way, fighting someone else’s war. As the famous saying goes, “Smart is ok, don’t act smart!”

Hmm.. that pretty much sums up the going on in May… Am still trying to get pass the unhappy issues and move on.. But memories of that person seems to be floating by once in a while. Haa.. even the few happy moments can’t seem to over-ride it.. What an impact that person has created in my life… Perhaps I should dedicate a post for her… Since its been a while someone had came by and swept me of my feet.

Was watching this reality game show on TV last week. It so happened that I got to watch a pretty much similar version of the show at my work-place this week.

Similar to the game show, one person of the “tribe” was voted out of the game. While the other players still remain strong in the game. Best part of the show, even the “Striper” in the organisation was actively participating in the game and join the other players to help vote the person out.

Now with the person voted out, I wonder how the game will developed…

Quoting the famous tag-line of the original game show. “XXX, the tribe has spoken!!”

Met up with my poly friends on Friday to try and rent our graduation gown for our up-coming graduation in May. Was pretty happy to see the few of them again. Since the last time we met was in class before our course ended. So the 4 of us met up and did some catching up while walking to the Convention Center.

The first thing that came to my mind when I saw the gown and when my friend was trying it on, I was like “It look like Harry Potter” Well… just when I thought the gown was weird looking when I saw it on the website, the actual gown looks even more weird, as it has this red in the middle with strip of gold lining at the 2 side of the red. So first glance of it, it really look like one of the Harry Potter costume.

Nevertheless, the 4 of us still try out the gown to get the right size before proceeding to pay the rental fee for the gown.

Now that I have the gown with me, it will be just waiting for the actual day to arrive. Perhaps I am just getting abit too excited, I had even plan out what shirt and tie to wear for the ceremony, so as to match with my this Harry Potter looking graduation gown.

Its been a long long time since I last put on a graduation gown….

Finally remembered what I wanted to blog about. Went to this shop near my sister’s place to have my glasses made, as my current pair is like a few years old already. So its about time I make a new pair.

So went over to the shop near my sister’s place to make my glasses before dinner, as my mum mentioned the shop owner don’t charge that much for a pair of glasses. Furthermore, my Dad and Mum also had their’s made there. So decide to try them out, since my glasses were always expensive, so if there is a shop that can offer a good price for my glasses why not.

Upon reaching the shop, well its a very simple shop run by this couple. The wife was pretty helpful and will find out what I need and recommend. Shortly after that, the husband came back. He was quite a funny man. First he reeks of alcohol smell, which made my mum and me wonder if he is in a state to render his service. Then what kind of irritates me is the way he recommend the various type of frames. He is like trying to just push any frames to me, despite me stating a few times that I wanted something with a bigger frame for the lens, because my eyes are big and I have an oval shape face. So if the frame is too small, it will look darn weird on me. But he just like.. “This one ok.. This one ok..” or “This one nice, see.. good right” or “This one can… This one can… My frame is even smaller than this. So this one sure can!” I have to admit, at this point I almost wanted to tell the man off.

However what makes the whole experience an ever eye-opener was when I asked if there is a need to check my eyes  of any changes to the degree of my lens. First he got his wife to check the current degree of my lens, then tell me based on that to make my new lens. I was like… “Dude.. the last time I had my glasses checked was like at least 3 years back! Got no change meh”? Then he told me to stand outside his shop, using the traditional eye chart on the wall, ask me to read a line of numbers on the chart, from there determine that got no change.

Seeing my uneasiness and the WTF look on my face. The wife suggested that he checked for me again, that’s where he used those specs where he can placed many lens to determine the correct degree required. Well… final verdict, there is a slight increase in the astigmatism.

Personally I really have the intention to just tell him that I will not want to have my specs made. The way he conduct the whole deal, sure give me the uneasiness. However, perhaps the only saving grace in the whole experience was the price he charged me for the whole pair of glasses. It cost me $228 for the glasses, I have to say it has been the cheapest pair I made till date. Consider the fact that my lens had always cost the most and based on the previous few pairs made. Its always at the range of $300+. So today I can get a pair at just slightly $200, I was thinking.. “Ok.. Just give it a shot. If no good, then he can forget about earning my money again.”

So there was it… My experience of making my glasses with a seemingly drunkard man.

Decide to took half-day leave today, as I have something to do and also want to take the chance do some shopping in the middle of the day.

So first stop was to Raffles City, as I wanted to go to the Robinson Store. Since Robinson is well-known for its services, thus wanted to go experience some good customer service. Well.. now I realised that selecting perfume to buy is not an easy task, especially when the info I had on hand is rather vague. So its pretty much relying on gut-feel to find out  the scent I want to get. To make matter worse, a particular brand has to come out with 3 different  scent all under 1 range; Addict, Addict 2 and Addict Shine. So gave up on this brand, move on to brand 2. This one at least pretty straight-forward, since they only have 2 different scent for their range that comes with numbers. But I was wrong, cos this brand of perfumes (in my own words) have this time-lapse feature that the actual scent will only come out after it takes time to ’settle-down’. Cos the promoter was explaining to me why I couldn’t get the scent right earlier because the scent has yet to ’settle-down’.

Now at least I can ‘put a face’ to the different scent and brand of perfumes I can get, should I decide to purchase it. So move on the my 2nd stop, where its time for me to relax and chill over a drink. Went down to my favourite lounge at Intercontinental Hotel to spend my afternoon reading while sipping a cold beer.  I had found this place to be very conducive for reading, since its pretty quiet with soft music played over the lounge. If I were to stay later, I can get to hear live performance by the lounge piano player. Had managed to finished reading the Library Journal containing papers presented during the 2008 Library Conference and 2 short stories excerpts from this year’s Read Singapore selected reading material. Haa… I guess I will be hanging out at the lounge this week again, since now I got another book on hand to complete.

After spending my afternoon at the lounge, decide to do some window-shopping before heading for dinner. So ended up at Kinokuniya Book-store. Decide to check out this book ‘The Best I Could’ by Subhas Anandan, the famous criminal lawyer in Singapore. Chance upon this book on Monday while I was at Times Bookshop, got rather engrossed while browsing it. Had initally wanted to loan it from the library (the cheapo side of me say “Don’t Buy.. Loan!!”) but upon checking the Online Catalogue, the book is either out on loan or under reservation in all the libraries. I figure by the time I get my hands on it, the interest in the book might be lost. So decide to purchase the book from Kinokuniya, since they are offering a further 20% discount on the book. So a good book that cost slightly above $20, where to find!!

So decide to head down to Central Mall for dinner, since I am not too sure what I want to have for dinner, but had the intention to check out some clothes at one of the shops there. Upon reaching Central Mall, decide to go for dinner first as its troublesome to look for dining place alone, and worse if I have any shopping bags with me should I decide to buy some clothes. Decided to try this shop that sells Hong Kong style food, as that is the only store that kind of sell something not local and yet look decent enough. Furthermore, there were these 2 ladies that also happened to decide eating at this shop and I actually made a couple of eye-contact with one of the lady. Haa… so ordered my food and drink, got a seat and enjoy my nice cold milk-tea while waiting for my Pork-Chop noodle to be served. I must said, the food was good, serving was rather large I would said. So had a satisfying dinner, then decide to buy some Japanese pastries for my colleagues at work tomorrow. Since I hasn’t really given them a treat ever since I join AFS, so decide to give them a little treat since I had gotten my PB. Had bought this cute finger-bite size donuts and cakes.

Finally all is done and its time to head home. On the way, start reading the book that I just bought and the momentum just build up. Now the reading mood is once again ignited.