Christmas of 2008

Christmas of 2008, a déjà vu other than Raymond's girlfriend, which is somewhat new to our usual gang. Prepping of the dinner started some time and ended in no time, everyone helped in some ways, I think. Of course not putting into consideration our newbie, Mrs Raymond, into the kitchen, that would've been 'inappropriate'. Pamela along with Mr Pamela, her husband, came just when we finished preparing our greasy Christmas Partae, with munchies and wine for all. Besides the richness from our all-mostly-fried feast and Christmas log cake lookalike, there wasn't really any room for our chocolate fondue. Hence, the fruits and chocolate fondue were given away as a Christmas complimentary package to Jiajia and family, on behave of the gang. Everyone's a winner.

Food, I've to repeat this a-gain, was overwhelming, but entertainment area was rather dull. Greatest suggestion of the night, MAH-ther-fuckin'-JONG, with 4 people sitting around a square table, looking at small tiles. Yea..right! I would've expected all to be at least doing something together, than segregating into groups. Dey! Where is the Christmas spirit Dah?

All I could hear whole night was the noise from the mahjong, that's about it. It felt strange having a sense that some of us there were just there to kill time, than to get involved. Ignoring the fact that if mahjong was suggested, what would the rest be doing. None of that came to their minds. Simply doing it coz they want it. Major sad case in history. Excluding the newbies, the some of us, wasn't having much motivation around. If no one had actually initiated anything for this Christmas, I'd guess we'll all be rotting away at home starring at the TV with our butts stuck to the chair. It bothers me greatly why there are people out there, who just wanna tag along without contributing ideas or suggestions. They would have a default mindset that eventually someone would come out with a plan, they're pro-active to know pro-activeness exists. Classic role model of the year.

Besides the boisterousness and evil eyes, Raymond's girlfriend is basically quite a vexatious situation. This unique specimen of a kind, brought aggravating physical and vocal noises, she voice really up the ante with the mahjong noise. It all ended pretty quick, and, bang, most of them were gone like a passing sandstorm. The few of us left were roaming on the internet, searching for past forgotten local drama theme song, the nostalgia in that, ultimate vurdoon.

Business Services Department Christmas Dinner

From all the retrenchment and the state of recession, we're most fortunate to have our Christmas dinner at Swissotel. Although the food was forgettable, especially the durian pudding a.k.a rotten baby's vomit, we had a blast opening gifts and laughing at one another. Headed up to Equinox for a drink and glimpse of the city view, gossiping about work and more giggles. And I swear one of my colleague is looking seriously S.P.G-ish, I'm wouldn't be surprise if she go solo by the bar, some Caucasian guy might just go to her and offer to buy a drink. Ultimately, we had fun.

The BIG Laymond Day

We have concluded our last birthday person of year 2008, Raymond. Coming into consensus, me and Suling, the best solution for Raymond's birthday card would be, home-make, hand-make, do-it-ourselves. Reminiscing the days in Arts class when I can freaking draw a straight line without the trembling hands, those were the days. Hours of drawing and rushing for time, the end product was rather nice. We made our trip to Sembawang to dig into the super gi-nomous crabs. Although the black pepper crab tasted a bit funky but size matters more.

After discovering the true fact and Raymond has a girlfriend, surprised most of us. We assumed that the usual habit of denial when we interrogate about his love affairs would take place, and yes, it did, but eventually admitted that the picture on his mobile display screen is indeed his girlfriend. At least now, all of us can get it over and done with the 'Dawn' chapter, and something new to tease about him makes refreshing. LOL

After a bus ride, we arrived at the usual birthday after-dinner event, karaoke. Hours of monkey business and crooning, we presented to Raymond his birthday cake, birthday red packet of blessing and prosperity and the card. It all ended in a flash and we had to drag ourselves home feeling dead drained tired. Beware of White Tiger.

Pads - Bombs Away

I supposed it was common decency for people to flush after using the toilet and to wash their hands after that. But I guess I wrong. It has been many incidents whereby used sanitary pads were found lying on the ground, obviously thrown down by some inconsiderate bitch. It gets worst when its freaking raining cats and dogs, with the water splatting onto the fully opened and used pad with the grossly color of red.

I wondered why is so hard to just dispose it into the bin or down the rubbish chute. Or is it a better thrill to dump it down from the kitchen window, a rush of adrenalin or a sense of satisfaction? The only prize anyone get is when someone walked past or on their way out, and there it is, bloody freaking mary. It gives red color a whole new auspicious meaning there.

Discovering used condoms on the ground is no doubt a gross effect, but this brings grossness to a whole new territory. Its revolting enough and yet no one is doing anything about it. Perhaps if something would to be done, if its a stupid P.R.C bitch, she wouldn't understand a bit anyway. I guess what people around that neighborhood can do is to bear with it and deal with it themselves. Bitch!

Seoul, The Heart of Korea

From the communication barrier to cultural background, Korea has its natural true beauty from the rural to the urban. The tranquility of Jeju Island, south of the main island, explains why it is the top honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds. An island formed by volcanic rocks, Jeju faces the crystal clear ocean and offers the most preserved rural part of Korean. Climbing to the peak of the mountain, picking tangerines and horseback riding, there's nothing close to nature from what Jeju has to put forth.

On the main island, Korea has two theme parks, Everland and Lotte World. Everland is an outdoor park divided into sections by different themes. Walking through the different sections, with all sorts of exciting rides from Safari nature tour to the thrilling roller-coaster. Lotte World has an outdoor and indoor park, where the indoor park is located right above the shopping mall. The outdoor park has a river-view and a majestic castle right in the center of the park surround by numerous kind of rides. Its these places where grown-ups can actually have a chance to be a kid again.

This winter period can never do without visiting a ski resort, and our trip to Phoenix Ski Resort has the view of white snowy mountain, packed with people skiing and snowboarding in their different multicolored outfits. Beside the resort has a huge indoor water park with jacuzzi and water slides. Heading to the city of Seoul, we experienced a variety of winter cuisine like barbecue pork wrapped in lettuce leaves, dumpling hotpot and ginseng chicken soup, from the freshest produce in Korea. Seoul city itself has streets filled with local Koreans all dressed up in their unique fashion. The city has an array of shopping malls and streets from designer label boutique to street fashion shops, all lighted up with lights and decor for the coming Christmas. We see locals pushing food-carts, displaying the wide selection of local street food, having a chance to eat what the local are eating, that was really something interesting.

This metropolis has an area where the royal palace was once built on. Until today, the Korean government has yet to retrieve full information on how the entire palace would look like. All we can see at current are only parts of the whole kingdom. It is believe that the back garden of the palace, which is the residence of the current president, has the best feng-shui in Korea. Leaving the palace to the cultural center, we had the chance to make our own kimchi (preseverd cabbage), which is one of the most eaten food in Korea. Besides that, the cultural center provides photo-taking session in historical costumes that were similar to the popular Korean drama series.

We concluded our trip in Korea, after 8 days of amazing weather and fantastic food, it is no doubt an excellent destination for quality enjoyment.