First Day in Dubai... 25th July 2010

First trip to Dubai, it was a 7 hours long flight, all was good. Except for the hotel pickup which did not arrive when my flight touched down at 2:10am. I waited for like 30 minutes as I called in between to check. The hotel could not get hold of the driver and I had to take a taxi myself, turns out quite alright with the starting meter fare from AED 20, jumping to AED 71 as I reached my apartment. I checked in at the reception, it was a pretty new property Radisson Blu at Marina operating for 2 years plus. I reached the hotel at 4 plus, the unit I got is big... There's the kitchen with washing machine/dryer, oven, utensils, living room, bedroom, 2 bathroom, and even a balcony. How nice if Patrick and my 4 boys can be here, they will love the big space.

It's really hot here, I can feel big differences as I felt the heat as I step out onto the balcony from my air condition room. I don't think anyone would want to go out walking on the street in this heat. But I can see construction workers hard at work around the various sites around the place I am staying at... wow, imagine working in such heat...

Bryan's Sports Day

Bryan's First Sports Day

(NTUC Childcare)

A hot sunny day @ Woodlands Stadium, Bryan starting his first game

The boys with their teacher

Bryan's first gold medal, worth it for all the sweats in exchange

My four boys, a grown up old man and three young kids....

Leaving Metso......

A bad day, 25 June 2010

My last day of work in Metso Paper, a big happy family I have grown attached to. The guys, the ladies, and Lay Peng, someone whom I have grown so so sttached to that we are so sisters now. Three years, I was with Metso Paper for the shortest period as compared to all the seniors there. But it was a fulfilling 3 years where good memories are born. All the "good mornings", the lunches, the "I need your listening" ears moments, the nicknames we had for funny characters around us. My sis and I have grown so attached, this kind of one in a lifetime friend, how many people have had the luck to own one? My ever so accommodating, understanding, patient, generous, kind, and everything perfect sis, it was a relationship which I hope would last forever. Leaving Metso has been a tough tough decision.

Then there are the guys, let's start with Bjorn Olausson, the tall handsome boss of Metso Paper. He was a kind, soft spoken gentleman to everyone. Totally no "air" about him and ever so welcoming you into his room guy.

My other boss, Mr. Nelson Koh, the one who actually conducted my interview session with Vivien the HR Manager. I still can remember the interview session with the two of them in the little meeting room over in our old Science Park office. Coincidentally, I went for 3 seperated interviews all in Science Park within a week, Metso was one of them. I still remember Vivien the really pleasant HR Manager when I first met her. She is so pleasant, professional and makes oneself feels so at ease. I even noted she felt so motherly. Nelson, he is Mr. Perfect, a guy for details, filing with his own taste and standard, stern, a real gentleman and funny at times. Oh ya, he can be vain too, I still remember him telling us about his colour matching ties at home all properly matched with his row of shirts. Then there's also Nicole, Nelson's wife, a pleasant sweet lady whom's so matching with Mr. Koh. This guy has given me so much as he gave me the opportunity to start with Metso, joining into a nice family, a real good job, and even sending me for studies to further upgrade myself. Though I hardly ever made the effort of talking to him frequently, but still there is a bond between us and this is part of why it took me a long hard time to talk to him about my leaving Metso.

Mr. Murugan Batumalai, a very high "EQ" guy! He is ever so cheerful, funny, friendly and sweet. He carries with him an air of sophistication, his shiny head is also an attraction. Somestime he makes me feels like he's attained enlightenment and oh yes, he is really good with his yoga moves, I am deeply impressed as he showed me once how he can bend over forward to touch his forehead effortlessly against his knees while standing.

Mr. Ang Hock Seng, an uncle who I have grown to understand and love over the years. He has years of experiences in the work field, so too has his rich experiences in life. A very very lucky man with 3 lovely capable smart children with attainment of Honors in education. Mr. Ang would have been so much more happier if he try to relax more with his children. An uncle whom is so fatherly, taking care of me and as we shared little talks frequently.

Mr. Pow Wan Fei, a very very cheerful and simple uncle. He is a compliment with Mr. Ang as they are often the "Ang Pow (Red Packet)" in my dictionary. Mr. Pow, a fatherly figure who frequently makes extra effort to get breakfast for Lay Peng and me on those special mornings. And oh, he's the handyman in our office too, we can always find him coming up with ideas to fix some things that are not working or needs improvements.

My dear sister, I did a good job of keeping myself occupied and going as per normal around the office right till the last day. But I noticed her puffy eyes as the days go by, it was a tough one for me as I had sleepless nights. And today, right till the last moment when Lay Peng gave me a hug, I couldn't control my tears as they came flowing down hard. I could not bear to leave my dear buddy and sister, I had to hug her hard. And Patrick (just like most men), had to tease me about us women being too sentimental.

There's Chitra our IT helpdesk who has been wonderfully patient and helpful. She is frequently called to Metso Paper for help and we really love her. I had to often irresistably tease her whenever she is in our area to help with IT problems.

Mr. Janetud Chawengsrethakul, my Thailand friend, he is quiet, very man and funny too! We like to call him Mr. Thaksin, and he has a weakness for greeneries (plants) as he places pots of them around his room in the office. It was good therapy watering them whenever he is out of town on business trips. A short break away from the computer screen to water the plants really helps soothe the eyes. And he is so into sports especially badmintons, a big fan and a player every Saturday.

Ms. Yip Hwee Lee, one good friend I have had the honour to make, she is working in Metso Automation. A very very lovely friend and my favourite is to often make her laugh till she goes red in the face. It is really funny. She is a sincere and true friend, a rare find. We can share little jokes, complaints and gossips. I will miss all these too.

Ms. Stella Tay and Ms. Teoh Ningen, two friends whom have been parts of my 3 years in Metso. They can sure brighten up your days, Ningen is straight forward and funny, she has been loaning me books on pregnancy to me, giving me cute little baby stuff as I was expecting Alex. Someone sweet, voal and with big growing tummy as she is currently expecting her baby no. 2 (a prince). Stella the soft talking demure lady, she is well maintain with frequent facials and hair treatments which I often tease her about. Funny little talks we have come to share, jokes, and little stories...

Sweet little gifts of love from my dearest sis Lay Peng... She and the Metso Paper guys dig into their secret personal savings to buy me Coach Bag and Sis has been going on mad shopping spree to buy gifts for me from her own pocket!!! Perhaps it is lucky I am going soon or she will be broke before long.

Our finance team as we dine at Triple 3 for my farewell lunch. It is those rare moments when we actually have the chance to snap a photo together. There are Angela and Jane in the front row, with Seetoh Kwee Li and Julie at the back with me. A fun dining experience, and not forgeting Mr. Cheng Ter Chiang too whom adores the Tepanyaki dish of prawns as he went around for repeated servings.

Caught Jane by surprise as she attempts to devour the yummy food!

Been really lazy lately...

Oh, I have been really neglecting in maintaining my blog page.

There have been many things that popped up and demanded my attention.

Baby Alex was sick, a seriously tiresome one week that sent my maid, Patirck, and I into sleep depriving moments. He was down with fever, running/block nose, loss of appetite, and vomitting like a merlion. We tried western medicine after having sent him to the GP, and even bought the very expensive $60 over per tiny bottle of black bitter powder from a chinese medical hall Eu Ren Sheng... Still, it took quite a while before he's finally recovering.

Christopher and Nicholas had been really mischevious, asking them to study seriously is like getting them to pluck the moon from the sky for me. Also, one of their teacher has been giving me problems, with dishonesty, and a totally result oriented driven mind, she's driving me nuts. I had to talk to her on the phone a few times, and even got the vice principle involved before things actually improved.

And there are the stressing times as the two elder boys' mid exams draw near. Patrick is practically stuffing himself with his high blood pressure pills as he teaches them each day.

And third boy Bryan started his viral flu this week, with serious coughing, block nose, sore throat and fever...

Oh boy, are we ever so busy!

But still, there are the happy occassions, with the two older boys Christopher and Nicholas having their birthday this month May! Their birthdays happen to be just a week apart and tomorrow is Nicholas'.

Baby Alex is now always fighting for attention from the whole family. He's stretching out his hands wide and together with his toothless big smile, begging for people to carry him! And oh ya, we have tried giving him some bread bits today, he's really enjoying the solid food.

Gosh, the days of the messy gluey yucky fish smelly porridge are going to be back again as we start to feed Alex with solid food soon.