My Huzhou Expedition

Went to see a waterfall, but that was not very impressive. Went to the bamboo park cum museum instead, now that was fun... and this was my most memorable moment

Yes, it is real!!!

Flying from place to place

By some twist of fate, have been out of sunny little Singapore quite a bit in the past month of so. Remember when I first took up this job, this was how I expected my life to be, travelling about 50% of the time, spending up to two weeks at each location... but obviously that did not pan out. Thus, when I saw my overseas job assignments this time round, I adopted the view point of not expecting it to materialize until I see the air tickets. Ironically, of course, this time round, with each passing week, I am presented with yet another air ticket.

But how different the heart feels about travelling in just the space of a year. Whilst I looked at travel opportunities with excitement, this time round I can't help but worry about the tons of unfinished items that I am leaving behind. Also know that due to my absence, Jules and my mum have been running about trying to settle things with respect to my wedding preparations, my house, etc.

This week, I am in Huzhou, China? Where again in China? Well, as far as I've been able to gather, it's located on the Zhejiang, 3.5hrs away from Shanghai. Someone really needs to explain to me all this province, district and what have you that applies to China's geographical divide. The biggest attraction here is the TaiHu, a big big lake which I'll never get the opportunity to see. It's surrounded by mountains (I can actually see them from the factory), and I'm gonna visit a waterfall today!!! Actually, I kind of like Huzhou... it's a very non touristy area... you hardly see any foreigners. For a change, the clients have put us up in a decent accomodation... and it definitely makes working for 12 hours straight in your hotel room alot more comfortable. Anyways, the hotel is located in the "orchard road" stretch of Huzhou, so I managed to sneak some shopping over the weekend. Clothes here are actually comparable to SG prices, and there are still people buying them!!! Apparently, the people in this place believe in "enjoying life". Overtime is a no no, in spite of the lucrative overtime pay. Dinner here starts as early as 5pm, and folks here would rather hang out with friends at the shopping malls, KTVs, etc then to work. Income is largely, and I mean largely, supplement by speculation in stocks. Everyone I have seen monitors the stock prices whilst at work.

The highlight of shopping in Huzhou? Stationery! They have alot of Carrefour like supermarkets here, and this coupled with the department stores, stock up alot of pretty and affordable stationery (think SG prices divided by 5). May just post a pic of all my buys if I have the time. :)

And there will always be tears

Dear You,

No matter how much time has passed
It happens whenever I think of you
Just reading the few emails and letters that we exchanged
Still have no idea why things turned out the way they did
Did youth really play such a big part in our lives?
Really want to be able to just talk to you again
To say sorry for all that has gone wrong
And for whatever harm I did to you in those years
You were right, I was never always forward with you
Guess I was just hurting too badlly to see that you cared
At times I do wonder what will happen if I call
Would you too have realised that it's time to put all grievances aside?
After all that we've shared, why is it hard to be friends?
Mayhaps I am really a long forgotten bit of your past
But I guess I'll never have the courage to try
And can only just wish you all the best

From Me

So many things are happening

It has been a very very eventful week... missed reading my horoscope at the beginning of the year, to see what 2007 has in mind for me. Would have been interesting to find out if I was supposed to have such an eventful time. :)

Lots of things have been happening in the past few months, after my long dreary assignment in that Japanese firm. Just signed on some important documents in the past week... hope that it all pans out... *crossing fingers*

My One Day as a Model

So the day finally arrived… photo taking! Think I really enjoyed posing for the camera as a little girl… my house is fully of albums of my childhood, where daddy would bring me to the different attractions in Singapore… Mandai Zoo, Seletar Reservoir. And then, sometime in primary school, I hit the “ugly” phase in life, where I was all gangly and awkward looking. Since then, photos have been rare, and I sort of grew to dislike the camera, though I do love snapping photos with it.

So… photo taking day was a very “different” experience for me. First there was the makeup. It’s amazing the amount of powder the make up artist attempts to slap onto you. And it’s equally frightening how none of that seems to turn up in the photos. Do I really need so much camouflage equipment? (that was a rhetorical question… no answers required) Then, there were the dresses… many many dresses. Actually felt the most comfy in the Chinese traditional “kua”, coz it’s really non demanding… unlike the rest of the figure binding (oops, I meant enhancing) contraptions that I had to put on

However, despite all of the above, and the fact that I am still feeling exhausted two days after the event, I did enjoy the experience. I think that at the end of the day, spending a little money to choose a photographer that you are happy with is very very important. The photographer played an important part in getting Jules and me into comfy positions, and for us to smile "naturally" at the camera. For those that know Jules, you would know what a difficult feat that was.

The day passed quickly enough with us taking our outdoor shots at Changi and Pasir Ris. Would love to have taken the shots at One Fullerton and for us to enact the eventful day 4 years and many days ago... but unfortunately, the place is currently under renovation.

Considering that we chose the bridal studio largely due to the fact that we liked the photographer's work, it remains to be seen how much additional moolah we are going to spend on the pictures. But then again, as cliche as this sounds, it's a once in a lifetime experience...

Little Memorable Things

A friend whom I don't often meet texted me this last night "Another beautiful place and mojito. Smile. Found." It's quie cute really how we oft' relate specific little things to a person. As you most probably guessed, between us, it's mojitos, especially in a tranquil setting. Apple shooters at Zouk on the other hand, can only bring to mind Ms. L & least you think I'm an alkie, letters bring to mind S, MT (oh yes, especially those letters that got me in trouble with my mum), & most recently, my little sis.

Well, hope that there will always be little things that bring to mind friends whom I have shared experiences with, & that in the course of my life, there would be experiences for which others remember me by!

Upgraded!

I have been upgraded... began my second visit to Redang in two years today... and... I went there on a plane! Yup, no 12 hours lingering on a bus, no undesirable toilet breaks, no freezing and trying hard to fall asleep... instead there was a 1.5hrs non stop flight on a 40 seater plane! Reason for the upgrade? Coz am with daddy and mummy, so obviously it is not possible for them to take a 12 hour bus journey.

Funnily enough, am starting to appreciate the "joys" in my 12 hour bus journey. Okay, perhaps ot the bus ride but mayhaps, the rest of the first trip. A year ago it was in a more back packish kind of setting, this time round it's in the 100% commercial tourist churning Berjaya. Whilst Berjaya offers all the creature comforts desired... nice rooms, exclusive feel, meals all provided, affluent clientele, I find that I may actually appreciate the "rustic" feel of my previous visit more... the little provision shops, the different nationalities mixing around on the beach and the totally beautiful house reef!!! I guess the last visit was to a more "dive" centric hotel, but definitely don't regret bringing dad and mum here. Hee.. it;s been such a long time since we last went on a holiday together & now Jules is with us! This promises to be a "first" in experiences.

Frustrated

Well, well, am finally on my "long" leave, and am leaving for Redang tomorrow. Unfortunately, though I've been on my restful leave for four days, don't feel too rested. Have been working from home, clearing the house, running errands,... what happened to those days of yore when being on leave meant lazing at home? All too soon, my one week break will be up and I have achieve zilch. My room looks like a tornado ran through it... have not even gotten round to wrapping my books up yet, have not cleared email, have not found the time to blog. Add to that the fact that work keeps looming in my head, methinks I am about to throw a hissy fit. Oh wait, maybe I am already throwing one. Maybe coz I have been trying for hours to type an email out in Mandarin... it's so so so painful... have never ever spent this much time trying to type an email.

But I will chill... and I will start to pack my room... and I WILL find some time to go shopping before work starts all over again.