I don’t know if I have changed or friends have changed. Perhaps we have all changed. And with changes come adjustments which can be easy or difficult depending on how much emotions are involved and depending on how much people accept that you have changed.
It is rare that friends have brought me tears of sadness. But it has happened before on a few occasions. Today is one occasion.
I don’t feel good now. Not at all. And it’s made even worse because today is my last day at work before I go on leave. I have things to clear but cannot concentrate on them properly.
Sometimes I wonder if I am taken for granted. Sometimes I wonder if I take people for granted. Sometimes I wonder why I am not an expressive person. When it comes to unhappy things with friends, I tend to dust things under the carpet or accept it with a shrug. Less is more ain’t it? More tolerance, less words, more compromise and acceptance = more harmony no?
For such a close friendship which has lasted a long long time and has seen and weathered its own storms, I hope this incident is only a small hurdle to cross.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Feeling tired, didn't want to work, hence...
Back in SG. Since Monday.
I remember watching several in-flight movies while on the way back home.
- Hanamizuki, a lovely Japanese film
- The Other Guys, finished watching the second half of the show
- Never Let Me Go, a movie base don dystopian ideals, somewhat eerie and disturbing at times, a little arty farty, based on a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro
- Charlie St. Cloud, I have to say Zac Efron did a good job here haha
It's been a busy time since touching down.
Was clearing a major piece of work, running around buying things for the trip and then packing at night. All the while feeling stoned and jetlagged on Monday and Tuesday.
It's Thursday already. Time really flies.
In less than 60 hours I will be flying off again. To see my baby in Nice. :)
I’m really keeping my fingers crossed that the weather doesn’t go any colder than it already is. I’m hoping hard for the snow to be light, light enough for all airports and planes to still operate. :)
Counting down to a white Christmas too. I’ve never seen real snow before and this will be the first time that I am spending Christmas away from home too. I’m glad I managed to settle all the family presents before going away...
It’s been 3.5months since K went over. Can’t wait. :)
It’s a pity his apartment doesn’t have fireplace. It’ll really be lovely to sit in front of it sipping hot chocolate and wrapped up in a warm blanket.
But oh the packing. Too many things. Too small a luggage. I've discovered the wonder of ziploc bags though. Am trying to see if I can squeeze in some cup noodles...and some creams...and I don't know if I need another pair of boots...and I don't know if I need another jacket...
I remember watching several in-flight movies while on the way back home.
- Hanamizuki, a lovely Japanese film
- The Other Guys, finished watching the second half of the show
- Never Let Me Go, a movie base don dystopian ideals, somewhat eerie and disturbing at times, a little arty farty, based on a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro
- Charlie St. Cloud, I have to say Zac Efron did a good job here haha
It's been a busy time since touching down.
Was clearing a major piece of work, running around buying things for the trip and then packing at night. All the while feeling stoned and jetlagged on Monday and Tuesday.
It's Thursday already. Time really flies.
In less than 60 hours I will be flying off again. To see my baby in Nice. :)
I’m really keeping my fingers crossed that the weather doesn’t go any colder than it already is. I’m hoping hard for the snow to be light, light enough for all airports and planes to still operate. :)
Counting down to a white Christmas too. I’ve never seen real snow before and this will be the first time that I am spending Christmas away from home too. I’m glad I managed to settle all the family presents before going away...
It’s been 3.5months since K went over. Can’t wait. :)
It’s a pity his apartment doesn’t have fireplace. It’ll really be lovely to sit in front of it sipping hot chocolate and wrapped up in a warm blanket.
But oh the packing. Too many things. Too small a luggage. I've discovered the wonder of ziploc bags though. Am trying to see if I can squeeze in some cup noodles...and some creams...and I don't know if I need another pair of boots...and I don't know if I need another jacket...
Friday, December 10, 2010
Day 5 – 8th December Colombian time
Same old, same old. Meetings. Conferences. Taking notes. Felt quite tired by 4-plus in the afternoon and went back to the room to sleep till 6-plus. Dinner was a
Met a guy from Tunisia. Conversed a little in French with him but I didn’t really dare to talk freely lol. Paiseh of my broken French.
Colombian men & women
The men & women here are quite good looking. But only a small number of them, the fairer ones. Quite sensuous and model-like. But a great majority of them are dark-skinned and seem rough. Alot of pear-shaped, heavy bottomed women walking around. My colleague said it's a major turn-off lol.
Food
For those times that food is sponsored, I hardly have an idea what I am eating. Prawns are easily identifiable, as are meats. But things like rice, vegetables, and other tubers are quite difficult to identify. I was having fritters last night. I think they coul dhave been either sweet potato, bananas or tapiocas. As my friend from China said "Don't judge the food. Don't look. Just eat and swallow." Hahaha...
They have strong tastes here I think. Food is either very salty or very sweet.
Mozzies
My right foot has been a target for hungry mosquitoes. It's like as if word got around amongst them. I found close to 12 bites on the top of my right foot. And only there. No bites on the rest of my anatomy. Strange. Very strange.
Hotel Staff
The hotel staff know me by name. They see me and greet me with a cheery "Hello Miss Michelle!" Lol...and they also know me as the girl who asks for hot (drinking) water to be sent to her room almost everyday or every other day. ;p Oh yes, and the restaurant staff know me as the Chinese lady who takes tea (and not coffee) for her breakfast meal. Lol.
They are a nice bunch of people, especially the young boys Harold and Juan at the reception. Maybe I will take a photo with them before I leave this place.... :)
Met a guy from Tunisia. Conversed a little in French with him but I didn’t really dare to talk freely lol. Paiseh of my broken French.
Colombian men & women
The men & women here are quite good looking. But only a small number of them, the fairer ones. Quite sensuous and model-like. But a great majority of them are dark-skinned and seem rough. Alot of pear-shaped, heavy bottomed women walking around. My colleague said it's a major turn-off lol.
Food
For those times that food is sponsored, I hardly have an idea what I am eating. Prawns are easily identifiable, as are meats. But things like rice, vegetables, and other tubers are quite difficult to identify. I was having fritters last night. I think they coul dhave been either sweet potato, bananas or tapiocas. As my friend from China said "Don't judge the food. Don't look. Just eat and swallow." Hahaha...
They have strong tastes here I think. Food is either very salty or very sweet.
Mozzies
My right foot has been a target for hungry mosquitoes. It's like as if word got around amongst them. I found close to 12 bites on the top of my right foot. And only there. No bites on the rest of my anatomy. Strange. Very strange.
Hotel Staff
The hotel staff know me by name. They see me and greet me with a cheery "Hello Miss Michelle!" Lol...and they also know me as the girl who asks for hot (drinking) water to be sent to her room almost everyday or every other day. ;p Oh yes, and the restaurant staff know me as the Chinese lady who takes tea (and not coffee) for her breakfast meal. Lol.
They are a nice bunch of people, especially the young boys Harold and Juan at the reception. Maybe I will take a photo with them before I leave this place.... :)
Day 4 – 7th December Colombian time
It was a productive day. I had a one-on-one meeting followed by a full day of conference sessions. Managed to keep awake and follow thorugh with most of the discussions and topics which were being presented. Managed to clear some work in between. And managed to meet-up with some overseas friends as well.
Had a sponsored dinner event and it was another lovely affair. I was at a table with Mexicans, a Spaniard, a guy from Costa Rica, another from Venezuela and another from Puerto Rico. It’s always interesting meeting people from different cultures and places. You learn that some fads are not only in your little island but are happening around the world too. Haha.
Told my parents about me sitting with these Latino men and my Dad's first reaction was to sak "Are they tikopeks?" ahahaha...
Caught up with old friends, by old meaning I’ve known them for around 3 years, haha…and met some new ones. :)
Had a sponsored dinner event and it was another lovely affair. I was at a table with Mexicans, a Spaniard, a guy from Costa Rica, another from Venezuela and another from Puerto Rico. It’s always interesting meeting people from different cultures and places. You learn that some fads are not only in your little island but are happening around the world too. Haha.
Told my parents about me sitting with these Latino men and my Dad's first reaction was to sak "Are they tikopeks?" ahahaha...
Caught up with old friends, by old meaning I’ve known them for around 3 years, haha…and met some new ones. :)
Day 3 – 6th December Colombian time
Not doing too good today. Am feeling jet-lagged and getting quite sick of eating bread, sandwiches, cheesy stuff and pasta. I miss my bee tai bak.
Spent a part of the afternoon in the hotel room accessing the meeting remotely.
Spent a part of the afternoon in the hotel room accessing the meeting remotely.
Monday, December 06, 2010
Day 2 - Sunday 5th Dec Colombia Time.
Didn’t get a good night’s rest. There was some event going on around the hotel and booming music was going on till maybe 2-plus in the morning. Woke, skyped with K, and then went to the meeting venue to register myself and collect the goodie bag. :)
Took a walk by myself after that when I went back to the hotel. Opps, I broke my promise. Told my parents I’d not walk alone but ah well…nevermind lah hehe.
The Streets, Buildings and Vendors
The streets were alright, though with shady characters lurking around various street corners and street vendors plying their trade everywhere. Pushcarts, people carrying trays and walking around, motorcycles with a tray attached behind, hawkers, people with necklaces and bracelets strung on themselves, etc. All just trying to earn their living. And oh yes, some beggars here and there.
These people approach you and since I, being Asian, stick out like one big sore thumb, I was approached more often than not. Modus operandi was to play dumb, smile and walk away. They ask if I speak English, I’d just shake my head and smile. Eventually they’ll move off. The good thing is these people don’t touch you or try to pull you to their stalls. Unlike some of the other countries I’ve been to where they hold you and try to pull you to their wares.
The buildings are quite nice actually, all low-lying 2 or 3 storey buildings. Some colourful in yellow, red, green or blue hues. Others are just plan white. With railings and overhanging balconies and some with flowers trailing along the balcony railings.
Weather
Sunny, warm and much like Singapore. Except with more breeze as this place is just next to the Caribbean sea. Big bright blue skies with lots of white fluffy clouds. But it gets dark here early, probably around 5-plus.
People
There are whites, blacks and browns. Some of the brown-skinned people look like Filipinos, some fairer ladies look like Asians. Some of the really dark-skinned people look and talk like Jamaicans. Maybe they really are…I don’t know.
They can’t speak English well and most folk only one or two words of English. Which makes it extremely difficult to order food or buy things when you’re outside. It’s the same with cab drivers. They can’t speak English.
The ladies are really booby. Even the young girls are. I feel like I’ve got nothing when I stand next to them. Didn't really notice the men though haha...
Took a walk by myself after that when I went back to the hotel. Opps, I broke my promise. Told my parents I’d not walk alone but ah well…nevermind lah hehe.
The Streets, Buildings and Vendors
The streets were alright, though with shady characters lurking around various street corners and street vendors plying their trade everywhere. Pushcarts, people carrying trays and walking around, motorcycles with a tray attached behind, hawkers, people with necklaces and bracelets strung on themselves, etc. All just trying to earn their living. And oh yes, some beggars here and there.
These people approach you and since I, being Asian, stick out like one big sore thumb, I was approached more often than not. Modus operandi was to play dumb, smile and walk away. They ask if I speak English, I’d just shake my head and smile. Eventually they’ll move off. The good thing is these people don’t touch you or try to pull you to their stalls. Unlike some of the other countries I’ve been to where they hold you and try to pull you to their wares.
The buildings are quite nice actually, all low-lying 2 or 3 storey buildings. Some colourful in yellow, red, green or blue hues. Others are just plan white. With railings and overhanging balconies and some with flowers trailing along the balcony railings.
Weather
Sunny, warm and much like Singapore. Except with more breeze as this place is just next to the Caribbean sea. Big bright blue skies with lots of white fluffy clouds. But it gets dark here early, probably around 5-plus.
People
There are whites, blacks and browns. Some of the brown-skinned people look like Filipinos, some fairer ladies look like Asians. Some of the really dark-skinned people look and talk like Jamaicans. Maybe they really are…I don’t know.
They can’t speak English well and most folk only one or two words of English. Which makes it extremely difficult to order food or buy things when you’re outside. It’s the same with cab drivers. They can’t speak English.
The ladies are really booby. Even the young girls are. I feel like I’ve got nothing when I stand next to them. Didn't really notice the men though haha...
The Start – Country Hopping, Movies and Bloodshot Eyes
It's the 4th of December now I think according to South American timing. Not too sure as I've been travelling across time zones. It gets very confusing really.
I feel dirty, oily, sticky and smelly as I sit here typing this. I am currently in Panama, sitting in an airport café with a cup of hot chocolate. Yeps, I am in South America, waiting for my last connecting flight to bring me into Colombia and into the city of Cartagena. By the way, it is pronounced as “Car-Tah-Hay-Nah”. :)
It has been an arduous journey so far. I started out at SG time 830am when I arrived at Changi Airport. That was the 3rd of December. Looking at my watch now, it is just past 12midnight on the 5th of December back home. Yeps, I’ve spent about 40 hours on the road so far. And will need to spend at least another 6 hours before I reach my hotel. (That’s about how long I’d have gone without a shower.) Fucking inefficient to spend 2 days to get to a conference venue.
I went from SG to Tokyo to Los Angeles. Had a 14-hour layover in LA and so we rented a car and went to some factory outlets to walk around in between. Came back to the airport and caught another flight to Panama where I am now. And I’ll be hopping onto another flight to get to Cartagena in Colombia about 4 hours later.
That’s friggin 5 cities within 4 separate flights within 3 continents within 2 days lah. Ugh.
The flight from SG to Tokyo had numerous delays due to a technical glitch. It was something about the auxiliary power supply accidentally shutting down. Definitely somehting which I’ve never experienced with Singapore Airlines. Flight from Tokyo to LA was punctuated with lots of turbulence in the first 2-3 hours. Felt like puking. Had the vomit bag within close reach just in case. Thank god I managed to keep everything in my gut.
The air stewardesses serving me on both SQ flights were also uncharacteristically rude. Maybe rude is too strong a word. Unwilling or “Buay Gam Guan” might be a better description. This is another something which I’ve never experienced with SQ. All SQ girls I’ve seen are smiley and very willing to help. Nevermind if they curse at passengers in private, at least they are professional in front of passengers. Not the two which I saw on my flights this time round. Both had perpetual black faces and were quite domineering when dealing with guests. Oh anyway….
I am holding out well so far…except for a scratchy throat and bloodshot eyes. It isn’t exactly fun trying to sleep intermittently on various flights. I may have had only had less than 15 hours of sleep in all. I’ve also lost myself in the days, dates and different time zones. I am literally flying back in time. LA is 16 hours behind SG and South America is 13 hours behind SG.
Oh yes, and my hair’s in a mess. Oh yes, my mind isn’t functioning as fast as it needs to. Oh yes, the backs of my ears are hurting cos I’ve had my spectacles on the entire time. Oh yes, I look quite nerdy too. Oh yes, my nose is a little leaky too from the cold weather in LA. Oh yes, my lips and hands are a little wrinkly and chapped from the dry air in the planes.
Did I already mention that I am holding out well so far? Sorry, my mind is functioning as well as it should be. Oh wait, did I say that already too? Hmm.
I watched three movies and a half on the SQ flights. “Eat, Pray, Love”, “Killers” starring Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl who were both extremely good-looking, and “Step Up 3”.
“Eat, Pray, Love” was a little draggy at times but I have to say it made me think about some things. “Killers” was quite funny asnd Katherine Heigl has proved that she’s got some comic talent within her. Ashton Kutcher was hot. Put the both of them together and voila…gorgeousness. “Step Up 3” was……entertaining enough. For only the dance battles and the dance scenes. The plot was horrid, lacked any depth whatsoever, and could have been written by a pre-pubescent girl.
I also watched “The Other Guys” halfway which explains the “half a movie”. Will try to finish it up on my return trip back home. Will also try to catch “Wall Street 2” and “Charlie St. Cloud”.
Speaking of which, I hope I won’t be too jet-lagged when I finally get my bum back home to Singapore and hope I can get enough rest before my next trip begins.
I feel dirty, oily, sticky and smelly as I sit here typing this. I am currently in Panama, sitting in an airport café with a cup of hot chocolate. Yeps, I am in South America, waiting for my last connecting flight to bring me into Colombia and into the city of Cartagena. By the way, it is pronounced as “Car-Tah-Hay-Nah”. :)
It has been an arduous journey so far. I started out at SG time 830am when I arrived at Changi Airport. That was the 3rd of December. Looking at my watch now, it is just past 12midnight on the 5th of December back home. Yeps, I’ve spent about 40 hours on the road so far. And will need to spend at least another 6 hours before I reach my hotel. (That’s about how long I’d have gone without a shower.) Fucking inefficient to spend 2 days to get to a conference venue.
I went from SG to Tokyo to Los Angeles. Had a 14-hour layover in LA and so we rented a car and went to some factory outlets to walk around in between. Came back to the airport and caught another flight to Panama where I am now. And I’ll be hopping onto another flight to get to Cartagena in Colombia about 4 hours later.
That’s friggin 5 cities within 4 separate flights within 3 continents within 2 days lah. Ugh.
The flight from SG to Tokyo had numerous delays due to a technical glitch. It was something about the auxiliary power supply accidentally shutting down. Definitely somehting which I’ve never experienced with Singapore Airlines. Flight from Tokyo to LA was punctuated with lots of turbulence in the first 2-3 hours. Felt like puking. Had the vomit bag within close reach just in case. Thank god I managed to keep everything in my gut.
The air stewardesses serving me on both SQ flights were also uncharacteristically rude. Maybe rude is too strong a word. Unwilling or “Buay Gam Guan” might be a better description. This is another something which I’ve never experienced with SQ. All SQ girls I’ve seen are smiley and very willing to help. Nevermind if they curse at passengers in private, at least they are professional in front of passengers. Not the two which I saw on my flights this time round. Both had perpetual black faces and were quite domineering when dealing with guests. Oh anyway….
I am holding out well so far…except for a scratchy throat and bloodshot eyes. It isn’t exactly fun trying to sleep intermittently on various flights. I may have had only had less than 15 hours of sleep in all. I’ve also lost myself in the days, dates and different time zones. I am literally flying back in time. LA is 16 hours behind SG and South America is 13 hours behind SG.
Oh yes, and my hair’s in a mess. Oh yes, my mind isn’t functioning as fast as it needs to. Oh yes, the backs of my ears are hurting cos I’ve had my spectacles on the entire time. Oh yes, I look quite nerdy too. Oh yes, my nose is a little leaky too from the cold weather in LA. Oh yes, my lips and hands are a little wrinkly and chapped from the dry air in the planes.
Did I already mention that I am holding out well so far? Sorry, my mind is functioning as well as it should be. Oh wait, did I say that already too? Hmm.
I watched three movies and a half on the SQ flights. “Eat, Pray, Love”, “Killers” starring Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl who were both extremely good-looking, and “Step Up 3”.
“Eat, Pray, Love” was a little draggy at times but I have to say it made me think about some things. “Killers” was quite funny asnd Katherine Heigl has proved that she’s got some comic talent within her. Ashton Kutcher was hot. Put the both of them together and voila…gorgeousness. “Step Up 3” was……entertaining enough. For only the dance battles and the dance scenes. The plot was horrid, lacked any depth whatsoever, and could have been written by a pre-pubescent girl.
I also watched “The Other Guys” halfway which explains the “half a movie”. Will try to finish it up on my return trip back home. Will also try to catch “Wall Street 2” and “Charlie St. Cloud”.
Speaking of which, I hope I won’t be too jet-lagged when I finally get my bum back home to Singapore and hope I can get enough rest before my next trip begins.
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