My Chinatown Singapore Adventure

I had to buy a gift for our new year's exchange of gifts for our team at work and so I went to Chinatown. My Indonesian friend went with me in going there as he knew the place and he will be checking some gifts too.

Our plan was to meet at Outram Park interchange at around 3PM. I arrived 1o minutes earlier and since I was wearing my new top-sider shoes, I felt that my feet won't survive for long walks. I can feel that I will have blisters after long walks. Moren sent an SMS to me that he will be a little late so I decided to locate the exit and asked the security staff as to where is the nearest shopping center. I got out of the station and hurriedly looked for the nearest shopping center. I did not bother what was the name of the mall because my primary concern then was where to buy a pair of foot socks. Well I walked around and felt lost again. At the far side end of the mall I saw a Giordano branch. I did not care even if the socks were priced at 7SG dollars a pair. After buying a pair, I looked for a corner where I could wear the socks and then walked towards the MRT station. This time it felt better.

I went to the Outram Park interchange and waited for another few minutes and Moren arrived. We then went to another station and rode a train going to Chinatown. Initially, we actually planned to go to Little India to visit the tourist center for maps but decided to just go directly to Chinatown.

We first visited the Handicrafts mall to look for some good buys. You see there were many choices but then nothing suits. There were beautiful crafts and interesting ones yet expensive and there were not too expensive but won't qualify as a gift. Anyway we both end up not buying anything in that mall. So we got out of the mall and went to the other one which was on the other side of the street. We went there and check things out and found nothing though the displays in the mall were very interesting - from ancient furnitures to beautiful porcelains and they are expensive. Moren bought some candies and some snacks in the mall in our way out and I didn't. We proceeded to another mall and found nothing. But the good thing was I found a queue of travels and tours centers. I just had an idea where to book my future travels to Bali or Phuket or Tokyo. Anyways, enough of those day dreams and we walked again and went to the Chinatown streets. There lots of goodies to feast your eyes. It's really great walking through the streets seeing interesting people and interesting goods. But none would qualify again as a gift. It's a little difficult because we would know who will receive the gifts minutes before the exchange of gifts would start. Anyway I just enjoyed the sights. We were getting thirsty so we bought fresh coconut juice. It was a real thirst quencher for 1.50 SG dollars.

Anyway, we continued to walk and took some pictures of the place. The gift hunting turned out to be site seeing and having fun walking the streets. Anyway we went to another mall and I bought a pillow since I don't have one yet. Moren bought a pair of gloves since he was allergic to soap. After we paid our bills, we decided to go home.

On our way home, Moren alighted at the Commonwealth station and I will be alighting at the next station. I was kind of daydreaming again about the food to eat for dinner and if there were people at home. I am supposed to alight at Buona Vista but, I just was not able to pay attention and was not able to get out of the train. It was funny and thank God I did not make a huge scene when my body reflex sent me towards the door. So I just alighted at the next station which is Dover then went to the opposite side of the platform and rode the train going to Buona Vista. I just bought dumpling noodle at the neared hawker for my dinner and also bought fresh orange juice. I got home at around 9PM already and had my simple dinner.

Merry Christmas To Everyone

Merry Christmas to every living and non living creature on the planet. May we have more blessings, better yet, be a blessing to others!

Well I would like to fill the gaps by narrating some updates to you.

Last December 22, after work, I immediately went to Olga's cube and we went outside to eat somewhere at East Commonwealth Ave.'s food shoppes. I was in a hurry - quite a bit, because I need to pack my belongings. After Olga and I ate dinner which was around 7PM, we hurriedly went off and I proceeded to the MRT station. I needed to reach the house early. Well, I got there after 30 minutes so it was good for me. My hotel mate by the way, was not with me since he was out somewhere at Boonlay to look for his own place. Right after I arrived, I switched on the television and then began packing my things. After making sure that my personal belongings were all accounted for, I just brushed my teeth and fix my hair. I still have a few minutes, so I decided to watch was shown in Discovery Channel. It was 9PM and I decided to go ahead and leave the hotel. The bags were difficult to slide and maneuver because the whole floor was carpeted. To give you an idea, I have one big trolley bag, a smaller trolley bag and a laptop bag. All were carried by my poor shoulders and arms. I could have waited my hotel mate to ask for errand but it was late already. Getting to the elevator was a struggle but i manage to reach the first floor where the reception was stalled. I checked out officially from the hotel and asked the security attendant to get me a taxi. After a minute, the cab arrived and I got my things to the car. They were really heavy but the good thing is the hotel staff helped me so things went smooth :P. Anyway thanks to the staff and crew of Orchard Grand Court Hotel. I arrived at my new place in Ghim Moh at around 9:45PM. I was a little lost and thanks to Olga for fetching me from the entry way. Thanks also to the cab driver for helping me in unloading my luggage. Well, Olga and I just went straight to our unit at the 6th floor of the building and I had to set my things and arrange them. All of the housemates were there so I was introduced to one of them whom I have not known yet. Anyway the night ended with a hot bath and I went to bed.

Last December 24, our office hours was until 12 so everyone in the company was released earlier. Olga and I went out at around 1PM and we took the free bus service of the company going to Bouna Vista. We were invited to go to Christian's place so it was kind of exciting because we will be cooking and stuff and he told me that they have this internet connection where I can again be alive in the cyberspace. Before we went home, we bought some bread and fruit juice and some fruits. I also went to a food stall to buy food. After that, Olga and I went to our flat or unit. It was a long walk but a nice one since there was zero pollution and less heat from the sun as the pavement was covered with lots of greenery - Singapore is near to be a jungle city or a city in a forest, whichever suits you. Anyway, when we arrived at our flat, I ate and Olga watched the television. We decided to go to Christian's place at around 4 or 5PM. Olga got bored so she slept in her room while I managed to put up with the shows. I was getting sleepy, I mean just my eyes, every time the electric fan sweeps and blows the room; but, I was not able to sleep. I just watch and watch every show there was. Well Olga got up and decided to take her bath while I was still in the couch more or like a potato but wasn't mashed. Anyway after Olga, I had my turn. After that, I noticed that I have some messages on my phone and reading the lines, that the get-together at Christian's place was postponed. I replied that it was okay. Olga and I decided to go to Orchard and check the place for some events. Olga brought her pink cannon digital camera and I had my Lumix Panasonic camera. We went to Orchard and rode a 111 bus instead of going for a train. We took some pictures inside the bus and before that, we also took some pictures on the streets. Okay, we are picture freaks or maybe not? We arrived at Orchard at around 7PM. Olga was craving for KFC and in no denying the fact, I too had a craving for the hot and spicy chicken. Well, first order of business was to look for KFC in Orchard but, I needed to change my camera batteries so we went to 7Eleven at Lucky Plaza and I purchased four 2AA batteries. After that, Olga and I strolled along Orchard's pavement or rather sidewalk while taking pictures. While we were in a bus, we saw this rotating Christmas tree so we searched for that. It was at Isetan mall which was just on the opposite side of Marriot Hotel. We got there through an underpass. The drizzle was going on and I hadn't brought my umbrella and Olga's umbrella was having issues of its own. Anyway, we got to that rotating Christmas tree and took some pictures but the lighting was not good so we decided to locate where is that KFC fastfood. I saw a security officer and I asked him where is the nearest KFC. All I could understand from him was 6th floor and he said just go inside of the building while making hand gestures. Olga and I went to the mall and looked for the directory and there was no 6th floor. So tried our luck at the side exit of the building and we saw another directory but still no KFC to be found. There was a security booth at the left side of the exit door, so I asked again and he replied that it's on the 6th floor at the cinema. Olga and I just nod because that was the only English part of his answer. We went back to the main mall and looked for the sixth floor with the cinema. We found it actually but we're a little lost as to how to get there since the escalators looked weird. Anyway we managed to be at KFC after looking for it for quite a while which felt a month. We decided to have a buddy meal which has 4 fried chikens, two mini cups of mashed potatoes and 4 pieces of breaded shrimp. I would have wanted rice instead of mashed potato but they don't serve one in KFC as well as McDonalds so I had no choice. Anyway, it was a nice belly feast and it was the most expensive food I bought for myself. Usually, a meal here would cost me 3SG $ and this one chunk an amount of 6.45 SG dollars off from my limited budget. The price I pay for that craving. Hehehehehe. After we ate, we went out of the building and walk and walk again then take some pictures from here to there. I will post them later here :)

After a long and tiring walk which was by the way fun and exciting with all the drizzle and the crowd, we went to church and hear the mass. After the mass we went home and had our Christmas inside the four walls of the house. Our housemates prepared gifts for us so we opened them on that midnight.

Merry Christmas to everyone once again and I am so excited of the new year. And oh, I sent my merry Chritmas wishes to my family just after I arrived home.

Medical Checkup and Chinese 101

Last thursday, I had to wake up early because I need to go back to Boonlay for the medical check up. I woke up at 6AM and I was terribly sleepy. I had no choice. The room was really cold. I am not used to airconditioned rooms so that is why it felt chilly. I got up from bed and grabbed my undies and towel. I went to the shower. Good thing it was a hot and cold shower so I took the hot shower obviously and it has helped. My hotel mate was still asleep and so I had to call his name telling him that his next.

I immediately took my polo shirt and iron it. After I changed what I worn, and after my Indonesian hotel mate was read, headed at the cafe for our breakfast. The meal was as usual good. After the meal which took us 15 minutes, we went back to our room to prepare for the office.

We usually take a train / MRT at Somerset and alight at an interchage going to Bouna Vista where our office is. We arrived at Bouna Vista after approximately 3o minutes of travel, and went to ride a bus at the other side of the station going to the office. We arrived at the office around 8AM. It was really early and the office was really quiet. I was assigned to read the specifications and the technical documents of the project so it was kind of boring. I was waiting for my team lead and our manager to ask for permission regarding my second medical evaluation. I thought that my hypertension has normalized and there I was back on the old track. Anyway my team lead was not around and so when my manager arrived in our office I hurriedly went to him and asked for permission which he gladly approved. I just composed an email and sent to my team lead regarding my itinerary. I waited outside and it felt that the bus was not coming so I decided to take a cab. Too bad he did not turn on the meter and he told me that the taxi charge was 3.80 SG dollars. Anyway, I did not have any choice so I just paid him. I went to the train station knowing that I only have 30 minutes as I was scheduled for 10AM to see Dr. Ang. I needed to relax as I felt tense that I will be late. Good thing, I arrived at Boonly CeterPoint just in time. I went to the reception and the queue was already long. So it felt like forever. I waited for almost an hour just to get my turn. Well the doctor checked my blood pressure and it is now normal. She actually gave me a medicine to take. I guess I don't have any choice so I decided to take the medicine and it's going to be forever.

It was already late so I need to take my lunch. I had fish and a vegetable with rice for 3.80 SG dollars. Not that expensive compared to the meals in Orchard. The problem was I spoke to the servant in English and she would reply to me in Chinese. I did not get what she told me but I just said yes. The words which I only understood from her was when she told me about my bill. Anyway she gave me what I wanted so it did not really matter but at the back of my mind I was really confused and laughing.

Haven't I told you that I am a little stupid at directions. For example I would get lost easily as to where is my left or right or my north and south etc. Wahahaha. I'd get paranoid! Well when I got to the train again bound for Bouna Vista, I honestly dont know where to ride or which train. So I asked the train staff and the train headed for Buona Vista was just infront of me. Wahahaha. So there I took the ride and reached the office on time. I even met Olga at the bus because she also went out from the office to open a bank account at POSB. We arrived on time and we proceeded to our own cubes and I continued reading the manual / specifications which would send me to sleepy mode.