4th Ramadhan...

Met Makcik after work again. If not for the fact that my break is only half an hour long, we would have had lunches together! Initial intention was to take MRT home together. During the journey, my mum called requesting for Roti Jala & kuihs so we alighted at Causeway Point.

I didn't buy much and I wasn't the only shopper. Makcik ended up shopping too! Hahaha what can I say? Realized it was half-past six, caught bus 963 and reached home minutes before the break of fast. Phew!

3rd Ramadhan...

Supposed to end work at 4.30pm. Due to shortage of manpower, my team leader requested that I work another half an hour. OT again! heehee

Made plans with Makcik to meet her after work. Even when I was offered a ride home again, I turned it down. Hurried to catch MRT and met Makcik at Clarke Quay station.

Had dinner at her house. Md Idris was asleep when we arrived. He woke up with a jolt and started playing almost immediately. But he seemed like in a daze... or maybe it's me and my hunger pangs.

After dinner, we rested and watched tv. Umi brought out photo albums - big one, small one. I vaguely remember that hansem boy got hold of the small album. Held it rather flimsy in his grasp then he dropped it. I said something though I can't remember what exactly. All I know... Idris cried. The poor baby! Must have thought I scolded him.

Some time later, fruit cocktail and roti john were served. Oooh man... I felt so full. Definitely had a good nite's sleep.

2nd Ramadhan...

Woke up at 5am and had a bowl of Cocoa Pebbles again. In due time, I will have to eat rice but in the mean time while I can still endure... let it be. Not that I can fast anyway, but the idea of having to hide in the kitchen to eat is something that I would rather avoid.

Back to bed and slumberland after that. Woke up at 11am. Kihkih it's my off day today! Nah... no lazing at home. Left the house to do my errands. From City Hall to Woodlands... then back to home before dinner.

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My mom saw the 'Koi Mil Gaya' screensaver on my laptop and asked about if I had watched it. When I said no, she brought the vcd from her room. Kihkihkih... she had borrowed it from my uncle. Gonna watch it now. Ciao!

1st Ramadhan...

Woke up at 5am for sahur this morning and ate only a bowl of Cocoa Pebbles. Body system definitely not tuned yet and when I feel sleepy, I can only think of my bed. Finished my cereal in a dazed, went back to sleep then woke up at 7am.

For the past 2 weeks, I've been working in the afternoon shift. Workplace does look a bit different in the morning. Thank goodness I didn't face any problems with the visitors. What a breeze! Team leader was so sweet; actually thought of letting all Muslim staff go home half an hour earlier as compensation for our lunch break. But supervisor didn't allow it. Not a problem... I went up to the staff lounge and spent half an hour taking a nap. Ros said I felt asleep the minute my head touched the sofa! Kihkihkih =)

At 4.30pm, I was offered a ride home. Too irresistable! Cancelled my meeting with Makcik (was supposed to go home together) and quickly left the building. Reached home safely, rested well then helped out to lay the table for dinner.

If this happens everyday, wouldn't it be great?

Ramadhan is here! Happy fasting to all Muslims...

Had trouble sleeping yesterday... managed to doze off around 3am. I don't drink coffee and work is too relaxed for me to even worry. Plain tired from the outing I guess. I was hoping to start work at 9am to claim OT but only managed to arrive before my scheduled time - 11am.

Collected my work schedule for next week. Alhamdullilah, this time round my work is from 9am - 4.30pm. Cool huh? Ros is not so fortunate though. She got the afternoon shift. Starting tomorrow, my patience will really be tested to the max handling those visitors. Shall see how it goes...

With the month of October coming to an end, we have 2 new staff joining us. Just when I thought "ah finally! we have attained the full strength required", I was told by my colleagues that 2 of our team members are resigning. Sigh... back to square one.

Of course I can always look at it from the financial perspective - higher chances of doing OT! The arrival of Ramadhan usually means reduced meal expenses so... More OT + Less meals = More shopping?? Kihkihkih I've better stop speculating! =)

Bazaar Raya?!

Went out with Nani today in the afternoon. First stop... the DBS ATM at Paragon Shopping Centre. =P Withdrew cash then went to Swensen to have an early dinner. It was barely 6pm and there was already a queue. I wouldn't want to go later or we might end up having late supper!

After that, we went to Taka, Wisma & Paragon to look for Nani's working pants. She didn't find any that she liked. Unfortunately the shopping centre was already making its robotic announcement "we are closing ......" so we left.

We decided to take MRT to Woodlands and checked out the Bazaar Raya. What a disappointment! No doubt it was huge but would have been better to call it pasar malam. I was told that more than 100 stalls were set up there. That is true - I saw minimarts (selling instant noodles, eggs and other groceries), furniture stalls (matresses, beds for sleeping beauties & rip van winkles) and other sorts of stalls. The so-called Bazaar Raya or Bazaar Ramadhan to be more precise, occupied the same lot it did last year. Ah well... business must be quite bad. I have nothing against such things though I do hope that since it's a Bazaar Raya... proper etiquettes are observed during the fasting month. I am not requesting that the non-Muslims refrained from drink and food, but at least not to drink and eat in front of the Muslims.

I passed by one furniture shop and saw cans of beer on the table. First thought that came to mind was "where did he buy it?" Hmmm...

Deepavali = Bbbbollywoood!

I don't celebrate Deepavali but no harm 'joining' in the celebrations right? I don't mean prayers and all... just the enjoying part. Kihkihkih =)

Off day for me. Home is equipped with SCV so for once, I stayed up late to watch Chalo Ishq Ladaaye on Zee TV channel. There were no subtitles so as usual, I got the gist without understanding much of the dialogues.

However that wasn't what I was looking forward to. Vasantham Central had a good line-up of Hindi films. First was Devdas at 3am! I watched it with Nani in the cinema, got Makcik to buy the vcd and still couldn't resist catching it on tv again. Nah, it's not Shahrukh Khan that I'm after (Hrithik Roshan - my fav actor!), neither was it Aishwarya Rai but it's just one of those shows that I like and won't mind watching again and again.

I stayed up till the song 'Maar Dala' was played then headed off to slumberland.

Woke up way past 10am. Wwooah! Fillet meal for brunch with my younger sister. Did some reading then caught Chalte Chalte at 4pm. It's a Shahrukh Khan's production starring Rani Murkhejee and Shahrukh Khan himself as a pair of young lovers. Can't help feeling that the whole story had familiar snippets from other movies like Raja Hindustani and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. =P

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Guess what? I'm watching Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai vcd. Mistake by my cuz Zal. Loaned him Hindi vcds but instead of returning back my 'Dil Ka Rishta' along with the rest, I got this back. Kihkih... Dunno when he's going to return my vcd. I may as well watch this while it's with me.

Ah well, sounds like I am having a buffet of Bollywood movies today. Tomorrow... MUST get out of the house.

Happy Diwali!

For the first time in my life, I witnessed two quarrels happening at my workplace... in a week! It was the first for all my colleagues too.

Quarrel 1: Involves 2 visitors. I had just returned from my break when my team leader told me to get reinforcement from the security officers. Of course I was clueless! Turned around and I saw two Chinese guys glaring and hell-bent on each other. Within seconds, they were punching and shouting. Security officers came, police officers came and my block went chaotic. News about it spread to the other blocks. One security officer thought I was witness till I told him that I knew next to nothing. Only thing I know is that the visitors didnt mind beind held up in the queue during that period! Much later I was told that they quarrelled because one of them cut in the queue. Sigh...

Quarrel 2: I was attending to visitors. Heard loud commotion at the block entrance but was too busy to even turn my head. The voices got louder and louder. My team leader called the security officer to attend to it while he covered the guy's position. Reason for quarrel? 2 cars hit bumper to bumper. But after scrutinizing both cars, the security officers found not a single scratch! It's the pick-up point area after all. How fast can they be driving? I would say both cars nudged! Heehee...

Well maybe they find it worthy of making such a public commotion to the extent of getting fined. Dah kaya sangat agaknye... =)

Headed to Little India after work. Had poori for dinner, bought a box of laddoo then walked thru the throngs of people to Mustafa Centre. Did some shopping, met my ex-boss, and walked back to the MRT station. The place was very lively with songs, colourful decorations and handsome guys! Simply lost track of time in there. Luckily managed to get the train before 11.30pm. Phewww!

Off days on Friday and Saturday. =) Happy Diwali!

I'm bbbbburnning!

Well not literally, but gosh the weather is HHHOT. Thought it was just me coming down with fever or something but not after I gulped down 2 bottles of water within 4 hours! In the end, I worked with the fan blasting right behind me. Visitors complained about the heat - some pitied us, the others as usual grumbled for holding them up with the registrations.

Ride home with Jamie was a nice cool one. Bus service 190 had its air-conditioning up and running. Phheww! Poor fren has just slightly recovered from fever. Her face turns very red each time she coughs. Managed to tell her about the outing early Nov. Still pending... but roughly ironed out.

Ah well... Makcik, Pakcik & Wak are online now. Gonna settle those details by tonight I guess. Ciao!

Keje lambat

I've been spared from working early mornings this week. Good thing is I clocked in as late as 1pm... but of course, I end late too.

Fasting month around the corner. Yep, Ramadhan will be here in 7 days! Unlike previous years, I haven't had a chance to 'warm-up' my system. Mmm about time I start doing so but urrrrghhhh whenn?!!?? Fasting this time round is definitely gonna be a challenge especially with my new job. Oh god... cobaaan!

Chatting with Makcik right now. Ramadhan has yet to begin and us ladies have started planning to break fast with our frens. Kihkihkih... =)

Maybe I should fast this Thursday. Hmmmmmm................ ah well, sleep on it.

Slackerz me *grin*

Off day and I woke up at 9.30am with a headache. Mind you, I was planning to wake up at 10am. bummer... Told myself to update blogger but fell asleep before I could even go online!

My younger sis woke me up before she went out to buy our lunch. Guess what? I slept again right after she closed the door! Goodness, I'm amazed at myself. =O Thankfully when I woke up again, headache was gone.

I had made plans to go out with Nani today. Didnt mind it at all when she sms to cancel. It's been a while since I had my off on a weekend. Had my lunch with my sis. Then while she took her nap, I spent my time watching the Hindi film on TV.

The rest of my family members went in and out of the house the whole day. I bought Cleo mag yesterday but somehow it got into my younger sister's hands, my dad's (?!?!) and even my youngest sister before finally landing on my lap. By then I had even watched the Tamil film on TV. Hahahahaha! Could have been a couch potato but 6 hours of TV was more than enough for me. Anymore and I would have dozed off again. After all, how can one not get restless juz sitting and watching?

Whoopsie daisy...

Been coming online but just too tired to update my blogger. Anyway the bitz...

Men came and fixed up new counters at my workplace on Thursday night. They were still busy when I left at 9pm but from what Chris the security officer said, everything was put to place by 11pm. Pretty fast.

Came to work Friday morning. Overall I find the counters nice though tables were slightly smaller. My 1st team leader was lamenting about how he missed those old tables. Hahaha paham2 ajelah... he's been working since March. Housecleaning dept did an excellent job to mop the floorings... could barely open my eyes when the afternoon sun showed up! As usual I stayed back for another half hour, hammering the keyboard. Once all nominations were keyed in, passed the file to the team leader and left to meet Makcik at Clarke Quay station.

My plan to buy my barang2 at Mustaffa Centre (Little India) had to be postponed. Looks like I will have to shop there with Dearie another time. Makcik and I went to Isrida (finally!) in the hope to get long-sleeved tops. I thought only the outlet at Causeway Point had a change of concept... I was wrong. Makcik got the flu bug and no doubt she's game for shopping but I didnt want to tire her out. Also, I was eager to see Idris again. Heehee =)

By the time we took the MRT at Raffles station, it was 6pm. Hahaha mcm org baru balik keje.

Everyone was doing Maghrib when we arrived at Makcik's house. Idris kept looking at me before warming up pretty quick. Gosh that boy holds the attention of everyone in the house! Had dinner (Makcik mistook an insurance agent for the Pizza delivery man!), Idris went to sleep and we watched TV. Should have seen how fast Pakcik & Makcik ran into the room when that little prince cried upon waking up - gone in a blink of an eye.

Come to think of it... I gotta take a pic with Idris some day. Been talking about him but no pic. The fasting month is approaching. Hmmm maybe I will take pics with Idris during Hari Raya outing. =)

Fastest fingers?!

It's been only 2 days since I had a new team leader at my workplace... and even she noticed how fast I typed. Hahah! We've been getting lots of new nomination lists each day from the wards. Seems like quite a pile each time my colleagues come in at 8am. They do their best to key in all those faxes while waiting for visitors to arrive... but even that is quite impossible.

Morning hours, even not during visiting hours... we are occupied with registering visitors accompanying outpatients, visitors coming to discharge patients, meeting doctors, visitors for critically ill patients, vendors, guests for seminars, etc. By the time those settle down... it's noon and the whole cycle restarts with visitors visiting patients. Only way to get all those nominations keyed in is by closing one counter. Whoever sits there will do nothing but keying-in of nominations. But our supervisors dont allow that... lengthens queue and waiting time for the visitors. Instead we focus on memos and notices. Reason? More urgent.

Oh well... I'm thankful that I have the added skill of fast typing. Definitely helps me alot in this job. =)

Hip hip HOOORRAY!!

While everyone else were dragging their feet, bodies and souls to the office... I was close to jumping in joy. Nah, I didnt strike lottery. But there were plenty of things to look forward to that I had Monday BLUES (my fav colour. naturally had to be good)!

I got sick of taking bus service 190 to work everyday. For a change, I took bus service 960 to Little India instead. From there I took the MRT to arrive at workplace in time. Had I taken 190 to work this morning, most probably I would be 15 minutes late for work.

Work for today was short and sweet too. Came at 9am and was done by 4pm. Our team has a new team leader today. Nice lady so far. Hahahah! Oh yeah, a new member too. She was transferred from another block. Welcome ladies! Hope both of you enjoy working with us just as much as I am. =)

Just for the heck of it, I dialled my permanent mobile number. Was stunned when I found myself diverted to voicemail. Then I realised that hey, it's already working! The Singtel lady told me that it would take 3 working days... but it's barely even 2 days. Ah well! Since it's already operating, I wasted no time to send sms to my contacts. Not everyone had my temp number so settled that soon enough. Great news came when my piano teacher smsed to inform that continuation of lessons will only commence in November! Currently going thru my Hindi songs collection... to be played as my voicemail greeting. Heeheeehee

And there's more! No doubt tuition for my PSLE students ended last week, I still had 2 sec school students preparing for their exams then. Both students are having their papers tomorrow so today marks their last tuition with me for the year! Woohooo! Not that I'm complaining but the idea of having my nites available for hanging out with frens or working OT is luxurious. What's more with fasting month, shopping, Hari Raya celebrations all coming soon... neither student nor me will be in the mood to study. =P

Sun day? No sun, only rain...

Was half-hoping that I need not go to work today. Team leader requested that Ros and I clocked in at 8am, 2 hours earlier than actual schedule. I bargained and was given 9am. The thought of Ros attending to visitors alone somehow pricked my conscience. Came in at 8.30am and was glad that the team leader was there to help us ladies =)

Ros and I are glad that we can get along with our colleagues. Even our team leader is no longer as quiet as he used to be. So happened that the workplace had some kind of treasure hunt ala Amazing Race. When bored, we clapped and cheered for them. Otherwise we chuckled and giggled. The contestants were running all over the place. Best of all was when the security officer stopped a lady from going up the block. Turns out that she had to man one of the stations for the race! The poor lady spent 10 mins in the queue as she had left her staff pass upstairs. Thankfully we took it all in the right spirits. She came up to my counter... I told the security officer, he apologised and let her off. We were expecting her to be irritated but she was all smiles instead. Talk about proactivity!

Then Ros received a call from our other supervisor. Free lunch and dinner for all staffs at our counter. Unbelievable! We were asking each other "What's the occasion?" but nobody actually posed the question to the supervisor. Doesnt matter much where food is concerned, right? Food was good and all of us had our fill. Around 8pm, pastries were even served! We were really spoilt. Sigh, if only we have this kind of treatment every other Sundays (fat hope!) heheheh

Took a look at Makcik's webbie. Aarrgghh!! Idris' birthday party pics were there. Had I known the last guest were to leave at 11pm, I would have gone there. Aaahh well, I will go to her place one of these days. Good nite! *yaaawn*

Shitty day...

It was torture enough going to work in the rain... but the cool weather was something that I looked forward too hence I really didnt mind it much.

I came to work at 8am and realised that there were only 3 of us there. As if to make things worse, the recruitment staff called and requested that my colleague went for her medical check-up. Ros called and tried to explain things out. There was no way we would let her off at that time when we were already short of manpower. After doing all the talking, they finally compromised - my colleague is to attend the briefing first, only to go for the check-up at 10am. They may have well not compromised. She left and never came back. The other colleague who was to arrive at 10am... came an hour later.

For 4 hours, Ros and I handled the long queue of visitors. We were pratically glued to our seats not even daring to leave the place for a toilet break. When we finally rested, it was noon. Both of us were very hungry then. We cleared the queue, requested for permission to have our lunch break together and left only when granted by our relief team leader. All of us figured that 3 ppl stationed there would be enough to tackle the queue of visitors.

The minute Ros and I reported back to our centre, our supervisor called us aside. He was unhappy that one PC was left unstationed and told us of the trouble that he had to go through to get an extra hand from another block. All in the name of controlling the long queue of visitors. Goodness! Are my colleagues that incapable and inefficient?! I definitely do not think so. Had we really needed the extra manpower, then we wouldnt be having lunch together!

Seriously I don't see how big a diff an extra manpower can do to minimise the queue. Definitely wasnt in the right frame of mood and mind at that point of time. Ticked me off when he talked about responsibility. Helloo!?! In the end he warned us not to take our breaks during visiting hours. Ros knew I was pissed. Instead of apologising, Ros just said ok to everything he said and we got back to work.

For the next couple of hours, nobody talked to me. I almost shot one persistent visitor down in my anger. Eventually another colleague sat at my counter while I went to the back and did some admin work. Ros came over and told me "buat bodoh sudah. jgn pedulikan sangat die tu. datang jer nak bising". I just kept quiet. She was right.

Thankfully enough I didnt see the supervisor's face after that. Mind you, my work was from 8am till 9pm. I cant afford to get high blood pressure. Kihkihkih... Somewhere in the evening when we were to have our dinner break, my team leader told Ros and I to have it together. We looked at each other, stared at him and kept quiet. Soon after, I had my dinner consisting of chicken burger at the staff lounge... alone.

Oooohhh mmyy GGGodd!!

I suppose my body is telling me just how physically tired I am. Work starts at 8am and I woke up with a jolt at 7.30am! My bath was done in record time... if there was ever a timer to clock it. Called and booked for a cab and finally arrived at 8.30am. As if that wasnt enough, my supervisor walked past just as I reached the desk. =S He approached me and casually asked "I thought you are suppose to come at 8am today?" I muttered a guilty sorry and quickly get on with work.

Work was ok. No problematic visitors. Apparently there have been lots of new admissions. I spent 3 hours at the computer hammering the keyboard away to update the nominations. Even then, there was still half a pile left. By then my other colleagues have arrived. Left my seat, told them that I was doing porter service and went up to 3rd level. I had thought that the 3 plastic bags were meant for 3 different patients. Both staff nurse and I got a shock when we realised that all items were for a patient!

My buddy Ros was only clocking in at noon... and Keith was telling me to go for my break so once again, I left the desk. This time, I went up to the Staff Cafeteria and had a lonely lunch. Thankfully work finally ended at 4pm. Poor Ros! Her work ended at 9pm today.

Took bus service 190 and slept throughout. I woke up just as the bus left the expressway. Goodness!

Same thing happened when I returned from tuition. Slept throughout the journey home in the MRT, LRT and I think I must have sleepwalked my way home. Kihkihkih...

Right now, I'm watching 'Armaan' on Zee TV with my Mom. Would have been able to appreciate it better if there were subtitles. Then again, as if it would make great difference. I'm hardly concentrating on the film.

I've got a long day at work tomorrow. Better head to bed now and get my beauty sleep. Toodles! *yaaawn*

DAY OFF 2

Woke up at 9.30 this morning shivering from cold and home alone. Was very much looking forward to this day for several reasons: 1) last day of tuition for my PSLE student. I bet he is just as excited. 2) no work today and I am meeting Makcik again.

As much as I enjoy having a job and the good pay, it's been a long while since I hang out with my frens, shop, dine or watch movies. Must make it a point to catch up during my off days otherwise I will go crazy!

Tuition boy was happy to know that I am giving tuition in the afternoon. Early tuition = earlier free time! He overheard my phone conversation with Makcik couple days back and started giggling when I mentioned 'sayang'. He assumed that I had a date tonight and cheeky boy kept asking "Ari ni jumpe sayang kat mane ah??" Hahah!

My 'date' with Makcik have changed places at least thrice. Initial meeting place was Dhoby Ghaut, changed to Rail Mall then Causeway Point before finally settling to Sun Plaza. Sigh... the trouble she goes thru to get perfect bday cake for Md Idris! Just my luck for not being able to attend the party this Saturday. =(

Pakcik was there too. Macam gitu jugak cuma muka penat. Anyway, there was no cake with a pic of a ball... so Makcik ordered a cake with a pic of a Porsche car - Idris' other fav toy. After that we headed to Delifrance for a bite before going to her house. At her house, I ate again... dah rezeki, tak baik tolak kan?

Pakcik knock out soon after his dinner. Typical ular sawa! For me, the rest of the time was spent playing with Idris. Yesterday Idris was slightly moody... but today he was ssssssssssooo cute! All the time he was smiling non-stop, walking and making all those toddler noises. I finally left Makcik's house with Idris' baby scent lingering all over me.

I always say that children are my stress-relievers. Well still true, especially with toddlers! =)

Payday!!!

Hehehe... need I say more? Weeks back when Ros and I submitted our timesheet, we calculated that we would be getting mere hundreds. It's a temp job after all and we would be kidding nobody but ourselves if we hoped too high.

Well, Ros had her day off. But she was called down to take her medical check-up. Her contract ends this Friday and she was offered to sign on as a perm staff. Cool huh?

Anyway, both of us nearly fainted upon updating our bank book. Why? Kihkihkih... like happy children we withdrew money right away, (believe me, it's a reality check!) then made our way to finance office to collect our payslips.

Double WOW! It felt so wonderful to see that all those OTs done were paid accordingly. Shocking too as CPF deductions & donations were not missed. For the time being, I conclude that the miscalculations were due to some unknown factors.

In the meanwhile, let me enjoy my MONEY! :P

DAY OFF 1

Got up from bed at 11 today! Bbbbessst especially on a rainy day. :)

PSLE starts today. For a split second I felt slight discomfort. Goodness! Makes me kinda wonder abt myself actually. If I were to be a mother later on in my life, can I claim child-study leave? Kihkihkih!!!

Werk over the weekends is the craziest with my buddy Ros around. She helps to enlighten my mood & day handling all those visitors. The nice ones, fussy ones, problematic ones, handsome ones! Kihkih..

Got my werk schedule for next week...
The good - 2 days off: Mon & Wed
The bad - work on both weekends
The evil - sat's work: 9am - 9pm. Makcik's gonna kill me! Ssssoowiiee :(

PSLE strezz!

PSLE for me is long over... donkey years ago. PSLE for my tuition boys unfortunately, begins next week.

I am thankful to have these boys. Both are keen to do well in their studies. Their parents are juz as anxious. I guess all parties are stressed up now. It's straining me mentally & physically. The idea of teaching them everyday for these couple of weeks is lucrative. I only hope that all time and efforts are not wasted.

Pheeewwww!!!