Saturday Celebrations

It was a day of celebrations on Saturday. First up was Jeng Yen's graduation lunch ... graduating from bachelorhood to couplehood. It was a meeting up of sorts for old friends at our table. Most who knew him since we stepped foot on Singapore shores 15 years ago.... days when we celebrated midnight birthdays and thought up of pranks in our prison-like hostel along Balestier Rd. As Norman pointed out, the married now outnumber the singletons in our small group of 13.

Then at night it was a double birthday celebration for Pa and Josh at Grandma's Restaurant, United Square. My whole family was down in Singapore for the weekend that coincided with my dad's birthday. And its close enough to Josh's birthday which happens to be today. Hope both birthday boys were happy with their presents.

IKEA Inspired post

We love being in Ikea. It's like being in a wonderful bright foreign store with great furnishing and also serves good food. You'll be tempted to grab so many things, but as long as you don't push a shopping cart, you'll only buy what you can carry in the yellow bag. Okay, so here's a list of things that Ikea inspires in me.

Ikea inspires me
... to pick up my rusty tools and drill set for some DIY project
... to break my back putting up a simple rack (half the time to reassemble after getting the orientation wrong)
... to eat eight meatballs, two chicken wings and drink free coffee (and to buy a pack of frozen meatballs back )
... to start hanging photos on my wall (just don't get the square ones that can't fit any photo)
... to buy more than I need and end up storing a few of those things that don't fit anywhere
... to foolishly believe that I can make-over my house by just buying the right stuff
... to arrange for delivery service so that i can walk over to Alexandra Village for bbq stingray and avocado juice
... to make plans for a repeat visit just to grab that one thing that I wasn't so sure about the last time

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th. D-day.

So Friday came. Arrived on time. A large group of people was gathered outside the gates. These were folks that had already received their letters. Lots of chatter. Some were happy with the 'windfall'. Some stayed for gossip. Some stayed to bid their fellow colleagues goodbye.

I did not stop. Cleared the 'beefed-up' security and headed for my office.

Finally got my letter at 9 and was instructed to report back on Monday. Yay, so I still got a job. Lived to fight another day.

Later learnt that over 200 people were culled in this exercise. Knew a few of them. None were deserving, they were just people chosen as sacrifice so the rest could carry on. Let's hope we find a quick end to this terrible long winter.

Till the other boot drops

The announcement on Friday was swift. The message was clear. The ship can't take on any more more water. The perfect storm of credit crunch, worsening global economy and ailing car sales has sent waves that threathen to overwhelm the entire organisation. Current cost cutting measures of shutdowns, shorter work weeks and hiring freeze can only do so much. Sacrifices has to be made to keep us afloat. Simply put, men will be chosen to walk the plank.

Friday the 13th will be a short and distressing day for many unfortunate souls.

Up the ladder

Yew Tee just got bumped up the heartland class ladder. Now we got Subway! Take that Admiralty! We are now one measily rung above you ...

Ok seriously, at least there is something new to gloat about on staying in Yew Tee, the place where people who don't look at MRT maps do not know about. The new shopping block at Yew Tee Residences is promising a whole new shopping experience to the Yew Tee faithful. Now we get to experience Watsons and Comic Connection, even Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is in the works. That is one whole level up from Bess Point housewares and Ananas Deli. Soon, we won't have to take the train one stop down to Lot 1 to partake in the shopping mall experience. Soon ...

While the rest of the shop fills in, what better way to imbibe the mamak supper culture than to imbibe a glass of teh tarik at our very own Jln Kayu Prata Cafe.

Godzillas beats Dinosaurs by 50 cents worth extra of Milo or Coffee powder ...

Eurotrip : Day 12 - Last day in Paris

We had one last day to savour Paris as our flight was in the evening.

After packing our bags for the last time, we headed out to the cafe down to the street for a breakfast of croissants, ommelette and fresh morning coffee.

We decided to do the Rue Cler and Left Bank walk, both recommended by Rick Steve's. Both walks brought us pass busy street cafes, historic buildings and quaint little shops. We got small comic figurines of famous french characters like Tin Tin, Snowy, Asterix and Obelisk in one of the Toy Shops. We ended the walk by paying a visit to St.Sulpice (of Da Vinci's Code fame) and the sprawling Luxembourg Gardens.

The next part of the afternoon was spent revisiting the LV store to pick up a few bags for our friends. By the time we were done, we were running late, and quickly headed back to our hotel to have dinner and pick up our bags. After wolfing down our pizza dinner, we took the train to the airport.

It was time to bid farewell to Paris.