Chalet Aftermath

Story-telling time. Get ready for bed! Actually, I am quite tired. :P

On Sunday, which was the day for the BBQ at chalet, I got Pauline and Eugene to come over my place for lunch, then made our way to Changi around 2pm. Tried to check-in earlier than 3pm, no problem.

Checked-in, and tried to check for items that could be missing. In the end, added some mahjong paper, tissue paper etc which I had to pass to my siblings to bring along.

Slowly, one by one started appearing. But then, my brother who is supposed to bring the drinks along, came, erh, not-so-early. @!#@$^%%$^&%$#@!$6
So in the end I had to drink tap water and tap water and tap water.

The ordered bbq package food came around 5pm, which is ok. It came earlier than the drinks actually. :P
The food came and left quite fast, in the end, there were some missing items, and Karinna made the caterer bring those stuff back. She's my cool woman! ;)

Then Frankie started the fire. One of the neighbour started fire early, so we follow suit. hehehe. Whatever lah, start early then eat early lor.

I had to walk about 3 busstops to get aluminium foil, because we all blind 1, never see it as a needed item, until we talk about the prawns at that time.

Anyway, we started barberqueing. Everyone came, my parents, all my siblings and their spouses and their kids blahblahblah. Karinna's mother/brother/sis-in-law of course not left out as well. Some of my nieces' friends also came. We also called our gang of friends (NinJa&Christina, Mike&Cheryl, Tutti, SKM&Phyllis&daughter) to come along.

Of course, the hard work of bbq-ing, I leave it to the younger people. Let them enjoy cooking. More importantly, let them cook for us! :P

Well, the food, though not a lot a lot, lasted until about 8+/9pm? I didn't eat a lot though. Didn't ate a single chicken wing and otah. I usually don't eat chicken wing at bbq also, so doesn't bother me much. I just ate whatever food that was served to my group of friends. We have a little bit more privilege somehow. hehehe.

Some mahjong session was on-going, and it went on until about 2am. Meanwhile, some people started to leave slowly, and in the end, counting adults, only me and Karinna, plus my dad and my sister Kelly, and my mother-in-law. The rest were all gone. Only the teenagers and younger kids.
The 3 adults were play mahjong with one of my niece's friend.

They sort of finished playing mahjong around 2am, then I had to bring my mother-in-law back to my home, as she is not used to staying at the chalet place, and she didn't intend to in the first place. I had to work as a chauffeur.

The young ones continued playing cards or whatever. I had to take my beauty sleep.
I woke up around 7+, then brought Karinna and my nephew Melvin to take breakfast at Changi Village. Brought a bit of food back for whoever woke up earlier. Woke up late means no food!

Most of them only woke up around 10+, took some left over breads with sausages, and milo. Think maybe after that, they went back to sleep? I don't know, it is left to their own devices for them to decide what they want to do.

Anyway, I went to bring my mother-in-law back to the chalet. She wanted to play MORE mahjong. So I bought some fried rice on the way back for the others.

Another mahjong session started after that, and soon enough, it is dinner time!

Then Karinna took over me to play mahjong, I went to get some dinner food for the people. Pauline, Brenda, and one of their friends came along. Blur blur look 1, I also cannot remember her name. But she's the one who played mahjong. Not so blur after all.

We decided to buy 3 crabs, 3 packets of hokkien mee, 2 packets of orr-luat, 2 packets of hor-fun and 1 packaet of mee goreng. I also don't know enough or not, but as what I said all along, if not enough, TOO BAD! :P
Of course, with that, I was $100+++++ poorer. Poor me.

Anyway, after the food, they didn't continue with the mahjong, because Karinna needs to go home to do some work. She had some event this morning, so cannot stay at the chalet yesterday night. I drove Karinna and my mother-in-law back. My father also went back for a bath. Since I have to go home, I went home shower too!

When I went back to Changi, went to pick my dad, and also one of Pauline's friends.
Funny, gave me her friend's number without tell me the name, just say that 'husky'.
So I called and asked: "Eh, you are Husky ah?!?!?!" :P
Funny right? CARTOON. In the end must clarify I am the cute cute uncle, so as to make sure I am not a prankster.
After picking them up, it's back to the chalet.

I was left with my dad, and the rest of the kitchi-rats.

After that played a bit of mahjong with them (for fun), and then I gave up my seat to someone else. Then don't know how, it slowly became monopoly. They were all playing in the room which I slept in lah.

So they continued play, and I had to take my beauty sleep. No worries, I am trained to sleep ANYWHERE. Whatever condition is not a problem.

I woke up around 7+, took some fresh air, then coffee. Getting myself ready to check-out by 1010hrs. I got the young ones up around 8+, so that they can wash-up, pang-sai and pang-pui if they wanted to. Of course, the milo is still there for them.

So by 0930hrs, all things were cleared, and there's no point sitting around, and I went to return the chalet key to mark the end of the chalet holiday.

Well, not sure if they enjoyed themselves for the 2 days. Damn if they do, and damn if they don't. :)
I only know for sure I am pretty broke after the 2 days ... ...
Boohoohoo ... :D

Well, for a little pleasure, here's 2 pictures taken of Cedric kooning on my bed. Solid, I shouted loud loud, he seemed to just continue his sleep ... hehehe

Family Chalet

Just came back from Aloha Changi, did a quick unpack of stuff, and quick check of emails, and decided to put the photos taken during the past 2 days. Rather, just 1 day, coz yesterday didn't really take much photos.

Not really a lot of photos taken. But here goes.

Apparently, Vista can make videos from the pictures. Didn't try any other feature except just to put all the pictures together. So may be no need for me to use www.slide.com in future anymore.

See how first. Here's the video of the pictures, if viewable.


Ok. Gotto go to work soon!

East Coast

Today has been a pretty long day.

Morning around 10+, went over to Pauline/Eugene home, basically to give them a new computer that was put under my table for about 1 month plus.
So I let Eugene do the 'opening ceremony' for dismantling the box, and replace their current computer, which was also from me actually. hmmm

Everything is done by him, I just sit around to make sure the system is ok, internet is working, and anti-virus updated.
The rest up to them to torture the new computer again, hopefully don't need free services from me. :)

Thereafter, brought them to IKEA at Tampines for lunch. Now I feel broke.
Also jump over to Giant to buy some things for tomorrow's BBQ. More tidbits than anything else, because most of the things are more or less dispatched to others to get them ready.

Came back home to get some bags for Pauline. Going don't know what trip, need a big backpack. Oh well, didn't really take the backpack from me. Too small?
Also gave Eugene a haversack, which is one of my laptop bags. Too many already.

Shortly after, went over to pick Karinna and then we flew to East Coast.
The teenagers said want to cycle or rollerblade. So ok, anyway, I am meeting my girlfriendSSSS at east coast, no harm getting them along, and it's school holidays!

This dumb Eugene, said wanna blade, but also said scared fall down and malu.
KA NA SAI.
Anyway, they still bladed, and got some bruises here and there. Maybe fall until backside opened flowers.

So they bladed, and we chatted. Some bought food, some cooked food. Must say the beehoon from GeokYan was pretty well-received.
The other 3 ladies I have been seeing them quite regularly for the past 1 year. Probably about once in every 3-4 months on average.
I think it is good. Keeping in touch with friends is definitely a good thing.
Their kids were there to enjoy the sea, the sun and the sand.
More sand than anything else!

As long as the kids enjoy themselves, and the adults had a good time chatting around, it's always good to meet up!
Whether life is busy or not, things can be arranged; although sometimes cannot means cannot. Damn, I sound so contradicting, but what the heck? :P

In the end, we parted ways around 7.30pm, then sent my 2 rascals back home.

Tomorrow is probably another busy day ... ...

Toto

Seems like not a lot of people know that today has a special draw for Toto, with prize valued at S$5Million.

Of course, there are a lot of people knowing it as well.

What I mean is, as compared to those CNY Ang Pow draw, this special draw probably didn't get too much marketing fund. :P

I just bought $10 worth of luck.

I need Lady Luck.
*wink wink*

John Demartini

Today went to a seminar at Suntec in the evening.
It's an inspirational seminar talk from Dr John Demartini.

It's kinda interesting. Talking about how you view your values, as well as other people's values, and usually, it appears that you use other people's values as a benchmark for yourself, thus making yourself feel a little more inferior usually.

Anyway, I'm not the inspirational one, so whatever you read above, read at your own risk? :P

Today's was more of an introductory talk, which is intended to lead to a more in-depth experience for a workshop this weekend. Too bad, this weekend cannot be free; and the workshop is not cheap either. Cost a whopping $2k!

After the session, Karinna went to get a book, and guess what?!?! SOLD OUT while she was still queueing.

Apparently, this martini-guy looks pretty good at his age. He's supposed to be about 54 this year, if we are not conned.
And he looks a little like Richard Clayderman! For those who know who Richard is. :)

BBQ List

Previously, I entrusted a little task for my niece Pauline to do.
That is, to estimate number of people, and draft a list of food/items to get ready for the coming BBQ this Sunday at Aloha Changi.

So she passed me something on Sunday, which did list some things, but no quantity available.
On the spot, we just anyhow put some numbers in, then have to estimate a little for the pricing.

Today, I decided to go a little high-tech to use the internet for the search.
Found some BBQ packages available, which I think will reduce the hassle for us to get ALL the things ready.

The list of food/items available from my chosen package:

1 pkt Raw Pork Satay ( 50 sticks )
1pkt Raw Chicken Satay ( 50 Sticks )
10 pcs Satay Rice ( 5 pcs )
50 pcs Raw Spicy Otah
2 tub Honey Chicken 3-joint Wing ( 15 pcs per tub )
1 tub Black Pepper 3-joint Wing ( 15 pcs per tub )
2 tub Honey Pork Chop ( 500g )
1 tib Black Pepper Lamb Chop ( 500g )
1 tub Black Pepper Beef Steak ( 500g )
2 pkt Chicken Franks ( Hot dog 10s )
2 tray Sambal Stingray in Foil ( 100g x 5 )
1 pkt Sotong Ball ( 1kg )
10s Sweet Corn in Foin ( Buttered half corn 5's )
1pkt Marshmallows ( 200g )
1 Butter ( 250g )
1 bottle Chilli Sauce ( 340g )
1pkt Plastic Spoons ( 50s )
1 pkt Plastic Forks ( 50s )
1 pkt Paper Plates ( 50s )
1 pkt Gravy Bowls ( 20s )
1 pkt Serviette ( 120g )
1 BBQ Brush
1 BBQ Tongs
1 Satay Sticks ( 100s )
1 Aluminium Tray ( A4 )
1 Large Trash Bag ( 3s )
1 Big Wire Mesh ( 20 x 26 )
1 box Charcoal ( 6kg per box )
1 pkt Fire Starter ( 10s )
1 Foam Box ( ice box )

Definitely, the list above is still not fully complete. Still need drinks, desserts (ice creams!), fruits, tidbits, fried beehoon, vege-curry, prawns etc to fill people's tummy.

Think not a lot of people lah, only about 20-25, and probably should expect some not to turn up in the end.

With the beehoon/curry and additional stuff, think there should be more than enough. If really not enough, think can run to the hawker centre at Changi Village for food.
hehehe. Contingency plan!

Only thing is, not sure who will accompany me in the 'haunted' place. :P

Drunkard Master

Yeah. The master was drunk. The old master, albeit a troublesome one nowadays. :P

Yesterday early morning received call from my mother, telling me that my father was hospitalised. According to her, he was drunk, then somehow was lying at the doorstep, definitely not a very sightly-state.

She called up ambulance, and they took my father to hospital.
Best of all, only my father went with the ambulance, and my mom didn't know which hospital is he being ferried to!
How great! hehehe

So while busy working halfway, and remembered that my father is somehow in some limbo, I called up the nearest hospital, Changi General Hospital, and voila, he is there at Ward45 Bed35.

So in the evening, after work, went to visit him after picking Karinna up from her workplace.

And that Lao Helo, somehow, claimed he wasn't drunk. Just drank a bottle of Martell, and probably another few bottles of beer.
He's a master afterall. :P

So not sure how long he'll have to stay in hospital, but I don't think it will be long, should be able to discharge by tomorrow or Saturday. Of course, efficiency of the hospital sometimes do play a part ... ... ...

Well, have to see how.

Computer Repairman

Hmmm. I am a computer repair man. :P

Everytime some computer got problem in any of my sibling's home (rather, my nephews and nieces), I am always entrusted the honour to do the repair work.
Best of all, FREE. I am such a cheapo!
@$#%^&%^#$%^#$*&^(&^%#$)(&*&^#%@$^

Anyway, this time, this stupid Eugene don't know do what to his computer, and the internet went bonkers.
Took me a while to troubleshoot, and decided something is wrong with TCPIP protocol.

Uninstall that, and re-installing it works fine apparently, after about an hour of fiddling around the system.

I think most non-IT users simply really anyhow install software, and if hit any problem, just anyhow click here and there without reading proper.
AAAaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Any free repair work needed?
D'oh!

Blueblack

Awwww... Look at the injured legs.
The bruise is the size of the ball!


Terok isn't it?

Actually, do you think it's my doing?!?!? :P

Futsal

Yesterday Karinna had a company event. Microsoft had a charity even at Jurong West, damn far away.

She's involved in a Futsal competition! Wow! So exciting.
Somemore, their team is an all-girl team. Don't ask me why.

We reached there about 9am, and President Nathan was the guest of honour to grace the event. He also reached there about 9am.

Her team's first match was a walkover-win. Opponent never appear. :D

Well, I left around 1015hrs, went back office to do a bit of stuff. I only came back around 1430hrs, and I got to watch a match by her team. Kinda fun to watch though, but my poor wife, being a good goalie (yes, she's the post-blocker!), suffered some injuries from the wrath of a not-so-impressed all-men team.

Sure win for the opponent, but they played so hard, and Karinna got bruises all around her.

Here's some pictures and videos for pleasure viewing, but the sun was simply too bright for some of the pictures/videos:

Jurong Island

It's been about 5 years since I last stepped onto Jurong Island.
Not that I like to go there, just purely for work. *yawn*

Security wise, of course, still as tight. Application wise to get into the Island, the process is now much simpler. Online application is available! And it can be done almost on the spot (but before you're at the pass gate though).

Anyway, only certain people are authorised to do the application, was told it was done, but somehow we were rejected at the counter to get a Jurong Island visitor pass. Probably that guy didn't do properly, but immediate action was done, and we got our pass by the time we re-queued in the line for our turn.

Not a very exciting place to go, but no choice, have to meet users, so have to move our butts.
No pictures, cannot take picture there. :)

Meeting ended almost near noon, took our lunch at the canteen. At least the canteen area is a very much improved place from the last time I was at that place.

After that went back to customer's site, had another meeting at 4pm. By the time it ended, it's already like 6pm. So rushed out some of the minutes, check some of the information provided, did some analysis, and then it's 7.30pm.

Where got time right?

But at least now the project can see a little more light.
Hopefully, the light gets brighter ... :P

Rubik Cube Solution

I gave a rubik cube to my nephew some time ago.
The cube is now more or less disintegrated. :P

The other day, I gave another to another nephew Eugene. He probably won't disintegrate it since he is much OLDER. :P

Anyway, they don't know how to solve. Neither can I remember, but I have the instructions steps!
Here it is!


In case got problem, another link here:
How to solve the Rubie's Cube

Have fun!

Birthday

This morning, somehow I was not feeling well. My nose was running so far ahead of me, that water keeps dripping downwards.

I was working to get my new laptop in a ready mode. Can't complete until I get some proper software in company to make it more complete.

So after my lunch, I popped an anti-histamin and went to rest in bed. In between, I was interrupted with calls from a consultant from one of my projects.
Was sleepy but still need to entertain the calls. :P

Around 5pm, my brother-in-law came over to take away my CRT TV, to be placed at my brother's home for my mother. Then shortly, we went over to wait for other people to arrive.

As usual, mostly junk food. Tried to eat not too much. At least I didn't eat any fried chicken! ;)

It's for my father's birthday, which is supposedly tomorrow under the Lunar's calendar. Damn irritating, as in originally asked, he said no, he had appointment on Sunday and Monday. Then yesterday said will need to go back and celebrate. Then this afternoon my mom called me to say my dad said don't want to celebrate, and wanted me to tell my dad to continue as what was planned.
Sound confusing right. Just as confusing as when I was told. Anyway, have to get used to it. I guess more complains will come to my ear often in the next few weeks/months to come. heh heh heh

I just take things easy.
Relak. Be Happy. Don't Worry.

Happy Birthday Papa.

Funan

Went Funan yesterday afternoon. There was some sale from Harvey Norman, so I went there to buy laptop again.

Somehow, this time it's a little bit more expensive. But the specifications provided is also different from what I bought last month.

It's still the same TravelMate 6292 (now we have 4 of this model already), just different specifications from the previous time.
It's 2.4GHz CPU, and I changed it to 4GB Ram. HDD is 250GB, too much actually.
It comes with some free gifts as well, mostly not so useful stuff.

One of the free gift, is a 160GB External HDD. I think that is pretty handy.
Can do backup easily that way. Also has some shopping vouchers, which doesn't really make me excitied.

I'll be using this, and my current laptop will be switched around, and will end up having one placed in office as a spare. Somehow.

In June, there should be another person joining us, then will have to do purchasing again.

Freecell

Today didn't go for the cycling as original planned.
Reason: Karinna got hit by ZZzzzzzzzzzz monster so hard, that it simply go past the scheduled timing. heh heh heh. What is new?

So she went for her facial, and I went back to see my parents.
My niece sms-ed me and asked why go there today, and the silly uncle told her it's public holiday, so go there for fun and laughter! ha ha ha

At least I have my laughters with my 2 nephews. That cannot be said totally for the old folks though, as I am still troubled with their problems. :P
Anyway, no problem is a big problem until it cannot be resolved. Everything has some form of resolution, in one way or another.

Nevermind about that. So I told Karinna to go over after her facial, and maybe go cycling after that.
And she came, of course. But cycling? Too hot. Cannot tahan. So go home.

So there goes the cycling plan.

I was just playing Freecell earlier. I prefer freecell to solitaire, as it involves more of the brain cells. :P
I used to have a record of 72 winning streaks.
I just managed to break that. It's 73 winning streaks now, and going strong too!

See my losing streaks? Only 3.
Good eh!?!?!? :)