Saturday, May 29, 2010

Vacation 2010 - Part 1

Here I am in LA!
What with facebook and communicating with my family via emails and text messages, I already feel that I have related enough of my flight and journey to LA.
However, since this is my private blog where I throw all my anger and frustrations, it is only fair that I also write in the happy and good times.

THIS certainly is a good and happy portion of my life.

The flight was a relatively smooth one (thank God!)
The plane had transited at Taipeh where we also picked up a big group of Chinese ladies.
I have heard of the word 'Kiasu' but this was when I saw it in action.
We were all waiting for our baggage at the carousel.
The group of Taipeh Chinese 'Ladies' (TCL) came from the immigration area and practically pushed themselves to the front, not bothering the fact that other people had arrived first and were already waiting for their luggage at those spaces!
And, mind you, the TCL baggage had not even arrived yet!
I was not happy and 'cursed' in my own native language, knowing that no one within hearing distance understood what I was saying.
Suddenly, out of the blues, one of the TCL fell legs up on some of their bags that was already picked.
She did look funny and was of course quite embarrased.
I believe so many of us there were laughing on the inside, thinking " Sorry, but u probably deserved it!"

JAR was waiting for me even though he did get held up by traffic. I was further delayed at the customs area because of the large group of arrivals.

It is so good to meet up again.
JAR took me to dinner at my favourite Grill. Yummy!
There was alot of catching up to do.

The next day whilst JAR was at work, I took a slow walk to nearest shopping area to help collect JAR's mail from the post office.
Nice peaceful walk.
JAR also asked me to wait for the UPS man cos he was expecting a package.
The package arrived and guess what?
It was for ME!
He had given me a lovely wine colored jacket and an explorer's hat to wear for the Alaskan Trip!
I was simply delighted!
In the evening after work, JAR and I drove to another shopping mall to get some stuff he needed.

Today I am doing some laundry and repacking my stuff for our tripthat will begin tomorrow.
I shall meet RBR and WBR too.
More laters.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

On my way!

Here I am at the airport, hours early for my flight.
I like being early.
It gives me time to just hang out sitting, drinking and watching people go by.

I took a cab to the central train station right smack in the middle of town.
Its my first cab ride from my condo to anywhere.
It was simple - just phone to book the cab the day before.
Whilst waiting for the cab to arrive I met this guy who was waiting for his office transport to arrive. He was from Singapore and seemed to be a well traveled man. Shared several news and jokes about our countries.

From the train station I took an express train straight to the airport.
I have always loved this particular train ride - fast and smooth.

I have checked in and taken a light brunch at Burger King's.
I then settled myself at a seat where I can see the planes, be near to my gate and also be not far from the rest rooms.

I have called my mom.
I do not want prolonged goodbyes so we chat mostly of daily stuff.
I have called JAR so that I can catch him prior to his bedtime.

Please God, give me a safe flight.
After the rather bad flight of my last vacation, I am a little troubled about going on a plane.

I will try to blog as often as possible during this vacation.
More soon!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Packing

The Office Packing is almost done.
I now sit in my temporary room with its terrible view.
My permanent office has a beautiful view of the landscape that allows one's view to reach the horizon. I can see the morning sun rise if I chose to cos I am one of the few people who habitually arrive extra early for work.
The way the contractors work over here we are all betting that the renovations will take at least 6 months if we are lucky!
I miss my room but I consider myself lucky that I was immediately provided with a temporary room.
Many of my colleagues will be placed together in one large room albeit temporarily.
Somehow I do need a bit of privacy in order to function at my best.

I have now started to seriously pack for the vacation!
I love this part of the process.
JAR says we will have at least two formal dinners.
Jeez! What shall I wear? Worse still how do I pack for that?
I have this beautiful black velvet skirt that my sister recommended I buy when we were on a shopping trip ages ago.
I have never worn it but it still fits beautifully.
I have several intricately designed tops (traditional and expensive cos they do not make them much anymore).
I just need some basic accessories and I think that should do it!

I much prefer going on holidays in my jeans and tee shirts but a formal do now and then shouldn't kill the vacation, right?
Both RBR and WDR have confirmed that they are joining the cruise.
Their cousins C and T and their spouses have also booked but I do not know if they are still on the wait-list.
We are all getting excited talking about the vacation!

My family members are also busy planning their own vacations now.
My brother will be taking Mom and his family of girls to the Highlands the very weekend after I leave for mine.
My sister who lives nearby my condo will be leaving for Japan.
Although we live near the equator where the sun shines throughout the year, it looks like we also go for summer holidays!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Ring Found!!!

Today I started packing my office stuff.
We have to temporarily move cos they are renovating the place.
A lot of physical work to be done but its ok cos for weeks now I have been mentally exhausted due to work.
Some physical work is welcomed.

I started with the area behind my desk.
Threw away alot of stuff.
Soon two boxes were filled.

I next approached my big cupboard area.
Fixed up the third box.
Opened the bottom shelf.
Picked up some stuff to put it in the box.
I then saw something shiny.
Gold.
It's my RING!!!
The one I lost in early April.
The one I thought was gone forever.
The one I searched for and actually went thru the office trashcan.
The one that my mom gave me.

I was so so so happy.

I am so thankful that the ring is back on my finger.
Back to wearing two rings.
On my second and fourth fingers.

I called my mom immediately to tell her that I have found the ring.
She said it's a gift for me that I got it back.

Maybe God felt I deserved to get it back.
I hope I do.
Thank you God.

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Short updates

Got a short break today.
I need to wait for someone to complete her part before I can continue.
Stolen free times like this is so delightful!

Mother's Day is almost here.
My brother and I have planned to take Mom (our mother) and SIL (his kids' mother) out to lunch or dinner.
If I can squeeze some time I thought of getting my mom a present too.
I just don't know exactly what just yet.

Next week I shall have to pack my office stuff cos they are going to renovate the rooms on my floor.
That means alot of physical work.
I must be careful not to hurt any body part cos my vacation is too close already.
The room has to be totally empty cos they will retile the floor and change the aircond system.
I will be temporarily placed on a different floor.

My vacation update:-
My big red bag seems over full right now.
Yet, I haven't pack so many of the stuff I will need.
JAR says that they have laundry service on the ship so I won't need too many clothes but winter clothing is so much thicker than summer ones and they take up space.
Two of JAR's cousins learnt of the cruise when they met up at the Cowboy's Poetry something or other and got interested. They tried to sign up but could only go the the waiting list.
It would be nice if everyone gets to go!

Monday, May 03, 2010

weekend happenings

Half way thru the peak period.

Had a great weekend.



Friday evening we went to my cousin's wedding.


It was a sit down dinner at one of the halls.


My SIL who arrived early (cos she went straight after a meeting with a client) managed to get a table seating my nephews, nieces, brother, SIl and I together.


My mom, eldest sister and BIL, second sister and BIL were all placed at the main VIP table.


My table had lots of fun!


The kids are growing up and they have so many jokes and tales.


Its so good to be able to catch up with relatives' lives!




Saturday we had our usual breakfast together.

Then I took my little nieces to shop for some blink-blink shoes/sandals.

U wont believe this but the older one got a pink one and the younger one a purple pair!

Those shoes had come crystals/ sparklers

They chose the colors to match them with the outfit and leggings they were wearing at the time.


Sunday Mom, SIL, nieces, maid and I went on another shopping trip.

This time Mom and I bought a pair of Timberland pants for my youngest brother.

He has a birthday at the end of this month.

He was very happy to get this (see the pic) but he needs to get the size changed to the next bigger one.



Called JAR this morning.

He had another hiking weekend.

I suggested that he get a new knee guard cos the one he has has been polluted by Poison Ivy.
How do u remove the poison without testing it with ur skin?