For All My Friends....

An enjoyable trip.....

2010-03-10T00:40:35Z

Revealing the Answer.....

Guess who is:

1) The bad influence (me in RED)
Well, that's what my friends termed me as. Why? I really do not know..hahaha...but I think they didn't like the fact where I drink a little, gamble a little. Let's put it this way, I drink to entertain my friends and I gamble to make sure that I don't suffer from early dementia.

Are you convinced that I'm actually not as bad as what you think?

2) The enlightened (in YELLOW)
He was a role model during university days. Smart, diligent and hmmm.....pure. Now he is "enlightened" and have seen most of the world...I think I should have said enough...

3) The "not-so" Holy man (in WHITE)
He is still holy....but after the 3days 2nights trip.....even if he is holy, he will be corrupted by the "enlightened" and "bad influence"....muahahaha!!!

4) The Honest Husband (Grey - At the back)
Inquisitive and kept bugging for insights from "enlightened" and "bad influence"...But I'm convinced that he is only curious of what is happening outside his shell....and please stop telling the world you love your wife (when you are intoxicated)....WE KNOW THAT!

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT TRIP!

The Word Called "EFFORT"

2010-02-15T16:09:36Z

Just been to a close friend's wedding....

The event was different as compared to the conventional Chinese weddings as her husband is a foreigner. It was nice, heart warming and definitely touching to see that she is happily married.

It suddenly strucked me to ask myself this question:
"Would things been different if we (or in particularly myself) have put in more effort previously?

I believe most of us would have been through this type of experience(s) and the feeling is always not easily described using words.
In another similar occasion, my secondary school teacher was passing a 'sarcastic' remark as well...."I could not have imagined that you are the groom"....her words have deeply etched into my mind although the event took place several years ago.

I believe it takes a lot of work and effort to make a couple decide to tie the knot....
Just a gentle reminder for all the eligible bachelors and bachelorettes who put all their heart/strength/soul into their work:
Maybe it's about time to think about putting more effort into our own relationships. Be positive and work on it!

Comments from unknown...

2010-02-04T00:37:05Z

To those who tune on to my blog....
I've to thank you for being patient with my inconsistencies in updating.
It seems that there are comments almost immediately after my post....and I'm practically shocked as I do not update it as often now.

Nonetheless, thanks for 'peeping'! And do remember to leave your names after commenting.
I have to keep on guess....especially whether you are 1) Mrs Sim, 2) OneStroke, 3) Stone etc etc....

Ciao for now, I'm ready to kick off the day after a good sleep last night
"Forever" as a social butterfly, optimistic, crappy, self-motivated me.

Quote of the day: "You are the deciding factor whether you want to be happy or grumpy for the day. Choose wisely!"

Something Peculiar

2010-02-03T12:49:22Z

Feeling weird.....feeling strange....feeling peculiar....

Just felt I'm not behaving very normal today. I don't feel like posting this in Facebook as I felt like typing today. Did not express myself very much by blogging lately. Is it due to the ease of Facebook or am I just plain lazy?

First time ever in my career, I'm not excited about what bonus I will get. I didn't care. My colleague sms-ed last night mentioning:

"IT'S IN!!!!"

What he meant was that our annual bonus is credited into our bank.
I wasn't excited, seriously wasn't. The reason: I did not perform well in 2009. I think I do not deserve anything better than what I received last year. It's probably also because I was prepared as my Sales Director did ask me not to expect much.
His reasoning: "You are good, but you did not hit your target. So I cannot do anything much".
His words put me down....really down. Was quite disillusioned with the effort that I've put in for the past 6 years.

So, I replied my colleague (who informed me)....I will wait for the "formal notice" - in a form of letter.

The letter was issued today....I wasn't really excited for myself, but more for my 2 subordinates. I hope they got the recognition from the management and I'm glad that they did (in a sense). It was so exciting to see the two of them eagerly opening the letter and looking at their bonuses, the fruit of their labour after working with the company (or myself) for the past years/months. Recapping, I was once them, always so excited about "how much" I was awarded every year. Yes, I'm happy and they rightfully got what they deserve.

Still, I held on to the letter and no intentions of opening nor checking my bank account. Until now...

I do not know how to describe my feelings now. Or was there any emotion involved in the first place? I do not know. All I know is that I'm having some beer alone in my place, enjoying the peace and just relaxing the night away.

It's a sign.

Highly Recommended!

2010-02-02T14:51:25Z

This song is highly recommended!
Huang Xiaohu, you are simply the BEST!

Comment of a Child

2010-01-11T02:20:33Z

Our regular mahjong kaki's child just complained to us....

"Can we donate the mahjong set away?"

Muahahahahahahahahaha. That shows how regular her mum plays the mahjong.

Red Alert UNITED!

2010-01-06T15:16:40Z

The RED ALERT gang is once again reunited after 8 years......
This time is for a trip! A long awaited trip.

We used to stay over at their place....whether it's @ Bramwell or Victoria Street, clicking our mouse away, fighting over "Red Alert".
It was fierce.....sleepless nights, arguments about conspiracy.....HAHAHA....but it was fun! I really do miss those days.

We will have this road trip in March 2010....where we will continue from where we have ended during our university days.
It will be a different game. It will no longer be "Red Alert" but it will be a battle of:

1) Best EATER
2) Highest WINNER
3) Best Drinker
4) Most Intelligent (in Bridge or Big 2)

Let's See!
I'm so EXCITED and I'm counting down to the day.....I will have fun!

P.S: Mrs Sim, your hubby is in good hands!

Xmas Gift for the Kids!

2009-12-24T02:20:54Z

Did this for my nephews and nieces....
Going to cost me a bomb....but looking forward to it in 2010!

Disaster

2009-12-21T05:51:55Z

It's was a TOTAL disaster at my company's annual dinner last week! I couldn't remember a single thing... 1) for lighting up a cigarette 2) knocking my nose on someone (and it still hurts) 3) took many pictures that I've no idea how it took place... And.......lastly *cannot be revealed* Cham, all the years of image that I've projected in my company is GONE!

Holiday Season (Part 2)

2009-12-03T14:26:05Z

This is what happens when you have a cruise trip that is long....

Duration: 5 Days 4 Nights....
Activities Include: Food, Alcohol, Gambling, Sleep, Food and Lotsa Food!

The end result (See for yourself)

I'm sure gonna suffer for my half marathon run this Sunday.....Cham

Holiday Season (Part 1)

2009-11-25T13:51:03Z

It was a really good trip....

Trip #1 is a visit to Genting / KL / Malacca. Short and good. Well there were a few hiccups here and there but it managed to turn out EXCELLENT!

Some interesting moments:

1) GPS - took it along...but battery went flat. The car that I've borrowed from my mom did not have a working charger.!! Hahaha. I have to "activate" my KL friend as a human GPS.

2) Bought some bananas from Jusco....went through the effort of weighing and paying (RM6) and left it at the counter! Hmmm, still sore about it. Not so much of the money but just couldn't stand the "oolong" in me.

3) Got my friend as the "victim"....I was supposed to have a showdown in drinking with my KL mates but I GRABBED Ryan along to their hotel room.....left Ryan staying by the toilet bowl from 0300-0600hrs!

4) Ended applying for URGENT leave on Monday as Ryan was too sick to go through the gruesome 4-5 hours drive home to Singapore. Anyway, I felt sort of guilty as well.....however, I swear that we all had fun drinking!

Thanks for my KL mates, travelling buddies in this wonderful Trip #1
Eat, shop, sleep, eat, drink, laze and lastly partially sponsored by Mr Lim from Genting!

Coming up, Trip #2 this Saturday!

Let me just shout it out loud....HeeeeeHaaaarrrrrr !!!!

Root Canal Escapade

2009-11-08T06:23:05Z

You must be surprised why I'm updating my blog on Sunday

It's because, I'm still in pain! And I've cancelled all my appointments today. :(

Think I'm really bad in telling which tooth is giving the problems....and it seems that this is the SECOND time that I've provided the wrong information to the dentist. The first happened around 2002....where I had 2 root canals in a row. This time round, I think I did the same thing again.

The price to pay for "HUMTUM" the wrong tooth. S$1K!
It might be expensive, but to go through the sleepless night is worst! I think that my kidney is really suffering now as I've taken uncountable panadols for the past week. I've even thought of grabbing the whisky or brandy that I've to intoxicate myself such that I won't feel the pain.

Only one word to describe myself now: PATHETIC!

Tomorrow will be a better day. I hope.

Torturing...

2009-11-06T04:43:37Z

Yes, I've removed the irritating nerves....

But it's not any better now! Feel so hungry but I can't even have some bread in peace. Sigh.
Have to cook myself some porridge tonight....I'm going to swallow my food for the next few days.

Pain

2009-11-05T13:42:15Z

I'm in pain....real pain.

You won't know how it feels unless you have had it before.
I've posted in my FB that "I'm going to kill the irritating nerves tomorrow!!"
Nobody got it right.

I shall reveal the answer in this blog.

The nerves are referring to the ones that are sitting under my molar....that is my tooth.
Been through the "horrigible" root canal treatment 5 years ago....and will be doing it again tomorrow.
I'm looking forward to it....yet the process makes me shiver! It's going to be torturing. A torturing 60 mins process.
Nonetheless, I'm hoping that I can do it right now. Have you ever been in so much pain until your whole mouth feels numb?

Bad....that's the price that I've to pay due to my bad discipline for not taking care of my oral hygiene during my teens....

Going to stuff myself with lots of paracetamol.
I'll survive tonight......

Interview....

2009-10-26T15:10:19Z

I've always enjoyed interview sessions.

The challenge is to identify and characterise individuals within 30mins in a simple conversion.
Definitely fun and interesting! Some "sell" themselves too much, others either too arrogant or lacks the confidence. How do I tell? The answer is: Look into their eyes and body language.

Attending an interview as a candidate is definitely different. There's so much you need to do to prepare for an interview. It's totally time consuming, but necessary.

I've never liked to read. The fact is, I will fall asleep as soon as I read.....hahaha. But, it's really important to get to know the facts and figures about the company and that makes you more confident and indicating that you've the strong interest in the new company that you've apply to work for.

I was shortlisted for a key position in an MNC recently. Was I interested? Hmmm...I'm not too sure myself but decided to give it a shot to test my market value.

First Interview (with Product Mgr and Senior HR Mgr): 10 candidates.
- I went through.

Second Interview (with Vice-President, Director of Sales): 3 candidates.
- I was lucky again....to go through.

I was supposed to fly to a neighbouring country for the final interview....(left with 2 candidates, a 38 yr old versus me).
I dropped it.....

Reason: I had to travel for business as it is all planned before hand.

Am I sad about it? Not exactly....In fact, I'm happy that I've made it through so far and elated when knowing that I'm still valuable!

To my friends who happen to have new opportunities, my advice to you:
1) Do basic research on the company.
2) Be positive.
3) Be natural....don't fake (it doesn't help)

Good luck to you!

My Mom is sooooo Adorable!

2009-10-05T09:08:45Z

FARMVILLE Craze....

Not me, but my mom.
Although she is away on several occassions, she never forgets to sms me:

"Please take care of my farm when I'm away. Remember to plant watermelon"

Now I know, the farm is more important than me.
Sigh.

Woohoo!!

2009-10-04T08:46:40Z

You are the reason why I'm tuned to 超級星光大道

徐詠琳 Jiayou! You can win it!

The fear in me....

2009-09-27T23:51:31Z

I'm not sure if you've experienced this as well.....
I've a phobia and it happens after midnight.

I wasn't sure why this happens to me....and I'm not sure I'm the only "victim".
How many of you out there receive calls on your cellphone with either "unknown" or "private" numbers and it's happens usually from 12am to 4am? I did....and it's quite a fair bit since 20....

Sounds a bit scary right? And it does really send some "chill" in the spine when you picked up the phone with the typical questions:

Unknown caller: Hi, how are you?
Me: *woken up from sleep*: I'm fine.

Unknown caller: You GUESS who I am?
Me: Sorry, I cannot recall based on your voice.

Unknown caller: What are you doing?

*Thinking* DAMN IT! I am obviously SLEEPING right!?!?!?!

I received an "unknown" call AGAIN....last night. And that prompted me to post this blog.

The typical questions were asked...
1) What are you doing.
2) You know who am I? etc etc....

I was actually hesitating should I or not pick up the call....it was midnight. But eventually did it as it might be my mom or customer.
And after 30 secs of "fright", I did manage to figure out who that was.

The result:
It was my friend in KL who was 'obviously' drunk after a wedding dinner and decided to call me. Telling me that he is bored and the air-con was spoilt.

My reply to him:
1) Please repair the air-con if you are bored.
2) GO AND LOOK FOR YOUR WIFE! muahahahaha....

Appreciate LIFE

2009-08-27T14:44:42Z

I remember that I've once mentioned that I always enjoy my conversation with my grandma.....

Today's session was 3 hours. I simply enjoyed every moment of it.
Talking to her is sometimes funny, sometimes emotional and most of it ENRICHING.
She has so much to share and I feel that it's so much better than to read any book which most of us will probably fall asleep while doing that.

The talk today was more in-depth. I'd asked about her life and I found out the most ever heartwarming story that I've ever heard.
She worked hard to raise up 6 children (including my mom) alone, working from 11pm to 7am just to wash cars and earn a mere amount of S$250 per month, for 21 years! My grandfather was.....eeerrr....not contributing to the household due to some reasons that I shall not disclose. She was actually elaborating on the details of how the family of seven surviving on 2 eggs with porridge (with soya sauce) for meals, with occasions of S$1 pork for the entire family. Life was tough back in the 1950s.

What even touches me more was when she said:
"Your mom was my only kid who helped me to wash car EVERY morning (wee hours) for 3 hours before she goes to school"

Yes....I was truly amazed of my mom....proud of her and yet feeling the guilt inside me.....There were times when I was really impatient and rude to her....Apologetic, yet not letting down my pride to apologise.

Of course, we've talked so much more. About life, money, relationships....I like to talk to her as she will not give me any form of pressure, but just advice.

I've penned this today for the following reasons:
i) For myself, to appreciate with what I have today. I do think that I'm really fortunate and have to really start to appreciate things around me.

ii) For you, my readers....It's time to look around and start appreciating for what we have. If you are already doing so, keep it up!

There will be more sessions to come....and I will definitely take time-off for that.
Good night to all!

P.S. Next post: "The Truth about what happened almost 28 years ago"

Evil...evil....

2009-08-14T10:13:29Z

I just paid my mom for the dog's operation....

What operation? Sigh.....it's the most evil thing to do to the male species.
Boy, no more playing with your dolls!

SORRY!

Updates....

2009-08-09T15:26:21Z

Been MIA for past few weeks...

What was I busy with?
Loads and loads of celebration....My friends are so interested in getting me lying flat on the ground, with the assistance of alcohol. They've tried, but failed....not terribly, at least they can really see the fun side of me. I do appreciate them taking the effort to plan and organise the events for me, seems that I was back in my poly or university days where there were loads of celebration. Not that I'm soooo popular, just that I've too many groups of friends. Some of them likes to either sing, club, mahjong, eat etc etc. I couldn't just grab them together and tekan me right? That will be too MANY ....simply too many!

Am stepping slowly into the mid-thirties....BUT NOT YET! Still got a couple of years to go and also still living in denial. hahahaha....
Well, as soon as I'm a bit tipsy, I will have the courage to approach ladies (whether pretty or ugly, slim or fat etc) and talk to them. Somehow or the other, they will tend to ask how old I am....their answers always make me happy and I shall not mention about these escapades too much.

I'm starting to think more....about my future. Both personal and work. I'm seriously in thoughts and will make things to be different in 2010.
You shall see.

Thank you!

2009-08-01T06:39:14Z

Thanks for the great time @ Lunar!

Doubts

2009-07-31T09:38:12Z

Sometimes I really wonder....
Sometimes I doubt whether me, Mr HAO, can really manage things that well.
If I can...WHY AM I ALWAYS SO BUSY!

Tired....really tired.
As what my FaceBook mention, should I be just silly for the sake of being happier for the next 3-6 months?

weicai @ 2009-07-26T22:26:00

2009-07-26T14:27:58Z

My friends are getting all excited to "celebrate" my big day.
I simply cannot understand why......

SIGH

Evil Bro

2009-07-23T15:29:19Z

I asked my brother today....

Me: Can I apply for the vacancy in your company?
Bro: No. I reject. I know GM, HR director, Global Sales Director, Sales VP, President. U cannot join. DUN EVEN TRY!

This is how mean my bro can be.....I'm just pulling his leg.
How can brothers work for the same company? It's going to be a total chaos!