Sawadee is back

3 days 2 nights BKK shopping = 2 tiring legs and aching back

Damage done = S$500 (exclusive of taxi fare to airport and dinner in BKK airport)

Fun scale = 4/10

Photos = not much, super lazy to snap anything

Smile :)

"Welcome to the Land of Smiles" was one of the signboard you will spot upon arrival at the new Suvarnabmumi Airport in Bangkok. Sadly, none of the immigration officers were smiling despite the big signboard behind them. Probably the things in Bangkok are getting more expensive or the Thais are upset with the current politics messup in the Thai Cabinet. Not only the immigration officer who served us with a gloomy face (it's dark enough in the dim airport lor), she stamped the wrong arrival date on our passports lor!! We have to go back and asked her to amend the date in case they retain us when we are departing.

Awww..God's wonderful creation (yes i took this pic)

Bangkok new airport

The scary bodyguard of the airport

Hotel - Centara Grand (5*)

I didn't take much photos as i was feeling really really lazy throughout the trip. Anyway, zoom to the new hotel we are staying for the next 2 nights, it's 40 mins away from the airport and we were greeted with friendly staffs and smell of new paint. The hotel, Centara Grand was not officially open yet but we got the stay since they are doing the soft launch thingy of the hotel, probably cheaper since we are the guinea piggies.

Location is superby, near to Central World (former World Trade Central) and 5 mins to Siam Paragon. We didnt have to spend much transportation by staying here. Its walkable to 2 MRT stations and 20 mins to MBK by foot. BUT....there are so much defect that seems to distract us from the modern and new design of the hotel. They have 55 storeys and the pool is located at 26th floor. Modern and sleek design and guess where they place their reception counter?? Level 23rd where every guests have to change lifts in order to reach the ground level.

Upon checking in our room, the tap is leaking, shower head is not working and some tiles in the toilet came off and the telephone in our room are faulty. Can you imagine some small wall tiles dropped out when my friend pressed the flush button??? Talk about QC inspection here. cement is not even dry yet lor. The QC inspectors surely are lazing around. Other than that, the room is spacious and the toilet is so nice, i'm tempted to bathe every hour or sleep in the tub!! Well one of the perks travelling with the firm is you'll alwaysget to stay at 5* hotel which we don't usually book for our personal trips.

Shopping in BKK

Let's face the reality. Singapore is not the only country to face inflation, the whole world is affected, so is our super cheap stuffs in bangkok.

Can you imagine the things in Chatuchak wkend market is more expensive than some shopping malls??? I didn't buy much but yet this time, i didn't manage to stretch my baht more than the last 2 years. The Thais refused to give you more discount and prices sometimes are ridiculously higher than what sold back home. Sigh...for that kind of quality and high price, i rather buy the stuffs in Hong Kong.

The design hmmm seems like BKK is still stuck in the fashion era 5 years ago. Their clothes are horrible except for their t-shirts and their shoes are hideous. No pointed shoes at all!!! I think the best bargain are the comestic products sold there, be it their local brand or Maybelline, definitely cheaper than Watsons here. Oh i found the black glue cum eyeliner for sticking fake eyelashes, according to my sister, you definitely can't find such item here. So i grabbed 4 bottles of it which only costs less than S$4!!

Maybe due to age too, that we didnt spend much time shopping compared to my last BKK trip, was tired easily and feeling moody as I didn't find the excitement looking at their stuffs. Well, maybe only the undergarment and cosmestic products.

Anyway, their stocks are limited and if you happen to find something you like and wants to get more, sorry that's all they have. FedUP!

The jam at Chatuchak Market

Eili

At first, when i start giving her pre-warning about my trip, there are not much reactions from here. Last 2 years, i have went for my trips without any burst up from her. She seems more happy to join her cousins at my SIL's place until the morning before my departure. She was crying for me when she woke up, thank god for 3G phone, she's able to see me before i board the plane. Everything seems ok. When night falls, Hub called again with the crying sound of Eili who can't understand why am i not back home yet. She still don't understand the difference between a day and few days.

Consoled her and promised to get her stuffs, missing her terribly and hearing her crying over the phone didn't help. Day 2 came, crying and chided me why I am still not back home yet and demanded that I come back home straightaway. Apparently she kept waking up the whole of Fri and Sat night looking for me. *guilt*

Have to lied that I'm working and can't fly home immediately and she sounds better on Sun since she knows that she'll be fetching me from the airport.

Great...with all these new developments, i don't think i can 'travel light' next year....

here are some photos fm my trip:

I am the Peeping Jane

The 2 'porn' stars. Hahah...look at the shower room, my fav plc!

The pool and tennis court on 26th floor

View from our room 4220. On the right is Siam Paragon

Overview of the room

With the witches from the East, don't play play got feather somemore!

With my roomies for the 3rd time

One of the partner in my firm impersonating Ryu from Street Fighter, so onz right?

Bye Bye Bangkok

Here are my loot:

Mother & Child t-shirt for me and Eili from Chatuchak

My 100 baht (S$4.30) shades from Chatuchak Market

Couple Tees from Platinum Shopping Mall

My maxi dress 400 Baht ($18?) from Platinum

His stuffs, including the expensive S$70 leather shoes from MBK. Am i best wife around?

Kimono inspired top 200 Baht ($8) from Chatuchak Market

My total collection - undergarments the best steal!!

My lil Missy tees 150 Baht each ($7) from MBK

Lips tissue box holder 80 baht ($3+) should have gotten more of this

My most expensive buy in Chatuchak, 550 Baht ($28) candle holder

For her

After 3 days of guilt trip, i whipped something fantastic for them:

Canjun Chicken Chop with pasta

See how much my gal enjoyed her food

Time to break away

I just finished packing for my annual "no kid no husband" trip generously sponsored by my firm to Bangkok. I know there are some parents who 'gladly' gave up such trip yearly as they felt that it's not fair for their kids. Initially, i had such thoughts but i thought i deserve a break from the daily mad rush and it's only for 2 nights, why not? My man is wholeheartedly supportive of my trip and i know Eili will be in good hands under him.

This is the only time i can shop at ease and travel light but this will not be possible if not for the huge support from my man. I seldom gave him the credit he deserved and at times like this, he is best husband and father i know of. We don't have a maid nor extended support from in laws/my parents, so when one of us is out of town, we have to do it on our own.

Marriage is about teamwork and i don't think I can handle all the 'duties' if not for him. He's my pillar of strength and my supporting mountain (muscular enough for a supportive lean) Sarang eh!!

He is able to handle Eili even i'm not around for couple of days. He'll cook, bathe, entertain and make her sleep without any help from others. For this, i am proud of him!

There are some men who will just push the responsibilities to their own mother. Of course, i better make sure i compensate him with the gifts he like!! *Yawn* Need to rest now, i have a plane to catch at 0840 later. I'll update on my trip with durian chips and tom yam kung on monday..

SAWADEE

Happy 43rd Singapore

Happy 43rd Singapore!! Sorry was a little tad late in wishing 'you', the weather has been bad. Heavy rain make me so lazy and i seized every opportunity to sleep whenever i can PLUS the hyperness of the Bejing Olympics 2008, how can i miss all world breaking records moments???? Michael Phelps is like a flying fish!!!! He will take his time to swim during the first 2 laps and speed like a ferrari on the last, making his competitors impossible to catch up with him. Totally abnormal!

We stayed at home during National Day since Eili is down with flu and slight cough, which later turns out to be tonsillitis (tonsils). Sigh, 2nd time within 2 weeks but luckily this time round, there's no sign of fever..yet. The sky is celebrating the nation's 43rd as well, see what we saw outside our windows:

the rainbow is fast fading

Eili has been deprived of her usual dose of cartoons ever since Olympics started, especially when the swimming events are shown. Well, i took this chance to introduce to her the different kind of sports and the countries these sport people are from. Heee...it's a good distracting strategy also...Now i am just waiting for the track & field events...

Ang Mo in town!!!

Finally..after like 3 months of renovating, the Supermarket near to my block have finally opened on 080808, of course to many chinese, an auspicious date. Bloody long wait.

Some of you might think, ai ya just a supermarket and i get so hyped up. Well, it's not even a minimart but quite a big supermarket that we have been waiting for since the last operator closed its door. We are left with the nearest NTUC Supermarket which is 2 LRT stations away, so convenience plays a BIG part to someone like me who cook at least 5 times a week. Now at least i won't have to get 2 weeks of groceries in one go, no more to fast rotting vegetables or expired fishballs. I can get it anytime i want and it's F-R-E-S-H!!!! They are selling a bundle of Kangkong for 20cts and spinach for 10cts!!!! I know i'm speaking very much like a market aunty but really where can u find such prices in S'pore????

Hmmm...Now i can cook fish & chips, sweet & sour chicken, lotus soup etc whenever i like...well of course we still have to travel to the wet market (2 LRT stations also) for our meat since they don't sell halal meats but lesser trips. Better than nothing!!

The first operator, Prime Supermart didn't last long after 6 mths of operations since the estate is still new and many are eating out, at the coffeeshop next to the mart. Ha...how ironic! Next came Budget Value who tries their in operating the supermart with empty shelves and dry wrinkled vegetables. Well, when you are desperate like me, who forgotten some important ingredients are forced to buy those not fresh items. So now you know why I am so excited with Ang Mo Supermart (yes not Ang Mo Kio or Ang Mo Kia) as they have more products displayed compared to the 2 previous operators. Hip Hip Hurray....3 cheers to Ang Mo!!! Now...i just hope they can survive long enough till i move out....kakakaka..

sigh..now another reason that is pulling me from selling the house....

Update - all in one go!

Sigh...lazy....sleepy...tired to update my blog or photos, not even my K-series can tempt me anymore. I still have like 8 new K-series to catch, think i'll be able to keep some for upcoming fasting month. I really have to pull myself to update this despite the luring of my ever so comfortable bed together with my Hub's superloud snoring as I'm typing this. ;p

HFMD

What a close shave!! We met up with Hub's side on last 2 Sundays and as usual, the kids played together and share their biscuits. The very next day, my youngest SIL messaged me that her 2nd kid was diagnosed with mild HFMD and told me to watch out for Eili. Over the next few days, 4 more cousins was down with HFMD and I'm preparing for the worst - at least 10 days of leave if she suay suay kena HFMD. We brought her to school as usual and informed her principal who told us that the usual incubation period is 3-7 days for the red spots to appear. Eili seems fine with no symptoms at all (loss of appetite, slight fever or red spots) instead she was eating more, like 2 plates of rice and more milk. She probably didn't get it as she just had her tonsil infection a week before that and probably the antibiotics in her systems are defending her immune system. Phew...heng ah.....

BIG PROJECT

After months of discussing, we have finally made our first move - to contact a housing agent. We have just passed our 5th year of residence and are contemplating the question of every hse owner - to sell or not to sell??? I have a hate & love relationship with my flat. As much i hate the silly layout and tiny hall, i also love my current house to bits. Why??

Because we get to enjoy:

1. The best unblocked seaview with glimpes of passing ships. Sometimes we can hear the ship horn in the morning.
2. The most beautiful sunrise with misty field across my hall and 3 rooms every morning.
3. Side view of Pulau Ubin and when night falls, you can see planes navigating from and to airport.
4. Fireworks from the ships during New Year Day or from our neighbouring country during their National Day.
5. Peaceful and silence environment, as the small road below are seldom utilised.
6. Great neighbour relationship.
7. LRT station, coffeeshop and a new supermarket is only 5 mins away.
8. Abdundant of empty plots which many used it to fly kites or planes during the weekend.
9. Windy weather most of the year, we hardly switched on our air con.
10. More amentities and not to mention the higher value of the property.

So you must be asking, why am I still selling??? Because of the small hall space, if not everything will be that perfect. Because of the strange layout, much of my hall+dining space have been 'eaten' by the walkway which is totally unnecessary. Seriously, we have the worst layout amongst the 4 room in Punggol, interior and exterior. Still there is a tinge of feeling prevented from selling, after all, this is my very first home where Eili was born and raised but the hall space will forever be a hindrance. My choice of area will still be in Punggol, i liked here. It's clean and quiet and not too over populated (yet). It's a matter of convenience as well since my pomelo and her sister, Rockmelon are staying in this area. They can help to fetch Eili whenever we are stuck at work and vice versa.

Today we went to view some flats in Pasir Ris (Hub's choice) and Punggol. Pasir Ris flats are disappointing since most of them have stayed 10-12 years and condition of the flats are pretty run down though the size is huge (134 sqm), confirm have to overhaul the whole unit. So i weighed it heavily on Hub, i'm good at that..heee...to make him see that Punggol, despite the higher price and smaller size to Pasir Ris will be a better choice. Most of them only stayed 6 years (max) and condition are better and newer. Predict??? I WON - he finally bowed to the idea of choosing somewhere here. Now we just need to find the perfect house which are quite difficult, since if you remember, my blk here have the best view in Punggol.

*yawn* more viewing next week since nothing caught my eyes today. As i told the agent, finding the perfect home is like finding a perfect husband - LOVE IN THE FIRST SIGHT. So far no unit gave me the umphhh feeling.

BIRTHDAY

Tomorrow, for the first time in my life, are bringing my granny out to celebrate her 94th birthday (not exact as you know how the registration system work back in the 50s). I'm bringing her to Changi Beach and T3. I'm sooo excited about it.

wow that's a very long entry for 2 weeks of not updating....gotto sleep now and join in the snoring club with my other half....nite...oppps, i meant gd morning.