Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Where is Bonny??

Click on the link and spot Bonny!!! =))

http://www.smiles2006.com/module/mural&int_cur_position=7772

Heh...

June Highlight Part I - Bollywood!

Bonny was in India at the beginning of the month.
For work and it came last minute.
The preparation for the trip almost got me strangled.
I had only 2 working days to get ready all the documents required and to put everything in place, so that we can return on time i.e. 9 June.
I really don't wish to spend my special day alone in a foreign land.
So by hook or by crook, we MUST touch down by 9 June.

-Day 1-

With mixed feelings, Bonny departed with 3 other colleagues and an auditor in the wee hours of 7 June.
I was sian yet excited. How contradicting.
But the sianness somehow dominated.
We arrived at Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) at 8.30am, local time. [Mumbai is 2.5hrs behind Singapore]
The airport wasn't as bad as i thought but perhaps, i was too tired to even care.

However, i was a lil annoyed by their over-staffing problem.

After going through the immigration, in less than 10 steps, we were stopped again.
An officer ordered: "Passport passport!!!"
Though puzzled, we followed.
I dug mine 1st and handed over to the officer, came next my colleagues.
He just took a quick glance and nodded, beckoning us to go.
Please lor! He didn't even lay his hand it!
What check is this??
Worse, my colleague's passport was jacketed with a "Precious Moment" passport cover and she merely showed the side with only the cartoons.
How helpful was that??


Anyway...

The hotel arranged a car to pick us up and as the driver was loading our luggage into the boot, i saw this...

I wondered if they are as 'helpful' as the airport officer. =p

The hotel was located 5 min from the airport and fortunately we were able to check into our rooms almost immediately.
Or else we would be drenched in perspiration out in the scorching heat. 38 degrees celcius leh!

[Intercontinental Hotel - the place we put up]

After lunch, we started the most dreading part of the trip - work.
Our client's office was comfortably furnished (better than i thought) and the people were generally hospitable.
They were constantly making sure that we were not thirsty or hungry.
Once, we asked for Milo or hot chocolate which sounded kinda alien to them but they offered us an identical version called Bournvita [later i realised it's a sub-brand of Cadbury].

Stylo name sia...but the taste??
Think i'll stick to Milo la. =p

Our first dinner in Mumbai was chop chop settled at Mackies.
In fact, we packed and decided to dine in the luxury of our hotel rooms.

It's a comfort to see our familiar Ronald seated calmly in the midst of the chaotic traffic.
Look at how close the vehicles are driving in front of the store.

Back to the room, dead beat.
Too tired to even eat.
Yet we had to deal with the sudden crisis that happened just before we left client's office.
That was in addition to the existing work that we had to clear before the end of the day.
So we work...and work...and work...
Time check: 11.30pm [that's 2am Sin time]
That was 23hrs without sleep!
[We were already at the airport at 4am the morning before to catch the 5.30am flight to Mumbai.]
I dozed off before i could finish my prayer.

-Day 2-


I think i was knocked unconscious the night before.
My battery went so flat that it didn't conserve a tiny energy to even move, not mentioning dream.
My sleeping position remained unchange!

We had a sumptuous breakfast buffet at the hotel.
Heavy enough to last us through the day so that we won't have to waste time to lunch.
And then it's work...work...work again.


Bonny snapped these in the car.




Vehicles and people were everywhere.
Travelling on the road was a big risk and it's life threatening.
A viking ride can be safer.
The only mode of communication was by horning and don't even think of "courtesy on the road" campaign.
The traffic lights were for decoration purposes and pedestrians [including kids] were all over the busy road.
If you dumped me on the road, i think it will take me eternity to get to the opposite side.
Apparently, it's their lifestyle and they were borned with it.

Whenever our car halted in a jam, the kids, the old and the crippled will gushed towards us and tap on our windows.
Signalling for money and food.
Initially, i was petrified. I didn't know how to react.
The driver told us not to look at them so i just stared forward.
When i realised this phenomenon was common, i was emotionally disturbed.
I was furious.
Don't they have proper governing?
If the people's welfare isn't their concern, then what is?
Not as if they did a significant job in their infrastructure.
I thought Mumbai is India's financial hub? Shouldn't it be more prosperous?
I couldn't fathom.
With only a 5.5hr flight distance, i felt that i've entered a different terrain.

Towards evening, we were pleased with our progress as we knew we can return home on time.
Bonny was exceptionally delighted!
However, just when we were about to wrap up for the day (for the trip in fact), another crisis cropped up. Sianz.
More serious than the previous one.
There was a heated argument and my stand was challenged.
I wouldn't wanna bring in the details here.
I'm just thankful that it had gone past.

We decided to reward ourselves a deserving dinner on our last night in Mumbai.
We were recommended to Khyber.

It's located in the city where major financial activities and trades take place.
The ambience of the restaurant was romantic and mythical, with the wall paintings. There was a disco on the 2nd level too.





The North Indian cuisine was delicious. Or was it South? Whatever!
Look at the pinkish roundish appetizer above.
They were onions! Thank God i didn't gobble it.
Saw the greenish pile? Trust me, it tasted 10x better than it looked.
It's some crushed spinach with cheese cubes which tasted like tau-kua and it's savoury.

Can't imagine huh?
Dessert ~ really not their specialty.
Regardless, the entire dining experience did make our 5hr travelling journey worthwhile.

On the way back, my colleagues dozed off instantly so i occupied myself with some "sightseeing".
As the vehicle advanced, i couldn't lift my eyes off the pavements.
It was late but it was very crowded.
I guess it would remain like this till dawn.
Coz that's the place they retire for the night, commonly known as home for us.
The better ones had their families with them and they would surround a heated pot which i believed it's their dinner.
But the rest, would just lie alone at any empty space they could find.
The whole stretch was populated with these vagrants, in close proximity.
Did i mention we were in the city?
Can't imagine the suburbs.
It's just depressing.

-Day 3-

回家咯!!!
Bonny was the most cheery.
As usual, we had breakfast in the hotel and as we were heading to the airport, Bonny had a surprise.
My colleagues discreetly arranged with the restaurant and got Bonny a tiny birthday cake!
They sang Happy Birthday song for Bonny too! =)))
That was so sweet!! =)))
Bonny was touched.



At last, the journey ended, with some fond and unpleasant memories.
But most importantly, JOB ACCOMPLISHED!!! =)

I miss home~

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Carefree

June is my favourite month.
It has always been but somehow this year's was exceptionally great.
Perhaps i went through a really lousy season before this.
Exams, work, exams, work...it's tough.
The nature of my work is not the super hectic kind but somehow the non-anticipated problems seemed to surface within that months.
My life simply twirled around these 2 aspects and they were enough to cause me to nearly lose my foothold.
I was lonely and never seemed to be contented with the support from my peers.
I felt the need of more encouragement and i grown to be very dependent.
I was never dependent. In fact i used to think i was over-independent.
But i'm glad i have my SOURCE of dependence.
If i didn't cling on Him tight enough, i might have gone with the wind. No where to be found.
He gripped me firmly too.
He knows my limit and will not make me bear beyond it.
He knows that i can and encouraged me to press on.
I did and things have gone past.
A relief, for sure.

I attended my 'first' service today after life went back to normal.
I worshipped Him ~
In joy and carefree.
In awe and gratitude.

Friday, June 23, 2006

Krrish

Last evening, Bonny caught a Bollywood blockbuster!!
First time leh!
A full fledge one at GV Grand.
As it's a movie premiere, the audiences were all mainly from the press and some invited guests.

Bonny was excited after hearing about it for so long.
Oh remember Bonny made a trip to India 2 weeks ago, yeah it's for this too.

The Story

Krishna (starred by Hrithik Roshan) was born with magical powers - a legacy from his father. He could run faster than a horse and catch fish with his bare hands from the river. To prevent him from falling into the hands of the evil, his grandmother resided with him in a super ulu mountainous area. Then one day, a group of city campers went into the ulu place and among them was Priya (starred by Priyanka Chopra). Krishna fell in love with her when she had to return home in Singapore. Priya was a reporter and thought of doing a report on Krishna's supernatural power so she tricked him to Singapore. In Singapore, Dr Siddhant Arya , the megalomaniac scientist was on the verge of changing the future with techonology. In order not to reveal his true identity, he disguised himself as Krrish and only he could stop the evil doings of Dr Arya.


First half of the story was filmed in India and the scenary of the ulu mountainous area was captivating.
Snow capped mountains, clear river, big green grass field.
The rainbow was like permanently hung on the
sky and the birds seemed to be the singing elites.

What a perfect place for the male and female leads to sing and dance!

I realised Indian actors and actresses are really 全方位艺人.
They must to able to act, fight, sing, dance and look pretty.
Not only "able to", they must excel in all areas!
不简单哦!

The film lasted for about 3 hrs and it was quite draggy in front.
But the dancing part was pretty entertaining.
They can really dance man.
I was fascinated by the creative choreography.
Certain parts were quite exaggerating. Especially in their facial expressions accompanied by the background music.

用得着那么夸张吗???
There was wind blowing in their face whereever they go. 走路带风耶!
And when their hair was wet, the water droplets will decend very gracefully as they swayed his head.
They just made me laugh.

I saw a few colleagues of mine vibrating in front too.
Hehehe...
Towards the last part, really cannot tahan, we just bursted out our laughter.
Can you imagine when they were "HOW CAN YOU KILL HIM??"
[Oh yes...although the entire movie was in an Indian language (doesn't sound like Hinddi or Tamil), they inserted English into their lines too. Wa sei...国际化 man.]
Here we were "HAHAHAHAHA...."
Alright it's anti-climax but can't help it leh. =p

The Singapore scenes started at only the last hour and that's where the 重点 should be.
They managed to capture shots of the key places which reflected us as quite a metropolitan city.

Cool!
However, i have qualms about certain hidden messages of some parts.
There was a scene taken at a water themepark and the extras at the background were all big-busted bikini girls.
It seemed deliberate and it reminded me of some 王晶 (a HK director) old movies.
Not very "deep" huh.

The special effects were good. Approaching Hollywood standard.
The soundtracks were not bad too.
The plot hmm....ok.

They said it's equivalent to our 无间道.
My take? Errrm......errm......无以置评.
Generally, the production of the film can be considered an A-grade in Bollywood standard and it should be able to appeal to international viewers.
Well, i pray that it will really do.

[Saw that red roundish structure? Familiar? Make a guess!]

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Wedding Series III: Nicole & Joe [Part 2]

- The Wedding Banquet - Amara Hotel -

After a busy morning, Bonny hurried home to prepare for the night bash.
Come to think of it, i only had 45min to lunch and rest before i started to get ready.
夸张 right? I also think so.
In the end, late some more!
Haiyo...

Anw...

I arrived at the hotel at 1745hrs and almost right away, i was summoned into the ballroom for the rehearsal.
Bonny was the Mandarin emcee for the night!
Eversince i left the era of 讲相声 and active emceeing in school, i've not done such a thing anymore.
Bonny was gan chiong.
Afraid that i will utter something wrong. Un-吉利 words or otherwise.
Therefore i kept to the script very closely during the opening.
When it got to the middle, it became better. Thank God!
Nevertheless, i concluded that i am the prim-and-proper type of emcee. No rara, no anyhow.

On the other hand...
My co-host (Adrian) was rara. He attempted to crack some cold jokes.

Cold but entertaining.
Not too bad, but the guests were too caught up with the food than listening to him.
Well, for a partner whom i had only accumulative 1hr of interaction prior to the actual thingy, our 默契 was considered not bad. Can pass la!

It's a good experience but i just couldn't tolerate the fact that nobody was listening when i talk.
When i said clap, half of the people simply bo chap.
真没礼貌...
Were they too hungry??
Whatever...


[Bonny & Adrian. Joe's colleague.]

Joe is from the Air Force, so they had a team of swordbearers at the banquet.
I think it's so cool.

Especially when they marched in. 帅呆了耶!!!
I also want!!!

But i'm easy...Navy also can. =p


[As usual, they got tekaned. Drink, eat, carry. I think it's just an SOP.]

Then the banquet went on as it should be.
Eat, drink, Yam Seng.................................





Check out this out!


He's the photographer for the day.
I think he's cute! 腼腆 kind.

I've never seen such a polite and shy wedding photographer before.
He's very nice too. Always help us to take pictures with our camera.
But i think he a bit buay tahan about Bonny's camera sensitivity.
He could hardly take any "natural" shots of me coz i'm always on guard!
When i showed my friends the pic, all had the SAME reaction!
"Not your type."
My "type"? Of what? Boyfriend?
What's "my type"? How come i don't know?
Please la... 想太多了吧??
He's only a 过客.

Glad that
Grace was able to make it for the wedding.
She deliberately extended her stay in Singapore for the wedding.
Her poor husband had to return back to Chiangmai alone. =p
The event would not be completed without her though.

James came too. So nice of him.
It's like a class reunion!



Oh lastly, Bonny is grateful to my personal designer who makes awesome dresses for Bonny.

She's none other Bonny's Mummy! She only makes dresses for Bonny.
Ok the pink one is a bit 夸张 la. But it's nice la.

I prefer the blue one i wore in the morning though.
The package must be complete. Nice dress must go with nice hairdo.
So Bonny went to set-to hair
again! Heh...



That's the end of the wedding series for this month.
Phew... 可以吃Kit-Kat了.

Monday, June 19, 2006

Wedding Series III: Nicole & Joe [Part 1]

The third wedding in less than 1 month - Nicole & Joe.
Nicole was my former poly classmate and she is one of the 6 other girls i hang out with.
We were already her 死党 in poly when she started "walk steady" with Joe 7 years ago.
They were pen pals. Steady hor?
So cool...当今哪里会有这么童话般的爱情故事?

I can foresee Nicole as a 贤妻良母 and Joe is one great guy.
They are just meant for each other.
It's just so sweet seeing the both of them together.

- The Wedding Morning - At the Bride's home -

The 姐妹 had a strength of 7 pretty yet strong ladies.
We strategized and negotiated. We are power!


After 1 month of 处心积虑, we came up with many "welcome gantries" for the groom and his 弟兄.
1st: Groom to express his love for the bride at the carpark
downstairs, in cantonese [his 死穴], loudly.
Aftermath: He woked up the residents in the opposite block.
2nd. Sing 小微.
Aftermath: Noise pollution =p
3rd: Role-play a skit titled <<英雄救美>>
Aftermath: 姐妹s having stomachache. 笑到翻!!
4th: 酸甜苦辣大挑战
Aftermath: I think they were very hungry
5th: Spell L-O-V-E with butts
Aftermath: Nil
6th: 弟兄 to kiss groom with rouged lips
Aftermath: Hmm...i think they looked pretty good.




After 闯五关, 展六将, they got in...BUT!!!!
It's not the end!!
He had to create a poem with the words - 星星, 月亮, 太阳
And he went...
床前明月光
疑是地上星
举头望明月
低头思Eisa!
[aka Nicole]
and he recited in Cantonese and English.
Very 勉强 but good attempt la!
Pass!


AT LAST...

Happy leh...

Presenting....


the beautiful bride NICOLE and the handsome groom JOE!!!!


...not forgetting the 姐妹弟兄助阵队!



Stay tune for the Part 2 update!!

Saturday, June 17, 2006

It's Zi-char time again!

One day, we had zi-char...[again].

Our famous 十连拍
[err...很像 more than that hor...]








Our new invention - 要笑-不要笑-的脸



[Koko looked more like "kia dio" (吓到)]


and the winner goes to....




~其他露网镜头~

聚精会神 决不罢休!


吃太饱了?


美女...


野兽...


莲成一派!


kenna "kiap" by lift door...faces distorted