The Final Weekend

The final weekend before my departure flew past like a gust a wind.
I planned for much rest but i thought i overdid it.
On Friday night, i slept for straight nine hours and only managed to gain consciousness at noon on Saturday.
I was appalled of myself seriously.
Then later in the afternoon, it was a tai-tai excursion which includes a yummilicious high-tea at Carousel with the girls.The cosy dining atmosphere and the scrumptious buffet spread made our stay so comfy and before we knew it, it was almost six and we hadn't even hit the shopping belt.
With with calories input earlier, walking was indeed a great way to digest.
Especially when we were so caught up with our shopping lists, we didn't realised we'd walked for three hours continuously.

One of my best buy was this toileteries bag which i got for Carrefour.
It's huge and spacious and i could stuff almost all the tubes and bottles into this compact carrier.
I've added an additional ziploc bag, in case of leakage as i didn't want history that happened three years ago to repeat itself.
Better to be save than VERY sorry. =p
Personally i thought toileteries packing is the toughest part of the entire process, because it is the easiest to forget things.
Thus i'm glad to settle this first; or perhaps i was too excited about my new toileteries bag.

Attended the final meeting with the rest of the mission trippers and we are more or less ready to go.
The "more" is about 29.99% and the "less" 70.01%. =p
Bonny the "J" here is trying to be as "P" as possible.
With the admininstrative tasks almost completed, it's now left with the collection of the remaining fund from the respective trippers.
Being a loanshark is definitely not an easy job, since i have to be civil and the use of aid tools is forbidden.
The most ruthless words i could use was "eyyy you better pay up hor...or else..or else...remember to bring next time hor".
Otherwise, it's good training.

Our Chiang Mai counterparts, Gracie and Aaron who were in town for a family event, joined us at the meeting and provided us with first-hand information too.
The crash course on Thai language taught by Gracie was uber fun and strangely, i felt demure enunciating the Thai phonetics.
The ka, khun, can, naa sound so deh!
Perhaps i should seriously consider taking up the language professionally then hopefully Bonny can be hushed and behave more like a lady. =p

With things not quite done, we are embarking on this journey in four days' time.
Very excited while feeling a tad fearful.
It's much more than language/culture barrier or moving out of comfort zone.
I couldn't put a finger to that at this moment. Perhaps only after i've been through it myself.

Believe it or not, it is going to be my longest trip ever and i'm sure going to miss home and my friends.
Till we meet, take care and think of Bonny. =)

Randomness

It's gonna be quite random.

With the plunge of the tourists figures for the fourth executive month, i am experience a slowdown at work too.
Well, it could also be due to the festive mood that is creeping in. =) That's from the optimistic angle.
As people are fussing over the issue of retrenchment, it got me a lil worried as well.
Especially after hearing some sob stories in the board which were rather impactful.
The myth of the metal rice bowl has become legendary. Sigh.
Thus, i was trying to pull up my socks and be...erm...less nua.
Hoping that i won't see my belongings in my cube all packed up when i return. =p
I guess somehow, the economic situation got onto the nerves of some people and relationships among colleagues got a lil tensed.
It is extremely tough to manage colleagues who are also my friends, especially when we are not on the same side of the boat.
To be firm yet tactful, it is an art.
Writing emails to these colleafriends (sounds like cauliflower) will take me ages!

***

Life didn't seem to be less busy when classes were over. Of course it was due to the series of nuptial events.
I am glad that people who should get married, are married and everything did turn out well eventually.
It is time that i should spare a thought, maybe two, for myself and the theme of my thought(s) is JOY.
Suggestions are welcome, as long as the objective is achieved.
I need to get things going real soon. Coz i realised there isn't any concrete stuff other than work!

***

After a good three months worth of wait, Bonny is finally departing for Chiang Mai next Thursday.
I was always envious of people who went on mission trips and have always hope that i could experience the encounters myself.
Finally, after many years of struggling with leave problem due to my studies, my turn has arrived!
The preparation started as early as August when the team of eleven was formed.
As we get closer to the departure, there are more administration to be done.
It was then i realised that i kinda lost touch with admin tasks and initially it was really chaotic.
Especially in the midst of the wedding season. Thank God things are under control now as i got the hang of it.
Uber looking forward to be part of this new, yet strong, team.
Stay tune for exciting reports!

Hmm...

Hmmmm...

See... told you i need to find new stuff. Otherwise pinkbonny is closing down!

Mind my Business

I think i have a problem.

A problem of considering too much.

The moment my considerations don't get appreciated, i feel like shite.

Why am i expecting an appreciation when in the first place i'm not even expected to consider?

At the end of the day, i'm just a busybody.

Bringing misery upon myself.

Shall mind my own business...

Uniquely Experienced

Bonny had a unique experience at the Singapore Visitor Centre (SVC) at Terminal 2!
Being in the back room for so long, it was time that we get onto the field and be at the frontline.
Frankly speaking, i was quite looking forward to it after hearing from those who have gone for their attachments.
Long standing hours, feeling lost and redundant. Ah-uh...not too favorable.

The day started when Rosie, the supervisor briefed us with the day's activities and dismissed us shortly to let us explore the SVCs in other terminals.

SVC at Terminal 1, the bigger and busier one.

SVC at Terminal 3, the smaller and scarcer one.

And this is the one we were stationed at.

The lady back-facing the camera is Rosie.

Then we started to get a lil more comfortable with the environment when we decided to pose for some shots.

The primary task of the SVC is of course to assist tourists in their travel needs the moment they step foot at the airport as some can be really lost.

Other than that, it is also responsible of inducing transit passengers to sign up for the Free Singapore Tours provided by the board, SIA and CAAS.

The tours will bring them downtown to the marina precinct as well as some colonial attractions around Empress Place.

The idea is to leave an impression in them and hopefully they would return for their next holiday.

Hence, throughout the two days of attachment, we boarded this bus three times, pretending like the transit passengers. Heh.

I've to admit that i had quite a satisfying nap after 4236 yawns when the tour guide was doing the commentary. =p

Trust me, i tried my best to look enthusiastic but to bear with the facts you could almost memorise, it's hard not to lose focus. =p

We didn't really have much contact with the visitors as we were pretty sheltered by the veterens.

But the encounter with an American was good enough to keep me smiling for a while. Guess not much explanation is required. Hurhur...

Other than that, we merely enjoyed ourselves in such a rare opportunity to work in a place of our desire.

At the end of the second day, Rosie left a note before she ended her day at work.

She's such a bubbly lady that when you see her, you know she's at the right job.

She wasn't at all stingy in sharing her experience with us and we were pretty engrossed in her stories.

I truly admired her passion in what she does which lasted her for a good 30 years. She joined the board even before i was borned! Try imagining that!

With passion, all things will last. =)

Koko the 张太

Koko is a wifey!!!!
Welcome to the 张 family! Heh.


It's over and i can finally take a breather.
I needed that air so badly.

*gasp*