Yes I know

Yes, yes, I know that I've been back for a week already... and that I have promised to update my trip on subsequent entries... and to talk about my trip each place at a time.... BUT I'm just too lazy to do it... hahaha... so forgive me k...

Anyway now that I'm back in SG, I've been sending out my resume to potential employers (for those dweebs that still do not know, I'm unemployed + broke now). Yup, so I've sent out quite a few of my resumes to various companies. Went for an interview earlier this week with Beng's company. He asked if I wanted to consider going there (he's doing insurance anyway), so I went for the interview (I keep my options open). It was ok, the boss wanted me to think about it before deciding, which I think is important. And after some thought, I think I probably would not join Beng. Firstly, insurance is not really my thang. Also I feel that I want to go out and try out the market first to see how I can cope in this world. I want to try it out.

Most of the positions that I applied to are for sales engineer and management trainee. Hopefully I'll get some response from the employers. I mean, at least call me down for an interview lah... haha... Job search can be such a tiring thing, especially when there are no responses from the employers, after some time it can get pretty demoralising.

Well, another thing about coming back, I got no car to drive. The price of Diesel shot up by $0.40, pass the $2 mark, and also my bro has taken over the car, to drive to work. Well I can't just come back home and grab the car from him just because I want to go out right. So I got no car to drive now, and that is a big problem. Hmmm I'll call it the 'driving car syndrom'. You know that after driving around for sometime, and getting so used to having personal transport, then suddenly when the car disappears, you would just not want to go out. That exactly whats happening to me now. I'm like at home almost everyday because I'm just too lazy to take public transport to go out. I've told myself that I want to go to school to collect my transcript, but one week after I came back I still have not collected the transcript. Haiz.... buck up SL....

Anyway my convocation is next thursday. Finally graduating from university, finally I'll be getting to wear the graduation gown, wahahaha. Actually I've already wore the gown. Just last week (one of the times that I actually went out), I met cy, xmm, shy, vivi, shu hui,kh and beng in town to take photos with our gowns. We went to the Esplanade and VCH. Oh man, take those photos are so much more tiring that taking photos in Europe. Just those few hours of photo taking literally drained all my energy. But then again, I think I'm suffering from jet lag now. I can't sleep at night. Its been like a week already, I haven't been able to get good rest, I'm like super tired now, but I'm fighting not to sleep so that I can be super duper tired at like 11-12, and fall asleep at normal times. For the past week, I've been sleeping at like 5am every night, yup its just not normal. Oh yah, come to think of it, I gotta remember to grab the grad photos from shu hui and xmm...

Officially back from grad trip

After 50 days of traveling, through 9 countries and countless cities, I'm now back in my homeland - Singapore. It has been a tough 50 days, really really tough. But we had our fun, I would not be fake here to say everything about the trip was all rosy and nice, and that everyone will probably stay the best of friends forever and ever, there were some hiccups and unhappiness inside, there were things we could not see eye to eye, and there were things that people did that just irritates us. But thats all over, whats most important is that we had great fun traveling around Europe and also met a lot of other people, it was a really enriching experience. BUT, I will still take this opportunity to bitch about all my grievances of the trip here (because none of them have my blog address, wahahaha).

To talk about my entire trip will take a few entries, so I decided that I will start with the bitching of the things I didn't like then go on to talk about the countries that we're been to, and what we did in each country. I will try to post them chronologically.

Okie, lets start with the bitching. (Before I begin let me just put this disclaimer first, all that is posted here is entirely what I felt about the trip, if you find this offending please cool off, its just a personal opinion). Lets just say I went with the wrong group of travelers, or maybe I should call them tourist instead. When I start on this trip, I wanted to be a traveler not a tourist. I want to walk around and see as much as I can. There are so many things to see and experience when in a foreign country, especially when everything is so new to you. So ideally I had thought that we will be going there to chiong out early in the morning, walk fast, try to rush to see as many things as possible, take tons and tons of photos, then return to the hostel only late at night after everything has closed. But noooooo, this group is not up to it yet, in fact they are pretty far from it. We can wake up like 10am, then slowly stroll to take breakfast, then wash up before going out. When we're outside, we cannot walk too fast because some of us will get tired easily (and also because they walk pretty slowly). From the start I knew that I could walk a little more than others, and I knew that my objectives were for the trip. I have also told them about this before the start of the trip, and I got assurance that we will all chiong together, but that wasn't the case. After day 1, most of them were super tired already... and subsequently they started to move slower and slower. Of course it was encouraging to see some of them still trying to keep up as much as possible, and of course going on a trip together is about accommodating each other. So subsequently I tried to cut down on the sites that we see, try to give more rest time in between, and try to bring them back to hostel early to sleep and rest. I know that I'm not the best person to be leading the way and deciding where to visit, come on its also my first time in Europe, can I only decide where to go based on a city map that I have, so its not easy for me. But I think I've tried. After some time, I decided that I will only try to bring them to see the main attractions of each city, then at night I will walk on my own to see the other smaller attractions. So through out the trip I keep telling them that its ok that if they are tired and want to go back to hostel to tell me, cause after you go back, I will continue to walk on my own.

I mean you have to understand that its very demoralizing to have people who keeps giving you the black face when ya walking together. To me, if you want to travel together, you have to try to keep up the pace, and if you can't keep it up its only courteous to give a fake smile and tell the people around you that you are tired. Giving a black face and hoping that someone will get the hint that you are tired will not work, at least not for me. And coming to this black face topic, in a trip together, one of the most irritating thing is to see people having black faces every now and then. Especially for a trip this long. I mean whatever that you are not happy about, just voice out nicely, I'm sure we can work something out. I really don't like to see black faces and try to guess whats wrong. Tantrums are another thing. When we know that we have to be together for at least 50 days, it is not the best times to throw tantrums. Tantrums are such mood spoilers, and that really kills everyone off. Just 1 idiot throwing tantrum can spoil the group's entire day.

Also when I feel that I am trying my best to accommodate everybody's wants, and trying to read the map to find the fastest way to get them to the locations, and then have someone just blurts out that I have no sense of direction is really a big disappointment. Even though I get 'it' the benefit of doubt that 'it' does not mean it that way, but 'it' should realize how hurting that can be.

Then, to the minor aspect of the trip. Who actually goes on a backpacking trip and shops all the time. Its like 'Huh!?!?!' Going to outlet malls and major brand shops like LV, Burberries, Gucci, Prada, Bally, Longchamp etc. are an attraction in Europe? Okie going to 1 or maybe 2 is alright, but really we don't have to go to some many right. I know I'm a shopperholic too, when I'm down to shopping I sometimes can lose myself. In fact I admit that I was really attracted to the shopping in Spain. Zara was really quite cheap, plus the Spanish sale means that everything else was having a 50-70% sale. So I was also shopping like crazy there. Thats why I didn't say that its anything wrong, the sale really makes shopping very attractive there. But I made it a point to at least see some of the attractions of the city and not forgo everything for shopping. When in Florence and given a choice of Michaelangelo's David or factory outlet, I don't understand how can they choose the outlet instead of David. But its their choice, it made my own choice. In Spain, I wanted to see more attractions after shopping, but they were just too tired to walk already. I still remember that I had to wake up early in the morning to walk on my own around town to see the attractions before meeting them at the hostel to go to the train station. I really think I missed a lot in Spain, I'm sure that there are so many other things to see there. Having said that, I really enjoyed the shopping, wahahaha. I kept curbing myself from starting till Spain. When I went to Europe, my bag was like 13kg. When I left Europe my bag was like 25kg, and thats excluding a hand carry bag I had bought to put my stuff and I think that itself weigh about 12-13kg. So you can imagine how much I had bought, hahaha.

Erm I think that about all the bitching I have (okie actually I do have more to bitch about for the trip, but they are pretty minor stuff), the major issues are here. Okie look out for the next posting!

Last night

Today is the last day in SG before I leave for my month long trip to the faraway land of Europe. So many things happened during this time of preparation, and now finally we leaving on a jet plane, don't know when we'll be back again. Okie, just kidding, I do know when I'll be back, thats on the 11th of July. Quite a long time away from home. My mama will be back tomorrow!!! but I won't see her because her flight will only touch down at about 10 plus. So take care mama.

Went to Raffles to change our Euros today, For the first time in my life I was holding on to 15k of $50 notes. And if ya thinking that its gonna look like some mafia gathering, exchanging money in classic brief case, think again. 15k only came to about a stack that is less than 5 cm thick.

I changed 1000 Euros, will be taking out more $$ tmr from the bank. Also went to the agency to get our Eurail passes, thats another $1000 gone. Still have quite a bit to do, gotta return my library books, get money from bank, pack my bags (yes, I know I've said this many times, but I'm still not finished with my bag). Okie, now its up, up and away.... Goodbye people, see you all soon!

First

For the first time in my life today (I mean yesterday), I am really faced with financial difficulty. Haiz, I went to top up my diesel tank, as usual I topped up $20, after discount its $19. So I went ahead to swipe my card, but alas the most hated things has to happen, my card cannot be used. The counter staff told me that my card is sort of locked and that I may want to check with the bank, but I guess it should be because I do not have money in the account already. This is the first time such a thing has happened. Damn sad man. Luckily I took my mama's atm card with me today (before my mama left, she had purposely left her atm card behind together with her card no. so that I could take money if I need it), else I would not have enough to pay the cashier. Haiz, it does make me look back and think to myself whether the decision to go on this trip is really worth it. I have never been on a trip this disorganised, and with this much problems. Initially after looking at the way they book the hotels and stuff, I already expected some problems to occur, but the problems just seem to be piling and for a moment I did regret accepting the offer to go on the trip. Why am I putting myself in such a situation where I am in such a bad shape. If I had gone to another place, this would be so much easier, and my life would not be this terrible. Right now I am looking forward to the trip, and at the same time hating the trip. It has reached a 50-50 situation, especially the money issue. I am trying my best to accommodate the money problems. As in, if I have to fork out a little bit more, then I try to say its ok with me. But I don't know if the rest realise that I am already pushing my accounts to their limits already. I cannot push myself any further. This is pretty bad, well since its already a fact that I'll be going there then I guess I will have to make the best of it. But I really can't afford anymore hiccups. Going deeper into my piggy bank is a big no no, I'll just work with what I have and try my best to enjoy the month. My mama is now in HK, I hope she is enjoying herself. I miss my mama, I really do. How I wish I can see her right now. Its times like this that I really really miss her, just feel that there are so many things that I can talk to her about. And when she's around, I just keep quiet and sometimes make her mad. I'm trying my best to be a good child, but I'm not up to the mark yet. At 25, she still has to worry about me. Mama, I'm sorry, I will work towards being a better child. But in the mean time, you still gotta help me with my trip. =)

Taiwan goodies

Vivian just came back from Taiwan and she bought some food stuff for us, and this had got to be the most interesting stuff she got for us, hahaha

The packaging is pretty cute right, hahaha.

Inside there are packets of boobs, they are actually white citrus chocolates

Deli Moroccan

Hmmm... I can't remember if I've already mentioned this, but anyway the main point of interest of this entry is the photos...

Last thursday Imran brought me to Haji Lane for Moroccan food at Deli Moroccan. Its along the walkway towards the Sultan Mosque. I'm beginning to like Haji Lane. The ambiance is good, its very ethnic, very middle eastern. I think it a pretty nice place to relax and chill out with a bunch of friends. And the best part is, it is not crowded. Unlike the city area and some dance clubs where there is limited space, many a times we are stuck in a 1 by 1 foot square; and the only type of dance that you can engage in is hopping up and down vertically like a lost bunny. And thats not the worst part, the worst is when there are people inside who (1) stink, (2) sweat like hell, (3) might have stood at an area for too long and probably thought that they have become a fossil, standing beside you. Number 1, trying to maneuver through this groups of people can be quite a daunting task. You have to try to hold your breadth for very long (because the line is stagnant, if it was water mosquitoes could like breed there), and then you have to be sharp enough to spot small openings between people and try to squeeze through without getting touched or touching any of the sweating bodies. A bit of sweat and stickiness is alright, but I have come across people who look like they've just came out of a shower. Then there are the group called the fossils, who just stand there and don't move or attempt to give way no matter how many excuse mes you shout into their ear. I have no idea whether they are deaf or visually handicapped, but they are standing there just like a pillar. Utmost irritating. Lets see, did I also mention about the group of people who just think they are most beautiful creatures that god has created. Yup, they think they are damn good looking, and then just try to pose as if the whole world is looking at them. Come on, get a life dude. And then there is the group of young kids and ah bengs who probably values the past. They might be try to revive the glory period of the days of clubs like fire and centro. Because they not only dress like the past, they behave like the past. Kids who think they are old enough just because they add a few fucks and chee byes into their speech, it just irritates me. Sorry if you are one of them, I'll probably hate you. To me, if you are 16, act like a 16 year old. If you are a 26 act like a 26 year old. enough said. Well, having said that, I do like to go clubs once in a while. The frequency is getting lower now, probably I just feel that I've passed that phased. Now I'd rather sit in a pub and have drinks with my friends, playing silly pub games, or just to have a nice meal together. I value that time together more than having a million friends in clubs who you probably recognise their faces but deep in your heart you are asking yourself ,"where the fuck have I seen this guy before" and "what the hell is his name"... and the next thing to do is to give that colgate smile and say ,"Hi, long time no see". Yup, the fake-o days are probably over for me, although I do use this tactic once in a while. I'm pretty bad with names, It'll take some time for me to register your name in my pea-brain.

Okok, I realise that I'm getting out of point with all that clubbing issues I have. Well back to the main point - Deli Moroccan. The food there is pretty authentic, we had the Tajin (I think my spelling is wrong here) chicken with potatoes and a pita bread; and also ordered the Moroccan mint tea. The chicken was great, tasted fabulous. The portion don't look big, but together with the pita bread, it was a pretty filling combination. The service was also commendable. The staff were friendly, half-way through our meal, the boss came out and just talked to us for a while. The mint tea was also pretty special, it tasted a little like bubble gum, I think its because they use spearmint. Yup, but it was really quite nice. So all in all, I think that place is pretty nice place to check out.

Sultan Mosque

The menu

Imran - my 2mp camera is actually pretty clear at night, erm at least better than I had expected
Tajin chicken with super lot of potatoes

Mint tea - they even served it in there authentic steel tea cups

诈胡

Haiz, as it turned out, it was a big mistake. Erm or you could call it a beautiful mistake, as Benny put it, at least we were happy for a night. Yup, the winner on Sheng Siong show last night was not my mama. It was someone with the same name, haiz. But nevermind, whats not meant to be yours will never be yours, life still goes on with or without the cash prize (of course it will be better with it, hahaha). Anyway, I figured that I've been talking about my love for my family a lot lately. Getting a little lovey-dovey with my family. but really I can only express my love for them on my blog (probably because they won't be reading this), when in a face to face situation, I just don't have that courage to say it out loud that I love them. So for all those that can't stand all this I-love-my-family shit, sorry, I think there will be more to come, especially before I leave on my holidays. I miss my family, even before I fly....