Hello, Anybody Home?

Yesterday afternoon, I attended the EXSA course at YWCA. This blardy award had my ward manager jumping mad. Allow me to clarify matters.

She had called and texted me on my handphone. I called back the ward but nobody knew a thing so I called back a little later. After 3 tries of trying to catch a hold of her, she blasted me and asked why I didn’t call her cell instead.

Why didn't you leave a message?! Is this course supposed to be a secret?!

I mean, if you’d called me from the ward, I’d just find you back in the ward. Then I found out that she had called Stick Insect’s DAD because she didn’t answer her phone. Get this – Just to find me. Good grief.

Woman, what is the matter with you?!

Does that mean she will call my (dead) father if I don’t answer my cell the next time looking for Stick Insect? Wahahhaa… my goodness.

Anyway, the course comprised of the usual mandatory humiliating moments with involuntary games and introductions. There was this super soft guy from another department inside who was peculiarly slapstick.

Conflicting with his beefcake bod and GI Joe hair, he whined girlishly about the warm weather over his phone as he feverishly fanned himself. He was indeed the magnet of attention for all present.

In the evening, I met up Crescentia, a good friend I’ve had since my secondary school days. It’s been a while since we last met up but that sweet girl still remembered my birthday and brought me to Vivo where we had a buffet steamboat just behind Daiso.

We could see the entrance of Sentosa from the restaurant. Though we were definitely more interested in the seafood spread on our table! We gorged our faces like old times and starting off awkwardly, we kicked the gears into motion and shared about the times we’ve spent apart.

And today, my ward supervisor texted me to call my ward manager URGENTLY (forever). She informed me that I needed to complete some forms for a HMDP sponsored course.

Or maybe they're using the HMDP fund for my adv dip?

Nevermind, I like free courses. Especially if I get to sleep =)

Surprise Surprise

Today, we went for lunch at Hokkaido Ramen over in Ion Orchard where we met Zoe Tay with her son and maid. She’s really slim and pretty in real life! Then we went for a drink at MOS Burger before accompanying her to Clarke Quay to get something from her sister.

What a conspiracy lor!

She actually masterminded a surprise birthday celebration for me. Hahaha.. That’s twice in a row! In cahoots with F3 + Leni + Von + YC + Farha + Mardi, Stick Insect lured me to Clarke Quay, wanting to give me a ride on the reverse bungee. I really didn’t suspect anything at first because we had planned to go Holland for dinner but I knew something was viciously off when I saw Mokie at Central.

Where got so qiao?! Hmmmmm…*rubs chin*

It dawned on me that history had repeated itself! Hahaha.. Thank you guys!! They brought a cake and celebrated Stick Insect’s birthday simultaneously because hers would fall on National Day.

Since I had eaten, I declined the offer because I would have brought the Singapore emblem to Gmax (read : Merlion).

Instead, I totally enjoyed watching the other guinea pigs suffer as the flipped and turned on the metal contraption. There was such a stark difference between the screaming trio of (Group 1) farha + YC + mardi and (Group 2) Mokie + Von.

The 1st group screamed like banshees as they were catapulted up into the air. They mouthed loads of their hair as the bungee flipped and twisted. Mardi looked as though she was in labor. Wahahha… And even when the bungee neared its end, they were still screaming!!

It was hilarious to watch!

Mokie + Von, on the other hand, remained silent as though someone had muted the volume. So strange! They were like robots! Silent robots. Minimal expression and zero noise!!!

We then headed to find a café for dinner but Minds and whatever was closed on Mondays so we went to Timbre over at Boat Quay where we spent the evening bitching. And Mokie, the ever avid photographer made us camwhore for laughs. My silly pics are probably circulating the web as we speak. Hahaha...

Birthdays are meant to be celebrated by people whom you love and love you =) I spent Sunday with family and Monday with my BFF + pals. It’s the people who care that matters the most.

Thank you again people!

Hong Kong Day 5 - Hong Kong Island (again)

Out of sheer exhaustion, we decided to exhalt the laziness coursing within our bodies and wake near 11am because check-out was due at noon. I chapped the skn the skin over my shoulder lugging heavy bags of goodies around and the ache was really killing me. Stick Insect had to take over my shopping load too.

Thanks babe!

the last view from our room. goodbye voyuers!

Leaving our luggage with the concierge, we headed back to Hong Kong Island for some last minute shopping. There, we went back to Jardine’s Crescent and got a basketful of lovely trinkets and presents for ourselves, family and friends.

Bling it on..!
we bought a Hello Kitty jibbitz from the Crocs store opposite Times Square

Then we popped by Sogo again to see if there were any more bargains to pick up. We ended up buying Paul and Joe stuff which Stick Insect adores. Then we moved onto Times Square in search for Stick Insect’s NARS concealer.

love the jingly music from the ice cream truck!

The Nars guy is so super cute, albeit a little niang(soft). He had such clear complexion, but not those sickly white faces many Hong Kong guys somehow possess. He looked like a hip Korean. So KHJ! His ability to laugh after every sentence simply magnified his charm. They way he giggled made us giggle too. Hahaha..

If I had stayed there any longer, I would have drooled on the floor.

Do patronize him at the NARS counter over at Lane Crawford (Times Square Ground Floor) if you require any makeup from the brand. His name is Yan Dao (handsome). Wahaha.. His service is really good. His looks are better. Hohoho..

We heart Yan Dao..! We have faith we can MAN you.. wahahha..

We ended up having lunch at Freshness Burger in some shopping center. Its very much like Mos Burger. Though pricier, the taste and quality of the food is unbeatable for fast food standards. The thick corn soup reeked of real corn and the burger patties were succulently juicy. We also tried the tangerine(yuza) soda which was tangy and sweet. Yum yum!

the double burger (left) and the tofu & avocado burger (right)

We didn’t enjoy the buffalo wings though. Very disappointing scrawny wings drenched in a watery tomato-based sauce.

Not having enough time to catch a movie, we returned to the hotel to await our shuttle back to the airport.

we had the freshly made crepe with dark chocolate gelato at the basement of our hotel

Broke after 5days of incessant bargain hunting, we had to change every last bit of SGD for HKD and dig every last cent for dinner. And that’s after we spent our food money on Disney merchandise. Hahahaha…*slaps forehead*

We had to whip out the cards again to buy cakes for Stick Insect’s family. I bet her mum would scream murder if we ‘forgot’. Heeheehee.. In the end, we managed to scrape enough to each get a meal. And here’s what we got from the final stretch of this trip. This wonderful trip =)

It has been such a wonderful experience in Hong Kong.

And for this, I thank you.

Hong Kong Day 4 - Hong Kong Island

Tired from the packed days, we slept in a little and started our day near noon. Today, we would conquer Hong Kong Island.

*roar*

Taking the MTR to Sheung Wan, we visited Western Market before taking the tram (HKD2) from the terminus to Causeway Bay MTR.

western market's fire station-like facade

On the ground floor of Western Market, you'll find knick knacks and souvenirs, whereas the 2nd floor sells an array of cloth which reminded me very much of Chinatown. The 3rd floor houses a speciality restuarant, mainly catered for weddings.

The delightfully retro trams infused a certain nostalgia against the very metropolitan atmosphere of modern day Hong Kong island.You board the electric tram from the rear and pay before you alight from the front. Tugging leisurely by the many buildings offered a glimpse of evryday life. This ride is not for those in a rush.

views from the Tram

We sat upstairs for better views. Like most days, the were flash showers and today was no different. We had to shut the windows in the tram! Luckily for us, the rain subsided after a short while and we were able to ventilate the tram once again.

We stopped at Sogo and caught many bargains! Sanrio Gift-gate was throwing a 50% sale. Henry Cat products at a steal. Polo on sale again!

Resistance was futile. Sobs.

Yes, I will probably live in debt for the rest of my life. Everything is cheaper in Hong Kong!! Damn you!!

We tried to find The New Face also by Sogo because I heard there was a Hello Kitty Cafe there. But since we were pointed in circles, we had lunch at Snake King 2, a restaurant adjacent to Sogo. We ate the broiled chicken rice and honey char siew noodles with complementary hot drink. We needed to pay a little extra to upgrade to a cold drink. Nonetheless, the food was fantastic! Almost everyone there used their free tea to wash their utensils. So funny!

our lunch!

and what meal would be complete without Xu Liu Shan?!

Then we headed down to Jardine’s Crescent, this little nook hiding the most amazing and cheap accessories! The bling accessories, satin bows, scarves etc are waaaaaaaaaay cheaper there then in Singapore.

Stick Insect grabbed bangles for approx HKD30 (SGD6). She said it looks EXACTLY the same as the ones they sell here for at least SGD20-30. We both bought 50% pashmina + 50% silk scarves for HKD50. That’s not even SGD10!

What bargains!!

Be warned – Do NOT bargain with the stall owners unless they’re in a mighty good mood. They have menses. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

We witnessed a china girl asking for a discount and got elbowed by the lady owner n the front shop. Menses lor. And do check your items carefully before walking away. It’s better to be safe then sorry.

For dinner, we headed to Langham Place and ate at Mos Burger. This time round, we walked around the massive complex and took in the sights more in detail. Almost every shop was having a sale. Wanted to buy some shoes from Pedder Red but I restrained myself because the thought of sucking on the shoes when I got back broke and helpless was not appealing.

insanely long and steep escalators

glittering lights in Langham Place

see the digital ceiling with the cloud effect?

mos mos burger burger

After 4 super crazy shopping and stuffing-our-faces days, I ended up with these =)

loves!