A Few Grey Strands

To my best friend,
Happy Birthday to you!!
A year older and wiser (i hope - hahah) too. We love you so very much!

Birthday boy and his daughter in a tuk tuk - Phuket, Thailand

Sexy 40

To Sexy 40,
Happy birthday! Wishing you all the good things in life.

Phuket Revisited - Day 2

We slept like logs. A family of logs. Melodious snoring courtesy of my better half, lulled us all into the night.

Bedtime games. Kakak played sudoku while adik fought for the lives of his power rangers

Woke up as early as 7am - that's pretty early according to my vacation standard. I couldn't believe it myself. I was always among the last to leave the bed.

After several attempts to make the brood open their eyes, we managed to get ready for breakfast with a plan to hit the beach soon after.

Breakfast was great. Wasn't a large spread but there weren't that many people either. Again, we had to explain to the kids about halal and haram when it comes to food. We did a quick round of explaining while having dinner the day before but they were too starving to pay attention.

Adik feasting on eggs and pancakes

This time around, we took our time to explain to them and after several series of questions, they managed to understand the essence of the concept.

So off we went to the beach. It was scorching hot and the sea breeze was alternately warm. I did not jump into the Andaman Sea or I'll attract sharks from far away (get it? Heheh). The beach was just across the road but the hotel did not provide any amenities - which as pretty strange at first coz we saw endless lines of lounge chairs and colorful shades. We learned later on, that the chairs and shades were owned by private individuals. We paid TB200 and were allowed stay as long as we liked.

Lounge chairs and colorful shades by the beach

The kids had fun in the sea with their dad. I napped and napped and napped. There were people coming to you to sell various stuff from wrist watches to Thai silk. They were quite cheap, judging by the amount of watches bought by the Americans not far from where were seated.

Judging by the position of the sun, we were at the beach for quite some time. None of us bothered to look at the watch. Nobody really cared coz we were having so much fun under the sun.

Posing for a tv commercial

The handsome lifeguard

The kids retired to shore and started to build sand castle only to find that they didn't have the right set of 'equipment'. So they resorted to burying Deli instead. While being buried, Deli told me that he saw a topless girl at the beach. Let's just say that he's not happy with what he saw. I couldn't agree more. There's nothing much too see when you don't have your glasses with you now, do you? Hahah.

Trying to build a sand castle

They got bored and buried their dad instead

Made our way back to the hotel when it was too hot to even step on the sand. Freshened up and decided to let the kids nap for a bit before venturing out again.

Had a late lunch at a little restaurant nearby the hotel. Food was good and cheap. Kakak happily ordered seafood pizza. She was amazed to find a squid with tentacles still attached to its body. She spent more time ogling rather than eating it.

Steamed rice made to a shape of either a turtle or a snowman. We couldn't tell.

Seafood pizza

Introducing - the squid.

After lunch, we visited Karma again. Kakak and I had foot massages while Deli braved for a Thai massage. Adik didn't want to get any and ended up playing games on my mobile. One and a half hour later, we're all set for more adventure.

Kakak enjoying the foot massage

First stop - the nearby plaza. By plaza, I meant rows and rows of tents with all sorts of merchandise. Mostly branded clothes, shoes and bags. The kind of stuff that you can get in Petaling Street. Didn't get anything except for a nightgown for kakak and Cars t-shirt for adik.

All set for more adventure after the foot massage

Sunset in Phuket

We walked to Karon town, totally drenched in sweat. It was not that far but it was not a breezy afternoon. There were a lot of tailoring shops in that town, not to mention money changer booths. Walked around and stopped by 7-11 for snacks and anything Thai-ish to stare at. I liked the Marlboro packs and thought they'd make great souvenirs for the 'dragons' back in the office. Deli talked me into buying the packs at the airport instead so we left 7-11 and went in a mini market called Big Ten. They had nice souvenir items and the prices were quite reasonable. We bought some stuff for family and friends. I found a couple of shot glasses that I fancied. They were cheap!

Lays chips - Thai version

Shot glasses bearing a tuk tuk and Phuket Island

We walked to the hotel, again drenched in sweat but this time around, managed to pass through some cool clubs along the way.

One thing I forgot to mention - when we were walking to Karon town, we heard buzzing noises coming from the lamp posts. Imagine our surprise when we looked up and saw endless electrical cables entangled among themselves, looking overloaded and about to snap anytime. It's all over town and what a scary view it was!

By the time we reached our room, we were too tired to move a muscle and resorted to calling room service. Took them less then 20 mins to deliver our orders which was the fastest room service by far (according to my experience). We ordered seafood fried rice, tom yam kung (a must!), steamed rice and fried rice noodle with prawns. We were immediately transported to (food) heaven!

Kakak having supper. The bowl on the right was the heavenly tom yam kung!

Singha drinking water - an instant favourite

Saw a little bit of telly and Deli's melodious snoring lulled us all into the night.

Nighty night, princess.

Phuket Revisited - Day 1

The kids were excited. Deli was anxious. I was dying to tell him where we will be spending the next 4 days. It was hard to contain the excitement.

I was proud to say that I managed to keep it a secret. He knew we're going to a beach but that was just about it. I told him he need not worry about a thing. All he had to do was call for a cab to take us to LCCT and of course, be our walking ATM while we were there.

The cab arrived at 8.50am. We hauled our bags and happily boarded the cab. I switched on my phone to text my sister and mom that we're on our way to the airport. That was when I saw a message from Air Asia.

Our flight was delayed to 3.15pm.

It was a reflexed action - I handed the phone to Deli and he read the text out loud. So we made a deal with the cab driver to send us back to the house and for him to come back at 1pm.

I didn't want to use my O2 for this trip, so I used my old SE K750i instead. When I switched phones, I must have forgotten to switch it on. Otherwise, I would have noticed the message from Air Asia sooner.

Potong stim betul.

When were back in the house, I realized that Deli had officially found out.

He was all smiles though I was not too sure if it's because he finally found out or because he approved of the destination. Heheh. Too late to change practically anything dear!

Finally at 1pm, we hauled our bags and boarded the cab (again). Took us an hour to reach LCCT. It was our first time there so we were walking around trying to figure out where to go and the sort.

Checked in our bags soon after and headed to McDonald's for lunch. It was packed with people. Full to the brim. We stood for a good 20 minutes before finding decent seats.

Hungry monster

Waited for a half hour before boarding the plane. The ride was fully packed with exited and chirpy people. We couldn't help but join the merry atmosphere. It's been a while since we last had a proper vacation.

On the flight, the kids were occupied with books and crayons. Deli was engrossed in killing little people (I think) with his PSP. I did nothing but silently pray for a safe flight and hopefully, a great vacation.

In-flight activities

Adik shared the seat with Leo the Lion

Kakak shared the seat with Ginger the Bear

It was supposed to be an hour and 15 mins flight but we landed at Phuket International Airport 15 mins earlier than expected. Either those people miscalculated the duration or the pilot really know how to fly the craft! Heheh.

We were among the last to leave the plane and ended up at the end of the immigration queue. Fortunately, a kind immigration officer showed us to the express lane for elderly and special cases. One special case coming right up! Heheh.

Standing at the end of the queue before being shown to the express lane.

We were asked to surrender our passports and had our pictures taken for security purposes. The kids actually stood in front of the camera, all smiles and posed appropriately. They did what we told them to do without the usual why, how come, how, etc. Fantastic!

Everything went well at the airport. We took an airport cab to the hotel. It was an hour and 15 mins journey but it was worth the trip. There were no buses but instead people were hauled up at the back of a truck or doorless mini vans. We were too busy admiring the guts of those people that we totally forgot to take their pictures.

Heroine Circle - The first female statues I've ever seen in my life (I'm pretty sure about this)

Phuket to the right and Sarasin Bridge to the left

Reached the hotel almost at 6pm. Checked in, freshen up and we were ready for our first meal in Phuket. We were so hungry, we could eat a cow. So to speak. Heheh.

We ordered a couple of dishes - one of them was tom yam kung. I have never ever tasted a yummier tom yam kung than this. It was simply divine. It made all the tom yam kung i've ever had in my life tasted nothing more than water. Believe me. I never, ever kid about good food.

The kids had vege pizza

I had glass noodle with prawns wrapped in egg

One satisfied customer

We ate and posed for the camera like there's no tomorrow. Somehow, nobody was tired from the journey. Maybe it's the tom yam kung. Hahah.

Kakak and Deli posed for the famous cameraman - Adik

My (sometimes) angelic kids

Where we stayed in Phuket

Since it was too early for bed and everyone was really full, we decided to walk to the rows of shops next to the hotel. I for one, was glad we took that walk. We found a massage parlor that offered cheap massages. As cheap as TB250 per hour for various massages - foot, head & shoulder, Thai and blablabla. That's around RM25. I know - it's cheap! The place was called Karma. We went in and tried the foot massage. The owner of the shop did the session herself. No words could describe the experience. It was just the perfect thing to do before calling it a night.

Enjoying my foot massage. Pict was taken by a jealous photographer. Hahah.

Sawadeekhap

Hi peeps! I'm blogging from fantastic and beautiful Phuket.

Will be back soon!

The Mean Me

Three more hours before I can shut off my pc and leave the office.

I hope I could leave it for good because I am about done dealing with idiots and morons.

I received one particular email from a manager that would literally irritate anyone who reads it.

Being a manager does not mean that you have to be mean, arrogant and ^&*%.

Her email was decorated with CAPITAL LETTERS, bold letters and accompanied by it’s-all-your-fault stench.

Little did she know that it was actually her fault and I have every meeting minutes and documents to prove it – yes!!

I am not a mean person by nature.

If she wants to play hard ball, just bring it on coz she will lose this battle.

She forgot that this is a project and she is reporting TO ME. Her managerial post doesn’t mean a thing in this project.

So.

Just for today, I will be mean to her because I fell like it.

The world is a cruel place. Nothing is fair.


p/s: I’m off to ****** tomorrow. Yey!

Musing Over Friday

Today’s Monday. Dah namanya Monday – pagi2 dah terasa the Monday Blues.

Called Deli this morning. Sounds like he’s enjoying the trip coz this time around he gets to really be the boss and let his subordinate do the work. Lucky fella!

So.

What happened last Friday was really something. Left the office with a heavy feeling like I’m carrying a bag of stones with me. Felt bad that I had to cancel the session with my trainer but I reckon my emotional health comes first.

Initially, I seriously thought I screwed things up but when I check all my documents and communications to the Project Board, every single change was mentioned. I was convinced that I did what I was supposed to do. I was trying my best to run damage-control on my own and make sure everyone’s on the same page. I was a phone call away from meeting the COO when the Dutchman called.

The conversation left me even more confused.

I tried to keep calm all the way from 4th floor to 19th floor. By the time I reached my desk, I was reaching for a Kleenex. My boss was not around so I thought I could just deal with this for a while and feel better afterwards. He doesn’t even have to know that I almost finish my Kleenex (what’s left of it). That’s when I heard someone coming to the office. Damn. It was too late. He pulled a chair and made me tell him everything.

Received the longest text message from the Dutchman later that night. He mentioned that he had a chat with the COO (who happens to be a Dutch guy himself and very yummy looking, mind you) about what happened.

Hi you, I just spoke to the COO. He absolutely does not blame you. He’s just disappointed with Banca about a new product… (details had to be omitted). The project was just an additional issues to rub it in. I believe there is no other project as transparent as yours. This is your merit. Be proud with the good job you are doing.

So I forwarded the message to my boss, in which he replied:

So it’s okay to blow off someone just coz you’re pissed with another? It just goes to show what crap leaders we have.

It’s been hard for me lately – I can handle the project but managing the people, especially the project board is really killing me.

My boss and the COO are not in good terms. The COO and the head of project board openly screamed at each other in front of the project team. The Dutchman and my boss have some unresolved issues. I’m just stuck in between.

I can’t side the COO or any member of the project board and it’s hard to be impartial.

I have to support my department’s stand because that’s my job.

I can resign from being a project manager but I won’t coz that would make me a quitter.

Sungguh stress!!

Lagi 10 hari before I can pack and leave for the vacation. Lambat lagi.. :(

TGIF

Today's Friday. Yehuu!!!!

Countdown to vacation - 12 more days to go!

Deli will be off to Sydney on Sunday. Sobs.

Kakak is at school, parading a green attire that her teacher prepared for her in conjunction with the Teacher's Day celebration. Her teacher kept the dress unveiled till it's ready to be worn. I'm sure kakak would look lovely in it. Deli bought her a disposable camera so she can take some picts with her friends and most importantly with the green dress. Can't wait to see the outcome. I'm pretty sure we'll get to see headless or footless people in the picts. Hahah. Let's just see how she fares.

Adik on the other hand, made me bake a chocolate cake for his Teacher's Day party. The handsome lad also talked me into buying his teacher a gift. This is truly a gentleman in the making. A potential player indeed.

Anyways, school holiday is here again. First on my list is to catch Pirates of the Caribbean tonight. I hope we'll get good seats this time. We suffered major neck and butt pains after watching Spiderman III a couple of weeks back. We were seated 2 rows from the freaking screen. Urgh. Not something I want to go through again. Ever.

Just got an email from RA. We're going to Low Yatt for lunch & gadget shopping. I wanna get something for Syam NB. He'll turn 31 tomorrow.

Have a good weekend peeps!


Update as at 5.30pm.
I just got screamed at by half of the project board. VP of IT, VP of Bancassurance and the COO. Imagine that. I know I have done everything that I was supposed to do. I know that their ignorance was the match that had caused the fire. I know that the Dutchman was trying to be comforting by pointing out that it wasn't my fault. I know my boss meant well when he forced the story out of me when he saw me crying at my desk. But why do I feel that I could have done more? Why do I feel like a complete loser? I don't even have any stake in this project but why do I feel responsible for all that have gone wrong? Why do I have to feel so bad?


P/S: My Business PM said a quick prayer for me when I was about to see the COO. That was very sweet of her.

Telling a little tale

That's it. There's no such thing as 'good Monday' except when you are on leave!

Things were rosy and yummy till noon. Everything after that went down the drain!

I was planning to have lunch alone & fast coz I wanted to have a report done for sign off later in the afternoon. The Dutchman called just as I exited the elevator and asked if I have any plans for lunch. We ended up having grilled fish and talked about the news he heard about me being upset with him.

Oh no. Danger zone.

Clearly it was a miscommunication coming from a third party. We quickly settled that and went on our merry ways to Starbucks for coffee. We were walking back to the office when I realized I was wearing my red babelicious thongs! Thongs as in seliper jepun okay, not the other 'thong'. Hahah. Spoil betul la.

We continued on with a report that I was supposed to forward to the project board when we noticed of an issue. We ended up talking and discussing and gossiping (my boss gladly joined in) till 4pm. By then, the one issue had birthed a couple more baby issues. Great. Just what I need. Bad enough that we're delayed by 2 days - this is going to add more to it. By 5pm, it's confirmed that the report needed a serious discussion. Damn.

Then I saw Deli's email - he's got a morning flight to Sydney instead of a 10pm flight and one of his staff just tendered his resignation. On top of that, he was piled with a whole lot of other problems. He called while I was reading his email. He said he's done something and he knew I'll be upset.

People should have just said it and leave the warning aside. It never helped!

All attention was focused to hearing what he had to say.

Deli: I bought a pack of cigarette and I've smoked a stick
Me: You managed to finish it?
Deli: Yes.
Me: Yummy?
Deli: No.

At this point, I almost wet my pants laughing at and with him. It never bothered me then and it won't bother me now. As long as he's not puffing at my face, I'm fine with it. He stopped almost 10 years ago (bravo honey!) at his own will. I hope he won't start again but if he does, I'm not gonna stop him. I'm just gonna stick posters on what smoking can do to a person, all over the house. Especially the one where they show what body parts can be affected and damaged. Probably I'll enlarge the groin section. That's a good place to start with.

Anyways, kakak is back to being her fussy self and refused to do her revision. Adik wasn't much of a help. He kept running around and annoyed kakak even more. She had a hard time focusing and resorted to being moody and grumpy. Yeah - like that's gonna make me stop yakking.

Retired to bed at 11.30pm feeling very, very tired and slept almost immediately.

Today's not that good either. I'll blog about it tomorrow.

p/s: VF, welcome back!

My Monsters Inc.

Today's a good day to start with. I hope it'll stay that way till I go to bed tonight. It's very rare to have such a good Monday.

Anyways, kakak is sitting for her mid term this week. She did her revision the whole of Sunday without a single word of complaint. I was totally impressed! Normally, she wouldn't last half an hour without voicing her need to take a break every few minutes.

Talking about that, adik is no different. Went to collect his report card on Saturday. He scored 90 and above for all his papers except Science and Agama. Looks like we need to hide all his robots, space ships, gundam and the sort and make him befriend nature instead. He needs to know how a frog looks like or any other animal for that matter!

He needs to have more exercise in his tulisan jawi. His tulisan jawi looked like a bunch of cacings! Adeh.

Nonetheless, I was quite impressed with him. Especially when he has a very short attention span. He can't sit still for a good one minute. His teacher confirmed this - said that he is a bit dreamy in class. I think I know what he dreams of most of the times - his gundam and robots!

Oh before I forget - while getting ready for an outing on Saturday, I heard adik asked Deli if he could buy hair gel for him. He's probably trying to don the hairdo of his heroes in those Japanese cartoons. Bad, bad tv influence!

Kakak on the other hand is whining for a mobile phone and a handbag. I asked her why she needed a phone and her answer was - she likes to hear the ring tones and songs. I asked her why she needed a hand bag and she said, so she can put her mobile phone in her handbag along with her Hello Kitty purse.

So I told her she could have my mp3 player to listen to her songs and I won't buy her any handbag coz there won't be a mobile phone to put in!

So honey, do you still want more kids?