Vietnam Trip 9th Dec 2006 - Day 6

9/12/06 (Sat)
The weather is getting colder!! Shiok siah!!

At the Banh Cuon stall

Banh Cuon!!

We had Banh Cuon again in the morning and went to the stadium to get the badminton rackets for the 3 freaks and my nephew.. The shopkeeper still remembered me.. Cuz when we went into the shop, he immediately showed me to the badminton rackets!! Wah!! Didn't know that we leave such a strong impression woh.. Haha.. He remembered us cuz i bought the rackets 2 yrs back and he had to send the rackets to the hotel i am staying at.. Hahaha. No wonder.. I chose 4 rackets and we took a cab to the restaurant where Tung's gf is working at..

Us with Tung and his gf.. Do they look like newly-weds?? haha..

Tung is so sweet to his gf.. They look good together.. If her mum would agree to the two of them being together, it would be all the more better..

Self-made Strawberry Yoghurt..

We bought some strawberries along the way and then when the Sua Chua (Yoghurt) came, we added in the strawberries and yummy!!! It's GREAT (jus ignore the way we made it.. hee hee)!! The Lua (Steamboat) is not bad..

Had the Kem at Trang Tien again.. hee hee..

We went to the Old quarters again to get the Ao Dai.. On the way, all 3 of us bought another backpack again!! Haha.. Whenever we go to Vn, it seems that we will at least get a backpack.. hee hee.. This time round, i manage to meet Diep.. The baby is already abt to due in 3 weeks time.. Wow.. A baby boy.. SO the next time i go to VN, i might be able to see him if she brings him to the Ao Dai shop..
I saw the traffic and think that if we take a cab back to Tung's hse, we might be caught in the jam.. So i asked Tung if it's far to walk back to his hse.. He told me ard 20 mins.. Wah!!! He's a bad estimator!! I think we took ard 40 mins lor..

We taking stupid pics again..

By the time we reached his hse, the sun already set le lor!!! And our legs almost broke!! Mich and XY rested at home whilst Tung and me went to collect the badminton rackets.. Finally, i managed to ride on a bike!!! But hor, i still didn't manage to ride it on my own this time round!! Sad!

We went to the Ngon Restaurant (Hanoi Branch).. Before leaving, we agreed that we will pay for the dinner and Tung insisted that he will pay for the cab fare.. Haiz.. Tung's manager was supposed to join us for the dinner but she didn't turn up.. All the calls were not answered so we jus continued with our dinner lor.. There were 3 viets beside us, 1 guy and 2 gals.. Initially, we didn't pay much attention to them until they started to order the food.. Tung turned to me and said," when the gals are ordering the food, the guy keep saying this food is not good, u must wash yr hands after eating.. Don't want this.. He even told the waiter to cancel the orders.." hahaha.. I burst out laughing and i told Mich that i will tell them after the dinner.. Hahah.. Tung has this funny look that makes me laugh lor..

I like this dessert.. It taste like Muah Chee in Soup..

We asked the 2 gals to help us to take pictures but they refused.. So we jus placed the camera at a ledge and use timer lor.. I tink we took better (and more) shots!! hahaha..

The look on our faces tells u all abt the food there..

喜、怒、哀、乐照

When we left the restaurant, Tung was telling us what the guy said.. We just couldn't control ourselves anymore.. But we guess the gals doesn't like the guy that much lor.. They order all the expensive dishes.. So mean.. But the guy managed to cancel all the orders and only order the cheaper food.. So petty.. hee hee..

We visited the Night market at Hang Gai and Dong Xuan.. I bought so many stickers!!! I bought a sticker book for Bong too.. (Bong is Tung cousin's daughter.. 6 yrs old already and she's so pretty!!) Argh.. So many ppl and the things that were on sale were so much different from 2 yrs back.. The things are more modern now.. Bags are no longer the beaded bags and all.. Lesser handicrafts.. Tung bought a massager cushion for his grandmother.. So fillial and sweet of him.. I always see him spending money on others except himself.. Anyway, we cleared the basket of the coin pouches.. haha..

We actually wanted to take a cab back.. But along the way, we couldn't hail a cab so we walked all the way back to Tung's Hse.. And at a small road, suddenly a couple pop up from behind mich and gave us a big scare.. They were actually asking for directions back to Ho Tay.. ERR!! But no need to scare us from behind right?? phew.. But the man was so straight forward, he kept asking us questions.. Where we are from, occupation, how we know tung etc etc.. Eh.. Even if i am a person who can chat but he's probing too much le lor.. And from his eyes, i tink he must be thinking how come we are staying at Tung's hse lor.. I don't like his eyes.. ANyway, they are from Nepal.. Ah ya.. He even asked me a very bold qn.. He asked how is the sexual life in S'pore?? Duh!! Do u ask this kind of qn when u jus met a person less than 5 mins ago??? HUH!! But i answered him that everyone got different views on it.. Conservative and open.. So can't comment on that!! Wat the HEck was he thinking???!!! EEKS!!! But i didn't tell Tung abt this question.. I only told Mich and XY on the flight back..

This day, i tink we walked a lot lor... hahaha..

Vietnam Trip 8th Dec 2006 - Day 5

8/12/06 (Friday)
We reached HN at ard 4.45am.. We exchanged addresses with Ming and Son..

With Ming in our cabin

Son was so nice, he told us where to take the cab before the train stopped.. At the train station, we were trying to locate Fortuna Hotel on the map.. Son saw us and he helped us to find a taxi driver.. However, when we went out, we realised that he drives a van, not a taxi.. He wanted to charge us 100,000VND, we managed to cut it to 70,000VND.. And at the last minute, Mich managed to remember the crucial vnese words!! "DA GUA!!" (TOO Expensive) Guess the driver was so shocked that we know vnese.. So when another driver came ard, we stood to 70,000VND.. Think it's cuz we know how to speak a bit of Vnese, they said ok.. And in the van, it suddenly dawned on me that we haven taken a pic at the train station!! So we quickly stopped the driver and came down to take a pic.. hee hee..

Took a quick pic in front of the train station

We reached the hotel ard 5am.. I was so excited to see Tung!!! He still looked the same and we sat at the lobby waiting for him.. We showed him the pics we took at HCM, he was so amused that we could take so many pictures for the past 4 days.. Hee hee.. And this smart guy hid behind the table to look at the pictures.. hahaha..

Too free.. So took a pic in Fortuna Hotel..

We were so hungry by 6am, Mich went to buy some cookies.. I miss the cookies there but i din buy it back cuz i had to keep in mind that the max luggage weight is only 15kg.. Haiz.. So sad..

At 7am sharp, Tung hailed a cab for us to his hse and he went to change and get his bike.. In the cab, i told them that he might reach earlier than us but they dun believe me.. Hee hee..

True enough, he was already waiting for us at the door when we reached his hse.. His grandma is also waiting for us and she is so happy to see us again.. We left our luggage and went out for breakfast.. Banh Cuon (Something like Chee Cheong Fun)!! Wah!! I miss this!! Yummy!! As we passed by the Bun Cha's stall, the owner was asking us to eat there and tung told her we will eat it tmr morning.. Hee hee.. So surprised that she still remembered us..

Finally we can bathe!! We asked Tung to go and sleep as he had been working through the nite and he needs the sleep.. When he's sleeping, we were transferring the pictures we took in HCM and preparing the pics to be developed..

Tung woke up about 11 plus and we showed him the pictures we took.. Lunch was ready and we went down to have lunch with his family.. NIce!! The Toufu and the soup is FANTASTIC!! Yummy.. And his grandmother keeps forcing us to eat more rice.. hahaha.. Poor XY got scolded for eating too little.. Hee hee..

Lunch at Tung's House!

After lunch, we were playing the games XY brought.. As usual, i tink Tung is better than us in this.. hee hee..

We went to the Old Quarters to get the things we need.. I went to make the Ao Dai for Shar and Maria and Diep was not there.. Her mum said that she's pregnant with her second child that's y she is not there.. Wow...

Mich and XY went to Youth Hotel to see if we can see anyone familiar there.. But they couldn't find anyone.. They went to ask the next day and found out that they are not working there anymore.. Ooh.. So sad..

We went to the photo shop to develop the photos.. We were developing so many photos that the hard disk of the computer was full and the person had to delete some folders to accomodate ours.. Hahaha.. So Funny.. There was a GRAND TOTAL OF 714 photos!! WAH!! I tink the person was so shocked and when we told Tung, he was so shocked too!! hee hee..

We miss the Kem (ice-cream) at Trang Tien.. So we went over there to get it.. I called thanh ard 4 plus to tell him where we are.. He came over while we are shopping at Trang Tien for the perfume... He was handsome as usual.. However, his American accent is getting worse and his behaviour seemed more frivolous.. Hmm.. The influence of the tourists he meet?? We arranged to meet him for a drink after visiting Trang cuz he didn't want to go with us to Trang's house. He said he will feel very awkward as he doesn't know her..

We bought the Miss Saigon and Miss Hanoi perfume for ourselves.. It's cheap and the bottle is very nice.. It's in the shape of a Vietnamese lady.. For Tung, we asked him for the opinion of the perfume.. He told us everything smells the same... Hahaha..

After collecting the photos, we hailed a cab to Trang's house.. Along the way, there was a massive jam and we were stuck in it for at least for half an hour.. In the end, we went another way and we passed Tung mother's restaurant.. We stopped there for a while to get some fruits for Trang's family and said hi to Tung's mum.. Trang got home the same time as we reached.. We were so happy to see her!!

The 2nd Minh

Her son, Bob, is already a big boy.. 2 yrs old.. He now look so much like his dad, Minh.. Like a stamp chop( Tung said that).. How time flies.. He now can walk and play with us.. He's a very sweet boy who cares for others.. We told Trang that we will be meeting Thanh at 9pm.. She immediately said no.. We are not to leave at least until 11pm.. hahaha.. She asked Thanh to go over to her house.. But Thanh didn't want to come.. SO too bad, we cancelled the meeting with him...

We had steamboat and spring rolls at her house.. Minh came back ard 9plus.. I could see that he really loved Bob and he's very proud of him.. He is showing off Bob like a prized possesion.. So cute.. We chatted till ard 11 plus.. And i told Tu (Trang's Brother) that i will add him on my Yahoo Mess so that i can chat with him and get him to remember me.. haha..

Vietnam Trip 7th Dec 2006 - Day 4

7/12/06 (Thursday)

The next morning at 6am, I was awakened by the loud speakers in the room.. So early wake up for wat???!! ARgh.. so I layed on the bed till 10 plus.. Breakfast was already served.. It's instant Pho Bo (Instant Beef Noodles).. Not bad.. The uncle taught us how to eat it.. hee hee.. Along the way, he told us where the places were, where the nice scenery will be.. Though he couldn't speak much English, he tried his best to help us along the way.. The grandmother of the little girl i met at the train station came looking for us at the cabin.. I guessed she might have opened every single cabin door to look for us!! We played with the little girl and took lots of pics of her again.. hahaha.. Her grandmother gave us oranges to eat.... So nice of her..

XY taught her how to act cute!! haha..

Lunch was served.. And i dun like the bamboo shoots.. Not very nice.. Son (the uncle's name) peeled the oranges for us to eat.. Nice of him..

Our packed lunch!!

He's good at this!! Nice right??

Along the coastline of the South China Sea, he opened the door for us to see the scenery.. It was then we met another vietnamese, Ming who stayed in the next cabin.. He spoke to mich while she was taking pictures.. He speaks good English and he became the translator for us.. Hee hee.. He could even speak Cantonese.. The little girl came again and we played together.. Nothing to do after that, we siesta.. Slept for ard an hour or so.. The little girl came again and left before dinner is served..

After dinner, we invited Ming to come over and play games (at the same time be our translator!! hee hee..) XY die die also must ask us to play the games, it'if not, she would have brought it for nothing.. hahaha.. So we had a great time playing the games.. I tink we are real slow in reaction, they are so fast and good! Then after laughing for a good 1 hour or so, we started to play Dai Di.. Hey.. There's a difference ok?!! Between North and South Vietnam and between VN and S'pore.. Haha.. But we still manage to play a few rounds.. Then it was time to turn in.. We were really too noisy.. The rest of the ppl were already sleeping by 9 plus.. Cuz the train will be reaching HN soon..

Vietnam Trip 6th Dec 2006 - Day 3

6/12/06 (Wed)
Yawnz!!! Woke up again at 6am.. Argh.. So early.. Had to rush down to the recep to pay for the hotel bills and the train tickets.. We checked out the hotel and left out luggage at the hotel.. After which, we once again gobbled down our breakfast and rushed to Kim's Travel for the day tour to Mekong Delta.. It was a 6 hrs boat trip!!! There's nothing much to see at the Mekong Delta.. With nothing to do, we self entertained ourselves with the camera!

Our bums hurt and the weather's quite warm.. I tink it cant compare to Halong Bay. And we are thinking where we can bathe after this!! The typhoon destroyed some houses along the Mekong.. So we didn't manage to have our bicycle ride.. We visited the Unicorn Island, and a coconut candy factory.. Got 6 pkts of coconut candy for frenz in HN.. When the tourguide said that we can visit a small market at the town while waiting for the bus, we didn't expect that the market is really a MARKET!! Where the locals buy their food stuff.. Well, at least, XY got her lock (and in any case, she then tried the lock and found out that the key is universal!! hahaha.. Faint lor!!)

Back at the city, we went to Remember Hotel where the koreans stayed to pass a birthday card (eh.. actually it's a piece of note and we wrote birthday wishes for her) to Hye Yun.. Surprise!!! We saw Se Jin at the recep and they just came back from their golf!! Wah!! Such a coincidence!! We din expect to see them again.. But Hye Yun is not back yet.. So we saw the other 2 fellows again!! wow.. happy to meet them again.. Then mich and me had an evil thought!! Ding Ding!! We had no place to take a shower and were wondering if we could borrow their hotel room to bathe!! Hee hee.. So i asked Se Jin, he graciously agreed to lend us their room!! So the next person to ask is the recep.. Cuz it's quite strict in VN that other than guests at the hotel, no one else is not allowed in the room! But in the end, the recep still reluctantly agreed to let us go into the room!! Wah!! Fantastic!! We immediately went back to our hotel to get our luggage and we went back to their hotel.. We climbed the stairs up to the 5th floor!! A killer.. Mun Soo was packing their room and then he gentlemenly left us on our own to bathe.. Before he left the room, he told us to be fast cuz he's very hungry.. hee hee.. I was down in 15 mins.. And by 7.30pm, we were out for dinner!! We carried our luggages to a kebab restaurant down the street.. The kebab is so nicez!! Mun Soo ordered 2 bottles of Tiger cuz he said the fruit juice opp is cheap and nice.. (The beer in VN is the cheapest drink in any case).. Here, we had another free dinner.. When we are walking to the fruit stall, they helped us with the luggage.. So nice of them.. But we felt so bad cuz our bags are real heavy.. We ordered some fruit juices.. Each glass is only 6000 VND (60 cents).. So i immediately pay for it before Mun soo takes out his wallet.. hahaha.. cuz i am nearer to the owner.. We could see that they were really very tired.. Guess it's cuz we all slept late the other nite.. and they woke up at 5am.. And we had some sleep on the boat whereas they were playing golf for the whole day.. WE left early for the train station.. Mun Soo was very nice, he helped us to hail a cab and we bade our goodbye once again! Hope to see them again.. Either in Korea or in Singapore..

I am so excited at the train station!! It's a first time experience for both me and XY.. So both of us are super excited abt it.. Never mind that it's gonna be a 29 hours train ride...

And we are already sympathising with the person who is going to share the cabin with us, hopefully he/she will not go crazy!!! hahaha.. While waiting for the train, I played with a Vnese little girl.. She is so CUTE!!! I took a lot of pics of her.. Her grandmother was so nice, she brought her up to the train and changed her into an Ao Dai, she looked so pretty in it!

We board the train and we chose our beds.. Then in came an UNCLE!!! OOhh.. He's our roommate!! ahh.. hahaha.. But his family or friends who were sending him off were laughing that he's gonna share the cabin with 3 ladies.. Hmm.. Hopefully we will have a nice train trip.. We saw him making his bed and bringing out his face towel, tucking his luggage under the bed.. He looked like a seasoned traveller and a perfectionist.. Just looking at his bed, ours looked horrible!! hee.. but who cares!!? At night, I couldn't sleep cuz i was so afraid.. I think it's raining heavily outside and the rain sounds so scary.. I am worried that accident might happen.. SO whilst they are sleeping so soundly, i was awake.. So sad..

Vietnam Trip 5th Dec 2006 - Day 2

5/12/06 (Tue)
Woke up @ 6am cuz we were getting ready for the Mekong Day tour. Gobbled our breakfast (French Bread with egg and lots of fruits) and went to Kim's Travel. The recep told us that due to Typhoon Durian, it's dangerous to travel to Mekong and suggest that we swop the Mekong with Cu Chi tunnel. So we went to Cu Chi tunnel instead.

This is when we met the 4 koreans, Mun Soo, Se Jin, Sang Woo and Hye Yun. They were late and they joined us when we stopped @ the handicraft factory. Nothing to do.. So we took some corny pics.. Again..

Mich is the Drama Queen!!

On the way to the Cu Chi tunnel, Mun Soo sat beside Mich on the bus as there were no more seats. Mun Soo asked us where we are from and we started chatting.. All XY could say in Korean was Sadamheyyo. Haha.. He then taight us how to say "I love u" in different Korean dialects.

At the Cu Chi Tunnel, we were chatting and he helped us to take pictures. We didn't really chat with the other 3 koreans other than Mun Soo. I chatted with Sang Woo but his Eng wasn't that good.. So we had to depend on Mun Soo to translate. When Sang Woo was in a hole, Mun Soo was stepping on the cover.. So funny.. SO when mich went in, i wanted to do the same too but she was too fast in removing the cover.. hee hee..

Mich in the Hole!!

The tourguide was a war veteran and he served in the army as a translator. I find him very brave as it's definitely very painful for him to revisit Cu Chi Tunnel and refresh his memory of the war. Throughout the journey, he was repeating "It's so terrible, it's so sad". We could see his memory coming back to him though he said his heart is very peaceful now and he's happy that the war is over now.. Cu Chi Tunnel spans 200km and it's dug using only hand tools. These extraordinary tunnels are a testament to the Viet Com's (guerrillas) determination to win the war and to protect their homeland. The so-called "spider hole" and "fox hole" and the labyrinthine passageways is so good that the Amer had no chance of winning. We were able to experience the crawling into the tunnel, however, i am clastophobic. Once i am in the beginning of the tunnel, I got frightened and i turned back.. XY was behind me and she said we cant turn back as there are people behind us. I told her i cant do it and i must turn back at all cost!! Mich also turned back with me. Then we realised that both of us are clastophobic!! haha.. We waited for XY at the next exit. Mun came out but XY cont with the tunnel..

Mun Soo,The brave one!

She finally came out from the 3rd exit. She was the only person out from there.. On the way back to the city, Mun and us were discussing the good places to eat . He recommended a few places from the "Lonely Planet" (Korea Version: not that we understand a single word.. hee) He suggested going for dinner together afterwards. He wrote his name and then told us that he's the 175th generation of Confusious!! Wah! We alighted @ e war museum whilst they cont their journey back to Sinh Tavel. But in our haste after exchanging our contacts, mich took his pen off the bus! Haha.. We were joking that it could be an excuse to meet him again for dinner (thought it's super lame excuse lor)!!

At the War Museum (15,000 VND) my camera spoilt! "Lens Error"! OMG!! I was so darn sad! I felt so handicapped (However, i think towards the end of the trip, we were basically only using XY's camera!) The museum was under renovation but it was enough to leave an impression. The pictures and write-ups was enough to leave me appalled at the damage war can do to a country and its people. The Agent Orange victims is a living testament to that! Hopefully it will constantly remind the leaders what kind of damage war can do.

We also took some pics outside the reunification palace and the cathedral..

An unexpected "show": When we went to get our lunch at Lolito (a fast food restaurant that looks like KFC).. While buying the coffee at Highlands Coffee, we saw a couple quarrelling at the tables.. Initially, the girl threw the guy's sunglasses onto the floor and then she walked off.. The guy grabbed her and she hit him.. I tink he snatched the gal's HP and when the gal tried to get it back, he was trying to bend the hp.. The guy also slapped the gal.. Wah.. We were so afraid that they might hit us in the end.. Some bystanders and security guard tried to pull them apart... When they were escorted out of the building, i saw that the hp was bent.. Phew.. Strong guy???!!

I called Mun Soo and arranged to meet him at 7pm for dinner.. At 7pm, we went to their hotel and the recep said that he already went out!!?? Huh?? So i called him and he came back to the hotel to meet us.. Cuz they went out for a walk.. They brought us to a North Korea restaurant.. The people in the restaurant were staring at us.. Which i dun understand why..Anyway, we had a satisfying dinner there (Korea Cold (Pyongpyong) noodles, Kim Chi pancake, kim chi and beer!).. There were even music and dance performance.. They told us that this is also the first time they watched such performance.. Cuz they are from South Korea, so they had no chance to watch it in their country. It was only then we know that Hye Yun travelled alone to VN and then she met them in HCM.. The 3 guys came to HCM for golf as it's cheap..Hye Yun will be flying to HN then to Bangkok before gg back to Korea.. Such a brave gal.. Mun Soo paid for the dinner and he dun wanna tell me how much he paid.. So another free dinner..

After dinner, we went for a drink at the 17 Saloon.. We had a lot to talk abt.. Their families and Se Jin has a very cute son, Mun has a very beautiful daughter.. Sang Woo have 2 sons.. Hee hee.. We were like old frenz chatting abt anything under the stars.. Think they had a hard time teaching me how to speak Korean.. I have a problem with pronouncing their words... hee hee.. Not that easy..

Sang Woo teaching us Sam Chi Gi

Sang Woo initially was enjoying the music until XY and Mich started to gamble using the watermelon seeds, he got so excited and even taught us how to play "Sam Chi Gi" (A gambling game in Korea) He asked us to bet.. So i played along using 200 VND(1000 VND is abt $1).. hahaha.. So the biggest bet i went was 500VND.. hee hee.. Se Jin showed me some Won (from Sang Woo).. I took the money and betted.. hee hee.. I exchanged some Won with Sang Woo with my Sing $..

Mich went to pay for the bill before Mun Soo could do it.. So when Mun Soo called for the bill, he then realised we had already paid for it.. hahaha.. We chatted till ard 12am and then we went back to the hotel..

Hye Yun, Sang Woo, Se Jin, Me, XY, Mich and Mun Soo

at 17 Saloon..

We bade farewell to each other and Hye Yun looked so sad that we will be leaving HCM the next day.. We realised that her bd is on monday.. And when we were back at the hotel, we were doing up a bd card for her...

Vietnam Trip 4th Dec 2006 - Day 1

4/12/06 (Monday)
At 10am, before leaving for the airport, I sent a msg to Yen telling her that I will reach HCM ard 2pm.. She called me immediately after that and told me to call her once I arrive in HCM. Janet told me to get her Ba Kwa cuz she liked it.. Initially she even told me to get duck rice... Haha.. How to bring over??!! SIaoz..
This is the first time I went to the Budget Terminal. The place is so simple as compared to the other 2 Terminals. But one cant expect much from a BUDGET TERMINAL right?
I wanted to go to T2 to get the Ba Kwa but decided to try my luck inside the Budget Ter. Luckily i managed to get it! Heng ah.. XY once again proved that she's the shopping queen!! From the Terminal to the air plane, anywhere is a shopping area.. Budget flight's ok.. Not as bad as what others had commented...

In front of HCM airport

At the customs, the officer was asking us where will we stay.. Err.. All we could answer was, we haven got the hotel yet.. So we are not sure where we will stay.. At District 1 maybe?? Haha.. Think the officer was quite shocked.. Hee hee..

At HCM airport, we took some pictures as we need to prove that we had been in HCM AT LAST!! Finally!! After 4 trips to Vietnam, we finally step on the grounds of HCM!! Hahaha..

After negotiating for a price to the hotel, we took a cab to District 1 (Backpackers Area) and told the driver to just drop us there as we haven't found any hotel.. We went to scout ard for a hotel.. We initially wanted to choose Hotel 22 (or is it 221??) but when they took us to another branch round the corner, with no lift (room's on the 5th level!! No way are we gg to climb the stairs with our big bags!!) and had to walk back the main hotel for breakfast, we decided to look ard again.. In the end, we chose the hotel next to it, Mai Phai.. The receptionist is a very dignified lady (very very very retro) and she showed us all the rooms, she explained the rates to us and showed us the difference.. A very nice lady so we decided on it immediately though the rate is 16 USD, slightly more expensive than the 1st one.. But at least, the breakfast is on the same building.. She also kindly helped us checked the timings for the train tickets..

I msged Tung to tell him the time we will reach HN.. He sms me suggesting us to go to Fortuna (the hotel that he works in) first since we will reach HN at ard 4am.. Then we can go to his hse together after he knock off at 7am.. He said that he already took leave from 8-10th jus for us so he's very free for us.. He's extremely nice and sweet..

I called Yen and arranged the time to meet her for dinner and after which, the 3 of us went to walk ard HCM.

We compared the day tours between Sinh and Kim Travel, basically, the tour packages are all the same.. Our first meal in HCM was Pho Ga and mango shake!! How I miss the Pho Ga there!!

Our 1st meal in HCM

We booked 2 days tours with Kim Travel.. 1 day tour for Mekong Delta and 1/2 day tour for Cu Chi Tunnel.
The salesperson there recommend us to go to the Tax Centre to get our daily neccessities which is cheaper there cuz the locals shop there.. We bought some daily neccesities and water, we bought toothbrushes (super cheap there.. 3 for only $1.40 and it's branded.. The B brand...) Had to lug back all the stuff to the hotel and then Yen came ard 7pm..

Yummy Food at Ngon Restaurant

SHe hailed a cab and brought us to the Ngon Restaurant (Ngon = delicious) Oh ya.. The food there is really NGON!! She ordered the traditional Vnese Food and we were trying to figure out wat the spring roll contains.. The rice ball in wine is nice but wah!! The taste is so... I don't know how to explain it.. Hee hee.. ANyway, the spread on our table was so appealing that an Australian mother and son asked us wat we ordered.. Yen was very helpful, she helped them to order and we started chatting.. Joanne and James are from Sydney, we exchanged emails and they invited us to their homes if we ever travel to Australia..

Me, XY, Mich & Yen!!

Yen paid for the dinner and refused to share out the cost.. We just hope that the cost isn't too big for her. She then took us ard HCM city. However, it's too dark for us to take nice pictures..

三千烦恼丝

我的三千烦恼丝已经越来越长了，是时候改变它了吧？我只是还没找到对的人来帮我处理掉它多余的部分。

今天遇见了我侄儿的理发师朋友，我问了他我应该怎样处理它，我开始有点厌倦它了，他说道：“既然是长头发，为什么不把它放下来？你成天到晚绑着它，小心秃头！”

“那如果给你剪，我的长发就完了？”

“至少50%会不见。”

“吓！我的心会疼啊！”

“留这么长干嘛？你又不是妈姐，想梳起不嫁啊？”

哈啦了一会儿后，我决定了，把这烦恼交给他。

我还是不确定地问了一句：“你会剪多短啊？”

“看心情咯！”

“吓！你赢了咯！”

但是，最后，我还是约了12号的时间到他那儿。

希望我不会最后打退堂鼓。

敬请期待......

Sick!!

Fri

Went for staff retreat at Yishun Safra on Fri.. (After a mad rush, everything is a rush rush rUSH!) We went for Indoor Rifle Shooting... Not bad ah.. My results?? hahaha.. But it seems like my results gets worse after each try.. haha.. From 46 to 44 then 42 in the end.. Pathetic.. But it was good fun.. After that, we went to bowl.. Hmm.. Not bad.. My score is 122 or 112?? Eh.. cant remember la.. But i know it's not bad la.. (for my standard)

Anyway, this place brought back nice memories..

My results..

Sat..

Swarovski Crystal X'mas tree outside Heeren

Fever for the first time this year if i m not wrong.. Hee hee.. I went to sch on sat to seal the boxes.. After which i was supposed to meet up with shirley.. I was feeling so weak, tired and aching all over.. I initially thot that it was the muscle ache from the training on thurs and the bowling on fri..

But whoa.. When i went to Taka in the afternoon, I was so cold.. I guess i was down with flu or watsoever, normally i would have some paracetamol with me lor.. who knows that when i needed it, i dun have it.. Haiz.. Went to guardian to get a pack and water.. Pop 2 pills and then still feeling cold.. I thot maybe go to Giordano to get a pullover... But wah!! Killer price ah!! ard 50 bucks!!! Wa!! Sha ren fang huo ah.. SO i went to Stadium and saw a Reebok jacket on sale.. So i rather pay 40 bucks for the jacket.. Then i got my swimming goggles too.. Need to go swimming le.. Hee hee..

Shirley took part in the "Ms Glamorous" competition by Kanebo.. To take part, she needs to pay $50 for the makeover and she will get an A4 sized photo and a mini card sized pic.. Then she can redeem it for Kanebo products.. Well, that's jus another marketing strategy la.. But at least she got a chance to win lor.. Unlike some "contestants" who errr.. Haha..

I was actually quite sick by then lor.. So i din really have the mood to shop ard.. We jus went to Far East to walk a bit, then we had our dinner.. I suddenly realised how little we know each other even though we were pri sch classmates.. I din know that our family is so similar.. After which, we went to Starbucks to chat.. (I really marvel at how i can tahan leh!!)

At 9plus, i told her that i cant tahan anymore.. So we went home.. I took a cab home, i guess i am already falling apart.. Couldn't walk any further..

I went home to a dark and empty house.. Cuz they were all at my sis's place.. Ahh.. SO sad.. I took 2 more pills then went to bed.. But i was so uncomfortable.. Irritating fever.. Though it's only 38.2 lor.. haiz..

Now i am coughing.. Shucks!!

Better get well before gg on the hols.. I wanna be in tip top condition when i go for my hols!!!

Y r we still in sch during hols???

Argh.. This is ridiculous.. How come mtgs got to be at 7.15 am during hols?????? This is so stupid... Aren't mtgs supposed to be planned in the working week??? All because of a person who failed time mgt, ppl get into this kind of shit.. Not that i am attending the mtg.. But i jus find it unfair for those who had to come early...

*I came early too cuz i m in the same car with a person who's in the EARLY mtg..

Old Frenz..

On the request of my dear sis, i brought my niece to the Vivocity on wednesday.. Then she realises that BIG shopping centres might not be that good to shop.. HAhaa.. Cuz it's too BIG, so it's confusing for her.. Esp if she's quite directional idiot! Hahhaha..
She gave up after a well and decided that we should change to Habourfront which is smaller and more manageable.. Hee hee..
I met Mich there!! This gal is siaoz one.. She ran towards me and gave me a BIG hug.. Err.. In the middle of the shopping centre.. But i was darn happy to see her.. Cuz we were there talking abt our VN trip.. Both of us can't wait for it!! 4th of dec!! COme quickly!
After meeting her, i saw a familiar face when i was shopping.. It was a secondary school mate.. WOW.. He's presently studying in NP after NS.. Hmm.. Think he din change much.. Maybe can meet up with him sometime when i m free.. If i am ever free la.. Wonder if he have the contact of Xiaoyan.. I lost touch with her.. So sad...

BD wishes.. Thanks...

To the following people who remembered my bd!! Thanks.. Even if some are late but i always believe in better late than never.. Hee hee..

Judy, Ice, Mary, Shirley, Cass, Boy, Germaine, JJ, Janet, Simon, Kim Fung, Serene, Shang, Ai Pei, Jiahui, Meizhen, Ping, Jo, SW, Joa, XX, CH, Abbey, Shar, Jason, Kit EE, Jean, Carina Ong, Claire..

Your birthday wishes are very much appreciated in my heart.. Thank you dears...

My BD

Flowers From Ab and card from ex-students..

Received a bouquet of flowers from Ab.. She left it on my table when i was in class... I was so touched when i see the flowers.. And i received a card from my ex-students.. They drew the card so well.. So happy..

Met up with sin on my bd after school.. We din go to bishan park, instead we went to a famous zhu cao that sells crabs.. Hmm.. Not bad leh.. The food is good and we went to MOS after that.. And as wat i expected, he forgot it's my bd.. SO when i told him, he was so appologetic and he said he will remember next yr.. Well, i hope so.. Anyway, it's not that impt la..

I did something incredible on my bd.. I finally did wat i wanted to do last X'mas.. Though the results were not wat i wished, at least, i did my part.. And the future will be in the hands of the other party, I have already done my part..

Finally, thanks to shang, jo & jo, jj, judy and ice, thank you for standing by me and comforting me.. And esp to shang, for being the person who got disturbed by me for 2 days in a row... Thanks to JJ for affirming me.. ANd to both of u, thank you in advance for the treat hor.. Thanks to the jos for being a wonderful listener and the comfort.. hahaha..

Life goes on, and frenz are still frenz...

NYDC

Liang Shan gathering @ NYDC..

It was a monthly gathering but this time round it's to celebrate my bdae la.. But hor, today no present, cuz shang said the mp3 player not arrive yet.. so dun have.. but nvm la.. will get it sooner or later wat.. no hurry..

We all forced JJ to pay for our meals cuz he jus got some money from SSC.. hee hee.. So in the end, he paid for the mudpies.. haha.. Poor fellow..

We went to walk ard HV.. There's a few pet shops there and so we went to take a look.. The dogs in there are so cute and adorable.. IF i can, i really wish to keep 1... BUt i know, i dun have the means to have a dog yet... So not now.. I even met a student there.. haha...

I am waiting for the Dec chalet with them.. Tink it will be super fun.. hee hee...

Ramblings of sleepy fellow...

Asked Sam and Jean to come back school today to pack the NE cupboard.. This is the good thing when u know the P6s well.. hee hee.. At least got ppl help me to pack...

3 boxes for the NE cupboard but guess wat!! For now, my personal stuff got 2 boxes le!!! And it's ard half of my table nia!!

Haha.. Personal stuff more than dept stuff.. OOpss... I am a rubbish collector!! Even these 2 fellows think so too... Sadded..

After that i brought them to PepperLunch for lunch.. I really must say i have 2 very good gals la.. Who think abt saving money for Ms Koh.. haha.. We went to take Neo-prints, oh my.. It has been ages since i have done that.. hee hee..

I then met up with Peipei cuz she needed to cut her fringe.. I bought Fan Wei Qi CD then we went home le..

I was kinda sleepy after 2 nites out.. Went with Irene to KTV on thurs and then went out with them yday.. Think i am nearly burnt out..

Tmr I will be mtg the Liang Shan at NYDC @ Holland V... Now i am wondering why the heck Judy will choose such a place??!! It's so far for me.. Sadded...

That Sin forgot that he has a wedding dinner to attend tmr!! So he had to meet me on Mon.. Duh.. He really got bad memory.. But nvm la, mon also ok.. Let's see if he can remember that it's my BD..

And as i was taking pics for my presents, i saw something that shouldn't be in the Puma plastic bag.. Hahaha.. I really take my hats off my darling fren.. It's either one of them who forgot to take 'that' out of the plastic bag.. They are a pair of cute sotongs.. Haha.. I was holding on to 'it' and laughing hysterically and my maid thot i siaoz le... haha..

Celebration for Nov Babies..

Despite having a super bzy week in sch, we managed to go out for a dinner.. This yr's celebration is one with lots of ups and "unexpected"...

Hee hee.. Cuz we were all so busy, no one really had a good idea of how and when to meet.. So poor Jo had to be the one coordinating it.. And what's more is that there are 3 Nov babies and she had to get the presents for all of us.. hee hee.. Thanks pal!

These were the highlights of the day!

1) We drove all the way into the "Ulu" land and found out that Matilda Bay had closed down!! OOps.. Imagine my shock! Haha... So we had to settle for a seafood restaurant there.. But luckily, food's quite good so din get slaughtered by the rest.. haha.. Heng ah..

2) Waited for CH to come while worrying that she might lose the way or simply decide to go home due to the "uluness" of the place..

3) KM works part-time in the restaurant!! Haha.. that's was so funny..When we teased KM, I tink i heardthe waiter saying that their polo T is also Nike one.. Jus that they have their logo printed on it!!?? DUH!! Is that meant to be a joke?? haha..

4) Went to White Tangerine to see that there's a change of owner! AHHH!! WHy or whY?? Then had to listen to the new owner and frenz singing.. Errr... I rather hear Joa or SW sing lor.. hee hee..

5) AP came and joined us at White Tangerine.. She found out that Jo jus wrote her bd greetings as how she sms.. She was quite cranky.. Think she got drunk just by seeing us.. haha..

6) KM were I/C of "giving out" the presents and cards.. Hee hee.. I went up to receive the "award" ahem.. present from him..

7) Extra present from my best pal... I initially thot that present were for XX.. haha.. Din realized it's for me.. But so happy..

8) CH wrapped her present so nicely that i can't bear to remove the wrapper till now..

I am very happy!! Not because of the present.. But the thought behind it.. The mere thought of them gg thru the trouble to go down to get the presents is more than enough to make me feel touched..

The company was just great, i am so happy that we all finally can meet up and there's a total of 8 of us sitting together and chatting.. Only downside is that Sha's not there ...

Bone in the gum..

Seems like these days, i always get hurt in my mouth.. Jus now while having dinner, i had a bone stuck in my gum at the back (left side again!! my ulcers jus recovered, which is on the left too!!) THen now, my gum hurts when i bite on my teeth.. Hopefully it doesn't get infected and cause me pain AGAIN lor.. BTW, the bone didn't come from fish, instead i tink it was from the sotong.. But i dun understand where the bone come from!! ARGH... Darn suay right??

Seems like all's fine

Ok.. so today seems to be a ok.. Nothing like a confrontation came out.. However, I dun know wat kinda feelings i am having now..

There are things that i know and yet, I can't say it.. Not to anyone else.. It's something which i can't bring myself to say it and i doubt i will ever tell them..

So I would have to keep it within me and the other party.. It's a burden and it's heavy.. Sometimes, I think it suffocates me.. If it really gonna bog me down, the only person that i can turn to will only be tung... I guess it's cuz he's not here and i find it easier to tell him things..

Someday, maybe this secret will be out but i cant imagine when they come to know abt it..

Anyway, we settled a few things and all is fine.. For now...

Discussion? Confrontation? Meeting?

Tmr i will be gg to settle some stuff.. I really dun know wat can come out from such discussions.. But i am sure, to me, i dun like such things.. It causes me stress and pain.. I find it very hard to control emotions when i am with them.. And they always makes me feel hurt......

朋友一直觉得我很开心，很乐观，懂得如何调整自己的心情。我真的是这种人吗？在工作时，我一直保持那样的心境，那是因为，只有在外头，在朋友的面前，我才能那样做。我的同事说最近的情绪特别高昂，哈哈。

我这几天一直在找能让我哭的地方，但好惨哦，我竟然找不到呢！

我最近发现，原来笑着哭是一件很可笑的事。而且，那似乎是疯子的行为。

Ulcer's gone..

WOohoo!! finally the ulcers are gone.. Wah.. record-breaking of 1 week lor.. These 2 ulcers caused me pain for the past week lor.. Ahh... Now it's a relief and i can eat better...

Pain..

There are 2 irritating mouth ulcers with me now.. They hurt and makes eating painful... It has been there since last wed.. So that's almost a week ago and it's not healing yet.. Shucks..

I put salt on it during the weekend and yday i bought some chinese medicine to apply.. Today, it still hurts badly and worse still, i tink my lips are cracking even though i drank 2 litres of water.. I can't talk and can't eat properly..

It definitely doesn't help when i am already feeling so down..

Alvin's ROM

Haha.. Yday, 1 more fren of mine stepped into the ROM le.. Hee hee.. Seems like this is the age that i get the most no. of "red bombs".. Anyway, All the best to u, Alvin.. May u lead a blissful life.. N i will be awaiting for your 2008 wedding dinner.. But can i dun be the emcee??? Pls.....

Ah.. I am getting lazy..

This is not the first time i tink i am lazy.. haha.. i m a lazy bum.. I always hate to do things that i find a chore.. Just like keying in the attendance and L.Planning... hee hee.. So for the past week, i din key in a single thing and my laptop is jus sitting there.. Tink maybe i should change my bad habits...??


P.S.: A leopard cant change its spots.. hee hee..

16 Multi-shots.. Fun!!

Found this "new" function of my cam yday.. 16 multi shots in a pic.. So Fun! Hee hee.. So I tested it out with my family.. hee hee...

My sis-in-law..

The Cutie - My Grandnephew!

Eh.. The father of cutie.. i.e. mY nephew la..

We realised that as the shots went on, we dun know wat to do after that.. haha.. So i tink we would need more practice with this function.. haha.. But it's fun.. Will try it out with my frenz soon.. haha..

Fruitful weekend..

I was at home on sat and then when sis ask me to go shopping with her.. I agreed although i know that i got stuff to mark.. But then, on the other hand, I have lots of time this week cuz i will not be gg back to school at all.. Hee hee.. So let's go shopping.. I must say that i have control.. I din buy anything at all.. Though i saw a few skirts that i like but i tink, i can do without them la..

After that, i went to meet judy at bliss.. I cycled there.. Haha.. The benefits of bicycle - All Thanks to Ice!

On sun, ting was supposed to come and help me with my attendance.. but somehow, the intranet is down and she's unable to help me to key in the attendance!! Argh.. Irritated.. So in the end, we went tampines mall to shop.. Haha.. But this time, i bought ting her wallet (1 month early bd present) and a bd present for her mum.. So i spent over a hundred on them.. Hmmm..

I met up with sin at bishan.. He said he cant find the mitch albom's book.. Hmm.. so sad.. Thot i could have a book to read during the PSLE marking.. I wanted to try the acacia restaurant at bishan park but he dun want, so we chilled at cafe cartel.. I told him abt the dream of me stealing his car.. hahaha.. THink he's very tickled by it.. I was so guilty lor.. Haiz.. So he said, i dun have to steal his car, jus say it and he will lend me.. Ok ok.. THanks la.. I also dun know why i would have that dream lor!! haha.. Maybe i have this evil streak in me.. haha..

信任

我对我身旁的人，特别是亲近的人，某些要求特别高，尤其是他们对我的信任度，我要求他们对我有绝对的信任。因为，我对于别人，也有着绝对的信任（除非这份信任被出卖了）。这也许是令我最不高兴的原因，因为，如果我觉得我最亲近的人不信任我时，我的心情就会变得很郁闷，对他们的态度也会很差。这是一种恶性循环，我了解这一点，但我没法改变它。

如果我的朋友能信任我，为什么你们就不能呢？难道在你们的眼中，我这么地不值得你们信任吗？我心受伤了...还是我们的相处方式，必须像在外界工作那样，每一件事都要证据，有凭证。那么我们讨论事情时，需要做会议记录吗？

可悲啊！也许我应该让你们看一看我这篇心情写照吧！但是，我也了解你们读了， 心理应该会很不舒服吧。

人与人之间，少了份信任，那么，还谈什么友情，亲情，爱情？信任是每一份感情最基本的要求。不是吗？

Me and I

I am wondering if i should cont in this job.. Ok ok.. Before u scream or scold me for thinking too much, well, that's me.. I am jus wondering if i am really cut out for this job.. I wanna further my studies, with my current workload, i dun think i will be able to take the stress.. So I jus ask AP, should i turn adjunct? Being an adjunct, there'll be time and less duties on my side.. But money is not.. (bonuses and benefits all gone) However, i can take up tuition jobs and earn the difference( I may earn even more). But DO I reallY want it to be this way?? I really dun know.. I get conflicting opinions.. Or maybe it's just the work environment i am in now.. I love my frenz in school.. I will miss them if i trsf lor.. But there might be a greener pastures on the other side (wat if the other side is not as green??)
Argh.. I hate choices... But it's better than no choice right??

Conflicting.. Me and I fighting.. Hmmm..

Small Updates

It has been quite some time since i updated my blog.. well.. as usual, my life is filled with ups and downs.. I thot of a lot of things these days(well, i think a lot).. But i am really too lazy to blog it down.. Anyway, today, i was busy marking and marking.. Cuz fri is the compo exams and i need to rush out the compos and return it back to the students.. Hmm.. 2 stacks and 2 comprehensions today.. A feat woh.. Jus like wat sin said the other day, his life is now M&M (mtgs and markings) haha.. My life is also the same too..

I think my stomach is not tat well these days.. Hmm.. hope it's not that virus that's gg ard... I need to go to school.. Got no more time left with my students.. haiz..