So angry at that taxi driver!

Arrgghh! Mr. Yeo Aik Khai you suck!

So on my way to the doctors to review my xray result. Called for a cab, got in and asked "do you accept card payment?"

Taxi driver: where are you going?
Me: Jurong Point... So do you accept card payment?
TD: Of course got card payment. All also have what.
Me: Just checking cos the last few taxis I've been in their NETs units haven't been working.
Already driving out, he decides to add.
TD: See I have, but whether working or not I don't know. Cannot tell if it's working one.
Me: Then you have it for what? What if people don't have enough cash?
TD: You always have to keep spare cash with you what $30 or $50.
Me already agitated and raising my voice: You can't always expect everyone to have spare cash with them. What if it just so happens they've used their spare cash at that time? Then how would the pay if you tell them you accept NETs but it's not working?
TD: Then it's their problem to go find lor. But everyone also sure have spare cash one. Like I drive taxi, I know how to find petrol station one then you got card sure know where to find ATM one. Sometimes you go big companies their machine also not working.
Me: Yah, but normally outside at those types of places if payment fails you can still put the things back. However in a taxi you've already travelled all the way and can't decide not to buy as such. And if I happen to use my spare cash during the day, how am I supposed to find an ATM to draw money from in an industrial area?
TD: Sometimes inside some of the big factories also have ATM what.
Me: If I don't work in those factories then how would I know they have an ATM inside? It's not like everyone working in an industrial area has a car and can easily drive from place to place looking for an ATM!
TD: Everyday you sure got plan what to do one what. Then you sure will make sure you have enough cash what. Aiyah everyone sure have spare cash one lah.
Me: Of course everyone plans what they want to do! But sometimes things happen that they don't expect. Do you seriously think I planned on taking a taxi today? Emergencies never happen?!

Man I was furious and talking at the top of my lungs. But he still insisted on arguing back! Isn't one of the main points being in the service line NOT to argue back to your customers?! Lucky he eventually gave up or I would've just kept on at him!

And seriously, IF I had $30 on me would I need to ask if I can pay by card in the first place?! Totally defeats the purpose right! And I never knew that spare cash was a never ending resource that automatically tops up when you've used it!

I hate to say this, but hopefully one day he's out in the middle if nowhere with no transport, no money, no ATM in sight and no one to call. See how he gets his $30 spare cash then. Arrgghh!


~ Posted via Pei²'s iPhone o.Ov

So over being sick...

Visit to the doctor again first thing this morning to check on my cough and cos I was out of medicine. I really don't want this cough to be persistent like last year and continue till June again! It's annoying! But I have a feeling this time's different, cos I'm feeling so much more weak than all the other times I've been sick. I'm coughing till my chest and stomach hurt! Can't take it much longer (-_-,)

Today I got anti-biotics and cough medicine again. As with the other doctors in reference to my coughing, this doctor also said he doesn't know what's wrong with me. Haha doomed! Also went for a chest xray to check my lungs =S The doctor contemplated doing a blood test. *phew* he didn't go with that option! I'm not scared of needles, but I am extremely scared of the results!

So the doctor wants the chest xray to see if I have any lung infection. But I've been taking anti-biotics for about 9 days now. So anti-biotics don't work on lung infections?! And IF I do have a lung infection... how do they cure it?! Curious! But I still hope there's nothing wrong. My anti-biotics are for another 3 days. I'm guessing I'll be getting my results by then *sighs* I just want this cough to be gone and regain all my strength!

Actually I was still contemplating whether or not to go see the doctor today. I was going to go to the office and see how I felt first. But coincidentally my car pool driver to work didn't turn up this morning. I was frantically calling up anyone I could, but no one was picking up and the driver's phone was off! By the time I waited and made all the calls, it was already so late.

There was no chance to get a ride from anyone else and taking a train then taxi to my office would've taken 1.5hrs, cost $$$ and I would've been extremely late! And after waiting for so long I started feeling feverish and weak again so by the time I made it up to the train station, I had no choice but to turn around and head home again cos I didn't think I'd make it standing on the train for about an hour. Plus I think I'd be scaring all the passengers with my continuous coughing!

I don't think I've felt this weak all my life! I feel useless! Even the doctor can say "You normally don't get sick, but this time it's really serious"... Nice to know =_="

OMG just remembered! The most stupid thing happened at Civic Centre after I got my xray done, I wanted to go go down in the lift as there were no escalators anyways. For 5 mins I think I stood there watching the lifts go up and down and never stopping at my level to take me down!!! Super irritating! Then the button would just turn itself off! So had to walk all the way down, got out at level 2 and saw my favourite Starbucks!!!

By that time it was 10am+ and I was FAMISHED cos I was awake since 6 and had nothing to eat or drink. But today's run in with Starbucks didn't turn out so well. Man the service there was awful! And the staff overcharged me and was rude when I pointed it out! The Strawberry yoghurt parfait was too runny and my Grande drink looked like a Tall size (but I didn't have the energy to go argue anymore).

I was so angry, I wrote an email to complain to Starbucks and listed down all the horrible acts of service I've experienced so far. But of course also pointed out my favourite outlets. Surprisingly I got an email back! And quite fast too. I thought they would've brushed it under the table, but it seems they DO care what their customers think.

My favourite Starbucks has responded so promptly and professionally on the issues I pointed out and has given me faith to like them as a Company and brand. Not just for their drinks *smug*.

I do admit, I'm somewhat of a customer service personnel's worst nightmare. Well not that bad, but if there is anything not right, I'll write an email in to the company stating why. Especially when a service staff is rude and makes fun of their customers who they just meet. Fair trading and consumer rights are a couple of things that Singapore society is very weak in. Consumers don't have the same rights as in Australia. Stores often take advantage of this I find. *sighs*

Upcoming posts about apps, Apple, mochi, shopping and hopefully not being sick LOL. Goodnight world...

*cough* work *cough*

What to do?! I have 1 anti-biotic left from my second course of, supposedly stronger, antibiotics. And I'm still not feeling better! Well l feel better now that my throat doesn't ache, but my cough is so much worse than when I first saw the doctor last Tuesday! Have a bitter feeling it's my allergies flaring up again! Ugghh... which only means 1 thing. Either I live with it for a few months, maybe around 6 months again, then it'll eventually go away. Or I have to empty my bank account to go see the specialist again?!

Bye bye [~$~]... I miss you even though I haven't seen you this month! (-.-,)

I was contemplating getting a nice bed set from Ikea before Chinese New Year, but that's just a faint hope now. After calculating: giving $, seeing specialist, Mobile Me subscription, Bills, Food, Spending $ for going out with my friend coming from Aus... I think I will barely have enough to buy decent new clothes and get my hair cut... Was I seriously thinking of getting a bed set?! In my dreams!!! =(

Ahhh... Sha you choose a complicated time to visit!!! Haha *cries*... I'm SUPER doomed! Wallet's gonna be empty and need time to clean my room... which seriously needs a good clean out =_="

What to do?! *sighs* but when is life not about suffering, worrying and stressing out?! Imagine everyone you walk past on the street looking all happy and well dressed. But you don't know what's behind that smile, their sadness, burdens, woes. A lot of people put up a good front. Even I feel like I'm cheating the world everyday. I come home and think 'Phew! Got through another day. No one can tell I'm dirt broke at the moment, my heart feels like it's been ripped out and my throat burns from holding back the tears'. Best feelings ever! *Insert sarc mark*. Don't knock it till you've tried it ~.~"

Work... 3 more days this week. My work days lately follow this routine: coughing fit, prepare for work, cough, open CS4, cough, open file, cough, move image, cough, mask image, cough, copy, cough, paste, then... you guessed it... cough cough cough... Thought everyone would steer clear of me, but the nicer of my colleagues still dared to step into my cubicle!!! *gasps* But on a separate note, my cubicle REALLY needs a clean out!

Ahhhhh!!! Blogo just reminded me it's trail is ending in 19 days!!! Seems too short lived!!! I don't want to live without you Blogo!!! Is it worth $25?! Oh thy Blogo. Why ye costs so much?! Worthy splurge or not?! OOH! I still haven't tested one feature!!! Photo posting! But a little bit tired and lazy now =S AND I just realised I'm way behind on my 365 Arrrggghhhh!!! Woes of using 4 different cameras and not being bothered to import the photos haha =_="

In Sync...

On the way to work, still with a stiff neck!!! How long does it take to go away?! My granny's heat patch that I smacked on yesterday night didn't seem to help much either. I hope no one abruptly makes me look to the right today causing my neck to crack like in the movies! That would be painful!

Anyways, seeing I didn't really make 'New Year resolutions' this year, I should come up with a list of 'Chinese New Year resolutions' that I can easily break haha. One would be to sleep earlier. *sighs* I keep harping on that!

Little do people know what I'm up doing in the middle of the night. Most think I'm up playing games. They couldn't be more wrong! That's why I get angry when people assume I'm up playing games. In actual fact I'm up geeking out! LOL

Like last night instead of being in bed at 10pm, which I was on plan to do, instead I decided to research... What would be the best iPhone apps for me, and which apps would be best to keep me in sync with my Mac Pro and Mac G4 at work, my iPhone, and my iMac. I'm still trying to find a To Do app that will sync nicely with my iPhone. Been searching since I got my iPhone, but currently I haven't come across one that will sync with Mobile Me and has a visually stimulating interface.

Mobile Me?! I'm thinking I might start my subscription next month when my trail ends. I'm finding it very useful to sync between my computers and iPhone, apart from the To Do list. That way I can always keep an eye on the tasks I have on hand at work and keep my schedule and contacts in sync.

So... That's what I was doing for most part of the day yesterday and still wasn't satisfied by midnight, but decided I had to go to sleep lest I wanted to zombie again today. I guess being sick isn't such a great thing, cos work is piling up on me.

Must not research apps or anything web related tonight!!!... But I'm already tempted!!! o.O!


~ Posted via Pei²'s iPhone o.Ov

Can't be Sunday!!!

F! F! F!!!... Have to go to work tomorrow... Arrgghhh... ok, these days work will always get that type of reaction from me. I wish it weren't so, but things have changed for the worse in my case. For most of the other people they seem to find it better. Probably cos they're not inundated with work from so many sources and have people to delegate all the things that they don't want to be doing. =_=" Angry man... shouldn't think about it... must let go. But I'm wondering how I'm going to cope tomorrow. I'm STILL sick and on drowsy medication. And what if this stiff neck is around tomorrow?! F! Not like work or work peoples give a crap. I think I'm getting weaker, or this is my breaking point from being so stressed out for the past few months. >.< I'm so stupid for letting them treat me this way. F*ing stupid. No one else seems stressed.

And I've been SO annoyed this weekend! How come in Singapore we can't download MP3s from iTunes or Amazon?! Like WTH. I want to download Hope for Haiti and I can't even find anywhere that can download it in Singapore! It's for a good cause!!! I don't want to download a non-legit version!!! Stupid restrictions on distribution in Singapore!

Like the Kindle! And Kindle books! Not available in Singapore either! But seriously. Anyone know where to download the Hope for Haiti CD from Singapore?! And watching the telethon... Beyonce's performance was so good! I've been watching her performance over and over on youtube! So touching!

*yawns* should get ready to turn in soon ~_~" Cheesecake & medicine time!

Must look forward to brighter days...

Testing Blogo...

Ok, so my last post had a dual purpose. To blog (duh!) and to test Blogo. Blog posting software for Mac. All I can say is... I'm Lovin' It...

Ok, so after I typed up my previous post and decided to preview it, I got a shock!!! Apparently my current blog layout is highly sensitive to anything styled "clear: both" within a post. Probably my layout, but I don't have the time to troubleshoot now. Anyways, by default Blogo automatically styled all paragraphs "clear: both". Why oh why?!

But luckily styles are easily disabled by going into Preferences and checking the option to "Remove inline styles from HTML". Now I'm wondering if Blogger has that option when you're posting from the web?! Cos I seriously loathe it when you center an image and it adds in "clear: both" =_="

I still need to test posting images with Blogo, but everything else is looking dandy! And the interface... sleek!!! It's quite sexy for an application LOL GEEK ALERT!!! It'd be nice if there was an option to customise the interface style colours, other than having it Black or Blue... like bruises o.O!

Blogo costs $25... I'm guessing probably US$... Worthy splurge?! hmm... I will consider. I can always make do with blogger on the web, Flock Blog Editor and my new found love Blog Press Lite for iPhone. Soon to be heavyweight. Apparently paying for Blog Press full version saves the post when there's an incoming call?! That would be SO handy! I was super annoyed the other day when I was half way through a post and a call came in. After the call I went back in to find that the only things saved in the drafts was the title of the post >.<"

Today is... sappy love song day...

Woke up with an EXTREMELY stiff neck!!! Everything seems slow (maybe because I haven't been able to do much whilst maintaining this 'my neck doesn't hurt at this angle pose') and I'm in a melancholic type of mood. Don't ask me why! I often fall into these depressed moods. I've read somewhere that eating wheat when you're actually gluten intolerant can amplify these types of feelings... =_=" Looks like I've just dobbed myself in for eating wheat again haha >.<"

Making breakfast, suddenly out of nowhere the lyrics pop into my head:

When can I see you again
When can my heart beat again
When can I see you again
And when can I breathe once again
And when can I see you... again
"When Can I See You Again" Babyface

... probably never =_=" ... Then that song reminded me of:

Every time I close my eyes
I thank the lord that I've got you
And you've got me too
And every time I think of it
I pinch myself cuz I don't believe it's true
That someone like you loves me too
"Every Time I Close My Eyes" Babyface

... these days, every time I close my eyes I'm reminded... I have no one hahaha =_=" ... which led me to remember I've been hearing this song everywhere I go these days:

I'd give my all to have
Just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel
Your body next to mine
'Cause I can't go on
Living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight
"My All" Mariah Carey

... My All is such an old song already, but I've been hearing it blasting through Orchard Rd, and in shops everywhere... it's stalking me!!! =_=" But it's a really nice song and kinda sad =(

Today I just feel like listening to all the sad songs. Blackberry Molasses by Mista, Superwoman by Karyn White etc... It's so sunny outside, but feels so gloomy inside. Such is life I guess when you have nothing and no one to depend on anymore. Everything and everyone you believe in turns out to be an illusion and the only person you can truly depend on is yourself =_=" I wish to be happy again... one day. Till then I'll just keep smiling on the outside.

Work again tomorrow! Too quick!!! *virtual gag*

In a cheesy mood...

Feeling somewhat accomplished today... Woke up late, nearly mid day, then contemplated long and hard what to make for breakfast. Then remembered, I have a electric mixer now!!! I can make super fluffy pancakes!!!... So whipped up a plate of pancakes... too many for me to finish, so still have a couple to finish off maybe for dinner...

Gluten-free, butter pancakes made with organic eggs... mmm...

Thoroughly delish. Along with a home-made cup of Starbucks House Blend latte. Then took medicine and rested a little while waiting for my dizzy weak spell to pass... wonder if it's from being sick or taking the medicine?! Or maybe from both =(

Later in the afternoon, finally started on my NY Baked Cheesecake. Super simple. If this turns out yummy, I'm going to be making it all the time. Then I'll turn into a hippo >;P  But food is good for the soul! I only made half the recipe, as my oven's not big enough to fit a full size cake pan. Also it allows me to use the ingredients to make another cheesecake next weekend ;) What flavour should I make?!

Pre-baking.

Lucky the cheesecake didn't take long to prepare as I went into another dizzy/weak spell just as I poured the mix into the pan. Sick, but pushing myself just a little. Sleeping in bed all day would be such a humongous waste of time!

Baked Cheesecake settling down...

I hope it turns out ok. Will have to wait till tomorrow morning to taste. Being sick turns you off even the nicest of foods!!! I did bake it slightly longer than stated, as my mini oven temperature is not very stable. Baked it with only the lower heaters on for most of the baking time, then turned it to have both lower and upper heaters on towards the end of baking. Hopefully that way the top layer won't be too dried up, as there's only about 10cm on top and 10cm below the pan and the heaters.

Thinks it's medicine time again. Waking up late seriously screws up medicine-taking timing!!! My "breakfast dose" was at 2pm, now 7pm going to have my "lunch-time dose" and "dinner dose"?! Midnight?! eeks! Tomorrow must try to wake up earlier for medicine sake.

Coughing Zombie...

Sick! Oh so sick! I hate it how you need a Medical Certificate in Singapore for everyday you claim a sickie!!! And the doctors are always on the company's side and always only give me that 1 day off that I go to them to get medicine. So even if you're truly sick and on medicine, which most of them make you drowsy, you still have to stick it out at work! Insane!

So these last two days I've been at work, drugged up and trying to fight the medicine so I don't fall asleep. Which has a sort of calming and sedated effect, but I still have to try to do my work. And I can't not take the medicine, or I'd be coughing my lungs out =_=" Sounds fun right, stonned in front of the computer, needing to sleep but having to resist and having the graphics on the screen warping all on their own.

The medicine doesn't seem to be working though! I feel worse than when I actually went to see the doctor on Tuesday! My throat is more sore, I'm coughing more, feel even less energetic and today I was starting to lose my voice >.<" It was particularly bad this afternoon when I felt so weak and started to zone out, then suddenly snapping back and asking myself... 'Why am I air brushing this part of the graphic again?!'

But the medicine does have it's pros. I can't seem to get stressed out whilst on the cough medicine! It's kinda... great! These two days I've been approached with so much nonsense and extra work, but instead of feeling all stressed, breathless and with a tight chest as usual... I still get angry, but feel very calm. I wish I could be like that even without medication! Then I wouldn't have to worry that I'd be one of those young people who gets a stroke at a very young age.

Now feeling better, after coming home from work and collapsing straight into bed for a good 2 hour nap. Waiting for this batch of medicine to kick in. Will see how I feel tomorrow morning then I'll decide to go back to the doctors or not, as I've run out of medicine! Hope this doesn't turn out like last year where I was coughing all the way through CNY till June cos of allergies. Not fun!

Tis funny though, cos just before the new year I was kicking myself that I only took like 1 or 2 days Medical Leave last year and I look stupid next to people who've used up all 14 days of theirs. Haha and now 21 days into the new year I've used up 2 days and maybe 3 by tomorrow. >;P  Jinx!!!

Pei²'s Boutique...

Ok, so I need to concentrate to build up my craft/artsy fartsy abilities again. I think I can barely draw by now. Haven't picked up a pencil in ages, let alone a paint brush or anything that would make a decent mark on a piece of paper. I have tonnes of ideas, just not enough time to get them out. I guess writing down my aspirations openly on my blog is a type of motivation cos everyone will know if I succeed or not haha. If I don't, feel free to ridicule. I'm happy to see my stats reflecting an increase of visitors visiting my sites recently =)

Anyway, I've just opened my Comboutique.asia... Called Pei²s Boutique (ironically) *insert sarc mark*. It allows you to create your own T-Shirt designs for everyone to buy. In actual fact, I've joined similar sites before, but was a little bit doubtful as those sites were in countries like the US. But Comboutique.aisa is based in Singapore, so hopefully it's more trustworthy. It seems like it's been around for some time and it's had a bit of exposure. Hopefully the quality of the shirts and printing is good.

So my goal is to come up with some designs that I can put up in this "boutique". How long should I give myself?! eeks! What have I got myself into?! haha... must not back out!!! And if I do come up with some designs, I'd order the first piece for myself to check the quality. If the quality is good then I'll probably continue with this. If the quality is poor, I'd take down the "boutique" all together.


To be truthful, I know the prices of producing such shirts etc. from studying fashion, research and having to order shirts for my company. But I think this type of program is good as there's no commitment to a minimum order quantity. No doubt the profit would be better to have shirts produced directly from the source, but then you'd need capital to invest and blah blah... I don't need that type of headache =_=" But looking into the future, I'd really love it if I could design clothes again and have them produced ='( ... Maybe one day.

Back to Comboutique.asia. I'll update and put links up in another post soon, when my internet connection's not playing around with me and I can actually check if my "boutique" is working.

Cough medicine is kicking in!!! Goodnight!

Weekend jobs...

Lying in bed waiting for my medicine to kick in. Work again tomorrow *sighs*. Thinking about work never fails to bring my mood down. I seriously wonder how all those people find their dream jobs and look forward to work everyday. Actually I'm still unsure what I'd like to be doing. Yeps, up till this age I'm still quite lost.

One dream I have is to run my own business. I quite enjoyed it when I was selling online as a sole trader. I think I enjoy the business side of it more. If I could go back to study, I think I'd choose business. And running your own business is so fulfilling cos you get to make all the decisions. Whether right or wrong, you know you made that decision yourself. If the business prospers, you know what you did right. If it's not doing well, you know what not to do again.

Looking back at some of the old files I have on my computer, it's quite amazing how sincere I was about my business then. Even though I had no one to present to, I still did up my business plan, marketing plan etc. And very detailed too. It was like my plan to conquere the market back then.

I think I'll start doing my research again and do up a plan to start selling some of my handmade jewelery online. I need the extra income and I hope that maybe it'll spark up my ambition again. I think all my hopes and dreams were sucked out if me when I joined the corporate world. It just has a way if overworking you till you want to get on your knees and beg for mercy. Buy when you're working for yourself, no matter how many hours you put in, it's still fulfilling and fun. Maybe I need this on the side to keep my sanity?!

This weekend I hope I'll have enough time to work on my website. I'm not 100% happy with the layout so back to the drawing board I guess. Goodnight.

~ Posted via Pei²'s iPhone o.Ov

At the mercy of doctors again...

Waiting for my turn at the doctor now. Technically when you visit the doctor, you're at the mercy of what they know. One person can't know everything right?! =_="

Don't know why, but when I'm sick, I tend to think I'm immune to my gluten intolerance. Maybe it just feels so low to be sick that anything goes just to cheer myself up. Anyways, just ate half of a D-Plus Hokkaido Cream Bun. The yummiest real, fake-looking bun... With no actual cream!

Photos were from end of last year when I ate the bread. Obviously also going against my gluten intolerance. But seriously the bread looks like one of those Breadou fake breads you find in Action City.


The bread comes in lots of interestingly nice flavours, like Melon, Pumpkin, Cheese, and they write on the back of their packaging that they have monthly limited edition flavours?!



Bleh... Just came out from the doctors... Need to take anti-biotics. Gross!!!

I seriously don't get what's wrong with work people though. When I'm sitting in the office all day for so many days they don't approach me for anything. When I'm not in the office, out sick, they call about all sorts of nonsense that I really think can wait seeing that they've held on to the things for so long already. Maybe they think I'm out having a holiday and are just calling to make sure I'm tortured just like they are >=(

Therapeutic baking...

Bahaha... I'm SO much happier after my baking session! My Macarons were a complete utter failure!!! haha =D

Notes to self when baking:

1. Do not bake when I don't have enough time
2. Do not decide to bake out of the blue especially when ingredients and tools are not yet prepared
3. Do not whisk egg white and count how many table spoons of sugar is going in whilst talking on the phone >.<
   
4. Due to above note, always measure things out properly before proceeding
5. Due to aforementioned note... refer to notes 1 & 2
6. Always bake only half or 1/3rd the recipe because my oven is not big enough to bake one full recipe at the one time. Also I don't have enough trays to pipe out all the batter and leave enough spacing at the same time =_="
   
7. The aforementioned note shall lead back to note 1. Given I actually have time maybe I could split the recipe and bake it in 2 lots
8. Must always remember to oil, butter, spray oil or whatever nonsense so that baked goods do not stick to paper (only the 2nd time I've forgotten that, 3rd time lucky?!) =D
9. Do not bake on a working night as per reason in note 1
10. Next time when buying an oven, must make sure it has a shelf in the MIDDLE! Not only shelves at the very top or very bottom o.O! Hence my food always having a very brown crust or very black base haha >_<"
    
11. Must work quickly so that ants do not eat my food even before it makes it into the oven (refer to notes 1, 3, 4  & 6)
12. Do not bake sweets at night. Seeing my oven is IN my room =P the sweet smell may cause me to awaken covered in ants X_X"
13. Do not start blogging whilst waiting for food to bake and/or cool (as per now) and wonder if ants are attacking food yet, but being so caught up with blogging can't really be bothered to go check ~.~"
    
14. Must always refer to this list to make sure I'm not making the same mistakes again hahaha >;P

I'm happy now. Life's too serious. I don't like being serious. Call me an idiot if you want, but isn't it better to laugh things off?! Contemplating if I should put up my disasterous photos LOL

Looking back, I think I might have put in too much sugar. Thanks to Smelly for calling at the wrong time! Not oiling the paper was my own fault haha. I always forget that part! Maybe I'm always too eager when it gets to that stage, or I'm just impatient =D But actually the book didn't say to oil the paper or anything... maybe the paper isn't non-stick enough?! I actually thought some pieces were salvageable after baking, but apparently not LOL the ants will be enjoying their desserts at this point in time.  WAY too sweet!

Lucky I was already buggered by the time I finished piping out the Macarons that I decided to leave making the butter cream till tomorrow! Turns out I wont be needing the cream anyways hehe >.<" My new hand held mixer is quite ok though. It has TURBO!!! haha... Ok so I got the smallest and cheapest mixer, it's a Philips, coz I'm trying to save $$ and I need a small one to store away easily too. But the lady at Takashimaya recommended it cos it gets the job done. And I agree. It's already quite fast on speed 5! Then when you hold down the turbo button... whee!!! But the lady said compared to the bigger models it's slower... Seriously?! I already find this one fast. Maybe the other ones will just fly out of my hand if I put it on full speed >;P

One bad thing is that I hate to read manuals... well I hate to read in general... so I kept wondering what the huge button at the front of the mixer was haha... Turns out it's to release the whisk parts... hmmm... imagine if I got curious while actually beating the eggs and pressed that button!!! LOL... actually I did try =_=" Luckily I'm not strong enough and wasn't able to push the button all the way down whilst it was in action hehe... Imagine what would've happened =D Fun right?! =.="

On the weekend I'll attempt my Cheesecake lol... hope that turns out better! Fingers crossed. Goodnight.

Lunchtime reprieve...

Still hungover on anger! Seriously sedated today to the extent that I'm not getting stressed. And that's abnormal seeing that I'm at work, have a stack of work to do and also got bombarded with more work this morning!

I'm like a walking zombie. A hungry one at that. Considering if I should ignore my gluten intolerance and just have instant noodles everyday?! Cos that's the cheapest option so I can start saving $ right? Or I should just start skipping breakfast and lunch cos I'm stranded out in the middle if nowhere for work anyways and can't find any food even if I'm starving.

The coffee from the office espresso machine is tasting worse everyday. I think it's quite bad for health cos I haven't been feeling so good since switching to it. Never know what poison lies beneath especally when so many people have access to it, and you'd be surprised how unhygenic some of our office people can be! Think I'll switch back to my own coffee even if it'll cost me more. Anyways I heard our office coffee machine is changing to one of those NesCafe multiple drink type of machines haha... Guess they haven't heard some of the horrific stories bout those machines.

Have to jump back onto my rat wheel now. I get released from this rat cage in 4.5hrs... Why does it seem so long?!

~ Posted via Pei²'s iPhone o.Ov

Itchy mouths...

What I hate about man kind... they can't say nice things. If you have nothing nice to say, why say anything at all?! When I say mean things, it's because YOU have said something to insult me before. And I won't just act like nothing has happened. I will remind you of what you have said to insult me. I will never let anyone hurt me again!

I started off in high spirits today. Had my plan ready, go out to buy a mixer and other cooking tools that I needed to kick off my baking. Evident from my previous post, I was heading back home to start baking my Cheesecake and set to clean up my room etc. But things took a turn for the worse cos apparently people in Singapore are extremely unsupportive and can't say nice things at all!!!

I hate it when people try to use reverse psychology on me to see if I react or to make me do things. I already had a plan to bake my Cheesecake. Or else why would I have gone out these two days to buy ingredients and tools?! I just got home, hadn't even changed into my house wear and I get told that I only SAY I want to bake a Cheesecake and I won't actually bake one. Firstly that already pissed me off. I already had plans and my own timing. Then they say "yah we said that so that you'd actually prove us wrong and go bake one" like WTH. WHY SHOULD I PROVE TO ANYONE THAT I WILL DO SOMETHING?! If I want to do it, it will be done out of my own will. Not because you make some stupid comment to spur me into doing it!!!

So in the end. No Cheesecake baking. I wont go out and prove you wrong to fill your ego into thinking that your words are in anyway significant to me and that you know how to get me to do things. If you say I'm lazy and wont end up baking it, then fine. I'll show you how lazy I can be. Superbly pissed off! Now I don't know if I should trash my ingredients or not. And I don't know what to do with my cooking tools now.  I was so happy to have gotten a mixer too and I could make macarons. But now... why should I bother?! I wanted to share my baked food with my family, but seriously are they family?! Do family members treat each other like that?!

And I hate it how in Singapore everyone is so damn competitive. Sure you want to be better than others, sure you want your kids to be better than other kids. However, why do you need to be competitve between your own family members?! Why do you constantly need to prove yourself against your other family members?! Why do you need to hide things and be so secretive between family members?! Doesn't it just go to show that you're afraid. You're afraid if others know how far ahead you are, they might catch up?! I always though family were there to support each other. Now I feel stupid that I openly tell people my plans and what I'm doing. And in return everyone just uses me to get one step ahead! Then again, maybe I'm the one who needs to reevaluate the meaning of family. Maybe family are just strangers only related by blood. I was stupid to think that family is a network you can rely on. In reality you really can't rely on anyone but yourself.

I will reevaluate where I really need to be, what I should do, who I need to keep in my life, who I need to shut out and what to do with my life. Goodnight.

Mouth watering investments...

This is my kitchen...

Well all the tools I need to start on my baking that is, a tad expensive but a worthy investment to me. Anyways we don't have the necessary tools at home to bake my goodies so I really needed these goodies. Will reveal more later, as I'm currently waiting for the MRT to go home... My feet are killing!!!

Still so much to accomplish today. Must persevere. Get home, start on Cheesecake, while it's baking I guess I'll pack my room and do my washing. Must start packing up for CNY. I'm determined I want to get a bed before CNY this year. 3 years of sleeping on matresses is getting to me I guess. But I'll be getting the bed frame first. My old matresses will suffice for now. Let's hope Ikea will have the bed in stock after I get my pay.

Must not spend money!!! Must start saving up enough $ to feed my family too! Big burden cos it's a little hard on my small income. I think this year I've still not earnt enough to have to pay taxes =_=" Singapore wages suck!!! All the companies are in it to profit themselves only and try to take away as many rights as possible from their workers. Well that's what I've found looking at it from an Aussie perspective. Things are just too different...

~ Posted via Pei²'s iPhone o.Ov

ION, Prologue Books and Mitju Shoes...

So yesterday morning after my little shoe episode, headed to Mitju and ended up buying 2 pairs of new shoes. Actually my 'broken' pair of shoes were also from Mitju, but I'd go back and buy their shoes again cos they're always quite comfortable, even their heels at 9cm+ height! But I guess wearing any pair of shoe day in, day out in all sorts of weather will cause it to wear out eventually.

My new shoes...

Purple, with cute laces!...

Quite comfortable, apart from the back of the shoe which you can see I have already pasted the heel liners. Even after adding the heel liners, they are a little bit stiff but bearable =S

Red shoes!

Ok, so I've always liked red things... maybe I'm seeing more red shoes around lately because Chinese New Year is around the corner and everyone tends to buy everything red! But these are super comfy shoes! Haven't worn them out yet, but so far it seems comfortable. Even the back of the shoe seems soft! Might have to take them out for a test run tomorrow =D

But I think I'll play safe and add my saviours just in case...

Yups, heel liners are my saviours!!! I need to use them in EVERY pair of shoes!!! Maybe my feet are just way too sensitive =S But actually these Scholl ones aren't my favourite, they're my "budget" liners. My faves are still Foot Petals heel liners, but for some reason they seem increasingly hard to find! And they're $10+, compared to these Scholl ones which are $5... or $8.50 for 2 pairs in Watsons this month.

Moving on... I got these 2 books from Prologue:

• Favourite Cupcakes and Cheesecakes ~ Page One
• i ♥ macarons ~ Hisako Ogita

Basically I got the Cupcakes and Cheesecakes book because I desperately wanted a recipe for New York Cheesecake. It was a toss up between this book and Cheesecakes of the World (or something to that effect) also by Page One Publishing. Basically both books have the same Cheesecake recipes, but the one I got has the added benefit of Cupcake recipes.

I bought i ♥ macarons cos I want to try making them. I've always loved how they look so adorable and colourful! In actual fact I've only ever had 1 macaron!!! And seriously I can't remember what it tasted like haha. I think I've always been infatuated with them just based on good looks ;)

Anyways, today I also got more Strawberry Mochi from Niponya and ate with my aunt at The Asian Kitchen. Photos and more info tomorrow... it's already 3am+!!! And I have a huge day ahead of me tomorrow!!! I still need to get some tools to make my NY Cheesecake! And I have heaps of cleaning  to do... Arrrgghhhh... Why do weekends pass so quickly and the work week is ALWAYS draggy!!!

Also I need to create a new watermark for my images, cos currently I'm using my old one and it just doesn't fit in with my new theme. *sighs* where will I find the time?! Goodnight (+.+)(-.-)(_ _) ..zzZZ

I see red!!!

I seem to have a sudden infatuation with red shoes at the moment!!! Just went to Mitju to buy my new shoes. I keep telling myself I need to wear heels more, but I just bought 2 pairs of flats. One if which is Red and darn comfy! Perfect for weekend outings. Picutures later when I get home.

Now blogging as I stand infront of Food Opera waiting for my aunt. I have enough time to blog as I wait. Haha goes to show how slow she can walk ;P

I'm standing to one side with a good void of about 10 x 4 meters infront of me, but yet everyone seems to have to walk so damn close to me and the push-cart drink lady has to stop right infront of me... Seriously! Are people so afraid to walk in empty spaces?!

Also just got a new box of Strawberry mochi from Niponya to cheer me up cos I had to spend $ on new shoes. Ironic. Spending $ to cheer myself up cos I had to spend money haha. My aunt's still not here o_O!

Ok she just reached!

~ Posted via Pei²'s iPhone o.Ov

Unwanted spending...

Woke up late today, but somewhat happy cos I know today I'm out to buy ingredients to attempt a Panna Cotta... Getting ready, found out I have no more moisturiser left! Not even samples! Anyways, easily solved even though I had better plans for that portion of $...

First stop ION Mall Prologue to get a cheesecake book. Inadvertantly saw a macaroon book which was way too irrisistable too! The plan was to buy a book then sit at Starbucks to analyse it then head to buy the ingredients. Little do I realise whilst making my way to Starbucks, I seem to be feeling a crack on the sole of my shoe. Surely not right?! Checks...

OMG! Not ony a crack, but the whole front half of the sole is merely hanging on by the fibres of the shoe padding!!! Hope that no one notices and keep telling myself 'do not panic'! Just hope the fibres are strong enough to hold so that I can make it to the shoe shop after breakfast! And also to my realisation... My toe nails aren't pedicured properly cos the last time I was in a hurry, so the polish is smeared! What if people see?! Oh the shame!!! Haha... Now I see why it was written that a girls should always have a proper pedicure before even stepping out (How to Walk in High Heels).

So here I am at Starbucks blogging and planning my way to the shoe shop after this to buy new shoes =_=" Seriously not my day nor my bank account's day! I wonder if I attempt my baking today if I'll end up in tears after it all. Maybe I should buy my ingredients today and bake tomorrow?!

~ Posted via Pei²'s iPhone o.Ov

Bedtime blogging...

In bed at the stroke of midnight! *woots* but here I am blogging from my iPhone. I'm a tech freak, and this iPhone is fulfilling all my tech dreams! Well most. My Sony Ericsson X1 was a dream too, with glorious tech functions, till things took a turn for the worse and it's performance declined (-_;) I guess that's why I stopped blogging awhile back, cos I couldn't use my phone to blog anymore. But now I have my i♡Phone...

Shouldn't be blogging at this hour though. I'm still not getting enough sleep these days. In addition to that, I haven't prepared my outfit or lunch for tomorrow! Gonna be rushing around silly in the morning!

Was supposed to go grocery shopping tonight as well, but scrapped that idea. Just couldn't make myself go out when my granny's home alone. Not that she can't be home alone. But she must be terribly bored already spending a majority of her day at home alone. I know I like it when there's at least one other person at home. Even if I'm not in constant interaction with them, it's assuring to know that someone else is around.

I'm still analysing my new books before I post about them. Drifting to sleep already. Goodnight :)

~ Posted via Pei²'s iPhone o.Ov

Learning to walk in high heels...

Well not literally learning to walk in high heels... Went out shopping today to clear my thoughts. A spot of retail therapy never fails to cheer me up but at the same time leaves me feeling very broke and that I should have used the money more wisely or I should have given it to my parents instead. (/_;)

Today went to Orchard as usual, early to beat the crowd cos it seems most Singaporeans are late risers. Had my Starbucks then ventured to Borders to look for a dessert book... Craving Panna Cotta STILL!!! Anyways, decided to go to Kinokuniya instead. Not sure why, but even the same books look so much more appealing in Kinokuniya! After about 2+hrs of walking back and forth indecidedly I got these 4 books...

1. A Japanese beading book (I can't read Japanese, so I have no idea what's the title ;P)
2. Dessert Fourplay ~ Johnny Iuzzini & Roy Finamore
3. The Goddess Guide ~ Gisèe Scanlon
4. How to Walk in High Heels ~ Camilla Morton

Once again, it's late so I'll blog about the books more tomorrow >.<" Should learn to sit down and start blogging earlier in the night haha. Goodnights (-_-) zzz...

I want my Panna Cotta!

I want Christmas to come back!!! Starbucks' Mixed Berry Panna Cotta is GONE!!! Noooooooo!!! But now they have some Orange Mango Pudding which I purposely bought to bring back for dessert...

It's OK. I still prefer the Panna Cotta! and the texture of the 'pudding' is too soft for my liking! And the taste is only OK compared to the Panna Cotta o(><;)  Bring back the Panna Cotta!!! Panna Cotta withdrawal symptoms haha. Maybe I should try to make my own this weekend d(^_^)

It's like how I'm baking my own bread tomorrow cos I'm craving bread! And it's bad to crave bread when you have gluten intollerance! And it's so rare to find ready baked gluten-free bread in Singapore. I think I've only seen it once =_=" Anyways, the gluten-free bread mix is already $6.95!!! Not including the liquid ingredients and the time to make it (>.<) but I gotta satisfy my craving before I go back to Bread Society... which has really yummy eye candy!!!

Tonight got some Japanese Mochi and some Valrhona chocolate. 4 bite-sized pieces and a 100g block of chocolate set me back $25+ already!!! (>_<") But everyone needs to spoil themselves sometimes, plus my work colleague said it tasted nice so I gotta try it for myself o(^^o) (o^^o) (o^^)o  Goodnight

Wasn't so aMused...

Wore my new Muse shoe today, the pink/beige ones... Comfort wise... fitting, but the back was painful... partially my fault, cos EVERY pair of shoes hurt my feet!!! For every pair of shoes I buy I have to buy the padding to put inside which is an extra $5-$10 each time! Imagine you buy a shoe that's $20 and have to spend an extra $10 padding it... *sighs* I didn't have any spare shoe padding at home, so I went without haha... bad idea!!! By the time I got to my car pool downstairs, the back of the shoe already cut into me... by the time I got out of the car... I could hardly walk haha... Ok not funny. But I think for normal people (cos I'm not normal ;P) the shoes would be comfy enough. The height is ok, not much, but a little bit of a boost for us short-er people =)

But I did get annoyed last night when I opened the shoe box last night only to reveal that my pink shoes had blue marks around the studded area!!! I was actually quite frustrated, and wanted to shoot off a nasty email already... but luckily the seller was spared haha. I saw that the blue marks were around the stitching as well, which could only mean one thing! What kind of dummy uses blue fabric marker/pencil to draw on a light colour?! Seriously not on!!! Try maybe WHITE next time! Basically, on closer inspection, the blue markings are all over the studded part on both shoes. But a CLEAN soft eraser gets rid of the marks quite well, it's just slightly time consuming =_=" But today I'm happy... just need to get padding for the shoes (*^_^*)

Oh and another note on the shoes, I've only tried the pink ones but I'm pretty sure the blue ones will be the same, the heels are damn loud!!! Not a high click, but those type of hollow "clock-clock" sounds! Even if you try to walk more gently and quietly... it doesn't work!!!

But overall... I like my new shoes... and I would buy more shoes from this seller if there's other nice designs in the future. It would be good for the seller to put a link to her livejournal blogshop on her main website though cos I had a hard time tracking it down the second time and google wasn't helpful.

Getting aMused...

Ok, so I like shopping but sometimes I hate fighting the crowd! Especially in Singapore! The people traffic is horrible!!! I don't know how so many people can be in the same place at one time!!!

Anyways, so when I'm in a shopaholic I sometimes do a spot of shopping from the comfort of my room. Latest purchase, 2 pairs of shoes from Miss Muse (-_^) Most people I know will scrunch up their faces if I tell them I'm buying shoes online... "what if it doesn't fit?"... haha I seriously don't care! I'm the type of person who will go out and try to be one of the first people to try new products. Even the Shiseido counter ladies know this about me now and specially tell me if there's new products coming out!!! Of course it's to make me spend money, but it's money I'm willing to spend. I like to try things first hand and if it's good I'll spread the word... if it's not good, I'll try to brainwash everyone I know into thinking the same haha. So it better be good >;P

Back to Miss Muse, I think I found her site through a Facebook ad... Seriously can't remember! Took me ages just to find her link again as well coz i didn't even bookmark her blogshop site =S and the card included with the shoes only has a link to the website which is still under construction.

Actually I'm not sure if the brand/shop is called "Miss Muse" or just "Muse" and I think a donation is made towards a cause when a pair of shoes are bought. The seller is really fast at responding... which is good. I ordered the shoes on Dec 31st, paid Jan 1st and received the shoes today!!! Extremely fast considering the weekend!

I like my new shoes cos they're the type you can wear everyday.

How is the quality and fit of the shoe?! I'll finish off this post tomorrow night cos it's way past midnight, I was supposed to be in bed 2.5hrs ago, I'm extremely tired and I have to wake up in 5hrs (x_x)

Sleepy Head...

Seriously must try harder to sleep earlier! At least tonight I'm in bed before 12 (^_^)v but here I am blogging and tweeting in bed! But I'm determined to put down my iPhone when the clock strikes 12! Tomorrow I want to try to be in bed by 10!!! Am I attempting the impossible?!

But I really do need to get more sleep cos I'm starting to feel the effects of only getting a few hours sleep everynight! And all for what?! To complete my work which I'm obviously overloaded with?! And to meet deadlines so that the mangers look good to our customers that they're so efficient, when actually I'm the one stressing out cos they never submit thier jobs with sufficient time for me to complete everything?

Ok complaining again. But all this is what has been irritating me the last few months and made me a very angry person. Must stay happy and focus on the positive things?! Seriously not looking forward to going back to work again tomorrow after the long weekend though!

Doh! It's after 12!!! Goodnight all!!!
(＝。＝)Zzz...


~ Posted via Pei²'s iPhone o.Ov

The Butterfly's Story...

FINALLY my Pei2.com has kinda been revamped and ready to roll... after 3 years or so of procrastination?! Seriously I haven't been in the mood to blog for ages, been too caught up with emotion, but 2010 I'm forcing myself to get back into my website designing. And also partially influenced by the fact that I need to make money to maintain my hosting fees etc. （￣～￣;）  I can't bear to let go of my hosting, which I've had for years, I think I'd be lost without it and would flip out if I had to use free hosting because they just don't provide me with enough tools to intricately maintain my sites.

There are still a lot of things that need adjustments around the site, especially the lack of one of the most important aspects of a website... a Navigation system!!!... I'll try to fix that up before next weekend.

This time around I've decided to go for a more simple look for my site, no more flashy javascript etc. I just don't have the time to maintain my sites like I used to. On to the Butterfly's Story...

I actually took this photo of these butterflies at Sentosa's Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom back in November. Ever since then, this photo holds a significant place in my heart. It's always interesting to observe the way that animals behave. In this instance, the mourning butterfly kept returning to the dead butterfly to hold vigil. They were the same species of butterfly and from the appearance of the dead butterfly, it had only just died.

I never knew that butterflies would behave in this manner. Even if the butterfly was frightened off, it would return in a few minutes to watch over it's friend.  To me it represents a type of devotion, or everlasting love. It actually makes me feel sad looking back upon the people who have come and gone from my life, not specifically though death. And knowing that even though I hold them close to my heart, they'll never come back even though I dearly wish they would.  (×_×;)

I've had one comment that the photo looks "emo". I don't believe so. If you look past the colours, there's a deeper emotion that will affect most of us in our lifetime at one point in time. This is how I feel right now. Battling emotions everyday and trying to stand on my own two feet and live life alone. It's a long hard struggle. Maybe one day I'll get past this stage... maybe...

On the other hand, if you don't believe in true love, you could always imagine that the live butterfly is sucking the magical powers out of the dead butterfly!!! Haha... over-imaginative!!! Goodnight!