H is for Hectic Happy & Hooray

i had a hectic day at work today. i don't know but things that can go wrong went wrong everytime i'm going on long leave. i got a call when i was home, i got a call when i was about to climb the harbour bridge, i got a call when i was on a short trip across the island that i ended up bring my machine with me whenever i went home. but it all stopped few years ago with the system globalisation, hence no longer unix and stuff for moi. until today. i broke down three times mostly due to the panic i created myself.

started the day feeling a little disappointed when my 1/2 day leave was not granted. hp is also on long leave, hence i can understand my boss' reason. "you are important here". "sorry, i don't buy that anymore" was my answer which i'm sure surprised her. then came the problems. firstly it was our very own datafeed which was doubled for one of the period. this never happened before and it happened - of all the day - today. i was busy checking the caused of this when an email from our malaysia counterpart arrived requesting a complete set of data from the previous financial year. and i just archived the dB and moved it to the tape few days ago. just when i was in the middle of replying to the email to inform them the time needed to retrieve the data etc another email came stating the deadline is Oct 2nd. no way out, i have to do it now. well to be honest with hp on leave i have doubt with the other backup the minute she asked me how to restore dB in ms sql server. with only few hours left i ended up giving them structure text instead of xml - at least i gave them. i went back to investigating the data and decided to do a select distinct to fix the duplicate record issue. done with that i went back to doing my own personal development plan which is due end of this month. boss called asking me to check the email she just sent, an email that *complete* my day. another email from malaysia and this time around advising us that uploading to the central server can no longer be done from our local server but through malaysia's. all changes must be done by - t.o.m.o.r.r.o.w. crazy!! we tried calling them, sametime-ing them without avail. i was in the midst of listing down things we upload to global when again my boss came saying the duplicate record issue ended up with lesser records for other period. man! i need to leave early and all these happened. my backup? she was squatting next to me writing what she's supposed to check for hr application. i felt like screaming but i knew there wasn't any point there. finance called complaining about this new info because tomorrow is our month-end closing. boss asked me to come tomorrow i said no and she said she'd called me tonight if need be, to which i said i'd be switching my mobile. she knew then i wasn't in my best of mood since i never ever said that kinda words to her. she came to me afterwards saying the duplicate data can wait until i come back *too late for that* and that i don't stay late *yeah, right*. anyways, to cut my bitching short - i managed to settled the duplicate records, emailed malaysia asking details on things and advising my backup to do it manually until i return. i hope she can do it.

thanks to a friend who accompanied me clearing my head by walking down to orchard. i had a nice night to ease my tense and i can said i ended the day happily. though i complained about work here i know myself better - if i leave things unfixed i will never have a good night sleep feeling guilty. reaching my place, i took the lift closer to the guinea pigs to check on them. the lady was feeding them so i stopped and had a chat with her about the cuties. she told me that they belong to her friend who went overseas for study. she took it under her care and somehow *someone* complained to spca saying she's cruel to the animals (i didn't say that, eh). but, she said, at least now she always remember to feed them the minute she reaches home. a kind hearted woman, i felt a little bit guilty for telling on her but i had to do my part for the animals. at least she took it seriously now.

alrighty, enough talking. gotta start packing and paying my bills before leaving tomorrow. with the flight so early in the morning, i'll try hard not to sleep so that i don't miss the flight.

Exception

i know i promised myself to treasure life and never complain about anything anymore but today i will break that promise and i don't care!

my day started bad when, trying to reach office before 9am, i took a cab only to get stuck in a crazy traffic thanks to F1. seriously, i don't think singapore is ready to organise that event. it's just funny to close cbd area for that. most taxi drivers i met expressed their frustration as well. in their words "you see, block there block here and erp still on who want to go in and collect passenger" - i can't agree more. due to the congested traffic and waiting for the cab to drop me at the lobby might ended up with me reaching office at 9.30ish am, i decided to alight when the traffic light was red and brace the heavy downpour. i ended up at my desk around 9.05am only to be called to my boss' room. there we discussed about some duplicate data which has yet to be identified if it's the central issue or our local issue. i was sooo darn close to bursting when somehow the checking is now my job. wth!! a month ago during discussion, we agreed that i'd write a macro in excel for the operators so that they can start the day checking the number of count; somehow its now mine. i know my boss is worried that with the new structure operators will be deployed to other department and we'll be solely handling technology. and i think her asking me to do this now is her way of not getting this job hanging when the new structure takes place. oh well, alright i'll do it now. but she gave me an idea to add something more on my expectation with the new structure - to be involved in managerial process instead of operational

process! hah ..

on a totally different and lighter note - SPCA called me yesterday asking if i noticed any improvement on the guinea pigs. i updated them on what i saw the night after i made the call. apparently they didn't meet the people staying there so they left a letter by their front door, hence our assumption the action was taken because of the warning letter. i was now given a job to monitor the living condition of those guinea pigs and call him directly if there's something concerning me. haha, alrighty mister!

ahhh ... now i feel lighter. okay i'll go back to my promise of trying not to complain much and focus more on the small little things that make life wonderful. starting now!

Sleepy

quite a funny movie. at first i thought it'd be another mbfw kinda movie, but it isn't. well, usual story line - boy meets girl, girl meets boy - with expected ending but its just fun to watch how the story goes. well yes, there are loads of lewd jokes along the line, but if you really want something light to crack you up, go watch it. the eyebrows scene is priceless. and i find myself enjoying dane cook more and more these days.

i was lucky to get a seat and catched the broadway version few years back. i love it to bits that when they made it into big screen i began wondering if it would be as good as the broadway. and meryl streep in a musical movie? i had my doubts. all those were washed away when i watched the movie. all i can say is AWESOME performance of meryl, she definitely proofs herself as one great actors. actually each and every one of the actors did a great job. they sang well though it's a little bit painful to hear pierce brosnan's voice. the dancing by the beach scene really reminds me of a bollywood movie too. i enjoyed the movie a lot that i felt like clapping my hands *which, of course i didn't do* during the credit roles . and don't get me to colin firth .. seeing him swaying - and i mean really swaying - his hips is priceless. a movie worth mamma mia-ing on. both pic. courtesy of imdb.com

HAPPY

yes i am.

after days of thinking of my neigbour's hamsters i ended up calling SPCA, not filing a report but more like asking their advice. eversince i realised there are hamsters at the corridor i make an effort to stop by whenever i pass that side just to say my hello to those little creatures. until last week i realised their paper hasn't been changed and their cute little voice calling me when i left might be a call for help. and yesterday when i stopped by again only to see one of them was totally dirty i couldn't take it anymore, not when the image of them looking at me with a sad eyes kept on flashing before me whenever i closed my eyes.

so after telling the staff the whole situation they assured me that they'll drop by to check for themselves. and tonight, after feeling happy simply from looking at all those deepavali and hari raya lights i was given another pleasant treat - the cuties were busy getting under the fresh newspaper, supposedly getting ready for bed. night night cuties.

One For The French

you will think its a pretty boring movie, just sit down and relax, i assure you you'll end up saying its a good if not brilliant movie. i was kept at the edge of my seat until almost the ending. it was shocking, if i say so myself. you'd be wondering at first when will the secret be revealed, and once it's out you're in for a surprise. seriously, ask the lady in front of me :)young virginia ledoyen really looks like natalie portman, btw.

pic. courtesy of imdb.com

The Missing Piece

totally forgotten about watching this movie over the weekend. somehow it just crossed my mind now.

well, what made me keen in watching this movie is the lead actor. so yeah, i finally found it online. nothing special - typical action movie. but it gets interesting almost at the end of it thought. there is *what else but* a twist. i still can't see james mcAvoy in an action movie though, he's more suitable for historical drama or romance movie. darn even his screaming isn't meant for action genre.

pic. courtesy of imdb.com

Two More for the Weekend

i've been hearing a lot of raves on this movie and after watching it myself, i understand why. very good story line, it hits right to the core of what's happenning in the society out there. though the movie talked about racism between the white american and black american, i believe the message also applies to all other sort of racism - gender, color, religion, everthing. great performance by edward norton as well. to be honest i don't think i ever pay attention to any of his movie so seeing him here kinda make me realised he's one of the good actor out there. though it has quite a surprising ending, i love the quote at the end of the movie - we're all friends not enemies.

all rise for an outstanding performance of christian bale in this movie. i knew he lost loads of weight to get into character in this movie but it's still made me feel kinda scary seeing how skinny he was in that movie. a dedicated actor indeed. story wise, interesting and it just build my curiosity 'cos you *at least i* wouldn't have guess what's really happenning up 'til the end of the movie. the sound effect just added to the anticipation. i agree that guilty - if not faced - will only bring sufferring. worth watching!

alrighty, i'm totally movie overloaded this weekend.

pic. courtesy of imdb.com

C B D

i finally watched the movie. was quite gutted when i missed it in the cinema so it was such a blessed to find it online. well yeah, christian bale is what made me keen to watch it. story wise, its good. a cowboy movie - an action genre - which portrays love, family value, and inner battle. how one person would go to the extra mile in order to fulfill the need of his/her family even it that means sacrificing themselves. a nice movie that is worth watching.

i was supposed to be heading down to vb but after much contemplation i decided to stay put and wait for evening to come before going to my late uncle's. no point rushing to vb only to rush back to hougang, eh. especially when i found another movie to watch ;)

it was definitely one great movie - disturbing in a great way that is. again he gave an absolutely WONDERFUL performance as an instable yuppy, a psycho. there were times where i even flinched in anticipation of what's coming next. that's how disturbing this movie is. just like a book and its cover, you can never judge a person based on their appearance. worth - i repeat - worth watching if you haven't so.

rushed for breaking fast i ended up staying late watching the zeecine awards. i tell you, those bollywood actors and actresses can never fail to amaze me with their gorgeousness. the ladies are so darn pretty with an almost perfect *nothing's perfect, right?*, like my auntie said the canvas are already good so whatever painted on it is definitely good. i ended up staying late and almost spend my night there if not because of the chocolate wafer at home that kept on flashing in my mind. but at least i understand what's the hoohaa on arjun rampal is all about. tall, dark and handsome indeed. but i personally still prefer akshay and fardeen isn't bad as well :). sigh, if only you can have this kinda view in singapore. oh man, enough talking crap.

so yeah thats my CBD - christian bale day and hmmm, maybe cine bollywood day as well *maksa.com*

pic. courtesy of imdb.com

Killing Time

and then comes friday. again. just like that.

it's been one *interesting* week for me. managed to complete 2 projects - small, but still! - within this week. woohoo, i'm on fire.

the new structure is out and everyone is feeling anxious, nervous about the future. some are keen on getting up there while others are just enjoying the ride. i myself sits in between - just wish to get more exposure for now, that's all.

so far so good when it comes to fasting. had a fantastic time catching up with friends yesterday. supposed to meet one today but we decided to postpone it to next week *though i can't stop thinking of that bbq buffet place now* and can't wait to break my fast at my late uncle's place tomorrow - home cooked meal, what more can you ask for. hmmm, should i gate crashed my aunt's place later? should i meet up with another friend instead? or maybe i'd just go and get that yummy smelling mutton briyani opposite my flat? its been awhile since i spend time with myself, eh.

8 more minutes before i can knock off. hmm, what i should i do now? what the heck, who cares - it's friday. ciao!

Say a Prayer

a man asked the prophet about do'a (prayer). the prophet's answer was "God will answer our prayer. sometimes it's answered fast, sometimes we don't get what we ask for because He knows what's best for you - He will replace your request with something better. and lastly if your prayer isn't answered in this world, rest assured 'cos you will definitely get it answered in the life after". the man then wished none of his prayer is answered in this world...

- that's me summarizing the beautiful short sermon given before the zuhur prayer in my own words; not the exact hadits -

beautiful and it couldn't have came in a more perfect time. i feel enlightened. i feel light. i wish for the best but God knows what's the best for me. so tomorrow, i shall say my wants. granted or not, it's up to God to decide.

Where Are You?

one of my aunt called me few minutes ago. my uncle's wife, the one who suffered from brain hommorage few years ago, is missing. apparently she opened the front door and left with the house key when the maid was in the loo. no money, nothing. God, i hope nothing bad happens to her. please protect her and i hope she can be find soon.

--- updated ---

she's found at city plaza area, near one of the bazaar stall selling hari raya cookies. looks like she walked from tampines to geylang. blimey!! thank God her neighbour saw her there. poor auntie of mine, i guess she must've been bored now that she can't cook or bake like she used to.

The Malorys

first, its regina (and nicholas). then my favourite, james (and georgina). followed by anthony (and roslynn). then amy (and warren). or was it derek (and kelsey) first? well for sure it's jason (and mollie) and the family history next. joined by drew (and gabrielle). hmm, i might get the order wrong there. then there's jeremy (and danette). and now its katey (and boyd). the malorys can never ever disappoint me. the best family you can ever find in the fictional world - rugged, scandalous, witty, but loving - hurt one, face everyone. hail to ms. lindsey for creating this wonderful family. and my sister for introducing her books to me.

hmmm, i wonder who will it be next? jack i hope. can't wait to see james reaction when his little girl is all grown up.

On A Nice Saturday Morning

it's been quite an eventful weekend for me. fasting, back to gym, spilling coke on my office's machine, diamond peel, and attending a friend's birthday. the last one was a little bit tricky as it's fasting month and i want to respect it even when i'm not observing it but at the same time i didn't want to give people a wrong impression about it. lets just say, thank God i managed it good.

another week has gone by. i was happy with how i did my fasting - accepted or not, that is God's decision. i just hope this will continue when i start fasting again until hari raya comes, God's willing. for now, think i'll continue reading about boyd anderson - i love the malorys!

Day 01

alhamdulillah, i am given yet another chance to live and experience this holy month of ramadhan. after 3 consecutive days of non-stop eating, it's time to put a break on all the food i've been having and fast life i've been living in. it's time to control myself, time to slow things down and practice living a better life.

alhamdulillah, i woke up early today and managed to squeeze gym before work. didn't attend class though, i don't want to push myself hard when i haven't been hitting the gym for ages. plus, i'm focusing on building my thigh muscles - anything to protect my kneecaps.

alrighty, to all my moslem brothers and sisters - ramadhan mubarak, have a blessful one.