Angela birthday dinner @ Fusion

112 day in Shanghai (20/12/07)

Today is the 2nd I haven’t been doing anything at work. Yes, totally nothing. All I did was just reach office, check my mails, chat on msn and phone, play Friendster and Facebook’s games.

And it’s not that I didn’t do my work but they have got nothing for me to do. I am supposed to be doing GDS this week but because it’s Christmas period, the occupancy rate is very low and they themselves have got nothing to do.

So in the end they just did the GDS I am supposed to do.

After this week, I will be spending one week with my family and then back to F&B department on 31st dec… last day of the year.

Might want to go to B.A.T.S, one of the restaurant bar in the hotel but got no idea if the training manger allows me to go there together with Joanne.

Anw, after work together, I went over to the Lujiazui train station to buy my Nokia phone batt as the old one has got something wrong with it.

After that, went to 正大广场 to look for Joanne and Angela as Angela is having her 4th haircut in Shanghai at Tony and Guy Academy.

Met Yu Hong back in the hotel at 7pm and we headed off to HuaiHai road to this penang restaurant, Fusion.

Thought that it is a buffet restaurant as Angela had buffet the previous time she was there. It ended up to be A la Carte.

Was quite disappointed as all of us were already in the mood of having buffet, eating all the different dishes they have.. plus we were all supper hungry. So we were thinking of changing a place for dinner to celebrate Angela’s birthday.

But the service was very good and the waiter even allows us to have their set-lunch as a set-dinner.

So in the end, we decided to stay and all 5 of us ordered 5 different main dishes; Prawn Noodles, Curry Chicken Rice, Mice Meat Noodle, Mee Goreng Fried Kway Tiao plus one Malay Gangkong, 2 and us ordered different dishes to share Curry puffs and Spring roll.

Kim, Angela and Yu Hong ordered teh tarek and both Joanne and I ordered fresh orange juice.

Was super satisfied and all of us were darn full after dinner. We still thought that we wouldn’t be that full at first and wanted to order Nasi Lemak too.

And although the food wasn’t really that fantastic, it is much better then Crossroad in terms of the food and service. Heard that the chef is a Malaysian.. Maybe that explains =)
Thumbs up =)

After dinner, took a walk all the way to People’s square (one train stop away) to digest a bit and window shopped while seeing the Christmas decorations.

Walked pass one tunnel while going home and at first, I saw some people laying things on the floor. I thought they are those roadside seller so didn’t really bother about them.

Then when we walked pass the tunnel again because we went the wrong way, I realized that they are beggars that have no home and they are laying their blankets on the floor getting ready to sleep.

And the place gets smellier when they start to open up all their plastic bags taking out the blankets.

I think this is the first time I see a group of beggars together getting ready to sleep on the floor along the tunnel (like those I see in TV shows). Normally I will only see a few beggars sleeping on the benches etc…

Found our way and took the subway home. And while walking through the tunnel towards the train platform, we saw some people started running like chasing after the last train.

‘I don’t think it’s the last train. Maybe they are just wanted to catch this coming training. Chinese people very kiasu one what. Like Singaporeans.’

‘Yea, but I think Chinese are too kiasu that kiasu this term doesn’t suit them anymore’

hahah. I think it’s quite funny when Angela said that.

And in the end, we started becoming kiasu too and ran to the platform as Joanne thought that it was really the last train coz we saw 2 elderly running too. Haha (we didn’t realized that elderly people can also be Kiasu)

Reached home, washed my face and headed off to lala land.

Hotel's Staff Outing

108 day in Shanghai (16/12/07)

The initial plan was to sleep for 2 hours before waking up at 5.30am to get ready for the hotel staff outing. But in the end, both Kim and I got up late and we got to rush out of the house.

Walked a few levels down the stairs and I realized that I should bring my employee card so I went back home, got Jie Ying’s house key, went into her house and get my card.

By that time, we thought that we were super later already and started running down the stairs.

The moment we reached the street, it was empty. Not a single car or taxi. The only vehicles we saw were a few buses passing by. Walked out to the main road at a very fast pace and the moment we saw a cab, we ran all the way to catch it.

It was like some morning exercise. Got quite hot when we reached the hotel when it was supposed to be freezing cold.

Got to find the coach we are boarding where they paste a ‘name list’ on the door. Went coach to coach to find our names and we finally found ours; Bus 1

Board the coach and waited for the rest of the staffs to arrive. While waiting for the other staffs to arrive, I realized that the hotel’s welfare is quite good.

Firstly, the hotel made an effort to come out with this outing for her staffs, and then there was a coffee and tea booth at the entrance for the staffs (it was freezing cold so I think by providing hot coffee and tea a a very good ides)

When all the staffs board the coach, breakfast will be distributed. Everyone will get to have a bun, a hard-boiled egg and yogurt in a plastic bag together with a bottle of water.

Journey started off and it takes us about 1½ hour to reach Ting Lin Yuan, some attraction in Suzhou.

Slept all the way, reached there and it was toilet break then team-building activity.

We were all told to gather at the field and put our bags at one corner. Thought that it was totally stupid to be involved in the activity so we decided to just carry our bag and not be involved.

But in the end, in order to get warm, we decided to just join in the activities. At least there is going to be some jumping and moving around.

Every one of us was distributed with scarf. They have got 4 different groups so each group will have a different color; Grey, blue, red and pink. Ours were dark blue.

And although the scarf was just to differentiate the different groups, I think the quality is quite good. (Another welfare from the hotel)

Played a few activities and it seems like we are back in primary school; rabbit dance (shall not explain), passing the hula hook using your head/body and finishing a race by jumping (jumping to the other end and the last person got to ran back, hit the palm of the next first person of the next row and the race continues)

Had some fun there because it has been ages since I last got involved in all this kind of activity: team building. It’s really like back to school days.

And well, at least we weren’t that cold after the activity.

Having some free time after that, we explored the garden, took some photos and started cam whoring.

Find our way back to the coach and the next stop was lunch.

Lunch was at one of the restaurant by Yu Chen Lake. All of us have got our own private room and both Kim and I were to seat with the reservation people (just nice 10 of us)

Cold dish was there already then came the prawns, some seafood with shell, vegetables, fish, egg, noodles, chicken soup and the most important item; hairy crab =)

That was the first time I tried hairy crab and have got no idea how to eat it. Rainbow, one of our colleague started teaching us how to eat the crab; differentiate between the male and female, the difference between them, how to peel the crab open, which part can or cannot eat, etc.

Started eating the crab and vinegar was the sauce to it. I ate the crab the way I eat it at home; peel the meat out, dip in the sauce, etc but the locals here don’t eat them the way I do.

They will dip the whole crab into the vinegar and suck the meat out. I tried doing that but nothing comes out of the shells.

We took a super long time to finish eating it and when we went out to wash our hands, all the other private rooms are not only empty, the dishes are more or less being cleared away already.
Which means all the other staffs have finished eating and went out like long time ago?!?!

After lunch, boarded the coach and we decided to go back out along the street to see what the locals are selling.

Chickens, crabs, eggs and vegetables are sold in almost every store there. We even saw one of the workers skinning off a chicken. Kim took a video down and I think it is totally disgusting.

Headed back to the hotel and it was another 2 hours sleeping time on the coach. Reached back Shanghai and since it was too cold to walk home, we took a cab home from the lobby.

Reached home at about 4.30pm and I started finding food the moment step into the house coz I wasn’t full at all during lunch.

Watched Prison Break until 11pm before heading off to bed.

The Family is here & Dinner @ Gintei

107 day in Shanghai (15/12/07)

After waiting for 3 and a half months, my parents and sister is finally here =)

Woke up at 9am and while still deciding if I should take a cab down, Jie Ying offered to lend me her Big bag: orange in color.

Borrowed her bag and although it is still very big, it is better then what I have initially; my own big blue bag, one plastic bag for the coat and one more light blue (Hong Thai agency bag) ugly bag.

So in the end, all I have got is her big orange bag and a plastic bag.

Started watching my HK series show till about 10.30am and got myself prepared to meet them to pass them some scarf, hats, SIM card, etc…

Took the train to LongYang station and transferred to the Maglev Train (Bullet train). Bought the round trip tickets which cost only RMB80; I thought that it was going to be at least RMB100 as I have got no air tickets.

And luckily I took the Maglev train as the train wasn’t crowded at all and everyone got to have a seat (comfortable kind) and the best thing is that it is super FAST. It’s like the feeling of a plane taking off (that kinda speed).

It takes only 30 mins to reach the Airport from my house and it is going to take me an hour plus which cost RMB130 if I take a cab.

Reached the airport and just nice, the announcement made that SQ826has just touch down. Waited very eagerly for them but after 10 mins, I still didn’t see them. The excitement went away for a while and soon, I saw my sis walking out from the arrival gate.

The moment I saw her, I ran and gave her a hug. Both of us got so excited and crazy. It was like ‘OMG!! I finally get to see u again!!! After 3 months!!!’

Went to one corner and we started like exchanging ‘gifts’. I gave her their stuffs and she passed me my Pandan cake, kuek, hard disk, hand phone and laksa paste. (They didn’t bring Ondeh Ondeh coz dad says that it is made of coconut and cant last overnight. So he ate it all at home yesterday!!! ARGH!!!)

Repacked some of the stuffs to make their luggage lighter and quite long later, I finally get to see daddy and mummy.

Walked them to their coach coz they still have got a tour to follow before coming back Shanghai and spend a few days with me.

Chatted with them for a while (5 mins?!?!) from the arrival hall to the coach bay.

Headed back home, ate the kuek, changed my phone, try out the hard disk and edited some photos before going out again to meet Yu Hong to go for the dinner with Maxim.

Reached the Japanese restaurant, Gintei and it is Tepenyaki buffet style. Ordered a lot of food; beef, chicken, fish, sashimi, sushi, tempura, etc..and the food taste real good.

Was half full already when Kim, Joanne and JieYing came after their shopping trip without me=(

And that place wasn’t cheap at all!!! RMB179 and I got to pay myself!!!

ANW, after dinner was to Babyface as we wanted to drink finish the half bottle of Chivas left there the other time when we were with Raymond and Denis.

And sad to say, our trip there is getting from bad to worse. The music sucks totally and I got hell no idea how the locals can dance with those kind of music. So not only we cant get the drink coz it’s a weekend, we got pushed hell lot of time in the dance floor as it was super duper packed in there.

And because Kim, Joanne and Jie Ying were too full (had 2 buffet in a day) to dance, almost half the time we were just standing at the center of the dance floor.

Reached home at 2.30am and I have got to wake up at 5.30am cox there is this hotel’s staff outing.

Lunch with the big bosses

104 day in Shanghai (12/12/07)

Today was another day of stress lunch. WHY?? I had lunch with my BIG bosses again. The last time was on Monday where we ate lunch at this Hong Kong restaurant in 正大广场.

It so happen that when Kim and I wanted to go for lunch at 正大广场that day, we saw them (Mr Pow, Raymond and Andy) at the lift lobby. Went off first as they were waiting for some other friends and we saw them again while waiting for the lift.

Mr Pow asked us to join them for lunch. Ate with him, Raymond, Andy and 2 other Chinese colleagues, Linda and Angel. And the whole lunch was quite weird but still not as bad as today’s.

Denis messaged to ask if we want to have lunch together. Met up at 正大广场and headed to Saizeriya, the cheap pasta café.

He was alone when he meets us so I thought only Raymond would be joining later. Went in and took our orders.

And after a while, Mr Pow, Andy, Raymond and Sharon (don’t really know her post but is quite high) came in to join us. Joined 2 tables together and we sat together. Linda and Angel joined us later on.

And all along, as expected, they were saying how cheap the place is; one plate of pasta for RMB 9 and pizza for RMB19. They called that place ‘9 dollar pasta’.

So because it was too cheap for them, they started ordering a lot of food!!! (Something like ‘I want this this this and that’ that kind?!?!)

Not long later, the whole table was full of pizza, pasta, salads, soup, chicken wings, sausages and pork rips. I think I tried almost everything in the menu. We even take away a plate of mushroom pasta and a plate of chicken wing.

The dinner was quite stressful coz I know that I am like a super small fry here with all the big big bosses around me. And when they start to joke, you know you got to at least smile even though u don’t know what is going on that kind??

Eating with Big bosses is just so uneasy (at least to me). Raymond told us that all these are part of networking and these are the people that I may need help from in the future.

And this Friday, there will be a Karaoke session with them and I think I cannot not go right?!?!

Well, at least I have got like mushroom pasta and chicken for dinner later??

When we get back to the hotel, Raymond and Denis even went in to RSVN with us as we overshot our 1-hour break and they wanted to explain to Nancy that we were having lunch with them.

But well, I doubt they will really do that and lucky Nancy wasn’t around.

Sometimes I think that we are just lucky to meet them. (I think more or less influential people in the hospitality industry)

F&B finance training. Shopping!!!

103 day in Shanghai (11/12/07)

Today was another training for the Singapore Interns and this round; F&B finance conducted by Maxim.

From 3.30pm till 5+pm, he told us things like budgeting, forecasting, Actual, P&L, etc about the hotel’s F&B department. The whole training was about figures and number. Got quite bored after awhile coz whatever he told us, we learned before.

It was near 5.30pm when the training ends and Kim, Joanne, Angela and I decided to head to Yi Café to steal some Fruit tarts =) their fruit tarts/desserts are just so nice!! Can’t wait to go there on the 26th (daddy’s birthday) to have a proper meal there!!!

After that, we went to look at the new F&B reservation room, the place where Joanne and Angela slacked most of the time.. haha

Stayed there till 5.45pm and it was back to RSVN to get our bags and end work =)

Head to CA go buy a turtle neck top for RMB 99 and accompany Kim to Tony & Guy Academy as Angela, Joanne and her wanted to book sessions for hair cut.

In the end, there weren’t any more slots during weekends and we only managed to book one session for Angela.

Went to H&M after that and I bought a new blue bag. Wasn’t really my kind of bags (got no compartments at all!!) but because Kim used her pink bag (same design) until like very convenient (throwing all her shopping bags inside it so she don’t have to carry anything on her hand), I decided to just buy it too since I have been searching for a big bag but in vain.

After H&M, the plan for the night was to go 八佰伴 for dinner at Papa John and shop at the roadside stores after that.

But since Kim wants to go to Citigroup building (just beside the hotel) to check out the air tickets availability, we decided to get Subway for dinner.

Helped Jie Ying to buy Jiao Zi on the way home and we started chatting with the fruits uncle while waiting for the Jiao Zi to be ready. And we can really crap with them. Haha (we are regular customers of the fruit stall).

And during the chat, I realized that we are the only ones that bargain with him on the price of the fruits. Haha most of the customers just take the fruits, pay and went off.

Reached home, had our dinner and went out again at about 9.30pm. Shopped along the street and bought stuff; a bag, a turtleneck, 2 earrings and 2 rings.

And now I am thinking if I should buy more stuffs back to SIN and start selling online because some of the things are really nice and it seems like it cost S$50 when it cost only RMB50.

Oh, and I guess both Kim’s and my bargaining skills improved. Haha. We started to talk nonsense like (in Chinese): ‘ it was fate that brings us to the store you know. Out of so many stores, I came here and pick up this item. It shows that I got fate with the item. So just sell me at a cheaper rate can?!?! I am very sincere to buy this thing. Blah blah blah’

Cool huh. Hahaha But I think this is how the Chinese talk. They always talk about fate and stuffs. Ha So I will just use back their style on them. Haha

But well, I will only use this when the seller don’t really allow people to bargain (some stores can’t bargain at all because their selling price is already quite low).

Another funny incident. Kim wanted buy 2 wallets for her aunts and when she asked the seller how much was it. Conversation goes like this (in Chinese)

‘How much is this??’

‘RMB180. But I can give u at RMB160’

‘Huh, so expensive. Forget it’

‘Then u tell me how much are u willing to pay?’

‘ Er.. I want 2 wallets. RMB 50 for 2. can?

‘WHAT!! Sorry cannot.’

So we just walked away

‘Miss, what about RMB250 (or sth like this) for both’

‘No. RMB 50 for both’

‘Oh, then too bad. Sorry cannot’

So we walked away again and he called us back again.

‘okie okie, y not 2 wallets for RMB220??’

‘No. RMB 50 for 2. Highest I can give is RMB 60 for both’

‘Oh, then sorry cannot. Byebye’

So we went off again and he called us back again. And this repeated like 3 or more times. In the end, he sold Kim at RMB 60 for 2 wallets. Bought the wallets and we went off. He then came chasing after us wanting to sell us another wallet

‘Miss, this is a better quality one. Just RMB500.’

‘Huh, siao ar.. I bought 2 wallets for RMB 60 and I think that it is expensive already.’

‘No no, this is very good. Looks exactly like the real one. Look at the quality blah blah.’

‘It’s not I don’t want. I got no money how to buy from u. I RMB30 for one wallet already bargain until vomit blood.’

And both of us went off quickly. I think that guy is just so… I don’t know use what word to describe. Haha. Telling us ‘bye bye’ already then coming after us again to ask us to buy.. it’s just his attitude I guess..

Headed home after that, packed up a bit, settle money and off to bed.. I think I am going to be broke again.. OMG!!

101 day in Shanghai (09/12/07)

Woke at about at about 11am with the plan to meet Joanne and Angela for dim sum during their 2 hours break time. Reached 正大广场 at about 2.25pm and the restaurant was packed with people. We have got to wait for i think 20 tables before us???

The queue was quite fast and soon, we were inside waiting to be served. Ordered a lot of food coz the rest were very hungry. After the lunch, we just sat there and started crapping about guys, dreams, future, being tai tai,which uni to go to, blah blah blah.

Then Joanne suddenly started laughing saying that we really look like some tai tai eating dim sum on a Sunday, seating around the table after lunch talking NONSENSE. haha

OMG!! i so love this kinda life. Being a tai tai. hehehe

Anw, i got to look for a hard disk by this week coz if not, i got to ask sis to get it for me from SIN. My laptop has got super limited space already due to those videos and photos and movies...

Heard that there is this Mall near 八佰伴 that sells computer and electronic stuffs so Kim, Jie Ying and I decided to take a long walk down. Reached the place and with 3 computer/electronic idiots looking for a hard disk, we didn't know how to bargain.

One funny thing was that they sell the hard disk and the cover separately. I didn't know that the cover and the hard disk is 2 different thing and i told them that i just wanted the hard disk (which is the board..er. understand?? haha) Then one of the person was like u don't want the cover then how are u going to use it.. -_-

Started calling YuHong to ask for the pricing and stuffs. He said the the highest we should pay is only RMB550 but my budget is like RMB500. And no shops are willing to sell me at that price.

Started calling my bro to ask how much a hard disk cost in SIN blah blah blah and he said that SIN only sells it at S$80??? How can it be cheaper in SIN when it is made in China?!?!?! but will.. who cares since they say they are getting it for me =)

After the tiring bargain with no outcome, we went out to shop along the road side. Bought myself a glove and my parents and sis their hats =) Bought their sim card too.

By the time we reached home, it was 9+ already. It has been a long time since we shopped there and walked for so long. Since 4pm.. so we walked for 5 hours without resting.

Started packing those stuffs that i am supposed to pass it to them next sat, the day they arrive for their tour =) Some winter hats, scarfs, long john, tops, Pocky, nutriact...

Kim went to meet up Joanne and Angela again coz she still wants to shop but i was tired already and plan to stay at home to watch my new HK series show 'To Grow with with Love'.

And omg.. it makes me feel scared of getting fat.. maybe i shall start to diet soon. hehe (like yah right.. haha)

Oh, and kim came home with LOTS of stuffs!!! jealous jealous haha

100th day in Shanghai

100th day in Shanghai (08/12/07)

Today is the 100th day in Shanghai and here i am, slacking my ass off at home.

Woke up at 10am and started watching my HK series show. Kim woke up and we started clearing up the house/room. And i think the pollution in Shanghai is really bad. We seldom open our window and the most, we air the room for like 1 hour and close the window (coz it is too cold). I have got no idea where all the dirts in the room come from. It is like SUPER DUSTY!!!

After sweeping and mopping the floor, we cooked maggie and started watching the last epi of Heroes season one. (We watched until the last epi last night but was too tired to continue.)

Finished watching and i continue watching my HK seires again. Boy the whole day was just watching tv. After finishing watching the last epi of my HK series show, we started on Heroes season 2...

I just love my Weekends where i can just slack at home and not doing anything..

Damn it.. i so miss School Holidays!!!

Bad Day at Work???

99th day in Shanghai (07/12/07)

After today, i finally understand what it means by 'Bad Day at Work'.

Working is totally quite sucky today. It seems like i have met all the bitches in China in just that few hours working.

I was supposed to call for arrival time and almost every call i made pissed me off. Either they cannot hear me, i cannot hear then, too noisy, they don't want to give, they scold me for call too late saying the their company is very big and so by stamping the company stamp to guarantee needs a lot of days to procedure or bla bla bla.

Damn it!!!

After making a few calls, I got so pissed off that i started losing my temper too. Okay, i know i shouldn't but well, at least i didn't scold the guest. But just grumble(curse) a bit after putting down the phone. hehe

And so the first time in the last month, we ate in the staff canteen. Reason?? because it is too cold for us to go out already = it's finally winter time!!!

At about 5pm, when we were getting ready to end work (since Nancy said that we can end work 30-45 mins earlier if we finished what we have on hand for that day) another bitch asked us to finish doing No-show before going home.

No-show is just some data base thingy that we have to key in to the computer on those guest that didn't turn up to the hotel and either we charge or don't charge these guest. And the worst part is that the value got to match (kinda complicated to explain so nvm..)

Spend the last hour working on that stupid thing and we even went home later -_- Left at about 6.15pm in the end

After work was to Lotus... to buy more POCKY!!!

What happen was yesterday after work, we wanted to go to Lotus to buy some Rose tea as Jie Ying said that Lotus is have a discount for it. Couldn't find it but instead, we found the mousse pocky for RMB4.90. If i am not wrong, it cost about S$3 per pack. So i decided to buy some home and after trying it on the way home, i think that it is very nice and decided to get more of it.

In the end, i stocked up about 10 packs of Pocky at home with flavors of tea, chocolate and mango. Going to give some to my sis and daddy when they are here to visit me =) (are u happy sis???)

Went back home and started watching Heroes. Got addicted to it and i think i am started to like English shows?? haha i seldom watch them.

Dinner @ Thai House

95th day in Shanghai (03/12/07)

I have got a whole list of events going on today.

Early in the morning, Both Kim and I went to the post office, as we wanted to post our multimedia project back to Singapore.

Reached there and the lady employee asked if we want the post to be fast (3 days) or slow (15days), and since Ms Ho said ASAP, we asked for the fast post.

Filled up the details on the envelope and pass the lady the envelope.

‘RMB 100++ thanks’

‘HUH!!! SO EXPENSIVE!?!?! Err.. how much is the slow post??’

‘RMB20++’

‘Er.. Does Ms Ho really need it that urgently??’

‘ASAP leh’

‘But expensive luh’

‘… Err, we want to change to the slow post can??’

‘Then why didn’t you say just now!!’

‘You didn’t tell us the price just now…’

How poor are we right?? Haha

Anyway, while the lady was changing the envelope (From those nice nice one to those super lok pok one -_- ), this 2 guys started shouting/talking very loudly in Shanghainese behind us.

And before we know, the 2 guys started fighting with each other and they actually bumped onto Kim and I.

We quickly dart to one side to watch the free show while waiting for the lady to finish packing our stuffs. And that stupid lady was actually watching the free show as well when we were already late for work.

Some of the security guards went to separate the 2 men and when one of the guys picked up his specs on the floor, there is a crack on the len. And I think we were the one that damage it while saving ourselves from the violet fight.

Cabbed to work and work was boring as usual.

The initial plan for the night was to go to People’s park for a walk before meeting Kelvin Tay, director of wine and the rest for dinner at 9pm at this Thai restaurant.

Last minute changes as he asked us to meet him at the F&B office instead so that he can bring us there.

Work ends at 6pm, which means that we have got 3 hours to spare before meeting up the rest. Went to the bank to see if our pay is in, and since we have got our pay, it is time to spend some $$$. Haha

Wanted to shop in H&M but since it has been a super long time since we took neo print and Kim got the urge to, we headed to the neo print shop.

Spend some time there and I think the service was quite good (maybe because there wasn’t any customers there). They given gave each of us a ‘cute’ pen as Christmas gift.

It was only 8pm after wasting so much time here and there and we decided to go for manicure =) My nails has been super ugly/dirty every since I took out my fake nails last month.

Service there was good as well and it cost me only RMB78 to have my nails done (including all the shaping, buffing, moisturizing, removing dead skin, nail colour, etc..). Kim did french manicure that cost her RMB 98 only.

By the time we finish doing our nail, it was near 9pm already. Went to F&B office and duh, got to wait for the rest to be ready..

With all the waiting, catching the cab, jam and stuffs, we reached the Thai restaurant at 10+pm. The restaurant, Thai House is own by a Thai couple and heard that it is one of the recommended places in the travel guide.

Waited for a while and all the food started to come in. YUMMY YUMMY!!!

First was the pineapple rice, followed by the fish (super sour super nice), then the Papaya Salad, Green Curry Chicken, Tom Yum Goong, chicken slice with chili and another bowl of soup (cant remember what it is). One word to descript the meal ‘FANTASTIC!!!’

It satisfies all my Thai food cravings. And most probably I will go back there again =)

After the dinner, thou it was quite later already, we went to foot message near Kelvin’s house. Message was comfortable as well.

By the time we reached home, all of us were so tired that we just changed our clothes, washed our face and ‘snap’, to lala land.

The night was really comfortable: Pretty Nails + satisfied stomach + relaxed feet + warm room + super tired = comfortable sleep =)

Zhouzhuang

94rd day in Shanghai (02/12/07)

It was Sunday and I got to wake up early as Kim, Jie Ying, Yu Hong plan to go to one of the attractions near Shanghai, Tongli.

But almost everyone got up late and by the time we reached Shanghai Stadium to buy our tickets, it was 9.30am already. The last coach to Tong Li has left so we decided to catch the 9.45am coach to Zhouzhuang, a place similar to Tongli.

Heard that Zhouzhuang is the original place and Tongli as a substitute but nicer place.

Bus ride there was about 1½ hour and I slept throughout. Reached there and the first thing the girls need to go was to go to the toilet.

Rushed in but came running out again because the toilet was JUST TOO SMELLY!!!

I almost started puking but lucky I haven't had anything for breakfast yet. And looking around to see if there were other guys around, Yu Hong asked us to use the male’s toilet instead as it wasn’t as smelly. (male’s toilet cleaner then the female’s??? OMG!!!)

Went into the male’s toilet, closed the main door and OMG!! That was the first time in my life using a male’s toilet!?!?!?

Started exploring the area and the first stop we wanted to go was to have lunch (to have the energy taking photos =))

There were a lot of restaurants around and we didn’t know which one to patronize when we saw this restaurant’s name on the maps and signboards. Our First mentality was to think that the restaurant is not bad and recognized.

Went in there had lunch and even though the whole meal coz only RMB 84, I think it is very expensive considering the living conditions and the cost price of the food.

Gave the waitress RMB100 and she returned me RMB 20 saying that they didn’t have any small change so they discounted us the RMB 4. Er.. so I can actually bargain on the price of the food we ordered???

Our Zhouzuang journey then started after lunch. Didn’t really know how to look at the map coz it was quite messy.

Looked around the whole area and it doesn’t look like Zhouzuang at all. WHY?!?! As all the houses look nice and newly renovated with no river, unlike what they show in the photos; old and rundown and dirty along the riverside.

That area was the newer and more commercialized place and I think they haven’t even officially start business; it looks like some ululated location. Walked for quite some time but we didn’t see any tourist around.

Reached a junction and decided to ask the policeman how to get to the ancient town (with the old and rundown house and along the river) and apparently we walked the opposite direction and got to U-turn back. It takes us about 30min to reach ‘Zhouzhuang’ (So we weren’t in Zhouzhuang for the past 2 hours.)

By the time we reached there, it was 1pm and we have got only 3 hours to walk around there as the coach was leaving at 4.20pm.

Thinking that we wouldn’t have enough time finish exploring the place, we rushed from one destination to another taking photos and seeing the scenery, although almost everywhere look the same to me; river + old shop houses + bridge + boats.

After 1 ½ hours, we explored/rushed though the whole place and all of us were quite tired already. Had some small scrolls around and tried our some of the local biscuits there.

Ate malt candy and it sucks totally. It got go hard and lumpy that I threw away the whole thing after licking for like 3 times??

4pm reached quickly and we went back to coach area.. And oh, Yu Hong’s camera went out of battery when we just started to get high to cam whore!!! ARGH!!!

Reached back Shanghai stadium and had our dinner at this restaurant, ‘Hao Xiang Lai’. Pack like nobody’s biz where they ran out of chicken and pork -_- the 2 most basic type of meat you should have in a restaurant.

Walked back to the train station and we saw IKEA sign. Decided to have a walk there since it was still early. So in the super duper cold weather, we walked about 400 metres and by the time we reached there, my hands and face was numb.

The moment we enter the building, we smell IKEA. Duh!! haha

Since both Jie Ying and I didn’t have a very full dinner (1 ½ piece of sushi, one lotus rice and Chicken's Feet - Golden Phoenix Claws), we ate hotdogs there. RMB 5 for the hotdog and a refillable drink. CHEAP???

Wanted to eat the meatball but we were too full to try it out.

Shopped for a while and almost everything in there is the same as Singapore; the structure and the layout. It makes us feel back home. =)

After 3 months staying in Shanghai and surviving without a bowl and a clock, Yu Hong went to buy them just to use it for the last 2 months

We bought a bathroom mat and a shawl (not really a shawl but a big piece of cloth made of polyester) to keep ourselves warm at home.

Took a cab home after that and settled money. Watched HK series shows and ate orange before heading off to lala land.

Pirelli

91th day in Shanghai, Pirelli (29/11/07)

Work started at 10am supporting for the event Pirelli. The event was the launch of the Pirelli calendar 2008 @ China Hall.

Called Yee Hui and he told us to report to Johnny, one of the BQT manger at the backstage of China Hall. By the time we reached there, they were having a row call already.

Saw Goh and he told us to go down to the laundry to change our uniform. And the first thought that came into my mind when I saw the attire was Oriental Hotel; Black Shirt + black pants.

Changed our clothes and reported back to China Hall. So the attire for today was a little different from usual. It was all according to what the organizer wants.

For the girls, we got to have green eye shadows, wear a pink hair Band and 2 pink clips at the side of the sleeves. For the guys, they got to put a green cloth around their waist. Everyone look almost the same.

This was to make our attire look a bit French and retro (The theme was chinese retro I think: Agogo Era)

We refused to wear the hair bands coz I think that it is totally disgusting to wear it. So while trying to wear the hair band in the nicest way, Goh asked us to change back our uniform as he said that there might not be enough accessories (hair bands and clips) for the other waitresses.

Spent 2 hours changing our clothes and went back to China Hall foyer to help out with reception. The whole foyer was places with full of sofa, beds and some treasure chest filled of all the oldies stuffs. The whole theme looks very lively and young with combinations of green, pink, purple and orange.

Was supposed to have lunch with Kelvin and Yee Hui but couldn’t find them so we settled our lunch at Saizeriya and had a pizza that cost only RMB24 for a Hawaiian pizza, a soup and a salad.

Went back to China Hall and helped them turn over the hall to dinner set-up for the night.
And since this dinner was special enough where the staffs got to wear either hair bands, clips or waist bands, the tables set up were special too.

Pirelli provided us with their own chairs, table clothes, napkins and menus (all in the 4 different colous). And because of the colour combinations, it was quite troublesome during the set up as different colour table clothes got to match with different chair colours.

Throughout the whole set up, it was double-checking all the colours set-up, re arranging the tables coz there were a lot of last minute changes (from 10 seats to 12 seats table)

After the set-up, Yee Hui asked us to change back to the BQT uniform as there weren’t enough staffs to serve the guest and we were supposed to serve the VIP table.

Changed and reported back to China Hall. Look for Tracy to get the green eye shadows and those pink hair band and clips (to match the theme).

Dinner is going to start in 2 hours and all staffs were to report in China Hall. The event organizer, some very famous French organizer asked all the staffs to go up on the stage to check every single one of our attire to make sure that everyone looks neat and tidy.

Perfectionist!!! OVER???

Cocktail reception started at 7pm and there were still some changes inside the hall; the organizer wants all the cutleries to be placed very orderly and some changes in the position of the cutleries.

At 7.45pm, when the door was opened for the guest to enter, the organizer came over and said that the VIP table will need another 3 more people. So we will have to add another table with the same table clothes, chairs, napkins and menu of the same colour theme. Everything got to be done before the VIP guests arrive.

Everything was in a rush but we got everything done on-time. Increased in the number of guests and there will be a change in plan in the people we serve.

Today’s dinner was a 4 course western dinner with appetizer, soup, main course and dessert. So when it was time to serve, we got to go to the kitchen, queue up in a row to take the food and since we were serving the VIP table, we are the first to take the food. One person is to carry 2 plates, serving 2 guests.

I think it was quite a good experience where I get to see how the system goes.
And throughout the dinner, there were a lot of tall, skinny and pretty babes and handsome hunks around. Haha

Saw Sun Zhong Sun’s granddaughter, Nora Sun again and supermodels Gemma Ward, Du Juan and Mo Wandan in the event too.

There were some performance after dinner by some famous dancer and after dinner, it was the party at the foyer. They turned the whole foyer into a mini bar.

Helped out at the bar counter and the whole night was quite happening; the music, the people and the lightings.

Champaign was the main beverage but there were also other drinks like orange juice, vodka, whiskey, wine, etc…

And some of the guest drank a lot and got a bit too high that they started dirty dancing IN FRONT OF US.

There was this French lady that started French kissing with a few guys and she is actually a lesbian and got a girlfriend. She was even making out with this other French guy on one of the beds.

One of the guys got too high that he start dry humping himself and the organizer came over to ask him to leave as he feels that the guest went overboard.

The whole party was quite cool and working in the bar was damn tiring. Everyone is taking the drinks and we got to be fast enough to pour the drinks.

The party was supposed to end at 1am but by 1.30am, there were still a lot of guest around and the music started to change (boring/oldies song).

By 2.15am, the music stops and the lights were turned on. Everyone started packing up and tearing down all their stuffs.

Was too tired to stay behind to help them clear up and left at about 2.30am. Took a cab home, washed my face and went to bed.

Lucky work was at 2pm the next day.