Sunday, November 20, 2005
♥ Kiasu or Not Kiasu?
When we talk about Singapore, the first thing that comes to mind is the word -'kiasu'. I can't really recall if I know the exact meaning of the word. But one thing for sure, it is really famous in Singapore.
The other thing that would click in my mind about Singaporeis the contoversy of Pulau Batu Putih and the water agreement with the Malaysian Government.
Before Hari Raya, my boss called me into her office one day. Hearing her caliing me sent shivers down my back. The pitch of her voice was the highest note that she could reach and in my mind, I was asking myself what did I do wrong this time.
I walked in slowly and she just sat at her desk with a smile. She told me to go to Singapore for an exhibition. Fuh... what a relief. But at that instant, I got worried again about the expenses. With Raya Celebration, and Singapore and then Langkawi for another outstation duty, I was eally getting dizzy. I knew that I had to save as much for the unexpected trip to Singapore.
So, here I am in Changi Airport today as my flight to KL has been delayed half an hour. I thought Air Asia flights only have delays, but I guess MAS also have their delays as well.
I arrived in Singapore on Friday evening. The airport is still much the same as any airport. But I still feel that KLIA is the best. I checked in at the Swissótel Merchant Court. The view from the airport to the city made me gape in awe. The buildings and skyscrapers stood tall in modern architecture really made me feel small and somewhat tiny.
The shopping malls were decorated with Christmas decorations. And Christmas songs were being played here and there. There were also some new buildings under construction in the city.
I finished my duty by Saturday evening. So, after finishing my work, I went out with the others to Arab Street to get Muslim food. It's quite hard to find Muslim food in the heart of the city. We had dinner and the price (in Singapore Dollars) were quite reasonable. When it comes to foreign countries, don't try to convert each cent spent to Malaysian ringgit. If you do, you'll never spend a cent!
The other delegates (all the others are academicians and professors, so they don't have much problem when spending - unlike me), prefer to take taxis. But I'd prefer to explore new places. But the problem is that they won't let me go alone! Actually they have children my age, so they really feel that they are responsible to take care of me. How lucky right? :-).
Anyway, I did get to explore Singapore using the MRT this morning. At first, my 'roommate' planned to go to Sentosa Island. But after having time to think, I said that I'd have to pass becauseI was afraid of rushing back to check out and rushing to the airport. I am flying back alone today since they (the others) will stay back and return tomorrow due to a discussion with 2 universities here.
Well, I guess my plans were more tempting then visiting Sentosa Island because my 'roommate' agreed to go along with me. We took the MRT to Little India and walked about 3 blocks to Mustaffa Centre (a place lik Mydin in Malaysia but more organized and the things on display are all branded).
It was like a shopping heaven for us, but I knew that I had to think twice before buying anything. My 'roommate' bought a fixed line Sanyo cordless phone and chocolates while I only got myself a tube of Hãagen Dazs (the smallest tube), a bottle of mineral water and Kinder Bueno. I was craving on sweet things but I didn't even finish half of the tube of Hãagen Dazs nor opened the Kinder Bueno. Maybe I'd give the Kinder Bueno to my cousins back home.
We stopped for lunch but we only had juices and a bit of ice-cream. We went back to the hotel just in time for me to pack my things and check-out. And now, here I am at the Changi Airport writing my experience in my note book to be rewritten (retyped) in my blog.
Oh... by the way, I got myself a book - In Her Shoes, (I know the film is out and I have watched it, but I wanted to read the original story in writting) and a gift for my mom and chocolates for my colleagues. Things are sooo expensive here, so I just got them goodies (actually because I wanted to finish up my Singapore Dollars).
The plane from KL just landed and I am in the departure hall waiting to board the plane. I was stopped at the entrance of the departure hall because I was carrying manicure scissors in my handbag which I think was unnecessary (I will blog about this some other time).
So, Bon Voyage Singapore and Malaysia, I am back!
The other thing that would click in my mind about Singaporeis the contoversy of Pulau Batu Putih and the water agreement with the Malaysian Government.
Before Hari Raya, my boss called me into her office one day. Hearing her caliing me sent shivers down my back. The pitch of her voice was the highest note that she could reach and in my mind, I was asking myself what did I do wrong this time.
I walked in slowly and she just sat at her desk with a smile. She told me to go to Singapore for an exhibition. Fuh... what a relief. But at that instant, I got worried again about the expenses. With Raya Celebration, and Singapore and then Langkawi for another outstation duty, I was eally getting dizzy. I knew that I had to save as much for the unexpected trip to Singapore.
So, here I am in Changi Airport today as my flight to KL has been delayed half an hour. I thought Air Asia flights only have delays, but I guess MAS also have their delays as well.
I arrived in Singapore on Friday evening. The airport is still much the same as any airport. But I still feel that KLIA is the best. I checked in at the Swissótel Merchant Court. The view from the airport to the city made me gape in awe. The buildings and skyscrapers stood tall in modern architecture really made me feel small and somewhat tiny.
The shopping malls were decorated with Christmas decorations. And Christmas songs were being played here and there. There were also some new buildings under construction in the city.
I finished my duty by Saturday evening. So, after finishing my work, I went out with the others to Arab Street to get Muslim food. It's quite hard to find Muslim food in the heart of the city. We had dinner and the price (in Singapore Dollars) were quite reasonable. When it comes to foreign countries, don't try to convert each cent spent to Malaysian ringgit. If you do, you'll never spend a cent!
The other delegates (all the others are academicians and professors, so they don't have much problem when spending - unlike me), prefer to take taxis. But I'd prefer to explore new places. But the problem is that they won't let me go alone! Actually they have children my age, so they really feel that they are responsible to take care of me. How lucky right? :-).
Anyway, I did get to explore Singapore using the MRT this morning. At first, my 'roommate' planned to go to Sentosa Island. But after having time to think, I said that I'd have to pass becauseI was afraid of rushing back to check out and rushing to the airport. I am flying back alone today since they (the others) will stay back and return tomorrow due to a discussion with 2 universities here.
Well, I guess my plans were more tempting then visiting Sentosa Island because my 'roommate' agreed to go along with me. We took the MRT to Little India and walked about 3 blocks to Mustaffa Centre (a place lik Mydin in Malaysia but more organized and the things on display are all branded).
It was like a shopping heaven for us, but I knew that I had to think twice before buying anything. My 'roommate' bought a fixed line Sanyo cordless phone and chocolates while I only got myself a tube of Hãagen Dazs (the smallest tube), a bottle of mineral water and Kinder Bueno. I was craving on sweet things but I didn't even finish half of the tube of Hãagen Dazs nor opened the Kinder Bueno. Maybe I'd give the Kinder Bueno to my cousins back home.
We stopped for lunch but we only had juices and a bit of ice-cream. We went back to the hotel just in time for me to pack my things and check-out. And now, here I am at the Changi Airport writing my experience in my note book to be rewritten (retyped) in my blog.
Oh... by the way, I got myself a book - In Her Shoes, (I know the film is out and I have watched it, but I wanted to read the original story in writting) and a gift for my mom and chocolates for my colleagues. Things are sooo expensive here, so I just got them goodies (actually because I wanted to finish up my Singapore Dollars).
The plane from KL just landed and I am in the departure hall waiting to board the plane. I was stopped at the entrance of the departure hall because I was carrying manicure scissors in my handbag which I think was unnecessary (I will blog about this some other time).
So, Bon Voyage Singapore and Malaysia, I am back!
Am i really never good enough for you?
8:40 PM
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8:40 PM
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