Friday, June 30, 2006

World of Credit? Bullshit

I hereby declare no more credit card for me for at least the next few years. I am not going to get any card from now on. Dun get me wrong, i din get into financial embarrassment, neither did i owed banks a lot of money. My application for credit card was rejected for the second time. hahaha... cant believe rite?

Someone who could travel across 4 places, namely United States, Bali, Bangkok and Hong Kong within a short period of 9 months fail to obtain an unsecured loan for himself. hahaha... Is that a joke?

I wont say that i am VERY rich but not to the extend of not able to get a stupid card. Who to blame? Well, maybe banks are disgusted by the miserable pay i got, though i just managed to scrap thru the minimum requirement. Wat pple said is true, banks only help the rich, for those who have lower income, pls f*** off.

Surprisingly, some pple who misused credit cards are able to obtain another successful application easily. Eventually, these pple end up becoming bankrupt, causing banks to write off as bad debts. ha... Is that how bank works?

Anyway, the damage has been done. I have enough. I will only trust CASH and nothing else. If ever any staff from a bank roadshow intend to sell me any card, they will get it from me. I mean it. Wat's wrong with holding on to CASH?

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Unusual Experience

Wanted to blog down more on the US trip, but too many things have been going on eversince i came back. Went back to work, shared with my colleagues abt my trip. One particular colleague was so excited when i talked abt New York. She was there sometime ago and had fond memories of tat place.

We went on talking abt 15mins on the trip. I shared with her my experience in California too. It was then that i realised she used to stay in Arizona, and often travel to California too. How nice. ha... If i ever i am going to California or even Arizona again, i will seek her advice.

Life has been pretty cool except for a few glitches on work. Same problem. Visited Jurong Island on tuesday. Not everyone gets a chance to go into the island unless he is an employee there. Security was tight, there is a checkpoint where everyone need to disembarked and get screened. Looks more like an immigration custom. whahah

In the island were full of chemical plants. That is the reason why the place is so heavily protected. Afterall, million of dollars are being churned out on the island everyday. Very impt location in Singapore.

Also visited one North. Its a community of its own once fully developed. When surrounded by the buildings in Biopolis, i tot i was in some foreign place. There were many expariates and the place dun look Singapore to me. ha...

There's also Rochester Square, where all the bistro and restaurants are. They were colonial houses converted into food and beverage outlets. Very peaceful and quiet in the little village. The place is hidden from the main road, with bushes and greenery. Quite like the place, its like Bali Villa near Alexandra Road. I guess ambience will be different if we go at night.

Starting my weeklong work tomolo. Yeah. Pple start on Monday while i begin on Thursday. That also means my weekend will be spent in the office. Never mind, i am going to buy a new pair of Adidas shoes tomolo. Ha... Discount plus voucher, i think i only need to pay less than $30. yeah...

Monday, June 26, 2006

Life in Manhatten

Finally time to blog about my US trip. After the last entry from Taipei, i came back feeling tired and no mood to continue my blogging. Headed to work after a one day break at home. Fortunately, it was Saturday, and it brighten up my day after the chilling out session at double o.

To summarise, i went to both East Coast and West Coast of America. I particularly enjoy New York. I love the place, it is just so cosmopolitan, vibrant and exciting. Weather was cooling, people are warming, never fail to give you a smile. Back home in Singapore, if someone smile at you, you think these pple are trying to be funny. Singaporean attitude, i hated it.

Arrived in New York on wee hours of Saturday morning, after a long flight from Singapore. China Airlines was "good" lor, made me transit 2 times. First was in Taipei, where i waited almost 5 hours in the airport, due to some stupid delay. Then, the next stop was Anchorage, ie Alaska, Northeastern state of US. All passengers onboard were required to disembarked and clear the custom thru Anchorage.

My first time to Alaska, from the airport, i see lots of snowy cap mountain. After all, its the furtherest place that i ever been, almost near to the north pole. Took another 2 hours to clear the custom, cos security was tight. Finally boarded the plane for New York.

Once arrive at JFK airport, i took a shuttle service to midtown Manhatten. Greeted me at the hotel was hao. Yeah! Weather was good once i stepped out of the airport. Air in New York. whahaha... Slept almost immediately cos was totally worned out during the flight. Cos of that, din really suffer jet lag. hee...

Day 1
Went out early in the morning, strolled from mid town all the way till uptown. There were high rise all over Manhatten. Enjoy the mega structures and design. Got tired, we took a train to our next stop, Chinatown. Gosh, it was a place full of chinese speaking cantonese. Lots of eateries. We had our lunch there, wow, America really serve big portion. I ate till my stomach almost bloated.

Adjacent to Chinatown was little Italy, oh, the place was so lovely. People sitting outside restaurants, cafe, enjoying the views of bustling street. Everyone is in a relaxed mood. I became relaxed too, unlike the stressful life i am living now. ha...

Walked over to Brookyln bridge and sat by the river. Hao and me brought strawberries and munch our way while enjoying the view of river and beautiful bridges.Went to Wall street, the world financial centre, where billion of dollars go thru there in a day. Cos it was a Saturday, not many pple were there. NYSE was so cool, with a big US flag hanging outside the building. It just made the place so different.

Then, it was Ground Zero of World Trade Centre. Sad memories of 911. The authorities is going to build freedom tower at this very site. We became tired and got back to hotel for a much deserved rest. Din do much at night, except for another trip to Chinatown for dinner. hee, food there were cheaper. American food is expensive.

Day 2
Continue our journey to United Nation. The glass building was magnificent. Too bad it was Sunday, they din fly flags of members' country. If not, we can try to look for our crescent and 5 star flag. Wanted to go to Rockefeller Centre, then we met this puerto rico parade. 5th Avenue was closed for the procession.

I joined in the fun when someone passed me a balloon with their flag printed on it. Everyone was in a high mood, cheering and shouting away. It was interesting. The estimated crowd turnout was more than 100000 pple. ha... so i was one of them. Since road was closed, hao and i changed our intial plan.

We headed to Empire State Building. Tallest building in Manhatten after the collapse of Twin Tower, WTC. The view on 86th storey was too good to be true. It was windy but we could see almost the entire island of Manhatten. Well, we also spotted Statue of Liberty.

From there, we went to Washinton Square Park where NYU (New York University) is. The place is much peaceful with less traffic. Students were performing in the park. Residents who stayed nearby were seen strolling with their dogs, chit chatting away in the park. The type of serenity that i love.

We continue our walk to Greenwich village, where we saw lots of arty stuff. There was a street market on Christopher street, interesting. Cos i guess some students from NYU were doing their business there. Passed by Chelsea village, saw a couple of gay couples holding hand openly. There were many gay posters too. Eye catching. ha...

Before heading back to hotel for a short rest, we shopped at Macy, one of US largest shopping mall. I thought it resemble Harrold in UK for a moment. I was wrong. I feel it looks more like a factory outlet to me. ha.. Unwanted stuff to be discarded over there. But they sell expensive goods too.

At night, we went to Times Square. The neon lights were powerful. Street was busy till late night. Reminded me of Hong Kong, Mongkok. Ha... People were out to shop, for broadway shows, food. Its so vibrant, not like our home, deserted at night. Boring.

Day 3
Bright and early, we went to Liberty Island for Goddess of America, Statue of Liberty. The aura from her was magnificent. The icon of US, the symbol of freedom. After which, we took a train to Rockefeller Centre, i went for NBC studio tour. US got good studios and advanced technology. Cant compare to our mediacorp. ha...

Hao was not feeling well, he headed back to hotel while i shopped alone. Walking along 5th Ave was shiok. There were branded boutique along the street. Got myself a GAP shirt, Abercromie tshirt, a cap and a singlet. I love shopping esp in New York. whahaha....

That also comes to an end of our New York trip. On Day 4 Morning, we need to wake up early for a morning flight to LA. 6 hours flight with transit in Chicago. New York is fun, if given a choice, i dun mind to stay or even work there. ha...

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Transit in Taipei

Yoz Yoz Yoz! Been a good 2 weeks since i last blogged. Wanted to blog before i left for my US trip, but i think the server for blogger was down. I had no choice but to wait till i return from my trip.

This is the first time i blog from overseas. I am in Taipei Airport waiting for transit back home. Arrive here from Los Angeles this morning say 5.20am. Damn, my flight to Singapore is only ready for departure at 2.00pm. I wanted to make a little trip to Taipei, however, i was afraid to rush back to the airport.

Anyway, before i continue, the US trip was FANTASTIC. Money well spent and i went to many places. I shall blog in details when i reached home. Ok, the anxiety to rush back to airport was frightening. I was with Hao on the last day of our LA tour. We went to Hollywood on our own, without a proper map and stuff.

When its time to return to the hotel for departure, we almost lost our way. We got a lousy map that almost landed us into trouble. Fortunately, i was alert and notice we walked the wrong way. Eventually, we had to walk a 1-2km distance before arriving at our hotel. After this incident, i tell myself not to go ard unfamilar territories without map and readings.

I din have a proper Taiwan map and more importantly, i din read up on Taipei. So I decide to give Taipei a miss. Moreover, i want to visit taiwan in the near future. I dun have to rush thru this time.

All the waitings in the airport is really making me crazy. I was waiting in LA airport last night for 5 hours before taking off. Well, cos Hao took an earlier flight, so i had to go with him to the airport for our free airport transfer.

Shall continue roaming ard in Chiang Kai Sek Aiport a while till i take off. Oh yes, i will purchase some Tai Yang Bing and Feng Li Shu in the airport. ha... Ate them before and i find it delicious. Will be back in Singapore by 7.30pm this evening.....

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Counting Down

2 days to New York! whoo hoo... Cant wait for the day to come. Been anticipating for it after the General Election last month. Did some packing just now. Earlier in office, applied for permits, print out some stuff, check out about Taipei too. whahaha... In case, i really want to visit Taipei on my return trip.

Bought travel insurance from NTUC this morning. Thankfully, my mum brought me to the office and get it done. After which, i headed to library to borrow a copy of the travel guide.It's going to be very boring travelling alone on the long flight. I hope the book will do me good. ha...

Hao, who is already in States, sms me earlier to inform me on the weather condition. He said New York had thunderstorm, his flight might be delayed. I prayed hard that weather will clear up soon and he can arrive in time. Dun want to waste our time, after all, New York is damn expensive.

It's Mambo night. Gavin "jioed" earlier. Eventually, we both gave up and kiv till i am back from US. I guess my passion for dancing, specifically mambo is still there. Saw one regular's blog and he confessed he had the same passion despite working. To compensate, blast my own mambo music while updating. whahaha.... Another day at work tomolo before embarking a 2 wks break. yes yes yes...

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

My Amazing Race

Been very busy lately. Many things happened. My buddy is warded and i am pretty worried abt his condition. May pay him a visit this few days before i fly off to New York. Jun was sick too. Poor gal. Suffer the same fate as me. It all started because of an itchy throat.

Havent packed my stuff for the trip yet. 3 more days to go. Intend to purchase travel insurance in the morning, then rushed to work. Time is tight. Argh... However, they are worth the effort. whahaha.. Cos it is US!!!

Been reading lots of guides books. All gear up for that day. I plan to borrow a few more so that i can read on plane during the long flight. This trip has cost me a few grands. Was talking to a colleague today. She suggest i should make a trip to Taipei while i do my transit there.

Well, i am still thinking if i should do that. I will transit in Taipei for 8 hours on the return trip. If i have the money, i shall give it a shot. Then it will be the first time, i will be travelling across 2 continents on 14 days. whahaha....

Friday, June 02, 2006

See you in New York!

Just recovered from my fever. Today back to work with lots of stuff to handle. Nearly went out of breathe when i rushed ard in the office. Not only to tat, i heard my name been called all the time. So am i impt? Pui... I think making good use of me. whahaha...

Told jun that i got so many things to follow up after taking MC. Spoke to Hao just a minute ago. Summarise our upcoming trip. He is flying to Washington first for his conference. After which, i will join him in New York.

Whoo hoo... 7 days from now, i will be in USA. Very excited. This will be my second furtherest trip i ever go. Somehow, it coincides with this year's World Cup. Exactly 4 years ago, i was on a Europe trip with Hao. It was also World Cup period. Ha... I cant believe that we are doing it again.

So will i be back in some European places in 4 years time? Spain? Or even Eastern Europe? I love travelling. Oh yes! It will always be my number 1 hobby. Expensive? I agree but i love to see the world!!!

By the way, before i end my conversation, i told Hao, see you in New York, in 7 days time. So cool lor... ha... Not the usual, i meet you in Orchard Rd. whahaha... cool!!!