Sunday, February 12, 2006
What playground and library here have in commond?
They both have children running around, screaming and crying.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Oh now I look Filipino
Met a Filipino couple on the bus. I knew they were Filipino cos' they were speaking Tagalog. I knew it was Tagalog cos' I heard my Filipino friends spoke before.
They were sitting behind me. And just before they were about to alight, the guy asked me,"aRe you Filipino?"
"Nope, I am Lao."
"SoRRy!SoRRy! I thought you weRe Filipino. You look like Filipino...Have a nice holiday."
They were sitting behind me. And just before they were about to alight, the guy asked me,"aRe you Filipino?"
"Nope, I am Lao."
"SoRRy!SoRRy! I thought you weRe Filipino. You look like Filipino...Have a nice holiday."
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
I almost got into trouble over cheap porn
I went to Chinatown yesterday. Nah I wasn't there to buy cheap porn CDs. I went there to take photos.
While I was happily snapping around, a guy stopped me.
A guy: Why are you taking photos?
Me: Just to keep for myself.
A guy: Just take! Show to the police! Let them catch us! You know, other sellers won't be very happy!I can't guarantee you something might happen to you. And please don't blame me for that. We're earning the living here!...
I did take photos of the place, but none of my photos shows any one of porn-VCD shops. I walked away and the guy was still mumbling.
The rest of the day, I just tried to stay in the crowd. Just in case, the guy sent someone to hurt me. You never know. Some say Thais are the most friendliest people on earth. But I say they are also easily provoked. When they are angry, they can do unthinkable things. It's pretty scary.
Lesson learnt: be sensitive when shooting photos. Ask if not sure.
FYI, at Chinatown, there is a small lane on Chareunkrung Road selling pirated VCDs and DVDs of all kinds of movies, from Chicken Little to Deep Throat. Sellers shout"Porn! Porn! This way! This way! Newest VCDs! Japanese, Farang, Thai...Cum! Cum!" They are not shy about it and not even trying to be a little bit subtle or discreet. If you have been to JB, you know how the sellers there try to sell porn VCDs. But here at Chinatown, the sellers just put the stuff on display on a walkway. Everywhere you turn, there porn VCDs! And 2 VCDs for B100. This is overwhelming!
Oh there are police patrolling around that area. I am sure they know what's happening on the street. The porn-selling guy shouldn't have been mad at me at all.
While I was happily snapping around, a guy stopped me.
A guy: Why are you taking photos?
Me: Just to keep for myself.
A guy: Just take! Show to the police! Let them catch us! You know, other sellers won't be very happy!I can't guarantee you something might happen to you. And please don't blame me for that. We're earning the living here!...
I did take photos of the place, but none of my photos shows any one of porn-VCD shops. I walked away and the guy was still mumbling.
The rest of the day, I just tried to stay in the crowd. Just in case, the guy sent someone to hurt me. You never know. Some say Thais are the most friendliest people on earth. But I say they are also easily provoked. When they are angry, they can do unthinkable things. It's pretty scary.
Lesson learnt: be sensitive when shooting photos. Ask if not sure.
FYI, at Chinatown, there is a small lane on Chareunkrung Road selling pirated VCDs and DVDs of all kinds of movies, from Chicken Little to Deep Throat. Sellers shout"Porn! Porn! This way! This way! Newest VCDs! Japanese, Farang, Thai...Cum! Cum!" They are not shy about it and not even trying to be a little bit subtle or discreet. If you have been to JB, you know how the sellers there try to sell porn VCDs. But here at Chinatown, the sellers just put the stuff on display on a walkway. Everywhere you turn, there porn VCDs! And 2 VCDs for B100. This is overwhelming!
Oh there are police patrolling around that area. I am sure they know what's happening on the street. The porn-selling guy shouldn't have been mad at me at all.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Swaddee Bangkok
I can speak Thai and I'm proud of it. So when I visit Thailand, I speak it whenever I have a chance, with Thai people, of course.
On Thai Airway
Thai Flight Attendant: What would you like to drink, sir?
Me:(try to impress) Kho Coke Krup(in Thai, let me have Coke)
TFA:Coke, is it?(English)
Me: Khob Khoun Krup(still try)
TFA: You're welcome.
At Khao San Road's street noodle stall
Me:(after finished eating) Thao Rai Krup?(in Thai, how much)
Thai lady:Four-ty Baht(English,You Thai?
Me: Phome Khone Thai Krup(Thai, I am Thai).
Thai lady: Ao Neuk Wa Khone Khamen(oh I thought you were Cambodian).
Oops.
Still on Khao San Road
I was looking for a place to stay and asking guesthouses around. All seemed to be fully booked. I am not sure if that was really a case. The guesthouses don't accept locals. They might just say the rooms were full because they thought I was Thai. So I tried to speak English. After my second try, I got a room.
Now at Khao San Road, I speak English first, then Thai, and follow by Lao. Hey there are lots of Lao people here. There happens to be one Lao at the guesthouse I am staying now.
Like me who like to show of that I can speak Thai, locals like to speak English whenever they have a chance.
How ironic, Thai try to speak English with me. While foreigners speak Thai with me. The bad news is foreigners also tend to ask for direction from me because they think I am a local.
Today I went to King Palace, one Farang asked me where the toilet was and thanked me in Thai later.
Being able to speak Thai and looking like one has an advantage here in Bangkok. Admission to King Palace for foreigners is 250B(about S$10 plus). It's free for Thai. And I can enter without fee. All I need to do is walking straight to "For Thai tourists" Gate. And if the guard asks me, I just say a word or two in Thai. Problem solved.
And local people won't chase after me and beg me to buy things from them. I think foreigners are annoyed by this practice. No one has ever tried to chase after me, except when I take pictures and they want to see what has been captured. Other than that, they just ignore me. I am like one of them.
I fall in love with this place already. I can switch my personas as I like, be it Farang, Thai,Lao-Isan(those who live in Northern East who speak the same language as Lao), Southern Thai(Thai people in South who look like Malay), Khamen(Cambodian), Lao.
Khob Khoun Very much!
On Thai Airway
Thai Flight Attendant: What would you like to drink, sir?
Me:(try to impress) Kho Coke Krup(in Thai, let me have Coke)
TFA:Coke, is it?(English)
Me: Khob Khoun Krup(still try)
TFA: You're welcome.
At Khao San Road's street noodle stall
Me:(after finished eating) Thao Rai Krup?(in Thai, how much)
Thai lady:Four-ty Baht(English,You Thai?
Me: Phome Khone Thai Krup(Thai, I am Thai).
Thai lady: Ao Neuk Wa Khone Khamen(oh I thought you were Cambodian).
Oops.
Still on Khao San Road
I was looking for a place to stay and asking guesthouses around. All seemed to be fully booked. I am not sure if that was really a case. The guesthouses don't accept locals. They might just say the rooms were full because they thought I was Thai. So I tried to speak English. After my second try, I got a room.
Now at Khao San Road, I speak English first, then Thai, and follow by Lao. Hey there are lots of Lao people here. There happens to be one Lao at the guesthouse I am staying now.
Like me who like to show of that I can speak Thai, locals like to speak English whenever they have a chance.
How ironic, Thai try to speak English with me. While foreigners speak Thai with me. The bad news is foreigners also tend to ask for direction from me because they think I am a local.
Today I went to King Palace, one Farang asked me where the toilet was and thanked me in Thai later.
Being able to speak Thai and looking like one has an advantage here in Bangkok. Admission to King Palace for foreigners is 250B(about S$10 plus). It's free for Thai. And I can enter without fee. All I need to do is walking straight to "For Thai tourists" Gate. And if the guard asks me, I just say a word or two in Thai. Problem solved.
And local people won't chase after me and beg me to buy things from them. I think foreigners are annoyed by this practice. No one has ever tried to chase after me, except when I take pictures and they want to see what has been captured. Other than that, they just ignore me. I am like one of them.
I fall in love with this place already. I can switch my personas as I like, be it Farang, Thai,Lao-Isan(those who live in Northern East who speak the same language as Lao), Southern Thai(Thai people in South who look like Malay), Khamen(Cambodian), Lao.
Khob Khoun Very much!
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Friday, December 09, 2005
I love you so much. I have to kill you.
"The greatest creation is the life you lead." From Tarnation
"If you can't cry, speak. If you can't speak, smile. If you can't smile, just keep quiet then." From A very Long Engagement
"When two people know each other too well, it's time they broke up." From Lan Yu
(Lisa to Matt in the kitchen) "Faster" From 9 Songs
"If you can't cry, speak. If you can't speak, smile. If you can't smile, just keep quiet then." From A very Long Engagement
"When two people know each other too well, it's time they broke up." From Lan Yu
(Lisa to Matt in the kitchen) "Faster" From 9 Songs
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
I won't quit.
I'm just tired.
You are right. Things will only get better for me. I just need to work hard and be patient a little bit more.
You are right. Things will only get better for me. I just need to work hard and be patient a little bit more.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
I don't wanna die of starvation
Still have to work at the cafe for the time being. Just realized that the amount of money I would get from my Telemarketing job couldn't cover my rental fee. I worked for 3 weeks but earned lesser than S$300? Fuck! someone's cheating me! Should have kept my time-sheet. Shit!
Went to a Thai market twice this week. What was I doing here again?
Boss just told me about a couple who just checked in this afternoon,"You know why they look so tired? Hehehe they've been doing IT since this afternoon.Hehehe..." "Which room are they staying?" I asked.
At Embassy. was told not to work too hard. Funny boss and friendly colleagues I work with. Stayed late in the office for the past few days, but no complaint so far.
Before 52 kg. Now 49 kg! Really have to eat breakfast and dinner from now on.
Work hard and won't be starving. Cheers!
Went to a Thai market twice this week. What was I doing here again?
Boss just told me about a couple who just checked in this afternoon,"You know why they look so tired? Hehehe they've been doing IT since this afternoon.Hehehe..." "Which room are they staying?" I asked.
At Embassy. was told not to work too hard. Funny boss and friendly colleagues I work with. Stayed late in the office for the past few days, but no complaint so far.
Before 52 kg. Now 49 kg! Really have to eat breakfast and dinner from now on.
Work hard and won't be starving. Cheers!
Friday, August 19, 2005
If you work like a slave, you will earn like a slave too.
Met Kelvin for lunch. You know CS Kelvin? Nice and helpful guy. We talked a lot today more than we did during 4 years in school.
CS updated: Mag got married!
Went to MediaCorp to collect a jacket and pants for Gurmit Singh for a Sunday shoot.
Bombarded with Heart-Lander promo video(MUST-SEE TUESDAY) while taking bus to and fro work. So very annoying.
Got a new kid at the cafe. I have to train her. She works a full-time as a sale lady at Cityhall by day and works part-time at a cafe by night. She stays at Bedok. Just FYI.
Haven't told my boss about me wanting to stop working. Still don't know how to start. Stupid me.
Looking forward to this Sunday gathering.
CS updated: Mag got married!
Went to MediaCorp to collect a jacket and pants for Gurmit Singh for a Sunday shoot.
Bombarded with Heart-Lander promo video(MUST-SEE TUESDAY) while taking bus to and fro work. So very annoying.
Got a new kid at the cafe. I have to train her. She works a full-time as a sale lady at Cityhall by day and works part-time at a cafe by night. She stays at Bedok. Just FYI.
Haven't told my boss about me wanting to stop working. Still don't know how to start. Stupid me.
Looking forward to this Sunday gathering.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
a video editor by day, a cafe boy by night...
I am on probation. Started working today at Embassy Production as a video editor. Holland Village!
Dragged myself to Bugis for a cafe job from Holland Village. Was late for work for the first time since started few months ago.
Was asked by an Embassy boss to stop any part-time job and just focus on video editing. Problem is how am I gonna tell my cafe boss? Been lying to her, to be honest. Told her few weeks ago that I got a full-time job at Bugis as a telemarketer; I was hoping that I could stop working at her cafe. She gave me night shift work instead. It wasn't bad when two part-time jobs were near to each other; I could just walk from a telemarketing company to the cafe. Now I've been offered a real full-time job at Holland Village. How am I gonna tell(lie to) her? One crew just left the cafe today for his NS. Another one is sitting for her exams this week. She's gonna kill me if I tell her that I wanna quit now.
Was upset with my CD player last night. It can't play my pirated-Thai CD anymore.
Haven't talked much to anyone I know this past week. Messaging doesn't count.
Gonna try to sleep early tonight. Gonna have hard time getting up early for a new work. *sigh*
Dragged myself to Bugis for a cafe job from Holland Village. Was late for work for the first time since started few months ago.
Was asked by an Embassy boss to stop any part-time job and just focus on video editing. Problem is how am I gonna tell my cafe boss? Been lying to her, to be honest. Told her few weeks ago that I got a full-time job at Bugis as a telemarketer; I was hoping that I could stop working at her cafe. She gave me night shift work instead. It wasn't bad when two part-time jobs were near to each other; I could just walk from a telemarketing company to the cafe. Now I've been offered a real full-time job at Holland Village. How am I gonna tell(lie to) her? One crew just left the cafe today for his NS. Another one is sitting for her exams this week. She's gonna kill me if I tell her that I wanna quit now.
Was upset with my CD player last night. It can't play my pirated-Thai CD anymore.
Haven't talked much to anyone I know this past week. Messaging doesn't count.
Gonna try to sleep early tonight. Gonna have hard time getting up early for a new work. *sigh*
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Talk to me nicely and I will kiss your ass.
I don't mind over-working and being under-paid as long as I enjoy the work. I am not shy to say I am hard-working and responsible. But please don't shout at me or use FUCK-FUCKING-FUCKER words when talking to me. Tell me nicely and I'll even kiss your ass.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Just another day in Singapore
Got my weekly pay and went to Golden Mile Tower to watch The Wayward Cloud. Just wanted to treat myself after a long week work. Was asked if 21 yet when showed the pass. Felt disappointed a bit after the show. Walked out from the theatre last; didnt wanna be perceived as a pervert. Would feel like a film buff though if watch it at the Orchard Cineleisure.
Had a nice dinner at Thai market. Will do this often after work. Bought few CDs and books. Guilty a bit.
Housemate just got back with his girlfriend. Pesistance works wonder this time. Happy for them. Jealous though.
Got my old washing machine replaced. Tried out but later learnt after washed that I had left my tissue in one of my pants. White tissue was all over my cloths. Oh crap.
Had a nice dinner at Thai market. Will do this often after work. Bought few CDs and books. Guilty a bit.
Housemate just got back with his girlfriend. Pesistance works wonder this time. Happy for them. Jealous though.
Got my old washing machine replaced. Tried out but later learnt after washed that I had left my tissue in one of my pants. White tissue was all over my cloths. Oh crap.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Happy National Day
Slept more than 12 hours and woke up with no news from two interviews I went to last week.
Turned on TV and National Day song being played again.
Wanted to do laundry but a washing machine didnt work. So had to wash by hand.
Housemate just broke up with girlfriend.
Went to a gathering in NUS. Friends still made fun of my singlehood and kept asking if I was gay.
On the way home, cafe boss called to scold me for breaking a cup the other day. Worse, the phone died while she hadn't finished lecturing.
God Bless Singapore.
Turned on TV and National Day song being played again.
Wanted to do laundry but a washing machine didnt work. So had to wash by hand.
Housemate just broke up with girlfriend.
Went to a gathering in NUS. Friends still made fun of my singlehood and kept asking if I was gay.
On the way home, cafe boss called to scold me for breaking a cup the other day. Worse, the phone died while she hadn't finished lecturing.
God Bless Singapore.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Sometimes love and sex ain't enough in relationship...
I did everything just to be with you.
I would do anything just to please you.
I will do anything just to please and be with you.
But you said you were not mine to possess.
You said I was too jealous, and you were tired of it.
So we broke up.
I would do anything just to please you.
I will do anything just to please and be with you.
But you said you were not mine to possess.
You said I was too jealous, and you were tired of it.
So we broke up.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
At Call Center
Case #01
There is a lady with heavy make-up and a heavy American accent who also speaks the loudest of them all in the company I've been working at; when she doesn't answer the phone, she talks about her so-cool-boyfriend. When her friends have a chance to say somthing, her comment is always "THAT'S HOT!"
But that is not an annoying part. The annoying one comes when she answers the phone.
"Goodmorning!Thank you for calling; this is Rachel, how can I help you?......Have a great day, Mam! Bai Bye!" She puts down the phone and turns to her friend, "She's such a bitch! You know, she kept asking the same questions, very annoying!" Then the phone rings.
"Goodmorning! Thank you for calling, this is Rachel,how can I help you?....."
THAT'S HOT!
Case #02
Another lady sitting behind me picks up the phone:
"(With an American accent)Goodmorning! Thank you for calling. This is Joyce. How can I help you?(Pauses a bit, then replies with a heavy Singaporean accent)Like that hah? Is it?...OK we got free gift for you. You can collect your free gift next week because our free gifts are out of stock this week..."
Sometimes I wanna shout,"OK I got it! Stop your free gift already."
Case #03
There is also a Lao guy who can speak Thai, or so he claims, working under the same company as two forementioned ladies. He rehearses saying a Thai name before making every single call.
Lao guy:"(In Thai)Sawaddee Krab! May I speak to Khun Chanthana(he pronounces it as SHANthana), please?"
The other end:"It's Chanthanna(she corrects her name. CHAN should be pronounced as JAN not SHAN)Ka!
SHANthana is associated with a female-factory worker. All thanks to a popular song titled SHANTHANA. The song is about a girl named SHANTHANA who has to work in a factory for a living. Because its popularity, Thai people associate this name, SHANTHANA, with a lady who works in the factory. CHANTHANA, on the other hand, is a name for more high-class people.
The other end:"(continues)May I know which part of Thailand are you from? You don't seem to speak Thai clearly."
Lao guy:"I'm not Thai. I'm Singaporean but have been learning Thai for two years."
The other end:" Wow! Is that so? Your Thai is very good."
Lao guy: "Yeah.Well..."
There is a lady with heavy make-up and a heavy American accent who also speaks the loudest of them all in the company I've been working at; when she doesn't answer the phone, she talks about her so-cool-boyfriend. When her friends have a chance to say somthing, her comment is always "THAT'S HOT!"
But that is not an annoying part. The annoying one comes when she answers the phone.
"Goodmorning!Thank you for calling; this is Rachel, how can I help you?......Have a great day, Mam! Bai Bye!" She puts down the phone and turns to her friend, "She's such a bitch! You know, she kept asking the same questions, very annoying!" Then the phone rings.
"Goodmorning! Thank you for calling, this is Rachel,how can I help you?....."
THAT'S HOT!
Case #02
Another lady sitting behind me picks up the phone:
"(With an American accent)Goodmorning! Thank you for calling. This is Joyce. How can I help you?(Pauses a bit, then replies with a heavy Singaporean accent)Like that hah? Is it?...OK we got free gift for you. You can collect your free gift next week because our free gifts are out of stock this week..."
Sometimes I wanna shout,"OK I got it! Stop your free gift already."
Case #03
There is also a Lao guy who can speak Thai, or so he claims, working under the same company as two forementioned ladies. He rehearses saying a Thai name before making every single call.
Lao guy:"(In Thai)Sawaddee Krab! May I speak to Khun Chanthana(he pronounces it as SHANthana), please?"
The other end:"It's Chanthanna(she corrects her name. CHAN should be pronounced as JAN not SHAN)Ka!
SHANthana is associated with a female-factory worker. All thanks to a popular song titled SHANTHANA. The song is about a girl named SHANTHANA who has to work in a factory for a living. Because its popularity, Thai people associate this name, SHANTHANA, with a lady who works in the factory. CHANTHANA, on the other hand, is a name for more high-class people.
The other end:"(continues)May I know which part of Thailand are you from? You don't seem to speak Thai clearly."
Lao guy:"I'm not Thai. I'm Singaporean but have been learning Thai for two years."
The other end:" Wow! Is that so? Your Thai is very good."
Lao guy: "Yeah.Well..."
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Call Morris at 96345645 if you ever need a massage.
A guy approaches me at a Holland V bus stop.
A guy: Hi fren. You speak English?
Me: Yeah. Why?
A guy: You wanna get a massage? I do a massage for guys at my place...
Me: Nope.
A guy: My fren, where are you from?
Me: Thailand.
A guy: My name is Morris. If you have friends who wanna get a massage, call me. You wanna take down my phone numbers?...I live alone at Yishun.
A guy: Hi fren. You speak English?
Me: Yeah. Why?
A guy: You wanna get a massage? I do a massage for guys at my place...
Me: Nope.
A guy: My fren, where are you from?
Me: Thailand.
A guy: My name is Morris. If you have friends who wanna get a massage, call me. You wanna take down my phone numbers?...I live alone at Yishun.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
I can't say THANKs enough.
You have made some people very very happy. Thank you so much:
Adrain
Alvin
Dawn
Dianah
Edwin
Farah
Janet
Kok Kuan
Isabel
Qiyun
Marcel
Lian-Yi
Pan Liang
Rauda
Reza
Samantha
Simon
Soo Hian
Vika
Uma
Wanchurn
Wee Liang
Yasmin
Zhiwei
Pay
Touk
Dong
Mee
Onn
Have I missed out anyone?
I hope I can do the same thing for you, someday, somehow...
Adrain
Alvin
Dawn
Dianah
Edwin
Farah
Janet
Kok Kuan
Isabel
Qiyun
Marcel
Lian-Yi
Pan Liang
Rauda
Reza
Samantha
Simon
Soo Hian
Vika
Uma
Wanchurn
Wee Liang
Yasmin
Zhiwei
Pay
Touk
Dong
Mee
Onn
Have I missed out anyone?
I hope I can do the same thing for you, someday, somehow...
Saturday, July 23, 2005
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