Siu~V

thanks for the memories

It's only been a week in my new workplace, and what i'm not missing from my previous office is .... the freezing air-conditioning. As cold as my surrounding is, the warm reception from my new colleagues is more than welcomed. Surely being new, there's certainly much for me to pick up - new products, systems, policies, and for example, since i've been using Microsoft Outlook my whole life, now, i get to meddle with IBM's Lotus Notes.

Ya, exciting times ahead. You can just tell by the smiley face right outside my cubicle. ^^

And of course, i can't avoid the occasional feeling of 'axa-sick' (get it, like in homesick or lovesick?). Pretty normal, since i've been an AXA parasite for 9 frigging long years.

Yup, missing my cosy humble workstation that faces the wall, so no one can know that i've actually dozed off in front of my PC. Now every one of my peers would be wanting to sit there too.

My last day in AXA was the most memorable of all my days there, touched by the beautiful farewell i was given, not to mention, the surprise gifts i got! Seriously, i did not feel deserving of them.
Especially when one of my 'unawared' colleague came up to wish me 'happy birthday', seeing all my presents and the flowers. ^^

The most meaningful 'money-can't buy' card is indeed precious.Yin was right to tell me to only read it at home - it was as tear-jerking as when Jack died in Rose's arms (how can you forget that famous Titanic scene)

Look, I didn't lie when i said i was shocked at receiving my going-away pressies.

Danny's just jealous that my other team members decided to make me a little something too.

Knowing that i'll be missing the company's forthcoming annual dinner, they decided to throw one for me. The theme was similar - 'Polka Dots and Stripes'.

We had the best creative designer and decorators in town - Vivian and Charmagne, supplying elaborate cut-outs for the entire team.

The cut-outs were suited to each individual's personality.

Crazy times with some crazy people......

How i envy my sweet young juniors who are easily a dozen years younger than me!

How i truly felt the love!

Sitting at the Broking Head's desk - Yin Pheng, you're the sassiest boss i've ever known!

At Yin's work station with Jin looking sharp with her Starbucks tumbler. Jin, stop taking one entire day just to finish your coffee. (Yin, i know you'll let her see this, now that it's posted on the Internet ^^)

I was taken to a lovely dinner at Rendezvous restaurant.

Dinner with cheese fondue included!

Lighting was pretty bad there, but who cares!

The night was still young so we just had to pop over next door to Caffeinees.

I had Gingerbeer, which was literally Ginger (tea) + Heineken. haha, crazy i know.
But the night finally ended with me feeling kinda bittersweet. =.=

I will forever cherish the times of joy and pain (more joy definitely!) in the office.

We will always remain the 'Tiga Sekawan', even though we are out of sight, but never out of mind.

Stay wacky y'all!

Till we meet again!!

darren makes ripples!

darren gets his first dip in the pool today and he loved it!

he was indeed making waves today.. ^^

'see you' lunches

Yes, yours truly will embark on a new phase of life very soon.

As with every change of employment, the excitement of working in a new environment is coupled with the heartfelt goodbyes to old close-knit colleagues.

It was indeed a (too) short but meaningful 2 weeks of farewell lunches and gatherings with my beloved office-mates whom i've grown to adore and respect during my entire 9-year tenure.

So touched by their generosity and warm spirits, i know i'll miss this boisterous bunch.

Simple food...

..but meaningful lunches indeed.

So nice that i got to enjoy the good food around ...

And that included bringing me to my fave breakfast place.

My regular frenchie toast and the occasional beehoon.

Where can i get free refillable teh tarik next time?

I brought my boss to this fine Japanese restaurant called Hinata...for him to buy me lunch there.

Never before had i tasted such fresh ingredients delicately sliced and prepared by Japanese chefs right before my eyes.

The scallop and unagi - top notch. Overall, high prices but high quality as well.

Flavours are genuine and original - tasting nothing like the sushi below that Moon gave me.

an eraser, actually

I hate goodbyes so instead, i told my colleagues, 'See You!'

So, see you. ^^

hangout in genting

Dunno about you, but I love using tripadvisor when hunting for the best places to eat or affordable yet good hotels to stay, both local and overseas. So far, each of my selection has been a success story, especially during my stay in Hanoi. I always take note of the most recent comments from travelers, and remember that Asians generally tend to stinge on compliments. Or may be Westerners are more generous with compliments coz they're treated 'better'?

Anyway, ever wonder which are the best restaurants in Genting? During my 1 night stay there (and only 3 meals to spare), i decided to check out a few best places to eat according to my little owl friend below.

Imperial Rama (ranked #2) was located inside Maxims (GH Resort), so you know this Thai-Chinese restaurant is quite a posh one.

With a Chinese restaurant setting, the place was filled with impeccably polite well-dressed diners.

Prices here range from RM 10 to RM 10K (!) which can only mean they also serve some ridiculously high grade abalone, sharks fin, birds nest, etc.

On a more sensible ground, here's an indication of their single serving ala carte dishes.

This is Pork Pad Thai (RM 25) which turned out to be really good...as good as the RM 3 Pad Thai i had in Terminal 21, Bangkok.

My Seafood Tom Yam Noodle (RM 32) is the first i ever had with fresh scallops in it. Yummmeh, with the right hint of spiciness and sourness in its broth.

Well, maybe a tad too sour for some people.

Now, our dessert definitely takes the cake - Durian Tempura (RM 9.30/each).
I dare say your mouth is already watering at this picture.
Crispy and fluffy on the outside, warm creamy durian pulp on the inside. I would have lurrvvveed to order another one had it not been so blardy expensive! LOL

With lunch done, i was really looking forward to dinner time as i had planned to visit the no 1 best restaurant in Genting - Bubbles & Bites.

A nice, cosy, dim-lit hangout place ideal for young couples (like us!) and group of friends to sit and chill for hours.

Being in the cool highlands brings me back to the cold days in NZ, where a mug of hot chocolate makes the perfect comfort drink.

Dear's all-time fave Carbonara with Beef Bacon bits - he found the sauce a bit bland and too watery.

I had the Ethopian Chicken, which was this tender chicken drumstick soaked in the most wonderful spiced sauce, served with hot crispy flat bread and sour cream. Loved it!
Couldn't eat anything else after that (though i would have loved to try its desserts.... :< ).

Next morning was a blurry one.

Which could only mean i needed another round of Hot Chocolate!
Which i found in The Bakery (ranked #6).
Delightfully, they served it in a DIY kind of way. Or you could just drink the hot milk and suck on the dark chocolate afterwards.