When: 29th November 2008
Where: MacRitchie Reservoir Park
Starting Point: Venus Carpark
Time: 9.30am flag off

OBJECTIVE:
TO BUILD TEAM WORK & CREATIVITY AS WELL AS TO APPRECIATE THE NATURE

We had fun and here are the pictures taken with Gina's digicam. Basically, we are given a list of items and will need to take photos according to the list, with the mentioned background and specific action as stated.

I feel sick. Drank plenty of water prior, during and after my bellydance session, after which I had a Cheese Prata and a Hot Tea at Killiney's Causuarina Prata. This may not be a good combination.

My stomach started feeling funny when I board the cab at Killiney and when I got home, I actually vomited. It was all liquid. Gross, I know.

It's 1.30am now and I am still feeling nauseous. Terrible. Think I drank too much water and the prata at 8.45pm sorta bloats me up. Argh. And just in case you are thinking funny, NO, I AM NOT PREGNANT!

Boohoo.

Today is the official opening of Prosperity Kitchen at Mohammed Sultan Road and boy, my colleagues were so excited.

We headed there for lunch at 1pm as Hongkong celebrities, Raymond Lam (林峰), Kevin Cheng (鄭嘉穎) and Bobby Auyueng (歐陽震華) were officiating the launch. As we were nearing Prosperity Kitchen, there was already a crowd, both outside Prosperity Kitchen and opposite the road.

And we waited till 1.30pm before 3 lamborghinis zoomed past and stopped outside the restaurant, on the road. Out came the celebrities! Some of the fans crowding around were screaming.

My colleagues and I caught a glimpse of all three of them before we proceeded to Ah Yat Abalone for our timsum lunch. And throughout the lunch, everyone was talking about how cute Raymond Lam is and how young Kevin Cheng, at 39, looks.

All I can say is, everyone was star-struck. Or so I felt.

Shared with Ai Hwa and Sok Hui that since they are my lunch kakis, they should help me go through the detox diet program together.

Main aim is to lose weight but because it is just 2 days, we are not so hopeful. But for a start, at least can help to detox our bodies and we should do this monthly.

Just as we were talking about it today, we decided to start tomorrow. And so, I called Mummy and she was so nice as to go buy the yogurt, fruits and all for us.

Got to be disciplined next 2 days and it certainly helps that you have colleagues to share your motivation. Let's all GAMBATTE!

I was without internet for the last 5 days. Finally online now, all thanks to Dear. The Singnet guy came today and apparently, it is not the telephone filter, not is it the wire. It is my modem. Spoilt.

Dear works night today and went to his house to bring over a spare modem before heading for work. So sweet of him. Unfortunately, I got home about 8pm and did not manage to catch him. Talked for a while.

Come to think of it, don't know how I survive without the internet for 5 days. But well, it helps that I have Dear for company.

Anyway, am back to the virtual world once more!

The media can be really scary. And misleading.

The last time the press reported on AIG top executives going to St Regis Californian resort to splurge, it stirred everyone and many criticised on how AIG can be using the US$85 billion loan from The Fed for such extravagence. And in actual fact, this was a retreat for AIG's top agents, already promised prior to the whole saga. These are agents who have brought in big businesses for AIG and this retreat is their reward. It is very common for insurance companies to reward their top agents through retreats or conventions. Unfortunately, the press hyped this up negatively.

Then comes yesterday, where the press announced that The Fed has to loan AIG another US$40 billion, and AIG oweing The Fed US$150 billion now. This is absolutely inaccurate too. In fact, the Fed has purchased US$40 billion of AIG shares/equities. And now, what AIG owes the Fed is US$60 billion, to be paid over 5 years instead of the initial 3 years stated. The interest rate on the loan was also reduced by quite a bit. In short, basically AIG is sound, if not more sound than most financial institutions.

Although AIG reported the Q3 results with a US$24 billion loss, AIU reports is US$100 million profit. AIU is under AIG and AHAC is a branch operation under AIU in New York. With AIG's Q3 results released and on The Fed purchasing US$40 billion of AIG shares, AIG's shares actually went up. In fact, the market seems to be receptive or optimistic to this news.

And well, just to share, AHAC in Singapore, as at Q3, our Capital Adequacy Ratio stands at 174%, compared to MAS' 120% requirement. So, well, I gonna reiterate once more, it's Business-As-Usual here in AHAC Singapore.

So, to my dear friends out there, need not be too worried about me. I still have a job amidst this whole chaotic financial crisis affecting the globe. My only wish is, the media or press should just stop misleading the public. Now, with all the bad press, our annual Dinner & Dance will probably be cancelled. Not because we can't pay for it, but more of not knowing what or how the media gonna speculate this event. Boohoo.

Finally sneak in some time to do a review on the Revlon ColorStay® Mineral Foundation I purchased in September.

Finally visited the newly-opened StarDust by JL, at Plaza Singapura, today with my colleagues. StarDust is awesome; a beauty boutique carrying lotsa Korean and Japanese labels! For yesterday and today opening special, there is a storewide 20% discount for members.

Here are my valued buys.

Lotree - Rosa Davurica Oil Skin Care Powder.
Comes with a free compact case which is retailing about S$29.
Retails at S$60, paid S$48 after 20% discount.


Bourjois - Powder Brush.
The bristles are really smooth and do not come off as easily.
Purchasing this to use for my mineral loose powder.
Retails at S$25, paid S$20 after 20% discount.



CoEnzyme Q10 Intensive Mask & Massage Cream.
I was super blur!!!
Bought this dual pack (in a box) thinking there are 20 sheet masks inside.
Should have bought the 10 piece sheet masks pack instead!
Retails at S$36.90, paid S$18.45 after 50% discount.

Finally managed to find some time to do some showroom visitations today. Had lunch with some folks at Ubi but when I went to the showroom and met some salespersons, all exclaimed that I gained weight. Well, it has been a few months since I saw them.

I felt so demoralised and depressed. Immediately, was trying to confirm to start bellydance next Thursday. Good news is, Phyllis, Cheryl and Zijun joining me for Bellydance starting next Thursday. And I seriously need to start on my crunches. Am starting to be affected by this weight issue.

And it doesn't help that my customary wedding is next year and here I am looking like a piece of lard.

HELP!!!!

Lotsa meetings today and much as I intended to leave office at 6pm, I only left at 8.45pm. Had late dinner about 9.15pm and still got to settle some outstanding matter on the rental of my flat.

Dear knocked off late and I accompanied him to eat about 10.30pm and by the time I got home was 11.15pm. I am dead beat!

Tomorrow is another long day. GrRrrr.....

Cheryl, Zijun, Yanling and I met up for lunch at VivoCity's Sushi Tei today. ST and Roy joined us. Had fun catching up and also wished Yanling a happy birthday. Her birthday is on 6th but we are celebrating earlier.

One mood-dampen is that, Cheryl commented that I gained weight, which made me a little depressed. She is right and I am glad that my good friends are always very honest with me.

After the birthday lunch, ST, Yanling, Roy and I caught the thai movie, The Coffin. I find it not too bad. After that, the four of us went Chinatown for 'Zi Char'.

Had fun today and ate lotsa too. We should do this more often.