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From the Attic Reflection Travel Blog

Of Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam

Grand Canyon.  That was today’s plan. Well, I woke up half an hour later and Colin was very impatient.  Seriously, I need at least seven hours’ of sleep in order to be able to drive such a long distance.  And last night, we slept late.  As I have said before, if I have to get up early the next day, we better sleep early the night before.  Also, I do need to wash my hair and so on in the morning and as for him, just wash up, dress up and go.

That goes back to the first agreement that we have – a relaxing holiday.  I think, in the end, our definition of relax is different.  For him, it is less of travel and for me, it is more of sleep.

That also make me realised that the way I treated JP was not quite right.  Last time, I always didn’t understand why she needs to sleep for ten hours and I always waited at the door impatiently for her.  That is good that I feel that way now.  At least I can truly put myself into her shoes.  After all, people are different from each other and there is no way to change.  But to understand and accommodate.  Am I right?  Pity that it is a bit too late to realise this.

Therefore, I don’t blame Colin for feeling that way.  In fact, he was quiet the whole morning.

OK.  Back to the trip.  Took an hour drive to reach the Hoover Dam which is in Arizona.  The reason of building such a dam is because of the flooding of the Colorado River.  It is the largest dam in America and it is quite spectacular.  And after visiting the dam, we rush off to Grand Canyon which took us another four hours to reach.  As pressurised by Colin, I was driving at 90 mph.  Kind of quite exciting.

Basically, the national park has a few views for us to stop.  It is the most breathtaking scene I have ever seen.  It is somewhat like a very long stretch of “cliffs” and the formation of such a wonder is still a mystery to me.  Whether it is worth of driving ten hours today is still in doubt.

The West Rim can only reach by the shuttle bus.  And we managed to catch the last bus and managed to see the sunset.  While we were in the bus, waiting to return to the part centre, there was one very old couple and one young couple.  As the conversation exchanged, we learnt that the old man has been through the World War II while the younger one has been through the Golf War.  We joked that Colin should tell them that he is from the Singapore Army and get ready to start the World War III.

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From the Attic Travel Blog

More Factory Outlets and Gambling

Second day of my holiday.  Planned to visit the Grand Canyon today but Colin changed the plan.  It is true that there isn’t any point of going there if we do not set off early in the morning.  So we had a very basic breakfast at the inn and set off to one of the factory outlet.  (Again?)

Driving in the middle of the desert was fun.  I mean I always see it in the movie and today, I was actually doing it.  Straight road (have to watch out for traffic lights) with valleys of sand all round me.  Rocky hills from a distance, bright sunlight. Just me and my car and my radio on.  It was just like a dream.

Bought a few T-shirts and really wanted to buy a pair of trousers.  Sadly, I am not fat enough to fit into any of the US size.  Swear I have to get fatter.  As for Colin, he has got some clothing as well.  Basically, we both like to shop.

Returned to MGM Grand (Casino) for buffer lunch.  The food was good.  Really good.  One of the best I have for my whole US trip so far.  I virtually clean the plate up.

After lunch, we went for another factory outlet (that’s right, again).  Spent a great deal of time there and visited the biggest shopping mall in Nevada.  Pity that we have arrived too late and we ended up in yet another book store.  Very depressed that I couldn’t get any book at all.  I think I needed more time.

Had dinner at Monte Carlo.  We paid the tips up front (paid before eating) and indeed, we were treated differently.  And the cashier actually underline the tip on the ticket.  The food was not that fantastic.  Maybe I was still too full with the heavy lunch.  One thing good about Las Vegas is that the food is very cheap. I mean for ten bucks I can have a good buffer here.  We both agree that it would have been a good place for honeymoon.

Colin spent quite a lot in gambling.  In the end, he has donated eighty bucks to the society of Las Vegas.  As for me, it is always interesting to watch the players and the play.

The whole day, I have been thinking about Uncle Pang.  Not sure if he has been to Las Vegas or not, but it will be a paradise for him.  So, I am going to send him a postcard and advise him to come over one day.  And inevitably, I have been thinking about JP.  What to do?

And right now, Colin is enjoying one of the … ahem … movie. As for me, I have seen it all.

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From the Attic Travel Blog

Goodbye Autumn, Las Vegas Here I Come!

Hey, finally today was the beginning of my holiday.  Right now, I am in Las Vegas, the city of desert full of casinos and very gorgeous women.  Okay, let’s rewind a bit and talk about what happened yesterday.

In fact, I have to go back to two nights ago.  Thursday night that is.  Well, Colin slept early but I thought of going to the Social Centre for no one would be around the subsequent night.

Went down there at eleven and met Kevin, Ciaran and their mates.  Decided to go downtown with them, we set off at eleven thirty.  There were altogether six of us.  James (American), Ciaran, Kevin, two Austrians and myself.  It was, later on, quite obvious that the two Austrians felt in love with each other.  The gorgeous little one is called Racheal and the guy is called Mack (?).  Anyway, we went to the pub called Scotland Yard and just in time for the last call (good timing, huh?).  We ordered one round of shots and each ordered their “main course”.  I ordered one beer.  In the end, we ended up having one more shot and I was basically pissed.

As it was kind of early, we decided to go the Cadelae Ranch (?).  The one I went for during my last trip (by the way, exactly one year minus two weeks ago).  We had some fun but the atmosphere was different. Last time we had (or more correctly I knew of) more nice babes. S tayed there till three thirty and had to get up at half six.

Okay, back to yesterday.  Obviously I was very tired the next day.  We finished the coding and busy doing documentation.  In the end, I think the presentation was pretty good with me doing the “keyboard man” and Ciaran be the Mr. Charm.  Autumn stopped me and examined my tie and she seemed to like my “tie of the day” as well.

Lunch time came and I felt very void.  Really missing those great guys I have meet.  I always have that kind of feeling.  One week is really too short to get to know anybody in depth.  It is just like another phase of life and one has to just move on.

Started packing up for a while and had to meet up with CH at two.  Three of us (Colin, CH and me) went to Charles Town Mall and “wasted” three and a half hours there.  If only we held the car key (which we didn’t).  CH wanted to buy toys for his kids.  What to do?

Headed off the Chicago at half five, caught in a traffic jam and for me, I just slept in the back seat of the car all the way.  Colin and I wanted Pizza but CH was the fussy one.  In the end, we ended up in the Hard Rock Café where the food was not really that fantastic.  Returned to the Centre at half past twelve, packed up my stuffs, sent a fax to Jennifer as I haven’t filled in my time report (and I can’t because the floppy drive of this notebook doesn’t work).

Hence (wrapped the long story), slept at two o’clock and have to wake up at half past five this morning.  Not enough!

The flight was at nine in the morning and arrived at Las Vegas sometime in the late afternoon (another 2 hours different).  At a first glaze, the place really looks like a desert to me (yet to find some cactuses).  But seriously, really amazed in how wonderful this place is.  Took a lot of photographs and hope they all turn out fine.

Sorting out the accommodation and the rental of the car was really a headache; but in the end, we have got it all sorted out.  The motel (called “Comfort Inn”) really looks like the one in Pulp Fiction but it is not as bad I hope.

Went out and had a very nice (and inexpensive) dinner.  We had the main course – Steak and Lobster – for just seven bucks each.  Colin gambled a few times.  The first time, he put in twenty bucks and got back the original amount (he could have more if he pulled out earlier).  The second time he walked in, he lost thirty bucks.  His favourite is the Roulette and as for me, I just don’t want to get into gambling.

Called up my Dad this afternoon and it is always a pleasure talking to my old folks.  The whole street (called the ‘Strip’) was full of neon light attraction and of course, with a lot of people.  The way that the casinos spend building those wonders is just unbelievable.  My favourite one is the Treasure Island.  At around ten, we saw a large group of people gathering outside the Treasure Island.  First I must (try to) describe this hotel.  On the right hand side of the Hotel, there was a large ship (later on found out that it is a fleet from the British Navy).  On the left hand side, there was yet another smaller one (the pirate ship).  These two ships are separated by a bridge and the ‘sea’.

At ten, music began to play.  Two pirates in a small boat rowed towards the pirate ship and the play started.  True as I predicted, the one on the right moved towards the centre of the ‘sea’ and a quarrel started.

They fired at each other and got to say that the effort was very realistic.  Water shooting off from the ‘sea’ (as cannon missed the target), building on fire (again, missed) and ship on fire.  The effort was just great and really can’t find any other words to describe it.  Anyway, in the end, the British ship sank (partially) into the sea.  Really worth the fifteen minutes wait. Mirage Hotel is great as well.  A lot of decent waterfalls and they simulated a volcano eruption.  Using a lot of fire and lighting effect.  I just love the place.

What will we do tomorrow?  You will see.

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Diary From the Attic

A Melancholic Departure

Today was Thursday.  The second last day of IBSS.  Basically I feel like the last day because it will just be a wrap up tomorrow (plus only half day).  At this very moment, I feel void.  The feeling of missing is immense.  I mean after tomorrow, I will not (probably) be seeing those guys again.  Kind of a very funny feeling.  IBSS is just too short.  One week is just enough to know somebody but not enough to know them in depth.  Seriously I really want to know them a lot better.

Just stepped out the room this morning, we bumped into Autumn.  What an awesome way to start the day.  Can’t really say I like her perfume at all (still Sophie’s one is the best), but she is very pleasant.  Or maybe just her name.

It took the team four hours to realise that their design was no good.  I must learn how to convince people to accept my design.  More clear and more explanations.

But in the end, it was fun.  Although we stayed until 10 pm, I guess ours will be one of the best.  A lot of laughter.  That makes me wonder when was the last time I really laugh happily.  Lots of hard work but I think I have learnt a great deal in the end.

Made my baggage tags today and couldn’t believe that I have to pay $2.00 for each one of them.

“Sun comes up, sun goes down.  Just when we start to get warm, the moon comes up.
People come, people go . Just when we begin to know each other, we have to part.

A different day, a different phase of life.  What can you say, when you don’t have a choice?”

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Diary From the Attic

A Girl Called Autumn, Continued

Autumn.  Autumn.  Autumn.

What a nice name!  Colin told me that she was with us in the Accent on C/S class and he may as well be right.  Somehow, I vaguely remember such a person.

In the morning, we had a group activity – Traffic Jam Problem.  The problem is six of us lined up in a row while another six (opposite team) lined up facing us.  There is an empty space in the middle and each of us can only move forward one single space or “take over” the one in front if only he/she (the one in front) is not facing in the same direction of us. (And we were the first group to figure out the solution.)

Somehow, Autumn was standing very close in front of me at some point in time.  She took a look at my tie (actually held it there) and told me that she loved this tie a lot.  She virtually loved the Zebra.

We went on for another round and when she was right in front of me, I asked if she was really called Autumn and she replied yes.  I told her that it was a really nice name.

And throughout the day, I have been thinking about her.

The day was a disaster.  I just can’t really get along with that Japanese fellow.  Too much conflict and just don’t want to mention about it right now.

Colin and I went to the beer shop and get the Honey Brown.  Got to say I had this feeling of not being of getting into the bus as our stop is the last one.  True enough, the bus was full.  So we decided to walk back.  Colin told me that it would take half an hour and in the end, we ended up walking for an hour.  Nice experience though.

Eugene did reply my last mail (and cc to Colin).  What he replied was so philosophical and it took us quite a while to figure out (still) what he was trying to say.

Looking forward to tomorrow for I shall see Autumn again.

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Diary From the Attic

A Girl Called Autumn

Second day of IBSS and to issue SIR is just my speciality.  My team-mate (an Irish – Cairan) and me, we just get along.  I mean we speak in the same language.  And the class?  Just a laugh for us.  The only thing we learn is possibly the “Advance AC Methodology (Terminology)”.

One girl called Autumn.  Isn’t that a very nice name?

Saw Derek from time to time but I am not really into making friend with him.  Not the same kind of buddy, I guess.

Went to Charles Town Mall again.  Bought the (hard covered) book – Men are from Mars … Think it’s too late to rekindle the relationship but maybe it’s a good idea to prepare myself for the “next” one.

Been thinking of how many postcards shall I send to SocGen.  Either include everybody or exclude a few (because I don’t know the names).  Really a headache.  Maybe I shall decide on Friday instead.

Pizza and beer at the social centre.  Same thing.  And we dropped by and said hi to Cairan.  That guy is really into blond girls.  And I said: Happy hunting.  And he said: I’ll send you the progress report.

Really wanted to buy the board game “Axis and Allies” but it is (a) nobody to play with me and (b) too bulking to bring back.  And when Colin volunteered to bring back for me, I think it is (c) quite expensive.  Must control my expenses.

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Diary From the Attic

Life Not Complete Without Love?

First day of IBSS (Implementing Business Solution School), very disappointed with the course.  Basically, 2 days on test condition (which is very dry) and another 2 days on Visual Basic.  Just 4 ½ days, not enough to get to know anybody in depth.  But that is the way things go, not like Accent on C/S.

In US, they really discriminate against the smokers.  Heard from one guy that US government may ban cigarette in 5 to 10 years’ time.  Possibly Singapore will do it before US.  Maybe it is a good idea, why not?

Left at five thirty, had a quick and crap dinner.  Headed for Walmart at half six.  Bought 4 CDs (and Colin bought only one) and walked into a book store.  Not really time to do any decent shopping.  Colin discovered some study notes for literature.  Hence I bought one for “Romeo and Juliet” and one for “Emma”.  Hope I will understand the literature better that way.

The last bus was full, so one of the guy called for a taxi.  Had one pizza and 2 bottles of beer at the Social Centre.  Really felt very tired and tonight we planned to sleep early.

Got to say one lady from IBSS is quite pretty.  Slim and attractive.  Hmm.

Talked about JP with Colin and before he dozed off, he suggested that we (me and JP) should sit down and talk things over.  But what is it to talk because she is very likely with another guy knowing that she can’t live without love.

And Mohamed was wrong, there is a step up transformer (the one which convert 110V to 220V) but it is too expensive and just not worth it.

Actually it is pretty sad to remain single.  Those lies about being free and single and is able to do whatever one wants.  Easy said than done.  Don’t think I will ever have the courage to come up to a girl and you know … All in all, it is just loneliness.  One’s life will not be completed without someone one loves.  The world is so big, full of emptiness and void.  Then again, it’s life and it may as well turn good later one.  Who knows?

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Diary From the Attic

Whirlwind Tour at Chicago

One of our Strategic Manger (let’s call him CH) has rented a car for the whole week (USD 160.00).  So you can guess what we do for the whole day.

Woke up by myself at six thirty mainly because the curtain was not popularly closed.  Shortly after I woke up, in the mist of trying to get back to sleep again, Colin called me up and told me that he has been awaken since four thirty.  So we went for an early breakfast.

(Met up two guys from Shanghai AC during breakfast)

Oh, not to forget to mention that before we went for breakfast, I approached the reception area and asked if it was possible to move into Colin’s room.  I first asked for the supervisor.  And the girl (pretty – Italian?) actually fixed our ‘problem’ for us.  We had some nice chats and I learnt that she just came back from Italy.

The big shopping area (or ‘outlet’) will not be opened until eleven.  Therefore we took a drive to a park (Fox Lake) and had a nice walk there.  Kind of very scenic but it was a bit too brown.  Think it will look a lot better during the summer.  Met a man who was fishing which his son and his step son (from Philippine).  Talk about hookers in LA.  Kind of nice to talk to.

And had a good lunch at T.G.I. Friday’s.

The big shopping area is called Gurnee Mills.  Bought one Zippo XIII lighter with a pretty Petty Girl picture in front.  It is really pretty and come with a trading card.  The next one I bought was a dog statue for Annie.  Hope she likes it as it is pretty big.  Finally, the book – Romeo and Juliet.  With that, I hope to understand the literature better.

Wanted to go to the theme park called Six Flags but it was booked for private party.  At first felt very disappointed but we soon another place of interest.

That is another factory outlet.  Bought three ties and one pair of Timberland shoe.  It was kind of a rush as we walked into the shop ten minutes before closing.  But we got what we wanted.

Next, we head for Chicago for a pizza.  CH was tired in the middle of the drive and I had to take over (as Colin needs to direct us).  The pizza was not that good but at least we have been to Chicago.

Well, what was I thinking of for the whole day?  I kept think that my life will not be completed without a lover (and obviously you know whom I refer to).  I can try to be happy spending all the money and time doing what I like but I have no one to share the happiness with.

And I have already set my target for the coming year 1998. That is:

  • Get promoted to consultant
  • Get my Singapore Citizenship
  • Get a girlfriend
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Diary From the Attic

Let There Be … War?

Spent the whole day composing my status report.  This time I am sure I will start a war between the Technical and Functional Team.  Knowing that there will be a big meeting between the bosses of the two teams, I don’t want to know the result.

Just too much tension between the team.  And Michel is a truly racist.  Look at Claude, I feel heartbroken.  That guy was suffering with the report.  What have I done?  I never mean to cause anyone unhappiness.  And just today, everybody wanted to work with me for a few hours.  But I just didn’t have the time.  Shame.

I dined with Claude tonight.  He took me for a very long walk and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  He has shared a lot of his thinking with me and has truly enlightened my life.  The French restaurant was a very family type and the food was okay (although Claude really enjoyed it).  I will miss him for I will only be able to see him one day when I will be back in May and he will be heading to Cairo.

We smiled, shook hands, I stepped out of the Metro at Concord.  I looked back, smiled at him and gave him a final wave. Friends …

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Diary From the Attic

So You Love My Poems?

Aurore was not in the office today (and tomorrow as well) so I walked into the office pretty late.  Anyway I had nothing better to do.  Not exactly right, I need to pass the ticket number to Ginger and tomorrow will be a public holiday in Singapore.

And I have got my business class ticket to US.  Wow!

Tonight, they have arranged a birthday party (dinner) for Grace, our AC project manager and Oliver, the BNP project manager.  Coincidentally, their birthdays fall onto the same day which is tomorrow.

The dinner was at 8:30 pm.  I left the office at six and returned to the hotel in order to download the SWIFT stuffs for Alvin.  Took me quite a while.  And planned to go the WH Smith and get some English books or/and magazine.  Reached there after seven, thinking that it will still be opened but it was closed at seven. Shame, could have made it.

Took a nice walk and sat somewhere near to the restaurant.  Waited for more than an hour and the BNP project manager arrived first.

The food was nice (French food) and I thoroughly enjoyed the dinner.  Grace told me that she loves my poems.  I was speechless.  There was ten of us altogether. What a crowd!

Still thinking of the show “Romeo + Juliet” the whole day.  See, what kind of impact has it done to me ?!