Things to smile about

August 23, 2014

1. Conversations and play time with Akif. Can’t believe my little nephew is turning 5! He’s intelligent, funny and an adorable little man.
2. The very first annual leave I’m taking after a year in this job. 2 weeks worth!
3. Flights with Mazlan, no matter how short, because when we’re working together it doesn’t feel like work.
4. Travel blogs. Because research for trips is key. And I don’t mean commercial travel blogs. I prefer personal blogs, they’re more fun and real.
5. Travel plans for the year and beyond. Solo, with friends and a family trip… There has been talks about Amsterdam, Morocco, Goa.. can’t wait for them to materialise!
6.This song.
7. September is coming, which means my favourite TV shows are gonna be back from hiatus! Think Bones, Agents of SHIELD etc!
8. This ALS ice bucket challenge by Sir Patrick Stewart
9. Hearing first hand some positive changes at work are well underway.
10. I appreciate Ummar’s efforts to make me smile when I’m pissed, even when when he knows I am giving him the cold shoulder.

LEZGO JAPAN!

August 21, 2014

I was revisiting a blog post I wrote in my old blog and thought, oh wow… I’ve actually managed to cross a whole lot of these off my Japan bucket list! Thanks to my job, I tend to fly into Japan pretty often. Till now, I am still not tired of what the amazing country has got to offer.

From its hospitable people, to the awesome food and the complex rail system, there are just so many things to experience in Japan. Unfortunately, I get mostly one-nighters in Narita; it doesn’t provide sufficient time to really explore Tokyo. I travel to the city at every chance I get though, now I am tired of Shibuya. Need to go elsewhere this time!

This trip would be the first long-ish one since Project Wanderlust, the three-weeks Thai-Laos trip I did in 2012/13 and it’s going to be pretty DIY for me too. I will be spending more time in Osaka and Kyoto, armed with a list of things to see and do before heading to Tokyo to join Arafath, Manoj, Ummar and Ummar’s friend there. Again, I am the only girl amongst the boys… as usual… but with these boys around, I have a pretty sound bodyguard team. Mischief making not insured though.

More details as we go along!

Till then.

Lazy Mid Week

August 20, 2014

It has been a while since I’ve had a quiet day at home with no plans whatsoever. There were no inclinations to make any plans at all. Had a lovely dinner with the usual gang last and that’s about all I wanted to do this time I’m home. Today was an incredibly productive day. Woke up pretty late, but gathered all my laundry and tossed them into the machine, cleared my emails, and paid outstanding bills (ugh.) I tinkered with the blog too, trying to fix things and get things to work, or not work. The task that probably soaked up most of my brain power today had to be planning for an upcoming big trip. More details later!

I don’t get these kinds of peaceful days very often, hence I treasure it every time I’m blessed with them. I go about the house makeup-free and hair pulled away from my face… perched awkwardly comfortable on my desk chair and do my stuff. As much as I try to, I stay away from Facebook and Instagram and focus on reading news, catch up on the blogs I follow, researching stuff and watching cat videos. Yes, cat videos. Occasionally, a beep from my phone would alert me of a whatsapp chat… which I may or may not reply depending on my mood….. but that’s it.

Everyone should have some time alone to themselves…. IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. What do you do on lazy days in?

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good

August 12, 2014

Processed with VSCOcam with b5 preset

Love these pictures I took last week. What made it better was that I didn’t need to tell Ummar to pose, don’t know if he realised I was taking a photo. Heh. Currently in the midst of updating the blog layout. Technical stuff, nothing interesting to blog about. What will be interesting though is the outcome. I’ve been using the same template for over six months now, and hate how little I can customise it to my own liking. That’s when I decided to go shopping for a new one.

I really like this one, with its clean layout and big, big pictures. I’m planning a major overhaul: brand new ABOUT ME and TRAVELOGUES pages, and a space for all your wonderful ads. I just need to figure out the fonts, iron out some kinks and it’ll be ready to go!

Aside from the usual crazy, hectic work, I have a lot of pictures to edit. I hope to get it done as soon as possible so I can roll it out and share it with you. Till then, please be patient while I figure out the coding jargons (I should have paid more attention in school) and perfect the not-so-perfect bits one tiptoe at a time.

The Night At the Museum

August 11, 2014

One pleasant Tuesday evening, I decided to drag Ummar to Suntec for noms and a few hours spent at the Alive Museum located on the third level of the massive shopping mall. Unlike other museum experiences where you aren’t allowed to touch the works, nor photograph them, Alive Museum offers an experience that exercises one’s perception. Often we stood in front of an exhibit and go, “How the hell does this work?” I’ll let the pictures below do the talking.

I’ve never been the one to follow rules anyway.

I was proud of my wardrobe choice that day. I ditched the skirt for a pair of jeans and THANK GOD I DID, because of rooms like the picture above. There were some exhibits that required you to lie down and/or transform you into a contortionist you never thought you were… so ladies, don’t wear skirts… or a dress.

Some exhibits did require a little bit of help unless you have a tripod or extra hands. I am not a huge fan of getting a stranger to take my photos, but… I’m glad they’re so well taken. Especially the picture above. So. Damn. Awkward. HAHAHA.

We had a ton of fun navigating through the exhibition, backtracking when we needed to because it could get pretty crowded at a particular exhibit that it was almost impossible to get a good shot. I mean, you wouldn’t want to be creating a trail of scratches on the wall with people behind you wondering what the heck are you doing right?

And of course, there are just some exhibits that even Ummar, the dude with such brilliance can’t even figure out. I just snapped a picture anyway. No one’s perfect. Now that I’ve taken the time to scrutinise it properly…. Ah, so that’s what it is! We obviously didn’t do it right.

Alive Museum is located at Suntec City Mall #03-372 (Between Towers 3 and 4)
Operating Hours: 10am – 10pm Daily (Last Admission at 9pm)
Ticket Prices: $25 (Adults), $20 (Children 3-12 yrs)

Feeling peckish after all the photo taking? From now to 30th September 2014, you can redeem free Burger King meals with purchase of a full-priced ticket! To redeem, purchase a full-priced ticket and simply like Alive Museum Singapore on their Facebook . Only redeemable at Suntec City’s BK which is conveniently located right next to the museum.

Overall we had a good time, laughs and our fair share of fails too. Thankfully I was accompanied by someone who was super sporting. My favourite exhibit was the one we couldn’t take pictures in. Shi Pei mentioned it here. I’m quite bummed she didn’t get to experience it like Ummar and I did. Our friendship will be over if I related the experience here, so… I’m just going to keep my mouth shut. If you wanna know, ask him. xD

This opportunity was made possible by omy.SG and Alive Museum Singapore.

What it’s really like to be me

August 8, 2014

5th August marked a year since I started flying. Boy, has a lot happened since. Like every other job, there are its ups and downs. People in general think the life of a cabin crew is ‘cool’ because we get to travel far and wide and get paid for it. Before, I used to think so too. I thought it was awesome to be flying around all the time. Now, a year in… I still love what I’m doing, but somehow I wished some things could change.

Each airline crew have different work patterns. Some get to go home every day, some go on trips lasting a week and get to come home. My work pattern varies. We used to get trips that were six-eight days long with a maximum of two weeks before coming home. Nowadays, our trips stretches up to 16 days, and 21 days if we were really unlucky. We get at least 8 off days at home like any other jobs, still it isn’t enough because there are times our off days are when everyone else is working.

I’ve missed out on so many things during the past year. Especially during the first six months of probation where I couldn’t take any leave, I’ve missed countless of family events, parties and worst of all, I missed my own sister’s engagement… and I wasn’t there for my cousin’s wedding. God knows how I felt being in a foreign land away from family on Hari Raya.

Family and friends get used to my absence. They even are surprised when I actually show up for something. They’d be like, “Oh, you’re back!” or “Not working, today?” or even “Is it really you?!” before asking the sure-fire, “When are you leaving next?”

Time spent away working had been a roller coaster ride; you meet the best and the worst of people. When it’s good, it’s brilliant. I’ve gone places with the crew, got into lots of mischief.. had tons of fun. Then there are times when you’re the only Singapore crew amongst the Aussie or Thai crew and you’d feel left out… I call those ‘emo trips’ and I’ve been getting those a lot lately. Those really suck.

Then you come home for a few days and you wanna do everything at once. I wanna spend time with my family, do laundry, catch up with my friends, stock up for the next trip, finally accept an invitation to a party, cut my hair, watch the latest offerings in the theatres… all those in addition to crawling into your own bed and sleep for hours at a time. It ain’t easy.

Hanging out with friends can be quite a challenge because of conflicting schedules. A year ago, Rasyidah was so excited to be starting school in the east, which meant we could see more of each other. Hahahahahaha nope. I decided to fly far away from her, and now aside from the frequent and random Whatsapp chats, we hardly see each other. Honestly, I try my best to hang out with everyone when I’m back, but it goes to show those who really care, and those who are just fleeting by. And usually the people I get to see every time I am back, are the ones who matter most.

I hardly go on trips with friends anymore because I can’t seem to get leaves when they can. While I used to be the last minute pack-my-bag-and-book-a-ticket-and-go kinda girl, I can’t afford to do it anymore. When I actually do get to go on a trip with friends…… ohhhh the feeling. Don’t get me started on ways I bend the rules to enable me to get to my other cousin’s engagement… NO WAY IN HELL AM I GONNA MISS ANOTHER ONE.

One thing I learn is things don’t stop for you when you’re gone. Change is constant. There are people I got closer to since I started this job; people who aren’t vocal about their feelings for me before I started disappearing from their faces tell me that they’ve missed me. There are people who drifted away because of the time I cannot give; relationships don’t work out because he doesn’t understand what my job entails… and right now I am in between can’t-be-bothered-with-relationships and oh-my-God-am-I-going-to-grow-old-alone-with-forty-black-cats. I can’t decide.

I have one year left in my contract before I decide to continue or shift, or clip my wings for good. In the mean time, I am Intan who’s home 8 days in a month, trying to juggle laundry, being a couch potato and having a social life. Love me, or hate me… I really don’t give a rat’s ass. Because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.

Aidilfitri: With the Unusual Suspects

August 5, 2014

Remember when I had a small birthday dinner with them at my place? Half of these people hailed from the west side of Singapore, and it’s only fitting to return the favour this raya. Naszrul lives in a part of Singapore I haven’t been in the longest time and lucky for the eastsiders (Fad, Ummar and I), Ummar decided to be nice and be our free shuttle for the day.

Like it was with the family, there was food, laughter, people looking good in their outfits, mischief making and lots of picture taking.

Naszrul’s mother prepared all the food, and that was what made it super special. My mother, as brilliant of a cook she was, never has the patience or is ever willing to cook so much for an open house. She would much rather pick up the phone, dial and order. Nas’s mum says she does a little bit of catering too, and I think that’s super awesome. I don’t think I’d be able to do that. Someday maybe.

We stayed for a really long time at his place, probably overstayed our welcome… heh. But it was a great afternoon chatting, bickering and laughing… and watching the whole of Amazing Spiderman 2. We were supposed to wait for Ming and Maureen to show up……. but they came late and Ummar had his second cup of coffee to tide him for the drive back to the east.. and I had places to go. As we were leaving, they ARRIVED. It was like deja vu, but with different people showing up as different people were leaving this time. Enough time for a wefie anyways.

My favourite couple.
At first it was just me.

And then there was him.

And then there’s an.. erm. side-fie? with the driver.

Special mention to Ummar for being such a good friend. We literally drove by my place to get to Fad’s place, and it honestly felt strange not getting off, but I was headed somewhere else. I told Ummar that he could drop me off near his place where it’s convenient so I could get a cab for the rest of the journey.

Mistake #1: He asked me how to get there. I told him I couldn’t describe the way to him, but I could guide him there.
Mistake #2: For the past 8 years we’ve been friends, frenemies.. Bicker McBickersome or whatever the hell we are.

Because ~~he couldn’t resist my charm~~ he’s such an awesome (like 10% of the time) friend, he decided to drive past the road that led to his own place to send me to my destination. I can’t thank him enough.

P.S. The red outfits were purely coincidence. Or maybe not.

Aidilfitri: With the family

August 5, 2014

WOOHOO! The past weekend had been a total blast. Two days filled with binge eating, meeting family and friends, family photo-taking and lots and lots of selfies and wefies and #OOTD. While I avoided Facebook and Instagram like plague while I was away (because, you know.. jealous), I enjoyed browsing through all the photos of my friends decked out in the stylish baju kurungs and kebayas, all out celebrating with their families and friends.

Day One was spent visiting my two grandmothers, a MUST because it’ll be the only time I’ll get to visit them during this raya period… and my two aunts’ places where I saw majority of my family whom I haven’t seen in… awhile. And by awhile I mean…. an aunt coming up to me and going, “Am I dreaming? Or is this really you standing here right in front of me?” Yes, yes… I haven’t been around. Occupational hazard. I’m always gonna miss the best parties.

I began Day Two with friends (that’ll be in a separate post) and continued with the family visiting in the evening. This time to the granduncle’s and also a grandaunt’s places… AMAZING food. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to fit into my uniform when I go back to work. But, who cares. And our last stop for the day was to my future brother-in-law’s place. My big sister’s getting married next year…. I still can’t wrap my brains round that particular fact. ~~I’ll probably grow old, loveless with a sphynx and a black cat for company. Sigh.~~

Two days of full on celebrations would be enough to tide me for when I am not home for the next few weekends. At least I get to spend time with the people who matter most. I’m going to hibernate for the rest of the week, and only crawl out if I absolutely need to. In the meantime, here’s a picture of my two precious little rugrats posing with a huge (fake) $1000 note.