It's been a long time...

First of all, SORRY! I realised I haven't been updating for quite a while as I am really getting caught up in the whirlpool of work, school and the move. 

Now that I've got some time on my hands, at least a quick update ya? HAHAHAHA.

Anyhow, the renovation is in the second phase - i.e., the time the toilets stop working and you need to take a lift to pee. HAHA. Overall progress is on track and I will be moving back home - for the last time - this weekend. Hopefully my mum (and I) will be able to clean up the house enough that my nose will not go running away from me.

Right, I am writing this in my Malaysia Home - i.e. One World Hotel. Always the first place I will book when I come to KL. 

They changed their key card designs... Was it recent? Hmm.

One World hotel is always the most welcoming place. Hahaha. Homely-even. That is why it is my home in Malaysia - more adept, KL. 

1st view from the door...

THE BEDS~! Usually I'll get a King Size bed but this time, it's 2 Queen Sized beds.

The customised welcome screen that sometime scares you when you open the door.

The welcome fruit plate - sorry, somehow this photo does not rotate right.

Last but not least, the night scenes from the room.

Room view~!

And, I am writing this - at this moment - comfortably soaking myself in the tub. Oops. Too graphic! 

OI! WHAT YOU THINKING OF? Only the legs la.. HAHAHA.

Poor legs are too tired from walking around all day from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, well not literally but yeah, you get the meaning. So, gonna peace out and enjoy my night here in One World. Cheers y'all~! ((:

WANDERER...

I'm officially wandering around, switching hotels and apartments just for a good night sleep. As mentioned, my place is undergoing renovation. My parents initially intended to move back to the house today... But it was so musky yesterday when we last saw it (yesterday)... My dad wasn't too happy about moving back.

So, late last night, I had to try my luck with LUX Suites again. Literally and figuratively, MY LAST HOPE. Thankfully, I managed to get through to them - specifically Shirley and Jeremy - and they helped me get settled in an 1 bedroom apartment. As it was a rather urgent request, checking in immediately today, they were pretty fast and prompt with the replies. THANK YOU!

Before checking out of Bay Hotel, I remembered I needed to take photos. So, please pardon the messy room...

View from our room, as mentioned by the reception "I'll give you a room with the view of Sentosa."
Yeah, I guess if you squint hard enough, you can see the word SENTOSA.

Room from the inside. Notice the main door?
And the translucent bathroom that you can see my mum's figure?

View from the door entrance into the room.

"Wardrobe", safe and the most awesome thing... THE COMPLIMENTARY MINIBAR!!!

Bath room and the water closet at a glance...

The shower room...

And finally, the water closet.

Basically Bay Hotel is really small and I feel it is more for business travelers than families. With the complimentary minibar, it is the simplest and most convenient for business travelers. So, if you're coming to Singapore on Business, you can consider Bay Hotel. Besides the small room, their service was good!

After checking out, as it was raining heavily, we had our lunch at the "STREET 50" Bar on level 1 of the hotel.

Their buffet seems to be quite valued. But Dad has trouble biting so we skipped that...

Mum's Seafood Laksa - priced at 14SGD++

Dad's Mee Goreng - priced at 14SGD++

And, finally, my steak - priced at 24SGD++

Coffee after the meal was horrible. Dad asked for a Latte which tasted just like milk and I asked for a Flat White which tasted nothing with milk. Oh wells, the main course was good and the service was good too. So... maybe skip the coffee next time you're there.

Anyhow, we went from checking out of Bay Hotel, direct to checking in at LUX Suites. Shirley was shocked that we were with our luggages already as she thought we were just going to view the place. Nonetheless, she was very friendly and got us settled in quickly!

After that, we went back to my place to see the actual situation. And, THANK GOD we did not move back. It was still as messy and more dusty/ musky than yesterday... Now that I'm settled in the apartment, I need to work on my report due next week.. Ciaos~!

RENO progress and a little more rants

Recall a few weeks ago, I mentioned my place was undergoing reno? Yeah, here's what it looks like right now.

Current Kitchen Condition - after hacking of tiles

Zoom-in on how the wall looks like. I couldn't understand why there were 2 colours for the wall.

Huge pile of soil/ sand in the house prepping for tiling.

Can you imagine your place like this? HAHAHA. The first thought that went through my mind was, "COOL~! Never knew this is how it looks like bare." But the first thought that went through my mum's mind was... "DIE! I need to clean like siao!" HAHAHAHA. See the difference? I was just carefree and enjoying the experience and my mum was already thinking of all the things she has to do after.

Anyhow, that's about all the progress I have for my place right now. Something random from yesterday. I've also mentioned previously that I am staying at the Bay Hotel right? I saw bus 131 when I left the hotel for work yesterday morning and realized it can send me to and fro from work and school. So yesterday, having ended class early, I decided to take the bus and head back to Bay Hotel. But I can’t bloody find the bus-stop.

myTransport Application on Bus Service 131's route

Google Maps with no indication of a bus-stop opposite the SOTA building.

Based on the MyTransport app, there should be a bus stop on Prinsep Street right in front of the NTUC income centre. But, if you refer to the map, you don't see it do you? There is no bus stop!!! I went around there for 15mins or so. Even went around back – when I clearly knew the back is no longer Prinsep Street – trying to locate the bus stop but I just couldn’t. I gave up on the bus idea and ended taking the train from Dhoby to Harborfront. If any of you knows where that bus stop is, please tell me! I got back alright but I forgot the hotel photos. Will take some and upload them within this week or so.

Anyhow, I took 131 to work today and it was so fast! I think I got lucky, exiting the hotel and walking to the bus stop when the bus is just arriving. Hopped on, and I got to tanjong pagar is less than 10mins. Well, traffic was good too. So, that’s a plus. For the rest of the week, I shall try to take the bus in the morning cause I can grab breakfast or at least, coffee before entering office. 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Today is the first day of school and the first of the 12 weeks in this trimester. Lecturer is common but I would like to applaud Murdoch for all the extensive unit guides. It really helps you understand your schedule and what is required of you over the short period of 12 weeks. I urge all of you, taking Murdoch degrees to read through the unit guide thoroughly.

I guess Kaplan will become my third home where I will go back every Mon, Tues and Thurs. Let’s hope that the remaining lectures are interesting and that I will have as little clashes in my work schedule as possible. 

ORIENTATION

I am so disappointed at the orientation program by Kaplan. It should not be called an orientation but just a information session. Orientations are supposed to be fun and engaging – a time for your to know your mates – but this orientation is so dry and all you do is sit and listen…

There is another session tomorrow called MUST. Don't be fooled by the name. Although it is a MUST session, it is not COMPULSORY. You can choose to go or not to go. Since I have a business trip, I will not be attending but I heard from my friend that it is just another session sharing how to do citations and stuff. So, if you know you stuff, you can choose not to go. 

The choice is yours…

HOUSE RENO~

I can’t remember if I mentioned this before but I will be renovating my place in May. So, in the meantime, I tried finding many places for temporary housing but they are all serviced apartments and they all cost a BOMB!

I’ve managed to find 2 more accommodating to my budget as follow:

JJHBoutique ApartmentsThis company has quite a few properties but I was interested in the one at Wolskel because it is so near my current place. I could pop by my house to check on the reno progress anytime. And it has easy access to Serangoon MRT. Just note that minimum stay period is 1 month and the response from the manager is not always quick.

LUX SuitesAgain, this company has quite a few properties. I am not sure if they are all located near the train stations but the one at Paya Lebar/ Aljunied was quite interesting. The minimum stay period is only 4 days and it has a POOL! You can find this listing on Airbnb as well.Sadly, the availability of LUX suites did not suit my needs. 

So, my last resort – HOTELS…

BUT SINGAPORE HOTELS ARE FREAKING EXPENSIVE!!! TMD. 

I went on agoda and tripadvisor and finally trivago. Managed to find a deal for BAY HOTEL for a week and after discussion with my parents, we decided to go for it. So, will update again in a few weeks about my stay... Hopefully it does not disappoint kind of looking forward to their ‘infinity pool’ or sorts.

FREE PANDORA!

I know there is no free lunch in the world. And there is absolutely no free Pandora. Unless you get it as a gift but that is still paid by someone. HAHA. Anyhow, Maybank is offering new customers a free Pandora bracelet with a basic charm with minimum spending of 200SGD.

The good thing about this is that you can combine transactions! Up to 3! But the bad thing is, it is only valid for the first 5000 customers. Or so it says. I don't know if this promotion will be extended. So, ladies… 

Fastest fingers…