The last few days have been a rollercoaster ride, which ended at an all-time peak, with me falling sick. With the ever-irritating sore throat and flu plaguing my worrisome and pathetic resistance of my health, it was no wonder that it succumbed to sickness. Nevertheless, with a constant dose of tortilla chips with nacho cheese, and the barbecued chicken pizza from Pizza Hut earlier this morning, the current state of my health can be said to be deteriorating. Food > Health. What can you do when your home is stockpiled like a supermarket, with differing variations of crackers and chips, along with a full shelf of ice-cream waiting in the refrigerator?

Forgot to mention the two-day event I participated on 8th and 9th September. It involves the usual event logistics and set-up, except that this time it is on a ship docked on international waters. Ignore those stereotypes that mention that food on a ship is tasteless and bland. Every meal period onboard brings different variety of hot food items, along with the heap of bread and not-so-soft rolls that I gathered on these hunger escapades. There was even an soft-serve ice-cream machine! The work onboard could be backbreaking at times, but it was all well-worth the effort. Most of the time were simply spent on sleeping and eating actually. S$350 for less than 2 days of work, along with a complimentary taxi ride back home was lucrative at its best. 

Bob the Builder in the making.

On the 11th of September came the time when the Chinese flower crab turned 20 at long last. Although I played no part in the total "event" logistics and planning, I am glad it turned out okay. Not great but okay only. Because we all had to return home at such an early time. Had dinner at Wild Oats at Punggol. Despite the recommendations and revelations of this place, the food was simply disappointing, with pathetic serving portions that just does not justify the prices. It's like Astons at double the price. Hail Astons! For the second time this year, the Fried Penguins™ were able to join us again, although only two were able to turn up due to some major hiccups. *cough cough*

And at the twitch of an eye, I have arrived at the 8th day of my internship. Although it takes a great deal of memory work, which I lack at the current moment in time, I am relieved that it is all going along fine. An ultra-efficient memory is needed to remember guest names and table occupied, buffet item layouts for three different meal periods, the various procedures and layout presentations. My goldfish memory just isn't up to standard. The utterly dismal staff meals at the canteen is not much of a help either. I think I can whip up better meals with my eyes closed. Seriously speaking. And there's just this lingering thought that emerges in my head. As service providers for hospitality commercial businesses targeting the lucrative business and luxury market, I cannot understand why employees are paid such pathetic wages compared to other industries. I know that the current industry standard is set so as to comply and maintain the uniformity of the hospitality business, which in layman terms refers to not "spoiling the market". It is thus no wonder so many industry professionals decide to take the leap of faith and cross over to another sector. Food for thought.

Funny how it's Friday yet it it doesn't feel like it. Looks like working too much can make you lose track of the time or day. Give me another one month and I may even forget my own name. People say TGIF but it's no difference for me because I don't really feel fatigued, except when I was working. Internship Day Three completed just like that. One positive element is that I really like my uniform. Although it's just original BESE style (Stop referencing that Gangnam Style nonsense) albeit with additional cufflinks for the french cuff. My colleagues are really delightfully gregarious and every bit welcoming. Although there is a diverse variety of nationalities such as Austrian, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Filipino and Thai, I must say that the workplace culture is really conducive and warm. Been doing the 6am shift for the past three days, which means arising at the ungodly hour of 4.20am pre-dawn. However, it translates to an arranged taxi transport waiting for me under my block every morning. Feels #likeaVIP. Finally able to get my basketball fix after three weeks being out of action. Need to continue my running regime soon as well. Getting more unfit by the second. Was supposed to have dinner outside but decided to come home to accompany my dad, who will be eating alone if I wasn't home. Even bought his favourite Sparkling Red Grape and Peach juice for him. Parents' wedding anniversary coming up in just over a month's time. Still undecided on any gifts. Guess I really hit rock-bottom when in the selection of gifts. Hope to meet up with the gang soon. Feels foreign not seeing them for days.

Awesome streak of events ever since the examinations ended. On Friday, finished the last paper I'm gonna take for years to come with more than an hour to go #likeaboss because I am an intelligent genius. Nah, it's actually because more than 80% of the entire paper was based on questions from the one past year paper that I did. Gosh I really needed that, considering the meagre pathetic coursework grade of C+ for FNB. Have to thank Mr Tai for giving us some leeway here and I'm sorry for laughing at his use of English that made no sense.

After three years, somebody still can't open his eyes while taking a photo. No offence to Asians like myself.

Headed over to katong to commence our food trail which failed miserably in the end. Started off funny when we walked one entire round in Roxy Square trying to find the exit. Had katong laksa for lunch but I got to admit that the standard of the food really declined since the last time. Went over to I12@Katong to catch "Imperfect" and "Step Up Revolution" in two separate groups. Shin and I had to leave early to meet the Fried Penguins™ at Bugis while some went off and the rest went for Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice. Had Bak Kut Teh for dinner to nullify that insatiable hunger. Went over to Clarke Quay at night to chill out at Harry's. Will always prefer pubs over clubs. Gale won a complimentary bucket of HPL beer, exactly sufficient for each of us. The pizza was also really good, not to cheesy, with a thin crust and crunchy to the palate. Walked halfway to Holiday Inn but gave up as it was rather late by then. Usual routine of bullying and disturbing wesley on the train home and his ash-green hair this time offered further opportunity for teasing and laughter.

Saturday was the birthday celebration for the King™. Decked out in all-white, he bore absolute resemblance to Elvis Presley himself, save for the differing hairstyles, a mohawk to boot. Guys had to don blue outfits, with girls in red, so as to complement the theme of USA at the party. Played FIFA with the guys and whichever team that conceded a goal had to down a shot of vodka neat each. And alas, we lost the last game 3-1. At that time, my chest was burning up. Not fun, not fun at all.

With the classmates of Freshmen year.

With the King ™  himself.

   

Soccer really does unite people.

Sunday was Tom Yum Day. Met up with semester 2.2 mateys at Golden Mile. Ordered a table full of food but strangely we were still famished. Consider the people who have been my groupmates for the past 5 semesters and I am sure they have gained weight ever since due to the countless times we snacked and gobbled food quicker than Usain Bolt during project meetings. And no, it's not my fault. I take credit instead. Bulk up, you skinny people!

Monday was "Crazy Workout Day". Played futsal at East Coast with the other HTM people at East Coast. Even though the place was sheltered, the humidity and scorching heatwaves rendered us breathless and fatigued. Maybe it's just my lack of match fitness. Headed to chong's house with Tuna after that and met Steph at tampines interchange (Who was frantically running for the bus, not a pretty sight.). Met up with the "Ching-panzee"(sorry ching) and zhiqi at Yishun and gathered all the supplies and "hunger ammunition"(aka food). Went over budget and had to return some items to the shelf. Boarded a reckless driver's bus and reached chong's house. Prepared the food at his house with the aid of his helpful mum who taught the sotong me how to prepare sotong. Went down to the pit and started the fire rather successfully. Everytime I barbeque, I slim down rather than expanding horizontally because I perspire like crazy. Furthermore, I can't really eat with my overheated body in need of a ventilator. Ended the night early as some people had to head home, some for driving and others for chalet. Stayed back for a swim and jacuzzi with tuna, chong, zhiqi and ching. The latter two decided not to swim in the end though. Both tuna and I were hurting from our wounds sustained during soccer and it was funny to see how much noise we were making when our injuries came into contact with the water.

Tuesday was "Crazy Workout Day Part II". Cycled to Punggol Waterfront and had lunch at some super remote place before cycling back. Approximately more than 10 kilometres but we did not feel the strain yet. The Ching kept attempting to push people while on the bicycle and zhiqi kept banging into things like a lamppost and a bush. Badminton at Sengkang Recreation Centre (I think?) and that was when we realised our tired legs had turned jelly. Played for 15 mins and 1 hour with an hour break in between as we booked the court from 3-4pm and 5-6pm and arrived late late for the first period. Dinner at White Tangerine over at Kovan. Baked rice was too dry and we came to a conclusion that the best item was the drinks. Standard peach tea and lemon tea though. Had Selegie Beancurd for dessert before heading home. Realised bus 81 was a loop service and retuned to the exact stop where I boarded the bus 20 minutes earlier. How silly.

How awesome is it to spend that pathetic 9 days of vacation like this! Hopefully, we can do such activities more often in future. Rage mode on earlier because stupid blogger hanged and caused me to lose almost half of the entire post without saving. Dad just came into the room and offered me snacks. And the look on his face was priceless when I declined. Must be the first time.

Photographs credited to Jocelyn, Gale, Shaun, Yiinshin and Zhiqi in no particular order.

"You can let your child live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn the piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them the right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray. The most important thing is that your child learns how to appreciate the effort, experience the difficulty and possess the ability to work with others to get things done." 

-Anonymous (edited)