It had been more than 10 years we did not see each other. The last time we met was during primary 6 when everyone was still a small kid carrying heavy school bag to school.

Now we have become this…

Too bad me and the other guy were not in the first picture. I was on MC that day….too bad…:(

It was really great to be able to meet up with them as most of them were overseas. Surprisingly, I can still recognise them but they all said I have changed a lot. Mmm…

We have different professions now and it was very interesting to listen to what others were doing. But our most common topic was our teacher. Read our trauma here. It was shocking that we can still remember vividly about what happened more than 10 years ago. The funniest thing was, none of us wanted to visit our teacher because we were still pretty traumatised by the whole experience. One thing we will do in common is….if we ever bump into our teacher again, we will RUN!

It was very nice to know my friends again. Last time we did not get to know each other well enough but last night was the second chance to know each other again. They have grown into caring gentlemen who open door for lady (that’s me), keep my mobile phone and handbag for me and etc. How sweet…

Probably the next time we meet would be 5 years later. No one knows what will happen then but we vowed to keep in touch and keep our friendship alive!

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I have been so homesick and after a long negotiation, I finally got my leave to go home. It was such a blessing that my sister was able to go back as well so all of us can be together as a family again.

People always commented how cheap Air Asia was, and I was always curious about travelling with budget airline. The only way to fly to Penang from Singapore is to travel to Johor for departure. Well, I told myself that it wouldn’t be difficult even though deep inside I was very reluctant to try. I had never travelled to Johor alone before. The first time was with Watson. I was very nervous and worried, so the real adventure started this morning at 6.50a.m.

6.50 a.m – Departed from my house, took a taxi to Kranji mrt station.

7.30 a.m – Reached Kranji and was fortunate that the bus that I was going to take was just right in front of me.
The bus was super packed (as usual). I sat on the bus dashboard throughout the journey. Yes, you heard me right. The dashboard!

?? a.m – Reached checkpoint and alighted from the bus. A long queue to stamp passport. Boarded the same bus again and drove through the causeway.

?? a.m – Reached Johor checkpoint. Alighted again. I was very surprised that the queue was moving SUPER fast at the ‘Malaysian passport’ lane. Then I realised, THEY DID NOT HAVE THEIR PASSPORT STAMPED! The officers just let them went through! I was stunned but nevertheless, I went for stamping! You know, just wanted to get things right.

I was taught to travel this way but…..was given the wrong instructions…so the real ‘adventure’ started from here..

8.20 a.m – I was asked to get down at City Square (a shopping centre that is near to the Johor checkpoint) to catch an express bus to Senai Airport (Johor airport). I was walking up and down, asking around but no avail! I was sweating like a PIG and panicked like an ant in the water. Plus, I was so worried that people would rob me. (After so many reminders from so many sources) I carried my backpack on the chest and tried to blend in like a local. (Wait…I AM local..)

There were so many taxi drivers trying to ‘lure’ me to their taxis and I was so scared! I tried to speak in Malay as much as I could so I wouldn’t get cheated (but my lousy malay betrayed me).

I called my mom on the public phone (my mobile phone didn’t have auto roaming). I was screaming on the phone for directions and she was also very blurred. At the end, I used up all my coins and the phone cut off. "That’s it Cherry, you are so doomed!"

I took a deep breath, asked as many people for directions with my lousy malay as possible. Finally, I was directed to take a bus to Larkin Terminal.

8.45 a.m – Reached Larkin Terminal and found out that I needed to take another bus to Senai Airport. Got a direction to take bus 270 to Senai Airport.

9.00 a.m – After waiting for 15 minutes, the bus came. I was relieved and rushed to board the bus. BUT…the bus driver got off to take a break. I asked the person-in-charge and he said the driver ‘should’ take max. 10 minutes break. I waited in bus for 20 minutes and still can’t see the driver. I was very panicked! I was so going to be miss my flight. (my flight departed at 10.40 a.m)

9.20 a.m – I went back to the information counter again and was told to take another bus. So I ran to the bus lane to catch the bus when it was about to leave. When I alighted the bus, the driver told me that he did not give change! I used up all my coins and the smallest note I had was 5 dollars. I ran to the nearest shop to get small change while the bus waited for me in the middle of the road. The stupid shop did not have enough small change and I didn’t have time to run around. So I just took 4 x 1 dollar instead of 5. Bus the worst thing was, the driver was constantly smoking in the air-con bus throughout the journey!

I was told that the journey from Larkin to the airport was about 50 minutes…

9.35 a.m – I fell asleep on the bus (after all the running and sweating). Somehow, a little voice in my head told me that I have boarded the wrong bus despite the instruction that was given to me. So I asked the driver and it turned out to be TRUE! The bus went to Senai but not to Senai Airport! Stupid lady at the information counter. (AND the driver smoked in the bus..AGAIN!)

9.40 a.m – I alighted and waited for another bus to the airport. Luckily it came after 5 minutes. And guess who the driver was? It was the bloody driver who went for the ‘elaborated’ break!!!!! ARGH!!!

And again, he did not give change!!! I paid more I should but I told myself that it was ok, as long as it took me to my PLANE!

A water dripping, ‘no smoking’ sticker (what for?) and no change-given bus.

10.00 a.m – This driver, picked up passengers anywhere… As long as the people waved!!! Imagine how many time he stopped before reaching the airport!!!! ARGH!!! HE ALSO SMOKED in the bus with the aircon ON!!! AHH..WHAT ELSE!!??? BRING IT ON!!

I was crying out loud for help. I prayed and prayed that the plane would wait for me….

10.15 a.m – Reached the airport finally. Went straight to the Air Asia counter and guess what?? All the counters were CLOSED! There was no one at the counter and that was it…."Cherry, it is over…it is ALL over…"

Then suddenly, a lady in uniform saw me. I told her that I wanted to check in and she said:" Sorry, the counter was closed. You should have come 2 hours before departure." I almost fainted. I told her my story and how I got here with tears in my eyes. Thank god! She finally checked me in. I ran as fast as I could with my huge backpack.

Went through the scan and the officers asked me to relax. HOW TO RELAX!!!??? It was already 10.25 a.m!! I had no idea how far the gate was. If the airport is as big as Changi Airport then I am officially doomed!

I ran as fast as I could with my heavy backpack swinging on my back. As I was running up the escalator, I tripped beside a young guy and my shin knocked on the sharp corner between the tread and riser! It was so painful that I could hardly stand up. Suddenly, the guy stood beside me helped me to get up. *grin* Mm…but too bad I forgot to see his face. Man, what do you expect? I was too embarrassed to do so…..fell right next to him with the possibly most awkward position.

I managed to catch the plane and I limped all the way to my seat. The plane departed 10 minutes earlier…Instead of 10.50 a.m. Luckily I made it to the plane. Thank god!

The experience was quite new to me as we had to travel outdoor to board the plane. But I was very happy with the service on the plane. It was not as bad as what people has said. I was lucky that the flight did not delay as the majority has encountered. It only departed earlier as it should be.

Posted under Life documentaries , Travel | No Comments 

Last saturday, my friend and I went to Comex at Expo. It was a huge electronic sales and needless to say, it was PACKED! Why did I go there at the first place??? Yeah, I am still questioning myself why I actually bothered to ‘squeeze’ with people while Sim Lim has most of the cheap stuff. Anyway…

So, we went to Sony booth to look at some mp3 players. I was leaning against the counter while my friend was standing a few inches away from it. Suddenly, there was a super rude and smelly guy ‘squeezed’ his way in between us and stood right in front of my friend. My friend of course was ‘squeezed’ out of the display counter. Then he leaned against the counter and looked for his stuff like nobody business. I was standing next to him with my mouth wide open. For a split second I was just ‘stunned’! I just can’t believe there really was such rude person in this planet.

I looked at my friend and he shrugged. After all, I guess he has seen it all. So I turned to the smelly man and tapped on his shoulder. In my most gentle and polite manner, I went:

"Erm…excuse me, my friend was standing here…"

And you know what he said????

He gave me that kind of ‘duh’ and as-a-matter-of-fact look and said: "NOOO….your friend was standing there (behind). "

For a moment I thought I heard it wrongly. I can’t breathe, pupils dilated, face flushed, mouth wide open….I went speechless!!!

I copied his accent and said:"NOOO….He was standing RIGHT beside me until you pushed him out!"

And he went again with the possibly longest NO you have ever heard (copied from Russell Peter):"NOOOOO…I did not!"

I was so angry that I was so close to give him a good kick and step on his foot! But I didn’t. I just shook my head and said to him:" Man, you’re unbelievably rude…." And he dare not even look at me.

I left the counter right away. Killed all my mood. I asked my friend:"I’m fierce right? Don’t play play..!" Not sure if I have given him a fright.

Posted under Random ramblings | No Comments