Wednesday 30 June 2010

it.could.just.as.well.be.a.full.moon

You know, I never believe in the whole hullaballoo about full moon and weird people. But some how if it was really a full moon, then hell, it was a night full of weirdos - well maybe two. Even so...

Weirdo #1

I was at Catford Bridge station trying to catch the train back to London Charing Cross.

There, at the far end of the platform was a guy speaking to himself or at least to his imaginary foe telling off this foe of his about how mad it is to put the cat in the microwave (oven); and that this foe of his should know better not to put the cat in the microwave.

He repeated his story again and again; facing the tracks and then turning his back and facing the wall. Repeating the story over and over again.

It was the longest 15 mins wait on the platform.

I.Was.Rather.Freaked.Out.

Weirdo #2

After I got away from Weirdo #1 and got onto the train, I thought I was smart enough to choose a carriage that was rather busy - about seven of us including another girl, for that time of the night about 1030pm.

Then this guy who was a few rows down and opposite me asked across the aisle to another guy who was few rows down from me, if he liked this country.

Guy few rows down from me didn't answer the guy across the aisle from him.

Guy across the aisle from guy few rows down from me then looked outwards of the window into the dark.

Later guy across the aisle who looked out the window got up to say something foreign to guy few rows down from me.

Guy few rows down from me said ‘huh?’.

Guy who was across the aisle but had got up then said goodbye to guy few rows down from me and then got off the train.

OMG such a freaky night!

I.Was.Further.Freaked.Out.And.I.Still.Had.To.Take.The.Tube.And.Walk.Back.To.My.Hotel.

Luckily the rest of the trip was not as freaky and even the walk back to the hotel slowly ease my tenseness.

*Sigh of relief*

Tuesday 29 June 2010

only.at.GLA


Only at Glasgow International Airport...

...Whisky tasting starts at 5am.

...If you forget to put on your face in the morning you can get it here.

...But then, why not just come at 7am to get skin care consultation before beauty make overs to look fab and start the day with dutch courage of whisky!

random.airport.rants

They changed the pick up / drop off Point in Glasgow International Airport!

Ever since the terrorist who tried to bomb Glasgow airport incident in 2007, the initial pick up / drop off point was then changed to beyond Car Park 2 building, opposite the terminal. You'll need to walk through the car park to get to the terminal. It wasn't too bad considering you are most likely walking in a straight line to the terminal. Unless you are official airport taxi, you won't be able to stop right at the front of the terminal, right near the entrance.

Then BAA, who managed the airport, changed the drop off point closer to the terminal and within Car Park 2. It was of course much better, even though you need to get out of the car park within 10 mins or you risk to pay a very expensive parking fee for pick up / drop off. The trick was to get out, go around the building and come back in again.

When I was last here at the end of May, there was rumours that the pick up / drop off point was going to change but nobody knew where it would be.

This morning, I was dropped off at the far end of the terminal, just as the start of the terminal. I guess it must've been so hush hush that work is still being done around the area. Now, my only gripe is that it seems so far away a walk to take. Especially if you are walking towards Terminal 2.

Okie, it is not such a big deal, at least you don't have to worry about your times are up.

On a separate note, it was about 5.10am when I first arrived at the airport this morning and you see loads of people coming out of the arrival hall looking as if they were just back from their sunny holidays. I had quick glance and it looked like flights from Alicante. My goodness, I wonder what time they were up and depart from their departure airport.

Still, I'm sure they had a lovely holiday.

And to close, I had a seriously close call this morning with check in. Although I had only hand luggage, I forgotten that I can't check in the usual way using the check in kiosk and the BA check in desk queue was snaking away.

Of all morning! And check in was closing at about 20-30 mins time!

Luckily, a lovely lady from BA came along to speak to a family before me, got them checked in but they still need to go down the queue because they had luggage to check in, and then the lovely BA Lady came to speak to me and got me check in and my boarding pass printed.

That was a seriously close one this morning...

OMG. Can you believe it is almost three years since the airport incident on 30 June 2007???

jumbled.up

I have so many things on my mind to blog but am having a mind block right now.

Perhaps it is still too early. I would normally still be in my bed right now waiting for the alarm to go off to morning music before the Breakfast Show.

Thursday 24 June 2010

what.a.freak!


Just as well TheOtherHalf didn't buy the flat opposite...

Mystery surrounds 'horse-boy' on Google Street View

You can see 'Horse-boy' on Google Maps here.

duh

Took the train to work this morning.

When the train arrived at my destination I was waiting for the door to open.

Then only to realise that you need to push the (doors) 'open' button.

It's been a long time since I last took the train.

The last train I took was the Underground / DLR and the doors open automatically.

How silly.

Especially when there were other rush hour commuters standing behind you waiting to get out

Saturday 19 June 2010

first.attempt

My first attempt in baking and decorating a strawberry cream cake.


It was a birthday present to a good friend, who always in his best effort try to get people together for various events and generously does the cooking as well.

Friday 18 June 2010

roasting


You've got to be kidding...

Glasgow 17th June 2010

Monday 7 June 2010

the.holy.grail.of.apc

In preparation for my long overdue Counsellor meeting this week, I found a draft post that I prepared exactly two months ago. I will share my thoughts on my latest Supervisor and Counsellor meetings in due time.

7th April 2010

This is begining of Month 31.

At Month 31, I finally had a good look at the QS Pathway Guide, in particular 'Section 1: Profile of a Newly Qualified Chartered Surveyor' and 'Section 3: Study Checklist'.

You think that when you first embark on your APC Training, the one thing that everyone worry to no end is the diary. But honestly, until you look at Section 1 & 3 of the pathway guide, you go 'how am I going to do all that in 3, 6 or 9 months time?' (depending on when you plan to sit for your Final Assessment).

*So note to you, if you have just started on your APC training, find that copy of your pathway guide and know everything you need to do for your training.*

However, all is not lost. Perhaps a lot of sacrifice to your evenings and weekends should help the progress. Otherwise, we have up until five years to qualify, that is, if you still have the motivation to last that long.

Speaking of which, my recent discussion with theotherhalf on articulation spurred me to push myself to get this APC started again and moving. Now that I know more than before, motiviation level is slowly depleting.

But no, keep focus! I need to finish this. I need to do this!

So if you are unsure where to start on your studying or how to write your diary, have a look at your pathway guide. After the RICS APC website (if you can find where everything are, searching what you want utilising the 'search function' will speed things up), and the easier to access APC Centre (both for reference and guidance), you MUST have a copy of YOUR relevant pathway guide at hand (a printed copy by your side is most useful).

Each of your comeptencies will be described in detail on what you need to know, thus, when you want to record your day-to-day expereince, you will also know which competency it should be in and what is expected of you.

Now, get moving!

Links:
QS Pathway Guide
All Pathway Guides (Click on your relevant Professional Group and then browse through the pages until you come to '...Pathway Guide')
RICS APC website
APC Centre

Saturday 5 June 2010

mid.year

I thought of starting this post with a cliché-y 'time' quote. But heck, why not start it with another cliché-y opening instead.

It is now that time of the year, the halfway point of year 2010 where everyone evaluates what has been happening in the past six months.

Are the New Year's resolutions still there?

How many to do things on the list has been completed?

I didn't start the year with any resolutions, maybe because looking back at my draft post I mentioned 'I don’t really do 'resolutions' but I had some 2010 aspirations...'

1. Further improve my work performance.
2. Complete my RICS APC training and obtain chartership.
3. Keep in better touch with my family / friends.
4. Lose some weight / tone up.
5. Learn new skills.

So halfway point:

1. My work performance ~ I would say improved a lot. Although I'm doing a mish-mash of many tasks at the same time, I do feel more motivated compared to say, seven eight months ago. I'm also very happy that my partner, I'm currently working a lot with my Senior Project Manager, has been very good at sharing responsibilities, providing me with many opportunities to step up and be part of decision making.

2. RICS APC Training ~ I admit I'm struggling with this. Time management is the key word in this task. Hopefully I will have something done, so watch out for updates and posts on this.

3. Keep in better touch ~ I'm not sure about this. When I wrote down the above aspirations on 5th January, there were some improvements. Perhaps my aspiration then was fuelled by after my dad's visit at that point, and other family matters. Then after that, all had been quiet at the family communication front. But then again, I would say that there had been some communication with my bestest buddy back home lately. So I would summarise as a rollercoaster. There's still room for improvement.

4. Lose weight ~ Ah, that age of resolution. Have I? I doubt so. Enough said. (Perhaps not putting on weight is as good. I'll need to check to make sure).

5. Learn new skills ~ hmmm... have I? To be fair, I have a few things I would love to do so I better get it moving in the next six months! Less thinking, just do it!

Keeping this short, I guess I'm at 45-60% achievement. There are lots of room, and I mean loooots of room for improvement. So let's hope that I will put in enough effort to make it better!