A wedding to remember

Congratulations to my darling cousin Maria on her wedding to Hilal.

Christmas time

Dear all

8 eight presents in total this year. Here's the list.

Dearie - Toiletery kit (Thanks dear)
Frankie - Tie (I like)
Roszel - Tie (I like also)
Robert - Shower gel (can be use for other intentions too)
Nelson - Shaving cream
May - Cigarette case
Tanglin - Towel (Adidas ok)
My mysterious angel - Travel cube (my wishlist)

Yippee.

Helmi

The day Helmi stood still

Dear all

It's been a crazy time at work, with a new computer system to learn. New procedures set and new SOPs and bla, bla, bla. Occupancy also low these few days and many clearing leave. More work then to do. A famous boyband stayed recently, the fans are madness that's all I can say. They are all over the place and fanatical.

Realised that I watched a lot of movies recently, Quantum of Solace, Madagascar 2, Quarantine and The Day The Earth Stood Still. Iwon't go into individual movie reviews but the Keanu Reeves sci-fi thriller is a must watch.

While at work today, a certain organisation was holding a Christmas celebration party for a group of kids from a local orphanage. Kind of sad to see them, we never realised just how lucky we are. Can see the joy in their eyes in receiving their gifts.

Anyway an update to my upcoming backpacking trip, 14 more days to go. Yippee, can't wait.

Helmi

It's been a long time

Dear all

Pardon my absence from here. Been busy lately. Just a few updates. Came back from short holiday in KL last month, going on backpacking trip next month, cousin getting married end of this month AND work getting more and more busier.

Till then, take care all.

Helmi

Wedding Slideshow

For those who's getting married and looking for photographers.



Photos taken by me but ALL credits to Essential Photography.

OnQ training

Dear all

Sharing 2 photos of doing OnQ online training.
After midnight shift. In the end, fell asleep.

I'm still awake though.

Till we meet again

Helmi

Singapore Formula One

Dear all

Finally it's over, phew. Gonna go crazy soon if its gonna last a few more days. I however knew of someone (or 2 of them for that matter) who's gone crazy at work. Wanna share some thoughts of this event. People would pay hundreds or thousands for a chance to watch the F1 live, buying tickets for grandstand views or booking hotel rooms with trackside views. Hehe, I watched the race from a comfort of a 5-star hotel with track-side views, at no charge. Let's just say me and a few others are the lucky ones.

The past 5 nights, my duty at work was to ensure that nobody disturbs the 2 drivers currently staying in. I would be in close contact with them, communicating with them daily. I had to fend off fans internally and externally. Let's just say that since they'll be checking out today, I would miss my babysitting job, hehe. Before one of the drivers (the top driver actually) left for his room earlier, I shook his hand congratulating on his success and wishing him well for the future, hoping also to see him again next year. He in turn, thanked me for all the assistance rendered, saying that he's happy with staying here and will definitely be back. That's all, just a handshake. No signatures or photo requests from me.

Anyway, sharing some photos of the event.

View of the track from my location. Start of the race. Go FERRARI.Felipe Massa Heiki Kovalainen Kimi Raikonen Lewis Hamilton. And Dearie was there too, with her new camera.

More pictures can be found here.

Take care all,
Helmiton

Thrills of my job

Dear all

In any point of time, surely someone will surely ask you what's the thrill of of your current job? Previously, I pondered on this question BUT I have finally found the answer and that is......to meet celebrities, haha.

Till then.......take care.

'Helmiton' signing out.

Halfway through dreaded-midnight shift

Dear all

Monday night, went to the Hari Raya bazaar at Geylang with Dearie, nothing much there compared to previous years. Didn't buy anything much except FOOD!!! And also, due to an unfortunate incident, I was scolded by 3 transvetites, hehe.

After that, went to work. 3 constructions/renovations/refurbishments works taking place at the same time during midnight..........headache. The rest of the night was busy with the check-ins and check-outs. After work, was so tired that I slept a while at the locker room. Dozed off at 1000hrs, woke up at 1330hrs.

Tuesday night, work again. Many VIPs arriving so bosses around, more 'Kan-Cheongness' syndrome at work. Thankfully, there's no construction taking place but its so eerie and quiet. Halfway through the night, I wished for the many contractors. Our server room had relocated back to its original room, right at the end of a dark, quiet, long corridor. What's worse was, the servers are now in an enclosed room and the air-conditioning was so cold. You can only stand inside for about 5-10 mins and then you just had to get out of there. Can't understand the rationale for this. After work, slept again at the locker room. Dozed off at 1000hrs woke up at 1330hrs. AGAIN!!!!! Argh.

Thanks all

Helmi

Memories of Ho Chi Minh city

Sharing a picture of me and Dearie in HCM city last July.

Helmi

Elevator or Escalator

Dear all

Just returned from the Hilton Elevator Assessment which was held in Hilton KL from 2-4 Sept 2008. Had so much fun, faced different challenges and learnt many new things. Made new friends too.


Hoping for the best.

Helmi

Hotelier

From 'Facebook',

What is a hotelier?

"A hotelier must be a diplomat, a democrat, an acrobat, and a doormat. He must have the facility to entertain prime ministers, princes of industry, pickpockets, gamblers, bookmakers, pirates, philanthropists and prudes. He must be on both sides of the political fence and be able to jump that fence. He should be, or have been a footballer, golfer, bowler, tennis player, cricketer, dart player, sailor, pigeon fancier, motor racer or linguist, as well as have a good knowledge of any other sport involving dice, cards, horses and pool cues.

As he sometimes has to settle arguments and squabbles, he must be a qualified boxer, wrestler, weightlifter, sprinter and peacemaker. He must always look immaculate when drinking with ladies and gentlemen as well as with bankers, swankers, theatricals, commercial travellers and company representatives, even though he may have just made peace between any two, four, six or more of the aforementioned patrons. To be successful he must keep the house full, the storeroom full, the customers full, and not get full himself.

He must have staff who are clean, honest, quick workers, quick thinkers, mathematicians, technicians, and at all times on the boss' side, the customer's side, and the outside bar. To sum up: he must be outside, inside, offside, glorified, sanctified, crucified, cross-eyed and - a strong silent type."

Of course, there's always suicide.

A Pre-wed

Just a picture to share from the pre-wedding shoot did recently in Ho Chi Minh City.

Post-Birthday

Dear all

Turned 28years old few days back. Celebrated my birthday at work, working the midnight shift. Exactly at the stroke of midnight (halfway through me conducting briefing for the midnight team), Craig and the afternoon shift switched off the lights and brought out the birthday cake, singing the birthday song of course. It really caught me by surprise, hehe. This round of midnight was much better compared to previously. Much much better. Seeing that there's no incidents or cases from my shift, 'Botak' remarked that I did 'nothing' during my shift. My reply in exact words, ' Well, I did do something'.

Was OFF yesterday, me and Dear headed to the 'NATAS' fair at Singapore Expo. Dear wanted to checked if there's any promotions on flights for her upcoming Korea trip. A funny incident occurred when we are looking at internal thermal wears at one of the booths. Dearie was looking at a few choices of thermal wear when I pointed out to her of one which cost $19, as compared to others which cost more. She was browsing through when she finally looked set on buying one made of cashmere, a better quality. Furthermore it comes in a set (top and bottom), which I think was a real bargain. On my advice, I told dearie to purchased 2 sets instead of just 1. As Dearie was short of cash and there's a further promotion if settled through Citibank cards, I paid for it through my card. Imagine my shock when I was signing the bill. The bill amounted to $214 instead of $38, which I had expected. The cost of 1 set was $119, instead of $19. After discount was $107, 2 sets costs $214. Dearie said that the expression on my face was so funny. Apparently, she's aware that the price was $119 but stupid me thought its $19 all along.

After that, we headed to Marina Square. Had dinner at Swenssons, dearie's treat. Dearie also got me my birthday present, a lightweight cargo pants from Columbia. Thanks dear, I can use it for my proposed backpacking trip. Before the day ended, we watched the movie 'The Mummy'. Quite dissappointing as compared to the previous 2 Mummy movies but still a must-watch.

Anyway, will be on afternoon shifts next few days.

Thanks

Helmi

A good leader leads from the front, not from the background.
A good leader listens to advice of others around him.

1st August

New month, new beginning. Big day

Back to work

Dear all

On midnight shift after 11 days away from work.

During the 1st day at work, was running full-house. Gotta assist to clean room. Second day at work, experienced a challenging situation with a demanding guest.

How I just love my job, hehe.

Helmi

Post-Ho Chi Minh City

Dear all

Returned home on 18th July, last Friday. Was actually glad to be back in Singapore. Even though I missed HCMC these few days, I hated the weather and especially the traffic there.

Please click here for pictures taken while there. Please forgive the picture quality as I did not take much photos as compared to my previous 2 Bali trips. Besides, theres nothing much to take also, hehe.

Thanks

Helmi

ps: My next holiday hopefully will be a backpacking trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand (Start at HCMC, ending in Bangkok). Duration 3 weeks.

Greetings from Vietnam

4th day in Ho Chi Minh city. Just a picture to share.

Ho Chi Minh, here I come.

Dear all

Going to Ho Chi Minh in a few hours time, flight at 1250hrs. Will update all on my escapades while there.

Till then, take care. Will see you all again.

Helmi

Pre-'Ho Chi Minh' trip

Dear all

5 more days to the HCM trip. Can't wait. Been working lately for the past few days and will be working for next 4 days before clearing my leave, being away from work for about 11 days. SHIOK.

Went to JB today in the afternoon with Dearie. We proceeded to City Square shopping centre as Dearie intended to get contact lens. In the end, she returned to Singapore with an extra 2 shoes and me with a new jeans.

Anyway, this is me driving my Auntie's car earlier with Dearie to accompany me. Had to collect my luggage from Norain so unable to use my bike.

Thanks

Helmi

My first drive

Dear all

Over the weekends, drove my mum's van for suppers over 2 consecutive days. First day was with Dearie and my little brother. Hehe, don't wanna talk much over how it turned out.

Helmi

Driving test

Dear all

Just wanna update that I passed my driving test today, after my 2nd attempt.

Yippee.

Helmi

SEAL

Dear all

A photo of a cute seal.
Credits to Paul Ward.

Thanks
Helmi

Just a random 0630hrs post

Dear all

Last friday, me and dearie went to Newton for supper. Dearie had a craving for sting ray. Eventhough I was at Newton the day before, I still enjoyed the food there again, hehe.

The food which we ordered.

Dearie concentrating hard.

Thanks all

Helmi

Here's something for you, Dearie

Back to AM days

Dear all

These past few days, I was rotated back to desk, covering AM duties. It was kind of a much-needed break, with the whole day concentrating solely on handling guests check-ins, check-outs or special requests.

Wanna highlight a special moment which happened on Tuesday. Was checking in a well-mannered male caucasian guest when I noticed that he's holding on to a few Singapore old currency notes. And I really mean old notes, the S$1, S$5 and S$10 notes which was no longer in circulation. Seeing this, I commented to the guest that it must have been a long time since he's in Singapore and I further advised him not to spend the currencies but instead to collect it. His reply was that he's recently in Singapore last year but he was actually born in Singapore before migrating to Australia. Both his parents met while in Singapore after World War 2. His father was an engineer for the British empire and was actually imprisoned by the Japanese when Singapore fell.

On the way to the room, he was sharing his childhood experiences of playing at the Padang, entering the many colonial buildings surrounding the Padang without being stoped by the Gurkha soldiers or Indian guards then and sharing stories leading up to Singapore's independence. He further mentioned that last year, when he tried to enter those buildings which he had played around many many years back, he was stopped by the many guards and police officers.

Just before entering the room, I mentioned to him that he will like the view from the room. True enough, he stopped and admired the view for a while. Overlooking him directly was the Padang and the buildings which was his childhood playground many many years ago. At that split moment, I can see in his eyes all those happy memories many years ago.

Thanks

Helmi

Mother's day...a year ago

Dear all

13 May 2007, mother's day. The whole family had planned to celebrate but that day also was the day my grandma fell ill. Next day at 0410hrs, she passed away with all her family members by her side. The mother's day cake which we bought was left untouched. Fast forward to present day, it's been a year since grandma left us but it feels just like yesterday.

As a remembrance to her, mother's day was not celebrated by myself this year.

Anyway to end on a happy note, Happy Mother's day to all. Cherish your loved ones and treasure the moments together.

Thanks
Helmi

Just an update.

Driving test - FAILED

Bintan trip

Dear all

Me and Dearie was on my bike, on the way to my house when I asked her jokingly if she wanna go to Bintan. A quick stop at the shoulder lane of the expressway to check for her passport, grab our essential stuffs from my house, book the hotel room and then off we go to Bintan. Like what I always believe in, a last-minute holiday is the best. If it didn't go to plan, it's fine as there's no planning involved.

Me and Dearie at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

Our ferry tickets.

At Bintan.
Our room. Me at the lobby.
Dinnertime.
Sunrise. View from the room.

My cute dearie at breakfast.
Dearie walking to the beach. At the beach.
View from the main lobby.
Dearie with her souvenir

All pictures taken with Nokia N95 so please pardon the picture quality.

Thanks

Helmi

Post JPMorgan run

Dear all

You will not believe this but on 23rd April Wednesday, I joined the JPMorgan chase run together with my colleagues. It was so much fun participating except for the distance 5.6km which need to be covered. Anyway, I managed to survive barely. hehe.

Before the run, me and dearie headed to Food and Hotel Asia 2008. Still the same as the previous one, not much difference.

Driving test on 12 May, wish me luck.

Anyway, will update further.

Thanks

Helmi

Birthday cum Wedding Anniversary Chalet

Dear all

Invited to my uncle's birthday and wedding anniversary chalet. Enjoy the pictures.Food. YummyMy little brother

Birthday boy, er man blowing the candles

Our gracious hosts.

For the rest of the pictures, please click here

Thanks all

Helmi

Mini-chalet gathering

Dear all

Attended a small chalet gathering organised by fellow friends from work. Took some pictures with my newly-gotten camera, Nikon D80. Pardon the picture quality as all using onboard pop-up flash.

Dearie was there too. Seen here in the picture, limelight being stolen by Cindy. Frankie concentrating with his PSP.

The main attention to this picture is on Zul in the background on the left and not of Riza.

Expression of a person losing money at gambling, the money which was borrowed from someone else. Unable to repay the debt, Ferdaus sacrificed himself. Frankie was asleep when picture was taken. Caught in the act!!!! Hehe.

Thanks

Helmi

Mono - Life in Mono

Enjoy the video.

Mariah Carey - Without you

Dear all

This is in response to my dear neighbour, Shahidah's blog. Enjoy the song.

Updates

Dear all

Been a tiring last few days, with 12 hour shifts and 6 straight midnights. Like what my friend said, even a cow can die.

Anyway, wanna update that I've cleared practical 5 of my driving lesson. 12 May will be the day.

Helmi

ps: My posts is getting shorter and shorter, too lazy to blog nowadays.

Work sucks

Work sucks. Work sucks. Work sucks. Work sucks. Work sucks.

27th of the 27th.

Dear all

Its the 27th today. And it's also me and Dearie's 27th month anniversary. Time really flies, hehe.That's us sometime back.

Helmi

Singapore Flyer and Dinner Outing

Dear all

Sharing some pictures of the outing last Thursday.

My ticket.

Me, Jamadi and Chandran.

The aerobrige to the capsule.

Lift off.

View from the top.

Please click here for more of the series.

Helmi