The Results Show

So..curious on what happened at the Bartender's of the Year (BYC) gala dinner on Wednesday night?

well..i'm glad to announce that i got 2ND PLACE for the BYC student category. "Golden Salutations" will follow me down as an experience of a lifetime.

So during the dinner, there were LOADS of bartenders, flairers and people with years of experience from the industry. Over 30 tables were setup at the Goodwood park Windsor room. With 4 large pull down screens displaying the final events from Clarke Quay on Tuesday.

The best part of the whole dinner, besides getting to meet new friends and all, was FREE FLOW ALCOHOL!!!!! w00t!

There were suppliers displaying their products and giving away free drinks. For example, the Choya Martini was a great insight on inspiration and making a new cocktail from a base that has been loved by millions world wide.

The dinner wasn't that good, but the experience gained from the whole thing and the accomplishment's that i achieved was more than enough. I MAY join again next year, but not for the student category anymore, this time it will be the open category. The open category will be much more difficult and much much more challenging. So, lots of thought has to go in before i decide anything.

After the dinner, a bunch of us headed to China 1 @ Clarke Quay. Played some pool, drank and hung out.

After that, we headed to Dragon Fly @ St. James Power Station and well, drank some more.

Got pretty buzzed when i took the cab home. Everything just rushed up at one time lol. Luckily, i still made it home safe and sound. Got home super late and hence no school for the second time in a row.

Here are all the pix i have. Thx to Aisah and Elliott for the photography. Some are repeated from one of the last posts. so enjoy!



Before the competition!



Another Shot before the competition!



Awaiting the judges!



prepping the cocktail!



About to shake!



Garnishing the cocktail!



Top 4 Finalists!



The Competitors!



After the competition!



On stage at the finals!



Shake Shake Shake!



Stage @ Goodwood Park Hotel!



The 4 Finalists @ Goodwood Park Hotel!



Elliott, I and Brandan!



Elliott and I!



Elliott, Natalie and I! (Natalie is a competitor for Asia Pacific Cocktail from HK and also attended the John White course!)



I and Natalie!



Happy Celebrations!



Awards Ceremony! "Golden Salutation 2nd Place"

BYC Finals

So, last night was the finals of the Bartender's of the Year (BYC) Competition.

I arrived at around 4:20pm. The crew was still setting up so i stood aside and waited.

Until about 6:30pm, when i started seeing friends come down and a crowd standing by, my heart started to pump.

I was quite confident, replaying the steps in my head and trying not to fret. I thought it would be alot easier this time as i didn't have to look at a specific crowd, I could have looked far into the back.

So, after getting my garnish ready, finish setting up my tray i was set for stand by.

I was the first contestant up, with the second finalist beside me showing off our skills together at the same time.

However, after getting up on the stage, with the crowd staring at us and the lights shining in our faces, my confidence disappeared and fear took over.

Friends and support were cheering on and i was doing my cocktail, the overwhelmed crowd took me by surprise and i blacked out for a second.

I FORGOT TO MUDDLE MY APPLE CUBES! for christ sakes. I was so upset. I'm sure i lost alot of points for that. I hope that all will work out though, as the final results will be announced tonight! Overall, i believe i did quite well. I think the showmanship was there and the taste is what will make me rise above the rest, hopefully!

I felt so bad and disappointed when i got off the stage. I was in a blank for awhile until my friends came up to me and started giving me a pat on the shoulders! it was nice to know who was there to share the moment with me. It is a memory i will never forget!

Thx to Alan, Alicia, Cao Yan + boyfriend, Susanna, Xiumin, Aisah + boyfriend, Paulina, Wayne, Elliott, Jude, Thomas, Fabian, Hui Bin and to the rest if i missed ya out!

and to Eunice and Chansey for being there in spirit with me! much appreciated. Too bad you weren't there, but it's okay, i understand =)

Thx for the support and advice that i received! I hope i didn't let any of you guys down!

That's all for now, i'm headed to Goodwood Park Hotel for a gala dinner and to hear the results of the finals! wish me luck!!

Cocktail Competition!

[Song] Tech N9ne - Girl Crazy "Crazy Love"

On Saturday 21st July 2007, I joined the Student Category for the Bartender's of the Year Competition. The result was spectacular. I gained the chance to enter the finals which will happen at Clarke Quay on Tuesday 24th July 2007.

As i was preparing for this competition, i was getting utterly nervous. I never expected it to be that bad as i was quite calm for the whole week. While i was preparing my garnishes and utensils, i was getting a tad intimidated by some of the other contestants. However, with the support of my friends around, i managed to keep my cool, remember my concoction and perform better than i expected.

I would like to thank Aisah, Fabian and Hui Bin for being there and giving me support and advice when needed.

I would like to extended a special thanks to Elliot, who helped me throughout the competition. He guided me with the procedures of excellent showmanship and helped me with the garnish and concoction. Thank you so much for sticking by me. I know that i could have worked a lot harder on my smile and shake. I hope i haven't let you down.

After being entered to the finals, i had a great sense of relief and a even greater sense of accomplishment. I heard one of the judges say that "we should find out where this guy works" when i was doing my cocktail. This made me even more nervous (lol). I almost lost my sense of concentration. However, i'm very proud of myself and i'm glad that i can go up on stage once again at Clarke Quay in front of an even larger and more difficult crowd.

I was SUPER happy when one of the judges came up to me and started talking to me about my drink and bartending. He said out of the whole competition, he would only buy 2 of the drinks, which included mine. He gave me tips about cocktails in general and tips on how to remain calm during the performance (i was shaking a lot when i was pouring the alcohol in to the jiggler). He was a former editor for Wine and Dine magazine, which made me happier as he could back up what he said; He had the credentials to speak with experience. After, he made a speech to the contestants and it really made a lot of sense. For example, making a drink with complex concoctions doesn't mean it will be a good drink, simple can be just as great.

The drink was named "Golden Salutations" the concoction consisted of

Muddled apple cubes (I used Fuji apples, but any will do as well)
20mL Ciroc Vodka
10mL Bols Peach Liquor
Top up with Sparking grapefruit juice
dash of 1883 Raspberry Sryup

Garnished with apple slices and raspberry

The drink (in my opinion) is a tad sour and sweet. The color is light golden with a hint of red flowing up.

Alan's opinion was too much alcohol, that was when i was testing it out. I am proud to say that it has improved a lot since then. I hope everyone that tried it liked it, if not i hope they would tell me, so i may improve it for the future.

Anyhoo, i was quite upset when one of my trainer's came up to me asking me to change my steps and name of cocktail. He said i had too many steps because it made room for errors, which i thought was a tad insulting. I thought this competition was to show our skills and drink, not to cut out some steps. This kind of bothered me for awhile, but fret not, i will not be listening to him and i will stick to my old procedures. However, he and 1 of the judges suggested i change the name of the drink, which i will, probably to what Elliott said "beautiful goodbyes." I have this thought that my trainer asked me to skip steps because he was afraid i may bring my schools reputation down because i show that i'm nervous and un-calm. However, he also said that besides being faster, that the tasting portions would be more consistent, which is true. So, i was a bit confused but i'm sure with a bit more practice at home, i should be able to pour out just the right amount, i hope! =)

Now, to me, this was more than a competition or a drink, to me it was a sense of accomplishment and happiness.

I'm glad i took part!

here are some pix! Enjoy peace!



After the Competition =)



"Golden Salutations"

star wars vs star trek

normally when you associate star wars or star trek, you wouldn't combine the both.

Many fans of star wars dislike star trek and vice-versa. I use to think this was weird. I never liked star trek and i always thought star wars was a bit boring.

But why argue? who knows...

However, since the times of being a kid, that perception has changed.

I am officially a (semi) fan of Star Wars.

How did it happen? well, let me tell you.

I was at Sembawang music store and i saw a boxset for sale. Yup, that's right! it was the star wars boxset. I told myself, since i had nothing to do, why not go home and download it for the sake of adding it to my collection.

Hence, I downloaded all 6 episodes and i started burning them.

After watching star wars I(episode 1) i was addicted! i couldn't get over not continuing.

I'm not so sure why that happened, but after completing the 6th episode, i can happily say that, i am a (semi) star wars fan.

But Richie if your a fan why put "semi" in front of star wars?

the answer is, Yes, i do like to watch the series BUT however, i will never get so engrossed in it. Meaning i wouldn't go out and start buying action figures or clothing of star wars.

If it was TMNT, transformers, thundercats or simpsons figurines, that would be another case.

I'm not too sure why people argue about star wars and star trek but for me, i know i would never start a debate over it, especially with those nerdy kids who are so into it.

that's all for now.

If you haven't watched star wars then might i suggest renting it and giving it a try, like myself?

Everyone has wants and needs

Wants are objects that you don't really need. Eg. a car

Needs are objects that you use frequently. Eg. toothpaste

Materialistic objects can make people go crazy. For example, buying that new video game console that just released. As humans, do we really desire to purchase overpriced items for our daily needs/routines?

We probably don't, but it's the way these products are being marketed that we THINK we do. All the new designs, technologies and items that are now available on the market make it so hard to choose. Years ago, during our parents' era, they probably didn't have much to choose on. It was either 'that or this.'

In order to facilitate our lives all we really need are our basic needs. For example, shampoo, mattress etc. But do we ever consider buying a new mattress when they come out with something more advanced? or do we ever think about buying that new shampoo because it smells better? again, probably not.

It's because of these multi-million dollar corporations that our so called 'needs' are actually thought of as 'wants.' We don't need to buy that brand new HD tv ready lcd television screen to watch tv, we can do it with the old type of television sets. so is it in our normal human nature to desire? the answer is YES!

We are so blinded that we don't realize that we have been sucked into their schemes.

my needs are simple,

basic toiletries
television
internet
food
clothes
fluids (H2O, soda etc.)
and money

but my wants are so much more greater than that. To name a few;

LCD tv
new computer
a car
a house
dvd recorder
dvd handycam

and the list goes on...

These 'wants' are usually overpriced items if you can tell. 'Needs' are usually not a costly.

I'm posting this entry because i feel that alot of people don't know how to tell the difference between wants and needs. Also, to prove a fact that we as humans, all have our desires. The desire to show off our latest cell-phones and the desire to show our competent wealth.

No one would go up to you and say 'Hey, look, my new toothpaste guarantees whiter teeth in 14 days.' right?

if you do, then i have nothing else to comment on =)

i'm out. peace!

Starting school, again!

Later on in the day, or some may still consider it tmr, i will be venturing off to school to further my studies. I am pursuing a Higher Diploma in Hotel Management.

You may be asking yourselves, why don't i go for my degree straight.

the answer is simple, i don't know if i want a degree. It will take me another year or so before i can acquire it, However, after i finish this higher diploma course and if i do intend to further after, i can transfer credits over and hence a shorter school term =)

Some of you may think I'm stupid or whatever if i don't intend to further, but it doesn't really matter to me. I'm use to working from the bottom up. The only worry i have is, for instance, 10 years down the road, younger more educated kids with degrees or mba's or whatsoever come and take over, when i knew i had a chance to further into a higher education.

Oh well, I'm still young and i still have the time to re-think my situation and strategy.

Kind of sidetracked..my bad. So, the course will take 6-months and i will defiantly have a great time relaxing from my internship. The only scare is tests, exams and projects. From what i know, HDHM has a lot of projects. I think i can overcome it, since i'm so use to it but i'm just worried that it will be way too difficult, but atleast it can serve as a challenge to overcome. =)

The first semesters schedules isn't THAT bad. I still get to wake up a bit late on mondays and end early on fridays. I have 6 modules like; Human Resource, Research Methods, Managerial Accounting, Macroeconomics, Tourism Psychology and Hospitality and Tourism Marketing.

I'm so excited for Human Resource, Tourism Psychology and Hospitality and Tourism Marketing. They sound so interesting. However, i'm super doomed for the subjects with calculations. I'm gonna have to buck up for the next 6 months if i wanna pass haha!

anyhoo...

So wish me luck.

I'm off to bed.

Jeans

[Song] Hamilton Park - The Side Line

WTF?!?!

I've been in Singapore for almost 3 years and I can't find a simple pair of jeans to suit my taste.

See, the trend here for jeans is to keep in straight cut, regular cut or tight fitted.

There are occasions when i do find loose style jeans, but they are too straight down the leg.

Now, if i were back in Toronto, finding a pair of jeans would be dirt easy. Our trend (atleast back in the day) were loose, baggy and wide leg. Some people may have matured out of this stage but i'm too comfortable with it.

I can see guys wearing jeans that are so fucking tight their balls are squeezing outta their pants! damn, it's so disgusting! whatever happened to loose and comfortable? argh..

I just wish there was a place i could find a nice pair of wide leg jeans. I've been looking for a long time and the closets i can find are from levi's or polo.

argh it's pissing me off.

On top of that, i can't find any ORIGINAL phat farm, enyce, sean jean, shady or Roca wear clothing. There is however a store that sells original ecko, but their stock is limited. I think i should venture into retail and bring in these african american brands =)

it would be good money if people were into it and knew how to appreciate rather than buying fake ones from a street market (which they do).

Oh oh...and, i can't seem to find nice looking newera fitted caps or any nice flexfitted caps. There are some, but yet again it's limited!

Many people here claim that their style of dressing is 'hip hop' but they dress up in some fancy ass clothes that you would never see a hip hop artist wear. Where's the branding? the baggy ass jeans? the over sized tees and jackets? The only place that comes close in asia is in HK, but that's a understatement as well!

alright, i'm out! too vexed over the issue of clothes!

love is not all around

Just finished watching a new HK movie called "Love is Not All Around."



it's a great flick. A bit tacky, but nicely put together.

What i love about this movie, is how it portrays female and male relationships. It's amazing how people can lie and cheat to the extreme that it becomes part of their lives.

However, it made me realize that if life were a movie, it would be wonderful. There's always a happy ending. It seems that whatever tasks or obstacles that come their way it is easily solved.

In the instance of this movie, they show that love shouldn't be feared and that you should fight for what you want. Which would end up in happy ending. If it was as easy as they portrayed it on screen, then love wouldn't be so difficult for the normal joe.

How i wish my life was one of those movies. Having the ability to speak and fight for what i want and having it all bundled into a great everlasting future. Nothing is as easy as it were on screen, but just only, if i or any normal folk on the street had the guts to do what some characters on screen can do, then wouldn't life be so much meaningful?

Perhaps it's these stories and characters that make me such a movie freak. Putting my feet in the characters position for that hour and half or two and feeling what is going on around me, makes me leave this would of regret, hate and un-wantedness behind. It's like going into another world, experiencing a different type of life-style.

You may think i'm crazy, but i'm sure there's a movie out there that gives you the same feeling; you probably just don't know it yet.

I'm out and if you have a chance to watch this movie; hope you enjoy it!

an old friend

Whoa...

it was such a surprise to see an old friend. Her name is Andrea and we went to junior high and high school together. Her dad is from malaysia and her mom is singaporean. I only know 2 ppl that have a chinese-malaysian background from canada, and she was the first! =) haha!

We've known each other for 9 years and i haven't seen her in about 5 to 6. So many things have changed in our lives but we still look the same and our hearts are still as youthful as when we first knew each other.

Man, i was so happy to see her in Singapore. I'm so glad that we have facebook and friendster to keep in contact after so many fucking years.

We talked and talked and talked. The memories that were brought up and the laughter that was generated were sure indulgence. I can't believe she came to Singapore and we got to caught up.

We use to be so close back in the day. It's surprising that she is still really good friends with alot of our high school classmates. As for me, well i've lost contact with most of them. There's only a few that i'm still contacting through facebook.

Anyhoo, she's coming back next monday from malaysia, so i'm gonna treasure the 1 or 2 days that we do have. It was so great. I'm super happy that i got to meet an old friend once again.

i'm out...peace!

transformers

[song] B5 - Gotta Get Her

WHOA!!!!!

super happy today. I got to catch the Transformers movie on it's opening day.

The to Eunice for helping us book the tix, much appreciated!

The movie was so spectacular. The directing was a bit off cuz the fighting scenes were so intense that the camera wouldn't stop moving. It kind of gave me a headache.

The movie, was something like TMNT. The memories of megatron and Optimus Prime, really gave me shock from the past. It is these 2 come back movies that make me so happy. Watching a memory and interest from the past on the big screen once again really makes me happy. Kind of puts me back in the past, when there were no worries or what so ever.

Being a only child with no siblings to play with, cartoons from my era were the only things keeping me entertained. My paretns would work til late and i'd just be in front of the television all day stoning. If it weren't for these shows, i wouldn't know what i would have been doing.

anyways..

I belive overall, the movie was wicked! the fighting and the laughter made it a nice combo.

I think i can watch the movie over and over, without falling asleep haha!

the trailer:



-

On to another note. I have ended my 3 month attachment on the 26th of June. Man is it every a relief that i don't have to wake up and head to work. I guess you can call the next 6 months a semi-breather.

I know it's gonna get a bit hectic in school, with projects and exams and so forth. However, it will sure be fun to hang out with old friends for awhile before heading out to another 6 months of attachment work in dec.

I seem to have so much planned out for the next 10 days. Seems like i have no time haha!

Anyhoo, i'm off to catch up on some sleep.

Call me if your off so we can go out k? take care man!

peace!

dedicated to the elderly!

I just want to say that, i feel sorry for the elderly community!

After working at Raffles Hotel for about 3 months, i have realized how heartbroken i am to see the elderly uncles and aunties working hard day to day.

I know this one uncle, aged 75, who delivers pineapples, lemons, limes, juices and strawberries to us. He is a grandfather and his oldest grandchild is already 23 years of age.

This is the most sweetest uncle i have ever met. He is so nice and i love having conversations with him when we smoke together.

I feel sorry for him because he works 9-5 everyday, except Sundays. He walks so slow and he has to load up his trolley with items to deliver to the various outlets in the hotel alone. He always says thank you 3 times when i or anyone that helps him carry the heavy items. He is so full of history and he always talks about the past with me. It's an incite to me and it's great that he is sharing his stories with me.

I feel so sorry for him and the rest because they are still working very hard and not enjoying their lives to the fullest as they should.

I see so many uncles that seem to have so much energy and i envy them. At my age, i always feel so tired and lazy; i guess i have been so spoiled in life that i take things for granted.

The uncle always says he is bored at home, that's why he is working. I can understand that but I'm sure he wouldn't mind resting during the day and going out for coffee with his friends.

It just hurts to see them work so hard; harder then some of the young ppl too.

I guess it's a trend to get the elderly folks in Singapore to continue working after retirement. If this was Canada, it would be so discriminated upon.

It's a different picture here, and i guess there are ups and downs to the whole thing.

I just hope one day, when I'm old, i can still go on like them, as in spirit and energy. However, i would still love to enjoy my last few years to the fullest.

-

Anyhoo.....

just got myself a new toy.

I bought the Sony NW-A-808 MP3/MP4 player.

Retail cost of S$479 + freebies.

I got the 8gig in black (the only color it comes in).

It's a little bigger than the Ipod Nano, but it can play videos and photos and the screen is about 2 inches, if I'm not wrong.

I haven't stopped fiddling with it since ytd lol!

the only downside is that the music transfer from computer to player is slow! but overall it's just wicked! haha!

the official website for pix and specs is at

http://www.sony.com.sg/walkman/a800/

here's a pic!




I'm out! peace!

slips and pants

[song] Dons & Tricosta - Listen To Your Heart

This issue has bothered me since the first time i came to Singapore, apporx. 3 yrs back.

I hate it, with a strong passion, when guys where slippers or sandals with jeans, chino, khakis or any type of long pants.

I find it disturbing and irritating when i see guys dress like that.

I'm just discussing the issue now, because on my way back from home today, i saw a young chinese man, where a nice pleated suit with sandals, which disgusted the hell out of me.

I believe, in theoretical terms, that slippers or sandals should be paired with shorts or bermudas.

Everytime i see a guy where long pants with slippers, i utter in disgust. I can't stop emphasizing the fact on how ugly and digusting it is when they dress in that way. I was told that this trend was quite in back in the days, but this is the 20th century my friends!! times have changed and that style is way wack!

For the ladies, i find it perfectly fine, because well, they can pull it off well. Many woman wear open toe court shoes or fashionable slippers, so normally they pull it off with wearing something that matches.

Many men on the other hand, (which i've seen) wear jeans with a dress shirt and some cheap ass slippers to match. Nothing matches what they wear and it's totally ugly.

I'm just venting this issue because i can't stand it anymore. I hope the trend slides away asap!

i'm out peace!

Update

[Song] Shai - If I Fall in Love

Elliott, Chansey, Nic, Eunice and I headed to the Bar and Billard Room @ Raffles Hotel on Friday.

Absolutely fantastic! They serve up a crazy array of dishes for this international buffet. Just wonderful! the oysters and the grilled meat were my fav. of all!

I would defianetly go back for another meal, when i have the cash of course haha!

-

I NEED TO SAVE MONEY!!!!!!!

I have started going mad with this Great Singapore Sale! I can't seem to really control myself, especially when i work right in front of a shopping mall!!

I have bought:

A vest, Shirt, Shorts, 2 T-Shirt and 2 Pair of Shoes.

OMG! i'm going broke very soon!

but but but..

i still want so much more like...

Onitsuka Tiger shoes
new digi cam
ipod nano or the new sony one
jeans from polo
cologne
and so forth and so forth..haha!

-

On to something that really bothers me.

I started my Bar segment of the attachment on tuesday, but it seems like i'm still a normal service staff. Why you ask?

Well, besides the fact that we're lacking of manpower, the normal full time staff is always on unpaid leave. I wouldn't mind going out to help once and awhile when it's busy, but having to setup the whole restaurant and doing normal service in a bar uniform, is really irrtating. I mean, i'm here to learn, not to cover your asses cuz no one is there to work.

I understand from a management's point of view that operations still need to go on, but i feel used in ways and my training isn't going to be optimized to it's fullest. I have about 3 weeks left before i leave and i haven't leanred much about the bar operations yet.

What am i gonna do? i had to FIGHT my way into the bar and wear the uniform. Now the work load has doubled if not trippled.

very annoyed!

-

I'm out for now. Gonna sleep! i pray the full time staff girl will be there everyday from now on!

agitated!

work is great! i love the people i'm working with!

however...

the management team isn't the greatest. As friends, yes they are awesome, but if we're talking about managing and organizing, they could put in more effort.

As a trainee at Raffles Hotel, i expect not only to learn but to gain in experience. However, with the lack of staff at Raffles Courtyard, i am limited on what i can learn.

For example, i'm suppose to start my bar segment of my training. It turns out becuase of lack of staff, i will not be able to fully optimize the opportunity, just as yet. I will keep nagging and fighting for my right to be a bartender and stop being a waiter.

I feel as i'm taking over a full time position and getting paid peanuts. I keep reminding them that i am here to learn not too full up a position cuz you guys don't take the initiative to hire your own full time staff.

I'm leaving in less than a month, and i am suppose to fulfill a 1 month segment of bar. This isn't going as planned but i really do hope to get 3 weeks in before i leave. AND I MEAN I WILL KEEP ON PUSHING THEM UNTIL THEY GET FUCKING ANNOYED LIKE ME!

I don't mind doing the same thing everyday if i was getting paid the right figures, but what i especially hate is that i have to do it all by myself; just me and myself working!

I'm out to bed!

peace!

work x3

WHOA!!!

what a week..

work work work!

super tired and super stressed.

I feel like i have a load on my shoulders to handle. If i don't show up for work, it's over for the management team. I'm the only staff that can make it in the morning and i'm the only one that can out perform to standards.

I feel good about it, but it's tiring when i have to handle the whole show myself. I mean some of the part timers are great, but i mean when it comes to work, it's another story.

Luckily for me, i'll be in the bar sometime next week, so i won't have to do much service! YES!

alrighty then, i'm headed off to drink tonight since i have an off day tmr! whoo hoo!

can't wait to get my bar segment started, i'm so excited! haha!

take care y'all. peace!

Tipping Service

[Song] R. Kelly feat. Nelly - Trying to get a number

After working in the Food and Beverage segment of my Attachment in Raffles Hotel for approxiametly 2 months, I have noticed something that i find degrading.

The way people tip their service staff.

When people complete their meals or beverages at my outlet, or any at that matter, they will leave change or bills behind to kindly thank the people who have served them. This is a practice that is not encouraged in Singapore, but to many foreigners and myself when i was back in Canada, we would leave an amount to show appreciation to our service staff and thank them for all the work they have done.

I find the tipping strategy a great way to encourage service staff to offer the best service they can to any customer. On top of that, it gives a great sense of achievement when they receive the tip as well.

Here's the problem with some of the guests i have encountered...

There is no etiquette when giving a tip.

Many leave the change that they want to discard when they leave because they are flying off that night or don't wanna carry around all that change so it comes to a point that they can't be bothered to keep their change. The outcome is that they 'dump' all their loose change on the table when they leave as a tip. I find it degrading when i have to do and pick each and every cent off the table. I'm a service staff to serve, I'm not there to count. I got very emotional one time when a guests left 10 dollars in loose change on the table. I felt cheap and un-appreciated.

Is it too hard to leave the coins in the bill folder? is it hard to use your change somewhere else? Do i look like someone that is lower in soceity because i'm a waiter?

I appreciate the tip, i do. When it comes to the point that your insulting me indirectly by getting me to pick up after you, it get's annoying and disrespectful. This also applies to anyone providing services.

The worst encounter i ever had was when a guests left 15 dollars (bills) on the table. When i took that 15 dollars off the table, i felt a cold chill. Like i was a begger of some sort.

I would NEVER leave money on the table. It's not hard to open the bill folder and leave a little appreciation inside. People in general don't need to be rude by throwing change or leaving bills on the table to let everyone around you see how much you have left behind for the service staff.

I have received many personal tips when the guests directly hands me the money or tells my fellow colleagues to hand it to me. This type of tipping is a real eye-opener. It makes me feel that i have done something right to make the guests personally give me their money rather than leaving it on the table or bill folder. It encourages me to continue on with my work and it shows me that my efforts were noticed and well deserved and appreciated.

I hope that next time, people who want to leave a tip, can leave it inside the bill folder or better yet, personally hand it to your service staff as an act of respectfulness.

That's all i needed to say.

Peace y'all!!

Hectic week

sorry y'all, it's been a really hectic week.

Having been really sleeping since last thursday due to excess drinking and late nights. I'll just update you guys on some stuff i did this week. I have an important post which i will up tmr as i'm not done writing.

I headed to the Asia Pacific Breweries on Monday with some of the Raffles Hotel staff members. WHOA! was it ever fun. It's amazing what alcohol can do to people, especially when it's free flow for like an hour and a half. Imagine a bus load of people quite when heading down to the brewery and a bus load of rowdy drunkards on the way back home. That's exactly what happened monday night.

On top of that, I had a great talk with Mr Jean Phillip. He is one of the FnB managers at Raffles Hotel. We discussed quite a bit of issues about cultures and work differences between countries. He said one thing that i will never forget, "Richie, you certainly have a eye for perspectives and issues, i can defiantly learn a lot from your point-of-views" I was shocked but also very honored!

A great night indeed, but on a sad note, i had work @ 10am the next day, so i was a bit stoned when i arrived lol!

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Tuesday night was suppose to be a casual dinner and drink type of day. Little did we know, Elliott, Val and I ended up at Boat Quay drinking beer til 2am. However, surprisingly i didn't get drunk with the amount we drank, but it was still a great night full of laughs and talks. I was glad to see Jeremy there, which made the night a whole lot better!

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Wednesday night, Elliott, Val, Jude, Thomas and I headed to Power House to watch the 2007 Bacardi Martini Bartender Competition. It was good to watch the Classic Cocktail segment, as i will be joining The Bartender of the Year Competition coming July/August.

The flair show was great. It's just amazing how people can be so talented. I wish i was half as good lol!

After everything, we headed to Power house to club, but it was such a flop because everyone was pretty tired from work. Had 1 jug then headed home!

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As for today, i met up with Chansey, Eunice and Nicholas for dinner. Headed to Din Tai Fung, which i'm starting to love haha! It was a good relaxing dinner with some great friends.

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Now i'm headed off to watch some TV, finish my laundry and sleep!

I HAVE THE NEXT 2 DAYS OFF!!!! muhahahaha! suckaz!

Goodbye...

Went out with Cao yan and chansey today for dinner.

I guess ou could call it a kind of a goodbye dinner for Cao Ya cuz she is leaving back to beijing tmr night.

I don't know why, but i have this feeling like i'm gonna miss her alot, though we ain't really that close.

I guess seeing people leave, like Liang Liang, makes me feel a bit depressed. just 2 years ago we were just starting off a class together. Now people are seperating and going their own ways. Kind of reminds me of High School back in ithe day.

The biggest impact so far is when Liang left. I still have the urge to call her everytime i reach home from work or when i'm bored. I guess sometimes people just need that someone by them to ensure that everythign is a-okay.

Now Cao Yan is leaving and it seems like the circle of friends is shrinking. Susanna will be coming back for sure to continue her studies, but the rest may or may not. So i guess as we depart into our own lives and accomplish what we wish to, we must never forget the people that were around us.

It saddens me to hear people wanting to leave back home. I guess it's the disadvantage of being a international student in a foreign country. We meet many friends from all over but we may never be able to see them again after graduation. For exceptions of cases where people do keep in touch and make an effort to maintain that relationship i guess there isn't much we can do.

so to end i would like to wish all my friends the best of luck for your future endeavours and i hope that we do keep in touch and we will be able to see each other again in the near future.

kind of forgot about this blog!

[Song] Ne-Yo feat. Kanye West - Because of You Remix

Whoa...i kind of forgot i had this blog for a moment.

I tried to post something on fri night, but i had problems with blogspot. I guess now it should be resolved.

anyhoo.. not much has happened these couple of days.

I met some new friends at Raffles Hotel. Saturday night was our first outing together. Wilson, Karen, Ford and I headed to Shanghai Jazz to have some drinks. Shanghai Jazz is a pretty snazzy little joint. relaxing with a nice asthetic appeal to give that kind of atmosphere you need after a long day's work. I especially love it cuz Raffles Hotel staff get special rates and discounts =)

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On another note, i need to warn you guys about the hazards of cotten buds. I use them everytime i finish a shower, which resulted in having wax build up in my ear. So, i couldn't really hear anything for about 3 days. Supposively, the cotten bud pushes wax into your ear and it kind of gathers up there overtime, hence, a ear blocked with wax.

the only treatment is to use some drops to loosen the wax and go for a syringing, which is a process of using pressured water to poor out all that shit.

it felt weird, and it made me giddy, so beware people!

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One last thing. I watched a movie last night called Freedom Writers.



This movie, was one of the best movies i've ever seen. The way they purtray each characters life and the stories that they shared are just heart felt. It's based on a true story, so atleast you ain't gonna get conned on the issues that are discussed.

Let me just say, this movie is amazing. The way it was directed and the story line is so realistic. A movie not only will i treasure, but i will keep within my heart. The touching story of each individual is really well pictured.

If your into reality and life, then please go out and rent it.

It talks about kids growing up in one of the most dangerous areas in the US. How they come together as a whole class and touch each other lives its miraculous.

Google this flick for a trailer and synopsis.

i'm out peace!

Oh ya, i promise, i will start to update a frequent as possible!
so do come back !

a wonderful day

[SONG] Billy Crawford - In Love

I met up with a friend, Shirley, on monday.

She's from DPB and she is, surprisingly 26 years old. Initially i thought she was only 20-23, no more.

We headed out to TCC from some drinks at first. The conversation started off great. I was really surprised. I guess you can really tell who is mature and who isn't with their way of speech.

After, we headed to Marina Square to have dinner at a chinese restaurant. The food wasn't bad, but i realised that the company was even better. We got deeper into out conversations, learning more about each other. I really loved it.

It seems like we both had alot in common. For example she use to be a 'ah lian' whereas i use to be a gangsta punk running on the streets. Then we both changed our lives around to give that extra meaning to it. It was great to talk about an issue that someone could kind of relate too!! just marvelous!

I know now that people who are mature enough to hold a conversation and make it interesting are of people who have experienced alot. As like me, we were very into our stories.

I loved the whole time we spent. It was very different, than with people i normally go out with. She took interest and showed empathy, which i loved!

I will defiantely try my best to meet up with Shirly ass much as possible. A new friend i believe i will cherish. haha!

k a short post about that.
i'm out to bed now...peace!

not much

not much to update.

I mean everything is the same. Routine work i guess you could say.

Liang left lastnight which was a bit of a disappoinment. She won't be back for atleast 2 months. Elliott and I will be planning a trip to Beijing, early july, to visit her. Hopefully all goes well.

I hate working under the sun 24/7, but atleast it's fun. I've been hearing complaints from eunice and i guess alan too (from his blog). I mean, besides the heat and everything i'm alright. Though i do the occassional casual labour and all, but it's very simple service, so i don't really mind.

However, i am still counting the days to my higher dilpoma coarse in july. it's just the feeling of being able to sit and sleep in class that makes me wanna go back =)

Alright, i'm headed to bed not ci'm pretty tired. Gotta get up early tmr for work. Look forward to a more elaborate post by friday.take care.

peace!

Raffles Hotel

I'm so sorry for not updating recently.

I have been super busy at work and i can't even find the time to surf the net properly. Luckily i'm off tmr so i'm able to give a brief post.

Raffles hotel is such a great place to work. Besides the freindly staff i get to encounter, i also get a great opportunity to meet tourists. Interacting with the guests really brings me joy in my job, it's probably why i don't mind waking up early to get to work =)

Every time i knock-off work, i'll try and search for a beer. If i keep going on at think rate, i'll become a true alcoholic. Damn, i need to stop drinking everyday.

anyhoo, i'll be doing my first afternoon shifts next week, so i hope i can learn more, cuz i've basically learnt everything except for requisting items.

Also, i'm improving my chinese (mandarin) Talking with the staff and some of the china tourists, i really am starting to communicate better haha =) but i still have that weird accent and shit, just like my canto. I get to converse in hokkein, canto and mandarin so often, it feels weird. However, my accent is starting to come back when i talk, YES! so i guess in soon time, i'll be able to get back my canadian accent haha!

Raffles hotel, prides alot on their service, which i hope i meet their requirements. I try to go the extra mile for the guests by offering coasters or singapore sling receipe cards as a souvenir. I really hope that the guests feel welcomed and that they go home with great memories.

Anyhoo, i'm off to U-zap my tummy, hope it works =) take care

[Song] Mario - I Want to Kiss You

this is gonna be quite a long post..

Friday: headed to MOS and St. James with Elliott and Liang. We met up with nelson at MOS and met zeke and eleanor at St. James. The night was really relaxing, as we didn't get drunk, for the exception of liang.

Sorry liang for being so boring that night =)

Saturday: headed to Bugis for steamboat with Elliott, Liang and Thomas. After, Elliott, Liang and I headed to KTV, yet again. It was a fun night as always.

As for today, Elliott and Liang had a lseep over so they were here watching movies and television all day. Thx to elliott we had a good breakfast, Hokkein Mee. Hahaha, he actually woke up to go buy it, i'm so PROUD OF YOU ELLIOTT!! hahaha jks!

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I started my attachment on Monday. Oh man! Raffles Hotel is just wonderful. I love the culture, the people and the views. The builindg is so historical and the staff are super friendly. There is just so much history at Raffles hotel, that i know i will have fun learning about. (more on Raffles Hotel in a future post)

The only downside is that i'm situated at an alfresco (outdoor) seafood restaurant, Raffles Courtyard. Which means, i have to deal with the heat of Singapore. It can get quite busy, but when it rains it isn't go bad. Oh how i wish it rains everyday haha!

The staff are great, especaially my managers cuz i can commute in cantonese with them. Alot of the people are from malaysia, so i shouldn't have any problems with the chinese community there. On another note, i think i need to learn to speak some basic Bhasa Malayu, as there is alot of idians and malays. It will be good to know what they say at times =)

At Raffles, all the staff seem so friendly and cheery. They always smile and give a gesture to show that you are being acknowledged. The feeling is just so comforting. Now i know why guests love a friendly service staff serving them lol.

*i'll keep all of y'all posted this weekend or something. for now.....on to something else*

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ALRIGHT!!! ready? it's time for the GOOD stuff.


Came back from Bintan on Thursday night.

Oh man, was the trip ever fun!

Oh but first off...i just found out that, i LOST MY FUCKING CAMERA!!! I spent an hour looking through my whole house. I was sure i had it with me then i left the ferry terminal on thursday. I can't believe i'm such a fucking idiot! jesus christ! First alan lost his and now me! I guess we both have bad luck!

The worst part is that we lost of photos from the last day =(

For those that are unsure where Bintan is, it is located in Indonesia. It's only an hours ferry ride to the resort island. The view of the sandy white beach, which consisted of the South China Sea, was just amazing.

The Resort we stayed in, to us, was considered to be one of the best. We had everything we wanted.

The drinks (alcohol) sucked, the food wasn't the greatest but the scene was fantastic.

It didn't matter how good the resort was, what activities we did or where we spent our days, it was the company that made it all worth wild.

We spent the first day swimming and having dinner at Kelong Restaurant. The food was alright, but the main thing was to celebrate Elliott's B-day. After, we headed back to the rooms to hang out and surprised Elliott with a B-day Cake.

The rest of the days were spent on the beach, Go-Karting, Swimming and taking photos. It was super relaxing.

We promised ourselves (Elliott, Alan and I) that we would head to the gym every morning. haha that didn't happen at all! we only went to the gym ONCE! but it didn't matter, cuz i'm sure we all wanted our sleep instead haha!

I finally got to tan my farmer arms. Oh man, did our bodies ever burn. We could barely take off our clothes, yet alone put on a sling bag.

The highlight of the whole trip was dusting elliott in go-karts and driving a golf buggy around the resort. It was so fun.

I shall let some pictures do the speaking of our trip. There is over 1.5gigs worth of photos, which i will be uploading to my imagestation sometime this weekend, if not early next week.

The whole trip was just amazing. It is a trip that will always be with me, deep within my heart.

I still remember going to Florida with Jen, Lucy, and Ken.

I'm sure this trip will be the same. The memories, the fun and the company will never be forgotten.

Thx to Cao Yan, Xiumin, Alan, Elliott, and Susu for making it so memorable. I would like to further extend my thanks to Amy
for helping me out with the money issues. Your willingness to help really touched me. I will never forget your kindness.


PICTURES!!



First night dinner @ the Kelong Restaurant.



MmMm...Delicious!



The port of the restaurant!



Waiting to check-in to the ferry!



On the Ferry!



That ice-cream cost 3 bucks!!!! lol!



Amy, Xiumin, Alan, Cao Yan, Elliott and I @ the Resort Pool!



Can you see the size difference?



Cao Yan and I!



Don't look @ our nips alright? haha!



I, Alan, Cao Yan, Amy and Xiumin!



View from the beach! (South China Sea)



I think this was taken by alan when he went to see the sun rise. But he couldn't see it as we're facing another direction.



The girls @ Paseh Oleh Oleh! (something like their town lol, it's dirt small)



On the hotel's transport.



After Go-Karting!



I love this pic!



in the Jacuzzi!



I, Cao Yan, Amy, Xiumin, Susu and Elliott!



Thx to the guy who helped us with this pic.



the water isn't that deep lol!



High up in the sky =)



Standing in the South China Sea!



Driving a golf buggy!



At another resort.



Cao Yan and I during our last night!



The hotel's live band. They were great! Thx Guys!



First place alan, second me and third elliott! =)



Scronny yo!



one word, hilarious!



Oh behave!



A bar situated over the sea.

Sorry the pix aren't in order or anything, i'm too tired to do that right now! =)

I'll be uploading some videos soon. Eg. Go-kart and Karaoke, from Bintan! =P

Take care now, i'm off to bed, Peace!

Lack of Updates!

Sorry folks, i know i haven't been updating lately.

I'm so tired and busy now.

My attachment just started and it's SO hot. I'm stationed at a alfresco seafood restaurant and bar @ Raffles Hotel.

Just imagine Singapore at 12pm with the blazing sun over you. Oh man, it's super unbearable especially for a guy with my size.

Plz be patient as i have a post and pix regarding my Bintan trip. I just haven't gotten around to uploading the pix and editing the post as of yet.

I will try my best to get it up by friday. Sorry for the delays.

Take care, i'm headed to bed to get some shut eye.

Peace!

Bintan

headed to a trip to Bintan in the morning!

it will be a 4day 3 night trip. Full of excitement awaits us.

Water sports, food, sleep and i hope girls! muhahaha!

it's gonna be a fun time before heading out to attachment!

Xiumin, Amy, Cao Yan, Susu, Elliott and Alan will be my company for the next 4 days! it's great, since we all know each other so well already! it will be full of joy!

see you guys at the end of the week! take care and have fun!

Happy Holidays to DHM0405a&b!