... wishing mm was here.

bb has been so tied up, with the department offsite and training. Tons of email to wade through, sigh. But one thing that colleagues observed and commented on, was how happy bb was in the Singapore office, with familiar faces. Of course, the team in Singapore is more bb's own team than any other teams and the people are real nice. Always makes bb feel at home.

bb's dept offsite went on until Sat lunchtime, afterwards it's meeting old friends time. Then back to hotel for Olympics and surfing. On sunday it was walking round on Orchard Road, surprising to find that bb actually did some shopping — a holder for the powerbook, a pair of speedballs for the powerbook, 2 jars of kaya jam, a bunch of books at a book fair, mm should be proud of bb's shopping power :).

A bit lonely though, without mm. Guess mm is also busy, with trying to sort out family holiday and other stuff. Has mm been watching Olympics? Pretty exciting right?

Nothing much else to report, except today, totally unexpected and very very late, it's bb's deadline time!

So does bb want mm to cancel it altogether, or does bb want mm to confirm the one returning 13th Oct?

mm spoke to travel agent re latest offer from airlines to London. BA is offering between HK$4,900-5,900 *for two* to London. Travelling in Nov would be $4,900. For bbmm's dates - $5,900. But booking is closed already.

Travel agent was smart - she picked up an offer from CX - $2,990 each! bbmm can travel at 0045 on 29 Sept but there's some problem on return date - either 13th or 18th Oct, as dates in between are all gone, and no waitlist. if returning on 13th, bbmm would waste a few days cos they'll be back on Thursday afternoon. if returning on 18th, it will mean that bbmm will be away for 3 weeks - the thought is great but mm not sure if she could take leave that long.

Ticket needs to be confirmed and issued by tomorrow, 20 August 2004. what should mm do?? can bb help?

here's the links to the two bookings:

https://www.viewtrip.com/viewtrip.asp?rloc=S6PG1Q&lastname=CHENG

https://www.viewtrip.com/viewtrip.asp?rloc=S6P82U&lastname=CHENG

mm has a little reservation - mm's boss is away and mm won't be able to ask him if mm could take those days off. but mm's boss had previously (earlier in Aug re mm's bangkok trip) said he's relaxed re mm's holiday leave, as there's nothing urgent going on.

ps mm has created a category - bbmm holiday - London. mm will post things re London trip there :)

bbmm discussed their holiday plan last night. bb suggested south america but expensive. mm looked at a few website this morning - yes, that seems to be so. but mm thinking if they go for say 12 days, it'll be around $35,000 for tour plus (mm guesses) $10,000 pocket money(?) all in all, say $50,000 on the liberal side??

anyway, here's a few website addy to whet bb's appetite (but some are Chinese because English version is temporary out of use):

http://www.jetour-holiday.com/tour.jsp?rowNo=3&cCount=3&rsVer=1092883277016&selectTInit=tou&lang=&country=South%20America_???

Alternatively, may be a cruise holiday in mexico? This looks more affordable and bbmm can stay behind:

http://www.pandotravel.com/cruise/index2.asp?itimonthID=15

yet alternatively, may be the carribbean?

http://www.pandotravel.com/cruise/index2.asp?itimonthID=22

but bbmm may be bored on a cruise ... so may be Egypt?? mm thinks Egypt would be good, but that'll probably take 9/10 days? and bbmm has around 19 days - an exceptionally long holiday - yeah! mm will think and work harder - watch this space - even the thought of going away with bb brings a smile to mm's face :)

mm had a surprise this morning - that bb posted a message for her! mm feels a little bad, as bb must have felt guilty or something like that, which is totally unintended.

let's look at the bright side - CX and Virgin are doing a promotion for flights to Heathrow - CX asking for $4,590, and on the face of it, without much restriction. Virgin is asking $3,990 but that needs to be booked by August 20 i.e. the day after! what does bb think? mm has called travel agent to try to reserve two seats without issuing the tickets for them for the time being.

It's awfully dark outside today, a very thick black blanket is covering the entire sky making it so depressing. Like it's threatening to pour down with rain.

bb's heart is a bit like that today, covered with a dark cloud. mm didn't seem happy last night, cos of bb's plan to go with colleagues to the airport station. It would have been too early for mm anyway, but bb could hear the disappointment.

second is bb has to go away on business trip again. It's getting tiring. This time for 1.5 weeks, then back for 4 days then off again for a week. It's been so busy that bbmm haven't had time to synchronise and coordinate their schedules.

bb got the reward certificate for the "branded" black luggage trolleys, hopefully bbmm can get it in time for mm's holiday with mm's mum.

it's been a few days since mm wrote here. why? because mm has bb now. but why is mm writing here now? because mm doesn't want to leave this too long :)

bb will be leaving for another business trip again soon. and mm is planning and arranging a holiday with mum. where to? phuket and bangkok.

mm's good friend judith is returning to canada for good. mm envies her - that she could leave where she's working. mm wants to switch too, just that there's no offer yet. why? because mm feels bored, and not sure if there's a future here. although mm's boss has told her she has partnership prospect, but firstly, mm thinks boss was just sweet-talking her; secondly, mm not sure if she wants to join. of course, it'd be flattering to be offered to join, and far better than being told that there's no chance, and in any event, mm's doing her job nevertheless. afterall, that's what she's paid to do.

but laterly, mm has not been in the mood. physically, she's in office. mentally, she's on holiday. :P

something fun to brighten up mm's day (of course it's already brightened cos of seeing bb for lunch).

iPod vs cassettes

yes another day has passed and mm has done nothing. mm's sf came to office to do research, but neither of them has done anything other than surfing on net for trisara.com, banyan tree.com, and the like. one website they went to is invisiblecompany.com - sounds familiar, right? mm showed sf photos of kenya. when it got to the bloody part, sf turned his head away - obviously can't bear the sight and the thought. sf was not impressed - but mm had some fun looking at his face - ha haa haaa!

mm was in the usual mood i.e. anything but working mood. mm has been thinking a lot about bbmm's holiday. mm has done a little research re city break in Barcelona. See links below from lunn poly. It's cheaper than mm thought. the hotels look good too.

http://www.lunnpoly.onlinetravel.com/byo/BYOHotelResult.asp?PersistID=Q04;{8C5B38E2-D569-46C6-9A91-62F920E43AC1};200408110806;28800

mm also did some b&b/accomodation search for dublin. quite expensive and hotels/b&b do not look that great. need to work more on it. mm thought worse comes to worse, may be bbmm will stay at one of its Travelodge? That's asking around GBP85 a night, not cheap anyway.

mm read that there'll be a food fair this weekend in Convention Centre. mm wonders if bb wants to go?

mm also read that a new spa has opened in Shenzhen. It's run by Decleor. website addy: www.decleor.com. mm understands it's in Shenzhen which bb doesn't like much, but mm saw pictures and read about it. It's only been opened for about 2 months, and because of its proximity, it would be good to bring bb there to share her bonus. The environment is good - it's very Thai. even the towels are from Decleor. mm wonders what bb thinks ... may be bb will visit the website to have a look at it when it's got time?

mm meant to tell bb this yesterday but forgot.

mm ususally takes the mtr to work because that's the most efficient way of doing so - door to door around 30 mins, not too bad. when mm got off at central station, mm noticed one of the passagers got off the train was wearing a hair band. not that wearing hair band is news, and besides the fact that it's out of fashion, the person wearing it was a middle-aged guy wearing a dark suit! the hair band was not cotton but rubber, and it's not the one designed to be seen, nor it's one people use to wash their faces (as those are usually cotton), but it's a black thin strip of rubber plastic which mm's grandma used to wear - but usually only at home and probably as a spare! initially, mm thought may be the guy used it to wash his face in the morning and forgot to take it off when it's done. but then later, mm noticed him fiddling with it, making sure it's exactly the way he likes wearing it. then carson of fab 5 came immediately to mind! that guy needed a rescue from carson - mm's new idol !

mm feels funny this morning - feels as though blood pressure is on the low side - and a headache. hope it'll go away soon.

bb and mm have been looking for free trolley bags for a while, the aim is to get one free when applying for a credit card. A little bit more urgent cos mm's one broke.

bb found one in the american express catalogue, 40,000 points each for this “branded” bag, half the normal requirements cos of this special offer for members who've been with AE since before 1994. This is the first time bb has benefited from being so stubborn about not cancelling the card. bb has more than enough points for 2 of these. Looks ok to bb. What does mm think?

mm had quite a bit to tell bb yesterday, and mm wanted to write them on this site so that bb can read. but then, it was late, and bb called, and mm got distracted ...

mm's allegy seems to be getting better today. mm went back to the routine of taking the medicine before meals so that it would be better absorbed and hopefully, will recover sooner. mm's doctor said mm should avoid the sun. mm's immediate reaction was - mm's going to phuket in a few weeks time! hopefully what the doctor's said would become academic by then. :)

mm went to court this morning to fix date for a hearing - the court's diary is so busy that the parties were told that they may be looking at 2005! that'll be great news for mm, as that won't stand in the way of bbmm's holiday - yeah! that said, the parties were told to submit all their available dates, and the court will see what it can do. we may still be looking at this year - fingers-crossed.

mm has been thinking hard where to spend the long holiday with bb. mm came across the following promotions:

Aussi - Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne or Sydney - HKD9,880 for 2 (but travel before 4 Sept 2004)
Perth for HKD7,190 for 2 (also travel before 4 Sept 2004)

The following would suit bbmm's diaries better (flying with Air Canada):

Vancouver, LA, Portland, Seattle, or San Francisco HKD4,699-6,499 - travel between 8 Sept and 30 Nov 2004, but need to book by 16 Aug 2004.

Calgary or Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Boston, Chicago, NY City or Washington - HKD5,800-7,600 - same travel period, but need to book by 23 Aug 2004.

Apparently, CX issued a promotion for Vancouver and Toronto, but not as attractive as these prices.

mm wonders what bb thinks. mm's also thinking of bb's suggestion - go to athens and south of france. in fact, wherever is good to mm, so long the companion is bb :) sooooooooooooooooooooooo looking forward to it!

mm (hopefully it was jokingly) said that bb thinks bb is just a weekend lover. Now that got bb in a semi-panic mood. Is it true? Can bbmm be together during the not!weekend? Can bbmm get out of the rut of only seeing each other weekends?

Fact:

• bb and mm don't live together


• bb and mm's homes far enough away from each other to be mildly inconvenient (ie they can't just say, I'll pop over in a few minutes


• bb and mm both have long and stressful work lives


• bb and mm haven't lived under the same roof for almost 9 years


• bb and mm haven't lived in the same continent for much of the last 5 years

mm has become more and more precious to bb since bbmm became one again, and bb means what was said over the weekend, “may be bb's next home would be 1,000 or 2,000 feet, so bb and mm can be together.” But until that happens, bb and mm's lives don't overlap 100%.

It's absolutely fantastic to have freedom, and not go all pouty if the other one needs to spend time with family, or friends, or work. Not like mm's SIL.

Why bb may have given out the impression that bbmm are only weekend lovers, it's because bb doesn't dare hope or expect too much. Too much of a good thing never hurts, but at this point may spoil things.

If bb, or mm, starts wishing for more weekday time together, it'll just lead to disappointment cos with present circumstances, it's quite hard to organise logistically. It's doable, but involves sacrifices and inconveniences. Like having to bring extra clothing all the time, housework not getting done, lots of time spent travelling.

Is bb satisfied at just having mm for the weekend? As time goes by, more and more the answer is “no”. But right now, it's the most practical outcome and the logical side of bb's brain recognises this.

Doesn't mean bb can't dream though :).

bb will be on a plane flying back to mm. That thought makes bb very happy, and very impatient. Don't know how the flight will feel like, it's been a while since bb was on a day flight. Perhaps watch some movies, eat a lot, read the magazines. Growing impatient again.

bb did get mm's sms (really!), but guess what? while bb was typing the reply, the phone battery ran out. bbmm should definitely go to mongkok for a new phone, this one is ok but not as reliable as bb's old nokia. The old phone would have lasted a whole week or more on one charge but this one runs out after a few days, even though bb hardly ever uses the phone. sigh.

About mm's holiday with family, bb is so thankful that mm is always reserving all the firsts with her, in a way bb does that too. But then, it doesn't matter, family and being with mm's Mum is also very important. all good intentions doesn't always work out, and it won't spoil bb's enjoyment whether it's bbmm's joint first time, or first for one only, it doesn't make it less special.

mm's mum doesn't get so many chances to go to the spa lah, who would she go with? none of the sis-in-laws are good holiday companion material. so bb thinks mm should go ahead with Phuket and Bangkok. Banyan tree or Marriott? They're both sure to be nice, bb suggests banyan tree, cos it's always a good name, and like mm says, experience of a lifetime.

If mm can use the asiamiles, use 'em up. Meals are of course fine, but bbmm may not find a suitably nice place anyway.

2 more days to go!

as part of mm's new diet as advised by her doctor, mm cooked one whole pumpkin with chopped spare ribs last night. mm was hoping to make a stew/casserole. so what did mm do? mm put a few clove of garlic in a hot saucepan with olive oil. then put in the spare ribs and stir fry for a while. then mm added in all pumpkin, and added water. mm thought since pumpkin does not have much water, may be mm should add more to avoid burning the stuff. in the meantime, mm sat in front of tv and ate dinner.

when she went back to check on the cooking, the pumpkin has certainly softened. but the sauce has become more like a soup! mm didn't remember having added so much water, may be afterall, pumpkin does release quite a bit of water when it's being cooked in a saucepan.

first attempt - not bad, as mm had some soup (although not intended)! mm wishes bb's back, as bb makes excellent pumpkin :)

mm sent bb a sms yesterday, but no reply. mm guessed that's probably because bb did not receive it. when bb's back (only 2 days away!), may be bbmm will go mongkok to look for new phone?

mm's sms was for bb's view what would be bb's choice - osaka or thailand. but mm had asked mum who prefers thailand. mum said she would like to try spa treatment, as she never tried before, and those offering in town are too expensive. mm is planning to take mum to phuket (2-3 nights) and bangkok (2 nights). mm thinking of taking mum to banyan tree phuket. but at the back of mm's mind, mm wanted to visit phuket with bb, so both would be visiting for the first time. but if mm takes mum this time, that won't happen. the other side of mm thinks better to take the opportunity, as it's uncertain when would be next. mm thinks that may be buying mum a spa package, to share the salary increase/bonus mm received lately. mm is kind of scare the same thing might happen re sis.

mm spoke to yero. recommended two hotels in phuket for spa - banyan tree and j w marriott. mm wants to take mum to banyan tree - experience of lifetime mah. but mm visited both their website and find j w marriott nicer - the environment and setting. but it seems out of the way, although mm's told that they could get a pass which would allow them access to facilities offered by Banyan Tree, Dusit and other 3 resorts of laguna alliance. what does bb think?

in respect of hotel in bangkok, mm gathered could redeem asiamiles for peninsula and sheraton. sheraton is a little far, but mm is thinking of peninsula, which otherwise cost around $1000 per room per night. Also, what does bb think? should mm redeem those asiamiles, or should mm save them to have dinners with bb?? please help.

mm's allegy is getting worse - it's now not on arms anymore, but on mm's face, and on both sides, left and right. so mm now looks a little like the middle-aged philippino maids (as suppose to the young pretty ones) with dark-coloured patches on both sides of face. mm has went to see chinese medical doctor and is on medication at the moment. the doctor says it may take a few weeks or longer before it's completely clear. in the meantime, she cannot have anything from the sea and that includes prawns, crabs, even fish. not only that, anything deep fried, curry, chilli, authentic, beef and chicken. essentially, the only things mm can have now are veg, beancurd, and pork. mm nagged re chicken, and mm was told that may be white meat of the chicken without the skin is ok. so, perhaps there are limited places where bbmm can go this weekend.

mm is thinking - for the weekend in macau, whether mm should share room with parents or benny and anita or pay for single room supplement. the party is thinking of the westin or oriental, probably westin. mm not sure. bb any thought?

it's looking likely that mm and family will be going to osaka. mm will see if anymore bottles of saka could be smuggled in. :P

collateral will be showing when bb's back, if bb wants to go to cinema.

mm was given the following description re position in shanghai - "Essentially, looking for a litigation and compliance legal counsel for China reporting directly to CEO of GE China based in S'hai and Asia Litigation & Compliance Counsel in HK. Emphasis on China litigation / China laws will be on point. Prospects of becoming General Counsel in one of the businesses thereafter."

mm was told that the position would not be advertised, but they would like to hire by referral. mm will pass cv to uncle leather jacket, who would then pass onto the contact in ge, who in turn will pass it onto the right channel. mm thinks that other than LLB in chinese law, mm has nothing better to offer. well yes, mm is a litigator, but so are the rest of the candidates. mm believes that's kind of like minimum university requirement that you have to have 5 o'levels and 2 a'levels. will, even the interview itself (if invited) should be good experience. who knows, may be mm get lucky, or may be mm is lucky to hear from mickey or sfc in due course.

uncle leather jacket said that he will go for it too. that makes him mm's competitor. he has experience in chinese law area as he has assisted their china dept. (deacons). being an aries, mm rises to challenge!

mm's current travel plan is 22/23 Aug to Macau, and 25-29 Aug to Osaka, both with family. nothing is confirmed yet, but it's looking likely to be so.

seems to be pretty bad timing - for one reason or another, mm doesn't get much time to spend with bb. mm hopes bb doesn't mind.

that tom fool came to find mm this morning and asked to borrow her hand-written notes for the CFA hearing, as client has asked him to check something. mm's immediately reaction is - tom fool was at the hearing and took notes too! why asked for mm? mm couldn't be bothered to challege him, and just gave him mm's notes - nevermind. but that makes mm wonders. the other side of mm thinks - if he could read mm's handwriting ... ! ha ha haa!!

mm was swamped with millions of agents these days where mm lives - mtr, on the street, and even just outside the premises of the estate which mm lives. the site adjacent to mm's flat is on sale, and the estate agents always chasing and hazzling mm to view the demo flat, etc. it's getting better in the last day or so. that may be because they already recognise mm, who has repeatedly told them mm was not interested. mm read newspaper today - it says that developer is looking for between $6,300-6,600 per square feet. oh la lah. not sure if it's worth it.

ps mm wrote this on 2 Aug, but then she was editing it and got interrupted, therefore this only get posted on 3 Aug.

at least we'll have the next 2 weekends together. The timing is bad, in the way that mm can't be with bb in Singapore. But good-ish, cos the days that mm goes on holiday with family are the days that bb is in Singapore.

bb is wondering what bbmm should do this weekend, depends on whether mm needs to work on saturday. little bb will be tired, and there's probably something like 4-5 laundry loads to do, cos the bedding has to be changed too. May be a quiet weekend with lots of smoochies and snuggles? There's a big gaping hole in bb's arms that is desperate for mm to fill.

Plus bb's back is hurting so a trip to the massage place may be in order.

GE is a big company, very very American, much more so than bb's current company. But the thought of mm going to shanghai is a little daunting for bb. Of course, it's just like 5 years ago when bb went to NY. It's 5 years ago already!

Seems life continues to test bbmm. But thinking rationally shanghai is where the opportunities are, it'll be a very good chance for mm. bb will always support mm. Must think extremely carefully, if the offer comes along. Has mm submitted cv yet?

only 5 more days to go and bb will be back - yeah!

mm won some $140 last night - mm did really well at one time and won about $300-400, but on lost quite a bit during the last 4 rounds, when mm's brother got more lucky and won by the tiles he picked. "Fat brother" lost some $300. so one loser against three winners.

had dinner at home - nice chicken, fish, veg, chinese mushrooms, and soup. very nice. Fat mark has started having congee stuff as well as his milk bottle. it's good see him. :)

mm's friend - uncle leader jacket - said there is an opportunity in General Electric, a subsidiary of General Motors. It's been ranked as no. 2 company after wal-mart in Forbes. they need a litigator with chinese law knowledge. mm's reservation is that the position stations in shanghai. whilst mm has nothing against shanghai, but then mm thinks of bb. the position is permanent. mm was thinking that if mm is hired, may be mm could work there for a year or so and treat it as secondment, then asked to be transferred back to hk - in hk, they have a legal team too. if there's no position in hk, mm thought that may be there's better chance to go to another in-house then, having had all that experience, and from GE. in any event, mm thinks that like mickey and sfc, mm probably won't be hired, so better to treat it as experience.