On the Road

Rained again when I went for my driving lessons on Friday. I was assigned a different instructor for my 3rd and 4th driving lessons respectively. My 2nd driving instructor, Ong started off with showing me some notes (which I hadn't seen during my first two lessons) and recapped with me some stuff I learnt the day before. He also showed me how the switches/buttons on the dashboard work (this was not covered during my earlier lessons). He seemed surprised my 1st instructor hadn't explained them to me and he also corrected the way I make a turn at the road junction and round the bend. Glad that I got to try out a different instructor because I picked up additional stuff. I learnt how to pull the car to a stop along the road and how to make a smooth lane switch.

The instructor for my 4th driving lesson went MIA so I was kept waiting in the car for 10 mins, until another instructor, Wee saw me. His student had gone MIA so after checking with his supervisor, he took me on my driving lesson instead. Got to drive out to the public road. Thrilled because I was getting bored with the circuit and it's more real out there. His teaching style is different too. My tendency is to slow down while make a turn at the junction or round the bend. His 'approach' is to drive nearer to the kerb and turn at normal speed (and step on the accelerator a little). I've to watch out driving past a car that is parked on the side - Wee's comment is that I drive too near it, and my turning angle is too wide (may end up 'swinging' into the opposite lane).

I made a few observations while driving a SSDC-labelled car on the public road. Taxi drivers are an impatient lot - they do not give 'chance' to newbies like me and seem to take every opportunity to show off their driving skills. Other 'more' experienced drivers will speed up, not give way or want to overtake when a SSDC-labelled car is on sight. I won't be losing my cool over such behaviours because if I do, I'm bound to become nervous. They can do whatever they want - I'm just gonna concentrate. Yup!

I'm going for my 5th driving lesson tomorrow after work. Ong recommended that I take at least two driving lessons every week. Will probably stick to one lesson per trip, unless I forsee that I can't make a second trip during the week. The thought of going for my driving lesson helps in dispelling the dreary of going back to work after an extended break :)

My 6th driving lesson is scheduled on Tues, 27 Feb. If I take two lessons per week, that will be chalking up close to $130 leh! Learning to drive in S'pore is really expensive!! I've created a spreadsheet to keep track of how much I've spent to learn driving. I should be taking my trial advanced theory test next week. The book is quite thick - hopefully I can retain the information and pass the actual test on first attempt lah!

Honk, Honk!

Whey, I started my practical driving lessons yesterday, 22nd Feb at the S'pore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC) located near Yio Chu Kang MRT station! Prior to this, I had never gotten behind the steering wheel so you can imagine my excitement. I took two consecutive lessons (there was a break in-between) to fully utilise the off-peak rates. Coincidentally, my instructor has the same English surname as I (han yu pin yin turned out to be different).

I learnt things like pre-operative procedures, starting and stopping engine, moving-off and stopping, steering control, braking, looking out for blind spots and negotiating corners and sharp turns. At one point, I had new admiration for taxi drivers who seem to have this amazing ability to switch lanes in such a swift and precise manner on a busy road. They have to spend long hours behind the wheels and at the same time stay alert. The car is a powerful engine which explains why accidents can be fatal.

We stayed within the circuit and learning is by repetitve practice so it became quite routine. Half-way through my first lesson, it started to rain. By the time I started my second lesson, the skies had become dark. I'm glad I opted to take auto driving afterall because there is much less coordination involved as compared to manual driving. I hear that though auto driving is easier to pick up, the driving test is more difficult to pass.

I've another two consecutive lessons today. The instructor said I might get to drive out to the public roads. Whey, that would be exciting! Driving comes with "feeling" how the car goes/moves/operates (not so much with reading the hard facts) and on-the-spot judgement. Hopefully, all goes well lah.

Hhmmm, now that my practical driving lessons are in progress, I've started to think what sort of car I'd love to own if I ever get one. Though car and COE prices have dropped, the monthly costs of keeping a car is still high. Unless there is a compelling reason to get a car, I rather keep the $$ in the bank. If you're wondering why I took up driving in the first place, that's another story. Grimlock started his manual driving lesson on Wed, 21st Feb so if we get a car, both of us will be able to drive it.

Back to my dream car, first choice would be...a Lexus RX08!

How, good taste or not? I don't know much about car specs so I'm banging on asthetic features. I'm fond of Lexus cars because they bring to mind a certain class and elegance. I probably won't be able to afford this (but not wrong to dream, right?) so my second choice...

A Skoda Roomster

I reckon I don't have to spell out why I shortlisted this car brand. I've a cat called Skoda, you know...hee hee I do fancy bringing her out for a spin in a Skoda car leh! Alas, this is a Czech brand so the price tag is gonna keep my hands off bounds. And if I've to stop dreaming and plant my feet firmly on planet earth, this should be within closer reach...

A Nissan Latio Sport

I've sat in a Nissan Latio Sport car before and first impressions are pretty good. If I do ever own this car, my preferred colour will be light gold or lime green.

Then again, I just might change my mind and come up with my fourth, fifth,... choice. It all boils down to enjoying the convenience that a car brings, yet at the same time keeping the cost within budget. Anyway, I'm not even close to getting my driving license yet, correct? Let's see how many attempts I'll need to get it, ha ha.

Oink, Oink!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

Hope you had a great festive celebration/break! Today is the fifth day of CNY so it's still not too late for me to wish you an Abundant New Year. Cheers to good health and loads of laughter all year round!!

I'm enjoying an extended festive break. I had been on leave yesterday till this Friday. I'm having a jolly good time. I'm a firm believer of a Chinese saying: "To take a break is to prepare for the longer journey" (literal translation).

Allow me to tell you a short story about this pair of piggies. They are part of my beanie babies collection, ie gifts from Grimlock. They share the same birth date as I (they are much younger though, `born' in 2003) so I get quite a bit of teasing from Grimlock. While pigs are such adorable creatures, I wish TY (the manufacturer) had picked another icon for my birth date. There is another unattractive looking icon sharing the same birth date. I once contemplated writing an email to TY to voice my displeasure. Well, between the two icons, my choice is clear.

This beanie piggy is named "Luau" and here is the description:

"I love my life; it's so much fun (I can't agree more!)
Playing in the Hawaiian sun (I hope to visit Hawaii someday!!)
And then I'll hula dance all night (Not too sure if I wanna do this...)
It really is this pig's delight!" (It's the simple things in life that give the most pleasure!!!)

It's a Beautiful Sunday!

I'll be taking my basic driving theory test on Wed, 7 Feb. Grimlock and I had signed up for our driving test (starting with theory) in Aug last year. And shame on me for I had been procastinating, taking my own sweet time and hadn't turned a page of my basic theory book until Grimlock went ahead to take the trial test without me and he subsequently booked the basic theory test date for both of us. We'll be taking the trial test tomorrow so we stayed at home today to study. I was working the last two weekends and may have to work this coming Saturday, so taking time to rest can't get better. And while studying, I took some snapshots of what Mikki, Braun and Skoda had been up to...

Sparks went a flying earlier in the day (I didn't know Skoda had picked up some kungfu skills)

They spent most of the time indulging in their favourite pastime - siesta!

One moment alert and awake...

And a few moments later....zzzzzzzzzzzz

"Are you done with taking my photos??!!??!!??"

Where has Braun gone off to? There she is, snoozing away on the study chair...

Long Time No Hear!

Aarrlllloooowww! It has been some time since I updated my blog, hasn't it? (Oops, pardon the big yawn from Mikki).

Just completed a major project at work. A new colleague joined the team on Thurs, 1st Feb so the workload should get better. And the usual grouse lor...what's new right?

My kitties are doing alright. Finally, the spate of skin problems had come to an end - thank God! All three got their vaccinations done last month. Will be bringing Mikki back to the vet for her second jab in a week's time. She weighed 1.5kg two weeks back - playful, active and has an amazing appetitie. Mikki is getting on pretty well with Skoda, always trying to get Skoda to play. It is not quite the same for her and Braun. Mikki ends up chasing Braun most of the time and when she plays with Skoda, Braun watches on the side. Braun tolerates Mikki's antics, unless the little girl pushes her luck, then that is when Braun will swipe or hiss at her - nothing aggressive though. Grimlock and I have concluded that Braun will do as well in a single-cat household. I hope the ice between Braun and Mikki will soon melt. In the meantime, I'll give Braun extra attention and dote on her more (don't know if she is feeling the 'middle child' syndrome).

On the social front, I attended an ex-colleague's wedding on 21st Jan (my first this year). I enjoyed the reunion with my old friends more, ha ha. Went for a karaoke session with some of them the following Friday. Of all my previous workplaces, this bunch of people has left me with many pleasant memories, so I'll post two photos taken at the wedding - a rare instance because so far, you've been seeing photos of my cats and only one human being, my handsome nephew.

I also met up with an ex-colleague from my last workplace for lunch last week. Well bro, all things happen for a higher purpose. God has the big picture for your life right in the hollow of His hands. Enjoy the break and keep looking up!

Yippeee, Chinese New Year is just round the corner. It is the holiday break that I'm looking forward to. Did some spring cleaning, weeded out some clothes from my wardrobe and bought some new ones (you see the link?), bought some munchies (which we've already started to consume, ha ha) - much lesser than previous years and I'm just left with changing new notes for the red packets.

Now, here is a photo to show you how much Mikki has grown. She is another feisty gal, much like Skoda...