Xmas time and last weekend for the year!!

In a few days time, we will be bidding good bye to 2013 and look forward for a brand new year in 2014.. Time really flies.

Had Xmas dinner with family at Crab party on Sunday...I got a cooking pan for mum and toys for nephews..and my second brother got me a Ralph polo shirt..it's good being surprised to receive gift..lol

On Xmas eve, I have a Xmas party with the group of friends that I have known for years..gift exChange, countdown party and games..pretty awesome night..

On Friday, I also gotten the performance appraisal from my boss. I was elated and surprised with the bonus and salary increment.. What a sweet ending at the last working day in 2013. 

I think this year had been a really good year for me.. 

Feb - gotten my ACCA and found j

Apr - gotten a good bonus from UOB

May - move on to a new job 

Aug - first time to aust

Oct - got my ACCA membership

Hopefully 2014 will be another great year for me. Jan 9 will be the result released for my exam.. Finger cross xx

It's December

It's December and it's time where most people taking leave, holidaying or flying home for Xmas.. It's a lazy month for me at work since is an off-peak period now.. As such, the girls in my office began to decorate the office as well as my desk! 

Went for course on the second week of Dec and hope I can pass the exam to fulfill my goal of being a chartered accountant. Will know it very soon. Haha..went shopping on Sunday and got these toys for my 2 nephews..hope they like it even though it burns a hole in their uncle's pocket (my pocket)..lol..next year will need to get 3 gifts as 1 is on the way (sis in law (elder brother's wife) is pregnant).. Is a joyous news :)

It's been a good year for me so far and I'm really glad about it.. A lot of changes in this year..qualifications, job, environment and responsibility.. Thanks for being there for me j :)

Lastly, I have a lot of plans for 2014..further studies, traveling and better job prospects..

 

An extract from previous post http://tsfmike87.blogspot.sg/2008_05_01_archive.html

Target met..Obtained my ACCA which I set 5 years ago..

Really looking forward for those plans.. 2 more weeks to my Europe trip ..yeah ;)

Busy November

November is the peak period for me as all our corporate clients are required by law to submit tax returns to the authority by 30 nov.. With my workload, I have been working 10-12hours since oct to clear my job and prepare the returns.. As well as working on weekends..nevertheless, I still find time to chill and head out..

Went to gardens by the bay on 3 Nov. Due to its public holiday, we get discounts for the entry..pretty nice and worth to go.. Flower dome and cloud dome were pretty cool.

Subsequently, on 16 Nov, head to Sentosa for a day trip. I bought the package from deals.com which cost $38 which includes 2 ways cable cars, sky ride, luge and Segway. The sky were clear and bright until it started to rain heavily at 3.30pm.. What a shame as we did not complete the Segway,luge and the ride. Hate gloomy weather when doing outdoor activities..

Counting down

Can't wait for the much anticipated trip.. 48days to go...in need of a break seriously...

Convocation

Finally, this is the moment I have been waiting ever since I have started my course.. For those who knows me well, they all know that I have come a long way to complete my course.. Also, my parents always wanted at least one of us to be a graduate..and I'm happy that I have fulfilled their dream.

On 26 oct, I woke up early at 6.50am and headed to serangoon garden country club where the convo was held.

The event started at 9.30am and they started to present and affirm the certification at 10.15am..the whole ceremony ended around 11.30am..pretty glad that both my parents are able to be there to witness the affirmation.

Finally, that's the sweetest part of completion of the course..all my hard work paid off ..and time to earn more money in the future..lol

Another KL

On 11 oct, we drove up to KL again..this time, we have a mission..buy clothes, clock and accessories..

Left work at 6pm on Friday evening and arrived at KL around 10.30pm. Check in, and went for Prata feast and bedtime after that..

On 12 oct, woke up at 10am and headed to KLCC for breakfast at Dome..then drove up to Batu Cave and spent 3 hours  there 

Well, there is a 45 mins tour to the cave for RM35. Pretty cool...exploring the cave, finding cave insects and also experience total darkness (zero visibility)..the guide was pretty entertaining too..learnt a lot from her..subsequently, we went to pavilion and KLCC for shopping..

I can't miss the mango dessert in KL..is really yummy..food and shop for the whole Saturday..went to mdm Kwan for dinner before getting really drunk at the rooftop bar at my hotel..I was so drunk that I threw up when I went back to my room.. Lol

On Sunday, woke up late around 11.30pm, check out, went to Central market for breakfast and shopping..gotten a wall painting from there..

Then rushed to KLCC to get my banana republic shirt and had the mango dessert again before driving home...I think I have spent quite a lot this time..but had lots of fun..will go KL again for more shopping 

Sept

Nothing much this month...Rushing for my work in the beginning of the month and serve the nation from mid to end of Sept..will be more hectic from Oct onwards.

Australia - Melbourne and Perth

Finally, is a dream came true for me...Flying to Australia had always been my dream..ever since 2010, and i finally managed to pin this continent.

Day 1 - Melbourne

On 7 Aug, i decided to take advantage of the long weekend and travel to Australia. Left Singapore at about 3.30pm via Perth. From Perth, transit for 3 hours before taking off to Melbourne. Finally reached Melbourne on 8 Aug 6am (Singapore 4am).It was freezing the moment i got off the plane. it was 3 degree. Gotten the car and drove up to High Point mall to get my belt, get lunch and then head back to the apartment at around 2pm, and sleep for 3 hours. Went to City for dinner and Crown casino to try our luck. In the end, Andrea lost AUD 100, Justin won AUD 90 while i won AUD 15...lol..what a night to end with.

High Point Shopping Mall

Night view of Melbourne city

Day 2 - Woke up feeling very grumpy due to lack of sleep since i didnt slept well on the previous night. A very bad start of the day feeling grumpy and tired.Went to this small alley for breakfast before heading to Eureka 88th floor to have a panorama view of the whole Melbourne city. Afterwhich, went to the war memorial park and Melbourne museum to see the dinosaurs. Initially, i was hestitated to visit the museum since i am not a culturally-rich person. BUT, i highly recommend to go to this museum because they have alot of exhibitions. From dinosaur, to science, to gems, to history of Melbourne, to human body..is very interesting and can really spent half a day there. The day end with a smile when we headed to chinese restuarant to have dumplings and noodles.

Alley for breakfast

Melbourne day view

View from 88th floor

War memorial park

Walking with dinosaurs

Day 3 -  Woke up at 8am and headed to Puffing Billy to catch the steam train. We managed to catch the 10.30am train and it takes an hour to go up to Lakeside (Emerald lake park). It was cold and miserable there. Raining the whole time i was there. Shivering when i was there and spent an hour there before heading back to the start. Went to Olinda for lunch and explore this town.

Steam train

Lakeside

Olinda

Day 4 - Begin our journey to Great Ocean road. Went to  Apollo Bay for breakfast. Went to alot of nature parks, waterfalls and light house. The highlight of the day was the 12 Apostles Victoria. Amazing(amazeball!!) and breathtaking view. The limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park, a place worth visiting. While driving, saw alot of wild life animals like cows, koala bears, kangaroo and sheeps...just like going to the zoo. lol. Spent a night at Apollo Bay.

Spilt point light house

Great Ocean road

Waterfall

Apostle

Day 5 - Continue the tour around the reserves and national park. Went for tree top walk at Otway. Exploring the different types of tress and natural reserves. 2 hours drive back to Melbourne. Had Thai for dinner before heading to airport and catch our night flight to Perth. Spending the whole day there before heading to airport again to return to Singapore. It was really a great trip and experience in Australia. I already made up my mind that i want to explore other cities like Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane in the future with that special person.

Koala caught striving

Another park with great ocean view

Tree top

 Day 6 - Reach Perth at about 12.30am due to the flight delayed and strong wind. Went to Avis to pick up the car and drove straight to the hotel and sleep. Woke up at about 10am and begin our day at Perth. We only have 1 day in Perth. Went to Fremantle. Visied the prison, Mint museum (where they showcast how the gold was formed) and around the vicinity.

Rental car in Perth

Perth city view

Fremantle, Perth

Mint museum

Best fish and chips in town with sea gulls

Prison break