*Sings* "It's been, one week since I start my work..."

After a month of anticipation and apprehension, I finally began my phase in an international hotel chain. Of course, it's not the first time I'm in an international hotel chain. The Oriental Singapore was a good one actually, but it was a short stint. Then, it was a small luxury hotel on our one and only island resort, which will soon have a casino built on the island. Next move was the woods up the hill (yes, enjoy wood while it's good). Finally, I'm back to an international hotel chain. I'm not all that relieve to be back to such a chain cos' I know that there're certain standard operating procedures (SOP) that must be followed along with the franchise, but I'm just glad to see some system in place. At long last! Somehow, when local owners are too involved, THEY are the system, the law and the rule.... And it change according to the moods of the owners. Gotta see where the wind blows!

Anyway, I believe that was part of the learning curve that the Lord has put me through. Thank you, Jesus! My immediate boss has been nice to me, so far. Well, it's only been but one week since I started. So, maybe her true colours haven't shine through yet. She's a very pretty ADOC, I would say. Apparently, she's my 師姐 (shi1 jie3, meaning senior (female)) from SQ, but have never seen her during my days there. My boss' boss already expecting me to establish my contacts and could almost envision that she'd expect me to close some deals next week. Need to pray for God's blessings and the Holy Spirits guiding to manage the 2 ladies' expectation. Oh yes, and mercy too!

Last Sunday has been an eye-opener for me. It was my first time to Little India! And my friends said that of all days, I gotta choose a Sunday to go. Haha! But I think it was cool as I really get a chance to experience the "fullness" of their culture. Crowded, of course, but kinda fun. I suppose it's not so bad when I've got friends around and they are also game to explore such places. After we celebrated Meihui's birthday at the Japanese restaurant, Waruku, Esther and I shopped around HMV to wait for Junming to finish his duties. It was a 2-hour wait, as we finished lunch at 1pm, but Junming will only be available from 3pm. But it wasn't that difficult to pass time too as there're many albums to listen to at HMV. Found a CD which I think was perfect for the gift exchange in the office. I was just cracking my head about what to get for the Asst. Dir of Marcom as she the person I picked when we draw lots for the gift exchange. Got "The Gift" by Corrine May, which I thought the songs were great, coupled with her voice. I sure hope she likes it.

Finally, Junming finished his duties. We headed off to Little India in his Chevy and you know it's Little India when you see people walking not on the walkway but occupying one lane on the road, not to mention people driving dangerously close at a speed that far exceeded the limit set for the lane. We behaved like tourists that afternoon, amazed at how the stalls were set, at the arrangements of the items and of course, not forgetting the air we breath, which contributed to part of the experience.

We came by this shop house which has the friendliest shop attendant I haven't seen in days. I can't remember since when I received such impeccable service. Not only are they good with their words, they were quite swift to pick up, at least, my likes and preferences and made recommendations to me. They were so friendly that I felt I should buy from them. Although I know for a fact that I probably still look like a big carrot to them, despite the fact that they gave me a "big fat discount", their friendliness was just too hard to resist.

The rest of the arvo was spent sight-seeing, photo-taking and going for "beauty treatment" (Esther had a go for the "hanna" on her hand) and accessory shopping. Oh yes, chinky-chunky accessories are important part of the Indian dressing. It's the fun part of the ethnic dressing, minus the hair oil of course!

Went for Mustafa Centre for the first time in my life. Was so amazed at how the merchandise can be so jam-packed in a departmental store. OK, call me country-pumpkin if you like, but it's an undeniable fact that it is indeed my first time in Little India. Dinner was settled at one of this, I would say, very clean, open concept restaurant in the vicinity. It is very clean, much more than a coffee shop. Again, the friendliness was a draw for us. Went for a "dosai" (pronounced as doh-say) for the very first time, I think. Drank the Lassi with the meal, which was a better experience than when I first tried it in Dubai.

When we stepped out of the restaurant after dinner, we were surrounded with people from all around. Well, what d'ya expect when you're in Little India on a Sunday evening? Esther wanted to try some Indian dessert, which we had warned her that it's very sweet. Nonetheless, we bought a few to try. Our green tea and Ribena tastes as good as plain water after the sweets. After dessert, we decided to call it a day and head for home. The bus stop which I thought my bus was supposed to be at was further than I thought. I had to walk to I can't remember where, to catch my beloved 56 home. My heels broke along the way. Just great... Nonetheless, I really enjoyed myself that evening. Sunday well-spent!