I remembered an email from a good friend when i told him about the MIA cheque or cash payment, and here is he's reply,

Other suggestions:

Ø       For future cases, be paid partly in advance and the rest on delivery (no money, no honey lah),

Ø       Steal something (valuable!) when you leave their office :0)))

I swear if all fails i was going to grab the iMac in their office when they went out for lunch.

. 

And so, i figure out something interesting today. That having a report made actually works. I decide to take matters into my own hands recently, since the wait was tooo long. 

I went to visit the nearest friendliest neighbourhood tough guy sometime ago and let my mouth do the talking. I told the you-know-who to make the you-know-what documents to have it sent to the bad guys for the you-know-why. 

And then i wait. 

And then i wait some more. 

A little longer. 

And then finally today, i received the little yellow note.  Aren't i awesome?

Not that awesome,of course, as im not suppose to be in this position to start with, but awesome enough to get this matter settled without any Lawyer Letters (which means more $$) or whatever what not.

So there. 

Case Closed.

It has been about 5 months since i last took an airplane, and I have already booked my air ticket to the land of craziness the end of the month. Assuming, of course, that I can somehow cough up the cash, which is another problem entirely and for the moment an obstacle in the road that I'm pretending isn't there.

Aargh. Bad debt. Summons, Fines. Why am i attracting too much negative energy?? I just received another one today. Don't know what it is, but its a Traffic Offence. ANOTHER TRAFFIC OFFENCE. OMG. I am officially a criminal now. 

Since i've started to be more organized, i told Kiki, my helper, AKA the best friend to make another folder in my file that says, Summons and Fines. 

We didn't in the end, of course. Its ludicrous to create something that is not suppose to be there at the first place.  

Anyway, more on that later. Travel talk now. 

I swear if it wasn't for my friends coming from France all the way just to see me, i wouldn't even consider twice on going.  Would totally prefer going somewhere else if i really want to consider it a holiday. 

  So, obviously coming to Singapore wasn't part of the itinerary at all, i mean come on, don't they want to see the amazing Resort World in Sentosa  or ASIA Most Spectacular Business, Leisure and Entertainment Destination in Marina Bay Sand???

A little side track- What happen to that guys who got stuck in the lift anyway? Poor Guy.

.

Not a hint of sarcasm there. Honest.

Ok, so as i was saying, so instead of them coming out here, they make me go there . TWO WORDS. EMOTIONAL BLACKMAILING. That's what it is. There's nothing you can say or do to prove otherwise.  Tickets has already been booked.

i still love you both though. hehe. 

omg. its 4.21. i should be in bed now. 

zzzzzzz

What does it mean to love someone?
Because my sister said, "i don't really like her, but i love her by default."

 My sister has a real unique flamboyant character. Love her or hate her, she really doesn't care.She is smart and talented in so many ways. Always engaging in a conversation that makes you question your level of intelligence (or stupidity). 

Currently, overqualified and underpaid in her current job as a Lab Eye Technician, she was forced to stay in the hospital for another year. I knew that when the time comes, she's going to be far far away from here. (Please don't leave me!!) 

So anyway, watching fire performers has specifically intrigue us during our recent trip to the Philipines. Coming back, she started to show obsession towards playing poi. Innovatively creating D.I.Y poi with garbage bag with rice packets to pantyhose with tennis ball, and finally, improvised to sock poi. And now she has her own new toy. Fire poi. Yes, she has now start playing it with fire, mind you. And in my opinion, almost professionally, in just 3 short months!

 The Butterfly 

Look Ma, I'm poing! Ok lah, i only know a couple of move. Its a good picture, but that is all to it.

All geared up with earpiece and charger, i make my way to Ubi and charged towards the building.

Being all smirky, i said to the receptionist, "Hey, here's my documents. Give it back to me. Now!" (while having flasback of the knock on the window)

"Oh" she said, "The storeman is out for lunch, be back later."

OUT FOR LUNCH?? Oh come on, some people life is at stake now, and he's having lunch??

I stomped out of the lobby, feeling enraged. I'm not about to wait while that guy glut through he's lunch. And besides i have work to do.

I was furious. I was mad. I went back to the car and start calling ( not while driving though, heh) some friends to help me collect it with my consent. After receiving no answers from them, i was able to calm myself down and when straight back to work.

Why am i acting as if its between life and death? I mean, come on, they are worst thing you can die from. Using a black and white phone with polyphonic ringtone is definitely not one of them (well, unless it explode). The reason why Dr Martin Cooper invented handphone is not too take pictures, or whats-apping or even to see where's the best Makan Place. It is to make phone calls! Thats the whole point!

People has been acting like having iphones is a neccessity in ones life. Like it comes before food and shelter.

And i have been a victim of all this hype.

I need to emotionally organized myself and get away from this people.

Well, untill tomorrow that is. Yipee!

I was awaken by a rude shock this morning, breathless and debating with myself whether my legs is still intact with my body. I have been burning the candle at both end.  

It felt like just a moment ago when i pop a pill and syrup woods for Sahur( meal eaten before dawn) before going to bed. And now 3 hours later, i'm working in a bank.I'm feeling rather groggy and sluggish.

And right after work, i will be heading back to my space at Paya Lebar for the month long Ramadhan Bazaar.  11 days left! Somehow i knew, its going to be a fruitful event! 

So what's next??? Who knows?!

But what i do know, there'll be alot more to come. Visualize. Visualize.

"Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, and your character become your destiny. So your thoughts IS YOUR DESTINY. Visualize. Its a catalogue. Decide what you want. "

Three days and three phones. 

On one fine Monday, i sent my van for inspection and to install air-conditioner ( wee!! finally after enduring 8 long months of hot yoga).

Somehow along the way, my Pink Samsung M8800 got 'missing'.

The next day, i received a phone  call at midnight  from a good friend. I drove in a quickest time (ok, not really, my van can only go as fast a bicycle on a high speed) to Pasir Panjang on a rescue mission. That poor guy was unable to react on a huge wooden plank in a middle of the road and hurt himself real bad.. I borrowed him my $45 Nokia phone as he's phone was crushed.

Wednesday, after the interview with Tianyun for CLEO yoursay, i made my  way to Ubi Traffic Police to get my driving licence replaced ( it was stolen in a night club in KL months ago) and i was stop by a Traffic Police. How irony??

A potential customer called as i stopped at the traffic light. Before i can even tell him that i will call him back, there was a loud knock on my window, he said, "Give me your phone NOW!'

12 Demerits points. $200 Fine. And phone confiscated for 2-4 weeks. 2-4 Weeks! My poor iphone. I wonder how it will live without me. Locked inside that drawer, all alone.

Choices. Life is all about choices. I have a choice to answer that phone call or not. And i did. It was a mistake and someone could have died. 

Almost 4 weeks now, and there's no letter or phone call.

So i went down. 

And i was utterly disappointed. I probably have to wait longer than expected. 

Thats the consequences of the choice that i made. 

Deal with it.

Sometimes i wonder, how can anyone life be so dramatic?? Or am i just plain unlucky?

Somebody shoot me please.

 Where do you draw the line?

____________________________________________________________________

I don't draw everyday, sometimes, months or even years will pass by, i havent been able to stop and see and put it on a paper. Im just too occupied and distracted. But when i finally feel inspired and pick up my pencil again,my first drawings is grotesque,cramped,tentative and blind. But after a while of steady practice, i am right back where i left off.. Each time i go back to really seeing, i see more...

My lost and found passion. 

A dying art. 

Ever since i discovered this new way of expressing my emotions and thoughts, i wasn't

able to  put my pencil down. 

.

Batik Process

Canting, a wax pen with a thin spout is used to draw designs on the cloth.

.

Un souvenir de Singapour avec amitié

My first painting delivered to France for a good friend, Siham 

My First Official Painting. 

An Old drawing converted to Batik.

An ex-entrepreneur himself, a successful director who's armed with an MBA texted me last week,

"I envy you so much! You live your dream and put all your energy in it! That is life!" when i told him about my last event.

Every time when i'm feeling down in the dumps, i'm always counting on this messages and emails from people who gave me words of encouragements, advices and inspirations. 

I knew that if i were to channel my energy, capabilities and potentials to the maximum level, i am able to see the fruits of my hard work provided when the opportunity presents itself.

But what if it doesn't?  

I have been lucky so far. But now that it has ended, it has left me stranded. I have been searching. I'm disheartened and slightly exhausted.

I was hanging out at my friend's cafe last Tuesday and i was introduced to a mini-skirt girl called L.

I soon realized that her ( well, her boyfriend) owned that soon-to-be-open 2 million dollar worth of 3 storey-high cafe next door.. Well, it obviously left me being questionably envious and being in a wondering mode. If only life could be that simple. 

But then again, where's the value of it? 

If only i was brought up in a super royalty family. If only God were kinder to me than my-boyfriend-bought-me-a-cafe bitch. (yes, im jealous) If only i was born with an IQ level of  145.

Screw If. 

If is just a bloody excuse. 

I believe in hard work. And I have not worked hard enough in my life. 

I've been allowing myself to be lazy this past few days. And, god. I hate myself. 

I'm going to find a space. TONIGHT. I can feel it. 

"Nancy, is it ok, if i go for lunch at 12.30pm today? i asked my collegue. "I'm expecting an important phone call"

Interviewed on Air on Radio Ria, 89.7 FM!! Introducing Grab & Go, Craving for Crepes for the next event held at Singapore Expo from 5-8 August 2010.

Setting up after work later!!

__________________________________________________________________________

I make my way to EDC@SMCCI last monday after feeling disheartened leaving NTUC Income for the renewal of my vehicle insurance and road tax.

I entered the office, and told the receptionist.. " Hi, i'm not sure what i'm doing here, but i need help." I sat in for the Business Consultation for the next 2 hours.

I told the consultant a short description about myself and he explicated that i was bitten by an  "entrepreneuriul bug."

Is it medical condition?

Some people refused to let this bug go through their system- but to a handful of people like myself- they allowed this bug to take over their body. Pieces by pieces. Slowly and painfully. It affects the social,emotional, mental and financial well-being of the "host".  This bug happen to be disorganized and probabilty of having ADD, it will never leave you alone, they will either drag you down or will help you grow.

Because at this point of time, its really about the question of sustainability. Are you sure you are cut out for this?

"Excuse me sir, if i wanted to received a psychological evaluation i would have consult a counsellor."

Err.. Ok ok. That wasn't entirely true. I made that up.  But he did said i was bitten by the bug, not literally, of course. 

At the end of the session, he asked me to look him right in the eye, and asked me in bossly manner, "WHY DO YOU NEED  A BUSINESS PLAN?"

"Don't look away now! Look at me. Why do you need it??"

I swear to god that scare the S*** out of me.

"Its because it define who i want to be. Its the future me. The bigger picture. The end result. "

So i asked myself after leaving the office, what is the definition of an  entrepreneuer?

Its a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.

 I do manage my own little business. I have initiative when i need to.

And yes, business is all about taking risk. If i were to analyze my source credibilities, the outcome is definitely a negative.

I dont have enough financial support let alone the capital to start of.

I dont have enough time.

I'm not sure if i'm capable of running my own business.

I am not prepared for it.

Bull shit.

You are not prepared for it. And you will never be ready for it.

In that case, you will never do it. Execute it. Do it. Yes, you will fail. But its a journey that brings you to where you want to be. There will always be tomorrow. There will always be later. Why not today? Today is the day. 

REFLECT. What have you done today?

Get up on your arse and do something worth living for.

Another Memorable Event

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, VIP for the event, watching me and mum preparing Crepes and Kirai at the Malay Food Festival. Another dish add to the menu since we are targeting the Malay Market.

Ok, so I wasn't entirely happy.

Where did it went wrong?

I was promised a pushcart. And they gave me 4 tables.

 It was raining heavily the day before and the securities must have covered the tentage AFTER the rain

The organizer said that the event will be advertised on Radios, Paper and TV, but most of the people that attended the event was tourist, school children on excursion and passer-by.

The electricity went off at least 3 times in 1 hour.  Oh yes. The electricity went out at least 27 times in one day.  

So for ONE, people were disappointed cos i took longer time to prepare the crepes and that i have to cancel their orders. TWO. Its embarrassing. Please. I have told you before the event that i need a high voltage of electricity. Don't tell me you can and WILL but do exactly the opposite.

Its frustrating having to check the electricity every 5 minutes, you know. 

Anyway,  i manage to get back 20% money back for the lost income. 

No Electricity. No Crepes. I should have been more aggressive and squeeze the entire cost of rental space but oh, well.. 

I did applause this guys for being patient and responsible but good god, get your numbers right. Get the right people to work for you. If you are unable to provide a good platform for the tenants, then this is probably not for you. 

Anyway, that aside, why was i smiling at the end of the day?

1) I won 2nd for Most Popular food.. ( although it took me at least half an hour to prepare a one-minute crepe)

2) Hussein Saban, an actor, host and comedian said it was the best crepes he ever tasted. Comparison to Pitas and Kebabs

3) The kid ordered he's 10 crepes in 2 days. 10! 

!!!

and of course, having friends dropping by makes it all worth it.

Fiszuanie.

Gil and friends

Sailata promoting Grab & Go

The girls

_________________________________________________________________________________________

And always make time after work! but not too long! 

Drink with Friends!

!

Or dancing with mum!!

Toodles

Love 

Nadya

Hey All,

Since last event was encouraging, i signed up for another event this weekend!! Yeay! Its at Taman Warisan, Malay Heritage Centre near the Sultan Mosque!! From 10 am- 7pm.

Oh yes! What better way to spend the weekend!

Good performance, good food, good ambience! 

Come on now, its near Arab Street! Isn't it where you guys go every other weekend?

Hope to see you there! 

Love

Nadya

Every now and then, you need to sit down, reflect and critically examined yourself, why do certain things happen the way it is in your life? How would a person that inspire you or you admire would have react if the same situation occur to them? Do you think the outcome would be the same? What characteristic do they have that you are lacking of? And why are they more successful than you? Why can't you be as successful as them?

Everyone has a talent to discover. God has design it in a way that each one of us has task to complete in this life. What's yours? 

And what is mine?

Do i really think that this is the path HE has created for me?

He created things that falls right into place just for you to pick it up, pieces by pieces. But why are there so many obstacles and potholes that we need to overcome? Is it a sign for you to just stop, and find another path? Or does he wants you to understand that, if you want something so bad, you have to go through hardship, just so you will see the value of it, and appreciate it more?

Take a deep breath. Let it out.. Slow. Relax. Put the pieces together.. One by One. 

On one beautiful night, i prayed so hard, for God to give me a sign. I was awaken by a knock on a door. It was Destiny.  

He said, "Cease all order and stop all operation."

Wow. I thought. That was instant. And that leads me to an obvious question," So should i just get a job?"

I refused to believe that. I want to do this. I believed that i was designed to do this. Whatever the future may brings. But for now, this is what i need to do. I don't want to look back and said, "Damn, i should have done that when i was younger;" I didn't ask God for his opinion just so i can turn my back on him. I want to be sure. I need to be sure. 

Going through court has made me learned. Not to make the same mistake again. He wanted me to follow the right path. When  will i achieve it? How do i achieve it? Thats not a question i need to answer. One day, i will realize that," Oh that was what HE had PLANNED all along." 

EXPRESS your gratitude. Every day. 

People always said that "You plan but only God will decide your fate'"

But i think that, it is God, who plan it all. And it is YOU who have to decide whether to walk on the path and decide your own fate. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Well, 

Whatever the case maybe, please return my iphone soon. I promise i wont talk on the phone while driving. EVER AGAIN. 

Love 

Nadya

So…honest…I don’t mean this in a drama mama kinda way.

It’s just that I realized that I really suck pretty bad at this writing/reporting sort of thing, heck i even suck at numbers. I wonder how am i going to put together a business plan. 

      

Seriously, you dont have to tell me the importance of it. I know it is.

So this one particular guy once told me, "i dont understand why you can't write, if you're so into it, im sure you can come up with a plan'. Sometimes i  just wanna murder this guy. Its not that i cant take constructive remark, its just the way he said it.. its just so.. unkind and crude. There's a thing called OUTSOURCING, if you havent heard of it.

 

Im sorry we just cant be friends anymore. 

Anyway, back to as what i was saying,  As much as i think i can be interesting enough to start a conversation and, hold a conversation and last a few dinners and meet up, i dont think i'm smart enough to have an intelligent conversation.. I mean I can construct a coherent sentence for the most part, but I don’t seem to be able to engage with readers/listeners in such a way as to tell a meaningful story. And it’s an obscene amount of work for me…takes hours to do what normal people can sensibly put together or say in minutes.

Oh well.

To an unrelated note, how do you compare someone who strive to be an entrepreneur and someone who works their way up on the corporate ladder?

After much consideration, i have decided to purchase a Crepe Machine. Mummy dearest suggested that we buy the CHINA brand crepe machine that's half the cost.

Well, i don't have anything against "MADE in CHINA' but i should know enough after buying Zee - (my van!) off the market. 2 weeks is all it takes, and months of non-airconditioning, several vehicle and not to mention, emotional  breakdown. 

Not that i have much of choice.

You see, mum has a point ( she always does, and god i hate it), i cant manage with one crepe machine on a 80,000++( based on last years) crowd puller event. She said that i should at least buy 2 machine.

I, on the other hand,  can't obviously afford it. And so she said, 

"Just get two Made in CHINA ones, for the price of one of Made in France." 

Come on, MADE IN CHINA??

I'll go for quality. 

And besides, the France Crepe Machine looks more professional.

Well, i want to look professional. 

2 days before the event, mum bought me another "Made in France" crepe machine. 

What do i do without her.

Love

Nadya

I was browsing thru my Facebook when i came across an acquaintance. After exchanging messages, we soon meet up for a custard session. 

I'm so glad i met her! Not because she make good custard, but also because she's nice and pleasant!! and pretty too!!

And so,i discovered that, making custard, especially for a large volume for small businesses is very much a hassle. That will be probably work after my next event. For now, ill just stick to ready made paste!

I wouldnt know that if i hadnt met her. And also she's a student at Globalchef Academy! She received a 90% subsidy by the government. That means, she only need to pay $2.4k for the school! How great is that!! Oh yes!  

Depending on my involvement and the outcome for the first, second and the one month-long Ramadhan at Geylang, i will then decide if i should go on with this Crepes Business, expand, be more involved in events and festivals. Get my Business Plan ready and get investors to fund for my project. 

Otherwise, i'm going to write in and find sponsporship to further my studies in culinary arts. Learn More. Study More. Improved my skills. And then start setting up my own after the next two years.

http://www.at-sunrice.com/prof/ACP.aspx

That's the plan. 

Time is catching up on me. I better run.

"If life give you lemons, make lemonade and lemon sauce.Make more stand and franchise."

5 days has passed and i'm still hyped up over the event. It was a successful event to say the least, not because it was profitable-but because the experience was priceless. 

They came.They asked.They buy.They gave feedback.They gave constructive remark.They compliment.They left. 

At the end of the day, i've became wiser. More than yesterday. Less than tomorrow.

People keep asking, " How was the sales?, How much profit did you make? "

I brushed it off and said, " Well, it was a loss, but the response was really encouraging." 

Some people just don't get it. It was my first event. THE FIRST. I'm young and inexperience. There's so much more to learn and discover. I made mistakes. I bought things in advance (not over spending, mind you.) I bought unnecessary things. I was late. I burned myself. The crepes wasn't that round. 

But at the end of the 4th day, i was almost there.

Thats the beauty of it. I have learned. 

Guide me. Teach me.  I'm craving for more knowledge and guidance.

Me and the mouse chef! Sadly, he went missing after the event.

Love the Look!

First you put the fillings.

More fillings.

Then you fold it..

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

Tada! Beautiful, isn't it?

Some of the people that came.

Gui, pretending to know what he's doing.

Daddy. Proud of he's masterpiece.

Mr Wood, Thanks for the help!

Joakim, pretending to be French. Bonjour! 

Tired after a long day at work.

Well at least, i am.

A client- an Event Organizer who is also friend asked for my previous Catering Company -which i run for 8 months- to cater for his staff for a prestigious event held at Marina Barrage for the New Year Celebration 2010. It was a huge event, and being a non-party goer, i was glad to have enter this event for free to see what is it like.

It was a beautiful night- full of young people getting drunk and crazy as the DJ was spinning.   
 

I went back home, feeling satisfied. I started my year with full of energy and and hard work. And i know that this year is going to be a good year. 

2 months has past and then 3. Things has change along the way. And i became occupied and focus with new clients and new events.

7 months now, and i didn't hear any news from them.

Now, considering that the organizer is my friend, i allowed him and his company to take their time to issue me the cheque.I went to their office last few weeks, after no reply from phone calls and email and they were very much suprised. They said that there is some complications in the Finance department.

That was a month ago, and they still have yet to sent me the cheque.

Now my question is, how can small business owner-like myself take legal actions against companies who are unable to pay for the product/ services?

The case is to small to consult a lawyer- and also the SCT doesnt support this kind of small cases.

What do i do?? 
 

Although things are a little chaotic in my life right now, i'm glad that it turn out to be the way it is.

"He knew i did him a favor. He wouldnt want this. He wanted a simple life. He wanted a simple girl."

Throughout the year, i've met so many amazing and highly inspiring people. I get involved in people and social circle group. And i discovered that people are just people. They can't intimidate you. Its knowledge and experience that sets you apart. I created good friendship with all this people. And they have help me in so many ways that i truly appreciate. And i've learned that the main thing about friendship and relationship is really about accepting.

You just can't change the way you are. Even if it means breaking apart.

Nadya