What I really think about shanghai

As reported in my fb/tweet/blog and word of mouth, my fiancee or affectionately known as my hubby has moved to Shanghai for almost 3 weeks now. I am still terrified by the fact that he's in Shanghai and I am moving UP there soon to join him. As most people understand, it is not good for newly married couples to be away from each other.. NOT GOOD!

Few days ago, I was blessed to be activated for a Shanghai flight (for work) as I miss him so much and I long to see how's his life there. I reached my hotel after midnight and was so thrilled to see him sitting at the lobby waiting for me.. Just knowing someone u love is waiting for you after work is like candy to a kid.. SWEET! We went to his apartment in the morning as he has too much to do for work and I have a big cargo bag to unpack to his apartment. XP

This was what I saw the first thing I step out of the taxi....

The apartment is a private area with guards and automated card-scan door.. Pretty ATAS (posh) compared to where I'm staying now in Singapore.. the rental here can cost u more than RMB20,000 a month (about RM 10,000) for a 3 rooms apartment.. And the apartment is not excitingly big at all.. Lets just say its cute and cozy! Of course, all these his company pay la.. we could never afford such high rentals.. We might stay in a wooden house with coconut tree leaves if we were to find our own place on our own expense.

I wasn't really thrilled with Shanghai as I had some bad experience with the busy streets, loud aunties, dirty-spitting-everywhere-uncles, crowded places and much much more when I used to fly there for work. Staying in Singapore for more than 2 years has accustomed me to a clean nice comfortable place and pretty robotic people who just go on with their lives everyday and do not scream and shout at people on the streets. Of course, there's no place like home-Malaysia. Malaysia is not exactly the best place to stay on earth, nor it has the best politic history, but I just love Malaysia for what it is! Especially my small little town- Klang, has the best food on earth! Like seriously ok!!! I've travelled around the world enough to say that confidently!

Back to the topic....

Went up to his apartment and greeted his housemates aka colleagues, he showed me his humble master-bedroom. It was much smaller than what I expected but it was cozy and fully furnished. The best part about the room is the breath-taking city view:
Hubby says the view is so much better at night, and it was true! Managed to peek on the night scene before I left to work back to Singapore!
There was a school sports event happening on that day and I can see so many events happening from the room itself. The students shouting 'Jia you! JIa you!' with so much enthusiasm can be heard from where I stood with the windows tightly shut! And I was very high above ground!
This was taken at the living hall... hubby's office is somewhere there... Try spotting it, and u'll get nothing! XP
The chinese (from china that works together with me) stewardess that saw my husband in the hotel lobby when we arrive last night says my hubby is handsome.. I'm proud but dam jealous! And it makes me worry more now...

We walked to his office under the super-can-melt-u hot sun which is less than 10 mins walk away from the apartment. The office is still under renovation and his boss has just bought so many furnitures from IKEA. Hubby has to go to the office and open the door to let the workers work on the furnitures..
The REAL Shanghai is not just about sky scrappers and beautiful scenery.. its about living and blending with the locals.. It was 10 in the morning and you can see the locals out and about doing their daily chores. The streets are not really clean and there are some parts where I want to puke just looking at it but i'm good...
Then we went to this tiny little shop which sells beef noodles that can only sit around 10 people at one time. This is one of his favourite shop so far as it is convenient, cheap, easy and 24 hours! Hubby ordered 2 beef noodles and frankly, I like it very much!
The beef is soft and the noodles (La-mien)are freshly made.. The soup is not too salty or too bland.. It was quite nice! The only down part is, the shop is not clean at all! But what do u expect from a small local shop right?
I was so hot that I must have a cold pepsi (no coke)to cool me down. If u know me well enough, u know that I dont take gas drinks often unless its necessary or unavoidable like when I order a meal in Mcdonald.. Pepsi and beef la-mien = AWESOMENESS for breakfast!
The things in the shop are very affordable.. 1 small bowl of beef la-mien will cost u RMB5 which is less than RM2.5 i think.. very cheap! Next time I wanna try their Egg fried rice with their beef soup... nyam!
This is a view of the apartment hubby is staying from the street that I will walk alot in the future.. Pretty magnificent..

Hubby felt bad to neglect me during the day (after breakfast) because he has too much work to do, he brought me to this nice japanese restaurant near his place..

They sell japanese style BBQ meat...very nice also! But not too nice for the pocket...
Mr Jeremy Ng very serious reading and studying the menu.. He doesn't really understand most of it coz its either in Japanese or Chinese...
The liquors and japanese wine selection.. too bad I can't indulge in any because I have to work later... But will definitely give it a try in the future if I have the chance! Lol!
I ordered Oolong tea and he ordered some Japanese Grapefruit drink with 3.5% of alcohol.. Its really refreshing and nice!
I was confused.. this looks very like KIMCHI (suppose to originate from Korea) and I thought this is a japanese restaurant? But the bean sprout and cucumber was really good!

the hungry Me!

the tired jeremy!

We were suppose to cook the meats by ourselves but in the end the waitress helped us.. Maybe we were too slow.. hahahaha.. but everything was really good and both of us were really bloated after the meal! They gave us a mint chewing gum after hubby settled the bill.. This will never happen in Singapore (coz chewing gum is illegal here)... hahahahaha
Before we say goodbye to each other.. Both has chewing gum inside our mouth!

To be frank, this one day trip in REAL Shanghai hasn't gave me the IT factor for me to fall in love with other than the fact that my hubby is there.. But so far so good.. Many people told me that Shanghai is really happening and I dont need to worry about not being able to get anything I want there.. I can custom make my clothes there with a very cheap price.. I can get a massage just below the apartment or for a spa! There's so many shopping complexes in Shanghai to keep me entertained and the locals are not as bad as what I used to encounter. I look forward for my next LONG trip there to really stay and live there.. Who would ever thought that PAMELA SOO will be migrating to Shanghai soon? hahahaha.. from malaysia to singapore and soon to shanghai.. only God knows where I'm heading next!

p/s: Since I will be quitting my job soon, heres a picture of me in the uniform.. Its really iconic ok! I will definitely miss flying and the places it can bring me to.. but i know I have a better future with someone I love in a foreign land..
Adios!

Westport..

Its 3.38 am and while more than half of the men population is watching Chelsea vs Red Devils aka Man U, I'm staring blankly at my computer updating my pathetic blog.. (i'm supporting Chelsea coz Man U too many fans d..GO CHELSEA!! YOU ROCK!! Whoever that are playing la..) Sad life? I dont think so.. Just can't sleep.. its dam irritating when i know i suppose to get some rest and get my butt up and drag myself to the office in few hours time..

Anyway, I was given a rare opportunity by my ever lovely boss last friday to attend a new vessel's (big ship that carries containers from one coutry to the other)launching in west port. Finally!! After working under Boustead (mind u.. its not read as Bastard k) shipping for more than 1 year, I can step into the ever-famous WESTPORT!! I've been waiting and waiting for the chance but it never came true.. I was just anticipating for the day to come and of course will not leave my camera at home..

The 'grand' opening is in this building where all the (boring) speeches will be presented by big shots.. This is the only 'tall' building you can see in the whole west port..

Ladies and gentleman, introducing my dearest colleague aka partner in crime (at office) aka my driver of the day aka teddy bear (look at the cute cuddly size..) aka Mr Ryan ng.. standing like a dungu while taking pic.. I think he forgot to wash his face..haha.. he's so gonna kill me..

The background is not interesting.. the model is worse.. i suck at posing.. still learning the art of posing.. or should I just blame on the camera man.. lol
This is the hall where all the formal ceremony thingy is held.. I wasn't really concentrating.. *sleepy* busy scanning around and taking pic..

Some of the employees of Boustead Shipping + customers = the crowd

Victor from Penang who drove down all the way for this thing since 4am!!! salute his stamina!! He's one of those rare funny sporting person you can really talk to..
part of the view of the port from the building..
Look at those blue gigantic 'dinasours' they use to lift up containers from and onto vessels..

Just look at those imported cars 'sun-bathing' in the middle of west port.. *drools*

I'm still figuring out what are those big pipes for..
Terence helping me to Adjust the hat before we proceed to the new vessel..So gentleman.. can't wait can't wait.. *screams with absolute excitement*
One of my many colleagues that got the chance to visit this vessel.. Farah..
Kak Sue and me.. She's just really fun to be with.. I hate that yellow line on my teeth.. darn.. so annoying.. spoil the whole pic..
Posing with her sunglass.. Ms Sandra.. Vegetarian and stronger than most of us youngsters..
In the bus from the building to the VESSEL!!! All looking like firemen and women..

THE VESSEL!!!! Its just so huge that it takes my breath away..
This is my BOSS!!! We call him Jackie Cheung coz he can really sing!!! Dont be fooled by his smile.. you dont know the garang-ness in him.. But he's really nice..
Ryan with Boss.. We are the only 2 sales people under him for now.. *praying for cuter and hotter looking colleagues to join the sales team*
Wanted to take me with the vessel..but the vessel is just too huge.. I'm quite satisfied with my look here.. so dont care..
Humans just looked so small here.. Westport is very particular about safety.. so, we all have to wear a safety helmet and the XL size bright yellow jacket while we are in the port..

Shawn and me.. the other sales from the other department.. looking abit dungu also..
The couple of Malaysian version Brokeback mountain.. Ryan and shawn.. Both of them just love to join forces and bully me big time!! Love them and hate them..
Its seems like endless..
Walking up.. *heart pumping faster*

One of the machinese i spotted in one of the rooms.. i have no idea whats the purpose.. just very excited about everything and snapping away.. after all.. no films are needed what..
We have to climb like 5-6 floors to reach the control room.. tiring.. all of us are penting after we reached the top..
This is the control room where the captains and sailors 'drive' the vessel and calculate stars and bla bla bla.. finally!!!
The biggest compass I've ever seen.. darn cool..
The steeering wheel that look so powerless to control the whole vessel..

Everbody exploring..
This is the view from the top to the vessel which is carrying more than 200 containers.. I think its the size of more than 3-4 football fields..
The deck..
The back of the vessel.. more containers..
This is the name of the Vessel..

I'm still learning how to pose.. I suck.. I know..

Me with Salinda.. She's a mother of 3 already!!

My camera ran out of battery and I didn't managed to take more pics *sob sob* after this last 1.. But the whole experience was just so cool and I really enjoyed it.. Although its really really hot!!! It is something that not everyone will be able to experience and although I'm really excited about it.. I doubt I can ever live in such vessel or any ships for more than 1 month.. They have all sorts of facilities for the crews on board and its quite modernized but the space constrain and the limited access to the world on land will drive me nuts.. This is something I will treasure and thanks to my boss who's willing to bring Ryan and me up for this whole trip.. because, technically, we both are not really 'related' to this ship as its not our responsibility to sell the spaces of this ship to our customer..

P/s: I'm still so awake!! crap.. I'm getting really bad sleeping disorder already.. its already 4.18am.. and the match has not ended..