Top 3 spots for photos in the Grand Canal Shoppes, Venetian, Macau

I have been thinking about blogging this since not long after the Venetian’s Grand Opening…

When we walk around the mall, the gals and I found some really strange things… the things that we normally wouldn’t do…

And so we have concluded that the following spots in the Grand Canal Shoppes are the 3 most popular spots for camera shots!

3rd Place (outside Edo Japanese Restaurant, well comprehensive coz it has a very stunning backdrop)



2nd Place (the posters they put up on hoardings as displays so that they won’t look so plain... but to pose in front of the thing and take a picture??? come on, the real canal is just right in front of you!!)


1st Place (there’s a stage in St. Mark’s Square for Streetmosphere performances, when the stage is not in use, a black fabric panel will be placed right in front the stage, to prevent tourists/shoppers from staging themselves… erm... what's so special about a black fabric panel??? Ahhhhhh~~ Venetian's Logo!!!!)



Look!! I actually caught somebody in action!!!

Hahahaha!!

Thomas baked cookies again!!!

Thomas (the one in blue shirt) – the ultimate baker of the office… he bakes cookies occasionally and brings them to the office to share with all the colleagues. A very impressive action I must say. He’s the only man I know who bakes cookies!!

Today, he bakes again. Have a look, I just luuuuuurve the way they look… “These are bloody racist!!” says Brian hahahahaha…





and they do look yummy...



But... erm... 9 out of 10 gals think the same!! The last one, she was too...

Anyway, I must thank Thomas for all the cookies he has baked for us, they tasted wonderful! and I'm sure the guys would enjoy the cookies better than the gals this time... hehehe... ya ya ya, I know I know, I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!!!

What a disappointment!

Last Thursday 28/03/2008 (I only have time to blog it now), we went to Oriented.com's Happy Hours (which is "simultaneously" held on the last Thursday of every month in more than ten cities around the world, providing international networking opportunities and global guanxi for members) in McSorley's, in The Venetian with Kenneth Terry, Eddie and Jane. As usual, the Guinness was good but because I've had too much to drink the night before, I only had one. It was a good place for friends get-together tho.

At about 20:15, Derek showed up and we've decided to go to the Lion's Bar in MGM (the link is for you to identify this place when you come visit Macau... read on and you'll see what I mean) but before me and Adrian got into Kenneth's car, Kenneth said he wanted to get something from his office and left us in the carpark for about 5 minutes. That was when we had a disagreement. It stopped when Kenneth returned to the car but I was still upset. It was about an accusation that Adrian made against one of my friends, which I was dead sure that Adrian was incorrect. I had to defend my friend.

Anyway, we arrived at the Lion's Bar and we made up before we even sat down but I needed more time to wait it out. When I finally calmed down, Adrian had decided he wanted to give us a kiss, but not in front of the friends - they'll tease us for sure! And so he grabbed my hand and we walked out of the bar and kissed right by the side entrance of the bar. (note: surrounding the Lion's Bar, is the casino - all 3 sides) Just as we started our kiss, a couple of security guards came at us and "told" us not to kiss there because it was the casino and that we had to get back to the bar!! hmm... that wasn't so nice! I understand that we're in Asia, which looks like a more conservative region but there was not a single sign that says, "no kissing"! Coming from a Muslim country, Malaysia, which is supposed to be very conservative, I couldn't figure it out, what do you think a gwailo like Adrian would think? I know that minors are not allowed in the casinos of Macau, and so are government servants, but no kissing is just unacceptable. And they had to send 2 impolite security guards to humiliate us???? Ya, right, we were just gonna provoke all the gamblers, who only had interest in what was happening at the gaming tables, by kissing at the side entrance of the bar!!! Can anyone please tell me if kissing is not allowed in casinos in Macau? And that it is prohibited???

I have decided to try kissing in all the other casinos in Macau and see how many casinos will send impolite security guards to tell us off... hehehehe

But I have to say that the band was pretty good. Just try to remember you can only kiss outside the casino! O ya, I saw Mark A. Brown in the same bar that night, enjoying the night... I wonder if he has ever been told off because he was kissing his missus in some casino... hmm...

Burns Night

After finished telling you about how it all began, it's now time to tell you a little bit of the new experience I had in Macau...

Burns Night - I heard about it the first time of my life, strangely, here in Asia, Macau to be exact (which has nothing much to do with Scotland)... it's a day when the Scots everywhere take time out to honour a national icon - Robert Burns (poet, balladeer and Scotland's favourite son). Each year on January 25, the great man's presumed birthday - Burns Night, whether it's a full-blown Burns Supper or a quiet night of reading poetry, Burns Night is a night for all Scots but that's the day the world paid homage to the great Scottish man...

I wanted to experience it with Adrian so I bought 2 tickets. This is all new to him too. We were there, saw a lot of familiar faces and met a lot of new people, heard a lot of alien languages - Scottish... hmm... I could only understood like 30% or less of what they were saying... poems were read, great food and wines and Piping in the Haggis... and most of all Scots men wearing kilts! (some sort of skirt hahahaha - I heard that they don't wear anything underneath!! wowow!!) And they even have a furry clutch "handbag" on their waists!! hahaha!

After the dinner, it was dancing, and singing as well!! And then we decided that we hadn't had enough partying after the event was officially over, we went to Lion's Bar at MGM! Unbelievably, Doug had became the hottest guy in the bar - girls went up to him to talk to him and taking pictures with him! Well, Doug is the guy with the most gray hair in the photos here... I think it's because of his kilt, mm... actually it was the whole package!! hahaha!!!


I thought Steve (the one in the middle) was supposed to be more attractive than Doug... well at the least he's better looking! I think it's probably because of the bottle of Whiskey in his hand! Haha!!

When we finally got home, it was 4:30am! Almost hammered and exhausted! but guess what, the best thing was, my mom wasn't there nagging me (ya ya ya, I'm at my early thirties and she still nags me... she calls me just to nag me sometimes hahahahaha but hey, despite the fact that she nags, she's still the best mom la!) and my boyfriend actually did all those crazy things with me!! hahaha!!! How could I not love being here?????

and so the story continues...

OK OK I know it's getting too long to read but hey, it's my very romantic story alright?! Look at my photo albums if I'm boring you!

And so I went home... sleepless again >____<

And, so it was 2 days later - Friday!!! You know Fridays, they always mean that happy hour starts at 3?? hehehe

I received a text from Adrian asking me to join him in the Benders - some papaya bar i.e. topless bar in Grand Waldo Hotel. I then went around asking the usual bunch if they would like to join and a few of them said yes and I replied yes to Adrian immediately. I was pretty excited about it coz I get to see Adrian again and hang out with the gang haha! But the excitement lasted for only a few minutes and it turned into rage when I received a phone call from my x-bf telling me not to go. Yes, you have not read it wrong, he literally told me not to go!!!! Why? Because it's his team mate's birthday and they don't like RCT ppl!!!! I have immediately made up my mind, even if I had to go alone I WILL GO!!! And so I hung up on him because I was so bloody angry that could not talk! And I was still very angry, I sent him an email (150point font, bolded and in red) and said, "FUCK OFF! YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!" Me and Luria both got pretty upset about this...

And right after work, we made our way there. Now because I know quite a few guys from P5 & 6, I said hi to them and chatted with them and for a bit, well, busy as usual hehehe. We (as in Eric, Richard, Jane...) were sitting with Adrian and Glenn. Mal (my x-bf's Project Manager) came to the table next to us and I went and said hello to him. The conversation started off alright but then I asked him what was wrong with his colleague telling me not to go to the benders. I was getting angry again, too angry I had to stop talking to Mal and head back to our table as I was starting to cry. Adrian asked me what happened as I was returning to my seat, I asked, "Can you give me a hug?" I really needed it soooo badly! Then I started crying hard... so hard that I thought it was too embarrassing, so I rushed into the ladies and continued crying...

I kept telling myself that he's nobody now but it somehow hurt when I thought about the ridiculous things he's done to me. I hate to be bullied and the fact that I can't fight back or don't want to fight back makes it worse!! I'm not a violent person but I am definitely one that will stand up for myself if it's gone too far! and so I cried and decided that it was the last time I would cry because of bullshit from him. and now, it doesn't hurt anymore!! YEAH!!!!

And after I finished crying, I came out of the ladies and there he was, Adrian, looking all concerned and worried... I went back to my seat, as the gang was leaving, they gave me hugs and left me with Adrian... He started asking me what was wrong and before I realize it, my head was saying, "WTF..." and we were kissing already! O he's such a kisser!!

I don't remember what time we left the bar, it was shortly after our first kiss... and then I drove us to, well he suggested the beach, and so we ended up on the beach... we hugged and kissed underneath a tree... and that was all that we did!! No one believe that nothing else happened, his hands were very well behaved as well!! And I was very very impressed! He was gentle, a little bit nervous but I could see that he was on top of the world! Haha!

It was 11th of January 2008, I will never forget this date, don't need a recall button for this one!

There you go, that's how it all started! Some may find it boring, but to me, it's one hell of a roller coaster ride!!

Valentine's Day 2008

Just in case you've got bored with all the writing, here's a video that's been taken this Valentine's Day, which was our first Valentine's Day...

Early in the morning, he made me breakfast in bed... just scrambled eggs on a toast with a glass of orange juice, normal? check out the plate he used...

And then I went to work. At about 10:30am, I received a call asking me to receive flowers outside the office... Wow! I'm not being cocky here but hey, it was the biggest bunch of flowers that day in the office of close to 100 ppl!!

I then bought him lunch at McSorleys... I had to buy him lunch at the very least! I mean he wouldn't allow me to do anything! Well, smart as me I somehow managed to buy him 2 pairs of socks, which I placed by the bed in the morning, and a Spiderman boxer which I placed on his chair before he came home from work! Nothing fancy but I did manage to surprise him a bit... B-D

He told me to go straight to his place after work and so I did... and that was what awaited me... hehehehe... I was sooooo touched! No one, absolutely no one had ever even tried to make my Valentine's Day special... Maybe they thought I didn't need one but hell, I desperately needed one!!!! and a lot more!!!!!!! each and every single one to come!!!!!!

I love you Adrian, and thank you for making my Valentine's Day soooo special! UMMMMMWA!!

Me and Adrian...

Well yes, I'm gonna talk about me and Adrian again...

There was this night when I actually sent him a text message. He replied immediately. I just don't remember what it was about coz if you have read the previous blog, the recall button in my brain is not working properly... The only thing that I remember is that his replies sounded a bit funny... he was obviously not fully conscious about what he was pressing on the phone when he replied -- I didn't understand his reply fully (I had to guess!), I sent him another one, and he replied too... same kind of reply too hehehe... still very much asleep haha! I then thought to myself, "better let him go back to sleep, this might piss him off..."

I know it was not nice to wake some friend up in the middle of the night because I couldn't sleep... but I was allowed to, encouraged to, by him!! Well, me, I let my friends call me in the middle of the night and wake me up and chat with me and all... no problem. I remember chatting with 2 of my x-bf's in high school for about 7 and 8 hours respectively, from about 11pm to 6 or 7 in the morning! And we only stopped because we were going to school! Crazy? Ya, but not so crazy la... hehehehe

If I remember correctly, it was before (or after???) I went off to the UK, we met up for a movie -- I am Legend, and then a buffet dinner in 360° Café, Macau's highest revolving restaurant, up on the 59th floor (if I remember correctly hehehe) of the Macau Tower. In the movies, it was funny. He got seats at the back row but his and mine are like at least 1.5 feet apart. He obviously didn't expect that. Well, going to our first movie, it really felt like high school again! If you have seen the movie, you'd know how they scare you. I screamed, as usual, ya ya ya, I scream, cry, laugh out loud watching movies, he gave me his hand to hold on to... sweet... but I was just too scared, and I think I squeezed his hand real hard... I did not realize how big and warm his hand was... and that it made me feel safe... you might say, "O c'mon, it's just a movie!" but that's one of the many things in that I enjoy doing which gives me a quick getaway from the everyday life...
Then we proceeded to dinner. There, they had a band going around the restaurant playing songs to guests... they came around sang us a song, a song they chose, "Change the world" by Eric Clapton. It was one of the most awkward situations when they were playing that song! Knowing what that song means, "o gosh, where do I look now? at him? O, his eyes, nope, not a good idea... outside the windows? kinda rude when ppl are singing for us... the food on my plate? hmm... not for that long... the band? probably a good idea..." and so I looked here and there and everywhere else but his eyes... "gosh, stop staring at me la!!!" I did look at him at some point but I just couldn't continue looking into his eyes, it's the way he looked at me... like it's saying, "come give me a kiss..." hahaha Yes, I was a coward! If you know me well enough, you'll know that I'm always bold... not afraid of people, and definitely not afraid of looking into ppl's eyes! I knew I was falling for him then... didn't want to admit it but couldn't avoid it Arrrrrgh!!

and so I came back from UK, depressed... but not for long. I started going out drinking with the gang again. OTT, Rascals, Star World, McSorley's... the usual places... and sometimes I would ask Adrian to come along... I could hardly sleep after I got back from UK, needed the alcohol -- I could only fall asleep around 4am or even 5am sometimes, every night. I didn't know why, because I definitely was not missing my x-bf! I remember sending Adrian a text message telling him that I couldn't sleep (Ok, I missed him ok?!)... he told me to think of something nice. I said, "I tried: I thought of you but it didn't work!" hahaha

It was one of those nights in OTT, with the gang, we ate, drank and chatted for quite a bit. Before I realized it, there were only the two of us left. We continued our conversation and we started off talking about topics that had never been brought up before... well at least not with him! as our faces got closer and closer, I suddenly realized something was gonna get outta hand and I thought to myself, "O no, Vernette, you're losing it... and no! you don't kiss him now!!!" and so I rushed into the wash room... I had to do it a few more times just to stop myself from kissing him! Phew! And so nothing happened. He then sent me home, I gave him a hug and that wrapped up the night. Phew!

and now, my fingers are tired... and I'm hungry... more stories to be told soon...

Adrian again

OK, at this point, I would assume that you have visited Adrian's blog by now. By reading his blog, you should now know how bad my memory is... hehehehe... well read his if you don't have a clue what I'm talking about... conclusion is, I don't have a recall button!!! I am very impressed because he actually remembers most of the details that I didn't remember. It's like I have a book, with titles and maybe subtitles, but not contents... but hey, I still remember how he smiled (the mouth kinda streched from his left ear to his right...) when I hugged and said goodbye to him after a McDonald's session!!

and so my story telling continues...

It was some time near the opening of the Venetian. I got hold of him. We lost contact for about half a year I think.

I was still in the previously relationship which started to make me hate myself at that point. I told myself off time and time again! However, it didn't work and I have to admit that I was badly hurt, so weak that I could not get out of it as easy as I used to (I had never had problems walking out of a relationship but this one!). But everytime I saw Adrian, he was able to make me forget about all those trouble I was having. I think that was because he was the only one outside of my everyday social life -- everyone of my friends and colleagues knew about this bf that I had...

I have to admit that I wasn't being totally honest with Adrian. Well I didn't actually lie to him, I just didn't tell him things?? hehehehe... I hear somebody telling me to F off now... hahahaha! Hey, I thought he had a gf! I did see a wallpaper on his phone that kinda made a statement that he wasn't available. "Hmm... typical Chinese girls from this part of the world (HK, Macau, China or even Thai...)!" I thought to myself. And so I asked him how his date was going. He said he wasn't dating. "Ya, right, like I am blind or something??" I didn't believe him tho. He did mention he was thinking about going steady with a girl but he could not make up his mind because he was thinking about quiting his job and move on somewhere else - not Macau. Don't ask me where, I can't remember!

And so he was just a friend. Although I enjoyed all the chats and laughs during our very brief lunch meetings nothing was likely to happen anyway! I didn't have the space in my head for anything else anyway! Being alone out here, an alien environment, was tough enough. Despite the fact that I am a Chinese, the cultural differences here made me feel like I'm an alien. And at the same time, I was going through the very annoying process of breaking up you see. And I was moving apartment and all... Adrian has always made it clear that I could call him for help anytime, even when I got scared at night, I was allowed, no, encouraged to call him anytime. Somehow I have never done that. Did not call him when I slipped and fell in the bath tub ended up with bruises on my legs, tighs, arms and dunno where else... Did not call him when I felt a pat on my tigh at night when I was sound asleep in my room... Did not call him when I left the house keys to both my apartments (old and new, I was moving from the old apartment to a new one because the landlord wanted a 35% increase of rental!!!) at 4am and I spent 5 hours in the car to wait for the locksmith to open... and that's me, the very annoying me to some of my closest friends -- I solve my own problems, and if I told you about what had happened that would mean that problems have been solved.

Until right before I went to the UK "break-up trip" with my now officially x-bf, Adrian text me and said that he had something to tell me when I get back (he didn't know what kind of a trip that was, it was irrelevant). I was curious but I kinda knew what he was planning to say. and he asked me to help him post a few Christmas cards when I visit London. and so I went off to this trip with him in my mind -- I had to remember to post the cards for him. And there came his sms wishing me a Merry Christmas. I received the same message once every hour, for 4 consecutive days! I was annoyed. The 2nd day, I text him and said, "the Christmas couldn't be any merrier than this... but you don't have to send me 1 every hour. it's getting freaky..." I received no reply from him and the sms's kept coming until the 4th day, I got fed up and turned off the phone! "OK, I need an explanation, that was not the Adrian that I knew!" and when I turned the phone back on, it stopped. I thought, "please please let it be the network!"

I got back, exhausted and weak but what was gonna be done was done. I set myself free.

Adrian told me that he checked with his handphone's network provider and they said that the message was caught in the loop. "Yes! It was the network!" hahaha!!

And we started meeting up again, this time, we even went out for drinks.

to be continued... fingers got cold and tired... and brain dead...