27th May 2010...

Packed my bags, got everything I need and off I came to Singapore with my friend after getting a call from the staff of the company requiring us to sign the remaining documents for our Work Permit before 6pm. It was Thursday (27th May 2010) 10am then when we departed from One World Hotel in BU. It was suppose to be a 5 hour trip but....

It all started when we arrived at the Singapore Custom. Never have I seen the place packed with so many people. As Wesak falls on Friday (PH) and followed by weekends, Tourists from India and China flocked the whole scene with not all security lanes open. With our heavy (I mean dam heavy) luggage, we manage to pass through within 15-20 minutes after the officers finally (smart enough) to open all lanes to speed up the unlimited queues. It was 3.20pm then. Me and my friend waited on the bus for an hour as other fellow passengers were not able to pass through smoothly like we did. The worst case scenario, could not wait for another hour, got off the current bus, with our really dam heavy luggage, took another bus that comes and go within 15 minutes to Jurong East Interchange. (FYI, the convenient bus is called Causeway Link with a yellow smiley face just in case you were caught in the situation that we were in)

It was around 4.35pm then when we arrived at the bus station. That was not all, we had to take a taxi to the HR department of my company, fortunately situated near Jurong East and happily arrived around 5.15pm. Waited inside the building, we signed the remaining documents and my nightmare came. Accommodation was successfully given to my friend when i have non. Because? They did not receive my e-mail with my application form attached on 16th May 2010, last 3 weeks ago but they received my friend's. Homeless right away, that guy that was responsible at the time tried to help providing a place to stay but the department that deals with accommodation do not approve until they get my application form. Never mind, he told me to go back Malaysia until I get confirmation around Wednesday (next week) for the room BUT I need to get my thumbprint and final step to complete my Work Permit IN Singapore WITHIN 7 DAYS starting from that unfaithful day. YOU WANT ME TO TRAVEL HOW MANY TIMES!?? AND they do not provide a solution like finding a temporary place to stay in Singapore and told me to come back. Maybe he felt responsible, he told me that he'll "try" to get a room for me on Monday or Tuesday.

After that, we left and headed towards the accommodation in Toa Payoh to leave our Dam heavy luggage there to reduce the hassle of taking it "around the world". After meeting up with my boyfriend that innocently waited for approximately 4 hours since 3pm at The Plaza (where we initially should be stopping there) went to Jurong East to meet us but his arrival time was much later than us so he had to wait at the MRT station until we finished out matter at the HR department (where the bad news was delivered).

We met another Malaysian who was also heading towards the accommodation, we combined strength to look for the place. Finally arrived around 8++ forgot the time, issued keys and moved the dam heavy luggage up to the room. After everything is done, left around 9.30pm towards Jurong East again to take the hopefully last bus to Johor. Fortunately we have a friend staying there and truly thankful to him for providing a place to stay and his blessings are really indescribable together with his family. Could not thank you enough. Will know what to do =p

Managed to rush for the 11.40pm bus and the bus was packed like sardines cramped inside a tin until 1 (ONE) person really could not get on the bus!! Know what? Don;t know the guy is plain crazy or acting it, he was seated but when he saw me, he took my bag and put it between his legs, gave up his seat for me. Not to say gentleman, he's possibly a thief because he was standing beside me with my friend standing behind him watching his every move. Moving his hands up and down like doing magic and almost touching the bag i'm having on my lap. There;s another lady observing his moves and tried to help me to block his hand contact with the bag. Reached the Singapore Custom, he tried to reach for my bag which he said Let me "help" you and thanks to my friend's quick act and my feet preventing him from taking my bag, he got down the bus. After passing through the security, we manage to get onto the bus which is 99% full BUT because there were people missed the previous bus ride, they got up the bus and caused the remaining passengers stranded in the queue, unable to board on the bus. Security came, made some calls and the bus driver had to make another trip back from Malaysia Custom to pick up the remaining passengers stranded in Singapore Custom on that again, unfaithful day of 27th May.

We waited until 12.40pm until the 2nd bus finally had no choice to send everyone back to Johor that night and my lunch was at 1.20am and breakfast for my friend.

To be continued...