SUNDAY RENDEZVOUS

On Sunday, I went to Sg. Pelek, Sepang to see my TAR College ex room mate, Ms Pok together with another ex housemate, Ms Gan. Yes, it was a Mandarin speaking trip. I haven’t been on a Mandarin speaking trip for awhile, and I am glad that my mandarin is still smattering impressive; considering that I once mispronounced “mirror” as “sperm”.

Well, you people could consider this as a very mini fei chai trip… with the usual food galore, laughter and candid photography.

Being the one who is better in identifying routes, (despite always getting lost on my way to church), I took charge to drive Ms Gan to Sg. Pelek – coz if you depend on Ms Gan, you might as well ask the blind for directions. A piece of advice to drivers, especially the ladies, please learn to remember directions/ routes, other than going to your office from home, for your own good.

Ms Pok was a splendid host. She took us to Tanjung Sepat for brunch. Unfortunately, her usual haunt for ass-kicking Bak Kut Teh (Hokkien: Pork Rib Herbal Soup) was sold out by 10.30 am! Funny why she didn’t take us to her dad’s stall, selling the same thing, which was only 2 minutes drive from her home. We drove 15 minutes to Tanjung Sepat instead. (Sg. Pelek, orangnya pelik-pelik – Malay: The residents in Sg. Pelek are all weird) Heck. We drove 100 km away from KL to Tanjung Sepat for seafood.

Not discouraged, we were served the second best choice of dishes – the fish paste soup, stir fried ikan merah with bean paste and spicy calamari. The seafood was so fresh that I swore I saw the fish paste wiggling in the pot of hot soup.

After a hearty brunch, we took a stroll at the infamous Lover’s Bridge. I didn’t quite remember why it was called a Lover’s Bridge – considering I over ate during brunch and all my body energy was channeled into my gut area for digestion. The fishermen upload their goods from the boat to the shore using the connecting bridge. Ms Pok said, it was a sight to behold in early mornings to watch the fishermen coming back from the sea.

Lover’s Bridge

After basking in the hot sun, snapping away pictures, we were taken to this nice little kopitiam (Hokkien: Coffee shop) 2 minutes away from the Lover’s Bridge for a cup of aroma-rich authentic black coffee – the way my late grandmother used to love. The kopitiam also served the best toast bread that I had ever tasted. It was a delight to watch the elderly villagers nonchalantly kill time, playing Chinese chess on the porch of the kopitiam.





Stuffing our face with so many things in two hours proved much too heavy for us to bear. We went back to Ms Pok’s house for a breather. I took a short nap, sprawling on the cold floor of her living room. Yes – I am shameless. And the people in Sg Pelek do not close their doors during daylight. You could actually see people sprawling (not dead) in the living room to alleviate the heat from the sun, or just to chat with fellow family members. Don’t you just love small towns?

Cucumber in the Sky

We drove to Morib, which is about 30 minutes from Sg Pelek. There, we blended into a sea of people in their chatty and happy camaraderie; there was a small fest going on; bands and singers, ice cream sellers, colorful balloons and kites. It was an ideal place to bring your family members out. We had Ms Pok’s home made strawberry ice-sicle.



Morib

On our way back to Tanjung Sepat, Ms Pok took us to the mushroom culture plant. There, we could see how mushrooms are cultivated, harvested and packed. Couldn’t resist, I took some pictures – the boss of the plant was nice enough to explain the use of the many species to us.

Mushrooms







Backyard Swamp

At the backyard of the mushroom plant, we could see people harvesting lala in the torrid sun. Ms Gan and Ms Pok, being Puteri Lilins (Malay idiom: Wax Princess), couldn’t withstand the heat, they took a shelter in the car with fully blast air condition while I, being the one with elephant skin, snapped away pictures at the mangrove swamp. It was low tide and just perfect for picturesque shots. I offered to take pictures of a lovely couple whose camera chose to run out of battery unceremoniously at such a Kodak moment.

We had our lunch at 3.30 pm at the Lover’s Bridge’s seaside restaurant. Since we were all drained from the heat of the sun, we ordered dishes with a lot of water in it; fishball soup, lala soup, and fried mee hoon with crabs and the famous fried boneless fish (as claimed by the owner of the restaurant, this dish was recommended in the newspapers together with their famous fried calamari).

The boneless fish tasted a bit like keropok lekor, only slightly crunchier and flakier. The owner of this restaurant should come up with a signature chilli sauce to go with the fried fingers of fish. We were given an off-the-rack bottle of chilli sauce, which was an utter turn off for a serious food connoisseur like me. I wish there were a suggestion box where I could give them my two cents worth.

Not wanting to drive back to Kuala Lumpur in the dark with my sunglasses (yes- my spectacles are still missing), I suggested that we go home earlier. We made a brief stop at Bagan Lalang to check out the place. The sand was still soft and white. Unfortunately, there were too many litterbugs. The people should keep the place clean.

Colors in Bagan Lalang

The place was more commercialized compared to the last time I came here, some 8 years ago. There was a nice addition of colors to the place though. Those days, my group of friends and I would stay in a cargo made into a mini rest house. We would go to the beach; with spades and pails; not to build sand castles but to fork out the kepahs (Malay: mussels), embedded in the sand. We would take the pail of kepahs to a nearby restaurant and they would help us clean them up and cook up a dish for a mere RM3. Those were the good old days.

Family Outing

After filling our tummy, getting a nice tan, (for me – it is more like a heat stroke and sun burnt) and swearing off seafood for a week, we bid farewell to Ms Pok and promised to return again to fly some kites in Bagan Lalang.

COLOR MURDER

The Door

The Balcony


The Book Shelves


Deadly Concoction

These were the crime scenes earlier yesterday in my room. Blood splattered everywhere from the book shelves, to the door, to the balcony..etc.

This is what happened when you tried to save some dough by doing hair coloring on your own.

Hair colorant is a dangerous thing. We have heard so much from a lot of people:-

“You should only color your hair maximum twice a year and no more than that. It’s cancerous.”

“Hair colorant is toxic.”

“You shouldn’t eat/drink while having colorant on your hair.”

“Don’t stand next to food if you are coloring your hair”

And after this splattering incident,

“Never ever attempt coloring your hair without goggles.”

My colleague complained that I looked dull in my raven black hair and suggested that I should color it to make my face look livelier.

Since my hair stylist went missing in action – he had commercially set up his own hair salon in Gombak and no more doing house calls for free, I decided to color my hair myself.

I was advised by WY to put an egg yolk in the hair colorant to reduce the damage of the colorant on my hair. She has been coloring her hair herself for years.

I mixed the egg in the container with the cream developer, and the hair color. Shook it for 30 seconds as prescribed. The bottle felt somewhat hot.

“Something is not right!”, I thought to myself.

The moment I snipped the tip of the bottle cap, it spurted like a volcano vomiting its lava – the “lava” was all over the wall, the floor, my books, the door, etc and in less than 5 seconds, the damage was substantial. I quickly applied pressure on the hole with my thumb and ran frantically to the bathroom.

In the sink, the ingredient kept on gurgling with emission of a foul smelling gas. Ammonia free my foot.

I was panicky for a moment.

Ironically, since my hands were filled with the colorant, I automatically applied them on my hair. DUH! I didn’t even think if the mixing would be poisonous. Heck. All hair colorant are poisonous!

I thanked God*I didn’t exactly position the tip of the mixer at my eyes while cutting it.. or else, I would end up in the hospital instead of blogging about this.

Well, there is price to pay if you flunk your A levels’chemistry.

So, any chemist out there could explain this phenomenon?

It is an egg yolk mixed with Revlon Color Silk. The ingredients are just far toooooooo long to be stated here.

Next time, if I ever want to color my hair, I swear I would leave it to the professionals.

* That is why I went to church later yesterday with Ed. Also.. I misplaced my glasses and resorted to driving to church in the night with my sun glasses on. Could this get any worse?

GINA WHO?

It totally slipped my mind that the PPS bash was yesterday till James called. I blurted, “HUH? Tonight meh??”

I was in KLCC, having dinner and catching Mr & Mrs Smith after putting it off for a few weeks.

A lot of things were put off almost indefinitely. My mails are piling up in the letter holder.. err.. on the piano. Unread newspapers piling up. My books are scattered all over the place. I have a lot of mess to clean up this weekend. I was so disorganized…

Piles of Mails

Piles of Newspapers

Piles of Books

Well, back to my topic.

I think even if I were there, no one would know who am I, or even worse, being mistaken as James’ mother. I might as well lurk quietly in one little corner of James' loopymeals limelight, as the glutton/wet blanket friend who tried (albeit in vain) to promote insurance in his comment box. Heh. I am pretty contented being a low profile blogger.

I didn’t know what blogging is till James got me this blog for my last birthday. Yes. You can say I am being coerced into blogging by him. So, if I sucked at it, blame him. Hehehe. Kidding lah. (I know I am good! *Aleh*) Thanks, James.. for answering my ridiculous technical questions in relation to blogging.

I couldn’t have continued doing this if no one reads my blog. Started with only about 10 hits a week (I had to force my friends to read my blog) to about 300 hits per day is phenomenal. I guess this won’t materialize if this nice gentleman didn’t come up with the PPS. Long live Aizuddin! Long live PPS!

I have to thank those people who religiously read my blog. I am sincerely grateful to friends and surprisingly, even strangers, who actually give a shit about the things I’ve written. It is simply heart warming.

Through blogging, I came to know some new friends; Ed, who happened to know a friend of mine, and Ryuu, who happened to be a friend of my salsa dancing friends. The world is so small! Many thanks to the readers who have written to me. Thank you for your kind words.

I hope you had fun reading this blog/ enjoying the pictures, as much as I found delight in writing it and sought satisfaction in the pictures that I had taken.

Probably, if I lose some weight and do not look like anyone else’s mother, I would attend PPS Bash next year!

Happy belated birthday, PPS!

THE MAMA INCIDENT

I seriously need to lose weight after the “MAMA” incident on Monday night, while waiting for Sekinchan Boy in Sri Rampai for another session of durians.

Here is the e-mail, bitching about it.

----- Original Message -----
From: Gina
To: Party Girl with Pink Nails
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 8:46 AM
Subject: morning

I had liu lian (Hokkien:Durians) too yesterday night heheheheh!!

the CKT and curry mee shop in Jalan Ipoh close again!! so, i went to have loh mee, fried mee hoon, popiahs, stir fried vege with Ed.

Beh syok.. not enough kick, we decide to go for durians in Sri Rampai. (Now it seems, whenever we were dissatisfied about something, we would go for durians).

Funny thing happened.

We bumped into the MYfm road runner - they give free goodies to people who played games with them and listen to the radio station.

I took part in a game to get two (2) free Wars of the World tickets.

Mana tau, itu cilakak punya orang, called me "MAMA".

Both Ed and me, looked behind us. No aunties mah.

Again, he blurted, "Come here, MAMA". @#$%^&*

I gave him the stare and uttered a few obscene words (which I thought were audible to Ed only), he quickly changed to "LENG LOI". Then, MAMA again blurted out of his mouth. I think he said that on purpose.

We played “Lai Lai Li Tam Plom”.

I didn’t even get the tickets. Potong stim.

I guess this is the final straw. I have to pull my weight on this matter.. to lose weight. It is bad enough that I sound like a lot of friends' mothers... now I am looking like one?? (Geez... I am not even half as good looking as Ann's mother.)

This Hong Pai Ah Goo (Cantonese: Famous Prostitute) is going to take a big big break from the social scene... (no more dinners after work with friends for two months!!!) after the Taiping-Penang-Ipoh Fei Chai Trip this July.

THE POPULAR HARE AND THE TORTOISE

Hares and the Tortoise

Once upon a time, there were a group of hares and a tortoise living in a nice gated community. Since it is a gated community, everyone was competing for space, more food and more mates.

It was a never ending story of competition for the small community. Out of the group, there was one hare who was much more superior than others. She always gets the best carrots in the patch. All the elders adored her and all the juniors respected her.

One day, the community gate was broken and all the hares and the tortoise were happy. Some of them went away to other communities. Some stayed back. The popular hare ran as fast as she could and as far as she wanted to be. She was away from the community for a decade.

The tortoise made her way slowly to other communities with better ponds. Even though some of the ponds she came across were muddy, she waited patiently for the rain to come and wash the mud away.

One fine day, everyone came back to the community for a reunion. The popular hare, being away the longest and furthest was thrilled to share her lovely life in a far away land with her friends.

She came home to find out that some of the hares had had families. Some of the hares were doing well in businesses. Some of the hares are still very much the same – still ever competitive in the smaller community.

As a popular hare, she was confused. Being at the end of the earth should prove much more enticing and exciting. But the other hares who stayed back or went away to nearer places were much contented or even achieving much more than herself.

Then, came in the tortoise bidding everyone a good evening.

The popular hare, being dejected, asked the tortoise what was going on.

The tortoise said, “Well, you ran to such a far place and it took you so much time. While you ran, the others who stayed back, made the most of everything that had left. Some went to other communities, learning the ability to adapt and learn their ways of businesses.

You were too busy running that you didn’t even see me when our paths crossed.

There were some nice hares waiting to say hi to you along the way, but you were too busy to notice them. You kept on running and running to the end of the earth, thinking that you would get more out of it.

Sometimes in life, you ought to sit back and relax to smell the roses. Learn to accept whatever choices that you have made and lived by them.

Appreciate what you have attained or going to attain.

Life is not all about having everything that is the best. It is making the best of everything that comes along and the willingness to share it with others.

The moment you stopped wanting and comparing, it is a time when you would feel totally liberated and be proud of what you had achieved with your own capacity and capability.

To the hell with what others think. You have done just fine and dandy.”

The popular hare, realized that she had been trying too hard to be on the crème of the crop all the time that she had forgotten how to live a life.

The tortoise consoled her and bought her a Shirley Temple and taught her to shoot some pool at BarFly.

Well, that sums up the meeting of my ex primary and secondary school mates during last weekend….. I am the tortoise.

DURIANS FOR THOUGHTS

Happy Birthday, Ms Lactose!

Dissatisfied with the food quality at Stadium Negara Steamboat where we celebrated Ms Lactose's birthday, I had to think fast, in order not to disappoint the birthday girl and the rest of the company (actually it was just a quiet dinner with the four of us – self, Ms Lactose, WY and Sekinchan Boy. CK and Bee Stung Lips couldn’t make it due to work commitment).

I proposed DURIANS as dessert at Sri Rampai, Setapak. The proposal was unanimously seconded by the happy-eating people.

Under a bamboo hut overlooking the main road, we attacked the tasty durians with gusto. At the same time, we worried that SB might suffocate himself, by looking at the barbaric durian- eating technique that he possessed.... Thinking of the bright side, I would bet my last ringgit, that he would win any durian eating contests hands down.

WY in Deep Thoughts Over Durians

When it came to the last piece, SB offered it to me – I politely declined as I couldn’t even breathe in air without feeling the buttons on my jeans exploding. And then, trying to be smart, I became superstitious like WY.

Self: If you partake the last piece, you would be married last.. or worse.. you won’t get married at all!!

SB: Since you mentioned you have chosen not to get married – why don’t you have the last piece to save us all from this jinx.

Self: @#$%^&*

I should have just shut the hell up.

Then, my mind drifted to what a girlfriend told me during recent outing with her.

Apprehensive about my lifestyle now, she asked “How long do you think your group of friends would stay with you?”

Her question slightly shook the comfort zone that I am in now – I am happy for the time being with friends and the kaki makan that I have now. Simple woman, simple needs.

Her concern is quite true. Most of the friends I met 10 years ago are no longer the same – they have families, different ways of life, different pursuits in life, etc. We no longer hang out together. Of course, we still keep in touch and cherish the good memories in one corner of our hearts.

As nothing in this world is permanent. I accept the fact that friends come and go. We may be the best of friends since childhood – but as we progress and grow older, our mindsets start to change. We have different needs, ideals, ambitions, etc.

It is not befuddling that there are still so many single women in this era. Women nowadays make money on their own, highly independent and mobile, and no longer need to rely on men to bring the bread to the table. Women now have more choices (so do men). Women now are more demanding. This is not feminism, it is an evolution.

Getting married is not the ultimate solution. Everyone wish for marital bliss. But when reality sets in, you would have to deal with a different kind of issues altogether. Certain couples would still have difficulties even after many, many years together. Successful marriages depend on the two persons to make it work, having open hearts to accept each other shortcomings and willingness to see beyond one’s weaknesses.

It is not that I don’t support the sanctity of marriages. Some people are meant to get married – to take care of other people. Some of them marry for the sake of being married. Some marry because biological clock is ticking away. Some of them marry, hoping that their children would take care of them when they are old and grey (for those people who think this would happen – don’t even think about it), etc.

Understandably, most people would like to have someone to grow old with; someone to share their life journey and stories together and, someone special to take the walk in life together. It is all choices. I would be lying if I said I do not wish to have that special someone. Like they say, “No man’s an island”. On the other hand, if it is destined that I would remain alone the rest of my life, I am prepared to accept it. Come what may.

I wouldn’t like to end this post on a negative note. Take it from a dear friend of mine who is optimistic about finding his soul mate, there is somebody for everybody.

I wish all of you good luck in finding your other halves. When you found him/her, don’t let jealousy, malicious thoughts, over expectations, perfectionism, ego and childish games lead you astray. Keep an open mind about the relationship. We should always see things from a broader perspective and open up our hearts and souls to accept someone the way he/she is, but not to the extent of short changing ourselves because time is running out.

Don’t worry. Be happy. Make your own life worth living, before you could share your worth with others.

ANCIENT HOBBY

Stamps

I asked Sekinchan Boy where to get stamp albums. He looked shock for a minute and then laughed mockingly in my face.

I know. Many may not even remember that such hobby still exists.

Since I was idling away last weekend, it would be best if I do some spring-cleaning of my old stuffs. I have been delaying my purchase of a new stamp album for the stamps that I kept in envelopes throughout my years of writing letters. During THOSE days before the internet, I used to receive an impressive 200 – 300 letters per annum.

I kept most of them, but somehow over the years, moth and bookworms had eaten into them and I reluctantly threw them away.

When I was back in primary school, we used to bring our collection albums – be it stamps, coins, first day covers, dried flowers and leaves, etc for show offs in school. Children will always be children.

I think nobody in school beat my record as yet – as I have stamps aging over 40 years in this album, belonging to my dead uncle, who collected them when he was a young boy.

Dead Uncle's Album

Inside DU's Album

Today, I think they are about 60 years old. Hhmph.. wonder if they would worth a fortune.

I particularly like overseas stamps especially during Christmas. They are indeed nice and colorful.

Don't you love everything Christmas?

Merry Christmas

England postage design did not change much over the years. They still hail the queen with the stamps.

Hail the Queen!

Please tell me that, there is someone out there still collect stamps. Am I entertaining myself with an obsolete hobby?

SCREWY SCHUMY WANNABE

Care for a Ride?

Following a distress call, informing me that his car broke down, I went to fetch Sekinchan Boy at the car workshop.

Well, he must not be taking his life seriously (Cantonese: Yim Meng Cheong), considering he is daring enough to have taken a ride in my car.

I have been driving my Ferrari for the past 2 years. (When it’s fast, it is called Ferrari.. when it’s slow, it’s a Kenari lah – I know, I know.. this joke is getting stale). Little did I know, the once timid me had evolved into the typically wild and barbaric (not to mention RUDE!!) Malaysian road users.

These are some remarks my friends used to make whenever they hitch a ride in my car:

1. Wah Lau Yeh!!! Pajero so big!! You cannot see it coming kah??You wanna bang the Pajero kah??
2. Do you know you almost bang the motorbike?
3. Aiyoh!! So near!!!
4. You are so ganas. (Malay: Wild, reckless, violent)
5. Omigod!!!!!! (Covering eyes) You almost hit the car just now!! So near!!
6. Holy shit… HOLY SHIT!! HOLY SHITTTT!!
7. LOOK OUTTTT for the CARRRRRR!
8. I think you need to change your suspension after this. (I hardly hit the brakes at bumps or avoid pot holes because I can't see them!)
9. How the hell did your sister drive ah? Change 4 tyres in one year!! (the mechanic remarked when my brother took my car to change the 2 tyres out of 4 which were swollen).
10. If you don’t want to be late for work, you can always hitch a ride on Gina’s car. She is damn fast.

Before you think I am a chronic lousy LADY driver, I am NOT. The above remarks were made throughout the span of 2 years – so… not so bad lah.

Let’s say that, I am just a bit ganas compare to other OVERLY mild mannered drivers. This is the basic driving skills in KL or else you will never survive.

Most of the time, I am a courteous driver. I will give way to you (depending on my mood), I will give way to the ambulance/ police patrol car, I put on the signal whenever I make a turn, I don’t hog the fast lane if I am not fast enough, I stop at traffic lights, etc. I am only reckless when I am tired or excited.

However, I better reduce the verbal abuse and profanity while driving before someone thinks that I am a sailor.

WHO'S THE BOSS?

Who's the Boss?

I am well known for speaking my mind to the verge of causing me to lose my job. Not something that I am entirely proud of. If I were to stay put in the corporate world, I would better do something about it.

So, kids, don’t try this to your boss. It doesn’t work if you don’t have a charming personality like mine. I am serious.

To Sugar (Present Boss)

1. My brain is dead. I can’t think right now.
2. Can I go home and sleep now?
3. Sorry. I am so blur. Last night I went boozing.
4. Why are you behaving like me?
5. Why you so mangkok one?

To the bitch (Previous Boss)

1. What can I say? You are the boss.
2. I don’t understand what you mean.
3. I don’t know what you want.
4. This is common sense.
5. What is your problem?
6. Do you understand the words that are coming out from my mouth?

To another ex employer (A nice man, really)

1. When we did good, you never compliment. You always pin point our weaknesses. It is like a black dot on a white paper. You will always see the dot, but never the entire white paper.

COUCH POTATO

Couch Pussy... Cat?

Great minds think alike. Kat and I were both TV addicts in our earlier years. We may sound like victims of the one eyed monster, but hey.. we ended up just fine and dandy. TV is good for kids.

It has been awhile since the last time I was a couch potato. I used to watch too much tv when I was little. I watched tv before going to school, right after school, the moment I opened my eyes in the morning, while having my meals or doing homework, etc. Even when I was asleep, I would put the tv on.

I watched every damn thing that was on tv. Be it hindi movies, P. Ramlee movies, cartoons, local chinese serials, etc. Back then, we only had TV1 and TV2. (My mother thought I might just drop dead in front of the tv anytime). The addiction got worse when my family was the first few who had TV3 in Taiping (My dead uncle was an eletrician). Needs could be so simple back then.

I thought I couldn’t survive without a tv when I went to college. Soon, I replaced my cravings for tv with the internet, VCDs, Chor Dai Dee (Cantonese: Playing poker) and going out supper with friends.

I hardly watch tv now, since I never home, except for the Apprentice on Sundays, and occasional American Idol while running laps at the gym.

Since I am so damn broke now, and I cannot go out that often anymore, I have to find alternative ways to entertain myself.

My life was transformed on last Monday night. As I was killing my time watching some senseless hong kong movie, WY sms-ed me to check out Man Hunt on ntv7. (I have Astro at home – but the rest of the family hogged Wah Lai Toi only).

Two minutes down the show, I was already hooked. I couldn’t help it if there are 16 males with wash board abdomens parachuting in their white underpants… wearing only white underpants. *Nose bleed*

Finally, something different compare to the degrading reality shows like; Outback Jack, Mr Personality, for Love or Money, Average Joe, etc. (The reality shows are getting out of hand).

I guess, I would be watching a lot of tv from that night onwards.

BUDGET? WHAT BUDGET?

Budget of a Glutton Goddess

I guess everyone has endless problems when it comes to budgeting, except for the accountants. I wish I could be half as thrifty (a nicer word for stingy) as them.

I went for facial last weekend and decided to sign up a course as I had completed my previous RM800/- 10 sessions (with free RM228 products). Before I go, I reminded myself to sign for a cheaper course at RM650/- for 10 sessions (with free RM228 products), to do away with the shoulder massage and eye treatment – they don’t make much difference, but they sure make you feel good.

Sadly, after NOT MUCH persuasion, I succumbed to signing up for a RM988 for 10 sessions, cell renewal system – double mask, with shoulder massage and eye treatment (free products worth RM278). Seriously speaking, they are really good.. (my friends BETTER compliment me on my glowing skin).

Sigh.

Today, my office colleague went around office collecting money for a new baby shower for another fellow colleague. Realizing and regretting my previous mistakes of contributing almost to every occasions: baby showers, funeral expenses, hospital expenses, wedding gifts, birthday parties, pot luck parties, etc (Yes – we have only 37 employees and yet, we have a lot of things going on every other month), I had to decline to be generous this time.

I have come up with a checklist to trim my spending (drastically) before I resort to living with a card board above my head.

(1) Fei chai trip ONCE every two months
(2) Only watch movies with Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise or Hugh Grant in it (Mr and Mrs Smith and War of the Worlds, both releasing this month!)
(3) No more chipping in money for colleagues unless I like them very much
(4) No more clubbing
(5) No more booze party unless someone sponsor the liquor
(6) No more coffee bean/starbucks
(7) No more buying speculative stocks
(8) No more shopping for shoes
(9) No more buying books/ subscribing to magazines I don’t read
(10) No more buying expensive toiletries (My shampoo costs RM38 for 300 ml – geez)
(11) No more succumbing to social obligation to meet people unless I like them very, very much
(12) No more loitering aimlessly in KLCC (will end up buying a lot of unnecessary things)
(13) No more weekly strawberry swiss roll from Sun Moulin
(14) No more RM7.50 daily breakfast supplements
(15) No more gym
(16) No more RM6.80 fish head mee hoon every other week
(17) No more Burger King every Friday

Hmmph. This is a LOOONNNNGGG list. No wonder my sister can afford to lend me money. She never did any of the above.

THANK GOODNESS IT'S FRIDAY

Final Days of Use

Yesterday, my favorite mug ended its years of use.

As I was emptying the tea leaves from the mug, it just slipped off my hands and landed on the floor.

It was like a bad dream to see it broken. After a delayed respond, I screamed, “AIYAHHHHHH”.

Rest in peace, my dear mug.

Bye Bye, Mug

Yesterday was simply not my day.

I was bored to death being complacent in the office. Does this mean I would be dispensable from this job soon? Does this mean I have outgrown the department? Does this mean I need to take a break from boredom, go some isolated place to do a soul searching?

I went to eat the best Char Kueh Teow and Curry Mee in Jalan Ipoh to alleviate my sorrow. Mana tau.. the stall was closed as the man behind the wok was on vacation. Coming back only on 7 June. Aiyahhhhh….

Luckily I had a plan B at hand. We had assam fish instead. Hmmmm.. and finishing the night off, watching a midnight show, the Interpreter in Mid Valley and fell asleep half way through it.

Assam Fish

Thank goodness it was a Friday. Chill.

MY DEAR SISTER

Sis & I at the Playground

Today is my sister’s 27th birthday. Yes, she is THAT OLD. Hahaha. I could vividly remember an incident when we were little, I was six years old, and she was four. We went to our best friends’ house to play. Both sisters were also of the same age as us. Their house was situated 10 minutes walk away from our house.

It was about to rain when we finished playing, we hurriedly rushed home to avoid getting wet and anticipated canning from our mom. We were half way through the walk to our house, when it began to pour like cats and dogs. Welcome to Taiping – when it rains, it pours.

Being little and having less energy to run, she trailed far behind as I ordered (screamed) her to catch up. (We were brought up in an army household – my dad was a sergeant). She then fell and hurt her knees badly. I was in shock to see blood oozing out her knees and ran to her rescue.

I kept on encouraging her to stand up but, she was crying and did not have the energy to stand up, probably the pain was too much for her to bear at such a tender age.

As we were soaking wet and I didn’t have the heart to just leave her there, I quickly squatted and told her to climb on my back. I carried her on my back and ran as fast as I could. Don’t ask me how I got the energy from, but it was the longest five minutes in my six years of life.

When we got home, instead of getting scolding from mother, she (mother) looked stunned that I carried her all the way back in the rain.

Mother then nursed the sore on her knees, as I looked on. From that day onwards, without uttering a word, I knew for sure, that I would never leave her alone in times of despair and desperation. As her big (literally) sister, I will shelter her under my strong wings to keep her safe….as long as she keeps on lending me money. Heh! Kiddin’!

Happy birthday, San! May you always be well and happy.

Pretty in Red - Sis & I

Le Dausmenil (White & Dark Chocolate Mousse & Coconut Syrup)