AKE MASHITE OMEDETO GOZAIMASU

Too much booze, too little booze kakis

----- Original Message -----
From: Gina
To: Nihon-go classmate
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2005 3:00 PM
Subject: o-genki desu ka

konnichiwa

anata wa kesa nani 0-tabemashita ka.

watashi wa kesa yasai to kueh teow to fried sui kao o-tabemashita.

watashi wa ashita eddie-san no uchi e ikimasen.

eddie-san wa tomodachi to bachelor party e ikimasu.

watashi wa ashita doko emo ikimasen.

(Trying to put what I’ve learnt into good use)

History repeats itself. Well, there is nothing to fret. Now, to usher the new year, everyone is probably trying to book restaurants for dinners at the very last minute, or planning to cook at someone’s place and witness the magnificent fireworks from the balcony overlooking the city skyline, or organizing a booze party, etc, I decided to spend the last day of the new year at home. (Actually, something crop up for Ed so we decided to call off a mini booze party at his loft).

Guess I am gonna stay home, watch some tv and countdown with the rest of the world, while rocking Sasha to sleep. And I love the long weekend to catch up with some precious sleep.

Whatever it is, I wish everyone a happy new year and have a productive year ahead. I’ve sent to almost everyone I know, this e-mail:-

----- Original Message -----
From: Gina
To: All my dear Friends
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2005 4:49 PM
Subject: Happy New Year 2006!!

Dear friends,

Thanking you for being there when I needed help the most.

I hope that this has been a good year for you - more ups than downs, more love than hate, more gain than pain.

Hope the following year would be the same too, if not more.

Happy New Year 2006! May our friendship last till the very end, and I sincerely wish all of you, good health and great wealth.

Love always,
Gina

*update*

I wrote an sms to be forwarded. Since I have more than 250 contacts in my mobile phone, not everyone is gonna get this.. so.. I will do this el-cheapo style.. I decided to put this in my blog (so.. if you get this from someone else, remember it was from me!):-

On a shining star I wish upon
As the new year dawns
Great love for those forlorn
Resentment be foregone
All hearts get belong
No more owing to Ah LONG
Before you think I've gone sotong
Wish you a good year all along!
Happy new year 2006!
May your dreams (good ones only, and wets ones too) come true!

GLUTTONY ESCAPADE

Hi people! I am back!

There are only two words to describe my recent trip to Kulai-Johor Bahru-Singapore-Tanjung Sepat: PURE BLISS (Obvious meaning: Sheer Gluttony!)

This time round, I went with my very close friends I met while in TAR College. Ms Gan, Ms Pok and Ms Tan. We used to make fun of Ms Gan and Ms Tan as their Chinese (Mandarin) names sound like, Gonna Win (Wei Ying) and Gonna Lose (Huey Ju). A fellow housemate always call them – the Win and Lose duo.

It has been 10 years since I first knew them. In order to celebrate our 10th anniversary, we decided to head down to the South to see our dear Kim, who is expecting her first child anytime now.

In fact, we were in an emotional roller coaster of worry and ecstatic that we might even go there to help her to welcome her son to the world.

Day 1 (Christmas’ eve)

As usual, Ms Gan, the procrastinator, decided to service her car only on the day that we were supposed to depart from KL to Kulai, Johor where Kim stays. And as usual, she got the incessant nag from me. Being the youngest in the group, it is actually quite daunting to be the one who decide everything for the group. Maybe, they always let me have my whims and fancy since I am the youngest.

We headed down to Sg Pelek, Sepang to pick up Ms Pok and were treated to a scrumptious dinner at a local restaurant: the famous loh mee, fried salad, fried tong fan, steamed fish in teow chew style, hot plate ocien and lala soup. Sg. Pelek, being a stone throw away from Tanjung Sepat, a sleepy fishing village, also benefited from the fresh catch of the sea. The loh mee is simply heavenly, so does the special ocien on hot sizzling plate. Ms Pok told us that, the real deal ocien comes in miniscule size and unlike the huge ones that we had in KL.

We reached Kulai rather late and were nevertheless welcomed warmly by Kim.

Day 2 (Christmas)

We planned to go to Singapore by catching the earliest train from Kulai. However, due to the train accident happened someplace in Terengganu yesterday, the first train was somehow stranded. So, we took the one at 10.37 am instead.

Traveling by train to Singapore was quite a breeze, looking at the jammed causeway due to the Christmas holidays. It was just that, I was quite surprised that the Malaysian immigration just jumped onto the train just before Woodlands (Singapore Immigration) to manually check our passports. I wondered how on earth that Malaysia might even know that we went out of the country by just flipping our passports without scanning, stamping or whatsoever.

The thing was not the same with Singapore immigration in Woodlands. We were required to get down from the train and let our baggage to be scanned and our passports checked and stamped. They even have dogs to check the coaches. The immigration officers in Singapore are courteous and professional. I spotted a few cute immigration officers on duty as well. They are in their fit form and young, unlike the ones from Malaysia who huffed and puffed just by climbing into the coach to check our passports.

The other thing is, KTM didn’t even bother to clean up the railway – that we could see heaps and heaps of rubbish all the way to Singapore!! The rubbish is so unsightly and they wonder how mosquitoes and other epidemic could possibly spread.

Other than meeting other old friends from college, the trip to Singapore was to shop and check out the roads along Orchard Road. And SHOPPED we did! We went to Queensway for cheap branded sport shoes(where I got my Nike at less than RM200!) and Chinatown. I ended up buying a book: the Rape of Nanking, miniature terracotta army statues at a steal, some hair clips for friends and my sister, some shawl, memory card and battery for my new Ixus50.

Orchard Road was a magnificent sight to behold. There were swarms of people and you were mesmerized by the crowd and blended with the merry making among Singaporeans and non Singaporeans alike.

We had our meals in Chinatown of the famous frog leg porridge. The good thing is, the frog legs porridge here comes with other porridges (chicken, pork, fish, pey tan, etc) as well so that those people who don’t really fancy weird Chinese food, could also dine together.

The first picture is the red wine chicken soup – a famous Foo Chow’s dish. Ms Pok told us that, making the red wine requires not only professionalism, but also, there were some superstition to be adhered to. The maker of the red wine cannot be pregnant (if she is a woman) and if there is a funeral in the house, they are not allowed to make the red wine for a certain period of time. If red wine is made during the two taboos (a pregnant lady and a funeral), the red wine would turn bad.

We really thanked Han Seong and his lovely wife for their hospitality while we were in Singapore. And not to forget Yew Sing too. :-)

Day 3 (Boxing Day)

We went back to Kulai to spend the rest of the day with Kim. As we have nothing in plan and also, there is not much to see in Kulai (about 30 km from Johor Bahru where Danga Bay is), we just tagged along Kim to her routine medical check up.

Before that, we went to have lunch at the famous San Low Mee Hoon (direct translation: 3rd storey mee hoon). When I was first told about it, I thought we had to climb up 3 storey to the restaurant to eat the mee hoon and expressed my worry that Kim couldn’t possibly climb 3 flights of stairs just to have mee hoon!

Kim laughed at me and said, it’s the name of the shop and it doesn’t mean that we have to climb stairs to have it.

After the splendid lunch of mee hoon, kam heong fish fillet and fried tofu, we went with Kim for her routine medical check up. It is quite cute to see radiant pregnant ladies in the clinic with hordes of kids and also bored looking husbands in Pelangi.

I am glad that Kim is alright and she didn’t suffer much while being heavily pregnant. You can see pure bliss in her sparkling eyes. It would make anyone want to have a baby that instant. And I wanna have triplets!!

After the check up, Kim said she was not very satisfied with the food in San Low and we went for another meal for tea time in Skudai. It was pork intestines with kueh teow or duck rice. I am not a fan of innards, so I leave most of it to the rest to devour. The intestines looked rather tempting though. I had a few bites just to satisfy my glutton lust.

Tired, after so much food and also too much walking in Singapore the day before, we head home and I slept like a pig on the floor in the living room and only to be awaken during dinner time.

The food during dinner time was even more obscene. We sort of relive our old days while back in TAR College, where each of us would buy some food from the pasar malam and shared among our housemates. This time, we had yau char kuay, fried raddish, boot jai kou, nasi lemak, sweet corn, keropok, soya bean drink, taufoo fa and other fried stuffs which I couldn’t identify. The ladies said, they were full already just by looking at it.

We ended the relaxing day with chatting and watching some tv.

Day 4 (Self Declared Holiday)

We bid Kim farewell and went on our way to KL. Before that, we decided to make a pit stop at Tanjung Sepat for a second round of solid seafood.

I had been to Tanjung Sepat middle of this year. Nevertheless this second trip was also peppered with little nice surprises. I was glad that we timed the second visit without knowing that we would get to see the fishermen coming back from the sea to sell their catch of the day. As usual, we went to Shing Moh kopitiam for a cup of aromatic coffee and crispy toast bread. Then, we headed down to Lover’s Bridge to have late lunch and dinner.

Before hitting home, we decided to drop by Kg. Chuchoh - Kg. Orang Asli somewhere in between Tanjung Sepat and Sepang to buy some snacks made of potatoes, bananas and other produce at low prices.

Sometimes, I love traveling without a specific plan. It was simply relaxing. The best part is, catching up old times with old friends at our own pace.

We didn’t want to go back to work tomorrow, if we may.. sigh. Good things had come to an end for this trip – but it marks a beginning of a renewed friendship bond and our warm affection towards each other strengthened.

We hope to do this again – soon.

YULETIDE IN KUALA LUMPUR

I dreaded the thought that everyone gets to post pictures of Christmas trees, celebrations and snow, etc on their blog but not me. For the past two weeks, Mr Ixus II had not been feeling well and was sent to the care center for observation. I felt so empty without him. Whenever I walked past a Christmas tree or decoration, I had to make do by merely capturing the beautiful moments in my mind.

Sadly, poor Mr Ixus II is beyond repair due to the prevailing CCD problems for certain models of camera manufactured between 2002 and 2004. Since there were no spare parts for Mr Ixus II, they replaced him with Mr Ixus50 instead. I still miss my old Mr Ixus II as he has been my faithful travel companion for 1 year 8 months and 7 days.

We were like peas and pods. Everyone always see us together and envy our closeness. Mr Ixus II never disappoints till the CCD problem. Sometimes good things are not meant to last forever. Farewell, Mr Ixus II. You will be tremendously missed. Hope that Mr Ixus50 will live up to my expectations and I will continue to take pictures in fond memories of you.

I thought I would never have the chance to capture the beautiful Bintang Walk during Christmas. I haven’t been here for a long time, if not for the Japanese classes that I am attending.

I just love the whole stretch of the entire scenario of merry making, the lights, decos, couples walking hand-in-hand, candle lit dinners, street artists etc. You feel as if you are taking a stroll along the streets of a foreign metropolitan. I guess it would be complete if there were clowns distributing balloons on the street to the kids or stalls selling pink soft cotton candy. Datuk YTL has indeed done a great job in revamping the entire stretch.

Well… I am trying to get used to Mr Ixus50 here.. so bear with me.

P.S. I want to thank Canon for their remarkable service!

Last Year's Christmas post

The Spirit of Christmas

BEAUTIFUL STRANGER

This is the time of the year where everyone would sit down and recollect what they have done throughout the year. Some people wondered how time flies so fast, where did time go? Some people thought that they had achieved more than they could ever dream of and feeling contented. For me, it is just another year end blues.

As I was driving home last Thursday night from my Nihon-go class, past memories suddenly flashed back and forth my fatigue mind. I was a bit confused and in a daze but somehow, tears just welled up in my eyes. I didn’t know for sure, was it because of the tiredness I felt or was it because there was a feeling of emptiness inside.

I dismissed the thought and looked at the small Christmas fruit cake, with little Christmas tree and a snowman, I had bought for Sasha, on the front passenger seat. I beamed with joy.

It is funny how a stranger would bring so much joy into one’s life. Sasha is not my child. Yet, I felt so much joy to see her whenever I am at home and all of us treat her like one of our own. I wish that her parents would do more for her – not that they did not try their best. Sasha had been under our care for 3 years now and would start schooling in January.

I have to remember that one day, when she is old enough, she would leave us for good. I dreaded the thought. I hope I am not home, when she is being taken away.

I just don’t understand why a stranger could be so nice to another stranger when some friends or family members could not.

For instance, a fellow blogger called me to inform me of the CDC manufacturing defects on certain models of digicam. Another fellow blogger sent me the contact numbers to send my camera to, and told me how to go about it. I sent in my camera to be rectified but, was surprised by getting a brand new IXUS50 as a replacement for my Ixus II 3.2 FOR FREE! Thank you, Kitjar. Merci beaucoup, Archie! This is the best Christmas present, EVER!!

Or a fellow stranger who sent you to the car workshop when your car brokedown without asking for anything in return. She eventually became a friend.

Or a fellow stranger who advised you when you have the “I-AM-LOST-PLEASE-HELP” look on your face as to which train to take, as this is the first time you were taking the Komuter and you realize how ridiculous the interconnecting train system in Malaysia is.

Or a fellow stranger who offered to snap your pictures and promised to e-mail them to you when your camera battery chose to die unceremoniously during critical moments.

Or off late, a fellow stranger who offered his sincere companionship in the form of enlightening e-mails, which inadvertently light up my otherwise mediocre days in the office.

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.

I hope that everyone’s life would be blessed with such beautiful strangers – Good Samaritans in disguise, at the time you needed help the most.

Have a wonderful and productive year ahead and Happy New Year everyone!

TELL TALE SIGNS YOU ARE GETTING DESPERATE

In a desperate attempt to find a date,
Stan begs the kids to let him go with them to Homecoming

1. You subscribe to all match making services/ personal columns available online, and surf even during office hours.

2. Start imagining an entire life with that person just after the first date – worrying about meeting wicked mother-in-law, planning a wedding, decided never to have kids, etc.

3. You started to talk about other people’s boyfriends/girlfriends as if he/she is yours.

4. You happily accept the previously much loathe match maker’s offer to hook you up with a mate.

5. You trace your friends' bachelors/ bachelorettes (eligibility is another issue altogether) in friendster/ multiply account without your friends’ knowledge, and stalk them.

6. You sign up at a political Cupid’s Club.

7. You started to read personal classified ads in the newspaper.

8. You self invite to all activities organised by friends/strangers.

9. You club religiously every weekend.

10. You began to activate all love corners at your home with romance-enhancing paraphenalia from feng shui.

P.S. Before you guys jump into conclusion, that this is how I am behaving right now - No.. I assure you.. I just happen to have pretty interesting friends who tell me not-so-pretty interesting/shocking stories.

I have a better venue for desperate sign no. 5, try Lunch Actually. It is less offensive.

BUSY BEE

The previous weeks had been crazy. Despite having gone home early, I couldn’t seem to find time to do my stuffs. As I am the only one at home, doing the sorting of mails, bills and what-not, I find it rather tedious to sort banking statements, credit cards bills, tax issues, legal letters, etc for the 8 adults in my house. Well, my folks do not know English/Malay, so I had to do their part – so do my aunt and my uncle’s. My sister and cousin sister depended on me to do their filing, in exchange; they will do my fair share of housework. Heh! I guess I have the upper hand when it comes to bargaining.

In order to avoid last minute tax filing for next year, I guess I had to do everything NOW rather than procrastinate till the end.

This weekend would be crazy as well. I had attended an ex colleague’s wedding in Cheras just now, followed by supper with the old supper gang in Selayang. I was shock to see that the Monk is seriously balding now, that he decided to shave it all off. Well, that is another story altogether.

I have to go to my boss’ house warming party later tonight (also in Cheras) and celebrating my one of my chi-mui’s birthday (the Spinster’s Gang) on Sunday.

Due to time constraints, I went to KLCC to squeeze in some last minute shopping. In less than an hour, I blown about RM200++ on clothes and wine… not for myself though. T shirts for a cousin brother who is leaving for USM this weekend and also wine for the house warming party later tonight. Talk about compulsive purchases. I missed the leisure time spent on window shopping in KLCC and also free book browsing in Kinokuniya every other week.

The following week would be more arduous. I have Japanese classes on Monday and Thursday nights. Having promise to watch two movies with Budak Kilang, I guess I had to stick to it even if I had to drag my feet to the cinema and a couple of toothpicks to peel my eyes open. They are FOC, anyway…the Promise on Tuesday night and Cheaper by the Dozen on Friday night. On Wednesday, I guess I would have to go home early to catch up with some much-needed sleep and do my Nihon-go homework, which I had been putting off for some time. Hiragana is a bitch!

I would be off to Tanjung Sepat-Johor Bahru-Singapore trip for the Christmas weekend.

I guess I won’t be blogging till then. Merry Christmas, dear ones.

P.S. My HR Manager sent me this when I told him I am on a diet. He can be so hilarious.

GROUNDED

I was home early yesterday and today. So was last week – almost, and the week before. My mother was very surprised to see me and was a bit annoyed when I asked her, what’s for dinner, for I didn’t even tell her I was coming home for a meal. Nevertheless, she would offer to heat up the left over afternoon lunch dishes and fry some eggs. I didn’t want that, of course. I would just make do with whatever that was left and it is perfectly alright to have a cold meal – hot meals are bad for the stomach, it seems.

I started to pick up reading “Fit for Life” of where I had left. I had stopped gym (VJ: Don’t scream at me!!) as FF in KLCC is getting ridiculously crowded. You could never get a chance on the treadmill and the cross trainer, even the ones without tv. When you finally get the chance to use it, the machine is filled with other people’s bodily fluid. It is so disgusting.

As much as I love my body jam classes and the steam bath (which are also getting crowded by the day), I decided to quit gym to save up some money (for the house) and probably do some exercise on my own. Further, Budak Kilang, my gym buddy, had her account frozen since she had gotten a new job and been relocated elsewhere.

I know… there shouldn’t be any excuse of not exercising. Sigh.

I missed the good old days while I was still in college. I used to have this militant-like strict discipline. I would go for jogging at wee hours in the morning with Ms Pok, my roommate, and then, go swimming with my other roommate, Amy, after a light breakfast. It was a routinous affair except when it was time for exams.

Back then, I was “athletic” and nicely tanned, much to the envy of my fellow friends. My college mates admiring my tan, were curious and asked me whether I’ve just been to an exotic island for a holiday. Quite frequently, I would go to Bukit Jalil swimming pool with Pilot Boy and do 20 laps in the pool. Those were the good old days. My nickname was the State Swimmer. Ha ha! I could actually see my feet without obstruction of the pregnant tummy that I have now.

Metabolism rate seemed to be at its peak when we were younger. I could effectively lose 2-3 kgs in 2-3 days if I cut down on my food consumption. I took only hi-calcium milk in the morning, small servings of fruits or curry puffs till late evening, before I broke fast with a vegetarian meal. I should try to do that again as it proved to be highly effective.

Since I started working, my weight began to escalate in tandem with my stress level. Working late and having suppers instead of dinners proved to be lethal. It was not a surprise that I had put on all the weight (and sadly – more), that I had painstakingly put off while I was in college.

I had been trying to go on fruits only breakfast on and off since last week.. but since THIS Monday, I had been solely on fruits. Occasionally, I tend to forget and sip coffee to satisfy some hunger pangs. This is bad. I can’t even survive without coffee till noon.

I wonder what is it like to be “normal”. I had been fat for as long as I could remember. Even when I was athletic – I am considered to be a slightly bigger built person. I jokingly told a friend that, luckily God didn’t make me beautiful or else I would be a slut.

Oh well. I think, this is a bit too much for self-consoling. I hope the fruit thingy works for me – weight management is not fad and fashion – it is a management of a lifestyle.

WISHFUL THINKING

Sempena Christmas....

I am a total idiot. Last Saturday, I didn’t know why but I felt lucky. So I went to buy 4D. (Before you guys think that I am a serial gambler, I don’t usually buy 4D. Only on Chinese New Year or whenever I go back to Taiping).

I thought of a number – 2634. This number appeared in my mind since I booked the trips via Air Asia on Wednesday. It was a number of my traveling buddies for next year trips.

This is how the number is derived – 2 pax going to Bali in February, 6 pax for Phnom Penh in April, 3 pax for Siem Reap in July and 4 pax for Kota Kinabalu in September.

At the same time, I had a dream of another number, which I cannot recall properly. Not wanting to take chances, I went to buy Magnum, Toto and also Da Ma Cai all at one go.

The problem is, I bet the numbers that I dreamt of and also the traveling numbers at Magnum but I only bet the numbers that I dreamt of in Toto and Da Ma Cai. Since I am buying so many numbers at one go, I bet both 2634 and 4362 in Magnum only. Little did I know, 4362 came up first in Toto Saturday draw!! Wah.. I was kicking myself in the shin when I saw the number on Sunday newspaper.

Wah lau yeh.

I asked my dad how much would I get if I were to buy Toto at RM1 each. He said, I should get RM6,000 for every RM1 I bet if I strike first prize. I was a bit pissed off that the intended RM6,000 just went away like this. I could have all my trips next year fully paid by Tan Sri Vincent Tan!!

Not enough that I had whined to Ed and WY on Sunday, yesterday morning, I was whining incessantly (again) to Ann that I missed out buying that number in Toto. She told me to stop it and shut the hell up. I guess, the only thing I could do now is to let some wishful thinking humor me. Shucks.

If I were to bet RM100/- on 4362 – I would strike RM600,000/-. What am I going to do with my RM600,000?

- To buy a house with cash for my mother
- To quit my job instantly and travel to Europe for 3 months with a companion (fully sponsored)
- To start my own business
- To sponsor a child in Africa/Cambodia
- Go for slimming courses so that I don’t have to lose RM100 to Chubby
- To pay for my brother’s wedding expenses next March

If only… sigh.

P.S. I just gave someone a number to buy for today. In return, if she kena, she is going to buy me slimming course! Ha ha!

P.S.S. 2346 was Sekinchan Boy's car number plate... 4362 is just one of the many permutations. Is there a secret meaning? Were we brothers in past lives?

FREE AS A BIRD

"In liberating the living
You yourself will live long.
Health, riches and blessings
Will descend upon you, never-ending."

Today I went to Petaling Street with WY and Ed. The main purpose is to give some offerings to the Grand Duke at Si Yeh Temple, for those born under the sign of dragons would be conflicting the Grand Duke in the Lunar Constellation, next year. We also need to “wan san” (repay the gods) on wishes that we made two years ago. I believe, even if our hearts wishes* did not come true. I think it is better to pray to the gods, anyway, for our families have been in good health and safe all year round. What more could one ask for?

*(I was sort of being “coerced” into praying for a soul mate in life by WY. Even the ah pek who is in charge of performing the ritual for us, told me that I have to do it. Do I look desperate to him?)

After Si Yeh Temple, we went to have breakfast at the Hawker’s stalls and then, to a pet shop to buy some birds. WY got 6 birds, Ed – 10 and myself – 8. I remembered once, I was too desperate to pass my ICSA exams, I went with WY to do the same thing (liberate the birds), and guess what? I did pass the sitting itself and managed to graduate. This is just one of the things that I did – I went to church, I bought a good luck crystal and even promised the salesperson I would buy him chicken rice if I pass my exams.. and went to offer joss sticks and papers to the Goddess of Mercy’s temple in Jalan Ipoh everyday for 2 months before my exams... and I still call myself an atheist. I think I am a pagan!

My mother was totally against this ritual as she said, if there weren’t people like us demanding for these birds, those people wouldn’t have needed to catch those birds for sale. You know – this is a cycle. You want the birds, they will go and catch, then sell it to you. But I would like to think of the other way round – if there is no demand for these birds, these people would be jobless. They need the money to feed their family also. Chicken and egg story? Mother meant well. I guess everyone should first and foremostly have a pure heart. It is a total waste if we abide to every ritual, and yet living in sin by hurting other people through our actions, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Well, actually, it is kinda hypocritical for us to do this since we are meat eaters - we shouldn't have eaten meat at the first place to stop killing of animals!! Anyway, this is all symbolic lah. (Ed is a vegetarian, by the way).

Rather than setting free the birds in Petaling Street with polluted air , we chose Taman Tasik Perdana as the new dwelling place for the birds. We loitered in Lake Gardens under the scorching afternoon sun to look for the best spot.

I found a river and told WY and Ed that, this should be a good spot. The birds might need to drink water. Ed tried not to roll his eyes and said – birds don’t drink water from the river. They take their water from their food. Ish.. I felt like an idiot for not watching National Geographics.

I asked them if we need to make a wish before setting the birds free. Ed made a very profound wish. He said, – I have given you a new lease of life, I hope the same would be bestowed to me as well.

I made my little wish too. Nothing fancy, other than the usual one that I have always made every year – that my family members will always be safe and in good health.

Read more on why do we liberate living animals.

10 REASONS TO LOSE WEIGHT.. NOW!!

I was amazed that Chubby had lost tremendous weight for her effort. Sheer determination has kept her going. I hope it is not another hangat-hangat tahi ayam stint. I sincerely hope that she could do it and be an inspiration to every fat people (especially yours truly) out there.

As opposed to my previous post on 10 reasons it’s cool to be fat, I decided to come up with 10 reasons to lose weight NOW!

I am a happy person. But I am not happy with my weight. Tell me, who in the world is happy with his/her weight anyway? Even those anorexic models think they are too fat. For me, being happy, is being healthy and positive. I already have the positive part.. and in order to be healthy, one needs to maintain the right weight. The right weight here doesn’t mean that you had to succumb to the standards of being a model. Let’s call it a model’s occupational hazard. They had to be exceptionally thin, as when their pictures are taken, they would look 5 kgs heavier in prints. I don’t know why, but it’s true.

So.. what makes me think I want to lose weight NOW? (Only now ah? Jia lat!)

1. Sasha and Lok Lok started to refer all fat ladies as “Gina che che”.
2. Sasha called me “Cushion” loudly in public.
3. I look caged in my Kenari.
4. My colleagues keep on feeding me as they say I look hungry all the time.
5. Mix.FM rates BMI above 30% as “WOAHHHH… you need to see a doctor and get professional help.”
6. I look more pregnant than my boss.
7. I have been dateless for almost 8 months now. (Going out makan-makan with Ed and Sekinchan Boy do not count).
8. I discover, whenever I get up from the toilet bowl, the “suction effect” between my ass and the toilet bowl, is gaining more force.
9. My anticipated trip to Siem Reap is dampen just by the thought of having to climb and hike (using a lot of hands to panjat panjat) the historical monuments. One needs stamina to do this trip. Shit.
10. I don’t want to lose RM100 to Chubby!!

Well, with the festive seasons round the corner, I know it’s an uphill task, but I have to do this for myself. I have been fat for far too long now.

OVERLY EXCITED

If you notice that I haven’t blog about something for awhile.. well, I was a bit tied up with some stuffs over the week. Other than struggling to perfect my pronunciation of my Nipon-go, I was also excited about Air Asia’s 4th anniversary 2 million tickets give-away.

Yesterday, I spent an entire 4 hours trying to book some air tickets for family and friends and was glad to say that my 4 hours’ worth of labor did not go in vain. (I even forgo a free ticket to watch Narnia!!)

I managed to get 3 trips altogether, to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Yes – someone is laughing at me right now for booking 2 different flights going to ONE COUNTRY, at different dates – shut up! What a genius! So what?? Dirt cheap mah!) and Kota Kinabalu.

I hope you guys out there keep trying to get the tickets. It’s worth it!!

Being overly excited, I did not catch a wink of sleep last night as the euphoric effect was overwhelming!

I decided to put the trips in synopsis (summary of e-mails to my fellow travel mates this morning) so you guys could have some ideas before making an informed booking on your trips to these two destinations in Cambodia! Don’t repeat my mistake! You can actually hire a boat (5 hours trip with breath-taking scenery) to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh!!

Phnom Penh

Introduction

Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s capital and is found in the south where the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers meet. As the battered nation gets back on its feet after years of conflict this moderately sized city is starting to take shape.

The French architecture, Buddhist influences and royal splendour add some charm to this otherwise rugged third world capital. Reminders of recent genocide, such as the nearby Killing Fields give this Phnom Penh an undeniable if uncomfortable personality of its own.

Phnom Penh can be dangerous and security, although fine during the day, is an issue at night. Guns are widespread and hold ups still quite common - take a little extra care. There aren’t too many attractions, but what exists is interesting and makes a tempting weekend stopover before flying on to Cambodia’s trump card - the magnificent Angkor Wat.

Places of Interest

• Silver Pagoda and the Royal Palace
• National Museum
• Killing Fields
• Tuol Sleng Museum
• Wat Phnom
• Wat Ounalom
• Independence Monument

For shopaholics

• Central Market
• Russian Market

I heard you can get genuine Levi's at USD7!!

Food

Food is generally alright and cheap. Mixture of Thai-Chinese. There were very few Khmer cooks left as they had been assasinated during the genocide. I read this somewhere lah.

My pilot friend warned me of the water though. Saying we need to get bottled water on the safe side.

Amusing facts

We can actually try out shooting at their shooting range near the airport.

It’s a very Cambodian operation and not very convincing in professional terms. A menu of weaponry is offered to visitors from AK-47’s all the way up to rocket launchers! There’s a pond around the back in which you can chuck a live grenade. (DAHSYAT!!!) Utterly irresponsible but great fun.

Siem Reap

A brief introduction

The historic ruins of Angkor are among the most incredible sites in the world. There are few places if any that can match what remains of the splendid Khmer civilization, which reached its flamboyant zenith between the 9th and 14th centuries. The top draw, the Angkor Wat, is deservedly one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Siem Reap is the small but rapidly expanding town that serves as the base for the temples which are set in protected jungle 8km away. Angkor itself is a fantastic and magical place. The varying character, isolation and romance of the sites leave a strong and lasting impression - it is definitely worth the trip.

Places of Interest

• Angkor Wat
• Angkor Thom
• Ta Prohm
• Bantay Srei
• Phnom Bakheng
• Preah Khan
• Ta Keo
• Eastern Mebon
• Vietnamese Floating Village
• Ton Le Sap

* In fact, the entire Angkor Watt would take you a few days just to finish it. This trip is FOREMOSTLY temples visits. (Gawd.. I am gonna love the photobug sessions!!)

Food

Food is generally alright and cheap. A lot of Khmer food to sample.

Plenty of bottled water at cheap rates.

General Info on both places

Accomodation

I have checked the hotels - the price ranges from USD26 to USD1,000 on twin sharing basis. Will check out the hotels later when the time comes.

Weather

The weather is usually darn hot. So be prepared to bring along your hats, sun glasses, umbrellas, sun block lotion, comfy shoes and lotsa cotton clothes. A friend advise that we shouldn’t wear something which made us look overly like tourists - the people there are very poor. He even told us to bring some used clothes and sweets for the children.

Documents required

Valid international passport at least 6 months. I have checked with my friend, and he said, we didnt need VISA - not sure about that, will revert later.

Currency

Banking services are presently very poor in Cambodia. Bank hours fluctuate, ATM’s non-existent and commission rates steep. Most banks don’t accept VISA. Hotels and travel agents are often more convenient. Effectively, the currency is the US dollar.

Language

These people damn high class. Most elderly people speak in French. Younger people are picking up English. Of coz, they spoke in Khmer as well.

Will revert with more info in the future.

Just keep our fingers crossed that Air Asia didn't screw up on the ticketing. You know how free things work! :-P

Have a good weekend.

Regards,
Gina

Happy planning!

P.S. Thanks, Mr K for the tip. Yes yes.. I owe you lotsa stuffs. Will own it to you someday. *wink*

PREMONITIONS

I believe that certain individuals have the ability to see the future. Be it tarot cards reading, palm reading, horoscopes, crystal ball, numerology, so on and so forth.

I didn’t forsee myself having the same ability till recently.

Two weeks ago, I dreamt of Sekinchan Boy. If you are thinking I am having a wet dream – it is not. (Take plastic bag and puke)

----- Original Message -----
From: Gina
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 12:42 PM
To: Anny, Second No. 1 fan
Cc: Sekinchan Boy

I had a weird dream last night. I was in your office, and then there was a lucky draw in one of the cubicle. I dreamt that you and SB were there too. And other colleagues whom I never seen before. some more I comment to you - eh? you say the girl pretty - not pretty also!! you lagi pretty! ha ha ha.

So, when SB was busy looking into envelops to see if he would get lucky draw, I say to him, “You so yong sui!! So cannot get one!!” then, SB got second prize of RM500 I think… ha ha. Then, when someone announced the grand prize, the announcer said, “we will be right back after this break!”

Then, the break – we had toast bread of kaya and blueberries jam… and also some popiahs. As I was shy coz I was not your company employee and I don’t know what the heck I am doing there, you were very nice. You reserved some toast for me – one kaya and one blueberries jam. Ha ha ha. I dunno who got the grand prize. Then woke up liao.

----- Original Message -----
From: Anny
To: Gina
Cc: SB
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 6:58 AM

you know what? Your dream did came true, BS win the RM500 JJ voucher and to be shared with 2 other colleagues. Fulamak, you can read his future liao. Any possiblity of him marrying CB?

Hhmph.. that can be arranged.

Yesterday, I dreamt that I received a gift from Carrefour by playing a jackpot machine for purchase above RM50. I decided to try my luck at the Mid Valley Carrefour, as I was having a free (Chubby and Ms Tambi were buying - yes, Chubby only ate salad *ahaks*) hi tea buffet at Wild Rice Restaurant in Boulevard Hotel (the choices are alright – buy 3 get 1 free! RM38 nett).

Due to time constraint, I didn’t manage to go to Carrefour. The surprise turned out to be in another form. Out of the blue, Chubby asked me if I listen to rock songs – I said yes. She handed me a double CD compilation of Good Charlotte. She went shopping in Carrefour a few days ago and her mother accidentally took the plastic bag containing the CD which was left at the cashier and put it in their trolley. So, if anyone out there, lost the CD – please e-mail me so I could return it to you – but with proof of purchase. Or else – it is mine!!!

Another creepy incident was, the number 1030 appeared as second prize in Sports Toto on Sunday morning. Before that, this number had been appearing on my mind for a week since I went to Taiping for my late grandma’s “relocation of soul”.

1030 is the number on my body shampoo bottle. As I was comparing price for the best deals on shower cream, I chanced upon this one, Everyday Goat’s Milk with honey and was puzzled with the litres printed on the bottle. Usually, shower cream packaging would come in 400 ml, 600 ml, 750 ml or 1,000 ml, but this is 1030 ml. It was a weird number so I kept on thinking about it for a week (whenever I take my bath) till it came up as second prize in Sports Toto!!!! Shit lah.. if only I act on it….. I would have quit my job and go holiday in some tropical islands with hod bod surfers. Sigh.

Should I quit my job and do full time clairvoyance?

Other "Spook"stories

A Chinese Ghost Story
Looking for Love
Future in Tarot Cards?

ALL BY MYSELF

When I was young
I never needed anyone
And makin’ love was just for fun
Those days are gone

Livin’ alone

I think of all the friends I’ve known
But when I dial the telephone
Nobody’s home

All by myself

Don’t wanna be
All by myself anymore
All by myself
Don’t wanna live
All by myself anymore

Hard to be sure
Some times I feel so insecure
And love so distant and obscure
Remains the cure

All by myself
Don’t wanna be
All by myself anymore
All by myself
Don’t wanna live
All by myself anymore

Eric Carmen

One evening, my sister and I were discussing on getting a house over dinner. As I attacked my mother’s delicious stirred fried seng kuang with gusto, my sister looked at me, quiet.

Then, she broke the silence.

“Well, in the end, there would be only two persons left in this house – you and me. Exactly like this. Two old ladies having a quiet dinner.”

I rolled my eyes, then told her to quickly find a husband and dismiss the discussion.

A few nights ago, while I was downloading the pics I took in Taiping, my sister told me that my third aunt, who is unmarried and now aged 59, is lonely. Third aunt told her that, since our grandmother (third aunt’s mother) passed on, things had changed even if we didn’t notice it. She said, my third aunt feels so lonely without her mother/our grandmother. My sister assured her that we would treat her like our own mother and take good care of her, just like our other aunts. Third Aunt said, it is not the same. Things will never be the same again.

Then, my sis urged me to get married. She is even thinking of adopting a child. I think the cuckoo had flown off the nest.

What is this nonsense? Perhaps I could feel confident now that I don’t need anyone because I am young (still), have many friends and a loving family. Like I had advocated in my previous posts, marriage is not the ONLY solution to loneliness.

Ann did asked me the same question the night before she got hitched – whether or not I am worried that my biological clock is ticking and I still don’t have a man. I told her, as-a-matter-of-factly that, I have somehow mentally prepared myself to be alone the rest of my life. It is just too bad because I have good genes and unable to pass them on. Ha ha ha. Tak tau malu.

WY has started fretting now (actually, she had been fretting since puberty - heh!) and advised me to apportion more time in “hunting” down the eligible men and not to hang out too much with unnecessary frivolous friends. I told her I could take care of myself and she should save the advice for herself. I am breaking the promise I’ve made to her, by going with her to the MCA Cupid’s Club if we are still single when we hit 30.

And.. an e-mail to my dear Ed …

Gina wrote:

remember mah. 32 year old is a good age for a woman. remember the movie? 20-30-40? 30 is the best time leh. so make the most of it.

i hope you find a nice man soon. i am sure he is out there somewhere.

Ed wrote:

nono. pls dun hope tat. u might as well hope i find USD2Mil

man is poison in this lifetime.

u want a man or not???

Gina wrote:

if got man, i take lah. no man also ok. ha ha ha

And.. last but not least, a very nice Mr K, is overly worried about me being a singleton and procrastinating over it..

Mr K wrote:

actually i find that u r cool...maybe over cool and over ....relax. not that i am saying that's no good, as i often look up to u on your positivity and living life to be free, but just my two cents of my observation. perhaps u r too relaxed. u sud take things in a slightly bigger deal manner rather than jus letting things go just like that.

the other example may be Mr XXX. i think ur chinchai attitude, if were to be bucked up abit, can really strike soemthing with that guy. i really dont see why nor dont wanna lose some weight for his sake IF NOT for yourself? dont hv so much ego lar.

The dieting thing too. welll...shikes, i really should not say too much, i mean i sud not comment and teach u how to live life. Sorry mate.

Wah.. he sounded more kan cheong (Cantonese: Anxious) than my mother!!

Anyway, on a serious note, before you start labeling me as an envious spinster and extreme feminist, I do believe in good family values. I totally adore family who stick together in times of trouble. I totally support having a family unit on your own. I am really happy to see my friends happily married. Happily married here doesn’t mean that, there is no problem.

Or before you start thinking I am incapable of love, well, in fact, I did try. It is just that he doesn’t think I am worthy of his love. Aquarians maybe flamboyant, but once we set our hearts, there is no turning back.

If you are expecting me to give you a solution, you are wrong. I could only say one thing, and this is the principle that I am living by each day: Come what may and I would embrace it with my whole heart and soul.

Everything happens for a reason. Certain things are meant to be. Maybe somehow along the way, loneliness might get a better grip of me, I need to constantly remind myself - you make life grow on your own, not on perception of others. Life goes on, with or without a man.

FAT CHANCE

My idea of a balanced diet

A few weeks ago, my ex boss (the one with reservoir of rich and eligible men) text me to listen to Gutsy Girl over the radio…

Ex-boss: Eh?? Did you see Gutsy Girl’s latest pic in the advertisement?? Listen to Mix.FM now. She is on air!

Me: Her English is so jia lat. I think I could be a better spokesperson to represent their slimming center. They should have hired her an English tutor before going on air!! Or they should hire ME!!

Ex-boss: Sour grape.

Chubby had started her slimming course and she successfully lost 2.5 kgs in 2 sessions! Congratulations! Throw confetti! (Throw 3-in-1 Kungfu Girl’s dagger as well.. sour grape). I, on the other hand, turn purple whenever there is a weighing scale in sight.

Have been pigging out again. Sigh. What else is new? To summarized, these are the stuffs that went through my digestive system today:

- Egg sandwich and coffee for breakfast
- For lunch, nice and cheap vegetarian mee hoon with fake char siew, fake siew ngor, curry cabbage and mushrooms
- For lunch also, a TINY packet of nasi lemak (RM1) from HR Manager
- A bar of alcoholic orange chocolate from Spinster Colleague*
- For late dinner, a cup of hot chocolate at Starbucks and bread from Bread Story after my Japanese class.

* I saved it for Japanese class to share it with my classmates.
**From the way things are going.. I guess I had to change job to go on a diet.

Total calories count today: 545,454 kcal

And for the remaining eat-drink-be-merry month of December:-

- this Sunday, Chubby and my ex boss are buying me buffet lunch as they had just gotten a handsome pay raise. Chubby swears she would only take salad, without the dressing (see first lah)
- ex colleague’s wedding on 16 December
- my boss, Sugar’s house warming (and also match making) party on 17 December
- For Christmas – a short trip to Tanjung Sepat, Johor and Singapore to see a friend who will be giving birth and catching up old times with Louis Macho in Singapore
- Sekinchan Boy offered to buy me dinner because he won a RM500 cash over a competition held in his office

Kinda regretted it for starting this challenge in the months filled with festivities – November to March – Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas and Chinese New Year all rolled into one like an extra large California roll. Chubby: Can we organize a rematch? * Getting desperate*

Chubby is now on a liquid and fruit diet. I told her, she actually doesn’t need to pay RM5,000 to lose weight. Who wouldn’t slim down if your diet consists of only soup and fruits? (Sour grape again)

I have yet to get my juice blender. I had my berries smoothie yesterday at One Utama while watching Constant Gardener … after a scrumptious dinner of beta-carotene fried rice at some organic shop recommended by Ed.

Gosh… I think I had to soak myself in slimming lotion to burn my fat away this weekend or to be more drastic – have marathon sex. Wishful thinking.

A Glutton Queen on diet? Fat chance.