Gina Gets Her Groove!

TAKE A BOW

2006-11-01T23:11:00.003+08:00

It has been a great 2 years and 9 months of blogging. I have met very good friends over the blogs of whom I will forever cherish.

I guess many of you would miss the off-the-cuff writing style as mentioned by a reader (I just speak my mind), pictures that I took (especially the food pics! I know!), my dysfunctional family and of course, my very weird friends and bizarre dates.

All good things have to come to an end one day. I am afraid today would be the day.

So, with this 467th post, I bid all of you adieu. I hope life is good to you as it has been good to me.
I have always love Madonna's songs. Especially this one, Take A Bow.

Take a bow, the night is over
This masquerade is getting older
Lights are low, the curtains down
There's no one here

[There's no one here, there's no one in the crowd]

Say your lines but do you feel them
Do you mean what you say when there's no one around [no one around]
Watching you, watching me, one lonely star

[One lonely star you don't know who you are]

Chorus:

I've always been in love with you [always with you]
I guess you've always known it's true [you know it's true]
You took my love for granted, why oh why
The show is over, say good-bye
Say good-bye [bye bye], say good-bye
Make them laugh, it comes so easy
When you get to the part
Where you're breaking my heart [breaking my heart]
Hide behind your smile, all the world loves a clown
[Just make 'em smile the whole world loves a clown]

Wish you well, I cannot stay
You deserve an award for the role that you played [role that you played]
No more masquerade, you're one lonely star
[One lonely star and you don't know who you are]

(chorus, repeat)

Say good-bye [bye bye], say good-bye
All the world is a stage [world is a stage]
And everyone has their part [has their part]
But how was I to know which way the story'd go
How was I to know you'd break
[You'd break, you'd break, you'd break]
You'd break my heart
I've always been in love with you
[I've always been in love with you]

Guess you've always known
You took my love for granted, why oh why
The show is over, say good-bye
Say good-bye [bye bye], say good-bye
Say good-bye

DISEASES AND SYMPTOMS

2006-10-31T11:55:00.007+08:00

* This is intended to be a joke. You know joke – as in fun? Poking fun at people is fun, even if it could be mean at times.

I was very annoyed yesterday morning when I couldn’t comprehend a word Sekinchan Boy was saying on MSN. Out of frustration and feeling utterly annoyed, I came up with this:-

Disease: Penyakit LBS (aka Sekinchan Boy)

Symptoms: Unclear speech, muffling when making speech, trying hard to get across to people what you are trying to say, terover-over buy insurance, drive more than 200 km per day to and fro work, then complain about it – yet never do anything about it, never listen to other people’s advice, like durians too much, think he himself is God.

The cure: Chances of cure is next to none.

After that, there’s no stopping me anymore. I think this is a nasty way to point out a friend’s bad habits but it’s fun! (even it is very mean and some people might not be able to take it, but this is me lah. To be fair, I mock myself first). This list consists of people who attended WY’s birthday bash .. except Caroline. I don’t know what to write about this woman coz she is too nice.

Disease: Penyakit Gina

Symptoms: Overly conceited. Overuse of sarcasm. Sometimes PMS always get in the way. Get easily frustrated. Unforgiving. “I am ALWAYS RIGHT AND SCREW YOU” attitude. Can be quite anal when provoked (Heck, not provoked also lah). Cannot control gluttony. Extremist – you are lucky if she likes you and if she hates you – that’s the end of you. Talks too much.

To cure: Probably will recover by removal of the stick stuck to the ass.

Disease: Penyakit WY

Symptoms: Falling in love helplessly with the WRONG MEN (read: attached), tendency to bake cakes for people to show affection, enjoys taking public transport too much, will indulge in any activity that involve men participation, oblivious about things surrounding her – ignorance sometimes is indeed bliss.

To cure: Get laid soon.

Disease: Penyakit Ms Lactose

Symptoms: Sudden movement of body in presence of music, irregardless of place. Develop killer eyes – she can be a stone cold bitch if you don’t know her at first. Throw tantrums on selected people at times. Tend to be very nice to people who treat her like a door mat. Very bad luck with car and men.

To cure: Actually this disease is not that bad at all. Probably need to pray more often and give more joss sticks and joss papers offerings during major Chinese festivals to counter off the bad luck with the car and MEN!

Disease: Penyakit Ed

Symptoms: Very domesticated. Very pat poh at times. Quite crafty. Can stir a storm in the kitchen. Too nice to be true at times.

To cure: Ed is a Goddess. You don’t need a cure.

Disease: Penyakit Tiffany

Symptoms: Behave like a porn star even in public places (only verbally, unfortunately). “Prostitute” is her standard answer when people asked her what’s her profession. Her job title is Suck-cock-tary. Too pretty, sometimes people wonder if she did go for a little nip and tuck. Ability to illustrate a situation by acting.

To cure: Winning an academy award for porn star category.

Disease: Penyakit CK

Symptoms: Tend to spend more than earn. Packaging is everything! Parasiting on gullible friends. Ignoring friends when you found your other half. (Actually this is quite common. You don't have to have diseases for this symptom). Keep on complaining about your other half and yet, never do anything about it. (Something similar to Penyakit LBS – complain complain, no action, but less chronic – at least he is getting laid).

To cure: There is no cure for people who are in love with genitals. When he is out of love, probably a tight slap would do him good.

Well, just to let my friends know, I love them very much, despite having terrible diseases... but please don't infect me.

THE LITTLE ONE

2006-10-28T11:14:00.003+08:00

Sasha in all her glory

Sasha turned four years old on Oct 24. She came to my house when she was merely two months old, and she was such a darling. No late nights feeding and she woke up with a cute smile on her face in the morning. We thought this one was such a gem but boy! We are so wrong! She turned into a monster the moment she took her first crawl.

This is Sasha who refuses to go to school till today.

This is Sasha who still wants her pacifier.

This is Sasha who asked me if I were blind when I asked her where my stuffs are.

This is Sasha who would sulk when you don't give her what she wanted.

This is Sasha who pisses the shit out of you when she couldn’t stop crying.

This is Sasha who always has things her way.

This is Sasha who willingly gives you a back rub or massage when you are watching tv.

This is Sasha who is more than happy to help out with the house chores. (She likes using the broom very much)

This is Sasha whom we love to bits.

One day, when it’s time for her to leave us, it would feel like we are losing our arms or legs. She is a part of us, even if she is only staying here temporarily. We hope she would grow up to be a fine lady one day. *Keeping fingers crossed*

NOT AN ANSWER

2006-10-27T16:27:00.002+08:00

The deafening quietness
Soaking violently
On this heartless soul
Like dampness
On dried crunch leaves

Hatred, much less love
Wrath, much less compassion
Small little world
Turning chaotic

Where is…
Heart of forgiveness
Hands for blessings
Warm smiles

Hope fades
Unhappiness looms
Heart turning into
Cold stones

Depressed souls
Gentle wretched
Are lost beings
Beyond reach

Where is the light
The darkest of night
The flicker of hope
Reaching for the rope

The rope around my neck
The first day break
Flashes of memories
One last breath

Darkness, utterly darkness
Smog thickens
Red inferno
Swallow me whole

A poem inspired by a friend’s story. Her good friend committed suicide recently by hanging herself in the bedroom. There is always a solution for every problem. Seek help. Do not linger. There is more to this life as life is larger than life itself. Live it to the fullest.

For the living, keep an eye on those beside you. You will never know when they are going to leave you.

Forgiveness is a hard word to swallow. But when there is some in your heart, it would make this life way easier.

I am trying my best.

AFTERMATH

2006-10-26T12:31:00.001+08:00

After being at home alone for 5 days, I somewhat love the feeling of being left alone. No noise. Nobody telling you what to do. No unwanted phone calls. Nobody to fuss over you. No unwanted guests that pissed the shit out of you. I did not have problems sleeping alone from the 3rd night onwards - which is a miracle. I think it's time to scout for my own loft.

After 5 days:-

1. The fish is not dead yet. (Hooray!)
2. I kept the house spick and span.
3. The house is still there - not burnt down because of my dad's carelessness with the stove.
4. I remembered to place joss sticks for the gods in my house - unfailingly.
5. The underwear issue still irk the shit out of me as they (the culprit: Mom, Sis and Fucking Moronic Boyfriend) were not even apologetic.
6. I didn't succeed in committing suicide (not taking hypertensive pills for 5 days so that I get stroke and eventually die - in relation to item (5).
7. My room is so darn clean now.
8. I believe in feng shui.
9. Some friends are just not there when you needed them the most.
10. I can live without Astro.

BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE

2006-10-25T01:26:00.001+08:00

Home Alone Day #4

This morning, I woke up pretty pissed off that the stupid internet is STILL not working. Even as I am typing this now, the stupid internet is not working. @#$%^&* I probably have to post it when I go to office on Thursday.

Astro has gone to Taiping, the DVD player in my room is not working, the tv is full of crappy program, and now, the internet is gone?!

Gawd.. then how do I get over this torture?

Well, instead of wallowing in self pity, let me count my blessings for today:-

1. I dropped my RM10 when I went to ta pao breakfast this morning. I think it somehow dropped when I opened my house gate to get in. When I realized it was gone, I went outside my gate to look for it but it was not there. Being hungry, I ate breakfast first. Then I decided to go out to look for it – to trace from the trail I took home. I was darn lucky. I found it right behind my house. A cyclist with his eagle eye spotted the note on the road. As he was about to stop and wanted to grab it, I said to him – “Hello! That’s my money!” He apologized. That was close. I went to pick up the money.

2. I went to One Utama and invited JK for a movie: The Silk to kill boredom. JK in turn invited Frankie. One U was packed to the brim. Jesus! I thought KL would be practically empty with hordes of people going back to hometowns for the big celebrations. Boy.. was I wrong! Somehow, I managed to get a parking spot within 15 mins. I consider this - a miracle.

3. The Silk is not that scary after all. I thought I am gonna have sleepless nights, which bound to happen whenever I watched a horror movie. It was crap. Apart from some hilarious scenes where the beef noodles seller made a remark in Hokkien when a guy got strangled to death after eating beef noodles by a ghost that emerged from the bloody big bowl itself and the female ghost doing pole dancing thingy on the train in the subway, it was pretty forgettable. But I think the Chinese hero is pretty damn hot though!

4. Oh gawd!! I got my internet back at 12.16 am just now!!! YOO HOO!!!!! I ain’t gonna disconnect till the next morning! I think I better remember to pay my bills!

5. Funny! JK sms me and told me there was a power failure in his housing area as he showered. Serve him right for scaring me to death by saying tonight there will be a power failure in my house and I will have to sleep alone in the dark!! Hahaha! Guess who has the final laugh now?

6. I almost went into the men’s toilet (2x) when I was in One U and luckily managed to realize it before the men start screaming, while holding their “thing” standing at the urinary.

7. I heard that my late grandma's home in Taiping is flooded!!! It was a good thing that I wasn't there! Have to clean up. Susah man!! The mechanic and my stupid sis are gonna clean the house up! Yay! How evil of me! Sorry, but I can't help feeling evil about this. Well, I clean your bloody underwear, and now you have to clean up the flood. For the first time in my life, I witness a retribution this fast! Heh! I hope my family is alright though.

8. It was very nice of JK and Frankie to keep me company (listening to my rubbish) for the rest of today, or else I would have been stuck at home, watching some inane stuff on tv. Thanks for your time.

GIRLY STUFF

2006-10-25T00:44:00.001+08:00

Home Alone Day #3

Tried to sleep last night but not without difficult. My imagination ran wild, thinking of the horror stories we discussed over coffee after our bowling session. I kept on picturing a long hair lady ghost was plastered on the ceiling above my bed. Man! This overactive brain of mine would exhaust itself in a few years if I don’t stop thinking about useless things.

Today I decided to do some girly stuff. I went to meet up WY and May for coffee at noon in Mid Valley. I went early to avoid not getting any parking spot. Even with the holidays, there were still people in KL – loads of them and they were all in Mid Valley! Not a good choice for meeting point on holidays and weekends.

Congratulations to May, a colleague of WY’s on the coming wedding. She did make a lot of effort in getting ready for the wedding and the preparation was so tedious. She planned everything, from guest list to what food to eat, her own make up, her wedding gowns… even to the minute detail such as printing 3 colored invitation cards with personal touch. I particularly like them because the cards look more like Christmas than a wedding, unlike cliché Chinese wedding cards – all in red.

As I am typing this, there is a loud sound of meriam buluh outside my house. It felt like we were in a middle of an Iraqi war (I just finished watching The Three Kings, starred George Clooney, Mark Warlberg and Ice Cube). Just hope that we don’t get to read untoward news the next morning of missing fingers or limbs in the newspapers.

And damn.. I can’t connect to the stupid internet. Paying so much for broad band huh? I wonder when will Malaysia ever live up to the so called Cyber age with the lousy connection… and what multimedia super corridor bullshit? We never heard any news ever since Bill Gates “donated” RM1 million. It’s so bloody primitive.

Okay, let’s not get political here. I don’t want this to be an upsetting post.

Airellis, Manjalara, Kepong

After coffee, Ms Lactose and I made an appointment to go to Airellis Esthetics and Studio in Manjalara, run by a friend of mine. Airellis is actually a sub brand from the well renowned Dermalogica for sensitive skin. It’s quite easy on the pocket as well, a much cheaper version. (with sluggish economy, we would do anything to save some money – even when it comes to beauty).

I went for the body massage and steam bath (RM98) whereas Ms Lactose was there to try the RM48 offer for facial (for first trial only).

One thing I really like about Aerellis products is that, it is not drying. My years of Cellnique usage had somewhat cause dryness to my skin (probably sign of getting old?). Cellnique is really good but somehow, over the years, probably regular usage of it had somewhat diminish the glowing effect that I used to enjoy when I first started using Cellnique.

Airellis uses aromatheraphy and leaning more towards natural herbal ingredients. I will give it a try to see whether it works.

For more information on Airellis, kindly contact:-

Airellis Esthetics & Wellness Studio
30, Jalan Medan Putra 3
Medan Putra Business Centre
Bandar Manjalara
52200 Kepong
Kuala Lumpur
(T) 03-6277 1804

COCKROACH, SPIDER, FIGHTING FISH AND THE BOYS

2006-10-23T01:59:00.001+08:00

Home alone day #2

I was online till I sent my dad at the door at 2.30 am; to ensure he locks everything properly. It’s not wise to take the risks of staying home alone with an unlocked door. It happens a few times (the not locking door properly). Can’t blame him. He’s 62 years old and can be very clumsy and gullible.

I was happy to see WY online but she left abruptly after she said she will be right back. DOTA is more important than friends now.

Hit the sack at 4 am after reading a few chapters on the Time Traveler’s Wife. I tried reading “The Evil Hour” by Gabriel Marquez but it was a bit too dry to continue. My bed was littered with books half read – The Evil Hour, Fit For Life, The Tibetan Book on Living and Dying and Changing Destiny.

Was contemplating not to take vegetarian today. There is no point to observe vegetarian for nine days (in conjunction with the Ninth Emperor’s Festival) with an unclear mind. Being upset with sister, at the same time bearing a lot of grudges towards the dumbass mechanic – well, I doubt I would accumulate any merits being vegetarian with a tainted soul. How ah? Sigh.

Spring clean the house again to seek solace and peace. There was a cockroach in the bathroom which I thought was dead. The moment I poured water on it to attempt to wash it away to the drain, it suddenly came to life! We warn dad not to lift up the lid to the drain in the bathroom every time he uses it, but he is too obstinate to listen. Hence our house was infested with cockroaches from the longkang occasionally.

As I was mopping the floor, I saw a spider sitting quietly on the Fresh and White toothpaste. After finished mopping, it was still there. Still and unmoving. I wonder what is it like to be a spider – do not need to suffer the consequences of being human. No depression, no disappointment, don’t have to work for a living, no heartache. If the spider is lucky enough, it would live through one life cycle of a few weeks (?). If not, it would be squashed or eaten. At least, it knew with certainty, death is quick.

The family has totally forgotten about the fighting fish. The fish belongs to my young cousin sis, who actually fish-sitting for a friend. She didn’t even remind me to feed the fish. I guess it was hungry when I fed it this morning. The fish attacked the pellets with gusto. Geez! That is why I don’t have pets. I could never remember feeding them. And now, with all the food pellets, the water turned murky. I would need to change the water. No need anti-chlorine one meh?! Another shit to do today. It better stay alive till the family comes back! I am sick and tired of being labeled – useless or hopeless by them.

The Monk came at about 2 pm for late lunch. Both of us were near starving. We decided on vegetarian since today is the first day in the lunar month. We caught up with old times, talking crap and gossiping about people that we both know. Heh! Defeats the purpose of going vegetarian with all the gossip eh? I killed a mosquito (aedes!) and some ants this morning too.. oh, what the hell.

There was not much progress concerning the Demented Duo: Koon and Kit. Koon’s habit of frequent visits to the Genting Casino is getting out of hand. He is starting to borrow money from the Supper Gang and other friends as well. It was disheartening to see people would be duped into believing that their luck will never run out. I was saddened by the thought that; instead of spending his time to make money for his old age while he is still young and able, he chose to idle the life away by gambling.

Kit had morphed into a more sociable person. He is usually quiet and has not much opinion of his own. Ever since he tried his luck to find a date via sms, he did muster up the courage to talk to people first. He has been texting non stop to his potential dates and even flirted with some of them, especially during supper time much to the Monk’s disgust.

He did go out for blind dates and not surprisingly, a lot of lonely hearts are horizontally-challenged people. Sad, but true.

When the Monk mentioned this, he did apologize first in order not to offend me. He said, every time Kit went to meet a girl, they would discuss the girl’s outward appearance, setting me as a benchmark. Bigger or smaller than Gina? Ah? That big ah??? Bigger than Gina ah?? Aiyoh.. habis… Yeah yeah! Very funny! Wait till I see them again in supper, they deserve a smack on their heads. Anyway, as I always try to look at the glass as half full than half empty, it was actually quite flattering that they still “include” me in their supper’s conversation, even if I hadn’t seen them for a year now.

At night, it was eventful. I joined Alex J and JK for bowling and I brought along Cili Padi with me. Haven’t been bowling for almost 5 or 6 freaking years – of course I sucked at it. More like longkang bowling. I had to solely depend on JK to tally the scores. Losers had to buy Coffee Bean. It was a standard practice.

We ended the night at Coffee Bean and talked till our voice box coarse. It was a fantastic night out. Cili Padi and I need some serious practice!

HOME ALONE DAY #1

2006-10-22T01:56:00.002+08:00

I survived home alone day 1. Not exactly home alone, dad is around too, but he sleeps most of the time.

This morning, after the upsetting episode of being forced to wash someone else’s underwear, I tried to find some peace in domestic chores. It saddens me that some people that you really care about just do not have the common sense or sensitivity towards you. I was really disappointed.

I find cleaning up my room therapeutic. I started dusting after breakfast. It was a good move, as I cleaned up my room section by section, things that were lost a few months ago made their way out without being invited. I was shocked by the thickness of the dust. I was even more surprised to find I was no longer allergic to dust. I did sneeze a little, but not as bad as I previously would suffer after every dusting session – an entire day resting in bed with runny nose, polaramine and heaps of tissue paper.

I arranged all my VCDs and CDs in alphabetical order, discarding many, many slips from atm machines, credit cards, shopping receipts, re-arrange my books, putting the souvenirs bought from my travels into boxes – they were lying all over the room, throwing out unwanted magazine, etc. Geez. It was a pig sty. I wonder how I live with the dust for so long.

My day was cheered up a little when our friendly Indian neighbour gave us the annually Deepavali goodies. This year, the goodies consisted of mutton curry, chicken curry, putu mayam, coconut candies and cookies. The portions were good enough to last till tea time for me and dad.

After an exhausting spring cleaning, I took bath and napped. Plans to go out supper tonight with the Monk was cancelled because he has other arrangements. He promised to see me for lunch tomorrow and apologized profusely.

Well, it turned out to be good in the end. Ms Lactose stopped by my house by surprise and I joined her for dinner with her children in Lau Heong Sentul.

And.. I thought I couldn’t survive without Astro. The inconsiderate family members took the Astro card with them to Taiping and left me to rot at home without a cable tv. My very inconsiderate sister took my Ixus 50 and touch and go card. Thank goodness for 8tv. At least the programs are still watchable… and thank goodness for this blog.

DATING GINA

2006-10-18T15:40:00.001+08:00

Well, after the hilarious post on my blind date a week ago, some fellas actually written to me and asked me out for blind dates, so that I could write more about dates and make fellow readers laugh - provided I don’t name names. Itu macam pun boleh kah?

Today, being a very mundane Wednesday, I drafted an application form for one potential candidate who expressed his willingness to be made fun of in this blog before dating me. (An idle mind is the devil's workshop). Click here or here for the application form and mail me. First come, first serve only. Limited to 10 dates only (At first, I thought of 50.. but, I am not at all greedy).

My apologies. *Blush* My inane sense of humour got the better of me today. Probably due to the fact that there will be a long holiday this coming week! Can’t wait for the long holidays! Happy holidays, Malaysians!

But I did mention about not dating people from the internet anymore. How ah? Heck. Most of my friends are from the internet, anyway... and I am such a slut!

HOME BEST KEPT SECRETS #2

2006-10-17T19:46:00.001+08:00

Minced pork with potatoes and carrots

This is one of the reasons that I could never give up meat!

To prepare the pork:

Minced pork

Beat an egg and mix with minced pork. Add soya sauce to taste.

Mould the minced pork into balls and fry them in hot oil (lotsa oil)

Drain.

To prepare potato:

Sliced or dice them according to mood.

Fry them in hot oil.

Drain.

To prepare the sauce

Tumis some garlic in some oil.

Put a little water in the wok. Add oyster sauce.

Add sliced carrots. Simmer for a few minutes to let carrot cook.

Add chopped/sliced onions.

Final step

Put the pork balls and fried potato inside.

Simmer.

Voila! A taste of heaven!

Other recipes
Home Best Kept Secrets #1

FRIENDS FOR LIFE

2006-10-16T11:48:00.001+08:00

Pics stolen from JK

I was invited to a potluck-BBQ-birthday party by Chubby and it was just another night out but with a twist. The birthday boys didn’t know that I am turning up as a surprise guest and I don’t even know one of the birthday boy, but heard some stuffs (good ones only) about them.

My mom as usual, bless her heart, she cooked something for me to bring it to the party. And I specially requested for JK’s favorite – the bubur cha cha, Chubby’s favorite – the kerabu mangga and the wine chicken further add up to the flavor for the night.

It was good to finally meet JK in person, a fellow blogger and also a good friend of Chubby’s. We spoken a bit over the internet for the past few months, mostly trying to outwit, outlast, outdo each other sarcastically.

I guess he was sort of at loss of words when he saw me in the kitchen, giving final touch to my kerabu mangga that he had to kick me in the butt. No handshake whatsoever. Just a kick in the butt.

He took several minutes to get his act together – I guess he was in a state of shock. Like I said earlier – a lot of people said, I am larger than life. Practically, they meant - I am larger IN life (as in size) - Speaking of which, VJ - the t-shirt that you gave me fits me perfectly! Thanks!

He was a shy guy and I did something which was so not me. I left him alone. In normal circumstances, I would torture the shit out of him. I made a few guys blushed in college that they had to tell me – “Oh man! Stop it! You make me feel so restless!!” and let out uncontrollable sighs and faces turned as red as cooked lobsters. See, JK, I was very nice to you.

Chubby & Amy – thanks for inviting me. I enjoyed it pretty much.

Alex J – I would always remember his lethal fart. (Alex J: I don’t normally fart when I first met a person, but I just want to get on to Chubby and Amy!). He’s gonna sing in a charity concert this November. So, if you feel very charitable, please drop by. He promised not to fart.

Then, there was Piggy (her name rhymes with pork knuckles) and she was the host. I took her to Tanjung Sepat for makan makan before. One thing I would always remember about her was, when I told Alex J to eat up the panties (they had a jelly cake in the shape of a sexy lady in bikini) so that he would have better luck in Genting Casino, she asked me, whether does it work for ladies too? – almost very seriously.

Hahahahah!!!! She is so gullible! I guess every group of friends has a mangkok in their midst, so… Piggy should be the mangkok of the group. LOL!

Chubby’s sis-in-law also joined us for the party. She is a Thai. She was the woman behind the BBQ pit the entire night. She was very helpful and never complained about taking care of other people. Chubby’s brother is one lucky man.

It was a paparazzi night out. Cameras were snapping incessantly almost on anything – food and people alike. Sorry fellas, but I don’t really fancy my pics being taken.

One thing which amazed me was their bond. They were always together, even if they don’t meet that often but they do make an effort to go out and celebrate each others’ birthdays throughout the year.

They came from separate backgrounds, JK in IT, Chubby in Share Registration, Amy in consulting, Alex J in insurance company (not selling – so don’t worry about getting to know him . Hehe!), Piggy in a bank (lol, didn’t know it would rhyme) and Josh – other than knowing he is taking Mandarin class now, and his dad is selling some kick ass fruits, I didn’t know much. Sorry!

I guess the main ingredients for a friendship that last a lifetime are as follows:

1. You are not always right.
2. Do not try to smother your friends. Give them some breathing space.
3. Never take them for granted.
4. It’s always the thoughts that count.
5. Do not take advantage of them – financially, trust, etc.
6. You maybe a bitch, but they still love you. (Well, it's true in my case. Heh!)
7. Do not try to change them for who they are.
8. Always support them even if at times, they might behave irrationally.
9. Always lend a listening ear.
10. Togetherness in times of crisis.

Nobody’s perfect. But good friends will always give you a chance to redeem yourself and always be there for you.

I was glad to find that this group has the essential ingredients to maintain a life-long friendship.

Well, here’s wishing the 6 of them – friendship that grows from strength to strength and may happiness be with them always.

MORONS ON THE RADIO

2006-10-14T12:28:00.001+08:00

Yesterday night, after dropping WY off her house, I was on my long way home. I decided to drive slowly while tuning up the radio. It has been awhile since I last driven alone with the radio on full blast. I miss these moments where I could gather thoughts running haphazardly through my mind, systematically analyze them, trying to discern a solution, and get to talk to myself out loud without other people noticing (shit, I am getting very imaginary nowadays) while miraculously reach home in one piece.

Since I was quite fed up with the songs on Mix.fm, it’s always the same, I decided to change channel. I turned on 98.8, the Chinese station.

It was Chan Fong’s "Aunt Agony" program where he’s gonna be bloody sarcastic to those hapless forlorn lovers who called up. This should be darn interesting!

Sometimes, you really feel like slapping those stupid callers who tried to air their grievances (stupidity) in public.

For instance, yesterday’s conversation was something like this (direct translation from Cantonese):

Caller No. 1

Caller: .. after six months, she decided to break up with me….. she said, I lied to her and I cheated her…

CF: What did you do?

Caller:…. I didn’t do anything.. blah blah blah…

CF: Listen to yourself. You said, you want to spend time with her but you didn’t. And yet, you said you didn’t lie to her. Does it mean, not keeping a promise is not a way of cheating?

Caller: You can say that.

Me: Fuck you lah!! WHAT - you can say that – it is CHEATING. You are an idiot!!

CF: You are very weird.

Me: Stop talking to him Chan Fong! Cut off the line!!

Caller:…… I am working in Penang, while she is in Batu Pahat…. So it’s hard to maintain a long distance relationship. I want my career as well, so that we could have a better life…..

CF: You can’t have the cake and eat it you know? From the way you are saying, I think you emphasize on your career more than your girlfriend.

Caller: I love her very much you know.

Me: Only six months lah you fucker! Obviously you haven’t bed her yet and worried you might not have chance to get into her pants. You would say anything just to do that!!!

CF: By saying you love her, and not with actions is no point.. blah blah blah……

I really salute Chan Fong for his patience with idiots.

CF: Ok lah. You better go and think of your actions……

*Music*

Caller: Can I dedicate a song?

CF: Say something, fast.

Caller: Chan Fong, hello? Can I dedicate a song?

CF: Faster lah.

Caller: Hello? Can I dedicate a song?

Me: KNLBCCB. Speak up lah you moron!!!

CF: 10 seconds!!

Caller: I cannot dedicate a song?

Me: CCB!!!!!!!

CF: Say lah!!!!

Caller: Ok. Just tell her that I love her.

Me: No wonder your gf left you!

Caller No. 2

Caller: My name is John.

CF: Hello John.

Caller: … my gf and I are from university, we went for our 3 months training and when she came back from training, she is no longer the girl I used to know…. Then I found out, she actually came to know a guy from work.. and they got on pretty well. We never had any problems before. But she has changed since she met this guy… she didn’t tell me that she met a guy but I got to know from her e-mail to…

Me: What?? You snoop on her??

Caller: And then.. I came to know that she had slept with that guy!! Her first time you know!!! Now I feel like I am wearing the green hat!! (Cantonese: Tai Lok Mou – meaning your gf/wife left you for another man because you are such a useless bastard). How would you feel leh?? When your gf gave her first time to another man? She supposed to belong to me!!!

CF: I can’t believe that this come out from the mouth of a university grad. What era are we living in right now? blah blah blah....

Me: Virginity is overrated ok!! You can sleep around whenever if you like.

Caller: I cannot take it. Should I forgive her misdeeds? Blah blah blah….

Me: For Christ’s sake. You come from kampong is it?? Even married people nowadays sleep with other people lah. Men can even sleep with men, women with women. What's wrong with you, man? You can have sex with whoever you want man!! Don’t get mad! Get even!!

Caller: *Sob* sob* I love her so much, why is she doing this to me? Why?

I couldn’t really remember what CF said, but it was very apparent that CF found this rather amusing from the numerous chuckles when the boy kept on talking about how important virginity is.

I think this caller needs to watch more Sex and the City.

I salute Chan Fong for his patience. I know how hard it is to deal with moronic people who think LURRVEEEE is everything.

CANCER STRICKEN SOCIETY

2006-10-14T10:54:00.001+08:00

Cancer seems to be the most feared word lately when one talks about health. Everyone is worried about cancer; some unfortunate people seem to be getting it; almost every other week, you have friends telling you about her/his friends having cancer, etc.

Is it the food we eat? Is it the air? Is it the stress level at work in this new millennium?

In 2002, cancer was the fourth leading killer in our nation. I wonder whether, in a span of less than 4 years, the cancer cells had been increased by leaps and bounds, because it seems everyone around me is getting cancer.

In less than 6 months this year, I have heard too many cancer stories which put me in jitters.

My friend called me to ask about insurance claims when she was admitted to hospital to remove a lump in her throat. The lump was there for as long as she could remember but the doctor said it’s safer to remove it to prevent it from growing bigger. We cannot be so sure about this.

A dear friend's mom's cancer reoccured and everyone in her family had to relive the entire agony all over again - the operation, the chemotheraphy, the taking turns in taking care of her mom, and balancing finances.

My boss is a very nice man, so does his wife. I don’t understand why cancer would strike good hearted people. They are those people who practise healthy lifestyle. They don’t drink coffee. They don’t eat oily stuff. And yet, she has cancer of the gall bladder. When such terrible things happen to good people, it always makes you wonder, is there a God?

A fellow ex colleague e-mailed me one day to ask for a Chinese Physician’s address. She then revealed to me that she has tumors in her breasts. Even if the tumors are not malignant, she has to be careful with what she eats now, and lead a healthier lifestyle. The lumps won’t go away and she is scared to go for operations.

My friend informed me of an sms sent by her cancer striken friend who is now, waiting for death to knock at her door.

My treatment in S'pore completed with a negative result. I had pet scan done. Tumor has grown larger, is spreading & multiplying rapidly. My marker is 825 vs 3. The doctor was sorry he cant help me. I've asked him how much time do i have? He said it is in the hand of god. So my dearest friends, I am terminating my chemotherapy. I am still fighting 2 stay alive. I won't just give up yet. However, (I just hv 2 write tis b4 i run out of time) I want 2 thank u 4 all yr supports, prayers & contribution etc. I am very lucky indeed 2 hv met u & known u in this lifetime.

This is much worse than death sentence. In a death sentence, you know when to expect death and probably it was justifiable because of your crime. This waiting leaves you in so much agony and it made you questioned God why is this happening?

Recently, Seha, a singer with Freedom died because of cancer after 2 months of brave battle. May she rest in peace.

We can never predict what lies ahead. That is why for this new year’s wish, it was proper that Takeshi wished that all the cells in the body stay the way they are and do not mutate.

You might be a health freak, but cancer cells know no bounds; it does not discriminate; be it race, religion, culture, status, gender, age, etc.

However, it is advisable for us to do the best we could to maintain a healthy lifestyle and do good while we can. If all else fails, blame it on bad karma.

VIVA CUBA

2006-10-12T23:17:00.002+08:00

Jorgito & Malu's meeting with Champion, the dog

It is a light hearted movie for children and adults alike.

I find Viva Cuba lived up to its title. It’s amazing that with such a simple story line, it was capable to bring viewers to the plentiful beautiful landscapes of Cuba; which we would probably never see before. When we think of Cuba, we thought of the Che Guevara, cigars, salsa and Havana club.

You can read all about the movie here. Cynthia did a pretty good introduction. I am not going to do a review about the story.

One thing I couldn’t help noticing is, the way the director filmed the movie. The cinematography is way so cool. You get to see the movie in almost a dream-like state.

I especially love the scene where both main characters (Malu & Jorgito) lie beneath the starry skies, in a ramshackle boat. It was almost picture perfect.

When Malu and Jorgito were discussing plans to run away, the sunset casting its orange ray over Havana’s skyline, it gave you a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

When Malu complained of thirst and bursting in screaming anger, the director managed to shoot that scene from the view of a bison’s skull, to let us picture the dire state that they were in. It added some humour into the situation when a butterfly landed on the bison skull.

When both of them were discussing their plans under a coconut tree, it was as if there were only two persons existing in the world.

The scenes I have discussed here were very normal scenes and there were no special effects whatsoever. It’s just the angle of the movie was being shot. They take into consideration minute details, such as pictures of Cuban flag when both mothers were agonizing over their runaway children or when the children crossed the road, there was a huge graffiti of Che Guevara on the background, how they support their own Cuban President, Fidel Castro by hanging on their door knob – This is Fidel’s house as opposed to the staunch catholic neighbour’s house – The Lord’s House etc.

I love it. I love it so much. Thank you, Cynthia for sharing this.

Ibero American Film Festival runs from 8 to 15 October 2006 at Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai Malaysia.

REUNION OF SORTS

2006-10-11T00:26:00.001+08:00

Happy Moon Cake Festival!!

Last Friday, there was a BBQ party at my humble home. Mom, being anal about getting everyone well fed, cooked up quite a storm in the kitchen. Since it was a pot luck party, everyone were to bring some stuffs, our initial menu consists of only chicken rice, fried mee hoon, curry chicken and BBQ. But, it ended up with additional stuff – kerabu mangga, bubur cha cha, Ipoh bean sprout and chicken strips and chicken feet and mushroom.

This is probably the fifth time, we threw a party in this house in 17 years. We had my forgettable 16th birthday with fellow church members (I still remember the delicious chocolate cake though which lasted a week, because it was too good, we ate it slowly), post SPM party (mine, where I invited 3 friends from Taiping to KL), disastrous 18th birthday (also mine) – where the guests turned up and left without eating the cake and any of my mom’s cooking (it’s really fucking rude, and I have yet to forgive them till today and never will), my graduation party.. and this…One thing I totally loathe about throwing party is the cleaning up part.

The night ended with a few lanterns on fire, three quarter of the food finished much to our delight, my porch littered with wax from burnt candles and 8 boxes of moon cakes. So, moon cakes anyone? I will be giving them out for free.

On Saturday night, I attended an old friend’s wedding in Puchong. He was my ex housemate when I was at TAR College. One thing I remember vividly about Ah Liang – he was the one who gave me Ultraman’s eyes.

I had a terrible flu, so I downed some panadol soluble and started to study last minute for a mini exams the next day. Seeing that I was in such a sorry state, he offered me a packet of powdery medicine with picture of 3 legs printed on it. I took it less than an hour after I had taken the panadol. An hour later, I was rushed to a nearby clinic to get an allergy injection (costing me RM130!!) because both my eyes bloated like Ultraman’s.

I ended up not taking the exams and he was remorseful, even if it wasn't his fault. He tried to help, really. He took care of me after that - setting alarm clock every 4 hours to apply eye drops to my swollen eyes and cooked me meals when I was sick – porridge with chicken and mushroom. Feeling somewhat indebted to me, (actually, I am pretty good at giving people the guilt trip), he always took me everywhere I wished to go on his kapcai. Haha. Those were the days. The wife is sure darn lucky to have him as a husband.

Today, I went out with Cynthia. I couldn’t remember the last time we went out together – the girly group thingy since I left for college and she started working. Then, she got married with a kid. Things seemed to be pretty mediocre for her after that. It was good to catch up. We watched a foreign film: Los La Ninas Invisibles at Soka Gakkai Malaysia together. It was a very light hearted movie in Spanish and best of all, it was free! We will be watching more movies at SGM in the future!

MY SUPER DUPEY BLIND DATE

2006-10-06T14:44:00.001+08:00

I went on a blind date yesterday. Let me rephrase that - I was chaperoning Ms Lactose on a blind date yesterday. Let me rephrase that again – I replaced a friend to chaperon Ms Lactose on a blind date, of whom we have no connection whatsoever – he was being introduced to me last week on MSN so I could bring him out to meet Ms Lactose on behalf of this well meaning friend who convinced me that he is a nice guy. Get it?

It has been awhile since I last dated/ chaperoned. Blind dates sometimes can be fun as you don’t know what to expect. And usually, blind dates would end up quite interesting (it bound to happen if you go out with me – ahem!) and amusing, and be kept as memories (good or bad is another story) in one’s dating scene.

Yesterday’s was no exception.

The intended restaurant – Nippon Tei was scrapped after the man complained of stomach discomfort, and preferred to eat something light. (Japanese food is usually light, right?) Can’t blame him. He is 46 years old.

We ended up in Little Penang Café. I like the devil’s curry anyway.

For someone with an upset stomach, he sure had hell a lot of appetite. He had the loh mee, prawn mee, ju hu char, lobak, top hats and red ruby dessert.

Looks aside, it is quite a turn off to flaunt your wealth. Probably, working girls from China who look for gold to dig would totally appreciate you but for sophisticated women like Ms Lactose (and me), this trick doesn’t work. I have rich friends – they don’t flaunt their wealth. They are rather miserly and very down to earth.

With gem studded rings and bangles on both hands, his “share price” plummeted again. Then I came to know after the date, that the bangles were meant for rheumatism. Ms Lactose saw her 50++ year old brother wearing the same thing for his rheumatism. Gawd. Meaning – it’s an old man’s bangle?

I wasn’t really paying attention but Ms Lactose spotted tattoos on his arms – big, huge ones. “Share price” further decreased.

We ended dinner abruptly, not that we intended to, to catch a movie. It’s a favor to stop his "share price" from plummeting.

As we were lining up for tickets, we saw some seats highlighted in yellow and asked what seats are those. The seats were meant for the disabled.

To our horror, he started to suffer serious head concussion and behaving like a retard. He asked the equally baffled ticketing assistant, whether we could get the seats for the handicapped. I wished the earth would swallow me that instant. I wished I have super lame sense of humour.

The scene where Tom Cruise jumping up and down on the sofa like a retard on Oprah Winfrey show played in my mind that instant repetitively. The difference is, Tom Cruise is so darn gorgeous even in his 40s. If the super gorgeous Tom Cruise was not forgiven for his silly antics; what makes a man in his late 40s, with rings and rheumatism bangles, very bad hair cut, tattooed eye brows in brown color, (Yes! Euwwww!!!!!!!!!!) thinks he could get away with it?

We were hoping that the darkness in the cinema would help us to temporary forget that we were with him, but nooooooooooooooo….

His share price took a nose dive to non existence the moment he snored. And it was loud. Really LOUD – as in everyone staring at us and him, and laughed at us instead of laughing at the movie. It was a comedy (the movie.... and us).

Me: Eh – please elbow him!!!

Ms Lactose: GINA!!! He is your friend!!!! YOU wake him up!

Me: No! He is NOT my friend. ELBOW HIM!!

Ms Lactose: I am not going to touch him.

Me: Please wake him up and say, if he is tired, he can go home NOW.

Ms Lactose tapped his shoulder and told him exactly what I have said.

He woke up and struggled hard to stay awake.

When the movie ended, we dashed out from the cinema and went straight to the car park. We bid good bye hastily and we thought the worst was over when we got into our car.

But hell no.

He called me and said his parking ticket got stuck in the vending machine with his money as well.

Hello? Look, Mister. Do we look like someone who can help you with the vending machine? Call lah the security guard! Aichoh!

Anyway, we were quite concerned and out of courtesy sake, we gave him a call a few minutes later to make sure he was alright.

Ms Lactose and I learned some lessons out of this outing.

1. Not all men would look as good as my boss at age 46. (Yes – my boss is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!!)
2. We are not THAT desperate.
3. It has somehow made us think that most people you get to know from the internet are lame, pervert or maniac, desperate, inane, insane, etc.
4. So what if you are filthy rich?
5. I should stop mingling with friends who have bad taste. (LOL! Kidding!)

Well, to give this guy the benefit of the doubt, he did warn us about him snoring in cinemas and made an effort to stay awake throughout the movie. We are to be blamed for not taking his warning seriously. We hope he won’t go to any movies with his future dates (with someone else) and we wish him all the best in finding his soul mate.

Other equally goofy dating stories

Dateless in Selayang
I Have A Date with Loose Springs
The Man With a Pan
Reality Bites
Dating Protocol

SIMPLE, HONEST & UNPRETENTIOUS

2006-10-04T00:50:00.001+08:00

The Boat House, Taman Tun Dr Ismail

Jane owed me a meal. She decided to take me to Boat House, a nice and cozy western meet eastern cuisine in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, a shop opened by a fellow Taiping kia.

I thought to myself, “Oh, must be one of those normal fusion stuff. Paying like RM10 for a plate of char kueh teow. Or a black pepper tenderloin steak at ridiculous price but taste like the RM9.90 food court steak. Or maybe serving Taiping popiah? Hmmph… Anyway, I might end up having cliché nasi lemak. It’s the safest choice.”

I reached BoatHouse at 6.40 pm, way too early from the appointed time at 7.30 pm. I didn’t know. I thought the appointment was at 7 pm? My memory is failing.

I was greeted by Yen Ni, the fellow Taiping kia that Jane has been telling me about.

Yen Ni: “You must be (my Chinese name) Gina!”

Me: “Ah? You know me meh??

Yen Ni: I think I have seen you before.

Me: I have typical Taiping face?

Yen Ni: Everyone’s faces never change.

Me: Yeah. So old already, the faces still very much remain the same since Form 1?

I was shown to our reserved seat at the non-smoking corner. Since Jane was late, (actually I was 50 minutes early) YN suggested a drink – Detox.

Me: Wah?! Detox?! Will lau sai* or not? Haha!

YN: You won't lah!! Haha!

* Diarrhea in hokkien

Detox is a blend of celery (good for my hypertension!), cucumber, apple and capsicum. It’s good, although a bit sweet for my taste.

YN, who has a background in French cuisine, chatted with me briefly on our old friends, common friends and on the concept of the restaurant, etc.

Today’s Special Tuesday. With a purchase of any western cuisine, patrons are entitled to purchase any range of pasta for only RM1! Typical kiasu Malaysians would have swamped this place on Tuesdays if this news is out!

Every Saturday, it is 30% off all steaks and chops in the house.

Jane arrived at 7.20 pm and we didn’t waste time. YN suggested a few specialty in BoatHouse. The cempedak chicken (house specialty, seasonal) (RM9.80), tenderloin steak in red wine (RM42.80) and alio olio vongole (RM15).

We savored everything to the very last drop. (Seriously, if there is no one else in the restaurant - I would bloody lick the plates!) The cempedak chicken is something new. As a cempedak lover, of course, I love this very much. There is also a belacan chicken wing, which I guess I would try in my next visit.

The tenderloin steak is superb. I seldom eat my steak medium rare as I don’t want to die from E.coli but I will make an exception for this. It’s the best tenderloin steak in red wine that ever entered my digestive tract. As for the serving, it was not obscenely big or even ridiculously small. It was just right for me, like Goldilocks savoring her porridge. Quite authentic.

Having tried different restaurant’s alio olio during my pasta makanthon (I crave for pasta!!), here rank second. I still prefer the alio olio in All Star Cafe, and Ed's very own alio olio!(Sorry ah YN!!)

We ordered more stuffs after savoring the three dishes, we had potage mushroom (RM5.20) and dory fish in spinach creamy sauce (RM28.80). Heavenly! The dory fish came in generous dose of thick creamy sauce with a hint of white wine, I practically nicknamed it dory fish banjir (like mamak’s roti banjir).

As we chatted over coffee, we ordered strawberry chocolate fondue (RM14.80) to complete the great night out. To further perk up the night, it was Adeline’s birthday (YN’s partner) and cake was served on the house! So, come here every 3rd October for free cake. Haha! Kidding!

BoatHouse is warm, cozy and friendly. Expect personalized service. Instead of ordering direct from menu (about 80 choices! Yes – they also have char kueh teow – but screw it!), ask Yen Ni or Adeline for recommendation. Your meal will never go wrong. Good news for alcoholics, cocktails range from RM8.90 to RM12.90 all night long. You can even bring your own bottle (corkage fee RM25 for wine and RM80 for hard liquor) if you wanna throw a party. They have a private room, catering for 8 – 10 people.

I couldn’t agree more that BoatHouse is indeed true to its motto: Serving honest and unpretentious food. But simple? I don't think so. How could cempedak chicken be simple?! Heh!

If you would like to give it a try, remember to mention my name (Gina). You may get a free banana to go with your chocolate fondue! Hahahah!!

BoatHouse Restaurant
16, Lorong Rahim Kajai 14
Taman Tun Dr Ismail
60000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03-7727 4426

(At the same row in between Maybank and Hong Leong Bank)

Business Hours
Monday to Friday 11 am to 3 pm, 6 pm to 12 am
Saturday 12 pm to 4 pm, 6 pm to 1 am
Close on Sundays

What other bloggers' say about boatHOUSE

Z-Lite
Memoirs of a Chocoholic

HOW DOES A HUNCHBACK SLEEP?

2006-09-30T08:59:00.001+08:00

This is how I sleep..

While idling in office yesterday, I forwarded an e-mail on how one sleeps determine one's personality in life.

Then, a senior tender manager replied to the forwarded mail:

-----Original Message-----
From: Senior Tender Manager
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 5:57 PM
To: Gina
Cc: Other idling colleagues
Subject: RE: How Do U Sleep?

Can u guys guess and tell me how does a hunchback sleep ?

-----Original Message-----
From: Gina
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 6:11 PM
To: Senior Tender Manager
Cc: Other colleagues who were pretending to be too busy to keep their jobs
Subject: RE: How Do U Sleep?

Like a turtle? You know, what they say about cars turning turtle.

-----Original Message-----
From: Senior Tender Manager
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 6:16 PM
To: Gina
Cc: Other colleagues who already went home sharp at 5.30 pm
Subject: RE: How Do U Sleep?

SALAH !!
A hunchback sleep like everybody else
by closing his or her eyes

I laughed hysterically.

SIMILAR BUT NOT THE SAME

2006-09-27T17:07:00.001+08:00

As I was telling a friend of my choice of words, I was not very happy for what I had found out.

Every word that comes out from my mouth is very sarcastic, even if I meant well.

For example, during lunch, I saw the pot was boiling hot in the kitchen.

Instead of saying, “Hey! Do you want to turn off the stove before it is burnt?” I said, “Do you want to wait till the dish is burnt, then only turn off the stove?”

It has the similar meaning – to turn off the stove, yet, it is not the same.

Another instance was, a very inconsiderate “friend” of my sister’s called my house at 1 am.

My mind was racing – did somebody died? Is there an emergency? Good lord! I hope nothing happen to the kids…

Boy. How pissed was I when I found out it’s him.

Instead of telling him, it’s inappropriate to call at this ungodly hour (it goes without saying for people with common sense), I asked him, “Do you know what time is it?”

And then, yelled at my sister by saying, “Can you ask your friend not to be so fucked up?”

In the morning after, I gave another nagging session to my sister. Instead of advising her, “Please ask your friends not to call at such ungodly hour. It disturbs everyone’s sleep.”

I said, “Did somebody die last night? Or was someone really sick and got admitted to hospital?”

My sister looked at me with a blank look on her face. “Who died? Who is sick?”

With a tulan face, I said, “Only when there is death or sickness, you are allowed to call house phone at 1 am.”

When advising a friend to tell him that the girl is not right for him, I put a foot in my mouth again.

Instead of saying, “In my opinion, I felt that she is not appropriate for you as both of you needed someone to take care of yourselves.”

I said, “Come to think of it, both of you are a match made in heaven, since both of you are so damn childish.”

Like I said earlier, sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

I think I seriously need to work on my communication skills.

PARENTING 101: BRIBERY

2006-09-26T23:04:00.001+08:00

Sasha has not wanted to go to school lately. Her mom took her back to hometown for a week for holidays and when she came back, she was whining and sulking, refusing to go to school.

My mom is running out of white lies to tell her to coax her to school.

“Your teacher asks you to go to school. She has new books for you!”

“Go to school lah. Today got birthday party! Your friend will give you present!”

It is agonizing to see her crying and wailing in the morning before going to school.

I took matters in my hands. I went to purchase some colorful lanterns and played with her at night. I made her promise to go to school the next day.

It did work this morning. She didn’t cry much, only a bit sulky. When the van came to take her to school, she held on tight to my mother and refused to let go.

I guess bribery doesn’t work.

Any clues? Parents?

TRICOR: YUM SENG!

2006-09-24T19:35:00.001+08:00

Chubby: You free this Friday?

Me: I guess so. Wadsup?

Chubby: Book your time for me please.

Hhmmphhh…

It was my ex company’s annual dinner at Dynasty Hotel on 22 September 2006; for the first time in 7 years. (I thought Chubby is gonna intro some cute hunks to me. Cheh!).

I joined TCC (now Tricor) on 12 December 2000 and left the company on 31 July 2003. I guess this is the longest time that I’ve ever been in any company. A rolling stone gathers no moss? Why would a stone want moss on it, anyway?

The theme was red and black. I am lucky enough to have a red and black striped blouse or else, I would have to buy new clothes to blend into the crowd. Seriously, I hate to dress up with all the make up and shit like that. I don’t really enjoy going for dinners, especially weddings. *hint*

However, this dinner was different. The invitation came from people whom I first met when I stepped foot into the corporate world. The people who had been kind enough to show me the way around secretarial practice. The people that had taught me from scratch and we remained as friends till this very day. It was indeed very hard to find working colleagues this close-knitted. We worked like a family unit, despite having some differences among us. I hope they would continue to work together like the good old days, with the new international merger.

It was a last minute notice. Last minute invitation, last minute hotel booking, last minute printing of souvenirs, last minute selection of menu, last minute preparation for performances among departments, last minute…. but, the quality of the entire dinner was more than superb. It was fantastic!

It was silly of me to forget my camera as I was rushing to go out after work to the party. How much I've missed!! From the prep for performances, selection of food, mingling of the old and new staff alike, to the beautiful stretch of road going towards KLCC in glittering street and car lights. Lovely, lovely night.

The inter-department performances were fantastic. There were dances to music in suits made of cardboard boxes, (I jokingly told them, if I were to perform with them, I probably need the largest fridge packaging), Snow White and the Seven Dwarves with a twist - whereby the evil step mother loved banana, and instead of a prince kissing Snow White, he gave her a can of tongkat ali, the Payroll and Accounting department, which won the competition hands down; came up with an Indian dance (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai) complete with conversations in hokkien (by Indian and Malay colleagues!!), and the despatch boy dressed up as a very pretty Indian girl. And we all think accountants are square pegs? Heh! And oh boy! A fellow colleague could really shake his booty, putting Sharukh Khan to shame!

Another performance from the share registrar reminded me of my childhood’s stint as one of the hantu jembalang in the musical P. Ramlee’s Aci Aci Buka Pintu. Like this picture (God! This pic is taken 20 years ago!!). The movement and all the prep were exactly like the ones I did back in primary school.

Guess which one was me?

The performances sent us to fits of laughter; even the waiters and waitresses were not spared. You wouldn't believe that they took only a week to practise all these! Tricor, they are THAT efficient!

It was good to catch up with old friends. It was good to see the togetherness that the MD had strived hard to foster since the birth of this company. It was good to toast the night away with a few bottles of red wine with fellow alcoholics, along with the alcoholic song – which I don’t really remember, but it was really funny. Yeah. I did something unforgettable when we went for our company trip to Cherating, back in 2001 – and ever since, I had been nicknamed; the Fountain.

Above all, it was good to feel at “home”, even if I had left this company 3 years ago.

Here’s a toast, hoping that Tricor will continue to prosper in many, many years to come.

UNIFORM DAY

2006-09-22T16:11:00.001+08:00

I just got my office uniform and they are totally hideous. I had to wear it to assembly in the office today.

Little Sasha: You look like poh poh!

Aunt: You look like you just gave birth and now, “chor yuet”.

“chor yuet” means, the month after you give birth and you are resting at home, still with a swollen stomach and plenty of fried ginger to eat.

Friend at work: You walk weird in that skirt. Like a duck!

A colleague in the lift: You look like one of our (*fat) Malay colleagues.

* I added this to his sentence. He agreed. @#$%^&*

Sis: You look like the IT girl. (who is also.. not very pleasant looking, but she is a very nice person.)

TNS^. Thank goodness I only have to wear this hideous looking uniform till middle of next year. Hopefully, the management would come up with new color and design that are not so retarded looking.

^ Cantonese swear words.

LUNCH BICKER

2006-09-19T15:55:00.000+08:00

It is very usual to watch mom and dad bickering over lunch. They have been doing this for as long as I could remember. The usual stuffs that they would argued over varied from how many times one should take bath in a day, dad should stop buying sweets to spoil the two kids at home, his very bad hygiene, his sleeping schedule, her wastefulness when it comes to water as she is quite obsessed with cleanliness, her generosity when it comes to cooking up a storm for the family etc.

Today’s lunch bickering was one of the funniest. (Most of them are quite funny).

Dad: I think I will get us a toothpick holder.

Mom: Why you want a tooth pick holder in the house?? You think this is a restaurant?

Dad: You don't tell me you can only use toothpicks in restaurants??

Mom: Why do you want to use toothpick? You might as well just take off your dentures and brush them. We have no real teeth left anyway.

*I laughed my ass off*

A good relationship withstands the test of time. My parents’ withstands many and more lunch arguments to come.

MOONCAKE STORY

2006-09-18T18:05:00.001+08:00

Mooncake sure brings back memories.

Some 10 years ago, after my A levels exams, I went to a classmate’s house in Seremban for a short break. We went to a temple nearby Seremban, where they claimed, the “kau chim” (seeking will of God via “fortune stick”), it would be very “leng” (accurate).

The fortune teller said, within that year's Mid Autumn's festival, I would be meeting someone who would be my potential mate. He said, if I missed the chance this time, my “yuen fan” (fate) would be much later in life.

I asked him, “How late?”

He said, “Very late.”

Then, I, being a pain in ass – “How late is very late?”

He said, “Maybe in your 40s.”

*Gulp*

As I ate the Teow Chew Mooncake in office today, I reminisced the old times. I met him of course. He brought a pail with candles as his lantern which made the girls chuckled.

I even made him some leong char when he was feeling unwell, hence, my teasing housemates gave him a nickname, “Leong Char Chai”. When he left for United Kingdom, I gave him a shaving kit and a scarf to keep him warm. In return, he gave me his internet account password so that we could keep in touch.

Years gone by. He returned to Kuala Lumpur. He even took me for a ride in his new sparkling silver Proton Iswara, first car when he started working.

As I knew that he was not and would not at least be interested in me, I introduced him to one of my single girlfriends.

Their relationship took off immediately and it ended as soon as it started. She even told me juicy bits of their relationship that made me blushed. She accused him of trying to take advantage on her. I felt it takes two to tango. Somehow or another, it made the both of us (he and I) stopped talking to each other because of embarrassment.

I didn’t see him since. I wonder how he is and where is he now?

SABAH - THE GOOD & THE BAD

2006-09-14T16:08:00.001+08:00

To sum up the trip to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah – I have only two words: bored shitless.

I guess I must have been on one of those kiasu trip – free air ticket mah! Stay as long as you want lah! Oh boy!

It was a good thing that my travel mates this time round consisted of only men – Ed and Sekinchan Boy. One good thing about traveling with male companions is – they have really, really LOW expectation. Give Ed a lazy chair overlooking the beautiful sea in different shades of turquoise, some sun lotion and a cap – he would be as happy as a lark to sleep the day away (as in pic shown here).

Since half of the time in KK were spent in the comfort of our hostel room (no, there were no orgies, we were all sleeping like logs), there isn’t much to write about. I could only categorize the trip into two groups – the good and the bad. Surprisingly, as I compiled the pictures, I find the place is rather beautiful.

The Good

Foothill of Mount Kinabalu

1. Kundasang & Mount Kinabalu

We made a short one day trip to Kundasang. It was unfortunate that we could not take proper photographs of the place, due to the incessant rain. We were soaked in the drizzle and the chilly wind; subjected ourselves to risks of hypothermia.

If you go to KK, you have to scale the mountain. Given that all of us are out of shape and stamina, we didn’t. But, we managed to get to the foothill of Mount Kinabalu (which is good enough) and it was a spectacular sight to behold. It somehow made us wanna pack our bags and go up. We made a vow to come back here next year to scale the mountain!

Kundasang vegetable market and the dairy farm

The foothill of Mount Kinabalu and the Desa Dairy farm in Kundasang are my favorites. Ed said he almost vomited when he smelt the cow-dung-smelling air. Ed is not very fond of animals – and it’s no wonder that he doesn’t eat them. (He is a vegetarian).

We had Tenom coffee at this small café in Mount Kinabalu while waiting for the rain to stop. It was quite kick-ass and it went on very well with the club sandwich. There goes my diet of refraining from coffee!

2. Food!!!

Food in KK was rather bland. Sad to say, we think that Sabahans dunno shit when it comes to real, solid good food. Or, in better terms, they are pretty simple and easy to please when it comes to food. However, we managed to have some pretty decent meals over our stay of 5 days there – since we were trying very hard to drown our boredom with food.

Some of the good food we had were – Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh and Restaurant Beaufort at Gaya Street, bread in butter and kaya and teh si at Damai Point, some Penang styled restaurant in Bukit Padang, around Kolombong and Wisma Merdeka food court serves decent vegetarian food – try the Tuaran Noodles.

Getting food is not a problem at Gaya Street – where kopitiams mushroomed in between shop lots. You only need to be damn lucky to go into one which served decent food.

We used the old trick of looking at shops with the most people - which indicate good food and found Kopitiam Kinabalu packed with people. We were disappointed. The “Penang Char Kueh Teow” is crap!!

The many, many kopitiams mainly serve fishball, fish paste, anything to do with fish together with their noodles.

Sutera Harbor

3. Sutera Harbor

This is Ed’s favorite place as he enjoyed the quietness and the lazy chairs provided overlooking the sea for his ritual beauty nap.

The water is crystal clear and you could see fishes swimming inside it!

Hi-tea is only available on weekends at RM38++ and on regular days, it’s RM52++ for buffet lunch.

Friendly cat at Summer Lodge

4. Place to stay

We stayed at Summer Lodge – which is quite decent (contrary to what Takeshi said about hostels in Malaysia - Gaya Street is like Chow Kit Road in KL - not!!). They charged RM18 onwards for a bed. Since we opted for a room for more privacy, we paid only RM25 each. What pissed me off is that it comes with a hidden cost of RM3 for a blanket, which I think, quite okay lah.

Summer Lodge is situated on Gaya Street, right above Pizza Hut. It was kinda noisy as at night, there would be a street performance nearby on Beach Street.

5. The Road is practically empty

There is no toll, no traffic jams and there is hardly people honking at you in Sabah. They are very, very patient people. You can cross the roads with your eyes closed, really. We walked about the town for 4 1/2 hours and surprised that we actually covered 90% of it.

KK Town

6. Wisma Tun Mustapha

We wanted to go in the afternoon but ended up going there at night. Check out the revolving restaurant called, the Atmosphere. Cocktails and shots come as dirt cheap as RM9 per shot after 10 pm to 12 am.

7. The genuine “muhibah” concept

It was a rare sight to see a food court which serves pork! Pork is not served in the food court of KLCC or Mid Valley. Everything is halal.

Here, in Wisma Merdeka, we truly witness the genuine Muhibah Concept for the first time. Chinese and Muslim food is served in the same food court just next to each other. They have a corner for Muslims though, but we are free to order food from any stalls to eat at the same place. Cool! Racial integration? West Malaysians have lots to learn from the East Malaysians.

Sunday Market at Gaya Street

8. Gaya Street

It is quite a mediocre Sunday market. Just like our normal pasar pagi, only bigger and longer. They have all kinds of goods from pets to freshly grounded coffee beans, crafts to pearls, blind masseurs and street musicians. This is the only time we ever see KK filled with people. Half of the time, the town is practically dead.

9. Wisma Merdeka

This place looks exactly like Kota Raya in its heydays. We came to love this place as it is the only place to get quite decent bread and nice vegetarian Tuaran Noodles.

10. The Markets

I like markets in any towns. This is where you get to see real live people, going about their business, trying their best to give the best deals to clinch some customers. I didn’t find anything I fancy, probably I didn’t look hard enough. But I really enjoyed lurking in the fish market.

The Bad

1. The Islands

Probably I have an unrealistically high expectation on the beaches in Sabah since my Sabahan friends always brag about it, whenever I told them about Redang or Perhentian Islands.

No doubt, the sea water seems clear and nice, but on our way to Manukan and Memutik, the sea was littered with trash. I suspected that it was from the illegal inhabitants of the Gaya Islands and Sapi Islands; where they do not have a proper waste management system.

They have condoned off some part of Manukan and we didn’t get to see all corals and fishes in its entire splendor. Probably we should just hire the bloody life jacket. Some inaccurate info from the internet caused us to bring too little cash – it costs each of us a total of RM46 to go to Manukan and Memutik. RM27 for two islands, RM6 for tax (dunno what fuck tax they are talking about), RM10 for the snorkels and RM3 for conservation fees. We ended up eating fried mee, fried rice and maggi mee at RM12. It was the best meal ever!

Memutik is quite tragic. It is just a small stretch of island; and infested with flies! I suggested to SB that he should move here since his other nick name is house fly (hor xin in hokkien). They should rename this island to Pulau Lalat or something.

2. The Illegal Immigrants

It was quite sad to see the illegal immigrants and Sabahans alike (actually you cannot tell the difference between locals and immigrants anyway) climbing onto the dangerous steps at the now defunct Sabah Park Jetty to get into the boat to get across to the islands. We even saw pregnant ladies and elderly ladies painstakingly climbed in and out of the boat to the banks of the river. It’s so dangerous. Why can’t they just open the bloody jetty to give convenience to these people?

2. Expensive seafood

Contrary to what people said about the seafood in Sabah, they are so freaking expensive. We went to Ocean View Restaurant near Promenade and the moment we stepped foot into the restaurant, we knew that this place put all its customers’ neck onto the chopping block when it comes to price. It was a good thing that we didn’t have to pay for it. Someone bought us dinner! Yippee!

3. Sugar Bun

East Malaysians are very proud of this chain of restaurant as it was claimed to be their local product and original authentic franchise of fast food “equivalent” to the likes of KFC and McDonald’s.

When we went there to try the teh tarik tiga lapis – they said they ran out of milk – for two nights in a row. How could a big chain like Sugar Bun ran out of milk? They don’t have proper stock keeper?

We were so tempted to suggest that they take some milk from the nearby mamak stall.

4. Slowness

It is quite frustrating to deal with the people here as some of them are rather slow.

In Beaufort restaurant

Waitress: Minum?

Me: Ada leong char?

Waitress: Tak ada leong char.

Ed: Ada apa?

Waitress: Tak ada leong char.

Ed: Yeah lah! Ada apa lagi?

Waitress: Tak ada leong char.

Ed: Saya tau. Kalau tak ada leong char – you ada apa????!!!!

Waitress: Ada cina teh.. dan… cina teh….

Generally speaking, it was a quite relaxing trip – coz we slept and ate most of the time to kill boredom. Anyone who wishes to go to Kota Kinabalu for a holiday – do it in 3 days 2 nights – MAX! It is also advisable to climb the mountain or maybe go for scuba diving as it is way cheaper to learn diving in Sabah. And I totally regretted not going to the Tip of Borneo!

BE GOOD

2006-09-07T17:10:00.001+08:00

Kota Kinabalu has lots to offer. (I am saying this without even going there yet, so I am hoping for the best.) Surprisingly, most of the West Malaysians felt more enthusiastic than the East Malaysians when I told them I am going to Kota Kinabalu.

“Climb mountain ah??” 10 out of 10 people quipped when I told them about my KK trip.

My standard answer – “With this body shape (round), what do you think? Of course – NOT!!”

Some friends did give some tips on where to go, how, and most importantly what to eat. Well, thanks to Mr Bee Stung Lips for offering useful advice – and yeah.. not forgetting Takeshi.

Anyway, I am lucky enough to have a few people wanting to take me around while I am there. Not that I want to rely on them, but they are old friends, and it’s good to catch up. Another friend who volunteer to take us around is a fellow colleague (current job).

Ok lor.. keep my fingers crossed. Hope it would be a good photobug trip.

I will be gone for the weekend till next Tuesday, so – have a good weekend and be good.

THINGS THAT MATTER

2006-09-04T11:55:00.001+08:00

Weekend was packed to the brim. Initial plan of having crab for lunch with a bunch of colleagues scrapped after one colleague’s dad passed away suddenly on Friday. May he rest in peace. Life is so fragile. Always expect the unexpected.

3rd September marked a year death anniversary of a dear friend who took her own life. We still couldn’t believe what had happened till today. Most of us are still in denial that she had passed on. She appeared to be a very bubbly person with great personality. No one expected she would have any problems, what more taking her own life. I was talking to common friend on this matter, and both of us agree, we should spend more time with loved ones, and not being blinded by greed for more wealth. As all of us are busy chasing our own dreams, we also should look to our left and right for friends who have fallen along the way, to lend a helping hand.

We should cultivate a more loving heart, and to help when there is a need arises, and not to try to take advantage of any situation. Learn to be more forgiving and forgo grudges. It would definitely make us a better person than we are now.

Speaking of grudges, Sam, the stalker invited me to his house again for some minum session. Well, Sam is Dennis’ old buddy; and Dennis is my very good buddy. We might as well forgive and forget about the past. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Dennis had caught some fishes earlier in his regular weekend fishing outing. We decided to have our dinner of freshly captured tilapia in curry assam together with Sam’s favorite – the tong po yok and pai kuat noodles. Yummy!

We went to buy some wine after our dinner and were very amused that Sam walked right in the middle of the bras and panties aisle without even flinching. He waved his hands frantically and pointing his index finger at the underwear (for reasons only known to him) – to gesture us to follow him. There are other lanes leading to the supermarket and we just couldn’t understand why he had to walk through the aisle.

Trailing from behind, Dennis and I, couldn’t contain our laughter. We suddenly recalled a report on stolen bras and panties – or was it, the pervert snipped off bras and panties hanging on the clothes line at night? We were speculating that Sam might be the culprit behind all those things happening around Serdang and Seri Kembangan!! Hahahaha! That is a very mean thought, but Sam is a good friend, despite being utterly eccentric.

On Sunday, I was summoned by Takeshi to take his wedding pictures in Putrajaya. I was baffled that he bestowed me such mammoth responsibility, but nevertheless humbled. He, being an avid photographer himself –has quite an eye for photography. I felt somewhat stressed out that I would not perform up to his standard. I declined profusely at first, but somehow was cajoled to assume the responsibility. Must be his charm. *Ahem*

Indeed! I was somewhat disappointed on how the pictures turned out. Being nice, he said he liked what I took, the ultimate thing was, we had lots of fun together with his Carina Lau-look-alike wife. I will never look at photography the same way again. There is a huge room for improvement!

Taking pictures of people on important occasions is the most arduous task. It is indeed challenging to capture people’s emotions on pictures. Perhaps, it’s time to buy – Photography for Dummies to learn a few new tricks and a better camera.

I need to work on my shakey hands!

MERDEKA MAKAN MARATHON

2006-08-31T20:46:00.001+08:00

After much pestering from a colleague of mine, asking almost every other week – when are we going to Tanjung Sepat, I had no choice but to bring her there. This time, because it’s a Merdeka Holiday and the kids, Sasha and Lok Lok were all in their own parents’ care, my family decided to join in the gluttony trip. Sure heboh one!

This time round, I didn’t seek the company of Popiah – who would always graciously take us around Tanjung Sepat and Sg. Pelek as she would be in KL instead to do some shopping.

So, it was only me and my cousin sister, who went to Tanjung Sepat before. I was quite confident though, because to date – this would be my fourth time in Tanjung Sepat makan spree.

First stop as usual, would be the Bak Kut Teh place along Jalan Pasar in Tanjung Sepat. I haven’t had the chance to eat the BKT every time we go there as we were always too late. The BKT sold off at 10 am every morning. This morning, we were early, so we had the chance to taste the BKT. To me, it’s almost the same as anywhere else in KL, but it’s slightly less oily. Probably we should have tried the dry BKT.

Bak Kut Teh, Curry Sotong, Fish Paste Soup & Bean Paste Red Snapper

If you notice, I ordered the same dish every time I was here – I really like the fish paste soup! Today everything was pricier! Probably Popiah was not with us – regular faces always get to eat cheaper! It’s RM95 for 5 dishes for 8 people.

Then, we made a stop at Shing Moh Kopitiam, also in Jalan Pasar for kopi-O in an antique cup and toasted bread. Ah… heavenly.

Patriotic fisherman, Catch of the Day, Lone Fisherman, Cute Little Girl!

A trip to Tanjung Sepat is always coupled with a visit to the Lover’s Bridge, Mushroom Farm, Longan farm and Morib. We lurked around Lover’s Bridge after our scrumptious brunch and took some photos. It was indeed a fun place to take pictures – the fishermen coming back from the sea with catch of the day, the old bridge, the live sea creatures… etc.

Pisces and Cancer for food?

Care-free Morib

It’s a delight that I managed to take different pics every time I go to Tanjung Sepat and Morib – even though I always go to the same spot. Lover’s bridge is just a bridge less than 200m! So does the small bridge at the back of the mushroom factory. Check it out here and here.

Mushroom Farm's backyard

On our way back, we made a brief stop at Longan Farm. People bought longans in big plastic bags. I have never seen the longan farm this packed before.

Fungi on a dead log, Sweet Potato and Loads of Papaya

During lunch, we wanted to have it at the Lover’s Bridge restaurant but found it was packed to the brim with holiday makers. People came in big buses! It is never a good idea to go to Tanjung Sepat during big holidays or school holidays. I had been here a few times and never encountered not getting a place for lunch! We decided to leave the place as the crowd was getting restless waiting for their tables, and the waiter in Lover’s Bridge is a fucking prick for not telling us that the table was reserved - after we stood next to the table; a good 15 minutes, waiting for the assholes eating deliberately slow as they saw us waiting.

Pissed off, we headed out to Lorong 4 instead to look for Hai Yeu Hin – the quaint little kopitiam famous for its variety of paos. They have red bean paste, kaya, shang yok, char siew, tai pao, vegetarian, peanuts and mui choi pao. Their famous pao is probably the shang yok – as when we went there, shang yok were all sold out and if we want the pao, we would have to take the non-steamed ones back to KL and steam them ourselves. We had some paos as appetizer before hitting the road again for a bigger meal. My personal favorite is probably the mui choi pao (pic).

E.P. Hoon restaurant in Sg. Pelek, that served good loh mee and special fried salad was not opened due to Merdeka – very bad luck. We went to the neighbour restaurant instead, Sg. Pelek Restaurant. The food was mediocre, but it’s nonetheless good. RM103 for 5 dishes for 8 people.

Steam fish in Chew Chao style (my favorite), bean curd in plum sauce,
Thai-style chicken, lai liu har (prawns)

Happy Merdeka, everyone! Hope your Merdeka is as yummy as mine.

HELP WANTED: KOTA KINABALU

2006-08-29T16:59:00.001+08:00

* Warning. This is a bitching post.

Well, no thanks to WY – she decided to FFK us last minute to plan for our next trip to Kota Kinabalu next Friday, I had to take things from here, thereon.

The internet website on hostels in Kota Kinabalu is driving me nuts. For instance, in the website of Trekker’s Lodge; which attracted good ratings – it was stated there – 4-bed mixed dorm. Any normal person would think that – this room would fit 4 beds. This is not the case, however. A phone call was made to Trekker’s Lodge and I was told that it was actually a room with 8 beds inside.

I enquired about the special promotion of RM9 per bed per night, and was told it was only for first come first serve basis. So I decided to place a booking on 3 beds for the 4 night stays that I am going to be there. They insisted that I pay up RM22 instead (actual price per bed). You expect me to pay RM22 per night and share the room with possibly 5 other strangers? I don’t think so. I opted for some other hostels instead.

I never find such ridiculous problem when I went to Cambodia– considering it is a much under developed country. Their e-mails replies were prompt despite broken English and they are very customer oriented. We don’t even need to pay a cent to secure booking and we only need to pay the said amount of money during the end of our stay in Cambodia. And yeah – Takeshi played an important role here for giving me very useful tips.

(this is for VJ)

Traveling in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap were a breeze and not to mention dirt cheap! For a small fee of USD12-USD15 per day, you can utilize your tuk tuk driver at your own expense. Since it is not a big place, it was easy to get around. Every hostel/ guesthouse/ hotels are well equipped with a Visitor’s Guide – and it comes free of charge!

It was a tad disappointment that our own country did not provide such thing, despite the mega promotion of Cuti Cuti Malaysia to lure both locals and foreigners to come visit our country. (Speaking of which – Cuti Cuti Malaysia has yet to revert with the tour packages since I e-mailed them last Saturday. It’s been MORE THAN A WEEK NOW! E-mail is real time mah – multi super corridor lah - kononnya!).

Instead of spending money on the useless Citra Warna, they should have spent the tax payors’ money on reliable Visitor’s Guide Book for tourists. Lonely Planet is obviously outdated and it is impossible to keep tracks with the change of bus routes in the country – you know, the mini buses, Intrakota, City Liners are gone – I have only seen Intrakota now being changed to Rapid KL. It is no surprise that Malaysians prefer to drive, rather than to depend on incompetent public transport.

I was embarrassed for the fact that, our country is not a travel-friendly country. Tourist information booths are usually empty. No one seems to know how to properly direct lost tourists/ lost people to where they wanted to go – everyone seems to be infected with the familiarity on how our government departments are run – they will point you to this person, that person, taking you around in circles. Heck – if you ask me how to go to Fraser’s Hill – I wouldn’t know as I haven’t been there before and probably if I were to go there, I would drive!

That is why I took the liberty to fetch my outstation friends around when they are here, even if they are very pai seh to bother me.

The prices charged to take tourists from one spot to another are downright exorbitant. Here are some of the prices offered if we were to take the packages in Kota Kinabalu:-

* Kudat Tip of Borneo (Ex-Kota Kinabalu)
PACKAGE RATE: RM220 per person

* Kinabalu National Park & Poring Hot Spring (Ex-Kota Kinabalu)
PACKAGE RATE: RM220 per person

* Mengkabong Water Village & Tamparuli (Ex-Kota Kinabalu)
PACKAGE RATE: RM180 per person

* Island Escape at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (Ex-Kota Kinabalu)
PACKAGE RATE: RM170 per person

* Kota Kinabalu City (Ex-Kota Kinabalu)
PACKAGE RATE: RM110 per person

* White water rafting at Kiulu/Padas
PACKAGE RATE: RM170 per person

P.S. I am NOT going to climb the mountain – so, no climbing trip for me.

Think we all ang moh, meh?

The worst part is, when I asked some friends (those from KK) for some tips to travel to Kota Kinabalu, they all told me – why are you coming there? There is nothing much to see. Talking about promoting your own hometown, huh?

Ah well, I guess what we need to do now is to play it by the ear, and probably rent a car.

There won't be another CUTI CUTI MALAYSIA for me in a million years. Hah! How unpatriotic of me!

OVERHEATED

2006-08-27T21:08:00.001+08:00

This weekend was overheated.

Firstly, there was a BBQ at an ex colleague’s house. Old buddies were supposed to meet up on Friday night for a BBQ but the torrent rain had caused Kuala Lumpur’s traffic to be utterly horrendous. I was stuck in the standstill jam after office hour on Friday at Jalan Kuching for almost an hour before I decided to make a U turn to go home.

Feeling somewhat guilty for not showing up to the BBQ, (and the host had made my favorite bacon and banana sticks), I decided to go on Saturday instead. Apparently, everyone was stuck in Friday’s horrific jam and didn’t manage to make it, apart from those friends and relatives coming from Petaling Jaya or Kajang to Cheras. Speaking of Cheras – it seriously befuddling how people could stand staying in Cheras with the never ending standstill traffic jam, even after 11 pm.

It was a good to catch up with old friends; talking about mostly anything – trips, video games, movies, babies, gossips, jokes, etc. A terrific way to spend the weekend.

This morning, I had a weird dream again. We were at some place filled with people. It looked like a temple with Hindu gods figurines. Then I suddenly had the urge to use the loo. The moment I opened the door, there was a splash of blood on my feet. I screamed and jumped aside. A girl who was with me – I don’t even know her, apparently did not see the splash of blood. I looked again. There was no blood. I tried to use the next toilet – but someone else had jumped queue. The third toilet was broken. The girl who was standing next to me vanished into thin air.

I confided in a friend – I don’t even remember who she was, she suggested that I see a medium. I found myself in a hall filled with people – there was a lady in her 40s, motioned me to see her. I told her about what I saw. She appeared to be calm and motioned everyone in the hall to form a circle.

“Do not break the circle,” she said sternly.

“We will now form a circle to appease the spirit,” she continued, “Do not let your hands go.”

I noticed that we were suddenly standing on a very huge Ouija board. I freaked out. The chanting began – but it was barely audible. I tried not to let go off my hands – but the persons next to me sometimes would let go and clap. I was quite pissed off at them for not listening.

After the chanting, we were all instructed to lie on a plank with graph-like chart. I was placed on number 5; meaning – I gave the most resistance to the spirit, among other people. I asked the lady – what does this mean? She said – I would need to negotiate my way out with the spirit myself.

I was then transported again back to the toilet – but this time round, there was no blood and the toilet was clean. I then, put a pile of dirty clothes into a washing machine next to the toilet – while watching my back – so that, the splash of blood do not appear suddenly again.

Suddenly, the phone rang. My subconscious mind told me not to answer it.

“No! Don’t answer it! It’s from the Monk!”

Then I woke up. It was 11.30 a.m.

The call was from Dennis; waking me up to go to Bentong with him and Jess for a durian fiesta. I rubbed my eyes and recollect my dreams. It was freaking weird alright… and geez.. today’s the Monk’s birthday! (I only remember when I wrote this post!). Well, Happy Birthday, Monk!

Dennis’ colleague has an uncle in Bentong, who would give a good deal for durians. I was delighted. The usual prices charged for durians in KL - RM10-RM13 per kilo for D24 and RM5-RM8 per kilo for D101, etc. This knowledge is gathered from the few durians dinner with Sekinchan Boy. Here - we are getting D24 at RM4.50 per kg and D101 for RM3 per kg. Sweet!!

The thought of having durians in an orchard tucked away in Bentong was beguiling. It was a hot afternoon. We didn’t know there would be 14 of us! Kuala Lumpur convoy to Bentong for durians in four cars! There were some serious durian connoisseurs. To me – a durian is a durian, irregardless of grade or species.

Then, I suddenly turned apprehensive.

Me: Are we gonna go for jungle trekking when we enter the orchard?

Dennis: Not sure lah.

Me: Shit lor.. I am so out of shape. I don’t even go to FRIM for a walk! And now, going inside an orchard to eat durians?? Got mosquitoes or not?

It’s me – the whiner on Sunday afternoon.

Dennis: You came back from Taman Negara – you were alright what?

Me: Dude.. that was like.. 4 freaking years ago? When I was fitter?

Chamang Waterfalls

We were wrong. There was no orchard. We ended up being led to Chamang Waterfalls, where we went last year for a picnic. Actually, it was a relief for me - no need to do any trekking at all - I am that lazy!

We ordered 30 durians to be shared among ourselves. Since there were 14 of us – I thought there would be a shortage. I was ambitious to finish at least 3 durians all by myself! The feat was almost impossible as almost every durian was extremely creamy, delicious and they come in quite big chunks! We had mostly D24.

Check out the screwdriver!

It was hilarious to see some of the participants bringing their own cleaver and one even brought a screwdriver. The ladies were the first to take initiative to hack the durians apart – wow, and they did a pretty decent job!

After finishing 18 durians in less than 30 minutes, everyone was pooped. We took a walk around the waterfall for a breather. We did go for a short jungle trekking - like 50 m? *lol*

It was a good thing that the Uncle Durian took us here, rather than going into the orchard – we wouldn’t know what else we could be doing in the orchard then, other than trying not to get durians falling on our heads and letting mosquitoes sucking us dry.

We learnt a few tips today:-

1. A good durian comes with worms inside – less pesticides were used or none at all.
2. To select a good durian, place a 5 sen at the tip (bottom) of the durian – if the 5 sen covered the tip just nicely – that is a good durian.
3. The uncle thought us how to select a good durian – by blowing on the spikes of the durian. If the durian is empty (meaning – not much biji inside), it would make noise.

Heck. I will never learn.

We ta pao-ed the remaining durians to Kuala Lumpur. It was a satisfying trip. I just spent a total of RM60 – about RM40 for the durians – eat (I think I ate 2 whole biji) and 5 more (D24 and D101) to be brought home – RM20 for toll, petrol, a couple of sandwiches and a few bottles of 100 plus to wash down the heat.

There would be another trip for sure, in near future. I could smell it.

BIRD CAGE AND INFERNO

2006-08-23T11:24:00.001+08:00

I walked about a street filled with antiques shop; combing one shop after another for a mysterious bird cage.

I went into a grotesque looking antique shop. The lady boss wore a pirate bandana and even eye liner like Captain Jack Sparrow. Here, there were all kinds of bird cages with stuffed birds inside. Heck. They even had a fish; a garoupa, if not mistaken, inside one of the many cages – still alive.

My heart beat suddenly accelarated. I became panicky. There was a nagging thought in my head that someone was sent to kill me. I ran and ran and ran… and ended up in a room filled with very hot air. I realized it was hell. It was all in red inferno.

All of a sudden, my role switched again – I was sitting on a director’s chair – directing an advertisement. The actor uncannily looked like Khairy – the much talked about politician in town (unfortunately not about his good deeds but.. oh well). It’s weird because I don’t even bother to read the newspapers at the first place.

Khairy – err, or the actor who looked like Khairy, engaged in a knife wielding fight with an unidentified man in very thick black cloak and sun shades; ala Matrix style. Hmmph… he’s quite cute though (the guy in shades).

Then, I motioned me-looked-like-Khairy-oh-hell-no to say the taglines.

“You lah! Never use Digi! Do you know, Digi even has coverage in hell?? Then I don’t have to be dead to come here to save you!”

I woke up. Geez. I should stop watching Astro till 2 am every night.

Oh... by the way, I use Hotlink.

CAN'T GET A DATE?

2006-08-21T11:50:00.001+08:00

I chanced upon this really hilarious show - Can't get a date? on Channel 71 (MTV) during my hibernation weekend, and had been a religious follower ever since.

It’s about nerds, geeks, dorks (with capital D) or basically people who have no social skills (worse – no basic hygiene!!) trying to get a date in the Big Apple.

One of the participants (Mya) remarked that, in New York City – all men are either taken, dead or they are in prison. (Hahahahaha!!!) It was actually her being self-conscious about her body and lack of confidence.

I wonder – if a man who keeps a jar of urine in his room and behaves like a total jerk could get a date, then why are some of us here, still sit at home on weekends – alone?

I had gathered some useful (I hope) tips from the episodes to share with you people – so that we all can get our lazy butts out for date(s) and be miserable no more:-

(1) Have self confidence (Will)
(2) Dress up (Mya)
(3) Be flirty (Mya)
(4) Learn to cook to impress your dates (Will)
(5) Clean your apartment (Will)
(6) Stop being a jerk (Morgan)
(7) Stop behaving as if the world is picking on you (Morgan)
(8) Get in shape (Jim)
(9) Stop airing your naked pics on the internet to score dates (Jim)
(10) Hang out with friends who has large network of friends (Mya)

Like you dunno already? Haha. Anyway, Happy dating.

FISH CHEEK

2006-08-20T12:06:00.001+08:00

I had a tumultuous week. Some of my mother’s actions totally did not make any sense. I was a bit grumpy over the fact that she sided my sister more than me – which I felt my actions were more rational, despite my horrible temper.

I had not wanted to forgive any of them for they have hurt my feelings deeply. I was sulking the entire week, refusing not to speak to any one of them, answering questions, only when they are important, with a grunt or merely a nod.

I buried myself in books and stayed in my room most of the time – with the caution signage at the door – “Beware. Bitch with a stick stuck in her ass.”

During my time of seeking solitude – I chanced upon this short story in Amy Tan’s book – the Opposite of Fate. Page 125 to 127

“I fell in love with the minister’s son the winter I turned 14. He was not Chinese, but as white as Mary in the manger. For Christmas, I prayed for this blonde-haired boy, Robert, and a slim new American nose.

When I found out that my parents had invited the minister’s family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried. What would Robert think of our shabby Chinese Christmas? What would he think of our noisy Chinese relatives who lacked proper American manners? What terrible disappointment would he feel upon seeing not a roasted turkey and sweet potatoes but Chinese food?

On Christmas Eve, I saw that my mother had outdone herself in creating a strange menu. She was pulling black veins out of the backs of fleshy prawns. The kitchen was littered with appalling mounds of raw food: A slimy rock cod with bulging fish eyes that pleaded not to be thrown into a pan of hot oil. Tofu, which looked like stacked wedges of rubbery white sponges. A bowl soaking fried fungus back to life. a plate of squid, criss-crossed with knife markings so they resembled bicycle tires.

And then they arrived – the minister’s family and all my relatives in a clamor of doorbells and rumpled Christmas packages. Robert grunted hello. And I pretended he was not worthy of existence.

Dinner threw me deeper into despair. My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table, dipping into the dozen or so plates of food. Robert and his family waited patiently for platters to be passed to them. My relatives murmured with pleasure when my mother brought the whole steamed fish. Robert grimaced. Then my father poked his chopsticks just below the fish eye and plucked out the soft meat. “Amy, your favourite,” he said, offering me the tender fish cheek, I wanted to disappear.

At the end of the meal my father leaned back and belched loudly, thanking my mother for her fine cooking. “It’s a polite Chinese custom., to show you are satisfied,” he explained to out astonished guests. Robert was looking down at his plate with a reddened face. The minister managed to muster a quiet burp. I was stunned into silence for the rest of the night.

After all the guests had gone, my mother said to me, “You want be same like American girls on the outside.” She handed me an early gift. It was a miniskirt in beige tweed. “But inside, you must always be Chinese. You must be proud you different. You only shame is to be ashame.”

And even though I didn’t agree with her then, I knew that she understood how much I had suffered during the evening’s dinner. It wasn’t until many years later – long after I had gotten over my crush on Robert – that I was able to appreciate fully her lesson and the true purpose behind our particular menu. For Christmas Eve that year, she had chosen all my favourite foods.”

Despite still feeling disgruntled and somewhat, unfairly treated, I felt there was truth in what Amy had just written. Sometimes, mother’s actions do not make sense at all at present time. But as we grow, the lessons and advice would somehow fall into places. I "hate" it when mother is always right, even if I always find it amusing.

This story somehow shook the very core of me; and I let go of my guard. It is useless to be continuously angry over some petty arguments, even if it hurts the most. It’s like fighting a losing battle. Blood is always thicker than water. No matter how much tragedies or trials, family had to stick together.

I recalled happier times fondly, and imagined how I couldn’t have survived without them. I never felt so silly for following my temperamental heart; for which I humbly apologized.

MURDER AT 0100

2006-08-16T12:47:00.001+08:00

I was going about my business on my lap top last night when suddenly, there was a buzzing sound on top of my head. Thinking that it might be just a beetle, I didn’t even bother to look up.

I went about my business again, till this “beetle” stopped on the top of my right arm. I turned to look at it but it flew away.

Again, I went on with my stuffs.

The final straw came when the buzzing sound above me was getting a bit on my nerve. I looked up. To my horror, there were five bees on top of my head, thinking that the fluorescent light above me was their hive.

Ignoring them might cause a dire consequence. I have a family to protect here. What if these bees suddenly went berserk and tried to attack the two kids at home.

Since it was already 1 am, everyone else was fast asleep, with the exception of someone at home who thinks talking to a boy on the phone at 1 am every night means, they were merely friends; I had to take this myself.

I went to search for the insecticide aerosol spray, which I believed contributed no less to the thinning of ozone layer.

Making sure the aerosol spray was at least half full, (I didn’t want the bees to wake up from its temporary unconscious state and counter attack me with sheer vengeance) I stood on a chair and sprayed mercilessly at them.

I panicked when the number of bees exceeded the five which I initially counted. There were about 10 bees hovering over my head for the past 1 hour!! I sprayed and sprayed as they flew towards me. Scenes of fighting with light sabers ala Starwars came to my mind.

They fell like kamikaze pilots, frantically humming from the beat of their wings against the floor. The incessant humming sound made the scene looked like a B grade movie: Attack of the Hums.

Not wanting to take chances, I took out the broom and the dust pan from the kitchen and squashed the bees before they could fly again – nowadays, insecticide seemed to have very little effect on insects, especially mosquitoes and cockroaches.

I went to search for the fallen bees, and squashed the bees one at a time. I know they didn’t deserve to die this way but I guess they are better off dead. I won’t take any chances of letting them sting the family. (I thought of doing it the “Buddha” way – opening the door to let the bees fly outside themselves – which proved to be too risky in the end… read on…).

Yet, the humming continued. I was puzzled.

I searched every corner in my living room for the bees. I followed the sound of the humming and looked outside my house – Omigod! Mother bee, father bee, grandpa bee, grandma bee, little bees (in fact, I think the entire colony is outside!) etc were still hovering on both fluorescent lights outside my house compound.

For the first time in my life, I thanked God for lizards.

COCKROACH

2006-08-15T00:27:00.001+08:00

By Anne Sexton

...... Roach, foulest of creatures,
who attacks with yellow teeth
and an army of cousins big as shoes,
you are lumps of coal that are mechanized
and when I turn on the light you scuttle
into the corners and there is this hiss upon the land.
Yet I know you are only the common angel
turned into, by way of enchantment, the ugliest.
Your uncle was made into an apple.
Your aunt was made into a Siamese cat,
all the rest were made into butterflies
but because you lied to God outrightly--
told him that all things on earth were in order--
He turned his wrath upon you and said,
I will make you the most loathsome,
I will make you into God's lie,
and never will a little girl fondle you
or hold your dark wings cupped in her palm....

Have you ever; in any point of your life, feel that you are merely a cockroach? Or wouldn't life be a bit better when you were dead?

HOME BEST KEPT SECRETS #1

2006-08-10T23:50:00.001+08:00

Ipoh Steamed Chicken with Bean Sprout

Sekinchan Boy just commented that I have put on so much weight. Well, no thanks to home cooked food, seriously. I can’t help it if my mom cooks like a kitchen goddess. I think everyone’s mother has each of her own special dishes.

Well, after seeing my mother cooking up a storm for our daily lunch, Mei suggested that we open a restaurant – called Kar Heong or something. My mother is 63 years old this year. I doubt she would ever want to slog in the kitchen anymore. She is comfy enough in her own little kitchen, cooking for her family with love.

I ought to be ashamed of myself that I do not know how to cook – if you consider boiling water for instant noodles and frying eggs ARE cooking – then, okay, I can cook some. I am quite hopeless in kitchen; whenever I tried to be the good filial daughter helping out at the kitchen (on very rare occasion), my mom or aunt would shoo me off; saying they are better off doing things without me. Yeah. I suck big time, and boy! They hurt my feelings.

I guess I would not let this be a hindrance of sharing my mother’s best kept secret dishes from public.

For those who don’t really have much time cooking; but hope to get more variety in your daily home cooked food, well, good news. From today, as and when I pleased, I will share with you some of the simple dishes that would not break your bank or your kitchen but probably you have to get your blood test after trying it.

Today, I would like to introduce my mom’s version of Ipoh Steamed Chicken with Bean Sprout.

For the chicken:-

Clean a whole chicken (medium sized) properly.

Put it in the rice cooker, filled with hot water. (Do not cover the whole chicken. Leave about an inch of the chicken, not covered in water.)

Add a pinch of salt into the hot water. Let it slowly cook for 45 minutes.

Strain the chicken. Rub some salt all over the body of the chicken, while it’s hot.

For the broth:-

Use the water from the boiled chicken. Add some oyster sauce, soya sauce, sesame oil and sugar to taste. (Agak-agak lah.. that is what my mom told me).

For the bean sprout:-

Boil the bean sprout sparingly (just "lok lok" lah you know?).

Fried some finely chopped onions to brown.

Garnish with some spring onions. (I love spring onions!!)

Voila! You have your own home cooked Ipoh steamed chicken.

BEACHY WEEKEND

2006-08-08T20:31:00.001+08:00

The white sandy beach - ah bliss!

Last weekend getaway was good. I was at Redang Island with 100++ fellow colleagues, Ms Lactose and her children.

Surprisingly, the sea was not as rough as I thought it would be, given that it was already near the end of the year. Thank goodness it didn’t rain the 3 days while we were there.

I thought I wouldn’t survive the 10 hours journey by bus, due to getting old, worrying I might end up having a bad back after the whole journey. Surprisingly, I was okay. The way to Redang was filled with nostalgic memories. As I was trying to get a few winks of sleep on the bumpy ride, my mind didn’t stop wandering for once, reminiscing at the same route I took two years ago to Perhentian Island. The winding road on Karak, the awesome scenery of the oil processing centre in Paka, Dungun, the small deserted trunk roads littered with small petrol kiosk operating 24 hours, etc.

We stayed at Redang Reef Resort, located at the end corner of the stretch of beach. It is a drag that we had to walk a bit to get to the main beach, where Laguna sits perfectly, overlooking the calm turquoise blue sea. I like the open air patio overlooking the sea though, served as a romantic dinner place. Everything is within reach in the resort. They have Astro – where I could watch the Next Top Model bitching it out, and CSI; small souvenir cum convenient shop where I bought nothing except for a few ice creams, hammocks, lazy chairs and benches at the back of the resort, facing a rocky yet scenic sea. Meals were not that bad – they always have meat, fish, vegetables and fruits; albeit being rationed like prisoners’ food – I guess this is the best way to prevent wastage.

What to do in Redang? Well, the main thing one could possibly do is to snorkel, snorkel and snorkel (or dive for fellow divers). For those who doesn’t like to get wet that much, well, you can sleep the day away – in the room, in the hammock, or doing somersault on the white sandy beach, feasting your eyes on bikini clad ladies, play beach volley ball, catch up with some reading, or just sit on the soft sandy white beach, watching the day goes by.

I expected to be seeing legs instead of fishes while snorkeling but was glad that not everyone turned out for the snorkeling trip. Imagine if the 100 of us went on the same snorkeling trip. We would outnumber the fishes!

Sadly, most of the corals were dead; unlike a few years ago while I was there. They had banned the use of flippers to avoid amateur snorkellers from stepping on the delicate corals which would take years to grow.

It was a relaxing trip, despite some bitchy issues cropped up and had somewhat caused some unpleasant moments, but I was glad it eventually turned out to be alright.

One thing I couldn’t stand was the way some of my colleagues were taking pictures. I just couldn’t understand the logic of taking pictures just about anything – every corner of the bus, every single step they take, everything that they do, one pic after another and another. I thought I abused my camera bad enough, till I met them. The worst part was – sometimes, I had to be their photographer – and not only with one camera, but a few cameras of the SAME DAMN SPOT. The pictures would eventually be shared out in the company’s server – so I don’t think it is very bright of them to be taking the SAME PIC on the SAME SPOT by SO MANY different cameras, ain’t it?

I was a bit alarmed that my sister belongs to the same category – berposing posing habis. Geez! What a nerd!

Ah well. I should stop bitching now. The trip was great nevertheless – coz it’s free. Heh!

Sunrise

Oh yeah. One tip though for those who travel by bus to and fro from Redang Islands. Get some Hindi movie – it sure had you glued to the tv for the past 10 hours. We watched Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (and Herbie – the car movie?) on the way home, which I never get to watch at home because I could never remember the tv slot, or it was too long winded to be watching the movie alone. Oh boy. I cried buckets.

10 good moments while in Redang Island

1. Ms Lactose’s children calling me – Aunty Gina che che.

2. The son doing somersault in the sand and I ended up having sand in my face.

3. The daughter danced instead of singing during karaoke session.

4. Ms Lactose dancing sexily on a pole.

5. Some contractors ( I work with fellow Phua Chu Kangs, remember?) trying to imitate the same (no. 4)

6. The look on the Admin Manager’s face while being seasick.

7. The bikini clad Hawaian looking babe (named Miko – so I heard) bending to pick up the volley ball.

8. Having dinner at the patio overlooking the sea

9. Managed to spot clown fish without aid

10. The most gorgeous guy in the group bought me drinks (ok lah – he bought one for Ms Lactose too!)

SMS MANNERS

2006-08-02T11:07:00.001+08:00

Got this last week, from Mei a.k.a. Lau Ren Chia.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mei
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2006 4:21 PM
To: Gina
Subject: Don't you just hate people with no SMS manners.....
Hello hello there!

Well......just wondering whether you have friends with no SMS manners at all................sent out an SMS last week welcoming a friend who is back in KL for a holiday from Dubai....so the message goes...

Msg : "Hi! Welcome back....hope you're enjoying your holiday so far....Looking fwd to seeing you guys next week at Yit's....."
Reply : See you 29th. (Fullstop)

........now in your expert opinion, do you not think the message :
1. Anti climactic
2. Lacking in warmth
3. Impersonal
4. Rude
5. etc etc

Sigh.!@#$% (Why did I bother?!!!!!)
Mei

Speaking of SMS etiquette, there are people who don’t even bother to reply sms at all. I told Mei that, she hasn’t encounter friends who never or just a casual OK when you text him/her a long winded paragraph seeking for his/her opinion – in which you would need an answer more than just OK.

People who never reply sms piss me off. Very rarely, I belong to the category of assholes –and only when it comes to dealing with Lai Ma’s– I never reply to any of her obnoxious KNLBCCB SMSes or recently, some guy who hooked up with me from the internet match making service, who never bother to remember whatever I told him – and he kept on bombarding me the same question since day 1 for umpteenth times – Are you single?

SMS is a powerful tool. Youngsters nowadays could be seen walking with their fingers literally typing on their mobile phones while talking to their other friends. When I say youngsters – I am one of them *ahem*

I am totally against using SMS to break up or maybe to declare a divorce like some published stories in the newspapers not long ago – which is totally inconsiderate, and the people who did this surely have no balls.

I don’t like forwarded/ junk sms either. I don’t understand why people would bother to send sms of junk when you could do it via e-mail for free. Depending on my mood and the level of humour of the junk, I would also reply accordingly. (Being pat chi sor wai and totally mou liu!)

Other than playing the role of a simple form of communication, SMS can also be a tool to show your annoyance. For example, when Lai Ma came to my house to suffocate me with her “success stories” – I would text my friends incessantly while pretending to listen to her. She would get annoyed and cut her stories short. SMS saves the day!

What goes around, comes around. At times (very rarely), I get that from some friends also – geez – are they annoyed by MY stories? Anyway, it is simply rude to SMS in front of friends when you are supposed to take part in the conversation over coffee.

I even SMS my boss to leave important messages whenever he is overseas, rather than spending money calling him (and him spending money to receive a phone call!).

SMS has played quite a pivotal role today....

Sorry, I am not very good in writing posts with facts. *lol* So I will stop here.

STARVING MEN, FAT WOMEN

2006-07-29T21:07:00.001+08:00

What do starving men gotta do with fat women?

In today's paper, I stumbled upon this over breakfast.

British Study: Starving men fancy fat women

London: A man's taste in woman depends on how hungry he is, according to research cited in British newspapers yesterday.

According to The Times, a man on an empty stomach was more likely to be attracted to a heavier woman, reserach published in the British Journal of Psychology showed.

The connection is believed to stem from an evolutionary trait that links body size with health, the newspaper reported.

"Hungry men are much more tolerant and rate obese women more positively than men who have eaten," Viren Swami one of the two psychologists who carried out the study said. - APF

Geez.. no wonder guys would always think of me ONLY WHEN THEY ARE HUNGRY. I hope they don't see the roast pork in me.

Probably I have to start starving my dates to get them interested. Hmmph..

THE WEEK THAT WAS

2006-07-27T15:08:00.001+08:00

I am still recuperating from my recent trip(s), and surprise that it takes longer than it usually does. Never once fatigue dwells in my body for so long. Another definite sign of old age.

Here are mundane updates of my week, in case you are interested. (Haha! I am so perasan!!)

Sleep

The whole week past really quickly, probably due to being accustomed working so near home. I never complained about lack of sleep anymore. The worse thing is, my sleeping hours are getting erratic. I slept just before midnight when I was working in Kuala Lumpur but now – with the extra 2 hours spared from having to brave traffic jams, I am starting to sleep very late, at 2 am every morning.

Yesterday, after watching Globe Trekker in Venice till 2 am, I dreamt of the fishermen’s colorful houses in Burano. Only this time, instead of Justine Shapiro, I was there. When I wanted to rent the place, I got an awful bargain – ended up renting a rundown pre-war house somewhere in Jalan Pudu. Ah.. you know how uncontrollable dreams can get.

Eat

When Fung Keong returned from Bangkok, he took me to Sin Kee, one of his favorite authentic Hainanese restaurant along Jalan Tun Sambathan. We ordered chicken chop and pork chop respectively. It’s quite a jammed pack place, even on weekdays, but that day, it was surprisingly not packed at all.

I took some of my friends there thereafter to sample other dishes. Probably we ought to try the butter chicken. There will be another next time.

Book

Apart from going for Japanese classes twice a week, I prefer to stay at home most nights with a good book at hand.

I have been reading the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami. It’s indeed a mind boggling book – about Taru’s wife who ran away after their pet cat is gone; an egoistic brother-in-law who has a disturbing past, two weird women and an old man who could predict the future, a weird 16 year old girl he befriended in the course of looking for his lost cat, the multiple wet dreams which eventually came true… oh well… you have to read it to know what I mean.

I finished the five books by Paulo Coelho since last month. Boy! I must be damn bored.

Artificial Insemination

I was just talking to a friend of mine about adopting a child. A child would bright up one’s day, no matter how irritating a kid would be at times. After discussing the strict policies of adoption, she suggested that I go for artificial insemination, should I ended up as spinster and wanted a child of my own.

I laughed at the suggestion and said, I would rather have sex the natural way and have a child instead of going for AI. At least, must have pleasure first mah…, suffer later… I don’t think I wanna be the next Virgin Mary. She suggested one night stands, but with the lack of fertility among people today – probably due to stress, work, too much radiation from computers, mobile phones, etc, I doubt they would even hit the jackpot on first try. And I don’t think I want my child not knowing his/her father when he/she is born either.

When I told this to another friend of mine, he willingly offered to give me his sperms – as in AI and not in having sex. I thanked him for his generous offers, but made known to him, I would prefer a 6-footer, blonde hair, blue eyes, probably a Nobel Prize winner… and I didn’t want my kid to end up having asthma like him. Hahaha!

Geez.. the things I talked about with my friends.

Work

Work starting to pick up space after I aired my grievances to my boss on not having much to do and being under utilized, when he handed over my confirmation letter. He must be thinking I am not from this planet to even suggest to be given more responsibilities. I could see he appreciated my honesty and frankness.

I no longer felt a drag when I go to work every morning. The everyday pissed off look on some colleagues no longer bothers me, the lack of coordination among some colleagues no longer piss me off anymore – in fact, I sympathized with their lack of organization skills – some people are not born a genius, you see, I answer phone calls with more gusto, etc.

I should have told him earlier of my misery.

Yoga

My palms still could not rest firmly on the ground without bending my knees. I am quite saddened by my slow progress but somehow, yoga did help a bit with the posture part. I am looking forward to yoga twice a week rather than once a week from next month onwards. We are still at the sun salutation posture but with more variance. This teacher is really good!

Death

The past one week – there were 2 deaths – colleague’s grandfather and another colleague’s father. In fact, this month alone, there were already 5 funerals. It is quite hard on our pockets to fork out money for all funerals. Imagine – there are more than 1,000 employees in the Group of Companies, and this month alone, I had to fork out 5x contributions. I made up my mind to remain as a selfish bitch in order to avoid such contributions, with the exception of some very close colleagues. Then?? Every Ah Chu Ah Kau also give meh? Money doesn’t grow on trees!

Movie

I was attacked by the movie bug after Superman Returns. Brandon Routh is so damn gorgeous – with or without the red underwear! Hmmph…. I have been dying to watch Pirates of the Caribbean since the first episode a few years ago. I think Johnny Depp looked kinda sexy with his eye liner! Being disappointed last weekend, after dinner, we missed the movie because it was too late, I went to watch it at Selayang Point after work on Tuesday. The cinema was almost empty, with only a handful of us. I suddenly thought of the pervert masturbating next to our seats, many years ago in Rex. This time, if it were to happen again, I would hand him some tissue paper and probably tell him, with that small appendage, he shouldn’t even think of exposing it in public.

Speaking of Pirates of the Caribbean, I will never forget the scene where Captain Jack Sparrow sprinkled paprika on his armpits!

Japanese

The language is most fascinating! Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult as well. It has even more arduous grammatical rules than English. Sad to say, I am discontinuing classes after intermediate I. I guess whatever I have learnt would be enough to help me should I go traveling to Japan one fine day. Just have to practise more!

AIN'T NO EXPERT

2006-07-23T12:07:00.001+08:00

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Well, I am not an expert when it comes to traveling to Siem Reap, but this is the summary I could gather which were quite useful for me, from my experience.

1. The best time to go to Siem Reap is actually around November to February, where the weather is cool and dry. Probably you would be able to get to see both sunrise and sunset when the sky is clear. I, for that matter, was not lucky this time.
2. Bring along candies, cookies, pens, pencils, color pencils to be given to the kids, rather than giving them money.
3. Do not be afraid of heights. Make the climb. The scenery is worth it. (Remember the advice I gave Kat: If elephants like me can climb, pigs like you can fly! Hahahah!!)
4. Do not be alarmed when your plane is about to land at Siem Reap Airport – we swear we couldn’t see the runway either when our aircraft was preparing to descend. There would be a slight bump just after the plane touched the ground.
5. Bring sunglasses, caps, sunscreen lotion, hats, face mask and shawl (for tuk tuk rides - input from WY, thanks!).
6. Bring a torchlight, as the road at night can be dark at times due to lack of lamp posts and use mosquitoes repellent.
7. Read up on the temples before you go, for those who are really interested in the history of the temples – it would be a more interesting visit, rather than just plod in aimlessly without any knowledge. Or just grab a free guide book from your guest house/hotel before you start to plan your temple visits.

8. As a general rule, it is always good to visit temples in early mornings or late evenings as the weather would be cooler and the sun light is just nice to illuminate the carvings for viewing pleasure.
9. Bring a compass – it would help in your temple study/directions.

10. Just go and relax!

Pictures you might not see in other people’s travels to Siem Reap.

Boatman’s slippers

Floating village’s inhabitants lazy afternoon

Street Children Graffiti on one of the walls at Pub Street

Dragon fly resting in one of the pillars of Angkor Wat

Restoration work at Angkor Wat

A face on the sand in Ta Phrom

(I know this shot is CRAP, but it’s hidden! See if you can find it)

A face behind the Roots in Ta Phrom
(it’s hidden as well! Finders’ treasure)

Miniscule purplish flower in Preah Khan

Bad plastering work at Angkor Wat

Viagra on sale

LADY, YOU WANT COLD DRINKS?

2006-07-22T00:31:00.001+08:00

Day #4
Monday, 17 July 2006

After being overdosed on temples the day before, I woke up, saying to myself – “Oh No! Not again!!!” I was a bit reluctant to travel further to see Banteay Srei. I read so much about this temple that I think, we shouldn’t miss it. Further, it was loosely translated as “citadel of the women”.

Banteay Srei

This temple is notable for its intricate carvings and said to have the finest examples of classical Khmer art. We went there rather late again and it slightly drizzled as we approached the temple. The sky was gloomy and it was difficult to get good pictures as my camera doesn’t really work well in dark places. Anyway, we did snap some pics as keepsakes of this trip. Banteay Srei is surprisingly a very small temple compare to its cousins. One should just take note of its carvings as it has nothing much to offer in terms of architecture. Further, the temples were sealed for restoration, we hardly had the chance to inspect the carvings close up.

I eaves dropped a tour guide speaking to some tourists in Mandarin, saying that this temple consists of carvings of beautiful women - "....If you notice properly, all the women carvings have small waist and wore earrings. Women with small waist were highly desirable during the time...." (Since when women with big waists were favoured? Tell me! Tell me!!!). The guide can really talk cock.

We decided to have a picnic there since most of the food within the temples vicinity sucks big time, we bought some bread from Blue Pumpkin. The weather was not conducive for a picnic as dark clouds loomed over. We were worried it might rain heavily while we were eating.

Another big mistake. The temple does not have columns like the Preah Khan or Angkor Wat or Banteay Kdei which could provide reasonable shade from the sun. We settled down at the side of the temple. The sun seemed to follow us wherever we go. It was bright the moment we found a comfortable shade by the side of the temple. We ended up eating hastily and headed to the tuk tuk to go to Banteay Samre.

I prefer Banteay Samre to Banteay Srei. I guess it all had to do with the weather. When we approached Banteay Samre, it was gloomy again and started to drizzle. We kinda welcome this cold weather; as if it didn’t rain, it would be too hot to walk. And not rain too heavy either – or else, I couldn’t imagine the 3 of us hurdling in the tuk tuk with cars or lorries passing by and probably splashing some mud into our tuk tuk, considering there are so many pot holes on the road.

Banteay Samre - check out the kid posing for me.

Banteay Samre surprises me by being well restored. Unlike other famous temples which almost reduced to rumbles at every angle, this one stood perfectly untouched. There was hardly anyone there except for a couple of people there. I guess it was well preserved due to lack of visitors who only come to Siem Reap for Angkor Wat. We had quite a good time looking through the temple as the weather was cooling down. There were a few street children playing hide and seek in the temple. I waved at them and gave them some cookies and sweets. This brought wide smiles upon their small, dirt covered face. This was the highlight of the day.

As we approached the backyard of Banteay Samre, there was this garden with a stone platform, where 6 singhas sat. Obviously, most of the singhas were beheaded by probably culprits who sold the loot for a handsome profit. This temple indeed looked like a palace.

I could picture a princess playing with hordes of her servants here; gathering flowers, chatting about nothingness or maybe just bask in the sun. Ah well, what do I know.

Everywhere we go, there would be little kids pestering us to buy cold drinks from them. They would say to you, “Lady, you want cold drinks?” or “Lady, do you want a scarf? I give you good price!” “Lady, please buy a star from me.” I think it is better for you to buy from the kids at the lesser known temples as the famous temples would gather more tourists. Unfortunately, I have bought my postcards and books from earlier temple visits, or else, I would have gotten them from these children.

On the way to National Silk Centre

We went to Artisan de Angkor National Silk Centre after Banteay Samre – it was indeed a long journey. We don’t see many tuk tuks going that way. I never seemed to learn from my past mistake of going to such far away place in a tuk tuk (Phnom Penh to Tonle Bati!). It was a bumpy ride. The scenery on the way is quite fulfilling. There were water buffaloes, cows, water lilies, green paddy fields, little nice straw houses, etc.

National Silk Centre was quite an interesting place, a good change from having to look at temples again. We were briefed for free on how silk is being produced.

National Silk Centre

To produce silk, at first you have to have silk worms (Duh?). Silk worms fed on mulberry leaves. Once the silk worm matures, it would round itself into a cocoon to turn into a moth. However, that won’t be the case for the silk worms here. Once they are wrapped up in a cocoon, they would be dried in the sun for 3-4 days. (Meaning you kill them for their silk lah). The dead cocoons would be boiled and fine strings of silk (look like spider web) would be harvested out of it. I seriously don’t know how people could discover silk this way. Sheer brilliance. As much as I hated bugs – I don’t think I like the idea of killing in order to get a luxurious product. Like you kill a crocodile for its skin, or maybe hunt down an elephant for its ivory, or you fatten up a goose for its liver? I better stick to cotton clothings. I could see myself turning into a vegetarian as well.

After Artisan de Angkor National Silk Centre, we went to Wat Bo area to check out the new and big market, Phsar Leu. It was quite chaotic as everyone was rushing home after the market closed. We were a bit pissed as Chan was not aware of the closing time. Phsar Leu closed about 6 pm, which is quite early. Unlike Old Market and Centre Market (both at about 7.30 pm) We were there for only 15 minutes and I managed to get a pair of Nike shoes at USD12. Don’t know if it is the real thing? Phsar Leu is a big market catering mainly for the locals. Most people there couldn’t understand English. We had to use hand signals to get message across. Both WY and I downed a bowl of pumpkin dessert each since I could hear my stomach growled like a lion.

As we were traveling to the north, then east and west of Siem Reap in a day, we decided to tip Chan a bit more for the long journey; despite not knowing the time of the closure of the market – can’t blame him as not many people would shop at Phsar Leu as most tourists would be shopping at either Old Market or Centre Market. After paying Chan, both Viv and I lectured Chan like our little brother on how to tackle tourists more and improve his communication skills for his own good. Being his shy self, he went, “Yah! Yah! Yah!” – his very standard, yet diplomatic answer throughout the four whole days of journey.

The last night, we had dinner at this Cambodian BBQ behind Pub Street, just opposite John McDermott’s Gallery. It is a cute way of BBQ-ing, the top part is for BBQ, the surrounding part is steamboat. There was a huge lard on top of the BBQ pot. I guess this somewhat brings the nice aroma for the BBQ. The portion is kinda small and slightly pricey compared to others, but it was quite tasty.

I couldn’t refrain myself from buying the whole McDermott’s collection as the pictures were simply breath-taking. Cost me USD12!! A nice little keepsakes from Siem Reap to remind me on how Angkor Wat once stood tall in all its grandeur, a few years ago.

We went to Khmer Taste for another round of beer and fresh spring rolls before we called it a night. It was indeed a fun night out; everyone was at ease and sitting idly to watch the night sank deeper into the dark.

LANDMINE - BOOM!

2006-07-20T22:28:00.001+08:00

Day 3
Sunday, 16 July 2006

Muscles aches due to yesterday’s climbing and hiking didn’t deter us from further raiding the temples on the third day. I am quite excited to see sun rise from Angkor Wat. We woke up a bit late, and took some time to get ready. I don’t understand why WY and Viv bothered to wear make up, considering the make up would go off when we sweat like pigs in the sun.

The sun that never rises in Angkor Wat

Chan waited for 15 minutes outside Red Piano. It was only 5.15 am (6.15 am Malaysian time) but we could see the sky was clearing fast. He drove his tuk tuk at top speed (50 km/hour) with the three of us holding tight to dear life, so that we would not miss the sun rise.

Again, the sun was not visible as it was a cloudy morning. Everything was rather dark. When we reached Angkor Wat, we could see many people already taking good spots to see the sun rise in all its splendor. There were a few photographers positioned themselves on a small pond of water lilies overlooking the Angkor Wat skyline. I guess they were disappointed as well.

We had American breakfast after we gave up waiting for the shy sun behind the clouds to appear. We went to Takeo. Looking at the flights of stairs, I didn’t want to go up; as my legs morphed into a jelly state, merely thinking about it. The steps were rather intimidating compared to the ones in Angkor Wat. I was conned into believing that the worst was over. (Angkor Wat? Bakheng?). I waited around for WY and Viv to check out the place while I lurked around Takeo looking for some good angle, but couldn't find any. Maybe I was too exhausted from the night before.

Takeo

On the way to Ta Phrom, where Angelina Jolie shot her movie: Lara Croft, the Tomb Raider, Chan stop us at this Stone Bridge. He said, previously, there is a small river runneth over it, but now was all dried up. It looked familiar – like one of the scenes in Lord of the Rings? My sis commented that this place look fake.

Stone Bridge

At Ta Phrom (where the big tree roots are), it was really weird that we entered the temple from behind. I didn’t noticed this as everywhere look kinda same to me, till Viv and WY pointed it out. Forgive me for being ignorant. It is highly advisable to read about a place before you go, as it sure helps a lot. Don’t bother buying books on Siem Reap as you could get plenty of them here. Street peddlers including children sell books and guides at fraction of a cost. It was surprisingly of high quality. I bought one on Ancient Angkor by Michael Freeman and Claude Jacques and it was a really good guide book, which costs me only USD4.

Ta Phrom

Ta Phrom is also another interesting temple not to be missed. The winding three roots are century old and it is quite an impressive sight on how nature blended with man made structure. I guess in another few more years to come, probably the giant root would somehow destroy the structure. Most places are already in ruins and everywhere there were rubbles. Here, a local came to us without invitation and gave us some guides of places for photos. He offered to take pictures for us, but we refused out of security reason. What if he ran away with my camera? He looked like a cocaine junkie. Towards the end of the “tour”, I gave him USD2 for his assistance – but he demanded for USD5. I refused and later on, someone in uniform came chasing after him. I guess he was not supposed to be there and asked from tourists for money.

Banteay Kdei

After Ta Phrom, where I took the most photos, we went to Banteay Kdei. The sky had turned dark and we were glad that we were already inside the temple. Again, we entered from behind the temple. I wonder what’s wrong with our tuk tuk driver that he always placed us at the back entrance to walk to the front. It was a good idea anyway as the moment we were about to leave the temple, there were less people hogging nice spots to take pictures. We had a little picnic here while waiting for the drizzle to stop.

The rest of the temples, they are less impressive or perhaps, we felt somewhat templed out, after a marathon temple visits since yesterday. I think I should refrain from writing about them – I might even get their names wrong!! Nevertheless, here are some of the pics I took for the next 4 temples before we called it a day. At this point, I am already very confused and exhausted.

Taken by WY

Pre rup – since I didn’t want to make another ascend on the treacherous steps, I let WY had a go with my camera. She did pretty good. Pre-Rup, unlike other temples made of big rocks, this is made up of smaller laterite bricks. A good change of colors from the usual gloomy grey.

We decided to give East Mebon a miss as it looked like a Pre Rup miniature. I joked that, anyone wanna have dim sum, could drop by here for some. WY and Viv didn’t get my joke. Mee Bon at Jalan Ipoh? Famous for dim sum?

Ta Som – by the time I reached this temple, I sufferred from a fried brain by the scorching sun. Here are just some of the pics I took of Ta Som.

Neak Pean – there was supposed to be a pond here. But unfortunately, water has dried up. My camera ran out of battery while we were at Neak Pean. So, I didn’t manage to take many pics.

Preah Khan

At Preah Khan, Viv’s camera memory card ran out of space. I offered to lend mine to her since my camera battery went flat. Viv kept on reminding me that her camera is not that superb compared to mine and probably would not be able to take nice pictures. Here’s the proof that it is not the camera that counts, it all boils down to one’s skills. I like Preah Khan for its simplicity and many columns which are available to seal us from the scorching sun.

Altogether, we raided 7 temples (or maybe more? I lost track) in a day. It was quite exhausting even if I didn’t even climb some of the steps – which I think I should have. *slap myself for being such a lazy ass* I couldn’t really recall the names of the temples we visited that day. I think I am suffering from some temple phobia towards the end of the day.

After going to temples, I think I need some form of therapy – so we went shopping in Centre Market. Girls! Surprisingly, all our weariness went off the moment we set foot at Centre Market. Habis. We went on a shopping frenzy. So much for saying that we were at Siem Reap to witness the beauty of ancient temples and not for shopping. :-p We shopped till we drop.

Towards the end of the day, we wanted very much to reward ourselves a scrumptious dinner for walking so much in a day. We went to Temple Club. I was slightly apprehensive – when I see the word “Temple”. I was already phobic. It was a great dinner though, the Khmer curry was delicious! So was the egg plant with minced meat. While having dinner, we get to see some traditional dance. In fact, I think most restaurants and clubs have traditional dance to entertain guests while having dinner. Temple Club is not that expensive and the food is great, service is fast.

After dinner, we loitered a bit at Pub Street to scout for the cheapest beer around. Beers are offered as cheap as 20 cents up to 50 cents per mug. As we were approaching Molly Malone’s, we stumbled upon a group of beggars. In order not to be hassled by a group of beggars – if you give to one fella, the rest of the beggars would come to you, we decided not to give any money at all.

There was this irritating guy who had lost both his arms due to land mine – kept pestering us for money. He even followed us to cross the road to the point that we felt being harassed. I brushed him off. He actually touched my sleeves with his stumps and told me – “Hello? Land mine! Boom!!” I was very troubled with him harassing us to the point that I was all stressed out. I avoided eye contact with him and walked away quickly.

We settled at Why Not? which is near our guest house for some beers (actually we were trying to get rid of the landmine fella) – he still lurked outside the bar while we went inside. He even harassed a westerner who was sitting at the corridor for some money. He is really THAT irritating.

The cheap beer at Why not? (35 cents per mug) comes with popcorn. I didn’t have much appetite after the “Landmine! Boom!” incident. We finished our beer quickly before our blood got sucked dry by mosquitoes at the pub. Everywhere you go at night in Siem Reap, you would need mosquitoes repellent or perhaps, wear long pants.

I DREAM OF APSARAS

2006-07-19T21:20:00.001+08:00

For the benefit of people who don’t know where Siem Reap is, here’s the map of Cambodia. I have a friend who thought Siem Reap is in Thailand.

Day #2
Saturday, 15 July 2006

As we were on a holiday, we started the day rather late, which proved to be a big mistake. If you are in Siem Reap, it is advisable to start the day early as the weather could be quite exhausting to keep up with. When you wake up late, the sun is already up on your head – as it is an hour late compare to Malaysian time.

Authentic Pho, Saigon Kickstart (Coffee) and Cheese Omelette

We had breakfast at this nice restaurant called the Soup Dragon at Pub Street. It has Khmer, Vietnamese, Thai and Western food. Compare to other restaurants that we went to, this one comes with reasonable pricing. They have quite a lot of locals dining here, so I guess Chan brought us to the right place to have breakfast. In fact, throughout our stay, we had 3x breakfast here as most places do not open for breakfast and Red Piano’s prices are too exorbitant and choices are quite limited. It is a mistake too for getting a guesthouse without breakfast. Probably we could save more if we were to get a guesthouse which comes with breakfast, but we are not complaining.

We got all excited after breakfast to see the Angkor Wat. When we got there, it was already 10 am local time. The sun was bright and it was really hot. There were so many people walking on the pavement towards Angkor Wat. A third of the pavement was blocked for restoration. It is quite a pitiful sight. Reminded me of our perpetual construction back at home (MRR2?). Being our ignorant self, we didn’t know that the pointed gopuras were inside and not outside. I kept on playing some pictures that my friends took and my mind couldn’t seem to register. Are we in the right place? Then, as we walked inside after the first entrance, lo and behold, it was a magnificent sight. Stupid-nya. Because of the large scale, it was indeed difficult to cram the whole structure into our cameras.

Angkor wat in its splendor

There are some spots closed for restoration. It is indeed a long process to make this place look like the old days, but I think the feat is near impossible. I guess with the looming number of visitors – it is quite difficult to preserve the ancient temples. Some visitors really disgust me by speaking so loudly in the temple – afterall, this is a temple, we have to keep silence to show some respect. They even have a signboard telling people to shut up.

Some visitors – with their designer glasses, Gucci bags, stilettos (yes – some idiots actually wear stilettos to Angkor Wat), etc totally had no respect for the temple. It saddened me that I saw one guy spitting on the ground of the temple. I wish the police there would slap some summons on him. So much for respect huh? Some local kid even pee in the compound of the Angkor Wat – adding rancid uric smell to the guano-smelling Angkor Wat. Siem Reap authority should limit number of visitors to its ancient temples or perhaps ban all hooligans from temples.

We spent approximately 2 hours loitering in Angkor Wat. At first, I refused to climb on the steep staircase, fearing that the clumsy me might fall off. I guess, it is quite safe to climb, as long as you exercise extreme caution. Never mind of stories of people falling to their deaths. The fatality rate is low, though. Nothing to worry about. Serious.

I don’t understand why people would want to bring their children as young as a few months old to Siem Reap. It is not a place for children and elderly people. So I suggest, if you have not hit mid life crisis – it is time to go to Siem Reap NOW. With the fast deterioration of some temples, it is highly advisable to go as soon as possible before the structure came tumbling down. And please – keep your hands off the carvings on the stone as they are delicate things.

We had lunch at the nearby stall within the vicinity of the temples. The increasing number of visitors to Angkor Wat had spurred many stalls mushrooming along the road of Angkor Wat.

South Entrance of Angkor Thom

The next stop was one of my top favorite – the Bayon. The Bayon is in the vicinity of Angkor Thom. We entered Angkor Thom via the Southern Gate – where most heads of the statues alongside the road towards Angkor Thom are still intact. As it was already afternoon, it was difficult to get nice shots of the place – this is just one of the pictures I think quite alright.

Bayon is the place with many giant faces. I guess this is the temple that one shouldn’t miss. Frankly speaking, I love this temple more than the great Angkor Wat. There have been some speculations of whose face are on the carvings – some said the faces belongs to King Jayavarnam, some said it’s Boddhisattva’s etc. It is good to read up a little before you go on a historical trip.

As it was afternoon when we were at Bayon, the light was too bright for photographs. Nevertheless, I tried my best to get nicer shots. It was quite hard to get pictures with the sunlight emerging from the top.

The Magnificent Bayon

After Bayon, our energy drained fast because of the heat. It was scorching hot as we tried to find some shades from the sun. I had down the entire 1 litre of bottled water but it didn’t have any effect. As we walked out from the Bayon, we went to Baphuon but it was closed for restoration. There was a guide who was speaking Japanese to two Japanese tourists – I was glad that I understood what he had just said.

By the time, we walked towards the Terrace of the Elephants, it was already almost 5 pm. We rushed to Bakheng to see the sunset. I was already at the end of my energy level. When I saw the walk uphill to Bakheng, my legs turned jelly. Elephant rides are available up the hill for USD15. Not wanting to waste that amount of money, I decided to climb onto the steep terrain. It took me awhile as I need to rest almost at every 20 steps I took. I blamed it on lack of exercise. Our tuk tuk driver followed us as he would guide us through an alternative way to get down from the hilltop once the sun set. He couldn’t help but chuckled at my lack of stamina. @#$%^&*

After climbing to the hill, I was shock to see the ordeal was far from over. We still need to climb another flight of staircase which was even steeper compared to the one we climbed in Angkor Wat. As I went up, I cursed. I wonder how the ancient people climb the stairs? I wanted to ask Chan whether they purposely built it this way to prevent enemies from climbing in the temple quickly, but didn’t managed to, as I was already out of breath the moment I reached the top. I was tickled at the thought that some of the climbers looked like the female ghost, climbing out of the well, in the famous movie – the Ring – only much clumsier and has no long hair.

The Treacherous Bakheng

Then, bad news. It started to drizzle a bit and we were glad that we brought along umbrellas. It was kinda ridiculous to wait for the sun to set on a cloudy day. As expected, we didn’t get to see the sun set as it was too cloudy. There were many people on top of Bakheng – I felt like a fool, waiting anxiously for the sun – but the sun sets behind the clouds instead. I guess we had to come again if we wanted to watch the sunset but the thought of climbing the steep staircase again put me off. If I were to come again – I am going on the elephant ride! Like Bali – actually we were very lucky to have caught the sunset at Tanah Lot as our guide told us, sometimes, it would be too cloudy to see the sunset. I guess we just cannot plan according to nature.

After basking in the sun the entire afternoon and waiting in vain for the sunset, we went back to our guest house. On our way back, we passed by the Jayavarnam VII Children Hospital, run by Kantha Bopha Foundation Dr. Beat Richner. Dr Beat Richer plays cello music by J.S. Bach and songs by Beatcello. The Kantha Bopha Foundation gives free medical services to Cambodians, mostly children as most Cambodian families cannot afford a proper medical treatment. Hence, this Foundation relies heavily on donations.

We would love to go to the concert, if not being too tired and worn out. My mind just told me to go back to the guest house. We should have gone to the concert. Apart from monetary donation, donation of blood is welcomed as most Khmers do not donate blood due to religious beliefs. If I were to go to Siem Reap again, I would definitely go and support this cause. Beatocello concert is on every Friday and Saturday, starting 7.15 pm at Kantha Bopha Centre, Jayavarnam VII hospital. Probably, I could just mail them a cheque.

We headed to have Happy Pizza (sprinkle with marijuana) at Happy Herb Pizza. The egg plant with cheese is delicious!! I remember I had beer at Happy Herb in Phnom Penh for 50 cents each but this place didn’t seem to offer buy one free one beer and, the service was rather slow. Don’t try the bolognaise spaghetti – it is quite shitty. I think you could try any happy pizza at any pizza parlor, not specifically have to be at Happy Herb.

We were too tired to think of anything towards the end of the day, so we went back to the guest house for early rest as we wanted to catch the sunrise tomorrow at 5 am in Angkor Wat.

The moment I closed my eyes to sleep, I could see Apsaras dancing gracefully in my dreams.

SETTLING IN SIEM REAP

2006-07-19T00:08:00.001+08:00

When I told my boss I am going to Siem Reap for 5 days and 4 nights, he just smiled and was puzzled what I am going to do there for such freaking long time? The place is so dusty – all they have there are merely temples and some ruins. He could never understand why people would find ancient buildings at the verge of dilapidation are worth anyone’s time. He gave an example of a place in Istanbul where he visited – “There are some rubbles and ruins, and some pillars still standing. The tourists went “Wah….” and took turns to take pictures. I don’t understand what is so interesting! It is just some collapsed structure.”

Well, I made a mental note of what my boss had said, he is a well traveled man to begin with, so I guess everyone is entitled to their own sets of opinions. I told him I am going there to take some pictures. He encouraged me to travel to Nepal or India, as these places are still developing, and there would be a nice photography subject. As for Europe, the places are already well developed and the buildings will still be the same in a number of years to come. I thanked him for his suggestions. I had wanted to visit India very much. I guess India would be the next targeted destination.

To sum up Siem Reap – it is freaking hot and the three of us (WY, Viv and myself) almost wilted under the sun. Most of my friends advised that it is not a good idea to go to Siem Reap in July as it is the rainy season. We were lucky that throughout our 5 days stay, it didn’t rain much, apart from sudden drizzles and the rain went off as soon as it came.

Traveling to Siem Reap is relatively easy. You don’t really need much guidance as there is abundance of travel guides and maps for tourists made available for free at all guest houses and hotels as soon as you arrived there. The locals speak fairly good English, and getting around Siem Reap is also easy – like Phnom Penh, there are plenty of tuk tuks around for you to make a choice.

Day #1
Friday, 14 July 2006

It was slightly cloudy the moment we reached Siem Reap. The taxi driver who picked us up said, today is a good day to go to the floating village, as it might be raining in the afternoons tomorrow or the day after.

We had drawn up an itinerary to follow, but we guessed it would be better to follow advice and change our itinerary accordingly to the weather.

As soon as we settled down at Red Piano, our designated tuk tuk driver, Chan Boramey, was already waiting outside for us. I got the tuk tuk driver’s reference from a fellow colleague. Chan is a skinny fella with very thick eye brows. He speaks very limited English, but he is quite an honest fella.

However, I couldn’t stop myself from comparing Wan Nak; the tuk tuk driver that I had in Phnom Penh with Chan. Wan Nak by far is a better tuk tuk driver as he is able to advise you on the routes to take, familiar with the closing times of markets and places to visit, and best times to visit the places of interests. Chan is more like a yes-man, you asked him anything – he would leave everything to you. I guess it is good for someone who planned his/her trip well. He, nevertheless, is quite an entertaining fella.

At Khmer Kitchen
Dumplings, Fried Spring rolls,
Stir Fried Pumpkin with Shrimps, Amok Fish and Minced chicken in basil leaves

First stop, we had to ease our hunger pangs first by going to this Khmer Kitchen situated at Pub Street. The dumplings and spring rolls are great. The Amok Fish is a bit too watery for my liking. I like the fried pumpkin though. The Khmers tend to like pumpkin very much.

If you must visit the Tonle Sap, the biggest lake in South East Asia, then it is advisable for you to make a trip to the Floating Village. We had to pay USD10 at the entrance to the floating village as the money would be given to the boatman for transporting us for an hour cruise along the river towards Tonle Sap. It is not particularly a pretty river. It was more like the biggest teh tarik lake in the world.

The Floating Village and Tonle Sap

I asked the boatman, why the water is so yellowish and murky. It was the monsoon season, he said. If we come during non-monsoon season, that is from November to February, the river would be clear that you could see fishes swimming inside.

I looked at both left and right of the river towards the Great Lake – there were people spilling motor oils in the water, people washing their plates, people used the water to cook, children taking a dip to cool off the afternoon heat, they even have a pig sty floating on the river, schools, basketball court, hospital, church, shops etc. Well, I don’t think we can see fishes swimming inside the lake with all the daily activities of the inhabitants of the floating village. It was quite an interesting journey. Viv and WY however, looked rather sleepy and bored. Probably effect from the very hot sun.

It was a mixture of emotions of amusement and sadness to see children floating themselves on the river using the wash basin and pails; totally ignorant of danger and tried to get some money from tourists traveling on the boat. Instead of giving them money, we gave them some biscuits we bought from home.

After the long boat ride, we tipped the boatman USD5 after he told us of some sad stories of his family, etc. I guess, this is the way how people do things here – they always try to get money out of sympathy. It was indeed quite a sad place. The road towards the floating market is littered with small little huts made of leaves and bamboo; acting as homes and shelters for Cambodian countryside families. We were amazed to spot little black and white tvs in almost every home that we passed by.

After the long journey, we asked Chan to stop us at the Old Market to do some shopping. We didn’t buy much apart from lurking every corner to check out some of the goods. We ended up buying our dinner at this baguette stall at Riel 3,000 each. Being tourists, we were conned. The locals bought theirs at only Riel 1,000 but of smaller portion. (Check out their portable toaster!!).We bought some other stuffs to eat as well, a pao and some Khmer dumplings and made ourselves comfortable at the nearest coffee shop we can find to get our caffeine fix.

We went back to the guest house and get ready for the night out. Pub Street, just a few minutes walk away from Red Piano is quite a happening place. Beer comes as cheap as 20 cents at Temple Club. To secure the foreigners, both entrance and exit of the road were sealed off from vehicles – it is sure difficult to cross the road with the tuk tuks zig zag in between when you are sober. What more, when you are pissed drunk.

Temple Club at Pub Street

We settled early for the night as we would be having a long, long day tomorrow. What a long, long day indeed.

FEI CHAI GANG RETURNS

2006-07-09T23:45:00.001+08:00

I notice that; whenever I said something I vowed not to do.. I ended up doing it.

Despite still suffering from incessant cough (well, I got better – now I only cough at night), I went all out for the weekend: feasting on durians, piggin’ out, and reading till my eyes popped out. Well, at least I didn’t go boozing.

It is not a good idea to go boozing if you are traveling uphill to Cameron Highlands. You don’t have to drink too much to puke your guts out. By traveling uphill on the long and winding road, it is good enough to send anyone with a weak stomach rushing for the sick bag. It is funny that the first thing a fellow colleague greeted us was not – Hello! Welcome to Cameron Highlands! Instead, he said – did any one of you puke?

None of us vomited if you must know. But a few of us got really sick and dizzy. It is always good to sit at the front passenger seat or drive if you have a weak stomach.

And it is not a good idea either to pig out just before you travel to Cameron Highlands. My seven colleagues and I did everything wrong. (This is the new fei chai gang. The previous fei chai gang decided to semi retire for health reasons (semi means – they might return). Since I am the president and this position is for a lifetime, I had to look for new recruits. After all, this is what this blog is all about, ain’t it?).

Yummm!!

We stopped by Bidor to sample the famous duck leg wan tan mee. It was indeed superb. The wan tan mee itself is not bad either. We ordered everything there is on the menu – well, more or less. We had the duck leg wan tan mee, wan tan mee, roasted pork and duck and fried yam stuffed with pork.

Jambu air, jackfruit, petai & mangosteen and dragon fruit

Bidor is a small quiet town. Other than the duck leg noodles, it is also famous for its jambu air and petai. Along the main road, you could see hordes of traders trying to sell their petai and fruits. The jambu air are huge and juicy. I wonder how much pesticide and chemicals they have used to make them so big.

After the grand makan, we headed for Cameron Highlands. On the way uphill, I was beginning to feel a little bit queasy. I could feel the partially digested duck leg and wan tan mee; coupled with the durians from the night before, swimming ecstatically in my stomach. Geez. I tried to sleep to avoid thinking about vomiting, but it didn’t help much. It was a good thing that I told them to stop to view the waterfall along the way to get some breather. The waterfall along the way uphill used to be cleaner. It is sad that nobody maintain the place. It looked like a dumpsite.

When we reached Ringlet, just a few kilometers before Tanah Rata, where we stayed, we stopped by at our site office and greeted the colleagues there. Everyone seemed to know each other and the reception was welcoming (with the funny part of a manager actually asking us whether anyone of us puked in the car?). I was already nauseous and quickly find a place to sit down. Being new in the company, I was introduced to fellow colleagues. I was looking a bit sickly when I was introduced to Alex, a gentleman of Chinese-New Zealander parentage. Omigod! He is so gorgeous!! (Scenes from Superman Returns; a movie I watched the night before – suddenly clouded my mind. It is indeed a multiple orgasm movie! Not much of action – but Brandon Rough is drop dead gorgeous! Nose bleed).

I managed to maintain my composure and shook his hands firmly; and immediately felt better. Menggatalling lah tu… hahaha! Sigh. Too bad I didn’t take a pic of him.

3 tastes toufoo, herbs pork knuckles, seaweed soup and Indonesian curry fish

We had lunch at this restaurant that fellow colleagues used to frequent at Tanah Rata- Yoo Hoo restaurant. It wasn’t a fantastic meal but; there was nothing much to complain about apart from the slow in cooking – which was ideal; as I need time to recuperate from the long journey. The Indonesian curry fish was okay – if only the fish was fresher.

Cactus Farm

After dumping our luggage bags at our rented apartment, we headed to the main tourist attraction like everyone else – the cactus farm, the strawberries farm, the market and the pasar malam. The farms are nothing to shout about. They indeed have variety of cacti and flowers on sale – but I have somehow lost my interest in gardening since I left college. I am happy enough to take pictures instead – no need watering.

Flowers at the market

The local market is more or less the same as Bedugul, Bali, which I went earlier this year, if not more colorful. They sell mainly fresh produce - fruits, vegetables, potted plants, flowers and there is a handful of shop selling souvenirs. It is nice not to sweat while shopping in a market for a change! (Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur, Chak-tuk-Chak in Bangkok, Central Market and Russian Market in Phnom Penh are freaking hot!).

Everything Strawberries

A thing that one should not miss while being in Cameron is – to try to strawberry milkshake at Strawberry View – at the local market. The milkshake is not to DIE For, but the experience of having a strawberry milkshake, eating strawberries together with strawberries with cream with the chilly wind blowing in your face is priceless.

After a steamboat dinner, we head back to our apartment to freshen up. Being unwell, I decided not to go out again to yak the night away at Strawberry View. I guess I had caused my digestive system a major damage with all the food. I chose to read some books and watch some lame show on tv (In this apartment – we have only two channels – RTM 2 showing Citra warna – what a waste of tax payer’s money!) before calling it a night. Oh boy.. it was so bloody cold and I was freezing my ass off!! Big mistake for thinking Cameron Highlands is like Genting Highlands, no longer cold.

The monks at the temple

The last day was spent visiting the Sam Poh Chi temple and tea garden. We were shocked to see a beeline of people going to the temple. The queue – mostly elderly people, with umbrellas and folded chairs, waited to be blessed by a monk whom was said to have healing powers. This news had traveled all over Malaysia, and there were bus loads of people coming to visit the monk. The queue and parking were horrendous. We managed to find a spot at the nearby housing area and walked uphill to pay some respects at the temple.

Here, I saw two other monks, doing their regular ritual of kneeling at every step they take and walking up the temple (I am not sure what is it for) – donations poured in for the monks. Sometimes, I wish I could tell those people to give the donation at the donation box of the temple rather than disrupting the monks from their daily ritual.

The green land

As we made our way to the tea plantation, the images of the old man sipping Boh Tea and saying – Boh ada OOMPHH!!! ran randomly in my mind and was excited to see the whole stretch of tea plantation. However, I was quite disappointed that it was just a small plot of land for tourists to take photo with a café by the side. I was told that the previous plantation in Blue Valley had been shifted to this small plot of land. I didn’t ask the reasons – I was just trigger-happy and snapped away.

Little house on the Hill

We stopped by a fellow colleague’s house to have lunch and to visit his humble home. Lum’s house was a small, but nevertheless very cozy and surrounded by farm; which his father managed; filled with flowers, fruits and vegetables. Have you ever seen a maroon guava before? My fellow colleagues decided to help themselves with the maroon guava without being invited. How shameless! We were thrilled that each and every one of us was given two huge lettuces to bring home!

After bidding the Lum’s family good bye, we made our way back to Kuala Lumpur, but made a brief stop for some colleagues to buy pamelos and biscuits.

It’s cool to have colleagues from all over Malaysia. We were received very well by them. I felt instantly home when I am with them; mostly because I have my sister and cousin sister to share this with me – since we are all colleagues. Family indeed is the most important.. they would buy all things for the family without you forking out a cent. Hahahahah!!!!

Gosh, I am tired. This is quite a lethal post eh? I guess I won’t be blogging till I return from my Siem Reap trip this coming Friday. Be good everyone and take care.

All pics were taken using Canon Ixus 50. Please click on pics for bigger view.

CHE KAI

2006-07-06T23:32:00.001+08:00

I have yet to recover from this irritating incessant cough since Saturday. It all started with a terrible sore throat, followed by cough, then slight flu.

Yesterday morning, I received an e-mail on the types of durians which drove my entire gastronomical system up the wall. As much as I wanted to indulge in many, many durian feasts - I had to really refrain from it; as well as other hazardous activities (clubbing, boozing, bad mouthing, piggin' out, reading till my eye balls pop out from their sockets and watching marathon HBO till wee hours in the morning) in view of my upcoming trips.

Being heavily sedated with cough syrup since Monday, I didn’t notice that the name they put on my medicine package till today – Che Kai. Those idiots decided to cut short writing my Chinese name. Instead of using my last name (which also consists of 6 alphabets), they decided to shorten my surname, and used my middle name. WTF? This is so ridiculous. When you pay peanuts, you get monkeys working for you.

Now, don’t you dare to add this to my already long list of nicknames!

* Che Kai means lousy/ cheap/ fake in Malaysian slang – which I couldn’t even identify its origin.

TABLOID NIGHT

2006-07-05T00:58:00.001+08:00

Some say our national pastime is baseball. Not me. It's gossip.
-Erma Bombeck-

Dear LN,

Hi! You miss another outing by the Joy Luck Club this year. We had it at the Curve last night – only the 3 of us. We miss you very much and wonder if you are doing fine.

We called the meeting to order at 7.50 pm. I was fashionably late as I was waiting for my boss to tie some loose ends before he is off to Bangkok again for his business trip.

As I was late, I told them to decide the place to eat and to swear off any raw food (Japanese) as I was having a very bad case of sore throat and cough. Who knows? I might even get salmonella with my weakened immune system.

I was very taken by the Curve, (that explains me being almost a permanent fixture there) its cozy, parking is ample (and only costs RM1– KLCC is far too expensive for my liking now), and its simply spacious and fabulous.

We decided to go to La Gourmet House for dinner. It was a good choice – Party Girl’s favorite, apart from Tuan Ee. I had one big ass plate of Barnyard Deluxe. It was satisfying especially when you have it with a glass of peach tea (and the doctor advised no oily food and no iced water).

Okay, here’s the summary of what we have discussed over our gossipy dinner (as requested by Party Girl).

7.51 pm – Party Girl asked me if I had to stay back to sing extended version of Negaraku.

7.52 pm – Party Girl and Jane said I looked fat. I am trying to justify why am I getting fatter? The diet is not working? Do I exercise? How is my blood pressure?

8.00 pm – They asked me if I would like to have some pizza and some sausages as well – considering they just commented that I am fat – I sincerely don’t know why they still wanna stuff my face with more food.

8.05 pm – The gossip begins. Another tale of unsuccessful marriage. Sometimes, I wish that I hadn’t listened so much – seriously, life is a bitch. I finished my mustard and I stole some from Jane.

8.30 pm – I was still trying to finish that big ass plate of sausages.

Barnyard Deluxe - Yum!!

8.45 pm – Party Girl couldn’t stand the smoke blowing right into her nostrils by a darn smoker next to our table. She picked up the tab and we shifted to some place else to continue gossiping.

8.50 pm – We shifted to Winter Warmers – I love this place!! Pretty table cloth, pretty little cups and saucers painted with roses and flowers. Simply looking at the danty cups is definitely worth it. A quiet and cozy place to catch up.

9.00 pm – I am still deciding between having tea or coffee….. ended up with Rose Coffee and a piece of Lavender Cheesecake. Sweet!

Rose Coffee and Lavender Cheesecake

9.05 pm – Gossiping continued. From terrible dates we had to terrible dates other people had, dating internet people, internet gaming addiction, total change of personality in some of our friends, stupid things people would do for love, and we all agreed to let those people foolishly in love to feel the burn and pain, rather than telling them their mistakes from day one when they do not listen to rationale at all, (Who are we to them anyway? Nothing can stand in between two persons in love, all rationale ceased), places where we travel to, planning to travel, belly dancing, clubbing scenes, jealousy, divorce cases… really lah.. seriously – we can put any tabloid papers or magazines to shame with the amount of juicy gossips.

11.15 pm – We still cannot stop talking till those people in Winter Warmers gave us the look and we had no choice but to continue our useless yet fun gossiping some other time.

Ah well, that was all what we did last night. I know all the bad mouthing would do us no good and probably we had accumulated hordes and hordes of bad karma (especially me) and go to hell, but.. who cares? We hope you could join us soon (in the Curve – not hell).

Lotsa Love and xxx;
Gina, Party Girl & Jane

ALCOHOLIC CHARITY

2006-07-02T11:04:00.001+08:00

La Viva playing ... their music is as blurred as this picture

Having a terrible sore throat and a slightly foul mood last night (no, it’s not PMS. I am so sorry – Pilot Boy and Takeshi for snapping bitchily at you guys); I think I needed some time off to clear my head (Read: Obscene amount of alcohol).

I was at RP, Subang last night. For those who don’t know what RP is, it stands for “Rumah Peranakan” – a quaint two storey colonial styled bungalow house, tucked away quietly in Hyatt Saujana Subang.

It was a blessing in disguise to get pissed drunk all for the right reasons - helping the underprivileged children. Every RM1 spent would be given away to charity.

As the 3 of us (Ms Lactose, Chris - the Salsa Queen and I) approached the club, there was a wide screen featuring football match (what else?) at the front yard, packed to the brim. We went inside to enjoy the live band instead.

We found a good spot – right in front of the dance floor and planted ourselves there; with Ms Lactose and Chris, the Salsa Queen waiting for the right song to sashay gracefully into the dance floor. How disappointed we were. The live bands sucked big time.

As we entered – I saw lotsa elderly people glued to their chairs, having drinks and trying to look enthusiastic. I asked Ms Lactose – is this place always packed with elderly and out of shape people? Ms Lactose laughed at my description and told me – Yeah! Looks like a place for social misfits, but we are here for charity, remember! She added the place was cool when Headwind was playing; till their contract was up and the lead singer went into labor. Oh okay….

Here, you would find middle aged people snogging each other, one old bugger had a sun tattoo on his balding head - which I mistook as a very large freckle, some sleazy Japanese buggers trying to get lucky, and young people (like me) trying hard to fit in.

When we reached, La Viva (a band) was playing. They were quite alright – but I have heard better bands. Then it was One Night Stand – a band consists of social misfits – a karaoke queen trying for Malaysian Idol, an old bugger who didn’t realize his time is up and an anorexic looking guitarist.

The old bugger just couldn’t stop blabbering and nagging when he was given the microphone. At first, thanking the crowd for their support for a good cause, then thanking the hard working bar tenders (Oooo – one of the bar tenders was so cute!! – probably that was the only consolation of being there – apart from helping underprivileged children by getting pissed drunk) and he went on and on and on.... like a drunkard – drinking and stepping on his lighted cigarette butt on stage. Somebody ought to tell him to give up the microphone (and give up singing forever). He totally butchered my favorite song – Fortunate Son.

True to its band name: One Night Stand – it is totally uneventful and people tend to forget it quickly.

After spending an agonizing two hours; waiting to score a one night stand, but ended up standing one night, ear drums suffering from the very tasteless music and being in a company of sleazy people – one of the sleazy Japanese buggers actually bought Ms Lactose a glass of wine, (he would have gotten her number, if he bought Chris and me as well) slightly tipsy (we actually missed a few turnings and had to go one big round again)- we scurried to our next pit stop – All-Star Café at Mid Valley.

Ms Lactose was invited by the restaurant manager, a nice clean cut looking bloke for some vodka. We gave instant approval after he brought us some vodka lime on the house (Hah!! We are pretty easy to please) As bored as we were, we had to sit till the football match was over before going for supper. Not for the Salsa Queen though, since she placed some bets earlier on. She was cheering like everyone else for England and ended up utterly disappointed. Christian Ronaldo is so damn HOT!!

We went to SS2, Sri Murni mamak for some kick ass nasi lemak and maggi mee goreng. Mr All-Star Café came to join us for some teh tarik before we called it a night.

Reaching home at 4.00 am, I heard a loud “GOAL!!!” from the nearby mamak stall near my house, as I was closing my gate. Damn! I missed it. I continued where I left – and was surprised to find the French were far more powerful compared to the Brazilians. It was a disappointment that there won’t be a repeat of the expected show down of Germany vs Brazil – the way it was 4 years ago. I wonder where was I; 4 years ago?

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

2006-06-30T15:35:00.001+08:00

Over the weekend, a friend of my sister’s came to stay for a night. She was a long time friend since my sister’s university days. Most old friends gathered in Kuala Lumpur to attend one of their good friends’ wedding.

As usual, the outstation people would bunk in some other available friends’ home and there would be long chatting sessions over the night.

This friend’s sister has a history of domestic violence. Her husband hit her a number of times throughout their few years of marriage and she didn’t lodge a police report. Till recently, it was too detrimental to be ignored. She was slashed by a parang from her face to her collar bone. The husband is now in jail, waiting for court hearing and punishment.

He wrote a number of letters to the sister to seek forgiveness. Can you forgive someone whom you had loved so much once, but yet caused you such grievous hurt?

The children were affected badly over the years. Their five year old daughter had showed signs of anger and hatred towards the father. When asked to draw your family members; she only drew a sun and a deep dark blue sea. When asked, what did the drawing signifies; she replied – "The sun is my mother – bright and shiny. I wish I could throw my daddy in the sea to drown." The teachers were shocked.

Love is a potent thing. It can make or break. Sometimes you could love a person for all the wrong reasons. It makes you think irrationally. You would do anything all in the name of love. They don’t call those madly in love – a LOVE FOOL for nothing.

That explains some friends ended up with very bad marriages – a drug addict husband, a violent husband, a husband that lived off your hard earned money, a promiscuous wife, a gambler wife, an alcoholic wife, etc.

A friend once said, I am a commitment phobic. Sometimes I wonder if this is true, when most friends surrounding me are not happy in their marriages, they sort of put me off even thinking about it.

I know, not all marriages are bad. Some are enviable – yet, we do not have the slightest inkling on the amount of effort the couples had put into their relationship; in order to make it work.

I remember Paulo Coelho wrote in one of his many loved books (something to that effect)- “in a marriage, it is not putting each other’s needs on top of the list – it is both persons, moving together towards the same goal.” Nobody thinks alike in this world; even identical twins have certain differences between them. What more, two separate individuals.

I guess, we have to exercise great caution but not overly paranoid, when it comes to selecting someone you would like to spend the rest of your life with. The marriage might or might not last. But one thing we could be sure of, at least we have tried our best to make things work. If it goes the other way round, then it is just too bad. Nobody goes into a relationship, knowing it would break.

It doesn’t pay to be committing hastily in a relationship either, just because time is running out. It would cause you more pain than it is, and gets tired if you are the only one playing dual roles to make it work, and in the end, you would wish you were still single.

As I was watching the pretentious reality show: the Bachelor last night – I totally agree with what one of the sisters said to their gullible brother in choosing his life partner – “Choose the one that you would like to change the least”.

Such a profound advice in such a dumb reality show.

SAVING CAT FROM DROWNING

2006-06-27T15:10:00.001+08:00

Yesterday I had the weirdest dream. I dreamt that I was cycling through my neighbourhood known to me when I was a child, on my old rickety bicycle, where I chanced upon a river. Surprisingly, the water in the river was clear despite all the rubbish floating.

I saw a white furball struggling trying to get out from the river. It was a cat. It didn’t purr but it was asking for help. “Help me! Help me! HELP!”.

I rubbed my eyes, thinking I was seeing things. It was indeed a cat asking for help. Without hesitation, I dived into the river to save the cat.

Upon approaching the cat, it snarled at me; getting ready to claw me. I told the cat – “Yo Buddy! I am here to help you! Don’t snarl at me!” and gently shove the cat to the bank of the river. I got out from the river, all drenched. Miraculously, the cat was dried instantly and it walked away.

There were some series of intermittent dreams thereafter which I couldn’t really recall.

I decided to google and find out the meaning of this dream.

Cat

To see a cat in your dream, signifies much misfortune, treachery, and bad luck. However, for the cat lover, cats signifies an independent spirit, feminine sexuality, creativity, and power. If the cat is aggressive, then it suggests that you are having problems with the feminine aspect of yourself.

To dream that a cat is biting you, symbolizes the devouring female. Perhaps you are taking and taking without giving. You may be expressing some fear or frustration especially when something is not going as planned.

To dream that you chase the cat away, signifies that you will overcome your obstacles.

To see a white cat in your dream, denotes that you are going through difficult times.

Drowning

To dream that you are drowning, signifies that you are overwhelmed by emotions or repressed issues that is coming back to haunt you. You may be proceeding too quickly in trying to discover your unconscious thoughts. If you drown to death, your relationship will fail or you will suffer major business losses. If your survive the drowning, then your relationship will be rescued by some intervention. You will rise to a higher position of wealth and honor.

To see someone drowning in your dream, suggests that you are becoming too deeply involved in something that is beyond your control. Alternatively, it represents a sense of loss in your own identity. You are unable to differentiate who you are anymore.

My interpretation:

I am going through difficult times with the sudden change in my life (New job? New friends?). I am all stressed out. I became emotionally involved in something that I could not control – which made me lost in the sea of emotional turmoil.

I think I am having some sort of a relationship problem – nothing romantic though. It was something to do with work or family or friends.

Some friends are envious as they always see me happy – as if there is nothing in this world would be bothering me. Most of the time – I appear to be this way because I chose to. At times, whenever there is a nagging problem, I would try to sleep on it and hoping it would be better the next day. Some problems just don’t go away with the snap of fingers. I understand how one could be depressed over problems or issues that are beyond their control.

Whenever I am upset, it is usually visible and loud. Friends commented that I am a temperamental person (tell me - which woman is not?) but as soon as the volcano stop erupting, things would be the way they used to be. I am quite vocal when it comes to handling my emotions. I believe in letting the emotions break loose rather than bottling them inside, which would lead to further frustrations or worse – sicknesses.

To end this post with a high note, as I always have, I guess I need to access on what I really want in this life, and plan strategically. I cannot be always sweeping things under the carpet, hoping the problems would take care by themselves or would go away someday.

For the time being, I just hope my friends would be able to tolerate my mood swings!

Other related posts on dreams (I sure dream a lot!):

I dreamt of Absolut Vodka
Dream Interpreter
I Saw The Sign

RETIREMENT PLANS

2006-06-25T19:02:00.001+08:00

Over the weekend, I had a great time meeting up some good friends. Firstly, it has been a long time since I last saw Ed, due to his work commitments and my erratic schedule. Lunch was great: har mai spaghetti, toast bread with otak otak, pumpkin soup, green curry puffs (I tell you – this man is a genius) and he did this all by himself!

As usual, we lamented about life and the escalating costs of living. We, with our average income – we find difficulties sustaining our lifestyle – our mortgages, utility bills, annual trips, entertainment, medical, insurance – and the worst part is none of us are married yet. We scratched our heads on how some people can actually manage with only RM1,000 salary and feed the entire family.

As I was driving home, I wonder whether how long more I would stay healthy and be able to continue earning money. Time is running out.

This morning, I went to visit my ex boss who just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I car pooled with my ex HR Manager, Mr M, a nice man in his 50s. On the way, I asked about my ex colleagues. It was shocking to learn that the receptionist is due to give birth again this September, after her delivery in late December last year. One after another – like a baby machine.

So far, she already has 2 small children. Mr M told me that, her belly swell real big and it looks like going to explode anytime. I asked if there were twins inside; he said, the receptionist didn’t know because she was too poor to go for medical check up. Too poor to go for medical check up? Where will she get money to actually buy diapers and milk for the children? Education? Medical expenses? Living expenses? Some people just never think.

I don’t blame the rakyat who went on strike when the government imposed a price hike in petrol recently and more in the future. *Cringe*

With lame excuses such as – other countries are paying more for their petrol, and we only pay less than what we are supposed to, are bullshit. Now, they even want to control sugar. It is getting a bit out of hand.

They never take into consideration that other countries have lower living expenses. Take for instance if you work in Singapore with an average salary of S$2,500. You pay rent about S$400 per month, transportation is so efficient that you don’t have to buy a car, things and food are cheap – a bottle of Head and Shoulders 400ml shampoo costs about RM19.90 in Malaysia, but it is only S$7.00 in Singapore. Comparatively speaking – if you also earn RM2,500 in Malaysia, your spending power is so much lesser compare to Singaporeans.

Some of us already started planning to save money. Experts advised us to save half of our salaries every month – but it takes a miracle to achieve that. We cannot possibly do that unless we lead a monk’s life. Back to basics, back to simplicity. It is very hard when you have a house mortgage, car loan and credit card bills. Some of us bought hefty insurance to guarantee our life when we are old. Buying insurance is wise, but we have to bear in mind that insurance is only good when we are sick, permanently disabled or dead.

We cannot solely rely on our EPF – statistics shown that they will be finished by the third year after retirement, and just look at those morons who are managing our EPFs.

So, where we will get out money to keep on living when we retire? Some of us hope our kids would be good enough to take care of us – well, don’t even think about it! We can’t even feed our own parents NOW with the existing living expenses. We could only bear the utility costs – which are due to increase in a few more months and basic needs. If a major sickness hit either one of our parents, without insurance, that’s it. All hell breaks loose. It was a good thing that my dad was a government servant and both my parents would be living off pensions and medical bills taken care of by the government.

Some of us invested on stocks or properties, but this is done with great risks. We are not sure whether will stocks perform or will the properties appreciate? Yiddie yiddie yadda yadda. No wonder, many people are falling into scams of get-rich-quick; some left home when their parents refused to fork out RM30,000 in order to start a selling aromatheraphy lamps – guaranteed that there would be more RM30,000 to earn in near future, greed blindfolded all of us. It is indeed suffering to be a human.

Jeffrey joked that, he is now helping out and visiting an old folks home, so that next time, probably when he is old and grey, he would also be staying in that old folks home for a special rate. I told him to include me in his next outing to help out - I am serious.

I was just telling a friend of mine – might as well be a nun in a convent or a monk so that we don’t have to care about the material world and lead a religious life which is also good for our dead souls. Hhmph – don’t you think this is a good retirement idea?

DID YOU HEAR SOMETHING CRACKED?

2006-06-23T12:09:00.001+08:00

I was on my fourth (or was it fifth?) yoga on Wednesday, and was quite happy that I am making some progress (no, I still cannot reach the floor while bending down, even if I improved by one inch every week). It is quite a milestone for me, considering that I never tried yoga before.

A fellow colleague commented that I did okay and asked if I ever did yoga before.

Me: No, this is my first time.

She: You are doing great!

Me: I think you need to wear glasses while doing yoga. You have been seeing things.

Being a newbie – while the rest of the group is already a year into yoga, I better get used to the jargons used throughout the whole yoga session – Cobra, Downward facing dog, cat, locusts (they sure like animals a lot), etc.

Last week, we did the “Sun Salutation” postures. I kinda like it, even if it can be quite energy consuming and require a lot of flexibility and stretches. Looks complicated.. well, it is.

This week’s much more challenging. We did the Chaturanga. It might look easy but it’s definitely not!

Yoga is all about balancing the mind, body and soul. No wonder so many celebrities like Madonna and Christy Turlington swear by it. I am not sure of the benefits of it for myself thus far – but it sure makes me sleep like a baby after a session!

LIM PEH SI HOKKIEN LANG

2006-06-21T09:22:00.001+08:00

Yesterday afternoon…..

“Nang ning nang…..un chuah gia teok ….. chi ki seo hor suah…. Hong tua…”

(The two of us - why take one small umbrella… the wind is blowing hard….)

I called Ann and told her to listen to it. Both of us almost died giggling. So happened that; she was carrying an umbrella while taking my phone call.

I am not saying something vulgar here. This is just one of the songs being played in office throughout the day. When I was little, this used to be the famous hokkien karaoke song. I think even now, if you have elderly singing karaoke - my mom and dad’s era – you would listen to them singing to this song – or the famous “Chia Cham” (Bus station) or Ann’s personal favorite – soo soo liam liam.

When I first started working here, I was not used to the patriotic song at approximately 8.30 every morning. I said approximate because, sometimes it would be 2-3 minutes early. It seems the song is getting played earlier and earlier. My sis and I made it a point to reach office before they blast the stereo system with the patriotic song, or else you are considered late. Towards the end of the month – you will kena one memo from management.

At times, they would play songs of the 80s or 90s that I like – some Kenny G, George Benson’s Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You, Air Supply…. They also have Teresa Teng – and I find myself liking them. I have an old heart.

But this hokkien song is a bit too much lah. It was a good thing that the songs are purely instrumental. Or else, I think we would be listening to those Phua Chu Kangs singing along to the hokkien songs in the office. My colleagues must be thinking I am mad for giggling or sniggering whenever a hokkien song is being played. My neighbor colleague didn’t even know that these are hokkien songs.

It is great for laughs though. Geez… I still can’t get over it.

LUNCH ACTUALLY

2006-06-20T08:30:00.001+08:00

No, this is not a post about the lunch dates.

Nothing beats home cooked food – cook with tender loving care. It is nice not having to think what to eat for lunch. The moment I step into my house for lunch, mom would whip the last dish off the hot wok. I have this privilege to dine at home for lunch as my work place is just 7 minutes drive away.

Anny always asks me on the YM whenever I return from lunch - What did your mom cook today? How is lunch? What did you have for lunch?

Well, this post is dedicated to her to pacify her curiosity.

These are just some pics over the week – not everything is here since my mom would make noise and wave me away whenever I take photographs of her dishes.

Here they are in no particular order:-

From left to right: Stir fried ladies finger in sambal belacan, kam heong crabs, curry fish and vegetable, lotus roots and chicken feet soup, stir fried cabbage with dried shrimps and chicken in oyster sauce and fried ginger. (And I wonder why have I been putting on more weight?)

It's really time consuming - eating crabs. I've never had crabs for office hours' lunch breaks before. Heh!

Bon appétit!

DOMESTICATED

2006-06-18T21:07:00.001+08:00

I haven’t been going out as much as I used to. Okay – the last two weekends, I have gone clubbing because of friends’ birthdays, otherwise, I would just stay put at home.

Just like last night, I was at home. I was supposed to go out to see Kat once more and go to Kajang for some satay with the Pilot Boy before she leaves for the UK till God-knows-when. But she has other plans already – watching football. So, I was at home, watching marathon HBO and reading some books.

My sister and cousin sister, on the other hand – who have been watching tv at home on weekends all their lives and prefer it no other way; began to find some stir in their normal domesticated lives. They met a new colleague, who has so much energy in him. Like a bouncing energizer rabbit – only much bigger, has been asking them to go out every weekend.

Life has indeed takes a turning. Me, the party animal is at home on weekends, while both my nerdy sister and cousin went out to have a life every weekend. They have so many plans down the road now – Cameron Highlands, Penang, the oil rig in Miri (owned by the boy’s uncle – he is one helluva rich bugger!), Kuching, etc.

Today, I slept the entire evening away. I wonder what time am I gonna sleep tonight.

MUMBO DUMBO

2006-06-17T23:36:00.001+08:00

I was at Zouk last night for the Mumbo Jumbo Night, or I would prefer to call it, Mumbo Dumbo night, to celebrate Ms Lactose's birthday.

We were lucky that we knew some contacts in Zouk that we got to go in for free. Or else, who would be crazy enough to fork out RM40 just for one glass of lousy, diluted beer? (Hehe! The Pilot Boy did!). As much as I love the 60s, 70s and 80s songs, I came to realize that these songs were not “danceable”. Try dancing to “Sweet dreams” and you know what I mean. I wonder why they didn’t play “Twist and Shout”? The songs were nice though – flashback, we were transported back to our high school proms (as if we ever have one in Malaysia).

The dancing kings and queens in my group were a bit disappointed with the choice of songs. Nevertheless, being a good sport, they dance to it anyway; and in any way – latin, salsa, ballroom, etc.

Before Zouk, we had dinner at Chandelier. It looked kinda expensive from the outside. They have jockeys to help us park cars for a mere RM5. Despite the quite cozy ambience and warm decoration, the food was an utter let down – I wanted my steak to be well done and there were still some reddish flesh in it – I don’t eat my food raw – other than Japanese food, vegetables and fruits (which I don’t really fancy anyway). The fish and chips – the fish looked like pisang goreng but didn’t taste quite as good, the cod fish was a bit too hard – probably it is not even cod fish at all. The price is not that expensive – just that, we don’t even think we ought to pay so much for such lousy food. All of us vowed never to go there again till probably, when they get a new cook.

The Mix.FM crew

Ah well.. back to Zouk. Knowing that it would be a Mix.FM party, there would be some goodie bags to be given away. We practically shoved ourselves in front to try to get the goodies. Richard is my favorite Mix.FM DJ, despite being irritating at first when I heard him over the radio during college days. Richard in person looks great! I even commented that he looked fitter in person. Being the good natured and humorous Richard, he told me – “Today whole day stomachache leh. I went to toilet dunno how many times liao!” Hahahha! Don’t you just love this big guy? He is very huggable too! Just like Brutus! Big and cuddly! The girls and guys took turns to take pictures with him. This guy takes great pics in his blog.

Sekinchan Boy & Richard

Mumbo Dumbo night eventually paced up right after the goodies giveaway. Geez.. Malaysians? They always start doing things right after an incentive? There were dancers to spice up the night. Amongst us, there was a group of dancers too. And as usual, Ms Lactose, Chris – the lovely Salsa Queen, Mei, Teh, WY, and some other friends, followed the dancers to the beat of Billy Ray Cyrus’ song – Achy Breaky Heart.

Pilot Boy ended up being picked up by a pretty chick, Ms Lactose started dancing out of beat – haha! Too much alcohol is very bad for you… some guys pretending to be drunk, started going around and hugging the girls, WY had to go camping the next morning… me, having to work the day after, had to go home during the peak of the party to get some winks of sleep before another stressful day. Very potong stim having to work on alternate Saturdays. @#$%^&*!

YOU GOTTA' HAVE FAITH

2006-06-15T15:26:00.001+08:00

Suffering from brain death at the moment. Here's a mind boggling one I got off one of the junk mails I seldom read. A good one, surprisingly!

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty. He asks one of his new students to stand and.....

Prof: So you believe in God?

Student: Absolutely, sir.

Prof: Is God good?

Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?

Student: Yes.

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hummmm???

(Student is silent.)

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?

Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?

Student: From...God...

Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?

Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil?

(Student does not answer.)

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness?

All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?

Student: Yes, sir.

Prof: So, who created them?

(Student has no answer.)

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, and smelled your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?

Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student: Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes. Faith! And that is the problem science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?

Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't.

(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is o nly a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light.... But if you have no light consta ntly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness - darker, wouldn't you???

Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, someth ing we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a su bstantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir?

Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class is in uproar.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?

(The class breaks out into laughter.)

Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelled it? ....No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says t hat you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it, sir... The link between man & god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.

That young man was ALBERT EINSTEIN.......

LOVING YOUR OWN COUNTRY

2006-06-13T09:51:00.001+08:00

I passed my Japanese Beginner II last night and I felt almost heaven. This time round, I didn’t really put much effort in it – I was getting lazy, much to the disappointment of my teacher. It was a miracle that I passed with a B.

As agreed with Ann, we would go celebrating it with spaghetti and vegetarian bruschettas at the Dome. We decided to take our sense along.

Me: Ota-san sense, Dome e isshoni tabemasen ka.
(Let’s go eat at Dome)

Ota: EEEeee!! Why never tell me earlier?? Watashi wa okane ga arimasen.
(I don't have money with me)

Me: Don’t worry. Watashi wa haraimasu.
(I pay)

Ota: Eeee!! No no!

Me: Watashi wa takusan okane ga arimasu.
(I have lots of money – LOL!)

By the way I am conversing; you know I am still half past six in my Japanese. Heh!

The conversation throughout the supper was mainly in English, peppered with a bit of Japanese here and there. I learnt that my sense’s parents are also here now. They have been here for the past 4 years and applied for Malaysia: My Second Home program. They teach Ballroom dancing during their free time. The parents desire to retire here.

When I asked her, what made them chose Malaysia – she gave the answer that almost every foreigner I know would give – Malaysia is an amazing country with so many races living in harmony. We can never find this anywhere. Malaysia is such a peaceful country.

I felt that statement is true – our forefathers had fought so hard to foster unity and to draw a line of sensitivity among races. It is a tremendous effort to unite a multi-racial country.

It is disheartening to find that the country now is imposing rules on how one should show affection in public; our appointed leaders are using the media to quarrel in public; the so called distribution of wealth; the so called democracy; the brutal censorship as if we don’t have a mind of our own to discern between the good and the bad; bright students have to use the media to get into universities of their choice; the brain drain (and amusingly, they were surprised that it happened); and sadly the list goes on and on.

Despite all the flaws, I was born and raised in this country, which I have learned to love and know. If only a handful of people who tried to jeopardize the country’s unity would think rationally, if only everyone would see the uniqueness of a multi-racial country like any other foreigners do, if only everyone would adopt an open mind and respectfulness towards other people’s culture and custom, if only everyone plays a part to work towards common goal: to see the country grow healthily, rather than being over developed and lacking in social ethics and crime laden.

When my sister was in Bangkok and a fellow Thai colleague took her around sight seeing, she was very impressed with how much the Thai colleague loved her own country; she has everything positive to tell her about her country; despite the famed prostitution. I have met several Thai people – they have nothing but only pride for their own country.

No doubt, Malaysia is indeed a harmonious multi-racial country, but it would take Malaysia sometime to actually be in that state optimally – that is when all differences are set aside, being totally respectful and tactful towards each other and accept everyone as their own.

COME DANCE WITH ME

2006-06-11T14:42:00.001+08:00

Salsa dancers strutting their stuffs on the dance floor

I was invited for Simmone’s birthday bash at the Salsa Havana, Federal Hotel last night. I am not a dancer, so obviously, my only probable role there was to snap pictures or merely as an awed spectator. And, awed I was.

The people here are friendly. They said hi to you even if you don’t know any of them. A much friendlier club but, just as pretentious as other clubs – where people wear sunglasses in the dark rooms, or teeny party hoppers, or people trying to look cool to fit in. Everyone here shared the same passion though: Salsa.

When Kat and I reached the club, a special performance from students; graduated from Patricia’s class was almost over. Nevertheless, we did get to catch the final glimpse of the last performance, albeit needing to tip toed over towering crowd.

Compared to the Latino Club that I visited in Singapore last year, here, there were more spectators compared to dancers. Kuala Lumpur has a long way to catch up. The crowd is a mixture of the young and old. Not surprisingly, the salsa dance had caught up with the younger crowds. Most of Patricia’s students were very young and gorgeous too!

Looking over at the bar, Kat and I felt that this is also one of the pick up joints in Kuala Lumpur. I bet your luck gets better here – as long as you know how to salsa. You don’t have to use lame pick up lines (You look familiar? I have seen you before? Can I buy you a drink? You came alone?). You could just do the pick up by dancing with anybody you fancy as it is not nice to turn down an invitation.

Body contact is a must; and I wonder do guys get an erection by rubbing their groins onto the body of the women dancers? It is an erotic and sensual dance.

I just couldn’t figure out how those dancers could do the cross-body-lead-turn without getting knotted; and how those skirts flow! Everything seemed being choreographed effortlessly. Some seasoned dancers moved about with much fluidity and grace; while some obviously quite new, just stick to the basic movements. Nonetheless, they looked gorgeous.

Celebrating birthday here could be very memorable. The birthday girl would be dancing for about 5 minutes with numerous partners – I guess it depends on your popularity. As for my friend here, Simmone, there were endless people in the line queuing up to dance with her. She looked gorgeous and stunning.

I guess salsa is a good form of exercise as you could see everyone sweating profusely on the dance floor. I noticed most people seemed to be very health conscious. Most tables were filled with only mineral water – or were it because a bottle of beer costs about RM21? It is getting too exorbitant to go clubbing these days. Guess we can only go to Salsa Havana on Ladies Night (Thursdays).

Little Salsa Dancer in the Making

AND EVERYBODY SAYS "OMEN!!"

2006-06-06T23:56:00.001+08:00

The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail
and fire mixed with blood,
and it was hurled down upon the earth.
A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up,
and all the green grass was burned up.
Revelations 8:7

Friends who know me best, knew that I am a chicken shit when it comes to horror movies. I cannot watch horror movie, without suffering serious aftermath of sleepless nights. Yes- night(S).

I remember once I watched "Alien" when I was about 10 years old.. and I couldn't sleep for a week. When I watched "The Eye" - I couldn't sleep for two weeks.

Worse, the cowardice in me do not only contain within movies. When I came back from Phnom Penh, after visiting the Toul Sleng Museum, I cannot sleep well for 3 weeks, and I needed someone to sleep with me (My sister lah!! Sigh!! I sleep alone most of the time - and no, this is not an open invitation.. geez...). Yeah - it's bad.

Today, is the Taboo Day for some people and good day for some. The Hokkiens believe this is a good day to get married, to give birth because, 666 stands for good luck, triple luck.

I chose this special day to watch the remake of the 1976 Omen 666. Too bad the movie didn't have a 6.06 pm slot. It would be even more cool!I was prepared to have sleepless nights for at least a week. The scenes from the 1976 movie still remained vivid in my mind. You know, the pictures with unusual ray of light above those who are destined to die, the priest who got stabbed by a falling bar of steel, the grave with a jackal's carcass, the mother falling down from the balcony, etc. I think I watched this movie about 20 years ago.

I was all geared up to watch this horror movie. With two hands on my cheek - prepare to close my eyes in the event of some.. uhm... "unfavorable" scenes.

I was disappointed. Not disappointed that I won't be able to sleep. I am disappointed because I didn't even at least gotten the usual creeps after a horror movie. Okay.. okay.. I admit I closed my eyes in one scene in the bathroom where Julia Stiles wore the red bath robe - that's it.

In short, this was indeed a REMAKE of the 1976 OMEN, but happened in the present, and probably with prettier actors and actresses and more real make up and special effects.

It did give me the urges of going to church though, because of the prophecies in the Bible came true - as in Revelations 8: 7. When I was still a kid, I was very afraid of the Book of Revelations which state the end of mankind. But... that is another story altogether.

MANILA GOODIES

2006-06-05T23:36:00.001+08:00

My brother went to Manila on a business trip a month ago. Here I would like to share the pictures of the food that he has eaten in Manila – yeah! He is a glutton like yours truly here!

Halo halo is the Manila version of our much loved ais kacang with more elaborate cuts of fruits. I googled and found this recipe should anyone of you would like to try make one at home.

Halo-Halo Recipe
(Tropical Fruit Melange)

• 2 tablespoons kaong or...
2 tablespoons nangka (jackfruit)
• 2 tablespoons macapuno (a variety of coconut meat sold in bottles)
• 2 tablespoons sweetened kidney beans
• 2 tablespoons sweetened garabanzos
• 2 tablespoons sweetened plantains
• 2 tablespoons ube or yam
• 2 tablespoons custard or creme caramel
• 2 tablespoons sweetened corn kernels
• crushed ice to fill glass
• 2/3 evaporated milk
• a scoop of ice cream on top

Halo-halo (from "halo" = mix) is a favorite Filipino dessert or snack. It is basically a mixture of sweet preserved beans (red beans, chick peas), coconut meat (macapuno), jackfruit (nangka), pounded dried rice (pinipig), sweet yam (ube), cream flan (leche flan), shreds of sweetened plantain (saba), filled with crushed ice, milk (or coconut milk) and topped with ice cream. The halo-halo basically is sweet, creamy, and a filling dessert.

This Filipino concoction is quite popular during the hot summer months (March-June) in the country, just as ice cream is. It is usually served in tall, clear glasses that show its colorful contents that tempt one's taste buds. One's thirst is even made worse by the perspiring ice-filled glass, and the melting ice cream on top.

And…. I can’t help salivating over this salad. It can be found in Sonia's Garden in Tagaytay – where the vegetables are purely organic (free from pesticides, home grown). Costs quite a bomb to eat organic these days.

MARATHON WEEKEND

2006-06-04T18:34:00.001+08:00

I woke up today and it was already 1 pm. I had a massive headache. I seemed to be stumbling along the way to the loo. I had a marathon session of meeting friends; some unexpectedly. A friend was right. She said, when it rains, it pours - she was refering to invitation to go out. Sometimes on certain weekends, we would be bored to death. But on some weekends, there would be so many people asking you out, that you had to slot them in all in a day.

The old marquis gang had its annual gathering at Kin Kin’s ass burning pan mein yesterday morning. Seriously speaking, the quality of the pan mein is deteriorating. I still prefer the good old ways of preparing pan mein – using hands rather than machine; even if we had to wait at least 45 minutes at it. The pan mein was still good when they operated it under the big shady tree – the good old times, when we would be very worried about leaves, tree twigs and bird droppings into our precious bowls of pan mein.

This time round, other than members of marquis, we have extensions to it – somebody got married, somebody made new friends, somebody brought along their siblings. A usual gathering of 6-7 people ended up with 11 people. It was a surprise that we got to know each other for almost 9 years. Whenever I told people that these are the friends I made online, they never believed me. I guess we just have to be nice to people in order for other people to be nice to us. What goes around, comes around.

After the religious annual pan mein session, we went our separate ways. Some are getting old or too tired over the weekdays that they need to go home to take a nap. Our purportedly karaoke session after pan mein was called off since most of us were against the idea, apart from the karaoke king himself and the pilot boy couldn’t make it. It was the pilot boy’s idea that we congregate and have a karaoke session before Kat goes back to the UK.

For the rest of us who still have some energy left, we went for a movie. We decided to catch X Men in Mid Valley and were lucky enough to secure good seats within minutes after we reached. The GSC decided to open three special lanes for Da Vinci and X Men. The queue was horrendous. I never liked the idea of going to shopping malls on weekends; unless someone else is driving. KLCC parking fees were getting too exorbitant. The usual flat rate of RM4 for Sundays does not apply anymore and fees are charged on hourly basis. So much so for saying our country’s inflation rate stayed at 4% annually eh?

After the movie, we spent some time in Secret Recipe to rekindle old times. It was good to hear everyone has their own sets of life now and enjoying every minute of it.

I was all set for another session in Kanna Curry House, the newly opened branch in Bandar Manjalara. This time, it was with my TAR College friends. Our discussion on dinners are usually quite thought provoking. The three of us; always discuss the possibility of ended up alone. We often joked about being a spinster and how people always judge a spinster and the numerous myth of being a spinster. In my line of work – there were many spinsters and unfortunately, most of them showed signs of loneliness. They usually would tend to torture their subordinates by giving them work 1 minute before the end of the day to make them stay on after office hours, or to deny them of their rights to take study leave or just simply make their lives miserable. I was lucky enough that most of my unmarried bosses are quite nice to me; except for a particular one whom I met three years back which made my life hell. I hope she had found another way of releasing her frustration rather than lashing it out to helpless subordinates.

It is unfair to label an unmarried person – imbalanced. In our society, those who are unmarried especially ladies, would be subject to stigma of being a spinster. People would always think spinsters are lack of something or something is very wrong with them that render them unmarried.

I guess society has to change their perception now. A lot of unmarried and very eligible women are successful. I happened to watch tv one midnight on those sleepless nights, about Ms Olivia Lum who is unmarried because she dedicated her life to help human kind by providing a system to treat waste water – to reduce pollution into Mother Nature. She has contributed so much to the society as a whole and gain worldwide admiration. A sacrifice that is far more important and genuine.

I asked my friends why are we always discussing things that have not much meaning, whether or not we find a soul mate should not be in our agenda. Our lives now already have worries of its own; it is absurd to subject ourselves to more problems of our other halves unless we are ready. Once we are married – our single lives’ story came to and end, but a new story (and problem) would begin. It takes a lot of tolerance, consideration and sacrifices to be with someone that we love. Afterall, we are all human beings and to err is human.

After the heavy dinner and heavy conversation, I went home only to find that my sister was already getting ready to go out. It was already 10.30 pm and our colleagues invited us to go to Genting Highlands. I was all set and off we go to Genting Highlands. Genting had changed so much since the last time I went; that was almost 6 years ago. There, we had a ball of time at the Indoor Theme Park and relived our childhood dreams - bumper cars, ferris wheels, roller coaster, etc. Some of us tried our luck at the Casino. I slept on the chair while waiting for them to place a bet at the black jack counter.

By the time we were home, it was already 5.30 am. I don’t think I could stay up this late anymore. I just woke up again from my afternoon nap right after lunch to write this. A definite sign of old age.

PAIN BALL

2006-05-31T22:56:00.001+08:00

You got that right. Instead of paintball, it was indeed pain ball. You would be in so much pain when you are hit.

The organizers ought to prepare protection vest, pants and gloves for all participants. As for us, there were about 72 of us, and of course, there weren’t enough vests or protective pants to be passed around. Of course, a mask is a must as you don’t want to be blinded or hit in the mouth or ears.

Paintball is a dangerous game if rules are not being adhered to. We were briefed shortly before the game begins. Rule no. #1 – having a mask on every time you are in the battle field. Rule No. #2 – Listen to the marshal’s instructions before firing way. Rule No. #3 – Knowing how to handle your guns properly – safety first. There is no room for foolishness.

Apart from pain, since it was raining heavily the day before, we were all covered with mud. The place was infested with mosquitoes too.

I guess Xtion Paintball Park needs to do something to clean up the area of mosquitoes’ nesting area to minimize mosquitoes and also, increasing the numbers of protective gears so everyone would be able to get protection while playing. I think it is kind of dangerous to be walking in the battle zone without protective pants, especially the men, as their family jewels are at stake. No doubt the impact of the gun shot is not that great to have caused grievous bodily harm, it is better to be safe than sorry.

I got shot in the neck less than 20 seconds to the game. Too bad they did not give a prize for those who got hit first. Since this is my first time in the battle field, it was indeed hard to gauge where I was running as our faces were covered by mask and it fogged up when you are breathing hard. The muddy patches and uneven terrain worsen the situation. It was the longest 2 minutes of my life.

Now I realize what it is like to be in a battle field. It is definitely more terrifying with real bullets and grenades flying in the air.

Nevertheless, it was a high action and adrenalin pumping game. The game usually last only 1 to 3 minutes but it was enough to get us all going. This game is suitable to forge team building and effective communication skills. It was funny to think; it took us about 20 minutes to assemble, reload our guns, to don our masks, get our guns, and only played for one minute. Hahaha!

They do provide training for people who are interested in competitive paintball games. While we were sitting around to wait for our turn at the game, we saw some hot gorgeous hunks and pretty ladies. Most of them have their own paintball guns; which costs about RM1,000 + each. Gaya habis!

Before you think we would be shooting everyone and running all over the place like mad people, there are some strategy to the game – even if most of my colleagues would like to get even with colleagues that made their lives hell in the office. Heh!

Firstly, both parties need to shoot down two designated bottles stationed on a barrel. Once the bottles are toppled, the members have to secure 2 flags and bring the flags back to the base. Either team members, who had been hit, need to surrender to the base to “recharge” their lives. Everyone has unlimited lives – as long as you are hit, you need to report back to base to get “recharged”.

Points would be deducted based on number of bullets hitting the team members. If you are being hit 2x, then your 2x would be added to other colleagues. Teams with the highest hit would lose.

3 points would be awarded to the team which secured the 2 flags first.

It might look complicated but it took only 1-2 minutes per game. So, you have to be quite quick on your feet.

Being sluggish and my stamina sort of went hay wired after absence from gym for a year – during the first round, I had to run back to base 3x to get recharged and it was all over in 2 minutes. It doesn’t help either when you have a large surface area – more place for target – that’s what my brother said. I was hit in the neck, the shoulder blade and at the side of the stomach.

I managed to learn from my mistakes and didn’t get hit the second time round and the last round, I just hid behind some barrels and started shooting like a mad woman because, since we are gonna lose anyway, we might as well finish all the bullets. Heh!

It’s a dread to be walking around the office with a mark on my neck; which uncannily looked like a love bite.

QUESTIONS OF FAITH

2006-05-30T00:05:00.002+08:00

A friend complained to me, having to adhere to certain strict rules in religion of his wife, in order to have their marriage solemnized by a priest. He is a devout Buddhist while his wife is a staunch Catholic. (Yes – I am well aware that Buddhism is not a religion, but an education or way of life).

And to top it up, we have the Da Vinci Code to keep people from all over the world questioning their faith.

As a free thinker, I do not want to take anyone’s side. I believe all religions are good in their own way. It is always some deviations which have created so much problems in any religion. It is quite sad that some people have different interpretation and arguments over the same faith or abuses their religion to make monetary gains, or to fulfill their greed and lusts.

He is not the only friend who has got this problem. I have seen a few cases where a boyfriend or a girlfriend is still with their respective spouses; despite having different beliefs.

A close friend from Seremban and her boyfriend of 7 years were from different religious backgrounds. She is a Buddhist and her husband to be is a Catholic. I went to their wedding ceremony in Seremban and this is the first time I had a vegetarian wedding dinner. It was quite hilarious as, most of the dishes were made from tau foo; we could not finish the dinner past the third meal because the dishes were way too filling.

Okay.. I am deviating from what I am trying to say here…

When my girlfriend offered joss sticks to her ancestors and bowing down to the Buddha statues and her parents, her husband was nice enough to pay respects as well, even if without holding joss sticks. This is what I called compromising. At least, he did not stand far away or scowl as the prayer ceremony was being carried out.

Today, my girlfriend is still happily married and going to church and her daughter has been baptized in full Catholic tradition.

There is another case where a dear friend who is an agnostic. It took love to make this man; who made a joke of Jesus (Asking why Jesus cannot take M&Ms – because he has holes in his hand) – to turn into a Christian. He cut his long mane, quit smoking and took out his ear rings, all in the name of love. Sometimes I wonder whether he is doing this for the sake of love or his true beliefs for Christ itself. I believe it is a bit of both as he is now happily married and living an honest Christian life.

A few cases ended up in ugly divorces. My friend is a Protestant while his wife is a Roman Catholic. As the eldest son, his mother wanted him to get married in their church badly, as his family is quite prominent in the small town of Ipoh. But his wife insisted to get married in her Roman Catholic church, so much so that it displeased the future mother in law greatly.

After 4 years of over-compromising – she "hi-jacked" the husband to her church instead of attending her mother-in-law’s church, restraint her two children from going to their grandmother’s church altogehter; they split up (of course due to other problems as well). It’s way ridiculous as that both are also Christians.

Another ridiculous case was; a friend and his wife, planned to have a registration ceremony in Thean Hou temple – as it is easier and less cumbersome compared to registering in government offices. He had checked beforehand whether the in-laws are okay with it as they are staunch Catholics and they gave their blessings. After all, it was merely a registration ceremony and there will be no rituals of any kind being conducted.

Much to his dismay, when the day arrived, the brother-in-law came to check out the registration counter and went berserk to see a Buddha figurine on the table where the couples would be sitting to sign their marriage registration forms. He made a fuss by saying that they should remove the Buddha figurine before the mother in law comes.

They created quite a scene and it was quite an embarrassing sight. They ended up signing papers outside the waiting counter without the Buddha figurine. It was quite good that the Registrar tried their best to accommodate these people.

I felt it was kind of absurd to have agreed at the first place and then made a scene on the big day itself. To prove that you are a staunch good Catholics doesn’t mean you have to be so petty over things such as this. If you believe your God is the greatest, you shouldn’t be overly concerned about a Buddha figurine on the table, and you should be teaching your own daughter not to have pre-marital sex (she was 6 months pregnant when they tie the knot).

I guess it is not the matter of principles when it comes to conflict of religions in a relationship. It is more towards compromising and having compassion for your partner. I believe, if you love him or her, you would do anything to please your partner. It doesn’t mean you have to fake it or to give it all to make your partner happy. You also have to understand what you are getting into when you are dating a person from a different religion.

When it comes to marriage, everything will be compromised.

I believe the question to be asked here, is not where are your principles? It is a question of how much you are willing to sacrifice for love.

It doesn’t serve any purpose also if you were being forced to do something for the sake of pleasing your partner. Whatever it is that you do, you have to do it sincerely and whole heartedly.

It takes two to tango. One needs to be ready to bend certain rules and regulations in order to make each other happy. You cannot be having your way all the time.

I didn’t say you have to sacrifice your religion all for the sake of love. You need to prioritize which is more important to you. I guess a couple needs to have a serious discussion on what makes both of them comfortable and try to reach an amicable solution, rather than having put through something that either one of them would totally loathed.

I believe, in this life, our work is to discover our world and then with all our hearts give ourselves to it. If you have found your world in your partner, you ought to strive hard to give your heart to him/her.

There is no tailored made solution for this kind of conflict. But those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace. I wish this friend all the best in whatever decisions he is going to make and take, and hope that understanding and compromises will prevail.

10 SIMPLE PLEASURES

2006-05-28T22:07:00.001+08:00

Kinda brain dead after playing paint ball in Xtion Paintball Park, at Bukit Jalil today. Good thing I got tagged!

1. Sleeping throughout the entire Sunday afternoon without pounding headache.

2. Cuddling Sasha right after she get up from bed.

3. No hang over after a booze party.

4. Manicure and pedicure; once in a blue moon. (Check out my new nail paint!)

5. Thai massage.

6. Watching marathon movies on HBO, uninterupted.

7. Going over to friend's place; for simple cooking, chatting and marathon DVD session.

8. Finding I could fit in a blouse or pants, one size smaller.

9. Gossiping over a cup of hot chocolate (Grande!) in Starbucks.

10. Photographs that I took, turned out to be not as bad as I thought.

I am tagging:

(1) Marine Boy
(2) James
(3) Kat

HOT AS HELL

2006-05-26T09:14:00.001+08:00

A few weeks ago, a friend complained to me she has no dates. I told her to join some activities or maybe, sign up at those internet services for matchmaking. She refused to do so and she insisted on having a fairy tale romance – you know, the type where you met a guy in the Al-Fresco café; then the two of you looked at each other, then sparks of chemistry flying in the air – CRASH BOOM BANG – and then, both of you fall madly in love. What load of crap! Jesus!

If you remember, I wrote about me being dateless, a couple of guys actually wrote to me to ask me out. Hahah!!! Oh well, I have to turn them down as we didn’t have much to talk about even online, what more if we meet – when we do meet in flesh and blood. I look quite intimidating to some people.

Since I have been dateless for awhile now (hanging out with a boy younger than me by 5 years, or with a hot Takeshi-Kaneshiro-look-alike do not count – it’s too good to be true), I did something really silly which I couldn’t stop laughing about it. I signed up at internet dating service (address withheld to stop you people from looking out for me! Haha!) and put up a profile there together with a picture.

Guess what? In less than 24 hours, I have been approached by 20++ males.

Hahahahahaah!!!!! I’m hot as hell!

Ahem. In actual fact, there is nothing to shout about, especially when the men who contacted me are already attached (have the cheek to admit it – I appreciate their honesty) and they still want to make friends with other females online. I am not saying that they are wrong, but geez.. the things they write about themselves somehow reflect themselves as sleaze balls. *Cringe*

I guess there is nothing wrong to sign up at these websites to get to know people and expand your social circles. Some friends sign up for Speed Dating, Lunch Actually or MCA Cupid’s Club. Someone told me there is something called, Table for 6 – where the organizer would help to organize a dinner for 6 people – 3 guys and 3 girls for them to get to know each other. The last option seemed viable and not so intimidating.

Match making services; second to slimming services are making big money now!

I can’t get over the fact that some of them just do not bother to make an effort to write a proper introduction. All of them have these standard generated first liners.

You seem interesting, will you send me an email and tell me more about yourself?

It takes more than two lines to impress me.

P.S. If you were wondering what picture did I put - it was REALLY a pic of me, minus 10 kgs! Haha!

ANGER MANAGEMENT

2006-05-24T22:37:00.001+08:00

I had a rough week. It wasn’t a very big issue – but you know how petty a woman can get.

Those who personally know me is aware that I am a hot tempered person and not easy to be taken for a ride. I would be easily provoked at the slightest things.

Working here proved to be quite an uphill task especially you need to deal with people of yesteryears mentality. Some of them do not take initiative to make things right, some of them never want to take responsibility for anything, some of them just do whatever that is in their job scope and nothing more, or worse, some of them can’t even do their own thing properly, some cannot mind their own business, etc.

As an assistant to one of the most powerful man in this organization, I thought I would be treated with utmost respect. I guess I was wrong.

Respect is earned, not made.

It is not that I do not treat other people with respect, as I believe, respect begets respect. The mentality of the people here are very demoralizing – if they can take advantage of you, they think you are easily taken for a ride. If you are nice to them, they think you are easily bullied. They do not know who they are dealing with. I was very pissed off whenever people treat me as if I am a child or worse, some of them think they could undermine my authority. I sympathize with those who have been working half their lives as clerks or assistants, yet still wonder why they are not promoted after all these years.

Somehow I have mellowed down over the years and did not get angry easily over small things. But I do get upset. Party Girl’s words of comfort tend to be very soothing and real.

One person I admire most is my boss. He is very calm even when it comes to dealing with barbarians (plain rude and uncivilized). Just a few minutes ago as I wrote this, he was being screamed at by a creditor over the phone who hung up on him. Mind you, this creditor is a pain in the ass. I was scolded by him before but I did not take it to heart as I know it is not point talking sense to an angry man. To make the story short, we are right in withholding payment as the things done by him is not up to mark and need some minor adjustments before final payment.

Anyway, my boss reverted to him saying that cheque was ready for collection and gave him a penny for thought for being downright rude by screaming at him without finding reasons of delay and hung up on him. After all, my boss is one of the most important man in my company. He should be treated with utmost respect.

After calming the creditor, he tried to reason with him and instead of letting things turned awry the way it started, he ended the phone call with an apology from the creditor and even laughed over the creditor’s rudeness and foolishness.

The bible is right. A calm answer quiets anger and a harsh one stirs it up.

Thinking my job here is not worth my time or commensurate with my experience and qualification, I was dead wrong.

To learn how to deal with people from all levels, behavior and mentality is very challenging. I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn before I could say, I've made it.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

2006-05-23T09:05:00.001+08:00

Well, a week ago, Ann told me of her colleague who died in a freak accident while on her way back to KL from Muar, after attending a friend’s wedding. The four friends who went together died on the spot, when their car was hit by a truck from the opposite side of the road after one of its tyres punctured and the truck went out of control.

Just like that, Ann has lost a friend.

I could still remember the late Endok as we used to park in the same parking lot. Every other morning, I would see her getting out of her Kancil and we would nod at each other and smiled.

We will not know what is waiting for us tomorrow. We always think, such things will not happen to us. Accidents happened all the time, they don’t pick their victims. It always happen when you least expected it.

As a precautionary measure, I would like to advise my friends and also fellow readers that, it is important to leave a will. It is no longer a taboo subject. Leaving a will would ease a family’s burden on trying to manage the estate of the deceased once we passed away.

I took this matter seriously. I even drawn up a few wills when my aunts and mom left for Bangkok the other day, fearing that it would be the last I see them. Maybe I am a bit over paranoid and thank goodness my aunts and mom were sporting enough to sign the dotted lines; but I guess, it is better to be paranoid now than to suffer later.

Friends whose parents or relatives or loved ones died unexpectedly without a will had faced numerous problems after the sudden deaths.

Hence, I am here to urge you to at least write something which would assist the living once we kick the bucket unexpectedly. Append below is a sample of will. It is highly advisable to leave this to a professional, you may seek advice of Trustee Companies such as BHLB Trustee Berhad , Amanah Raya Berhad and OSK Trustee.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me, [name] (NRIC NO. ) of [residential address] domicile in Malaysia made this Xth day of X in the year of 200X.

I HEREBY REVOKE all my former Wills and Testamentary dispositions made by me at anytime heretofore AND DECLARE this to be my Last Will and Testament.

I HEREBY APPOINT [executor – can be anyone you trust or better, leave them to the professional such as trustee companies] (NRIC No./Company No. ) of [address] to be my sole EXECUTOR and TRUSTEE (hereinafter referred to as “the Trustee”) of this my Last Will.

I DIRECT MY TRUSTEE to pay all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.

I GIVE AND BEQUEATH my Y% share of the following; registered in my name to my [next-of-kin], [name of next-of-kin] (NRIC NO. ).

Examples:-

Asset
Immovable Property

Land

I GIVE AND BEQUEATH my half share of property held under Title No. H.S.(D) No. 168, Lot No. PT 1234, Mukim Sungai Mas, Daerah Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Wilayah Persekutuan to my wife, XXXXXXXXXXXXX (NRIC No.:XXXXXXXXX) absolutely.

Land and building

I GIVE AND BEQUEATH my half share of property held under Title No. H.S.(D) No. 168, Lot No. PT 1234, Mukim Sungai Mas, Daerah Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Wilayah Persekutuan together with a double storey link house erected thereon known as No. 88, Jalan 8/18, Desa Jaya, 57000 Kuala Lumpur to my wife, XXXXXXXXXXXXX (NRIC No.:XXXXXXXXX) absolutely.

I give, devise and bequeath to my son, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (NRIC No.: XXXXXXXXXX) absolutely my one third (1/3) undivided share in the house known as 88-8, Jalan 8-88, Taman Happy, 56100 Kuala Lumpur held under Certificate of Title No. 123456, Lot No. 666, Section 88, in the Town and District of Kuala Lumpur.

Movable Property

I GIVE AND BEQUEATH my movable properties as stated below to my wife, XXXXXXXXXXXXX (NRIC No.:XXXXXXXXX) absolutely.

BANK ACCOUNTS

i. RHB BANK BERHAD
Savings Account: A/c No.:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

STOCK AND SHARES
i. The Central Depository (Pte) Ltd

Securities Account No. XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

ii. Philip Securities Pte Ltd

Trading Account No.: XXXXXXXXXXX

INSURANCE POLICIES

i. Maybank Assurance Berhad Kuala Lumpur

Personal Accident Policy No.: XXXXXXXXXXX

SAFE DEPOSIT BOX

Box No. XXX
Name of Bank:
Branch:

VEHICLE

Type:

Regn. No.:

I GIVE, DEVISE AND BEQUEATH the rest and residue of my property both real and personal of whatsoever nature and wheresoever situated unto my beneficiaries mentioned above in equally.

In WITNESS WHEREOF, I the said [name] have hereunto set my hand this Xth day of X [month] 200X.

Signed by the said abovenamed testator ]

[name] ]
in the presence of us both present at the ]
same time who at his request and in ]
the presence of each other have hereunto ]
subscribed our names as witnesses:- ]

Witness #1
Signature:
Name :
NRIC No:
Address:

Witness #2

Signature:
Name :
NRIC No:
Address:

* Applicable for non Muslims only. Distribution of estate of Muslims is subject to Syariah Law.

KIN KIN'S RIVAL

2006-05-20T15:49:00.001+08:00

I didn’t know about this chilli pan mein in Selayang till a colleague of mine took me there during the home alone week when my mother aka cook went to Bangkok.

It was indeed a surprise finding. Now, Selayang has another goodie to boast about.

As much as I like Kin Kin’s chilli pan mein in Chow Kit, this one is equally good. Kin Kin’s pan mein has stickier and more moisture surface and slightly thicker. This one is smoother and more refined.

It comes with generous portion of fried anchovies, minced pork and unlike Kin Kin’s, which serves only soup with leaves, this shop serves soup with pork balls and fishballs. I find the chilli is not as oily as Kin Kin’s. To top it up, it costs only RM4 (for one DAMN big bowl with egg), which is RM1 cheaper compare to Kin Kin’s pan mein. Worth every penny. There is no problem finding parking space. This chilli pan mein is situated in the middle of the second aisle of the Medan Selera Selayang in the Selayang Jaya market, opposite a stall which claimed to be Ulu Yam Loh Mee.

If you go to Kin Kin’s, they usually serve only herbal tea of either Loh Hon Kuo or Pat Chi Chou. This one also serves herbal tea as well as other tong sui such as red beans, honey sea coconut, bubur char char, black sesame, etc.

Customer service is indeed better here despite being busy. We went when it wasn’t that busy, so it was relatively comfortable. We don’t have to wait half an hour to be served and do not have to subject ourselves to the moronic waiters in Kin Kin’s who always mixed up orders.

Other than chilli pan mein, they also sell Loh Pan Mein, Pan Mein soup, Mushroom Pan mein, and any other style of Chinese fast food using purely pan mein.

I would definitely go there again to try other styles of pan mein. You may join me if you want to.

# Open for lunch only.

AMOK

2006-05-16T22:23:00.001+08:00

Today at work….

Me: Hey, today we go home later ok? I have so much shit to do.

Sis: You want to wait for your good friend is it?

Me: Who?

Sis: The Mad Man.

Yesterday, I was rushing to send my sister home before I go to my Japanese class. It was a good thing that I left early (as always).

Just after we left, a mentally disturbed man was lurking at the compound of our office. He was said to be lying on the staircase, walking about, talking to himself and looking quite upset.

He tried to come into the office but, he would need access cards to enter the building, he could not. I wonder where the heck are all the guards? Someone is gonna get fired over this.

As one of the executive directors was walking out of the building, the Mad Man pushed the door and rushed inside. He bumped into the director and he (director) almost fell.

Angered, the executive director yelled at him and asked him to go away. Then, another colleague came out and tried to talk the Mad Man to get out from the lobby. He managed to, after some persuasion.

Unhappy, the Mad Man kept banging violently on the glass door while the people inside the office building stared at him in disbelief. Much to their horror, he somehow managed to open the door and came running inside. Everyone lari bertempiaran.

He was seen playing with the phone at the reception area and talking angrily to himself. While he was doing that, a fellow colleague, Mr L was on his way out from the office. He knew something was amiss when he saw a large crowd gathering outside the office, and all of them seemed to be looking inside.

It was then, the Mad Man, who was still playing with the phone, looked up at him. The Mad Man extended his hand for a handshake. Mr L was worried shitless but did not dare to provoke the Mad Man, he touched the Mad Man’s hand briefly. He dared not hold the Mad Man’s hand as he worried the Mad Man might have weapons and hold him hostage. His heart was beating fast and he couldn’t think of what to do next.

The Mad Man looked calm and asked for some water. It was then, Mr L took this as an opportunity to go upstairs again and locked all doors, secured them with umbrellas and warned other colleagues not to go down first. The colleagues on third floor, also warned of the Mad Man, secured all doors by pushing heavy cabinets against the doors. This is a bit over reacting lah. Must be watching too much zombie movies. Fear does weird things to you.

Another colleague, who was oblivious of what was happening, (he must be deaf) went to the lobby’s loo only to find the door locked. He tried to open it and heard someone was inside the toilet. It was the driver who hid there for the fear of the Mad Man’s attack.

The Mad Man went frantic and broke the antenna from the radio on the desk and started swinging it, trying to hit anyone who was trying to take him away. He kicked the table fan which was on the floor and it broke into pieces.

Three brave colleagues came to the rescue and managed to overpower the Mad Man.

Police arrived while they were still struggling to capture the Mad Man. The police just stood there and did nothing. They just stared at the ball of people scuffling about like idiots. So much for paying them with our hard earned money (tax) huh?

This morning, we heard so many versions of the same high drama story. In incident such as this, we would know who were acting cowardly, who were the brave ones, who would withstand unpredictable moments and took action to remedy it, who would just stared at the situation, not doing anything. Thank goodness no one was hurt. I pray that the Mad Man would be in good hands now and be safe.

Oh well. There is never a dull moment working here.

THE FAB FOUR

2006-05-12T11:47:00.001+08:00

It was merely a coincidence that my siblings and cousins decided to treat our mothers to a holiday in Bangkok in the month of May to celebrate Mother’s Day. Well, thanks to AirAsia, our tight budget was made possible to send 4 super grandmothers together with my sister and cousin as chaperons for a holiday.

The Fab Four

They were back yesterday. My days living on instant noodle and fast food; and slog like a maid, had come to an end. Phew!

Mom: Have you seen the penis?

Me: What penis?

Mom: Ah Heok! Find the penis and let her see!

Third Aunt was rummaging all over the luggage to look for the toy penis. (No! It’s not a dildo!) She couldn’t seem to find it.

Third Aunt: Oh no! The penis is gone!!

Me: No need to see lah. Not that I have not seen a penis before!

Cousin sis: As if you have seen a real penis before.

Me: Of course!

Cousin sis: Eyeh!! Is there something we don’t know about you?!

Me: *Lok Lok’s penis is not real meh?

Everyone: Hahahahahhahahah!!!!

They were talking about the plasticky toy penis which you throw to the floor and it would be smashed, then it would return to normal size. Hmmph. They are easily amused.

*One of the kids my mother baby sits.

Bangkok is still the same old place. Retro, flamboyant, colorful and lively. My sister bought me some cool t-shirts. I know she loves me very much…. but bitch in training? *Scratch head*

Bangkok is also caught in the Da Vinci’s craze. This was taken in Cha-tuk-Chak.

It was an enjoyable holiday. (Well, just look at their happy faces and dahsyat poses! Wackiness runs in the family.) We made it a point to have a family gathering at least once a year. Early this year, we went to Port Dickson. Just before they go to Bangkok, my nomadic cousin brother took them to Redang Island for holidays. We are planning for a Shanghai trip next year.

We tried our best to repay what they have done for us, even if our efforts are considered miniscule compare to their Herculean sacrifices to make our lives worth more. These are the fantastic four ladies whom have been, and always will be the gems of our lives. Without them, we would not exist. What would we do without them?

The Gems of Our Lives

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there!

Other posts on family and friends, click here!

BUSINESS TACTICS

2006-05-09T12:22:00.001+08:00

Last weekend, when I was queuing up to buy 4D at Da Ma Cai, I spotted a man in his late 40s, selling yummy looking curry puffs and siew pao. He was calling out to everyone walking past him to make a purchase. I decided to buy the curry puffs after buying 4D.

When I walked towards him, he called out to me, “Aunty! Come buy my curry puffs!”

I looked at him, pissed off.

He then, changed his words, “Si Tao Poh, come buy my curry puffs!”

I shook my head and walked off.

How could you address me as “aunty” when you are well in your late 40s? There goes his chance of earning some money from me.

When I was younger, I had the same problem as well. Probably due to my size, I looked much older for my age, or even worse, I looked like a boy.

I remembered once, I was walking with my pretty cousin sister to pasar malam hand-in-hand when a stall owner who knew my cousin sister called out to her, “Wah!!! New boyfriend ah??”

Both of us stared at him and gave him the middle finger.

“This is my cousin sister lah!!!” My cousin sis yelled back at the trader.

The trader smiled sheepishly as I glared at him.

When I went browsing through some stuffs, another trader tried to start a conversation with me, “Leng Chai! This t-shirt is only RM10!”

Without a word, I walked off as well.

When I was in Taiping, I was sitting in the living room, dozing off on the couch while my uncle was lying on the floor, watching tv.

Then, two elderly couple came to our house to ask for money for the temple.

They said to me – “Ah Soh! Tay ean!” (*Hokkien: Aunty! Donation for temple!)

Wah lao yeh. Ah Soh at age 10?? Jesus!

In TAR College, while I was waiting for my friends to join me for dinner, a waitress walked from my behind and asked me, “Leng Chai! Would you like to order a drink?”

I looked at her and smiled. She was shocked and apologized, “Sorry! From the back, you look like a man!”

Bear in mind, at that point of time, I had shoulder length hair. No wonder some friends thought I am James’ brother – the more handsome one, that is. Hahaha!!

Nowadays, it is harder to do business as it is getting competitive. In order to remain competitive, these petty things matter.

If you are not sure how to address the other person – you could just call them Boss – Si Tao Poh (Lady boss) or Si Tao or Lou Sai (man boss). Try not to use too much leng chai or leng loi as I couldn’t really stand it when people call me leng loi, in order to try to get my business; for apparent reasons.

And if you are really sure that the person is older than you, and then only you address the person as “Aunty” or “Uncle”. And if you are already well in your 40s or 50s – I guess it is not so appropriate to address anyone “Aunty” or “Uncle”, unless the person has a head full of white hair and face full of wrinkles. On the safe side, just address everyone as BOSS.

I think, the machas at the car wash centre where I used to send my car are the best. They always address me as Ah Moi or Boss!

It doesn’t take a genius to figure this out.

FOUR MAIDS AND A HUGE PILE OF CLOTHES

2006-05-07T17:16:00.001+08:00

For a week, I would be home alone since my sister, cousin sister, and 4 aunts had left for Bangkok to berjoli.. Ah well, not really alone, considering my dad is at home but he sleeps downstairs. I will have upstairs all to myself.

My cousin sister – the 16 year old tarot reader is having a ball of time. She went off for her badminton training on Friday and conveniently text me and said she won’t be home till later today. When the cat is not around, the mouse comes out to play.

Some friends ask – eh? How come no orgy party one? No booze party kah? What were they thinking, man? Am I darn promiscuous and a bloody alcoholic? The latter is true.. how I wish the former is true as well. If you must know, I still have 7 bottles of unopened whiskey, gin and vodka at home, safely tucked away in my store room.

I have been forewarned to keep the house spick and span by the time the family comes back.

I once told my colleagues over lunch that I have 4 maids at home when they were bitching to me about their maids. They were impressed and asked me how do I control my maids? I said, my maids are all damn good and capable that they don’t need my supervision. They are my mother, my sister and my two cousin sisters. Hahaha! And ah.. I forgot I have a security guard and a gardener too – my dad. Hahahhaha!!! They knocked me on my head with a bowl.

The house is quiet now, with the absence of the terrible two. I had blissful sleep for the past 2 days without interruption in the morning – mom washing clothes in the bathroom adjacent to my room, the two kids running around inside my room and making faces at me, cousin sister sweeping and moping the floor – while I am still sleeping INSIDE the room. Really lah. Hmmph… totally inconsiderate or maybe I am the one should be blamed for sleeping till noon. Ah.. the joys and perils of staying with so many family members under one roof.

Yesterday and today, I had been working my ass off like a maid – taking out the clothes to dry only to be greeted with dark skies, then brought them in again only to be pissed off at the sudden sunshine… washing dishes, taking out the garbage, washing clothes – and the washing machine just broke down for no apparent reason, ah shit.. have to manually wash now, moping and sweeping the floor, etc. I think I have lost some weight just doing these.

And I have to remember to buy 4D and then, remember to light joss sticks for Goddess of Mercy, pour oil into the burner, washing the filter for drinking water, etc. Geez. Living alone is not easy after all.

That didn’t stop me from going to Bangsar to meet friends for a cup of coffee and cheese cake yesterday night, morning breakfast of teh si and bun bulat with Jeffrey and Whirlwind Wendy (It’s nice meeting ya, WW!), and ass-burning pan mein in Chow Kit for lunch.

Ah.. now you have to excuse me. I have to stop here this time as I have a whole pile of clothes waiting for me upstairs now. Shucks.

And.. no pictures this week – my camera is now in Bangkok.