Thursday, November 02, 2006

Agnes' Wedding Day

It was a beautiful day to have a couple blessed by the God of being one soul.


On 28th October was my very best friend’s wedding, Agnes. It was raining very heavy while I was waiting for Jenny with her husband to fetch me. Luckily when we reached to the church in Klang, the rain has stopped. It was a pleasant day. We reached there at sharp 4pm where it was getting to start the ceremony, the Holy Matrimony.

The Bride walked in with her only elder brother. Then the ceremony begins with the solemnization and sings. It was a Catholic Church ceremony. The Matrimony finished at about 5.30pm. The Bride, Agnes looked amazing with her saree.



Then the wedding dinner begins at 7.30pm. It’d held in a Tamil Methodist Hall which was nearby the Church area. The decoration hall was arranged orderly and looked ‘mini grand ballroom’. The theme for the night was in blue and white colors. The hall filled with balloons, candles, flowers, ribbons, stage, slide-show, DJ along with the sound system.


(Thanks Jenny and her husband to accompany me until the time of the dinner because they were not attending the dinner as Jenny was not feeling well.)

As I posted earlier that I will give a speech for the wedding dinner on behalf of the Bride but I didn’t expected to be the first person on stage after the married couple walked in the hall. I was so freak out; nervous. Although I had prepared my speech but I haven’t memorized it. I got an idea to prepare a prop, a dummy long scroll as to break-the-ice on stage and it worked quite well.

My speech was begin with these;

Hello, good evening everyone! This is my first time to come on stage to give a speech. I don't what to say but I had prepared the list. Hope you don't mind. (I was opening the long scroll and let it run onto the ground. People was got shocked to see the list on the long scroll. I was just smiling and looked into my scroll.) Erhh... I think this is going to take sometime to finish up my speech with this long list. I guess most of us can't wait to have our dinner as we all are very hungry right now. (I smiled again.) Actually I had prepared a shorter speech on these piece of papers. (I opened up 4 pieces of A4 papers with my handwriting written on them and begin with my real speech.)

First I would like to say to the bride, Agnes. She looks absolutely stunning and outshone today. I’m sure the gentlemen are agreeing with me as today is a sad day for single men out there that this beauty is leaving from the available list.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Mei Leng. I was truly honored when Agnes asked me to give a speech and I want to thanks her for this opportunity that she thought enough of our friendship to include me in this special day.

Agnes, thank you!

I must admit that I’m kind of stage fright now. But I realized that this is very important for Agnes as this is her very special day. "Agnes, don't blame me if I say something wrong".

Agnes and I have been best friend our whole lives. I hold this position as Agnes’s oldest friend. Well, when I say oldest, I don’t mean my age! I mean that we’ve known each other since we were 7 years old, and we’ve seen a couple of decades pass from that time in our youth.

My friendship with Agnes has been special to me, not only because the longevity, but because of she was a great person to go through the trauma of our teenage years together. Even though we don't see each often but whenever we are together again, we catch up from where we left off, and it always seems as if we haven’t been apart at all.

I’m not sure what started our friendship; maybe it was just that I liked her very long dark black hair at her buttock during the primary school. We went to the same primary school – the same secondary school – and we stayed nearby which was 2 minutes walk.

We have seen through the good, the bad and the ugly, and we’ve each learned a lot from each other especially me. I’d like to tell you about some of the things I’ve learned from Agnes.

First – I learned to speak English from and with her. When we were in primary school, I used to speak with her in Malay. But she’d made the effort and built up my confidence, she made me to speak with her in English. And now I’d had made it this far. Thanks Agnes.

Second – I learned that I needed to get better at keeping our stories straight. When we were in school, we may told a tale or two, and it would properly be the conspicuous inconsistencies of our stories that gave us away, and part of me can’t help but think we are lucky to have made it this far!

Third – Not be afraid to give all in a relationship. I have to say that it was watching Agnes blend in her relationship that taught me that life lesson. What convinced me of that was how they met. Do you know how they met? Have you heard it? Even if you have or not, I still can’t tell. Let it be their secret of love.

Lastly – Agnes taught me that good friends are hard to find, and that friends are more important than boyfriends. Wow, now that she’s married, I wonder if that will still hold true over husbands? I hope so.

I have loved to watch this romance bloom. Cyril is a great guy although I don’t really know him well. To me, he’s funny, friendly and easy to get along though I’m so shy to talk to him. In any case, Cyril has proven himself to be a great guy and Agnes is very happy in her relationship with him.

The fact is obvious to anyone who sees them together. And let’s face it, any man who can put up with the kind of friendship that Agnes and I have – our long telephone conversations, shopping excursions and occasional overspending... (Sorry Agnes, I thought Cyril knows about these.) Nevertheless, anyone who can withstand all these is definitely okay in my book.

(I looked at the Groom.) Cyril, please remembers that when you have a discussion with Agnes, always remembers to get the last words in: “Yes dear”.

Agnes has just blossomed since Cyril came into her life. She’s become happier and has a better outlook on life in general. She’s genius person, with no pretences, she is caring, warm hearted, bright, intelligent and completely self-less. It was fated for them to be together.

I know that theirs marriage that will not only last for decades to come, but it will be one filled with love, laughter, and eventually, children!

Agnes, throughout the years, I have been blessed with your friendship. You’re been one rare friend in my life who is solid and dependable, forever seeing the lighter side, providing me with perspective, as only you can.

Here I would love to propose a toast though I don't have a glass with me:
May you both live happily together, May your home and hearth be filled with your laughter and that of your children as well, for all the days of your life.

Congratulations Agnes and Cyril.
May God bless you both and may The Force be with you always.

Cheers!
Thank you.

I didn't know that my speech was that long. Heeheee

The dinner was served after a man gave the blessing of the wedding cakes. The dinner was great though some of the dishes were quite cold but they are still tasty.


After we eaten half way, the Bride and Groom went on stage to cut the wedding cakes and pour the champagne. Then they gave their own speech to the guests. Later they both were played a game that set-up by the host to play 'Game of Love'.


After the dinner was finished served and we had eaten all, some of the guests started to leave the hall. My schoolmates who attended took some photos of ourselves and with the married couple as well.


I also took some photos with the married couple alone but turned out the photos were quite blurred. Blame the BenQ DigiCam!


Impressed with her Henna on her hands. Took the pictures. Don't you love them?!


Lastly, the shot that I would like to take whenever I go:

Congratulations again to Agnes & Cyril! May both live happy til eternity.

Awana Genting Resort

During the Raya holidays, I went to Awana Genting Highlands with my aunty and her family. We went there on Monday afternoon and came back on Wednesday. We went up and down between the Gohtong Jaya for our breakfast, lunch and dinner and even for supper. We also went up and down to Genting Highlands cause the aunties want to gamble but not me. I went with Annie (one of the aunty’s friend’s daughter) to the Outdoor Theme Park for the first night. Nothing much to play the games as they getting to close for buka puasa by 9pm. Supposingly the theme park close at 10pm instead some of them started to close by 9pm.

I didn’t take much of photos but I took a lot of Reis’ pictures. Here are the some of the pictures:




I would like to thanks, again to my aunty and all my cousins for letting me to join them for this trip. Thanks!

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Feast

On 22nd October, grandma and I went to Minna’s house for a feast. My aunty and her daughters, Kimmie and Ah Peng Jie helped to make poh-piah and steamboat stuff. Therefore my cousin-bro came back from Sabah (workplace) for a week holidays with his fiancĂ© except Minna herself got to work in flight. It was my uncle’s birthday. They were having a feast to celebrate his birthday.

We had poh-piah for our brunch. Steamboat was for our dinner. Very full-loaded. Eat non-stop.

First I would like to show, how to make a perfect fold-packed yummy poh-piah. Here is my uncle pro to demostrate:




We had a birthday cake for uncle. Bought by his children from Secret Recipies, Chocolate Banana Cake. At first Ah Peng Jie was complaining and unsatisfy with the decoration of the cake. She complained that the assistant of the cake shop simply done with the decoration. She asked for my help to re-decorate the cake.
Here was the outcome:




Happy Belated Birthday, Uncle!
And thanks to my aunty for the foods and invitation to come over her house to have the birthday feast. Thank you!!!

Monday, October 30, 2006

Retrench


Ya, I got a retrenchment. So sad to get this kinda news. There a lot of rumours about my company. I was prepared to deal whatever the decision made. I didn’t expect this happened so fast. Therefore it was just coming end of the year. To find a job nowadays it seems low chances.

Thanks to those who knew about me going to be jobless, they offered to help me like getting me freelance jobs or helping me to look for jobs. I’m grateful.

Guess I need to follow the flow of the life ahead me.

I was in Singapore on Friday, 13th October 2006

Note: This is going be long and boring. Don't worry, got pictures to look on.

It’s been a long time that I never travel out from the bustling town. Therefore, I’d had rejected my aunt’s offer to go to Singapore last month. This time I had followed her and the gang of the relatives to Singapore last Friday the 13th. I have cousins who staying and working in Singapore and we all were staying there with them.

The aunties (Minna’s mum & her 5th aunt) along with far relation cousin, Yoong with her boyfriend; Rolance and me started the journey at 6.30am by car. We reached at Johor at about 11 something and we stopped the Johor town to have our ‘breakfast’. We had ‘kuew tiau bah kut teh’. It was delicious and totally different from the normal ‘bah kut teh’ we had in KL. Too bad I didn’t take the pictures because I were busy eating.

We went through the Malaysia & Singapore’s custom and we headed to cousin-sis’s house (Kimmie) at Chua Cho Kang.


Later we went to the nearby shopping mall that I can’t recall the name of the mall. We ‘lepak’ and we had our brunch at Japanese ramen restaurant. The ramen was good and tasty. Again I didn’t take the pictures. I had a Miso/Vegetarian Ramen that cost S$10 with additional S$0.90 of added side dish and with the green tea drink. Though its quite costly but it was worth to eat as we were all filled up in our stomach.

After that we headed back to the house to rest while waiting for Ah Peng Jie to come back from work. At around 6 something we reached to Costa Sands Resort, Downtown East where it’s at Pasir Ris. We checked in into our chalet. The chalet was damn small. It was single-storey with only has one bathroom and 2 Single beds with 2 pullout beds. I didn’t take the snapshot of the place but here is the preview.

The chalet can be fit in for 4 persons but instead we were 8 adults and a child slept for the first night in a small compact room. But it was a good experience. Each chalet has its own rent barbecue pits for each stay.

We went around the Downtown East area where they have swimming pool and children's pool with its side and bottom see through panels allow resort guests to wave to their family members when having fun swimming. A food paradise from a food court, fast food joints, specialty restaurants to a satay club. They even have the ESCAPE Theme Park and Wild Wild Wet, the water theme park and Downtown shopping mall.


We headed to have our dinner at Burger King. As for our dessert, we went to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream booth. Then we hanged out around the area again then we headed back to chalet to rest.


The next day, we had our lunch at Sakura; a Japanese buffet nearby the Downtown East. Each person was cost S$20 nett if I’m not mistaken. I’ve been longing for a Japanese buffet but never have the time or be someone with to enjoy the Japanese foods. Finally my wish came true. Thanks to my aunty, cousin-sisters who made my wish that I’d had to eat Japanese buffet.


After the buffet lunch, we hanged around the Downtown East again and this time I’d got to play pool with Yoong’s bf for an hour for unlimited games. Due to that we didn’t have the card, it cost us S$9 which normal price was S$6. I think we had played 7 games which I lost a game to him. :) After the game, we shopped around.

Later we went for the Theme Park that we’d had 5 entries coupons. My cousins and the aunty bought their swimsuits around the shop. I got to some of the pictures when they were finished changing but then better not to get their sexy appeal exposed here. Heee. We went in the theme park at 5.30pm that we’ve only had 1 ½ hours before they close. I wasn’t play in the water cause I had PMS. It was a waste to have a free entry that I can’t play the water with them. Wasted. I was just hanging around and waiting at the bench while looking at those people’s swimwear and reading the magazine.


We left the theme park at sharp 7pm back to our chalet. We had BBQ for dinner. It was a convenience place to have a BBQ activity where you could find and buy all the marinated foods and equipments. My aunty brought back from KL the fresh fishes, squids, prawns. We bought from the shop at Downtown East; satay packed, marinated chicken wings, fish/sotong balls, otak-otak packed, paper cups, charcoals etc.

We’d grilled, ate, drank beers; red wine & fruit juices (bought by Minna), soft drinks, until the midnite.

The place was cozy. It was not windy though it situated near to the sea. After we had finished our BBQ, we had a night walk to the sea which was a park away from the chalet.


While we was walking through the car park area, there was drama happened where the Singaporean recklessly reversed his car then stopped at nearby another car and hit the car with his leg angered. We were the pedestrians walking bypass got shocked when the reckless driver reversed his car so ‘gila’ that nearly going to bang some of us. It was silly incident though Minna and I knew about what had happened.

When we walked inside the park near the sea, there was another drama going on. A bunch of teenagers were having BBQ. If I’m not mistaken, they were all Indians; were fighting for don’t know what reason. So dramatic. Too bad I didn’t video captured the scene cause it was dark.

Later we headed back to our chalet to celebrate Reis’s birthday. My aunty and cousin-sister bought her 3 mini different cakes which were 24D Durian cake, Chocolate and Mango flavored cakes. We sang birthday song and we all, ten of us share the 3 mini cakes. We had a very small portion on each cake that treated us like a taster. The 24D rated Durian was very delicious that rich it flavor.

After we ate the cakes, we had our desser; yellow watermelon. We’d really had a fulled stomach that day. We were eaten non-stop.

The next afternoon, we checked out at noon. We headed to Thampines Mall for shopping spree. Minna brought us to have our mini lunch at famous coffee shop.

Then we started our shopping. We were given our time out at least spent 3 hours to shop or hang around where we had our meet point at Din Tai Fung, Shanghai Restaurant. Thank to Minna for the treats. I love the ‘xiao long bao’.


After we makan, Minna got to get back to her workplace. There she left us 5 of us. We continued walking around the mall until 7pm. We drove all the way back to Kimmie’s house. We didn’t get lost as Rolance guided with a map while Yoong driving. We had our dinner ands rest in Kimmie’s house. Rolance and Yoong left to Johor as they had their own things to be done. So left me, my aunty and Minna’s 5th Aunty.

The next morning, we got up at 7am to get ready to go back to KL. We had our breakfast then we headed to bus station. We bought 9.30am tickets.


Throughout the trip, I can see the differences between 2 countries. Although this trip is my 3rd time but I’m getting to like the culture here. Our home country is so huge and unorganized and not so convenience that hardly in ease for living. Anyway, I would like to thank to my Aunty for the offer, Kimmie, her husband, Ah Peng and Minna for all the hospitality. To Rolance and Yoong for the transportation and 5th Aunty for her treats too. Thank you so much everyone although I didn’t spent much. ;)

Thanks a lot.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Restless

After the short holidays, I felt restless for don't know why is the reason. Felt depressed as usual that happened once in a blue moon. Felt bored as I have nothing to do at work.

.......................

Yesterday got a call from my best friend, Agnes. She asked me to volunteer to give a short speech on behalf of her side on her wedding dinner this weekend. I was shocked but honored for giving the opportunity but then I’m a stage fright.

Guess I need to prepare my speech for this short notice. Don’t know what to say.

I know most of the viewers expecting me to update my blog but I was trying very hard to summarize my holidays in Singapore and Awana Genting. A lot of pictures need to be edited and arrange as well with my sentences too.

Hope that I could update them soon.

Monday, October 09, 2006

Hazes make me sick.

I just fall sick recently. As you all know there are hazes around Klang Valley that becoming even worse. I got this sensitive nose that I got one side nose blocked with flu on Saturday. Yesterday I got light sore throat that I went to see doctor to get the prescriptions. The doctor gave me a lot of pills. But at the moment, everything was okay but now with a light cough.


I mentioned that I have this wedding matrimony on Saturday morning. It was my ex-classmate’s wedding, Jenny. Finally she got married with her lovely husband. I don’t know her husband well but I could see that she is happy being with.

The Holy Matrimony was held at PJ at about 10.30am. My best friend, Agnes came to fetch me from my house at around 9.30am. We reached there in the main hall and found the other gals (ex-classmates).

It started at 10.45am. They sang. They praised the Lord. Exchanged vows. Sing again. Then photograph sessions with families, relatives and friends. We (ex-classmates) were almost the last to take photos with the bride and groom.


I passed my digi-cam to the photographer but he was just simply shot a few. He was so impatient and unprofessional though he was holding such high-end DSLR. :P


After the photos session, we all invited to have lunch refreshment in another place. As we were the last to go for the lunch, the foods were almost finished. We gals didn’t really taste most of the foods, but overall not bad. We all chat about our life, work and relationship. As for me, there was nothing much to talk about but only with my works. Most of them is getting married end of the year or even early next year. Good to hear that they are going to have a new life with someone that they love and live together.

After had the lunch, we had our final group photo with the bride and groom.

At least this was the better one though nothing on backdrops.

Last but not least, the gals’ group photo.


And the candid shot with me, Jenny, the bride. Congratulations!!! May happy always!

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Moon

It just passed the Mooncake Festival and it is raining. I didn’t look upon the night sky whether the moon is round or bright. These few days were so hazy and it smelled smoky. It was a daze in me.

I didn’t bother to look forward the festival but I wished most of my friends and relatives through SMSes.

My house didn’t have the festival gathering as like last years. Normally my relatives will come over my house to have small little potluck while looking upon the moon while eating the foods that they brought in. The children/cousins will play with the candles and lanterns around the house.

But there is nothing. Its just feel peace and quiet like a normal day.

I thought that I could hang around in friends’ house during the festival but they have their own gathering with their families. Its sound doesn’t right unless someone was inviting.

I went out. I went out with a friend to saloon to make my hair done. I have a wedding matrimony in the next morning. This time I’m going alone. Solo, but I’m going with my best friend and her husband.

After the saloon, I had my dinner at my home. And I went out again to yam char with the same friend. Both of us were chatting in a cafĂ© almost for 2 hours while drinking iced jasmine tea. I wouldn’t say anything about the conversation here but at least I have a great chat.

Time is running fast when you do something through the night although with just some small talks. At least I have my past time by doing that.

Its sound boring but that is my life. Wake up early in the morning to prepare to get to work. Stay in the office while working with my jobs, lunch break then work again. Late afternoon have a tea break. Every times the clock set a timer that is time to go back. Sometimes stay back a while cause I need the ride back home from my colleague. Reach home, bath, eat dinner and straight to my room; do my stuff like read book or magazines or do something work for my friends’ then sleep.

I wish to hang out more which I seldom did. I found excuses for not doing it but I don’t know why. Maybe I’m lazy. I felt lazy to have that kind of life. No effort to progress but want a simple life.

I need to change. Do something is useful. Do something for myself and others. Make my past time with something, an activity.

Yah, something...

Don't worry, I won't do any stupid.

p/s: The background of this blogsite, green colored on a big tree with a road divider was photoshop edited on a piece of original photo taken by me months ago.

Monday, October 02, 2006

Concern

Regarding to the posted entry on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 "I wanted to cry", I'd made most of my friends worried about me that I might do something stupid.

Sorry, my dear friends.

I have no intention to make most of my friends to get worried about me. I wasn't aware. I didn't think my friends' feeling that they were concerning.

When I feel down, I will write something in my blog. I know there will be someone to talk to, but I can't do it. I don't know why, maybe I'm selfish to keep it all by myself. But I'm trying to learn to open up/share with my friends.

And thanks to whom has called me. I'd really appreciated. Thanks again.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

I wanted to cry

I want to burst out cry. I couldn’t hang on everyday. Someday I could be strong and happy but someday I couldn’t.

I have problems in my family. My grandma complaining that she got feel the pain on her abdominal. My 1st bro vomited today.

My mum and me had tried our best to look after them and supported them, why my 1st bro doesn’t want to take his own initiative to take care of himself. He could walk, eat and sleep. Why he need us to worry about him, anymore? I pity my mum most of the time. I couldn’t handle this emotion anymore.

I see my mum wakes up early in the morning, doing the house chores, preparing breakfast and lunch for my 1st bro and grandma then she goes to work until the late night she comes back and doing the house chores, preparing drinks for my 1st bro and she goes to sleep in the midnight.

She does that in daily life. I for myself, I don’t think I could do it.

I’m weak, emotionally. And I cry. Couldn't help it.

I know my life is not the sad case, other families even worst.

Worries

I tried to take things easily to move on with my life, or am I being too much? I don't know how to explain. Since I got something happened in my family and myself, my feelings were numb. I'd moved on.

Mum was worried. She has a lot of things in her mind to worry. My grandma, my brothers and now it was me. She thoughts that she has nothing to worry about me cause she knew that I could take care of myself. But now she is very concern about me.

Though me and my mum wasn't close as much as we could but I love her. Something I have feeling doubts in myself, unsecure and selfish. Most of the time I don't share with my mum, I don't know why.

Sorry mum for worrying about me. I have no intention to worry about me. Not intend to.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

MATTA Fair, September 2006

Yesterday and again, I hanged out yam char with a long time friend. We started our session at mamak past 11pm until past 1am.

We talked most the things that we were far behind about our life. It’s been a long time we were not meet since 7 years ago, I guess. Therefore, it was a good advises and plans that we were discussed. I was enjoying seeing an old friend and we had talked a lot.

I would like to thanks for all the hassle for fetching me, yam char together and also the small gift from Australia. It was thoughtful.

I hope we could have more conversation and more yam char session again. Thank ya!

Today, I went to MATTA Fair at PWTC this afternoon. I went with my colleague and his friends. And nice meeting you people. :)


We reached there at about past 1pm. We’d got to buy the entrance ticket RM3 in order to get in. I was expected the place to be crowded but it was not as many people as during the PC Fair. We went into the Hall 1 and 2 where most of the travel agents companies have their foreign travel promotions. I was just looking around while gather some information that I wanted, but most of the promotions of the time period were extended to 31 March 2007. The prices were reasonable if you’re prepared with your savings.

I’m not sure what the time we had our lunch but we went to the shopping mall to have Pizza Hut. After we had finished, we went back for second round hunting. This time we went to Hall 3 where most of the agents were having local travel promotions. We were not interested to find out more about the promotions but we headed back to Hall 1 and 2.

My colleague’s friends bought the travel packages and we finally finished our hunting at about 7pm. It was 6 hours we were hanging out in the fair. But it was a good experience; at least you know where to hunt for the prices.

The next fair will be at 16 – 18 March 2007. Those who want to travel maybe can check it out on this coming fair, next year.

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Hang Out

Yesterday night I hanged out with my colleagues and ex-colleagues. Some of us (4 people) went to Esquire Kitchen to have our dinner at around past 8pm. Then later on, all of us (6 people) turned up for the yam char session at PJ. The guys have their beer while the gals had the orange juice.

We started our yam char session around at past 10pm until almost midnight. We talked all the crap most of the time but we were enjoying our drinks.

Most of us complain about our hectic works that we will never satisfy. Sometimes we talked something that was unfair to our life. Heck them, we were just trying to express our stress amongst us. It was a way to express our dissatisfaction among friends that we trusted.

Therefore it was a good way to relieve our tension. :)

And for today, I did something this afternoon. I don’t want to say it all here. Let it be a secret.

After what I’d done with my stuff, I went to ex-colleague’s house to ‘lepak’. She just bought a small little puppy and I don’t know what breed. I can’t remember what she had told me because my interest pet is just a cat! Anyway, her puppy is damn cute and small.


I had dinner with her and her boyfriend at somewhere Miharja, the neighborhood street restaurant. Not bad at all the dishes. We had dishes like crab, meat, chicken and vege. I’m kinda full now. I had forgotten to take some pictures of the dishes although I brought the digi-camera in my bag. It was good, tasty and cheap too. Here I would like to thank her boyfriend for the dinner. Thank you!

;)

Bath

It has been for the past 3 weeks, my cat, Cum-Mon never taken his bath. I know it sounds wrong and you guys might think that he is such a dirty cat. Yup, you’re right! He is very dirty. He likes to hang around the garden, plays with his gang-friend cats (neighborhoods), sleep on the dirt-ground; he likes to go everywhere as a role of a ‘street-cat’. But he never goes far away from home. Still the home is best for him. :)

So, since the 3 weeks were a lot of thing had happened and also with the weather condition, today I manage to get my ass up early morning to bath him. His originality color of his fur was orangish but it turned to ‘kopi-o’ instead.

It almost took at least half and hour to rub him nicely without leaving any spot of his dirt’s. I poured a lot of cat’s shampoo and rinse him thoroughly with warm water.

He is clean and smells good now.

Renew

I went to renew my passport. Wanted to renew since my passport expired on January this year but there were certain excuses that I couldn't have it done.

Now it finally had done.

5 years then was ugly. We got to take our picture on the spot while processing the passport application. And now, we could take the passport picture at anywhere photo-shops that we could get.

Here is mine:

I got to change them into gray scale colors to protect any simulated.

I know I look the same but there are differences.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Norm

I'd posted some of the sad thing happened to me and I didn't asked for the publicity for sympathy or attraction. That the only way I could say something that I keep in myself. I had removed them from the blog as I'd let it go for it past.

I'm over it. Nothing to be despair. Life moves on.

There a lot of things I wanted to do. Well, I got manage the time to get things done.

Now, for the moment, I got to love myself, live happily with amongst my friends and families.

And I won't forget to update my blog.

p/s: Thanks to my friends and families for being there for me. I'm really do appreciate that. Don't forget to call me out for outing, ya!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Nightmare

This year, especially in August month has happened a lot of unexpected scenes/incidents. Firstly is about my grandma. She got a sudden ill on 19th August in the very first early morning. She was not fully conscious of her behaviors. My mum was very concern with her health though she has had her sickness. We (families & relatives) were aware of her sickness but something is bad happening to her. My grandma was trembling and she couldn’t walk herself as she used to. She couldn’t get down from her bed and even she was complaining that she has no energy to walk. She got cram on her legs. Mum quickly informed other siblings about grandma’s condition.

Mum even cried in front of her, since there was no response when asking her whether she wants to see a doctor. She barely moves. Mum bathed her. Dressed her while waiting for aunties and uncles to come to decide whether to bring her to see a doctor. They all asked grandma. They persuade her to see doctor but she scared to get admitted. They explained to her if she doesn’t want to get admitted, at least just see the doctor to get the prescriptions. Then she agreed.

Uncle bought lunch and we had it in the house together with grandma. She still has some energy to eat but we got to feed her. We have several of foods on the table but she doesn’t have her appetite. She just ate the porridge. They all wait for Uncle Mike to fetch them with his cargo van. I guess they went at about past 7-8pm. I wasn’t there. I was tired and asleep. I was at home until they came back nearly at past 11pm. The doctor said my grandma got a heat throat infection. I do not know what term in medical words but something heaty in her body. She does not comsume enough water in her body.


But now, the present she is okay. She is just unstable to walk with her foot. She needs something a stick to support her walks.

Secondly, there were something happening in my workplace. I doesn't want to tell all but one of its that the back-up server for our publishing was crashed. We got to re-do the whole magazines in a short time before send for print. That was havoc. Stay overnight to finish them up. Problem solved.

Then it was my broken up with Michael of the 7 years relationship. It's been 8 days after the separation, I'm ok.

During that 8 days, there was something happened too not only my separation. I was so stress but tried to concentrate other things like my bro has to admit to hospital. I was brave enough after the separation, accompany my mum to hospital. Took almost a week of leave to take care of my bro in the hospital. Mum was busy with her works since the day she left her work without giving her employers the notice. I was going to and fro hospital. Pretty exhausted. Staying with bro in the hospital was quite boring. Nothing much to do but read newspaper early in the morning and some reading books.


When the days he was getting better, I informed him that I go out/hang out with my friends at certain places that will come back to the hospital later. But now, my bro is discharged and came back to home. Everyday he needs to take his medicines as to follow-up with the hospital after the 2 months intake. Sigh.

A lot of things happen in the house but I wouldn't want to share it here. Its kind of personal to me and to my family.

Life moves on. Deal with the obstacles. Love people who is around us especially families and friends. Be optimistic.

If I need to complain or need someone to talk to, I'll know who to find. There always the yam char session with friends and families.

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Marisa's Birthday

It was Marisa's birthday yesterday. I got a very short notice of invitation from her in Friendster. It was very thoughtful to have her invitation.

Therefore it was a very last minutes of the notice, I got to shop for her birthday present. Hardly to think whether what kind of present that she likes. I have typical clueless. Though I knew Marisa since the secondary school but we don't really keep in touch that long until we were exhanging/view each other blogs.

I left the office at around 5.30pm. Reach Mid valley Shopping Mall at nearly 6pm. Helped my colleague to post some mails, withdrawing some cash from postal money and bought alot of stamps . That took me about 15minutes. I headed to Maybank to help my colleague to bank-in more than a dozen of cheques.

After I finished up with the office stuff, I tried to walk around and I came across this shop of La Zenza. I saw pairs of sexy, cute, attractive, comfortable and fashionable nightclothes that would be the best choice as a present for her.

Her size is small, so I asked for a super small size for her. Too bad I didn't take any picture of the nightclothes that I chose. Then I came across this fancy shop where they sell big pin with tangly cute little thingy on. Bought that and I pinned it onto the top of the nightclothes.

Anyway, she likes it very much and she told me its prefectly fit her body. :)
And here are the pictures:

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

The Devil Wears Prada Novel

I read this novel 2 months ago when I found out the trailer in Apple Trailers and caught my attention to anticipate to wait for the movie.

I find it easy to read although some of the words I need to check on the dictionary to understand more. But bad thing about this book is that there are repetition of certain plots. Certain phrases were amazingly presented but what I like the most is the last part/end of the story on how Andrea Sachs as the junior assisstant of Miranda Priestly that 'the job a million girls would die for' ended her works with her boss in Paris.

Pretty humorous that Miranda Priestly, the most powerfull editor-in-chief for Runway Magazine who is arrogant, snobbish, unreasonableand quite bitchy too portrays its character so insanely.

Anyhow, I'd seen the movie. I found out what I had read was not exactly show in the movie. Totally different, different plots. In the novel, Andrea Sachs has drunken best friend Lily who is still studying, Nate the boyfriend who teaches in school and Emily the first assistant to Miranda was helpful and good co-worker to Andy (Andrea).

In the movie shown the totally different kind of story but adapted some part from the novel. I don't know. I doesn't like the movie as its shown. Maybe I should read one more time to understand better.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Ulu Yam - Sungai Tua - 2nd Visit

As I mentioned, I went to Ulu Yam again last weekend. Actually the place was not called Ulu Yam but Sungai Tua. This time I went with more than 3 people. The same person like last time but with their own companion. 6 of us; Jeffery, Wei Yi (his girlfriend), Ken, Hui-Hui (his girlfriend), Riza and me.

We were planned to have a small little picnic near the stream. Hui-Hui brought her specialty home-made tuna and ham sandwiches while Wei Yi brought egg sandwiches. I bought a watermelon. The guys didn't bring anything except themselves.


We reached there at about 1.30pm and we used the same area but we hiked further upper stream to get a better spot. We crossed across the stream and we set our little picnic on the huge slanting rocks.


First, we got soaked ourselves and walk-about the stream then we have our little lunch. Jeffery cut the melon after its being stored into the cold water stream for a while. We ate, talked, looked around and took some photos. I brought the Olympus u720SW, the waterproof digi-camera from office to take the pictures.

Before I show some of the underwater photos, let me show the pictures of us having fun with posing. There is one photo where Jeffery was being sucked by a leech in between his toes.


And now let me present the Olympus u720SW digi-camera can do for in the water.


We spent our day of picnic at least 4 hours. I followed Riza walked around the stream as he was taking some snapshot with his gear (DSLR) camera for his own pleasure. Then he asked me to be his model to pose certain angle or became his assistant to do some stunts. And here some of his photos that I'd involved. :)

Monday, July 31, 2006

Got an Hair Cut

I got an hair cut last Saturday. I've been keeping my hair long that annoyed me with this humid weather that I couldn't stand. Finally made my decision to cut them short right on the shoulder, trimmed, layered and fringed.

I got this new fringe but I'm not sure whether it suits me. I didn't take any picture of myself but hmmm maybe later you will see what am I look like.

:)

Ulu Yam

It always been a complaining post in every month after past few days never update the blog. Now I'm right here after finished the publishing deadlines, finally; as usual. Wanted to post the activities during the weekends but there's no time.

So, just want to post some pictures here.

Looks nice that away from the hectic city and workloads. It was time for a relaxing and tranquil acts. It was past 2 weeks ago. My colleagues which were Jeffery, Ken and me went to Ulu Yam for waterfall. But then we didn't went for the 'waterfall' instead the mini downstream. We couldn't find the waterfall as we all were not familiar with that place.

We started our journey on Sunday late afternoon towards from Batu Caves to Ulu Yam direction. Sunday afternoon was a good time to have fun at waterfall. Less people. Less traffic. Less noise.

We took our brunch at the Ulu Yam town at mamak. Ken stated that 'maggi mee goreng' was the best to eat, so far, far away from town. We couldn't find the best local dish: 'Loh-mee'.

We had a good time although 3 of us nothing much else to do but soak in the cold clean water while shivering and trembling. I didn't soak in cos I wasn't prepared with extra lingerie. The whole time I was the camera-gal holder to capture the scenes and pictures.

R contains Adult Situations ;P


This coming weekends might have plan for another visit to the waterfall of Ulu Yam.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Spider-Cat

This morning while I was waiting for a taxi to go to work, my cat; Cum-Mon tried to impress me. I was standing outside the house's entrance gate, there he climbed up the gate like a spiderman. He reached to the top and walked like a ballet. Then I quickly take out my camera-phone to capture one of his stunts.


Although this might load very slow, I advise to pause the video for a while before play.

After his stunts, the taxi came and I carried him down before I left. I scared that he might jump over the fence that reach to neighbour house.

:)

Adobe Photoshop World Asia 2006

Wednesday; the whole day I was not in the office. Off for attending a free workshop/seminar organised by Adobe South East Asia.

It begins at 9.000am at Hilton KL til 5.00pm. It started with 2 Speakers who were Ton Frederiks, Senior Application Engineer, Adobe Systems Benelux, Holland and Marianne Young, Solutions Engineer, Adobe Systems, South East Asia. Both of them were presented quite good that most of the attendees didn't fall asleep.

That workshop is mainly talk about Adobe Photoshop CS2 top new features that work efficiently in editing, processing and file handling with Adobe Bridge. Marianne and Ton showed alot of tricks and tips on certain command/short-cut keys to create and artwork with an image. What I like most of the feature in Photoshop CS2 is the 'Vanishing point' which match the perspective of a surrounding area.

The workshop has 3 part session which are Photoshop Geeks, Darkroom Academy and lastly the Photography Live. The Photography Live session was bad because the Speaker was dull and boring with his speeches. Mostly he talked more on the product rather than his own portfolio/achievements. Some of the attendees were sleeping that I managed to capture one in the picture.

Overall, that workshop is an advantage for me to learn something new in their software although I'm still using the old version of Photoshop.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Back Then

Why 'back then'? Just for your information, I'm freaking damn lazy person or you may say that I have little effort of exertion to use up a whole roll of film in my fully manual camera.

If you follow up my blogsite contents, you could have read this in 'FRIM'. I did stated that:
"I took some pictures but I haven't send the film for process (which I haven't finish the role of a film)"
Here are they:

Monday, July 03, 2006

Taste of Summer at Starbucks

Last Sunday went to attend an invitation from Starbucks Coffee. I was given 3 invitation passes and I invited Jeffery and Ken to come along. It held at Starbucks Coffee 1Utama (Old Wing) to celebrate their new drinks in their permanent beverages.


The event was crowded with 2 clowns, DJ and alot of baristas and staff. The event were opened for the invitated guests where we were given privileges to drink whatever they provided like Iced Tazo green tea, iced water and Iced coffee. They had a corner of free body-paint. Most of the staff had painted on their faces or arms/hand. The guests were not left out.

The event started at past 3pm where the guests divided into 3 group where accompany by the staff leader itself. The game is starting with booth hopping where given an introduction of certain new drinks/foods to taste and drink and provided with a question to win the game from each booth. There were 3 booths; 1)New Frappuccino drinks: Java Chip & Chocolate Cream Chip 2)New hot Coffee drinks: Kopi Kampung, Brazil Ipanema & Peru Ipanema 3)New summer food-Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin.

From a group itself divided into 2 team where both team need to compete each other to win the game. How ironic. My group - Green, split into 2 where my team was the loser that lost mostly to the young generation who were energetic and more paying attention than us. Jeffery and me were in a team where else Ken was in another team with the youngsters. Whatever the game was, my team will lose pathetically.

So, Ken's team won the prizes. Next was the lucky draws section and Ken got lucky to get picked that his tagname's number was called. I got nothing but got into finalist on Best Summer Attire category. They called out 3 finalist in Best Female Summer Attire and 3 finalist in Best Male Summer Attire.

I was wearing shocking pink pant with vibrant orange V-neck shirt. Sadly I didn't win anything, again. But luckily that we were wasn't empty handed when the event was over. Every each guest who leave the event were given a goodies bag.

At least, I got something from Starbucks. :)


Summary: Starbucks Coffee is going to have their new drinks; Java Chip Frappuccino Blended Coffee and Chocolate Cream Frappuccino Blended Cream in their menu as to replace their promotional Rhumba Frappuccino, permanently. For those who love the mixture of coffee and chocolate, this is the optional for you.

Frankly, I prefer Java Chip Frappuccino although it tastes very sweet and the mixture of their rich coffee, cocoa and chocolate with milk that blend perfectly into smooth yummies delight.


Just ponder, I received the Starbucks International newsletter on their summer fruit Frappuccino blended beverages;Pomegranate Frappuccino® juice blend and Tangerine Frappuccino® juice blend for tropical retreat. How come in Malaysia they never introduce or make some promotional period for these drinks during this hot summer season. Instead they were promoting the Java Chip Frappuccino Blended Coffee and Chocolate Cream Frappuccino Blended Cream. Does it clash with the drinks on the hot summer days? Kinda heaty for the body.


I read the press release that stated:

“Starbucks hand-picked these flavors to capture the essence of summer,
knowing that our customers want the most refreshing beverages that surprise and delight their senses with appealing ingredients and unexpected tastes,” said Michelle Gass, senior vice president of Category Management. “The summer months – particularly July – are typically the ‘hottest’ times of the year for Frappuccino® blended beverages, our new thirst-quenching flavors are sure to tempt the taste buds throughout the year.”


Heard the rumours that Starbucks Malaysia has done with their own research/review that our Malaysians don't accept these fruity drinks. How wonder...

“Both beverages contain fruit juice, are naturally fat-free, low in calories, cholesterol-free and completely non-dairy. And like all Starbucks beverages, they can be customized with any flavor of Tazo® tea – caffeinated or caffeine free."

How unfortunate. Must be tasty for a perfect summer refresher.