wonderings of kakijalan

12:36am...

2012-02-01T00:35:00.002+08:00

... and it is officially no longer my birthday.

Had a big surprise at home today... a surprise birthday party that is :) Siap dgn balloon, banner etc. Baru je a few days ago I made a remark to a friend during another friend's son's birthday party... that I've only had one big birthday party. And that was when I was seven!

And voila... as I turn 37, another party. Albeit just with family members. It was meaningful nonetheless. They kept the secret well... I didn't have a clue. The only thought that crossed my mind was when I smelled food as I entered the house today.

So terharu that Ina and Abang actually took leave to prepare for the party. Apparently they've been planning it for several weeks. I am blessed with wonderful siblings :)

At the office, celebrations started early with a birthday lunch on 30/1 with HRH, NAMN, MM and Mr B. The other Reggies couldn't make it. Lunch was at Saffron and we had rich, lovely red velvet cake courtesy of HRH.

And on 31/1, there was breakfast at the department to celebrate all the January "babies". But since it was on my birthday, I had the honour of cutting the cake :)

Wishes came in via SMS and FB from near and far. Don't you just love how technology helps bring ppl together :)

So I am now 37. I don't feel like I'm 37. Well, maybe body is older but inside, I think I've not really aged. As the fridge magnet that I bought in Scotland say "Young at heart (other parts slightly older)" ;)

Thank you Allah for blessing me with a wonderful life.

gaji mati...

2012-01-26T13:36:00.002+08:00

Printed out my salary increment letter yesterday and was unpleasantly surprised to discover that I have reached my gaji mati :(

Memandangkan gaji puan telah mencapai gaji maksimum kumpulan jawatan puan, bagi menghargai sumbangan puan, Bank akan membayar kenaikan gaji puan dalam bentuk bayaran ex-gratia dalam tahun 2012 seperti di atas.

So this means, no more increments moving forward. If I'm lucky, I'll get ex-gratia payment. But that's it. There goes any hopes of buying that piece of property. Have to wait until I settle my WUU loan before I can start entertaining any thoughts of purchasing another property.

Sure I can do so now, but that means lesser amount put aside for savings and less travel. Ermm... not quite ready to give up on that ;)

I didn't expect this to happen so soon... after all, I've only been a DD for about 5+ years. Why so cepat reach gaji mati??

As I see it, there are only two possibilities to continue getting a raise...
1) If there is a salary adjustment for my post
2) If I'm promoted

Unlikely for 1) to happen in the near future. And I definitely do not want to be promoted anytime soon. Too much responsibility. I'm already struggling as it is in this post.

Of course there is that 3rd option... If I move out and find a "greener pasture". But the thing is, that is not my goal in life... that's not the reason why I work.

Having said that, it is still tak best to be in a situation where I can no longer look forward to naik gaji :(

see you soon...

2012-01-26T13:31:00.002+08:00

Decided to send WUU to the workshop today. The adjusters have not called, but seeing that my schedule will be packed next week onwards, it would be quite hard to just "keluar kejap to send the car".

Has been a week since I last drove WUU. She has been resting under an old bedspread. Masuk je kereta, the leather smell was exciting. Holding the steering wheel was even better. But alas, it was just a for a short drive from Kg Sri Delima to Jln 222.

The C&C consultant said that it might take 2-3 weeks for the adjuster & insurance processing to settle. Plus 2 more weeks to repair. That's a long time away from my WUU :(

We'll be together again soon... and we'll go vroom vroom again like we used to :)

re-hit...

2012-01-25T00:35:00.002+08:00

It was 11:03 pm... driving Abang home, together with Ina. On the radio was "All by myself", when Ina asked "Kenapa lagu ni lelaki yang nyanyi?"
"Because they are the original singers... Air Supply", I replied. "Ina ingat Celine Dion yg mula2 nyanyi ke?"
"Ha'ah... coz dia nyanyi lagu ni famous giler"
"No lah... dia nyanyi balik. Langsung famous balik. Before this masa Air Supply nyanyi pun famous gak. But Celine buat jadi re-hit"

A pause...

"Hahahaha... re-hit", said moi.

Abang gelak sikit. Ina diam je.

"Ina... did you get the joke? Re-hit mcm reheat", I asserted.

"Ye lah...", Ina replied, "Mcm reheat food".

My attempt at making a joke fell flat...

"present"...

2012-01-18T23:37:00.004+08:00

Yesterday, 17/1/2012, WUU turned 1... and as a present, I got into an accident.
Kat Jalan Kuching, while crawling home, just before the Caltex station... dah nak sampai rumah dah :( My fault really... I was sleepy and dozed off for a mere few seconds and BAM! Hit the black Savvy in front and in turn it hit the Honda City in front.

The "crunching" sound as I hit the car will remain in my sound memory bank... it was surreal!

But I was surprisingly calm. The first thing that crossed my mind was... there goes my NCD. Tak rasa panic, sedih, takut... nothing. I do feel sorry to the two ladies who were affected by my carelessness though.

It was an accident waiting to happen. This was not the first time I drove home sleepy and frequently catch myself dozing off. It happen often. Hopefully this will be the last.

I was lucky... it wasn't a bad accident (although the lady in front may not agree with me). We were after all "crawling". I have in the past caught myself on the highway at high speed terlelap. Nauzubillah...

Dalam tak teruk tu pun, WUU punya "injury" was quite severe.

So this morning was spent to figure out how to put WUU back to shape. Since it is a Mercedes, I'm not taking chances with just any workshop. WUU deserves the best, and so I ended up sending it to Cycle Carriage Bintang's workshop. It is an authorised workshop for Mercedes Benz. First went to Mutiara Damansara to find out more, then off to Jalan 222.

Last night, Papa & Amt estimated that it would cost about RM10k to repair. Dalam hati I thought "wow... banyaknya". But today, upon inspection, the consultant (tak main lah panggil mechanic... this is Mercedes after all, hehe. Honest... that's what he is called) kata it will take approximately 2 weeks to repair and roughly about RM50k. What??? RM50k??? That's enough to buy a car! But again... I was surprisingly calm. Not even a spike in heartbeat. I guess it is because I'm not paying... hahaha. That's what takaful/insurance is for after all. The only thing that crossed my mind was... yup, you guessed it... there goes my NCD.

According to the consultant, the "surgery" will involve:
- changing both side panels (since they're made of aluminium, cannot ketuk)
- replace hood
- replace headlights
- replace compressor (although not bocor, it was dented when a lever knocked into it)
- change the front bar... can't recall the proper name, but it is the bar between the bumper and radiator
- change the grill
- 50/50 whether the bumper kena tukar or not.

2 weeks to repair, but it can only start after Etiqa (that's my takaful company... they will not be happy with the bill) gives a nod to proceed. Meanwhile kena tunggu:
- Adjuster to make assessment
- Adjuster to make recommendation to Etiqa
- Etiqa to process
... baru boleh dapat approval to repair.

This couldn't happen at the worst time, since next Monday is Chinese New Year. Unlikely that the adjuster will take up this case with only 3 more days to the weekend. Next week definitely cuti. Week after lah baru adjuster tengok. God knows how long for him to do paperwork and submit to Etiqa, and berapa lama lagi baru Etiqa decide.

So looks like I'm car-less for at least a month... if I'm lucky.

Nasib baik WNN ada. The ever dependable WNN who has been sidelined for far too long. I still love you my dear :) Time for me too shower some lurve on you...

Cerita sampingan a.k.a. spin-off...
Cis!! That was my reaction when Ina kata "Hehe... dulu ingatkan kereta Honda yg takde ong... selalu langgar/accident. Rupa2nya Along is the common factor". Tapi cakap dalam hati lah... sambil tertanya2, betul kah?

2011 in review... Travel: "trouble seems to follow"

2011-12-31T16:35:00.001+08:00

Kakijalan travelled far this year: 4 new countries, 3 return visits. Alhamdulillah I've been very fortunate.

January… The interrupted trip of a lifetime to Egypt.
Planning began 5 months earlier. The plan was KUL – Luxor – Abu Simbel – Aswan – Cairo – KUL... Complete with side trips to Abydos, Dendara, Edfu, Esna and a hot air balloon ride. But fate intervened...
Arrived in Luxor (albeit later than scheduled due to a missed connection in Doha… God must have been trying to tell me something) to the news that the anti-Government protests in Cairo has escalated into a full blown revolution. But things were calm in Luxor. The only signs of unrest was that almost every Egyptian were glued to their radio or TV waiting for the latest news from Cairo. But as a non-Arab speaking tourist who has a tight schedule, I was blissfully ignorant (which is a blessing!). The other tourists also seemed unfazed. So I went along my merry way to visit Karnak temple, Luxor temple, Valley of the Kings, Tombs of the Nobles, Hatshepsut temple, Ramesseum, Colossi of Memnon etc. They were amazing!
But a few days later, the mood changed. Ahmed (the owner of the tour guide company that I used) and Mohammed (my driver) had a worried look in their eyes. My early morning hot air balloon never materialise as the air force had shut down the airspace. Internet was down. Unknown to me (since my room didn’t have a TV), there was chaos on Tahrir Square, people had died, Mubarak was toppled, the police had abandoned their post. My driver told me that the police had even freed thugs from prisons which led to curfews and enforcement of martial law. With no police, the public had to fend for themselves.
The villages around Luxor organised a rukun tetangga to protect their families. I saw men with senapang, parang, sabit, cangkul, belantan by the road side guarding the entrance to the villages. Our car would get stopped every now and then. Obviously Mohammed, who is a local, knew the men from the villages, so except for the frequent stops, we didn’t face any problems. Mohammed himself had a shift to jaga kampong the night before.
Somehow, despite the display of weaponry, I never felt threatened. Mohammed and Ahmed continuously assured me that they will do all they can to keep me safe, even if it meant that I will have to stay with their family. The staff at the hotel where I was staying also repeatedly asked how I was, whether I am ok. They too reassured me not to worry because as a sister in Islam, they will be there to protect me. Alhamdulillah! Despite all the of the problems that the rest of the world was witnessing on BBC, CNN, AlJazeera etc, I had a totally different experience. I saw the strong sense of community and care amongst penduduk Luxor, genuine concern for a lone female traveller in a foreign land, the friendliness of the Egyptians and the beauty of a simple life.
Fortunately (for me anyway), all the “excitement” were in Cairo, Alexandria and other cities near the delta. The media as works, portrayed as if there was huru hara throughout the country. So, families and friends were rightfully concerned. With phone lines and internet down, they couldn’t contact me. When they finally did, I could sense their fear. SMS masuk menderu2... ppl were posting on FB “Uji... are you ok?” followed by “what were you thinking going to Egypt?” ;) Since I couldn’t proceed with my travel plans, Ina helped me book the earliest flight home (thanks Ina!) which was 2 days later. So, I still managed to squeeze in a road trip to Dendara and Abydos... shared the van with a retired Canadian teacher. Dia lagi kelakar... “I wish I was in Cairo where all the excitement are”, from the look in his eyes, I knew he wasn’t kidding. On the way home, had a 12 hrs layover, so sempat singgah to meet up with Adderi & her family, plus a quick tour of Doha (thanks Adderi!).
But I’m not done with Egypt... ;)

to be continued...

Day 364, 1 day left in the year...

2011-12-30T15:24:00.002+08:00

No blogs this year... mainly because I've been using FB more frequently. But re-reading old blogs made me want to start writing again.

So with 1 day left in the year, I will write about the happenings in 2011... but it will have to wait until office hours ends ;)

what?? it's already 18 january?!?

2010-01-18T22:54:00.002+08:00

Goodness... how time flies. This year the days went by so quickly! It's only the 18th day of the year and I'm already exhausted... And it's already the 18th!!

In a few days, it will be genap sebulan since I'm back from hajj. I'm behind on many things that I've set myself to do... astaghfirullah. Trying my best to keep the momentum going. It's all with me... whether buat ke tak, I have no one else to blame but me. Ya Allah, give me strength and persistence.

I wish the days would slow down a bit... tercungap-cungap nak keep up.

Not quite liking how things are right now... need to institute some change.

as another year draws to an end...

2009-12-25T23:53:00.004+08:00

There are only 6 more days left in the year... where did the rest go? Hmm... each year time flies faster, as if there is a race. Maybe there is a race... towards the Day of Reckoning. It is said that time moves faster as Qiamat draws nearer.

It has been a while since I last wrote... I had every intention to, but fatigue overcomes me. These past few months have just been crazy, bar the past 35 days. Often I have stories swimming in my head as I drive home... wanting to share a story, an experience, an observation... but I failed. Blogging is a way to "capture time"... to have something to refer to in order to recollect. So in a way I'm disappointed with myself.

However, I do have lots of stories to share about what had happened in the past 2 months or so. As it marked a major milestone in my life. No... I did not get married. It was something even bigger. I went for THE journey of my life... Hajj.

I am not eloquent enough to properly describe how it feels... words fail me, and the best way I can describe it is that it was a beautiful, wonderful and amazing experience. I know... that's how many others would describe it, but I'm sure every person has his/her own unique experience. There's nothing like it... to feel so close to Him amidst millions of other worshippers. Subhanallah!

I'm so glad and fortunate to have a spiritual experience as bookends to my year... started with umrah in January and ended with Hajj in November/December. Couldn't have asked for a better year =) And even better, I celebrated Maal Hijrah while in Madinah, after Hajj. What better way to "renew" oneself in a blessed city. I might not have had my family with me, but I was with my other brothers and sisters.

I don't have a new year's resolution, but instead I have a "balik haji" resolution... several in fact. I just hope to be able to keep up with it. Syaitan's temptations and lure is admittedly stronger here, and I'm easily distracted. Ya Allah, save your servant and forgive her for her mistakes, O the Most Forgiving.

Insyaallah... I will write down my to-do list on my wall to remind myself. How can I attain Jannah if I remain the way I am. Terlalu sedikit amalan hambamu ini Ya Allah and terlalu banyak dosaku. I pray that I will be amongst the righteous and be led towards the right path. Ameen...

Ramadan stories...

2009-08-27T11:46:00.001+08:00

Story 1
Ina and I were on our way home from tarawikh at Masjid Wilayah when we suddenly heard keletuk… keletak… keletuk… keletak…

“Bunyi apa tu Ina?”
“Eh… apa tu?” she pointed at an object on the passenger seat windscreen.
“That’s my shoe!” Kebetulan we were stopping at a traffic light. “Cepat Ina… ambik”
She quickly opened the door and grabbed the shoe, just in time before the lights turn green.

“Macam mana lah boleh ada kat situ…” and we giggled at what had happened.
Then my mind started thinking of various theories. “Maybe masa Ina nak keluar kereta, you tertendang my shoe out kut”. I usually place my shoe on the passenger seat. “Nasib baik ada orang baik letakkan atas kereta”
“Ha’ah… nasib baik tak jatuh and kita langgar sampai patah”, Ina added with a laugh.

Alhamdulillah… my brown Clarks were saved. Berkat bulan Ramadan =)

Story 2
“u there?”
“yup”
“jom buka puasa at Tamarind Springs… with eVo and G.O.D”
“ok… as long as tak lambat mcm last year”
“ha’ah… takpe, zoe boleh jaga meja”

It was not about lambat buka puasa, but lambat solat Maghrib sampai ter“miss”… makan punya hal.

So… not wanting a repeat, I carefully watched my watch as we devoured the delicious spread. At 7:55pm I quickly left the group and headed for the nearby surau, aided by my trusted Garmin. Itu pun kena reverse 2 kali coz ter miss junction.

As I walked towards the surau, my eyes quickly searched for area perempuan. Seeing a green tabir, I quickly headed there. It was small… very small in fact. Why so small? my little heart wondered. But seeing that it’s already past 8pm, I ignored the peculiarity.

Tengah nak pakai telekung, a young boy approached me “Kak… saf perempuan kat bangunan belah sana” (side note: he called me kak! What a thrill… having being called makcik so often nowadays ;p )
“Kat mana? Boleh tunjukkan?”
“Kat situ” he pointed. “Akak boleh lalu kat sini” as he guided me.
“Terima kasih dik” I thanked him with a smile.

As I walked back to my car, I tersenyum sendiri. Shouldn’t be so gopoh… even if it is to buat benda baik. A good lesson learnt in Ramadan.

Ramadan al-Mubarak !

2009-08-20T11:47:00.002+08:00

Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. Allah wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify Allah for guiding you, and to express your appreciation
(Al-Baqarah 2:185)

Rasulullah SAW said: Surely, the month of Ramadan is a great one. Allah multiplies in it the good deeds, erases in it the sins and elevates in it the ranks

Am really looking forward to Ramadan... and hope that I'll be better this year.
My Ramadan planner checklist
» Sahur
Hadith Rasulullah SAW:
“Make sure to have your sahur meal, for sahur is blessed” – Al-Bukhari & Muslim
“The difference between our fasting and that of the People of the Book is the sahur meal” – Muslim

» Solat fardu berjemaah
Hadith Rasulullah SAW:
“Offering prayer in congregation carries 27 times greater reward than offering it alone” – Al-Bukhari & Muslim
“He who offers Isha’ prayer in congregation is just like one who spends half the night in voluntary prayer, and if he then also offers Fajr prayer in congregation, it is like he spends the whole night in voluntary prayer” – Muslim
“Whoever performed wudhu’ well and then went to the mosque, but found that the people have finished the congregational prayer will have bestowed upon him by Allah the same reward as those who had offered the prayer in congregation” – Abu Daud & An-Nasa’i

» Solat sunat rawatib
Hadith Rasulullah SAW: “Allah prepares a house in Paradise for every believer who offers 12 rakaat of voluntary prayer everyday beyond which is obligatory for him” – Muslim

» Zikir
Hadith Rasulullah SAW: “The best kind of remembrance to Allah is ‘La ilaha illallah’ ” – At-Tirmidhi
Dan sebutlah nama Tuhanmu pada waktu pagi dan petang, dan pada sebahagian dari malam, maka sujudlah kepadaNya dan bertasbihlah kepadaNya pada bahagian yang panjang di malam hari – Al Insan, 76: 25 & 26
Dan sebutlah nama Tuhanmu dalam hatimu dgn merendahkan diri dan rasa takut, dan dgn tidak meninggikan suara, di waktu pagi dan petang, dan janganlah kamu termasuk orang-orang yang lalai – Al A’raf, 7:205
Orang-orang yang mengingati Allah sambil berdiri atau duduk atau dalam keadaan berbaring dan mereka memikirkan tentang penciptaan langit dan bumi (seraya berkata) “Ya Tuhan kami, tiadalah Engkau menciptakan ini dengan sia-sia, Maha Suci Engkau, maka peliharalah kami dari siksa neraka – Al Imran 3:191

» Membaca al-Quran
Hadith Rasulullah SAW:
“Read the Quran, for it will come forward on the Day of Resurrection to intercede for its readers” – Muslim
“He who recites the Quran fluently will be in the company of the noble and virtuous angels, and he who recites the Quran haltingly and with difficulty will have a double reward” – Al-Bukhari & Muslim
“When a person recites one letter from the Quran it is one good deed, but brings rewards equal to ten good deeds. I do not meen “alif, laam, meem” is one letter, but “alif” is one letter, “laam” is one letter and “meem” is one letter” – At-Tirmidhi
When the Quran is read, listen to it with attention and hold your peace that ye may receive Mercy – Al-A’raf 7:204

» Doa sebelum dan selepas makan
Hadith Rasulullah SAW: “The thankful eater is like the person fasting patiently” – At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah & Darimi

» Solat sunat tarawikh, sunat tahajjud, sunat hajat, sunat taubat
Hadith Rasulullah SAW: “Sesiapa yang mengerjakan Qiyamu Ramadan (menghidupkan malamnya dengan mengerjakan sembahyang) semata-mata kerana iman dan mengharap ganjaran dari Allah, maka diampuni dosa-dosanya yang lampau” – Abu Hurairah

» Solat sunat witir
Hadith Rasulullah SAW: “Sesungguhnya Allah itu witir (ganjil), dan Dia menyukai witir, maka lazimkanlah solat witir, wahai ahli Al-Quran” – Abu Daud, At-Tirmidhi

» Niat puasa dan beristigfar sebelum tidur
Hadith Rasulullah SAW: “Allah accepts the repentance of a man as long as he is not at a point of death” – Ibn Majah, An-Nasa’i

» Bersedekah
Hadith Rasulullah SAW: “A generous person is close to Allah, close to Paradise, close to people and far away from Hell. A miser is far from Allah, far from Paradise, far from people and close to Hell. An ordinary, generous person is dearer to Allah than a religious miser” – At-Tirmidhi

Have a blessed Ramadan everyone!!

i'm published!

2009-06-18T23:17:00.005+08:00

Received the book last week. Am estatic. Never thought that I'd ever be credited in a book. Albeit a small book. And it isn't because of anything I wrote. But nonetheless...

Europe Escapade pix up!

2009-06-06T17:29:00.004+08:00

Photos from our Day1 in London is up. Links below...

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1873309 Bus ride and The City

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1873321 Tower of London

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1873326 Tower Bridge

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1873338 Buckingham Palace and the Changing of Guards

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1873365 British Museum

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1873362 Emirates Stadium (Arsenal)

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1873368 Stamford Bridge (Chelsea)

hear! hear!

2009-06-02T08:58:00.001+08:00

A totally "ciplak-ed" article from today's The Star

Need to produce thinking students
IKIM views by Nik Roskiman Abdul Samad

There has to be a system able to educate and equip the people with all the tools necessary to face the complex pressures of modern society.

WE celebrated Teachers’ Day a few weeks ago. Talk of education always brings to my mind a speech given by Dorothy L. Sayers at Oxford in 1947, which was later printed in essay form bearing the title The Lost Tools of Learning.

Although Sayers was not an educationist, but rather a novelist, her profound critique of the modern education system has initiated a classical education movement in the US and Europe.

I first came across her ideas several years ago, and those ideas have stayed in my mind. And I find them to be relevant more so now as our government is planning to review or revamp our education system and curriculum.

It is indeed timely for the Government to introduce a new education system that is able to really educate and equip the people with all the tools necessary to face the complex pressures of modern society.

This is the crux of Sayer’s critique of the modern education system: the inability to produce educated people equipped with the necessary tools of modern life.

Our national education system has failed, the public has said. They are clamouring for a better education system to replace the present one. Our system is accused of being exam-oriented and produces trained “parrots”. Why?

One of the reasons is that our system today is burdening students with too many subjects. Since there are too many subjects, teachers are not able to concentrate on developing personalities and individual characters. Their focus is on completing the entire syllabus of every subject, otherwise the students may not be able to answer questions in the coming term examinations.

No time is spared for inter-personal discussions, counselling or informal advice-giving sessions between teachers and students. The situation in our country is worsened by the attitudes of some of our ministers or politicians, who want to have their say with regard to the education system.

It is as though every minister deems he has the right to have his say in deciding what subjects should or should not be taught in our schools, without being duly qualified.

When we feel that the trend is towards Information Technology (IT), we want subjects related to IT to be taught in schools.

Later, when we dispatched our angkasawan to the moon, we wanted Astronomy to be part of our curriculum.

When we feel entrepreneurship is important, we want it to be part of the subjects taught in schools.

Recently, we seem to feel that national unity and patriotism is at stake, therefore we demand that these subjects be included in the national curriculum. It goes on endlessly.

We have actually lost sight of what education is all about and what its true objective entails.

Education is not about teaching particular “subjects”. Neither it is about the number of subjects taught in schools. It is about nurturing a human being to be a “good man”.

Modern students today are certainly taught more subjects, but that does not mean they are actually “good” or know more; nor does it mean they are better equipped than those before them.

Compared with students of the Athenean Middle Ages, who only studied three subjects at the trivium and four subjects at the quadrivium, for example, today’s students should perform better, considering their intellectual growth.

But this is not the case. Many a time an interview panel is frustrated with the performance of our graduates, despite their having spent more than a decade at the primary and secondary education levels and approximately four years at the tertiary level.

They certainly “studied” hundreds of subjects and, yet, they do not know the basics, have no confidence in speaking, no critical and logical thought when arguing, have no common sense, rational thought and so on. Why?

Because they had never been taught to think, how to use reason or how to argue during their entire “formal” education.

The only reason they have succeeded thus far is, perhaps, purely because they were good at memorising data – not that their intellect has been developed.

The findings of child development psychiatrists and research workers have emphasised the deep impressions early experiences have on children and the lasting effects of such impressions.

Comenius, in The School of Infancy, Montessori, in his The Secret of Childhood, and countless others have stressed the importance of right education at an early age.

In Islam, emphasis is given even when the parent is still searching for his spouse, seeking only for one with upright religious bearing since their children will be affected by their parents’ character.

At their early stage, children should be taught the proper use of the tools of learning before they begin to apply these to “subjects”, which should only be taught at a later stage.

At the foundational stage, they should only be taught three things, the trivium: Grammar, Logic (Dialectic), and Rhetoric.

This is quite similar to the traditional Islamic primary education where children at an early age should be taught, among other things, the Qur’an, language, literature (adab), ethics (akhlaq) and logic (mantiq).

Only at the secondary or university levels perhaps whatever subjects suit the national interest and the contemporary age may be introduced.

In general, children in Malaysia are reluctant to go to school, unlike children in the developed countries who exhibit eagerness and enthusiasm.

Children in Europe find school very interesting, and their teachers to be very loving and friendly. In Malaysia, even before going to school, we have a hard time with our children.

Teachers are assumed to be fierce because of their demeanor, like “teacher-cum-police” officers.

They also envision being bombarded with too much information that they are required to know, not to mention writing.

But their ability to reflect, think and ponder is not being groomed and developed. They are required to memorise data where all the answers are given.

Our education policy makers should sit down seriously with educationists and “experts” to come up with a better education policy for the sake of our future generations.

We have had enough of the same old moans whenever review of our education system is mentioned. Nothing substantial has been done thus far. Even the perennial issue of heavy school bags has not been effectively resolved yet.

Hopefully the “people’s Prime Minister” will look into this matter more urgently.

ouch!

2009-06-01T11:33:00.003+08:00

My need to be connected to the electronic world (largely fuelled by my obsession with House and the outcome of the final 2 episodes for the season) has come back and bit me HARD! Although I had promised myself not to use my blackberry during the recent trip, I succumbed. The desire to know what happened was too strong.

So now I'm paying (literally!) for it.

Bill for this month - monthly charges RM99; Usage chargesRM987.18. After tax and all the bill came to RM1,205.98

DAMN!!

I could have bought that Celine bag which was on sale for that amount of money.

So... BIG lesson learnt. NEVER use blackberry to surf internet while travelling abroad.

Such a big waste of money... :(

i'm no spring chicken...

2009-05-07T06:26:00.002+08:00

Walking around with my 22 year old brother made me succumb to the fact that I'm older.

7 days of hard core walking (those who have been on trips with me would know) is beginning to take its toll. I was expecting to be hurting yesterday when we had to walk 40 mins (in two instalments of 20 mins each) uphill followed by climbing over 700 steps to visit ice caves near Salzburg. Surprisingly that went ok. But today, as we traversed across Vienna, over cobbled streets, lots of standing as we visited palaces and plenty of walking, my calves are beginning to hurt. To be fair (to me, hehe) my brother is also aching ;) But yesterday as I huffed and puffed uphill, he was steady je... not even breathing heavily whilst I was panting.

In London, it was my soles. But I attribute that to my shoe which was a bit defected. Problem solved after I bought a new pair of Clarks. In Salzburg, no problem whatsoever. But now in Vienna, just after a day, sudah mula sakit kaki. Hopefully the troubles won't move upwards towards my thighs otherwise that would really spoil the trip.

I've seen a lot in these past 7 days. Walked enough to burn all those calories that I piled up eating nasi lemak before I left. Given that we're not eating properly here (except whilst in London where we devoured on kebabs), I think I might even lose some weight, hehe.

No harm in wishful thinking...

awesomeness!!

2009-04-29T01:14:00.003+08:00

This is quite likely my last entry from Malaysia. Hopefully I'll get to hook up somewhere while on the trip... using my new Acer Aspire One Netbook of course :) It is so cute and I'm lovin' it!

I'm supposed to be packing our bags, but got side tracked. All thanks to the latest episode of House MD which I think is absolutely wicked! Evil House... Pimp House... Funny House... Juggling House... "Opps!" House (the scene with the dead guy is my favourite)... "Damn! I'm screwed" House. This episode had an interesting case, interesting ways to trying to solve the medical mystery, interesting character development, a peek into the subconcious and oh! how can I forget... Dancing House! HAHAHA! and half naked Wilson :D

And I am VERY intrigued by the promo for the following episode, which unfortunately I have no idea how to access (well, if I get internet access maybe it would be possible).

Today we had a photo session for the gifts team (sempena 50th anniv the other day). I think it turned out quite well. Will post here once I get a copy.

It's late and I can't sleep... too many things swirling in my mind. Packing... House... OA... but I know that the moment I put my head on the pillow, I'll go ZZZZZZ

But for now... back to packing!!

allodoxaphobia...

2009-04-24T22:08:00.001+08:00

Fear of opinions

Got ah such things?? Really?

4 more days to my holiday... yeehaa!! :)

words of wisdom...

2009-04-24T21:50:00.006+08:00

Winning doesn't teach you anything. You win. End of story. But the losing and what you take from it - that's the interesting bit
~ Hugh Laurie

are we setting our priorities right?

2009-04-17T22:10:00.003+08:00

I wrote to a friend who is in London recently, informing her that I feel guilty about going on holiday this month end when there's just a million things to do in the office, deadlines looming etc.

She then told me something that made me smile...
"Absolutely - you deserve your break so don't feel bad about it. It's funny how at the Bank you can sell 10 days of your leave, whereas at Deloitte you can buy up to 5 days of leave. It says a lot about what people think is important lol"

That very same night, another friend commented on FB...
"... is convinced that only people with 'no life' can do his job"

The world offer us so much... but how are we grabbing them?

I go to work around 8am every morning and rarely do I leave before 7pm. Usually I'll just wait until after maghrib. At least now the sun is out when I leave the house. There was a period when I was in office by 7:30am. Those days are long gone...

At least I'm still single. I don't have kids or husband to attend to. But for those who do... I can't imagine a more frustrating life. Don't get me wrong... There's nothing wrong with working hard... but I can't do it as my main purpose in life. We need to smell the roses along the way...

Life is too short to be wasted. The world is too beautiful not to be explored.

Somewhere along the way
I got caught up in the race
I kept spinning and turning
Lost myself, my hope, my faith

We're always wanting more than what we have
And what I've learned is all I really need are...

The simple things
That come without a price
The simple things
Like happiness joy and love in my life
I've seen it all from so many sides
And I hope you would agree
The best things in life
Are the simple things

Hey everybody don't get me wrong
You got to understand
Ambition and knowledge
Are the seeds of every woman and man

It's good to work... work hard and prosper
As long as you take time to find...

The simple things
That come without a price
The simple things
Like happiness joy and love in my life
I've seen it all from so many sides
And I hope you would agree
The best things in life
Are the simple things

This world moves so fast
Sometimes you got to slow down... down... down...
To find out what it's all about

We're always wanting more than what we have
And what I've learned is all I really need are...

The simple things
That come without a price
The simple things
Like happiness joy and love in my life
I've seen it all from so many sides
And I hope you would agree
The best things in life
Are the simple things

Having said all that, I have to go to work tomorrow :(

music for the soul...

2009-04-16T22:29:00.003+08:00

One of the side benefits of watching House MD is that I'm treated to an excellent array of music. Some artists and tunes I'm familiar with, but mostly they are unknown to me.

The songs are beautiful and poignant. Fitting very well with the scene and emotions that the director tries to convey.

And from time to time, we are privileged with the musical talent of one Mr Hugh Laurie. I'm not going to heap praises on a man who has received so many from all four corners of the world. My words will not justify his talents. But one thing that I will share is my admiration for his involvement in Band from TV, which is a band whose members are stars from TV shows, who play for fun and donate their proceeds to their favourite charities. How cool is that?!?

There are many songs from the show that I really really like. John Mayer's Gravity, Ryan Adams' Desire, In the Deep by Bird York, Elvis Costello's rendition of Beautiful...

Treat yourself to some... you'll find the listing here, and just YouTube 'em
http://www.have-dog.com/house/

Have fun!!

my personality...

2009-04-13T23:50:00.004+08:00

I did this test before... as part of our Leadership Development Programme. So that you'll be more aware of the kind of person that you are.

I'm a sucker for all these things. Dunno why... I enjoy doing 'em quiz, "tell about yourself" things on FB, etc. My way of opening up I guess? I'd like to think that it isn't because I'm that big of a nerd due to the "abnormal" liking to do tests. I guess I just like to know myself better.

So... I did the test online, following a link from a totally non-related website. The questions are totally different but the results the same. Well, one doesn't change one's personality overnight right? Otherwise I'd be worried... that I'm a Jekyll and Hyde :o

I am an INTJ - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging - person.

The description goes like this...

To outsiders, INTJs may appear to project an aura of "definiteness", of self-confidence. This self-confidence, sometimes mistaken for simple arrogance by the less decisive, is actually of a very specific rather than a general nature; its source lies in the specialized knowledge systems that most INTJs start building at an early age. When it comes to their own areas of expertise -- and INTJs can have several -- they will be able to tell you almost immediately whether or not they can help you, and if so, how. INTJs know what they know, and perhaps still more importantly, they know what they don't know.

INTJs are perfectionists, with a seemingly endless capacity for improving upon anything that takes their interest. What prevents them from becoming chronically bogged down in this pursuit of perfection is the pragmatism so characteristic of the type: INTJs apply (often ruthlessly) the criterion "Does it work?" to everything from their own research efforts to the prevailing social norms. This in turn produces an unusual independence of mind, freeing the INTJ from the constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its own sake.

INTJs are known as the "Systems Builders" of the types, perhaps in part because they possess the unusual trait combination of imagination and reliability. Whatever system an INTJ happens to be working on is for them the equivalent of a moral cause to an INFJ; both perfectionism and disregard for authority may come into play, as INTJs can be unsparing of both themselves and the others on the project. Anyone considered to be "slacking," including superiors, will lose their respect -- and will generally be made aware of this; INTJs have also been known to take it upon themselves to implement critical decisions without consulting their supervisors or co-workers. On the other hand, they do tend to be scrupulous and even-handed about recognizing the individual contributions that have gone into a project, and have a gift for seizing opportunities which others might not even notice.

In the broadest terms, what INTJs "do" tends to be what they "know". Typical INTJ career choices are in the sciences and engineering, but they can be found wherever a combination of intellect and incisiveness are required (e.g., law, some areas of academia). INTJs can rise to management positions when they are willing to invest time in marketing their abilities as well as enhancing them, and (whether for the sake of ambition or the desire for privacy) many also find it useful to learn to simulate some degree of surface conformism in order to mask their inherent unconventionality.

Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ's Achilles heel. While they are capable of caring deeply for others (usually a select few), and are willing to spend a great deal of time and effort on a relationship, the knowledge and self-confidence that make them so successful in other areas can suddenly abandon or mislead them in interpersonal situations.

This happens in part because many INTJs do not readily grasp the social rituals; for instance, they tend to have little patience and less understanding of such things as small talk and flirtation (which most types consider half the fun of a relationship). To complicate matters, INTJs are usually extremely private people, and can often be naturally impassive as well, which makes them easy to misread and misunderstand. Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is that INTJs really want people to make sense. :-) This sometimes results in a peculiar naivete', paralleling that of many Fs -- only instead of expecting inexhaustible affection and empathy from a romantic relationship, the INTJ will expect inexhaustible reasonability and directness.

Probably the strongest INTJ assets in the interpersonal area are their intuitive abilities and their willingness to "work at" a relationship. Although as Ts they do not always have the kind of natural empathy that many Fs do, the Intuitive function can often act as a good substitute by synthesizing the probable meanings behind such things as tone of voice, turn of phrase, and facial expression. This ability can then be honed and directed by consistent, repeated efforts to understand and support those they care about, and those relationships which ultimately do become established with an INTJ tend to be characterized by their robustness, stability, and good communications.

Hmm... relationships is my archilles heel? No wonder...
I've been told before that I have an "air of arrogance" or as the Malays say it "sombong". That's something that I have never come to grips with. But then I guess it's how I carry myself... and in the process, unintentionally leading others to think that way.
I agree... I am somewhat a perfectionist, but I'm increasingly finding myself being a slacker, instead of disliking one. Can ah?
Someone once told me that I'm different because I willingly admit that I don't know things. Yah maa... why bother pretending when you really don't know? But then I guess, not everyone thinks that way.
Do I really cakap tak bertapis (say my mind without concern about others)? Geez... I'm sorry if I had hurt feelings along the way.

Another description...

Rational Portrait of the Mastermind (INTJ)
All Rationals are good at planning operations, but Masterminds are head and shoulders above all the rest in contingency planning. Complex operations involve many steps or stages, one following another in a necessary progression, and Masterminds are naturally able to grasp how each one leads to the next, and to prepare alternatives for difficulties that are likely to arise any step of the way. Trying to anticipate every contingency, Masterminds never set off on their current project without a Plan A firmly in mind, but they are always prepared to switch to Plan B or C or D if need be.

Masterminds are rare, comprising no more than, say, one percent of the population, and they are rarely encountered outside their office, factory, school, or laboratory. Although they are highly capable leaders, Masterminds are not at all eager to take command, preferring to stay in the background until others demonstrate their inability to lead. Once they take charge, however, they are thoroughgoing pragmatists. Masterminds are certain that efficiency is indispensable in a well-run organization, and if they encounter inefficiency-any waste of human and material resources-they are quick to realign operations and reassign personnel. Masterminds do not feel bound by established rules and procedures, and traditional authority does not impress them, nor do slogans or catchwords. Only ideas that make sense to them are adopted; those that don't, aren't, no matter who thought of them. Remember, their aim is always maximum efficiency.
In their careers, Masterminds usually rise to positions of responsibility, for they work long and hard and are dedicated in their pursuit of goals, sparing neither their own time and effort nor that of their colleagues and employees. Problem-solving is highly stimulating to Masterminds, who love responding to tangled systems that require careful sorting out. Ordinarily, they verbalize the positive and avoid comments of a negative nature; they are more interested in moving an organization forward than dwelling on mistakes of the past.

Masterminds tend to be much more definite and self-confident than other Rationals, having usually developed a very strong will. Decisions come easily to them; in fact, they can hardly rest until they have things settled and decided. But before they decide anything, they must do the research. Masterminds are highly theoretical, but they insist on looking at all available data before they embrace an idea, and they are suspicious of any statement that is based on shoddy research, or that is not checked against reality.

The Mastermind (INTJ) is very focused as well, but more on an internal vision. They are good at solving problems and like to work on tough intellectual puzzles. They are often led into technical positions such as scientific researcher, design engineer, environmental planner. The developing field of genetics benefits from their intensity as does the field of medicine. In education they are most often found at the college and university level. In the professions, they may be a lawyer, a business analyst, or strategic planner. Some have a strong artistic/creative bent and may become an artist, inventor, or designer. Whatever they do, they do it with intensity.

No wonder lah I enjoy doing strategic planning, research type of work... and why I'm easily obsessed when it comes to an interest. But by and large, it does seem like I'm in the wrong profession. Should have been a computer programmer, engineer or doing something involving science and research.
I don't feel bound by rules, traditional authority... yup, that sounds quite right.
And yes... I much prefer being in the background, thank you very much!
I don't think I'm that efficient actually. In fact, I'm quite a slob workwise. And decisions don't come that easily... especially if I don't have the background info, understanding etc. I think too much.
I wish I could say that I look forward instead of dwelling in the past. Some truth in that but I seem to be stuck when it comes to relationship matters. Hmph!

to be spoilt or not to be spoilt... that is the question

2009-04-08T22:56:00.002+08:00

I shamefully admit that I have low will power. And because I also have obsessive compulsive disorder (albeit a mild version of it, hehe), I have a tendency to do *research* on things that I find intriguing, sometimes a bit too much.

So me liking House MD has led me to buying DVD of past seasons (am watching a season 1 episode as I'm writing this) and scouring the internet for news regarding the show. You know how drug addicts are always seeking to get high and want to have more and more drugs. I'm like that... always wanting to know more. Spoilers be damned... my curiosity gets the best of me. I was very interested, in particular, to know of how *something* is developing. However, in the process, other pieces of information also come to fore. Usually, they don't bother me. In fact, they make me look forward to the next episodes (which thanks to NCA, I get to watch 2 days after they are aired in the US). One news about a plot was revealed sometime back and the fans have been actively speculating. I have an interest since the plot can involve the *something* that I am interested in. Still... it was not something that I'm affected by.

However, yesterday... as I was doing my regular *check ups* (House... doctors... check ups... haha), a BIG spoiler was revealed. Actually, it's not really a spoiler if you're in the US and have watched the show that was aired the evening before. But for me, who has to wait for 2 days, it is a spoiler. And this time, it really spoilt the suspense. Having known what I know, I wish that I was did not come across that information. Discovering it on my own would have been much more satisfying and intriguing. This is what Malays say "habis stim".

Had I not known the outcome, it would have been a more suspenseful and grabbing episode. The information robbed me of that excitement and adrenalin. That's when I realise why spoilers are called such... they spoil what would otherwise be an experience, a sensation, an emotion... and that I should have exercised more restraint.

I remember several years back when I was totally unspoilt for the X-Files (in fact, I had been missing several episodes) when it was revealed that Scully was pregnant. I can still remember the feeling... "Whoa.. what?!?" It was so gripping. I think that night I had very little sleep because I needed to know what had happened, what clues did I miss along the way, what had led to that. It was frustrating at first of course, because I was caught off guard, but the experience was exhilirating.

I wish I had had that with House.

But then again, had I not known, I would have ended up feeling more intrigued and would have spent hours looking for the reasons etc. Not good when it I have to wake up the next day to go to work.

Just like reading a book... the desire to know what happens next is so overwhelming but you know that if you read the ending, it will spoil the experience. Somehow, I manage to exercise greater control with books.

I think this is the major-est spoiler for House this season. Sure... I don't know how the screenwriters and producers are going to take the storyline. But I doubt it's going to be this big. But regret is also something that I'm feeling, thus the dilemma on whether or not to continue to be spoilt or to stop from this point forward so that I can enjoy the show the way it was created and designed to be. I haven't decided.

One thing I do know, is that while I'm travelling early next month, I would not know how the final 2 episodes for the season is going to turn out. And that I'll have to wait until I'm back on Malaysian soil to know what happens and whether the *something* that I'm following is going to happen.

It's a paradox... I am so curious and yet I like to be surprised. And the two aren't mutually exclusive.

On a related note... I had posted on Facebook "I had spoilt myself on the outcome of a much favoured TV show... now I am sad... because that was a character that I really liked". That was ambiguous enough wasn't it? My statement would not have spoilt anyone, unless if the person has been naughtily succumbing to some spoilers themselves. But, got lah this one friend, who out-ed the info and in the process spoilt another friend who didn't want to know. So am I guilty? I think not... because I had exercise extra care to make sure that my statement didn't connote anything. Not my bad... but to the spoilt person, so sorry.

So let's take this theme on a broader level. Would you want to be spoilt on important things in life? eg If a friend told you that your boyfriend is about to propose to you... would you have liked that? Or would you rather experience the whole thing first hand. And how would you react to the said boyfriend when he pops the question? Would you act like you don't know? I know I'm not a good actress and therefore the euphoria would be difficult to replicate.

What other things would you not want to know about upfront? Would I prefer to be surprised or not be caught off guard? I guess it depends on what it is...

But meanwhile [BEWARE: House spoiler ahead...]

I am mourning that Kutner is dead. He's my favourite duckling... funny, smart, dorky, unconventional, fun, and he's a Harry Potter fan! I had just shared with NCA last week that I liked Kutner... even more than Chase, Cameron and Foreman. And this week he's gone.

On a happier note, I couldn't have been more impressed with Kal Penn and his reasons for leaving the show. I admire people who take the effort to do something meaningful... not only for themselves but also to help others. Letting go of a healthy paycheck to do something that you believe in takes conviction. Too bad they killed off the character. Had it been something else, like moving to another hospital, there could still be hope to see him in action again.

p/s: I was tickled when the Fox website put up an obituary and noted that Dr Lawrence Kutner was born in 1975. Yeay!! But the screenwriters obviously is poor in maths coz in the episode Foreman said that Kutner is 28 when he called the paramedics. Although, I don't mind being 28 ;)

need more weekends like this...

2009-04-06T00:40:00.005+08:00

Woke up early on Saturday (well... early by my standards, hehe) to go pick up Lina, the urut lady. Mama needs a massage for her kaki troubles. So I decided to tumpang sekali and treat myself to a scrub and massage too. Having her over to the house is quite convenient... hmm, maybe I shld organise a girls' weekend of relaxation one of these days.

While waiting for my turn, I did 3 loads of laundry, cleaned up the kitchen and read. I've been indulging in some fun reading off late. Something very fluffy and related to an obsession.

3 hours... that's how long my massage and scrubbing was. It was NICE... to say the least.

Skinner and Mymot came by later in the evening. Went out for dinner at Hartamas Square. I was famished! Having eaten some bread and eggs in the morning je the whole day. So melantak dim sum and kuey teow beef ginger. I either must have been super hungry or the food was really good coz I cleaned everything up, haha.

On Sunday, I overslept. Was supposed to be in Bukit Raja by 9am but woke up at that hour instead, when Papa knocked on the door (yes dearies... my bed is like a drug that keeps saying "kejap lagi... tidur lagi", hehe). When I arrived, most ppl were already there. We had a mini reunion, TKC 92, at Sabine's. Met the regular faces and Joy whom I've not met in 17 year! Seri is back from Spain. Diane came with her kids (the last time I saw her was when she was pregnant with her first). Let me see if I've got everyone... Seri, Fazlin, Mommeh, Diane, Azmah, Mymot, Skinner, Sabine, Normy, Yanie, Mario, Zaini, Joy, Peah, Iday, Mynn, Aimy, Lin. Next time we have a reunion, I'm gonna get a photographer to snap photos of us with our antics! [p/s: thanks for the big hug Mario! :D]

Watched F1 in the evening... the most bizarre race I've watched I must say. The Malaysian torrential rain created havoc on the race, and made worse by the later than usual race start time. I'm happy that Brawn won again. It was a great race - while it lasted - with more overtaking than ever. I'm so liking having the "big boys" at the back and the rest of the minions in front. The effects of cars with and without KERS. I still can't believe that Ferrari was that stupid to send Kimi out on wet weather tyres when the circuit was bone dry. His remarks to the pit later when it did finally rain "my tyres are destroyed" was like stating the obvious... DUH! And listening to Massa's frantic, desperate call for clear visor... his panicky voice vs the team trying to calm him down. With the race red flagged at the 31st lap and not continued, the winners were decided on the penultimate lap before it was stopped and since they did less than 75% of the total race laps, the point scoring drivers will only get half of the alloted points. So we'll have the likes of Rosberg, Trulli, Webber with half points to their name. This season is setting up to be an interesting one...

shame on you!

2009-04-03T22:29:00.002+08:00

After many, many years of allegiance, and supporting them through thick and thin... when they were at their lowest, despite others mocking me, I am from today onwards no longer a supporter of McLaren Mercedes.

How could they lie (and if according to Alonso, this isn't the first time) so blatantly, and that cocky, perasan bagus driver who was the champion driver last year (his name shall not grace this site)... the heat getting to you? Couldn't stand the fact that you're not really that good and having an inferior car is making you take desperate measures?

There is no longer integrity in the team... unlike the days of Mika. The Ferrari-gate 2 years ago was painful enough. I stuck through it, but this time it's too much. That's what happens when individual's ego takes over team spirit. When you support one driver at the expense of the other, alienating them when all he wanted was fair play...

I'm glad that both Kimi and Alonso are no longer with them. And Coulthard too. They must be saying "hmmm... padan muka"

A true champion need not resort to such measures, because they know that being the best isn't at the price of one's integrity.

I only recently start wearing red, in defiance of Schumacher's Ferrari. Now even he looks decent (I can't believe I actually feel that way!). So now, sadly, my McLaren t-shirts shall remain on the hanger... until the time when I no longer feel ashamed.

14 years I supported them... I feel so cheated (no pun intended).

new beginnings...

2009-03-28T15:50:00.003+08:00

Those closest and dearest to me, know that there's one sport that I love... and that is Formula 1.

Today, the new season commences and there couldn't have been a better start. After years and years of the regulars at the front, we are treated by a whole new composition at the front of the grid post qualifying round (hope the same trend continues during the race). Any real F1 fans would admit that the thing that makes the sport exciting is its unpredictability (just go read my review post Brazilian race last year). Although I would very much love to have my driver (since it is so painful to support my team with that driver there) win, what I like most is to have a true racing on the circuit and having the deserving driver win.

What a fairy-tale it is... from a team which is condemned to extinction (thanks to the global financial crisis), the team previously known as Honda leaped to the front of the grid under the new name of Brawn GP Racing (named after Ross Brawn, the ex-Ferrari genius, who is now the team boss) after two years struggling at the back of the pack. Button and Barichello scored the first two *parking spots* for tomorrow followed by the much likeable and much talked to be future champion, Vettel who drives a Red Bull. The first of the *big boys* appearance is only in 7th spot in the form of Massa (Ferrari) and Kimi in 9th (also Ferrari). Their nemesis McLarens are in 14th and 15th position, with Heikki ahead of Hamilton (YEAY!!) But sadly my favourite, Alonso, is down in 12th... Renault is still unable to give him a good car. Such a pity, the driver who everyone rates as the best in the world is sitting so far back on the grid. But knowing him, he'll be racing like a fiery bull (given his Spanish nationality, hehe)... I'm sure we're bound to have some excitement tomorrow. Can't wait!!

Earlier today our family entered into a new phase with the formal engagement of Abang and his gf Zaimie. A simple affair but significant nonetheless. The wedding is slated for mid-July. I need to adjust myself to the idea of welcoming another member to the family... treating someone else as one of *us*. That requires some getting used to. I should start now... rehearsing for the role of SIL. With just 3 months to go... it's going to be a *crash course*. We should *train* her for Mama, hahaha.

happy dreams...

2009-03-14T16:26:00.003+08:00

They say that (among others) the key to a healthy body is a good night sleep.

I've had "buy a new mattress" on my to-do list for over a year... and I finally got my dream (no pun intended) bed. Many Saturday and Sunday afternoons were spent scouring, from shop to shop for that one mattress. Just like the one that I slept on in Mandarin Oriental KL and recently Conrad Hong Kong. I did find something like that during the first or second outing, but they're so expensive... something close to a downpayment on a house. I've lied down on so many mattresses, each different... sometimes my heart says "go for the hard firm ones" (no naughty thoughts ok? *wink*)... they're good for the back, and sometimes I gravitate towards those soft plush ones that embraces you with such warm fuzzy feeling.

I had my heart set on Getha upon trying one on the advice of Gee. Was delighted that Isetan had a special member extra 5% off (on top of the 40% discount that they were offering) during their recent sale. When the salesman asked me "So miss... mau order?", the small voice in my head said "nanti dulu". But since the extra 5% was only for 3 days, I can no longer procrastinate.

Another friend's advice took me to the SleepStudio at The Curve. Tao was glowing in his praise for the excellent salesperson there... how they really help you find the bed that you're searching for without any sales pressure. He told me he went to the shop 3-4 times to test various beds again and again before finally making his purchase.

The traffic jam to The Curve was massive that day. Usually I would give up and just turn around. But that day I presevered. Went straight to the shop and started to lie down... one bed after another. The one that I immediately liked cost RM13k. No way am I going to spend that much! I was then approached by Ali (I think he's Pakistani) who asked me the usual questions that I've been hearing since the beginning of my mattress search. Unlike the many other shops that I've been to, he immediately knew what I was looking for. He showed me a bed appeared to be out of my budget range, but I gave it a try nonetheless.

I know... getting a good mattress is an worthwhile investment. Hey... I didn't say that I'm scrimping. Just that I'm not quite ready (monetarily and emotionally, got ah such thing?) to spend that much on something that I snore on and spend less than 6 hours a day on (weekends excluded). I set a budget, which wasn't that small. Enough to pay for a return ticket to New York (on MATTA fair prices lah). Thank god for 0% credit card instalment payment plan, hehe.

You know that feeling... when everything falls into place? The mattress was beautifully balanced between being firm enough that you won't get a back ache after a long night sleep yet soft enough that you feel like you're lying on a pile of feathers (ok... not as perfect as that bed in Mandarin Oriental but close enough). And when he told me the price... I was sold. This was it... Slumberland Duke! He then showed me the next (higher) range. Now, this one, Slumberland Duchess felt exactly like the bed in Conrad, and the material was soft silky wool. However, it was RM1,500 more than the Duke.

I usually think over and over again, mulling on the cost-benefit of spending that much $$$ on big ticket items. Usually, those around me would give up and say "Decide already will ya!". But this time it was different. From the time I stepped into the shop until I went to the cashier... maybe 20 minutes? OK... I know, that does sound a lifetime to some of you, but this is like a 100 meter sprint for me. I decided to stick to my budget and chose the Duke.

I know I made a good purchase and decision when no feeling of guilt crept in upon returning home and the days after. In fact, I was so looking forward to receiving my new purchase and giving it a "test drive" ;) Other times, such as when I purchased my SLR or when I go on my *beli kain* spree, some "maybe I shouldn't have" feelings did creep in. This time... none whatsoever!

Right now I'm sitting on my brand new mattress, with fresh new sheets and surrounded by pillows. I am looking forward to sleeping tonight! ^_^

A long restful sleep. I haven't been sleeping properly these past few weeks. Largely my own fault for spending too much time indulging on past episodes of House MD. I love that show! and I admire Hugh Laurie immensely. Unlike many others, I've liked him long ago... images of him in Sense and Sensibility etched to my mind, alongside his powder-puffed visage from a British comedy series.

Watching House is like seeing a psychiatrist... it leads me to doing psycho-analysis on my own life. I've been feeling "restless"... lost... yet I can't quite pinpoint the cause. Farisa made a remark on a statement I made which made me think even further. I posted my status on Facebook "... looking forward to the European escapade". At the time, I had just bought my tickets for my upcoming trip to London-Salzburg-Vienna-Prague-Paris with Amt. To which she commented "which begs the question why you seem to be doing a lot of escaping".

The first thing that comes to mind was "yeah! I'm escaping work" (Note: If you happen to be my colleague, pls erase this from your thoughts). I must say... I haven't been feeling really "there" work wise. It has been a routine, which requires me to get up every morning, driving the 10km to office, doing things that are expected of me... something I have to do, rather than something that I want to do. So, while I dish out advice to a friend who seems to be in a similar state (you know who you are), I was pretending to be an all-together person. I'm not you know... which enables me to emphatise with the said person even more.

Then I realise that the cause must deeper than just having a prolonged Monday-blues. I'm not exactly on cloud nine outside office. I'm not depressed but neither am I content. Which is why I've been making all these statements about life, afterlife, family. I'm trying to solve a puzzle which has been bugging me for a while now... and no where closer to resolution. I guess I've been experimenting... testing, trying to see whether the answers that I'm looking for somewhere out there.

My life is no different from the one that Cuddy is experiencing. A woman advancing in age, relatively successful career wise, but feeling a void... with no one to come home to after a long day at work. The achievements I've obtained at work, promotion etc seem hollow. It doesn't make me happy. I am grateful for it, please make no mistake. But at the same time, I also have no ambition to move further. In fact, I'm hoping for no further promotions and wish to stay under the radar. I feel conflicted... being entrusted with such responsibility, and yet I'm unable to pull that drive from within to be the best. I can't... not when it is not something that I desire. If the bosses hear of this, they must be jumping out of their seat. I know that people have expectations, high expectations... but my heart just isn't in it. So I just go along... each day. Doing the best that I can, which I know isn't really the best. I occasionally get bursts "energy" where I start putting in all that I have, but those bursts are dwindling in number. How lah to motivate others when you're feeling like this?

Work used to define me. In fact, it defined so much of me in my early working years that the only things that I recall from my life if I were to turn back the time to 1998-2002, are things about work. Nothing comes to mind about life outside work... no matter how hard I try. I hate that. My "golden" years lost. It was only later, when I got reacquainted with friends from TKC, that I started living again. For that, I thank you so much, my dearest detox babes.

I guess it is because my intellect was the characteristic that defined me. Ask anyone who went to school with me... I think if they were asked to list three things about me, I'm sure that would be one of the things they'll say. I did very well in school, quite ok at uni... so it seemed a natural progression when I started working. But now, it is something that I least want to be identified with. And also because I've realised that I'm not that smart. I don't feel good when people start making positive comments about my intellect, because I know that those are just perceptions. I might have been book smart in the past, but I am nowhere near intellectualism at the higher, broader level. And now, I'm not even book smart anymore. It takes so much effort to try to comprehend some of the things that I have to deal with... when it seemed like a breeze for many others. I've lived a sheltered life... so I'm not street smart. I've always been a nerd, so I don't know many "things", don't have many experiences. Experiences that are life enriching. In short... my life has been black and white, instead of technicolour.

Dr House is scared of taking chances for a possibly happier life, because he is scared that it will affect his intellect... the one thing that defines him, the thing that he is most proud of. In my case, I don't want it to define me, but at the same time, I'm worried. If not that, what will define me? Who am I otherwise? I don't know... House is afraid to make changes for fear of being crushed by disappointment at a later stage. He takes risks all the time, except on things which are matters of the heart. Clamping down on anything that smells of a relationship. In many ways I am no different. Not for lack of want, but crippled by fear of failure.

Memories of my first love came flooding recently. The normal after effects include me going on an overdrive on what could have been, what if I never find love? I suppose this was triggered by my younger brother's recent declaration of intent to get married (and two nights ago it was decided to be held in July). Everyone around me are moving on while I'm "stuck".

I'm bracing for all the questions that will come my way on that joyous day. I'm already preparing my polite reply to those pesky aunties and uncles. Don't they know that I want it too? Do they actually think that I am like this by choice? What they do not know is that my heart breaks each time the question is posed. But I take it in my stride. I believe in qada and qadar... there must be a reason for it all. But I'm worried that each little breaks will leave me with no heart in the end...

I've been asked before, that if I want to get married, it can be arranged. I have never said yes to that. Because deep down I know that what I want is love. There is a difference. I know I can never be happily married if I do not love. Just like I'm not exactly peachy on being a DD. People say that love will grow. Perhaps. But is that a risk that I'm willing to take? It is not just my life I'm talking about here. Marriage is more than just about me... it is also about the other person and the families. I can't possibly make such a selfish decision. What if I dislike (hate is such a strong word) it later? Does it mean I'll just have to suck it up? I don't think I'll have the strength to do so. Maybe I'm just being stubborn... I'm refusing to make changes, take chances.

There... I've said it. I want to love, to be loved. I dream of a happiness with a loved one. It seems so easy for others. But why is it so hard to come by me? Am I being too idealistic? Is this karma biting me back in the arse for saying no previously? Maybe this is the root of all my troubles lately. My subconcious desire for love. I do have love... just not that kind of love. Pangs of envy I do get from time to time. All these emotional turmoil... it's exhausting. Would love be the cure? And how does one find love? I've searched, but it seems to be in hiding (or non-existent?). It is something that I want, but just as Jagger said (or rather sang) "You don't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes you might just find what you need".

So... what's the remedy for a healthy soul? Let me know... because I'm still searching.

how we live our life...

2009-03-10T08:51:00.001+08:00

I've been having thinking about somethings, a lot of things lately. Just needed to find the time to put it down into words.

But this email I received from a friend is something that I'd like to share...

Physical Dimension - Assume you've had a heart attack in the last month. How would you approach exercise and nutrition?

Social/Emotional Dimension - Assume that everything you say about people will be heard by them. How might you choose your words differently?

Mental Dimension - Assume your knowledge and skills will be obsolete in 2 years. What new learning avenues would you explore?

Spiritual Dimension - Assume you have 1 year to live. What legacy would you want to leave?

WSH 1947

2009-03-01T00:06:00.002+08:00

Many years ago I was gifted a car, now it is my turn.

Just before I left for Hong Kong, I told Papa that I would buy him a car, within a certain budget of course. He has been driving this old Proton Saga. Despite the cosmetic "improvements", it still drove like an old car. He deserved something better.

My dad is not someone who would ask for things... even if it is something that his heart desires. Unlike my mom, hehe. In some ways, I'm like that. Too proud to ask for something. Would rather find ways to get it on my own or just live with the dream.

Given the current economic conditions, it didn't take long. Just three days from checking out for availability, making payment and getting the car.

When I heard that he had went to JPJ to get a number, I immediately realised that it must have a been a wish that he had kept to himself for a long time. And when I heard about the plate number, my heart broke... he chose the year he was born for the car. And coupled with WSH... it was like a wish coming true.

I arrived home past 8pm on Tuesday. As I was about to open the door, I saw the car. I smiled. Went to the kitchen where Papa was seated. "Kereta dah dapat?"

He had a big smile on his face... a truly happy smile. And his next action was something that I had not expected. "Thank you Along" and gave me kisses on both my cheeks. I couldn't help but to mirror his smile, despite the bad tummy cramps thanks to my monthly.

When we went for a quick drive that night (Ina driving of course since I'm barely able to tahan my sakit), he was like a kid in a candy store. Glee was obvious from his voice. My only regret was that I couldn't reciprocate the feeling, so bad the pain was.

We always hear that when we were small, our parents took care of us... feed us, bathe us, buy us stuff. Now that we're adults, it is our turn to bestow the same gesture.

I'm so glad that I'm in a position that enables me to do these things for them. I guess it's my way of saying thanks for all the sacrifices that they've made for me all these years. I'm not good at expressing emotions... so I hope that this helps to tell them how much I love them.

special update untuk mu...

2009-02-25T02:48:00.006+08:00

I haven't been updating... yes, guilty as charged.

Kebetulan, at this wee hours of the day, I decided to check my blog and saw chepa's comment. So... this is for you :)

Why no updates? Several reasons... but mainly because I've been obsessing on the internet over my upcoming Europe trip with Amt. WOOHOO!! And I was in HK last week for work. And before that I was occupied with our 50th anniversary celebrations.

Balik je from umrah, it was full gear for the anniv thingy. The only things on my head were: Who's arriving today, what are the items I need to prepare for them, bila nak hantar kat hotel room... all that for about 10 days.

Habis je tu, kebetulan, MAS buat travel fair. I've been thinking about a Europe trip with Amt sempena his graduation since late last year. Masa tu baru angan2. Sekarang sudah signed, sealed cuma belum delivered (signed and sealed since I've bought the tickets, booked the hotels... and most of them are non-refundable, haha... nak cheap2, like that lah).

You know me... I take my travels seriously ;) First it was obsessing about places to visit, then the routes, then the mode of transportation (sambil tu cari yg paling murah lah of course), then cari accommodation (also the budget no-frills version... I kerja tempat chop duit, tapi duit tu bukan I punya!), and now places to visit and the finer details about opening hours, what to visit when, the ground transportation, discounts, free entries etc etc. I think I can be a personal travel arranger as an alternative career lah.

So where am I heading you might ask?

We'll leave KUL for LHR on 29/4 malam. Spend 3 days there (more for Amt actually... I've been to London 3 times in the past 2 years). Then we'll fly to Salzburg for 2 nights, followed by train to Vienna for 4 nights, diikuti train to Prague for 4 nights, fly to Paris for 4 nights before heading home, to land in KLIA early 18/5 morning.

So in my head (when I'm not working of course) I'm thinking about the alps, sound of music, hapsburg dynasty, castles, historical buildings, museums and all the photo opportunities. I just found out about the saltmines and ice caves and cable car in Salzburg. Ooooohhhh... opportunities not to be missed! Of course all that cost ka-ching... lots of it, even with the deteriorating Euro. And as I do my budgeting, my head gets dizzy.

Last week I had to replace my boss for a meeting on accounting in HK. Truthfully, I dreaded it so much because accounting ain't exactly a joyous and interesting area/topic. But kerana tugas, ku gagahkan jua. Left on Tues... spent the entire day and evening (well, almost the entire evening... I succumbed to American Idol around 9pm) reading documents which are so dry bagaikan Sahara desert. But surprisingly I managed to cover quite a lot during the flight... without dozing off! Ha!!

Meeting was held on Wed and Thurs, ended before 5pm on the final day, affording me the opportunity to go merendek in the evening. Went to Ladies market in search of barang2 yg digemari wanita and for the delicious Hui Lau Shan mango dessert. Amazingly I didn't shop much. Just some cushion covers for mama and a tipu Le Sport Sac sling bag for my Europe trip. That's it! Memang tak ada "nafsu" nak ber shopping masa tu. Maybe because I was in HK as recent as Nov last year and masa tu dah puas layan nafsu, hehe. And since I've covered all the places I wanted to visit during the previous visit, tak de lah nak jalan2 sangat.

The next day I contemplated taking the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride on Lantau Island, but the gloomy weather meant that the views wouldn't be much. So lepas solat subuh, I boom balik on the super comfy bed at Conrad until 10:30. Best betul the bed... I think it was easily 16 inches thick! So I just lazed around, taking my time to pack before leaving the hotel after Zohor to catch the flight home.

I know I still owe stories from Tanah Suci (sorry Mario). There's so much to tell... but the desire and creative juices to write seem to have evaporated. For now at least. I will... I will... insyaallah.

Oh yes! I do have another update. A big one too...

Wedding bells are ringing in the family. Siapakah itu? Jeng... jeng... jeng...

something to think about...

2009-02-08T00:08:00.002+08:00

A stranger was seated next to a little black girl on the airplane when the stranger turned to her and said,"Let's talk. I've heard that flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger."
The little girl, who had just opened her coloring book, closed it slowly and said to the stranger,"What would you like to talk about?"
"Oh, I don't know," said the stranger."Since you are a Negro, do you think that So-called President Elect Barack Obama is qualified for the job?" and he smiles.
"OK", she said. "That could be an interesting topic. But let me ask you a question first. A horse,a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do you suppose that is?"
The stranger, visibly surprised bythe little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea."
To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified todiscuss President Barack Obama... when you don't know shit?"

^_^

au jourd'hui c'est mon anniversaire!

2009-01-31T23:34:00.003+08:00

At 12:05am, I was awoken from slumber by Amt. I was lying on his bed. Ingat nak baring2 je, sekali tertidur.

He tapped on my feet... I slowly opened my eyes. Then the three of them sang in unison... "Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to Along... Happy birthday to you!"

All with wide grins on their faces.

Ahhh... what a wonderful way to be woken up :)

Ina was the first to give me my birthday present on my birthday. A bookmark with my name on it. Isn't it cool? However, the honour of giving me my first present belongs to Nora. A set of Crabtree & Evelyn hand wash and lotion. Macam tau2 je my handwash dah nak habis ;) That, together with a card from K Lell, were the first things I received sempena this year's birthday. They were waiting for me on my desk at work, after a looooooong meeting regarding an upcoming "birthday celebration". The first wishes came a day early from from friends on facebook and via email.

This year I'm spending my birthday with my loved ones (last year I was all alone in Seoul)... and it feels wonderful!!

After a bit of pampering with a pre-planned facial (I knew I needed some "help" after my umrah trip... the scorching desert sun wrecks havoc on my skin), I went to KLCC for some shopping with Ina, Amt and Mama. Got a pair of shoes (Thanks Mama!), a lipstick (Thanks Amt!) and I treated myself to 2 pairs of slippers and some lingerie (partly sponsored by Bonuslink birthday vouchers).

Singgah kejap kat Habib... trying all sorts of ring. Mama offered to buy me one... within a predetermined budget of course (although I'm free to top up if I wish for something nicer, hehe). Oooohhh, so tempted! But the one I liked costs almost the same as my umrah trip and I don't feel nice about having Mama spending so much on me. So I just said "tak pe lah...". If I really want it, sampai termimpi2 tonight, then I might just go there tomorrow and get it. I'm still not into the habit of spending that much moolah on items. Holidays takpe ;)

Papa arrived home from his Alor Star trip around maghrib. The plan was to go for a dinner celebration, but we were still full from our makan2 at KLCC foodcourt and Papa wasn't feeling so well. So postponed to tomorrow.

Also postponed was a surprise outing that Ina and Amt has planned for me. Patutnya nak buat today but since I had my facial appointment, so we'll do it tomorrow. I wonder what it will be. All Ina said was to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and to bring my SLR along. She said she wanted to take me to do something/somewhere that I haven't been doing/been to for a while. Hmm... I'm not going to spoil myself by over analysing that and will let it be. A surprise is going to be much better without any expectation kan? But my guess is that we'll go somewhere yg kena jalan while taking photos. Bird park maybe? She said that we will leave around 8:30am and will habis by 3pm.

So... to all my dear friends and family, near and far... thanks so so so so so much for the birthday wishes. They mean so much to me, to know that you care to remember (albeit I'm pretty sure some are with the assistance of technology aka facebook, hehe) and that you made the effort to send in the greetings.

To a year of happiness, good health, penuh rahmat and keberkatan. AMIN!

the holy lands...

2009-01-27T17:09:00.003+08:00

I wish I could stay there longer. Where there are no worries, nor stress. Just peace and sense of calmness.

12 days passed by so quickly... too quickly.

I have tales to tell... lessons... reminders, but that's for another entry. For now, I just wanted to leave these photos here, with hopes that I'll be visiting again... soon! :)

18 muharram...

2009-01-15T00:10:00.002+08:00

We remember our birthdates on the Gregorian calendar, but how many of us know or even celebrate our birthday on the Islamic calendar?

This year, secara kebetulan, I am celebrating... in a good way. Because today (in about 15 hours' time) I'll be on board a plane towards Madinah & subsequently tanah suci Makkah.

I hope for a good start to my Xth year on earth... one that is blessed and filled with contentment.

AMIN

39 tips to a better life in 2009...

2009-01-10T22:21:00.001+08:00

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day.. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.

7. Make time to practice meditation, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16.. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28.REMEMBER GOD heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often.. (Or email them to death!!!)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today, I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

2009 wishlist...

2009-01-01T11:36:00.003+08:00

People usually make resolutions. I'm making wishlists instead...

I wish to...

Cleanse my soul and be a better Muslim. Insyallah the process will start with umrah on 15/1 ni

Do more things with BNM Volunteers

Improve on my kelam-kabut state at work and try be better at it too. Can't continue like this... die lor...

Improve my photography skills and get one of those *photo coffee table* books done (I still haven't printed my 2007 travel photos ;o )

Get a new plush comfy mattress and maybe buy one of those mini laptops.

Be nicer to people around me

Be a good daughter to my parents. Less tantrum (hehe) and do more for them

Visit see more of the world: Hoping to visit Stockholm, Prague, Vienna, Austrian mountains, Paris, Angkot Wat, Terengganu and Kota Kinabalu (again), Tokyo

Lose weight!! haha

Sign up for Haji

Cukup lah... for now :)

2008 in review...

2008-12-31T23:04:00.000+08:00

Gosh... where do I start? :)

I moved to another dept. And I've never been this busy in my life! So was it a good move? hehe... it's alright. Although I didn't expect to be so melancholic about the move though. Never thought that I was that attached to 10A.

2008 also marked my 10th year of working. How time flies... Upside: Got 4 extra days of cuti and higher employer EPF contribution, woohoo! Downside: stayed in office until 6:45am to finish up on annual report, blurgh...

Did some renovation (actually more of the tail end lah since the work started in Nov07). Got myself a nice big room with ensuite now :)

Got extremely excited about David "word nerd" Cook. Am still using his *always be my baby* as my ringtone.

Tried the garrafura *ikan makan kaki* thing. So geli yet fun!

Kinda cured myself of my fear of heights (all those tower climbing paid off, hehe). But I still get jelly legs though, cuma jantung sikit kurang degup degap...

Treated myself to some new toys ;) Garmin nuvi, Canon 450D and my latest purchase Sony Ericsson C902. Toyed with idea of buying one of those mini laptops... next time lah. Still haven't bought that mattress that I've been dreaming about though.

Experienced some pitter patter of the heart with someone... haha! but it was clearly just an infactuation. Cured within a month ;)

Makan... oh, did I! haha... All sorts of places and food. Love 'em! But since Nov08, made a pact with Abg & Ina to not eat rice. Well... I'm not 100% abstaining lah. Have my once a month nasi lemak ration and occasionally have a bit of rice when I go for kenduri, nasi daun pisang, ikan bakar etc... sikit jer ;)

Watched a movie every weekend during summer with my siblings. That was fun!! But after that, I'm *behind* on my movies balik :(

Got cultured! I went to watch Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Lady in Black, Mamma Mia. Can't get enough of them musicals :)

Travelled sikit (relative to previous years)...
April - Yogyakarta & Borobudur
May - Cotswolds (England) & Berlin - Munich - Bavarian Alps - Romantic Road (Germany)
July - Terengganu and lots of keropok lekor!!
August - London & Cambridge (for work, but sambil menyelam minum air, hehe)
November - Hong Kong

And finally, I'm most proud of my involvement in BNM Volunteers :) It is so satisfying to be involved in something so meaningful. Oh, and also for having my pix selected to be published :D

being "in love"...

2008-12-28T01:41:00.001+08:00

At heart, Muslims place more priority on this world than the Hereafter although this world is cheap and temporary compared to the Hereafter which is eternal and more beautiful.

The old adage is true: love is blind. Once you love something you become to blind to everything else, no matter how beautiful and special the others things are.

Like a person who has fallen in love with another, they forget everything else, they forget their family, they forget to eat drink, they forget their work and so on so forth. It is because of this love that they are willing to suffer any hardships and face any risk.

This is what has happened to those who have fallen in love with the world and forgotten the Hereafter. They are willing to face all sorts of risks and difficulties, and sometimes are even willing to die for it.

But for the Hereafter, which is more special, even though it is easier to work for it, people feel that it is more a burden because they do not love it.

May Allah bless us and our families with the coming of New Year... and by that I mean 1430 Hijrah

hadith...

2008-12-26T08:43:00.002+08:00

The Prophet SAW used to tell his companions, "Renew your faith".
He was asked, "O Messenger of Allah, how do we renew our faith?"
He said, "By frequently repeating 'La ilaha il-Allah'.

Ahmad

quotable quotes...

2008-12-25T08:41:00.000+08:00

If we had no winter, then spring will not be so pleasant
If we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome

Anne Bradstreet, poet

THAT question...

2008-12-22T23:53:00.002+08:00

After dinner, I lepak2 chatting with Mama and Papa.

I don't quite remember how the question came about, but THAT question was posed again.

aaarrrggghhh!!!!!

lambaian kaabah...

2008-12-21T13:16:00.004+08:00

I came home from work Friday evening last week and sat with Mama who was watching one of her favourite dramas on TV.

"Jom pergi umrah. First flight on 15 Jan... Mama dah kira dah. You only need to take 7 days leave because of CNY. Seats selling fast."

So that's how it started. I've been harbouring hopes to pay tanah suci Makkah another visit since my last was over 15 years ago.

Checked with boss, OK can take leave. On Monday (I had planned the leave some time back) I went to the travel agent, got a salinan of my surat beranak for visa-muhrim purposes (couldn't find the original even after selongkar the whole house... Mama had misplaced them).

So... insyaAllah, I'll be heading there next month. I'm quite excited!

over indulge?

2008-12-21T12:55:00.003+08:00

I haven't been clothes shopping for a while and recently when Ina ajak pergi KLCC sempena Malaysia Savings Sale, I tagged along. Was very happy to discover that I could buy clothes my size off the rack at quite reasonable prices. And a few days later, while waiting for my salinan surat beranak (story to be told in a another entry), I shopped some more at the Ms Read outlet in Maju Junction.

Today, bila nak hang the new baju in my wardrobe, I realised why I haven't been shopping. I already have too many clothes!! Kalau wardrobe and hangers tu boleh menjerit, agaknya I will scream "stop stuffing us!" :p

I also realised that I shouldn't buat any more new baju kurung since I'm running out of hangers. So what? One might ask. Just get more hangers. You see, I'm a bit of "looney" when it comes to hanging my bajus. They must be in specific types of hangers, arranged according to colour. A good mechanism to prevent me from buat too many baju baru since I'm restricted by the number of hangers that I have... and those hangers I brought back from Australia dulu. Sini takde... well, I've not come across any lah.

It's an illness I realised... Uji and her obsessive nature with hangers. Oh well... one must have some vices.

So OK... no more shopping or buat baju baru for me. Unless if I do some spring cleaning and hand over my clothes to another home.

Except for that 3 pieces of kain yang dah dibeli and tinggal nak hantar kat tailot je, hehehe...

what a difference a year makes...

2008-12-16T23:20:00.000+08:00

1 year ago RBS paid $100bn for ABN Amro

Today that same amount would buy:
Citibank $22.5bn
Morgan Stanley $10.5bn
Goldman Sachs $21bn
Merrill Lynch $12.3bn
Deutsche Bank $13bn
Barclays $12.7bn
...And still have $8bn change.

With which you would be able to pick up GM, Ford, Chrysler... and the Honda F1 Team!

^_^

i love to travel!

2008-12-15T00:50:00.003+08:00

I've visited a number of places in my love. Each year I plan and hope to go visit some new places. Sometimes I re-visit a place that I like... usually because work brings me there (eg after a long gap since my first visit, I've been to London 3 times in the past 2 years, NY 3 times, Washington DC 4 times). Not that I mind, because those cities are absolutely wonderful :)

I found a website which helps mark countries that I've visited. I'm surprised that I've visited a total of 20 countries... a mere 8% of the world, and about 5x the number of towns or cities.

I got a world map together with my recent subscription of National Geographic Traveller. It's still lying in my drawer where I keep a lot of junk, waiting to be hung on that empty wall next to my wardrobe. I plan to stick pins (or something of that nature since I don't actually own a corkboard) for every place that I've visited.

I also did a quick test to see what type of traveller I am. The description sounds quite right, but the "top destinations" and "places to avoid" seems terbalik. Venice, Paris and Tokyo are definitely on my "places to visit" list (I've visited Paris twice and hope to go there again next year). Tahiti is intriguing, I'm quite satisfied having seen Uluru (in Alice Springs) from up above on a flight back to Malaysia once and have no idea where Ciudad Perdida is :p


	Your travel type: Travel Yup The Travel Yup likes exotic and adventurous travel, but prefers big cities with fast paced life. He has a keen interest in other cultures and always brings home a few souvenirs. Shopping in Bangkok, getting a tailor made suite in Kuala Lumpur, that's the kind of thing the Travel Yup is into. Even though he likes to get away, he prefers his travels to be comfortable.
	top destinations: Alice Springs Ciudad Perdida Tahiti	stay away from: Venice Paris Tokyo

get your own travel profile

Insyaallah, if all goes according to plan, I'll be paying Baitullah another visit next month. Went to get my meningitis jap today at Pusrawi (shot given by a rather dashing Dr Razlan Shah... had he placed his stetoscope over my heart, he would have heard the pitter patter, hehe...) and got my *stop menses* pills since the trip will be right smack when my *monthly* is expected to give a visit.

I'm really looking forward to the trip... my second. The last time was 13 years ago, when I was a much more innocent and dosa-less. I hope that the trip will help purify my heart and soul and make me a better and God abiding servant. A lot of sin have been accumulated since...

In preparation, I should start doing more of what is expected of a good Muslim.

so effing hilarious!

2008-12-07T00:54:00.002+08:00

I'm 2+ weeks late, but better late than never.

Caught news about it while watching Channel E, but didn't manage to see it until just now.

Justin Timberlake doing "Single Ladies" in leotards and high heels... OMG!! That was just too funny!!! The man can move and shake his bootie... oh yes!

I wish I could watch a clearer version, but for now, this would have to do ^_^

i'm on cloud nine!!!

2008-12-04T02:09:00.004+08:00

Tonight I checked email on my Hotmail account. Something that I don't do very often because that's my secondary email address.

To my big surprise, I received this email...

Your photo in our new cloud handbook?‏
From: ian@cloudappreciationsociety.org
Sent: Wednesday, 3 Dec, 2008 8: 39 PM
To: kakijalan@hotmail.com

Dear Ruziana,

We're emailing to see if you would like your photograph to appear in a brand new publication from The Cloud Appreciation Society.

In the spring of next year, we are producing a book called The Cloud Collector's Handbook, which will be a humorous and instructive tour of the skies that we hope will help convince the world at large of the beauty and wonder of clouds.

The book will be a pocket-sized publication, which cloudspotters can carry around with them, and will be beautifully designed with full-colour images throughout. It will also work as a sort of game: you collect points for the different clouds that they spot. The rarer the cloud, the higher the points.

We have been carefully going through the thousands of images on the society's photo gallery pages, and feel that your one, linked below, is a fantastic example of its type. If you were willing, we would love to include this image in the handbook:

http://cloudappreciationsociety.org/gallery/index.php?showimage=2924

Since the book is only pocket-sized, and we have so many photos that we want to include (around 120), all the images will end up being quite small. But readers would be able to refer to the relevant pages on the website to see your fine photo it in its full glory.

Would you like it to be included? We are not able to pay, but would give you a full credit on the page that it appears, and we would send you two copies of the book when it comes out in the spring. If you are not already a member of the Cloud Appreciation Society, we would, of course, give you life membership. It goes without saying that you would retain all copyright of your image.

If you’d like the image to be a part of this fantastic new handbook for cloudspotters, then do please email Ian Loxley, at this address, to:
A) say that you "authorise us to include this image, credited to you, in all editions of The Cloud Collector's Handbook" and
B) send a high-res version of the image.
We would obviously not reprint the photo anywhere else without your prior permission (though we would ask that it could be available (with full credit) to illustrate any reviews or articles about the handbook, when it is published).

Many thanks and very best wishes from,

Gavin Pretor-Pinney,
Founder,

and Ian Loxley,
Photo gallery editor,

The Cloud Appreciation Society
http://www.cloudappreciationsociety.org/

I pun apa lagi... Smile selebar-lebarnya. Too bad it's already 2 am otherwise I would be screaming happily to announce my new "celebrity" status to my sister and brother.

I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY! and proud :D

Who would have thought... a photo taken by chance, while peering out the window somewhere above the South China Seas (I think), would be selected for something like this?

I must say (walaupun this is considered masuk bakul angkat sendiri), that it is a beautiful shot... with the light, and puffy clouds. It's so out of this world. Just looking at it gives me a sense of serenity.

But this is all the great work of Allah SWT, who had created this wonderful world that we live in. It was with His grace that I was afforded the view and opportunity to capture it for others to see. I still remember the feeling when I first saw the sight... unbelievable amazement and rush of amazement and wonderment of His greatness. Subhanallah...

So friends... let me share this with you. I hope that you'll find the same joy as I did on that eventful day 2+ years ago...

taking a break...

2008-11-20T23:16:00.003+08:00

I'm heading for HK tomorrow evening. A 5 day getaway with my sis and some friends. Time to declutter the mind... although one might ask, why head for HK? The crowd alone would make the mind more messy, hehe...

I don't know... I guess it's because that's some place near that I wanna go but have never been to. Siem Reap is another, but no one wants to go there... alas.

It has been a tough 2 weeks, emotionally and physically.

A death in the family... so sad. He's so young, abt to get married (next month actually), such a good son. Accident... pokok jatuh on his car while driving. And it happened in Sabah where he was posted. Accident occured around 2:45pm on Sunday. His family only heard about it around 4:30pm from his friends who heard the news from other friends. We got to know about it later that night. Emergency leave... drove back to Teluk Intan with Mama Papa and Amt. Flight sampai 2:30pm on Monday but the body was only finally released around 4:30pm. Sampai rumah around 6pm. It was so, so sad. I didn't expect to cry as much as I did. Watching my aunty, uncle and his siblings was heartbreaking. They were such a close knit family. He's only 25... the same age as my brother. My aunty suffered a mild stroke mid this year... that was the last time I saw him... when I went to visit my aunty. She was frail, and having to endure what must be the saddest thing that a mother can ever endure. My uncle, the tough guy that he was, cried. His fiancee sobbed uncontrollably.

Nyawa... it can be taken away just like that. Without notice. Without warning. Are we prepared? Am I prepared?

Work bertambun-tambun, emails bertimbun-timbun... and I'm SOOOOOOOOO behind! At last check 48 emails unread. I won't be able to clear them all off before I leave. That's the "gift" I get for being away from office for 3 days. Itupun today I've cleared about 2 dozen. My head is not where it should be. It's so berserabut.

I just need to go away... and rejuvenate.

how old is your brain?

2008-11-18T19:11:00.001+08:00

Try this test... http://flashfabrica .com/f_learning/ brain/brain. html

(the instructions are in Japanese so follow instructions below)
1. Touch 'start'
2. Wait for 3, 2, 1.
3. Memorize the number's position on the screen, and then click the circle from the smallest number to the biggest number.
4. At the end of game, the computer will tell you the age of your brain.

have you watched them sleep?

2008-11-15T22:31:00.005+08:00

Article written by Shakuntala Devi

I received a message on my Friendster account the other day. It was one of those forwarded messages, the type I would usually scan briefly before hitting "delete".

But this message, written in Bahasa Malaysia, started with a simple question that caught my attention A rough translation of it goes like this:

"Have you ever watched your parents as they are asleep? Your father's body once big and strong but now, the big is withered and the strong weakened. Wisps of grey peek out of his hair, wrinkles now "scar" on his forehead and face."

"This man works hard every day and would sacrifice anything to make sure his family is provided for and his children get the best education possible."

"Or what about your mother, whose soft hands once cuddled and held you close when you were a baby? Now, those hands are dry and rough, bearing evidence of the challenges she faced just for us."

"This woman takes care of our daily needs, constantly nagging and scolding us because of her love for us. But sadly, we often miscontrue her love as control and unfairness."

I have never thought of watching my parents while they slept. I've watched my cousins sleep when they were babies, all round and cuddly and sweet smelling. But watch my parents? No way!

But after reading this message, I realised that there is indeed much truth in it. In fact, my parents don't have to be asleep for me to realise that they have aged.

Just looking at my mother walk tells me that her legs are not as strong as they were before. Or hearing for her to ask me to help with that flowerpot in the garden, the one she used to be able to push and drag around the garden without my help.

Or watching my dad lift a 10kg bag of rice. I can easily carry that now. I am young. But to him, it is a struggle.

What do all these observations tell me? Yes, my parents have aged. They are ageing, as I am ageing. But as I age towards my best years and become stronger, they in turn are becoming weaker. They were once the caregiver and I the receiver. In time, I know our roles will reverse. Like it or not, want it or not, this is life.

I suppose I have always subconciously thought that my parents would always be with me, never growing old. It took that message to make me realise that my parents are not immortal. That they, too, will one day leave the world and me. Until then, I will make good use of our time together.

By the way, I am forwarding that message to all my family and friends to remind them to appreciate what they have now. It will not last.

Reading this, I terus sebak. This message hits home... HARD. It is as if it was written and directed to me.

Just the other day, while the three of us were driving home after a nice meal, Papa driving, Mama sitting in front and me at the back. Papa said "This is macam masa Along kecik dulu2. You sitting at the back... tanya, dah kat mana ni? You'd be lying down". Mama added, "...melengkor." We all laughed. I remember that time well. The drives balik kampung at a time when there were no highways and the journeys long. Listening to Abba, Bee Gees. Fast forward 28 years later. The scene familiar.

God works mysteriously and wonderfully. Reminders are sent our way when He knows that we should be reminded. I've long taken granted of the persons that mean most. I have not been treating them as well as they deserve. I'm ridden with guilt...

Thank God I still have them with me... time to make amends...

quote...

2008-11-11T19:12:00.001+08:00

I was doing my daily reading of financial market news excerpt when I saw this... I sooooo agree!!

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it
- Henry David Thoreau,author and transcendentalist

silly translation...

2008-11-03T22:49:00.004+08:00

Yesterday evening, Ina and I watched Vantage Point on DVD. There was a scene where the characters spoke in Spanish.

We looked at each other... where are the subtitles?

Since neither of us speak espanyol, save for uno dos tres... we scrambled to get the subtitles feature up. First try, chose the wrong option... director's commentary. Couldn't care less what the director thought about the scene. Next... English. But where's the translation??

Then Ina said "Kita try Malay lah Along. Try je..."

Ok lah... better than nothing. And voila, I can now understand Spanish :) It wasn't really Malay... it was Indonesian. Indon pun Indon lah...

We continued watching, too lazy to turn the subtitles off after the scene (also because we weren't sure whether there would be more spanish conversations after this).

Then there was a chase scene... running, driving... your staple Hollywood blockbuster type of action scene. A character swore as he swerved to avoid another car as they sped down the narrow streets of Salamanca. "Shit!" he said.

When I saw the translation I laughed, no... more like howled... like mad.

Guess what it was??

"Berak!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH... Ina and I gelak sampai tergolek-golek.

That was not it. There were more cursing. I forgot what the character said. I think something along the lines of "Shit! Shit!"

and the translation was "Tai... Berak!"

Oh my God...

That was not all. 3/4 through the movie, there was a scene where one of the characters said "Stop! CIA!"

You wouldn't believe what the translation was... I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. I laughed even louder. I think the whole kampung might have heard me.

Get ready for it...

Ajensi Jawa Intelek.

I kid you not! I'll even get a screen shot for you, when I have the time.

Dear oh dear... what a classic case of *lost in translation*.

p/s: for those of you who don't know, I'm half Jawa... which tickles me even more ;)

minute by minute report on the final race...

2008-11-03T01:04:00.009+08:00

12:55am
As if this race can't get any more intriguing... it suddenly rained in Interlagos!
5mins to go and the cars, mechanics, drivers are all seated in their seat when the heavens opened up and everyone scurrying for cover.

DRAMA!

Race start aborted and will restart in 10 mins...

1:03am
Sun back out. So should it be intermediates or will there be heroic drivers out there willing to risk driving on slicks?

1:07am
The safety car is out... checking the track. Doesn't look like there's too much water on the track.
Oooohhhh... I can't wait for the action!

1:10am
The cars are out on warm up lap. Almost everyone on intermediate

1:14am
GO! GO! GO!
Go Alonso!
Massa ahead of the rest... clean start.

1:15am
Safety car out. DC got into an incident with Piquet (or on his own... not sure). Poor DC... to not even make a lap on his final grandprix of his career.

1:23am

Race restart. Alonso over takes Kovailanen in a brilliant move.. woo hoo!
Kimi pressuring Trulli. Trulli still soaking up the pressure, pardon the pun.

1:32am

Cars into the pit...
Back out... Massa stays on first, Hamilton down to 7th, Kimi has overtaken Trulli. Alonson now on 3rd!

1:35am
Fisichella is sandwiched between Kimi and Hamilton.

2:30am - 5 laps to go
Rain again. Cars came in to change into intermediates. Some changes in position. But Massa still ahead

2:52am
I cannot believe what had happened! I just can't believe what had happened!

With 3 laps to go Vettel managed to take over Hamilton. With Hamilton down on 6th that means Massa will win the championship.

Try as he may, Hamilton did not manage to overtake Vettel.

Massa crossed the line in first... we screamed. Everyone screamed. The grandstands roared.

Then the timing screen showed a different result. Hamilton finished 5th...

What had happened??

Amt and I sat there unbelieving what had taken place. Glock, in the final seconds of the race slowed and finished behind Vettel and Hamilton. Thus rewarding Hamilton with the world championship.

This is agony... one second we thought that Massa had won it and the very next, we discovered that Hamilton did.

DARN!!

Massa did everything right and yet luck was not with him.

Poor Massa (I never thought I would say this)... he cried. Although he won this race, in front of his home crowd, he looks desperately disraught.

This must have been the most sad looking podium ever. Massa undoubtedly. Alonso who finished second is equally dismayed because we all know what Alonso thinks about Hamilton. Kimi... in his usual poker face.

I still can't believe what had happened.

I was in a similar state last year but feeling happy with Kimi's unexpected win. This year it was the most cliffhanger ending I've ever experienced in my 14 years watching F1.

Well... as they always say. F1 is so unpredictable.

One consolation that I have is that analysis has shown that this year's winner is the "weakest" in the decade.

I'm hoping for a Renault resurgence or for Kimi to find his form again.

AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!

well said...

2008-11-02T23:27:00.003+08:00

and the winner is...

2008-11-02T23:16:00.000+08:00

1hr45m to go before the start of the race that will determine the F1 2008 champion.

And I’m waiting with dread…

It has been an interesting year with some exciting races (which includes the first ever night race). Had it been someone else at the lead of the pack, I would have been much, much happier. Sadly it is Alonso’s nemesis, who is touted to win this year.

Ish….

Race will start at around 1am Malaysian time… and expected to end around 3am. Hence I’ve taken ½ day off tomorrow morning. I doubt I can function well with the self imposed sleep deprivation.

I hope that a miracle will happen. It happened last year.

Whatever the outcome, I will have to find another pastime to keep myself occupied in the coming winter months. I don’t think it is going to be harder than years past since my interest in F1 has waned somewhat. I still watch every race, unless if circumstances do not allow me. I think I missed 2 races this year… Valencia and… I can’t remember the other one. However, I’m less obsessed now. I don’t follow the news as religiously as I did.

Plus I’ve sorta found another obsession.

That’s for another entry ;)

how observant are you?

2008-10-31T23:57:00.016+08:00

Sometimes we just need to be reminded of God's greatness...

God left us great clues as to what foods help what part of our body! God's Pharmacy! Amazing!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All o f the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions h elp clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

funnies...

2008-10-31T23:51:00.004+08:00

The whole of this week, I come home late from work. And two weeks in a row, I was still at the office @ 9pm on a Friday evening.

Oh well...

During times like these, people who work in organisations like I do are at their busiest. I'm feeling quite overwhelmed at the moment to be honest. I really don't know how my bosses, present and past, did it. Gosh... it's so tiring!

But once in a while you get emails sent your way that makes the day better. It is true... Laughter is really the best medicine.

ENJOY!

The Credit Crunch:

A trader: "This is worse than a divorce. I've lost half my net worth and I still have a wife."

President Bush said clients shouldn't be concerned by all these bank closings. If the bank is closed, you just use the ATM, he said.

George Bush said that he is saddened to hear about the demise of Lehman brothers His thoughts at this time go out to their mother as losing one son is hard but losing two is a tragedy.

The problem with investment bank balance sheets is that on the left side nothing is right and on the right side nothing is left.

In maths there are 30 billion prime numbers below 700 billion. The rest are all subprime.

How do you define optimism? A banker who irons 5 shirts on a Sunday.

What do you call 12 investment bankers at the bottom of the ocean? A good start.

Why are all MBAs going back to school? To ask for their money back.

For Geography students: What's the capital of Iceland? Answer: About Three Pounds Fifty...

If you want to gamble, go to Las Vegas. If you want to trade in derivatives, God bless you.

Whats the difference between a guy who just lost everything in Vegas and an investment banker? A tie.

Whats the difference between a bond and a bond trader? A bond matures.

Lehman have changed their recommendation on Lehman from hold to sell.

Forty years ago I sold fifty shares of my company stock and had enough money to purchase a brand-new 1967 Ford pickup. Last week, I checked it out, and if I sold another fifty shares, Id have enough money to buy a 1967 Ford pickup. So, the market has stabilized.

NEW STOCK MARKET TERMS for 2008 and beyond...
CEO --Chief Embezzlement Officer
CFO-- Corporate Fraud Officer
BULL MARKET -- A random market movement causing an investor to mistake himself for a financial genius
BEAR MARKET -- A 6 to 18 month period when the kids get no allowance, the wife gets no jewelry, and the husband gets no sex
VALUE INVESTING -- The art of buying low and selling lower
P/E RATIO -- The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing
BROKER -- What my broker has made me
STANDARD & POOR -- Your life in a nutshell
STOCK ANALYST -- Idiot who just downgraded your stock
STOCK SPLIT -- When your ex-wife and her lawyer split your assets equally between themselves
FINANCIAL PLANNER -- A guy whose phone has been disconnected
MARKET CORRECTION -- The day after you buy stocks
CASH FLOW-- The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet
YAHOO -- What you yell after selling it to some poor sucker for $240 pershare
WINDOWS -- What you jump out of when you're the sucker who bought Yahoo @$240 per share
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR -- Past year investor who's now locked up in a nuthouse
PROFIT -- An archaic word no longer in use

having some fun...

2008-10-25T23:40:00.005+08:00

Several nights ago, inspired after watching America's Next Top Model episode on youtube where the girls were challenged to "smile with your eyes", I decided to play *model* with Ina as my photographer.

I failed miserably on that challenge... I'm definitely not model material.

So decided to have some fun instead. Me making faces.

I'm not absolutely sure whether this is a good idea (ie to post my *play acting* photos), but what the heck.

So friends... don't ever use this to blackmail me aaa...

*fish* face

*angry* face

*hidung kembang* face

blub... blub... blub...

*big smile* face

my idol...

2008-10-25T23:16:00.004+08:00

Say what you want but I admire Angelina Jolie.

This woman manages to be a mother of six children, have a career and still find time to get involved in charity work. She has been at it for over 7 years.

And still manages to look gorgeous!

If it was me... I'd be half pengsan already. Don't even talk about how I'd look.
Sure, some might say that "If I have that kind of money, I can do it too".
Can you?

I don't think so. No doubt, when you have financial resources, you can do lots of things. And you can hire people to do things for you so that you have more time on your hands. But no amount of money can make you open your heart, be willing to spend your personal time, be in difficult and uncomfortable environment for important causes. I don't think I can. Not even if I have 1 billion dollars to my name.

And to be teaching your kids these kind of values... I salute her! To nurture the notion that all human beings are equal regardless of colour, race, religion.

Her name fits her well... Beautiful Angel.

We should have more people like Angelina Jolie in this world and this world would be a much better place.

An excerpt from her recent speech...
"Justice often seems like a luxury for the rich and wealthy nations... Peace is often placed ahead of justice, and sometimes instead of justice... No one should have to choose between peace and justice... There is no enduring peace without justice"

Well said!

inspirationally big!

2008-10-25T22:58:00.002+08:00

I've been watching this show on TV... it's called Oprah's Big Give.

It is a reality, competition show. But unlike the other shows on the air, it is not about pitting against each other to be the ultimate victor. It is about how to give back to society and how to encourage others to do the same.

Also unlike other shows, there are no losers in the game. They're all winners because they all did something wonderful for absolute strangers. But of course, there's elimination. Not because they had failed, but because others had done better.

I like this show. I shed many tears watching the episodes.

It's so amazing how these wonderful individuals go all out to help others, to make a difference, to get other people on board... all for the satisfaction of doing something good.

There's no prize... just bragging rights (although after watching the finale, the winner did get a prize, but they didn't know it when they embarked on the adventure).

The kind of things that they were able to do. The kind of support that they were able to garner.

It makes me believe even more that there are many, many good hearted people out there. They just need a push, a request to participate in giving back to society.

I hope that I can do something similar with the volunteer group at work. My goal... if I can just get 80% of the staff to commit 2 weekends a year to do some form of charity work, that would be excellent. If I can get everyone to potong gaji RM10 a month... the collective amount can do so much good.

The more that I get involved in this, the more I realise that there are so many people out there that are needing our assistance.

And one of the things that Big Give taught me was that it isn't the money, sometimes it is the time... but most importantly is the willingness to open your heart and give others the opportunity and for them to be treated equally.

During one of the shows, one contestant, Stephen, who happens to be the eventual winner, spent his night after a long day of doing a charity project (because he said that there's still some time in the day that he can chip in to do some good), went to donate his time at a Kitchen... helping to serve the food, clean up etc. And while washing dishes with another guy, he listened to the guy's story... the things that he had gone through, his regrets, his aspirations, his hopes. That was it. Just listening. And to the guy, it made all the difference in the world because someone was willing to listen and be engaged with an ex convict who had done drugs, a person whom others would just treat as a sampah masyarakat.

The time spent with him gave him a stronger sense of self belief, confidence... something that everyone who has been at the bottom needs to get back up.

It's so unbelievably simple! To make a difference...

I'm not a saint, I'm not perfect, I have a lot of prejudices within me still, I don't give back as much as I should... monetary or time.

But I hope... to do more.

And I hope that I'll get others to join me on this journey too...

and the cookie crumbles...

2008-10-25T22:39:00.004+08:00

I shouldn't be calling Alan Greenspan a *cookie*. In today's newspaper (or was it an online article I read?), this former Governer of the US Federal Reserve was called *maestro*. He was highly regarded as THE leader for the financial sector.

Fast forward a few months since his retirement. Global financial crisis. At the scale that we've never seen before. The things and events that are unravelling is unbelievable and defy common sense (sometimes). The market is so volatile. One day you hear a bank declared bankrupt. The next you hear a country that was once so capital rich and was a major investor everywhere running out of funds. Reactions from the regulators and Governments across the world... things that during the Asian financial crisis were frowned upon. Some rescue packages announced... market responded, things seem to get better. Then the very next day, it crashed again upon receiving news of slowing down economy. More support announced... market recovers a bit. The next day went tumbling down to the lowest level in years. Up down up down... If I was working on the exchanges in NY or London (actually anywhere!) I'd be having a heart attack.

The thinking that market forces will correct itself... that market knows best... all thrown out the window. Irrational behaviour everywhere you turn.

And the whole world watch in horror...

Amidst all these, one can't help but to look back at the actions of the man once so revered in the financial circles. And yesterday, he admitted... that there was a flaw in his thinking. He himself was shocked to see how the market had behaved and reacted.

That's how it goes... one day you're on top, the very next day you can be at the bottom.

I don't think he's to blame for all that has happened. That is irresponsible. However, I do believe that he had played a part in all this.

Greed... that's what caused all this. From the top executive floors of financial centres to the businesses on the street.

Somehow, we, as a human race, has forgotten that our time here on earth is not to make as much money as possible. It is to have a meaningful life. Of course, to some, making as much money as possible is the meaningful life. For those people, I feel sorry for them.

We've been shown various other examples of the effects of excesses... overdoing development had its toll on the environment. Did we take heed? No...

Now we're being shown the effects of another form of excesses.

It's ok to make money, to search for a good life. But don't over do it. Don't do it at the expense of other people. And when you've attained that goal, don't forget to give back. And in the process, don't take more than what you need.

I bought Alan Greenspan's memoir sometime back and it has been sitting on my bookshelf unread. I wonder now... should I start?

Maybe... it could trigger some useful thoughts... on the hindsight kinda thing.

it takes guts...

2008-10-24T23:45:00.003+08:00

Tonight as I was about to leave the office, I checked an sms on my phone.

The sender told me that she had tendered her resignation because she cannot tahan with her boss lagi. She did it without securing another job. So far her job hunting has not been successful. Hence she cannot join us for Mamma Mia.

I was surprised.

I was amazed.

She has guts.

I would not and don't have the courage to leave a job cold feet like that. I think no matter how I hate the job or the person at the workplace, I can never do that. I'm a very risk averse person when it comes to these things. I think it is because I've experienced it before when I was younger when my dad was out of a job.

Although we weren't in trouble and continued more or less with our normal lifestyle, the fear lingers.

I remember that time very well. I think I was 11.

As usual whenever my dad was at home during the week, I would mengada2 and ask him to send me to school instead of walking. Tak jauh pun the school from our house. Saje... ngada-ngada. It was not normal for him to be at home on a weekday but to me, it was a golden opportunity. At first he refused, then I don't know what I said or did, he pergi jugak hantar I pergi sekolah.

That night my mom pulled me aside after dinner. She told me what had happened and said that we'd have to be more careful with our expenses from then on. That was my first ever experience of having the feeling of *heart dropped* (I think). My dad carried a worried, troubled look for several weeks.

Fortunately about a month or so later, my dad got another job.

That experience changed him somewhat. He used to be carefree, adventurous. He tuned down, became more low-key. He used to go to work with great excitement. After that, we goes to work because he needs to support his family.

I never ever want to be in that situation again. Which is perhaps one of the reasons why I've not moved job until now. Don't get me wrong... I'm happy where I am, I have great friends at work, have a work that is constantly challenging. But deep down, I know that this is not really my passion. As time passes, it gets increasingly difficult to keep myself motivated. There's a lot of responsibility and expectation on me though. I no longer carry the *zing* as I used to. Once in a while, I do get that dose of excitement, but let's face the truth... only about 60% of what I currently do actually gives me that rush. The rest of it I do because I have to.

It isn't perfect, but it affords me a comfortable life and allows me to continue to indulge in the things I love.

I don't know how to get *excited* again. I don't think I can, if I stay here. To pursue my passion means I will have to forego so many things. I don't think I'm ready to do so. And when you have a family that depends on you, the equation becomes even more complicated.

And so I stay on... doing my best to maintain my enthusiasm, waiting for that occasional burst of excitement.

I hope I won't regret it when I'm older...

duh!

2008-10-24T23:36:00.002+08:00

I woke up this morning... with eyes half shut, went to the *throne*. As I shi-shi, a thought crossed my mind... DUH!

Why?

I had the information, and yet still made that stupid mistake.

I had waited over 3 weeks and yet this still happens. What laa...

The night before I logged on to Leading Hotels of The World with high hopes to secure special price hotel rooms in conjunction with their anniversary.

Since I'm planning to go to HK, I had wanted to book a room there. Two friends are also heading the same way and I thought of joining them. Mymot had earlier emailed me her flight itinerary. I've even made a mental note of which day to take leave etc.

Some help my mental note did. When I made the booking, I'm one week off.

Bukannya tak ada info, bukannya tak tahu... but somehow last night I was very sure about the date.

And it didn't strike me until this morning.

Melepas...

how was your weekend?

2008-10-20T00:52:00.003+08:00

It has been a while since I last blogged. So many things have happened since... some contributing to the long hiatus. Each day as I drive home, I have these ideas about what to write, experiences to share etc etc but I fail miserably. Someone should invent a machine that I can just cucuk on my head and the thoughts would nicely translate into a blog entry.

Gosh... where do I start?

OK... let's start from today and see what I can recall. A test of sorts to see how much brain cells I have left.

I woke up not too early but not late either. Have an appointment... my dear ex-boss and good friend, the wonderful ARG and wife invited me over to their (relatively) new home. Actually, it was more of me self-inviting haha. Was supposed to visit them during Raya but since I wasn't feeling well, we had to postpone the visit. And on Friday I somewhat managed to secure myself an invite to their home.

Wasn't hard to find the lovely Laman Oakleaf with the aid of my trusted Garmin which Aunty Yan pulangkan semalam after their holidays in Australia. They have a lovely home and in such nice surroundings. Lovely home for such a lovely family :)

Went with Mama and Papa... Ina and Amt were supposed to follow but they were still in slumber when we left. Malas nak tunggu plus I was already late.

Had nasi lemak yang enak (my second for the days since Papa also bought us nasi lemak for breakfast) and chatted pasal economy, hotel chains, house renovations, people dan macam2 lagi. Dekat2 nak pukul 2 baru balik.

Arrived home just in time to catch the Shanghai GP race. A boring race... and my least favoured driver won. Hmph! K Ore and Abg Radzi dropped by after attending a wedding in Sg Buluh. Serve kuih raya je lah...

Lepas tu Ina ajak keluar makan. I was still full but wanted to follow coz I had some other missions as well.

But first... pergi Darabif. It was raining heavily but that didn't stop us empat beradik. After that we went to HSC... to go boring 1901. For those of you yang tak tahu, 1901 has a special offer on every 19th of the month. Their chicago beef and NY chicken selling at 1.99 each je. I also wanted to go buy a new DVD player kat SenQ since my Toba dah rosak. Kebetulan they had a sale, so I also bought an Electrolux vacumm cleaner too.

Tonight I was on a chick flick movie marathon. Watched Definitely Maybe and Notting Hill. Two of my favourite cerita cinta. Dunno why, but I've been in a mood for such movies lately... since watching Sense & Sensibilities on Astro several nights back. My darling friends before you start speculating, it is purely for entertainment.

Actually, this weekend the theme has been tengok movie. Yesterday I watched Mamma Mia which I think is simply brilliant and Hot Fuzz... British comedy at its best. I've not laughed that loud for a long time!

Yesterday morning I had a mission. The place: Kg Laksamana Batu Caves. The target: hardcore poor family. The mission: distribute barang makanan keperluan asas. Have been working on Deepavali Sharing project since lepas Raya and yesterday was the project implementation day. Me and Thomas were the only non Indian there but we felt like we were part of the team. Worked with Sai Ananda group, whose Batu Caves chairman happen to be one of our colleagues at work. They organised the recipients and volunteers. I'm very impressed with the community work that Ayavoo does and his helpers too. They've got a good thing going... volunteers from kids as young as 10 and adults. They cooked (before distribute barang, the poor were treated to some yummy lunch... I was invited too, and believe me it was yummy!!), we worked with the kids to pack the barang and distribute. I was really amazed with what RM100 can get you. I worked with Giant Selayang to get the items and they gave us a special price with free delivery too. Basically each family got 10kg beras, 5kg minyak masak, 4kg gula, 3 bungkus mihun, 3 tin susu pekat, generic milo 400gm, 1 botol 2L cordial, 2kg dhal, 4 bungkus kari powder, 2 bungkus cream crackers. That should help sustain for a month or so. Suffice to say, I went home feeling very good :)

The more I do these things, the more I realise that there are so many people in need of help out there. But as Thomas and I came to realise while we were chatting, not many people actually come forward to do volunteer work. It is always the same faces. Where are the rest?

I admit... before this pun I'm one of the culprits. But now dah insaf... there's so much that can be done. Watching Oprah's Big Give last night helped strengthen my resolve. I should do more of these things and get more people involved. My goal is to convince people to spend 2 weekends a year to do some charity work. If I can get 500 people je pun that would be awesome.

Tapi biasa lah... nak buat benda baik ni banyak dugaannya. But I also believe, and have experienced it first hand, that when you tengah nak buat benda baik, God will pave the way and make things easier for you. Many surprises along the way that make you think back and smile...

Come join me!!

Eid Mubarak!

2008-10-03T00:47:00.005+08:00

Selamat Hari Raya everyone!!

I know this wish is a tad late... I blame it on feeling unwell and I don't think it is in the spirit of Raya to be spending one's time in front of the computer ;)
[excuses... excuses... hehe]

I'm the least prepared for Raya this year. Didn't even had the chance to go get kad raya for my colleagues at work. Nasib baik ada card allocation from the organisation, so I managed to send some to my other friends. Ingatkan nak get some gifts for ppl like I usually do, but this time memang tak sempat. And Ramadan flew by so quickly. I didn't even manage to send any emails or sms to wish people Selamat Hari Raya. Very bad...

Raya so far has been *calm*... for lack of a better word. It wasn't as hectic as usual because this year we've got a day-maid who comes over to clean the house daily. So yours truly didn't have to do as much *house cleaning* this year. Hooray!!

This year... also a departure from normal practice, I didn't buy any kueh. OK... I did buy one bekas of kuih tart and 3 bungkus popia simpul. That was it. Tahun ni Abang sponsor kueh... his office gave all staff one hamper of kueh raya and he bought some as well. Plus his GF buatkan choc cornflakes cookies. All sedap :)

Patutnya this year tak jadi buat takbir from rumah ke rumah macam biasa tapi some people really wanted to have it so there was an impromptu arrangement which was decided lepas Asar, the day before 1 Syawal. Our house was #1, so that meant we had to get ready quickly right after iftar and solat Maghrib. But also good because I don't have to stay up too late to clean up. And the *rounding* tak lama sangat this year. Papa was back home by 12:30am. Since it was impromptu, we only served kueh raya, some ice-cream and some chicken balls for the kids. I also sempat decorate depan rumah with some tea lights to memeriahkan suasana raya. But dalam kesibukan bersiap2, I forgot to ambik gambar. Darn! Takpe... still have several more tea lights to recreate the atmosphere ;)

One Raya day, we went for solat Aidil Fitri kat surau Taman Sri Delima macam biasa. But Abg and Amt went to Masjid Wilayah. Lepas solat all of us were in the kitchen masak lodeh, kuah kacang, panaskan rendang yang Mama dah buat the day before... eaten with ketupat. Petang we went visiting in Damansara Heights and Section 16. Makan lagi... tapi semua pun best, hehe. Had laksa, mee udang, nasi dagang... semua pun try, tapi sikit2 ;) Mama, Papa and Abg went balik kampung Papa lepas tu while Ina, Amt and I headed home. Was not feeling very well...

I've been nursing a very bad cough for over a week. It's the kind of cough which is deep in your chest, dry and irritatingly scratchy. I sound like an old sick lady each time I cough and due to the strain, I'm also sporting a husky and deep tone *pondan-like* voice. Takpelah... janji I can still makan ketupat and rendang ;) It was quite bad in the beginning... couldn't even swallow water. Yesterday I had a short bout of mild eye infection... don't think it's serious enough like conjunctivities, but enough to produce copious amount of tahi mata. Today dah reda...

Went to Ipoh to visit Ayah Ngah and family today. Traffic was ok. Diorang satu family semua ada kat sana. While we were there, some other cousins also dropped by to visit. Arrived home just before Maghrib and was informed that Papa's youngest sister was coming over with her family.

So that's day before, Raya day and second Raya day... things are just going to get more *hectic* this weekend I suspect, so better get as much rest as possible while I can...

oh btw... I really like this Raya advert. Shows just how important it is to spend Raya with your family and loved ones... while they're still *around*.

found this too... like the ending ;)

this one hits so close to home...

but this one takes the cake... touching, funny, meaningful... all in one :)

extremely happy and very very proud!

2008-09-23T23:51:00.002+08:00

Since the middle of this year, I've been involved in the organisation's volunteer movement. I'm the head of staff mobilisation a.k.a. project head. Responsible to make sure that charity activities are taking place and persuading people to get involved. Am very happy to be involved in it... makes me feel so much better that I'm contributing back to society, one way or another.

Not long before puasa NSY mentioned to me "should organise something for Ramadan to tolong orang susah". I sent email and made an announcement seeking for people who would like to be involved in the project. Masa tu, no idea yet who to give to, what to give etc etc. Just wanted to get a few people gathered together first.

The response I got from the email was very encouraging. Bertubi-tubi orang reply kata that they want to get involved. Good signs :)

So I initiated a virtual brainstorm on what to do, what to give etc. Then I had to leave for the UK. But not before assigning some tasks to several people to cari orang yang memerlukan bantuan. Sought the assistance of Momz to get some names from BersamaMu.

Sangat bagus and efficient that team of 4 ladies. They found a few homes that are in desperate need of aid. We weren't sure whether we can raise enough to help all, and settled with two orphanages.

At the same time, another team, under the Children cause, was working on a similar yet different charity drive. Theirs was focused to raise funds to give the kids what they want for Raya. That team was also very efficient and creative. They visited the home, took photos and videos of the kids and their home yang serba kekurangan.

The two teams got together when we planned the appeal announcement, strategise how to raise funds. The target was quite big... RM7k for Ramadan RM Rally and RM17k for Raya Wishlist. My first thoughts... dapat ke nak raise banyak tu? Takpelah... kalau tak dapat raise semua pun, half of it pun dah bagus sangat dah. With only 2 weeks available to us, we had to act fast.

We worked on the advertisement, pushed Chee Yoong to work over the weekend to make sure that it gets posted on the internal website by Monday, assigned people who will collect money etc. Also spread the word via our own networks.

And the response?
OUTSTANDING!!!

I knew that ppl from the organisation are a generous lot, but I didn't expect them to be this generous. Several ppl donated 4 digit amounts, sponsored washing machines, 8 sony mp3s, remote control cars, bicycles dan macam2 lagi. Big ticket items! But let's not forget those who give what they can... no matter how small the amount, bila campur2 jadi banyak.

Sangat banyak!

More than RM25k banyak!! It's unbelievable!!!

I really tak sangka that it would be this successful. Both teams have collected more than what they initially targeted for (and remember, I initially thought that the target was too high to start with... and had even made recommendations to the committee to chip in from the fund that we have).

Boy... was I wrong.

And the thing that made me even more pleased is that semua orang tak kira bangsa dan agama contributed towards the success of this charity drive. My head for collection is Indian. I have team members who are Chinese, Indian along side the Malays of course... all put in their best effort to help the kids. When I saw the list of donors, I noted that some of the big contributors are non-muslims. Warms my heart to see that bangsa Malaysia is alive and kicking in the organisation!

This Thursday and Sunday, the teams will be visiting the homes to give them the things and money that were donated. I am sure that they would be very happy this coming Raya. The Raya Wishlist team had visited them last Wednesday to take the kids out to beli baju raya (someone actually sponsored RM100 per kid... there are 16 kids in that home) and delivered bicycles and some other items as well. Bak kata Ameer "the kids tu bila dapat basikal, take turns riding and had the biggest smiles... macam orang dpt awek baru".

The joy that all this brings... the knowledge that what we do is making others have a better life... is so rewarding. Much much more than receiving your paycheck at the end of the month.

I'm so thrilled to be involved in this... and I want to do more!
It's addictive!!

more of London...

2008-09-21T18:48:00.008+08:00

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1684125
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1684131
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1684133

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1684241

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1684285
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1684291

I hope to visit this great city again soon =)

Cambridge pix...

2008-09-21T15:17:00.013+08:00

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1684010

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1684023

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1684037

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1684055

More of London coming up...

London pix...

2008-09-20T15:30:00.026+08:00

i don't know how it got there...

2008-09-11T22:57:00.003+08:00

Just now when I went downstairs in search of food (hehe... org Jawa panggil "men-tong"), Papa had a worried look on his face. He was searching for something... angkat cushion, check dalam pocket... jalan around the house.

"Kenapa Pa?" I asked.
"Kunci kereta Papa... I cannot locate it" he said, sambil mata melilau looking around.

He jalan sana sini mencari... while I sat menikmati murtabak ayam.

I tried to jog his memory... retracing each step that he took since he last had the keys in his hand. "Papa letak kat tangga macam biasa, then went to the kitchen to tolong Mama masak".

"Ntah ntah you terbuang sekali masa you buang sampah tadi kut?" Mama said.

My poor dad pun pergi lah kat our tong sampah, selongkar habis... no avail. Semua lampu pasang, cari... tapi still tak jumpa.

"Masa Papa masuk Papa cabut tak kunci drp pintu?" I asked him. He didn't reply. Mama pun terus jump in "Haa... kut kut ada orang nampak kunci terpacak kat situ and ambik". Trust her to jump to such conclusion. [My mom FYI has this fear about orang masuk rumah. Sampai mengigau lah if we are away from home for an extended period of time... mimpi orang masuk rumah]

Papa had an even more worried look on his face. He would never say it but you can tell from his air muka that he is concerned that it might be true. He re-traced every step balik... with hopes that such was not the case...

After about an hour of mencari and tak jumpa, we gave up. I went upstairs and started to simpan kain yang baru dilipat. Lepas dah habis, tergerak hati... Looked into my handbag yang ternganga luas. I saw my keys, my phone, blackberry... what's that in the corner?

Papa's keys!!!

Wallahualam macam manalah kunci tu boleh masuk my handbag. What I do recall is that when I got home I was sleepy like hell (dozed off several times while driving... masa berhenti tengah traffic jam, boleh terlelap... sampai one point tu, the car in front of me dah jauh ke depan). I letak my handbag and newspaper kat tangga, buka tudung, tanggal pas, buka jam and terus headed for the sofa to baring. It was 6:50pm I think... sempat lah catch 40 winks.

As usual, lepas iftar, we all solat Maghrib jemaah and lepas tu I grabbed my stuff and went upstairs to take a shower. Agaknya masa tu kut kunci tu termasuk dalam my handbag (or could I have absently picked it up and put it in there?)

Dengan tersipu-sipu I went downstairs... keys in hand.

"Papa... Papa..." I called out.
"Ye..." he answered from the kitchen, his hand deep in another sampah plastic bag. Aiyoo... kesian my dad. He was really doing all he can.

"Nah... Along jumpa"
"Kat mana?"
"Inside my handbag... tak tahu macam mana ada kat situ. I didn't take it."

A smile broke on his face... clearly relieved. He even laughed. "Cheh... penat Papa cari dalam sampah", in a cheery voice. I didn't get any *scolding*. I think he was just so relieved that he doesn't care. The smile still there.

"Ma... Along dah jumpa. Inside my handbag"
"Haaa.... alhamdulillah. Mama baru ingat nak telefon Wak suruh dia datang tukar kunci pintu besok". She too was smiling broadly. Relieved...

"Papa nak berak... dari tadi tahan ni..." my dad declared.

I left them and went back upstairs... disaster averted :)

more Germany photos uploaded...

2008-09-10T23:42:00.003+08:00

Have been neglecting this project for a while... must finish this, so that I can load up the latest pix from recent UK trip :)

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1674716
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1675616
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1675725
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1675770
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1675775

intelligent, handsome, charming... what more could you ask for?

2008-09-05T23:42:00.005+08:00

While in Cambridge, I took a punting trip on the river Cam with fellow seminar participants. There were about 50 or so of us and I was among the last to board the boat.

What a good decision that turned out to be because the gentleman who punted (is that the correct term?) my boat was a delightful feast to the eyes :) This lady couldn't contain herself and smiled throughout the 30mins boat trip, hehe...

OK... I admit, he's not a hunk in the traditional sense of the word, but it's the combination of charm, good looks, good physique, brains and that special British sense of humour was what made him attractive... to me anyway (actually, not just me, because Zoe concurs... and he's a man! haha)

Suffice to say I went to bed that night with his face in mind ;p

Bak kata Zoe... "it isn't fair... so charming, good looking and smart... how to compete?"

Dengan gagahnya he punted 2 boats filled with medium to large sized men and women... not a sweat nor shortness of breath in sight. Yang breathless was moi, haha...

He eloquantly described the sights along the river, well versed with the history and a spattering of wry jokes... in perfect queen's english. No cockney accents here mind you. Very charmingly conversed with us and discreetly disclosed that he's a student of Trinity college (I don't think he's a tutor or fellow... looks too young to be one). Mind you... Trinity is one of the more popular colleges in Cambridge and among the hardest to get into. One must be either very well connected or have that special "umph" to be admitted into Trinity (good brains is a given). No air of pompousness nor "I'm better than thou" attitude. However, he does exude confidence in spades and a nonchalant deportment which I find extremely sexy ;)

I personally think he looks a bit like Brad Pitt from his Legends of the Falls days. Lucky me, I sat right opposite him on the boat, which afforded me the chance to "observe" him under the pretense of tengok scenery. I was literally oogling him, haha...

How nice it would be if someone like that sweeps me off my feet and we live happily ever after...

Wake up girl... you're now thousands of miles away!! and he's quite likely in the arms of an equally attractive, well educated lady from a privileged background (not another man... NOOOOO!!!!)

a weekend getaway...

2008-08-28T05:46:00.003+08:00

I was in London over the weekend. Took an evening flight on Friday... wanted to maximise on time to jalan2 in London, hehe...

Took half day... konon nya nak pack barang awal and then pergi rumah K Dud for majlis tahlil. Tapi last2, lambat jugak. This time I was very inefficient when it came to packing. No planning, no system, semua main campak je dalam bag. Siap packing around 6:15pm. Looks like kena tunggu lepas maghrib baru lah bertolak ke rumah K Dud.

Since dah lambat, decided to check in je kat KL Sentral and then pergi Kg Sg Merab. Selesai semua, Amt and I made our way ke rumah K Dud yg baru di renovate. Majlis baru nak mula when we arrived... tapi I headed straight for the kitchen in search of food... haha

Around 10:30pm we left K Dud's house. Flight at midnight, but boarding starts at 11:15pm. I sampai sana ngam2... ingat nak beli a few barang kat duty-free but decided against it so that I can visit the loo. Nanti balik lah baru beli.

The flight was full... penuh dgn mat salleh. Sat next to this chinese (I think) lady but we didn't even speak. I watched Things Happen in Vegas sambil makan (again!) and then tido zzzzz But not a deep sleep... asyik terjaga2.

I had requested for a window seat on the right side of the plane so that I'll get a glimpse of London from above. Wanted to snap photos tapi unfortunately it was cloudy... darn! Maybe next time...

Bila dah keluar plane baru nampak NMS... immigration kejap je but tunggu bag yg lama. To cut on cost, we took the tube instead of Heathrow express into the city.

Although I was just here a few months back... am excited about being back in London!

king's college cambridge

2008-08-27T13:41:00.000+08:00

Yup... that's where I am right now. I've been here before... 2 years ago, but as a tourist. Now I'm staying IN King's College, albeit in a hostel away from the main area... in the Backs.

Am attending a course on New Frontiers in Financial Regulation. A mouthful isn't it? A few other ppl from the organisation is here as well... so in total there are 5 of us attending different courses. Didn't know about them being here... jumpa kat reception area.

Actually arrived in London on Saturday... jalan2 sikit over the weekend. More of that later.

about me...

2008-08-20T19:52:00.003+08:00

Am at the office... waiting for ma famille to sampai. Going for dinner at Coliseum.

So sambil tunggu, I did this Personality quiz on Facebook (me and quizzes.. just love doing 'em, hehe).

The results? See below. Do you concur??

The Big Five Personality Questionnaire

Openness 81%
Conscientiousness 74%
Extraversion 54%
Agreeableness 76%
Neuroticism 21%

Openness
This trait refers to the extent to which you prefer novelty versus convention. Approximately 72.6% of respondents have a lower openness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is intellectually curious and appreciative of what you consider beautiful, no matter what others think. You might say that your imagination is vivid and makes you more creative than many others.
Reflective question: How important are your emotions in determining how you behave?

Conscientiousness
This trait refers to the extent to which you prefer an organised, or a flexible, approach in life. Approximately 75.8% of respondents have a lower conscientiousness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who avoids forseeable trouble through purposefully planning, and achieves success through persistence. From your responses it appears that you are reliable and prepared for life's challenges.
Reflective question: How do you feel when you are working with someone who is disorganised?

Extraversion
This trait refers to the extent to which you enjoy company, and seek excitement and stimulation. Approximately 30.8% of respondents have a lower extraversion raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who prefers low-key social occasions, with a few close friends. You might say that it's not that you are afraid of large parties; they're just not that fun for you.
Reflective question: How do you like to spend your spare time?

Agreeableness
This trait refers to the way you express your opinions and manage relationships. Approximately 78.8% of respondents have a lower agreeableness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who people get along with easily. Your responses suggest that you would say you are considerate and friendly, and think that other people are generally honest and decent.
Reflective question: Is your co-operative preference ever taken advantage of by others?

Neuroticism (Emotional stability)
This trait refers to the way you cope with, and respond to, life's demands. Approximately 11.5% of respondents have a lower neuroticism raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is calm and emotionally stable. Based on your responses, you come across as someone who is rarely bothered by things, and when they do get you down the feeling does not persist for very long.
Reflective question: When do your emotions (or lack of emotions) get in the way of good decision making?

Research has found that the Big Five personality traits are significantly related to Jungian Typology (e.g. the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). This is a popular alternative personality framework regularly used for personal development, in which Types are used rather than Traits. Based on your Big Five trait scores, your estimated Type is shown below

INTJ

Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging
INTJs are very analytical individuals. They are more comfortable working alone than with other people, and are not usually as sociable as others, although they are prepared to take the lead if nobody else is up to the task, or they see a major weakness in the current leadership. They tend to be very pragmatic and logical individuals, often with an individualistic bent and a low tolerance for spin or rampant emotionalism. They are also commonly not susceptible to catchphrases and commonly do not recognize authority based on tradition, rank or title. Hallmark features of the INTJ personality type include independence of thought, strong individualism and creativity. Persons with this personality type work best given large amounts of autonomy and creative freedom. They harbour an innate desire to express themselves; that is to be creative by conceptualizing their own intellectual designs. Analyzing and formulating complex theories are among their greatest strengths.

charity...

2008-08-19T23:07:00.002+08:00

I've been involved in the organisation's volunteer association for a while now. I'm officially the "people mobiliser" which means that I'm in charge of getting initiatives organised, projects jalan etc...

Although the days are quite busy, I always try to find time to do a little bit of kerja2 yang sewaktu dengannya... either touching base with my cause leaders, arranging for volunteer announcement... macam2.

Latest, is organising a Ramadan Donation drive. Got a lot of response for that, but what I really need is a co-project manager. Also started a campaign to help the blind... by getting people to donate their voice to read books, spend time typing books to be converted to braille, and planning for blind masseuse at our new clubhouse.

Today there was a stream of emails from another group who is arranging for a bantuan for anak yatim/staying in homes... so many people are eager to participate. Warms my heart to know that there are many kind hearted souls out there...

Last weekend another team took some kids from a home in Cheras to Petrosains. They got very good response for donation and the home carer gave a glowing comment on the success of the trip. This weekend, another team is doing an elephant awareness trip to Kuala Gandah. Would love to ikut but I'll be somewhere in the skies masa tu.

Tapi one thing I perasan... most of the people who come forward to extend assistance are ladies. Kenapa eh?

eye candy...

2008-08-18T23:15:00.005+08:00

Ina and I were watching athletics on TV last night and both of us (almost simultaneously) said "waa... hansem" about a Japanese hammer thrower.

His name Koji Murofushi. Berbadan sasa and he's doing his PhD.

Ooooohhhh.... me like strong men with brains. Doesn't hurt that he's quite pleasant on the eyes too ;)

new discovery...

2008-08-17T23:43:00.003+08:00

Actuallynya Abg dah lama bagitau pasal this place... cuma I've never had the chance to try it out... until yesterday.

On the way back from Low Yat, Amt and I made a detour to Jalan Raja Abdullah to the much talked about Yellow Cab Pizza Co. True to its name, the Italian pie outlet is decked in all things yellow... from yellow chairs, to yellow vespas that will make its way through the streets of KL to make deliveries to hungry customers.

It's quite a simple shop... occupying what used to be a townhouse. But as soon as you step into the shop... the smell, yummmmmmm!

We ordered the 4 cheese and Manhattan Meatlover 14" pizzas to go... sebab it was already Maghrib and Amt wanted to catch the inaugural EPL match for the season.

Memang the bau sangat harum... both of us were repeatedly telling each other that if the taste is as good as the aroma, we'll definitely be devoted customers.

So was it good?

It was better than the usual fare that you find in Malaysia. It's still not as good as the authentic Italian pizzas that I've tasted while in Rome and Milan, and still not as nice as the pizzas I had in San Francisco. But it was good nonetheless. A bit mahal than Dominos and Pizza Hut. I think lebey kurang sama harga dengan California Pizza Kitchen. I haven't been to the latter for a while, but if memory serves me right... it's definitely better than that.

I'm already thinking about the Tribeca Mushroom and New York's Finest... next time :)

fastest men on earth...

2008-08-16T22:44:00.008+08:00

It's official... Osain Bolt is the fastest man on land.

Just watched him take gold medal in the men's 100m sprint. His run was amazing! He left the rest of the field by the 60m mark and did it (seemingly) with such ease. He even slowed down as he neared the finishing line and looked at the big screen and thumped his chest... and yet he broke the world record (which was his to begin with). Next to the other runners, he's really big... which makes one wonder how he can run so fast. But when you see the slow-mo, you'll realise that his long legs are his secret weapon. His strides are easily 1 foot longer (I think).

After winning, Bolt went on a victory lap around the Bird's Nest with his gold sprint boots in his hands and the Jamaican flag on his back. He's one bold man. His boots were gold on top and on the soles. Even the spikes are too! I didn't get to read it properly but there was also stitching on the boots that said 100m Beijing 2008 (or something like that). What I wonder is whether there are also stitches which says "winner of"...

Also managed to catch the men's 100m butterfly swim. Phelps did it again... and has now equaled Mark Spitz record of 7 gold medals at one olympics and is now the most successful Olympian with 12 (I believe) gold medals to his name. And he won it with the smallest of margin... 0.01 second! Yes... that's less time than a blink of an eye. He almost didn't get it and the medal seemed destined to hang around the neck of the Serbian Cavic and it did seem to the naked eye like he had won. Very hard to determine when his arms were lunging under water while Phelps' aimed for the wall with a final stroke. According to the news reports, the officials had to watch a frame by frame slow-mo of the video in 1/1000 speed. That's how close it was. In the end... Phelps did win, as the commentator said "the time sensor don't lie"... although I bet many around the world are thinking of conspiracy theories ;)

Whatever it is... one can't deny that Phelps is one outstanding athlete... one of the best that the world will ever see. He has won all 7 events that he competed in thus far, all bar one in world record time (the latest is one where he *only* managed to break the Olympic record).

Hooray to mankind's great achievements!

mission accomplished!

2008-08-16T22:10:00.004+08:00

After months of toiling "should I or should I not?" over the idea of spending a large amount of money on an equipment of high precision, last week I made the decision to just do it.

And today, *armed* with Amt by my side, we ventured to Low Yat in search of Canon's latest EOS 450D.

After checking the prices here and there, negotiated and end up discovering that they were out of stock, masuk keluar pelbagai kedai... I finally got it at Boeing Foto in Sg Wang Plaza. Bought the 450D kit, extra battery and UV filter there. Bag from Foto Shangri-La (it's actually an Olympus bag, but I like the colour). Spent almost 4 hours doing all the price checking, haggling, twice walking to and from Sg Wang Plaza. Penat!

The battery is being charged now and so far, dah main sikit2... I am very happy with the purchase :) The photos are crisper and more precise, the camera much lighter than Ina's Rebel, speed very good, colour seems richer and the LCD screen is big!!

Tak sabar nak try ambik gambar betul2... maybe tomorrow morning I shall wake up early to catch the sunrise?

life and how to survive it...

2008-08-15T23:29:00.000+08:00

Adrian Tan is a litigation lawyer at one of Singapore's top law firms. This is his speech at NTU's convocation ceremony this year.

... It's a wonderful honour and a privilege for me to speak here for ten minutes without fear of contradiction, defamation or retaliation. I say this as a Singaporean and more so as a husband.

My wife is a wonderful person and perfect in every way except one. She is the editor of a magazine. She corrects people for a living. She has honed her expert skills over a quarter of a century, mostly by practising at home during conversations between her and me.

On the other hand, I am a litigator. Essentially, I spend my day telling people how wrong they are. I make my living being disagreeable.

Nevertheless, there is perfect harmony in our matrimonial home. That is because when an editor and a litigator have an argument, the one who triumphs is always the wife.

And so I want to start by giving one piece of advice to the men: when you've already won her heart, you don't need to win every argument.

Marriage is considered one milestone of life. Some of you may already be married. Some of you may never be married. Some of you will be married. Some of you will enjoy the experience so much, you will be married many, many times. Good for you.

The next big milestone in your life is today: your graduation. The end of education. You're done learning.

You've probably been told the big lie that 'Learning is a lifelong process' and that therefore you will continue studying and taking masters' degrees and doctorates and professorships and so on. You know the sort of people who tell you that? Teachers. Don't you think there is some measure of conflict of interest? They are in the business of learning, after all. Where would they be without you? They need you to be repeat customers.

The good news is that they're wrong.

The bad news is that you don't need further education because your entire life is over. It is gone. That may come as a shock to some of you. You're in your teens or early twenties. People may tell you that you will live to be 70, 80, 90 years old. That is your life expectancy.

I love that term: life expectancy. We all understand the term to mean the average life span of a group of people. But I'm here to talk about a bigger idea, which is what you expect from your life.

...

So here you are, in your twenties, thinking that you'll have another 40 years to go. Four decades in which to live long and prosper.

...

I'm here to tell you this. Forget about your life expectancy.

After all, it's calculated based on an average. And you never, ever want to expect being average.

Revisit those expectations. You might be looking forward to working, falling in love, marrying, raising a family. You are told that, as graduates, you should expect to find a job paying so much, where your hours are so much, where your responsibilities are so much.

That is what is expected of you. And if you live up to it, it will be an awful waste.

If you expect that, you will be limiting yourself. You will be living your life according to boundaries set by average people. I have nothing against average people. But no one should aspire to be them. And you don't need years of education by the best minds in Singapore to prepare you to be average.

What you should prepare for is mess. Life's a mess. You are not entitled to expect anything from it. Life is not fair. Everything does not balance out in the end. Life happens, and you have no control over it. Good and bad things happen to you day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. Your degree is a poor armour against fate.

Don't expect anything. Erase all life expectancies. Just live. Your life is over as of today. At this point in time, you have grown as tall as you will ever be, you are physically the fittest you will ever be in your entire life and you are probably looking the best that you will ever look. This is as good as it gets. It is all downhill from here. Or up. No one knows.

What does this mean for you? It is good that your life is over.

Since your life is over, you are free. Let me tell you the many wonderful things that you can do when you are free.

The most important is this: do not work.

Work is anything that you are compelled to do. By its very nature, it is undesirable.

Work kills. The Japanese have a term 'Karoshi', which means death from overwork. That's the most dramatic form of how work can kill. But it can also kill you in more subtle ways. If you work, then day by day, bit by bit, your soul is chipped away, disintegrating until there's nothing left. A rock has been ground into sand and dust.

There's a common misconception that work is necessary. You will meet people working at miserable jobs. They tell you they are 'making a living'. No, they're not. They're dying, frittering away their fast-extinguishing lives doing things which are, at best, meaningless and, at worst, harmful.

People will tell you that work ennobles you, that work lends you a certain dignity. Work makes you free. The slogan 'Arbeit macht frei' was placed at the entrances to a number of Nazi concentration camps. Utter nonsense.

Do not waste the vast majority of your life doing something you hate so that you can spend the small remainder sliver of your life in modest comfort. You may never reach that end anyway.

Resist the temptation to get a job. Instead, play. Find something you enjoy doing. Do it. Over and over again. You will become good at it for two reasons: you like it, and you do it often. Soon, that will have value in itself.

...

So what should you do? You will find your own niche. I don't imagine you will need to look very hard. By this time in your life, you will have a very good idea of what you will want to do. In fact, I'll go further and say the ideal situation would be that you will not be able to stop yourself pursuing your passions. By this time you should know what your obsessions are. If you enjoy showing off your knowledge and feeling superior, you might become a teacher.

Find that pursuit that will energise you, consume you, become an obsession. Each day, you must rise with a restless enthusiasm. If you don't, you are working.

Most of you will end up in activities which involve communication. To those of you I have a second message: be wary of the truth. I'm not asking you to speak it, or write it, for there are times when it is dangerous or impossible to do those things. The truth has a great capacity to offend and injure, and you will find that the closer you are to someone, the more care you must take to disguise or even conceal the truth. Often, there is great virtue in being evasive, or equivocating. There is also great skill. Any child can blurt out the truth, without thought to the consequences. It takes great maturity to appreciate the value of silence.

In order to be wary of the truth, you must first know it. That requires great frankness to yourself. Never fool the person in the mirror.

I have told you that your life is over, that you should not work, and that you should avoid telling the truth. I now say this to you: be hated.

It's not as easy as it sounds. Do you know anyone who hates you? Yet every great figure who has contributed to the human race has been hated, not just by one person, but often by a great many. That hatred is so strong it has caused those great figures to be shunned, abused, murdered and in one famous instance, nailed to a cross.

One does not have to be evil to be hated. In fact, it's often the case that one is hated precisely because one is trying to do right by one's own convictions. It is far too easy to be liked, one merely has to be accommodating and hold no strong convictions. Then one will gravitate towards the centre and settle into the average. That cannot be your role. There are a great many bad people in the world, and if you are not offending them, you must be bad yourself. Popularity is a sure sign that you are doing something wrong.

The other side of the coin is this: fall in love.

I didn't say 'be loved'. That requires too much compromise. If one changes one's looks, personality and values, one can be loved by anyone.

Rather, I exhort you to love another human being. It may seem odd for me to tell you this. You may expect it to happen naturally, without deliberation. That is false. Modern society is anti-love. We've taken a microscope to everyone to bring out their flaws and shortcomings. It far easier to find a reason not to love someone, than otherwise. Rejection requires only one reason. Love requires complete acceptance. It is hard work – the only kind of work that I find palatable.

Loving someone has great benefits. There is admiration, learning, attraction and something which, for the want of a better word, we call happiness. In loving someone, we become inspired to better ourselves in every way. We learn the truth worthlessness of material things. We celebrate being human. Loving is good for the soul..

Loving someone is therefore very important, and it is also important to choose the right person. Despite popular culture, love doesn't happen by chance, at first sight, across a crowded dance floor. It grows slowly, sinking roots first before branching and blossoming. It is not a silly weed, but a mighty tree that weathers every storm.

You will find, that when you have someone to love, that the face is less important than the brain, and the body is less important than the heart.

You will also find that it is no great tragedy if your love is not reciprocated. You are not doing it to be loved back. Its value is to inspire you.

Finally, you will find that there is no half-measure when it comes to loving someone. You either don't, or you do with every cell in your body, completely and utterly, without reservation or apology. It consumes you, and you are reborn, all the better for it.

Don't work. Avoid telling the truth. Be hated. Love someone.

You're going to have a busy life. Thank goodness there's no life expectancy.

Albert Einstein kata...

2008-08-15T00:29:00.001+08:00

Try not to become a man of success but a man of value

the most amazing race ever!

2008-08-13T00:10:00.003+08:00

It was a scorcher of a race at the *Ice Cube* yesterday with the men 4x100m freestyle relay.

A race where the top 4 (or was it 5?) finishing teams were INSIDE the world record time. How crazy is that??

I'm not a big fan of the American swimming team, despite all their terror-ness... But I take my hats off for the amazing swim by Lezak, anchor for the US team, who chased after the French (favourites to win) from half-body length behind to win by a finger. Heroic efforts!!

And what better place to do it than at the iconic Ice Cube :)

Definitely one of the highlights of the 29th Beijing Olympic Games...

PFP

2008-08-12T23:30:00.002+08:00

We took this shot during the recent annual dinner... that was everyone except 4 orang.

Small kan... the department. Small but efficient :)

little joys...

2008-08-12T01:08:00.002+08:00

One of the things that make me happy is when people tell me that they like my photos :)

Thanks Mario... for the compliments. That definitely make me want to take more nicer shots.

Anyway, for those of you who were wondering... I've been using my trusted Canon IXUS 850 for a few years now. One of the best investment I've ever made. Check out my Korea photos... it's amazing, the kind of images that can be captured by that small compact camera.

But recently during the UK-Germany trip, I also brought along my sister's Canon EOS Digital Rebel. Itu pun camera lama dah tu...

I can now see the vast difference between taking photos using a compact and a DSLR.

So now, I'm aiming for EOS 450D. The question is... should I get it now or wait until price turun sikit? Will it turun??

a possibility to see il divo live?

2008-08-10T23:52:00.002+08:00

I just popped over to Il Divo's website (kebetulan... haven't been there in months) and discovered that they'll be part of a performance in London to mark the end of Beijing Olympics and the passing over of baton to London on 24/8.

And guess what... I'll be there masa tu!

Now I need to figure out where the heck "the Mall" is and whether it is an open concert.

Oohhh... my heart goes wild ;)

a delightful evening...

2008-08-10T23:13:00.002+08:00

Last night we had the organisation's annual dinner @ OneWorld Hotel. This year I'm sitting with a different group of people... given that I've moved department.

I usually don't really look forward to annual dinners because they're usually a drag. But this year it was a whole different experience! There was so much entertainment that we didn't have enough time to eat! haha...

A TV talk show host was the emcee for the night... ok lah, he kept it light. But the amazing performer for the night was an entertainer named Buddy Loren. An oldie who is very versatile, funny... he impersonated everyone from P Ramlee, to Elvis, to Mick Jagger, to Michael Jackson, to Shah Rukh Khan, to Leslie Cheung... there was even a bit of Aziz Satar and Saloma thrown in.

Another highlight was when the whole ballroom resonated with the sounds of angklung. Who would have thought that playing the angklung would be so much fun?!? 8-) Each person had his/her own angklung... there were 8 types, each with different sounds. A guy from Indonesia was our *conductor* and guided everyone, and I mean everyone, to play popular tunes. You could see from the faces of everyone in the ballroom how much they enjoyed it.

Sheila Majid was our singer for the night. I didn't pay much attention to her because I was busy chatting with my dear friend Ina whose hubby happen to work at the same organisation. So lama tak jumpa dia... almost a year. And I was greeted with good news... she's pregnant! Am sooooo happy for her and her hubby. I can't wait to get cute little things for her child :)

My volunteer team also put up a short multimedia show... a promotional bit to get more people involved in our efforts. I've had good comments from several people on how they really liked the way it was presented and how it had touched their hearts. Let's hope that many will sign up as members tomorrow when they get back to office.

One of those nights when things turn out much better than you'd have expected...

falling in love all over again...

2008-08-09T23:35:00.000+08:00

The magic that once was lost was recently rediscovered... it never went away, just hidden, after all these years.

For a while I was ashamed to admit it... but now I don't care what others would say.

5 done... another 170 or so to go...

only the chinese...

2008-08-08T20:08:00.004+08:00

Can mobilise and organise thousands of people to put up such a magnificent display of choreography, coordination and culture.

If you don't know what I'm talking about... it was the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony.

If you missed it... what can I say... you've missed one hell of a show. I for one think that it's the best Olympic Games opening ceremony EVER!

What also tickled me was that the performers were almost semua sekali of the same size and build. Well... I guess when you have 1 billion people to choose from, it ain't difficult to get 3000 people.

I loved everything about the show... the drums in the beginning, the tai-chi, the flying torch bearer, the deciples... everything lah!

And goodness... did they pull out all the stops for the fireworks or what?

London will have a tough time to put up a show when it's their turn to host the Games in 2012...

words for the day...

2008-08-05T22:38:00.003+08:00

Happiness is not by chance, but by choice ~ Jim Rohn

Life is 10% what you make it, and 90% how you take it ~ Irving Berlin

carl's jr round 2...

2008-08-03T22:56:00.002+08:00

Amt knocked on my door late morning...
"Along... kata nak bawa Amt makan Carl's Jr?"

Bagaikan pucuk dicita ulam mendatang ;) So off we went to Pavilion... in search for the famed fire grilled burgers. Today tak ramai sangat Pak/Mak Arab macam hari tu... After negotiating the menu for a while, we decided on...

Superstar burger with cheese

Portobello Mushroom burger

Chili Cheese Fries

We traded burgers so that we would both rasa each *flavour*.
The Portobello Mushroom burger is highly recommended. It was juicy and the has lots of yummy mushroom. I thought it was better than Chilli's mushroom burger, but Amt thought that it was lebey kurang...

After makan we went searching for printing paper. And then terjebak kat Stadium... Amt nak beli boots bola. His ever-so-kind sister paid for the shoe. Nasib baik on 40% off sale...

Semalam masa Ayah Ngah, Wan Nyah, Abg Ee, Kak Ina and family were here... they lepak-ed in my room. Sambil2 tu Abg Ee belek my vcd folder and discovered my x-files stash. I totally forgot about those episodes that I had downloaded from the internet.

So malam ni I nak start tengok balik the old episodes... starting with the Pilot. To re-live the magic ;)

p/s: Nasib baik Hamilton tak menang today... hahahaha

the brits can speak american but the americans can't speak queen's english...

2008-08-02T22:43:00.001+08:00

Went to watch The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor last night. Entertaining movie, but I wouldn't say that it was good. I preferred The Mummy 2 better. It's so unrealistic to expect the audience to believe that Rick Solomon has an adult son when he looks like that. Credit to Brendan Fraser for looking good... the man doesn't seem like he has aged a single day!

Although I'm not really a fan of Rachel Weisz, I sorely miss her in this movie. Her replacement, Maria Bello, is very not convincing at playing the role of an English lass. It was quite *painful* listening to hear trying to speak English. She'll lapse into the American twang every now and then...

It's amazing isn't it... how it is easier for actors from the other side of the pond to *convert*. Look at Hugh Laurie, Gary Oldman and many more actors... they seem to make the transition effortlessly.

This weekend I Ayah Ngah and family are coming down to KL to attend a wedding of orang Kg Ayor Mati. Lama tak jumpa dia... Mama kata Abg Ee will be coming as well. I was earlier planning to go up to Ipoh to attend Haz's wedding, tapi since they're coming down, tak jadi lah...

boom-de-yada...

2008-07-30T23:40:00.002+08:00

I love this!! 8-)

"ok kak?"

2008-07-29T23:49:00.002+08:00

Today I took the afternoon off...

Went for a massage... more of urut betulkan urat to be exact. And to buang angin. My left knee has been troubling me since I came home from Germany. Too much walking and pretending to be extra macho... what trouble that got me. Everytime after sitting down for an extended period, my left leg will be *dead*. I literally had weak knees which results in limping, until blood circulation jalan balik. No cramps... no semut2... just *dead*.

So when NMS told me about her masseuse, I decided to give it a try. Cuma the trouble was... when? So on the rare occassion that I don't have any meetings in the afternoon, I took 1/2 day leave and made an appointment for 1.5 hours with Jun in Chakra.

I told NMS that I'm quite a wimp when it comes to massages. Firstly I'm ticklish and secondly I takut sakit when they tekan kuat2. But NMS assured me that Jun is not the *kuat* type and that it's *sedap*.

When I arrived there, I was greeted by name (nice... thanks NMS for making the appointment for me) and was quickly ushered to the room. I told Jun about my knee thing and left it at that...

The first minute of the session was ok then the *torture* began. Within a few minutes she started burping like mad. Previous experience taught me that that was her channelling angin out of my body. Gosh... a had a gale in me!! Jun straight away went to task with my left leg. She kneaded, tekan, tolak... luckily I was facing down otherwise she would have witnessed the grimaces yang pelbagai rupa.

But I just kept quiet... no pain no gain. Or in my case, no pain no getting baik. But when it got too much I just stiffen up... to which Jun would say "lembut kan..." I wanted desperately to retort with some clever remark but thought, this lady is helping me get better. So I let it be...

After what felt like an eternity (in real time about 20 minutes kut) she asked me, "OK kak?" To which I just replied "hmm..."

She then started on the other parts of my body... which fortunately wasn't as painful. Except at my bontot area. Dunno why kat situ pun when she urut was very painful. It is still quite tender in that area right now. My left kaki just behind the knee jangan cakap lah...

Tapi the thing is, although I'm in some form of discomfort right now... akibat kena big time knead in those area (I even think it's slightly bruised?), my *dead* leg problem dah go away. I wouldn't go to the extent of saying that there's a spring to every step, but I can now walk properly again :)

All the pain endured was worth it... I'm thinking of sending Mama to Jun as well... she has been complaining about sakit kaki for a week now.

Before the urut session, I went to the dentist. Dah lama tak check gigi... ada 2-3 tahun dah kut. While waiting, a nurse suddenly came to me asking if I drove. "Yes" I said, to which she responded by saying that that might be a problem. Huh? She then presented some pills and a cup of water... to calm my nerves she said. Since when pulak kalau nak buat scaling kena sampai bagi *relaxing* pills? I asked her why the pills to which she responded in some ching-lish that I couldn't fathom. I declined and told her that I won't be needing those pills.

When I went into the dentist room (aka torture chamber to some people, haha) I asked the dentist, why I was offered those pills? He said that it was because my records said that I'm nervous and told me not to worry, he'll be *gentle* masa buat the scaling.

Me... nervous jumpa dentist? No, I actually like sitting in those chairs and staring into the ceiling with my mouth wide open. I do... I like getting my teeth checked, cleaned... cuma tak buat selalu je ;)

Then a thought crossed my mind. "I think you have my sister's card... can I see it?"

True enough... it wasn't my records that he had in his hand, but rather Ina's. Haha... now I know that she's nervous with dental treatments. Told the dentist about the mix up and he halted while waiting for the nurse to cari my card. What laaa....

My gigi are in good condition... just in need of some cleaning, which wasn't very extensive considering dah lama tak jumpa dentist. The whole scaling process took about 10-15 minutes kut. No tooth needing filling, no cavity... good! I've never had any filling in my life. Alhamdulillah... teeth wise, they're quite sihat. Sepanjang hidup, bila pergi dentist it's either to cabut gigi (the last time being, I dunno... 20 years ago?) or having it cleaned. So I can't relate when people say certain sounds remind them of having their tooth being filled... that rasa ngilu.

So today was a day to get my body *back in order*... whatever that means ;)

Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery and today is a gift... that's why they call it the present!

juicy, satisfying burgers!

2008-07-27T14:58:00.005+08:00

Ina and I decided to try out the (relatively) new Carl's Jr outlet.

I've always loved their burgers dulu... and often find myself unsatisfied because they were smaller than the normal burgers. And when they decided to cease operations some 8 years ago, it was with great sadness...

But now they're back... and their servings are no longer the minute size. However, with size comes the price. Although it is a fast food outlet, it is not in the same price category as Burger King, McDonalds, KFC... this is gourmet burger ladies and gentlemen.

Bila sampai je depan the shop, I was already salivating... simply by looking at the poster =)

Then once we're in, we had to stare a good solid 5 minutes to decide which burger to have. Everything sounds so yummy. In the end, I chose the double guacamole burger while Ina opted for the chilli burger. We shared fries and drinks and the bill was RM43. Quite mahal right?

But it was worth it... my burger was very satisfying and Ina's a change from the norm.

They also had free condiments of jalapeno, salsa, pickles... yumm!!

i wanted to believe, but...

2008-07-27T14:43:00.002+08:00

I'm a big X-Files fan... there, I'm out!
I've always found the stories intriguing (not all though), plots mind challenging, and I just love watching Duchovny and Anderson amazing chemistry on screen.

So when Amt told me that there's a new movie out, I was excited. I didn't have much expectations though, since their first big screen foray didn't go so well. So far, Chris Carter's best work remained on the idiot box. But one can hope...

Dengan eager nya I asked Ina on Thursday, on the way home from work "Ina... nak tengok X-Files tak tonight?" "Boleh" And so I headed for Pavilion.

The plots of the movie was shrouded in secrecy and I couldn't make head or tail from the trailer. I did seem promising. Maybe that's what spoilt it for me... I had wanted to believe... that I would find again the magic that was once the X-Files.

The storyline fell flat... it didn't feel like an X-Files show... more like another investigative show. Nothing extraordinary about the whole thing except for the aspect of psychic (don't worry... I'm not spoiling you... this is something that you'd come to realise 2 minutes into the movie). It was frustrating... given all the hype, I was hoping that Chris Carter would come up with something more than that.

One thing did surprise me though... how he treated a certain relationship. I'm sure Shippers around the world rejoiced while the NoRoMos would be going bonkers. I was extremely surprised that Chris Carter chose to draw the storyline as such, given what he had said in the past. The other thing was that, to me, this felt more like a Scully movie instead of a Mulder movie. Sure... they're both critical characters to the series, but to me, the X-Files has and is always about Mulder.

There were some moments that made it feel *almost* X-Files like... Mulder had the best one liners, and Scully joining in the fun. Listening to Anderson dishing out all those medical terms made me smile... now we have so much of those on House, Grey's Anatomy, CSI... dulu2 it was only on X-Files and I often went searching for more info after the show (the geeky me coming out again). I had to stop myself from laughing out loud when they showed a photo of one of the dumbest American president with J Edgar Hoover... the conspiracy theorists would have a field day with that! ;)

In all, it wasn't a satisfying outing... so I'll have to resort to my stash of old X-Files episodes to satisfy my craving...

images of cinderalla's castle...

2008-07-27T13:45:00.012+08:00

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1628931
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1628940
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1628944
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1628951
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1628974

where the air is fresh and the sights to die for...

2008-07-27T00:04:00.007+08:00

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1628536
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1628548
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1628552
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1628565

final instalment of photos from munchen...

2008-07-26T21:44:00.005+08:00

http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1628453
http://kakijalan.fotopages.com/?entry=1628460

since we're on this topic...

2008-07-24T10:34:00.006+08:00

I don't like talking politics... and those themes are usually avoided here. But this is something that ALL Malaysians should start seriously think about.

Those politicians won't be able to do much if we the rakyat step our feet down and all demand for these nonsense to stop.
I have faith that there are still many good, decent man and women out there... let's not allow things to get worse by giving them less airtime, focussing less on politics and tackle the real issues. The more you fuel the fire, the more out of control it gets.

Jangan lah layan all these politic-king...

Sodomy, Murder, DNA Tests Make 'CSI Malaysia': William Pesek

JULY 21 — It's becoming the highest-rating programme in Asia: Malaysia's crime scene investigations.

Just like its wildly popular American counterparts, this crime drama — call it "CSI Malaysia" — features sex, murder, DNA samples, cover-ups and a colourful cast of characters wondering who's guilty of this or that.

At the centre of Malaysia's CSI franchise is Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minister who did time on corruption and sodomy charges. Last week, Anwar was arrested on new sodomy claims. He accuses Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak — who denies sexual-misconduct allegations related to a 28-year-old Mongolian woman killed two years ago — of manufacturing the charges to discredit him.

The storyline is captivating this nation of 26 million people, most of whom are Muslim. It's sparking steamy and decidedly awkward debates about how one defines sodomy and whether it should be a crime. (It is under Malaysian law.)

Surreal subplots abound. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the man in power when Anwar was jailed a decade ago, has been fighting a very public war of words against his successor, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, over corruption allegations.

Events in Kuala Lumpur would be far more entertaining if they were confined to a television screen — and not denting the image of one of Asia's most promising economies.

Many Malaysians aren't quite sure what to think. Are the charges against Anwar trumped up to keep him from toppling the government? Is the male aide who claims to have had sex with Anwar telling the truth? If Anwar is innocent — he claims he has never engaged in sodomy — why not submit a DNA sample and clear himself? If you were Anwar, would you trust authorities not to taint the DNA test?

It was impossible to avoid this issue at a Bloomberg panel discussion on July 17, the day after Anwar was arrested (and the day on which he was released). On the panel were bigwigs from the likes of Malaysia Airline System Bhd, Maxis Communications Bhd and CIMB Investment Bank. You could see them shifting nervously in their seats as the issue of sodomy came up.

If Malaysians don't know what to make of Anwar's plight, you can imagine what foreign investors think. "Summer of Discontent"' is how Deutsche Bank AG analyst Teoh Su-Yin titled a recent report on Malaysian stocks.

Last week, it was hard to find an analyst predicting a quick resolution to Malaysia's fragile political backdrop. Nor could we find anyone in Kuala Lumpur who felt markets had fully priced in the negative impact of higher inflation on the economy and corporate earnings.

What's so frustrating about Malaysia is the obvious potential. Its natural-resource-rich economy has achieved great things in the 50 years since independence from Britain. Twenty-five years ago, this was a tropical backwater. Today, Malaysia's modern, skyscraper-filled capital is home to the world's tallest twin buildings: the Petronas Towers.

Yet the world is moving ahead at a rapid pace, hastened by the rise of China and India. It won't wait for Malaysia, and the current scandals preoccupying the government are coming at the worst possible time. Malaysia should be acting boldly to increase its global competitiveness.

Nations as diverse as China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam are working to raise their global influence. Five years from now, any of these economies might harness specific advantages, from low costs to human capital to technology, to challenge Malaysia's growth prospects.

Malaysia should start by fixing a key weakness: a four-decade-old affirmative-action programme favouring the predominant Malay community. It limits investment, stifles competition and keeps the economy from becoming a meritocracy. It's a third-rail issue and isn't discussed seriously.

The leadership vacuum in Kuala Lumpur means Malaysia is squandering time its economy doesn't have. Its US$151 billion (RM498 billion) economy is becoming a smaller blip on investors' radar screens, and politics deserve much of the blame.

Abdullah is under pressure to quit after his coalition's worst-ever election result in March. Earlier this month, he announced plans to stay in power for two more years as his chosen successor, Najib, faces sexual-misconduct allegations. What has the makings of a trashy novel has become reality, and it's not clear Malaysia's leaders see that.

Malaysia, it seems, is being run for the sole benefit of those in charge. The nation has become more about Abdullah's party, Umno, than the welfare of its people. That's not being lost on overseas observers.

"Investors are already considering the situation as unstable," says Tricia Yeoh, director of the Centre for Public Policy Studies in Kuala Lumpur. "They are already reconsidering their options in the country. The new investors are possibly not looking at Malaysia as a viable option and previous investors would be thinking of extracting their funds to be put in more stable and viable locations."

Financiers may be perfectly happy to watch CSI at home. They are far less keen on exposing their money to a whodunit playing out on Malaysia's national stage. — Bloomberg