Thursday, December 23, 2004

Dear Diary

I know most of the people have had their own diary, if not only entry with tons of to do list in it or as most teenagers and well, some adults still do this, writes off an entry on what they had been going through, what they felt for the day - sad, mad or happy. I have had those - note the word had as time taught me that written off stuff could be read by both really "not-that-nosy-but-can't-help it" brothers and they could laugh about it. Well I might say that it was my own fault anyway.
I started off reading and hunting for my oldest brother's diary when he was in secondary school and believe me I enjoy reading every single thing in it. He always have cartoon characters alongside his entry. I remember most the image of broken sink that he drew when he actually broke it and was caught. One of the things living in a boarding school, there is always something to share well, the escapade and misfit... save for my sister - she was a school prefect during her time and as for me, lets just say that I support my friend in her GAP (Gerakan Anti Pengawas / Anti-Prefect Movement). My youngest brother learnt well from his brother and sisters - not to document anything that can be read and be used against him.
Abang Bil (thats my bro) wrote off his blog entry about the time he met up with my sister in law - make that before he met her and just by pure coincidence and luck, I happened to find a tape that one of his exes gave him. So being "curious" both A'an and I played it and ... I guess we just kind of compared it with Din Beramboi's tape (Din Beramboi is one of the comic comedians who released a couple of stupid but funny comedy tape. Yeah yeah we are both mean, hahaha). Just when I was getting my kick out of posting some familiar part from the tape, Abang Bil posted back saying that my saved IM conversation in A'an's pc was even more interesting that the tape. DARN! I forgot that I actually saved them. Darn! Darn! Darn!

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Starlight, Starbright



True to the prediction, the Geminids meteor shower could be seen best last night from 9pm. At 9, after dinner and watching Survivor Vanuatu (I seriously kinda sick of it but that's the only watchable program at that time) I turned the lights outside off for a better view and start craning my neck up. Nothing much going on up there just yet and I was so glad that it rained heavily. The sky was so clear and beautiful.
Not long after mom joined me, turning the backyard light on. Then I start taking out a chair from the porch while mom taking the swing because our necks were hurting already. Most of the meteor could be seen after 9.30pm and we were both counting who sees the most because we were looking at different direction of the sky. We only managed to catch some together and then the airplane passing by was spoiling the fun.
Not long afterwards, my brother joined in, carrying a chair and a jar of crackers. We get to see more and the funny thing is, my mom keep saying, "after one more meteor, i'm going in", but she has been saying that since 10pm. Guess I got her hooked. The shower was not as many as I saw in 98 but then again the web page did say best seen in America and Europe. Still, I'm thankful that I manage to catch it at all. The last count was about 16 meteor and 17 airplanes, hehehe. Wished on every single one of it - minus the plane.

Sunday, December 12, 2004

Sweetest Day

Well okay I haven't written in for days. I am definitely not in the mood for writing but I am definitely in the mood to jump up and down, screaming all over the place in joy and happiness and well, basically, just be happy. I have a great family, someone who loves me so much (believe me I was actually surprised but thankful that I am actually experiencing this) an okay job etc. etc. the list will go on and on and on.
Anyway as for what happened on the 9th of December 2004... that I would leave for anyone to guess. I was actually in the office, multitasking doing my job and chat up with Jeff while babysitting my bosses' son (yeah I have 2 bosses, drive me crazy sometimes) then he called me up and asked me to turn the cam on which I did, telling me how much I mean to him, his hopes and dreams which includes me and... oh well. *sighs+grin+blush.
I was in daze the whole day and went out to Jusco without realizing what I was doing. Spent kind of a lot there and returned home still in daze, prayed and crashed onto my bed. I woke up at midnight, perform prayer and of course - istikharah, the guidance prayer. I had done it quite few times, it all leads to him and for that night I dreamt of going through a recipe list tht mashed up Malay & Western cooking. Enough said. Just hope for the best. We still won't ever know what would happen in the future. Though I am HAPPY!!!!!! and hope that my dreams will come true too.
The Geminids Meteor Shower can be seen clearly tomorrow - Monday 13th December. I am not sure if we could see it clearly here like the last very cool and clear meteor shower (I forgot which) that happened in 1998 (They predicted last time that it was going to be at about 2 am, we waited up just to see that we actually see the showers at 5 to 6 - just about the time when everyone would wake up at the boarding school - bummer) Hope we could catch it here even though the hotspots would be around in Europe and some part of America.

Monday, December 06, 2004

Motorcycle Crash Causes 1 to Fall

Pontian: An accident happened involving a male, a motorcycle and a stop sign late afternoon today. It was reported that the motorcyclist was too occupied thinking about his future engagement with the restroom that he nearly missed the road towards his house. It caused him to make the emergency break thus 'injuring' the stop sign in return. The stop sign however did not survive the crash. The rider went straight into the muddy drain nearby while the motorcycle was not even scratched. The rider is currently being laughed at by his mother and sister as he was trying to hide it. He was caught when his mother told him about the fallen stop sign when she returned from work that causes him to smile crookedly and laughed giving away his involvement to the crash. He is now going through a hard time getting the smell of the mud off his arms and face. The drain is believed to come from the nearby house's lavatory (i.e: toilet)


The fallen stop sign


The tool of destruction


The perpetrator

Honour Killing

This is a slight detour from my usual blog entry but I feel that I really need to get it written out.

Picture this

A single woman returned home. Her clothes in tatters, face was badly bruised - she was raped. She came home to seek help, to seek refuge where everyone would when they are faced with the worse thing in their life. Her father and brothers went out and seek revenge - after killing her in the name of 'family honour'.

How are you feeling now, after reading that paragraph?
Sick? Disgusted? Horrified? Angry?

That was how I felt when I first came across an article about 'Honour Killing' in the local newspaper when I was 14 that occurred in Middle East. All my life, I know that my family would protect me from harm and even if I was harmed, they would always be there for me, protecting. Same goes to others. All I could think was, what happen to the family constitution there? Not long after Reader's Digest published out the topic on the so called 'Honour Killing' and again I felt sick to the pit of my stomach. One of the cases that happened was about a married woman in India (or was it Pakistan? I'm not sure but it was just about there) who was trying to get a divorce due to her husband's abusive ways. She ran back to her family with the hope that they would give her the protection she needed. She got a bullet in her head instead, put there by her own mother when she filed for divorce because it would taint the family's reputation.

Recently, my cousin Dayahlent me Norma Khouri's Forbidden Love. Again, it was about honour killing but due to the authenticity of the book, it was pulled out from the shelf. Ms Khouri should have known that for an autobiography, she should not mix fact with fiction. In other case at the end of Ms Khouri's page a girl was raped by her own brother. Logically we would think that action would be taken on the brother. It happened differently. She was shot by her other brother while that other brother of hers is still alive and well. That certainly tipped me over. (For the part where Ms Khouri listed the cases that happened, it was based on real cases but the existence of her friend Dalia was in doubt because she couldn't supply enough proof that she was there at the time it happens) Nevertheless, both Dayah and I agree that we couldn't be grateful enough to be living over here instead of there.

Needless to say, in countries where honour killings are permitted - and believe me there are acts and bills to support it in some of those countries such as Jordan - women become the victim in every single way. From the National Geographic channel, it was told that this happens when women are deemed as a property, not as a person nor do they have the freedom to choose. Some even believe that honour killing is in accordance with the religion of Islam. That is a complete lie. There is no verse in the Qur'an that said anything about honour killing nor permitting them to kill women in the name of honour. In my opinion, it is an act of extreme male chauvinism and stupidity.

From my search throughout the net and books, honour killing trailed back even before the coming of Qur'an, during the dark time of the Arab or known as the Jahiliyah period where female infanticide and 'honour killing' was widely practiced for they were afraid that the female would bring shame to their family. The prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) called for an end of this barbaric practise back then but still it manage to survive through time. I am not sure about female infanticide nowadays but it is clear that the honour killing goes on.

There are no clear statics for this killings and the women who was killed for honour sake would always be buried in an unmarked grave and the family tend to wipe clean any memories of her. The saddest part of all, the family who practise this believe tend to strike out on gossip basis without even investigating the female's innocence. That would come after she was killed during the post-mortem but then again, for what purpose? When someone is dead, they remain dead. From what I read, in Jordan, the male family member who commit the killing would be jailed for the short sentence of 6 months or less and when he was being freed, he would receive the welcoming fit for a 'hero'. They have no regrets killing their female family member believing what they did was right and was even widely supported by the community. Due to that action, many female in the respective countries opt to live inside a prison to save their lives.

Knowing all that, there is no spared moment that I don't feel blessed and lucky living here. I would always have options and I could choose. Families did not tend to act out based on the gossip itself and even if there is a gossip or even if the gossip is true, I don't have to be afraid of getting home and being killed by my own family.

Thursday, December 02, 2004

And the Winner Is.........

Taufik Batisah!!!!!!!

I don't know whether it was wise or not to tell the fans who support Taufik to turn up at the Singapore Indoor Stadium to wear white while those who supports Sylvester to wear... pink because it was apparent that most of the audience turned up in white. When we look it at another view, it was kind of a spirit killer for Sylvester even before he started performing. When Gurmit prompted the audience to say out loud what was the number to vote for Taufik, the number 1 could be heard very clearly and as for Sylvester, the sound of number 2 came out as a mumble from the stage and some of the Taufik fans even had the gall to shout out 1 on Sly's turn.

Our very own Jac was in attandance of the grand final. Now i'm waiting for the World Idol :D

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Singapore Idol

Okay, before anyone get the wrong idea, I am not from Singapore nor do I live there. I am a Malaysian who happens to have the opportunity getting Singapore TV channels from home - I live in Johor, few minutes away from Singapore. The Malaysian Idol fever has finished with Jaclyn being crowned as the first Malaysian Idol and she deserve it too. Tonight is the final round for the Singapore Idol with Taufik Batisah and Sylvester Sim as the final 2.

I spent the afternoon on the net, multitasking as usual, doing work, talking to my baby - on the phone and on the net and discussing with my best buddy Eena about the outcome of tonight's show. The Singapore Idol fever is geniusly being build up by the Mediacorp by having interviews on the radio - Perfect 10 98.7fm Morning Show for those who has fallen out of the contest and for the standing idols each week after their performance night and of course not to mention the magazines. I don't like to watch the Singapore Idol at first but when you get to hear Daniel Ong and Grace Chua every single morning tapping about the idols throughout the 30 minutes journey to work, you tend to get the fever without realizing that you have it.

The most remembered Idol contestant would be Jerry Ong. He was being booed and jeered openly during any appearance mostly because of the fact that... okay I am being mean but here was what I hear most people say - he can't sing, but still he managed to last for so long. Jeassea (very complicated spelling, I don't think I even spelled it correctly) got voted out at the first spectacular round even though she sounded so good. That is the power of voting.

So anyway, Eena and I agreed that Taufik deserve to be crowned as the Singapore Idol tonight. His own version of Belaian Jiwa could melt anyone's heart. We'll see about that, and hope that he would.

My last comment - Jaclyn could win World Idol.


Taufik or Sylvester?

Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Open House

I just got home to see 2 of my cats lying lazily on the carpet at the verandah of my house. As always, they would pose like gatekeepers with each at different side of the door. Apparently someone put that particular carpet while I was at work today. When I opened the door, I was surprised. Chairs were arranged to be close to the wall and there were food at every table surface available at the living room. I know that my abah's friend would be visiting him for the Eid (the celebration goes on for one whole month, and so does the visiting) though I didn't expect it would be an open house. Apparently my mak took that opportunity to call up her friends at the office to come and visit so that inadvertently change the small visiting into a full fledge unplanned open house. Felt quite bad about the whole thing actually. Had I known that it would turn into that, I would have asked my parents to push it forward for the weekend so that I could help and that I could bring my friends around. Oh well, what passed has passed. Next year maybe.


All that is left at the end pf the day... still a lot. Food anyone?

Dreams Part 2

Dream No.3
Maybe this was an effect from watching the Japanese drama 'Pride' starring Takuya Kimura (I like!!!) and... I don't know what's the actress' name but she look a bit like Nanako Matsushima, only shorter. The drama was about the star ice hockey player for the team 'Blue Scorpions' - Halu (Spring) playing the game of love with one of the company's employee, Aki (Autumn) but falls for real. Sound a bit cliche' but it's a great drama. Anyway there was one scene in the last episode in the final period when Halu saw the mythical 'Ice Queen' - that is rumoured to be the strength provider for the hockey players, and only the best gets to see them - when he was unconcious during the game. The Ice Queen came in the form of Aki. When the match was over after he scored, Halu kissed the ice rink before finally sank into oblivion.



How does that drama relate to my dream?

Well lets just say in my dream I found my 'Ice King' though he is definitely NOT cold and icy and I kissed the ice rink... well actually kissing him before he became a fragment of my mind and then the ice rink, hehehehe. I woke up in my dream, finding that I was kissing the matress and then I woke up for real to find Snuggles right smack on my face. How nice.

Dream No.4
I was at my boarding school, namely SMKAJB though I know the setting was way too weird and I know its not exactly my school but it was. The paint was still fresh and some of the stairs were undone - I know in real life there's no way the Ministry of Education would allow buildings without CFO to be occupied. I don't know why but all so suddenly I was at the nearby residential area with... this was totally out of element - Jon Stamos! You would probably remember him as Jesse in the sitcom Full House. He was slouching and sitting in front one of the houses, talking about life in general. And then again I got back in my class with my friends, though the ones that were so clear in my dream was Rai - used to not like her in the first year but we became best friend in the second and Deej, we both shared the double decker bed in our senior year - I took the top despite the 'fall-from-the-double-decker-bed' incident in Form 1 that nearly broke my left shoulder. The bell rang, marked our last period and everyone was running - and I mean run like there was fire. Funnily, I realized there was a lift at the school though it was out of order. I woke up at 3.44am and realized that I missed Jeff by 5 minutes. Bummer.

...... tidur tak basuh kaki kot - NOT!

Friday, November 26, 2004

Dreams

Evidently, my brain was M.I.A from my body after the long festive season. I am totally absent minded and all I could think of every single day when I got my rear on my chair in the office was - how much farther is 5.30pm? I guess that would be one of the reasons on why I kept on having dreams the whole week.

Dream No. 1
It was Lord of The Rings and Star Wars mixed into one. There were lasers everywhere, ships and of course there were nazguls in a war and I was in the middle of it. The cool thing was that I was the assassin that look exactly like The Spawn... cool (I don't know how the Spawn manage to get into the LOTR and Star Wars group) I killed the king in the end, who thought he could hide away from my oh-so-good sensor by pretending he was his own personal guard (remember the part when Queen Amidala in Star Wars 1 posed as her own Lady in Waiting?) Mission accomplished.

Dream No. 2
I was on a holiday trip to... I don't know where and all I do was eat, eat and eat. Funny thing was that I dreamt walking into KFC but they sell beef jerky and roast duck. After eating the beef jerky my back tooth kinda went loose but its still there. In Malay myth, if you lose a tooth in your dream someone close to you is going to... pass away. I never believe that part though because I have dreamt losing the whole teeth quite a few times but no one near me pass away. Though some said it means letting go. Anyway, in my dream I still have my teeth, it was just shaky (I don't know if the term is right, bantai ajelah. Any comments on my grammar Granpa Ken?)

I got more, but those are the only dreams permittable to be shared with. No naughty thoughts there, just too personal. Maybe I was too tired, maybe I was having a neverending work blues, maybe it was the jars of tarts that I consumed the whole eid up until now (is there any connection to anything?) or maybe its just Snuggles, the stuffed toy/my sleeping partner that Jeff sent me, hehehe. Don't think so, because I slept without Snuggles last night when I dreamt abt the berserko KFC. Hmmmmm, when will the clock turn to 5.30pm?

One more thing

HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER A'AN
I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU KEEP ON MAKING BLUNDERS WHILE TALKING LATELY
(THE 'ADA ORANG DALAM BALDI' INSTEAD OF 'BILIK AIR' PHRASE WILL ALWAYS BE MY TEASING ASSET, HEHEHE)
MAYBE IT JUST SHOWS THAT YOU ARE GETTING OLD, HAHAHAHA
GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR LAST SPM PAPER

Friday, November 19, 2004

A Cute Surprise

19th November 2004 marks the 5th month of our anniversary. Look what manage to creep into the mailbox in the afternoon - other than more cool stuff that my baby sent me, hehehe.

First peek.......

2nd peek.........

The name is still undecidable though one thing I know for sure, I would be having a bedmate from tonight onwards ;)

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Selamat Hari Raya

Hari Raya - full of joy, laughter, relatives and of course, food. My holiday finally ends. I have to start working today..... feeling so lazy :D For this raya entry, I could only post this family picture we took on the first day of Eid.



Anybody heard of Thursday blues?

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Heelies from Hell

The nearer it gets to the holiday, the crazier the crowd at the shopping complex begin and the crazier the price slash. Spent my day yesterday with Eena and her boyfriend Helmi. The original plan was only for both of us to go and check out stuff at Plaza Angsana and accompany her in finding her baju raya. Since Helmi was feeling kind of left out when us girls went out together, he joined us. It was okay actually because he paid for the food :D Traffic was crazy on the way to Angsana due to the heavy rain and people who are doing last minute shopping because Thursday is already a holiday for Deepavali. Most I know, including Eena start taking Eid holiday from Deepavali towards after Raya. Lucky her. Since I don't have annual leave yet (have to wait a year for that) I made a compromise with Ms Lee that I would work on Deepavali in exchange for a day off on Wednesday.

We broke the fast at Vivo Restaurant because of the Ramadhan buffet promotion that went on there. We piled up everything we could - buruk lantak sikitlah, and sat at our table to wait for azan. One thing we found odd is that the mushroom soup tasted funny. To be exact, it was burnt-off funny. We look skeptically at other table. One uncle actually ate the soup greedily like it was the best soup ever and so does some other people at other tables, dipping garlic bread into it and sipping them. Was it our taste bud or they couldn't tell that the mushroom soup taste awful? Anyway we cleared off our pizza plate, arranged our bowl of soup in it nicely and snuck it on the dessert table next to us to make way for other food at the buffet table. A few minutes later, horrificly we found that one of the soup bowl was gone. If the waiter/waitress took it why does he/she have to leave the other 2 bowls? We burst out laughing at the thought of someone actually ate our leftover-but-looked-like-untouched soup.

Set out our shopping journey afterwards and boy, was it eventful. Kids all over with their heelies on making misfits and bumped into us so many times. We even thought that they sound they made from wheeling over the wood verandah over our head was the thunder. Eena was picking up her prospective dress and one thing that we found out, my opinion and Helmi's clashed. When I said the dress looks nice, Helmi doesn't and when he held out a dress for Eena to look, I gave it thumbs down. Went around until 9 when 3 of us finally agreed upon a dress, after giving comments like "Macam minah kampung daa" on a very short kebaya and "Eh, mbok dari mana?" on a batik print dress as Eena stepped out of the fitting room. But sadly, The L size dress is way too big for Eena and the M size was restrictive. At 9.30pm I surrendered and took my leave because my eyes were drooping. I woke up yesterday at 12 midnight and haven't slept since.

Driving was a very hard feat providing that the road towards home mostly doesn't have any lights and I was so sleepy. Got home 14 minutes after CSI started and watched it, but at the end it was CSI that watched me. Went into my bedroom, start off my pc, connected to the internet and I was lost the moment I put my head on the pillow while waiting for my yahoo to log on. Had a nightmare that I became a school prefect at primary school (which I actually was) and trying to fend off kids wearing heelies. Woke up after the nightmare and found out that Jeff was online 18 minutes after I logged into yahoo. Darn I missed him again *sighs.

A day in the life of a person named Nadiah, with a screwed up sleeping time hehehe.

Sunday, November 07, 2004

Home Delivery

The heat of Raya is drawing closer. Every Malay speaking radio station all over Malaysia could be heard playing the favourite all time raya tunes - from Uji Rashid and Hail Amir, Sudirman, M Nasir and the old tune from Saloma (honestly I forgot who sang the famous Selamat Hari Raya song but I have a strong feeling it's Saloma). For today my Mak gave me the duty of cooking the nasi himpit and pre-frying the chicken for our advance food exchanging session that usually happens on the eve or on the day of raya i.e: munjung - Javanese word that covers up visiting and bringing food for neighbours / relatives. Kinda like the Malay word kunjung, means the same anyway. I was on a fast tempo doing the cooking because of my weekend date with Jeff until one of the stove sets ran out of gas. Called up Abah as fast as I could to buy new gas cylinder while checking up my pc (good thing having a network hub now - no need for the constant fight over the modem and pc with my big lil bro). Managed to get all done at about 11 and went over to spent the day with my baby.

By 5 pm start packing up the food to be distributed to nearby relatives and neighbours and as always I was given the duty to drive up and send the food. First trip was to Tok Long's - my late granma's oldest sister. She was still asleep, didn't manage to meet and greet her. She's one of the coolest 'atuk' around and she's 90+. Next stop was to my aunt's house. By the time I got home Mak already finished distributing the food to our neighbours. Even told my mom to ask our front neighbour if the pineapple tart we ordered are ready yet - sadly no. Had to wait for raya for that. Mak Intan's pinapple tart is the best!!!

And of course, the lontong for buka puasa (break fast) was fabulous, hehehehe. Though I am really really sure that the sambal kacang (nut gravy) taste fine. I accidentally used yesterday's chrysanthemum tea (oops!) to blend the dried chilli instead of plain water. Mak mixed the tea container up among the group of jugs. Didn't realize it until I washed it up... sure figures for the ants that I kept on swatting.

Saturday, November 06, 2004

8 Days Towards Raya

Paycheck got cleared today, and being me who isdesperately in need of stuff for Eid grabs it as a lifeline - not really. Hari Raya is few days away and I still haven't found the matching tudung for my baju raya. At about 3 after I let Jeff boot myself out of yahoo (a really rare occurence since my booter can't load up really well at the office and the only one that I could load up is the one that only require 2 bots and I never let him boot me out) I start out my shopping spree.

Went off to Jusco (where else?) since I'm much too lazy to drive extra miles to Angsana and did the whole shopping there. Whole sounds like a lot... to be exact, 3 things for raya - cookies & biscuits, shoes and some clothes. Parking was crazy - many were out to shop for the season, both Deepavali and Eid and of course the crazy price slashing sale that went around the place. This is definitely one of the moment that I am really grateful driving a small Kancil. I could park off basically anywhere and in this case, I parked at the trolley bay, hehehe.

If there is anything familiar about being in the midst of a crazy sale, it would be the constant announcement of lost kids. The funny thing is, it won't be the parents announcing for their kids lost but the kid would go out to the main information counter to be announced or someone would find them crying and sent them off to the counter. The announcement would always sound "To the parents of ...... please proceed to the information counter" or "To anyone who lost their kid wearing....". Good thing so far there are no case of kidnapped child in a shopping area. Parents would be too absorbed looking for their intended things and forget about their kids sometimes.

Done shopping at about 5 with a satisfied feeling and a dent to my wallet, what else. Got the shoes that I have been eyeing on and it was good to know that there was only one left for my size. Hard having a big feet sometimes.

These are my Raya wishes for everyone:

My Family
To Emak and Abah (save it for raya during the 'salam-salam' session) To my sister, both brothers, uncles, aunts (esp. Mak Jun because she reads blog), cousins esp the head of the 7 dwarves, Dayah, Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir & Batin, love everyone of you a lot.

My Baby, Jeff
Selamat Hari Raya, I'm sorry for everything that I've done to you (esp those that inadvertantly causes your hurt) , intended or not, accidental or not. I love you so much and you'll always be my 'Sexy Pringles' ;)

My Friends
Selamat Hari Raya, 0-0, Maaf Zahir & Batin. I miss all of you guys esp the studio 4 dwellers of '04 ex-schoolmate both secondary and primary and the AE chatters especially the exilers.

To the Blog Reader
Selamat Hari Raya :D

Monday, November 01, 2004

Tulang Belut, Tulang Ikan, Tulang Ayam

Finally, after 4 long years of waiting I could finally wear the intended baju kurung that was supposed to be worn years ago. Bought that particular fabric while my mom was searching for a fabric to be given to my future to be sister-in-law at that time (now my sister-in-law lah, imagine how long that was) Due to some cutting error by my sister, the fabric was cut out based on my mom's size and not mine. After stewing for quite some time had to make the decision of giving the baju kurung to my mom because I definitely could not fit into it. But my mom just save it up, leaving the neck area unsewn because she said the colour was too vibrant for her taste.

I've just finished sewing the neck up with tulang belut sewing style, that's eel's bone... because it resembles the eel's bone wht else ;) Raya is not far away... so does my paycheck, hehehe



Work In Progress


Done :D

Sunday, October 31, 2004

Diamond Dust

Feeling definitely mellow for the weekend, especially at night like this when everyone went to bed leaving me alone at the living room clicking the night away in front of the monitor. The theme song for this weekend is definitely 'Diamond Dust' by Kyosuke Himuro, the soundtrack for Ice World. For those who loves J-Drama, I'm very sure they would not forget this particular drama starred Yutaka Takenouchi and Nanako Matsushima, about a woman - Egi Toko (Nanako) who was suspected for serial murders of her fiancee(s) after they named her as their primary insurance inheritor. That was when Hirokawa Eiki (Yutaka) came into the picture as insurance investigator to work the whole case up.

There is something about the song Diamond Dust that I could not put my finger on. Honestly I could not understand what the song was about despite the soulful singing of Kyosuke Himuro and the great tune. All I know it is about love (see told you I was feeling mellow). The search for the song translation through the internet last time was... funny. Some of the words could not make sense and finally I found an acceptable translation. Its weird how I could find a lot of translation for Ayumi Hamasaki's songs but not Kyosuke Himuro. This is the result and I was blown away. It is exactly what I am feeling right now... darn, I miss Jeff so much.

Diamond Dust - Kyosuke Himuro

Made your heart cry again tonight
The angels are testing us
Are my love like a sparkling glass?
Or like an ash-covered diamond?

The setting sun will someday
Flush out the answer

Right now I'm lovin' you
That love for you is my life, my shine
Always lovin' you
Melting your frozen loneliness with a kiss

On the night when the moon of loneliness is full
Let's embrace within my coat
Because people aren't strong enough to tame
The rampant pain in their hearts

It's alright if you turn to me
With your tear soaked eyes

Yes, I'm lovin' you
No matter how much it's hurt, this love is a diamond
Always lovin' you
Though I still can't erase the loneliness falling on you

With the fragments of our love
I'm sure we'll fill in the puzzle of the map to paradise

Right now I'm lovin' you
That love for you is my life, my shine
Always lovin' you
Melting your frozen loneliness with a kiss

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Rhyme Day

Jeff and bobcat went up the hill
To dig the hole with auger
Jeff fell down inside the bobcat
And Nads went screaming after

Alhamdulillah, he's okay *phew
kering darah...

Time

It is weird how time works
When you are rushing on a deadline
Time went by like a flash
When you are spending it with you loved ones
Time flies
When you are waiting for a specific time or day
Minute feels like hour
When you have nothing to do
It drags
It takes a lot of time to build up an empire
Takes only a minute to destroy

Each second that went by matters in our life
So does reading this entry (hehehe)
Spend it wisely
So there will be not a time in the future when we look back
And regret what has been done
Look forward, not backward
Unless there is a lesson to be learnt
Don't brood, march forward
Head for a better future

Sunday, October 24, 2004

Pretty Face

*All fictional, based on the manga Pretty Face



Once upon a time there was a high school boy named Masashi Randou, the state judo champion, hated and feared by many inside and outside school - even by his teachers except for a girl, Kurimi Rina who had a crush on him from afar. Coincidentially enough Randou had a crush on her only that he doesn't know how to approach a sweet tempered person as she is. One day the bus that Randou was on met up with a bad accident and he was the only survivor with a badly disfigured face. Unfortunate for him that a skilled but lecherous doctor was in charge for the facial surgery and reconstructed Randou's face based on the picture that he was found holding - it was Rina's. He was lucky that he woke up just in time before the doc could manage to 'transform' him completely. Due to the one year coma, his body and limbs had managed to shrink and look physically like a flat chested girl (don't ask for logical explanation for this one).

While he was trying to run away from the doctor and trying to locate his parents who had moved away after the tragedy, he bumped into Rina who hugged him like she would never let go. Another funny coincidence - Rina had a twin sister who ran away from home and haven't returned ever since. So that was the beginning for Randou living as Kurimi Yuna - he vowed to be Yuna while real Yuna is away to aleviate Rina's pain and meanwhile to collect sufficient fund and threatening the lecherous doc to restore his face to normal.

Anyway it was one heck of a comic, it is so humourous. Normal day occurence is one big burden for Randou especially when the students were assigned for a full medical check up. Even having a holiday with 'Yuna's' friends were hard especially for a guy who has no immunity against girl, that nose bleeds keeps on happening 24/7. Currently 'Yuna' is worshipped by the Judo club due to Randou's 'death'. The club had lost its fang and kept on losing to the karate club who are currently reigning the school throne. that is just the beginning. Once you read it you will want more... like I did, though some might not be able to accept the character Randou - a guy with a Pretty Face. Other than that, it is a great comic to read.

Friday, October 22, 2004

Beauty On The Road

If anyone have been keeping track on the latest model of cars, they would certainly know about the new breed of Proton, real slick, real beauty and a terror on the road (not to mention the pocket). Well for one, I don't know that much about cars other than drive it, filling up the tank and send it off for service when it is due but I know a beauty when i see one - no need for designer instinct, it just strikes me. It was like love at first sight seeing the new model of Waja (Putra GTi), combination of Waja and Putra. Just look at it. Sleek and sporty features that simply scream FREEDOM!!!




For one I have to admit that I don't like the first edition of Waja at all, it gives out the expression of bulkiness (Maybe I associated it so much with my previous blind date) but as for Putra, it looks sporty and sophisticated. Still It doesn't do anything for me, not like the beauty up above. But for this one... Putra GTi, I am in love!!!! It is powered by 2.0 litre engine, 24 valve and 6 cylinder. The steering wheel is by Momo and the seats are by Recaro - now those are the name that I know very well for great quality.

I know I used to scoff at my friends for their obsession seeing their favourite car. A friend of mine ended up making the 3 and a half hour trip from KL to Kota Tinggi to become 4 and a half because along the highway we met up with nearly 10 Satria GTi. Everytime she saw one at the rearview she would slow down from 130km/j to a very low of 80km/j just to feast her eyes on it. Another friend of mine would park her car, get out of it and simply stare at a Putra if she saw one anywhere she is at. Guess I am gonna fall into that category but what my reaction to it will be unknown. One thing I know, I would be blown away. I even forward the picture to Jeff and he say that he wants one. Now that is one huge compliment for a guy who loves to do modifications on his car and truck and not from Malaysia.

Bravo to EON for producing such a great model for us Malaysian to be proud of. Anyway you should see the new edition of Proton. It looks as if it is given a new wave of design. And yes, I Love new Putra GTi!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

New Face, New Look

After too many trial and error I finally manage to finally change the skin myself - thanks to blogskins.com though I know there is still a lot of error in this one. (just in case you are wondering, that is my distinct way of saying COULD ANYONE HELP ME WITH JAVA?) while I was having tons of preview of what it may look like, Bangbil dropped in a tag saying that the setting in Internet Explorer is way off. Okay, I am using netscape now because its easier to use. And so I tried getting into my blog using I.E. My brother is right - I can't see my tagboard through I.E. Back to the java book I go..... darn its so thick.
I'm kind of bored of looking at the old skin, its too white and too bright - a problem with my astigmatisme. So here I am at my first attempt treading into the java world. Thanks to A'an for the GIF. Promised him to give him two Big Macs for that - next week, I am kind of tight in the financial section due to the damage on my pc. Apparently there is something wrong with the motherboard that sometimes it could not detect the keyboard, the mouse and the monitor itself. And of course, it would restart by itself and not to mention the constant freezing not more than 5 minutes after switching it on. This is the 3rd time it is doing it and I am going to mend it off for good. I have Eena's friend to look after it now, hope it would be better by this weekend.... consider that as pc raya *sob sob sob. Guess my raya shopping will be a really last minute one. Paycheck is not until the 7th.... when I get that, I would only have about a week to buy stuff for Eid. Well come to think of it, it is going to help me from overspending if i get it real near to it. Think positive thoughts :D

Saturday, October 16, 2004

Second Day of Fasting

I left home this morning to work with a feeling of envy towards everyone at home. It is the third Saturday of the month - off day for the government workers. It was even a public holiday here on the first day of Ramadhan yesterday but still..... there I go working while everyone were dozing off after the Subuh prayers (since there's no need to cook breakfast and all the housework was done the day before, it is basically a day off - and I mean way OFF except for dear ol' me). Work is usual, went to the site for pic taking, talked and joked with some of the workers on site, went back to the office and do my work. Somehow it doesn't make any difference whether I'm fasting or not - I still feel okay. Usually had a really huge breakfast which now it is a very early breakfast at about 4.30am and i usually don't take lunch and I always take dinner when i got home at about 7, which is about the same time as breaking the fast. So there, no difference.

Went home at 2 - have to wait for quite a long time until my boss could find her keys before I could go back home or I would be locking her inside the office 2 times in a row. Good thing Mr Lok was nearby to unlock her from the tower (cheh! okaylah 2nd storey can be considered as a tower because it is the top floor after all). Took a nap after prayer and woken up by my cousin. My youngest uncle, Pak Din, Aunty Bariah and Irra is currently at home, visiting. Went out in the late afternoon to fulfill the food craving of A'an and Irra. An wanting to have lettuce (anak Jawa with mat saleh taste) and Irra wanting to have kuih cara or talam berlauk but sadly, none were sold at Bazaar Ramadhan. Like always, shopping for food when one was fasting was terrible. There were too many choices to choose from and during the month there are so many food sold at the bazaar to cater the need and the tummy of the people. Bought too many food but even though we know too well that in the end, after drinking up when we were breaking the fast, the food amount on the table are enough to make us full.

By the time we got home, Pak Din was out carrying the ladder - a ritual whenever he comes to visit to climb up the coconut tree for our drink. Mom cooked fried kuetiow, boiled tapioca (my all time favorite kampung dish), fried banana, aunty Bariah brought keropok lekor and bubur kacang and by the time our neighbour Mak Piah brought us food - it was rojak mee, we were ready to groan. Its customary for us to exchange dishes during the fasting month and right before breaking fast, we could only look at the food. For drinks.... 3 types - coconut, tea and coffee (my sister Kak Wa is crazy about coffee). Okaylah, can consider as 'buruk lantak' (take note - that doesn't apply on me, hehehe).

Jeff is gonna be away for a few weeks due to his moving back to his own house after it went through renovation - so there won't be any phone line for a few weeks (*sob sob) My, its gonna be a very longgggggggggggggg week.

Friday, October 15, 2004

First Day of Ramadhan

Today is the first day for the fasting month - always referred as to the best month of everything. For health, for the weight watchers, for the festivities, for charity, for religious duties and not forgetting, the month to get enough change to be given away on the eid which comes after the fasting month. This year's festivities also marks the first Eid that I would have to give out green packets. Its more or less like the Chinese red packet only that the green packet should be given out by anyone who have started working. Usually those who are in their teens are only qualified to get the green packets from relatives - if they are lucky. Last year, funnily a cousin of mine gave me a green packet just for laugh and he's the same age as me, only that he has started work while I was still a student at that time. Anyway, I have start collecting RM1 notes and thinking that for the green packet giving out session, I would be doing a lucky draw, hehehehe. Those who are lucky might get RM10 and those who are not, RM2 would be enough (that goes to you too Dayah - though I think you're way past the age for green packets and of course, I guess your scholarship is sufficient, hehehehe)

The shopping complex have started selling out the raya cards and also Deepavali - we are gonna have a double celebration this year. Because of the difference in the Islamic calendar that is based on the moon cycle, the date for the eid and fasting month would always change. Few years back, we were having double celebration with the Chinese New Year and a year before, it was with Christmas. Setting out a budget for the eid festivities has already straining my head - and of course my pocket. Too many things to get for everyone, too many sales to look at, its easier for me to say too many everything. Though for this raya, I am eyeing out for a new shoes - stilleto ones ;) (have to get the balance in check because I nearly fell wearing Eena's). I have enough Baju Kurung for this year's festivities and besides, I don't wear it that much because of the nature of my job and only wear it during formal occasions and weddings. And not forgetting the tiki lamp ala lampu pelita that I saw in Jusco few days back - a must have for me.

This fasting month also marks a year of my late grandma's passing away. She died on a Monday morning in the fasting month, a good day (Another monday, hmmmm). Al- Fatihah.

Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Patchwork



Need more elaboration on the picture?
Think not

Monday, October 11, 2004

Manic Monday

Monday, a very 'lovely' day that marks the starting of the week and also the least favourite day among all day there is. Reached to the office with a locked door that barred me away from my office. The thing is, we have never locked the blue wooden door at the ground floor and so does the occupant at the lawyer's office on the first floor because we don't have a key for it. Due to some mix up and some lack experience with how we lock the doors, the new kid working for the lawyer office did not know about the door.

Our friendly neighbours tried to help but it doesn't work. Went out to find a locksmith and it was a blessing to find one at 9am in the morning. We made a joke to pay a close attention to the locksmith when he was trying to pick the lock and guffawed with laughter when he himself had a tough time picking it and resorted to banging the door knob with a hammer. Definitely not an effective method for breaking into a house. We finally got into the office at 10 and by that time there were barely any minute to lose because of the quotations that is dued by noon and it was hectic. (Okay but for now bosses have a meeting so I have time alone). Our workers are currently banging away in the store for our new bookshelf and it was hard paying attention to what I was trying to do.

Another not so good thing was my boss handed me an invitation for an anual dinner for Institution of Surveyors at Mutiara Hotel for tonight. I have packed out for a night away from home and formal dress is definitely not included in my bag unless they could consider a cardigan and jeans formal - not likely.

Lovely.

Its official, I hate Mondays.

Oh and did I forget to mention that I am temporarily single?

Sunday, October 10, 2004

A Lovely Sunday

Woke up gloriously on a Sunday morning with the sun glaring through the window. It was a quiet morning save for the constant slicking of the keyboard made by my brother in the living room, the chirping of the birds and the bickering sound of my cats outside. Got up, and did necessary things before starting of the day with more activities. Promised my mom to help her with the cooking. Her office is going to have an event tomorrow and as always mom is assigned to cook a dish for it. For tomorrow she was asked to cook chicken in soy sauce (my favourite, yum) .

It has been a long time since I went to Pasar Tani (morning wet market) and as usual by the time we arrived there at about 9, the place is already crowded. People were crowding over the poultry stalls, the vegetable stalls and getting a nice parking spot was a torture. Made our way back home until my brother called up on the cellphone halfway there because of one box of 2b pencil. SPM paper for Information Technology will start tomorrow and that was the only reason I drove back to town and returned home not strangling him.

Start frying off the chickens near to noon when my uncle and aunt dropped by after their visit at my grandparents' and great grandparents' grave for the clean up before the fasting month start. We'd probably be going next week when my sister would be home. Noontime, took a short nap, played the online game trying so hard to get high score for the yahoo game and washed my car.

Night time, watched Love Actually for maybe the hundreth time (or was it only 20? but heck who's counting?) and start cooking of the chicken in soy sauce afterwards. All is done but I still have trouble. Sunday is nearing the end and I'm still not sleepy. I don't want it to be Monday so soon. Guess I do have that chronic syndrom of Monday blues. though, who doesn't? *grins. Any remedies for Monday blues?

Saturday, October 09, 2004

1st Malaysian Idol

Just now, the results for the first Malaysian Idol was announced and well I would say that my choice were correct - It is Jaclyn Victor based on the superb performance she did before. Honestly I haven't been a fan of Malaysian Idol since the show was aired on tv - despite the tryout that I went just for fun earlier in June. Same goes to the rest of the idols show all over the place - American, Malaysian, Singapore but hey I don't think I could resist World Idol. I don't watch tv that much so for these competition, I only catch out the finals.

It was kind of fun guessing who would be winning in the end. My mom was rooting for Dina because of her great voice and of course, being someone from Johor that is a plus for my mom. I was being neutral at the first show, wanting to see who is the best. After the first song that Jac did 'Tunggu Sekejap' by P Ramlee, I was totally blown away. She was more than superb. She was amazing and I'm sure many would agree. I surely can't wait for the next world idol where this time someone from Malaysia is in the competition. Way to go Jac!

Friday, October 08, 2004

Birthday Wish

HAPPY 22ND BIRTHDAY
TO DEAREST COUSIN DAYAH A.K.A NINIE
another accursed grand daughter of Abdon, hehehe



Like you said always, I'm the big sister that you would never have
Same goes for me, you're the lil sister that I would never have
(Way overdue to ask for more younger sibling, hehehe)
And wish would never have - kidding lah
Love you bunch

p.s to dayah: sorry lambat post blog, was looking for a pic of yours in the pc

Thursday, October 07, 2004

New Police Story



After waiting for quite sometime for Jackie Chan's movie in chinese, finally a new movie is out adding another series in the police story saga (honestly I thought that the police story saga was finished, I was wrong) In this part, the character Chan Kwok Wing is facing a new breed of criminals that was made of 5 demented rich brats who have nothing else to do but have fun through games and have a personal vendetta to all the cops, due to some personal issues - I can't tell what because it may spoil the fun and thrill for those who haven't watch it yet. The beginning was kind of sick but okaylah because it is still rated 'U' and at some part the whole cinema was bursting out with laughter - one part that nearly cause me an accident on my way home because of the absurdity and the hilarity of the scene. I don't doubt that some laughed until they cried because that scene took quite a long time and it was a few minute after it end that the crowd's laughter subsided - I did.

One thing that I would say about this movie, it is a 'Jackie Chan' Movie (hehehehe) - lots of great fighting scene, cool stunts and for those who are very well versed with Jackie Chan's character, he knows how to use every single element around him for fighting really well. Not to mention how he mix up all the plot - the serious, the funny and the romance which I am really relieved that there was not so much of that part like in his previous movie 'Gorgeous'. And there is some difference that we could see between Jackie Chan in an english movie and in a chinese movie. The english movie always lacks some zest while the chinese ones are simply great.

I could hear most of the girls in the cinema was sighing, oohing and aahing when Frank - played by Nicholas Tse stepped in. Well of course, he is after all, the heart-throb/bad boy in the chinese entertainment industry. He played his part well and the trademark for his character in this movie was that he always cheered 'That's my man!" when Chan was on his way to recuperate his loss by giving a kick a** move in fight scenes. It was a good show though I was expecting for more tough challenge given by the 5 brats at the end part of the movie because of the well orchestrated plan that they did at the beginning.

Enough said, just go and check it.


Sunday, October 03, 2004

The Sound of Kompang

Today, like any other weekend is my most priced and valuable day to spend on friends, family, my beloved bed for catching up with sleeping time or laze around doing basically nothing. As for this day my friend Mohd Fadzillah Mohd Razi a.k.a Fad was having his wedding reception at his house. Knowing that we haven't seen each other for years and knowing that most of our friends from school would be turning up for the event, I called up Eena asking if she would be going and if others are going too. Quite a few of our friends nearby could not make it because of their prior plan - Fad didn't manage to get all of our numbers so he only manage to get in touch with very few of us. On the way to UTM where I would be meeting up Isem and Zai, there were quite a few wedding reception that got me thinking - is it school holiday already? Well its not because my brother is still schooling and he's busy studying for his SPM. That was when I remembered one of my friends in college bawdily referring the school holidays (peak season for weddings) as mating season .....*ahem. Guess that most were trying to catch up and get the wedding done before the fasting month starts mid October.

We set out from UTM with 2 cars as Isem and her boyfriend Raden have to go to another wedding afterwards and met up Eena and her other half Helmi at McDonalds near to Carrefour. Zai and I was fighting a huge temptation to go to the drive through because of our constant grumbling tummy but luckily Eena and Helmi was already there. As if on cue, when we parked our cars near to Fad's house, the sound of kompang reverberated to our ears. The timing was just perfect. We saw Fad and his wife (wow, he has a wife now) and was happy to see our old schoolmates following behind. Well even more surprised seeing my ex flame there too - I forgot that he and Fad sat next to each other in class straight 2 years. Old story.

Anyway, the food was good and meeting up with old friends was even better. Too many changes that people could see after nearly 6 years not seeing each other and believe me, honestly I forgot nearly all of their names, save those who were in my class and just give a polite smile and trying so hard to remember their names while they were talking. I have no trouble remembering the girls name - we practically see each other at the hostel day in day out, as for boys... well I only know few, just those who were in my class and some significant personalities famous for stuffs.

Today was Fad's turn to get married. Wonder who would be next.


Selamat Pengantin Baru Fad, semoga bahagia ke anak cucu.

Saturday, October 02, 2004

Girls' Night Out

It has been few weeks since I saw my best friend Eena and get that much time to talk to each other. We were both got buried up in work and haven't been in touch since due to the warped schedule that we have that just circulate between work, boyfriend, eat and sleep. Sounds too boring sometimes but when anyone is too drained up, sleep is the best thing to do. So we planned on a night out together just two of us (supposed to be three of us always but due to unavoidable problem, there's only two left)

We started out with our chicken rice routine at Aked Meranti UTM - definitely the best chicken rice i've had in Johor.... the rice is perfect, the soup is always hot, the gravy sweet and spicy and the chicken.... can still taste the perfection *sighs. Afterwards, we head back to Eena's room to change, bathe and pray before setting out to City Square. The first plan was to watch anything on the cinema and bug one of our old friens who works in Watson's. Those two plan didn't work out. There was nothing interesting shown at Mega pavillion that night and Lin was off duty. So we went around at the complex mostly saying "huh? since when did Bonia shop become this big?", "Where did that shop goes?" and "I don't remember having too many hair salon here". What can I say? we haven't been that actively checking all the things that goes on around CS.

At Watson's Eena was preening over the hair section for hair dye. She had obviously grew her hair so long and had it cut so that the color was lost. "You think this colour is okay? I don't knowlah whether my abang will like it or not". After nearly 30 minutes, she calls it off and took me away for another walk around the complex before making her mind. The first floor was a bit hard for me, there were too many accesories and I was actually thinking of adding more piercing to my ears. "Go aheadlah... are you sure?" Eena said that got me hesistating. "Eh, can you not ask me if I'm sure or not?" I said back and took her away and walk saying I'll think about it before the whole complex is closed.

We nearly got ourselves into a shop when we saw the sony exhibition at the other side of the concourse area. We thought there were only boring beauty cosmetic fair because at the other side, its all about beauty. We were goofing around and looking at the home theater set when what we saw stopped us at our track. Well we actually saw digital cameras and handycams on display and decided to have a look. A friendly salesperson came to us and we were expecting the usual all-about-price-briefing-but-no-specification-added but we were wrong. We got to hear all about technical stuff about the camera, the lense, the flash, the picture exposure adjustment and all that. We were hooked, especially at the outrageous offer of a sony dvd player for only 99cents for purchasing a dvd handycam and PDA for RM299 for a purchase of sony digital camera. Too bad that we did not know about the fair or we would be buying it on the spot.

That was when our night become aimless. We both did not know where else to go and clueless after leaving the booth. We nearly didn't pay for the parking ticket. Gone were the thoughts of buying hair dye and getting ear pierced and we both laughed when we stopped by at the mamak restaurant for a hot drink realizing that we did not buy and spend anything save the parking ticket at CS. That was definitely the first time it ever happen. I really really hope that there would be the fair again and then I could get myself ready for it. Bye bye 99cents dvd player.


*aimless & clueless*

Sunday, September 26, 2004

Additional Math = Head Crack

This evening while I was happily browsing through the webpage in the internet my brother came over, with a very inquiring and befuddled face showing a question in his additional math (calculus) workbook. He did not ask or say anything but just passed me the workbook and a pencil for me to work with. After insisting a piece of paper, I start pondering on it. It has been years since I do anything that have to do with calculus and believe me in secondary school, it is considered as a blessing if i could get anything other than F9 for it. Its always either P8 or F9 - my marks usually depend on the work out that I filled in the paper, and not on the accuracy of the answer. It always went wrong in the middle of it. I only get A1 once in it when the syllabus is still basic and that just it. It landslided to F9 afterwards, due to the burn out and well.... I have to admit I was a bit lazy. Modern math was easy but add math..... just gives me the creeps. An just laughed and said that he could see my face has a big bubble above my head showing a question mark and looking at the question with an expression equivalent to saying, WTF?

Anyway, like I said, its been a long time since I do calculus so I had to take a few minutes before starting it and stare at it good. It is a wonder that I still know how to do it. I got stuck at the quadratic and pass the paper back at him because I know he could go from there. But then again it gives him the right answer. Even if it does..... I don't think that I could go through it again, hahahaha. Add math sucks BIG time.

Friday, September 24, 2004

To My Sister

Happy 31st birthday Kak Wa!
May you be blessed by the Almighty
Have a great life up ahead



ps: You've been wearing his ring for so long now, when is the 'time'?

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Cerita Cinta Agung



After waiting for a very long time since Puteri Gunung Ledang (Princess of Mount Ophir) was out at the cinema on the National Day (August 31st), I finally get a chance to see it yesterday. It is one of the most publicized Malaysian movie and by not seeing it, it means that I would miss the greatest Malaysian love story ever told on screen.

My first lay out plan for the day with my brother A'an was proven not effective - thanks to the bus that he took from home and thanks to MegaPavillion JB for not screening it anymore. Even if I don't like going to Golden Screen Cinema Leisure Mall, what can I say, that is the only place we have that is still showing Puteri Gunung Ledang. I manage to get off work very early, due to some business to do about my company foreign workers at Fomema and Immigration. But still it sucked big time when I have to wait on An for more than an hour from 4.30 to 6.30. And what makes things worse, my mom's cellphone at him was out of order so I couldn't keep track of his whereabouts. The show at Leisure Mall was at 6.25 and 9.10 but since the delay by the bus, we caught up with the 9.10 show.

The movie was proven worth the obstacles that i've gone through. The cinamatography was great, the editing was good and the script was so lovely that honestly, made me cry at certain part. Two big Malay legendary figure were brought together in this movie - Hang Tuah, the greatest admiral in Malacca History and Gusti Puteri Retno Dumillah a.k.a Puteri Gunung Ledang the princess from Majapahit, two lovers torn because of responsibility to their countries and their own feelings for each other.

My favourite part would be when both of them met up together at the waterfalls of Gunung Ledang after their last meeting in Majapahit (good camera technique at this part that it makes me feel what the characters were feeling at that time, very poignant... makes me think of Jeff so much). But the purpose of Tuah meeting her up was not that all good. It was for the Sultan's behalf for her hand in marriage which Gusti Puteri refused very wisely, by giving the Sultan outrageous conditions and one of them being the crown prince's blood. But in the end, Tuah and Gusti Puteri did not get together because of the curse that the Sultan put upon Gusti Puteri to live in seclusion at Gunung Ledang and no one is to be allowed to see her for the price of her request to remain at Gunung Ledang and for refusing the marriage.

Anyway, I must say and agree to my brother Bangbil that M. Nasir is the greatest Hang Tuah yet by he way he said the words and the silat moves that he do. Overall, I would say this film is more or less like the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon but unlike CTHD, I did not fall asleep watching Puteri Gunung Ledang. Maybe because of the script or maybe because of good editing. With PGL, I know this year we would have a movie worthy enough for the International Film Festival.

Layar berbelok-belok,
Sawah dibongkar di tempat tenang,
Yang tinggal hati tak elok,
Yang pergi hati tak tenang,

Bila sampai waktu, kita akan bersama.

-Hang Tuah-
As quoted from Puteri Gunung Ledang


Friday, September 17, 2004

Where Did the 20 kg Gone?

I have been wanting to write about this in my blog about ... well not to be so 'sangka' of myself or 'perasan', its just a story that I guess worth to tell. About how I lost 2o kilos and look the way I am today. Actually weight issue has never been a problem to me and its also because of the gene factor. Most of my cousins on my mom's side are big. I was quite active in sports at school - played volleyball and handball for school so there was no problem with my stamina. But then again, nothing in life is that perfect. It was hard to get clothes my size when basically everything beautiful on the rack was made for medium framed girls, and not big girls like me. At one point in secondary school I was kind of depressed because of that. There was no taunting whatsoever - that comes in college, though I'm very sure that many girls feels like I do when the big word of INSECURITY comes into the picture.
Surprisingly enough when I was in Form 4 I resorted to throwing up all I ate. I became bulimic for a few months until one of my friends found out. She manage to get every girls in the my class to guard me up everytime i went to the restroom after mealtime to stop whatever I was doing. I couldn't thank her enough for that - Thanks Roy. As time passed by it was getting really annoying. I have stopped throwing up but they still wait up on me - I haven't had a peaceful moment doing what I want to do. One of my friends gave me an article about bulimia nervosa and I was glad I'm out of the danger. SPM was still far but I really want my brain to be functional as well as my whole body. I couldn't risk having a bad health when the handball season was drawing near. Starting from that incident, all I care about was my studies and of course my confidence level. 'Beauty is in the eye of beholder' becomes my mantra (though Dayah/Ninie said in her blog few day back that she thought the phrase was all bull, but heck this is me)
In Pre-U, the bug bites back but it was on a low level. I was not that serious about it. Since I know the danger of the 2 nervosas - Bulimia and Anorexia I didn't fall back to that. Herbal laxative comes into the picture and boy, it was such a suffering that I stopped after the first month. I can't actually go to the restroom all the time.
In degree years, being a design student was hard especially for those who does not have any art and design background. I ran away from science stream because of my bad brush with chemistry (long story there) and thought this course might be easier and enjoyable. I was wrong on the easy part but I was right on the enjoyable. Being surrounded with classmate that consist 70% males, I had to find my own niche and make my own stand. I did, but then again when sometimes the guys were talking about some girls with bad attitude I would be carried into the conversation. Just my name though, and they would say something like - she's not even pretty, even Diah is prettier. That stung but I did not do anything about it.
I only want to graduate, get my degree and the rest doesn't matter. Because of that drive I focused too much on my project - less sleep, less appetite, don't feel like having fun and everything that comes with it. I barely had time to sleep much less to eat so I only ate what is convenient at that time - cut fruits, could be brought anywhere and eaten basically everywhere. When I happen to buy decent food, the appetite was just not there and at some time I was the class favourite mealtime buddy. I ate a little and the rest of my friends would finish it off. A good friend of mine Mahathir Muhammad (yes, that is his name we always kid him around being the PM) pointed that if I really want to lose weight go ahead and take 'Sendayu Tinggi' - one of the leading name in herbal weight lost supplement. But then he said, "You don't have to, I don't want to oogle at you when you lose it". Sounds like a dare to me.
I took it starting from March 2004 and I was 78kg (about 170 in pounds) and it works. It is kind of good when meeting up with friends after a long time, especially during graduation. I so love the look on everyone's face - only for that time and it was priceless. Same goes when there were family gatherings - the first one after a long time they did not see me was on my cousin's wedding. It was good. Its been 6 months and now I would say that I'm happy with what I have now - only because its easier to buy new clothes (gosh! this really sound like a testimony for sendayu tinggi). Though there is a problem. I have to get a whole new wardrobe.


any difference?

Sunday, September 12, 2004

Birthday Wishes

Today marks off my 23rd birthday. I am very grateful to the Almighty that life has been good with its normal ups and downs. Come to think of it 23 years on earth is not that long - even at some certain point we would wonder why the time goes so slow, why it is not 5.30pm yet or why the weekends comes around so slow and ends so fast. I am very sure that time goes by really fast when you spent it with your loved ones, friends, when you are doing anything that holds your interest and of course it comes like a flash when you are having a deadline tomorrow and you have been seriously procrastinating (sounds awfully familiar). As I look back for 23 years I have done so many things, the good, the bad, the stupid and I would say that some of them are interesting and I wouldn't want to trade those for any riches in the world.
For my 23rd birthday, these are my wishes:-
  1. Live a happy life with my loved ones - I guess everyone would want this and not just me.
  2. Have my own family - Okay don't roll your eyes on this one. I am being realistic and I do want a family of my own. With ...... okay i've been accused and being commented on gushing too much about him here, so you know who that person is *wink.
  3. Be my own Boss - learn more about landscape business and set out on my own in a few years time.
  4. Live the lessons of 5 balls - Oy! no dirty thoughts. Refer to my entry July 11th 2004 Lessons in Life.
So that is basically what I wish for on my birthday - other than the small small material thingy. Will there be a next birthday? I really hope so and for many more years to come.


Cake cutting procession - interfered by Roy



Cake, partially gone *burp ... ooops

Saturday, September 11, 2004

Akustatik




Currently my blog is in static, all quiet (I can hear the pin drop) and of course, i haven't had that much time to write. That figures as my life is basically circulating on my relationship, my work and my bedroom (don't get any wrong idea, its only for sleeping and reading and slacking off and ... you get the idea). Work is still hectic and there's another presentation to chase for this Monday. Though I sometimes surprise myself. Its when the time is hectic i get to do a lot. One thing I get my work done, I always have time to chat with Jeff.As the picture up there shows, that is the doodling we did on one hectic morning, when both bosses are around *wink. Of course my doodling looks fine because i use optical mouse, easy to maneuver.
Other than that I, always manage to drop by Jusco even for a small package of sushi and of course cakes. Speaking of cakes, I don't know how but I manage to call up all my girl friends who lives around Johor. Well okay, maybe I exaggerate a bit. Not all, but most of my good friends in boarding school - prefects and rulebreakers join together. For my birthday that is, which is tomorrow.
Honestly I haven't had that much opportunity to celebrate birthday with friends for years. For one time, there's the exam week. I don't know why but nearly all the time i'm in college my birthday falls on exam week and what's worse, i have to take a paper on that very day. And then there was the September 11th event. Lets just say, when it comes to my birthday, seems like its better if they would just leave it alone. But as for this time, I want to get to see my friends. I remember them doing a surprise party at the dormitory when we were staying back for SPM. Well they were a day early but its okay.
When I was in school, my cousin Dayah and I who were both in different school exchanged super ridiculous handmade card that we made for each other, putting images of cartoons - mostly of Dragon Ball and ahem, Mizuno Ami a.k.a Sailor Mars from Sailor Moon cartoon (that was Dayah's/Ninie's favourite character in school). One thing that we always kid about our birthdays is that my birthdate is similar as my great granddad Sono's date of death while the same thing goes for Dayah only that she shares the date with our granddad's Abdon. Sounds ironic.
Before i get too caught up with my words, I'd better stop it here. Work is still waiting and I don't want to have to work tomorrow - on my birthday. Besides, my baby is now online, hahahaha.

Friday, September 03, 2004

Blink Blink Blink

The situation at work have been so hectic since last week that any extra time that i could take by just breathing makes out a difference by a few seconds. There were too many claims paperwork to do and 2 tender form to fill out that by the end of the day, my eyes gets all fuzzy because too many figures that I have to work through the whole day. But it was not that bad though. No matter how busy I get, Jeff would be online giving out good cheering by just being there and by just looking at him through the webcam. Seeing him there is just like an energy boost whenever I feel tired. Though I have to be sneaky turning the messenger on during work, even when its my lunchtime. Kind of like a guilt conscience even when my work is all done for that period of time. Besides, good brain needs good rest for a few moment or an hour.
Work today is not any different from the day before and I might say that it is still hectic because of the deadline that we have to meet tomorrow. My office is seriously understaffed (with only myself in the office, not including 2 bosses) but so far we manage to cope with all the rush and deadlines. I was drained out by the time office hour end and there I went, into my car and head home. The feeling evaporated when I reached Ulu Choh when some fellow driver on the opposite site gave out the warning blink frm the car. If there was only one car doing the blink, I might just ignore it but then again nearly all the cars that went by gave it out. I was a little bit panicky because of the unworn seatbelt. I'm already tired and I don't plan to get in trouble at the end of the day. A few miles later, there were traffic police doing the routine road block checking off for errant drivers with no seat belt, expired road tax and of course those who exceed the speed limits. I would say that those friendly warning blinks from the road user toward Johor Bahru this evening makes my day. Without them, I would probably be stewing right now over a traffic summon for speed and seatbelt. Thank you who ever you are.

Thursday, September 02, 2004

Serdang and Pontian

Its been about 5 months since I left Serdang after school ends and I sure miss it a lot. There's so many things that Serdang has that Pontian doesn't and even the city of Johor Bahru doesn't have. Some may disagree but if anyone ask me where is the best place to live in, I would say Serdang - minus the constant flooding at the main road in Seri Serdang and Taman Seri Andalas.
I miss the convenience that could be found there and of course I miss MINES Shopping Fair. Its a lot of things in one - the cinema, the bowling alley, the supermarket, the clothes shop, the shoes, all of it. The cinema in MINES makes me often visit there watching any movies that I like, whether its alone or with friends. There's also a record shop in there that sells album at a very low price, and its not Speedy or Music Valley.
I miss the mamak restaurant behind the mosque that sells the most wonderful Roti Tampal in the world (not exaggerating here). Its crispy, its tasty and the dhal sambal gravy is just the right taste - not so thick and not so watery. My friends and I usually go there before class starts or when we played hooky and skip class ;) The best nasi lemak, it would be at Maulana Food court behind Sekolah Menengah Seri Serdang. The best I've ever come across.
If anyone ask me which burger among all burgers in the world do i like most, I would have to say its the burger 'tepi jalan' sold at Burger Street Seri Serdang. Its actually a back alley behind the food court or which all of us in UPM normally call it 'Padang' where the municipality put all the burger stalls at. I miss the fattening beef patty (there's also chicken, fish and prawn but i love beef the best on burgers), the overflowing mayo, the cheese, the finely cut onion, the cucumber, the tomato...... all of it. Talking about it makes me miss it even more. My favourite stall would be the first one from the road near to the former Bumiputera Commerce building, managed by a team of father and son. Their burgers sure could beat up McDonalds and Burger King anytime and of course its much cheaper than the latter. RM2.30 (for daging cheese) vs RM4++, i would say burger street ROCKS!!!
Wow seems to me that I miss Serdang because of the food and Mines... yeah guess so. Thats one of the thing that any place couldn't rival. I miss Serdang and I miss my friends who are living and working there.

Wednesday, September 01, 2004

Poem For Jeff



Have I told you today
How much you mean to me?
How my heart beats
When I see your face?
How I long to hold you day and night
And never want to let go?
How I long to be by your side
Through our lives
Til forever?
How I yearn to touch your face
And whisper to your ear
That I love you so
That you are my world
That you are my everything
Have I told you today
How lucky I am to love you
And be loved by you?
I could be difficult
I could be meanie
I could be overprotective
I could be lazy
But you love me all the same
Have I told you today
How much I love you?
I love you so much baby
You are my love
You are my world
You are my everything

Composed by Diah
Tuesday morning August 24th 2004
Office

Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Made In Malaysia



Car: Perodua Kancil EX850
Bumper Sticker: Courtesy of my big brother
Jalur Gemilang/Malaysia Flag: Courtesy of my mother
Nice shine: Courtesy of myself :D

Anyway, just want to wish all Malaysian
MERDEKA, MERDEKA, MERDEKA!!!!!
and to Malaysia for 47th years of independence.

Saya Anak Malaysia

Friday, August 27, 2004

Lost......

I've pushed to get through
The crowds in twisted zone
Just to find I'm right back here
Doing what I'm told
So take my hand
Don't let me surrender
'Cuz maybe someday
Yeah, in time

Things will go my way
Things will go my way

For all the lives
I've tasted
Just looking for the truth
For all the dreams I'm chasing
What am I to do
With everything against me
The answers are all wrong
Open now, I'll find out
It was working all along

So hold me now
And say it's not forever
Maybe someday
In time

Things will go my way

Taken from 'Things will Go My Way - The Calling'
....... feels slightly lost.......
Hoping things will go my way, our way
and be happy one day

Thursday, August 19, 2004

My Firsts

From the first time i stepped into this world from my mother's womb, I have experienced many firsts - from first breath of air, first cry, first food. So these are my firsts - those that I could remember up until now (and that does not include the documentation of my antics from my mom) when I mean the things that I could remember, it means the things that happen after I'm 5:-

First silly question: "Mak, kenapa orang lain ada adik tapi diah tak ada adik?" (translation: why does other people have younger brother/sister but I don't?) That was asked by me when I was in kindergarten. I was surrounded by kids who are either the first in the family or in between who have baby brothers and sisters so, what could you expect from a barely 6 year old kid to think of? My mom said that sometimes when she brought me to her office after school ends she would find me sitting on her table praying for a younger sibling - after she went out to get something. Silly indeed. Anyway, my prayers were answered in November 1987 :p

First hopeless situation: Kindergarten - I was in the wrong crowd and were being bullied by that one tyrant of a girl named Syakinah. Well, nearly all of us in the group were. Anyway by fate, Syakinah went to the same boarding school and funnily enough, she couldn't remember me nor my other friends who were in the group. We went to different primary schools - I was in STMI1 while she was in SKBP (STMI1's arch-rival) Anyway, its good knowing that I am taller than her when I met her and of course, she's one of the school rules abider while I'm not. Funny how things change.

First piercing: Kindergarten - ears, 2 holes. hahahahaha, what do you expect? nose piercing at the age of 6?

First fist fight: Standard 1 with a boy named Suradi. He punched me after I went out of the girl's room for no reason, and so of course I punched back. Luckily a teacher saw the whole incident and knowing that he was being watched he suddenly cried and ran to the teacher - Cikgu Ahmad Nasim, telling on me. Like I said, the teacher saw everything so he was pretty much in a big trouble the whole year. Besides, I was that particular teacher's pet what more could I say? :D though it was quite disconcerting when cikgu Ahmad Nasim kept teasing me that he would matchmake me with his son throughout my primary school years. All hell broke lose when his son moved into the school when we were in standard 6. I was being teased mercilessly for that.

First bicycle lesson: By Bangbil. He didn't manage to get me to ride the bike at that time - he gave up, after numerous attempt, hehehe. I learnt riding myself at my aunt's house in KL.

First caning session: Standard 1 (oh no, standard 1 again?) for not finishing my homework.

First competition: Story telling competition, standard 3. The story was "The Stupid Mule", hahahaha. About a mule who manage to lighten his burden of salt when it went through the river and tried to lighten up his burden of sponges by doing the same thing. I got 3rd place.

First album: Roxette's Joyride. That's my favorite with songs like Fading Like Flower, Spending My Time, etc etc. Still my favourite, but then under some faulty accident, it broke into 2 and was lost. That album is hard to find nowadays, still trying to find it but there were none in the record stores.

First mischief: I forgot when but it was the time when I ganged up with my neighbours and my brother - Bangbil, Ogee, Mamat and I to set up firecrackers on the biggest house at our area that time - Ong's house. We were never caught and when Chinese New year comes, we would show up at his house for a visit :D

First foolish moment: When I was playing 'batu seremban' with my friends at my desk using erasers. I got so caught up in the game that I managed to fall on the floor bringing the desk and the chair with me. I was in form 4.

First crush: On hmm..... who? I forgot. Okay.... let me think back... who have I have crush on who is not a popstar or an actor.......((thinking very hard))......... ((thinking very very hard))......... aduh mak, sakit kepala. Okay I guess it was Helmey Ghaffar - Standard 5. He was quite popular with the girls in primary school and was my partner in crime when we were in standard 3. Guess I was one of the fans too, which I'm not quite sure whether its right or not.

First traffic accident: 3rd year degree - I was riding my motorbike and was sandwiched in between 2 cars. Luckily the damage was not that bad but my sister, Kak Wa realized the new parts on my bike when she paid a visit. I told her that I have changed it for a long time only that she didn't notice. She believed it nevertheless and dropped the subject.

First E-mail address: gwing_aikawa@hotmail.com Okay so I love gundam wing at that time and I love dear boys anime.

First phone session that exceeds 3 hrs and a half: Jeff :D

Okay so there are many more firsts that I didn't add. If I go on with the list, it will never end. There's still many firsts that I haven't do and many firsts that are quite personal. The firsts are one of the best things to explore - there are so many things to do out there, and I would never stop finding the firsts.

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Hopes, Dreams and Ambitions

Since the day I stepped into the classroom of the primary school, I have been asked by my teachers quite a number of times with this question - What do you want to be when you grow up? This questions have been asked twice a year by the teacher to be filled out for the progress report card which also includes our grades. They would want us to give them 3 career of what do we want to be and sort them out by which one hold our interest most. Luckily in secondary school the teacher would only ask for one job As for my answer, it varies and when I looked back at the progress card, nearly all of the time I answered 3 different jobs. But then again, none of the jobs that I named out has anything to do with what I am doing now. Here is the list of my hope and dreams while I was growing up (haven't stopped growing last I checked) :-

Primary School
Standard 1
:
Ambitions: Teacher, Army and Phone Operator - okay so my knowledge about career is very limited when I was 7. I remember looking at a picture dictionary that have listed the jobs and provided some pictures to go along with and one particular picture that shows a woman sticking plug onto a board looks interesting so I thought, okay, that looks fine.
Hope and Dreams: To grow up really quick - I get so sick of homework and having to be the frequent student who have to stand up on the chair each time in class. Well most of the time I didn't finish it because I forgot and was too caught up playing with my friends after school ends.

Standard 4:
Ambitions: Pilot, Surgeon and Scientist - The scientist part comes at the spur of the moment when my cousin Dayah a.k.a Ninie and I were both regulars at the public library. We had stumbled upon a rack full of encyclopaedia about science - Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, you name it, they got it. For the pilot part, of course, it is cool to be one of the female pilot in Malaysia so I put it in my progress card. But then again, I discovered that I have to wear glasses in standard 6 with the vision of 200 - 50. So the pilot part goes down the drain. Strangely enough, my vision has recovered in secondary school and now its 50-50. For the surgeon, sounds intelligent, hahahaha
Hopes and Dreams: Be one of the person in the 'in' crowd, be a prefect for the obvious reason (which I did in standard 4), to participate in as many sport as I could get into and get myself in any co-curricular activities.

Secondary School
Form 1:
Ambition (take note that there's no "s"): Surgeon - at this point of my life I was thinking that being a doctor is one of the most noblest job in the world. To save life and of course find cure for the most incurable disease. The key point was to make the world a better place to live.
Hopes and Dreams: To get out of the boarding school and went to the normal daytime school. Come to think of it, it is comical and I am glad that I didn't get out of the school. It was the best years of my life, still is.

Form 2:
Ambition: Writer - My brother, Bangbil brought home a paperback novel by Christopher Pike entitled Remember Me. At first I was always thinking, what is so good about that book that he read it so many times. So one day when I was sent home because of a case of high fever and my brother was at his boarding school, I took that book and read it. I was hooked and haven't stopped buying books ever since. I have written some stories myself and my friends love it. Right now, I have it stashed in an undisclosed location - because I can't stop laughing that I have actually written those.
Hopes and Dreams: To spend the rest of my life at the school with my friends. That is pretty much unrealistic as time never waits for anyone.

Pre - University
Ambition: Anything that has nothing to do with dissection and chemistry - I don't have that much choice in pre-u because I was offered a spot at the matriculation centre with science course so my future career was somewhat fuzzy in my eyes. Thought of wanting to give the carrer to be a surgeon a second try until one lab session where I was told to dissect a rat. I nearly passed out but then since I saw one of my lab mate - a guy who actually fainted (he's one of the 'macho' guys) I just told myself to be strong. But I know I don't want to make a career out of dissecting a living being. That is how I landed myself in this field that I'm in now - not so much of chemistry and of course, I don't have to perform surgery on any living things.
Hopes and Dreams: Wish that I could turn back the time and stay in the secondary school years, hahaha.

Present days
Ambition, Hope and Dreams: Nowadays to me, a career doesn't make a person but the person makes the career for them. Maybe some might not get what I want to say but that is my thoughts about career. It doesn't really matter what work we do today as long as we are happy with it and be satisfied. The most importants thing is we get to spend our time with our loved ones. That is my dream - to spend my life to see the face of my loved ones and be happy. Might sound a little bit naive but that is my opinion. Be happy, be good and be loved :D


"What is life without a dream?"
Edmond Rostand

Memories Frozen in Time

This is one of the time when I get melancholic and the things that I do when I get to that state is to browse through the photograph album that I have compiled throughout my growing up years up until now. Pictures are some of the things that I could never get tired of, whether it was a bad shot or a good one. Like a saying that goes - a picture could tell thousand stories.... well not in that exact words but close enough.
I smiled at every turn of the page. When I was a baby, I don't have that much of recollection of what had happened at every shot that was taken. All that I can see are pictures of me toothless, hairless (I even got a name for that premature hair growing event, hahahaha) , being put up to wear a really huge sunglasses and more. One thing that I remembered most about growing up is to be constantly in the middle of the war between my brother and sister. They would fight as always and sometimes if something that they threw at hit me in the process, both of them fled, leaving me crying. One of the thing being a little kid in the family at that time, you're pretty much helpless.
Anyway a picture that means so much to me is the class picture that was taken in Form 1. The funny thing is I wasn't even smiling because I was so homesick to go home and I happen to know what exactly I was thinking at that moment, and no, I'm not going to tell that in here. Its too funny now come to think of it.
After done browsing through I went off to my big little brother's and my pc to burn the pictures that I have downloaded from my camera. One of the not so good thing when you own a digital camera, you don't bother that much to redevelop it on print. So there I have, more than 20 folders that I have downloaded since the day I bought the camera from the PC Fair. I burned in the best shots, with the happy thought of wanting to send it off to the photo shop to be printed and fill my album out until I did a final count. I have 217 pictures in my CD...... with a quick calculation in my head..... 36 3R pictures = about RM19.++ and since it gonna be digital print its gonna cost a little bit more... make that 60cents per print so abt RM21.++ , 217 = +/- 6 times of 36...... 6x21.++...... okay, so I decided to send it to be printed on my next salary. Megasale is still on so i might as well spend that particular portion on the things on sale. I have my priorities too :D so the pictures could hold out for few weeks.