Memoir of a Buruk Lantak

1st year in KTAM - all my friends who known me since then knew that I was the one with the worst case of homesickness, hehehe. Surprisingly enough I stayed and those who didn't show excessiveness case of homesickness changed school. Funny.

First year - the school cook was Abang Din. He was there until my second year when everyone of us did a boycott on him because of cleanliness. Then again, I was such a 'buruk lantak' that when I got home for the school holiday that strategically fell on the month of Ramadhan I gave a list to my mak. List of food that I want to eat for the whole fasting month. Though I know that most of the food in the list was made of mee goreng, mee kari, all sorts of mee. Mak complied and was I so happy, hehehe.

The school cook changed again in my final year as a KTAMian (I think) and that time it was for good. Hostel food is hostel food, soggy vegetables, ikan jaket (trademark for all hostel) but it still taste good. We called our cook Mak and in a way she was like our mom, feeding us at school and all that. My favourite day would be Friday when they serve special menu like nasi minyak, chicken rice, etc. My favourite breakfast day, easily sunday. Its nasi lemak day. We seniors always went down for breakfast really late and we get to add up as much as we want up to 3 servings of nasi lemak. For supper during fasting month, we were served mee goreng, mee bandung, oh what a joy. I even 'tapau' it back to the dorm along with my dorm-mate, also my food storage mate - Deej, Ziha and Cepot. We had a closet full of instant noodles of various flavour, bread, heater, our mom's preserved food, cookies and lot more. When either parents came we would carry the whole basket off to the dorm or the common room and share the food with everyone. I remember hounding Ina (Mazlina) for her mom's mee goreng and sambal tumbuk. My mak was always so happy to bring all the leftovers from 'kenduri' at our home the day before visiting day.

Such a very good topic on the first day of Ramadhan, hehehe. Happy fasting. Next month we raya :D

The Day When My Primary School Seat-mate Got Married

Shikin Mansor (too many Shikin around the school back then) got married. I just knew that I was going to be so late for the reception since Saturday is my working day and we are now concentrating on planting the palms at the entrance side of the site. Good thing that Yan was home during the weekend or it would be awkward showing up late and alone. Fila was there too - been so long since I saw both her and Shikin, make that years already. I like the pelamin though, its green and its nature themed. Congratulations Shikin & husband.

When I Miss My Friends....

I watch this simple well wishes impromptu video a friend of mine made when we were out stranded at the studio staircase waiting for the studio supervisor to come and open the door. All of us in the video and more that was not in it sent Azhar (the guy in red and black stripe jersey) to KLIA an hour after the video was recorded. He was bound home in Sabah and coincidentially we managed to bump into Anita Sarawak at the airport, the diva and her husband along with her mother - of course we took pictures with her. It was poignant actually. It was one of the last moment we were there as students.

The leng chai in black is Jimmy, next Imah, followed by Mee Lan, Arul, Mahathir, yours truly, Ije, Azhar, Odiey, Allan. The one who keeps on saying "Say something" is Nazri a.k.a Carlos (because during matriculation the movie 'Lenjan' went out and the villain's name is Carlos - the sex crazed maniac. Started out as a joke but the name eventually stuck). Wow was I that fair back then? LOL nevermind.

Welcome To My World

The site The Workers

The Iron-Clawed Landscape Architect

We are chasing off with a dateline, everyone wants everything urgent. So anyway, where's my birthday wishes? Been 2 days already maa...

Hiatus

There's a very distinct gap between reality and dream. Everyone knows that, but those who don't might end up in a mental state of frenzy. Well maybe in one of the mental institution. Okay talking gibberish here. Halt. Work has been consuming me. Gobble me up whole that even ended dreaming about doing my work while I sleep. Now that is so darn creepy. But still, 5.30pm becomes the most valued moment of the day, or merely becomes a guideline that work time is over but the piling files are still there, staring at me from my desk as if it was taunting at me, saying "I'm not moving anywhere until you work on me." That was where the nightmare about work would come in, haunting me.

A new account exec joined us on the first September. It was a blessing. Ms L asked me to join over when the interview was conducted on numerous candidates who showed up and it was a new experience. At the end of the day, they start calling me 'Puan'. Now thats a new one - I'm not married - yet. Do I look old already? Oh gosh. Good thing that Ms L and I have the same opinion about a candidate that we both feel comfortable with. Bad thing was giving out bad news to those who didn't make it and most of the time, I was the one who have to do it.

The season for tender submission has ended, with numerous contracts that we have to work upon and now is the season of project implementation. I am going to cry over the petrol usage for my car especially since the price is going up, up and up which from the rumour I heard would not stop until it went to RM2.oo per litre. That is freaking me out.

Hey! Its Sunday and on Sunday I don't talk about work. But I already did. Okay make up time. Time to relax and think about nothing other than what is on the TV, what is on the internet and my cozy bed. Jeff is going to a friend of our's wedding party in Pennsylvania for the weekend. Congratulations John and Xiaying!

Ciao! My bed is calling.

Famous For The Day

Somene just approached me for my autograph

Can you believe it?

An autograph?

From me?

I even got a copy of my autograph too because it was on a carbon copy piece of paper. Here's the copy that I got.

Well of course, that 'nice person' asked for my driving licence before he asked me very politely to sign on that piece of paper. Since I sucked on acting and lying, I can't come up with a reasonable excuse for making that illegal turn. Well for one its good that the police wasn't the "mintak duit kopi" type of officer. Aarrgghhh now I have to turn up to the court. Darn.

Song Of The Day

Save Me

Corrinne May

I drift, I burn, I fly. When you sing lullabies. I'm helpless, I'm yearning. I'm like the putty in your hands. I laugh, I dream, I cry. When you take me on a roller coaster ride. You see me through and through. You see just who i am. Just take my hand and.

Save me from this place. Heaven knows I'm falling. For you, my sweet embrace. Heaven Knows. Heaven knows I've been waiting for you.

I had a dream that i was falling from the sky. At 90 miles an hour. I was bound to crash and die. But out of nowhere you came and rescued me. There must be some grace in the touch of your face. I'm so happy that I've found you. I'm no longer afraid.

Oh ' cause you Save me from this place. Heaven knows i'm falling. For you my sweet embrace. Heaven knows. Heaven knows I've been waiting.

Before i met you. Life was slow-mo. So slow-mo. I thought i had it figured out. But you came and turned my whole world upside down.

Save me from this place Heaven knows I'm falling For you, my sweet embrace Heaven knows. Heaven knows you've come to. Save me from this place Heaven knows. I'm falling For you, my sweet embrace .Heaven Knows. Heaven knows I've been waiting for you. Waiting for you

Home Alone

I'm all alone...

Well for at least several days.

My mak and abah gone to Mekah last Friday for umrah and so I have the 6 cats to accompany me when I get back home from work. The weekend was not so bad. On Saturday my next-door neighbour held her wedding reception but since I have no Saturday off, I got there a tad bit late. Make that at 4.30pm when the crowd has already dispersed save for their relatives. Then again with their relative being my neighbours too, it wasn't that awkward. Though I was glad for the company of Mak Intan and her kids... make that adult kids. Since the whole road knows that my parents are away, I ended up with lots of food. Thats our way of taking care of each other at my place. The phone started ringing numerous times after I got back from the reception. Its the check up from my dear aunts and uncles asking how did everything goes. It was Saturday night. Good thing I'm not the wild party kind of person or the house would be upside down by the time my parents got back so I spent it the way I love to spend Saturday night most - sleeping.

Sunday wasn't that bad either. Mak Pah, my aunt called me up to accompany her to another wedding. Good thing or I would have to cook lunch, hehehe. Again, I ended up with lots of food, "Senang, malam tak payah masak," said the hostess for the reception. She's one of my mak's friends so there you go. Though the nasi minyak for her house was so good that I have to actually refrain myself from adding up for 2nd round. Watched TV, surf the net, played with my cats, snooze. As boring as it might sound, that is my perfect routine for a Sunday, hehehe. Gosh, honestly as I read that again... it just sound like a perfect life of an old maid - with cats and all. AACCKKK!!!

p.s: apologies to M.J fan for the pic. Though I think its hilarious :D

I'm Beautiful (Sangkanya!!!)

The current song that keeps playing over and over in my head - James Blunt's You're Beautiful. Just love the song, the lyric's innocent... well apart that another version the word 'flying' was actually sang as 'f**king' though I bet no radio in Malaysia & Singapore is playing that one. Most memorably 'ouchy and sympathetic' feeling hits when a girl was ranting at Daniel Ong on the radio about an unwanted attention she got from a guy when he knows so well that she already has a boyfriend and coincidentially the song was played right after.

You're Beautiful

My life is brilliant

My love is pure

I saw an angel

Of that I'm sure

She smiled at me on the subway

She was with another man

But I won't lose no sleep on that

'Cause I've got a plan

You're beautiful

You're beautiful

You're beautiful, it's true

I saw your face in a crowded place

And I don't know what to do

'Cause I'll never be with you

Yeah, she caught my eye

As we walked on by

She could see from my face that I was

Flying (f**king) high

And I don't think that I'll see her again

But we shared a moment that will last till the end

You're beautiful

You're beautiful

You're beautiful, it's true

I saw your face in a crowded place

And I don't know what to do

'Cause I'll never be with you

You're beautiful

You're beautiful

You're beautiful, it's true

There must be an angel with a smile on her face

When she thought up that I should be with you

But it's time to face the truth

I will never be with you

The lyric is beautiful and sweet, but kind of freaky when look from another angle. It could join The Police's stalker song, I'll Be Watching You. Another good reason to wear a ring during worktime.

I Dunno What I Did This Weekend (I Know lah)

1. Attended a small reunion of the 2004 batch of B.L.A - All in a spur of a moment, Odiey messaged everyone and there I went to F1 and met up with everyone who was around in Serdang Friday night. In attendance - Wak, Miza, Odiey, Arul, Wuan Chin, Ah Hing, Chin Yeong, Imah. Shau Yean, her bf and Allan came a bit later. Heard Ah Ching will be making his way to Atlanta in October and curently submitting his works through the net. Gosh! Rindunya F1!!!!! Chicken Maryland yum.... aiyo, lapar. I mean I miss my friends, hehehe
2. Waited outside the Dewan Besar UPM for my graduating friends - I got there way too early at 11am, so there I went, looking for flowers to give out to my friends. Good thing there were only 5 of them, hehehe. Tapa sms me to get flowers for him too since he's speeding from his office, so there I looked like a flower girl. Odiey and Carlos reached a little bit later. Found Jimmy, Ah Hing, Chin Yeong, Terence, Amy and Siang by the favourite 'White Jeep' outside the hall. Chin Yeong managed to snag some wild Zingiber to give out to our friends.
3. Drama marathon (Engine & Good Luck) - Well what could I say? I'm a sucker for Takuya Kimura's Drama. Engine is brand new, courtesy of Bangbil and for Good Luck, make that 2nd time marathon. Hmm, sound like a typical couch potato to me.
4. PC Fair - The yearly PC fair at CS. I was aiming for the RAM but too many people around and I sure hate the parking there. Wish I took the bus instead.

Curious

To everyone reading this blog - I hope you would respond.

You see, its like this.

I was on my way home just now and as I stopped for a red light in Pekan Nenas, I was playing around pointing everything with my fingers - 45 seconds is way too long for 'orang dah takde kerja' (nothing-to-do-and-darn-bored person) like me. I pointed with my thumb, with my jari telunjuk (I dunno whats that in english but its next to the thumb), my middle finger also known as the f**k finger (but that's kind of obscene) and then I reached to the root of my question. Can anyone lift their ring finger? (ie: jari manis). I could lift all of the fingers but not that one. I remembered asking my friends once in kindergarten because there was this song where we start knowing which finger is which and yes I can't lift it then but I don't remember if my friends answered it or not. Or did I even asked it out loud.

Okay so here's some visual

Jari Telunjuk - Straight

(Okayla not that straight but normal)

My Ring Finger - Can only be raised to that level

Okay so my question:-

How many people could point with their ring finger straight like the other fingers?
Which is normal and which is not?
I know my Mak can't get it straight either so that's 2 out of 2, but then again we're blood related.

Hmmmmmmm..........

Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince

Neutral Review

Harry Potter is back and the plot gets thicker and darker. The story started with the meeting between the muggle's Prime Minister and Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. It showed that the situation has gone for the worst since Voldemort began to rise and the Death-Eaters were more bolder than before. The sixth book as expected, became more mysterious and filled with suspicions from start to the end. Gone were the fun and the newfound fascinations of the world of wizardry.

There was, as expected the new substitute teacher for Defence Against Dark Arts - but he's not a new teacher. But then again, he did substitute for Remus Lupin for a period of time. The quidditch matches were getting lesser - though its fun to see how Harry managed to put up a good team since he was the new Gryffindor's quidditch captain.

As for the question of who is the half-blood prince, he is not Voldemort. Though when Harry found the scribbled and worn textbook of the Advanced Potion Making with notes of dangerous non-verbal spells, all I could think was "Oh please, not another Voldemort's enchanted book". Not forgetting relationships and the game of jealousy between Ron and Hermione which in my opinion they took too long to admit to each other that they do have feelings for each other. As for Harry, all I could say is good riddance on Harry's infatuation towards Cho Chang. The new relationship that he had was much more satisfying. With who? Read it yourself.

Through this book the transformation of Tom Riddle to Voldemort was described, on how the genius Riddle become so obsessed in finding greater power and turn for the worst. And of course on why no teacher has managed to teach the Defence Against Dark Arts for more than a year. The position was cursed.

Death. There were death involving someone very close to Harry and I'm not going to spoil the story for those who want but haven't read the book. It ends with Harry telling Ron and Hermione that he won't be coming back for the next year in Hogwarts. He's continuing his final mission to hunt the Dark Lord himself, by destroying Voldemort's horcruxes before the final confrontation. Harry Potter fans would know that its either Voldemort or Harry that is going to be dead.

Emotional Review

I CAN'T BELIEVE HE'S DEAD!!!!!!

First its Sirius, then its him. Who else is going to be next? Harry? Please NO!!!!! (though it is rumoured that there is the possibility of Harry getting killed in the end). Seems everyone near Harry was getting killed in the process of hunting the evil sucker Voldemort. When I read the word 'Avada Kedavra' seems like instead of Harry, it was myself who was being casted the body binding spell on and could only look, again, someone so very dear to him getting killed.

So I cried, so I became emotional, so what? So I did the next thing that came to my mind, I called Edda. And yes, like me she is one of the fans. Her reading style, she skips the pages and head straight for the end. She told me that she looked at the page of the death in the train on her way back home and couldn't help but say "Alaaaa kenape mati!!!" out loud. And she was traveling alone. Knowing her for so long throughout secondary and matriculation, I know she did just that. We spent on the phone for near half an hour until duty calls (Yes, I have to work today for an exhibition and Edda works on Sunday). Though I don't know how wrong I could be but I do believe that the one who cast the Avada Kedavra was acting out his part in the mission even though it seems so darn cruel and unsuspected.

Harry have to give up everything for the final mission, and it is clear that his childhood has ended. Truth is he became much more serious on the pursuit of the Dark Lord since Sirius died. He's carrying much heavier burden than before with no one to trust. Ron and Hermione were too precious for Harry to involve them into, and so does his new girlfriend. I will wait with bated breath til the final book is out. Just hope that J.K. Rowling won't take too long to get it done like the interval between the Goblet of Fire and the Order of Phoenix. Its too torturing and mind killing.

And Today Is....

HARRY POTTER DAY!!!!

Well actually the release of the 6th book of the Harry Potter series - Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince, which is also believed to be the second last of the Harry Potter Saga. I collected the book from MPH - well actually drive like a maniac during lunchtime from Taman Sutera to Taman Universiti so that my absence at the display booth won't be noticed. Okay I sound like a geek already. Just who is the half-blood prince? Voldemort? Hush, I'm going back to my reading.

Mellow

Okay, I'm feeling mellow and lonely. No idea for the blog entry - too many things going on for the weekend work work and work and not forgetting the launch of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince this weekend, yeay! So here, I'm plugging my ears with the headset making myself deaf with the songs in the media library.

15 must have songs in no particular order (for me lah) in my library (both office and home):-

1. Diamond Dust - Kyosuke Himuro
2. Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx
3. First Love - Utada Hikaru
4. Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
5. With Or Without You - U2
6. Maaf - Jikustik
7. Every Heart - BoA
8. Everything - Lifehouse
9. Take Me Away - Lifehouse
10. Name - Goo Goo Dolls
11. M - Ayumi Hamasaki
12. Another Day - Lemar
13. When Love and Hate Collide - Def Leppard
14. Sore Ga, Ai Deshou - Full Metal Panic OST (dunno who sings, thee hee hee)
15. Down - Blink 182

Hmm.... now that I look from the list... Gosh! (not for me to disclose what I conclude of myself :p)

Rev Up Your Engine

Just got back home from watching Initial D and it rocks!!! Certainly worth the RM8 parking ticket (darn!) since GSC at Leisure Mall wasn't showing it (and the parking there is freee, darn!). Read and heard too many good reviews about the movie so there I went to CS right after work ends driven by a strong urge to find out just how good is the movie. I've never read the comic before but knowing Japanese manga, it has to be good.

The scene starts with an aerial vision of the road at Mount Akina which is of course the main setting of the whole movie. Don't compare it with Fast and Furious because certainly, different movies have their own strength. Its all about downhill race - no drugs, no undercover cops no good guy, bad guy etc etc, just racers showing off their best on the road though the guys from the Emperor team are way too cocky. After watching Fast and Furious and Too Fast Too furious I would like nothing more to have fancy, cool and fast car though after watching Initial D, I would certainly like to drive a Toyota Trueno Apex (AE86). How would your ego survive if a tofu delivery car, an AE86 to boot overtake your car and you're driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III? Makes me wonder if I could do modifications on my Kancil. Hmmmmm...

One thing for sure, when the VCD hits the shop, I will be buying it. Edison Chen is so cool!!!!

My Name Is....

Things that we are getting used to - and can't live without - name. Everyone have a name, and names I might add. Everything has a name. Even rocks have name ie: granite, calcite etc. As everybody know, my name is Nadiah. Thats just it. Short. Though if you look into my identity card you would see that my name is so long.Too long. My inital in the IC - NDHAZ. Long enough? N is for my name and the rest is for my Abah's name. I still don't know how my big brother and sister managed to cut the D part but they did. Then anyway that's the name that I was born into and the name that I would go to grave with.

So what does nadiah means? All my life I know that nadiah means 'generous'. Hmm... generous to the shopping complex and shops? Yikes! In a bookstore where they sell all this keychains with name meaning it was written that nadiah means and assembly. Now that's confusing. So I did some digging. I know my name is of arabic origin and the search through internet shows that the name nadia/nadya/nadiah is of arabic, russian and hebrew origin.

In arabic there's 2 meaning. One is for generous, and the other is the beginning. In Russian it means hope while in hebrew it means an assembly. In arabic, if you spelled it wrongly it may mean differently. As an example for my younger bro's name. My abah intended it to mean "the smile of the religion" (if i'm not mistaken) and then one day my bro's teacher spelled the name wrongly in arabic lettering on his exercise book by exchanging one letter to make it mean "the barking of the religion" - my abah knows arabic very well so he starts to point the mistake. My bro doesn't care so til today he spells his name in arabic to the barking one. Same thing goes for those with chinese name, different way of saying a name makes it mean differently. A late friend of mine told me to correct my pronunciation of his name because I was calling him "shameless flower".

Whatever my name means, I know my parents meant for it to have a good meaning. A name is a prayer for those who have it. Imagine a person name that means stupid. That person, even though is not stupid may be banished to stupidity because everyone is calling him stupid. I asked my mak, which meaning did they intend for me when I was born. And so she said - "generous". So here I am, Nadiah, the generous... I hope I won't be generous to un-necessary place *gulp.

Amusing Information for the Day

These info were obtained through today's Morning Madness show on Perfect 10 98.7fm during my ride to the office:-

1. A woman cancelled her wedding with her fiancee less than 24 hours from their supposed to be wedding. The groom in return called up his past girlfriends and proposed to every one of them until 1 of them said yes. They were married in the ceremony and no guest was notified about the change of the bride. This happened in Romania.
2. This one might be gross - told Jeff first and he said, to quote "I'm going to have nightmares". A teenage boy was found to start mentsruating. No kidding. Make no mistake, this boy is not a hermaphrodite (khunsa) but he has started having it for few months already and been showing symptoms of a normal menstruation - stomach cramps, bouts of nausea, mood swings and of course the bleeding. In a way, feels like finally a man could feel what us women feel every month but then again now I think about it, that boy - and the people around him of course - are going to have a huge trouble every month if he has PMS. Okay I can't stop thinking this part away from my head. If, and I repeat IF he's gay... would he be pregnant? Aack!!! lari!!! nauzubillah. This happen in India.

Continued - 3rd Day in Bangkok

Managed to wake up 'bapak punya' early which was actually at 5.30am Bangkok time which actually in Malaysia its 6.30am. Took a bath, brushed my teeth and then fell back asleep until the familiar sound of the boys knocking on our door to wake us up for breakfast. We were all set. The day's itinerary was going to Chatuchak weekend market. It took about 15 minutes from the hotel and believe me, being stuck in a taxi with 7 person is never good. Another thing I found out in Bangkok that the taxi driver could accept driving for 6 person without any hesitation. At first we thought that taking 2 taxis would be good but judging from the traffic around there and the fact that we only know where we want to go but not knowing how or where it was, we chose to travel in the same vehicle.

By the time we reached there at 8.30am the shops were about to open. In a way, we were too early. One thing about Chatuchak market, the shops categories are well organized unlike other market that we had gone to. There's the section for clothes, plants, books, pets, food etc. The plants that were out on display was so beautiful that we were itching to buy them. The bonsai planted in small pots were so beautiful and cheap - at 150 Baht!!! the thing was, how could we make the plant go pass the Malaysian custom? before a plant could be admitted into Malaysia they have to be quarantined that most of the time lots of them couldn't survive it. We could only watch those plants, snapped some pictures and walked through the alley.

Colourful rows of Portulaca grandiflora and the comel lote bonsai

Next stop was the section that got Ms Lee and I hooked for nearly an hour - the book section. Most of the books there are second hand, some are new and so darn cheap!!! Imagine buying a hardcover book for only 275 baht (thats roughly RM 27.50) where got over here?hehehe. Thailand landscape books are very good for idea reference and they even have the new issue produced every year. Believe me, neither myself or Ms Lee could read Thai but all the landscape books that we bought were in Thai. But who cares, its the pictures that matters most. Then I bought 2 paperback novels at 80 baht - John Grisham's A Painted House and Sidney Sheldon's If Tomorrow Comes. The Sidney Sheldon book was bought solely to refresh my memory on why I didn't enjoy it that much and to refer back to the racket over my cousin Dayah blog on which of his book is the best. We spent our time there til its near to 1 when we decided to stop for lunch before going back to the hotel to drop off our things.

We went straight away to Dream World - the famous theme park near to Bangkok. It was about an hour ride there that on the way to Dream World, most of us went to our own 'dream world'. We had great fun over there and yes, I was transformed back to be a kid. Spending too much time with kids under 14 made me act like that, but again, who cares no one asked my age anyway, hehehe. The peak of it all was when the boys and I was riding on the Splash ride. The ride is actually the one that is similar like the roller coaster but it went straight on the surface of the small pond. Thought the water splash was going to be small, we were wrong. By the time the ride ends, we were drenched wet. Ms Lee, Mr Lok and Mei Mei was laughing so hard looking at us that straight away they ushered us to the nearest clothes shop and told us to buy anything that fits. Now I know why they have lots of them inside the park itself. We went back to the hotel near to 9. Had dinner at the hotel's restaurant and fell off unconcious.

The parade at Dream World and Mei Mei and yours truly

Today marks up our first year all right. Can't believe it, woohoooooo!!!

I love you so much, sayang!!!

Second Day In Bangkok

Woke up at 6.30am, thinking that it was just about the right time for the Subuh prayers. Boy, was I so wrong. In Bangkok 6am is just like Malaysian 7.30am and it was already so bright. In other word - dah sah subuh gajah. Mei Mei wasn't sleeping well because of her constant coughing, and so does Ms Lee in that case. As for me... I didn't even woke up because of the coughing which Ms Lee pointed out, I slept like a log. Took a quick shower and prayed and laid down for a while as the day's activities were set to start at 9.00am because we hired a tourist guide for the Grand Palace Tour. Breakfast was a feast. At least there were something for me to eat so I found myself walloping salad, cereal, buns and fruits. Jeff told me once that one of his favourite breakfast is french toast (roti goreng telur) with maple syrup which to me would definitely taste odd, so I tried. Not bad at all - only that he told me after I got back that I was supposed to put melted butter and sprinkle some sugar on it too which I definitely didn't. Its a breakfast buffet so we could eat to our heart's content which in my case, so darn content.

Our tourist guide came and we started exploring. The journey from the hotel to the Grand Palace took about 15 minutes and on the way we were so full of inquiry on every building that we saw. Mr Ariya was great though honestly Ms Lee and I both don't like the feeling of people waiting on us and keeping time when we are going on a holiday which is why we were travelling on free & easy basis. There's a lot of things that covered up the Grand Palace visit which is the Royal Museum, Wat Phra Kaew and the Banquet Hall. The residential palace was off limit because the palace are still used by the first princess. The first stop was the Wat Phra Kaew which is the buddhist temple inside the palace area. The whole structure looks like it was made of gold though Mr Ariya said it wasn't. The architecture and the landscape was so beautiful which what Ms Lee pointed out, the Thais are very well established with their ornamental landscape of any kind. We were surprised to find out that the image on one of the coronation building was handpainted, not wall papered. We made a close inspection and saw that each object were a little bit different and too fine that no wall paper could be that.

Yours truly (Intan commented so much that she wanted to see my pic, not anyone else)

The white flowers are Wrightia thai while the yellow ones are Wedelia trilobata (if I'm not wrong)

Image of the Miniature Angkor Wat handcarved to stone and one shot of Wat Phra Kaew roof.



Image towards the Banquet Hall at the Grand Palace

Because of the transport that we were using was sponsored by the Gem's Gallery, it became one of our unplanned stop. An unplanned stop which cost a lot because I bought something over there, hehehe. Something small and flashy and beautiful but still too big for my fingers. The sales person said my finger's too small which is something that I would never dreamt of hearing if I came there 2 years ago. We haven't had enough time for a refitting which they said would cost our 15 minutes so I just bought it and wore it on my middle finger. It wasn't until the next morning that I realized that I could wear it over my left thumb.

We had lunch at the hotel which consist of rice, fried sea bass with mango salad, seaweed soup, fried squids, tofu soup and mixed vegetable. It was a feast though basically that was what we normally ate for our lunch over in Bangkok. True to what the driver who sent us to Changi Airport said, the rice in Thailand is heavenly and very fulfilling. After lunch Mr Lok decided that he would stay at the hotel with Mei Mei and San Ho since both of them are not feeling well. San Ho had food poisoning which we suspected because of last night's dinner at the stall in the Suan Lum Bazaar.

Ms Lee took San Yi and I to the roadside as soon as we were ready and hailed a cab to go to Pratunam. Interestingly enough, our taxi driver on that trip doesn't know much of english that to our amusement we were actually talking back in different languages without knowing what the others are saying. Ms Lee spoke English, the driver spoke thai though we managed to learn thai numbers along the way. Pratunam is very well known around the area for clothes and it was also kind of disconcerting to see that some of them sells eye-popping lingerie. I wonder if anyone would have the nerve to buy it. If its in an enclosed shop, people would but an open air market that sells clothing that actually only covers up the essential part... I don't know.

We were getting hungry and tired and so we chose to go to MBK Centre, one of the most well known shopping complex in Bangkok. Being curious on how the ride on the tuk-tuk feels, we hailed one at the junction bargaining with the drivers for the best price. We settled for one at 100 baht a ride since its already night time and it does remind us a lot on the James Bond riding off the tuk-tuk for the Visa card advertisement. The traffic in Bangkok as always was jammed and much to our delight (fright actually) the driver knows his way around town. The more we screamed, the more he sped and smiled and he actually made a crazy U- turn on the freeway that was filled with fast vehicles on both side which I swore if he's not good enough, the tuk-tuk would tip over. We were all very excited with the daredevil way he brought us to our destination. We gone through every alley and every houses' backyard that by the time we reached MBK we were kind of disappointed. Now we know why the visa advertisement featured the tuk-tuk.

View from inside the tuk-tuk to the bustling alley of Pratunam

Our first intended target was the food court at the 6th floor but on the way there Ms Lee and I was caught up on the 4th floor where they sell all the furnitures. San Yi and I managed to cause a racket when we were playing and testing on a megaphone as Ms Lee was busy looking at the furnitures. We thought that the battery was not in it until we accidentally turned the siren on. It was so loud that we got a surprise of our own. By the time the siren was off we can't stop laughing. All Ms Lee said, "Kids".

Gratefully at the food court there are 2 muslim stalls, one selling thai food which look a lil bit weird for me and the other was the one selling indian food. So I chose nasi briyani - even if I don't like nasi briyani that much. We did a little more window shopping before finally taking a taxi back to our hotel. Our itinerary for the next day would be more full.

First Day In Bangkok

Thursday, 9th June 2005. The day of my first airplane ride. Woke up that morning about the same time as I woke up during working days. The plane in Changi Airport is scheduled at 12.50pm and since my bosses are worried about the traffic jam on the causeway, I have to arrive at their house at least at 9am. Did a check up routine at the site before going there, just to know if the workers have enough petrol and diesel supply. As I arrived, Mei-Mei, my bosses' youngest and only daughter greeted me excitedly for the impending trip while San Yi and San Ho were watching TV and checking up their stuff while they were at it.

At about 9.30am our ride came, I rode in with the 2 boys while my bosses are at the other with Mei Mei. We reached there just in time for the check in. One thing about booking through the net for Tiger Airways, there's no need for ticket. We only need to have the reservation number and then we're all set. For this trip, we managed to get all the bookings done through the internet. We know the risk of using the credit card online but with the irresistable discounts available online and with the added security measure - and of course from the experience of our business contact, we did it all there.

Took lunch while waiting for our boarding time and I must admit we all took our own sweet time to finish the food. By the time we were done the screen was flashing that its the last call for our flight. Frantically all of us ran towards the boarding gate which was so strategically situated at the very end of the line. Reminded me of the flight scene in Home Alone 1 & 2. By the time we were there our plane wasn't even at the gate and everyone were still waiting. The waiting room was packed with passengers of the same flight and it was a blessing when the attendant gave those who travel with children to board up first - Mei Mei and San Ho are still under 12 and considered as children of course. One thing about budget airline, its a free seating flight so whoever fastest gets the best spot.

The plane took off and it was great. My first trip on flight, of course I enjoyed it. Though the best part lasted for only minutes before the plane ascended above the cloud and all I could see was fluffy white shape cotton candy along the way. The sight that greeted us as we reached the Don Muang Airport was fantastic. We went pass farms and we could see the blocky patches of the plantation of many colours from the plane.

Getting a taxi service at the airport was hectic. There were too many services ranging from Limo, minivan to taxi were available. We just have to choose which service and how much we are willing to pay. One thing about taxi service in Bangkok which is so much different from the service here, the taxi driver will ask us which way we want to take - the normal road or the highway. Through normal road we only have to pay for the figure stated at the meter, but for the highway we have to pay for the highway ticket. Definitely if we took a taxi over here the cost would definitely cover up the toll cost and the drive. We checked into our hotel and rested for a while before starting off with our excursion. As I say booking through te net is much much cheaper than walking in. Its about 50% of difference. Those who walks in have to pay for 2,700 baht for a double room but as for us, thanks to Farangs, we only paid 1010 baht per night with an additional free bed.

We didn't know much about Bangkok so we went to the taxi service counter at the lobby for directions and information. The nearest shopping area to our hotel is the Suan Lum Night Bazaar near to Lumphini Park. It is a market area consist of 4,000 shops selling home decorative, pots, shirts, and lots more not forgetting the massage parlour which seems to be in abundance around the area.

The Alley of Suan Lum Night Bazaar

We first took our dinner as we reached there as Mei Mei and San Ho were getting hungry. Honestly dinner time is when I dreaded most especially as we reached the hawker arena. Seems that no stalls were selling vegetarian food and the only muslim stall at that area was closed for day off. And all of the listed menu consist of pork. I did more exploring and luckily there's a pizza stall at the corner. So I bought myself a huge slice of tuna pizza for the night. Afterwards we shopped and look for more stuff and as we walked pass a massage parlour, my boss want to stop by and try the massage. She offered all of us the massage but I'd rather not. I know how painful foot reflexology massage could be so Mei Mei, San Yi and I sat back and become my bosses' spectator as the massage begins. San Ho was laughing all the way, while Mr Lok and Ms Lee was cringing and laughing at certain time.

Massage Session

We called the night off as its already midnight (which in Malaysia was already 1am). Tomorrow's plan was the Grand Palace.

Home At Last

Nothing could beat the feeling of happiness that I feel when the car that brought me back from Changi Airport to my bosses' home reached Tambak. Trip to Bangkok was fine, some good memories, some bad so it balance out. Good things, riding off tuk-tuk, window shopping at numerous market along Bangkok, bad things - I got mugged at the park in front of grand palace and lost 400baht for that. Full coverage and pic, maybe tonight. Now I have to get back to work.

On Your Mark....

Okay, so tomorrow's the day and I haven't packed or even get my baht money exchange. As of right now, on my bosses' instruction I'm studying the Bangkok map and try at least to set up an itineraries for the trip. I just hope that they won't get back at me if I read the map wrongly. Plan after work - go to the worker's house to drop off their salary and head to Jusco to get all the necessity. See everyone next week.

Weekend Holiday

I'm beat.

Like totally beat.

Just reached home from the not so long but not so short weekend in Serdang. A'an is currently going through his orientation at MMU and much to my sister's consternation, even when he already have the handphone with him, it seems useless since he's such a rule abiding person that when the faci told them not to bring the phone, he didn't bring it or didn't even reply tons of messages we sent. Oh well, first time living in a place with rules.

Reached Serdang at 4.30 am on 4th June and Kak Wa already called that she was already samping at Hentian Serdang. Thought that she already worked the plan off with Bang Bil but then again she didn't. While she was camping at Hentian Serdang, Bang Bil was already camping in his office in the faculty and both of them waited since 4am. Gotta love both of them, hehehe.

Rested at my sister's room in UKM while watching White Chicks as my sister continued snoozing. Later that day set up to meet my pen-pal of 10 year, Ridzuan for the very first time. Wow! 10 years, never faced each other (yet) and the time had finally come. Come to think of it, we never knew wht we both look like until 2003 - even though in that magazine, in 1994 to be exact, I put up my pic in the pen-pal column but the pic was fuzzy. So we met and played bowling. Don't ask how it turned out as most definitely I lost both rounds but then again I had fun. Still need to work more on the game as I haven't played it since I graduated. Quite okaylah 120, but the first round was an embarrassing 71 (sorok muka!!!). Maybe I could ask Roy to play the game with me. She loves bowling last I heard from her. Though I hope her tummy problem won't stop her from playing. Message to Ridzuan - Lain kali aaaaaa, hehehe

The next morning everyone was up and about early to sent my bro off. The registration went okay though a bit slow and a bit unsystematic. We reached there not knowing where to go first as there were 2 counters filled with parents and students and their family. Not wanting to add up more havoc to the busy place, all of us took a seat under the tecoma trees (the beautiful but high maintenance Tabebuia pentaphylla) at the courtyard until my bro get it all settled. The courtyard do remind me of Dan Kiley's (one of the well knowned architect, landscape architect & interior designer) design. Hish, banyak komen pulak. Then we spent quite an amount of time not knowing where to go for the hostel registration. Bangbil took the map and took lead which in the end we went back to the parking lot and followed the signs at the road side.

Done with my bro's business we broke off, my big bro went to a wedding while my sister, my parents and I went to our relative's wedding. It was actually just my parents going there while my sister and I stayed in the car as we were not properly attired. Then went to visit my uncles on my dad's side, Wak Riduan & Wak Latif. Since they both lived not that far from each other, we managed to make it short as we needed to go back to An's place to send up some more stuff that we forgot to get him for the room. Afterwards my mak, my sister and I went to the Mines to hunt for a new handphone for my mak. There were so many choices and we ended up picking a second hand phone, its a Samsung and its a flip phone and my mak loves it.

As for today, surprises surprises my abah let me drive the way home. Believe me he have never yet gave any of us the chance to drive his car back with him in it. Guess he's still having jet lag from his last trip. At first it was kind of nerve wrecking. Not that I was bad nor that I am inexperienced, just that I felt like I was going through the driving test for the second time. I got my rhythm back as I saw abah and mak fell asleep. Detected a apeed trap at the Kajang-Putera Mahkota exit but my speed was decent so it was fine. When abah woke up, I slowed down to the highway limit and so the speed goes up and down along the way. Gosh I'm beat. I need to sleep and lie down. *huaaaarghhhh. Ngantuk. *kroih kroih kroih zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Long Weekend Up Ahead

Yesterday my parents made it safely home, picked them up after work ended and to sum it up, all of us stayed up late looking at the pics they took and the stuff they brought home. Egypt looks nice though the landscape is way much different from here - harsh landscape would fit the description. Good thing not much of a big catastrophe going on only that B-bo tend to show off his 'prize' at the front door. The prize as in a dead mangled rat with its intestine torn out. One thing I know about my cats - they are great hunters though it just stop there. They killed their prey bring it to the front porch and left it at the doorstep. They don't eat rats. Last few days I found bird legs at the front porch, bet the cats have gobbled up all of the upper body. Its like their way of saying - we don't just eat and sleep 24/7, we do our job too.

Tonight will be getting on the bus heading to Serdang. Oh and special message to all my school friends, who texted and messaged me regarding this weekend affair - BERAPE RATUIH KALI AKU CAKAP, AKU TAKLEH PI MAJLIS UJAI SEBAB AKU HANTAR ADIK AKU MASUK U!!!!!!!!!!!!!! kirim salam kat ujai, hehehe.

Maniac Wednesday

Things just get better. Today I was being put in charge to supervise the work at a site quite far away from the office. That part was fine, minus the fact that my dad's car is low and not that suitable for construction area so I have to drive it really carefully and slowly. Then a weird sound come from the back as I ascended down the hill on my quest to find a lavatory, like the sound of something being teared out. Alamak, mampus! So there I stopped the car in the middle of the road since it was 12.30pm - lunch time for all construction worker as well as myself so there would be no worries on any passing lorry. Left the engine running as always since its a short check and much to my relief nothing was teared out though there's some scratch at the bottom of the rear bumper which is hardly noticeable. Much to my horror, I forgot the safety feature of my dad's car - the door locks automatically whenever the driver's door is closed. AAAARRRGHHHH!!!!!

What to do? Everything was still inside the car - and I mean everything, my wallet, my cellphone, my bag all of it I have nothing on me other than the clothes I wear, the engine was still running, I was in dire need of a toilet but I can't just leave the car like that. Ask for help? The construction site was empty as the workers went off to the canteen for lunch. Walk? No way, I can't leave the car like that. Spare keys? Inside my dad's room back home, oh and don't forget, he is still in Egypt. I was hopeless.

There I stood under the scorching afternoon sun, hoping like crazy that anyone would pass through the gravel road. Prayers answered, a big lorry with a big load of soil went by so I waved my hands like a maniac wanting help. Practically I won't do that if I was in the middle of the highway or anywhere in that matter. This time I don't care, I was desperate - then again desperate was an understatement. I need relief - FAST!!!

So, when this abang went out of the vehicle, I explained the situation I'm in and trying so hard not to sound so stupid. Being locked outside the car is other matter, but being locked outside the car with everything else inside it and with the engine running is other matter. Darn! The auto lock feature is supposed to make the car safe for the user but not locking and making the car safe from the owner itself. I knew through the tv that you could pick the car lock but I don't know what went where. This abang tried and voila! it works, my hero, hahaha. He asked me not to tell anyone what he did. In a way I didn't tell anyone but those who read this. In any case, if anyone ask me to point out who, I can't remember his face nor do I know his name. I was in a big emergency. I just hope that tomorrow I won't have another interesting happening waiting *Groans.

Just Another Manic Tuesday

Things couldn't just be any better. My car refused to start this morning - the battery is flat out. Justtttt nice. I don't have much time to call anyone from the workshop and I am just glad that my dad left me his car keys before he went off. 3rd June I'll be leaving for KL and 9th I'll be leaving for Bangkok. Aiyo!!! things like this always happen when I'm about to have fun or have something to look forward to. Darn.

3rd Day - Home Alone

Its only been 3 days since my parents went off and the only catastrophical happening starts today as my brother opened up the front door to feed the cats. The interesting 'aroma' managed to creep into my nostril and I wasn't even at the door. It was hell, the kittens finally know how to take dump - all over the front porch!! I don't know why but I ended cleaning and picking up the crap and the smell was so 'powerful' that I have to stuff something into my nose that stop the stench from getting in - it doesn't work. Good thing I already had my breakfast quite an hour before that or I would puke on the spot.

Not long after, as I was getting ready for work my bro called me again from his room, a scorpion managed to get into his room so there I go trying to look for a tong and a hammer - for the tail. Sometime I do feel like living in front of a safari, snakes, pigs and other animal, few months ago someone actually ran into a tiger cub in the middle of the road at the shop nearby my house. But then again I'm not trading this house for anything no matter wht squeals at the backyard.

Work ends, my bro, cousin and I went to see Star Wars Episode 3. It was cool, the light saber fight scenes were smoother and cooler and R2-D2 was so fabulous, hehehe. It does make sense on how Anakin become Darth Vader, or why he becomes Vader. For anyone who hasn't even seen any of the earlier Star Wars movies they certainly won't understand why Episode 3 ends up hanging like that with a very sad ending - the same comment that I heard from my cousin. In the cinema surprisingly there was also a very old man watching it, helped by his grandson I think. He had probably been following the movie since the first release in 1977.

Went home and again that small monsters were leaving their stuff everywhere. Felt like 'suntut'ing them. Grrrrrrr

Surf Away!!!

Its 4.53pm, the clerk is on M.C, my bosses are not around and I have just returned from meeting up with a client all nice, quiet and alone. Bored. My boss gave me the best work of all for this part of the day - go on net surfing for the best deals of hotels and air tickets to Bangkok. The original plan was that my boss and I would go there together but since her plan to Kunming had to be cancelled due to the tuition classes that her son have to attend during school holiday. So the whole family's going to join over.. or is it me joining the whole family? Nevermind, thing is that I would still be going.

Yesterday went out and tried the food at the new Restoran Ayub in Pontian before buying stuff for my brother. Funny though that the waiter have to go back and fro to our table informing my brother that what he wants was not available. Whats the use of putting in the menu if its not there? Even my roti tampal took ages - after 5 minutes my bro finished his. Conclusion - not to go there again. Too many waiters that they got the food order messed up.

Afterwards went to the Maslee supermarket across Ayub. It was my first time and felt as if I have all the money in the world - NOT. Well it was kind of like it, shopping for a new life outside the house is different. It was basically the same shopping that I did when I was 12 (not 13 yet aaa) - before I start going into KTAM. After that I could basically survive all the preparation for university. Hangers, Soaps, pails, shampoo etc etc. Spent nearly RM130 for just the basic necessity. Now its his turn to face the big unknown himself, hehehe.

My mak and Abah had taken off for Egypt yesterday morning so for the preparation, I have to carry on and cover up whatever that is left to be covered up before next weekend. They would be back just in time before both my brother and I take the early bus to my big brother's house. For now, let them enjoy the holiday - Abah would be ecstatic setting foot on Al- Azhar again.

I wonder where's my sayang now...

2nd Day In Singapore

Woke up in the morning feeling gloriously flat and LATE!!! Subuh gajah le gamaknye. Did all the necessary routines and packed up my bag, called up Jeff before meeting up with the rest for our morning expedition. I was aiming for the visit to the Esplanade - as Jackee and James pointed out it looks like a durian. Well I don't care, durian or not, I want to see the architecture, the landscape and of course the Merlion.

First thing's first though - we have to get breakfast and so we walk around chinatown but the only open restaurant was McDonald's. Guess that 8.30 was too early and that was when I felt that I miss the mamak stall over in JB a lot. Went to the train station, thinking of trying our luck in finding a stall or restaurant over in Orchard but we changed our mind again taking a detour to Little India. We saw 3 Komala's restaurant that sells vegetarian food, at the first glance, we passed - thinking that we couldn't survive on vegetarian food alone but the at the 3rd restaurant of the same name at a different road, we didn't have that much of a choice, we were hungry and we needed food, and so we dined.

Took a cab afterwards to the Esplanade and I certainly love what I was seeing. Not many people would appreciate landscape with only not so much of a colour difference over at any housing development area or even cities in Malaysia. We tried but the client was always stressing on colour contrast but on the way to the Esplanade, I could see lots of different shades of green and the impact it gave was very good and very relaxing. Like my boss said when I was discussing with her at a time, not many would appreciate those mix shades of the same colour like both of us does but not most people. We are catering for them, not for ourselves.

I couldn't stop myself from snapping lots and lots of pictures - both lovely and silly ones and feeling glad that I had the 256mb xd-card in my camera. After done snapping around the place, we took a boat ride to Clarke Quay and on the way there I get to see the Merlion up close without having to walk over the place. The view was lovely that we knew going there on the boat was worth it. As we landed at Clarke all I could think that if anyone of my friends who were doing projects on urban design took Clarke Quay as their case study, they would score A. Then we went to Liang Court walk more and stopped by Kinokuniya until I got the call from granma. She would meet us up at the mrt station.

Couldn't keep my hand to myself :D

My 'twin' of different set of parents, and I

The famous Merlion

Again we walked more and at that hour I was cussing on my choice of shoes. I was wearing heels and that was certainly not suitable for a long walk - and I do mean long walk. Too many people around in Orchard Road so we went in and out of the shopping complex, until I heard a very familiar voice at Heeren- DANIEL ONG and GRACE CHUA!!!! my favourite morning madness crew on Perfect Ten for the Perfect Ten Dares You To session. Its actually a slot for dares, contestants were picked from the crowd and they won't know what they are going to do until after they were on the stage. When we reached there there were 2 pairs of couples and the dare was that they made the couple swap and made them french kiss the other person until they say stop for S$60. They did, which bro said, the S$60 was not worth it. And so we walked again, and we stopped for a while at the top floor and that time the dare was that a girl was made to lick something from a guy's sweaty arm pit for S$30.... yuck. But still we managed to polish off 2 plates of chicken wings on our next stop at a cafe in front of the Cathay Cineleisure.

Dan Ong, Grace Chua and the 2 couples

It was getting late and I had to go back to JB. It was a rat race going back, had to run off a few metres because the bus line was too long, my feet was killing me but I didn't care about it. The bus line was still long and my ride was still far away. I couldn't take it so I just walked towards Komtar from Tambak and took the cab - no matter how expensive its gonna be, I was just too tired to complain. Reached my uncle's house and fell flat on my back and slept. I was so darn tired but it was worth all of it.

1st Day In Singapore

1 o'clock was getting near as I started to clean up my desk and getting ready to bolt out. My boss was already out, keys in hand and when the time came i made a mad dash to my car and drove towards my uncle's house in Larkin. Made it there in 30 minutes and it was raining heavily that the road was barely visible. Went in for a quick bath and hoping like crazy that the rain would stop at about 2 - I don't want to be bringing a big umbrella and a big bag when I met up with my friends in Singapore.

My first trip there was fine, went through the checkpoint at Tambak and then again in Woodlands. Actually after the checkpoint at Tambak, I didn't know that I could take just any bus of the same company to get across the boarder. All I know I have to take a bus to Kranji MRT and then take a train to Bishan. Good thing an auntie was asking the bus driver whether the bus goes to Kranji or not so after she asks, the auntie has found herself a temporary stalker - me.
Called up my grandma 2b when the train reached Woodlands MRT as instructed and counting off the station I have to go through. Counted 7... or was it 10? Nevermind. Called her again as I alighted from the train and these are some of the dialogue that gone by

"Granma I'm here already, where should I wait?"
"Where are you now?"
"In front of the station"
"You sure? I'm in front of the station"
"I'm at the door of Junction 8"
"I can't see you, okay I'm going to the door. Eh, where are you?"
"I'm moving back to the train ticketing centre"
"Aiyaaaa you move around, stay put"
And we finally met, hehehehe. Thank goodness no need for roses or anything as identification.

It was quite a walk, turn there turn here alley here alley there, road here, bus station there that I told her I am going to get lost if I go there for the second time on my own which she pacify that even another friend of ours Victoria only got it right on the 3rd visit. My twin and her boyfriend - a.k.a my bro in-law in a way (everyone in AE is related, hehehe) was already there and Vic had just arrived. It was really good to finally meet someone who I only know of through typing messages in the flesh.

Jackee came not long after, followed by granma's friend, Linda (I hope I got the name right during the introdution in the loud KTV room) and we were all talking, singing and having fun. I polished off the potato chips because I was too hungry and then granma came in with a cake in her hand - it was a surprise for the birthday 'boy', Jackee. At 5 ish another friend, Anny from Indonesia called up, her plane just landed down and would be meeting us up during dinner. Granpa Ken called up grandma and we took turn talking and passing the phone and yes, I didn't forget to ask for allowance, hehehehe.

Granma and cake, yummy cake


The Black and Blue Gang, hehehehe


My portion of the cake, looks so lovely and only took less than 5 minutes to gobble it all up :D

It was time for dinner and all of us took the mrt to Newton. To me in Singapore its all about walking and taking the mrt - like in KL, which is definitely better to take a train than driving into the town area besides knowing that you can't get lost taking a train unless you don't really now where you are going. Finally got to meet Anny and Jackee kept on kidding her on her 'one-way-trip' to Seattle. We were basically forcing up Anny to eat since like we said the food there won't have the same essence as it was over here. Granma fed us lots of food and a very interesting dish - her favourite 'tulang' (bone - as in cow's bone with some meat on it). Its not the 'sup tulang' that we have over here but its bone cooked in chilli. The sauce was so divine and spicy that Anny couldn't eat it. Even my twin and I kept on raving about the sauce that we had. I hope that granpa could stomach spicy food. And it was also my first time drinking sugarcane with lemon. Never had it with lemon before and it felt so good after hours screaming on top of my lungs.

Went back to the inn afterwards - the inn's name is 'The Inn at Temple Street', no kidding, when I asked bro last time on the net, where would we be staying, he said the inn at temple street, and so I asked him what the inn's name, he said again its the inn at temple street. Then I finally got it that the name of the inn is the inn at temple street. Very easy name and very confusing. Its located at the heart of Chinatown and it is lively at night. When I checked in, we did a comparison of the rooms that we got. It was too clear that my room was much bigger and the view that I got was much better, facing towards the street and not the back alley like his. 3 of us went online for a while using the computer at the ground floor. It was so maddeningly slow that we could only tolerated 30 minutes of surfing - other than the fact that they charge S$4 for 30 minutes and S$6 for an hour, not inclusive of GST. That when my twin pointed out, "Very convenient, with a service as slow as that, everyone would have to wait an hour". Before retiring, my twin pointed out something - we didn't take picture with Anny and her plane leaves to Seattle at 6am the next day. Darn.

Happy 11th month anniversary, sayang

I love you!!!!

Photo taken from www.thedrawingroom.biz

Condolences

Condolences to my friend Azah and her family on the passing of her father few nights back. May Allah bless his soul.

Condolences to Abang Esa and his family on the passing of his father a month back. May Allah bless his soul and may those cowards who resorted to use 'tuju-tuju angin' be damned.

Al- Fatihah

Busy May & June

I just don't get it, seems that the less project we get on site, the more busy I get in the office. Though its mostly work that I enjoy most. My boss asked me to check things on the net after she gets off - no kidding. We have a new clerk now and its a blessing in disguise. Not being mean or anything since I don't have to do general clerk work anymore but sometimes I just feel I'd better do it myself. She's still new and learning and nearly all of the time she got the instructions mixed up and currently having a row with our troublesome photostat machine. Though one thing that suck big time is that I don't get to spend with Jeff as much as before. As much as I hate to say it, work gets in the way.

Yesterday went up to do chores all around JB - Professional Building, TJB Building dropped by the Urban Forest (Hutan Bandar) my internship place to check up with the status of my landscape plan approval other than hanging out with my friends (gotta love it when you are doing 2 things at a time, both for work and for leisure). When everything was done, dropped by at my uncle's house visiting my cousin and her newborn baby... forgot her name but I think its Arifah Umairah - I think. I only know that her nickname's gonna be Mai. Feeding off from the menu set for my cousin. Well actually my uncle and I was setting our eye on the mix of tamarid juice, onion, garlic and black pepper - typical afterbirth food for the mother and it was great. last time I had it was when I got my brother at 7. Nearly polished off a whole tupperware of preserved mangoes too... got me drooling already.

Other things... seems so boring and unexciting. well maybe not for this coming weekend - will be going to Singapore to meet up with my AE (asianeuro - where I met my baby) friend - friends whom I made through the net since 2003. Well someone might call it pen-pal but through yahoo messenger, I just call them friends. Going to be a day stay and been browsing through the net for maps and locations fear that I might get lost - not as if I couldn't call Vic or 2B for reinforcement, though it would be good if I made it there on my own without being lost other than the fact that the last time I was there was in 1983. Going to be 7 of us there including Anny from Indonesia whose plane would stop by Singapore before heading off to her husband in Seattle. The more the merrier.

The next week, my parents are going to Egypt - abah is very keen on the trip since he gets to go and hang out at his university and do some showing to my mom where he hangs out when he was there - though all I know that my abah would probably do anything but studying. A weekend of staying home and then off to send my brother to MMU. This morning my boss asked me and checked for my free time. She's getting us on a flight to Bangkok most likely from 11th june to 13th to refresh up our ideas on landscape other than finally getting the holiday from everything that she really need. The more I think of it, I really gonna have a very tight budget next month. Don't think.... sakit kepala, aiyo!!!

Tomorrow, going to be my 11th month with Jeff. Huge grin. Wow!

Final Fantasy VII - Advent Children

I'm not much of a PS1 or PS2 player - other than playing Harvest Moon or Gran Turismo but in the past whenever one of my brothers were playing Final Fantasy, any of them I would be at the back watching as the game plot thickens. Well actually I was waiting for the video to play as anyone who are well versed with the game know, the video would play after some stages are passed and its always fascinate me to see the CGI characters moved. My favourite Final Fantasy game and characters will always be Final Fantasy VIII, Squall Leonhart rocks!!

So anyway, Square Enix would be releasing Final Fantasy VII-advent children probably this September. It has been delayed for nearly a year and lots and lots of fans are waiting. the trailers are so darn cool and we know that it won't be a dissappointment like the movie release of Final Fantasy years back. To me, a final fantasy is not a final fantasy without the magic and the GF (guardian force). These are some of the snapshots from the AC. Looks so darn smooth and wow.

Cloud Strife


Tifa Lockhart


Vincent & Cloud, though the background is the attraction that I see, so smooth

For more, just visit the Square Enix site. Lots of trailers and character description.. though its all in japanese

Engrish Is Killing Me!!

What is Engrish? Engrish is actually english that is used in Japan that is... well not to be mean or anything but engrish is actually english that is used by those who are not that good in english in Japan. You could actually see it everywhere over there and hear it especially in songs - not that I care since most of the JPop songs are the coolest - as long as they don't do the engrish version of it. Try look at this picture and what would your reaction be.


I think that this is a groping area... scary for tourist who doesn't want to be groped, hahaha


Never thought craps could be fried and consumed


a nut who wants to be a crab but say he's crap


pecker in box? erm... no thanks

For more Engrish, just visiting site and you would have funness, hahahaha

Treasure Hunt

I was sorting up my stuff in the box where I put all my belonging in from my degree years and come across few 'treasures' that I got from my friends. Most of them are pictures, actually a CD filled with candid pictures of everyone and some gifts. One of the class trip that we had, Encik Azizi, our lecturer was busy in the bus - snapping up pictures of every single one of us who slept. That certainly made those who haven't been caught in camera yet to try very hard not to sleep the whole journey from Terengganu to Serdang. We retaliated of course, by taking his pic when he dozed off for 5 minutes. He developed the pics and put it on a board - in our studio! He got a pic of me with my face covered up with the hood of my sweater - not identifiable thank goodness.

More sleeping pictures during the final year where the studio became our first home. Of course the picture gets more interesting - lots of funny poses of people sleeping with makeshift bed made of 3 chairs on 3 vital areas, on the table, on the floor and anywhere possible. I came across a frame given by my 2 best buddies on my birthday (which they only remembered on the next day) in my first year. We were called the 3 stooges because we are together all the time during classes, lunch, breakfast (if we manage any) exam revising. I have lost contact with them after we got our degree. Azhar works and lives in Sabah while Adul in KL. This is the pic and the our whole class called it 'Tugu Negara wannabe'.

Frm l-r: me, Adul, Azhar

Meet the Family

Here, I just want to introduce everyone to my babies, hehehehe (don't ask, I get too caught up at work and these pictures are such a sight for sore eyes)

The one and only B-bo, isn't he cute?


Smokey (sleeping with her tongue out again) and her kittens - the one that's looking back is Comot and the sleeping one is Anja (short for manja)


Belang with her kittens, no names have been picked up yet, but aren't they gorgeous? (gosh! sounding like Steve Irwin)

To Do List

Today

1. Design for the client - have to get it done by tomorrow. Long weekend up ahead, woohoooo!!! I just loveeeeeee labour day.
2. Pump the tyre - been ages since I pumped it.
3. Photocopy things necessary for the company prequalification.
4. Cut my hair, dye it orange and have it washed and steamed - hahaha sound like kuih pau with the steaming part.
5. Prepare for board presentation.
6. Go to check on the site at 1.

Weekend (in this case, Sunday and Monday)

1. Catch up with my sleep - sound like a bum already.
2. Watch Coach Carter with my lil bro and sister.
3. Go to Holiday Plaza - the best place for DVD, Taman U - my bro needs new shoes & City Square - for Coach Carter.
4. Wash my car, inside out - as always lah
5. Watch movies at home.
6. Play with my cats.
7. Rest.

Things I learnt today

1. Pseudoranthemum white and Alternanthera green won't match real well.
2. You can't prune Crossandra pungens.
3. Bougainvillea Elizabeth Angus is always good.
4. Pandanus pygmeus & Duranta 'Gold' won't give the colour contrast effect.
5. Should have insured my mouth for speaking without thinking.
6. If you don't know how else to fix it, don't create problem in the first place - even if you don't know that you are making one in the first place.
7. Details is always good.
8. To just keep my mouth shut, hahahaha.

10

*warning, this entry may be a puke factor to some. so bear with it, thee hee hee.

One - An 'I love you' from you makes my world goes round
Two - Makan Jeff, Tidur Jeff, Minum Coca-Cola (lol don't sue me, Coke)
Three - Our first celebration of your birthday - my present came too early.
Four - You make me want more, hehehe
Five - She's Alive! Alive! Muahahaha
Six - Snuggles came, we are such a perfect mix (you and I, not Snuggles and I hehehe)
Seven - Oh how I yearn...
Eight - Thus, this must be fate
Nine - I'm so glad you're mine
Ten - You are my Perfect Ten Man

Erm... honestly I don't know what to write in. Just to bookmark it in here
ITS OUR 10TH MONTH ANNIVERSARY, weeeehoooo!!!
I love you, sayang!!!

Hear Me Rant!!!

Of all day, the feeling of like screaming out loud today is very overpowering. First cause, the tile supplier called up at the very last minute to inform me that the tile we had ordered on Monday was not available at their JB store. If we want it, we would have to wait til Friday. FRIDAY?! Of course I yelled her for not telling that to me the minute I called and ordered for the tiles on Monday. The excuse - "Oh, sorry we didn't realize until we're about to load the lorry up". Sorry my arse. The showhouse is due on 15th, so we need the tiles fast. Relayed the info to my boss and of course she was furious. Had to make a very quick decision and after gruelling checking up of what's available and what's not, finally chose on the tiles with an emphasis that the tiles MUST arrive at the site by noon. Gosh, this job makes me yell at people a lot - only to those who screw up that is. Believe me, I don't like yelling.

Second cause, in the afternoon I was being put in charge to measure a site at the Mount Austin area and check up on the workers. Out of some whatever reason, I called them up like crazy but no one answered. I know one of the worker was busy doing grass-cutting so I bear with him but the other one... just simply didn't pick up his phone. The sites are far from the office so we mainly relay information on cellphone. All of us have allowance on that so by right, they have to answer the call during working time. Got a hold of him, and it just tip me off when he insist on sitting at the back seat. Hello?! Do I look like a chauffer or someone else's driver? Even when I drove my boss around he/she sat next to me. I told him no, my backseat was already filled with the measure roller and measuring tapes and my bag.

Done measuring and guess what happened next? his girlfriend or whoever she is messaged me up while I was on my way back to the office and annoying me asking who the hell am I and why was I so insistent on calling him. As if I don't have many things to do for the whole day. I ignored the messages but one particular message blew me off. I replied it while driving saying that I'm his superior and I call him up because of work - hey I know how jealousy works and I don't want to cause relationship trouble. Guess what she replied back? she was cussing at me in javanese! (the worker is from indonesia and although their javanese language is slight different from here, the cuss word is not that much of different). And so I typed, in perfect malay that is - If you don't want your boyfriend to lose his job, you might as well shut up and you might as well ask him who I am. Yeah, so I was bluffing but as if she knows. She stopped txting me after that one. That works. Actually I feel like calling her up but then again, she doesn't worth my money, a simple 5 cents txt message was enough.

The highlight of my day when I got back, I saw and elderly couple walking by the side of the road and yes, they made my day. They are both around 60s or 70s, the husband was walking and pushing his wife in the wheelchair, they were both laughing and smiling and talking... at that age, gosh, that is so darn romantic. The view certainly melts my heart. I wish...

Daulat Tuanku

Today's the state holiday for the Sultan of Johor's birthday. In accordance to that - and since I have no idea what to put on my blog...

DAULAT TUANKU

State of Johor's Anthem

Allah peliharakan Sultan
Anugerahkannya segala kehormatan
Sihat dan ria
Kekal dan makmur
Luas kan kuasa
Menaungkan kami
Rakyat dipimpini berzaman lagi
Dengan merdeka bersatu hati
Allah berkati Johor
Allah selamatkan Sultan