The Glowing Light Bulb

Better

2011-10-04T20:43:00.003+08:00

Good news came abounding two Saturdays. I feel that I am redeemed. And the friendship has resumed. Much to my surprise, how easy things can change back to "the way it was before". I am relieved, and yet, at the same time, a bit perplexed at how the "complicatedness" became so... simple in the end. Hmm.

Anyway, I am glad at the end result. And relieved.

Been travelling a lot for work recently. Seems to me it's going to be a busy last few months of the year. I shall count my blessings and not fret about the future. It will take care of itself. Fingers crossed :)

N'oubliez Jamais

2011-07-04T22:46:00.002+08:00

Sometimes thoughts of past events flood and consume my mind. So much so that it gets hard to breathe sometimes.

There are things that I know I should remember, and yet, there are things that I know I should forget. I wonder when I can find the balance for both, so my sanity and emotions are intact.

Happy Birthday Me

2011-06-14T16:28:00.003+08:00

This year's birthday was a bit sad. Not that I wasn't looking forward to my birthday, but of how I sort of got my birthday wish. I normally take leave on my birthday so I don't have to go to work. But this year, my birthday fell on a Sunday, but I still didn't feel like not working on the next Monday. Well, God heard and granted me my wish... he gave me chicken pox 2 days before my birthday!

So I've been indoors for the past 1 and a half weeks, recuperating. The first few days were bad - guess what they say is true about it hitting harder the older you get. I tried my best to refrain from scratching and avoiding all the food that could leave bad scars i.e. soya sauce, eggs, chicken, and anything with the word "bean" or "nut" in it. Which basically left me nothing to eat except fruits and veggies.

I am recuperating well, except for a few stubborn blisters that are taking really long to wither and die. Plus I am trying hard not to peel the scabs prematurely *haha*. Considering that I am doing nothing but rest for 2 weeks, I am... dare I say it... kinda bored?? God strike me dead for not being grateful for the down time. Kinda feel like a caged lion, but I guess it's good. Gives me time to read and unwind, watch tv, eat and just laze around. Kinda hard to have this luxury actually.

Can't wait to get back on my feet 'cos I feel the need to CELEBRATE my birthday. Who cares if it's belated, right? I have much to celebrate about - recovering from the pox, growing a year older and another day to steer my life and live it to the fullest. I have been thinking a lot recently about past events, and though the heart grew heavy, I have to count my blessings for all thatI have and the people I have around me who care.

So happy birthday me, chicken pox and all! :)

June 2006

2011-05-12T22:09:00.000+08:00

I started my blog in June 2006. That's almost 5 years ago. Gosh, how time flies.

I re-read my blog today, and realised that I used to write more and used to do more things, meeting more friends, and learnt to laugh at a lot of things. Five years down the road, I write less, do less, meet friends less and laughed less. Hmm... not a good sign. The things that had increased? Work, travelling, sadness, melancholy. Whoa... that doesn't sound good at all.

I guess it's a sign of going older, mellowing down, less excitable? Or maybe I've just not really had the mood to write.

In all honesty, the past 5 years have not really been really great on the personal front. I did buy a new car, got promoted at work and travelled to many places that I've never been to because of work, but on the personal front, nothing has changed. Same old pain in the heart, which became worse in December 2010. I hope with time, I will move on and learn to let go.

Till then, I must remember to count my blessings, in good and bad times. Life's hard. But it's still good.

Running

2011-05-08T20:23:00.003+08:00

It's funny how I've not blogged about running.

I've picked up running again, the first run I've even done was in 2006 at the British 10k Run. It was a great sense of achievement, completing the run in 1 hr 24 minutes and getting a finisher's medal for the sweat and sore legs after!

After coming back from UK, I had the urge to run, but could never find the people to run with. Until last June, when EJ asked me to join the Standard Chartered Marathon with her. I pounced at the chance to pick up running again, and ran 1 hr 24 minutes again (being older 5 years and still clocking the same time was good enough for me!) And a finisher's medal also!

Since then, I've ran many races: Siemens Run (Dataran Merdeka), Shape Night Run (Putrajaya), Olympic Day Run (Dataran again!), Mizuno Run (UPM), Penang Bridge Run (Penang) and Angkor Wat International Half Marathon (Siem Reap). I skipped the Malakoff Run (Bukit Kiara) as I was recovering from illness then. But all in all, 2010 was full of runs, and I became very, very trim (much to my chagrin, since I had resolved to put on some weight).

The thing about running is you only have yourself to beat, and each time, it's just about shaving time off from the last race. My best is still Angkor Wat, at 67 minutes - but that was a fairly flat run, which I enjoyed.

The running continues in 2011: Larian Merdeka (UM), Bareno Run (Bukit Jalil) and today's Larian Bersama Bomba (Dataran Merdeka). The time's for this year have not been good, as I've not been running regularly, and there were long breaks between runs. Today's was very challenging, as half-way through I injured my knee (signs of getting old?!) and walked more than I ran. However, nothing to be worried about, it should be alright in a few days. But EJ managed to run faster than me today, and grabbed herself the last finisher's medal (way to go, woohoo!).

The running calendar will fill up soon: StanChart, Feel Good, Siemens, Penang Bridge, Adidas King of the Road, Seremban?? Have not really decided what runs to do next but we runners are spoilt for choice.

So why the penchant for running, you may ask? Simple reasons:
i. it's good for health - I do feel fitter and it gives me toner legs (heehee);
ii. it's for charity - well, some of the runs anyway, and I prefer to run those that donate the fees to charity;
iii. personal challenge and continuous improvement (kaizen!);
iv. it numbs the pain that life hands to me;
v. it builds mental strength; and
vi. I like shiny medals :)

I hope to be able to continue running for a long time (hope my knee's not busted), and maybe one day do a 21 km - which I'm not ready for yet. Am afraid I'll get too bored running continuously for such a long time (ipod to the rescue maybe!).

So the running will continue. And the battle cry shall be: Run, (insert name), run! *puff puff*

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T20:10:00.003+08:00

It is Mother's Day today.

Every year, I will send a card to my mum. I only celebrate Mother's Day, as dad passed away 19 years ago, 6 days after my 15th birthday. Hence, my birthday is a natural trigger for me to remember when my dad passed away.

I've not celebrated Father's Day for a long time, understandably. It is a day that does not register in my life, and it does not bother me as I have grown to understand that life is such that it includes death of family members and those close to you. Gone, but not forgotten.

So on Mother's Day, I hold on dearly to the fact that mum's all I have in this world, and always remind my friends to cherish both their parents if they are still around. Some of us are not that lucky to have both in the world. But I am lucky I've still got me mum. Don't know what I'd do without her, honestly.

So Happy Mother's Day mum. Sorry I can't be there to celebrate, but everyday is Mother's Day (as you said).

Hope I don't disappoint you as a daughter :)

Memories Reminded

2011-03-08T20:54:00.003+08:00

I chanced upon some old emails today from a certain someone. How things have changed as the years go by - situations change, people change, feelings change. Some for the better, some for the worse.

Somewhat bittersweet, the memories I was reminded of today.

"Without me saying those three famous words, you know how I feel."

Like We Never Loved At All

2011-02-11T21:14:00.001+08:00

Heard this song on Idol. Deep.

Go West Sings...

2011-01-24T20:52:00.001+08:00

So take a good look at my face,
You'll see my smile looks out of place,
If you look closer it's easy to trace,
The tracks of my tears.

'Nuff said.

2011

2011-01-02T18:01:00.002+08:00

2011 is the year to...
Smile more,
Laugh more,
Love more (even though it can hurt),
Live in the present more,
And always, always give thanks for all the blessings.

Happy New Year! It's gonna be good, I'm sure!

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T21:27:00.002+08:00

It is Christmas Eve. I am on leave today until the end of the year.

It is that time of the year to reflect and think back of the year that's been and plan for the year ahead.

It has been a tough year to a certain extent. Though filled with lots of blessings and opportunities to travel, it was also a year full of hard work. Emotionally, it has been full of ups and downs, with the downs lingering longer than the ups. This too, shall pass. I must always remember that. This too, shall pass.

Recently, I have been thanking God the moment I wake up for being alive. I also pray to God to keep me safe and help make the hurt bearable. They say time heals all wounds. I hope so.

Hoping that 2011 will be a good one. And the one that things will work out for the best, somehow.

Merry Christmas everyone. Peace, love, goodwill to men.

Gravity - Sara Bareilles

2010-10-27T22:20:00.000+08:00

This song tells it like it is...

Broken

2010-10-11T10:22:00.002+08:00

I feel sad.

I knew this was coming - but I kept positive and hoped against all hope that it would not come to this. After 8 long years, we have come to this point where I'm devastated to the core.

I am broken.

Raya Morning

2010-09-10T12:08:00.003+08:00

I always wake up pretty early on Raya morning if I'm in KL. Reason being it's deathly quiet most times, and I'll hear the prayers from the surau near my apartment. Plus this year, I heard more firecrackers than normal. Thought it was Chinese New Year :)

So I woke up, sent out massive number to text messages to friends wishing them a good Hari Raya, showered, went to get the morning paper and my favourite McD breakfast (so strange that I like this). Not yet done with the morning paper, got distracted watching TV along the way! Oops!

Hope there are some nice movies on TV this Raya season. I remember one year, they showed "Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gam" on TV and I cried my eyes out cos the sub-titling was superb and relayed perfectly the intent of the dialogue! I must try to find the DVD since it is one of the few Bollywood movies that I have watched and liked. Plus Shah Rukh Khan's pretty easy on the eyes too *hee hee*

Almost lunch time. Should make some grub to fill the tummy :)

Selamat Hari Raya 2010

2010-09-09T21:17:00.003+08:00

It's Raya eve. And once again, my apartment will be really quiet for the next few days. It started to grow quiet a few days ago, and I kind of enjoy the silence. To a certain extent.

Things in the office are quiet too. I put in a whole day of work today, finishing up things that have been sitting on my desk for a while - and waiting for the next onslaught in the next week when everything gets back to normal. Not looking forward to that.

Till then, I shall enjoy the down time both at work and at home, and count my blessings and gather my thoughts.

Selamat Hari Raya everyone, Maaf Zahir Batin. May this festive season be spent with loved ones and those closest to you.

Neglected, but Not Forgotten

2010-05-03T21:12:00.003+08:00

Neglected, but not forgotten. That's how I feel about my blog.

I've been neglecting it for a while. Not because I've forgotten about it, but more like I've not found any inspiration to write. I think about starting to write again. And often. Sometimes in the middle of the night, I'd have ideas or thoughts that I'd like to pen down. But alas, call it laziness, procrastination, not in the mood... I never get around to doing it.

So today, the eve of Raya, I decided to revisit The Glowing Light Bulb and post a note or two. And change the template design. I am so loving it :)

I've been busy past few months. Busy with work. With life. Gym. Ooo and running. Took up running again. So far, have done 2 10k runs and 1 5k run. Gonna start the running cycle again soon. Shall try to keep fit and improve my timing.

Running gives me reason to get a new wardrobe (running attire doesn't come cheap!) and running-related stuff like a sports watch, which I've always wanted. Hope to get it in the next few weeks, through the good services of a friend. Yippie!

What else? Hmm... been on a book-buying-binge as well. All because I was in India and books in India are cheap. Now if only I can find time to start reading (and finish) the 20 or so titles I have on my book shelf!

Also have been travelling quite a bit for work (hence India - twice!), which culminated in my visit to Taj Mahal. Lovely! Went to Tokyo and met up with a long-time friend. That was lovely too (Japan and meeting my friend).

Would like to just sit tight and chill actually. Less travelling. But I guess God wanted me to get off my sorry ass and get out into the world and see the beauty of it.

Shan't complain. Things could be worse. Like travelling to some God forsaken "ulu" place :)

PS: This blog is posted on 9 September, and not in May. Silly me worked on the draft post from May. Duh!

Hello (May) 2010

2010-05-03T21:02:00.002+08:00

Gosh, can't believe I've not written in this blog for 5 months. This takes the cake.

Well, let's see what I've been up to.

Dec 2009/Jan 2010: Went on a vacation to UK and Paris for two weeks. Discovered many things about myself, my friends, my life. Half truths, real truths, honesty and reflection. Plus many nights thinking how good things would be if... Life is but so bittersweet. Then it was back to the grind of work. Sigh.

Feb 2010: CNY came and went, busy busy busy. Don't know where the days go.

Mar 2010: Joined the gym and started my fitness routine ... finally. After putting it off for 3 years! Gosh... now I've got lean arms and tight abs. More to come :) Plus must put on the weight I need. Days of reflection are still aplenty but have resigned to live life a day at a time, not to fret about the future and just be strong.

Apr 2010: Crazy at work... still. Went to see the F1 Race for the first time. Interesting. Every weekend, busy with friends, gym, chilling at home. And executed the plan to get a new set of wheels.

And now it's already May. Gasp! The thing to look forward to this month... my wheels. Mum coming. And my birthday next month. Hope things will be great this year as I turn 29+x *grin*

I hope God will be kind (He always is actually). I hope I'll complain less and do more. Think rational and leave things as it is. Learn to enjoy the present and to do things for me. Enrich and fulfill myself. And trust in God that everything's gonna be alright :)

Year End

2009-12-19T15:19:00.002+08:00

Almost a whole 2 months and no update. This is bad. My bad.

Been busy with work and that's not really a nice thing. But am gonna go off for a two week holiday. Time for a vacation. And just getting away from the rush of KL. Time to step back and reflect on the year that's been. And to think of grand plans for 2010.

Hope to write more soon... since it keeps me sane.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year :)

This Has Got To Take The Cake

2009-10-07T18:15:00.003+08:00

Six weeks without writing. Gosh! What have I become!

Actually, I was just so busy with this conference that we were organising that it kind of overtook my life until last week. Was so dead tired after that as well, so recuperated a bit over the weekend. Strangely enough, had a very busy weekend.

Also, along the way, I inherited a puppy. Someone left it outside my apartment door and my mum fed it for a couple of days until she left for home. Then it was me taking care of it for the next few days. I called her Timmy, eventho it's a male name. Cos the best dog that I ever had was named Timmy.... and it was the name of the Famous Five's dog as well :)

But alas, I had to give Timmy away, cos I don't have space in my apartment and I can't keep pets there. Sob Sob. Actually felt quite sad to give her away, but at least she has a good home now, with a family who has 4 other dogs. Oh, she's a border collie. I think they can grow up to be quite big dogs.

I also went to watch the Finals of the Malaysian Tennis Open on Sunday. Almost caught the tennis ball Davydenko autographed and hit to the crowds, but too bad, me too short, hence couldn't reach for the ball first. But it was superb, I missed watching tennis.

Got plenty of errands to run this weekend. And catching up with friends whom I've neglected for a while. Should be fun :)

Selamat Hari Merdeka

2009-08-30T16:43:00.003+08:00

It's Merdeka Eve today. Just as well that it's a Sunday, and a long weekend. KL is quiet. My neighbourhood is quiet. Roads are quiet. So nice.

I went to the Curve to watch "Up" yesterday. It was such a nice movie. The only reason why I watched it was cos I wanted to watch "The Proposal" while my friend wanted to watch "G.I. Joe". "Up" was the compromise. And it was a good compromise.

It was a simple story, old man going off on his adventure after his wife died. And with him was an unlikely companion in the form of a little boy. I shan't say much about the movie except it brought tears to my eyes at times, made me laugh most times and reminded me that to live life to the fullest cos everyday is precious :)

So go watch it. You shan't regret it. Unless you've got a heart of stone and is emotionally challenged :p

Oh, and Selamat Hari Merdeka. May we all find the true meaning of Merdeka eventho celebrations are real quiet this year.

(Osh Kosh B) Gosh!

2009-07-24T18:46:00.002+08:00

Gosh, it's almost the end of July... and my last post was end of June *tsk tsk tsk* I am such a procrastinator.

Anyway, busy isn't even the word for it anymore. Sigh. Yes, I've been busy, and it's not funny. Meetings, minutes, papers. Buzzwords for the past few weeks.

Oh, and also, a little something called viral fever :)

I crashed for 2 days recently. And I always believe that when you fall sick and your system crashes, it's a sign from your body telling you to shut down and recuperate. And shut down I did. Didn't enjoy being sick, what with the tastelessness of everything I ate (especially water!), but the "compulsory rest" did me good.

Got back to work and more papers, meetings and minutes. Sigh.

I shan't complain. Working allows me the luxury of having the things that I like... and then some :)

Nudge Nudge

2009-06-26T11:52:00.002+08:00

I was given a little nudge by Jane Sunshine today to update my blog. Thanks dear :)

I've been meaning to actually. Since the last entry in early May, I was away in China for three weeks. I wanted to update my blog from there but surprise, surprise! China blocks blogspot! And youtube! Much to my chagrin, as I missed the finals of American Idol and couldn't see Kris Allen perform. The hotel I was in at the university only had one English channel, CCTV9, which we get on Astro. So you can imagine how much CCTV9 I watched :)

China was GREAT! 3 weeks was a bit long to be away from the office, but I lapped it up with glee. New people, new places, and I got to spend my birthday in Beijing. How cool is that right?

But now it's back to the reality of things: Work, sleep, work, sleep, weekend (more sleep), keeping the apartment in order, la di da...

Shall write more on China. This is just a teaser :)

MPO Revisited

2009-05-02T14:42:00.002+08:00

I went to the Petronas Philharmonic Orchestra yesterday. Have not gone in a long time, probably in the likes of 4 - 5 years. The place brings back memories :)

So anyway, I went to see Lat's Window to the World being accompanied by the MPO. Superb stuff. Mr. Kampung Boy a.k.a Lat was there as well. His 20 minute cartoon was flashed on the big screen and was accompanied by the MPO; and did they accompany well! This segment of the night was just 20 minutes long, but it went by so fast. Probably cos I was so engrossed.

After the intermission, the MPO played the soundtrack to Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times" with the silent movie on the big screen as well. The MPO was so good that it just felt that the live orchestra was part of the movie! So cool.

Had a really good time, and it was indeed very relaxing. Makes me want to go and learn the violin actually haha.

As far as the first quarter of the year has gone, my plan for the year has materialised:
Live concert - check!
Philharmonic Orchestra - check!

I wonder what's in store next :)

Blush Blush

2009-05-02T13:54:00.002+08:00

I went for a medical check-up this morning. Nurse had to poke me at three different spots to get two vials of 3ml blood. Guess my veins were not cooperating with her this morning. But I think my threshold for pain is pretty high. Except for when she poked me on the back of my right hand *ouch*

Hope the report will be all clear. Blood pressure's ok, which is a good sign.

Best part was, the guy at the counter got the shock of his life when he saw my IC number upon registering. He thought I was 25 *haha*

Must be the 6 - 8 hours of sleep I take and good genes from my parents :)

New Age Woman

2009-05-02T13:46:00.002+08:00

The New Age Woman...

In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman he was pursuing the question: " What kind of man are you looking for?"

She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking, "Do you really want to know?"

Reluctantly, he said "Yes."

She began to expound... "As a woman in this day and age, I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can't do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household without the help of any man...or woman for that matter. I am in the position to ask, "What can you bring to the table?"

The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to money.

She quickly corrected his thought and stated, "I am not referring to money. I need something more. I need a man who is striving for perfection in every aspect of life."

He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain.

She said, "I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation. I don't need a simple minded man. I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection spiritually because I don't need to be unequally yoked... believers mixed with unbelievers is a recipe for disaster.

I need a man who is striving for perfection financially because I don't need a financial burden. I am looking for someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman, but strong enough to keep me grounded. I am looking for someone who I can respect. In order to be submissive, I must respect him. I cannot be submissive to a man who isn't taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive...he just has to be worthy. God made woman to be a help mate for man. I can't help a man if he can't help himself."

When she finished her spill, she looked at him.

He sat there with a puzzled look on his face. He said, "You are asking a lot."

She replied, "I'm worth a lot."

The Rose

2009-04-18T18:58:00.004+08:00

I've forgotten this song until recently when someone sang it on American Idol. Sweet...

The Rose by Bette Midler

Some say love it is a river
that drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razor
that leaves your soul to blead

Some say love it is a hunger
an endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
and you it's only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance

It's the one who won't be taken
who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dying
that never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong

Just remember in the winterf
ar beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes the rose

And I found the Westlife version too. Click here to view.

Remember Air Supply??

2009-04-18T18:45:00.003+08:00

I just finished one and a half hours of warming up my fingers on them ivory keys. Whew! Been a while since I last made noise on the piano to entertain my neighbours *grin*

So yeah, one and half hours. Repertoire included a half-baked "Mungkin Bila Nanti" by Peter Pan, "Dia" by Sheila Majid, some random Indonesian and English songs, and Air Supply! Haha... Air Supply? So the jiwang. Still my fave to play is "Two Less Lonely People In The World".

Oh, and I was reminded of some old songs that I've not played in a long time. Now, tell me how many of you remember the group "Living in a Box" and their song "Room in Your Heart"??? Click here if you can't remember.

If you do remember them, I know how old you are :)

Neglected?

2009-04-12T21:04:00.003+08:00

If you think this blog has been neglected, it has not.

Just I've been lazy. And been occupied every weekend, balik kampung, then kursus and wedding, then I vegged out last weekend and this weekend, went to office and cleared my room - all because of 5S (or my version of it: sungguh susah sekali susun semak!). And today, went off to get my car fixed, then trimmed my hair, met a friend for coffee (quite accidentally actually), Ikea (yay!), organised my CDs, dinner, and now, am wondering why there's nothing good to watch on TV on Sunday night.

Not feeling too well the past few days too. Sniffles got the best of me. Sigh.

Anyhow, more updates soon. Oh, and am getting a new Minister tomorrow. Times are a-changing... again :)

How Not To Be Blonde

2009-03-16T21:55:00.003+08:00

Imagine this...

After dinner one fine evening, two ladies walked happily to their car parked at the shopping complex parking lot and confidently put the keys in the front door to unlock the car.

But wait, first twist of the keys in the keyhole, nothing happened. Never mind, we try again. Second twist, still not opening. Oh no, please don't let the switch be stuck. The face of the driver started to change in panic. Tried again for the third time, still couldn't open. And suddenly she burst into laughter and started to move away from the car. Still trying to control her laughter, she managed to blurt out "That wasn't my car!" and proceeded to walk towards HER car, similar in make and colour, a few lots away.

Aiya, so embarassing right, cannot even recognise your own car?? And luckily the alarm didn't go off in the "mistaken identity" car! That would have been more embarassing!

Actually, I was laughing so hard and wiping away my tears not because it was so ridiculous, but more cos it happened to me before! I tried to unlock a car that I thought was mine only to figure out ten seconds later that it wasn't my car cos the stuff on the dashboard wasn't what I was used to seeing. Duh!

So moral of the story... check the licence plate of the car when approaching, to avoid having a "blonde" moment. Or at minimum, look inside the car to see whether anything inside is yours!
hahahahah

You and I Both

2009-03-16T21:09:00.002+08:00

Before you think that I've neglected my blog, I thought I'd better write before I get lazy again.

I think February went by like a dream. I think I was stressed after coming back from a long CNY break. So that took about 3 weeks for me to get back to some semblance of normalcy. Plus two of my closest mates were no longer in the office anymore, gone off to greener pastures. So things were kinda quiet. And also, R came back for two weeks so I was pretty occupied eventhough we didn't have much time to meet up. But yeah, it was pretty nice spending quality time together. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

So the other big thing that I did was go to a Jason Mraz concert on 4 March. Am so glad he decided to stop in KL and while I had cheapo tickets, it was good enough. Great entertainer, good band (loved the brass section!), the sound system could have been improved (and the air conditioning at Stadium Negara) but all in all, it was good stuff. I like the buzz I get from watching live shows. So much positive energy all around, and singing along with the whole stadium. How silly that we sing at concerts, we're there to watch him sing! haha... but no matter cos I.Love.Jason.Mraz.

I fell in love with him in 2003 or so when I was hooked on "You and I Both". It took me ages to memorise the lyrics, but I did. Even bought his cassette - yup, was poor, so didn't have the luxury to buy CDs then. And I remember a colleague of mine who made me play "You and I Both" on the piano at the office so he could sing it over and over and over, after I got him hooked on it too. Not that I minded. Good memories :)

So yeah, Jason Mraz was the highlight of this month. Plus two consecutive weekends playing badminton and netball for the office games. And going home this weekend, and a wedding to attend next weekend. So busy. So what's in store for April I wonder? :)

So since I am so enamoured with Mr. Mraz and am wondering whether the position of Mrs. Mraz is still open, I shall end this entry with lyrics to "You and I Both" and pretend the "you" in that song is referring to me, me, me... :)

You and I Both

Was it you who spoke the words that things would happen but not to me
Oh things are gonna happen naturally
Oh taking your advice and I'm looking on the bright side
And balancing the whole thing

Oh But at often times those words get tangled up in lines
And the bright light turns to night
Oh Until the dawn it brings
Another day to sing about the magic that was you and me

Cause you and I both loved
What you and I spoke of
And others just read of
Others only read of the love, the love that I love.

See I'm all about them words
Over numbers, unencumbered numbered words
Hundreds of pages, pages, pages for words
More words than I had ever heard and I feel so alive

Cause you and I both loved
What you and I spoke of
And others just read of
Oh and if you could see me now
Oh love, love
You and I, you and I
Not so little you and I anymore
And with this silence brings a moral story
More importantly evolving is the glory of a boy

Cause you and I both loved
What you and I spoke of
And others just read of
And if you could see me now
Well then I'm almost finally out of
I'm finally out of
Finally deedeedeedee
Well I'm almost finally, finally
Well I'm free, Oh I'm free

And it's okay if you had to go away
Oh just remember the telephones were they workin' in both ways
And if I never ever hear them ring
If nothing else I'll think the bells inside
Have finally found you someone else and that's okay
Cause I'll remember everything you sang

Cause you and I both loved
What you and I spoke of
And others just read of and if you could see now
Well I'm almost finally out of.
I'm finally out of, finally, deedeeededede
Well I'm almost finally, finally, well out of words

Why?

2009-03-04T11:20:00.003+08:00

I just realised that I've not written anything in February. The last entry was in end of January. And for the life of me, I don't know why I didn't write anything in February. Why ah?

I think maybe cos I was stressed after coming back from the CNY holidays. Heck, I had stomach cramps/gastric pain for 3 weeks running since I got back.

Or maybe it was cos I was occupied every weekend, considering a dear friend came back for two weeks and my life went kind of off-tangent for a bit.

Or maybe cos I didn't switch on my laptop at home.

So many maybe's :)

But I should remind myself to write something once a week. So when people ask me "What happened?", I can actually remember and give a good answer.

Summary

2009-01-26T17:03:00.002+08:00

I know I've not been updating for a while. Been kinda busy and lazy (lousy excuse, I know). Let me re-cap the happenings in my little world...

Had a farewell party at Bora Asmara on 16 January 08 for dear Ween who's leaving for a new challenge all the way in Brussels. Had loads of fun, ambience was superb, with a mariachi band to match. Food was alright, but hey... it's not where you're at, it's who you're with that guarantees the good time.

Then on Sunday, I mosey-ed along to Stadium Putra to watch Juara Lagu live. A friend had VIP tickets, so what the heck - plus we had a driver and all, so didn't have to worry about parking etc. One of those things that you should go to at least once if you have the opportunity. Live music man... and Malaysian music is picking up speed. I like.

So I got back to Kuching midnight on 21 January for CNY. Good fun. Busy with preparations, but it's always nice to be back, though I wasn't feeling that well the few days before. Nieces and nephews make me laugh... though they talk to loud as if we're deaf *hahaha*

Shall be back in KL early February. I shall no longer have 2 of my favourite hommies on 10th Floor when I get back *sob sob*. But fret not. As they say in primary school:

"A ring is round
It has no end
And that's how long
I'll be your friend"
*giggle giggle*

I shall miss you guys though - hope you miss me too! :)

What Are You Missing?

2009-01-11T21:50:00.001+08:00

A MAN sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.The one who paid the most attention was a three-year-old boy. His mother tagged him along, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time.

This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only six people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk at their normal pace. He collected US$32 (RM112). When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth US$3.5mil (RM12.25mil).

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theatre in Boston and the seats average US$100 (RM350).

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organised by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people.

The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognise the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

(From The Star 110109)

When Song Lyrics Say It Best...

2009-01-05T22:47:00.003+08:00

Man Who Can't Be Moved by The Script

Going back to the corner where I first saw you
Gonna camp in my sleeping bag, I'm not gonna move
Got some words on cardboard got your picture in my hand
Saying, "if you see this girl, can you tell her where I am?"

Some try to hand me money they don't understand
I'm not broke, I'm just a broken-hearted man
I know it makes no sense, but what else can I do?
And how can I move on when I'm still in love with you?'

Cos if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me
And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I could be
Thinking maybe you'd come back here to the place that we'd meet
And you'd see me waiting for you on the corner of the street
So I'm not moving
I'm not moving

Policeman says, "son, you can't stay here"
I said there's someone I'm waiting for if it's a day, a month, a year
Gotta stand my ground even if it rains or snows
If she changes her mind this is the first place she will go

'Cos if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me
And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I could be
Thinking maybe you'd come back here to the place that we'd meet
And you'd see me waiting for you on the corner of the street
So I'm not moving
I'm not moving
I'm not moving
I'm not moving

People talk about the guy
Who's waiting on a girl, oh
There are no holes in his shoesBut a big hole in his world, mmm

Maybe I'll get famous as the man who can't be moved
And maybe you won't mean to but you'll see me on the news
And you'll come running to the corner
'Cos you'll know it's just for you
I'm the man who can't be moved
I'm the man who can't be moved

'Cos if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me
And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I could be
Thinking maybe you'd come back here to the place that we'd meet
And you'd see me waiting for you on the corner of the street
(So I'm not moving)
'Cos if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me
(I'm not moving)
And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I could be
(I'm not moving)
Thinking maybe you'd come back here to the place that we'd meet
(I'm not moving)
And you'd see me waiting for you on the corner of the street
Going back to the corner where I first saw you
Gonna camp in my sleeping bag, I'm not gonna move

Wishful thinking? You decide... cos I have.

Priority vs Choice

2009-01-05T22:31:00.002+08:00

Today I had a conversation about "priority" versus "choice". Sometimes I wonder why we allow ourselves to be someone else's "choice" when we make them our "priority". Hmm...

Life is not about tortured living and pain. Perhaps it's time to listen to Ms. Houston and exhale.

everyone falls in love sometimes
sometimes it's wrong
sometimes it's right
for every win someone must fail
but there comes a point when
when we *exhale*

sometimes you'll laugh
sometimes you'll cry
life never tells us the whens or whys
when you've got friends to wish you well
you'll find a point when you will exhale

hearts are often broken
when there are words unspoken
in your soul there's answers to your prayers
if you're searching for a place you know
a familiar face, somewhere to go
you should look inside your soul
you're halfway there

sometimes you'll laugh
sometimes you cry
life never tells us the whens or whys
but when you've got friends to wish you well
you'll find your point when ...
you will *exhale*

Late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2009-01-05T22:27:00.002+08:00

Sorry, sorry, am late in posting up Christmas wishes and Good tidings for the New Year 09.

Christmas was spent with family, was on leave the whole week doing what I do best - shop and sleep. Actually it was more shopping than sleeping. Bought quite a bit of stuff (which will make me guilty once my credit card bill arrives!) so I've got CNY covered :)

Though I spent New Year's Eve in the company of friends watching fireworks at KLCC up close, but I vow never again to work on New Year week. Feels like I did not close 2008 and straight away dove head on into 2009. How not fun is that? Sigh...

But have decided to complain less in 2009, be more grateful, work smarter, live better, do more charity and not to sweat the small stuff. Oh! And find a new hobby :)

Sounds good huh?

Terbabas

2008-12-15T23:30:00.002+08:00

This is what happens when there's nothing on TV and it's too early to sleep. I blog.

And now it's way past bedtime, since tomorrow's a working day. Drat!

Cuba by Faizal Tahir

2008-12-15T22:46:00.007+08:00

Cuba by Faizal Tahir
(from the album Aku.Muzik.Kamu)

cuba kau dengar
cuba kau cuba
diam bila ku cuba
untuk berbicara dengan kamu

pernahkah kau ada
bila ku perlu
tuk menyatakan rasa hati

dan bila kau bersuara
setiaku mendengar
agar tenang kau merasa

siapa
sebenarnya aku padamu
mungkin sama dengan teman lain
yang bisa kau buat begitu

dan bila
tiada lagi teman bermain
kau pulang mendapatkan aku
itulah aku…padamu

cuba kau lihat
cuba kau cuba
renung ke mata aku
bila ku kaku melihatmu
pernahkah kau ada
bila ku perlu
tuk menyatakan rasa sakit
dalam diri

dan bila kau perlu
setia ku menunggu
agar senang kau merasa

siapa
sebenarnya aku padamu
mungkin sama dengan teman lain
yang bisa kau buat begitu

dan bila
tiada lagi teman bermain
kau pulang mendapatkan aku
itulah aku…

maafkan kerana aku tak pernah
terlintas tuk menulis pada mu
maafkan ku
tak mungkin lagi aku meminta
untuk kau mendengar..
untuk kau melihat ke mataku

siapa
sebenarnya aku padamu
mungkin sama dengan teman lain
yang bisa kau buat begitu
dan bila
tiada lagi teman bermain
kau pulang mendapatkan aku
itulah aku…padamu

siapa
yang bisa kau buat begitu
dan bila tiada lagi teman bermain
kau pulang mendapatkan aku
itulah aku…padamu
itulah aku... padamu

Lyrics that are self-explanatory. Nice. For youtube, click here. Enjoy!

Post-script:
They say all things happen for a reason. And for everything that happens, there is always a higher meaning to it that we, mere mortals, are unable to comprehend at times. Food for thought. C'est la vie, mon amies... et un rappel a moi aussi.

Crash Boom Bang

2008-12-15T22:28:00.002+08:00

Me had accident Friday :(

I'm ok (don't worry), but it was indeed an experience that I would have preferred not to have. And I read somewhere that experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. Hmm...

Anyhow, to cut a long story short, there was I, in the rain, at 8 am, on the way to work, being in a predicament with not 1, not 2 but 3 other working professional ladies, who inconveniently and accidentally knocked into my car (I guess that's why they call it an accident, huh?). Yup, I was car numero uno, car numero dos braked in time, but car numero tres couldn't make it ,so bang-bang into uno and dos. Then, car numero quatro decided to join in so bang-bang-bang again. Sigh... No fault of mine, since I got kissed on the backside (now this doesn't sound right hahaha... oops sorry)

Strangely enough, I was pretty calm during the whole thing - right up until I reached home after doing all the formalities... THEN it hit... the trauma. Scary stuff man. Guess the brain was conditioning myself to get the important stuff done before cracking at the seams and going all gooey inside. Mind you, didn't think I'd be that exhausted and scared- guess once the adrenaline depleted, so did my calm and collected front. Whew!

So now am very extra careful when driving. But am hoping I get over the scared feeling soon. I like driving and I wouldn't want to diminish the pleasure I derive from driving my good ol' proton.

BTW, Public Service Announcement from the Light Bulb: Buckle up and drive safe, people! Anda mampu mengubahnya :)

I Like...

2008-12-08T21:47:00.003+08:00

waking up to the sound of the rain
having Monday as a public holiday
being a girly-girl and pampering myself
the feel of Body Shop's Body Butter
and
knowing that a brand new year is near :)

Grocery Shopping

2008-12-07T21:19:00.003+08:00

Did you know that I like grocery shopping? I always tend to buy more than what's on my list, but to me, if it's healthy stuff, than it should be ok right?

So today, after a quick nip to the office to get some stuff to work on tomorrow, I headed to the mall near my office. I was on a mission - to stock up my fridge so I can cook dinner and lunch for tomorrow. And buy healthy stuff to put on weight! I bought heaps for stuff, three plastic bags full, including 5 kg of rice! So you can imagine me struggling with the bags while going to the car *shuffle, shuffle, puff, puff* But it was a good work out, I must say.

There was also a Body Shop counter set up so lucky me had my coupons and managed to get some stuff at a discounted price. Lovely.

So I got back and had din-din started - chicken stew yummy. My brother finished it, which means it's quite good *grin*

Still hungry tho... time to raid the fridge again :)

Not Quite A Normal Saturday

2008-12-06T22:13:00.003+08:00

Today was not quite a normal Saturday for me. For one, I woke up early to have breakfast with an ex-colleague. Was down at Taman Tun by 930 tucking into prawn mee and my favourite teh-C.

Then, after breakfast and completely on a whim, I made my first facial appointment for 12 noon. Abnormality number two. Have been meaning to get a facial since last year, so I finally did it... after one year. I seem to take one year to do something i.e. buy my piano, sound system and tv, etc. Delayed implementation, to provide time to ponder and change my mind a.k.a indecisiveness.

Next, I went to Atria with my ex-colleague and bought trinkets. Bought 3 necklaces, all on discount. Seriously, they were really dirt cheap at 70% off, so why not? Since I'm attending more dinners now and should look more "kelas gitu!", so decided to get me some interesting ones.

So came back around six, all tired and slightly poorer in cash but richer in worldly possessions. Oh, plus a "new face" ie softer, supple skin sans blackheads *ouch*

Ipod

2008-11-30T00:04:00.002+08:00

I bought an Ipod in the States and I finally played with my new toy just now. After much fiddling around and going online to itunes, I managed to get all the 300+ songs in my laptop on to the Ipod and I'm kicking myself for not doing this earlier!

I love my Ipod. I'm gushing, I know. And it's all girly girl too... hot pink, baby!

Only reason why I bought it was I've always wanted one and I was biased with the price. Everything in the States seems cheaper than Malaysia, cos it's all 3 digits and below 200 hahaha. And I made sure I was not plagued by "conversion syndrome" while shopping there - else I wouldn't have bought anything.

Now this is bigger motivation to go running at TTDI :)

The Aftermath

2008-11-23T21:35:00.009+08:00

It's been one week since I got back from the States. After fighting jet-lag and the sudden rush of work, I finally feel like updating my blog again.

Yup, I was in the States for almost 2 weeks. First week was to attend a course related to work, and the next half a week was for some R&R as well as meeting up with friends. So there I was in Washington D.C., then New York and back again to D.C.

How did I find the States? For one, I came to the conclusion that I love the UK more. Maybe cos I was there for a year, whereas being in the States for 2 weeks did not allow me to get to know the country more. But it's a big BIG country. And it's mighty far from good ol' Malaysia. 22 hours journey to be exact. But the shopping's good *hee hee*

But I am so grateful to God for this opportunity. The timing of the course was just superb. Not only was I there during election night, in Washington D.C. and watching Obama live on CNN giving his speech, I was also there during Veterans' Day. I visited the sights of Washington on that day, Nov 12 and went to Lincoln Memorial. Have always wanted to visit that place -maybe cos Abe Lincoln has always been my favourite US president.

Seeing Obama speak was just exciting. "Change is now" and "Yes we can" - you can really feel the energy behind those words when you are in the States. And seeing the way Americans honour their war heroes was simply awe inspiring during Veterans Day. If only we can do the same here.

I managed to meet up with 4 of the dearest people to me in New York. It was just good to not only take in all the iconic and oh-so-familiar sights in NYC (Chrysler Building, Trump Tower, Times Square, Ground Zero, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, etc) but it also gave me the opportunity to catch up with people I've not seen for 4 years and tie up some loose ends. It's been a long time coming. The trip was somewhat bittersweet and I am reminded once again that honesty can be brutal... but whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Nietzche said that. And he died in a sanatorium, I was told *wry grin*

Anyhow, since I got back, I've been doing a lot of reflecting. There's a lot to be grateful for eventhough the heart is heavy at times. Praying helps. All things happen for a reason - and there is always some greater good behind it that we cannot comprehend.

Also, I've vowed to put on more weight - after being constantly reminded that I look anorexic and am virtually disappearing, I'm eating better, eating more and eating wholeheartedly. And I exercised today, which is good *yay*

There is a lot to be grateful for. Life can be unfair - but it's still good. And I am indeed lucky to have people who care a lot about me in my life still.

Thanks R, for still being there after all these years...

Leaving on a Jetplane

2008-10-28T22:49:00.002+08:00

I'm going off in a couple of days to a place far, far away. Not really a place that I've been yearning to go to, but opportunity came a-knocking, so I'll be away for a while.

Am gonna balance business with pleasure on this trip. And hoping to see all the mates that I know over that side of the world.

Am both excited and nervous to go - strangely enough. Heck, I survived London/Cardiff/Coventry... why be so worried about going overseas again right?

Ergo cognito sum.
I think, therefore I am.
Repeat as necessary :)

Eagle Eye

2008-10-03T16:25:00.002+08:00

I watched "Eagle Eye" yesterday. Yes... Shia Le Beouf rocks.

And I notice that in all his movies, he does a lot of running from crashing things.

Transformers... running.
Disturbia... also running.
Eagle Eye... still running!

Anyway, go watch the movie. I shan't give anything away except the fact that I now have this stark reminder that it's probably not such a good idea to have MySpace, Facebook, Friendster, Email, blogs etc where I can be tracked electronically and be succeptible to identity theft. There's so much information that we put out there without realising. Perhaps it's time to stop?

Food for thought.

Back at Work

2008-10-03T16:21:00.003+08:00

After the two-day raya break, I'm now back at work. Though there's not many people in the office, it's one of those rare opportunities to take things easy and just take my own sweet time in the office.

Managed to get a couple of things done today and did go and visit a friend for lunch at his place, yum yum. Other than that, I'm waiting for the clock to buzz at 530 before I make my way back home.

It's raining, by the way.
The office is quiet except for the music from my sound system.
I shall enjoy this respite before Monday comes and pushes me into "helter-skelter" mode.

Of "No Blame" and "Where's The Mop?"

2008-09-28T23:37:00.005+08:00

I read this in the NST today. It made a lot of sense to me and so I decided to pop it on my blog.

It also reminded me not to be such a grumpy bear. I've been feeling very annoyed with things happening around me, small injustices that's been eating at me, and making me waste my energy on feeling negative. There are always two ways to handle things. And borrowing a phrase my minister used recently, I shall be magnanimous. Or at least try my best to be.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, folks.
Maaf Zahir Batin.

**********************************************************************************

APOLOGISE, FORGIVE AND GROW UP by Tengku Zafrul Aziz

THIS Raya, like the ones before it, I will put on my old baju Melayu (I didn't have time to make a new one this year) and join my family at the mosque for prayers.

We will visit the graves of loved ones where we will pray once more for their souls, asking God to forgive them as well as us and letting them know that even in a time of celebration, they are not forgotten.

Then I will make a beeline for my grandparents' house where there will be even more family members congregating as we do every year. I can't wait to sample the ketupat, dodol, lemang and other delicacies that make up such a large part of this day and are, perhaps, the biggest incentive to wake up early on a public holiday.

And as I go about my day -- eating, visiting loved ones, exchanging news and good wishes with friends -- I will be reminded once again of how lucky I am to live in this country.

And how I have come to take these little things -- waking up to the sound of traffic rather than bombs or gunfire, going to work, standing in line to buy groceries, meeting up with friends for dinner -- for granted.

Even with the "noises" in the last few months, life as we know it goes on. Everyone tells me that Malaysia is a country blessed with abundance and natural resources. We continue to be blessed.

This Raya, as we greet each other with Selamat Hari Raya and maaf zahir batin (loosely translated this means forgive my physical and spiritual transgressions) we remember that Raya is not only a time to party and gorge ourselves at open houses.

It is also a time of cleansing and renewal. It is a time to strengthen our ties with those who mean the most to us, be they family or friends.

Maaf Zahir Batin. It takes a great person to apologise. And an equally great person to accept an apology.We have to remember there are two sides to a story and no one person is completely in the wrong. All religions preach forgiveness. And there is a wonderful koan (public statement) in the "I Ching" (the ancient Chinese Book of Changes) that simply says: "No blame".

I remember reading recently that the only acceptable response to someone spilling something is: "Where's the mop?"

In this way, you drop the blame in favour of solving the problem. And that is the only way we can move forward.

If everyone were to nurse and cherish their grudges, it might feel satisfying, but it would effectively block us from moving forward. Progress would shudder to a halt. And we would stagnate.

You know from all this that I am alluding to the recent fracas where racist statements were bandied about and built upon. The funny thing is, whenever I encounter racism or racist statements abroad, I usually feel sorry for the persons making them.

They live in an outdated world and are obviously not with the programme. I know they have said it to hurt me or make me feel unwelcome. But what they have effectively done is demonstrate their ignorance in a public setting.

I used to get riled up about these things, but I have found that if you change your lens and view it differently, it ceases to bother you.

I went to school with Chinese and Indians. Some of us have maintained our friendship through all these long years.

When you get to know a person, they become people to you, with their virtues and flaws, and you are able to move away from those demeaning generalisations you may have unconsciously picked up from the people around you.

If we teach our children to mistrust people of other creeds or colours, we are effectively shooting ourselves in the foot as this intolerance will come back to haunt us. Ignorance has been the basis of the most horrific of human tragedies in history.

If we are to become a mature democracy, we will have to improve our level of discourse. Rather than reacting emotionally to everything we read (most of it from unreliable sources), we need to reflect and internalise the information before coming out with an opinion. This would allow for an informed and educated response. And it would mean that we are finally growing up.

Raya is about open houses and celebration and reconnecting with people you have lost touch with. It is about asking forgiveness and forgiving in turn.

So the question I would like to ask, and I hope it is echoed by my fellow Malaysians everywhere is: "Where's the mop?"

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

The writer is the chief executive officer of TuneMoney.com. He can be contacted at www.tengkuzafrul.com

Calm?

2008-09-27T00:12:00.002+08:00

What calm?

Am no more calm.

Forget calm. Am livid. Irritated. Annoyed. Irate!

Hence, talk to the hand and let me be.

Scrooge was right: Bah humbug! Grrr...

Calm

2008-09-15T22:51:00.002+08:00

Feeling very calm today.

Perhaps I got enough sleep - my 6 - 8 hours.

Perhaps I didn't go mad at work - all at my own pace.

Perhaps I had my apple in the car - while stuck in a jam on the way to work.

Perhaps I'm just letting things as is - and just be.

I hope this sense of calm lasts for a while :)

Idle

2008-09-15T22:38:00.002+08:00

Idle: adjective, i·dler, i·dlest, verb i·dled, i·dling, noun

1. not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing: idle workers.
2. not spent or filled with activity: idle hours.
3. not in use or operation; not kept busy: idle machinery.
4. habitually doing nothing or avoiding work; lazy.

I've been idle over the weekend. Not so idle on Saturday, went to the office to putter around and clear some stuff, and did attend a friend's wedding. Now this friend I've not seen for almost 10 years so it was good to see each other, tho we didn't have time to chat. How time flies.

Sunday, I got caught watching the Dsperate Housewives season 3 marathon on Astro. It just went on and on, and I kept watching on and on and on... until I stopped to clear my store room :) That knocked me out quite a bit, probably that's why I slept quite soundly last night.

So today was a nice day at work. Nothing dropped from the sky and I could do things at my own pace. Reason? Both bosses were away *grin*

So this evening, after dinner, I updated my "Spacebook". A friend had a slip of the tongue this morning, him meaning to say MySpace and Facebook and coming up with "Spacebook" instead. So yeah, I updated my "Spacebook" and ze blog.

I like being idle. :)

Just Be

2008-09-02T21:47:00.004+08:00

My nephew, B3, is two years old. I love him to bits. I love my two nieces, B1 and B2 as well, but I noticed something I really liked about my nephew when I was back recently.

While B1 and B2 were busy talking to me, or running around, or playing with toys, B3 would just sit there, mind his own business, self-entertain and just... be. Very "que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be" attitude. I like.

It's like the whole world could be crumbling down all around him but he's so secure in his own cute little world and just be.

I should be more like him.

Just be.

Life will be more peaceful and serene I think. Which reminds me of this quote I got to know from Jane Sunshine (how funny I don't know who's quote it is, but I remember I learnt it from Jane!)

"God's in his Heaven. All's right with the world."

The Month of Ramadhan

2008-09-02T21:28:00.002+08:00

It's that time of the year again when Muslims all over the world fast for a month before celebrating Aidilfitri.

I got back from Kuching yesterday during the first day of fasting. Home was as usual, splendid. I slept too much but hey, that seems to be the norm when I'm back home. I didn't tell anyone I went back (tho after this, I'm sure I'm going to get a lot of backlash from friends back home for not telling them I was back... sorry!)

Anyway, yeah, went back for some peace and quiet. Which I got. And much needed sleep. I swear, my mum's tv has some hypnotic buzz emiting from it or something, cos everytime I laid on the sofa facing the TV, I'd be asleep in 15 minutes. Not that I minded.

I watched movie. After 15 minutes... Movie watched me.
I watched Kim Kardashian. After 15 minutes... Kim Kardashian watched me.
I watched Liverpool. After 15 minutes... Liverpool watched me.

You get the drift :)

Anyhow, so today, went back to work. Slightly irritated cos I'm all peace and light, and the whole morning, I was irritated with the phone ringing, not getting any peace etc. sigh... back to the stress. But good thing is, I'm going to resolve to going back by 6 pm each day for the month of Ramadhan. Let's see whether I'll be able to put on some weight while the people around me lose some weight from fasting.

Best thing is, it'll be October soon - another break for Raya. Then November. Then December - Christmas and New Year. Then January - CNY!!! How time flies.

Probably I need to sit and think what to do for 2009. A friend suggested 2009 to be the year where we make lots of side income... food for thought. Wouldn't mind making loads so I can retire early :)

How Time Flies

2008-08-24T19:59:00.002+08:00

I'm at home watching the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. It's been two weeks since the Games opened - I missed the opening - but now I'm redeeming myself by watching the closing. I would suspect that it'll be a great show since the opening was superb (I heard).

Anyway, just realised that there's only 4 months left to the year. Puasa month is starting in a week's time, that's the whole of September, then it'll be October - Raya hols, then November, then December, Christmas and New Year. Hmm... gotta plan my holidays, since I wanna take a couple of weeks off if I can.

Nothing much happening - had a makan2 session yesterday. Just the right amount of food with a bunch of people lepaking in the house. A nice way to spend the Satuday. Also a good motivator to clean my house hehehe

Now having itchy feet as to what to do this coming weekend. Merdeka weekend, with Monday being a public holiday. We shall see what I decide to do :)

Beijing Badminton Singles Final

2008-08-17T23:14:00.003+08:00

I watched the game just now and though Lin Dan won the game and the Olympic Gold, my heart went out the Lee Chong Wei.

The last time I really watched a badminton match was so long ago that I can't really recall when. So I forgot how exciting and how heart-stopping the matches can be. Today's match was just that. Exciting and heart-stopping.

Lin Dan, the world number one singles player was on a roll - playing in front of the home crowd, with their deafening cheering, he would have been ostracised if he lost to Chong Wei. He played a good game, being focussed to get the gold and playing to the point of being arrogant (to me at least!).

To Chong Wei's credit, he did try to put up a fight - but he just had too many unforced errors. But I'm still really proud of him. Reaching the finals was not easy. I would have died under all the pressure :) And I'm sure when he received his silver medal, he must have felt that he let the whole nation down. Dissappointment was written all over his face. But in any competition, there can only be one champion. Unfortunately, Chong Wei was not the champion today.

I hope he doesn't feel so bad and disappointed for not winning the gold. I'm appreciative of his efforts to bring glory to the nation, eventho I'm sure there are others out there who will criticise him to death.

Grocery Shopping Spree

2008-08-12T21:57:00.003+08:00

It is not a good idea to go grocery shopping, or any kind of shopping for that matter, when you're feeling even the slightest emo. Been feeling seriously blah for a while. Heart feels like lead actually, heavy and stone cold *sigh*

Went to one of my fave grocery shop, Cold Storage, for some needed distraction after work today. Came out feeling quite happy with my buys, though was a bit surprised with the bill, just RM8 short of a hundred bucks! Can't buy much these days with a hundred bucks. But anyone who saw what I bought would have figured out that I was either trying to get fat or trying to drown my sorrows in food. Actually, it's both.

Just think of Chocolate Ice-cream... Fresh strawberries... Yoghurt drink... Chicken wings... Juice... Ribena :) Comfort food... yum!

BTW, the chicken wings I fried were pretty good, if I do say so myself. At time of writing, heart doesn't feel like lead at least *wry grin*

Another One Bites the Dust

2008-08-11T22:26:00.004+08:00

Another friend has decided to cross the bridge to pluraldom for life.

Though I'm happy for him, there's this mixed feeling of loss... knowing our friendship will never be the same again. I've known him since I was 17, and all these years he was one of the few people that I constantly looked up when I went back home and we always had the ability to just pick up where we left off.

At the cost of me sounding silly and overly sentimental, I'm going to miss looking forward to that.

Serenity Prayer

2008-08-11T22:06:00.005+08:00

I've always liked the serenity prayer. Though I'm not a Christian, I find it very comforting in times when I overthink things. Perhaps I should remind myself more of the wisdom behind the following words:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."

Wisdom to know the difference.

That's what I need.

Cat's Away

2008-07-17T14:43:00.002+08:00

When the cat's away, the mice will play, right?

Well, my cats i.e. bosses are away.
So did this mouse get carried away and play all day? *innocent grin*
No lah, still work hard, but perhaps it should be "hard-er" :)

Best part is, they'll also be away tomorrow. Hope nothing big comes falling from the 14th or 15th floor tomorrow *fingers crossed*

To borrow a friend's expression...YABEDABEDOOOO...!

Calm

2008-07-14T22:04:00.003+08:00

Things have been quite calm the past week – for me at least. Let’s see what I’ve been up to…

Attended a wedding on 060708 at PWTC. A, my colleague got married. It was such a lovely wedding, quite traditional and full of grandeur all at the same time. Lots of people attended, so I was just glad to be one of the little people who were invited and happily enjoying the moment. Another friend, M, had spent the night before at my place, finishing the couple’s video montage which had plenty of technical glitches in the process of completion. Luckily she managed to get it done, albeit with no sleep. Poor thing! But alas, the strength of friendship and duty to see the deed completed pulled her thru :)

So yeah, lovely, lovely wedding. Congrats A & M, may you contribute to the Malaysian population real soon *hee hee*

The only yucky thing was we all had to work on Monday morning (not the newlyweds of course!)

Last week was alright… was quite busy but somehow it was ok. Probably cos I don’t really give a naff about much anymore. Not exactly very good, but hey… whatever it takes to remain sane right?

So the weekend came and went – I watched 3 movies over the weekend. “Wanted” was alright – Angie Jolie is just super hot in “Wanted”, without even trying. And I’m a girl ok, and I'm appreciating how Angie Jolie looks *yikes!* James McAvoy was alright, though another friend L would probably attack me for putting down her fave actor right now :) *kih kih kih* Story line was pure imagination, nothing exciting.

Next was “Juno”. Now this movie is funny and poignant at times. Pregnant 16-year-old and giving up her child for adoption to a young couple. The things that come out of Juno’s mouth is super hilarious – real but witty. Kudos to the scriptwriter, she rocks. Movie’s simple and cute. I like.

Third movie was “Jumper”, to which I only have this to say about it… cheyyyy. The hype surrounding it must have gotten to me. Apart from Hayden Christensen as eye candy for me, the story line was weak – to me, at least. Sure, sure, the stunts were good, but what the heck – super duper weak story line. Left me feeling cheated.

But I guess the quality time I spent staring at my 32” TV was just what I needed to wind down over the weekend. Nice…

Except today, there’s nothing to watch on TV… *whimper* Guess it’s a good excuse to update the blog then :)

Oh, forgot to mention, got my heart broken yesterday at Borders *sob sob* Saw a magazine article telling me Soo Kui Jien got married and is a brand new father… why? why? why? :(

Ton of Bricks

2008-07-10T18:07:00.001+08:00

Ton of bricks.

On my head, that is. That's how I feel right now.

Feel a migraine creeping into my brain space. Am having tummy discomfort past two days, so do not relish a round of migraine.

Sigh.

Passage to India

2008-07-04T23:57:00.007+08:00

My worst fears arrived last Saturday.

I was on a plane to New Delhi, India for work. For a meeting that I wasn't looking forward to. Doing something that I don't quite relish.

Fear.

Fear (noun)

1. a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

2.a specific instance of or propensity for such a feeling:

3.concern or anxiety; solicitude.

Fear of the unknown. The worst thing in the world.

However, God is good to me. The meeting went alright, my counterpart was civil to the point of being nice, and I didn't pass out and die of anxiety! The experience allowed me to know what I lack and if I work at it, I could be really good at this.

Seriously, God was really good to me for making this first outing a smooth and eye-opening experience.

Even the hotel we stayed in was superb, which distracted me for a bit. It was stylo to the max, especially the interior decor. Was most impressed with the panel behind the headrest of my bed which was this colour when I check-ed in:

And then I discovered the button on my bedside table. From Mood I ala blue lagoon, I could change the panel to Mood 2, ala orangina...

Is that cool or what?? Plus I had a flat screen Samsung tv mounted on the wall opposite my bed. Too bad I didn't have the opportunity to just laze in the room and watch lots of tv.

India itself is such a sad place, to me at least. I couldn't help but feel how grateful I am to live in Malaysia and have what I have. It is indeed a humbling experience, a good reminder that there is so much to be grateful for, for the people in India don't have it easy to survive.

Especially heart-breaking was little kids knocking on the window of the car while stopping at the red light, asking for money. To ignore is just too cruel, but to give would mean to invite a slew of beggars chasing after you. So I just looked away to avoid eye contact, in guilt and in sympathy.

I've been counting my blessings since I got back.

I hope you count yours too, cos someone's having it harder than you somewhere out there.

Livid

2008-07-04T23:39:00.004+08:00

I was livid last Friday - absolutely livid.

I was halted to stay back at work; which I didn't mind on a normal day.

And staying back disrupted my badminton session; which made me quite disappointed as I wanted to see my friends, but I could still live with it.

What made me livid was I was asked to stay back to do something that wasn't mine to do. Yes, let me repeat, something that was NOT MINE TO DO! Had the officers rightfully involved doing the work and yet, I was asked to be involved as well. What gives!!?? So not fair, grrr....

Have been really fed up and frustrated at work the whole of last week already, what with me having a "heart-to-heart" session with the big boss on Friday morning. Gave him a piece of my mind in the nicest way possible, which I think he took quite well. So was feeling quite irritated already. But the episode on Friday even really broke this camel's back.

Haven's felt so angry in such a long time, which translated into me slamming doors and eventually resulting into my tear ducts opening out of frustration unintentionally. Hey, I'm girl, I'm allowed to cry, no? Anyway, we girls cry for all kinds of reasons - when we're happy, when we're sad, when we're mad and when we're just tired of being strong. Felt much better after that actually, though still couldn't quite get over the "doing other people's work" irritatedness.

When things like this happen, it really makes me wonder why I'm still here. Perhaps I must just remember to breathe and exhale...

If You're Reading This...

2008-06-24T21:52:00.003+08:00

Hey R,

If you're reading this, many thanks for caring and listening. Know you're busy but really appreciate the phone call from far away :)

Take care ya?

Cracking At The Seams...

2008-06-24T20:46:00.002+08:00

That's how I feel today. Seriously, today was a really long day at work. Too many things to do, too little time to do it.

It didn't help that the phone rang at 8 a.m. sharp just two minutes into reaching my room in the office. I have this thing about being called to see the bosses the moment I step into the office. I detest it. I've got morning rituals that I do early in the morning, like going to make myself a cup of tea and switching on the computer and checking my mail. No such luxury this morning.

Instead had to listen to my boss "bubble" by himself and breathing down my neck, reminding me of all the things that I owe that's not been done. Hmm... guess he doesn't realise that I've only got two hands and can only do so much in a day. Seriously makes me wonder whether all this slogging is all really worth it. Didn't even manage to eat anything until lunch, which made me even more cranky and irritated.

Perhaps God is punishing me for making this "cicak" that was on my car windshield flying last night. There it was, this "cicak" plastered to the front windshield in total shock and horror while I drove away! I didn't notice it till I was driving, so instead of transferring it all the way from Segambut Dalam to Kota Damansara, I flipped on the wipers and made it go flying... ok, ok, I know, I know, not exactly very nice. But I was feeling so "geli" with it staring at me so I did the one thing I could do - make it go flying away.

Guess karma came biting my a** today...

Mental note: no more sending cicaks flying high high up the sky!

Belahan Kedua

2008-06-22T16:31:00.005+08:00

A friend of mine's written a song called "Belahan Kedua". I fell in love with it the first time I heard it early this year. The song has a nice melody, thought-inciting lyrics and lovely arrangements to boot... and there's even a saxaphone involved. How cool is that? :)

The song tells of regret by the lover who has wronged his other half. Interpret it any which way you want, I believe most of us can identify with this song - either we were the bad, bad person who broke the other person's heart, or we had our hearts broken *sob sob*. If you've never had any one of those experiences, you must be either below the age of 12 or there's something really REALLY wrong with you :)

Anyhow, check out the band's site here where you can hear the song. And take a gander at the lyrics below... I especially like verse 2 - yes, I'm a hopeless romantic :)

BELAHAN KEDUA
Lagu/Lirik : Arizal Thani

Oh...bulan sinarilah
Cahaya yang indah
Sinar di wajahnya
Tidak terungkap rasa
Lihat saat bahagia
Kini jadi miliknya

Oh...bayu tiupkanlah
Hati ku berkata
Aku cinta dia
Belahan ku kedua
Hari ku takkan bermakna
Tanpa ada dirinya..

Saat bila kasih mula (makin) rebah
Kerna aku musnahkan semuanya
Dia masih teguh di sana
Wajah suram dan mata berkaca..oooo

Aku dibendung rasa bersalah
Wajah terlukis seribu dosa
Aku hilang jejak arahnya
Kala dia melangkah dan hilang..

PS: The song will be featured in a compilation album coming out in August. Support local music and tell me what you think ya?

Happy Belated Birthday to Meeeee....!

2008-06-13T22:10:00.002+08:00

Yes, it's that time of month again where I celebrate my birthday :)

This year's birthday was more low-key. Nothing fancy-schmancy, I should have taken leave like I did the year before! hahah...

Lunch with colleagues, flowers from JC (thanks luv!), wishes from far and near - feels good to be remembered and loved :) Happy birthday me!

And I bought me self a new tv and home theatre set baby! Hehehe... nothing like spending some hard-earned dough on myself. BTW, am back home and sitting pretty in front of the laptop updating this. Been sleeping way too much, don't know why - bet there's a button in my head that hits "doze off" everytime I'm back home. Nice.

Oh, have I told you recently that I'm seriously feeling very the lazy? very, VERY lazy... not good.

My Goodness!

2008-05-18T22:47:00.003+08:00

Didn't realise it's been over a month since I last updated my blog. I bet nobody actually bothers to check my blog anymore, since I hardly update it.

Guess where I am? Singapore - but am here on work. Can you believe that I'm working over the weekend and a PUBLIC HOLIDAY? Yup, you heard me - got here on Friday, meeting started Saturday, through Sunday and finishing tomorrow, Wesak Day. Everyone in Singapore is in casual wear while I trudge around in my coat and carry my laptop. What gives? Talk about "berkhidmat untuk negara!" Was in Jakarta just 2 weeks ago on work too... and didn't have my weekend last week as well. Sigh...

Anyway, work's been hectic, as always. And people wonder why I'm only 38 kg. Need to put on weight, need to rest, need to go on a holiday, seriously! and need to chill out.

To show you how busy I am... I've even forgotten that my birthday's coming up soon. Yikes!

So how was your day? :)

Celine Dion C'est Tres Bien!

2008-04-14T21:28:00.003+08:00

Celine Dion is superb!

Was at her concert yesterday. Fine, I paid quite a bit for the tickets. Fine, Stadium Merdeka was all mucky and my bum was damp because it rained that afternoon. Fine, we waited for 45 minutes for the King to arrive before the concert started.

But was it worth it! I tell ya, Celine Dion can really sing. She sounds just like her CD! Serious, her vocals are that strong. The sound system was superb as well, no kick backs or anything dumb like that. Open air stadium concert is really great. And KL's really pretty at night. Lovely.

All in all, she sang for almost 2 hours. And the crowd was mighty appreciative. Though I did not agree that the crowd actually boo-ed the King and Queen when they arrived. What the *&%$?? They were not late, it was just the organisers did not inform that the concert would start at 845 instead of the printed 8 pm. For me, it's kinda sad when foreigners can appreciate the presence of the King and Queen at her concert where as we Malaysians can't. What gives? Even if you don't agree with them, there's a thing called R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Anyhoo, am dead tired today.

But it's worth it.

Wonder who else is coming to perform :)

Broken Light Bulb

2008-04-11T21:12:00.003+08:00

Literally!

The bulb in my bedroom that is. It broke just now as I switched on the lights. The apartment was engulfed in darkness, but lucky for me, the emergency light switch thingee flipped, so I just reflipped it back and I had my lights back again. Have to get a new light bulb tomorrow though.

So let's see what's been happening in the world. Went and came back from Hanoi. Interesting place, though mighty poluted and congested with motorbikes. Bought quite a number of stuff, mostly for people. Rather go there on a holiday than for work though.

Last weekend, was shopping shopping shopping at MidValley. I've not been there in yonks so was shopping with N. I spent way too much money this month. Retail therapy at it's best. Then spent Sunday catching up with A and shopping at Low Yat Plaza. Finally bought the subwoofer I wanted. My office sound system now sounds really good :) Again, spent too much money.

Have 2 things that I want to get in the next few months. But have to watch my expenses. Definitely overspent this month.

Going to watch Celine Dion's concert this Sunday night. February was Sheila Majid. April is Celine. I'm really enjoying myself doing things that I can now afford :)

Plenty to be grateful for. Thanks big guy!

Political Interest

2008-03-16T20:51:00.002+08:00

I voted for the first time in the recent General Elections. Even flew all the way back home to do it. Excited actually, cos for once, I was part of the democratic process.

Am actually more aware of the political scenario in the country, especially when the people have spoken so loudly this time round. Bet the PM is having many a sleepless night to figure out who to put in the Cabinet and how to get back the people's trust. And especially when I'm keen to know whether my Minister will continue to be my Minister. Perhaps the winds of change will blow our way too...

On a lighter note, me and a friend went to watch a band play at Armada hotel while downing a couple of drinks. Music was good, company was nice, drinks were not bad and supper after that was most welcomed! Both of us were hungry so at 2 am, there we were eating supper. Haven't done that in a long time. Funny how I'm going back to my university days - having supper in the middle of the night :)

Anyhow, shall be out of the country for a while, on work. Not much fun. Quite worried actually, responsibilities looming in front of me like nobody's business. Die die die la... Sigh...

How to fix?

Summary of Happenings

2008-03-02T16:19:00.002+08:00

Well, let's see. I know this blog has not been updated in weeks, so I shall try to give the executive summary.

I got back to work on 12 February after the CNY holidays, off the plane and straight to work. As usual, it's getting harder to go back to KL after going back home. I must admit there is quite a bit of sadness upon getting on the plane and leaving home. Funny how it never used to be this way.

Well, work is still as hectic, if not more. I have a couple of things owing and still not moving, and getting more stressed about it. That coupled with a high degree of no motivation, very bad combination, I must say. Have been trying to psych myself up.

On the more relaxing front, had a netball Sunday a few weeks back and sprained my finger along the way. Still healing though. And started badminton after work - tho it has only happened once. Well, we will try harder to make it a regular thing.

And had my open house last Saturday. Had about 8 friends over. Too much food left-over, but it was a nice change, people hanging out at my place - gave me a reason to really clean the house :)

So what's in store for the next few weeks? Going home for elections next Friday :) Though only for the weekend, it's still something I'm looking forward to.

Not looking forward to tomorrow being Monday though... sigh. Keeping my fingers crossed it will be a good week.

So what's been happening in your world? :)

Belated CNY

2008-02-18T20:48:00.002+08:00

Happy New Year people!
Yes I know, I'm seriously late to send out wishes, but better late than never. And anyway, Chap Goh Mei is this Thursday so I'm still in time :)

Went home, as always, and came back to KL last week. It was fun to go back, tho have to face some very real issues related to the possibility of working back home. Also, meeting old friends pretty much made me realise that I've turned into quite a serious person. Egad - has work changed me again?? I remember when I was in the UK, I managed to "loosen up" and be less "up-tight". Perhaps the seriousness of work and the responsibilitiy that abounds is getting to me? Hmm...

Whatever it is, there is much to be grateful for. Tho I do find myself complaining about the same things over and over again like a broken record, I am grateful for what I have. And of course, there are times when things seem difficult, or my spirit is somewhat "broken" and reluctant to be strong. So have to keep a level head and take things in perspective.

Oh, did I mention I've managed to make my palm a "nice" purple hue? Played netball yesterday (we had inter-house games for the office) and yours truly managed to whack her hand in the last game. So now it's swollen and purple-ish. Not sexy, trust me! hahaha... hurts quite a bit, but should be ok. Can still type, though can't go about gripping things since the palm/thumb area has decided to be all swollen. And anyway, I've still got it when it comes to jumping up and down playing netball hehehe

Things have been quiet in the apartment. Dearest brother moved out and with his moving, there's an empty room and an emptier apartment. So quiet. *sob sob* Takes a bit of getting used to. Such is life, ah well...

Anyway, hope all is well in your world. Shall try to update more :)

Still In Office...

2008-01-24T20:24:00.000+08:00

Whew! Serious long day.

The only thing keeping me going in the office at 830 p.m. is the thought that the delivery McDonald's is on its way! *wry grin*

Got some stuff to clear and actually have been in meetings the whole day to not be able to do work. And I've been asked to attend the big meeting tomorrow which I thought I no longer had to do every last Friday of the month. Hmm... Ah well, super substitute or damage control expert, it's not much fun to be the accidental hero :( I rather be a biasa officer who does her work and not have to stay so late in the office. (God, you listening? *whimper*)

Mac-D... Mac-D... Mac-D... it's here! yippie!!!

Thaipusam Holiday

2008-01-22T19:36:00.000+08:00

Our dear PM announced it a holiday tomorrow for the Federal Territory because of Thaipusam. Nice :)

Looking forward to having a break, eventhough I've only worked 2 days! hahaha...

Am actually very very knackered today as I somehow woke up at 2 a.m. this morning and was unable to sleep until slightly over 4 a.m. Not exactly much fun, especially when I'm caught in meetings the whole day. Today was not too bad, busy but still manageable. But still, have work to be done tomorrow at home, though I might just pop by IKEA and get my sofa cushion done up :)

Chinese New Year's just around the corner. Gonna be heading home next Saturday already *yippie*! Can't wait to go home and not think about work for a while.

Anyhoo, pix taken recently during a friend's birthday do.

I Was Reminded...

2008-01-20T20:31:00.000+08:00

I was reminded this morning by N that I have not been updating my blog recently. Hee hee... my bad.

Since getting back to work after the long "hiatus", things have been hectic. Partly cos my immediate bosses were away on and off, thus making me "default boss". Scary stuff man. And my office has turned into a "clinic" i.e. my colleagues and sub-ordinates make a bee-line for me for discussions. Interesting stuff. Guess this will be how life will be like if I was a real boss. Day in, day out, people knocking and coming in for a discussion. And yes, I also provide sweets for them while waiting hahaha...

So yeah, things have been busy. Have social activities as well, which is always nice. Karaoke session two weeks ago (and I don't karaoke, ok?), office dinner, then housewarming yesterday, and ended up crashing at N's place and making a nice little dent on her ever-familiar sofa. Breakfast with A this morning at 9 am (been so good, waking up early this weekend), then the usual b**ching (hee hee), ran some errands, took a nap in the afternoon and went to TTDI park to run this evening! Yes, my brand new reeboks have finally been used. Gonna make this a habit, running I mean. Run, Forrest, Run!

Probably gonna sleep well tonight and be an energetic bunny tomorrow, hopefully. Oh, PM announced Thaipusam as a holiday for KL, so another four-day week. Nice.

A Brand New Year

2008-01-01T00:15:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year people.

It's 18 minutes into 2008. I'm at home, decided not to go out and brave the crowds. There are just too many people in the world; and I like my cave :)

First resolution of the year? Wake up early.

I've been on leave for over a week, don't know how I'm going to manage waking up at 645 on Wednesday to get ready for work!

Ah well, I shall enjoy the new year public holiday tomorrow.

2008... it'll be good *fingers crossed*

Merry (Belated) Christmas!

2007-12-26T22:09:00.000+08:00

Ho Ho Ho... Merry Christmas. Actually by today, it's officially "Happy Boxing Day!" :) And I actually wanted to write "Ho Ho Ho... and a bottle of rum" instead up there! *giggle giggle*

Why am I in such a good mood, you ask?

Well.... yours truly is on year-end leave. Didn't go back home and decided to bum around here. Which has resulted in me sleeping late, waking up even later and not doing what I actually set out to do i.e. go dentist, go IKEA, go get the car serviced, etc etc. You know, chores.

Instead I've been watching DVDs and buying household stuff, eating and being a couch potato. Oh yeah, I did manage to clean up the house... kinda... hehehhe...

But the weather's been really yucky, it keeps raining. But did manage to attend a friend's Christmas open house. Mighty interesting stuff... found out quite a bit about other people. Usual gossip and chatter after yonks not meeting up :)

Anyhow, the year is coming to a close... time for the usual "reflection" and "I'll do this next year"...

So a pictorial journey of moi in 2007.... (ahem!)

I turned 30 (egad!) and graduated in the UK...

I travelled to Bali...

And Singapore...

And Penang... (twice!)

I performed at office functions... so glamour (haha)

I updated my look recently... nice or not???

And drank more alcoholic beverages than I should :)

So here's to all the good things in 2007 (yes, I do make it a point to count my blessings though I do complain quite a bit too hehehe). And here's to hoping that 2008 will be GREAT! Cheers mates!

Once-A-Month Blog?

2007-12-09T20:47:00.000+08:00

Seems like my blog entries are really, REALLY few and far between. Blame it on laziness. Blame it on nothing interesting happening in the world?

Actually I should be syaing, blame it the daily routine which has overtaken my life.

I feel like a hamster, running the wheel, running hard but still at the same place. I need to rock my world. New year coming in about 3 weeks time. Gotta start thinking of resolutions.

Top on the list: join a gym and actually go! :)

Are You Still With Me?

2007-11-11T21:57:00.000+08:00

I know, I know, I've neglected this blog for way too long.

I ran home over the weekend, last minute thing. So spent 4 days 3 nights back in good ol' Kuching. But ended up taking car of my nieces and nephew. Not that it's not a good thing. But it's left me feeling knackered and uptight, stressed up ... grrr... and I should be relaxed or try to be more relaxed.

Going for a workshop/meeting tomorrow. Will be away for a week. Don't really feel like travelling but work beckons. I hope it'll be smooth sailing.

I need to de-stress. Seriously. Life seems very tense. I guess it's just me and my life right now.

So this is an update just to let you know that I'm still alive and kicking. And hoping you're still with me.

Raya Eve

2007-10-12T08:28:00.000+08:00

Yup, it's the day before Raya, and as always, there's not many people in the office :) Which suits me fine.

I woke up at 7, left the house at 735 and still arrived at 754... EARLIER than anyone else on my wing, as I had to get the keys and open up the office! hahahah... talk about holiday mood.

It's quite nice to be the handful of people in the office. I can catch up on my work (which I have some stuff pending), I can work at gear 1 (which is a nice change from 4th or 5th gear most times), I can update my blog in the office (which never happens) and I can catch up on my reading (which I haven't been doing). Ah... lovely to be left alone with no ringing phones.

Quite a bit has happened the past few weeks. I went to Singapore and came back. Though I won't go searching for Singapore in the near future as Singapore is just too much like KL, it was nice to meet up with friends whom I've not seen for a very long time. Friends I've known since 1989 ok... yikes, how "old" we are now!

Then there was the problem related to a dying car battery, which was fixed thanks to my heroes in the office. My car almost didn't start yesterday morning, this time, starter related problem, so went to the workshop over lunch and got it fixed. Take care of your car, and your car will take care of you :)

So tomorrow is Raya. I'm off to Midvalley to meet a friend for catch up and retail therapy. Have already quite a bit on my "to buy" list... have to control myself else I end up with an empty bank account.

Anyhoo, will update soon (fingers crossed). Till then, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir Batin!

Meme

2007-09-20T22:16:00.000+08:00

I was tagged by Choonie. So here goes ;)

What were you doing 10 years ago?
That'll be 1997, second year in UM, living the life as a "senior" in First College, UM. Finally came out of my shell that year, and started to have a life as a uni student *shock horror* Life was so simple then, eat, sleep, study, go to class, lepak... ah, such bliss!

What was I doing 1 year ago?
1 year ago today, I was dreading the thought of coming home to Malaysia. Finished my Masters, and counting the days to get on the plane and return to reality (in 3 days to be exact!). The one year in the UK was just so great - haven't laughed so much in yonks, and had so much alcohol hahah... Miss those care free days (hmm... just noticed something, my uni life is reminisced so fondly :)

Five snacks you enjoy:
1. Mamee
2. Twisties
3. Haw flakes (do these count as snacks?)
4. Chickadees (from a long long time ago)
5. Prawn crackers

Five songs that you know all the lyrics to:
ooohh... only 5??? I know more than 5, how? The ones that come to mind instantly are:
1. Eternal Flame - Bangles
2. More Than Words - Extreme
3. Untitled - Maliq and d'essentials
4. Selalu Denganmu - Tompi
5. You're In Love - Wilson Philips

(all soppy love songs??!!)

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1. Travel the world
2. Buy stuff for my family and friends
3. Donate to charity
4. Start a scholarship/education fund for needy kids
5. Make my money make more money!

Five bad habits:
1. I bite my nails
2. I rub Minyak Kapak on my nose before I sleep every night
3. I can be very OCD at times
4. I bargain with myself for an extra 5, 10, 15 minutes of sleep every morning
5. I can be world's best procrastinator

Five things you like doing:
1. Reading (though I don't do much of this now)
2. Sleeping (ditto)
3. Listening to music (I do this a lot in a day)
4. Coffee-ing (wish I did more of this)
5. Travelling (so little time, so little money I have)
6. Day dreaming... (ok ok, I know it said 5 things... so I can't count heheh)

Five things you would never wear again:
1. Plastic-frame spectacles!
2. Ratty shorts
3. ....
4. ....
5. ....
(I'll fill these up when I can think of 3 more!)

Five favourite toys:
1. My teddy bear
2. My digital camera (?)
3. My laptop (??)
4. My CD player (???)
5. My piano (????)

(Apparently I've totally changed the definition of "toy")

Well, that's it... so now I tag:

1. Miss Imperial College, JLM
2. Mr. Warwick University, SALS
3. Ms. Jane Sunshine
4. Miss Cardiff University, ATSM
5. Miss Skyler, HL

Hope to see additions on your blogs soon, people! ta...

Changed My Template Layout

2007-09-20T21:48:00.001+08:00

Nothing to do, nothing to watch on TV, running a fever, should sleep in a bit.
But before that, changed my blog layout.
You like?
I like.

Yesterday I Was On MC

2007-09-20T21:29:00.000+08:00

Yup, yesterday I was on MC. Fell sick, feverish... still have the fever actually, don't know why it's not subsiding.

So I went to the clinic near my place at 11-ish. And guess what? Lo and behold, there was a shooting crew there, filming what must be a malay drama series. So funny, when I arrived at the clinic, the first person I saw walking out of the clinic with his kain pelikat was none other than Pak Uda, from the sitcom Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu. Then I entered the clinic, and saw all the film crew with all the lights and everything. So grand... and so funny. Of all the things to see when you're off to clinic! Hahahah... apparently they were using the x-ray room there. And no, I did not get into any of the shots. Not that I wanted to, what with my 20 cent face :)

So what else is happening? Looking forward to going to Singapore... I need a break. The plan is to go the first weekend of October, which is like 2 weeks from now. I haven't bought the tickets yet... will do so tomorrow, online. Hope to do lots of girlie girlie things and see lots and lots of cute boys in Singapore heheheh

Other than that, work's the same old same old. Though I'm not working as hard as before, but it's still quite hectic. Probably that explains why I've been sick-ing.

It's the fasting month as well, so no eating with my colleagues. Even in the evening, everyone rushes home to eat, so I eat at home. I also join in the rush to leave the office. Must take the opportunity huh?

What else? Life's been a bit complicated of late. Something that I don't quite enjoy, complicatedness I mean. Who needs that right? And been thinking quite a bit about things... hmmm...

How I Love Weekends

2007-09-09T19:46:00.000+08:00

I didn't do squat this weekend :) I like!!!

Met a friend at "Banquet", this restaurant at Bangsar Village II. Nice place, though you'd only go there when you feel rich! Haha... So me and friend sat and chatted amidst the many people walking around in Bangsar Village II... Banquet is right smack in the middle of the floorplan of the building. Had butter fish, which was lovely, since I don't normally eat fish in KL - fish here tends to be super not fresh (ok, ok, I'm biased, cos where I come from, seafood is mighty fresh and cheap!)

So anyway, after lunch and yak-yak-yakking for 2 hours, me and friend went grocery shopping. It's been a while since I cooked, and being a nice girl who listens to her mummy, I TRY to cook over the weekends. At least I eat a home-cooked meal at least once a week. Even bought rambutans and some watermelon. I think my tummy is reacting to the "wholesome" food I've been partaking the past two days - am cleansing my tummy, if you know what I mean heheheheh....

Feel so nice to be sitting at home and taking things easy. Puasa month will start this coming Friday... hope things will go slow in the office... as slow as the people in the office due to hunger pangs hahaha...

I haven't watched any nice movies though. Keep forgetting to catch Ratatouille (or however you spell it)...

Abandoned?

2007-08-28T23:30:00.000+08:00

I bet you guys must be wondering whether I've abandoned my blog.

Truth of the matter is, nothing interesting to write. Also lazy. Probably the novelty is running off. But I do think I should write more. There are things happening. Like I performed again last Friday... for the office Ladies' Night. Not that it was anything grand. But I liked the buzz you get from performing. :D

Merdeka holiday is coming up. So glad Friday's a public holiday, which means a long weekend for me to do what I do best. Laze around, catch up on my reading and catch up with friends. Something I've been abandoning for a while. Also time for me to reflect on things. Haven't crawled into my cave for a while.

Oh... my yahoo messenger died on me yesterday. More like it got infected with the silly worm virus so I removed it from my system this morning. Used the web-based yahoo messenger which had a really cute pirate icon :D

Have been distracted in the office the past few days. No sense of urgency to do anything exciting. Four day week is great fun when there's no sense of urgency :D

Why is my writing so all over the place? Beats me. Maybe I'm just excited to be alive :D

Happy 50th Merdeka ppl... though technically, Malaysia is only 44 years old.

A Weekend in Penang

2007-08-13T21:47:00.000+08:00

On a whim, me and a bunch of friends went to Penang over the weekend.

Fun? ... Yes.
Ate a lot? ... You bet!
Enjoyed the beach? ... How not to?!
Tired? ... quite

Only thing was, Penang doesn't seem to cater to the late 20s, early 3os crowd who no longer techno away in discos but would rather sit and listen to live music. Also, they close shop real early... what happened to the night is still young when it's only 12 am? hehehe...

So came back and arrived home late last night. But I still managed to get to work on time today eventhough I woke up a bit later than usual. Thank God for the traffic which was cooperating with me :)

Didn't take many pictures, will see whether I can load up some later.

Whatever it is, it's good to get away and sit atop a flat rock and gossip with your friends! :)

How Not To Love This Man??!!??

2007-07-25T18:43:00.001+08:00

I like this holiday I'm having in the UK currently. I'm done with Graduation, have seen the people I wished to see in the UK (except for Jacinta, for which we'll make up for in September in Malaysia - we go for nice dinner somewhere, my treat :). I've done the shopping I need with the limited amount of Sterling Pounds that I have (including 10 CDs from HMV!!!), though I wouldn't mind a bit more stuff hehe... and regretfully did not get the bag I liked in Cambridge *darn*

And I've been watching lots of tv, or as the British call it, the "telly". British telly is very informative, what with the quiz shows that show me how dumb I am for the lack of general knowledge that I have, and food programmes which tell me to be healthier by eating more coloured food, not only greens, but reds, oranges, purples etc. Also i love Supernanny! Lots of screaming kids out there lacking in parental attention, bring in Supernanny and you get a happier family unit. Now THAT will ensure we decrease the number of sickos out there in the world.

So yesterday evening, after watching "Guarding the Queen" on ITV1, I was glued to the telly cos a documentary about this man's move to LA was on tv. Yep, the one and only...

How not to love David Beckham, you tell me?? I've been intrigued with him since I watched a documentary of him last summer in the the UK, can't remember the name. Of course, the documentary "David Beckham: New Beginnings" could have been skewed to his advantage, putting him in the best light possible. But hey, I'm not gonna beat him up just because he has it all: really good looks (until can die one), plays good football and makes ridiculously huge amounts of money. I'll even forgive him for having a squeeky voice that does not tally with his face :) Cos he seems like a nice person who takes care of his family.

Doesn't matter if he's too commercialised for his own good or that his wife gets too much flak. I'd like to believe there are good people in the world who have their priorities right when it comes to family. Hopefully (and consistently) he's one of them. Cos in this day and age, it's nice to see a young family not disintegrate, especially with cameras in their faces all the time.

So anyway, this being my first "non-complaining and partially creatively-written" blog entry in a REALLY long time (yes, work has made me a boring person with no life and no opinions hahah), here's to the Beckhams... hope they fare well in the States and Beckham better not get sidetracked with celebritocracy and lose his footballing skills . Or as the damn yanks call it, SOCCER skills.

Finally the Right to Put MSc Behind My Name...

2007-07-21T00:16:00.000+08:00

Hahaha... yes, have finally had my Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday. It was nice going back to Cardiff, nothing much has changed... unfortunately, summer in Britain is crappy this time round. Very un-summery weather. So boring. So amidst all the business, I finally got capped. Yippee!

But funnily enough, there wasn't any of the pride and joy I felt when I received my first degree way back in 1999. Maybe cos I've "been there and done that"... and I know that I can't go out and "conquer the world" with the degree. How innocent I was to have the "I can conquer the world" feeling when I received my bachelors. So probably that explains why the Graduation recently was just "ho hum".

But it was really good that family and friends were there. Wouldn't relish the idea of coming out of the hall with no one to look for me. It was good also to meet coursemates, though didn't really have time to sit and chat.

Shall be back in Msia soon... am doing the tourist thing... but weather's so crappy. Was in Cambridge today, God chose today of all days to do his laundry ahahah... More updates soon... till then... this is me, on Graduation day...

UK in the Horizon

2007-07-11T22:10:00.001+08:00

Yes, I know, it's been yonks since I updated. I've been busy and lazy... and not inspired to write.

But as the post title suggests, yours truly is making her way to the UK pretty soon... Two weeks of NO work, NO having to meet bosses, NOT having to deal with phone calls, NOT having to wake up at 630 am hahaha... yippie

I shall write more in the UK, no worries! Till then, wish me a safe journey and a jolly good time, k? Ta...

Quiet

2007-06-20T23:36:00.000+08:00

I've not updated for a while, not that there was nothing going on. More like I was occupied with work and not doing anything over the weekends, and just basically not being motivated to write anything interesting.

Shall conjure up something soon *fingers crossed*

PS: Am going off to the UK in 3 weeks time, have not even figured out my itinerary yet, how?

It Feels Good To Be Loved

2007-06-05T21:35:00.000+08:00

Today = me thirty.

And I had a blast. Why? From 6.32 am onwards, I was wished "Happy Birthday" by so many people. People that I've not heard from for a while, people whom I thought would have forgot and the people whom I knew would wish me. Phone calls were received, and yes, indeed, I feel so blessed to be remembered! Really!

So to all of you who texted and called just to wish me a super, duper 30th birthday, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Didn't know I was THAT popular! hahahah :)

So Thank you dear:

Abi, Jane Sunshine, Lat, Norlee, OSK, Manglesh, Ying Ying, R, Derek, Aida, Denise, Kum Yee, Ram, June, OT, Amy, Ween, Nana, Aina, Mai, Yong, Anna, Jacey, Shaiful, Zhi Bin, Steph, Chee Wah, Siaw Choon, Khalid, Norman, Adeline...

Post-Script

2007-06-05T01:36:00.000+08:00

BTW, Happy World Environment Day!

Yes, it's on 5 June each and every year. So go out and do your bit for the environment. Easiest thing to do? Turn off your tap while brushing your teeth - you'll save heaps of water!

I'm gonna go to sleep now, cos staying up ain't helping the environment: more electricity used cos I'm still awake at this unGodly hour!

*happy as a bunny still, cos it's my bday*

It's Finally Here!!!

2007-06-05T00:57:00.000+08:00

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, it's finally here. Drumroll please.....The big 30!!! *thunder and lightning crashing, run helter-skelter* So dramatic!

Haha.. no, none of that happened. Neither did I shrivel and turn into a prune! Instead, I'm feeling... numb? Turning 30's not bad at all, and I've been showered with love and gifts the past few days. Didn't know I meant so much to so many people *blush blush*

Saturday I had a girlie-girl lunch with closest mates, which saw me buying 2 bags from Metrojaya cos I had a RM100 gift voucher to finish off. Thanks A and N, for the nice bags which I picked but you guys paid for.

Then Sunday, had a nice impromptu lunch with M at the Curve. The best thing about being single and available is being able to meet up with a friend within 30 minutes without hesitation (but then again, this could be seen as having no life and no friends to be able to be "on call" all the time! hahaha)

So Monday, went to work and applied for leave for today. Hehehehe... had a nice lunch which A paid for plus a nice shawl from him, got lovey flowers from Jacey all the way from UK (which she shouldn't have bought but I loved to bits cos there were lilies, my favourite!) and a book and more flowers from D at 1030 pm! Feels good to be loved and remembered, and to be showered with wishes!

So in about 12 hours, I'm meeting another group of girlfriends for lunch, since I haven't seen them in yonks. My wish for turning 30? That God grants me all the good things in life when I need them the most, to have people I love surround me and wish me well and for me to able to feel that I matter in people's lives. What would life mean if we were unable to make an impact on someone's life? Cos so many people have made an impact in my life... and that's you, you and you...

So here's to life in the 30s... er, 29+1... I'd rather the front digit remains at "2" hehehe...

It's gonna be great, I tell ya!

So thanks heaps for all the lovely wishes people, am grateful to bits *sob sob*

Me? Melancholic?

2007-06-01T00:22:00.000+08:00

N read my blog recently and told me in jest that I sounded melancholic.

Hahaha... Me? Melancholic? No lah.

Probably the few previous posts were a wee bit too down-sounding. And coupled with song lyrics of the heartbreaking/lovey-dovey kind, any kind soul would think I'm melancholic. But no worries, things aren't so bleak.

After all, life's hard enough without me having to make it harder. Especially having to spell the word "melancholic" let alone trying to figure out its meaning. *LOL*

Gotta catch some zzzs tho. I tend to get carried away with the internet nowadays. Gonna have raccoon eyes tomorrow, dang!

Selalu Denganmu

2007-06-01T00:04:00.000+08:00

So... after my "Untitled" entry, I will now introduce you to another Indonesian singer I'm hoping mad about. Tompi (click here) is another one of those singers with a clear voice who just makes me pause when I listen to him. My favourite song by him is "Selalu Denganmu" or "Always With You".

Selalu Denganmu

adakah waktu yg tak berbatas
untukku merasa bahagia
saat-saat aku jatuh cinta
saat ku terbang jauh ke sana

selalu denganmu
kasihku selamanya
selalu denganmu
cintaku bersama

kaulah matahari dalam hidupku
dan kaulah cahaya bulan di malamku
hadirmu selalu akan ku tunggu
cintamu selalu akan ku rindu

selalu denganmu
kasihku selamanya
selalu denganmu
cintaku bersama

Not as deep as "Untitled" but has a nice jazzy twist to the song. Can't find a nice video on youtube though if you don't mind mediocre quality, you may click here. Otherwise, you'll have better luck downloading the song from www.imeem.com.

Untitled

2007-05-27T21:45:00.000+08:00

There's this song that I've been going nuts over for a while. It's by an Indonesian group called Maliq and d'Essentials (www.myspace.com/maliqdessentials)

I'm a nutter for great lyrics and this particular song titled "Untitled" is simple and nice. The story of unrequited love... sob sob. Click here to watch it on youtube. Enjoy!

Untitled

ketika,
kurasakan sudah
ada ruang di hatiku yang kau sentuh
dan ketika, ku sadari sudah
tak selalu indah cinta yang ada

mungkin memang, ku yang harus mengerti
bila ku bukan yang ingin kau miliki
salahkah ku bila
kau lah yang ada di hatiku

adakah ku singgah di hatimu,
mungkinkah kau rindukan adaku
adakah ku sedikit di hatimu
bila kah ku mengganggu harimu,
mungkin kau tak inginkan adaku
akankah ku sedikit di hatimu

bila memang, ku yang harus mengerti
mengapa cintamu tak dapat ku miliki
salahkah ku bila
kau lah yang ada di hatiku
kau yang ada, di hatiku

bila cinta kita tak kan tercipta
ku hanya sekedar ingin tuk mengerti
adakah diriku, oh singgah di hatimu
dan bilakah kau tau, kau yang ada, di hatiku
kau yang ada, di hatiku

The Importance of Being Idle

2007-05-26T21:12:00.000+08:00

I'm idle today. Meaning I didn't plan to do anything this weekend. No appointments with friends. No planned shopping or walk-abouts at the shopping mall. No plan to wake up early for house-cleaning etc. No plans. Zilch.

So I didn't do much. Got up at ten, got side-tracked with my laptop and finally went out for lunch around 1230 pm. So just bummed around at home and drifted in and out of sleep the whole afternoon.

Oh, I did get my first card from Sly wishing me happy birthday today. Yippee! I love getting cards and I keep them all. I'm sentimental about stuff like this. Can't believe my birthday's in about 10 days time. Where did the time go?

I've also been drifting in and out of "emptiness" this past week. I think its a psychological thing I'm going through. Honestly, I don't like feeling "empty". Not fun. I seriously need to refocus, I think. Do some stock-take, soul searching, refocusing. Probably have been side-tracked with work. And then some :)

Tomorrow the piano tuner is coming at 11 to tune my Yamaha. Gotta wake up early and get some things done before he comes. I'm thinking to catch Pirates of the Carribbean sometime soon but am sure the cinemas are packed with people. School holidays just started so there'll be heaps of beings everywhere. I shall lay low for a while :)

Good Weekend

2007-05-20T22:09:00.000+08:00

Haven't updated in a while. Had a good weekend even though the week was not that eventful... Normal days at work, nothing exciting.

Had a round of entertainment on Friday night. Office organised its talent night, so I gamely went along to have a look-see. Then yesterday, watched Spiderman at Midvalley and a spot of shopping, buying gifts for people. Friend getting married, friend giving birth and friend moved house. Whew! At least got that out of my system and need not worry about what to buy :) Watched Akademi Fantasia's final yesterday night as well. And once again, I cried and cried and cried... have vowed not to cry watching AF but the tears came anyway, especially the bit where they paid tribute to Aznil who's leaving the show after 5 seasons.

So today, woke up and did the Desperate Housewife bit, mopped the floor, cleaned the bathroom etc. Had lunch, read the paper, tinkered on the piano (yes, I can do this now!) and cleaned my room and table in the spare room! Finally I can see my table! Hahahah... Then had tea at Donald's. As usual, 3 hours in the minimum when it comes to conversations with Donald.

Nice weekend. More of such weekends in the future :)

Stepping Out of the Doldrums

2007-05-13T15:40:00.000+08:00

This weekend, I'm giving myself some "me" time. I haven't really had this in a while. Have always been either hanging out with friends or busy in the office, or too knackered and catching up on sleep.

Yesterday, had to make my way back to the office - boss called to do something. So off I went (reluctantly) and was told to get a report amended by Sunday morning. Ok, no biggie. But still feeling a bit irked, I drove to Putrajaya and hung out with a girl-friend - went for lunch, went for retail therapy and watched "Cinta". I wasn't impressed with Cinta, did not strike a chord at all. Hmm... wonder why? Then came back in the evening and attempted to start doing work while watching Akademi Fantasia. Instead, ended up surfing the net and friendster-ing. I've just discovered Friendster and the many friends I used to know from back home! Talk about blast from the past!

So today, I woke up at 730 am to get the report done. Which I did by 10 am, emailed it off and made my way to One Utama at 11 am. This used to be my routine, Sunday grocery shopping at Jaya Jusco! Felt good to go around alone and look at things.

So now I'm at home. Called home and wished mum "Happy Mother's Day" :)

Don't feel so down today, luckily. I should get to grips with whatever it is that I'm feeling. Turning 30 in a matter of weeks, I shouldn't be depressed or down. There's too many great things happening in the world to be all sour-puss.

Now I'll just continue to read my paper, relax, and cook dinner later. Haven't cooked dinner for myself in AGES!!! Too busy and my gas tank die-ded on me the other day. Menu tonight? Chicken soup and veggie, yummmm