my thoughts, my pictures, my travels, my blog

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T02:41:00.000+08:00

Can't believe how time flies! Merry Christmas to everyone! Only one more week till a new year.

Adele and Las Vegas!

2011-08-18T07:17:00.000+08:00

Yay! I'm looking forward to a fun weekend in Vegas and to see Adele - a wonderfully talented singer with an absolutely gorgeous voice. We managed to get tickets on the day it was released by getting 4 of us to try to book it online and simultaneously call the booking number. Luckily one person got through and managed to get tickets for this show.

A girl's weekend is usually going to be a super fun-filled weekend with lots of delicacies (food and other things... ahem!). But of course...

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

The Hunger Games trilogy

2011-08-16T10:19:00.000+08:00

I just love picking up a book and end up getting totally absorbed in it. I have to say that I really enjoyed this series. It revolves around 16 year old Katniss Everdeen who lives in a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem where North America once existed (hmmm, what happened to Canada?). Panem consists of a capitol with 12 districts and the Hunger Games are an annual televised event (think of Survivor, Big Brother, etc) where the capitol chooses one boy and one girl from each district to fight to the death.

Although this book is targeted for young adults, it is pretty entertaining for whatever age you may be. Of course, a movie is currently in the works and is estimated to be released in 2012. Can't wait to watch it!

My past year and happy birthday to me!

2011-05-29T02:35:00.001+08:00

My birthday is coming up and I was just thinking about how I spent my year. I felt that my year felt pretty much the same but when I think about all the things that happened, I guess it was another year of growth.
My highlights:

Korean curls

I permed my hair
Never thought that I would do something like that but it helped when trying to grow it out. Probably the easiest hairstyle I have had in a long time.

Yosemite - May 2010

Yosemite and Rachel's visit

It was a beautiful place and it was just so amazing to catch up with a beautiful and wonderful friend. I would definitely go there again in a heartbeat. We also had loads of fun in LA and Rach's Dallas and Chicago visit. Come back soon Rach!

The Carnival Ecstasy - July 2010

My first cruise - the Carnival Ecstasy
We were supposed to have one stop at Cozumel, Mexico but ended up being a cruise to nowhere due to a huge hurricane-like storm in Houston. Our drive to Galveston was treacherous and we even had to stop on the side of the road because we couldn't see anything. The cruise was fantastic though, fabulous company, lots of racous laughter, superb food and just good old fun.

At Soldier Field, Chicago

Concerts!!!
Managed to catch Bon Jovi twice in the same year and amazing performances by the Eagles, Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban and Kid Rock too! Didn't get to go for the U2 concert due to Bono's back injury. Maybe this year!

New bob

Straightened my hair
So I spent $100 to perm my hair and then $150 to straighten it back. Moral of the story, don't mess about with your hair! I have to say that I am liking the long bob.

Team Jacob shirts

Twilight - Eclipse and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 1

As per tradition, Steph and I got our Twilight t-shirts and our Harry Potter gear for the movies. The acting in Twilight got from bad to worse - however, the movie itself was at least better than the first two. I did not fall asleep this time! Also, we appeared on Fox news the next morning as the fans that watched the midnight movie on opening night.

Griffindor scarfs

The long anticipated Harry Potter movie was excellent. I just love the books so even if the movie is not as good as the books, it still transports me to the wonderful world of wizardry. Only one more movie to go. What will Steph and I obsess over next?

Working for beads in NOLA

New Orleans

My first time in NOLA and it was fabulous. Good company, good food and just good fun. Walking along Bourbon street with 'hand grenades' and daiquiris and 'working' for beads. We managed to get loads of beads with out flashing our assets. Haha... pretty ingenious.

Surgery in MN

Surgery

Had a Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy surgery plus a radio frequency ablation of the inferior turbinates (basically sinus surgery) in Minnesota. For any adult planning to take out your tonsils, just remember, it hurts like hell. Make sure you keep your throat moist at all times and eat about a half hour after drinking the painkillers because that is when it gets a little numb. Don't forget to eat and remember that the real pain only comes when it starts healing. It takes 10-14 days to heal and don't be a hero like me and start work only after 4 days.

Fire Cupping

It was wonderful to go back home for 3 weeks in December to see family. Got to see how adorable the niece and nephew was becoming. I do miss being part of their lives. So my mum suggested an interesting massage place when I was back home. It was like a traditional chinese massage that hurts a lot and some adjustments were also done to the back. In addition to that, he can do 'fire cupping' on your back to increase blood circulation. It looks a little scary because it leaves marks on your back for a week but it really didn't hurt much. I might have to do it again when I go back.

Walking on water

Winter in Minnesota

I always like the cold. No sunshine and humidity for this girl. This year however, I'm pretty sure I got too much cold and snow that I actually looked forward to some heat. It was so cold over there that Lake Calhoun was totally frozen - 2 feet deep. I could easily walk onto the lake. Locals were doing ice sailing where they have a little contraption that slides over the ice and use the sails to steer - able to go up to 60 mph. Very cool. MN also introduced me to the largest mall in America - The Mall of America.

On the downside, it was the first time I got stuck in a ditch in a total white-out snowstorm. The car wouldn't move, you cannot see anything in front of you. Everything is white and you have no idea where you are. Luckily I was not alone and managed to bribe someone for us to hitchhike back to the hotel and deal with the trauma later.

Chicago

So Chicago has been my home now for 2 years now. Time flies. I think I have only scratched the surface on the things to do in Chicago. I will still be looking for more things to do and more food to discover. My happiest finds has to be Sun Wah BBQ for the amazing duck there and Go 4 Food which has HK-style dishes. Yum!

Florida - Miami, Islamorada and Key West

This trip definitely deserves a mention as it came right after a very stressful project. It was much needed and was super relaxing. I nearly 'got eaten by a shark' in a swimming pool ;), swam with the dolphins, rode a trike, went snorkeling, swimming, had a massage, ate lots of good food, saw a fabulous sunset in the Keys and just had a bloody good time. Also, got shit-faced drunk on the last day that I could barely stagger back to the hotel. It has been years since I was that drunk. Haha...

Other updates

I still watch a lot of TV series so I am still an addict - no change there! I worked too hard this year and I think it is time for me to re-prioritize what I want in my life. I am blessed with the most amazing friends and even though I don't see you all the time, I do think about you and miss you. My most inspirational yoga teacher - Vincent Tam passed away this year and I dedicated one ashtanga practice to him. RIP Vincent.

Things to look forward to

Oh boy, I guess there is no limit. I have so many things to look forward to this year - a new relationship, new friends, new project, new experiences. Yay me!

Working from home

2011-04-23T12:10:00.003+08:00

So I've completed my first week of working from home. I have to say that it is not my preferred work environment because I always like to be in the action and being away from it demotivates me a little. I often can't tell how long I am spending in front of the computer when the line between work and personal time gets blurry.

Best thing for me is to set a time to turn off work, put my feet up and start up Farmville and catch up on one of my shows... Oh wait, that's even more time on the computer. No wonder my eyes are getting all screwed up.

Ah well...

I'm baaack....

2011-04-13T04:58:00.003+08:00

After endless nagging and prodding, I think I should probably start writing again on my blog. Updates since the last post:

I did not complete the last month of Insanity. I fell prey to long working hours and needing more sleep than exercise.

I worked so much that I can barely recognise myself anymore.

Had a tonsillectomy and addenoidectomy - pain, pain, pain for 2 weeks. I have to say it was amazing that my throat could heal when it is wet all the time. The wonders of a human body.

I went home to Malaysia in December and had a good dose of family. I sometimes wonder whether it is actually worth it being so far away from any sort of family around me.

Worked almost every weekend since getting back from Malaysia.

Have accepted the fact that I am a spa bunny and massages keep me sane.

I feel like I am finally emerging for a breath of air after many months of drowning at work.

I'll be working from home for a month.

Where will I be next? I have no idea... Will just wait and see...

Insanity Week 3

2010-09-14T09:50:00.002+08:00

Ok, I am supposed to do another fit test today to see if I have improved. However, I was sick on Saturday and ended up skipping Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs. I decided to make it up by doing it today. Hence... no fit test. Haha... I think I am scared to see the results. I don't think I improved at all! This has been extremely tough and I have a mental argument with myself everyday whether I can continue. I had a quick look at the advanced videos that I am supposed to start in 3 weeks time. I don't think I can do it!!

Is it a failure if I repeat month 1 to try and build up some more stamina and then do month 2? Ah well... We'll see when the time comes.

Insanity!

2010-09-01T09:59:00.002+08:00

I need to lose weight.

I have just started on the Insanity workout and on Day 2, I'm already hurting. I am not sure how I am going to keep going for the next 58 days but I have to keep going. Did my first fit test (number of repetitions done in a minute for a series of exercises) yesterday and here are my results:

Switch Kicks: 120

Power Jacks: 38

Power Knees: 67

Power Jumps: 16

Globe Jumps: 4

Suicide Jumps: 12

Push-up Jacks: 9

Low Plank Oblique: 37

I started off strong but I was almost crawling at the end. Hopefully I will see some improvement at the end of 60 days.

Wish me luck!

The Eagles are soaring...

2010-06-23T03:31:00.001+08:00

Went for an Eagles concert last weekend was loved every moment of it... Can't get Desperado out of my head right now...

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses
You've been out ridin' fences,for so long - now.
Ohh you're a hard one.
I know that you've got your reasons.
These things that are pleasin'you
Can hurt you somehow.

Don't you draw the queen of diamonds boy
She'll beat you if she's able.
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet.
Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table.
But you only want the ones
That you can't get.

Desperado, Ohhhh you aint getting no younger.
Your pain and your hunger,
They're driving you home.
And freedom, ohh freedom.
Well that's just some people talking.
Your prison is walking through this world all alone.

Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun will shine.
It's hard to tell the night time from the day.
And you're losing all your highs and lows
aint it funny how the feeling goes
away...

Desperado,Why don't you come to your senses?
come down from your fences, open the gate.
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you.
You better let somebody love you.(let sombody love you)
You better let somebody love you...ohhh..hooobefore it's too..oooo.. late.

Springtime and illnesses

2010-04-26T02:40:00.002+08:00

Springtime is probably the worst time for me. Most people are usually happy for it to get warmer but I just get hit with very bad hayfever and all the crap that comes with it. My tonsils are super enlarged now and I have a perpetual sore throat for over a month. How annoying is that? It is usually times like this when I start thinking maybe it might be better to have my tonsils taken out. I have been reading about it online and I have heard so many horror stories about it. Wonder if it will really help me...

1.5 month hair update

2010-03-03T22:58:00.004+08:00

Its been 1.5 months since I decided to grow out my hair and had a haircut at Orange just to trim the layers off my hair. Matt was pretty good (I am still loyal to Philip) and tried to give me some style. I was pretty happy with the results but was a bit apprehensive about maintaining the style. It was touch and go for a couple of weeks trying to sort out my hair products and the time needed to style my hair but I think I have gotten into the groove now.

So after 1.5 months, it still takes a little longer to style it in the morning but I am hoping that it will grow to a length where I can just tie it up and not have to style it at all!

I still need to go for regular trims and I think it is a ripoff that they charge you full price for cutting an inch off!!! Ah well... all for the sake of vanity.

Tze's special tour of London - revisited

2010-01-08T00:32:00.009+08:00

I thought it would be good to revisit Tze's special tour of London and take new pictures of older me. We started out having a quick breakfast at Pret a Manger and then hopped onto the Metropolitan and Jubilee line to head into the city.

Got off at Green Park and head towards Buckingham Palace to see the Queen... or rather just the changing of the guards.

As it was constantly raining, they cancelled the changing of the guards and they marched on back to where they came from. Ah well...

Besides marching around, they also stand around. Poor sods... It must suck to have to stand like that in the rain and cold.

I tried it too... But at least I was smart enough to stand inside the booth and out of the rain! Go me!

Just in case you were wondering, I did NOT get arrested in London. Maybe next time...

This is my typical "British person" pose - equipped with an umbrella, jacket, scarf and stepping out of a phone booth... Actually, who uses the phone booth anymore? Everyone has a mobile phone!

Here's old Big Ben... It is actually the great bell of the clock but people usually extend it to refer to the clock or clock tower itself.

We walked pass Westminster Abbey too and Kevin helpfully pointed out that Princess Diana's funeral was held here.

We ended the tour in Trafalgar Square but this time, I didn't climb on the lions. It was all fenced up anyway in preparations for the NYE celebrations...

So... I don't think I look that much older, do I? Do I???

Renewing my love for scones with clotted cream and jam

2010-01-07T00:53:00.007+08:00

I can go on and on about how much I love scones with clotted cream and jam. This is something I really miss about the UK. Ever since I went to the US, I dream about these little things and I finally got to have them again!!! On NYE, we drove up to Burford, The Cotswold and parked the car and head straight to Huffkins Tea Room. I was so excited at this point in time that I would have ordered everything on the menu if there weren't anyone to control me.

In the end, Tze and I shared a triple decker club sandwich that had chicken, bacon, and the works and it tasted so good! Why can't I ever make sandwiches this good? We shared a sandwich because we knew we had to save some space for the pièce de résistance - the scones!

It was a good thing I remembered that I like the fruit scones (with raisins) and not just the plain ones. So we managed to make sure we got the fruit scones. It was "gently warmed" as per advertised in the menu and my heart almost missed a beat when I saw it. Kevin knew he shouldn't get in between us and the scones so he opted for a bakewell tart.

So, step 1. Order the fruit scone with clotted cream and raspberry jam.
Step 2. Slather on the clotted cream generously. You can run 10 miles after this. Then, slather on the jam on top of the cream.
Step 3. EAT!

This is my satisfied face. It was just as good as I remembered it to be.

We ordered a lardy cake too but it didn't arrive and we were too full to have it by that time. We got one to-go so that we could try it. Tze told me it was just like a yummy cinnamon bun. Mmm...

I was on a "scone-high" after that. So satisfying!

My spur-of-the-moment London trip!

2010-01-06T07:00:00.006+08:00

I didn't expect to be doing much during Christmas and NYE for 2009 but after an idea was put into my head, I bought a ticket to London to visit friends and family. I am glad I did. It was a refreshing break to just get out of the States for a while and enjoy the Christmas lights on Oxford Street and stroll down Carnaby Lane.

I enjoyed this trip so much because I wasn't in any rush for anything because I have been there before. I was also really happy to have met up with so many people and had lots of good food! As you know, good food = happy me. It rained quite a bit when I was there but then again, what else is new? What a wonderful end to the year....

Hat fetish

2009-12-15T00:24:00.009+08:00

I don't usually wear hats because my hair is usually styled beautifully and I don't want to spoil it by having hat hair. Anyway, since I am missing my hair stylist Philip... and I can't find another stylist in Chicago, I have decided to grow out my hair. Yes... shock, horror, I am going to "attempt" to grow it out again. I think it has been about 10-11 years since I have had long hair. Ah well... we'll see how long this will last. I am already thinking about chopping it off again.
Anyway, in order to keep myself warm in frigid Chicago, I went shopping to get a new winter jacket. I found one I really liked but it didn't have a hood. So I "had" to get a hat. This started my new obsessions with hats. Check out my collection so far:

This is a bowling style hat - bought from Ann Taylor. This was the first one I bought but not one of my favourites. Haven't worn it yet. Will have to find a time and place to wear it.

Got this beret from Banana Republic. Loves the fact that it matches my hair colour. Love everything about it. Will wear it everyday if I could. Unfortunately, it doesn't cover my ears so when the wind blows in the Windy city, my ears might drop off.

Simple black hat from J.Crew... bought it because I was desperate for something to cover my ears. Kinda makes my head look like an egg but it is thin and warm. Easy to carry around with me. Convenient but I haven't really put it to the test yet.

Fun and colourful hat from Forever 21. Good for casual wear and if you are having a bad hair day. Clashes with some clothes from my wardrobe though... But then again, who cares?!

I need to stop shopping.

Latest exercise obsessions...

2009-12-01T23:14:00.006+08:00

My obsession with yoga began when I had my first class with Vincent Tam. It wasn't the first time I tried yoga but it was the time I really started enjoying it. It is a lifelong practice and even though I may not be the most flexible or the most fit person in the class, the beauty of yoga is that you practice at your own pace and challenge yourself rather than anyone else. What I like about it is that it makes me feel good. Years down the road, I am still enjoying it.

I try to put some variety into my workouts because quite often, the lazy bug hits me and I just feel like lazing around and not doing anything. Only a few months ago, I started to enjoy running. I have always found it hard to run continuously because I think my body is just not used to doing it but I find that doing intervals (running, then walking, then running, repeat) spikes up my heart rate and I work up a good sweat.

This year I have also picked up Stott Pilates using reformers. I have never really liked pilates before because I felt it did not give me a good workout. I think I was probably not doing it correctly because if you do it the right way, it helps... It really does! It is definitely beneficial to strengthen your core and your back.

I found out about Zumba fitness a couple of weeks ago. It is basically an exercise class that incorporates some Latin American dance moves. It was a class offered in the gym close to my current client. I am not a big fan of group classes in the gym. It is just so crowded and people are not focused on technique but just doing anything they want. However, for Zumba, all you need to do is have fun. I guess it is a bit like Body Combat and Body Jam... If you feel that your motivation to exercise is flying out the window, it is good to try this. Put some fun back into your workouts.

Some of my friends have this hula hoop that they claim helps slim down the waist. Frankly, to slim down my waist, I probably need to diet more and exercise more. Anyway, I am always one to jump on the wagon to try something new so I also bought this Health Hoop. To reap the benefits, they say you need to do this for at least 10 minutes continuously every day. I can barely do more than 30 seconds right now. I guess I need to learn how to move my hips a little bit more. The little bumps in the hoop is supposed to massage your stomach and helps to increase blood flow to that area. It gave me bruises. Ouch! Ah well... Try try again I guess!!

New Moon

2009-11-30T23:45:00.006+08:00

Ok, even though I was traumatised the last time I watched a movie about the Twilight saga, I gave it another chance and went for another midnight premiere of New Moon. My theory was "If you can't beat them, join them". This time I bought a Team Jacob t-shirt because let's face it... he is wayyyyy hotter than Edward.

Good news: I did not fall asleep this time.
Bad news: I still think it is crap.
Biggest disappointment: No new Harry Potter trailer shown.

The crowd seems a little bit older this time around so I guess the fans are getting older. There was still some screaming but I think it was probably more restrained compared to last year.

Verdict: Only watch it if you are a fan.

My room

2009-10-31T11:41:00.005+08:00

Ok, this is a post that has been long due... A lot of people have been asking me how my new place is and what furniture have I bought so far... so this is it! Got the bed frame, chest of drawers, bedside table and computer table and chair from Ikea and got the mattress from Macy's... My duvet was the old one I had back in Connecticut (deja vu!!) but I basically had to get new beddings again. Got the desk lamp from Target and I think I am all set for a while now. A big thank you goes out to Winnie and John for helping me set the stuff up. I know I wouldn't have been able to get it done without your help. I would have died of frustration trying to follow the instructions from Ikea.

I can't believe it is already autumn and the year is ending... I stepped out of my house just the other day and saw all the leaves dropping... Got to prepare myself for the harsh Chicago winters!!!

Free concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion, Millenium Park

2009-09-01T07:42:00.008+08:00

Summer in Chicago is supposed to be the best time of the year. I never really appreciate summer because it is hot and humid. How different is that from Malaysia? However, now that I am a Chicago native, I thought it might be good to enjoy the summer before going through 6 months of winter (ok, maybe I exaggerate a little about how long the winter is but it is long and cold).

Winnie and I went for a couple of free concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion at Millenium Park. Pretty good quality if you ask me. We went for the final show of the Grant Park Music Festival and it was on Beethoven's 9th symphony. Since it was just music, it is ideal to get some food and some wine and sit on the grass and eat and drink and be merry. I also taped some of it using my iPhone - just wanted to test the Voice Memos. It works!

A week after that, we went for the Chicago Dance festival and they had 6 dance troupes performing. 3 ballet troupes, 1 contemporary troupe, 1 contemporary solo and 1 step dance troupe. It was pretty amazing how talented these people are. The ballet dancers doing a pas des deux were so spectacular that they were practically flying around on stage. They also had an all male ballet troupe that called themselves the Grand Divas. They were over the top and hilarious in their dresses and tutus.

This time we opted to get proper seats instead of lawn seats because we wanted to see the stage and the people dancing.

Perhaps summer is growing on me now... just as it ends and we go into the next season... My fav - TV SEASON!

Legend of the Seeker

2009-07-23T20:56:00.002+08:00

I've been wanting to blog about this for a while now but I have just been too lazy. Legend of the Seeker is based on Terry Goodkind's The Sword of Truth novels and was produced by the same guy who did Hercules and Xena.
I started watching this on www.hulu.com (which is available for free in the US) and I was hooked! The storyline is basically about a farmboy who discovered that he is the Seeker (a hero who arises in times of trouble and suffering and seeks out evil) and goes on a quest to kill an evil tyrant. The Seeker is always accompanied by a Wizard of the first order and a Confessor (who has the power to magnify the love a person has for her and allow her to control them).
Of course there is the attraction between the Seeker and his Confessor but the love is forbidden as her power would take away his soul and he would not be able to fulfill his destiny. With all forbidden love, it gives the series a little more spark!
My favourite character has to be the Wizard - Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander (Zedd) who has loads of witty one-liners and corny comebacks. What I like about the show are all the different types of characters they introduce and the pretty good acting. I think it was filmed in New Zealand and they had some extras who were Kiwis. Occasionally you will hear a Kiwi accent. It amuses me.

I watched 22 episodes in 4 days. I can't wait for Season 2.

Traumatised!

2009-06-24T05:08:00.004+08:00

I went for a haircut last Saturday. This is something I absolutely hate to do in the US because they can't do asian hair!

Anyway, I was due for a colour since I haven't coloured my hair for almost a year. So she did the colour first and after 2.5 hours, when she washed it off, my hair was black! I was annoyed and I told her that if I wanted my hair to be black, I would have just let it grow out instead of colouring it. She said she will fix it and she did the colour again. Meanwhile I was starving because this was taking longer than expected and I didn't have lunch. Luckily the colour came out the second time around and she started on the cut.

O-M-G. She was a butcher. She cut and cut and cut. I told her it looked like a boy cut and she said she will fix it and cut even more! I told her that one side was longer and she immediately cut some more of the shorter side! How stupid could she be? I was already getting super irritated when she accidentally snipped my EAR! What the hell!?? From the picture, I guess you can't really see it. It was just a small nick but it wouldn't stop bleeding. I had to rush to the bathroom and wash it off and put a plaster on it. Urgh!

Totally traumatised by then.

Anyway, as per Monty Python, "always look on the bright side of life!". I had a free hair cut and colour as well as a free shampoo and conditioner to take back.

Sigh... I miss getting my hair done in Malaysia....

Where am I? - June update

2009-06-17T05:29:00.003+08:00

Since people seem to be wondering where I am now, I thought I better update this blog. I am now on a short project in Monroe, North Carolina. I am supposed to be here for 3 months but it might be until October. Not sure yet. I am flying every week between Chicago and Charlotte. Hate waking up at 4 am in the morning on Monday so I might start flying in on Sunday nights. Here's where I am now:

Macaroni Casserole

2009-04-13T09:07:00.006+08:00

When I was in secondary school, Joyce used to make her "mac and cheese" and all of us fell in love with it. That was the first time I have ever eaten macaroni and cheese and I thought it was delicious. Then I found out that the usual mac and cheese would just be pasta in cheese sauce. YUCK. Luckily, Joyce shared her recipe and Winnie and I decided to try making it.

Sauce:

Stirfry onions and then put in the minced meat (chicken or turkey). Stir until cooked. Put in the mushrooms and tomato paste. Stir it all and throw in some salt, oregano, black pepper and sugar.

Pasta:

Boil the elbow shaped pasta until al dente.

Method:

1. Make a first layer of pasta in the baking bowl

2. Lace the sauce over the pasta.

3. Do another layer of pasta on top of it.

4. Pour Campbell cream of mushroom over it to make another layer.

5. Another layer of pasta.

6. Final layer of sauce.

7. Cheese and more cheese.

8. Liberally pour parmesan over it.

9. Bake in the oven. If the cheese don't turn brown, broil it until it does.

Ta-dah!

Slice it up and serve it with a side of salad.
Delicious!!

Where am I?

2009-04-13T08:52:00.002+08:00

My earlier plans/expectations didn't turn out the way it was supposed to. I left Dallas around mid-March but spent some time in Chicago and New York and then Chicago again. Looks like I will be going back to Dallas again for a month. Not sure where I'll be after that.

Ta ta!

Moving on...

2009-02-25T05:23:00.005+08:00

Looks like this is my first post for 2009. There was just too much going on at work with working through Christmas, working long hours, working night shifts, working working working. Anyway, looks like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. After almost spending 2 years here in Dallas, I am rolling off this project and will be moving. I always have mixed feelings when I finish a project. I will miss the people that I have connected with and would kinda dread starting all over again. However, there is also a sense of accomplishment and new and exciting challenges ahead.

So, this is where I have lived in US and where I will be moving to:

1. Stayed in Connecticut for 1 year.

2. Moved to Dallas and stayed here for 2 years.

3. Will be moving to Columbus, Ohio for 18 weeks.

I don't think I will be getting an apartment in Columbus since it is just a short project so I will be flying in on weekdays and flying to Chicago on weekends.

Wish me luck!

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009...

2008-12-28T08:09:00.002+08:00

It is rather scary how time never stays still... In a blink of an eye, it is the end of the year. It is never beneficial to regret decisions or to be held back by the past. I would like to think that 2008 was a coming-of-age year for me. So many decisions made, so many sleepless nights, so much laughter, so much tears, so much heartache. But it is all part of being me and it is the best part of me.

In my mind, Malaysia is always my home. I have accepted a post in the US and I guess I have to start thinking of the US as my home now. Many people think that it is an easy decision, since I have been here for 3 years. But I know it took me a long time to even consider the possibility of living here. A lot of my close friends think I am mad to even do this after listening to me gripe over and over again about how I hated it here. I am not at a point where I can say I love it here, but it is acceptable for now.

The key is to live in the now and be present to life. Be happy.

Twilight

2008-11-21T22:50:00.003+08:00

I have just started reading the books so I have to say I haven't really connected to the characters just yet.

I watched the midnight show of Twilight last night. The cinema was packed with teenage girls. Just shout Edward! and the whole cinema will scream along with you.

They started off with the brand new Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince trailer and this caused the whole cinema to go into a frenzy. I could barely hear anything in the trailer because everyone was screaming.

That was just the start of it.

Throughout the whole show.... screaming again.

When the credits were rolling, screaming again.

I don't think I was ever this annoying when I was a teenager. Hmm, I think I am getting old.

Free internet!

2008-11-01T05:36:00.002+08:00

I was actually pleasantly surprised to find free internet at DFW. This being my 3rd year in the US, I have resigned to the fact that you always have to pay for internet at the airport (except Vegas - I love Vegas). So t-mobile, take that! Neptune networks rocks!

I have also came to the conclusion that I am addicted to the Internet and checking my emails.

Help!

Maroon 5 and Counting Crows

2008-10-17T04:51:00.004+08:00

I went for the concert in August but I've just been too lazy to blog about it. It was at the Superpages Centre in Dallas and we got lawn seats which are the cheapest but it is on a first come first serve basis. We got there just after 6 pm and we thought we were late but there weren't that many people and we still managed to get a really good spot. All 8 of us squeezed onto one tiny blanket. It was fun but after a while, your back will start aching so it is good to have a beach ball to lean on.
Augustana was the special guest featured and they were pretty good. Everyone was keen for Maroon 5 to start and when they did, the atmosphere was full of excitement. It was fun to sing along and dance and since we weren't restricted to seats, we had the freedom to do just that. Counting Crows were really mellow after Maroon 5. I guess they just have a different style. We were feeling a bit sleepy during their performance and left just as they played their last song. Beat the traffic and even managed to get supper (McDonalds) on the way back.
After the concert I faced a dilemma, should I actually buy Maroon 5's songs on iTunes to show my support or get it from "friends"? Tee hee hee!

What's next?

2008-09-25T21:19:00.003+08:00

I have been trying to be more positive and happy but it is really difficult when you are getting beaten down over and over again. I was on the cross-trainer yesterday and when I was dismounting, I stepped on the rail and twisted my ankle. Argh! I was already limping last week because my foot was extremely sore (no idea why!) and I thought that was behind me. Now I have another injury.

But... Will this matter a year from now? I guess not.

Get well soon to me....

Yearbook pictures

2008-09-20T03:29:00.003+08:00

Nerdy geek

Cheerleader chic
Fashionista
Party afro
Sweetheart

Cold water

2008-09-19T02:49:00.003+08:00

Look at how cold this bottle of water is. It is icy cold and I can draw a smiley face on the bottle. I usually drink warm water but since my office provides bottled water, I have been drinking the bottled water for quite a while. I don't usually like cold water but I like "chilling" the water.

I sit close to the mini-fridge that stores all the free drinks. However, if you come into the office early in the morning, the lady would have just put in the drinks and it would all be luke warm. This fridge is also located at a highly populated area and the drinks go out really fast. So before the water gets cold, it is already gone.

Since water is the most popular beverage, they usually leave a stock of 4 crates of water next to the fridge. So, if there isn't anymore water in the fridge, help yourself to a room-temperature bottle next to the fridge.

However, I have taken upon myself to refill the fridge everytime I walk past it. If I fill it up before I go back home, the fridge is full of icy cold water in the morning when I get in. YES! Then, if I keep filling it up throughout the day, there will always be a cold bottle of water waiting for me when I open the fridge. For some reason, this is very satisfying.

Chilling water is the cool thing to do...

Inspiration for me

2008-09-18T02:22:00.002+08:00

I find myself feeling so bitter about everything nowadays. Just thought I needed to remind myself a few things I have probably forgotten:

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."
~ Lewis B. Smedes

"Holding resentment is like eating poison and waiting for the other person to keel over."
~ Unknown

"Live well, laugh often, and love with all of your heart!"
~ Unknown

"Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly."
~ St. Francis De Sales

"The way we live our days, is the way we live our lives."
~ Annie Dillard

The Covey - Restaurant and Brewery

2008-09-17T22:00:00.003+08:00

'Tis the season for Oktoberfest! Drove down to Fort Worth last Friday for some german food and german beer. The Covey had an Oktoberfest buffet which was a pork fest. Yum yum yum!
Oktoberfest Menu
Assorted Fresh Pumpernickel and Rye Breads
German Coleslaw
German Potato Salad
Pickled Beets
Braised Red Cabbage
Bier Bratwurst
Knackwurst and Sauerkraut
Wiener Schnitzel
Beer Glazed Pork Hocks
Black Forest Cake

It was good fun to stuff our face with food and beer. Tried the Vienna Lager and the Oktoberfest beers. This restaurant was actually quite interesting as it was a fine dining restaurant plus a brew pub with an on-site Brewmaster. We had the buffet but we also looked at the other tables that ordered from the ala carte menu and the food looked really good too!

I might come back again for their Fried Chicken Sundays when I am craving for fried chicken!

Mamma Mia!

2008-09-12T21:28:00.003+08:00

I love musicals... That's just a fact. I watched Mamma Mia the movie about 1.5 months ago and I just love the songs because I love ABBA! I was singing the songs from the soundtrack for weeks after watching the movie.
Found out that the musical was going to be in Fort Worth for a week and I immediately asked Steph if she wanted to go. Going on a weekend would be ideal but we were told that we had to work that weekend so we got tickets for a Thursday night. Figured we could skive off work a little earlier on that day.
We got there early enough to have a Bay Breeze (vodka with cranberry and pineapple juice... YUM!) and just hung around until the show started.

I have to say I enjoyed it more than the movie! It was just extremely good fun and I had a smile on my face the whole time. I had to secretly stop myself from singing out loud. It was infectious and I had to stand up at the end when they did some encore songs!

Wish we had more musicals in Dallas....

Ailments

2008-09-11T01:58:00.003+08:00

It has been a while since my last entry. I guess I have been pretty busy with work and also with an early trip back to Malaysia. Recently, someone told me I have been like a disaster area. I got back to Dallas after 2 weeks in Malaysia and I could barely walk the next day (Monday). Both my legs were swollen and my ankles were twice the normal size. At first the doctor thought it might be DVT so I went for an ultrasound. Luckily there wasn't a clot and the doctor said that it is probably just an inflammation. I also had a little bit of rash on my body but the doctor said it was probably nothing.

The next day (Tuesday), I had a slight fever and more rashes. This was when I thought... ooo... maybe I've got rubella. The doctor dismissed it again and just told me it is probably just a viral infection. I noticed that with doctors, if they don't know what it is, they usually tell you it is a viral infection.

On Wednesday and Thursday, I went back to work because I was unable to stay locked up in a small hotel room. I think that was a mistake because I was probably still a bit run-down and when I woke up on Friday, I had a massive breakout of rashes all over my body. Had to go to the Emergency room to see the doctor and they told me it was an allergy. I don't know what I am allergic to but I am sure it is "work". The rashes were bad. I could barely bring myself to take a picture. Took a blurry one with my iPhone. Spent the next 3 days eating antihistamines every 4 hours and sleeping.

I was better the next week. Then I went for the Maroon 5 and Counting Crows concert (which was extremely good by the way) and sat on the grass and had a hayfever attack. I am still having the sniffles even though it has been a few days after the concert.

I just want to get better!!

Minor burn....

2008-07-31T02:13:00.004+08:00

If it's not one thing, its another. This has just been a year of incidents. You can't really see it in the picture but I burnt my hand (between the thumb and the forefinger) this morning. I was trying to have something different for breakfast so I put fish fingers into the oven and when I took it out, the cloth slipped and I got burnt. Sigh...

Luckily I can still drive with 1 hand and got to work safely. Found some "burn gel" in the first aid kit in the office and applied generously on my hand. What a relief! Anyway, I can still type so I guess I can still work. Bummer!

A spider experience

2008-07-23T04:27:00.006+08:00

Even though I am the youngest in my family, I always seem to be the first to experience new viruses - e.g. mumps, measles, german measles, etc. I was also the only one that had appendicitis and had to be operated on when I was 9 years old. Anyway, last week, I became the first in my family to be bitten by a spider. What a harrowing experience. I was supposed to go out for dinner with some colleagues after work and I was just heading back to my hotel room and walking up the stairs whilst searching for my keycard at the same time. Suddenly I felt an electric jolt on my left hand all the way up my arm. I glanced at my hand and saw a light brown spider (about the size of a quarter) gnawing me. I shrieked and pushed the spider off and dashed into my room. I started washing my hands in hope that I would wash it all away but I noticed I was bitten twice! One on my wrist and another one on the side of my hand. Both started swelling and it was painful! Dang!

I rushed to my colleague's room where we were all supposed to meet up before dinner and when I told them what happened, someone said that there was a poisonous spider lurking around where we were staying and that someone else at work had been bitten too. We quickly googled "spider bites first aid" and found out that there are 2 poisonous species in our area - the black widow and the brown recluse. I looked at the picture of the brown recluse and went... OH SHIT! That looked exactly like the damn spider that bit me. Anyway, we (all 10 of us) went to the minute clinic just across the street. This was what she said "ohhhh... you were bitten.... ohhhh!! It looks swollen!". OK, I'm not a doctor but this woman was just stating the obvious. She referred us to an Urgent Care clinic because they were not allowed to treat spider bites.

So we left in search of the Urgent Care clinic - I was holding a wet kitchen cloth with ice cubes pressed to my hand. We found the clinic and me and my entourage went in and I got registered. It took another couple of hours, an antibiotic shot, a tetanus shot, a prescription of antibiotics and vicodin before I got out of there.

Managed to get my dinner around 11 pm that night. I'm traumatised. I'm glad I wasn't alone though. A big thank you goes out to my colleagues that helped me through the night.

Update: (22/7/2008)

I still look like this:

And not like this:

W-E-M-L

2008-07-16T06:35:00.002+08:00

WHAT - EVER - MAJOR - LOSER

Sprinkle's Cupcakes

2008-07-08T03:17:00.004+08:00

I wouldn't say that cake is my favourite thing to eat but it is lovely to have once in a while. I guess when you are trying to diet, you have to give up some sinful things in life. However, when I do indulge, I like to have really nice stuff so that I satisfy the craving straightaway!

On my birthday, Steph gave me a couple of cupcakes from Sprinkle's. I loved them so much that I bought a dozen for Doug's birthday. It is absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend the red velvet and the strawberry. The dark chocolate is also divine. Mmm... mmmm....

Gu Yue Tien Chinese Cuisine

2008-06-14T14:37:00.004+08:00

This is my mum's current favourite place to eat right now. It is located in Chulan Square, Kuala Lumpur. It was described to me as "Chinese Fine Dining". I have to say the food is very tasty and prepared super fresh.

We had some appetizers to start off - we had a smoked salmon treat which had coleslaw in the middle, wrapped with smoked salmon and topped off with fish eggs and a yam tart with curried minced chicken on top.

Then we had some dishes to share - I think these are scallops but I can't really remember now. It was cooked in an eggy sauce with brocolli.

After that we had spring chicken. Spring chicken kinda freaks me out a bit. Do we kill a really small chicken or is the chicken just naturally small? Or, is it really a chicken?

We also had fan favourites - salted egg yolk prawns and steam fish. The fish was huge and tasty and the meat was sublime... mmm... Just the way I like it... steamed with soya sauce and ginger.

We finished it off with herbal soup that had yam and we dumped in the vegetables... Frankie even made some prawn dumplings for us to cook in the soup too! Extremely fresh and yummy!! Good place to go for dinner!!

Kittens!

2008-06-02T11:54:00.005+08:00

I just got back to Malaysia and of course, I had to go online straightaway... (yes, you should know by now what a geek I am). Anyway, I went into the study room and I heard some mewling and hissing!! I thought maybe another stray puppy was around but after closer inspection, I found a stray cat and her kittens into our house. The mother was being a bit hostile trying to protect her babies but we knew we had to evict them. The mother went MIA for a while so we (actually my dad did all the work... I was cowering in a corner because cats scare me with their vicious claws) tried to pick up all the kittens...

We found 3 kittens in the end. Here's a couple of them. They look quite cute but I seriously don't do cats.

Hopefully my dog Jacob doesn't invite her back in again. We don't want to have to keep evicting them!!

Stockyards Station

2008-04-01T10:16:00.005+08:00

Hsiu Lin came to visit! Yay! My first family member here in Dallas!! The first day was crap since it was raining every minute of the day. Luckily, the second day was bright and sunny. Yes, the weather here in Dallas is very volatile. Anyways, we went to Stockyards Station in Fort Worth to have a look at the longhorns as well as some cowboys. It turns out that this place has a blend of old and new shops, they have bars with saddles as chairs and they had a cattle drive.

It was also really windy and Hsiu Lin had to fight the wind to walk around in Fort Worth!!

Monkey brain sushi

2008-02-29T10:41:00.003+08:00

I was introduced to Sushi Kyoto on Hillcrest Avenue in Dallas. It is an excellent place to go for sushi rolls and sake bombs (which I am so addicted to). This is one of my favourite rolls - it has tuna, crabstick, avocado and made into a ball and deep fried. Then they chop it up into 4 and it looks like brains because of the red tuna in it. The interesting thing about this is that there's no rice! Extremely yummy though!

Christmas decorations

2008-01-11T10:31:00.000+08:00

The decorations in the malls in Malaysia changes depending on the up-and-coming festival or celebration. When I was kid (ok, feeling a little bit nostalgic), I don't remember seeing such elaborate displays. I guess nowadays standards are higher.

I noticed that even before Christmas was over, they started playing Chinese New Year songs... Haha! I guess all the reds will be coming out soon!

Interesting cakes?

2008-01-11T10:21:00.001+08:00

I was at an offsite meeting the other day and there was heaps of desserts there. I think they were probably leftovers from Christmas. Is it just my imagination or are the designs a bit "dirty"? Hahaha! Anyway, I was bored so ended up taking pictures and posing for pictures. The benefit of sitting at the back row!

Happy New Year!!

2007-12-31T13:38:00.000+08:00

My last entry for the year. I have to say that I haven't been blogging religiously this year. I guess I am just getting lazy. It is a time to think about some New Year Resolutions but I have decided to have none this year... how's that for being lazy???

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Faith

2007-12-11T10:35:00.001+08:00

I got this cute little thing on October 31 2007 and I absolutely love it! I still have my ipod video but this little thing is my gym companion and my travel buddy in a sleek little package. I was absolutely devastated when I left it in the gym on Friday! Woe is me! At first I couldn't believe that I forgot to bring it back with me. I turned the apartment upside down but then I realised that the last time I saw my nano was in the gym. I was depressed for 12 hours.

The next morning I went to the apartment office and found out that someone actually turned it in!! Whoopee!!! The joys of losing something and then finding it again! Gave me a big high for the rest of the day.

So I guess I should still try to keep the faith when it comes to human nature. I guess there are still some honest people left in the world!

How to make jello shots

2007-11-27T02:49:00.000+08:00

A popular dessert/alcoholic shot for a party over here is jello shots. Very easy to make, can get people drunk very fast (depending on amount of alcohol used) and nice and colourful. I attempted to make some for Doug's Halloween party and I have to say that it turned out pretty well. I obtained the cups from Peter but otherwise you should be able to order it on Amazon.

1. Get some jello

2. Get some alcohol. I used Absolut Vodka. Note, you can keep the vodka in the freezer and it won't freeze. Vodka is nice when it is cold. Mmmm...

3. Empty the jello sachet into a mixing bowl. Pour 1.5 to 2 cups (depending on how much jello you use) of boiling water into the bowl. Mix thoroughly. Make sure there aren't any grainy jello bits left.

4. If you are making normal jello, this is the time to add in cold water. However, for our purpose, we add in VODKA. If you used 1.5 cups of boiling water just now, add in 1.5 cups of vodka in the bowl.

5. Stir thoroughly and then pour it into the cups. Put it in the refridgerator until it hardens.

6. Eat and be merry!!

Pumpkins!

2007-11-05T11:13:00.000+08:00

There was a pumpkin festival at the West Village in Dallas the weekend before Halloween. There was arounf 6000 pumpkins there and they had a whole day of games. I was there towards the end of the day because I only wanted to see them light the pumpkins!!

Posing among the pumpkins.
1 out of the thousand pumpkins carved that day.
Before the pumpkins were lit. The structure was quite big. We could even see it while driving on the highway.
There was a countdown and all the pumpkins were lit at the same time! They didn't do candles.... I guess it was just more convenient to do electric bulbs.

Nasi Lemak party

2007-10-16T22:39:00.001+08:00

When a group of Malaysians get together, we always talk about food, food and more food. When I got back from Malaysia, I brought back some crunchy ikan bilis (anchovies) and peanuts from Jenny's mum. Heh heh heh... perfect for nasi lemak!! I made chicken curry (hot) and chicken rendang tok (mild - for the wusses), kangkung belacan and the coconut rice. I delegated the sambal (chilli paste) to Aaron since he had dried chillies and candlenuts. He used my blender to make the sambal but he forgot to take the seeds out so it was nice and spicy. Nice for me but very emotional for some of the other people because they started crying. Aldern fried eggs and Paul brought the sliced cucumber and fruits for dessert.

CK brought "Old Town White Tea" and I made teh tarik (pulled tea) from it. Check out my pulling action shot!!

Obviously after a party, there will be lots of dishes to wash. Luckily I hired a dishwasher for the night.
I am now detoxing with loads of vegetables and fruits... hopefully after my detox, I can re-tox again with more nasi lemak... :)

Potluck at Aaron's!

2007-09-22T09:55:00.000+08:00

After having a fab time hosting a BKT party, i bullied Aaron into hosting a small get-together as well. However, this time it has to be a potluck because Aaron said that if he cooks, we won't be able to swallow the food. Anyway, that was a gross exaggeration because he made buffalo wings and it was YUMMY!! Mmm... Koong made the vegetable dishes, Lee Lean brought the salads (chicken and crab), Paul brought sinful cupcakes (I tried to move the cream away but it went so well with the cupcake that I HAD to eat it anyways!), Yap brought the wine and I made my usual tomyum beehoon.

Just before the party, Aaron realised that his dining room table only had 4 chairs. Hence, we ended up doing a buffet and brought our food to the coffee table to eat. Nice and intimate but as usual, not much conversation until everyone has eaten something and is not too grumpy! Hahaha!

Next makan session would probably be a full English breakfast or a Sunday roast... mmm... have to look for yorkshire pudding first though...

Bak Kut Teh party

2007-09-19T06:28:00.000+08:00

When I am home alone, it is time to have a house party!

Decided to cook BKT since I had the herbs from Malaysia and since I also had the time. Went to the butchers and bought so much meat until I had to keep half of the pork ribs in the freezer because it wouldn't fit in the pot!! However, I do think it is better to have more rather than less when you invite guests over to the house. Wouldn't want people to go home feeling hungry. I prepared yam rice (mum's recipe with a mixture of white and brown rice), bak kut teh (with pork ribs, herbs, chinese mushrooms, bean curd, golden needles mushroom), fried vegetables and "yaw char kwai" a.k.a chinese doughnuts. I got the chinese doughnuts from the chinese supermarket and heated it up in the oven. Came out nice and crispy. Mmm.... Just right to dunk in the soup!

3 colleagues from Malaysia and 1 from the UK came for my mini-BKT party. I think the next time I do this, I would put in less water. Felt like the soup could have been a bit thicker. I might not have been able to taste much since I spent the whole afternoon cooking and smelling it. Ah well...

The meal was washed down with a nice bottle of Riesling which I received for taking care of Nutmeg. Whee!!! I must remember to buy more herbs to bring back for my next BKT party!!

Nutmeg can surf!!

2007-08-29T21:01:00.000+08:00

Here's some pictures of Nutmeg on the surfboard... She finds it a bit hard to balance so you'll have to hold her up like this!! She didn't really like being on the board that much and preferred to swim. She loves swimming and will just launch herself off the boat if you do not hold on to her collar. Very dangerous when the boat is moving because she might get caught in the blades and become... well... dog meat... Haha!

Here she is... launching herself off the board because the water was too enticing for her to resist!!

Here's Patrick trying to get her back onto the boat again after swimming for hours!!

Here she is launching herself off the ramp to get into the water again because she hasn't had enough of swimming!!!

Nutrition is good for the soul...

2007-08-08T01:57:00.000+08:00

Seriously, ever since I came to Texas, I have been steadily putting on weight. This is just not cool.

Anyway, had a cool weekend (actually it was hot hot hot!!) at San Antonio. Took us 5 hours to drive there and 5 hours to drive back. Texas is just such a huge state that even though you drive and drive for hours, you are still in the same state!

Managed to visit the Market Square where they have a flea market on a Sunday. I saw lots of useless stuff that I considered buying but decided against since I am already such a pack rat and need to throw some stuff out first before even considering buying more. Almost every shop we went to, we saw this sign:

In the hot 100 degrees farenheit weather, you need lots of water!! Otherwise, you'll end up like the couple below:

So I guess essentially... water is good for the soul...

Nutcase / Nutmeg

2007-07-31T10:12:00.000+08:00

My colleague bought a chocolate lab (Nutmeg!!) and she is adorable! I have had the priviledge to babysit her for a couple of days and she is quite a character. Here she is at around 10-11 weeks:So sweet and docile!! It is good that she loves me just as much as I love her... unfortunately, sometimes she gets into this crazy mode where you can see madness in her eyes... This happens when she gets over-excited and can't seem to wait for you to pet/play with her. Example below:

Check out the mad look in her eyes!!!! In this situation, she is known as "Nutcase".

When taking her for a walk, she loves to bite her collar/leash and getting her collar on can be quite difficult because she thinks you are playing with her and she will be going round and round trying to bite her collar while you are trying to fasten it. When she has done her potty, she'll tell you when she wants to go back home by biting on her leash and pulling it and directing you back to the apartment! What a clever dog!!

The amazing thing about Nutmeg is that she eats salad! She eats carrots and broccoli or maybe just a tossed salad for lunch as well as frozen yoghurt. She likes playing catch but she doesn't like to give up the toy she caught! She has grown so much already and I think she is going to be a BIG dog... Here's a pic just a couple of weeks ago...

She actually looks like a grown up dog already!!

Where did the time go?

2007-07-31T10:00:00.000+08:00

July is almost at an end!! One thing I noticed about the consulting lifestyle is that there is always not enough time. We go project to project and after one project life-cycle, 9 months... 1 year... 2 years of your life has passed. This is good for me as it keeps in interested in the work I am doing. Although I am far far away from home, I still have a solid homebase. In a way, that keeps me grounded so I don't feel so lost sometimes.

Things for me to look forward to:
1. Chicago - visit an old schoolmate (Wini!!) and catch up on the good old days.
2. Philadelphia - Spending Labor (I still think it should be spelled Labour... I cringe at American spelling) Day weekend with Winifred. Looking forward to exploring the area and coming back to the east coast.
3. Connecticut/Long Island - Going to visit Jenny at Long Island and driving down to Connecticut to visit Angie and family. I'll get to meet the latest addition to the family as well - Little Donovan!

Still considering a trip to New York in September...

Sigh... flight woes...

2007-06-23T13:45:00.000+08:00

Flying to the US is certainly not my favourite thing to do... I am now stuck in LAX waiting to see if I get onto a flight to Singapore - not the direct one but one that will stop in Taipei and then SG. If I don't get this flight, I'll have to wait for the next one which goes through Narita. Argh! I am so tired. It all started with a little rain at the Dallas Fort Worth airport. They delayed the flight for an hour and before you know it, they decided to cancel it. I had to get out of the waiting area and back to the ticketing counter to find a flight for myself.

After some negotiation, they got me on another flight with 1 hour and 20 minutes to go before my connecting flight. Unfortunately, It was DELAYED again when I boarded the plane. Due to so many cancelled flights, people were on standby left, right and centre. All the flights leaving DFW was full full full... I arrived too late in LAX to get onto my scheduled connecting flight.
So here I am... Complaining and full of self-pity....

Introducing Hanley...

2007-06-13T00:28:00.000+08:00

Here's a little teacup maltese. He is 4 years old and weighs 3 pounds. He is extremely well behaved and that is why he gets taken out everywhere! He gets taken out on walks - where he doesn't walk but gets carried around in his little pet pocket. He also goes to all the good restaurants and gets all the attention from the waiters as well as all the other patrons of the restaurant.

I miss having a dog... Well, correction... I miss having a dog that would actually miss me! I doubt my doggie Jacob back home actually realises I am not around. Ah well... I'll just have to go around spoiling other people's dogs!

How sharp your teeth looks...

2007-06-06T05:49:00.000+08:00

Oooo... Nav, Sukey, Jenny and I went to Nobu in Dallas for dinner to celebrate my birthday. The food was extremely good that we ended up taking pictures of only the food and no pictures of people at all! We had this snapper dish where they fillet the fish and deep fry it and seasoned it with some black bean chilli sauce. Mmm... it was quite Chinese-y but so yum. It was their special for the day and we managed to get the last one!

I think a bowl of steamed rice would have gone well with this dish. I am still salivating everytime I think about this...

High maintenance

2007-05-31T10:20:00.000+08:00

I don't think I am.... But the cushion is cute!

Bloody price...

2007-05-21T11:13:00.001+08:00

I just love it when I see something like it... it just cracks me up!!

Did the bloody price go up????

To all the over 30's or nearly there........

2007-05-17T05:12:00.000+08:00

I got this from Hung Yen and I found it hilarious! Thanks for sharing!

This is for all you girls 30 years and over.... and for those who are turning 30, and for those who are scared of moving into their 30's...AND for guys who are scared of girls over 30!!!!... This was written by Andy Rooney from CBS 60 Minutes.

Andy Rooney says:
As I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it.
She does something she wants to do. And, it's usually something more interesting.

A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a damn what you might think about her or what she's doing.

Women over 30 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

A woman over 30 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women. Women over 30 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 30. They always know.

A woman over 30 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women.
Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 30 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 30+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress.Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, 'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free'. Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage, why?

Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire Pig, just to get a little sausage.

My Melody

2007-05-14T06:55:00.000+08:00

I can be so full of nonsense sometimes....

Kalen got this for her birthday and everyone said it suited my "Cute but Psycho" t-shirt. So voila... cute but psycho Melody.

Drool...

2007-04-23T15:57:00.000+08:00

I've had these pictures for a while but it is just so nice to go back and look at it and just drool over it once in a while. Whenever I get back to Malaysia, I have to go to this place to have my fix of yummy food.

I think this is one of the fav places to go for those people working in TPM. It is in Sri Kembangan and the restaurant name is Restoran Makanan Laut Yoke Heng. Everytime we come here we have to order the claypot loh shi fun. I don't think you can find this anywhere else in KL. It is thick and tasty and I love the crunchy fried dried prawns that you can mix into it.

Other yummy stuff is the goo seng tau fu which is tofu cooked with prawn and pork slices. This is to die for. The pork and prawn is deep fried and is crispy when served.

Another speciality is the pork ribs wrapped in foil. Someone told me it is marmite pork ribs but I can't taste the marmite or maybe they douse it with too much honey. It is steaming hot when it is served and hidden in the foil. Be very careful when biting into it as it can burn your palate. But... it is nice and juicy and tender and oh-so-delicious.

Mmm... anyone keen for a bite?

Miniature Doberman Pinschers

2007-04-18T15:04:00.000+08:00

I've never had small dogs before so I took the opportunity to play with Rachel's dogs in Kuantan. Let me introduce the father and son duo - Pepe and Bambi. They are really tiny. You can just pick them up with one hand and they wouldn't even feel heavy. Things I noticed about toy doggies:
1. They have very high pitch barks that can get annoying.
2. They are super hyper active and needs a lot of attention. However, they are super loving as well.
3. They are really tiny and can easily squeeze out of the gate. Have to be careful about that. I guess you can either feed them a lot until they are too fat to squeeze out or build gates with smaller holes.
4. It is a good idea to attach small bells on their collar so that you can hear them. After all, you wouldn't want to step on them while going about your business.
5. They seem to walk with a spring in their step. They can jump over big drains and all. I can't even imagine stuffing one into my handbag. I doubt he would stay still for 5 seconds!

I think I still prefer big dogs... I love the deep woof!!

Climbing a chair

2007-04-13T09:00:00.000+08:00

Kids at a certain age are just fascinating to watch. It is amazing how quick they pick things up and how their brain works. Here's Little Liem showing you just how to get settled in a chair after dinner.

1. Drag the chair to the spot you want it to be. Then climb on top of it. If you encounter problems such as heavy bum or moving chair, call out "Hep me" and someone will help you up onto the chair. Things to note: Sometimes grey track pants may slip and slide on plastic chairs.

2. Get settled in the chair with your favourite drink. Ahhh... nothing ends a day like a good drink.

3. If you have to, answer your phone calls quickly and let them know how busy you are so they won't harrass you at night anymore. After all, you only have an hour to play until your bedtime. Why waste it jabbering on the phone???

4. Look cute on the chair so everyone would exclaim over you and spoil you even more.

Ahhhh... tips and tricks from the expert!

In da Hood

2007-04-07T14:06:00.000+08:00

Can you see the resemblence between my nephew and myself?

Peanut butter?

2007-04-03T07:50:00.000+08:00

I heard this from Yu Lin and Rachel. Absolutely LOVED it!!

Question: Why isn't peanut butter rich?
Answer: Because it is not KAYA!!

Eaten alive

2007-02-17T17:22:00.000+08:00

I am a mosquito's dream come true. If you want to protect yourself from mosquito bites, just send me into the room. Immediately, they will zoom in on me and I will have 100 bites within 10 minutes. After that, the mozzies are all sated so it is usually safe for you to enter the room. I think it runs in the family because my sister is also afflicted with the same "power". Ahhh... we are the superheroes in this generation! Saving the world one bite at a time!!

I bawled like a baby

2007-02-10T05:05:00.000+08:00

I didn't think it would affect me very much. After all, I resigned myself to be in the US for a year and after going through multitudes of challenges and some tough times, I was ready to go home. I looked through my blog and I see how much I have done and how I have changed as a person. I don't usually like recording down bad times so most of my entries are all about the good times I had here. It is a bitter-sweet feeling leaving this place as it was home for me in 2006.

I told myself that I wouldn't cry. That didn't happen. When I was leaving the office, all it took was a hug from Angie and the flood gate opened. I have been on so many projects but I think this is the first time I actually cried when leaving one. It all feels so surreal. I guess it just hasn't sunk in yet that I won't be driving into work on Monday. I already miss everyone in the office. My lunchtime walks with Angie, my snaking time with Kiran, "bee talk" with Mark, Starbucks at 3 pm with everyone and even John's administrative work. In addition to this, I am going to miss my saviour and friend Jenny. She is the reason why I look so horrible at the airport with my red eyes and nose.

Till the next adventure... I guess I will survive...

1 kilo of chocolates

2007-01-11T03:28:00.000+08:00

If you ever need motivation at work.... THIS would be it!! This massive bar of chocolate has been so amazing. Eravi got it at Heathrow airport. Buy 1 get 1 free! Wheee!! Since I really need to be on a diet, I was walking around the office (exercise) and distributing the chocolates (sharing the fat = 0 calories).

Christmas 2006

2006-12-30T10:53:00.000+08:00

I don't usually celebrate Christmas so I don't really expect gifts from friends but I got one this year!! Georgi gave me some chockies!! YUM YUM YUM!! She gave me 3 bars of Godiva chocolates and 1 lollipop... or what I thought was a lollipop. After closer inspection, it is actually SOAP!! She didn't tell me it was soap and was hoping that I would eat it unwittingly but Jenny was too softhearted and decided to hint to me that perhaps I should have a closer look at the "lollipop".

Ok, I know I mentioned that I received 3 bars of Godiva but since I am going through this eating spree in San Fran, one bar miraculously disappeared into my tummy in record time. I managed to get a quick picture of it before it disappear for good. Ahhh... my fav... almonds!

Las Vegas, Nevada

2006-12-23T20:36:00.000+08:00

I realised that I have been neglecting my blog over here for quite a while and have only been updating my Multiply blog. I thought I better start posting more stuff here before the end of December... otherwise I wouldn't have any entries for the month of December at all. I really can't believe that 2006 is ending in just another week!! Around mid-December, my company organised a company meeting/trip to Las Vegas in Nevada. There were loads of excitement about it when it was first announced and everyone was predicting that it would be one weekend to be remembered. I have to say that it was phenomenal and there is just no other city like it in the world.
After all, how often can you say that you have visited New York, Paris, Rome, Venice, Egypt etc in ONE weekend???

Even though I don't gamble, I have to say that there are loads of stuff to keep you entertained while you are here. I signed up for the balloon ride on Saturday but it was cancelled but luckily I managed to go for the helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon on Sunday and that was lovely!

Besides outdoor activities like biking, hiking, tours, etc, Las Vegas also have fabulous shows. They have so many lovely Cirque Du Soleil shows here and some of them are extremely grand and they don't have it anywhere else because the stage is so difficult to set up. I wanted to catch one of it but unfortunately, on the free day that I had, they didn't have any shows available during that time.
However, this is one show I regret to catching when I was in Vegas - "Australia's Thunder from Down Under".

OMG! I think it was really unforgivable for me to miss this one... Sigh... I'll just have to have my hen's night in Vegas next time...

Interested to earn some money?

2006-11-30T01:20:00.000+08:00

When Jenny, Maxine, Chee Onn and myself were walking around the Yale campus in New Haven, we walked into one of the colleges and saw loads of advertisements being posted up to subject yourself to certain experimentation and get MONEY for it as well. I guess if you are too lazy to work to help support your studies, you can just submit yourself to one of these things:

Look at this! Even if you are depressed, you can get money for it! Let's say the session lasts for 1 hour, after an hour, you are $30 richer. Cheaper than going to a psychiatrist but not sure whether this will actually help you or drive you to commit suicide.

Hmmm... as if I need some more things to feed my hypochondraic tendencies. If I get a brain scan, I will most probably start seeing tumours everywhere in the scan. It looks like they only want people who are having problems "eating and sleeping". I think I am qualified. Sometimes I have a problem controlling what I eat at night and then I cannot sleep because I am too full. Kakakakaka!!

You can even make money on past traumatic experiences... I wonder how they decide on the amount to give you.

1. Got your handbag snatched - $40?

2. Husband smacked you around a bit - $100?

3. Step-father raped you - $200?

How do you put a figure on it?

Ohhh!! This is the highest! With this, I'll have enough to pay for my apartment rent, cable, high-speed internet and my lovely TiVo!! Woo hoo!!

Hahaha! Female smokers earn more than male smokers. I guess this is economics of scale for you - demand and supply. More supply, value goes down... More demand, value goes up.

Ok... no money for this but... ASIAN IDOL!! WOO HOO! I would LOVE to see the auditions for this...

Car gadgets

2006-11-28T08:36:00.000+08:00

I forgot to include this in my last blog when I was raving about the car I rented. This must be the coolest rear-view mirror ever created! What's cool about it?
1. The mirror is tinted so at night, there won't be any glare from other cars.
2. It is a miniature compass. It will tell you which direction you are driving to.
3. The first button is to switch on and off the compass.
4. If you press the second button, you will hear a voice booming in the car... "Welcome to Onstar... blah blah blah" followed by instructions on how to make a call from your car using only your voice. OMG!! So James Bond-like!! Wheee!
5. The third button will take you to Onstar help and you can get assistance if you have difficulty making a call.
6. The fourth button is the Emergency Hotline. I didn't know what it was so I just pressed it and suddenly it said it was dialing the Emergency Hotline. I hung up immediately but they called me back!! I pressed the second button to pick the up the call but I panicked and quickly hung up again. Then they called again "Hi ma'am, is there an emergency in the vehicle?" I told them that my kid was messing around with all the buttons. Hahahaha! Luckily they fell for it!! Phew!

Anyway, I've already returned this car and got something similar. No more cool buttons in the car though... well... it was fun while it lasted... kekekeke!!

Sexy cars and sexy girls...

2006-11-22T10:29:00.000+08:00

Ahhh... occasionally I manage to get a really nice car. This car is so cool!! I was in love with the Pontiac Grand Prix before this but this one, the Pontiac G6, is a cool, cool, cool alternative as well. It is perfect for winter. I can start the car when I am still in the apartment so that it will heat it up nicely while I saunter down slowly and enter a lovely warm car. Oh... if it is still too cold, I can turn on the seat warmers on the buttery soft leather seats... Ohhhhh... such a good feeling especially if you have a backache or if it that time of the month!!

I managed to get the upgraded version with all the extra trimmings - auto start, heated seats, auto seat adjuster (up, down, front, back) and car phone. It also came in this funky blue colour that makes it look so sporty and so damn cool.

I'm going to Toronto on Thursday and I will have to return this car... Boo hoo hoo! My heart is already breaking!!

Hair colour anyone?

2006-11-04T08:29:00.000+08:00

For those of you who knows me, you would know that I have been colouring my hair for the past 7 years. I guess with short hair, it just looks a bit better if you have a bit of colour in your hair to add some texture into it. Red, green, blonde, lowlights, highlights, headlights (???), I have done it all. Just recently I made my usual pilgrimage to the hairdressers to get my hair cut and coloured since I was back in Malaysia. Got a brownish base with platinum blonde highlights. Unlike some of my friends who colour their hair and try to make it look like they didn't colour it at all, I can carry off really obvious colours.

I thought my hair colour was pretty obvious but when I stepped into Midvalley Megamall, I was accosted by a sales lady from Guardian pharmacy who shoved some hair colour from L'oreal into my face - "Eskew me miss... hair colour... velly easy to use!!". Bloody hell... Do I look like I still need more hair colour??? I had enough foils in my hair to operate a satellite dish! Do these sales people actually look at the people they are trying to sell their products to and what are they thinking? Do they think to themselves:
1. Oh!! She has coloured her hair! I think she will want more hair colour!
or
2. Just keep shouting to everyone and hopefully someone will bite on the bait?

I reckon its the latter...

Watching paint dry...

2006-10-29T18:27:00.000+08:00

Argh!!! The internet connection back home is so slow... I have been trying to upload some photos and to update my blog but it is taking forever! I find myself playing spider solitaire while waiting for something to load up. I can only upload one or two photos at a time on my multiply site and I can't even upload a full size photo on blogger. I miss my high speed internet!!!
Looks like when I am back for good, I will have to update my blog in the office. Hahaha!! Don't really have much of a choice. Oh well...

Keeping warm...

2006-10-28T19:49:00.000+08:00

With winter coming soon, it is a good idea to wrap yourself up like a "bak chang" so that you won't catch a chill. I don't mind wrapping up but I have ridiculously short fingers and I hate wearing gloves. Whenever I wear gloves, I feel extremely clumsy because half of the finger tips will be filled with air as my fingers are just not long enough to fit nicely into a pair of gloves. Sigh... anyway, why waste money on gloves when there is an easier way to warm your hands... just sit on it and the heat from your butt will warm it up nicely... hahaha!

Overburdened

2006-10-16T07:59:00.000+08:00

I don't know why but when I walk from my car up to my apartment, I don't like making a couple of trips to carry all my packages up. Instead, I pile everything on my arms, my back, my hips, etc and try to bring it all up at the same time. I observed what I bring in to work everyday - my Crumpler laptop bag (with my laptop), my handbag, my sports shoes (packed in a Terget plastic bag) and occasionally my packed lunch. OMG! So auntie!! Just the other day, I was carrying all this plus 2 extra packages that was delivered from Amazon. I know it looks really bad but I am just so lazy to make 2 trips down so I end up carrying everything up all at once.

New Year resolution:
Try to be a bit more patient and take things easy.

The cliffside scenic drive...

2006-09-26T08:22:00.000+08:00

Newport in Rhode Island has a reputation for glamour and beauty. It boasts fantastically opulent mansions (usually used as summer homes for the extremely rich families). It is just a pleasure to walk around the cliffs and admire the seaside.

Homo erectus

2006-09-07T09:00:00.000+08:00

I was at the Museum of Natural History in Washington DC and I saw this. Somehow it just reminded me of Friends - the episode where they were all in Bahamas listening to Ross's speech about dinasaurs and Joey kept giggling everytime Ross said "Homo erectus". Heh heh heh...

The World according to America

2006-08-26T08:29:00.000+08:00

I got this from Sammy... hahaha! Its hilarious... thanks Sam!

Darth Bear

2006-08-19T11:11:00.000+08:00

I was just going through some of my old photos and I came across this photo with Darth Bear... HOW COOL IS THAT?? The moment I saw him... I knew... KODAK MOMENT! Woo hoo! Being one of the rabid fans of Star Wars, little things like this excites me... heh heh heh!
What do you think Darth Bear would say???

3. "And now your highness, we will discuss the location of your hidden rebel beehive"

2. "Hmmm... the Force is strong with this bee..."

1. "Pooh... I AM YOUR FATHER!!

Kill thy neighbour

2006-08-12T08:03:00.000+08:00

Urgh... my neighbour has a really bad habit! We share a common wall - in the bedroom. He sets his alarm clock to just before 5 am and then when it rings at 4.55 am, he hits snooze and it will keep beeping every 5-10 minutes and he will keep on snoozing it until around 6 am!!! ARGHHHH!!!! The worse thing is that I wake up when it beeps all the time!! Why can't that idiot just set his alarm for 6 am?????

It has annoyed me for a while but I have been so tired this week that I am at the brink of going crazy!!

How to hook bait

2006-08-06T05:53:00.000+08:00

I just went deep sea fishing today... first time fishing in my entire life!! I thought that fish would eat worms but it turns out that fish eats... FISH! Hmmm... not sure whether I wanted to participate in encouraging fish cannibalism but what the heck... I'm here for the experience...

1. Take the little hook and unhook it and then poke the fish in one eye and pull it out on the other eye.

Note: There will be a squishy sound when you jab the fish eye. Ewwww... I was grossed out at first but after that, it was kinda amusing and I kept poking my bait's eye.

Note2: If you don't insert in the hook on the top part of the eye, you might just poke the entire eye out and your poor bait will be "eye-less".

2. Take the bigger hook and measure it down the fish and see where the point touches. Then, turn the hook sideways and shove the hook into one side of the body and out the other side of the body and turn it so that the chain remains flat on the fish.

Note: This was not as gross as poking the fish eye. At first, we didn't really want to touch the bait but after a while... squish squich squish... poke poke poke... muahahaha!

Taddah!! Yummy bait all ready on the line!!

Extreme weather - urgh

2006-08-02T04:39:00.000+08:00

A warning has been issued by the weatherman:

"AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT WEDNESDAY.

TEMPERATURES SOARED WELL INTO THE 90S THIS AFTERNOON. THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY RESULTED IN HEAT INDICES AROUND 105 DEGREES... WITH HEAT INDICES AS HIGH AS 110 DEGREES IN HARTFORD COUNTY CT.
WEDNESDAY WILL BE THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE WEEK...AS HIGH TEMPERATURES APPROACH 100 DEGREES OVER MOST OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. HEAT INDICES ARE LIKELY TO REACH AROUND 110 DEGREES WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...WITH ISOLATED VALUES NEAR 115 DEGREES POSSIBLE.

PEOPLE WHO REMEMBER THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST 1975 WILL FIND SIMILARITIES TO THIS SPELL OF HOT WEATHER. THIS WILL BE AN EXTREME EVENT FOR SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. THE HEAT WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE A SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING SITUATION IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN...ESPECIALLY FOR THE ELDERLY...CHILDREN...AND THOSE WHO WORK OUTSIDE BETWEEN 11 AM AND 6 PM EACH DAY.

PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND SHOULD PLAN ON ALTERING THEIR DAILY ROUTINE... IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF HEAT EXHAUSTION...OR WORSE...BEING A CASUALTY OF LIFE THREATENING HEAT STROKE.

AVOID STRENUOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITY... ESPECIALLY FROM LATE MORNING THROUGH THE EVENING...AND SPEND TIME IN AIR CONDITIONING IF POSSIBLE.

MAKE SURE ROOMS REMAIN PROPERLY VENTILATED IF AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT AVAILABLE...BY OPENING WINDOWS AND USING FANS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR THOSE IN THE URBAN CENTERS.

NO PERSON OR PET SHOULD EVER STAY IN AN ENCLOSED VEHICLE EVEN FOR THE SHORTEST AMOUNT OF TIME. TEMPERATURES QUICKLY RISE TO LIFE THREATENING LEVELS...EVEN IF THE WINDOWS ARE PARTIALLY OPENED.

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN HIGH HUMIDITIES ARE EXPECTED TO COMBINE WITH HOT TEMPERATURES RESULTING IN HEAT INDICES OF 105 DEGREES OR GREATER. AVOID PROLONGED WORK IN THE SUN OR POORLY VENTILATED AREAS. ALSO...DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND TRY TO STAY IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENT."

It is too hot here. I don't like summer. Bad summer! Bad summer!

Workaholic tendencies

2006-07-08T04:14:00.000+08:00

I am definitely a freaky workaholic. I complain about how much work I have but even when I am officially on holiday, I am checking my email and fixing stuff for work. I guess it is my sense of responsibility... *saint*

10 signs that Hsiu Pin is a WORKAHOLIC:
10. Gives boss my mobile number.
9. Answer calls from boss even when I am on vacation.
8. Answer work emails even when I am on vacation.
7. Carries work documents in my carry-on instead of a spare change of clothes.
6. Send detailed instructions to my replacement but end up doing the work instead.
5. Bought an anti-social device so that I can use it at work.
4. Remembers all object codes by heart.
3. Goes online and IM work colleagues about work!!
2. Leaves the office and head off to the airport and immediately check work email AND continue working until I board the flight... *I am so sad*
1. Applies for vacation and END UP WORKING WHILE ON VACATION... *I am sadder than sad*

Ok... how much is it to buy a life?

Comments are working now...

2006-07-06T02:52:00.001+08:00

Dear Gentle Readers,

I was recently informed that comments on my blog were not appearing. It was obviously due to my own itchy fingers. I saw an option that said Moderate Comments and I thought, wow... what a great idea! Unfortunately, I don't get an email saying that someone posted a comment on my blog and is waiting for my approval. So I opened it up again. Can't be bothered moderating the comments... I want lots and lots and lots of comments! Keep them all coming...

Love,
Me

ASD

2006-07-04T06:27:00.000+08:00

Yay! Guess what? I finally own my very own ASD (anti-social device)!! Yes, being anti-social is just so "in" right now...
Basically I usually condemn the use of ASD. I just don't like it when people use it at work (although I have now decided to be anti-social at work and use it). After all, it gives the message "Do not talk to me, I do not want to talk to you"...
However, being in America has finally taken its toll on me and has transformed me into an anti-social ball. I never thought I would buy an iPod but with the long flights, I just want to avoid making conversations with people on the plane so I just plug it in and voila... the message comes across to people. Woo hoo!!

Yes, 7 months in America and Hsiu Pin = Anti-social Person (ASP).

Not so indie and other things...

2006-06-26T06:25:00.000+08:00

Got this from Jigsaw is an indie chick. Decided to post up my results as well then...

You Are 45% Indie

You're pretty indie, but you don't make a fuss letting everyone know.
You just do what you like. You enjoy many types of things - from trendy to bizarre.

How Indie Are You?

Your Dosha is Pitta

You have a quick mind, a gift for persuasion, and a sharp sense of humor.
You have both the drive and people skills to be a very successful leader.
Argumentative and a bit stubborn, you have been known to be a little too set in your ways.
But while you may be biased toward your own point of view, you are always honest, fair, and ethical.

With friends: You are outgoing and open to anyone who might want to talk to you

In love: You are picky but passionate

To achieve more balance: Be less judgmental of those around you, and take cool walks in the moonlight.

What's Your Dosha?

Flat head?

2006-06-19T06:18:00.000+08:00

I found out that I have many special talents. Check this out!!! Hmm... I guess doing yoga really helps with my posture. Heh heh heh! Otherwise, it just means that I have a flat head. Hmph! Me thinketh I can visit Africa and balance lots of fruits on my head. Yes... carry all the fiber around with me for my 7 portions of fruits and vegetables a day.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - The Treehouse

2006-06-19T05:27:00.000+08:00

For fans of the hit series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, here's the usual tagline: In a race against time on a project that would ordinarily take months to achieve, a team of designers, hundreds of workmen and even the neighbours, have just seven days to completely renovate an entire house - every single room, plus the exterior and landscaping...

Before: An ordinary treehouse with barely any furnishing and no room to move around is just not enough to sustain human life.

After: An exquisite house is build around the trees. In fact, no trees were harmed in the making of this house...

Flashdance... What a feeling!

2006-06-16T11:27:00.000+08:00

First, when there's nothing... but a slow glowing dream...
That your fear seems to hide deep inside your mind...
All alone I have cried silent tears full of pride...
In a world made of steel, made of stone

Well I hear the music, close my eyes... feel the rhythm...
Wrap around... take a hold of my heart....
What a feeling!! bein's believin'!!
I can't have it all, now I'm dancin' for my life....
Take your passion, and make it happen....
Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life

Yes... flashdance... my style...

The corn blog

2006-06-06T08:33:00.000+08:00

Since this is a slightly x-rated blog, I have changed the names of all the characters involved.

How much entertainment can an ear of corn give? This dehydrated corn costs only CAD$3 but it provided days of entertainment!! Funny and Shopaholic bought this and they brought it with them to Humming. The trunk of the car was so small and we were trying our best to fit everything (girls just can't travel light...) into it but decided to just pass the corn to La Mer to keep... BUT... SHE LOST IT!!

This opened up hours and hours of corny innuendos... Let me just list down some of it:
1. La Mer, are you using it as a sex toy? - It is ribbed, for your pleasure...
2. I guess you won't be lonesome tonight....
3. La Mer: I really dunno where it went!!!, Pirate: Wow... you can keep it in there for so long?
4. La Mer (making more excuses and drinking water at the same time): maybe it popped out... Pirate: Are you so hot down there until you got it to POP??? La Mer (choking on water and spraying it all out)... Funny: Ooh... you got her all wet now...
5. La Mer: All of you can go out and enjoy the view! I will stay in the car and look for the corn!! Pirate (under the breathe): Well... looks like you'll do anything to be alone with the corn!

Heh heh heh... I am sure you can come up with more... I welcome any additions!!

By the way, Pirate finally found the corn at the back of the car and La Mer was so relieved. I guess the corn helped relieved frustrations?? Hahaha!!

By the way, the second picture shows what happens to the corn when it gets HOT HOT HOT!!

Lavender

2006-06-02T08:24:00.000+08:00

Do you actually know what lavender looks like? Or is it just a purple flower thingy in your mind? Well, there were heaps and heaps of purple flowers in Vancouver. On the way to Whistler, we passed quite a few purple flowers. Linda and I thought they were lavender so we were exclaiming "Lavender! Lavender!"

Jenny brought us crushing down to reality by informing us that it was NOT lavender. Hmph!

Oh well... it was purple anyways!

Words of wisdom

2006-06-02T08:12:00.000+08:00

My project manager is half-baked... if you take a bite, you might get indigestion.
~GC: 29 May 2006

The wrong side of the bed...

2006-06-01T01:36:00.000+08:00

This is a tale of the sadistic, killing alarm clock. With the advancement of technology, it has been quite a while since I used a proper alarm clock. After all, who needs one with our mobile phones at our side most of the time? We just need to set a time and bingo! Some smart person also created a button called “Snooze”. It is definitely one of the better creations of all time. However, if you are not used to the sound of the alarm clock, you might either:
1. Not wake up at all or
2. Jump out of the bed with your heart pounding

The Sheraton Wall Centre in downtown Vancouver provides each room with a radio alarm clock. We got a room with 2 double beds but the beds were slightly smaller than a queen size bed. Georgie and Jenny shared a bed and lucky me - I got a bed all to myself.

Since Georgie was the closest to the alarm clock, she was in charge of setting the alarm in the morning. The silly clock was 1 hour fast so she set it at 6 am. However, somehow during the night, she adjusted the time to the correct zone. At 6 am… the bloody alarm went off blaring and scared the shit out of us. Jenny jumped up in the bed (and promptly just turn over to sleep again) and Georgie, in her haste to switch the bloody thing off, fell off the bed and hit her head on the side table and landed with a loud *thump* onto the floor.

I panicked like mad! I shouted “Georgie!!! Georgie!!!” and she didn’t reply! I thought she died or something. Finally Jenny decided to roll over and join in the shouting match as well. So the 2 of us were shouting at poor Georgie who was just lying so still on the floor. Finally she moved one arm and rubbed her head… and said… “Ya… none of you bothered to even switch on a light!!!”

Whoops!

Araxi

2006-05-27T13:56:00.000+08:00

YAY! I'm finally on a holiday! This is my first real holiday for the year. I'm over in the Land of Maple Leaf. CANADA! Woo hoo! I am finally utilising my Canadian visa which I managed to get done when I was rushing around in Malaysia the last time I was back. Met up with Linda, Georgie and Jenny over here. Linda drove us all to Whistler.

It is just so gorgeous! So picturesque and just so many things to do around here. We did a hike to the Lost Lake yesterday and after that long walk, we decided that we could treat ourselves to a good meal. Kekekeke! The food here is great!! Took a couple of really good shots. We went to Araxi and it was kinda like a fusion between western and Japanese cusine. The Hamachi was soooooo good. I can easily get addicted to it. You can eat it with some sprouts and I don't really know what that orange stuff was but it is slightly crispy and the combination of tastes and the freshness of the fish was just phenomenal. I am now drooling over my keyboard. Hahahaha!!

Jenny ordered the lamb and it was just nicely done. So tender and delicious. It was still red in the middle (I LIKE) but cooked to perfection. Hardly any fat and it was just pure meat! It is so satisfying to pop a piece in your mouth and enjoy the experience. I know I can definitely not be a vegetarian. With food like this around.... it is almost a sin not to eat it. I had the chicken and it was stuffed with goats cheese and in a red wine sauce. Ohhhh... It is just so good. The skin is cooked until it was crispy but the meat (chicken breast) was still very juicy and tender... The chicken here is slightly different. It is more soft and tender.

The piece de resistance was the two tower seafood platter thingy. Check it out!! They had a sushi roll which I think contained crab meat, sweet juicy prawns, some ahi poke (raw tuna marinated with some stuff that is super yummy), smoked salmon, seared tuna and the bottom tower was a dozen raw oysters!!! They had so many different types of oysters. It is like selecting a bottle of wine from the wine-list. You can pick and choose what variety of oysters you like.

Vancouver is just so good for food. To hell with the Special K diet.... I'm now on the SEE FOOD diet!!!