Cicah

My brother went balik kampung last week and brought me back some "apple" mango...at least that's what we "northern people" call it - Mempelam Apple (We dont say mango, that's cakap orang KL..hehe). They are half-ripe so i found a tub of kuah rojak in the fridge. I cant remember how it got there, mum must have brought it her last trip here.

So there you go, CICAH!!! Its a funny word rite when u spell it out, but cicah sorang sorang not as much fun. I am reminded of childhood days when cicah is almost an event, round keliling rumah tengok pokok ada buah tak, kait lepas tu kupas and cicah ramai-ramai. That's how its supposed to be.

A Song for Halley

May you find love, wherever it is?

Ceritera Cinta

Bertanya sang bayu padaku
Mengapa kau masih disitu
Tiadakah jemu kau menunggu?

Dan buat seorang perindu
Penantian hanyalah waktu
Di kamus hatiku tiada istilah jemu

Hentikanlah saja jenaka bermadah
Biasa terlalu sering ku dengar
Ceritera cinta tiada berubah
Hanya mimpi yang indah
Akhirnya nanti kecewa

Bukalah sedikit hatimu
Kenali siapa daku
Perit ku pendam rasa hati
Malu mengakui

Hentikanlah saja jenaka bermadah
Biasa terlalu sering ku dengar
Ceritera cinta tiada berubah
Hanyalah mimpi yang indah
Akhirnya nanti kecewa

Tanpa mahu mengakui kau pun dihati
Diluar sedar kau ku rindui
Penantianmu hanya ruang waktu
Tiba masa kan terbukti cintaku

Tak mudah percaya pada pengakuan
Aku dihatimu yang tersayang

Hentikanlah saja jenaka bermadah
Biasa terlalu sering ku dengar
Ceritera cinta tiada berubah

Hanya mimpi
Akhirnya nanti kecewa

LOST AND FOUND

Lost it

Searched everywhere

Gave up and deal with the loss

Decided to give it another go

Found it

What a relief!!!

I want my Mommy!!!!

Its close to midnight and i'm lazing in front of the TV, feeling like a snack. My mom loves after dinner snacks while watching TV. Some fruits, tid-bits, kueh, cakes...whatever. Mum will settle for plain water, but i will have my hot milo or plain tea. Then mum will doze off while i watch tv until i wake her up to go up to bed.

This is a more elaborate sample of our after dinner indulgence...its not always this elaborate. This picture was taken only a few months back, we had guests for tea, and plenty of leftovers.....




Now, let me go find something in the fridge....(no mummy tho:-()

Lazy Crazy

After a short meeting at our second office, we went for lunch at Little Penang. I had the prawn mee and Jill the curry mee. We both decided on iced chinese tea, which came overly brewed, and looked and tasted almost like coffee.


that's jill in the background, and see betapa hitamnya teh ais tu

I promised myself if I have a meeting with Jill, I will coincide it with my trip to the gym, coz its just around the corner. Of course after the lunch I was conveniently finding excuses not to go.

Yesterday’s excuse was to get home to check on the streamyx DSL signal on my new modem. Its been five days and I still haven’t got a connection. I subscribed to the self installation package, which saved me RM88…i.e. a month’s fee. It’s not rocket science to set up the modem at the phone line, and install it to your laptop.


this pix i took a week ago when i collected the modem, like a kid with a new toy...so much for the shortlived excitement

However, the people at the Clickers center seem to think that I am illiterate or something, and couldn’t for the life of them belief that the problem is no DSL connection is coming through. Only today, they are instructing someone to re-jump the port, and I will have to wait another 24 hours and see if that works. Bad service even before it starts, but i heard that is to be expected

Arrgghhh....

Tengah marah ni! Irritated sampai pening kepala.

I hate waiting!

I hate people who off their handphones conveniently...memang la dia punya handphone dia boleh buat apa dia suka, but dont set appointments then off your phone.

And because its a client, i cant verbally abuse this person when he eventually calls.

I dont like to keep people waiting, and i expect the same from other people....it doesnt work that way i guess.

I am still waiting. I thot posting this would make me feel better, but apparently not.

Arrgh.....grr.......

The Tagg

Mr. M tagged me for this challenge…. tell 6 weird things about myself on my own blog... , then i need to choose 6 people to be tagged, leave them a comment on their blogs.So here goes mine:

6 things you don't know about me...(not necessarily weird)

1. When I’m stressed at work, I talk to myself.

2. I don’t like sugar….not for weight control or diet reasons…since small, I would make a big deal if someone put sugar in my drink.

3. I am a natural procrastinator (but I’m trying hard to fight it)!

4. I have a very low tolerance level for cold temperatures. If I sleep with the fan or aircond on the whole night, I will wake up feverish.

5. I almost always have a hot shower. If the water heater is not working I would rather put the kettle on and wait then brave the cold shower. This behaviour has no correlation with the room/ outside temperature!!!

6. I watch Akademi Fantasia religiously, from the first season.

The 6 chosen ones:

1. Cik Dory

2. Alex

3. Javard

4. Syana

5. Lollies

6. Wahdi

I feel...

Relieved........that the pending proposals were finally completed and sent to the client

Tired............been having trouble sleeping the past few nights

Excited........as i look forward to the start of AF new season tomorrow

Happy.........that i bought a new pair of work pants today

Hungry.......but i'm too tired and lazy to do anything about it right now

New routine

Amidst this new found freedom, i have yet to find my routine. My independent work i consider stated off this week i.e. last Monday. Monday i was at home the entire day reinstalling software to my laptop...part of being independent is not having an IT Dept to send your laptop to...hehe. I managed tho;-). I was going to sign up for streamyx and get the wifi package - supposedly my top priority, has now slipped down my ToDo List Top Chart - thanks to an anonymous neighbour in the building leaving an open wireless connection..dont i love thy neighbour.

Yesterday, Jill and I camped at Starbucks at the Curve to get some proposal drafts out. Its so nice to work in my jeans n tshirt...i'm contemplating wearing my Guess jeans, a cotton shirt and my black suede jacket when i drop off the proposal at the client's office friday but i'm thinking the client is not ready for denim. I need to be taken seriously.

Today, i havent done any work. Spent the morning at Immigration Dept Shah Alam getting Sally's (Mum's maid) work permit renewed. Then i stopped by at a cafe for a quick breakfast...i hate eating out alone, almost never...but i promised myself to go to the gym today. It's been almost 2 months....i enjoyed the workout and am now in a much better mood. Must be the 'happy chemicals' released during exercise.

I better go get some work done, or maybe i'll take a short nap. Isnt it nice to have options..hehe to Seema, SueAnn, Aerena if you're reading...jangan jealous..haha!

My new life: Prologue

16 feb: My last day at the old office. The official farewell party....we had banana leave lunch at my fav place in PJ. The handover run-around, the superficial goodbyes and best wishes, the genuine hugs and kisses. Finally.......

18 feb: the long drive home to be with the folks

18 feb - 1 mar: the extended holiday, it was more for mum and dad having someone around to cope with things. dad is doing much better physically. i tried to enjoy the break as much as i can in between the day to day chores.

1 mar: the drive back....to a new beginning

2 mar: felt so weird....the transition period i think, from employed to self employed.

i have to say the freedom is very liberating.

The Steamboat

On Saturday nite, Shal invited me n Jill to her place for a steamboat party..."al fresco" as she put it. A very small crowd of me, Jill, Shal, Shal's mom n sis. We had it on Shal's balcony. Shal has been wanting to do this for a while....Steamboat Party Kylie Kwong Style. She had the egg fried rice ready, chicken broth boiling in the electric pot right in the middle of the table. All types of vegetables nicely cut and laid on a bamboo tray, bowls of marinated meat, prawns, cuttlefish, and boiled telur puyuh and fishballs. Chilled Sparkling white grape juice to wash down the hot soup and condiments.

Me and Jill stopped by Tesco to get dessert, but we got a bit lost finding Shal's place, so it was slightly melted vanilla ice cream with canned pineapple & peaches for dessert, and black coffee for the midnight drive home.

Thanks Shal for having me and Jill over.

i'm bored

For the past 2 days, i've been working at a client's office up in Tower 2 KLCC. As i am in the handing over stage, there's not much to do. I am so bored. Lucky the whole floor is on WIFI.

To make matters worse, 4 of us are sharing this small roundtable...such proximity...hmm..too close for comfort.

The thing is our security passes is not ready yet, so we are pretty much confined to this small project room. Just not the wifi got disconnected, my team members went for a meeting, and i was bored out of my wits, and decided to take pictures of KL






7 days and counting to 'Freedom At Work'.

On a happier note.....

1. Dad was discharged from hospital this morning.

2. Today is the last working day for the week. Esok public holiday, and Friday i'm on leave.

3. Kakak will be home from Haj tomorrow.

4. I'm going shoe shopping with 2 girlfriends tomorrow.

5. Tomorrow is the Amazing Race Asia finale.

(Jill, see no mopey post today;-)! )

Losing friends………

16 days from today, I will no longer work here.

I am staring at my laptop thinking I will miss my office friends. I have only worked here for 2 years, and a few of us gals got on pretty close the past year or so. I wonder if we will slowly grow apart, just like the rest ….

Back in my school days, I had a “geng” just like most people…….i don’t keep in touch with any of them after SPM. There were the odd postcards and letters the first year out of school, and one or two keep in touch once in a while during university days. Then, nothing.

I made many good friends during A Level days…..a few I still keep in touch until today, but we don’t contact each other that often, though I know where to find most of them.

Then there a friends from Uni, a special bunch of people…some will be reading this blog…the ones that remains close, I can count with one hand…the rest, are somewhere leading their own lives.

Then there are friends from the previous workplace….we were really close, like second family almost. We do keep in touch…another handful, but not like those days.

There’s Jill, Baby and Halley (in another country!)– I guess these 3 peeps wont drift away anytime so soon, but the rest will. Maybe it’s me – not making the effort…it has to work both ways I guess.

I Feel......

Mom, dad and mak ngah has gone home after a month at my place.

I'm half relieved that my life is returning to "normal".

I'm lonely to come home to an empty house.

Dad was not feeling so good on that Saturday, and mom took him straight to the hospital upon arrival.

I feel guilty for not being there.

The Last 7 Days..........

Last Friday

It was supposed to be a wind down day turn frantic coz the "power puff girls" of the department had to be sick....one had a hospital appointment, one had asthma attack, and another had food poisoning. Anyways, i already promised my 2 "moshi gals" for a lunch treat to make up for christmas presents that i never got round to buying for them. After settling the things at the office, we went for a late lunch. I let them choose the venue.



We had lunch at Delicious@Ms Read, One Utama


I would higly recommend this Watermelon n Lychee Blast, a perfect combination



I had the Spicy Seafood Spagetti



The gals had Spagetti with Duck Confetti and Spagetti Bolognese

I would have to say i prefer pasta dishes at Fasta Pasta than here, but there are many things on the menu i would like to come back and try.

After lunch came back to the office, had a meeting and decided to do an early exit, drove to USJ coz dad was not feeling so good. Big mistake!!! Only to be called back. Left USJ at 6.00pm, in the ugliest of traffic, reach office at 7.00pm, emailed whatever, headed back to USJ (meredah traffic jam sekali lagi) to fetch the folks, and half dead by the time we reach Shah Alam.

The Weekend

Saturday was nice and easy. Abang came over with the family for breakfast. Dad loves to have the kids around, puts him in a good mood. I went out for grocery shopping, and they decided to stick around for lunch. Lupa nak ambik gambar...my sister in law Kak Z made her famous fish curry ala Kayu Nasi Kandar, i made mixed vegetables with fresh cameron cauliflowers and sauteed mushrooms and Sally (the maid) took care of the rest...fried fish, fried chicken, sambal belacan, ulam. Simple kampung style feast...tapi makan ramai-ramai memang best.

I wasnt prepared really for Sunday. My second brother invited us over for lunch but dad was not up to the long drive. So we had all of them come over. They brought loads of Nasi Ayam...they must have wiped out the entire gerai. Good that i dont have to cook lunch:-)
After lunch, in the true spirit of Malaysia Boleh we cheered for our shuttlers - Malaysian Open Badminton Finals live!

Then 3 aunties came over to visit...at this point, there are 15 people in my tiny apartment. Then a cousin called to drop by...+ another 3, then Abang decided to drop by...only with Kak Z and Sabrina, so that makes it 21 people sharing the living and dining room space. People everywhere...every chair in the house was occupied, including the dining chairs, the plastic stool and people on the floor. Lucky all guests brought food and snacks (phewww), so Sally just had keep boiling water and make tea.

Orang cakap tetamu datang rumah, dont complain...bawak rezeki. Insyaallah...Amen.

Jinx?

I have come to a conclusion that any of my dealing with banks, financial institutions or related matters is bound to have some problem. I just got off the phone with the insurer. I have refinanced my house last year ( a huge problem that one...i've blogged about it before i think), and i should have gotten the refund for my MRTA. The last time i contacted the insurer, this nice lady told me they are waiting for the cheque to be signed...that was around october/november. Today i decided to follow up, and this officer for the life of her could not understand why my claim has not been paid. She kept saying you should have been paid, but the system showed no record of any payments issued. I was asked to resubmit my claim all over again....(just in case we cannot find your documents, she said.) Arrrgh

Just last week, i received a telegram (yes, a TELEGRAM in this day and age)from the finance company that legal action has been initiated against me for missing 2 car installments. The old car.....I traded in the car when i got the current one in November, which explains why i am no longer paying the loan. So i had to call the dealer and make a hell of a noise...and call the finance company to explain.

And then there's the credit card company chasing me down for a RM90 payment (its the full balance ok, not the minimum)...the thing is i have been to the cash machine of 2 different branches a few times but it didnt work each time. Then, sometime this week, i got another call from the same lady telling you have to bank in cash today or else......So i did, and paid over the counter.

too free?

My current job is mostly project based. With me leaving in about a month's time...35 days to be exact (termasuk hujung minggu dan cuti umum;-)), i'm not taking on anything new. And the project i'm supposed to be finishing has been put on hold at client's request...but hey, whose complaining.

So during the working hours, i'm pretty much on a frolic of my own...reading blogs, surfing the net, gmail talk...lunch being the highlight of the day. Today the whole gang went out for lunch to this place called The Courtyard near our office, nice ambience, ok food - i wanted to take pictures but it was pretty dark inside the place. Our boss got a promotion, so it was free lunch today.

Two days back was more interesting.....my colleague Willy decided he need new shoes, so 4 of us drove to midvalley and pick out new shoes for him. Willy settled for a pair of black no-lace shoes from Primavera....and i played "stylist" cum "paparazi"..Today Willy's complaining the shoe is a bit loose...I told him leather shoes expand and to go for size 7. Tu la, next time listen to your stylist!


That's Willie browsing


Trying out a few pairs

There's a possibility that my pending project will re kick-off, i will know more on Monday. Fingers' crossed it will be in February or something, then i can have the new manager take over;-).

I need to rush to an office networking event in 1.5 hours, beats me why they planned this after work on a Friday. Meanwhile, i have time to plan my 2007 shopping wish list. (Jill, we better win the Dubai project;-))

Can be too careful

I just got back to work yesterday, after another trip with the folks back to hometown. Did i I mention the last trip cost me my windscreen. The lorry (....or was it a bus) in front must have run over a stone and it landed on my windscreen....leaving a small star-like mark....too small for an insurance claim...however huge enough to irritate me...


This trip, another stone flew over from the other side of the highway and dented my front bonnet....this rather deep dent the size of a 20sen coin.... aaarrrghhhh!

I've been really careful with the car to be honest. I suppose its natural when its brand new, you tend to fuss over it more than usual....and this happens.

I wanted to upload pictures but loading was too slow...;-(

Happy 2007....Counting Days

Its now a ritual....sharp at midnight of the new year, i will stand by my bedroom window and watch the fireworks display. The countdown is over for most people but for me i'm still counting days. 44 days to be exact before i leave my current workplace, and embark on a new beginning.

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

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

The Circle of Life

Picture Shhhhh by David April (www.dpcprints.com)

Last night, my prayers were simple....Dear God, please let mum and dad sleep well.

I was watching the Amazing Race..we were all gathered around the TV. Dad, mom, me and my nephew, Jim. And mom and dad fell asleep. I turned down the tv, silent the cell phone and tip- toed around the house.

When my parents reach past 60, they turned into very light sleepers. Lack of sleep just make them tired, moody and irritable...and oh yes, less tolerant of each other....especially Dad.

I'm sure when we were babies, our parents would do anything just to get us to sleep, and tip toe around the house not to wake us up. Life is an interesting cycle, aint it.

Technical problem

On Tuesday, I wrote at length about the past 10 days. From my drive home to mom's surgery to sis's departure for her Haj and all the stresses and strains in between. I'm not sure if its the office server or Blogger was having problem, but the post just vanished.

And i'm too tired to repeat the same story......suffice to say that mom is doing great, sis is doing well in Mecca and i'm having a bad flu!

Its a slow week at the office, there aint many people around. Everyone's just taking it easy having long lunches and making the early exit.

All the antibiotics and pills are making me drowsy and irritable. I'm gonna go for an early lunch now.

Vroom, vroom

I'm taking the day off tomorrow - Balik kampung. The whole family will be back, both my brothers and family will be departing this evening. I've decided to drive back early tomorrow morning. Macam nak raya pulak.

Mum is going for surgery tomorrow. We want to be there for her and dad.

At the same time, i am going to take this opportunity to horse train my car. My brother told me a new car is like a horse - you need to train in to run fast or it will forever be lazy.....He asked me to speed the car after the mileage reached 400km...nothing less than 140km/hr. (is this true?)
I only managed short stretches so far.

So i'm kind of looking forward to the long drive.....

Have a good weekend everyone....

I should be worried..........

There are a few things i should be worried about this week, but i'm not. I guess its a good thing - not worrying. I've been told i worry too much.

There's an almost guilty feeling for not worrying.

Maybe i'm just not worried yet........

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good

Jill & I are already in talks with possible strategic alliances for our "project" next year. In fact, we are doing some paperwork already to propose possible projects. We were only going to start next year, but windows of opportunities are already presenting itself.

The Bad

Jill is busy and all stressed - the hair pulling kind as she puts it. I still have my commitments at work - 72 days to go to be exact. By evening when we want to sit down and think about our "project", we would be dead tired.

The Ugly

Physically, here i am at work, but mentally i'm so not here. Its hard because i am in the middle of a tough project, and everything is sort of thrown in my lap. Jill and I owe our strategic alliance some paper work by tomorrow, and here i am staring at my laptop...i have all the ideas figured out in my head, but having trouble downloading it. I'm waiting for Jill to get off work@7. My working hours is over. Hopefully Jill can do 'brain surgery'. We'll be working as late as Starbucks can have us.....and shift to the Mamak next door if need be.

Movie Marathon

One Saturday - Two movies, both local production by the way. I hardly watch local movies at the cinema unless they're supposedly worth the watch. This time i wanted to watch Cinta because i read great reviews about it, and its apparently the talk of the town. Its been a while since i've seen Rahim Razali in a movie - Abang 92??

The Red Kebaya, i had doubts, but Jill wanted to watch it. It was supposedly different - plot wise, cast and crew, some clever effect. I thot i might as well go along with Jill rather than go home and brood over my problems.

I'm giving thumbs-up for Cinta (bring tissues) and thumbs-down for Red Kebaya (it started off well, and yawn, yawn - when is it going to end???)

Dead Tired

This morning, i woke up on the sofa, dressed in what i wore to work yesterday. I must have been dead tired. Running errands mostly, not so much the work. I was running around settling some car loan matters in the morning, then after work i was shopping for my sis, and some stuff for the car.

I'm going home to rest now.

It's my Birthday

Its my birthday today. A reminder of my age....the part i dont like most. Yet i find many reasons to celebrate as well.........

New friends, a small group of people i have become very fond with at the office over the last few months. Nothing like suffering together for that extra-special bonding! A nice lunch treat today, to be followed by another weekend get-together.

Calls and sms from people you havent heard from for ages - i'm ashamed to admit i dont even remember their birthdays.

I registered my new car today, its kind of cool i thot to coincide it with my birthday. I wanted to get the number 2311 but its taken. Settled for 252. Nice? The only 3 digit reg. no left for sale. Even the good people at JPJ got excited that it's my birthday when they were entering my IC no. ;-).

I am meeting a friend for dinner in a bit.

I have put in my resignation letter 3 days ago, and all set for a new beginning.

We talked...

We talked for what seems like forever....just me and him. It was like we have been friends for ages.

This morning, i got up to answer the phone, it was mum. She wanted to know if i was ok, after the stomach ache last night. I told her i was ok. Then i just sat there wondering why this happy feeling.

Its been a while since i had a good dream.

More Dad Update

Dad went for his check up yesterday, exactly 14 days after the "collaspe" incident. The not so good news is he has a heart condition, the good news is even though there are irregularities, the heart doctor said its not serious, so no need for surgery. He just need to be on daily medication, and we have to rush him to a hospital if he has chest pains. His BP which was too low before has stabilised somewhat.

Not the best of news, yet i am grateful that it is not worst than it already is.

No TV!!!!!

Only a tv junkie like me would have a full appreciation of my predicament. There has been no Astro signal feed to my tv for the past 12 hours...(at least). Maybe more. I returned home at 10.30pm after a horrible day at work, some issues with the family and a supposedly stress-relieving workout at the gym - to a blank screen.

"Services currently not available"

Its a normal problem if it rains (yes, despite the fact its PAY_TV!!). But this one lasted forever. The agony of trying, and retrying and retrying.....Because i live in an apartment building, the feed comes from a central receiver...not that "wok"-like dish. So when there's a problem, you need building management to help. Not good at midnight, not good when the office is closed over the weekend.

I have no idea if the neighbours are facing the same problem, as tempting as it is to knock on their door and ask that late at night. I fell asleep, woke up, still no TV. I cant even get free tv coz the arial point is directly connected to astro, and i dont have an indoor antenna.

I had this problem before, and the building management had me call the Astro Service man...Mr. Ibrahim. I found the number. Just called the guy....he's on his way to Balakong, and will drop by in the afternoon. Apparently i'm not the only one with the problem.

Aaargh, so restless...Save me Mr. Ibrahim, save me...

6 November....Someone's birthday.

In my bigger plan some years back, we should be celebrating this birthday together. Yours today and mine a few weeks from now.

It just aint happening. Happy Birthday.

Decisions...decisions...

Recently, i parted with almost RM400 for a gym membership....it wasnt even planned. You know they have these promos, and the irritating sales people try to convince you take up this great offer only valid for the day...i'm usually the last person to fall into such traps. My friends were amused. I thought it was a good deal. The RM400 is for 2 months membership, i.e. month 1 & month 12 (compulsory tie-up for 12 months). The other 100 admin fee. The outlet i signed up for is opening next year at location B. Until location B opens, dunno when maybe March, April or May.....i workout for free at outlet A. It sounded good at the time.

The morning after......what the hell, i wasnt even planning to join a gym in the first place. But hey, my friend Shal and her sis joined as well, so i can tag along with them ....I'm still upset with myself, but hey...i might as well make full use of it and get fit.

Dad Update- my dad is still weak, tired and coughing. His BP is still on the low side, and the doctor sd it takes a bit of time to go up to normal. He's loss his apetite;-(. Mum said today he's slightly better than yesterday, and I pray that tomorrow he'll feel better than today.

Salam Aidilfitri

I'm back to work after the long raya break last week. Didnt get a chance to post a raya message before i left town, so Selamat Hari Raya & Maaf Zahir Batin to friends and fellow bloggers...u know who you are.

I have loads to tell, but now is not a good time. When i left my hometown for Shah Alam yesterday morning, mum and dad was ok. Dad even look refreshed than the previous few days. He was due for his doctor's appointment today. Just the usual to get his supply of medication.

I got a call from mum about noon. While waiting for Mak Ngah to fetch them from hospital, dad just fainted on the pavement. Lucky my aunt arrived and some good samaritans helped to get dad in the car.

Now dad is at the Medical Center seeing his physician. His blood pressure has dropped too low. At the time of writing, Dad is with the heart doctor for some tests. His heart has always been good so far, so i am worried. I hope he's just tired. I am praying for good news, insyaallah.

The Entrepreneur

This is my niece. She's 8. She has recently turned into a young entrepreneur, and the last i've heard her net profit is closing RM50...that's huge for a kid, right...

Her modus operandi is simple, her little friends can place an order for any song lyrics to her. Then she'll go home and get daddy to surf the net, download, reformat and print out for her. She keeps the original printout for "stock", and photocopy at 10sen per piece and sell it at 20sen.

I met her the other night an she showed me her best sellers. Check out what 8 year olds are listening to:

(Not in any particular order)
1. My Heart- the soundtrack from the lovy-dovy Indon movie Heart
2. Kenangan Terindah - Indon band Samson
3. some love song fr Indon band Peter Pan
4. all songs from Disney's High School Musical
5. some love song fr Indon band Radja

And to supplement her core business, she's also selling tissue packets at 50sen each. Of course she bulk buys...only the ones with cute cartoons on the packet. However, her parents thinks she's ripping her friends off so now tissues are on a discount at 30sen per packet...

I dont think i sold anything at that age....i think the whole thing she's doing is cute & i'm so proud of her;-)

One week to go

Its been one week since i last posted. Its been a hell of a week and i was not in the mood. One of those Murphy's Law week when just when you thought you hit rock bottom, you sink in deeper. Mostly its about work, and people at work. I so wanted to blog the day the apartment security didnt want to let me in because i have not changed the car sticker, and i did a stunt...reversed my car and accelerated through the exit gate....the most exciting event of the week. That's the night the dial up connection at home was on standstill.

I havent been able to get much sleep the past 2 days, with all the anger and frustration in my system. I am on puasa leave (ladies do get days off, ok!) but i only eat once in a span of 24 hours. Now i feel almost zombie like.

But on the upside, i'm looking forward to finish my Hari Raya shopping this weekend. Then there's only i working week before the long week off.

Depressing Haze

The haze is back, again from some forest burning going on at a neighbouring country. How many times have this happened? When is it going to stop? The last haze incident, i think the news reported both country's ministers met and talked. The "neighbour" was supposed to take steps to prevent open burning.

The view from my office window is depressing. Everything looks grey. This picture i took from my bedroom window yesterday evening, while waiting for buka puasa. On a clear day, i can see the Twin Towers all the way from Shah Alam.

My throat didnt feel so good. The air smell smoky. I rushed through the Ramadan Bazaar, choosing food less exposed. Not exposed would be almost impossible.
I called my parents. Both of them are asmathic, ...luckily the air is clear where they are.

The air is supposed to clear in three days, not the open burning, but some monsoon wind is forcasted to blow the smoke away from us...(at least that's what i heard on the news).

Stay indoors people!

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis: a striking change of circumstances.

Today, i'm more determined than ever, to do all that i can, for the "Metamorphosis" to happen sooner than later. There is the final push, and then there's the violent shove.

I have discovered that i can never wait for all lights to turn green, there will never be a perfect time.

So i made the call the Maria....a much welcomed one to my surprise. We are meeting next week.

Say No to Chickens?

There's a buzz around town, in the media that if the consumers gang up together and boycott chicken for a while, the price will go down. Yes, basic economics...supply exceeding demand will force sellers to drop the price.

But i can't not eat chicken. I already did that during the bird flu episode, but that was a life& death thing.

I need my chicken murtabak, chicken percik, and other chicken dishes for buka puasa. I want my chicken rendang with ketupat for pagi raya.

Can you guys go without chicken?

Snacthed!!

I left office early yesterday, and had to to stopover at the Ramadan Bazaar at Stadium Shah Alam. I went for the atmosphere more than the food. There are not many muslims at my office so you dont feel the ramadhan excitement as much. At my previous workplace, i still remember in the afternoons Pdose & I will start a discussion about food for berbuka, which stall has the best murtabak, those were the days....

Anyway, it was fun. I took this snapshot just for Javard, apparently a Ramadan Bazaar fan whose fasting in Australia. J, they still look the same since you left....;-)


on a less pleasant note........

i got a phone call from Mum after 10p.m.. Angah & Along, my retired aunties got robbed at the mosque during tarawih prayers. You know the curtain dividers between men& ladies...they were in the front row, and placed their bags against the curtains. While they pray, some guys/ boys snacthed the bags from under the curtains.

Along only had RM1 and her glasses in her bag, but Angah had her car keys, house keys and purse in hers. The mosque is like 5 minutes drive away, but a good 15 -20 mins by foot, maybe more at "auntie speed". So they walked to a neighbour's house to call my mum for SOS...the only number they can recall probably. Mum called a mechanic to help with the car and called me to ask what to do. I then called my brother, who called my sister in law who called her brother to go and held (you see.....we have a very bad emergency response plan in the family;-) )

Anyways, they were finally rescued by 2 good neighbours, who broke the current lock and replaced pedlocks for them. And the mechanic came to get the spare keys from Angah and drove the car home - how technical was that - i was expecting some hot-wiring action. I was scared that the "snatcher" will drive away the car, and drop by the house as Angah's address is on her IC. But all ended ok.

Of all places to get robbed......in the house of God in this holy month.

Ramadan Kareem!!

i'm back....it was a good trip! Plenty of running aroung doing errands for mum & dad, but i was more than happy to be of service. It was nice to start the Ramadan with the family....only at home will people fuss over me not eating rice for sahur and stuff like that;-)

The train ride aint all that bad people;-) It took me about 1/2 an hr to get used to the choo-choo motion, but otherwise plenty of legroom, it wasnt freezing cold like the night bus, there's a toilet to go to and i managed to sleep. (something mr. manager commented made me bring my light fleece blanket...so i was all snug & warm)

The cabin....









The train arrived later than schedule (By 2 hours!), but i wasnt in a rush, so i decided to enjoy the kampung view...









Selamat Berpuasa to my fellow muslim bloggers!

CONTRIVIUM

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Anne!

1. Anne can run sixty-five kilometres an hour - that's really fast.
2. Two thirds of the world's eggplant is grown in Anne!
3. Cats use their Anne to test whether a space is large enough for them to fit through!
4. Native Americans never actually ate Anne; killing such a timid prey was thought to indicate laziness.
5. Anne can not regurgitate!
6. Devoid of her cells and proteins, Anne has the same chemical makeup as sea water!
7. Anne became extinct in England in 1486.
8. Anne will give a higher yield if milked when listening to music!
9. The pharoahs of ancient Egypt wore garments made with thin threads of beaten Anne!
10. Peanuts and Anne are beans.

I am interested in - do tell me aboutherhimitthem

Go on...try this for fun!

The Choo-choo Train

I'm getting ready for another trip...not for work this time. Going home to see the folks..yes, me Mum & Dad. It will also be the beginning of Ramadhan this weekend, so i suppose it will cheer them up a bit to have an extra "body" around to make fuss over sahur and berbuka.

I was still in two minds whether to take the night bus from Puduraya/ Jalan Duta as i will leave the car at the office parking this time. I'll be flying back from hometown on Monday morning so it would be convenient to get the Skybus from LCCT to KL Sentral, and catch a cab to the office. Usually i'll catch a bus on Sunday nite but i want to buka puasa with my parents, which is worth the extra bucks for the flight i guess.

The idea of sleeping on a bus (again!) is so uninviting. So this time i'm getting a bunk on the train....the "Superior Night" sleeper as they call it. For RM40+ you get a bunk bed with a pillow and blanket. Sounds good ya. They have their version of "business"(sold out!!) and "first class" bunks but maybe next time i'll give that a try. It's been a while since i took the train, and i was pleasantly surprised when i visited the website (not expecting to find much info)...they have online ticketing. They even show you pictures of the various seats and sleepers coaches with the price range for you to choose. You can even choose your exact bunk..which I have - the upper bunk, no. 17, with neighbouring bunks unoccupied (for now). Cool eh! I didn't expect much from KTMB, and i was pleasantly surprised. (http://ktmb.com.my/) Of course the journey takes 3-4 hours longer than an express bus, but i'm in no hurry.

I've got my ticket printed out, courtesy of the efficient ktmb-web & the office color printer;-), and i'm ready for a long weekend back home. Now, i only have to get my leave approved for Friday.

Back from Bangkok

I've been back since Sunday...with sore legs and feet. Ironic isnt it after spending a few days in the land of spas and massage parlours. The conference was "light & easy. I didnt expect halal food to be a problem. I've been to southern parts of Thailand, like Haadyai, Padang Besar where halal thai food is everywhere. In Bangkok, most halal restaurants are arabic...or maybe we were not well informed. We did have some good food at the conference for the welcome dinner and lunches. Good tomyam! Otherwise, its kebabs and briyanis.

The arabic food reminded me of Bahrain

I love Mango & sticky rice...........

A group of us girls, 5 of us went shopping together whenever we have spare time. All the nite bazaars, weekend market, bargain shops...we were there, which explains the aching legs. One of the nites in the town, back from a late supper in an area resembling Chow Kit, the girls decided to stop by for a midnight manicure and pedicure. I took a raincheck and decided to snap a photo for the blog.

The last few days i've spent in a meeting room, and finally today i can catch up on blogging.

Baby Steps

I came across this "quote" at a blog.....

“Do things you are good at and things that will make you happy instead of carrying out tasks and chores that you can tolerate just because you have to pay the bills...” http://suhaimisulaiman.blogspot.com/

This current job, it started out as a major step forward. It was what i wanted....i had career targets, and this opportunity presented itself ahead of its time. When reality checks in, i figured i was in the right job, but surrounded by the wrong environment, support system and above all people. I was determined to put that aside, i'm on to something, focus on the goal...

But i cant fight the realities, i am tolerating....and i dont know if i can or want to tolerate this anymore. Off peak periods was fun initially, but perpetual "off-peaks"...its killing me. And i hate the politics...it just aint my game. Some environment/ people bring out the best in me...and this is not one of them.

Now i have 2 choices.....jump ship or jump into the sea.

Sometimes, it takes some desperation to push you to take some steps. Today and yesterday i took some baby steps, i dont know where it will lead me, but it feels good to do something.

=====================================================

That aside, i'm off the Bangkok tomorrow for work, and hopefully find time for pleasure;-). Be back next week!

Delayed Merdeka Entry

49 years ago.............the nation celebrated its independence. Whatever my complaints, i am proud to be a Malaysian. Saya Anak Malaysia!.

49 years ago.............My Dad & Mom got married....yup, on 31.8.1957.
Happy Anniversary Mum & Dad. Semoga panjang umur, murah rezeki dan sihat selalu.

(i'll try to remember to scan their wedding photo and post it next wk)

The One

Picture from utusan.com.my


If you catched the live telecast of the Wedding of the Year on Monday night, you would probably heard this song sang by Siti to her hubby Datuk K. Its called Cahaya Cinta....song & lyrics by Siti Nurhaliza.

...Dia telah menentukannya
kita bertemu dan bercinta
inilah oh takdirnya
bukan kerana harta
inilah citra cahaya cinta

pintu hatiku telah kau buka
tak mampu ku menafikannya
kejujuran diberi
kasih takkan terhenti
ini bahagia yang ku cari...
(extract from http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/content.asp?y=2006&dt=0830&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Hiburan&pg=hi_02.htm)

Suddenly i remembered some years back a good friend decided she was getting married, and i asked her how do you know that he's is THE ONE. She said when he is the one, you'll know.

Hmmmm, i'm still waiting....

The Reunion

I went for the Reunion.....last minute change of venue-thank god!. Upon my tip-off, they decided to send Hafiz to One Bangsar to sell all 15 coupons, which he did in record time. So we met up for a late lunch at Marche Movenpick@ The Curve....i like!!



I was the first to arrive, followed by the ex-Boss (who deserve a special mention coz he paid for everything...thanks Roy!). Apart from Mag & Lini who have not changed (physically), i almost did not recognise Sue & Nora when they walked in.....Sue just delivered her 2nd baby and Nora is married now, so i guess its expected. I cant help noticing that they have aged somewhat...and i start to think that i must have as well. I see Jill, Shal quite often, but to those people we havent seen in years, ....Anyways, i am happy to hear them commenting i still look "small" since we last bid farewell. That's not what the bathroom scale is telling me, but i wouldnt argue:-P

The food was great, the environment was nice to nibble and chat, and the company.....i didnt feel out of place eventhough there were a few people i've never met. One of the new girls, Mas, when introduced said i hear your name mentioned almost everyday. Good legacy i hope.....(not the mess i left behind!). I can still feel the sense of belonging despite 2 years has passed, and that's a nice feeling.

The getting ready part started early morning with a trip to the salon. My hair is due for trimming anyways. I didnt like the way they styled it tho, so i did it again at home...the hair straightening gel helped heaps!. Then i had to decide what to wear. Check out the selection process...



All in all, i had a good time..

Anne's Rojak Post

anne loves cats!

Anne Ain't Simple
I was having lunch with an office friend at the IKEA restaurant today. She had Bread n Chicken Curry (yup, they do serve that in this Sweedish establishment), and i had Poached Salmon in Cream Sauce. She asked if she can have a bite, after which she said you are such a simple person!. Because i ate poached salmon???

MOTS: Dont judge a person by what she ordered from the menu!
(MOTS=morale of the story)

Anne is not fond of Reunions
I got a call from my ex-colleagues. They are having some get together to bid farewell to some people who are resigning, transfering. They are also inviting a few ex-staff (me included). I should be flattered that i am fondly remembered to merit this invite. But these are people i have not seen since 2004. Reunions makes me anxious .What do i wear......of course they will check you out! People form impressions. What do i say.......its been a while, only 1 or 2 of them i've kept in touch with. Yes, i get very self conscious with unfamiliar crowd.

TFS= It would be fun to check them out as well!
(TFS=the flip side)

Anne Hates Crowded Places
And i have problem with the venue. One Bangsar - The One Feast"all you can eat promo". If you havent heard about it, One Bangsar houses many restaurants (7 or 8 i think - Italian, Mediterranean, Thai, Indian, Japanese & many more) I was there with Jill last weekend, supposedly for Shal's birthday lunch....only that Shal didnt turn up. It was so packed and crowded! You have to queue for food (for ages!!!!) and there's hardly places to sit. Me and Jill managed to squeeze through sitting on bar stools, garden pavements and some odd chairs.

But for a crowd of 15 who want to catch up on old times....a No-No.
I tried to warn the organiser, but too late - they have purchased the coupons.

LL= based on last week's experience, stick to one good restaurant and stay there. My personal favourite, the Italian. Despite the crowd, it was well managed and the food was good.
(LL=Lesson's learnt)

Anne is Alone
So what else is new?

I have many friends, but those i hang out with i can count with one hand. Jill is off to Kelantan for a weekend with the folks. Shal is off to Mersing for a kenduri. My big brother & family is driving back to Alor Setar today for the school holidays.

Maybe i should go for the reunion, for old times sake....Besides i have nothing better to do, and it will make a good blog post. And Jill thinks it would be good for our "future biz". Should i drop by One Utama to get a new top or something:-)

Its all GOOD!

I survived the hospital appointment. The procedure was slightly painful. But it's all good! Alhamdullilah.

48 hours.

I'm at the office staring at some report....i'd rather be home watching live telecast of Siti & DK's akad. That would make a good distraction.

After much prodding from mum and kakak, i made the dreaded appointment. The last appointment i missed for a good reason. I was in Bahrain. That was 7 months ago. I hate going to hospitals. The idea of it make me miserable already.

Suddenly i dont feel so good anymore. I'm gonna be out of sorts till Wednesday morning. This will be my third visit. So far its been all good, but until the good doctor says so, i'm all nerves.

48 hours to go.

Demam lagi!

I am sipping hot water from my thermal mug, waiting for the day to be over...that is 2 hrs from now.

Had a very late night last nite, working on the power point slides till 2a.m. It was only a half day training session to about 10 people, but its just me.... When i have to take the floor, i have to prepare well. When to get in a narrative, when to sneak in a joke.......hehe, so orchestrated.

Today's purpose was to intimidate. Some "clever person" told one of the team members that the next project is a no-brainer. Which is so NOT TRUE.

Anyways, i hope i'll feel better soon. Me and Jill have big plans for the weekend.

Anne is under the weather...

Come to think of it, how did that expression come about? Anyone....?

After two 7-hour bus rides, i'm not feeling too good today. I am feverish and weak. I turned up at an all-important client meeting this morning looking like hell.

But it was all worth it. Mum and Dad did not say how elated they are to have me and Chik back home running errands and fussing over them, but they dont have to....i know they were happy. And it made it all worth the journey, and the after effect....

Me and 2 bros have agreed to take turns going home to be with mum and dad, so there'll be more of such weekend trips.....insyallah!

There are Ants inside Anne

There are ants inside me……..yup, 20-30 easily. Those black sugar-loving ones.

The other night I made myself a mug of hot milo, and I dozed off before drinking it. Before I went to bed, I put the mug in the fridge.

Last nite, I couldn’t sleep…..i went to the fridge (note: kitchen light was off), saw the milo…yummm..cold milo. I took a gulp, you know..just to check that it hasn’t gone bad or anything..Still good. So i grabbed a bag of chips and parked my self in front of the TV. Then i saw, in the mug, filled with ants, many-many surfaced when i stirred the drink...

Yikes, i drank water the whole night.......why i dont know, drown the ants? I had to pee often but no ants......My throat and ears are itchy since...Could it be that the ants were frozen in the fridge but never died....and now they are awaken by the warmth of my blood. They are probably strategising their way out..like an Ants' version of LOST.

OMG, now how to i get those ants out of my body. Maybe they will come out if if ...you know...the biggie....(Note to self: Eat extra fibre today).

My mom told me to throw out any drinks with ants in it....it'll make you forgetful it seems. But that's 1 or 2 miserable ants.........

Now, what was i blogging about......??###.......

Shopping, AF Final and Sally......

Anne goes shopping!!

Saturday morning I was supposed to have a breakfast meeting with Dory, just to catch up after my long 3 weeks’ commitment to exams….and also talk business. But Dory had to cancel…she has more important stuff to do before flying off overseas.

So, I decided to go shopping…yelah tengah Mega Sale kan. Can’t even recall when was the last time I join the Mega sale crowd. I hate going to crowded shopping complexes……but what to do, I work weekdays (unlike some lucky people…..;-) )

I got a list done up and all……this is serious! Usually, if I go out with friends, it’s just for window shopping, or if I stumble upon something I like, I’ll get it. But today, I was on mission – so this I do best alone. After a Mekdi breakfast, I hit the stores.

I got myself a pair of shoes for work, underwear for me and mum, a shirt for dad, moisturizer for me…Tak banyak pun, but the browsing, selection, trying, deciding process….after 4.5 hours I couldn’t take it anymore. My feet was hurting, my pinggang was aching bigtime. I was telling myself I used to be able to do this for 8 hours…yelah, tu zaman muda-muda …ahaks. Banyak lagi item belum dapat; but I went home and lie down.

The AF Final Concert

If you have been watching, this is probably the worst out of the 4 seasons Akademi Fantasia has been on air. Being the loyal fan that I am, of course la tengok jugak kan. I called my mom a few minutes before the concert just to remind her to tune in.

Big mistake, huge,……some commotion was going on at home. Sally was on some kind of strike. (Yup, Sally the indon maid). She insists that she wants to stop work and leave. The reason being in Indonesia she only sweep and mop floors twice a week, and she cant stand the fact that mum wants her to do it everyday. (I’ve seen her clean, ok….my nephew can do a better job). It was ridiculous trying to make sense and rationalize with someone with an IQ of 3! I was shouting at her and slammed down the phone. And the concert has started…..

Just when I thot things have calmed down, and my life is back to normal.

The Lesser Evil........

I was asked to choose the lesser of two evils..........so i did! Ooops, wrong pick. I am in for a miserable time. I should seriously consider Plan B & C!

In case you are wondering.......

i've been away for study leave, and i am in the middle of my exams. (ade ke orang wonder mana i pegi...hehehe, probably not). Next week ada lagi 2 paper, then i'm free. Yahoo!

My name is Anne; and I am a Procrastinator....

Help....help......Its like some kind of disease.

Is there some support groupie?

I so need to get out of this. I know i wasnt born with it.

If you have any good ideas/ cure, leave a comment.

An "Eventful" Weekend...literally.....

I guess it's last weekend was an eventful weekend for most people.....

Mine kicked off Friday evening with a karoeke sesssion with frens from work. It was a blast. I cant believed i sang a duet with Yus...lagu ape tau..seiring dan sejalan...la la la la la la la laaaaaaaa...hehehe. Then, i went home to the German-Argentina match...

Saturday, i had breakfast alone at the usual mamak, and hang out at Starbucks catching up on blogs and trying to get in a few hours of study. (Exam is in 2 weeks, shooootttt!!) Jill joined me and we had a good laugh about Shal's photoshoot (should i say photoshop? :-)); Mawi's break up; and other gosss...

Saturday night i watched to most unentertaining AF concert ever (except for the host...hehe!!, everything else sucked). That was followed by an emotional ride watching the England-Portugal match....ooohh, i so couldnt watch the penalty shoot out; and the result :-(- lets not even go there. Results apart it was fun tho, sharing the suspense with Jill, Vince and Vince's German supporting other half.....Vince has not turned up for work since (such devastation)

Sunday was an emo day. I stayed at home just feeling sorry for myself mostly...i hate it when that happens. (it had nothing to do with football)

Monday - well, i had an extended weekend. The stomach cramps and headaches from Sunday spilled over to Monday and i called in sick.

At least it wasnt just another boring weekend ..

The Evolution of Chin

Chin is my next door neighbour. We moved to the place over 4 years ago...we mere among the first to move in as soon as CF was given. We exchanged polite coversations initially. Both happy to have another single girl next door rather than a family full of noisy children, or a group of bujang guys, or some freak. One day, i came home to find Chin sitting helplessly at her front door; vomitting. She has called for an ambulance to come and get her. Being the emphatic neighbour, i went down the corridor to check on the ambulance, and ushered them to Chin's door. I followed them down the lift as they trolleyed her to the ambulance. I asked i she wants me to come with her. She said she will call her relative, and she'll be ok.

After that incident, we exchanged numbers and promised we can call each other if there's any emergency. We talked occasionally, mostly about "house matters" like did you get this letter, have you paid for this, have you signed that....One day, Chin rang my door bell, asking if i want to join her for golfing lessons at the nearby club. It would be fun and cheaper if we do it together she says. I said ok. Soon after, Chin rang my door bell again. She cant do golf yet, he father had passed away and she just dont feel like it yet.

We exchaged CNY & Raya cookies......sometimes we hardly bump into each other for a week or two. A year or two passed. (or was it 3...) started to notice the presence of a guy at Chin's place. There's always there muddy boots outside the door. One day, Chin introduced me to Mr. Boots as her friend. The friend never left. Mr. Boots moved in with Chin.

Months passed, i see Mr. Boots more than I see Chin. He's always shirtless, sitting in Buddha like position facing the front door, reading newspapers when i come home from work. Then Chin got a new car. Then, is that a tummy....Chin is so thin and frail looking, so its easy to notice. Now what has Mr Boots done to my good neighbour.

Aha.....definitely not weight gain! Chin has married Mr Boots, and he got her pregnant. (I was not invited to the wedding, of course). Now, Chin has a baby girl...i think she's almost six months.....

It has been close to 5 years....and Chin has evolved naturally from single, to girlfriend, to wife, to motherhood.

Imagine if Chin is blogging about me....My stagnant neigbour Anne......

Small talk at the lift lobby

Nicky:Hi Anne!

Me: Hi Nicky!

Nicky: How are you?

Me: Ok, still a bit tired tho from the trip....

Nicky: Ya, i know.....still have not recovered...bla..bla...blaa....felt sick during the journey down...bla bla bla

Me: bla...bla...(agreed profusely) (boy the lifts are slow)

Nicky: Can i ask you a personal question? (ding dong lift arrived, we got in)..how old are you?

Me: (i didnt even say yes you can)...i'm XX!

Nicky: OK, we were having a conversation the other days about people who look younger than their age, and your name came up...but they said you are (XX+3)...i didnt believe them...

Me: that old?

Nicky: i am (XX-2), but sometimes people say i am younger..well not if i look like today....

Me: smiled politely.....

Lift door opened. Byes and See yous......

Now who was the culprit telling stories that i'm XX+3.......:-O

Binge!!!!!!!!!

I'm on a food binge. Not good at all. I just crave for stuff that i dont normally take. The other night i gobbled a pack of doritos. Last night i had noodles for dinner, followed by hot milo and biscuits and kacang ngan yin while watching TV. Today i had teppanyaki for lunch, and just a few minutes ago i was already munching on biscuits and hot coffee. I am not my normal self. I blame it on hormones..........!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, what's for dinner?

It felt like ages....

It's been ages since the last post...i've been away for a training course up in Cameron Highlands. I've been back since Saturday, dead tired. It was a looooong programme, a bit hectic, we didnt get to go out of the hotel since the day we arrived until check out time. The journey up was tough on the bus, but the winding journey down was worse for my stomach. It was one of the worst motion sickness i ever experienced. The consolation is there's fresh roses in my apartment, and i've been indulging in strawberries for dessert. Strawberries dipped in melted chocolate, strawberries with vanilla ice cream.........hmmmm...heavenly.

I got my best buddies some strawberries too, Shal & Jill. Jill promised to bake a strawberry getaue (mcm wrong spelling je, but you know what i mean, the cake with cream)...i'm still waiting.

There's fresh vegetables in the fridge - i havent been in much of a cooking mood since i came back. There's asparagus, baby kailan, some kind of sprouts, capsicum, brocolli......may be i should cook tonite.

Here's some pics i took from my training room and hotel room window.

I'm back

I've been back since Wednesday. Took the midnite bus. Sejuk giler so could harly sleep. Got down at the bus station at 6a.m., balik rumah, siap-siap, go to work. Things have been crazy at work as well...

Mom's ops went ok. She was discharged the same day. Mom wanted to be on full bius (betul ke spelling ni), in medical terms general anesthetic i think. anyway, that stuff made her really drowsy, tired and her body ached all over. Well, at least she didnt feel anything during the ops. When she had the same operations on her other eye last year, masa tu kat GH. Bius kat mata je, and tengah operate, bius habis, and she was in excruciating pain, and the doctor just carried on. After that we went to complain, of course too late and nobody bothered much. This time mom had hers at a private hospital.

Since before the ops until today there's been a constant flow of people around the house to fuss over mom. But today kak long dah balik coz abg long got stung by a bee, my sis will start work tomorrow...so it will just be mum, dad and sally.

I hope my plans with dory, nekbat and jill will materialise quickly. Then i can have more time for mum and dad. Hopefully, more $$ as well:-)

Aaargh, hardly more than a month before the dreaded exam. I promised myself this would be a study weekend. bummer....

I'm Going Home

Frantic day at the office, rushing for deadlines, meetings, clearing this and that, replying mails, running here and there, set the Out of Office Reply and shut down!. I'm going on leave Monday and Tuesday, and as much as i dont care what the bosses think of me, i dont want other people to get in trouble while i'm away....

Anyways, i thot i got everything covered...i was already driving towards the hiway, then OMG...i didnt give THE FILE to Faez!!!! "Shooot!. Everyone has left. I said hi to Harry before i left....i called Harry. thank god, Harry is always the first to leave, of all days today Harry was working late (Phew!!!) Saved me a trip back.

I'm all packed now, for another express bus trip home.Mum's going for an eye operation on Monday. I pray all will go well. Auvoir!!

Daisies

To borrow wise words of a friend;

My heart is filled with daisies..since yesterday evening.

Hari ni dah start layu2 sikit...that's the problem with fresh flowers.

The Escape

my stress level has reduced somewhat, that big fuzzy ball in my brain. now compartmentalised nicely, in small "bite-size" pieces.

i escaped the dreaded company trip. i'll be sitting for an exam around that time, coinciding with the trip. What a wonderful excuse, who can argue with that? Now did i sign up for the exam to escape the company trip, well, i almost...but no, i'm sitting for the exam for a better reason. My mom talked me into it.

....what i'll be missing- dressing up in some tribal costume, the uncomfortable feeling of being surrounded by very, very drunk people, the inter-dept talent show - "theme from a movie"...somebody else will have to be Rose and jump off Titanic, some stupid telematch games. Sorry gang, y'all will have to survive without me...

Brain wash

Its like one big ball in my head, there's so much to do, to think about, to sort out to decide.......everything's fuzzy. There's no room to delegate..even at work! I need to take a step back, prioritise, sort things out. I need to cut this fuzzy ball into small pieces-> work, family, personal stuff...

That will be my weekend. I hope i'll embrace next week with a clear head.

Glad the week's over, the week that had:

1. Chris and Elliot out of American Idol (i know chris was last week, but he's my fav)

2. the Hippies win the Amazing race (yeah!!!! i love them)

3. RM500 dissapeared from my account - ATM machine error

4. my water heater went kapputttt

5. me signing up for "THE EXAM" again

5. ..........that's enough

have a good weekend my blog buds.

Signs

Its not a good sign when you wake up in the morning wishing you have fever, or a cold or a headache...or hoping last nite's mamak dinner was mildly contaminated just enough for a tummy ache.

Of course i feel fine. Of course I made it to the office despite the pouring rain, my skirt is damp and my legs are cold. Another day at the office.

Crazy Week

Its been a crazy week since Monday, a bad week at the office battling with report writing and reviews by the bosses. Why do they take ages to take a look at something, and come back with the most bizarre and unimportant of comments...like..i want this para to be left aligned, and that to be justified, and a space after bullet, and some not so clever things i dont even want to repeat here. I have a client half way round the world eagerly waiting for the report...whose the least of concern is if the report is left aligned or justified. Talk about priorities...Anyway, i...the small fish, have to practically go beg to the big fishes to release a draft to the needy client because they need to read it in time for decision making. But , no, no...another 24 hours because formatting is really important you know. AArghhh...i could go on forever, but i wont.

Tuesday evening my Dad was in a car accident. He and the other party was not hurt (syukur alhamdullilah). But there's the whole hassle of the police report, insurance, car repairs, summonses and stuff, and i feel so bad that i couldnt be there for mum and dad. sis was there, but she's not at her best in crisis. I'm sorry mum and dad that i live so far away.

Live from Starbucks!!

Its 11.00 a.m. and i'm back at my fav Starbucks joint. My car is parked right up front...which is a privelege, even on an offday like this in this part of town. Its just me today...dory, my partner-in-crime is entertaining her Mum and family. I had my brunch at the Mamak next door...some white rice, chicken curry, egg and veg. Didnt enjoy it, maybe curry's no good today, or its just eating alone. Anyways, alhamdullilah i'm full and ready for work.

My favourite purple velvet armchair is occupied by Mr. Spiky-hair. He looks like he'll be here a while. I've chosen a strategic position right at this corner. I can see the outside view, the counter and most importantly...Mr. Spiky. I hate it that he has this comfy, contented look on his face while i'm sitting on this hard wooden chair, and i need 2 extra chairs to put my stuff on. You see, the velvet armchairs are positioned facing each other...and in the middle is this long oval table where me and dory will share to put our laptops, books, papers, drinks....I'm determined to take over..as soon as Mr Spiky leaves.

I wish Dory was here...then i dont have to worry about my laptop if i need my pee-pee break. Another reason I love this joint. It has a clean "ladies" inside the joint.

I better get to work, report is due Monday.
*******************************************
11.50a.m.

I could no longer tolerate the wooden chair. My backside feels numb. So i walked up to Mr.Spiky and grabbed him by the collar.....no,no.. it wasnt anything that dramatic. He just packed his laptop and left.

I am back on the velvet chair...contented I am.



...that's my fav velvet chair

after my numerous visits, i think i have figured out coffeenomics. To get more mileage on your coffee, and avoid that almost guilty feeling of sucking in the ambience without refilling your coffee...order a Venti size (extra large for the uninitiated). Today, i'm having Coffe Frap with Cream venti size.....

*******************************************
1.24p.m.

My coffenomics gaining credibility....it's mid-day and i'm just halfway thru the coffee. Its still nice and cold. Hot coffee I have to finish while its hot, i hate it when it gets cold. Unless its meant to be cold coffee...

Dory, you should try my coffeenomics, then you wont be spending 30-40 bucks every trip with 3 tall drinks.

Ahhh,bonus....the nice miss barista just dropped by with a Banana Cream Frapp sampler...
*********************************************

2.35 p.m.

A policeman just put a parking ticket on my car. What can i do but watch helplessly. I would run out and beg, but by the time i notice, the ticket was already on my windscreen, he's on to the next car.

What are the odds...my coffeenomics has gone into deficit, i guess. Just one of those days.
**********************************************

5.00 p.m.

sightings: The good son and his mom. He just made his mum coffee and some sandwiches, how sweet.

6.27 p.m.

i'm tired. Only halfway through editing the report. I might be back tomorrow.

This is Anne reporting for anne's prelude...ahaks.

End of live telecast.

The Art of Forgiving

Some wise person once said..."those who angers you, conqours you"

I am angry!

Should I forgive people to be at peace with myself, OR should i forgive because the other party deserve forgiveness?

I dont like the angry feeling, both physically and mentally, its not a good feeling.

Blogger's Block

Is blogging an obligation...but to who? To yourself, to those people who might drop by your blog only to be dissapointed that there is no post...i dont know. I guess its a little bit of both.

i've been procrastinating my blog updates since the long weekend. I could have updated it over the 2 days dory and i spent at starbucks, but then dory pointed out that it would be almost pointless because hardly anyone log on during weekends......

Sometimes i blog in my head but the thought never got to the keyboard, like the past few days...i wanted to do a posting on Dad's Birthday, on me and Dory's secret little project, on Sally stressing out mum...

...but not now because I am so tired!! I'm even too tired to say why