Have a FANTABULOUS New Year all!

Just a short little post going out to everybody, wishing all a great Happy New Year! Hope that you all will have a fantabulous time tonight. As for me, I have some plans with Zona and friends in KL. Anyway, see you all next year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Return of the King is awesome but NOT long enough

Gee it is so hard to satisfy us. My family and I went to see the third and last installment of the LOTR trilogy, The Return of the King. It was GREAT, but it could have been greater. I think somebody was too liberal with the scissors. It was not long enough... it was the shortest three hours of my life. *sigh*

There should have been more Arwen scenes - the part where she was reading a spell from the book to become mortal or some sort - at least give more indication the enormity of her actions instead of just a 5 minute scene with Lord Elron. They could have made the Theodon/Eowyn scenes shorter. Gave me the impression that those two superseded Arogorn/Arwen. I can't wait for the extended version to come out. I'm sure that will explain away some of the questions that emerged.

I love the part when Legolas brought down the Oliphant. Haha. That last shot was such a hero shot. The Tadah of it all, with him looking yonder and unscathed. You could almost here the drumroll when he gave that almost imperceptible lift of his jaw. *grin*. Definately a Hero shot. Then after that, Gimli's reaction: "But that only counts as one!" was a translation of the modern "You big show off!" *GRIN* That was so cute.

Orlando Bloom is too pretty for his own good in LOTR. All that Elven beauty and grace... sigh.

Oh and the CGI... ooh lala! The scenes with Minas Tirith was awesome!!! Then with Gandalf galloping madly winding up to the top - WOW! Whoever these animators were, they are darn good! Seriously, these people are truly Gifted. In the LOTR world, they would have been mages with amazing powers. Can you imagine if such a city truly existed? It boggles the mind is what it does! The Battle scene was awesome too. It is like throwing olive oil into the bonfire. Great kinetics and not to mention the myriads of models moving onto the stage, holy cow. Imagine how powerful a computer(s) and the time you would need to render all THAT. *Swoon*

Also, I think Gandalf should have used more magic. Being such a great wizard (and great fighter - I didn't know Ian McKellan can move like that), there should have been more fireballs and lightning and spells of every hue and power lighting up our screen. As such, we have to be content with the Lighthouse Effect from his wizened staff. Sheesh.

As dry and meandering Tolkien might be, he was very ahead of his time and that is the mark of a true genius and dreamer. As such, the movie, great as it is, it does not adequately showcase Tolkien's genius. But then, at least someone made a great movie from his stories and we got to see them. I think that counts as us being lucky in a certain sense and unlucky is another as after seeing the LOTR Trilogy, we thirst for more, more, more, more,more, more,more, more,more, more, MORE! *Orc-like mad laughter*

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Hope that all of you had a great christmas and hope that you all are still having a GREAT X'mas day! Hee hee... See ya!

Becoming a Gorgon

Standing on the beach I am all alone
My toes sink into softest sand wind blown
Looking out yonder I should have known
In this world I am always on my own

Despite that thought and monotone
There is doubt that I am all alone
A seed of awareness, a seed sown
Growing in the dark, in the unknown

I wait patiently but to be shown
The vast emptiness before me intoned
"You are here because you were thrown,
You are here because your heart's turning to stone."

On this land I am bound to be prone
Feeling like I am in a different zone
Looking out yonder I should have known
In this world I am always on my own

I exercised... my purse that is.

Och, my purse is aching bad... I've just spent a lot on clothes today. @_# The purpose of my going shopping was because I needed work clothes. *Yes, that's right, Sharon, give yourself a reason to shop till you drop...* I had practically nothing to wear in terms of office clothes. Serious! Casual I have plenty but those restrictive kinds so that you look like you have something permanently shoved up your ass... that I lack. So I went shopping. =P Hmm... that was a weird analogy but quite suited to some office people. *smirk*

It was weird. Usually there is nothing nice for me to buy but this time round, everything I tried was fantabulous! In the end I ended up with two pants and a blouse for Dorothy Perkins and three gorgeous tops from REAL (Sister company of Ms Read, except real is for the younger generation.) Then they had a sale on underwears - RM39 for three! Of course I bought 2 sets and even dragged Lee Ling there again for her to buy a set too. My dp account is set to reach its 800 mark very, very soon. I was already restrained, I could have bought more but I told myself no. I'm so proud of myself... *roll eyes* Also there were shoes that I almost bought but said no too coz there were "impractical". I know if I keep telling myself "No, that is not practical", I know that I can leash my shopping habit. But then, I haven't shop for a long time - no money what. Maybe today everything burst free... haha. At least I have nice office wear now. Well, nice as in me not looking frumpy and like a -sack-wearer. =) Later.

What do you do when:

1. People you love, shuns you
2. People you think you like, lays a guilt trip on you
3. People you like, aren't what they seem
4. People you don't really like, wants favors from you
5. People you thought you like but now you don't, calls you
6. People you yourself shun, forgives you
7. People you like, likes you back


"Behold the turtle. [She] only makes progress when [she] sticks [her] neck out."
~ James Bryant Conant, former president of Harvard ~

Should I or shouldn't I?

He asked me out again. I have not decided if I want to go out with him. Sure, I enjoy being with him, but only during the night. It is weird. I know I should be getting to know him in day light, but then he's not so 'attractive' during the day.

I can't decide. Plus I've just started working again and I feel overwhelmed as it is. I don't need another thing to worry and loose sleep about.

*sigh* Maybe he can just be my 'After Dark partner'...

Bordhran heaven

Went to see Riverdance and I came out inuandated with deja-vus. I've seen Lord of the Dance two years ago, and Riverdance is similar. Hmm... Nontheless, it was good. I enjoyed myself - I was especially impressed with the guy playing the bordhran - the irish drum. Thump, thump, tippity thump... thump, thump, tippity thump... I don't know what it is about me and drums, they just get my blood pumping everytime. I think it is the rhythmic beats that is so elemental. It makes me kinda go all gypsyish. Imagine a huge bond fire at the beach and drums.... then comes in one of the gorgeous Riverdance male dancers.... oh yeah baby. *grin* One of my best experience with drums is one time at band camp... hee hee.... kidding... ^__^. Anyway, the best is the huge chinese drums... THAT one makes me into a fire dancer... in my mind only lah. But the vibrations in the air was amazing. The resonance of the last beat was like an echo of my heart.

I would blog more about this, but I find that I don't feel the urge anymore. I'd rather be out there dancing to the rhythm. Hmm.. nites then.

A new coffee place (at least to me)!

Went to Long Black last night with Estella. I never knew this place was here, let alone existed. It is a new franchise I think. Not a bad place, nice ambiance but very slow service - our cakes and drinks was only served at our table after 10 whole minutes after paying. Sheesh.But we love the chair - it has sides! Gives us a false sense of security! :P Great for hiding those shameful bulges. Yes, THAT too! Haha.

Anyway, it was nice catching up with Estella again. I miss this. We've laughed and cried together, got blindingly drunk on Anzac day together, wheeled each other in shopping carts around Kurrajong Village, shopped like mad together, ate tubs of Connoisseur ice-cream during movie marathons and the Football Finals, did the road trip thing down south and so much more. We've establish a camaraderie that I hope will last a life time. Bah. I'm getting all soapy here, so Estella, if you are reading this, here's a ((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))) for being such a great friend to me

Now, I'm gonna call her and see if she's up to going to Bangsar with me tonight - Siva called me to go out for a drink at the Salsabar@Gspot. Where the heck is that? Anyway, later.

*ring ring*
"Whei...?"

Not new bosses, merely new occupants

Chee, some of my new bosses aren't new but merely new occupants moving up from downstairs. The place is too small for so many people. Even all my bosses except Helen got bumped out of their offices to make room for these bigshots. Tsk, tsk... what an unfair world. *grin* Not that I'm happy about it, coz those bosses are now sitting beside me, and in front of me and basically all around me. Arrgh! *Flash back, flash back*

Someone smsed me how I'm settling into my new job. Well, I'll have to say that it's okay. There's lots of pressure from all sides this being a production house and all, but I feel okay about handling those pressure. All I ask of myself is not to make too many mistakes. Nobody wants to be a failure in any form, of course.

I'm also getting used to the pace. I used to sleep like 10pm almost every night. Last night slept at 12am. What an accomplishment... *roll eyes* Haha.

There's something wrong with Blogspot. I haven't been able to see your comments if there were any. Plus my office computer is using Win XP and it sucks. It wants to debug every webpage I open. Idiot programme. I sooo much prefer my Win 98. At least win 98's own bugs have been debugged long time ago, unlike this newer and posher version.

More bosses coming in

Aiyoh. There will be three more bigshots coming in this week. Dunno what to think anymore. I have no idea how "things" are going to be defined after this. Wll, no matter, nothing to do with me. I'll just have to make sure that I report only to my 4 original bosses.

My second week is slower though, and it makes me wonder what the heck that this company is trying to do - they are expanding but only in the manager's and director's dept. How about the peons? Don't they need more peons to help them carry their files and type out the reports???

One of my colleague will be leaving at the end of the month. So that is one less peon. Looks like my back is due to break anytime soon by January coz there'll only be two of us left in the Executive position. Die, die, die!

Also there is some confusion as to which department I really am. I'll need to look at my contract to establish this - contract's back home, I'm in the office now - I can't remember what it was though. I'll need to clarify that coz I'll need that information for my name card. It wouldn't be a'tall the thing to misrepresent one's self or one's company. But then all of those company are little pieces of a mother company, sort of like the religious trinity concept - three sides, but one coin. Haha!

I have four bosses

Why? Coz I'm under Programming, Public Relations, and Marketing. So that means I have to report to Ben, Rajeesh, Elaine and Helen (Director of the dept). Aiks! I feel so overwhelmed. I thought I was free from marketing but apparently, I'm not. They have decided to use me like an ox to do everything. Helen of course put in like this, "Sharon, you are the 'center', you will help all tie together the departments. You'll be a very important part of our team." Inside I was thinking:"But you don't pay me enough to do the work of three people." However, I'm willing to learn so *shrug*.

*sigh* I don't know what the heck is going on actually. They seem to be shuffling me from this to that. I guess I'm basically in charge of "writing". Makes me wonder if "writing" means writing E VERYTHING that has alphabets in it.

Jeese, my marketing boss just walked passed me. That is what I hate about my desk. Every one who walks pass can see what I'm doing.

Early start

Got in at 8.10am this morning, and the clock in machine has ceased to work. I guess even office equipments go on leave or quit too. *haha* When I got here only the cleaning crew and the receptionist Erica was here as well as a production crew - there were getting ready to leave for a shoot. Anyway, I learned that we can actually write down our clock in time with the pen (if the machine is down). 10 minutes later, I went back down to pen it in and some other office member were in. They too pen their time in - I was the only clueless. At least I learned something new today. ^__^

Also I've back-read my blogs and I found a lot of typos. Sorry. I'm too lazy to go back and correct them so fill in the blanks where needed, okay? My thoughts are equally jumbled so it stands to say that my writing would be too... =P

Service centre by invitation only

We've been trying to get our tv fixed for the last one month. It's busted majorly. The only thing we can see is this thin line/image that is 2cm tall and the length runs the of the screen. Audio is working just fine - at least I still get to enjoy MTV and Chanel V - it's just the projection thingie. @_o

So Lee Hoon got the JVC number (she had to ask sooo many people who ask many other people as well) and someone finally picked up the phone yesterday. They suspect that it might be a shortcircuited chip, and wants us to bring in the TV to let them check, in Shah Alam! So darn far! Can't buy a new one until we've confirmed that this one is a lost case. *eeessh*

At the end of the phone conversation, the man asked my sis, "So how did you get our number?"

#_o

Drowned rat struggling to clock time

It has been pouring miserably since early morning and it has yet to show some signs of stopping. Oh, I also just got drenched by a van. I swear I tried to avoid all the rain-filled potholes but one caught me when my back was turned. ARRGH! I'm so wet and miserable coz I have to sit here in my wet clothes and even squishier high heels. I've blotted them as best as I can and I'll just have to let the aircon dry the rest. I looked like a drowned rat. Great impression for my second day on the job.

Secondly, my punch card is not where it is supposed to be. I supposed it is somewhere in paper limbo or something. It's no use coming in early when I can record it. I'm waiting for the HR person to come in so that I can ask her about it. Jeeze... Where the hell is my punch card??!

Notice about China

I still haven't finished my accounts on my trip to China. But I'll be saving a space for it here. Caution though... it's gonna be a loooong transcript.

First day on the job

I had my lunch in the stairwell. So kesian. I was suppose to have lunch with this girl named Jennifer but she must have forgotten about me, so I went and bungkus nasi - only to discover that we are not allowed to eat odiferous food in the building as the ventilation is bad. No one told me, and there wasn't anyone I could ask either (there wasn't anyone my level around me but the bosses...)

I'm actually blogging during my lunch hour coz I found eating in the stairwell hot and bothersome, and embarassing everytime somebody goes up and down the stairs. So I still have time.

I clocked in on the dot - 8.30am - this morning but only got briefed at 10.48am by Rajeese, my PR manager. During that 2 hours 'free time' I surfed for news and familiarised myself with the productions of Double Visions. Helen came in later and I just spoke a little with her. I'm still very unsure where I fit in. Apparently I'm not Marketing but Public Relations. It will take me time to get my bearings in this company where no one seems to know what's going on with the other depts.

I don't have my computer yet - I have to put in a Requisition Form for my computer and my standard-issued stationary. So many red tape everywhere. Signed the usual forms and a Letter of Consent about my health. I'm not too sure on that one, need to ask Lee Hoon; not that we can do anything about it. *sigh* I hate these legal tangles.

Everyone here speaks Cantonese and I'm like totally clueless about what is being said around me. I'll need to work more on understanding cantonese then. *shudder* There is an inate gene that totally rejects anything cantonese I kid you not. No wonder I've never been able to pick up that garrulous dialect.

AND working in Section 14 is exceptionally fatal for pedestrians. Crossing the road is very dangerous and motorists are speed demons on this stretch of the road. It took me 3 attempts to get to the other side to get my lunch just now. I was cursing the entire time after nearly having my toes amputated by a speeding motorbike. Must be a game to them - get 10 points for each pedestrian runned over! *sheesh* I wish somebody would build a crossover bridge of something. Mark my words, one day someone's gonna get railroaded and then then there'll be hell to pay.

Okay, lunch break's over. Gonna get back to trying to find things to do. Later.

Packing light is hard

I've been packing for 5 hours straight, and trying to pack as little as possible for a cold winter holiday is hard. I'm sharing shell case with Lee Hoon and between the both of us we still managed to leave some empty space for the journey back home. Ahem... planning to shop of course. Going all the way to Shanghai and not shop?? I'm not loco y'know. I have a few things I need to buy, namely office working clothes now that I'll be working as a Marketing Exec. Oh yeah, I accepted the position. *grin* Might as well earn good money while I wait for my dream job.

Anyway, I'm going to Shanghai tomorrow. I'm so looking forward to it. It's gonna be COLD! I'm actually shivering in anticipation. Haha... what if it's too cold for me? The temp right for next week is between 2 and 12. Brr... *grin* Hopefully I've packed adequately. It's definately not going to be like Perth's gorgeous climate, I vow. But not enough to wager on it coz as the weather is quite unpredictable; quite hazardous to my betting skill, which is of course nil. Whatever.

I hope that there will be an accessible internet kiosk there, somewhere, so that I can update my blog. How cool will that be? Hee hee. Blogging in Shanghai, China.

So off I go to sleep. Nite all and see ya in China. ^__^

Hijacked to the Marketing Dept.

Yeap, I'm now offered the post of Marketing Executive instead of the Programming Exec. I haven't decided if I want the job yet. Why? Coz it's marketing that's why. I'm not a very sales oriented person but apparently I won't be that kind of marketing exec. But I think that at some point I might have to dip my toes if not plunge head first into that cold end. *sigh*

Ben called me fri evening to asked me to go in for another interview. At that point, I was thinking, "What the heck? Didn't you already offered me the job and we shook on it?" But I did ask why instead and he said that the manager wants to meet me in person. My heart did a little flop when he said that. The manager wants to meet me??? Why??? And for that whole weekend I was quite apprehensive and pensive. Finally somebody named Abby called me yesterday to go in for the interview with one of the Big Three today.

Thank god I was interviewed by one of the Big Three's wives instead - Helen. I like Helen. Helen is such a pleasant woman. She made the whole process of the interview comfortable and natural. I didn't even stutter once. It was like an entirely new and separate interview. She viewed all of my work and asked me the usual questions. Then she explained my duties to me, and most of them were PR and marketing stuff. I was being transfered to the marketing dept as the former position no longer exists. All this in the space of a week! Apparently the company is growing and positions are shifted here and there.

Basically, if I accept the job, I'll be working in Helen's marketing dept instead of Ben's programming side. I don't know if I want this marketing job. When I applied for the former position I thought I'd be doing more creative TV stuff, but now.... *sigh*

I might just take the job coz I like Helen, or I might not. I don't know yet. I told Helen I'll give her an answer tomorrow. After all, the dynamics of the position has shifted to one that is as foreign to me as a fish on land. Maybe I'll grow legs and learn to walk...

Compounded by a randomly efficient system

I finally dragged my butt to JPJ to put in my application for the new Identity Smart Card or whatever they call it. Zona came to fetch me at 6.45am in the morning and together we braved the supposedly long ordeal. We got there at 7am and there was already a long line forming, from the door to the stairwell and then to the outer doors - we were number 54 and 55 - all this before 7am. @__@ Comparingly, being in the 50 - 60 category is quiet good. If we had arrived just 5 munites later, we would have been in the 100 category I kid you not.

So there we were, lining up between an indian couple and a couple of 'aiyoh aunties', one of which whom mistook Zona for a "malay girl". Zona was most bothered by that tag. Must be the lighting, and old eyes. Haha. We were assured of a proper queue with the vigilant old eyes watching queue jumpers and wrinkled mouths repeating "Hello, the line starts back there la!"

When we finally got to the counters, only two were opened. As the 30 min slots went by, more counters opened and pretty soon the numbers were flashing at a set pace. Then it was our turn. Zona got her's done in a zip. Mine was a little s-l-o-w-e-r. Sigh. I got the uncle counter. The one who takes a million years to type and recheck anc recheck again. Then he got up and went to another computer and stood there looking at it, not touching it or whatever, just looking. Then he came back and said, "You have to pay compound RM30. You suppose to change your IC when you were 18. Now have to pay fine. 30 ringgit ah." I opened my mouth to ask why I had to pay the fine when Zona didn't, but I took out three reds instead and handed them to the uncle. Sigh... what is this? I got randomly picked to make their strongbox heavier by 30 ringgit. Sheesh.

Bayaran Pemprosesan - 10.00
Bayaran Kompaun - 20.00

Why didn't others have to pay the processing fee as well? Blech. That is how it is, people. If you are one of those lucky ones to be randomly picked, I congratulate you. Welcome to the Suckers Club. *roll eyes*

Hopefully my picture will turn out at least semi-presentable. I'm worried coz I'm frightfully unphotogenic. The last time my picture was taken with one of these digital cameras, I came out belonging to the The Undead Photography Club. Thankfully, I've graduated from Curtin and no longer need to flash that horrible picture around. =p

Green junior writer loving it

I spent the whole day working at Interface Advertising as a freelance junior writer/copywriter, and I can only say that my first taste of working as a copywriter albeit a freelancer, is making me ravenous for another taste. I did one leaflet for them and another simple piece of coming up with names for a cooking show. Wish I could type in here my suggestions as I thought they were most cool, but I can't. Confidentiality and all that *waves hand in air*...

I know it is premature but I must say that I feel like this time round my working life won't be hell like my previous experience in the quack of a company and boss. I feel that it will be better. Pray I won't be wrong.

The CD (creative director) tried to talk me into giving up my job at Double Vision, but she understood that I cannot do that. 'Sides, I don't think I should as I think I can learn a lot from Ben, and I want to try out the TV industry. I might like it too. *grin*

Ben called me today and he said that management wants me to start on 1st December instead of straight away this coming Monday. He was most dissapointed as he is in dire need of help to sort out the backlog of work piled on his desk. Management didn't like it that I was going to work for four days and then go on holiday. I guess that makes sense, but I can't cancel my Shanghai trip as everything has been paid and approved since last week. I hope Ben won't decide to cut me loose because of this. Aiks.

I've got a job!!!

I finally got a job. Yay! I went in for an interview with Ben Chung at Double Vision Productions and I got the job! While I am excited that I will finally be working and earning again, I'm kinda frightened about it. The woman who had the post before was apparently so good that Ben didn't want to let her go but he had to, AND she has BIG FEET. I worry about filling in her shoes and the task seems daunting.

Ben sat me down. After the usual Q&A, he then proceed to fill me in on my duties. "You just listen, and then at the end, if you want the job, you tell me Yes or No on the spot," he said before launching into a myriad of information that left me spinning on my axis. For two and a half hour, he told me most of everything that was going to happen and what my job description was going to be. Information overload! And now I feel apprehensive about it. But then if I don't try the job, how else am I gonna know if I'm going to like it, right?

ALSO Interface Advertising called me a hour after I got home from the interview. They wanted me to freelance for them for two weeks. But since I've already said Yes to DV, I can't very well work for them too. As the phone conversation went on, the girl managed to persuaded me to do ONE piece for them. I'll go in tomorrow for a briefing and discussion of payment. I last few days of freedom and I'll be working. *sigh* What have I done? I have only two hands and I've offered them both. I'm itching to free one of my hands but then I'm looking more towards the future. I've convince myself that I should do the freelance work. Never know, if they like my work, they'll remember me in the future and that is getting my toe in the door.

Amazing... when it rains, it pours...

Holding on by my teeth

Went to the dentist today to do the usual checkups. Went there at 9am and came out four hours later. Wish I can embellish the tale with stories of horror of the dentist gone mad with the driller, but I can't. I'll have to tell the truth instead - had three hours of waiting hell. You see, we didn't make an appointment thinking that there'd be nobody so early in the morning. Hah, were we so wrong. When we got there at 9:05am, there were already three patients ahead of us and all of them had appointments. *sigh* AND then it got worse as the minutes ticked by; more people came in through that glass door and we were pushed further back in line. Every time we are assured that we would be the 4th or 5th down the line, another appointment-maker would waltz in.

Another Chance...mayhaps

She sat there amidst the plastic plants and toothy grins hanging on the whitewashed walls, feeling tired, sleepy and just plain miserable. Beside her was a foot high pile of old magazines, each depicting glossy pictures of places far away, with people of alien cultures; each carelessly thumbed through and carefully read likewise. All of those periodicals had one thing in common, its yellow-framed covers were all worn and tattered, practically hanging off its' spines. She inanely thought, "There must have been a lot of people without appointments too."

BING BONG!

She looks up, almost like an afterthought, and her face was arrested by the sight of a young man wearing a polo shirt and quarter khakis. "I know him..." she thought. "But from where?"

The young man gave his name (he had an appointment) and took a seat directly across from her. She faked disinterest and went back to reading her already-read-once magazine, all the while stealing glances at that familiar young man. During her ninth or tenth stolen glances, he caught her glancing at him but she faked a polite but impersonal stretch of her lips upward at him. He went back to studying the walls.

She raked her memory frantically. "Who, where, when?"

Then it hit her and her eyes widened alarmingly behind the magazine. "Omigawd, it's him!" her mind screamed. He was her young teenage crush! He was the guy she made a fool of herself over when puberty hit. Her hormones had gone berserk and started pining for the big guy with the teddy bear frame. At that time, she thought he was most huggable. "Actually, he still is," her mind gushed.

"Who's that?" nudged her sister who was sitting beside her.

"Oh, not sure." she lied.

"Well, he's been looking at you for the past fifteen minutes," her sister supplied as if she weren't aware of that fact already.

"Uh hmm..." she mumbled non-committedly and went back to fake-reading the magazine - the same page she's been on for the past twenty minutes. Very engrossing article that.

After an hour of stealing glances and faking disinterest and ignorance, she got up to return the magazines to the rack. On her way back with more magazine, she was intercepted by her teddy bear.

"Lee Yong?" he tentatively ventured, and her mind went into panic mode.

"Yes?"

"Do you remember me? We were in the same class in Remove."

"Oh, really? Hmm... you are very familiar but I can't really recall your name." She lied apologetically.

"I'm *beeeep* (censored)." he added.

"Oh! Yes! I remember you! We used to play basketball together during PJ." She beamed, flashing him a 200-watt smile, teeth and all.

"How are you, what are you doing now?" she asked politely.

He was about to answer when her phone rang. She flashed him an apologetic smile and took the call. It was Vij. She talked to Vij for a few minutes, accepting a lunch date for wednesday and went back into the waiting lounge.

He was nowhere in sight. He was called in; ahead of her.

She felt most put out. Deprive of her distraction in the waiting lounge, she went back to staring at the walls and reliving old memories.

Later when he came out, they barely had time to say anything as it was finally her turn at the dentist chair. They parted with a smile, and he handed her a piece of paper. It had his number on it.

Packing light is hard

Who says old dogs can't learn new tricks?

Well since Patches is as deaf as a post, I had to teach him some new tricks - hand gestures to signify the previous sound commands. Simple commands like sit, shake left and right and down is pretty simple. However, fetch was a no go. I point and he looks, with his butt still attached to the floor. *sigh* When I point and wave, he understands that it is go where I point. Thank goodness for small miracles.

Oh joy, Patches is finally settling down on the new platform I made for him - I added a few more rags and he's happily snuggled into them now. *wink* All it takes is a little extra something. *grin*

Most of the chores on my list is done. But I still have to visit the dentist; was suppose to go today but I wanted to groome Patches. Oh well, I'll go tomorrow, after a visit to the optician, the photo shop, and blah, blah, blah... so many things to do.

Anyway, I'll be back in KL on the 11th night. I miss Patches already. :(

A little carpentry project to make my day

*Phew* I just spent the whole afternoon making a platform for Patches to sleep on. First I had to hunt for logs and planks to make that special sleeping place for my baby. Since monsoon is here - the rain floods half of my porch - he'll need it to sleep in relative comfort. He is old and stiff. Poor thing. I watch him every morning and I think he is still adorable. I love Patches. *grin*

Anyway, I salvaged the planks from an old shelf and got the 'legs' by sawing the frame into small blocks. I really enjoyed doing carpentry again even though it is such a simple project. The hammering was the most satisfying and annoying thing. I love the stress-buster effect but the damn nails weren't strong enough to push through the cenggal wood. *grin* Yeah I got my hands on a very strong wood. All the better for my baby.

I ached from sawing through the cenggal blocks... och, my shoulders... anyway, so there I was, proudly positioning the platform in a corner when Patches came over to inspect my work. He was eager to get on, sniffing here and there. But he didn't get on until I arranged his blanket on it. I was so proud when he got on and settled down.

HAH! Later I found him back under the car, his usual spot. *sigh* All my hard work and he prefers to sleep under the car? He'll probably ditch that spot soon when the rain creeps up later...

Yes, I can hold a hammer. I even know how to lift it up and hammer in a nail. *gasp* Straight in too. Hmmph.

Home is where Patches is

I am back home in Kota Bharu. The moment I got in, I played with Patches. Och, he's getting old and so deaf. I can walk up next to him and he wouldn't even notice and if he did, the only indication is his increasingly bald thumping tail. Other than that, he just lies there resting. Poor baby. I'm gonna bathe him tomorrow. Hopefully there'll be sun. Today was literally raining buckets. Flew in with the storm, on AirAsia. This flight was a little seat-gripping.... and not just because of the air pockets, but the pilot's dream that he's a fighter jet pilot. Ee-diot.

Anyway, the reason I'm back is to celebrate my grandmother's anniversary this coming sunday. We will be having dinner at a posh restaurant in honour of her memory.

Ok, I'm gonna sleep now. I haven't slept at all yesterday as I had to wake up at 4.30am to get ready for the early morning flight back here. And mom and me have been busy cleaning and opening up the house again, making it fit for living again. The house was so dusty and musty-dry. Mom's been using it as a base but she sleeps over at my aunty's place. So you can imagine how inhabitable it was. Now it's all livable again and with air-conditioned rooms... *swoon*

Nites all.

Emotional pit stop

My heart feels heavy and oh-so-sore,
For someone I shouldn't have cared for...
Torn emotions all bubbling to the fore,
Bleeding me dry, bleeding ever more...

I did a very foolish thing just now - I went through all my stuff and discovered all my love letters and sentimental this and thats. One soul caught and held my attention. It brought me down deep into that dark abyss which I vowed never to go back to. But I did. Three hours later, I'm an emotional wreck. I read through and touched everything. Reriding that roller coaster messed with my mind and it made me want him back. All those amazing words made me miss what we had and I know that is a dangerous emotion; one that I can never let loose again if I wish to hold on to my sanity and identity. I cannot afford to be an obsession again, only because I'm afraid giving in to that delirium. Hah, what indeed is love? It is hate, passion, love, jeolousy and fear. Fear makes it presense known. It does...

It shouldn't be so. It should never have been. It will never be, again.

IKEA's swedish meatballs

Went to another interview at the Boulevard for the post of junior copywriter, and as usual my chances were 50/50. Bah, I'm applying for junior copywriter, of course I don't really have experience in copywriting. Apparently my journalistic talents do not carry much weight. *blow bangs* Come on people. If you don't give freshies like me a chance to get my foot in the door, how can I one day be one of those "experience required" plebeians?

After that, Zona picked me up to go to IKEA for a little pillow shopping. We had swedish meatballs for lunch and it was oh-so-yummy. Seriously, who (in malaysia) would ever have thought about mixing meatballs and raspberry jam but swedish food connoisseurs?

I like the new IKEA coz it's so huge and the 'food court' is a stroke of genuis. With new dishes and free refills, the new IKEA is a food haven and I bet lunch hours are like inside a sardine can. I can wax lyrical about the meatballs but I won't coz even my tolerance level is not that high. I'm babbling, I know. Whatever. So signing off now.

Going back to our roots

Mauritius is out - too expensive. Everything is paid in US dollars. Apparently it is a playgrounds for Americans. Bah. I was so looking forward to the hot sun, tanning, and crystal clear waters. Sigh. I had envisioned myself in one of those huts with the sea as a backyard... darn it. Anyway, destination/reality check. Instead we night go to Shanghai. I know, the scare is still there but the air fare is only RM900, compared to Mauritius' RM2000 plus.

I think it might be nice to see China. There are many gorgeous sights to see and apparently the shopping is fantastic. But honestly, I'm not interested in shopping. I just want to see mountains and valleys and historical buildings. That sort of stuff and I hardly think Shanghai is the place. It is just like KL. Why fly all the way there and experience Kay-hell. *pfftt*

So now, I have another destination in mind. Club Med Phuket. I think that is a real nice alternative. *grin* I went online to check the prices but no cookie. Looks like I'll have to call up the travel agent again. I know Phuket is great coz I've already been there 3 times. But Club Med should even be greater with so many activities to indulge in. I know where I'll be most of the time - the archery range! Ooooo, I can't wait to notch my arrows!

O'tay, enough blogging. I gotta go get ready to go out with zona and friends. The plan is for Nouvo *grimace* But I'm hopping that the destination will change to somewhere less sardine-packed-like. Somewhere like Bliss. We will see. Later people.

I'm right side up again

My sleeping schedule is back on track! Yay! *doing a jig on the bar while Frodo and gang looks on* Oh I've gone slightly cookcoo with my lask of sleep before but I'm okay now. Not only is it back, it's back n the early slot. I actually sleep around 12am - 1am these days. Talk about miraculous. *grin* And I wake up at 9 - 10 am feeling well rested and blissfully refreshed. Sigh. I love sleeping... properly.

Anyway, while I'm bouncing around toadstools in this mood, I'm also hoping to bounce into Mauritius. Yeah I know it's premature, but Lee Hoon and her firm is palnning a trip to somewhere and I'm hoping it'll be Mauritius. She wants me to go too; said to help her survive her colleagues for 10 whole days. *grin* Lucky me. So now, I'm surfing websites about Mauritius. Later dudes and duddettes. Smile and the world will smile with you. *Haha*

We will miss you, Hon Hiew.

I just got shocking news that Hon Hiew, my Multimedia Lecturer in Curtin passed away last saturday, the 25th October 2003. Hon suffered from a congenital heart condition which led to his passing. I never knew he was sick, he never gave the slightest indication that he was sick. He was a quiet and reserved man, yet he was always friendly and helpful with all his students. We could always go to him for anything. Last year when my laptop's CD-ROM started acting up and the programmes went crazy, I took it to Hon to have a look-over. He helped me then and he has helped me several times as the semester progressed. I remember the time he gave his first lecture in 2001, his voice was all shaky and he was sweating buckets, but he bravely finished the lecture. He had since then gained a lot more confidence so much so that he was made a lecturer in Curtin by the end of the year. Hon Hiew is one of my favourite lecturers and my gosh, it is a blow to Curtin to lose such a fine young man. He was only 29 years old. There will be a funeral service held on Thursday, 30th October 2003.

I was in shock when I read my email and I really couldn't believe such news. But I do admit that I felt a premonition when I saw the title "Fwd: Hon Hiew". I began searching the internet for any kind of news about Hon Hiew and I found this weblog that confirmed my fears. In Michael's blog entry, he gave his readers a link to Hon's weblog. I wish I had known about his weblog a long time ago, but judging from the dates on the side, it seems that he just started blogging. He did have an earlier site that was his online protfolio, it's pretty good.

It is hard to imagine that Hon is gone, his life snuffed away just like that. Hon Hiew was a great lecturer and a great friend, and he will be missed by many who came under his tutelage.

You will be missed, Hon Hiew.

Halloween party at Tjj headquaters

The Halloween party at Tom's house last night was great. I got to wear my new costume - I went as Puff the Magic Dragon, complete with a long cigarette holder and I pinched somebody's ciggie to put at the end! =p My costume, made by my very talented sister Lee Na, was made out of green sequined material and sewn into a cape-style costume. Imagine me hunting down a dragon, skinning it and wearing its hide on my shoulders and back. Yeap, you get the picture. The costume has a hood too, with triangle velvet ridges running from the top of my head and down to my tiny fork tail. AND it also has very believable smallish dragon wings. I explained it as under-developed wings to my friends of course, which of course looks great and the value of cuteness is just up there. I love my dragon wings, made out of dark, green velvet to boot - so nice to stroke and experience pleasure. *sigh* I think everyone loved my costume. *double sigh*

The party was great and too bad some people missed it. There were supposed to be at least 25 people, but only 20 came, but it was still a great party. Lydia came decked out in ears and a fluffy tail - Puss in Boots - but she couldn't wear her boots indoors, but she still looked great as a cat. I think a few of the guys were taken with her. =) 'Sides, Lydia always handle herself great at parties even though the only person she knew was me. In the end, she had them all eating out of her paw. Meow. *grin*

Some came decked out in their own creations. Jessie was a slinky Medusa with a head full of aluminium snakes with red paper slips as forked tongues. Shanni was a pink genie in a tube top and pants. Tom was supposed to be Death, but he looked more like a devotee of a cloister with an artistist talent with face paint. Estella came as a dead chinese girl, complete with horrible makeup and death pallor. Jaymee was a sexy Morticia Adams/vampire. And Vijay was supposed to be Count Dracula - he has on a blanket for his cape and murukku for his fangs, which of course disappeared after a time. It must have gotten soggy. =p

TmNet sucks majorly.

Seriously, I've had it with tmnet! I've been at Lee Na's place for the past one week and during all that time, I couldn't even log on to the internet. Every one of my 40+ attempts were met with 'No answer' or 'The line is busy'. It really drove me crazy. Everytime I got those excuses, I wanted to roar with frustration. Not being online for a whole week really made me lose my control. Great, I'm a net addict suffering from withdrawal syndrome. *snarl* TmNet, you suck. Your service is abysmal as none of the people hired are able to solve my problems AND you play musical chairs with your customers. We need more phone companies, so that they will force stupid Telekom Malaysia to improve their services and products else perish into nothing but a bad memory. Idiots all of them. Nimcompoops every single one of them idiots. They obviously have no idea about Customer Relations. Fre'kin dumbasses. *Yes I'm angry and raving, so what? I'm sure there are a heck of a lot more people who thinks Telekom sucks as well.*

Anyway, I came home today and here I am. The moment I had my dinner, I got online. Thank god I could. I don't know what I would have done if I couldn't. I think it is the area. Lee Na's place is in Kepong. Maybe there aren't enough cables or lines or something. Nevertheless, it is not an excuse to be that horrible in delivering their services to paying customers.

I have my Halloween costume... tra la la la

I traded a week of chores and milk bottles for a costume. Hee hee... nah it is not as bad as that sound. I went over to help Lee Na with the kids while she sewed me my halloween costume. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. It was quite a chanllenge, technically, coz Lee Na has to think about how to shape it, sew it, then the finishing touches. Lots of sewing technicallity. I never knew. I think my sister is a genius, and I'm glad she loves me enough to do this for me. Thank you very much sis.

The kids, as usual, were rambunctious. Had a good time as I got to spend time with them. Had to send Daniel to the corner at least twice a day as he was very naughty. He doesn't listen and when you scold him, he roll his eyes, pouts - basically ignores you. So the only effective punishment was to send him to the corner for 20 mins. He has developed this fake sweet smile whenever he wants something, doesn't work on me and now he hates me. *sigh* I think that little boy is spoiled. He loves my mom of course as she coddles him, and he basically gets away with a lot of things with her. Me, I call him on the spot.

The last straw that will break this horse's back

It is 4.30pm in the afternoon and I've yet to catch a wink of sleep since yesterday. Finally decided to blog and maybe it might purge my mind enough to let me sleep. *sigh* This is going from bad to worse. My body is so tired that my fingertips are vibrating everytime a current of air sweeps my way, but my mind persists on staying awake and active. Even my skin is suffering. I feel as though everything is breaking down slowly, bit by bit and I'm helpless to put a muffler on my whirring brain. I am thinking too much. I no longer just read, I think. I really think I'm on the verge of falling into a clinical condition - insomnia. I think it is safe to say that my condition is fast becoming chronic if it isn't already because I have been loosing sleep for the past two weeks. I feel as though that my time is running out. I am still jobless. I've been considering shelving my writing and just settle for a sales job which I've been dreading since forever. *sigh* I'm so tired.

Also in my frenzied imaginings, I came up with a horrible thought. What if I become like my sister who sees *shudder* other worldly people? What if my not getting enough sleep will trigger my 'third eye'? I really, really do not want this to happen. Of course when I was thinking this, I was already all alone at home with everybody gone off to work. I managed to worked myself into such a scare that every creak or thump had my heart racing. In my weak-minded state I started imagining figures (old hunchback women with leathery skin) outside my window looking in, waving to me, calling me walking though the wall towards me. I see shadows in every corner, even under the bed and worse, in bed with me. I really scared myself silly a few hours ago, so much so that going to sleep was impossible.

I. Am. Going. Out. Of. My. Mind.

Custom-made costume

My sister Lee Na is going to sew my halloween costume! I can't reveal what it is just yet; I will after the party. I did have another costume in mind but my sis talked me out of it and offered to make me a new costume. My previous idea was to wear a cow costume, a halo, and wings and that would make me a Holy Cow! But then my cow pjs are flannel so it's going to be very, very hot if I do wear it outside an air-conditioned room, so that idea is scrapped.

Since it is halloween, I'll be going as something green and old. Hee hee... you'll never guess, and for those of you who already knows my secret, hush. My sister wanted to sew me a witch's costume but I refused - that is sooo unoriginal. I don't want to be those girls that take up any chance to dress up to max their assets in trying to hook one! Come on people, have a little imagination here. Of course I'm all indignant about it... coz I can't carry it off that why! =p =| =\ *boo hoo hoo*

But halloween is about fun and scarying the shit out of ourselves... so I'm gonna enjoy playing dress up no matter how horrible I look. After all it is Halloween. Muahahaha!

Halloween costume puzzle

What to wear, what to wear? I've been trying to decide what to wear to a halloween costume party for the past one week. So far I haven't found a solution that is applicable to my dilemma. Sigh. But I did find this site that gives great ideas. Do have a look if you have time. They've got a lot of funky ideas. I particularly like the Lightning Victim and the Jellybean Bag. I think I might go as a bag of jellybeans. It is easy enough to execute. Afterthat we can have fun with the rest of my costume. But then I'll be the only one leaving with a ruin costume. How deflating. ^_^

Taking carpe noctum too far

My sleeping schedule is soooo screwed up now! Everything is topsy-turvy! I'm sleeping at 7am these days and waking up at 3 or 4pm, when most of the day is gone! Trust me I do not think it that peachy either, okay? Sigh. I'm going to try not sleep for 24 hours and maybe by then I'll be so bone tired that I'll fall in bed at 10pm tomorrow night and everything will be right with the world again. If not, how on earth am I gonna be able to go for my daytime interviews? Maybe I should take Kim's suggestion and work night shifts instead since I'm proving to be more of a night owl than I initially thought.

I know why this is happening though. I'm enjoying my nightly sessions too far. What do I do? Well I read. All kinds of books that I can get my hands on. I don't care if it's a mag or a romance or a thriller or even plain old boring text books. I feel as though I do not have enough time to read everything. I feel like the day is not long enough; that we should have 30 hours a day or something. But of course that would kill us but that is just my nocturnal sentiments airing it's ugly purple head. Purple because it's not getting enough oxygen to keep itself a healthy pink. Eee-diot.

Vijay put in an interesting suggestion - drink warm milk with sugar! I've heard of and tried the warm milk remedy but the sugar part is new. Have you guys tried it with sugar? I have drank milk with sugar before and it taste like vanilla, but never for the purpose of a sleeping draught. I think the key factor is the warmth... but we are in a darn warm country so would it be effective? I think the warm milk remedy was concocted on cold lands and it probably did help people into Morpheues' arms, but then here? I'll try it tonight. I'll try anything to right my screwy sleep schedule.

Day or night

...makes no difference to me! It's 7.30 in the morning and I'm still awake! I can't sleep. I feel tired but I can't sleep. Arrrgghh! Sleep depravation is gonna make me very cranky in the next few hours when I go for my aerokick session. This is not happening! I need to sleep. Why can't you shut up in there?!

"Sinbad - bad sin" ~ Sinbad, the sailor ~

I hate the ending. I went to watch Sinbad today and I hate the ending. I cannot believe Sinbad got his friend's fiance. What the devil?! Is this how cartoon's are nowadays - mirroring our present day morals and principles? So Sinbad's the hero and she's the heroine but she's affianced to his childhood friend, the Prince, which I might add was a cool dude. He was a loyal friend, great personality, trustworthy, great swordsman and he loved her, and the stooopid woman had to go and fall in love with Sinbad. The kind Prince naturally told her to follow her heart and he let her go. He was nice. There was nothing wrong with him - he even put his life literally on the block for Sinbad. Also why couldn't they have created another heroine, a daring younger firebrand sister perhaps that was the one who stowed away, instead of that stooopid ambassador? It is sooo frustrating. I do not like to have my fairytale morality shattered - it is just too disconcerting. If that is the case, Ariel would have become flotsam, the Beast would have remained a beast, Pocahontas would have gone on to live in a colony and died of a broken heart and Nemo would not have been found at all!

So the end is that "Okay kids, it is alright to take your friend's beloved fiance as long as you both love each other. Follow your heart regardless of whatever may be, whatever should be!" I do not have a problem with the characters but the creators of this version of Sinbad. I do not like the ending, it's too real. That is not what cartoons are about. Cartoons are magical, and all the good guys goes home happy.

On the other hand, I love Eris, the Goddess of Discord. She is the most deliciously wicked character ever drawn. She is sexy, sinuous, way cool, and creative as a divine troublemaker, and surprisingly fair in the end. The havoc she created is worthy of her title. The taunts and threats were delivered with sexy drawls and animations. Kudos to Michelle Pfeiffer for doing a great job in the voice dept - think Cat Woman except this time she has the power of the world at her fingertips instead of a whip. Eris is one of the best villains ever in the history of cartoons. I love her. They should definitely bring her back if possible.

However, the heroine, Marina is unremarkable. Nothing to point out except she is fickle-minded. And the fact that Catherine Zeta Jones voiced her is unremarkable too. She was okay. Normal lah.

Overall the cartoon is actually quite good. But it is geared more towards young adults, with lines like:

Scenario: Their boat is trapped in ice and the weather is freezing.
Sinbad to his firstmate who is shirtless: Do put a shirt on before you poke someone's eye out.

That was funny. Lydia and I couldn't help it when we actually guffawed out loud. That, in a cartoon? *grin* The graphics were good and the lines even better. It is actually quite funny. Honestly, if the ending wasn't so crappy I would happily say that it was a great cartoon movie, instead it was a good movie to me. That last bit is the only thing holding me back from giving it a 10.

With a sword or a bow,

Orlando Bloom cuts a swath through movie fans. The best scene was of course the fight scene between Cpt. Jack Sparrow and Will Turner at the blacksmith's. 'Twas most entertaining to be witness to such spectacular skills and stunts. It wasn't overblown but rather kept light enough to appreciate the wits that went into its creation, but exciting enough to keep the audiences engaged.

The music score wasn't bad either. I love how the beat was insync with the clashes of the swords. The score is slightly similar to Gladiator's but it is more towards actions instead of emotions. The accord between the actors and the characters is endearing as those two clashed physically and verbally. Some of the lines were shot full of puns and sadly not many people in the audience caught on.

Johnny Depp is of course as usual, a chimera. His role as the swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow, ex-Captain of The Black Pearl, is quite amiable, witty and wily. The way he enunciates his words were almost pseudoaristocratic, but in a charming way. And Kiera Knightley has come a comely way since her soccer stint in 'Bend it like Beckham'. Trading in her soccer boots for a parasol doesn't seem to have fazed that lovely virago... unfair. =)

And the special effects... catch me if I swoon... were quite revealingly breath holding. Ye gods, the last fight scene was the best in SFX - the undead was gruesomely exposed under the full moon and the kinetics of the transitions between the living and the dead was amazing. I wonder how they did that. It couldn't have been easy with such rapid movements required and to match the actors real live movements... nice.

I really enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean and I'm going to get a copy of it. Some might wonder why I'm so enthusiastic about this movie as most would say it was just 'okay'. I like it because it's fun and funny, simple and it reminds me of my childhood fantasies.

Hola, recepcion a mi partido! * beso del beso *

I'm still a little stoned. Though I don't have a hangover... thank goodness for small mercies. Lydia brought me to a private party last night in Ampang thrown by her spanish friend Miguel. Seventy percent of his guest were spanish speaking and they all greet each other by kissing both cheeks. Lydia prepped me on the air kisses before we went in, and at first it was... startling to be greeted so informally but after a few kissy noises, I was a pro at it. Haha, yeah right. I didn't know I had to make kissy noises until Lydia told me to. Lydia and I each brought a bottle of wine, and unsurprisingly there were many, many bottles of wine and hard liquer already waiting to be popped and enjoyed.

Okay, I'm shy and that's why I was like a wallflower at first. You know, the quiet one, inching on the edge of the party like a shadow, talking only to Lydia and talking to no one else for the first 1 hour, and poor Lydia had to stick by me when she could have been mixing with her other friends. Of course after a few drinks, I loosened up and managed to make a few friends. Then as the hour progressed, I got quiet high and chatted with anyone who said Hola. Alcohol, the great 'de-inhibitor'.

Zona came later, before midnight and it was nice for the three of us to catch up together again. We finally managed to extricate ourselves from the party at 4am and went to a mamak to catch up some more. Miguel didn't want Lydia to go and was trying to convince her to stay and they'll have mamak food sent up. I didn't know there were such thing as mamak home delivery. Interesting revelation this. I wonder how one sets about ordering the food? Hmm... call or send a rep down? Something to watch out for in the future. I know many would think that this is a stupid revelation but to me it is a facet of the expat life that I never thought about.

Okay, gonna log off now and go to Phillip Wain for a steam and shower. Hopefully there'll be an empty massage bed, but I doubt it. Sunday is always full. *sigh* Oh well. Will have to do without the massage then.

Western by default

I was chatting with James and the subject of bananas and eggs came up. Apparently for angmohs to be called 'an egg' is an insult. What's an egg? It is the opposite of a banana - white on the outside and yellow on the inside. If anybody calls me a banana, I'd feel nothing. I can't deny that I'm one... not when my mandirin sucks as bad as it does. I'm proud to be an Asian who has had the best of the east and west. I can't help being westernised as I am as I grew up with globalisation rampant since way back then.

*Continue later.... my mind is all snoozy now.

Happy Birthday Estella!

Happy Birthday, woman! You're in my age group now. Hee hee...

Just had supper with Estella at Kiwi Express. I've been craving cakes lately so I finally gave in to my sweet tooth and ordered meself a Banana Chocolate. It was okay as far as cakes go, but it hit the spot so I was satisfied. I wanted to have another slice or two *you pig* but such late night indulgences is bound to come back and bite me on the butt literally the next day. Haha...

Also finally caught up with Zona on thursday night. Had a 3 hour catching up session with her. It was nice. I haven't seen her since before I went to Perth and that was a month ago. So many things to tell her and so many things for her to tell me. She looks tired. You do. But then it's understandable with your gruelling schedule. *hugs*

Applied for teaching position. *blank look*

That was my sister's reaction when I told her. Yeah, my own flesh and blood. Sigh. Anyway, I just got home. The interview was at In House Multimedia, a teaching institution in KL. Everyone spoke chinese and I was like totally at sea when the receptionist asked me something in cantonese. It was a whole new world for me. So went in for the interview and found out that if I got the job, I'd be in charge of teaching graphics and advertsing modules in English. Interesting. Their mass communication course is in Mandirin as they are affiliated to a few of Taiwan's colleges and universities. Not bad for a small institution, but of course they specialise in cool multi-medias and graphics.

The interview was okay. Didn't last long. Went in at 9am, came out at 9:35am. Hopefully they'll call me. Wouldn't mind trying my hand at teaching. Hee hee... wondering about my techiniques now. Mommy help me. Maybe I should start drilling my mom about her teaching techniques. Wonder what she'll think of this. Me, teach English - when the only time I know if the verb is right is when I think it sounds right. Mamma mia. Yes one can only laugh or smirk or whatever when one thinks about Me teaching English. So I can write, but can I teach? Maybe I should start small first like tutoring, instead of jumping into the deepend like that. I'll prob forget all my strokes and drown in my own mistakes. What's worse, I'll be surrounded by sharks and I won't know what they're saying!

Then I step into another whole new world - a Putra LRT plastered with KFC's newest look. It felt as though I'd stepped into a toybox. Seriously, it really felt like I was in Barbie's dimension and all. The theme colours though not quite pink, did smack of playing house what with the stickers of teddybears, rocking horse and lamps and all. What the-? So I'll say it - I hate the new KFC look. It just doesn't go with it's present presentation. What they should have painted were spills and rats and flour all over. Now that would have accurately presented their image. KFC trying to be swiss cute *shudder* just doesn't cut it.

Am gonna go to sleep now. I feel blah and kinda tired. I guess my job of respreading the virus for the day is complete. Just being a good Malaysian, like all other good Malaysians.

Urgency

I can't breathe. I can't seem to draw in precious air into me. I feel the urgency. I feel the pressure. It is pressing down on my chest, squeezing my lungs and constricting me. I know what I should do, yet I have no idea what I shoud be doing. I know not my destiny and the path before me is fading, one step at a time.

The last straw that will break this horse's back

It is 4.30pm in the afternoon and I've yet to catch a wink of sleep since yesterday. Finally decided to blog and maybe it might purge my mind enough to let me sleep. *sigh* This is going from bad to worse. My body is so tired that my fingertips are vibrating everytime a current of air sweeps my way, but my mind persists on staying awake and active. Even my skin is suffering. I feel as though everything is breaking down slowly, bit by bit and I'm helpless to put a muffler on my whirring brain. I am thinking too much. I no longer just read, I think. I really think I'm on the verge of falling into a clinical condition - insomnia. I think it is safe to say that my condition is fast becoming chronic if it isn't already because I have been loosing sleep for the past two weeks. I feel as though that my time is running out. I am still jobless. I've been considering shelving my writing and just settle for a sales job which I've been dreading since forever. *sigh* I'm so tired.

Also in my frenzied imaginings, I came up with a horrible thought. What if I become like my sister who sees *shudder* other worldly people? What if my not getting enough sleep will trigger my 'third eye'? I really, really do not want this to happen. Of course when I was thinking this, I was already all alone at home with everybody gone off to work. I managed to worked myself into such a scare that every creak or thump had my heart racing. In my weak-minded state I started imagining figures (old hunchback women with leathery skin) outside my window looking in, waving to me, calling me walking though the wall towards me. I see shadows in every corner, even under the bed and worse, in bed with me. I really scared myself silly a few hours ago, so much so that going to sleep was impossible.

I. Am. Going. Out. Of. My. Mind.

Halloween costume puzzle

What to wear, what to wear? I've been trying to decide what to wear to a halloween costume party for the past one week. So far I haven't found a solution that is applicable to my dilemma. Sigh. But I did find this site that gives great ideas. Do have a look if you have time. They've got a lot of funky ideas.

On the mend, I think

P.S.: I don't know what's wrong with Blogger. The post date should be 22 September 2002, Monday, 10:44pm.Yeah, I'm still all snuffly and phelgmy.

Yuck. I had to postpone my interview with InHouse Multimedia today to Thursday. Thank goodness the man was very understanding. Sigh.

Nah, have not done much at all these past one week. I even missed my weekend gym session and stayed in bed the whole weekend. I can tell that I'm not up to writing much lately - the tone of the sentences doesn't lie. Just feel whoozy.

Anyway, nite all.

What do you do when you're sick?

Blog, of course. =p I feel terrible. *cough cough choke choke* I finally succumbed to the microaliens floating around my house on account of Lee Hoon's coughs and sneezes. She's been sick for the past two weeks and is still coughing up green yuckies every 10 minutes or so. Apparently it's a viral infection that has been laying lots of robust *ahem* people low. Well, I've joined the ranks of the Green Phlegm and frankly it's just a hornet's nest waiting to be jostled. So I would like to apologise in advance for my bitchiness or lack there of. *grin*

I know I don't seem very sickly in my thoughts *you know what I mean...* right now, but my physical self is just gross. Every second I have a frog in my throat and my gag reflex is working overtime trying to get that imaginary amphibian out. *gri-gak* Been drinking hot tea all day, and that is why I'm sooo froggy right now. Can't seem to sit still or go into a blank state anymore. =p My mind is like an Information Highway, I can't seem to keep my neurons in one state.

Anyway, have you ever wondered why we grow our hair? I mean did God tell Eve that hair is a vanity thing? Or did the Snake? Or did humans take immediately to their crown or glory? Or for that matter, did Eve even have hair on top of her head when God made her? If so was it long or short? Was Adam's hair long or short? I mean presumably hair is to keep our brains warm like those cute little knitted egg warmers, so would that mean Adam's hair was long? Would God have given Adam a haircut as depicted in most of the world's religious depictions? Why didn't they paint him with long hair? Maybe it would have made him less of a man in today's eyes since long hair is associated with words like feminine, soft, beauty, pride, desire, and of course the requirements of a shampoo ad girl. Would you show your children a picture of adam and eve with adam sporting shoulder length gleaming locks? I have no idea what I would do. But then the pharaohs weren't carved in stone with long hair. They had no hair; they shaved their heads to escape from the heat. So why did Samson have hair, and why was his power said to be in his long locks? Didn't he suffer from heat as well? How did he manage to even keep it clean and healthy if it was that long? And Medusa - an interesting bit of fiction there. I wonder if whoever wrote that story must have had a grudge against women and their mantle of vanity?

Hair is a luxury. It is a bother to keep it long and clean. Yet we have stayed on the beaten path of hair sociology. All that path lead to is vanity. Which brings me back to the question "Did the snake do it?" Or is the hearsay that the Bible is one of the greatest fictions ever created true?

It's a woman's world too.

Went clubbing with Estella Saturday nite and I just got in, and thought might as well blog before I hit the sack. We've been planning since that nite at Cristo's - it's good to go clubbing with her again. By the by, do you know Cristo is charging RM100 for 1 litre corkage?! *choke* Thank god I didn't bring my new wines. Idiots. I predict their downfall.

It has been ages since I've been to Atmosphere and it is still rocking as ever, literally. We were late (12.45am) after we detoured to pick up Estella's cousin Johan and his friend Alex, as the Fed Highway was jammed back to back. It seemed like everyone was headed to KL.

An intresting aspect of our very varied nightlife that I've never seen first-hand but heard of, actually happened. Johan was picked up by an older woman whilst her boyfriend was plastered to her back. When Johan asked about the bf, the bf said, "Oh it's okay. I'm one of her many boyfriends." *_* Like wow. She jokingly suggested a foursome too. This is girl power in one of it's purest form. She was trying to assemble a 'harem' for later I guess. And she was a looker too. 30-ish, and slender. I wonder how we get to that level of mind that we can just do it for the (fun) sake of notching our bedpost? Maybe start a collection of 'mug' shots like the Banger Sisters. We are Woman and we are here to take over the world. Muahaha!

It felt good to be back in a vibrating space. To be in front of the DJs was darn cool coz the SFX guy was so good looking. Caucasian with piercing blue eyes, and a bonus - Christopher Reeve's nose and jaw. He could almost be a double for the ex-superman star. As usual I had to dance alone after Estella ditched me in the second hour for a frosty. Anyway, I was enjoying myself too much to care. Danced with a couple of strangers but of course didn't take up their offers for *ahem* "drinks at my place later". Didn't know that line was still in use. Haha. I guess the stupidest line I ever got was "I speak chinese too." To which I replied, "I don't." What is the worst line you ever got???

Noli me tangere...

I've been thinking... why is it that women are such hopeless creatures when it comes to matters of the heart? Why is it that our hearts, no matter how well armoured, tend to flutter to some sort of tune that lilts its way our way occasionally? Why is it that we cannot, would not bring our hearts to heel?! Why is it so hard to control when and where and who we should go all oh-so-fluttery over? Pfftt, I say.

As much as I like being a woman, I sometimes question our need for such frippery that has a mind of its own. It is just very annoying to find oneself in such predicament without notice. It truly is non sequitur for such things to happen without some sort of lead or provocation. Well... maybe there was provocation... I guess men who goads any reaction from a female is better then those of a lukewarm nature. Surely any smart female wouldn't want a partner who is boring and utterly tepid to her, right? Besides, flutters of the heart are normal. We get them all the time. Nothing that alarming.

If only.

Home sweat home

Yeap, it's the same litany again. It's hot back home. My body is still adjusting to being back in KL's sweltering heat. And bath time has become my fav past time since 10 this morning. And I must say I love my bathroom, it doesn't have a showerhead but rather a huge mosaic tub where the water is stored and cooled to perfect iciness. Brr. Ahhh. *grin* You know, I might just move into that space.

Got in about midnight and went straight to bed. Well not right away. Had to do some house cleaning as the house was dusty and yucky after more than a week's absence even though my housemate was in the whole time. Yeah, go figure. Anyway, I've yet to unpack. 'Tis cool, no rush. I did all my laundry in Perth so now all I need to do is shove certain clothes here and there and back onto their shelves.

The flight was turbulent - outside and inside. The plane shook like 40% of the flight and the captain had to ask the crew to take their seats several times. Fought with Lee Ling for the aisle seat. Hee hee... used the excuse that I was bigger therefore needed more legroom. She said she needed the seat coz she goes to the lavatory a lot. But in the end she relented. *grin* I'm still the baby of the family.

Then some man fainted right in front of me and fell on the lady seated in the aisle next to me. I was awakened by her loud 'Oh' of pain and caught him just as she shoved him off her. There were plenty of men around me - white and black and brown and yellow and blue and green - and none of them got up to help me. So there I was, supporting the dead weight man and trying hold onto him, and not being able to let him down as I was still strapped in, for like a whole minute amidst calls to the steward for help. Useless nincompoops. Anyway, his friend saw and came back to help and hoisted him out of my cramped arms, and THEN only did the stewards came and did the whole red-cross-paint-by-the-number procedures. After than it was like a flock of disturb geese. The man was traveling en massed and my lord, the commotion - a flock of ruffled feathers - all flapping about, talking in loud Cantonese, rushing up and down the aisles, looking alarm and pointing here and there and generally making a nuisance of themselves. Don't they realise we were in turbulence and the crew already have their hands full with the man and do not need these flutterers clogging up the aisles? I seriously wanted to just shove each and every one of them, save the wife, into their seats and weld their buckles shut. Idiots? Then after the man was taken into a close off area, these geese then started wandering among themselves, taking bags down, and we were STILL in turbulence. Seriously? What is the matter with this picture? Oh the best part is - going to the loo when we were 5 minutes into landing! The stewardess came out of her seat and shoved the woman back into hers. Good for her.

Other than that the flight was uneventful. Saw Anger Management, laughed with the rest of the plane, drank lotsa wine and paid for it later with a heavy head. Lee Ling knew the leading stewardess, so she gave us like a full glass of Taylor's red. But Lee Hoon and Mom couldn't finish theirs so they gave them to me. I drank them, and broke my own cardinal rule - never drink alcohol when in flight coz it's bad for you. Thank goodness I wasn't that blur when that man fainted. Today, I have a slight hangover coupled with some jet lagginess if you can call it that. Oh gimme that white tablet. ;)

Blogging at the airport. Cool!

I am at the airport now, waiting to board the flight back to KL. Hmm...I'm at one of those Internet Kiosk rightsmack dab in the lounge. Feels kinda weird as I get curious passerbys looking over my shoulder t see what's going on. Plus the keys are really different. Not that it is bad, justthat I miss out on a lot of words and have to back space most times. Nah, justme and my big paws. See? Cramping already. Plus way expensive but why not? Kinda cool me thinks. Hee hee... My blogging glee is reariing its ugly head again. I just wish I started my blog earlier, like when I was still studying in Perth. Darn.

Called Basem and he finally picks up his mobile. Apparently he has been sick and really busy wth his parents down and his house swamped by his parents' friends. I'm really dissapointed that I couldn't get to see him this time. I miss the little bugger - and I mean that in a most affectionate way. (Oh stop looking over my shoulders people! I'm not looking at porno. Shoo!)

Also remembered to call Aunt Viv and got sounded 'kao kao'. I was suppose to call her when I got backfrom Margaret River so that wecan go meet up for some catching up. Little didIknow that she was planning a BBQ andwas waiting patiently for me tocall to 'put the steaks on the grill' so to speak. Ifeel terrible, so I should says my sis. *sigh* Aunt Viv: "You naughty girl! Oh so now you call me and from the airport too!" Then she told me about her BBQ plans and I feel horrible and terrible and everything in between.

Also Happy Birthday Lydia! SorryI won't be able to attend your birthday bash tonight. Hope you have a blast, drink and be merry. Just don't dance on the table top, topless. =p Hee hee... Okay got 2minutes left.

I'm going to miss Perth. Thank you Kim for putting up with me and letting me put up with you. Saw Kim this morning, had brekkie with her. Notmuch happened except a few slippery mishaps. Hee hee... Hope your hands and other parts feel better, Kim. We just came out of my apartment when I teased Kim about how shy she was with my family. You should have seen her - all shy and blushing - it really was quite adorable. Anyway, I got whacked for that, and well... we had a little bag whacking session when Kim slipped on the wet marble and landed on her butt, thankfully not on her head. After that we lost it - started giggling and laughing until my mom heard us. She commented on it later. Gosh, I felt a little sad when Kim hugged me goodbye. I told myself I was not going to cry - this might the last time I'll be in Perth. Of course unless I decide to take up a TAFE course then there will be no getting rid of me then, Kim. =) Okay gotta go. The final call just sounded. Bye Perth.

Time to say Farewell

Well, today's my last day here in Perth, and I must say there is a certain sense of closure this time. I've said a sad farewell to this land that I've made a temporary home. I had a great time down in Margaret River - the cottage I mentioned earlier was very nice and cozy. I did not want to leave and leaving was hard. Especially after I was given two gifts. First was when I took an early morning walk on the trail and I spotted a kangaroo grazing just 20 meters from me; it seemed to be serenely unaware of my presence until I saw it's ears flicked at me. I stood there for half an hour watching it graze. Then later that night I saw a shooting star while star gazing in the freezing cold. I just love the night sky when it is not over-shone by city lights. Plus being a tropical native, I find being in a cold country absolutely cool. =p

We did the whole winery tour thing. Drove north first day in margaret river and south the next. We also went to Cape Lavender where they sell lavender bushes and lavender everything, even wines. Got a couple of bottles of the Lavender Dessert Wine - it was superb *smack lips italian style* - plus a few other lavender items. Mom almost bought the store out - she got body lotion, soap, essential oil, hand & nail cream, preserves and other stuff I can't remember as well. Sisters bought a lot of stuff too. They weren't cheap but they were really nice and you can only get them here at the Lavender farm. Then we went to Voyager winery. It really is a very nice place for pictures. We snapped a couple. The estate is landscaped to perfection to achieve the spanish manor look. Very grand too with it's giant fireplace and mantle and all. Anyway, we went to a lot of wineries and we bought a lot of wines. We will have to drink a few bottles so avoid being tax on the way home. No trouble there. Cooking lamb tonight, I'm sure the Sandalford Cabernet Savignon will go famously with the lamb steaks.

Oh and I went down to Augusta this time to see the whales but unfortunately the weather wasn't up to obliging a few eager tourists so the tour was cancelled. Darn. Was so looking forward to that. But Lee Hoon and I did go for the lighthouse tour at Cape Naturaliste where the two oceans meet - the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. Mom and Lee Ling weren't up to it. Anyway, the wind up there was blowing something fierce. Lee Hoon was clinging to the railing as she felt quite sick being up so high, and with every wind blast threatening to blow her off her feet, Crikey Mate! Hee hee... Going up was a cardio challenge and a great butt workout, but coming down was a mite windy for me - going round in circles several times over even made me a little off balance esp when the steps are sooo narrow. One wrong step and tumble down you go.

(I'll tell you more later coz my internet time is running out and it is darn expensive.) My flight is at 4.30pm tomorrow. Kim is suppose to call me tonight so that we can plan whether or not to go out tonight. I think this will be my last trip to Perth in a long time. This makes me sad. I guess I'll just have to find a great job and makes lotsa moooney and come back for annual holidays or something. (Kim) Yes, I know what I gotta do. *grin* It's a joke between us. Okay time's up. Later dude and dudettes! Signing out from Perth, Western Australia. (Sorry couldn't resist that. =p)

Road worthy Hyundai Skipper???

Just picked up our rental car from Burswood Car Rentals and I've left with a sour taste in my mouth. My advise, don't ever give them your business again. There was an old man, could be the manager or owner, who was most sarcastic and off putting when I asked if we could changed to a cleaner car. The car was dusty and the windscreen was spotted, AND there was a 1 inch crack (we only saw that after we drove off) in the middle. Well, too bad if your cleaner is off sick, you can't just rent out a dirty car, and by saying in a sarcastic tone that you'll give us a $11 credit to get it wash or giving it a swipe with your cloth did not help the matter, you stupid, sarcastic, dogmatic, mean, bald, arrogant frekin' bastard!

I just got the number for the Consumer Protection Hotline and I'm gonna ask if that is a violation. Argh! I really hate being bullied. I knew if I took up the issue, like quarrel coz that was the only way to go with his sarcasm and all, there would be a major row as Lee Ling was there. She would get all snooty and sarcastic and mean and that would have ruined everyone's day. I don't know why I bother at all, coz the day feels ruined anyway. Maybe we should just upgrade to a better car. I don't know. Send the car back and risk a confrontation with that horrible man? Lee Hoon thinks that it is the same car we had last year except that it has been repainted as it probably was in an accident or something, and that it why the price is cheaper. Should we change cars? We don't care about price, just about how comfy it'll be for Lee Hoon to drive it. I certainly don't mind upgrading to a Pulsar and it looks cleaner too. I'm sooo agitated and mad now. This is not a holiday, this is stupid. Not to mention the fact that Lee Ling is complaining that the seats aren't comfy (hint: I was to sit in front??) I have no problem changing seats - she'll have to navigate and NOT sleep at all as she will need to help Lee Hoon.

Other than today, my holiday's been good and fun. Staying with Kim was fun too and I got to play with Max. This stupid blurp is marring it and I hate it. Anyway, I'm off to Margaret River tomorrow. Will need to drop off some luggage with Kim and the car won't be able to fit all of them. So many things to get done too. First and foremost, try to get over this stupid. But then there is the foregone conclusion that we will NEVER go back to that horrible car rental place again. Maybe some people do not view it as rude, but we do.

Hopefully there won't be anymore stupids like today's. Rented a cottage along Carters Road, with all the winter trimmings. It should be good. No more stupids, please.

Good one, Shazza, good one.

Today's weather was especially windy and wet. The rain came up with the sun and it was gloomy and very, very cold. Brrr... Decided to sleep in, so I literally took a rain check with James. Was supposed to meet James in uni for hot chocolate and some footy lessons. I was so excited when he offered to teach me how to 'kick the footy' but then the rain sorta put a damper on rain, didn't it? Bah. Kim and I were suppose to meet Basem for lunch but postponed that too. He is coming over tomorrow for dinner instead. Anyway, we had this ravenous craving for hot soup that we braved the weather and hied ourselves over to Coles and bought 'a few things'. Oh oh oh, we made scones too to go with the bean soup. Ohhhmiawd, it was so good. The moment it came out of the oven, we buttered it liberally and wolfed it down in 10 minutes flat. We had to make another batch to go with the hot soup. Kim had hers with butter and jam; I had mine with butter and vegemite. Blissful... *sigh* Apparently I must be a true Australian if I like Vegemite, and ironically Vegemite isn't made in Australia at all, it being Kraft and all.

Later I did have that hot chocolate with James. He fetched me from Kim's, and we went to Carousel. It was great catching up with him face to face. Well, almost great. I felt awkward for some reason. And I did put my stupid big feet in my mouth once and I felt horrible, I still feel horrible. I asked him why does he limp (I know personal question! But I figure we were friends enough for me to ask... dumbass...) and he said, "What? I limp?" Ohh my major gawd... sigh... good one Sharon. It is just that he walks different – offbeat. I only asked coz I thought he was in an accident or something. There are many times in my life that I wished I were never born, and this is one of them. My cheeks were so red afterwards, but he was all nice and good and said it was okay. It was not okay. Note to self: Don't ask personal questions ever.

Good one Shazza, good one... arrrrghhh!

Nice, cold blessed weather...

Kim's been teaching me how to play a guitar and I've found that I'm not any good coz I've got short fingers. If I have to press any more than three places, I'm totally useless. I'm not a total guitar virgin as I have held one before - my dad's - and even strummed a few 'noise' now and then, and yet even with proper teaching, I'm a lost case. I wonder how people with short fingers manage; they must have the most flexible fingers in the world to be able to contort their digits into such unnatural angles. I console myself with the fact that I am not totally musically challenged since I can play a bit of tunes on the piano. *grin*

We went to the city today, and did a spot of shopping. There is a Cotton On sale going on at the moment at unbelievable low prices - I'm talking single digits and double digits that will not even burn a tiny hole in your pocket. But I didn't go crazy if that's what you are thinking with my above excuse and all. I resigned myself to two items which cost $20, which I think is a bargain, as the normal price would have carried that number way, way over my meagre budget.

Anyway, we wanted to have yummy lunch at Mr. Samurai but it was, as usual, packed to the eyebrows. No biggie, only coz I've been dreaming about it for a year! Oh well, we were certainly not gonna squeeze into that overdressed crowd. I find it funny that office yuppies always flocked to that place when it is mainly a students' hangout eatery. I guess it is because it is so cheap. And the fact that it is so yummy helps heaps. ^_^ We are going to go back again on Friday, and try our luck. Hee hee…

Then we came back and walked Max. By gosh, he is one powerful canine! He almost yanked my arm out of its socket. He gets very excited when he is allowed to go out to the park, and with other dogs around he goes crazily excited. But he is not very well behaved when he is outside as every thing distracts him, and it is hard for Kim to control him. Kim wanted to let him run loose but there were other dogs there and there were all small and fragile lap dogs - one tumble from Max and they are likely to break something like a bone or their spirit. Kim is considering enrolling him in Behaviour School.

It's been a good day. We just had a heart-to-heart chat and belly-aching laugh session in front of the heater (it's soooo cold and my nose is all stuffed up and all nasally... mainly due to my reaction to Max's fur) and it seems like old times. Seriously, it seems like I never left, like the one-year gap never happened and when I came back, the ends just came together seamlessly. It's weird. But 'tis good. I guess it is because we are so comfortable with each other. We can basically be our true selves in front of each other. She is definitely a friend for life.

The weather hasn't been behaving itself lately. Apparently, I brought the bad weather with me from Malaysia. It started raining when my plane landed and we got drenched with cold stinging fat droplets when we ran to the car with my luggage. I looked like a lumbering idiot (I was carrying my huge hard shell case whereas Kim had my gym bag. =))

Anyway, it is COLD, and I've missed this so much. Sweet, blessed cold. =P Well, it is a godsend with the heat we've been suffering in Malaysia. Oi, I don't have air-con ok... and I sleep on the floor, and heat sinks whereas cold ascends. Haha... lame... *grin*

I am here!!! Wheee!

Well, here I am in Perth, staying with Kim in her new place on Kent Street. Just had dinner - lamb (of course) and, cauliflower and cheese, and corn on the cob. Yummy... and lemon meringue pie for desert. That hit the final spot.

The flight was smooth and quite comfy as I got two seats all to meself. The aussie guy migrated to a row of seats behind - I saw him vegged out on them later. Then this big malay guy came and sat in it before takeoff. Two of us were big so it was sorta a squeeze. But he moved back to his own seat later, no idea why. Maybe he thought it'd be less turbulent up front - row 15. Anyway, did the usual customs thing, declared my Clarinase and Ventolin puffer, just in case coz they are pretty stringent these days. One guy in front of me got his entire luggage turned inside out.

Kim picked me up and we came back to the house and went out again to get groceries. I met Max. I love Max. And I'm gonna miss Max. He is just so adorable, and he is HUGE! Bigger than a german sheppard, in between the size of that and a great dane. But he's so cuddly and lovable, and loves jumping up onto the couch to snuggle in, and emitting a little growl of satisfaction every time he does it. Haha... and also he loves chewing on the large throw pillows and when Kim scolds him for it, he either takes it and throw it on the floor, OR hump it.... Yeap, you read right. *grin* I've seen it with my own eyes. I can tell that he is very intelligent - always attentive and very responsive. I love big dogs. ^_^

Wish I can write more but Kim's waiting to use her laptop. So it's just a fast update. Here, Kim... say hi.


uh...hi
:)

im sorry but i dont even know who you guys? are and sharon just kind of stuck me on here...
dont mean to be rude
so hello :)


Well, people that's Kimberley. =p she's a hoot. She's dancing in the background now to my dance CDs. Interesting moves too.... sorta like the 70's Show rerun. Hee hee...

Anyway, later. But so much to tell you all! ^_^

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

I'm leeeeaving on a jet plane, do(n't) know when I'll be back again.... leeeaving on a jet plane.... la la la la....

Hee hee, all packed and ready to take what will probably be my last vacation in a looong time. After this, I hope to get a proper job very soon. Being jobless and a charity case is most unbecoming. Bah.

This time I'm going with a slightly smaller shell case bag, with lots of space so that I can bring back more stuff. Since I'm sharing my bag with Lee Hoon, I know she'll be buying lots of work clothes. (Wei Yong probably rolling his eyes again. He seems to be the only chiding me for shopping. Well, I'm rolling my eyes back at you then. =P) But I think my account should be safer this time since it's low enough to give me pause. Nothing is worse that window shopping on an empty bank account. *shudder*

Anyway, see you peeps in Perth!

FHM - Fevervently Hoping it'll be Me, soon...

I just had a chat with Mr Looi Miin Wei, editor extraordinaire of FHM Malaysia. Wonder if the extra 'i' in his name denotes something extra 'interesting' about him. ^_^ He is only 30, good looking, down-to-earth and already an editor of one of Malaysia's best read leading brand magazine. Only one word - YOWWZA! I guess I must thank Aunty Ida after all for setting this meeting up for me - yes I know I whined and all but I didn't know he was with FHM! Haha, call me two-face whatever; I don't care coz I've just been to FHM MY headquarters. Though the office is nondescript, and plain with the usual bourgeois brand of office furniture and clutter (my imagination: Transformer and Ja Ja Binks or Obi-Wan Kenobi figurines cluttering their desks, a temperature glass bird, Stitch in mock growl, ball-bearing toys); the atmosphere after 10am (when most of the staff came in from their teh tarik sessions) was not charged per se but 'vibrative' - background music turned to Hitz Fm and murmurs of conversation about design, laughter and what-did-you-see-during-the-weekend-over-the-shoulder chats. It really seems like a fun place to work in. I think there were about 9 people working in that office and all of them seem really cool to work with - they were dressed in cool duds. Mr Looi came in fashionably late (I had to wait a while) with tinted fashion glasses - makes me wonder what kind of car he drives. =P

So, we were in the conference/storage room, chatting ackwardly coz yours truly here asked a question and got an unexpected answer. ...(wait for it)...

Me: So how do you know Mrs Mukherjee?

Miin Wei: Oh I don't. She just called me up out of the blue.

What the-??!! They don't know each other! I was mortified. Here I was thinking that Aunty Ida was pulling strings for me; I just didn't realised how long that ethereal string was! Of course, Miin Wei was very nice about it and going so far as to say what a nice teacher I have to do this for me. (Aunty Ida introduced herself as my old English teacher!)

So we chatted, and he gave me some of his insight into the world of advertising (he still does freelance copywriting from time to time), ask me a few questions about myself as he was scouting for future employees (his words not mine) and some more insights into the world of magazine writing. Apparently, there aren't many good writers in Malaysia; "anybody with a good command of English can be an editor," he said. Interesting bit of insight that. I don't know much about our writing community much less be in a position to judge its competency but for a cool mag editor. After that (30 mins) he asked for my contact number, and we shook hands and parted ways. I wish, I wish, I wish our paths might cross again. It'll be darn cool writing for a men's magazine even though I ain't no hairy, ball scratching, two headed hormone-driven homo sapient. *Trill of laughter, distinctively feminine...* ^_^

I'm really going to Perth! Tralalala LA...!

I've got my tickets to Perth yesterday! And my visa too so it is finalised! *waving tickets in the air* Kim, Kim can you see? ^__^ Just another week and I'll be in the land of sun, sea and surf. Bliss man, bliss. Of course I'll be suffering when my credit card bill comes later on but I'm trying not to think too much about it. =p I never really believed I was gonna go until I got my ticket in hand. It was almost like waiting for the axe to fall or something.


A night of cigars, wine and Belgium liqueur chocolates

Later, met up and had a good time catching up with Zona and Aqmal last night at Souled Out. I think this is the first time in almost a month that I've seen them; Zona's been really busy lately. Zona brought the cigars and a nice wooden box of Belgium liqueur chocolates, and I brought two bottles of wine - a Evans & Tate Cabernet Merlot and a Sandalford 1998 Shiraz. Lydia was supposed to join us but she couldn't make it. The Cabernet Merlot was good, my uncle would have loved it - dry, red wine is his favourite. The Shiraz was lighter, easier to drink as it wasn't so dry, but it had good legs and a deep burgundy glow. Not a bad choice if I do say so myself. =p Will definitely be buying more when I go to Perth next week. Zona bought a box of small Cuban cigars (I forgot the name - Mont-something) and medium sized Romeo&Juliets; while the Cuban ones are supposed to be the best, I found it kinda harsh for me, so settled for the lovely Romeo&Juliets (They tasted GREAT with the chocolates) ^__^

Made friends with our waiter - Remmy (how is his name spelt, zon?). He gave us free corkage for the second bottle of wine at the end after Aqmal subtle efforts of sweetening him up with chocolate and cigars! Hee hee... Remmy certainly enjoyed it. Nice guy, only 20 years old but he looks older than us; even ask our age earlier on. Not to sound too 'aware', but I bet many patrons (many of whom were MUCH older than us) were wondering how the hell and what the hell are us young'uns doing drinking wine and smoking cigars and eating liqueur chocolates, when they were having beer and chips. =p

D&D rejection letter

Just to short entry to update you all that I didn't get the Denney & Denney copywriting job. They sent a rejection letter last week. *sigh* I was torn, seriously. I did kinda got my hopes up for this one coz the 2nd interview went so well. My sister called me on my mobile when I was in KB to tell me I got mail from D&D and right then, I knew I lost the job. I didn't know this would affect me so badly. But I guess I did put too much hope in it. Now, I've stopped applying for jobs as I'll be going to Perth on 19 August which is like a week away. So I'm gonna go back to Perth, enjoy myself, forget about my misery and deal with it when I get back.

Transportation made easy

I'm back from the land of the damned. But I miss Patches so much. He's soooo adorable and I miss him. *sigh* Trust me to go ga-ga over a pet. =P

Seriously, despite KLIA being stuck in the land of Kelapa Sawits (Palm oil plantations), it is quite easy to get there and back with the KLIA express and Sentral Station. Of course since all I had were my laptop and a trolley bag, it was a breeze. RM35 for a one-way ticket is reasonable, coz such costly technology needs to be maintained properly in order for it to function without a hitch, right? I don't know why people are still complaining about KLIA being so far. RM35 is considered cheap by international standards, imagine paying the exorbitant prices for trains in Tokyo, Switzerland, England, etc; ours is by far the cheapest for such ease and comfort. I overheard a lady at the ticket counter exclaiming her disgust at the price and saying they were cheating customers and such. *roll eyes*

Driving there is no hardship either, since most KLites drive past 100kph when on the highways.

So why all the hoo haa still? I'll admit that in the beginning some ripples were warranted, but afterwards they should have smoothed out by now. *sigh* I guess we will always cling to the old days when things were dirt cheap.

Haha, you might be thinking about my hair cut entry and well rightly so. We all want to pay next to nothing if we can, but we can't, if we want our economy to boom. I understand that. But at the moment RM60 for a brush and chop is not within my pitiful means.... =P