I am losing my friends

I am soooooo sad. I think I am going to lose my friends. ;-(

Why? Maxis's fault loh!! Apparently the Maxis connection that we are using in the office is going cuckoo. According to my colleague who is dealing with them, there is a problem with the international gateway. I have no idea what that means!

So basically our internet connection has been sucking since last week. We are not able to access some foreign websites and most devastating of all, no connection to MSN Messenger!! The weird thing is that Yahoo can work now and then; and Skype is not affected at all.

The issue is, most of my friends are on MSN. So without MSN, I am not able to keep in touch with them. I know I know...I have heard of phones... but they are just not the same.

Don't misunderstood me though... as I do work in the office. The chatting part is only in between tasks and whenever I am taking a breather. I know some people misuse this kind of privilege bestowed to them by the company, but I would like to think that I am a mature enough to use it wisely.

So with this "downtime", I haven't been chatting with my close friends for a while now. I hope they still remember me.... ;-(

Right Decision? - Part 2

Aiyo... really need to let go of the "thing" that I have already let go, but this stupid voice kept scaring me...

"What if this is it?"
"What if it doesn't get better than this?"

Anyhow too late to do anything about it now. It's gone....
So really need to shut that stupid voice up!!

Room rental in Singapore

It is a very well known fact that rental in Singapore is very expensive especially when you intend to stay somewhere near to the city.

My bro-in-law has just recently started working in Singapore and has rented a room in Jalan Besar.

His place is on the upper level of a shoplot, partitioned into a few rooms which are rented out mainly to male foreigners. We need to climb about 3 flight of stairs to get there. I told my bro-in-law that this would be a good exercise opportunity for him.

At the entrance, there are metal lockers for the residents to keep their shoes.

After entering the main door, I could see rooms that were partitioned for rental. I think there was at least 9 rooms on that floor. There was this cute and friendly shih-tzu tied to one of the doors there and I couldn't help but to interact with it for a while.

The room is quite small. With the basic furniture that came with it, there is still some space to move around.

Every room comes with a fan and aircond. The bed is placed on top of the table and the wardrobe; and it reminded me so much of the same thing that I had when staying in a hostel during my uni years.

I actually didn't think it was thaaaatt bad as I have stayed in much worse condition when I first started working in KL.

Note: The picture above was taken by Gan when he first helped my bro-in-law to move in. It is no longer so neat now, hehehehe.

All the residents share the bathrooms (3 of them), a fridge, a washing machine and a microwave. There are also other basic needs such as hot water kettle, iron and ironing board.

The whole place looked more like a hostel to me. It does have all the necessary needs of a normal person but it will never feel homely in such environment. By the way, my bro-in-law is paying SG$700/month for this... which in Malaysia's standard is too damn expensive!

Well I guess when we go pursue better opportunities overseas, there are bound to be things that we need to sacrifice. Hope in a long run, all these will be worth it.

So, hang on there bro!

Right Decision?

Why is making a decision to let go of something that didn't meet up to your expectations feel so sucky?

Is it because there is a doubt on whether your expectations are actually realistic, or is it because there is a worry that nothing better will come along?

Absolut Disco

If you have watched "Sex & the City", you will definitely know this poster.

Although this is a fictional poster (and a fictional product which then turned into an actual cocktail in Manhattan) just for the "Sex & the City" TV series, the brand Absolut is not.

Absolut Vodka is a Swedish brand of vodka and owned by the V&S group.

Absolut's fame came from their success in long running advertising campaigns. They have many different designs for their bottles for different campaigns. Some are simple, some are truly flamboyant. Either way, they are provocative.

The latest special edition that they came out with is "Absolut Disco". Gan bought one from Singapore's airport and it looks really cool. It's designed to look like a disco ball... or rather a disco bottle.

The glittering part is actually an outer cover for the bottle inside.

The taste? I wouldn't know as I don't drink.

The Convenient Way to Fly

Yippeee....my short holiday is finally here!! For a convenient and cheap transportation to my holiday destination, I opted for the "Convenient Way to Fly".


Destination?? Last month I went North (i.e. Penang) and for this month, it's way South - Singapore lo.

Aeroline is this executive couch which is very convenient (at least for me) whenever I want to go to Singapore. Reason is because I can take the bus from Menara Axis, which is very near to my office. So I would usually park my car at my office and take the feeder bus or get a kind colleague for a lift there.

I took the 4.30pm bus today and it's a single decker. It cost RM60 one way as compared to RM80 for the double decker ones. The seats are comfortable and with good leg space. Every seats come with power points too! Great for those with laptops or sucky phone batteries.

Food is served (mushroom fried rice in today's trip) and there's an "on-flight" entertainment too. However there's no individual screens. Everyone shares one main screen in front. Today they showed "Independence Day" and "The Bachelor". Yeah..2 movies as the trip takes about 5 hours. Aeroline stops at HarbourFront in Singapore.

I will be here till early Monday morning when I will take the same bus back to PJ and to work. Thank goodness nowadays there are so many options to travel between PJ and Singapore as I foresee myself travelling here often. In February onwards, "Now Everyone Can Fly" will be another option too... although I will still go for "The Convenient Way to Fly". Aiya cheapo people, what to do?

Losing your way

Do you know how it felt like when you already have your eyes set on a target but you lost your way when going after it?

Well, Axel knew exactly how that felt ...

My new bag

This weekend I got myself a new bag. Initially saw it at Digital Mall last week and although I was sooooo tempted to buy it then, something told me to scout around in other shops first to compare prices. The price is RM178 in Digital Mall and if I use my credit card, I will have to pay 3% extra.

Thank goodness I managed to control myself that day cos when I went to Midvalley yesterday, I saw the same bag selling for the same price BUT with a 10% discount. So I got it for RM160 with no extra charges for credit card!

The bag comes with a lifetime warranty. Never really know how this type of warranty work though. Does it mean that if the bag gets torn, I can get a full replacement? Does it mean if I broke the zip, I can get a new bag?

It's a Case Logic's laptop bag. However I don't think it looks like one, right?






Looks more like a bit of backpack and a bit of duffel bag. The canvas texture and colour (green) reminds me of the small green school bag I had when I was little. Anyhow, I will be using it as my travel bag for short trips rather than as a laptop bag.

Ahhh... so happy with my purchase although I have yet to use it. I guess I should be grateful to be able to buy the things that make me feel so good. Hehe...

I am grateful

I am grateful that I have good health...both mentally and physically.
I am grateful that I have my beloved ones, both humans and animals.
I am grateful that I have sincere friends.
I am grateful that I have a job and an income to sustain my lifestyle.
I am grateful that I have helpful and fun colleagues.
I am grateful that I have my own home.
I am grateful that I have a car to travel around.
I am grateful that I have the chance to learn and become a better person.

See... I am heeding Ms Rhonda's advice. Indeed I have so many things to be grateful for!

Neck Pillow

One look at this and you would think that this is a neck pillow.

You are correct!

However this is no ordinary neck pillow. First of all this pillow is not fluffy and is heavier as compared to the other neck pillows.

When you turn it to the other side, you will see an electrical socket. Yes, this pillow comes with a power cord to be used with the socket.

This is the Taiwan Kang Bao warmness healthy pillow.

I got it for RM48 yesterday at NZX in Ara Damansara. Initially I was a bit sceptical about this product but after 2 of my colleagues bought some, I thought no harm of giving it a try. After all, it's not so expensive and I can really use something to help with my constant neck pain... that is if I don't turned out to be a sucker.

This pillow is filled with medicinal liquid (according to its brochure) and is effective in relieving bodily pains (also according to its brochure). So if you have neck pain, you use it on your neck. You have stomach pain, you use it on your stomach. You have waist pain, you use it on your waist.

When I got back to my apartment, I plugged in the electrical cord to heat it up. It took about 5 minutes to completely heat up. After I unplugged the power cord from the socket, I used it on my neck. It felt really hot at the beginning but after a while, my neck pain really gone!!

I guess it's like bathing with very hot water as hot water relaxes the muscles... except that with this pillow, you don't get wet and the heat is concentrated on a particular area. I used it again today and am really happy as my neck felt like it could turn 360 degrees now (well not exactly, hehe).

Indeed I am one happy customer. Oh by the way, this is not a paid post, okay??

The rich continues to be richer

Recently got to know that a doctor friend of mine is planning to open another clinic, thus going to make more money... not that he has not enough now! Imagine he can buy an apartment and a house on cash term! I bet his fabulous car is on cash term too!

Sigh... the rich continues to be richer...

When is it ever going to be my turn??

Sleepy Head

This week is training week for us. Our boss from Paris came here to introduce us a product which we will be helping in R&D.

I have always dread trainings, not because of how they are conducted... but rather because I am afraid I will be "fishing" in them. It's often embarrassing as it's not something that you can control and your eyes (also your conscience) just shut themselves down. So your head would be swaying left and right, up and down. Even worse when your dozing off was acknowledged publicly by the trainer!

I remember when I did my part time studies last time where classes were held from 6pm - 9pm. So after work, I would rush to my lectures only to end up sleeping through half the sessions. Come to think of it, there was never once which I was fully aware throughout the class. I have developed this pattern, you see...

However for today's training, miracle happened. I did not doze off even a tiny bit. You know what I did? When I felt like dozing off, I quickly scanned around the room to see those people who had fallen asleep. Looking at them tickled my funny bones and after a suppressed laugh, I was all awake again! If you have the same problem as me, try this method sometimes!

Well, another 4 days of training to go... see how long I can sustain...

Here's leaving you with a video of Axel, another sleepy head...

Artistic Wannabe

Below are some of my favourite pictures taken during the recent Penang trip. Seems like photography is slowly becoming another hobby of mine. Perhaps one day I will achieve the skill in taking good and artistic pictures.

Killing Boredom

Shadow

Bodhi

Lotus Roof

Restoration

I bought a car

I bought a car and it's an impulse buy. Stylish or not? It even has this "Style" logo leh.



Haha, yeah you got me! My new car came in a box and it has a remote.

Come to think of it, this is my first ever remote control toy car. Such deprived childhood I had, right?


Well anyhow, this little thing kept me occupied for half a day. I never knew remote control cars can be sooooo fun. Oh...and it became the tool to bully Axel (my pug) too! See what I mean..

Camera Shy

This is not a picture of someone who's caught doing illegal activities.

It is a picture of my colleague being very camera shy. There was another picture of her hiding behind a paper plate but she forbade me from posting that one.

Big Big Car

Below is a conversation I had a couple days back:

Me: Hey you know ah?... my apartment's parking space neighbour changed his car from Wira to this big car.

GCH: Oh is it? What car is it?

Me: It's a big car la.

GCH: Oh...what car is it?

Me: It's a big big car. From the other side, you can't even see my car when he parked his big big car there.

GCH: So what car is it la??!!

Me: Err...hmm...mmm...it's a big big car lo.

GCH: Oh yeah, that helps a lot!!

Well, that happens when you talk cars to me.

I later found out that my parking space neighbour's car is a Naza Citra Toyota Estima.. ;-)

What a Wonderful World

I am currently reading "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. Understand now why that video?

The lyrics:

What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you.

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
Yes, I think to myself what a wonderful world.

B&W

So Slow

Gosh... life feels so slow after the long holiday.

Sometimes I pity the bosses. When a long holiday is near, staff will be in holiday mood, so not productive. After the long holiday, staff will be in post holiday blues, so not productive either.

Gosh.. life is so slow after the long holiday....

Penang Trip, 28 - 31 Dec 07

Took 2 days off to have a long New Year break and visited Penang. The last time I was in Penang was 2 years ago for my younger sister's wedding. Didn't get any opportunity to do any visiting then.

This time around, got to look see look see around. I guess the highlight of my trip was to visit my old university. So much memories came to me. I even stopped by the front of the rented house that I used to stay during my undergrad years. Could still remember the great moments shared with a bunch of crazy housemates there.

Well..of course no trip is complete in Penang without tasting the food. This time around, I got to taste Penang's peranakan food which is quite different from their Malacca's counterpart. Went to this restaurant called "Nyonya Breeze" and the food was excellent.

Pictures from my trip: