Lesson of the day

"Sticks and stones may break my bones
but words will never hurt me"

Never again!

31st Aug 2006

Today is 31st Aug 2006, Malaysia's Independence day which is also two of my pig friend's birthday. We celebrated both of their birthdays with what I describe as a fun filled but crazy night at the Neway karaoke at 1U, BU. I had a fun time but after a few glasses of liquor, I can only remember sections of our party though :P . Lucky for us, we had a very enthusiastic photographer who captured most of our happy and fun moments. And here are some to share with you.

To Gopeng and back ...

Going back to Gopeng really brought back many memories to me. Good memories of my beloved grandparents and many childhood memories of me playing with my cousins. The corner coffee shop that my grandfather used to bring me for morning yum cha, has now converted to a malay food stall. Sigh! The wooden newspaper stall where I used to buy snacks and paper dolls, is no longer there. Sigh, sigh! The corner ais kacang and rojak stall which I used to go each time I'm back in Gopeng, is no longer there. Sigh, sigh, sigh! The shoplot that we use to stay in is still there, but has been renovated and converted into a Toto shop. Sien! Really sien!

I wish I can bring back the times when my grandfather was still around. The times when he held my hand to cross the road while we head to his favorite coffee shop for morning yum cha. I can still remember memories of him, chattering away to me in his tong san hakka which I can't understand a word of. From his gentle hold to my hand and his frequent strokes on my head, I can feel the love he has for me. Sigh!

I wish I can bring back the times when my grandmother was still around. The times she translates for me what my grandfather said. The times I used to sleep with her at night and wake up with her in the morning. I can still remember the distinct smell of the chinese medicine that she applies on her knee to ease her arthritis. It actually smells like Sarsi! Seriously! I can still remember the time when she hides all the carbonated drinks in the cupboard just to keep them for me and my sisters to go to Gopeng for our school holidays. My grandmother has never ceased to remind us that we are her favorite grandchildren. The love and understanding that she has offered me, I wish I can get to feel it again. Sigh!

Gopeng has changed alot, but the memories I have of the town and my dearest grandparents will remain in my memories and heart forever! That's Gopeng to me...

Sunday nite grunts ...!!

This morning during breakfast, it suddenly hit me. My life besides work, is really boring. I do not have any hobbies to look forward to!! No dance classes to make me feel clumsy while at the same time, exhilarating. No make up classes to make me feel good cos I look good. After a make over, who wouldn't right? After paying for 1 year to a gym that I have only gone for 3 times, really shouts about my healthy life!!!!
I ask myself, what do I have to look forward to? Thinking about going to work tomorrow is really not a relieve and happy thought. Work for me this year, is really getting to me. Working for quite a number of years, facing numerous challenges with its fair share of stress, this time round I believe may be the highest peak. For the past 2 weeks, I have been having heart palpitations and migraines with severe neck pains. Friends tell me that this is due to stress and built up tension. I tell myself ... bravo .... at last ... I have proven that I am not a Superwoman??!!!?? Hahaha! Friends who are reading it, please believe me when I say that I AM HUMAN after all! Seriously!!?!
My pig dog friends adviced me to take up some hobby. At least after all the stress, I can look forward to something. I totally agree and am seriously thinking about it. Well, hopefully the next blog I write I have some good news for all of us :)

Departure...

The journey to the airport was filled with light conversations. Tonite, 31/07, is my sister, bro-in-law and niece's last day here in Malaysia. My niece after a long day, fell asleep in my arms. She was clinging on to me like a baby monkey to her mother. And yes, i do feel like a Mommy monkey throughout the 40 mins car ride. Haha. It's a nice feeling and the smell of baby powder, really gets to you...sometimes.
After checking in to confirm their sits, we proceeded to McD for my dinner. Again, light conversations transpired with my niece trying to grab my drink and the fries on the tray. After her short nap, she was blabbering away in her baby language and giggling while showing off her 4 top and 2 bottom teeth.
After taking a family picture that a man kindly helped, we took turns in taking pictures with my niece. Making her laugh for the camera is not easy and she does not stay still as well. I guess, this is when digital still cameras like the Sony t9 comes in handy.
After a few hugs and tears pouring down our faces, it's time to depart and say our goodbyes. I guess this is life. People come, and people go. Well, another 2 years till we meet again then.

guilty as charged!!

i was going thru my 2006 resolution (not published on my site) and guess what? Yup, nothing achieved so far! Hmmm, self consolation says ... it's ok, another 1/2 year to try. Ya, right! :P

So far, life has been pretty busy and hectic. I did not have much time to really think about myself and life. Guess it's good too. Less thinking means less worries? Hmm, not too sure if this is right! Still doing the same thing. Still going to about the same few places. Still the same circle of friends... well, not exactly. This year, i can feel my friends drifting apart from me. Not sure if it is me not making enough effort to talk or go out with them. Maybe I should try harder?! But then, 1 thing is for sure, one can't tango alone!

I wonder if my friends have met any of their self made 2006 resolution?

my cute niece ...

she does whatever she wishes ....
she laughs when she wants to ...
she cries when she wants to ...
she gets whatever she wants ....

with an angel face like this .... who can resist ??!?

Back to work .... already??!!??

Today, I have gone back to work. Nope, I am not a workaholic that can't stay away from the office. This is definitely not a voluntary cancellation of leave. My life, once again, is not dictated or decided by me :(

Last night, I had this nagging feeling of not wanting to go to sleep. In the end, I fell asleep anyway. Woke up at about 8am and started driving to the office about 8:45 (after bitching about going back to work on the 5th day of cny to my mom). By 9am, I reached the office and then found that the office is almost empty. Of course, I am not surprised. Most of my chinese colleagues are still on holiday (good for them!!) and quite a number of the other races are either on holiday or have not gotten the motivation to drag their butts into the office early.

It is really difficult to concentrate on my work today as I am still in a holiday mood. Throughout these few days of leave, I did not do much except laze around, eat and watch tv series. This Chinese New Year holiday is a long awaited break that I know I deserve, however, has been cut short!! Sigh.

This is one of those times that I wonder if I am in the correct line of work or if this the appropriate time for me to venture out and look for other opportunities. A friend talked to me today and kindly adviced me to start thinking and planning for my own future. He asked me if this is the kind of work that I want to do for the rest of my life. It does not sound appealing and honestly, I do not know the answer to this question. So more thinking for this year, then!!

Happy Chinese New Year 2006

Today is the first day of Chinese New Year 2006, which is the Year of the Dog. Happy Chinese New Year to all my chinese friends.

Yesterday we had our chinese new year eve dinner. As usual, my mom cooked the famous delicious "Wong" meatballs. The ingredients consist of minced pork, loads of chopped onions and diced dried octopus (diu pin). A recipe passed down by my dear and sweet grandmother. Besides this, my mom cooked chinese mushroom with fish maw (really yummy), honeyed prawns (a new recipe!!), steamed chicken (pak jam kai), a vege dish and clear chicken soup.

This year, my 2nd sister, her husband and mother-in-law joined us for dinner. My brother-in-law bought bbq duck. So all in all, there were too many dishes for 7 of us to eat. But it's ok, as the more leftover food we have, the yummier the "choy keok" dish will be. My mom usually cooks this dish on the 2nd or 3rd day of chinese new year to finish up the leftovers.

Overall, this year's chinese new year eve dinner was good. Food was good, company was good and all looks quite happy. A bit noisy this year, with my 2 1/2 yrs old nephew Darren chatting away and demanding this and that. I can't imagine my other nephew Dylan starts talking. I bet the dinner will be havoc. Hahaha!

I would like to wish all my chinese friends, "May this Year of the Dog brings you and your famlily good health, plenty of wealth and loads of happiness!!"

2006 goals...

I have spent quite some considerable time thinking about what I would like to set as my new year resolution for 2006. By right, it is suppose to be easy but ... I want to come up with achievable goals but at the same time, helps me to be a better person .. MAYBE!!

Actually I am a very 'people' oriented person. Meaning, I love having friends around me. I just can't stand being alone.

So, the first one of this year...
I want to learn to be alone, not feel lonely .... and be "damn happy about it"!!!
To eat alone ... breakfast, lunch and dinner, and enjoy the quiet environment!!
To watch tv/movies alone ... and enjoy the movie fully!!
To go drinking alone ... and watch people around me!! (I just hope I am not too drunk that I can't see clearly!! :P)
To go dancing alone ... who cares how i dance ... i don't know anyone around anyway!!

Just enjoy being with myself!! Alright, set!! Go go 2006!!