As promised (or cautioned, depending on how one looks at it), I am slowly moving away from this space. So, before you send me a nasty note demanding why it’s been rather ‘dead’ here, go to my new home to check for new posts, kay? 
16
Feb
Elek
12
Feb
Moving House
After much dillay-dallying, I finally got down to *seriously* check out another new home for my posts.
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I’ve never liked Blogspot and Friendster is getting more and more farked up these days. Am getting complaints on almost a daily basis now from friends and readers who complain that their comments ‘disappear’ after they submitted them. Some even tried a few times just to post ONE comment. All in vain.
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So sorry lah, folks. I am just as annoyed with FS and promise to find time to familiarise myself with the new site soon, k?
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Here it is.
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P/S - I’m still fiddling around with the settings, pix, links and what-have-you’s. So you’ll see things being moved around until I am finally liking what I am seeing, ya?
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Definitely WIP.
11
Feb
New Life
As her eager hands reached for her new virtual lifeline, she repeatedly reminded herself not to move too quickly. Or let the excitement in her eyes betray her. As much as she is happy to finally put an end to the 10-day abstinence, she didn’t want to appear too desperate.
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It was the most difficult 10 days of her life. For at least the past decade, she’d always had the luxury (yes, it’s considered a ‘luxury’ when one has been deprived for more than 240 hours!) of accessing the virtual world at her own convenience. Anytime, anywhere.
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When it was gone, she felt like her lifesupport was rudely yanked off and for the first few days, something as basic as breathing was a huge struggle. But as with most things in Life, we make do with what we can get. So, she bravely and not-so-patiently waited. And waited. The days wore on painfully.
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Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she was able to let her fingers dance freely again. Without worrying about borrowed time. Or space. The freedom to dance to her own beat, at her own pace, with whomever she pleases - was hers once again.
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*SMILE*
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She … is back.
09
Feb
Happy Chinese V-Day
Impatiently, I chased the frustrations from my overactive mind.
Wishfully, I thought about OUR dream.
Hopefully, it will be fulfilled (it’s really not too much to ask for)
Lovingly, you held my hand in yours as we willed with our hearts.
Happily, I count the diamonds in our sky.
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Soon enough. Our dreams will be fulfilled. Soon enough.
08
Feb
Frustration
*geram*
*pek-chek*
*pull hair*
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I know and expect things to be different since leaving one realm and entering a new one but does things have to move THIS slow????
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Seriously, sitting around twiddling fingers in a fishbowl for an entire week can really drive a person mad. And there is so much patience one can have before one loses it. Y’know?
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On a happier note, some fun and exciting times are in the books for the coming few weekends. One pending decision that we can’t decide on : V-day in KL or Singapore???
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Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.
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P/S - Thx for the 2nd, 3rd & 4th surprise b’day cakes, folks. Love ’em all and love y’all to bits! 
I’ve finally had the chance to upload the pix from the surprise birthday party. Go here to view them.
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Not many of them coz all were too busy enjoying the cake, the food, the company and the fun of watching the birthday gal jump outta her skin.
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I know I’ve hugged and thanked all of you for putting the party together but I’d like to reiterate the fact that I am truly lucky to have wonderful friends like you all. One really couldn’t ask for more.
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Come to think of it, Apek tried the same trick on Drey 2 years ago and I should’ve known better than to fall for the oldest trick in the book.
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And the next time Sweetheart complains about a stomachache, I will always wonder if he’s pulling another fast one on me.
04
Feb
Numbered
It’s official. Friendster blog is farked up.
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Initially, I thought it was just me. Then I started getting calls from folks complaining that their comments ‘disappeared’ after they clicked the SUBMIT button. I tried the same thing too. Typed some comments on WP’s posts and they all disappeared. No matter how many times I tried. They just disappeared!
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Was catching up with an old friend yesterday and he told me that it’s high time I move on from Friendster. Reluctantly, I kinda agree with him.
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So folks, with the many exciting things happening in 2009, I reckon it’s about time for me to finally move on from this blogging space. My posts will slow down in the next week or so….and will eventually die a natural death.
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I’ll keep you posted on which space I’ve decided to move to (am not really a blogspot fan either).
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Oh well. Live goes on.
03
Feb
Happy Birthday, Eleen!
“Hi Mom & Dad, thx for bringing me into this world 34 yrs ago. I may not say it much but I really appreciate both of you. Luv, your daughter”
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Sent the above text to my parents today. Mom called to wish me happy birthday and I think I heard a sniffle in her voice.
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The FB wishes started first. Then came the texts followed by the calls. Thanks all you wonderful folks! Every year just keeps getting better and better.
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The only downside is … I broke my zero MC record on Day 2 with my new job. 
Spent the day bed-arrested and popping painkillers. BUT that doesn’t dampen my happy day today. Am adamant to enjoy the day no matter what.
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And oh, some travel plans are on the horizon. So, the pain will have to go. Soon. Wouldn’t want to hobble around airports with a bad back!
02
Feb
Day 1 - Cultural Shock
Culture shock # 1 : Designated car park right in front of the lobby
Culture shock # 2 : I’m placed in my very own fishbowl (with 3 walls, 1 glass front wall and a door)
Culture shock # 3 : Zero interaction with folks in the same building
Culture shock # 4 : A cleaner comes into my fishbowl to wipe at anything wipeable
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All of the above were experienced within the first half of my Day 1. The hands on the clock couldn’t move fast enough for lunch time to come around. Cheeky Sweetheart had a good time laughing at my shocked self. Grrrrrr….
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I must remember to open up my mind and heart. And remember that there is a biiiiggggg, different world out there. And not think that it’s weird working from a goldfish bowl. :\
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And oh, no laptop for the next 3 days till later this week when I fly down to KL for my official training. WTF?!?!?! That means no access to any laptop unless some kind soul loaned me one (am using Sweetheart’s laptop now to write this).
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*Chant to self*
It’s all part of the learning process. It’s all part of moving on and up. It’s all part of life. It’s all part of me.
*Repeat the above*
01
Feb
Surprise
Thanks for making me almost pee in my pants, folks! And for the wonderful early surprise birthday party. Will edit the pix and post them to FB when I get my new laptop, k? Love you all to bits.
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I am such a lucky, lucky person. Yes, indeed I am! :)))))
31
Jan
स्लमडॉग मिलिनेयर
Originally published as ‘Q & A”, Slumdog Millionaire has recently won many awards at the Golden Globe and the hearts of many movie lovers. Now before you diss it, you should really check this one out.
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I’ve heard nothing but praises for the movie. Even from my friends who aren’t really into movies. A buddy has kindly shared the DVD with me but I’ve been so busy with CNY that I’ve not had the chance to watch it yet. Then yesterday, I chanced upon the book at Borders. Was highly recommended by the girl at the counter. Decided to get a copy to read before I watch the movie.
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So far, I’ve been impressed with the book. It takes us on a journey through the streets of India and may be disturbing or shocking to some. We’ve always known India to be full of corruption, dirty money and biz, slavery, and all the horrible things imaginable but reading about them still made me feel very sad. I am sure watching them on the screen will be even more heart-wrenching.
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Go here and here to read up more on it.
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Then go check out the movie or the book. I promise that you won’t be disappointed.
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P/S - The movie’s entirely in English and for once, no insanely famous Bollywood stars. Totally unknown faces but kick-ass story!
30
Jan
This is it…
Today, I woke up in the morning expecting to feel many emotions but was surprised to find that all I felt was a numbness. An anticipated numbness.
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As I got ready to make my final trip to the office, I checked my external HDD one last time to make sure that I’ve transferred all my files from my laptop - all of them collected in the past 8.5 yrs of my working life. Paranoidly, I checked the 20-odd PST files to make sure that they are all backed up in the external HDD. It would kill me to lose any of my precious files!
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Finally satisfied that all my files are secured in my external HDD, I made my way into the office for the last time as a badged employee. My next visit will be as a visitor.
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It was a short day for me. Cleaning my rather empty and very underutilised cube, checking for any last minute emails before finally passing my laptop and my badge to HR. Sweetheart teased me “How come didn’t bring your camera? Not gonna take any pix with any folks in the office meh?”
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I was surprised to realise that the thought of bringing a camera to the office on my last day did not occur to me at all. In fact, I skipped the entire going-around-bidding-farewell-to-folks episode. Most folks do that on their last day but strangely, I didn’t feel like doing that at all. Not because I have no memories that I’d want to take with me but because those memories are already secured in my heart and mind.
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Throughout the entire day, I kept waiting for the sadness to overwhelm me (I wanted to make sure that I was prepared and not make a weeping fool outta myself lah). The whole day, it eluded me. By the time I walked out of the building, I was still feeling … nothing.
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Perplexed, I asked Sweetheart “How come I don’t feel sad? I thought I’d be more emotional than I am now for leaving this place I consider my 2nd home for the past 8.5 yrs. Even when I moved department throughout the years, I was always having a hard time moving on to the next role. Each move was as emotionally draining for me as the previous one. How come this time I feel … nothing? It’s not like I no longer care for this place. I still love it with all my heart!”
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“It’s simple, really” Sweetheart reasoned with me. “Y’see, you have unconsciously detached yourself emotionally from the folks in the Penang office becos of your last 3 projects. You work hours that are different from the folks here and you see them so infrequently that you’ve forgotten how it is to see or spend time with them. Most of the time, you are working thruout the nights - thx to your global role and your US teams - and are not in the office physically much. You still feel attached to the company but not to the people in the company. It’s the people interaction that’ll tear at our hearts when we leave a place, and that is something you’ve not had for a long time already. That, baby, is why you feel ‘nothing’ today.”
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Hmmm…I really didn’t think of it that way till he pointed it out to me. Then I realised how he’d hit the nail on the head. I’ve been so severely lacking in human interaction work-wise that I’ve forgotten how it feels like to work with folks around me. Talking on their own phones, turning around for the occasional bitching or jokes, gossiping at the pantry, yakking away at the cafeteria.
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The only close contact I’ve had in the past 15 months is my speaker phone and my broadband connection at home. The folks I’ve interacted with are just voices over the phone and typed words in chat windows on my laptop screen.
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Wow…..didn’t realise my worklife has evolved into such a hermit life. I mean, I still meet up with some close buddies for lunch (or tea) and dinners on weekends. Fun times were still aplenty. Maybe that’s why I didn’t realise how much my worklife has changed till I took a backseat and looked back.
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I know without a single shred of doubt that I’ll struggle in the next few weeks as I go back to ‘normal worklife’. No more sleeping in till whatever time my body wakes up. No more lunch time at whatever time and wherever place and for however long. No more luxury of short lines and almost non-existant crowd at the banks and govt offices during weekdays. No more flexibility of going to the gym at whatever time on whichever day of the week.
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Suddenly, I am reminded again of why I have subconsciously chosen the hermit worklife. For all of the above flexibility and luxury, one couldn’t really complain much, eh…
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But all things, good or bad, will have to eventually come to an end.
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I am now ready for my next chapter. It may be tougher and more demanding but hey, those who know me will know that I never shy away from new challenges. Besides, golden opportunities like this seldom come knocking at our doors. I’d be a fool to not grab it and fly with it to the skies!
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As I look back, I realised I’ve really learnt and grown by leaps and bounds in the past 8.5 yrs. My life has been so enriched with the many folks I’ve met, the paths I’ve crossed, the lessons I’ve learnt (some more painfully than the others), the challenges I’ve met and conquered and ultimately, I walked out of the building today a much more confident and satisfied person.
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Thanks for all the memories … and who knows, I may be back! 
29
Jan
Mahjong Mania
As a kid growing up in a big family of cousins all around the same age group, we were always looking for games (sometimes inventing new ones) to play at our grandparents’ place after school and before our parents came in the evenings to take us back to our respective homes.
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One afternoon years ago, we were all holed up indoors due to heavy rain. As super-active kids back then, we were quickly bored outta our minds by the first hour in the afternoon. So one smart cousin went digging in Ah Kong’s store room and out came Ah Kong’s old, not-used-in-years Mahjong set. Curious pairs of eyes eyed the box eagerly while the oldest cousin was tasked to request permission from Ah Ma to play with this new-found toy.
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Upon Ah Ma’s nod, all of us crowded around the living room and Ah Ma proceeded to teach us the basics of Mahjong. Since then, some got bored of it and returned to the usual games of backlane badminton, police-n-robber, hide-n-seek, etc…while some of us got strangely hooked to it. I was one of the few who got hopelessly hooked.
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Together with a few other cousins, we played Mahjong every single afternoon for a long, long time. It was so long ago that I don’t even remember if we were hooked on it for months or years. All I remember was that it was a loooonnnggg time before we moved on to other games. There were more than 4 of us who stayed with the game, so we had to rotate.
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This CNY, instead of the usual card games, we decided to start a sidegame of Mahjong and my interest got rekindled. As the many different sets of rules were explained to me by my hardcore Mahjong friends, I realised that my Ah Ma only taught us the very basic rules of playing Mahjong and left out ALOT of other rules like counting points. She must’ve thought it right to not divulge too much of the game to us kids. Darn, I feel cheated! :\
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All these years, I’ve only known one way to play the game : the 4-player game. Simple and straightforward. This CNY, I learnt the more interesting version of the game : the 3-player game. I was so fascinated with it that I sat with the Mahjong aunties the entire night watching them play and asking them the occasional “How many points is that set ah?”, “What does that mouse tile mean ah?” dummy questions.
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Then, I went online to dig out more info. It seems the name of the game was derived from Confucius’s fondness for birds. Mahjong is loosely translated to ’sparrows’. Go here to read about its history and why players go “Pung!” and “Kong!” and “Chee!”. The 3 sets of cardinal tiles are actually in-line with the 3 cardinal virtues bequeathed by Confucius : Hóng Zhōng (中) which means Benevolence, Fā Cái (發) which means Sincerity and Bái Pi (白) which means Filial Piety. Interesting stuff, eh?
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As the game got more popular and widespread, many different variants of the game was invented. Wiki has a good list of these variants.
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If you’ve never played Mahjong before and want to learn about it, go here for a super easy to follow article on the game.
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If you want to get a set of the tiles without blowing an obscene hole in your pocket, go to Jaya Jusco and proceed to the stationary section. Look for a square brown bag that comes in 2 sizes. The small bag which goes for RM68.90 is a 3-player set while the big bag which goes for RM98.90 is a 4-player set.
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I got myself the 4-player set ‘coz I wanted to have the option to play either a 3-player or a 4-player game with the same set. And yes, I’ve checked. The 4-player set has the extra ‘flower’ and ‘joker’ tiles that are required in a 3-player game.
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Now, with 2 tables and 2 sets of Mahjong tiles at my pad, my friends no longer need to sit around waiting for their turn.
28
Jan
Gambling Lingo
“….you got this card while I got this, so pay up double plz….No, no, it’s triple! Aiyah, what lah? Supposed to be four-ple and oh, if I add in this card, it’s five-ple…”
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I’m not sure if it’s just me but do you folks get the ‘nails-on-chalkboard’ feeling as the conversation between the gamblers moved along the above lines? Especially when they exceed the triple mark and moved on to the higher stakes?
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My English lecturer is sooooo gonna flip over and die a million deaths. Sorry, Prof!
27
Jan
Confession
I’ve been a bad person.
- Eve of CNY Eve
- CNY Eve
- Day 1 of CNY
- Day 2 of CNY
PPK’ed gym and ended up bingeing *big* time with family and friends. Bad, bad me. And from the way things are looking, the PPK-ing may last thruout the entire week. Damn.
26
Jan
All I wish for CNY is…
What is fun?
- Getting paid time off
- Having ‘too thaw mee suah’ soup for the first meal of the Chinese Lunar New Year
- Shamelessly collecting angpow (red packets with money stuffed inside for good luck)
- Getting extra ‘big’ angpow just for being so lovable
- Chalking up on quality family time
- Stocking up on TLC from him
- Getting valuable cooking tips from Sweetheart’s mom on her signature curry chicken dish
- Chillin’ & boozin’ & talkin’ cock with close buddies
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What is NOT fun?
- The hot Penang weather
- The hot AND humid Penang weather
- The hot AND humid AND friggin’ uncomfortable Penang weather
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Is there any way, at all possible, that we can keep the all-things-fun and eliminate the all-things-NOT-fun for CNY every single year? Pweeety pleaaazzeeee???
25
Jan
The power of LOVE
They said there’s something significantly different about him,
They said it’s like he’s 10 times the man he was 4 years ago,
They said he no longer lingers around the shadows,
They said he talks, walks, nods, smiles and socializes differently - head held higher.
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It’s amazing how a little more gratification and a whole lot of love does, huh?
22
Jan
Happy 牛 Year
One of the best things about being a Malaysian is that we have the *most* number of holidays in the entire Asia Pacific region (thx to our muhibbah-ness). Years back, a comparison was done with some regional colleagues on the total PH days in a calendar year and Malaysia came up top. I remember my Singaporean counterparts being pretty darn sore about it. Hehe..
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I realised one thing though - CNY becomes less and less exciting for us as we grow up. Mainly becos we have to go back to work on Day 3 (for the single ones) or becos we have to give out angpows (for the married ones) to others. Not so much fun anymore, isn’t it?
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For me, CNY lost its appeal many years ago. Especially since I joined the workforce and have to get back to work even though the 15-day celebrations are not over yet. Through the years, I also stopped getting new clothes for CNY. What’s the point of keeping those newly-purchased clothing in the wardrobe for MONTHS just so that we can wear them on CNY?! Guess for me, CNY is anytime throughout the year - when it comes to wearing new clothes, lah 
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For those of you with kids of your own or kids in the house (nephews, nieces, etc), then I guess CNY is still an exciting time of the year for you. But then again, who’d complain about getting moolah for nothing?!! That’s MY fav part of the entire CNY celebrations - the angpow collection. Since I am still officially single, I have no qualms about collecting ‘em moolah!
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Hope the year of the Ox brings you much, much love, happiness and excitement, ya! The year 2009 is starting out to be a darn exciting one for me. Filled with lots of wonderful promises and beautiful dreams. It’s all up to me now to get those promises fulfilled and turn the dreams real.
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GONG XI FA CAI!
21
Jan
Eleenicious
Some were forthright.
Some were surreptitious.
Some feigned indifference.
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So, I decided to put everyone out of their curiosity. I’ll still be based on our beloved Paradise Island, love it too much to move away. There’s just so much going on for me here. And although I’ve many wonderful friends down South, my heartstrings are bound too tightly to this place.
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My new uniform : A cute little yellow 2-piece with an equally cute red cap.
My new mission : To deliver packages to all the hot dudes in Penang.
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*LOL*
As Eleenicious as it may sound … In your dreams, boys!
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The corporate colors are true though.
*Continuation from previous post*
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Suddenly, it’s déjà vu all over again. Memories of how the SPS team made me a scrapbook (which I still preciously keep up till today) on all the memories we shared together and how they will always be there for me even though we are no longer in the same team.
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I cried then. I am crying now. And this time, I am not just crying for the SPS team but for all the folks who’ve enriched my life in Dell.
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To answer the question that many folks have been asking me, here’s my answer.
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I am *NOT* leaving because :
- I think Dell is Hell (I take this most personally!)
- I hate my job
- I loathe my boss
- I am lonely working as the only team member on this part of the globe
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I am leaving because sometimes, we need to grab Life by the horns and make full use of the opportunities that come our way. And it’s not everyday that Opportunity comes a-knocking, y’know? I’m shaking in my pants thinking of venturing outta my 8.5 year comfort zone but heck, I’m so not gonna allow myself to get complacent!
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So it’s on to another chapter in my Life. Does not mean the previous chapters mean any less. In fact, they actually mean more now that I know they were the ones that paved the path into my future chapters. And this lifelong novel of mine is gonna be a long, long one to digest and enjoy.
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Come walk with me?
At first, it perplexed me. Why was I struggling with a simple thing such as writing a farewell note? Then as I gave it more thought, I realised that my main difficulty was not in writing the note but in putting all that I want to say to all those who have touched my heart and life in the past 8.5 years - in one single note.
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Then it struck me.
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I owe it to those pockets of folks who have walked with me through the years - some halfway, some just a short but meaningful distance, some all the way - to write them personal farewell notes. Not some frosty “It was a pleasure working with you, thank you” farewell templates one can easily download from the Net. No, they definitely deserve more than that. . So, I decided to break my farewell notes into 4 separate ones.
- For the leaders (all the big boys and gals) - To provide inputs and feedback on my experience working in the Dell team. What they did right and could do well to continue doing. What they did wrong and could do well to stop and change. I received an almost immediate response thanking me for the note and wishing me all the best. Very professional and deserving exchanges.
- For my program/project members - To thank them for the many positive and constructive ‘debates’ we have over our concalls. I’ve learnt so much from them in the past year. I wouldn’t trade them for any other!
- For my immediate team members (all of whom I’ve only met once ‘cos they’re all based in the US and UK) - To personally thank them for making the past 15 months of my Dell life so challenging and fulfilling. I couldn’t ask for a more dynamic team. They were the ones who made my decision to leave tougher than it already was.
- For my friends whom I’ve grown to love as family - This was the hardest note to write and took me the longest time to finish it. Not ‘cos I didn’t know what to write but ‘cos I wanted it to be perfect. To capture all that they have came to mean to me.
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It didn’t matter which of the above note I sent out, the responses I received were so overwhelming that they rendered me speechless! I had to take time away from my laptop to take better control of my emotions before I could write them some decent replies.
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Some snippets of the responses :
- “I know I speak for many when I say you will be missed…”
- “Don’t be a stranger in the streets!”
- “I can’t write as well as you, but me gonna miss you LOADS!”
- “I will be forever grateful for the valuable lessons you’ve taught me”
- “I love your style, as in Chinese - we say 大方..”
- “You’re leaving?! I tot you’ve grown roots here lah”
- “Why, why, WHY are you leaving us???!??!?!”
- “Thank you for the beautiful memories”
- “Will miss your bubbly personality”
- “We will miss your radiance!”
- “Kalau kahwin jangan lupa jemput, ya…”
- “Thank God for Facebook!”
- “When’s the farewell party? Don’t forget to invite me!”
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They have indeed provided me with chestsful of treasures to take with me as I journey forward. I will definitely make new friendships and forge new working relationships but I am *so* keeping these ones tightly locked in my heart.
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*To be continued…*
18
Jan
A Little Nuzzle
A galfren recently shared something really cute with me and I’d like to share it with you. Go here to view the post in GoComics.
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It reminded me of how we’d nuzzle as we watch DVD at home, or catch a movie at the cinema, or just chillin’ at some buddies’ place. We just love to nuzzle. In an unexplainable sorta way, it brings us closer after the many hurdles and bumps we’ve gone through in the past years.
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And sometimes, as we nuzzle, he likes to twirl my locks around his fingers. The endearing way he absentmindedly plays with my hair always brings a smile to our friends’ faces…and a warmth in my heart. At times, the twirling will make a mess of my hair and cause some tangles but I never, ever have the heart to tell him to stop.
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Love may be about many big things…but sometimes, it’s the small things that bring big meanings to us, eh?
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Thanks for sharing, galfren! * big, big winky grin*
17
Jan
Big Shoes
I had the weirdest experience - in a good kinda way. It was an unfamiliar but interesting twist to a situation I’ve always secretly dreaded.
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Y’see, whenever I’m told that I’m gonna ‘inherit’ some folks at work (meaning I didn’t do the interviewing and hiring of those folks. They were hired by some other manager and were placed in my team for some reason or other), I always have an unshakeable, nagging worry that those folks may not accept me as their new leader.
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Over dinner last night, I had the pleasure of getting to know my new team better and learnt some very interesting stuff about my predecessor. Not only is she a sweetheart to the customers, she is also much loved by her team members and the big bosses. In fact, she did such a great job that after a short period of 2.5 years, she was strongly recommended to take over the GM role for the Malaysian office in Cyberjaya. Now you tell me, ain’t that some really big shoes to fill???
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As excited as I am about this new journey of mine, I am also as nervous as a kid on her first day at kindergarten. Silly, right?
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Am so keeping my fingers crossed that I’m able to meet the high expectations of all - the new boss, the new team, the new customers and ultimately, the new Me!
16
Jan
Moving on
It’s a weird feeling. To experience sadness and happiness at the same time. Sad that I am gonna be leaving my ‘family’ of 8.5 yrs and happy that I’ve just had the opportunity to meet my new ‘family’ and they are absolutely AWESOME!
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I was amused when I saw my new ‘family members’ reaching for the drinks menu before they so much as glance at the food menu. Some ordered beer while some ordered wine (I found out later that they were saving the spirits for after food). I happily ordered my glass of red wine. My new boss was busy talking shop to someone and when he turned around and found out that we’ve all ordered our poison, he went “Wei! How can liddat? Ordered selfishly for yourself but left me out? ?!? I want beer too lah!”
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I knew right there and then that I was home.
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Will be meeting them again for dinner on Friday night and I won’t be surprised if we move on to drinks after that. Admittedly, I’ve been worrying if I’ll get along with my new boss and team mates and it looks like my worries had been unfounded. Work-wise, I’ll find out soon enough. In 2 more weeks, to be precise.
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Oh, one more thing. The big boss (Senior VP) is like *super* cute!!! Young, firm handshake, speaks eloquently, tall, clean-cut, abit kwai-kwai look, abit ‘yau yeng’ look - I am smitten already! LOL
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I am SO marching forward. Watch out, world!
Initially, I didn’t want to post this up but my tham-ciak conscience won over. So, here it is … a very belated post of the best steamed fish-head I’ve ever had in my entire life.
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Name of eatery : Ah Wang Bak Kut Teh
Address : 4 1/2 Mile, Old Klang Road, KL
Contact # : 013-2282288 / 016-2341319
View its Wikimap here.
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The weird thing is, its BKT (Bah Kut Teh) is really nothing to shout about. I’ve had better BKT in Penang. And Old Town PJ. And Klang, of coz. At the risk of sounding overly-critical, I’d say their BKT is just average. So folks don’t go there for their BKT.
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Customers are actually there for something else - Steamed Fish.
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That dish is on EVERY SINGLE table at the place. I seriously believe they should change their name to ‘Ah Wang Steamed Fish’.
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I’ve never been a fan of steamed fishes but I’ve to say that the steamed fishes they serve in this place is *really* good. So good that it’d convert a non-fish-lover anytime. Honestly.
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Customers have 3 choices to pick from :
- Steamed with soy sauce
- Steamed with ginger
- 3-flavor steamed fish (we ordered this)
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I did not take any pix of our dinner ‘coz we were too busy being tham-ciak’s, as usual. So, I’d do the thing I always do. Promote our local floggers. Check out its review with pix here and here.
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If you live near Old Klang Road or find yourself in the vicinity, go try their steamed fish for dinner. I promise that you’ll not regret that decision.
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How to get there?
It’s opposite the main road from the Old Klang Road market. If you get lost, ask local folks for directions. Or just drive along Old Klang Road and once the traffic reaches a painfully slow speed, you’ll know you’re near! This place is ‘notorious’ for causing quite a jam on Old Klang Road.
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Thanks to Jeff & Vicky for taking us to this gem of a place. And for buying us dinner too. AND drinks at MOS later in the evening!
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Their answer to Sweetheart and my question on why they splurged on us : “Cos you guys throw the BEST parties whenever we get to Penang!”
14
Jan
Recycling
Ok, this post is actually a plea for help/advice.
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For a couple of weeks now, I’ve been cracking my head on where to send empty glass bottles and alluminium cans for recycling. The thing is, I used to send all my recyclable items to my mom who has all the info on where to send for recycling what.
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Unfortunately, this time round, the empty glass bottles and alluminium cans are all from the recent year-end parties. Meaning, they are all booze bottles and cans.
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And considering the weird phase my mom is currently going through (lotsa mood swings and being ultra-sensitive abt everything), I’d be an idiot to send all those booze bottles and cans to her to be sent for recycling. For sure, I’d get an earful abt how much money I waste on booze and blah blah blah. And an idiot I am not
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So folks, need your advice here. Where are the recycling centers in Penang to send empty glass bottles and alluminium cans? Can share ah?
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Hope someone comes to my rescue soon. The bottles and cans have filled up 2 big bags and those bags are overflowing already! Will need another big bag to hold ‘em bottles and cans.
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With CNY around the corner, I can safely bet that the 3rd big bag is gonna fill up pretty darn fast! Help?
13
Jan
Belonging
There’s a spring in his steps as we walk hand-in-hand,
There’s a sparkle in his eyes when he glances my way,
There’s a gentleness in the way his hand grasps mine,
There’s a haughty ring in his voice when he throws me a tease,
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And most of all…
There’s a singing in my heart knowing that I am his as he is mine.
12
Jan
Inkworld
Yup, I’ve started on Book 1 yesterday and it’s definitely looking promising. The only gripe I have about it is that the 3-in-1 copy I have is blardy thick. I feel like I’m reading a dictionary every time I pick it up! It’s so darn heavy that I can’t even hold the book open in one hand (an old habit of mine) for too long.
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I am, however, adamant about finishing Book 1 before the movie starts showing in our cinemas later this month. Yes, I can be really stubborn that way.
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Read about the trilogy here.
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On another note, I think I got bitten by the vampire bug. After TWILIGHT, I am now gonna (finally) explore Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. Starting with ‘Interview with the Vampire‘ and then moving on to ‘The Vampire Lestat‘. Will then decide if I like her writing style.
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Hokay…am gonna end this and go back to Funke’s world. Later!
11
Jan
Phase of Life
I’m really at my wit’s end here. Before I say anything to you, I think and think and think about it some more. Trying to come up with the most ’sensitive’ way to articulate my points across. And 9 out of 10 times, I fail. Miserably. I either came across too strongly. Or too rudely. Or just plain insensitively.
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I’m definitely fighting a losing battle. Of that, I am sure.
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I spoke to Sweatheart about it. And to the one other person who’d be closest to understanding you. Thankfully, speaking to him makes me feel alot better about how difficult you’ve been of late. He reminded me again of how thankful he is that I chose to stay. He chose the easy way out 10 years ago when he packed his bags and left, visiting only once a year.
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It’s not like I have a choice, right?
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We’ve been thru too much together. And I’m very aware of the many sacrifices you’ve made for me throughout the years. So, despite all that you may throw my way now … I will never, ever give up on you. I may release the tolerance string once in awhile. But I will never let go. Ever.
10
Jan
Lucky, lucky me
Other than my Sweetheart, there is one other person who really knows what I want and need. And right now, I am shaking from the excitement to embark on the INKHEART journey. BFF knows it and that was what she got me as an early b’day gift. Early ‘cos there’s still another 3+ weeks to go and she knows I would definitely NOT wait that long to get my hands on it.
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As I unwrapped the parcel, the words ”INKHEART TRILOGY” jumped up at me and I was grinning like a kid opening presents on Christmas morning. Then, something else caught my eye. A white envelope with ‘Happy Birthday’ scrawled in her neat handwriting. “Ahh, so sweet of her to get me a card too” - I tot.
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Till I saw what was inside the envelope.
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My eyes started tearing and before I knew it, my vision was completed blurred by big, fat tears. No words escaped my mouth ‘cos I was completely and shamelessly choked up. All I could do was reach over to give her a big hug. No words were needed. We exchanged a smile and thru my teary smile, she knew that her little gift has touched the core of my heart.
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Written on a handmade bookmark were tiny pictures of me (obviously taken from the many albums we have) and these words :
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YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND.
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You are my best friend through thick and thin.
When you reach for my hand, you touch my heart.
You are the bestest friend that I can have.
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You are there for me when I need you the most.
You cheer me up when I am down.
If I am about to cry you make me smile.
You are the bestest friend and I cannot lie.
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You listen to me and give me advice,
Advice that comes straight from the bottom of your precious heart.
You are my best friend in the whole wide world,
And I couldn’t ask God for a little bit more.
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We are going to grow older,
And things will change but our friendship will forever remain.
I’ll make new friends but that won’t change,
Because you will always be my best friend.
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I’d like to mean as much to you as you mean to me.
I’d like to be some help to you as you have been to me.
I’d like to know that as we grow old our lives will change
But that our friendship will still remain.
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Me and you will never be apart,
Maybe in distance but never in heart.
For our friendship is way too strong
To let it go off just like that.
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All I can say is that you are my best friend,
And I swear to God that I don’t want it to change.
I may move to another state,
But that doesn’t mean that our friendship will end.
Because you will always be my best friend.
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No matter what life has destined for us,
I know that our friendship will never die.
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Love you always,
BFF
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So you tell me. Who is the luckiest person in the whole Universe??? *smug grin*
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Yes, girl……definitely till the end of time. *hugz*
09
Jan
Power of FB
It continues to amaze me how a simple online social network can enrich our lives in many different ways everyday. Let me explain.
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No, I do not play any of those online games that alot of my frenz are totally addicted to. I basically use it for the photo album feature (to share things/places/people with my frenz) and for the update feature (who’s doing the latest ‘happening’ stuff at the latest ‘happening’ places at the most ‘happening’ time - kinda like an online catchup/lepak venue).
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Then very recently, I reaped more benefits from this amazing network. Something I never dreamt possible pre-FB era.
- Books
- You must know how the crazy TWILIGHT series have evolved. How every bookstore ran out of supply becos they were selling like hot cakes. A week ago, I went all over Klang Valley and Penang searching for Book 3. Every single bookstore had the same response : “Out of Stock”. It’s like you guys TFK and was forced to stop before you get sweet release. THAT was how frustrated I felt! But thanks to FB, a fren read abt my plight and offered to email me the e-copies of the book. To cut a long story short, I got to finish the book before the new stock hit town. Amazing, right? - Loans
- Nope, not that I get to loan money thru FB. Dunno any online loan shark yet but hey, I may just be an ignorant fool. Back to my point, I am currently shopping around to refinance my housing loan. Instead of making numerous phone calls or go bank-hopping, I decided to post in FB requesting for tips/contacts. You’ll be amazed at how fast the tips and offers started pouring in! Within the hour, I had 3 folks contact me (either SMS or email or FB msging) with the latest market info on housing loans. So now, I am happily browsing thru my options and hopefully, will make a decision by next week.
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See what I mean?
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One thing’s for sure, FB will continue to amaze us with many more new things. I must remind myself not to be surprised by anything anymore. Hope you are getting your fair share of benefits like me (and not just mindless online gaming ).
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