.

Testing if I still remember how to blog...

2010-11-28T18:11:00.004+08:00

My life has not been a bed of roses since I last visited this site. Was doing some housekeeping and decided to clear the cobwebs off my blog. As I wondered whether I've lost touch with blogger.com, I decided to do a quick update to reflect on what has changed since I last blogged:

1. More active on Facebook since the last year or two (and oh, owns an iPhone too since Apr 2010)...
2. Still working at the same place...albeit certain changes like promotion, corporatisation, job rotation and SUPERVISORS!
3. Age has increased; along with the no. of men I've dated & dumped! Haha. Not to forget, the no. of enemies I've made have also increased. :P
4. Finally fulfilled 1 of my desires in life; ie. to complete reading my Quran (Alhamdulillah).

The only thing that hasn't changed is my marital status; still njoying my singlehood!

Single rawks, what to do! A snapshot of my life in 2010...

That's me @ new home (shifted to Marsiling in Jul 09) with the love of my life ...

That's me in my new "baby" (blue VIOS, bought in Dec 09)...

Playing carrom with Amsyar one Sat afternoon in Aug...

Amsyar turns 4 on 31 Aug 2010...

Latest pic with Amsyar (Nov 2010).

CONCLUSION: Haven't lost touch with blogger.com...phew!

2009-07-04T01:54:00.005+08:00

Wow...October 2008 was the last time I came here? Must be FB! Got hooked there posting pictures there...I've neglected my blog & Multiply!

I don't think anyone's reading this anymore...but now that I came back here for some reasons...I kinda miss this place...my fave place at one point of time...until I lost the zest to live in Mar 2008 (some crisis in the household)!

2009 is looking good..syukur Alhamdulillah. A lot of changes happening in the 2nd half of this year. Shifted to new office in the 1st half of the year. Shifting to new house in Marsiling, Woodlands, Insyallah in the next couple of weeks.

Finally fulfilled Amsyar's & Mom's dream to take a plane-ride - Alhamdulillah, saved up enough & took a flight to Langkawi for our annual vacation.

Working with new organisation (CAAS finally corporatised to Changi Airport Group (S) Pte Ltd wef 1 Jul 09). Got promoted to Commercial Executive wef 1 Jul 09 also. Getting a new namecard, with new photo, with new title. Now that's excitement to me! I love the corporate colour of the new organisation (CAG). Colourful - Purple, Orange, Pink...wow!

Amsyar's going to pre-school as soon as we shift. At Huda Kindergarten near our new place. He got himself a new bicycle this year...around my b'day! It's my b'day and he got a gift. I'll get myself a gift on his b'day...just wait!! Oh...his b'day is gonna fall in the middle of Ramadhan - 31 Aug 2009.

This is the latest us...

How old r u? (Specially for Nikky)

2008-10-08T12:39:00.000+08:00

Nikky! Your wish is my command!!
You wanted to hear Amsyar talk nonsense right? That's what you're gonna get here! I managed to record him on candid camera and asked the million-dollar question and got that five-dollar answer from him (you know...five-dollar...a slap on the cheek!)...and he answer it with a no-guilt look on his face some more!
"What's your name?"
Amsyar: "Mohd Amsyar..."
"How old are you?"
Amsyar: "Mohd 2..." (on normal circumstances, he'll ans properly with a "2..."...but on abnormal circumstances...you'll get a "Mohd 2..." or some other rubbish that he can think of!!!)

Geylang Si Paku Geylang...

2008-09-16T14:44:00.000+08:00

My blood test results came alright. No arthritis! The ointment that the Dr gave previously helped to reduce the swelling as well as the knee pain, but the ankle pain didn't subside...so the Dr I saw today prescribed Mobic tablet for me (he says it's more effective than ointment!). As usual, I forgot to take the medication after buka just now...so just took it now, since I remembered. And I just realised now, after reading up on Mobic...that I just took 1 panadol extra less than 1/2 hr ago!! And I also didn't tell them abt my gastric & bowel troubles. Shit. I hope nothing happens to me.

Ok...on a lighter note...I had applied for whole day leave today so no work! After my Poly appt. I went to Century Square to do some errands. 1 of it was to Nokia Service Centre to enquire abt the repair of my internally-injured phone which Amsyar dropped yesterday morning. Nak marah pun tak kuasa...nasi dah jadi bubur! At the most, he's banned from touching my hp already. Anyways, Nokia is able to repair for me FOC...except, the slider is out of stock, they'll confirm when the stock is coming and then I shall send for repair on Fri (coz I need the phone for work and they need to take my phone for 3 days).

After completing my errands, I headed back home. Got appt. to bring Mom to Geylang...she bought baju kurung & capal for Bro on Sat when she went with Sis, but the baju was a lil tight while the capal was a lil oversized...so she wanted to get them changed. I promised to bring her on Mon (today) since I'm on leave. So once I was home, she got ready & we left. Once I parked at Pasar Geylang, si "pakcik" ni sibuk nak tgk lif (the capsule lift @ S'pore Post visible from the carpark). So I told Mom I'll spend some quality time sightseeing with Amsyar while she do her shopping peacefully (both Amsyar & I prefer sightseeing than shopping!). For close to 1/2hr, it was just Amsyar & I standing & squatting like beggars at the walkway in front of the fence under the MRT track facing S'pore Post (hmmm...I seem to excel in babysitting him!). I bet my Mom enjoyed her shopping spree (since I wasn't there to control her spending! She came back to the car with loads of plastic, but I didn't get a chance to inspect!)

Today was possibly my best ever trip to Geylang. I always questioned Mom abt her frequent trips to Geylang with Sis "aper yg ada kat Geylang tu, tak jelak2 ke gi Geylang?!" Now I know! You want to know? Watch this clip:

If only this was for REAL...

2008-09-15T16:30:00.000+08:00

Seems syiok when you watch people play on TV & you start remarking "so easy, itu pun tak tau!" etc etc. Only when I played it, albeit online, that I realise how luck really counts in this game. I may be so close to solving a puzzle, making $$$$ filling up all the consonents & wasting $$$$ buying all the vowels...and there the hook of the wheel decided to "visit" LOSE A TURN la...BANKRUPT la...

Veronica (extreme right, not in picture. oh, btw, I deliberately selected a guy to play next to me!) won the 1st round - that's only because I didn't freaking know how to play this freaking game (hey Nikky, how's my attempt to sound like you?! Hehe). I won the 2nd round. Aherm. I won the 3rd round (dah get the hang of it la tu!). Veronica won the 4th round. Timmy, the guy next to me won't none. Just when I thought I was winning some car or vacation in the last round, my 30 mins trial version expired. Damn! If only this was for REAL!!

PS: If Nashira is reading this -> See what u've done to your Di! Instead of sleeping, she's playing Wheel of Fortune online @ 1.30am!!

Cobaan Ramadhan

2008-09-15T13:57:00.000+08:00

It's been a tough Ramadhan at office.

I came to work 1 fine morning and found 3 hot hunks in the office.

They've been standing there at my colleague's (Joanne) cubicle since 8 Sep, like Aladdin's genie. Joanne is seated next to a row of muslims...and I swear these 3 hunks are really diminishing the muslim's pahala puasa day by day!!

The 1st day they arrived, as one would expect, I was the 1st to remark when I passed by and caught sight of them: "Hai...kalau la we really have such hot male colleagues in this office...kan semangat sikit nak dtg kerja!" Only to have the kakak-kakak hushing me "Hish! Awak tu posa!"

I just replied with a grin (for obvious reasons...coz I was on a 1-week break from fasting!).

How does my ugliness or my uglier soul affect a stranger, tell me?!

2008-09-11T13:07:00.000+08:00

I controlled & controlled...till I finally accepted that it's beyond my tolerance level (when I cried under the shower)! I just have to let it out.

On Sat, a stranger on Multiply invited me to be his contact. Now those who know my life story would know why my Multiply and all my other sites are privatised. To prevent unauthorised access/viewing by an asshole and anyone remotely connected to the asshole. To protect my family's privacy, if not my own.

So by nature, if I privatise my sites, I decide who gets access right? So this stranger, a teacher, by the name of Elmi Zulkarnain, who has 100+ contacts in his friends list messaged me "Hi...care to add me in your contact list? Ikhlas..."

Now, you think I'll just add? No way! It's my prerogative to filter. I checked his site, 1 of the people in the list was my Sis' best friend (her college mate). So I was quite cautious. I asked Sis if he could be remotely connected to the person I'm trying to prevent access and she assured me confidently that he isn't. She told me that she saw his site in her best friend's site, so checked his profile out (same profession mah!) so perhaps that's how he got linked to my site.

Anyways, I thought it would be rude to not reply, at least I should let him know my concerns. So on Sun, I replied:

"Salaam! Tks for the msg...I'm generally quite cautious abt adding people & all...don't think we know each other? Do you really know all the 100+ ppl in your contact list or you add any and every one?

Any particular reason why you would like to be added in my contact list?"
What kind of reply would I be expecting from the above? Some ikhlas answers like "no we don't know each other, I just happen to stumble upon your site and curious to see the photos..." or "oh, just wanted to widen my circle of friends"...you know something to that effect. Afterall, he gave me this impression of a cultured gentleman. He's into puisi (poetry) and seems to be quite popular in the media. And if by any remote chance, if I feel that yes, this guy is sincere and there's no hidden agenda to let a 3rd party view my site, then I shall accept his invitation (although I'll still control his accessibility to my albums).

No reply on Mon and yesterday as of the time I checked last night. I thought he'd know I wasn't interested to expand my contacts frivolously and would just let it be. Tonight, I saw 2 replies from him:

1st:

"Salam ..
Thanks."

2nd:

"Oh ya, btw I made a mistake. I don't befriends pretenders and wannabes. Especially ugly ones with uglier souls.."

I swear when I saw the above, my immediate reaction was to reply: "Good for you!"...but being Ramadhan (I've to uphold certain promises to Allah), I controlled myself, decided it's best to leave him to Allah & closed the window w/o sending the reply! (If only I can be like that 365 days and not just Ramadhan right? Trying...trying...). I thought, why shld I even waste my time & sin over a stranger who holds no weight in my life? The good thing out of the above was that I was damn happy to discover what a "cultured refined gentleman" he was...that persona just didn't fit the picture of him I had in my mind when I checked out his site. If he thought being popular & creatively successful puts him up there on the pedestal, he may be deceiving himself.

Why I cried? You see, I know I'm ugly and I know how ugly my soul is. Something which I've always reiterated to people. However, I don't think anyone (esp a STRANGER) has a right to judge me! Especially when he doesn't even know me. I can't believe a harmless question would hurt his ego so badly that his true self would surface!! I feel like telling him to mirror himself. Neither is he good-looking himself (I can post his picture here, but won't stoop to that level...just the name will suffice, hopefully if by any remote chance anyone knows him can counsel him) nor his soul...ah wth, his reply speaks about his soul, who am I to comment?

I always ask all my new friends whom I know online...what is it about me that made them so drawn to me, despite knowing what a mean and bitchy person I am. I welcome anyone to leave me...anytime. One will be surprised to know that Kamaliah was the first person I got to know online and we're like long-time buddies till today. And then it was Shazadi. My family knows her now and we've even lived together for 3 days. And these people initiated the friendship with a message on Friendster, which I have the liberty to not reply since I don't reply to female's messages esp those who offer a hand in friendship. My 1st reaction would be "oookkaaayy...I'm straight!" But something compelled me to respond. Tehzeeb (who'd add anybody and everybody to her contact list) was also an online buddy for many years before we started chatting more and I discovered she's my Dad's cousin's daughter! I mean, these very people today hold a special place in my life and heart. You people, don't you ever regret & wish I'm not in your life?!?!

I wish I know what these people saw in me to value me so much bcoz not a single day have I lived loving myself. I detest myself and my very existence.

I don't know what I intended to express in this entry...but I guess I just had to let it out bcoz I still can't fathom how my Madhuri-wannabe attitude, my ugliness and my uglier-than-my-face soul affects a stranger?

Arjun Rampal told me in Ek Ajnabee: "Mama told me...don't be talking to the stranger...don't be talking to the stranger...stranger is danger!"

Tipu Singh

2008-09-11T12:19:00.000+08:00

No one is luckier than Amsyar to have me as an aunt! Really. :-P

Last night I was chatting with Nikky while eating mini Smarties in bed. When I finished, I thought the box was q. cute...and so an idea struck me! Since Amsyar is like semut/tikus(appears wherever there's food!)...and he likes to make his way into my room & mess up my side table, I decided to leave the 2 empty boxes of mini Smarties there as a trap to lure the rat (who's more of a bRAT actually!)...his reaction would definitely be worth capturing!

I went to sleep after telling Nikky abt my plan. What I didn't know, however, was that my wish would be fulfilled immediately after I woke up for Sahur. He was already awake, so he joined us at the kitchen table. After I finished eating and headed inside...he ran after me from behind after grabbing his toy bus & crocodile bendable pen...overtook me...reached my door 1st & started knocking "Assamaykom!". I replied "Wa'alaikumsalam!" & opened the door. He dashed in (tau pun takut, pleaded me "Maasi bukak lampu")...I switched on the lights for him...he happily looked at my side table, saw something (that thing!)...dashed for it...and...

The Crybaby

2008-09-08T12:47:00.000+08:00

You'll be surprised to learn:
1. How vain he is - he instantly stops crying when he realised he's being filmed!
2. What a crybaby he is - which also shows how stubborn he can be when he can't get what he wants!

This is the 1st time I decided to film him at his worst behaviour threatening to shame him "publicly" hoping he'd stop his nonsense...but he didn't!! Actually what happened was that since the car was brought down earlier in the afternoon, I kept the car in the balcony so that he doesn't drive it around the house as the wheels would have been dirtied (since it's almost his bedtime, I wasn't abt to wipe the wheels for him to play either). Usually, when the car is in the living room, he doesn't drive it. When it's in the balcony (charging), he insists he wants to drive the car & adamantly begs that we bring it out to the living room for him. Look at how he tries to lift it up himself & knowing he can't, he cries! I love to disturb him when he's in that mood...don't know what he was mumbling at the end of the video! So cute the face! I had a blast laughing at him in the presence of his mom laughing in the background!

Raising Amsyar...

2008-09-06T12:39:00.000+08:00

I'd do anything in the world to see him beaming with happiness like this every second of his life!

1st Ramadhan

2008-09-02T14:32:00.000+08:00

I had a wonderful start to Ramadhan this year. To begin with, I'm on MC today. Couple of months ago, my ankle started swelling/paining. It's been straining (since I walk a lot at work) that I told myself I should consult the Dr. I procrastinated becoz (don't laugh ok!)...I think my legs should be waxed 1st! Yes I'm vain, but what if I ended up being checked by the Dr I've a crush on?!

When I finally waxed, I still didn't go becoz I was too busy at work day in day out. 2 wks after that, my knee started swelling pulak! Very nice. Just on the 1st day of trawih!! I can't bend my knees, I can't squat, I've problems standing up after sitting down...and walking is a chore. So I woke up on Mon 1 Sep telling myself "to hell with work!". I decided to get myself checked, so I made a trip to Tampines Polyclinic.

And here, my 1st Ramadhan tests took place 1 after another:

1. In bus, just 2-3 stops before Tampines Polyclinic, 1 chinese boy started playing music on his hp (chinese song!). Alamak...aku mmg pantang pe'el buruk cam ni. Hello! Not everybody enjoy your stupid chinese music ok!? How wld anyone like to hear some cool hindi music?! It was very tough anger-management for me coz I was seated just next to the hammer meant for breaking window in case of emergency! That guy must be tired of living! There was 2 Indian lady (possibly mother & daughter) 2 seat in front of me. She kept looking back at that boy, obviously not a supporter of such uncivilised behaviour in public! I was so close to asking her "excuse me, wld u like to have some hindi music?" but it was 1st Ramadhan...so...CONTROL! Thank God I reached my bus stop before I reached for the hammer!

2. Took my Q. no. Got seated at Registration. Quite a long q. of patients, but the q. moved very fast. Tried to catch some sleep while waiting (ngantuk ah, barely had 5 hrs of sleep plus deprived of sleep the last few days due to Amsyar's birthday). Just when I was abt to enter la-la land, some lame malay kental song started playing in the background. I turned to my right across the other seats...a young Sec (God knows maybe Pri!) Sch girl was seated, hugging her equally young (but not wearing uniform) bf and the guy was playing song on his hp for their listening pleasure. I swear if it was some Rabbani, Raihan or Hijjaz nasyids, I wldn't have minded. Unfortunately, or fortunately, there was no hammer at Polyclinic! The other issue that irritated me is this teenage dating. With all due respect to those who started dating in school & went to important places like clinics etc with your bf/gf instead of parents/family member, everytime I see such things, this is what goes through in my heart/mind: "Kesian eh...kecik2 mak bapak dah mampos! Nasib baik ada matair utk bawak gi Dr, kalau tak mesti mampos!". Independent la sikit. Hey, I'm not jealoused ok, not that I wasn't blessed with such pleasures, as a matter of fact, my refusal to have my bf accompanying me for my errands & vice versa are cause of fights in my relationships! Everyone's entitled to their own opinion...I know. Just that I feel going Dr/hospital, job interviews, registration for schools etc, all these we should be going with our parent/family member. Kalau parents suruh temankan gi Dr, susah, kalau bf/gf, tak payah suruh pun sanggup! Besok dah kahwin, spouse suruh teman, liat! That's what I observe, sebab tu I anti all these behaviour. Family is more important. Usually I keep quiet, maybe coz it's 1st Ramadhan, so I can't take all these nonsense.

3. Waited in front of Room No. 23. Dr Rekha Rajan. Hey, I remember this room & this name. Amsyar used to see her during his early infant days (jaundice) for abt 1 mth. No, the Dr didn't irritate me. While waiting for my No. (5th in the Q)...there was this baby in front of me. Same thing la, infant vaccination (ala kesian nya). I think the baby just had her injection, so a bit restless & in pain. She was being carried by the maid. Next to the maid, the mother. I know the mother coz the baby's feature just like her. Except the baby has naturally brown feature (hair & bulu roma, eyebrow all)...she has dyed-brown hair...but typical chinese feature. Maybe married ang-mo? Dunno & don't care. Not the topic here. Finally...this is what irritated me. The maid was carrying the baby and the bag was in front. She struggled to take out the pacifier for the baby. The ma'am just sit & cross her leg watching. Then their no. flashed. The ma'am walked in front...holding the child medical book with the necessary clinic forms. The maid struggles to carry the child comfortably and took the bag. The ma'am open the clinic door, went slightly inside to "konon" hold the door for the maid (actually probably for the baby la!)...but not giving the maid enough space to enter comfortably w/o having to manouver herself to avoid the baby or the big bag hiting the wall/door. Thank God nothing happened. Shortly after they went out. Still the ma'am came out lenggang lenggok. I find it puzzling how you can bear the pain of pregnancy & childbirth, but have no passion to handle your cute baby!! Pemalas nak mampos! Make babies champion! Jaga malas! She was so detached from her baby. On the other hand, the baby is so comfortable in the hands of the maid. She so sayang the baby like her own baby. Aiyoh...I see my Sis & Mom fight to handle the baby, I yg pening kepala, in the end I step in "sudah2, let me carry, dua2 jgn carry!" In all honesty, I had thought my Sis wld turn out to be like that ma'am becoz she pemalas nak mampos...but I was wrong! So when she didn't turn out to be like that...it pissed me off to see what I saw today.

I finally saw Dr Rekha Rajan who ordered a blood test to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis 1st before refering me to a specialist if the swelling/pain doesn't subside. Results will be known on 15 Sep. She gave me some ointment, hopefully it'd help.

Ya...so that was the 3 things that irritated the shit out of me on my 1st Ramadhan this year!

Other than these 3 the other thing that constantly bugs me is this group of bikers who starts vrooming and making a din from 2am every night at the adjacent's block "senior citizen's corner"!! I hate it becoz I'll be startled out of my slumber by the bike & laughter noise which is not healthy! After that, I'll have problems trying to get back to sleep. Sekali dua, I can call the NPC to ask them to patrol (insted of playing games or talking cock in the Centre!) & control the noise. Takkan I must on my hp every single morning just for this, right? I can just hope 1 day the authorities will use their brain and police all these. Afterall, they're the smart alec who created the "senior citizen corner" which is not used by the senior citizen...but the junior citizen for romancing and for the mat motors and their minahs to memekak! Ya ya I know...ROCK NEBER DIES!

Bachna Ae Haseeno

2008-08-24T02:59:00.000+08:00

From the title, we all expected that Ranbir's playing a casanova and that there's going to be more than 2 heroines as his lady love? Initially I thought it was a Bond kinda movie, but no, it's just a simple movie with simple plot & superb music, but Ranbir's character is complicated. Hehe.

Whatever happened to my Preity Zinta look-alike Minnisha Lamba? She reminded me of Preity in her 1st film, Rocky (2nd half with Zayed), she still reminded me of Preity in Honeymoon Travels Pte Ltd (with Abhay Deol), in Dus Kahaniyaan (as Amrita Singh's daughter in 1 of the 10 stories) she still reminded me of Preity...but in BAH, she's suddenly anorexic-looking and reminded me of Teri Hatcher in Desperate Housewives!!! But she still looked good anyway (the 1st half, 2nd half she plays a more mature role, so she looked a lil aged there, which means the makeup artist & costume designer did a gd job!)!

Bipasha is looking no less than a slut throughout the movie (but her bod is still as superb as when my jaw dropped in Dhoom 2!). Facial feature wise, she looks better now. For once I thought her eyes were not so doe-shaped so I liked it. Her lips weren't so pouty and I liked that too.

Deepika. Errmmm. No comments. She thinks she's gorgeous (but to me, she's not). English accent sucks (so Indian accent) but she's the one given the role of an educated girl who speaks a lot of English. What a turn-off! Ok, she's got good complexion, so? She's still too stiff for my liking. Try some more la to be feminine-personified like Aish...which is exactly why I couldn't stand Aish from day one!

On the whole, I think Siddharth Anand (who made Salaam Namaste) made a better film with BAH. He was very fair in the role distribution amongst the 3 heroines. All 3 had a good roles with distinct characters. And it's the girls roles that made me like this movie coz I so can relate to the 3 girls in their own ways:

Mahi (Minnisha) - naive teenager in search of her ideal man (DDLJ's Raj!) and really fell into the trap of this cute guy she met thinking it is love (when it's actually just lust...flings...fun!) and when she realised she was taken on a ride, she was nvr able to trust & love a man ever agn & doesn't give a damn whether that guy who once toyed with her feelings is alive, dead, happy or suffering. Dejavu.

Radhika (Bipasha) - a modern/liberal aspiring actress who's happy with her neighbour turned live-in boyfriend and thinking she's got the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with (not realising that the guy is just having a good time and is not into marriage) but when the guy had no balls to break up with her before he leaves for his job posting in Sydney, he flew off on the day of their court marriage leaving her on the altar. The part abt the guy has no balls to tell the truth that he wanted to break up and chose to cook up stories - dejavu (although mine didn't reach the level of being left on the altar coz I'll nvr allow that to happen...not that dumb ok!)

Gayatri (Deepika) - bubbly, intelligent, attitude kinda girl who's very sure of what she wants in life, and marriage is not in the list!! Dejavu. Now, becoz her character is such...and the dialogues were all so familiar, I decided to open my eyes & tolerate her.

Ranbir's acting is superb!! Totally a role that I'd nvr expect him to do...coz it's so not him and he doesn't have that look/image...it's a role that wld fit...Emraan Hashmi (actually Emraan did that role in Jawani Diwani but his acting sucked) including lip-kissing all his 3 heroines! Ranbir has the making of being the next SRK. Uh oh, my Shahid Kapur has competition now.
Songs by Vishal-Shekar...what dya expect? Of coz it had to be gd!! My personal fave: Khuda Jaane, Jogi Mahi & Small Town Girl. I'll not incl the title song BAH because that's already a classic fave of Kishore Kumar ok! Now what made Jogi Mahi special to me is because I badly wanted Himani to win Saregama (the one which Debojit win and Vineeth didn't), but when she got eliminated, I was quite pissed. I like her husky voice. She sang in 2 songs in Dil Diya Hai (Diya Dil & Chalo Dildar Chalo), but it was forgetable, not the kinda songs I like to hear her voice in. So I was happy to hear her voice in this sure chart-topper bhangra!! I don't hear Debojit singing for films??!! Hmmph! These talent shows are all rigged. The real talent will go far. Who cares who wins and who doesn't? I stand by my choice...afterall I know I've good taste (although they're peculiar)!

Yash Raj Films always make my money worth spending on their films (was disappointed with the last Thoda Pyaar Thodi Magic though...but maybe bcoz the story was really not palatable or maybe it's just the boring company I was with). The locations shown in BAH were superb thus it makes the picturisation of the songs, esp Khuda Jaane, very breathtaking. As of now, I felt the storyline is flawless. No flaw in acting, editing, storyline, screenplay, dialogues...oh ya, the dialogues are so natural you really can relate to it. The best part of the movie is that the starcast are so totally new from what Yash Raj Films had showcased before. New combinations, including the hero & his comedian buddy (evergreen comedian Paintal's son, Hiten). Brave experiment, which fortunately worked well.

So I think all in all, BAH is a refreshing movie. Go watch it, you'll come out of the cinema hall contented. At least more contented than Saawariya...guaranteed!

TGIF

2008-08-24T01:59:00.000+08:00

Ok, Saawariya was disappointingly silly, but I know Ranbir (Rishi-Neetu's offspring) & Sonam (anil kapoor's beti) will go far. Afterall I waited so long to see if Raj Kapoor's male grandchild has his showman blood. I've seen his sons, his bahus and his granddaughters. Time to check grandson out.

And not bad at all, just after Saawariya, I heard Ranbir's doing a Yash Raj film & the title is his dad's song title...but what I didn't like is he's acting opposite his gf Deepika Padukone (whom I detest btw, as much as Aish...don't ask me why, tum nahin samjhoge!)

So the most awaited Bachna Ae Haseeno (BAH) finally released on 15th Aug. I had planned to catch the 1st day's show on Fri itself, but thought I'd like to spend my evening with Amsyar since I'm home early. After all that sacrifice, I came home, my chote nawab was sleeping. Ler. So I sort of thought will settle down & leave for the 8.50pm, but by 8.30pm, was too tired and didn't wanna risk not getting a gd seat. Afterall, 1st day.

Then on Mon 18 Aug, I was on MC, and that night, happened to chat with Shazadi, and we were planning to catch up when I asked if she had time for a movie. She had, so we made plans for BAH the following day. But there were a few reasons that wld make the plan NOT HAPPEN. So...not happen it did! Anyways, had migraine (for a whole week), was pissed with some lappy's antivirus troubles (but resolved it myself anyway after I was disappointed with my luck) so may not be a gd idea to catch BAH. So we postponed it to Fri 22 Aug.

On Thurs nite, Shazadi sms-ed that Fri seemed bleak as she had to work till 7pm (unless the show's 8+...I was like "duh, of coz we're catching an 8+ show, earlier slot we both won't be off-duty yet"...but I went home, checked the show timings & let her decided. So we settled for 8.10pm show.
So the whole day @ work yesterday, I kept the GV booking page on my PC to monitor the seats availability, if it gets occupied too fast, I'll do online booking. I had to book b4 I leave office by 2pm. So I sms Shazadi to ask if she's confirmed with the plan & if it was safe for me to book 2 tix online (I wldn't wanna waste 1 tix if she cancels, I'll still proceed but 1 tix is going to go to waste & I'm not abt to sell it to a stranger...I'd rather sit alone then sit next to a stranger!). Then she revealed she had an asthma attack earlier on & not too sure yet & will only be able to confirm by 1pm.

Here I was trying to finish work and quickly leave for survey work in town, Nashira popped by my cubicle to say Hi (remember Nash, my new colleague-cum-lunch partner? She's also a lil sis who calls me "Di"). Then while talking, I was just abt to excitedly tell her that I'm finally gonna be watching BAH (it's been on my MSN nick for a wk that I need a movie break with BAH!)...when I heard her saying "i watched BAH oredi"...and I went "Oh, u watched oredi!" (and I was gonna ask her if it'd be worth my money) and she said "No, i'm gonna watch today". I was like..."when? today?" and she ans "ya, 8.10 today @ GV tamp". I was like "what?!?"

My reaction was because she just went to watch Singh is Kinng last Tues @ Jade (Bugis) with her chinese fren (with an Indian soul) , Karen, so I asked her why don't they watch on Fri, Wed is working day...won't she be tired? It makes sense actually, since her movie buddy is a chinese, they club/pub on Fri so they can't possibly do on a Fri. So I'd nvr expect to see Nash on a Fri nite unless she goes with her bf la (though I dunno if she watches hindi movie at theatre with her bf or not). So when I saw my fave seat (row 10 from screen middle block next to left aisle) is taken, I asked her if her fren booked that. And yes they did. Damn! There goes my seat. So now my option is either the 11th or 9th row, left or right aisle.

I was pretty sure Shazadi wont make it. I felt she shld get a rest also, so when I didn't get a msg by 1pm, 1.15pm I went for lunch, as I know there's no dinner if Shazadi's not coming. Almost 1.30pm, Shazadi sms-ed to say she's coming, she's taken urgent half day leave & was going. So I made her promise me that she'd go home, take her med & sleep. Will give her a wake up call by 5.3opm if I don't hear from her. She promised, but Khuda jaane whether she really slept/rested or not la. Anyways, by time I was getting ready to leave office @ 4pm (terribly late!), I checked the GV booking and boy, my middle block row 10, 11 & 9 right aisle taken. So I quickly booked row 11 left aisle. Sekali when I was abt to make payment, it says "the seat is occupied". Mak ai! Within few secs je gone?!?! So I was left with no choice & secured Row 9 left aisle (ie. in front of Nash & fren). After that I left. Bachna Ae Haseeno...lo main aagaya!

I got terribly delayed with my survey duties in town due to the rain, so there was likelihood that I can't reach Tamp MRT @ 7.15pm as originally planned. But I did. And Shazadi reached just 5mins later. Went up to collect the tix, then since both of us not desperate for rice dinner, and the sick girl was craving for healthy food (McDonalds!!) so we chilled @ Mac while she fill me in with updates on her "interesting" life that triggered her recent asthmatic attack recently. 8.05pm we headed up to the theatre for the sick girl to get another healthy dose (Nachos!). I still cannot comprehend the need to eat while watching movie! Am I the only 1 who don't binge at theatre? It was 8.16pm already and I knew that usually movie starts after 5-10mins of ads. So I was freaking out that if we're not seated by 8.20pm we'd miss the beginning.

We didn't. We still had to endure another 10mins of ads (think movie probably started only arnd 8.30pm?). But it was quite a unique experience for me, walking down the steps & tapping onto someone I know. In a way, since we entered the theatre late when it's already dark, it made it easier for me to zoom to my seat...I just had to look out for Nash & I know our seats is just in front of that. Hehe. Of coz mid-way, when Deepika appeared, here I kept telling Shazadi from start that when she appears I'll shut my eyes...and I did (much to Shazadi's irritation)...and there Nash leaned forward to whisper to me "She's so pretty!". I was like "NOOOOOOO....she's not, I don't like her...!" Much later, I kinda stopped closing my eyes, coz the character she played is soooo me! U gotta watch to know what I mean.

Movie ended almost 11pm...I was already high-tide, so since Shazadi was taking a cab back (to Chai Chee) and offered me a drop-off along the way (initially I declined, but accepted when I felt that my tank is too full to tolerate bus jerking), I was home by 11.15pm so I had time to chat with Mom. And I bought her the hard casing for her new Nokia 5320 (she had 1 but she broke it in her attempt to open it to let me use her phone while we were out on Mon as my batt went flat & I needed a phone to contact them once I'm done with work & going to meet them to go back). I was so happy to get it for her (although I wasn't sure if she'd got herself a replacement yet, but it's just $5 so it's ok, can keep as spare).

Had time to catch Salman's Dus Ka Dum on Sony (Bobby & Priyanka playing), did some work to wait up for the repeat telecast of Banoo Mein Teri Dulhann on Zee @ 2am, but by the time the serial started, I fell asleep! Sigh. TGIF.

Kismat Konnection?

2008-08-07T14:54:00.000+08:00

No...it's not a conscious effort to blog daily. It just happened...all because of Nikky!

There's just this kismat konnection between Nikky & I.

We always plan to meet up ... but never gets fulfilled.

After our last impromptu mtg, where she decided to come by the airport after work since she works near Expo area and there's a straight train to Changi Airport, we've been talking abt mtg up but nvr happened.

Yesterday she popped by MSN where she commented abt my dormant blog & hope I start hitting it agn ... we chatted for a while ...

Today I had no lunch plan (Nash - my new colleague who's made me her permanent lunch partner - was fasting) ... plus I wanted to go on diet....plus I wanted to finish some work ... so I decided to work thru lunch. I stood up to make my milo to eat with biscuits...but still carried on typing my work. Then my hp buzzed...and Nikky's face flashed.

Me: Yup!
Nikky: Hello...kakak...hav u had your lunch?
Me: Not yet...was almost going to...
Nikky: Good good...let's lunch together...
Me: Hang on! Shit, don't tell me u're in the airport?!
Nikky: I'm now walking to Expo...I'm on 1/2 day...
Me: Oh so u're coming to airport? Come come...
Nikky: (censored: the remaining conversation not impt!! :P)

Anyways...moral of the story...yes, if she called me 5 mins later...my milo wld be ready. If it was tomorrow (Thurs), I'd be fasting! Classic case of making the right decision at the right time and not procrastinate! Only Nikky can do such things! That's why I say...hum dono ke beech ek kismat konnection hai!

We spent a gd 1hr together...having an interesting conversation over a wonderful lunch (Masala Chicken Briyani @ T3 Kopitiam! 2nd to my Apollo!).

My poor dormant blog

2008-08-06T16:04:00.000+08:00

Today Nikky commented abt my dormant blog. I tried, but blogger kept giving this "error on page" and "could not contact blogger.com..." crap which makes me lose patience. I tried uploading videos...but didn't succeed...so I give up. There's a draft in Jun, another in Jul...I eventually deleted it just now.

Giving myself another try this month - My 1st post using my 1st and 2 mth's old DELL Inspiron. My 5yr old HP Pavilion desktop is now officially Amsyar's game station for his JumpStart Early Development PC-CD Roms, which I got for him earlier this yr. Which he has "Teddy A-Boo", an imaginary girlfriend, "DD Duck", and many other virtual friends in there. With which he's just 1 yr plus and he can count 1-10 (depending on his mood of the day, 2 or 8 may be silent!)...and can recite ABC with me when I sing ABC..he can say Ammeenn (he doesn't recite the doa makan, he just waits for the end & quickly wipes his face & say Ameen & in goes his milk!) and Assalamualaikum. There r cute histories as to how he learnt all these...which I shall spare you the boredom. What's next? I've to refresh his Alif Ba Ta now...hI last stopped at Tsa.

He's quite a genius (like his Maasi) Alhamdulillah...he's even memorised his mom's hp no. just after abt 5x of constant singing the nos. to him. Come to think of it, the credit shld go to the teacher (yours truly). He's not even 2, not been to school and he's talking...I mean really talking oi...like adults. He has a wide collection of vocab and he's forming clear & proper sentences like a 4 yr old! He nvr fails to turn people's head or attract their attn with his constant blabbering - they thought he's a big boy and get shocked when they learn he's not even 2! Alamak...apa dah jadi ni...lawan tauke nampak!! Failed to beat his Maasi at walking (I walked at age 10 mths, he only started walking @ 16mths) but at 20mths, he's started talking like a 4-yr old! That's it, he's not attending any early schooling (unless he becomes a handful & Nanima decides to keep him away for couple of hrs everyday). He'll go to school at the compulsory minimum (K2 I suppose?). Afterall, with Maasi, he don't need all these...all 3 of us grew up from kindergartern (K2), pandai jugak. So he shall carry on the family tradition.

What else eh? Oh, if once upon a time he was into "Mayya Mayya" till as my mom puts it "aku dah tak berMAYA lagi!"...he's now into "O Pana" ("Do u wanna partner...oh partner"). He has a weird fascination for vehicles (I've changed his ambition from plumber to automobile engineer!) - I've no idea how many buses, trains & cars he has as toys. It's like he nvr has enough of them (only to break them within 1-5 days, for sure!)! Which also explains his unexplainable hobby of taking bus/train rides! Loves the plane, the ship too. Have brought him on the Ferry thrice...now he's been bugging since many months to be brought on a plane "Am nak naik aeroplane!"

Loves Barney (but of coz, since forever), Mickey & Tweety (his Maasi's fave what...so it's like another family member!). Responds to Pooh Bear & Garfield...these days he's hooked to Ben 10 (just because he has lotsa Ben 10 T-shirts and the watch...I didn't even know who Ben 10 was!) and Kungfu Panda! He loves cats & babies! With cats & babies, he really show the sensitive/caring side of him! Such a pity none of us are into pets, so he'll nvr get to have cats as pets. Best of all...he loves Vidya/Divya (Zee TV's Banoo Main Teri Dulhann)...doesn't matter that she's been married for dunno how many times! *toink*

(Note: See! Before Kungfu Panda came about, he already did the famous poster pose!)

Me? Hmm...nothing new. Really. Been eating a lot coz had a new colleague joining on 12 May and I'm her "buddy" so I ended up becoming her permanent lunch buddy as well after 1st 3x of showing her arnd during lunch. Once fasting starts, I hope to quit the habit after Eid. As sick with work as ever. Gd news...on 1 Aug, I changed boss for the 8th time in 5 yrs (3 over the last 12 mths!)! I was only told at 6pm on 31 Jul...such well-mannered boss(es) I've got. So sick of it. I've been sending resumes for the last 1 yr? No luck. Think it's the expected salary. But no choice, can't compromise on the luxury/financial stability I'm already enjoying here. So pay me $500 more, I'll leave my comfort zone! Haha. Other than that, as in love with the Masala Chicken Briyani from Apollo Banana Leaf as ever. I crave for it everyday. If only eating briyani has no adverse effect on health, I'd be glad to eat there everyday (till I get jelak of it)! I'm hooked to this new dance competition on Sony Kabhi Kabhi Pyaar, Kabhi Kabhi Yaar (airing on Wed & Thurs nights)...only because I thought the male host is so damn cute (innocent & cartoon-faced) with his so called fascination for the female judge - the gorgeous Sameera Reddy! And there's also my fave boy Karnvir Bohra. He's so damn cute as a wacko villain in Kasauti Zindagi Kay on Star Plus...but he's got a new avaatar now...new look...and I realised it's coz he's got a role in film...Kismat Konnection. Grey role...but he looks & sounds cute, so who cares! Lucky wife (hate u Teejay!)! Following Banoo Mein Teri Dulhann on Zee TV & Baabul Ka Aangan Chotey Na on Sony (oh and Sujata too...no idea why though, nobody that excites me!) ... still waiting for Indian Idol...why is it not starting!? When is it starting?!

I've watched quite a no. of hindi movies recently...Thoda Pyar Thodi Magic at the theatre, which was a disappointment (except for Saif). I'd rather watch Kismat Konnection or Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na, but no time & money...so just settled for the DVDs my Dad brought back...as well as You Tube. I went against my oath & watched Guru (I swear it was only for Vidya Balan!). Other than that, life's almost the same (perhaps slightly better & calmer) since I last lost zest in life in Mar 08.

Let's see if I can back into blogging mode...come to think of it...my post looks q. good w/o Amsyar's pics eh?! Finally some other man is appearing...tks Karnvir...u look damn good up there! Hehe. Realised Amsyar's pics are splashed all over my blog!! What to do...he's the only MAN in my life!

Vote for Changi Airport! (Pleeeease!)‏

2008-04-29T23:25:00.000+08:00

The Skytrax survey is considered to be the world's largest and most extensive assessment of airport standards, measuring more than 40 aspects of passenger satisfaction for airport products and service standards. Changi Airport came in as the first runner up in the Skytrax 'Airports of the World' category in 2007. This was a recognition of our efforts towards provision of the best standards in service quality and all aspects of passengers' touchpoints.

The survey is currently open to everyone again for this year's voting. As you would have been likely to have travelled through Changi Airport over the past months, I seek your support by taking some time off to complete the Skytrax survey form. Please also forward the survey to your friends/business associates too.

Oh, by the way, you stand a chance to win a Sony Vaio TZ20 laptop from Skytrax by participating in this survey! So click here to enter the survey now: http://www.worldairportsurvey.com/

Thank you for your support...this determines my Performance Bonus! Hehe. So that's why I'm rallying! Must get Changi 4 Best Airport awards!

Celebrity In The Making!

2008-04-27T16:49:00.000+08:00

Arre wah??! Who's that?

Amsyar ke tu?

Like Maasi like nephew...celebrity *aherm*!

Avoiding the "papparrazzi"...

...it's tough being a celebrity-child! (:P)

Classic shot of a child going down the slide!

AMSYARukh Khan syiok sendiri!

2008-04-27T13:57:00.000+08:00

Scene 1 - Take 1...ACTION!
"Nahinnnn..."

CUT!

Scene 1 - Take 2...ACTION!!
"Nahinnnn...nahinnn..."

CUT! CUT!

Scene 1 - Take 3...ACTION!!!
"Nahinnnn...nahinnn...nahinnn..."

CUT! CUT! CUT!

Competing for Best Actor award with Maasi!??! Cannot make it la...

PS: Been wanting to upload his latest pics/videos for some time now...but never got the time/mood! This one was candid today, cldn't help control my laughter while recording him in his silly action!! Can't help but post up here...hopefully those who're down in life (like myself), can be cheered for a couple of mins by this l'il cartoon...

DEAD

2008-03-12T02:59:00.000+08:00

That's what I am.
DeaD.
Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Psychologically. (dan ly ly yg sewaktu dgn-nya!)
What's still alive is...my faith in Allah.
That He will protect the victimized.
That He will always be with the one who's treading on the right path (ie. "truth").
That He will never be on the side of those who treads on the wrong path (ie. "lies").
That He will make this dark clouds pass soon.
If I'm granted another phase of life...I shall come back.
Till that time comes, all I ask is everyone to doa for me & my family...
...that Allah hears our pleas & grants our doas (for victory in our battle & for protection against evil).
...that for every drop of tear we shed, Allah make them (the cause) pay a high price for it.
*Ameen!*

(In case anyone still comes here, abt time I make it easier for them...don't bother coming here anymore).

Yes, it's a HAPPY new year for me!

2008-01-05T12:23:00.000+08:00

This is absurd. Check this out:

I decided to sell my car, so I applied for GE Money (James) personal loan since they are hassle-free (48hrs approval!!). Bro had no prob getting his loan in 2006 when he decided to pursue his studies. Sis had no prob getting her loan couple of wks b4 me to also pay her car's full settlement as she changed car. However, me being the jinx, had to go through helluva inconveniences for my loan application!! I sneaked out of airport during lunch hour on 14 Dec to apply @ Tamp SingPost (even got caught in the rain after I'm done so had to take train back which delayed me back to office, just nice reached office just nice for 2.30pm mtg!). Mine was a special case, I was only entitled up to $9k (4x monthly salary) but I insisted to apply for $17k (to pay for full settlement of my balance car loan) & let them evaluate my financial standing. Ended up I nvr heard from them till 26 Dec where they called to tell me the max they can give me is $11.5k. There's a long stupid story y I nvr heard from them...they have a stupid policy of calling office & house no. to ensure it's genuine, before calling a person's hp. And I was on leave & hardly @ home that whole period which they were calling my office & house!! After 6 days, then they called my hp (the 1st day I resumed work!). I was pissed with them, but we moved on.

The next day (Thurs, 27 Dec) I got an sms stating the loan amt will be credited the following day & I also received a call to tell me the same (funds will be credited after 6pm the following day, Fri 28 Dec). At 5+pm, someone the girl I applied with sms me to ask if I'm accepting the $11.5k & I am, I need to come down to re-sign a new application. Although I was pissed I made an effort to go down & sign the following morning on the condition it wldn't delay the crediting of my funds. However, I did not receive the funds as promised that Fri night, when I sms-ed her on Sat, she was shocked but told me that she can only check on Mon as the head office is closed. On Mon morning I sms-ed her agn & she told me "there was a disbursement error on Fri & everybody did not get their monies. you will be getting the money today but after 6pm".

All in all it took me 14 blardy working days (excl wkends & holidays) before I finally got my loan!!

For all that heartache...I just got a letter from GE Money that I'm entitled to this gift redemption:

How absurd can that be right!??! Allah works in the most mysterious way...truly. Such a blessed start for 2008, for a depressing end to 2007. Alhamdulillah. However, I'm not sure what I'll do with the phone since I just changed my phone on 2 Dec to this (Nokia 5610):

Bye bye 2007!

2008-01-01T15:16:00.000+08:00

What a year! Although a lot of things happened to my favour (to which I'm grateful to Allah SWT), I'd say 2007 is a NO GOOD year for me simply bcoz it wasn't what I envisioned my 2007 to be when I wrapped up my horrible 2006! And that's why I can only hope my 2008 will be btr.

2007 has been a year of changes. Those who know me well, I resist change. But with all the changes that happened in 2007, I'm more susceptible to CHANGE
now. With that, there'll be a lot of changes for me in 2008.

1. I terminated Sony & Star Plus for Star Gold. Can anything beat that?!? Hehe.

2. I sacrificed my "baby"...yea, hell, I sold off my car & parted with it today, the last day of 2007!! Had to take a loan of $16k to settle the full settlement balance of $17.5K but at least that will only tie me in a 3 yr loan for just $430 monthly as
compared to up to $1K maintaining the car for the next 7 yrs! (There's a reason for selling the car, just that I can't share. Period.)

3. By letting go of my car, my bank balance shall see some changes, I'm sure. I look forward to build up my savings all over again and end 2008 with at least $5k in savings!

4. I'm actively searching for jobs, thus I'm looking to change job in 2008.

5. I'm not actively searching for groom, thus I'm not looking to get hitched in 2008 (sorry to disappoint many!)!!

Ok ok...Sony's Dard-E-Disco countdown concert is starting in a while...gonna go to bed & watch it till 3am! My last programme on Sony before the channel disappears!

Rakhi Sawant lost!! Yeehar!

2007-12-24T03:34:00.000+08:00

At least something made my day!
At last something I wanted ended the way it is (apart from Abhijeet Sawant winning the 1st Indion Idol in 2005).
Not that I was pro Aamir-Sanjeeda...but I'm just anti Rakhi-Abhishek. I mean, Rakhi is already an item girl, she's supposed to be a dancer...and Abhishek is already a gd dancer who thinks he's the next Hrithik Roshan. So is it fair if they win? I was pretty sure that Nach Baliye 3 was meant for Rakhi-Abhishek to win when they went into finals.
But my aching heart was "nursed" when Aamir-Sanjeeda was crowned winner!! The pleasure of seeing drama-queen attention-seeker Rakhi not winning is...heavenly! Hehe.
Her reaction showed how tak malu she is. Must've been v. confident that she'll win. Can't accept the defeat...just walked away.

Spoilt day!

2007-12-23T15:23:00.000+08:00

Not in the mood to talk abt this (most kept secret of my life for 4 yrs, of which I nvr blogged abt it or discussed it with anyone. Ppl who know just know something happened but dunno what actually happened that turned me into a beast!)...but since it affected me so much, I might as well get it out of my system!!

I went for my nephew's wedding today @ Yishun, which was supposed to be nice coz in that ONE wedding, I'm expecting to bump into so many fellow bloggers (some for the 1st time) who are somehow related to me. Bubu Hawa came personally to invite us...she turned up with her aunt (I forgot her name) sometime in Nov. Sat for quite a while, almost 2hrs, catching up on things, while waiting for her daughter & son-in-law to fetch her. She knows I've a reputation of not attending weddings as I'm an anti-social. I'm also selective abt the functions I go to, if the person is close to my heart, I'll go, otherwise, I'm usually absent. So she asked "abih kira kita ni rapat ke tak, dtg ke tak nanti?" No doubt we meet like not more than once a yr, but I think in all my Dad's nephews/nieces, Bu Hawa is 1 of the 4 who are closest to my Mom. Not to forget her mom, Mami Buang, who's soooo fond of Dad and us. She's really a darling, whenever we meet, she'll always hug & kiss us, something I'm not used to. I thought I've not seen her for years now, the last time she came more than 3 yrs ago I was doing my Degree & was out for class.

I have a wedding dinner (to be seated by 8pm) also tonight, Maslin's close fren. I had RSVP to attend the dinner with Maslin. However, bcoz Dad came back pretty late (just after 4pm), our scheduled got screwed. Thankfully Maslin's Mom going with her, thus if I cldn't make it in time, Maslin won't be alone, or I'll feel bad. Dad had his lunch & all before he did his asar & we all started to get ready, targeted to leave by 5pm. It started pouring heavily by the time we left, which was 5.15pm. Na jane kyun, the whole day I was having a bad hunch...had a slight h/ache, almost wanted to tell Mom that I'd like to be excused from joining, but I didn't wanna disappoint her. Of coz, I was having bad tudung day & all...which is v. normal whenever we're late for something. I can't be bothered to even re-do my tudung as Amsyar was making so much noise already...he's uncomfy with his kurta so we had to leave quickly before he gets crankier.

We reached just almost 6pm, w/o getting lost. When Sis is behind the wheels & I'm reading the map, we don't usually get lost. *wink* Bu Hawa was so pleased to see us. So was Mami Buang. The groom & bride looking gorgeous in red. The hall was full, but Bu Asirah & hubby gave up their seat for us since they were just sitting dwn & not eating, which was sweet. When I saw the briyani, I instantly knew it'll be nice. After I took my tea, someone approached me. I almost thought it was the bride, since she was in red. Hehe. Nay, it was Aysha. Not bad, she recognised me instantly...which confirmed that I look like Madhuri (can I have some cheap thrill please?! I already had a sucking bad day!)!! The day b4 while we were chatting, I had told her to look out for a Madhuri lookalike. The fact she approached the right person says it all right?!

Ok ok la...ok ok la...that's not the pt at all. Let's see, Farzana recognised me (saw Neelu in her princess outfit!), Aysha recognised me (finally got to meet her since we've nvr crossed path)...Hajira btr recognise me (she was bz parading but just when I was abt to leave the hall, I caught sight of her in her purple outfit - Hajira, trying to match your Honda Fit ke aper!?). Just as I stepped out of the hall, I saw a familiar face - Sarah. So I approached her to say Hi. The last time we crossed path @ Mustaffa, she recognised me but I missed her (don't expect me to notice anyone at Serangoon...I'm always in a hurry to leave the place, can't stand crowds), so we've told each other that if we cross path agn, approach. So I've met all my fellow blogger relatives alright.

While I was eating, Mom told me something fedup-ing. The woman I hate most (she's incurred my wrath!!) is present the wedding. She saw her as we were coming into the hall...but didn't immediately tell me, perhaps she thought I saw. Oh well, an incident happened in my life in 2004. This woman works in my workplace, but different dept. & she also stays near my place. For some reason, I had introduced her to my Mom, and they because v. close. So close she asked my Mom to babysit her newborn while she go back to work after her maternity to serve her resignation notice period. She was childless for 20 yrs b4 she finally got pregnant. I recalled my Mom used to advise her not to lose hope as she can stil conceive. Something happened and she & her hubby behaved in a rude & uncivilised manner which really hurt my Mom deeply. I remember I just started doing my Degree when all this happened. My grades dipped during that period as I wasn't able to concentrate (perhaps regretting introducing her to my Mom or maybe regretting allowing Mom to babysit her baby when Dad had said No), but I pulled myself through & got back my concentration. I made an oath to Allah that I'll nvr ever forgive her & her husband & don't ever wish to cross path with them or even their child. When Mom wld talk abt her child, I used to tell Mom "I don't give a shit whether she or her child is alive or dead"!! Which would sadden my Mom, saying the child did nothing wrong...bla bla bla. I told Mom that "you may forgive & forget...but don't expect me to do the same!". Mom knows my hatred for this woman. The best part is, she's the one who has wronged us, but she behaves as though we wronged her! Mother-f**ker betul! (Pardon my french). At work, everyone knows how much I detest her & wld nvr go to her dept. I take every caution to ensure that our paths nvr cross. But Allah doesn't love me perhaps, coz there has been couple of ocassions where our paths crossed. But I'd look through her or pretend I nvr saw her.

Now this is why I avoid Indian Muslim weddings. U just nvr know who u're gonna bump into. As far as I'm concerned, we're not closely related & thus I've not bumped into her at any of my relative's weddings. I've always feared that if I marry a fellow Indian Muslim, he might be related to her which will make it v. awkward. So the best is DON'T GET MARRIED sudah! For this wedding, Mom told me it's a combined wedding by both the groom & the bride. So chances is she cld be related to the bride's side. When Mom told me abt her presence, I was already cursing my fate. We all wld've loved to stay longer enjoy the music, but I didn't wanna see her face, so I told Mom "I'm ready when u all are"...which is a signal that I don't wish to stay any longer. So we quickly salam everyone & made a move.

Oh, a funny incident occured. As Amsyar insisted to be carried by me while we were looking for the groom's parents to salam/excuse ourselves, my cuz, Nana Din (Groom's Dad) probably confused me to be Sis (who's been fleshy after marriage & I've always been skinny) & vice-versa, commented to us: "you (Sis, thinking she's me) seem to be putting on weight, and you (Me, thinking I'm Sis) are losing a lot of weight now!" We were puzzled, looked at each other & I just answered "I've nvr been on the big side to begin with"...he just went "Really?"...and I just smiled & excused myself. Later on I understood, he probably thought I'm Sis since I was carrying Amsyar. But how can he even mistake us. My eyes would differentiate us, I'm fairer & I'm the one with make-up usually. Man, Amsyar's really making me lose my identity! Wonder how many cute guys wld've wanted to approach me but hesitated thinking I'm his mother! Damn!

The whole journey back I kept cursing myself. I even sms-ed to Maslin that I had a screwed up day having to cross path with the one I detest the most, she replied that I shldn't have gone for the wedding, but shld've come with her for the dinner. I don't know if I shld agree or disagree. When I think of how 1 wrong decision can spoil a day, maybe, just maybe, I shldn't have gone for the wedding...but how wld I know she'd be there right!? Must be from the bride's side la...

Anyways, since I cldn't make it for the dinner, we went to Carrefour for some shopping instead...otherwise known as RETAIL THERAPY to cool us down (In all this that happened, Dad is the only ignorant party as he didn't know abt this incident that took place...he didn't see the woman also anyways). Once home, Mom told me "what's wrong with that &$*#&...I smiled but she ignored". I questioned her "y u go & smile @ her!?". Of coz, I kena blasted back by Mom la! I really wasn't expecting Mom to be that civilized with her after what she & her husband did...but I forgot, she has a good heart, unlike me! But she told me "for behaving like that, she can expect me to give the same treatment the nxt time I ever see her in public agn!" I wish (have always wished but nvr come true since the last 4 yrs!) she wld disappear from the face of the earth! It'll make my life much easier. For now, I'll think thrice (thinking twice backfired!) before going to any Indian Muslim wedding!!

Those who read this will probably take some time to digest this discovery that I've so much hatred/bitterness in me. I don't see anything abnormal, I aint a saint. I'm sure everyone has their fair share of people they detest. If you don't, then I'm sure you won't be so forgiving to someone who has behaved rudely, insultingly & uncivilisedly to your Mom!?!? If you do, then hats-off to you! I remember for 5 long yrs, my family, colleagues & frens just can't fathom my hatred for this 1 particular person. 5 yrs later, they realise this person was nvr worthy of our love, and hatred is what he's worthy of. So people, Sharbina don't hate/detest people for nothing...as much as I welcome anyone who wishes to hate/detest me if I've incurred their wraths!

Come come...hate me!

Kaypo No. 1

2007-12-06T13:07:00.000+08:00

Sona kitna sona hai
Sone jaisa tera mann
Sun zara sun kya kehti hai
Deewane dil ki dhadkan
Tu mera tu mera tu mera tu mera
Tu mera ... Kaypo No. 1!!
(Tune: Hero No. 1)

I so enjoy watching this video repeatedly & laugh at his kaypo-ness! He can't see anything in my hand. He was bz watching TV after he accidentally on it while playing with my remotes (that's what he does everytime he comes to my room & mess my side table!)...and the moment he saw the camera in my hand...remote all forgotten...he quickly struggle to get to me as fast as he could!

I'm broke. Life sux. Work sux. People sux. So I decide to dedicate my time/life to my nephew instead. Our "chote nawaab" (lil prince) is now 15mths old!! Alhamdulillah.

Started walking last week at exactly 15 mths. Cimbing up & down the bed/sofa started couple of months back.

Inseparable (what's new, we're siamese twins - ala AMBER DHARA on Sony).

Cookie monster - he bites. Looks good in blue, just like Maasi! (PS: Pic taken using my 3-hour-old brand new Nokia 5610 phone with 3.2mp camera)

Spoilt-brat, pampered, genius (otak geliga, otak penipu!).

Musically-inclined, able to instantly ape every sound that we make!

Out of the blue, started mumbling "piya piya o piya piya" w/o even knowing such a song existed until I started singing to him and showed him the video clip (now that has become his 2nd craze after Mayya Mayya).

Able to identify his body parts (points wrongly at times when he's lazy or playing a fool!). Pass with flying colours, never failed -> PERUT (TUMMY)!

Latest act: Ask him "Macam mana bunyi Mama tido?" and he'll snort (to imitate his Mom's snoring!), badmaash!

Breaking News!! - 2

2007-11-22T14:38:00.000+08:00

Staff of CAAS Commercial Division, also known as Commercians, were greeted by a cow floating on cloud 9 when they entered the office at Terminal 2 Departure Hall this morning. It is not known how the cow managed to enter the office.

The cow however remained on cloud 9 throughout its 1st day at work as it looks forward to be a part of the Commercian's family and hopes to be able to contribute (its shit, fondly refered to as BULLSHIT) in making Changi Airport remain at the top for the next 10 years to come.

When interviewed, most staff was not so welcoming of the new family member, calling it names like "irritating", "menyampah", "noisy", "bising", "busuk" dan lain-lain perkataan yang sewaktu dengannya.

(Sesungguhnya, they were making reference to the owner of the stupid cow - Pukul anak sindir menantu! I was shocked that I'm not the only 1 who hated the 'cow' and was pleasantly surprised to receive such responses when I asked everyone who appears in my path: "so how does it feel to work with a cow?!")

Baby Genius

2007-11-21T12:10:00.000+08:00

Bought this fan ("moo" - Amsyar's fave - Mamooo) @ Pangkor's ferry terminal in Jun. It's been with us ever since...using it to fan Amsyar when he's hot, introduce him to a cow and the sound it makes, smack him lovingly when he's naughty or stubborn, and everything.

Due to the sharp edge of the pvc material, we hid it from Amsyar then as he had the tendency to hit the fan on his face and we feared he might get a cut on his face. Now that he's bigger and more stable when holding things, Mr Cow is out in the open after a hiatus.

6 mths ago, it was a fan. 6 mths later, it's still but a fan to us.

To Amsyar, it's not just a fan, but also a....

...Pen!!
*sigh* It took 6 months and a baby genius to make this great discovery! SHAME on us!

Rewinding my life's cassette

2007-11-19T17:31:00.000+08:00

Has it been that long? I kept getting people screaming at me to "update!" (my blog). I know so many things happened after my last post on my Bali trip but for some reason I never came back to blog, although I still updated my life on my Multiply.

Rewinding back to after my Bali trip:

I got terribly busy at work preparing for this project called "Shopping Concierge @ Changi Airport" to be launched on 15 Nov 07. We were working on a very very very (I mean VERY!) tight deadline because my bosses and their bosses were fickle! Tight deadlines stresses me a lot although I function very well under pressure! I got to experience my 1st interview, interviewing the candidates for the role of Shopping Concierge. I got to experience coordinating training sessions for the successful candidates. Attending the training (lepak at the back of the class to make sure the trainer does a good job) and benefiting free tea-breaks and lunches was like HEAVEN. Of course, after wasting time at the training session, I find myself drowning with work at the end of the day. I had to stay to finish my work.

My Ramadhan wasn't as good as my previous year's (in terms of my deeds) but yet, for some other reasons which I can't share, it was much better than the past 5 yrs! My Eid, on the other hand, was fabulous as Amsyar's not a "pain in the ass". In fact, he was such a sport! We were able to dress him up and that made it more fun! If that's not gd enuf, it was a wonderful feeling to see him mingle and socialise with relative(s) at some of the houses we visited.

Amsyar learns to love and share for the 1st time. Thanks to Barney! Hehe. Since he likes Barney, I made Sis buy him a soft toy which sings "I love you, you love me..." when press the tummy. Barney has since become his companion. He even shares his pacifier with Barney. During Eid visiting, when my fave aunt, Mak Ani, discovered that Amsyar loves Barney, she even gave him a huge Barney (same height as Amsyar) which has been passed down since her 1st son. We're not the kind who'll accept things when we go to people's house (we do not want Amsyar to grow up thinking that he can get whatever he likes at people's house!) but we accepted it since Mak Ani insists. Now Amsyar has 2 Barney soft toy. The small 1 is at my place. The big 1 at his place. He sleeps with Barney. He sucks 1 pacifier and stuffs his other pacifier into Barney's mouth. When you tepuk him to sleep, must tepuk Barney also. Thanks to Barney, he's more big-hearted. Now he will give me his pacifier or bottle if he doesn't want (smart boy!). Last time, even if he doesn't want them, when he sees them in our hands, he'll run to us and snatched them back! Now when I make him drink from his little cup, he'll drink 1 sip and shove it into my face to take a sip! He's reformed!! Hehe. Thank you Barney!

Previously, if you tell him to kiss you, he'll offer his cheeks (for us to kiss him!). NOw he he can relate love with kisses. He now knows how to hug and kiss. Although he wets my face with his kisses (it's alright, I'll wipe it off), I still love getting those kisses...which I think is as sweet as...GULAB JAMUN!

Amsyar has collected 8 teeth (4 on top 4 at the bottom). However, he still doesn't eat solid food as anything that gets stuck in his throat, he'll vomit it out. So whatever we give him, must be chewed. But he still wants everything that you eat/drink! Oh...I better mention this...Amsyar bites too, so beware.

Our Saturday swimming regime has resumed after Eid ends. He so enjoys going to the pool that he cries when I drag him out of the pool! My heart goes out to him...but I think "1hr is MORE THAN ENUF you hippo!!"

Amsyar finally decided he wanted to walk on 27 Oct 2007 at the T3 Open House for CAAS' staff & their families. We had so much fun. After the open house, we went to this Kembangan Plaza to get Mom a solid wood coffee table which she desired...a Wedding Anniversary gift from Sis & I.

Amsyar nods (in agreement) at everything we say! He imitates whatever sound you make, whatever you say/do. Show him your index finger, swing it left and right gesturing to him "cannot...cannot" and he'll amuse you by doing it back to you! Ask him "mana dia Amsyar?" and he'll shock you by poking his index finger on his chest (acknowledging himself as Amsyar). Words he can say include "Air" (water), "Yum-Yum" (if he likes the food/drink), "Dah" (when you bring him to toilet to pee, he'll say "dah!" even before he even pees!), "Yak" (if he berak, he'll say that to you...if he doesn't, if we suspect he berak & ask him, he'll nod!). Oh, this is the best: when he sees the road, he goes "Car car car car"!

Amsyar claps whenver he achieves something...like successfully pressing the lift to close it, opening/closing the cabinet door, the sliding door to the study room, puts something back to where he took it.

Amsyar is now fascinated with the remote and phone that anything that he can get hold of, he either points it to the TV or fan and make the "peet" sound (pretending to on/off) or he puts it to his ear and go "ello". It's so mesmerising when I see him doing all this intelligent acts as much as it's so amusing when I see him doing cartooney acts like crawling backwards to get down from the bed (like a reversing car)!!

A post will be dedicated to all Amsyar's geniuses! So much so we're not calling him Baby Genius...we're calling him Baby Guinness (record-breaking la this boy - too Harry Potter for us to handle - he cannot stop meddling with things and ends up discovering things which even we never knew existed in our own house!!)

Amsyar qualifies as a FLIRT - he waves and flies kisses at almost anyone and everyone! He loves the bus...simply coz there's so many people from the driver to the back whom he can wave and fly kisses to! Oh, did I mention before that he goes berserk when he hears "Mayya Mayya" (from Guru)!?! He'll stop whatever he's doing and starts to groove.

Amsyar wails when it's time to go home. And when we're at his house, he wails when we leave...he wants to come with us. If he's in the car with us while we drive to his house, he'll start to hug and cling to Mom the moment he realises that it's Pasir Ris St 72!!! That stretch of road is like as though there's some unexplained vibes with him! I feel sad I have to raise my voice at him and chase him out of the house by telling him "BALIK!" every single evening when it's time for him to go home...but I don't want him to think that whenever he cries, he gets his way! I want him to know that he has a house that he must go back to, with the exception of some days when he can stay overnight.

Hang on! Why the hell is 88.88% of this post about Amsyar and only Amsyar (once upon a time, Liyah would count the no. of times the name Abhishek appears in 1 of my particular post about my "wish")?!?! Damn! See, I told you...he takes most of my time when I'm not sleeping/working that is! How to do anything else. I watched quite a few new movies on DVD, incl Saawariyan and Om Shanti Om. And oh...oh...how can I forget. I got addicted to STAR GOLD from 2 Nov to 12 Nov!! From the time I discovered the new channel, everday I've been checking out the preview channel (001) on Starhub cable to see if they'd give a free preview, only to be disappointed. I want to have it, but budget constraint, I'll need to terminate 2 other channels if I want to take Star Gold since the other channels will be under-utilised. Likely to terminate Star Plus and Zee. Maybe after Nach Baliye 3 (Star Plus) ends. Will make the decision on 30th Sep since my billing cycle starts from the 1st of the month.

I'm broke after Eid. Nov's salary didn't help much. I've exhausted my day-to-day bank balance and even embezzled $200 from my own savings. This is what happens when you go to Mustafa and end up buying a SRK & Amitabh B.'s perfumes and some Himalay's health supplements in a normal month (usually such unnecessary shopping is done during bonus months!)! I'm now left with $800 in my savings!!!! Waiting desperately for Dec Bonus to resurrect my fast-depleting savings!!

I'm sick of work. Want another job, but not getting any success despite sending out resumes. Boss' boss' boss is eating my kepala otak! She's picking on even the microscopic things and make a big deal out of it...I wonder what she gets out of it? Satisfaction? She's really depressing me & my boss. And we have only the 2 of us to pacify one another, despite her getting on my nerves ocassionally (but otherwise, she's such a wonderful boss!)!

Shopping Concierge project finally took-off successfully on 15 Nov 2007. Of course, it's not over till it's over (5 Jan 2008 for T1 & T2) and we have to go through the same stress in Jan 2008 as we're continuing the service at T3 from 9 Jan - 14 Mar 2008. But I do know that this project will be an important evaluating point for my probation (following my upgrade). If my bosses think I've done a gd job, I'll be promoted next year. If I'm not, than it's POLITICS and nothing else. If the same shit happens for next year's PB (Mar), I seriously need to go.

Got a new Lenovo PC at work with a 17" flat screen LCD!!! Fooyoh! But I've not found time to send my current CPU to IS dept to migrate to the new one. Neither have I found time to switch to my new monitor!

Back on track:

Had a long weekend. Brought Amsyar swimming yesterday and spent the day at Sis' place (that's where I learnt how to change my blogskin!). When I'm there, I'll have the "curry chicken noodle" from Elias Mall's foodcourt. Came home almost 7pm and watch Hum Aapke Hain Koun on Zee. This morning, went Mustafa with family since I need to replenish my perfume stock. Came home around 1pm, showered, got ready to go for a colleague's wedding at Chai Chee (sent Mom to uncle's house 1st to prepare for cousin's wedding this Thurs). Quick one before going back to uncle's place to join Mom. Got caught in heavy rain. Spent some time at uncle's place and left around 6pm. Reached home played with Amsyar before he leaves around 7-ish. Now watching Kal Ho Naa Ho on Sony. It's 1.21am...I'm working tomorrow, should be sleeping actually! Yet another loonng week at work coming up.

Looking forward to being on leave on Thurs...although I'm expecting another loongg weekend...gonna be tiring as I need to help Mom help uncle/aunt for their son's Nikah on Thurs nite. Followed by the sister's (my cousin Umairah who followed Mom & I to terengganu in Dec last year) Nikah on Sat nite and both their wedding reception (double wedding) on Sun! Talk of wedding, it's the wedding season this Nov & Dec. I've 2 weddings in Nov & 3 weddings in Dec. Die ah!

Breaking news!

2007-11-19T12:48:00.000+08:00

Thursday, Nov 15th
An elephant was found roaming around Terminal 2, Changi Airport, late Thursday morning. Officials later discovered that the elephant had missed its flight to India and missed its Diwali celebrations! The elephant was later deported from the country after it saved enough money, by watering all the plants in Terminal 2, to buy another ticket.

Sunday, Nov 18th
A cat clinged desperately for its life on top of a 'Comfort' taxi late Sunday morning after falling off from CTE flyover. It is believed that the cat landed on top of the taxi after a suicide-went-terribly-wrong-attempt. The driver who was oblivious of what had happened pulled over to the road shoulder after spotting a Traffic Police Officer gesturing to him to pull over.

The Traffic Police was alerted of the incident by an anonymous lady caller. The Traffic Police is appealing for the caller to come forward to receive her 'Samaritan of The Year' award.

The cat was taken to SPCA Police Station for questioning. It is believed that the cat tried to end its life because it is pregnant and it had no idea who the father of the cub is. Cats are known to lead a wayward life.

Traffic Police warns the public human and animals that commiting suicide is a serious offence in Singapore. Anyone caught and found guilty will be deported out of the country.

DISCLAIMER: The above stories are a work of fiction and bears no resemblance to any living or dead person/animals. Any resemblance is purely coincidental.

Depend on yourself only, and you'll never be let down!

2007-11-18T06:49:00.000+08:00

More than 3 mths has passed since I converted to blogspot...I'm amazed (actually was more amused!) to find myself day-in day-out logging on to my blog wishing upon the stars that I'd find Madhuri on my blogskin but it still looks the same as I started it!

I waited...I sighed...I fret...weeks after weeks. Till I finally decided that I had to depend on myself only, so I won't feel so let down. How I envy people who change their blogskin every other month! If it's that simple, why do I have to face a boring looking blog?!

So one bright full moon night, at the stroke of midnight, I transformed into my real self (in case you didn't know I'm a shewolf)...and I made a promise in my heart: "The next time I'd blog will be when I successfully change my blogskin!"
Which explains my comeback. I knew that I've to get tuition from someone within my reach (and that unfortunately had to be Sis). If I depend on someone far from my sight, this is what happens - OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND!

The wait is finally over! I didn't need to wait for 1 year for Hajira to fulfill her two-year-ago promise since I figured it out 1st...nor did I have to stoop to reminding those who agreed to help (I asked them for help knowing they often find themselves bored with nothing to do) or begging others (I stopped at 1 attempt). I've learnt to realise that other people have better things to do in life than to sit in front of their PC and do a MD blogskin for me!! Once in a while, I tend to forget to live by motto in life: Depend on yourself only, and you'll never be let down!

This is only the beginning (at least to make myself feel good logging on to my blog and finally seeing a different look)...next in the pipeline is the MD skin I had in mind, designed by yours truly.

I'm a CUTE FREAK!

2007-10-25T22:08:00.000+08:00

VIRGO - The One that Waits

Dominant in relationships. Someone loves them right now. Always wants the last word. Caring. Smart. Loud. Loyal. Easy to talk to. Everything you ever wanted. Easy to please. The one and only.

SCORPIO - The Addict

EXTREMELY adorable. Intelligent. Loves to joke. Very good sense of humor. Energetic. Predict future. GREAT kisser. Always get what they want. Attractive. Easy going. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Romantic. Caring.

LIBRA - The Lame One

Nice to everyone they meet. Their Love is one of a kind. Silly, fun and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! However not the kind of person you wanna mess with ... u might end up crying!

ARIES - The Liar

Outgoing. Lovable. Spontaneous. Not one to mess with. Funny. Excellent kisser. EXTREMELY adorable. Loves relationships, Addictive. Loud.

AQUARIUS - Does It In The Water

Trustworthy. Attractive. Great kisser. One of a kind. Loves being in long-term relationships. Extremely energetic. Unpredictable. Will exceedyour expectations. Not a fighter, but will knock your lights out.

GEMINI - Irresistible

Nice. Love is one of a kind. Great listeners. Very good in the you know where... Lover not a fighter, but will still knock you out. Trustworthy. Always happy. Loud. Talkative. Outgoing VERY FORGIVING. Loves to make out. Has a beautiful smile. Generous. Strong. THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE.

LEO - The Lion

Great talker. Attractive and passionate. Laid back. Knows how to have fun. Is really good at almost anything. Great kisser. Unpredictable. Outgoing. Down to earth. Addictive. Attractive. Loud. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Not one to mess with. Rare to find. Good when found.

CANCER - The Cutie

MOST AMAZING KISSER. Very high appeal. Love is one of a kind. Very romantic. Most caring person you will ever meet! Entirely creative. Extremely random and proud of it. Freak. Spontaneous. Great telling stories. Not a fighter, but will knock your lights out if it comes down to it. Someone you should hold on to. [My Gawd! What a reputation I have!! 1st thing abt me is MOST AMAZING KISSER (in CAPS some more!)]

PISCES - The Partner for Life

Caring and kind. Smart. Center of attention. High appeal. Has the last word. Good to find, hard to keep. Fun to be around. Extremely weird but in a good way. Good Sense of Humor!!! Thoughtful. Always gets what he or she wants. Loves to joke. Very popular. Silly, fun and sweet.

CAPRICORN - The Passionate Lover

Love to bust. Nice. Sassy. Intelligent. Sexy. Predict future. Irresistible. Loves being in long relationships. Great talker. Always gets what he or she wants. Cool. Loves to own Gemini's in sports. Extremely fun. Loves to joke. Smart.

TAURUS - The Tramp

Aggressive. Loves being in long relationships. Likes to give a good fight for what they want. Extremely outgoing. Loves to help people in times of need. Good kisser. Good personality. Stubborn. A caring person. One of a kind. Not one to mess with. Are the most attractive people on earth!

SAGITTARIUS - The Promiscuous One

Spontaneous. High appeal. Rare to find. Great when found. Loves being in long relationships. So much love to give. Not one to mess with. Very pretty. Very romantic. Nice to everyone they meet. Their Love is one of a kind. Silly, fun and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! Amazing in the you knowwhere..!!! Not the kind of person you wanna mess with- you might end up crying!

I'm a PARASITE!

2007-10-25T11:17:00.000+08:00

LOOK UP YOUR BIRTHDAY AND SEE WHAT KIND OF A PEST U ARE!!!

January 01 - 09 ~ Ass
January 10 - 24 ~ Slug
January 25 - 31 ~ Cockroach
February 01 - 05 ~ Parasite
February 06 - 14 ~ Bullfrog
February 15 - 21 ~ Skunk
February 22 - 28 ~ Snake
March 01 - 12 ~ Ape
March 13 - 15 ~ Cockroach
March 16 - 23 ~ Slug
March 24 - 31 ~ Parasite
April 01 - 03 ~ Ass
April 04 - 14 ~ Snake
April 15 - 26 ~ Slug
April 27 - 30 ~ Skunk
May 01 - 13 ~ Slug
May 14 - 21 ~ Bullfrog
May 22 - 31 ~ Cockroach
June 01 - 03 ~ Slug
June 04 - 14 ~ Skunk
June 15 - 20 ~ Ass
June 21 - 24 ~ Ape
June 25 - 30 ~ Parasite
July 01 - 09 ~ Slug
July 10 - 15 ~ Ass
July 16 - 26 ~ Bullfrog
July 27 - 31 ~ Parasite
August 01 - 15 ~ Ape
August 16 - 25 ~ Slug
August 26 - 31 ~ Skunk
September 01 - 14 ~ Bullfrog
September 15 - 27 ~ Parasite
September 28 - 30 ~ Ass
October 01 - 15 ~ Ape
October 16 - 27 ~ Skunk
October 28 - 31 ~ Snake
November 01 - 16 ~ Cockroach
November 17 - 30 ~ Parasite
December 01 - 16 ~ Ass
December 17 - 25 ~ Ape
December 26 - 31 ~ Bullfrog

If you are an Ass: A very loyal and sweet person. Your loyalty can never be doubted. You are quite honest and sincere when it comes to your attitude towards working. You are a very simple person, indeed. Absolutely hassle free, humble and down-to-earth!! That explains the reason why your friends cling on to you! You have a good taste for clothes. If your wardrobe is not updated with what is trendy, you sure are depressed. Popular and easy-going. You have a little group of dignified friends, all of them being quality-personified.If you are a Slug: Always up to some sort of a mischief! The mischievous gleam in your eyes is what makes you so cute and attractive to everyone. You are an extremely fun-to-be-with kind of person. No wonder people seek for your company and look forward to include you for all get-together's. However, you are sensitive which is a drawback. People need to select their words while talking to you. If someone tries to fiddle around and play with words while dealing with you, it is enough to invite your wrath.God bless the person then!If you are a Cockroach: Quite contradictory to your name, you are a peace loving person. You best try to avoid a situation wherein you are required to fight. An outdoor person, you dislike sitting at one place for a long duration. You are a born leader, and have it in you how to tactfully derive work from people. You love being loved, and when you receive your share of limelight from someone, you are all theirs!!!! Well, well... hence some people could even take an advantage, flatter you to the maximum and get their work done. So be careful.....

If you are a Parasite: An extremely lovable, adorable person, sometimes shy, with a passion for quick wit. At times, you prefer quietness. You love exploring various things and going into depth of each thing. Under normal circumstances you're cool but when given a reason to, you are like a volcano waiting to erupt. You're a fashion bird. People look forward to you as an icon associated with fashion. Basically, you mingle along freely but don't like talking much to strangers. People feel very easy in your company. You observe care in choosing your friends.
(Interestingly, all the above is as accurate as me...almost the same as the last analysis I did previously. Worst still, once again I'm said to be a FASHION ICON! Since when eh!? Maybe in terms of worst-dressed ICON agaknya tak?)

If you are a Skunk: You are near to perfect and nice at heart. The examples of your kindness are always circulated in groups of people. You too, love peace. You wouldn't like to retaliate even to a person who is in the wrong. You are loved due to this. You do not wish to talk behind one's back. People love the way you always treat them. You can give, give and give love, and the best part is that you do not expect it back in return. You are generous enough. Seeing things in a practical light is what the best trait of you guys remains.

If you are a Bullfrog: You symbolize a very happy-go-lucky approach in life. Whatever the surroundings may be, grim or cheerful, you remain unaffected. In fact, you spread cheer wherever you go. You are the leader of your group of friends and good at consoling people in their times of need. You dislike hypocrisy and tend to shirk away from hypocrites. They can never be in your good books, no matter what. You are very methodical and organized in your work. No amount of mess, hence, can ever encompass you. Beware; it is easy for you to fall in love....

If you are a Snake: You are mysterious. You are someone who can handle pressure with ease, and can handle any atmosphere without going berserk. You can be mean at times, and love to gossip with your selected group. Very prim and proper. You like all situations and things to be in the way you desire, which, sometimes is not possible. As a result, you may lose out in some relationships. But otherwise, you love to help people out from difficult and tight spots when they really need you.

If you are an Ape: Very impatient and hyper!!! You want things to be done as quickly as possible. At heart, you are quite simple and love if you are the center of attraction. That way, you people are unique..You would like to keep yourself safe from all the angles. Shall your name be dragged or featured in any sort of a controversy, you then go all panicky. Therefore, you take your precautions from the very beginning. When you foresee anything wrong, your sixth sense is what saves you from falling in traps. Quite a money minded bunch you people are!!

28 yrs later...

2007-10-22T13:14:00.000+08:00

"bhag Arjun ... bhag!"

Sorry...I just got reminded of the movie Karan Arjun (SRK & Salman). Oh, and Ab Ke Baras (introduces Arya Babbar & Amrita Rao). U know...where the hero/heroine is killed by the villain...they get reincarnated...shocking the villain to see the hero/heroine back...alive...like 20 yrs later!!

Now...if my Sis was ever killed by some enemy say 20 yrs ago, that enemy wld be pee-ing in his pants when they see "her" alive today...

Sis @ 4+ yrs...28 yrs later, her son @ 10 mths

Rendezvous in Bali - 5th to 9th Sep 2007

2007-09-15T14:46:00.000+08:00

An unfulfilled vacation (P. Pangkor).

A desire to have another vacation in 2007.

An auto lucky draw for CAAS staff as part of the operational-readiness preparation for Terminal 3.

A stroke of luck (thanks to lucky charm Amsyar who has been bringing me luck since he came into my life!).

A pair of free return tickets to Bali on a chartered Valuair flight on 3rd-7th Oct. Damn! Fasting mth, how to go!?

Another stroke of luck (another mgr who won the same for 5th-9th Sep can't go due to work exigencies & desperate to swop to Oct!).

A desire to bring Mom for a vacation on flight (which I'll nvr be able to afford!!) this once in my lifetime!

A not-so-sporting Dad (he didn't q. give his blessing for Mom to go).

A supportive/understanding darling of a Mom (she insisted I don't let go of this opportunity...and find a friend to go with...which I told her is close to IMPOSSIBLE!)

A telepathic connection (what's spookier is if you check out Shazadi's comments on my entry dated June 17, 2007...you'll be shocked to see how her words really came true for my v. next trip!!)

A coincidence (that Shazadi was dying to take a break to India since she's resigned from her current job & her new job commences on 10 Sep -> her parents suggesting she take a short getaway to Phuket or Batam -> she telling them her friends are not likely to take leave to go vacation with her!).

A sign from Allah that He is answering my prayer for a 2nd vacation (by making everything go smoothly...15% discount for travel insurance, free late check-out @ our choice hotel which didn't come with that bonus, complimentary free 45mins massage when we had purposely chosen that hotel for it's spa & set aside budget to visit the spa for our massage).

A rendezvous in Bali.

WED, 5 SEP 07

I finally forced myself to pack on Tues nite aft ngaji (ie. arnd 11pm). Eventually completed arnd 1-ish am & went to sleep. For the trip, I only took leave on Thurs & Fri since my flight is @ 8.50pm, I can just depart from work. So since it's gonna be a looong day, I slept early.

Over the wkend, I waited & waited for my period (due on 5th of the mth) but it didn't arrive. As my luck wld have it, I woke up & found that I got my period! Oh man...not on the day I'm departinggggg...I'm gonna be troubled by nasty migraine on the 1st 2 days! Still, took it ez, went to work, brought some potential retailers to view T3 vacant retail units. By almost lunch, migraine came along with the drilling & knocking sounds in T3. Haabiss! Disaster! My colleagues who knew I was departing tonite kept asking why my face v. pale, so I told them my plight. 1 of them suggested I get myself a bottle of 100plus or any bicarbonate drink as it's known to cure migraine. I was supposed to have a lunch date with Roshni, but since I can't take it, I called it off & slept over lunch instead. By 4pm, I decided to get myself the 100plus @ Cold Storage since I needed to get a travel t/brush+t/paste (can't find mine)!! Went dwn, got the stuff I needed & drank the 100plus...slowly. By 6pm...it was a lil btr. Now, I've got last min things & Sis & Mom is due to arrive @ T2 to fetch me to bring me to T3 any moment now. We're supposed to gather @ Check-In Row 6 of T3 @ 6.50pm for the agent to give our tickets.

As Mom bought extra Nasi Ayam Penyet from Simei, they asked if I wanted it for dinner. Gd timing! As I'm in need of dinner since I didn't have lunch! They came almost 6.30pm, I went up to canteen & gobbled my food fast...and then went toilet and off we went to transfer my luggage from my car into Sis car. By then, I was already under pressure as Shazadi & family has reached T3. I was reaching just after 7pm. Luckily she handled the administrative for me...so no more pressure.

Reached...the photographers snapped complimentary pics of us with our well-wishers...met Shazadi's family...Shazadi met mine...we checked in, took more photos. Finally, traveling for the 2nd time, I had someone sending me off. :-) The timing was convenient, thus I didn't stop Mom from coming. Gd thing she did, at least she get to see T3. Don't think we'll ever fly from T3 . I'm just lucky that I won this lucky draw...and get 2b the pioneer batch to take off & land at T3. On normal circumstances, if I were to travel on Valuair, I'd be departing/arriving @ T1.

Arnd 8.15hrs we bid our family members adieu & walked our way to the departing gate. Had fun in the plane...wasn't house-full, so we had an empty seat (window seat) on our row, thus we seat-hopped. I realise I'm more relaxed traveling @ nite as I don't see the height when I look out of the window. It feels like I'm on a double-decker bus traveling on a flyover. All I see is lights of the traffic & bldg. During the day, I cld see the green patches of land & got frightened by the height thinking the plane will come crashing dwn any moment!!!

THURS, 6 SEP 07

(%&$^#!! I had completed a loonnnggg entry for Thurs & Fri and was just going to Sat...with 1 wrong press of a button, it disappeared...juz wasn't revivable as the auto-draft didn't work all that while!! Damn...1hr of my life went dwn the drain!!). Anyways...once agn, all over agn...*sigh*

Reached Bali's airport arnd 11.40pm...by time we cleared immigratn, it passed midnite. Gd thing is our luggages were already of the conveyor belt, so we didn't have to wait. We were greeted by Bali's guide, Mr Diki. With his assistants welcoming us with a garland of frangipani, a bottle of mineral water & a wet towel! WOW!

The journey to the hotel, which was supposed 2b abt 15mins took slightly almost 1/2 hr due to a massive jam along the streets (due to Bali's night life!). With all these delays, my h/ache started knocking agn. I so can't wait to reach the hotel. Plus the strong garland's smell was getting on my nerve! When we finally reached the hotel, Diki showed us the monument for the 2005 bombing which was just 5 mins away from our hotel. GREAT! Anyhow, we waited a while more to get our rm keys & by the time we got it & headed to our 3rd storey rm 3002 (no lift, mind you!!), it was way past 1am! Kesian kita. I unpacked my luggage for my necessities, showered, popped a panadol & settled in bed arnd 2am & straight to sleep. Gonna have an early + long day the nxt morning...for our planned tour. Luckily, I didn't have to pray...so I cld wake up late.

Woke up arnd 7.45am. Showered & got ready for b/fast arnd 8.20am. Juz nice so we can finsih & be ready to gather @ lobby by 9am. At b/fast, we bumped into our local agent, Betty, who told us she got for us free late check-out till 6pm. Wow...that's a relief. Save money. On top of that, she also told us that the hotel had given complimentary free 45 mins full body massage, so to book our appts. Holy cow!! We actually set aside budget for our massage & we're getting it free! Syukur Alhamdulillah. Murah rezeki.

Anyways, set off for the tour - the thing I dislike most abt vacations! A/c bus, then get dwn for 1st stop (batik gallery), 30 mins of sightseeing/shopping, then on the bus, then 2nd stop (silver/gold shop) for 30 mins of sightseeing/shopping, then up on the bus, then 3rd stop (souvenir shop), then up on the bus...Moral of the story: a/c, hot sun, a/c, hot sun, a/c...my migraine got real bad, I puked by the time we arrived Mt Batur to see the volcano & have lunch. Terrible. I shall not like to re-live the memories of my ordeal here. Plus, I feel bad Sha had to tolerate my bad table manners etc (by putting my head on the table & sleeping...I'm sure all eyes were on our table...but who cares!). It's not over...nxt stop was the coffee-bean factory. As I wasn't interested, I stayed in the bus. Went in to the window seat, closed the curtain, slouched on the seat (till I stained my cargo pants!!). Got a gd 1/2hr of sleep. Felt btr. Till the kids came up & started making noise. Nxt stop was the GALUH shopping centre (ala DFS Galleria). It sells gd quality pdts @ unbargainable price, but what made shopping there worthwhile is that if u travel in grp tours, u get a sticker for identification. That sticker entitles u 50% disc on all items! So imagine, I bought everything at 1/2 price!! I bought mainly clothes for Mom, Sis, Amsyar & myself. After that, I searched for the toilet to "change"...luckily I had my sweater to cover my backside, so not so paiseh. I juz nvr got to go toilet to "change" the whole day & it's my 2nd day!! After that we went to venture the temple area and snap some pics...spent a lil too long there till Diki had to come search for us (MISSING)!!

That was thankfully the last stop! By then it was almost 6pm. We contemplated going out to the streets to have dinner at some warong nasi padang. But by the time I entered the rm, I was too lazy. Also, fearful that I may aggravate my h/ache if I get into crowds, and puke if I have to eat food that I don't fancy. So I suggested calling Pizza Hut (Mak kau! Go to other country, instead of trying out their food, we made ourselves @ hm like in S'pore! Order Pizza!). 1st, I called the spa to book our massage for the nxt evening @ 7.30pm. Then I called the reception for Pizza Hut delivery no., made the order, then called rm service for Nescafe. So that's like our dinner. I feel contented. Now, to digest the dinner, Sha wanted to walk...but since I wasn't up to walk at their town (stretch of shops along the streets...ala Arab St) @ nite, we juz checked out the garden, pool & lobby. Had fun blasting my mp3 on my mobile @ the garden/pool & snapping pics @ the lobby/bar area. Oblivious of the staff looking at us (or not!).

By almost 10am, we head back to our rm, settle dwn & I fixed my portable DVD player (Hajira thinking out loud in her heart: "Sharb & her idea of a perfect vacation!!"). I brought Heyy Babyy which I really enjoyed watching couple of days earlier. So I thought if there's any movie which Sha hasn't watch & I'd like to watch wif her & have a gd time...it's Heyy Babyy (apart from Amsyar's b'day celebration!!). Unfortunately, the TV didn't come wif AV input (so mean!!)...so we had to watch it on the 7" screen. But gd enuf. Till the battery went flat. We were like "Oh man!! The movie's getting nicer...". So I plug in the charger adapter & we resumed watching till end...till midnite.

After that, we decided to turn in. The nxt 2 days are Free & Easy...so since b/fast ends @ 10am, we planned to go @ 9.30am, so we can wake up later. Yeayyy! This is probably my 1st time for vacation to get up late (coz nvr had F&E). We chatted & chatted (the conversation juz got interesting!)...altho my eyes were like half-closed, my ears & brain was still active. We possibly said "g'nite" dunno how many times, but after each g'nite, we still carried on chatting!! Till we hear "tch tch tch tch"...and then there was complete silence. Till Sha broke the silence by asking "Did u juz hear wat I hear?" Oh mannnn...not Mr Chipkali in the middle of the nite!!! That really ruined our nite. We didn't wanna sleep..so we carried on chatting...till I saw something near the a/c. When I tol her to on the master lights (the remote's nxt to her bed)...she refused...so while that was going on, I saw what I was focusing on moved...thus confirming my suspicion that the lizard was there! So yeah, we located the lizard. So we on the lights, so we cld keep our eyes on it. After a while, it went dwn...behind the TV...and then we nvr caught sight of it anymore.

The funniest part was...Sha has a habit of putting the a/c to as warm as possible...and I didn't noe that. Only the nxt morning I woke up perspiring due to her bed lights left on the whole nite...not able to find the a/c remote & realised it was place on the TV table. Bcoz we both didn't wanna go near the TV, none of us even took the a/c remote! Urrgghh... anyways, it was already 7am...so I just got up since I needed a visit to the toilet...I showered and then went back to sleep till 9am! Then dragged my feet outta bed & got ready for b/fast.

FRI, 7 SEP 07

We were planning to take the shuttle @ 10am to go to a shopping centre (MATAHARI... supposedly cheap). Today was dedicated for shopping. But since we missed the shuttle by 5mins, we didn't wanna wait for the 11am bus...lest we'll get lazy to kill time & might juz call off the plan. So we decided to walk the streets (which Sha wanted to check out last nite). We walked...and walked...along the way, shop keepers and the Balinese (men) will always say "Assalamualaikum" (knowing we'd answer)...I got really tired of it. Ans the salaam, they'll move on to "how r u"...I answer "Gd thank u"...1 men went a lil too bold with "I love u"...thus I lost my cool & went "F**k u"...of coz all this is while we were walking along. Teruk ah I tell u the men hanging arnd the streets...malas nak layan!

That aside...we carried on walking...and walking...looking for shops selling those bamboo-made souvenirs with tatooing service. We walked for almost 2hrs till our backs hurt! But we endured (well, at least I endured...since that's the essence of this vacation...to chill & have fun on our own!). Afterall, we hav to really exhaust ourselves so that our massage will be value-for-money (what money? it's supposed 2b free rite?!?! hehe). Finally we caught sight of KFC (oh we found the shop & she got her souvenirs...while I took the opportunity to get 1 for my boss too)...like jakun...like nvr see KFC b4!! We asked the shop vendors nearby for direction of MATAHARI...and they showed us KFC. It's just behind KFC. Hehe...wat luck!

We had our lunch @ KFC (as long as Sha gets to sit dwn! She's like half-dead!). I had spaghetti for the 1st time in my life! After lunch, we headed to MATAHARI where I did my souvenir shopping, actually another reason is I wanted to get sanitary pads from the supermarket there. Haha. Really feels like @ home sia! Go overseas buy sanitary pads all. 1st time in my life! Guess what we saw in MATAHARI??

Hehe..I told ya...we jakun!! After shopping, we ta-pao dinner from A&W (I got a strawberry milkshake from there), McDonalds (Sha got sandwich) & KFC (I got spaghetti agn!). We targeted ourselves 2b back @ the hotel by 4pm so we can have dinner & finish eating b4 6.30pm. We did juz that. Settled dwn (I showered) & then had our early dinner. After that, Sha filled me wif some mind-boggling scenarios to solve mysteries (some IQ test thingy)...after solving the mystery almost 20mins later, she gave another test (that will determine if I have the mind of a murderer). Now this 1 was really syiok. I hit bullseye @ the 1st attempt...and frightened the shit outta her...till she wanted to change rm (hehe...kidding!)! After all that, we got ready for our massage.

During massage, Sha gave me another test. After thinking for abt 5mins, I decided I wanna relax my brain for the massage...so we adjourned the test till after massage. I resumed thinking while watching her do her pedicure. Solved it anyways...after like 10mins or so. Then she gave me another funny test...failed big time! :p

By 9-ish we head back to our rm. Dunno wat to do...so she did her sorting/packing since no more shopping oredi. After that she got bz watching this english movie FEAR on Cinemax (I've seen the movie, even the hindi copied version AITBAAR starring Amitabh, Bipasha & Jon). So since I'm bored, I did my sorting/packing...so that check out day the nxt day won't be a rush. Usually my Mom is in charge of all this sorting/packing. Now...I sure miss her! ;P

After that...we chatted tru the wee hrs of the morning agn (so much for our wanting to turn in early to catch up on lost sleep last couple of days!)...think by the time we zonked off...was arnd 2am!

SAT, 8 SEP 07

Woke up same time as yest. Today's plan is to go to KUTA beach by hook or by crook. Altho we didn't bring our swimming attire (she said she not swimming, so I didn't bring la!)...her pt is that we came all the way to what's known as the "surfer's paradise"....so how can we not even check out the beach. So ok, beach it shall be. Today, we reach b/fast @ 9.50am, tak malu! Hehe. After b/fast, we checked out the monument & mourned our fellow africans (our self-made joke) killed @ the 2005 bombing. After that, we walked & walked & asked & asked...for KUTA beach. What we saw was kuttas (dogs!). Today, Sha wasn't too well & needed medication. So, it's my turn to sacrifice & make sure she's ok...even if that meant back-tracking our route (abt 10mins walk) to go to the pharmacy near the monument to get her much-needed medication. After that, we took another route & walked & walked & asked & asked...till 1 shopkeeper finally showed us "that's the beach". Whoaaa...(oh btw, it was abt 1/2 hr walk just to get to the beach! By then I was afraid the heat wld get to me...so I told Sha we btr hurry & find the beach...no more window-shopping.)...after that my mood picked up & I started my singing frenzy (much to Sha's displeasure...but who cares! Hehe). Dunno why the song "kisi roz tumse mulaqat hogi..." juz came to mind.

The beach...all I can say is BEAUTIFUL, esp the waves. Truly, a surfer's paradise. We spent abt 20 mins...incl. our singing of "chalte chalte mere yeh geet..." (this time it was Sha who started it...it wasn't me...but the prob wif me...once I start singing 1 song, it gets stuck in my head & I'll keep singing it till I get another song in mind to sing!)...and me making my last daily call home to hear Mom's voice...we made our way back when we caught sight of...McDonalds!! Whoa...r we @ East Coast!??! Hehe...we headed to McDonald's for lunch (with a stray dog sleeping behind the glass behind me!). We realised the McDonalds is an extension of Maharani Hotel. Whoa...like that nxt time come Bali muz reside here...so it's near the beach! Lunch was ok...I had cheeseburger. Now, we juz look forward to our flight back hm tonight. But b4 that...we still have the seafood dinner by the beach on the itinerary.

We somehow found our way back to our Hotel...after encountering stray dogs & freaking out! I tell u...at times like this...I really wish my Mom was wif me. At least, she'd protect me. Having Sha (another dog-phobic like me) by my side wasn't much of a help...altho now playing the role of protector (since she's younger!)...I somehow braved myself & overcome 0.0001% of my dog-fear. I tell u...if we keep u-turning & walking against the dog...we'll end up losing our way & not getting hm!! Found our way & back to our rm juz after 2pm. Enuf time to juz bunk in bed till it's time to check-out. I showered...and napped till 5.15pm (Sha got bz with her iPod). After that we got ready for check-out & 15 mins b4 we check-out, we took some final snaps @ the balcony. After that, a grp foto @ the hotel entrance b4 we set off for dinner.

The dinner by the beach shall remain as 1 of my most unforgettable moments of this trip. The scenery so breathtaking (hah...not forgeting the dogs straying arnd the beach...I almost climbed on my seat!). If u have a guy by your side, I'd say it'd be truly romantic! However, having a gal by my side, I still made full use of the moment. By blasting mp3 on our mobile & singing by the beach. U see, they had a live band where we can pay for them to sing...so to save our pockets, we sang ourselves! Hehe. Budget trip la.

After all that, we set off to the airport arnd 8-ish & juz killed time while waiting for our flight @ midnite! Means we cld only check-in fm 10pm++. It was the boringest wait. Juz can't wait to get on board & fly back home!

SUN, 9 SEP 07

Finally the plane took off! I think every1 was sleeping...except us!! We were having fun, listening to mp3 on Sha's iPod...actually she's the 1 having fun (I was reading papers, abt CAAS corporatising!)...serenading "Akkam Pakkam" to me & irritating the shit outta me...u shld see her serenading to me...complete wif her gestures...eeee gelliiii!!! For gdness sake's, I'm STRAIGHT ok! Mayb I was a lil lost in my thoughts as I was beginning to miss Amsyar & wonder if he'd have forgotten me after not seeing me for 5 days. He might not react to me in his typical "magnetic" way the way he always does at the sight of me (automatically the body surge fwd to come onto me!)

Finally reached T3 arnd 2.40am!! Alhamdulillah! So ppl...the new Terminal 3 is tried & tested. Works fine! I went & came back alive. No hiccups. Altho I found the arrival of my luggage unbearably long...think it was almost 15 mins (for someone claustraphobic...it got a lil wee bit overbearing being surrounded by kancheong ppl crowding all arnd me!). I cld spot Sha's parents waiting at the arrival hall. I'm getting a lift from her Dad to T2 to my own car. Thank God for him.

I was already damnnnnn sleepy (Sha got worried since I'll be driving)...when I reached my car...Sha's Dad insisted that I made sure I had my key & that the key worked. I beeped, opened the door & the alarm went off!!! Oh man...I tried to shut it off, but it juz won't shut up!!! It went on for 2 or 3 cycles till it got tired & stopped itself! My car caused a din @ T2 carpark @ 3am! WTH! Anyways, I took my luggage, they drove off...then I followed suit...blasting my CD player to keep me awake. I reached hm only to have to go round & round searching for an empty lot. Finally got 1. Then when I off the engine & pull off the key to go get my luggage from the bonnet, the alarm went off agn!!!! Arggghhh...what the hell is wrong! Takkan merajuk till like that...juz coz I left her for 5 days!! I really gave up & juz sat in the car while waiting for the alarm to shut up by itself. Dunno how many sleeping ppl @ the vicinity probably cursing me!

I went up, Mom got awoken...Sis & Amsyar slept over. I took out my laundry to dump into the machine & had my tea (I had sms-ed Mom b4 my flight to make tea for me...I was missing it badly!)...after that I took out all the food items to put in the kitchen...Mom told me to shower & sleep...I did shower...but until I clear my luggage, I can't get to sleep. So I cleared everything except the things I bought for them...that shall be presented when I wake up!

I planned to sleep till 11-ish...but arnd 9am, the lil monkey was creating a din, so I woke up since I needed to go toilet. I went toilet...he didn't see me...but when I came out & on my way back to my rm...he was in his walker...the moment he saw me...he started jumping with hands up in the air in gesture to be picked up! Phew...he still remembers me!! I played with him for a while...till Mom's back from market & put him to sleep arnd 10-ish, I cont'd my sleep till 12-ish b4 finally getting outta bed to have lunch & open up my luggage to show them what I bought for them.

That day, my Makni did cukur rambut for her 3rd son & my cuz Nizam's newborn daughter...but bcoz I was too tired & sleepy...I didn't go. When Mom, Sis & Amsyar left, I caught up on my lost sleep agn...till they came back arnd 5pm. The nxt day (Mon) back to work!!!

Truly...I feel fulfilled for 2007. This trip made up for my screwed-up vacation to Pangkor. This rendezvous in Bali will last me the whole yr, b4 I start yearning for 2008's vacation!! It's back to work now...gonna get bz with the T3 opening. Plus Ramadhan. Plus Eid. Gosh...I wish time wld pass slower!

Two more left!

2007-09-10T07:23:00.000+08:00

There! I knew it. This show is rigged.
Oh well...after Chang was booted out, the show was a fight between 3 guys (Amit, Emon & Prashant) against 1 gal (Ankita). As much as the rest was more talented than Ankita, I was hoping this season I cld see a gal at the final 2 (ie. Amit VS Ankita)...but as usual, the world will nvr support WOMEN...and Ankita got booted out 2 wks ago.
Back to the game are 2 talented guys with 1 not so talented (as Aysha calls him)...NYAMUK!
I cldn't care less already. If Amit is out, btr for me too, I can stop watching the show.
But guess who was booted out last wk?
Once agn, the 1 who impressed (Emon) got booted out & the 1 who fouled (Prashant) stayed on. Happy that copycat Sonu is out...but sad that Prashant deserved 2b out more than Emon. But Emon's leaving didn't make me cry...mayb coz he was so cool abt it! He's so accepting of the rule of the game, that every wk he seems mentally prepared to be booted out. But what makes me shudder is the fact that I've to sit thru a horrible FINAL!
Amit VS Prashant.
Sharb VS Liyah.
Let's see who's idol wins!
This is so dejavu. Exactly how the 1st season was. I spotted a dark horse (Abhijeet Sawant) in the middle of the show & just told myself "he's my Indian Idol!"...and he was right there till the last 2 fighting with a lesser talented 1 but popular with votes!
The 2nd season, on the other hand, my Indian Idol pick (Amey Date) was unfairly booted out by lack of votes mid-way. Thus, there was no reason for me to carry on watching. But since Mom followed...I watched with her only hoping Karunya (the Abhishek look-alike) wld win. Waited for the Udit copycat (Sandeep) to be booted out...but he stayed on till the last. We wasted time watching the final only to have Sandeep win! Aper je!!! Crap! U see him anywhere after that?! No right? Undeserving. At least I recall, Abhijeet was like hot & sought after & he's still THE idol, just released his 2nd album JUNOON...which was really CooL!
I'm pretty sure Amit, if he wins, will share the same popularity as Abhijeet...well-deserving!
I so can't wait for he FINALS! Gosh, I'll be shattered if Prashant wins...

Zoorassic Adventure (CAAS Family Day 2007)

2007-09-02T14:54:00.000+08:00

That's my 1-yr old Panda getting ready to visit his relatives in the ZOO! Dumped him on my bed while I get ready. He's merrily playing with his new toy frog...and my memory card!!

Set off to the zoo (Sis drove) arnd 8-ish. Reached the event venue just in time before 9.15am to make it for the Early Bird Draw. I've nvr been lucky (as in real lucky!)...but since Amsyar came into my life...he's been my lucky charm!! Been winning. I won 5th prize for early bird draw!! Won a digital cordless phone...something I've been wanting to buy for 2 yrs...but procrastinated coz didn't wanna spend the $200+. Finally got it free!!

Lunch was KFC. Amsyar enjoyed the whipped potato. He says: Yum yum! (that's what he does when he likes what he's eating).

The outing was tiring...but was an eye-opener for Amsyar who has shown an interest in animals. He did well...no crankiness...not a leceh baby at all. Well-behaved. Had fun. Of coz the crowd & heat got into me! We just cldn't wait to leave the Zoo. Finally reached the entrance arnd 2-ish...made it home (after losing our way...for taking the wrong exit) b4 3pm for Bro to make it in time for his Sat soccer dose.

After that I bathed...and then left to send my car to Komoco @ Ubi to check out the problem (only to be told that the battery is flat!!)...had to fork out $118 to replace battery. Mom, Sis & I got ourselves a gd 20-min massage each. Oh, didn't I tell u that Mom loves going to Komoco coz there's 3 massage chair there...which we can use for free while waiting for our car to be done. Cheap thrill!

But but but...I'm looking forward to my proper full body massage @ Bali next wk!

Amsyar turns ONE

2007-09-01T13:47:00.000+08:00

After tolerating Sis' craze of cutting cake on his every MONTH...finally it's time to cut cake on the ocassion of Amsyar turning - really turning - one YEAR!

No party-varty & all (for private reasons)...but despite all that, Mom & I made sure Amsyar will have a memorable 1st B'day. Did a simple & private family affair (consisting of the birthday boy, his Mom, Nani, Maasi & Mamu).

I had taken leave (way in advance) for today. Luckily. Coz I started decorating the hse @ 9.30am (starting with his bicycle) & ended only @ 1.30pm!!! If I took just 1/2 day leave, it'll be maghrib by the time I finished! Sis brought Am to her sch for Teachers' Day concert so that peaceful time was well spent decorating the hse.

He came back just after we finished & while Mom had her bath. For a moment, he was stunned by the balloons hanging in the hse. Not the hse he left few hrs ago! After we settled dwn & had our lunch etc, we went out to collect his b'day cake. But b4 that, we brought him to Darul Ghufran to make him put twelve $1 coins into the donation box. $1 for each month. He kinda enjoyed the sound of the coins dropping into the box!! I remember on the same day last yr, Mom went to Darul Ghufran to put in $$$ to thank Allah for his arrival (she made a Nazar). Alhamdulillah, he has been in Allah's protection for a whole 1 year. It was my desire to expose him to a mosque. So that trip to the mosque was part of the itinerary of 31st Aug 2007.

After going to the mosque, and narrowly escaping being fined for not displaying parking coupon (5 mins je per...where got 5 mins coupon!?!), we went to Prima Deli at the CC few blks from my hse to collect his b'day cake. This surprise cake (sponsored by Mom) is my idea. Sis' deep dwn desire was a Barney cake as Amsyar is always fascinated at the Barney cakes there. I gave more than Barney. Hehe.

After that we went home & spent some video-ing him & my deco...before I decided to sms bro to ask how long more was he gonna take to reach home (the "party" was supposed 2b @ 5pm). If he's stuck in sch, then we might as well put sleepy Amsyar to sleep 1st & cut cake later @ nite when Nana's back. Since bro replied that he's reaching in 20 mins, we kept Amsyar awake (that boy hasn't slept the whole day, he was darn sleepy). While I was preparing for the mini-celebration, he was last seen happily playing nxt to his Mom who's eating & the nxt moment I took another glance at him, I saw him toppling backwards (while sitting)...and THUD...the back of his head hits the floor. He likes to do that on the bed...think he didn't realise he wasn't on a bed/mattress!! Bechara! He cried big-time. After that I was v. affected. Coz imagine, I hit my head...painful rite??! And he's just a baby! Skull still soft. It'd have hurt like crazy, no!??! That aside, he was also in a pissed-off mood coz he detests this b'day hat. Dunno why. He's so scared of it, he cries whenever we put it on his head, and refuse to look at us when it's on our head!

After all that hoohah...Mom changed him into the panda outfit I bought for him last wk. Shortly after, Bro came back & we got ready to cut cake, read a prayer & open his presents. Had so much fun...videoing him...but he was cranky most of the time. Sleepy. On top of that, we made him into a model. After cutting-cake, we changed him into his kurta (which we bought for him for Eid last yr...still can fit, this time, nicely) as we didn't wanna dirty the panda outfit as I wanted him to wear it to the Zoo tomorrow, so he was a lil pissed with the kurta. Took a lil goo-goo-ga-ga with him b4 he started smiling & laughing merrily on the ocassion!

After that, it's almost 6.30pm...I wanted to give a cake to Roshni's family who so sweet gave him a present. So I wanted him to come along & get their blessings. So I drove to Bdk Sth, gave the cake & goodies. Rosh, hubby Deepak & Baby Suraj was going Tamp Mall...so she asked if they cld get a lift. I told them, there's space for 2, cramped, but if they want to try to fit it, by all means. Unfortunately, my car refused to start!! Damn. Luckily, Rosh's hubby was into cars, so he taught me how to do a push-start (he push, I start!)...and the car started agn. Poor him. Not the impression I'd wanna give him on the 1st ocassion I offered to give a lift...but they truly were angels! Dropped them off @ Tamp Mall b4 driving Sis to her Pasir Ris hse to take clothes to wear for Zoo outing tomorrow.

Gonna go have an early nite...have an early morning tomorrow...going Zoo for CAAS Family Day 2007!!

I almost thought...

2007-08-26T00:08:00.000+08:00

...Amit was gonna go today!!

I just can't believe it Prashant just got in w/o even coming into the bottom 3! At least Emon had to come to bottom 3 (wif Chang & Amit!). Yes...Chang & Amit, the 1 who was THE BEST of the 5, was left at bottom 2! *#$%!^*

Anyways...thank GOD Amit was saved!! Phew!! Or that's the end of my watching Indian Idol this yr!

I know Chang's going broke so many hearts...but I also know this is the rule of the game.

4 more wks...

Amit Paul - MY INDIAN IDOL!

2007-08-25T15:32:00.000+08:00

Chang started today's epi & raised the standard bar so high no one except Amit cld match. Really. Although Amit was perfect as usual, I felt he sounded like the original singer of that song (Yaad Aa Raha Hai from Disco Dancer happens 2b one of my all-time fave!). But oh well...Indian Idol he's gonna be!!!

The other 1 who impressed me was Ankita. The new look, the confidence & the guts to sing Aap Jaisa Koi from Qurbani in her own style - as the malay punks wld say (adopted from M'sian sitcom Senario): "ikut sedap tekak laki mak dia!". For that freshness...plus she's the only female left...I give her 9/10.

That leaves us with Prashant & Emon...gd in their own ways...but nothing gr8 to say abt them tonight. So looks like I'd be glad to see both at bottom 2 & Prashant (actually won't care even if it's Emon!) wld leave the show! I've had enuf of Sonu Nigam from Emon from Day 1. High time I say bye!

Popcorn Khao Mast Ho Jao / I See You

2007-08-21T17:19:00.000+08:00

Yesterday & today, I watched 2 movies which was never hyped & which from the bit of trailers I saw, I concluded as CRAP...but I was really delighted that I spent my time well by watching these 2 movies coz I felt the movies were really good I wished I had watched it earlier! Well narrated, well directed, well acted, well casted. As compared to other movies which was hyped but full of shit!

Popcorn Khao Mast Ho Jao
Was played on Star Plus (ch 41) yesterday afternoon...as I was spending time @ Sis' place the whole afternoon, I recorded it & watched @ nite till 2am! Haha. Why I cld stay up that late to watch a hindi movie? The movie kept me glued. I like this actor Akshay Kapoor who acted in an extraordinary unconventional movie Alag. PKMHJ was his debut film. It looks like some B-grade film back then in 2004. But watching it yesterday, I fell in love with the subject - sweet love story, funny on 1 side, yet touching on the other. And I also felt Tanisha (Kajol's Sis which irritated me wif her acting in Neal 'n' Nikki) improved her acting considerable in this movie! She was a pleasure to watch, just like Kajol! Song were also catchy...nvr disappointed when it's Vishal-Shekar's music. They're a genius! As for Akshay Kapoor, the more I watch him, the more I fall in love wif him all over agn! He's brilliant!

I See You
Was played on RTM2 many Saturdays ago. Probably 2 mths ago? I asked Mom to record for me. But after that, I nvr found time to watch it. When I found time, Mom can't find the DVD! So I thought "nvm, forget it...will watch it if they show on cable." Suddenly, yesterday afternoon Mom found it...so I took it b4 it goes MIA agn! I just finished watching it earlier. HILLARIOUS! Subject is refreshing too. Casanova man (Arjun Rampal) meets a pretty ghost (soul of a woman in a coma and only the hero can see/hear her). How love blossomed between the 2. Hillarious bcoz of Chunky Pandey, one of my all time fave comedy actor apart from Govinda. He's really cartoon I tell u! His face alone will make u laugh! At least he looks btr than Johnny Lever! Oh well, the Arjun-Chunky pair is really cool! Shld be repeated. Debutant heroine Vipasha reminds me of Lara Dutta, but she's gd too anyways! Songs nothing fantastic, I just fast-fwd. I've always like Arjun Rampal, but mayb since he & his wife play producer I thought the movie's gonna be crap. I dunno, mayb I felt Arjun's gd in front of the camera, so he shld stay just there & not multi-task. Maybe these actors have earned enuf & dunno wat to do wif the $$$$$$? So they turn producer! I recommend this movie for those who needs a laugh.

Boy am I glad I watched these 2 movies. Been a while since I get to watch really gd quality movies on TV/DVD.

Now my nxt task is to watch 7 Denzel Washington movies (a compilation of his movies in 2 DVDs)...which was lent to me by a fren who bought it in M'sia. Watching Remembering the Titan halfway. Perservering to watch 1 movie a day & finish it in 1 wk & return back to my fren b4 I go to Bali.

BALI...here I come!

2007-08-21T14:46:00.000+08:00

U have no idea how unlucky I am. I've participated in so many contests...in desperate hope of winning cash, plasma TV, cars, bollywood concert tickets...not even 1 did I win! I must've sent 50 Magnolia Win A Toyota Vios contest coupons...knowing I'd not win even 1...and true enuf...someone else muz've won! :(

Ya...1 thing I won was "be a part of the shoot of a Zee TV serial (Rabba Ishq Na Hove) @ Sentosa"...that too something I wasn't really interested/hopeful anyways...I sent it for fun!

It seems recently my workplace did a balloting for all staff to stand a chance to win a pair of free tickets to Bali/Phuket on 4 chartered Valuair/Jetstar flights (2 to Bali & 2 to Phuket...1 flight each in Sep & Oct). I didn't really pay attn to the email. I wasn't interested. I've used my vacation subsidy this yr (for a disappointing holiday to Pulau Pangkor) plus it's bz period @ work. I heard some of my colleagues won the tickets. I thought "maybe he/she wanted to go so they'd have put in their names or something". Then an email came to announce the winners of the tickets. Scroll down...and saw a familiar name...that has the last 4 digits & 1 ltr of her IC no. matched mine. Holy COW! What the hell is my name doing there?!?? I didn't participate...I didn't same my name...oh shit...how the hell did I win something I didn't participate...what am I gonna do now!!?!

I freaked out to my colleague who was just telling me abt the other colleague winning...and she cldn't pacify me (she oso another bodoh...u'll noe y later!). While I was freaking out...Roshni called me "congrats babe!"...I screamed @ her "what congrats?! I'm freaking out now...y is my name there?! I didn't participate...bla bla bla ..."

She stopped me "Babe babe ... hang on...it's automatic la...all staff was drawn". I was like? Huh!? Really? Can fwd me the email agn. I read it & screwed my bodoh colleague! "Aper la lu Kak Zah...it's auto la! All staff was entered into the lucky draw! U punnnnn!"

But guess what?! I won a ticket to Bali for 3 Oct. Macam siak je! How to go...fasting mth. So I asked HR if there's any chances of me changing the date to the 5 Sep slot. Later on, another mgr from my office emailed HR & accidentally cc-ed the whole organisation asking if she can swop with another staff going for 3 Oct if the staff is agreeable. Think she had me in mind coz my boss told her that I'm foregoing it coz I can't go on 3 Oct (my boss suggested I change the date wif others who may not be able to go on 5 Sep coz bz period for the senior bosses, but I'm too egoistic to go arnd asking/begging). So when I saw her email...I told her I asked HR the same thing & I won't mind considering a swop if allowed...that too if she hasn't found anyone yet.

HR replied that as long as both parties agreeable, let the appointed travel agent know when they contact us. Oh ya, btw, got condition one: If the travel agent unable to contact us, we'll be replaced by those drawn on waiting list. So our nxt task was to be CONTACTABLE!

I thought this was my chance to take Mom on a vacation via flight...at least once in my lifetime. If not for this, I'd nvr be able to afford 1 for her. I asked Sis if she can be excused from sch (since it's sch holidays! but u noe la...teachers still gotta go to sch even if it's sch holiday!) on the grounds of no one to take care of her child. She confirmed yes. Nxt I asked Mom if she's able to go on 5-9 Sep. That's like dep on a Wed & back on a Sun! Too long for a housewife to leave home with some unsettled personal problem lingering in S'pore. She was excited...and all game. She was telling me how my sms came so coincidentally when she's been dying to take a vacation to India but Dad's not allowing coz too expensive...and he suggested Batam or Phuket, to which she told her Dad that none of my frens will take leave to go vacation wif me. And there I was looking for co. to go Bali for a vacation (sharing a free ticket some more!).

Unfortunately, she had a change of heart when Dad didn't give a positive response to the idea. So I told her "U're 1st a wife, then a mother. I dowan u to go against Papa's wish. Let's just forget it." She felt I've nvr been lucky enuf & she badly wanted me to seize this opportunity. She suggested I try my frens "Ur fren Shazadi ke aper tak boleh ikut?" ... I told her to forget abt frens...they're either married with responsibilities (a pity Maslin got married 2 wks too early, otherwise, I'll make her accompany me!), can't get leave off work or like me, can't go vacation with frens.

The travel agent contacted me on Fri evening. My heart says I wanna go...furthermore, my boss is even willing to release me from work for Wed-Fri so I can go. But I've no one to go with & I'm not abt to go alone. I thot, maybe I'm meant not to waste the $$$. I swallowed my ego & asked 2 single galfrens I won't mind spending 5 days alone on a vacation wif (Shazadi & Nikky) if any of them avail on 5-9 Sep to join me for a trip to Bali where I won 2 tickets, just have to fork out abt $265 for land package & taxes.

I waited for hrs...no response. I thot that's pretty normal whenever I need something from someone. These ppl can't go but have no heart to say No to me...so chose to not reply. Sigh. Till another hr later, Shazadi came online & exclaimed in disbelief & asked if I'm serious & if she cld go wif me. After I confirmed her interest & gotten her word that she has budget, avail during the period & her parents doesn't mind her going wif me...I was like "Thank u Allah!!" I went out to tell Mom & she heaved a sigh of relief "Alhadulillah".

So yea...altho I wish Allah wld quickly grant me my prayers for this 1 particular thing I badly want, which means much more to me & my family, I still feel loved by Allah for He granted me another opportunity for a vacation to make up for my spoilt vacation in Jun. That too...by flight...where everything came ez for me...the tickets, the permission (from parents), the leave from boss. Shazadi is the angel Allah sent to accompany me to Bali. I'm fated for Bali afterall!! Yeehar!

We've just finalised our choices of accomodation & tour package today...we'll be staying @ White Rose Hotel (4-star). Land Package: S$180 per pax for 3 nites/twin-share, 1 land tour plus additional 1 lunch & 1 seafood dinner on top of the hotel's daily b/fast PLUS $125 per pax for airport taxes. That leaves us to just cater for 2 lunch & 2 dinner not covered by the package + a massage @ the spa + shopping! My budget-> nothing more than $500. Shazadi's budget -> nothing more than $600. Let's see if we can stick to that! Hehe.

I soooo look forward to this vacation in 2 wks time.

Before that...look forward to seeing Amsyar turn 1 yr old on 31 Aug. Will do our usual mini-celebration: cut cake, sing b'day song in 3 diff languages, snap pics & see his cute acts! God bless him & protect him from EVIL eyes...always! Amin!

Yeayyy! Like FINALLY!!! Puja's OUT!! Yeehar!

2007-08-19T14:59:00.000+08:00

This is soooo long awaited!! I've been wanting her out since like so long! Snobbish Puja! Glad she's finally gone! Making the top 5 consist of the 4 I wanted anyone to win in the 1st place. I hope nxt 3 episodes, Chang, Prashant & Ankita will go (don't care in which order)...as I look forward to sit back & See Emon & Amit fight it out in the finals! With Amit crowned Indian Idol, of coz! Mind u!

Yesterday's epi, I enjoyed seeing Anu back on Indian Idol...and my fave performances were Amit & Emon anyways. Except I wish Emon wld stop imitating Sonu's singing style/voice! I didn't like Ankita, Puja, Chang or even Prashant (now when I see/hear Prashant, I get buzzing mosquito sound in my ears & think of Aysha!). Amit's really the dark horse of Indian Idol (and me!)...the same way Abhijeet Sawant was during the 1st Indian Idol. I was so into Rahul Vaidya...but when I heard Abhijeet sang Dil Kya Kare...I suddenly noticed him!

Am's 1st B'day Present (in advance)

2007-08-13T05:36:00.000+08:00

Maasi bought for Am his 1st B'day present (2 wks in advance).

He's been enjoying his ride. While I'm typing this...I see his Mamu dilligently pushing him arnd the hse!! Haha...poor Mamu! Hehe...everyone's taking a break from babysitting him...so Mamu's been tasked with the job.

Time for Hajira to fulfill her promise

2007-08-13T04:55:00.000+08:00

Due to overwhelming request (since Jan 2006) to switch to Blogger...
Due to the recent problem with Friendster blog where I kept getting feedback that people can't see my posts...
Due to Friendster's f***ing (pardon my French) response to my email asking abt the problem (they replied "we are aware of the "no content found" issue. Our engineers are working on a resolution. Unfortunately, we do not have an estimated time frame for a fix. We have submitted your feedback to the appropriate department.")...

I decided that Friendster can keep "working on the problem"...
I've deleted my Friendster blog and switched to Blogger (do I hear "yeayyyy!"?)...which kept me bz the past 1-2 wks exporting all my friendster posts!

Now it's time Hajira fulfill her promise to do a nice MD skin for me (u know how to get in touch with me to get my password)!

Oh no!!! My Deepali's OUT!??!

2007-08-12T14:59:00.000+08:00

WTH?!?! How can Deepali be out when Ankita's clearly the one who fumbled in her performance!?! Pooja wasn't even in the bottom 3 when she was also one of the poor performer (as compared to Emon). Lousy la audience voting system. Full of injustice. When they perform poorly, they stay, when they perform well, they are out.

I must say Deepali is the strongest of all contestants, not even a drop of tear. In fact, she had to pacify her fellow contestants. Very sporting! Oh well...sad la Deepali won't be Indian Idol...now left Ankita & Pooja out of the girls...I'd rather no girl become Indian Idol then!!

Unlucky Abhishek

2007-08-05T15:09:00.000+08:00

He made a poor performance where - for the 1st time - all judges unanimously felt he was the weakest link. And OUT he had to go in the v. next episode. How unlucky can 1 get, rite?! All these while, so many had made poor performances and had been unanimously declared the weakest & shld be out...but time & agn they got saved, at the expense of other gd ones (but when they performed well, Lady Luck decides to leave their side!).

So yeah, it was sad to see Abhishek go (but at least he won't be Indian Idol! Hehe!). He sure tried v. hard to do his parting performance...but u can just hear the sadness in his voice & see the sadness in his face while he mingled with the audience & struggled to put up a sporting performance.

He was livelier when he came out as a guest in Thursday's episode of Roobaroo. Nice to see that he's pulled through!

Parleen's out!! Yeaayy!

2007-07-29T15:15:00.000+08:00

Orite!! Parleen's out...1 more (Pooja) 2b out & the remaining 7 will be perfect - anyone can be Indian Idol 3 (Amit Amit Amit...pls pls pls...Amit Amit Amit), won't make a difference to me!

Honestly, although I've wanted Parleen 2b out...I was sad that he was voted out this round...since he performed well...I mean, btr than Pooja & Deepali of course. But oh well...a game is a game. But yes, if I cried when Jolly & Charu was untimely voted out, I cried worse for Parleen. Hey, I'm afterall human & detest injustice in any form.

Nxt one that I want out is Prashant. Unless he reverts back to his old self & impress me all over agn...same thing with Chang! I'm over this 2 already (no doubt, was really ga-ga over them initially...but their lack of versatility in their voice & suitability of songs puts me off!).

Indian Idol turns CRAPPY agn...

2007-07-22T14:59:00.000+08:00

...when Prashant Tamang who screwed up last night stayed in safe zone & 3 well-performed females, Charu, Deepali & Puja (accompanied by flawless performer Abhishek) stood at danger zone!

Bcame crappier when instead of Deepali who was the weaker 1 amongst all 4, as she was having fever & bad throat stayed & Charu was voted out. WTH! Now this is what I hate abt public voting!

I actually cried for Charu. I'm neutral abt her. But eventually, I wldn't want her 2b Indian Idol. But it's not fair for her to be out @ this stage. Prashant shld've been out...but of coz, he muz've formed quite a crazy fan-following who'll juz vote & make him win! Oh...I was saying I cried for Charu...yeah, coz she juz cldn't believe it...till she lost her senses & cldn't shed even a drop of tear...but kept asking if it's a joke...and kept begging 2b given a chance! It was too painful for me to see...someone so passionate abt the game having to go out for no fault of hers...sometimes it juz doesn't pay to work so hard. Might as well be mediocre & still win.

I can foresee Amit facing the same fate! And that's dreadful!

Been a while...

2007-07-17T12:05:00.000+08:00

...since I blabber abt him! He went thru high-fever (39.2 range) for the 2nd time. The last time was in Apr...when everyone in the household got infected with my nasty VIRAL FLU. Since I was the only one who took antibiotics, Mom caught the virus agn & bcoz Amsyar is in close proximity with her, he got infected too! For the 1st 2 days, he was so weak he doesn't even react when he saw us. He just wants to remain on his Nani-ma's lap 24/7! Manja! He got lousy medication from the 24-hr clinic Sis brought him (since all the clinics were closed when Mom brought him). The nxt day, his fever didn't subside & he started vomiting, so I brought both to Dr Adidah (although I'm no fan of her). At least both got antibiotics!!

By the 3rd day, he finally remembered my existence & tried really hard 2b his active self when with me - monkeying arnd on my bed every evening when I come home from work & every morning when he wakes me up! So emotional I was when he finally smiled after 3 days...that I had to take this photo!

Then on Fri the 13th (Jul)...I took leave to stay away from office...just in case I transform into my real self (Bhoooott!!) ... Brought Amsyar out for a drive (he drove)... "Maasi...u sure u want me to take over the wheels?!"

"Yes darling...go ahead..."

"Woeeeee....(u're the BEST, Maasi!!)"

Today, Mom & Sis brought him for his eye check-up @ Parkway...and gave him his 1st haircut! He's so ready for NS now & I'm so enjoying myself calling him "eh botak!" to get a cheeky smile from him (he knows he's BOTAK)!

Yeaayy...SMITA's gone!!!

2007-07-15T14:59:00.000+08:00

One more whom I dislike is OUT! Kewl! It was Smita & Parleen at bottom 2. Wld've been great if both cld go together...but either 1 going wld've given me the same pleasure anyway!

So yeayyy ... after this...I hope Puja & Parleen goes...and that's it...I wldn't mind any 1 of the remaining 8 winning Indian Idol 3!

But really...yesterday...I so can't help wanting the show to end & just let AMIT PAUL be the nxt Indian Idol!!!! He's just too good!!!

I rest my case!

2007-07-10T13:53:00.000+08:00

I dunno why no one believes me when I say I look like Madhuri.

There's this website that allows you to post a photo, and then they'll do a face recognition to produce all the celebrities that you resemble. Now who the hell is Kavya Madhavan!??! She keeps appearing in almost all the pictures I used. And the only Bolly celeb that appeared is Amisha Patel, then Kajol, then Rani. Amisha & Kajol I can understand as ppl had given me such comments (bleargh!)...but Rani!?!? No way do I look like Rani! And the Hollywood celeb that kept appearing is Drew Barrymore, Shiri Appleby (whoever that is!), Beyonce Knowles, Halle Berry & Tyra Banks...Really crap that I can look like so many celebs!

Since Madhuri didn't come out as she shld have...I decided to test by posting her plainest pic (that supposedly resembles me the most...hehe)...and this is what I got:

I rest my case. If Madhuri resembled Kavya Madhavan (Amisha Patel too!?)...now doesn't that say something?!?!

So I think it's time everyone face the hurting truth. Indeed, I look like Madhuri!

Cheap Thrill!

Damn! Why Jolly!??!

2007-07-08T14:59:00.000+08:00

No!!!! Why Jolly?! Why wasn't it Smita?!?! So near yet so far. And for nothing the one I didn't one out is out. Poor Jolly. So shit luck. Last yr, she got infected with Chicken Pox just before the Gala Round started, so she cldn't continue...but the program already promised that she'll enter straight into the next Indian Idol's Gala Round skipping all auditions.

And she only survived 2 wks. But not surprising actually, it's really tough competition coz 3/4 of the remaining in the Gala Round are really gd ... as compared to last yr's. I actually teared when Jolly was announced out (I was so hoping for Smita!).

And it got more emotional when the rest of the contestants who were all crying for her, came and hug her, till she broken down while singing her farewell song!

Anyways, the shocker of the bottom 4 was Deepali & Emon! Phew...lucky it was just false alarm, they were back in safe seats!

I dread to think who'll be out nxt wk man. *sigh*

Amazing Race

2007-07-06T14:55:00.000+08:00

Amazing Coincidence reminded me ... today as I was walking along the departure/check-in hall with a Cambodian prospective (hold your thoughts!) tenderer for a T3 shop's tender I recently called...suddenly a grp of caucasians came running towards me...leaving me going "woe woe woe" and I started tango-ing from left to right in an effort to avoid being trampled by them!

While I was trying to figure out what was all that abt (in case it's some mad criminal)...I saw the AMAZING RACE yellow tag with all those runners...and OH SHIT...a cameraman running with them! Later...then ran again behind me...into the SIA ticketing office to get their tickets. I managed to video the scene with my hp for remembrance...but I hope the video wasn't ON while they were doing all those running! But really, seeing the participants racing LIVE was really COOL!!

That aside...was a gd afternoon at work for me. I got to meet 2 suave gentlemen for my tender briefing. If only we have such "cute" guys working in my office...going to work wld excite me & I probably won't need to drag my feet to work every morning! Hehe.

Amazing Coincidence!

2007-07-06T14:24:00.000+08:00

From :	Anupam Agarwal <anupam@maccapital.in>
Sent :	Thursday, July 5, 2007 5:34 PM
To :	"Anupam Agarwal" <anupam@maccapital.in>
Subject :	Blessed with a baby BOY.

Inbox

Hi,

I take immense pride and great joy in informing you that me & my wife, Gauri, have been blessed with a cute baby BOY on the 25^th of June. Both, mom & son, are doing well.

Hope you are doing good too. Havent heard from you in quite a while…..now u have a reason to write back. Please do. Will wait for all updates from your end too.

Very warm wishes & best regards,

Anupam

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PS: Please note & use my new email (anupam@maccapital.in) ONLY. I'm phasing out my old email id.

Thanks.

Anupam

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

That was what I saw in my inbox when I checked my email today. A mail from Anupam Agarwal after months. Oh, Anu's my pen-pal from Bombay, whom I've known since like more than 10 yrs ago (but nvr got to meet)...We're still in touch till today...except no longer via snail mail, but via electronic mail. He nvr fails to email me with his wishes for all ocassions...Holi, B'day, Diwali, Eid, X'mas, New Year...but I did realise he didn't email me his B'day wishes this year. But since I'm not the kind who celebrates or rejoice over my B'day (I'm the keep a low-profile type...just stay home & enjoy the day), I'm ok abt ppl not wishing me.

So, back to the email, when I read the contents...my jaw dropped! Firstly, I didn't know he & his wife Gauri was expecting a younger sibling for their son, Achintya (fondly known as Achu, who must be arnd 3 yrs old at least by now). Secondly, there can't be a more shocking coincidence than Anu's son sharing the same b'day as his sweetheart Sharu! Now he has NO reason to forget my b'day at all (not that he ever has!). Tch tch tch...bechara Anu. Pleasantly surprised.

THANK GOD RICHA IS OUT!

2007-07-01T14:55:00.000+08:00

Like FINALLY!

She only impressed me during audition .. .the moment she went into Theatre Round & started her attitude & made life difficult for Prashant...I've been wanting her out of the show! So immature...don't deserve 2b idolised! But somehow, the stupid judges & janta has been saving her!

Except for abt 4 ppl, the rest in the GALA Round are those I really love & has been banking on them to be Indian Idol.

I really hope this yr's Indian Idol will be a gal (sounds familiar?! I wished the same for last yr too rite?!?)...but if my wish will come true this yr...I only want to see DEEPALI there!! I wldn't mind Charu, as she's quite gorgeous & popular...but talent wise...ok quite versatile voice...but not perfect. The rest of the gals...some gd...others doesn't impress me...I like Ankita for her confidence although her singing is quite shaky at times as she's very hyper in her performance.

This yr's lot of guys are superb! If it's gonna be a guy, I'm already seeing AMIT PAUL as Indian Idol 3!! He's too damn good! Initially I've been for Emon Chatterjee since his audition time since he's been a consistent performer...but it was much later I discovered the perfection & versatility in Amit Paul whom I've nvr taken notice of till the Piano Round! After Amit & Emon, it's Prashant who impressed me with his ability to breeze thru even the most difficult of songs, altho he's not trained in singing! Amazing. Born a singer! Oh I loved Meiyang Chang (the Chinese guy) too...he has a magical voice, but he's now proving that his voice suits only certain kinda songs...choose the wrong song & he sounds like a Cantonese Pop singer singing hindi songs! Yucks! I want Parleen out of the show. He's gd in certain songs...but sucks in most...plus he tries to impress with his supposedly cute looks...so I don't like him! Abhijeet (the one who wears his cap the other way round) has a gd voice & presentation style...but I've been quite pissed by his constant forgetting of lyrics. But these days, he's sort of learnt his lesson & has stopped forgetting lyrics...so I won't be surprised if he's crowned Indian Idol this yr! Afterall...it's janta's voting...and they suck!

GALA Round is gonna be fun. It started well with RICHA being out...next in my list is Puja, Parleen, Smita and after that I want the show to stop right there...the rest are winners already to me!

When the heart aches

2007-06-21T14:43:00.000+08:00

Rather than ignore...rather than being in a home that doesn't give me a feeling of being "at home"...I might as well stay away from home.

I purposely wake up really late so that I can rush through the morning & can avoid him. But it brings tears to my eyes the moment I shut the front door when I leave home seeing him looking at me with hope in the eye that I'll carry him. "Why is Maasi not even looking at me?" Not even a kiss. For so many days. When I wake up, he's asleep...but seconds later, he'll also wake up, turn on his tummy & start crawling after me wherever I go!!! Even when I'm leaving, he'll crawl to my feet & try to stand up supported by my leg, hoping I'd carry him (he reminds me of a cat!). I'll just put him down back to the floor, salam Mom & leave.

When he sleeps, he's been restless & crying - he can sense that Maasi is distancing herself. "At least Nanima takes me when I wldn't stop crying...and sayang me...but Maasi just ignores me. Why!?" Sorry beta, I've no answer for u. I know it's not your fault...but I lose interest in things pretty easily, esp. when I feel that it's not worth my effort.

(TALK OF THE DEVIL...THERE HE GOES! AWAKENED & WAILING AS I'M TYPING THIS POST!)

Today I thought I might as well finish some work & go home late, hoping he'd be asleep if I reach home after 8pm. At 7pm, my boss asked if I cld help her with some figure-checking. I agreed to help telling her "no intention to go home yet, so yea u can give it to me". I finished everything for her...only @ 8.30pm!!! Wah lao. Mom will be wondering why I'm not home yet (usually home by 7-ish, anything later, will sms).

I came home...damn...he wasn't asleep! He was drinking milk on Mom's lap. I just did my normal routine. But Mom can't help laugh at how he tries to jump off her lap to pound on me! But I just walked away. In Mom's voice "Maasi, y u come back late...I waited for u at the stairs but u nvr came...only Nana came back". I dunno what else to say. Y is Mom doing all these. Y doesn't she understand when I tell her "I'm not interested!"

I went to my rm...almost in tears, but controlled. I thought to myself...y is that poor li'l one being punished...but I can't find an explanation...it's just my stone-heart. I finally relented & picked him up (b4 Mom gives me a cold-shoulder for nothing - It's a free world, but I don't even have the freedom to feel the way I wanna feel!). God...it's so heartbreaking the way he just clings on to me, kept looking @ my face, kept fidgeting with the collar of my pyjama. Except for that...he's still the same - gets his eyes glued to the TV screen when he hears the song Kasamh Se (Zee TV serial) comes on! And he can't sit still on my lap when I read to him his 123 & Colours book. He wants to hold the book & read himself...but it ends up in his mouth! Oh...his 4th tooth has arrived (the 2nd buck tooth on top is popping out!)...he's now officially...HANNIBAL!!

Wishlist for 2007...

2007-06-20T14:38:00.000+08:00

...other than loads of $$$$...

1. Have been eyeing this thing for my baby (my car!) for some time now:

2. Since childhood, I've had a strong desire to be able to play a musical instrument. Used to learn/play the guitar during my teen years. That phase was over. Today, can't afford drum lessons, too expensive & no sponsors...so piano is my alternative since there are cheap keyboards available:

Electronic keyboards fascinates me - can't help play with them (even toy keyboards) whenever I see one! Not that I know how to make music with it...but I'm sure with some lessons/practise, Himesh Reshammiya can step down! I wanted to buy a toy keyboard for Amsyar but my family knows I've an ulterior motive...hehe.

3. Quite sian of driving already...so am considering going back to my old outdoor hobby, cycling:

Now that I'm gonna be on long wkends pretty often, intending to cycle as part of my exercise regime. Maybe join my parents for jogging every Sun morning...while they jog, I cycle...like the good old times!

(pictures for illustration only)

How Real Am I?

2007-06-20T12:41:00.000+08:00

You Are 84% Real

There's hardly a person on this earth more real than you are.
You have no problem showing people who you are, flaws and all.
For you, there couldn't be any other way. Because it's way too stressful to live an inauthentic life.
You're very comfortable with yourself. And because of this, you're able to live an exciting, interesting, and challenging life.

Moral of the story: DON'T MESS WITH ME! I'M REAL!

Anyways...been a while since I analysed my personality so was in the mood to do this. I've been pissed off since Sat and this fire burning inside me is not abt to be doused so soon bcoz I'm REALLY pissed! Mom's sad that I've been v. quiet & off-mood. I even ignore Amsyar & it's really affecting him...he's been crying for my attn. Mom tries to bring him to me ocassionally, but still...it's not the same anymore. I'm like that, if I don't like someone, don't expect me to like anything related to them! Mom knows me too well...she's trying her best advising me not to behave like that to Amsyar as he's innocent...bla bla bla...*yawwwnnn*

Since I didn't wanna be @ home (which doesn't give me a homely atmosphere!)...I decided to stay out of home. So after my survey, I went to catch Jhoom Barabar Jhoom @ GV Tampines. 5.30pm show, but reached there arnd 5.40pm, got the tix, went in...wallah...pretty much empty! Show not started yet some more (started 5 mins after I walked in)!

Been a while since I do such things, catching a movie alone during off-peak hrs while everyone wld be bz working! Movie was a timepass...had $9 spare in my wallet, so decided to throw it on JBJ. Movie ok la, nothing fantastic abt the storyline...something along the lines of Bunty Aur Babli's comedy, except this time not abt thief-couples but abt this couple who cooked up a story that they're engaged only to realise later that they love each other but are now stuck with their lies so they can't move on to woo each other!! Songs...only the title song got into me, the rest were too cliched! Basically, the movie's just like any other Yash Chopra movies - Sex bombs, skin show, kissing, songs popping out of nowhere & angmos dancing in sync with the Bolly stars in beautiful locales of Paris, London etc. That's Yash Chopra's movies for you!

If there's one thing I liked abt watching this movie...it's seeing the pairing of Abhishek-Lara (since their 1st pairing in Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost) and Bobby-Preity (since their 1st pairing in Soldier). Both couples weren't that hot back then. So it's nice to see all 4 coming together after they're big stars now! And the pairing of Abhishek-Bobby...wow...remember Amitabh-Dharmendra in Sholay!??! I'm sure they must've had fun discussing their fathers' successful pairing.

If there's one thing I disliked abt the movie, it's Amitabh! So insignificant, what was the need for his role!?!?! C'mon la, he's not in the age to be swaying arnd! I thought he's supposed to be in not too gd a health (I even predicted he may die this yr!)!?!?

Now...what irritated me the most is that despite getting a cosy aisle seat at the left corner, there was this Indian couple (from India) on my right at the centre block's aisle who has with them a son abt age 2 spoiling my mood...I even stomped out of my seat & moved to the last row!! I think everyone knows what I mean! I knew I was in for an irritating time when I walked in & saw a pram near my aisle seat! *Sigh* Y bring a 2 yr old in a theatre when u know they're in the age where they can't remain still & silent!! If u think you paid for the tix so u can do whatever u wish to...well other ppl DID too!! And bcoz I did too...I've a right to expect some peace in the theatre! If u brought the kid to a cartoon/animation movie, at least it can sustain the kid's attn if the show is of his interest...bring him to such "cheap" movie...of coz he'll be bored la...bodoh nak mampos (Shazadi will be smiling rite now!)!!

My 1st flight...@ age 30!!

2007-06-18T12:37:00.000+08:00

Bangkok...of all places. I was a lil nervous when I learnt that I'm being sent for a 1-day trip to Bangkok. Doing survey is ok. But going on a flight was freaking me. And Bangkok is surely not the 1st place I'd like to go on my 1st plane ride...maybe KL wld be btr since I'm familiar with the place, culture & language there...but oh well, I took it as a challenge.

And the mgr (SY) I'm supposed to go to is also not someone I talk to in office...not someone I'd go on a trip together...so my colleague was laughing at me on the whole idea! And it was really stressing me up! But I just took it cooly...I made arrangements for the tickets etc. I didn't like the idea of getting stuck in a jam for 1 hr to go to the city for shopping & SY also just went to BKK for shopping so since both of us didn't wanna go to the city to shop, we decided to take the 2nd last flight back. If we wanted to shop, we've to take the last flight back but we'll reach S'pore @ 10-ish. It'll be too tiring coz we're taking the 1st flight to BKK @ 8.45am (thus having to be at the airport by 7-ish), coming back @ 10-ish on a Fri was not a welcomed idea! So we decided to come back by the 2nd last flight, reaching S'pore @ 8-ish.

The day finally came. We met @ 7.30am, I got my 1st boarding pass & while SY had b/fast wif hubby, I went to office to kill time...by snapping photos of my workstation & this:

Our flight was @ 8.45am...so by 8am we cleared immigration & headed to our gate. Damn, they didn't allow hp to be on, so there goes my mp3 listening. Luckily there's in-flight VOD, so after browsing the catalogue (was tempted to watch GURU, but refrained), I decided to watch Night At The Museum!! But since the flight was shorter than the movie, I cldn't complete the last bit (I presume abt 1/2hr more) of it.

SY calculated the no. of hrs we had before we cld check in, and told me we had 3 hrs. 3 hrs!??! I'm already full with the in-flight meal, so I'm unlikely to lunch @ the airport...so wat r we gonna do at the airport?!? If we need an ave of 1.5hrs to & fro city by cab, we have 1.5hrs to SHOP! So let's go to the city...1 shopping ctr where I can get cheap stuff wld be gd enuf for me. The landing wasn't smooth so I felt like I was on a roller-coaster ride going downwards! And it didn't help that some of the pax went "woooooohhhh"...in thrill! I looked at SY and sarcastically asked her "what? roller-coaster ride is it?!?" To which she shared with me that landing tests the skills of a pilot...some pilots make smooth landing...this pilot's landing sucks!

Anyways...after we touched down at Suvarnabhumi airport, SY went to make a toilet trip while I changed for another S$50 since we've decided to go shopping (initially I only changed S$50 for survival). While changing money, I realised this Suria celebrity Nurul (can't stand her btw) & her family I suppose was in the same flight. I just pretended I didn't know her. Fish...I had no intention of bitching in this entry! Sorry. Back to work.

The moment we reached the arrival hall's taxi stand, I instantly got amused & fascinated by the multi-coloured taxis in BKK...there's purple, orange, green & even pink taxis!!

Ok...call this crazy photography, but I purposely took the plate no. of my taxis, just in case anything untoward happens, at least whoever finds my camera will know I had been in this or that taxi! Hehe. And oh...guess what I saw while in the taxi?!

McDonald's!!! Hehe. Jakun! Anyways, the whole journey was just 1/2 hr from the airport, but we got stuck in a jam for abt 20mins. So we took abt 1hr to get to where SY intended to bring me - PLATINUM FASHION MALL...a wholesale/retail store at this area called Pratunam:

SY did worry the cab driver wld bring us to Pratunam (instead of Platinum) Centre which is opposite...which he did actually coz he was on the extreme right lane where Pratunam Centre was...and since he cldn't get to the extreme left lane to bring us to Platinum, he dropped us in between these 2 & we took an overhead bridge to Platinum which was just few metres away. In there, we went on separate ways...planned a mtg place & time...then off I went from 1 level to another...up to level 5 (there's 7 levels!)...and it was 10 more mins before our shopping time is up. By then I already know what I wanna buy, so I quickly got some clothes for Amsyar & some home stuff (cushion covers & tissue box casing) for Mom & met SY & hopped onto a taxi back to Suvarnabhumi airport to check in & get back to work.

The journey back was syiok, bcoz the driver went at 120km/h thus we reached in just 1/2hr! It was a smooth ride on the highway, thus I got to really appreciate the beauty of Bangkok. Such a huge city. The horizon is so beautiful...I nvr saw CLOUDS as beautiful as what I saw here in BKK!! Something I don't get to witness in S'pore with all the high-rise!

I mean...look @ that! Isn't that how clouds are depicted in cartoon images?!?! Amazing!

Ok, reached the airport, checked-in for our flight home which departs @ 4.50pm BKK time & it was abt 2pm BKK time so we had abt 2hrs b4 we head back to our gate for boarding. The survey was really fun. SY found it stressful as she's not used to it. But I managed like a pro. Except some problems I faced with cameras. It was behind counters & those I cld see locked in the showcases, they hid the price tags under the item! Damn!! Means I had to ask the salesperson...who wasn't keen to entertain me asking prices of so many models. And I had problems remembering the prices which are in 5 digits (eg. 11,230 baht) as opposed to a 3-digit S$599!! I'm a right-brain person who responds btr with visual rather than auditory, so I remember prices btr when I see the tag rather than remember what the sales person utter to me! Darn! Other than that...all was gd.

By 4.10pm BKK time, SY & I met at our gate & we boarded the plane after making our last toilet trip. Oh ya, what sucked was that I was having my 3rd day u-know-what...so it wasn't comfortable for me going to toilet.

Once the plane took off...I realised that Night At The Museum wasn't available as they movies available were limited to those that were lesser than 1.5hrs considering the journey is short. So I decided to watch Jim Carrey's The Number 23 (which I nvr knew existed in the 1st place!). Wrong choice. It was goddamn boring. To R(A) for my liking. I mean, Jim Carrey & no comedy is so...not fun! And the service this time sucked! Look at this...my meal is served...but the cups were empty till 20mins later the steward decided to ask what I'd like for a drink!

Because I was unhappy, this time I decided to take home with me the toothpick & sugar! Hah! Actually, when I fly, now then I realise that these steward & stewardess are nothing but like those waiter/waitresses at restaurants!!! What's so great abt the job then? Oh well, yeah, I know...getting to see the world F.O.C I suppose!??! Whatever la...as long as it makes them happy & satisfied!

Home sweet home almost 9pm. Interestingly, I'm probably the 1st person who went on a flight with no one to send me off. Hehe. Coz I drive & I've season parking @ the airport. So it's as ez as driving myself to airport empty handed wif just a pouch on my waist, go on my flight, come back wif 2 heavy bags of shopping goods (I got foodstuff eg chocs & chips too while doing my survey) & driving myself back home!!! No need to trouble anyone! Sad feeling...mixed with amusement at how independent I am!

Oh well...all's well that ends well...I had a fab experience on a flight for the 1st time on my life! That 1 day BKK trip sort of covered for my horrible vacation this yr. I take home wif me some beautiful memories of the sights of BKK on video & a dying desire to plan for a shopping-spree vacation to Pratunam, Bangkok nxt yr!! Weeeee....oh....Insyallah!

Back to work tomorrow...sianz...look forward to coming wkend...coz I'll be on leave on Mon, 25 Jun...so will have yet another long wkend! Yeehar!

Sad disappointing vacation...

2007-06-14T15:32:00.000+08:00

...thanks to HAMIDAH TRAVEL & TOURS PTE LTD!!!!

Firstly, I always go for vacation in Dec. Of coz, I risk getting stuck in floods as it's always monsoon season. This yr, Sis wanted to join, so had to accomodate her schedule during Jun sch holidays. Bro too wanted to join since he's earning during his 1 mth sch break. So having to accomodate these 2, I'm left with only week 8 Jun or 15 Jun. Which was really a rush job, as there's no agent doing a gd trip during that period. I wanted so much to go Pulau Redang, but all agents doing on a wkday! I wont be able to get a full week leave! After streamlining our options, we were left with Pulau Pangkor organised by Kak Zu of Hamidah Travels. Which was what I mentioned in my earlier post.

Later, when I was ready to pay, they said it was $225 (instead of $215, bcoz $215 was based on stay at Sea View Hotel). Fine. No problem. On 8 Jun, I was on leave, so I went to Golden Landmark to make payment, after my dentist appt. Paid & gave the list of particulars.

Few days b4 departing I asked Kak Zu for the itinerary, and she got Hjh Sukina to fax to me. When I received the itinerary, I realised there was no mention of KL shopping on the way back as promised by Kak Zu. So I enquired. But Hjh Sukina told me that it's not a fixed itinerary, KL shopping usually depends on whether there's time & if there's demand. She told me that Kak Zu has nvr done Pulau Pangkor b4 & is talking rubbish. So ok, makes sense...usually shopping is a by-demand itinerary.

2 days b4 departing, I got a call from Hjh Sukina early morning @ 8.30am...she apologised profusely & told me that she dunno how come, but she misplaced the list I gave with everyone's particulars. Luckily I was still @ home, so I on my PC & read it to her (since she has no email & she cldn't wait till I come to office @ 10am to fax). Ever heard of something like that??? Your travel agent misplaced the list of particulars you provided. I've gone on 8 vacations with 2 separate travel agencies (Smailing Tours & Sha Travel), this is the 1st time I come across something like this!

But nvm. Pardonable. The following day, Hjh Sukina called @ nite to confirm the pick up point, time, coach. Instead of Eunos, the plan changed to Bedok bcoz she's sharing coach with her fren from Minerva Travel. 1 PZ coach (48 pax) costs $200 so since she only has 20 pax & Minerva travel also didn't have that many, they decided to share a coach till JB immigration. So $100 per agent. Smart cost-saving. But is this cost-saving passed down to us? Haha. Answer to Allah. But the gd thing, albeit puzzling, was usually we depart by 8pm (ie. gather @ 7.45pm). But Hjh Sukina tol me that the bus departs @ 10pm, thus to gather @ 9.45pm. I asked her how come...and she explained that the ferry @ Lumut (Pangkor) departs late (I suppose the 1st ferry is always arnd 8-ish in the morning)...so no pt in reaching there too early (estimated to arrive arnd 6-ish/7am & wasting time. So I was ok. In fact elated. Coz we cld do Isya' & Dad cld also spend time wif Amsyar & drove us there (save us taxi hassle).

Fri, 8 Jun

Since I was on leave, I decided to check out the JL expo sale b4 departing. We left a lil late (almost 3pm) & got stuck finding empty carpark lots, so we got a lil delayed @ reached home only 7-ish. I quickly put on my masque (Sun's routine but since I won't be arnd to do it, I had to do it in advance). Amsyar was sleeping when we left home arnd 9.15pm, but due to bikes zooming, he was awakened. Coach departed @ 9.55pm & he was playful & enjoying himself till 11-ish!!

Reached JB immigration, but no instruction on the coach we were supposed to take (normally, this is already arranged, seating plan given & ferry timing communicated b4 we reach JB immigration). So after clearing immigration, we had to hang arnd till we received confirmation abt the coach which we're taking. That wasted abt 20mins of our time. Then when we got on the bus, there was no seating plan assigned to each of the grps...so everyone sat wherever they wished! Mom & Sis went up already...they had 2 big bags, but had no initiative to use the bags to "chop" the empty seats infront/behind them...so with ppl kept cutting me, the seats was taken. In the end, because we cldn't get seats together, we moved to the back of the bus - last seat! Yes, with a 9-mth old infant. Wonderful rite? When the coach departed, Kak Zu (whom I've been dealing with all these while) came all the way to the back to look for Sharbina (the one who has a 9-mth old infant traveling along)...and was so paiseh that we ended up at the back due to the poor planning of her colleague. She apologised profusely.

Sat, 9 Jun

It wasn't too difficult for me to sleep since it was a SVIP bus (the only gd thing!!)...so the leg room was comfortable enuf to tilt the seat to 45deg and lift the leg rest & sleep comfortably. I realise every 2hrs the bus driver wld stop bcoz 1 old man needed to take toilet break. And after the toilet break, they'd hang arnd by the road shoulder of the highway for a puff & not move till 1/2hr later. With all that wasting of time, we reached a rest area with surau arnd 6-ish. There was some stalls selling food so I asked Hjh Sukina if it was b/fast stop. She wasn't even sure. And since she cldn't find the bus driver, she finally told everyone to have their b/fast. So all had b/fast.

Then we set off to Lumut Ferry Terminal. We reached there almost 8.55am. Hjh Sukina told us that she will make the ticket arrangements & we all catch up. While we were walking, news started to go behind & soon it reached our ears that 'we missed the ferry by 5mins & now have to wait for the nxt ferry @ 11am'!!! My gawd!! U mean Hjh Sukina didn't even know what time was the ferry timing??!?!?! WTF!! Ended up we had to waste 2 hrs waiting for the nxt ferry!! With Amsyar v. sweaty & irritable, Mom had no choice but to sponge him clean & change him out of his pyjamas. After that we checked out the shops & spent quite a bit buying T-shirts. By 10.30am we cld get into the ferry already.

I asked Hjh Sukina what's the plan for the sightseeing on her itinerary. By the time we reach the resort wld be close to noon. She then told me "ok la, since we got stuck here, today we do Free & Easy...tomorrow we go for the sightseeing...actually the sightseeing just 1/2 a day can finish...but I understand la, all will be shagged by all this waiting...bla bla bla". Teluk Dalam Resort had a porter arrangement to & fro the Ferry Terminal to gather our luggages & send to the resort lobby for us.

We reached the lobby. Hjh Sukina went to the reception & then I saw her walking away to Kak Zu...and I heard hearsay that the keys were not ready. I saw the reception mgr put quite a few bunch of keys onto a basket, looked arnd, dunno who to pass it to. So I walked to Hjh Sukina & sarcastically ask her "do we take our own keys or u'll have to receive it & then give it to us?!" ... to then she said "Oh the hotel didn't receive my fax to them so the keys are not ready" ... I told her the reception mgr has a basket of keys wif no one to give. Then she gelek2 went to the reception counter. [Oh did I tell u that this Hjh Sukina is like a weak 50yr old woman who looks sleepy perpetually (no energy). Why the hell did she become a tour agent/guide I wonder!!] Then, I told her I don't care whatever, but can I just have the key to my room as I've a 9-mth old infant who needs a bath & it's almost noon - 3hrs past his morning bathtime!!! So the reception asked her if she had the list with her...to which she said "oh no, the list is in my luggage!!". Oh gawd!! 1 piece of paper that can easily fit a handbag, u keep in your luggage?!!? The reception then asked if she cld remember the names in the list. To which I answered to the reception myself & got my own keys!!

I brought Mom & Sis to our chalet (kampong hse) & then came back to the lobby to fetch Bro who was waiting for our luggages. We freshen up & went for lunch. After lunch we went back to our rooms & I woke up arnd 4+ to solat. I didn't have a sajadah so I went to Mom's room. After solat & after Mom called Dad to make him talk to Amsyar, we brought Amsyar to the pool for a dip. After swimming, went back to bathe & then went for dinner. After dinner came back to our room as the lobby shop was closed (Bro wanted some chocs). So in the end, he decided not to wait for the shop & wanted to sleep instead (v. shagged...he calls it bus-lag!).

After putting lil' monkey to sleep & after doing my maghrib & isya' (and after Mom called to talk to Dad...awww), Mom & I decided to check out the shop (due to open arnd 8-ish pm when the nxt batch of Ferry pax arrives). We bought our doses of chocs & red-bull/mineral water & got ourselves an ice-cream each...to eat along the way back to our kampong. At the shop, we bumped into Kak Zu, where I asked (agn, no information...till I myself had to ask!!) what's the plan for tomorrow...what time do we meet in the lobby for the sightseeing...to which Kak Zu told me it's to gather arnd 1-ish after lunch. Ohhhh...so morning is agn Free & Easy la. Cool. But this is so different from all my other vacations where the sightseeing itinerary was more than the Free & Easy!!

Oh well, after that we left & headed back...then Mom & I decided to just sit on the parapet of her veranda & we had a heart-to-heart talk in the co. of a lizard (yes Shazadi...chipkali! And I told my family how u'd react if u were there instead!). After a while, we went back in. And since the night was still young, I put on my DVD player & watched DVD (Namastey London). After the movie, arnd 11pm, I decided to dash back to my own room & sleep. Mom watched me go back from her veranda.

For sleep time, Bro & Sis swopped rooms...Bro sleeps in my room while Sis sleeps with her baby & Mom on the queen bed. Whether it was Sis sleeping in my room or Bro, I was meant to suffer (from their snoring!!). I put on my mp3 & slept my night through till morning call (from kaypoh Sis) came arnd 6.30am.

Sun, 10 Jun

Before leaving for b/fast, Mom called Dad agn & we all wished him HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA & sang him a birthday song (Amsyar likes it when we sing that song...he thinks it's his B'day!!)! After that we headed for b/fast & then went to the beach for a stroll & played volleyball with Amsyar's mini rubber ball. After playing, I rented a bicycle from 8.45am for 1hr...and Bro & I took turns to cycle arnd the resort.

After that I told Mom they didn't have to wait for me till 9.45am...they can go back & freshen up, I'll be back after I return the bicycle @ 9.45am. So they proceeded, while I did my share of scenic-photography. A must when I go for vacation! It was only then I realised how beautiful the island/resort actually looks! After returning the bicycle, I showered & took a panadol & then had a nap as I was having a headache. Arnd 12-ish, I woke up & got ready to go for lunch.

After lunch, we gathered at the lobby arnd 1.30pm as planned. Dunno what we're waiting for...as usual, no coach in sight yet. But I heard Kak Zu asking Hjh Sukina if there's a coach, and she said yes. So I heard the coach was on the way. After almost 20mins, we heard there's no coach, so they had arranged for 4 taxis (mini 9-seater van). Great!! What cld be worse than this - sandwiched in a mini van, with no a/c & boring places arnd the whole island, which lasted only 2 hrs...coz most of the places we found it too boring thus stayed in the van?!

By 4-ish, we were back in the resort...I wif a bad migraine. Took another panadol, but threw up my whole lunch. Re-took another panadol, this time Extra. Slept. Mom came with swimming attire & asked me to come along...but I told her to go ahead as I wanted to nap due to the migraine. Plus I've no more swimming attire, the previous day I used it, it's already wet. No plan for 2-day swimming. So I got some peace to sleep. Till 6.30pm Sis came back to shower. After that I got up & got ready for dinner. After dinner, felt a lil btr. Hang arnd the lobby waiting for the shop to open, till we decided to ask the receptionist & found out that the shop wasn't opening, so we headed back to our kampongs, bathed & settled down. After watching the slideshow of the pictures of our vacation, till my camera battery went flat, I charged the battery while Bro watched some TV till 10pm, then I decided to put on some song DVDs & chased Bro back to my room to continue watching TV. He went to sleep instead, while Mom wanted to watch Hrithik's songs. But halfway thru, I realised I was the only one watching, so I changed to a movie of my choice (Yakeen).

While watching, I realised it started pouring. Shit, I'm stuck in this room!! So I watched Yakeen till almost midnight & decided that since the rain wasn't stopping, b4 it got heavier, I btr dash back to my room. I packed everything, left it in the safe & then woke Mom up to say I was leaving & if she wanted the door locked.

I was q. scared, but I was smart enuf to leave the veranda light of my chalet on so it wldn't be dark like the night b4 where Mom had to watch me going in.

Mon, 11 Jun

I certainly didn't have a gd sleep the last night as Bro's snoring was terrible. I listened to my mp3 till it went flat...and I kept getting woken up every 2 hrs due to his snoring. I went to charge my hp arnd 2-ish & then forced myself to sleep. I think I somehow managed to...but 2hrs later, arnd 4-ish I got woken up agn, took my hp & listened. But by then I cldn't sleep coz his snoring cld still be heard so since I lost my sleepiness & it was 4.30am...I was at a loss of idea as to how to kill time till 6am. I wanted to call Mom if she's awake (usually on vacations she sleeps till 3am & after that will remain awake!!)...but if I call, Amsyar will wake up. I didn't wanna go out of my chalet @ that hr in case Mom's asleep & if I knock, she'll be shocked & I'll feel bad abt disturbing her sleep. So this was what I did. I on my TV...put the volume to as loud as possible, loud enuf not to be bothered by Bro's snoring (yet the TV vol didn't wake him up!!)...they were playing this interesting movie on Star Movies - Bigger Than The Sky - so I decided to watch it...but I think the TV ended up watching me...coz I got a morning call from Sis @ 6-ish and saw the credits running!! Haha.

But finally, it's morning. I got up, got ready for check-out & left for b/fast by 8am. After that we just hang arnd the lobby, snapped photos...till the coach came & took us back to the jetty for our ferry which was coming in 1/2hr.

We were all so glad that it was time to go home. Apart from the disappointing vacation...it was also coz just the day we were departing, I discovered that Amsyar's eye which had been red for the past 1 wk & everyone tot it was coz he was sleepy, actually had a cataract-looking piece of skin on his eye. We had no heart seeing him with that kinda eye during the vacation & just wanted to be back in S'pore so we cld bring him to the Doc. We dropped by some stop for lunch (which was the most comfortable eating place in the whole of M'sia - home like Indian food & no cats!!)...after that it was straight to JB.

But the bad times weren't over yet. B4 reaching JB, Hjh Sukina told us that the bus driver just informed her that he has no permit to enter S'pore thus we'll have to change bus (the driver made arrangement already to change us at a Pump Station). After we got on the new coach (stil SVIP), we were informed that all will be dropped at Beach Rd. I told her that's ridiculous, we were supposed to be dropped at where we were picked (ie. Eunos or Bedok for those residing at the East)...then she started going on & on & I just told her "so basically, we've no choice la?!?! So Beach Rd it'll have to be la!" I just snubbed at her. I think my Bro, who was sitting with me, cld sense I was really pissed. He's as cool as a cucumber...no matter what happens, he just smiles it off & move on, altho we all know he must be regretting spending $225 on a screwed-up vacation!! We told Dad we'll come back by cab & not to bother to fetch us back as it's late & we dunno where in Beach Rd we'll be left at.

Hjh Sukina bargained with the driver, but didnt get anyway & so all of us were just left stranded @ Beach Rd almost 11pm wif a sleeping baby!! I knew that the taxi driver took us for a ride just to pretend that he didn't know the way in S'pore, so he purposely took a wrong exit by not exiting at Moulmein Rd...and went 1 round b4 reaching Beach Rd. We cld've reached 1/2hr earlier otherwise! While Sis & Bro went to get supper, Mom & I queue for taxi...but when it was our turn, while waiting for them to come back, we allowed those behind us to get on the taxi 1st till they came.

The taxi driver we got wasn't really keen for Tampines, but relented reluctantly. He really was very attitudey...put on a deaf-ear when I give him instructions. When I told him to exit by Bedok Reservoir, I knew he heard but he didn't acknowledge. He drove so frighteningly - no courtesy to other drivers & kept overtaking cars at the last minute to get to the left lane when I instructed him agn to exit by Bedok Reservoir. It was really scary...I gestured to Mom a malay proverb which meant "when the shit is abt to come out then go look for toilet!" After that, when we reached our block, I told him to stop "after the lamp-post"...and straightaway he stopped at the lamp-post. I told him to "move further a bit"...I repeated agn since he didn't move...then I saw him pressed the meter, so I decided to give up...really pissed! I mean, what's a bit further, I don't think it'll be another cent even! But at least we'll be nearer to the lift!

I went out of the cab...while bringing out our luggages from the boot, I mumbled to Bro & Sis in disappointment "kesian eh, there's a lot of deaf ppl in this world...". When I turned, I saw Bro opening the door...I thought he was gonna thank the driver (which he nvr does!)...then I heard him questioning the driver abt his attitude & why cldn't he move forward a bit when we asked him to! I was like shocked! My cucumber-cool Bro had reaction!! And that was really touching. I guess, the cab driver's attitude was the last straw for him...and he refused to tolerate it! A pity none of us took down the cab no. or I cld've complained (what I'm gd at!). I just told Bro to "forget it...let's go"...the driver tried to defend himself by saying I told him to stop at the lamp-post...to which I screamed back "I told u AFTER THE LAMP-POST...and after you stopped, I told u to move forward a bit, not once but twice, but u ignored!" .... then I tol him "Nvm, just leave it...it's over anyways!"...and I tol Bro to leave him, no pt!

But I really appreciated my Bro's action. At least he served his purpose - TO PROTECT US, BEING THE ONLY MAN IN DAD'S ABSENCE.

We reached home almost midnight & we quickly took turns to settle down...I slept arnd 1-ish after catching up on Indian Idol which I recorded. Rested the following day...went out in the late afternoon to do my banking biz...and ngaji @ nite...& then back to damn office yest'day (Wed, 13 Jun).

I thought I can't always come back from a vacation & rave abt how I enjoyed my vacation...it was beginning to sound cliche...so here I am telling u what a horrible vacation I had!! So unfulfilling that I'm considering another getaway when I can at the end of the yr...but it's at my expense coz I've claimed my 2007 travel subsidy of $350 for this vacation!

Meanwhile, I look forward to my Bangkok official trip this Fri, 15 Jun. My first time on a plane!! At age 30!! Can u believe it? Unimaginable. Coz I'd always thought I'd be on a plane either for my honeymoon or NEVER (if I don't get married that is)!! But I got this opportunity the moment I got upgraded. Coz usually they do a rotational airport trip (BKK, HK & KL airports) to do price survey, but as a clerical, I wasn't qualified to go (the organisation wldn't spend on a clerical!) although I'm pro enuf where surveys are concerned & sending me wld serve more purpose than the inexperienced ones! Oh well, beauracracies of Govt. sector!

Countdown begins...

2007-06-04T12:19:00.000+08:00

5 more days & off I am to Pulau Pangkor!! Finally the week has arrived.

I took leave on 1 Jun (Fri) so I had a looongg wkend (Thurs-Sun)...which is abt to end in less than 12 hrs!! *sob sob* It's been a tiring long wkend...except for today, I've been out almost all the other days!

Thurs

Believe me...I forgot what I did on Thurs!! I remember waking up v. irritated bcoz Amsyar was cranky as early @ 8-ish - his routine noise when he's being dressed after bath!! End up I got up @ 9-ish. Already I slept almost 4am (insomniac) thus watched DVD (Good Boy Bad Boy) till 3.30am. Oh ya, I remember now...I wanted to play my Video Game, but the console was faulty (dunno if it's battery or the game console itself has died!)...so I ended up watching Namastey London on DVD during the day...play wif Amsyar when he woke up...and just bum arnd watching TV whole day. Ch5 showed Shallow Hal & 50 First Dates back to back. So I watched that...till 9pm after 50 First Dates ended...I dozed off. After 20mins, I went to my room, to cont napping intending to wake up arnd midnight...but Amsyar came to my room & crawled all over me @ 10.30am!! I slept for 13hrs!!! Wow!

Fri

Fri brought Mom jln2 (I like to go out during office hrs as it's less crowded)...so we went to try this Sri Bistari Changi Village's Nasi Ayam Penyet at its Tampines outlet @ Blk 462. It was disappointing. Not bcoz the food sucks. But bcoz the environment/service sucked big time. No plates, so eat on styrofoam. It's a small outlet, barely 3 tables in it. No drinks. Had to go to 7-11 nxt door to get us a drink. Already it started pouring so heavily when we reach, so I get drenched despite an umbrella, so such ambience for lunch really spoilt my mood. After that went Tekka...juz jln2...after that went Geylang (Joo Chiat Complex) coz Mom wanted to trade in her bracelet which Amsyar broke it! Came home almost 7pm. Waited for 10pm for my usual dose of Saregamapa on Zee TV, Indian Idol3 on Sony @ 11.30pm & Star Voice of India on Star Plus @ 1.30am. I'm this bz every Fri & Sat nite from 10pm - 1.30am!!

Sat

Woke up 10-ish as usual thks to my "baby alarm clock". Baby sit him while Mom works in the kitchen. After I had my bath & did my zuhur, Sis came & asked for co. to go test drive. We went to Automobile Megamart to test drive a Suzuki Swift from Hua Yang, but for some for some reasons, we had to wait for something, for abt 1/2hr, so we decided to check out the other showrooms. Landed at Borneo Motors. So Sis managed to test drive the Toyota Yaris she's been eyeing for!! The car's really cool! I'm over VIOS, and is now in love with the Yaris. If I have the money, I'll change to it...instead of Hyundai Verna! After that, came home & waited for Mom to get ready to bring Am out to the Mall & had dinner at Kopitiam @ Tamp Mall. Actually, I wanted to go to Century Sq to buy a mattress for my queen bed...but in the end, it was too expensive, so I forego the idea...for now. Came home almost 6pm...played wif Amsyar for a while...after he slept, went to my room to watch DVD (Shakalaka Boom Boom - CRAPIEST movie of 2007!)...after that was multi-tasking wif my usual Fri/Sat nite routine...till 1.30am...by then I got a migraine so I took 1 panadol & went to sleep. Which is so not like my usual Sat!!

Sun

Woke up almost 10.30am (by who else??!)...after that babysit Amsyar while Sis went for her hair treatment & carwash...kept Mom company in the kitchen while she prepares Laksa. After that Amsyar was really becoming a handful...so I put him to sleep. After that, it was peace for 1hr...I helped Mom to clear the kitchen quickly & we gobbled up the laksa peacefully! After we settled dwn...then Amsyar woke up. By then his Mom was already back...so I left them, while I did my packing. Sis wanted to test drive a Toyota IST at Malay Village...but I'm not abt to go out today...the last day of my looong wkend!! I've to do my ironing, packing (Mom has given a earful that she wants me to pack this wkend & not do a last min packing as usual!). I just love the last min packing thrill. Hehe. I had to do my waxing etc, which I'd planned to do by this wkend as we'll be off to Pulau Pangkor nxt wkend. Managed to do all that I had to do for the day...incl clip my nails!! Hehe. Amsyar really takes up my time & leave me wif no time to do anything...the only time I get to do anything is when he's sleeping!! When awake, the moment he sees my face (or anyone's face) ... he'll throw tantrums to wanna be carried & entertained!

It's way past 9pm...and I btr cherish the remaining hrs b4 the looong wkend ends. Gotta do my isya' & my usual Sun nite routine (masque routine)...and then settle dwn for Ugly Betty. There's DON (the original - Amitabh) showing on Sony tonight @ 10.30pm...gonna be catching that (from start & hopefully till end)...coz I always watch half hr after start & stop watching half hr b4 it ends!

Tomoro's back to work...Mon-Thurs...gotta slot in my usual survey routine from this mth...got a break since Feb due to the T3 tenders that we were bz wif! The bz/stressful period @ work is over for me. Now I'm catching up & getting back on track.

I've been upgraded since 1 Apr after a long irritating wait since I graduated in Dec 05...and having to resort to UNION's intervention. Wif the upgrade, I got myself a cubicle at work...more privacy...away from distractions & copycats!!

Fri 8 Jun...off for my vacation, back on 11 Jun...but will be on leave on 12 Jun to rejuvenate. After that back to office on 13 & 14 Jun...before being sent to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport wif a Manager for price survey. It's a 1 day thingy...leaving on the 1st flight & coming back on the 2nd last flight). Ok...this is weird enuf & can contest for a feature on Ripley's believe it or not...but I'm 31 & this is gonna be my 1st flight!! I hope I don't freak out like Kajol did in Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha! Mom keeps telling me "Hey, indirectly, your dream of traveling on a flight is fulfilled!". True...but what saddens me is that my 1st flight is for work & not vacation (or honeymoon as I had predicted)!

Oh well...I can't stop laughing at the way Suvarnabhumi is being pronounce - Su-Wana-Poom!!! Wah lao...nothing like how it's spelt!!

Ok then...I'll probably be back here after my vacation...so try not to miss me too much!

PS:- Nikky - Jhoom Bharabar Jhoom (I've been booked for this...hehe) is releasing nxt wk only...so maybe we catch up when the movie is released ok...likely will be after my vacation.

Ciao!

Life since May 07

2007-06-01T16:56:00.000+08:00

My organisation finally upgraded me to a higher post w.e.f 1 Apr 07 - after I involved UNION after getting tired of waiting for 14 mths since I graduated in Dec 05 & submitted my degree & my request to be upgraded! Looking back, I think I'd probably have gotten it faster if I was YELLOW! It sucks to be a minority! Really, Shilpa (Shetty).

Upgraded at last...but all I wanted was the extra income (peanuts!) every mth. Wasn't interested with all the other additional perks, like a cubicle or designation etc. Since I know we were shifting office this yr, I told my bosses I didn't wanna move into a cubicle as I've 3 time-sensitive issues on my plate & thus, no time to waste on shifting. But I got a hint later that we might not shift office that soon...at least not this yr, since something major is going to happen after 1 Jul. So since there's this v. cozy cubicle (away from everyone) in our ex-meeting-room-turned-into-office-space...which we fondly call the FISH TANK; basically, a glass room with 7 mgr's cubicles & 1 officer's cubicle. There's only 3 mgrs in that room, while the rest of the vacant cubicles being made as storage space. With more and more officer's joining our Dept., I decided that I wanted to have that lone officer's cubicle at any cost - to free myself from copycats, kaypoh colleagues & distracting stupid phone conversations with kids/husbands/siblings!!!! Gosh, I think I'm the only 1 who wastes my hp bill to get out of office to use my hp to talk long personal stuff!

Anyways, by 3rd wk of Apr, the person responsible for the mess at the vacant officer's cubicle finally cleared the mess for me...and by May I shifted all my stuff (over 3-phases after office hrs) & officially started work @ my new workstation:

That's a peak into my private & peaceful workstation! A v. productive place to work with lesser distractions. Only complaint: my neighbour (the only guy in the fish tank) has a habit of slamming phone/drawers!! I think 1 day, he's gonna get an email from me asking him for a favour to be more mindful of his own actions, as he now has a neighbour!!

So that's the latest change in my life since 1 Apr 2007. When my boss was putting me up for the upgrade, she kept emotionally-blackmailing me "u know la ha, wif a higher post, u've to expect more responsibilities"...& I'd cut her saying "Yea, yea, that Spiderman dialogue - with great power comes great responsibility!"...I felt like also telling her "Harlow! W/o the higher post, all these yrs I'm already doing what that higher post officer shld be doing, how much more can you add on me!?!" I hope they know I'm not some battery-operated robot!!

Oh well, meanwhile...I shall just enjoy whatever I have while it lasts!

1 month later...

2007-05-24T12:52:00.000+08:00

Yes yes...I'm still alive...thank u!

I know I've been MIA for 1 mth already. Health's been down, as per my last entry. Work's been piling & stressing. I'm giving charity to Starhub by paying for an unlimited internet access but I've not come online for almost 1 mth now. And when I do, it's nvr more than 1hr on those few ocassions, just to surf/check something online or do internet banking.

Dad got the viral fever. :-(

He refuses to see a Doc & still went to work. So no one's pitying him. We've told him to stop whining to us. It's tough trying to separate Amsyar from him. He cries if Nana doesn't carry him.

Bro's started coughing too it seems, but I'm not sure if he's got the virus. Dad la, stubborn! He's contaminating the hse with his virus by not taking antibiotics.

I finally motivated myself to housekeep my hp & camera by uploading pictures (mostly of Amsyar) on my PC & online album last nite. Still lazy to upload videos though. Tonnes of them!! And Shazadi has told me to start dusting my blog today...it's pretty dusty & cobwebs are appearing!

Amsyar's been extremely a handful now that he's turning 9 mths soon. U know that dangerous age where he's crawling like a cockroach & when we stand him or when he's in his walker, his hands will reach out for whatever is within reach & pull it down. Sigh. I've been making noise abt these pair of big white ceramic vase which we got from JB more than a decade ago. I told Mom "I don't care if Amsyar breaks his head but that vase btr not break!" Hehe. U all know I don't mean it when I say I don't care abt Amsyar (it's the way we talk @ home!)...but I'm DEAD SERIOUS abt the safety of those vases!!! Sentimental value ok. So Mom has relocated it to be away from his reach. Oh, he's still doing head-banging...so it's so difficult, u can't leave him on his own whenever he crawls down from his mattress coz u nvr know when he's gonna bang his head on the ceramic floor tile! He turns on his back very fast & hard too, sooo...u'll find him wailing! But I try to discipline him by telling him that it's his fault, we've told him so many times not to do it so if he still wanna do it, then don't cry...funny thing...when u lift him...he stops crying & starts ga-ga-ing & jumping. Told ya! He's a drama king!!

I didn't get to play wif him this morning...and as per my usual dialogue "Maasi will try to come back early & we'll play ok?"...but I'll end up coming hm arnd 7-ish (after maghrib) & he'd be asleep already. So today, I was planning to leave by 7pm at the latest...but @ 6pm, I got a msg from Shazadi that she's coming down to airport to send her parents off arnd 7-ish. She was quite sad that her dream of mtg Madhuri at the airport was dashed as I was going hm already when she was just at Kembangan only arnd 7pm. So I tol her "keep dreaming, it may juz come true...". I finished work & off my PC arnd 7.15pm...then I tot "hmmm, if I go home now, Amsyar's probably asleep by the time I reach hm...so what diff does it make if I reach hm 1/2 hr later? It's not everyday that Sha comes to airport & get to say Hi to me...so I shall surprise her & make her dream come tru...hopefully she'll be a lil cheered!" So yea...dreams DO COME TRUE. We met, we chatted, we parted (close to 1/2hr...jaaadi lah!). Reached hm arnd 8.10pm, but I've already sms-ed Mom that I'll be hm arnd 8-ish coz Sha's coming to airport & I'm meeting her for a quick chat.

It's nice...usually when unplanned, we get to meet, but when we plan, something or the other will crop up (am sure Nikky will agree!)! So let's see...I've a date wif Maslin this Fri. Have a date wif Nikky end of this mth. Will try to fit in visiting Habibi Liyah who's just given birth to another Zoha recently, hopefully can also get to see Anishar (as a married woman!) since I didn't get to attend her Nikaah. Need to bring my Mom to visit my close colleague-cum-fren, Roshni, who has recently given birth too (my 2nd visit). Wow, my diary for May is quite packed. Hehe.

Today, the stressful phase @ work ended, so I'll be a lil relaxed from tomorrow. So much so that I think Fri looks light, so I've taken leave (approved!). Will go for my dental appt (been more than 6 mths!)...and go pay Hamidah Travels for the Pulau Pangkor trip. It's nearing, 2 more wkends and that's it, I'll spend the 3rd wkend out of town!! Yeehar!

Ok...I've dusted my blog. No more cobwebs.

PS: Sha, u look gorgeous just now. U look early 20s btw, nothing near 40. And...smart way of hiding your babats eh, wearing black top!

The Vacation

2007-04-27T15:11:00.000+08:00

Yes yes...I'm stil alive...thank u!

Dunno where I got it from (muz be the airport!) but I was down wif Viral Fever last wk. Haven't fallen sick (this kinda viral thingy) for yrs now so it was a lil tough for me.

Started wif an innocent cough last Tues, which got worst by the hour. By Wed I started feeling feverish, altho my forehead wasn't hot at all! Wanted to take off, but had mtgs in the a.m. & p.m. so I dragged myself to work thinking wil go home after the p.m. mtg. My cough bcame a nuisance in the office. So after the mtg, b4 I left, I dropped by the my panel doctor. It was a horrible 1/2hr wait, but luckily I saw the Dr, coz when he checked my temperature, I was running a moderately high fever (38.9deg), so he gave me an MC for Thurs & told me to rest. Went home, took my medication & slept. No sore throat, so there wasn't any sign of infection, thus he didn't gimme any antibiotics but gave me Vit-C.

It was a gd rest on Thurs & since I felt slight btr wif the fever down & I had to do something urgent, I went to office near lunch time to do the thing for abt 2hrs & then headed back home to continue my rest.

Unfortunately, on Thurs nite, I started having sore throat & Fri morning, the fever rose agn, so I went to work to complete the thing I went to office to do for abt 2hrs the previous day, took me abt 45mins & then I went to the clinic agn. I had to wait for 1hr b4 my no. was called (of coz I went back to office to multi-task & get a few things done while waiting for my no.) so by the time I got my MC, it was almost 11am! Went back hm after getting my antibiotics & lozenges. Was quite pissed that my boss kept sms-ing me & even calling me...Harlow, I'm on MC remember. I'm sleeping here...not having fun!!! Stop disturbing, can?!?! I juz ignored the call & carried on sleeping!

Horrible wkend. Confined in my rm. I was on a self-quarantine mission as the viral fever is contagious. Amsyar's puzzled as to why I'm ignoring him, thus refuse to leave me alone & kept making cute faces to seduce me. When I pass by, he'll raise his arms in gesture to carry him.

Completed my course of antibiotics on Mon morning b4 going to work. The virus is gone since Mon, but the residue of my cough still lingers. My voice is still "sexy"...I'm vocal-training now & once I can start singing agn & not croak, I'll consider myself fully recovered! Virus is cleared for sure. But it was too strong that 1 by 1 in the hse is getting it. Amsyar got it. After 4 days, his fever finally subside yest'day but today he started coughing...so I drove him to clinic b4 going to work this morning. Hope his cough recovers soon. Poor him. Just now I came home, Mom told me she feel feverish, having cough & sore throat. She also told me Sis having fever (coz I was pissed wif Sis' poor level of attention when looking after Amsyar). Sigh. The only ones who're still fit is my Dad & Bro. I refuse to blame myself. It was meant 2b. It was not like I mingled wif them. I was 90% of the time in my rm (sleeping!!). The only time I'm out of my rm was to bathe or take medication or vomit after every meals! But it sucks that ppl think I passed the virus to them!!

Ok that was a v. depressing update I'm sure. Oh ya...special thanks to Tehzeeb & Princess for the get-well-soon comments they posted on my frenster profile. After not coming online for ages, it cheered me up. Esp Tehzeeb's latest Tweety picture. Tweety just have that lite-up-my-life effect on me!! It really cheered me up & motivated me to really get well. Coz Tara Rum Pum, Saif-Rani latest movie is releasing tomorrow & I wanna go watch it this wkend...but looks bleak coz I'm still coughing so it's gonna be a nuisance in the theatre. :-(

Oh well...on a happier note...remember my fluid holiday plan? It's more solid now. I've decided on Pulau Pangkor (Ipoh, Perak) for 8-11 Jun. 4D/2N, S$215 inclusive of 2 b/fast, 2 lunch & 2 dinner @ the resort. Initially was told that we'll be staying at Sea View Hotel...wah lao...looks like East Coast Costa Sands Chalet from outside...from inside reminds me of army barrack or mental asylum. No rating on the net some more. Tak boleh tahan!! So I begged my agent (Hamidah Travel) to look into other options. Going to an island means we're stuck at the resort, so it is v. impt for me that the resort I stay in is comfortable. I need at least a 4-star resort, pls. Finally, they came back wif Teluk Dalam Resort. Aaahh...that's btr! 4-star. I heard it's pretty new. So yeah...I'm now looking forward to my Jun's vacation!!!

Dil Kya Kare Jab Kisi Se Kisi Ko Pyar Ho Jaye...

2007-04-18T13:04:00.000+08:00

The song he sang which stole my heart...and I badly wanted Abhijeet Sawant to win Indian Idol in 2005. And win he did! He sang THE song agn during his album launch...in the same tune & feel...giving me the same goosebumps I had when he sang that during his performance rounds!

So glad I found this on You Tube. For a while, I watched the song repeatedly on his VCD...till mom commented "naik SAWAN aku asyik asyik si Abhijeet SAWANT!" [I'm getting fits hearing Abhijeet Sawant agn & agn!] It's been more than a yr since I stopped watching the VCD! Now I can juz enjoy it in front of my PC.

I can't decide...

2007-04-17T14:48:00.000+08:00

Colmar Tropicale (Bt Tinggi)...but no agent organising a stay-in!)

Pulau Redang

Pulau Tioman

Hatyai

Terengganu (Awana Kijal) ... again?!

Langkawi (again?!?!)

I can't decide where my Jun vacation shld be.

I just know 3 things:

1. It's gonna be either 2nd or 3rd wkend of Jun.

2. I'm staying in a resort.

3. I'm getting myself a massage @ the spa.

Going by Super VIP coach will be a plus point.

Life...

2007-04-12T15:03:00.000+08:00

...hasn't been a bed of roses the last 7 yrs...but the last 7 mths have somewhat made up for the worst 7 yrs of my life by giving me the best 7 mths of my life!

It's been wonderful fighting over my food/drink wif my playmate & see him in this kinda pathetic face!! Haha.

He doesn't drink his milk...but the moment he sees u wif any food/drink in your hands, he'll surge his body fwd & attempt to grab whatever that's in ur hand! It doesn't help having a 'kanjoos' Maasi who'll go "Ni Maasi punyaaa!" & hide it behind me! U'll see this "Alaaa...takmo lokek la...gimme some la..." face!! Heehee.

I can't help it. Born a princess...will die a princess. No sharing; My stuff's mine alone! Hmmphh! He doesn't let me lie on his bed/pillow either; I get kicked & pushed! Pretend to drink his milk or suck his pacifier & he'll get restless & tries to snatch it back from u (altho he's not interestd in it!)! So yea, tit-for-tat! I'm so enjoying bullying him, man!! But we have our fun loving moments, I assure u. I'm not all-mean-&-no-love. Enter the hse & even tho he'll be wailing, he'll pause to seduce me (to show some sympathy & lift him from his Mama's/Nani's lap)! Awww. All the tiredness & negativity from office disappears! :-)

Yes...if he was wailing, how come he can pause suddenly? It's coz he's taken after his superstar (Madhuri) Maasi's acting prowess!! He's one helluva actor I tell u!! He's a case of a shepherd who cried wolves too many times! Really.

Anyways...presenting the new Bollywood hero at home:

I shudder to think what else he'll be up to by the time he starts to talk & walk!!!!

Finally!

2007-04-12T13:10:00.000+08:00

I filed my Income Tax.

I filed my BOSS' (DAD'S!!) Income Tax (my annual duty by default...sianz!).

I hate doing all these stuff...and have been procrastinating for weeks. But I always remember 15th Apr as the last day for filing.

Been having migraine over the last 2 days (PMS I suppose...so not surprising). Been trying to lead a healthy lifestyle by sleeping early lately (been sleeping as early as 9.30-11pm as opposed to my usual 1-3am!)...so hardly online.

Today, I forced myself to come online. So while I'm online...here I am...while multi-tasking wif AI (only bcoz there's JLo tonight!) & clearing my tonnes of email!

If u've not filed your income tax yet...wat're u doing here?! Go file!

Maaakkk!!

2007-04-10T16:15:00.000+08:00

This is the ultimate! So that's it for today!

If You Were Born in 2893...

Your Name Would Be: Cho Laif

And You Would Be: The Destroyer of Earth

Am I Psychic?!

2007-04-10T16:06:00.000+08:00

You Are 70% Psychic

You are pretty psychic.
While you aren't Miss Cleo, you've got a little ESP going on.
And although you're sometimes off on your predictions...
You're more often right than wrong
So go with your instincts - you know more than you think

Am I a Perfectionist?! (Goes w/o saying!)

2007-04-10T15:58:00.000+08:00

You Are 73% Perfectionist

You are a true perfectionist. You are both demanding of yourself and others.
While it's great to have goals and standards, they don't need to be sky high!

Do I Date Like a Woman or a Man?!

2007-04-10T15:27:00.000+08:00

You Date Like a Woman

According to studies on dating, you date like a woman.
You tend to take romance seriously, and you're not really out for a fling.

A mental and emotional connection always comes first for you.
And rushing the physical stuff is likely to turn you off.

You're highly selective when it comes to dating, and some may say you're too picky.
You know what you want, and when you find it, you're ready to commit.

What Gender Is My Brain?!

2007-04-10T14:57:00.000+08:00

Your Brain is 53% Female, 47% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female
You are both sensitive and savvy
Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed
But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

Mother of PHOBIAS!

2007-04-10T13:13:00.000+08:00

A
[ ] Achluophobia - Fear of darkness.
[X] Acrophobia - Fear of heights.
[ ] Agliophobia - Fear of pain.
[ ] Agoraphobia - Fear of open spaces or crowds.
[ ] Aichmophobia - Fear of needles or pointed objects.
[ ] Amaxophobia - Fear of riding in a car.
[X] Androphobia - Fear of men. (that explains!)
[X] Anginophobia - Fear of choking.
[ ] Anthrophobia - Fear of flowers.
[ ] Anthropophobia - Fear of people or society.
[ ] Aphenphosmphobia - Fear of being touched.
[ ] Arachnophobia - Fear of spiders.
[X] Arithmophobia - Fear of numbers.
[ ] Astraphobia - Fear of thunder and lightening.
[X] Ataxophobia - Fear of disorder or untidiness. (more of compulsive-obsessive disorder!)
[ ] Atelophobia - Fear of imperfection.
[X] Atychiphobia - Fear of failure.
[ ] Autophobia - Fear of being alone.

B
[ ] Bacteriophobia - Fear of bacteria.
[ ] Barophobia - Fear of gravity.
[ ] Bathmophobia - Fear of stairs or steep slopes.
[ ] Batrachophobia - Fear of amphibians.
[ ] Belonephobia - Fear of pins and needles.
[ ] Bibliophobia - Fear of books.
[ ] Botanophobia - Fear of plants.

C
[X] Cacophobia - Fear of ugliness.
[ ] Catagelophobia - Fear of being ridiculed.
[ ] Catoptrophobia - Fear of mirrors.
[ ] Chionophobia - Fear of snow.
[ ] Chromophobia - Fear of colors.
[ ] Chronomentrophobia - Fear of clocks.
[X] Claustrophobia - Fear of confined spaces. (that explains the fear of CTE Tunnels & indoor parking!)
[ ] Coulrophobia - Fear of clowns.
[ ] Cyberphobia - Fear of computers.
[X] Cynophobia - Fear of dogs. (goes w/o saying!)

D
[ ] Dendrophobia - Fear of trees.
[ ] Dentophobia - Fear of dentists.
[ ] Domatophobia - Fear of houses.
[ ] Dystychiphobia - Fear of accidents.

E
[ ] Ecophobia - Fear of the home.
[ ] Elurophobia - Fear of cats.
[X] Entomophobia - Fear of insects.
[ ] Ephebiphobia - Fear of teenagers.
[ ] Equinophobia - Fear of horses.

G
[X] Gamophobia - Fear of marriage. (that explains! funny how ppl treat marriage like a game...and the fear of it sounds GAMOPHOBIA!)
[ ] Genuphobia - Fear of knees.
[ ] Glossophobia - Fear of speaking in public.
[ ] Gynophobia - Fear of women.

H
[ ] Heliophobia - Fear of the sun.
[ ] Hemophobia - Fear of blood.
[X] Herpetophobia - Fear of reptiles. (lizards included?!)
[ ] Homophobia- Fear of Homosexuals
[ ] Hydrophobia - Fear of water.

I
[ ] Iatrophobia - Fear of doctors.
[X] Insectophobia - Fear of insects. (wat rubbish, repeated! see E)

K
[ ] Koinoniphobia - Fear of rooms.

L
[ ] Leukophobia - Fear of the color white.
[X] Lilapsophobia - Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes.
[ ] Lockiophobia - Fear of childbirth.

M
[ ] Mageirocophobia - Fear of cooking.
[ ] Melanophobia - Fear of the color black.
[ ] Microphobia - Fear of small things.
[ ] Mysophobia - Fear of dirt and germs.

N
[ ] Necrophobia - Fear of death or dead things.
[ ] Noctiphobia - Fear of the night.
[ ] Nosocomephobia - Fear of hospitals.

O
[X] Obesophobia - Fear of gaining weight.
[ ] Octophobia - Fear of the figure 8.
[ ] Ombrophobia - Fear of rain.
[X] Ophidiophobia - Fear of snakes.
[ ] Ornithophobia - Fear of birds.
[ ] Ostroconaphobia - Fear of seafood.

P
[ ] Papyrophobia - Fear of paper.
[ ] Pathophobia - Fear of disease.
[ ] Pedophobia - Fear of children.
[ ] Philophobia - Fear of love.
[ ] Phobophobia - Fear of phobias.
[ ] Podophobia - Fear of feet.
[ ] Porphyrophobia - Fear of the color purple.
[ ] Pteridophobia - Fear of ferns.
[ ] Pteromerhanophobia - Fear of flying.
[ ] Pyrophobia - Fear of fire.

S
[ ] Scolionophobia - Fear of school.
[ ] Selenophobia - Fear of the moon.
[ ] Sociophobia - Fear of social evaluation.
[ ] Somniphobia - Fear of sleep.

T
[ ] Tachophobia - Fear of speed.
[ ] Technophobia - Fear of technology.
[ ] Tonitrophobia - Fear of thunder. (wat rubbish, repeated! see A)
[ ] Trypanophobia - Fear of injections.

V-Z
[ ] Venustraphobia - Fear of beautiful women.
[ ] Verminophobia - Fear of germs.
[ ] Wiccaphobia - Fear of witches and witchcraft.
[X] Xenophobia - Fear of strangers or foreigners.
[ ] Zoophobia - Fear of animals.

Presenting...the new ME

2007-04-07T13:53:00.000+08:00

Human nature, I guess? Those wif straight hair wants to perm to hav curls. Those wif curly hair wants to straighten it. I was there once too, abt a decade ago.

Cut story short (since it happened to me agn, type 2 long paras, didn't save draft, accidentally closed windown & poof...gone!)...when I was abt 21, we didn't hav $$$ to go salon to straighten hair & all...so I resorted to WELLASTRAIGHT. Mom helped. Slowly, it bcame an addiction & I'd be using it almost evry wk wenever I see the hair not straight. Looks gd. But months later, my hair started thinning. The once-envied texture deteriorated to look like a broom. So on my 21st b'day, Mom snipped off my hair real short like a boy...and then the new hair grew back healthy. Learnt my lesson. Lived wif my natural hair.

Till rebonding was born. But it was too costly. Now that I've money, I kept procrastinating for half a decade. Last yr wen I went to Iffah Muslimah salon to get a haircut, the hairdresser told me my hair is too brittle & cant take rebonding. I bargained for straightening/relaxing...but she discouraged. So I settled for blow-straight whenever I desire to see myself in straight.

Till I recently saw Maslin's recent rebonded hair (her 3rd time) which she rebonded b4 her engagement in Jan 07 still looking silky straight after almost 3 mths that I asked if she did it at Iffah & then she tol me abt her nxt door neighbour she discovered being a hairdresser who does it at home. She did it for $50. So I tol her it's much btr than the $100+ she spend at Iffah. So I asked her if she can ask her neighbour for 2nd opinion if my hair can be rebonded.

So my appt was fixed for today @ 2pm. I nvr tol anyone, not even my family. I only tol a couple of frens/colleagues, a couple of days ago.

I'm determined to do something out of this world. Something I tot I nvr shld wld or cld do (yea, sounds like WHO DARES WIN rite?!?). I juz wanna change. Juz wanna do something to cheer myself out of my depression (cause of it includes Abhishek!! But I'm not talking abt it. Nvr.)

Was realy looking fwd to my appt today. But the whole of last nite I was having THE JITTERS. Was a nerve-wreck. Almost chickened out. Cldn't bring myself to go till 2pm...I decided I'm not the kind to play ppl out...so altho my wet hair wasn't fully dried, I changed & left. Juz nxt blk only...hehe. It was only at 1pm that I revealed to Sis & Mom that I'm going to rebond my hair. I even tol them "What's the worst that can happen? Turns out disastrously damaged? Then I hav Mom to snip it short agn lor!"

I went. Done by 6pm. Feeling very relieved that it turned out pretty well, and not as disastrous as I had anticipated!! Maslin's trying to get used to my new look. Roshni who saw the photo feels that it's like a totally different person.

Now...gotta bear wif the reactions of my family member. Dad doesn't know yet. Bro prob didn't realise as he's bz doing project wif his fren. Mom, Sis & Amsyar came back from Giant...Mom brought Amsyar in & he was dumbfounded, prob didn't recognise his Maasi! Mom didn't show any negative reaction. She & Sis both came in & went "Whoaaa....". Mom's juz happy I fulfilled my desire & didn't hav to spend too much. Sis thinks it's cool...at least I've tried it & knows how the rebonded hair looks on me. No negative reaction. So far, all those who saw in pic has no negative reaction. Not that I care. Coz it's not for them. It's for my own personal satisfaction. Even if it looks horrendous to ppl, as long as I like how it looks, I'm happy.

I've seen myself in straight hair after every hair cut (they'll blow straight for me)...but this feels really GOOD coz it's slightly more permanent for the nxt couple of mths. Feels damn soft too.

Sneak preview of ...the new ME:

(PS: It's purely coincidental that wenever I go for a hairdo & end up having straight hair, I'm wearing this same striped T-shirt!)

Ok...I'm famished. Gonna have my dinner (lemak ketam...my fave)...then will rest coz gonna have an early & long day tomorrow...going JB wif family.

Oh...that reminds me, if Anishar's reading this: Sorry gal, gonna miss your Nikaah...but I wish u a blissful wedded life ya...Amin!

Kisah SPEED0

2007-04-06T14:44:00.000+08:00

There r 2 things which excites Amsyar that I juz cant fathom y, coz I think it's weird!

1. The reverse-sensor sound (I call it NOISE) of his parents' Nissan Sunny which we always complain abt! Juz wen Sis decided to take the car to a workshop to shut off the reverse-sensor sound, she changed her mind wen she observed that her son jumps in excitement at the "noise". No need the car, I juz hav to go "tett..tett..tett..tett..tetetetete..tetttttttt" & that's enuf to make him jump in excitement!

2. The sound of running tap water. He knows it's bath time!! He loves bathing (esp. so wen he has spectators..gatal!), since I always refer it to him as "swimming". Everytime he hears the sound of running tap water...he'll pause whatever he's doing, search for the sound & wen he confirms that it's the tap water running sound...he'll jump in excitement! Gosh! I only discover it on Mon wen I was lying dwn on the floor making him stand on my tummy & playing wif him while Mom prepares his bath...all of a sudden he started jumping in joy! Wen I tol Mom...Mom xplained "it's the water!!". Then it made sense to me y everytime Sis prepares his bath & wen she leaves the tap runing...she'll come to Amsyar & call out to him "Am Am Am...look at Mama" & she'll start jumping!! She's actually teasing her son's actions! On Tues, I was doing the same thing wif Amsyar...wen Mom shouts "hold him tight"...I was like "huh?" (in my heart I wondered if we were abt to do a crash-landing!)...then she tol me "I'm abt to turn on the tap". Ohhhhh...so I was holding him tight & subtly trying to observe his reactions. JUMP IN JOY!! OMG! I was realy amazed. So Mom tol me "That's y last time I tol u to bring him to swimming pool!"

Ohhh...I see. She did mention...I tol her to ask Mamu since Mamu goes swimming & he's the only swimmer. She said Mamu lazy coz he doesn't go public pool anymore since his close fren is staying in a Condo, he goes there. So yea...I tol her we'll buy a trunk & buoy for him & take him swimming 1 of this wkends or wen we go for a holiday out of town.

After that...I got ready for work. Along the PIE...it was an empty stretch of road...so I was cooly driving & started daydreaming abt Amsyar in his SPEED0 swimming trunks & the inflatable buoy on his biceps...I looked dwn @ my SPEED0meter...110km/h...OH SHIT!!! I let go of my feet from the accelerator. Oh shit oh shit oh shit...I hope the cameras on the lampposts didn't capture me speeding!!

Reached office safely...but gonna be having sleepless nites for the nxt 1 wk wondering if I'm gonna be getting a notice fm TP. Sigh. Hope not. It wasn't intentional. I swear.

What Kind of Bra Am I...?!

2007-04-05T00:56:00.000+08:00

You Are a Sleek Black Bra!

Subtle, sophisticated, and classy.
You're not the first woman a man notices in the room...
But you're the one he remembers a week later.
You need a guy who will make a lasting impression on you too!

Namastey London

2007-04-01T14:07:00.000+08:00

Wow!! 35 movies in theatre...not once have I ever enjoyed a movie so much I wish I cld juz but another ticket for the nxt show & watch agn!

That's how GOOD Namastey London was (to me)! Oookkkk...Hum Tum (sweet romantic comedy) & Black (emotional) were the only movies I really enjoyed in its true sense...others were gd for time-pass. But still...Hum Tum I watched I'm a Saif's fan. Black I watched coz Amitabh's my FIL (haha!). But Namastey London had nothing...apart from the fact I didn't mind the Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif pairing after an excellent performance in Humko Deewana Kar Gaye.

Anyways...I've been really depressed at work. Been waiting for the PB ltr. Got in on Thurs afternoon finally (got the money yesterday)...they didn't reduce my portion...I got the same as last yr (which I've no complains abt)...but what's depressing is...ppl who under-perform got the same amt as me (and those who performed btr & achieved btr attendance than them...got lesser than them!). So I feel like shit that my Division Hd cld actually allow that to happen. I mean, if she felt that their contribution is on the same level as me...so y am I even achieving full attendance, working long hours...taking on 3 ppl's work...but no special recognition!? So I decided that I shall work at their level...coz that level gets the same amt as me what!! So the 1st step I did...I decided to utilise my leave (40 days leave)...by taking permanent Fri leave! I'm working 4 days a week only! And from now, I'm gonna work exact hr...nothing more nothing less (of coz, I'll give discretion to really dire situation when I wish to...afterall, brought up that way...too responsible to be laidback also).

So to give myself a treat...I decided that I'm going to catch a movie (since TGIF...been a while since I take time out to relax). Saw the trailers of Namastey London...after few days it says "RUNNING SUCCESSFULLY ALL OVER"...and that's when I start to get intrigued abt a movie & read the synopsis. So yea, it intrigued me...plus it's by Vipul Shah - the one who directed Waqt (Akshay Kumar-Priyanka-Amitabh-director's own wife Shefali). Before that, his directorial debut was Aankhen - Akshay Kumar-Arjun Rampal-Paresh Rawal as 3 blind mice...with Sushmita as a trainer for the blind who trains them to rob a bank...where Amitabh was the mastermind! I've watched that movie for the umpteenth time & yet nvr got sick of it. The same wif Waqt. So I figured, I shld give Namastey London a try after the disastrous experience catching Salaam-E-Ishq (4hrs in the theatre!).

I found another bored human being breathing on earth (Shazadi)...who was all game to join me for the movie. So yea...we made the plan on Thurs nite. And on Fri after work, she met me at the airport juz in time after I finished work @ 7.15pm...and we headed to Shaw. Stuck on a massive jam on the ECP's Rochor exit...juz at the flyover which I've a phobia off...coz on my left, there's a river below! I've a phobia of flyovers as I feel like I may be flung off...that's gonna hurt...and if it's a river below...oh no...I can't swim, I'll drown!! Hehe.

We reached Shaw almost 8pm & grabbed the tix for the 8.50pm show. Luckily it wasn't full. Got our tix...Sofra was full...so we rather walk to the North Bridge Commercial Centre in front of Parco & dined at this food centre called Naz. We loved the murtabak. Wanted to have that...but got enticed to the Nasi Ayam Penyet...so we gave it a try (1st time for both Shazadi & I). Yummy!! Until...I spotted a...LIZARD on the ceiling above us...only to have Shazadi freaked & making a scene there. Walked back to Shaw 5 mins b4 the show...in time to visit the ladies & entered the theatre @ 8.55pm...but the show started only @ 9pm. [Btw, they showed the upcoming movies' trailers & I've already decided what I'm gonna be watching 1 mth from now. Saif-Rani's new film (by Yash Chopra) TARA RUM PUM PUM]

Ok...Namastey London. Spending $10 on a non-Madhuri, non-Abhishek, non-Salman, non-Saif, non-Priyanka...that's really dangerous! Not a fan of Akshay to go waste $$ on him...neither will I waste $$ on an actress I felt can't really act! But...surprisingly...nvr saw Katrina Kaif so breathtakingly beautiful & nvr saw Akshay Kumar's teeth so imperfect! Hehe...screen was really huge I guess...that I saw the beauty of wat I used to think of as imperfect & I saw the flaw wat I used to think of as perfect. Music by Himesh Reshamiya...no need to comment...all will sound v. familiar...like heard b4. If u like wat u heard b4, u'll like dis 1...but if u're sick of the repetitive sound...than yea...u'll be put off! Foot tapping punjabi music mostly...so not too bad for the bhangra addict. Having said that...now I can go on to the movie.

Katrina is a havoc Punjabi girl who was born & bred in London & eventually takes on the British lifestyle & doesnt see herself as an Indian by saying "I've nvr even been to India!". Her parents wants her to settle dwn wif an Indian boy...but she's into her British boss-bf who's a casanova who's married & divorced 3x!! 1 day, her parents tricked her for a holiday in India & got her married to Akshay who's head over heels wif her since he 1st set eyes on her! But Katrina cant stand him. So by advise from her buddy, she took the 7 rounds wif Akshay & told him that she wanted the honeymoon in London...wanted him to get to know her lifestyle 1st etc etc...so after taking the saat phere (7 rounds)...off they went to London. There, she proclaimed that a non-registered marriage is not accepted in London...so technically, she & Akshay's not married!! Thus, she dumped Akshay & went on to prepare marriage wif her British bf!! Now...it's up to Akshay, the country-bumpkin, to win her heart. And if u're think I'm gonna reveal the whole story in here...remember 1 thing...I paid $10 for the movie!!! Hmmppph! Go get the movie & watch it. I'm juz giving a THUMBS UP so u'll not hesitate to watch it.

My stomach hurt so badly laughing throughout the movie...the dialogues were so originally witty & hillarious!! And u can only expect Akshay to carry out such dialogues wif a straight face & make ppl burst into laughter. He's improving in his coming timing wif every movie. Soon he'll reach the level of how Govinda, Salman & Saif is able to cheer me up when I'm dwn. There's a part (serious scene) which even I got compelled to clap! And at the end of the movie...imagine 3/4 of the theatre cheered by clapping. I gave a clap too (but softly, the way I'd clap when I'm watching a gd movie at hm!). I walked out of the theatre wif mixed feelings. Happy that the $10 was worth every cents. Sad coz I wished it was still early & I cld buy another tix for the nxt show & watch it agn. And such feelings have nvr happened to me when I watch a movie!

After the movie...went to my car...there was a baby roach. Y does all the insects have to appear when Shazadi's wif me. I tell u, the way she freaks...even if u're not scared of roach also, u'll be scared!! So I tol her to get out of the car, while I chase the roach out & step it dead. Went back into the building as I forgot to draw $$$.

So yea, wif all that happening, I came hm @ 12am wif a slight h/ache (tired!)...so after shower & did my Isya...I landed myself in bed, massaged axe-oil & dozed off till Amsyar came "walking" into my rm @ 9.30am to wake me up & seek refuge on my bed while Mom does her hsework.

When I post this kinda entries...

2007-03-29T16:11:00.000+08:00

...it only means I'm goddamn B-O-R-E-D! I'm in no mood to blog...but my fingers refuse to stop functioning...so I've to find things to do.
Since my hp is just in front of my eyes, I decided to snap pics of my PC (Look who's stuck inside my PC!)...my desk...my mess (Looks gd on pic, altho it's an eyesore for a perfectionist like me!)...

MESS...hmmm, that reminds me of a topic in itself!

2 yrs ago, I got realy sick (to the core) of being neat & tidy...seeing ppl live happily in messiness & untidiness, I was craving for such a life so that I'd be normal. So I decided to put myself into rehab. To live as messy & untidy as possible...for as long as I can bear it.

T-O-U-G-H

1st task: Leave non-letters in the mailbox...JUST THERE! Let it accumulate. Initially, I used to stack it nicely, like on a desk, then I decided, that's against the rule. So I mess it up agn! I beared wif it for so long & started to get used to & enjoying the sight...when Mom cleared it accidentally once. That night, I came home, stare at her with a sulk on my face...she laughed "Sorry, Mama lupa!" She even knew what that face was all abt! She's guilty. Hehe.

2nd task: Decided not to arrange the stuff on my desk. I started throwing things there...instead of where it belongs. Usually there's a pattern. Once I'm home, I'll unpack my bag (take out my purse, keys, hp) & stuff the bag inside the wardrobe (top compartment is for bags)...and keep the purse, keys & hp on my bed's side table neatly arranged.Rehab program: STOP ALL THAT! Now, I juz leave it on the desk coz, WTH, I'm gonna use it tomoro! Still not q. recovered from my obsessive-compulsive-clean/neat/tidy-freak-syndrome...coz, come Fri, I'll auto keep the bag in the wardrobe coz I wont need it till Mon! Need improvement. My desk did bcome an eyesore the 1st few mths...totally unbearable, so I kept arranging the things on my desk every wkend. Now I'm fine wif it.

3rd task: To leave the clothes in my wardrobe in a ransacked condition. FAILED like hell. Still as organised as ever. I remember when I was younger & sharing rm wif Sis, my youngest & fave. aunt, Makni, came over during Eid...and tompang solat in the rm...I happen to open the cupboard to take telekong for her..., she saw the contents & remarked "Yg teratur ni mesti Ina punya!" [this neat compartment sure 2b yours!]. Gd guess! Now u know y Sis & I cant meet eye-to-eye?! Personality clash. Total opposites. (always a case of Her Bad Vs My Good...wont deny, there's My Bad Vs Her Gd too.) I tried to rummage my clothes in the wardrobe. But I end up getting pissed trying to find clothes to bring wif me when I go for my bath. So I end up re-arranging the clothes back into its proper segments. Even the hanging clothes/tudungs are arranged according to type of wear (for clothes), & colours (for tudungs). Sigh. Nothing has changed. FAIL. To be re-admitted.

Now...the only reason why I'm bored & mad is I've still not received my PB ltr!! It's been signed on Mon afternoon (we all know coz during this period, we always keep a lookout of HR person coming down to the office carrying an envelope...coz we know what's inside!). Unfortunately, our Division's Head is on course yesterday & today! The envelope with our PB ltrs have arrived, but it's stuck in her office! It's not helping that almost all other Divisions hav received their ltrs!! If she comes tomoro & makes time to give us, we'll get it tomoro, otherwise, Fri...which is pointless already since we're getting the $$$$ by Fri night already!! I want to know how much I'm getting coz I'm on strike...certainly not expecting an increase altho I shld, since my job increased by 3-folds over the last 12 mths! But if they dare reduce my PB, then my output & quality of the output will be reduced correspondingly for this year. So until I get to see my ltr, I'm not doing much work! Officially on strike (no govt. some more!!).

Shit! Migraine's knocking. So I btr go to bed...coz waking up @ 5.30am to sahur. Mayb after that wont sleep back, wil go office earlier than usual, so wil be the 1st to get the ltr (as if!). Crapping la. Actualy so I can go back earlier & not rush for buka...hehe!

Is it God...or is it Us?

2007-03-28T16:37:00.000+08:00

He likes me...but I like B; B's crazy abt C...but C likes D; D wants E...but E's dreamboy is F...

[I can link this chain of feelings up to Z, but I think I've introduced my pt already!]

Y is it such? That we desire for someone who has no feelings for us...but we have no feelings for the the one who wants us??

Y is it such? That we think we know who's the BEST for us...but we refuse to accept the one who's supposed to be the BEST for us (in the eyes of the Almighty!)??

[It's another story that our parents seem to think they know best who's BEST for us!]

Y is it such? That when we cant have the one we want, we refuse to look in front (count our blessings) & move on...but choose to get stuck in our past (reminding ourselves of our fateful plight)??

Y is it such? That we overlook the gem that we stumble upon in our path...in our chase for some antique figurine?

Y is it such? That we can have the cheek to seek that gem which we threw aside & not even take a 2nd look...when the antique figurine we were after has been lost/broken??

Y is it such? That matters of the heart can complicate one's life??

Is it the power of God...or is it just...Us & our weakness?!

PS: Happy birthday Zarina!