Reminiscence of Time

After The Tsunami - The Ugly Side of Malaysia Government For The Past 52 Years

2010-08-21T11:20:00.003+08:00

I'm on neutral grounds.

Selepas Tsunami (After the Tsunami) from Pusat KOMAS on Vimeo.

Wanting it versus Needing it

2010-08-05T23:28:00.002+08:00

I've constantly reminding myself to spend wisely because I tend to overspend without realising until the credit card bill comes. Paying the chunck feels like cutting a chunk of meat away... simply painful.

I have been dreaming of iPhones, and was that close to walk into the nearest Maxis store but was saved by the idea of wait for iPhone 4. I even contemplate to take leave from work to get it... thats how bad I was. And like today, I photography magazine for almost MYR100!!! For the first time in my life, the most expensive spending on magazines at one go, just magazines!!! OMG.

For the upcoming holiday get away to the very exotic and scenic culture rich places that allow great photography moments, now I itch to get a better lens for my little 1000d. Yes thats easily another few grands. As much as I would love to buy it... I was reminded by a conversation some time ago with Mama, A, and P, where P mentioned getting something "I need" not things that "I want". I'm now very much driven by the "I want" mode. I'm resisting myself!!!

I so WANT this one now... Damn...

Blog Make Over

2010-08-03T23:56:00.000+08:00

After disappearing for sometime, yes missing the July posts, yet again I broke my record for zero post in a month. Dang it. I must come back more often now. I need a break from everything... I need a break.

To begin with, I now have a clean, fresh and renewed blog layout.... ahhh... I'm loving it... Watch out for this space, expect the unexpected....

I Still...

2010-06-07T00:16:00.004+08:00

I could not believe I left May with no entry.

It has been somewhat roller coaster ride of emotion since the last entry, ever since then it was about more than a month. I mean, in a good way. Sometimes I do question myself for being silly and I think for some it sounded a little idiotic. I can't change what they think though but saying don't mind about it is just bullshitting.

I think I have become more sensitive and emotional as time passes, in which very much against my believes of wisdom gained through aging but it seemed otherwise. Would it be the people around me?

I still love to travel.
I still hate my obnoxious neighbour.
I still do what I do best.
I still haven't got what I want.
I still haven't got back in shape.
I still believe... that I can do it.

I Shall Not Be Bothered

2010-04-19T23:24:00.003+08:00

It is creeping up on me.
I don't like it.
Too much negativity, still.
If you choose to use those words, it is your choice.
I shall not be bothered by it.
But I'm totally disappointed.
So much disappoitment that it accumulates through time.
And time shall prove it.
Why don't you understand? Why...
I just don't understand.

Frustrated.

Disappointment can't really describe it.
It is beyond that.

Stinking Shit Got Luck

2010-04-15T23:26:00.005+08:00

After knowing it, surprisingly, I was happy for the one that I was not to be easy with. I'm sincerely glad that good piece of fortune has landed to afar. It not only showed the luck anyone can get from the shit it came from, one hell of a stinking smelly shitty dung of all time. Full of flies.

Anyways, well done.

Let see where do I go from here? I wish I got the same luck too.

For Real - Better, Bolder, Rounder...

2010-04-14T17:11:00.005+08:00

Alright I have been missing from the blogsphere.
I shall refrain myself from posting nonsense Youtube videos.
But I still can't get over of the privacy intrusion if I choose to reveal too much in this little space, but.... but having Facebook come in the way... should I still be that cautious?

Too many to update, to much to think about and of course, too much have been left out; let's not washed away by time.

Blog entries may not be the same as before, but I'm striking back.
Bigger... Bolder... of couse... Rounder!!!

Telephone Made Beyonce Turned Lesbo?

2010-03-13T09:05:00.001+08:00

无眠

2010-01-24T10:42:00.001+08:00

今阿日月娘那這呢光
照著阮歸暝攏未凍睏
連頭毛都沒休睏（親像魚死底花園）

你甘知阮對你的思念
希望你有同款的夢
咱兩人做陣返來那一天
互相依偎的情愛

底你的心肝內
是不是還有我的存在
永遠攏底等
有時陣嘛會不甘願

想講要作伙飛
去一個心中美麗的所在
所有的一切
攏總尬你放作夥
希望你會當了解(為著你我一定等）

我不管多少時間多少目屎多少失望來忍耐
我不管你當時會返來
其實我嘛不知影為怎樣為怎樣憨憨等待

你是我唯一的愛

Rants to Restore

2010-01-22T23:33:00.007+08:00

I'm trying to make a comeback to the blog sphere. This shall be my space, little space to restore somewhat privacy. Previous blog entries were lacking in substance, and by looking back at some of the good ol'broken English in 2007, I was amazed by how well and how much time and effort I have put in. Perhaps priority has changed...

I've learned to be clever. To make myself better, I need less drama in life... and being a no-drama person, the best way is to put a stop to it, basically not letting any affectious chances come near me. Nope, I'm not going to tell what or how it is. Also, being dramatic or emo all the time is just not cool, why bring all the negativity around? It is like a disease.

I've prioritised. At least I tried, getting there. To juggle with the limited resources and time is not like flying to the moon, I know, like my colleague said, "you can do it!", yeah I shall... try.

Not sure if it is best time to bring another big change after spending almost 3 decade on Earth. There will be no turning back, I can't be like the others who can just stop just like that. I don't have the luxury. July, to "change" or not to "change"? Sacrifices is guaranteed. No more life, no more holiday, no more extra pocket money. Only - satisfaction that don't really bring value to life at the instant effect.

No point having another resolution for the year. It will just repeat the same old story every year. But, I'm still looking for it. Like the experts told me, I shall just follow my heart, it will lead me there.

People differences. I tend to get very upset when in contact with human behavioural deficiency that caused me to pull my hair. Why boast in Facebook? I don't want to know what you doing? or what you eat? or how much you spend... my ignore-kungfu has to be better. It still strikes me.

Do I see the light in front of me? Brighter, yes. But the path might lead to nowhere. I don't want and will not be fooled like those others, but it seemed like I have already, slowly drowned into it un-noticeably. Let see how it goes...

The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers

2009-12-20T11:21:00.010+08:00

This is serious stuff.
The LXD, Legion of The Extraordinary Dancers.
Showcasing at the latest SYTYCD Season 6 performance show.
Love it even more with a instrumental twist to Coldplay's Yellow.
An online game or is it a movie? I have absolutely no idea just yet.
Coming soon in 2010.

Damn, these guys are amazing!
Of LXD, check out the trailer... splendid.

Sad Clowns

2009-10-18T18:15:00.001+08:00

Sad Clowns.
Brilliant choreography by the Emmy winner Tyce Diorio.
My favourite group routine of So You Think You Can Dance Season 5.
Titled Send In The Clowns by Judy Collins.
Absolutely beautiful. Perfection.

Oh yes, Tyce Diorio is now my SYTYCD idol after Mia Michaels.

I Look To You

2009-09-04T23:47:00.008+08:00

She is back.
After all the hardship and turmoils,
Yes, Whitney Houston is back.
May not the same as before, but it's her.
Got to listen to it when I was driving back home,
Alone,
Just... so beautiful.

It sounded much like a prayer,
And no, I'm not a Christian.
And I thought it is all about love & courage.
What Britney, what Rihanna?
They can never come close to her.

As I lay me down, heaven hear me now,
I'm lost without a cause after giving it my all.

Winter storms have come, and darkened my sun.
After all that I've been through,
Who on earth can I turn to?

I look to you, I look to you,
After all my strength is gone,
in you I can be strong,
I look to you, I look to you,
And when melodies are gone,
in you I hear a song, I look to you.

About to lose my breathe, there's no more fighting left,
Sinking to rise no more, searching for that open door.

And every road that I've taken, lead to my regret,
And I don't know if I'm going to make it,
Nothing to do but lift my head.

I look to you, I look to you,...

My levees are broken, my walls have come, tumbling down on me,
The rain is falling, defeat is calling, I need you to set me free,
Take me far away from the battle, I need you, shine on me.

I look to you, I look to you,...

My special dedication to my mom and beloved late dad.
I look to you.

My Dear Neighbour

2009-08-31T23:12:00.000+08:00

I'm doing this for the first time.
This is a hate entry.
You can choose not to proceed any further.
I hate my neighbour. Pariah neighbour.

No consents from the beginning;
Ok, I have lend my parking area;
I have also endured the ridiculous road blockings from the banana trees;
and yet I still have to endure the stupid noise,
You blast those damn speakers, and you dance like monkeys;
Fat ugly assholes...
And you screamed, still not enough of making fool of yourselves?
Who do you think you are?
Morons. I'm just waiting for the time to lodge police report.
Yes, the noise, that drives the doors in my house went shaking.

1Malaysia? Merdeka Day?
Yeah right, tell me about it.
But it is not about testing people's patience.
We each have our own lives,
Please, shut up and fuck off....
Please, don't make me curse and swear, I usually don't.
Once I started, I can't help myself.
God damned you.

Memory Lost

2009-07-23T22:55:00.006+08:00

Without a doubt, it was one of the best trip ever. The most tiring trip too. First time using my new baby 1000d on a holiday made me realised huge cameras is indeed a burden. 500g felt like 50kg after walking and standing for more than 10 hours a day.

I enjoyed looking back at photos taken during the trip, sightseeings, candid shots simply because I believe every moment, every picture tells a story... and the story began with the changing of my camera's sd card when I was on my way returning to Malaysia from Shenzhen.

2 small, almost identical sd memory card, one brand new comes with the camera purchase, 4GB and another older one 2GB that have been with me travelling through many places for past years.

After switching back and forth of these two sd cards in the plane that took 4 hours to reach home, I started checking out the photos with the rest. It was quite messy I guess, was ordering inflight food, and my tray was full of paper containers and sandwich wrappers... but well... I remember I kept my cards into my pouch and zipped it, although at one point it was not zipped as it was on my lap, I was searching for $$$ to buy stuffs.

When I reach home, even without shower, I on my laptop and started loading the photos but was surprised that the 2GB card is nowhere to be seen. Panic? nope... maybe I was too tired, it was 3am++ in the morning.

After unpacking, the 2GB card is till not found, that's when the panic kicked in. 2GB full of memories, the last 3 days in Lantau Island, the breathtaking nightview of the Symphony of Light of Tsim Sha Tsui, and the bestest meal of the entire trip in Shenzhen's Qiaocheng Dong and most important of all, some moments with travel buddies and new found Hong Kong friends and family that can't be replace by anything else. This makes me sick, makes me sad and extremely disturbed.

Why? Why is this happening to me?
Friends and colleagues were trying to console me, some said they have lost a brand new Mac Book together with a videocam which cost a bomb and videos of the trip, which is more painful than what I am going through right now; some who got camera stolen in China after a long 5 days trip, losing all photo and the a very nice camera. Even my mum told me that her friend got her wedding photo all over-exposed (that time no digital camera yet) with no photo after the wedding. I know, compared to them, mine is nothing. But I just can't get over my lost of 2GB.

I will not give up in searching it so easily.
I turned my room upside down, left and right to search for it. Not found, now that I have finished unpacking, all cleared, chances of finding are quite low.

I also tried calling Air Asia (their phoneline sucked big time) and managed to contact and made a report at the Lost & Found department, after numerous attempt to counter check the aircraft, they have confirmed that the 2GB card is not the plane.

I've also called the cab driver who sent me back home. Waiting for his kind reply. Hoping for miracle.

Like what they said, when you don't need it, it keeps popping out in front of you, but when you need it, you will never find it.

True enough, I seriuosly hope it appears right infront of me.
Pray.

Update 24th July 2009:
Called up the cab driver, disappointed with no signs of the sd card.
I went further, called up the LCCT budget taxi centre to check if I would have left it at the cashier, and there was no record. I even went over to LCCT, checked with the cab cashier again, went into the international departure hall and asked the Lost & Found department and even speck to the Bangla cleaner about any chances of my sd card. I tried my last effort to walk through the paths that I've been through at my arrival few days ago from the departure hall to the taxi station.... All negative.

That means either the sd is not lost at these places, still can hope for it.... or I should just give up in searching it.

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009

2009-07-05T10:10:00.002+08:00

For work trips down the Kiasu-land last year, that almost made me to the Run organised by the same bank in Singapore, I was so disappointed over the annoucement of early closure of entry due to overwhelming response. And then, in about less than 6 months time, the same event has stepped into homeland, gosh... without second thoughts I signed up for the local chapter of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009.

For an unexperienced, novice runner like me, I can only afford the 10km run. Hardly any training done, well at least I tried completing ONE and only 10km run on a treadmill with zero inclination and 2 other 5km short sprints in the gym simply to mentally convinced myself that I CAN complete the run physically. I was pretty much happy with it already prior to the run.

Not when the day came rather unnoticeably early. With little preparations and zero outdoor running experiences, I can only hope for the best as I do understand running outdoor is entirely different from running on a mechanical treadmill that tend to push me to run without stopping from the revolving conveyor belt. My aim is to qualify and to be the finisher of the Run within 1.5 hours but I was surprised with myself with the record time for less than 1 hour 18 minutes on my first trial on the treadmill. However, still... feeling rather unprepared for it, seriously.

The race pack collection was told a total disaster but I was lucky to get there early before the rain hit and before the computer network system got short circuited and before the long queue and before those people cursing for non-advancing queues up to more than 2 hours just to collect the race bibs and t-shirts, and that's just only for one running category.

Howver, I have managed to change my t-shirt size after trying it out at home that found out my pre-ordered 'L' was little too large for me, hence got back and change for a smaller one on the next day. Contrary to the first collection day, the booths were so free, practically waiting for participants to come... Later then I heard of the massive complaints via Facebook of the nightmare of having to queue up for hours when one was collecting for a few that are in different categories... The first hiccup from the organiser.

And then it was the much anticipated day. The Run on the 28th June.
It was too early to get the engine started, slightly passed 4am and I was already on my way to Taman Jaya's LRT A&W to meet up with the babes, KK, EM, CL and her gang. Although I got myself a powerbar that was bought on the race pack collection day, I just can't help myself by getting a chicken burger set complete with the ever famous root beer. How can I not have root beer whenever I go A&W?

And then that was when everyone was laughing at me of burping and farting root beer that smells like chicken burger... along the Run. Yikes.

Thanks to CL for getting the tickets for the all-day long shuttle bus service and then we were on the way to the Daratan Merdeka, to meet up with the rest of the 12,500 runners from everywhere else. Sometimes I'm just amazed by how meticulous females are... especially when KK commeneted on the armpit hair showing guy standing right real close to her the bus.

The drop off at Padang Merbok made another walk for 15 minutes to Dataran Merdeka but CL was nowhere to be seen after that when everyone was busy looking for waterloo. EM, KK, SY and myself even got the time to cam-whore (special thanks to EM for the pics) at the starting line before the offical flag off of the 10km run. Time checked, 7am sharp.

The Run started with the gun after the bell from the clock tower and then... all nightmares begin... at the first 20m, inclination started with so many runner around that was so crowded and interuptive. I have to settle for slow jog and some walking in between, until the route got diverted to a bigger trunk road somewhere on Jalan Tun Razak. The first few moments of the run was surprisingly refreshing, not to mention the cool morning fresh air and the excitement and adrenaline rush to be able to run freely on a highway. I mean, how often so you run on a highway?

I was blasting my iPod with full uummpphh ahead, pretty much cutting many runners in which I was quite happy of my capability at that early stage of the run. Not until I mistakenly thought the first water station that I met was the first 5km mark of the run. I was like, "wow, that's fast, 5km achieved so easily... cheh...". Yes, too happy too early. That was the water station marked for the other running category I supposed, when later I found out the route was just merely the first 3km only WTF!!! Still a long way to go when the actual KM marker appeared.

Adding to such demoralising encounter, my iPod failed me! The right ear phone was not working; probably due to excessive sweat as I was carrying it in my back pocket with no cover. Gosh... I was worried further damaging the iPod and have to resort to have no song for the run by keeping it away.

The run was then diverted to Jalan Mahameru where the runners are now more scattered but still pretty crowded. 10km runner are all strong yo... but this was when my shoulders and neck started giving me problems. Left shoulder was aching, feel'in extermely stiff and muscle tensioning. It was the pain that made me start walking eventhough I still have much stamina to continue running. So, I started walking, half way there.

As the pain ease away, I started running again. Then found a blister on my second left toe. Right sole was hurting very very badly. Wrong running shoes or perhaps improper running posture I guess? Nike has been my closest companion in workouts, but now I changed my mind... It sucked! After running more than half way, the right sole was getting worse and towards the last 2km of the course, the right shoe sole came off, and I was practically flapping it all the way to the finish line.

Having all the kahoonas, I decided to only power walk at the up hills and sprint my way down hill, making full use of the acceleration of gravity. The final leg was at Jalan Parlimen where Dataran Merdeka was just at sight, drawing closer and closer to the finish, to many runners dismay it was a huge left turn to Jalan Raja Laut where I saw another long run ahead before hitting a U-turn back into Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Fuck... I believed many was cursing like me already... but this is it, almost there, I started sprinting for the last distant and giving my all.

I have got no watch, no timer for the run so do not know of the timing but I managed to pass the gantry sensor, not hearing any beeping sound though, with the unofficial clock time of 1 hour 19 minutes and 32 seconds. My impression immedietly after the run was like: "That's all? I still have more to give la..."

Well, for a untimed run, I think that I did pretty well and I have achieved my goal as the 10km finisher. The queue for the medal was horrifically long but I managed to caught up with the very tanned Emily and then again... cutting queue (not that I did it on purpose, the vacant counters was calling me out loud...) to get my medal even the isotonic drinks, for me, it was a breeze... huhuhu. And also several huge bananas for recovery...

Then met up with the babes and had some cam-whoring session again and we waited for Runaholic for more than 2 hours at the finishing gantry with camera on standby mode but still no shadow to be seen. This was when we all started to get a little worried, thinking all the possibilities along the full marathon that might happened, or maybe the crazy Runaholic already came back without our notice?

The wait at the gantry allowed me to witness so many people with all shape and sizes finishing the Run, especially those in full marathon, 42km, seriously no joke. Of course, saw several fellow instructors from the gym as well but one that caught everyone's attention was this young chinese lady who went crying out loud, seriously crying in pain or of joy (not sure which one... but I think more like in pain) at the same time crossing the finishing line that looked so so familiar from the gym community. Anyway, I'm moved by their sheer determination, their fight against the pain to endure the entire marathon.

Sitting near the gantry sensor, I noticed that full marathon runners are mostly NOT in shape. They can be fat and flabby (I'm just honest, no offense), some are like pear shaped housewives, and some men are even very veteran uncles up to 60 over years old. What's more intriguing was, these seasoned runner finsished the run with ease and even managed to pull up the huge smile for camera and pose the peace sign, unlike some relatively younger ones who just went breaking down in tears and cramps right after they finished. However, full marathon runners, you got my full salutation for completing it.

Overall, it was a great experience to be running again after so long. I was never a runner and hated running since small. The obvious run that I last did was the merentas desa back in the secondary school. But I thought 10km was rather easy to accomplish. It was more mental than physical in terms of finishing the run with a good time. I thought I can do much better than this, if only I could have a watch with that time.

I suddenly find running can be very addictive. I just got to improve on my running speed and timing with better running technique. Like what Polar's Running Clinic said, control of breathing and heart rate is important to last longer and to fully utilise the energy in the body. Perhaps if I ever join a full marathon in future (yes, I'm dreaming, so slap me if you can), I might consider getting myself a Polar watch.

I'm looking forward to the next run, hopefully able to complete a half marathon 21km very soon.
Yup, the next one... Adidas's King Of The Road 2009 Shah Alam, here I come.

When You Believe

2009-06-13T19:57:00.004+08:00

By Leon Jackson, winning song of X-Factor, cover version of Mariah and Whitney's.
I have never realised how beautifully written it is, until now.

Dedicated to myself.
I need the motivation.
I need the encouragement.
I need to - Believe.

Fly Kites

2009-06-11T16:35:00.000+08:00

Kites.
I fly kites.
I love kites.

It was donkey years back when I last flew a kite, easily 10 years ago I think, not even after I bought kite all the way from Shanghai (don't ask me why...) would drove my ass to the nearby field... until my lil' sister quietly stole my brand 'new' kite without asking me one fine weekend ago...

And it all started there, the next moment I knew I was with her and Fk on the very big padang of Bukit Tinggi, chasing for wind that wasn't really happening in the evening. The very first attempt was great but not so great; the air was almost at stagnant, lesson learnt since small, never fly kite after rain... no wind.

Having said not flying kites for so long, a roll of 50m string was pathetically short as the kite seemed rather near to the ground. But I got myself with a 500m fisherman string and off it goes...

And then there was Fk's new Batman kite with self-made bangles. Upclose was rather cute, but when it's flying high, the tails and the mustache were no where to be seen.

The field was packed with kids and parents and some couples at early evening as the clear blue sky slowly got filled with various colours and shapes of kites. It was an amazing sight compared to my own handmade newspapar with lidi stick kites. Nowadays we use kites with plastic fabrics. Another evolution in time.

I hated it when someone come into my territory. More than 50 kites, not to mentioned some idoits who ran back and forth for not knowing how to fly a kite... the strings crossed.

I'm ruthless when come into these.
You crossed my line, I'll cut you.
And I 'murdered' 2 kites with my brown fisherman strings.
Watching the dismissal of a falling kite makes me relief, for getting rid of nuisances, of course... I've got the technique to murder. LOL.
Though evil, but I simply love it.

I still remember how my dad made my kites when I was really small. I used to jumped up and down and around my dad whenever he tried to fix a kite for me. I have leanred the art of flying kites and the serenity of being able to control an object flying so high... of few hundred meters off the ground with passion and control. Yes, I have inherited the masterclass from my dad.

Life is like flying kites.
There is always ups and downs, and perhaps some overturn in between.
I control the kite.
I control my life, just like how I control my kite.
Efforts are needed to lift the kite higher.
That's why I'm so strongly against superstitions and predictions that were rather baseless. I just can't believe how some even paid for it.
To fly high, the kite will need to catch the right direction of wind to reach another milestone in the sky.
Whoever come in the way, either we let it tangle, else it must be cut in order to soar higher. I think the same thing in life too.

Relay For Life 2009

2009-06-02T17:36:00.005+08:00

This is not my first time got to know of the event but I managed made it to the annually organised event this year, for whatever reasons I missed last year's event, I can't recall a single thing...

The Relay For Life 2009 was held at the MSN Training Stadium in Bukit Jalil from the 30th May starting from 6pm onwards and all the way throughout the night till the next day morning where the event ends at 10am on the 31st May. Being part of the event for the first time after it's third yer running so far, I definitely feeling blessed to be part of this annual fund raising charity event organised by the National Cancer Society Malaysia that is overall in somewhat grand and with style.

I totally forgot about the date until Aunt Lynn reminded me on the afternoon itself when I have already engaged with Angels & Demons with the babes and Hamyu. I was so near in giving up from having to travel through busy streets of the town after movie what more when I was feeling sicko that the mucus was fast filling up my nostrils and occasionally burst into my throat every now and then, after being caged in the cinema cubicle with full blast of air conditioned for more than 2 hours... by the way, the movie was pretty good... for better digestion compared to The Da Vinci Code.

Luckily the traffic was pretty smooth using the Maju Expressway from down town to Bukit Jalil and I managed to reach the stadium at about a quarter passed 10pm. To my surprised, the car park was not fully occupaied but I was immensely surprised by the supportive crowd in the arena and grand stand area, all hyped up and running, of course some with mere walk abouts only.

Relay For Life, as it's name said, is a no-sleeping, non-stop trekking on course within the long hours, signifies the fight to cancer as cancer never sleep and never stop.

It was the backward lap that everyone was walking backward around the course, forming a rather cute scene, watching participants from all walks of life from different ethnic background, age and some even in their tudungs were on the course. But no, I didn't went down to the course as I don't know what to do for being just arrived. I think I missed out some really cool meet & great sessions by some local celebrities such Alan Yuen, Ashraf Sinclair and Jacqueline Victor singing and running session... but I managed to witness our first Malaysian Idol on sports gear running on track with her family. How sweet...

Even Starbucks's team was there too!!! I believe the caterpillar lap has already over, but Starbucks crew of almost 20 pax all in their barista uniform complete with aprons were real eye-catchy and striking when they marched on the course. It was a real 'sayang' for not having my camera with me to capture some of the best moments but special thanks to Aunt Mimi for borrowing me her camera phone for the pictures and video for this simple blog entry here.

I was surprised by the activities lined up for the long night, to keep everyone awake and energised. There were mini concert by the local all female band, the Soul Sisters, taekwondo shows and the very interesting Beauty Pageant show featuring some of the most awful looking yet hilarious pondans and some really bootylicious transvestites, I mean they are real trans-genders. Matching qualities to those found in Thailand. Good stuff. The show definitely marked the highlight of the night. Not sure if this is suitable for public viewing, but I'm pretty sure from the massive response from the deafening screams and wolf-howlings from the crowd drew enough energy to keep everybody awake for a while. Some hardcore supporters even put up overnight camps there too... and also very very surprised to meet Yvonne, the hottest mum from the gym with her hubby.

I think I missed some of the very meaningful event earlier such as the Chicken Dance and the very touching moment of the Luminaria, the very personalised dedication session by fellow family members or cancer survivors in commemorate of those departed love ones, who were cancer victims, by litting small candles in a self-decorated paper bags. Must be very touching... looking at these Luminarias placed around the running course. Simple little things like this carried the weight of undescribeable love. Nice...

There was also this very cute game organised at almost 12 midnight, the Pillow Fight where participants (mostly youngsters) gather in a small group, about 50 of them, each hand held a small size pillow and when the whistle blew, they will just start whacking anyone and everyone that was around them. Yes, practically hit and whacking. Watching them from the grand stand was fun enough, I just can't stop laughing already. The flying pillows that was quite 'kencang' I called it was pretty cool and awesome.

And then there was this aerobic session, at 12am++!!! Gosh, this was my first time ever midnight workout session that was similiar to the movement of Body Attack but of 20% impact, even with that some not so elderly already complaining that their knee can't take it. Off the topic, I think the instructors were definitely not Les Mills trained, as their instructions was basically counting reps all way from beginning to the end of the exercise. Bonus... I was jumping and lunging (but no push ups) and sweating in my t-shirt, jeans and sandals... drenched.

Lets us give support for this all night event as cancer never sleeps! By being there is already supporting.

Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back!!!

These were the tagline that were found at The Relay For Life 2009.
Although I did not spent much time at the arena... but not only I was surprised by this meanigful event, also leaving the event with a thankful mind and open heart of how lucky I am of having a healthy life (touchwood) and feeling blessed of having a great family. Relay For Life showed humanitarian values, undivided love and superior support from all the kind souls, be it with or without relation to cancers, that we, Malaysians, still have the heart to love, and to care.

Yes, I will be back for 2010 Relay For Life!!!

American Idol 8 - Kris vs Adam

2009-05-21T22:40:00.013+08:00

Finally, the season has come to an end. As much as I expected Kris Allen to make it to the finals as Danny Gokey is getting kinda boring toward the end of the race; no doubt that the finale will be the showdown between the hard rocker 'nail-polish' Adam Lambert and the highly likeable acoustic guitarist Kris Allen.

I'm surprised to know they were both roommates since the Top 13 episode all the way to the finale. Interesting commentary from the reporters though...

Watching the both of them singing in the finals, it is clear that Adam did a notch better than Kris, especially with the new Idol's winning song, "No Boundaries" actually did not suit either one of them. It is actually meant for Danny Gokey... Hands down Danny Gokey wins if he ever make it to the final and sing that song, perhaps the show expected Gokey to be in the finals that did not materialised. It is true Adam is better but realistically Kris would be my favourite since the beginning of the season. Adam is just purely overrated.

But then, season 8 of the Idols has got the most remarkable result show in the history of the American Idols. Legendary stars appeared and fantastic (well not all..) pairing of the idols with the stars makes it so unbelievably interesting.

I thought the last group song of "So What" was a lousy song choice. They MURDERED the song!!! Cannot... they can't bring it. Not without Pink. But then I thought David Cook's "Permanent" was just alright in commemorate of his late brother. Sounded emotional but the singing and song was just so-so.

And then I thought the duet of Lil' Rounds & Queen Latifah was a complete wreck. Can't really listen to the words and definitely Queen Latifah sounded like eating up Lil' Rounds. Bad, bad pairing...

The appearance of Jason Mraz was a huge surprise!!! How nice... but not so much when the group idols spoiled the harmonies at the second half the song. But nevertheless it was great to have the Grammy nominated song on stage. And NO... Anoop shouldn't have sang the song opening. Complete utterly weak.

Another surprise caught up right after when Keith Urban teamed up with Kris Allen on the acoustic and electric guitar. Great harmonies of an almost country music and I wonder why Kris can't stop shrugging the shoulders? I bet the chicks love it.

The girls singing "Glamorous" by bringing out Fergie and latter the Black Eyes Peas was so cool. Will.I.Am reminded me of the teleporter, John Wraith in the X-Men Origins and I have to emphasize this...

Fergie, the best legs around. Oh my...

The bikini girl vs Kara Dioguardi. Ryan has got the best line of the season by asking Katrina, "I was about to ask you what's new, but I think I know now", very wickedly done. It was the show-down of singing Mariah's Vision of Love. Kara can actually sing and she flashes in bikinis too for the God-sake 3 seconds. Kara KICKED ASS!!! Love it. The scene was taken off from the 8pm show, but I found it here!!! Bestest highlight of the night!!! Or is it planned before hand? Kara looked a lil' lost probably tearing her dress to vigorously that she can't put it back together it seemed, looked really awkward.

The duet between Allison Iraheta with the all-time favourite Cyndi Lauper and Danny Gokey with Lionel Richie appeared to be somewhat cold after a hot and steamy bikini showdown. Anyway they were both good, but not great. Why does Cyndi never grow old?

Then it was the band Kiss and Adam bringing the house down. Noise, noise, noise, but with very impressive stage designs. Carlos Santana with Top 13 singing "Smooth" was kinda not so smooth to say the least and the new song by Steve Martin that was presented by Megan Joy and Michael Sarver was alright. Sarver sounded great but then again, Megan spoiled it completely. "Pretty Flowers" is so lovely that I'm not surprised if it becomes a hit after this...

By having Rod Stewart (Gosh can anyone tell me why is he still alive...?) as the closing of the finale was quite legitimate and ended up with Queen on the "We Are The Champions" pushed the night to a high note, not forgetting the ever dramatic Tatiana del Toro pre-arranged run-on-stage-hard-selling-singing tricks. Now this one confirmed pre-arranged...

But it was all GOOD. Kris Allen won along side by creating the record breaking votes in the history. Even though the new song sucked, singing it the secong time sounded so much better than the night before. As much as being dubbed the dark horse has out-ran the race or some claimed the biggest upset of the Idol's history, I seriously think Adam Lambert can become equally big in the coming near future, finding the piece of music that he belong that is definitely different from anyone else in this season of American Idols.

Yes to Kris Allen, No to 'Nail Polish'...

Mother

2009-05-10T11:58:00.003+08:00

Indeed, great Moms grow great kids.
I'm blessed of who I am today.
My Mom is one hell of a great Mom.

As I was watching the latest season of the Survivor series, even it is via Youtube, the scenes of family reunion almost drive me in tears. The power of family love, is just so impeccable.

"Now when I go home, like there is somebody that I don't have to explain these to, and to have somebody here that you can just tell everything to and you would know he/she wouldn't use anything against you... somebody who loves you no matter what... somebody who worries about you... somebody who concerns about you... is really a great thing... or here (at the Survivor game) you kinda, forget what that feels like, it's... it's really nice."
Erinn, Top 6 Finalist of Survivor Tocantins, Season 18.

Happy Mother's Day.
I love you Mom.

Disheartened

2009-05-02T11:38:00.002+08:00

It is still very hard for me to believe, the promises that was made merely just 2 months ago did not hold, and I'm still in shock...

The news caught everyone off-guard, even though I have noticed it to be just a matter of time. It is unjustifiable, not fair at all. How can a person who work his ass off is ask to leave? What more when he is a father-to-be of a pair of twins in just few months time? Disturbed, I'm very disturbed by the fact that many considerations were not made thoroughly before the decisions are laid. There is nothing much that I can do, as I don't even know how to console his work buddy of mine. He just got axed and slaughtered for no specific reason. What kinda judgement are we talking about when there are so many other idiots who were waiting for the day to leave by wasting resources in the office but then... on the other hand, chose over someone who is more productive?

If you ever read this, I feel you, my dear friend.

From that onwards, everyone become skeptical.
Feeling very vulnerable, and rather helpless being on a chopping block waiting for time. Is this the way of work that it is supposed to be? Or is this just an opportunity to get rid of people for the 'central federation's' objectives taking the economic recession as an excuse?

I don't know. But I think I sound very much sadist here.

The axe is sharp and ruthless. The myth has now become the truth.
It is coming at everybody.

The environment has gotten worse ever than before, just that on the surface we all looked as if we are one big happy family. It's just a show on the surface. The morale is super low, the incident happened caused somewhat silent chaos amongst us, but when we found out the list of casualties, it striked. Absolutely disheartening to acknowledge.

Performance aside, the smartest way of working is to be exclusive at this point of time is by making oneself irreplaceable, one can only survived regardless it's the fittest of all or not. I know about being positive thinking, but to me it's all bullshit. When reality strikes, it strikes. And it won't change a thing if one choose to day-dream about those positive thoughts and superstitiously behaved that the good will come. I mean being positive is encouraged mentally, but in reality, I do not believe and I strongly against the myth of false hope on things that ain't possible to be changed or achieved.

As much as I'm disheartened by the on-goings, I'm preparing myself in every way, just in case the pain in the ass come hitting me.

My glass is always half full.
Live life to the fullest, with no regrets.
Cheers.

American Idol 8 - Top 5

2009-05-01T23:10:00.004+08:00

With the departure of Matt Giraud, I think Adam Lambert is gonna win this season without a doubt. He actually sang quite well in his rocky rendition of 'Feeling Good', another one of my all time favourite.

Of course, he can never match Michael Buble's version.

There you go... the winner of American Idol Season 8 - the freak with ever screeching, annoying voice but of great presence, Adam Lambert.

But I still hate the way he sings.

American Idol 8 - Top 7 Again? Stupid Disco Double Elimination

2009-04-23T19:08:00.004+08:00

The very much anticipated disco week was a complete utter (sounds like Simon?) disaster to the maximum. What disco? Most of the songs were not at all, how on Earth can they change those all time favourites to ballads? Gosh... the music director who taught the contestants deserved to be shot!

But the result is fair.

As what I have predicted, Anoop Desai and Lil' Rounds have definitely reached the end of their road. Enough said.

After Matt got saved by the judges last week, he is coming back strong. Very well done with his very much resemblance of Justin Timberlake, yet again...

But I just don't understand who were those old, fat and saggy singer that did the disco medleys. It sucked big time!!! It sounded like forced applauds after each of them sang, boring and not to mention those scary underarms and horrendous outfits.

I wonder what's in store for next week, Top 5 already.
Ahhou's choice of Top 5:
1. Kris Allen
2. Matt Giraud
3. Danny Gokey
4. Allison Iraheta
5. (None)

Not in list: Adam Lambert

No doubt Adam's a great 'performer', but the singing just DON'T cut it. I'm getting sick of him.

American Idol 8 - Top 7

2009-04-16T21:12:00.003+08:00

Ok, missing Top 8 of last week's episode was nothing to be regretted. Scott is gone for good, finally. No more strange dead stares from the tv screen anymore.

This week's Top 7 was remarkably record breaking episode of the history of American Idol. The Quentin Tarantino themed was a lil' disappointing as the songs weren't great overall, even the favourites like Danny Gokey turned out to be surprisingly boring.

But, what can I say, the Judges-Save has finally played it power saving Matt Giraud from elimination which is deemed fair as he can probably out sang the other two stupid bottom three idol-wannabes. It was indeed an emotional moment, what more than when the entire aundience is chanting for 'Save! Save! Save!"?. Right before Simon announced his fate, I can feel it from Matt's singing, his voice was shaking already.

It appears to be not necessary for me to rate the contestants since this week's results are known, but I bet next week's Disco theme will be blast. R&B and soul singers doing disco? HUGE disaster coming right up.

After downloading the idol songs in studio versions, I noted huge differences in their performances. Adam Lambert who looked so great and with his ever annoying falseto actually sounded worse in the studio recordings. Based on the voice, Adam is NOT the idol, NEVER.

However, Ahhou's choice of Top 3, by far:
1. Kris Allen
2. Danny Gokey
3. Matt Giraud

And I think they are on a sinking ship...
1. Lil Rounds
2. Anoop Desai
3. Adam Lambert
4. Allison Iraheta

But I can predict Adam Lambert will surely be great in the Disco week...

Body Pump 70

2009-04-10T10:06:00.002+08:00

Pink, Nickelback, Kanye West, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, E-Type &...
Love it!

American Idol 8 - Top 9

2009-04-02T01:08:00.005+08:00

I have been missing the previous week's show but I have got it downloaded. The surprise exit of Alexis Grace and Michael Sarver is not really a surprise after all, it was wise choice of not choosing any of the 2 to stay on for another week.

As I'm watching the midnight repeat show right now, I just cannot resist to blog as the show goes.

Ahhou's Best of the Best:
Kris Allen
Pure, genuine and original. It feels like a vacuum cleaner that cleanses away the dusts. An honest yet sincere performance. Double thumbs up!!!

Ahhou's Pick of The Week:
Danny Gokey
What can I say? I was having goosebumps all over. The vocal just pierce into the bones. Fantastic song from the Rascal Flatts, or is that a Cascada song originally? Reminded me clean and press and Cardiowaves...

Adam Lambert
He blew me away. Over the top but love it. I have to admit he looked so much better being normal looking again. Play That Funky Music reminded me of Midnitegal and NicW or Fear Factor Malaysia.

Ahhou's Choice of Must Stay:
Matt Giraud
Loving every bit it. Sang my all time favourite, the Fray's You Found Me. Anyway I kinda agree to the harsh comments from the judges. I seriously hope he stays.

Ahhou's Ugliest of The Week:
Lil Rounds
She championed the night. Horrible dress, horrible hair. Is she getting fatty? Oh did she sing? I forget.

Allison Iraheta
Don't Speak was surprising good but the red-riding-hood don't cut it.

Ahhou Hated The Pity Votes:
Scott MacIntye
Bad voice, bad hair (he changes it but still looked hideous). I don't get it why the stupid judges like to praised him so much.

Ahhou Don't Know What The Shit They Sang:
Anoop Desai
The Usher wannabe, but failed miserably.

Megan Joy Corkrey
She has to GO!!! Enough said.

Unlike previous seasons, I can't seemed to download the iTunes of the performances... How... How?

Last Day In Kuching

2009-03-28T10:26:00.003+08:00

Finally...
I'm almost done with Kuching.
I'm coming back home.
The coughs are there, spreading the germs wherever I go.
I had enough of exhibitions, really had enough of it.

I missed my bed.
I missed my mum and sister.
I missed the piled up work, not quite.
I missed my friends and the MSN legs.
These days have really put me to the test of life without Internet.

But I survived.

I'm counting down the time for departure even though I still have more than half day of work to go through. It seems like everyone is so into the Earth Hour that is scheduled to happen tonight 8:30pm at +8:00 GMT. I feel somewhat left out and a lil' ashamed for not being able to be part of this historical moment back home.

I guess I will just...
Just like shutting down the the lights and electricity...
Shut down my brain,
Shut up my mouth,
and shut off my eyes and my mind...
While taking the flight bon voyage,
Doing it across the South China Sea.

Home Sweet Home.

Ahhou & Johnnie Walker

2009-03-25T23:29:00.004+08:00

Ahhou is now live and still alive from Kuching after coming back super sick from Bangkok. Having dinner with bosses and some strangers were really dreadful with my coughs and high fever throughout the 2 days. It's killing me already.

I even got 'advised' that whisky treat fever better.
Yea right and pigs fly!!!
Had Gold Label Johnnie Walker (15 years? It is 18 years...), I guess.
Not sure about the name though.
But it was nice.
I felt like as though I have learnt some lessons on alcohols.

Let see if I can survive for another 3 more days here before I head home and kiss my mum... but I've found this simple but rather intriguing quote from the whisky bag...

I can walk a thousand miles alone.
But I can do a million with a company of friends.
Keep walking.

Johnnie Walker

Bangkok Revisited Day 1

2009-03-20T18:02:00.003+08:00

Ahhou is now blogging live from Bangkok.
Ahhou has finally got the chance to indulge in his own travelogues.

Had less than 2 hours of sleep the day before,
Practically started packing and,
Applying for the AXN Big Challenge at the same time.
Pick up SP, EM&T, and we hopped out our journey.
Met Ttp, K&C at the airport.
LCCT has got new faces.
Old Town Kopitiam now, no more McD.

First time touching down at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
The city is just... colourful.
The drama in the transfer van, very noisy.
Thai drama via the DVD, I'm totally speechless.
Lunch with local fried chicken and sour vege soup.
Simple, love it!
Confused with so many options of places to stay,
But none can be confirmed.
Peak season, all fully booked.

Looking for fried pork chop and tom yum gung.
Missed it. But don't know where to find it.
Forget the places I last visited.
Massages. Stripping it down?

To get a suppose appointment that was skeptical at first,
It is true.
Very true. Too good to be true.
Left with Ttp to Nana BTS station from MBK to check-in.
No keys but checked-in.
Took BTS from Nana to Siam.

We are supposed 'delegates', but got mistaken, ahhh...
'Benefit' of the doubt...
Walk, yes we walk to MBK, via Siam Discovery and all the in between.
3 McDs in MBK, ended up in the ground floor, Zone A.
Sms-ed SP, supposedly go Bonanza Mall.

But...
Where the hell is Bonanza Mall?
Where? Where? Where?
Standing at the skybridge, searching...
But sand flew into my eyes.
Ttp also same same.
As we found the building that end with the 'za'...
Yes, it is Bonanza... got a sms...
Deng... so lost that now gotta get back to Wendy's.
Ohh by the way, we all staying at Wendy's. Rather complicated...

I showered, the other 2 went crashed into slumberland,
With stink. Wa Lao!
Here I am now, blogging, while the rest overshooting their sleeping time.
But...
I am entirely liking Ahhou being LIVE from Bangkok.

Coming right up...
Birthday celevration at Siam Paragon.
No, I hope we don't sing the B-day song in the public,
But I think most probably we will...
And I'm... still...
Still longing for the pork chop and massages...
and the she-males.

Tomorrow...
Saving all the energy and to splurge!!!
Chatuchak Market here I come!!!

Ahhou signing out for now...
Love from Bangkok.

American Idol 8 - Top 11

2009-03-19T17:17:00.003+08:00

It was not an appealing episode of the Country music for me, never even heard of most of the songs of the current episode of the Top 11 of the American Idols, but I'm glad that some are not too into the theme by adding personal vibe into the performances. It was just alright anyway...

Ahhou's Pick of the Week:
Kris Allen
Now that's one of my favourite of the night. Simple and honest yet genuine singing, that is what the show is all about. Love it.

Danny Gokey
Very smart of him choosing a very emotional Carrie Underwood number, other than the 'jumping off an airplane' white jacket that made him look like a snowball.

Matt Giraud
Absolute double thumbs up!!! The piano and the vocal is simply flawless. Best of the night!!!

Ahhou's Surprise of the Week:
Annop Desai
I bet he will be safe this week. Brilliant song choice, reminds me of the ever iTunes playlist topping of Michael Buble's You Are Always On My Mind. Great come back.

Adam Lambert
After my recent discoveries after googling his name, I just feel strange looking at him now. His rendition of the song is NOT country at all. Simon was spot on, "absolute indulgent rubbish... Cashmere Led Zeppelin (that didn't work)". Well, I find it plain horrid. Are you kidding me? Country with leather pants?

Ahhou's Choice of Middle of Nowhere:
Alexis Iraheta & Alexis Grace
Either bottom 3 or safe. Definitely will be on the race for a while.

Micheal Sarver
The best country song of the bunch but got over-shadowed by the better, non country singing.

Ahhou's Sayornara of the Week:
Megan Joy Corkrey
I don't like her. The quirkiness just don't work on me.

Lil Rounds
The singing is actually ok. But her interruption and hard selling at the end pisses many. She needs to learn to shut up and listen.

Scott MacIntyre
At least Paula is not on high on this one. Clearly he is taking loads of pity votes. Again, he do not deserve to be in the competition. Period.

I'm rooting for Matt Giraud!!!

American Idol 8 - Top 13

2009-03-11T23:41:00.001+08:00

Season 8 of American Idol has been great so far.

Prior to the how-am-I-not-surprised Top 13 finalist annoucement,
Ahhou's favourite - Kris Allen who sang the Man In The Mirror.
Perfect rendition and smart stage charisma.

I don't know why, I can only recall him the best compared the few who seem a little over the top.
However, after the watching the Top 13 performanes,
Ahhou's choice of the week has changed.
Here goes...

Ahhou's Pick of the Week:
Matt Giraud
I always thought he has the best vocal, although his ending falseto not really happening. How I wish I had his voice. "Justin Timberlake" was not found this week.

Adam Lambert
Clever bad ass gothic. My mum was constantly telling me how she likes his smiles.

Danny Gokey
Husky, brilliant singing. Reminds me of Elliot Yamin, minus the bitterness.

Ahhou's choice "Not great, but not bad":
Kris Allen
Used to be my favourite. Very disappointing this week with the stupid song.

Lil Rounds & Michael Sarver
Not too bad but hardly made any impact.

Alexis Grace & Allison Iraheta
Girl rocker wannabe, but is that all?

Anoop Desai
Not as bad as the judges would think though. Perhaps singing very wordy "They Don't Care About Us" will do better?

Ahhou's choice "Sayornara of the week":
Megan Joy
Boring. She thinks she is Colby Calliat; little does she know she is way far from that.

Jasmine Murray & Jorge Nunez
Totally forgetable. I can only remember both has got big mouth.

Scott MacIntyre
Not readily deserve the spot of Top 13. The singing is just plain. If he ever stays, he's winning by compassionate votes, and loads of them.

But one thing for sure, the dudes are much better than the ladies this year!!!

Between Skudai and Kluang

2009-03-08T12:08:00.004+08:00

By hitting back to the blog sphere again, I shall continue with my previous discoveries down South. I always have this kinda thought that Johor food sucked and hence work trips down South were not really an anticipating journey for me nowadays.

And the belief has been busted after the recent visit. I must thank JayT for bringing me around (other than work) for food and literally opened up my taste buds and to gain somewhat little glimpse of hope on Johorian food once again.

It was at tight schedules after touching down at the Senai's Sultan Ismail International Airport. It seemed like the airport was in the midst of upgrading works; long walk to the new but simple, LCCT-look-a-like arrival hall. The hall was very basic with taxi services and some unnecessary counters like the Celcom Broandband. I certainly do not understand if anyone will enquire broadband services at the airport when the airport already has so many free of charge.

I got picked up by JayT and Y; and there goes... headed straight to Kluang for work. Alright, work stuffs aside here.

Kluang, central but inner piece of Johor gave me the impression of a quiet, simple little town. We had lunch but I resisted myself for not taking any shots of the food and restaurant simply because I just don't want to lose my cool as professional in front of my customers. And here I am now, forgetting the name of the restaurant already. Damn it.

The highlight of the day started when Y bought JayT and myself coffee breaks after a long day at Kluang. We were at an ordinary local coffee shop somewhere in the middle of a unknown residential area. I absolutely have no idea where abouts. So lost. Too bad I didn't even know of their very popular local coffees. Not knowing Kluang for it's famous coffee makings and never even heard of Kluang Station, I know, it was a shame.

It was Kluang Lim Restaurant. The local coffee, made from the Kluang coffee beans was good. The aroma, the fragrance transpirated in the air while stirring the coffee... it was thick and it was heavy. Coffee lover like me, absolutely love it.

The best part was when Y brought us to the factory, yup that's right, the factory that produced the very famous Kluang coffee powders. I was jokingly laughing when JayT was mentioning about the television brand of coffee powder but then I realised it is REALLY a 'Cap Televisyen' Kluang Coffee Powder Factory.

The coffee aroma right after stepping into the main entrance... was irresistible. They do sell pre-packed containers of coffee powder sachets and I must thank Y for his generosity for buying me those coffees as post-CNY gifts. A huge one though, 100 packed sachets.

With no fancy designs, this simple factory had the hall of fame displaying numerous Singaporean artistes that had visited this little shack. Free advertisements and very good marketing too. I don't understand the hype about Singaporeans but I certainly do not see that working, definitely not on me.

The long day from Senai to Kluang marked an end as I found a place for the night with the help from JayT. After listening to Steve's exaggerated ghostly encounters at the neighbouring budget hotel, the Suan Bee Hotel, die die I would not want to stay there. After some scouting efforts, I decided on the reasonably priced, non-star rated, The Kingston Hotel, at Skudai area I think.

For the price that I'm paying which was less than RM100 per night with a queen size bed. I thought it was value for money and it had the very crucial facility above all... the free wifi. I just can't leave without wifi now. The Kingston's facilities was decent. The in-room lighting are little too dim would be my only complaint. The toilet is expected to be not as big but it did fine with me. I can do more than a split in the toilet... Hahaha... The little pedestal piece above the wash basin was somehow fixed wrongly in my opinion, a little too big and too low in position. Whenever I rinse my mouth or when I brush my teeth that I had to bend forward, my head almost bang onto it.

I had cold sweat all over when I first found out that the materials for work on the next day could not be found. Panic attack!!! It was so stressful rushing through the presentation materials but thank God I survived, manage to retrieve the lost files. With the company of American Idol aired on Singapore channels, I spent my night very productively, along with rantings over the instant messagers.

The accommodation package also includes morning breakfast for two on ala carte basis at the in houses Restaurant Bamboo. The hotel cafeteria was surprisingly empty on a weekday morning. Hardly any patrons... but then again the Singaporean 'effects' seemed to be everywhere. What's wrong with the Johorians anyway? They were once Malaysian too!

The ala-carte menu gave me the option for English breakfast with local coffee (Oh yes, the same rich and thick coffee I had the day before). The portion was not great and too small for me and I had to order for the second Nasi Lemak set which was way better.

So, as sinful as it can be, I stuffed both breakfast set with my belly full. Those peanuts and anchovies were just too much to handle... The aftermath...

Heading back to work as I anticipated the moment of guest-lecturing the architectural students of UTM. It just reminded me of the university days, those blank stares at the teachings when my mind went somewhere else. I missed those days seriously. However, the students were not to be under-estimated, they were awesome and I enjoyed the session thoroughly.

JayT brought me to his favourite wantan noodles in Skudai (Correction from JayT, it is in Johor Jaya) in which I was very skeptical at first after my last disastrous encounters of wantan noodles in Batu Pahat. I would always thought tomato or chili sauce made very very bad combination with the soya sauce based wantan noodles. They just don't go together.

It was at the Pontian Wantan Noodles Restaurant. Quite crowded with kiddy-like, colourful stools, this restaurant only sell wantan noodles. I bet if this ever open in Klang Valley, it would not survive long. Anyway, that was the impression that I had upon ordering the food for lunch.

I had wantan noodles with chili and black sauce (no, I still can't get over the previous tomato sauce type) whereas JayT's was with tomato sauce. My perception was busted!! The wantan noodles was actually very finely made and sauces was combined nicely. Perhaps I should be brave to try the tomato sauce on the next trip here. I also ordered peanut stuffed dumplings in ginger soup, but it was just plain ordinary. They called in Ah-Boling, up till now I still can't figure out how it associated with that name...

On the way to the Senai Airport, as recommended by JayT where we stopped by at the road side restaurant which was very near the junction right outside of the airport road, The Kim Wah Restaurant it is. JayT wants food for dinner and I hunt food just for plain curiosity.

The long lined up of kuihs that some I don't know the name, looked really tempting to me. I cannot resist looking at those mouth watering kuihs and I had to try at least one of each. I can tell that the seller knew I was not local and probably charged me for more though, even the portion of kuih is bigger but with just few pieces it, cost me more than RM6.

I took away the kuihs to enjoy it during my wait for the flight but caught up with Entaohwa at the airport that made me bought him coffee and a turned sour chicken curry pie that got replaced with a new one and all that happened at the Coffee Bean, I had no chance to finish the stuffs but to wrapped and checked-in those kuihs with my luggage.

My luggage stunk badly after I reach home with my kuihs all got squashed, but still consumable after micro-waving it. I like...

Tuts My Barreh (Karaoke Fail)

2009-02-13T23:46:00.007+08:00

Korean male version of "Touch My Body"
The masterpiece that will put Mariah Carey to shame.
Cannot stand it, really cannot.
But I can't help to repeat it again and again.
Gross to the maximum but absolutely entertaining!

If there is a camel up a hill,
then it's Gong Li with me when I do, I do.
If there is a camel up a hill,
then it's asbestos flaygon you too, you too.

Tuts my barreh...
Rape me in my thighs,
Uh around your ways.

I want you to caress my like a tropical priest,
Come on and give me water dessert.

Don't you like teddy bear,
You won wanna go Norway,
You will run for nothing bo,
I will give you plankton...

Come on and give me water dessert!!!

Air Asia vs Fire Fly

2009-02-08T15:38:00.009+08:00

I have been quite a frequent flier when it comes to budgeted airlines. For work or for leisure, it was not a big deal to say that I fly more often than taking public transports, simply because of the flying expenses has reduced so tremendously than before, it does hit the slogan of 'now everyone can fly'.

For once I was a regular customer of our prime airline, the Malaysia Airlines (MAS), mostly on domestic flights though. For obvious reasons, traveling has resorted to budget airlines when it comes to business trips. Yup, global economic recession in the making it is... However, I never fail to be the biggest fan of local budget airlines on my own personal holidays.

Recent domestic flight down South for work got me the opportunity to try on two different airline services one way. I have been the supporter of the tai-kor in low cost carrier, Air Asia but now I can compare. Taking Fire Fly for the first time, which is supported by the Malaysia Airlines, the experience was much better than I'd have imagine...

Air Asia.
Known for it's great deals offered to nearby travel destinations in the early years by having absolutely competitive fares compared to the Malaysian Airlines. Partially due to that it opened many eyes to many wonders of the hidden gems in South East Asia such as Yogyarkata and Siem Reap. I'm thankful to be accommodated with such affordable flying experiences in recent years that gave me the opportunity to see the world bit by bit, a little further each time I go.

When there was the only choice that we have, we ought to take it as it is and it seemed to be the best too. Price has been the steering force and success factor of Air Asia but when we start peeling the details one by one, little do we realise the shortcomings that come within. All in the excellent marketing strategies overshadowed those potholes and hence putting fellow buyers to acceptance. Do we have a choice back then?

Known facts about Air Asia:
1. Used to have delayed departure time. Many claimed that.
2. Closes the check-in counters on the dot, 1 hour before departure time. How contradictory...
3. Low Cost Carrier Terminal, LCCT is forever jam-packed.
4. No food, no drinks served in flight.
5. No seat allocation, therefore the shoulder rubbing, kiasu seat grabbing scene is a norm.
6. Horrible make-up of air stewardess (they seriously need some professional trainings)
7. Charge anything and everything else. Food, seats, priority boarding and luggage weight of only a pitiful 15kg for free (Correction: RM5 for online payment or RM10 cash at counter. Free no more... deng!)
8. Free seats. More like a hoax nowadays. Absolute excitement every time but ended up not finding the right timing or sold out tickets most of the time.

Busted myths about Air Asia:
1. It actually depart on time, as far as I have experienced. God Bless me.
2. The Airbus 320 is comfy, better if not as good as those in MAS.
3. Travel 3Sixty rocks. I smuggled a copy back home last time when they featured Cambodia in one of their issues. Shame on me.
4. In flight seats are immaculately clean. They sparkle.
5. Priority boarding is meaningless. Still need to queue even after being 'prioritised'. Boarding few minutes late didn't bring major differences, if the flight is not full, I still get to choose wherever I want to park my butt.
6. Zero fuel surcharge. The 'in' thing now. Left pocket to right pocket philosophy.

Fire Fly.
Due to flight schedule convenience, I have finally got on Fire Fly after hearing it for long. Being little skeptical at first, I was immensely surprised by the service that it put to the table. Coming as a competitor to Air Asia, Fire Fly has nothing less to offer.

Of course, the jet itself is incomparable to Air Asia as Fire Fly uses Fokker F50 aircraft with smaller passenger capacity. Only at a quarter compared to the Airbus 320. Though smaller, everything else are pretty much complete as required that are found on other, bigger aircraft. Even the safety belt and buckle are the same.

Interesting facts about Fire Fly:
1. Flight charges are lower than Air Asia, on average.
2. Seat allocation are given for free. Unlike Air Asia, boarding process has been so much organised and hassle free.
3. 18 rows of double seats on the left and right isle. That made total of 72 seater on board.
4. Check-in counters only open exactly 1 hour before departure time.
5. Allowable free luggage weight is at 20kg. Wooo.... very generous.
6. Fly through propeller system.

The friendly front desk put me at the front window seat as what I requested but soon I got my seat I was stunned to encounter the jet propeller was just right next to me, very much like less than 3 feet away. Like a giant fan, it buzzed me to deaf when the fokker took off. The entire take off process drives me insane as the buzzing sound was so great that it was sickening. No wonder it is called Fire Fly... it buzzed.

The propeller reminds me of those horror movie since childhood, Twilight Zone I still remember, some creature appearing outside the window and broken propeller went crashed into the plane. That was exactly what came to my mind at that time.

Interesting facts about Fire Fly continued:
7. Refreshments served on board. Similar but better than the Malaysian Airlines, juices and cupcakes (better than a small packet of peanuts though) were served. No big deal but it sure did capture my heart. I'm sold so easily.
8. Apart from the pilots, there are only 2 air stewardess serving the 72 seater plane.
9. The air stewardess' make up were decent. Very polite and helpful too.
10.Fokkers depart and touch down at the Subang Terminal 3 airport that makes the travel distance from home so much nearer, faster and cheaper by 50%. Love it.

I was a little too obvious trying to shot the air stewardess. Her name is Kimberly. She shy off while serving me but I manage to snap her from the back. Another one was named Hanifah. I reckon both were excellent and effecient.

The one and only issue that got me uneasy was after touching down at the Subang Terminal 3, as usual all passenger including myself was eagerly wanting to get off the plane, and then there was an announcement on air:
(As I mentioned earlier there were 18 rows in total)

"Passenger from row 11 to row 18 please proceed to..."
"We would remind all passengers from row 1 to row 10 to remain seated..."
"...to MAINTAIN STABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT, thank you."

WTF! How scary... Not so until the auntie sitting beside me (I was at row 8) stood up and start removing her packages from the storage, and everyone else gave her that surprised look but she didn't notice it. I was so worried that the plane is gonna flip or overturn...

Oh well, then it was a short walk from the runway (much nearer compared to LCCT) to the arrival hall, the Terminal 3 that is still in the midst of renovation. The layout and design of the waiting halls are very much similar to LCCT but more spacious and the indoor decor are somewhat more classy that LCCT, at least Subang Terminal 3 have got proper ceiling systems.

After collecting my luggage then proceed to get a cab back home and with the huge crowd (I assume total of 72 pax from the same fokker), I found myself at a cabin-like taxi reservation counter. The taxi fare was approximately 30% cheaper than travelling from LCCT but I expected it to be much cheaper based on the kilometre ratio.

There were very few taxis standing by but very soon all were taken and left most of us in desperado and wandering by the road side in the late evening. Apparently there were bad habits of cab drivers that refuse to take passengers or choose to be selective, simply because the driver wanted free ride to only take passenger to his desired cabbing location. Shame on them.

Fire Fly provide very good timing in terms of flight schedules but I was told that most evening flights touch down almost at the same time and therefore the sudden surge of passengers caused the vacuum in taxi services. Everyone was in the long queue including myself, I practically sat on my luggage bag for more than 30 minutes until the next cab arrived.

Everyone was tired of waiting but I was lucky to be the second in the long queue. I wonder how long they have to wait... This appears to be the only shortcoming in Fire Fly. Controllable human factor.

I foresee Fire Fly and Subang Terminal 3 to be the up and coming competitive low cost carrier to Air Asia. From the looks of it, Fire Fly can definitely overcome Air Asia after some fine tuning of it's services and can't want for the complete renovated airport.

Just like the billboard right outside of the cab waiting hall,
KLIA - 60km
LCCT - 68km
Terminal 3 - 0km
Why go so far, fly from Subang.
Way to go Fire Fly...

Make You or Break You

2009-02-04T00:43:00.002+08:00

Ok, I am going to refer this to my workplace with some predictable human behavioral issues that I truly believe creeping up many's nerves at a common. I still never stop regretting missing the subject of 'Organizational Behaviour' during the tertiary times. Not sure if it applies though but I'd consider buying that thick book for my reading pleasures.

When opportunities come along, there are no surprises that the reactions are different.

Some will of course, choose to take it.
With or without putting in effort into the process is entirely out of the picture but certainly some know exactly the 'right' time to show 'faces' and to 'speak' at the right moments, making appearance and enough highlights to showcase the 'efforts' that was put in. This is the lesson that I need to learn as I still can't get over such 'cleverly' done tactful skills at work.

But then, one can only perform such acting if, and only if, one has enough skills to work it out.

Talking cock will only get one further but not very far.
Delegations, so called, is simply pushing responsibilities to others, or sometimes earning some credits along the way without much or zero hard work.
I am seeing it happening.

If one chooses to walk on, it is a very fine line.
It will either make one a hero, or break into zero.
I guess this is how one 'climb' the corporate ladder...
Once somebody told me: this is a world of man eats man.
Very true indeed.

滚

2009-02-01T21:28:00.002+08:00

Very drama! Love the dialogue-like lyrics. Karaoke must try...

Please Don't Show Off

2009-01-15T23:01:00.003+08:00

I know R for a very long long time.
R has been the same, never change.
As annoying as R can be, the same species will gather like rats.
It's such nuisance.
A very pathetic scene to watch.

Now R has taken one step further.
The nuisances has invaded Facebook too.
Having Friendster is not enough.
R wanted more publicity and attention.
And R makes even bolder moves.
R boasts.
R shows-off like nobody's business.
But still there are many outside who worship R.
I wonder why...

Please don't show-off.
Don't R know that caused uneasiness?
I wonder do R get any tired for the energy R is putting in?
Go get some rest, stop showing off for a while.
And make world easier, at least for me.

I bet if R read this R don't even realise what the heck I'm saying here.
Sigh...

What Pain is That?

2009-01-09T01:42:00.005+08:00

I never felt this kinda sensation before.
The sharp pain, just like needles poking through my flesh,
And deep into the bone.
No, it was not ok.

First encounter was in the morning when I had my chilled drinking water from the office's water dispensary.

Second encounter was during I had my Coke Lite during dinner, perhaps supper.

Third encounter was during my first try of the Orange Dream McFlurry and the McFlurry sucked big time.

And the last encounter was during my teeth rinsing after brushing it just minutes before I write this entry.

I can feel like as though a sharp knife cutting through my gums.
Current status:
I'm at excruciating pain.
I'm feeling like biting on a huge piece of ice.
Feelin' brain freezed.

I don't think I can sleep well tonight, not at all.
But the dentist praised me that I've got very healthy teeth eventhough she scaled them for almost an hour before the polishing.
It was just one week ago.

Shouldn't be tooth decay.
Not sure if it is sensitive gums.
Or maybe because of the scalings.

Fuck.
Oh god, please help me.
H-E-L-P...

Ahhou's Choice - Best Voices 2008

2009-01-06T23:31:00.008+08:00

Looking back at my iTune's playlists, how am I surprised by the number of plays of certain numbers that made me to sum up the best voices of 2008 after my last attempt a year ago. Nope, I'm still not into mainstream musics though some of the best voices around in my humble opinion are somewhat contradictory to my usual favourites. From local musics to reality tv shows and musicals, it was a lot. However, in no particular order, Ahhou's choice of top 10 best voices are... (jeng... jeng... jeng...)

1. Ryan Tedder of One Republic. Apologize has secured a huge success and the band had emerged into the mainstream airplay. The unique voice on the big hit, by far no one can sing better than the original, not even David Archuleta.

2. Jeff Probst of Survivor Gabon. Believe or not, I have been the biggest fan of the reality series ever since the first episode of the debut season but his voice had never fail to captivate the viewers attention at the tribal councils. Having the show for 13 seasons and still kickin', now he is a true survivor!

3. Chad Kroeger of Nickelback. From the collaboration with Santana on Into The Night to the band's album Dark Horse and the Astro's tv commercial theme song of Gotta Be Somebody, his husky but edgy voice is just simply awesome.

4. Jennifer Hudson. The voluptuous figure come along with those thick and sexy lips of hers made me drool since her time in American Idol. Her success in Dreamgirls and clinching the Oscar has proven the recognition and the latest single Spotlight was really good.

5. Duffy. Made known to me from the song Mercy, I cannot believe at first such funky upbeating number was sang by a blonde British girl who is only 24 years old. I strongly believe her sultry voice is gonna bring her far.

6. James Morrison. Then and again, another blue eyed British dude that I was mistaken as black singer when I first listen to You Make It Real and his earlier number like You Give Me Something. Fantastic vocal with great potentials.

7. 谢安琪, also known as Kay in short. Her sudden emergence by huge wipe out in all major awards at Hong Kong proved this mother is not a joke to be taken granted for. I like her modesty and confidence apart from her crystal clear voice in her winning cantopop song, 禧帖街.

8. Andrea Bocelli. The contemporarily best operatic singer around after the late Luciano Pavarotti. It was a very smart move of Les Mills featuring Dare To Live in Body Pump 68 of him collaborating with Laura Pausini. Absolutely love the album Incanto and The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere. Topped my iTune playlists.

9. Gary Chow, 曹格. Needless to say, the most happening local male artiste cum musician for the year 2008. Creating huge media coverage of getting married and clarification of being straight plus winning the Taiwan's Golden Melody Award did make us Malaysians proud. I have decided to choose him over Will, 黄威尔. (Updated 8 January 2009)

10. Zac Efron in The Highschool Musicals series. Not to mention those teeny-weeny bubblegum looks, this dude can really sing! I'm so surprised by his voice, potentially one of the biggest star in future.

(Updated 8 January 2009)
Special Featuring:
***Linda Chung, 钟嘉欣, definitely TVB's hottest drama series actress of 2008. A beauty pageant, an actor and now a singer. I always thought she is better of in her acting rather than singing though. Her voice in 溏心风暴, when she speaks, when she cried or even when she is mad, she never failed to make me drool, yet again and again. Absolutely love it, love it, love it.

Somehow most of the listed ones are from the end of 2008 which leads to a forgettable early of the year 2008 in ahhou's music senses. Perhaps some are quite disappointing. The American Idol borned superstars like David Archuleta, Chris Daughtry and even David Cook, whom I thought the songs are more well written then being sung.

I wonder what's in stores for 2009?

Gotta Be Somebody

2009-01-04T00:26:00.003+08:00

I dedicate the chorus to myself... and remain positive.

New Year?

2009-01-01T00:52:00.004+08:00

Now, 2009.

So what?
Please don't get me wrong...
'So-what' in a devastated state of mind, rather.
I have completely lost the excitement for new year.
Nope, I'm not on the bandwagon anymore.
But rather to consolidate myself.
Gearing for new chapter ahead?
I'll try. I hope I do.

Mixed feelings.
I know the clock is ticking real fast.
Things happened for reasons.
Trying not to look back to past year.
Shameful. Painful too.

I have not done what I'm supposed to do.
Not even a single bit.
For whatever reasons, not quite sure.
New year resolutions? Tell me about it.

For now,
I wish myself a good year a head.
Not forgetting dear you who read this post.
Happy 2009 - Have a nice one

The Sun Motor Hunt 2008

2008-12-29T15:52:00.005+08:00

After bugging the organiser and some bombarded phone calls about the application status, the team Sweet & Sour Xcape had got itself registered for the very widely publicised The Sun Motor Hunt 2008. It was quite a prompt application, even though the cut-off date was about more than 1 week to spare, little do I know of the overwhelming responses of contestants this time around. The team was held as a back up as the allocated sponsored 250 placings were all FULLY taken up but alas... after much anticipation the Sweet & Sour Xcape was absorbed as team No.113 of the almost 275 teams that got registered for the hunt.

Whoever you are that pulled out from the treasure hunt, I thank you so much!!!

Having a long day at the Canon Photomarathon just before the hunt, I had very little sleep. My face was swollen. But the members of The Sweet & Sour Xcape, JT the driver, Tweets the virgin hunter also bearing the most important role of the team, the navigator and xpeace and yours truly, ahhou as the passenger, how new combination huh? With numerous publicity and spotlights from the sponsors and media coverage prior to the event, the goodie bags has got only one word to be described - SUPERB. There were event t-shirts, coupons, drinks, newly launched perishable products, skin cares, car care products and most importantly, food vouchers that covers the breakfast and lunch and petrol expenses at the spike of the hike of price at RM2.70. By far, the most 'luxurious' free goodie bag I have ever got!

The team gathered before dawn, had light mamak breakfast and then headed over to the Sime Darby Convention Centre at 7am for the final briefing and gearing up at the starting point of the treasure hunt. All I can see was People-mountain-People-sea... with the sponsored t-shirts, it was a sight of white and greens.

Organised by the established event management, Time Out Solutions, it was huge. The event was categorised into the Masters and Public category, in which giving chances to the amateurs like me and to prevent the regulars from monopolising the game. There was also guaranteed prices for the Masters category and a reserved category for the fellow sponsors (as they dressed in red); in which I thought it was a very fair and equal game. Love their nescafe!!! Meet ChengYing too. Thank you for sponsoring the drinks!!!

I took the back seat and not really knowing the exact happening while Tweets and JT read the tulips and got directed and we went through the National Science Centre and to Mutiara Damansara and then ended up at Kota Damansara via Penchala Link for the first leg of the hunt for its first question sector. Due to the massive crowd on the go of 275 cars, a very potential leathal traffic back-log can happen at any given Malaysian streets in KL, but the COC of the event, Time Out Solutions had cleverly designed the first question sector in clusters that help dispersed all the teams with minimum traffics at a huge shop lot area, taking up 50% of the brain teasing questions of the day.

And it worked! It was the challenge to identify the logo at first that will lead to the clustered questions that were to be broken at ascending or descending order simply because of the streets were at 2 way traffic. As much as I tried, I didn't get much of the logo, perhaps because I was at the backseat that caused my limited eye sights. I know, the excuse was kinda lame. Haha...

The questions were much simpler than I thought honestly, as compared to my previous treasure hunt experience. I tend to figure too far and too much when the answers were just staring at me at some point. Nevertheless, some questions were tricky enough to get us go round and round.

Q3: Set of changes in place here.
I knew the clue lies beneath the anagram of 'in place' but other than that was nothing else. It could be scrambled letters of 'changes' that forms another word or part of a word or sentence. Now this was a tough one. Bolded in the question sheet some more.
Answer:
Indeed... the anagram was there. But instead of 'changes', it was 'set of' that was to be rearranged. The 'set of' was formed into 'etso', which will then appeared to be a shop by the name of Planet Soft. How? Plan-ET SO-ft. A good stinger there at the beginning of the race that managed to slow many teams down.

We then proceeded accordingly by the tulips, to Sunway Damansara and then rushed over to the pit stop at the McDonalds at the LDP as we initially thought of the time limit for the submission of the answers of Leg 1 after approximately 2.5 hours after being flagged off. But there wasn't any time limits actually!!! Having a short break to rejuvenate and collecting free McDonald's lunches and to buy one of the compulsory charitable treasure item, a orphanage's 2009 calender, we then moved back on track to the hunt.

While we were half way through the race, the total mileage was only at around 33km. Indeed a short route and loads of brain juice required.

How weird the tulip gave the direction from LDP to Puchong's Bandar Puteri but to go one big circle through the Seremban/Kajang route when there was a much shorter way to enter the destination? With that, we ended up again at another huge cluster of questions at Bandar Puteri Puchong for Leg 2, in which we spent lots of time here. A little too much time here I reckon.

Q21: They give you a filling based on a local hospital's edict I think.
Very obviously this had got something to do with dentistry when the clue 'filling' came up. This was easy though without much trick in between. The local hospital was actually the abbreviation of University Hospital's U-H. With the word edict, rules and regulatory is what it means.
Answer:
Bingo!!! It was U H Law Dental Clinic.

The drama began after we almost complete the Bandar Puteri sector and headed over to the next, the last question sector which was at Taman Tun Dr.Ismail. It was about 2pm at that time. I called up the organiser to confirm on the submission cut-off time and was very surprised to encounter that we were late for submission as we thought we still have an extra hour for the hunt. Leaving no choice and practically no time to spare, we sacrificed the last part of the tulips at TTDI. JT rushed us back to the starting point at Sime Darby Convention Centre with all the answers and treasure items. Traffic wasn't that helpful at all especially we were rushing so badly and have to faced with slow moving cars and traffic lights. Deng...

For one of the questions that we didn't manage to crack but I find it interesting too...
Q31: What a dog and cow have have in common?
The questions sounded rather easy. But I do think if the team try to solve it, it gonna take quite a while to figure it out. Obviously a dog and a cow have got 4 legs, both mammals, red meat etc...
Answer:
Who would have thought of reading the clue from the surface of the question? By reading the word DOG and COW, it was the letter 'O' in the centre of the word. A very nicely done cryptic clue. It was Centre Circle Galeri Audio dan Visual, the answer.

However, team Sweet & Sour Xcape managed to submit the answers of the hunt and road safety questions (which were no brainers... whoever got it wrong deserved to be shot!!!) and all items needed without disqualification but with some degree of time penalty. We started the race so well and it was indeed a waste and disgrace having a rushy ending like that. But anyway, hell ya, I did enjoyed the race.

The dinner presentation and announcement of winners at the ballroom at the same location as the starting point was alright as I even met up with PKH sitting 2 tables away from mine. It was kinda expected for not able to grab any prizes but I was especially excited when team Sweet & Sour Xcape was one of the lucky draw winners for the night. Nope we didn't get those rice cookers or any electronic stuffs, we have got ourselves a Mix FM t-shirt each, a diary and most importantly a THUMBY!!! I mean thumb drive. I like...

This was one of the best sponsored event by far of all the contests I have entered. I always believe different individuals bring different flavours and chemistry as a team when it comes to team focused event like treasure hunts. Yet and again, time management and knowledge are the main essences of the entire game. Lacking in any of these will simply drive you up the wall and ended with somewhat misery. Treasure hunts are not races, even though at time it can be very much compared to the Amazing Race if one chooses to go to the extreme, but I do like the experience that comes within the game. Prizes come second. With this, I now have got more treasure hunt questions in my hunting database and of course, more hunts to come...

To sum up the hunt,
Team Sweet & Sour Xcape started with much style and grace;
but we fell short and ended with a bit of shame, well... just a little bit...

Canon Photomarathon Malaysia 2008

2008-12-16T12:35:00.004+08:00

Being a person who barely know much about photography and cameras, my sheer joy and excitement in snapping photographs are very much driven by the satisfaction of being able to capture the 'moment', be it candid or celebration, I always love to have them freeze-framed in my little digital art of photograph albums, my little safe keeping of my past and memories.

I have enrolled myself in a photography contest for the first time. Can't even labeled myself as amateur; yes, I'm a virgin (wait...) in these sort of competition (I know you dirty minded...). Curiosity kicked-in plus a great amount of kiasu-ness in me, I joined Hamyu and ceLeong and tagging along was GG in the Malaysia's chapter of the infamous Canon Photomarathon Asia 2008, on the 1st November not long ago.

The day started way too early as before dawn I have already dreadfully dragging myself off the bed while many are still having their sweet snooze on a Saturday morning. Arrival at the sponsored venue, Berjaya Times Square around 7am after picking up GG, I was caught surprised by the tremendous crowd endlessly lined up in front of the main entrance of the shopping mall. All I can see was barriers everywhere and soon after found out that the registration counter was opened in 2 separate categories:

The hardcore DSLR fevers- on the DSLR line that snaked circle and around until the line reached the main road. Luckily Hamyu and ceLeong got pre-registered, cut the queue by a lot.

The digital compact users- Hehe... excuse me, moi category. Queued for a about few minutes and then straight away jumped into the counters as GG and I had previously registered online. Yippie!!!

With zero contest fee and no application form to fill up, entering the Canon Photomarathon is such a breeze. Just flash the camera and with pre-registration, immediately I was given the goodie bag for the day. I must say, BRAVO to the marketing team of the Canon. How fantastically I was given a cap, a polo collar shirt, all in bright red colours and even snacks, drinking water, maps and race itinerary, and pre-packed breakfast too. How detailed it was that includes a small towel (expected a hot day under the sun) and they even provide sufficient small pins to attach the logo to the t-shirts. Considerably one of the most detailed goodie bag ever!!!

Of course, there was give and take. Made compulsory by the organiser, each of us must wear the sponsored attire, in which I don't mind at all. In fact, the t-shirt looked quite good too. Excellent marketing promotion by Canon. Smart-arses.

As the queue stretched long that made the competition started a little later than it's stipulated time, we managed to changed and cam-whored, nutting around with the cameras.

The competition allocated 8 hours of continuous opportunity of photographing within the vicinity from the starting point of Berjaya Times Square and by walking, yes,ON-FOOT!!! all the way to Pavilion, the second pitstop of the photomarathon after a time limit of 2 hours and then walk again to Suria KLCC for the third pitstop after the next 2 hours. What's next? The photomarathon did not end at Suria but we have to WALK all the way back to Berjaya Time Square to electronically transfer our 'babies' for the contest submission. Long day ahead...

The flagging off ceremony was completed by the Canon CEO (if I'm not mistaken) with lots of media and the red crowd was just spectacular. They even held a giant LCD screen displaying the count down of the photomarathon of 435 minutes from the start. And I felt just like little red ant. I like...

The flag-off ceremony revealed the 1st theme of the day:
Indulge Metropolitan

Pardon me if my England is bad. What does that actually mean? I know, creativity plays it part in these challenges, but not with some phrase that comes with probable grammatical error? Anyway... The theme left everyone rather... confused. But the red crowd still spurred into all directions hunting for the scene that suited the first theme while slowing making our way to the next pitstop, Pavilion the next 2 hours.

Whilst wanting to match the 1st photo theme with food in the city. My search was basically around food stalls and restaurants but there are hardly any open on such early morning weekend other than mamak stalls. Thus, observing the fellow photographers around the street was a great pleasure too. We, the red ants basically hog and owned the entire junction of Jalan Sultan Ismail!!!

Indeed... this was one of the favourite spot for everyone to capture whatever-that-is-relevant-but-I-hardly-see-any motion going on. But, it was an absolute attention getter for the on-lookers. Again, thumbs up to the marketing strategy of Canon.

On the sideline though, strange encounter of my humble self of the behaviours of the fellow photographers when one comes so into what he or she is doing... Normally we would just stand and shot, or some may lean against the fire hydrant like this one...

Some will choose to squat down (with those huge lenses...)

Also tried kneeling down...

Or even simply... lying down on the street...

In which I doubt they all worked. It is all about technique yo... and a little bit of luck. Not forgetting our very own Hamyu doing his ninja-turtle act... :-p

On the way walking under the hot sun behind the alleys and busy streets of the town on a weekend, there were nothing much to snap. But I do came across some interesting sights, rather artistic to me though. Not sure if its suited the first theme of 'Indulge Metropolitan', but I do personally like the shits... I mean the shots. It was reflections of the glass facade of one of the sky scrappers in the city, with flocks of clouds and adding to the contrast of the feel of it, the dried up branches that was in front of the building. To me, it was more of the after effect of the indulgence in a city life, that was nicely represented by the dying vegetation, it brought the meaning of a city life of tiredness and sickness. Sad right... but yet so abstract. I like...

I seriously do not think the panel of judge will get my meaning of the picture and most probably will ended up in the recycle bin. Therefore, I'm keeping this for myself. Huhuhu...

Another interesting signboard found on Planet Hollywood,

The photomarathon continued with not much surprises as I didn't really get what I wanted for the 1st theme and we were early to the next pitstop at Pavilion when the mall was not even open for business yet! Seeing hundreds of men and women with handheld camera queueing in front of the mall was indeed intimidating but we were very sternly shoo-ed away by the security of the mall even though we were trying to shoot the building from the outside. One word said it all, plain RUDE.

Can't blame them completely though. Apparently the management of Pavilion was only informed of the event took place in it's premises but they have little idea that there will be hundreds of people snapping pictures gushing into one of it's tenant on the 3rd floor, The Canon Concept Store. Whatmore when photo and filming is prohibited in shopping mall, and it is huge and classy one like Pavilion.

By gushing to the Canon Concept Store before the pitstop time, many of the photographers were running wild in the mall itself, breaking the rules by taking pictures everywhere. Even the security guards can't do much with so many of us. At approximately 10am, the gate finally opened and a little clue card was given to each and everyone.

So, the second pitstop at Pavilion revealed the 2nd theme of the day:
Mess in Rules

OMG, it was definitely not as easy as it seemed. I had not taken any good ones for the first theme and here's the second one that ain't any easier. I try to be creative, trying hard to think outside of the box... All I know is that I needed some scene that looked unorganised in a very organised way... Oh well... never mind.

By having extra new storage memory cards, I enjoyed my day very much by taking shot after shot like nobody's business. Not to my knowledge of my beloved camera battery is giving me problems this time. With literally 'unlimited' space of memory to spare, I took shot after shot without realising my battery was running out... at a very critical moment in Pavilion... It went dead. WTF!!!

After a light refreshment and breakfast prepared by the organiser, we have decided to take a break and took a quick sip at the coffee shop in Pavilion that was same floor as True Fitness. I almost, was that close to run into the gym and give myself a shower at that time because I was all tired and sticky. But I didn't. I don't have a towel. How nice if they provide towels too... I had my favourite, the Kopi with the fried char-kueh, my all time perfect combination.

I have no choice but to make my way with the rest to Suria KLCC for the third pitstop while restarting my camera over and over again as it can still manage to sustain a few more shots to go until I got a replacement battery. Apparently, there was no camera shop at all if walking on foot all the way from Pavilion to KLCC. And as when I approached KLCC from the back entrance near a car park where most LM instructors like to park their vehicle during the quarterly workshop, I saw this...

What a shame!!! But this may be good for my second theme though... Shortlisted.
Also, to compare, I have got this photo that was shot right outside of Pavilion exit. The alley of all restaurants and the karaoke centre. It matched the 'Mess in Rules' theme though, all symmetrical lines and boxes with particular one out of place with red rimmed.

Again, shortlisted for the submission of the second theme, but in the end I didn't use this either...

So, the photomarathon continued to Suria KLCC, the third pitstop whereby the participants once again hogged another Canon Concept Store in the mall. Same as unorganised as the previous stations, the 3rd theme of the day was revealed:
Goes Green

The first thing that come to my mind was this scene...

Of course it was not going to be this simple...

Everyone was so excited of the stupid theme that was given at the last leg. I wonder why some of them was so happy about it until jumping up and down of it. Everyone of us still need to make our way back to Pavilion and all the way back to Berjaya Times Square when there was more than 4 hours to go. No brainer.

But still... I haven't solved my problem of having shortage of battery. Tenants sold unoriginal Canon batteries but it was pricey. I decided risking it by trying my luck on the way to the starting point where I can get one in the Golden Triangle area.

That's me pondering around without my battery. Dead.

And I did!!! I managed to buy one at one of the hidden corner shop in Sungai Wang Plaza. Reasonable price. With that, Ahhou is back to life and coming back into action...

After making the long walk back to the starting point, the crowd was still early. Many were still cracking their head, browsing through own cameras for selection of the final photo for the submission of each of themes. I did struggle to find mine. Not that I have many to choose from, but none are great shots. I know it was beyond comparisons of my little IXUS 65 to the sophisticated models nowadays, but I did find my best, yup, the so-called best among the worst...

As a result of finalisation, I had reached a decision on the first theme of the day, the 'Indulge Metropolitan' to be something like this...

I like the candid shot of the tourist getting confused and lost at the cross junction of Jalan Sultan Ismail but all in I have to decide on another one which is this...

I like the food scene at the back streets of the city. Although it didn't show the Metropolitan essence much, but it was well represented by the graffiti wall by the side. Then and again, not sure if the panel of judges got the meaning, but I did submitted this one.

Then on the second theme, "Mess in Rules" was certainly not a easy one.
I managed to capture a line of school kids queueing from KLCC to the school bus. Messy kids in lines... but I still think this was not good enough.

Instead, I have decided on the relfection shot that I took outside of the Aloha Pub near the Heritage row. I like the crooked motocyclist. Wicked.

Whereas the last theme of the day, "Goes Green", I was contemplating between having a wacky shot of the road show outside of Sungai Wang Plaza with the Maxis mascots...

Or maybe something more global, something more represented as a globe...

Nah, this was not good at all...

But I finally decided to go back to basics, delivering a simple shot or tree roots that can be found anywhere along the road. The growing of new roots, a little gross in the first place though but it shows generation of new life and basically going green again. I know... maybe a little too deep to understand, but I insisted this one to be submitted for the last theme of the day.

The transfer counter was at a breeze though, very efficient I must say with the very friendly station helpers. The only downfall of it will be, after downloading the photos to the main server, they changed my file name in the camera that my camera was unable to read the file anymore. I ended up have to figure out my way to retrieve it back using other devices back home.

The crowds got no other places to go to while waiting for the announcement of winners that was supposedly held 2 hours after the end of photo submission. It was a huge mess I reckon. People were scattered around everywhere, and of course that was an eye pleasing scene to anybody. It was warm and it was stuffy.

An surprise meet up with the long lost ex-beauty queen and Fear Factor Malaysia's comrade, Devi with her DSLR. Great fun meeting her again. I was looking forward for some FFM gathering one of these days.

On top of all the happenings on the very long and tiring day, the theme song of Canon was amazingly composed. I have no idea where and what the title was, but the song was rockish and I absolutely love it. I hope I can find on Youtube and post it here. It was played throughout whole day but it didn't bored me at all. I'm loving it.

The announcement and winner presentation started very very late. A great delay from the stipulated time aby almost more than 2 hours. By that time, everyone was tired and hungry. The another downfall of the day despite all the fantastic preparation for the event. Perhaps overwhelming responses from the crowd, so can't blame the organiser entirely. We sat beside the entrance of Berjaya Times Square after we got so 'enough' of walking and waiting, and what did we do? We cam-whored!!! Of course.

Not forgetting some of the great shots taken by Hamyu, ceLeong and GG for the day. With much lacking of sleep and physical workout, my eye bags were huge.

The hardcore photography lover, Hamyu, looking tired as well.

And GG, a shot taken somewhere near the back end of KLCC where she totally lost her composure. I wonder what did she encounter?

All in I thought it was a great day to start with but ended with a bit of shame. Did I win then? Of course not. The winners were so-so. The winning photo didn't blow me away though, perhaps the judges had different opinions.

For the digital compact category, the winners photos click here.
For the DSLR category, the winners photo click here.

I do not have a DSLR and I don't even have a digital camera with image stabiliser and yet I'm so shamelessly enrolled into this contest. I did had fun and it was a good experience. I'm definately coming for next year. Somehow... it sparked. It sparked and manifested my intention to get myself a good camera.

A DSLR maybe.

Just Stand Up (To Cancer)

2008-12-03T20:43:00.012+08:00

Left to right:
Keyshia Cole, Fergie, Leona Lewis, Ciara, Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, Mary J Blige, Beyonce (what's wrong with her hair?), Miley Cyrus (I thought Kelly Clarkson derserved the spot more than this little duckling), Rihanna, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield (also took over LeAnne Rime's), Nicole Scherzinger (supposedly Sheryl Crow)

Never give up to cancer. Just Stand Up, sang by 13 Diva of all time. Excellent lyrics.

Every thing will be alright...
The heart is stronger than you think,
It's like it can go through anything,
And even when you think it can't,
It finds a way to still push on though.

Sometimes you want to run away,
Ain't got the patience for the pain,
And if you don't believe it,
Look into your heart the beat goes on

I'm tellin' you,
Things get better, through whatever,
If you fall, dust it off,
Don't let up, don't you know,
You can go be your own miracle,
You need to know...

Chorus:
If the mind keeps thinking you've had enough,
But the heart keeps telling you...
Don't give up,
Who are we to be questioning,
Wondering what is what,
Don't give up, through it all,
Just stand up!

It's like we all have better days,
Problems getting all up in your face,
Just because you go through it,
Don't mean it got to take control, NO...
You ain't gotta find no hiding place,
Because the heart can beat the hate,
Don't wanna let your mind,
Keep playin' you and sayin' you can't go on...

I'm tellin' you,
Things get better, through whatever,
If you fall, dust it off,
Don't let up, don't you know,
You can go be your own MIRACLE,
You need to know...

Chorus
Through it all, just stand up!

You don't gotta be a prisoner in your mind,
If you fall, dust it off,
You can live your life, yeah...
Let your heart be your guide,
Yeah, yeah, yeah...

And you will know that you're good,
If you trust in the good,
Everything will be alright, yeah...
Light up the dark if you follow your heart,
And it will get better,
Through whatever...

Chorus

You got it in you, find it within,
You got in ya, find it within now,
You got in you, find it within,
You got in ya, find it within now,
You got in you, find it within,
Find it within you, find it within...
Through It All, Just Stand Up!

Up North To Wei Chien's Big Day

2008-11-27T17:05:00.007+08:00

A blog entry that got overdued for almost 3 months...
It was on the 13th day of September where Hitam-Manis, Hamyu, A-Kin and myself had our long journey up North to Penang to congratulate Wei Chien & Apple (Not Kelly, I always thought that she suited the name Apple much better...) for tieing the knot after the many years of the marathon of relationship.

As usual, the journey was much fun-filled and by having A-Kin on board, it was just extra fun by listening to his never ending stories of relationships and funny job experiences. The out-of-the-world or rather living-his-own-world image of him has got completely wiped out as conversations were somewhat good. If you are reading this A-Kin, great pleasure catching up with you after so long!!!

It was rare, rather the first time getting the ride by Hitam-Manis. Despite my numerous attempts to step on the imaginary breaks; I must applaud her considerably good driving skills! We brave ourselves into the Ipoh town in the early morning even though none of us knew the directions well, basically 'hantam' our ways into the food places blindly, solely depending on the remains of the memories of the many previous visits that we had in the early of the year.

Deng, I forget to bring the Northern Peninsula Food Guide Book with me... as we wanted to try out the dim sum breakfast at Foo Sun, we have absolutely no idea where we went until we ended up near our familiar treasure hunting route with Maskula High Gras near Excelsior Hotel and found Ming Court Restaurant, 明阁香港点心 instead.

The dim sum gave no surprises as it was just alright. For a light breakkie that wasn't enough, we headed to another side of the town were we accidentally found the actual Foo Sun Restaurant but then we headed over to a coffee shop called Lok Wee Koi 乐会居 instead for round 2 of brunch.

I had the local specialty of Hor-Hee, 河嘻 that was made from light chicken soup with basically nothing else but some types of fish pastes and fish balls. Not to my liking as I found it rather too plain.

Well another must have gotta be the smooth and cooling soya bean at Funky Mountain. Yet and again... quenching the thirst on the sunny afternoon; Bestest at all time... Check out the long queue of vehicle lining up for it!

We then continued the journey non-stop until we reach Penang. It was still very early in the day as the greeting ceremony of the wedding had just ended so we decided to hang out in one of the shopping mall near Perai that was not very far from Chai Leng Park. As engineers, how we are not amazed by some of the outrageous structural designs that wasn't as easy as it seemed... The extra long elevator spanning across the floor of the shopping mall with no supporting beams? Good stuff.

Or even spiral staircase with no actual supporting structures that was cantilevered around a huge circular column, sitting on tiny square hollow sections that were only 1 inch by 1 inch? Simple but rather useful design. Gosh... may be one day engineers are not needed anymore...

Big Head finally got free after caught busy being the bestman of the wedding and met us up in the mall and then headed over to C-Hsia's hide out to wash up and prepare for the dinner of the night. It was a nice dinner I reckon. The food was above average and Wei Chien even had special singer presentations too. One of the major highlight of the night would definitely be the BOCOR of the stocking of the singer at her upper left thigh area. Plus the exaggerated movements, she made it worse and the puncture become too obvious to the eyes of the audiences. Even the aunties were laughing at her. Poor her... we were laughing at her socks and yet she thought we were cheering for her singing...

By the way, great dancing by Wei Chien & Apple. You guys rocked!!!

The great reunion of the peeps from all over, I truly enjoyed the night. It brought back memories of some of the best moments of my life. YUM SENG my dear friends!!!

I must thank Hamyu for having such wonderfully done clips. It just mesmerises me everytime I played it back. Love the song by Fish Leong. I missed the old time. I missed the carefree period. I missed the study time. I missed the yumcha and late night mamaks... definitely something for me to cherish.

We crashed at C-Hsia's very comfy nest until the next morning where we were got waken up by Big Head as early as 8am in the morning. Nope, none of us bothered to wake up so early to entertain him... so he waited for us. Hahaha... we actually took our time and then had light breakfast at the coffee shop and then headed to Gurney Plaza for singing session.

Big Head's dandruff... Eeeeewww...

Probably got amused by the singer last night, we had the happy hour package of the day. Clearly, it was a day where everyone got not enough of sleep. Check this out, caught in the act of sleeping. Biggest sin of the day. Wake up people!!!

With great hospitality from Big Head (I thank you for your patience, Big Head...) and C-Hsia, we were brought to another food savouring session at a corner shop at Lebuh Keng Kwee where it's famous Cendol Ice and Penang Asam Laksa. Indeed, claimed to be one of the Best Asam Laksa in Penang. No joke. This is just a scene of the crowd queueing up for the Cendol Ice. We were there for almost an hour but the crowd never sudside a single bit.

This is the best Asam Laksa in Penang. I wonder how true is that but seriously this is by far the BEST I ever had. Extra floss of fishes and lemon squeezes. Thinking of it makes my mouth go watery again... slurpee...

Can't remember about the price though, but at the portion of the serving, I can only remember that the food is not cheap.

On the way back before the Simpang Ampat toll plaza on the North South Highway, it is the well known hilly area of the Ipoh exit. The warning signages were very clear, very much so and visibly displayed on the side of the road. However... instead of asking fellow driver to go slow, the interpretation to the drivers were asked to test their breaks now (sekarang)?

And even 'telling' fellow drivers that their vehicle is gonna lost control by having breaks failure at 1.5km ahead?? WTF?

Speculations on The Winner of Amazing Race Asia 3

2008-11-17T00:10:00.006+08:00

Last season there was a Sony commercial of Adrian & Colin, the winner of Amazing Race Asia season 2. Infact all top 3 got Sony's commercial, just that Adrian & Colin's are the longest whereas Pamela & Venessa, the runner up and the third place of Marc & Rovilson has got shorter ads respectively.

By repeating the history, the predictions of the winner of The Amazing Race Asia Season 3 is much possible be the Hong Kong boys as their Sony Cybershot Digital Cam is out now, and it is at full length. Check this out...

But other speculation on the net said The Amazing Race Asia Season 1 launch party was held in Malaysia and the Malaysia team won. Same with season 2 launch party held in Singapore and the Singapore team won. Then, The Amazing Race Asia season 3 launch party was held in the Philippines in last September 2008 so there must be a reason behind that. They can choose to launch in Hong Kong but why in the Philippines? So, very contradictory to the other predictions of result...

This even wackier... more like supertitions to me..
The Amazing Race Asia Season 1 - Leg 10
1st Andrew & Syeon
2nd Joejer & Zabrina
3rd Sandy & Fransesca

The Amazing Race Asia Season 1 - Finale
1st Joejer & Zabrina
2nd Sandy & Fransesca
3rd Andrew & Syeon

The Amazing Race Asia Season 2 - Leg 10
1st Marc & Rovilson
2nd Colin & Adrian
3rd Pamela & Vanessa

The Amazing Race Asia Season 2 - Finale
1st Colin & Adrian
2nd Pamela & Vanessa
3rd Marc & Rovilson

See the pattern? See the curse being the first prior to the finale?
The Amazing Race Asia Season 3 - Leg 10
1st Ida & Tania
2nd Geoff & Tish
3rd Vince & Sam

The Amazing Race Asia Season 3 - Finale?
1st Geoff & Tish
2nd Vince & Sam
3rd Ida & Tania

How good analysis!!!
Anyway, speaking of the team that deserve to win the most, it has to be in the order of...
1st Ida & Tania
2nd Vince & Sam
3rd Geoff & Tish

It doesn't really matters who got the 2nd or 3rd placing, because both teams sucked. I prefer the Hong Kong team of their personality, the Philipino team just don't cut it.

Amazing Race Asia - Episode 8-10 Malaysia Boleh!

2008-11-16T21:00:00.009+08:00

Episode 8 kicked started with a huge advantage to the Hong Kong boys as clearly Macau is their homeland as they continue to surge ahead, throwing huge lead infront of the rest of the pack.

My favoirite roadblock of the this season thus far will be 233m bungee jump from the Macau Tower. An absolute adrenaline rush I reckon. It was almost 4 times higher than the one jump that I did years ago of only 60m. However, the 233m jump was somehow supported by extra cables and the jump actually looked a bit too straight. I guess the additional support has somehow reduces the free fall acceleration of gravity. Not as scary as it seemed. If I'm one of the racer, this is my game, the 233m bungee jump.

It was indeed very saddening to see Henry and Bernie being eliminated from the race as they have been my favourite from the beginning of the season and yes, they played it very well too. Perhaps luck wasn't on their side and by picking the wrong detour of FILL in completing the Indian rice powder to fill intricate designs was clearly more time consuming than delivering fishes.

Ida and Tania making a come back after a 30 minute penalty was truly unbelieveable. Even though my hope of having both Malaysian in the top 3 didn't happened, but the Malaysian Mum's spirit and shear detemination has inspired me deeply.

The race always proves that with great courage and determination, nothing is impossible. Ida & Tania has once again played it strong and well by securing the second place. I thought by opening Indian's pheta was disrespectful to the Indians though but the Sony Handycam's jokes recording task was very lame. Zero skills tested. A high note worth mentioning is by choosing the tougher Detour, the Push cart with 75 pottery products in a rickshaw that looked much difficult; but how amazing Ida & Tania have pulled it through... They should have done the crushing/juicing sugarcane task as they can use their sex appeal in selling the sugarcane juices. I believe they can claim the No.1 spot if they really do that. I wonder if there is any advantages to Tania and Fuzzie in this episode as they seemed to speak Indian?

No surprise that AD & Fuzzie got 'U-turn'ed. It was a compulsory move and it was strategic one. I pity Fuzzie for being that physically drained after the tasks. They were lucky for not getting eliminated as again, expected, Episode 9 is a non-elimination leg.

And then it was Episode 10, the prelude to the finale of the most exciting season yet. It was a show down between the teams to claim the final 3 spot. I thought the clue searching in the Al-Alam Palace was relatively easy compared to the previous challenges. But if I were in the race, I would have screwed very badly in the counting game. I never got countings right as first attempts. I will go nuts...

Looking at Geoff & Tisha struggling back and forth of the Detour of searching through the carpets and the nut counting, I was like "very well, keep delaying...", it opened door to the other teams to catch up. The final roadblock at Wadi Tanuf and the Tyrolean traverse at a canyon gap was THE favourite challenge so far. It was amazing.

Ida ROCKS!!!
She single-handedly beated Sam beautifully. How nice... The moment Ida passed Sam on the rope... it got me jumped off the couch, screaming all over!!! Female with weaker upper body strength outplayed a younger male by a great distance... What else can I say... It was a shame for Sam & Vince for not completing the task and entering the final leg with a 4 hour time penalty. It was unfair. Any time equalisation for flight will make them catch up again in the next leg. They should have been eliminated, I guessed that if it is AD instead if Fuzzie who did the tranversed cable rowing, they would have stayed in the race. They knew what's the challenge, and yet letting Fuzzie did it. Digging own grave I called it.

Shocker of the season:
Henry & Bernie eliminated in Episode 8

Favourite race of the weeks:
Ida Nerina

Don't deserved to continue the race:
Sam & Vince

Best moment of the season:
Ida overtaking Sam on the Tyrolean traverse challenge

Who would have believe making a huge comeback of Ida & Tania. Determination did paid off after all. Being an underdog, they are now a force to be reckon with. I seriously hope they both perform well in the finale. Malaysia boleh!!!

Despite numerous speculation on the net saying either Geoff & Tish or Sam & Vince to win the race, I'm rooting for the Malaysians.

Ahhou's prediction for the finale standings:
1st: Ida & Tania
2nd: Geoff & Tish
3rd: Sam & Vince

The Decision

2008-11-14T10:56:00.002+08:00

It came unexpectedly and I was not prepared for it at all. I was too pampered by the luxury of what I enjoyed at the moment. As much as I wanted the change, the inevitable change, I was caught off guard.

The big question that has boggling me for the past few days, to go or not to go?

Seeing the vast opportunity and exposure, I have the sudden urge of nodding to it but I didn’t. It was a huge struggle to come up with lots of rationale and considerations to take up the challenge, letting go the comfort life that I’m not supposed to be having at this point of my life right now.

Discussing with some close friends I was amazed on how they can comprehend the thoughts that were running through my mind and how they know me well, of course, there are some who don’t know a single thing about me at all. I thank you for all the precious opinions and comments in helping me to make the right decision. I seriously appreciated it.

Sometime in life we need to make sacrifices. Nothing comes for free and we can never have the best of both worlds. I had to follow my gut and to seriously think what do I really want and what matters the most to me.

Clearly, it was a choice between family and career.

Despite having massive experience in rapid growing mainland of different language and working cultures, I do not want to be away for 6 hours of flight from home. Yes, money played its role in luring me over but I have yet to succumb to it. Indeed, it was way to tough to make the decision even though deep down inside my heart I think I had the answer with me since the beginning.

I think I am in denial.
It was complicated.

"I know it is good to be a family man; but you have to think of your career too..."
Very very well said. This words keep me in deep ponders and it seriously put me in doubt if my decision is the right one.

However,
The decision has been made.
I shall not turn back.
And I hope I don’t regret looking at it one day.

I have not been the materialistic person. Money is not everything.
I would rather earn a little lesser than to leave my family behind.
It is my responsibility to be here.
I choose my family over career.

Premiering Travelogue From Siem Reap

2008-11-07T18:13:00.005+08:00

As much as I want to keep to my words of having increased efficiency in the blogsphere, the travelogue didn't out as planned before. Nevertheless, with having bits of time and access to the internet, I shall make the PREMIERE of the travelogue in a very simple direction...

Where is Ahhou now???
Area of interest: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Exact location: Internet station of Shadow of Angkor, overseeing the muddy Siem Reap River

My humble self, pinkbubbly, jazz2dmax and uncle steve and wife were on some hectic, super dusty adventures to the Temples of Angkor. Walking was the main activity revolved at the past 2 days and it shall be the same for the few more days of exploration to the exotic temples, of course, not to be missed the some ultra camwhoring experiences and video candid moments that can keep me smiling everytime I watch them.

Long walk... aftermath from the first day on slippers and on subsequent days to super powderful tours has made wondefully done of BLISTER on each of the little toes...

Time to shower, it is 5:27PM local time... time for some food stuffin' too...
What an abrupt way to end a blog entry. Crappy...

I'm loving Siem Reap by the way...

Introducing... Ahhou's Travelogue

2008-11-05T00:05:00.006+08:00

In about 6 hours time, Ahhou's flying on a jet plane.
The most anticipated trip after 6 months of waits and planning has finally arrived.

To be more blog-efficient, I'm introducing Ahhou's Travelogue, a new label for a little space for blog-on-the-go. I'm seriously looking forward for some free internet access at foreign countries simply to blog LIVE along my journeys throughout. Hope it works well...

With that, Ahhou signing out now...
Will be back...better, smarter, ROUNDER!!!

Amazing Race Asia 3 - Episode 7 - Saved Again!

2008-10-29T23:33:00.005+08:00

I was imagining myself as one of the racers in the Amazing Race Asia again in the last episode when the teams were stranded in Macau. How surprisingly this seasons when all the race destinations are in the greater China region... Perhaps a little disadvantage to the teams that do not comprehend Chinese language though...

First YIELD segment of season this time. What kind I say? Honestly, word from Henry by saying got 'yielded' is to be 'flattering' is just plain bullshit. I sensed the bitterness in him during the show. I mean who would have like to be 'yielded'? I might have been tearing down the YIELD signboard and basically crushing the hour-glass if I were ever got yielded. Gosh, violent plus drama...

But then one of the best challenge so far of the season will be climbing the Macau Tower. Going with great heights is my forte!!! Bernie bypassing Fuzzie is a must and thank God she did it. Or else she can pack to go home as she is way more athletic than the fatty (I hate to use this word but I find no better words to describe her) Fuzzie.

Detour challenge of Blackjack should be working fine for Tania. Bernie and Tania actually looked stunning in the gowns!!! But I'm not too sure about Ida. Although no money involved, I doubted that can she gamble? I know it's just a game but I guess she might have just broken some Islamic laws... Anyway, I'm rooting the this particular Malaysian team now.

Identifying the 12 Chinese zodiac on lanterns is another no-brainer. Without any clues and even with my eyes blindfolded, I can read it backwards lah. Lame challenge. Why right before a pit-stop? It just didn't make sense at all, not that all teams gonna stuck with this challenge for a long time...

Favourite racer(s) of the week:
Ida & Tania for their shear determination

By having no $$, Ida and Tania actually did very very well, thanks to the generous teams that donated $$ to them. Call me selfish, if I'm on the race, I will definitely not donate a single cent to anybody. C'mon, this is a race, this is Amazing Race Asia, not a place to play Mr. Nice Guy, so nothing is personal. Just got to take those measures to get a step ahead and to keep competitor at a distance as far as possible.

I love the determination and the courage shown by Ida & Tania. The Malaysian Mum did us proud. I was literally jumping off the couch screaming 'OMG...OMG...' repeatedly when Allen announced that this episode was another NON-ELIMINATION LEG. Kudos the Ida & Tania. It will be even more difficult to arrive first at the next Pit Stop as 30 minutes time penalty will be imposed if failing to do so. I'm hoping for the best for them. Rooting for them so deeply now.

If miracles do not happen,
Ahhou's predictions of next week's result,
Ida & Tania eliminated

But I'm hoping Geoff & Tisha is the couple to leave the race.

Ahhou Chooses Flashpacking

2008-10-27T12:05:00.005+08:00

Wherever I go, I always enjoy the companies of travel buddies of all sorts but it doesn't come easy when matching the good clique of chemistry. Unknowing myself for the past, I tend to go to the extreme. I drooled over marathon-like, tiring but satisfying journeys by making full utilisation of time, space and money. Very much contrast to the commonly luxurious vacations of pampering experiences, well maybe not now though, not at my singlehood and my financial stats that doesn't allow me to do so. Still, seeing is believing. Travelling remains one of my biggest hobby of all time.

Hoi and myself was discussing about holiday vacations and seems like backpacking has been a growing trend to be the 'in' thing now. So what makes a backpacker? Are those self-acclaimed 'backpackers' are really what they claimed?

Travelling with low cost carrier will never make a backpacker. The perceptions of merely paying a budget airline and to quote that as equal to backpacking is not right. It takes way more than that. Personally, my definition of backpacking would be of independent travel, be it domestic or international, the independence or rather individualistic style of travelling from place to another will usually associated with budgeted resources.

Instead of packaged tour, they ad-hoc.
Instead of relaxing, they sight-see.
Instead of star-rated hotel, they stay at youth hostels.
Instead of tour buses, they use public transport, or even go on foot.
Instead of being pampered with tour guides, they choose to meet with the locals.
Instead of using wheeled trolley luggage, they use backpacks, obviously.
Instead of days, they stayed longer, like months.
Now, that's real BACKPACKING to me.

Blooming of technology and gadgets manifested the trend of backpacking, for the simplicity of arrangement of ground or air travels, plannings for stretchful length of stay, accommodation and of course the most crucial element that's sharing of information and communication in a very digital way have been made backpacking very friendly. Things changed very quickly nowadays, way different now than the first backpacker that is believed to be Giovanni Francesco Gemelli Careri back then.

I was comparing some costing and expenses to a destination that Sen been to few years ago. Obviously inflation has taken it's toll on the world's famous reserved heritage. At about 13USD per night, Sen exclaimed mine was too expensive, from the point of a backpacker herself. She travelled on tight budgets to the same developing country by staying over a room for only 5USD per night. I was surprised by the rate offered, guess that the facilities will be primary ones only. When asked about her experience of staying, she confessed that it SUCKED BIG TIME. I just had some good laughs at her, to endure the sucky environment for a tight accommodation. A typical backpacker indeed.

Somehow backpacking has taken steps in it's evolution bit by bit. With a touch of technology, comes the emergence of the flashpacking species of travellers. Whilst having the concerns of budgets, safety and convenience, flashpackers strive to stay connected with communications with a slight better budget of disposal with better sense of experience of the journeys, with somewhat style.

I'm not a backpacker, but I love to travel. Even though I shared some of the similarities of backpackers, I thought myself is closer to the commons of flashpacker, not fleshpacker though. I would stick to meal budgets (and that reminds me of various local food, those cheap but yummy ones) and simple accommodation, but I would very much willing to spend on the activities and adventures by the day. The sight and sense of getting down and real are always beautiful and mesmerising. Of course, seeing is believing and being there and then and feeling it have no comparisons to any other ways. Anyways, Lonely Planet is a must have as travel bible.

As for some can take long breaks from work (might end up losing the job or so)or even having career breaks for backpackings, I give them total salutation. Maybe this may not the the norm among the Asians, as much as I would like to indulge into continuous travelling by crossing borders, time and work do not permit me to do so, what more having family to take care of. That's luxury to me.

Sleeping and mode of transport is at least importance in Ahhou's travel diary though I tend to choose for the sake of time savings and travel efficiencies. I like staying close to the community and don't mind staying in dormitory (the only pit fall will be they have to endure my snores) in guesthouses and even sharing of common facilities of bathroom and kitchen, what matters the most are the shared experience. Whenever travelling alone, I enjoyed speaking to other travellers, there are so much to discover and learn from one and another. Having the opportunity to learn the real experience by backpacking is indeed more mesmerising than those packaged tours, it feels like having an extra mile in the journeys.

Books like "1000 Place To Visit Before You Die", I do not buy them as it just itch me everytime. Perhaps my next goal will be completing a A.J.Hackett certified site after my previous encounters, and my mum will probably skin me alive if she got to know if I am doing the suicidal attempt again.

Country by country and continents one by one, Ahhou shall conquer all of them... one day.

Amazing Race Asia 3 - Episode 6 - Pure Luck

2008-10-19T16:02:00.008+08:00

Yes, my prediction's spot on!!! This week is a non-elimintation leg! It is about time after more than half way through the race to have a simple and non-equalising leg of the race which ends with a non-elimination pit-stop in Hong Kong.

Sam & Vince gave no surprises as they continue to surge ahead, leading with a huge gap after last week's episode's lead. Finally a Fast Forward challenge that really served it's purpose as in previous seasons most of the Fast Forward are being equalised from either scheduled plane flights or long waits for dawn before continuing the race.

Episode 6 is all based on pure luck. Luck played a huge impact in choosing the right and easy challenges in completing the Detour and Road Block. At the Detour of Get Fishy or Get Lucky; I thought the challege were not evenly designed. Very obviously that scaling 15 fishes (and the fishes are huge!!!) will be way slower than just cracking 300 pieces of fortune cookies, and that is if the team was so dead unfortunate.

My favourite momemnt of the entire episode will be Sam & Vince at the fortune cookie's challenge. They were just hilarious. I just can't resist but burst into laughters watching the duo.

"A secret admirer will soon reveal himself"
Sam: No, not 'himself'...

"Confucius says: If you sleep with a itchy backside, you will wake up with a smelly finger", What the???

Favourote racer of the week:
Sam

The Road Block was alright though as Bagging it was nothing much to shout about as all teams had female to complete the task. Another highlight of the episode was when Bernie was hasting to leave, she still clutching the handbag and takes it along with her. "When it comes to handbags, Bernie has a thing for it." Great words by Henry.

It will be a huge struggle for Ida & Tania being last to arrive and losing all their pocket money. I would think begging shouldn't be a big problem for them both but it will be quite difficult for them to catch up to the pack in front as they weren't very strong anyway. As much as I love them both...

Ahhou's prediction for next week's result:
Ida & Tania eliminated

Amazing Race Asia 3 - Episode 5 - Black Hole Effect

2008-10-12T15:02:00.007+08:00

Every episode I can't stop imagining myself as if I'm on the show, on the race. It will be my slightest worry to travel in Taiwan, I know I will not have language barrier whilst running the race, not that I've been to Taiwan before...

Not sure if the racers were informed of the one and only Fast-Forward clue of the entire race though. If I'm at Sam & Vince's position, I would not have taken the Fast Forward if I knew there is MORE than one in the race. BUT, being a simple no-brainer and rather a personal challenge of getting inked with tattoo, it is sure a to-die-for. I'm imagining myself getting a 龙虎豹 tattoo on my right arm...

It was indeed a unfortunate event for Mai & Oliver of having absolutely NO luck on their side. Yes, I do believe in karma and karma kicked in! Having with no money and a stalled cab, they were forced to leave the race as much as I thought this week will be a non-elimination round. Perhaps they were so stucked yet so late to be rescued. It was really a Black-Hole effect, as claimed by Oliver before they were eliminated.

2nd Dumbest challenge:
Finding blue-ray discs (no brainer)

Dumbest challenge:
Collect 3 soft toy from machine
(Champion of no-brainer)

Coolest challenge:
Getting a tattoo (Fast Forward)

Favourite racer of the week:
Henry Chan

Racer babe of the week:
Tisha, of course...

Drama of the week:
The Black Hole Effect of Mai & Oliver

Still, The Amazing Race Asia 3 has overall of better quality compared to the currect US's season 11. Let's see what's in store next week... Although I predicted it wrong this week, I still think next week will be a non-elimination round.

Ahhou's prediction for next week's result:
Non-elimination / Ida & Tania last to arrive

Via Ferrata

2008-10-06T00:18:00.009+08:00

I wanna go

Via Ferrata at Mountain Torq!!!

Believe it or not, this is Mount Kinabalu!

Amazing Race Asia 3 - Episode 1-4

2008-10-02T22:33:00.014+08:00

No, I was not selected to be on the show for the third installment of the Amazing Race Asia. Damn!!!

As predicted the season 3 has finally debuted for about a month ago by premiering the Racers Revealed Episode. For once I thought applying for the show was merely a waste of time as the celebrities and only the celebrities from all over Asia are chosen for the show. WTF famous actresses, models, beauty queens and even TV hosts are selected. Celebrities are more dramatic? Perhaps so.

After watching The Amazing Race Asia Season 3 for 4 episodes now, I have come to a quick conclusion that indeed, selecting celebrities will do good, at least the contestants are not boring (unlike the US version of Season 13 just started it's episode 1). I have absolutely no complains now as I thought the show is getting better and better each week. It just drives me in cold sweat every time I watch it.

Knowing the characters and basically sort of knowing the teams now, I'm truly PROUD of the MALAYSIAN teams thus far. I am totally rooting for them. by now the race might have been ended already but I do hope they make us proud. For the last 3 legs in 4 episodes, the Malaysian teams has dominated the No.1 spot. Keep it up!!!

Go Bernie & Henry!!!
Go Ida & Tania!!!

Bernie & Henry is my favourite team at the moment.
Drama? Definitely yes but not over the top... just yet.
For Episode 4, here comes Ahhou's choice,

Favourite Racer of the week:
Ida Nerina (I think her tears are real this time...)

Dumbest racer of the week:
Sam, for revealing the miniature envelope

Racer babe of the week:
Ida Nerina

Puke of the week:
Ida's smelly Tofu, is that halal by the way?

Drama queen(s) of the week:
Niroo & Kapil

As predicted, Niroo & Kapil will be at the bottom of the pack. No surprises they were eliminated this week. They just don't cut it compare to the rest.

Ahhou's predictions next,
Result: Non-elimination leg / A.D. & Fuzzie last

September Birthdays

2008-09-29T23:49:00.010+08:00

A little older, a little wiser in life, indeed. September has been many celebration of birthdays. It cannot get any better to gather around to celebrate and at the same time saviour of food for the gluttonous me. I meet up with the babes at Food Foundry at SS17 after my first visit to this very homey and neighbourhoody restaurant many years ago. It was GG and Amy-the-A*****'s joined birthday. Nope, they are not twins and both are not born on the same date.

The birthday cake is not bought though but was very nicely baked by Jill and it sure looked real pro to me. Brownie with chocolate (correction, it was not Brownie...) that was bitterly not too sweet, along with layered and shaved chunks of creamy white chocolate at the top, with added champagne (correction again, it was actually Chocolate Guiness Cake, no champagne at all, ooopss! Thanks to GG for reminding me...) too... Nice!

The birthday babes, GG and Amy-the-A*****, boo...hoo...boo... with their birthday pressies! Another step closer to the AUNTIE-HOOD. Claps and congrats!!!

Food Foundry I thought has somewhat nice menu and dishes to offer, but realistically overpriced giving the fact that the location of the restaurant was not near any busy streets of the town area. But the display of dishes were not bad.

Chicken Boxing (out of curiosity we ordered this, love the cheesy cheese); and the Chicken Cordon Bleu. Pretty standard, I thought it was alright though, it didn't wowed me.

Also with Fisherman's Catch Of the Day and the very Malaysian Nasi Lemak.

Served on the table were also pasta Aglio Olio and Fish & Chips, and some very petite vanilla and strawberry layered Crepe. I just can't resist the Crepe, so heavenly and yet so sinful.

Then the next weekend after, it was Hamyu's birthday. A sudden crash at his house I thought we manage to catch him off-guard. Surprisingly he was baking cakes too. Then again, Jill has brought us wonderful self-made carrot cake for Hamyu, this time around the cake is super healthy, high fiber and low sugar content. I like it when I can even bite the crunchy pieces of carrots.

Birthday cake cutting knife was missing as we do not buy from the shop but very soon Hamyu ended up using a huge meat cutting knife to officiate the birthday cake. It was hilarious.

Cakes for dinner was definitely not enough, Hamyu brought us over to Seri Kembangan Business Centre (or is it industrial area?) by introducing the very cheeky chinese seafood restaurant named Chan Yew Kee's Seafood Restaurant. The official receipt of the restaurant was with "(M) Sdn. Bhd.", so I wonder do they have branches outside Malaysia? Nevertheless the food was worth mentioning though, I just can't get enough of the Mrs.boss that entertain us with the wacky jokes and humorous stare at our table (I don't it's because of me...) as we laugh so loud throughout the entire dinner session.

There was the fried tapioca sprouts with spicy XO sauce, XO酱番薯苗 and the signature dish of Tan Yew Kee's 大茶饭 'dai-char-fun' which is fried rice topped with crunchy long beans and anchovies. Seriously not bad at all!

Also tagged along were the mantis shrimp with salted egg, 咸蛋虾羔 and another signature dish Snow Flakes Hokkien Noodles, 雪花福建面. The look by itself, wicked. I have never consume such weird looking Hokkien noodle before as the ordinary black sauce thick noodle is completely topped with egg starch and minced meat and soft tofu, creating an absolute effect of snow flakes. This is some serious innovative creations culinary. I gave it a perfect score based on the creativity itself. But once the noodle and the tofu got mixed up it turned into some gross texture. Taste not bad but not great either. It's just... strange.

Also served was another signature dish of Chan Yew Kee's Cantonese Rice Noodle, 陈侑记广米. Now this taste bad. The rice noodle was too rubbery, I guess it was not properly soaked before put into the wok for deep frying. Check out Hamyu's disgusted face... LOL.

I got these pottery ovens at the side of the restaurant. I wonder how would they use this... perhaps to slow cook herbs for the seafood?

Hidden at a corner behind the main streets of Seri Kembangan's Business Centre, Chan Yew Kee Seafood Restaurant has been featured in numerous food guide through publications of The Star and Popular Bookstore. I didn't notice it until I dug through the books after the dinner, especially when I was caught by the superb marketing strategies demonstrated by using Chinese classical novels' titles by 金庸 and others, famous Kung Fu moves and even name of the infamous characters. Check out the displayed billboard, it is the name of dishes. I was so amazed by it. Damn this is so good!

On a serious note, this particular restaurant definitely has so much to offer, wide variety of choices, super friendly Mrs. Boss, and awesome catchy dish names. The food ain't very great though but it was worth it as the price is very much affordable.

How Did Ahhou Hulked His Pants?

2008-09-24T11:49:00.008+08:00

I have decided to put the hulking issue to an end.
I can't afford to change a new wardrobe.
To end it, I choose to watch out what kinda rubbish that I stuff into my mouth.
No extra rice, instead now only at half portion.
No late night dinner.
No drinking water before sleep.

Since my first hulking experience... then got busted again...
I chose to let it all out. No turning back.
By the way, I'm looking forward to tuck myself into the Nike Fit Pro.
Working it out, gonna be there soon.

Mind you, please don't click on the picture, it's nasty.

Alright, hulk no more, chapter closed.
The end.

Malaysia Speed Trap List - Hari Raya 2008

2008-09-20T15:32:00.004+08:00

I have got these from an unverified source. Better be safe than sorry. Watch out for flyovers, under bridges and descending roads and some with low speed limit areas for speed traps.

Drive safe, no to corruption.

PLUS North Bound (ke Utara)
Under a bridge at about 456km, Sungai Buloh junction.
Under a bridge at about 459km, Bukit Lanjan interchange.
Under the overhead restaurant at Sg Buloh.
Under the last bridge before Sg Besi toll at 309.2km.
Under the bridge at 296.5km, Bangi junction.
Under the newly constructed bridge at 289.0km, after Nilai North junction.
Under the bridge at 286.5km, Nilai North junction.

PLUS South Bound (ke Selatan)
Below signboard at about 454.6km and 455.2km, Sg Buloh layby.
Under the bridge after Subang junction at 11.3km.
Under the bridge at 22km, Bukit Lanjan junction.
Under the bridge before Mint hotel, Sg Besi Toll. 80km/h!
Under the bridge at 302.8km, Kajang junction.
About 1km south of Bangi junction, both South and North bound outer lanes.
At 296.5km and 297km, Bangi junction.
Under the newly constructed bridge at 289.0km, before Nilai North junction.
At 285.5km and 285.8km, Nilai North junction.
On center divider at 251.8km and 253km after Senawang junction.
After Alor Gajah junction at 213.9km, next to water theme park.
Behind the right hand crash barrier at 198.4km.

Elite Central Link East - North Bound
On left hand side at 4.8km after Batu Tiga/Shah Alam exit.
Under the overhead restaurant at USJ/Hicom junction about 8.5km. 90km/h!
Below the bridge before USJ/Hicom junction at 10.5km.

Elite Central Link West - South Bound
Under the overhead restaurant at USJ/Hicom junction about 8.5km, 90km/h!
Below the bridge before USJ/Hicom junction at 10.5km.
After exit from KLIA toll to the airport, below Jalan Pekeliling flyover, 90km/h!

NKVE East - North Bound
300m before Jalan Duta toll, 60km/h!
Behind crash barrier on the left when going towards Jalan Duta toll, at 24.9km, 80km/h!
Below bridge at Damansara Junction, 17.5km.

NKVE West - South Bound
Behind crash barrier on the left when leaving Jalan Duta toll from KL, at 25.3km and 25.7km, 80km/h!
From Jalan Duta, below the bridge, 23km, 80km/h!
From Jalan Duta, at the underpass at Sg Buloh Y-junction, 22km.
Behind crash barrier at Damansara Junction, 17.7km and 16.8km.
Below railway bridge at 11.2km.
Under the bridge at Shah Alam junction.

Kesas East Bound
Under the bridge at 44.8km, downhill run after Puchong junction.

Kesas West Bound
At Sg Besi side of East Bound Toll. Kuala Lumpur City.
Jalan Duta; below the flyover at the Damansara junction, 70km/h!

Klang
Dual carriageway between Klang and Port Klang. Towards Klang direction, at about 13km mile stone. 70km/h!

East Coast
Road sign at Karak highway is inadequate especially at Y junction; if you are unfamiliar, go slow.
East bound, downhill run after Raub junction.
Maran, 60km/h!
Paya Bungor, 70km/h!

Speed Traps in Johor
South Bound
Tangkak junction.
Under the bridge after Yong Peng.

North Bound
at 97.3km.
Ayer Hitam junction.
Sedenak junction.

Speed Traps in Perlis, Kedah & Penang
North Bound
Around Ayer Hitam in 60km/h!
Before Perwaja Steel.
Sg Petani junction.
Between Seberang Jaya junction and Sg Dua Toll.
PenangBridgeat island end.Speed limit 80km/h!

South Bound
Penang Bridge island end. Speed limit 80km/h!
About 2km before Juru Toll. Speed limit 90km/h!

Speed Traps in Perak
North Bound
Under the bridge at 197.1km and 198.8km, after Kamunting Junction.
Under the bridge at 204.3km, after Kamunting Junction.
Under the bridge at 208km, before Kamunting Junction.
Under the bridge at 214.8km, before Kamunting junction.
Ipoh Vista Point at about 263km. Speed limit 80km/h!
Under the bridge at 271km, Ipoh North Junction.
Under the bridge at 274.4km, Ipoh South Junction.
Under the bridge at 286.9km, Simpang Pulai Junction.
Under the bridge at 296km, Gopeng Junction.
Under the bridge at 352.6km, after Sungkai Junction.
Under the bridge at 353km, Sungkai Junction.
Under the bridge at 373km, Slim River Junction.

South Bound
Under the bridge at 199km, before Kamunting junction.
Under the bridge at 241.9km, at Kalau Kangsar junction.
Under the sign post at 296.1km, before Gopeng Junction.
Under the bridge at 297km, at Gopeng Junction.
Under the bridge at 300km, after Gopeng junction.
Under the bridge at 308.6km, after Gopeng junction.
Under the bridge at 372.6km, at Slim River junction.

Hulked - Not Again?

2008-09-19T00:35:00.007+08:00

Ooops... I did it again!!!

Ever since my last experience of tearing my office pants, I have learned, learned to always prepare for second pair of back up pants to cover any accidental circumstances. Hence I kept another pair in the car. And gosh it happened again... Sometime ago, I was even wearing quite a loose pair of slack pants in the office, trying to squat down crawling under the office desk to get the electric switches going... the pants got ripped apart without warning! This time was bad, right in front of the groin area for goodness sake. I seriously hope colleagues around me didn't notice the tearing sound from it because it was so so embarassing.

I even hulked my t-shirts... gosh.
After shower, I was trying to put on my t-shirt and as I lifted up the left sleeve by letting it running down my arms while jutting my head out from the t-shirt, the left under arm of the t-shirt got "pplakkk"... ripped apart... Duh...

Another t-shirt, was a sleeveness one. I wear it to sleep sometimes. Morning waking up and wanting to change for shower by pulling the t-shirt upwards... and again both side of the armpit area went torn for about 2 inches. It was bad.

No, I never take any protein supplements.
And I don't think I am gaining in size (well maybe just a little on my weight).
I think it was the old pants and t-shirts that are too worn out... overwashed or maybe soaked overly and dried excessively under the hot sun...

Ahhou's Cow Day

2008-09-11T22:48:00.011+08:00

I just love celebrating birthdays for peers, friends and family but I hardly had mine. That brought me back to my freshman year at the university where I had some of the most memorable surprise birthday ever that I was almost in tears. I wished I had the pictures with me now, somehow it is hiding God-knows-where-in-the-house. Perhaps major spring cleaning for Chinese New Year will do good.

Last year this time, birthday had been the craziest when I took up the BodyPump training, so it has been a little personal goal and present for myself for passing the training to teach. This time around, surprises never come short at all. I was seriously caught off-guard in the gym by eFil and Mama Juls for calling out my name and the members singing in the studio was really really nice, as much as I want to find a hole and hide in it... I have got present!

Oh no, the pink strikes back!

It cannot get any worse than to use the heavenly pink yoga mat in the studio when there are studio full of members staring at me and giggling for class. That's a good one, thanks for the funky pink mat yo! (you guys know who you are...) Love it!

Catching up with the members of Maskula High Gras plus Hitam Manis was quite a nice one. It was just heart warming to have them around, although half of the time we were pretty much distracted by the hype of the live telecast of the woman's pole-jump of the Olympics.

A scene from Strawberry's Field, PJ State with the me, the cowboy and the cowcake. Wise choice there for having only one candle, my age remained secretive, and I thought I looked like one Seiko model... I like!

Eventhough it was days before the actual birthday, I have been cutting cakes without shame, loving every bit of it. The blurry picture, it was such a superb shot by Hitam Manis, I think I was munching the cakes, very motion, very futuristic.

This is another unnoticeably best candid shot of the night with my awkward stare at GG with her lickin' tongue. Nice one there, Hitam Manis.

Then it was the eve. It was great after 2 back to back classes at the gym and then headed over to catch The Dark Knight with Pinkbubbly and Wabbit and soon after that making our way to Low-Yat Plaza for the very nice poon-choi dinner. It was Hong Kong's Food Culture, Kong Yum Kong Seik-港饮港食 located at the lower ground floor of the building. Not lavishly designed but I thought the restaurant brought somewhat homey feeling that are comfy for dining in. I must thank Wabbit and Pinkbubbly for capturing the moments of the night, that's where I now officially kebas the nice pictures from.

This was the main course, the inaugural Poon Choi that are assembled from tens of different flavours ranging from the choices of broccolis, mushrooms and other vegetables, seafood and meat, even chinese sausages and glass noodles in layers, slightly soaked in the sauces of fermented tofu, and all cooked and simmered with a huge slow cooker. The picture might looked small though but layers certainly come with surprises.

While having the long wait for the main course, we ordered appetizers simply to stuff the hungry stomachs. Then came fishballs and roasted duck. Nope, they didn't overshadowed the main course at all, just alright.

The highlight must be the exclamation from Pinkbubbly that really put me speechlessly stunned. Haha... you go girl... Thank you guys for the dinner. Love it, really appreciated it from the bottom of my jantung.

Then there is actions of Ahhou of the night. Blow those candles. Fuuuuhhh....

I can't recall what was I doing back then. Absolutely no clue, but I so like the expression!

I am with this expression like forever...

Ahhou and Wabbit! Boo...Hoo...Hoo...Boo...

This is the birthday cake at Hong Kong's Food Culture. Also not forgetting my dearest good old ACS-ians for the late night yumcha; awesome S.G. colleagues that bought me with my favourite cheesecakes and my least expected yet the bestest of all... a cake from my little sister and my mum!!! Unbelievably sweet!!!

After being brought to life on this lovely Mother Earth, I have done things that were beyond my wildest imaginations but I truly believe there's still lot more to dig in. My glass is half full as always, but the glass had never been so full during my last few counts of age before hitting the big number '3'.

I cherish, seriously I used to remember every tiny little things in life, at least as much as I could simply because I'm the type of person who always treasure the memories and experiences with the buddies around me. I believe I had gone through some of the best moments in life, also some of the worst times that many have yet to experience. There are so much to achieve moving forward. Yes, I'm positive of the next fold of my age, will definitely be exciting.

Cheers, my friends!

Kylie Gates & Ahhou

2008-09-07T16:52:00.009+08:00

Ahhou and the ever electrifying Kylie Gates. Hot!

When your body screams, tell it to shut up!

p/s: Thanks Mama Juls for the picture.

See It Clear?

2008-09-05T01:36:00.009+08:00

All of a sudden I begin to see things very clear now.

I see drama and stuck-ups.
I see boasting.
I see compulsiveness.
I see manipulation.
I see selfishness.
I see lies and rumours.
People and attitudes, they don't change.
Or they will never change.

But,

I see genuine and friendships.
I see celebration.
I see heart and love.
I see encouragement.
I see positive.
I see reality.

Ugly sides of human beings are life long lessons to explore.
I may not have seen enough of it but I do know it's like a disease.
I expect some to evolve, to change or maybe just to improve through the journeys in their life, but it did not happened.
No point for not getting over the little things in life.

Keep breathing...
Life goes on...

Ipoh Food & Kek Look Tong

2008-08-31T23:34:00.018+08:00

Ok, treasure hunt no more. It's time for some Ipoh feast right after checking out from Heritage Hotel on the day of return with tummy full of breakfast and some good laughs. As ritual as it may sound, we did saviour at one of the must-have in Ipoh - The White Coffee at Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong, 新源隆茶室. This time around we didn't stayed long instead we had some apam balik sold right outside of the shop with the ever-famous white coffee. As usual, the coffee is pretty standard.

White Coffee @ Sin Yoon Loong on the Treasure Hunt Day

The actual food experience started on the day of return when a small mouth washer of soya bean that is also known as 白白 (Bak-bak, i.e. white-white in English) at a not so happening roadside corner shop (to me more like a stall) that was located right opposite the Fu-San dim sum restaurant called Funky Mountain Soya Bean. By looking at the cars and visitors queuing up for the soft, smooth soya bean, one can guess how good is the soya bean is already.

Well, it was not my first time having this, and it didn't disappoint me. Refreshing is the word to describe it having the cooling soya bean in your digestive system after a heavy morning breakfast.

白白, Love it.

I didn't bought the salted chicken though but decided to try something new and different and so happened by random we popped by a biscuit seller named Kedai Biskut Sin Eng Heong，新荣香淡汶饼店. Specialised in Heong Piah, as claim fresh from oven, and it really did! I bought just a few new flavours, of coffee, pandan and chili Heong Piah. Honestly, none taste good. The original flavoured Heong Piah from Penang is still the best.

Anyway, the shop was packed with customers at the time visit...long wait too.
Then we headed for lunch for that little break from the breakfast as we ended up with some new trials on Kedai Kopi Nam Chau，南州白咖啡. I thought it was a little more on the nyonya style though.

It was all good, I had some spicy dried noodle. Flaming hot. I was sweating like a pig, it was quite bad. But I must say the noodle was seriously not bad at all.

The last pit stop before we headed back home to central, we had a little rest at the Kek Look Tong Cave，极乐洞. Yes it is not the Kek Lok Si Temple that I have imagined in the first place. Situated far inside the residential areas of Ipoh town. The route to this cave was very well directed from the small but complete signages found along the roads between the houses. I didn't know what to expect but I do find it quite mesmerizing.

The entrance of the cave displayed some splendid art of caving patterns of erosion from weather I suppose. The view was spectacular. The small steps lead to a hall with some even nicer ones with several Taoism idols for prayers. After walking through the cave, wala... It was a whole new view. It was like an enclosed open space with mountain view and a small lake. A telco satellite station at the North West direction may have spoil the view a bit though.

And then I found these dying lotus flowers in the lake. Yes, a lake full of dying lotus flowers! What a 'sad' sight... I bet the lake full of blooming lotuses, it must be breathtaking.

We had some brisk walking down the park and even relaxed ourselves by flexing my senses walking through the painful foot reflexo paths. The park was well maintained and decorated. Even saw some Raja Brooke Butterflies wandering around from tree to tree. It was nice, until I found the very 'PAINFUL' trees. These trees were all around the walking paths of the park. Perhaps it was a warning sign of no leaning against the trees? I had goosebumps watching the tree trunks and braches up close. I can literally feel the pain.

Ooouuchhh....

Of course not forgetting the photography session of vainities. Again, thanks to Hamyu for this nice and candid pictures. An excellent experience in treasure hunt and also a very nicely done foodie session and weekend getaway. Love it.

Treasure Hunt KL-Ipoh - Aftermath

2008-08-20T21:28:00.004+08:00

The adrenaline rush has ended quite abruptly right after the submission to the finishing point left the four of us in daze for a while before recollecting ourselves to head for some R&R. We were quite fortunate that were designated to Heritage Hotel instead of the rumuored haunted cheh-gai Excelsior Hotel. So in a way we were quite lucky that we handed in the entry application late, but ironically a little too bad for the ladies that they missed out the free goodie of an expensive Shisheido lipstick. Extra tulips were actually given for the route from Excelsior Hotel to Heritage's, but we didn’t use it and in the end somehow we have lost the tulips. Deng... anyway, love the view from the floor where I stay.

Peaceful and serene

The dinner presentation was something to mention about, of how lousy it was. Honestly, it was one of the worst dinners I've ever attended. Having Ong Ka Chuan as the VIP for the night and yet they screwed it up so badly. No proper protocol nor arrangement between the organizing committees, participants were mostly coming in late for the dinner, despite light reminders were given on the day of the hunt itself when everyone was so hyped and busy about the hunt. Malaysians are never on time... they just don't get it.

Upon the arrival of Ong Ka Chuan, the dinner hall was way less than half occupied. So pathethic... not even applauses were given, YB just walked in silently in the midst of everybody's busy chit-chattings. Such a shame! The stupid organizer, VBCM Buddhist council didn’t have the chance to inform the participants on what and how to react, not even some simple manners or repsect for YB. I bet they have zero idea on how to handle such a small and simple event like this. Being first time organizing treasure hunt, they were so stucked that they have no common sense or what so ever especially the two super self-centered emcees talking crap and rubbish all night.

So bored that we took picture of ourselves

There was this lady organizing chairperson, I must say she sucked. I can’t hear her speech at all, give me a break, giving speech in fronts of hundreds of participants and some big shot without proper rehearsal? She was like reading from the notes... in a very dull and monotonous way. Then there was another guy, the co-emcee, he was even worse. These two were like having their own sweet time on the stage, no flow, no continuity, the program was choppy, unorganized and simply just a mess. He liked to boast emptily and interrupt rudely. It was a shame to have such person to be the emcees.

At some point I felt like running up to the stage and take over the role of emcee. The emcees were not even sure to sing the national anthem first or to invite Ong Ka Chuan for speech. The funny part went on when the emcees can actually pause for ear to ear whispering, passing notes here and there and then change topic unreasonably. These two bad apple serious did lots of harm to a great event like this. They spoiled it completely. Tried very hard to be humorous, it didn't work at all. That’s pure ‘syiok sendiri’-ness to the maximum...

The food was just as bad. The doggy speeches and long wait for the full attendance makes the dinner started even later. It was alright to begin the buffet dinner on ladies first but it was a bad idea when there were not enough portions for everybody. To make it worse, the food was bad. I think I can cook better. What a lousy cheapo hotel services the organizer have bought. By the time my turn for the food after a long queue, left nothing much and I basically had meat, protein and only protein (with minimal carbos) for the entire night. Vegetables ran out. But according to Jill, the steamed cauliflower sucked too.

On the positive note, the treasures hunt answers revealing session was the only highlight of the night. The COC, Jamie and Kok Seng had the witty twist to the answers and I was very impressed with the creativity of the hunt clues. As tough as the questions might be, no team got full score but every question was successfully cracked by at least one team. I had some good laughs at the session and jaw dropped so many times of the smart and clever answers. Can’t help it, uttering ‘OMG’ and ‘wa-lao’ so many times, but it was real fun.

Then it was the lucky draw. It supposedly drew spectacular attention from the crowd as it promised the biggest prize of free tour to Europe by a foreign airline. Honestly, it was one of the lamest lucky draw ever. The excitements went down hill immediately when it was taken over by the two lousy speaker again. It was supposed to be a good deed, donation for charity and in return sponsored gifts will be given out as token of appreciation from the buying of donation coupons. Maskula High Gras bought a book. But after that we realized that the coupon dates did not tally with the date of the treasure hunt event. It was back dated few months. This was suspicious. Were the coupons valid then? I sincerely hope these lucky draw wasn't what I’m thinking right now. Else, hell you go. I don’t like to be cheated, what more given a religious organizer such as this. What a shame...

The date of the treasure hunt and the lucky draw coupons didn't match, deng!!!

We were so bored by the event that we didn’t bother about the grand prize and left the hotel for our own plan. We visited Kok Wah that was recently recovered from a catastrophic road accident. I was so stunned yet so glad that he is able to walk (more like hopping...) again. Even with slow and small steps, I was so happy of his possessiveness in taking all these. He can even ride a bicycle!!!

Kok Wah brought us all to another place for food instead of having the chicken hor-fun at 老黄芽菜鸡. We went over to Dong Goo Teng, 冬菇亭, the lastest happening place as claimed by him. Having some sucky dinner earlier, we savored ourselves with food to compensate. We had stir fried ba-li-dong (still don't the sucking techniques happening...), grilled fish and the very nicely cooked of stir fried crab with oyster sauce. As appetizer, we had Chinese-rojak-minus-the-keropok, but it was still nice, very much comparable to the one back in Jalan Batai, Damansara Heights.

Right outside of the food court area, I bumped into a fitness centre named Body Pump Gym. I wonder of they teach Body Pump there too?

The night didn’t ended just like that. The very warmth hospitality of Kok Wah despite his inconveniences in moving around, we went over to the very authentic old train station and had a glimpse of the guesthouses at the station itself and even took a very old elevator up the floors. It was a nice place. Calm and quiet at night. Free wifi services too. Perhaps I might consider this place to hang over next time.

My special shout-out to Kok Wah for bringing us for food and around the town. Hope you get well soon.

Treasure Hunt KL-Ipoh - Game On

2008-08-13T20:56:00.009+08:00

All 42 teams got flagged off right in front of Wisma MCA and the tulips directed us straight to the first clue which was right in front of a traffic light on the exact opposite of the majestic KLCC Twin Towers on Jalan Ampang when the sky just broke into deep blue. The treasure hunt kicked started well and the leading tulips directed the teams through routes that are rather sub-urban. I even saw one very lost team head into the wrong junction to Lebuhraya Mahameru right at the beginning; there you go… hahaha… Yup, simple because they don’t have me as the navigator, so can’t blame them… a total of 40 tough clues to be solved throughout the journey heading up North with 5 road safety questions (seriously, these question are real something to watch out for...wicked...) and also 5 piece of treasure item to be pursued and to be handed over to a specific location before the finish line.

First up, we went all the way straight to Rawang town for the first sector of the hunt where most of the teams spent a little too much time in the search of the clues around and along the busy streets when parking lots are pretty much limited (imagine about 30 over cars at the same street with only a double traffic lane, lucky traffic was alright) creating curiosity to the morning market shopping aunties go gaga over the event. It was a real dampener when most of the teams were unable to decipher the answers.

Q4: Evil comes after a leg end here
Thought of "comes after" is the anagram of reading backwards for "Evil" that gives "live" and then "end here" means "stop or rest"; so we found the only guesthouse that has a huge signboard by the name Rocksman. And we got it wrong!!!
Answer:
"Evil" is referred as "sin" and "leg end here" is just "paw"; so, Evil after a leg end here makes the words "Paw Sin".
It was Tukang Emas Paw Sin. This a good one to start the game with...

Q5: PDIPC?
WTF? What PDI-PC? Palm and a computer? (I know...it was actually PDA, duh...)Shuffles the letters but it makes no sense at all... To go an extra mile, I even went into a pharmacy and asked if PDIPC is a medicine or something... In the end we ended up putting the answer of a telco shop with a huge PDA figure on the signboard. Guess what? Wrong again!
Answer:
P-DIP-C, ahah!!!
DIP is the abbreviation for diploma and PC is of course computer. It was a diploma within a computer; a logo of a students IT learning centre with a figure of a monitor showcasing the diploma. Dampener, DENG!!!

Team Maskula High Gras was then direct by the tulips to rush over to the newly developed township of Bukit Beruntung. This was the one and only time when I miss navigated the team and went overshot by tripping the mileage at the incorrect junction. We were very quickly recovered and right back on track when bumped into some other treasure hunters by recognizing the same stickers on their cars. I must say Bukit Beruntung was the easiest question sector of the entire race as we got most of the answer correct.

The next question sector was at Tanjung Malim and into Kampung Bilal area where we search for the next question sectors. Yet again, newbies of Maskula High Gras can’t seem to locate the answers, was wandering back and forth of the street and making U-turns when the answers were staring right in front of us...

Q13: Spooked hill, to the fans it’s Jee
"Spooked" may be a sounds-like anagram, so the word "Jee" we thought would have come close to the letter "G" and sounds like the word "Gym". And we found a fitness centre that has the highest signboard on a 5 storey shop house building, that may signifies the word "hill" as at the high position. Sounds very logic to me but we answered with another one instead!!!
Then we also saw a coffin seller, on a higher level of strata off the main road, that may have given the clue of "Spooked". Hence we went for the with XXX Coffin Shop.God knows why... both answer were wrong, OMG!!!
Answer:
"Spooked" is the anagram for the word "hill" and translation of "hill" into Malay language is "Bukit", rearrange it gives the word "butik". Whereas "Jee" is just non other than Fauziah Latiff. So the answer is Butik Fesyen Fauziah Latiff. Staring at us right on the question sector so obviously. Such a smartass and yet so dumb.

With that, we waved bye-bye to Selangor and hit the expressway by exiting via Behrang toll plaza and crossed over to the State of Perak. It was quite a long drive though. A heavy back-ended treasure hunt. By the time we entered the town of Bidor, we were only at less than half way to the destination. That was when the pressure built up. Bidor was a real headache for us, real dampeners and road blocks. We had some hard time in breaking the clues. Just when we thought we are right yet we are so damn freakin' wrong. The questions were so tough and out of mind. These are some of the best (and my favorites too!!!) questions in the hunt.

Q15: The symbol after ten with right mix of award for the first and second beast
We went way too far off the answer. It’s a shame.
Answer:
Who would have thought the "ten" is referred to the poker cards? Symbol after ten is the letter "J". We went to the Roman numeric figures of XI and way beyond that...duh. "First and Second" is the "Gold and Silver" and that leads to the Chemistry periodic table of Au and Ag. "Beast" is the anagram of definition clue in which leads to a set of scrambled words of J+(A+U)+(A+G)+(one missing "R") gives the answer JAGUAR, the one and only animal name found on the street.
Absolutely brilliant!!! I like!!!

Q17: Donkey’s best buddy is shaken up here
We knew it was Shrek related, but answer of what about? Initial thoughts were like what Shrek is afraid of in the motion picture and then we were making phone calls for answers. To our dismay, no exact answers until Jill thought Shrek is afraid of babies. And we saw a baby store nearby and that's the one we went for it.
At least we got the idea close but we still got it wrong...
Answer:
Shrek is accurate. Shrek is also an ogre. "Shaken up here" is the anagram. Scramble the word "Ogre" plus a few new letter, forming the word "Orange". It was a Bakery Shop named Orange. WHAT?!?!?!...

How can we not search for food? Ok we know we are pretty much running late but we did savior ourselves with the claimed famous wantan noodles in Bidor town, namely Chun Pun coffee shop. Maskula High Gras kasak the noodles and ordered some fried yam dumplings. Personally I thought the yam dumpling was fluffy, just that the yam layer a little too thick but the noodles were disappointing. Over-rated and pricey. Noodles for 4 pax costs more than RM20? It was just a little too expensive for a small town like Bidor.

Can’t help it for an avid reality show lover of myself, the scenes of Amazing Race just keep racing in my mind.

Ahhou: You saw anybody with the same t-shirt like us eat here just now?
Noodle seller: Got! You people from where?
Ahhou: We are on 寻宝游戏 la, what time they came just now?
Noodle seller: No wonder la, they came here long ago lo, about before noon.
Ahhou: (Looking at my watch…it was 2:00pm…Gulps…) Thanks auntie!

Now then was when the tension built up. With less than 2 hours left from being penalized, team Maskula High Gras had more than half of the clues unanswered yet. Time is running out and since then we zoomed the tulips and expressed throughout the rest of the race. I have decided that sacrifices must be done in order to complete the whole damn thing on time. We were lucky since there were no more long distance drives after the questions sector in Bidor. However, we do found some species of 'dinosaur' in the town of Bidor...Hiak!

From there, the challenges continued when we entered Teluk Intan with more super brain teasers. Hesitances was pretty much cut to the minimum. No more dilly-dallies. We took chances by tembak-ing answers, hoping by chance of probabilities we might just got some answers right.

Q19: An other half snuggles up here to be close
We checked the exact meaning of "snuggle" from the dictionary. Really found no clue or what so ever for the answers. Until I saw a relatively small yellow signboard written "ASM Mara XXX". That could be it. Combined the two words using the anagram of "here to be close", it could form a new Malay word of ASMARA which is synonymous to the word "snuggle". I was pretty confident about this one. Yet WRONG.
Answer:
"An other half" is referred as "mate" and "snuggles" is the anagram clue which brings to the word "intimate". "Inti-mate" without the "mate", therefore it is just "Inti". Farmasi Inti is the real answer. Holy crap!!! Some how I thought my answer is more logical...

As we were entering the town of Ipoh soon, and we haven’t got the supposedly pursued treasure items yet as we keep delaying it to get them in the nearest TESCO that was stipulated in the road tulips. Yup, we headed to the TESCO store in Gopeng, happily planned that GG and myself went shopping for the grocery items while Jill and Hamyu will be finalizing the documents for submission. God knows why… TESCO Gopeng is still under construction!!! Tension piled up…Gulps again…

And then we hit the highway again for the last time and straight to the next exit of Simpang Pulai. Gosh... so close to the finish line, yet so far to go…

It was indeed a very heavy back-ended hunt. Treasures not bought, road safety questions not answered yet and the leading tulips shows we have got more than 15 clues to crack. Then we were a little quiet in the car now, no mood to joke anymore. The tension eased a bit when we found another TESCO store in Sungai Siput (or is it Ipoh?). GG and myself were practically running on the shopping floors of TESCO and finished the shopping experience at a laser speed of 15 minutes time (it was my personal record!) and hopped back onto the car while Hamyu and Jill do their thing. Before we reached the destination for treasure submission, we were then dampened by another road block.

Q30: Where Woody’s playmate wants to go and beyond
I know the clue is referring to Toy Story in the first place. Just can't recall the main character in spacesuit. But we then saw a Cyber Café named SPARKS (quite a fancy one too) and without second thought we penned down the answer, which was another silly answer.
Answer:
It is Buzz Lightyear. With the ever famous catch-phrase of "into the Infinity...and beyond!!!" The answer was crystal clear. Just the word "Infinity", a boutique named Infinity. Another favourite clue of the entire hunt. Love it.

It was about time when we went straight to the orphanage, House of Peace to hand in the bought treasures. For charity, I thought the treasures are pretty good as perishable items for the home. I went off the car, didn’t bother to stay longer, just campak the goods to Kok Seng, the clerk of course and then we go, left less than 10 minutes from the clock-in time. Damn, we were so close to the destination, the so called haunted Excelsior Hotel. We sacrificed several last questions unanswered and head straight there simply because we ain’t sure if we were to risk to answer the rest of the questions, we will be late and the points that were gained for the few last questions may not be able to compensate the deduction from the penalties. Furthermore if we were late for more than 30 minutes, it will be pronounced disqualification from the hunt.

Traffic lights were like forever with red lights when we were moving to the state of panic during the final stretch of the hunt. I was busy reading tulips and GG was driving and making turns quite fiercely but at the passenger seats filling up the answers was a drama when both Hamyu and Jill almost puke of having motion sickness. Anyway, we reached Excelsior Hotel safely with 4 wheels on and just being for a mere 4 minutes late. It was quite a good game, a good exercise for the brain. It was a tough treasure hunt. My total respect and salutation to Jamie and Kok Seng that had came up with such tricky, creatively and wickedly designed questions. It was very addictive to me personally.

Interesting facts that I noticed from the treasure hunt:

1. Maskula High Gras was the weirdest team name around. We ain’t that cheesy to have names like Sweet Hunters or Tan’s Famliy.
2. Petrol and toll were not covered in the game. So we have to fork out own pocket money for the game, despite paying the fee for the hunt. Anyway, since its charity based event, it was all good.
3. The game is certainly not about how fast one drives, nor how big is the car, the brains is what made the difference. No need loads of brawn and guts to win. The key boils down to the speed and creativity in breaking the clues.
4. Small cars actually do better, better fuel savings, better parking and no worries of scratches and being able to squeeze between cars.
5. Cooperation, communication and wit is the key elements to win.
6. Ipoh food very nice.
7. Bidor food was over-rated.
8. Rawang-ians was so stunned to see us donkeys running around on the busy streets of the town like headless chickens, all head up looking for signboard, back and forth so very aimlessly.
9. KL style of driving rules!!! We did cutting queues. It was done the way it should be.
10. First timer like us sucked big time at treasure hunts.
11. First timer like me thought treasure hunting is very addictive, more so if you are the kiasu type.
12. Anagram plays an important part of the game, language power and mindful of imaginations and being precise, careful and meticulous in the search is a must.
13. We were way a different league from the champion of the winners.
14. Some team actually gave up and head straight to the destination to check in. Losers...
15. Zero physical challenges. I do hope of any physical tasks that may help us (as we were the younger ones in the bunch) to slow down the older regulars and for us to catch up some time.
16. Hunting for treasures for the orphanage was surprisingly easy but we still failed to complete the task beautifully. Got one wrong. Shame on us.
17. Road safety questions I guess some car mechanics might it wrong too. Michelin really tested us.
18. 8 hours of drive from KL to Ipoh is definitely not enough!
19. Special shout out to Patrick for providing the help for the answer. Not forgetting Steven and Alice too.
20. I want more treasure hunt!!!

Being first-timer at these kinds of challenges, I thought we did very well and it was way better than I could have imagined. Very very addictive indeed!

Treasure Hunt KL-Ipoh - Prelude

2008-08-10T23:19:00.006+08:00

Ahhou went treasure hunting!
Yup, rookies on the road, don’t mess with me!

Maskula High Gras. Sounds rather Spanish, no? It’s the team’s nickname for the hunt. I will definitely be laughing my heads off if I were to explain the meaning and story behind this wonderfully, weirdly given name. Nevertheless this was my virgin hunt though, along with Jill, GG and Hamyu; we embarked on the journey of absolute blur-ness and excitement all the way from Kuala Lumpur city centre to the yummy-land of Ipoh. Set at a traveling distance of 320km one way, the treasure hunt was a good deed as it was a charity event organized by a KL based Buddhist society, VBCM. The game has got more to do with charity than religious elements, in which I thought was very appropriate.

Waking up from a super early morning call from GG, (it was only 4am++ for God’s sake… I only had few hours of sleep the night before), and then dragged myself so dreadfully to drive all the way to meet up with the rest of the fellow teammates for a super early breakfast at KLCC area. Where else… of course the 24 hours operations of McDonalds. I was still at the state of drowsiness and blurry until I spilled my coffee over my burger, lucky no catastrophes on my pants.

Yup, Fillet O'Fish with an extra touch of coffee

Maskula High Gras was the team no.30 of the 42 teams that took part in the race. Well, we have been reminded numerous times that it’s not a race, so being the fastest to arrive will not necessary be the winner if ever the treasure hunting was not completed and will ultimately result of a defect of purpose of what the entire hunt is all about.

Team Maskula High Gras... There you Goooo....

Jill, Ahhou, GG & Hamyu coming at you...

I was the supposedly-driver despite always being complaint of driving slow like a tortoise (mind you, I’m just being safe ok…), the role of driver ended up with GG since her rented baby blue car was used (Fuuhh… save on the car maintenances), while Jill and Hamyu both were the passengers cum player who took the back seat, basically enjoying the journey and scenic views along some of the long distance trips that occurs forming part of the hunt. We even equipped ourselves brilliantly with the library of multilingual dictionaries, thesaurus, chemistry charts, Roman numeric symbols and even musical notes! As if we were the season treasure hunters... Thanks to the pre-hunt briefings, if not we would have been in total lost from the very beginning.

I was the navigator.
I seriously under-estimated the importance of the role of the navigator as I was the person that actually steered the whole team all the way to hunt for the treasure and clues. Of course I have to be very alert to pre-amp the passengers of the upcoming happenings and at the same time to direct the driver to the routes according to the given road tulips.

Fuyoh…This was when all the fun starts…
Next entry I shall reveal the hunting challenges.

p/s: special shout out to Hamyu for the pictures from his DSLR.

One World, One Dream

2008-08-08T23:56:00.011+08:00

One World, One Dream
同一个世界，同一个梦想

Remarkable moment of the Chinese history.
I reckon the opening showcased the 2000 years history of China, with much grace, beauty and art. The elegance of Chinese calligraphy, the tranquility of Taichi; colourful multiracial cultures displays. It was superb. More so with the superman-like of 李宁 flying above and around the Bird Nest with the holy torch.

我和你心连心共住地球村
为梦想千里行相会在北京
来吧朋友伸出你的手
我和你心连心永远一家人

Simple and direct yet powerful music delivers the message of peace and love.

My favourite moment of the entire opening ceremony has to be the moment of the many faces of children on the umbrellas, half way through the You and Me official opening song (featured at minute 2:20++ of the video above). Wonderful job by 刘欢 and Sarah Brightman. She even sang in Mandarin at her last line! Not forgetting the smiley faces that were firecrackred into the skies above the Beijing National Stadium.

Smile, the language without barriers

I was equally delighted to see Chinese Taipei delegates parading their way into the stadium. Politics aside, now it is the Olympics.

I am proud to be Chinese.

I Hulked My Pants

2008-08-07T11:10:00.006+08:00

Another usual boring Thursday morning,
I was rushing for work,
Grab my stuffs, and as when I step my right foot forward,
Ok, it was quite a big step,
Oh no,
I burst my pants.
Near the upper right thigh area.
About 1 inch in length.
I thought it was not noticeable, so didn’t bother to change…
Just yet.
Few steps forward, it went ‘KA-PIII...AAAK’,
Sound effect was exactly like those in the movies.
Oh crap!
Now almost the entire right thigh got ripped apart,
I mean my pants...

Ok, I HULK-ed my pants.
Even the incredible hulk did't ripped off his pants...
Deng...

Mum: Aiyo... what did you do to your pants?
Ahhou: Mum, I’m rushing, ok...rushing...

No choice, have to change the pants.
Change to an older pair of office pants.
Non-stretchable as well.
Hope this one can last.

The battle of the bulge continues;
Now, newest rivalry,
The thighs...

I'm blaming it on the 15-15kg of squats in BPump.
Deng!!!

Egyptian Hieroglyphs

2008-08-03T23:52:00.011+08:00

I've got a little piece of hieroglyphs souvenir from the long lost Morna, all the way from Luxor (or is it Cairo?). Thanks again Morna, muaks...

"It is a complex system, writing figurative, symbolic, and phonetic all at once, in the same text, the same phrase, I would almost say in the same word."

-Wikipedia

I didn't realise the little details and the symbols that came along with it until I begin to read it...and my name is on it. Holy sweet!

Being a perasan person, I though the decipherment was pretty accurate though. Probably I should have emphasize more on the 'B' and the 'A' and work on the 'R'. Well, I'm a man with few words, how can that be?
I do wonder what would A-H-H-O-U means?
Decipherment of AHHOU =
Powerful & Strong; very Diplomatic (of the double 'H's);
Funny & Adventurous; Stubborn

Duh...

Cough For The Abs

2008-07-21T14:51:00.011+08:00

Ever since my last swimming attempt weeks ago, I have been down with bad flu and cough for about more than 2 weeks. Yeah I know it’s the coughing season happening epidemically right now. The coughs have been very much bothering me, very disturbing for work and for occasions.

After several visits to the doctor, the coughs have become better now, but still phlegm are lingering in my throat causing some very uncomfortable, itchy feeling that causing me to cough anytime anywhere. Mucus now is not as thick as before, still slimey but clearer than those in the beginning. But the coughs just didn’t go off. Partially my fault of not controlling my diet of indulging in fruits and cold & sweet stuffs that had prolonged the process of my recovery.

Coughs use contraction of stomach muscles and pushing and making the diaphragm’s movement to remove the uneasiness in the breathing system. After coughing for so long, I do noticed that my abdominals are very much used. Every contraction during every cough now… I can feel my stomach and abdominals contract, very much like working out on crunches though. Sometimes the coughs are so bad that it worked way better normal crunches surprisingly. The entire core was tighten and sucked inwards, rather painful though but I guess the side effects of having bad cough are having somewhat abs workout unexpectedly. I think I have been working a lot on my abs and obliques from the coughs.

Please, please… no more coughs…I had enough already…
Do I get six-pack then? Perhaps…

This Is What I Called Dancing

2008-07-11T01:19:00.003+08:00

I know Mia Michaels choreographed some of the best contemporary dances ever.
This is not hers.
Raw, rather erotic but simply drooled to the silence of the music and the flow of the movements. Tyce Diorio is the next genuis after Mia Micheals.

Namaste to Bollywood! Hallelujah!!!
The invasion of Asian cultures into the dance world, debuted at it's best.
Dance is a language that puts all cultures together. So You Think You Can Dance has brilliantly brought people, art and cultures together. I am absolutely loving it.

Love those bangles.
But the REAL Bollywood dance by the REAL Indians are still irreplaceable.

Aik Yong's Big Day

2008-07-10T17:46:00.008+08:00

A day to be celebrated. Aik Yong tying the knot with his gorgeous wife. Wish you all the best and congrats bro!

Check out the video on the wedding lunch with toasting with all of us. The ladies are louder than the guys though. Our bridegroom shouted that much until his face began to turn BLUE... Haha... Also watch out for the little stinger at the end...

Bringing Back The Swimmer In Me

2008-07-07T23:29:00.010+08:00

Picking up my speedo, I went swimming...
As an effort to diversified my workout regime along continuing the battle of the bulge, the long overdue needed swimming session has finally materialised.

Even after a strenuous BodyAttack, hush hush I soaked myself in the pool. Surprisingly, just a few patrons, I put on my goggles and there I go, crazed myself with the adrenaline rushes from the strokes and kicks in the swimming pool.

The regime:
20 laps of pyramid-bubbling of front crawl;
20 laps of marathon-breaststroke;
10 laps of alternating front crawl and breaststroke sprints.

Other than the first few laps, basically most of the time it's only myself and the pool. Perhaps thanks to the regular cardio works that I have been doing all these while, the laps are completed without much struggles, I was indeed delighted by it. Breaking the still and cold waters of Jaya33's fake infinity pool... that's the way I like it. The strokes, each stroke and the small cramps I had on my right calf during the swim reminded me of the good old days, the great times and tortures I've been through years back when swimming was an important occasion of my daily routine. Even flashes of my childhood drowning phobia came by. I really missed every single bit of it...

Nevertheless,
The battle of the bulge has now moved to a new era.
I felt so 'lengthened' now... definitely a good one.
Yes, ahhou the swimmer is back!!!

Orgasmic RPM

2008-07-05T21:32:00.007+08:00

I have finally parked my butt on the saddle again, can't really remember when was the last time I did the last RPM, apart from Les Mills quarterly workshop, I guess it has been more than 6 months or so... Despite several familiar songs that kinda 'potong-steam' I find this time around its not as taxing as usual. Anyway I thought the latest release is good (but can be much better) as my favourite song is featured in it, yes, always reminds me of the killer-dips in BodyPump. I like...

A late-comer went into the spinning studio half way through the 'Who-Knew' song, from the looks she appeared to be a regular member, very quickly she found her bike that is somewhere in front of the glass door and next to the mirror, sitting right next to a Malay and another Indian dude (both rather uncle-ish) who are first-timers.

I was paying much attention and trying hard to sorta 'feeling' the vibe of the new release, but the excitement was very soon distracted by some weird and unpleasant sounds that filled the studio, and yes, it is coming from the studio itself!!!

That petite-looking, young but not-so-young (that came in late) lady was actually GROANING...

"Aaahhhh....Ooooohhh....Fuuuhhhhh...."
"Ooooohhhhh....Aaaaahhh....."

She groaned and moaned. And it was very HARD and LOUD!!!
She must have been enjoying the workout very thoroughly but I bet she didn't realise the excitement and letting lose of expression were much bigger than she can ever imagined. Her loud voice, her heavy breathings, gasping and facial expressions were somewhat exaggerated. She was so close, so close as if having ORGASM... just minus the visuals... too bad...

"Aaahhhh....Aaaaahhh....Oooohhhhh...."
"Fuuuuhhhhh....Fuuuuhhh....."
The groans were very much like the AFTER-GLORY...
The tired but satisfied look on her face, gosh... she must be enjoying herself to the max.
(I do wonder if the saddle is wet???)

She went on and on...track after track, she groaned and screamed louder especially after the peak tracks... GG and I were looking at each other...giggles... Looked at the instructor, she noticed the nuisance for sure just that there is nothing much she can do though... The two new guys sitting next to the groaning member, who are struggling to get the pedals going, I guarantee, with such 'sound effects' for sure they will be coming back for more...

Letting lose is cool but not without any self consciousness. Showing excitements are cool, but without borders, it is not cool anymore... If I am the instructor I would have done things differently. But being an instructor that able to drive member towards a orgasm-like of sensation, it is not that bad after all...

I seriously don't know RPM can be so orgasmic, now only I know...

剩余的2008

2008-07-01T22:12:00.011+08:00

在车子里回家的路途，近凌晨了，身子十分的疲惫，但脑袋还挺清醒的。
边打瞌睡边听着MYFM,耳边传来这么样的一首歌。

"无法死心忘掉自私非爱人
还有私心仍能令你为我牵挂
余生伟大到自卑也是人
无法诚恳豁达做个伟人
恕我狠心无限大方非爱人
还有真心才难伪装自己遮盖良心
你就当我小气残忍
从前绝配不够道行变配衬 "

这首歌令我起鸡皮疙瘩，很费解。
我不是伟人，也不是英雄。
没有Superman的超能力，也没有Spiderman般攀岩走壁的把戏。

我只不过是一个不起眼的普通人。
我并不是那么地大方，也没有那样的海量。
我想，还是算了吧。
是时候豁达点了。

剩余的2008，我不能在迷糊下去了。
您到底在哪里？

豪。

Beauty & The Beast - Broadway Musical

2008-06-29T18:17:00.008+08:00

Disney on Broadway - Live in Malaysia, at it's BEST!!!

I must make huge shout out to Joce for getting me for the musical, thank you so much... MMuuaakss!!!

Much drama about few hours before the show when I just came back to office after a day long at site, basically sweating and covered all over with dust and dirts. Joce was in the state of 'trauma' (well..she expected me to be all proper and smelling all nice...) and all the drama kicked off when I was urged to shower in the office toilet (in which I didn't) but I managed to change another shirt (I did prepare myself though) that was unplanfully super-matching to her purple dress. Dashing... is the word the describe myself after the little make-over.

Also thanks to Joce of reminding me how stinky I was that she had to use Steve's Polo Blue on me, and with loads of shots... practically finishing the bottle of EDT... turning the entire office all so 'wangi'... As much as I like it, I still prefer my Polo Explorer...

Took place at the Plenary Hall of KLCC, perhaps this is my virgin English musical play that I watched, from Broadway somemore yo... It was superb. Got my double thumbs up for the show, I seriously didn't expected it to be so good that it just blew me away... It caught me in surprise that how well dressed the audiences are on a Friday night, luckily I was not that bad at all...

Premiering on the 24th June, great reviews from the press are all real. The opening act was a big bang... can't remember that much though that it was so drama and the excitements just kept going throughout the acts.

The lightings are superb, awesome visual and sound effects, love the semi-translucent drop-screen that just made the jungle scenes flawless. I also thought the casts are real professionals, especially the few main characters such as Belle and the Lumiere (yes, the hip-shaking Lumiere)... all lyrics are right on the dot, without missing a single beat. Broadway at it's best.

Speaking of Lumiere (I think it's French), the 'candleman' I called, my favourite character of the entire show, was lovable and wacky jut that I 'kesian' the guy playing it for holding the torches upright throughout the whole night.

Another highlight will be Chip, the Teacup. The little Malaysian boy that captured everybody's heart when he ran out to Mrs.Potts during the ending scene that was replied with huge applause from the audiences. Besides that, Cogsworth the clock, the operatic wardrobe, Madame de la Grande Bouche (I so like tha names) and also the Beast (wacky...wacky...) that was less emphasized in the entire show I thought personally, that was in stuffed leotards looked a little awkward and the height of the Beast was out of proportion though, I thought he should be much taller and bigger than that.

There are few near-misses in the acts though when the props are not going it's way. The scene when the beauty and the beast were singing at the balcony, I noticed the wall behind was kinda 'sangkut' that happened right before the Beast begin it's transformation, can even see the props shaking as if it got pulled from the back but seemed stucked. Anyway, they managed to pull it off after several attempts within the same act. With slight changes to the original due to stage limitations, the musical was really really really good I reckon.

I can only recall Disney's animated movie that was many years ago, Beauty and The Beast had happy endings, just that the musical's and the movie are slightly different.

Can't wait for any future musicals from Broadway, imagine Lion King and Mary Poppins Live in Malaysia, or maybe Phantom Of The Opera... Must watchs.

Searching for Value

2008-06-26T09:28:00.004+08:00

By leaving things behind, I took a very brave leap and went out of my zone.
That was more than 2 years ago.
I thought, I hoped and I always wanted for better.
But soon I realized this is not happening, apparently it is not what it seemed.
Perhaps it is my mistake by making these changes.
As much I hate to admit it, now is the time for me to face the reality.
I regretted very much.

About 2 years ago, I charred myself under the burning sun practically almost everyday and worked like a dog by getting shitty wages. Of all the stresses I went through and how stingy and cheapo the ex-boss was, I saw the value in me. As much appreciation is not weighed by materials, it was very clear that my contributions are much valued and that remained the main driver of all the effort that I put into the work.

Now, I don't see that anymore.
Values fading away at a rapid pace.
I sacrificed all the contacts and networking that I've built and it was not worth it at all. I guess it is the mistake that I made, despite having somewhat unexpected freedom (not that really free though), these are not what I wanted.
I regretted very much.

I was looking for chemistry of very indifferent backgrounds of individuals in work.
On the personal level, it was great.
On work, it did not happen.
I just can’t get over the selfish minds and inferiority that revolved at work.
No point proving myself since they chose to blind it anyway.
Yes, this is a world of man eats man.
Everyone for themselves. I realised that since day 1.
Sometimes I felt that I’m the second class citizen as if I’m at some foreign countries.
They are rather shallow minded I would say.

Value is pretty much parallel to the word Prospect.
I certainly don't foresee that happening either.
Time is ticking; I shouldn't be wasting my time.
But I am still…

The search for my values begins right now…

Father's Day Gathering 2008 - Class of 1992 Hin Hua

2008-06-18T00:15:00.012+08:00

Last year we had Merdeka Reunion, this time around it's Father's Day. Instead of Japanese food, we had fish and seafood at The Manhattan Fish Market in AEON Bukit Tinggi. With emails flying around prior to the meet up and an unofficial makan-makan thingy at Italianies not long ago, the turn-ups on the eve of Father's Day was great I reckon. Some faces like Ai Leng (eventhough we met several times in hypermarkets), HK & Belle, gosh...I have never seen them more than 10 years I guess, it was great pleasure catching up with everyone. For some who travels from outstations (I was coming back from Seremban from work back then) and some from Singapore... It was all good.

I have no idea at all of what was ordered though, some seafood platters I guess... and I didn't get to eat the escargot and fish...

Imagine the above, doubled portion for 18 full grown adults, with an even mixture of male and female, enough for dinner tummies?? Perhaps more like snacks... But it was the company that matters the most anyway.

Check out the long jointed table that we took up, freakin' long... this is more like the scene of the after-galore when everyone was catching up with each other somewhat. It would be in perfecto if we had a huge round table with 10 course meals that can fit all 18 of us, that everyone able to watch everybody. Over to you ms.organiser? LOL...

It has been 16 years after we last studied in the same classroom, basically kiasu-ing our way for secondary school, but then here we are now, father and mother figures and husband and momma wannabes on the making. Gosh... time does flies, so much faster than we thought. Nevertheless, it was all good. How many out there still keep in touch with primary schoolmates? It's not easy...

The dinner was surprised by our beloved board game master, Aik Yong for literally 'bombing' everyone with his very nicely done self-made wedding cards. I personally like the 3-D feel and the personal touch of invitation cards very much. Love it.

After many years, he hasn't changed much though, as he is still wackily sensitive to cameras, and Boon Eng shall never stop moving... her in pictures are the same as last year, she cannot sit still... pause-less for camera... Haha...

Introducing... ET the ms.organiser, my alien ex-neighbour... boo..hoo...hoo...

The babes, hot...hot..., I like!!!

The dudes, lookin' dashing, just like 16 years ago...
(I heard coughs out loud...)

Finally, a very decent group picture of everyone posing like school kids in the restaurant and I saw customers staring at us that time. Anyway, can't be bothered by it. JS's orangy zebra tee did make him stand out from the crowd... By looking at it with not much candid action on the play, I guess it is the AGE that is kicking in. Stay YOUNG people!!!

Till we meet again soon, it is my pleasure to share this with you, my dear friends.

Time To Move On

2008-06-17T10:46:00.008+08:00

I know I was overly indulged. I got carried away to an extent that I neglected the more important matters that revolves around me.

I got excited easily.
I also got agitated unnecessarily.

Either way, it didn't do any good to me or to the people around me. Simple little things that appear on the surface and certain situations that brought me somewhat pleasure and comfort momentarily, they do not last long. I know that.

I take things for granted at times. I admit that.
I think I got carried away.

Lucky me, I got reminded of the focus and drive that I have been lacking, thanks to M. Got to get things kicking and going again...I must.

I see glass as half full? It doesn't matter anymore, one filled and plenty of glasses awaits me. Yes, loads of it. Just have to get up and move on.

Live life to the fullest, my everyday motto.
Yes, time to move on… for a better me.

Get Well Soon

2008-06-11T23:53:00.008+08:00

After much drama and freaking-her-out efforts, she finally went for it. I went over for a overtime visit, together with Mumma Juls that was 'arrested' by the security guard upon entering and was even beautifully mistakened as her husband... but it was all good that we managed to enter.

Got her a basket of flowers upon special request. Despite very rushy last minutes attempt for flowers, very nicely done by the Yippiesflowers in SS15 are the white Casablanca Lilies,also the pink and yellow Gerbera Daisies, can't believe flowers can have such nice names though... new lessons learned today!!!

She looked pretty fine though, that's why I'm publishing the pictures here. Haha... Even with tubes in her nostrils, she can still kick her leg and complaint about not having enough food... perhaps the effect of anaesthetics have not fully subsided yet...LOL. Anyway I was glad to see her in such great condition.

Get well soon my friend, wish you speedy recovery and be back in to action soon.
Yes, the Doosh and the Dooshness thingy...

Mexicana Gila

2008-05-29T23:08:00.011+08:00

After much debate between Spanish and Mexican, the dinner ended up in the restaurant just across the office. I can’t recall what was the food though, all I know is CHEESE and nothing but the CHEESE….and also avocado sauce. It was great to let loose and catching everyone’s true colours in off-work times. I was the only one with camera (as usual…duh) and despite the ‘shy-ness’ (I can hear people coughing out loud) of my beloved colleagues, and the very dimmed and bad lightings in the restaurant, surprisingly the pictures that I took weren’t that bad.

My boss was in hyper-mode…He and his desert…

Heard that birthday celebration at the restaurant entitled for special discounts, and we almost faking one…well, maybe not really making it up though, just that Steve’s birthday was a day after that… As we had surprise complimentary desert and birthday card with instant photographs, there are actually NO discounts. Plain rumours...

The best moments were when the appearance of the Mexican hat for the birthday ‘boy’ (coughing…) and Steve doing the jolly good boogie-boogie. I love candid shots, capturing moments that money can’t buy.

And I bet he is very much overwhelmed.

"How can you not wearing this costume??!!!"
I was haunted by the past!!! With my Afro-Exploded-Split-Ends-Phuah-Chu-Kang wig not long ago, somehow the huge hat ended up on my head too… It was big, but kinda hard to fit into it, my head too big I guess, I can’t even differentiate the front and back of the hat. As the matter of fact, I like it...

Myself and Sen in vain… making it into the list of my favourite pictures.

Anggalle....Anggalle... Yeebaa!!!!

Good company at Las Carretas, absolutely love it.
Muchos Gracias!

100th Blog Entry

2008-05-14T23:57:00.015+08:00

365 days ago I entered the world of blogging and here I am now...
Celebrating...

1st Anniversary!!!

and to make the blog even more special, this is also my...

100th Blog Entry!!!

I couldn't be more delighted that I didn't give up blogging, and I lasted so much longer than I expected, given at times I have somewhat short interest span... LOL.

After a year, reading back at the entries from the beginning certainly brought back memories that I always cherish, the bestest moments that I encountered, at least for past whole year. Statistics showed my entries has the most on my life encounters, food and friends. Perhaps traveling and gym would also be part of my biggest passion that I blog most often. However, my love for reality TV shows are still undeniable.

Ahhou's Choice of Blog Entry: Happy Fathers Day

Moving forward, I shall be more blog-efficient.

And more entries I shall blog... and it will be personalised.

While maintaining my blogging policy of only ONE entry per day...
I will not turn ahhou20.blogspot into a food blog, neither travel blog. I will just blog with anything and everything that comes around me.

Blog-worthiness is the key. I seriously hope I can live up to it.