Thursday, October 27, 2005
Selamat Hari Raya
I’d like to wish all my friends a ‘Selamat Hari Raya’. May this AildilFitri showers us with blessing from Allah
Balik Kampung exodus
Tomorrow or as early as tonight there will be a stream of motorists on the road heading towards their destinations for the balik kampong trip and I will be one of them. The highways, federal and state roads will be packed with people like me and there will also be lots of traffic officers monitoring the hotspots.
I read from the news that those who’s slapped by ticket(s) will have to pay on the spot. I hope that I’m not one of them. Ops Sikap IX has already started today and I’d seen a number of the white uniforms on the road. Penang roads are beginning to feel congested as people started coming back from all over the place for the Deepavali and Hari Raya festivities. The island is expecting an influx of at least
100,000 cars within this period. And that my friend is not good.
My to do list for the car today:
1) Check the tires and fill in the gas. Don’t want to have to queue for the pump tonight.
2) Check the coolant and the water level for the wiper
3) Put some RainAct on my screens – in case of rain
4) Check the engine oil
5) Double check my spare tyre
I hope I’d covered everything, It is bad that I don’t have time to send the car for its badly needed service as I’ve been swarmed by work for these past few days but I promise myself to send it to the service center when I come back.
It will be fun to join in the millions of Malaysian in the frenzied balik kampung rush this weekend. Having said that, it is also a good time to remind myself that death takes no holiday and I have to be extremely careful on the road.
With the homecoming of city dwellers to Kelantan, I’d expect the price of goods to increase. Damn, there’s no way for me to bargain the price this time around. I need to get some stuff for my friend’s engagement ceremony and also for the newborn Santino. Hmmm… I wonder what I should be getting them. As a hopeless shopper I’ll need the helps of my sisters to do this. Anyway, that’s aside. Let’s explore the magical mystery of Syawal.
I read from the news that those who’s slapped by ticket(s) will have to pay on the spot. I hope that I’m not one of them. Ops Sikap IX has already started today and I’d seen a number of the white uniforms on the road. Penang roads are beginning to feel congested as people started coming back from all over the place for the Deepavali and Hari Raya festivities. The island is expecting an influx of at least
100,000 cars within this period. And that my friend is not good.
My to do list for the car today:
1) Check the tires and fill in the gas. Don’t want to have to queue for the pump tonight.
2) Check the coolant and the water level for the wiper
3) Put some RainAct on my screens – in case of rain
4) Check the engine oil
5) Double check my spare tyre
I hope I’d covered everything, It is bad that I don’t have time to send the car for its badly needed service as I’ve been swarmed by work for these past few days but I promise myself to send it to the service center when I come back.
It will be fun to join in the millions of Malaysian in the frenzied balik kampung rush this weekend. Having said that, it is also a good time to remind myself that death takes no holiday and I have to be extremely careful on the road.
With the homecoming of city dwellers to Kelantan, I’d expect the price of goods to increase. Damn, there’s no way for me to bargain the price this time around. I need to get some stuff for my friend’s engagement ceremony and also for the newborn Santino. Hmmm… I wonder what I should be getting them. As a hopeless shopper I’ll need the helps of my sisters to do this. Anyway, that’s aside. Let’s explore the magical mystery of Syawal.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Hari raya is coming and I don’t feel a thing
Isn’t it kinda weird? Hari Raya is just around the corner and yet I feel nothing. Seem that it just another raya to me. Maybe because I didn’t really make any preparation for it. No baju raya for me again this year. That’s sad.
I’m going back to Kelantan on Saturday – hopefully morning. It is a long drive along the East – West Highway. Typically it took me 5 to 6 hours to arrive there. The long winded drive really takes a toll on me. But it is going to be a great drive as K Chik is going to be there with me.
I have to get some tidbits for Hari Raya as I won’t have much time to bake cookies and cake this year. Have to buy some stuff for mama and abah as well. Huhuhuu!!! That is going to be fun. I love buying stuffs for them as they always appreciate it - no matter what I get them.
Ohhhh!! I’ve just remember something. I have to prepare as much loose change as possible for the little kids. I need to get the green packet and also some hari raya cards for some friends. So many things to do yet I’m tight up with other stuffs.
I don’t know whether I’ll have the time to send the car for a check before I go back. Maybe I’ll just do it when I come back from Kelantan. Hopefully, it will be a smooth ride
I’m going back to Kelantan on Saturday – hopefully morning. It is a long drive along the East – West Highway. Typically it took me 5 to 6 hours to arrive there. The long winded drive really takes a toll on me. But it is going to be a great drive as K Chik is going to be there with me.
I have to get some tidbits for Hari Raya as I won’t have much time to bake cookies and cake this year. Have to buy some stuff for mama and abah as well. Huhuhuu!!! That is going to be fun. I love buying stuffs for them as they always appreciate it - no matter what I get them.
Ohhhh!! I’ve just remember something. I have to prepare as much loose change as possible for the little kids. I need to get the green packet and also some hari raya cards for some friends. So many things to do yet I’m tight up with other stuffs.
I don’t know whether I’ll have the time to send the car for a check before I go back. Maybe I’ll just do it when I come back from Kelantan. Hopefully, it will be a smooth ride
Thursday, October 20, 2005
In memory of my Grandma
Today is 17th Ramadhan and it will always revoke a painful memory to me. Today is the day that my lovely grandma passed away – exactly 3 years ago.
I still remember that it was the first Ramadhan that I was going to celebrate my first AidilFitri with my family after 6 years in Bristol. I was really looking forward to Syawal and have been spending most of time at home. Sometimes I break fast at my grandma’s house and I absolutely love her cooking.
She’s been a healthy old lady and always full of life. We went to a market together during that Ramadhan and I remembered that we used one of her old friend’s car on the way back from the market. I still remember their conversation in the car; that most of their friends have passed away and not many still around. Mak as what I always call her, said that she always prayed that Allah will take her away on 17th Ramadhan whenever she become a burden to people around her. I kinda feel weird that we were having that conversation but didn’t say much.
The next day, she started acting strange and kept saying that somebody will come soon and she said that her body is aching but she did not want to go to the hospital. She began sweating but she kept saying that she’s cold. These were going on for two days. On the third night, she started showing all of her collection that we’ve never seen before and I was the one asked to take note of all that stuffs. There was this one group of granddad’s friend at the house that night and we asked them to pray for Mak. She wanted to join the prayer and was preparing for it as well when she got a fit. Me and Angah was so shocked and mom immediately asked us to recite the verses from the Holy Quran. I was so scared at that time. I took position at her head besides Angah and both of us recite Yaasin. She passed away at the end of Yassin, peacefully. I still remember she asked to open the front door as wide as possible as she saw lots of people waiting for her outside while at that time none of us saw anything.
She passed away without seeing my grandad as we cannot locate him. Me, mom and my sisters did the final bath ritual. My aunts and uncle arrived from all over the place the next morning to attend the funeral. None of us in the house slept that night. We kept vigil at her side since that was our last time together. She was buried in the morning and so many people attended her funeral. The morning mist was so surreal and I felt so peaceful.
Everybody was saying that I’m the lucky one. I was the one that stay so far away, in Bristol, yet I was the one at her side when she passed away. Even Kak Chik was not at her funeral. I feel so honored to be there when she left us. I’ve been praying that I’ll be there when she passed away and thank you Allah for listening to my prayer.
Even though I did not get the chance to celebrate AidilFitri with her, I was so proud that I was there for her until the end. That was the worst AidilFitri for my family. It was a big blow to us especially my granddad, that we managed to locate after the second day my grandma passed away. We tried our best to be strong during the AidilFitri celebration for my granddad but deep inside ….. It was hard.
May Allah bless her and shower her with all His love.
I still remember that it was the first Ramadhan that I was going to celebrate my first AidilFitri with my family after 6 years in Bristol. I was really looking forward to Syawal and have been spending most of time at home. Sometimes I break fast at my grandma’s house and I absolutely love her cooking.
She’s been a healthy old lady and always full of life. We went to a market together during that Ramadhan and I remembered that we used one of her old friend’s car on the way back from the market. I still remember their conversation in the car; that most of their friends have passed away and not many still around. Mak as what I always call her, said that she always prayed that Allah will take her away on 17th Ramadhan whenever she become a burden to people around her. I kinda feel weird that we were having that conversation but didn’t say much.
The next day, she started acting strange and kept saying that somebody will come soon and she said that her body is aching but she did not want to go to the hospital. She began sweating but she kept saying that she’s cold. These were going on for two days. On the third night, she started showing all of her collection that we’ve never seen before and I was the one asked to take note of all that stuffs. There was this one group of granddad’s friend at the house that night and we asked them to pray for Mak. She wanted to join the prayer and was preparing for it as well when she got a fit. Me and Angah was so shocked and mom immediately asked us to recite the verses from the Holy Quran. I was so scared at that time. I took position at her head besides Angah and both of us recite Yaasin. She passed away at the end of Yassin, peacefully. I still remember she asked to open the front door as wide as possible as she saw lots of people waiting for her outside while at that time none of us saw anything.
She passed away without seeing my grandad as we cannot locate him. Me, mom and my sisters did the final bath ritual. My aunts and uncle arrived from all over the place the next morning to attend the funeral. None of us in the house slept that night. We kept vigil at her side since that was our last time together. She was buried in the morning and so many people attended her funeral. The morning mist was so surreal and I felt so peaceful.
Everybody was saying that I’m the lucky one. I was the one that stay so far away, in Bristol, yet I was the one at her side when she passed away. Even Kak Chik was not at her funeral. I feel so honored to be there when she left us. I’ve been praying that I’ll be there when she passed away and thank you Allah for listening to my prayer.
Even though I did not get the chance to celebrate AidilFitri with her, I was so proud that I was there for her until the end. That was the worst AidilFitri for my family. It was a big blow to us especially my granddad, that we managed to locate after the second day my grandma passed away. We tried our best to be strong during the AidilFitri celebration for my granddad but deep inside ….. It was hard.
May Allah bless her and shower her with all His love.
Losing a friend
During my lifetime, I acquire many acquaintances through school, work, travel, hobbies, and other activities. Through the process of cultivation a few of these acquaintances become friends and a bunch of them grow to be my best friend. We started as a stranger, so careful yet bold. But then after we get to know each other, I began to unfold.
Some friendships last a lifetime. Others last a period of time and slowly dissolve due to changes and transitions in my life. In school, my close friends may have moved to another town or drifted away due to a change in common interests. Perhaps a close friend at work changed employment; although the friendship remains, it takes on a new demeanor because we’ll not see each other as often anymore.
What happens when a friend leaves or dies? No matter what the circumstances surrounding it, the shock can be overwhelming, and I find myself asking, “How could this happened?” “I can’t believe he/she is gone!”
Then I realize that the time shared with my friend is now gone forever. No other friend can take the place of the friend I lost or the confidences I shared. Sometimes I feel that a part of me has died because no other person can take that friend’s place.
Then the pain of grief occurs, I feel confuse, guilty, helpless and angry. The sound of our favorite song, the sight of a beautiful sunset or the smell of a familiar fragrance can bring a torrential rain of tears. For no specific reason, tears will flow. Whatever it is, I believe that for all of us, this day will arrive, when it is finally time to say goodbye.
Some friendships last a lifetime. Others last a period of time and slowly dissolve due to changes and transitions in my life. In school, my close friends may have moved to another town or drifted away due to a change in common interests. Perhaps a close friend at work changed employment; although the friendship remains, it takes on a new demeanor because we’ll not see each other as often anymore.
What happens when a friend leaves or dies? No matter what the circumstances surrounding it, the shock can be overwhelming, and I find myself asking, “How could this happened?” “I can’t believe he/she is gone!”
Then I realize that the time shared with my friend is now gone forever. No other friend can take the place of the friend I lost or the confidences I shared. Sometimes I feel that a part of me has died because no other person can take that friend’s place.
Then the pain of grief occurs, I feel confuse, guilty, helpless and angry. The sound of our favorite song, the sight of a beautiful sunset or the smell of a familiar fragrance can bring a torrential rain of tears. For no specific reason, tears will flow. Whatever it is, I believe that for all of us, this day will arrive, when it is finally time to say goodbye.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Buka Puasa dishes
Today is my second day of full fasting in Malaysia. It is pretty hot outside and I feel thirsty. On the first day I had only opted for buying my buka puasa dishes in the Ramadhan Bazaar near the mosque. That place was packed with food shopper and there are lots of food and drink up for sales. My friend and I bought some nasi kerabu (you know, that light blue rice with lots of mixed salads) and nasi tomato. I also bought lots of popiah for my snacking time late at night. Yummie… Don’t mention about the parking, it’s terrible.
Today I’m thinking of cooking a hot and spicy crab dish for the breaking fast. Since I’ve got nothing in my fridge, I have to buy all the fresh ingredients from the market or maybe from Tesco. They have some nice crabs in the seafood sections and the price is quite reasonable today. I only need 4-5 crabs for the two of us. I need some curry leave, lemongrass, shallots, garlic, ginger, chili and lime. I’ll make the chili paste at home with some dried chilies later.
Here is the recipe for you to try out. Since I’m more towards adventure cooking, I don’t really weigh my ingredients. I go by instinct and smell (and taste if it is not during Ramadhan). Cooking is an art so don’t be afraid. You can always modify it to suit your taste.
Ingredients:
4-5 crabs (medium size would do)
About 2 tbsp of corn flour combined with ½ tsp pepper
Enough oil for deep frying the crabs
4 tbsp butter
Some curry leaves (optional)
2 stalks of lemongrass (bruise or smash them to release the flavor)
Ground 4 shallots, 2 cloves of garlic, about 2 cm ginger and 2 tbsp chili paste (you can blend 2 fresh chilies with few dried chilies that have been soaked in water for this)
For the sauce ingredient, combine about 7 tbsp of tomato sauce, 5 tbsp chili sauce,2 tbsp oyster sauce, 3 tbsp of lime juice, 1-2 tbsp sugar to taste and 4-5 tbsp water.
How to cook:
Cut the crabs into halves, Remove and crack the pincers. Clean and wipe dry the crabs and toss them in the flour mixture that has been prepared earlier.
Heat enough oil in a wok and deep fry the crabs until fragrant. Dish out and drain the oil.
In a separate pan, heats the butter until it melts and adds the curry leaves (if using), lemongrass and all the ground ingredients. Fry until it become fragrant.
Put in the combine sauce ingredients and crabs. Stir fry until the crabs are fully coated with the sauce. Close the pan with a cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until the crabs are fully cook and the sauce thicken. Serve hot with some chopped parsley or coriander leaves.
So, now I have a nice crab dish and a plate of rice and I’m waiting for the breaking fast time . It smells so nice and my stomach is growling. For those who try this recipe let me know whether you like it or not. Most of the time you need to slightly modify it to suite your taste. As I said, cooking is an art and a little personal touch goes a long way.
There goes the Adzan now and it is time for the break fast. Bon Appetit!
Friday, October 14, 2005
My precious treasure
DSC-H1. A Sony DSLR that I’ve been eying for two months. It turned out that there is a IT/electronic fair in Changi airport and this camera is also on the hotlist items. After comparing the price with the US price and also the one that I’d intended to purchase earlier on in KL, I think I’ve got a better deal here. They give extra pair of Sony batteries and also a 256Mb memory stick for about SD$808 (i.e USD 486). The one on sale on the internet (KL) will cost me about RM1899 excluding shipping and handling ( ie about USD474) but the shop only give a 128Mb memory stick. The cheapest that I can find in US internet store is USD 389 but I have to pay extra USD 100 to get the same memory stick. That doesn’t include shipping and tax though. After thinking for about two hours I’d finally have the gut to go to the Sony booth and asked the salesman to show me the display unit. He showed me some of the functions and I was so excited and I bought the unit. Now I’m sitting here waiting for my final flight to Penang and I cannot keep my eyes off the white bundle. Finally I made the big purchase for the year and although it caused a big hole in my pocket it does make me happy. I think I’ve to hold my thought of buying the HIFI until after I have enough money again. Maybe this is my present to myself for my coming birthday. So, what is on my next shoppling list… HUGO BOSS perfume!!! High maintenance chick.. hehehehhehe
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Narita, Tokyo 13th October
I’ve just landed in Tokyo Narita after a grueling 11 hours journey. Lord Almighty, I was starving in the plane. I stayed put until the breaking fast time and tell you what, I followed US time…. Why??? Because I don’t know what the ground time was and I was just so tired. I think Tokyo is already on 13th today so I’m already on different day. It is not easy trapped in the cabin with all the food surrounding you but I somehow managed it. I hope my fasting today will be accepted. I’ve been truthful to myself as I struggled to hold myself until the time come. A big milestone achieved as I know it is not easy to fast during the long hour flight. I felt terribly thirsty and have a headache as I think my glucose level is getting low. It doesn’t help that I cannot sleep during flight and I keep looking at the watch and dreading as the it ticked away slowly. My trusted energy bar was tucked away in the backpack just in case I cannot stand it anymore.
The food that they served was awful. Mashed potato Arabic style, with lots of cumin. Yuckie..but I managed to down few tablespoons until my mouth cannot accept anymore. After that I just sticked to fruits, some snacks and Tostitos that they served. I hope the food for the Singapore flight later will be much nicer.
My connecting flight to Singapore is about 3 hours away and I’m damned exhausted. I’m bored and have nothing to read anymore. I’d finished one book during the flight earlier on. I thought I’d never done it but I did and now I’m left with nothing to read as I’d packed my other book into the luggage to Penang. Maybe I should buy a magazine from the Travel kiosk. Could be useful in keeping my mind off the long flight later.
I’m yearning for a hot shower and a nice sleep. I cannot really sleep in the flight just now and my eyes are already red and I’ll try to keep them open so that I can have my much needed sleep in Changi. I think the time right now is equivalent to 12am in Santa Rosa and it is my sleep time. My back hurts as I’ve been lugging my laptop and backpack. What a pleasure to have somebody massaging it. Hehehehe…. Dream on.
I saw some nice sushi bars around this area and I’m intending to get my hand on some of it. Unagi style in a glistening thick shoyu, basted with some honey ….. Yummieee…. They also have some sushi with squid and some sashimi that looks really nice to me. I’ve some spare dollars in my pocket and I think it will be more than enough for it. This will end my craving for the day and also burn a hole in my pocket…. Never mind, I’ll claim it later.
I’ve been playing “Kau Ilhamku” by Manbai few times while weighing my choice and it really sounds nice and soothing to my fatigued mind and it has a deep soulful meaning that I always like. Today’s long flight brings back fragmented memory of my journey back to Malaysia from Heathrow. Something that I cannot break free. Lonely and feeling bored. I wish I’ve somebody that I can talk to. I’ve turned into that unfriendly, guarded character when I’m alone and outside of my comfort zone. I think that is what they call survival mode and I trusted my instinct better at this time. My instinct is telling me to go to that sushi bar and buy some sushi for my dinner and I think my stomach really applauds that choice. Hmm… I hope they have some nice selection for me to try this time around. Let’s go and eat something.
The food that they served was awful. Mashed potato Arabic style, with lots of cumin. Yuckie..but I managed to down few tablespoons until my mouth cannot accept anymore. After that I just sticked to fruits, some snacks and Tostitos that they served. I hope the food for the Singapore flight later will be much nicer.
My connecting flight to Singapore is about 3 hours away and I’m damned exhausted. I’m bored and have nothing to read anymore. I’d finished one book during the flight earlier on. I thought I’d never done it but I did and now I’m left with nothing to read as I’d packed my other book into the luggage to Penang. Maybe I should buy a magazine from the Travel kiosk. Could be useful in keeping my mind off the long flight later.
I’m yearning for a hot shower and a nice sleep. I cannot really sleep in the flight just now and my eyes are already red and I’ll try to keep them open so that I can have my much needed sleep in Changi. I think the time right now is equivalent to 12am in Santa Rosa and it is my sleep time. My back hurts as I’ve been lugging my laptop and backpack. What a pleasure to have somebody massaging it. Hehehehe…. Dream on.
I saw some nice sushi bars around this area and I’m intending to get my hand on some of it. Unagi style in a glistening thick shoyu, basted with some honey ….. Yummieee…. They also have some sushi with squid and some sashimi that looks really nice to me. I’ve some spare dollars in my pocket and I think it will be more than enough for it. This will end my craving for the day and also burn a hole in my pocket…. Never mind, I’ll claim it later.
I’ve been playing “Kau Ilhamku” by Manbai few times while weighing my choice and it really sounds nice and soothing to my fatigued mind and it has a deep soulful meaning that I always like. Today’s long flight brings back fragmented memory of my journey back to Malaysia from Heathrow. Something that I cannot break free. Lonely and feeling bored. I wish I’ve somebody that I can talk to. I’ve turned into that unfriendly, guarded character when I’m alone and outside of my comfort zone. I think that is what they call survival mode and I trusted my instinct better at this time. My instinct is telling me to go to that sushi bar and buy some sushi for my dinner and I think my stomach really applauds that choice. Hmm… I hope they have some nice selection for me to try this time around. Let’s go and eat something.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Penang here I come..... I'm coming home
I'll be flying home to Penang tomorrow and I'm excited . Had already planned on where to break fast on the day I arrive. Should I eat Daging Masak Merah or should I eat Ayam Bakar???.... Yumm Yummm.... Thinking about food always make me happy. I think it triggers the happy hormone in me and I'll start imagining all the wonderful colours and smells.I cannot help but think about the juicy watermelon juice.... red pinkish colour juice in a big glass, full of ice...one of seven wonders in my life.... I've been craving this since the first day of Ramadhan here.
Arghhhh ... there is so many stuffs for me to do. First thing , pump some gas into my Vios and I can't wait to see my baby. She must be so dusty by now with lots of water mark thanks to Penang lousy environment. I cannot afford to wait for 1-2hours to get it polish or wax though. I'm just not patient enough. I'll need to send the car for a quick wash and see whether I can get an appointment for my 5000km check the next day. Well, actually I've gone beyond that.. the car has clocked close to 8000km I think. Better send it before I go back for Raya. It is pretty hard to get an appointment during the raya season and I desperately need to send my car before I go for a long drive back to Kelantan.
What a pleasure driving back through the highway. This time around it will be different because it is Ramadhan and I cannot stuffs my big mouth with keropok and chips. Huhuhuhuhu... it will be a though one and Kak Chik will be there for me. Not that I'll allow her to drive through the highway anyway. At lest we can catch up on lots of stuffs... you know what I mean... girls stuffs. Six hours of continuous driving, I'm pretty sure I can dig lots of juicy story from her... hehehehhehe
Oppps... one important thing for me to do, I need to renew my driving license. It expired last month and I've been driving to work in US without a valid license... I know .. Every time I'm on the wheel I pray hard that nothing will happen and I had finally returned the rented car today. Thanks Allah Almighty for taking care of me here... .I know I've been naughty but I'll try my best to behave myself.
I need to finish packing up my stuffs tonight. I'd printed all the itenaries and booking info. I hope I can get a standard room in the transit hotel. Else, I'll stuck in the budget hotel with a communal toilet.. what a hassle that will be.
I need to cook some food for the flight. I will break fast in Narita and sahur in Singapore. Kinda cool aaaa... But I'll be damned tired on the 10/11 hour journey to Narita. I'll try to scout for bargain in Changi airport. Hopefully, they have the DSC-H1 digital camera that I've been eying....If the price is reasonable, I'll buy it. Splurge!!!!!.
Arghhhh ... there is so many stuffs for me to do. First thing , pump some gas into my Vios and I can't wait to see my baby. She must be so dusty by now with lots of water mark thanks to Penang lousy environment. I cannot afford to wait for 1-2hours to get it polish or wax though. I'm just not patient enough. I'll need to send the car for a quick wash and see whether I can get an appointment for my 5000km check the next day. Well, actually I've gone beyond that.. the car has clocked close to 8000km I think. Better send it before I go back for Raya. It is pretty hard to get an appointment during the raya season and I desperately need to send my car before I go for a long drive back to Kelantan.
What a pleasure driving back through the highway. This time around it will be different because it is Ramadhan and I cannot stuffs my big mouth with keropok and chips. Huhuhuhuhu... it will be a though one and Kak Chik will be there for me. Not that I'll allow her to drive through the highway anyway. At lest we can catch up on lots of stuffs... you know what I mean... girls stuffs. Six hours of continuous driving, I'm pretty sure I can dig lots of juicy story from her... hehehehhehe
Oppps... one important thing for me to do, I need to renew my driving license. It expired last month and I've been driving to work in US without a valid license... I know .. Every time I'm on the wheel I pray hard that nothing will happen and I had finally returned the rented car today. Thanks Allah Almighty for taking care of me here... .I know I've been naughty but I'll try my best to behave myself.
I need to finish packing up my stuffs tonight. I'd printed all the itenaries and booking info. I hope I can get a standard room in the transit hotel. Else, I'll stuck in the budget hotel with a communal toilet.. what a hassle that will be.
I need to cook some food for the flight. I will break fast in Narita and sahur in Singapore. Kinda cool aaaa... But I'll be damned tired on the 10/11 hour journey to Narita. I'll try to scout for bargain in Changi airport. Hopefully, they have the DSC-H1 digital camera that I've been eying....If the price is reasonable, I'll buy it. Splurge!!!!!.
Monday, October 10, 2005
The way I am
When I’m with you, the world is a mass of golden colors with sunlight shining through.The love pushes to get out, pulses against my skin but I'll firmly hold it inside. Show no sign of it. Our friendship would be ruined if I let this unruly love show.
In the safest dark that I've chosen for myself, I cry where no one would see me, no one would comfort me or scorn me. The light was so close but yet too far too reach. Such a great effort to reach and grab it. Till then it'll be a pure, plain and simple friendship, not a question to move forward.
Thank you for loving me that much. I wish I had returned the feelings. However, if I told you that I like you and be the way that you want me to be, I'll not be honest to myself for it wasn't a true love that I felt. Maybe I was wrong but I don't know, I just want our friendship to stay here forever. Maybe one day if the time ever come back again.....
In the safest dark that I've chosen for myself, I cry where no one would see me, no one would comfort me or scorn me. The light was so close but yet too far too reach. Such a great effort to reach and grab it. Till then it'll be a pure, plain and simple friendship, not a question to move forward.
Thank you for loving me that much. I wish I had returned the feelings. However, if I told you that I like you and be the way that you want me to be, I'll not be honest to myself for it wasn't a true love that I felt. Maybe I was wrong but I don't know, I just want our friendship to stay here forever. Maybe one day if the time ever come back again.....
A Friendship Poem for the more cynical of us
A tribute to friendship.....
When you are sad, I will get you drunk and help you plot revenge against the scum sucking bastard who made you sad.
When you are blue, I'll try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
When you smile, I'll know you finally got laid.
When you are scared, I will dog you about it every chance I get.
When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be and tell you to quit whining.
When you are confused, I will use little words to explain it to your dumb ass.
When you are sick, stay away from me until you're well again, I don't want whatever you have.
When you fall, I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.
This is my oath that I pledge till the end. Why you may ask?
Because you're my friend.
When you are sad, I will get you drunk and help you plot revenge against the scum sucking bastard who made you sad.
When you are blue, I'll try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
When you smile, I'll know you finally got laid.
When you are scared, I will dog you about it every chance I get.
When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be and tell you to quit whining.
When you are confused, I will use little words to explain it to your dumb ass.
When you are sick, stay away from me until you're well again, I don't want whatever you have.
When you fall, I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.
This is my oath that I pledge till the end. Why you may ask?
Because you're my friend.
Men Are Hard To Please
The problems with GUYS:
If you treat TREAT him nicely, he says you are IN LOVE with him;
If you Don't, he says u are too PROUD.
If you DRESS Nicely, he says you are trying to LURE him;
If you Don't, he says you are from a VILLAGE.
If you ARGUE with him, he says you are STUBBORN;
If you keep QUIET,! he says you have no BRAINS.
If you are SMARTER than him, he'll lose FACE;
If he's Smarter than you, he is GREAT.
If you don't Love him, he tries to POSSESS you;
If you Love him, he will try to LEAVE you.(very true huh?)
If you don't make love to him., he says you don't Love him;
If you do!! he says you are CHEAP.
If you tell him your PROBLEM, he says you are TROUBLESOME;
If you don't, he says that you don't TRUST him.
If you SCOLD him, you are like a NANNY to him;
If he SCOLDS you, it is because he CARES for you.
If you BREAK your PROMISE, you Cannot be TRUSTED;
If he BREAKS his, he is FORCED to do so.
If you SMOKE, you are BAD girl;
If he SMOKES, he is a GENTLEMAN.
If you do WELL in your exams, he says it's LUCK;
If he does WELL, it's BRAINS.
If! you HURT him, you are CRUEL;
If he HURTS you, you are too SENSITIVE!! & sooo hard to please!!!!!
I know it is kind of funny reading this. My friend send me this and I thought it is kinda fun to share around. If I forward this to my guy friends, they'll swear that it is not true. No hard feeling ya... it is just for fun
If you treat TREAT him nicely, he says you are IN LOVE with him;
If you Don't, he says u are too PROUD.
If you DRESS Nicely, he says you are trying to LURE him;
If you Don't, he says you are from a VILLAGE.
If you ARGUE with him, he says you are STUBBORN;
If you keep QUIET,! he says you have no BRAINS.
If you are SMARTER than him, he'll lose FACE;
If he's Smarter than you, he is GREAT.
If you don't Love him, he tries to POSSESS you;
If you Love him, he will try to LEAVE you.(very true huh?)
If you don't make love to him., he says you don't Love him;
If you do!! he says you are CHEAP.
If you tell him your PROBLEM, he says you are TROUBLESOME;
If you don't, he says that you don't TRUST him.
If you SCOLD him, you are like a NANNY to him;
If he SCOLDS you, it is because he CARES for you.
If you BREAK your PROMISE, you Cannot be TRUSTED;
If he BREAKS his, he is FORCED to do so.
If you SMOKE, you are BAD girl;
If he SMOKES, he is a GENTLEMAN.
If you do WELL in your exams, he says it's LUCK;
If he does WELL, it's BRAINS.
If! you HURT him, you are CRUEL;
If he HURTS you, you are too SENSITIVE!! & sooo hard to please!!!!!
I know it is kind of funny reading this. My friend send me this and I thought it is kinda fun to share around. If I forward this to my guy friends, they'll swear that it is not true. No hard feeling ya... it is just for fun
look how cute he is....
I came across this photo that was taken in Sacramento during my visit to US last year. I think the bushy tail is just so cute and would like to share it. I remember there were so many of them and they were not afraid of human. It scared me a lot when one of them try to jump onto my bag to grab a peanut that I was holding.
Friday, October 07, 2005
My Friday..
My mood seems to be sinking by hours and it doesn't help that I'm fasting today. I'm feeling grumpy but I hope I was not putting a false front. I try my best to put a sweet face as I know that people will appreciate it that way. I'm hoping that I'll be able to pick myself up soon enough. I've been having massive headache this pass few days and the only remedy that work me now is to lay myself on the couch and try to catch some sleep.I'll wake up feeling better. I believe that this is the way my body is trying to communicate to me and to remind me to take care of myself.
I found solace in watching the bird flies and staring at the window. Sometimes I wish to have company on my journey. To have a shoulder to cry on. To have somebody that I can joke around for the rest of my life. But I scared of losing my freedom and my privacy. I believe I've to learn to share things and open up my heart to be loved. Perhaps I choose the safer way, the way that I best know of. People never realize how fragile I am. Maybe because I never let them too close to my heart. Maybe I'm too scared to be loved ... For fear it will crush me and come tumbling down. If I choose to flip my coin now, I wonder how it is going to be. Maybe it is not how I flip the coin that matter but the decision that I made to flip it.
I've been pretending to be tough and time I do feel lonely. But I do not trust myself to let others come close to me. I don't know why but that is how it is. Maybe it is just me and my junkie brain.
I feel that I am starting not to make sense even to myself. My mind just shutdowns and runs into ignore mode. Could it be the sign that I'm avoiding myself? I've been asked by somebody close to me on the subject of what I fear the most in my life. I said I fear of darkness and not knowing what the future hold for me. But deep in my heart I know I fear of myself. Why? I'll never have answer to that because ignorance plays the better part of me.
I don't know much about this world to dictate things and I could only search in myself and hope to be enlightened.
I found solace in watching the bird flies and staring at the window. Sometimes I wish to have company on my journey. To have a shoulder to cry on. To have somebody that I can joke around for the rest of my life. But I scared of losing my freedom and my privacy. I believe I've to learn to share things and open up my heart to be loved. Perhaps I choose the safer way, the way that I best know of. People never realize how fragile I am. Maybe because I never let them too close to my heart. Maybe I'm too scared to be loved ... For fear it will crush me and come tumbling down. If I choose to flip my coin now, I wonder how it is going to be. Maybe it is not how I flip the coin that matter but the decision that I made to flip it.
I've been pretending to be tough and time I do feel lonely. But I do not trust myself to let others come close to me. I don't know why but that is how it is. Maybe it is just me and my junkie brain.
I feel that I am starting not to make sense even to myself. My mind just shutdowns and runs into ignore mode. Could it be the sign that I'm avoiding myself? I've been asked by somebody close to me on the subject of what I fear the most in my life. I said I fear of darkness and not knowing what the future hold for me. But deep in my heart I know I fear of myself. Why? I'll never have answer to that because ignorance plays the better part of me.
I don't know much about this world to dictate things and I could only search in myself and hope to be enlightened.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Enjoying your cuppa?
Today is the second day of Ramadhan and I've been fasting religously *sigh*.
There is one thing that I've always miss during the fasting season... a cup of hot aromatic coffee... **drooling**..' You can tell that I've been skipping my caffein fixes for two days now. Any reverse effect? Oh yes... I feel grumpy and I cannot stare at the coffee machine without imagining myself sipping the black elixir. Ummmm...
People said that you can tell a lot abt a person personality by observing his/her relationship with a coffee... I know what you are thingking , " no wonder you are such a freak".
The coffee personality are divided into few categories ... the addict, the snob, the binge drinker, etc... maybe there is more to that list but these are what I usually come across.
The addict - An addict will guzzle hot coffee like it’s is his\her last drink – the esophagus is a tube of seared scar tissue. His\Her only concern is to get the brew down the pipe ASAP. Sound familiar??
The coffe snob - The Coffee Snob is driven by compulsion in the pursuit of "the perfect cup of coffee.". I've met one of this type and Lord mercy, he embarassed me with all his 'know how' when I brought him to my favourite coffee joint
The binge drinker - the binge drinker makes up for his/her coffee abstention throughout the school semester by drinking java by the big barrel during midterms and finals. I went through this cycle few times expecially during my finals . Well, it's definitely worth it.
So which one is me? I think I'm a cofee addict even though it is not so bad now. I still drink few cups a day but have to tone it down a lot during Ramadhan and I'll tell you that it is not easy. I'd like to think of it as one of the sacrifices that I made for myself during Ramadhan.
Why do I even consider myself an addict? Well, maybe because I choose coffee-flavored sweets over fruit flavoured one. Or maybe it because I'll start salivating everytime I wallked pass the coffee machine in my office. I'll have headache when I did not get my fix for the day. So, I think it is true that I'm addicted... to coffee.
There are a few personal reason why I enjoy my coffee so much. To those who hate coffee... listen but don't take it personally :)
1) It is one of the thing that wake me up and keep me awake during the day. The smell of brewing coffee in the morning open up my eyes a bit faster..
2) It is one of the line that people always use to get to know others .. "wanna go for coffee?" it always work as a first invitation
3) Coffee is an ideal conversation starter or the ideal thing to have while you are having a discussion. What a better way to get to know someone by discussing favorite drinks or buying a cup for a person that sit beside you in the office... Coffee does say a lot about someone...hehehhe
4) Whatever your mood, you can complement coffees to make your experience complete...
5) A little indulgence for the day I'd say. People are not looking for coffee with dessert... they want coffee for dessert! The rich, delectably fragrant and guilt-free indulgences are heaven when you teamed it up with a nice gooey chocolaties brownies.. talk about heaven on earth
Anyway, I'm heading for my caffeine fix now. It's already 9.30pm but I cannot stop thinking about it. So, I'll indulge myself with the warmth feeling of my mug of coffee...ummmm..nice
There is one thing that I've always miss during the fasting season... a cup of hot aromatic coffee... **drooling**..' You can tell that I've been skipping my caffein fixes for two days now. Any reverse effect? Oh yes... I feel grumpy and I cannot stare at the coffee machine without imagining myself sipping the black elixir. Ummmm...
People said that you can tell a lot abt a person personality by observing his/her relationship with a coffee... I know what you are thingking , " no wonder you are such a freak".
The coffee personality are divided into few categories ... the addict, the snob, the binge drinker, etc... maybe there is more to that list but these are what I usually come across.
The addict - An addict will guzzle hot coffee like it’s is his\her last drink – the esophagus is a tube of seared scar tissue. His\Her only concern is to get the brew down the pipe ASAP. Sound familiar??
The coffe snob - The Coffee Snob is driven by compulsion in the pursuit of "the perfect cup of coffee.". I've met one of this type and Lord mercy, he embarassed me with all his 'know how' when I brought him to my favourite coffee joint
The binge drinker - the binge drinker makes up for his/her coffee abstention throughout the school semester by drinking java by the big barrel during midterms and finals. I went through this cycle few times expecially during my finals . Well, it's definitely worth it.
So which one is me? I think I'm a cofee addict even though it is not so bad now. I still drink few cups a day but have to tone it down a lot during Ramadhan and I'll tell you that it is not easy. I'd like to think of it as one of the sacrifices that I made for myself during Ramadhan.
Why do I even consider myself an addict? Well, maybe because I choose coffee-flavored sweets over fruit flavoured one. Or maybe it because I'll start salivating everytime I wallked pass the coffee machine in my office. I'll have headache when I did not get my fix for the day. So, I think it is true that I'm addicted... to coffee.
There are a few personal reason why I enjoy my coffee so much. To those who hate coffee... listen but don't take it personally :)
1) It is one of the thing that wake me up and keep me awake during the day. The smell of brewing coffee in the morning open up my eyes a bit faster..
2) It is one of the line that people always use to get to know others .. "wanna go for coffee?" it always work as a first invitation
3) Coffee is an ideal conversation starter or the ideal thing to have while you are having a discussion. What a better way to get to know someone by discussing favorite drinks or buying a cup for a person that sit beside you in the office... Coffee does say a lot about someone...hehehhe
4) Whatever your mood, you can complement coffees to make your experience complete...
5) A little indulgence for the day I'd say. People are not looking for coffee with dessert... they want coffee for dessert! The rich, delectably fragrant and guilt-free indulgences are heaven when you teamed it up with a nice gooey chocolaties brownies.. talk about heaven on earth
Anyway, I'm heading for my caffeine fix now. It's already 9.30pm but I cannot stop thinking about it. So, I'll indulge myself with the warmth feeling of my mug of coffee...ummmm..nice
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