Sunday, December 6, 2009

The Move

Have not written for quite awhile...been busy and pre-occupied with so many happenings.

Got word that we will all be moving back to KL (plus dog in tow). Reason being, hubby got a transfer within the same company and will be based in KL instead.

I will definitely miss East Malaysia, mainly the people, their genuineness, friends, no traffic jams, the beach, house by the beach, the view of the beach, long walks/stroll by the beach etc. etc. etc.

Happy to move yet melancholic for now. Will cherish all the good times and now it is time to move. Change is inevitable. The journey has begun.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Guilt

Drop guilt! -- because to be guilty is to live in hell. Not being guilty, you will have the freshness of dewdrops in the early morning sun, you will have the freshness of lotus petals in the lake, you will have the freshness of the stars in the night. Once guilt disappears you will have a totally different kind of life, luminous and radiant. You will have a dance to your feet and your heart will be singing a thousand and one songs.(quote by Osho)

So, why am writing about guilt? Well, I know one too many people that I care about consume themselves so deep into guilt feeling that they feel trapped. And this becomes a snowball reaction to all other actions that the person(s) do next. Am also referring this to some family members and couple of close friends.

Thus, stop feeling guilty. If a decision has been made and you feel bad about it, go take a nice bath, sleep or just do some activity that takes your mind of the guilt feeling because guilt can be cancerous!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Little forest in Kay el











Here's my father-in-law's work of art in our little backyard (in our Kay el home) - all 42 feet covered with grass, plants, flowers, vegetables, herbs, a gazebo, couple of statues, a shack for garden tools etc. etc.

It a gorgeous view. Love it. Thanks pappa. You truly have a green thumb.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Shallow

Source: www.youtube.com

BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents travelled to Malaysia to explore the divide among races. This extract features reporter Mukul Devichand speaking to Luqman, a student leader at the Universiti Teknologi Mara - a Malay University. ...


Sunday, September 20, 2009

Still I rise

Sometimes no words can describe how terrible one feels. And sometimes it is difficult to share or write about it. In short, I got the blues. I am only human so what should I do......get out of it. Append below one of my favorite poem by Maya Angelou. This poem is so wonderful and inspiring. The words are magical to me.


You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

(by Maya Angelou)

Friday, September 18, 2009

House

A tale on the social economic plight faced by many Indian Malaysians.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Classy girl, my respect to you.

My respect to this lady, Beyonce. Very considerate and there should be more celebrities/singers with that sort of attitude.

Beyonce gives up her acceptance Speech For Taylor Swift.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

R.I.P Floyd

I love this guy Floyd. I love the way he cooks and presents food.

Most importantly I love the way he inspired me to cook and not to feel bad about eating or drinking while cooking (can't do that with driving, at least the law does not allow one to consume alcohol and then drive - with some limitation...Go figure).

Floyd had a magical aura to inspire not only one to cook but importantly to feel happy and jolly about. He was an extraordinary person. Most TV chefs today do not have that magic and they are just plain celebrity with a formula and a foul language to follow.

Sadly, Keith Floyd died on September 14, 2009 due to a heart attack. He was 65. Rest in peace.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Hamlet

To be or not to be.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Trailer 1

Source: http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/26540/84/

RPK speaks his mind - Trailer 1




Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Mid-life crisis

I love this country but of late, I often wonder if the country loves me back.

Too many walls have appeared and it will not be easy to crack 'em all, let alone break them all.

The recent act of parading a severed cow head in Shah Alam by a small group of racist Muslim Malays can possibly bring a tidal wave of tension (although some may disagree and categorise it as an isolated incident). Within minutes, seconds, 52 years of progress, tolerance and harmony of this country can come undone.

What the country needs is for its citizens', regardless of race and religion, is to have the courage and will-power to initiate the long road of recovery/transformation in order to preserve harmony at all costs. I may sound like a broken record. So be it.

Note: According to Karim Raslan of The Star ("CERITALAH" Page 44 of Nation, The Star, Tuesday, September 1st 2009): Malaysia's racial and religious harmony is delicate. It must be preserved at all costs. This is about zero tolerance.

Maths in BM











Source:http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/26309/84/

Bullshit! What 52nd Anniversary of Malaysia's Merdeka?
Posted by admin
Tuesday, 01 September 2009 00:08

Today, no cheong hei article. Today, very short. Today, I want to ask just one thing. Yesterday we celebrated Malaysia's 52nd Anniversary of Merdeka? Bullshit! Malaysia was formed only in 1963, not 1957. What 52nd Anniversary? That's what you get when you learn maths in Bahasa Melayu.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin



Monday, August 31, 2009

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/111782


Merdeka 2009: A nation divided

by Charles Santiago
Aug 31, 09
3:59pm
Malaysiakini - online portal

I would like to share with you the images that come to my mind when I think of Merdeka Day. I have flashes of police violence against peaceful protesters, deep lacerations on Kugan Anathan's body after spending three days in prison for alleged car theft and photos of Teoh Beng Hock on the roof of a building that houses the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

I get glimpses of the letter which claims that top officers of the anti-graft body are in cahoots with a former politician to topple the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government, former Selangor Menteri Besar Khir Toyo's mansions, the violation of the rights of the Penan, the Pahang Syariah Court's verdict to cane a Muslim mother of two for drinking beer and a group of Muslims parading a bloodied cow head to protest the building of a Hindu temple in their neighbourhood and the nation's largest financial scandal - the RM12 billion PKFZ fiasco.

To be brutally frank, that is not the end of the list.

We have a prime minister who is hell bent on staying on in power at whatever cost. PM Najib Abdul Razak has clearly shown that he would choreograph a wanton toppling of a state government to score brownie points from ruling Umno members. This resulted in Perakians being robbed off a democratically-elected leadership.

Opposition politicians in the state of Selangor are his next target. Allegations that state representatives misused their funds are fashioned to allow anti-corruption officers to nab and interrogate cabinet members and their aides.

Teoh was found dead after one such questioning process. State medical examiners said it was suicide while the anti-graft officers are playing innocent at the inquest hearing. And the police are yet to investigate reports lodged regarding a letter, written by disillusioned MACC officers, saying that their top bosses are taking instructions from a former politician to topple the Selangor government.

The police use chemical-laced water and tear gas to disperse peaceful protestors, including women and children, who are merely exercising their freedom of expression and assembly as enshrined in the country's federal constitution. But they are branded as enemies of the state for holding candles at a vigil and wearing black T-shirts.

However, the police watched silently when a group of Muslims paraded a chopped cow head to protest against the building of a Hindu temple in their area. The excuse given by Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar is that the officer at the rally was a junior staff who did not know his job. This is a joke.

It is clear that the cow head rally, as it is now dubbed, was carefully planned and executed to create fear among the masses and primarily get the Malays to rally behind ruling Umno, which lost its power base at last year's general election.

The 1969 bloody racial riots, Operasi Lalang in 1988 and the racial clash in 2001 all happened when Umno's grip on power was violently shaken as it is now.

Najib, however, still fakes a penchant for democracy, diplomacy and justice while stifling political freedom for fear of losing his ability to monopolise power in the country. In conclusion, the premier's goodwill extends only so far that his interests are safeguarded.
Little reason to rejoice

The continued suppression and violation of aborigines' rights, control of the media, attempts to silence and clamp down on alternative media and bloggers, prevalent use of preventive laws to keep a lid on dissent and rampant corruption clearly shows how little Najib cares about lending substance to his new campaign, 1Malaysia.

The campaign zeroes in on national integration through equality to all races. But the ground reality brings us face to face with marginalised minorities who continue to be discriminated upon, urban pioneers who are struggling to make ends meet, a sliding economy, rising racial tension and corruption that continues to line the wallets of the ruling elite and their cronies.

In short, Malaysia is a nation that is divided as never before.

Despite this, the Umno-led Barisan Nasional government is gearing up for Merdeka Day celebrations with a dizzyingly complex ensemble of dance, music and parades. I am at a loss and still searching for the reasons to celebrate August 31.

Before the nation and I can rejoice in the Merdeka festivities, Najib must implement effective reforms to restore the independence of government institutions. He must state his willingness to rebuild the country's financial system and be committed to wiping out graft.

Umno must stop fanning racial sentiments for its own political gains while equality to all races should not be mere rhetoric. Affirmative action policies must benefit the poor irrespective of race and religion.

Police violence and arbitrary arrests must be discontinued and the media must be allowed to work independently, without the interference of the executive.

If Najib could pledge the above, then Malaysians could celebrate Merdeka Day with the hope for a better future. But for now, it remains a Black Merdeka.


CHARLES SANTIAGO is member of parliament for Klang.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Vanilla Strawberry Glitter Cup Cakes





I couldn't sleep for some reason so ended up baking some cup cakes.

Got carried away (as usual) and ended up baking vanilla strawberry cup cakes.

The glitter toping is edible.

Now am done with this post and feeling sleepy already.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Memories - In Black & White


Another favorite...Classic

Favorite Shot


Bazillion shots were taken of me on my wedding day (amongst others).

Of all the shots taken in the morning, this particular one has been my all time favorite.

Stories and other favorite shots on this day with hubby, family & friends will be resumed on another day...

13 years has passed since this shot was taken (shot during the dinosaur era, prior to digital era)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Cherish

It has been nearly seven years since the last time we saw each other. And that was during her wedding day. Boy, time just zooms..

Ms. RK was an acquaintance at work (during my banking days) and later became a friend.

After numerous calls & e-mails, we finally met this afternoon....it was a long afternoon cum early dinner. We talked and talked about work, holidays,gossips, family, travel plans, babies, in-laws, dogs (coincidentally we both own English Cocker Spaniels. Rachel has two beautiful English Cocker Spaniels. In terms of colour, both of her Spaniels are 'Blue Roan')etc. etc. etc.

The ambiance at 'The Apartment' was good as usual and so were the clams in white wine sauce!

It is sometimes so ironic and yet so amazing to be able to catch-up with an old friend after some many years and have a wonderful conversation and good time. It didn't seem like we are meeting after seven years but more like seven days ago...

Good friendship is to be cherished. We live in borrowed time and it is important to keep in touch with friends and nurture the friendship for we never know when it would be the last time.....

Note: Last year, I lost a dear friend. She died three weeks prior to our meet-up (we made so many plans to meet up but always had to be cancelled at the very last minute...Anyhow, I had mourned her and made peace with myself and have moved on...to be better, to cherish and keep in touch with those that I care about.)

Money talks....

It is really annoying (and sad) when people that you care about only calls and be nice when monetary assistance is given.... After that no more calls, no hellos except for loads of excuses like being busy lah, work lah etc. etc. etc.

Sometimes money talks...if only for awhile...It is really a pathetic and truly sad case!

It seems like if I pay, I get a 'hello' and some conversation as a bonus (if I am lucky...).

Sigh!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The little black lion - endangered species


Check out the picture..... our little endangered species...

This little fella thinks he is a lion at times....

Love this shot.....

Friday, July 31, 2009

All by myself



It has been quite awhile since my last entry. Been busy being a PA, chef and housekeeper in our other home in Borneo.

Anyhow, today is not a complaining session. I am going to write a short story about our four-legged little fella who hates being alone. You see this little fury fella has a condition called 'separation anxiety'.

Two days ago I had left him all alone (at home - on a limited space, provided water to drink, food to eat and his favorite toys and bone to chew...)

Guess what awaits me when I came back home.....(see the pictures)..

He was punished of course.

So what was the punishment, immediately point out the mess he had created (of course with a stern clear voice - not in anger) and I ignored him for the next one hour.

Nevertheless, it was not easy ignoring him for an hour although it had to be done.

Every five minutes or so, this fury fella will jump up to me with his tongue waggling (sort of a plea saying 'I'm sorry mommy, please forgive me...). Other tactics would be to give a short lick on my feet to see if I take notice (should see the pleading eyes saying 'I'm sorry lets make up, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee')......Oh gosh, one hour felt like a day....then it off to the beach in the evening for a nice stroll..everything forgiven...Friends again. Cheers.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

A Parody

Details below (including the video) taken from Malaysia Today.

Source: http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/24640/84/

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Gazebo

Before
After Today's short story is about our KL home, in particular our little green patch at the back i.e. 'The Garden'. This little garden is our pappa's passionate hobby. He has nurtured the bare space (since we moved in 2006) into a beautiful garden.

Finally our long ago purchased gazebo (personally hand-picked and brought over via sea from Bali) has been fixed in our garden. It was constructed yesterday and I will only be seeing it next month as I am in Borneo now.

My father-in-law forwarded a picture of the gazebo via mms (Note: I am impressed that my 75 old pappa is so up to date - so 'canggih' unlike some young chap that I know. That young chap happens to be very dear to me and stays with me tapi sampai sekarang tak erti guna mms...ada saja alasan dia tak mau belajar...penatlah, nak tidurlah, tak ada mood lah etc. etc. etc. Sigh!!)

I have attached 2 photos (the garden before gazebo and after gazebo been placed).

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

9 Perfect Fitness Food

Ready to eat your way to better results? These 9 food and drink items are guaranteed to make any type of exercise you do more effective—long after you’ve broken a sweat.

Source: http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/33979/8-perfect-fitness-foods/


1. SPINACH

Spinach is muscle fuel. But not because it instantly turns you lean and sexy. Researchers from Rutgers University found that a compound in the leafy green increases protein synthesis by 120 percent, helping your muscle tissue to repair itself faster after you work out. The problem, however, is that you’d have to eat Popeye-sized quantities to experiences dramatic results (we’re talking almost 2 pounds of the iron-packed veggies a day). The good news is that spinach isn’t the only food that can help you to look and feel better than ever--even when you're not exercising.The right fitness foods help burn fat, build muscle, and even boost your cardiovascular health. Ready to eat your way to better results?

2.PINEAPPLE AND PAPAYA:

Good For: Muscle recovery.

Both of these tropical fruits are loaded with bromelain and papain, enzymes that not only help break down proteins for digestion but also have anti-inflammatory properties to speed up your post-workout recovery.

3.SALMON

Good for: Cardiovascular fitness.

Australian researchers found that cyclists who took fish oil for 8 weeks had lower heart rates and consumed less oxygen during intense bicycling than a control group did. The fatty acids in fish oil need to become incorporated into muscle and heart cells to have an effect, and that takes weeks of consumption—so either take fish oil pills each day, or try to eat fish rich in fatty acids multiple times a week to see similar results.

4. PASTA WITH MEAT SAUCE

Good for: Muscle building and repair.

The perfect post-weight training repast has about 400 calories, with 20 to 30 grams of protein (to build new muscle) and 50 to 65 grams of carbohydrates (to repair old muscle). Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or a small bowl of pasta with meat sauce fits that formula.

5.PORK TENDERLOIN

Good for: Waist-trimming.

Lean meats are a great low-calorie source of protein, and scientists at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, found that eating more protein may reduce the fat around your midsection. People who ate 20 more grams of protein every day than the group average had 6 percent lower waist-to-hip ratios.

6. EIGHT (8) OUNCES OF CHOCOLATE MILK

Good for: Hydration

The best sports drink may come from a cow. British researchers found that milk does a better job than water or sports drinks at rehydrating the body after exercise. Why? To begin with, milk has more electrolytes and potassium. The addition of chocolate gives milk the perfect balance of carbs, protein, and fat for speedy muscle recovery.

7.COFFEE

Good for: Pain relief

University of Georgia scientists revealed that taking a caffeine supplement (equal to two cups of coffee) after exercise reduces muscle soreness more than pain relievers can. Caffeine blocks a chemical that activates pain receptors.

8.COLD WATER

Good for: Endurance

Drinking cold water before and during exercise can help improve your endurance. In a British study, cyclists who drank about 30 ounces of a chilled drink in the half hour before riding in a hot, humid environment—and smaller amounts as they rode—were able to bike 23 percent longer than riders who downed lukewarm liquids. Drinking cold water may be the most direct way to reduce core body temperature, so it takes you longer to heat up and slow down.

9.GREEN TEA

Good for: Muscle recovery

Brazilian scientists found that participants who consumed three cups of green tea every day for a week had fewer markers of the cell damage caused by resistance to exercise. So drinking a few cups every day may help your muscles recover faster after an intense workout.
And please share your nutrition and weight-loss tips and tricks with the rest of us.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Rest in Peace

It is 6.30 am and I am on the way to mom's place to pick up my sister and send her to school (Been my daily ritual since mom got sick. Every morning, it takes me 35 minutes to drive from Bangsar to Ampang - well, I am a bit lucky, you see my route takes me against the mad morning traffic jam in KL city!)

As usual, music will be blasting from my car - which is compulsory and a basic necessity (otherwise it is almost impossible to drive)...Gosh, for some reason each and every station (Hits, Mix, Slow & easy etc. etc. ) were playing Michael Jackson's song(s)....it was so bizarre for a brief 5 minutes...At first I thought it was a joke or some prank by the Hitz FM crew! But then it's not April (so April Fool's day is out)....

Then the announcement came...MJ is dead (He died 4.00 am Malaysian time today).

I actually froze for a moment. I stopped my car at the side of the road, took a deep breath and sms couple of people about it.....Then continued driving....

I grew up listening to MJ (as well as Jackson 5) ....... it seems so bizarre and sad that he is gone forever. May God bless his soul.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

The End in Year 2012

Is it true that the world will come to an end in the Year 2012?

The Mayan Calendar says so.

Year 2012 gained the patina of doom with the best-selling 1966 book "The Maya" by Harvard archaeologist Michael D. Coe. He noted that the Mayan culture's famously complex "Long Count" calendar simply ends on 12/21/12, speculating that civilization might come crashing down on that date. Other scholars argue, however, that the Mayan calendar would merely flip over like an odometer that reached 100,000 miles.

Anyhow, whatever must be, will be. I sincerely believe that if you live your day to day life simply like the last day of your life...then you will not miss anything when the end comes (whenever it happens).



Friday, June 12, 2009

Rain oh Rain

Aha, hooooooray.........

Finally the rain has come to Miri (or at least where we are staying). It feels darn good to have rain showering the earth. Even though this means that all of our clothes will take another 2 days to dry. Nevertheless, no complains.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Indian Cow


An essay written on the INDIAN COW by a candidate appearing for IAS exam. This was published in the Marathi daily news paper - Loksatta

Click Marati News-Indian Cow.

After reading this, you would probably forget your English language and knowledge of a cow all together!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

MUGGED in Bangsar

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Written by Nil Timbadia
(This article is posted with permission from the author)

Snatched.

My dad was snatched theft today.

The incident happened near our home in Bangsar. He was walking back from the post office on Jalan Telawi after paying bills.

As he was walking around Jalan Terasek 4, a person on a motorcycle snatched his gold chain around his neck and rode off.

The thief is suspected to be of Indian origin.

My dad is 75 years old and has some heart problems, so naturally in an incident like this, there is some impact.

Thankfully the impact was minor and he only had some palpitations for a while and some scratches around his neck from the chain being pulled.

Apart from that he seems to be okay when I spoke to him and a friend.

I got the news from wifey whom Pappa had called. Wifey immediately called me and I immediately called a friend of ours living nearby to go check on Pappa. He was on his way back home and quickly diverted to go check on Pappa and spend some time with him.

I also received a call from this friend JJ who said that Pappa was not hurt severely and was feeling okay.

Nevertheless, the snatch theft thing in KL is getting to a ridiculous level. Wifey has been snatched twice in the city area and in front of witnesses who would not even bother to go help.

Pappa was snatched in a housing area.

A year or so back, on Jalan Telawi itself, another person had robbed my friend's wife of her vehicle at knife point just across their house.

There are times when I am in KL and am even afraid or extra careful when I am in a shopping mall like Suria KLCC.

There seems to be little or no effort from the enforcement to curb these activities and as the economy becomes worse and more people find it difficult to find jobs, I see the trend of thefts increasing.

I am sick and tired of living in a constant lookout and in fear. When I was in Europe, while you are street smart and careful, the level of petty theft if generally lower. Then again, you keep hearing of people getting laptops stolen and purses stolen in pretty much every city in the world.

In crime in KL higher than other cities?

The cops in Malaysia say that it is not and we have a safer city compared to Tokyo and Hong Kong etc. I do not know what comparisons are used for this checks not do I know whether the facts are right.

What I do know is that things have definitely become a lot worse from the time I was growing up, and every year it has been getting worse at a larger proportion than the year before.

What I also know is a lot of petty crime and snatch theft goes unreported and as such does not become part of the statistics. For example, my dad is not going to make a report.

Do I blame him for not making a report. Of course I do not. Blaming him would be blaming the victim, no different from how some countries blame a rape victim for being raped and punish them with being gang raped.

Maybe that is what we have become, a snatch theft victim deserves to be snatched - it seems like that is how our law enforcement thinks.

I hope for a safe and brighter future for my loved ones - family, friends and pretty much everyone.

May the thieves burn and rot in hell, but that is not for me to determine - a supreme being will determine their fate.

Take care and be well.

Facebook Anthem

For those who get sick and tired of Facebook.


Monday, May 18, 2009

Sedation & Hair Cut

Today has been a tough Monday.

This morning we sent our boy, AL-E to the vet for grooming (more so for clipping of seriously unruly 'rasta' hair on both of his flip-flop ears).....

Well, the doctor/vet called back and informed us that AL-E had to be sedated before they can do any sorts of grooming. AL-E almost bit off the clinic staff(s), doctor(s) hands when they tried to clip couple strands of his fur. The doctor did assure us that AL-E will be given a mild dosage (unlike the one used when he was neutered).

So, under sedation, our boy was given a hair cut, major part of his ears were clipped, some parts shaved and nails clipped. More than one person were involved in AL-E's grooming session.

The result - our boy still looks handsome.

Initially, we were both mentally prepared for Al-E's 'botak' look. Angel Clinic did a fantastic job. Thank you so much for your advice, patience and care to our little AL-E. Thank you Dr. Yap, Dr. Sharon, Mr. Lau, Ms. Nale, Ani and others.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

3 birthdays and one going away party - Part 2











Well, I thought it would be nice to add more pictures...........

Saturday, May 16, 2009

3 birthdays and one going away party














































Gosh, seems like ages since I had last done some write-up.

The holiday to Europe has been great. A wonderful adventure with hubby. Met some good people, made some friends and overall had a good time.

However, as usual one little set-back. I had piled on 7 kilos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The good news is that I had lost 2 kilos (Note: Must due to water-retention).
The rest 5 kilos will take lots of work which I am somewhat ready for.

Back to the party. Hubby cooked an excellent meal despite his jet-lag etc. etc. He made three unique starters and a main course. Pappa made one type of starter.

Cakes for Kupps and myself was specially made-for-order from Marriott hotel's bakery. AL-E's cake was specially flown from Harrods London (hubby hand-carried all the way from London).

Before I forget, this party is for 4 persons (including AL-E). It is for my birthday (2 days after), Kupps birthday (which is on the day the party was held i.e. May 15), AL-E B'day (one day after) and father-in-law's going away (going back to KL on Sunday).

Everything went well. The party was fun, good conversation and little AL-E made things merrier with his 'clowning' acts.

Enough said, I suppose the pictures speak a thousand words.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Catch 22 situation at Miri airport

It was a good day to begin with. Got up early. Played with my boy AL-E and had breakie with pappa.

Then we all head off to the airport.....AL-E didn't let me go easily but that is a story for another day (However I had unbelievable amount of sloppy kisses from him).

Arrived at Miri airport 2 hours ahead of my trip back to KL.

Baggage - Checked

Boarding pass - Easy, Fast and Smooth sailing. Hardly any long queue.

Immigration -Here's where the unfortunate situation happened. I have stayed in Miri for 67 days. When I had arrived, I had used my passport to enter and it happen to expire on March 30, 2009 (which was perhaps my oversight and I should have instead used my IC).

So, for the next 25 minutes or so, I was drilled and scolded by two male immigrations officers that I should have known Sarawak state rules & regulations. Both of their exact words were 'RULES ARE RULES and we can't let you board that plane'. Their voice very very loud and crystal clear for everyone to hear in the airport. Boy, it was so humiliating and embarrassing. I was also so tired due lack of sleep.

All I did was to let them reconsider in letting me go especially I have another document which is my IC. Based on my IC, I have actually only stayed less than 90 days. On top of that I was really desperate to go visit my mom who is somewhat unwell. Even that did not make them change their mind. Then I told them I really need to be back in KL because I have a connecting flight in couple of days to Europe (Thank God I had the tickets with me)....Finally, after 25 minutes or so, for some reason, the senior officer let me go without saying much further....


Whatever the reasons, I feel that one should not be subjected to harsh treatment/rough & rowdy language for a rather small issue.....

NOTE:

For those who are not familiar, please be informed that if you are born in Peninsular Malaysia and happen to go to Sarawak for whatever purpose, you are only allowed to stay in that state for 90 days. Then, you have to go back where you come from or get your company to arrange for a dependant pass and renew when it expires (The dependant pass is a sticker which is laminated into your passport. You and your dependant can stay in Sarawak continuously for a period of a year. However, for subsequent years you are only given 6 months and you have to get your respective Human Resource department to renew this piece of document!). Many Malaysians who are born from the Peninsular are NOT aware of these laws until they start living in Sarawak either for business or other matters.

So you can be a Malaysian but there are many different laws that applies if you were born in the Peninsular (West Malaysia) or Sabah & Sarawak (East Malaysia or Borneo). However, those born either in Sabah or Sarawak has NO issues whatsoever staying for any amount of time in Peninsular Malaysia (even a century if one is able to). Such is life for a selected few. However, there are official reasons which goes back to the time when both Sabah and Sarawak states decided to join Malaysia back in 1963. I am not going elaborate and make it an epic story. Go find out yourselves from the Internet or one of the '.gov' sites

Monday, April 13, 2009

Easter Sunday-Lepak session at Luak Bay

Pic 1: The Host (posing ala 'Stepford wife') with home Bread Butter Pudding-from the oven.
Pic 2: AL-E Baba a.k.a The Snopp Puppy.

Pic 3: AL-E Baba ...posing for Ms. Ange


Pic 4: AL-E and Mommy



Pic 5: The gang with AL-E who can't seem to keep still



Pic 6: More of The Gang. (Kupps, me, Ani & Dr. Sharon - the prettiest girl)

Pic 7 : AL-E posing his vital anatomy (as usual)..sigh! and of course the gang.

This is the first year that I am celebrating Easter Sunday without any family member...not exactly if you count in my four-legged fury son i.e. AL-E Baba.

AL-E is the only family member. Since I miss my hubby, mom and sisters, decided to have a small party for friends. Cooked 3 course meal and we all had Rosé(An Aussie Rosé). The Rosé was good.
The guests were Ms. Ange, Kupps, Dr. Sharon and Ani. Our boy AL-E was extremely excited (as usual who thinks all of friends as his pets). I must say, as compared to all the usual parties that we have had in our home, AL-E did behave quite well yesterday. Nevertheless, he did jump on each everyone (including Kupps. Kupps is warming up a little with AL-E. For the first time, Kupps actually stroke AL-E's back and complimented on AL-E beautiful soft fur..)

Overall it was a nice cool evening (except that the rain was pouring 'cats & dogs' from 5.30 pm till after midnight)..

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Updated Look & Feel
































The new look and feel of a little beach pad in Luak Bay (revised recently).
Note:Most of these furniture were extras that we already had in KL. Quite a number of it were purchased for a bargain (There is a store/shop in KL which sells second hotel furniture. Not from local hotel though. Hotels like Shangri La in Hong Kong, Beijing etc. makes changes to its look & feel every 5 years or so. So, most of its old furniture are normally in good condition and they are sold in bulk to agents or whoever is interested. The only setback when you purchase from this store is that you have to make your own arrangement for a lorry to send the goods to your home.)
By the way, our goods/furniture (the above items) from KL came a year ago via a container which is provided for by my hubby's employer.