A fRu|t'S ta|e...

I dont wanna get hurt

2010-12-22T20:56:00.001+10:30

In everything I see you appear with me, how come? How come?
And everything I do involves you too. We are like one.
In my life there has been so many changes
and I don't want to be left out in the rain

I don't want to get hurt, I've done my time.
All I want from you is to tell the truth.
I don't want to get hurt no more this time.
I don't want to go blind and find it's falling apart all the time

In the middle of a dream you are there for me, your face, your lips.
But there's no way you can tell cos I hide it really well, so well.
In my life there has been loving and lying
and I don't need another reason to cry

I don't want to get hurt...
I don't want to go blind and find I'm falling apart one more time.

Travel Dream

2010-12-14T19:15:00.004+10:30

I should be figuring some important life decision now...but instead, my mind got side-tracked and went to a fantasy world.

It has always been my dream to be able to travel around the world and I am still pursuing even though I am having financial crisis, a post effect from my down under adventure.

Base on the mostly saying, generally there are 7 continents which made up the world we have today. They are Asia, Australasia, Africa, Europe, South America, North America & Middle East.

Out of the 7 continents, I have only been to three which made up to 42.8%. Not even reaching the passing score leh....so I need to fly more!

There was this silly thought I have in my mind - let me travel to each of the continent...then I can RIP liao...haha

Let GO

2010-11-26T00:36:00.001+10:30

I know very well that I will be a much happier person if I can acquire the skill of 'letting go' to the next level.

Saying it is easy...but doing it is TOUGH!
From time to time, I am injecting 'let go' into my mind...and I would say that the resistance is rather strong still...

Good try....and keep trying....I think I'll be there soon....

Sweet-Bitter-Pain

2010-11-21T04:08:00.002+10:30

First it was sweet & happy...
Following was bitter...and it gets more bitter...
Lastly...it was a heart aching pain...
It has been really PAINFUL & BITTER...
I am praying that the outcome will be sweet...

1 day after 100th

2010-11-14T23:55:00.001+10:30

On my 101th day, i earned my first $50 aussie dollar - the results from 5 hours of hard labour.
I'm not sure whether they will contact me again for future work, but i believe i have done my best i can...
Tired...i think i almost got a broken wrist :P

100 days mark

2010-11-13T20:57:00.001+10:30

Today marked my 1ooth day down under. Yes, it's equivalent to 3 months 8 days.
And it's still counting...

Tried harder...finally

2010-11-12T00:54:00.000+10:30

This week, i have tried harder finally....took me a lot of courage but i'm glad i did it...
But...luck is still not with me this round...

What is today's color?

2010-10-31T18:25:00.001+10:30

My mood swings a lot recently...

On a blue day - i woke up feeling very depress and almost bought an air ticket back to Malaysia.
On a green day - i woke up feeling positive and hopeful that i will get a job before my deadline and i can see my future in oz land. I am convinced!
On a red day - i woke up not wanting to do anything. Feeling sick of browsing jobs and applying them.
On another purple day - i wouldn't even want to get up from my bed.
And yet on another dunno what color of the day - i feel extremely worried...worried of current day, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.
I have been warned by a friend of mine...watch out the mood swings....its a depression symptom. Am I having depression? Happy go lucky person like me can get depression? I guess not...just moody perhaps....I still get excited when i think of traveling around the world.

Last night, I dreamt that i've killed someone, dunno who and not sure what was the killing motif. I could only recall I was panic, whether to confess my sin or think of ways to hide it. I was in extreme regrets! Before i can think further or decide anything....i dreamt that it was a dream. Dreaming in a dream!

Silence

2010-10-24T02:23:00.001+10:30

I've been quiet recently...not Facebook-ing, not MSN-ing, not Skype-ing and some of my close friends have been asking or wondering whether i am still alive down here....

Well, i guess i am in depression mode a little...just feel like isolating myself, i am not even going out..just stay home staring my monitor, watching tv series and of coz -continue to apply for jobs...

Life has been the same and i've been adapting well to boredom. My pride is still there and i have yet to do walk in for jobs. Despite the depressing job hunting, the other side of my mind cant stop thinking of holiday plans! I am more convinced that i am a person who live to travel!

I have asked my cousin to come and visit me soonest possible - 1) before the weather gets warm and 2) before i u-turn (if fate is going to bring me to that). When comes to travel, i think i have bit of luck and she is going to come sometime Nov! Thank God! I finally have something to look forward to! Hope she can get the dates confirmed very soon so i can start some planning!

Though i have set a date to u-turn, but i still hope i can get a job and stay on here...i think i would want to be here...

Deadline set!

2010-10-13T12:43:00.001+10:30

It's been decided and I've set the 'U-turn' period to Dec10/Jan11...
I will still continue to what I'm doing daily and try by best...
Will now leave it to fate to decide where I belong to...

God's way or Fruit's way? Will these 2 lead to the same destiny??

Hong Kong

2010-10-10T00:58:00.001+10:30

I've been Hong Kong twice but today, I have this extremely strong urge to go Hong Kong.
For unknown reason, I am looking forward for a fish eye view of skyscrapers...bustling busy city life...
And also for obvious reason, I miss the hawker & street food of Hong Kong! And also seafood!
There are many more rural places of Hong Kong which I have yet to visit...
I want to go.....when? Who wanna go with me?.....sob....

Just couldn't let go...

2010-10-08T15:30:00.002+10:30

I came to realize today that I'm a person who is such difficult to let go my own pride..
Seriously I tried...but I failed...
I just can't today~~

2 months

2010-10-06T11:32:00.001+10:30

Ok, it's my 2 months 'anniversary' down under.
I am still jobless and I have been told to consider studying here.
MBA perhaps? But it's going to cost a lot...coz I havent got my PR-ship.
If money not the issue, then my biggest concern will be whether I am able to hit the books once more...
Doing MBA may or may not help in pursuing PR coz I am still required to work min. 12 months full time for my PR...

I've been asked - What is your goal? What you want out of your life?
Short term goal - I want to make money! Lotsa money coz i am so broke now...
Long term? I am not sure now....whether down under is the place I want to be. I am very sure I am less happy here now but I've also been constantly reminded that this is just transition and the days ahead going to be so much better! Is it? I am not 100% convinced though...

Think Fruit...THINK!

The thought of going back~

2010-09-24T21:16:00.003+09:30

I have this huge thinking striking my mind this morning when I first woke up - I want to go back Malaysia.

First thing in the morning, I checked my mail - no single job for me to apply today. The thinking of going back even stronger~

I am missing home...missing family...missing office...missing friends...missing my car...missing local food...missing spending in MYR currency~

Oh dear....

I feel being loved...muacks!

2010-09-23T14:37:00.005+09:30

Thanks Shirley for sending me this for my birthday. What a sweet suprise...loving it!

?

2010-09-21T22:55:00.003+09:30

Today, I feel disappointing towards almost everything in my life!
The sky seems gray-er...
The weather seems colder...
And I came to realise job hunting is particularly frustrating...
The big question mark is haunting me again~

I've turned 32 this year...

2010-09-16T12:23:00.001+09:30

How I wish I am just 23!
Okay...back to reality.
Came to my surprise, I dont have any special feelings on my birthday. I only need to remember that my housemate cooked me Bak Kut Teh which I've been craving for since the first day I'm here! Thanks Mr. Lim :)

Birthday wish remain unchanged since donkey years back but i do have an additional one this year...which is to get a job!

Its OK, tomorrow will be better....

2010-09-09T18:47:00.001+09:30

So...I have finally get to attend a proper job interview in a Real Estate company.
I think I did OK in the interview...at least I am able to catch the aussie slang and able to answer all the questions that the interviewer asked.....
The sad part is I am not going to get the job as they are looking for someone more senior with relevant experience...sounds reasonable and also the most boring rejection reason you will get huh?

Anyways, I am not feeling too bad about this.....will take it as a lesson/experience learnt...
Whats for tomorrow? - keep applying job like a robot :P

Month 1...what's the Fruit up to?

2010-09-06T02:07:00.001+09:30

The Fruit is officially one month Down Under!

Let's talk about milestones here..
a. I have 2 new housemates, both Malaysian (Sarawak)
b. I know 2 new friends (China & Sarawak) through housemate, they just live opposite the road.
c. Get to catch up with 2 of my long time school mate which we haven't been catching up since like the year of 1998!
d. Jobless still but managed to get 1 job interview...but unfortunately its a pure sales job which is not something i'm looking for.
e. Oh ya....i think i manage to maintain my weight without putting on extra kgs despite i have home cook food everyday!

I hope i can make more progressive milestones on month 2....we'll see~

Hello...where are you??

2010-09-01T12:05:00.000+09:30

On a regular Down Under day~

2010-09-01T00:45:00.001+09:30

This is a very relevant picture...i will probably spend 15 hours a day with my laptop. Certainly i cant live without my compaq friend.

Some has been asking and wondering how i spend my days here...down under...
Well....its not something interesting but could be 'ideal' for some who is currently working 15 hours a day~~

On a regular day, the Fruit will only get off from here green bed about 11am...
First thing in the morning, say hi to compaq friend at checkout if there's someone in MY got time to entertain me a bit via Skype or MSN.
Will usually do lunch at 1pm. Usually is bread and some junks i.e. dark choco, baked biscuits etc..
Throughout the whole afternoon, its job hunting either in door or out door...
By 5pm or 6pm...housemate should be back and start cooking dinner for the rest of us in the house. I will try to help up if can...else, will just observe 'the cook' from near distance...
Dinner should be served at 7pm or 8pm...dinner time is also TVB series time....
Series will probably continue till late....
If sleepy, will be off to bed around midnight...else, i will be doing what i am doing now - writing blog or chatting with MY folks...
After which, its my min. 9 hours beauty sleep time...

Like that la~

I am missing M'sia food!

2010-08-26T23:24:00.002+09:30

1. Har Mee
2. Asam Laksa
3. Curry Laksa
4. Bagus Teh
5. Kuih Nyonya
6. Wan Tan Mee
7. Claypot Chicken Rice with Salted Fish!
8. Lotus Root Soup
9. Ikan Bakar
10. Pok Pok Noodle

arghhh......

1 week 'anniversary'

2010-08-14T19:18:00.001+09:30

Supposedly going Hahndorf to capture some nice pictures, but the heavy rain in the morning just washed the plan into the drain. Its ok, there's always tomorrow, next week or another day...

Like what I said in FB, time doesn't fly for this matter...its only a week I'm here. It feels like a month for me! I will stop saying that i'm doing Ok and i am not feeling bad towards anything coz i just realised that as soon as i post the earlier blog post, thanking about FB, Skype, MSN & YM...i was immediately being smacked by fate. Internet in my hostel gone head-wire and according to the staff here...this is the first time it happened! So i have spent 2 days in a BOX WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS!

Something to look forward for the coming week...i'll be moving into my permanent accommodation on Monday! It will be another whole new experience as its been a while since i'm sharing accommodation. Will update again...

真的有一点闷。。。

I see some blue in the sky today

2010-08-10T23:02:00.001+09:30

Thanks to Skype, FB, MSN & YM...living in a box seems not the worst thing on Earth. I am not feeling too bad about it now - on day 4.

Out of my own surprise, I've actually walk to a church hoping to meet pastor Ruben; the pastor who gave me a morning call the other day. Luck was not on my side and i didn't manage to meet him during my visit. I didn't check on the church's service time and just made an impromptu visit to the church, found out that its just empty, dark & cold...

However, I was greeted by another quite nice looking pastor though...hahaha....still have a bit of luck huh....and he was really nice & friendly. If I'm not too lazy...i think I'm going to make another visit during their service hour, just to have a hang of it how does it like going to church seeing people singing, interaction, networking and at the same time worshiping.

Oh ya, bank account finally opened...
I've even ask the customer service consultant whether there's any job for me.....hahaha

and...another job application rejection received....will just keep trying le...what to do~~~~~~

a pleasant morning call from a pastor

2010-08-09T20:01:00.001+09:30

If I'm lucky, i plan to sleep through the morning so that when i wake up...half a day is gone and i don't need to eat so many meals at the same time.

This morning, i was wake up by a call from a pastor at ~9am. That was really early for me :P
Thanks to Victor for writing a note to Life Church. So the pastor basically just call to check out whether i'm doing ok...whether i need any assistance in particular. It was a nice feeling to know someone you dont know show their care & concern. So...i've promised to drop by the church some time this week and let see if i can meet someone nice and helpful there :)

I only have 2 things to do today. 1) to open a bank account and 2) to drop a letter into the mailbox. How significant my life is huh? Thats all i need to do for the rest of the day! But...even that, i am only manage to complete one of the task. I walked in to a bank expressing my intention to open a bank account and guess what...the service consultant told me that he is rather busy and ask me to come back tomorrow. He doesn't have time for me. So I've made an appointment with him tomorrow to come back. I guess Aussie are just not as hungry as Malaysian...and they are very sure the same customer will walk in again tomorrow...

Other than that, i spent 3 hours walking & wander around the city...weather was cool & windy...quite refreshing!

What's next for tomorrow? Church?....

An interesting conversation on Day 2

2010-08-08T23:52:00.000+09:30

My dad gave me 3 interesting options or rather plans...

1. If things work well and I'm lucky enough to get a job quick and settle down. I will get my PR as planned. And i will likely spend the rest of my life in Oz land...this is ideal scenario..

2. If things didnt work to well....go and take up a course or MBA. At least i will go back not empty handed. Of coz in this scenario, PR is out of the question...

3. A message from my mum - go and find a man in Oz, come back with a man...

Of all, i think option 3 is the toughest of all...hahaha. Isn't my parents cool? :P

Btw...am down due to sore throat and fever....bear was saying, at Tibet & M'sia, you were strong like a cow....how come now so weak? I guess the answer is that i've been missing my family & friends dearly....and also, i have no fresh air here in my room!

Day 1 OZventure

2010-08-07T18:26:00.003+09:30

I'm blessed to be greeted by an extremely friendly and helpful couple (Pam & Tony) at the airport. Pam & Tony
- gave me all the information i've require in order to ease and speed up my settle down progress
- carry my over 40kgs baggage (they are both above 60 yrs old)
- drive all the way from Victor Harbour (90km from airport) as early as 3am just to pick up a girl from foreign country that they have no idea who she is

I'm a free thinker but i would like to thank God for to have taken care of me on this day - 6th Aug 2010!

I've spent the first day to check out my future 'permanent' accommodation. It was neat and cozy...room is rather small but that is none issue for me. Further that, checked in to my temporary accommodation at Adelaide Internation House (a hostel located at Adelaide CBD). The room is in a decent size. Basic & clean but unfortunately without a window for me to get a taste of fresh air. I feel that i'm in a prison cell....sob~

When wandering around Chinatown area. Adelaide Chinatown looks the same to me, it doesn't change much since my last visit on Sept'2009.

Remaining of the day, i spent it on bed...was dead tired as i didnt manage to get a good nap on board. And my head was overloaded with information too....

I think i'm going to spend the 2nd day resting too..maybe will explore the other side of the city...

It's only first day...and i've started to miss my family & friends dearly....
Today is a long day...the day after tomorrow will be even longer....
Hang it on there, Fruit!

Given choices...

2010-08-01T19:51:00.003+09:30

I wouldn't want to choose; simply becoz..
I am not a good decision maker...i suck
I tend to make impulsive wrong move...
I scared...

3 weeks from today

2010-07-16T20:04:00.004+09:30

I will be flying on a one way ticket to a piece of big land down under...
I have yet to pack anything into my luggage case...
My friends have been asking me....how do you feel? Do you feel excited?
My reply has been always consistent - no feel yet...

Today....i still feel nothing...

Farewell OCBC

2010-07-01T00:13:00.001+09:30

25 months tenure... I had a great time there...
I've learnt a lot...
I feel that i've progress quite abit...
Its the place where i've worked the hardest...
Its also the place where i've met the most wonderful colleagues, friends & comrades...
I will miss the place, miss the people, miss the battles i had there...

Farewell OCBC Bank!

The day from tomorrow onwards

2010-06-30T07:14:00.003+09:30

Monday - Friday working day alarm set in my mobile is now off-ed...
There's no way i can predict when i will be able to get back to an OFFICE...
Me jobless tomorrow (1/7/2010)onwards....

I am thankful today (29/6/2010)

2010-06-30T00:15:00.004+09:30

Today
I'm hearted...
I feel thankful...very thankful indeed
I feel touched...
I feel grateful...
I've told myself that i must be strong and not to dissapoint any person who is care for me, have faith towards me...
and...i would like say this out whole heartedly..

Thank You!

You know who you are...

I will be good...i promise...

Cycle no more...

2010-06-28T22:19:00.005+09:30

20 June 2010 marks the end of my cycling epic since end 2008...

Throughout this 1.5 years of cycling journey:-

~ i have bought 2 bikes; MTB & Roadie
~ i have cycled from KL to S'pore twice; with both MTB & Roadie
~ without contributing carbon monoxide to the atmosphere, i've landed my foot at Gothong Jaya, Cameron Highlands, Fraser Hill and other places in Klang Valley which i have never been before...

~ i have travelled 3,000+km with my 2 wheels

~ i have made plentiful new friends who is bothered to cheer me, support me, help me and give me the unlimited patience which i have long forgotten the taste of it...

Life goes on....I have now put a 'full stop' on my cycling passion as i will soon embark into a whole new adventure...at the mighty down under land...

Yes, i do feel sad for now...i hope my fellow comrades will continue to be passionate towards cycling and more importantly - is to spread and share the passion...

Riding with captain DC - 'If your mind is willing, your body will follow'

Fruit will miss cycling...
Fruit will miss RFCs...
Fruit will make a come back!

Fr left: YongVH, Cikhoo, Adam, JA, Latuk Helmi, Aaron NYC, Fleming the Ghost Rider & Steven MacGyver

Tibet - I would think its the bridge to heaven...

2010-06-20T23:02:00.001+09:30

Tibet a.k.a Roof of The World. How much you know about the place? Its a piece of mysterious land...and i've told myself i need to go and have a look with my own panda eyes...

People around me start asking me:- 1) Why Tibet? ; 2) Of all places, why you choose to go Tibet? ; 3) Food there suck, weather is harsh... ; 4) You sure gonna lose weight when you back...& bla bla bla...

I dont have an exact answer to all above...but just followed my heart...

2010, May 19th...I've landed my foot at Tibet. Spent 12 days in Tibet but yet i still feel that there's still a lot to be explored! and i'm as if know nothing about that piece of vast land up there...

I'm glad that i have no porblem with the high altitude and body managed to acclimatize well. Deep in my heart, i think Bolt's APO pills worked.

I'm afraid will need to let pictures tell the story....as its been a month ago and my memory now is pieces due to old age...and now i feel regreted for being lazy and not writing journal when i was there...to pen down those moments that worth remembering.

I promise i will do that next time!!

Money Tree Die-ed

2010-05-06T23:07:00.003+09:30

I have never needed this so much...

My down under adventure is going to cost my whole life savings...

Tax man is not helping, chose to be efficient at this time..

I still feel bad becoz of needed to spend 1.6k to keeps my camera running..

It seems that my Acer friend is going to fail me anytime...
I need to change my wardrobe....my pants & shirts seems have shrunk...

I dunno what else coming...

Arghh.....

The fact of ASTROless!

2010-04-21T20:17:00.002+09:30

I still can't accept it!

When i walk out seeing my neighbours' astro connection

When i driving pass mamak and see ppl wathing astro

When i switch on my tv....i only have 3 channels which my building centralised antenna can received...

When i am watching the lousy programme showed....i see snow flakes, the reception is bad!

I still can't accept it! Damn it!

My tv going to hybernate~~ damn it!

I think luck is at Atlantic Ocean..or I'm just a poor fella

2010-04-16T23:33:00.001+09:30

Luck is not on my side recently...

I'm left with no choice but to terminate my Astro subscription earlier than planned. Why? Simply becoz I'm just a poor fella staying in a cheapo apartment which doesn't provide centralise connection and we will need to install our individual satelite dish. And...also because the poor or rather no guidelines was given earlier; i was then informed by the management office that i need to 'move' my satelite dish. Heck, can you imagine you need to pull the cables from 15th floor up to 30th floor roof top? Considering my days are counted here, its just not worth it. And soon...for a person who doesn't read paper, doesn't listen to radio, doesn't read news - this person will be out of touch with the WORLD. And there borns another fruit flavoured FROG under the tempurung!
Again, I'm left with no choice but to get a new lense for my camera. Why? well, some ppl got big bonus, unexpedtedly good bonus...not only upgrading car but also DSLR. Hence i'm required to return the lense i'm on loan all this while. Why using a borrowed lense all this while? Same answer - I'm a poor fella...well explained.
Again & again...my 5 years old laptop die-ed on me last night. My initial plan was to get a new lappie before i'm heading to Oze, but i was also hoping that my 5 years old 'friend' may be able to sustain me for another year or two...so there scrap the plan. Looking at current situation, looks like i'm left with no choice again. I dont know a single soul in Oz....and this laptop will be my only 'companion' there....its a die die must buy situation.

I'm been asking myself, why now? why this time? why can't my account balance has just one (1) more ZERO?

sob sob................................

Mixed feelings~

2010-04-06T22:24:00.005+09:30

Hi people! If you've been wondering whether the Fruit is still alive? Yes, she is and doing good! :)

On April Fool day, the Fruit played a fool - tendered her resignation.
Why? This is to make way to an exciting yet mind boggling Down Under Adventure.

When? Soon...4 months from today!

Realised that you'll have a heavy heart if you're flying on a one way ticket....
Cross road, mixed feelings...

Dunno what to expect and how to start...
Mean time - zzZzzzzzz first

I'm such a lazy bump

2009-11-01T01:07:00.004+10:30

Yeah...i'm still busy as described in my earlier post as early as July this year. Other than busy, i am getting even more lazy these days....

So what i have been doing? what happened to me in the past few months?

July & August - was madly working, everyday from 7am-9pm. Hard work paid off...at least i managed to deliver a piece of work...my 'baby' has borned. I'm a 'mother' now :P

September - even a more busy month but very happy month. Moved in to my new place. i'm occupying the whole apartment by myself now! Went Bangkok for a short weekend....makan makan & jalan jalan a bit. Besides Bangkok, also went to the vast Aussie land with family. Good relaxing trip it was...

October - its all about house warming & working.

so what's my plan next?
Nov - will be going Indonesia, to visit the volcanic mountain beauty - Mount Bromo
Dec - i consider this will be my first & last actual diving trip for the year. Will be going Pom Pom Island, off Tawau....gonna say goodbye to 2009 & hello to 2010 there :P

2009 so far --- has been eventful and fun filled for me :)

Bear with me...my coming next post...will be a more 'meaty' one , i will spend more time to blog in future...

Yay...alive and still in existence...

2009-07-13T23:08:00.007+09:30

It's been months that i didnt blog....

First of all, i am freaking busy with work and activities...

1. Came back from a trip to Hanoi in May but too lazy to blog it down

2. At the same time, cancelled a trip to Philipines due to work commitment..

3. Other than that, its just work and cycle...which i can recall...

4. Ran a 11km marathon but ffk in another half marathon...

5. Scheduled to delivered something but now got constipated...

6. Scheduled to move to a new place soon too...not sure its going to get constipated as well? God knows...

What am I looking forward in near future..

1. 160km Century Ride next Sunday....hope i can make a mark...

2. 2 trips in Sept....die die must go...

3. Moving to new place...die die must move...

4. Deliver my baby...die die mus deliver!!!

Lets just hope no more ditching plans...

Last but not least...my favourite kayuh kakis

11 April 2009 - virgin ride with my roadie...made it to Janda Baik...it was a lengthy 62km mostly uphill ride...

31 May 2009 - daring attempt from Gombak to Gothong Jaya...hell of a ride~~

5 July 2009 - claimed my CF 'Certificate of Fitness' , 41km ride @ Hulu Langat....durian on the way down....coolio~~

How i spend my 24 hours

2009-04-19T21:54:00.003+09:30

I mean work days...

14+ office hours
8+ home hours (inclusive of shower, Facebook & sleep)
1 hour for travelling

its been 2 months continous....how long more to go??

An upgraded new toy~~~

2009-03-22T22:18:00.002+10:30

2 months back, I've told myself that there will be only 1 new toy for 2009. And this was it -
Merida Matts 5-MD MTB

Well, i would say i still keeping that promise as i've sold off my earlier toy in exchange of this..

Merida Race 904-COM

Cost me dearly....but i'm so happy to have this..its gonna be a whole new experince to move around with my 2 new wheels

Fraser Hill climb~~

2009-03-19T00:55:00.002+10:30

14 March 2009 - another day to remember. Without knowing what am i getting myself into..i've joined the gang for an uphill ride. From Kuala Kubu Bahru to Fraser Hill.

First, Danny said we will just ride to the 'Gap'...

Finally...i've made it to the 'Gap' though its kinda slow...half dead!

When i reached the Gap, the group was waiting and resting...then they told me - Apple, sorry to tell u that u only have less than 5 mins to rest...we are going up in 5 mins time...I was like WTH? No rest for me? my knees already giving way and starts shaking...i thought we just need to reach the Gap? I dont even have the time to think further...but followed the rest and challenge the final 7km ride to the top of Fraser Hill....it was a nightmare...not going to describe how i made it...

And....as usual, the group spent some time resting & waiting for the slow ones and there's me coming finally...crawling...

And again...I've made it! Pheww......

Going back was the rewarding part, coz its downhill all the way....some fell and crashed..they thought they are the downhill king i perhaps :P..but glad that was no serious injury..

This is my first lung busting climbing ride...i guess more to come...captain wanna ride up to Cameron Highland next....this gonna be another nightmare!

Oh ya, for once...i get to experience how does it feel when u're chased by 2 mad dogs while u're worn out and almost no energy to cycle anymore....it was not fun at all!

2009 Open Season Dive - P.Tioman (7-9 Mar09)

2009-03-13T21:19:00.004+10:30

It was a 2D2N trip. I was supposedly a relax trip as we only did 3 dives & 1 diving day.
Its my first time to Tioman Island. I thought knew that the boat journey will be lengthy...but for some reason, i totally forgot about it this time.

The diving was considerably good. The day before and after our diving day was raining & cloundy. The only sunny & hot day was our diving day. Considerably good vis as its not really the optimal diving season yet....not much of current fighting...what else to ask for more right?

Its the boat journey & experience that upset me and threw me out of my mind. Standard boat time to Tioman will take you approximately 2 hours. However, it took us 3 hours to reach our destination...not to mention the boat was about 50 mins late. For some reason, the boat didnt stop or drop us off and went de-tour to other drop off point and coming back to our jetty - thanks to some special request from other customer. By the time we reach Berjaya Resort to check in...its alraedy 12am the next day....arghh....

The return boat journey even more suffering. The sea condition was kinda rough, to the extend that plastic bag was distributed to all the passenger...myself also almost throw out, but managed to supress it as i've spent the 2 hours boat journey standing outside at the tail end of the boat to breath fresh air....the wind was cold and its raining...but dont care...as long i dont feel sick. The sea was rough, to the extend i almost kena washed by the waves when the boat was doing the parking to take up more passenger....haihz....i guess i would ever go back Tioman by boat...must make sure to fly next round.

We stayed at Berjaya Tioman Resort. Nice resort as they have almost everything in there...of coz that comes with a price...this is the best resort i've stayed for my diving trip...

There's not much activities on the top side of Tioman Island...typical Malay village i would say. Need to mention this - Liza Tioman Seafood Restaurant at Tekek....they serve fantastic fried chicken at reasonable price. Something interesting, a RM6.50 dish was served on Corelle ceramic plate imported from US! Duty free huh?? Oh ya, beer and liquor is cheap there...coz its duty free...choices might not be as many as airport but their price is definitely much cheaper!

Since i've pick up a new hobby - cycling, i will be diving less this year...probably just another 1 trip and that will wrap up my diving activities for 2009.

My 2 wheels journey down South...

2009-03-01T01:51:00.010+10:30

When: 18/2/2009 - 22/2/2009 (5 days)

The Journey: from KL Puchong - Singapore F1 Pit Building @ Marina Square

The Team: 17 cyclists mainly from OCBC MY, 3 marshal cars + 1 medic car

The Purpose: to raise fund for 2 charity organization - The Children Autism Society & Home of Peace

The achievement: RM40,000+ raised

Day 1 - 18/2/2009 (KL - Port Dickson 82km)

All the cyclist to meet at OCBC Puchong branch for a flag off event.

Captain Danny distributed each a Power Bar and 2 Power Gel. First time i get the chance to taste this horrible bar....euhh...i've forced myself to eat 1/3. If i were to know the effect of this horrible taste bar....i'm sure i will die die swallow the whole bar....coz i never expect first day will be such tough...come on, its only 80km which is just 2x the distance i ride during my training days...

Out of Puchong passing Cyberjaya hitting Sepang was not easy, heavy and fast tracffic, long stretch of uphill winding roads....ouch...less than an hour, i'm at the trail of the group already eventhough we get to start first! The sweeper followed closely at my back, watching me closely....the first pit stop was at Sepang...not only trying hard playing catch up with the guys, also trying hard to fight the hot morning sun...gulping for water but yet there's nothing for me to pee...was wondering where the heck all my drinks went?? its must be my sweat....for long, i've not been sweating so much....there's a question crossed my mind - what's going to happen to me in the afternoon ride? now is already so hot and its just the start u're already trying hard to catch up! Well, before i could think further, there we went for the 2nd half session. The sun wasburning hot...i was riding crawlingly slow + all the uphill climbing....i can feel that the sweeper car almost need to park at the road side to wait for me....arghhh....my head start spinning de...i was counting time when i'm going to jump into the sweeper car....just when i'm really wanted to make that call...i saw flemming! he was giving signal to pull over signifying thats our 2nd pit stop for lunch.....pheww...that was really a life saver stop for me....have some good rest, lotsa drinks...and having been told that there's just another 10km to go to wrap up the first day was indeed a huge booster....thats where i regain my confident that i could possibily narrowly make it. God bless me + a lot of determination & endurance...i've made it to Port Dickson. Not a long day, but it was a long 82km for me! No worries, at least i'm safe for the first day...what about tomorrow? dont bother...let's trash it out by then....

The first pit stop for the first day @ Ladang Sepang

Caught running nose on the first night...i think i've 'smoked' too much of exhaust fumes & dust. wanted to sleep early but i think i just able to catch 4 hours of sleep the most. The room was cold and i can hear the matress spring whenever i flip flop....haihzzz.....

Day 2 - 19/2/2009 (PD - Muar 132km)

Thats the longest day. I've forced myself to finish the left over Power Bar from yesterday's ride...started to get used to the sucky taste & texture. We need to reach Melaka by noon. If i recall correctly, it was quite an easy one as the roads were mostly flat. But, the wind is not helping us and in deed slowed us down. Since i'm always at the trail, there's no way i can get a 'personalise wind braker'....so no choice need to cycle hard lo...I think Steven McGyver was there to push & encourage me...I must mention this - i eat less than my normal day eventhough i went through intensive workout. Lunch? Unfinished Power bar again with 2 eggs....and along the way with Power Gel...thats it...it lasted me to Muar! Of coz, besides the bar, there's also motivation from Steven McGyver...he kept telling me that Muar Asam Fish is nice....haha...

Medic car on stand by...coz i've alerted them that i might get cramp any time...

2nd half ride was on high way...no shade, sunny all the way....Both Thomas & Amir was down with leg cramps....i thought i can feel my left leg being the same also....so i smartly use more of my right leg to paddle....and luckily it lasted me till Muar! I've made it again! I am another step closer to S'pore....we visited The Children Autism of Muar...the kids look normal and in fact most of them are quite pretty. Mostly boys rather than girls...i hope these kids can get well soon and live a life like any other normal kids....they are lovely and certainly deserve it!

The night at Muar....again i couldnt get a good sleep....maybe just 3 hours....haih....what's wrong with me? I'm worried de....coz tomorrow there's another 120km waiting tomorrow....God~~

Day 3 - 20/2/2009 (Muar - Pontian 120km)

Though its not the final leg, but i would call it the final day as after this we are just required to cycle 30km & 20km on the 4th & 5th day respectively. 130km didnt turned me down, what is 30km? piece of cake right? But but...i will need to make sure i done this 120km b4 i can get the taste of the 'cake'...hehe. Today's morning there will be few 'Everest' climb....that made me worried....by noon, we need to reach Batu Pahat....

The few 'Everest' climb was scary...its steep and long stretch...really will squeeze your lungs out of it....to me, it had been considerably so much easier....Why? Steven Mcgyver was there with me, giving me tips how to make my gears more efficient and how to struggle less when doing the hills...i must thank him for this...its was in deed a great help. I'm seriously glad i've made it to Batu Pahat....the final leg b4 reaching Pontian, captain Danny made me lead the team...for once, there's cyclist behind me...haha...not feeling fun though but in deed stressed me up...and the stress power converted to paddling power....i was cycling even faster than b4 and ever....hrmm...looks like i'm that kind of person that needs to be push and forced...then only i can excel or deliver :P

See...leading the pack...stress orh...

Once we reached Pontian....my shoulder were light...i'm done...i want a good night sleep tonight but again!!! i practically stayed awake the whole night!! i was wondering, what the heck is wrong with me?? i didnt drink tea of coffee...how come cannot sleep at all?? only when the next morning, i got to know that Power Bar and Power Gel are all caffein base food...ohh....no wonder...there explained my sleepless night...i think Pontian night was the max caffein accumulated in my body...

Day 4 - 21/2/2009 (Pontian into S'pore via 2nd Link 33km)

This was the most fun filled day....i pushed myself a lot (not that Steven is with me, but i decided to push myself). Reason being today is just a short ride...just push all the way and play with the boys....

This is a great day. When we reach S'pore, we were ushered by the event safety car into the F1 Pit Building. There were medias, our S'pore colleagues and event organiser VIPs welcoming us! Again, i need to mention this as a priceless moment...we were given flowers, we were invited on stage etc....like hero like that...though its not the case la :P. i'm going to remember this day...and i've told myself i will do this again!

Day 5 - 22/2/2009 (OCBC Cycle Singapore 20km Community Ride)

It was a slow and relax day. I just cruising there, enjoying s'pore skyscrappers, pretty landscape..and at the same time also busy depressing there....coz after this, it will mark an end to what i've been doing for the past few days...i dunno when i will get the chance to cycle such long distance again with my fellow comrades...i felt even more depress when i thought about the issues & problems waiting for me in the office.....was thinking there, how good if i can cycle for living?

Group picture b4 we were being ushered by the safety car to F1 Pit Building

Our team - welcomed by Media & Singapore colleagues

In summary:-

What i got:- new friendship, slightly handicapped fingers, uneven skin tone, pimples, the biggest bouquet of flower i've gotten so far AND an unforgetable experience & memory

what i learnt:- extracting the reflector, you must have Power Bar

what i realised:- impossible is nothing, the importance of strong mind, determination & endurance

what i discovered:- a new hobby to toxin myself out

I certainly like Power Gel... :P

My 2009 new toy...

2009-02-02T22:56:00.001+10:30

Its a Merida Matts 5-MD, 2009 model.

I'm going ride on her from KL to S'pore....wish me luck :P

black jack became boring this CNY

2009-02-02T22:52:00.004+10:30

because we have new games this CNY and this does not required us to visit our late Uncle Lim for it...

the ancient 'yu har hai' game (fish, shrimp, crab) - the animal game

i wonder where can i get both of these...

2009 Chinese New Year (Chor 1 - Chor 3)

2009-01-29T01:25:00.002+10:30

Its a long holiday for me, as i've took 3 days off and this gaves me 9 days of straight holidays...
Its is also a waste that i didnt get to plan something out to travel to other places....so, i ended up eat, sleep, gamble and rest at home.

Today is Chor3 and to me, CNY considered being wrapped up.

Chor 1 - every year without fail, we will visit grandmother house (dad's side)..the place where all my relatives, uncles, aunties and cousins will meet up. This is the day that i will get to meet my cousins and uncles once a year. Usually we will spend half a day there and by 3pm we will go back to take a power nap if there's no other plans. This year, i've grouped our Choong's family troops and 'attacked' ShyShy's house for Asam Laksa ala P.Pangkor...haha...quite paiseh coz ShyShy only invited me and i brought 3 more ppl to sapu the Laksa...Well, i guess this is a positive feedback to ShyShy's mum that her Laksa is good and there's always a reason for her to continue to cook every year...hehe :P.
At night, for the first time ever...our small double storey house housed 25+ relatives...it was a drinking, eating and gamble session. Highlights was my uncle brought a 30years old whisky...i have no idea how to describe the 30 years old whisky with words...

Chor 2 - The early planned movie plan did not work, coz clashed with a last minute but very early dinner (5.30pm!) with my aunties....so, we've spent the early afternoon queuing in the cinema to buy new tickets and changed our movie plan to Thursday (Chor 4) instead. We've actually prepare to burn the earlier tickets but suprisingly the cinema allowed us to change the tickets...so, no $$ damage :D

Chor 3 - Met up with my fellow crazy school mates for a gift exchange + makan + gamble session.

During CNY, and if you're at a place like Ipoh which is so crowded with ppl during festive...you definitely dont feel like going out and compete for a space with the rest. And if there's no travel plan, i think 3 days of CNY is enough for me...else i will be bored and start growing fungus at home....

2009 New Year - Its all about 'ang moh' and Thai food~~~

2009-01-29T00:53:00.003+10:30

Went for a short break last minute of 2008 and very first minute of 2009.

27-30 Dec @ Phuket

30Dec - 1Jan @ Phi Phi

1-3 Jan @ Krabi

To summarize the trip, its all about beaches, ang moh, lotsa Thai food.

Phuket in brief is a large island. We were dropped of by the bus somewhere near Phuket town, to get to the beach, it was almost 30mins by motorbike. One of the interesting experience i have was 3 person + 2 huge backpacks squeezed into 1 bike. Pheww....interesting and kinda impossible considering both myself and travel mate are both L size ppl...its a pity that there's no picture captured of the interesting scene...

Phuket shopping is great. There are wide range of sports equipment and will just make you shop non-stop. No exception for me, broke my wallet and bought a 60L Deuter backpack & a 20L dry bag.

The other unforgettable thing was i've been travelling with a handicap person almost the whole journey...y leh? coz my travel mate sprain her ankle on the 2nd day and been limping throughout the journey...haih....pity her and this also reminds me to be extra caution...

We joined a day trip to Phang Nga Bay, James Bond island and some islands at surrounding areas..

The famous James Bond Island...somehow i couldn't recall eventhough i watched the movie..

Initially i thought we will get to kayak during the trip...who knows we have these well trained kayakers to kayak us around the islands and caves...

The 2nd destination was Phi Phi Island, 2 hours boat ride from Phuket. Phi Phi is a small island and flocked with tourists...the island is full of small shopping outlets. So...there's nothing much u can do there except for sun bathing, massage, shop & clubbing....

Phi Phi beach flocked with sun bathing tourists

We stayed at Phi Phi Viewpoint Resort. It's a quiet & peaceful resort during normal days but definitely not during new year eve....the beach party started as early as 6pm until 6am the next day...this is how serious those ppl partying. Being a kiamsiap tourist, we didnt spend any $$ partying but just a can of beer and sat at the balcony appreciating the fireworks..thats how we spent our new year moment...i would say its peaceful and also eventful :)

Our last destination was Krabi...its a much quieter town & small town compared to Phuket & Phi Phi. The happening places is at Ao Nang where its similar to Phuket...Krabi town itself, nothing much but i kinda like it...quiet...ocassionally u can see tourists walk around and its not crowded at all!

We did went Ao Nang beach, watched the sun set and shop around. The next day, we spent half a day at the Wat Tham Seua (Tiger Cave Temple) nearby Krabi Town. Wat Tham Seua is a small temple built inside a long shallow limestone cave, surrounded by natural forest. There are two staircases wind up the limestone cliffs. The first one leads with 1,237 steps to the top of the mountain offering a superb 360-degree view and is definitely worth a try. Reaching the top will reward you with an incredible view and there is a huge sitting Buddha, a golden pagoda and a few other small constructions. There was a huge downpour on our way up...which made the stairs climbing process more tricky but somehow we did it...so proud! It was a great work out and both my legs start shaking while i'm descending...wow...no joke!

The 3 sitting buddas at the mountain top

Good Dread GuestHouse. Highly recommended. Cheap, good rooms and informative guest house. You will get a chance to get a free beer by just asking the owner (Brian) a secret question.

I need a winning lottery ticket~~

2009-01-04T15:20:00.000+10:30

Shy shy advised me to live a more affordable life, taking into her advise…I recap how I spent my $$$ this year.

Diving – RM10K spent for 4 diving trips + equipment
Photography – RM2K spent for a DSLR camera body with kit lens
Travel – RM10K spent for 2 weeks Eastern Europe holidays + 1 week beach getaway at Thailand

2009 wish list
Diving
– RM5K for 3 diving trips.
Photography
– RM4K for a multi purpose lens + flash + tripod
Travel
– RM3K for Vietnam & Philipines trip which already confirmed
- RM3K for Adelaide & Syney Aussie trip (tentative sept09)
Sports
- to get a bike

* my apartment will be ready this year and need to allocate sum of $$ for renovation

Btw, I am NOW going out to buy lottery....Good Luck girl!

Hello 2009!

2009-01-04T15:02:00.002+10:30

For my new year's resolution, I wanna:
1. Be happier
2. Stay healthier
3. To travel more
4. To dive more
5. To strive further in career
5. Be slimmer
6. To make more $$$
7. To have more time for myself
8. To be able to dream on
9. To be more open
AND last but not least...

May all my wishes come true~~~
* I know i am greedy~~ :P

Freedom is the right of all sentient beings...

2008-12-26T19:14:00.008+10:30

So i've spent my Christmas night watching Transformers....its such a great movie and no matter how many times i've watched it...it wont bored me...

I know its a bit of out-dated but who cares? Uuuhhh...i so love this...every time i hear this, my tears rolling in my eyes..

Jazz: "What about Bumblebee? What can't just leave him to die! And become some human experiment!"

Optimus Prime: He'll die in vain if we don't accomplish our mission. Bumblebee is a brave soldier. This is what he would want.

Ironhide: "Why are we fighting to save the humans? They're a primitive and violent race."

Optimus Prime: "Were we so different? They are a young species. They have much to learn... but I've seen goodness in them. Freedom is the right of all sentient beings...... You all know there is only one way to end this war: We must destroy the Cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest."

Ratchet: "That's suicide! The Cube is raw power—it could destroy you both."

Optimus Prime: "A necessary sacrifice to bring peace to this planet... We cannot let the humans pay for our mistakes. It's been an honor serving with you all. Autobots, roll out!"

—The Autobots discussing their next move

I want my freedom too and i deserve it too...so i'll be heading to Phuket, Phi Phi Island & Krabi...in search of freedom...

Its a shoe shopping spree~~

2008-12-25T17:30:00.001+10:30

I must have been crazy about shoes recently....in less than 1 month period..i've got myself 3 pairs of different types of shoes...Btw, i only have a pair of legs

Timberland hiking shoe - expensive and its causing bruises at this stage

Reebok running shoe - purposely bought this for marathon...but i have no idea when is my next marathon

Rock Pillars climbing shoe - thanks to Nomad Christmas sale which left me no excuse not to get myself a pair or climbing shoe + harness
(p/s thanks to uncle soo generously let me wear his shoe all this while :P)

Guess how much total damage? ==> close to 4 figures!

The Merry Makan Gang (MMG) Melaka Food Trail

2008-12-25T17:00:00.002+10:30

Honorable MMG team members:-

Ramund Lai (RL) - driver 1 + makan captain

Peggy Yap (PY) - driver 2 + photographer 1 + shopper

Jessie Tang (JT) - planner + navigator + shopper

Ang Siew Lin (ASL) - honorable treasurer + shopper

Winnine Chai (WC) - shopper

Myself (AC) - photograher 2

23 November 2008

8.30am - kick start food trail with cuppa 'nung nung' de kopi @ KopiKaul, Puchong

RL: Less is more ya! Eat a little of many many food, glorious food

ASL: I'll just have porridge, meehoon & toast bread

RL: Good choice, I'll mirror your order

PY: Am not a breakfast person, will just have 2 half boiled eggs, kopi o & toast bread

WC: The meehoon here is nice, 1 is not enuff, lets order 2

JT: I want peanut butter bread

AC: aiyar, i want to eat everything la~~

Breakfast starts at 8.20am & ends at 9.15am

Food stop#2: Mission starts at 12.07pm & ends at 12.26pm

12.07pm - queue-ing for Po Po Chicken Rice

Po Po Chicken Rice

Yum yum! can fight with Ipoh Chicken Rice

Food stop#3 - Jonker Street @ 1.20pm

cockles a.k.a.'see ham'

PY: wow! this is the best chendol durian ever!

cendol biasa ala Melaka

century egg a.k.a. pei tan

Mission accomplished by 1.46pm (19mins to devour 9 bowls od cendols/ABC and etcs)

Food stop#4 - Coconut water stall @ 3.02pm

PY demonstrating her sucking skill
MMG stop to purchase pineapple tarts for the dept

Freshly made pineapple tart, one of the must-buy

Food stop#5 - Satay Celup @ 3.20pm - 4.05pm

Food stop#7 - Satay Babi ala Hainan @ 4.10pm

Stop#8 - Eye of Malaysia @ 4.55pm

most of us were very excited to visit Eye of Malaysia @ Melaka, as we didnt get a chance to visit while it was stationed at KL...

At night, we went for typical Nyonya cuisine...no pictures capture as all were tired. After dinner, we went sightseeing Melaka night view at Taming Sari Tower near Pahlawan Mall.

Reached home at 1am+

Summary of the trip:- fun, full and tiring :)

P.Weh Diving (24-28 Oct 2008)

2008-12-07T23:08:00.000+10:30

Came back from my 1st oversea diving trip to P. Weh @ Acheh, Indonesia.

Been lazy and slack recently and by right should have already updated this blog 1.5 months ago!

I went with the heart to see whale shark and manta rays....and of coz came back empty handed coz its not the season...i'm just trying to be wishful. Many have asked me is there anything interesting in Weh....somehow i dunno how to answer. How do you define interesting? Different ppl have different standard and definition towards it though...

To me...seeing a yellow box fish in a dive can really excite me....i can stare at an ordinary octopus or minutes....even huge sea fans consider something interesting to me...how about u?

OK...apparently there's some: -

1. underwater hot spring

-Its special coz u wont get it elsewhere....imagine u are soaking yourself in cool water and can feel the warm bubbles around you? and with fishes swimming around it? Its a new experience i would say....

2. volcano mud spa with wet suit + bikini top

-we really have fun digging the boiling volcanic mud from a hole and blow it cool so that we can apply it on our face & body. Also enjoyed helping each other to apply volcanic mud...

-too bad that to date i still havent get the photos captured in Rebecca's camera...else i've sure share with all :P

3. on board with a special 'VIP'
-the special 'VIP' i meant : VIP = corpse! How special could it be? We shared the same ferry from Banda Acheh to Pulau Weh. Luckily no smell detected.

4. get to see a boat that rest on top of a single storey house and surrounded by many houses nearby
-thats the post tsunami scene that u dont get to see it at like anywhere..

Canon Goes Green...and so do the fruit goes greener~~

2008-10-20T00:59:00.001+10:30

It was indeed a meaningful event. I’m a person who is quite concerned towards the various environmental issues we are facing nowadays….i’m concern but that doesn’t not mean that I’m actively engaging myself in doing conservation related work or activities...haha...talk only pandai right? There were few reasons or perhaps better known as excuses behind it geh....

First, I feel like I’m as if the sole person in my group of friends who is concern about it.

Second, I’m not sure where to go about to start.

Third, it’s just not something ppl around you would give a damn about it...well, this is M’sia perhaps.

I do dump my aluminium cans and glass bottles separately and place it aside at the garbage room…but at the end of the day, how sure are u the person who picks up the garbage do a segregation in the waste management process? Bare in mind that this is Malaysia ~~~

Anyway, I’m glad that Canon has made a move and it’s so conveniently near my place…so, I don’t see any tiny reason or excuse which could allow me to miss this event by not contributing.

Few of my friends went together…we were kinda semangat and gang-hor about it and wanted to be there early enough to get the goodie bag. Quite happy with the goodie bag as it includes a green t-shirt, cap, gloves, pen and of coz a tote bag itself. All these are given free and besides that, there’s food and drinks (breakfast & lunch)
Planting tree is not hard at all as we were merely just open up the plastic bag on the seeding tree and just place it in the pre-digged hole and cover it back with soils. That’s it! As simple as ABC!

Hope there will be more conservation community events coming….and all we go for a better living earth~~

a quick update...

2008-10-12T19:28:00.002+10:30

yeah, i know i've been slack and lazy updating my blog. Busy is also one of the reason.
Ok....here goes...

1. Changes in office
- my immediate boss left end Sept. I will be reporting to HOD (Head of Dept)
- my HOD is leaving too....
- new HOD coming on board on 13th Oct...dunno what to expect
- i am required to take on some additional responsibilities due to someone left and not quite sure they are hiring a new person or wat...coz there will be restructure of the dept...

2. Sports and activities
- went caving during Raya at Gua Tempurung...it was quite a fun outing
- went rock climbing twice...and suffered from muscle pain twice as well
- went hiking, joining my friends who are actively training and preparing for KK hike.

I will be heading to Pulau Weh, Banda Acheh in 2 weeks time for my final diving trip for this year....very look forward to it!

Final thing...i am one more step closer to my dream...not quite sure whether it will be my destiny....

Some of the good old days~~~~~~

2008-09-28T21:15:00.003+09:30

Those days were awesome~~~~~ When will it happen again???

I'm waiting....looking forward....dreaming about it~~~

Quotes...

2008-09-27T21:46:00.001+09:30

Hi all...would like to share some quotes which i read it somewhere and these all gave me some thoughts....

My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can. -->Cary Grant
- perhaps this is the only goal of my life~~

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money. -->Susan Heller
- i wish i can do this every time i'm about to travel :P

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can. -->Danny Kaye
- i'm running short of paint...pls shares yours with me if you could~~

School of Hard Knocks

2008-09-19T21:13:00.003+09:30

19/9/08 @ Royal Selangor

The biggest pewter mug - Guniess Record

It was a working day and we managed to get special approval to leave office at 2pm for joint department outing. Learning how to 'knock' our own pewter bowl~~~

Knock knock knock...

I have definitely visited Royal Selangor before and thats all i could remember, nothing much else.

We feel very honoured because we were brought around by Datin (the owner of Royal Selangor). She had patiently share the history of Royal Selangor and show us around how pewter is being produced. Its kinda interesting though but somehow i dont know how to appreciate it...maybe pewter is meant for high class ppl becoz its expensive ma....i memang low class ppl :P

Datin sharing the touching story behind of a special tea pot

Close up -the special tea design

And of coz....i also took this opportunity to practice my shooting skill...haha
I hope my big boss can arrange more activities for our dept... :)

Pangkor Island - in search of memory

2008-09-18T22:43:00.001+09:30

Where about: Pangkor Island, Off Lumut, Perak

When: 13 - 14 Sept 2008

2 weeks back to back, I’ve spent my wonderful weekends at 2 different islands.

Followed to my memorable whale shark encounter, we’ve head north to Pangkor Island . The island where we’ve frequent most during young days….
I have not land my foot on Pangkor like ages….it not 10 years then it should be 8 years….

My initial plan for things to do in Pangkor:-

Cycling – failed
We were being teased by one souvenir shop auntie…you think you girls still young like 16 yrs can cycle around the island under this weather?? Forget about it…you will be half dead…might as well rent a van and bring you around...aihhh…of coz its not bcoz of this we didn’t cycle…its becoz we didn’t manage to go to the place where they are bicycle for rent and somehow we found that its even more pricy to rent a bicycle than a motorbike. Furthermore, we were running out of time…..

Pray pray – failed
Initial plan is to cycle to Fu Ling Gong to see the ‘mini great wall’ and pray pray….since cycling tak jadi…so the praying session also not happening la..

Food – huge success
Despite our main objective there is to shoot photos….but I think the food part was the highlight of the trip! We woke up as early as 7am, took a RM30 cab to the town just to have a taste of Shy Shy’s childhood nasi lemak and yes Shy Shy finally get to eat her nostalgic pangkor nasi lemak with a piece of fish with sambal. Its even simpler than the RM1 nasi lemak we get near the street….but it really taste nice and exotic.
Next would be Pangkor rice noodle a.k.a. ‘lai fun’ – super nice! We had 1 full bowl of lai fun just 2 hours after our lunch! No matter how full, we still sapu~~
The good food are – nasi lemak, lai fun in clear soup, asam laksa, otak-otak, coffee

Photo shooting - not quite satisfied
First day: weather was good, bright and sunny....manage to get 2 or 3 pictures that i like.

2md day: i dont see any cloud details in the sky....pictures came out as pale as a piece of white paper....still got lotsa things to brush up..

Check my work at http://picasaweb.google.com/appleyee

Kayaking - unexpectedly done

First time experience, it was fun provided water surface condition is calm and u dont need to paddle against the current. Quite tiring as well and most of the time we just relax and let the kayak drift to where it wanted to :P definitely going to do this sports again!

Birthday suprise

My mates light up candles for me on the beach...tried so hard coz beach was windy...

after numerous attempt...only managed to light up my name with a egg cake 'gai dan gou'. Thanks mate :)

I would definely plan more such short trip - 2D1N or 3D2N to somewhere with my mates...enjoy chilling up and do nothing...like it!

An encounter with Whale Shark - Tenggol dive 5-7Sept

2008-09-10T16:40:00.002+09:30

It all begins with a ‘char siew bau’ on board...

We started our driving journey at 3am Friday (5th Sept). Everything went smooth and we reached the jetty on time to catch the boat to island around 9am. At around 9.30am like that – boat’s engine sounds weird….oh oh…and slowly its was dead~~ Guess what, we were at no where, no where near mainland nor the island...we were at the middle of the ocean! We've spent close to 3 hours drifting. So...all sort of stupid jokes were heard on board...some being desparately 'called' by biological needs, no choice need to jump down to water to 'answer' the 'call'. Some broke their personal best record for not throwing out on the boat...some really almost throw out...God knows we were boring and sent some jellyfish to entertain us...

After almost 3 hours of drifting, finally we saw the rescue boat from the horizon. But guess what...the rescue boat also got problem..it stopped & go and when its about 400m in front of us, it stopped totally - no fuel!!! wah sai....!! Charlie has to swim the tank of petrol from our boat to the rescue boat...that is really like survivor show man...

Some were asking..how come we so bad luck? Then somehow Charlie told us a story of Tenggol where no pork was allowed on the island + the boat as well...ther were few incidents happened that something bad happened to the person who brought pork or pork based food on to the island. So, back to the initial question, how come we so bad luck? Not just the first boat but the second boat also kena ....well, the answer is Char Siew Pao!! Wai Meng bought a char siew pao to Charlie...and Charlie makan on board....ooohhh....cherh or not?

So...after another hour, we finally reached the island. Everyone quickly grab lunch and do our check up dive. Only 1 dive for me on the 1st day...some went for night dive but i opt out...coz me caught flu, so i guess better rest well and make sure tomorrow can dive lo...

2nd day...all wake up early early morning as we have a date with whale shark...and yes!!! mr whale shark didn't ffk us...yu huu~~~ our mission accomplished for this trip! all were happy except for those with camera...some didn't really get a full glimpse of it...but for me...it was great, breath taking and unforgettable....Something i'm glad for all the dives was that - the current is consider mild and not as strong as how it was last year when i was there...so my dive is quite relax and enjoyable :)

3rd day, we did a morning dive and all were set to back to KL. And....again.....the char siew pao play its row again....since Charlie's boat sent for repair, he managed to get a fishing boat to send us back to mainland....and...coincidently, the fishing boat also hit problem...coz they have mistakenly used a tank of water instead of fuel to run the boat or the fuel the boatman used were mixed with water and subsequently failed the enjin!!! walau eh........3 times with 3 different boat....u think this is so ngam or really bcoz if the char siew pao?? according to wai meng, who bought the char siew pao...its nothing to do with it and he think he is lucky coz get to see whale shark....but for the rest of us...we strongly feel its becoz of the char siew pao...sometimes u cannot stop yourself being superstitious...hahaha.

This time around, we stayed at a much better resort compared to the one we stayed last year. Spacious room with air condition + hot shower...nothing to complain i guess. However, i am not sure whether this is due to the fresh water or the bed sheet...coz rashes all over my body now and i couldn't help not scratching it! arghhh...

Overall....the trip was great despite we continously hit by the boat issues....the company was great, the diving was great....it was fun!

Lesson learnt and finger crossed, no more char siew pao next round....haha :)
and....not to touch jelly fish even though u are quite sure it wont sting....i kena and the sensation is not good... :(

Next month....my wish list is to see the adult whale shark and manta or deveil rays at Pulau Weh....hope our luck will be better by then :P

Bear's yahoo~~

2008-09-03T23:11:00.001+09:30

He is definitely one of my super idol

'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, covered in scars, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'yahoo!', what a ride.' By Bear Grylls

I definitely agree with him...and i wish i could meet someone like him in my real life...and together we go and seek adventure and live our life....live like there's no tomorrow....

First thing i need to do...is to believe in what you think, what you feel and what you want....BELIEVE~~~

7.18% out of 195 countries...

2008-09-01T22:17:00.001+09:30

There are a total of 195 countries in this World. How many have you been and step your foot on?

For me, my count only reached 14. It's equivalent to 7.18%

I dont have much life goal but to go around the world is definitely something i dreamt of...

Such a wild dream right? Well....can't deny that i have a piece of wild heart...

DREAM IT. PLAN IT. DO IT. --by Nat Geo Adventure

in the month of September....

2008-08-25T23:11:00.000+09:30

So….the Beijing Olympic is now over and I’ve finished crying…
What’s next in September?

I believe coming month will be a contended month for me…

1st weekend, I’ll be heading to Tenggol Island for a 3D2N fun dive trip. Let’s fight current like mad~~
2nd weekend, I’ll be heading to Pangkor Island for a 2D1N squid fishing + photography trip. Finger crossed to snap nice & breath taking pictures. I hope we can get to cycle around the island, lying on the beach watching stars, listen to the low tide….bla bla bla
3rd weekend, I hope they will be a waterfall photo shooting trip
4th weekend, I guess I will head back to hometown and grab some real nice food

And ff coz…how could i forget my date with Bear Grylls??!! @_@

the fruit cried....

2008-08-19T23:00:00.002+09:30

Recently i cried a lot...tears falling down from my eyes when i see the birth of an Olympic champion in the sports i like....

when i see how Phelps score his golds and keep crunching world records....i cried...i imagine...what has this guy gone through behind us before he can stand in front of the world like today...how intense he has trained?...and now...the world's eyes are on him...he's a star...shining and get noticed..standing on the podium with his national anthem...crowds cheering for him...its just awesome and something to die for....that's something called 'the moment of life'!

when i was watching gymnastics...be it male or female....its just not some kind of sport for tom dick and harry....i wonder how come these ppl chosen such a hard life....stay on gym a30nd train like mad, doing those torturing actions repeatedly....and now...finally they make it to the podium...they are not just gymnast..they are Olympians...an Olympic champion...phewww..

sports is just so great...u can see ppl's endurance, toughness, passionate, stand in from of the entire world...face the challenge, push to the limit, excel, excel and excel...

today, we seen so many successful examples...see how their dreams come true...but what about those have yet to make it in front of us? where do they get the courage and support? will they succeed one fine day?

given a second life....i think i would want to be really serious in sports...

Recreational Club

2008-07-30T23:22:00.000+09:30

Today, officially, i became the committee member for my bank's Recreational Club. I do not consider myself an active person in societies or commitees, especially during school time....but somehow i am excited about it now.

With this new role, i hope if i can promote my favourite sports & activities i.e. scuba diving, photography, rock climbing...etc....rather than those normal stuff like badminton, futsal, bowling...

I guess rock climbing & photograhpy is something realistic...a bit tricky to promote scuba diving...anyhow...i will definitely try by best! Gambateh!

Looking forward to August, for.....

2008-07-24T20:49:00.003+09:30

8th August
- 2008 Beijing Olympics!

10th August
- first attempt of half marathon, 22.7km

12th August, every Tuesday, 10pm @ Discovery Channel
- Man vs Wild, my all time favourite reality show
- great show, gives you some ideas of how to survive under extreme conditions

19th August, every Tuesday, 9pm @ Discovery Travel & Living
- America The Wright Way
- this is a new series of travel documentary by famous traveller Ian Wright (u will sure know him if you are a fan of Globe Trekker - I am!)

August gonna be a TV month for sure! :P

....into 'golden' era...

2008-07-22T22:39:00.001+09:30

Time flies....already 2 months with my new job...

I am slowly... slowly...and eventually will transform to become piece of GOLD!

I am the ninja panda~~~shut shut shut~~ here i am....there i'm gone~~~

New hobby and a new toy...

2008-07-13T20:28:00.008+09:30

I have a new hobby now and I've got myself a new toy..Nikon D60.

Moving forward, I will be actively following my fellow photo enthusiasts friends to different places, snapping nice pictures and of coz to learn from them.

This new toy cost me RM2k.... and i guess the investment amount will eventually increase when my skill improves...coz i will need more canggih accessories by then >.<~

Anyhow....i will try my best to snap as many nice photos as possible....must achieve some kind of reasonable ROI (return of investment) ma~~~

Next thought i have in my mind --> would i still be able to achieve my yearly diving goal with this new hobby?? hrmmm.....

Running for Siemens

2008-07-07T23:24:00.001+09:30

Completed my 2nd 10km run for Siemens. Have not been exercising since KLIM @ March. Was a bit worried whether i can complete the 10km run + walk.

Luckily...i managed to did it. Timing wise...improved about 8 minutes i guess :P...that's encouraging though....

So now...its the post syndrome after run lo...muscle cramp, aching...walking like an old lady and craw like a crab now...guess this gonna last for at least 3 days....

Next will be Adidas run...double up...22.7km! Let's see....

Glad that my running buddies increased this time...hope 5 of us can make it for Adidas run next month!

MIDE 2008

2008-07-05T23:58:00.002+09:30

I went Malaysia International Dive Expo a.k.a. MIDE @ PWTC today. Spent almost 5 hours there and i end up with these....

Pelican Dive Torch @ RM155

guess what? I think i only did 6 or 7 night dives max...and this is my 3rd dive torch! 1st dive torch lasted me only 1 1/2 dive. Its an Ikelite torch...dont buy it! 2nd dive torch actually still can be used sometimes...i've dropped it twice...so the housing become bit loose and sometimes it might fail you...so...i have no choice need to look for another primary torch. 2nd torch is an Apollo torch...quality ok la...can buy. I hope my new Pelican dive torch wont disappoints me...

Sport Diving magazine 2 yrs subscription @ RM180

I think this is a real good deal. The subscription package comes with 2 free gifts! An underwater diving torch + surface marker a.k.a. 'sausage'.

Out of the blue...i suddenly got 2 underwater torch now...not bad huh? The sausage is something i would like to buy coz i've lost mine during my last dive trip at Sipadan....that was a brand new sausage and i haven't even launch it b4...haizz...now that when i think back, it really makes me feel sad. The last trip was an expensive one, not only i lost my sausage, i dropped my 'ding ding' a.k.a pointer and its also the trip that my torch became 'sot sot dei' and cannot be rely on.

By the way, i am RM335 poorer today....

The Neptune Memorial Reef~

2008-06-26T23:31:00.002+09:30

Where would you want to rest yourself after life? underground? in the air? or under the sea?

Well, just found out some creative guys at US has this - Neptune Memorial Reef

The Creators of the Neptune Memorial Reef hope it will become a memorial for the dead and a diving site. Instead of a burial funeral, people can pay to have their remains placed in one the reef's structures after their death. I thought this is something interesting....for those who love the sea, they will probably buy the idea....

So....where is the memorial reef? Given a chance, would you want to dive there? If yes, i definitely will :P

The Neptune Memorial Reef is located in open waters 3 1/4 miles off the coast of Key Biscayne - Miami, Florida (US) which means any certified diver can visit. The artificial reef's first phase allows for about 850 remains.

The ashes are mixed with cement designed for underwater use and fitted into a mold, which a diver then places and secures into the reef. A copper and bronze plaque is installed with the person's name, date of birth and death. There is also a line for a message.

The cost of a placement starts at $995 and can go to $6,495, for those who want to be placed inside the base of a lion statue for all eternity.

Visit https://www.nmreef.com/ for more info.

unknown

2008-06-25T23:21:00.001+09:30

The day after tomorrow.....is results day.....
What would it be??
Something i've expected or otherwise??
No one knows......
Time will tell.....

.................

2008-06-24T22:23:00.001+09:30

What would you do if you are being discriminate?
Me ar?? I will eat more lo....to release my stress

And i've eat a lot today.....coz i've been discriminate...

Aihhh.........tough life~~~

OCBC Q & As

2008-06-24T00:41:00.003+09:30

Time flies and i've already 1 month with my new job.
My friends and colleagues keep asking me with some questions to express their care & concerns...
Below are some of the Q&As which i can think of.....

Q: How's your new job?
A: New job is ok....doing ok, so far so good.

Q: Are you ok with your new job?
A: Ya, so far so good....i am survivng....havent die yet :P

Q: Are you happy?
A: I think i am now...but not sure whether its going to last for how long....

Q: Are they paying you well?
A: I am here at where i am just for the 'heavy work load'...

Q: How's your new boss? Is she treating you well?
A: She is ok, just too long winded most the time.....so far still very nice to me, and haven't scream at me yet (apparetly she has the reputation screaming at people)

Some feedback gathered from one of my colleague - Apple, i'm not being negative, but sooner you will know....i will observe you....your attitude towards work will changed in few months time...good luck!

Some words from the bottom of my heart:-
- now is pay back time, i've been slacking too much in the past 6 months
- doing some dirty jobs nowadays a.k.a. Indah Water Konsortium (I.W.K)
- regretted didnt ask for enough money >.<~

Anyway.....gambateh & keep it up~~

my beauty plan...

2008-06-18T23:21:00.004+09:30

I always told my friend that i am a lousy planner....things that i've planned for 90% dont work..
Things that i never planned somehow it happened...

These are my plan...in fact a wild one.....lets keep an eye see it works :P

1. Japan (2009)
- Hokkaido, Kyoto & Tokyo
2. Australia & New Zealand (2010)
- Sydney, Great Barrier Reef, Gold Coast
- Milford sound, Franz Joseph Glacier
3. Mediterranean, Europe (2011)
- Greece: Athens, Santorini
- Portugal: Lisbon
- Spain: Madrid, Bacelona
- Southern France: Nice
- Monaco: Monte Carlo
- Turkey
4. United States (2012)
- Grand Canyon, Arizona
- Yellowstone National Park
- New York
- California: San Fran, L.A
5. United Kingdom (2013)
- England, Scotland, Ireland & Wales

so glad....it's all over

2008-06-14T17:00:00.000+09:30

Finally!! No more listening test. No more reading test. No more writing test. No more speaking test. I've done it all today....pheww~~~~

I think i didnt did very well...all i need is just a Band 7 score..nothing more than that...

Who ever up there...can you hear Dadi? All she needs is just a Band 7 score...pleaseeee~~~

will u still be around tomorrow??....

2008-06-12T22:28:00.001+09:30

Just had an interesting yet stupid conversation with shy shy..

Will you still be around tomorrow? If i'm gone tomorrow....will you cry for me?

Shy shy asked: what is your favourite song? I'll play it for you during your funeral...

I answered: i don't have an answer for it.....i'm such a loser...

So....in return, shy shy asked for 3 songs during her funeral....

1. Regina Spektor - The Call

2. Internal Affairs - 'zai jian' (music only)

3. Eva Cassidy or John Lennon (acoustic unplugged) - Imagine

Above is shy shy's list....so what is mine? Maybe its time to give it a thought.....maybe you should do the same before its too late......

Sharks - Abandon Fear

2008-06-08T22:13:00.002+09:30

Thanks FOX, i've just watched Sharkwater dvd. Its truely amazing! At one point, i was speechless and dunno what to say...almost went into tears~~

After watching the dvd, i would like to express my gratitue and highest respect to Rob Stewart and Paul Watson.

I guess i will be still be freak out of shark even after watching the dvd...afterall shark is still a predator and they belongs to ocean and we belongs to land. We live in total different world! I am so grateful that i took up scuba diving...at least i got better chances to know this 'shy animal' better than those just relying on TVs and medias. I hope.... someday....my fear towards shark will be gone....

I'm not sure whether tonight i'm going to sleep well cause my mind now filled with scenes where sharks being hooked and all its fins and tails being cut and dump back to the ocean helplessly and waiting for its death moment. Sometimes we human being are in fact the most cruel creature on Earth.

I think there's nothing significant i can do about this but i will definiely say NO to shark fin. I will try my best to convey this message to all my friends and i hope in future...maybe someday...i can do something and contribute in saving sharks, saving whales, saving the rain forest, saving pandas....or to make it short - saving our planet Earth!

* did i hear someone laughing at my back?? i hope not.........

from grey to green....yes! Dadi you can!

2008-06-06T21:17:00.002+09:30

Shy Shy asked: Dadi...how come since u came back from EE ur blog seem to be so grey? Wat's wrong with you?

Dadi answered: Dadi missed EE...Dadi now banished to the reality that need to work...Dadi is frus coz she cant seem to be able to catch up and close the gap....

Anyhow...before the end of that day...Dadi made up her mind that she will turn green from grey...

tadah....this is the green Dadi...tough huh @_@

so what is next??

2008-06-05T21:53:00.001+09:30

Not only i dunno what am i really doing nowadays....i don't even know what is going to happen next...

I was shocked of the increased petrol price to RM2.70 per litre...if u ask me whether i am heavily affected? The answer is yes & no....

I wanted to go diving.....but i dunno when i can do that....

I got exam next week....and i dunno whether i can score the minimum score i need to proceed further with my plans....

I dunno when i can make up the gap...where the additional money i earned can cover the ever increasing necessity and life essential....

Last of all.....i dunno whether things that i hope for is it going to become reality....and i dunno whether things i'm working on whether gonna meet my expectations...

I seriously dunno....what's going to be next.....???

what am i doing??

2008-06-03T00:24:00.001+09:30

I'm so easily tired and restless nowadays...i couldn't even catch a quality sleep even if i sleep early....

Is it age catching up or i am just too used to easy and relax life earlier on? or is it both?

I find it i dun have enough time for myself and i just need more time for myself...not that everyday i work till 10pm and dont have my personal time....but it just that i dun have time to watch my downloaded movies, i couldn't find time to read my diving magazines, i hardly watch tv on weekdays, i bought a Tibet travel guide book...but havent really flip through it....what am i doing?

Next week will be exam...i'm so not prepared for it...arghh....

yeah...its not early now...and i need to run to bed...zzZzZZzzzz~~~~

The game is now ON~~~

2008-05-27T23:10:00.002+09:30

I've been complaining too free and no work in my previous job...

Now... i am venting in my blog that i started to feel 'drown' by work...

Imagine that u already feel drowning even b4 u started full force working as email not ready, access not ready??

What would be the case when I'm fully equipped with all the necessary access and working tools??

All i can say is that --> the game is now ON! and its pay back time NOW!

But guess what?? I am feeling excited about it! (at least for the time being :P)

Amsterdam, The Netherlands (8-10 May 2008)

2008-05-25T19:21:00.001+09:30

I've been longing to visit Amsterdam. I wanted to see their well-known windmill, dutch lady, dutch clogs and of course not forgetting the tulips! Amsterdam was our last stop before flying back to KL and we only have practically 1 1/2 day to cover the places we want to go. We reached Amsterdam Central Station ~10.30am and quickly we checked in to our hostel and take a 40mins train to the Zaandam where we get to visit the Cheese Farm, Wooden Shoe Factory (manufacturing clogs), different types of windmill and also the Old Clock Museum, the best part is that its admission free...haha

I like the place as we get to see windmills, get to see how clogs being made, get to taste all sort of cheese, get to see dutch lady but not milk squeezing la :P. We spent half a day there. We head back to the city for dinner and at night we open ups our eyes at Red Light District & Sex Musuem - speechless and amazed :P

Next day, we went Alkmaar to visit the famous Friday cheese market. We get to see as per tradition the cheese is weighed with lead weights and then whisked away using a gondola-shaped wooden barrows...something interesting for me as we didnt get to see such custom in Malaysia.

Next, we went Keukenhof for tulips as its tulips season. We were all excited to see so many brightly coloured tulips and as if we've stepped into a kodak moment! The garden is huge and its a great place to wander around and sit for a while. Other than flowers, the garden also houses many artistic sculpture...those who know how to appreciate arts will definitely love this place even more :P

Due to the tight schedule, we didnt get to spend time at Amsterdam city...last day, we have dinner at Dam Square...and just managed to get a glimpse of the busy and crowded city. This leaves me a reason to go back once more...hehe :P

Prague, Czech Replubic - Heaven on Earth (5-7 May 2008)

2008-05-25T02:12:00.002+09:30

I'm getting lazier and lazier to write my travel blog. After Prague, there is one more to go...which is Amsterdam...and I'm slowly forgetting the in depth details of the trip :(

Long ago...b4 i even know where Prague is...i've started to heard of this place from different people...but the feedback were all the same --> Prague is very pretty, its a must go place!

and yes..they are all right! Prague is indeed very pretty!

Old Town Square, the tall building is Tyn Tower - which i like the most!

We spent 2 1/2 days at Prague. We didn't join any day tour but solely exploring the city by our foot. Of all the landmarks and places we went....Old Town Square was the place that we've spent the most time with...why? coz its one of the top 3 attractions in Prague and furthermore its the nearest from our hostel. The other 2 main attractions will be Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.

Highly stood Prague Castle looks 'small' from far

Charles Bridge - led us to Prague Castle

Other than the 3 main attractions, what made Prague so pretty are the buildings! Welly organized, unique by itself, unique architecture, vibrant colour....I am not good in describing it in words...but Prague is just so different from London, Budapest and Vienna! It gives me a fresh impression towards Europe :D

Oh ya...one of the highlights - we watched orchestra, finally. We wanted to watch at Vienna but couldn't make it...so we have done it in Prague. Frankly, i am not a classical music person...so, i cant tell whether the show was a good one or just normal standard just to please tourist like us. Anyhow, i think i enjoyed the 1 hour show and its kinda nice to me :)

As for food in Prague, the traditional Czech dish seem to be roast pork knee, roast duck with picked cabbage and dumpling. We managed to try both and its nice! Other than that, we had Chinese food and sandwiches. We also did grocery shopping at Prague...coz things and food sold at Prague is cheaper. For those ppl who know me, i like instant noodle. Wherever i go, i will try to buy local instant noodle...haha...so i'v bought some in Prague as well. Coffee-holic will of course stock in coffee lo...:P

I dunno what to write anymore, as there's nothing special happened and we all enjoyed our time at Prague. Just let the photos do the talking....For those who feel tempted and want to go, please do so before 2009....before they switch to Euro...haha...it would be much more costly by then :P

The Sound of Music - Salzburg & Vienna, Austria (3 - 4 May 2008)

2008-05-23T23:56:00.002+09:30

“You will feel yourself being soaked into the ‘soup’ of classical music when you’re in Vienna” – that’s a comment/feedback from one of my friend. Hrmm….not sure whether is it bcoz I don’t have the sense of music or its just an over rated comment by him…apparently I dun have such feeling at Vienna. I couldn’t deny that Vienna is beautiful but somehow it didn’t give me that kind of wow factor….perhaps my mind been thinking about Budapest still :P

Since no wow factor exploring the city, we've jointly decided to join a day trip to Salzburg which is well known for The Sound of Music - the movie was shot there few decades back. Our time spent in Vienna was just half day. We visited Hofburg Palace at the city centre...we didnt manage to snap good pictures as there's some kind of fun fair going on with lots of booths and food stalls set up around Hofburg Palace and surrounding buildings...this actually spoilt the whole view! Hence...we also didn't spent too much of time there and move on to attractions nearby.

Next, we went to Schonbrunn Palace. We didnt visit the inner of the palace as while we reached there its kinda late and also bcoz of the expensive entrance fee charged. So....we just hang around the palace garden instead. The palace garden reminds me of Versailles in Paris again..with the similar look and feel but Versailles is much bigger in fact. Nothing much to expect, rolling on grass as usual, pose and snap pictures, and day dreaming...nice weather...i just love it!
Early next day, we're set to Salzburg. It was quite a long journey ~~3 hours bus ride to reach there. I tried so hard not to sleep in the bus so as to capture as much country view of Austria as possible. The country view of Salzburg!....the origin place of the movie The Sound of Music!...the scenery is just so unreal! This picture explain all...with my limited english vocab....i seriously dunno how to put it in words..

To summarize, my rating towards Vienna is just 6/10. Salzburg would be 9/10

Footnote: scared off my the many drop-outs, drugdealers and alcoholic vagrants at one of the busy underground station...its just scary~~~~

TGIF

2008-05-23T23:14:00.001+09:30

TGIF - Thank God Its Friday!

I cant remember exactly the content of the notice being put up at the pantry room but the message conveyed is something like this...

Dear colleagues,
To encourage a balance work life...starting this Friday and every Friday, all staff are required to leave the work place by 5pm. The immediate supervisor will be fine RM30 if you're found to stay back at work after 5pm on Friday. TGIF!

This is sooooo brilliant!! I love it! I wonder when they will implement this for every other working days?? haha....too wishful right? :P

There's more...someone actually purposely went and get an 'ice-cream bell'...and start hitting the bell 5 minutes before 5pm...and counting down to remind everybody to pack their stuff and go home...hahaha

Excellent! Brilliant! I think i love my new company as at now... :P

Day 1 @ OCBC - 22nd May 2008

2008-05-22T23:42:00.001+09:30

Today marked my 1st day at OCBC....my new work place...which is also my 3rd job in 4 years+.

Let's just compare the department and my workstation for 3 different places~

1st job - Alliance Bank (Feb 2004 - Oct 2007)

PC - Gateway white PC

Phone - normal old Telekom phone

Colleagues - there were 6 inclusive of me in the marketing team

2nd job - UOB (Nov 2007 - May 2008)

PC - new Dell PC....but waited for almost a month to get it! Imagine working without a PC!!

Phone - again...used Telekom phone

Colleagues - i am the solely one being stationed at different office with the team....coz my boss just wanted me to sit close to him....so...practically i am like working alone in a deserted island...those ppl sitting close to me majority easily 10 years+ with the bank....phewww~~

3rd job - OCBC (current)

PC - no more PC but using laptop. Its there...just that only can use it when i got my IDs. Now that using laptop...no place to put my pretty 'animals' already :(

Phone - speaker CISCO phone with LCD display

Colleagues - the whole marketing dept is big...20+ of them i think...but my team is the smallest...only me and my boss...haha

Tadah....this is my new work place...kinda messy....lotsa clean up to be done...as the previous person was a guy....so understood la~~ :P

Oh, Budapest...here we come (30 Apr - 2 May 2008)

2008-05-18T18:52:00.004+09:30

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary, east part of Europe and its one of Europe’s most delightful and enjoyable cities --> the fruit totally agreed on that!

3 of us (myself, kiki & beebee) flew with Easyjet from London Luton to Budapest Ferihegy on 30th Apr. Touched down at 10am but will need to stay put at the airport and wait for shy shy until 12pm. She flew with Ryaan Air from Frankfurt. Shy shy’s arrival signifies the beginning of our Eastern Europe journey!

First thing we did was checking in to our hostel. All of us caught with surprise when we reached the hostel. It’s sooo nice, clean, cozy and homely! We fall in love with the hostel immediately! We managed to visit the Great Market Hall near the Liberty Bridge (we know it better by green bridge which self explanatory). All of us love markets as you will get to see a lot local food & stuffs….furthermore we will get crazy when we see food…be it cooked or raw…haha. So…the market didn’t disappoint us. It houses many variety stalls selling meat & sausages, paprika & herbs, fruits & vegetables, food stalls and last but not least the handcraft and souvenir stalls. The market serves like an eye-opener to me towards Hungarian and their culture! We visited The Liberation Monument (The statue is of a lady holding a palm leaf) at the Citadella on Gellert Hill. Didn’t hike all the way up to the summit coz the climb gradually getting steeper, also bcoz we were quite tired and it’s been drizzling on and off. However, we still managed to snap some nice pictures and we enjoyed resting overseeing the panoramic view of Pest and River Danube…looks charming and romantic! At night, we have our dinner at a tourist street near the market….we chose the typical tourist menu dish which serve traditional Hungarian food. The food was nice…so as the waiter….they are pair of good looking twins by my standard (apparently someone doesn’t agree with that :P).

Early morning 2nd day, we made our way to Castle Hill to visit Buda Castle, Fisherman Bastian, Mathias Church and etc. On our way there, we walked over the famous Chain Bridge (most beautiful in Budapest per say) and also not forgetting to snap some pictures at the other side of the Citadella. We took a funicular to Buda Castle as most of us lazy to walk uphill. The Royal Palace is a symbol for Hungarian always occupied or involved in wars. It had been destroyed 3 times and rebuilt after that...and apparently it was never occupied permanently....dunno why as its such a lovely place~~...So after visiting the main attraction in Castle Hill...we move on the Mathias Church. We paid entrance fee to go in to the church...hrmm...i'm not a Christian nor Catholic...so i dont have much comment towards the church but one thing for sure is that its different from what i've seen in Paris, Rome & Vatican. We didnt managed to snap good pictures of the church as the exterior was under restoration work :(....then we wandering around Fisherman Bastian to catch a glimpse of the scenic view of Pest. Our next destination is Margaret Island - a large and pleasant place to relax and wander. We strolled at least 2 hours there, blending in with the locals there. My eyes were never free...keep hunting for good looking guys....hahaha. It was a perfect sunny afternoon and all of us enjoyed the park. We tried out another few Hungarian dish for dinner at another restaurant in the same place as the day before. Satisfying meal :)

3rd day...early morning we went to Great Market Hall again...coz need to do souvenir's shopping...someone might be wondering...how come first day didn't buy and now need to go back again to buy? Ohh....coz we are all poor thing..need to compare price around to make sure we can get the cheapest...hehe...after shopping, AGAIN, we cross the Liberty Bridge by foot to try out Budapest famous thermal steam bath at Gellert Baths. I think i did enjoyed the bath. Our next destination is Heroes' Square...but we ended up at Opera and did quite a long walk to Heroes' Square. How come we ended up at Opera? Ohh...coz this is recommended by Michalis. So who is Michalis? He a new fren we get to know in Budapest...just that we happened to ask him directions at the underground and we were heading to the same direction. So we just followed him embarking & disembark trains...take pics, chatting and walking along the street. The street at Opera heading to Heroes' Square was really a nice one....it reminds me of Champs Elysee, Paris.

Myself, Kiki & Michalis at the Budapest 'Chams Elysee'

Heroes' Square is nice and spacious....not as crowded as other tourist spot. There was a flea market behind the square....so we spent some time there b4 heading back to our usual hang out Pest area for dinner. Our last agenda were to look out for the iconic Amazing Race's sculpture of a kid where the background view is Castle Hill. I didnt take down the name of the sculpture and below picture explained it all. We hang out till late just to catch the night view of the castle. It was awesome!
Thats the summary of our journey at Budapest. I cannot not mention how helpful the locals are. If you ask for help...they will sure help with a welcoming and friendly manner. Even if u didnt ask, they might come to you and ask you if you need help....how wonderful it is! Another point to add is that Hungarians are generally good looking, not just males but also females....nice place, good view, nice food, nice people, nice weather....how can you resist this place?? :P

To summarize, my rating towards Budapest is 9/10! Like it!
Check out my pictures at - http://profiles.friendster.com/21005858

The city of Big Ben - London (27 - 30 April 2008)

2008-05-15T22:15:00.002+09:30

Someone complained that I should have blog something more interesting of my Europe trip i.e. one night stand, missed train and etc etc instead of cost wo…. So…we start up with the beautiful and expensive city of London!

London is extremely busy and English people are kinda ‘cold’ in general…not sure whether this is because of London’s cold & gloomy weather. Nevertheless, I still like this city a lot! We spent 3 nights at London, 2 nights at West Ham as we bunk in my cousin’s frens’ flat which turned up that both also my lost contact high school mates! What a surprise and what a small world! Its good that we can spend some time chatting and catching up on updates :)

YD & me - sunset @ Trafalgar Square. She is married and now stays at London with her hubby. So happy and lovely there :)

Suk-yi & me. She settled down at London currently. She is getting married real soon. Congrats :)

Practically we only have 2 full days at London. 1st day we joined a day trip to the famous Windsor Castle, Bath & the so called most over rated attraction – Stonehenge.

Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and still an official royal residence of England. It might not be as huge and as grand as Versailles in Paris but nonetheless I still managed to capture its charm while wandering there.

The tour was kinda tight as we need to cover 3 places in 1 day…so after 2 hours like that we were set and heading to Roman city of Bath, a city in Somerset. Bath is famous for its hot springs…if I listened correctly to the tour guide; Bath is the only place in England which has hot springs. I like Romans buildings and architecture, it’s so characteristic! So...we visited the Roman Bath museum, snap some nice pictures, tried the ‘fully mineral-ed’ spring water in the Pump Room. The other highlight of the trip is that I was so amazed with the cottage/village view along the way at the road side. It’s just so so scenic and nice…I think I fell in love with the country side of England. Life would be great if I can spend some years living there….

Next is Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most said Stonehenge is over rated as we only get to see some giant stones either stood straight or some collapsed on the ground. Hehe…of coz there’s story behind it and I couldn't’t care less also la…my focus was on the grassland instead! I love greenery! I was so excited and keep snapping pictures with different pose on the grass rather than admiring the stones… :P

Backed to London town, we catched up with YD for dinner and before that we went Trafalgar Square to snap some nice pictures. We have our dinner near Leicester Square. We dine at a famous cheap Japanese restaurant among locals and travelers – Misato (if I get it correctly). Generous serving, tasty and yummy…thumbs up!

One of the dish we ordered - pork fillet rice with eggs. Generous serving!

Btw, i cannot not mention the London Underground System a.k.a. Tube. If you look at the map...its like a huge spider web....and its not easy to digest at one glance...we almost boarded the wrong train few times...even we were almost sure we are at the right 'line'....but still not very sure whether that is the right train when it comes.... :P

The next morning was city walk...firstly we went Buckingham Palace to watch the guard changing ceremony...huge crowd. Then we did some garden walking...initially wanted to go St. James Park.....but ended up in Green Park without we realising...then we went China Town for a good lunch...after that went National Gallery, Leicester Square again, London Eye, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Tower of London....basically we explore half of London with our feet...wow...thats really hard core.....imagine there are 10 more days of walking in Eastern Europe....start peeing in our pants already...keke....

We slept really early that night, coz need to catch a bus to Luton airport at 4am...we 'check out' from West Ham and stayed at a hostel nearby Victoria. My housemate will also reach the same evening and meet us b4 flying to Budapest and continue with our Eastern Europe journey.

Took a lot of pictures....and i've done some filtering and uploaded some at Facebook. Check it out at http://profiles.friendster.com/21005858

To summarize, my rating towards London is 8/10! Like it!

Leaving from where I am...

2008-05-15T10:16:00.002+09:30

So....i've tendered my resignation yesterday...kinda unexpected coz i've only 6 months with my current job. Never a job hopper but just there's little bit of push & full factor there...

I always feel that what i've planned for almost never work..there were soooo many past examples which i dun really bother to remember...Before i join my current job...i've told myself die die to stay put for at least 1 year, so that my CV will looks better --> plan failed.

Been thinking a lot recently and cant really get a decent sleep....not sure whether its bcoz of my over active brain or due to jet lag....day time i'm sleepy but when comes to night...i'm awake... :(

I should be starting my new job next week....so, i wish myself good luck and all the best here @_@

Europe trip expenditure

2008-05-12T14:11:00.002+09:30

Hello..the fruit is back! Been MIA for 2 weeks coz I’ve spent 14D/13Ns backpacking in east (Budapest, Vienna & Prague) & west (London & Amsterdam) of Europe recently and below is the brief breakdown of the expenditures:

Air, bus & train transportation --> RM3,705
Accommodation --> RM870 (€157) (for 11Ns @ hostel, 2Ns FOC at London, 1N in sleeper train)
Sightseeing tour paid in advance (London) --> RM358 (£56)
Sightseeing tour paid at Europe (Salzburg, Austria) --> RM495 (€99)
Eat, Souvenirs, Entrance Fee & Underground throughout the trip --> RM2,675 (€535)

Total $$ spent ==> RM8,103 for 14 days

Consider cheap? But I am totally broke now …sob sob….

It’s a wonderful trip but happiness do come with pain as well :(

I'm waiting...

2008-04-24T23:37:00.003+09:30

I am so regret now....for being greedy...

Every seconds and minutes of waiting is killing me slowly...

Arghhh.....i need an answer....pls give me an answer tomorrow...I WANT GOOD NEWS!

Please.....

The challenge of traveling light >.<~

2008-04-23T23:00:00.002+09:30

Being a typical woman in this case, I am seriously having problem to travel light. No matter where I go...I always carry more than what I need in my suitcase....coz if not, I wont feel secured and will start to worry what if I dun have enough of this and what if I need this when I'm there?? ...bla bla bla...lots of reasons and excuses la~~

I've started to pack for my 2 weeks Europe trip since last Sunday....this trip is a backpacking trip...and I've bought a new 80L backpack! My friends, parents and sister were telling me - are u nuts or what? The bag itself is more than half of ur height already...u sure u wan to buy that or not? How are you going to carry it when its fully stuffed with things?? Well...being ignorant and kiasu...of coz I just ignore all those and go ahead with my 80L backpack...and guess wat??? IT'S NOT EVEN ENOUGH!!

So... now...I will need to scratch my head see which items I can leave it behind....and trying to reduce it....uuuu....hard...real hard!No matter how, I must die die fit in all my needed stuff into the backpack...then, my next challenge is to carry it.....i am not sure whether I have that energy...coz I've tried it when its 80% full...wah, really heavy, carry more than a minute I can feel the ache already.....but being a fruit, I must think positively also la and who knows I will lose few kgs becoz of carrying that big stone on my back?? Hehe...

Anyway....will see how... :P

Daniel Wu a.k.a. 吴彦祖

2008-04-20T18:49:00.003+09:30

I like him! I simply love him! There's once, i told my friend that i am willing to shorten my life for 5 years in order to be with him! wahaha...that was 3 or 4 years back i think....i guess at the moment...i really willing to give up 5 years of my life for him, guess whoever reading this must think i am just nuts or a dumb ass....but now.....i am not sure....love changed? or i became smarter? hahaha....i guess i still love myself the most and always want to treat my self 200% good! I think i am becoming more selfish instead :P

High high up~~

2008-04-18T20:04:00.003+09:30

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?' The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.' So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:

To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

I dreamt of Kimi...

2008-04-15T23:27:00.003+09:30

I dreamt of watching F1...dreamt of taking pictures with Kimi...wow!

I dreamt of Kimi...suddenly he became a fat guy...with big stomach...and HE IS PREGNANT!

I dreamt of Kimi announcing he wont be competing for 2008 season as he is now PREGNANT and the baby gonna due real soon!

Wahsai....what kind of dream is that? When i was taking pictures with Kimi....he is real fit and no sign of big stomach and pregnant...next he is pregnant with baby!

I laughed in my heart when i realised this was dream.....phewww~~~~

Wahaha.....i really cannot explain how could i dream of this -----

The lesson of shit...

2008-04-14T15:15:00.002+09:30

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.

Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Moral of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!

the same food~~~

2008-04-14T10:13:00.005+09:30

Can you keep eating the same food continously?

I've survey a bit with my friends and colleagues and apparently they cannot tahan it...feel like want to puke wo...if keep eating the same food for days...

Well....not sure whether i am an alien in this....but so far no problem with me!

Tadah.....this is my breakfast, every working day without fail...cheap ma..RM1.40 and the serving is big...enough to keep my big stomach full..

As for lunch...unless i got lunch appoinment...else my usual lunch place is always 1 place.

Dinner? Ocassionally my mum will cook picked 'zha choi' with pork for me...so i will just cook white rice...and that dish can last me for 5 days! There was once where i cook spagetti...and i've made alot....end up it took me 5 days to finish it! So...for dinner, my maximum record with the same food is only 5 days....

P/s: i got to know another alien cow...he also can eat the same food at the same place everyday...hahaha :P