White Tiger

Surprisingly refreshing. Could not do speed reading on this book, but every detail is refreshingly nice. A good read and gives you insight of India's socioeconomy and struggles. Would recommend this over the Twilight books....

MJ

Here's for Imn.....

My earliest memory of MJ was when I was about 6 i think. Me and imn, bored out of our minds in our place in jln yeoh chai lye, were always watching this videotape ( my sister's compilation) that had a few mtv videos in it. 1st one was Beat It and the 2nd one was Billie Jean. I remember thinking to myself what's with the blinking pathway in Billie Jean. Of course, it never occured to me how amazing his dance moves were until i was much older.

yes, we were duds who probably didnt really appreciate MJ at that time. But MJ never stopped to amaze us. He went on to further amaze us with other great hits.

I once had a part time job at a retail shop in 1 utama...boring shit, and it was a full time job. Days dragged on like it would never end. And then one day, i took my MJ cd and asked my asst manager, hey do you like MJ? Things went crazy after that as we bobbed our heads and snapped our fingers to The Way You Make Me Feel and Dont Stop Till You Get Enough. It was never the same again. Yes...he has that effect on us, in small little ways that no other has.

And now, 'you've got a place to go '. RIP.

Up Where We Belong

Some hang on to usued to be

Live there life looking behind

All we have is here and now

All our lives out there to find

The road is long and there are mountains in my way

But we climb the stairs everyday -Joe Cocker

There's a bunch of us who are based at the client's, and we only go back to the HQ once a month. I dont look forward to the traffic jam (as opposed to my 3-min ride to client's place), but I do look forward to seeing my comrades. Well, I hardly know them, but they're more family than the colleagues I have here. There may not be the people I go to about work, (since no one really knows what i'm doing), but they are the people I go to for some laughs. If not them, who else?

Well, the problem is really staying connected. So we skype, IM and occasionally we have those company outings. It seems simple but it's something that requires effort really.

1. Someone has to start the ball rolling. Someone has to initiate an outing, be it a simple drinking session or makan session.

2. Someone has to put aside his/her fear of not being accepted, and just go for the damn outing.

3. Someone has to make time.

4. Someone has to plan and connect to us, the on-site fellas.

Open your mind and you'll find where you belong.

The Maid

It was Father's Day, and so sis took us to this place Rebung in Bangsar for Malay food feast. Decided to treat them since everyone's back in KL (except for Imn). Anyways, it was a buffet, and mom assigned me to take the maid, Sophie, to get her food. Wasn't sure if it was her first buffet in Malaysia (or in her life, for that matter.)

She was excited. I've never seen anyone so excited over buffet, maybe because we Malaysians so have it all the time shamelessly. She asked me what each and every item was, cautious at first. There was one particular one that caught her eye. Ice Kacang! When the machine whirred, and ice was filling up the bowl, she jumped excitedly.

It's funny and heart-warming at the same time, to see that we've made someone's day by just a simple bowl of ice kacang. We take thing for granted too often sometimes. I know my family's a failure when it comes to disciplining the maid. Mom's teaching her English, and dad/sis buys her ice-cream, mom also gets her Coke (her favourite). Mom even reads to both her and my nephew sometimes. It doesnt help that she's small and somewhat naive and deprived, and my parents spoil her like she's their daughter. Just like one of the family.

Indian Drama

My colleague from India came here for his honeymoon. I've never met him before. We have always been in communication via conference calls and even skype. My boss once shared all our profiles so that we all have an idea how we all looked like since it looks as if we may never have a chance to group all at once in the same place.

And so, I met them up at KLCC. Monzoor and his wife. Gave him 2 hours to go round KLCC, before we took him to KL Tower. My first time there as well. Muahahha. Then we headed off to the Curve for more shopping.

The day went fine, except that I suspected a tinge of awkwardness between the two. Monzoor kept asking if the wife's alright , if she's afraid of heights, if she wants to do this or that. It's like going all the way out to ENSURE she's happy. They even had a tiff inside a store, and just so happen me and andrew were sitting right across watching the whole drama, as the wife ran off and sat at the bench, facing the opposite direction.

The next day, the friend whom they were staying with asked how it all went. So I told her that they seems kinda awkward, even had a big Bangalore vs Chennai debate. She's from Bangalore and he's from Chennai. And then the friend said it's an arranged marriage...'give chance lah'....

Gosh, things became much clearer after that :)

Twilight..New Moon..Eclipse..Breaking Dawn

Are you a Twilight fan? I caught the bug after I saw the Twilight DVD. Read all the 3 books thanks to my sis, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse... An easy read and fascinating only because it is so different and interesting. Vampires and werewolves. What's not to like? Unless you're not into fantasy shit then this will completely baffle you. I just like how Stephanie Meyers spun a tale that's like a horror-romance in a weird sort of way. Definitely different and I'm still waiting to get the last one. Breaking Dawn. When Bella finally joins the gang! You'll know what I mean.

An Upset

Had a major upset at work. I've screwed up big time and been having sleepless nights. I put the blame on myself. I'm usually so careful and am even more so with this new job. And yet, i still (*&*(-ed up. My boss tried to pacify me and said 'shit happens'. Very nice of him, but I can't seem to get over it. In a sudden turn of fate, I'm actually feeling more responsible and accountable for this job, and starting to care, and the job matters to me. Sigh. Perhaps it's a sign of turning 30something, or it could be I just need to relax and eff it, it's just a freaking job.

Easier said than done though. Like Wei said, we have to take pride in our work. And i do, but if shit happens, I would see this as a failure...a major screwup. What can I do but hope for the best and vow to do better. Sigh.

Stick it On

Another frivolous buy- i was checking on the prices for registration for the Curve flea market..and found this. A korean lady had a booth selling these wall decos. A nice African guy was looking at this same piece, and it was the last one! He let me have it....! And so I went home and voila! RM69...... But kinda made the room cheery and garden-y. It's just that there are a lot of 'adjustments' because it's not as easy at it looks, some of the leaves dont match and the quantity is not really as what the sketch says, and you just go for your instincts! Go TRY this.

Rachel Getting Married

Alright, admittedly, it wasn't the most well-orchestra-ed movie ever. There were some really too long-can't-wait-for-it-to-end scenes especially at the wedding parties. However, it was touching all the same. Especially the last row between the 2 sisters.... I nearly forgot that was Anne Hathaway. Way to go girl. It was really a good raw performance. I liked Rosemarie DeWitt's performance though. always unsuspecting really. No wishy-washy stuff and very real, something we all can relate to. About guilt, forgiveness, sibling rivalry, family. Thanks Galli for introducing this movie.

Tayar Letup

Never ever trust a mechanic or foreman. Me and H found out that the mechanic loaded 72psi onto my front tyres. Patutlah letup! sheesh, you think people would hv the pride in their work to ensure that everything a-Ok before they hand over the car to me. Thank gawd i wasn't driving very fast that day, and I do drive pretty fast sometimes.....

after the tyre exploded, I stopped at the side of the highway, slowly inched my car towards the Taman Danau Desa exit and was helped by a stranger who lived on the squatter area there to change the tyre. H came later and we went to Shell station to isi angin...

Well, the whole fiasco is not over yet as i also am seeking compensation. 2 tyres at least. And it also caused more damage on the left side panel.

The Marriage Mania

I've at least had friends who are either getting engaged or getting married this year. It's the rush before the year of the TIGER which was dubbed as the unlucky year for any marriage..

My best friend is getting married soon and been hearing updates from him about his outrageous wedding dinner(s). 3 locations! He is however a finance geek and has also been keeping track of his expenses and has estimated a staggering RM85K!

Seems a bit 'lebih' for a 3-nighter-event. But well I digress to say every bride deserves her ideal wedding I guess. At all costs. As long as it's shared between 2.

But seriously, why not spend less on the wedding dinners attended by half of the people you dont know and opt for a more upclose and personal wedding affair with family and friends. or just do a simple dinner and spend lavishly for the honeymoon where both of you get some rest n relax action.

Having said that, people should really stop asking me about marriage, haha. For one, you should never ask a woman. For 2, my views on marriage is simple. I can do with or without it. Just look at how late all my sisters got married. And For 3, it's really none of your business lei! ahahhaa.

The Departure

People leave you not intentionally but that's just how things go. How many friends have you made, connect with, and then to depart with just memories... I've had plenty of those. And yeah I suck at keeping in touch, although every single one of them holds a small part in my memories. Well, the important and meaningful friendships I mean.

And I've had loved ones who's left me. It had made me agonize if I ever had to see another one go. I feel it's constantly bug me, and it will forever. Sigh. But when the time comes, we will need to learn how to let go.

It's a week of many departures. I'm afraid there'll be more..... I have a friend leaving for US. one just left a month ago. I have a colleague although faraway, would be leaving soon. I just heard a friend's grandma is stricken with sickness, we grew up 'around' her i guess.

It's so hard to love and then to let go anyways. Seems really pointless and one might think why do we even bother to love, of any kind, be it friendship, love, comradeship, family. . But what's life never knowing love.

The Wrestler

I like wrestling. I used to watch a lot of it and my friends used to love reenacting scenes from WWE.....weird but it's really an art, a performance, and this movie gave us a little bit of insight into what professional wrestling is all about. But more than ever, this movie touches on the vulnerability of an aging wrestler. I almost forgot it was Mickey Rourke :), had a lot of rawness (keep thinking RAW is WAR..hahaha) in his performance that makes it a really good one. My favourite part was at the end actually. When he said that he could never get hurt out there (pointing at the ring) and that he's only hurt when he's here.

Cheap Thrill

Did not win but it was featured in The Star today, muahahhahaha. TOok this picture in Bogor....

Slumdog Millionaire

I watched this maybe few weeks back. And loved it. It was pleasant, heartbreaking, scary all rolled up in this little movie. I have a friend in indonesia who has riled up a bunch of comments on her facebook. My sister cried bowls after watching it....heart-wrenching especially the kids-kena-eyes gorged out-tu. I still can't forget the dive-into-shit-for-Amitabh scene. Very funny.

So well, was it a good movie? well to have stirred up so much emotions, it'll have to be good! And you know it's a good one if you think of Jamal as Jamal....as opposed to watching Benjamin Button and think why Brad Pitt looks like that. The beauty of the movie is that it didnt have big names. It allowed for immersion into the realism of the movie.

Ohwell, go see it and tell me what you think.

Australia.....

Going off to Australia in August'09. First family trip in a long time. It would be a road trip! Any recommendations anyone??? Food to eat and places to go?

To Depend

A friend of mine was just telling me that he loves having dependent/dependents...he loves to be the provider ...How many of us would think that way though? Most people take it as a burden.

But I guess having dependents makes him feel his life is meaningful. That working and slaving is meaningful. It also makes a person less selfish I suppose.

Imagine if u had no dependents. Well yeah, you have ample money to indulge on yourself. But how much could you use and indulge on.

It really takes a lot of selflessness to be in that mode. One must be so USED to paying for things and just making sure everyone's taken care of. A person like this will not expect any gratitude or appreciation because he loves doing it. One would be contented with putting a smile on that person he just cared and provided for.

I wonder if people like this really exist. Are you one?

Stop Bugging Me

I had at least 6 calls last night-3 of which were missed calls because i just didnt want to pick up the phone anymore. There was a gathering last night, and I didnt want to go because i was tired....Now, what's wrong with that? I show up for almost every damn gathering possible and yesterday I just needed a break.

Hasn't it ever occurred to anyone that maybe I just want to be left alone? Me and imny thinks its our age catching up on us and we're turning reclusive, but seriously, I do enjoy being by myself. I enjoy having my own time.

OK and so, I lied yesterday. Because it would have sounded too weird if i said i just wanted to be alone and rest... SO I said i was DEAD tired. I'll rather be vague than bluntly saying that I wanna be a hermit for a night. Boleh ke???

And why do i feel weird about admitting that anyways? Fear of being labelled as weird? Anti-social? Ok, i do have moments when I want to go out...it's just that I have less needs for that now. And the moments when I do want to have quiet time are way MORE now.

So maybe it's weird I like having my cup of chinese tea in front of the telly watching reruns and dvds. Or mending my dying potted plants. Or rearranging my trinkets. I ENJOY IT. if that's weird, so be it.

Stand Tall

Maybe i've just been watching too many movies on conspiracy theories and ulterior motives and globalization. I wonder if we'll be sucked into all this economic catastrophe further because of economic giants who were caught in their own web. Well, doesnt it look stupid now for those who worships them. Even the biggest will fall one day. That's just how the world works. So, dont be arrogant.

Obsession

Everyone has some obsession for something. It could be shopping, photography etc. Some of us suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder...that we might not know of. Just doing a bit of self-searching now..and trying to list down my obsessions and whether it is bordering OCD...

1) shopping...i think not, it happens sporadically like the time when I was in indonesia, only because it was convenient and i had the time to do it.

2) perfumes...yes, I do think i have an obsession for that. but i've refrained from buying since i'm a scrooge, also because trying not to indulge....But i do recall buying maybe about 5 in the US jsut before I came back. First ever bottle that was absolutely unforgettable was the Banana Republic Woman. I was strolling in Annapolis by the port in my tattered jeans and black t, and had my first payout after 2 weeks and bought one for myself.

3) smurfs... it's more of an excessive use of this word, is it an obsession, u tell me. I can tell you I have a bunch of friends whom we call each other smurf! without much thought.But I won't say that I know much about the smurfs....

4) movies....i'm the type that would watch 4-5 straight movies on a really quiet day. And I'm obsessed with making sure that I finish whatever movie i start watching. It has to really suck for me to not watch it. I'm constantly looking for the ultimate movie, and so far, nothing moves me more than A Beautiful Life. Chinese movies doesnt do anything for me, although there are some notable ones.

5) music..this obession has somehow weaned...I used to be obsessed about the radio, hogging the radio to listen to some good music, actually hoping to hear some songs that i've marked (in my mind anyway). I was the type who would find mp3s and save 'em. But I'm starting to be just too complacent with whatever I have now, and just can't be bothered to listen to more. The last album I bought was THe Killers Sam's Town.