Reflections on the shore

Moving Over

2009-11-03T19:21:00.001-08:00

Dear all, I've proceeded to move my blog over to Wordpress. See ya'll!
ashleewong.wordpress.com

Facebook

2009-10-26T23:40:00.000-07:00

Gasp! It works...when I update my status in Facebook, it shows up here! Wee...this is interesting. Now let's try posting and see if FB shows it. Ha!

2009-10-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

I’ve been like a little dog lately, chasing my own tail. Well, not so little anymore. Half my well wishers for my birthday are calling me woman in their wishes this year. What is it that distinguishes a woman from a girl? Is it her age, is it her mannerisms, is it the dress, is it the way she holds herself, or is it in the way she finds and is comfortable with herself, is it in the way she holds herself and makes decisions, or is it the way she carries herself, finding her niche in this world, pursuing her dreams and finding new goals as she moves up? It is so subtle and yet, when a young girl reaches a certain level of maturity, people seem to sense it. How? The reasoning and thought seems to be as elusive as the wind, one can feel it, but one can never see it.
I’ve been floundering a little lately. I’ve been dissatisfied, scared, insecure, bordering on a mild case of depression and despairing of ever moving on. I was up till today.
People, friends around me have been talking about buying houses, getting married, planning to get married, changing jobs, being promoted…and where am I? In debt, stuck in a rut in my job and loving someone who doesn’t know I do.
What a way to welcome my birthday, it seems that year 2009 is the hardest I’ve to go through yet. And I do not understand. Aren’t I supposed to be a blessed child of God, His favored precious little princess? I am, so does that not mean that I get loads of money and all the favor and all the love? I thought so. I did.
Until I finally get the meaning of the phrase, “God’s not interested in the outcome; He’s interested in the process.” He wants me to learn how to handle problems, messiness, tackiness, trouble, insecurities. He wants me to learn how to overcome, to come out a better person, whether I am the winner or not, He wants me to learn grace, forgiveness, kindness, to develop my sense of compassion and character. *smacks forehead! Now why didn’t I realize that earlier? I must have heard a thousand and one sermons preached on this. Well, maybe not a thousand, that was an exaggeration, but I have heard quite a few sermons on this topic in my day.

Now, what? I read some work I had written in the past 2 years and I came across part of the lyrics of a song I heard at Easter this year.
“God is too great to be mistaken; God is good to be unkind. When you don’t understand, when you don’t see His plan, when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.”
*smacks forehead again.
It was as if a burden, a heavy, heavy load was lifted up off my heart. I was sobbing, you didn’t know, you didn’t know how confused I was. Here I was carrying this heavy load here, and crying out to you for your deliverance and all I got was silence. How hard it was to bear. I wasn't sure He was going to get me out of this.
And I forgot, I literally forgot what the character of my God is. The part that struck me was, He’s too good to be unkind, and I’ve thought Him to be unkind, many times. I’ve asked him why did He let me suffer like this, why did He leave me to plod along like this.
Yes, I don’t see His plan, and I do not understand, I can’t trace His hand in all these. Why would He allow me to be bullied, why would He allow me to burden my parents, why would He allow me to carry the heartache of unrequited love? Why?
But the last phrase captures the essence of why I still believe in God. “Trust His heart.” At the heart of the matter, God whom I am able to call my God is good. If He is not good, what hope do I have? Therefore, it comes back to this, this one sentence that lifts me up again.
Now I know for sure, maybe a better word would be the word: realize. Yes, I realize now that God will not leave me to flounder for very long, but He did leave me for a little while, maybe to develop me, maybe to mold me. But He will take me through this, and I will be promoted, He will remove the obstacles or He will give me something better, I know so. The simple reason being, I’m His daughter and He loves me.

I was losing confidence in ever being loved in return. I don’t see His plans, I can’t trace His hand, and I sure as the weather is chilly don’t understand! But it comes back to this. Trust His heart. Trust in the Father heart.

Photos courtesy of:-
http://sidoxia.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/candles-burning.jpg
http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/5103476/235112-main_Full.jpg
http://static.desktopnexus.com/wallpapers/142697-bigthumbnail.jpg

Earl Grey

2009-10-23T22:33:00.000-07:00

Ahh, Earl Grey, my mom's favourite flavor. It's got a little citrusy smell that perks you up and is great even without sugar. It's a beverage that goes well with cakes and sandwiches alike, say afternoon tea and you wouldn't go amiss with a cup of Earl Grey.

I read something online recently that is entitled, 12 signs he's into you. And some of the things uttered were really amusing. Some just sweet. Like the one below.

He texts you back in two seconds.
“A flirt buddy of mine always texts me cute little notes throughout the day. And he responds to me ASAP!”
—Jan Marsh, 33, Brooklyn

He indulges you.
“My husband walks two blocks to Starbucks for my coffee every morning. I’m not sure if he does it because he loves me or because he’s afraid of me before I have coffee, but it makes my day.”
—Jessica Lane Van Nest, 26, Norfolk, Va.

He’s known to treat you like a lady.
“I love it when my guy opens my car door, walks on the outside of the sidewalk and shields me from the snow—chivalry is not dead.”
—Mandi Katherine, 27, Chicago

He likes you better as is.
“My boyfriend likes my blond eyelashes so much that he hates when I wear that ‘eye stuff’ commonly known as mascara.”
—Emily Samuels, 23, Atlanta

50AHe takes one for the team.
“My guy sometimes has tea with me at one of those froufrou tea houses where the china;and sandwiches are tiny and there are flowers on everything. All the women are wearing nice outfits, and there he is in his Bqtman shirt.”
—Crystal Maynard, 31, Belcamp, Md.

He likes to show you off.
“^ow that I’ve graduated from med school, I love the proud look on my husband’s face when he introduces me to puople and tells them I’m a doctor.”
—Janette McVey, 26, Columbia, Mo.

He believes in your dreams.
“When I talk about plans to focus on my career and not stay home when I have kids, my boyfriend says he’ll totally be Mr. Mom. He fully believes in my ability to support a family in the same way he could.”
—Kristin Koch, 26, Park City, Utah

I wonder how I would name my husband-to-be. I've had the high school sweetheart, I've had the not available man, I've had the younger man, I've met some players,I've almost had the long distance, I've had the 50 first dates man.

Photos courtesy of http://www.glamour.com/sex-love-life/2009/09/12-secret-signs-hes-into-you?mbid=synd_msn#slide=3

Rusty...rust...rustic

2009-10-08T08:16:00.001-07:00

Rusty...rust...rustic- adjective, color, adjective
Interesting, now that came out of nowhere. Ha! I just mean to pick up the pen, or in this case, sit and dash off a few paragraphs worth of memories in this month of October year 2009.
Got an early birthday celebration from the kids. Nowadays been feeling a tad old, yes more to do with having so many kids. But the early celebration made me feel so loved.
The few of them got together and prepared a lovely surprise for me and Sa, one of my friends and fellow "elder-lies" in church. At first I was apprehensive, because they kept telling me to let them know when we arrive and refusing to let me go into the restaurant first.
When Cartoon came out to get me after I called them when I arrived at Alexis, he escorted me in. And they had booked the private function room. I glimpsed tealights making up a big heart shape through the filmy curtains. It was beautiful! I think I went a littel shriek-y then. Haha, bet nobody told them I love tealights and candles, the warm glow of them. Well, it kind of makes me oozy, melts me up right inside.
The candles were surrounding my name in red sparkly Christmas tree twined around wire. They filmed the entire bordering on hysterical phenomena, and I told Aloy if he ever makes it public, I will cheerfully strangle and beat him up. That would be one hell of an embarrasing video. Well, I made my wish, which probably sounded like mumbo-jumbo to God when He hears, because I couldn't quite gather my thoughts. They were playing hop scotch about my brains. I was presented with a long stemmed rose, by Cartoon completed with silver ribbon and a silver bracelet tied on my wrist by Ahlien.Alright, that process came with another tricky situation. I was afraid they were going to put furry stuff or clammy stuff onto my hand. Call it paranoia...well.
We had a lovely dinner and a lovely bumbling time with a bottle of Cabernet Shiraz. But the most important thing was not our lack of finesse but the heart, their romantic and loveing hearts towards us, that just about brought tears to my eyes. Maybe it's due to the fact that its been a long long time since someone put so much thought into celebrating my birthday and making it special.
But thank you. All who participated in making my birthday this year a really special one. Ada, Aloy, Afred, Alien, Cartoon, boss, lady boss, Sa.

91

2009-07-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I had my first encounter with a snatch thief or thieves, seeing there were 2 of them,on Sunday. After watching Ice Age 3, which by the way, I enjoyed laughing till my sides ached. Baby dinosaurs were depicted as cute and affectionate which I believe was at odds with their nature as predators and killers. Anyhow, I still enjoyed (laughed the loudest) the part where one of them takes a piggy like animal by it's curly wurly tail and treats it like a yo-yo. The poor thing went boik boink boink!
I parked outside because they closed the car park, it was full. So, was walking along when I felt my bag slipping down my arm, my 1st reaction was "catch"
, so I bent down and did. I think that was the time that the motorcyclist lost his grip on my bag. I didn't realize at first that it was a snatch theft, I thought a van or 4 wheel drive came too near and the side mirror bumped into me. (Okay, don't ask how I thought of this bizarre idea, but that was what came into my mind then.) By the time I came up and realized it was a snatch theft, 1st thing I did was, (no, not throw my water bottle, too bad, wish I'd done that now!) tried to get the license plate of the bike, unsuccessful, the passenger had a sling back over it. Planned and experienced guys at this, I'll bet. I was shocked and later angry.
But after calming down, I thought back and realized just how blessed I was, It was as if I was protected by guardian angels, who kept me from falling and being dragged along the tar road. I thought of how many stories of snatch thefts I've heard about the thieves on bikes dragging their victims along or slashing them with knives. At the very least, they lost their valuables. Me? They were unsuccesful at all except in giving me this huge bruise on my upper arm. It's really ugly, most people get shocked and asked me what happen. I joke and said I got into a fight, and watch their eyes grow large as saucers, but in the end, I do tell them the truth. I know, I know, I probably should have let them had the illusion!

Psalm 91

He who dwells in tbe shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty,
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust",
Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence,
He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart,
You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrows that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday,
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you,
You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked,
If you make the Most High your dwelling, even the Lord, who is my refuge
then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent,
For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways,
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone,
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra, you will trample the great lion and the serpent,
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him,
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Those thugs must've had quite a tussle with my guardian angels, eh? Because if you know me, you know I'm clumsy and I trip no matter what kind of shoe I'm wearing. How can it be possible that with the force of that jerk on my bag that I don't fall and remain upright? When I read Psalm 91, I got my answer.

Miracles everyday

2009-06-19T03:18:00.000-07:00

Things that bring tears to my eyes, were I to count, there would be too many to list. One of those would be to see people I care for fighting a good fight and end up standing, bruised yes, but standing and victorious! I'm seeing it happen right in front of my eyes, I was just saying the other day, "Now I fully comprehend the meaning of daily miracles."
We seldom think about this, but maybe the gift of being able to sleep and to open your eyes the next morning, is a miracle by itself, non? :)
I'm having a headache and I'm a little grousy. But never mind, it's a Friday evening! I'm going to feel light-hearted regardless! Ha ha, yes I might need to work tomorrow, yes it's a Saturday, but what the heck, it's still a Friday night!
I'm looking forward to having a mask tonight, sip some tea, laugh at some jokes, maybe watch a comedy. How does that sound? :) good? I know...

2009-06-05T11:33:00.001-07:00

A coincidence

2009-05-29T02:58:00.000-07:00

A coincidence? Or a rare submissive acceptance to go with the flow with what has already been ordained?
However one chooses to put it, it’s just there, that goose-bumps feeling when you realized that things have worked out just the way they are supposed to, and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
I was supposed to take my Replacement Off day today, Friday the 29th May 2009. Another colleague said she only had today to take off and well, I admit I was a little huffed, like I’ve been usurped of my right. Well, to be fair, I did submit my request first, middle of the month.
Anyhow, I let it slide; gracefully, after all having a Thursday off was not too bad. I could do my laundry, go drink coffee somewhere; write a little maybe and generally a day when I could do as I wish.
Well, let’s just say it did not turn out as I had planned.
My mom was supposed to come down with a lady, a church friend to visit my pastor on Tuesday but they couldn’t make it. What are the odds of that? My mom called me on my day off, while I was sleeping, yes, sleeping and told me she was on her way down.
So, yours truly showered, got dressed, sent off an email and zoomed to the hospital. It turns out my mom brought Social Security forms and insurance claim forms which would’ve sent anybody into a panic at those stacks of papers, what lest a distraught wife whose husband is lying in the hospital?
I gritted my teeth and stared at those forms, forcing the bile rising from my throat back, flipped through them one by one, and got down to the messy business of filling up the form, whatever I could anyway. I left the ones which information needed to be found out to be found out by mummy dearest and the medical report which was pending from the doctors. And get this, Great Eastern Building was within walking distance and we just went there to find out the correct procedures. We were walking down an entirely wrong direction by the way.
All these, plus the company of my mom for the day, were how I spent my day off. Being rewarded with a smile from pastor and the comprehension of my words, altogether, a fruitful day indeed-y.

My Blueberry Nights

2008-11-08T05:59:00.000-08:00

Watched a movie just now. Interesting one. Non-conventional.
It stars Norah Jones and Jude Law as the love interest and directed by Wong Kar Wai. His movies are a little offbeat and mostly difficult to understand sometimes. He likes to use a technique I don’t often see in other films. It’s the colors; it reminds me of movies that are old and film that is over-exposed, garish tones, neon lights. He likes to use movements of objects too, the speed and rush of the subway and the trickle of melted ice cream through a slice of blueberry pie. Most people would find this movie boring, I think. It is a little slow moving. I was looking for a point in the movie at first. But until I stopped searching and let the movie play it out, and then did I get the meaning of it. At least, how I interpreted it.
It’s about a girl who met a guy. You’re probably thinking that this is the same old story of most love stories. But hang on. This has an interesting twist though. Unlike most movies, Lizzie (Norah Jones), doesn’t sleep with Jeremy (Jude Law) after the first meeting. I must admit, I kind of thought that would happen. So the movie managed to surprise me.
Well, Lizzie’s nursing a broken heart, she meets Jeremy whom she can talk and write to about anything. She goes away from New York to heal her broken heart and to forget her memories. Meet’s a couple of interesting personalities along the way. Al had different versions of interpreting love. Familial love, husband and wife love, companionship…
Interesting as I said, very signature of Wong Kar Wai, don’t think any other director has this flair. I’ll leave you to find out the ending yourself, if you ever get around to watching it that is. It might be a boring film to you though, or who knows, maybe you would learn to enjoy it.

More of Penang...yess overdue

2008-06-30T02:29:00.000-07:00

Francis Light's Memorial at St.Georges church. The church was closed. I was longing to go insdie. I'm pretty sure they would have all these high ceilings, probably dotted with long necked fans, windy, and pleasantly painted cream, with old wooden pews and a giant altar at the front.
Anyways, the Francis Light Memorial in the grounds spoke of a man who although supposedly painted as a tyrant sent to conquer us, was actually remembered affectionately in the plaque. Now we don't remember tyrants with affection do we? He must've been a good man.

The restaurant tucked away in a little corner that we had our dinner on the last day of the trip for work. Nice, but a little pricey. We must've looked foreigner like.

The cloudy and gloomy weather over in Queensbay.

Penang's Heritage

2008-06-05T07:09:00.000-07:00

Check out the really traditional type of temple and YAP Temple, side by side.

One of the many temples on the island.

Ahhh...yes, good old Fort Cornwallis. I learnt a lot there.

Check out the Brylcream inscribed on the cover. Never would've thought this hair cream had so much history!
I've always wanted to walk around Penang like I've seen all the tourists do. Never got the chance though, because every time I went, it was with my family and they've got like a standard list of places and food they must have. So it's almost similar every single time. Well, finally got the chance to satiate my thirst for soaking in culture, amidst a very happy sun, I might add.
The pigeons reminds me of Trafalgar Square. This place's name just sticks in my mind.

2008-04-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

BuSy, bUsY, BUSY...

2008-04-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

Man, know what that word means? I thought I knew what it meant, and then at one point, but then it morphs into something even more defining for the word. You think you're busy when you've to send 5 reports in one day. Wait till you need to submit orders for the entire month, submit reports for 12k worth of stocks (which you've to dig out from the screwed up computer system) and allocate stocks for the change of season, about 14k worth of them in a few days...wowee...
You know, but I would rather be busy. It keeps you from wandering, in the mind I meant. Idle minds are the devil's best playground.
I didn't think I would willingly go back to work on Saturday when it's my official rest day but it's almost becoming a norm for me to go back for a few hours some Saturdays to clear my workload.
I thought that was my limit. But then, today I went back for a few hours too! I know! It's a Sunday. It's supposed to be rest day and all. But I'm glad I did go back after all. The few hours helped clear some of the workload. Not to mention that I got a pleasant surprise after all. Thank God for landlines. My cell's battery was dying.
Tomorrow, tomorrow, monday, monday...

Grabbed from a dear friend's blog

2008-04-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

"Melissa
- My housemate, hmmph. Melissa don’t know much about her (psst mysterious girl).The reason why I say don’t know much about her is because not that she is snobbish, in fact I would say she posseses a very nice and pleasant personalities. She has a very nice smell … no I mean smile. Dimples haha. Thanks for helping me find a room.
Ashlee
- My 2nd housemate. Gosh she is one lovely girl. She cooks, she’s caring, and very understanding. She would sit down with me and chat bout stuffs and insisted on looking at my photos. Thanks for all the heads up.
Calisa
- Ash’s sister. She inherits all the good values from her sister or was it the other way around? She doesn’t like durian, loves junk food. I’m still amazed how you can mix potato chips with rice and giving me the finger licking good sign. I must try that sometime haha … Best thing is she invites me for dinner everytime she and her sister prepares dinner. Thanks for all the food."

Lol, I never knew a friend who wrote these about me and my sister. LOL, but it's nice. And I hope he finds peace and friendship that last for always.
A good buddy once told me to reassure me when he got together with a girl. "Relationships come and go but friends are forever."
I'm not sure how it makes his other half feel if she read about it. I don't think I would be very happy reading that if I am her. But it brings a small measure of comfort to me being his friend that I don't lose his friendship because he is venturing into another phase in life.

Screwed up system

2008-04-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

I think I scared a few of my colleagues today. Guess they've never seen my screwed up face when faced with a screwed up computer system. Bad analogy, I know. But seriously, it's so screwed up that I am at a lost for words to describe it.
Ah well...
Tomorrow will be a better day.
What will it bring? Love? Hope? Peace? Joy?
Can I have it all? :)

Thoughts from a bridesmaid's story

2008-04-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

Watched 27 dresses yet?
It's a romantic comedy. One of those where one doesn't need to think too much, is reassured of a happy ending and fuzzy warm feelign at the end of it.
;) don't mean to be cynical. I like this genre pretty well. It does wonders to help one unwind and relax at the end of a tense day. So, on a rainy evening, curled up at home and watched this particular movie.
Is it possible that sometimes we want something so badly that the thing that we need is passing in front of us, yet we're blinded and can't see it?
Or is it possible that sometimes we think this is what we need but the very thing that we need is right in front of us?
Or maybe we don't even know what we need or what we want?
What a laugh!

On an unrelated note, I want to give thanks to God because a part of what I've been fasting for has been answered, and answered beyond my wildest expectations or what I could even dream of.
A friend who has been diagnosed with uterus cancer was to have the operation some time this week. She has had it. BUT BUT...I just found out today that it is only the lining of her uterus that has been removed not the whole uterus.
Which means she has a chance of becoming a mother! I'm so, so glad that the doctors are taking a chance with her. I think the risks are obvious. But I will continue to pray for her. I hope she gets married and have babies. Yes, that's a plural! LOL...
Thank you, all who prayed.

Now...I am still fasting, and praying...hopefully the rest of the parts will also come true.

It never goes to waste

2008-04-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been thinking about the question. What if the item you're praying and fasting for doesn't turn out the way you wanted it to? Does it mean that all your efforts were futile, that it was useless?
Would I be disappointed? Would I lose heart?
I believe so. It's human, it's natural.
But I also believe that my prayers and fasting did not go to waste and they won't go to waste. Stubborn child, ain't I?:)
I believe something is going to happen. Even though the item that I'm praying and fasting for doesn't happen at once, I believe it WILL, or better still something better will happen.

But of course, as of now, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that what I'm praying and fasting for will come true. I really do. I must've prayed so hard for something at some points in my life, but I can't remember when.

Dear God, please remember me and the items that I'm praying so hard for. Would you please allow us a chance?

Mika Nakashima's Sakurairo Maukoro

2008-04-11T10:59:00.001-07:00

Bracelet

2008-04-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

It's made up of a few strands caught together in a vintage gold clasp. Beads are pearlish, brown and transparent amber, capital "G" in the middle of a strand.

Versatile enough to wear for a Chinese dinner, or a shopping trip downtown.

Retailing for $25 (Malaysian Ringgit).

Earrings

2008-04-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

From Guess Accessories, a vintage pair of earrings, heart shaped loops, with a capital "G" dangling and a strand of amber coloured stones.
Perfect to glam up a simple outfit, or just for a day out with the girls.

Retails at $25 (Malaysian Ringgit).

Bangle

2008-04-11T09:52:00.000-07:00

Hi all, have in my possession some original pieces of accessories from Guess by Marciano. The bangle below here in my page is retailing for $25 (Malaysian Ringgit). If there're more than one person who's interested, I've to consider putting it up for bid. *winks, therefore I do hope that there are more than one person liking it.

A cluster of pretty beads dangling elegantly from the wrist. Simple enough to wear to classes, yet elegant enough to wear for a night out.

Black and transparent beads, a silver heart shape, a silver "g" representing Guess and a smaller silver heart attached to a small black bead, all held together with a thin black ribbon.

It would make a perfect gift either for a sweetheart or a gal friend. Please drop me a comment if you're interested. Or email me at ashlee1910@yahoo.com

First Spa Experience

2008-04-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a one of my girl friends, my sister and I got a spa treat! Well, let's just say that a spa session is divine but you can't be self concious because err because well, you have to strip, so...
;)
The first thing they started with was ear candling. It was supposed to be cleaning your ears, improving blood circulation and for relaxation. The first two criterias passed, but I really must veto the last one. I was nearly hopping about with tension.
They sort of stick something like a lighted candle in your ear. Ok, that was exactly what it looked like looking across a wooden screen at my sister's side and without wearing any glasses. I was so worried it'll burn us or something. Not very comforting was the fact that exactly the same thing was sticking in my own ear! So, relaxing it was not for me.

We chose something called Pure White, which included a body mask, which I presume was something to do with milk. Can't really see what color the substance was because it was so dim. But they put it on our backs first then only the front. It was so cold! The environment plus the lotion. Honestly this is a terrible simile but it was what crossed my mind at that moment while I was shivering away. Lol, I felt like a piece of chicken or meat being marinated. * winks, I hope that doesn't squelch anybody's desire to visit spas!
After that, we were treated to a really delicious bubble bath. The water was just the right temperature, we soaked in there and almost fell asleep. The view from the window was pretty too after the rain in the evening.

Ahh, I can think of someone who'd love this mirror. I like it too. Bold.
After quick shower, we hopped back into the room and to the massage that followed. Awwwwesome. I practically refused to leave. Yes, it was that good, the masseuse lady smoothing out the kinks in my shoulders, back and neck applied just the right amount of pressure, without being too harsh or too soft. Lovely. That was one of the best massages.

They have this round hole for you to stick your face in so that you can breathe while lying facedown. Usually in most places you just stare at the floor, but here they put this floating daisy, which looks pinkish in the dim light but is actually orangey yellow in color. I thought it was a pretty great idea though.

Idle

2008-03-29T00:55:00.000-07:00

Don't ask! I've no idea what those wines recommended are and where to get them!

Bali? To be considered...

Crap, the thing is I can never tell right after taking a picture if it's blurry. So disappointing when it comes out on the computer and it is. Anyways, I still like it.

F1

2008-03-29T00:47:00.000-07:00

The specs I read meant little to me. Titanium, aluminium, speed...a single word comes to mind. Light.

As fast as light, as light as air.

But one fact stuck in my mind. Cars like these can go from 0kph to 140kph and back to 0kph in 1 second?

One SECOND?!

Haha, I took one second to write "one second". Fast.

News

2008-03-29T00:12:00.000-07:00

The man behind the Mandarin version of Superwoman.

Lately I've been photographing news from magazines. Interesting way to get news. Any copyrights policy do you think?

Sad Bear

2008-03-28T23:42:00.000-07:00

My colleague has this really sad looking bear sitting on her dashboard. She loves that bear, it's been with her since she started driving.
What is the little bear thinking?
"I wish I could get out and experience the world instead of sitting in here watching the world go by, they seem to be having so much fun out there."
Little bear might have a point.

Favourite Breakfast

2008-03-28T23:24:00.000-07:00

The view from where I am sitting. Quiet residential area.

That morning was a little cloudy so it was good to sit out and enjoy the cool breeze and fresh air.

Favourite food, breakfast food.

I know, don't tell me I make you hungry. Go and open up that frying pan and cook your own!

Luxury Chocolates

2008-03-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Coffee and cheesecake

2008-03-16T01:23:00.000-07:00

A mouthful of creamy cheesecake with the taste lingering on your tastebuds, take a sip of coffee. The fragrant and contrasting flavors tingles on your tastebuds.

I tell you, there's no dessert like coffee and cheesecake.

Paycheck

2008-03-16T00:49:00.000-07:00

Past midnight and I couldn't sleep. I was watching Paycheck on television. I thought I haven't watched it before but I think I have, I vaguely remember some of the scenes.

Ben Affleck and Uma Thurman stars. The good engineer creates a super machine that enables men to look into the future. That was going to make him filthy rich, agrees to sell it to the highest bidder and have his memory wiped so he can't create another. He's used the machine to see into HIS future, knows his buyer's going to seal off all exits and have him murdered, leaves a trail and clues to save his own life and the woman he loves. He gave up 3 years of his memory. In the end realizing that the machine he created means the world will end because men saw into the future.

Working backwards, men saw the future and men makes the future happen like he saw it. Isn't it ironic?

Anyway, it had a happy ending. Good guy destroys machine and lives happily ever after with the woman he loves. Uma Thurman's eyes are so arrestingly blue.

On an unrelated note, pictures above taken in KLCC on a cloudy afternoon a few weeks ago.

From an ant's point of view

2008-03-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

SPM Results

2008-03-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

Call me ignorant. I didn't even know that the results for last year came out. LOL
That was until my sister told me my youngest sister had got her results.
It was pretty good and I'm proud of her. She was telling me about applying for universities and scholarships.
That transported me back to the time when I was doing the same thing a few years ago. Okay, maybe more than a few years ago. Okay maybe nearer a decade ago. Crap! That IS a long time ago.
It was a confusing time when I didn't know what I wanted to study. Come on, how could I know what I wanted to be for the rest of my life at 18? Honestly, I just wanted to play. ;)
I was not one of those committed few who knew that they like medicine or engineering and was so focused on doing a course and then being a doctor and have a career in engineering forever. I knew what I like. But what I liked was apparaently too generic to have a course for. Or so generic that a number of courses covered it.
Ah, well...I never regretted how the course of my life turned out. I wouldn't trade a second of my life because I realized that I've learnt lessons at each turning point, at each crossroads, for eac of the decisions I voluntarily made or was forced to make.
Hmm, maybe I should trade my entire life...bad joke. ;)
For my sister, I know she's got her own decisions to make. I know she's got her own choices and life to lead. But I hope she knows that her family will stand by her for life and she's never to fear.
So cheers to my baby sister who's venturing into adulthood and life decisions.

Enthusiastic Photographer

2008-03-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

The wobbly results of pplaying enthusiastic photographer while maneuvering a moving car! LOL...

Allure of Hope

2008-02-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

Hope produces a deepened desire, an aching waiting.
Now isn’t that a new way of looking at hope? I’ve always thought that to hope means to clasp one’s hands in anticipation, with limpid eyes looking heavenward. That would be a picture of serene, peaceful and stillness.
But locking my thoughts onto my experiences, I’ve always been impatient, restless, aching for things I’m waiting for, desire deepening as time passed. I put it down to my character, to my impatience of waiting for things to happen.
Disappointment, betrayal, confusion. Over and over again.
It is not the dream itself that is the point. The point is how the dream opens up the weary heart.

Charms

2008-02-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

Charms in One Utama. The decorations are interesting, bright red and an odd mixture. I had the fried cheong fun, which was fried and garnished with sesame seeds. A tad saltish but quite a satisfying meal. Portion's quite big. I couldn't finish mine. The fried lou shue fun wrapped in egg had a similar taste to my dish, though without the spiciness.

Dome's

2008-02-12T07:06:00.000-08:00

Fish therapy

2008-02-12T00:09:00.000-08:00

Spa like environment.

This is getting quite popular now. They use these little fishes to err eat your dead skin cells on your feet. Sounds totally gross I know. And it's ticklish!!

San Francisco and the tower of KL

2008-02-11T23:52:00.000-08:00

Shaky picture, cos I was driving when I took this.

First visit to San Francisco Steakhouse was an interesting one. They managed to pass the service standards. Lol, I sound like some kind of expert on this but anyhow, I believe that as a client, one would have certain expectations towards the service that one gets whichever place one visits.
In truth their service was only slightly above average. But I’ve frequented so many places that have crap services that an average service seems very good in comparison. Did we bring our standards down?
Lowering standards, is a good thing or a bad thing? In our expectations of life? In our expectations of a partner? In our expectations of ourselves even?

Quotes

2008-01-23T06:45:00.000-08:00

"Why waste time learning, when ignorance is instantaneous?"

"I suppose the secret to happiness is learning to appreciate the moment."

Courtesy of Calvin & Hobbes quotes from Facebook. :)

Light

2008-01-20T06:38:00.000-08:00

“Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my Light”.
Those are part of the lyrics from the hymn, Be Thou My Vision. We happened to sing it in church yesterday. Interestingly, while it has never occurred to me before when this hymn has been sung countless times in church, I did wonder about this particular verse.
Light could mean literal giving light, guiding, to light up the path before us.
Could it also mean light as in referring to our burdens, that He carries us in whatever situation we’re in.

Trigger happy

2008-01-19T09:38:00.000-08:00

I went trigger happy with the camera. Reason being, my curly hair's going to be lobbed off soon. So I'd like beautiful memories of it. *winks ;) which of course just happens to be the perfect reason to perfect the shots.

On an unrelated note, an interesting Calvin and Hobbes quote:-

"Everyday I have something that grows bigger and bigger, it's a list of the people who successfully pisses me off, " Calvin.

You gotta give the little guy credit where credit is due. His observations are spot on!

Mom's Snow White Cake

2008-01-11T06:58:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my dad bought a Walt Disney cartoon character cake for my mom's birthday. Lol, but it was sweet of him. Err, it looks pretty, probably more suited to kiddy girls. It sure looks nice. But the material that the scene's painted on is slightly rubbery, a little icky to eat.

LOL, but mom looks happy enough.

Christmas 2007

2008-01-11T06:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2007 in GEPC.

This is one of the dressiest Christmas Service I've attended yet. Everybody looked really festive :)

In fact, there's so much red that it reminds me of Chinese New Year. Lol, more photos in Facebook.

Carolling 2007

2008-01-11T06:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve, what more suitable than carolling before welcoming Christmas Day, with a countdown :) which is exactly what we did.

More photos in Facebook.

New Year's Lunch

2008-01-01T02:22:00.000-08:00

Mr. HO's Fine Foods.

Ineresting to have lunch. The bacon I've been craving for is found here. The craving has been satisfied.

Mashed poatoes, bacon, ham and egg sandwich, beer battered fish and chips, ice lemon tea, Earl Grey of course.

Everywhere's crowded today. The new year started off with a nice, cooling blanket of rain. Now the evening sun looks lovely, a really mellow kind of golden color.

Ahhh...reflections on the year past

2007-12-31T09:21:00.000-08:00

What has past, what is going to come? Will the following year bring joy to the heart? Or will it bring heartache and heartbreak? I suppose both are inevitable. Especially when one puts their heart into another's hands in hope. But then, I can always pray for more and more of the former instead of the latter.

We've toasted the year in with hope. Let's pray joy, peace and love follows suit, abundantly.

Here's to all, a blessed year ahead!

May God bless you.

Ushering in a spanking good year

2007-12-31T09:11:00.000-08:00

Pretty Cupcakes to usher in a sweet New Year. Isn't that what most of us wish for? A year overflowing with abundance and goodness. Amen to that :)

Baby Michael

2007-12-16T00:35:00.000-08:00

Baby Michael and Mummy Angela. Those from Ipoh would probably recognize Pastor Elijah Kong, this is the newest addtion to their family :)

GAP Charity Screening of Enchanted

2007-12-16T00:12:00.000-08:00

This is the cinema foyer where the movie was screened.

The stars of the show, I much prefer Patrick Dempsey's gentleman style to the prince's charming one. Amy Adams as the princess. A different kind of happily ever after.

GAP's promotional posters for Holiday 2007. Crazy stripes!

Hotels in the Mood for Christmas

2007-12-15T23:53:00.000-08:00

ShangriLa's in the mood for Christmas, this particular morning it was misty, chilly and with the warm yellow lights, it's exactly suited for Christmas.

This is in Park Royal Hotel and it was decked with a short walkway of midsized Christmas trees. Taken during the warehouse sales we had there.

Baby Esther is 2

2007-12-15T23:46:00.000-08:00

She's 2 years old this November. Kids grow so fast. She's totally mischievous but lately she's taken a fright to strangers and all. The worst thing is, she needs about half an hour to adjust herself to the fact that she knows you and is familiar with you. Jeez, that's a pain. Terribly insecure.

Celebrated her birthday early during the weekend. She's scared of candles and the birthday song! Would you believe it? I've never heard of kids who is before. Weird...

Balls of yarn for Christmas

2007-12-15T23:41:00.000-08:00

Almost everybody got roped in the team got roped in to help out with winding yarn around these Christmas baubles. But it was kind of fun and in a way err I can say now that I understand why some ladies find it thereaupatic to knit. Lol, anyhow, decorations are up in the stores and the different colors of the balls really made the stores look festive.

Compliments

2007-12-11T18:05:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the sweetest compliments are received when you least expect it. Aunty S and Uncle V called out to me during lunch yesterday. Aunty S asked me why I’m not attached since I’m so attractive. LOL, yes I think I blushed. Then I patted her hand and told her that thank you but that’s probably from the women’s point of view. Then Uncle V patted MY hand and told me he’s confirming it from the men’s point of view. LOL, ahh well, always nice to have compliments. *winks* She even said that if she's a guy she thinks she'll go after me. Lol, went on to say too bad the son's so much younger than me.

The bitter sweet thing about it is, they mentioned P and how they prayed for a partner for him. Sigh, they mentioned that they spoke to him about this a few years ago when he was still single. That tugged at my heart strings. Anyhoos, don't think, don't think!!!
Glad it was a short encounter this year, enough however to make me nostalgic but then I had 2 days to cheer up :)

Back from a 4 day break!

2007-12-11T18:03:00.000-08:00

First day of work after a few days of break and it’s so nice to come back to the new office.
But it seems a bit odd too. Reason being I’m so used to going 2 floors up. But Trusting in God’s spot-on timing, this is better. It was getting too “claustrophobic” upstairs. I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate on my work. Big mistake.
One of the topics actually all of the topics that were spoken on in the conference stayed with me, in particular that we were fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Why?
Well, Pastor Elijah mentioned that just our face alone demonstrates God’s thoughtfulness. Just look in the mirror. The hair grows an inch and half at least, in a month. Our eyebrows stop growing at a certain length. Odd, I never really thought about it that way. Come to think of it, I do pluck my eyebrows, (roll your eyes at vanity!) and whenever I do, they grow, after a few weeks. But they stop at a certain length. Although everybody’s different, it does stop at a reasonable length. Another thing to thank God would be the length of nostril hair and armpit hair! Not my words, the speaker’s! Lol, thank God they do stop at a reasonable length. Oh yes, not forgetting the famous position of the nose. The nose is pointed downwards. Aren’t you glad that it’s not facing upwards? We’ll drown every time it rains. That had me in stitches.

Caysha and Empress

2007-11-18T02:23:00.000-08:00

Would you believe Empress was just a small puppy a few months ago? Dogs grow so fast! She rarely barks though. I find that a huge plus. I'm not too fond of dogs barking loudly all the time. She looks adorable. But she's awfully fond of jumping up on people. She's so friendly.

Baby Caysha, she is grouchy when she's sleepy. Her hair's so dark and she has so much of it. Her eyes are fringed with the sweetest long sweeping lashes. But I've got this paranoid fear of carrying babies so young. She's just 3 months and her neck's still lolling about. She's so fragile.

I am so not ready to be a mom.

Beautiful skies

2007-11-18T02:12:00.000-08:00

Dusk, on the 28th of October 2007.

Sunrise on the 13th of November 2007.

Birthday 2007

2007-11-18T01:58:00.000-08:00

So what is it like to be another year older? The truth is, it is a little depressing, to know that you're getting on in years. Another question. How does it feel on your birthday? I didn't really feel anything special. Now I know that it's supposed to be a day to be cheerful to be looked forward to.

But honestly, maybe it's all part of growing old/mature, birthdays doesn't hold the magic it once does for me anymore. When I was younger, I would count the days till it came. More often than not however, the day didn't turn out as spectacular as I thought it would be.

Maybe it's the disillusionment of so many years of birthdays, maybe it's just part of growing up. My birthday this year was just another ordinary day to me.

The little girl part in me wants something different though. I want my birthday to be as magical as a fairy tale. But what ingredients or events justify that illusive description?

:) I really don't know...well, I hope I do find out next year. There's always hope.

Esther

2007-11-18T01:45:00.000-08:00

Went to dinner's at godmom last Sunday. Esther was in an especially chirpy mood. Got tons of photos of her smiling away. Naughty little girl.

Seremban Grilled Crabs

2007-11-18T01:34:00.000-08:00

Lured by the promises of grilled crabs, we made a day trip to Seremban. Interesting. I've alwasy wondered why some places insist on selling fresh seafood when they're no where near the sea.

But the crabs and seafood we had in Seremban was surprisingly fresh and tasted quite alright. The grilled crabs still had the saltwater taste on it.

The fried squids were right up my sisters aisle. She liked it. The fried rice was for the benefit of the sister as she doesn't take crabs or prawns.

The salted egg prawns were slightly disappointing. If they had peeled of the shell and let the salted egg yolk marinade the prawns, I think it'd be much better.

The buttermilk crabs too were not too fantastic. Bearable.

It was quite worthy a trip to discover the food in Seremban. Though I must say, it is a rather congested town to live in especially down the older parts. The Jusco shopping mall reminded me of my home town one.

"Pursuit of Happyness"

2007-11-18T00:02:00.000-08:00

I know this movie speaks and empathizes with at least one person. A person whom I had not been in contact with for almost 2 years, not by choice but by circumstances. If that was the horror he went through, I understand now. My heart aches for him now.
I could feel Chris’s desperation when the world was closing in on him. There was no pity and more and more cold water upon him and his son. If that was what he really went through, I feel his pain. What a man could do for his son and for survival out of desperation, is beyond what I can imagine sitting in relative comfort here.
The world is not as merciless as it may seem. Trouble happens. But if Chris hadn’t taken on the internship with no pay, he would not have ended up opening his own stock brokerage firm later on in life. Surviving for 6 months without pay and having the government seizing your money is beyond what I can feel.
The tears running from his eyes when he finally made it and got an offer from the firm to join as a broker WITH pay this time. The relief and thankfulness, the shakiness of his hand when he fumbled to take the notebook on his desk, his desire to see the son at daycare and to hug him, to finally be able to tell his son that everything is going to be alright. The future looked bright with hope. That feeling must truly be felt to be believed.
A 5 year old boy, the strength and reason that his father was holding on, striving. Those words that he gave the father must mean more than anything that the father ever heard in those bleak days of his life. “You’re a good papa”. Those words made everything that Chris was going through worth going through.

There as a scene when the son dropped his toy when they were chasing the bus, tears were streaming down his face when he was silenced by his dad when he wanted to go back to pick up the toy but they were rushing to go to the shelter for the night. He never blamed his dad, didn't hold a grudge. The forgiveness in a child may be more than what I have in me for the mildest of offences towards me. The bond shared by the father and son touches even the most stony of hearts.
But life teaches many lessons, not in the ways one would expect. But in life’s books, there’re always clouds with silver linings. The bleaker it seemed to be, the more down in the dumps we seem to be trodden into, the faster help is on it’s way, the faster our circumstances will change, for the better.
We need hope. We need to cling on to it even though the impossible seemed to be impending. For Chris, it was a long, long 6 months. For some it may be a long winter, for another a long 12 months. But at the end of it all, at the end of the season, things will get better.

I love the picture where he just picks up his son at the beach and with light heartedness, swings him around. The picture in the diner had Chris looking at his son with affection even though that was where they were staying for the night.

What does it mean to be used by God?

2007-10-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to be used by God? Does it mean you are used to serve in church, playing musical instruments, washing cups, ushering, collecting the offering, available to take up chores and organize things or events?
How simple my thoughts were. I’ve just peeked into the tip of it and no, being there to serve God means being ready to be used by Him, especially in the people ministry. It means being ready to go into the lives of people where He places us to them, to touch them, to let them see Him in us.
Oh, how simple it looks on paper without the complications of the human emotions and feelings.
In reality for example, placed in a relationship for 2 years only to have it end because you’ve served your purpose in that person’s life. Relatively simple, everybody moves on. Oh, but the heart wrenching tears and memories that goes on in the turmoil at the end. But the season is over. It’s time to move on. Been used by God for a purpose. It hurts, no doubt about it. Even though sometimes in fact most of the time I don’t seem to understand His ways and how He does things, it’s what I said I’ll do. I said I’ll serve Him, didn’t I? I know even in the darkest moments, amidst the torrent of tears, He says He never leaves me. To quote a friend, “Prepare me for rain, even though I do not understand Your ways.”
He lets me make my own decisions. He's there beside me. I looked at Him with teary eyes, unsure whether the decision I made is right, even though knowing that the higher percentage was that it's wrong, He knows it too. But He says, let's walk. I know the decision you made, but I will go through it with you, I won't leave. Come, let's walk...

KLCC

2007-10-13T01:35:00.000-07:00

A view of KLCC from the insect's point of view. LOL...I feel so small staring up at it.

Rainy day at Geen Avenue

2007-10-13T01:14:00.000-07:00

Taken in Green Avenue on a rainy cloudy Friday. How nice. The weather was so cooling. Just nice to snuggle up with a nice cup of hot chocolate or coffee with a good book.

Gap Combo Gardens

2007-10-13T01:02:00.000-07:00

Setting up started on the 24th od September. At least I know how to fold clothes with a folding board now. Lol, at least a little bit more consistent.

Fall 2007.

Check out the kid on the top right corner. Dozing happily while the parents shopped. By the way they were our very first customer!

On the 26th, The Gardens Midvalley officially opened their doors for business. They had troops of lion dances to commemorate the event.

Breakfast Dinner

2007-09-22T05:34:00.000-07:00

The Western breakfast, my faourite meal of the day. As always, sunny side ups, sausages, cheese with toast, even some nuggets thrown in for good measure.
Dinner, where I fried chicken and fish for the first time, in KL. It was actually quite a lot for 2 people to consume. But nowadays any home cooked food is mostly welcome!

YA Cell Group

2007-09-22T05:19:00.000-07:00

We meet every Wednesday, have good fun. And sometimes we give business to our friendly neighbourhood mamk stall.

Rain

2007-09-22T05:09:00.000-07:00

The lashings of rain were unforgiving that night I went to "ta pao" food at this road side stall, which serves delicious Chinese stir fry. But the thing that caught me was the structured way the rain fell from the zinc roof.

Scabs

2007-08-29T21:26:00.000-07:00

When does it end? When does those wounds heal? When does the scars fade?
You know those scabs you get when you hurt yourself and the skin’s healing? It forms a hard layer, which is termed, scab. It’s a really ugly thing, wrinkly like a dried prune, color of old, dried blood. But from young I’ve always had the habit of picking and picking and picking at it till it hurts like nobody’s business or it bleeds. Most often it’s both.
Now I seriously wonder if I treat my emotions’ well being the same. Reopen the wounds, never letting the fresh wounds heal completely. I’ve read it so many times and yet it hurts, more than the first time, if it’s possible.
I think I’ve let the wound fester and fester and fester till it’s become gangrene. I wish I could cut it off. But how can I live without a heart? Yet, how can I continue living with a lie, a heart that someone has elbowed its way in, yet doesn’t know it? I wish with every might that I could oust them out. But how?
O mighty God how?
*screams of enragement*

There, I guess I can’t very well do the scream of enragement thing publicly seeing I’m in the office and working. Everybody’ll be rushing for the phone, to call the police.

God' Training Programme

2007-08-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

I read my daily devotion early this morning. It was titled “God’s training programme” and it was taken from Genesis when Jacob went in search of a wife from his mom’s brother. Then the story continues with how he was tricked into marrying the elder daughter and not the younger one whom he loved. He worked 14 years in all for both wives. Well, well…there was no law of polygamy during those days.
Anyway, I digress. It was actually talking about how God moulds someone’s character. I am feeling blue today even more so than yesterday. Time of the month and such…
But I know that it’s all part of life. Life can’t be smooth all the time. You see, there’s just this little problem. I know it doesn’t mean I feel it. Ah well…
Some soothing music, going to make me a cup of coffee with a dash of chocolate inside, probably makes the day a little more bearable :) It’s going to be interesting to participate in a “change-out” tonight, though I’m not super crazy about the idea. We start after 10pm. Anyhow, the term means to change a season like we’re changing from summer to fall now. So we have to rearrange the visual merchandising and stock to bring in the coming season.

On a beach, in the rising of the dawn, with the slightly chilly breeeze, i dream of watching these clouds with silver lining with the one that He knows I'm going to be with.

To watch it turn into fieriness as the glorious sun rose from it's slumber. We can only stand in awe. And watch this miracle which has been occuring from the beginning of time.

2007-08-11T05:17:00.000-07:00

I was timidly approaching the Lord in a prayer for a parking space. When He provided I was surprise. I've not been communicating much with Him lately. So yes, I was surprised when he answered my prayer.

That almost brought the tears out. But I've realized that He still loves me like the loving daddy He always is. He's always loving, always providing. Even when we are disobedient and continues to defy Him. He patiently provides us grace and waits for us to turn back.

New workplace

2007-08-04T01:56:00.000-07:00

First day of work, spent the day learning how to order stationeries ;) grins...I mean getting used to order the things that the stores and office needs to use. Then I got the warehouse experience. Ermm...with heels, it's definitely hazardous.
2nd day's slightly better, although I still spent the entire day in the warehouse, I was in comfortable flats and tshirt. We had to go prepare the outlet for sales. Didn't get home till midnight!
I was based in the store yesterday. Not too bad. Working tomorrow too. Sighh...ah well...the thing is, I kinda knew that it was gonna be working-my-ass-off job before I joined so I can't really give the excuse of not knowing. But at the moment, I miss my full weekends!

Esther yesterday

2007-07-29T19:57:00.000-07:00

She's got a cute little bob now. Naughty as ever.

Brother's birthday

2007-07-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

I was back the weekend of my brother's birthday, well a day after but we still celebrated it. The family went out for a scrumptious dinner at Ye Olde English in Greentown, Ipoh.
Mum and Grandpa had the mix grill of lamb, steak and prawns. The sauce was yummy. Sis as usual, spaghetti. Nothing to shout about. I had the grilled fish which was pretty satisfactory.
Check out my brother and my dad's pictures. Dad was staring boggle eyed at the camera in an attempt to diffuse my efforts to take a picture of him. Sorry dad, didn't work! I still got a pretty nce picture of you.

And my brother, turns 14 this year. Lol, I always do my best to fight with him. I mean, not literally, I'd be squashed flat by him. I just irritate him, squashing him against the wall, tickling him, mock punching. He's taller than me now. Shooting up to be a fine young man.

a little jerky

2007-07-28T04:27:00.000-07:00

Ahh, life's little surprises, some more unpleasant than others.

Today started off as a pretty nice sunny morning. The sister and I was scheduled to go do something with our hair. So we set off about noon. It wasn't suppose to take too long. Then almost got a summon. A client called, while I was on the way out of the car park. I got spotted by a police car who was patrolling. He-llo?! I'm not working on Saturdays! And he called at about 5pm?! What nonsense?! Almost almost....sigh, I can only thank God they let me off, most of it due to my car number plate.

Now an argument with my date and broken promise to friends...what a day! Pretty pissed now

I don't want to be nice sometimes, do I get to be the shrew for one day pleaaase!!!???

If only I could keep my cool as well as the illusion that's portrayed above.

I like!

2007-07-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

Read about this in Nightstar's blog, and it's so much fun. Lol, saves the bother of photoshopping ;)

Somebody called me this once. Can't quite seem to get it out of my head whenever the princess word flashes across my vision.

Dreams

2007-07-14T01:13:00.000-07:00

I dream of the day when you stand beside me,
Worshipping our God,
I dream of the day you look down, smiling
at my drowsy face,
I dream of the day we walk, hand in hand
Along the seaside,
I dream of the day, warm in furs,
We take a picture, against the snowy landscape,
I dream of the day, we wear
Matching rings,
I dream of the day, you hold me
When I cry,
I dream of the day, you look at me
As I laugh up at you,
I dream of the day, we walk down
Our home's stairs together,
I dream of the day, we curl up
And listen to the thunderstorm outside,
I dream of the day, we tease each other,
As we wash up the dishes
I dream of the day, you eat my mediocre cooking,
But tell me it's the best you ever tasted,
I dream of the day, when you surprise me
By showing up unexpectedly at my doorstep,
I dream of the day, when you lower the temperature of the air conditioner,
Because you saw me rubbing my arms, as goosebumps rise,
I dream of the day, you tease me
About my ignorance,
I dream of the day, when we invite the Holy Spirit,
To preside over us and our household.

2007-07-09T21:06:00.000-07:00

Was in Ipoh on Sunday, church service. Glanced out at the sky and it was threatening to pour. So dark. But I like the rain, especially when I'm safely cocooned in a building, lol. So I was praying for it to rain, rain, rain all the way to KL. Just till the evening though.
It has been so hot and stuffy in KL, hasn't rained for more than a week.
Well, true enough, it rained when we were on our way back to KL. And to confirm, a friend told us it rained cats and dogs in the afternoon.
Lol, I was laughing and telling my sister that, I had prayed for rain in KL when I was in KL but it didn't work. How come it worked when I was in Ipoh. She told me to go back more often to Ipoh ot pray haha.

2007-07-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Uncle Lim's at Time's Square. Their coffee is not too bad, a tad heavy handed on the milk. The bread is the good old Hainan type which I appreciate. The mushroom mee was average, though they do give a generous proportion of mushrooms. Not too bad overall. But if not for it's convenient location near the entrance, I probably wouldn't frequent it quite that often.

2007-07-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

Was accompanying a friend to the hospital for her check-up. And to my surprise, there was a Starbucks Cafe in the hospital itself! Hmm, hospitals are cashing in on the cafe craze? Gleneagles has Dome Cafe, now Starbucks is looking for a place to go into?
But it made for a pleasant wait cos' we had our coffee fix while waiting for the results.

2007-07-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

Just us sisters.

2007-07-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

Upper left: Man, blurry.

Lower left: Still shaky.

Upper right: Almost there

Lower right: There!

LOL, my little digital camera can't take too much shaking of the hand.

2007-07-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

The famous Kluang Railway Station Coffeeshop. The business is still bustling, even early in the morning.

The nasi lemak was dainty, suited me just fine. Leaves me with some room for other delicacies! Sambal just the right amount of spiciness and sweetness. The rice was faintly perfumed with the banana leaf scent. The toasted bread was done on an old fashioned grill. The tea was given a thumbs up :) not too over powering, just mild. I had it with skimmed milk as opposed to condensed milk, as I didn't like my tea too sweet.

This is Empress, Jit and Li Poh's newest addition to their household. One more addition to come in August :D Anyhow, she's one "manja" doggie. Not much of a guard dog, lol. But really, really adorable.

2007-07-09T19:41:00.000-07:00

Calisa's birthday celebrations with her coursemates. Haha, the housemates just tagged along for dinner. We celebrated in Steven's Corner, Setapak.

By the way, didn't get to take the pictures of the food but the cheese "naan"? It was to die for. The outside of the bread was crispy and warm, the cheese was literally oozing out. Yum...

For some reason, I can't type in the title box. Arghh, what's wrong?

2007-07-09T19:38:00.001-07:00

Shiroi Koibito: thin wafer like biscuit sandwiching white chocolate filling from Japan. Yummy. Thanks to melissa, we get to taste it. It's quite sweet though.

2007-07-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

2007-07-09T19:37:00.001-07:00

2007-07-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

Chamadao

2007-06-30T01:35:00.001-07:00

They had the launch at the Palace of the Golden Horses. The theme of course was horses, ancient ones that looks like they're dressed for war. And the decoration was Moorish.

Chamadao literally means the horse and tea route. A party has come up with an idea to reenact this route to commemorate it. It was a very important route in the old days, in the trades between the countries.

Horse caravans carried tea, sugar and salt from Sichuan and Yunnan to Tibet and brought back colorful mountain goods.

The Chinese over the ages often brought warhorses from Tibetan and other ethnic groups in Southwest China, and these too came over this road. The road also served as a significant corridor for migration as well as a cahnnel for cultural communication among the ethnic groups in western China; beyond this, it was a bridge for international cultural and economic exchange between China and India.

Although silk was not included in the trade goods carried over it, at times it has been termed the "Southern Silk Road of China," due to its importance in both economic and cultural aspects of Chinese hisotry.

~ adapted from Chamaxindao, Tea and Horse Caravan Road 2007.

Calisa's birthday

2007-06-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

We gave her a surprise celebrating in Dome, Times Square. The ambience,

The food and drinks we had. We stuck candle in the dark, cherry muffin.

Candid shots of the birthday girl.

People who were there and had fun.

Ikea goodies

2007-06-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

Always wanted one of their jars to hold the spaghetti. Singoalla biscuits are the shortbread biscuits with vanilla cream and a blob of raspberry jam in the middle. A tad sweet but yummy. Haven't had a chance to rip into the Pepparkakor cappucino thins yet though.

Barcode Building

2007-06-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

This building reminds me so much of a barcode that I nick named it "The Barcode Building". Sometimes I get dizzy just staring at it, and the lines start to move, lol.

Creative advertisements

2007-06-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

Can you believe a 15 year old and a 16 year old drew these pictures? They're great eh?

I've always liked black and white pictures. They remind me of the pictures taken in the olden days, those cameras with the huge bang whenver they took a snap.

Somtimes a really creative advertisement just blows you away. An element, like the Edge ad (bottom left) sort of Malaysianizes it, talking about the nasi lemak.

Christmas 2005

2007-06-23T05:09:00.001-07:00

Indulgence, Ipoh.

We were having dinner here. Decorations were lovely. Fairylike, that's the term!

Discovery of sepia with daisies

2007-06-23T05:03:00.000-07:00

This was when I first discovered that I can convert pictures in my trusty little digital camera. Lovely

Sepia

2007-06-23T04:51:00.000-07:00

Straight or curly

2007-06-23T04:40:00.000-07:00

Straighten the hair for a day. The fringe's real though, I snipped some of it off. Curly hair or straight hair?
Now I'm back to being a curly sue ;)

Streaks of light

2007-06-23T04:33:00.000-07:00

Check out this photo! Okay, I didn't use any skills, photoshop or fancy cameras to come up with this effect.

I just happen to catch this picture by chance and it's way cool, to me anyway. Lol

New Year's Eve 2007

2007-06-23T04:17:00.000-07:00

Warm coffee in a freezingly cold place. Slurps...

This was while we were waiting for the fireworks up in Genting Highlands.

Renaissance Dessert Buffet

2007-06-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

Renaissance Hotel recently launched their dessert buffet. Strictly sweets and nothng else. Starts from tea time onwards till 6.30pm Friday. Talk about beginning the weekend with a little indulgence.

The sweet treats were a little too much for me though. Ice creams are home made with loads of garnishings, marshmallows, strawberry puree etc

____________________

Renaissance Hotel

End of Jalan Ampang,

Kuala Lumpur.

Options to get there:- Monorail, Bukit Nanas stop