A Quixotically Quirky Blog

Day One - Den Haag

2011-03-07T00:45:00.008+08:00

6 March 2011
So far I have had wonderfull trip and saw things that made me feellike writing this block. My trip started on flight M16 to Amsterdam and this was when all the excitement bagan. Guess what... I was seated besides the Malaysian Badminton Team. They were enroute to England for the All England Tournament. Dang.. I was so startruck I just could not bring myself to speak to anyone of them. They must have thought that I was a snob.. duh.... Dato LCW was standing right besides me... the coach was walking besides me... and I bump into the whole team whilst walking to pick up my bags, all I needed to do was open my mouth and ask for a photo.....

Instead I took photos of myself and my reading companion the ever so funny and real Mr Bourdain...

One thing I saw on the plane though really tug at my heartstrings... I saw one of the stewards actually prayed on the plane. I don't know why but I was surprised, pleasantly surprise. I supposed they are still really good people around, people who still remembers their responsibilities... At the same time I felt embarrassed....

I can never get tired....

2010-02-23T18:21:00.003+08:00

Nothing much to say today.
Thought I put in a short entry seeing that it might be a while before I can write again due to my busy travelling schedule for the next 2 weeks and a half.

Just got back from a day full of meetings feeling really glad that all went well so far. One presentation down and 2 more to go no.. make it 3 more as I was told this morning I have to do another one next week. Duh!!! I thought I managed to wiggle myself out of that one already.

I am now back in my hotel enjoying the sea view. Nice, there are a lot of ships coming into the docks.. they are all lined up. Funny how all are orange in colour... couldn't they have a little bit variety duh!!!! Wish I have a proper camera to take some nice pictures tho'. Note to oneself, must get that camera this March.

Anyway, the big bathtub is waiting. Wanna have a long bath and then off to dinner. I deserve some rest and relaxation tonight to make up for the one hour sleep I got last night trying to finish some work. And it was no fun either the fact that your flight this morning was at 7am flight...

All in all though, I can never get tired doing all this, well not yet anyway. I now can see my next steps, where I am going.....

Perks of the new job??? Maybe

2010-02-18T21:26:00.023+08:00

I do travel a lot in my new job. So it means hotels, taxis, airports and more hotels, taxis and airports. So far I still enjoy it… thank god since in the next few years I foresee that I will need to do more traveling in particular with the new position I am about to take up. In order to break the monotony and make the travel more interesting I would take some photos, if I remember or not too lazy anyway, and in particular if I get a room with a nice view or an upgrade to a nicer room, it happens more often than not.

Here are some of the views I manage to capture with my mobile phone. Not bad eh???

On the left, view from my room at the Dorsett Labuan. I could also see the Labuan Supply Base from my room

I was also in Kota Kinabalu for another business trip the other day and part of what I need to do is a walkabout at Jesselton Point. Wow it felt as if I was in a small quaint old seaport in Europe.

Wish I could stayed longer sipping some nice cool drinks with some people watching

See what I mean, don't you think this looks and feels like one of those european small seaport village?

Remember the upgrades I do get sometimes, well I got one during the same trip. I got upgraded to a suite, I think the name of the suite was something like Padas or something like that. View from my bedroom to the living area....

The gigantic bathtub....... complete with bath salts...

It was a cool room, felt more like a studio apartment and I love the fact that they actually have a walk-in wardrobe. Ahhhh walk in, always a girl’s dream ain’t it?

Getting the upgrade also meant that I got to entertain myself at the executive lounge on the 13th floor of the hotel. Again the view was nice. Enjoyed my breakfast there!!!

And oh!!! I nearly forgot…new job means new toys

Amongst others, the new spectacles I got made. I had been eyeing the Roberto Cavalli frame collection for almost a year (how sad) and always feel that it was too pricey for what I was making at that time.

And…my beloved new toy, my pride my joy

Hey…. a girl deserves to splurge sometimes!!!!!

First Visitor – My BFF Muzi….

2010-02-15T16:45:00.008+08:00

On my 3rd week in Miri (hope I got the timeline correct….har har its been a while) my friend Muzi visited me. She was the first visitor to visit me here and we had a wonderful time doing the usual stuffs… eating and eating and eating

Oppss I forgot, we managed to do some jungle trekking as well… don’t believe me? Here’s the photo proof. Note the brown polka dot shirt making its appearance again????

Muzi catching her breath... it was a long walk, almost 1 hour... we were surprised to find a nice picnic area up here. The wooden benches were really a welcome relief.....

Amongst the funny trees we found during our walk. Check out the name of the tree.. on the left.

On the right.. the tree trunk is really yellow in colour. Never seen anything like this before......

We found a nice waterfall as well. Seems that this is one of the many that we can find here. (You would have noticed that I did not mentioned the name of this place.. to be honest I actually forgot but I still know how to get there though... duh!!!!)

To Anne and Jill, its your turn now..........

An updated @18 Feb 2010

Thanks to my sister Dada, I finally remember the name of the place I went it is Lambir...

A fresh new start - A new Job at a New State..

2010-02-15T15:52:00.006+08:00

It’s really funny how sometimes when you have a lot to say or in my case write you just don’t have the time to do so. We are now into the 3rd week of February 2010 already…and this is my first entry since the promise I made way back in May last year to continue writing and updating. I supposed it is true what they say, time flies when you are having fun…

As mentioned before, I started a new job in a new state last quarter of 2009. To say that the pace has been fast and furious would be an understatement. Not complaining though as I am happy here and the work does come with many perks… and that would in itself warrant a separate blog entry.

Picture of me at the airport.. har har this brown polka dot shirt is my lucky shirt.. as you would see, it will make many appearances in my blog as I would be wearing it almost all the time… duh note to self please allocate sometime to do some shopping my dear…

When I first arrived in Miri, stayed for a month at Marriott Miri and they gave me a room that overlooks a small garden. Here are some pictures. On hindsight I should have taken the picture of the company pool car or rather van as well coz it was really a funny sight me driving that giant alone...

The chairs and table on the patio… which I only used like once or twice as it is rather hot here in which drives my sweat glands into overdrive….

Life has been so far....... so good…

The one when Miss Q went missing – A snapshot of my life in the past 6 months Part 11

2009-05-29T21:50:00.014+08:00

Enjoyed My Family Day won the “Best Dressed Award” Duh???

I cannot remember when, I cannot remember how, but it is now a yearly
tradition for the Ghaffur family to have our family day.
It is usually 2 days events which starts with a dinner and quiz sessions.
My team lost this year.. we collected (-1300) points… how did we managed
to get negative points.. don’t ask, just don’t ask ok….

We will have some sporty activities.
This year it was the go-cart race.
Oh before I forget, there are about 50 of us and we
are divided into groups… this group stays.. no changes allowed…

After the games, we will proceed to have the
closing ceremony, this would be hi-tea and
award ceremonies. We have silly things like best
dressed, gifts for those who won the quiz and games
and numerous others. It is loads of fun… and I am
looking forward for this years’ family day.
We are planning to go to Singapore this year. I cannot wait.

They say a picture tells a thousand stories… so here are some…..

Here are some more pics... loads of fun.. I love it!!

My Aunt still laughing re my -1300 points score on the
quiz last night

When Shopping Crazy in Medan
I took some leave and went to Medan, with my best
friend Muzi and my sis Dada. I don’t really want
to say loads about this trip except, good food, good
shopping, good company all equals to one hell of a
good time….

Here are some pictures I took during the trip.
I am sure the enjoyment is evidenced with the wide
smiles each of us wore on our face!!!

Begining of our journey.. at the airport

The damages.... muahahahaha shop shop shop till the
shopkeeper had to close the shop just for you and
your friends... he also served up some cool coke!!!

The one when Miss Q went missing – A snapshot of my life in the past 6 months (Part 1)

2009-05-29T20:44:00.010+08:00

Like I said in my first blog entry some days ago, lots of things had happened over the past 6 months

I regained my confidence, self worth and self belief
I think life is funny. Human beings are a creature with loads of self doubt and peculiarities. I supposed that is what makes us human. Sometimes you could be a person, who is full of life and confidence, but things happened along the way, maybe you lost a loved one or in my case being told almost on a daily basis that you are not good enough for the things that you crave most, work so hard every waking moment to achieve it. No matter how confident you are, after a while you will start believing what was said as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

And then one day, something happened (in my case I went for an interview that was so morale and confidence boosting) you snapped out of your slumber. You start to believe again that you are good enough and you are worth something. Once that believed is awakened, you will realize your self worth and you will find your self belief.

In a way I find it rather funny actually that I regained myself worth attending an interview. How did it happen, at the end of the day, the thing did not even worked out in the first place….

At the end my conclusion is that God works in mysterious ways…..

As for now, I am serving my notice period in my current company and counting the days when I will start anew at a new company, in a new state at a new city…..

I lost my grandfather
We lost my grandfather (more fondly called Tok Bak) on 15 February 2009. Now there would be an empty void for my family and myself.

I have many fond memories of my Tok Bak. How he and my late grandmother, Tok Mak would come and picked us for a stay over the weekends in their house. How we would love to go and picked up chicken eggs and run around the huge compound of their house.

Like my late Dad, my Tok Mak was a fantastic cook and now there are times where I would miss their cooking terribly. Though I am glad that I manage to get Abah to give me most of my favorite recipes. Somehow tho’ its not the same…!!!!

My Tok Bak was also a good public speaker and we would make him speak during our family function. He would also come up with loads of riddles for us to solve.

Like I said, I have loads of fond memories of my grandparents, the fondest memories would probably be those Raya celebrations held at their house….

Pictures of Tok Bak during the Ghaffur Family Day gathering at Eagle Ranch PD on 26 – 27 Dec 2008

Manchester Lost … The Day After

2009-05-28T09:23:00.001+08:00

Today is not really a good day… my team lost the final last night waaarghhh I cry .. I cry. So I am in mourning…

Lucky though, my Pink Pingu won 6-1, 6-4 (nearly gave me a heart attacked here) and 6-1. Now that’s better.

The one about Aril, Miss Q and her RM1000 phone bill….

2009-05-27T01:09:00.002+08:00

Yes my dearest readers, I rang up an RM1000 phone bill this month! Duh!!!! I was so shocked when I found out the amount of money I had spend voting for Aril to be included in the AF Final Concerts and at least get a 3rd place during the finals. Alamak, there goes my new dress and handbag money for this month. Sorry Muzi, looks like the frequency of our all girls’ night out and binging sessions would have to be cut down.

One might wonder what I see in Aril that compelled me to vote for him. Well, I am not shy to declare that I am vain and shallow… har har har … one love adorable cute guys with a Korean superstar looks. Now, now be honest, who doesn’t like a good looking guy or girl. The only difference is that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, what is beautiful to me might be ugly to you. To each are his or her own preferences.

Well, at first glance, most would tend to think that Aril won many hearts due to his good looks, maybe. But then again as you watched him over every concert, he is in actual fact entertaining! He might not be the one with the best vocals or the sweetest of tone, he is damn entertaining and he is also relevant. Being relevant is most important in this current day and age.

I also see great potential in Aril. He appears to want it most. This coupled with his talent and ability, if nurtured properly and guided well by the people around could mean that his career would be a success story. You can rave about god given talent or natural ability, if one does not possess the determination and willingness to apply oneself, one will not be successful. Look at Nadal, look at Ronaldo, both are gifted and endowed with god given natural ability, but if they don’t work hard and apply themselves, they would not be where they are now. I have read countless stories on how hard Nadal and Ronaldo practices. The first in yet the last out.

Anyway, if ever Aril, his minders or his friends ever stumble upon this blog (yeah right they will!!!!) all the best to you. My hope is that you will not waste the “scholarship” I gave you through my votes during your time in AF. Work hard and “ingat Allah selalu” in whatever you do. All the best and good luck!!!!

P/S: Arsenal??? Pleaselah..... Should be Man Utd all the way my dear..

The one about a heart touching letter from Vancouver

2009-05-25T15:42:00.002+08:00

Whilst I am trying to finish a number of blog entry simultaneously to atone for not writing for the past six months, I thought I put up this letter written by my sister regarding one called Titi… It is sad yet funny at the same time. Really the love of a mother knows no bounds….

Dear Mak Long, Uteh, Andak & Usu

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the rapid decline of Titi's health.

This morning, while waking up the kids for school, Mommy and Papa discovered that Melur's Titi had fallen off of Melur's bed during the night and gotten stuck to the night lamp. Titi now has a rather large and black burnt patch - slightly larger than a 50-cent coin. Compounded with her overall poor health, we believe that it is time to put her to rest rather than have her suffer for a prolonged duration.

Without saying, Melur is totally devastated with the possibility of losing her beloved Titi who has been her friend for over 6 years. She broke into tears upon seeing the black patch and asked, "How am I going to go to sleep if I don't have Titi?" As parents, Mommy and Papa are extremely proud of Melur's conscientious nature as a student ... Obviously she is worried that without Titi's companionship, she will not be able to fall asleep at night. Hence, it will be difficult for her to wake up early for school. To ease Melur's anxiety, Mommy promised to: (1) Bring Melur back to Malaysia in an airplane, (2) Replace Titi with a new one of the same color and size, and (3) Put the old Titi in a nice box and place the box underneath Melur's bed.

As close family members, I urge all of my dear siblings to keep a watchful eye while they roam between the walls of the various shopping malls in Malaysia. If you ever stumble upon a Titi, please do not hesitate to make a purchase. View this as one of those rare opportunities in your life to make a purchase that Mak will not frown on. Also remember, that even though Melur fondly describes her Titi as gray in color with pink bottom frills... Her Titi is actually PINK with a darker shade of pink bottom frills... We will be happy to reimburse you for the cost of this purchase although you will be gently reminded that Mommy is currently unemployed... and we have Maman to feed (almost constantly).

Thank you for your best wishes.

Sincerely,
Mommy
On behalf on Papa, Melur, and Maman from Vancouver

PS) Arman's Titi is yellow... which unfortunately is also experiencing a decline in health. We do not wish to elaborate further on this matter since Arman requests that we respect his privacy and allow him to grieve in silence. However, please also make another purchase if you stumble upon a yellow Titi...

Hello... I am back.....

2009-05-24T00:17:00.004+08:00

I know, I know...
I have neglected you for so long... for that I am dearly sorry.
Lots have been happening in my life, non more so earth shattering than the fact that I finally manage to end a long relationship that as the days go by is suffocating.

Funny how you never thought that you and your work is an evolving relationship. It is a relationship that you pour most of your waking time into. You don't believe me.. count how many hours you spend at work and bringing work home...

It is time for me to go in search of new experience and challenge. The passion is gone... or rather suppressed and killed a slow painfull death. Thus separation is the kindest thing I could choose for everyone.

Significant with my decision, I am now starting to write again. I will put up the countdown counter until I start at my new place soon (when I figure out how to do it..that is).

Sibling Rivalry - Rules of Combat

2008-11-13T10:57:00.006+08:00

I am having a terrible writer's block.... it seems that I simply do not know what to write here anymore. Eventhough a good friend had highlighted recently that I have been doing a lot of interesting and "bloggable" things with my life. It's just that I seem not able to write anything about it. Help is indeed needed here......

Anyways, that same cannot be said about my sister angah... creative juices seem to flow through here vein rather smoothly... She came out with this idea that all 4 of us sisters should have a weight loss contest for the next six or seven months. There are some monetary gain / loss that could be associated with it... and lo and behold.. she came up with the rules for the said competition. My sis Tina and me had good laugh about it.. see for yourself...

The Contest

Rules and regulations:

1.The fee is RM50 per month (except for November 2008). This amount must be paid by the 3rd day of each month throughout the contest.
The fee for November 2008 is pro-rated to RM25.

2. Half of the collected monthly fee will be awarded to the monthly winner, while the rest will be designated as the prize money at the end of the contest (June 30th, 2009). The estimated monthly winning is RM75 (from December 2008 until June 2009), and the estimated final prize is $525 (minimum).

3. This contest will commence on November 15th, 2008 and end on June 30th, 2009.

4. The weigh in dates are:

a. November 15th, 2008 (initial weight)
b. November 30th, 2008 (November winner)
c. December 31st, 2008 (December winner)
d. January 31st, 2009 (January winner)
e. February 28th, 2009 (February winner)
f. March 31st, 2009 (March winner)
g. April 30th, 2009 (April winner)
h. May 31st, 2009 (May winner)
i. June 30th, 2009 (June winner)

5. Clothes to be worn during the weigh in dates are swimsuit or shorts and t-shirt, and no shoes. No loading up or stripping down!

6. The monthly winner is the person who lost the most weight during a particular month. The final winner is the person who lost the most throughout the contest (i.e., difference between initial weight and weight for June 30th, 2009).

7. A penalty of RM5 per pound (equivalent to 0.5 kg) is imposed for weight increase. This penalty is imposed on a monthly basis. For example, person A’s weight increased by 2 lbs in April, so the fine is $10. The penalty fee is added to the final prize.
Weight increase below 1 pound is excused (but frowned upon).

8. If a participant decides to withdraw from the contest, she will forfeit the fees from previous month(s). A refund of the money for that particular month is only given if the withdrawal date is before the 3rd. For example, person A choose to withdraw:
a. On January 2nd, a refund of her RM50 fee for January is given, but person A forfeits the fees from November 2008 until December 2008.
b. On January 17th, no refund given at all.

9. All contest participants must report their weekly progress via email on Sundays. This information is shared to all participants.

10. All contest participants must also report the following before the contest commence: (i) supplements/drugs (prescribed and non-prescribed) taken weight loss (ii) professional help (e.g., trainer, nutritionist), and (iii) herbal medications taken for weight loss.

11. This contest is based on the honour system. Contestants are expected to be honest in reporting their actual weights.

12. Any form of sabotage between contestants is acceptable.

Selamat Hari Raya.....

2008-10-02T12:16:00.001+08:00

Wishing All Selamat Hari Raya & Maaf Zahir Batin

Go Team Ida & Tania

2008-09-18T22:36:00.001+08:00

I just finished watching the TARA 3. Wow it was really a fun show today.

Ida & Tania were so funny....

Thus I have decided to root for them.. hope they reach the final.

Should I, Should I Not

2008-09-18T04:37:00.004+08:00

The question is should I forgive you, should I not...

My heart says yes forgive him but my mind said no. For what you made me go through over the summer...I really should not... maybe I should make you work for my forgiveness. But then again you only need to smile, and I turn clay in your hands...

Your silky skills.... my oh my... should I, should I not.....

Break Fast Gathering II @ Cik Ju’s

2008-09-14T21:07:00.010+08:00

September 13, 2008

Just like last week, we had another gathering for break fast on Saturday. This time it is at Cik Ju’s. Yes Dada, there were loads and loads of home cooked food. Har – har

Here are some pictures…

And as requested I bought my big giant lasagna again. And again it was finished by the end of the day.

Big giant lasagna

And as before, we gather to catch up with what’s happening, though this time round, there were a couple of hot topics being discussed being our annual family day, the grocery list for Raya and what color should we pick for Dada’s wedding. I think we sort of agreed with green and purple.

The ladies

The man

Me in the “Jubah” my brother bought from Qatar

Hmm maybe I should run a poll here as to what color should it be, as soon as I figure out how to put it in my blog that it.

The Art of Eating Buffet

2008-09-14T20:03:00.007+08:00

One of the many things that happen during Ramadhan is the introduction of Ramadhan Buffet at most of the hotels and restaurants around KL.

Like always I am one of those who would at least go to one or two of them to try the food and over the years it has become almost an annual event for my good friend Muzi and me to go to one of them. This year we choose the one served at One World Hotel.

Yippee my friend Muzi agreed to accompany me

Me so happy

It was rather pricey (RM98+++) compared to other places. It appears that this year the price for buffets has gone down a little bit. Only a little!!!!!!

The spread was rather good. They had a couple stations with different type of food. They had the lamb station where they had one whole BBQ lamb served with Baryani Rice and roasted vegetables. There was the salad station where they served a variety of salads, Thai salads, Malaysian Rojak, Ceaser Salads, and many others.

They had a Japanese Station, some noodle and lok lok station, Italian station, dessert station which includes a chocolate fountain.

The hotels gave us some sweet to bring back as well

Aren't these gifts pretty?

Over the years we have developed an art of eating buffet. You got to make your money’s worth right????

The secret is actually rather simple. Just go for the most expensive food you may find for example oysters (the more the better), sushi, salmon sashimi, lamb, prawns, crabs... you get the idea. It’s the most obvious right? it was not a secret at all.

Oyster & Lamb & Baryani

Prawns & more prawns

After you finished with the main course, you simply cannot miss the dessert. Here are some that I had….

The tarik anyone?

Sweets

Cats Galore at Cik Ji's

2008-09-09T18:56:00.004+08:00

My mum and I went to my Auntie’s house last weekend to discuss some catering arrangement for my sis’s engagement party.

Whilst waiting for her to get ready, I sat at the living room surrounded my many fat cats.

Could not help myself, took some pictures, they were so cute.

According to my Uncle each of the 13 or 14 cats they have, have their own name. Unfortunately I do not know all…….

Fattest Cat

Stretch baby stretch

Lasagna, lasagna, big giant lasagna

2008-09-07T01:28:00.007+08:00

Hmm I am so in love with the fasting month. Amongst other because this is the month when I get to gather and meet up with my extended family almost every weekend.

It has been a tradition of ours to gather on the weekend for to break fast together. After that we will hold the “Maghrib”. “Terawih” & “Ishyak” Prayers together. Then we will continue eating, well some of us anyways. Whilst others would just chit chat, some to catch up with gossips ehmm updates I mean, whilst others probably hatching up some devious plans.

Mum on her 3rd round

Gossips gossips and more gossips and add a devious plan or two

The uncles would not want to be left out would they, so they decide to have one of their own as well

Usually as it is a customs here, when we go to someone’s house we will not go empty handed. Usually we would try to bring something. For many many years, I would be bringing fruits and things that I bought from any of the many stalls mushrooming up during the fasting month

But of late, most of the time I will try to bring something which I made. Today I decided to make lasagna. It was really a huge lasagna. It took 4 people to turn it in the oven.

It turns out to be a hit that I was asked by my aunt to make the same lasagna for her house next week. Yeay me so happy.

Here’s the picture or what’s left of it and as informed by a little bird, an hour after the picture was taken, it was all finished.

Some of the other offering we had during the break fast

At home and sick

2008-09-04T08:35:00.001+08:00

I am at home now... sick... Me no likey!!!!!

Golden Class Experience

2008-08-31T04:27:00.004+08:00

Went to watch The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor with Tina some time ago. I prefer the first 2 edition of this movie. This 3rd series…well lets just say that I would be watching it over and over again like I do with the first 2 mummies. Thought Brandon Frasier is cute as ever, Evie is not Evie when they changed the actress. Give me back my Rachel Weisz waaaa…waa…!!!!!! Although it was not really a total lost, I enjoyed my first time experience of watching the movie in the Golden Class so much so that I would not want to watch a movie unless it is in the Golden Class. I have to be selective then as to what movie to watch I supposed!!!! No worries though as I hardly watch movies nowadays.

Wow, so much space

A table and plenty of drinks in Golden Class

When Jill finally gets her prezzies........

2008-08-31T04:20:00.004+08:00

Finally after more than 2 months, I get to give Jill her prezzies. I bought her a memento from my trip to Vancouver. I gave Anne hers already and Anne had taken pictures of Jill’s and her own prezzies. It is just I did not get to see Jill to give it to her. Busy women, my friends they are.

Jill posing while pretending to read the menu

Jill acting surprise whilst opening her prezzies.. hah.. you knew what it was my dear….

Jill with her prezzies

Helping Cik Y Move...at least we tried......

2008-08-31T04:12:00.005+08:00

Of late I lack the aspiration to write anything on this blog. Not that I don’t want to, it just that life has been a bore off late. Some how, I do feel compel to write interesting stuff in this blog and nothing of note has happened lately. (Oh well you can’t really go globe trotting around the world everyday neither can you have birthdays everyday). However, I had taken some nice pictures of some gathering and outings I went. Sometimes, they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

We were supposed to help my uncle (Cik Y) move into a temporary house since he is renovating his house. I said we were, but then again most of the move were done by hired professionals and we were there mostly watching and chit chatting. Then going out for lunch instead, as you can see from the pictures, there was not a drop of sweat there.

My cousin Najwa

My sis Tina & Me

My aunties waiting for their lunch

That is one of the things I love about my extended family, uncles, aunties, cousins and all, we are pretty close and jump at every opportunity to gather. I most look forward to the fasting month when we have our breaking fast gathering where there will be loads of eating and chit chatting. I usually use these gathering to learn from my uncles and aunties as well as my cousins. Well you have to get aspiration and get inspired from somewhere, since I definitely cannot get it from those at my work place….

Birthday, birthday, happy birthday….

2008-08-15T09:49:00.019+08:00

It is true, if you think you want to be happy,
you will somehow be happy...

Today 14 August is my birthday. Surprise, surprise I actually
had a nice day today. I think it is true what people say,
if you decide to have fun and be happy, sometimes you will.
In actual fact, today is the culmination of a week long
celebration that I declared for myself. I started my birthday
week by deciding to wear new clothing for everyday of
my birthday week.

My celebration began with the purchase of a Pink iPod Nano.
This is a present from my brother Arif. I name it Pink Nano
due to the colour, don’t ask me why I bought pink…maybe it
is the girl in me. Reminds me of Melur as well.
It is also known as the iPod with a thousand songs since
to date I have downloaded 1084 songs in it.
Thank you dear brother…… love the prezzy.
Just in case you are wondering I have put it to
good use as well. I have successfully gone to the
gym nowadays….long may it continue.

The Pinky of A thousand Songs

Then Muzi gave me her present as well. These are all
given way way way before my birthday….Now I have to
figure out when and where to wear the prezzy so that it
will be shown in its best light.

I think this will look nice with the new coat I made at Sandra.
Only thing is the coat is still at Sandra's..

Then today I decided that I will look the nicest… purple
baju kurung and contrasting green accessories. Purple and
green actually works, I was inspired. Here are the proofs,
nice or not? Check out the green handbag… the source
of much envy of many people.

Purple and Green?????? I was inspired

This was the shoes that I was to wear but when
put together the colour scheme did not go.. oh well
you win some you loose some

Just before I went of to work Angah called and sang
happy birthday to me. Little that I know that a bigger
surprise is in store for me courtesy of them, so let’s
leave this story for later.

When I arrived at work a couple of my staffs greeted me
happy birthday and there was a present waiting on my chair.
Nice one guys!!!! Then I got a further 2 cards and some
vouchers. Yeah… this looks promising and I know already
that we will be having a birthday lunch.

The whole world knows my love for shopping,
so they gave me vouchers to shop..

After lunch off to an insignificant meeting
(insignificant if put in context of my birthday
celebration that is..) After I came back, they
were calling for a cake cutting ceremony.

Go ahead madam, cut that cake

Celebrate, celebrate and celebrate some more

When I got to the balcony I saw this huge
bouquet of flowers. I knew it was mine but
I am absolutely ecstatic when I saw from whom
it was… the senders came all the way from Vancouver.
Thanks Roy, Angah, Melur & Maman for the flowers.
It was really icing on the cake to my fantastic
birthday so far. And Maman, yes Mak Long also wishes
that she can be in Vancouver in 4 sleeps.

Big big big bouquet bring an even bigger pleasant surprise

Now if only I can get him to remember my birthday
and wrap himself as a birthday gift…now that
would top it all

All in all, this year is the best birthday for a
while now. I blew my birthday candles twice today
and my wishes are the same… may at the same time
next year I will be writing my Annus Mirabilis

I never learn do I…? Bukit Tinggi August 26 & 27 Part Two

2008-08-14T23:14:00.005+08:00

Jungle Tracking

It was an experience I can tell you that. But I am proud of myself. Out of 13 people, I got number 11. Yes, yours truly was not last!!! But it took every ounce my determination and mental strength to finish the track. I cannot believe it, they did not just take us through the normal jungle terrain, they had to show and make sure we experience the terrain near the river where it was slippery and right at the edge. There were long stretches where I had the hills at one side and very deep gorges on the other.

Guess what the footpath where I was standing, the size, just enough to put both your feet side by side. Anyhow, most of the times a picture will tell a thousand stories… so here are some pictures…

Me after the jungle tracking... hey I am happy for I survive

Hello hello I was not last Ok!!!!!

The guide who helped me imensely.... they were patient... and kind

I never learn do I…? Bukit Tinggi August 26 & 27 Part One

2008-07-28T01:40:00.007+08:00

It was not enough that I ran down the stairs for 48 floors during
the conference in Bangkok(blog entry May 17, 2008) I had to
volunteer myself this time around for another extraneous activity...
Yes I actually voted for it, why or why my dear do you like to suffer....sucker!!!!!!!!!!

After much planning the trip planned for my practice unit is
finally upon me. To be honest I am not really into going
but then I supposed once a while you would have to join.
They all agreed to go to Bukit Tinggi.
Surprisingly when we arrived, I kindly like the surrounding.

We went to a place called Colmar Tropicale, it actually fashioned
based on a French village. It is actually kind of nice.
I think will plan one trip with my family up here after raya.
I am sure mum will love it. It is also a place for a weekend
retreat if you just want to relax and do nothing. Must of the
people in my unit are below 30 so naturally most of them wants
loads of activities. Here’s the itinerary, you guys
those above 30) see and tell me what do you think

First Day-The Planned
Gather at Genting Sempah stop at 8.30am. Arrive at 9.30am,
have breakfast and start Jungle tracking at 10am.
Check in and lunch at 12.30pm and bowling at 3.00pm.
BBQ dinner at 8.30pm

Second Day-The Planned
Breakfast starts at 7am. Gather at the pick up area
at 10am to go to the Japanese Garden & Rabbit Farm.
12pm check out.

OMG… are you guys kidding??? And this is what
actually happened

First Day-What Happened
Gather at Genting Sempah stop at 8.40am. Arrive at 9.30am,
have breakfast and start Jungle tracking at 11am
finished at 1.30pm
(The bloody jungle tracking took two and a half hours).
Check in and lunch at 2.30pm and bowling at 4.30pm.
BBQ dinner at
8.30pm

Second Day-The Planned
Breakfast starts at 9am. Gather at the pick up
area at 10.30am to go to the Japanese Garden &
Rabbit Farm (Only 6 showed up the rest
including me bailed muahahaha…I just sat and
had my French breakfast without any care
for the world and the plan).
12.30pm check out.

Arrival

When we arrived at the actual place, I was very impressed with
the view. It is rather pretty and at certain points reminds me
of Europe. Ahhh how I wish I am actually in Europe. As always,
when going in groups like this, itinerary hardly matters.
Gone with the wind, we just keep taking pictures though
Madam Organizer did look a bit worried……..

As to what happened after this keep reading... In my next post.

Bye Bye Little Bro... See ya in 6 months......

2008-07-28T00:27:00.004+08:00

Nothing much happened last week. Only ran a couple of errands for the family. Starting with Thursday night or rather Friday morning, where we went to KLIA to send off my brother. He off to work in Doha for another 6 months.

Here are some pictures taken whilst waiting for him to check-in

Tina & Arif.... sisterly love...

Me & Arif

Nightlight @ KLIA... nice

Then on Saturday another sisterly errands, had to take Tina to find her a coat/pant and shirt for her interview. There was a good offer at “The Brands” outlet in Ikano Power Centre. Found a good bargain for a jacket, buy one free one. So Tina now is the owner of 2 jackets. Good for her.

Then on to One Utama to find a grey pant for her. Wow it was really difficult for her to find the pants that will suit her new jacket. Lucky for us that we had decided to have our lunch first before continuing with our shopping spree. We had lunch at Seoul Garden. It is a Korean BBQ restaurant.

Here are some pictures. Nice surrounding but the food was not the great.

The Seoul Garden & The Steamboat Pot.. yummy... yummy

In case you guys are wondering.. there were so little prawns on the grill it was becuase Tina ate all of it, har har and here's the photo evidence

And here is yours truly.. with her favourite red Baby-T. Note to self must buy new cool shirts.. must go shopping again

Melancholy Me….I know not why but I do anyway

2008-07-22T19:12:00.003+08:00

I know not why the sky is gray
But cloudy they stayed like the darkest day
I know not why they seems that way
But they do anyway

I know not why I miss you so
But miss you I do every second of the day
I know not why I feel this way
But I do anyway

I know not why life is full of challenge
But challenged I am every waking moment
I know not why it is this way
But face them I do everyday

I know not what decision to make

But make it I would sooner that later
I know not how my journey will end
But journey I will for it is god’s bidding

I know not that my castle is mine
But I go home to it everyday
I feel not the warmth I long to embrace
But I promise to seek it for the rest of my days

Why oh why do I feel this way
Sad and gloomy every other day
I do not want to feel this way
Melancholy Me please don’t stay

Of Chili crabs, friends and family…..July 16, 2008

2008-07-17T18:45:00.003+08:00

Yeay finally I have something interesting to write in this blog. Last weekend I went to one of my favorite eating spots. (Talk about having loads and loads of favorite spots to eat). Chili Crab at Taman Mega. Yummy.

I was joined by Muzi, my sis Tina and Dada, Arif my brother and Nurman, Dada’s BF. It is difficult actually to explain how nice the food tasted so I have decided to put up a before and after picture. You guys makeup your own mind…..

Very very "hungy" already weiii

Yo tina... are "hungy"?

Oh my god... gone in 60 seconds or less.... burp!!! me so full and "happies"

Har - har the last pic are of my bruf... handsome tak?????. Ni kira gratis gitu...

An open letter to Sir Alex and the one I use to adore

2008-07-17T18:30:00.005+08:00

I have been meaning to write this open letter. I am thinking of posting this to MEN as well as MU forum (if I don’t chicken out).

I am a football fanatic, I used to love Liverpool but then I committed the greatest of sins (one that can be committed by a football fan I supposed) I changed allegiance. I now bleed red.. red devil that is.

I fell in love with MU the season when they were down in points against Arsenal, but they closed rank (I cannot remember what season but I know that was Beck’s last season with MU.. details are such a chore) and chased after Arsenal and won the league. From telecast of the match, from the articles I read I could see, I could feel the desire and determination of each player to chase after Arsenal and overtake them. I remembered one match, the determination shone through Gary’s eyes and many others……It was awesome. That’s when I fell in love. If a club produce such feeling than this is my club. Bye bye Pool, it had been good but I am gonna be great with MU.

I never thought you could hurt us so much

This is the club I want to support. This is the club I now choose to support….

And last season my club won the double, all through summer I should have been celebrating basking in the glory of the team I support, looking forward to the new season going into the Champion League not only as the Champion of England but also the defending Champion League Champion (mind you being in Malaysia, some of the telecasts means that I would have to wake up at around 3am in the morning on a working night just to watch my team playing. You want slavery??? That is what I go through every season is..) and what did I get.. this will I go will I not… I am a slave. If a slave is given such love and adored and protected take me then, make me a slave.

Gone were the days when you.. I adore my dear

Maybe it is a foolishness of youth that makes one act with such childish petulance and selfishness I do not know, but should we condone it???.

I may be one that stands alone in being sick of all this, I may not. I don’t care. All I know I am sick of it, as a fan I did not really enjoy, I could not enjoy the fact that my team won the double… this is my time you know, to enjoy and savor…..

So to Sir Alex, if he wants to go let him go. Yes we might loose a talented player, the best player in the world so what, football has always been and will always be a team game. We will find others, maybe not this year but we will. Club should always come first. Whisper it softly but whisper it still, if this is the treatment I get as a fan, then I would rather have a Fletcher, an O’Shea, or a Smithy who would give it all for MU.

Monday Muse.. Blog Entry June 30

2008-07-01T18:19:00.006+08:00

Yeayy after all the pain of last week, I had a good weekend. Like I said, on Saturday, I went to see an old colleague of mine. It was indeed a nic surprise, a meeting with a friend turned out to be a meeting with friends.

We had coffee and cakes at Pick & Brew. Nice really nice, chit chat a bit. What topic???? what else but “The Betrayal”. (Note to self: Hmmm this sounds like a nice title for a historical romance novel or in the case of my sister Angah, a good title for a feminist literature. Har … har I wonder in what kind of alternate universe would a book entitled “Ravished” be a book that could be classified as a feminist literature)

We also took the opportunity to update ourselves on what’s been happening in our lives as it has been about 3 – 4 months since we last met. Anyway AJ used to be my roommate in the old office. She has now managed to free herself from the domain of The Betrayer. Oh how I sometimes envy her. I am nevertheless glad to see that AJ and my other friend looking so healthy and happy. Kudos to them for having the courage…. I hope someday I would have one too…

AJ and LML at pick & brew.

Me in my red Canadian Baby-T

Whilst I was there, I received a call from my co-conspirator. She bought me a book to cheer me up. Yeay looking forward to reading that book. Thanks Muzi.

On Sunday, I took mum and my sis Tina out. First for breakfast, went all the way to tangling only to be thwarted by the fact that the “Nasi Lemak” is finished. Waaarrghhh I want my normal Sunday “Nasi Lemak”. So we went to my second weekend spot at DU. After breakfast we went looking for some stuff for Tina as she has an interview this Monday…. Me such a good daughter and sister… muahahahaha!!!!!!!

Sorry Anne, I could not squeeze you in as well. We went to 1U to get something for Tina. Maybe sometime next week we can arrange to have dinner or at least coffee.
At night I went out again to run some errands. This time it was me and Tina. Mum, I think was too tired to go out again. Found myself at Borders. And when at Borders do buy some books… arggh nothing beats retail therapy. Guess what was the title for one of the books I bought...

Here’s some of the books I bought… get the hint anyone????

Weekend’s Musings.. I am still hurting but thank god for good friends…

2008-06-28T17:05:00.006+08:00

It has been three days since The Betrayal and I am still hurting…

I know I should feel angry for what was done, but all I feel is disappointment. I could not imagine any person let alone … to stoop that low. Then again maybe I should have seen it coming. Nevertheless, enuff about that.. like I said before, I will not be beaten by a loser. Nature will run its course, I just have to let it.. so said a wise friend though another friend is more incline to support the theory that sometimes nature needs a push..har-har.

Ahhh taking about friends, I don’t really have many but I do count myself lucky for I have friends that I can count on to give me support, hear my cries, motivate me, push me, make “evil” plans with me and not forgetting for playing truant with me (esp Muzi on the “evil” and playing truant part). For that I do thank you all. I may not have shown it nor say it enuff but I do love my fwens…. Thank you again…
Speaking about friends, I am meeting another at 5pm today. I am excited; it has been a long time since I last saw her. And I think of all the friends she’ll be most probable one that would understand how I feel right now, for she was once betrayed by the same person. She was systematically victimized by the same person. Like I said I should have realized… history is bound to repeat itself. Oh well another lesson learn to be kept in the annals of one’s life. Life is not worth living huh but for its ups and downs and challenges

My weekend starts last night with a good massage…..

Like I said, life has it ups and down. I am determined that The Betrayal will not spoil my weekends. So I started my weekend early. I start my weekend on a Friday night though I usually start my weekend on a Saturday. My weekend started with a 2 hours massage at the Day Dream Boutique with my friend. It was enjoyable and relaxing yeah… took the program offered as well. I thought it was a good bargain as I get 5 hours massage for RM299. So it is about RM60 per hour. Not bad huh. Our only slight annoyance during the 2 hours session (I am saving the other session for a later date) is some idiot talking loudly outside arguing about wanting a slot although he did not make an appointment. After that he continues his loudness by talking on the phone. So people are so dumb, that’s all I can say I supposed!!!!! I wish I had taken some pictures.. of the place, well maybe next time.

After that I had dinner with Muzi, where else but Uncle Teow. Ordered so much food…. The pigging out session when well. Could not stay that long to plan evil plans with Muzi as she has to go to Putrajaya. She is a babysitter (or ”Babysister” as pronounced by Arman) this weekend. Goodluck Muzi, may patience stays a virtue this weekend.

And today I am a good daughter

As usual on a Saturday morning, I will take mum out for breakfast. And as always the chosen venue is Village Park in DU. It is a little bit expensive for breakfast but we love the food. Can’t wait for my brother to comeback from Doha so I can take him there, I am pretty sure he will definitely love it.

And now whilst waiting to meet my friend for tea, I am at the office…… opps, it is 5pm now. I better go. Have yet to wrap the prezzy I bought for her from Vancouver. Hopes she likes it just as Muzi and Anne like theirs. (Oh well I am assuming that both of them likes their prezzy..)

I must remember to take pictures when I have tea with my friend so I can upload it in my blog. Will see, being a novice at bloging I usually forgot the cardinal rule of bloging, one always have your laptop with you, two always remember to take pictures.

And I thought that my opinion of you could never be lower - Blog Entry June 26, 08

2008-06-26T15:41:00.001+08:00

I have never been as sad in my entire life as I felt today. And I never thought that my opinion about a person could be so low than how I feel about that person today. And mind you, your bar was already low. I know you are capable of such bad things but never this bad.

Then again I should have not expected less. You talk about team building and about trust. Har-har you are a damn bloody phony. As a matter of fact you redefined the word phony. YOU ARE A DAMN FAKE………..shame on you with all your religious belief.

I am not sure what possessed you to do as you did, how dare you….

Nevertheless, it is ok. You can do what you want and I hope you can sleep at night. You can look at yourself in the mirror and be proud of whom you are, who you represent…. (Though knowing how conceited you are I know you see Bratt Pitt). It does not matter, life is a cycle. There are such things as Karma…. One day you will meet yours.

Meanwhile, life goes on. The wheel will keep turning. And I will keep fighting… I SHALL not be beaten by a looser like you…. You daft!!!!. Keep doing what you do, but remember, you can lie to some people some times but you cannot lie to all the people all the time. The more you try the harder I will fight. You’ll see…..

If I fail.. I am not Ms Q Quirky…..

Boria – boria on the loose - Ayus’s Wedding Pictures

2008-06-25T17:22:00.005+08:00

most of the gang

my cousin and aunties

Sometime early this month, my mum, my sisters Dada & Tina and I went to our cousin’s wedding in Melaka. It was nice. Mum was happy to see all the family members gathered and that she made it back from Vancouver in time for the wedding
All the uncles, aunties and cousins were supposed to wear blue which we did.

It’s kindda cute. For my family the theme was blue songket. Here are some pictures.

my mummy & aunt

I am sorry for I have neglected you….. (Part One-Updated 26.6.08)

2008-06-25T12:44:00.012+08:00

I am sorry. I have neither visit nor write here for almost a month. As always, I have failed again in my mission. I have let work consume me again. I am a failure… may I be able to forgive myself and try again.

In my mind I have lots to write, like the fun I had with Ina when we went shopping in SPO or the wrap ups of globetrotting adventure. Hence all are still in my mind.

Things on my mind
 Ronnie the daft
 Shopping
 Missing the M&Ms
 Moving to a new home

See, just to complete this notes took me almost a week. Har .. har how sick am I. I have decided to just write stuffs that come to my mind tonight whilst watching tennis. Yummy.. Rafa you are ever so yummy….

Ronnie the Daft

Honestly I am sure many Man Utd fans are really disappointed with Ronnie now. His attitude is so smack. Many would be really angry now but I think more would probably be disappointed. With the entire hullabaloo that he created with this wanting to go to Real Madrid, I find myself not having any feel towards watching the Euro 2008. Damn you Ronnie, I bought a 42 inch flat screen TV just to watch you this summer, you idiot.

Dang.. why are they switching to the Sharapova vs. Some Qualifiers… show me my Rafa

Back to the oh…So Daft… I do understand of having a dream as a kid, I am sure almost all of us would have some, I wanted to be a princess when I was young, so what. You can have dreams but it must be moderated with what you know now. He is a fantastic player, why would he want to go to an unstable team. The coach is changed like you changing your girlfriend. Look at what happened to Cassano, Owen, Becks..it like a graveyard compared to Man Utd who is on the up. The BPL which is the most watched league in the world. Why.. why oh why.. what am I going to watch when all the other sports are on hiatus and only football is left, Golf?????

Yeah now they switched back to Rafa.. Fabulous

Ok enough about Ronnie, even if he stays in Man Utd after this I will not forgive him for what he put us Man Utd fans through. We should be enjoying winning the League and Champions League. We should be looking forward for other trophies next season but what we have is this silly “I want to go to Madrid” go then like hell we care anymore. By the way you are off my Twentyhotty’ List and into Who's Daft This Week list and like Mr Resident Daffer.. you is staying there forever.You are also off my favfifteen. You doink!!!

Shopping

Thank You update. Ok, I forgot to thank my sis Angah for giving me the translation work. The effect of the translation work actually allowed me to spend without a pang of guilt. None, nada, not even a little bit. So angah, thank you, thank you. Please give some more this weekened. Har har

Now, let’s talk about my favorite past time shopping. I had a fantabulous time at SPO. FYI, SPO is the Seattle Premium Outlet. It is a mini heaven for a self confessed shoppaholic like me. Well any outlets would be heaven for a shoppaholic right?

Firstly, I would like to thank Ina. Thank you…. Thank you for accompanying me on my shopping frenzy. I had loads of fun. I bought loads of things. Now that is an understatement. Do visit Anne’s blog for some pictures. I am too lazy now to take pictures of my handbags and shoes…. Oh maybe I will. Entry is so not cool without some pics ya???

Ok I have taken pics of my shoes. All seven of them. Later it will be my handbags turn. I dream to be Imelda Marcos. Note to Ronnie, it is only a dream you daft, you don’t have to follow through if you have something better with you now.

shoes.. shoes and more shoes

and even more shoes

Oh Rafa, I am not worthy..Vamos Rafa

Ok.. here are the pictures of my handbags.

handbagsfrom a different angle

I like my handbags

Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed buying those things.
Ok. I am off now. Determined to upload this tomorrow morning at the office, thereafter to write the second part of this entry tomorrow night.

The 19-Day Adventure of Miss Q Quirky The Globe Trotting Adventuress - Site Seeing Around Vancouver – May 18th, 2008

2008-05-19T17:06:00.010+08:00

Vancouver, Day 3.

Today my brother in law Roy and the kids Melur & Maman took me to English Bay. It is a seaside area in Vancouver. The weather was really nice. It was bright but not hot or humid. It was windy and really cool.

We took 3 busses to get to the beach. The ticketing concept here is really cool (well I think so although due to the traffic jam in Malaysia I don’t think the concept will work). We can buy a ticket that that will give us an unlimited number of buss ride within the same zone for a period of one and a half hours. To get to the beach it took 3 busses but it cost me only $CAN2.50.

At the beach the kids tried their hands on flying the kite but it did not work out so well as there were too many people and the winds were not cooperating. Roy actually suggested that we go to the Vancouver Tower (this is similar to the KL Tower) but me being a chicken asked not too. Hmm I have to do something about my fear of height soon I think. I sat down people watching. One of the activities I really do enjoy but has always been denied on normal days. I can only do such things while on holiday…. To Jill yes! Yes! I remember your instruction; I am on a look out but have not seen any potential yet.

On the way back we stopped at DQ (Diary Queen). The kids shared a bowl of ice cream whilst I had the Oreo Earthquake. Yummy… checked out the picture. Angah joined us at DQ. She had the Earthquake as well

Surprise, surpirse, I am somehow compel to have another one. Mind you the one compelling me for another cup is myself. So Roy and me decided to have the Blizzard of the Month a.k.a the Strawberry Cheesecake. It was so nice but made me very full. The kids had their second helping of ice cream as well. According to Maman this is allowed as he has been a little naughty but a lot and lots good (pronounced as “A yot”). As a reward he is entitled to have a lot of ice cream

Melur & Maman can be really funny sometimes. At the DQ Maman said something really funny. It is hard to explain but I’ll let you guys see it for yourselves in the video clipping below. Isn’t he a cutie?

After DQ we took the bus home. I planned to go for a jog around 6 later but alas the plan is left as A PLAN, did not realised how tired I was fell asleep as soon as I got home, next thing I remember was Melur & Maman waking me up for dinner. Aaaa…!!! Old age, it does get to you. Hope you enjoy some of the pictures and video I put up. Until later…

The 19-Day Adventure of Miss Q Quirky The Globe Trotting Adventuress - Part 2

2008-05-18T05:31:00.010+08:00

15 May 2008 - Vancouver Vancouver Here I come ... or rather as the case became at least I tried!!! Duh.. minus points to the Cathy Pacific Airlines

Wednesday 14^th May 2008

Vancouver Day minus 1 – To pack or not to pack…

After coming back from Bangkok I still have one day of work. Though at first I wanted to come in late since I only arrived home from Bangkok around 12.30am the night before. It was a scary taxi ride for I thought the cab driver was really sleepy. He was pressing the brakes in the middle of the road. Looks like it’s going to be one of those Murphy’s Law things, “when things goes wrong wow does it go wrong”. Boy oh boy little did I know that the Bangkok quake was only a precursor of things to come. Just you wait.

Came in the office way early than planned, ended up doing some urgent on the spot work, my boss owes me like hell for that, be sure! I will collect that favour soon, real soon I mean. Had a meeting around 2pm that finished at around 4pm. Mind you I did all these things whilst my body reeks in pain due to the Bangkok 48 Floors escapade. Decided to go for a massage after that whilst being worried that I might not be able to stand the almost 23 hours flight to Vancouver. Definitely not an auspicious starts to my holidays, definitely!!!

I was supposed to pack for my trip but I was really not in the mood. Never like packing, too many things to think about. What to bring and what not. I will always feel that I would need everything. Can never be a light traveller, I would bring my whole house if I could. Well you cannot blame a girl for wanting her stuffs right?

As a measure for procrastination, I persuaded Anne & Jill to go to “mamak” to have “Teh Tarik” with me. Stayed at “mamak” for quite a while. Spend the whole time regaling them about my (mis) adventure in Bangkok. When I got back I still could not bring myself to pack. So decided to just collect all the things I needed for the trip and put it aside. I’ll put it in the bag tomorrow. Har – har by time I finished colleting the stuffs I want, it was 4am. Time to get some shut eyes my dear.

Thursday 15^th May 2008

Vancouver Day 1 – Vancouver here I come or at least I tried……

Woke up around 7am in the morning and the pain were still there. So decided to go & see Doctor S (since I don’t have permission to mention his name, he shall remain Doctor S). The visit lasted about one hour; as usual we will chitchat a bit. Though I finally see the funny side of having to run down 48 floors, my doctor and my body do not agree. He gave me some muscle relaxants & gastric pills with further advice on how I should handle myself during the long flights. I was supposed to walk around the plane every hour. I counted that will be 23 rounds for a 23 hours flight. I am only on the 5^th day of my adventure and I almost completed my exercise quotas for this year. Har! Har!

I finally packed, took me almost 2 hours to complete packing. Left the house around 1.30pm for the Airport. After using all the guile I could muster using the fact that I am suffering from a muscle cramps (this my friends, following Anne’s advice) I manage to get the ground crew to give me seats with leg space. Hmm I could not get an upgrade tho.. dang!!!!

After checking in had Mc D for lunch and loiter around KLIA since I had about 3 hours before the flight. Took some pictures while waiting, mms some to Muzi, Anne & Jill. Yikss!! I am turning into a (well to us Jill’s word) “Camwho….”. I rather like to think of it as being a Cam Enthusiast

Hei I am getting good at this!!!

As I was travelling alone, I decided I would do whatever I want. There is no need for decorum or acting all proper. So at one point I was sprawled on the sofa writing some notes for my blog. I am feeling a little regret about my decision not to bring my computer for I found that it is best to capture the moment’s feeling by writing things as it happened or within a short time of an incident. The feeling was not allied when Jill sms me to inform that I have committed the number one cardinal sin for a blogger… never leave home without your computer. Thanks Jill!!!

Here comes the Super Bitch

Hei!!!! Something is not right, why is there no call for boarding it is almost 5.50pm time that we were supposed to board. Then at 6pm there was this announcement that the flight is delayed due to the sickness of the crew. We were told to wait for a while, whilst they sort out the matter. Dang… I am beginning to worry, should I be? Well I decided maybe not yet. Then at 6.30pm they announced that the flight is cancel. WHAT!!!! Pandemonium!!! Pandemonium!!!! I galvanised into action. I got a connecting flight at 12.05am to Vancouver what is to happen, this is not good. Not good!!!!

There was chaos all around, people were shuffling and pushing, some arses (excuse my French) refuse to queue. At one point I had to put my foot down and told off this woman from China/
Hong Kong who was trying to cut my queue. Don’t mess with me woman. I know my rights…. well I was supported by an English gentleman muahahaha… strength in numbers is the concept.

To my dismay after that she tried again and the stupid counter person tried to serve her first. That’s it, here comes the bitch – I told him off and loudly said that I was in the queue and she wasn’t. Again the English gentleman supported me. By that time I could not care less anymore, support or no support I am going to stand up for my right. No foreigner is going to cut my queue in my own country.

At first the counter person tried to explain that it doesn’t matter who he serves first since according to him both of us will be stuck here. Like hell I will. Then he tried to explain himself to me. At that point I really don’t want to hear any explanation so I told him just that. “I don’t care, I have a connecting flight to Vancouver at 12.05am, just to your job and sort it out” At this point he tried to explain again, and again I told him straight to his face. “I don’t care, sort it out”.

After waiting almost for an hour I resigned myself that I will not make it for the connecting flight. At that moment my fear proves to be true, the guy came back to inform me that I have been put on the next immediate flight which was tomorrow morning to Hong Kong and thereafter Vancouver. I am to arrive at Vancouver sometime in during lunch. I supposed I did not really loose that much time as I was originally scheduled to arrive at 9.40pm. Now I will arrive around 11.40am the next morning. He also arranged for me to be put up at Concord. Was actually extra nice to me to the extent that he personally send me to the lift. It was a long walk as the boarding gate was the last one at Terminal.

I thought my ordeal would end there; it was already like almost 9pm at that time and I was at the airport since 2pm. Not so, when I arrived at the front desk staff at the Hotel deemed prudent to question me about my entitlement from Cathay Pacific. I got the coupon duly signed; who in heavens name do you think you are to question me. If you got issue sort it out with Cathay Pacific, insofar as I am concerned, I am entitled to what was stated on the coupon. He made me wait almost an hour for my dinner (IT COULD HAVE BEEN LONGER HAD I NOT DEEMED IT OK TO TURN INTO A SUPER BITCH!!!!!). Enough of this stress, after dinner I went straight to bed. Flight tomorrow at 9.15am. Gotta wake up early as I need to be at the airport at around 7am.

Thanks Super Bitch…

It must be that they were so scared of me the super bitch, I got two wake up calls. Hmm I don’t remember asking for one last night but I got 2 calls this morning. Must be that they are so scared of the super bitch or the fact that they would want me to leave their hotel soonest
possible. Har har must be the latter.

9.15am

I am now on the flight Hong Kong. I am grinning from ear to ear. Thank you, thank you super bitch. Guess what, I got upgraded to the business class for the flight to Hong Kong. It pays sometimes to be a bitch, let alone a super bitch. Here are some pictures of me at the golden lounge.

They even dressed your table and call you by your name. I am worried that I am going to enjoy this too much so that I would want to travel business class always. Now which millionaire should I snag? Or maybe I put in an extra prayers that my two friend Anne & Jill becomes millionaires soon so that they could sponsor me trips and travels.

Back to being one of many hurling through the fabric of time…

Yikss back to being a commoner now, back to economy class. First things to be noticed, how the small seat barely accommodate my posterior. Note to self an extra 30 minutes 3 days a week exercise specifically targeting your gluteus maximus from now onwards

Well at least they gave me a seat where I can stretch my legs a.k.a seat at the emergency exits. This is going to be a long journey. Wish they had given me the business seat for this leg of the journey. I sure can entertain myself if they do. Maybe just maybe I should read up on my work and starts on my article re: commentary of the Customs Tribunal. Yes I think shall do that and boy I did it.

4.45pm

I can’t believe it. I actually did some work, started my research for my research for my articles. Doh!!!! How doink can I be

The 19-Day Adventure of Miss Q Quirky The Globe Trotting Adventuress

2008-05-17T12:04:00.019+08:00

Pages from Bangkok Post

Bangkok 11th to 13th May - Quake .. Quake..... Earthquake....!!!!!!!!!
This is the first installment of my globe trotting adventures that will last nineteen days. It starts with a conference in Bangkok. I know, when I started this blog I had only one rule. No work related musings. However what's a rule without its exception and the events in Bangkok is an exception. Anyways I started at day two as nothing that interesting happened on day one.

Bangkok Second day
The day started rather well. Interesting presentation although my head and my legs are throbbing (all due to the 5 hours long walking round MBK center looking for good bargains). Good engaging presenters. I see potential, work I mean not potential soul mates oh how I wish.....

Then it was time for lunch.. yeay I am hungry. Sat besides an interesting American and had a good chat with him. Suddenly I felt faint, the rice looks blurry, I got really worried thought I was having a heart attack or something. Then there was a buzz around the place and the American next to me said oh its an earthquake, EARTH WHAT???????? I said. He pointed look at the moving windows, yeah its an earthquake, I always experienced it back in California he said. Yikssss!!!!!

At that point a lady introduces herself as the building supervisor. She informs that there is potential problem and asked everyone to go out of the building. First we were supposed to take the lift as it is still working. However after a while, we were asked to run down the stairs. I WAS ON THE 48th FLOOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By the 28th floor, my knees were shaking, felt like I am not going to make it. Lucky me people were going down calmly, if not I could have been trampled. Then suddenly I missed a step and slipped. Ouch my backside, then the woman in front of me turn and extended her hand. For a brief moment when she saw me I saw it in her eyes as if she wanted to re tracked the hand extended. I knew it she must be thinking "wow she looks heavy I might regret this".

Waiting outside Empire Tower.. phew I made it down

We waited for about two hours before it was the building was pronounced safe. Then we went up and continued with the conference. Duh.... how boring so the mind wonders. The people around me are so forward thinking, it makes me sad for around me, I have a China Wall I can't move I am suffocated.......

Dinner
Dinner was at Blue Elephant. As the only Muslim, I asked for the Vegetarian Set thinking that "oh well this is going to be a bore, the food is not going to be nice". Oh how wrong I was. The food was nice and it was presented artfully as well. Here's one of the course that was put up for me.

My vegetarian main course serves specially for me

Transportation was provided for us to get to the restaurant. Little did we know that the restaurant was only as far as 500metres from the hotel. Going back to the hotel same arrangement, although the hotel was only 500metres it took us almost half an hour due to the infamous Bangkok traffic. Someone in the Van asked "the hotel is near does anyone wants to walk?" My immediate answer was... "Nope not after 48 Floors". To that the whole van erupted with laughter. Yeay I am funny..!!!!!

Bangkok - Last day
Wow... when I woke up this morning, my whole body reeks with pain. Did not really feel it last night but this morning wow.. I can barely move. Sat through the conference, hoping that there won't be a repeat of yesterday. The time flew by and it was time to go home already. So the conference finish on a high and off we go.

All in all Bangkok was nice.... and I look forward now for my trip to Vancouver. See ya for now....

Muzi, Me & Uncle Teow................

2008-05-09T18:58:00.007+08:00

Muzi, Me & Uncle Teow........... Muzi enjoying Uncle Teow Lala and Fried Sotong
The famous Kam Hiong Fried Lala
Uncle's Teow Stall

Boy oh boy, we do love our Lala. Muzi & me love our lala.

I am all smiles.... and can anyone blame me????

2008-05-09T18:20:00.005+08:00

I am all smiles. Who wouldn't if put in my position. I am leaving for Vancouver soon to see my number one Fav Fifteen. Although there is a small matter of a conference in Bangkok. Well I supposed I could treat it as pre-holiday holiday.

I hope to be able to take lots of photos and aspire to update this blogs on a regular basis during my holidays. I hope I will. My mum has asked me to pack my gym gear as well... ya.. ya mummy I will do that.. may be not.. muahahahaha..... a holiday is no holiday if you still have to exercise right????

As for my sis who will be left behind WORKING... ta-ta. I'll take pictures for you.....

9 days & counting.................

2008-05-06T14:23:00.004+08:00

I can't wait, in 9 days time I will see my number 1 fav fifteen members: Melur & Maman. I missed them so much. For now I have to keep myself happy with seeing their development in their blogs or watch some of the videos we had during our last holidays in Scotland/England. Here are some pics and videos that are my fav.

I hope I will get to take more photos as well as loads of videos with the kids when I see them.

So here's to a good trip... and many many more to come.. muahahahaha

Quirky Curry - An Original Recipe By Miss Q Quirky

2008-05-05T20:28:00.004+08:00

This recipe is suitable for a single person or those who has little time. It tastes good especially if eaten with nan bread or other type of bread. I sort of created it recently during one of those days when I just don't know what to eat but were hungry. Blogger Anne would definately relate to this "the feeling of hunger yet not knowing what to eat".

Ingredients
1 packet maggie fish curry paste
2 frozen fish fillet (Dory fish) cut into smaller pieces of 1.5 - 2 cm per piece
4 tbs of marigold lowfat blueberry yoghurt (alternatively mixed berries or mango yoghurt)
Capsicum
1 carrot sliced
1 large onion quartered
2 shallots sliced thinly
2 cloves of garlic sliced thinly
5 large fresh tomatoes chopped
Aromatics - Corriander seeds, cumin seeds, cardomon seeds, star-aniseed and cinnamon bark
2 tbs lemon juice

Method

PREPARING THE FISH
Marinate the fish with a little bit of the maggie curry paste, cumin powder, tumiric powder, salt and pepper.
Fry it using only a little bit of oil abot half a minute for each side. (The fish is fried so that it will retain its shape when cooked with the curry sauce)
Put aside

PREPARING THE CURRY SAUCE
Heat 5 tbs oil in a thick based pan
Put in the slice onion and garlic and the aromatics. Saute until the onion and garlic are soft
Put in the rest of the curry paste and 1 cup of water
Put in the already fried fish and the carrots, capsucum and quartered onion
Add in the yoghurt (the yoghurt will add a little sweetness to the curry) and chopped tomatoes
Add another 1 cup of water and the lemon juice
Add salt to taste
Simmer in slow heat until the sauce is thick

There you go. Have a try and post your comments. See how you like it. Goodluck and happy trying

Note:

You could do a siwtch up by turning this into a vegetarian curry
If you want the curry to be more spicy, add paprika or chilli powder
If it is difficult for you to find the meggie curry paste you can use curry powder as well. Just make sure you add some water before using to turn it into a paste

Pippo, You Ancient Relic ... Fragile Yet Priceless

2008-05-05T10:27:00.003+08:00

Aaa.. my weekend was complete yesterday. All that needed to win... won.... yeay.

I love me some football to the extend that I am willing to wake up at 2.30am in morning on a working day just to watch a game that my favourite team is playing. Lucky me the Milan Derby was played early yesterday that I don't have to wake up at an ungodly hours.

First half was almost all Milan but with no end product. As always Pippo at the right place but the Inter keeper made some good saves. Nothing much and my beautifully manicured nails are still safe. Ha..ha! Second half again was almost the same. To be honest I am getting nervous so much so that I was like watching the game, on the board in the AC Milan Forum as well as surfing at the sametime... ya ya you wonder how I do that, well the name of the game is multi-tasking. I had to working where I work.

Back to the game suddenly Kaka crossed and Pippo scores. Right place at the right time AS ALWAYS. To quote Vieri "In pippo's case the ball will look for him, not him looking for the ball" , not an exact quote though, I paraphrased. People always claims that Pippo only scores easy goals, his lucky etc but if you watch carefully and think about it I think his goal scoring effort takes skills. The skill and ability to read the game, to anticipate where the ball would land and where the goal is. He makes it easy. That is his skill. Just because something appears easy doesn't mean it is easy.

Then Kaka made it two. However Cruz had the cheek to reply with a stunning free kick. Keeper rooted, dang!!!!!!..... Here goes my nails. I was so nervous I could not believe it. Pippo was sub for Pato. The new wonderkid, he looks like a cartoon character. So cute. Ahhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!. After about 15mins of agony the referee blew the final wistle. Phew was I relieved & so did the hendreds of people in the forum and millions others watching and supporting Milan.

Pippo played well and look rather unhappy when subbed even at his age you could see fire and passion. Maybe that is why I like to follow sports so much. I admire determined and passionate people. People like Schumi, Lance Armstrong, Pippo, C Ronaldo et el.

Looking at Pippo who is on a scoring run wish the clock could be turn back 5 to 10 years. For that matter I wish we could clon Tun Mahathir as well. Alas I digress, Tun will be another topic altogether. I am going to miss Pippo when he retires, which from the look of it would be sooner rather than later, just like I am missing seing Schumi in action in the F1. For the time left, I' m determined to enjoy Pippo and his goal scoring feat. I had enjoyed Schumi's final year in F1.

Things I Regret Those I Don't - An Ode To A Lost Friend

2008-05-04T20:23:00.010+08:00

I wrote this poem sometime ago to a lost friendship.

THINGS I REGRET THOSE I DON'T

I regret the time I took to tell you I love you
I don't the time I spend with you
I regret now we won't be the same
I don't that I have fallen for you
I regret that I've lost you
I don't the memories I have of you
I regret the time I took to find you
I don't the fact that I met you
I regret that you can't accept my love
I don't that I gave it to you

Valle - The Doctor

2008-05-04T15:50:00.004+08:00

Yeah.... Valle just won the Shanghai MotoGP. 2 down and 2 more wins to go this week; -

1.AC Milan in the Milan derby
2. Nadal at Barcelona

Congrats to Dani & Lorenzo the future of MotoGP

Miss Q Quirky

VIVA RONNIE VIVA MAN U

2008-05-04T12:57:00.001+08:00

As said, I do have lots of interests. Amongst those are football, F1 and Tennis. For the last 3 years I have been fortunate enuff to be able to watch the Sepang GP live at the grandstand. For that I have to record my thanks to Mas, for the tickets. The soveniour from this year's GP is still in evidence, with my two-toned colouring. So much so that my sis thinks that if I am a superhero, I would be called two-toned.

Anyways, VIVA Man U for winning yesterday. The hammers could have been Hammered (excuse the punt... not) had it not been to Nani sending off. Aaa.. the petulance and impertinence of the young. How much would it cost I wonder to have the oppurtunity to hear those famous hairdryer at work duing half time. Must be the industrial type sized. Poor lad...

First goal from Ronnie was a wonderfull run, Neil fell on his backside.. the other defender running away (backing away I mean) from him comical but nothing beats the comical second goal. A tenner for those who got the correct body part he used to score......

Congrats to all and a special mention to Hargo.... fantastic team play, deputizing at right back.

On to the Milan Derby. Go Milan Go Inzaghi.. you ancient relic.. fragile yet priceless

Miss Q Quirky

The First Time

2008-05-04T11:58:00.001+08:00

Hi, this is my first post.....

I must have woken up on the wrong side of my bed to be spending a whole morning trying to set up this blog. Techonology & me, we are not really friends, shopping.... now that's something else. Thought it would be a good idea to own me a blog since I have had so much fun reading others, keeping myself posted re: development of my niece and nephew abroad etc.. etc.

As for concept, I think I will have none since I do have diverse interest, sports, arts, book. My only rule would be no talking about work... for that I need a shrink not a blog. Don't we all?????

So to all old friends who will soon be invited to this blog and new ones I hope to make.... welcome one welcome all. I look forward to your visits

To infinity & beyond... Miss Q Quirky