Friday 19 December 2008

Reflections

A couple of weeks back I went home while the sun was still shining and arrived at the doorstep of my home to be greeted by the surprised face of my brother.
"Did you get fired?" he asked sarcastically.
This was my moment of realisation. I don't usually come home early, I just continue working as long as there is work to do (which is usually the case) but I certainly do not consider myself a workaholic. Few of my friends have begun to think I am one, after coming home late and missing some friendly get-togethers.
Workaholics thrive on work. I, on the other hand simply have work that if left unfinished will lead to certain miseries and doom. But it is rather ironic (or foolish) how before I started working I swore to myself to lead a balance life and not linger about the office. Haha.

*****
Today while reading Patsy Kam's article in the Star about the meaning of Christmas, I suddenly came to another realisation. Of course, articles pandering about what Christmas really means are by no means a fresh topic, yet funnily enough when Patsy wrote about how we're paying just so much attention to a Christmas tree, I realise I do the same. Will this year's tree be dressed in gold? Or silver? Or decked in bows and other shiny paraphernalia?

All the years of amusing myself with ideas on how to make my artificial, lifeless tree match the regal ones in Metrojaya, I forgot that in another corner in my house sits the altar where there is an image of Jesus and the Bible laid before it. How did I spend the last few years forgetting to figure out how to make the altar the centre of attention during Christmas? By no means am I doing a 360 and chucking the tree out, some traditions albeit commercial driven, are still fun to follow but I guess as a Christian I should have also thought more of Jesus.

After all it was His birth and not my fake tree.

Monday 17 November 2008

U know when Christmas is near

Yes, the signs are eminent when Christmas is close by...The obvious ones would be a sudden influx of pine and fir trees all over malls with gaily coloured balls and reams of ribbons..

In the office I have started blaring some old Christmas oldies to the delighted glee of some colleagues :)

At home this sign comes up :
















It ONLY comes around just before Christmas, so go figure.. :)

Thursday 16 October 2008

What Am I Doing

It's like 12.08 am (took me 6 tries to type those words, kept on mispelling) and I'm up when I know I'd have another long day tomorrow.

I'm in my room on my sister's laptop since it works faster than my Toshiba, and out of the back window hyper happy Tamil music is playing from the mamak. It's times like these when I feel at ease, serene (yes with the whole Tamil music thing) when the night air is still and the only voice I hear is the one that belongs to me, talking to me, inside of me. Do I sound insane or what haha.

TO whoever who reads this post, I'm sorry if I've been cutting calls, MSNs, SMS, whatever communication short with the excuse 'I'm busy'. Work has been eating up a chunk of life, actually almost the whole chunk of my life and I hear many a wise man's faint echo 'Work, Life Balance.. GO slow .. DOn't burn'.

But how leh... when stuff keeps on streaming in ?

I'm in a reflective mood when I get home, now when I sneak some precious time to blog. What am I doing? Am I doing the right thing? Is it really work hard while you're young or is it Be smart and screw it while you can cos life's short. I really don't know. But you know how they tell you to trust your gut instinct? That small little voice inside of you? Right now the voice says things are not really all right for me. BUT then I have more than one voice. In the morning another voice says C'mon, this is it. This is life. We're going to seize the day. So which voice is right ah?

I hear the echoes of plastic plates being stacked in the back lane by the washer women of the mamak. I hear even more Tamil music going a few decibels louder than before... or it's just another singer who has a shriller voice, I'm not too sure. I hear the tapping on my keyboard. It's times like this when I feel serene after a hectic day :)

Wednesday 8 October 2008

Which is which

Woman who leaves job and joins boyfriend in another country
Fool or Strong Faith?

Woman who works 12 hours everyday
Workaholic or Ambitious?

Woman who tries to work by principles
Idealistic or Strong Character?

Woman who decides to leave lover for career
Realist or Cold Hearted?

Woman who delays having a family to dedicate herself to work
Ambitious or Soul-less?

Woman who forgives unfaithful lover
Understanding or Foolish?

Woman who believes in finding The One
Naive or Optimist?


Thank you

Thanks for all the wishes guys :) I appreciate that you guys remembered and took the time to create some funky, heartfelt messages.

Walk

Reaching at this corner
I have to take a turn
Moving on and on
It's not a choice
No time to stammer
Just keep up my poise
And walk on ...

Looking over my shoulder
Was my journey all that good
Tried my best to keep the mood
At times I gave up
At times I wanted to stall
But thank You
You kept me renewed
I walked on
Walked on for tomorrow
Walked on for tomorrow

Now I take my stride
Here I come
Around the corner
I hear new whispers
I can only imagine
What awaits
Who will walk beside me
Who will dance beside me
Who will try to break my steps
Who will carry me forward
Let me sail and glide
In my strides

Can only look behind my shoulder
Footsteps seem to be heavier
But no time to stop or stammer
I'm moving on and on
This is life
And life's like this

Monday 1 September 2008

We still love Malaysia ... right?

The room was not the most comfortable of waiting rooms I've seen, with dirty white walls and a bare plastic playground occupying one section of it. With a runny nose and irritable throat, I lumbered across the room with my laptop bag (stuffed with magazines, 2 seasons of Prison Break and a bottle water) to find an empty spot on the sagging moldy green coloured couch.

I was here waiting for my MyVi to be serviced, but this place could well be a hospital waiting room. Everyone else waiting had either the papers in hand or a magazine and I decided I would spend the next hour gleefully catching up on Prison Break-haven't watched it so long I can't even recall the characters' names. But that was before I caught sight of the TV at the end of my couch, showing none other than Embun, the 2002 Malay movie depicting a love story in the midst of the struggle against the Japanese Occupation. I immediately forgot my Prison Break plans and got caught up in the movie, (despite having watched it before). One quick glance around the room, I noticed noone bothered besides me. Just me-watching a Malay movie.

Was it the love story? Unlikely since there are better love stories. Was it the ironic and discreet relationship between the Malay girl and Japanese soldier? Maybe. Was it because it was a story set during hardship and war? More likely because of this- I'm a sucker for this genre (think The Pianist and As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me). But maybe just maybe because it was a story about Malaysians, and not a bad crafting of the subject too. And I have my patriotic moments like on the eve of Merdeka when I'm sitting in this dingy waiting room I feel a sense of pride watching Embun.

But why does noone else bother? That thought irritates me slightly.. Perhaps it was just early in the morning and the papers were more important to read since it details 2009's Budget and I'm a naive idealist having romantic ideas about patriotism. Who knows- perhaps back home all those people in the waiting room could be flying ten Malaysian flags from their balcony and even one of those mini ones at the top of their cars (though I highly doubt this theory).

Later that night, as I sit in my living room in my flagless house flipping channels just before midnight to see if there's any live broadcast on the Merdeka celebrations- there were none except of course the mandatory ones on the ever dreary RTM channels. Hmm looks like this sombre Merdeka mood extends even to the media.

Whatever the reason may be- an uncertain political future for the country, the lack of stability at the current moment, the unforgiving hike in prices, there's still something to love about Malaysia for me- something way more intangible than all those- otherwise how do you explain people from war torn countries like Iraq who even after escaping dream of going home? I clearly remember some articles I read a while back about refugees who despite living comfortably in a new host country- still feel the yearning of their motherland.

So no different here - I have not flown a flag this year, neither do I love the politicians or the inconsistency of government service or the biasness of privileges but there is something about Malaysia, tanah tumpah darahku.

Sunday 25 May 2008

in holy matrimony..




There's just something about weddings and the word 'weddings' this year. You know how sometimes certain things happen, and they all happen together as if it's related? Like how you just ate a Big Mac and then your friend calls you to ask if you'd like to have a Big Mac with him and later when you get home you find Big Mac wrappers all over the place. Well, along those lines, you get my drift.

I got news that two friends are getting married this year, one week after the other. Both had really romantic/ funny (however way you look at it) proposals to tell of, so really melt-heart-sweet-story to hear of. On top of that, my very close cousin is getting married in two weeks time, and since we're close, I'm roped into a lot of preparations. If that is not enough weddings to hear of, something else within this whole wedding theme happened.

In this case, no one is really getting married, yet the word Holy Matrimony sparked a whole new chapter. My friend had been teasing a (girl) friend of his, pretending to fake a marriage event with her on Facebook. He supposedly had no feelings for the girl (or so he says) but simply enjoyed annoying her. They had their Facebook event guest list and wedding plans including bullock cart transportations, since it is supposed to be done in Malacca. A few more annoyance and irritances (is there such a word?) from him by rubbing in the whole wedding thing, they realised that they both have feelings for each other and are now dating.

It's ironic how just a year ago, the only weddings I come close to knowing are those my parents are attending (their friends' kids wedding), this year this whole wedding thing seems to be popping up every now and then. And to think I am helping to plan for my cousin's own wedding.

Is this a sign I'm growing old? omg.

One of the funniest/scariest things happened today. I was in charge of coming up with the entire booklet for mass, which contains all the readings and vows.. etc. Today, we got it printed with a beautiful cover and went home to read through it. To my horror my cousin shrieked "WHAT'S THIS?"

He spotted one page saying "we humbly pray to you for Paul Poh and Jenny...."

Fyi, my cousin Paul is getting married to his bride Irene Tay. I paled for a moment before asking him "Didn't I ask if you proofread it before we sent for printing?"

Which luckily for me he answered, "Oh, uhmm... yeah but I just scanned through"

Thank God, blame is not totally on me. Wouldn't be forgiven.

Anyhow, I still have to roll up my sleeves and correct FIFTY booklets with my liquid paper and pen.


On a happier note, he showed the DVD video show of his professionally taken photographs. They were so beautiful!! Really elegant with class.. not like some others I've seen very cartoony or cheapskate looking. My cousin and his bride-to-be looked so so so good in the pictures. I want my pix to be taken too! Must start checking out smaller photography packages with the same photographer and makeup-artist.

So this sums up most of the wedding events I know taking place... unless you're getting married too and haven't told me..

#the picture of the wedding booklet cover for some reason can't display the original colours of peach and orange. So don't freak thinking I designed some monster blue thing to pass of as a wedding cover.

Saturday 10 May 2008

Food prices going up. Petrol going up. Salaries not going up.
How can we adapt?
Eat less = smaller waistline :)
Walk more to ur neighbourhood mamak/store = Good exercise, fight stress and backache (Acc to www.iloveindia.com
Use more public transport = Less pollution, ppl walking breathe in healthier air= longer life
(BUT some public transport eg: KTM and Rapid KL bus= more stress= unhealthy society)

So when times get hard, look at the positive side. Slimmer, fitter, healthier Malaysian, Malaysia Boleh.

Friday 25 April 2008

Monday. I arrived sleepy and groggy for a freelance job at a defence exhibition. Found out I had to do dreaded sales like cold calls to all booths, to promote my booth's service. Returned home with bruised feet, a result of wearing required formal court shoes that people with bunions like mine shouldn't attempt to wear.

Tuesday. Decided to have an option of TWO court shoes on standby, but BOTH hurt though in different parts of the feet. First one hurts my bunions, second pair hurts my soles. Which is the lesser evil? More visiting of booths and meeting people. Started to appreciate the opportunity to meet people from so many different countries and so many mannerisms. Some with big warm smiles and some shifty and curt, trying to get me to hurry on and say my goodbyes.

Wednesday. Quite settled into the job. Decided to ignore advise and did NOT wear court shoes but open toe heels. Prefer efficiency to looking good. Able to walk around faster, more productive, less painful. Able to smile genuinely(no more aching feet!) on my rounds today. Realised the different good looks of probably about 30 over nationalities gathered at exhibition. On my way home met other freelancers for this exhibition. Not to discriminate but there was one who didn't have good English. Asked me 'Where is your boobs?' She meant where is my booth? Tried my mighty best not to let my laughter in my mind show on my face. Pulled on a straight faced and gave my booth number.

Thursday. Yay! Last day. (Might) miss all the hustle and bustle. After 4 days of watching my Greek boss at work, realise he is highly efficient and does not waste time. This means short lunches and always planning ahead how to spend the entire working day. Feeling less pissed at people who stop by my booth just for souveneirs when we have none. Understand that we are all guilty of Malaysian 'free stuff' mentality. They want free pens and fancy pins, I want free movie tix. Made more booth visits. Realise different treatment received from various country booths. Won't say who's worst but warmest people are probably from India booths.
All in all, interesting 4 days. Boss happy with work done. Oh and one more thing. Made a small faux paus today when some French media came over to chat. He passed me his name card. All in French. It's common for me to receive name cards that are dual language. English one side, their own local language the other side. So I asked Mr French, 'I can't read this, where's your English side?' only to realise I had just stroke some old-time French-English rivalry feelings and look at him gazing in fake horror at what I asked. Oh well, good week anyhow:)

Here's some photos taken with my hp those whose heart races looking at killing machines.
NTW 20
20 mm Anti-material Rifle

M8
81mm
Long range mortar

Thursday 10 April 2008

Annoyingly cute

There are many times when I've looked at photographs of animals, especially predators and preys getting chummy with each other, and going awwwww...It seems just so special when a cat takes a nap on a dog or a cat and rabbit sit side-by-side.

Recently, I was 'fortunate' enough to see such an unusual sight. I have a cute, hairy, furball of a dog. She hates cats, and tries to chase them whenever they're nearby. But I realised the same can't be said for some squirrels in my garden. I've spotted them numerous times sitting in my doggy's bowl eating high protein chicken and beef dog biscuits! At first it was quite cute, seeing this little creature slowly creep up from behind flower pots and snatch a biscuit or two. But lately, I realised my little squirrel friend has been bringing a pal to the buffet.

I'm hearing the squirrels grinding their teeth more and more often, which probably explains why they are quite fat with a shiny coat of fur. Not too mention more and more traces of their slimy gooey poop in the porch (it looks like brown toothpaste).

But I think the single most annoying thing is that my dog doesn't bother at all!Any other dog would have gone mad chasing away little four legged creatures nibbling in its bowl. But not my doggy. She doesn't bat an eyelid.

Yesterday, I shoved my dog's bowl right under her nose and told her firmly to guard it. I then hid behind some curtains to watch the most ridiculous scene unfold. The squirrel crept out from between some flower pots and sort of hopped-scurried around the porch in front of my dog. Seeing my dog was reaction-less, it came closer and closer and closer until it was at the food bowl, right under my dog's nose. My dog looked at it with little interest as the squirrel picked its choice biscuit and dashed off.

I didn't manage to grab a photoshot as I never expected that to happen. Well the next time, I hope to get it in a cage nyehehe. Though you wouldn't have to worry, I'll probably just bring it to a park, where it can look for real food, like a real squirrel does.


This pic was taken at another time, you can see the ratty looking squirrel in the flower pot while the white fluff on the floor is my lazy dog.

Wednesday 26 March 2008

Love that smack!

I finally played squash again yesterday! My squash racquet had been hibernating atop my cupboard and grown old with cobwebs and whatever else that died in between the dust.

It became sort of a sports marathon with my brother, though it was not planned that way. We started with trying to bugger off the other with badminton before we were left panting and heading down to the squash courts.

Poor him, he doesn't play squash but was nice enough to let me force him to joining me. Stephen my other brother would never had let me force him do anything. Anyway, I suck at squash. After all this while, I'm clumsy, can't bent and run across the court with heavy thump thump thumps like a baby elephant.

But still the beautiful feeling you get when the ball hits the sweet spot on the racquet is addictive. Addictive enough to keep me bending over to pick up misfired balls and reserving again, and again and again. Until finally, I see an uncle waiting outside my court.

I got out, giving way to him but he insisted I join him. How could I refuse when on an adrenaline rush? Though I know I sucked, very few chances I have to play squash. So I gamely when in, and got whooped by the uncle who was merrily laughing watching me panic at all his drop shots.

Embarassing indeed. But I so would do it again.

Sunday 16 March 2008

Post graduation

Since I have been out of college since before the Cina New Year, I decided not to laze around, and do the things I'd wished to do when I was too busy with assignments.

So no1. I am taking part in a mime that showcases the power of God's love. It's a contemporary type performance, and to be performed on Easter Vigil Night (this Sat) at Assumption church 6pm and 9 pm. Actually, I have to attribute this play to whoever the superbly creative person was who designed the whole thing and plonked it on Youtube. My group of performers were actually inspired by the Youtube thingy and decided we just had to do it- one of the most touching mimes I've watched. Watch it for yourself :


We're trying to practise our mime to make it as realistic as possible, I think we're 80% there. Still have 3 more practices (though I'm skipping one hehe). We were in a lurch cos we had no budgets for lighting (it would cost around RM 600-800), thank God last minute we called someone who allowed us to take his lighting equipment for whatever price we'd like to pay! So hooray, at least our effects part to help with the whole emo feeling is taken care of. Now, just a little bit more prayer and practise, and we may just communicate the message well enough for the congregation to be moved.

no2. I'm playing football. Yes i know the difference between futsal and football. I am playing football. Surprise, surprise. I don't watch football, don't keep up with the scores and the news, have two sticks for legs and I decided to play. Well, I think those of you who know me will know I like to try new stuff. So I think that's the motivation. Plus a very persuasive friend who wouldn't give up calling on me. The whole point of playing football is for our church to form a women's football team for an interchurch game on April 5. Lucky us, women's football so far only got 4 teams hahahah.

Post-graduate-Unemployment is great.
The next time I go for both practises, I'll remember to snap some pix.

Tuesday 4 March 2008

Voting and Voters

I went to Hannah Yeoh's ceramah last week. I am surprised I did. It was only the last election where I couldn't care less. But I know why I did this time. It was her face. Fresh young. Could she lead? It was the fact that she was headprefect from my previous school, SMK Subang Utama
(wah, proud-nya).
So I wanted to give her a chance. Hear what she has to say. And she did not dissapoint.
Yes she can lead, she said in her speech she was aware of all those questioning her abilities as a young woman. (She's 29) Her speech was well presented, no use of derogatory language (which other politicians are so fond of) , no broken English. No mindless jokes and no coffee shop talk.

I remembered a few lines that struck me.
'I am young but I am clean'
'I was ELECTED to the post of headprefect and at 16 years old managed 2000 students in my school'
and a lot more concerning Subang Jaya's useless development. I am sure you're familiar with our stupid goldenbird statue and million ringgit 'park' situated at a roundabout so we can all take in the carbon-monoxide air and enjoy the tranquility of irate car drivers horning.

Happy voting to my friends who have registered. To those who have not but feel the chagrin of their mistake now, not too late. You can still play mind games and influence other voters :)

by candlelight

For god knows what reason, there was a sudden blackout last night. As I was driving home alone, I was quite surprised my sis called to volunteer to come home with me and help me open our auto-gate manually. Whoa..moments of kindness like that from her are really treasured.

Since she had tapau-ed some supposedly superb tasting nuggets from SS15's burger stall (near the market), she needed light to eat. We tried switching on all our rechargeable lights but just our luck none of them flickered on (I suspect my family used them dry before heading to bed).

Thus began our hunt for candles, guided by the humble glow of our handphone lights. We dug up plain tealight candles, christmas candles, candles given during birthdays, teacher's day candles and more fancy candles which we do not recall its significance. It was quite a sight after lighting close to ten candles of various shapes and colours around the house. And mind you, all the candles were even placed in all sorts of cute candle holders.

All I could say after sitting on the couch and taking in the flickering lights are 'whoa... veli lomantic wor'. Amazing what a dreaded blackout and some carefully kept candles over the years can do.

Comfort fooood















Don't you just love soggy cereal?
I know I do
Let em soak till goey
Lose their crunch
Absorb the milk
Just like sponge

Don't you just love soggy cereal?
Not just for breakfast,
But after lunch, dinner
and before bed
While drooling over
Grey's Anatomy's cast
While writing this silly thing
My debut to my soggy koko krunch

Thursday 28 February 2008

I am a recent grad

First things first. I am NOT unemployed. I am just a fresh grad :)
Many people I randomly met (friends and family esp) have asked me what I'm currently doing. So of course conversation naturally flows something like that :
Me: Yeah, I've just finished my course
XX: OH oh! So you're working now?
Me: No, not yet
XX: Oh, not planning to work yet? (At this point, raises eyebrows unbelievably)

So I'll make it clear. Nopes, I won't be working yet. I am taking time off, and slowly sending my resume to companies (that I like) who suddenly have vacancies. But by end of March, I'll probably start doing the all-out job search.
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