Falling down

The dreaded sharp declining line is here.
The drop of share markets and currency worldwide has created panic and tumbling effects in every country. Construction has slowed down or stopped for some. People are losing money in paper. Billionaires become millionaires over night.

That’s the global condition. Let’s now zoom into condition of this individual known as the blogger -me!

On Tuesday, I happily arrived work early because there was less traffic congestion. Since it was a long weekend, some people were still on holidays, I thought. I happily decided to withdraw some money from the bank to deposit into my other savings account, lest I decided to spend unnecessarily. After all, it was the end of the month; this month’s paycheck should have been banked in.

The Malay lady selling "nasi lemak" was around. A few early office workers were getting some breakfast and some were going to the bank to do some banking or withdrawing too.

There was gravel in front of the bank with 150mm high curb. I stepped over in and stepped onto my pants. I nearly fall flat on my face.

Thankfully I braced myself with one knee and two palms. (no.. not kungfu stunt)

I got up and pretended nothing happened. I continued walking to the bank to withdraw some money. I coolly walked back to my car and drove off.

That’s my “falling down” incident. Not on my shares’ value dropping down; although my unit trust I bought at 25 cents is now worth 14 cents and below.

It’s ironic. I was merely physically transferring money from one bank to another. Never realized how “dangerous” it could be for someone as clumsy as me. Not to forget embarrassing!! Once I nearly tripped down in the corridor in front of my office there too. Or I really did trip? Forgot… (some people have selected memory..)

I merely scrapped my left knees (picture of it below) and also my 70% discounted court shoes. (luckily discounted shoes… haha) My slacks were amazingly not damaged. My 2-month-pregnant colleague commented if it was her, there will be more bleeding because of her pregnancy. *shudder* Don’t want to think of that.

Therefore, I think my bf will have an “I –told-you-so” attitude. He will ask me to fork up the RM2 for transfer fees online instead of the hassle of transferring personally. But, I told him, the banks are hardly few minutes’ walking distance away and of course, it is good exercise to walk around!! Why give the bank more money!?!

Sigh, so as the world market and big giant financial institution come falling down, a simple individual like me just falls down at getting some moolahs.

How embarrassing and insignificant this may sound but my physical flesh and pride was bruised. Hence I amplified it here. Why ar? Silly woman.. :P

White and red season

“Here, it is infused with the white weddings from the western culture and the traditional Chinese red weddings of luck and customs.”

My friends have started the ball rolling and the season of attending wedding dinner is here. For this year itself, I have 6 weddings to attend (Attended 3 already). Next year so far, there are 2 confirmed dinners too and suspected a few more.

I recalled at incident with my older course mate who was at my age now, a few years back. She was telling me almost every weekend, she had weddings to attend. I was like so puzzled. Now I know... It is just around the age most women settle down in our culture.

Sometimes we get so busy with attending all these dinners. Then I remember it is their special day; the day of a girl’s dream of lovely white lace and delicious cream cakes with her love of her life. She dreams the perfect wedding to the smallest details and hopes for her prince charming to lead her to a blissful married life together.

However it is she will be very busy and occupied on her special day.

We can just support her and wish her all the best. Take lovely pictures and drink toast to their happiness. And of course, bully the groom’s best men to do silly stunts at the very start before we hand over the bride to the groom. Ha! Ha! The reason for this custom is explained here.

Therefore, to me, weddings are a celebration of the declaration of two different individuals committed to be a team together in marriage. A commitment to love, comfort, honour and protect the other, and forsaking all others, to be faithful to your partner as long as you both shall live. The Marriage Vows.

The famous vow used in movies is this: "To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer,till death do us part."

I toast to you “Mistletoe” to a long, loving and “fruitful” marriage to the man of your dreams. May you mature out of your innocent youth to the beautiful supportive women you can be as he takes your hand in marriage.

Take note specifically to the word “fruitful” as in I need little flower girls or a little boy for a ring bearer for my wedding in future. :P

Be patient, kind and loving and fret not when it gets exasperating, for two individuals will be different. It takes the patience from an understanding mature woman to hold firmly on to her believes and subtly nudge her partner towards the success she sees in him. ;p

After all, the phrase “behind every successful man lies a woman” doesn’t come out of from nowhere. Have a blessed marriage together, my dear friend.

Special Occasion

How do you celebrate a special occasion?

A special meal i.e. candle-light dinner?
An expensive posh fine dining?
A special outing to a nice romantic spot?
A special trip to somewhere memorable?
A luxurious gift to commemorate the day?
Throw a pie at the face? :p

Sigh. I am having the “ideas” blues. I am giving myself a hard time to think of doing something special for a special someone’s day. *ahem*

Obviously, it will go unappreciated but I am the type of person who likes to take this opportunity to celebrate birthdays (usually not mine.. but others.)

I cannot throw a surprise party to someone who is not sporting. Besides, no venue to hold it and I don’t have all his friends’ contact.

I cannot buy something nice for someone because I did once, and he literally didn’t accept and gave it back to me. I learned to drag that person to the shop and ask him to choose himself or at least agree on what I choose, albeit reluctantly.

I cannot buy what he desires because it is WAY above my budget and not practical for his age. You know-lah- Guy’s IT gadgets…. Never-ending upgrades, never lasting (obsolete the next day) yet it is a “must-have”!!
Even though he has another version of it, it’s always a “MUST HAVE” to get the latest one… (rolling my eyes)

Hence, how do you show your appreciation to someone on this special occasion? Alas, I resort to handmade stuff and hope he’ll like it.

“I am not a cheapskate but I haven’t anymore ideas what to get for you!!”

Oh well; in the meantime, enjoy being an "older man" with creaking bones and squiggly wrinkly lines all over your face. MUAHAHAHAHA! (evil laugh)

Happy birthday, my dearest! Hope you liked the pre-birthday lunch of porky! :p

Food review
Ms A recommended this place to have our mini-cheese party. I decided to check out the place at the last minute first for this special lunch.

I only googled it this morning to choose the dishes. I ordered the wrong appetiser which was supposed to be the "Caramelised roast pork" which now I found out it's actually "caramelised siew yok" as reviewed here.

Quite delectable dishes. The appetisers: The sauteed mushrooms is ok-la; nothing to shout about while the deep fried pork strips was a nice snack with its dip.

The main course: the BBQ pork ribs has the extra zest from the lemon but it was little "chau ta"/overcooked. Of course, we finished it clean minus some sauce and veggies. My bf only praised the mashed potato.

I had to try "tiramisu" because of its interesting description. Ermm.. something about finger biscuits soaked in somesort of cheese and liqour with coffee on top. (Sorry I cannot remember the description). It was all right, not too rich but again, nothing to kill for. :p

Over all, the meal was all right. We were the only one there for lunch Perhaps if we were to visit it in the evening with the crowd and ambience plus no limited time (lunch time), the magic of the place might seduced us to praise the food further. But I have yet to try the cheese platter!! Next!

Haircut Horror Part 1

I felt like going for a haircut since it has grown rather long. The last time I had a haircut; it turned out to be a horrible mullet with puffy crown. It was not cheap since I did it right before a festive holiday: Chinese New Year.
Plus, my colleagues had a good laugh whenever they looked at me then. Not to mentioned my bf who smartly commented that I look like MacGyver.... *grumble*

Yes, I have all sort of haircut stories to share with you since I have tried a varied of hairstylist of different ages in many different locations.

Let us start with the latest.

Actually I was quite aghast by the “professional treatment”. I received 3 insults and a quick cut.

1st insult
I told him I did not want a hairstyle which would require a lot of effort as he was suggesting a style which requires some wax to make the hair stay at certain angle. I admitted I was lazy for such a hassle and the hairstylist replied, “I can see that.” (Ouch…)

2nd insult
While consulting me on the right hairstyle for me, he commented that some people’s forehead didn’t turn out well, so cannot have certain hairstyle….. (Ouch)

3rd insult
The hairstylist showed me a haircut in the magazine which he proudly claimed was done by him. He said, “I can give you the same haircut. The girl’s face is chubby, you know.” (The hairstyle didn't show that she has a chubby face. (OUCH! ….)

What more can I say?

After a few snips in a few minutes, he left me to entertain other customers without saying a word.

He snip the over-thin end of my hairs a little. Then he gave me a new look by giving me a side part and snip it a little. And that was it!

Oh yeah, he did mentioned if I maintained my middle-parting hair, it'll look like I'm balding when I get older.. *Ouch*.. Unless of course, you look like these women...

Oohh, I found an interesting article on the meaning of parting your hair here.

That is my RM45 professional haircut plus wash and a little head cum neck massage.

Not to forget RM8 for using special shampoo since I have oily scalp. That makes it RM53.

Conclusion, my friend said he is a professional that is why it was quick. But did I really deserve those insults? Even though it is true but you don’t have to be so rude and hurtful to the customer! *sniff*

Other than that, the shampoo girl was thoughtful and nice while pushing products to me. (All hair saloons do that).

After both their complaints on my oily scalp, I decided to drop by Shins and grab a bottle of balancing shampoo in hopes of balancing the oil in my scalp to reduce the oiliness of my hair. (Mind you, RM66 bottle of shampoo all the way from Italy.)

And that’s just a day of hair care which cost me RM119. Thankfully, I wasn’t talked into having a hair treatment yet.

Therefore, my friend, how can I have "perfect-in-place well-groomed hair"? I shall try...

Beauty

How do you define beauty?

At first glance of a person, where do you look at? His eyes? Her hair? Her chest? His smile? Her legs? His butt?

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”

Very true, in fact it is a subjective description. But majority will agree on a beauty when she passes by.

Personally, to me, a person can be strikingly seen as beautiful if he or she fulfills these basic requirements.

1. Healthy, glowing, blemish-free skin.
2. Perfect-in-place well-groomed hair
3. Attractive facial features enhanced with makeup
4. Smartly dress and killer shoes
5. Little details in well chosen accessories

What do you think of that? It does make sense right?

I like the impression given by impeccably dressed individuals. That's why lawyers look smart. Despite knowing this, I can’t seem to apply it to myself.

I have been working in a laid back office and have been a little too shabby these days.

Perhaps I should follow this list of mine to look at. I’ll separate it out in 5 different entries which explains the works of it later.

In the meantime, everyone will agree this is Beauty. :p

As in "Beauty" or Belle, from Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast.

BearS BearS

Never really fancied plush toys to the max except little adorable ones or collector's item (i.e. my little Gizmo plush toy all the way from the US... thank you, Siew Li!!); unlike Ms. C and her inseparable collection of "Forever Friends" bears... ;)

(Oh yeah, Gizmo is the adorable creature from the movie Gremlins who will turn into the hideous Gremlin-monster if it is fed with food after midnight).

Hence, I was quite surprised when I found the Paddington bear, which is available in Guardian pharmacy appealing to me. I can always remember Paddington bear in his blue trench coat and red hat. :)

Guardian, a pharmacy outlet were doing promotion to entice customers to spend more money again by spending a certain amount to collect stamps. RM25 per stamp to be exact. You could own a Paddington bear for free after collecting certain amount of stamps. This bear collection is in conjunction with its 50th year anniversary.

The bear I was eyeing cost 45 stamps or 20 stamps and roughly RM45. I somehow managed to get enough stamps with my mum buying some toiletries and opted the second option. Hence, I bought myself a Paddington bear today!

I would have preferred the one with his trademark blue trench coat and red hat but it was a little small to my liking. This bear is 16" high unlike the other which is only 12".

Don't know what got into me. :)

Next, I bought a Roly Bear from Hallmark. I couldn't google much info on this bear but the salesgirl in the shop did mentioned that this bear is from the states. It is the only standing bear available as the body is made of foam and there are bean chips (like in the bean bag) in its feet.

However, the reason I bought it was because it has a little feature which reminds me of someone else's. It has a nicely round foamy tush. Ha! I bought it for that person who ungratefully didn't accept the gift. So it stands proudly on my table with its little tush out. :)

Therefore, I might fall for plush toys for different reasons. Though not the entire collection but one or two meaningful ones!

The “Wicked Witch” of the Administration Department

Imagination running wild…

Say, you’re “little Dorothy”. You just arrived in a strange place.
You’re no longer at home in Kansas anymore.
You’re at work.

At work, you meet all sorts of characters from the “Cowardly Lion” to the “Heartless Robot”.

But worse, there’s the “Wicked Witch” of the Admin. Department who picks and torments you with unnecessary self-made rules which the bosses didn’t say anything about. (FYI, the elderly office secretary).


E.g. I am not allowed to have my client consultants meeting in the office’s meeting room. She even told my client off that the office’s meeting room is always occupied. (In truth, the meeting room is used once a day or none.)

I didn’t need her to make any drinks for the guest or even clear the meeting room after my meeting. I even asked permission directly from the boss to use the room since the client wanted the meeting there.

My boss told me everyone can use the meeting room but we just have to book it. I did book the room but she didn't even let me book the room, unless I personally ask the boss myself. This has been happening for a year.

Sigh.. the client is not even mine.. it is the office’s!! Sheeeeshhh… I was merely doing my job!

Therefore, sometimes I just wish I could sing this song..

"The wind began to switch - the house to pitch
and suddenly the hinges started to unhitch.
Just then the Witch - to satisfy an itch
went flying on her broomstick, thumbing for a hitch"

And oh, what happened then was rich.
The house began to pitch.
The kitchen took a slitch.
It landed on the Wicked Witch in the middle of a ditch,
Which was not a healthy situation for the Wicked Witch.

The house began to pitch. The kitchen took a slitch.
It landed on the Wicked Witch in the middle of a ditch,
Which was not a healthy situation for the Wicked Witch.
Who began to twitch and was reduced to just a stitch of what was once the Wicked Witch."

The song can be found in this clip from The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland. Enjoy!


Then, you wish you can just click your ruby slippers together 2 times and say, “There’s no place like home” and magically, "puff", you are safely back home.

Take note, this does not mean I wish harm on the "wicked witch" mentioned here. But, sometimes, the emotions of dissatisfaction and puzzlement of such a treatment makes me go "Arggghh.." Especially when it happens all the time!! (It must be the works of a secret society to torment me..)

Anyway, thinking of this little musical makes me laugh and forget about the disappointed treatment I received from this person who I thought was a friend.

Oh well... then I sing this little tune and grin. :)
"The house began to pitch. The kitchen took a slitch.
It landed on the Wicked Witch in the middle of a ditch.."

God's Grace

I didn't quite understand this term at first. I thought it only meant the general blessing we receive daily.

Then, in my BSF homework, it discussed about the Parable of the Talents.

"Talent" here is not meant literally the natural abilities we have but the weigh of goods in different amounts to the servants in this parables.

Take note, this is my own reinterpretation.

There were 3 servants who were given different goods by their master, as follows in order: 5 talents, 2 talents and 1 talents.

The first 2 servant put the money to work and gained back double the original amount. The last servant went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money without doing anything with it.

When the master returned and met up with all the servants, he was pleased with the first two faithful servants and rewarded them with higher responsibilities. However, the master was displeased with the last servant and took the 1 talent and gave it to the first servant with 10 talents.

(Refer to Matthew 25:14-29)

Conclusion?
Hebrew 12:15 says "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." (NIV)

Hence, personally, I felt the one-talent man missed God's grace from his distrust and perhaps bitterness rooted within him. He did not trust God's grace to increase the talent and in fear, he hid the money in the ground.

His lack of faith has robbed him of God's grace and blessings.

In this case, I think sometimes we must take that leap of faith and believe in Christ. If not, we will never experience His grace and whatever "treasures" we have will still be buried in the ground or worse, taken away...

Therefore, Carpe Diem!

Take this moment now to tell God that you really believe in Him and invite Him into your life.

You will never regret it as you experience the peace, love and God's grace! :)

I googled this...

Back to work...

Grooaannnn...

It's back to work for me. I am so reluctant to go to sleep and wake up to work tomorrow.... Imagine the traffic jam on the first day of everything after a long week break..

*groann*

I am proud to announce I have done NOTHING much to be proud of!! :)
I have eaten, slept, lazed around and facebooked away! ha ha ha

Pathetic... but it feels good to feel like a "student" again with all the late nights watching Japanese animes (I have watched 3 and a half series- the last one 51 episodes!!) and waking up when the sun has burnt my butt!!

Here comes work and reality. I have yet to finish my submission drawings and it's due tomorrow for a pre-check by the client. *impending doom* Hope my colleagues are up to the challenge of a rushing-day after 2 weeks of daydreaming and holidaying!

Wish me luck! (I need it!!)

Furry Friends...

Pets... It started out as rabbits for me in primary school. These cuddly furry creatures would be placed into the basket in front of my bicycle and I would cycled around the neighbourhood with them. (No, they did not fall off. One at a time.)

Of course, there were other pets around but the rabbits belonged exclusively to me. Don't get me started on how they multiplied. My mum would help me sell them and give me the profits from the sale. It is kind of a loss since the food we spend on them is wayyyyy more than the few ringgit we sell them away for. But since, they multiplied too fast- bye-bye baby rabbits. :(

There were horror stories too. One day my mum came back and found baby rabbit heads in the cages. The menacing neighbour's cats had gotten its greedy paws on them. She cleared them without letting me see the mutilated baby rabbits.

There were also missing rabbits... where they fall into a black hole and we never could find them.

I have pictures of them somewhere, just have to find them. Later.

When the rabbit mob grew too much, dad said, "Off with their heads!" (So to speak when Queen of Hearts wanted to get rid of Alice in Wonderland)

No... but off they were sold or given away as their stench grew stronger in larger numbers. Bye... *sob*

Kitty..
Then, in secondary school, my mum smuggled back a little kitten for me. (Smuggled is used because actually the "king of the house" is not too fond of pets) Despite this, my brothers and I have many different pets while growing up. :)

My mum brought back a little tabby female kitten in this little box. She could easily have fitted into a mug. What did I name her? Kitty? Ha ha.. lack of creativity at that moment.

She fed on dry food, and grew up prettily and proud. Whenever, I come home from school, she would come to me and sat on my lap; purring away while I gave her a nice rub. Then off she goes, minding her own business and ignoring everyone. (Erm, pets are supposed to follow their owner's behaviour but I don't think I'm like that!!)

As I live in a neighbourhood infested with cats; stray and home-breed, the inevitable came. She got pregnant. Despite us locking her up in the room whenever she was in heat, she got herself into trouble. She gave birth two 2 kittens; one lovely still born and one lively pitch black kitten. That was it, my dad say, "One was enough - two was a 'no-no'".

As I was going to take my exams and have no time or was I going away to study, I cannot recall now. Again, my cat and her robot-like kitten was given away. I called the kitten robot-like because she couldn't stand properly on our slippery floor. The kitten had to walk very robot-like. It was so funny.
So there ended my furry friends story as a teenager...

My own Charmz..

Last month, I was into charm bracelets. Nowadays, when I go out, I noticed charms everywhere. In fact, here in Bt. Tinggi Aeon Jusco itself has 3 or more outlets selling them as bracelets, necklaces, etc. I bought myself the chair charm to complete my very own Charmz Bracelet.

Here it is. Simple and cheaper than buying one. Although I can't vouch the quality of the silver like some of the sellers do. It cost me below RM35 to make this. The chair and heart charms were the most expensive. The key and lock charm was reasonably priced. Sorry about the poor photography though.

Last time, I bought 3 pairs of earrings for RM10. There was this particular earrings which I didn't like and was thinking of giving away. It was just all beady and too "plasticy".

As if a brilliant idea came about, I mutilated it and added some feather charms I bought the other day to it. Below is my first pair of earring creation.

How is it? I should have taken a before-and-after picture of it. Too bad..

That’s all folks…

Remember watching Merry Melodies cartoon as a child? The cartoons have characters like Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, Tweety Bird, etc. If you remembered, you must be an 80’s baby like me.
Anyway, I would like you to recall what happens at the end of the cartoons. Bugs bunny or Porky Pig will appear and say “That’s all folks”. That’s their trademark closing of the cartoon.


Sitcoms also have interesting trademark closing for their shows. The one I can name off-hand are like lines with“Sit bo bo, sit. Good dog.” (Guess what show?)

The older black and white movies have the countdown to screening in numbers. Hmm… what show as that. I vaguely remember the style was that way last time.

This brings me to movies. Notice movies with a lion roaring at the beginning? That means it is produced by Metro Goldwyn Mayer.
There's also 20th Century Fox with their bold letters.
There is Mandalay movies with the tiger image.
Dreamworks has the scene of the child fishing by the lake at night with the crescent moon shining.

What about slightly modified openings/introduction to sitcoms like Simpsons? Bart will always write a different line on the chalkboard in detention and the Simpsons family will gather together to watch TV in interesting ways. I always take extra effort to catch this extra “quips”.

Pixar uses their first mini animation as their opening trademark: the lamp jumping on their logo word.
They go the extra length with creating a short animation at the beginning of their movies. You can get the collection in DVD nowadays in store. I love their short animation like the cheeky snowman in the snowball. See how he struggle and connive to escape the snowball to meet the mermaid in the aquarium.


They even give animations a movie-feel with “out-takes” at the end of the movie. Nowadays, movie-makers really make you come early to the movies and stay back till after the rolling credits.

Disney opening scene is like this:


These movies create a trademark at the beginning of their movie. It’s just like the golden arches equivalent to Mc Donalds and the stroke sign meaning Nike. There is also LV meaning class and luxury with Louis Vuitton.

Well, then, what about you yourself? What is your trademark?

When I was young, my desire was to popularise my initials “JC”. After all, I noticed many famous people has the same initials: Jesus Christ (most important figure), John Calvin, Jackie Chan, etc.

How proud I was then... These days, I still have a little dream of just branding “JC” to some sort of image which can make Jesus Christ proud. Ha ha.. That doesn’t mean JC Donuts or JC Eye Shop or JC anything .

But something, profoundly meaningful, distinct and outstanding… (I didn’t say it has to be like me!! )