30.03.2009 - Again something NEW

After 6 months waiting, finally I seal the agreement. I was so indecisive whether should I get it now or later, but after going through all the hassle for the past few days, I think it is time for me to enjoy what I have earned so far. Although I will be tied for years for the installment, yet I think it is still worth for living. After being pushed several times by the sales person from Toyota, finally I choose to take the car. I call off at last minute last Thursday but was told by the Sales person it is too late as everything is in order and car has arrived. Initially I thought of getting rid of her but after thinking of it again and again, well, I really love to have the car and if I would to reject the car now, she might probably in trouble since everything is in place and so sudden I withdraw my purchase. Yes it sound silly but I admitted it is my mistake because I gave her my verbal confirmation that I'll take the car and promise to pay her the down payment on that day too. So, it leave me no choice but to pay her a visit to get all the document done . By next day, I pay her all the balance and attend the JPJ registration at 10am. Ya again I spend for my car number; initially I thought of leaving to my luck for any number that being given but after knowing that current running number only in 3 digits which starts with '4', then I change my mind. Hahahaha... I got PJD99xx. 8883 is what I want but was taken. By Monday evening, I was told that my car is ready for collection. What a surprise! Luckily I manage to dismantle all the accessories of my old car otherwise I might have to give it free to Toyota Top Mark; trade in division. I even give away my sport rim and 4 brand new tires to my god brother whom is driving Persona. The rim well fit in his car and look even better compared to mine. Take a look at my brand new car. Will post more picture in my next blog.

28.03.2009 - Everything is OKAY

I don't know why I hate going to hospital; is it normal or it is just me that kind of weird little monster? After knowing the outcome of my blood test, it is really tough to accept it than saying I can. Although I know this will come, but I never expect that soon. Be honest, I was like loosing myself in everything and realising that I have to let it go and accept it as it should be. As advised by the doctor, I pre-arranged a visit to 1 of the famous cardiologist in Penang on Saturday to get a proper examination. By that time, I already let things go and accepting it positively. It is a bit of rush where we need to go to the clinic to obtain a recommendation letter and then to the private hospital in Penang. Since the private hospital is only 1/2 day on Saturday, that really makes us rushing from 1 place to another. The hassle of getting registered and clearance for Guarantee Letter from my insurance company really an add on to how trouble it is to be in the hospital. Surprisingly the hospital is more crowded than Queensbay Mall Shopping Centre. Instead of getting the customer service office of the hospital to handle the insurance matter, I did it by myself. After everything is done, we are ready to be examine by the doctor at anytime. The queue is really killing. Waiting to be examined really makes me worries more than before. But I never stop laughing at myself when I notice most of the patience that are waiting along with me are elderly aged; and I am the only young man that sitting together with them. Hahaha... So they send me to ECG test, Ultrasound and then finally stress test. And what really surprise me is, I am healthy and no indication shows that I have heart problem. Strange! If so, why is that specific test reading shoot to extremely level? Doctor says, unexplainable, it could be stress, fever, etc. but yet it cannot be defined why this happen. Doctor even recommended me to take supplement of folid acid regularly and retest my blood after a month to see if there is any improvement. Well if such, Do you think I care?

26.03.2009 - iPhone Maniac

After months waiting, finally they have launched the iPhone. Although it comes with package that have to tie the subscribers, it never stop me from getting 1 from Maxis retail shop. Knowing being not so fit anymore in my blood test result, I've decided to cheer up and pampering myself with this wonderful gadget. Some call it as excuse but I say... I rather enjoy it now. No one knows what is going to happen tomorrow. Although it gonna cost me a lot, I don't mind spending just to make myself happy and entertaining.

I ran to the nearest retail shop and quickly subsribe to 1 of the iValue pack that needs me to pay for the set at the amount of MYR1900 + MYR200 for the advance payment. When the phone reached my palm, I was like... finally... I got it! The phone look classy, slim and elegant. The 8Gig 3G model comes in black series with complete accessories such as ear phone, manual and of course the charger adaptor and USB cable. I started to play with the features from that moment onward until the end of the day. Some of my friends says I am really nuts! hahaha.. indeed I am.

Seriously I was hoping to forget about my blood test result. I am too worried about my mom and feel unfair that why this comes at my current age? So, I took back the set and begin my lies to my mom that the phone cost me MYR700 to 800 only with signed contract for a year. If I tell her the real figure, I bet she is going to nag at me. Being lost awhile I sat and think over and over again and noted that my Sony C905 model was bought last year during the month of November, and now I am replacing it with iPhone on March??? Yes this is really a waste! I did regret a bit after awhile but it never stop me from enjoying with the features. I download and synchronized all the data and trying so hard to adopt to the new ways of calling and sms. To me, it is still worth the price for some nice gadget like this. I can watch movies, listen to songs, games, surfing and now MSN Messaging. Huh.. I can't wait to have full day sitting with my little iPhone.

24.03.2009 - What?

I went to a leadership course last week and was told about a phrase from an old lady in a small village. It goes like this.... 'kalau manusia tak ada masalah, itu panggil mayat'... Is that really true? See, I am not trying to be negative, but if that phrase is true, then why are we here in this world? Just to solve problems? See, early in the morning, we brush our teeth to avoid it from getting damage, we eat to avoid hungry, we work to earn for living, we find solution to company's problems, we eat again to avoid gastric, we rest to gain power and energy, we go back to keep the family happy, we sleep to get ourselves charged.... in other words, whatever we do is just a problem solving. On top of that although we take good Care of ourselves yet other things may haunt us!

I was ill since last week due to a bad diet while I was in KL for training. It is my own bad for not looking after myself properly on my food and also skipping my breakfast and late dinner. I suffered a severe gastric pain; where it is really unbearable and uncomfortable in any means. I tried to sit, walk and even lye down on the bed but it never stop me from the pain, until the extend of suffocate. I was in the planned to drive out to the nearest hospital and admit myself in there after failing to adjust myself to the comfort zone, but somehow I managed to take the pain till the next following day. I quickly ran to the clinic to get it examined but was told it is a normal gastric. I demanded the doctor to scrutinize me but was told that it could be due to H.Pylori. Doctor recommended me to go for a full blood test which includes the Pylori test just to make sure that it is confirmed before treatment since most of the pain I gone through is more a less similar to the H.Pylori symptoms. I waited for the result with great pains in my stomach and before it was released, I visited the doctor again since the pain persist on top of the medication she prescribed to me 2 days before. But this time, I really aware that it is not really a gastric but stomach that filled with air. I was given another medicine and this time it works well than before.

The waiting period was actually tensed, That is why it keeps me chasing the doctor for my blood test result and then finally it arrived on Tuesday. I took an early off for the day with full of worries driving to the clinic hoping for a good blood test result, but of course I am expecting something with my stomach since gastric pain is no longer a stranger to me. The doctor was quite calm when reading my result, and I was pretty surprise that I am very fine when she briefed me about the result for the first 2 pages. It was a relaxed moment when doctor says everything was fine which includes my stomach; that is means a negative reading on my H.Pylori. I was recommended by the doctor earlier that if H.Pylori is negative, a scoping in my esophagus is required since I frequently involve in gastric pain most of the time. Seriously I am quite agree with it although I hate going to hospital but after all the pain that I have gone through, well, I think it is time for me to have a check rather than going through the pain from time to time. So, while doctor continuing her chapters, nothing seems to be interesting until she says 'BUT' which drawn my attention.

She says, my Homocyteine Studies shows a very serious reading. WHAT is that? That is what I asked her directly... yes.. I say 'what the hell is that'??? She says again, Homocysteine Study on Serum Homocysteine and C-Reactive Protein shows a very bad reading. Serum Homocysteine is 18 umol/L (normal 5 - 15 umol/L) while C-Reactive Protein is 6.5 mg/L (normal <1> 3 mg/L & serious >5 mg/L). It sounds funny with all the medical terms but to me, I know it is serious because the doctor that briefed me looks very serious about this. I keep on asking her what is this all about and the only thing she can says is, they are well known as marker / indicator of potentially high risk of heart problem. Although I am prepared but it really put me into a shock! Even though I am active in sports and avoiding oily things, and yet this is still indicating I am at high risk of another heart patient? Well, it is not a confirmation but somehow a marker that shows I am in the high risk of getting one, that is why doctor strongly recommended me to be examined by the cardiologist soonest I can. This is really a damned. Although I am quite active in sports, yet this shit is still run in my blood! Well, I guess it is in our family gene I guess..... This is really a shock! I am totally lost!

20.03.2009 - My Stupidity

Getting to know someone special is everyone’s dream especially life partner. To me, although I’ve being pressured badly by my surrounding friends and relative, it never makes me feel tempted at all. But of course it is sad to be alone at all time without being concerned or accompany especially during bad times.

Meeting people is part of my profession, especially when I start having my presentation, introduction and exchanging name cards session. Most of these people on the big meeting desk are from executives levels to directors. Initially I don’t really like what I am doing but after sometimes, I enjoy it very much. Believe it or not, a highly paid persons needs to bow to some lowly paid like me. Worst of all, sometimes they ask for our advice.

So, there is once I get to attend a company in Perak; a small processing factory which I need to visit their process, evaluate their compliance and of course holding couple of meetings. Throughout my service in this company for 11 years, this is my very first time getting involve in some agricultural products, talking to bunch of China Man’s ways of dealing with business. But the most wonderful about the trip is getting to know and make friends with their staffs.

I was enjoying my trip this time as I stupidly fall in love with someone; I guess should rephrase it as ‘love at first sight’. Nothing is special that time but her character and looks really attract my attention. We are quite close and able to click to each other most of the time. Although language is our barrier (Cantonese & Hokkien) but it never stop us from keep on talking and knowing each other further than concentrating on what we are suppose to do on that day. Biologically, we are in love like a dream. Since I am on my assignment, therefore I could not go further except putting more concern on my job than thinking of getting close with her. By the time I wrap up my meeting with her, we went out for dinner and than waving to each other for good bye. Her smile really embedded deep in my heart; I told myself, I need to know her more!

After couple of times on the phone, we started to have feels to each other. We talk everything except our background! I started to question her about her background but none was replied; that really makes me curious. I turn to her friend several time seeking for help if there is anything behind her that she so mind to share with me but I was warned not to put feeling towards her because there is something that she lied to me. I persuaded her friend so many times to tell me what it is all about but to no avail. Seriously I am so mad about her friend but somehow I can sense it that it is difficult for her to back stab her friend to someone she knew for couple of days.

I decided to confront her personally and demand for her answer since someone has enlightened me about her lies but she refuse to elaborate further except denying it. After several times of asking, arguing about this topic and ignoring her calls and message, she finally hinted me that I will not like her if she would to unveil about her past. Well, says what you want but to me as long you are lying, you are not a right person to be friend with. I am a simple person, should you being rape before, divorcee or anything which we call as “PAST’; it is then a ‘past’! I was frustrated for several days after knowing she is not honest to me after months being on the phone; as such I choose to ignore her totally and forget about her existence. She tried to hard to call me for days until I can no longer upholding my words; I answered her call and started to talk to her rudely. I use vulgar and harsh words just to chase her away but none was successful. She is so patient and humble although I’ve throw her words that none of woman in this world would accept it. It force me to go on soft, but it never stop me from asking what is going wrong with her and why she needs to lie to me? It is so funny when I realized that during that period of ignoring her calls, I miss her so much and thinking of calling her just to hear her voice. So, after several times persuading, she finally tells me that she is married with 3 children, and the 3rd is on the way; i.e. pregnant. My heart crushed to pieces when I heard that! I was like… shocked and blunt for seconds. But after digging for more, her later part claimed that she has only 2 kids. What a big damn liar.

In my life, I hate woman that flirting with married man and man that flirting with people’s wife. And why am I one of them? Although I am just a victim, I still feel that I am part of this stupid scandal and realizing how stupid I am to fall into her trap. After knowing her lies, it puts me alert and is more vigilant to everything she had talked to me and to scrutinize everything that she claimed to be. Everything she says doesn’t seem to be consistent and accurate. 3 times I asked 3 types of answers I received. Seriously I really don’t know what her objective is. And in what reason that makes her be so wild, playful and uncivilized? I can feel the warm when I stood around her, somehow her character and the way how she treat a man that makes me feel comfortable to be with her.
For example yesterday; she insisted to fetch me at the hotel in KL and send me to the KLIA. Initially I turn her down but after she insisted several times, I decided to allow her to drive me there. She is so close to me while we are walking in the airport approaching the counters, and on some occasion we clashed to each other and ended up holding hand and looking at each other like lovers while having our drinks. I gave her a big hug before she leaves the airport; and that is my biggest mistakes. I tried to control myself but I failed because I already fall to her since the day one knowing her. My heart beat twice faster than usual! She realized that! Seriously I am telling myself, I am so stupid to fall in love with her, to be with someone that lied to me and still lying till now, I am hugging someone’s wife, I am falling to someone’s traps, etc. If you ask me what I want from her; I can tell you straight ahead; Love but not Sex. This is man, if the man wants sex when seeing you, that is not love but fun.

Well, I don’t think it is worth to spare a space for her in my heart. I choose to cut a piece of her in my heart away although it cause me a pain rather than causing a severe pain later part. I don’t want to ruin people’s family and I don’t want to be punished for what I have done in my next life. I believe time will heal my wound. 1 word to describe about me… stupid! This is what I call retribution!

14.03.2009 - Walk Walk in Penang

Easy going Saturday! I am so lazy on Saturday! I wish to sleep as late as I can, just somehow the feels of getting up to accompany mom pushing me hardly from my bed. I took a cold shower that morning to fresh-up myself since I still can feel that I am floating while walking. Breakfast was not prepared that day; which is a hint from my mom that she wanted to go out rather than having it in the house. As a tease, I ask her where she planned to have her breakfast and she replied 'up to you'! So... since there is no plan, why not drive around and search for food in Butterworth, Penang? I quickly change and depart from our house about 11 am. We ended up at the Raja Uda's Chow Chuen Dim Sum; just nice for brunch. Nothing is cheap nowadays, just few dish of dim sum cost me MYR30.00; 2 person huh!

So, with full stomach, I decided to take her for a walk in Penang island since we already out from house. It looks a bit silly if to drive down from Kedah to Penang for brunch and then back home after that; so I drive down to Penang Island for some side seeing. We start with the Penang Art Museum next to the St George Church; which cost us MYR1 per entry. It look nice from outside with antique cars but after we enter into the museum, we are a bit regret. Seriously there is nothing inside there except photographs with long long stories. Even the foreign tourist are seems disappointed. We took less than 20 minutes to finish everything in the museum.

While waiting for 3pm for next destination in Cheong Fatt Tze mansion which is approx. 100 meters away, we decided to pull over at coffee shop to take a short break since the weather is so damn hot. By 245pm we started a slow walk back to the mansion and waited till 3pm for the tour guide to take us inside the historical house of Cheong Fatt Tze. The house is amazing! 111 years old house and yet it is still in good working order. Although it is already being refurbished, the house structure are still as strong as before which can gives you the feel of being back to 19 centuries. The doors, balcony, frames, roof, courtyard, rooms, etc. are amazingly designed and build with all the ancient Chinese's structure and styles. Doors, windows and walls that are made of woods completes with frames that are carved with flowers, words, dolls, animals, etc. It is really a piece of work that no one else can do it in our century nowadays. I just can't imagine how long does that wood carver took to get it done! Well, although the tour guide was a bit over react, it never distract us from getting into the story of the owner as well as how wonderful / miracle the house is. Painted all in indigo blue, I have being wondering what makes a Chinese that painting their house in blue since blue is not really a Chinese's choice of color. Behind the story which is explained everything by the tour guide, the house is has 220 windows, 38 rooms, 7 staircase and 5 courtyard. Every part of te house are designed and constructed carefully with all Feng Shui elements. The water and winds are the major elements in this house. We are expecting to be guided all over the house since we are paying MYR12 per entry but to our disappointment, the owner of the house disallow us to photographs it and to get into all the area in the house except the courtyard, balcony and ground floor. Although it is a nice place to go to, but think twice with the current owner and management, I will definitely won't go again or recommending someone else to pay a visit to this expensive mansion / house.

10.03.2009 - Peranakan Mansion Penang

Well, 10th is my mother's medical check up day. We got up early and reported to 2 hospitals in Penang island for her periodically medical check up. As usual, I have to burn my annual leave for that day then. I think it is worth since I am not only spending my time in the hospital but to somewhere I never plan of going; Pinang Peranakan Mansion. My first stop in the morning was Adventist hospital where sample of blood were drawn and then straight we headed to Mount Miriam hospital for registration and check up. While walking around in the hospital waiting for our turn, I spotted several leaflet that promotes the Penang historical places. I took few of it and start to browse them since it gonna take us hours waiting for our turn. Slip by slip through, I started to love this stuff especially realising 1 of the house was used for The Little Nyonya drama scenes. I quickly chase after the nurses in the hospital that I need to rush for something urgent which makes them putting me priority than others. We quickly get it done, and then to Adventist for another round of check up and got it done by 2pm. Before we start searching, we stop by 1 of the famous Capati Shop in Penang to fill up our stomach.

We then start searching in the Penang town looking for the Peranakan mansion street by streets since I am not that well verse with Penang area. After turn and turns; finally I manage to discover the wonder historical place that painted in apple green color ideally build up behind the OCBC Bank but it takes me 4 times turning around here and there just to search for a parking space; but I ended up parking at the illegal parking area; exactly at the junction. Do I have a choice? I just can't wait to visit that old house!

The mansion is really interesting and wonderful. It cost me MYR10 per entry with a tour guide that explain the culture and history of every corner of the mansion. The tour started off from the first floor of the mansion which covers the dining hall, living hall, prayers room as well as rooms. Although it looks small from the outside; it surprise me that the size of the house is 3 times bigger than I expected when I took a glimpse from outside. The tour were then to the ground floor where business hall, living hall, dining hall, kitchen, rooms and ancestor's prayers hall are well constructed with lots of handcraft such as wood carving and antiques dinnerwares & furniture. It can't be explained by words. Whoever owned the house during 1894 must be a very very rich man. MYR10 is worth to experience this. 32 years in Penang and only today I get to know how wonderful Penang is. I targeted to visit another mansion within this week. It is time to take a break during weekend and seeing something that I never have chance before.

06.03.2009 - Drama - The Little Nyonya

After months being away from dramas; I am now back on the track seeking for something that really extravagant and life kicking episodes. Something that can really keep me busy watching and eager for the next episode everytime it ends. Our last is... Moonlight Resonance & another one... name.... I can't recall. Both really gives me a shake while watching.

After awhile, I was told by my sister from Singapore that, the MediaCorp had released another earth shaking drama that can brings you right to the screen and scenes. By listening to those who managed to finished all the 34 earth shaking episodes; most probably from those Singaporeans; you wont stop searching for the Cds/DVDs/Tapes/Downloads. YES... it is 'The Little Nyonya'. Thanks to the creative producers, directors and not forgetting to all the good actors and actress. This is really an outstanding masterpiece I ever watched. The first episode already burried deep in my heart especially the introduction. The drama theme song and graphics that appears when it started gives me the warm welcome. The theme song was so matching with everything including every scene that it slotted in. The bitter and pain that going through by Yue Niang and her mother Ju Xiang really touching and can even makes you feel the same as she did. It nails deep inside my heart till my tears drop. That is why it keeps me watching 1 episode to the other until I reach the end. Like today; I start watching once I got up from bed and finished all the remaining 12 episodes by evening 7pm. I really don't know how to express it out anymore. 1 simple word to describe this drama... outstanding! Must watch DRAMA.

01.03.2009 - Man Made Oreo Cheese Cake

Now I realised, cooking or making pastries is actually a very nice hobby. Most of the time when someone trying to make something, I mean cakes they really happy seeing their masterpiece. Although it looks ugly or not successful, they still feel proud of themselves and keen to try again and again. The funny part is, no matter how ugly it is or how awful the taste is, it taste and look good to the maker. Trust me, it is true.

So, my Sunday is always similar always. Cleaning the house, washing my car and going to market to buy some vegetables. I got myself a very bad sun burn while washing my car although I didn't even feel hot at all. It is just 11am but somehow I got my whole body reddish and now painful when getting contact with anything. Especially carrying my notebook bag. Should have wear something while washing my car. So... after being busy for the day, I took a great lunch with mom and resting at the couch for half an hour. While wondering what can I do for the day, I started to get addicted again with my PSP. And then comes an idea to make oreo cheese cake. I believe none of anyone I know would believe I can cook or make pastries. Hahaha.. So I got myself up to the kitchen drawing out all the utensils and ingredients and start browsing those recipes my sister sent to me during CNY. After going through the recipe, I begin to realised that recipes are usually created for cakes that can accommodate or cater number of eater. But to me, I have 2 person in the house which is my mom and myself. How can I make a cake that big but for 2 of us? So, I decided to use the ingredients but to estimate the amount to be used to make the cake by myself instead of following exactly the amount stipulated in the recipe. Well, since this is my first time making cheese cake, why not give a try, in fact I did not expect it to be perfect since it is my first. So, I started to mix, beat, crush the biscuits, make the base and so on. The mixture seems wonderful and smooth while the base is perfectly done in the small tray. Within an hour, everything is done including cleaning the kitchen and the utensils. Believe me or not, the oreo cheese cake is perfectly done. Unbelievable. Take a look at the picture attached. It taste great and the texture is perfectly blended. I think I am overwhelmed. Well can't really blame me huh; like I said before, the maker always feel proud with what they made although it look ugly and tasteless. Well, my tester which is my MOM says 'unbelievable, your cheese cake is perfect; and it taste great'. Well, Can't really believe what she says, because she is the maker's mother. I believe if it taste bad, I don't think she would want to make me bad right? BUT, seriously, it taste great! Even my SIFU, my sister, she complimented my cheese cake looks great and presentable. So happy!

04.03.2009 - Lazy Market

Feel so lazy lately. Usually I love to write my days but now, I begin to feel bored and lazy to carry on. Anyway I should stay on what I have started. So.... time pass very fast. It is just like Chinese New Year last week and now, it is March 2009. Everything move so fast until we can't even catch up things.

Except economy that still stagnant till now. No movement seen so far except launching of VSS / retrenchment scheme at several factories in my area. Although the economy is not doing well, it doesn't seems to affect us at all; in fact it gives us more opportunity to explore the different part of market which is not really healthy to the down going market but a boost to our revenue. As you know this is strictly P & C, I can't really make any further comment about what we are doing but I can only says, we are now become a tool that used to eliminate contractors from major players in town which is bind with legal contract. Of course it will not sustain that long, but still it is a good boost to us during the bad time rather than doing nothing or thirst for business like others.

Thanks to the global recession. It gives our country a big impact day by day. Whatever happened in US is going to happen to us in another 6 months to come. Imagine how bad is US now and how bad is in our country. So whatever you hear in US is what we going to get in another 6 months to come. I really hope things are going well soon.