Rachel's purple dream

Tuesday, October 31, 2006 ~ 11:26 PM

Happy Halloween to us

Today is Halloween. It also marks the 2nd year that Kevin & I have been together. Since we didn't really have anything planned & I didn't wanna do something extravagant, we decided to have dinner at Sakae Sushi earlier since we both love Jap food. The pic below shows Kevin & I gobbling our temakis (mine was salmon & his was soft-shelled crab).

Kevin swallowing his salmon sashimi

After dinner, we went jalan-jalan in Subang Parade & then we went to yum char at Uncle Lim's kopitiam. Check out the amount of roti bakar we ordered :P

I gave Kevin the Official Arsenal Annual 2007 book (filled with illustrations & past matches write-ups & I dunno what else. I didn't actually read it when I bought it cuz I wouldn't understand any of it anyway. Besides, Kevin would dig anything Arsenal, haha!) And you know what he got me? LOL! An MP4 player which I can play in my car too! Wow, lovely! No, it's not an iPod. It'd prolly cost him a bomb if it were but I'm happy enough. I saw the bill... cost like RM260 :P The Arsenal book only cost me RM39.90 and I thought that was expensive for such a thin book :P But it's okay, it's the thought that counts, rite? Whatever makes my man happy la! Love him so much! =)

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Streamyx back to life

Was on leave today, granted by my boss, Mr. Gideon Lee last minute. Phew! Went to Perodua Service Centre in Bukit Raja industrial area to service my car this morning. Was so sleepy & tired. That was my stupid bored, sleepy look of the morning... haha!

Went with my mom and that's her in the pic below speaking to Encik Azizul - the Service Advisor or something. My mom was juz telling him what she wanted him to check on my car. My mom - the QA-er & QC-er. Hehehehe! That's why it's alwiz safer to bring her along. =)

After that, I fetched her to pay her Maxis bill and then headed off to send my car for a wash. Good oso la cuz lately it's been raining so my car got really dirty. Got the engine washed too. My car got snow washed. Lovely! But it rained in the evening anyhow.

Finally... the Streamyx in Klang is working fine!!! Server has been down since forever (forever started last Friday 27-10-06). Life without the internet was boring, borrringg, and BOOORRRIINNGG!!! Even one day without it seemed like an eternity. At least now life has a meaning again! =)

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Tough but worth it...

It's been two years today since Kevin & I have started dating. And I'd have to say it's been a tough journey full of ups & downs but I think it's worth it cuz I'm still crazy over him. I hope that I'll alwiz love him & that we'll have many more anniversaries to come. Oh ya, btw, Happy Halloween! =)

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Sunday, October 29, 2006 ~ 10:45 PM

Jamie's 2nd birthday party in New Paris!

Changed my bedsheets to blue yesterday (28th Oct at 1.56am) and then I literally showered my room with FeBreeze anti-bacterial to sanitize my room & make it smell good, hehe. So comfy in my room now! =)

Resting on the new fresh sheets!

Went to church with mom today (29th Oct) while Esther couldn't join us as she had classes today at Sunway Uni till 3pm. After Sunday service, we went for lunch with Aunt Brenda & Aunt Patsy (mom's old church friend). After that, I went back to gramps' to rest while mom went for Lessons from the King class.

My grandpa while he was resting beside me on the carpet

My grandma watching tv while resting on the lazy chair on my right side

Today was Jamie's 2nd birthday (the exact day) and we were supposed to celebrate with her at New Paris restaurant at SS2, PJ at 6.30pm. So I rested in gramps' place, chatting with them & watching TV, etc. Nice catching up! =) Then I went up to Kevin's place in USJ2 with my mom and met Esther there. So we all went in one car only.

We had dinner there, everyone was there... Aunt Chris & family, Uncle Heng & Uncle Choy with their families, Aunt Brenda, etc. We sat in two tables. Took lotsa pics but they were in Uncle Heng's digital camera & Sharon's analog camera. Esther & I forgot to bring ours, haha! :P Luckily tak kena marah from Sharon :P We all gave angpow to Jamie juz like what Sharon had instructed earlier. Below were the pics taken by my Sony Ericsson cam phone & one from Kevin's handphone (the smallest pic).

Esther & I

Kevin & I

This pic was taken in Yew Ee kindergarten ss2 after dinner

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Friday, October 27, 2006 ~ 12:56 AM

Mistreated

I know Kevin loves me very much & I totally adore that guy as well... but I can't help but feel a little (well, ALOT actually) sad & depressed cuz each time when there's an important event or celebration (i.e. my birthday, Christmas, etc) or something, I'll get disappointed.

Cuz he alwiz gets me something which I don't really like. I know that sounds really petty and all. But knowing he got me things which I deem useless & eyesores, makes me feel as if he's juz wasting his money getting me things I don't want.

Yeah, so you say tell him straight or hint strongly to him what I want right? He still doesn't get the hint and sometimes even if I told him, he would still get the wrong stuff. LOL! Talk about silly guys who don't listen and who think they know it all! :P Male chauvinist pigs!

So now he tells me that he'll give me the money to get me my own presents instead. Ya, I don't mind that cuz it'll sure save alot of headache for him and heartache for me, lol! But I juz feel this relationship lacks creativity & sensitivity. There's no element of surprise here (well, only good surprises are acceptable to me). Every once in a while, I would like to get swept off my feet too by sweet surprises by my guy. But no, it doesn't happen like that in reality, at least not to me! Sigh! Therefore, I dread each birthday, Christmas, dating anniversary, etc now cuz I know I'll juz end up being disappointed.

Yeah, so you say talk to him about these feelings and try to talk it through like every healthy couple do, right? So I did, and still do, and he blows up at my face everytime. He alwiz said & still say I spoil his mood for the day. Like I'm some evil witch who's out to diminish all his happy feelings. I really do not know what to do. I juz feel so sad now.

If he really loves me, he'll be very sensitive to my needs & he'll know what I like & don't like. Well, at least he'll have an inkling to what I like & dislike rite? :P I'm not asking for the stars in the sky or some impossible stuff. Juz the normal bouquet of tulips, or friendship band, or my favorite CDs, or anything girls might like. I juz feel so pathetic now. The tears juz came suddenly. I can't contain myself. I'm gonna sign off now. Bye!

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Wednesday, October 25, 2006 ~ 10:35 PM

Hari Raya day 2

Today was the second day of Raya and I was invited to Dr. Zanariah Ramli's house in Taman Melawati for makan-makan. Dr. Zana also invited Wee Loong along but he wasn't in Malaysia as he is currently in New York with his girlfriend, Wei Yee, for a vacation. Even if WL was around in town, I still wouldn't go with him. Haha! And I didn't wanna go alone so I asked Lip Kee along as he was previously handling the Naluri case with me when he was still in Gideons. So off we went in search of Dr. Zana's house and when we found it, we were just blown away by the beauty of it. The house is so americanized where there is no fence surrounding the house like the rest of the lot in the neighborhood. There are other bigger houses in the neighborhood, i.e. 3 storeys layered on a slope which looks scarily enormous. Dr. Zana's house is juz tastefully breathtaking.

Inside the house is just as exquisite as the outside. It is yellow in color with white linings & plaster ceilings & chandeliers & glossy marble floors... you get the picture. It looks good enough to eat. Haha! How did these ppl get so rich?! :P There is also a swimming pool and lawn too for you to enjoy nature. Hehe. Her kitchen is also very americanized with the kitchen hood in the middle like a bar... uhh... you get the idea.

I didn't dare to take pictures of her house while I was inside or else ppl would think that I was "sua koo" & like from kampung or something... haha! But I managed to take my silly face in her toilet where I was alone but couldn't really see much of her beautifully structured palace =)

After makan-makan, Lip Kee & I juz chitchat with her guests who were friendly. I enjoyed chatting with them as they were really nice, happy & friendly ppl. After awhile, we left Dr. Zana's house. Since Lip Kee didn't feel like going home so soon, he suggested that we went to KLCC and we did. OMG! I've been like jalan-jalaning for 3 days in a row liao. So broke liao & legs oso suffering like mad... :P

I bought a dress in Isetan which was on 70% discount!!! It was initially RM239 and after deducting the discount, it became RM71.70 or something like that, I can't remember. At first I calculated with my handphone I tot the dress cost like RM167 something cuz I multiplied the original price with 0.7, I forgot that I should multiply by 0.3. Haha! Even when I thought it was RM167, I was ready to buy it. The dress is in floral red so it is good for CNY. So when I brought it to the payment counter, only then I realized it was only RM71.70 I was overjoyed. Haha! A good buy.

Then we went to KLCC food court to makan-makan for dinner time. Guess who we saw there?! Dr. Kamaria Idris and her husband and kids walking out of the food court area. Called her but she didn't hear. It was alrite! Talk about a coincidence! Meeting two Naluri doctors in a day, one with an appointment and one without. LOL! :)

Fat cheeks in Zara Men KLCC

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Tuesday, October 24, 2006 ~ 11:40 PM

Hari Raya day 1

Today one of my Friendster mates, Kai, invited me to his house for Raya. So since I haven't met him before in person, I decided to bring my girlfriend, Tammy, along with me for fun. I think it's really sweet of Kai to invite me. In actual fact, we juz added each other on Friendster recently only (maybe like one month ago or something...) so we barely know each other.

When Tammy got off work today, she came to pick me up from Kev's place and we started our journey to PJ Old Town in search of Kai's place. We found the jalan but the house numbers are really weird and jumbled up there. The houses there don't exactly follow a sequence :P But no sweat, we found Kai's house anyhow.

His house is really beautiful. It's a single storey bungalow. It's really very beautifully decorated. The hall is small but very cosy and the passageway linking the hall to the dining area is very small too. It is to make space for bigger bedrooms as the three bedrooms in Kai's house are really huge and again, beautifully decorated. The master bedroom is especially beautiful. It belongs to his elder brother and his wife. The bathroom is juz simply exquisite... like a hotel's interior.

The food they served there were all prepared by Kai's mom & Kai's sister-in-law. His sister-in-law is a Pathologist and she was really warm & friendly towards Tammy & I =) After eating, we juz chatted till it was time to leave.

Not wanting to end the fun & go home so soon, Tammy & I decided to go jalan-jalan in Sunway Pyramid. Well, I didn't buy anything today though. Gotta watch my spending ways. Haha! :P

Look at how cheerful shopping can do to girls...

After that, Lip Kee joined us for dinner in Kim Gary & then we juz chitchat till this cute guy came along and Tammy were excited & blushing. Hehe. But the cute guy kept stealing glances at Tammy. Hehehe! Prolly love at first sight for both of them but they juz didn't know about it... hehehehe...

Posing in Kim Gary...

When Tammy sent me back to Kev's, I login-ed to my Friendster. Somebody(s) has been viewing my profile like mad!!! 430 times?! This is the highest my profile has ever seen so far. Usually I get only a mere 100 or barely making it there. This is weird... what's so interesting about Rachel's blardy ol' profile anyway?! Go figure! :P

430

540

A few days later, the figure shot up to a whopping 602 views since October 1st, 2006! Whoa, Rachel!

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Top 10 Places to Get Spooked on Halloween

Our top ten places to get spooked on Halloween are a frightful blend of spine-chilling cities, weird wayside towns, and baffling bodies of water.
By ShermansTravel Editorial Staff

They say the freaks come out at night—and on no night more so than October 31. We propose four uncanny urban settings, both stateside and across the pond, where ghosts and ghouls add to the daily hustle and bustle. Or, discover the places where legends are born, like Transylvania, Roswell, and Salem. We've also hacked our way through several hair-raising hotels to recommend a night where a notorious ax-murder once slashed or the hotel where Stephen King was inspired to write The Shining. So pack your best costume, vampire stake, or ghost buster, and head out for the Halloween night of your dreams (or nightmares)!

1. Bermuda Triangle

We've all heard of the Bermuda Triangle—that mysterious oceanic abyss blamed for swallowing a slew of aircrafts and ships, and, more humorously, all of the socks that seem to vanish from washing machines. Also known as the Devil's Triangle, the term loosely refers to a triangular sea span with its apexes at Miami, Bermuda, and San Juan (Puerto Rico). Dozens of peculiar marine and aviation mishaps have occurred at a disproportionately high rate here—among the more sensational stories, an entire squadron of 1945 Navy bombers is thought to have disappeared here, ditto several enormous merchant ships, all without a hint of wreckage or drowned corpses. Some attribute the strange occurrences to anomalous electromagnetic energy, while others believe that aliens are using the area as a portal to visit the planet or, that the lost city of Atlantis lies below. Plan on a cruise through the baffling Bermuda Triangle this Halloween and you just might get to find out more.

2. Edinburgh

Descend into the underworld, literally! A forgotten city lies beneath Edinburgh's South Bridge—an underground maze of chambers, vaulted rooms, tunnels, and passageways shrouded in mystery and intrigue. The bricked-in city opened in 1788 (it was closed in the early 1800s due to insufficient waterproofing) but was virtually unknown to the thriving city above it before being rediscovered in 1985. It's thought that thousands of people lived and died in these vaults, many of whom never glimpsed the light of day. Nowadays, 20 or so rooms and merchant quarters have been excavated, and tours through the cavernous hollows pass by oil lamps, leather shoes, smelting metal, animal bones, wine bottles, and other haunting remnants of the people who lived here. Not surprisingly, the vaults are famous for their strong paranormal presence, as well; many visitors swear they've seen wraithlike ghost shadows down below—some have even captured the haunting images in photographs. Check with Mercat Tours for times and themes.

3. Lizzie Borden B & B

Good night, sleep tight—don't let the axe murderers fright! For a bone-chillingly good scare and a guaranteed sleepless night, we recommend a Halloween getaway to the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast, a Greek Revival house in Fall River, Massachusetts (about 50 miles south of Boston). Built in 1845, the house famously became the setting for the 1892 ax murders of Abby and Andrew Borden, allegedly by their very own daughter, Lizzie! The house has since been restored with late-19th-century period pieces, which contribute to the atmosphere, especially as you can stand today in the place where Lizzie's stepmother received 18 blows to the head—and the one where her father endured a slightly less brutal 11! While circumstantial evidence tied Lizzie to the crime, she was ultimately acquitted, and the case was never solved. Aside from the eerie happenings reported on the premises to pique your interest, there's small on-site museum showcasing memorabilia related to the crime and a gift shop where you can pick up silver-toned hatchet earrings for yourself or that special somebody.

4. London

While it may be merrie olde England on the surface, there is a frightening underbelly to be discovered in its ancient capital city. Forget high tea—and head out for a spot of ghost-hunting instead, with haunted nooks and crannies in courtyards, churches, and alleyways that recall bloody and brutal London events from times long ago. London Ghost Walk covers the most frighteningly fun highlights and offers specialized tours that follow in the bloody footsteps of London's most heinous criminal, Jack the Ripper. Hang around some of the top tourist attractions after dark, too, and you may well get a little something extra with your admission—a ghostly monk is said to wander the cloisters of Westminster Abbey, while the headless ghost of Anne Boleyn, the unfortunate second wife of King Henry VIII, is known to linger outside of the chapel at the Tower of London—apparently still upset about her beheading after only three short years of marriage.

5. New York

As if the streets of New York weren't freakish enough all year long, on Halloween the freakiest of them all get to show off their eccentricities to applause and prizes—not social judgment—as part of the annual Halloween parade that marches up Sixth Avenue. Attended each year by over 2 million New Yorkers reveling in the spooky spirit, the village spectacle is not to be missed, but the fun doesn't end when it does. Countless costume parties abound around town—the parade crew tends to hit Webster Hall, famous for its raging all-night bash. Another popular annual event celebrating the ghoulish holiday is the Halloween Extravaganza and Procession of Ghouls at the world's largest gothic cathedral, St. John the Divine. This unique event kicks off with a horror flick accompanied by an organist who brings the eerie soundtrack to life—it's a spine-tingling combination in the dimly lit cathedral. After the film, an elaborate procession of costumed characters and outrageous puppets strut their spooky stuff down the center aisle, to a blitz of special effects.

6. Roswell

The year was 1947, the place was an unassuming desert town in New Mexico, and the event was perceived as so extraordinary that, nearly 60 years later, Roswell remains a household name. U.F.O. enthusiasts today relish this tiny town as the U.F.O. capital of the world, citing the "Roswell Incident", in which a craft carrying four large-headed alien beings purportedly crashed, followed closely by an entourage of military and government personnel, who swooped in to collect the wreckage. Conflicting newspaper reports came out in the days following the event—after releasing a statement confirming that they had indeed collected debris from a spaceship crash, the US military later retracted it, and dismissed the flying object as nothing more than a downed weather balloon. Decide where you stand on the issue with a visit to Roswell's International UFO Museum and Research Center, where photos, documents, and dioramas shine some light on where conspiracy theorists got their ideas about government cover-ups and alien autopsies. You can also arrange to tour the crash site with a local guide for an out-of-this-world Halloween—just be sure to keep your eye on the sky.

7. Salem

Home to the ill-reputed witch trials of 1692, Salem, Mass., today is, according to legend, still haunted by the women executed as part of the hysteria. Every October, Salem milks its gruesome past with its annual month-long Haunted Happenings festival of ghost tours, street fairs, and costume balls. Be sure to stop by The Witch House, one of the oldest buildings in Salem and the onetime home of Jonathan Corwin, the judge who ultimately sent 19 women to their doom. Also worth joining are the eerie tours led by Salem Historical Tours: one visits the local cemetery, thought to be the country's second oldest, while another heads out for a nightly stroll past haunted houses and more.

8. Savannah

There's no way around it—a saunter through the Southern city of Savannah is just plain spooky. Forget sightseeing: With dozens of tour groups dedicated to showcasing haunted Savannah, you'd best be prepared for some fright-seeing instead! Try strolling the cobblestone streets of Georgia's oldest city on the nighttime Ghosts of Savannah walking tour, rolling around town with a narrated guide on Carriage Tours of Savannah, or opt for a Creepy Pub Crawl, if you wish to sample some spirits while you look for them. So just what is it about this deceptively pretty city that makes it so ghoulishly grim? Believers cite a long history of violence and bloodshed dating back to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, not to mention widespread diseases and fires here. As if that weren't sufficient, many parts of Savannah's historic section were built over old cemeteries, to boot. You can literally eat and sleep with ghosts here—grab a bite to eat at the Pirate House, a popular centuries-old local restaurant with a ghostly clientele, then rest up (if you can!) at any number of haunted bed and breakfasts; a particularly creepy choice is the 1851 Marshall House that once served as a hospital for many Civil War soldiers and yellow-fever victims.

9. Stanley Hotel

Who hasn't gotten the goose bumps from reading (or watching) Steven King's haunting thriller, The Shining? Test your tolerance for the terrifying by spending a night in the place that inspired the novel, the Stanley Hotel. Built in 1909, the hotel is in fact a grand estate, with a spectacular Colorado mountainside location, old-fashioned rooms with impressive vistas, top-notch amenities, and an award-winning restaurant. What makes this place truly unique and a tad creepy, however, is the presence of otherworldly residents. Flora Stanley, the first owner's long-deceased wife, can still be seen and heard, late at night, either tinkling the piano keys in the music room or wandering around the lobby. Plus, the entire fourth floor (once the servants' quarters) teems with strange after-dark commotion: if you stay in room 418, you might hear children playing outside your door, but find nary a soul in the hallway. For the ultimate scare (or inspiration), stay in room 217—where King himself laid his head.

10. Transylvania

It's hard to deny the fright factor of fanged, bloodsucking vampires who awake from coffins in the night to hunt their prey. So why not up the horror ante this Halloween and visit Transylvania, the alleged birthplace of these dark and fearsome creatures? Indeed, this western province of Romania is considered to be the home of Count Dracula; to wit, you can even tour his alleged keep, the daunting Bran Castle (more commonly known as Dracula's Castle), an eerie 14th-century bastion about 20 miles from Brasov, in the shadows of Mount Bucegi, that's said to have briefly housed the Romanian prince on whom the great fictional vampire is based. If that doesn't leave your blood cold, head for the hills above the town of Miklósvár to explore bat-filled caves or, tour medieval villages in a horse-drawn sleigh.

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Six Ways to Win a Promotion

It happened again: While you were plugging away at yet another project, Mindy from down the hall was promoted -- just like Aaron was four weeks ago and Susan six months before that. You know your work is top-notch, so why aren't you climbing the ranks like your colleagues?

If you possess similar skills and experience as your co-workers, you may have been passed over simply because they do more than you do to get noticed. Today, it's not enough to be a hard worker to move forward in your career; your boss has to perceive you to be a dedicated, top performer, too. You may think your accomplishments speak for themselves, but sometimes, you have to do a little "personal PR" in order to gain recognition and reach your career goals.

By developing targeted career management and communication strategies, you can earn your supervisor's stamp of approval -- and more importantly, position yourself to assume his or her job should he or she decide to move on. Here are some tips to raise your visibility:

1. Conduct a self-assessment.

Before you look for ways to promote yourself, take an honest look at your professional abilities. Do you have the requisite skills to assume a higher role? If so, what steps have you taken to build your knowledge base and keep current on industry trends? You may discover there are certain areas, such as time management or delegation, that you must develop before pursuing a management position. Alternately, you may realize you don't want a leadership role at all.

2. Step up to the challenge.

Volunteer for new assignments, even those considered unpleasant or risky. Sometimes these offer the best opportunities to showcase your abilities. Perhaps your supervisor just requested help with an important initiative -- quickly compiling research on your company's key competitor, for example -- and no one is willing to take charge. This is an excellent chance for you to demonstrate your leadership ability and secure a solid platform for your ideas. Assuming tasks that fall outside your typical workload, especially during critical times, also can earn you recognition from those who might otherwise overlook your day-to-day contributions.

3. Assert yourself.

Show your enthusiasm and interest in the company by actively participating in office discussions. Before you attend meetings, review the agenda and prepare a few points of interest on the topics at hand. While you don't want to talk just to hear yourself speak, do not hesitate to share your ideas when you have something valuable to add. Also look for opportunities to present on topics. You might, for example, volunteer to serve as a trainer during new-hire orientations, providing an overview of your department and how others in the organization can work with your group effectively.

4. Exercise your bragging rights.

You may have heard the phrase, "It's not what you know but who you know that matters." Well, in many cases, the most important factor is who knows you. Imagine that the executives in your company are having a meeting to decide who will work on an exciting new project. Would anyone in the room mention your name? Do any of the key people know who you are and what you've accomplished? If not, you've got some self-promoting to do.

Getting onto someone's radar screen can be difficult or nerve-racking, so take small steps. For example, e-mail a weekly status report to your boss, detailing major accomplishments and upcoming projects. Or volunteer to send your team's update memos to the department director or present your group's milestones at the annual business-planning meeting.

5. Accept credit graciously.

When someone compliments you for doing an outstanding job on a project, how do you react? If you typically shrug it off and say, "It was nothing," you may be leaving the door open for someone else to steal your thunder. A much better response would be, "Thank you. I'm really glad my hard work paid off." You may even want to describe next steps, if appropriate, to underscore your commitment to the initiative's success. Just be careful about accepting credit that's not yours -- it's a surefire way to create tension among your co-workers.

6. Shoot the breeze.

Do not underestimate the importance of attending company gatherings, such as annual barbecues or holiday parties. But do more than make an appearance. Take time to talk with people throughout the company -- not just those with whom you are already pals -- and participate in special activities such as fund-raisers and sports leagues. Through these informal events, you can develop camaraderie with other employees and make valuable new contacts within the organization.

Working hard will always be critical to your career success, but you will never achieve your full potential unless others are aware of your expertise and accomplishments. In addition to maintaining your strong work ethic, consider pulling a few of the "personal publicity stunts" mentioned above, and you may soon find yourself celebrating your own promotion.

Robert Half International Inc. is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.

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Monday, October 23, 2006 ~ 11:44 PM

KL City here we come

Lo & behold the transformation!

So I was feeling a little under the weather that day (well, ALOT actually). Been this way ever since I got back from Sitiawan, Perak. I would like to conclude that the haze got to me. Haha! Got nowhere to go, nothing to do. Kevin wasn't working today but he said he didn't feel like going out. So when Tammy replied my sms, saying "yes" she wanna go to Sungei Wang with me, I was overjoyed. So I juz mandi-mandi & dolled myself up, and I was ready to go! :)

There was no traffic jam at all on the journey to KL. It was like the smoothest ride I had ever experienced so far though it was raining. When we reached Sungei Wang, we went for a late lunch. And thank God, we sat at the outside section of the Super Noodle House cuz we got to catch the face of this super drop dead gorgeous Mat Salleh hunk who happened to catch my gaze as I turned to look at him when Tammy told me so. He was brunette. Man, he was so good-looking! Have I died and gone to Heaven? Heehehehehehe! =)

Then we juz jalan-jalan inside Sungei Wang for hours! Till our legs were sore and tired :P We bought lotsa girlie stuff like necklaces, skirt, dresses, etc. Well, I bought the skirt I have been looking for for a long time. The one with indian motives one. Very nice... Tammy said the skirt made me look slimmer. Yay! =)

After jalaning for hours, we retired to Swensen's to have dinner. Chitchat & chilled till it was time to go home. So tiring but we were so happy! =)

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How to Ace a First Date

So many potential love connections begin — and end — with a first date. Sometimes it’s obvious why two people don’t click. But a slew of baffled singles are still left scratching their heads wondering, “Was it something I said?” when a first date turns out to also be the last. Since that initial encounter does make such a strong impression, we asked dating experts and real men and women what spells success.

What men want women to do on a first date:

Tell him where you want to go

If your date asks, “Would you rather go to this new wine bar I heard about or just catch a beer at the local pub?” quit trying to second-guess what he wants to do and just state your preference. “Guys want to do the right thing,” says Jillian Straus, who interviewed more than one hundred singles across the country for her book Unhooked Generation: The Truth About Why We’re Still Single. “If you have a preference for where you want to go or what kind of food you want to eat, and he asks, tell him. It takes the pressure off him and lets him make you happy.”

Don’t stress if the meal’s not quite right

Sure, Harry found Sally’s quirky eating habits endearing, but there are few things guys fear more than a woman who orders her dressing on the side, her steak rare-to-just-slightly-medium-rare, but not a tad past that—or who complains her meal’s too hot, too cold, or just plain not quite right. “A guy hopes that whatever the date brings, she can have a good time and go with the flow,” says Steve Nakamoto, author of Men Are Like Fish: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Catching a Man. After all, if you’re this much of a perfectionist about your meal, how high-maintenance will you be? And what kind of imperfections will you begin noticing about him if he sticks around? ’Nuf said.

Make a genuine offer to pay

If asked, most guys would say they’re happy to pick up the check on a first date. But that doesn’t mean you should sit back while he pulls out his wallet. Why? “He doesn’t want to feel like he is being taken for granted,” says Straus. “He is willing and most likely plans to pay, but he wants you to appreciate it, not expect it.”

Be courteous

You don’t need to read Emily Post’s etiquette advice before he picks you up, but a little courtesy goes a long way to making a guy feel appreciated. And, while refraining from checking your Blackberry or cell phone is a given, there are smaller things women often neglect that can make a big difference. Say “Thank you for the lovely dinner” at the end of the meal. Tell him you like his shirt. Let him know you appreciate his making the reservations. Those little niceties count in a big way.

Kiss him already

“Finally!” he thinks as he leads you to your door, “a great date with a fun, interesting and attractive woman.” What next? Simple: It’s no secret that guys put a lot of stock in sexual chemistry. So if you had a good time, don’t be shy and ruin his hopes with the dreaded cheek-turn. That’s right, kiss him if you’re feeling it. A peck on the cheek is sweet, but if you’re smitten with him and willing to smooch on date #1, a kiss on the lips will make his night. “Not necessarily a make-out thing,” says one 43-year-old dater from New York, NY. “But one that is just slightly more than a peck on the cheek is a total thrill and gives me the go-ahead to call her for another date.”

What women want men to do on a first date:

Give a little advance notice

Sure, it’d be nice to think “So, wanna get dinner tomorrow night?” would be taken as a sign that you’re really into the girl, but it actually has the opposite effect. By asking to see her so soon, you’re subtly implying that her schedule’s a big blank slate and that she has got nothing planned for a Friday or Saturday night. “I’m just as busy as he is, so it’s great when he calls at the beginning of the week to make plans,” says Emily Rukin, 30, of New York, NY.

Have a game plan

Women love a man with a plan, so be sure you’ve got at least one great idea of what you’d like to do on the big date. Just say, “Was there something in particular you want to do? I have a couple ideas...” We’re not saying she won’t nix your suggestion and propose an alternative, but she’ll like knowing you haven’t just kicked back and left all the planning up to her. “Women hate when men ask ‘What do you want to do?’” says Straus. “He needs to do his homework, too.”

Confirm the night before

You called her Monday and agreed to go out that Friday. Don’t wait until 4 p.m. the day of your date to check in. Instead, call her the day before to figure out where you are going to meet and at what time. She’s probably gotten a manicure and perhaps even bought a new skirt. The last thing she needs is to wonder the day of the date if it’s still a go.

Be a gentleman

Pulling out her chair or opening doors in front of her may feel a bit too forced these days, but many women love being treated like a lady. So give it a go, and remember to compliment her when you see her at your meeting place—“You look wonderful; great to see you” is fine. Let her order first, or ask if you can order your favorite appetizer for both of you to share. Thank her at date’s end for a lovely evening, and reference something specific, like, “What a great night. And now that I’ve heard your opinion, I definitely do have to get that other Malcolm Gladwell book.”

Ask for a second date at the end of the first one

Want to see this woman again? Let her know at the end of the first date. “I like when he asks me out again at the end of our date,” says 32-year-old Melissa Wright of Sterling, VA. “Not just a general ‘Let’s do this again’ but a specific ‘Are you free for dinner on Thursday?’ It shows he’s interested, and it takes a lot of the anxiety out of wondering if and when he’s going to call.” And what’s better than ending a great date with the prospect of another one to look forward to?

Cate Mitchell is a freelance writer in New York City.

Article courtesy of Happen magazine, www.happenmag.com.

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Thursday, October 19, 2006 ~ 7:25 PM

Callin' in sick today!

I fell sick today... bad cold & sore throat. Exhausted many boxes of tissue papers already! Kevin fetched me to see a doctor earlier and got some medication and an MC. Stocked up on fluids... check the bottles out below!

This is my sickly looking face. I was so lethargic and I alwiz felt like sleeping cuz I felt tired all the time. Sigh! Tomorrow still gotta go to work... hopefully I would be up for it.

I promised Tammy and Christine that I'd join them for dinner tonight. Christine wanna introduce Elken to Tammy & I. She said she'd be bringing some stuff for me to try for my illness. We'll see... Gotta go bathe now cuz Tammy said she'd come at 7.45pm to pick me up to makan at Pan Bakery in ss15 Subang Jaya and it's oredi 7.25pm. Tata!

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10 Commandments for a Happy Marriage

Now that you've been married for a while and have settled into life as a wife, you've gotten your financial house in order, thrown your first successful shindig, and learned the trick to making up after a spat. Now here's a little refresher course: the 10 commandments to staying sensational after saying, "I do."

1. Thou shalt not live in a bubble.
Sometimes love is such a whirlwind of crazy joy that you forget that there are other people, things, and activities in the world besides the two of you. While this is understandable, you have to have outlets, otherwise you'll drive each other bonkers. Before you met Your Guy, you were always getting together with your gaggle of female friends, hanging out with your family, putting in extra time at the office, saving the world at the local shelter, or taking a few classes to keep expanding your brain. Don't stop. Just because you are Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So doesn't mean you have to be attached at the hip and forget about everything else. Your marriage will be a lot more interesting if you keep on being the fascinating gal you were before he met you. You'll also have a lot more to talk about over dinner.

2. Thou shalt respect all forms of life, not just married life.
Life becomes awfully narrow when your social life revolves exclusively around other couples. One too many brunches spent talking about the real estate market will make you think you've died and gone to married hell. One benefit of your wedding was that you had the chance to introduce all of your previously separate social circles to one another. So once you're wed, keep mixing things up: his friends and your friends, work friends and school friends, neighbors and family, old friends and brand-new acquaintances, singletons and smug marrieds, parents of twins and the child-free.

3. Don't worry. You've still got it.
When you were single, you met cute guys everywhere -- at the laundromat, on the subway, at funerals. Once you're hitched, it's easy to miss the buzz of universal male admiring attention. But unless you're a movie star and you absolutely have to look lustily at other men because it's your job, don't go batting those eyelashes at anyone but your beloved. Don't worry, you still have the power. You've just got to take it on faith instead of soliciting daily proof.

4. Honor thy mother-in-law and father-in-law.
Your in-laws may be incredible bores, gossipy and nosy, or so tacky and embarrassing you want to hide under your turtleneck when you're out with them. Whatever type you've inherited, welcome them with open arms whenever you see them. No matter what you think of them, remember that they are responsible for raising your terrific husband. Even if you really believe that he only turned out normal due to some sort of divine intervention (think Marilyn on The Munsters), give them the credit. So listen to your father-in-law drone on and on about weird weather patterns and act riveted. Eat your mother-in-law's scary meatloaf (even if you prefer things green) and don't forget to ask for seconds. Grab another glass of wine if necessary.

5. Thou shalt not even bother trying to keep up with the Joneses.
Let's get things straight. There will always be a couple that is funnier, more attractive, sexier, wealthier, nicer, hipper, healthier, smarter, more successful, and more glamorous than you two. Got it? Even if you are the grooviest couple in the room at one party, you won't be at the next. If you are constantly comparing yourself to other couples (some of whom you will find out later were just faking it on the road to divorce court), you will miss out on enjoying how happy you are just being yourselves.

6. Fight a clean fight.
When you were dating and you got into a spat you may have found that slamming doors, crying and racing back to your apartment were effective tools in winning an argument. He would be so lost without you that he would come running over and say he was sorry. Well, I hate to break it to you, but the tactic is not going to work now that you are married and living together. You're a lot better off staying calm and staying put to solve a tiff. Fight a clean fight and you are guaranteed at least that he'll listen to your point of view. Winning is up to you.

7. Be a team.
While you are both successful, independent people, don't forget to cheer each other on, support each other's crazy dreams, and encourage each other to live your best lives. If he's up for a promotion, become best friends with his boss at the office Christmas party. If he's always wanted to ride in the Tour de France, buy two tickets to Paris to see it up close. Lousy day for him? Treat him and his buddies to an after-work gripe session at the corner pub. On the days where your star is shining and his isn't, make sure to pass him the winning shot. In a mean and crazy world isn't it nice to know you always have someone on your side?

8. Be fabulous.
Be comfortable being unconventional, glamorous, or unique. You don't have to become June Cleaver now that you're hitched. Who cares if you guys like to have the Christmas ornaments up in June, don't have matching silverware, or prefer Pabst Blue Ribbon to a fine vintage? Let your hair down. You've found someone who loves you, warts and all, so be the marvelous off-beat woman that he fell in love with and never try to be some cookie-cutter Mrs.

9. Be romantic.
Sounds crazy but sometimes it's easy to forget what got you married in the first place. Don't stop being romantic, sexy, creative, impulsive, spontaneous, and crazy in love now that it seems easier to rent a video and order takeout. Take tango lessons, get season tickets to the ballet or hockey, go ice-skating hand-in-hand, and let him pick you up for a date. Don't be afraid to be unabashedly Hallmark-card cheesy and profess your love. Whatever it was that got you thinking he was the man for you, keep doing it. Most important, don't ever forget the power of an unexpected drop-everything smooch.

10. Be thankful for your guy.
There are times when married life will make you think back to your sensational single days with longing and alarm. You were Mary Tyler Moore, for God's sake, what made you think you wanted to be Edith Bunker? When the love of your life is driving you bananas, it is time to remember how sexy/suave/smart/sensitive/studly your man was the night you first decided that he was IT. Remember how lucky you are to have someone who puts up with all of your nonsense. If through everything, you remember to be grateful for landing the most wonderful man on the planet, your marriage will reflect that, every day.

From the book THE THOROUGHLY MODERN MARRIED GIRL by Sara Bliss, published by Broadway, a division of Random House, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

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Wednesday, October 18, 2006 ~ 5:27 PM

Phew! What a journey!

So I had to go to Sitiawan again this week to perform an SA8000Live Prime demonstration for Dr. Yeak Lek Chong for two days (17th-18th Oct 2006). This time around, Ravin was driving. Well, on the way up to Sitiawan, we got pulled over by the cops simply bcoz Ravin was using his mobile phone without a handsfree kit while driving. He got fined on the spot. It was so scary cuz I had never experienced this before and I don't intend to in the future.

Since there wasn't any highway linking directly to Sitiawan, we had to go through Bidor and Teluk Intan before we would reach Sitiawan via the coastal roads. We stopped by Bidor for breakfast. I had been to this kopitiam before (once with my family in December 1999 when we all went to Cameron Highlands and we stopped by here on our journey back home; and another time I was with Wee Loong and Wei Hau last year as we stopped by here for breakfast on our journey to Ipoh).

Wow! Look at all the various food stuff sold here...

This is my tasty duck drumstick mihun... herbally tasty!

After that, we proceeded with our journey. Finally we reached Sitiawan close to 1pm. We decided to check into the hotel first to rest for awhile before proceeding with the demo at 2pm when Dr. Yeak arrived back from lunch. We stayed in Crystal Hotel cuz it was sorta the nearest hotel to Dr. Yeak's clinic. The room there not so impressive la but it was good enough for one night's stay. It cost us RM69 each inclusive of breakfast buffet.

Was so tired after travelling for so many hours yet I still found time to pose for the camera on the hotel bed... haha!

This is how my room looked like... I stayed in Room 151

Delivered the machine at 2pm and demonstrated to Dr. Yeak till 4pm. He let me off early (cuz in fact, his clinic opens till 5pm daily and on every Tuesday, he'll have night clinic from 7pm-9pm) and asked me to be back at 7pm cuz he had night clinic tonight. So Ravin came to pick me up and we went to Secret Recipe for a late lunch cum tea time. After that, we went back to the hotel for some zzZZzz... hehehe.

Working hard in Dr. Yeak's clinic during his night clinic hours 7-9pm

Today (18/10/06) Dr. Yeak let me off early cuz he said the journey back to KL might take several hours. So off we went, embarking on our journey back to KL via the same coastal routes we used when we were on the way here. Stopped by Ulu Bernam R&R stop to have our lunch. There was this traffic summons checkpoint where we could check and pay up any outstanding summons at a discounted rate. I checked for my car registration plate number and you know what? There were no tickets at all! Hip hip hurray! I was so relieved! Thank God! Ravin paid the summon which he got yesterday and got a 30% discount, so he only paid RM70.

Travelling in style... all prepped up in shades and lippy

Ulu Bernam R&R stop... nice decor!

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Sunday, October 15, 2006 ~ 8:14 PM

Thank God It's Friday on a Sunday

Went to 1 Utama today at 2pm. Was supposed to attend a pre-celebration of Mandy's 25th birthday (her birthday's tomorrow 16th Oct) with Su-Lynn, Su-Lynn's family, Tong Liang (Mandy's boyfriend), V-Hsiang, and Mandy, of course! =)

But since Mandy already had lunch at home, Su-Lynn and I went to have lunch in TGIF. So filling the food there. Tanya recommended me to try the Cajun Shrimp Pasta as she said it was tasty and I did. Guess what? It was too gooey cuz the pasta and the shrimps were laced with cheese till Su-Lynn and I got so muak. Haha! We took pics while having our dessert, Friday's Sundae. Delicious but fattening! :P

After that, we joined Su-Lynn's siblings and Mandy & gang at the bowling alley where Su-Lynn siblings including Su-Lynn had a go at bowling. Everyone enjoyed themselves, including me. Su-Ann and Su-Kym both had strikes and it was juz their first attempt at bowling today. So keng right? I didn't bowl cuz I didn't have socks. I purposely didn't bring my socks though Su-Lynn had informed me earlier already. Cuz I dunno how to bowl and I'd never bowled before in my entire life! LOL! I juz didn't wanna look silly in front of the public. Below are the pics taken at the bowling alley in 1Utama New Wing.

This is the high-tech bowling scoreboard (or whatever you call that)

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