Company Dinner & Dance

Shucks! If only I could have stayed on till the end but unfortunately I was rostered to do the night shift. Had a great time with great food and free flow of alcohol! All at the Shangrila Hotel Singapore! Woo Hoo! And I really don’t know how it happened, but I ended up with quite a few photos taken. ( Really felt like a Camwhore..hee hee)

But of all the photos taken, I’m so happy with one particular one as I was able to pose with one of our local celebrities. She was even a nominated MP once upon a time. ( Gees! I guess by now some of you already know who it is….) Anyhow all the pics were done by a team of photographers and uploaded wirelessly to a PC where they printed it out there and then and gave it out to you for keepsakes. Impressive yes? Oh and if you were wondering…..different sectors were asked to dress up to different themes. There was the Oriental Theme which I was part of, then there was the Retro/Musical Theme, the Medieval/Fairy Tale Theme, the Country Western Theme and finally the Action/Sci-Fi Theme.

*sighs* It would have been fun to watch everyone on the dance floor!

 

Live Now For Tomorrow

It saddens me to think that there are many people out there who live their lives dispassionately. Some are so discouraged or disparaged, they are actually just waiting for their time here on earth to expire. Why? Perhaps they have been overwhelmed with the problems or complexities of life or they just feel like they have lost the meaning or purpose for their existence.

Almost everyone in life goes through such ‘Dark Periods.’ I am definitely no exception and have had my share of woes too. However no matter how complex we think our problems are or how painful they feel, what it boils down to is choice. We can either choose to be victims or we can choose to be victors. ( survivors) We are hence defined by the choices we make!

Often people think of themselves as failures, in my opinion they are using a wrong yardstick of measure for success. Here’s food for thought…….if you’ve never taken part in a marathon in your life and decide to participate in one. How would you measure your success? i.e. are you successful only when you’ve completed the event? Or in the time allocated to finish the event? Or simply that you’ve participated and did the best that you could, even though you might not finish?

There is no right or wrong answer to this! Essentially every individual is built differently and we should measure our successes accordingly. What is important in life is that we are constantly willing to try something different. And by coming out of our comfort zone, we actually begin to experience growth. That in itself is a form of success.

Living life with a passion is something we should strive for, YES that’s right….you have to work at it…it doesn’t just happen on it’s own. By sharing my own little life experiences I hope to inspire others without pretence or didacticism. For instance as I’ve aged, I no longer think I’m invincible! I have come to terms that in time, my body will break down slowly. ( At time of post I hereby certify that all my body parts are functioning properly hee hee) Hence I must do what I can while I still can…….*blinks*

From time to time, we should remind ourselves to think about our mortality. We often put off what we can do today thinking that we can do so tomorrow but what if tomorrow never comes? Would you still continue to say you are suffering from inertia? (Yuppie term for procrastination) I am not saying to entertain or have morbid thoughts about death but rather to think about what have you accomplished in life? How have you lived your life? How would you like to be remembered? Have you lived your life to the fullest? Here are some things to consider or questions you could ask yourself :-

• Think about your own funeral – what would you like people whom are close to you, say in the eulogy.
• What if you had only a few months left to live, what would you do in that time?
• What if you only had a week left, how would you make the most of it?
• Or What if you only had 24hrs left what would you do?

The message is clear is it not? Life is short…..So start living now!

Of Mobiles & Cruises

What in tarnation have they in common? Well nothing……… ha ha!  Ever since I started a blog, it has never really been a diary or chronological record of sorts.  I just blog about anything I feel is blogworthy or dare I say it?………..hmmm anyone or anything I feel passionate about! *winks*

Anyhow just collected my Sony Ericsson K800i phone which I sent for servicing on Friday ( Warranty expires in Oct).  This was on a wet gloomy Monday morning yesterday, I must say however that I am quite happy with the service standards of the service centre itself which is located at Wisma Atria level 4.  Apparently there was no hardware changes done whatsoever, all it needed was a software upgrade.  Popped by Tangs to get a queen size bedsheet as it was on sale and bought an expensive pair of scissors for the kitchen.  It costs me $36.80, well I suppose it is considered cheap to some since it’s Henckels.

Oh and yes! I have a cruise to look forward to last week in Oct.  Booked it already and if anyone out there is going about the same time on Star Cruise to Penang & Phuket give me a holler! So we could do drinks and stuff… Woo hoo! 🙂

Sunday Sob Fest

There are some movies that get you each and every time you watch them. For me I have quite an extensive list. Anyhow I managed to dust off my LD collection, and started watching two of them back to back. ( Yup I know LDs are so outdated but what can I do? Throw them out?)

The first one was the fifth time I watched in 10 years. Starring Meg Ryan and a stunningly handsome Andy Garcia. Both deserved awards for their roles in this movie. As Alice and Michael, Ryan and Garcia are a passionate couple whose once-stable marriage is rocked by her increasing dependence on alcohol. As they strive to overcome this challenge, they discover a renewed sense of love and commitment.

The second one, if you don’t know or haven’t watch it then you should kick yourself. I’ve watched this one more than 6 times already.

Sam ( Tom Hanks) and Jonah (Ross Malinger ) Baldwin, father and son, have lost the most important woman in their lives to cancer. Seeking to escape from the painful memories that lurk in every nook and cranny of Chicago, they move to Seattle. Eighteen months later, Jonah can sense that his dad is still sad; and, in desperation calls a nationally syndicated radio self-help guru on Christmas Eve to wish for his father a new wife. Annie Reed (Meg Ryan ) lives in Baltimore and is engaged to Walter. Their relationship, while loving and comfortable, is entirely devoid of romantic sparks. When Annie hears Jonah’s soulful plea on the radio, it’s as if her heart has been touched by “magic” and she is determined to find out why she feels so powerfully drawn to Sam and his son … even if it means traveling across “like 26 states”.

Everybody Hurts – R.E.M.

This has gotta be one song in which everyone can relate to……

Everybody Hurts – R.E.M.

When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
When you’re sure you’ve had enough of this life, well hang on
Don’t let yourself go, ’cause everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes

Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it’s time to sing along
When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go, (hold on)
When you think you’ve had too much of this life, well hang on

‘Cause everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts. Don’t throw your hand. Oh, no. Don’t throw your hand
If you feel like you’re alone, no, no, no, you are not alone

If you’re on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,
When you think you’ve had too much of this life to hang on

Well, everybody hurts sometimes,
Everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes. So, hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts. You are not alone

The One I Love – David Gray

The One I Love – David Gray

Gonna close my eyes
Girl and watch you go
Running through this life darling
Like a field of snow
As the tracer glides
In its graceful arc
Send a little prayer out to ya
‘cross the falling dark

Tell the repo man
And the stars above
You’re the one I love

Perfect summers night
Not a wind that breathes
Just the bullets whispering gentle
‘mongst the new green leaves
There’s things I might have said
Only wish I could
Now I’m leaking life faster
Then I’m leaking blood

Tell the repo man
And the stars above
You’re the one I love
You’re the one I love
The one I love

Don’t see Elysium
Don’t see no fiery hell
Just the lights up bright baby
In the bay hotel
Next wave coming in
Like an ocean roar
Won’t you take my hand darling
On that old dancefloor

We can twist and shout
Do the turtle dove
And you’re the one I love
You’re the one I love
The one I love

Personal Effectiveness Course Day2 And End

Overall I would say that it was an enjoyable course and would highly recommend it to anyone! Besides they fed us three meals on both days! ha ha…..

Today there were a lot of indoor activities in between to keep us alert and energized. Stuff of which I may not have been able to dream up on my own. egs. A variation of scissors, paper stone to the life cycle of a bird. Or War of the three fiercest warrior clans….hee hee and many others…

The mental stuff consisted mainly of reviewing yesterday’s events, writing our own individual career mission statement and a 30 Day Action plan.

We remained pretty much in our three groups from yesterday….namely green, white and blue. In my opinion my team was the best….*winks* The toughest physical challenge for me today was representing my blue team by holding an approximately 6kg plank overhead with both arms stretched up for slightly more than 15 minutes. It was a real strain all the way down to the lower back but with encouragement from my teammates I managed. In the end it was down to just me and another guy, and to make it more interesting….they placed water bottles on both ends. Well unfortunately one of mine fell off first and the game was over. The ladies had their bit too, which consisted of holding a bat at a 45 degree angle for as long as they could. Overall my team won first prize for our group effort. Then at the end of the day we were asked to vote amongst ourselves…that is at team level which individual we thought stood out from the rest for the past two days in terms of motivation, team spiritedness and so on and so forth. I voted a lady whom I thought was great! And so I was very surprised when my name was called instead to receive a prize. A prize I would definitely cherish! It is a book entitled “Heartsongs” By Mattie J.T. Stepanek an eleven year old boy who died as a result of muscular dystrophy. He was indeed an inspiration for us all…you might have caught him on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Well I’ll end here with my little mission statement. I decided that as a start I would write something in which would apply both at work and in my personal life…..

My mission statement is….. “To constantly find and develop new ways to enhance my personal growth. To live life with a passion and inspire others to do the same!”

Personal Effectiveness Course Day1

Wow I really got to get myself back in shape! Sheesh I’m pooped! Funny how I’ve attended my fair share of courses in my life and somehow though I am enriched by them. The course structures always gets forgotten after a while. The principal outlines of course are still remembered or some are even imprinted in my mind. Perhaps that is why we need to constantly attend courses, either to refresh or re-equip ourselves with new or updated information/knowledge. Today, I learnt something outside of the course structure and contents. And that is as one ages, it gets tougher to come out of one’s comfort zone.

This is one course where they will not force you, but you are encouraged to complete at least one of the high element courses. They start you off with all the low elements ones first to build up your confidence then after lunch the high element ones come to play.

I wanted to try all the high element courses they had available, but I needed to try the swinging vines one as it was the toughest. Well I got all I wished for……..the last one I only managed to complete three quarters of it due to a rope burn *sighs*

Overall I had fun……..just tired mun! Below are two pics to give you an idea of what I did today. I went through a total of four different ones……

Closer – Travis

There’s something about this song….

I’ve had enough, of this parade.
I’m thinking of, the words to say.
We open up, unfinished parts,
Broken up, its so mellow.

And when I see you then I know it will be next to me
And when I need you then I know you will be there with me
Ill never leave you…

Just need to get closer, closer,
Lean on me now,
Lean on me now,
closer, closer,
Lean on me now,
Lean on me now.

Keep waking up (waking up), without you here (without you here).
Another day (another day), another year (another year).
I seek the truth (seek the truth), we set apart (we set apart)
Thinking of a second chance (a second chance).

And when I see you then I know it will be next to me
And when I need you then I know you will be there with me
Ill never leave you…

Just need to get closer, closer,
Lean on me now,
Lean on me now,
closer, closer,
Lean on me now,
Lean on me now (lean on me now).

And when I see you then I know it will be next to me
And when I need you then I know you will be there with me
Ill never leave you…

Just need to get closer, closer,
Lean on me now,
Lean on me now,
closer, closer,
Lean on me now,
Lean on me now (lean on me now).

closer, closer… closer, closer.

Another Meme!

Got tagged by Kate….

Answer the following questions.
1.(the person who tag you is …)
– Kate!

2.(your relationship with him/her is …)
– Friend
3.(your 5 impressions of him/her ..)
– Has Multiple Personalities, Warm & Friendly, Elusive & Confused.

4.(the most memorable thing he/she had done for you)
– Has got to be the hugs

5.(the most memorable words he/she had said to you)
– You prolly have been the bestest thing that has happened to me in a while

6.(if he/she becomes your lover, you will..)
– I’ve never been one to kiss and tell, so why start now? *blinks*

7.(if he/she becomes your lover, things he/she has to improve on will be)
– How do you answer a hypothetical question like that? Most lovers will need communication to improve yes?

8.(if he/she becomes your enemy, you will…)
– Unlikely, but if it happens….move on lor!

9.(if he/she becomes your enemy, the reason will be …)
– Trust issues

10.(the most desirable thing you want to do for him/her now is …)
– Give her a hug and tell her everything will work out well for her.
11.(your overall impression of him/her is …)
– She is unique and in a class of her own

12.(how you think people around you will feel about you?)
– He’s arrogant! haha..

13.(the character you love of yourself is …)
– faithful and loyal

14.(on the contrary, the character you hate of yourself is …)
– Being a Poet

15.(the most ideal person you want to be is …)
– Steve Irwin ha ha

16.(for people that care and like you, say something to them ..)
– thank you so much for caring & putting up with me..

17.(pass this quiz to 10 people that you wish to know how they feel about you)
(TRY NOT TO PEEP AT THE QUESTION BELOW BEFORE WRITING DOWN THE NAME..)

1. Sharkbait
2. Josh
3. Jill
4. Eileen
5. Winston
6. Liz
7. Shally
8. Gerard
9. RazorViolin
10. Karissa

(who is no.6 having relationship with?)
– someone tall dark & handsome *winks*

(Is no.9 a male or female?)
– Female!

(If no.7 and 10 are together, will it be a good thing?)
– erm… that’d be interesting to see

(How about no.8 and 5?)
– Yucks!

(What is no.2 studying about?)
– how to communicate effectively.. haha..

(When was the last time you had a chat with no.3?)
– erm…3 weeks?

(What kind of music band does no.8 like?)
– varied taste just like me.. *chuckles*

(Does no.1 has any siblings?)
– Yup one…I think..ha ha

(Will you woo no.3?)
– *blush* should have changed the nos. well not while the Mrs is still alive ha ha

(How about no.7?)
– If I wanted to it would have happened from way before….hee hee

(Is no.4 single?)
– single. i think.

(What’s the surname of no.5?)
– I forgot! Cheng?

(What’s the name of no.10?)
That is her real name…

(What’s the hobby of no.4?)
– erm… Eating out? *blinks*

(Do no.5 and 9 get along well?)
– They do!….

(Where is no.2 studying at?)
– University of Life

(Talk something casually about no.1)
-Fun & Generous

(Have you try developing feelings for no.8?)
– hmmm…..male bonding count? sheesh!

(Where does no.9 live?)
– Bayshore!

(What color does no.4 like?)
– erm… Pink? *shrug*

(Are no.5 and 1 best friends?)
– nope..

(Does no.7 likes no.2?)
– they dunno each other

(How do you get to know no.2?)
– Through no.1
(Does no.1 have any pets?)
– Apart from no. 2? Scruffy I guess….ha ha

Operation Red Fish

Date : 21 Aug 2007

Time Set Off: 1218hrs

Target Location: Citisquare JB

Mission : To Buy Back Cheap & Good Fish Head Curry For Mom (Dinner)

Well it was also a great excuse to try out my new Biometric Passport and Woo Hoo! it was a great experience! It took me only approximately 15seconds to clear customs, while the rest of the folks who got off the same bus had to queue and be cleared manually. All I had to do was to scan the chip part (picture face down) in the slot with a monitor. When that part was successful the automatic doors parted for you to head on to the second part. This was where my thumbprint was checked and again automatic doors parted and that was it! Great eh?

Well as it was still early we decided to have some Bak Kut Teh served in a claypot and mixed with liver etc. for lunch at a coffee shop nearby Citisquare. It was fantastic! but I forgot to take pics, anyhow the bill came up to 28RM inclusive of two ice-lemon teas.

Before window shopping I decided to place an order for the fish head curry and other stuff. The bill came up to RM63.00 here is what I ordered….

• Medium Fish Head $34
• Sambal Sotong $10
• Mutton Rendang $10
• Fried Fish Roes $7
• Cabbage $2

Restaurant Hameed’s

 

Well after 2hrs of shopping it was tea time or rather it was time for coffee and cake, so we headed on to one of our favourite places which has highly confidential ingredients in their cakes *chuckles*

 

Chocolate Banana

 

Oreo Cheesecake

 

Blueberry Cheesecake

 

Unclassified Damages

 

Well then it was time to head on home, and along the way we saw a motorcycle parking lot. Boy I’ve never seen so many in one location before! Anyhow below are also the pics of the food we bought back. Mission Completed!

 

Motorcycle Parking Lot

 

Curry Fish Head

 

See Food List above

 

 

Zoo Revisited 19 Aug 07

So what’s new? Well quite a fair bit really……I mean I was plesantly surprised when I made the trip today. If you thought the Australian Outback Exhibit, Komodo Dragons or even the White Tiger ones were relatively new, well guess again. They’ve been around for quite some time now. They have a new Sun Bear exhibit! Well I must say that for this one, it is long overdue as it was the only one that remain unchanged since the zoo first open it’s doors. Then they have a boardwalk (bridge-like walk) up where you could get up close and personal with the free-ranging Orang Utans. Also a new Sumatran Orang Utan Exhibit that looks like a native hut. And they have refurnished the Crocodile enclosure/exhibit and is now known as Sungei Buaya!

Here are a few random pics I took today…..

Under the boardwalk…….

Sumatran Orang Utan Exhibit

Monkey see…Monkey Do!

Giddy Up! Let’s Go!

Look Ma! I’ve tamed this one…..

Yodelay Hee Hoo!……Crocy Rules!

*Sunglasses On* Yellow Submarine?

Next Stop…..chow time!

Horned Lizard aka Rhinocerous Iguana

Now if the kids would stop asking where I store the ink!

I’ve had it! It’s Pelican! not Pelikan!

Sun Bear!…..is there a moon bear?

Surfs Up!

Mangrove Snake

Check out my antlers!

So what if I’m short and fat!? People pay to see me! What bout you?