Festive Mood

Time has passed & with a blink of the eye, November has come to an end. Days have passed so quickly & I have been busy with assignments in office, that I only posted 2 blogs this month. Well, the hectic time has slow down now. With the school holidays & festive season around the corner, most of the employees are already in holiday mood! Yes, I am one of them. =)

I'll have more time to write in near future, of course in a more relaxing & pleasurable mood! I am now preparing myself for the wonderful Christmas & also celebration my days off with my sister! Hereby wishing everyone a happy year-end & open your arms to embrace the sweet season of joy! ;)

Crush

Having a crush or being crushed? These are 2 extreme feelings. Most of us have the experience of having a crush on someone. It is usually sweet and lovely to quietly like someone; sacrificing yourself to do things to please them without them knowing, some are into writing romantic messages on scented little papers to their crush signing off as anonymous. You feel happy and satisfied when you see your crush smiling away reading your messages or just a simple word of thank you from them.

However, when time passed by, the feeling of having a crush on someone becomes tiring. It involves a lot of effort to take note of the other party likes and dislikes. Apart from putting so much effort to keep them happy always, it hurts when your crush does not notice you at all! Plus, if you find out that your crush does not appreciate for what you have done, you felt as if the sky has fallen! Suddenly you feel that you are surrounded by darkness and unhappiness.

At one point, you wished your crush would know that all these while you were always there for them but the thought of confessing might ruin the current friendship. You are afraid that you will make a fool out of yourself by admitting that you have a crush on them. These are holding you back from reality. Somehow you manage to persuade yourself to stay where things are, secretly enjoying the pleasure - even just a glimpse of your crush or hearing their voice could brighten up your day!

Should you develop more your feelings towards your crush? If you are up for it, just a gentle reminder that not everyone will end up living happily ever after! It's your call whether to be a crush or being crushed!

Where R The Signs?

Where are all the signs that I am looking for? I've been paying attention to the surroundings & incidents around me , searching for signs that could guide me. It has been days & they are no where to be seen, yet! Probably, the One Above is testing my patience. Or perhaps, there are better arrangements ahead? Well, no matter what it is, I will still look out for the signs.

I always believe the Winged Helpers around us are there to assist whenever we request favours from them. They have proved their existence as well as performance, thus, I strongly believe that they will not let me down. They could be busy creating opportunities & mending the incompleteness, in order to allow everything falls into place aptly. =)
As mentioned always, hold on to faith as it will direct you to where you are meant to be. Signs, O Signs, please make yourselves visible! =)

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts @ Sunway Pyramid

Rating: ***
Price: Dime a dozen (RM10 per pax)
Comments: I first tasted Krispy Kreme in Dubai & it has the best original glazed doughnut! Finally, it came to Malaysia, with the first outlet at Berjaya Times Square. It has been receiving overwhelming responses from doughnuts' lovers that it has several outlets now. I dined at its new outlet & ordered fresh Almond All-Over & Strawberry Filled doughnuts with Iced Americano & Iced Latte. The doughnuts were tasty & soft as they were freshly made. As for the coffee, the bitterness & fragrance can keep you awake for the next 4 hours. Overall, the doughnuts are acceptable & worth to try. I will revisit for its classic & infamous original glazed doughnuts, as well as the raspberry chiller! =)

Rain Rain Go Away

Dear Miss Rainy

You have been staying around for quite sometime and your presence is much appreciated. We treasure your good will of cooling off the heat from Mr Sunshine. However, if you overdo it, dropping by everyday in the evening, you will bring unwanted troubles. There will be heavy traffic in town and flashflood at poor drainage roads. The outdoor lovers are stranded & the gloomy weather made us less motivated.
As you are always accompanied by Mr Thunder and Miss Lightning, their stern manner frighten us occasionally. For times when your companions are angry, their loud roars and acute bolt could even damage our electrical goods.
Well, I personally do enjoy your presence a lot, just a small request - please visit my place during the day & not at night. It will be a great help to me! Since you have visited us for quite a while, it's time for you to pay attention to places that need you more. If you do miss us, feel free to pay us a visit every now and then. We thank you for being with us during drought & whenever we need you.
I hope that you could hear my pleads & do not take this post personally. Remember that I enjoy your singing in the car & I always do! =)

~Treasuring You Always~

M.O.F @ Pavilion

M.O.F (Ministry of Food) @ Pavilion KL

Rating: * *
Price: Affordable (RM20 per pax)
Comments: This Japanese outlet serves desserts made out of green tea & red beans imported from Japan. From hot macha to ice milkshake, deep-fried sweet potatoes to chilled soft serve vanilla ice-cream, this outlet has another specialty - mini waffle with a variety of flavours! A thumbs-up for the unsweetened hot macha latte as you can really taste the bitterness of green tea. The signature Macha Imo - a combination of soft serve ice-cream, red beans and fried sweet potatoes, is best for those who have sweet tooth. I too tried the variety mini waffles & to my disappoinment, they are only averagely prepared. A great experience & will re-visit for the macha latte! =)

Sorry & Thank You

"Sorry" and "Thank You" are the most common words said in this universe. It is statistically proven that the Brits say approximately 12 times of "Sorry" within an hour. These words are embedded in almost every sentence. It is too often used that it has become a habit. Similarly "Thank You" has become a habit as well.

I personally think this is a good practice and Malaysians should adopt it! I seriously think that people in our country need to be educated on manners. They act bluntly and also slanderous in verbal. This hit me when I started noticing people around me do not apologize or be thankful for things that happened. It is as if for a moment, either they mouth has been sealed or they have totally forgotten the existence of those words.
For instance, last week when I was walking towards the cafeteria, a lady accidentally stepped on my foot and she did not even stop to apologize. She just walked away leisurely as if nothing had happened!! I was so furious that such an educated lady working in a MNC can't utter the simple word "Sorry" when she has done something wrong.
Another instance was today, a colleague of mine bought some delicacies to share with us in office. As soon as she arrived, she offered the steaming hot dumplings to her colleagues. They stretched their hands for the dumplings and were happily eating. After filling up their stomach, they just wiped their mouth and turned away. I was patiently waiting for the precious word but my jaw dropped when they just happily returned to their cubicle after enjoying the delicious dumpling!!
I am wondering is it that tough to blurt out these elementary words? It is actually an effortless action to be apologetic and express our gratitude. Saying "Sorry" and "Thank You" is as easy as ABC! If I can do it, so can you! So start embracing this positive habit and you'll eventually help to change the people surrounding you! =)

SkyFlaKes Or Not?

I was introduced to a new snack - SkyFlakes crackers. It is produced by Monde M.Y. San Corporation in the Philippines. Its flagship brand SkyFlakes crackers is one of the premium crackers. It is consistently enjoying the market leadership and gain acceptance not only locally but internationally as well.

This crispy biscuit is not found in Malaysia unfortunately, not that I am aware of. For now, I obtain my stock from our neighbour country at the South. It is priced at $8 for a tub of 30 individual packs. This biscuit comes in 2 flavours, plain and with peanut butter. I have tried both but still prefer the original flavour which is lightly salted. The crackers are always crunchy and go well with almost any beverages.
I was surfing and suddenly it strike my mind to read up on this product. I am so surprised and my jaw dropped when I read that a packet of SkyFlakes is equivalent to 1 cup of rice's calories! Gosh...there goes my diet plan for the week!! I got to cut down the intake from now on.
As I read further, there are quite a number of consumers posted reviews and tips on weight loss programmes with SkyFlakes! It's totally contradicting! E.g. a guy from UK was on feeding SkyFlakes for breakfast and lunch, and he loss 3kg in 1 week.
Well, what a relief it was to read those positive reviews! As it has been said, eat moderately and we shall be healthy! =) I will not give up on SkyFlakes!

My Clunker

The weather is superbly hot today. The sun is scorching and the heat can easily tan a person. Looking at the sun, I've decided to stay indoor for another day. I would rather sit right below the fan and enjoy a movie than sweating outdoor.

For a moment, I felt terribly heartache when I saw my aged but winsome clunker. He is exposed to the unbearable heat and one can actually cook an egg on him. He is so pitiful and I could hear him pleading for a cool bath. Without hesitation, I brought him to a salon for grooming as it was quite a while since he last had his spa.
When I was at the salon, the salon therapist recommended me a spa package from head to toe. The package comes with luxurious bath, vanilla scrub, glittering moisturizing lotion and lastly a fruity anti-bacterial fume. The package looks fantastic and of course the price is attractive as well. I took a look at my clunker and I've made up my mind to pamper him. =)
After 2 hours, I returned to the salon to pick up my clunker. He looks so refreshed and I could see him smiling away. His body shines after the scrub treatment and his eyes look much brighter. I could spot an immediate youthfulness in him! =p
Though the spa package is kind of pricey, but it's definitely worthwhile. We, too sometimes pamper ourselves. So, remember to maintain your clunker once in a while. =)

Tired No More

I read an interesting and informative article yesterday and thought of sharing with all of you.

Despite 8 hours of sleep, you wake up feeling more exhausted than when you went to bed. You feel sluggish, unmotivated to complete your tasks or do anything at all. Often, you have to push yourself to get through the day. Do you recognize yourself in these scenarios?? If your answers are "yes", then you are suffering from fatigue.

There are "5 Main Energy Drainer" that can cause exhaustion.

1. Over Exercising - avoid rigorous, heavy workouts as they could leave you worn out, not to mention lead to injuries. Try low to moderate exercise instead, it's better for boosting energy levels in long term.
2. Diet Lacking in Nutrients - too low levels of Vitamin C can leave you exhausted; skipping breakfast and dehydration are contributing factors as well. According to studies, down a big glass of water for instant energy because water is needed for a healthy functioning body.
3. Stress and Worries - when under stress, your muscles tighten up while your heart rate and blood pressure increase, resulting your body in aches and fatigue. Try taking slow, deep breaths to lower your heart rate and pump your body with oxygen.
4. Your Pessimistic Outlook - use negatives like "I can't", "I'll never" or "No way" will end you unmotivated, even depressed. Try to stay positive and notice it will fire up renewed energy.
5. Too much sleep - getting too much sleep can do more harm than good as it messes up your body's internal clock. Instead, get up within the hour you usually wake; avoid stimulants like caffeine in the afternoon as it can stay in your body for up to 8 hours and disrupt sleep.

Understand what triggers your exhaustion, then take steps towards changing your lifestyle. I will start making a change and hopefully I'll bounce back, brimming with energy within weeks. =)

Little Lighthouse 2009

This is a back dated post of my lovely nephew and niece annual graduation cum concert @ PGRM, Cheras. The so-called graduation marks the end of a year achievements by the little ones - academically. Both my nephew and niece were performing that day and they were also awarded the Best Reader as well as Best Improvement Student.

On that day, the proud parents were all out to get the best seats. Most of the parents were well equipped with digital and video camera to capture the best moments of their beloved little ones. Everyone was so excited and they actually cheered when their princes and princesses stood on the stage. Well, I was one them (no, I didn't cheer) but I actually went right in front and squeezed myself among the parents to capture the best shots of my nephew and niece. As courtesy, I squat down with my camera for 45 minutes and yet I was told off by one of the parents that I was blocking her view!
I was busy shooting away and didn't realize time had passed. It was a great experience overall as I get to practice my photography skills, also there to witness their joyous moments. Though it was tiring, but there was satisfaction when I viewed the photos captured. =) One thing that I felt ashamed was I couldn't relay their performances to my sis as I was not watching them! That is the sacrifices when you are holding on to a camera. Congratulations to the little ones!

Mid Autumn Festival (中秋)

Last Saturday (3rd Oct) was the Mid Autumn Festival aka Mooncake Festival. This is one of the major festival celebrated by the Chinese, on the 15th day of the eighth month (lunar calendar). This festival is for lunar worship and moon watching; on this day, the moon is supposedly at its fullest and roundest. Unfortunately, this year the moon was shying away from the Earth.

The traditional food of this festival is the mooncake, of which there are many different varieties. This typical delicacy is sweet and prepared in the shape of the moon; it is usually filled with sesame seeds, ground lotus seeds and salted egg yolks. Most mooncakes consist of a thin tender skin enveloping a sweet, dense filling. It may contain one or more whole salted egg yolks in the center to symbolize the full moon. Mooncakes are usually baked and they have imprint on top consisting of the Chinese characters - usually auspicious greetings.
Mooncake festival is celebrated annually. It is also a season where relatives and friends would visit each other along with mooncakes. With the new generations, the traditional mooncake has evolved into unique pastry with all sorts of flavours. From the typical Red Bean and Lotus Sesame Seed paste, bakery and hotels in town had come out with Durian, Oreo Cheese, Mocha Latte, Pandan Custard mooncakes etc. Hoping with all these newly invented flavours, they could win the heart of consumers.
Personally, when purchasing mooncakes as gifts, I don't go for special flavour but I would choose mooncakes with nice packaging instead. The mooncakes boxes are pretty and meticulously decorated. Of course, the cost is factored in. I would say these days consumers purchase mooncakes in order to own the collectible mooncake boxes. Err...yes, I am one of them. =p
Well, this year I have tasted a new flavour mooncake shared by a cool friend of mine - Snow Skin Red Raspberry with Cheese! It sounded weird but surprisingly the 'fusion' delicacy was really tasty! =) Am wondering what could be the new invention next year!

等待还是往前走？

如果有一天你发现这3年来 你很珍惜的一段感情突然变淡了，你会选择等待及挽回这段感情还是释放往前走呢？心情忐忑不安，当事人不知该如何。朋友甲说：“继续等待及忍耐一会儿，情况会好转的！别放弃!" 听了这一番话，当事人情绪也定了。一致下定决心继续等待，盼望一切会恢复自然。
过了一阵子 朋友乙说：“就算你能够挽回这段情，你能够保证它会不变吗？它可能只是短暂的恢复吧了！你还是放弃吧！” 现在该怎么办？朋友乙也可能说得对。就是因为这对话把当事人拉回犹豫不决的情况里。就在这个时候 当事人遇见了朋友丙 他诉说了一个真人真事给当事人听。故事如下。。。

在某一个火车站的候车室，时常坐着一位打扮整齐的中年妇女。她手里抱着一个老式皮箱 经常到处张望 似乎在期待什么。第一次见到妇人是婉婉高中的时候 每天放学乘搭火车到市区补习 夜晚10时回到火车站 妇人总是准时地坐在候车室的木椅上，一副等待着的姿势 不安的眼神 端整的打扮 好像在等待着某一个约好的人。时间一久 婉婉注意到妇人显得孤寂，有一天婉婉比平时迟到达火车站 她看见那位妇人走到候车室的黑板前用粉笔写着

[杰：等你没等到 我先走了！ 玲 留]

这是婉婉才知道 原来在候车室的留言是出自那位妇人。火车站老伯告诉婉婉 那位妇人已经在候车室坐了二十几年了 有人说她疯了 有人说看见她打开皮箱 里面装着的是少女时代的衣服。大部分的人都说 在二十几年前那个夜晚，玲和她的杰约好在车站碰面 要私奔到某一个地方 可是叫杰的那个男人却缺席了。
有一天婉婉回家的时候 不再看到玲的影子 问了车站许多人但是不晓得为什么仁然不见玲。这风雨无阻的妇人那天没有来 第二天凌晨 玲残缺的身体被火车站老伯发现在铁道上 那皮箱滚到很远的地方。候车室的黑板上有她的字迹，只改了几个字

[杰：等你三十年 我先走了！ 玲 留]

听完这凄凉的故事, 当事人心情沉重 替玲感到悲伤。当事人也思考了一阵子她不想堕落与玲的悲剧 也不想痴痴的等待了！这下当事人狠狠地告诉自己她决定大步的跨过这一段没结果的感情 从此再也不回头 只往美好前进。在此我也深深的祝福当事人能够轻易的忘掉一切不愉快的事 相信明天一定会更好的! 加油吧朋友！=)

Men Midlife Crisis

We've always heard of Midlife Crisis but do you really know what does it mean? Midlife crisis is of no joke. Many of us would make fun of this term & use it against people around us who are in their 30s, 40s or 50s and can last for up to 10 years. According to research, both men and women have different midlife crisis experience. Let us take a deeper understanding of men midlife crisis.

The signs of a midlife crisis in men are more than buying a fast car and working out. Though these are the signs most commonly recognized in films, televisions and books, there are other signs to look for. It is common that a man experiencing a midlife crisis is not always aware he is in the throes of one, however others can spot the signs a mile away.

Below is the listing of 8 key signs of midlife crisis in men:

• He says life is a bore - he once liked his job and was happy at home but now expresses restlessness or apathy; a bored man wants to shake up his routine, this means anything from quitting his job to making frequent plans to paint the town red with "his boys"
• He is thinking about (or already) having an affair - a midlife men often "turn tender" and start to focus more on people and feelings, easily drawn into an affair thinking their partner do not understand the changes in them
• He starts to make impetuous decisions about money and/or his career - watch out if men suddenly loses interest in his career and instead splurged on unusual or expensive items such as clothing, jeweleries, gadgets, sports cars (that he always dreamed of driving)
• He easily feels angry, irritable, restless and agitated more often than normal - midlife crisis men are simply very sensitive and emotional for no apparent reason, often uttering hurtful or senseless words to people around them
  
• He makes a dramatic change in his personal style and spending lots of time in front of a mirror - midlife men begins feeling their age and freaking out about their drying out skin, falling out hair and easily ache muscles
  
• He started drinking (either little or too much) often - this is one of the obvious sign; men can only quit this only when they want to, regardless of how much effort their partner has put in to make them 'stop'
• He is overly nostalgic and constantly reminiscing about his youth or his first love - midlife men starts to ponder "what if", and they question their past decisions; he has no idea what would have really happened if he had married his first love, but he can dream about it -- and chances are, he only recalls the good parts of their relationship
• He tends to approach younger women and has the interest of developing relationship with younger women - having low self-esteem and comparing themselves against his peers, he felt that he is a failure; thus, striking up conversations with women half their age makes them feel at ease and rather more comfortable

Well, to all the men readers, how many of the above signs have you spotted? Take note and it's never too late to get yourself out of it. As for the women readers, is your man in the journey of midlife crisis? If yes, stand by them and give them your fullest support! =)

Mundane Week

It has been a week after Hari Raya break but I've noticed the holiday mood is still lingering, especially around the office. The enthusiasm of working has not resumed. Furthermore with the weekend approaching, most of the white-collars already started planning a line of activities to be accomplished.

For the past 6 days, there wasn't any interesting or happening events that I could blog about. The week was pretty ordinary. I was so bored that I ended picking up an interest to snap photos while driving. I know it's risky to do so but I couldn't help it as I only spotted nice views when I am driving. I am as well impressed with the 3.2MP camera on my cellphone. The images captured turned out to be quite attractive. =p
Well, I don't recommend this 'hobby' to all, even though you are a skillful driver. There were several times where I almost 'kissed' the car in front of me. So, again this act is not advisable. However if you have decided to adopt it, do it at your own risk!!

Traffic Free

Today is the first working day after a long stretch of break due to Hari Raya Aidilfitri. I managed to crawl out of bed slightly later than my usual time and was ready to face the traffic. Knowing the traffic, I've prepared a bottle of Vitagen and 2 slices of biscuits so that I could get some bites while being stuck in the traffic.

To my surprise, the road was clear and it took me only 20 minutes to reach office at the speed of 60km/h. I was amazed as everyone should be back to work today and traffic should be congested. I was driving that slow that I could even snap a pic of the traffic-free road. Anyway, it's a good thing as I could save some fuel. =p

The office is rather quiet now (only 7 colleagues) are around. Where is everyone else? Are they still enjoying their holiday? Hmm....probably some of them are sun-bathing at the beach now, some are enjoying dim-sum, some are still sleeping under the warm and cosy comforter, and perhaps some don't even know today is a working day?! =)
Whatever it is, I am in office getting ready to work. Yes, I've just said WORK, perhaps after my bottle of Vitagen. Well, weekend is just 2 days away! How difficult can it be? =)

Nikkor Lens

Finally after some thoughts, I've decided to get myself a new addition - Nikon 55-200mm Normal-Telephoto Autofocus Lens. After reading a few reviews and comments from users over photography forums, this is apparently the best companion for my existing kit lens. I have not start shooting with the new lens as it was raining today. Was stranded indoor. If the weather is good tomorrow, I'll test it out!

Oh yeah, I have bought a few filters as well. I've bought Ultraviolet (UV) filter for each lens, mainly to protect the front of the lens. It is easily mounted on to the lens. A UV filter is mostly transparent to visible light, and can be left on the lens for nearly all shots. It has no effect to the photos taken unless strong UV filters are used. Well, I will explore further when the weather gets better.

One of the lens that I heart most is the Polarizer filter! =) I have always wanted to own one ever since I first saw the photo of clear blue sky with white-fluffy clouds taken with this filter. I couldn't resist when the sales girl was showing me the variety of lens. The 2 main effects of this filter in photography: it reduces reflections from non-metallic surfaces, and can darken the sky. I am really looking forward to a sunny day tomorrow! =) Can't wait to try out these new accessories! By the way, did I mention that these newbies cost quite a bit? Need to fully utilize them well enough! =p

Lucky Day!

Two days ago, while driving back home from work I called in to a local radio station for a contest. I was just trying my luck as I have not been able to get through the hotline once. I always dial in when the DJ announces the hotline number. Without knowing which contest, I took up my cell and started dialing in. As usual the line was busy and at times there were connection error.

Suddenly, my line got through and I heard the familiar voice of the DJ. I couldn't believe that I was the lucky caller! =) I was ecstatic for a while then I realized that I don't even know what contest was going on. Thankfully the cheerful radio DJ was very helpful. She was guiding me, errr....more of telling me the correct answers. Without any trouble, I managed to pass through the quiz. It was fun but also embarrassing as I sang on-air and a few of friends could recognize my voice! =p

I was delighted as it was my first time calling in to this radio station and won 2 tickets to "F1 Rock Concert" @ Fort Canning Park, Singapore! Can't wait to see 张学友 and 张惠妹! A good start for the 4th quarter of 2009! More to come ya! =)

Ghost Festival (中元节）

This Friday will mark the end of 7th month lunar calendar. 2 days ago a grand ceremony - Por Tor, was held in the neighbourhood where I am residing to conduct a proper sendoff for the spirits. The annual event was held over 3 days where several rituals were carried out to transmute and absolve the sufferings of the deceased. Prayers were chanted and food is offered to those lost souls and spirits wandering between the living and lower realms. During this period, the deceased ancestors "return" to visit the living of their descendants and seek for entertainment.

Activities during the 3 days include preparing ritualistic food offerings, burning incense, and burning joss paper, a papier-mache form of material items such as clothings, gold and other fine goods for the visiting spirtis. Elaborate meals would be served with empty seats for the deceased and spirits treating them as if they are still living. A makeshift open air cinema is setup, playing movies for the spirits as entertainment. Live performances were put on at night and at high volumes as the sound would attract and please the spirits. The first row of seats are always empty as this is where the "guests" would sit.

Families in the neighbourhood offered a great variety of food and beverages to the unknown homeless souls so that they would not intrude on their lives and bring misfortune and bad luck. Incense stands for prosperity in Chinese culture, so families believe that there is more prosperity in burning more incense. Businessmen and shop owners in the neighbourhood gathered to build altars for the deceased and priests/monks alike perform rituals for the benefit of souls. Monks often throw rice or other small food into the air in all directions to distribute them to the homeless spirits. The altars are setup in the street with fresh fruits and also sacrifices displayed on it. The grand finale of the event is when few monks chanted an hour long prayers to make sure all the hungry ghosts and wandering souls find their way back to the underworld.

There is a belief that there are souls who remain in the living realm to seek revenge to those who have wronged them in life. What do you think?

Godiva Chocolatier

I had craving for chocolate while I was window shopping earlier. After an hour of walking, I finally ended up at one of the world's best chocolate store - Godiva Chocolatier.

Without any hesitation, I approached the chiller storage which has a premium selections of truffles neatly arranged. Being a chocolate lover, I've decided to pick a few truffles especially those with alcohol. I love the bitterness of dark chocolate and a little alcohol, a perfect combination! Truffles are my favourite and what more when they come in a mixture of dark chocolate.
It took me quite a while to decide which flavour I should buy as all of them look so tasty! I was wishing the sales guy could give me a free tasting and I was too shy to ask for one. After picking 5 different flavours, I made my way to the cashier and happily waiting to collect my little golden paper bag. I took out a piece of RM50 note and was thinking should I get another extra truffle for my mum. Just as I was about to ask for another piece, I heard the cashier's voice..."That would be sixty Ringgit please." I was stunned for a while and after passing him the note, I quickly dipped into my bag to top up the balance. I was still in the state of vagueness when the cashier, with a smiling face, handed over the petite precious bag to me.
Upon reaching home, immediately I took out a piece to enjoy! While I was luxuriating in it, I could hear a voice behind me..."Each bite is precious! Indulge every bit of it!"
Well, it is slightly pricey but the truffles are really good! Will I revisit the store? Hmmm...will see how it goes. They are just chocolates afterall! =)

The Ugly Truth

Catch this new romantic comedy - The Ugly Truth, if you want to laugh out loud at a guy's dating rules. Both main characters are hot and sexy! Katherine Heigl (Abby) does have a great body and her curves can sweep the guys off the ground. The gorgeous blond lass, seen as Dr. Isobel Stevens in Golden Globe-winning series Grey's Anatomy, managed to reveal not only her beauty but also the intellectual personality of hers in the movie.

As for Gerard Butler (Mike), the muscular, dark brown & hot Scottish makes the women drool at his every moves. The good looking 6'2" lad with grey-green eyes was humorous and sensuous in the movie. Though at certain scene, the fine lines has laid bare his age, he is still hunky and symmetrical.
Alright, my confession - for a while I was building castle in the air, fantasizing I could wake up one morning next to him! =p

I actually remembered The Ugly Truth Rules (which is a guy's view) from the movie:

Rule #1 - Never criticize a guy
Rule #2 - Laugh at whatever a guy says, even it is not funny
Rule #3 - Men are very visual (Duh! Who doesn't know this?)
Rule #4 - Never talk about your problems to a guy

I somehow find there is some truth to the above rules. These manly rules get Abby her perfect guy but the relationship doomed because she's been acting and not being her true self.

Share with you some memorable quotes for The Ugly Truth:

Abby: "My cat stepped on the remote."
Mike: "Well, be sure to thank your pussy for me."

Mike: "It's not for you, it's for your bean."

I would recommend this movie for those who needs a good laugh. Have fun and enjoy the great romantic comedy.
Remember, your great love is out there, you just need the right rules! =)

Tiramisu @ Alexis

Alexis Bistro & Wine Bar

Bangsar Baru
Rating: ***

Price: Slightly above the bar (RM380 for 5 pax)
Comments: Finally! I've made a trip to Alexis after reading so many deviating reviews about it especially for the adorned Tiramisu. Being a Tiramisu lover, it's a must try for me! The cake, surfaced with crunchy almond nuts & the cognac soaked sponge cake embedded with chocolate shavings is a perfect combination. I was in 7th heaven when I took the first bite with the strawberry sauce. Thumbs up for this! Tasted another star-studded item - steamed garlic clams with Chardonnay sauce. The sauce is delicious, thanks to the aromatic flavour of the great white wine. Alexis, occupying 2 floors has a great atmosphere - cool backdrop, nice bar, great lighting & comfy seats. Last but not least, a few glasses of Lychee Bellini & cocktails ended the flawless evening! =) I will definitely revisit!

Umaiya & Fullhouse

Umaiya Japanese Restaurant

Damansara Utama (Uptown)
Rating: * *
Price: Affordable (RM170 for 4 pax)

Comments: Food is not fantastic but the ambiance is quite cosy. Tasted different types of sushi - fresh veg, could have included more fish roe. Soba was alright - well decorated. Soft shell crab was oily & not crunchy enough. Will consider to revisit.

Fullhouse Lifestyle Store & Cafe
Nui Ze Xui @ Ara Damansara
Rating: * *
Price: Affordable (RM120 for 3 pax)

Comments: Food is pretty mundane. Spaghetti was tasteless. Dessert - nice to see only! Would recommend the Chicken Chop, tasty sauce & generous portion. Praise them for the charity dinner set - fund raising for the Morakot in Taiwan. Thumbs up for its cool setup & decoration of the restaurant! =) Worth to visit, if you have a bored evening!

Obessesive Shopping Disorder

I had a thought over my spending habit lately & am questioning myself whether am I suffering from Obsessive Shopping Disorder (OSD)?

OSD aka Compulsive Shopping is a form of process addiction in which someone feels compelled to shop. This type of process addiction results in the expenditure of large amounts of money. While it might seem laughable to be “addicted to shopping,” compulsive shopping is actually a serious problem!! Compulsive shoppers are actually out of control, which means that they are unable to stop spending money. They believe that if they shop they will feel better.

Compulsive shopping and spending generally makes a person feel worse. It can be a seasonal balm for the depression, anxiety and loneliness. It also can occur when a person feels depressed, lonely and angry. A chronic compulsive shopper shops constantly to feel better, becoming addicted to the process of shopping and spending money. Some may become compulsive in response to stress, failing relationships, or problems at work.

Shopaholics, basically go out and buy, to get a high, or get a "rush" just like a drug or alcohol addict. According to research, shopping addiction tends to affect more women than men. They often buy things they do not need. Women suffering from OSD often have racks of clothes and possessions with the price tags still attached which have never been used. They will go to a shopping mall with the intention of buying one or two items and come home with bags and bags of purchases. Does this sound familiar to you?!

Well, below are some tips to prevent shopping binges:

• Pay your purchases by cash or debit card
• Make a shopping list & only buy what is on the list
• Avoid discount warehouses. Allocate only a certain amount of cash to spend if you do visit one
• Talk a walk or exercise when the urge to shop comes on
• If you feel out of control, you probably are. Seek help from support group!!
  

Shopping and spending will not assure more love, bolster self-esteem, or heal the hurts, regrets, stress, and the problems of daily living. While many of us have treated ourselves to something special in response to depression or unsettling events (I do that often), bear in mind that there is a difference between setting a budget for a special treat instead of going on a spending spree which spirals out of control!
I will spend some time to curb my spending habit & am thankful that I am not a chronic shopaholic! =)

Confrontation vs Evasion

I had a few thoughts over whether confronting an issue is better or should one just let nature takes it cause? Being in a competitive world nowadays, we meet different people from different background in our daily life. Thus, we can't escape from these challenging contention.

No doubt confrontation can be extremely uncomfortable; especially if the person tends to become anxious. Of course, confrontation can mean different things to different people. It may mean a disapproving look, a raised voice, or escalation to the point of yelling face to face. So, these could be the reasons that only a minority group of people has the guts to step forward to talk things out. Confrontation can become intimidating, but it does not involve a violation of human rights for dignity. Perceiving the difference is meant to help one to de-escalate the fear attached.

On the other hand, majority of the people, especially Asians will choose to avoid from matters. This is statistically proven in a research. Asians are not open enough when it comes to dealing with issues that had occurred, they tend to stay in the shadow, dare not utter a single word, even they are the victim. This is not a healthy practice as one will always be at the losing end & things will not get sorted out. Both parties will keep holding on to the thorns, pricking each other, till either party take the initiative to remove them. Yes, though it will take time to heal the wound, it is better than letting the thorns residing inside you.

Below are some tips & warning when you are dealing with confrontation:

• Do not mind read, do not try & guess the other person's motive. Assertively asking for clarification is your best approach
• Confrontation is appropriate when dealing with inappropriate behaviour
• Refrain confrontation and think of it as a negotiation
• Exerting control over another human being is beyond the scope of confrontational behaviour
• Learn to comfortably handle confrontation without avoidance may increase your level of credibility
  

So, which type are you? Are you the mighty brave-heart who sees no fear in approaching a person or are you the runaway bride who is always avoiding reality? Confront or not? The decision is yours!

Ramadan Kareem

The yearly Holy Month for the Muslims has begun. The Ramadan (Kareem) started 3 days ago where Muslims start off their day with Sahur (first meal of the day) before dawn & they will fast (no food & drinks) till Maghrib, when the sun sets. Ramadan is the time where you could spot many bazaars or temporary setup stalls in neighbourhood selling great varieties of savoury Malay delicacies – beef rendang, ayam masak merah, lontong etc. Of course, the tasty sweet desserts are to be found too – kuih talam, seri muka, kuih sago etc.

Dubai, is a well known Muslim country in the Middle East – famous for its 7 stars hotel, Burj al-Arab & being recognized as shopping heaven. I had the opportunity to visit this lovely place during the Ramadan and it is an amazing experience. The Muslims in UAE do fast like every other believer around the globe, reciting their prayers & having their Iftar (breaking fast) with family & friends.

It is summer in Dubai now where the temperature climbs up to 43°C during midday. One could feel the gush of hot air brushing thru whenever he steps to the outdoor. Despite the incredible heat, the Muslims, holding on to their faith, carry out their fasting as a sign to clear their sins & be forgiven. Being a stranger to the weather, I could barely tolerate the heat. A short distance walking to the convenience store almost took my life. I wonder how do the construction workers deal with the scorching sun!

Another interesting incident, a list of Do’s & Dont's was issued out in the hotel to each guest. Those that caught my eyes are below:

• Dress appropriately – you should cover your elbows & knees when in public
• Do not drink & eat in public between 5.54am – 6.50pm
• Do not play loud music in your car

I thought the above are just some guidelines but to my surprise, they are seriously weighed. I bought my dinner from an outlet in a food court & I was informed that only takeaway is allowed. After collecting my order, I found a seat to enjoy my meal. When I was about to take a sip of drink, a security guard approached me & told me that no eating is allowed till 6.50pm (which is another 20 minutes away). I then took a sip hoping he didn’t see me, but luck was not on my side – I was warned. I was not the only patrons being told off as there were many foreign visitors who are not aware about the rule. Everyone started to dig in as soon as the Maghrib prayer was broadcast.

This visit is an eye-opening one! Apart from the 20 mins suffering of staring at hot & aromatic chicken beriyani but not allowed to eat them, the short working hours during Ramadan is something to look forward to. The white collars basically work till 3pm daily! =) This is definitely a plus point to the superbly unbearable heat in summer! Do pay a visit here for a life time experience. It’s definitely worth while.

New Moon (初一）

Yesterday marked the New Moon of 7th month in Lunar calendar. I always have the thought of the presence of a New Moon brings negative energy. As the "yin" energy is at its peak, individual (especially the women) will be emotional & often suffers from depression! Thus, there comes the believe of being vegetarian every New Moon to ward off the negative "qi".
Well, actually based on Astrological studies, the New Moon (occurs when the sun & moon are in conjunction, occupying the same part of the sky from the viewpoint of Earth) is the time for new beginnings. This signifies the best time to plant your seeds for transformations - such as growing energy, newness, rejuvenation, growth, renewal and hope. It is a good point to make changes in your life too, for instance ending bad habits or relationships.

On a practical side, this is the time to start a new venture, initiate new business contacts, start an advertising campaign and visualize where you are headed both spiritually and emotionally.

According to studies, the energy of the moon is what guides us and is the directive force in living our true path. Working with the cycles of the moon allows us to position our creative forces in an almost serendipitous way. When working with moon energy, we draw in the energy of being in the “right” place at the “right” time.
The energy of the moon itself, also carries intuitive perception. Nowadays, intuitive perception is being used to fine-tune our life changes that we are all experiencing on the planet. Psychic and intuitive awareness are now being used to assist us in our life changes and transformations on a much deeper, internal level.

In short, whenever it's a New Moon phase, you may practice the below steps:

• Initiate the changes or transformations for yourself
• Allow your logical minds to focus on your life changes
• Welcome the development of new habit or approach in you (with consistent focus)
• Feel the changes taking place in you & acknowledge them
  
• Your logical minds remind you that there was an intent to change
  
• Voila! The new habit or approach begin to anchor its essence into your everyday normal life
  

Working with the cycles of the moon can be tremendously empowering and remove a lot of energetic resistance to manifesting your desires. Go out tonight and sing to the moon! She is simply sitting there, waiting to pour her golden light onto you. =)

Wedding Banquet

Yes, the long awaited wedding of Mizz Em!! It was planned over almost a year & finally the day has arrived. Being a high-school & also hang-out friend of the bride, I was among one of the privileged guests to be invited to attend the 3 days event. =)

1st day - Bride's Dinner
It started off first with an interesting dinner, held by the bride's family. Apart from delicious authentic cuisine, there were ceremonies & prayers to bless the bride. It was rather a women event - aunties from near & far, sisters & cousins were there celebrating the joyous moment & singing hymns. The men were enjoying their drinks & get-together moment. The dinner ended with everyone dancing & partying away at the dance floor.

2nd day - The Cleansing Ritual
It was a day where relatives & friends gathered at the bride's home for a traditional cleansing ceremony. The bride was cleansed using yogurt & turmeric paste, all over her & to be done only by married women. The soaked yellow bride then cleaned up herself before the next ritual took place - young children feeding the bride with sweet yellow rice. Why young children? It's because this ritual should be done by virgins. Next, the guests (mostly the ladies) were having a good time during Mehndi session. Their hands were artistically painted using henna. I've got mine done as well =)

3rd day - The Wedding Day!
The auspicious day began with a grand & momentous wedding ceremony held in a temple. Mizz Em, as always stunning looking, was gorgeous in her glittering saree. By her side was the good-looking & charming groom. What a perfect couple they are! =)
On the same night, relatives & selected friends were invited to the prestigious Royal Selangor Club for dinner & dance. All the guests dressed to the nines & everyone had fun & luxuriate in it! Superb night it was!

It's a wonderful & interesting experience to witness Mizz Em's big day! Congratulations to the newly wed & God Bless! =)
So, who is next in line?! ;)

他不愛我。。。

主唱：莫文蔚
曲：陈小霞 词：杨立德

他不愛我 牽手的時候太冷清
拥抱的時候不夠靠近
他不愛我 说话的時候不认真
沉默的時候又太用心
我知道他不愛我 他的眼神
说出他的心 我看透了他的心
还有別人逗留的背影
他的回憶清除得不夠乾淨
我看到了他的心
演的全是他和她的電影
他不愛我 尽管如此
他还是贏走了我的心 。。。

他究竟爱不爱我？为什么他的心还有她的背影？难道忘记一个人有那么的困难吗？
怎么办？是否应该等待还是放弃呢？无论如何，他依然留在我心里。

To Do List...

Each of us has a to do list, be it a daily, weekly or monthly listing. I personally do not have a daily to do list as my work & life is pretty structured. The people surrounding me is a bit astonished to find out about my daily routine. Some of them would compliment that I am living a healthy lifestyle, but some of them would tell me point-blankly..."You have no life!"

Of course I do have a life! I adore my lifestyle & on top of that, I have several special to do lists, which need to be achieved in my life. Since love is in the air lately, let me share the "Couple To Do List". It's just a listing of top 10 events that I think dating couple should do, at least I will.

• Taking a 28 minutes ride in commuter - during off peak hour
• Go for a romantic comedy movie - minus the pop-corn
  
• Peaceful & quiet dinner
• Cruising around coastal area, not necessarily having a destination
• Car wash - either hands on or the drive-thru
• Breakfast in bed - regardless who prepares it!
• Photos taking at the photo sticker machine - 5 spontaneous shots
  
• Car racing & virtual shooting at the amusement park - yes, the token games!
  
• A walk in the rain! Better if it's a stroll with snow flakes around!
• Surprises, surprises & surprises...=)

Do you have a list of adventures that you would like to get in there? It's never too late to pen them down & get them done. Remember, it's better to be late than never. Probably you could throw in some wonderful acts that I have missed out!
Finally, from the list above, how many have I accomplished? Well, it's for me to know & for you to find out! =)

Believe It or Not?

"Don't stay out till late night." Be extra careful when you are driving late night." Don't go for water activities if they are not necessary." - these are the few reminders from my mum lately as the lunar 7th month is approaching. Being grown-up in a typical & reserved family, I was warned to be extra cautious during the 7th month where the "Hungry Ghost" festival is celebrated among the Chinese.

Well, recalling these warnings, are they just merely indications to us so that we will be safe & sound? Or are they solely beliefs, superstitions in our culture?

• "Be extra careful when driving out late night" - aren't we supposed to practice this when we are on the road all the time?
  
• "Avoid water sports or activities during the 7th month" - what is the reasoning behind this? Lunar 7th month is also the monsoon in east coast, some of the islands are even closed for public use.
  
• "Keep the sun-dried clothes before sunset." - to avoid the 'beings' from borrowing them. This is what I was told. Why would one leave their clothes out when there is no sun?
• "When you smell the fragrance of Jasmine flowers, say your prayers!" - this indicates the presence of the 'beings'. It could be a passerby who adores Jasmine immensely?
  
• "Wash your legs before going to bed." - else the 'beings' will accompany you to bed & you'll have sleepless & restless night. Err...the elders want the bedsheets to be clean & last slightly longer?

There are plenty more dogmas that I've heard of. Am I supposed to adhere to each & every one of them? Hmmm...sometimes we have to act according to rationality rather than blindly following these ideologies passed from generations to generations.
However, sometimes there are phenomenons that took place where no one could explain, even science could not identify the cause. So, what could they be afterall? It's an individualistic perception, whether to believe it or not.

Needless to say, knowing me, I do hold on to the beliefs & myths. I do learn a lot from these beliefs & of course I have also seen the unexplained extraordinary scenes. =)

Girls Day Out~

This is one of the activities done over the weekend, at least once a month. A girls' day out - outing with buddies, fine-dining, gossiping, movie, enjoying tea & shopping! Of course, these prestigious activities are exclusively planned only for the girls!

The outing is usually planned at least a few days before, where the girls will start searching for a cool & hip meeting place. Dining is always a never to be missed endeavor during the outing - from hot & affordable street food to classy & pricey restaurants. Girls will always end up at different eateries, from Eastern to Western - American fast food, Italian pasta & tiramisu, Spanish bread pudding, Mediterranean seafood, Japanese sushi & sashimi, Korean kimchi & bibimbap etc etc. It is not an easy task to decide where to dine as each of the girls has her own preference.
"I don't take sushi & raw food..."My clothes will smell if we bbq in an air-conditioned place..."I am on low-carb diet, can we skip rice?" - these are the often heard statements, one of the girls got to stand firm to decide & be peacemaker.

Next, an act which comes naturally when girls get together - gossips! I am sure guys do the same as well. Girls will first update each other on how things stack up recently. Then after, girls will express their concerns on others - from complimenting colleagues & friends to criticising them on their outrageous behaviour. The tète-à-tète usually gets heated especially when the anchor is opposite sex, which girls would discuss inside out about him. This is the moment when you could see the zest among the girls, with sparkling eyes.
However, the girls do show their ugly side too. Jealousy, cynicism, backbiting, disfavour are part of the drama. They do piss & moan about their unhappiness - mostly it relates another female individual. Somehow, the girls do feel much satisfied & relief after uttering it out. Perhaps it's just a girl thing to share feeling among buddies!

Shopping is next in-line - this is another tough task to be achieved, as each girls has different taste in fashion & also spending power. The one who holds a platinum credit card & several member cards of high-end stores would suggest to visit designer boutiques, whereas girls who have limited spending power will rather call it a day than window shop - only get to admire things but not owning them. It is also challenging when all girls shop together, first of all, they will end up waiting one another. Secondly, girls will pop-up asking for comments - "How do I look in this dress? Red suits me better or black?". A friend will think carefully before answering, perhaps smiling away complimenting you. A true friend will give you blunt answer, which is not always pleasant.

Well, all the above activities could happen in a day, within hours. Sometimes, the girls will end up in disagreements but they do agree that the day spent is worthwhile as there is always something new learnt. Be that as it may, some might view this as a complete waste of time outing - increasing calories intake & energy draining conversation.
What do you think? How much time left do you have to spend your quality time with your buddies? So, treasure it!

Is Honesty the Best Policy?

Honesty is the Best Policy - this is a well-known idiom, but how true is it? You've probably heard of this since young from your parents, learnt it in your schooldays, among your buddies & even in the working world, but how many of us practice it? Let's not comment on others, do a quick self-check, are you being honest to the people around you all these while? =)

Well, I admit that I do lie sometimes, but they are usually white lies to please others. It is not easy to break unpleasant news to others, especially to those whom we dearly loved & cared. By not telling them the truth, it may bring smile, laughter & happiness to them. They will continue to live without any worries or doubts, thinking they are the most fortunate person on earth, having the most trustable friends & everything in their life are flawless! Such a lovely & wonderful life, isnt it?

Natalie was a sweet & cheerful girl, till the truth was revealed, her life fell apart totally. She was heartbroken & what worse was she discovered the truth on her own!!! Finding out the ugly truth was painful & Natalie was in depression for months. She was unable to accept & face the reality. She was in doubts - constantly wondering whether the truth that she has discovered is real? She was convincing herself that everything will be alright one day. However, during that time she was emotionally & mentally bothered.

"Why is this happening to me?? What have I done wrong to deserve this?? Should I forgive & forget??" - these were the questions lingering around Natalie. She prayed hard every day & night, asking for guidance & courage from The Above. Days & months have passed & she still hasnt got a definite & honest answer from her loved ones. Till today, Natalie is still searching for the truth. She is hoping that time will heal everything & situation will be better one day. She lives a miserable life & can no longer easily trust anyone. She does not want to be hurt & betrayed again.

If Natalie's loved ones were honest to her from the beginning, will she live differently now? Or should Natalie just live like who she was before, pretending not knowing the truth? I missed Natalie's cheerful laughter & I would love to see her being happy again. So, is honesty the best policy? I'll leave it to you to judge.