xmas tidings

wow, i seem to be the tallest of the three! they must be bending their knees or something - i am quite sure we are about the same height.

merry xmas, friends....

what a christmas

what a christmas - highs, lows, in-betweens...... what a christmas!

i can't wait for the new year - will it be high, low, in between or just ....nothing?...

what fun.....



happy 2009, everyone!

what do i want?

every woman must watch "The Women" - not only my favourite actresses (Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Candice Bergen, Debra Messing), but so hilarious, yet so real....

amidst the laughter and tears and pain, it does make one think - what do i want?

most of us go through life doing what we think is the RIGHT thing to do.... raise a family, be a good wife, be a good mother..... that we sometimes miss out on doing what we really want!

nothing wrong with doing the right thing......

but some of us get to a point in life where we feel we have lost it - children are independent and flown the coup, husband chooses beer over wife, friends are all but gone or too busy with their families..... and we wonder where we've gone wrong.... why is it that we don't seem to have what we really want..

or do we already have what we want - the satisfaction of good motherhood.... being a great wife, the best in fact....

so why do we want more???

BORING

I am becoming a total bore again... work work work, and nothing but work. don't even have time to catch up on my dvd's, the only time i watch tv now is my sunday favourite shows.

i miss the free and easy, coffee bean hangout times, retail therapy days, having a yarn with friends... and that was only a few months' ago!

so much to do, so much that hasn't been done, and it's the twilight years now.. time seems to gallop faster as one gets older. perhaps our clocks work differently from a 20 year old..

so all you youngsters, below 30, go do what you want, work hard to achieve your goals - it is possible with youth and plenty of time ahead, plenty of energy and stamina... don't wait till you're 50! although it's not too late at 50, it certainly does slow you down a tad.

bar acquaintances

in my day, and i don't think it's any different now (becos people are still the same in behaviour and thinking patterns), people who go to a bar (or disco as it was called then), are generally out for a good time. some unlucky souls go to get drunk to drown their sorrows, but generally, everyone's there to have fun.

very few acquaintances lead to something more substantial, except that they seriously wish to get laid perhaps, or sloshed.

but once in a blue moon, one might get lucky, and depending on how one plays the cards, a real friendship could bloom..... so look out for that blue moon :) hasn't happened in my time yet...

Contemplation

do you know that it is dangerous to contemplate too much? you contemplate to the point that you can't think straight, and leads to non-verbal dialogue with yourself and others.....

a confused person is what you become, or a nut to some others.

but it's better to contemplate than to shoot off the mouth without thinking right..

but at this day and age, contemplation seems to be a stranger to most; mindless being the norm - sad!

if there was more contemplation than impulsiveness, pride and egos, and mindless banter, the world will enjoy more peace and love....

bad guy good guy

they say it's lonely at the top - how true!

you play the good guy sometimes, but most times you have to play the bad guy. bosses get you to do the dirty job of firing someone, giving warnings to buck up .....

same with the family - mum and dad will play good and bad guy, although in a well rounded family, the roles interchange depending on the situation, otherwise too much of one could be disastrous for that parent.

fat people day

gosh, i have been sooooo busy, it's been a month since i had a chance to think, hence no blogs.

but peeps, here's some wisdom - after all these years, i have finally found out when is Fat People's Day and where they meet ....... on thursdays, in Mid Valley :)

i was there some weeks ago, and no kidding, for every 10 people whom I passed, there was at least 1 fat person. and i don't mean the okay weight who claim they are overweight. these are serious elephant legs and blubber blubber. I wonder which shops they go to since even a little-bit-fat person like me can't find clothes that are big enough - let me go to MV another thursday and do some research.

check this spot out on the next change!

buzz buzz

i bet when i ask anyone "what is love", i will get totally different answers.... so subjective isn't it?

there are people you love, but can't live with... there are people you don't love, but can live with... is that confusing?

and there are people you love whom you try to unlove, but never quite succeed... you go through tunnels and bridges, seas and oceans, road and rail, but you come back to the same spot - loving this person..
and maybe when you do live with this person, you will find out that perhaps you don't love ....

moral of story - stick to loving your kids, it's simple and straightforward - whether you live with them or don't, you still love them just the same...

"I miss my old friend
i wish was here and not there,
then we could sit and talk
from dusk till dawn"

motorbike convention

there are motor car conventions, medical, dental, all sorts of conventions... all in five star hotels, poshy posh...

have you ever wondered where the motorbike conventions are held, and when? only on special days do these conventions take place..

on rainy days, underneath flyovers or bridges - the biggest convention of motorbikes, all busily convening with each other, and patiently watching the rain and waiting for the rain god to be the main speaker at their convention!

love

how do you measure love? i reckon that it's measured differently - love of a child, of a parent, of a spouse, and of a friend. which is strongest? i guess different people have different choices - to me, love of a child is deepest.

it is so sad to see families where the parents and children are estranged - what a tragedy! we have one life, and it is getting shorter by the day. let's not forget that blood is thicker than water - so let us put aside egos, arrogance, stubbornness, anger, bitterness - let us remember that family love is irreplaceable. you may think that you can go through life happily without your child or parent, but it will eat you up, and then it's too late.

gender?

i looked across the almost crowded room, and my eyes rested on a well-chiseled face, very attractive youngish man reading a book. i thought to myself "what a good looking man", and he was sitting alone! what a waste...

you can't daydream in KL - something or someone will always jam in, without invitation. so was miss so-and-so who decided she wanted me to help her with the cookies.

when i looked back to the hunky dory again, alas, to my utter dismay, it was a lady!
unless this man has boobs!

why do some women dress like men, have male hairstyles, and sit like men!

time time time

someone said there should be 30 hours a day... it would be nice, wouldn't it? so done much more can be achieved.
yet...........

the more we have, the more we want, the more we want, the harder we work to get it, the harder we try, the less time we have, the less time we have, the more time we want...... sounds like a vicious cycle? chasing our own tail?

so i won't want more hours - i just want more quality - quality friends, quality time, quality life...

i've been wondering what punchline funnies to blog - been a bit flat recently - but alas, still no funnies! any suggestions?

calling all philosophers

here's a poser for anyone who cares enough to pitch in their thoughts :

during the day, life goes on at a pace we probably just move on high speed, with little time to think. is that the reason why, come nightfall, the demons of the mind come out to play. any and all negative, depressing, panicking thoughts loom in front of you, and just tears away the fragments of logic and reason.

or is it just some who have these masochistic panic, depressive manic mind-plays?

oh to be young

when you're young, you're a daredevil - nothing scares you, you're invincible!

God made 12 hours of light, and 12 hours of night, so that one can work and do stuff in the light, then wind down and rest in the night. But youngsters think it's the other way around. they go out late in the night and don't go home to sleep till the break of dawn. Some others even think they are superheroes - they go out late at night, come home at the break of dawn, wake up with everyone else in the morning, and go about the day's activities, thinking they need little or no sleep!

after all, when one is young, diseases and health problems don't register .... life's a ball...

i was there once, so I understand, but I certainly didn't party on till the break of dawn!

Beautiful Malaysia

If anyone of you says that we don't live in a beautiful country, look again... we are not only multiracial, but multi coloured, multi creative, multi lingual.... i mean, anyone who keeps shouting sodomy must be beautiful.

if you look around you, we have very colourful trees - green, brown, bone dry, arm-less because some council people decided they didn't like the long, sexy branches, and skinny malnourished ones who have been put on the road by nurseries who had starved them until someone bought them.

if you walk around town, even the humble, simple garbage gets to be part of beautiful Malaysia. i mean, where else in the world would you find multicoloured garbage strewn around different corners of the streets - black, blue, white bags, big, small, full, half-empty after being torn apart by cats, dogs and rats who couldn't resist the attractive presentations. if one takes the trouble to walk around and check them out, one will find that it almost looks like some person, in the middle of the night, walks around the streets, organising these garbage bags so that there is not an empty spot in strategically located areas. what creativity of road design....

oh yes, and we can't forget the drivers - multi creative, multi polite - they have to rush around, zig zagging around others, jumping queues and lights, squeezing into two inches of space, and get off the road quickly to prevent a traffic jam. you see, the more cars that get home faster, the less traffic is left on the road to create a jam - great justification for what some of us call reckless and inconsiderate driving, right? we should thank them, shouldn't we? even if they give us a heart attack and high blood pressure in the meantime.

now I know why I love my country - don't you?

is it, is it not, is it?

when i was very young and naive, i used to think that a girl who was raped deserves to be, because she was either promiscuous with her dressing, or her behaviour. today, we are grown up and wiser and know better.

just because a girl dresses well, and if she has some chest and wants to show it, why not? it's God's gift so it is no crime to show it. why should MCPs think that she is inviting trouble? why can't they look at their own breed who is sex-hungry and takes advantage of these girls?

and to take the cake, our own home-grown politician (who isn't very young and naive) blames the ever plain school uniform as a lure! will someone please take him to the optician to correct his eyesight and brain sight, and then give him some real education about what is lewd and what is just plain or attractive!!

he would be very happy if his daughter wears the steel armour then.

wonders

Isn't nature wonderful? you can look at the exact landscape and space in winter, autumn, spring and summer - and they will look completely different.

when we were in Lake District, UK, in March, it was lovely and freezing, serene and beautifully brownish, with little greens here and there poking out.

My friends went back again to the same place last week, and it's all lush and green - give it a few months and it will be autumn gold and yellows......

but it only happens in the West...... hey, maybe Malaysia Boleh can tell God to boleh us with four seasons! life would be more interesting, wouldn't it?

First World Hotel, Genting

If you are going up to Genting to gamble, and just need a bed to crash out for two hours, then check into First World. Otherwise............

Chaperone-ing some teenagers for the Click Five concert with them booking me into the First World was an experience to behold.

the shower and toilet are cubicles that are just wide enough for a medium person to fit. if you want to watch tv in bed, you will have to be a contortionist.

to top it all, you need to de-sensitise your nostrils, so that you can't smell the urine stench, and the musty reeks emanating from the room. The window curtains had what looked like urine stains. Obviously, previous tenants have had their own way in the room.

And it's a 24-hour hotel all right - 24 hours of people walking up and down the room floors, talking to each other, shouting at each other, and kids running up and down having fun. All these activities to remind you that you should not be up in Genting to sleep!

BUT, I only paid RM143.50 for the room, and had to queue for only an hour or so to be checked in, so why should I complain???

money money money

I was about to go up the escalators of BV on Sunday when I noticed a folded RM50 note on the floor. As I picked it up, a young couple was nearby so I asked if it belonged to them. They said 'No' (very honest). So, as I went up the escalator and wondering what I should do with it (the devil saying 'keep it' 'keep it'), I opened the note and..........

it read ...

RM50 ....... Bank of Heaven..........

Jesus will provide all your needs etc etc etc

I had such a good laugh to myself. What an effective way to evangelise.

So, I quietly folded the note and left it on the railing, for the next lucky person.

Someone took it because the next time I walked past there, it was missing. I hope it brought hope to its readers.

mrs shrek

we saw a pretty girl at 1 Utama the other day. she had rich black hair, fair skinned, and she took pains to dress well, with very stylish shoes.

except she obviously loves food, cos the result of her diet was spilling all over her body. she was 42-42-40-42-44-40

what a shame - perhaps she tries but the love of food overcomes...

we just have to try harder, baby. we don't have to be influenced by society norms and be model thin, but we should be a reasonable medium size to stay healthy, fit and happy with ourselves.

I suppose fiona shrek will argue that she is very happy with herself..... to each her own i suppose..

envy or pity

a sister of someone i know is aged 44 and she is over the moon recently because she is in a relationship with a 22 year old!

so do they go clubbing and tennis, or do they watch dvd's at home and cuddle up on the couch?

do they listen to rap music and hard metal, or do they tune into golden oldies?

very hollywood - very demi moore and ashton kutcher.

i love people

people are so complicated creatures, aren't they? you should try talking to husband and wife separate of each other, and you will be amazed at how they each perceive the other - poles apart I can tell you.

so is it deception, manipulation, or just reading the wrong signs? Is that why so many couples grow apart and just pass each day, together and seemingly intact in the relationship, but it's only but a facade?

that's why I love psychology - human behaviour and 'what makes them tick' is so fascinating.

Keeping up with changes

I used to walk to school and to work as well. It was a wonderful feeling to walk, and contemplate, and enjoy looking at the cars and big houses, and dream of living in one of them someday.

These days, I wouldn't dream of letting my daughter walk because of the sickos around - not only do they kidnap, rape, and rob, they now resort to severing limbs and throwing them somewhere else. The world is turning to decay, and I don't mean the earth plates.

Some things don't change though - health, or the need to stay healthy, remains the same. So how do our kids get their dose of exercise to stay fit? They can't walk in the open without the fear of being kidnapped and molested......

they can go to the gym,
they can enrol in dance classes, and participate in dance competitions locally and internationally
they can swim in the confines of their condominiums
they can walk their dogs daily

and the list continues....

it just needs some initiative and the get-up and go....

pea brains

I always thought most men think with their round belows, especially politicians, but this one takes the cake.

in this day and age, how can anyone come out into the open and ask for women to have family permission before travelling. hello, sir, haven't you read about women's liberation, women's rights, equal rights?

don't blame the women! instead of fire-fighting with the wrong equipment, why don't you think about what is the root of the problem, and teach people how to avoid fires.

if parents (and that means FATHERS and mothers) take time and effort to give their children proper upbringing and correct values, be they boys or girls, men or women, they would not allow themselves to be pawns for druglords.

EDUCATION, my dear sir, education! you obviously haven't had much of that........

ideas ideas ideas

how about some topics that you would like me to express my humble, or not-so-humble opinion about?????

mental block

i know i haven't been blogging lately. apart from the fact that i am not sure if anyone visits this page, i keep sitting in front of the screen with an empty head, or airhead? absolutely nothing worth writing about, and nothing that i can put pen to paper about.

talking about empty head, mental block, writer's block, and airheads, just look at the photo here - try to imagine living in it with your family and you can be sure everything will be blocked. it really is the smallest house in GB, built many centuries ago, and now a showhouse - wonder where the present generation of inhabitants live? it's in Wales and if you look at the woman coming out at the doorway, she's not a big nor tall woman, but she's far taller than the door, and the width of the house can't be more than 8 feet. maybe the seven dwarves lived there during that time.

Drivers

There are idiot drivers all over the world, even in the best of countries - although Malaysia is among the top few.

ok ok, to be fair, i must highlight some of the idiot drivers that I have encountered in Australia and UK.

We don't have to talk about the ones in KL unless we want to write a book - but of course, what is most amusing is the old man who bumped into the back of my car, IN A TRAFFIC JAM MOVING AT 10kph, and promptly got out of the car to apologise, saying "I'm so sorry, my slippers got caught on the accelerator even though my foot went to the brakes."

If you don't keep your eyes peeled in Oz, you could get into some heat. we were driving into the car park of a supermarket. John saw an empty lot, so he promptly drove into it - he didn't notice that someone else was trying to reverse her car into the same spot from miles away, BUT TAKING IT AT SNAIL'S PACE WITH NO INDICATOR LIGHT. Did she hoot and get out of the car to rant and rave - I reckon she lost her voice from that.

There must be a lot of pent-up anger in UK's yuppies too - we took a turn too quickly across the road and did not notice this BMW speeding down towards us. although we waved apologetically, this yuppie took a big turn-around just to look for us, and when he found us at the parking lot, proceeded to get out of the car to abuse us vehemently, not wanting to accept our apologies and admission of guilt. Maybe he is not allowed to swear at home, so this was his excuse to do so, at the top of his voice. His boss must have given him the boot that morning, so he had to take it out on someone.

So we should forgive him - the poor man will probably have to sell his precious BMW and live on scones and tea for the next six months.

Magical

we live in one world, but different countries. I've been to a few countries but UK has always been a magical place... every village or town is only about half an hour's drive away, and their characteristics are all unto its own, so one is never bored.

how could one be? apart from the beautiful cotswold thatches, the heritage trust properties, the churches who have been there for hundreds of years, the castles that are magnificently old and awesome, we don't forget the people!

they may be white, and mainly old, but they sure come in odd shapes and sizes. we saw the waddler, the giraffe, the dinosaur, shrek, beauty and the beast, Richard Widmark ( I could have sworn it was him, except we had read two days earlier that he had died, but then, we were having lunch in a teahouse that had been there since the 1500s and one side was leaning in).

and the dogs, gosh, they have a better life than many of us. how many of us get the luxury of someone else picking up after us, especially after a poo. and if we were slow to do the honours, our host dog, Sally, would give us the eye. and after a good run in the field, and the mud, Sally just lifts up her paws at home and they will be wiped clean.

Hello hello hello

she's back!!

it was a wee bit too short a holiday, and a wee too few blooming flowers, but the weather had been good. we managed to pack in many cities and villages in the 17 days away; not to mention the endless fruit scones and cappucinos.

UK has changed after 20 years, as expected I suppose, but I was disappointed to find the people generally less friendly than before. Coffees and cappucinos were generally warm at best, and mamselle here likes her coffees HOT! Only one cappucino stood out - at Chester - nice, hot with thick froth....

guess we'll start saving again for next summer where we can do more walks and gardens.

Holidays are always great but it's also good to be home...

Have you ever wondered where all the extras that come out of liposuction and nip tucks go to? I can tell you where -
walking along the shopping street in Bath, was this woman who definitely visits the nip tuck surgeries daily, not to have the surgery, but obviously one who doesn't like to see waste, she proceeds to slap on the 'wastes' of others onto herself. she had piles of rolling flesh all over her arms, a body of piled donuts, elephant legs, and her bum rippled a million miles out the back - solid spare flesh!

It's a wonder she can still waddle around.

life goes on

it is a real kaleidoscope we live in - same earth, same country, same city, but vastly different goings-on.

pastor olive is picking up the pieces, catching up with housework, and moving on instead of looking back - the only way to go. she's such a strong woman, God bless her.

in the same breath, here I am getting ready to go for my much-earned and much awaited holiday. i just am not looking forward to the fourteen hours flight time. i like to have my feet on the ground; the feeling that i am in control. being 40000 ft above ground level, and being controlled by the pilot is certainly not my idea of being in control - this is where I rest and leave it to God.

then there is our friend who has lost his job overnight - a swish of politics in play and a swash of reality into the real world; all within 24 hours.

and the thousands out there doing this or that, going here or there, happily or sadly - life does move on, with or without us.

ok ok, my next blog will be a funny one!

see you in three weeks.....

In memory of Pastor Danny

It was a very normal morning to wake up to - puppies wagging their tails as I open the door, the sound of traffic downstairs, and the still of the morning being felt in the house as people around us start their day.

Except - when I turned on my handphone, there was an sms waiting - and what a shock it was, such that I was completely shellshocked, and didn't know what to do or think for a few minutes.

This young, vibrant, musically talented, friendly, helpful, and very healthy Pastor, as seen above with his wife Pastor Olive, had died suddenly..

How do you explain to a young child that he will never see his dad again?

What do you say to the wife and children left behind ?

Nothing that would immediately make sense really, except that our prayers are with them, and that we hold on to our faith that God will give them the strength to carry on.

We know that in our saddest and most difficult moments, God will always be there for us, and with us, and He will show us the way to go on.

I did not know Pastor Danny very well, but the few times that I met with him were very pleasant. He was always ready with a smile, always polite and friendly, and ever willing to lend a hand.
I admired his great musical talent - a booming singing voice, and making music with spoons, amongst a few.

We know that Pastor Danny is now with Jesus, in a much better place than here; and that God has more work for him there.

We say goodbye, Pastor Danny, with a lot of sadness, but also joy that you are with the Lord now. Thank you for blessing our lives with your smile.

Happy??

how many of you can honestly say you are Happy? and this question is addressed to over 24 year olds - anyone younger than that has not lived enough yet to maturely make a judgement. those of you over 24 who can say you are happy, are a very blessed lot, and but a minority.

most people i talk to have to think hard - and when that happens, their 'happy' is generally being optimistic or positive-minded, or they actually mean 'contented'.

so many mistakes are made throughout life - some revocable, others not. we learn not to regret, but to learn from these mistakes and not make them again. it is difficult not to regret, but it is good to try hard and eventually we can - it's called 'blank out'..

some of us repeat the mistakes, and at the time of repetition, do not realise we are jumping from the oil into the fire, until it's too late. sad, but then we have to make the best of it - wear fireproof clothes all the time!

some of us are faster learners and are smart enough to make changes for the better - these among us will reach happiness sooner.

and a few of us actually do not know what 'unhappy' means - such blessed, charmed lives- it's true, there are such enviable people around - i know one or two myself; and the amazing thing is - the blessings and charm continue even after marriage!

as for me - so what if I'm not happy - doesn't change what I do each day. perhaps i smile a bit less, perhaps i lose a bit of me each day, but life does go on!
so I'll make the most of what I have.. and hope all of you will too....

American Idol

This year's contenders are WOW! so many good voices, good looks, good range of pitch - touch choice to vote.

Ryan Seacrest, I think, is perhaps taking it just a tad too far, in his 'rudeness' to Simon. he has quite a few times now, thanked Randy and Paula but deliberately ignored Simon. I mean, its okay to do it once or twice, but to continue is a bit rich.

i like simon. i think he's very forthright and blunt, but mostly fairly accurate. as they say, "the truth hurts".
so it really is not fair for people like Ryan to be blatantly rude, and what takes the cake is that the contestants now think they can have a shot at Simon too - this guy David was SO rude! I'm glad Simon came back telling him off, but in such a professional way.....

The Brits do have some class - as can be seen at the Oscars... the Brits have such a short, concise, and meaningful acceptance speech, spoken with class and panache - none of this drama that others put out....

Progress??? or regress....

when i was 17, i had a day job and attended night classes. i'd take a bus home after class at 9.30 pm, and quite often my dad would wait for me at the bus stop. sometimes, he doesn't, and i'd walk about 3km home, alone, in the dark - street lights were not plentiful where we lived.

but i had no fear; and it was safe. my parents hardly feared for me either.

the worst that i had encountered was a 'flasher' but apart from showing his goods at the side of the road and at the back of the bus, he was harmless.

today, through the media, there is at least one case a day concerning young ladies and children who are raped and killed, or robbed, kidnapped. parents no longer allow children to go anywhere alone; especially girls.

taxis are a no-no for girls unless there are guys with them - there are so many cases of taxi drivers taking advantage of young girl or girls.

yet youngsters are so nonchalant about it all - they think it will not happen to them! they are invincible!

young ladies and teenagers, be careful, it CAN happen to the best of people. better be safe than sorry.
always go anywhere in groups of friends, never walk in alleyways, lorongs, or quiet areas, be it day or night. and if you have to take a taxi, be sure there are guy friends in the taxi, otherwise get your parents or relatives to take you around.

it seems that KL/Malaysia is not the only place that's full of deranged and demented people - UK is just as bad, and USA, and I'm sure many other countries.

So what is the world coming to!

Adaptations

So, we'll go no more a roving

So late into the night,

Though the heart be still as loving,

And the moon be still as bright.

Though the night was made for loving,

And the day returns too soon,

Yet we'll go no more a roving

By the light of the moon.

I speak not, I trace not, I breathe not thy name,

There is grief in the sound, there is guilt in the fame:

But the tear which now burns on my cheek may impart

The deep thoughts that dwell in that silence of heart.

Too brief our passion, too short the meet

There was a time, I need not name,

When all our feelings were the same

In secret we met ---

In silence I grieve,

If I should meet thee

How should I greet thee? ---

With silence and tears?

Or words and smiles.

By day or night, in weal or woe,

This heart, no longer free,

Must bear the love it cannot show,

And silent ache for thee.

Till I shall be forgot,

And senseless, as the mouldering stone

Which tells that I shall be no more.

Heartfelt

to quote Helen Keller "the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the Heart."

isn't it so true, yet sadly, it is a rare commodity, especially in big cities like KL. everywhere you go, status is so important. the higher your status and position, the more 'friends' you have - and many of us think these are the beautiful people.

It only takes someone to fall from grace, to really know who his/her real friends are. those that are left behind are the ones that are beautiful from the heart, not from sight. sad that it has to be a negative situation to bring out the truth.

many of us have a fairly wide circle of 'friends' - but how many of us can truthfully say that when we are in need of real help, we know who to turn to.....
come on, be honest with yourself - not many, right.

for those of you who have a few good friends whom you can rely upon, treasure them. but should one of them disappoint you one day by showing their true colours, don't fret - such is life, you're not the only one.

enjoy the friendship while you can; and along the way, maybe you can discover where their hearts are - whether they FEEL for you, or do they just see what you are and what you have.

women drivers! some .....

we have some pretty awful, inconsiderate and ought-to-be-shot male drivers; but when women stuff up in their driving, they win an oscar for it.

this car in front, in broad daylight at noon mind you, was inching its way from the left lane to the right, and getting right into my way. so the very considerate me, who usually just steps on the brakes and allows it to happen because I don't want to get all upset and shout expletives, in the process getting a heartburn, decided 'enough was enough'.

so, a loud hoot from me and she heard it, voila! she swerved back into her lane. but guess what, when i passed her (and realised it was a 'her' and a very young one), i noticed that she was spaced out - looked at me through glazed eyes and the 'feel sorry for me' look.

wonder if she was high on viagra or heroine.

so young ladies, if you think you qualify to be on the roads like the rest of us matured people, make sure you live up to expectations... don't let us women down!

mrs addams

amy what-house. in rehab but still winning grammies. what is the world coming to?

firstly, she reminds me of mrs addams with that frightening hairdo and eye make-up (Cher did a much better job). secondly, she gets rewarded even though she is such a bad role model for youngsters - imagine the young today, many whom are pretty brainless, thinking that to be a top celeb and to win multiple awards is to be in drugs and alcohol.

what's happened to good old fashioned hard work and a good voice.

I must give her credit though - she does have a good voice - so why can't she put it to good use, and work hard for the awards, just like all of us.

And here is poor Edison Chen, having his privacy totally invaded and taken advantage of. there are millions of people out there who do worse things in private with their video recorders, but that's exactly what PRIVATE means - known only to those involved, in the confines of the private domain of home and property. NOT for public consumption unless permission is granted - Be they stars or ordinary folk.

The same principle as letters and mails. surely we don't open an envelope which is not addressed to us, nor do we read an email which is not addressed to us - or do we?

I think we should truly respect people's privacy, regardless of how much of a celeb they are or aren't. such irresponsible acts for self-glory have destroyed so many people, so many marriages, so many relationships.

So why don't people stop constructing doors? Let the whole world see what happens. Imagine how much is saved if developers didn't have to construct doors and gates ...

remembered with a smile

How would you like to be remembered?

I'd like to be remembered with a smile, and with love - if we can achieve that, then we have done something right in this life.

it was really nice to meet ex-staff and colleagues after a period of time, and still get the same respect, excitement, and warmth from them. Lots of hugs, smiles, and genuine pleasure to meet again. it is not often that staff and ex colleagues remember you with such warmth - it is a blessing far more valuable than all the money in the world.

I mean, we DO need a lot of money, but it's not everything. It can't buy you friends, and respect, and love.
But someone told me once "who needs friends, respect and love ? Money tops it all - no money, no friends, no respect, no love"

I say, one certainly has more 'friends', more 'respect' and more 'love' when one is rich. But true friendship and love is is not so easy to find.

So when you have it, reciprocate and treasure it.

Back in the days when I was a wee youngster, i would walk up to a stranger and say "you have a nice dress on", or "you are very good looking" - and I know I have made someone's day, at least brought a smile to someone's face.

I don't see why we can't still do it - everyone loves to hear something nice. We are too intense in this hectic world today, so let's put a smile on another person's face and perhaps make the world a better place - as they say a long time ago "make love, not war"

That's my politics for the day :)

it does

I was beginning to think I was blogging into thin air - no visitors, no comments. Here I was, visiting everyone's blog, and also having fun with MM's, and Patrick Teoh's, and noting all the visitors and comments ..... so envious

see what I tell you - everyone should have at least a football team of children! then, if no one visits your blog, at least your children will.

thank you, girls.

Postmen

so what's with postmen and post offices?

aren't they supposed to deliver mail, be they common mail or registered?

so why do they leave you a note to say they tried to deliver but we were not in - and then insist we have to collect it from the post office! why can't they try again a second time and a third time before inconveniencing us to drive all the way to the post office which is 5 km away, find a parking space, and then wait 20 minutes to collect an envelope?

and to top it, the post office does not open on public holidays. so we have to collect the 'package' on a working day. Just as well I don't have to clock into office with the punch card system, otherwise I would have had to take a day off, just to pick up this elusive envelope.

Pos Malaysia should adopt the "if you don't deliver the first time, try again until you succeed".

Grumpy old people

why can't grown-ups act like grown-ups?

just because they are parents and older, they think they are always right! that they have the right to be unreasonable and expect perfection - but perfection according to whose standards?

I don't believe that there are always clear rights and wrongs - there's usually two sides of the story. but as long as all of us remember that we should not harm another, nor deliberately destroy another person's soul or reputation, nor deliberately be disrespectful, and as long as we know how to acknowledge our mistakes and regret the wrong words or actions said or done at the wrong time, we should all forgive one another and not keep the ugliness going just to feed one's ego and selfishness.

We are all here to learn from each other, no matter how young the other person is, there is always something that we can learn from them, if only our minds are open, and we are receptive to another person's viewpoint.

One will be amazed at what revelations lay ahead.

CNY fever

never mind the computer viruses; the Chinese New Year fever is not far behind....

one can vouch that this will be a very quiet CNY - no parties, no to-ing and fro-ing of mandarins, no visiting in the humidity, no frolicking in decor and the lot - just a relaxing, laidback, well-earned rest.
The minute you lift the phone to talk to someone, or answer an incoming call, and wham! you're in the thick of all the arrangements, the rush to buy the best mandarins, the onset of invitations and counter-invitations - and before you know it - the whole CNY period is packed with activities.

Guess you have to look at it from the positive side - you are still wanted, you are still recognised, and you have friends... albeit, a very expensive affair of ang-pows and gifts.

I'm so glad CNY comes but only once a year.

Brain's gone to sleep

Have been sitting in front of the computer, wondering what to blog - loads on the mind, but no words to put to paper.

anyway, if ever anything is spooky, it was my laptop - it re-boots on its own accord, even though you tell it to shut-down. it does shut down, but two seconds later, reboots.... creepy!! until i was told by the expert that it is a VIRUS!

thanks to the dear young lady in the house who goes online all the time, the whole army of viruses bombarded her desktop, and when we transferred her file to my laptop for printing, guess who inherited these silly little worms.

so if any of you find that your computer starts by itself, you will know it's not Elm Street - it's just those squigglies.... and it means you have to format, and re-do everything again - no more pictures, no more screensavers, no more display beauty......

or if you can't seem to download anything - call the virus-busters immediately!

one day at a time

so apt, isn't it - one day at a time, one step at a time, one issue at a time. I guess we're not God, we can multi-task, but we get all haywired when we have too many issues to deal with.

so, first things first - UK is definitely ON!

second things second - God's grace will see us through. God's protection will be with us all the way, no matter where, no matter what.

third things third - it doesn't pay to worry, but it's only natural. so as long as we stay objective and not push the panic button too quickly, it will all turn out well. It just gives us an extra white hair, a new wrinkle line, and an extra big eye-bag - it's all cool! it's called CHARACTER .....

God speed, child.

musings

when there are too many diverging thoughts in one's head, don't you find it difficult to concentrate and put pen to paper?

will we go to UK? will she be safe in Dubai? what new business venture can we look at? what about the dogs? will the expenses be too much? what shall I cook for Chinese New Year party? change money for ang-pows! and the list goes on..............

but there's always a silver lining right? Mrs Fiona Shrek always makes my day - whenever I want to get free parking for the first hour, there she is, cheerfully sitting pretty and doing the necessary. I always manage to get the deed done without letting out a laugh. I bet the producers of Shrek came to KL and did the same prototype for Fiona..

here's one lady who seems to be comfortable with her size :)

sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people

"the painted veil" - highly recommended movie to watch. good acting, directing and meaningful - stimulates one's brain cells and challenges it to do some work. certainly not in the same league as Hairspray or Weather Man.

when intelligent conversation is so short in this pop and status culture, the next best thing is to watch an intelligent movie.

so where are all you people out there who can exchange some meaningful discussions other than the weather, the latest mall, who's having it on with who, and, where's the best party place??

Come on people, use your brain cells that are crying out to be noticed.

Fatal Attraction

ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, romans and angels, lend me your ears!

what do you do when you are caught in a love triangle? not your own triangle but as an observer. most of us either gleefully spread the gossip, or, shrug it off as "par for the course". but what if all the participants of the triangle are good friends of the observer?

Adultery is a definite no-no in my books. i am a strong advocate of the theory that we all make our own choices - every single one of us are exposed to temptations at various stages of our lives, but it is our CHOICE to succumb or to walk away. our decision, our choice, ours alone and no one else's.

so how did he, who is the epitome of a good husband, get caught in this web of deceit that seems prevalent in many marriages?

so do we tell the wife or drop big hints so that she can step in to fight for her husband? do we tell the star-struck lovebirds that we know and what they're doing is wrong? do we tell the husband to pull back and go home? do we tell the wayward young lady to turn her attention to the unattached guys, and there are enough out there.

and like the youngster says - every decision we make comes with a consequence that we have to live with - a profound statement from a 16 year-old really.

so what do you think should be our decision as the caring observer?

Wawasan 2020 - where where sense u mean

Forget about elections, forget about al qaeda, forget about sex videos! let's get to the root of the problem.... education, or rather, the lack of it.

there are a few lanes of the road around mid valley and at a certain point, it forks off to the right as well. there's always a queue of cars either going into the mall, or going towards jln klang lama. but what do many people do? they have lost their brakes obviously, because they can't slow down and queue (or maybe they're having serious food poisoning attacks and have to rush to the throne!), but just have to speed to the edge where the fork is, then, unceremoniously sticks into the left and butts in.

But the irony is - idiots on the correct lane, and who have been queuing, will allow them in! So, who's in the wrong????

Didn't we all go to school where we were taught to be civic-minded and considerate? we had Civics lesson in the good ol' days and they taught proper manners, social etiquette and how to be a good civic citizen. these days, I've noticed that the Moral lessons comprise teaching the student what the Gents and Ladies signs mean, and, teaching the student how to interpret the phrase "would you mind..."

No wonder we have road maniacs and road bullies and senseless, mindless motorists. No one has taught them that it is wrong to jump queues !

And the saddest thing is that 99% of these drivers are old enough to be parents - guess what they will, or will not, be teaching their children....

Stepford Wives

women, if you haven't watched that movie before, GO WATCH it! it's a must for women power (justified i should say).

did you know that if you want to donate blood, and if you are a man, you can donate up to the age of 55. BUT, for women, they decline your blood when you hit 50!! so why the difference is what I would dearly like to know! I don't think women are weaker than men health-wise; in fact, statistically, women live longer than men ( simply because we don't smoke and drink as much - well, most women anyway).

someone I know said the other day "women look so ugly and disgusting when they are holding a glass of alcohol in their hands"............. hello.......... do men look any better with a glass in their hands? the gall of him!

Don't get me wrong. I'm not a Germaine Greer exponent. I believe that men and women ARE different, and there are some things that men are better at than women, for example, they have brute strength to lift heavy objects, whereas women have inner strength to deal with stresses and pain and not so much the physical muscle. After all, God is fair. He gave men more physical strength so that they can feel macho, they can show off their muscles and have their egos fed. So ladies, stand back sometimes and let them do their job - we just be there to make the important decisions.......

Profound thots

now i know what they mean when i hear someone say "I'm old but I'm young inside". God gives us a body that degenerates with age, maybe he should give us a brain that degenerates such that we won't have the same wants and urges of the young.

I bet all you over-40 people out there sure wishes you had that 21 year-old 34-24-34 body, which when you walked into a room would stop conversation; and you get the pick of the hot hot hunks around town. Well, at least you were still in the market. Nowadays, these hunks look at your children or your younger companions walking next to you - you're invisible!

Speaking of bodies, didn't I tell you that Bangsar boasts of the most beautiful people around the place?
We were quietly enjoying a meal, when our eyes landed on this young lady of probably 21, who is obviously very aware of trends and fashion, and decided she would go with the times - after all, that's what a 21 year-old should do - sexy short top (probably borrowed from young sibling), showing the belly button, tight knee high jeans from Guess, and a calculated 'look-at-me' walk. except for one glaring problem - she's the size of the 'Hairspray' mama. Quite hilarious when you see the blubber bouncing around in the open!

UK statistics show a 22.2% obesity as opposed to a US 32.2% - very alarming figures. I'm sure Malaysia has a lower percentage but it is certainly growing, when you look around.

How about more healthy food restaurants instead of the oily, rich, very expensive food currently being served up?

WMH 2220

so we think we are educated and have social etiquette just because we drive a BMW?? Or did we think we had the right because we can afford a BMW?

I was cruising along the tollway when I noticed pieces of scrunged up facial tissues appearing on the road. once, twice and on the THIRD round, I realised it was THROWN OUT from the window of the BMW in front of me!!!! And this is KL - the beautiful city with beautiful people!

So, civic conscious me - or maybe silly nothing-better-to-do me - chased the car, came side by side with it, and saw this woman in her 40s with a cigarette in one hand. so what did i do? I honked her loudly and waved my index finger angrily at her.... but I had to change lanes as we were nearing the toll booth.

Wow, that triggered the racing driver in her, didn't it? she raced after me, kept inches behind me, then passed me with a loud round of honks.

So if anyone sees a car bearing the number plate above, or knows the lady driving that car, do remind her she is in KL and not Jack Sparrow land. KL does have garbage bins! if she didn't want to infect her car with the mucous-filled tissues, she should have kept a plastic bag in the car and dumped it there; and when she reached her destination, I am sure she would have bee n able to find the proper place to dispose of the tissues - probably underneath some poor sod's sofa......

Joyous 2008

At the blink of an eye, and here we are in 2008.....

So how are you welcoming in this year?

I walk into the year feeling many mixed feelings - too mixed to put pen to paper; so you will just have to keep guessing :) guess what - you tell me what you feel are my feelings and I shall give you some insight .

The world bade a very sad farewell to Bhutto - she wasn't my best friend, but she was larger than life - beautiful, brave, charismatic, capable and certainly possessed so many qualities that women should emulate. What a tragic way to go.