My tribute to Michael Jackson

MJ has passed on for a quite a while now. I have refused to watch his memorial video. Yes, I have been in denial and I gathered that if I did not watch then I would not feel his lost. Finding some time, I watched it on You Tube and it got me in tears. It hit me that the world has lost a great figure, a legend.

I have been a fan of MJ since his Beat It days. What captures my heart about him was his talent especially his dance moves. I remembered during the 80's, me and my schoolmates were so into him that we learned his moves and danced in school concerts. Of course we are only able to do a somewhat simple moves.

I still remembered when Michael acted in the movie Smooth Criminal. All the while, we only get to see him dance and sing but in that movie, it was the first time we saw him talked and laughed. He got the most charming and as what Brooke Shield says during the memorial tribute - the purest laughter.

I can't help but to feel that the world has lost a great person. I know that I will remember him as a legend for a long time. RIP Michael.

Phuket

Phuket - the land of boozes and boobs.. oppss.... truly really - this is a paradise for men. I just got back from a 5 days trip from Phuket. It is indeed a beautiful place, especially the beaches.

We stayed in Patong - a place where party begins from 10pm. The whole street of Soi Bangla is closed for only street walkers. Pubs, discos occupies the whole street with girls, ladyman parading and walking around looking for customers. Agents pesters you to see shows - lots of weird, exotic and I would say erotic shows.

A few pointers for those who have not been to Phuket. It is a must to bargain for everything, from trips to prices at pubs to shopping. You can actually bargain for 50% or more for the price quoted, especially if you have the numbers. If you like night life, parties and music, Patong is the place to be. Hang out as late as you can and unless you want to catch sunrise, it is pointless to get up early for the shops only operates from 11am (Thailand time) - which is 12pm Malaysian time.

If you like a more quiet place, Kata would be a nice place. The hotels and ambience is more upscale. Do not bother to stay in Phuket town, there is nothing much there except for Robinson but then again, is nothing glamorous. But if you stay in Patong and you would like to visit town, you can consider renting a car. A sedan car would cost about THB1,000. As for us, we rented a small jeep which costs us only THB500 (after negotiation). If you only wish to move around in Patong, you can walk or you can opt to rent motorbike which only costs THB200 per day. If there are a few of you, do nego on the price.

From Patong, we actually took the bike to Kamala and Surin beach. It is really a beautiful journey especially when you drive past the blue sea, but if you are not a good bike rider, is best to avoid the road as it can be quite hilly and steep but otherwise it is really fun.

We make it a point to cover as many places as possible - which we did. We took a jeep and travelled from Patong to Phuket town after which we drove to Chalong where the Big Buddha was. It was really really high on the hill. We decided not to attempt driving up and instead visited Wat Chalong - a very beautiful temple. From Chalong, we head on to Promtep Cape - I would say this is a must see place. There is a view point to see sunset and I would say that the view is simply fantastic.

From Promtep Cape we continued driving where we reached Karon beach and Kata beach after which we reached back to Patong. So the journey is all connected. As you drive past Karon, you can see elephants by the side. I think is simply a beautiful sight.

A few must see things in Phuket would be Simon Cabaret and Fantasea (we did not manage to catch this though). You should also make it a point to visit the island - Phi Phi island. I am not much of a swimmer nor a diver and definately not a fan of speedboat. I was getting all seasick but I still think that it is a must to go to these island when you are in Phuket. The sea is just simply beautiful.

Well, I would say that it has been really a good holiday and a totally different break - it is as if you are in a land where party never stops. Most ideal for singles.

View photos at http://evershots.multiply.com

CNBC - Pleasant surprise!

I just got back from Singapore last night. I would say that it has been a good trip, other than the fact that I do not like to take plane. It is not so much about fear of flying, but the uncomfortable seat, the tight space and the sometimes air sick that I encounter. Well, comfort would be there if you were to take the business class but of course, that would cost a bomb.

Anyway, back to Singapore, I was there with my bosses to receive the CNBC award. The most pleasant thing is that we won 5 star which makes us the Best Residential development in Malaysia 2009. What is even more pleasant is when during the night dinner, we were announced as not only the best in Malaysis but we were the best in Asia Pacific. By winning this title, we actually compete with the world's best in the international level. Wow! and double Wow!

The satisfying thing is actually the fact that the award submission was an effort put in by both my GM and myself. And because we put in so much effort, the winning makes it all worthwhile and satisfying. We did not expect to win but we pray and hope that we won. When we were informed via email that we are one of the winners, we were already happy. On the award presentation day when we were announced as a 5 star winner, we were just pleasantly surprise but when the announcement came in that were were also the winner in Asia Pacific, we were just stunned!

We would know by November 13 if were are the winner of the world's best. Well, we still do not expect it but we just pray and hope that we do!

Letting go

What would you do if you found out that the man you have been with for the past 8 years does not love you anymore? That the differences between both of you are no longer tolerable. And to make it worst, you found out that he is in love with another. So you force your way through and insisted that he does not leave you. So the guy being a responsible person, still stick around but each time he is there, you know that his heart is no longer there. What would you do?

The most logical thing to do is to go separate ways. But of course, it is easier for me to say as I am just seeing this in a third party perspective. My friend is in this situation of which her emotions takes over and she just find it hard to let go. She knows that the most logical thing to do is to let go but her emotional attachment makes it so much harder. At the same time, being dependent for so long, it makes it even harder for her to stand on her own now.

I can only say that it would be best for both of them to go their separate ways for there is truly no love and tolerance anymore from one side. And a one-sided love cannot work. I believe that if she were to let go, she would find peace. Of course the pain, fear would be there but given time, it will heal. So to this friend of mine, I pray that you find courage and that you will find the wisdom to do what you should do.

Why?

How can you be with one person but yet your heart is with another? And how can you be with this person even after knowing that his heart is not with you? Sigh.. love is so blind, so so blind that one is even willing to be in relationship - a not happy relationship just so as they do not have to go through the process of break-ups or being alone.

I really would not know how I will react if I were in this situation. But logically now, I would say that if is me, I would leave. Even if it means that the breakup will be shattering, or that I would be alone, I would rather be alone than being in a relationship and not being happy. I think, the most important thing in life is to be happy. Even if you have to be alone to be happy, so be it.

Sometimes the fear of heartaches, of loneliness, forces a person to dwell in a situation which they know is rather hopeless. But yet, they are in this loop where they can't see the way out. They sometimes go in circles and telling themselves that they will improve, they will change and they will be better. But yet, they are still in the same loop.

The loop never change. It is just a question of how you walk the journey in this loop. Perhaps, in the past, you have been walking around the loop, perhaps now is time to not just walk, but jump? run? crawl? But yet again, the loop is still the same.

It takes great courage to let go. Sometimes when you start to let go, you will perhaps see things in a better and clearer perspective.. and possibly a happier perspective.

MOS - What a waste

I just came back from Euphoria, MOS - Ministry of Sound. I felt like I just wasted my night. An event which was suppose to be something related to cars, turned out to be just a normal clubbing event. But well, it also get me thinking that, I am really too old for this shit. Sigh....

Music just does not go well with me and I really do not comprehend the kind of music they played. And yes, a lot of these youngsters are into this jump and hop kinda dance step. Is kinda cool actually but well, like I say, I am way off that era. But hey! I am not that old! Haha!

Anyway, I do not like this Euphoria place. Is too dark, music is too loud with gigantic speakers. Now there is this deafness in my ears. Making a conversation in these kinda of places is almost impossible. So this is not really suitable if you want to make friends or mingle around. Like I say, I felt like I just wasted my night and not to mention the money that hubby have to spend on the drink.

Confrontation

Confrontation? I don't really like them. But it is something that has to be done so as the other party would understand (you hope). It may not necessary ends well nor bad. It could create resentment but there is also a possibility of a better understanding.

I find myself asking, is there a need for the confrontation. Would it make a difference? Would it solve the problem? I really do not know...

For the both of them

It was said that first love is the most meaningful. I do not quite agree with this statement. To me, every love is different and it does not necessarily means first love is the best. A friend who have had problem with his partner felt that the past years that they were together has been meaningless. It is actually not so. Past relationships is an experience where mistakes are learnt, sweet memories are kept and not so fond memories pushes us to be strong.

I always believe that there is a reason for things to happen and a break up or a separation may not necessary be bad. I believe that there is reconciliation to separation and there is the possibility of a new beginning to an end. I believe that the decision we take determines our life journey.

I do understand how painful it must be for this friend of mine right now. The pain is still intense, so much so that it is difficult to think rationally. In the midst of the pain she can only see an end. There is actually a new beginning. I pray she will be able to see that and I pray that her prayers to what she wants and seek will come true. I pray for not only her happiness but also for his happiness.

Web of ??

How do you untangle a tangled web? Almost impossible? The irony is sometimes we get so tangled in a situation, we just do not realised it. Only when we are trapped, we start to look for answers. Most of the time, in the mess that we are in, we just want to give up. It is just too complicated.

So how do you untangle a tangled web? You just need to get to the root of it all. To the root of where it begins....

Ego & Friendship

Ego the biggest word that kills most things in life. It kills friendship, it forsake relationships. I have seen so many people with ego bigger than their heads. Yes, is normal to have an ego for to a certain extent, ego pushes you forward, to excel. However, ego that is not controlled is destructive.

Because of ego, painful words are uttered. Because of ego, one acts foolishly and stupidly. Because of ego, one forsake friendship. I have always believed that it is better to have few good friends than having lots of foolish egoistic friends. Thus, I do not trust people that easily. I also believe that friends are a passing phase. They come and go and only true friends will stay true to the heart.

Good riddance to egoistic foolish so call "friends". Thou shall just remain as a passing acquaintance.

Emptiness

Mom and Dad has been here for holidays for a week now. I have been enjoying mom's good home cook food. I can't help but feeling that I will be missing them terribly when they go back on Monday. Now that I am not staying with mom and dad, I appreciate them more than I used to. Is a blessing to have them around. So there is this sadness thinking that they will be going back in 2 days time.. sigh...

Changes

Changes in life is inevitable. Life IS a constant change. A normal reaction of most people is always to resist change. But if the change is good, we should embrace it.

I for one, do not believe in changing people nor allowing others to change me. Having said that, it does not mean that I would not change myself for betterment. I simply believe that changes can only happen if you allow it to happen - it has to be one's free will. We cannot force a person to be the person that we want. I for one, do not think is right for us to dictate how one should and should not behave. We can voice but we cannot impose.

I believe if everyone would accept the way that the person is, then only would change comes in voluntarily.

Singapore

Is been ages since I last went to Singapore. I would say almost 20 years ago. My last trip there was for a medical examination where I passed the interview of becoming a nurse in Singapore GH. I came back without taking up the position.

Yesterday I made a day trip to Singapore for business. It was well... disappointing. When I arrived at Changi airport, I got into queue among with other visitors. Somehow, there were a lot of Indian nationality in queue. An officer went round to check on the imigration card - to affirm if the guests have fill up the form. A group of Indian visitors who did not were immediately asked to leave the queue. Another officer checked one visitor who have partially filled the form. With such rudeness, the officer raised his voice and scolded the poor visitor. It was downright rude and I was surprised. This happen in the airport, the very first place that I touched down. Pure practice of racism can be seen for they were just targetting the Indian nationality.

Even as I was boarding a taxi from Orchard Road to the airport later in the afternoon, I was carrying a big bag on wheels. What surprised me was the taxi driver did not even open the boot or come out of his taxi to help. When I boarded a taxi back here in KLIA, our taxi driver actually popped up the boot open, came out and carried my heavy bag.

I will be making another trip to Singapore in July and I hope it would not be as dissappointing as this trip. The place failed to impress me. I found our shopping centres surpassed the ones they have in Orchard Road. Infact, I think our own Bukit Bintang is more interesting than Orchard Road. Not mentioning our glorified KLIA is way more impressive. Of course, Changi airport is old but coupled with rude staffs.. now that is a major turn off for the visitors.

Penang Trip

Normally penang trip would just be a trip back home to see my families. This time round, it is really a sightseeing trip. On the 1st of May, we went back to Penang with our SS brothers and sisters. What I trip I would say. Reminds me of the Rotaract days when we were the host and took our guests for sightseeing.

Fort Cornwallis

Khoo Kongsi

Penang Hill

Is been years since I went up to Penang hill, Kek Lok Si or visited Fort Cornwallis. I hardly make it a point to savour Penang food when I went back since mom's food would be what I crave for. But this time round, there were loads of Penang hawker food. Is most enjoyable to be spending time with my newly found brothers and sisters. Looking forward for more trips!

Pondering...

Life is short, time passes fast, we get old each day and we can never get back our youth. The question is, have you live your life to the fullest? Sometimes, I feel like I started slow in life, especially when I feel like I have so much to do, to accomplish. But the truth is, there are different moments at different point in our life, we just need to embrace it, treasure it and learn from every life experience.

Time is precious - somehow, this makes so much more sense now than I was younger. Well, I guess age is catching up, too much thinking... :)

Susan Boyle

I am bowled over by Susan Boyle. It is amazing to see such talent. Looking at her, she is just like an ordinary lady age 47, from a small town in Scotland. When she walked on the stage, saying that she is trying to be a famous singer, everyone - the audience and the judges - sneered at her. That is what I am ashamed of. The irony that most of us do judge people around us. Most of us think that we are good enough and that anyone else is not as good.

When the music started, some audience closed their mouth - the reaction of embarrasement, as if Susan will make a fool of herself. Susan started to sing and everyone jaw dropped. She just got the most amazing voice. Even Simon Cowell has a disbelief face on him.

Yes, Susan got a standing ovation from the crowd, including the judges. At the end 0f her song, she has the most thunderous applause ever. I like what one of the judges said, Amanda, "I am so thrilled cos i know that everybody was against you. I honestly think we were all being cynical and that is the biggest wake up call ever. And I just want to say is a complete privilege to listen to you".

Susan Boyle BGT Audition

Leeches

I "accidently" went jungle trekking last Sunday. It was supposed to be a casual relaxing trip in Bukit Cherakah with some photo sessions. However, Scott suggested to trek in to where there was supposedly a beautiful dam. The trekking was supposed to be 15 minutes. - but it took us about an hour to reach.

What I was afraid of was the leeches. I have never been bitten by a leech. I have never really seen a leech. As we were progressing along the trip, Jaymee spotted some leech on her jeans. Looking at the leech, it was just a small little worm-like thing. I does not scare me.

So as we trek along, it was raining. All of us were drenched, the path were blocked by branches here and there and at some point, we have to climb up and climb down some slopes. Walking along, I even hit a tree branch full of thorns (which I later found a 5mm thorn embedded in my head - it was removed with a tweezer).

Anyway, as we reached I decided to check my legs for leeches. That is where I got the biggest shock - I have never scream this loud. I found the fattest leech - obviously full after sucking my blood. I screamed on top of my lungs. A friend helped me to removed 4 leeches from my leg as I continued screaming. Gosh - it really freaked me out.

Well - is was an experience I would say - and one that would leave me cautious everytime I jungle trek. The bleeding took hours to stop. There are 4 marks on my leg now and I hope it heal fast.

Intoxicated Coffee

That's it! I am totally going to stay away from coffee. I can't believe I got drunk drinking coffee.

Well I was a coffee drinker. Infact, I love black coffee during my younger days (yea.. getting older now). My aunty used to call me names "Or Nya" which means "black girl", simply because I like to drink black coffee.. just like my dad.

Just about 2 years ago, I had palpitations which was caused by continuous night of drinking coffee at Old Town Kopitiam. After the experience, I stopped drinking for a long long time. I had my glass of coffee last night at Wong Kok. Just about an hour later, I started to have funny feeling of giddiness and nausea. I came back feeling sick. I had a sleepless night as a sick feeling overwhelmed me. Is like my blood is filled up with caffeine and is driving me nuts!

Anyway - no more coffee for me - I will just stick to chocolate drinks or plain water...

Doggie the stray

I was this close to owning a dog, a shitzu the other day. Someone had to give up his dog after meeting his new girlfriend who somewhat is not into dog. So the situation arises where he has to choose between the dog or the girl. He opt for the girl. I was this close to adopting the dog. But I did not. I gathered that I will not be able to spend so much time with the dog and it would be.. injustice.

Just now, as I was stepping out of the car heading to a mamak stall, I saw a stray dog, kneeling in front of a table where 3 girls were sitting. Doggie was hungry but what broke my heart was seeing doggie crippled. The poor thing lost one of its leg. I think the injury is quite recent for the wound still shows. I feel so sad.

There and then, I wish I had a stronger determination to bring doggie home, to nurse it, feed it and care for it. This is my heart's desire but I do not have the determination to do it. I am angry at myself. I felt that I could have make a difference to doggie but I did not do it.

I can see that doggie is afraid of human but yet, he sat there afar, quietly begging for food. I can still see its eyes in my mind. After a while, my friends, Sue, Caryss and Winnie did the most blessed thing - they went to buy dog food for doggie. Bless them for at least doggie can sleep well tonight.

I pray doggie will find its happiness.

Upside down

My sleeping hours are upside down. Have difficulty waking up in the morning. Tired. At night I sleep late. I got back from work just now and took a nap. I was dead tired. Now is 2am and I am wide awake. Tomorrow I will have difficulty waking up again. Sigh....