Happy New Year 2009!!

Wed 311208

Yup, it's that time of the year once again...the Last Day of the year...of 2008...

So, was it a good year? Sincerely hope it was...most of the time...for you...

Me? Well, like me always believed, Life is truly a "rollercoaster ride". With its ups & downs. On the whole, me should not complain but just count my blessings. That me am still around, alive & kicking, with clothes on my body, food on the table and a roof over my head! Thank God for all that...

We have to face reality. Those who disrespected us will continue to disrespect us. Those who hate us will continue to hate us. No one knows what the future holds for us. However, most importantly, those who love us will similarly continue to love us. That, I feel, is good enough, isn't it? Don't you feel so?

An update : My other half's sis did turn up, with her hubby, CW, for an unplanned visit at Lot 10 & all 4 had a wonderful value but kinda short time, sharing views & comparing "notes"? Lunch was at Sweet & Cosy. We adjourned after that for a quick visit to our common aunt, SHK, who had just been discharged from the local private hospital. And then, it was "bye-bye" time cos the couple had to rush back to Penang for another "date" with other relatives there. Thanks a meg, CI & CW, for making the special trip!! We do appreciate it. 'Twas good to see you both again. Have a safe & pleasant trip back to Australia soon...

Btw, methought the tally of 3 "bad" things happening in a row was all that would happen to end the old year...but unfortunately, it was not to be so. My other half revealed that she had diarrhoea that morning & had concealed the fact till after her sis left. So, it was a quick visit to our fav fmly doc. who confirmed that she's having a bout of food poisoning! On retracing our food consumption activities for the previous day, it was probably due to our lunch at WTG in AS Mall...the chillies! The chillies that came with the "cucuk udang" dish. So you guys/gals who love chillies with your meals outside, pls remember that you're taking a big risk of possible food poisoning by doing so lo...

The good news is that my other half is much better now,on soft diet today & recovering well. No worries...

Well, today is the LAST day of 2008...me am hoping & praying that that's all there is & will be for the old year and the New Year will start with good tidings & great happy happenings in our rollercoaster ride this time around!

So, here's wishing one & all a Great & a Very Happy New Year 2009!! Cheers...

Happy moments...

Mon 291208

The night of Sun 28th Dec. was one of those happy moments in my life. An evening spent with my other half with other happy people at a happy function. Yup, it was the wedding dinner of the son of 1 of my former colleagues. And yup, he's also retired. Nope. Not the son. The father la...hehe...

And for once, we were earlier than other guests! Parking was easy. And so was the choice of table location. Ha ha! Got a great view of the main stage.

However, as in Malaysian functions, although the time for the dinner was 7.30pm sharp, it only got started after 8pm. Normal lo...

Here are a couple of reasonably ok pics which my N73 hp cam captured...from where we were seated.1st pic is a projected image of the happy couple on screen before the start of the dinner proper. The 2nd is of the group toast session of the bride & groom with both families.

Congrats, JJ & KH!! Not forgetting congrats to the happy & proud parents, Mr & Mrs P...!!

A little bit of not so nice news next. Yup, the trip to Penang to attend the special gathering of relatives to meet my other half's sister from Down Under had to be cancelled. This was due to lack of information provided about the meet & the list of ppl who would be attending. So, for the good of one & all, it was best that this "little black sheep" be kept far away from those who proclaim themselves higher & mightier than lil ole me! Sad but true again.

A little consolation that there is still hope in this troubled world which is full of "bad" guys. My other half's sister & hubby would be making a special unplanned trip to visit us tomorrow. That is certainly a good sign for humanity. TQ, CI... and sincerely hope our meet would be a happy one...

My only wish now is for 2008 to end on a happy note. According to my "records", THREE "bad" incidents had occurred one after another in this last week of 2008. And, as the Chinese believed, "bad" things happen in threes.

Now to welcome the goodies in 2009...2 more days & counting...

So, once again, Happy New Year 2009, Everyone!!

ps. An update : To bring the outstanding family issue to some kind of conclusion, it was decided to change a long-existing policy for visitors to Lot 10 OFH, namely the "Open Doors Policy". Previously, Lot 10 OFH was open 24/7 to family members who have their own set of keys & even the alarm codes, enabling entry literally 24/7! Latest developments have deemed such a policy highly precarious.

And so, it is deeply regretted that, in the name of peace, harmony & happiness in Lot 10 premises, the new policy is now, to put it nicely... "with Invitation only...& for respected loving members only."

To all concerned parties, pls be kindly so advised. TQ.

D-Day...finally!

Sun 281208

An Update: A sudden turn of events occurred this morning. A call was received by my other half that that said close family member (referred to in my Fri 251208 entry) & family would be coming...

" For what? ", me asked. Answer? Dunno. Maybe just a visit?
My response? "After what has happened? After 9 months...? "

Well, what ensued was a continuous flow of sms-es which finally confirmed the inevitable truth, namely, our "fren" did not, in the least, feel that he was arrogant, direspectful nor wrong in all his actions towards his beloved elder. Period. He even had the nerve & notion to say that the elder he'd wronged should be the one to go to his place to meet him because of his "tight schedule" managing his work & 2 kids! As if others, including managers, never had kids before. Moreover, what would you think of a manager who cannot manage to fit in time to settle such a serious & long outstanding family issue for NINE whole months? Do you believe that? Can you? Ever? 9 months...not 9 days or 9 weeks...

Anyway, it's too long to narrate here except that he went even as far as to question my belief in God. Somehow, I can't help feeling if he does believe in God himself. Somehow feel that a person who believes in God...a God-fearing person...would NEVER do what he had done! Not to an elder so related to him. Sad but true.

Me just wanna reiterate that

"What's not in the heart cannot be forced..."

And... like in a famous quote...

"If that limb is gangrenous, we must cut it off to save the rest of the body..."

And so, in view of this latest turn of events & a long series of exchanges of sms-es, one has but only one way out. To accept that only God can open the eyes of such an unseeing person to the wrongs that he has committed and which he has, up to this day ( 9 months plus), still insists differently & unrepentantly! Imagine calling what transpired that morning a "Battle of words"! Wonder who's battling with him...probably himself?

My only prayer to God now is the hope that the day will come, with God's help & blessings, that he will see the light and return to the right path...be once again the person we thought we all knew & loved so...Amen.

Now for some happier events...

We have been invited to a wedding dinner of a former colleague's son tonight. Would be great to meet ole friends & former colleagues once more. That's what is so wonderful about such an event, besides celebrating & joining in the merriment of the wedding. Congrats, Ah P.... !! CU tonight lo...

The next day is a planned trip to Penang. To attend an arranged meet of relatives to share time with my other half's sister & hubby. They have come back to Malaysia for a holiday. And, as a concerned sis, she has bought & brought back supplies of the daily med for my other half. It would certainly be a "noisy" time with one & all! Ha ha! Thanks, CI!! Esp so for the thought...would be great to CU in person after so long...

Me would try to post pics of the above 2 events if me remember to snap some with my trusty ole N73 hp cam & they turn out clear enough.

3 more days before it's time to welcome in the New Year! With the confirmation of the inevitable outcome of that long outstanding family issue, its resolution & disposal, I now look forward to a truly Happy New Year 2009!! The obstacle hurdle has been cleared...& the "gangrenous limb" removed! We now know who we are to those around us and also where to go from here. The road ahead is clear.

My 2009 New Year Resolution? To be happy & thank God for His Blessings & All whom I love & who love me in return...

Happy New Year, Everyone!! PEACE.

How much time...?

Fri 261208

That's the "multimillion dollar" question...

"How much time...?"

To remove the cloud of mystery surrounding that question, here's the full question...

How much time does one give to a very close family member who has shown utter disrespect & issued a threat/ultimatum to an elder who has provided for him, nurtured him, supported & protected him (both knowingly & unknowingly to him) till he is now able to stand on his own 2 feet, so that the wrongdoer can explain, apologise, show regret/remorse/sadness, and right the wrongs that he has committed?

The "wrongs"?

1. Issued a direct threat/ultimatum to the said elder at the elder's residence (theoretically & practically a very disrespectful & unforgivable act by someone, if considering his position in the family);
2. Vehemently stated that the elder owed him MORE than the reverse (How could the elder owe him more in any conceivable way, considering the very senior status of that elder?);
3. Claimed that the elder started the incident (if the 2 phone calls made by him are put forward as evidence, it would be clear who started the incident).

So, is 9 months a long enough time for him to do so? What do you think?

"Doors" have been opened for him to do so but, alas, our "fren" was probably too high & mighty to grab the opportunity...most probably, he could not humble himself so. I would say that it's more of his feeling that he had done NO wrong...a denial? Or maybe he did not & has not been getting the correct /proper advice from those around him? I fear to think of a worse scenario...

A huge door of opportunity was opened in August but it was just simply "abused". 2 days 1 night passed without any attempt at reconciliation. From what ensued, it was clear that he came with no such intention in his heart nor mind!!

That was 5 months after the incident. 2 more months passed. Another door was opened. On the said elder's birthday. A little "poking" was initiated with the hope that it would invoke any latent feelings of respect/love & consequently, some concrete & positive actions would be forthcoming. Nope. Not a whimper of hope. Once again all efforts were in vain. Not a teeny weeny response. Sad but true. If you don't have it in you, you just don't have it! No amount of stimuli would be able to bring forth what is not in you...

Numerous reasons /excuses had been put forward (by others who came to know of the incident)...including the likes of these listed below:
1. busy with work (any1 of you so busy that you couldn't find time in 9 months to settle such an important family issue?) ;
2. lost control of himself (how does one in a managerial position get to be so if one cannot handle serious issues well? An error in a promotional exercise or....?);
3. stress (family & work) related (won't this add to all existing stress? Or is this a way to cut down his stress load?);
4. undue pressure by a third party prior to incident (still stress-related, right? Moreover, should be able to get one's priorities in correct perspective. );
5. no apology or similar actions cos of fear of that elder (just imagine how courageous & arrogant he was when he uttered the threat & ensuing accusations!);
6. his hope to be forgiven without any effort on his part (ridiculous assumption, right?);
7. he feels that if he acts like nothing happened, the said incident did not happen (logical?);
8. Etc., etc....not wanna bore you ppl lo...

The moral of it all?

What is not in the heart cannot be forced.

That line has been repeated countless times by so many. It kept on ringing in my mind over & over again but as each month passed, it slowly but surely dawned on me that there might be some truth in that quote. It is now so clear to me how true that is. Yup, there is no escape from that truth, is there? We can only let time heal the wounds & the deep hurt that resulted.

Well, to move forward, one must accept what life puts in front of us....good or bad. That is the 10% in the 10/90 philosophy that works so well to make our lives happier and to enable us to move forward. The 90% is for us to react, accept & look more positively towards the future ahead without such burdensome & painful encumbrances. Such a person is not worth the heartaches nor the headaches that come with continued involvement & pursuit. He will learn one day...hopefully...possibly the hard way! And yup,

"what goes around comes around"

...or so the saying goes. Is there truth in that saying too? Only time will tell...

Thank God that besides the excuses forwarded, there were also lots of re-assurances from caring & understanding ppl around. Such words provide further strength to the said elder to move on...w/o looking back in regret...eg.
1. The saying that "Water in a stream never flows upstream.";
2. A son doing so to his own father does not deserve any respect, esp since he's now also a father himself;
3. A parent has no choice as to what kind of child he would have;
4. Life is a cycle...he will go through worse when his time comes as the newer generation is expected to be less filial & less loving, being more materialistic;
5. A relative even said, "Thank God your son only did that...my son even wished for me to die earlier!!" Phew!
6. Let him be. He doesn't deserve your love...it's his loss! His sin.
7. You may have brought him up the best way you could and with the love you have all those long years but it only takes a short time with the wrong ppl around him to undo all the good you have done! Beyond your control...
8. It's not like you need him to survive.
9. He's the one who really owes you MORE! Only he himself & God knows...
10. One day he will not like what he sees of himself. Hopefully it's not too late...
And so on...

So sorry to be so philosophical today but I would like to move into the coming New Year of 2009 with happier thoughts and happy memories. Life is short & 9 months thus wasted on a non-productive issue is definitely not the way to go. Every bonus day is precious. Agreed?

So, let's enjoy the moment...the bonus days that God has given us & be thankful for what we are blessed with! Wishes remain wishes...dreams remain dreams.

A belated Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year 2009 to one & all!!!

One tiny little hiccup...

Sun 211208

Remember 151208 - Long long day...? Methought that was the end of problems with my ole junk cos 3 events affected it that time. But, alas, that was not to be so. At least for 2008...

Yup, since that day, there has been a steadily enlarging pool of a red liquid underneath my ole junk. Not blood tho..hehe... but actually ATF (Auto Transmission Fluid). Me suspected & kinda confirmed it's probably due to a faulty oil seal where the newly replaced drive shaft is joined to the auto-transmission box.

And so, this morning, it was off to our fav workshop at nearby Shell service station. There, my suspicion & personal pre-diagnosis was confirmed. The wait for the replacement part to arrive then started. Finally all that was necessary was done. Only RM15 for the replacement oil seal including labour. An insignificant sum, considering cost of parts & labour these days. Only the hours spent at the workshop...
And, hopefully that was the last hiccup...that is, all there is that needs to be done for my ole junk to sail into the new year of 2009 with a great feeling & with peace of mind.

And yup, when me reached home after leaving the workshop, I just couldn't open the auto-gate with my remote unit! No matter how many times I pressed the button on the remote unit! Methought then..."Oh no! Not another problem...."

Btw our autogate works by a direct mains supply electrical motor & does not have any back-up power supply unit...unlike most others which use a 12V motor & thus have their own back-up battery in the event of a power failure. As such our auto-gate cannot be operated in the event of a power failure but has to be opened manually after unlocking its operating mechanism. Fyi, ours is an imported Italian motorised unit but with a local control unit PCB.

The good point is that this unit has served us reliably & unfailingly ever since it was installed...compared to a neighbouring unit that was installed at abt the same time as ours but have failed numerous times & is currently missing from its installation site!! Maybe in the workshop? Again? When I queried the higher cost of our unit, I was assured that I would reap the benefits of paying a bit more for such a unit after 2 years and... true enough, it's still providing good service where others have failed much much earlier...

There is this Chinese/Hokkien saying...

"Chit Chee Lui Chit Chee Hoay..."

Translated...it simply means "you get what you pay for..." True? Agreed?

Tried pressing the door-bell but not even a tinkle. That must be it...another power failure! My other half had to manually open the small access door on the auto-gate and me had to manually unlock & open the auto-gate. Phew!

All's well that ends well cos in a few mins, the power came back on & life in Lot 10 OFH is back to normal once more...

An update : Cine Nite last night was the screening of the DVD of the movie "Transporter 3". Enjoyment would be heightened if the sound track had been better. Otherwise, it's the usual Transporter stuff...action with car chases & even a car on a train sequence! Would say it's great publicity for Audi...haha!

A few days b4 Christmas...

Sat 20th Dec., 2008

Yup, it's just a few days before Christmas...that joyful time to end the year. And yup, 2008 will end in joy for some but also sorrow for others. That's life...to me...always a rollercoaster ride...depending on where you are along the track at this point in time...

As mentioned in my earlier post, we had lost a kind & caring cousin. On a better note, his daughter, who was kinda critically injured in the same accident, is now out of danger & out of the ICU. Thank God for that! We sincerely wish her a speedy recovery... & with God's blessings, be able to celebrate CNY with all who love her soon...

Well, 1 more bonus week has passed...albeit with sadness then but now with hope.

Today is Saturday. Another COD. COD is "Chef's Off Day"...for the un-initiated. Lunch was @Jin Ho, one of our fav coffee shops, with my fav Fried KT...and my other half's Pork Leg Rice! Yummy!

Whilst walking around the nearby City Plaza Mall, I stumbled upon a video shop screening a clear copy of "Transporter 3", a very recent movie...still screening in local cineplexes. Me asked the shop asst. if it was a 100% clear copy. The answer came back positive & so me bought a copy. On further enquiring if the 007 Quantum of Solace movie was also available in the same degree of clarity, that guy confirmed it & so me got a copy of that, too.

Now, what can I say? Back home later, me tested the Transporter 3 copy. Clear. However, the sound has a tinge of cinema mode, if you know what I mean...you know, that kind of "hollowness" in a recording? A kind of resonance to it?

Testing the 007 copy, it was worse! Image was just that of a good cinema kinda of "clear" quality with a worse "echo" soundtrack! Real disappointed me...

Once more my faith & trust in ppl's honesty & integrity is severely dented! Now, it'll be some time before me will take a salesperson's words on face value to be what it is. Except the lady at my fav video centre. She has never disappointed me & knows exactly what I meant when me said "100% clear copy", namely truly a 100% clear copy...not even 1% short of that!!

Unfortunately, that lady also had an accident while on her way home from work abt a week ago. She was luckier...lots luckier than our cousin! She only suffered fractures in one leg...

We also wish her a speedy recovery...cos with my aforementioned experience, we do need a truly honest & trustworthy supplier of our DVDs!! Namely, she!

Well, dinner for today's COD is yet to be confirmed at time of writing this. Our "boss" has yet to decide...hehe...
The same goes for the movie in Cine Nite tonight. Ha ha!

Anyway, it's been a reasonably good week in Lot 10 OFH. Time passed easily enough although with sadness during the early days of the week that was.

A few events are lined up before we call it a year in 2008. A wedding dinner on 28th (cos the son of a close colleague will be getting married)...with a planned trip to Penang to meet up with my other half's sister from down under, most probably on the 30th.

And... the next day, 31st Dec, at the stroke of midnight, it's Goodbye 2008...Welcome 2009!!

Merry Christmas & a very Happy New Year to one and all!!

Saying "Goodbye"...

Wed 171208

On the afternoon of Mon 15th Dec., as a few workers were putting the finishing touches to setting up of a couple of tents outside a house in Taman Wira, a quick shower of "holy water" came down from the sky...to those who believed, it was the heavens crying. Crying for someone good & kind who had departed from this world...

Yup, that fateful morning, we lost a very good cousin...a caring friend to many who knew him. He was so suddenly taken away from all who loved him so. A fatal accident involving him & his daughter took place as he was sending her to work that morning. He was killed instantly but his daughter survived...albeit with serious injuries...or else it would have been a double trajedy for the family!

I met many of his friends during the time I spent at the 3-day wake held for him. One comment I got from a group that paid their last respects to him, was

..."why do good people die so early & taken away so suddenly...when the evil & bad guys continue to live on & enjoy the fruits of their evil/wrongdoings?"

I could not answer them except saying that it's probably God's will or simply maybe it's just time for him to go. Can you?

Tears flowed so freely from not only family members & relatives but also from friends who came by the numbers every day...everyone shocked by the event and all lamenting the fact that a good & kind person had been taken away from their midst...on such a cruel & fateful day! A lovely morning turned ugly & so full of sorrow.

The funeral was this morning & our dearly beloved cousin & close friend to many was given a great but solemnly sad final send-off from his home just after 10:30am.

A few pics me snapped (using my trustly ole N73 hp cam) to share of the final rites & start of his "journey"...
Above pics show the ceremony before the send-off, followed by members of AS Sai Baba Centre, giving the close friend a good farewell gesture, namely personally sending him on his journey to a better place...

Pic on left shows relatives & friends during the final send-off from the house.

Well, a close & loving friend & relative is now gone but still dwells in our hearts...in the hearts of all those who knew him & will continue to remember him & cherish memories of him. Goodbye, Ah T as he is known to his relatives or Mr K, or just plain K to his friends.

May God keep you & bless your soul always. May you rest in peace...in God's loving arms.

Long long day...

Mon 151208

Yup, it was one of those days...Sun 141208, yesterday, that was! A long long day... for me & my ole junk.

Well, it started simply enough. My plan for that day was to have the rubber boots/bellows of the LHS drive shaft of my ole junk. You see, a couple of days ago, I noticed that there was grease splattered around the inner boot of that drive shaft. So the rubber boot/cover there was suspect...probably damaged.

Alas, because that was not to be. Not that simple, anyway. Upon examining the area & checking the drive shaft proper, the mechanic told me that it would be a waste of time & $$ to just replace the rubber covers. Simply because the drive shaft is worn & loose now! The RHS shaft was subsequently checked & found to be in a similar state. Phew!

Now what would you do in my position? Insist that you wanna just change the rubber covers? No? Yup, that's what me also concluded. Better to be safe than sorry! Not save now & be sorry later, right?

Now that was a hefty price to pay though. RM320 in all, including labour charges! In the course of the work being done, a torn rubber cover/bellows of the steering arm was also detected & changed @ minimal cost. Only RM16.

That was only "phase 1 " of the day.

Since the steering linkage had to be disconnected to replace the rubber bellows, a front wheels alignment had to be carried out as that configuration was affected. So it was that me took me ole junk to a nearby tyre shop with wheel alignment facilities.

Returning from a test drive, the alignment staff found he could not get a good result from his efforts. And on further investigations with help from his other colleagues, it was found that the steering collar bushes were worn & the looseness affected the alignment even after adjustments were made.

That was the start of "phase 2". The ole junk was back again to the mech's workshop & the collar bushes were replaced albeit with minor hiccups. RM30 was added to the day's expenses.

Now back again to the tyre shop to redo the alignment. Hooray! Finally the results were good! Another RM34 dug out from me pocket lo...for toe-in & camber adjustments. Good point is the second round of adjustments were on the house! TQ, Mr N...great service there!

Phase 3? Yup, me forgot to mention that at the mech's, one other mech noticed that the fuses for my upgrades headlamp system were BURNT! Melted! Kaputt! Me didn't even noticed that...our last trip back from Penang had no problems with the lights that night.

So, when me mentioned that in conversation with the Mr N of the tyre shop, he recommended a nearby auto-wiring shop just a block down from his. Me was gonna take the ole junk to a car accessories shop to have it done if not for his suggestion.

A few mins later, the burnt fuses were replaced with better ones...covered ones! Only RM8 was added in this final leg. A pic of the burnt fuses below to share...after dismemberment from my ole junk!Total expenses? A whopping RM392! Practically almost my pocket money for the month from "Kay Pa" gone. Thank God, too, that "Kay Pa"' was early this month or else me would have to dig into my reserves! Not good then, right?

The time? Almost 4.30pm!! That was certainly a long long day....

As the Chinese believed...Bad things come in threes. So me looking forward to good things now...a good 2009!

A blue blue day...

Fri 121208

Nice number, huh? 1212. Yup, nice number. However, me woke up this morning feeling kinda restless...

Now, how to pass the day in a better, faster way than just laze around whilst staring at the "Idiot Box" from time to time? Walk-walk sessions at Tesco Mergong, AS Mall & Star Parade were like only yesterday. So, methought...yea, a trip to nearby Jitra might just do the trick!

And that idea got immediate support...from uknohu!

So, first stop was to fill up the ole junk's tank. With the reduction in petrol price till RM1.90/litre now, me could not fill up enough to redeem a bottle of drinking water at the nearby Petronas station. About RM8 short. So, me just got a cup of mineral water. Better cheaper petrol than free drinking water, right?

From past experience, we had found it faster & probably cheaper, too, to go to Jitra via the PLUS highway rather than the trunk road...being faster & shorter travelling distance.

First stop was at Jitra Mall. There was hardly anyone there. My other half found 2 blouses & couldn't decide which was better. So what better solution than to buy both! Ha ha!

Had a minor scare when we went to our car to leave the Mall. A rather big puddle of liquid was flowing out from under our car's engine bay! So the bonnet was popped up but me could not find anything linking the puddle to our ole junk. Further checks revealed it was a colourless liquid & most probably only water...probably from the air-con unit! Ha ha again!

Lunch time came all too soon. Went for our fav Bah Kut Teh meal at the coffee shop next to C-Mart. Well, the tummy didn't complain about what went in...hehe...

After lunch, we adjourned to C-Mart. Compared to Jitra Mall, C-Mart was kinda like going to the "kampung" from the city! Hardly 30 mins were spent there before it was decided it's time to go home.

Taking the highway route, it was home sweet home in under 30 mins!

Then it was a short rest before it was time for "Love" on HHD...Channel 333 on Astro! Ha ha! Yup, back to the ole "Idiot Box" routine...

Well, 3 more days to go before our "Kay Pa" sends his love via his $$ train...actually 2 more days according to my other half's interpretation. Nice feeling lo...hehe...

Another "bonus" week is ending. So far so good. Have a great weekend, everyone!

An Update : It's been some time since I published a view of what the housing development (directly opposite Lot 10 OFH) looks like. According to 1 of the buyers of the units being built, completion is like not long after CNY or maybe April 2009. Not October, 2009 as in their advert boards. Here is snapshot of the bungalow lots from our "roof terrace"...


See the diff now?

So, it's really "bye-bye" to fresh breezes & gone is our great Gunung Jerai view on clear days! It's a "concrete" world out there now...

Bits & More Bits...

Mon 8th Dec 2008

Believe or not, 1 more week has passed us by...and life has been ok lo...nothing worth complaining nor should we cos every day of life is a bonus! For inmates of Lot 10, that is...

To recapture the past week...

Weds 031208 - Made a trip to BM. Bukit Minyak area to be exact. Visited other half's bro to collect a couple of bottles of med for her, bought & brought back all the way from down under...courtesy of his son. That med, by Blackmores, unfortunately, is still not available here in Malaysia. Thanks a meg, CB!!
Lunch was courtesy of the bro & fmly. Thanks, KY!

Soon after lunch, we popped over to Penang Island to visit my other half's cousin in her home. Spent more than the usual time there and being late already then, we opted to call it a day. Dinner was at Tesco's food court before we made the trip home. As previously, we were once again caught in a crawl across the bridge!!

Sat 061208 - COD. Yup, one of those uknowhat days...haha! After breakfast, it was a walk-walk session @our local Tesco. Made a small contri to our not-so-new but still lots to see "sundry shop". Lunch was my fav ie fried KT, followed by another walk-walk session @Billion. Dinner was accomplished via our newly-adopted style, namely ordered dishes @Cola Coffee Shop near our OFH. RM24.60 incl a pot of "koke poh" (kinda mixed type) tea.
Cine Nite was not boring with the movie "Iron Man" based on Marvel Comics. Wonder if there will ever be a sequel...?

Sunday, 071208, was quiet. Routine this time around. The usual "idiot box" slots were there.

Well, today was like a mini "merdeka"!! A new billing month. Time once again to kinda "sign my life away"...not really actually! Like me told my other half...no worries...me am definitely not the suicidal type...hehe...like the proverbial "barking dogs don't bite" kind of person.

Location? Tesco Mergong had me signing away Rm100+. Adjourning to Star Parade resulted in a further RM500+ worth of my signature, besides "losing" some cash in the process.

The final total came to over RM600++!! Phew...a whopping sum, right? But whatever it was, at times we do need to pamper ourselves. Not really pamper with luxuries but with necessities. Items we needed but had to postpone till a better time. Like today. Ha ha...

Anyway, for our purchases at Guardian, we got quite a lot of unexpected goodies, with some extra discounts in the process, too! Like me kinda commented on the side...like striking a mini lottery!

This so-called "fling" was kinda motivated by our "Kay Pa" announcing our Xmas allowance soon...early...on 15th Dec. And also, the great possibility that we would be getting our CNY $$ in early January, 2009 since CNY this time around falls on 26th Jan. What's more... with a promised 20% increase from "Kay Pa" come Jan 2009! If that promise is fulfilled, that is...

However, all that can only mean one thing. Feb would be a long, long, long month! Well, you can't win them all, right? Like most would say...win some lose some!

Or like a common philosophy these days...Enjoy the moment! Not to worry, we are! Ha ha...

Enjoy yours...

Doing something kinda "crazy"?

Mon 1st Dec 2008

Good morning, everyone!! It's the 1st day of the last month of the year 2008! 1 more month to enjoy this year...

Well, me enjoyed it the day before...haha! And it all began like this...

Yesterday, for no reason, me woke up very early! 6am. On a non-working day? (Actually me not working every day liao...hehe...) Phew! And then this thought just came in. How about making an unplanned trip to Taiping? The furthest we've been for the past 2 months was only Penang.

So, me woke up me other half & popped the question..."what do you think about doing something crazy today?" In a blurr, she asked back..."what crazy thing?" And me said...Go to Taiping lo...

Her response? "So early ah. Ppl still sleeping la." I had to clarify that by the time we do get ready (wash up, morning call, breakfast, fill up car petrol tank, etc), it would be late enough then.

And so it was. We left A/Star just before 8am. Traffic was minimal all the way although weather was kinda threatening but nothing happened except for a minor teeny drizzle at the start.

Well, it was a "crazy" idea that went well. Haven't done such "crazy" things for quite a while. The best part of this "crazy" do was it was well worth the effort. Both had a nice time with KL & family...even had time to visit the local Tesco Store!

A short video clip to share...KL enjoying a bubbles session! Of course, grandpa was the "bubble-producer" using a newly acquired "bubble gun"!
It truly warms the heart to see a happy kid enjoying herself...
(Video was captured by KL's mom, using a Motorola 3.XX. Yup, me busy producing bubbles! Haha!)
Btw, me also adding a couple of new pics of KL in "The Many Faces of KL in 2008". The shots were taken during this surprise visit. Enjoy...

As always, time to leave came before we knew it. The sky was practically pouring lots of "tears" when we left the Kamunting Toll Plaza!!

Dinner call was at SP South. 3 simple dishes. RM17.40. Drinks = another RM2.

Safely back in good ole Lot 10 OFH just after 7pm.

How was your weekend? Did anything "crazy"? Sincerely hope it ended as well as mine lo...