All of us has got an idea of how life should be. However, never has the adage "Man Proposes, GOD Disposes" ever been more true than how daily life unfolds from the moment you wake to the final 'ritual' before bedtime. We can never know for sure what will happen in the the next moment. That's how life is.. Life is laidet.. :)
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Cheer up
Sunday, October 25, 2009
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart by the Bee Gees
Was everything a (wo)man could want to do.
I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.
And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend a this broken (wo)man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.
I can still feel the breeze that rustles through the trees
And misty memories of days gone by
We could never see tomorrow, noone said a word about the sorrow.
And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend this broken (wo)man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Could she have known?
Two months after the Chinese lunar new year, grandma started sorting through her jewellery and gave instructions to my mom and aunt as to whom each piece was to go to in event of her passing. I was to take a photo of each item and tag it with her voice recording.
Having dealt with the major items, she showed me the remaining odds and ends and asked me to choose one. I picked the bangle simply because I have the baby version of it.
I wore it often as it made me feel close to grandma. It reminded me of the time she told me a secret.
She had a mild stroke shortly after the lunar new year. After her discharge from hospital, I went back to visit her. When she saw me, she tearfully said, "Amak boh yong" (I am useless). She felt bad for falling ill and making us worry. I wiped away her tears, hugged and kissed her, held her hands and told her that it's not her fault. She then told me that I was her favourite grandchild. No ones else heard except mom
It was after this incident that she decided to put her affairs in order. Before that, she never wanted to even speak about her wishes for "send-off", the ceremony rites or her will. But after that stroke, she asked my mom to engage a will writer and made plans for her possssions.
A few months after her will was signed, her health started to deteriorate. She was in the hospital for longer stretches each time. I went home every weekend to be with her sometimes working from her bedside at the hospital.
Mid-April, she suffered several successive fits attacks and became unconsciousness. She regained consciousness shortly before her birthday and was discharged from hospital. There was nothing more that the doctors could do.
Grandma went home and passed away 4 days after her 84th birthday. It was a Thursday.
Had she known that her time with us was running out? Was that why she gave me a momento while she was alert and well? Was she also preparing us when she was preparing her will?
blogging from my E71
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Caution: Man with big ego driving big car
The damage was not catastrophic but there was a noticeable scratch along the side of Mr V's car. The damage to Mr M's car was hidden from my view.
Mr V stormed out of his car, guns blazing, gesticulating furiously at Mr M, colourful language spewing forth from his mouth. He was turning various shades of red, working himself into a frenzy. Perhaps the fact that Mr M remained in his car and not firing back made Mr V even more agitated for his voice increased several decibles and attracted the attention of the traffic policeman presiding over the congested intersection.
By now, Mr V was livid and was inconsolable. Mr M refused to participate in his shouting match and the traffic policeman was trying to smooth over the situation.
My question is: what did Mr V have for sahur (the meal before commencement of fast at dawn) this morning? Gun powder? Isn't the fasting month supposed to be one of quiet reflection, calm and finding peace with oneself and one's surroundings? Why did Mr V feel the need to work himself up like that? He must have been living a particularly stressful life being rich and driving an expensive car.
Second case in point: I was driving past the exit of a parking lot. Mr Camry came barreling out so I gave way. He nay said a word of thanks nor did he gesture an acknowledgement which led me to conclude that people who drive big cars have no manners.
Rich in material gains but bankrupt in curtesy and manners. What to do? Life's laidet (",)
blogging on the go with my E71
Monday, April 27, 2009
Drama...
The sun was high in the sky when I rolled into the car park. Several tour buses just arrived and spewed streams of tourists, totting cameras and water bottles.
I set the workout tracking software on my phone and started the 1st lap, working up a healthy perspiration. Halfway through my second lap, I got a call from my client in Klang. So I stopped by the side railings and attended to his call. Several tourists passed me by.
All of a sudden I heard a faint puncturing sound and a hiss. Then felt a slight jab on my right shoulder. I turned and looked into this hissing simian face. Phreak! The blurdy monkey bit me!
I moved away in haste but was still talking to my client. He was going on about how he felt about my latest audit report blah blah... I was pacifying him and figuring out a solution while continuing my climb to the top of the stairs. All this while my wound was bleeding a trail down my arm.
When I finally manage to placate him and cut the connection, it was a good 5 minutes past. First thing's first, call JH. He confirmed that I should go to the nearest clinic and seek treatment. Ok... Easy enough.
While I was setting the GPS to direct me to the nearest clinic (thank God for this wonder device), JH called again to tell me to go to the hospital instead. Apparently, hospitals are better equipped to deal with such emergencies. So I reset the GPS to General Hospital, KL.
Next, call my cousin (Dr PL) in GHKL for instructions, i.e. where to check myself in. I am to go to the A&E (accident & emergency).
The 7.2km (as the GPS says) drive to GHKL was spent on the phone with the office, my mom and uncle and a couple of friends who called to make lunch plans. Only my mom didn't laugh when I told her I got bitten by a monkey. Also took a photo of the wound while waiting at a traffic light.
When I got to the triage window and told the fellow behind the counter that I got bitten by a monkey, he looked enquiringly at my face to see if I was joking. I showed him my bloodied arm.
After getting my blood pressure checked, I got an anti-tetanus jab and got my wound dressed. Not before the nurse had a go at me ("monyet tu gigit you sebab you terlalu seksi kot"). Yeah... That's comforting. I got bitten by a female monkey!
That's my tax dollars put to good use! (",)
Anyways, here's a look at the wound in the evening.
Incidentally, I think Dr Get-Help went on the Net for solutions because I found this site when I got home (http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/768875-treatment).
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Of Making the Connection
Monday, March 02, 2009
Hike #4: Bkt Tabur
There were 7 of us this time around. 5 were noobs, PT (picture right) and hubby WA, JS, TL (picture left) and Tz. We made good time, scaling to 200m in 27 mins.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
More on Bukit Tabur
Was chatting with HT on Tuesday and he says, I quote, "i look up to u for taking the challenge.. a fren of mine broke her arm there.. didn't wanna scare u .." Now he tells me!
Apparently, Bukit Tabur is a natural heritage site. It is the single largest quartz ridge in the world. Fu-yoh! I had no inkling that I was scrambling amongst greatness..
~ Tree Hugger @ The Star Online (Monday, 20 October 2008)
There's even a site that has dedicated pages (with photos) of how to properly decend (there are 4 ways) my kryptonite boulder
For those who plans to conquer Tabur, do visit this link http://www.mycorezone.com/main.php?section=resource&page=resource_view&article_id=131
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Bukit Tabur @ Melawati
On the other hand, is civilisation. Twas a misty morning so the twin towers were shrouded in a gossamer shroud of (haze) doom!
MY and TW surveying the 'drop'. Note the rope on TW's right. That's our 'insurance'.
TW was the first to take the rope. He made it, no sweat. Next was MY. She, too aced the rope. I was next. Oh-kay... Grab the rope with both hands. Easy enough. "NEVER LET GO," said MY. "Now swing around and plant your left foot on the left boulder". Done. "Lean onto the rope. Trust the rope and let your right foot hang down to look for a foothold." Wha..? Me brain froze at "trust the rope". Haaaaaalp!
Enough adventure for the day. We started our decent through more 'friendly' terrain. By friendly, I meant more trees (handholds), exposed tree roots (footholds) and damp soil to cushion our trek. I have never been more thankful for trees (,")
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Post Valentine Hike
A partial-group photo while waiting for AP and JT
The trek posed a bit more of a challenge as compared to Gasing. And the hill-walkers were markedly different.
Whereas in Gasing we were cheerfully greeted by the uncles and aunties who passed our group, the people in Apaksan were a sullen lot. And there was this peculiar grandpa-grandson duo and several aunties who clapped their hands in unison whilst traversing the hill. I call them the 'clappers'. I reckon it serves to 'warn' the hill 'residents' of our intention to 'pass through' their 'territory' but MY figures it to keep the tempo of the walk. Her guess is as good as mine =)
Winded, we reached stop #1 with a good panoramic view of PJ. An uncle (not part of our group!) took out his harmonica, and we were entertained to several catchy Chinese tunes.
These were the last 2 to arrive.
Short rest and on with our trek. At stop #2, we were treated to a beautiful view of KL city vista. The KL and twin towers looked like miniature pin maps. WA mentioned that someone told him of a waterfall at stop #3. We trudged on...
Before long, we reached stop #4: The Guinness Stop. Quite an interesting choice of name. And there was a rudimentary map tacked onto a tree. There were some Chinese words which I made out to represent 'top of the hill'. HY told me that the other words were 'long route' and 'short route'. Dang! I should've paid attention in Chinese class =p
We were certain we did not miss stop #3: Waterfall and surmised that WA was had. So after a short break, we began our decent down the same path we took coming up. Along the way, I learnt how to 'break' into my Vios (courtesy of AP as he once locked his keys in the trunk of his car) with needle nose pliers and that Toyota keeps several of such experts on their payroll to assist car owners who were ever caught in a predicament without their keys... call Toyota Assist.
Hike over, dim sum time! TL took us to his favourite haunt and we had to have an especially big table to accommodate all of us. I likened our breakfast jaunt to a swarm of locusts. No sooner had the food been laid before us when it was cleaned out. This happened 3 times and I lost count of the number of times we had to get our teapot refilled. Admittedly, we are a rowdy bunch and it's great that we can get along together cos, as MY said, "get use to it cos we'll be spending 5 days together" (".)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A virgin no more
It was an accident. Things just progressed too fast and getting caught up in the moment, it happened... I stepped into the gym for the first time in my life (-___-)
Twas the wee hours of morning. I dragged myself out of bed to go for Bikram but unbeknowst to me, the blurdy centre changed the schedule without prior notification. What's a girl to do at 6.30am, all geared up for a work-out but none to be had?
The answer was a row of treadmills and electronic gadgetry which are guaranteed to make you sweat. Since I'm going to climb a mountain in May, might as well work up some stamina.
Pulling on my hand-me-down Nikes, I headed for the first machine that looked like it wouldn't make me resemble a hamster running the wheel. Some sort of cross-country skiing machine maybe? Looks easy enough.
5 minutes later, my heart rate was up and I'm breaking a sweat. Good! But no more skiing... I can't feel my legs.
Hopping off, I scan for the StairMaster. A doctor friend recommended that I do 30 mins of stairs 3 times a week to prep for my climb. None to be found on the ground floor so up to the 1st floor, I went.
In a corner was something that remotely resembles a StairMaster, though I'm not quite sure. There was a nice gentleman resolutely stepping on the peddles and it looked like he was climbing so I decided to give it a shot (virgins don't know better).
Programming the darn thing should be a cinch but it isn't. 30 seconds later, I gave up and must have looked thoroughly baffled when the nice gentleman called out, "the higher the effort number, the easier it is". Thanks but how do I apply this information?
The machine displayed a message: lift your knees one at a time. Aah.. why didn't you say so earlier?
The effort level was adjusted to 25 (min is 1, max is 25). Then comes the next instruction: keep speed at 270 spm (presumably means 270 steps per minute). Ok.. let's go!
5 minutes later, I'm no closer to 270 spm (hovering between 130 to 150 spm) although I've never stepped so furiously before in my life. Yet the instructions kept flashing: keep speed at 270 spm. Before I passed out, I hit the "pause" button. "The higher the effort number the easier it is." Yeah right!
There has got to be an easier way, think I, the gym virgin. Let's try setting a "Goal". 5 km, I tapped with the numerical keypad. "Lift your knees one at a time". This time I lifted slowly with as little gusto as I could muster. Effort set at 3. Aw-raight!
"Keep speed at 60 spm." Hurrah! That's do-able.
Step left, step right... My calves were starting to protest. "24 minutes to end". I glanced at the timer and it's been only 5 minutes. OMG! How to survive 24 minutes? Distance stepped was only 1.5km. Keep going... "Climbing a mountain is not so much stamina and endurance but also mental strength". Right-o...
I cannot begin to describe the immeasurable relief when the "Goal" indicator blinked 5km. Yapari! I've done it. I can't feel my legs for the first few seconds but thankfully I didn't fall flat on my face.
I am so not cut out to be gym bunny :(
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Getting the hang of it
When we reached the 'top' of the trail, HY whipped out her camera and recorded more "evidence". We didn't look so much worse for wear, if I do say so myself.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
The makings of an adventure
I was on my last errand when I saw the bunting: Timberland Warehouse Sale. My curiosity was piqued. Never mind that checks and plaids are not cuppa tea, or that hiking boots and lumberjack jackets are not my thang, I just gravitated to the sale venue.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Another milestone..
A year where I realise how truly blessed I am
More friends who remembered my birthday
Extra good wishes and presents my way
That much more good food to share (more love handles!)
Creating such happy vibes and a warm glowing in my heart
Thanks to all my mates
You've really made my special day awesome
Thanks for all the well wishes and gifts
Cheers to another splendid year ahead
Monday, January 12, 2009
Spot Came Home
What started out as irritation (he bolted out the door again!!) turned to worry (did he get run over by a car?!?!) before blossoming to utter dismay (he's gone!!!!! *sobs*).
Just when we gave up hope of ever seeing Spot again, there he sits, coolly by the gate, patiently waiting for someone to let him in.
Spot Came Home =) There's a good fella.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Personalities & Gifting
- Barney slippers for my (unofficial) 'god-son'
- cheerful coloured, woven silk ties with just the right balance of professionalism and vibrance so as not to appear boring
- magic 8 balls to help out when making a decision is just too difficult
- bracelets of pastel coloured pearls in irregular shapes - no need to say why this gift appealed to me
- plushie giraffe for a tall friend
- eye mask for my manager with 4 kids
- UNO game for another manager with 3 kids
Gifts I received:-
- a notebook backpack from my beloved - practical gift (and color as well) as he saw that my current one is falling to bits. Me thinks he is either a Perfect Melancholy or a Powerful Choleric. Probably both.
- a candle holder with 2 adorable cherubs - me thinks the giver is a Peaceful Phlegmatic
- a mechanical pencil with very retro zig zags - I discovered that I can actually get giddy looking at it rotating in my hands. I'm thinking this friend is a Peaceful Phlegmatic (it's a pencil!)
- a book entitled "Mr Jones' Rules for the Modern Man" - an engineer gave this to me. Go figure!
- a pretty crystal pendant on a delicate sterling silver chain - definitely a Peaceful Phlegmatic
- a starter charm bracelet with a 4-leaf clover charm to start - from myself. Yep! Only a Popular Sanguine would buy herself a gift at Christmas *lol
So what did you get for Christmas?