25 Things

Since I got tagged by her, I shall "play" along. :P

Rules: I'm not tagging anyone else after this, so those who wants to tag himself/herself for fun may go ahead. Then, write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about yourself. Do let me know when you've tagged yourself. Never mind if you skip this step, no hard feelings. :P

Here are my 25 random rants, of which I think before I write:

1. I'm a chronic workaholic. Generally, I work up to 15-16 hours a day on weekdays and weekends. I may also work during public holidays or even when I'm on MC or EL if I'm bored.

2. I can't live without my mobile phone line, I mean the DiGi Postpaid Data Unlimited Plan that comes with it, my laptop, and dear Internet.

3. I'm glad that I'm fluent in written and spoken BM, English, and Mandarin. I'm quite perplexed with people who give me trouble in completing tasks that involve these three languages.

4. Generally speaking, whether in my daily life or at work, I hate people who are calculative, incompetent, complacent, and those who only receive orders and execute them like robots without adding value to the tasks given. I hope they'll vanish into thin air.

5. I'm a no-nonsense person. If you wish to joke with me to lighten up whatever mood, please choose your jokes well because I don't tolerate foul-mouthed idiots.

6. Those who ask me to loosen up a bit and don't be too strict / stern / conservative / old-school are shallow people in my point of view.

7. I'm single and being single is not my fault. I can support myself with my own hard-earned money and spend my own money in whatever manner I like without reporting to anybody.

8. I watch movies at cinemas with my sister, 4-5 times a month, mostly on Friday nights.

9. I love eating out but I love cooking at home as well.

10. People change, so do I. I used to believe that I'll commit myself to marriage and family life. Now, I won't.

11. I trust my management skills but sadly, people management is excluded at the moment. I practice diplomacy, only with people whom I trust and respect.

12. I listen to advice, selectively. If I don't listen to you, you should know why.

13. In conjunction with 11 & 12, it's clear that I've an issue with authority. I only respect people who practice leadership by being a pattern, not bull-shitting.

14. It's impossible for me to forgive and forget. I believe in this statement: The wise forgive but do not forget.

15. I don't go clubbing, I don't smoke, I don't drink, and I don't do crazy things that go beyond ethical boundaries. I'll make sure that I won't get to know that kind of people, ever. Find the amended statement here.

16. I think I look better with straight hair. I shouldn't have done digital perm. Darn!

17. I love animals. If I'm not in Malaysia, I'd have studied animal science, become a vet, and end up joining research teams in Africa or even the Arctic!

18. I love music. If I'm born in a rich family, I'd have studied music and may end up composing music for artistes or even movies!

19. Point 17 and point 18 are dreams that will not be fulfilled. So, I love to imagine and bask in my vivid imagination as far as I can while maintaining soberness to face the harsh realities of life.

20. I won't get over my dad's death. I'll always remember this incident forever and ever.

21. Don't tempt me to love you (applicable to guys only) unless you have the assurance that I'm the one or I'll hate you for the rest of my life. Nonreciprocal love is cruel.

22. I know I should be attending church meetings but I'm just too lazy to go.

23. I'm afraid of camwhoring because I can't bear to be criticized negatively.

24. I hate water. I will not learn to swim.

25. I'll plan to travel to South Korea, England, and Europe (whole!) before I'm 50 years old, even if I've to travel alone!

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[Friday-4] Changeling

I watched Changeling, not because of Angelina Jolie, at least not the main reason, I should say. Directed by Clint Eastwood, this period film is based on true events, the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders circa 1928-1930.

Believe me, you will leave the cinema with bewilderment after watching this 141-minute film. Why? Because you will shudder at what mankind has done and is still capable of doing.

Forget about Lara Croft or Mrs Smith, of which you saw a tough, wild, and sexy Angelina Jolie. In Changeling, Angelina Jolie is Christine Collins, supposedly a weakling, as women were known as emotional troublemakers and weaklings in those years in LA. Amidst corruption, intimidation, and all sorts of darkness practiced by LAPD at that time, Collins fought back with some others who stood firm with her claims. She fought with intense motherly love, integrity, silent courage, and occasional outbursts of mixed emotions. I'm amazed with Jolie's performance in this movie, awesome!

This film did not emphasize on the details of the murders. Only selected events were portrayed to strengthen the film. It did not focus on the life and conduct of the monstrous murderer, Gordon Stewart Northcott as well and that's a good point. Clint Eastwood knows how to keep the major plots intact without emphasizing on too many sub-plots that may drag the film into meaningless portrayal of historical events.

141 minutes passed by in a twinkle of an eye, kudos to the excellent and deep performance from the entire casting, including the child actors.

I did some research and found this. Gordon Stewart Northcott became a demonic murderer because he was sexually abused since he was a kid. The fact that he was born of incest (his father is actually his grandfather), I should say, was the major cause of his disturbed behaviors.

Now, who should take the blame? Nobody. The human race has been corrupted since the Adamic age. Till the Lord comes back, the human race will continue to deteriorate. So does the Bible says, "...crooked and perverted generation..."

*Shudders*

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Updated: CNY ~ 3rd - 4th Days @ Bintulu, Sarawak

I forgot why cats are not among the 12 Chinese Zodiacs. Cats should have been included! Look at these tiny and not-yet-huggable-cuddlies! Pardon me for making up words. :P

The mother is here.

Oh yeah... here's an old guinea pig, quite large as well, that loves to eat pandan leaves. He, it's really a he, loves to squeak, (especially when we go nearby his cage) as if saying, "Feed me, feed me! Pandan, pandan!" LOL.

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CNY ~ 2nd Day @ Bintulu, Sarawak

Nothing beats mum's mee suah in clear chicken broth and an egg.....

.....or her creative creation of nian gao sprinkled with colored grated coconut. Pretty, ain't it?

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Google's Happy Chinese Niu Year :)

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CNY ~ 1st Day @ Bintulu, Sarawak

Here's an interesting dish, which we eat for breakfast every 1st day of CNY. Memoriesss... I'm glad I'm home this year, having missed a proper reunion for years!

First, we have 金针 (translated as golden needles). I helped my mum to tie a knot for every single "needle" in the bowl before soaking them in water. She says this will prevent the whole bunch of needles to stick together and become a lump of mushy thingy when they are cooked. Hmmm... Interesting, I'm inspired. Togetherness without losing own identity. LOL.

Second, we have dried Chinese mushroom and wood ear (cloud ear fungus) or 木耳。 Both are soaked in water. Third, dried bean curd sticks or 腐竹, soaked in water as well. Fourth, we have vermicelli or glass noodles. In fact, all of them need to be soaked in water, preferably overnight prior cooking with light soy sauce.

I love this dish!

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Reunion Dinner @ Bintulu, Sarawak

My mum is really a wonder woman. Without my late father's presence, she's still able to prepare reunion dinner, although not as grand as before.

We've glutinous rice with chicken and mushroom, stir-fry mixed vegetables (green, red, yellow capsicum, mushroom, carrot, celery, cauliflower), steamed chicken, steamed fish with soy sauce, chili & ginger slices, and cream of sweet corn soup.

Burrpp... :P

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Updated (25 Jan 2009): Lou Sang Nite (22 Jan 2009)

May we all have a more wonderful years to come!

I'll remember this: BE MORE EFFICIENT!

Exactly! Young, energetic, creative, and more...

Let the photos speak for themselves.

Here's a post from HB.

And here's the video of the "lou sang war". :)

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Red Cliff (Part 1 & 2)

Red Cliff is a Chinese epic film based on the historical events of the Battle of Red Cliffs. Big budget, big director (John Woo), big stars (Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and many more).

There are two kind of films that I believe the Chinese film makers are very proud of - martial arts and epic/war. Both are always centered on historical figures and events. Red Cliff is probably one of the most promoted epic film to date.

Read or watch? It's up to you. I did both, haha.

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Simply Penang @ One Utama, Old Wing

Hmmm... I eat again. Oh-uh.

This time round, I chose Simply Penang (F237, Old Wing), around Jusco & 3JC Restaurant area.

One part of the inner decor.

Penang Rojak (small), RM4.50
Nice, I like it.

Char Kuey Teow, RM9.50
Errr... very expensive for a plate of non-Penang flavor char kuey teow. Don't really like it because I've tasted authentic Penang Char Kuey Teow. :(

Fried Rice with Crab, RM8.90
I should have known that "crab" in Malaysia means frozen crabsticks. LOL.

I'd say just go to Penang if wanna eat Penangites' authentic dishes. Haha...

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[Friday-3] All's Well End's Well 2009

Buahahahahahaha!

That's what you get if you can understand Cantonese and Mandarin and catch all the funny jokes and hilarious moments in All's Well End's Well 2009 without relying on the subtitles!

I watched it because I found some sort of relevance between the lead character (Yu Zhu) and myself. LOL. Of course, I'm not as exaggerating as the character in the movie. However, Yu Zhu's firm standing about "Being Single is Not My Fault" and her being a strong, high-achieving, career lady are just soooooo like mine. LOL.

Also, in a separate video clip that I found from the official website of All's Well End's Well, Sandra Ng commented that Yu Zhu (the character she played) is an old virgin and a strong career lady who hasn't been dating for 20 years and it's not her fault that she can't get married. Whatever.....

But in the end, she's married to a guy who has admired her secretly for so long. Awwwww... how sweet! Damn it! If real life could be as "true" as the movies.... :P

Another thing is that Donnie Yen appeared as cameo! OMG! OMG! Donnie Yen! Yes, the martial art hunk! I almost jumped off my seat when he appeared at the end of the movie. No wonder, Mandarin Films Distribution Co. Ltd. is the production company and distributor of Ip Man and All's Well End's Well 2009, with Raymond Wong as the key person. Ahahahaha!

Watch it!

Happy Chinese New Year 2009!

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[Friday-3] Otak-Otak Place @ One Utama

Otak-Otak Place is a quaint little restaurant, located at a corner of One Utama. Here's the address: Lot LG-311B, One Utama (Tel.: 03-7727 4181). If you are walking from the open carpark (RM1 per entry) and enters One Utama via the entrance on the same level as the Aeroline office, Otak-Otak Place will easily be located, beside Teow Chiew Cuisine and opposite Honeymoon & Little Taiwan.

I like its concept.

First, neat and tidy decor that won't make you feel crammed.

Second, menu cover that resembles a student's plastic-covered school exercise book. Interesting!

Third, mini board games and cards to kill time while waiting to be served. Another interesting point is that customers made payment by presenting one of these cards at the cashier. Each of these cards has the table number printed on the back and I guess there are 52 of these cards.

Drinks that we all are very familiar with: Soya cincau and barley lemon. My sister doesn't usually give praises to her drinks but she praises repeatedly that the soya is flavorful, not too sweet, and leaves a pleasant after taste. In fact, they are using bottled soya, and I forgot to take a photo of it.

Talking about food, their signature dishes are otak-otak, obviously. There are a lot of interesting otak-otak varieties, e.g. steamed otak-otak (fish or squid), fried otak-otak (first photo above, after the drinks), steamed otak-otak with egg, otak-otak roll, etc. Check out this post for a photo of the otak-otak variety.

If you want to feel fuller, you may try its noodles such as assam laksa, mee rebus, nasi lemak, you name it. There are also finger food, such as fried chicken wings (as per last photo), roti jala with curry chicken, half-boiled eggs, toast, etc.

Your bill will include a 5% service charge.

I'll definitely go again, especially after I visit Petsmore again. Awwww.... I want that Mini Pinscher......

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Happy Chinese Niu Year :: DiGi

Wishing you & your family a Happy & Prosperous Chinese New Year!

With the auspicious 12 Lucky Zodiac lining up to greet you this year, it’s hard not to be $UCCE$FUL in every corner of your life.

GONG XI FA CAI!

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Download & keep them in your mobile. OR send them to your friends & family via MMS.

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Inkheart

"Your voice brought them out from the book?"

Yes, that's Silvertongues' inborn capabilities. Some of them don't even know that they've this gift until it is too late and that's the story of Inkheart, a fantasy film, starring Brendan Fraser.

I'm not a big fan of fantasy films. Fantasy films that I watched thus far were Lord of the Rings, The Golden Compass, and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. I didn't watch Harry Potter, not even once, haha.

Inkheart sets itself apart as a very mild fantasy film with a very happy ending. Towards the end, you'll feel good because the baddies are gone and the good ones get what they want. Sounds kiddish? Maybe. However, it seems good to enjoy the memories of good old times, whereby we'd curl up by the window and read books after books till wee hours. This film sort of brings out memories whereby I was hidden amidst piles of Enid Blyton, Nancy Drew, and etc books.

Now, I'm always behind the computer screen. Sigh...

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Restoran Chef Loong (龙师傅) - SS2

Dim Sum has become part of my staple food. Lol. I told my sister, jokingly, I should add, "Try out dim sum at every restaurant that sells dim sum in PJ" to my 2009 resolution list. Cool ehh...

After A Little Dim Sum Place, also at SS2, PJ, I went to Restoran Chef Loong (龙师傅).

Took this photo from afar.

Address: No. 86, Jln SS2/60, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel.: 03-7877 4826
Business Hours: Tue - Fri (12-3pm; 6pm - 12am); Sat - Sun (10am - 12am); Closed on Mondays.

Prawn Dumpling (RM5.80 for 3)
They don't look like the conventional prawn dumplings or better known as har gao, which look like a translucent clam. Chef Loong serves prawn dumplings with flimsy but nicely attached outer skin (although it's a bit sticky to my taste) which encloses a delicious ball of fresh prawn and a generous amount of Chinese parsley/yuen sai (Cantonese) or daun ketumbar. Fish roe is added on top for a more presentable look, I guess, and that gives it the unconventional look. Very interesting. Definitely my favorite, as always, at any dim sum restaurant.

Steam Dumpling (RM4 for 3)
Better known as siew mai. Topped with Chinese parsley and orangey-red fish roe, they look invitingly delicious. The whole chunk of meat is springy, firm, and fresh. An excellent choice for siew mai lovers.

Char Siew Pau (RM3.80 for 2)

The best thing is that I don't have to pick fat layers from its filling or refrain from eating the bread ('skin'), which I always do and have to do if I buy from those usual Chinese restaurants that sell pau in a tall metal tray. Chef Loong's Char Siew Pau is proportionate and doesn't make me nauseous. Haha!

Durian Pancake (RM5.20 for 2)

I thought A Little Dim Sum Place's Durian Pancake is heavenly. Now I tasted a heavenlier Durian Pancake! This dessert is worth a try for durian lovers. I wonder where else I can try them.

Honestly speaking, I'll come again.

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~Terima Kasih~

Biar saya mulakan bicara dengan pepatah yang amat bermakna ini.

Terima kasih daun keladi;
Orang berbudi, kita berbahasa;
Orang memberi, kita merasa.

Sesungguhnya, bak kata pepatah, kalau tidak dipecahkan ruyung manakan dapat sagunya. Begitu juga, berakit-rakit ke hulu, berenang-renang ke tepian; bersakit-sakit dahulu, bersenang-senang kemudian.

Biarpun begitu, saya tetap mengingatkan diri agar jangan jadi seperti Tanggang, si anak derhaka yang bagaikan kacang lupakan kulit. Lebih-lebih lagi, jangan pula bersikap harapkan guruh di langit, air di tempayan dicurahkan. Kenapa? Manalah tahu, disangka panas hingga petang, rupanya hujan di tengah hari.

Apa yang penting, saya tak nak seperti melukut di tepi gantang dan buat kerja dengan sikap hangat-hangat tahi ayam.

Akhir sekali, hancur badan dikandung tanah, budi yang baik dikenang juga.

Inilah luahan isi hati saya yang ikhlas. Saya yakin, cuma mereka yang tertentu saja yang memahami isi tersirat di sebalik kata-kata yang bermisteri ini. Inilah juga apa yang saya pelajari hari ini: P&C!

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Ladies - Find Your Shape & Dress to Kill (Part 2)

Continued from Part 1.

Column & Bell

7. Column:

More...

8. Bell:

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Goblet & Cello

9. Goblet:

More...

10. Cello:

More...


Pear & Brick
11. Pear:

More...

12. Brick:

More...

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