Hawaiian Nite

This shall be the last event to mark the end of this year... My company annual dinner; this year a little more grand where all the branches' staffs are invited and also the Group Directors. As usual, being the Head Committee to organize this event did not give me much chance and time to have a good time. The few hours of pre-preparation were somehow fun and less stressful compare to the whole month of December.
I'm not being vain to only post pictures of me in them but I'm too lazy to load all of them because this year, it was a big disappointment that our Company's most talented "photographer" couldn't join us. Nevertheless, some food pictures to make you crave for them... I can only see them but did not get to taste them much...

~ Bid my farewell to 2007 ~

Baby G-Piano

The long awaited Christmas is here... Somehow, it wraps up the whole year in a box... I did not expect to get much presents this year, just the usual. BUT, mom got me something I least expected and it's been the BEST gift I have gotten for many years... She bought it for me when she was in Singapore before Christmas and it touches my heart that I have long to have a Baby G-Piano of my own someday... And this Christmas I got a Crystal Trinket Box of a G-Piano all the way from France!! LOVE IT and THANKS MOM!!Now, it's placed grandly on top of our home piano and Mom said, someday, it will be a beautiful piece of decor in my "new home"...

Elisa's Baptism

Attended Elisa's baptism in Assumption Church, Petaling Jaya. Also a chance for me to return back to Assunta Hospital which is right next to the church since I was born here and never step my foot since I was few days old...

The baptism was nothing surprised to me as I had attended many Catholic baby-baptism but since I didn't get a chance to attend Kristen's, this is memorable. Always love to visit Catholic churches, the way they preserved the church is good enough, a touch of modernity and classic.

Bika Ambon

~THANKS SIN HUI~

Sin Hui my colleague from Medan office bought me this Bika Ambon ("Honeycomb" cake) because I requested her to do so since I love the taste of it when she brought for us the last time. But somehow, this one she bought from the Airport doesn't taste as good as the previous. The texture capture lots of my attention. If you cut the cake horizontal instead, you will see from the top that it looks like "bee hive" and it's amazing to wonder how is it made that way.

Anybody has good Bika Ambon recipe?

Way Back Into Love

I've been living with a shadow overhead,
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed,
I've been lonely for so long,
Trapped in the past,
I just can't seem to move on!

I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away,
Just in case I ever need them again someday,
I've been setting aside time,
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind!

All I want to do is find a way back into love.
I can't make it through without a way back into love.

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine,
I've been searching but i just don't see the signs,
I know that it's out there,
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere!

I've been looking for someone to shed some light,
Not somebody just to get me through the night,
I could use some direction,
And I'm open to your suggestions.

All I want to do is find a way back into love.
I can't make it through without a way back into love.
And if I open my heart again,
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end!

There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation

All I want to do is find a way back into love,
I can't make it through without a way back into love,
And if I open my heart to you,
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do,
And if you help me to start again,
You know that I'll be there for you in the end!

H@PpY bIrThD@Y kRisTen!!

Kristen wanna have chinese food for her birthday celebration so we had Cantonese Ngee-Yong, Hokkien Mee, Bai-Kut Sang-Mee and Fried Keow Teow. And the best is her birthday cake!! Adorable and cute with different flavouring and colours.

The 3 generation-family portraits with Kristen...

Of course, last but not least, the family (Elisa was asleep)...

3 Sekawan : Kuala Selangor

A week ago, flipping thru my calender and thinking, it will be great to go somewhere since there is gonna be a long weekend for the Raya festival and not wanting to spend much on any resorts or flight ticket, guessed Fireflies @ Kuala Selangor was the ultimate goal. Seems many been telling me about the extinction of the fireflies soon and I trully do not want to miss this opportunity while I could. So, I planned for a slow drive there along the off-road of Kapar, stopped to check out the Pantai Indah Seaview Resort then headed to the Kuala Selangor Nature Park which is located at the foot-hill of Bukit Melawati. After the bird-watching at the Nature Park, we shall hunt for the seafood village aka restaurants before we actually head out to our actual mission; fireflies at Kampung Kuantan.

Turns out only Andrew & Yow tagged along with me for this day-trip. I decided to start my journey about 45 minutes earlier than initially schedule since I got back early from church service. And of course, I was excited about the trip and I plan to just drive slowly along the village with the bumpy-Kembara-ride. Departed my house at 12.15pm and picked up Yow shortly after that. Stopped by at the MacD for an ice cream and headed out towards Klang town to pick up Andrew. The journey begins...

As dad advised that Kapar road is the shorter route to take into Kuala Selangor but somehow, it seems not quite appropriate due to the road-constructions here and there... but its okie. It drizzle a bit on and off and after passing by the Kapar town, I had to keep an eye for the Pantai Indah Seaview Resort and the turning was indeed a short-notice but we get there. And the Resort seems just like any ordinary apartment that I doubt many tenants will stay even though it's only RM100 per night for 2-3 rooms. We saw some families enjoying their lunch on some picnic chairs and we decided to park the car and take a stroll thru the mangroves and swamp. I had never visited any swamp area before and despite it's polluted but it was good to see the sight. I was expecting a sandy beach but Pantai Remis probably having it's low-tide so everything seems a little muddy and people are catching clams and some other sorts of creatures probably; mud-skipper.

We saw lots of crabs coming in and out from the holes and we tried our best to get some pictures of the mud-skipper but they are too fast a swimmer; actually, all I see was that they hop very fast with their two fins which from a distance, it seems like the fins are their legs. I think they are amphibians rather than fish because they can actually breath in the land or rather they spend most of their time on swamp. Thanks to Yow to my rescue as I got my foot sinked into the mud thinking that it was a hard-surface which I could try to walk near to the sea-water to wash off some mud stuck to my shoes. Never tried attempting that... that explains why there are squarish-concrete blocks being put for us to actually walk on it till further out to sea on a low-tide hours.

After spending like 30 minutes at this swampy place, we head to Kuala Selangor. Approximately another 25 minutes, we reached the Kuala Selangor district and we looked out for the "Taman Alam" signboards and despite the map that I printed was not a very accurate map, we did not get lost but we reached the Nature Park safely. The first sight of the monkeys welcome us at the entrance. Bought our tickets at the price of RM4 and listen to the guy who managed the place for a short briefing on what we would be expecting to see and what we should not do and etc...

We started off the walk into the "secret garden" with a little muddy and wet ground welcoming us. The perfect weather - could not stop us from the nature walk. We were so looking forward to the sight of some "smooth otter" but we were very much disappointed for not finding any of them. The whole 2 hours walk, I only managed to see 5 species of birds including the cranes & eagles, lizard, some monkeys, bigger sizes of crabs and mud-skipper. The two watch-towers that we climbed - that incurred lots of soreness to my legs. The boardwalk which is designed a shape of a horse-shoe is where the spot that we were told the Straits of Malacca meets the Selangor river. It was kinda non-watchable as it's hidden by all the tall trees and there I was thinking earlier that I can wait for a view of the sunset. Sigh... was I disappointed with the park.

Since we have plenty of time to kill till dinner, we decided to visit the Bukit Melawati for Andrew's sake. Here, we see more monkeys and actually the view from this Hill is pretty good but lots of people were there and I had a good laugh at some of the monkeys that are being treated like the Goddess of Bukit Melawati and their behavior seems hilarious to-sight. The museum and the light-house were close due to the public holiday but Andrew took some good shots and am I glad that I drove the Kembara. The one-way hilly road was no-turning back... if you get stuck, I can't imagine how if someone's car break-downs suddenly and I'm sure the rest of the cars behind will be honking and cursing away till the night-falls. Honestly, I do not dare to imagine...

At about 5.3opm, we left and was planning for our next destination; seafood village Pasir Penambang as per the map. I took a wrong turning and the road I was on is heading to Tanjung Karang, thinking that I had took the wrong road, we tried to get a u-turn ahead but instead the cars are zooming by so quickly that I did not dare to do so... instead, we turn into this junction that seems promising and lots of seafood restaurants and with the instinct of "following the road which others all turn-in", I did the same... and the semi-high-weeds road leads me to the seafood village where 2 restaurants are on the tilts over-looking the river serving seafood and some shops selling all kinds of seafood-related products. We walked around to survey and decided on the first restaurant.

Usually, with a view that is out to the sea/river, I'll make sure I get the tables by the edges but all had the tag "Reserved" on it and the waiter got us a place close to the entrance of the toilets and the kitchen and a big aquarium with the biggest Awana fish I ever saw in my attire life. But the crowds seems promising so we did not wanna be choosy. Ordered our food and while watching the fishermen returned home with their catch-of-the-day in their 'sampan' and boats, our food arrived rather quickly... which after we dig into our food... we find them just simply below-normal. Maybe the enthusiasm is not there either because the two buddies that tagged along with me don't fancy "food" as much as I do. But, we all agreed that Telok Gong's tasted so much better and I think the many people that dine into this restaurant, they did not know yet wherelse is better... hehehe... So not-recomended; Seafood Restaurant K.Selangor. Maybe, my next visit to Kuala Selangor, I'll attempt the 2nd restaurant at this village. Sometimes, less crowd can be better overall.

We stopped by for some "souvenir" before we leave the fishing village, I bought the un-cook 'keropok' and two kinds of fish-balls. Smiling with my purchase, we head back to the Kuala Selangor town to get to our mission location; Kampung Kuantan for our most important task, FIREFLIES!! It was 6 km from the main road that we turn into it and it was pitch-dark. So when I feel that I had driven for about 5.5km, I started driving slowly not wanting to missed the turning and to our most surprised, it was a well-lighted up place with a big board writing Fireflies Kampung Kuantan. Hahaha... we were all so amazed that the Selangor tourism actually made it as a very official tourist-spot to welcome us and it's sponsored by TNB.

Bought the tickets for RM10 and wait for our turn and again, I was shocked to see such a big crowd. Hundreds of us... the life-jacket is a stinko but as long as it's safe, no complains. We got into the sampan and upon leaving the jetty, I remarked, "for all we know... the lighted lights are sponsored by TNB and are being hung on the Berembang (mangroves)." And I think the "Abang" that rows the sampan could not bare to listen to my critics and when we saw the mangroves full of the fireflies, he row the sampan closed to the mangroves and we were up-close-&-personal with the insects. It also flew to us and stay a while in our palms.

Nothing is more breathtaking than the sight of millions of fireflies on the berembang trees, stretching a few kilometres along the riverbank. Pictures are impossible to take but the beautiful glittering and twinkling of the flies are indeed very memorable to me and indeed the look-alike "christmas trees" that is often being described were so true. As we had short chats with the "Abang", I was told that there is another location called Kg. Bukit Belimbing about an hour drive towards Tanjung Karang, will have fireflies too. Was thinking of attempting tonight as well but when we u-turn back to the jetty after about 30 minutes, it started to drizzle and by the time we reached the jetty, it starts a heavy pour. We ran for the car and a little wet here and there but it's worth the money and time.

Feeling exhausted from the nature walk and the short-run from the jetty to the car-park, I still attempt to drive us all back to Klang in one piece. It was raining and I just drove 60-70km/hr. I don't usually want to drive at night but tonight, the feeling seems right. Even the timing were all perfect for us... we have our dinner served quickly, we managed to watch the fireflies before it rain... all seems perfect. Driving for 150km today surely will bring me to dreamland soon... Anybody interested to join me for a trip to Bkt Belimbing for Fireflies??

Note: More pictures will be in my Photo Gallery.

Chong Chew Jie Kuai Le

David sent me this and despite I only know how to read the first row: "chong chew jie kuai le" and not the rest of the mandarin character, I find it so cute. Hope everyone of you reading will have a good evening during this full-moon night. I shall gaze out of my bedroom window and enjoy it...

Dreamy Weekend

Lately, I've been broke with very little money left in my account since I last checked it and somehow, this weekend, I suddenly has this dreamy thoughts of owning the house next-door. YES! In the state that I know how money is important and well aware that I'm not in any position to invest in a house at this very moment, but the thoughts just lingers since Saturday morning despite that I'm near penny-less, I just kept having the vision how I want my own house to look like and since I'm staying in one that is exactly the same next door, it helps me a lot to vision it clearer. I started drawing pictures in my mind how I want the sliding door of the main entrance to be changed to some fancy half door and half window 3-4 panels and I want to have a timber-flooring veranda, where I'll put a small coffee table and a cosy-lazy chair for me to have my breakfast or even read a book during the windy/rainy days and accompany by the few wind-chimes.

Then, I started picturing some walls that are being break down so that, I'll share a living hall with my parent's house so that we can actually have a wider living hall where we can fit our Lee families that come to visit all at the same time despite that I know how much my mom dislike having parties. Then, I even will have the wall break that divides that two houses at the car porch so, we can have more space to park our cars, even accommodating my sister's who will be visiting. And will change a bigger electric-gate that is folder-able which means, the houses sharing one main gate. And I simply love a mini-garden and I'll grow some bamboos and maybe even made a small little pond for some carp and a miniature bird-bath because I sure enjoys having those robins visiting my garden for a bath wherever they feel like having one. And I'll probably have to spend some time with some gardening to grow some beautiful flowers that survive in our Malaysia weather.

Since I love to cook and bake and I don't get that much done in my mom's kitchen@palace, so I'll have my own kitchen but I'll reserved the wet-kitchen space that my mom done her real-oily cooking into a laundry corner so that my mom don't have to hang the clothes at the front of the house but instead it can be all hidden at my dream-house backyard but probably, she has to do her laundry at my dream-house. So, at least the space that we are currently having the clothes-line removed and have more flower pots or whatever my dad prefers.

As for the room downstairs, I'll probably break it to make a dining space to accommodate a bigger table and some space to make a big store-room to store all the junks in my dad's car booth. Hahaha... I'm sure the "extra space" will be a delight. Of course, I want to have a nice kitchen which display as many cookery, pots, pans, electrical appliances and the list goes on...

I shall blend in the design of the staircase to be like my parent's house so at least, it looks matching from, two stairways; one on the left and one on the right. Oh yes, and not forgetting the plaster ceilings and maybe, if I can even find space to actually buy a baby-grand piano, that is definitely a dream come true!!

Guessed, you can imagine what sort of rooms I'll be having, I'll definitely occupying the master-bedroom which I'll again break the windows to convert into the similar fancy half door and half window that opens out to a balcony. Looking at the master-bedroom won't have a morning sun, I'll just have to watch sunset from my room then. And I'll have a walk-in wardrobe, not that I have that many clothes and accessories but it's a nice place to walk into for any princess or any dreamy lady like me. And I'll enlarge the bathroom so that I can have a bath-tub in it. I may somehow have a small walk-in wardrobe and less space in the room for the enlarging of the bathroom but I think it's worth it as I do a lot of "thinking" in my bathroom even now.

The other two extra rooms upstairs will be left as guest rooms or I'll make the smaller one into a study-room where I put shelves for all my books. Am I delighted that I can now display my books on shelves instead of all safely hidden in a box under the bed or in the storeroom.

Hence, today, having the whole house to myself for a couple of hours, I started walking around and drawing pictures in my mind and planning where I should put the furnitures, the tv and God, how much I enjoy my dreamy weekend...

BBQ Lattern Festival

This is the first time my company is organising a BBQ Lattern Festival in our company's compound. And unfortunately, I'm put to in-charge again for this event and the worst part was, only in the morning, was I told that I had to be the emcee as well due to the previously arranged staff is already on medical leave for 2 days. With much protest and yet, I was treathen to be refered to the Corporate Service GM for a "brain-wash/lecture" if I do not want to be.

~ I was trying to get a good shot of the latterns~

Despite the very much sadness creeps, the excitement for the event enpower me and I was honestly not in much mood to work after 2pm as I was running around, getting things ready with the rest of the committee members and it started to pour heavily around 2plus also. And for the rest of the evening, it was drizzling once a while and by around 7pm, we hang the latterns and I think we really need "them" to lift up the festive-mood.

I did not get much chance to savour the delicious food as how I could and should due to the constant pressure from being the emcee and not forgeting shouting my lungs out to get the whole bunch of people to listen to me who happened to be small and petite size girl. What more, there is no microphone for me.... What?!?! When I first throw out the question in the morning, the rest of the committees looked at me as though I was talking in "alien-language" and by the evening, I really freaked out because there isn't a microphone after all!

Overall, it was kinda messy with the things not prepared properly by the Chairlady because I can't be emcee-ing and go arrange the props for the games, right? I have no idea what is the matter but towards the end of the night when I was just sitting and listening to some colleagues' jokes about the "propective bartender", I overheard the big boss thanking the Chairlady and 1 of the staff (who wasn't even the committee) for the event and he left the party. I was almost falling asleep by 9plus and despite I was forced to stay-back to clean up, I did not after hearing what the big boss thanking people who didn't even do anything, my "mood" to continue to stay just vanish with the thin-air that is around me... Me; who yelled my lungs out did not even get a personal thank-you?!?! I had enough of this... I left with much dissapointment inside...

YM Youth Race

Last Sunday, I got an sms from May requesting me to participate for the YM Youth Race and straight-away I replied her with a very pleading-remarks and begging her not to put me into the race as a participant. I told her, I don't mind volunteer myself to help out with the preparation or the race. And of course, my wish is granted! :D

After last year's race's experience, I do not wish to stay in bed for one whole day and also difficulities walking up and down staircases for one whole week. But, this year's Youth Race is very mild, it's just within the church compound and nothing too "gorry" or "delicious" to attempt. We started about 9am and about 12pm, we completed all the groups. I was in-charged with Ah Siang to take care of the station where we get the participants to wash cars with their legs tied to each other. Got sun-burn due to running around with my camera to take the pictures while they wash the cars and at times, the sun is blazing hot.

Despite that I don't participate but I sure shed-off some fat by running around and getting all sweaty and splash from the excited participants while washing the cars.

BRO, SEE SOMETHING FAMILIAR?!?!

Methodist Prayer Convention 2007

Today, our whole church together with the rest of the Methodist churches in Malaysia attended this "Methodist Prayer Convention" in Stadium Melawati, Shah Alam. In the beginning, dad was not keen to participate but somehow, mom & I persuaded him to try this once-in-a lifetime event which of course, we hope in future, there will be more to come.

Glad everything when pretty smoothly and the best, there is no traffic congestion and we did not face any problem when we enter and exit the stadium grounds. And of course, I kept telling my dad also that the Holy Communion should be done the same way in our church because this really can save up lots of time and energy. The Baptist church in Port Moresby that I attend can do it, why can't KCMC? Just as a matter of wanting or not I supposed... maybe, there is a reason behind for not wanting to do so...

Theme Song:

We'll walk the land, with hearts on fire,
And every step will be a prayer
Hope is rising, new day dawning,
Sound of singing fills the air.

Two thousand years and still the flame
Is burning bright across the land,
Hearts are waiting, longing, aching,
For awakening to the Lord.

Chorus:
Let the flame burn brighter
In the heart of the darkness,
Turning night to glorious day
Let the song grow louder
As our love grows stronger,
Let it shine, let it shine.

We'll walk for truth, speak out for love
In Jesus' name, we shall be strong
To lift the fallen, to save the children,
To fill the nation with you song

Took some pictures of the stadium but somehow, I forgotten to take a picture of my parents and myself... poor memory... but my camera is also getting quite poor quality these days. Think it's time for an upgrade... Hhhmmm...

"Kenduri"

"Selamat Pengantin Baru"

In my lifetime, today is the 2nd time I attended a "kenduri" (Malay-wedding) and this is the first I was officially invited with an invitation card. Congratulation to Erni & Izar and not forget Uncle Rosli & Aunty Zaitun.

They are my ex-neighbour when I was still staying in Taman Klang Jaya, I grew up about 20 over years there. They moved to Sri Andalas a few years before my family moved and somehow, after high-school, Erni and I did not keep in touch anymore. We used to go to MGS together as our parents' car pool to fetch us to school daily. So, today my family are invited to attend the "Kenduri" at their home. Was I excited about it as I'm curious to witness the ceremony. But, was a little shocked to find the buffet table lined up with lots of food that are all spicy and red in colour. Hhmmm... the beef was good...

Did not get any chance to speak to the bride herself but it was nice to meet up the "boys-next door", they sure grew to be young men that even if I see them in the mall, it will be very hard for me to recognize them. Hehehe...

Kristen & Elisa

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY MALAYSIA!!!

Hehehe... not that I'm that patriotic to blog about the 50th Independence of Malaysia. But I was so-looking forward to the public holiday and the long weekend that I started counting the days till 31st August 2007 since about 3 weeks ago.

We at home are having a feast as my sister and her family are visiting us since she had not done so for the last 3 months and I'm as delighted as anyone to be able to see Elisa and also to catch up on some good times with Kristen. And of course, my grandma and my 2 aunties joined us for the feast too. Just a small-feast where I think my mom spend hours preparing and cooking and at the end, due to some reasons, we all eat-separately whereby Kristen started and I followed after 15 minutes and then, half way thru, my grandma and aunts came to the table. Somehow, it was so different then the usual luncheon or dinner we used to have. But, who cares? No big-a-deal.

I didn't take any photos of the food as I'm sure everyone will start questioning me why I do so. But, took a few shots of Kristen with the "tools". And my dad cradling Elisa.

A Bear Hug

It's been a long time since I personally have a hug from anyone.
But, isn't it a pleasure to be hugged by a beary-soft-toy??
Guessed, only Samuel gets that kinda privilege. *chuckled*
See how he enjoys it......

Ratatouille

Last night, I was very delighted to catch the movie: Ratatouille. And it's the best thing to end a Sunday night watching a cartoon-movie. Somehow, I always feel that it's good to laugh or watch a sitcom/cartoon before I go to sleep. Before I watch this movie, as usual I will browse to read the synopsis and if possible even watch the short-preview.

So, here goes, a little peep into the movie: Trailer

Synopsis:
A rat named Remy dreams of becoming a great French chef despite his family's wishes and the obvious problem of being a rat in a decidedly rodent-phobic profession. When fate places Remy in the sewers of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero, Auguste Gusteau. Despite the apparent dangers of being an unlikely and certainly unwanted visitor in the kitchen of a fine French restaurant, Remy's passion for cooking soon sets into motion a hilarious and exciting rat race that turns the culinary world of Paris upside down. Remy finds himself torn between his calling and passion in life or returning forever to his previous existence as a rat. He learns the truth about friendship, family and having no choice but to be who he really is, a rat who wants to be a chef. (Full Story)

My personal opinion about the movie:
Before today, I seriously do not know what Ratatouille means other than reading the synopsis of the movie and also watching it. The movie was good in the sensed that it makes me laughed quite a fair bit until my mom was questioning me why am I laughing all by myself at the upstairs-mini-hall where I watched it on the Desktop. While watching, my imagination got a little bizzard in the ways like, I really cannot imagine a rat "cooking" and touching the spices and the food in a real human-world. I have always had the "arm-hair-rising" feeling whenever my mom used to "trap" the rats in our old-house's backyard and I had always remember that "tingling" feelings that lingers for a while whenever I see the new-born mice hidden in some corners in some dark spot. Despite that it's just a movie but always my imagination runs to an extend that I cannot myself imagine for the whole duration of the movie. Overall, I don't find Remy cute; it's a rat without clothes on and it's just like any rats you see running around the backstreet at night hunting for rubbish to eat.

Almost towards the last 20 minutes, then only the rat cooked the dish "ratatouille" and to me, it looks like "lasagna" when they were preparing it for the food critic. And when it's served, it's like layers of potatoe-slices arranged one layer after another layer and a sauce is being dressed on it. Watching and talking about it even makes my stomach rumbles and mouth-watering now. How I hope one day when I'm in Paris, I can try it.

When you watch it the motto of the movie is "Anyone Can Cook" by Gusteau and I could not agree more with him. If we have the passion, all of us can cook and when one cook with their heart and touch, the food automatically tastes good. "So, all the cook/chef out there... cook because you love it and not cook just because you had to... there are zillions of people who will sincerely enjoy your food."

So, the true meaning of "Ratatouille" seems quite far resembles to the one served in the movie. Ratatouille : If you click and check out the picture and if you have watch the movie, I think you will agree with me too. So, any French would like to comment on this? Which is real or should I take the movie for being just a movie or the true meaning of the food lies on who cook it?

Company Study-Trip

About a month ago, when I was talking to the HR staff, my MD; Mr Leong happened to come out from his office and saw me. And in a loud voice asked me, "Faith, do you know that you need to go Kalimantan?" and I was speechless for a moment, then I replied, "Nope" and he further commented, "Benny didn't tell you about it?" and I again replied, "Nope". And he goes, "Aiyoh... this Benny ah..." and what the rest he mentioned was blur after that... because I was thinking... why on earth am I supposed to go Kalimantan for?!

Few days before the trip, I was told about the 3 days itinerary and when I first glance thru, I almost fainted to read it. How can one possible travel 9 airports within 60 hours?!?! It's CRAZY!!! And when I asked the Secretary about the accommodation, she told me she had no idea because it's arranged by Medan office. And for the rest of the month before the trip, I'm not being told about anything and when Benny finally came into the office a few days before the trip, I got a chance to ask him why I needed to go Kalimantan and then, he told me that he wants me to see the condition of the place and I'll be in-charge of the Shipping & Logistics of Medan branch in the near future. Despite that, my mind is still not at peace as there are so many question marks in my brain:- Where am I going to stay? What am I going to do there? How should I pack my clothes? Formal? Casual? Etc... Somehow, I was NOT looking forward to the trip.

So, some people at office gave very positive remarks like, "Wow, you going to travel on Dato's private plane!" and "You're so lucky that you get to travel to Kalimantan." And I was like, "Huh?? Kalimantan? It's a jungle lar... what so great?" and a few nights before I depart, I was actually surfing and browsing thru the internet looking for more information and honestly, I can't find anything!! Anyway, by Sunday, I was all prepared and I just told myself, no matter what it is... I have to face it anyway because it's part of the job now.

Route: Subang-Batam Island-Belitung Island-Pontianak-Pangkalan Bun-Balikpapan-Kalimarau-Balikpapan-Kuching-Subang.
(Click picture to enlarge)

23rd July 2007:
My alarm was set for 4.45am and it took me another 10minutes to get myself out of bed. Had a mug of coffee to keep me awake so I won't fall asleep when I drive to office to meet the rest at 6am. Everyone was quite punctual despite that I arrived the earliest. We left for Subang Terminal 3 airport shortly after everyone arrived. We waited with other other passengers that are traveling to one of the Berjaya Resort. At 7am, we met the 2 Captains who escorted us to the custom and the private plane.

The first look into the plane, really put a smile on my face and it comfort my heart so much to see the exclusiveness that I may savour for the rest of my 3 days trip with it. So, the "private-plane" worries somehow, drifted away from my mind as the take-off from Subang and landing in Batam Island was so smooth that I personally felt, even Air Asia cannot beat this plane!! And with leather seats and pillows to support my back and for a good hug, I do not have any complains. *chuckled* That very moment, I was looking forward to the trip once I landed in Batam Island.

While they clear our passports, we head out from the plane to the airport for some breakfast at 8.15am. The rest are very eager to introduced me to the Indonesian's traditional food. So, I had a chance to try some "Lontong" and I ordered myself "Indo Mee Sapi". Both were okie as I very much miss Indo-Mee from my days when I'm in PNG. Depart Batam Island at 9.05am and reached Belitung Island within another 45 minutes of flight. Some staffs from the Taiko Plantation met us at the airport and picked us up with their 4-wheel to their Jetty & a bumpy ride to their Estates to meet up the Estates Manager. It's been raining in Belitung Island for the last 5 days so some places are flooded. After admiring the Jetty and having a short tour round the Oil Palm factory, we left for lunch at a town called Kelapa Kampit before we depart for Pontianak. Lunch was marvelous despite that the seafood are not fresh, prepared by one of the Teochew-Indo shop.

4.30pm, we reached Pontianak and this airport is so busy with lots of people going in and out at all times. It seems like a bas/train terminal more than an airport. Here, we visited a stevedoring company name PT Sangkar Mas, the wharf and the warehouse. Along our short trip of 7km from the wharf to the warehouse, we saw the uncivilization of this place. People are bathing in the black-mossed river, some are washing their clothes and vehicles, some are taking the water for other reasons... People here are so poor and undeveloped. At around 6pm, we decided to have dinner before we check-into the hotel. Dinner was alright and the hotel impressed me since it's such an undeveloped place. We stayed in Santika Hotel for the night. This place is really beautiful. They have nice restaurants and a very cosy courtyard that nobody goes to. Such a waste. I'm so satisfied with this place and just too bad that's it's only for me to sleep and shower. I simply love the wood-craft masterpiece above the bed; a dragonfly. A recommended hotel to stay in if you visit Pontianak.

24th July 2007:
As I was confused with the 1 hour time difference, I had to double-checked with Benny last night on the breakfast and departing time. Lucky, I could sleep 1 hour extra since it's 1 hour behind at Pontianak. I had to set my alarm for 5.50am but, I did not sleep very well because my cautious-mind kept waking me and making me feel that I'll overslept. Breakfast was okie as I ate lots of sausages and I avoided any dairy products for this whole trip. Departed Pontianak airport at 8am.

The whole trip to Pangkalan Bun, Mr Leong was giving lectures to the men on business theories, how to venture into new products, cultivate and purchase new plots of land in Indonesia... And I was just stealing some beauty sleeps while he lecture away... We reached Pangkalan Bun around 9am and we waited very long for our passport to be return to us. So, we decided not to wait but to visit the port and the warehouse. The roads at this place is very bad... the whole trip, it was bumpy and somehow, my back hurts quite a fair bit but Mr Leong ordered me to sit at the back with the excuse that I have short legs and the rest of the bigger size or taller men should not sit behind. Doesn't mean I'm young means, I have to torture my bones, right?! Urrgghh...

Since, the weather was bad after we depart the warehouse, we decided to have our lunch in the town while waiting for the rain to stop. At 1.25pm, we depart Pangkalan Bun's airport as our schedule was brought forward due to no other places to visit. Besides, I'm sick of the bumpy road and I was feeling a little car-sick because I need to sit behind.

At 2.45pm, we reached Balikpapan. Here, seems so much better as compare to all the other places I had visited in Kalimantan. As usual, we visit the ports and take a look at the conditions. Not much activity or company for us to visit, so we were allow to have our own time right after we check-into Le Grandeur Hotel. Upon arrival, I saw the beach and sea, how I regretted to change my mind to leave my swim-wear behind. I think the rest of the day, I was pretty despair and upset with the "men" and I think I choose not to blog about it much...

After dinner, I had some time for my own-self and since it has a bath-tub, I happily sock myself in the warm water that I added some shower gel and hoping, my aching bones can be comforted. As I was preparing to shower, I checked out the massage price but, with the amount of cash I have, I can't afford one. Anyway, hotel massage & spa are always more pricey. I dozed off into dreamland while watching Bones on the TV and again, my cautious-mind will wake me a few times in the night...

25th July 2007:
Since Balikpapan have the same time zone as Malaysia, I had to wake up at 5am and I ordered room service to have my breakfast at 5.20am. At 6.10am, we check-out the hotel and as usual, I have to wait for the "men" and by 7am, we board the private plane again for Kalimarau. Weather has been bad and lots of cloud, we were unable to land in Kalimarau despite that the Captain attempted 2 times to try to find the runway to land but due to the thick clouds, we were unable to do so. So, we u-turn back to Balikpapan for custom clearance and we had the special treatment to hang-out and rest at the Lounge which serve plenty of food. Yummie...

By 10.15am we depart Balikpapan for Kuching to refill fuel and for custom procedure to enter Malaysia again. The whole time, I'm on the plane, I had to get as much sleep as possible since I have not drink a single drop of coffee for 2 days. Reached Kuching about 11.30am and the treatment that we received were so bad!! Nobody actually offered to bring us any umbrella since it's drizzling and to think about that this year, it's Visit Malaysia and since we flew in with a private plane, shouldn't we have a little special treatment?!?! The Indonesia airport's staffs all greeted us with smiles and a hand-shake, why can't Malaysian do that as well?

After 45 minutes in Kuching private plane airport, we depart for Subang. Sad to say, I did not get any chance to see the town but just transit because the branch staffs were busy with their daily tasks that they were not too free to meet us up for lunch. Since, our visit to Kuching was not a plan trip before and due to the previous cancellation, I thought I can go home was I landed in Subang but somehow, the "men" return to office except the MD. So, without any further debate, I only left office at 5.30pm.

Overall, I did not learn anything in this trip, I presume the Management thought that the condition of Kalimantan will be an eye opener for me but since I had been to PNG, what is Kalimantan?? Just simply a "smaller-fly" with similar condition but not as bad as PNG. I had seen the worst as compare to Kalimantan. Guessed, the Management must be thinking that, it's a waste to send me to Kalimantan and had easily cost them USD5000 for the 3 days trip whereby, they could have sent someone else whom they can really "open" their eyes. The bad weather also really make the trip not so pleasant and till now, I'm still feeling the jet-lag. Not only I didn't learn anything in particular new but my backpain is back!! *sobs sobs*

People said, we can learn a lot about another person thru trips or vacations together and that is so true! This trip make me see the true colours of the Management. I simply dislike the way they treated me the whole trip, they mentioned that they "spoilt" me since I'm the only "rose" among the "thorns" but why I need them to spoilt me?? I do not need them to treat me like a "kiddo". They instructed me this and that but NEVER want to even listen to a simple advice/opinion that I give them. Sometime, on the 2nd day of the trip, I completely shut my mouth and was already showing my sour face I presume I couldn't hide about it further. Guessed, this trip really let me feel awful and to a much bigger surprise for myself, I really missed my home, my family and mom's cooking to the extend of just after 1 day.

Take a peep into the not-impressive pictures I took:- Kalimantan Photo

Quality Time

It's a Sunday and today, it was somehow very special to me because I don't usually get to spend so long hours with my niece; Kristen because she always leave Klang after lunch. And because of this, Kristen is not warm-up enough to actually get acquaintance to me every weekends.

But this weekend, I had an awesome quality time with her because we visited her house after church to see the new born baby Elisa and I brought along my swimming-gadgets so that I could spend some time in the pool as well while others are fussing over the baby.

I walked to the pool around 3pm and there were 2 parties going on by the pool-side so there were lots of kids around. With so much ripple in the pool, I'm kinda a little fear of it... so, I kept myself safely by the edges. Around 4plus, Kristen joined me with her grandma's close-inspection by the pool side. We had a really good time especially Kristen who loves to splash the water to my face. When it was time to get out of the pool, Kristen took ages to do so... She was trying so many times on the "diving-distance", trying to get the furthest and every time she mentioned, "the last time...", some how the "last time" did not happened to be the last. Hahaha...

When she finally got out of the pool, her grandma towel-dried her but she refused to change into her dry clothes with the excuse that, "Aunty Faith also did not change..." Uh-oh... I'm to be blame?! She even refused to wrap in the towel on the way up. I decided to join her in the bathroom where her grandma was planning to bath for her but I told her I'll do it for Kristen instead since I'm already wet. I'm sure showering a kid will somehow get the adult wet as well. Her grandma hesitated a few times but I insisted on it... Besides, I'm thinking... in status, I'm already an aunty so what is so concern about shower my own niece, right? Not like I could drown her?

Anyway, Kristen played with a bar of soap and even rubbed the soap on my body a few times remarking, "You wash my hair, I soap you too..." and she even asked me to remove my swimming-suit when I removed hers. Gosh.. hehehe... no way will she get the chance to see my naked body!! But, we were like chuckling and laughing in the bathroom that my mom came into the shower and nagged, "Quick... don't play around... it's time we go home too... it's late..."

Yeeaaahhh... I'm tired for the day with a big smile on my face...

"I'm d Big Sister"

The expression: "I'm the Big Sister"

Just look at this picture of Kristen the proud big sister who cuddled baby Elisa despite that their own dad is pretty scared to hold the small size fragile baby...

Here Comes the Baby Girl

Since on Thursday night when we received a call from my sister saying she is in the medical center, I was pretty excited... This morning before I leave for work, my mom said "no news yet" and I goes, "Oohh... so long in labour?" Without further me bragging about my "feeling of excitement"... Let me introduce you to the new "member" of the family. Ta-da!!

~ Can only peep thru the glass because it was her bed-time ~

~ A distance glance ~

~ Much closer view ~

~ Sleepy? Zzz...Nah, just camera-shy ~

~ YES! Closed-Up ~ Adorable? ~