Ghost Rider

Last night, I went to watch Ghost Rider with Andrew & Yow. Before surfing the net for the show-time & synopsis, I have totally no idea that it was from a legendary comic book. First come to know this movie on the advertisements and somehow, it's a movie suitable to watch with the guys. Kekeke... what an excuse to date the guys?!

The movie is normal. Not much of a challenge for the Ghost Rider to "kill" the evil ones. But, I love the "blazing-mental-motorcycle". It's just super-duper-cool!! Despite that Ghost Rider is working for the Satan but he is the Angelic-Satan who do not squeeze the living-souls out of the innocents. Personally, it's more macho-to have the Ghost Rider ride on the blazing-horseback rather than on the motorcycle. That's why it's called a "Legend", right? Everything close to nature... Guessed, movie-directors or script-writers always ended a battle between men with the element that is the men's weakness; the woman close at heart. Why? No other better way to end a battle? Hhhmmm... Just so predictable...

Pleasant Drive

After 3 days of public holidays and it's back to work again. Much dreaded the idea that most people are on holidays or probably just simply taking leave to sleep-late and continue the rest of the 12 days of CNY visiting. I on the other hand, decided not to take any extra leave but to return to office and enjoy the much silence in the office and the most pleasant drive to work.

How often do you get to drive in Klang Valley's road with the minimal traffic??

Close to "never"... Even today, I was a little surprised that the shorter route that I could take to office, still had policemen standing at each traffic-light... But, there is no traffic at all?!?! I guessed, other than they stand at each traffic-light every morning, they probably do not have any other place to stand or to keep watch. It's like it's their job already, so, if they don't stand there, probably they are stuck somewhere catching people. It's just so strange...

The best part is it's so pleasant to drive all the way straight today without even stopping any traffic-lights the whole stretch of 22km road from my house to work!!! Isn't that pleasant? And it only took me 15-20 minutes!! How I wished that it could last for a little more than a week... Kekeke... Of course, by next week, everyone will be back from their hometown and the much hated traffic will resume...

团年饭

This year for 团年饭 "tuan nie fan" (Chinese New Year Eve Re-union), we had simplfied the dish to multi-colour "POPIAH". It's my all time favourite food and no doubt a day before, I could not wait to deep in and wrap it!! Well, we had it for lunch and dinner so, you can imagine how craze the idea was. Nevertheless, we all had a good meal and welcoming the year of the Boar!! *Oink Oink*

Roses & Chandelier

HAPPY VALENTINE!!

A rather last minute date.
Everything were planned by him.
And I was not supposed to know anything,
but just being driven.
Surprised that he got me white roses.
Can't recall when is the last time I received flowers.
Sure is ages ago.

I asked what white roses symbolized.
He mentioned all the colours except white.
Even though, I do not like roses.
But, curious of the meaning.
Any idea?


"Not sure if my photography is good"

Dining @ Chandelier.
Never noticed this place before.
I simply love the ambience & 'decor.
It has the mixture of everything.
Dine, wine & party.
Choices of songs were good too.

He commented that I have expensive taste.
But, I just simply think that we paid.
Thus, we deserved to get what it worth.
Young aussie-wine was not to my liking.
Took ages to serve 'd food & 'd bill.
Nevertheless, a night of "dismiss sorrows"

and some good laughs.

Grand Tour - Caving

I do not remember how I stumbled myself into this knowledge of the cave existen. But I waited for quite sometime to succeed this plan, finally there are friends who are eager to join me for a caving trip to Gua Tempurung, Perak. Supposed to be 5 of us but unfortunately, one of my gal-friend; Angie was unable to join us because she just joined a new company and she has to work on Saturdays. Nevertheless, the plan proceed with just 4 of us and me being the only girl. Was I fortunate or what?! Hehehe...

Andrew picked me up at 7am sharp and we continue our journey to pick up Yow & Junior. We all stayed in Klang and so we hit the NKVE about 8am. Me being the navigator, I get to sit-in-front and at the same time to avoid any car-sick issue for myself. After Kota Damansara, we joined into the North-South Expressway and we exit at Gopeng. We have no problem finding the place. With the speed of 110km/hr and a few rest-stop to ease ourselves, we reached Gua Tempurung at around 10am. We are in time to grab our brunch and booked ourselves on to the Grand Tour.

Initially, I was only planning to go to the "Top of the World" package that do not involve any wet-activities. But then, Yow insisted that we shall all choose the same package. Not wanting to ruin the excitement, I took the challenge and it was worth it!! "Grand Tour" is a package that covers overall and was summarized as "challenging & strentous" by the websites. We had a Renjer name : Tok Janggut and there were total 12 of us in this tour. We started our tour at about 11am and it was very funny the images that the Renjer describes to us. We laughed a lot with the wild-imaginations and at times, we had to really go-beyond our imagination.

I had a little problem taking pictures in the cave so I did not take that many. But, managed to snap a few shots whenever I could. We are not allow to bring in wallets, handphones or any priced items. Preferably only torch-lights and ourselves. I thought that it will be quite cool inside but at the end, all of us just went in with the least piece of clothing. It's best to wear a sandals as foot-wear as all of us end-up not doing so. I was wearing slippers which is comfortable for me to walk at the man-made steps but it was a little difficult for me to walk in the river. But, it was a good foot-reflexology!! Hahaha!! I'll make sure I invest in the Crocs sandals in future caving trips.

After taking our shower and changed into dry-clean clothes, we head to Ipoh for an early dinner. On our way out, it was my first time to see Malaysian's sheeps & lambs. They are so thin!! But the lambs are so cute! Was supposed to call up Ipoh friends to join us for meals but and then, have second thought of it. In Ipoh town for the 2nd time, I was a bit lost to show them where were the good food that I had before. Slowly the images came into view after circling around the town in search of it. Unfortunately, the rest already sitted in one of the shop and it was not very nice to change our mind. Since, the rest are not particular about good-tasty food as they are all hunger to their bones, we settled for anything that was in-sight.

Overall, despite the minor cuts & bruises on my knees and arms, I had a marvellous experience and a big thank you to Andrew & Yow who offered me their hand-grips and lit the way for me with their torches. Last but not least, to suffer my occasional "squeeks" when I lost my balance and wrong-footings. Now, I shall go get my beauty-rest as my muscles are starting to sore.

*Note: Click on the picture to get a magnifying-glass.

Remarks: Tok Janggut had sent us the extreme-shots finally, check out "Photo Gallery". (updated 24/02/07)

Bad Luck & Furry Creatures

It's Thaipusam today and it's a public holiday. I did not know about it until 2 days ago when some of my colleagues are happily talking about it during lunch. If I would have know earlier, I could possibly be flying off to a quiet island away from the city-life.

Mom wanted me to bring her out shopping for some clothes as the Chinese New Year is approaching while dad goes out for his usual golfing with his friends. Slept quite late last night, around 2am after I dozed off watching some english movie on tv. And I was awake early this morning when my mom rang the door-bell. She got back from the wet-market.

Dragging myself up to open the door for her and when the eyes are open, it's hard to return back to sleep. Decided to check on the PC on the download progress. Chatted online and was planning to return to sleep but when I got into my cosy-bed, gazing out my window, just thinking, "such a nice weather to sleep, no sun-shine and just plain clouds, a little morning-breeze blowing occassionally as the curtains flipping by itself... birds chipping... " Switch on tv to watch cartoon for 15 minutes and decided that I'm hungry and with an empty stomach, can't possible make me go back to sleep. Instead, got into a shower and get ready to go out with my mom after a quick breakfast.

Being a public holiday, it's guranteed that the malls are packed and just looking for a parking space it's a problematic. That is the reason I never really like driving into KL for shopping. Bump into Jaime and her parents, said a few "hi's" and then off we go our separate ways. Managed to only walked around Jusco, Metrojaya and Carrefour, and we call it a day because mom is complaining her foot hurts. We left Mid-Valley around 4pm. Traffic was okie as it's still early and it's quite pleasant to be driving on the road today as compare to normal working day.

*BANG* As I just cornering into my housing-area, my car is almost to a stop when a small boy in his bicycle knocked into me and the boy actually smacked on top of my car's bonnet. My mom who was napping all the way from KL awake with a shock. Obviously, she did not see what happened. A little annoyed for the boy's carelessness as this was not the first time, I see him cycling and playing around the road corners. I put on the emergency light and get down from my car. Meanwhile, he ran away with his bicycle to a corner while his other friends ran towards him to check his condition. As I approached him, I asked him if he is okie and he has 2 cuts on his knees but he claimed he is okie. As there are other adults outside their houses, they came to look. When his maid finally came out from her house, the little boy told him that I knocked him. I was so angry and I scolded him for telling lies. I called my dad and he came to the rescue. My front car plat is damaged and black marks painted a big patch at the front. Even the boy's hand-print is on it. After the boy admitted that he is the one that knock into me, the maid brought him back home to wait for his mom to get home. Dad asked me to get home first while he talked to the rest of the "aunties" who were gathered around.

As I parked my car at the porch, was surprised of the two furry creatures in the cage right underneath the french-windows. Mom was asking me why is it there and I said, "It could be bro's because he was planning to buy for a church friend as a birthday gift." Turns out that it was our new neighbour's pet. Hahaha... I have a new neighbour that just moved in 2 weeks ago and they have been acting very strangely. The lady always welcome herself into our home and acting like we know each other for over 20 years. Not that we are not friendly or helpful but my dad are having very bad-feelings about all this...

Feeling a little annoyed, that the small boy's mom did not bother to come to our house even though we had requested her to do so when she get back home. My dad and bro paid him a visit because dad worried that being a Malay they might have all the power to scrutinize and make false statements whatsoever. When I checked with my dad went he got back while I was feeding the furry-creatures, dad told me the boy's mom do not even apologize for the damaged he has done to my car. UUrrrgghhh... was I even more mad!! Lucky, the two furry creatures are there to soothe me mentally... Mr Grey (the big-bully) & Mr White (the pinkish-red-eye)...

Hens Party

A group of us had a "hen's party" (My friends used this term & sure sounds unpleasant but I do not know if there is any other term for it) for Siau Wei, the brides to-be. It's a whole day event at Andana Spa and we had special package arranged for the 6 of us. We are a bunch of high school friends and Siau Wei is the first in our group to get married. The package includes massage, pedicure & manicure and the best thing is unlimited food & beverage.

As I entered the door, the man-made waterfall and the wooden flooring seems very cosy and nice. After checking on the reservation at the receiption, I flipped thru their various "treatments" offer while waiting for the rest to arrive. As this is not my first time going into a Spa, somehow this place is not very professional as they never bother to take the guest's particulars or if we have any medical background issues.

While waiting for the Honourable-lady to arrive, I go around snapping pictures while the rest when to change into the "kimono" robes. Since, we have all day long, what's the rush?! About noon, Siau Wei arrived blindfolded by Jaime and I was at the main-door to direct them into the VIP room. The rest were waiting for her with the flower garland at the changing-room.

We started ordering some juices and some light-snacks from the buffet table before we head to the hot pool. The menu doesn't look very mouth-watering but it's unlimited-serving. And the best thing that tempted all of us was "Rum & Raisin" Haggen Dazs Ice Cream (which I had 4 scopes of it after my meals). Basically, I tried almost everything in the menu. My favourite is the "chicken mushroom scallop porridge".

I have no idea why my friends are all rushing from the hot pool to the jaquzzi, from the cool pool to the steam-bath. I personally would very much love to relax and dipped inside the pool for half hour to 45 minutes instead of just 10-15 mins each place. I do not really care if my skins are all wrinkle as long as the water-pressure give me the soothing effect. Therefore, I was like a "lost-lamb" all by myself at most of the time because I tend to take my sweet time to do each things and at different places.

~:Pedicure & Manicure:~

My first time in this and I was quite surprised at the not-so-good service they give. If given me a choice to pay the amount of money to do this, I will never invest it. Since, it's in the package, we all had a share. I selected "black" and the lady who did my hand commented, "oohh... wild-look!" and I just gave her a smile. Of course, when I got home, my parents are pretty okie with the colour but my grandma & 2 aunties are quite shocked to see and gave some negative comments. The funny thing is, at different lighting, sometimes, I see the nail colour as "dark purple instead of black". Am I colour-blind or what?! Hehehe...

~:Massage:~
The masseuse was a nice lady who asked what I prefer. Despite that I choose "Aromatherapy" but she said she will gave me "Shiatsu" at my shoulder. Either it's her per section-routine or she sensed that my shoulder has been aching for the last couple of days. Anyhow, "Shiatsu" has once "killed-me" as it bruises me so I had never wanted this kind of treatment. But since this masseuse insisted, I had not other choice but to accept. Time flies as it's only a 40 minutes treatment.

Overall, I felt the place is very commercialised. The reason why I never bother to spend on spa in KL is because I had been to better ones in overseas and every each of them are so much better than this one!! But for the sake of the "party", it's the ambience and the company of friends that matters at the end of the day.

Company's NY Countdown

Initially, I wasn't planning to attend this event since I was the committee member. But my mom insisted that it's once a year event to "mark" the year end, I should just go and have fun. Thus, a week earlier, Loo Ing accompany me to Indian Street to purchase my attire. Of course, it was a short period of time to allow me actually scan thru the whole street but I'm okie with the purchase as I do not want to actually spend a big amount of money on it.

Was thinking to take a day leave to get myself ready for the event but somehow, a little voice inside me said otherwise. Since my attire is pretty easy to get into and I'm not into make-up, I am the only one that actually wore the Punjabi-suit to office during working hours. Most of my colleagues are quite amuzed when they saw me wearing it the whole day at work and somehow, I was in the mood for holidays and looking forward to the Bollywood night.

I was the 2nd earliest to arrive at the Colonial Times at about 4.30pm but I do not really know why the committees are required to arrive 3 hours before the actual event kick-off. There isn't much to do other than putting up the backdrops and requesting the restaurant's staff to setup the tables & chairs accordingly. On my first impression to arrive, everything is so dull and ugly.

By 7pm, lights were dimmed and all the tables were lit with candles. Even the disco-ball were turning... and it's such a soothing ambience by then.

Overall, the night was kinda boring and I'm so tired. The music that the live-band sang was not really my type and not many people dance for the night either. Everyone were kind of laid-back, sitting & chatting away. Most of them left quite early as well. I left at about 1am which is the time that the restaurant allows us to have the last song.

Note: More pictures in Photo Gallery

^Tong Yuen^

For the Chinese calender and the Chinese tradision, today everyone will eat this special dessert "Tong Yuen" and it's everyone's birth day and I have my share bit to prepare my mini-marble size in pink & green. I even joke with my dad, we should roll out the amount of "tong yuen" according to our current age!! HAHAhaha... Imagine my dad had to eat over 50 balls.

A little about the history of this festival:-

The Winter Solstice Festival (pronounced "Dong Zhi" in Cantonese and roughly means "The coming of Winter") is celebrated when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest. It is the time when farmers and fishermen collect supplies and food in preparation for the coming winter.

The meaning behind this festival can be traced back to the Yin and Yang philosophy of balance and harmony. After this celebration there would be days with longer daylight hours and this symbolized positive energy flowing in.

In modern times, it is a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get togethers is the making of Tong Yuen or balls of glutinuous rice. "Tong Yuen" are made of glutinuous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Every one in the family receives at least one large "Tong Yuen" and several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savoury broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl.

*Gingerman Shortbread*

Since, I'm selected to be in-charge of the "gift-exchange" section for my CG Christmas party. Thus, I come up with the "fortune cookies" aka "gingerman shortbread" where I could insect a small piece of paper that has the gift no.# written on it. Well, it was just the fun of slowly chewing the cookie and not bite the paper into pieces in order to pick up your gift.

No cookie says Christmas more than a gingerbread-man cookie. That's why it was so important for me to look for the gingerbread-man cookie cutter. Went to ask around 5 shops but failed to get the cookie cutter at such a short notice. Thus, I had to make my own cookie cutter from the "thick-paper". Today, I think I spend about an hour plus in the office during lunch-time getting it done.

All I need to make shortbread are butter, plain flour, rice flour and sugar. Very simple ingredients and quite easy to prepare. Just the kneading need extra strength. Glad that I had my brother to assist me to give me that extra strength and baking the cookies.

~ Gingerbread-man : Am I cute?? ~

~ Gingerbread-man & friends ~

~ Gingerbread-man : Freshly baked, I'm ready!! ~

~ Butterflies-Shortbread for my brother's friends ~