X'mas 09 and New Year 10!!!

The past couple of weeks have been rather interesting. I was home for barely 48 hours before zipping to Hong Kong with wifey and family. This marks the first overseas family holiday together which included my better half and I reckon, everyone enjoyed themselves. We visited wifey's relatives there, we feasted, we snapped tonnes of photos, we counted down to X'mas (our first time away from home too ... :p), we toured Macau ... generally it was a blast. Looking back now at the photos we took ... it brings back fond memories ... memories we'll cherish for some time to come I'm sure.

Next up, the countdown to 2010! We booked a table at D'Italiane Kitchen @ Jaya33. This time, the bro-in-law came along and we over ordered again ... or rather I did. Haha. On the table were creamy soups, smoking hot pizzas, a variety of yummy pastas and beverages of course. Oh and we had delectable desserts to complete the meal. After the meal, wifey and I met up with our friends at Starbucks for the final countdown. We really wanted to avoid the hustle and bustle of the crazy crowd and road traffic at the popular spots ... so a gathering over coffee did just nicely indeed. :)

With all the festive mumbo jumbo over, the wife and I finally get to spend some quality time together. We embarked on our gastranomic adventures to the newly opened Hutong, Flying Chillies, La Bodega, Fong Lye and many others. Oh and we managed to catch a couple of movies at the theater too namely Bodyguards & Assasins and Sherlock Holmes. We wanted Avatar really badly but the holiday season crowd was just too much. We also celebrated YJ's 25th birthday ... a glorious vegetarian dinner followed by a simple cake cutting-do at home.

Time simply passes by too quickly when you're enjoying yourself with loved ones. Distance does make the heart grow fonder but the separation still sucks to the max. What's more ... I recently learned that his contract in our project would be extended. It's true when I say literally everyone else at site wanted him out due to his utter imcompetence but alas ... management is blinded again by reasons only they themselves know. If only they knew the truth ... BIG BIG SIGH indeed.

Hmmm ... with rgds to resolutions ... I have none ... no specific ones I guess. Just need to make the best out of what I have and adopt a come-what-may attitude. I think this is the ideal for now ...

Have a HAPPY 2010 folks ... :)

Blast from the past ... my many misadventures!

Following up from the previous post, here are some of the recaps of the various ‘misadventures’ experienced as far as I could remember. Some of em’ are due to my own misdemeanours while others boils down to pure rotten luck I guess. I know some of you would genuinely enjoy reading this. Who needs enemies when you have friends like these eh? ... :p

Case 1 :

It is a ritual of sorts for my family and I to have dinner with our extended relatives from my dad's side at least a couple of times a year. We aren't too close to them and being a 4 or 5 year old rascal at that time, I used to dread going for such meal functions. The 'dads' would banter bout politics, the 'mums' chattering on TVB's latest hit series and the only common topic I had with my distant cousins was ... school. BORINGGG!!!

My younger bro and I would bug our parents till no end to adopt a 'hit and run' ... meaning arrive as late as possible, gobble our food and leave asap. So on one of the CNY days, we (my bro and I) reluctantly went for one of these obligatory dinners. All I wanted was for the meal to end speedily so we can then make our way home and I can resume my game on the Micro Genius. I was crazy over Mario Bros. 2 then ... I mean, who wasn't. Chinese restaurants during CNY are always packed. So naturally the food would take rather long to be served. Hence, to pass the time (and to avoid having to make small awkward talk with my cousins), me and my bro would leave the table and simply ... scream and run around as if we OD-ed on candy floss.

We circled tables haphazardly much to the displeasure of the other customers I'm sure until I tripped on my greatgrandma's four legged walking stick. You can now picture John Woo's directional style where everything seem to occur in relatively slow motion. I hit the restaurant's glass door head first (forehead to be exact) before bouncing back flat on the carpetted floor. CRASH BOOM BANG!!! Time froze ... everything stopped and sheer silence enveloped the atmosphere. My parents rushed to me and picked me up. My dad swore he saw the swell grew by the second till it was as big as half a tennis ball. Panic striken, I was driven to the nearest clinic before the doc re-assured my parents that I would be ok.

So there you have it, I spent the remaining CNY holidays with a hideous swell plastered on my head ... well, at least we managed to cut short that dinner eh? :p We still fondly joke bout it every now and then. :)

Case 2 :

My aunt (mum's eldest sis) used to babysit me since I was a tiny li'll kid. So every morning, before work, my parents would drop me off at PJ's Section 17 Happy Garden flats where my aunt lived. Since my aunt's flat was located on the 2nd floor and I always had a phobia of being trapped in an elavator all alone, most of the time, I would just take the stairs and brave the awful stench emitted from the garbage chute. Now on the 1st floor, there lived a plump spinster who's eternally draped in her 1960s floral pyjamas. The other thing is her massive hair ... it was just so ... BIG! I'm sure if one were to put it on a weighing scale, it would read nothing less than 30 kgs. If a fly went it, God forbid, it will never ever ever ever find its way out ever ever ever again. She would definitely give Rosmah Mansor a run for her money. *Hehe*

Now crazy spinster also have a companion ... a perpetually pissed off Pomenarian. Crazy little bugger who's barking mad (literally). Well, I wouldn't really blame the furry dude la ... I would go insane too if I were forced to face a master blessed with a face so hideous no mother could possibly love. Oh and just so you know, the dog and I share the same name ... Adrian. *Sheesh*

So everyday without fail, upon reaching the 1st floor, Adrian (the dog) would bark at Adrian (me). KNN! Usually I would just ignore the four legged idiot but this time it was different because ... THE FREAKING DOOR GRILL WAS LEFT OPEN!!! *HORROR*

Adrian stood on the walkway barking furiously at me while I stood rooted like a gargoyle ... shocked and not daring to even breathe. O_O" Adrian then confirmed my worst fear when he started charging towards me. I turned around and ran as fast as my tiny feet could take me. I ran up the stairs like a bat out of hell ... floor after floor. Not once did I turn back to see if Adrian was still hot on my heels cause I didn't need to ... the sharp ear piercing sounds of his bark let me know he ain't giving up on the chase.

When I reached the highest floor (8th), I had no choice but to run towards the other end of the block and started descending down. A while after, I noticed the barking had ceased. I slowed down my running and realised I wasn't being chased anymore. Not taking any chances, I quickly made my way to my aunt's place and she was puzzled that I arrived drenched in sweat.

The next day, I made my parents walk up with me for fear of a reoccurence from yesterday's frightful episode. The grill was latched this time but no bark. Adrian (the dog) was no where to be found and till this very monent, it still remains a mystery to me what happened to him. One can only hope that he was abducted by aliens and gets his well deserved payback of daily anal probings for being such a SOB!

Case 3 :

My uncle, (the husband of the aunt who babysat me) opened up his own mechanic workshop in SS19, Subang Jaya. On the grand opening day, friends and relatives were invited for some small makan and get-together. After stuffing myself with food from the buffet spread, I went off to play on my own while the adults chatted on. Can't really remember what happened but I ended up getting one leg stuck inside the metal grill covering the drain. So you can imagine, one leg stuck under while the other was on top. I tried freeing myself before anyone else noticed but I simply couldn't. Soon everyone knew and my parents tried to tug me free. The pain forced a scream and tears out of me. It was really a very embarassing situation I was in. :(

My stuck leg was coated with engine lubricants but it was to no avail. It was wedged in there for good. With no other options, the Fire Dept. was called and the firemen had to saw out the grills with an electric cutter in order to free my leg. Sighhh ... so malu.

Blast from the past ... Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

Rewind the clock by 22 years or so and you'll have li'll ol' me in kindergarten. Towering less than 3 feet tall, I had to be literally dragged to 'school' everyday to this quaint corner house lot in Section 17, PJ. A couple of my cousins went there too. No, I didn't like it there cause unlike the lucky tots nowadays, we didn't get to sink our fingers into colourful Play Doh or excite our minds with the latest games on the PSP. We did math, we read and recite the 'wonderful adventures' of Peter, Jane and Pat, the dog. During break time, we were told to sit down and finish our crackers and diluted Milo in utter silence. *blehhh* In addition, with a teacher I likened to a vile prison warden ... Ms. Khoo was my boogeyman ... my monster under the bed. I was terrified of her to the core *shiver*.

Anyways, nearing the end of the semester, we were told that the kindie is going to make us take a Final Exam. OH THE HORROR!!! Ms.Khoo a.k.a. Ms. Khookhoociau piled the pressure on us to do well. Perhaps the teachers were riding on a bet on whose students could perform the best. All parents were made aware of this exam and to dangle the carrot in front of me, my parents promised me a gift should I excel. My aunt promised my cousin the same. The game is ON!

The exams came and went. I was glad that it was finally over. On a sunny blue sky day (probably) ... as my cousin and I were sitting on a swing, waiting to be picked up ... we schemed. Yeap, you heard right ... a couple of 7 year olds ... putting our devious li'll minds together to connive!!! Muahahaha!

So here's the story, we would both go home that day and tell our parents that we scored the No.1 position in class. With that, we'll demand for our rightful gifts straightaway. *Brilliant*

That night I went home and delivered the 'good news' and with that, I bugged them till no end to take me to Savemart, SS2. Finally, I settled for a battery operated toy gun ... the kind with flashy lights and sounds yo! I went to bed clutching my prized possession to sleep. *Sweet Success* :)

The next day at kindie, I saw my cousin and she too had a huge smile plastered over her face. I knew our plan had worked. She snagged herself a Barbie.

The weekend soon came by and as usual, my family went to pay grandma a visit. Coincedentally, my aunt and cousin were there too. *Gulp*

Our families soon got to talking and obviously talked bout our recent 'achievements'. To cut the story short, they soon worked out that there can't possibly be two No.1 students in the same class and the cat was out of the bag. :(

Hell hath no fury like my mother's scorn I tell ya. To say I got an earful was an understatement of monsterous proportion. I ended up spending most of the night outside alone in the dark before Dad let me in. Eh, for a 7 year old, being alone in the dark was no joke k.

My cousin was luckier, she got off with a meager lecture bout telling fibs bla bla bla.

The funny part was that a couple of weeks later, the exam results were announced. They graded us not by positions in the class but overall throughout the entire grade. Only 5 best students were awarded and my cousin and I were among the elite 5. KNN!!! If only we waited a li'll longer ... sighhh.

So the moral of the story is ... TIMING IS EVERYTHING!!! ... oh and don't lie especially to your parents. The truth is always out there. *cue X-Files music theme*

You know the country's screwed up when ...

... when my chef had his ID confiscated by a plain clothes officer snooping around in a Beamer 5 Series sometime around quarter past 3 in the afternoon. What was the crime commited u ask? Well, he was washing the car at our villa's porch area and naturally, the waste water flowed out towards the road. Now that was a big NO NO!!!

Anyways, after much pleading, the officer handed the chef back his ID with a stern warning. He was told that such offence could carry a fine of RM12,000 and a maximum jail sentence of 2 years. Well, I'll be damned!

And in case you're wondering, none of these ladies is my chef. :p

When you love someone ...

Sometimes I stubbornly deny what’s real
Blinding myself of the real deal
Sometimes I tell a li'll lie
As if that way, I can really fly

On lonely nights ... so silent and still
When I’m curled up feeling weak and ill
I do not plead for rest or a bitter pill
But a tight embrace only your love can fill

I do things others cannot explain
I find joy with you from the norm and the mundane
I preach of emotions which defies logic
People say it’s crazy, well, I say it’s magic

Others would try to reach for the moon
For such a dream, it's too early too soon
I'd rather reach deep into your heart
So that even across oceans, we are never really apart

Inside The Fallen Tree ...

Being awakened by the sheer exasperating sounds of birds chirping never fail to irritate the hell out of me. The sun is still slumbering and only a very faint light illuminates the world outside my grimy window. I lay starring at the ceiling and the body screamed from sheer weariness. I slugged out of bed and pulled my jumper on. I had a hunch that it’s gonna be chilly out there. I stuck my hands into the shoe drawer and dragged out the first pair my hands could get a hold on. As it turned out, my blue and white stripped NBs was the pick of the day. I double knotted the laces and headed out.

The first thing that struck me as I creak opened the door was the smell of rain, wood and grass. It’s musty and yet, it enveloped me with a sense of comfort. Stepping out, I saw dozens of black ring ouzels swooping acrobatically from one roof to another ... if only I had a double barrel Winchester. I’d literally blow them out of the skies. Nasty buggers.

I walked swiftly, slightly annoyed at the squeaky sound of my rubber soles squishing against the paved road. Not a soul was in sight and yet I felt exposed. I wanted to be invisible to the world … I wanted no one to see or even notice me. A little over fifteen minutes later, the road came to an end and only a dirt path lies ahead. I sauntered on and each step imprinted the patterns of my shoes on the amber mud. I pulled on the hood snugly over my head for the leaves from the trees around are still showering me with droplets from last night’s drizzle.

I’ve been here more often that I could count and yet each time, the place seems frustratingly different. I sometimes suspect that the trees purposely switch their places just so they can confuse me. Then something caught the corner of my left eye ... a light of some sort. I’ve never treaded away from the pathway simply because the forest grounds were denser on either side and I’m weary to go into the unknown. I just dislike plunging into a state of insecurity, so sue me.

I peered inside and realised that the ‘light’ was actually sunrays piercing through the roof of the forest canopy. I had an image of Greek Gods playing javelin throw in Mount Olympus above and a few of their sunray spears landed here. I was drawn to the light and subconsciously made my way towards it. I realised that I was actually standing on a clearing of some sort and its mesmerizing beauty had me transfixed. The ground was filled with a thick bed of ivory dandelions and dotted here and there with contrasting bright golden samphires. I realised then that the common phrase people used ‘colours of the rainbow’ is inappropriate because I felt humbled by the sight of fluttering butterflies in their hundreds performing a symphony of colours before my eyes. I walked towards them and this caused the dandelion stalks to parachute upwards. I closed my eyes and twirled gleefully like a 5 year old girl and everything around me swirled in motion.

My foot caught on to something and I fell face first onto the moss filled ground. It took me quite a while to regain my composure and re-adjust my vision. My snickers are now patterned with patches of slimy green. Damnit! The butterflies had all disappeared and all that’s left was the deafening silence. Just then, the west wind blew, sending the tree leaves into a rustling frenzy. I felt that they were sniggering at me and I felt anger erupting instantaneously.

I looked around trying to see what caused my fall and realised that I had tripped on the roots of a fallen tree. This reminded me of the time Zack, the school bully stuck his legs out to send Albert and his lunch tray sprawling across the cafeteria. I felt guilty because I was one of the many who laughed out loud at that scene. Karma always has a way of finding its way back to bite you in the ass I guess.

Still I was furious that this interrupted my ‘moment’ and in dim-witted haste, I balled my fist and struck the fallen tree trunk ... hard. The pain felt was excruciating but satisfying at the same time. With at least a century old in age (I guessed), the brittle trunk crumbled inwards leaving behind a gaping hole, not more than a foot in width. I was taken aback by this for I expected the tree of this size to be much sturdier. I studied the trunk intimately and it was indeed aged and wrinkled. There is a carving not far from where I thumped it and I inched in for a closer look. It read ‘A & S till death do us part’. I snorted at the sheer corniness of the sentence. In today’s society, it would be easier to find a winged unicorn than to find individuals to commit to ... well ... forever.

Just then, I spotted a shiny reflection coming from inside the crack I made. From what I can see, it’s metallic and I was dumbfounded that something like this should be embedded inside an ol’ tree trunk. I stuck my hands on the perimeter of the hole and tugged it with force. I was just hoping that I would not be at the receiving end of something nasty ... like having my palms filled with juicy wriggly maggots. Yucksss. As the opening ‘grew’ bigger, I could make out the shape of the object. It’s a book. A leather bound book to be exact with a metal plate screwed on to its cover. My curiosity fuelled the adrenaline and as soon as the book is able to fit through the hole, I heaved it out with eager anticipation.

I examined the book intently ... tracing my fingers along the spine. The rustic brown leather is thick and I reckon the hide from the animal slaughtered for it must have lived a long life indeed. On the metal plate, in big bold engraving, read ‘The Book of ...’. The final word was deliberately scratched off rendering me puzzled. I tried hard to figure out what the last word could have been but there’s just no telling.

With nothing left to be done, I flipped open the cover very gently as if any hurried gesture would cause the entire book to turn into a pile of dust. The first page was blank and only a few auburn stain marks were visible on the very aged paper. I held the corner of the page with the tips of my index finger and thumb and again ... slowly turn the page. At the next page, my mind registered a picture with a worded paragraph beneath it. Miliseconds later, when the brain is able to process what my stunned eyes are actually seeing, my jaw dropped in response.

This simply cannot be!!!

It’s just not possible!!!

I tried reading the words below the image but couldn’t for my vision was blurred by the heavy stream of gushing tears.

Now the rest as they say ... is a story for another day ...

When I wish upon a star

Lying down and facing the very vast night sky. The silence is deafening and you have a million twinkling stars staring back at you ... mocking you. You slowly raise your palm and spread it wide open like a net and then ball the fingers into a fist ... a futile attempt to grasp as many stars as possible. We're told, with each star, you're granted one wish ... the big ones give you bigger wishes ... the smaller ones ... smaller wishes.

Right now, all I need is just one wish.