Currently reading "The Philosophy Files" by Stephen Law When Miss Jelly's not feeling very paranoid (when she prefers to hide in the store), she's guarding the telly.
----
Just finished a yummy slice of apple pie! Chance purchase at Satok Mita Cake House when I was over there getting my loaf of bread for breakfast tomorrow. RM2/- for a teeny slice. Not the best apple pie I've ever tasted, but it's something after so long...
Sister Siena (yes, a nun) still makes the best apple pie in the whole wide world! She's my kindy teacher, but has become a family friend. She used to make the pies quite often for my family before she was transfered to another school in Song several years ago. But she's coming back to Kuching end of this month to celebrate her 25th anniversary in the sisterhood!
Amazing, no? 25 years of celibacy! :) And the most amazing thing is she does not look like she's aged since she taught me in kindy some 20 years ago!
That's her grace from God for being a nun... :)
Have been having breakfast at home for 3 consecutive days now because I'm worried with my parents' and their fellow retired breakfast buddies' daily kolo mee, laksa and kueh chap.
It's hard enough to lose those flabs swimming 30-40laps daily! But I'm happy because my sis (who's the least merciful critic in the house) sheepishly said that I've definitely tonned up! And even more sheepishly encouraged me to "keep working" with my exercises.
You see, I'm a staunch advocate of exercise+balance diet, while she's always switching diet pills, slimming teas, laxatives, and ridiculous diets! I've always asked her to join me for a swim or go for brisk walking, but she always declined and dismissed them as "boring".
It's hard to talk sense into her. And she's also a health care provider. She has a lot of common sense, but she's just rebellious in nature. *sigh*
Whatever I planned for my morning went down the drain because a family friend's car broke down and needed repair, so my good samaritan papa offered the friend to pick him and his wife from the workshop early morning, chauffeur them around town to do some errands, and then send them back to the workshop later in the afternoon to pick up the car.
And mum had her 2pm appointment with her rheumatologist.
So I have no transport the whole day.
I was planning to go to the hair salon with mum, then catch a movie or 2 because it's movie day, then go hunting for the 2 DVDs...
So I spent my whole day updating my digital photo albums (burning the pictures in CDs and labeling them according to dates and events), replying email, cooking and washing my bags (from my traveling the other day).
Papa came home around 4pm+, luckily, just nice for me to go for a swim at 5pm. I did 26 laps, ONLY, because the 3rd swimmer who came into my lane (mine because I got there 1st) didn't streamline very well, and brushed the lateral aspect of my abdomen, on the right side. And that made me very uncomfortable, so I finished the 26th lap and hit the showers. :(
The pools are extra crowded because of the school holidays. Lots of kids just now.
After dinner, persuaded dad to drive me to Kenyalang to check look for the 2 titles...
"Little Meng-hey-ten?" the puzzled vendor cringed his forehead as he read the title from piece of scrap paper I scribbled the 2 titles...
"Sofi Skol?"...
"Dong have. But have Little Meng!" he sounded very helpful.
"Nevermind, thanks a lot!" I said quickly before he suggested any other titles... :)
I'll try Saberkas tomorrow.
Things to do tomorrow besides going to Saberkas:
1) Wake up late! (preferably around 9.30-10am)
2) Afternoon swim (preferably 2.30-4.30pm)
3) Help write letter for Julie
4) Sort out medical books and notes for sale/donation or to burn
5) Maybe go to the hair salon, if mum's still up for it
6) Maybe blog a little
7) Maybe start reading a book... saw some colourful paperbacks on my sis' shelf in her room.
That should take my whole day. :)
I wanted to blog about my dream about Philip last night but that would be too long. Maybe another post another day.
Good night people!
I missed my mandatory daily swim today because the weather was playing peek-a-boo with me. I was getting ready to leave the house for the waterpark, when suddenly the sky turned eerily dark and grey, and I could see flashes of lightning at a distance.
"MISSSISSIPPI-1, MISSISSIPPI-2, MISSISSIPPI-3, etc...."
No thunder. Each Mississippi represent the distance in mile of the lightning. If I reach Mississippi-6, for instance, and the thunder roar, then the lightning/thunder is about 6 miles away.
Not scientific ok. Just something I picked up while watching Sesame Street as a kid.
So anyways, I decided against going to the waterpark because if it's only showers, it would not be a problem, but lightning and thunder... a big NO-NO.
So instead, I took out dad's boxing gloves, and removed the chair that's supporting the punching bag, and started whacking the miserable bugger.
And then I saw the sun. Darn. And it continued to be sunny until dinner time.
But boxing's good. Worked up a sweat pretty quick.
Went shopping today! :) Finally got myself the "display unit" for my 50+ pairs of earrings. Haven't got a photo, maybe tomorrow. :) So happy!!! *dizzy* So nice to look and touch all my danggling earrings... :)
Then today 2 blogging buddies reviewed a movie each they've seen recently, Jemima found "Little Manhattan" most charming, and Brenda thought that "Sophie Scholl" was brilliant!
Both sound pretty good to me! So at least now I have a little project for these few days... to track these 2 DVDs... Saberkas tomorrow! :)
Any more good movies to recommend? I basically love heavy movies (eg. Sunshine), but I also enjoy epics (eg. Braveheart, Gladiator) and heartwarming cum comedies (eg. Secondhand Lions)... Let me know!
Can you believe that I forgot about "House" last night? Yes, very disturbing, but turned on the telly on time for "Nip/Tuck", but I didn't enjoy it very much... it's basically about the misadventures and vices of 2 plastic surgeons in private practice. Not very interesting. Maybe the 2 actors not cute enough. :)
Ok, cut short. Getting too wordy. :) Cheers people!
Was suppose to post this before I left for my road trip, but it slipped my mind.
I love this place because the beach was beautiful, and the sea was a vibrant blue! The last place where I've seen a "bluer" sea would be Pulau Redang in Terengganu back in 2002.
A small resort, it had the cutest chalets I have ever seen, each with its own name! Angie and I got the attic beds. Yipee!
And the sunset was spectacular!
Bruno, my uncle's 1-year-old alsatian was nice enough to pose for me. It was taken at night and I thought the photo turned out quite ok, except for Bruno's flashing red eyes! My 2 photo editing programmes failed to clean it up. Went online to find any other ways to fix red-eye problems, but there's nothing I can do with my very basic photo editors (maybe I don't know how to use my Photoshop Elements to its max capability).
I could "repaint" Bruno's eyes. :) But it would look kinda scary, no?
Any tips? It's worse with animals because their pupils are more dilated than humans, even in daylight.
I'm making tomato chicken curry today. Uncle Tine's coming for dinner. Did my share of preparing dinner earlier because I'm going for a swim later at 5pm! :) So excited already!
Godma gave me her recipi for "Devil's curry", a portugese curry... it's a little tedious to prepare, but will try it out maybe next week. :)
Cheers!
Tried out my Ixus 60's digital macro function on my godma's garden flowers when I was in Miri. This is my fav!
Busy the whole day chauffeuring mum around running some errands and then to the hair saloon. She had her hair dyed and set.
Because tonight she's meeting her friends from Class of '73 and some of her old teachers. After 33 years! They're having their reunion dinner at Merdeka Palace.
How cool is that?!
It will be 10 years for my batch in 2008. Seems like nothing compare to mum's 33 years! 2 of her friends have died of cancer since.
Like the photo? :) The 2 doggies are my godchildren! Jojo's babies...
No water at the Stampark Waterpark this evening.
???
Pool was full of water but there wasn't a single drop in the showers/toilet/sink. So couldn't bath. So had to have dinner with family smelling of chlorin.
Apparently no water in BDC area, one of the lifeguards told me.
But had a great swim! Swam between 6.30-7.30pm, so water was little cooler than the usual 5-6pm period.
Let's pray for downpour tomorrow in the whole of Sarawak (and where ever it's needed)! Happy weekend!
Not the wisest thing to do in the world, but I went for a quick swim yesterday evening, yes in the haze. *oops* A little disappointed because the water was hottish warm. Was hoping for a refreshing dip.
Going to KMC later to see whether the water would be cooler... :)
I was drooling went I saw the triathletes swimming in the beautiful Marina Bay on Sunday during the competition's flag-off. (See picture above)
Now one of my life's dreams is to compete in a triathlon! First to figure out how to make my body run a marathon. Swimming I can do. Cycling no problem. But running... that's a BIG problem. I stopped running back in like Form 2?
I know I should avoid outdoors as much as possible because of the haze, but I think I need to go for a swim. The heat's getting to me.
Was telling mum that I won't mind working and living in Miri. It's a beautiful city, and most importantly, it's seaside!
Mum not very impress with the heat and gushes of wind, and the distance from Lutong Baru (where we were staying with my godma and godpa) with city central.
But I don't mind. Compare driving 40mins to Santubong beach and 10mins to Tanjung Lobang beach! :)
Food's ok, no kompiah though. ;) More people speak hokkien. Easy to get around. Shopping's a tad better than Kuching. :)
And I know someone's there. :)
Yes, I'm still dreaming of Bukit Aub in Sibu, and dreaming of Fatty the koi. :)
Thanks Angie for bringing me there!
Arrived Kuching around 5.20pm. So relieved despite the haze that greeted my mum and I. Miri's affected, but it's obviously worse in Kuching.
Will be a short entry. Lots of laundry to do. Need to settle my SPA thingy. Pictures to come soon. :)
Just want to say that it's SUPER to be back home! But am sure will be dreaming of Sibu and Miri for many, many days!
Cheers people! Will reply comments/email soon! Take care!
Min Yen finished 2nd in today's sprint event! Congrats! All the best in the Olympic Distance event tomorrow!
Angie and I just helped out with registration, which took the whole freaking day. Didn't even get to see the flag off for the sprint event today, but did manage to catch Min Yen in action. The organizers had some disagrement, so were not working together, so we actually didn't get any proper instructions as to what we had to do... it's bad for the whole event, but I personally feel "paiseh" because they are feeding me so much and letting me stay in the hotel for nothing. *shy*
Not so many cute guys la after all. Got one cute guy with the organizing team, but didn't check him out la. See la tomorrow if I have the mood. :)
Angie making an offering to the temple's deities. She doesn't know what it's called so I can't explain it too much. But this is such a great shot! :)
I've never been in any of the temples in Kuching, but on the way to Miri, I accompanied Angie to this old temple during a pit stop in Bintulu.
Though I was thoroughly amazed by the enormity of this beautiful sea creature, I couldn't help feeling sorry for it. Caught some 2 weeks ago, it is still waiting for its time to the pot in a restaurant in Bintulu. Price: RM160/kg! Would rather see it frocliking on the sea bed during scuba diving.
This is me and Kee Hoe at the very beautiful Kutien Garden, a memorial park put together by the foochow clan in Sibu. Kee Hoe explained that it was served to remind the people of their ancestors' hard work and contribution. Something like that. Couldn't really concentrate because the garden was gorgeous. Will put up a picture montage of the garden later when I get back.
Located opposite the Central Market in the heart of Sibu town, this globular fountain is such a delight to photograph! Maximum iso did the job perfectly!
I miss the baked plain "kompiah"! The chewy texture and the sweet taste. *dreamy* :)
I'm now in windy Miri! Staying at Parkcity Everly... nice hotel. :) But the swimming pool is punny. :( Unfortunately for me, these few days are high tide periods. So can't go for a swim in the sea. The waves looked kinda hungry to me.
But this fantastic hotel has free 24-hour internet connected terminal on the 7th floor, soooo, HAPPY! And it's pretty fast the connection.
Been shopping in all the shopping complexes with Angie since we arrived yesterday! Shopping here is like 10x more enjoyable than back in Kuching, but I'm proud of myself, didn't let the buying "jampi" get to me.
I'm more powerful. Just got 2 more pairs of earrings. :) That's a feat you know for my standard. :)
Sent a sms to Philip, but no reply. :( Not sure whether he's like off shore or out of town or whether he's changed his number.
Couldn't summon enough courage to call, just in case he picks up. I know, I know I'm weird, but when it comes to Philip, I'm never quite normal.
Was hopping he just reply my sms, and say that he wasn't free to meet up or something, at least I know that he's still alive, and that I still have his number.
It's just so I know I still have some connection somewhat to him.
Pathetic? Don't be mean ok? *pout*
So spotted only ONE cute guy today (because we're not involved with registration...). Hoping for a better yield tomorrow when the competition begins. Angie says we should volunteer to paint the numbers on the atheletes' arms and thighs! :D Hehe.
So wish me luck! Cheers!
P/s: Parents called me yesterday saying that a letter arrived requesting me to undergo medical check-up before my service. Quite excited because that would mean that I'll be receiving my posting letter soon! :)
*Chanting* SABAH. SABAH. SABAH. SABAH.
I had "tian pian hu" once (the original and authentic one), "kampua mee" once also, "kompiah" twice (including the famous Tiong Hua Road "kompiah"), and "chau chai hu nan" thrice! :)
Yesterday my friends brought me to have "chau chai hu nan" and I liked it so much that I walked all the way from Rejang Medical Centre (when I'm staying with my friend) to the same coffee shop just outside Sanyan just to have another bowl. :) Yummy!
And despite what I said about only watching English movie, I switched to Dragon Tiger Gate because I thought there were too few people in the theatre to risk being told eventually that it's canceled because of poor crowd.
No regrets. Loved the action! I thought Dragon Wong kicked ass! :)
NOOOO. I don't think the actors were cute, that's why I liked the movie, ok? Ah bengs are not my type, ok? I liked the action!
Ok Alan? <=== He kept on insisting that I liked the movie because of the actors! *kobek*
I was telling a new acquintance that ice-cream, doggies and swimming were my vices. I forgot to tell her about my fettish with earrings! I can't believe I bought 6 pairs already here in Sibu! They were selling very cheap so I went on a frenzy yesterday and this morning.
Angie brought me to Bukit Aub yesterday to feed the fishies and turtles!!! I was SSSOOOOOOO happy (and sakai and excited)! I was screaming up and down went all the fishies surfaced to eat the fish food we bought from the drink stall at the park.
Not very civilised but being at that park and feeding the fishies made me feel like a kid again. And the headache I had from the hot day in Sibu town just suddenly evaporated! Wish we had a Bukit Aub in Kuching.
When I get back I'll post a picture of Fatty the orange koi. Sooo cute! :)
It's now 12.20pm. I like this internet cafe here in Premier. My morning was great! I went jalan-jalan along those all shops in town, just like the ones at Carpenter Street in Kuching. I can't name the street because I'm a little disorientated at the moment. :) It's kinda hot.
After lunch, I plan for another movie, and today's movie day! Cheaper, and I'm expecting the crowd to be bigger, so I may just get to watch Pirates of the Carribean or Just My Luck! Lady in the Water is not showing yet in Sibu. :(
Ok, better key off now.
Sunny greeting from Sibu!
Arrived Sibu yesterday 7.30pm after a smooth 6-hour journey. Angie had to work night shift 9pm-7am!!! So disturbed.
I slept like a baby 10pm-7am! :)
Had "kampua mee" for dinner, and this morning, Angie and Chieng brought me for "ten pian hu" for breakfast! Yummy!
So while Angie catch up with some sleep this morning, and Chieng work, I'm a tourist in Sibu, armed with a map and and camera. :)
Pictures later when I get back to Kuching.
Started off at Premier and I effectively visited several marked locations on my map in 2 hours, walked the whole Sanyan, and ended up back in Premier.
Sibu's small, but I like that the businesses are up and going by 8am and everything is central.
Planning to go for a movie at 2pm, because it'll be too hot to walk around anyways after lunch. Whatever movie they are showing, as long as it's in English.
Wonder if "Lady in the Water" is showing?
Will look for "kompiah" later. :) Asked Chieng about the Tiong Hua Road "kompiah" recommended by FH20, and he confirmed its fame. Chieng is a SIbu local. And very foochow. :)
Ok. Stop here. Trying to keep the one hour of the internet cafe.
Cheers!
Not much time to blog. Getting ready for trip to Sibu then Miri with Angie in a couple of hours time. By land.
Love road trips actually!
Will be back 16 AUGUST... so about 10 days.
Yerdeh: Studio pics later after I come back. ;)
Doing what in Sibu/Miri?
Holiday and helping out with some triathlon in Miri this weekend. Angie said got cute guys, so HAVE to go.
Decided against bringing my laptop because I'm not sure whether my wifi card is still working, so not much point. Will update if happen to stumble across some internet cafe.
So don't miss me too much!
Hectic day today. Didn't go for convo but went for studio photo-taking. Dad was terribly impatient, so luckily didn't go for the convo. But studio was fun! Me and sis were soooooo vain and enjoying every single second of posing (ala model).
Ok. Happy holidays!
We made a 3km-trip from the Sematan Palm Beach Resort to Sematan town for a deck and ice-cream. For a moment, our breaths were taken away by the town's tranquility.
Just to clarify. I'm NOT attending the convocation ceremony this Saturday.
I'm just renting the robe for studio photo with my family.
Just to clear the confusion among my friends.
Oh ya, I won't be attending the dinner on Saturday night as well. I have a family dinner.
The rest of you, Happy Graduation! Don't slip when you guys go up the stage to receive the scroll ya. :)
Hey I'm back from beautiful Sematan Palm Beach Resort!
Gorgeous place, plenty of sun and most importantly, the beach was beautiful! Clean and the sea actually looked blue!
More on my trip later!
