Krabi

I apologise for my long overdue Krabi pictures. Getting them from his camera took forever and uploading them here took some time too. Anyway, no more excuses, here are the pictures:-

Sala Talay Resort & Spa - a relatively new resort. Lovely view of the ocean.

The best part is the pool access room!

This restorant has the best Cabonara! I had it at least 3 times if not more!!!

My little moped. Well, for show only. I can't really ride a bike!

In and around Krabi

Made a friend =)

His bike

Night Shots

Yes they have one McDonalds

They also have a Thai version of the "Mamak Stall", only here it's a stall run by Thai people.

In Krabi town we stumbled upon an awesome artifact/vintage shop. It was awesome!

See how thrilled I was to find old books? :D

Oooh dresses!

The greatest find of all was this cutie-pie!

Krabi Night Market

One of the days we went on a cruise to the Islands. Can't upload all the pics, there are just too many, so here is the one and only magnificient Maya Bay.

Greetings from Krabi!

I am here using the hotel's PC which is absolutely too bright, my eyes hurt (ouch!) I tried to change the brightness, but for some reason this PC only has 4 levels of brightness and it's still too bright for me, so I will have to be quick!

The place is awesome and the hotel has rooms with pool access. What's the big deal you say? Well. I will leave you in suspense for now and upload pictures soon.

Till then, toodles!

A cross-road or a T-junction? I cannot decide.

Why do we constantly find ourselves at crossroads? Crossroads are difficult places to be. If we could try out a particular course and then make a U-ee later then that would be fine. But alas, time and tide wait for no man and you only have this moment to make this one crucial decision, and you know you just can't! Not because you don't want to, or because you are indecisive by nature, or are known for making bad judgments, but simply because the decision either way is not going to be an easy one.

I hate decisions and I had crossroads. Give me a T junction and I am not better at it. I just want the straight road, with clear landmarks and signboards and traffic lights, and I promise to diligent follow them.

I am so in trouble. =(

Louis Vuitton Neo Cabby in Pastel Pink?

Have you seen the Neo Denim Cabby in pastel colors? I so like the one above. I don't know what it looks like in person, but from the pictures and close ups, I really like it! Yay! Something to look forward to. 

The Bachelorette Lunch

Ola! Once again, lots to talk about... I seem to be only writing like once a month haha...Always mean to write more frequent, but then somehow things get in the way.  Easter was a blast in every way, hectic, tiring, fun, very good. View photos here: http://web.me.com/miaowkat/Easter_2009/2nd_Night.html

Other than that, the 'girls' met up today for Hazel's bachelorette lunch.  I must admit I was a bit 'scared' as I had not seen so many of them for so long.  Attendees were, Siu Mae, Siu Yen, Michelle, Pei Ling, Liza, Hazel and myself.  Despite having not seen or met the majority of them for a long time, we really had a good time.  I think everyone has grown up and grown out of alot of silly girl crap and now everybody's just cool.  I was glad and personaly, I really enjoyed myself very much and from just one meet, I think i like everybody already =) We have, in actuality known each other for a very very long time, but you know as people grow they have their own groups and cliques and life just takes over.  Anyhoo, lunch was at Tenji, this Japanese buffet place in Solaris Mont Kiara. Food was good.  A lot of picture taking, Pei Ling brought these bunny ears for Hazel to wear hahha.. Pictures to follow once I get them for Michelle and Pei Ling from FB.  I was most happy to see Siu Yen again, I've often thought about her all through these years and I was just so glad to meet her again after so long.  I hope we get to see each other more often.  Mae and Yen have invited me to go to S'pore with them in June. I am SOOO going! I have been a hermit for much too long! 

Also, Hazel's wedding is this Sat and Bry and I are singing a duet per her request. She wants to walk in to us singing "The Prayer". You know the Charlotte Church and Josh Groban one? Well Bry certainly can pull off Josh, but me pull of Charlotte? I think not, though it's not bad la. It's pretty good. Hahahaha... Well we'll see. The concern mostly is that the singing and the walking from the back to the front for Hazel will be in sync. The wedding rehearsel is this Friday. very exciting! 

Let's see, what else? ... I still haven't reached my goal to lose weight yet. Though due to Easter I did go from 52kgs to 49.7 which is somewhat encouraging though not enough. To be "hot"again, I'd have to lose 7 kgs and be 43kgs, that would be fabulous.  Then I can again start to wear anything I want.  Pei Ling seems to have not only achieved but gone beyond skinny, upon asking her how she does it, she says she east biscuits for breakfast and heaps of fruits for lunch, then dinner macam biasa... Hmmm.. Mae said that doesn't sound very much like 'eating' and I have to agree. I do like food too much!! Oh well :P 

Ok so I'll await the pictures and post them soon. Ciao for now!

Life

How much do we really value life and all that has been given to us?  Can our appreciation of life be measured by the lifestyle we lead, how we treat others, how ambitious we are, how much money we make, how many kids we bring into this world, how many lives we change, how many people we touch, how many gifts we give and how we relate to God? I think it's all this and more.  

It's a smile, when we don't feel like smiling. A touch when we know it means something to someone else.  A gesture of kindness eventhough it is inconvenient to do so.  A thought even in absence.  A prayer even when faith grows dim.  

In the last week, someone we know has taken her life.  She stood out on the ledge of her balcony and jumped.  There was no indication this was going to happen, at least not in the days and weeks that led to it.  There was no cry for help.  No plea for a listening ear.  Nothing.  One minute there was life, and the next minute, none.  Could we have done anything to prevent it from happening?  But, how would we know it was going to happen?  The possibilities and what ifs are endless. 

As soon as I heard, I thought to myself how important it is for us to let people know we care about them enough so that they believe there is still hope in the hopelessness.  I felt I had failed in showing enough compassion, but I didn't show it because this was a person who seemed strong, capable, focused, and logical.  I failed to say something eventhough the strings in my heart were being tugged to take 5 minutes of my day to just talk.  Though this person was not a personal friend, I felt drawn to her.  Drawn to help.  But I didn't because I thought there was nothing I could do.  

No point looking back, just move forward, people usually say.  Well, moving forward, I actually see things a bit differently.  I am terrified of not acknowledging the meaning of life given to us freely.  I am afraid of misusing it, abusing it and living carelessly.  All of us at some point, has done something along those lines, I am sure.  So, how do I live my life differently? 

I have heard a lot of murmurings on the possibility that there is no God.  I have encountered individuals who tell me that if God were powerful and in control, He would have prevented many things in this lifetime and save people from pain and sorrow.  I have also heard the response to that, saying that God has a plan and that we cannot know His ways for His ways are higher than ours.  I have put myself in the shoes of unbelievers and seen their hurt and pain.  I do not blame them for blaming God for their predicaments.  For loved ones lost, for poverty, for senseless wars, for evil and selfishness in this world, for greed and lust over money, dirty politics, child prostitution, rape and murder.  How can we possibly explain why such things happen? How can we know what goes through the mind and heart of anyone who decides to end their life?  We cannot know and we will not know unless we come to that place on our own.  Which leads me to wonder, is life really so horrible for some people that their heart and mind no longer has any will to live?  Even in my deepest depression, sadness and sorrow,  I have never felt so desperate as that.  To ask God to end it for me, maybe. But to end it myself, I think that's a state of mind that has been literally pushed over the edge.  And I grieve for that mind.  I grieve for souls whose lives are agony day after day.  I cry for people who have nothing to look forward to day after day.  Who's circumstances make them rob in order to eat and kill to live.  Children who are left homeless.  Mothers whose children have been taken.  Fathers whose families have been destroyed.  We are moving closer to the worlds' end.  We can feel it drawing closer.  We must know, it's coming.  And even if we do not believe in God or the prophesies, we have to acknowledge we are coming to full circle and the end is only a sunset away.  

So what do we do till then? If we are spiritual, we pray.  If we are worldly, we continue to store up riches hoping we will live long enough to enjoy them.  While some of us, may do both.  Yet in our tasks to carry out our will for our lives, can we take the time to make a difference in someone else's life?  Can we sacrifice our comfort if it lifts the burden off someone else's shoulder? Can we spare a dollar for the disfortunate? Can we take a day to visit the lonely?  Can we be a little more selfless and less defensive and self centered.? 

For me personally, where do I start?  I start by speaking to the person no one else seems to talk to.  I start by making the poor feel important.  I start by doing things the popular world does not. Approach the person who doesn't have the money to pull strings for me.  By not judging the people around me who's color coordination leaves much to be desired or the person who does not speak perfect English. I start by not forming perceptions of people until I get to know them better.  By wanting to know details about someone else in order to help them and not destroy them.  I start by lending a helping hand when I don't really feel like it.  Or to visit a lonely aunt.  I start by putting the needs of other people before mine.  Showing my family I love them.  I can start by just making every day count for something or someone other than myself. I know I am only one person.  I know I cannot change the world.  But this is the reason why there are so many of us.  If every single person does something sefless, that makes a difference in someone else's life, we are slowly but surely making a difference in the world we have left.  Hoping that lives lived to that end, may experience some joy and some hope till the ever after. 

The Art of Complaining

Ok so I haven't blogged for a long time. As usual daily affairs have got the better of my body, mind and soul.  Most recently is Suzie's operation. Three operations to be exact.  The poor dear is recovering really slowly. I think mostly because she is a little older.  So busy busy me. 

Other than that, Easter is coming and I am storyteller. Everyone is invited to Putra Stadium. Details to follow later. 

Let's see what else... oh yes, some random thoughts I have been having:-

1) Why do people NOT reply emails? Isn't it only the courteous thing to do? They take the trouble to e-mail me to ask questions, and when I answer, there is no response back.  I think that's rude. 

2) Why do people ask for pictures and then disappear? Do they not realise time and effort is taken to take pictures? Going MIA on picture taker is rude. 

3) Why do people email and not give me their details? When I email back asking for details, they don't respond. Is your name and tel really a BIG secret? Are you a federal agent or under the witness protection program? Hmmm..

4) Why do people NOT read the FAQ section? Are they not aware that section was made specifically for them? Why do they prefer to ask a question already stated in that section and see you repeat the answer or get offended when you just copy and paste from the FAQs? People are WEIRD.

5) Why do people haggle with prices like everything they buy is from the 'pasar malam'? Is this just a Malaysian mentality? I have people contacting me on ebay and asking for "best prices". Do they NOT understand how ebay works?? Malaysians need to be educated. 

6) Why do every single member of the LYN forum act and talk the same? Is it just one big family of chow kit road sellers and buyers? I hate the LYN forum. =( 

7) Why do people ask for 6 month installment? Do they realise where the money is coming from if they take any form of installment? It's coming from me!! I don't have that much money to give 6 months installment ler... 

8) Why do people continue to buy counterfeit merchandise and think it is ok to do so? Do they really think wearing a fake makes them look like Jessica Alba wanna-be? Ok ok so they WANT to look like a wanna-be star, which is fine by me, but do they not know that the illegal rings who manufacture these items also run the same child prostitution and labour activities? Is that not such a cruel and inhumane activity to support? STOP BUYING FAKES. It's cheapskate and it's contributing to illegal rings which hurt and demoralise children.  

9) Why do some celebrities buy and wear the most horrendous looking bags on earth? They are either fugly of too flashy and gaudy.  

Am I being a B*&%$ today or what? Ha ha... Must be the very foul weather and the very foul vibes from the amount of people who complain they don't have money when they actually do. Please complain to someone else.  It is insensitive to complain you DON'T HAVE money when you have plenty in your FD, Savings or Trust Fund and are still able to fly here and there 5 times a year. Some of us have no money AT ALL so when we say "No Money" we mean we really have no money. No money from Daddy, no money from Hubby, NO MONEY AT ALL. So there! Count your blessings and STOP complaining. But if you MUST, complain to someone else! 

10) Why do some people feel they must be fussy about every darn thing? Do you pay less for a used book and then later say the pages are too worn for you? Do you complain about a doggie eared page here and there? Do you complain that the binding wasn't done as well as the one in the shop? If you want a perfectly binded book brand new, you should pay FULL price for it. And in my experience buying books, sometimes I can't even find a perfectly binded book among all the same copies of books stacked up upon each other.  Ridiculous isn't it?  It is ok to expect something to be well made, even to demand perfection in some areas in life. But a perfectly binded book? I think that's just silly. And when I say perfect I mean completely aligned without a milimetre out of place. Does that make ANY sense? If the book is binded properly, in my opinion, the pages should hold and not fall out even after it has been read over a few times. But to expect the bind to be even at all ends even if the bind is completey strong and serves its function? Loco, if you ask me.

Yes I am on a rampage. I just don't like people who create issues out of what should be a non-issue. I also hate busy bodies who ask you a million questions which has no real purpose or cross the line of what's private and personal, simply because they just want to know. Must have no life to just want to know details about other people's lives right? 

Sigh,I know it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round, but I really feel generally, people need to exercise a little more common sense, respect and appreciation for others and things around them.  I have tried to appreciate others opinions and be open to questions, comments, even fussyness.  But I still feel there is a line and when we cross it, we really are over the other side. 

Cameron's

Finally, pictures from my trip up to Cameron Highland's in December. Enjoy...

The road leading up to Bala's Holiday Chalet. We were initially planning on staying here but read a review saying that the rooms are very plain, although the surroundings would be lovely. So we went to have a look at the place and take some pictures.  The road leading up is very narrow and you have to squeeze through. There are cars parked on the left hand side making the road even smaller. 

When you reach the top clearing, it is finally wide and spacious. 
This is the front. 

On the whole, really gorgeous and quaint. Makes a perfect postcard. 

We think this is where Mr Bala and Family stay. It's a house connected to the Holiday Chalet.

Next we ventured on and stopped at a place where you can buy all kinds of flowers and plants plus strawberry jam! Yum Yum! We got two big boxes of jam and I still have some to spare =) I finished three bottles of jam inside 2 weeks after I got back. It's THAT yummy. 

We stayed at Ye Ole Smokehouse. Very pricey and boasts of hosting VIP guests, celebrities and such.  I never knew that, but I have always wanted to stay here, since maybe when I first saw it at age 12!

The view from our room window.  Overlooking part of the golf course. 

The garden below.

It was quite busy with families and kids. Not too busy since they don't have many rooms, but I would think busier than usual since it was the holidays. 

Inside Ye Ole Smokehouse

Steps leading to the guest rooms.

The Glenlee Suite where we stayed. I had read about the rooms and initially planned on requesting for this room, and when I called at the last minute it was the only room left available, what luck! The room was nice and cosy, but it was below what I had personally expected.  It has a musty old feeling which can be quite eerie if you're only used to very modern type of hotels.  But still very quaint and pleasant. 

The 'pretend' fireplace.

A special closed off area.
The back garden.

The surroundings

We only stayed for one night due to time constraints.
It was raining when we were leaving Ye Ole Smokehouse for home.

Definitely an experience. If you've not gone, you should at least go once and try it out.  As I said before it's pricy, but being in Malaysia, there aren't very many old English type cottages you get to stay in, so this one does the job nicely. 

An Update Which Goes Up 2 Sizes!

So we haven't blogged for more than a month. Shame on us (meaning me).  I have had lots to do. As the famous Malaysian excuse goes - Busy lah! But truth be told, I have also been lazy. Not lazy to write, but lazy to upload photos which can sometimes be a chore depending on how well blogger is behavin'. Anyway, let's get a quick update on what we did since our last post. In short: - 

- There was the infamous Coach Sale mid December

- Christmas came - went to Penang and this time DID stay at The G Hotel. Will need to post pictures soon

- New Year came - we didn't go anywhere special.

- Early Jan, Bangkok! 

- Jan has been a busy month overall and soon it will be CNY. 

Ever since I came back from Bangkok, I have been so beat.  Tired everyday, and also my back has started to give way again. I went to see this Chiropractor I found off the internet.  He's in Plaza Damas and so far I have introduced him to 2 people already.  Jennifer, who is a customer of mine and also Cindy, who is my supplier friend for Knot.  I wonder if they will really go. I must get updates from them on what they think of him.  

In my opinion, I think he's very good, AND he speaks English! You know I cannot speak chinese so seeing a chinese doctor is a real challenge for me.  He told me my spine was a little crooked and how my hip bone was affected by this as well.  I know I have weak back muscles - as a result of course of not exercising enough.  Do you know that when you don't exercise your muscles become as lazy as you and you know our muscles support our bones, so back problems in lazy overweight people are actually common? Some pain can also be related to poor posture.  I will be the first to admit, I stand wrongly, sit wrongly and maybe sleep wrongly too if there is such a thing! :( 

I guess to those of you out there who are lucky enough not to have any problems of this sort, don't take your good health for granted.  Take all advise concerning the need to have proper posture, and especially exercise, very seriously.  When we are young, nothing really hurts, but all our bad habits in our youth will come back to haunt us later.  Take it from me - I once thought I would be skinny forever. *rolls eyes* I used to be able to eat anything, do anything and be a Size XS or S and anything I wore looked great on me! Now, well, let's not get me started.  I am an M if I am lucky and occasional my shorts need to be an L.  Not that my butt has gotten bigger, but my waist (or lack of one) is the primary factor. *blush*  Yes, yes it is very embarassing. The ONLY and I do mean ONLY good thing that has come out of all of this is that my breast size has increased.  I should do some sort of a dance.  This from someone who got teased in school to be as flat as Changi airport, mind you!  Well now, I can wear braless dresses and you know there's 'something' there, AND when I go bra shopping (which is what I like to do since there's shopping involved), I am happy to say I have gone up 2 sizes since my 'Changi' days. Yippee for me!

Don't laugh now! Laughing at people is rude! :P 

Oh and by the way, tonight we shall resort to sleeping on the floor! Poor us! Reason being, I think my mattress is too soft for me and doesn't support my back well :( - Could this be another reason to shop for a new mattress and bed? Hehe..

The Categories

So we are apparantly cleaning our room today. The usual antics follow, toss, turn, swish, swosh and ooops! So as we're going about busying with things, shoving it from one untidy corner of the room to another, we realise....OMG we have too many clothes!! ...oh and shoes!!!... ok ok and books and CDs and the list goes on. But clothes! Heaps of clothes... with nowhere to go.

I have 2 large cupboards, 1 large built in cupboard and 1 chest of drawers and I still have 2 thigh high piles of clothes with no where to go. And just think that last week I gave 3 large bags of clothes to Lexie to sell for me. And here I am more clothes and not very sure what to do with them. If I worked I would have somewhere to show them off to. If I clubbed I'd have a place to strut my stuff. Unfortunately, I have neither. My routine on a daily, weekly and monthly basis consists of many hours in front of the lappie, in a ragged tee and teeny shorts. Occasionally I'll put on a decent top to mee Mr Postman, or Piano Teacher, or one off drop by customers, but usually, I have no where to go. Once a month I may go to out at night. But I have my standard Back Sequined Top and leggings, or Gold Threadbare Floral Top with Jeans for those times. Occasionally I may throw on my Black Dress with heels. Otherwise, that's a obout it. Coffee Bean and Starbucks type outings require only my Ted Baker Denim shorts with any tee. So what happens to all my other clothes? I have clothes which I don't wear broken down to several categories:-

1) The I-Will-Keep-These-Until-I'm-Slim Category (I am still waiting to wear them)
2) The-I-Will-Keep-These-Until-I-Have-Bigger-Breasts Category (bra sized increased, so some went into the wearable pile, but majority all still there)
3) The-I-Will-Keep-These-Until-I-Have-A-Slimmer-Waist/Tummy Category (pending)
4) The-I-Will-Keep-These-Until-I-Am-Pregnant Category (pending pending pending)
5) The-Pretty-Dresses-Waiting-For-Pretty-Me Category (still hanging in Closet A in Room#1)

Ok so now you have an idea why I have so many unwearable clothes. The question is where to
store them? I am so lazy to restructure my storage space but I have a feeling that may just be next on my "To Do" agenda. Sigh..

Life is an uphill climb of having too little of the right things, too many of the wrong things, and just too many damn categories! Do guys suffer the same fate, I wonder? Hmmm...

Only Believe

So we sang again this Sunday. For those of you who know me, you know I sing in a little Ensemble group for church on certain Sundays as and when we are scheduled. There are five of us, and we do have fun doing it, although sometimes for the other four who have corporate jobs, I am sure they feel it's tiring sometimes to have to 'work' on Sunday as well. However I do believe ministering to people through music is a really dandy way to serve.

I have been singing since maybe four or five. It's some thing that comes naturally to me. I remember entertaining my parent's guests when I was little. They would ALWAYS ask me to give a little song and dance presentation. Aiseh..I think I was exploited even from then! :P

So anyway, today we sang a song called "Only Believe" and since I had the solo part this time, I practiced a lot. I rehearsed getting the tone right and the breathing at the correct places right, that somehow I think I missed the meaning of the song. So I reminded myself, to read the words of the song without focusing on the tune and the technical musical aspects and just listen to how meaningful and encouraging the words are. Let me share...

Started asking some questions,
About your walk with the Lord.
You say the price of salvation,
Is something you can't afford.

Well let me tell you the blessings,
Outweigh the sacrifice.
If you're wanting the good things in life,
He's already paid the price.

Chorus:
If you seek, you will find
All you gotta do is knock, and the door will be opened.
Ask, and you shall receive
If you seek Him, you will find Him
Only Believe

Now it's a spiritual lesson
Sometimes it's harder to learn
But if you're needing an answer from heaven
You've got nowhere else to turn.

Chorus:
If you seek, you will find
All you gotta do is knock, and the door will be opened.
Ask, and you shall receive
If you seek Him, you will find Him
Only Believe

Bridge:
Nobody said it's easy
But you've got nothing to fear
For God is willing and able
and his heart is ready to hear
to hear..

Seek, you will find
All you gotta do is knock, and the door will be opened.
Ask, and you shall receive
If you seek Him, you will find Him

Only if you seek Him, you will find Him
You just seek Him, you will find Him

Only Believe

What a simple yet powerful message. I really feel blessed that we as a group were able to share this very profound message to others today. I hope I will remember it and apply it in areas of my own life as well. For God is good and surely He will never fail to answer, if we knock.

God is watching

This is another subject I have been wanting to write on for a long while. It is about religion and how people apply it in their lives. Now while I am all for the good things that religion teaches us, I wanted to talk about the people who look religious and potray a religious appearance, but don't walk the talk. These people turn me off big time.

Especially living in a religious country like ours where we hear, see and have religion forced down our throats, I think it is the people that need to be better examples of the religion they profess to have. I think that instead of telling others about what you believe in, it is more important to be a good testimony of your faith above everything else. Mere words or your outlook cannot convince another person of your beliefs as strongly as your attitudes and behaviour can.

Some people are a disgrace to their community, culture and religion. They are envious of others, they bare false witness by gossiping and spreading lies or half truths, they cause trouble by carrying stories, they provoke others, they think evil of others and much more. What happened to patience and kindness and virtousness? What happened to a God that teaches us to forgive, to be patient, to be more tolerant of others and to win people over through love and not hate? I guess when people are overcome with their own wicked and selfish desires, they forget that God is watching everything you think, say and do.

So if you have hurt someone intentionally, repent. If you are continuing to hurt others, remember that God is watching.

....Just Smarter

A customer of mine forwarded me a website and asked if I would help her order some stationery. This website also sells funky T shirts and other accessories, so while browsing, I stumbled upon this picture:-

I could not help but Laugh Out Loud! Isn't it just so true? ;)

Now since we are on the subject, I was just told of a personal encounter with a woman who said to a man (her then bf) who had booked her a surprise holiday to some local holiday destination. When he surprised her with it and told her he had booked the tickets, she turned around and said, "If it's not Mauritius, consider this relationship over!" Whoa! I couldn't believe it. Needless to say the relationship didn't last very long.

Then I was told of another encounter where the woman was out of a job and slightly depessed. Her then bf consoled her, told her to take a short break before getting back on her feet again and gave her a weekly allowance of RM1500. RM1500?? I thought. Isn't that bit too lucrative, but no matter. People's lives, people's business. However, what blew me away even further was the fact that the man, upon feeling slightly used afer several months had gone by and this woman still did not seem to be making much of an effort looking for another job, the man decided to test her and that week told her he was sorry but he was a little short on cash and that he could only afford to give her RM500. She took the cash and threw it on the floor! He inadvertantly told her either she pick it up or the relationship is over. To which she cooly replied, "There are other men you know" and so he walked out and never looked back.

So, need I say more about the picture above? It kills me inside to know that there are women like this walking the face of this earth, who think they are God's gift to men, when they really are not. And to the men to marry women like these, I think y'all are idiots and probably deserve these women anyway :P

Oh the complications of life!

Over the past weeks, it has often crossed my mind on things I wished to share here in my really needing to be updated blog. However, when the time comes to do so, I often forget. These moments are always captured when I am having a shower or doing something else, and I am not so discplined as to write it down the moment I think of it. So this time, since my thoughts came right when I am in front of my lappy, I did not need any other motivation to come here and blog. 

I should be working. This is usually the time I work.  Looking for new handbags to feature, or repost some bags I want to sell and so on.  But I guess for one night, I can take a break from that and do this instead. 

What spurred on my thoughts were actually me looking at a customer's blog. She had featured me or rather put up a feed on CoachnMuchMore (how sweet of her) and I got a chance to meet her today and she seemed like such a lovely person. Later on she emailed me her blog and I started reading it. Then I clicked on one of the blogs on her Blog Lists and stumbled upon a post about how this blogger had felt bad that she had said some things about her in laws and then later felt sorry she had said them and mentioned that she deleted the post.  She got quite a few comments after that telling her she should not feel bad and that we are all human and need to vent. A few said when we marry someone we not only marry the man but the whole family as well. So that spurred my thoughts. 

Now while a lot of Asian families feel this to be true, and I know somewhere somehow in religion they tell us that we need to love our in laws the way we love our parents, I find this something that is quite difficult to swallow.  The more I read about marriage and the more I listen to stories and the more I learn as I grow older, the more reasons why marriage doesn't seem like the brightest idea after all.  When you're young you think that's what you want. When you're in your 20's you're looking for real love.  Then now I just feel like, "Ok, wait a minute. I think there's a lot here which people have been hiding from me and I am slowly discovering it and I am sorry but I am FREAKING OUT!"  Yes, that really is how I feel. It just seems so much more complicated than the Happily Ever After ending I was led to believe it would be. No, seriously!  I mean I thought meeting someone who was Godly, kind, generous, honest, open, understanding, compassionate, gentle etc was hard enough.  Now I have realised Ooops! It doesn't even end there.  Now I have to love my in laws too.  And I have to deal with ugly fugly bad habits like cups left in the sink and not washed, an untidy living room, things left here and there, laundry sitting unwashed, laundry sitting unfolded, washing, ironing, cleaning, cooking, washing up after, ants, cockroaches, nosy MILs, snobby siblings, and so much more!  What is it like for you married people out there?  And what on earth do you do when little bambino comes along? It's like adding insult to injury isn't it?  Is it all really worth it just so you can be satisfied having the knowledge that you can have sex whenever you want it? (Some I hear aren't even getting it all that often after marriage). So what's the dealio? Seriously, I am freaked out. 

I read about how some Muslim wives have to endure 4 hour sleep nights and then wake up to cook for Sahur during puasa month.  Then rush back to cook for Buka Puasa, because this is what a good wife is supposed to do.  I am sure in other cultures there are some similar type of expectations as well. One guy who took me out on a date was disturbed I didn't know how to use chopsticks and slyly implied that because my name ended with "Tan" I need to learn so I can use it during dinners and functions.  I can't handle it. I can't handle these types of expectations, not because I am spoilt or whatever, but I just wasn't brought up to believe when I get married I need to be somebody's slave & follow somebody else's way of getting things done. AND I don't believe having money so we can hire a maid is the solution to that either.  I refuse to accept that money is the solution to all problems, bcos what happens when and if the money is gone? Do you kill each other or shoot the other and hang yourself? Get a divorce? Start sleeping in seperate rooms? Say sarcastic things that hurt just to get a point across? If you use money to temporary be the solution to problems in your relationship, I can guarantee that relationship isn't much of a relationship after all. I am sure deep down inside these people's hearts they know it too. :( 

Ok so what was I saying....oh yes, expectations.  Yea if these expectations weren't enough to scare me, here comes MIL who thinks her son is God's gift to women.  I should be so lucky her son even likes me.  So conclusion? I must be his personal aid, assistant aka slave. Any difficult duties, don't ask him.  Any hard labour, let's not kacau him. So what? I am suddenly WonderWoman and CatWoman rolled into one is it? RIDICULOUS.  I think in laws should stay out, butt out and most importantly KEEP THEIR MOUTHS SHUT. 

OK what's next, the expectation that women are supposed to do it all and smile.  So where do men get of thinking going to work and coming home is enough? Sometimes I feel some men just don't realise there is actually a whole lot of other chores need to be done. And if they're not doing it, then who is? I wonder if they ever gave a thought to that.  Then bambino comes along and who stays up late for the feeds? Who goes back to work after 2 months of maternity leave eventhou your body may not be ready for it? Who is still expected to uphold a decent household, with the newly added task of nuturing Bambino, while taking care of hubby AND taking care of her looks so he still finds her sexually attractive? HONESTLY, this does not a pretty picture paint. 

Yet why do people do it? Loneliness? Social Expectation? Family pressure? Peer pressure? Wanting a child? Wanting a legacy? and of course the most overrated reason..................... LOVE? And yet of all the reasons, I think LOVE still wins hands down.  I can understand loving someone so deeply that it makes you want to spend yr life with them.  But I honestly hope and earnestly pray that the person really loves you back so much that they actually SHARE life with you and not contribute to even more expectations once the fairy tale wedding is over.  I really really hope that he will be so understanding and compassionate towards what it really means to be a woman that he truly dedicates his life to making you happy.  

What depresses me is I think if I took a poll of 50 women from my pool of customers, I am not sure I would honestly receive a response of even 10 of them truly and honestly without reservation telling me that they really married such a man.  A man who puts them first in everything and truly loves them with all his heart and mind and soul.  A man who is respectful all the time. Who is gentle and loving and kind always.  A man who always thinks of what to buy his wife simply to show her how much he loves her. (and pls don't mistake this to materialism or gold-diggers) I am talking about that feeling you get when you can't contain your love for someone that everytime you're out looking at things you feel this overwhelming compelling feeling to show her yet again you love her, and this results in yet another purchase.  A man who gives his wife the freedom to choose the kind of life she wants, to have kids or not, to work or not, to play house or not. What kitchen she wants, living room she wants, bedroom she wants. A man who is willing to discuss things with her all the time and one who holds her opinion in high regard as opposed to insisting on his own opinon as the best.  A man who shares her interests or at least takes interest in what she loves.  A man who makes time for her on a weekly basis "just to talk".  A man who will consider your feelings and not just tell you that's what his mother wishes and she better follow etc.  I am convinced if I took that pool, I won't find even 10 out of 50.  

Having said that of course, the population of nightmarish women are on the rise people! I have met and talked to some very horrendous creatures not fit to be called ladies.  Women who insist on having everything done their way and demand that their man do their bidding or else!?! Women who make it a National Requirement that a man have a car, house and xxxxx in the bank before he can consider going out with you.  I won't say much. You all know who you are. I am disguted enough I cannot go on. 

What is my point really? Is it about marriage? about men? about women? about in laws? What am I talking about? 

You know honestly, there are so many issues and sub-issues within this post, I am not even going to try and figure out what my main point is or try to justify it.  I am just a human being expressing myself and I think there just might be another human being out there who is fenin' feenin' me. 

Peace.

Shortly after I had written this, my friend Amit wrote this on MSN:-

Am!t says:

i think its really quite stupid

Am!t says:

that i had to reach my mid 20s before i realised that happily ever after doesnt exist

Am!t says:

brainwashed by movies sial

Am!t says:

the hero saves the day and gets the girl

Am!t says:

and walks off into the sunset

Am!t says:

THE END

Am!t says:

but in reality

Am!t says:

afer the sunset is the long walk home

Am!t says:

and then the girl has to pee

Am!t says:

and then the guy left his house keys in the car that was blown up by the villian 25 mins ago during the ending of the movie

Am!t says:

then must go home and sleep and deal with each other's 'humaness'

Am!t says:

bueheh

Am!t says:

and then u have to do this for the rest of your life

Am!t says:

doesnt work man

Am!t says:

i mean

Am!t says:

doesnt work woman

Am!t says:

tho i think u shud have the right to ignore ur parents in law if u want to

Am!t says:

keep it completely superficial, meet them twice a year for holidays and thats it the end

Corina says:

agrees

Am!t says:

and yea thats the other thing........ppl keep a bf or gf so they can get laid whenever..........but the way to kill that sex life is to get married

Am!t says:

bueehha

Am!t says:

worse still have a kid

Am!t says:

 Do you kill each other or shoot the other and hang yourself?  <--corina indian families here do this...

Am!t says:

say the husbands goes broke

Am!t says:

he will kill the kids and the wife and then hang himself

Am!t says:

  Yea if these expectations weren't enough to scare me, here comes along MIL who thinkg her son is God's gift to women. 

Am!t says:

i got a feeling many of ur more chinesey readers will not be aware of what u mean to signify with bambino hehe

Am!t says:

u see ah

Am!t says:

u have clearly pointed out that marriage is a hellll of a  lot worse for women than for men

Am!t says:

yet its always the women who r longing to be married

Am!t says:

are they not aware that this is how its gonna be?

Am!t says:

do they really live in a bubble and think that married life is all sex with handsome hubby all the time and iced tea with the bffs at the club and vacations at the end of the year

Am!t says:

i think i told u before right......most of my friends who r married......girls.......are not happy at all

Am!t says:

esp those with kids

Am!t says:

 A man who puts them first in everything and truly loves them with all his heart and mind and soul.  A man who is respectful all the time. Who is gentle and loving and kind always.  A man who always thinks of what to buy his wife simply to show her how much he loves her. <--u do realise this is a lot of work for a guy

Am!t says:

heheh

Am!t says:

it really is expecting a lot

Am!t says:

sure there r guys who do it but u cant get this from most men even if they really do like the girl a lot

Am!t says:

Having said that of course, the population of nightmarish women are on the rise people! I have met and talked to some very horrendous creatures not fit to be called ladies. BUEHAUEHUAHEUAE i was not expecting this u turn

Am!t says:

 I am just a human being expressing myself and I think there just might be another human being out there who is fenin' me. <--fenin or feeling

Corina says:

fenin la

Corina says:

lu tak tau siapa JODECI kah

Corina says:

im gonna copy and post what you have just written lol

Am!t says:

jodeci......the r n b group ah

Am!t says:

from the early 90s

Corina says:

yea

Corina says:

they have a song called

Corina says:

Fenin

Corina says:

cos im Fenin for you

Corina says:

its one of those Black slangs lah

Am!t says:

black ppl always change words around sial

Am!t says:

we shud make our own ahpek slangs man

Am!t says:

and distribute it to our indian brothers and chinese sisters all over US

Corina says:

ya tru dat

Corina says:

but none so far can come close tp the cool ness of them nigga slang words

Am!t says:

what are u going to c&p that i wrote eh

Corina says:

wait ul see

Am!t says:

One guy who took me out on a date was disturbed I didn't know how to use chopsticks and slyly implied that because my name ended with "Tan" I need to learn so I can use it during dinners and functions. 

Am!t says:

wtf  man

Corina says:

ya tell me about it

Am!t says:

u shuda replied i bet u have a cock but if i let u into my bedroom i bet u wont know how to use it either

Corina says:

he was some very highly educated IT fella came out in those high profile magazines all

Corina says:

he he he he

Am!t says:

not very highly educated after all

Corina says:

exactly

Influenza

Whenever I tell someone I have the Flu, I am often confused at the responses I get. Most people don't seem to think it is very serious and soon I realised it is because they think I have the Common Cold! Now this needles to say annoys me simply because I would like my illness recognised for what it is, less I be called someone who exagerates symptoms or conditions.

Many years ago I told a boss I could not come to work because I had the flu. Her very cool and aloof response was, "So?" - Imagine that! I was very irritated. Clearly she needs to educate herself on what having the Flu means - along with alot of Malaysians who think like her.

Now the Flu starts out with a nasty sorethroat, causing many sleepless nights as you wake up feeling like your throat is so dry you could have been in the desert for 30 days and dying for a glass of water. As you stumble out of bed, reaching for that anticipated sip, you stumble on your cat (or dog) knock the glass down and end up waking up your very much annoyed parents. You feel like your head is going to split open as you mumble and fumble down the staircase and into the kitchen to pour yourself another glasss only to discover your idiot brother came home drunk and finished all the drinking water stored up in the water jug! Feeling even more ill and almost to the point of dispare, you ask yourself if you should risk tap water, then quickly push the thought aside as you consider the possiblity that Indah Water may not be so Indah afterall. So your last hope, would be to mix Ice water with Hot water to achieve Room Temperature Drinking Water! What a genius you can't help but compliment yourself, only to fall back into being annoyed by the fact that what could have taken 15 seconds and have you back in bed, is now taking close to 15 minutes. As you fume and storm back upstairs, clearly in a state of irritation, you wonder how long it will now take you to fall back to sleep again. The following day the sorethroat continues, with bouts of nausea and fever. The next day sees you sniffling and rubbing your itchy nose which is dripping like a leaky tap. Embarassed, you dare not venture pass your front gate. You grumble at your unlucky state and tell yourself indoors isn't so bad. The weather is horrid. Cold one minute, hot the next. Your skin is damp with sweat, while you try and adjust yourself to the very inconsistent feeling of one-minute-hot-one-minute-ok type of feeling. The following day you wake up and lo and behold a nasty chesty cough has befallen you. You croak and choke and wonder if better days are ahead. The feeling continues. If lucky, it won't last all of five days. If not, it could be weeks! Eeeeek!

This lovely experience we abbreviate and call THE FLU is actually formally known as INFLUENZA. Wow! Sounds so much more dreadful doesn't it. Maybe next time we should call the boss and say, "Boss ah, Influenza la. Very horrible. MC 3 days" and maybe he might have a bit more compassion, OR take 3 days to look up Influenza.

Wikipedia gives us a good definition. (You may copy and print this out and pin it on your offfice bulletin board for those who need to know):-

Influenza, commonly known as ("the") flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). The name influenza comes from the Italian: influenza, meaning "influence", (Latin: influentia). In humans, common symptoms of the disease are chills and fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.[1] In more serious cases, influenza causes pneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly in young children and the elderly. Although it is sometimes confused with the common cold, influenza is a much more severe disease and is caused by a different type of virus.[2] Influenza can produce nausea and vomiting, especially in children,[1] but these symptoms are more characteristic of the unrelated gastroenteritis, which is sometimes called "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu".[3]
Typically, influenza is transmitted from infected mammals through the air by coughs or sneezes, creating aerosols containing the virus, and from infected birds through their droppings. Influenza can also be transmitted by saliva, nasal secretions, feces and blood. Infections also occur through contact with these body fluids or with contaminated surfaces. Flu viruses can remain infectious for about one week at human body temperature, over 30 days at 0 °C (32 °F), and for much longer periods at very low temperatures.[4][5] Most influenza strains can be inactivated easily by disinfectants and detergents.[6][7][8]
Flu spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands annually — millions in pandemic years . Three influenza pandemics occurred in the 20th century and killed tens of millions of people, with each of these pandemics being caused by the appearance of a new strain of the virus in humans. Often, these new strains result from the spread of an existing flu virus to humans from other animal species. A deadly avian strain named H5N1 has posed the greatest risk for a new influenza pandemic since it first killed humans in Asia in the 1990s. Fortunately, this virus has not mutated to a form that spreads easily between people.[9]
Vaccinations against influenza are usually given to people in developed countries with a high risk of contracting the disease[10] and to farmed poultry.[11] The most common human vaccine is the trivalent influenza vaccine that contains purified and inactivated material from three viral strains. Typically, this vaccine includes material from two influenza A virus subtypes and one influenza B virus strain.[12] A vaccine formulated for one year may be ineffective in the following year, since the influenza virus changes rapidly over time, and different strains become dominant. Antiviral drugs can be used to treat influenza, with neuraminidase inhibitors being particularly effective.

So the next time you choose to overight the Flu and think it is the Common Cold think again. For those of you who have been having a Cold and calling it the Flu, can you please call it what it really is, less you spoil the pool of compassion for the rest of us who actually have the Flu. Otherwise, we might have to print the above out and paste it on your head!

Penang

My Tivoli GM is here. No time to take pictures and post lah. Lazy. :P But the bag is an excellent size, not too big as one person commented earlier in another post. I am craving for another get away as usual. Been feeling so cooped up lately, like I need to expand my horizons and do different things. I do want to go back to Melaka and get the awesome Pineapple tarts from this shop on Jonker Street!

I was scouting for some Penang hotels late late last night. I really miss the food and I want to go back! I really like The Gurney because the rooms are really big. For the same price, other hotels don't give you as much space and we all know space is important. Plus they have Free Wifi in all rooms and a Jacuzzi Tub (not that I ever use it but it might be a big plus for someone out there).

So scout scout somemore and decided to book the new hotel adjacent to Gurney Plaza called The G Hotel. G for what? Must be for Gurney lah what else? Doubt it's for G spot, although I am sure some people may beg to differ. The hotel looks really hip and I thought ok I am either gonna love it or I am going to think it's over rated but I won't know unless I try it, so look forward to pictures (if I remember to bring my camera as I have a habit of forgetting it). The hotel's website publishes the promotional rates at RM330, but I got it cheaper at Marimari.com for only RM253 including taxes. No breakfast though, but I hate waking up for breakfast, so that's ok and besides Penang food is so good, why eat in? It really really was a toss up between The Gurney and The G Hotel, but I've stayed at The Gurney several times over. The part of me that likes familiar faces and places wants to play safe, but the adventorous side of me is saying try something new. Besides, it being beside Gurney Plaza and only a short walk to the makan stalls should make it convenient when I am hungry at midnight. So we will see how it goes!

Will update when the pictures are in!

Update: All the Standard Rooms at The G are booked, so I guess back to The Gurney we go! Let's hope! Calling to book now.... :P

Avillion Admiral Cove

Some of you may know I was in Bangkok last week. No photos from Bangkok unfortunately. Travelling with the older folk means, my hands, feet, ears, eyes etc are tied up and the only rest is when sleeping. 

However, quite a number of photos from PD! I stayed at Avillion Admiral Cove. Prices here are low at the moment but will be raised when popularity of the resort increases.  It has a beautiful Marina that caters for international sailing enthusiasts.  Besides that, the landscaping is gorgeous and a Must Try would be the Nasi Goreng Petai at the Trader's Food Shop! I miss it already :) 

Here are the pictures I took from when we first drove in from the main PD road into the resort. Enjoy!

From arriving we saw 2 blocks, but later discovered only the block you see on the left has rooms.  Not very sure what the other block is for. 

The comfy sofas at the lobby area.

Water feature

View from the lobby.

Entrance to rooms and elevators

This little settee I thought was so cute!

The settee is placed right next to the balcony, and their balcony is right where the end of the room is, meaning you open the sliding doors and walla! the balcony rail. There is no extra space between the room and the rail. Something unique I've not seen anywhere before.

I thought the TV was in a weird area, but it's there so that whether you're on the sofa or the bed, you can still see it

The bedroom area can be closed off by the sliding doors you see here on your left and right. 

The little kitchenette was something I personally liked alot.

Staircase leading to the Lower Level where you can walk to the Club House

When you walk out of the lower level lobby, this is where you come out to. 

The walkway leading to the pool, clubhouse, marina, gym and so on.

Little sea lions

Jacuzzi

The Trader's Food Shop. This building is in the Club House and existed before the Hotel was established. 

Where I usually have my breakfast. This is called a 'Wind' hotel and yes, it is very windy here. 

Inside the Club House

The infinity pool

Only the lower level rooms have a space between the edge of the room and the balcony rail like other balconies, but the entrance to these rooms are not very nice because it's a bit dark and quiet and people may pass by making it somewhat noisy. I would still prefer the other floors which opens right to the balcony rail. 

I loved these cushions!

A little mural created purely by small square tiles

View from our room. You can see three bungalows have emerged. Initially I thought why so weird, but later after seeing the development plans, the entire stretch is opened for sale to build bungalows all along the whole stretch. 

They're development plan is to build houses on that little portion of the cove. Hence, the small cutesy roundabout.

Basically, I had a great time. The cheapest room when we booked was called the Superior Room for RM150++ and these rooms face the other block. There are no views of the ocean. The second category of rooms are the Deluxe Rooms for RM185++, which face the Club House and parts of the ocean. The Studio rooms for RM235++ are their largest rooms and has a full view of the sea. 

If you go in and check it now though, the rates have increased slightly.  

There were some hiccups during check out, and I had to ask for extra towels and bath mats twice before they came. I think the staff are still relatively new, but the waiters at the Trader's Food Shop impressed me with their courtesy and professionalism, not to mention friendliness. Housekeeping forgot to replenish towels one of the days and also cotton buds. Otherwise no complaints. 

And again, a must try is the Nasi Goreng Petai!! 

http://www.avillionadmiralcove.com/

This is the way it should be

Could not find any other you tube file of this song, so you gotta look at some anime stuff while listening to it. Haha..

Handbag Dreams

Sigh..I know it's been so long, and I never did get around to loading more pictures from the Krabi trip. I have just been busy busy busy plus those pictures are on my old laptop while I am using a new one now and it's just another chore to take it out from the old one and put it into the new and then load and loading from the old is just a pain....and u know how it is, so that's that. 

These are the 2 bags I want to get from Louis Vuitton next. The Tivoli GM and Trevi PM.  Tivoli first since it's cheaper, than Trevi later. I want to hold out on the Trevi bcos I have to have a dream bag that's unattainable for now since I haven't found any that can top my list at the moment! :P A girl can dream, can't she? 

LOUIS VUITTON TIVOLI GM

The measurements posted on the website say that this bag is 18" in length, but it really does not look like it in person.  I will wait to see and hold this and let you know if it really is that big. I doubt it though. 

LOUIS VUITTON TREVI PM

This is really my IT bag. I will get it. Just not now. 

Here are some new bags I got of Net-a-porter. 

CHLOE BAY BAG in GOLD

JUICY COUTURE RED LEATHER HOBO

FENDI VELVET BAG with DIAMONDS

MARC JACOBS STAM BAG but this time in Ostrich Leather! What do you think? Is the Classic Black still better? 

Yeah I think the Black is still better, but have you seen the amount of fakes gracing the streets? It's such a pity. I think if I carried this bag, no one would really know it was real even!

Now look at this! I really love this bag!

MARC JACOBS CASEY QUILTER SHOPPER in Grey

I have been so bad at updating, I know. But I have been up to my ears busy, and on top of that did not have internet connection for 2 weeks while moving house. It was madness and I could not tell you how miserable I was all that time :(

When my connection was restored, it had theusual hiccups and by the time it was back in full swing, I have had so much to catch up on I haven't had time to update the rest of my Krabi pictures and more! Boo hoo...

I will sit down one lazy afternoon when business is not so busy and do all I need to do here.

Some preliminary pictures from the holiday. Will upload more later when my connection is better.

Spaghetti Meatballs

I have been so peeved with Streamyx. I know everyone is. But me especially in the last few weeks. You would know if you have called them to report a slow connection that they always ask you to go thru step by step troubleshooting steps. Now while I appreciate this in some ways, and also given the fact that perhaps one of those steps would quite possibly work, I always do what they tell me to do like any good girl would do.

However, last night after calling twice, my patience ran out and I blew my top. I was so upset that I told the guy, "Look, I know this is not your fault and you are doing your job. But I have been so patient going thru these steps for the second time this week and I know full well that there is nothing at all wrong with my computer, my modem or my wireless router. Pls stop suggesting that the problem is on my end. I do understand it's important for us to go thru this as there are some people who are completely clueless and non-IT savvy who need this, but honestly..I mean HONESTLY there is something wrong with the connection and it ain't on my side." He tells me this, "If you don't mind, can you try and use another modem and see what the connection is like" To this I respond, "Did you just ask me to use another modem? Is your company asking you to put forth such requests to your customers? Think about this for a moment. Where would a lay person get another modem? Should I run over to my neighbours and borrow theirs? Should I drive to my friend's place and deprive them of their modem and connection just so I can test the connection for you, or should I just go out and buy another one? Of all the senseless things to ask a customer to do, this tops my list at this moment." And he says, "I said IF YOU DON'T MIND.." And I say, "Well I certainly MIND, because it is an unreasonable request and you need to tell your boss that it is completely unreasonable." So then I proceed to insist he give me a report number and tell his technical department to follow up. He then says, "If they don't call you within 2 days, pls call us back." I pause.......and then say, "Think about what you have just said to me. In other words, your company has accepted complacency amongst their staff. Your technical department has just been given a free pass to sit and do nothing for 2 whole days while I suffer with a bad connection. So if they decide they don't want to follow up on my complaint, I then need to call you back? why should a customer succumb to such a level of service?"

No wonder we are still a third world country. Nation's #1 Service Provider my ass! It's a shame and certainly an outcry of the mentality and lack of common sense on the part of the decision makers of TM. In all my experience working, I have never come across such idiotic responses and nonsensical requests and statements from any such organisation. If I had a choice, I would not subscribe to them and contribute further to this detrimental sinking excuse for an organisation. Now it's not Eza's fault. He just does what he is told. It's not his trainer's fault, they teach what they are told to teach. What I want to know is, who is the idiot who is sitting somewhere above these people who make the decision that it is OK for a customer to receive second rate service. That it is OK for a Customer Service agent to say "if you we don't call you, pls call us" WHO IS THIS IDIOTIC possibly UNEDUCATED, BRAINLESS, LACKING IN COMMON SENSE IMBICILE??? Now THAT I want to know, because it is people like them who keeps us from moving forward and teaches his staff and colleagues that it is ok to be less than excellent. It is ok, so say "kalau kita tak call you..you call la kita balik" like as if I am having an afternoon conversation with a friend over tea! Pfffft!

Now comes the best part. As soon as I hang up, my connection is not only back to normal..it is now in excellent health. Chugging along like there was never a problem at all. I must mention that this is NOT THE FIRST TIME this has happened. Now is something fishy going on or what??? What stunts are they trying to pull? Do they honestly think that every Malaysian is as stupid as they are because they are stupid enough to think that no one will realise this and they will get away with this? Do they really believe that our hard earn money which we give away to pay their salaries monthly do not deserve a high level of quality and service which is consistent 365 days a year? Do they think we were born yesterday in some village by the stream that we will just 'forget' or 'ignore' an unhealthy connection because that's just the way it is?

I beseech the public and anyone reading this to not keep quiet if you face a problem with any organisation out there who should be providing excellent and top notch service on every level. We are paying customers. We deserve the best and we should not settle for less. Whether it is a bank, the post office, a department store, anywhere, anytime. Because if we remain silent and also accept complacency, then we are no better than the idiots who remain complacent and do nothing about service improvement.

Yes, I am upset but I believe my points are valid. Yes we should be understanding and murah hati and whatever else I can pull out of my BM dictionary right now, but that doesn't mean we sit back, pay RM88 a month and do nothing. RM88 a month is RM1056 a year. So speak up and sound the alarm and don't be afraid to tell them where to sock it if they give you any bull.

Raving idiots with spaghetti meatballs for brains...Pffft!

Cancer's Love Profile

OK so I stumbled across this, read it and decided oh me oh my it is indeed true. So I blog..

Cancer - Your Love Profile

Your positive traits: You're intuitive enough to know what's going wrong in a relationship early on A total sweetheart - you're often the most caring person anyone knows You are a generous and devoted parter to whoever you fall in love with Your negative traits: Insecurity - you tend to need a huge amount of comforting from your partner You tend to be overly sensitive and easily hurt, which make loving you difficult It's difficult to predict your moods. One minute you're up - the next you're down. Your ideal partner: Someone equally sensitive, who wants to take time to get to know you deeply Dreams of an everlasting love - complete with marriage and a family Loves to take care of you. Being a good cook and masseuse doesn't hurt! Your dating style: Slow. You enjoy dates that last all day, with plenty of time to talk and get to know one another. Your seduction style: Quite tender and loving, once you are comfortable in your relationship. Coy. You tend to play it cool to drive your lover wild. Orally talented - you're known as the best kisser in the zodiac. Tips for the future: Be a little less sensitive. Not every little mistake should hurt you. Spend time away from your partner every so often - independence is a good thing. Find ways to take care of yourself. You'll be happier if you put yourself first. Best color to attract mate: Aqua Best day for a date: Wednesday

What's Your Love Profile?

I've been a bad girl

I have been such a bad girl. I haven't written in about 3 weeks and so I know I have outdated myself in this respect. What to tell you, where to start?

There were a series of 2 holidays. Had a blast for both. Great places, good massages, cute dresses, friendly people. Just heaven! I am definitely going back. I have another trip to another location also in the same country coming up in July. Let's just say it's an early birthday celebration for me.

On another topic, my lappie has been acting up. My connection has slowed as well. I am so peeved I don't know what's going on! I sent it in and they operated on it and yet.... Don't tell me now I need to upgrade my connection as well? It feels like someone is stealing my line thus slowing it down, but then..no one has my password! Paranoia!?!

On the business front, I am patiently waiting for the Victoria Secret items to come in. Some boxes arrived, but some orders still aren't complete. I know the girls are all wondering what happened. I honestly wish I could control the post office. Also, VS takes so long to ship items out from their warehouse. Ever since they moved, it's been a mess! Items get left out and shipped a week later and stuff like that. What!!??!!! So anyway, my room is filled with Vs bottles. And more to come soon..

I also have so many bags and clothes to post on Fashionable Bargains. I really got to sort my lappie out!!!!

A break

Am away this weekend. What a long awaited break. I'm thrilled to be away from KL. To allow my mind to be occupied with things other than what I do everyday back home. Had a wonderful dinner with Nick, Jon and Mike. The waiter was so nice to me too! I wish to write more but it has been such an exhausting day! So off to bed...

The Never~ending Neverfull

Now almost everyone who's anyone knows what a hit the Louis Vuitton Neverfull was in KL and around the world. You could not walk the streets of KL without spotting one, both fake and otherwise. A practical very functional bag. Looks good with almost anything. I've heard the bag is designed to carry alot of weight, but the thin straps hurt the shoulder if your bag is too heavy ~ like any other bag, I might add. The success of this design by Louis Vuitton must be, in my opinion due to its versatility, and it's value for money. For RM2k+ you get a really large bag from Louis Vuitton which carries almost everything and anything you need. Now isn't that a really great deal? No wonder the streets are saturated with them!

Now I've known about this next one for quite some time now, but I have been too busy to blog about it. Till now. Take a look....Presenting...

The Louis Vuitton Neverfull in Damier Ebene canvas!

What? When? How? Why? Well, there have been so much speculation, rumors and all that about this bag. It is finally being released May 16 but ONLY in Japan, Hawaii, Saipan and one more obscure place which I can't remember. The rest of the world gets it sometime in 2009. Now isn't that such a drag...

The moment I saw this picture, I knew this was the bag for me. Damier Canvas is easy to maintain, does not change color over time, does not get dirty from handling marks and so is really perfect in that sense. Also the color makes the bag look a little more expensive than the Monogram Version, in my honest opinion. But I am all one for details, and what I truly love is the RED lining. Now isn't that something too awesome?

So, I set out to find a way to get it, and if all goes well, someone in Japan is going to get me one! Weeeee! Quite exciting isn't it? I know I can wait for 2009 if I really have to. But I really like the uniqueness of having something nobody else has at least for the next 6 months or more depending on when they really release it worldwide. The dates have been pushed back again and again though, but on May 16 the release in Japan is confirmed and the waitlist is as long as you can imagine it might be. I'll let you girls know if I do manage to get mine tho! ;)

The Tide

A new life, a new beginning. A new song, a new feeling. A new adventure, where will it lead? A familiar tingling down to my feet. A familiar smile, a familiar face. An old love, an old embrace. Oh to be young! Woe to be old. In a different universe, a story unfolds. A twilight of lives lived long ago. A well of emotion, deep in the soul. A fork in the road, a phase has arrived. Such is the journey of our lives. Will you, won't you, can't you see. Will I, won't I, can't I be. In the moment, with the tide. Travelling slowly on this ride.

Never

Sometimes no words can express what we feel inside. No sense in us trying to hide. No reason to turn away. Every reason to dismay. Not seeing beyond today. Not looking for a way. Just sitting all by myself. Just feeling not like myself. Just wanting to have a reason. Maybe for everything there is a season. Can't imagine what's in store. Can't allow myself to feel anymore. The days roll by so gloomy and grey. Every minute, every hour, every second of every day. If only to see, to have, to hold. A lifetime of memories, now only cold. A treasure of trinkets from days gone by. I keep them near me, they never die. The pillow is wet, the tears have dried. The sun is rising up in the sky. I wake to find the same tomorrow. I wake to feel the same old sorrow. I reach for someone no longer there. I hold a moment in despair. I cannot see how love can prevail. Even in its greatness, it tends to fail. How cruel it is to the faint hearted. How dark and deep when love's departed. The day is night, the night is now day. A creature of the night to shy away. From bursting sunshine, from happiness forevermore. I just cannot live it anymore. Whence cometh my life, whence revealed my love. Will it descend on me like a dove. No, never, never again. Never to feel, never to bend. Never to know, never to hold. Never to see you, never no more.

Oh for the love of....

....Bags, Shoes, Clothes, Jewellery & More! A woman's work is endless when speaking of the art of shopping.

I met Adam and Cutiepie today from MYB. For those of you who don't know it's one of those forums you join as a girl and then realise too late you are absolutely misplaced as you are now passed Girlhood and have reluctantly stumbled onto Womanhood. Boo hoo... But you know I must say I am enjoying being a woman. I am more confident now than I was in my 20s. (Oh gawd...how old is this woman? - you ask) Well, I am not Old -Old, but I am Old-er (he he) Anyway, back to what I was saying, there is a certain level of sure-ity, or certainty of who you are as a person, what you want, what you will not compromise, what you will not do in order to gain, how low you will NOT stoop any longer.

Case in point - I no longer wear the shortest possible skirts to show off my legs i fear that I will give out the wrong signals. Now 10 years ago, I wasn't bothered about signals. I though I was signalling the opposite sex towards my sex appeal and (ahem)..nice legs, or so I thought. My tummy then was also quite non-existent, hence I would wear tummy bearing tank tops, and the 4 girls whom I hung out with in college were embarassingly called "Geng Pusat" - I kid you not!! Simply because we always wore, tight midriff tops which would bear our "pusat". I also remember my very very hot skin tight pants to which I would be stopped in the college corridor by my British lecturer, and he would say, " My God Corina. Where are your clothes?" *lol* (I think I need to get off this topic before I embarass myself any further)

Aaaaaaaaanyway, as I was saying, I have come a loooooooooonng way from my days of not realising what these things really mean. I just wanted to be pretty, I wanted to be accepted, I wanted boys to like me, or look at me and go Wow - (to which I achieved to a moderate extent I must say..ahem) But of course, I was skinny them. I looked good in almost anything. I wore an XS and my only frustrations were clothes which were too lose on me. I had boys pick me up and send me places. I had other people's boyfriend's pick me up and send me places... ok ok not entirely true, but about 1% true *lol* I wasn't a slut, but I was a tease, and gosh...things have really changed.

Now unlike some of the people I know who are now married and pretend their "hay days" don't exist, I on the other hand am a completely honest and transparent person. What is there to hide really? They are bygones, and notable that when we are young we are entitled to do crazy and silly things because we don't think. We see, we like, we do. And now more than 10 years later, it is ok to look back and say, "Ok I did all that, I was that person, I was silly, I was sending the wrong signals, I did b*&ch, I did flirt, I did, I did, I did... and when I think back, I have the courage to admit it and laugh it off. It isn't who I am now, and that is what's important. It isn't who I have become. In fact BECAUSE I did all that, I am now a certified overcomer. My choice of dressing couldn't be more conservative. I now only show skin as much as my shoulders, still show some leg though not too much, and that's about it really. If I had bigger breasts I might show some cleavage, but sadly even if my top was low, there would be none, so no point there.

Ok, so what is this post about again?? I forget. But anyway, here's to growing up, growing old, growing out of myself and into myself and liking who I am today.

Now I remember, I was supposed to tell you about my shopping trip today, but alas! I'll do it next time. Again, I have digressed into another topic. My apologies. I shall return again to tell you about some stuff I saw today while I was out. I won't forget! I promise. =)

Spree Me, Free Me, Never Leave Me

As you can tell from CoachnMuchMore, I am into my "Spree Mode" again. I just love sprees and shopping together is just so much fun. I started a VS, Benefit, Hollister, Banana Republic and A&F Spree and I am aiming to do Old Navy and The Gap next if I have the time. It's a lot of work!

Speaking of shopping, I was so dissapointed I didn't get to hang out and go window shopping with Dorothy on Fri =( But no worries, we're going on Monday! LOL!

Ooo and guess what? My SG trip is on and so is my Phuket trip. Yippey! I can't wait. I love travelling. I called Bousted on Friday to ask about tickets to SFO, and cheapest was RM4000+...a bit crazy right?? Sigh, how am I gonna afford that plus have money left over for food and shopping?? =( I've got to try and be discipline and not spend on anything unncessary for the next few months (yeah, right) Really lah....I really want to try... :P

Oh and before I forget.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMIT!!!

Sambal Belacan

Some Coach items came today. Fahdzlina's Denim Duffle was one of them. It really looks quite pretty, although duffles generally are realy not for me lar. It's the round bottom I do not get, not to mention the bag is really an odd shape for a person like me. But on someone else, ah!..it looks good! Anyway, here are some quick snaps...

The details on this bag is gorgeous. The leather very supple, the stitching very nicely done, check out the little woven details on the handles, plus the brass details. The best part about Coach duffle's are the fact that the handles can be adjusted to shoulder carrying length or crossbody length. I think that's such a neat feature and I applaud the genius who designed it that way, really. One day, I shall get myself a duffle. I think every girl needs a duffle in her life. The question is, which duffle? Ahahahaha..this is starting to sound like I am choosing my soul-mate pulak!

_____________________________________________

Ok on another note, do you not just LOVE "Sambal Belacan"? What will one do without it? For instance, I had meehoon goreng tonight.
You know the usual boring kind, nothing special about it. Plus I am the sort of person who says "tak nak sayur", so even more boring.

But add "Sambal Belacan" and WHAM!! An instant success! Keeps me wanting more somemore! I must learn to make this delicacy. Anyone got a good recipe to share?? The malay sambals are really the nicest. I like both the pedas ones and the slightly sweet ones. So please, please somebody e-mail me and teach me how to make "Sambal Belacan". Thanking you in advance!!

Somebody Stop Me

OK truth be told, I have been feeling very guilty lately about spending money. *so shy* Where is my self control and determination to be better at managing my finances? Where is that New Year resolution list again? (Searches dustbin and realises Mum already cleared the trash. BUT OF COURSE!! That was January now is April la what la you!!! DUH!!!)

Ok anyway, as I was saying...managing finances..right. Well, several years ago I bought a book. It was called "Debt Free before 30". Hmmmph!! Little good that did me! *sob sob* Anyone else here has problems with $$$$?? Please feel free to share your thoughts and make me feel better ler..I really need your support.. =(

(Available from Amazon.com)

There are so many things I want. I want a new computer, I want a new camera, I want a canggih TV for my room, I want a good sound system to play my newly bought "SimplyBrazil 4 CD set" (so I can Salsa when nobody is looking he he he) I want to renovate my house, I want to repaint my room, I want to ..... jeng jeng jeng buy another handbag!!! I want I want I want! But but but...where the money?? *Boo hoo hoo* With all these wants, is it ever going to be possible to save? Oh just remembered..I want to go HK, I want to go Singapore, I want to go Phuket and I want to go US. I have 4 trips planned for this year and I want to do it all. How How? Sigh....ok looks like I need to reshuffle some priorities around. Dammit.

Out of all those 4 places I want to travel to, 3 of them are planned to see friends. You know most of my friends are overseas which makes me so sad. I never get to see them anymore and talk to them you know. My social life in KL is so non-existent I tell you. Where did all the friends go? India-lah, China-lah, Singapore-lah, Hong Kong-lah, US-lah.... sigh. Sometimes I wonder why am I still in KL. But you know what? I know a lot of people say given a chance they will leave this country in a heartbeat. I say, "Aiyoyo...mana itu kesetiaan kepada tanah air tercinta la wei?" No doubt, the grass surely is always greener on the other side, but there are so many things we have here which we take for granted. For instance, the mamak, coffee shop and stalls. Overseas mana ada? When I was in the US for a short time, I know I missed that the most. Then it's the diversity of culture. No doubt it is very easy to be biased, and I am sure each of us if we had to be honest are biased to a certain extent, yet there are beautiful parts about each other which we like too. Right?

The Malays are so gentle natured, so hospitable, so easy-going, so friendly, not to mention they got really great food ok..Ayam Masak Merah and Rendang...hmm yum yum! Have you been to a Raya open house? So much fun lar. Plus their baju all so nice ok...I especially LOVE the Kebaya. Aiseh..so sexy lah..transparent and ikut body shape somemore. Plus you must admit that when you look around in all the nice posh places, aren't the Malay girls like honestly so pretty? With their fair skin and long eyelashes and gorgeous handbags and shoes? Stylo you know. Plus I have heard some of my shameless male friends say that Malay girls are *ahem* in *ahem* (censored) :P

Then the Indians whom which without their films and constant drama, sometimes boring also you know. Who will do a better job washing my cars and building highways with tolls?? ;) Who will blast loud Tamil music in Brickfields during Deepavali? Who will make nice Curry Chicken and Vade? Who else answers every question by shaking their heads? (I swear I do it too ok!! It's just so much fun! he he) Who will cut the grass in our lawns and teach me how to tie a Saree? Who else will deliver my Room Service orders from Chili's, O'Brien's and La Bodega? Who gonna drive around in their BMWs with the windows down showing off their handsome faces to the whole of Bangsar hoping to score on weekends? He he he

Then of course we have the Chinese who basically keeps the economy moving. A very collected race who is $$ minded and yet cool enough to try and outdo the Japs with their hairdo and radical dressing styles. I mean seriously, is there any other race in Malaysia who is daring enough to try ANYTHING when it comes to hair and clothes? Who else gonna modify their cars and give neighbours another sequeal to Fast and Furious (KL Drift)? ke ke ke .And have you been noticing the very fast and upcoming college girls with long hair, slim waistline and very sexy long legs? Pheew wit! Then there's Chinese Food..yum!, the gambling (empat ekor here we come!), the loud talking to ensure all possible ghosts are scared away, but most importantly without them, who's gonna give me angpow for CNY??? ;) Plus I am very fond of the traditional Dragon Dancing.

Then there are the minorities of Eurasions, Portugese, Orang Asli and what not. Also of course not forgetting the folks up in East M'sia who assist us even more in creating a country so filled with colour and vibrance.

Seriously, where else can we find such a dynamic society coming together to create a cacophony of joyous laughter and love? Not to mention the fusion of the races which have created some exquisite looking creatures like Deanna Yusof, Irene Santiago and more?

We must be proud I tell you! We must learn to look on the bright side. With the political situation being so unstable and businesses everywhere feeling the wave of financial uncertainty pending the very near very uncertain future, we must set aside prejudism, embrace our differences, love our country and do the very best for it's future and our children's children. Let every decision big and small be made with a positive mindset. With thoughts of wanting what is most beneficial for EVERYONE and not just One Race or Religion. Let's try to remember that what makes Malaysia so special is the combination of culture and custom. Let's celebrate our ethnic diversity and learn to respect and accept one another with an open heart and an open mind. We may not solve the world's crisis or excelerate progress and development, but we can create a better environment in which to live in and in doing so at least share joy and happiness with each other for as long as we are here.

( I really talk alot lar. How on earth I went from financial misery to advocating cultural unity, I have no idea. But at least it ended on a positive note right? Plus, I forgot my financial misery so I am off to look at handbags again!! Somebody STOP me!! :P)

Keith Urban - You'll Think of Me

Today was youtube day. I heard a song on the radio and looked it up. It's probably an old song, but I really really like it, so I thought I would share it with all of you. There's the Video Clip version and the Live Version. The Video Clip is typical, but the Live Version is cool. It is always always evident that if someone can sing, the Live Version will always be good. Have you heard singers who come out with records and sound like crap live? I don't know how people can admire sh*t like that. But listen to an artist sing live and you'll know for real whether he/she can really sing.

Anyway, this song is very relevant to me and I am sure to a lot of people out there as well. So listen up and enjoy:-

Video Clip Version



Live Version

Hobbies

Do you have a hobby? I used to collect stamps when I was in Primary School and now I collect First Day covers. But I must admit, I missed out on a few already. Some of the First Day Covers are really very pretty. The latest one is a Butterfly theme. It's so sweet! Here is a picture of it:-

There's also another cool one with pictures and stamps of Malaysian Bridges!! Wah so nice also :P


Besides First Day covers, I also read. Now usually when I tell people I read, they will ask me what's my current read and who my favourite author is. Now unlike most people, I don't typically go out and buy the latest release. Like when everyone was reading The Da Vinci Code, I wasn't. I just don't do much of mainstream reading. I might sooner or later get round to reading those books. For instance, I did read The Da Vinci Code, but only found it so-so. Instead I like reading older books and my favourite genre is Fiction, mainly - Murder Mysteries. I love a GOOD Murder Mystery. My favourite author is Agatha Christie and I still read her Hercule Poirot series. In fact, I could not find alot of them in MPH, so I ordered a few from Amazon.com and when I'm done, I will order the rest. I want to make sure I read all her Hercule Poirot books before I move on to Ms Marple. Some may feel or say "Ala..those are children's books". But I assure you, they are not. In fact, the level of English in these books are quite high. Not unexpected, considering she is afterall English herself. So really it helps improve your command of the language as well. Some of the true English phrases are never used today, which is such a shame. I always say, if you want to learn English, read good English books. Not American English, but English English. For those of you who have kids, please run out and buy Enid Blyton books if you are trying to cultivate reading among the young ones. Wonderful books, I tell you and even more wonderful stories.


On the topic of English, who here is appalled by the level of English in Malaysia? I tutored for one year last year, and honestly, students don't even know what a Noun is. If you're reading this and feeling a little embarassed because you don't know what it is also, don't feel bad. It really isn't your fault. Blame it on Malaysia's education system. When they decided to change Science and Maths to English, I must say that was a good move. But little did I know, they didn't give it much thought at all. Do you know the level of English the Science books use are way way way higher than the level of English a student in the same level would understand? I feel sorry for the kids, I really do. If they haven't learnt those kind of words and phrasing, how are they to answer those very difficult English type Science questions? I am not surprised if what the kids are learning to do is just to memorise instead of truely understanding what they are reciting.

No wonder we have so many people about these days who cannot read, write or speak well at all. What is the use of BM being SOOO difficult, if an international language is left to the dogs? As a progressive nation (or so we would like to call ourselves), are we not ashamed at the majority of the public, who can't spell nor conjour up proper sentences even if it were to save their life? I particularly despise the use of the word "collection" with an S behind. For instance, it's like as if I were to say, " Take a look at my collections" Now doesn't that just sound awful?? The word collection is implied to be singular here which means it does not require an S at the back. It would be different if I were to say, "I have many different types of stamp collections". In this sentence, the phrase 'many different types' show us that there are many collections and hence the addition of the S. But having many handbags in ONE collection for example, requires no S behind the word "collection".

I came across this phrase on the internet. It said, "Philosophy is of little comfort to the starving." I shared this phrase with my friend Amit and asked him,

"Amit, do you think this phrase would be seen in any Malaysian Englist text book?"

Amit says, " Hell, no."

"..and if it was, do you think they would understand what it means?"

"It would be translated as, 'Kalau lapar, tak payah la fikir sangat' "

Wakakakakakaka....

Anyway, getting back to my point again, why is the level of English in our country so low? Is it mainly to accomodate non-native English speakers so that they can pass English as a subject? And if it is, isn't that just lying to ourselves saying, "Yes we passed our English" but in reality the English of a Form 5 student here, is akin to a Standard 5 student in another country? If we really want to progress and build a nation of youth who will one day lead the country to greater heights, I think it really has to start with the ability to read, write and speak better English.

Have you ever met someone who looked really good, then when the person goes to open their mouth and speak, you almost feel like you want to pengsan? On the contrary, have you ever met someone average looking, but when the person speaks, you are swept away by his/her ability to speak fluently and express himself/herself liberally? Isn't it nice to socialise with people who are able to carry their own in a conversation without sounding illiterate? Now I am in no way implying that people who don't speak properly are illiterate, but don't they sound illiterate? They may have all the knowledge in the world, but for pity's sake don't know how to share it with the world. Knowing BM is not going to enable them to get on in this world. It is English and only English which is called an International Language and whether we like it or not, we have to embrace it, adopt it, cultivate it in our daily lives, immerse our children in it and ensure the future generation is not left behind. Plus I have to add, that contrary to popular belief, learning English is not going to turn someone into a 'murtad' ok... Please let's not be so close-minded on this one. Learning to speak Spanish doesn't make me a native of Spain. Learning French does not make me a Mademoiselle who only eats Croissants. Learning Malay does not convert me to Islam. So learning English does not make me a traitor to my country, race or religion. On the contrary, if I learn it and learn it well, it will be a useful tool I can use to propel myself to greater heights and to make my country proud.

So here's to the Malaysian education system, and hoping that somehow someday, they will stop thinking of their people and start thinking for their people.

Real pics

Real pictures of my Mini Lin Speedy in Dune. Love, love, love it!

Ergo? Who me?

Ooh ooh I really like a couple of bags from the New Ergo collection. I showcased some of them in CoachnMuchmore but I so want to get one for myself! (If I can afford it) After my latest splurge I may be completely broke!

Here is what I really like:

What d'ya think? Thought it was something different from the usual colors you know? And it will always match with jeans =)

Speed me on the right track..

OK guess what, my next fabulous buy is....

He he he... The Mini Lin Speedy in the color Dune! *sighs in happiness* I remember two months ago I was considering the Mini Lin Noe in Dune, but when I went to the boutique to try both that and the Azur Noe, they were both too big for me =( Alas! my petite size really didn't help me there. For my size, I can only carry a Petite Noe well - which simply means my options are restricted to the Monogram Petite Noe and the Multicolor Petite Noe. But, that is not to say I am upset about that! He he..one day they both also shall be mine!! *evil laughter*

Honestly lar...how can one resist the temptation of handbags? I cannot, I tell you. I managed to resist the temptation of shoes (thank God!). I used to look like this:

Then what happened? - you ask. How I did it? How did I overcome such a ghastly obsession? Well, an ex-bf of mine was totally and completely against my shoe collection. When in the Malls, he would make sure I never turn to look at a shoe shop and put his hand on my head to position my skull so that I had no choice but to look forward!! (my head couldn't turn sideways everytime we lalu a shoe shop ler..) LOL .. and he would say "Focus!!" ha ha ha..and surprisingly, after some time of being "trained", I actually got over my love of shoes. I am still in-like with shoes, but definitely not in-love with shoes anymore! What an accomplishment!! But but but...I will never fall out of love with handbags that is for sure. Mainly because I DO NOT WANT TO fall out of love with them! They are too lovely and too cute to be forgotten. I will not and I shall not. I will stay true and be a bag addict for life!

So what's coming next after the Mini Lin Speedy then? *sniggers suspiciously* You guess lah!..I'll give you a clue....it's got pleats & it's dark brown. Hah!! I can hear the guesses coming in already... Ok ok..if you really want to guess, send all guesses to my e-mail! Maybe I will be so kind as to give you a discount for my handbags at CoachnMuchMore (You never know!)

Let me pay!

Monday I went for a facial. This is my fourth time to this tiny little quaint place in Times Square called Coca Beauty Paradise. Little did I know, the owner's name was actually "Coca".

So I head on as usual, using the Smart Tunnel to KL and arrive there just in time. My timing is always ngam ngam one, I hope in future there are no unknown circustances which will make me late for anything, cos I'm really like an on-the-dot kind of person.

You can find Coca Beauty Paradise in Berjaya Times Square, 3rd Floor Lot #84. Lovely girls there, excellent service, facials are great ranging from RM50 onwards. Shoulder massage only given for facials above RM100 though. They use a French skincare brand called Payot. Really good in my opinion.

I am paying RM250 for Microdermabrasion. I know, I know it's alot for a facial, but I have noticed that if I do a regular facial, the blackheads come back quicker and pores are clogged up much faster. Also with this Microdermabrasion facial, my skin is smoother and more translucent. (I hope, anyway). During the process I chat chat with the therapist and discover that I can actually sign up for 10 facials and get a special price of RM150 for each one! Wow, I said.."How come you all didn't tell me earlier?" You see this place never pushes anybody to buy products or packages or sign up for more stuff etc etc. (Which is why I love going there) No pressure, no stress, no overbearing therapist trying to sell you and push stuff on to you which you really aren't prepared to pay for. But but but..tell me lar if it can save me money right??!! Sigh.. ok anyway, so I proceed to sign up for this package. Eh I am not wasting money ok...I really think it is a great deal what, don't you?

Now while she swipes my card thru the machine, she's getting a message which says DATA NOT ENCRYPTED. It's not declined, it's Data Not Encrypted. Now what the hell does THAT mean?? She doesn't know and neither do I!?! So I give her my second card - same thing. I give her all my 4 cards and tell her to keep trying while I call the bank.

"Hello, CIMB Card Centre how can I help you?"

"Hi, my card # is xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx"

"Yes how can I help you m'am?"

"Ok I am trying to pay for something and the machine is saying Data Not Encrypted. Can you tell me what that means?"

"Erm...so you want to check your card balance?"

"No, I have enough credit on my card. I want to know what the message 'Data Not Encrypted' means."

"Hold on please"

*music*

"M'am how long have you had your card?"

"Now how is that relevant to my question? I have had my card for a very long time and I have used it plenty times before. Why can't you just answer my question?"

"Because I just want to check and know when your card was issued to you"

"Why? That's an irrelevant question! Shouldn't YOU know when it was issued to me anyway? There is nothing wrong with the card as I have told you before. *Sigh* Why can't you just tell me what this message means?"

"Oh it means there's either something wrong with the chip or something wrong with the machine"

"Ok that's what I wanted to know. Thanks. Bye"

I hang up annoyed. What could have been a 2 minute conversation turned into 10 minutes. Meanwhile the shop girl is still trying to swipe all four cards and getting the same message. I am at this point quite sure it is the machine. I tell her...

"Ice..(yes her name is Ice,it says so on her name tag), can you please call the number on the machine?"

"I don't know how to call lar..can you call?"

"Hah? ok ok sure, I'll call"

Now the sticker with the number on the machine says Alliance Bank. So I call the number and say,

"Hi is this Alliance Bank?"

Woman on the other line says, "No m'am this is EDP XXX"

I say, "Erm..so this is not Alliance Bank then?"

"No this is EDP XXX Credit Card Machine one"

"Ahhh yes ok...I have a problem with the machine. It says Data Not Encrypted. What does this mean?"

"Oh Alliance bank told us they having system problem for one hour like that, sorry m'am"

"Oh ok, so how do we process payment for the customer? Do we have to use the manual machine?"

"Yes m'am"

OK now through all this I am wondering, why is it so hard to get a straight forward response to my question, and why can't these telephone operators understand what my main point is and get straight to it? It is no wonder that foreigners hate talking to us over the phone, our Customer Service people are completely hopeless. They never anticipate customer's needs, ask irrelevant questions, don't explain things comprehensively, and never get to the point of helping the customer. You ask A they answer A, you ask B, they answer B. Sometimes they answer C or D, but my point is, obviously the WHOLE point here is that whatever the issue is, somebody is trying to collect payment from somebody. At least make a suggestion on how to help!

Sigh..Wawasan 2020 is still very far away. And Malaysia Boleh? I really think NOT!

Conclusion, I paid with cash :P