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.