| Wednesday, July 01, 2009 |
| the one with Anuar Zain |
First and foremost, I'd like to continue taking risks with my music. Everything I've done so far has been a gut reaction, honest and real. And that's who I am. That's what I want my music to always be -- honest and real.
The above was said by a great singer. A world class singer at that. With that deep baritone, he broke barriers with his voice.
But tonight, my entry is a tribute, not to a lost icon but to a living being, on his way to becoming a legend. I was fortunate enough to witness his first concert EVER, here in Malaysia tonight. As I am writing this, his first premiere concert has ended a little more than an hour ago. He is Anuar Zain.
True that.
I don't normally heap accolades on local singers because let's face it, none are deserving but this man, this man is a whole different league of his own. In my book, though i had to fork out quite a sum but anak Pak Zain made it all worthwhile. I don't wish to gloat about the immensely entertaining show but I guess I am. Words just cannot describe his performance tonight. You could almost taste the sincerity and the modesty he brings out.
Sure, there were moments when I just could not stop smiling. So did he, in fact. he kept smiling and thanking the audience for being there. He rewarded us with his pipes and vocal control which was exceptionally good. He would often move around the stage to be closer to the audience. He would often point to a crowd in the audience and blew a kiss. My heart jumped a notch, perhaps I was just overwhelmed. Or maybe, truth be told, this is my first concert with a singer. My previous attendances were for musicals and theathers but never a singer. Never a singer anywhere. I am a full blown virgin when it comes to concerts of any kind.
So, since words could not suffice, let me just commemorate this night with this entry. Let this be a benchmark for performances to come. Let me remind myself that I thoroughly enjoyed every second of the show, literally. Let me remind myself that there were moments when he would point to our crowd and flash that megawatt smile of his and ultimately depart from our crowd by saying "I love you all".
An open note to Anuar Zain, if ever you bumped into this blog, keep up the good work. Maintain your honesty in your performance and singing. Retain your modesty. Keep that naivety about you and don't ever stop and be complacent. Cause if you do, you will not be able to amaze us as you have done tonight.
On a last note, he truly deserved that standing ovation and I hope I would have the opportunity to witness more standing ovations to come. Tonight, I was glad to be part of the experience. Part of the crowd. I was just glad my initiation into the concert of the singing variety left me speechless and heart palpitations.
And, yes, Anuar Zain has just gained another admirer.
True that.
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posted by the babe @ 11:43 PM   |
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| Sunday, June 21, 2009 |
| the one with things off my chest |
Mickey: You can't lead your own crew.Danny: Why not?Mickey: Because you're immature, irresponsible, reckless, empty-headed and impulsive.Danny: [Cheerfully] But apart from all that! I'm ready!
Just had to blog..need to purge my system of a few things..
1. I can't make heads or tails of it. Despite the numerous warnings and cautionary measures, people are still goddamn ignorant. Wondering what the hell am I talking about?
Here you have people around you coughing and having itchy eyes due to the haze and people minimising the outdoor activities just to preserve every last ounce of health they have left and voila!
There goes my "gampang" neighbour collecting dry leaves and making a little bonfire for himself, proud of the not-so-hard-work of raking the leaves in the first place. So to you, my ignorant neanderthal/neighbour, I really hope that one day Mother Nature just unleashes her fury on you so that I may stand and look proudly, just like you did over the bonfire.
2. Call me eccentric, choosy or quirky but I just realised that most of the things I don't eat starts with the letter "T". It never occured to me before. So I don't eat "timun", "terung", "taugeh", "tauhu", "tempe", "tempoyak". Weird coincidence but really, I don't eat them. I always take the trouble when placing an order for something, I usually say.."Tak nak taugeh,eh.."
So what?You want to judge me, go ahead. Pahala aku dapat.
3. There's no denying I love watching the idiot box but only selected shows. I watch a show either because the character is utterly brilliant that I can only hope I could find an exact match in this so called reality. Or maybe because I am profoundly amazed at the level of wittiness the character delivers his lines, with poker faced and comic timing- you just have to really appreciate the creative minds of the scriptwriters.
For example, I love watching Boston Legal simply because I actually think that the lines are sarcastic and more often than not, the lines are actually things I wish to say to someone but never had the chance or gut to do so. I personally love the relationship of Denny and Alan - their rendezvous on the balcony with their cigars and spewing out senseless observation on life. One classic example:
Denny: Alan you know the one thing we sometimes forget is no matter how hard your day, no matter how tough your choices were, how complex your ethical decisions...you always get to choose what you want for lunch.Alan: Daily I am amazed at your inexhaustable ability to just live.Denny: It's either that or die.
I mean, don't you just love the lines. Brilliant. Utterly brilliant. Simple and to the point.
4. I am grateful for the fact that my new office has a ritual every friday morning - the recitation of the Yasin. This is not done at the privacy of one's cubicle or room but every employee gather in the board meeting room and together recite the holy verse. Great way to end your week, I'll say.
5. I love Joe Mantegna in denim. So HOT!. And so is John Larroquette. Can't wait to see him in Boston Legal. Dougray Scott is kinda smoking. James Spader is heavenly in the 80s with his signature droopy eyed aristocrat-rich-boy persona. I fell in love in Andrew McCarthy when I first saw him in Mannequin. So the point to my entry - I love older men but only those I see in the idiot box. But truly, I honestly think that Ramli MS can take me out anytime and having seen this person up close, Dato' Abu Talib Mohamed just have most magnetic smile ever. And just by saying a simple hello, my knees go jelly wobbly.
6. I'm thinking of buying the cell phone line jammer and bring it with me to the movies so that no phone lines would be available thus ensuring a quiet and peaceful cinema experience. But that still does not solve the problem of patrons who simply cannot shut up as if I needed the voiceover commentary of the movie. So to you talkers in the cinema, don't be surprised if one day a large cup of soft drink will drizzle down your head to your clothes simply because of your inability to understand the concept of silence.
7. I have this pet peeve. You see, my dad has been regimented enough to train us = me and my siblings - that it's never nice to chew with your mouth open. It's never nice to actually hear the squishy-squashy sound of food being enmeshed in your mouth by the person next to you nor is it fun to have a first hand experience to witness food being ravaged from inside a cavelike hole. So forgive if I am blunt but this has to be said. You open-mouth-chewers and you orchestra-making food gobblers, please keep a distance from yours truly. It really kills the appetite, you know.
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| posted by the babe @ 10:11 PM |
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| Wednesday, June 10, 2009 |
| the one with THE man |
Carrie: Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.
My parent's celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year. My sister and her husband, their 11th, Insya Allah. My brother and his wife, their 9th.
Me, not even an anniversary with potential someone. Pathetic, I know.
Depressed? You might think so. Those of you who can't stop talking about men and finding mr. right would probably snicker at the thought that I was still single. Do I even care? Not the least.
I am enjoying singlehood as it is. I'm spending precious time with my parent's and my family. I am spending time to get to know myself, spend time with my own thing and hobbies. And lastly I get to spend time with my friends, if there is any left, that is.
Sure, I've had my share of relationships. I know what it feels like in one. No need to delve into the details. But, I've never found THAT someone.
Okay, that is a lie. I did find someone. But I never did have a relationship with him. Not that kind anyway. Bet you are salivating for the juicy details, aren't you.
This is something I have never told anyone about. He was THE man. Good looking, intellingent, matured and cool. One I would often use as a yardstick for other men. But even he does not know this. Because I never had the guts to tell him.
Back then, he was like a brother to me. But we didn't start out that way. He was a few years older. I was still an undergradute while he was already working. People say he is unapproachable, unfriendly - basically chooses those who deserve to speak to him.
The story is I joined this group. In that group, I found myself a guy who went on declaring himself my big brother, often calling me "little sis". This big brother of mine was the one responsible introducing me to THE man. In my mind, this man is surely going to forget my name the minute it was introduced, like I've seen he do it to my other acquaintances. Imagine my suprise when he actually called me over later in the night just to have a chat. So that's how our relationship began.
He was always dishing out advice but in the coolest ways. Always trying be suave but cool at the same time. Always telling me what kind of guys I should look for. What he sees in women. Telling me what he did that day. We were like brothers and sisters separated at birth, only to have found ourselves now and catching up with our lost years.
Did I mention that he was good looking? So it was one thing to be in his company, but another when people are staring while we walked together. He had this enigma about him. One look at him and you wish that you were his friend. He bounced from being serious and composed to being childish and silly. People were attracted to him like a moth to a flame. But he did still keep people at bay. So, considering those points, I was lucky that he chose me.
Spending time with him opened my eyes to a great number of things. With me, he opens up. He's not shy of being himself. To others, he was a greek god personified. Looks, brains and brawn. He had the ultimate package. He had the charisma of james bond and the confidence of indiana jones. You know, how a guy is always trying to be cool and hip with a devil-may-care attitude. Just imagine the character zack syler in She's all that and you'll know what I mean. But, when people are not around, he simply himself. And that's what I got to see.
Once, he went to a training course and he had used up his phone credit. He had a vigorous physical training earlier in the day and was thoroughly expired by night time. Let me just make this clear just in case you don't understand how close we were. He was single throughout our friendship and from what I've been told, doesn't have it in his genes to call a woman/girl up. So getting back to the story, imagine my surprise when he calls me up, from a public phone just to chat. He wanted to tell what he did that day and felt that he just couldn't think of anyone else to call. By the way, he does have this knack of trying to be macho at times so he lied to me saying that his phone doesn't actually have coverage at that training centre. But he knew i knew he was lying. But that's just him.
One thing I remember vividly was that during one time, a guy was interested in me and pursuing me with great speed. A week after we had dated, he proposed marriage. I then avoided him like the plague. But I hid this fact from THE man. Amazingly, he found out about it and gave me a call (which he rarely does) and casually asked me about the wooer. Then, he began on his tirade of how the guy was pursuing me wrongly and that he even scolded the guy for doing such and what a mistake he had done by rushing me. He then explained to me that he lectured the guy for all the wrong methods the used and the right way I should have been pursued. Told me to forget the guy and later said to hang by him, he will find me a person worthy enough. He said, he could judge a man and tell me whether he's good enough. I asked him how do you know. He said it's ingrained in him and that he feel it in his guts. But he did tell me to look for a guy who makes Peter Cetera's Glory of Love a mantra. Just like he did. He really believes that I will find my guy. One that he will approve of. One that surpasses his expectations and make me happy. As intuitive as he was, he was so clueless.
Present day. I miss him. I never did find the guy he said I would. You know why. Because I wanted him. I have always wanted him. But he was just clueless. Or maybe it was me who didn't have the guts to spill it out. And now he is halfway around the globe which means I'll never find my guy.
For now, I just have to be content on being with myself. And that's fine by me. |
| posted by the babe @ 10:41 AM |
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| Friday, May 29, 2009 |
| the one with the questions |
Denny: What are you doing in my office?
Paul: This is my office, Denny.
Denny: Oh, that must mean I've come to see you...why?
Being the newbie in my new company, I tend to get people coming up to me asking me how's the new job and how is it going for me. You know, the usual questions, the ice breakers and my usual programmed response would be "Not bad". "I am doing fine.".
Never had I had to face with questions that do not have neither purpose nor meaning. Like today, one of the KJ approached my boss for a discussion and my boss doing the natural thing, introduced me to him. I was expecting like "which company was I previously from" or "how's the work" but he surprised me when he said, "Oo, lawyer. Dari mahkamah mana?".
WHAT?
How do you answer that? I actually find myself speechless and dumbstrucked. Since he caught me off guard, I was left with responding with a wide smile. Great first impression, kiddo.
But, seriously, I don't mind dealing with usual programmed questions people tend to ask me but come on, how do I even prepare a comeback for questions like those? I know, some of you smart ass might have come up with a witty or even a lousy (loyar buruk) comeback to the above. Me, honest to goodness, am not like that. I so do not have the aptitude of forming meaningless answer to meaningless questions.
Isn't there a better use of my time than to actually respond, albeit idiotically?
Go ahead, give yourself a knock in the head. |
| posted by the babe @ 4:46 PM |
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| Wednesday, March 11, 2009 |
| the one with why men cheat |
- Brennan: I thought you said you were just going to talk to him!
- Booth: Yeah, well, I saw his face and I got mad
I really can't wrap my finger on why men cheat. Why do they flirt around? I mean, if a woman flirted around, judgmental people around me would immediately branded her a slut, a whore, and so forth. But why do men get away with it. Why do we keep on putting them on a pedestal, overlooking their flaws and deficiencies. I have personally met a guy who already has a girlfriend for almost four years but has the nerve to say i love you to another woman. I also knew of a guy who would keep a gal company through the night but would not even dare to tell his fiancee what he did last night.
Why oh why? True, this was something that I needed to knock my head over. True, i did say that i am ready to be married but it's this kind of act that makes you lose faith in men.
There are some wonderful man. Like my father, sure, every girl looks up to her daddy, he's superman to her eyes. And thankfully, the men in my family are note-worthy. You may say that i am biased but anyone who knows them admits the same.
The reason for my angst..i learned a huge lesson today. Never believe a man. Surely never believe for a second what comes out of his mouth is pure innocence or honesty. Especially when he goes out of his way to make you comfortable and sweet talks his way to your good side.
One thing I learned.. men like this just cannot be trusted. The sweet nothings to flow from his mouth are indeed nothings.
Truly, I got hit with a bulldozer on my head with this revelation.
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| posted by the babe @ 9:02 PM |
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| Monday, March 02, 2009 |
| the one with today |
And if you wanna get smart
For the sake of your heart and all
You should own your name
And stand up tall and get real
And see the beauty in ugly
Let me be honest about one thing. Being a woman, i know i should be "dialed in" but really, somebody should give me a lesson about make-up.
Go ahead, laugh all you want but seriously, me and make-up is trying to understand rocket science. Like today, I clumsily dropped my compact powder. So, while relating my story to my colleagues, they all suggested I buy a new one. Then the conversation whizzed through to a subject about foundation and when I said I never wore foundation, believe me, all hell broke loose. It's like telling them I won the lottery.
So, at their urging, I went to the store to get a foundation for myself. So this is what happens. I stand there like a person in a library, to many books to choose and not knowing which to read.
So, now I know that there is a liquid one and a cake version or something. But then, there are so many shades again I look like an idiot not knowing which one to buy. So I went to the food court to hunt down my colleagues and demand that they help me.
Naturally, they laughed at me.
Guess I have to get used to this kind of reaction. So what if I don't know the difference natural and nude. So in the end, I ended up buying a compact powder like foundation, the cheapest one I could find. Reason being, I only wear it in the morning, just so I won't look like a walking corpse. I don't need to spend big bucks on something I would only use it once in a while.
So, you could probably surmised that me not a make-up fan. Nor am I a beauty afficionado. I have never gone for a professional facial nor do I go for this beauty regime thing like threading, a new thing that's all the rage these days. By the way, what is threading? Is it like plucking your eyebrows? Isn't that like haram?
I just don't get why we are so hung up in maintaning how we look. And yet we keep saying that it's not what you see that matters but what's in your heart that is important. If I find another person that says that same line to me, trust me, you are so going to get a bitch slap from me. Why do we keep flooding ourselves with these mindless bullshit when you don't even believe in what you say.
Another topic that was hot today was how a colleague of ours had spent Rm500 to get her hair permed and coloured. I used to know a person who colours her hair and she wears tudung, for pete's sake. It's not like anyone is ever going to see that hair of hers so I just don't understand why we submit ourselves to pointless exercises just to let men ogle at you or other people praise you, simply to satisfy your own vanity.
I don't understand this morbid fascination of ours. When did we become so in love with what we look like? Are we that "vacant" and "hollow"?
With that, I really hope it takes a HUGE knock in the head for you to realise.
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| posted by the babe @ 9:05 PM |
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| Saturday, February 28, 2009 |
| the one with malay shows |
- Rebecca: Okay, I never really had brothers and sisters so I don't know how big families work, um, maybe this is the normal thing to do you know, just do things in a clump, like you all get together, solve problems.
- Kevin: No, no, we tend to make things worse and then blame each other.
- Sarah: Yeah, that's pretty much how it works.
Yes, i know..as you can probably tell, I am a sort of TV addict. There are certain shows I rather not miss. One of them is the one above. The writers have done a pretty good job writing the scripts and storyline for this show. Ultimately, it all boils down to witty lines and storylines that are actually believeable. One which you can really relate to.
Anyway, so while relaxing in front of the tube with dearest Mum and bumping channels, we stumbled upon this malay drama (what? at this hour..so near to Maghrib..memang lagha!) and we decided to watch, for teh sake of it.
After a few minutes, we got bored. Simply because we came to the conclusion that all malay dramas have this one formula, jealousy and envy. Be it from the mother-in-law who hates the daugther-in-law, friend of the other friend, sister of their sibling, neighbours of each other and so on. I could go but basically you get the picture.
So you see why malays can never move forward as a race. We keep on portraying these values on the telly, always the same storyline.
e.g Mother in law hates d-i-l, so she tortures her life, makes her misreable
Neighbours resorts to name-calling in the front yard
Friends using dirty tactics
Macam dah takde idea lain.
Lagi satu, why is it that we keep making shows based on other people's idea..usually the West.
We saw this montage for a malaysian made show based on a British popular hit, Mind Your Language. I used to remember an old malaysian made show based on the famous Mr Bean. Why do we keep doing this to ourselves?
Buat malu je. Enough said. |
| posted by the babe @ 7:06 PM |
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| Wednesday, February 25, 2009 |
| the one with the things i wanted to say |
I speak the truth, not my fill of it,
but as much as I dare speak;
and I dare to do so a little more as I grow old.
I don't really have a topic in mind but i have a few things i need to get off my chest. So here goes..
1. It really baffles me why people who drives big cars drive so darn slow? Do you have this unspoken motto for all big car owners that once you own a big car, your speed limit is 60 -70km/ph. Seriously, there are some of us who likes the rightest lane and if you insist on driving your oh-so-expensive car that slow, it actually blocks my way, don't you think so? Menyemak la, please move over.
2. I really get pissed off when i get emails which forces you to forward the same in order to get some miracle or reward coming your way. Even more surprising when the email contains some Quranic verses. Look, my personal belief is that to get more pahala, more reward, read the Quran itself not some bits and pieces somebody forward you expecting you to forward to more people in order for you to get your miracle/reward. Bukan ke syirik namanya tu?
Dah la yang tukang menghantarnya tu orang berpelajaran, bukannya bodoh. At least, exercise some common sense people. It's the least you could do given the brain Allah has provided you with.
3. I have this pet peeve about men. Sure, you may the king of the household, boss at the office, world leaders but you ain't got shit if you SPIT!
Please, it's enough that people around us don't know how to throw rubbish properly into the dustbin but to have men all around spit like there's no tomorrow is utterly disgusting. Makes you reconsider having a man in your life. Makes you wonder why they are held in the highest esteem.
I simply hate the sight of a man strolling down the pedestrian walkway and POOF!, a spit comes out. Even worse when there's a sound effect that accompanies the spit. Like, ewww.
Sure, my entry seemed angry and furious, but believe me, today is one of those days where i enojyed going to work. So, this entry is just something i've been wanting to say for awhile now.
So there. |
| posted by the babe @ 7:14 PM |
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| Sunday, February 22, 2009 |
| the one with the anniversary |
You know, women can have it all,
just not all at once.
Yah, i know. I've been missing for while so i thought i would just start writing on the one-year anniversary of me not writing.
Maybe you are wondering what's the 4-1-1 on moi?
I've started working for a while now for a retail juggernaut which i really thought was really a Malaysian company but in the end turned out to be a entirely international one.
And basically that's it. True, i might not have a lot going on with me but still life was still exciting for me. maybe when i have the time, i'll fill you in.
Right now i just feel like telling you what's been bugging me. I've reached a point where i think i would like to get married.
Now that's a bombshell, am i right? At least i'm being honest and true to myself and i couldn't keep this niggling feeling all bottled up any longer. I don't want to be that person who says i don't want to get married but all my posts is about finding the one. I don't want to be a hypocrite.
Plus all i keep hearing and seeing nowadays are so-called independent women who says now is not the time or i'm not thinking about marriage now but all they talk about is marriage and being with someone. How hypocritical can you be when you say marriage is the last thing on your mind but you keep talking about love, men, being in love and etc...
Oops, nice segueway to talk about other people when i should be talking about me.
Anyways, yep it's true. I would like to get married. To whom, i don't know. I leave it to Allah. When, i leave to the Almighty as well. I'm leaving that option open. What i know is that I'm ready.
Frustating, ain't it?
I know. This uncertainty mode always leaves me in limbo.
For now, I know Allah is teaching me a lesson. I may have the best job with the best group of colleagues you could ask for and the perfect training ground to develop my skills as corporate legal executive. Life is indeed good. But He decides that having all the above does not mean i can have what i want now as well. He deems that i must wait. And so i will wait.
Maybe the one i'm supposed to marry might just be the guy i will meet when i'm 30 or maybe i'll meet him next year. Who knows.
But honestly the reason why i'm writing is because i'm having a crush. i know it sounds juvenile but what the heck. I have not felt this way in a while now. You know, that giddyness and the butterflies in your stomach when you hear his voice. He might not be the one i might marry but right now, i'm just loving the feeling.
The feeling that makes you want to smile incessantly.
I run the risk of sounding like a little schoolgirl but right now i really do not give a damn. Even if it does not work out, i don't mind. He was not meant for me. I get that.
So for now, my new motto is be in the moment. Embrace the uncertainty.Delve into the unknown.
I don't need a knock in the head to tell me that.
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| posted by the babe @ 9:42 PM |
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| Thursday, September 11, 2008 |
| the one with I'm back |
~" I went on a journey, only to find........nothing!"~ Yours truly
No, I did not abandon this blog. Saja, malas nak update. So here goes a long list of what I have been up to.
On employment....
I completed pupillage, got called to the Bar. Started work in a construction and engineering company as Legal Executive. This part of my life takes up a whole other blog entry. So be patient, will do it some other time.
On family,
My brother in law has recently started work in a new company, one with more pay and lots of upgrade. My sister in law broke the news that a new member is on the way. Grandma came back to live with us, which then leaves me sleeping in the living room, occasionally.
On travels,
Went to Hong Kong and Shenzhen prior to getting called to the Bar. Went to Singapore, promising not to spend anything then ended up buying shoes and of course , my baby Ipod. Then, went there again simply to eat nasi beriyani.
Yeah, I know...seem a tad too simplified. Maybe you're assuming nothing much has been going on. Trust me when I tell you it's the other way round. What the heck , I don't have to justify my absence to you.
Owh, am forgetting one tiny thing. Just for the sake of it, I'll be posting certain things in retrospect.
Thought you should know. |
| posted by the babe @ 12:19 PM |
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| Wednesday, February 20, 2008 |
| the one with the sopranos |
"What's different between you and me is that you're going to hell when you die" ~Carmela Soprano~ Thought I have a change of routine. Having heard of the commercial success of the series, thought I'd give it a try. A bit reserved since I don't like provoking , in-your-face dramas. I was right. Finished half of season one and I was flabbergasted. I didn't know the dealings of the underworld was so suburban and common.
Tony had a lot to deal with and there's not much different from reality. He struggles with acceptance and his inner demons. Basically, a dark satire of life placed on a dish on guns-wielding-fists-bashing-tough-talking mafias. A little too dark for me, I suppose. Maybe I need to watch more episodes to warm up to the series. It's gonna take awhile though.
Another series I managed to get my hands on was "Hustle". This Brit series had me hooked from the beginning. I first saw it on Hallmark, then they stopped showing. Then I caught it on BBC but I always missed the first half of the show. So when I did find it on sale, i immediately bought all four seasons.
The end results: I couldn't be more ecstatic. Here was a show that portrayed ingenuity and wit. The well thought out plan, the storyline, the dialogue was just heaven to watch. Witty remarks, funny as hell and a clincher, enough to keep on the edge of your seat.
A reminisce of The Italian Job, I tell you. |
| posted by the babe @ 8:06 PM |
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| Monday, February 18, 2008 |
| the one with the trip to Kangar |
“The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see. The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land.” ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton~
There I was. On a dawn of a Saturday morning, still groggy from lack of sleep, helping Mum packing things into the car. We were about to embark on an estimated 6-7 hour drive to Kangar.
Being the stupid me, I slept the whole way. Upon reaching Kangar, we had a sumptous meal at this restaurant right smack in the middle of a paddy field and nothing else. Magnifico!
After a tiring day of travel, we chose to stay in for the rest of the day.
At night was a different story. You see, I have been pestering my Dad since forever to take us to Perlis. Simply for the seafood. So, eventually, we headed to the famous seafood fare by the jetty.
Let me simply tell you this. Steamed cockels, grilled squid, sweet and sour "siakap", flour fried prawns and a cup of rice, topped with sensational breeze from the sea is THE meal to die for. We ended our night by cruising through the town of kangar. And I mean cruising. People just don't speed here. Everything is done so leisurely.
The next day, which was a Sunday, was the day we ventured into Padang Besar.
I get the fact that people flock here for the cheap food but what I saw was abject poverty and depravation. I saw hunger. I saw unhygenic living conditions. Makes me think twice about Malaysia.
I realised at that point that how much of Malaysia I have taken for granted. I don't have to go very far just to see how different it can be.
Back to our escapade, I tried buying some apparels but apparently in Thailand(or something close to it), I'm a giant. On the upside, I didn't have to spend any dough.
So, in the end, the only thing I truly enjoy was the taste of a fresh coconut drink combined with crushed ice on a hot and humid day and the array of sight of different kinds of mangoes there is. Sure enough, being the fruit fanatics that we were, we bought every kind, at least two kilos each.
As I was told, each mango has its purpose. Or so it seems. This one is for sambal. And this one is for kerabu. What wonders.
Again, our night was sealed with seafood fare, this time at another hot spot. And again, I was not disappointed.
Come Monday, I had to say goodbye to the town that gave me so much pleasure. In sight, in taste and in thought. This was just the way I would want my holiday to start.
I bid you goodbye dear Kangar and rests with Allah the Almighty that I should once more visit you. |
| posted by the babe @ 5:23 PM |
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| Monday, February 11, 2008 |
| the one with a trip to JB |
"I've had a busy week and I'd like to ease my brain"
You betcha.
Immediately reaching home from Sepang, i had to rush to three different bodies, trying to get them to move faster on a simple report. Seriously, you guys are putting all govt agencies to shame with ineffectiveness.
Enough said, i was glad that by wednesday evening, my family were already leaving for JB. As usual, i requested that my Dad make a stop at this one stall in Pedas, Negeri Sembilan. Simply because i really love the mee goreng basah.
It has got to be the most delicious plate of noodles ever. I have been a fan since last year. It was not in one of those fancy shops but a simple roadside shop. The portion was generous and the ingredients didn't disappoint either. This shop has my vote for the best mee goreng basah in Malaysia.
But enough about that, having seen my sis's family and eventually enjoying my break, what trip would be perfect without a visit to Pandan? (Johorians would know what this place is)
So, all in all, this trip was much needed, having stayed there till Sunday. More unwinding for me, I guess.
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| posted by the babe @ 4:48 PM |
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| Tuesday, February 05, 2008 |
| the one with the delayed report |
Everyone's looking at me
I'm running around in circles (baby)
A quiet desperation's building higher
I've got to remember this is just a game
Unfortunately not. Indeed I am verging towards desperation.
I submitted my referee's letter on Friday. When I came back to that office on Wednesday, the letter is still in the "IN" box. So she told me to come tomorrow morning. Promised me it will be ready by then.
I came the next morning at 9 a.m. And she tells me her boss hasn't got time to sign it yet. Why don't I come in the evening?
...Wait a minute. You assured me yesterday it would be ready. Do you actually think I have nothing to do but come to the middle of town just to drop by your office to pick up the report which you should have done days ago.
I can't come the next day since it was a holiday.
So I came back on Monday to be told that her boss still ain't signed it yet. I came at 9 am and she told me to wait until 11 am.
..Again, like I have nothing to do. Am I supposed to wait on hands and foot till I get my report. Sheesh.
Finally, at 11, it was ready.
You see, I was up to a point of desperation. Al I wanted was for this report to be ready on time. Yet these people cannot deliver just that. I couldn't proceed with my petition until and when they submitted THAT report to the Bar. Talk about serving the masses and failing miserably in serving one of their own. Way to go people. Give yourself a pat on the back on the good job done.
*Snicker*.. |
| posted by the babe @ 3:39 PM |
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| Sunday, February 03, 2008 |
| the one with Sepang |
'll show the Sea of Tranquility
You can have any flavor you happen see
I live in the shade of a forest of green
In the wildest of woodlands that you've ever seen
Here I am in our second home in Spg. Bet you didn't even know that my family had a second home. My dad calls it the summer house. Perfect for weekend getaways.
Gosh, i love it here. The sea breeze..the atmosphere. It was as if time stood still. I hear no horns blaring. No cars lined up. Nobody rushing to anywhere.
Simply blissful.
The best way to unwind, I'll tell you that. No amount of money can even match that feeling.
Nothing. |
| posted by the babe @ 11:43 PM |
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| Tuesday, January 29, 2008 |
| the one with saying goodbye |
There's never a right time to say goodbye
But I gotta make the first move,
'cause if I don't you gonna start hating me
The past three days I worked overtime just to tie up some loose ends. Just so the boss isn't going to miss when I'm gone.
Then, nearing evening, I had begun to my goodbyes. I'm never really good at them. I either cry or show an expressionless face. Which is kinda more insulting to the other person. I can't help it, you know.
So, all throughout the hugs and kisses, I remain stoic. Sure, an occasional smile pops up but never too eager. It was better this way.
In a way, I'm glad.
They get to say their teary eyed goodbyes, the usual "keep in touch", "don't be stranger" mantra , hugs and one which I hate most, the side-by-side air kisses that never really touch the cheek.
This is why i remain stoic. The whole act of saying goodbyes is just a routine that people stick to when the occasion calls for it. What they say and act doesn't really mean anything except for the fact that everybody else is doing it.
So, to those of you not familiar with saying goodbye, here's a guide to help you. Bet you can use anywhere, anytime. Nobody will even notice you are faking.
1. Whoever it is, make sure you get the person that is leaving name right. To ensure that your goodbyes leave a lasting impression, use whatever name people closer to her are using.
E.g Suzila is usually referred to in the office as Su. Use that.
But, if it is your superior leaving, do not abandon your protocols. Sure that person is leaving but there's no need for you to forget protocols.
2. If you are just colleagues, then maybe start with a handshake (if different sex) or soft pat on the shoulder. If you are much closer than that, go to step 3.
3. If you are close enough with the said person and whatever you do will not result in a tight slap, then go ahead and give that person a casual hug. The closeness and the tightness of your hug should commensurate with your degree of intimacy with the said person.
4. Then, you may begin with the selected lines below. This is just a guide. You may choose to use your own lines once you have mastered the art.
a. Leaving? You have only been with us for...(state period. This usually works better if the person has only worked there for a short time). I haven't gotten a chance to get to know you.
b. We are so gonna miss you when you're gone especially your.... (state food/gifts/jokes/interesting traits the person has offered during their stint at the office).
e.g the person snort-laugh or the person's home cooked lasagna.Anything. Be creative.
c. Will you ever come back to see us? Do keep in touch. Don't be a stranger.
5. Usually, at this point, someone will approach with another goodbye or someone who wasn't interested about you when you came on board suddenly developed an interest.
You know, starting to ask questions about where you are from, where do you live. That sort of thing.
And so the cycle goes on. Depends on how many you have in the office.
And to those of you judgmental people, I never did say I despise saying goodbyes or receiving them. I just happen to realize that there was a pattern to be found.
To some, it's an art. Perfected. To others, it is simply a gesture straight from the heart.
It takes while to spot fakes. But when you actually find a sincere one, remember it.
They are not easy to come by. |
| posted by the babe @ 11:20 PM |
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| Sunday, January 27, 2008 |
| the one with what to buy |
I was window shopping, window shopping
Never meant to buy
Just touch and try
You saw me, control me
I was window shopping, window shopping
Never meant to buy
Just touch and try
~the jackson 5~
Yep. I was so in a mood to buy something. So i went out today with a single objective. To buy something.
Boy, was i in for a major disappointment. I walked the entire length of OU, old and new and guess what?
I found nothing. Hundreds of shops and I found nothing. So, after the movies and prayers, I dragged my fatigue self to my car when on the way there, i found a gem of a shop.
Payless Bookstore. Now i have been a loyal customer since forever, so it was no surprise that i find myself in seventh heaven.
Just about when i am about to curse the stupid giga-normous shopping complex for having nothing to buy, i ended up buying three books. My most prized catch was haruf's plainsong at a mere Rm10.
I guess it's true. I am never going to be a person who likes to shop for fun. So many shops and i couldn't find a thing to buy. In the end, i ended up buying books. Might as well to never step in a shopping complex ever again and to just head over to any second hand bookstore and i'm game.
I forgot how does it feel like to buy things. Things i already have but simply need to buy more of and never plan to use.
Haha..(can you sense sarcasm when you read one?) |
| posted by the babe @ 9:03 PM |
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| Friday, January 25, 2008 |
| the one with the last day |
And at the end of the day remember the days
When we were close to the end
And wonder how we made it through the night
At the end of the day
Remember the way
We stayed so close to the end
We'll remember it was me and you
Yep, today is officially the last day. Liberation? Not sure about that.
All I know is the lasting relationships I've built. Just ordinary humans with extraordinary vibe and zest to liven my life.
Thanks for the relationships. And thanks for being..simply a friend. |
| posted by the babe @ 6:37 PM |
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| Wednesday, January 23, 2008 |
| the one with a dance and striptease |
Save the dance for another life
I'm guilty in my mind, cause I can't close my eyes
~ricky martin~
You got that right. Tonight i watched the Petronas Performing Arts Group' Raja Bersiong. Overall an entertaining show. No dialogue whatsoever. Which is good since too much senseless chatter will mess up the vibe and mood.
They have already built a steady momentum in the beginning. Just telling the story through dance. The point is my Mum had fun. She always has fun in sorta thing. Which is why i took her.
Kudos to the PPAG for coming up with a wonderful show.
On the other hand, i just couldn't grapple with the fact that at that moment, Malaysians are still reeling from a singer's striptease debacle and all throughout the show(the one i was watching with my Mum), i counted at least 15 dancers were naked from the waist up.
You see, it was set in medieval times. The only way to separate the male characters and the female was to make the males go naked waist up.
My point is simply this, we punish ONE man for striptease-ing in public television but it's okay to show FIFTEEN men(at least...) show their upper body to a selected group (mind you, there were also children in the theater).
One is just reckless behaviour and the other is for the sake of art. I'm not supporting the singer's act. I'm just saying, you know.
Was it because one was pre-meditated and the other spontaneous?
Where do you draw the line?
If it's for art, then it's okay. But, isn't both art?
What about those early days when we used to watch P.Ramlee movies. He only wore a "kain pelikat" to cover his bod. And i can see the legend's nipples, for god's sake.
So what? He can do it but not you. He's a legend but you just another artiste whom has yet to create his mark?
What then?
I don't get it. |
| posted by the babe @ 11:17 PM |
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| Monday, January 21, 2008 |
| the one where people tell me |
Tell me baby
Tell me baby what's on your mind
Tell me baby
Tell me yeah (what's on your mind)
Tell me, tell me yeah.
Whew..instead of a story about me, this entry is aboout the people in my life.
My 2nd brother told me..
yesterday when he rode the LRT on his way back, he saw an Indian man. There are two people sitting on either side of him. Suddenly this man pokes his finger into his nose and began probing. After a while, he takes the finger out and began "shaping" between two fingers what he had probed.
Either people around him just didn't notice or chose not to notice. My brother says he needs to ride the LRT more often.
My 1st brother told me...
he's going to aussie for the iron maiden concert.
My dad told me...
he is searching for a trip to new zealand. One where he can do all the driving. What is it called?.."free and easy"..
My sister told me..
my nephew has chicken pox for the first time. He's amused that he has "bubbles" all over his body.
My mum told me..
that last week my dad wanted to soak his towel. He goes into the kitchen and opened the container and poured it into the pail. Only it is not dishwashing powder. Wrong container. He poured fine castor sugar instead.
My dad told me..
after this his towel is going to be so "sweet". |
| posted by the babe @ 10:47 AM |
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| About Me |
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Name: the babe
Home: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
About Me: I find pleasure in every morsel and bite, in music of the times or by the masses, in the magical idiot box and uncovering the definition of a good time.
See my complete profile
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