Ex-Prefects Gathering

Yet another gathering.. this time Ai Leen said 13 of us were supposed to turn up, but in the end, only 7 of us made it :P

I had been visiting Coffeebean and Starbucks everyday in the past 4 nights.. People usually get fatter because of good food during Chinese New Year.. Mine is probably because of too much sweet coffee drinks -_-"

Finally, Kit Fei joined us ;)

Of course, another 7 joined us later..

All together there were 14 of us who attended the lil' gathering..

Thanks girls! We are still so crazy after so many years :P

Sending My Sis Off

My sister is returning to Brisbane for her final year of undergraduate studies.. She didn't really want to take pictures because she said it's not like it's the first time she's leaving anyway -_-"

Still, we manage to force my sister to take a few pictures :P

The three fiercest members of the family..:P

My mom is going to miss my sister..

We'll be flying over to Brisbane end of this year to attend my brother's + my sister's convocation :)

PCGHS Gathering 2

I went for another gathering really late because I had to go for my sister's farewell dinner at a Baba & Nyonya restaurant at Nagore Road.. the food is great though!

For more information, check out Baba Nyonya Cuisine..

Hoay Chen organised another PCGHS gathering on the evening of January 29 at Starbucks, E-Gates.. More than 10 girls turned up for the mini gathering ;)

Phui Ying, San San, Shan Rann etc. are organising PCGHS Alumni 10th Anniversary Celebration (Buffet Dinner) on September 19 in one of the hotels in Penang.. We hope to get a minimum crowd of 100 girls who graduated from PCGHS in 1999..

YJ and I ;)

A few girls turned up later than me :P

PCGHS Gathering 1

It's such a coincidence that none of my gatherings clash with one another :P On the third day of Chinese New Year, I went to Queensbay Mall yet again to meet up with friends.. some whom I have not seen for the past 10 years.. Yes, I've graduated from high school a decade ago -_-"

On the way to Azuma Japanese Restaurant to meet up with the group.. we bumped into Janice.. yes, my housemate :P Obviously, we snapped pictures :P

And, more photos.. Check out the matching colour theme worn by YJ, Janice, me and Kit Fei ;)

Our photographer (Ah Chai) and Janice ;)

Off we go to Azuma to meet up with Shih Shiew, Shi Pei, Pei Ling, Hoay Yi, Pei Xian and Shiau Ping..

Note to self: Shi Pei is working in Singapore (Risk Management), Pei Ling is a doctor in Kedah, Pei Xian is a doctor in New Zealand, Shiau Ping is working in Intel and Hoay Yi is in Agilent..:D Hehe..

PCGPS Gathering

I woke up early in the morning on the second day of Chinese New Year to follow my family to Selama, Perak to visit my grandparents.. my grandpa is doing well for a near-90, except that I think he shouldn't sleep that much ;)

Later, after lunch, we rushed to Sungai Petani to help my dad at the shops.. By the time we crawled slowly pass Penang bridge.. I was back on Penang island at 8.45pm..

I was invited to PCGPS (Penang Chinese Girls' Primary School) gathering of '93 graduates on January 27.. Well, it's not actually a girl's school even though it is known by that name :P Anyway, I was actually there for the high school gathering since I don't know any of the guys there except JK.. I'm STILL waiting for photos from JK's DSLR..

I guess more than 20 of us were there in the group.. but I only managed to snap a couple of photos.. I mean, why bother using my digicam when there's a DSLR around? :P I went to New World Park with YJ..

Here are some photos from JK's DSLR!

Two Chin Chins and a Parrot :P

Getting ready for group photo..

Phui Ying and I.. She is going to organised PCGHS Alumni 10th Anniversary celebration end of this year.. with some help from other girls..

Candid shot? :P

The girls..:)

I was dead tired but I got home.. but couldn't really sleep after drinking a big cup of ice-blended coffee -_-"

Going Out with Relatives from Singapore

My relatives from Singapore came over to Penang and Perak for Chinese New Year.. After my 1.5 hour delay on Fireflyz, I finally reached Penang on January 24, near midnight.. -_-"

The next day we went to Queensbay Mall (QBM) for window shopping.. Well, did anyone notice that the decoration at center court in QBM is the SAME every single year? -_-" The same bridge, the same boat, the same words.. *yawn*

My sister, my cousin and I..

I'll be sending my sister off at the airport this Friday evening.. She'll graduate end of this year.. My brother will be flying back to Brisbane 3 weeks later.. He'll graduate this July ;) (Hopefully!) Muahaha..:P

Simon's Mom's Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Simon's mom's birthday three times in a week :P First, Simon's parents, Simon's eldest brother and family, Simon's third brother, Simon's youngest brother and family, and I were having dinner at Restaurant J.O located at 21-23, Jalan SS15/4B, Subang Jaya last Saturday.. I would say the food there is delicious..

Then, we had another dinner at Pizza Uno in USJ Taipan (near HSBC) a few days later.. This is my all-time favourite restaurant for Italian food! Wait, is it my birthday? Why did we go to MY favourite restaurant? :P

I think my mom would like this Aglio Olio! I'll bring her there if she ever find the chance to take leave.. My mom works 7 days a week.. -_-" Next, on January 22, we bought Mango Yogurt cake from Cake Sense.. wait a minute, isn't that my favourite flavour?

Baby Hayden stealing the spotlight..

Baby Hayden waiting patiently for his slice of the cake..

Happy Birthday Hiew!

It was Hiew's birthday on January 21.. Twelve of us went to Kenny Rogers for his birthday celebration.. Too bad HL didn't bring his DSLR over -_-"

After lunch, Hiew cuts his cake in his office ;)

Birthday gift to Hiew from me, Simon, KK, HL, SY, Jason, Andy, Ganesh, KL, Ah Mao, FL, Hui Na, David, Biruntha, and Azalea!

David also bought Irish chocolate from UK for Hiew..:)

Dinner with My Relatives from Melbourne

Uncle TC and family came over to Malaysia for Chinese New Year.. They are in Malaysia for 3 weeks.. Travelling from Penang to Perak to Kuala Lumpur to Johor to visit all relatives..

Aunt YL's brother suggested Bak Kut Teh and Steamed Fish along Old Klang Road.. The shop is famous for those dishes.. it's located 2 doors away from Ambank..

Uncle TC and family and I ;) Simon was the photographer :P

There are two shops famous for these dishes.. the one beside the bridge (in red circle) is not a proper shop.. but the locals say more tourists visit that place.. the one in yellow circle is the shop 2 doors away from Ambank (used to be Maybank before they moved across the road).. just as delicious!

Shu Yun's Belated Birthday Celebration

Shu Yun is another year older~ her bf (Jason) organised a birthday lunch at Nagas.. Since we're not really fans of Indian food.. I ordered Maggi Goreng instead :P

Birthday girl is sitting down..

Birthday girl thinks she looks older if she sits down, so she stood up to snap another pic with us..

Birthday girl and I, facing the fan to enjoy the 'windy' effect..

Birthday girl and the guys..

All of us at Nagas, except Ah Mao because he's the photographer :P

Shu Yun's birthday cake! Yes, from Baker's Cottage again :P Bought by KK!

Shu Yun's birthday present walking towards her with her birthday cake..

That's Shu Yun cutting her birthday cake ;)

Shu Yun's birthday gifts: Couple key chains ;) She claimed it's not fair because it's HER birthday but her bf gets part of her gift as well :P

Guys' Answers to Sanitary Pad 2

So, we found out some men don't know that there are no S/M/L sizes for sanitary pad.. but.. do they know how many disposable sanitary pads women use (on average) in a month? Let's see..

HL: Actually, buying sanitary pad for SY as birthday gift is not a bad idea..
HL: Which can be used for 1 year
HL: economical and practical
Me: What? What do you mean by using sani pad for 1 yr?
HL: Buy a dozen then mah can use for 1 year lor

KK: OMG.... He thought 1 piece use for 1 month?

Then I gave second chance to HL to guess the right number (average)..

HL: 3 pieces in a month
CS: 3 to 4 pieces in a month
Ah Mao: 5 pieces or less in a month
JKNM: 5 pieces in a month

Then I gave third chance to HL..

HL: 1 morning, 1 afternoon, 1 night.. 5 days of period, so need 15?
Me: Well, roughly around there!

Then, KK asked me to call my brother to test him again..

Me: How many disposable sanitary pads do a woman usually use in a month?
Bro: 15!
Me: Wah!!! How you know!!??
Bro: One day use 1 mah! Period lasts 15 days in a month what! You never study Bio?
Me: You failed your Biology in high school ar!!??
Bro: ........

Guys, basically how many we use per month depends on the 'flow', and the 'sizes' (e.g. slim, regular, maxi, overnight) used.. there are also washable (and reusable) ones (yucks!).. but typically the flow for the first 2 days may be heavier than the remaining days.. and change sanitary pads every 2 to 8 hours (depending on flow)! Normally, the flow is about 3 to 5 days per month, but some may have to suffer longer days.. some doctors will advise those girls to take some medication to regulate menstrual cycle..

Spring Cleaning Is...

Chinese New Year is approaching.. I have to clean my house! Although it's about the same weather all year round in Malaysia.. therefore, spring cleaning is...

To wash all the curtains in the house..

To clean the dining area and wash the cushion cover..

To clean kitchen top..

To scrub every car porch tile and clean the store room..

To vacuum and mop the floor..

To wipe my desk and clean the toilet..

To clean all the swivel fans (dissemble all parts and clean) and clean the living area..

To move the furniture around and clean dirt hiding beneath it..

Last but not least, to send your bf to wipe all the ceiling fan, scrub toilet, clean air-cond units and vacuum + mop floor! Muahahaha!

Thanks to Simon and Janice for helping me to clean the whole house! :D

Guys' Answers to Sanitary Pad

It's Shu Yun's birthday on January 17. KK (a girl), HL (a guy) and Ah Mao (a guy) have been discussing what to buy for SY (a girl)..

Ah Mao: We need to buy something which a girl will definitely use ..
KK/ HL: Sanitary pad!
HL: But.. do we know what size she's using? S/M/L?
KK: *Shocked beyond words and looked at Ah Mao, hoping to get some assistance*
Ah Mao: Ya hor.. buy S, M or L ar?
KK: *Staring at Ah Mao in disbelief then calls out to other male interns*

In fact.. this is what the guys think:

KK: Do you know if there are different sizes for sanitary pad?
ASY: Got sizes right? As in the length?
ESKJ: S/M/L?
AG: I never wear before, how I know?

Not satisfied with her findings, KK asked her bf.. but luckily he guessed correctly! KK is so proud of her bf...

There are NO sizes, guys! Depending on their absorbency, they are called - mini, light, regular, maxi and super maxi, classic, super long maxi, extra heavy weight, and heavy, moderate and light use ones; or even tampons.. with wings or without wings.. but not S/M/L!

I've then asked Simon:" What size of sanitary pad do you think I wear?" (Ok.. the question is misleading!)
Simon:" Medium?"
Me:" What!!??"
Simon:" Got light flow, medium flow and heavy flow I thought?"
Me:" Oh... true.. :P"

Not satisfied with our findings, I called my brother...
Me:" Pig, I wanna test you"
Bro:" Shoot the question!"
Me:" Do you think there are sizes for sanitary pad?"
Bro:" No" (answers without hesitance)
Me:" Wah! How you know the right answer!?"
Bro:" Logically mah.. it's not like a pants, why need sizes?"
Me:" Wahh.. I'm proud of you!"
Bro:" So, what's my reward/ prize?"
Me:" Don't have"
Bro:" Then don't ask me questions if you're not prepared to reward me!"
Me:" ........"

Note: This post is partially contributed by KK

A Visit to Ti-Ratana

Simon's mom and friends decided to visit orphanages again.. So, on January 11, we went to buy groceries from Mydin first (wholesale department).. There's a big orphanage + old folks' home in Desa Petaling, known as Ti-Ratana Welfare Society.. it houses about 200 orphans, including 30 infants who were abandoned by their parents.. and more than 50 senior citizens!

Unlike the other orphanages I visited in Penang.. the orphans in Ti-Ratana were very friendly and cheerful! I'm happy to see that they were not isolating themselves or look depressed!

One of the kids kept hopping onto Simon's back for piggy back -_-" He kept shouting:"Gor gor, bao bao!" (Carry me!).. Simon was so happy that the lil' boy called him 'gor gor', instead of 'uncle' or 'ah pek' :P

There were a few buildings, this is the old folk's block..

Simon's mom and friends donated some groceries for the kids.. I packed some clothes for the old folks.. because Simon couldn't fit into S size pants anymore now could he :P In fact, he hasn't worn those pants!

We played Who's Got Bush with the kids.. in fact, they demanded us to teach them how to play! (the game is similar to Donkey) They were very outgoing and not shy at all! I thought we may have problem reaching out to them! Instead, I was the one feeling shy~

Another visitor who came to visit the orphans is a hair stylist.. and volunteered to cut the orphans' hair! :)

The orphans didn't really need much.. their wish list consists of pretty simple things:

- Medication
- Single bed pillow, bedsheet and mattresses
- Pacifier
- Milk Bottle and milk powder
- Wet Tissue
- Pampers
- Baby Shower Gel
- Baby Lotion & Shampoo
- Baby Pillow & Mattresses
- Washing Power (Machine Used)
- Dish Wash Detergent
- Toilet Detergent
- Umbrella/ Raincoat
- Round Table for 10 pax
- Hand Wash Liquid
- Toothpaste/ Toothbrush
- Food
- Stationery

They are located at Lot 16106, Jalan 13 B, Salak South Bahru (Desa Petaling), 57100 Kuala Lumpur; +603-7988 1818; admin@ti-ratana.org.my

Happy Birthday Pig Lin!

Happy birthday to my dear sister - Chin Lin!

I bought her a 320Gb external hard disk as birthday present -_-" When will you buy presents for me :P

Zeff's Wedding

I last attended Malay wedding when I was a little kid.. Our colleague (Zeff) invited us to his wedding (bersanding) in Shah Alam on January 4! A little something different for me (don't have to bully heng dais, don't have to yum seng.. LOL!)

It's really difficult to find his place.. Yoon Onn was lost too.. Simon and I spent 1 hour 20 minutes to reach Zeff's place!

Upacara suap-menyuap.. Zeff and his beautiful wife - Lina!

Rafeeza and her sayang, Zeff, Lina and family, Simon and I! I borrowed the blue baju kebaya from Janice (she borrowed it from her best friend - Mei Ling).. this dress is really cooling even though it was a hot day!

Then it was Yoon Onn's turn to take picture with the couple ;) Eh, Yoon Onn, where's your DSLR? -_-"

Well, all these weddings probably explained why I was so busy lately? Hahaha..

Rafeeza, Biruntha and I ;) (I should be wearing Cheong Sum, right? LOL)

Biruntha and her hubby taking picture with the couple!

Zeff is 6 ft 3.. he's too tall! LOL..

We left around 3.30pm, before it started raining!

Congratulations again Zeff and Lina! ;)

Denissa's Wedding (KL)

I attended Denissa's wedding (morning session) as ji mui on January 3.. Her family rented an apartment at Somerset near Bukit Bintang.. Thanks to Phaik Hoon for giving me a lift!

Security was pretty tight at the apartment, so the bride's mom came downstairs to lead us to the apartment.. however, because there were 3 brides at the same block.. her mom led the wrong girls to the apartment! Hahahaha! Denissa was wondering if we brought other friends!

All the ji muis getting ready! The theme was blue!

Denissa and her relatives..

One more picture before the bridegroom and heng dais arrive..

Stage 1: Limbo rock.. (again) :P

Stage 2: Yoga challenge (6 poses).. Triangle pose was pretty easy..

But one of the heng dais had problem doing the boat pose and needed help from other heng dais to bend his legs forward.. LOL!

Stage 3: Signing 2 love contracts! All rules were handpicked by the bride! :P (Pre-ordered several months ahead!)

Stage 4: Q&A session (What's your wife's shoe size, what's her favourite colour, when did she have chicken pox, etc.) and the bridegroom answered ALL correctly! Woo hoo!

Stage 5: Sing love song to the bride.. the bridesmaid came out to inform the bridegroom to switch to another song.. :P

After all these easy challenges.. the bridegroom (Wai Koon) finally gets to meet his lovely bride!

Bride and bridegroom ;)

Bride and ji muis!

Denissa, Wai Koon, 7 heng dais and 7 ji muis!

At the bridegroom's house.. Congratulations again Denissa! She'll return to Sydney on January 9..

I didn't attend the wedding lunch (after all, I've attended the dinner in Penang) because I had to attend Simon's nephew's birthday party in Klang!

Taman Rekreasi Air Panas (TRAP)

I had been working on my thesis on New Year! To reward myself, Simon brought me to Taman Rekreasi Air Panas (TRAP).. hahaha.. trap (what a name!) :P or better known as Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park! It's pretty easy to get there.. all you need to do is exit at Sungkai on North-South highway, pass the toll, turn left at traffic light, go straight (follow signboards), 1km later turn left into trunk road and follow the signboards all the way! From KL, it will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes to reach TRAP! For details about driving direction, please click here.

The park was recommended by my brother and his gf.. and he told us to bring eggs to boil and eat :P Alternatively, you can buy 5 eggs for RM2.00 at the park..

There was specific instruction on how long you should boil the eggs (the water is about 90 to 100 degree celsius).. The instruction says we should not boil crab, prawns, vegetables and so on :P Who boiled those things in hot spring!? They wanted to poison themselves huh?

We brought soy sauce too :P

After eating, we walked to the Thereupatic Park..

Simon seems to be alright walking on those stones.. my feet really hurt when I stepped onto those stones (with some water from hot spring flowing on top of it).. I guess I wasn't healthy? -_-"

Next, we soaked ourselves in hot springs.. there were a few pools.. 30 to 35 degree celsius, 35 to 40 degree celsius (which is already unbearable), and then 40 to 45 degree celsius (in which some people only soak their feet for a while)..

We were advised not to soak too long (30 minutes maximum) but because I wasn't wearing my watch.. I probably DID soak too long -_-" I ended up feeling a bit dizzy and tired.. and went for the cold pool instead..

It was quite a nice place to hang out.. probably we should come again in bigger group and have picnic!

On the way back to KL, traffic was pretty bad.. this was the reason!

New Year's Resolution

It's that time of the year again to set New Year's Resolution and review my new experiences (good or bad) in the previous year -_-" Click here to see NY's Resolution of previous year..

What I have done last year (2008):

1. Took part in 10km marathon again
2. Travelled to Hong Kong/ Macau
3. Bought my desired camera (Canon PowerShot SX110IS)
4. Became a bridesmaid for the first time
5. Maintained a record of attending more than 10 weddings in a year
6. Donated blood for the first time
7. Experienced the shock when my dad was slashed and robbed
8. Had my wisdom tooth pulled out..
9. Drank detox tea for the first time
10. Flew on Fireflyz for the first time and never felt so scared on air before :P (Nah, they have new airplanes now and they even serve refreshment on board!)

What I have set to achieve but failed miserably:

1. I did not lose weight (probably only lost 1kg)
2. I haven't got the time to snap glamour pics yet -_-" Damn it, I'm too old for it! My deposit expires on 1 April 2009!
3. I did not lead a healthier lifestyle

What I intend to achieve this year (2009): (I'll try to be less ambitious)

1. Try to lose weight? -_-"
2. Complete my PhD by end of the year
3. Going to Gold Coast (for my brother's + sister's convocation) and Cairns (for diving) in December

Hehe.. wish me luck!