Dreams may come true...

I had quite a dream last night, dreamt of Prince Harry looking for a date for his brother Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton's next year. Woke up feeling the need to find him a date if he's not already seeing Chelsy Davy. If things were that easy, just a call away, or a text to let him know, not to worry as I will be unoccupied and available for sure AND would love to be his date. One can only dream. Will update you how it goes in my dream sometime in April. I'm on conz269@gmail.com

Back to Basics... AGAIN!

Reasons why women date the wrong guy:

Loneliness and insecurity
Believing that the relationship is the solution to their problems
External pressures to get married
Thinking that “he will fix me” or “I will fix him”
Ignoring red flags and gut feelings
Focus more on chemistry than on character.
Do not share common life goals and priorities.
You get intimately involved too quickly.

Let this be a reminder to me.

This is what i'm currently reading:

WHY do men just disappear??
The biggest peeve is not the fact that men disappear, its the fact that they disappear without warning... its the most terrible feeling in the world to have no closure. To go from hot to cold without warning... its maddening! would even appreciate an email saying that a person's simply not interested and wants to close contact. At least you aren't wondering if the bloke is dead.... Regardless, we always move on; but it never makes it better... just makes us all more cynical.

Cheers!

I hate cos I'm envious

I can't sleep. I think the previous post got me thinking a tad too much. I'll be 26 in 26th Sept. When I was 11, I told myself that I will be madly in love, married and live happy. Time is chasing up on me and I know I can't live up to my childhood dream. 11 was when I first saw a couple making out at the back of the school and people around didn't matter. I stared and thought, I'll get there some day. 5 months to go and I'm no where close. This saddens me. I hate the fact that people say, be patient, your time will come, maybe you should focus on your career, go back to school, move countries, he'll come soon, etc. I hate going to movies with couples. I sit alone with no one but the popcorn bucket to hug. I hate valentines cos I get no gifts. I hate those matching coloured couple t-shirts. I hate PDAs! I hate it when girls say 'my boyfriend bought me this bag/jewelry/car'. I hate weddings. I hate births. I hate the fact that I've forgotten how to smile genuinely.

Fortune Teller Experience:

He wasn't that old, was like my dad's age. Mid 50's maybe. He has a business card too! He didn't find me nor did I stumble on him. A friend who's crazy about the 9th dimension introduced me to this character. The fortune teller lives in a shack, 1 room and that's it. That 1 room was decorated with relics, hand carved statues and manuscripts. He is chinese. I was pretty nervous as it was my first time. He could be phony, I mean what fortune tellers have business cards? Someone who cares about the important element of their visual identity? Or could he be the real-deal and has god's telephone number? Let me rundown to what he actually did:

He asked for the time of day I was born, went through his library and looked at the water, fire, etc elements. Next, was palm reading. Then it was me shuffling a deck of cards. All this went by so slowly and cos he spoke hockien, I was a bit lost. I wished I had google translate with me. I have jotted down most of the things he said and the numbers he gave me. Those numbers were considered as lucky numbers, so I went to buy 4D for two weeks and won nothing (not-so-lucky-aye). He told me I would lose a lot of blood this year, and to avoid that from happening I should donate my blood. I went to the hospital the other day, the nurse took a sample of my blood and I'm not a suitable candidate for blood donation cos of my low blood platelet. That didn't work out well. Instead I came home with a packet of 30 5mg folic acid tablets. He told me my boyfriend is around me and I will come to be aware of it 6 months down the line, that will be in June. So far I have had nothing but really bad dates and dry spells. Hmm, what next, he told me there is someone out to get me, to take me down and ruin my life. I can't think of anyone else but two of my ex bosses. Boy did I hated them so much. Plus job wise, he told me I am working in the wrong country because my talent is put on limitations. There were a lot of other nice things he said, like I know what I want and my future is secured and all. Funny thing is I don't even like my full time job at the mo. I'm always miserable. I tipped him 20 brunei dollars. Maybe tipped is not the word to use? Donate maybe? For him to buy more incense :) Was a rather weird feeling for me.

I'll hit you with something random: Just a week ago, I dreamt of a massive snake, it bit my hair. Last night, I was in my friend's car and I spotted a snake down town. Some passer bys tortured it with bricks and stuffs. Creepy.

Guess Where?

Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been busy. Will fill you in with what's been happening with me soonish. For now enjoy the pics readers, that is if I have any. Anyone?

Halloween Weekend, The night before.

Here are some pics, I'm too lazy to blog. Knock yourself out.

Hottest Halloween costume

Joker and Sarah Palin were last years. Would MJ be this years? or blood-thirsty vamps?

OMG says this year's hottest Halloween costume: Kate Gosselin.
Her wig resembling her amped up, asymmetrical hairdo is now available online ($14.99; www.buycostumes.com). You think I can pull off a Gosselin? The stylish "hairpiece" will make people think I have eight children. Lol

Aside from the hairpiece, that I can do without and still have 8 kids. I could be Octomom, seems easy to full off...I got the locks but I gotta purchase those dolls.

KIDS: Little boy from Up would be a good character for the kids. Easy to dress up. or you could be a sexy scout.
I have no interest on being Jacko, Vamps, Dorothy, Lady Gaga or Potter. Apart of me wants to be preggers and thinks Juno would be a really good character. Seems pretty outdated though. ANY IDEAS? FILL ME IN!

Mid Autumn Festival a wet affair

The Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar and is celebrated today 3rd October. We held a run in conjuction to this and almost everyone brought their bought or homemade or junglemade lanterns. My lantern was soaking wet as I didn't shut the top of my convertible again. I never really do learn my lesson, do I. I have taken only two pics that night and will upload more once I get hold of better quality pictures. As much as I want to say we ate mooncake under the moon, well, we didn't. Instead we had our mooncakes and laksa under the tent that was squashed up with front runners, snail pace people like us and some fresh blood. A wet affair in BSB's Mid Autumn Run. You must be wondering which function to the blurry effect on my cam. A pro wouldn't tell.
Here is a DIY lantern, the best being showcased that night. If only i had the talent, determination, if only, if only...

The Samba marches on.

It was June 28 2006, late it was that night i remembered. Cold too. I parked my car. Walked to the lounge. Sat on their chunky couch. Their airconditioning unit continued to give me the chills. He was worried as to why i didn't help myself to the food. As to my reply, I recall saying I had food poisoning a day before. It was unfortunate timing but that was what made every second of what happened a life moment. He persuaded me to select a team, from the lounge's massive screen. I ,after a lot of thinking, had picked Brazil. He, on the other hand, without much of a choice, automatically had Ghana. It was the world cup. It was also the day I came to be aware of such global event and it too was our first date. Brazil scored 3 goals and Ghana none. I predicted the victory and in turn the chills were non felt. Three years later, as to now, the chills have started to slowly crept back, breaking my bubble, creating a mess. I had feel, felt, found and forgotten how fragile i was. Tomorrows rain will wash the stains away. But some things in our minds will always stay. Happy silver natal anniversary to me.

A lil' change is good for the heart

This is going to be a blurt out whatever comes to mind post as I am test driving my new layout. Very messy compared to my previous organised lil' compartments if you ask me. I've been m.i.a lately and so have the comments on this blog. So do help yourself with the shoutbox on the left and type in some kind words. I had a long day yesterday as my VW you see on the earlier post died on me. I came home in a tow truck from the skate store. Thanks Ahmad (he's my tow truck driver and he gave me his business card...does that mean he wants me to call him?) Lol...Ahmad was being cheeky on me as he kept bending down to reveal his butt crack. I guess he wanted to do the 'skanky-thong-hanging-out-of-pants' move. The ride in the tow truck was 15 minutes but it felt like one of the longest ride I have ever been on. Ahmad left my car 'topless' in the garage, dad immediately took the keys and tried starting the car. IT WORKED FINE! I felt so sorry for myself that glacierly slow night. This here is my sudden stop, pull the hand breaks as I cruise into bed and park myself next to Mr.Boxster, I mean Bolster.

Thanks Mr. Biker

I don’t know if you’ve heard of a joke about a blonde and her convertible. Well, guys often crack a joke on blondes driving in the heavy rain with the convertible’s top down. I was that blonde an hour ago as I took the convertible out with top down and cruise my way back home from work. I had to pull over under a bridge and put up the top. Thankfully a biker helped me out with the canvas. I was drenched in my own car, nothing in comparison to a topless woman in the rain; obviously she tends to look better. You will never know when it is going to shift from sprinkle to downpour. Now I’m just keeping myself warm, so much for a joyride.

On the run, On the blob *updated*

Updates: I finished the run. Yay! So proud of myself. I tend to give up midway or an hour in and do a u-turn out. It was the good company that kept me going. That helps a lot. I have lots of events to attend this week. Will up date soonish. This week's skip along will be in conjunction with Singapore's National Day, August 9 , we will be dressed in Red and White on the run or at the On On. Here are more pictures and mind you, we look our worse when hashing...kinda scruffy looking...think I forgotten to shave that day :P. The pictures will sort of depict a guide to the social life of an early man and I threw in a surprise for you readers as well! Hah!

Not-so-old news:In an hour fifteen, I will have to run the hills of Diplo. Not too energetic about it as I am on the blob. Sun, sweat, mud, streams, twigs, bugs, all I have to combat as I storm into the woods. I spotted a chameleon in the woods once but have not seen a komodo or monitor lizard yet and I do hope it will not show itself today as it can sniff blood from miles and hunt me down.










SURPRISE! Ya didn't think I was gonna throw in a picture of my part time job as a track girl at the autoshows, did'cha?

Smack me with a telephone directory

I have three assignments due in…(choose to not remember dates), hence the very appropriate title to my post. Nikki said most of the postings on my blog are ‘too serious'. Thanks for your feedback Nikki and here are some Eskimo Kisses for you, just the way you like it. Now, the little fun post dedicated to my already wide range of audience. I’m going to start with some statistics:

Over half (56%) of women polled said they would be more than happy to propose to their boyfriend, with seven in ten women day-dreaming of getting married at least once a day. (So ladies, to pop or not to pop, that is the big Q!)

Low fat camel's milk chocolate is due to hit shelves.(Yes, you read right, camel it is.)

Now an official line up on how uneventful my day went:

6.00 am: Ti, ti, ti, ti, ti (mobile alarm)
6.15 am: Ti, ti, ti, ti, ti (snooze)
6.30 am: Shower and replace bands on my braces
7.10 am: Drive to work in my 4X4
7.20 am: Temperature scans 35.7 deg cel.
7.30 – 12.30 pm: Work mode + trying to spot the 6 min solar eclipse
12.30 – 2.15pm: Cook instant noodle + NAP
2.30 – 4pm: Back to the office
4.00 – 6pm: REST
7.00 – 11 pm: On air 95.9FM
12. 40 am – now: blog posting + Tim Tam Slam

Done with my very electrifying itinerary above, now time for some pictures of...Yeap you've guessed it!

Nikki did my make up. She gave me the elegant/innocent look. Pic taken by Devin. HEARTS.
Pretending to sleep in the terminal. Aww... look at those cute toes! KISS.(massage pls)
I was an extra in one of the scenes of the Bollywood movie. Pic taken by Rano.

Ngirup tuak - Gawai Festival

The smell of Tuak(s) is/are like perfumes, some you love, others are acceptable and some you loathe them! Does Tuak smell like armpits to you? I can bring to mind the smell of Tuak in my shot glass that night. I made sure I was not hallucinating. It seems to me like Tuak is made from rice, stuffed in the armpits while you do some vigorous exercise for many weeks. Mind you, that is just one of the 5/6 senses to deal with; the taste on the other hand is unbearable (for me). Wiki describes Tuak as ‘an alcoholic beverage made of fermented rice, yeast and sugar and drunk in Borneo and East Malaysia. The beverage is a popular drink among the Ibans of Sarawak during the Gawai festivals. The same word is used for other drinks in Indonesia, for example the palm wine of the Batak people of North Sumatra.’
Somehow my description of tuak has upset many indigeneous people and now knows why my write up has been declined by Wikipedia. That night, the wannabe natives and I did our task in the décor department hanging banana leaves around the premises. Celebrated 1st June, known as the harvest festival,we sang, dance and drank just like New Year and Christmas. It was a truly remarkable experience for me.

Tossing for LOVE

Mom, typical Chinese lady from Ipoh, small town, big family. I spoke to her recently about the hype of this Ba Chang festival. I went to two Chinese restaurants and ba changs were all sold out. She told me ladies who throw ba chang out into the sea are those seeking for love, a husband perhaps. Mom, lady with so many made-up theories, you can never quote her on it. I may not agree with mom but I have to say I like the idea of it. There are a number of theories about the origin of this Ba Chang Festival. But before we get into that, let me describe the perfect ba chang filling that would make my day. It has got to be in a pyramidal shape, I don’t like those in rectangular form. It has to have half a salted egg or duck egg. There must be no peanuts! No chestnuts! Mushroom is a must and pork is mandatory. That’s how I like it. Now back to my very limited knowledge of Chinese folklore, Raymond whom I had lunch with told me tossing ba chang into the sea is to ward off disease or evil. It made perfect sense to me as I tried to sense a collective nostalgia of what my Popo or Kung Kung would have said to me as a form of their folklore. But really after a lot of googling, the reason why we toss ba chang out into the sea is because of this ONE MAN! He must be someone really special innit to have people all over the world do that. Here is one of the many theories of the origin. It is meant to honor Qu Yuan (340-278 BC.), the pioneer poet of ancient China. Qu Yuan was a famous poet who was also concerned about the fate of his government. Unfortunately his stature aroused the jealousy of the king, who banished him to a remote area. The poet despaired of the government and its policies. When the state's capital was captured by enemies, he committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River (on May 5th according to the Chinese lunar calendar). The Chinese people felt this loss deeply, as he was a much beloved poet. Local folk searched for him in the river, meanwhile dropping dumplings of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves into the river in order to keep the fishes from attacking Qu Yuan's body.

Another story I heard had something to do with the king’s mistress. The King’s interests were in wine, women and songs. And this man who cared for the kingdom delivered his advice to the king but it fell on deaf ears. He drowned himself as a way of proving to the king that the intention of the King’s mistress was not genuine and to create bad blood in the kingdom. There are so many different takes on it but I have to say mom’s story really hit the roof. All my friends laughed as I told my family’s version of the story. It was a good day nonetheless; we had fun, watched the sunset, made a wish and toss our ba chang into the sea. Raymond challenged me in a game of making an egg sit. It is one of the many other traditional activities that are still practiced in this festival.

The future of Sarawak's Penan

Last week’s charity skip along took us past rows of bright, glossy, firm Asian cucumber-like gourd known to me today as Angled Luffas. I met some of the farmers working on their crops and it was sun down. Never have I seen such dedicated farmers in my years of living. The walk along the beach shores had a gorgeous view but it made us clamped our nose. I can bring to mind the smell that drifted through the air. It smelt like salty dead fish, seaweed and Joey’s cologne drenched in sweat. What really hit me hard in that week’s skip along was the slide show projected in the woods of the Rapier Range. The commitment of two expat English teachers in Brunei that I had newly acquainted with spoke to me about the Penan children of Sarawak, part of their Borneo Project. The Penans have one of the lowest rates of education in Malaysia with 40% never attended primary school and 90% never made it to secondary school. L&M had dedicated their off-hours offering assistance to the Penan of Sarawak. The stories made my heart weep and I sponsored a Penan child for a year that night, this would help in his/her medical and educational needs. I was amazed with L’s accomplishments. She has written a set of story books in native Penan language and had distributed them to indigenous preschools. This would help the children to slowly make a transition to public schools taught in English and Malay, languages they are unfamiliar with.
The Penan are the last surviving hunter-gatherer tribe in South-East Asia, they have received more international attention than the other tribes of Sarawak. There are about 10,000 Penan in all, around 350-500 are nomadic but due to the impact of logging on their lands, less than sixty families are now able to continue the traditional way of life . The rest are either semi-nomadic or live in settlements. Life for the Penan is now extremely difficult because of the destruction of their forests.

An escape to AmiriCA

I did an escape to the border today. Drove my way past 30 hectares of burnt land that supposedly happened over the last two weeks. The sight of the post bush fire somewhat looked like it was caused by man. With the vast land, illegal farming activity is suspected and ignition risk is predicted. But really, I like to rewind the story and take you into my border experience. With the AH1N1 at loose, both the Malaysia and Brunei borders stationed health officers at location. The Brunei border carried out verbal Q & A on where did you come from, are you feeling well and were you from the airport check. The Malaysian border however distributed yellow A4 sized paper with two sections, one of which was about identity and the other was a health related check. I did section A easily but just as I got to section B, I tuned out. It was written in the Malay language and no translation were given. Its not because the language used was complex but the real problem is that the questions were lengthy and required a lot more comprehensible input. Essay type questions for a health check? Really it should have been easy straight to the point questions or maybe, just maybe, this virus is deadlier than I thought. I guess the sold out hand sanitizers might have added up to the hype.

So now its 202

Yes, I have not been blogging. I have got 101 + another 101 reasons to why I have been MIA. Its not easy being me that's for sure and I don't just say this because its a line used by most people these days but I genuinely mean it. The issue with my blog and I is that we would like to share so much but an ounce of peace was what we opted for. It seemed to us that the kick start to type was like an enemy we had to gun down. Funny that because I have written numerous essays months before and months to come. Essays? Yes like 1500 word write ups and books as high as Shahbandar Hill to put my nose on. The ICELT is currently what I'm busy waging wars on. Fortunately, the fight will end in September just in time for my natal silver jubilee anniversary. This is however depressing because through my adolescent years, my aim was to get hitched at 25. Time is chasing up on me and suitors are low in supply. How can we overcome my demand? When equilibrium is not met? Let me put this into another context, just as Obama celebrated his first 100th days, swine flu affair sets in and the principal obstacle is the lack of vaccines. Which is equitable to: I am the swine and the lack of vaccines are my suitors. Politically romantic implicated much?! The deprivation bubble I bum in is taking a toll on me. I will stop here for some ounce of peace to charm in again. Till my next post, bless me with some love and disco sticks.

Will Gayana be next?

Manukan Island. This is one of the popular resorts at Kota Kinabalu and is the second largest of the five tropical islands. The island is known for its sandy white beaches and snorkeling. Being the backpacker I am, discovering things on my own, I didn't sign up on the tour packages but instead went on doing what I like to do which is exploring. With that I saved at least a 100 bucks.
What we had to pay for:
RM 50 - Boat ride back and forth per person
RM 20 - For goggles, snorkel and life vest (but you can rent them at the island itself at a cheaper price). You can pay a bit more for flippers if you want to swim faster.
RM 50 - Take away food for 13 people at one of the food stalls. Not bad. Unless you want to dine at one of the restaurants or buy the package tour.

* Note that we had to deal with an agent from Jesselton Point but do make sure you have proper goggles. Otherwise, you might be unlucky to get sea water leaking inside your goggles while snorkeling.

We didn’t try rafting and the banana boat looked tempting. Maybe next time? I, however, tried the parasailing (RM180 for 10 mins —> expensive aye?) but I really enjoyed the 10-minute parasailing. Two thumbs up. A friend of mine had a bad experience with the parasail in Empire. It may be cheaper but I do NOT recommend you to Parasail there after hearing the story, imagine falling high up from the sky crashing into the sea. Because their motor got jammed?! That's just mad. Inexperience. Which was why I rather pay a lot more for my safety.

All in all, it was great fun especially the snorkeling bit. A recommended island to visit if you happen to be in KK.