What happened to the lights?

Well, well...surprise surprise....I was @ One U again today. Yes, it is my frequent haunt these days. But with other places being less desireable it was the best choice of yet. At least until today.

Was watching the show Syrianna with Amran and Matt. About 20 minutes into the show. The power went off. Wooo...That's never happened before. The worse thing is that we were kept waiting for 15 minutes when GSC finally told us to get our refunds from the ticket counter. What a long line it was. Queing up to get our money back.

Heh, you can say that this is one of those very rare occasions that the entire mall gets blackouted during their peak period. One U probably should sue bloody TNB for ruining our movie. Heck, I will still be wondering what the movie is about now...

We thought of going down by the Parkson escalators, since the GSC ones were packed. Along the way, droves of cars were making a mass exodus out of the complex (I guess they figure "We aren't gonna sit in a stinking mall and get roasted!") . While we were walking in the parking lot, the power came back on. I was sure I could see all the drivers smacking their heads as they were waiting in line to get out.

So yeah, today was the day that One U got its lights turned off prematurely. Haha

CNY Day 2006

Ahh...its new years day. CNY has always been about tradition. The Visiting, the angpow collecting, seeing relatives, angpow collecting from them, more angpow collecting......angpows......Ok, maybe for most of us, angpows are the best things to happen this season. While our parents always remind us to save up, put them red packets in safe places (so that our greedy little hands can't reach 'em easily, places like the bank).

This year is a little differnt for me. It's a Sunday, hence Church comes into the schedule. Not much of a change really aside from going to grandparent's place slightly later than usual. The sole change that makes this CNY different from the rest, is that I will no longer be going to my grandaunt's place in Ampang Hilir. I've always looked forward to this event, as most of the cousin's that I know best (and are wihtin the same age group) are present. This is by far, the highlight of CNY, where everyone from my grandmother's side will gather at my grandaunt's residence in Ampang hilir (it being the biggest house amongst family members).

I can remember playing videogames (envying my cousins with the latest systems) and talking to my cousins whilst collecting angpows (yes, again) from my many relatives. Of course, since the family is big, I tend not to mix with a couple of relatives and give an obligatory nod or calling a person uncle or aunty when approached.

Yes, now those days are gone forever. My grandaunt had passed away earlier this year. So, as according to Chinese tradition (of what little I know of), the other family members are obliged to visit the elder's (who happens to be my grandma) home. Being the youngest of her four sisters, she is now also the last.

Ok, so enough with the old remenancing and such. I'm begining to sound old. In anycase, that was to pay tribute to my late grandaunt and thank her for graciously hosting CNY for 21 years.

Tonight's dinner was home cooked (if you haven't figured out, alot of Chinese shops are closed). So here are a few pics of dinner. Yum.

The Table is set!

In the words of Oliver, 'Food! Glorious Food!'

Later after dinner, went to One U to watch Fearless (a martial arts staring Jet Li, noted to be his last martial arts movie). One U surprisingly was not devoid of life as I had imagined. There were still alot of people up at the cinemas and at the few restaurants that bothered to open for business.

One U's Old Wing

One U's new section with it's American Gladiator like playground hanging in midair.

I was surprised to bump into Tze Lin after taking this pic. She was walking off to dinner with her mother, so I decided not to hold them back too long. Just a quick 'hi' and 'bye'. It's funny how I almost always meet people in One U. The cinema's (both TGV and GSC) were rather packed with movie goers going in and out.

Lines were still long. This was taken at 9.35pm CNY. Read that carefully.
What's wrong with these people?! Don't they balik kampung?

A side note, this new year's fireworks display was a real disappointment. The sky was hardly lit up at all. Just a few pops here and there. Nothing spectacular. Peh, CNY this year surely is different from the rest. Gotta get used to it. It's here to stay, change I mean.

Gong Xi Fa Cai Everyone

Well, its that time of the year again. Let's all sing Auld Lang Syne...

Wait...that's the wrong sort of new year song...Ok honestly I can't sing any of the normal new year songs that have been plaguing the airwaves of late. Neither Cantonese or Mandarin versions...

In anycase, Chinese New Year (CNY) is here again. Once again we are given a reason to celebrate the new year (especially in Malaysia, where public holidays are in abundance). If one new year wasn't enough, we have many more in Malaysia due to the multi-cultural background of the people.

For CNY, most of us will know it as Angpow collecting season until the very day we have to give angpows of our own. At least for now, let the adults roll out the cash as we cash in. Sadly, this year there will be fewer on my end, even fewer relatives to visit. Still, hope to meet some people during new year.

It's now...about 11.10pm. At the stroke of 12 there will be a furry of fireworks lighting up the night sky. Last year was my first time witnessing the Klang Valley and its surrounding areas blasting fireworks like there was no tomorrow. Lots of big houses in my neighbourhood had very long firework displays, some that lasted up to 10 minutes over. Really rich buggers aren't they?

Gotta get the cotton wool out soon before the fireworks start. Its going to go on for a while....

That's all for now. Gong Xi Fa Cai everybody!!!

Things are looking up

This little post goes out to point out that drivers in Malaysia are on their absolute worse behaviour. I don't know how low we have sunk, certainly don't know how much lower we can sink, but this is Malaysia (MALAYSIA BOLEH!). Yeah, 'boleh' my foot.

I have never really caught on with the phrase when it was first coined. Just when did it came about? I certainly never sought the phrase for meaningful insight when the world came crashing down... Possibly the phrase was created as a mean of instilling national pride etc. in the hearts of our citizens...Wheee...the marvels of propaganda.

So much for "instilling" national pride. It has pretty much gone down the drain. I think that alot of people what nothing to do with Malaysia at times. I feel hurt at times when I hear someone say "I'm thinking of migrating to Australia". It ticks me off to no end when people say this. Believe me, my list of people taking "permanent" vacations is growing every month.

There's also less and less talk on local stuff. I've been to two gathering with friends and alot of what they talk about relates back to things in Australia.

"Oh, did you take the tram down to A and see B?"

" Why yes! We had lunch at H!!It was specatcular! The burgers were THIS big!!"

"Oh! Comics here are so much cheaper here (Malaysia) than back home. When we convert our money back here, things are SO cheap!!"

"Hey! Meet you up at D! It's only a 20 minutes tram ride from my apartment"

The above are typical examples of conversations that I cannot engage in or have any specific knowledge to contribute to the conversation.

Sometimes I wish to explain to some of my friends that my student days are numbered. Yet, I receive suggestions on how it is so "practical" to shift out and get an apartment in K.L. Certainly that would save me the cost of travelling back and forth from P.J. when I go to work. But why shift out when I just only moved into my house a year or 2 ago? Seriously, I don't see how can the lowly freshgrad in K.L. can match up to the living standards of a prestigious Australian student.

I think aside from the fact that working people and students have very different lifestyles, the main fact is that K.L. is NOT Melbourne or any other city in Australia. We got our traffic jams (
a common thing in our modern world) and wonderful world class public transport system (which fails to live up to the standards of the developed country which we sought to become).

Frankly, with all due respect. I wish to point out that the two different lifestyles led by those students overseas and a soon-to-be salary person is too different. I will miss being a student for sure. I won't say that I want to remain a student former, there are gripes of being a student which I do not wish to repeat. All you still studying out there, will probably gloat as I toil at work. Fewer holidays, unflexible hours, weekends out....I can see 'em all coming...It's to be....Oh, well gotta move on anyway.....

It's all Under 1

The painters are finally gone today. It's the first best news I've heard since the begining of January. This means that the house can finally be back in order. The mess that they have caused can finally be brought to a stop. No more waiting until 12pm for them to go off for lunch. Meetings need not be postponed or limited anymore!!

So yes, good ridance to bad rubbish. I believe I'm allergic to them somehow, everytime they come into the house, my nose itches and starts to show sympthoms of a typical morning flu.

Went to One U today with Kat to buy a gift for a friend (who will be not named in the event that she may be reading this). Saw quite a number of Monash people around (including one lecturer). If I didn't know better, One U is the central meeting place of all Monash/Sunway people, coming in second place after Sunway Pyramid.

What's this? Ong (E-commerce Lecturer) is out to buy some new shoes?

This is a familiar scene when shopping for clothes

Finally, got myself a new shirt for new years. Took me long enough, but it was worth it I guess. I could never find a shirt that is of the right size in Reject Shop. So I resorted to going to WH. A little pricey, but I guess with price comes quality (this we will see after the shirt is first washed).

Beef Stroganof (not sure of spelling) at Robert Haris Cafe

Found this place called Robert Haris in One U. Thought it was going to expensive at first, but the prices were surprisingly reasonable (this coming a student, it definitely IS affordable to the average person). Wouldn't mind going back for a second try one day.

Paint and Bibi

This may sound really old now, but the painters have invaded my house again. That's no big surprise, we want them to finish the job before CNY. Sigh, pretty boring having to watch them. After all we all just want to make sure that things don't accidentally go missing...and I just realised that one item HAS gone missing...bloody bugger....shouldn't have trusted him with that pair of scissors....

Tsk, knew that he was the type to talk nice to you but can stab you in the back once you have your back turned to him. In this case, it is highly like that he may very well stab someone with that nice "new" pair of scissors.

Anyway, no point going over about that now...he's gone. Here are some shots of the house during the painting sessions. Actually, I never planned it but this is another photo gallery post since it is easier to explain stuff this way.

The house early this morning. They just started painting the base layer all around the place. Check out the wall.

The dinning room has never looked worse.

By mid afternoon this was as much as they had completed. Mom was so disappointed with the progress made. After all this was the only wall that showed significant difference.

Saw this page spread across the floor. Thought the way the titles clashed was funny.
'Kong is King like a Virgin'

This was my room as of 2 days ago.

My room last night

For comparison sake, this early pic shows the room with all the patches in the room.

My roomas of last night. Notice the big difference?

Had dinner at this place tonight. Bibi Chik, funny name.

Inside Bibi Chik

Of Pool, Tickets and Mamak

Today, the painters were at it again...it seems more like a daily routine now...they come they leave... they paint they leave....its always the same...On some days like today, they seem extra slow at doing their job. This is especially so since I had a runny nose for a good part of the morning.

My nose did no wonders for me as I sat in the living room (far by the dustiest part of the house) looking out for them. It is no wonder the moutain of tissue paper I used could soon match Mount Everest if given time to accumulate.

Left for One U at 2pm. Reached there just in time to see Amran and Matt come up to the parking lot. Having decided on initially eating at Secret Recipe, we instead went to the sole, one and only Dave's Deli in the whole of P.J. due to popular demand amongst the group.

Played a game of pool later. All the guys are playing worlds better than I was. At least managed to sink in a few balls and win a few games even if most of the shots were sunk by the other person.

The supposed proper arrangement for pool balls...I think.
Just a random pic in the pool place.

Funny thing was as we were walking to dinner, some lady (of working age and in office attire) stopped us and asked whether we would like 2 free tickets to watch Memoirs of a Geisha. Didn't look like a con. My deduction, possibly they bought extra tickets and their mates could meet them up to use 'em. Had to turn 'em down of course...no time for the movie at any rate.

Dinner at BK. Had the new Greek Lamb, which I mysteriously mistook it for kambing (or goat). Something drove me into thinking that it was goat, but it isn't. Anyway, was tasty. Certainly a nice alternative to the usual stuff like chicken, chicken, chicken and fish...

The Greek Lamb Burger
(copyright owned by Burger King)

Saw this stuff toy lamb, which looked similar to a gift I saw being given away the other day. Wonder if it is the pirated version. Thought I saw it being sold off at RM70, but this lamb only cost half the price. Weird stuff, check out this place called S & J at One U. Not sure if all the stuff is pirated or something.....

Buy me!! I'm original!!I promise I won't break apart when you hand me over!!

Short one

As much as I would like to post a long blog post, I can't namely...I'm having a bloody runny nose...Yes, my nose is on a marathon from here to Thailand..(why it wants to go there is beyond me)

Stayed at home the whole day. Watch the house being systematically defaced. Walls being marked where to paint...dust flying around...its all not pretty.

Sigh...hopefully I will be better by the next post...

The Painters are coming!! The Painters are coming!!

I awoke to the sound of chaos. My life was not in order in my many mornings spent in the new house. It was 9.20am....I had tuition at 10am....not a good thing to be waking up to. They came out of nowhere unannounced, unprepared with no paint, yet the job at hand was going to be extremely messy (lots of sandpapering to be done, lots of dust).

Went down to KL to pick Kat up and later headed over to KLCC to collect our tickets for the orchestra show next month. Lunch over there consisted of Salad and Seafood Chowder. An odd choice on my part considering that I always like a serving of rice to go along with any meal.

The Chowder and Salad

Went to the box office after lunch. Tickets were all ready to be collected. Cost less than i expected too. Kat tried asking for another concert but the tickets were already sold out. Believe it or not, the concert is to be held in March!! Talk about a kiasu bunch of people!!

Haven't got alot more to say or do in the day. Just that I got some pics of stuff along the way back.

At the right place, at the right time

Initially I wanted to get this road sign that was almost knocked over, all of a sudden, a bi-plane makes a low pass, thus completing this picture. Stroke of luck in timing of events.

The road sign is actually the one in the middle. Saw it the other day, its one of those speed limit signs. This one is at 50km/ph. The thing is, someone must have rammed straight into it, now leaving a small hole in the rail guard. The irony of things.

Another thing to fill in the blog post, an article in the newspaper today. Something about this criminal in the East Coast getting killed. In anycase, get this. He's the member of the Axe Gang......surely...these idiots can be more original than naming themselves after the gang from Kung Fu Hustle......

The guy's name is something to "feared" alright. Tiger Lu....hahahahah....yeah right..The Tiger needs to go to the loo....hah.

How does this loser compare to the guys below? In all likelihood, he is more pathetic along with a stupid nick name....

The fearsome Axe Gang in Kung Fu Hustle doing a their famous dance routine.

Blogging cause I CAN

Today represents a significant day. No, the world did not end. No, the sky is still blue. No, ear squats are still deemed permitable. No. Today I have absolutely no experience outside the four corners of my house. Save for a little excursion out to SS2 to collect my uncle's phone, I have been in the house for most of the day.

Instead, of the usual. I shall focus on news instead. Now relaying news isn't what I'm best known for. But I just wanna express my views on some stuff. First is the big news on the front page of the Star and News Straits Times (so happens that both of them reported with the same title on their front pages). Our nice Lebonese 'Billionaire' turns out to be a big fat useless fraud.

All the great talk of donating money is probably built on nothing. Just check out the number of people he owes. All of them complain about the blank checks issued and bills unsettled. Hah, talk about a load of BULLCRAP. He once owned (take great notice of the past tense) a Mercedes, which has since been repossed. He covers his @$$ by saying that he will buy another 7 Volvo's (Probably needs all the safety he can get when he gets hunted down by angry mobs).

Seriously man, do you know its bad to keep owing people like there's no tomorrow. Pretty soon their sons, grandsons and great grandchildren will come after you. Think about it. You, Elie Youssef Najem, are not a terribly intelligent person and most certainly NOT a billionaire.

Mama Mia!!! It is I Super Mario!!!
(Najeem: Actually, this is my secret disguise for occasions when my creditors come running after me)

Debt Free Sunday

Title of today's post is related to the sermon delivered in church today. How nice it is to be debt free? Having it written off by someone even though the amount is great? I wonder how many of us can be so generous....but one thing is for sure, there is one such person.....its the someone whom we can always look up to for such generosity, God alone.

Had another bday to attend to today @ Kat's place. Was her sis' bday, so I tagged along for the ride. Of course, it being her sis' bday, her friends were invited over. Lots of people who are on their way to getting jobs in a matter of weeks, most who have already worked for almost a year. Interesthing having to sit in and listen to their experiences. Talk of office politics, instances of getting robbed, the joys and pains (mostly pains) of being an auditor. Stayed over at ther place until 4.30.

Man, I feel so guilty over the consumption of 3 cakes over the course of 2 days. Yesterday it was Sabrina's chocholate cake. Today, it's Kat's sis' (Caroline) cheese cake PLUS her chocolate bday cake. Chocolate is a really popular flavour these days. I'm still a vanilla person nonetheless.

Hmm..aside from that...I will the pics to talk.

It may not look like much, but this is the first new rapid KL bus I've seen (was on my way to Kat's). Almost ran over my car, so much for safe public transportion.

This mask caught my eye. Saw it in Amcorp mall on my way to dinner. Interesthing to find something like this back here.

More accesories that seem to be taken right out of England. Interesthing how they found their way to Malaysia. Must cost a bomb.

One after another

It's another birthday day today, this time it is a friend of Kat's (Shook Ee). Was running late to pick up people from uni. The beauty of being in Malaysia, is that chances are, people are going to be late...sometimes later than me. Heh.

Been a while since I last saw this place. Nothing much has changed, save for the parking system.

Lunch was at Pizza Uno in Taipan, USJ area. Haven't been there in a long while. Possibly last time I was there was having lunch with Charlene. Some new buildings have come up over the years, couldn't see Mac D's from the main road even.

Lunch itself was spread over pasta and pizza. Shared among the whole lot of us. 12 people in total. At first, it seemed not filling, but at the end of it, there was the cake that Sabrina baked, we were stuffed anyway. Chocolate...so much chocolate...that brownie had me seeing chocolate stars.....pass the vanilla ice cream please.... The restaurant people had their jobs cut out for them, having to attend our little party. We not only demanded them to snap group pics of us, but we even had them sing Happy Birthdayduring the cake cutting part (guitar and mini-choir provided too).

Don't be fooled by its looks, it packs a punch!!

Now, it has occured to me that parking in Malaysia is not regulated. Heck, anyone can select a peace of land or even government owned spaces and charge people for parking. You know what they say, "The streets aren't so safe anymore, we can't guarantee the condition of car if you don't pay up....lots of nasty characters around here...(sinister snicker)..."

Today, I had experienced another such incident while we were out to dinner. In Sri Hartamas, there was this bunch of rough looking Malay and Indian guys (bloody idiots) who were sitting by the entrance to the parking places near the restaurant. They have a small little table there, ride around on motor bikes and apparently (from what we heard from the restaurant owner) they will smash any car's windscreen open if they don't pay up the RM5 fee.

That's right RM5 protection money. Bloody foos. I get cheaper rates in downtown KL. I don't mind RM3. Infact I had to pay RM3 for a space in USJ. These bloody baskets are deliberately taking advantage of people, charging them RM5. Of the all the bloody places....Can't stand these bloody jerks. Pisses me off when I see them. Infact, here they are now....

Stinking no good vermin. Sitting around and wait for the cash to flow in. Don't support them!!

Firday the 13th? Bah- Hum Bung

The first thought about it being Friday the 13th only struck me while I driving to Kat's place earlier today, listening to the radio along the way. Some superstitious kid was talking over the radio on how he tore his pants on the bus today and it all had something to do with Friday the 13th. Used to think this sort of stuff was real, bah.

Things like that happen to you either because it just does, or you want to make it happen. In all likelihood, you will blame anything bad on it being Friday the 13th...

So yes, fortunately I did not experience any sort of unwanted incidents, save for some close shaves in the car. Otherwise the day was as normal as can be.

Drove mom out to Seapark area to buy provisions. Had to entertain myself in the car. Saw this guy begging outside a shop. But this is no ordinary beggar!! He smokes!Ok, whats so fascinating? Well, for the very fact that basic human needs do not include cigarattes and alcohol, this guy's got them both!!

Cigarattes in one hand and a bottle of cheap alchohol in another. Hey! If you are trying to beg, have some sense and try not to look like a drunkard smoker who's out to make a quick buck!! Sheessh....

The strangely, well-off beggar

"Hey, missy. Got a buck or two so I you can see me smoke another fag (Cigarette)?"
Clearly, he does not NEED food since he can afford a cig.

Yeah, ok this guy does not deserve a spot on my blog, but I figure I want to point out that we as human beings should NOT indulge in these addictive bad habits that will no doubt OVERRIDE our basic needs.

Right, so after taking mom to the place and back, I was soon off to fetch Kat from her place. Way down to K.L. was slightly jammed but otherwise ok for a Friday afternoon. Stopped by at Great Eastern Mall, a sort of medium sized mall thats right opposite Glen Eagles Intan, Ampang. The place looked rather spiffy. Lots of foreigners hanging around there. Probably because there's an international school around the corner.

The main purpose of us being at the mall was to so that she could get her sis a present. Finally got a pair of earings that would be deemed suitable for work. Had lunch at this sort of Cable Car style of setting onli with more local dishes. Had Pineapple Fried Rice. Was pretty good, don't mind eating there again.

Now as a sharp constrast to the earlier described beggar. Here in Malaysia, there are lots of people faulting their stuff around. I see more Ferraris on the rounds than there were last time. People can change handphones every month. Lots of money gets spent. Now take a look at the newest way in which you can get rid of those extra ringgit!!

Look!! It's a pink fancy looking phone!! And it can be yours for a low price of RM2855 only!!

Later after buying some groceries and dropping them back at her place, went over to Times Square so I could use up a Border's cash coupon that my uncle handed to my dad. Bought The Time Travler's Wife and The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole.

I just couldn't resist writing some crap or putting up some sort of weird stuff in my entries. The above 2 are my lastest and certainly not my greatest yet. Everyday holds new wonders, more excitement.....more stupidity and utterly weird things that happen around every corner.

That concludes this edition of Friday the 13th, tune in next time to find out that this day is of no significant value and should not be treated as a bad day or any sort (Slips on a banana peel, falls down the stair case).

One way...

Ok I'm going to be really non-sensical here....but the summary of my day has been....

SSX Review, Chinese Tuition, Uni, One U, Broken Flowers, Teppanyaki, Walk, Send Review

Bleh. I am so lazy to go in further detail over these events.

My very very slow day

It couldn't have turned out any other way but this way. The way I've been kept as a prisoner of today. This very day has been churning along ever so slowly. Trapt like a prisoner of time, I feel the agony of awaitng each passing moment........

Ok, I'm no poet and I am not certainly some deep thinking guy who sits around in his room everyday (except Sundays and public holidays) brooding on the mysteries of life and why we are made sit out our miserable existance on this Earth.

No, today I just got a sudden rush of inspiration which led me to weave the previous paragraph. But believe me, the pain and agony....oh boy, there I go again.....is very much real. It didn't help that I got out of bed groggy and over all not feeling good.

Even Jinn Wei's bus (which is suppose to take him back to the NS Camp in Kelantan) arrived almost 2 HOURS LATE. Dad, Mom and myself were made to idle around the Kelana Jaya Stadium the entire time.

Yes, many painful moments arose today as we left the house late. JW forgetting some essential items not once, but twice. Making Dad run back to the house to get his belt when we just got the Stadium. Certainly, episodes to remember. Better and more entertaining than reruns of the Simpsons.

The Loooonngggg Wait Begins

During the waiting period, Mom and Dad had entertained themselves by talking to a few of the NS trainees. This then attracted the attention of their parents. Soon they were engaged in an all out discussion on the joys (if there is any) and pains of NS.

They found alot in common I suppose. I was mostly acting jobless and getting restless. I was on the brink of a total break down. If the freaking bus didn't arrive any sooner than it did, I would have been hopping mad.

An Artistic Shot I took
(No, seriously I was blindly shooting this)

The Fantastic Four!!!

Join the Parent Club. Interesting discussions and fun activities for all

A Touching moment between Mother and Daughter
(Yes folks! Another exclusive moment brought to you by Lunatic Pandora!!!!)

The Loooonnggg Goodbye
(No, it only took lasted a few seconds)

I've been spending the rest of my day attempting to complete my Mandarin homework and shifting in between playing Max Payne 2....I'm ever so bored. Even got a writer's block while attempting to continue with my review. Will need to get it done today too...Arrgghhh..

Good thing I'm feeling like inserting all manner of dry jokes into my entry today to entertain myself. I hope its entertaining to you too!! Coo-coo

When in doubt, use pictures.

I could always use a little inspiration to start off my blog entries. But sadly, inspiration at 12.30 am is a little hard to find. Listening to the sound of my brother (who's back from NS for a short stay until Wednesday) blast stuff in RE 4, and just finishing part of my review on SSX: On Tour ....I can't help but feel a little lazy. Can't wait for my first pay check from the Star. Hope to save up the money made.

So instead of typing out my gripes and nonsense...I shall post pics of stuff that I've taken over the course of the last couple of days. They do say that a picture is worth a thousand words...now if only that applies for assignments. In anycase, I'll let my pictures do the talking for me right now.

This giant Monopoly board is in One Utama's New Wing. When I went there on Friday with Kat, there was a game going on. The little people playing the game are made to walk around the board. The announcer didn't sound terribly interested in the game.

This IS my room....it is in very bad shape at the moment due to the on going repair efforts. Cracks have been appearing on my walls, and needed to be dealt with. Had to clear alot of stuff too...

What is wrong with this picture? Heh, a perfect example of how Malaysians park their cars. Obviously, this person has decided that his car needs the extra space.

Here's my bro, no his hair isn't falling off. He is fresh out of NS. Leave him alone in the camp for one week and this is what you get. The wonders of our Malaysian scheme. Putting a bunch of youths in the middle of the jungle and learn that national unity is important. Surely...there is a much better way than to put a few chinese and indians together with soo many Malays and call that a move to bridge the racial divide. HAH! Oh well, can't be helped now.

Thursday the Funeral Day

Well, there isn't much to talk about at the moment save the funeral that I attended this morning. I'm pretty hard pressed to find a cheerful topic at the moment, but I might as well blurt out whatever that has been happening to me during the course of the day.

Woke up early this morning to prepare for the funeral mass at 10am. Workers doing the repair works were on the job right on time. Mom had to send Jinn Lik out to kindergarten late again because he was slow at dressing up. Dad and I left the house at 9.35 to head over to Saint Francis Xavier's Church for the mass.

The rest of Sam Yee Poh's (my late grandaunt) family had arrived ahead of us all to make sure that the funeral preperations were in order. The service proceeded smoothly with no hitches (not that there should be any). Of course at the last part of the service was the time to make the final pass at the coffin and offering condolences to the family members. Had a the urge to cry, but managed to keep it under control by biting my tounge.

(A Nirvana employee quickening (ironically) his own demise)

(Don't smoke!! Unless you intend to get cancer)

The procession proceeded on to taking the body to grave site at Semenyih. Took us a good full hour to reach the place. Passing through 3 tolls plazas. The memorial park was massive, obviously has been in use for 10 years, and as one can aspect, it was begining to look pretty full. The oddest thing about the place was the prescence of a massive dragon that outlined a good portion of a hill. Pretty odd place to build a dragon. Saw some people taking pictures infront of it.

(Never seen a dragon in a cemetary)

(The Dragon's tail climbing up the hill)

Lunch was provided by the Nirvana funeral guys and gals. Crappy place actually, but I was too hungry to care about the quality. Traveling all that while, sure made me hungry.

Finally finished my review on Dragon Quest VIII. Christopher, my cousin, offered me an opportunity to write reviews for the Star's Intech section. My first forray into journalism....well a form of journalism so to speak. Hopefully, it will be of readable quality and I can get paid for it.

What a way to spend 2006's New Year

Greetings one and greetings all, a very happy new year to everyone!! It's 2006, drastic changes have occured over the past 24 hours for me though it has only been the first day of the new year. First thing in order is to offer my condolences to my uncles, aunties, and cousins in relation to the passing of my grandaunt, who passed away yesterday, new year's morning.

On the way to the airport

Check In Lounge Area

Flying away

Another big change of events is my brother's going to NS earlier yesterday. Woke up early to catch a 10.15am flight to Kelantan. The flight was uneventful enough, the slightly bumpy landing @ Kelantan was a slight shock, but other wise we got there. "Any landing you can walk away from, is a good landing", as they say.

Our Rented Car

Lunch is Served (Seafood Cantonese Hor Fun)

Checking out Kelantan, Kota Bharu, I noticed that things are very much different from here in Kuala Lumpur. For one thing, as you exit the airport, you will notice that the design of buildings are distinctly more....Islamic. Everything has this mosque like look. Even business signs are to have their signs in Jawi without fail. Also, there's the abundance of PAS propaganda spread on billboards in place of Ads. Another odd feature is the popularity of "backyard-grown" brands. What do you think of a brand called 'Gajah Duduk'? I for one, would be confused as to what is the product.

In anycase, the NS camp was set out in the middle of nowhere. Only Kampung houses for miles around. Padi fields all around too. If thats not bad enough, we almost ran over a snake while driving back. Likely more than field nice in the bushes. The freaking army dudes acted like big arses. So bloody cocky and pushy. Can't stand 'em. The rules are out in full force too. No this...no that...no no no no....This is exactly why I disliked school life. There was one guard that let us in the compound at first, pitying us looking in like dungus. Unfortunately, there was another guard who thought otherwise and told us to shove off, showing us out of the compound. Though, the NS guys were having fun at having to rummage through all my bro's belongings, they let him in the end. Saw him off at that point.

Exclusive Illegal Photo of the NS Camp (Bwahaha)

Whats this? Its a "MALE" Lane, for Men Only (Take that ladies, I've got a lane!)

Arrived at the airport early at around 6.10 in the evening. Though I was there earlier in the day, I did not realise the full extent of the size of the airport. It really is super small. Upon embarking onthe plane, I noticed that there were only 3 boarding platforms at the airport. I guess it is not surprising also, that there were only 2 flights out of the place that night.

The departure hall is by no means small, but I can only guess that the designers decided to dump everyone from different flights together and sort of them out as their planes are called. Again, considering that the airport is small, air traffic probably isn't heavy. With incidents (as I have witnessed) such as a foreign woman, who was trying to cross the road, but just bearly escaped from being runned over by a motorcyclist, it is no wonder that this place isn't a prime destination for tourists.

Departure hall

What I saw for majority of the Flight, The Ceiling