Iced Tea Tragedy

My attempt at something new

2011-09-18T09:56:00.001-07:00

There is a new photo craze now, and definitely it is not planking, cos planking is the stupidest thing on earth. Fuck planking. It's meant for dumb people. Only.

Anyway, I digressed. There's a Japanese girl, her name is natsumi she has made famous what she called "levitation of the day". It's basically a regular Photoblog of hers, where she uploads pictures of her and her cat. But what is unusual is that she takes pictures of herself "levitating" in her daily life.

Basically, she takes photos of herself while jumping, but in a deliberate manner that she seems like she is floating on air. In order to get the best photos, natsumi mentioned that she had to take multiple shots in order to get the right one, now that is something! Her photos are amazing, below are some photos of hers, and also a failed attempt by me to... Mm... As a tribute to her! (view more photos http://yowayowacamera.com/)

And me... I think I better stick to my handstands :)

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Location:Petaling Jaya,Malaysia

Day 3 Siem Reap

2011-09-18T03:37:00.001-07:00

On the third day, we rent bicycle to cycle a little further than the old market area and to the main roads. There's a nearby restaurant we'll try later but first stop we went to Lucky Mall, I suppose one of the better looking and new buildings in Siem Reap. It is quite small actually, even smaller than Atria, and there's a few eateries there, coupled with a supermarket and a few more tenants.

The cycle there took us about 10 minutes from the place we rented our bike, and as we walked in the shopping mall Carmen is feeling a little under the weather (migraine, flu, nausea, vomitting), so we sat at the cafe for a little bit for her to recuperate, fortunately there's a pharmacy where I could get some remedies. While traveling it is very important that you keep yourself hydrated and clean all the time as people from different countries have different level of hygiene, some practices of hygiene here may get you feeling unwell.

After about an hour of rest, we explored the town a little bit to look for lunch. It's always good to take at least a day in your holiday to get a vehicle to explore around the place you visit as there are many surprises you may get that you perhaps wouldn't if you didn't do so.

About 1km away from town there's a street with many boutique restaurants and cafes which were actually houses converted into these eateries, and for lunch, we found this little gem called "beaches by Reflections". they serve mainly Thai food in Khmer style ie Tomyam that is less spicy, very soupy green curry, and grilled chicken stick seasoned with turmeric powder & herbs, the meal cost about US$15, pretty much like the lunch that we have everyday here.

Along the street there are many alleys, if you know where to find, you may just stumble upon other little shops like these. Our next stop was peace cafe which was highlighted in the guide book we took from the hotel. It's a cosy little shack where on the ground floor they operate as a restaurant and on the first floor the organize yoga classes, talks etc. There's a also a accessories stall on the ground floor selling accessories made from bomb shells. For every purchase the proceeds go to a charitable cause.

After a light drink, we're back on the road, this time we're just cycling around on a hunt for interesting places to stop by, and found yet another shopping mall, similar to the one we went to earlier, but older.

The weather was really hot today, so after all the sweating, the aircond in the mall was just the right thing to have at that moment. We had cycled for about 5 hours and finally we stopped by at Pub Street yet again for Blue Pumpkin. Carmen of course couldn't resist the desserts so we sat at the sofa seat while she ate and I slept for a good 1 and a half hour.

By the time we woke up it was already almost 6pm so we continued our journey and this time to look for dinner. We heard of the very much reviewed FCC, and headed there. We passed there earlier while we were exploring the other side of the town. The place is a combination of a restaurant, cafe, a spa and a bar (I think), and there's a pool at the entrance that welcomes customers that enter the building..

By the time we got there,it had started to rain, and the dining area is open air so we're worried that the rain would get heavier, so we decided to o eat at another place. While we were cycling the rain indeed got heavier, so we explored a little bit more before we settled down for dinner. Across the river, near our lunch spot is a place called the Butterfly Garden. What's unique is the fact that they have over 1500 types of butterflies within the eatery but in terms of the ambience, it was just so-so. We did not give it a second look although there were quite many good reviews on trip advisor. On our last night, we didn't sting so much on our spending as we still have some balance left to spend, so we decided to splurge a little more for dinner, we ended up in Nest, a restaurant by the Hotel De La Paix just a few blocks away.

It's a fine dining joint that serve food with some reasonable portion. When we arrive we were surprised that the whole place was fully booked, but the manager eventually made some space for us. It was empty at the time we arrived, but half an hour later, the place was full, but I would assume they were patrons of the hotel and the dinner at this restaurant impart of the tour package probably, because everybody came in large large group.

I had rice noodle soup while Carmen had squid ink risotto, and is probably not a good first date food to order as it's black and it stains your teeth. But we both have to say the food was really good, and after dinner we were both satisfied and couldn't take in anything more, and therefore our last stop was at the bicycle rental shop.

We were home by 8.30, cleaned up, and ended up watching fashion tv till we sleep by an hour later...

And the 8.30am flight back to KL concludes our beautiful trip in Siem Reap, Cambodia!

Our hotel, Angkor Spirit Palace, is definitely a hotel we would stay in again if we come back to Siem Reap for one, everybody in the hotel is extra friendly, they try their best to guide you and understand you and make sure your stay here is remarkable. The transfer from the airport to the hotel is free, and transfer from Hotel to town were also free, so I think we would have at least saved 10-15 dollars there.

At one point, the front office manager (highest position in that particular hotel's management, actually came by and look for use to pick us back to hotel at midnight, and because he couldn't find us, he looked for us for an hour, that have to say is what hospitality is. Top notch.

And when we left, there were souvenirs for us.

And overall, including flight and transportation, we have just only spent a total of RM2500 the entire trip for the both of us for 4d3n!!

One impressive thing in the country is that many people there are able to speak good or at least decent English, and some of them are even equipped with the ability to speak in foreign language, especially for tour guides, those leading Japanese tourists could speak FLUENT Japanese with the correct accents! Hck, we even saw a tuk tuk driver who was able to speak in French! And it doesn't stop there, we have seen people speaking Spanish, italian, you name it, the probably have it.

I think they just need to improve on the shopping scene. Everybody Is selling the same thing, the only t-shirts you see people wearing are: Angkor beer, no money no honey, I love Cambodia... How typical! But shopping here can be misleading, do not purchase anything until you have walked the entire market, chances are the price of things are cheaper the deeper you dwell into.

But overall it is a trip well worth going, enjoyable and unforgettable experience!

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Day 2 Siem Reap

2011-09-16T03:06:00.001-07:00

Our transfer to Angkor was at 8 but we're 15 minutes late after breakfast, btw breakfast was your standard American breakfast style or Khmer noodle soup. And when we're done, the tuk tuk driver was late.

What I can say about Angkor wat is that at first sight (a day pass is US$20 and u could get 3-5 days pass), it was really great, breath taking. The view of the entire Angkor wat from far away was beautiful, but (yes there is a but) the excitement declines after going into a few temples. For someone who grew up in south east Asia, temples aren't very big deal for me. I guess you can compare it against a Caucasian getting overtly excited about seeing monkeys in public areas because they just don't get to see it in the city...

However some of the temples do look amazing, you just wonder how they were built and how big they are! Considering in those days there were no modern technologies for building such monuments.

So yeah, I do not have much to say about temples, shame on me I know, Angkor wat is one of the biggest things here in Siem Reap, but I'm just not a big fan, plus the weather today is scorching hot, with little or no clouds at all. Otherwise you may want to spend 2-3 days as there are more than 50 wats. I think I have gone to less than ten haha. The weather, the crowd, the smell all added up to us wanting to escape the area, not to mention peddlers who are so persistent with their products.

It's hard to say no to them, if they had opportunities they'd probably not be on the streets and hard sell everything, all I can say is thank god, we have moved forward so much and our tourism industry grew and became what it is today at the right time.

But one thing I am really proud of today is the perfect spot which I had taken a photo to add up to my collection of handstand pics!

It will soon be up on my Facebook

We had lunch around Pub Street again, in one of those alleys within the street, for some Khmer cuisine again. This time we had

Banana flower salad with chicken - US$2.50
Khmer traditional soup with fish - US$2.50
Khmer roasted duck - US$5.50
Drinks - US$1.50

Total US$12

After lunch is massage again! this time I opt for the back, shoulder and neck massage, as I didn't feel very comfortable with the masseuse going all liberal around my zen area... It's like my privacy was invaded by a stranger!! Just for the record, SHE did not touch but when someone gets close like around the area between your thigh and crotch my other leg gets all tensed up, probably a flight or fight reaction, probably if It was a guy I'd kick him.

For today, it was better but my masseuse were burping while she massaged me, and she sneezed, and then moved on to massage m head and my face. I was closing my eyes for the entire session, I do hope I was just imagining things.

It is really important to have on top of your mind how much you have to spend, but my noob didn't do so... What a noob! But nevertheless we still have extra money to spend on... Otherwise you guys probably have to wire some money for me first.

We headed to Blue Pumpkin again for some extraordinary slice of cake and ice cream before we headed back home for some well received rest. The image below to entice some of you

I wouldn't mind bringing the blue pumpkin franchise to Malaysia, I think it could work... Only if the quality is Consistent

So for dinner we are having pizza at Ecstatic Pizza, they are dubbed one of the best pizza joints in Siem Reap. The bruschetta, pasta and pizza were good, and for these three, we ended up paying US$15, including a glass of Margarita And a fruit shake. Unfortunately we asked for some additional herbs but we were denied of it by the owner :( and we moved on to the night market.

At the night market, it is similar to the Suan Lum market in Bangkok, but as usual almos everybody sells the same thing. I have to say for all the noob things she has done, bargaining and haggling is one thing that my girlfriend excels at. But little did we know after all those price talks from stall to stall, the prices of everything we bought were cheaper as we venture further into he market. Once a noob, always a noob!

Coincidently, I met an old friend there, of all places! I met Mr Liow... We both are in KL and we don't even meet by accident and now we meet in Cambodia! Weird!! And for his birthday, we had absinthe...!!

This is where we find some happiness!! And boy was it awkward that we're carrying the pizza all around!!

I have to say the Cambodians are very nice and courteous people, even to customers who are not buying their stuffs, and the guy from our hotel actually look for us for an hour to get us back to the hotel safely! Now tell me which hotel has this kind of service?

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Location:Pub St Alley,Siem Reap,Cambodia

Day 1 Siem Reap

2011-09-15T00:15:00.001-07:00

We have arrived in Siem Reap!! We did not have enough sleep so as soon as we reached the airport at 8am (it's an hour earlier here), we headed to the hotel immediately to check in and rest. The hotel offers free transfer to hotel and to town on tuk tuk.

The weather's pretty nice as it was cool and breezy even at 12 noon but was due to the rain the day before. Many areas we're flooded even on the main roads.

And this how one of the petrol peddlers look like:

The tuk tuks have expensive taste, they only want to be served either johnnie walker's black label or red label

We ended up in the famous Pub Street where our driver dropped us and were looking around for lunch. This place is somewhat similar to Khao San road except it isn't thaaaat busy. The area is a little dusty, but they have all sorts of food and drinks offered there.

We walked slightly further than Pub Street into a local restaurant. There were two families dining in the restaurant so we were quite sure we picked the right one among two side by side restaurants. A Korean group was sitting in front of us and ordered some barbecue dishes, with a portable stove AND once the fire was lighted, baby cockroaches started to flee out from the inside of the stove... unfortunately for the Koreans the food have arrived, and luckily for us and the other family, we immediately cancelled our order... This therefore confirmed the fallacy of argumentum ad popullum..

We got back to Pub street for lunch and ended at The Khmer House for some hopefully authentic Khmer cuisine... This time I searched on Trip Advisor and it has a 4star rating and confirmed by Carmen it is authentic!!

What we ordered:

Fresh spring roll - US$2.50
Khmer curry - US$3.00
Stir Fried Morning glory - US$2.00
Lok Lak beef - US$3.00
Drinks - US$3.00

Total+tax - US$14.50

Overall I give a four star too, good service and good food, pretty authentic

Around Pub Street and the streets surrounding it, you can pretty much find everything you need. After lunch we walked around, window shopped a little. There is nothing much to shop there, the t-shirt shops sell the same designs, and the same applies to the souvenir stores. Shortly after that, we had our body massage in one of the parlor there. The price varies from one to another, but be expected to pay about US$5-6 an hour. I don't usually go for massages but I have to say this is one of those I like more.

There is one place which you must go to if you come to Siem Reap and that is Blue Pumpkin, there are two outlets in the old market area, and they serve very good ice cream sorbet type on cones or cups and it's US$1.50 for a scoop. They also have very nice cakes and pastries. The ambience is very cosy with comfortable sofas. Free wi-fi is available almost everywhere in the old market as most of the premises have them, so wherever you go, you can get at least 2-3 wifi networks with strong signal.

After massage, our hotel driver picked us back to hotel, for free!

There's is pretty much nowhere to go unless you take a tour to other towns, but they are not really tourist centric and I would assume people don't speak too much of English there. Most places in Siem Reap are very rural, in terms of hygiene standards they may be pretty low outside of the tourist areas.

We had Khmer BBQ for dinner, a somewhat famous must try dish, it's sort of like Korean barbecue but with soup on the sides, similar to our BBQ steamboat. This is the dish which had deterred us from having lunch at the first restaurant we stopped by, and whats more worrying is that this is a street peddler so they probably do not have proper storage or cleaning facilities available. But we took the risk anyway, plus the weather was just right for BBQ, it was raining! We were served with a generous portion of beef strips mixed with egg and some local vegetables and yellow noodle.

After dinner was pretty much walking around and drinks. There are many places which offered 0.50c beer, but after some brief reading there were a few famous spots and we chose to sit down in The Temple Club for a mug of beer. I have to say it's the most happening place so far along Pub Street.

Next day will be Angkor Wat!

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Location:Pub St Alley,Siem Reap,Cambodia

2011-09-09T09:15:00.001-07:00

So far in my countable number of years, I have seen many types of people. Not to say that I am a very experienced person, but what I'm saying is... I have seen many talented and successful people. Be within this category, I have to say i have also seen the subsets of successful people.

Successful may be of my own standards. To me, some successful people are who may have achieved things I wish to have but could be someone who have seemed to achieved something, or some even worse... Not being recognized.

Well, you and I would know too well that there are some really successful people who you would have no doubt about their achievements. But I have to say I have seen lazy people who are successful, people who are successful but undeserving, Stupid people who are successful but intelligent ones who are not successful. Or the other way round.

What I'm saying is no matter how much you have planned or want things to work your way, there are times where fate work it's way.

So I think a success of a person, whether monetary or not would be clearly defined by the virtues that he or she holds close to the heart. Which is why when I have children in the future, I never want them to be what I didn't get to be, I want them to be what they will learn to want to be when they grow up. But I certainly want them to hold close to them some quality/virtue which will help them with that I am now not known for.

For these are the things which would help them in whatever they want to do in life. I don't care if they want to be doctors, teachers, sportsmen, a government servant, a CEO or a rockstar but I damn sure would instill in them about responsibility . To always keep to what you say and be accountable for it. And for doing that, he has to be brave and always be truthful.

And then the next thing would be leadership. Regardless of what you are, in life your leadership quality will bring you far in life. a football team can't operate well if you don't have a good captain. Likewise, a Bad CEO will lead a bad team no matter how good the members are.

Those may seem really serious and difficult things to implement but these are the everyday things you practice at home if you were taught about it. Just like washing your own dishes at home after eating, or admit to the wrongs you have done, or even make quick and wise decisions.

These are the little things that start at home, before they start to see that the real world... Isn't as beautiful what it would have been 20 years ago. That they would be thankful these are the qualities that the society would look for when they grow up.

***

About tattoo is not a fad and that there are many positive implication behind the idea

While I was reading the NST this morning on the way to the airport, there was this section on tattoo in this generation. It discusses about the taboos of having tattoos on an individual and as well as the discussion on the views of the society about tattoos.

One of the main things the author pointed out was the negative views on tattoos in the corporate world and the society as a whole. Tattooing has always been common with the people of the underworld. The way I see it is different. To me these tattoos have positive implications.

Although it is common that people who has tattoos are often regarded as those who do not do good things, but I do hope that this outdated thinking will soon be dismissed.

If we take a look at some history of tattooing, all of us know the culture has started hundreds or probably even thousands of years ago. It's been used as a for, of expression for a certain tribe and addressing them as warriors, even as a talisman for those who are going to war.

In terms of the modern world, tattoo have very often been associated to in Asian culture, the gangsters / yakuza... Etc

I think that was one of the reasons why our fore fathers have always forbid tattoos on their family member's skin - for the fear of being associated to the social outcasts.

But if look deeper into the meaning of those tattoos. An easy example would be to explain the tattoos of a yakuza member. Basically a certain type of mythical creature tattooed on a member would probably mean his belonging to a certain group, and the colors and extensiveness of the design would explain his level in the organization.

If you the about it, isn't that the same as a police officer wearing his uniform to show which organization he is from and the multiple badges on his shoulder and chest showing his level in his organization?

Just like a gun, it has no evil intentions, the person who choose how to use it has. It is wrong to say that tattoos is a negative portrayal of a person just because a bad person have it and it becomes a social stereotype to anyone who has it.

We need to be able to have an open mind on things like this. We have stopped looking down on people based on their skin color and so must we on the things we choose to ink on our skin.

We practice freedom of thoughts and speech and this is a form of art that all of us should embrace. If tattoo is bad, so is painting on canvas. Many rich criminals/politicians have paintings hung on the wall of their houses, so is that bad too?

2011-08-28T09:02:00.001-07:00

Can't Believe that I took this long to write this now... About wrong turns in expectations. I really first learned about expectations in my first employment, when my boss told me that that's what you do to your clients, you manage their expectations so they don't come chasing down on you.

One simple way to explain this: I recently watched Conan, well I'm the type of person who checks out the synopsis and the review of a movie before watching it. The reason is, I don't like to get confused watching complicated movies, and of course, most importantly to check out the ratings. But that's the problem.

Most of my friends weren't interested to watch the movie as the reviews were Terrible... Reviews from people from metacritic, rotten tomatoes, etc. These are the people who live to watch movie, of course their reviews would be totally on a different perspective and expectation, we can't solely base our decision based on what they say. It's just as good as asking Jeremy Clarkson to say driving a proton is a good experience. Heck, he has driven a Koenigsegg and a Veyron, what do you expect??

Well my point is whatever that you do or with whoever you are about to start something make sure your expectations are aligned and agreed upon.

I almost couldn't take it when my bandmates bailed out on me, my lead guitarist and bassist. Although I thought we pulled off quite well together, some difference in expectation has led them to leave. The problem is if you don't get the expectations right since the first time, do not expect it to be right half way.

I was caught off guard and I really couldn't take it at first, but I've came to my senses that if someone can just leave without properly explaining, then it's probably not worth it. Which is why it's important to establish why you're doing what you're doing and stay on track doing it.

It's probably nobody's wish that this happen, but certainly it was my fault for not setting this straight in the first place.

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Location:Expectations

The Chicken Pox diaries

2011-08-23T09:12:00.001-07:00

As you would already have known, I have contracted chicken pox and have been home bound since the beginning of august. Below would be a recollection of different phases of chicken pox I've experienced, in the hopes that this would be useful when in the future someone asks me of how it feels like getting chicken pox at this age or for anyone who wants to know how it is when they read my blog.

Day 0-2 (The Beginning)
August 8
We were out for prayers at a temple in PJ Oldtown in the morning, when everything was fine. While at the temple, we were asked by her father to join him for dinner. We then went to Sunway pyramid where I have promised to accompany my cousin to the tattoo parlor, I was beginning to feel a little tired at this time, I always do when shopping in narrow and crowded areas. We got home by mid afternoon, and I had a short nap before dinner. By the time I woke up for dinner, I was feeling a little under the weather, slight fever, nevertheless, we went for dinner.

August 9
I was at work as usual, with a slight fever. Nothing serious, it was still bearable and suspect of nothing. After lunch, I had a meeting together with the entire department. Half way into the meeting I had to go to the toilet as I realize that there was something near my night, so I went and take a look at it. I realize a vesicle, which seem to have fluid in it - I broke the vesicle that's how I found out. By the end of the day, I asked around to find out if it could be chicken pox and Angela our marketing coordinator confirmed that it is. So the next thing I did was to look for a doctor however, he did not confirm that it is, due to the fact that there wasn't enough symptoms although everyone who saw it could confirm that it is chicken pox.

August 10
The doctor gave me a one day medical leave, and asked me to continue to observe. I rested at home, and realized that there were more vesicles which developed, mostly on my upper back and some on my scalp. And in the evening I went to another doctor in the hope that he could tell me exactly what it is. Still he could not diagnose and said it could be chicken pox or measles and that it is viral. He gave me a day leave for Wednesday and asked me to continue to observe. He also said if nothing happened, I could go back to work as I informed that I have an important meeting on Thursday. I have already contacted office by then that I did not get any confirmation from either doctor and that I would try to return to work on Thursday. My boss has adviced me to postpone all meetings to a later date in view that I may have to be on long leave.

Day 3-7
August 11
I finally woke up with many vesicle all around my body and some on my face, a sight which I could easily confirm that I have chicken pox. Nevertheless, I went to the doctor for some advice and medication and I was given antivirals, painkillers, pills for itchiness, and a 12 days leave. And adviced that if there are pus on the lesions then I have to go back to the clinic as then I would need antibiotics.

August 12-13
High fever has started to fully kick in, with sore throat, full blown chickenpox. I felt tired the whole day, with loss of appetite (I only had two-three bites of anything and that's about it). By the next day I was pretty much dehydrated, I had at least 7 ulcers in my mouth, including one on my tonsil.

I could contain the itchiness but while lying down, it was difficult to move around and almost I possible to not move around. Putting pressure on those vesicles have proven to be painful and disturbing to my sleep.

Facial grooming is impossible and even washing with a cleanser is difficult to do. Even taking a bath had to be done carefully as not to break any of the vesicles. My body was covered with a thick layer of calamine as I was adviced that it is the best solution to prevent itchiness. I have heard from some sources that there are other better solutions to soothe itchiness and help to clear up the pox faster, unfortunately I do not know what exactly it is... When I found out I was already recovering.

August 14
My second visit to the doctor since I've been confirmed with chicken pox. The second visit was to get antibiotics as by now pus have appeared on many of the vesicles. My fever, sore throat and pain have not subsided yet and only getting worse. Usually it gets worse at night time and during day time it is more bearable. After a week at carmen's place, I got back to Melaka as my parents would be home to look after of me. I've been given sleeping pills to help with my difficulty to sleep.

Day 8
August 15
Same situation as the day before, no appetite in eating, vesicles are all still active, facial hair continues to go out of hand. Looking at the mirror was a pain, the days could go easier without any reflections at all. A very nice dinner was prepared by mom but I could only stomach a few bites only. I remember that night was the match between Lin Dan and Dato' LCW. The match was so intense I think that was when my fever went off. As usual I could only sleep with the help of the sleeping pills

Day 9
August 16
I've recovered from my fever, but left with a little bit of sore throat, my appetite have slowly increased too. Despite the doctor saying there are no restrictions in food intake, my parents insisted I follow some of the taboos. Dinner was ok, my food intake has been more normal, and on that night I was able to sleep without sleeping pills.

Day 10-13
August 17-20
From this day onwards, I'm on a slow recovery, my sore throat is gone, some of the vesicles have started to scab. Those that are covered with clothes recovers slower than it should, while at parts which are exposed to air recovered first. By day 13, most of it are scabs already, with some drying up a little. Pus are still seen at some vesicles at this point

At this point I have started to go out of home, but only at times or places where there are not much contact with strangers, and ensuring that the people I meet have already gotten chicken pox.

On day 13 as well, I have consulted the doctor to see if it was ok to meet my friend who has travelled to Malaysia from Sweden. He said it was ok, as the gathering will not take long, and if they have already gotten chicken pox then it should be fine, but he has warned that I should take a longer medical leave until all scabs have fallen off. Although what I read from the internet is that it is safe to go out once the scabs have dried, but there are also some friends and family who advice against going out until all scabs have fallen off like what the doctor told.

Day 14
August 21
Gathering with my friend, Most scabs on my face have fallen and on my hands too. Most of the scabs are left in the chest, stomach and back area. Most scabs fall during sleep as I move around In my sleep the friction against the bed causes the scabs to peel. Lesions have fully scabbed and dried.

Day 15-16
August 22
Usual day at home, I've fully recovered, and only waiting for the scabs to fall off, by now 70% of the scabs are already gone, leaving marks on my skin, which I hope do not turn Into scars. To help prevent scarring I have applied vitamin e oil, as well as starting to use cell regeneration creams on my face.
Scabs are only left around the sides of my body and the lower back. Other areas are clear of scabs

August 23
My last day of leave, and my visit to the doctor, despite going to the same clinic, the doctor I met on saturday was a different doctor, perhaps the partner advising me to take longer leave. On this day, the doctor had a look at the lesion and gave clearance to return to work and every other activity which I was prevented from doing. 90% of the scabs have fallen off - doctor have confirmed that I can no longer infect anybody even with some scabs present.

-end-

It took me a good 2 weeks plus for recovery, which does not include the time where all scabs fall off. I still watch what I at, ensuring thati do not have "poisonous" food like seafood, beans, soy products, chicken, egg.

I could say that getting chicken pox at this age can be considered as one of the worse and most agonizing medical condition one could have ever experience. My advice would be if you haven't got it when you're in your 20s or 30s you should get the vaccination which could suppress the sickness.

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Location:Jalan PJU 8/1,Petaling Jaya,Malaysia

Out of sight out of mind

2011-08-08T07:25:00.001-07:00

And thus begins my fight with the varicella zoster virus. Although I hope not.

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But we're gonna start by drinking old cheap bottles of wine

2011-07-07T03:36:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought of how you will be marking different parts of your life? Some people do by buying bigger houses, nice cars, more houses or more cars. Well, there are certainly some finer things in life that you would spend a fortune on to mark a certain phase of your life. For me, its watches. I know it's fairly common to collect watches but hey, coming from a kid whose grandfather operates a watch shop, I really can't help it.

Some people would question and say why do you spend $16,000 (by the way that would be the price I would pay next if I can afford to) for a watch instead of $500 since both of them tell time anyway...? I felt that was an insult and that wearing watch is like your choice of transport. You could take a motorbike to work as opposed to driving a car, both takes you to your destination anyway.

And collecting expensive watches are not like collecting cars or anything else. While technology

gets more advance, watches gets more expensive when older technologies are used. Quartz watches, digital watches are getting cheaper, while mechanical watches gets more expensive. In haute horology, it is about the beautiful designs as well as the complications of making that watch.

It is not just a statement, a license to brag, it is more than that.

Wearing expensive or cheap watches both does the same thing for you, telling you the time but in watches, it is all about your emotional attachment to that watch. You just feel it is right for you and is for you - its close to choosing a life partner but in this case, you get to choose more than one.

It is not about buying 2 watches every week or month or so. It is about marking one's status in life. The watch tells someone about you, a 40 year old wearing a Rolex Datejust tells someone he's already made it at that point of life. A 30 year old guy wearing a Panerai Marina says that he is young rich person who has taste... etc. It tells someone he is someone.

To me, I want to look back in life saying that the Tag was the watch I bought when I just got promoted, and that Omega Seamaster was wat I wore when I started my own business. As old fashion as I can be, I want a Rolex Submariner before I retire - there are many other luxury watches I could choose, but this is just a brand I could relate to closely. My dad has a Enicar homage watch which has the Rolex oyster perpetual design. He's an avid collector himself, and he is one of the reasons why I got myself into watches as well. It tells time, and it tells his time and story.

If I could, I would like to have 5 luxury watches at least to mark different times of my life (maybe more but probably I'd buy more just because haha). And of course, when I look back in life, if I have all 5, I knew the future me has actually met the goals of the present me. And the last watch being the Rolex Submariner because it is an evergreen watch, and you have to earn the rights to wear it, 1.Maturity 2.Wisdom. - it is the watch I'd like to pass down to my son one day and say, "This watch was my legacy, and you will inherit it"

That's how watches mean to me.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra, I want you next.

As we go on, we remember...

2011-07-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

It was a great Saturday yesterday, and I'm glad that lately my weekends have been very productive ones. I used to think my weekends were too short, but really now I realized that was a sign of dissatisfaction of how your weekend has been, not how bad your weekdays were.

Anyway, after almost 10 years, I had the first high school gathering yesterday. You know, usually people always said things like, "it felt just like yesterday we left school" but that just didn't occur to me. It had been too long, although no one changed in looks, everyone remained youthful and the same as they were since I knew them. I'm rest assured everyone has been well and will continue to do well. I'm glad to know some of us who are doing what they have always thought of doing, and although some are not doing what they have always thought of doing, had some plans in the future.

I mean, we were kids back then, and all we ever talked about were TV shows, sports, girls, other kids, missing classes, not doing our homework, etc. And then, we've never met and now its been ten years when we meet again, its like a huge shock and unfamiliarity, feeling like you've just got out of a cryogenic device.

That whole moment felt like the second part of IT. haha

On a last note, Helmi - almost everybody was familiar to me on my first day in secondary school, and then this new kid came in and we became close friends. And I knew since form 2 that he wanted to be a diplomat while everyone else in school wanted to either be a lawyer, doctor, architect, or an engineer. Well now you're almost there buddy!! As a friend, and at that age, he has been a good role model for me, but unfortunately our paths were different and obviously, social medial was not an option at that time.

***

In the advance of technology these days and seeing how the computer has evolved, which began with a humble 4 bit processor to this very day where we have seen how the computer integrates into our everyday lives.

Although being so important to us, they remain to be separate parts from us. What if we could already have a computer as a "part" of us?

There is however, a technology that I envision should happen in a near future which could improve the term personal computing.

If you watch movies like matrix whereby skill sets are learned by uploading into one's mind while dwelling in the matrix world - that would be a powerful tool if it were real. Well of course we would probably have dozens of generations to wait for before that / even if it could happen. But one technology I could foresee happening is literally a remote control of the computer - our brain as the remote control.

This could of course improve our memory recall.

See, our memory works in a way where it sets priority on the selection of memory. Those which matters to us are stored and are easily retrievable, while there are some memory which require deeper searching and there are some just fragments. And most of the time our memories no matter how vivid are fragments, rather than a full 100% of the actual situation.

Our memory are enhanced by certain devices, for example, I may know the chords to Greenday's when I come around, in fact when I want to remember the song my mind plays a part of the song which is most vivid to me, however, if I have my guitar with me I am able to remember everything about the song. my memory is like a .pdf file and the guitar is the adobe illustrator where i am able to see the details, the layers etc.

Our brain is powerful but unless we are able to organize it like a computer, it runs by default - just like how we manage our computer, if we don't discipline ourselves to save our files in the correct folder and just save everything on desktop, retrieving will be difficult, which is what our brain does on a daily basis - fragmentation.

Now with this technology that i wish could happen soon, helps us to retrieve our memory easier. Now, when you go for a presentation, you usually open up a powerpoint presentation and based on that you present that to your crowd. Why do we do that? Because we are organizing our memory and retrieving it using point form and visuals. If only, if only in every important meeting we have the convenience of a laptop or a projector, then of course this would be useful.

If we have control of memory retrieval from a computer in any remote location, then that would help us save 1) time and 2) brain cells. With that, our brain can be trained to organize memories in a more simple and systematic way, while the actual memory like videos, pictures, writings, music could be stored in the computer. Retrieval will be based on simple keywords and memories are stored in organized folder.

The plus side to this is that when you are asked about a certain information by your boss, for example: What is our year to date sales in 2007, readily, performing cognitively, a series of simple steps: Start > folders > Sales > 2007.doc the file can be executed from the computer but the document will be visible in your vision.

Now how i imagine this could work is via an "eye-piece" and a signal reader while being tagged to the remote computer, of course this could be easily attached and detached to that person. I imagine it to be more of retrieval than anything else.

As a person with such bad short term memory, I could organize my older but more vivid memories well but could not do so with short term memories, I do wish such technologies exist. Important files can be stored in the computer physically before retrieval, and all we need to remember are the steps to retrieve the memory. This in turn could reduce stress and increase productivity at work.

There, my crazy idea on how I wish the computing technology could improve to give a really personal touch.

***

Why is a dog's nose always wet?

tell me what's in it for me, tell me now what's in it for me!

2011-06-23T04:27:00.001-07:00

People always say that you should always be looking forward to going to work every morning. Once u lose that feeling it means that you've lost passion for what you do, and its time to change.

But after 1000+ days of working life, I realize I was no really motivated when I wake up to work. The only time I looked forward to in the morning is when its my first day wearing that new work shirt or pants, sporting those new awesome looking dress shoes, carrying a new man bag, that belt, new hairstyle, trimmed brows... U know what I'm saying. There are things that motivate me to go to work but it doesn't happen everyday.

But towards the end of the working day I always feel good, not only because I have finally gotten off work, but because I know its been a productive day, I know I've managed to do my day's job - its the satisfaction I feel for completing a day's worth of work. My demotivation just seem to decline as the day goes by and turn into a positive situation for me

Well I don't know how it works for u, but I guess this is how I find happiness in what I do.

And of course the anticipation of seeing my girlfriend at the end of the day is what I look forward to the most each day :)
Sent by DiGi from my BlackBerry® Smartphone

2011-06-09T03:44:00.001-07:00

I stumbled upon an interview on the radio the other day about these two ladies who started their own ice cream company. What made the interview interesting is the fact that that's probably where everyone of us want to be at.

They both had a few years experience working for someone and just decided that its enough, its time to do something they can own. I always think of working like studying. None of us (except a few of us) really enjoyed the process of studying, we really enjoyed school cos that's where we met our friends, played, made some crazy stuffs... But not studying.

Just like work, I don't love my work (if any of u think that's sad, FUCK YOU! Cos its not), its just that I think I'm meant for something bigger. As we grow there are many more limitations, lesser things we can do as age catches up. But that also means we should be focused - in the sense that we used to have 10 things we dreamt of, but now there's only 3 possible things to achieve.

I haven't found my "calling" yet, but its pretty close, I pretty much imagine me in the future and knowing how I want to be like, and I've been thinking about where I wanna be in 10 years. Now its about finding a way to reach me in 10 years.

Whether it'll work or not, I don't know.
Sent by DiGi from my BlackBerry® Smartphone

2011-04-28T02:20:00.000-07:00

Never do something that you'll regret later... They always say (my version) don't put up till tomorrow the lunch box you can wash today, cos as much as u know it already, its gonna stink! Look, as silly as that could have sounded, u know little habits like that can affect how you handle bigger matters in the future.

Living in the corporate world with so much to juggle in hand, I don't think that saying would help much, cos at the end you should learn to prioritise - there's just one you, you can satisfy everybody at the same time, so sometimes its necessary to put off what you can do today for tomorrow.

Anyway, on another side of my life,

I bet what all of you think about the great wonders of the world are their beauty and I bet all of you don't really read about what's really happening there, right? Like the pyramids in egypt are often portrayed appearing to be still new covered in white sands, or the Antarctica as a place very much untouched, or the everest as the most beautiful and highest mountain in the world, isn't it?

Well www.cracked.com opened up my eyes.

The pyramids are actually ruins which are pretty much not maintained as well as they looked like in the pictures and some part of Antarctica are actually rubbish dumps and.. AND...!

At the very base camp of mount everest is actually filled with empty plastic bottles!! And nobody really talks about it and I only found out when my company is actually sending employees there to help clean up those damn mess...!

Now, would you go on such assignment? Instead of climbing mt everest, you're cleaning mt everest...

Well for a person like me, climbing mt everest will be a an achievement similar to those act which gets you a dato'ship or being called a national hero. Even if that didn't materialise I'd be pretty bad ass if I did make it to the top.

But to clean mt everest, its one noble act - and although doesn't make u in any way a bad ass. I'd still do it if I had a chance, cos really, how many people actually thought of a more selfless reason to go to mt everest than for the sake of proving oneself?

What do you think?

But before I think big, I have to write a letter and compete with other noble people like me..

Sent by DiGi from my BlackBerry® Smartphone

Seize the day, or die regretting the time you lost

2011-04-13T23:02:00.001-07:00

There comes a time, when you start to relook into ur life thinking, where you're going, if you're saving enough money, where your friends are now... Etc etc. Well, I kinda respect those who knew what they want in life early, they waste no time in achieving what they yearn for in life.

Its unfortunate that only now I'm starting to think of my savings, after these 4 years of working reflecting on how I little time I spent on planning my future. No doubt my career jumps helped me financially, but I guess that's also a sign that I'm having to eat something to fill me up, not because I really wanna eat it.

Sometimes, its not easy to focus when one succumbs to consumerism. We're all sucker for things, valueable or not, we want to have that extra pair of shoes we don't need, that nice looking furniture that doesn't fit, and ipad...

Everyone needs to start somewhere. Some people start with getting that job they want so badly and start thinking then how they want their life to be in the next 50 years or so. For me, it started when I find the right person, thinking about finding a place for my family to be in, having a car, saving some money for yearly vacations... Buy what I want.

Right now, its not much, but its something, now at least I know in one part of my life I'm doing things right.

Its save to say, my future starts with a person and an excel sheet for tracking purposes.. XD

***

Does anybody know where I can get my car lock fixed? My car keys are jammed at the door lock and driving that way makes one look extremely silly.

Need to know how much and most importantly, please recommend a mechanic that doesn't rip off money.

Sent by DiGi from my BlackBerry® Smartphone

I wish I could go back to the 90's when I was a kid without a worry in the world...

2011-02-22T06:50:00.000-08:00

...Listening to Oasis. Reflecting on my current life, things may not be the way that I want to, but somehow these challenges make me realize a few things, a few important things.

Sometimes.

Sometimes, we just forget about the important things in life... we take things for granted. And when we grow up, we tend to do it more - ignoring the things which we cherished more when we were younger, living our dreams just aren't so important anymore than earning money.

well, i guess that's the ugly truth.

Boys will be boys, and I'm not willing to let go of the things that still within my grasp, so before I forget, albeit the late entry, I'm going to list down my priorities (resolutions) for 2011. Why, you may ask.

I was just looking at my previous blog entry on my 2010 resolutions and realize now how much I wanted to be a news presenter but never really tried it out. In fact, if I could recall, it was since 2nd year in university! Over the years, this idea got diluted with so many other factors, that I did not realize it. Since this was in the list, this WILL be in the list again, until I finally achieve it. Even if I don't, at least I knew I tried :) I'm not telling you guys to be safe / pessimistic, but don't count the chickens before the eggs hatch.

So here it goes...

1) News presenter... its still a dream until it is realized... (Attempting: Feb 2011)

2) Family trip somewhere... Year end maybe (Dec 2011)

3) buddy trip somewhere... I missed 2010

4) Paint a picture with Carmen (2011)

5) Take up a fitness certification (Q4 2011)

6) Go on advance in every WOD or 2 WODs a day

Good luck to me! It's not a lot but at least its something!

2 big things in my life and I'm still not feeling right, it definitely ain't the right thing! But one thing's for sure, behind every successful man, there is a woman who supports him.

****

I watched this movie together with carmen and the guys, called Khurafat. At first, I thought there was only love, until I watched this movie. For the record, this is the second Malay movie I watch in the theatre, what a shame!

I Digress.

Anyway, the movie production was quite good, the premise was good, acting was believable, maybe just lacking in shock factor (the scary parts towards the end are alittle repetitive). It is about a voodoo spell that the main actor casts on the girl he likes, which imposes an eternal love for him. However, the spell was casted from the spirit of a dead person and there is no way of breaking it, any attempt to or going against you wish will only lead to one conclusion - death.

So it goes, that the girl will love him till death do them part. But as in usual plots, the guy loses interest and over a series of fright scenes in weird places, death prevails.

Now why do I like the show and find it interesting? Most of the time, probably we don't realize it, but if something relates to us well, we will like it. Why do we like The Expendables? or A-Team for that matter, because guys like us can relate to it, we want to be heroes and we want to look cool like them. For instance, Mission Impossible, since then, everyone wants them Oakleys or whatever brand that was.

How does khurafat relate to me? And I repeat my first point: I thought there was only love, but as far as this movie goes, I have probably been "khurafated" by my girlfriend, cos day in day out, I only think of her la, go to work, think of her, after gym, think of her, tidor, bangun don't want to kerja, think of her!

What do I do!?

Anyone who's got Monday Blues I hope you've had a little laugh with my little personal joke here, and of course the movie review.

I see them bloom, for me and you

2010-12-12T19:43:00.001-08:00

Its the end of the year, and as I was walking from my office to the brewery it strucked my mind that its time to review my resolutions for 2010, how I've done so far, and of course to set resolutions for 2011!

Recalling from my post in 2009, I was struggling more from my personal/ relationship issues and thank god I managed to pull it through nicely and I spent the rest of 2010 happy with my girlfriend now :)

Now my struggle is much more focused on my career and future financial plans, more than anything else.

As 2010 came along, I think I have drifted away alittle from the goals I have set because of other distraction as well as the non existence of a proper tracking of the goals. Come 2011 I shall device a more objective and achievable set of goals. That I shall leave to Jan 2011 before I finalise it.

For 2010:

1. To run more than 100km by 31st Dec 2010 - ACHIEVED (smth I could proudly mention!)

2. To increase my attention span at work by reading important materials at least 2x and make it a habit by June 2010. - this is something that happened half heartedly, like it happens sometimes only.

3. To save a consistent amount of money every month after CNY 2010. - DID NOT ACHIEVE (saved some money based on mandatory deductions by the company for purchasing shares, which reminds me I shud enrol on smth new)

4. Reduce no. of FFK to any respective friends to at most once a month / person starting 1st Feb 2010. - ACHIEVED 70%(reduced tremendously by not over promising!)

5. To have another family trip between September - December 2010. ACHIEVED! A big family gathering at Cameron highlands!

6. To have at least 3 trips with my closest friend in 2010. - 67% ACHIEVED! (Managed only two trips of which both included carmen :) )

7. To finish at least 2 WODs per day for at least 3 days a week. FAILED (didn't manage to do it consistently, and constantly feeling tired after first WOD) - shall revisit!!

8. 42% work, 8% gym, 16% Friends and Family, 33% Sleep - This should more or less be my average daily ratio in 2010. The only constant variable will be between Friends and Family and Sleep.
- I think it has pretty much remained the same, except that work will prolly take up more time from friends and family this time..

Short term goals

1. By March 2010 - buy new running shoes below RM299 - ACHIEVED! Shall revisit in 2011

2. By March 2010 - Finish 30 Muscle ups in 4:10 - FAILED! - stuck with 4:40 - 4:50

3. By March 2010 - Finish 150 double unders in 1:40 - have not attempted!

4. By CNY 2010 - Get the watch fixed! ACHIEVED!

5. By July 2010 - To improve my 20/21 km run to 2:00:00 - FAILED (even went as bad as 2:48:00 due to cramps)

6. By May 2010 - To improve my 10km run to below one hour. ACHIEVED (1:02:00 for 12km)

Well, I achieved 4/8 (by my own standards! :p) goals and 3/6 short term goals which gives me a total score of 50%... Not too bad I would say considering the many variances happening within the year, and some hard to achieve goals. (Considering I do not revisit my goals the previous years!)

I shall achieve at least 60-65% of my goals nx year!

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Just you know why...

2010-10-05T08:38:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought of your true calling? Its like the moments that defines your life. Its like the sign you get that tells you: This is what I have to do. It is what Maslow explicitly defines self-actualization to be "the desire for self-fulfillment, namely the tendency for him to become actualized in what he is potentially.

Well, I'm still waiting, I guess it takes alllloooot of luck to strike if we just keep waiting. But I guess that's how things work. We'd be too afraid to take the wrong move but if we don't then it prolly wouldn't happen.

It's the moment when you know you're doing the right thing and it is the thing you wouldn't mind doing for the rest of your life. And it is that which makes one satisfied, happy and fulfilled in life.

Right now, I guess all of us are just waiting for that moment to happen, that one morning, you just wake up, and you know what was meant for you. Just like Stephen King, or J.K.Rowling..

The more I see you, The more I want you

2010-09-26T03:32:00.000-07:00

I wish I had more things to write about. The other day I was looking back at my older posts and realize that I had so much to say about last time. Guess that's how work has drained the life out of me. More work to do, less me to spend time with.

I recalled speaking to one of my friends malcolm, who said that by the time we finish working and everything on a friday night, we'd already be sleeping the night away, and waking up late on a saturday evening, and then realize.. "fuck, I've just got one more day in the weekend." He always mention that life in Australia is much different, everyone clocks in at 9 and leaves at 5, and nobody judges you, and you have a good work-life balance.

I guess unless we're out of the third world country syndrome, this will not happen yet. I'd like to complain about it, but I guess there's nothing much I could do. The social perception here is already fucked up.

Oh well, anyway, I've got a few things in line which will keep me satisfied through out the year.

1. My H&M shirt and stuff that my sis is bringing back from HK!

2. Jerm and Sharon's wedding! Congratz guys! You're only the second close friend wedding for me, and proud of you both!

3. Potluck party with camren, ken, aya, nigel, nic, liang, eva, jon, everyone!

2. My cousin's wedding in Terengganu. Third in a row for Soo family!

3. Genting trailblazer at the end of October

4. My Korea trip+birthday celebration with Carmen and the rest!

5. My Mens Health shoots

6. Applying to finish my 13 days of annual leaves before the end of the year!

Let's all pray that work don't get in the way during any of these weekends :)

2010-06-05T01:26:00.000-07:00

I saw an article by Steve Pavlina and I find it really really awesome... I obviously didn't write it, but I just want to share it to all of you who wants some motivation in life :) look for other articles at www.stevepavlina.com

Whenever you set an ambitious goal, it’s virtually guaranteed you’ll encounter some roadblocks.

There’s no reason to let that stop you though. A roadblock isn’t much of an obstacle for a human being. You can climb over it, walk around it, blow it up, get someone else to move it, or otherwise bypass it.

Roadblocks do an outstanding job of frightening away the timid. But to those with a modicum of courage, roadblocks have very little power. When a committed person tackles a roadblock, the roadblock stands very little chance. After a little time spent hacking away at the roadblock, the universe will tend to do the equivalent of saying, “Well, alright then… I was just checking to see if you were serious. I won’t stand in your way anymore. You’re free to proceed.”

Perhaps it’s a universal safety mechanism, something along the lines of survival of the fittest. Maybe the universe won’t allow weak-minded people to go too far down the path of goal achievement, since if they were to succeed in a big way, they’d just make a real mess of things. Strong-willed people are free to pass, while weak-minded ones get knocked back and have to train up a bit more.

Time for a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers.

So the question is… are you a timid adventurer? Has the world been scaring you away from setting and achieving some really big and meaningful goals?

Is a scarecrow enough to derail you from getting what you really want? Have you been derailed so many times that you’ve stopped pursuing what you want and settled for what you think you can get?

Have you defined as “impossible” or “highly improbable” a whole host of possibilities that other human beings have already proven achievable?

Sure there are some goals that would be really tough for you to accomplish. Maybe you’re right about certain things being impossible for you. So let’s see your battle scars then. Show me the wounds you’ve endured as a result of pursuing goals you couldn’t achieve. Let’s see that bankruptcy, that broken heart, the rejection letter, the lawsuit, the divorce, the public humiliation. Show me the total failures, the brutal disappointments, the smack-downs.

Let’s see them battle scars.

What’s that? Do my ears deceive me, or are those crickets I’m hearing?

No scars, eh.

Alrighty, how about some cuts and bruises? … A skinned knee? … A boo boo? … Heck, I’ll settle for a henna tattoo at this point.

If you have no scars, then you’re a super-duper mega-achiever, right? You must either be a complete genius or incredibly lucky. Nothing but a huge string of successes one after the other.

That’s not it either?

But if you’re not experiencing unfathomable successes and you’re not taking heavy damage either, then what the heck have you been doing with yourself?

Playing it safe, eh? Playing… Pretending…

Did you really come here to live a pretend life? Perhaps you should stop doing that.

Think about living a real life for a change… the kind of life people write poetry about.

If this world were a role-playing game (RPG), would you be classified as an Avatar or an NPC (non-player character)? NPCs sit around and repeat the same actions day after day. Avatars go on quests, where every day is different.

Do you have a quest? Or just a queue? Those last couple letters make a big difference.

Is your life safe? The word safe is both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective it means “being free from danger.” As a noun it’s “an enclosed storage container with a lock on it.” If you’re living the adjective, you’re living the noun too.

The word brave is also an adjective and a noun, meaning “possessing courage” (adj) and “a warrior” (n). Same rules apply.

Put an ending to pretending. Design your character, train him up, buy him some cool weapons, and send him into battle. Leave the safe behind — it will only slow you down.

In other words, decide what you want, develop the required skills, acquire the necessary resources, and go after your goal with courage. Don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way. Be that resolute young fellow (regardless of your age) as opposed to the timid adventurer.

It really is true that you have nothing to fear but fear itself. If you get hurt along the way, then suck it up and keep going. Battle scars are a part of life. To deny yourself disappointment is to deny yourself victory. If you want to go on a meaningful quest, you’re going to have to risk losing some hit points now and then. Imagine playing an RPG without losing any hit points. You’d be playing scared, and it would be mind-numbingly dull and plodding. Is that how you’re playing the game of life right now?

Is your life full of ghastly defeats and glorious triumphs? Or has getting the mail become the highlight of your day?

Do something today that causes you to risk outright failure. Polish that old armor, and clean up those rusty weapons. Put some of those hit points to good use for a change.

If you fail, then nurse your wounds and celebrate that you’re finally living as human beings were meant to live — impassioned, emboldened, and completely unafraid.

But if you succeed, go find yourself a damned good poet.

Chicken Fried!

2010-05-29T05:01:00.000-07:00

Had lunch with my boss last wednesday at chef n brew. It's been awhile since I've had lunch with him, but its always refreshing talking casually with him. Alittle bit of history, before I was working under him, we occasionally talk about music and band stuff and eventually we did practice together on a couple of songs. So I kinda know how he is like and usually, the music people are on the same kinda wavelength... You know, talking about making it big in the industry, gaining fame, how fucked up a musician can be or how great a musician can be... You know, its always refreshing to talk about these things with a more experienced person.

More often than not, he'd ask me to pursue something I like and quit the company.. (Obviously if the thing that I like brings me the money). He's released an album, got his songs on the charts, got reviewed, He's earned his 15 minutes of fame and he's enjoyed and that's all that he wants. Its been 10 years since he tried to break into the industry, and so far, he's totally happy about where he's at.

He told me that "you know... I don't wanna have regrets in my life... When I'm 50, I wanna be telling my kids, I've bought my lottery ticket and I've hit my jackpot already and I'm happy now. It may not be the biggest thing but its something I'm gonna be proud of myself... and when its time, there should be a time where they'd buy their own lottery tickets and earn their jackpot."

Like each and everyone of us... "I've always dreamt that by the age of 30 I'll drive a ferrari at least, but I'm already mid 30s and its the reality we're talking about. I should have played down my game and instead of earning lots of money my dream should be to at least sleep with girls from as many different nationalities as possible." He was joking of course, as he shared with another colleague, I asked him, "how did the other colleague responded? (I was thinking the other colleague would probably be somehow appalled)"

"I think you're too greedy, I'd settle down when I'm done with South East Asia"

***

I guess the bond between me and my father hasn't grown any closer. Well I think it's very much of a guy thing. We were closer when I was younger but as we grow I guess the interests were different though we do share a few same things, but that's about it. It was easier when I was younger, we were more of listeners than speakers and we'd be easily pleased.

My dad's a man of a little words. My mom once tolds me: don't be like your dad... You should know how to talk your way through with a girl, your dad can be boring.

Well as we grew, we talk lesser. Just like my grandad, he's more of a doer than a talker. So one of the ways to bond is to assist him in his work or the things he like to do. He's not a business man where I talk about work with him, nor is he the cool dad who does the things young people do. My dad pays alot of attention on his cars and his sound systems. I guess that's how I try to strike a conversation with him. Just thought of writing this cos I broke the door handle of my car, and usually, my dad's sort of a problem solver. The ultimate DIY guy.

He'd take his tool box and start fixing things. So you know, it's one of the things where I either just let him do his things or learn the craft, which is how the traditional father and son bond with each other. Well I do hope I'd be as good as he is, he could fix one thing using other approach when the guy at the workshop can't. And that, definitely saves alot of money and of course, bonding.

***

I've never really like country songs, but this particular verse by Zach brown band's kinda awesome. Very well written verse; soothing, convincing and catchy - sans the country tune

And its funny how it`s the little things in life that mean the most

Not where you live what you drive or the price tag on your clothes

There`s no dollar sign on a piece of mind; this i`ve come to know

So if you agree have a drink with me

Raise your glasses for a toast

Cold beer on a friday night

A pair of jeans that fit just right

And the radio up

Well i`ve seen the sunrise

See the love in my woman`s eyes

Feel the touch of a precious child

And know a mother`s love

no, you hang up..

2010-05-12T07:42:00.000-07:00

It was a great night last night, we've decided to end a tuesday night on the couch watching a DVD I recommended, called Prime. The movie starred Uma Thurman and Bryan Greenberg. Somewhere around my blog, I think I've written a few times about this movie. Its an awesome movie which I watched about hmmm... 5 years ago?

It never really occured to me before, but this is the first time... I'm the kind of person who watches a movie and you know, if I really like it then I'd watch and think of it at the same time, and probably after the movie too... ahh.. but I digress. Ok back to the story, Its a movie about a 37 year old lady who falls for a 23 year old guy. The catch of the movie is, the lady is in a dilemma from a recent dilemma and also about meeting and dating a guy who's 14 years younger than her, and she's seeing a therapist whom she'd later find out that she is his mother. As the story progresses, we see his mother objecting what he was doing, and he would obviously rebel against her.

5 years back when I watched this movie, I thought, "look, there's no point directing your son what to do in his life anymore, and serve you right, you're a professional, but you're not giving your son the advices you give to your patients, so now you see your son dating your much older patient and you're upset!" I thought, what's wrong with dating her? His mom said in the end you'll end up hurting each other.

Now 5 years down the road, 11th May to be exact, when I watched it again... I had a different thought. I thought... "hmmm... at the end of the day, a mother just knows everything, and whatever she said to you is right." Well, my point is, its not about going out with an older girl or anything, but when your mom tells you to do something or not, she is always right about it, and that's why she tells you".

Sometimes, its just so simple but we grow up and we lose track abit and think highly of ourselves and stop taking advices from our loved ones. Well I'd never thought I'd look at the same movie in a different way 5 years after watching it for the first time. I guess in a way, I've grown, and I hope I did.

It feels weird, but kinda refreshing when you realize things like that, when you start interpreting things differently from how you will back then. Its weird, but its good.

***

Maybe... You can make me smile when you're around You can be sunshine But even sometimes the sunshine can bring me down

2010-04-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

Well I guess its right. You'd feel the routine once you get used to things which is why even in sports, you keep pushing yourself to a higher level, because if keep staying the same, you'll never grow stronger.

And that's the usual complaints we get when we start working; the daily grind - work, eat and sleep. And when you only have so much time to fit those three things together, you start to wonder "Am I doing the right thing for myself?" I'm not saying that everyone gets bored of it or if its a bad thing, but what I'm saying is that to some people, routines are not what we expect in our lives.

I guess I'm kinda hitting that plateau and I'm doing something about it.

Just like in my fitness training, things get fun when you're doing something that you wish to do. I'm meeting new people who make a fresh change to my social circle, I enjoy good music, rekindling my lost interest, and most importantly continuously building relationship with my close friends and family.

I'm actively spending time looking into the things I love, - performing arts, trying my best to get into the entertainment scene - I guess that's how I keep myself away from the routine, and finding that spark again. I'm not ashame to admit that one day I'd like to be famous and rich and so I shall work things to my own advantage. Anyone in the world should do that - I guess everyone's trying their best to reach the pinnacle of maslow's needs hierarchy - self actualization.

I'm not gonna guarantee a success but I'll give it all, but don't overexpect - that's a recipe for being happy, in my honest opinion. What's important is that even if I don't succeed, cos I've only found a million ways that are not working, which brings me closer to discovering what I need to succeed.

2010-03-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

Today I witness death. Of a handicapped creature. A crippled crow, its left wing was clipped. As each and every bird was born to fly, it, was also trying so. Like everything else, the existence of one thing is for a good purpose. Like chickens are meant to be eaten and nuclear bomb to destroy something. Which makes human beings the most unique living creatures for we exist to create and destroy. Like Trees exists to create a liveable environment for us, and mosquito to spread diseases. Each of those, serves only its one purpose in their life, essentially, to create/destroy.

If you see something come and go the way they should, then it wouldn't seem so sad. Like, its a commonly and socially accepted that chickens exists as food to many other creatures. Like horses exist with the purpose of becoming modes of transportation to human. Or the Lions limited existence to ensure there will not be too much herbivores around or the greens will be gone. Things are the way things are and that should remain.

So, seeing a bird die in a way it shouldn't in a way felt really sad, cos that's just not how it was supposed to be. It was crippled and ran over by a car. Its not meant to be.

Like eating shark's fin and killing an elephant for it's tusks. There are animals that are created to be food to others and some are not. And that should remain.

There Will Be An Answer, Let It Be.

2010-01-16T23:07:00.000-08:00

Happy new year, all, this, will be my first post for 2010, since my last post sometime in November. Its been that long! Its the time of the year again where you start to reorganize your life, thinking about the things you should've done last year, or should do this year, or the things that you'd have to wait longer before you could do.

Well, it would definitely be the same for me... Reassessing what you're gonna do about your life. Before I let it slip again, I better write it down here.

How I've come up with my 2010 list is that, as we grow, I think we grow towards more insecurities in life and more worries. I guess that happens when you start lose focus on the things you do and setting the wrong priorities. The last quarter of 2009 and the begining of 2010 didn't seem too smooth for me. I hope the new lunar year will mark the begining of a good and smooth sailing year for me.

I think I've mixed up lots of things and got myself confused. I don't feel too satisfied at work or think I'm doing all the right things, I feel I haven't been putting much effort on everything I regularly do. I'm starting to think that I have less time in a day (which I would reinforce that I should not think so) to do the things that I wanna do, and I think I've somehow put aside friends and family a little bit lately. In 2010, this will change. Something has came into my life and I guess I have somehow messed up my own "personal schedule".

But besides the bad things, I've somethings that kept me going on despite the bad things happening. And these, are my short term goals, challenges, hurdles that would motivate me and help get me back up again during the down times. And ironically, its nothing really important at all, to many people... that you'd just go... 'Nyeh..." But fuck you if you think so cos they matter to me.

I would like to change the wrongs and make them right this year, and continue doing the right things... so here goes my list...

1. To run more than 100km by 31st Dec 2010

2. To increase my attention span at work by reading important materials at least 2x and make it a habit by June 2010.

3. To save a consistent amount of money every month after CNY 2010.

4. Reduce no. of FFK to any respective friends to at most once a month / person starting 1st Feb 2010.

5. To have another family trip between September - December 2010.

6. To have at least 3 trips with my closest friend in 2010.

7. To finish at least 2 WODs per day for at least 3 days a week.

8. 42% work, 8% gym, 16% Friends and Family, 33% Sleep - This should more or less be my average daily ratio in 2010. The only constant variable will be between Friends and Family and Sleep.

Short term goals

1. By March 2010 - buy new running shoes below RM299

2. By March 2010 - Finish 30 Muscle ups in 4:10

3. By March 2010 - Finish 150 double unders in 1:40

4. By CNY 2010 - Get the watch fixed!

5. By July 2010 - To improve my 20/21 km run to 2:00:00

6. By May 2010 - To improve my 10km run to below one hour.

There's 2 long term goals I'd like to have.. and I pinpointed at the age of latest 40, to already have a business that is either a funeral business, or a marketing execution and planning business. And by the age of 30, to already have experienced the show biz in Malaysia.

I would like to change myself in 2010 against the person I am in 2009,

1. Let the mind be stronger than the emotions that come against it.

2. Be less foolish when handling your own feelings.

3. Be sure to make a bold decision to protect yourself against your weaker self.

4. Remember that no one around you is more evil than your weaker self.

5. Expect more from yourself, expect less from anyone else.

6. Spend less time thinking, spend more time doing

7. Understand that in certain situations, losing less is a gain.

8. Be more judgemental of the people who surround you.

9. Have more faith in God.

10. Excitement (Things people do to make you feel) is temporary, Passion (Things that you naturally feel for) is long lasting.

I hope that all of you have your own list of things that is essential to some sort of self actualization this year. And I hope all for the better for anyone of you. Happy new year, and all the best in realizing your goals!

And, I've already started embarking on my first goal of 2010, by finishing a 20km race!

More music, dress better, healthy snacks, go home often, save money, work passionately, run further, fly further, more beach holidays, stay healthy.

Ninja Assassin!

2009-11-27T22:20:00.001-08:00

In conjunction with victor yong's birthday, a few of us decided to buy him dinner at rakuzen at jln imbi last night, accompanied by a movie after that.

Since everyone watched 2012 already except me, and obviously there are guys, so new moon was definitely out of the list. It's like guys watching women's tennis match - not for tennis but for the girls. Well, let's not go there.

So finally we decided on ninja assassin starring the oh soooo hot rain... Although seriously, with that hairstyle, he looks like liu kang in mortal kombat... Which chicks don't dig. Anyway, since it was directed by the director of matrix (the wachowski bros if I've not mistaken) obviously the fight scene was... Spectacular... Apart from the lousy blood animations.. I thought b-grade movies have better looking blood.

The intro starts with sung kang (you would remember him from tokyo drift) getting a tattoo, with a bunch of japanese yakuzas in the room trash talking in english. I mean give me break.. At least have a few scenes in japanese, cos why would yakuzas want to converse in english among themselves?? Seriously? Anyway the rest of the guys in the room are pretty much lousy actors who can't even fake a decent laughter

And I was thinking... Ninjas are supposed to be japanese. Not koreans.

Anyway, it was a good movie overall, you may even say its a good comedy, but nothing's gonna be right in a hollywood flick when 60% of the cast are asians, because I think that when they took up the role they probably didn't understand how bad the script was. Or maybe, their agents are asians too who's not too good with english. They'd be saying to the their clients "whatever man! Hey, its hollywood!"

The lines are unexpectedly cheesy, or maybe it was the caucasian director's effort to make the movie more impactful... "Well at least people don't end up feeling like they just got out of jackie chan movie" cos nobody (even asians) understand jackie right?

The adrenaline rush is there, there's a plot and a storyline that flow thru, typical but at least you know, you don't come out puzzled at the end of the movie.. Which was good.

Its the typical hero learns martial arts, but master was too strict and killed the girl, hero gets angry, left the clan, being hunted by hundreds of minions but never get killed, then became stronger, meets his former friend-turned-foe and faces off and kills him before he gets to meet the boss, which he wastes half his life using useless methods to kill him but in vain, until he unleash his ultimate moves.

It's funny how that's really interesting, cos at first you feel alittle bit for the hero, and then the feeling starts to build up and by the end u get really really angry and when the boss was killed u get that feel good sensation.

I'd give 3 out of 5 stars for this movie
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

The most useful berry

2009-11-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

As james yeang would have put it, whatever a blackberry can do, an iphone could do the same, and more. In my defense, the functions that the blackberry has regardless of what limitations it has compared to what an iphone is capable of, has served its purpose well.

well, I got a darn good deal with my blackberry and kudos digi, it was such a steal. So here I go about why it is useful to me:

1. It was meant for emailing since its inception, so the qwerty keyboarf made a lot of sense for speedy words input.
2. Keeps me connected all the time
- blogging while on the go (right now I'm on my journey back to kl)
- twitter on the go
- Msn, facebook, g-talk
3. Photo capture that can be instantly posted in facebook, email, msn, twitter. Saves you a lot of time when you see a product that you need/want to show to someone.
4. Blackberry messenger. Free instant messaging for blackberry users.

Now this is how the future of multitasking should be like. I've complained about not being able to focus my secondary t-shirt business but with push email, I am able to instantly open customer email request. I could track my website for products, all while I'm on the go.

A blackberry is created in a way where it is essentially a corporate mobile device as compared to an iphone, from the presentation of its simple but useful interface and functions to its elegant but practical physical presence.

It has to be one of the most easily understandable mobile phone where getting connected is a breeze.

I'm currently using the blackberry bold 9000

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

2009-11-22T06:03:00.000-08:00

Have you ever... Experience a moment of pure serenity? A journey into deep thought normally motivated by problems and opportunities forgone..

But its far from simple to reach that state of mind... Its like that part of a movie where the guy drives on a free way at 80 miles an hour while the narrator speaks and the scene just slowly phases into silence... Just the narrators voice uttering his thoughts...

Lately, this sensation happens. It could be ego, or just compassion, purely human. As I move on, I hope I move along with new passions that could probably take this kinda feeling away soon.

I've been distracted by it, and I've found other distractions but maybe it just couldn't contain the excuses I've been fed with. If I could only understand it.. Let alone accept it. If only.

Well. Just. wake. me. up. when the morning comes from this sleep I am in.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

does the world need another love song?

2009-11-17T08:48:00.000-08:00

God bless James for telling me about that kick ass Digi package for blackberry last week. It couldn't have been better than that..

Well, it was all good and lucky on thursday.. But luck took a quick turn around and on saturday, my door knob broke and my bb got faulty.. I thought it was the worst day ever..

I haven't been spending quality time with my parents hassling over rhis bb shit and cos so many plans in the weekend.. But the people at digi totally rocked.. They couldn't fix my bb obviously cos they are not professionally trained to do so. But what amazed me was that they did not hesitate to give me a new set upon my request.

I've heard about other service provider that requested the user to wait 3 weeks for the set to be sent back to the head quarters which is in singapore. I have to say that I'm really lucky. God bless you digi prople!

***

What I have now ain't what I'm used to
But I guess I'm getting the hang of it
Cos I guess I'm never gonna get enough of the good stuff

We need to learn to give and take, from making them same mistakes
And that's how I know your place in me
Cos I guess I'm never gonna get enough of you

I know I was never good in showing how I feel
and I don't lie, u know its quite a deal
Cos I guess I really want the same from you
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

I know there's always more than one way to say exactly what you mean to say

2009-09-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

I thought six days would probably be too long for an island trip alone... turns out to be... its not! 6 days in Krabi only means that you can take your time resting, choosing what to eat, and choosing what to do the day after...the only thing stopping you from doing it is your hesitation.

Basically what you can do (which is what I did) in Krabi is. Upon reaching to the air port, (there's only one flight everyday which arrives in Krabi at 12.20) you'll board on a bus to either Krabi town or Ao Nang Beach. Unless you have plenty of time, do not go to town, go to the beach straight away, that's your whole point of coming here anyway. Do not take the taxi, take the bus there, its RM15 to go to the beach

So first day when you reach, you need to book a hotel, basically just go to a tourist centre, and ask for a hotel to stay, if you're gonna go budget just let him know, he'll get something for you. So I got this place for RM50, really good place, maybe just the interior that is not too beautiful (plain looking) but everything else is perfect. If you go to a resort, you'll probably need to pay for two persons part if you go alone. Aree Tara, Buri Tara, Anantaburin, Red Ginger are some of the nicer 3 star boutique hotels (expect to pay RM120 - RM170). So when I got into my hotel room, all I did was sleep till dinner time, cos I was already tired the night before with not enough sleep.
There's everything from Thai food to fast food to all sorts of western food.

Book for a tour on the first day, so you'll get your second day occupied. So get some sleep cos the tour would normally start at 8.30-9am. Tours you'll have to have to have to go: 4 Island tour would be a good foreplay to get into ignition, then the next day, go for 5 island tour, and end it with a climax tour of phi phi island... Its like multiple orgasm. (This may play up your expectations, but its really that damn good for me).

So maybe if you do have a free time, just take sometime rent a bike and get around town. Grab a map, get some fuel and get yourself going. It should take about half an hour to get to town longest. From there you'd probably just buy some stuff in town, then you'll get to Tiger cave temple (walk 1237 steps up and 1237 steps down - good exercise for a day) then you'd probably should go to the hot springs and crystal pool (part of the tour called unseen thailand which would probably cost you RM90) all this for just about RM40 if you go yourself.

I met up with this Swedish dude and we toured around town together and went to those places ourselves. The best thing about exploring is that you get lost here and there but we'll find it in the end. It was raining pretty badly and it was cold as hell we've just gotta stop to send the shivers away! The swim at the hot springs was damn good as today was a cold day, and then a bottle of Singha beer after the cold ride back to town really help! You'd probably be back to Ao Nang by 7-8pm. Its time to get a hot shower after.

Overall this solo trip is really... liberating. You think about alot of things when you're alone (I have my own agenda in this trip and have been thinking hard a few days and it became clear to me in the end) and you get to everything at your leisure. You hold some sort of responsibility for yourself, you've gotta get your trip worth going for, so you'll have to plan. And since you're all alone, this is the best time to make friends with other travellers and get to know their itinerary or where they're going next and you may just tag along or plan something out. You go for daring trips, get a map and get lost somewhere but when you find your way out, the sense of achievement really kicks in! Its like a personal development program, if you could call it that way... haha.

Ok there'll be pics once i get back. See you guys back in Malaysia on Saturday! Going for my last island tour tomorrow, i'll keep it all updated! Cheers!

2009-09-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

This is my first post since the last a month or two ago. Ironically, I didn't update anything while I was at home, but instead, I spend my first night in Krabi to finally, write something.

Its my first solo travel, I have to say its really, really, really... filled with mixed feelings. For firstly, I never knew what to expect or how fast or slow the journey should be. I don't know the language well (the words I know are really important words, but can't really help me survive on the streets). But as I walked and walked and walked searching for nothing, I finally stopped at this part of the beach nearing to Rai Lay where this lady offered me a seat by the beach. She said it's free and its ok, as she came over to chat up with me and she left and gave me a slice of pineapple (maybe its because I told her I came alone haha). I just sat and enjoyed the breeze, for an hour or more! I've never been a solo traveller so I really don't know what to expect in this trip, it was a little liberating, but also depressing at the same time.

Travelling to Krabi can be quite a brisk if you have an idea what to do. Basically everything is by the doorstep, and before you make any decisions, make sure you read about it or ask someone about it first. There's nothing worst than feeling like you've been cheated, but remember, its not about being cheated, but about giving more than you are happy to. Budget lodging ranges from RM30-RM50 while nicer hotels would probably cost you RM120-RM150. Food is pretty much KL standard, but the problem is you'll find many restaurants than food peddlers at Ao Nang, the beach town. Its a tourist area afterall.

The things you'll have to do here is to visit the islands cause the beach is pretty much very normal, the only attractions will be beyond the seaside. There will be many tourist centres offering different prices for different tours but just be aware of the cheap ones.

***

For me, its always like accidents. It just comes and hit me, and things just get started from there. In my relationships, all of them are by chances, never by choice. That's they beauty of it, you'll never know if its the right one or not, all you could do is tell which is your favourite accident.

Mondays - The love and the hate.

2009-05-29T21:05:00.000-07:00

Things have start to take off for our blog, but we hope more for a fruitful 1st month, so guys, if you all can (should) please give us your support! Our stuffs are of good taste and quality =D seriously!!

Anyway.

I think time has been moving considerably fast, I'm hoping that things will take a turn for me in August. In terms of career, I mean. Last Friday was my first experience in handling a month end sales target, pretty intense stuff I'd say. Obviously when there's shortfall you'd be finding ways to dig up money, even if its from the sky. So, we're caught in that tight situation, we were forcing out orders, but due to miscommunication of pricing has led a whole day's work to... Nothing. And pretty much it was my fault. The managers have decided that we should not let the inappropriate pricing be an argument for our clients to force more discounts, so they made a call to not close the deal.

It's kinda a painful experience, it's been such a stressful day, pressured from all sides, working so hard but because of a slighhhht mistake, things took a 360 turn. Well for now, I hope I'll be fine during the discussion on this next week. Haha

***

Ahhh... But I digress.

Couldn't help it, my worries are overwhelming me! As I mentioned, time has been moving rather fast, and it's already almost two weeks since I came back from my rendezvous. The distance has certainly became a challenge for me. I like it, but I hate it sometimes. See, sometimes, somethings are too complicated to explain... like this: I like it, 'cos when I see you, I reallly do wanna see you soooo much, the feeling of missing someone never felt this good, but I hate it, 'cos I still have to wait till I see you the next time. But its like this thing in the mathematical equation, y = mx + c... c being the constant that is the distance, but it bridges that gap between y (you) and x (me)... but its m (miss) that determines what you and me are gonna feel. Haha ok, enough of my cheesy approaches.

But, its very much like a Monday to me... Monday is like the bitch that gets in the way between weekends... The agony that a Monday has is much worse than Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday could ever conjure up. I excluded Friday, cos Friday is like the guy who gives you a chill pill. But you know, I think Monday came for a reason, I hate Mondays like I hate those qq acting girls.. but I don't want it out of my life. Otherwise, my love for the weekend wouldn't be as deep as it is now, if it wasn't for Mondays.

It makes you appreciate things more. i guess that's how it works. How extremes work. How you appreciate something so much because you know it isn't easy to achieve. Just like LDR and just like Mondays.

***

Lakers got into Finals, woo hoo! I think I'm one of the only guys here in Malaysia that doesn't go "Woot! MU are the champs in the EPL!!!". Truly one of a kind. But well done Lakers! After all the speculations that you won't be in the Finals, you have proven yourself again! Next up, proving ground, for Kobe's showdown.

Visit the new e-shop for street wear

2009-05-24T03:05:00.000-07:00

There's a new e-shop in town called rosewood avenue clothings. Do visit the site and look for cool shirts at http://rosewoodavenue.blogspot.com

Really cool designs with prints that are rather satirical and funky, all t-shirt starts at RM30, excluding postage. COD will also be available but in limited areas only. Do pay them a visit on the website and you might just want to get your hands onto one or two pieces.

Sneak previews from the webbie:

May the 16th

2009-05-21T07:06:00.000-07:00

Someone told me over a dinner date with friends that its a wrong season to visit. It rains everyday over there. But I knew (know) that visiting on the 16th May can never be wrong. And eating fatty stuff is ok on that date.

It was a rainy weekend, rains and thunderstorms through the day and through the night. That didn't stop us from getting around and doing things we wanna do, we had lots of fun. Its my first time at the other province, enjoying the sea breeze with the right company.

Meeting someone miles away are always very intriguing. The amount of time spent together in the last four months can be counted in hours! Well maybe that's the beauty of LDR, I learned. Your relationship never grow old, even as you age. The more you are apart, the more you'd want to get close, and when you do, its like the first greatest feeling ever. And the fact that you only have a few days to spare, makes it so much more valuable then having gold or diamonds. You'll be thinking when can I save to get the gold, I'd be thinking when I can save enough to go there again.

As much as many would disagree with LDR, I'm glad that both of us have supportive friends. Well, I think we have to always see the cup half glass full to enjoy whatever we choose. So peeps, here's some for your viewing

The amazing skyline from the 31st floor. That's the other look out spot, from the tall building on the left side of the photo; Sirocco. The urban and the sub-urban areas are separated by the river. There's a very strong concentration in terms of area demarcation, but roads and places are way too complicated.

Rainy day on Sunday. But it didn't stop people from visiting the JJ weekend market. There were crowds walking in and out of the market. But it was pretty good that, it only rained when we finished shopping. But I'm really sorry I forgot someone's horoscope. =D

Well, a t-shirt vendor along the path in the market. Very extensive designs of t-shirt, some very original but some copies. Well, this is just a begining for us. You'll see what I mean later.

The chicken legs. The flaw that never fail to attract friends' attention in a bad way. Was negotiating for a good price, but we only managed to get 16+1 at the price of RM300. Although we initially wanted to pay RM15 but our quantity wasn't significant enough.

Its raining pretty badly when we're choosing the t-shirts, but fortunately the shelter was big enough to keep the rain away. the chair was wet, so no one sat on it...

And before we left for the market, we headed to the nearest supermarket to shop for sandwich ingredients... and prepared... Bacon and bologna sausage topped with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and purple cabbage, in poppy seed loaf. Tasted good! =) And we proudly called it FCA and BLT sandwich

At the karaoke place, after dinner with her friends in conjunction of her birthday. Karaoke is always fun when there's 2 become 1... and a good company to sing and laugh with... There were about 10-15 rooms I guess and the rooms have good interior design and furnitures. And the good thing is there are romanized lyrics. I hope they would do that for chinese songs someday.

The amount of boats at the beach is really really crazy. I've never seen so many boats at one time in my life before. Its like spamming boats all around the places for no reasons.

Hard Rock Hotel. Very nice place, they even have foam party, according to someone, it's like foam filled swimming pool and everyone would jump in and party. So descriptive, maybe someone's partying without me around! =D And very amazing collection of used guitars at the lobby and showcase cabinets

Riding on the truck, and cruising through the beautiful beach town. How I wish we had more time to chill, and walk around. It was beautiful!

The mobile soft toy seller, riding away.

A bar called "Good Everything" with many white guys with local girls. A very usual sight in the town. 8 out of 10 white guys will be hanging around with a local girl. Guaranteed 4/5.

Ever bright lights and signs on the busy streets. Busy, busy street. White guys, girls, motorbikes, cars, bars, bars and bars and white guys with local girls, many many white guys. Oh and local girls hitting on white guys. =D
The mall, where we had dinner, very nice and beautiful place, and good food. The only place I can find Topshop over there. But very nice ID and lightings.

let me know,
do i still got time to grow
things ain't always set in stone
that bein' known, let me know

it seems like streetlights, glowin'
happen to be just like moments, passin'
in front of me
so, i hopped in the cab and
i paid my fare
see, i know my destination, but i'm just not there

all the street lights, glowin'
happen to be just like moments, passin'
in front of me
so, i hopped in the cab and
i paid my fare
see, i know my destination, but i'm just not there

in the streets
in the streets
i'm just not there
in the streets
i'm just not there
life's just not fair

Never fail to put a =) on my face

It's getting hot in here, there must be something in the atmosphere

2009-05-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

First of all, which car manufacturer in the world would have created any car with too many defects and shortcomings? I mean seriously, how ignorant can they be? Grinding sound on the front right brake or anything that it could be...(fine.. Proton cars are already famous for weird noises from somewhere in the car) but... things like... a very limited steering radius, placing the back locks at an inconvenient position, and seriously, what kinda car manufacturer produces cars with no glove compartment? seriously...

In addition to that, the reverse sensor has recently gone crazy... and the worst problem is the malfunction of the central locking system. how the fuck would that happen? now when i lock the car, sometimes, the lock on the drivers side would not work... and sometimes the one on the passenger side or the back side wouldn;t work. There is no pattern as to which works or not! how insane is that malfunction?

I have no choice but to accept those flaws of my dear car. I have no choice but to still love you, wash you when you're dirty, feed you when you're hungry, cos that's what your price tag said about you...

***

Ok, here's the thing... We spent our weekend celebrating mother's day a week earlier cos we thought we could avoid the unnecessary crowd on the actual date, which we did. Me, my sis and my cousins actually planned to have a 2 family mother's day celebration since its the first time and since all of us have started working, it would be nice to buy our mothers a nice dinner. We planned and some failed till we finally decided to go to Jogoya.

It was on Friday and we were paying RM102 per pax after netting the price. There were ten of us, and according to the lady, if we had 12 people then we'll get the VIP seating (we'll have extra dishes to order).

Well, I'd like to compare the more inferior Shogun to Jogoya and I think maybe there was a large gap 2-3 years ago... but now... i think they are comparable. The range is not there... the fishes were not fresh, sushi is very tough... and the only dishes that were nice were the chinese dishes! I mean what the hell? and the desserts, cheese cakes that felt like stone! the only nice desserts they offer are the Haagen Daaz ice creams...

To add on to my horror... we found a cockroach on our sukiyaki pot! *Highlight of the Day* so we called the person in charge to complain, and guess what... when we told him about it, he already had a tissue in hand, and without hesitation he reached out to kill the evidence! So my cousin asked him for some reimbursement and he said he will give us VIP coupons to be used that day. But what the hell, we were all full and I told him that this shouldn't be the way, I guess we paid so much and I think when we see something like this happen, its not fair that we only get food vouchers... whatever the reason he has to defend, i guess it wasn't my problem, it's the restaurant's! and killing the evidence even before we could do anything with it!? wow, how unethical!

Last night I had a dream about you, and in this dream I'm dancing right beside you

2009-02-20T19:14:00.000-08:00

The thing is, my company has always had overseas annual trip/dinner, but due to the economic condition, we have decided that we should do it within the country. The only problem is, I don't understand why it has to be in Melaka. My home town. The place I least want to be for an annual trip. The previous 2 years, they traveled to Phuket. Last year, they went to Bangkok. And this year. Melaka! I thought to myself; "from an international flight downgraded to express bus". I wouldn't even mind flying on air asia or jetstar or anything for that matter!

Ok, enough with complaining. The trip was good actually. And in fact, I enjoy becoming a tour guide, something I always wanted to do although I am not good at it.

All of us, (my boss did not approve of my request to drive back to melaka) boarded the bus down to Melaka, listening to the official tour guide talking about Melaka along the way and pronouncing entourage as "and-too-rage" and we stepped down at a local merchant square here local products are being sold, a place that I have never stepped into. After about 20 minutes we proceeded to our hotel for check in and went for lunch.

And let me skip the talks and team building as it is something that happens in every annual trip or dinner in every country. So we proceeded to dinner, where everyone was clad in cowboy attires and our very enthusiastic MCs did the utmost impressive job in keeping the audience entertained and my role in handling part of the PA system and the impromptu MC-ing part. We also had a damn good performance by our entertainer, Mr Lenard Tan who cracked some of his witty, political and satirical jokes like how he explained that "a few sodomy cases have been transfered to the traffic department for 'illegal entry' and how "Yo, what's up, bro?" got translated badly in subtitles into "yo, apa naik, abang?" among many others.

It was one of our colleagues birthday after 12am, so I, as the Melakan, who is not the one celebrating my birthday, brought the crowd of 15-20 people to the nearest cafe which was closed, so we walked to another one which was nearby. The only problem was, the Director wanted to buy all of us wine, but it wasn't available. I could only think of a club: Pure Bar, and headed there. Fortunately, the live band was good and they served wine.

And then the managers and Directors partied. That was the highlight, as you see them party hard, the part you never get to see in office, but nevertheless, they are really fun and laidback people to mix with! We all partied till the wee hours of 3am

Ok, I was thinking alot about the trip the night before and the preparation of the event as I was part of the committee of the event. So I guess, putting it into priority for the night before kinda left the other priorities on a lower position which I am really sorry for doing it.

But like they say, we learn from mistakes and mistakes are never intentional, otherwise it would be called bad intentions. I'm doing all I can to make ends meet too, and as they say, with great power comes great responsibility, to be able to talk with someone as far as 10,000km or more, means that I have to sacrifice two bowls of Wanton Noodles, I'm willing to go to that length to get !! Thanks Jerm and Sharon for the Bluetooth (Butut) Headphones!

I apologize for my wrong doings na!

Pics

(l-r): Yan Sean, Eileen, Aina, Rosalind, Farrah, Jessica and Tiffany

Wingman - Winglady

The fantastic new company t-shirts

Farrah and Aina

We always think that Rosalind and I forms KLCC while Shino always comes in between as the bridge on the 44th level and since Ian comes into the picture, I've decided to name him the maxis building! LOL!

What a catch...

2009-02-16T06:11:00.000-08:00

Last valentine's day, I received a parcel containing a DVD among a few other items. It is a movie entitled "Sliding Doors" which I decided to watch the monday after, after it was recommended to me. It stars gwyneth paltrow and john hannah, revolves around the life of Gwyneth paltrow, at that particular moment, what would happen next should she missed/taken the train back home. The movie is set in 2 parallel universes, the consequence of the train incident.

It has always been a question in one's mind as to what would happen if do/don't do something. Correct me if I'm wrong; we always think "oh if only I didn't mark "A" on the exam sheet" or "If only I sms-ed her" cos we always contemplate about our decisions. And this movie explains it in the perspective of Gwyneth Paltrow's life after the train incident.

The story line moves about a-la Robert Frost's The road not taken. As much as we would imagine but will never realize what would happen, obviously because time moves forward and not backwards, this movie brings us through at its best gwyneth paltrow's parallel universe and the different people she will meet and end up with. Well unless we venture into rocket science, i guess its hard for us to reconcile the events in both universes. But Gwyneth Paltrow certainly gave a stellar performance in her effort to make ends meet in both universes while john hannah played the love interest who would be her lover only if she did not miss the train.

The ending in both universes were really soothing, in the line where she missed the train, she eventually met John Hannah, whom she quoted his favourite phrase and sort of sparked a dejavu (of the other universe). In the other universe, John Hannah promised happiness to her all his life.

The funny and interesting moral of the movie is IMHO, that while some things are meant to be known, some things are not, sometimes, no matter what happens to us, it will lead to the same consequences.

Just like the Bangkok incident.

***

This may sound funny to you, but there is a guy in facebook, with the screen name Ryan Lee, who uses my photo on his profile. I was informed about this by my gym mate, who told me she received a message from me but with a different name. I told her I go by Julian Chow and not any name and that my profile pic is a caricature of myself. She said she remember seeing my picture of me holding a guitar and got me curious.

She showed me and to my dismay, he has not only one, but a whole bunch of my photos in his profile photos, which I could clearly identify they come from my friendster page. The saddest thing about this is: He has MORE friends than I do. Now everyone in the gym calls me Ryan Lee.
Ok, this issue needs to be addressed as I am Julian Chow and not Ryan Lee! Damn it! Now I can call someone a freaking Poseur! Hah!

If he/she happens to be your friend, please on behalf of me, ask why this is happening. Thank you!

***

Sunday is the day we decided to have home cooked dinner session every weekend we're around. And Feb 15 2009 marks the day, the Bros decided to have the first cooking session, Jamie oliver style.

FD complimenting his own cooking

But what can I say? It's a job well done and we're proud!

Jules: "Shit, before you take the photos, better look around if anyone is looking. They would think we're crazy taking photos while taking turns to cook
FD: "Yeah, and they must think 'what are those two idiots doing so excited about cooking?', they have already cooked for so long they can't be bothered anymore and these two guys are enjoying and taking photos??"

2009-02-09T01:50:00.000-08:00

A few things about doing charity

Just my two cents on the aforementioned subject. I'd also like to know what are your thoughts on that.

Not too long ago, I have had this conversation about giving donations to the needy. I've always been a firm believer that charity always starts from home and that if you can't even do good for your family, there is no reason to practice charity outside of home. Especially if it involves money.

For one, I believe many charity bodies are syndicates. Or. They may be asking for donations from the masses but only a portion of the donated amount goes to charity. If this fact is not stated clearly, then it is obviously a scam. No matter how much a personnel can verify that he/she is legit, how many of us will take the effort to actually go to the authorities to verify the body? Plus, how would our actions be reflected by the society if the body is in fact a legit one? (This is one reason I could come up with among a few others).

As I have mentioned, only a certain amount of the donation would go to proceeds to raise funds of a certain cause. I've experienced going through a campaign that involves driving donations through purchases in malls (involves buying a recyclable shopping bag, in which a certain amount of the purchase will go to a charity body), so I certainly can assure you, not much of your money actually goes through charity. In other words, if the donation drive is not highly publicized in the media, chances are you may be giving money to people for free.

Thirdly, I certainly do not support charity bodies that offer an exchange that does not have any impact towards our donation, for instance, like giving pens or handicrafts. Just thinking about it, if they could offer say with RM10 of donations, you will get a book about recycling, a small biodegradable bottle, recyclable shopping bag, charity themed t-shirt would mean much more to your RM10 (or RM20 for that matter) than getting useless exchange that serves no purpose. PLUS, would you pay RM10 for a pack of 3 lousy pens that may not even work when you use them, or handicrafts that wouldn't even end up at any places in your home to be displayed. Make sense? moreover, we're all moving towards a greener generation, so why offer useless exchanges? The fact is, they may as well be rip offs.
In order to gain more margin from your donation, they spend on less cost, but at the same time disguise as though you're getting something back from your sincere donation.

I am strongly against monetary donation. Coming from a poor man's perspective, my money is hard earned and it only serves for one purpose, which is for what I want to do with it only. I think buying a meal for a friend or family means more than donating money to a body you may never be sure if it is real or not. I only believe in donating in the form of goods. Just like how monks will not accept money as offering, I, too believe this should be the way. I agree with cleaning the old folks' home, i believe in helping to paint the orphanage, I believe in donating blood, I believe in donating organs, I believe in running for charity among other hundreds or thousands of people. But never will I donate money for pens or handicrafts.

I never felt good donating money while I'm eating in a coffee shop or restaurant. I would not say I feel bad either. I always have that mixed emotion when I do donate to a claimed to be valid charity body (feeling if it was right or stupid doing so). But everytime I go to a hospital to donate blood I always feel nothing else short of great.

And just another note, welcome to the society of take but never give. Go to a hospital and you'll see. The Blood bank is the only department in the hospital where you don't have to queue up and wait for your turn.

***

25 Random Things You May Not Know About Me (Tagged by Rosalind)

1. I hate my skinny chicken legs
2. I wish Bangkok is just a stone's throw away
3. I enjoy staying at home alone on weekdays night
4. I enjoy doing stupid things like learning the nunchucks, juggling oranges, rubik's cube; for the sake of impressing people and showing that I'm better than you! yes! you!
5. I am obsessed with crossfit
6. I believe in god in times of trouble
7. I think i can't sing better than i did last time
8. I like/hate people at first glance, and most of the time, i'm right about it
9. I'm obsessed with abs workouts.
10. is an ah beng at heart
11. Loves timepieces
12. I have many best friends. Best friends are what you expect of them to be not what everyone expects them to be.
13. I want to have a chubbier face but with the same body
14. I do not usually have supper
15. I do not usually have deep fried food. Chicken skin will go to rosalind or my mom
16. I have to listen to music to sleep
17. I wanna go to bali!
18. I have the worst sense of direction
19. I start to like britney since toxic (she's a comeback queen ok?)
20. I only play on hard mode in guitar hero
21. I'm an impulse spender
22. I hope everyone starts exercizing
23. I hope there are no deep fried food
24. I hope I can be famous
25. I always hope

***

I am glad to be part of pushmore and I have always been proud and honoured that I am one of the few guys to be in the muscle up club. To be honest, crossfit has always been providing me new challenges to face and keeps me going in life. We are human beings, specifically male human beings. We are the kind of creature who find satisfaction in achievement. Even in cooking. If you could cook a damn good meal, it would be something to be proud of. And for me, winning challenges is what keeps me going. I.e muscle ups, bar muscle ups, one arm push up, jerks, double unders, that's the beauty of crossfit, it puts your body to the test. So everyday after a stressful day at work, I just let loose and go to the gym and start the other part of my life where I find things to achieve. I did not use to be that last time.

See, when you change a goal of something similar, it will become a totally different thing. Like how going to a normal gym is so different from training at pushmore. Like how parkour aims at the flashiest way of moving around obstacle, Free running aims at moving around obstacle in the fastest way. Which is why setting the right goals for yourself is important to help you achieve it. Make sure you have a reason to do something, and you are clear about it.

***

Dear all of yous, Happy Valentine's day, and I hope you guys have a good one this year. Although I could not celebrate it this year due to a limitation, nevertheless, the advancement of technology these days have been a great help for me this Valentine's day. Enjoy!!

When times are bad...

2009-01-06T10:18:00.000-08:00

1. Don't pout,make survival an adventure

2. Oatmeal,instead of boxed cereals. Better for you and one/tenth the price.

3. Get Skype, and never pay a phone bill ,again . I know you have a computer.

4. Drink beer instead of hard liquor.

5. You only have two feet, how many pairs of shoes do you really need?

6. Buy regular unleaded.Your car needs to make sacrifices ,too.I guarantee it will still run fine.

7. Dump the Cosmetic Gym membership. Join a cheaper and useful gym.

8. It's a great time to diet, and no one will know your really just plain ol' starving

9. Invite friends over to play cards. You'll reconnect , realize what's most important, and all have a great evening

10. Shop at FOS

11. Time to be a 'coupon weirdo'

12. Invite friends to your house. You don't have to spend the gas to drive, and you can get as drunk as you want , since your already home.

13. If you can't pay cash, you can't afford it. Cut up the cards.

14. Announce that your "going to let your hair grow out", and save on haircuts for a few months

15. Do you really need a Caramel Machiatto?

16. Check out the dollar menus or kid's menus and your fast food place.Hell, it's more than likely a more proper portion.

17. Read, it's cheap and you can escape the current realities

18. Whoever stays with you won't be doing it for your money.

19. Turn up the music

20. Volunteer at a shelter, you'll know what poor is.

21. Saving on food means having more chap fan meals and less of gourmet meals

22. Keep your sense of humor

23. Always remember that we'll all survive

24. The job you said you' d never lower yourself to do ,is the job someone else wishes and prays they had.

25. Suicide is not painless. It hurts all those who love you

26. Shower together, sharing is caring!

Surviving and making things work is part and parcel of life

I would not leave you in times of trouble, We never could have come this far

2008-12-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

You know, once in awhile, I'd just type something familiar on google and see what hits. And I was searching for "constipatingmonkey" and I got the old site, where nic saved all the photos of our band, and I saw this photo (above) which was labelled "3 Close Friends, The Red Headed Cigars" and I was thinking aloud: and now we're still close friends and saving lives together. :D

Merry christmas my friends!

无论是开心还是难过我的爱一直不变

2008-12-19T09:18:00.000-08:00

It is because of Jim Carrey that I wanna post this entry today. I think it has been more than a month since I've updated anything in my blog. I'm out of interesting things to say. This blog has evolved to be more of a diary than anything else.

I've just watched Yes Man earlier tonight, and I have to admit, its nothing close to a blockbuster, rather it was mediocre and predictable. But, there is always a pinch of sweetness in romantic comedies like this. There are only a few romantic comedies that could make it to my list, namely Prime, Dan In Real Life, Stranger than Fiction and of course... Yes Man. I think these movies portrays the typical and stereotypical man that changes to a more favourable character that would also be something that the viewer would like to achieve. That's what made these movies work.

In this movie, Jim Carrey plays an average man, who's alittle low in self esteem, declining offers from friends and feeling comfortable in his current condition, which isn't bringing him anywhere. His life turned around when he attended a motivational seminar who made him promise to say yes in every situation, and even made him believe that even saying yes to bad things may lead him to better things.

To be realistic, the story does not exactly portray a real life situation in any way, but made a point to ponder about: Have the society been setting you back from doing the things you've always wanted to do? Like screw the savings, just be spontaneous, do crazy things you never imagine you've done. I'd interpret the movie as: measuring how crazy you can go to achieve something. Like the movie makes you think back about just letting lose and be free

Well, it made me think that way, to actually think about the crazy things i did whether it was plain dumb or was it something that I SHOULD have done? Like this afternoon, we had a fire drill in the office and the appointed fire marshall said "do not break the glass from the emergency box until notified by the marshall" and I thought: what if i just wanna break it cos i've never done it before? Or maybe like going somewhere just to meet a person you think might be the one, despite everyone else telling you not to; you get the gist of it.

Well all I know is, I've made a few crazy decisions that I was thinking if I should decide on them or not. But after watching the movie, it kinda gave me the assurance to believe my decision was right afterall :)

P/S: I've visited your country before, but I think I'll make another stop there, as there are even much more to see now, and of course, you'd make a hell of a difference for me. I hope you feel the same way too.

***

How do you know if someone's a real friend? I'd like to judge that by how consistent their deed is. Take for example, if your friend, A, is a person who borrows you a pack of salt when you need to cook. You expect that A, unless his salt is out of stock, would always be there for you when you need salt. When A starts to decline offers to help when asked for salt, you yourself would know he may not be a friend who's always there for you. Just natural human behaviour: selfishness.

I believe this is how we see things. We expect people to consistently help us in things that falls within our expectation. We develop such feelings since birth. In our childhood, when we lived off our parents like parasites, we have set an expectations that family will always be there to help us, in almost everyway. Therefore, we develop the need to assess a friend through the deeds that they are likely to offer.

When I say that, I also mean that if A, gives you a pack of sugar at one point of time, and does not give you a pack of sugar at any other point of time, doesn't mean he doesn't help, but because it is not something you have expected A to provide, hence, there is no relation to whether he is a better friend or not.

But in a nutshell, we see a better friend in a person who is able to provide us comfort in a list of things we expect. In short, who will be there when we needed them. Selfish human nature.

***

Xmas this year is pretty interesting, being on the client side, social life gets better, suppliers, agencies start to buy us meals to maintain client-agency relationship, which is really good, cos we as employees get to save money while still able to enjoy good food

Am looking forward for CNY feast in 2009, but right now, let me share some photos from our recent Xmas outing @ Souled Out, Hartamas

Price exchanging among us!

The Marketing Team

Rosalind, Shino and Me

After like 2 pints of beer

Xmas gathering before everyone goes off for the remaining of 2008

Pretty much the entire marketing team

Jules' 23rd!

2008-11-08T19:58:00.000-08:00

I think this is the first time in many years I've had so much fun on my birthday! And I do believe, this marks the first time I drank ON my birthday! As usual birthdays will be filled with karaoke sessions for us, so not wanting to break the tradition, we had my party in S3 in Melaka.

It was pretty well planned, ken said that we have to have karaoke sessions as we're not as together as we were back then so its very important that we have our really crazy uni moments even when we're already working now. So, the crowd was just about ten-ish but we're like animal siblings. That's why I've never denied the darwin's theory, cos deep down, we're still live like the monkeys.

What we did?

-2 bottles of spirits hard liquors
-human pile ups
-shouting instead of singing
-crazy dance
-photo taking
-wedgies and the typical malaccan gay acts

I came with a happy heart. I left with a happier & opened heart, and injuries on my shoulder, knee, and palm. Injuries that never felt so good. Cos it was for a good reason.

really a few moments before i got the cake smashed in the face

Ken: "Shuddup la gimme the mic and drink!"

Us + the wall

a few defensive moves before i succumbed to ah liang's evil ways

The constipating monkeys

You could see that jimmy really liked the song, Liang happily singing and me breathless

We're the backstreetboys

The usual gay acts

***

Kind wishes from http://pushmore.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday Julian!

This is one strong man. On the first day he came, we were running him through the introduction for Pushmore. Halfway through, he saw Soon doing a muscle up. He asked-What that was-how it was done-they taught him-he did it on the first try-and I have been jealous ever since. I've been in pushmore for 8 months and my name is still not on the muscle up list. All jokes aside, Julian is a fun guy to be around with and exceptionally determine when it comes to working out. On the second day of pushmore for him, his wod were double unders. He subbed them for tuck jumps. He finished in 26:10. That was July. 4 months later, 5 day ago, he shaved off 18 minutes and 7 seconds for his double unders wod. What a great improvement ! He is one of the few that has 30 rounds of "Chelsea" in his pocket too. Great job and continue to kick ass in the workouts. Have a great day! Happy birthday once again from everyone at Pushmore !

******

Another Social Casualty...

2008-10-29T07:48:00.001-07:00

Its the time of the year again when the celebrations occur... Christmas, Deepavali, Hari Raya, New Year, my birthday. So many celebrations! Like the ones I listed, everybody HAS to celebrate them, especially the last one. its like just a week away.. like *cough* 9 *cough* Nov *ahem*. And then again, what are those celebrations without wishlists you hope to be gifted by the loved ones and friends.

And so, here are my wishlist! Just a few things!

1. A Swiss Army Knife!
    Why?
    It contains important tools that helps in everyday usage, and especially if you're a super outdoor person, there's no reason not to get one. Also comes in handy when you've gotta fix simple household items. And oh, sometimes for saving lives too. McGyver wouldn't use it if it didn't help? Average price: RM145 - RM300

2. Confederate Motors: Hellcat
    Why?
    Why not? Brad Pitt endorses it. Tom Cruise rides on it. Its design is so sleek. Just check out those curves that never go wrong. Truly my kind of bike! Unfortunately this item in my wishlist would just stay in the wishlist until maybe when I'm 92 and hopeless.

3. Oakley Oil Drum: Ducati
    Why?
    Can it go wrong? I decorate my house with black and red. What more can I say?

4. De Grisogono: dg
    Why?
    Its the first ever digital watch that is not built on a circuit board. Intelligently, it still uses the binary system for its digital face, but lives on mechanical movement. How kick ass is that? Very. basically the digital numbers you see are green plastic bars that turns itself to form the specific digit. Can cost you a bomb. Maybe those that explodes like mushroom

5. Wall hooks for Guitar
    Why?
    By far the cheapest thing in my wishlist, I currently have 4 guitars in my room that needs some public display of attention. They are bugging me everyday so they can flaunt themself. Plus they look good as furnitures.

***

Pushmore WOD Wed 291008

150 wall balls for time. My time: 11:32

Basically no one ends up standing straight after a workout in Pushmore, either you see stars or you lie down flat on the floor. There's practically no survivors in Pushmore. That's why we keep coming back for me. You see, Crossfit junkies never believe in Death so everytime we die, we resurrect and try to live. That's what Crossfit is all about. Sustainability. Get addicted to it, or quit it. Period.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

As time goes by...

2008-10-28T07:56:00.000-07:00

Where it all began

You know, ever since my back packing trip last 2 years, I've never went out of Malaysia. Until last week. In my company, every year, they'll have an induction for new employees, usually in Singapore. This induction is very special, as all Asia pacific employees are gathered to this program where global directors give talk about the company and its functions. Basically we had people coming from China, Taiwan, The Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea and not forgetting... Malaysia. And I have to say, I had a blast!

I flew to Singapore feeling like staying home. I wasn't even a little motivated to go. KLIA was hot, and with the flight getting delayed, I was rather pissed. Luckily, to compensate, we were given food vouchers and we had pizza, which cooled me down a bit. We flew over to Singapore around 8-ish and stepped down by about 8.45-9. Got on a taxi and its been awhile since I've set foot on Singapore, took us about half hour to get to our hotel from the air port. It was raining pretty badly and we saw an accident nearby, a dead man lying down on the road, we thought nobody dies in Singapore in an accident like that. :P

Finally, at about 9.30, we reached Sheraton Towers where we checked into our rooms. There were 6 of us, so 3 rooms to be exact. Nothing beats a nice hotel room and of course, how could I miss my bubble bath! We figured, since we're only there for 2 nights, might as well find something to do before the program starts the next day. Rosalind and Shino were hungry we wanted to go to the food court above of Atria but it wasn't open, so we had to settle with McD off Orchard Road instead, where we tried the wasabi fillet o fish. Knowing me, I just tried a few of the wasabi shaker fries, don't wanna add on to the calories that I've burnt the week before.

basically it was already 11 when we settled down in McD so there's practically no where we can go at that time, but we came across this bar, where this 3 piece band performed, kinda kick ass I'd say. Headed to 7-11 to get our supplies just in case, and then headed home. Walking in Singapore is definitely fun, safe, and for sight seeing! Got back to the hotel, watch some TV while enjoying the weather and the cold temperature and relaxing on a bed that we'd never have at home.

The program starts a 9am at the ball room and since we're kinda last minute, the smarties occupied the back seats while leaving only the front seat for the Malaysia team. So much for a grand entrance! The SVP talked and the Global Sales Director talked, then break for lunch, and the IT Lady talked, and We're off to Sentosa Island for team building! We were divided into groups and we boarded the bus to get there via Vivo City. Recollection of my backpack trip :)

The giant merlion!

It was quite boring because we're the only two teams who got there earliest, and we thought the other teams were shopping in Vivo City while we're the only ones trying to get to the checkpoints, how demotivating! We were the second team apparently to get to the last checkpoint, and after 10,15 and 20 minutes everyone showed up, and then we were asked to build a car using things like PVC pipes and wheels. It was really good that we built a car that last but couldn't win the race, sounds familiar doesn't it? Ahem, Alex Ahem, Yoong!

We were building the car, and...

Wallllaaahhh!

The Malaysian Trainees

The highlight will have to be after that, we're gonna have dinner in Cafe Del Mar! Its heaven for a chill out music junkie like me! I wish they have it in the Beaches in Malaysia, it'll be a hit! We had unlimited flows of cocktails, mocktails, beer, or whatever comes in your mind, but the food? It was just so so... The beach's great, the crowd's great, the ambience, 4-out-of-5 stars.

The three of us outside of Cafe Del Mar... Such a beautiful place.

Jules, Shino, Rosalind, Mang, Muk and Yos

The Malaysian Team

Alexia (Sales Controller), Derrick (National Sales Manager), Shino, Julian Boy and Rosalind

After that some random messy, mob looking guy came and shouted "I'm inviting everyone from the supply team for a drink at Clarke Quay and its on me, and I'm also extending the invitation to anyone who likes to follow us down!" who happens to be our Global Supply Director. He's way too cool to be a director! We passed as we've already invited the Koreans, Chinese and Thais to a round of drinks later.

The guys who followed the supply team went straight on to Emerald Hills instead as it was raining and Clarke Quay has an open concept, its kinda hard when the rain pours into your drinks. We went home and got change and switch ourselves to our party mode. We were contemplating whether to go to MOS but it was under renovation so we headed to Zouk instead. Zouk's kinda dead on a Thursday we wonder why, so we ended up in the winebar beside. Apart from Matthew Chee's beer game, nothing beats the game we played that night. I'll not go further on that, whatever happened in Singapore... you get the gist of it.

The Last Day...

Jules, Kim Chun Jae, Kim Woo Sang and Rosaling

Some funny face, but the mr Harold and Kumar looks like he's constipating badly.

Last day, just before we part...

We had so much fun, the Malaysia team seriously regretted not having our stay extended, otherwise it'll be crazy. How I wish it lasted longer. Damn it! See, without even thinking that its gonna be fun, i thought to myself how boring it would be. Just like many of my other decisions, i regretted, because I just couldn't think positively. Oh well, lesson learned.

We had so much fun, that for one of us, the explosive fun feeling overwhelmed a greater feeling called love. Well sometimes different experiences make us learn and realize many things.

For my friend, I hope all is well for you!

It was a wonderful holiday, after a long year of work!

But we still have to say good bye
Not to Singapore, but the people I may never meet again... I certainly hope not!

For once in my life

2008-10-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I've been down with sickness. Flu, sore throat, cough, and some fever and headache. I don't know why, must've been the heaty good food I've been consuming in the past week. Recently, it has been reported that an epidermic disease is spreading around the TTDI park. The disease is being carried by aedes mosquitos and have been spreading it to the monkeys around the area. A place for bicyclist enthusiast, it has been reported that a few of them have already caught the sickness, which causes joint pains, severe fever and headaches and vomitting. My last 3 days of holidays, I have spent alot of my mornings visiting the park since the gym was closed, for some intense outdoor workout. I must admit that I'm very fortunate that my sickness wasn't due to that.

Anyway, 5 days of holiday didn't seem that long to me, as well as anyone else, I believe!

Last Thursday, we went to this shop in Dang Wangi called Yut Kee. Its a true blue Hainanese Restaurant, that's always full house. The reason I wanted to go there was because my colleague talked to me about it and that my parents are up, so I think its good that we could all try the food there. We wanted to have the Roti Babi, but I think we're slightly late. Nevertheless, the chicken chop, belacan fried rice and steamd bread are really good. The shop is kinda small, and we actually have to share tables with strangers so they could accomodate more patrons at one time.

The roti babi that we did not get to try.

I then brought my parents to Pavilion as they've never been there before (me too). I'll have to say its a heaven for me and my dad, as we're both luxury watch enthusiasts, but I guess we'll never have the chance to own those kinda watches. Coming from a family who started a timepiece business, we can't help but to be amazed by all these nice watches. You know, while we were window shopping, I was pondering to myself, looking at the prices of the clothes and stuff they sell there, when can I tell my mom "hey look, they've got a 50% discount and its just RM430 for this blouse! let's buy it for you!" Well if you get what I mean

That night, we went for a feast at Fatty Crab at the expense of my sister! Somehow, after eating the crabs there, you do not that get that usual seafood smell on your fingers. Hmmm, wonders why? But the fried rice and chicken wings are definitely good picks! Nothing beats Melakan satay though...

Its kind of an mid anti climax as we all had to go back to work on Friday, but good thing its kinda quiet and everybody's quite laid back too. That night, I had my second road trip adventure, this time to Cameron Highlands! Not as fun driving up to Genting, Cameron's kinda far, and even up to 2 1/2 hours, we didn't really reach the top, and travelling at 11pm, we only got to reach there at about 1.30am where everyone's fast asleep up there, not even a single cafe at mid point (Just FYI, we only made it until the bee farm). Well, I was a little tired and sick, I slept most of the time on the journey back, felt a little bad... :P It was really fun, its something new and really spontaneous for me. But the company's great and I'm loving all these road trips and the conversations! Oh yeah, we only reached home at 5am, so I was supposed to go for this outdoor workout but I totally missed it...

I've already had my weekend planned out, so on Sat after our not so usual band practice which spawned out a few new songs for our band (I think we can work on jingles for adverts :P), we went for dinner, this time Victor recommended The Ampang Lookout Point, where we had Middle Eastern food. I have to say, its really really good scenery, but the food is quite bland. There are two other restaurants nearby, one serving chinese/western and another malay food. Its a really good place if you're bringing a girl there.

I'd give it a 4/5 rating for "girl-tipuability"

Really cool look out spot.

We have actually planned out Saturday for drinking session, and so after dinner we headed to Alexis @ Ampang. It was really great, as I did not expect to see one of Malaysia's best singers, Sharizan performing there.

Just a brief history of Sharizan: The first time I noticed him, was during his participation in Asia Bagus and came up champion. He was famous for his hit song "Impian" which garnered awards and frequent air play on radio and TV back then. Later on, he became active in the hosting scene, and now he's the DJ for Light FM's Swing Time every Sunday from 9pm - 12am. He's also famous for his live performances singing jazz and swing numbers.

He is truly a performer belting old and new jazz songs and some with his very creative and witty versions, like turning Quando Quando Quando into Condom Condom Condom, his very way to educate the masses about safe sex, as well as introducing malaysian delicacies to his foreign listeners, by changing the lyrics of the Spiderman song into Ham Chi Peng. He surely knows how to entertain his crowd with his honest and sarcastic jokes, and his ability to imitate voices and his voiceover talent.

We have been very fortunate to have caught his performance as he's only there every 3-4 months once. Next week, any of you if you're interested, they have Lewis Pasagam's band performing, but with a cover charge of RM25 per entry. Its a really nice place to go if you're a jazz fan. We don't get alot of jazz crooners here in Malaysia, so its a really good chance for you jazz fans.

Say good night, Means Good bye

2008-09-30T21:46:00.000-07:00

The week prior to Raya has been a disaster! Not for me, but for my food intake! Free food everywhere and everytime! But how can I resist those buffet dinners and lunches! And with the gym closed on the Raya week, its not gonna be much of a help! Sometimes Gluttony takes over me...

While at a dinner, we were talking about some stuff about regeneration, relationship and what not...Apparently, the quest to choose the gender of your baby is; not impossible if you do it yourself. But not on a 100% guarantee basis. As all of you would know the women ovary only has an X chromosome while the male sperm contains both X and Y, which explains why girls are XX and guys are XY or if you're retarded you're YXY like Nic.

So, if you want a baby boy, you have the intercourse on the day the ovum is realeased, as the logic here is that the male chromosome is stronger and are able to swim faster. If you're looking for a baby girl on the other hand, you should plan your intercourse slightly earlier as the X chromosome can live longer than the Y. Anyway, that's not my main focus of the post

They then progressed to talking about relationships and asked how many relationships I've had in the past. After it all, I told them about my kindergarten crush and how nice she was to me. I felt so deep for her at that time, and wanted to get married with her so I went home and asked my mom how do i propose to her, and proposed to her the next day. But thats as far as I remembered, I don't remember whatever happened after that.

So I was thinking, my my... all my relationships, they happened like lightning, I mean, there were infatuations and my relationships were built from infatuations. Sometimes I wonder, why I never learnt from my mistakes? Mom always said, think before acting. You know, as much as it happens to me, I just don't like it. Its very much video game style orientation; "Game over, insert coins to continue". To think back, I just hate how it died and just continue the next time I play.

So I'd like to apologize to those whom I've hurt before but its a lesson learnt and experience gained. In conjunction with apologizing, Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

***

This week I'll only be able to go to the gym on Monday, and its closed for the rest of the week! Guess I'll have to make do of what I have at home... Skipping Ropes!

But yesterday was the most tiring 5 rounds of 20 Ring Dips, 15 Push Presses @ 20kg x 2 hands and 10 Swings @ 32kg. I only managed to finish it in 26:50.

Happy birthday to my housemate, Cathy! And thanks for the drinks and company and the fun in Velvet!

Looking at Empty Streets

2008-09-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

What's survival to you? back in the caveman days, survival is all about staying alive, finding food and regeneration. But the creator decided to give every single thing natural on earth the ability to change and fit the situation. A million years later, earth wasn't what it was back then. Metals erode, trees grow and they die, Insects change their defense mechanisms, and the land and water ratio changes. So did the humans; change.

After a million years, we still strive to survive. We're still forced to "beat it before we get to eat it". Obviously, no more in the cavemen ways. Back then the basic needs are the only things that keep us alive. Later on, Maslow introduced the other needs that make us survive. Social needs, satisfaction or what the fuck ever it is, drills down to money.

In order to have the highest level of satisfaction, it all depends on how high you are in your social circle. you could die with despair or you could die happily. Its like, the best sportsmen want to die the best sportsman, the riches want to die the richest. These things, are of course measured in money.

People want to earn more and get to the high level of the pyramid, to be the only one. Sometimes, you wonder why would someone buy a mini cooper when you could use the money to buy a camry or an accord. There's no logical or technical reasoning to it. They have the rights to it. Obviously, in our typical middle income white collar working class people would definitely give it a better thought about it, but thats not a condition for these people anymore.

That's how we measure satisfaction, the ability to have what you like in an instant. Time and time again, people say, movie shows that money can't buy you everything, which is true, but please bear in mind, those are the fair things that the poor or the rich can't buy. Cancer does not discriminate. Love doesn't discriminate. So think about it, what would be better? To be poor or rich? Cos at the end of the day, it all doesn't matter but money matters...

That's why i always think money matters more than anything else. Cos without money you're a nobody.

***

Recommended by Ken, I watched this movie called Green Street Hooligans, starring Elijah Wood and Charlie Hunnam. Its basically based on a true story about hardcore football fans which they call it their 'firm'. Its basically a movie about Elijah Wood as Matt Buckner who were dragged in as a hooligan. Its a movie about brother hood and how somethings that you hold so much in your heart but at the end of the day, you realize it would be something you'll regret much later.

***

Last wednesday was my sister's birthday, and its been a year already and the last shout out for her birthday in this blog was last year! and two years ago! Its been so long that I've blogged, i just never realized. But this time I had the chance to celebrate her birthday together with her friends, and it was great! But it all happen so fast that my time telescope just increased its lens power!

***

Just when I thought it was gonna be a boring Saturday,... Genting day (night) trip came. Its been really fun and such a long time ago since this kinda day trips happened. It was just a quiet and breezy drive up Genting, followed by long chats and walk around the hotels. Well, I learnt a lot of things from a friend about many things that I didn't know were happening around me. But that's besides the point.

We were having coffee at Starbucks in First World cos the other joints were so god damn crowded. So I asked for Vanilla Latte. During the time we were chatting about like an hour or so, suddenly when my cup was half empty, my heart beat went up.

We were talking about some religion stuff and why God exist or not or why the bible has such a long story when the value to share is just 1 sentence? It was like a session of questioning about why we should even consider about religions. And then when we left, as we were walking, somehow my heart beat went even faster, then I kept having this intuition that if I were the one to drive down the hill, we'll fall off the cliff. That thought kept running around my mind that I'll die that night.

I was thinking, could it be that god was trying to pull some shit at me? (Haha) Then I thought back; this doesn't make sense.

Then I remembered what my mentor told me at work, that she couldn't take excessive caffeine as she'll get anxiety attacks. Anxious about things that do not make up any truth or logic. So I told my friend about it and came out with the inference that it must have been the vanilla latte.

Which I made me think do milk and vanilla have such a high amount of caffeine? higher than coffee? Cos I have a cup of nescafe regular, regularly but not everyday though, without having the anxious feelings. So what gives?

P/S: we did not fall down the cliff, and TGUK songs all the way home! They rock big time!

2008-09-20T00:34:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, an old friend brought me to this place in TTDI. It was a restaurant near a club/bar called bamboo. I insisted that this bamboo club must not be famous, I've never even heard of it, but my friend said its a happening place and I must be ignorant not to know it. I don't know, but all yous can judge that.

Anyway the cafe's really cool, its called Frames. The concept of this cafe is unique, it operates as a cafe cum art gallery. There are alot of photo frames in the cafe that are up for sale and the special thing is; the arts are contributed by friends, customers. Anyone can contribute, and if the piece of art is sold, the contributor will be paid his/her commision.

I paid a visit to the cafe after dinner with my friend, and I was quite impressed. The cafe's very neat, very suitable for a nice romantic dinner, or just a place for friends to hang out at.

The entrance of the cafe

Some of the arts on the wall

This is a photo that was contributed by my friend and he insisted that I post it in my blog.

My new toy capturing another new toy

***

Again, another really busy week, due to the absence of my boss. But sometimes, you just have to rush things as there are many things that'll drift you away from your time line. Like when you're so hyped up with things to do, you've gotta attend a training.

I'm a guy who has to do things cos if I just listen and do nothing, I'll 1. sleep 2. forget whatever got into my tiny brain. So what do I always do when I'm attending long ass trainings? I draw... And below is what I have come up with when I'm in a training that lasts for more than 2 hours...

Monsters dominating a city!

***

And oh, last week I got really tipsy from the Liverpool match against MU, but managed to get a few shots of this guy's collection of figurines... By far, that is the craziest collection I've ever seen.

This guy has a full wall of figurine collection on a 5-tier cabinet that's taller than him!

***

Pushmore Diaries

20 minutes of 2 Muscle ups, 6 Handstand Push Ups and 8 Kettlebell Swings
My rounds (10 Rounds and 1 Muscle up)

The poor boy working out.

My Second Job

2008-09-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Its a tiring day at work, when a regular joe would just want to go home, and just lay down on a couch. Turning the TV on, grabbing a bottle of beer... you know to some, thats therapy. The art of relaxation. Well it'll only work on me if it ain't news.

But I just don't relax that way, thats a Sunday for me. After a hard day's work, all that's in my mind is that I just wanna let it all out. Your mind gets so tensed up with all those shit pumped up in high pressure. The air con's sucking all your sweat up, all you wanna do... is letting it all out.

I just can't live with sweat in my body all the time, I was born to get wet outside and dried up inside. If I have to work hard with my mind at work, I've gotta work hard with my body, thats how I find balance, how my body find fair equality compared to my brain.

People think I'm crazy, my friends think I'm not strong enough. But the fact is; I never wanna be someone else, I don't wanna be strong like Bruce, I never wanna be Chuck, I never wanna be Jackie... I train to be a stronger person compared to my past, I train to look better than I did before. If my mind's gonna do challenging things like taking up new assignments, new work commitments, my body's gotta keep up. I'm not gonna let my body fail.

You see, in life you always have to make choices, but as dichotomous as it can be, there are too any choices to make; do you go on or do you quit? do you eat or do you not eat? do you bow down or do you fight for it? Never ending story. But all in all, it has got so much to do with how long you can live to make all these choices?

Make the big choice; Do yourself a favour today: It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman, go to your spouse, sister, buddy, kids or parents and tell them that you have two choices. Option one: not include exercise in your life, accept that you won’t live as long and aging will be more challenging. Option two: include daily fitness in your life and live a longer, healthier life. Tell your friends you aren’t going to preach but that you want to encourage them to follow your example. Lead by example, tell your kids to DO AS YOU DO and end the conversation.

I'm never the best example nor am I a good role model, but I believe I have one of the key driver to live long. So people, what's your choice?

Mark, I've gotta apologize for some plagiarism, but I can't help but agree with you on this.

***

Pushmore moments: Doing the Kundalini.

Eddy, one of pushmore's regular, taught us some of his power yoga moves last Saturday. Lesson 1, the Kundalini - said to be very satisfying if you could execute it correctly. Its a concentration of the spine, where if you expand your stomach and hold up your testicles, do it correctly and you'll be able to experience the satisfaction.

None of us did. We're just ain't that strong

***

Courtesy of some supplier of our company, we were given complimentary tickets to the screening of Mamma Mia! The Movie in Cineleisure. Since some of my colleagues were not free to watch, I had an extra ticket. Well the first two people who came up was Alicia and Janice but its a musical and I promised to go for HSM so before I get into the trap, I offered Alicia a better musical.

Well, I wasn't too inclined to watch a musical at first, and especially at the starting scene, it couldn't be any more cheesier. But as the movie progresses, it gets better and better. The songs are terrific and the star studded actors definitely made it so much better and nicer to watch. I couldn't recall the last musical I watched, must be Evita! I missed Across the Universe, now I just can't help but to look for the DVD.

Back to the movie, The front liners, made a really good job, especially Amanda Seyfreid who played a Daughter who's never met her father(s). All three fathers were extremely entertaining and of course, the ladies' man Pierce, who although can't sing, managed to give a wonderful performance! The settings of the movie are very colorful, and it gives a very warm feeling to the viewers and of course, very dreamy.

Who could resist, running a hotel in a secluded island where only a handful of people live in and everyone knows everyone! A musical not to be missed, it will take you to a funny bone tickling roller coaster ride!

I love Malaysia!

We will never walk alone

2008-09-13T07:15:00.001-07:00

I've never been a big fan of football, what more the teams, but this liverpool vs man u match has proven to be a good one and obviously... impossible is nothing. Liverpool won 2-1 and what can I say? The goals are kinda nice. And the fans... true fans.

Its different cos everyone is cohesive here.

After the game!

This evening I tried Frisbee and its really cool. Its somewhat like rugby, but replace the ball with freesbee and as well as no body contacts. The challenge with the game is... its an open door sport, and frisbee being flat, its highly affected by the winds. It makes it so much harder to catch it.

The rules are very similar to rugby, you have to reach the touch down point to score a point. Tossing the frisbee is also difficult as you need to hold it in a right angle. Its basically a 7 on 7 game but since we've only got ten we only got 5 on 5.

Mooncake festival was fun, we have a company gathering thingy and after that for some happy hour with my ex colleagues, its been kinda long since i've seen them, so its really cool. Had some drinks in Somo and eventually found out that Draught is better than cans and bottles!

My new toy!

***

Pushmore updates!

Goblet Squats + Pull ups - as many rounds as you can in 20 minutes

12 rounds and a half

Doing the goblet squats!

And finally... I really love Malaysia! Yes I really do

(photography courtesy of Ken)

Everybody wants to rule the world

2008-09-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

I've got another stupid question. Sorry but this blog is not only for me to talk about my life, but as it says on my banner, its for those pathetic thoughts that matter!

Here goes:

This is my theory... we always see the world on a piece of map. Furthers point on the leftmost of the map: The western part of the US, while the the furthest point on the rightmost: The eastern side of China. That would mean it'll take a couple of days to actually fly from point A to B. But if you look at a globe, it'll look something like this:

As opposed to this:

From my second illustration, would it mean that since the world is round, the distance of the US to China will be just hours away? I don't know... I'm a guy who's not travelled the world yet. I'd like to know the answer cos Yahoo! Answers is downright pathetic!

any thoughts from anybody?

I've got all my gadgets in line already!

Dell Inspiron
Kodak c763
Creative Zen
Nokia 5300

and other accessories!

a pebble in the water makes a ripple effect, every action in this world bears a consequence

2008-09-05T21:08:00.000-07:00

I've been catching up with watching movies lately, and yesterday (Saturday), I watched Money No Enough 2. Its the kind of movie you'd rather watch on the DVD, but nevertheless, its a good weekend movie.

Filmed in a very typical Jack Neo style, the storyline has very rich moral values to accompany the comedic acts. The usual actors play the usual roles, and a few more other supporting casts that adds color to the show. However, the idea has started to run dry, old jokes makes repeated appearance and the actors play very one dimensional roles.

To reinforce the meaning of the story, cases are made slightly exaggerated, but nevertheless entertaining and heartfelt. The most outstanding performance would have to come from Lai Meng who plays the three brothers' mother who has been mistreated due to ageism. A great show for a weekend laugh.

I was searching for something in my drawer and stumbled upon my stash of old letters and greeting cards. Its been lying there for a decade or more, and finally, I decided to just take a look at my old letters coming from my ex-gf, ex ex gf, ex ex ex gf, so on. :P. Well and of course letters from my pen pals. I have to say, my pen pals were more of my mom's pen pals, as she wrote all the letters for me, cos I had nothing to talk about... I was a pretty decent and quiet boy back then. But then I saw this letter stating "I have a secret, and its a big secret. I have a boyfriend, and you are the only one I am telling this to, so please do not let anyone know, not even your family members". Well, my mom was the one doing all the writing, so you get the drift.

The same girl actually said "my cousins are asking about your sister, is she beautiful? They are crazy!" and "I can't believe my brother is in love with your sister, maybe they should get to know each other!". When I was reading the letter I was thinking aloud and I told Nic, "my god, they never even seen my sister before and have already fallen in love!"... "Kids..."

Its kinda funny when I look back at those letter, and Nic suggested that I try looking up in facebook to see if they're hot now, and insisted that everyone would have one account in facebook. I've given a shot, and true enough, I found them, and both of my pen pals happen to be kinda hot! Its kinda creepy to actually drop a message to them saying "hey if you're the one staying in ---,----,---, we used to be pen pals" but what the heck...? Right?

Well of course, I didn't search for the guy pen pals I had last time... Haha

***

Pushmore Diaries

Ring Dips for the triceps and shoulders!

Pullups on my mighty dangling ball of fury (16kg)

Twice as much ain't twice as good

2008-08-31T08:10:00.000-07:00

This week has been very busy for me, I joined the company at the time where we are very much having our campaigns, promotions and what nots. Have exhausted my full tank in just 4 days from too much comuting from Bandar Utama, Bangsar, Klang and Shah Alam. Weekend's great, had another "too-much-to-drink-session" at a friend's place. Saturday's great too, watched The Love Guru with my parents in MV, I know its wrong to watch this movie with parents.

I've watched Death Race, and I shall review about it (don't worry - no spoilers)

To begin, this movie has a very limited development of characters, a very clear cut and simple plot, one dimensional characters, and predictable ending. Nevertheless, these are the aspects of a success formula for money generating movies. Not award winning material, obviously. Basically, high EFX budget, modern camera angle, perfect for high weekend grosses. Also, not cult material.

However, single dimensional roles has given very clear cut responsibilities for each actors. The bad guys are obvious, and the good guys easily noticeable. This has given the opportunity for the actors to be good at their roles, but very bad for Jason Statham. Jason is definitely a very good actor (albeit his very static expressions) but unfortunately, he never get good movies to shine on. But he is every production company's money maker. Tyrese Gibson also acted well as a racer whose desperate to set loose from prison. Robin Shou (of Mortal Kombat fame) also made appearance as a asian prisoner/driver but as usual, in American movies, Asians die fast.

Everything flows smoothly in the movie, Natalie Marinez plays the beatiful and dangerous side kick, Ian Mc Shane plays the mentor, and of course a few mobs add up to the adrenaline rush. Movie has a rather straight beginning up towards the end. With a "bash-em-up" theme behind the movie, the makers of the movie has set a very straight line in managing viewers emotion to the character and the storyline. A very 80s Jackie Chan story line style.

But Jason Statham fans would remind us, no one can be as cool as Jason but himself.

A good watch for the weekend, also, for such a power packed movie, for god's sake, watch in a THX cineplex.

P/s: I was taught to manage my expectations, so I know enough not to put high hopes, and just to enjoy it

***

I know I've asked many questions, stupid ones (but definitely made all of yous think for a minute or two, no?) and I'm going to ask yet another one. If you have watched any shows, well more usually, chinese series, dead grand parents or family members sometimes make appearance in dreams, or in the afterlife, or posessing a medium.

The past month was in the lunar calendar, the hungry ghost month. In Taoist temples, when we have ceremonies to chant for our elders in the underworld, it is often believed that their souls are set free and wander close to their family members. My father recently presented offerings to my grandparents on one of the nights when their souls return to their family. During such events, a medium will be around to "communicate" with the afterlife and convey the message to the respective family member. So my father was told that my grandparents are happy in the after world and have received enough food and money from my family.

It made me wonder, that when we always watch on the TV, when you are dead and your soul travels to the after world, they remain in the condition they were right before their demise. But I was wondering, my grandmother died with alzheimer, and before she died, she had already forgotten all of us, so if that's the case, how could she remember us, and said that we offered enough contributions? Sometimes, I don't wanna believe in spirits and all, but time and time again, Science failed me. And guys, TVB also failed us in explaining things like this.

***

Dear guys, soon enough, after putting the "buy-julian-a-key-chain" sidebar, I am going to also include my wishlist on the sidebar. Ok, I'm not that thick skin to ask all of you's to buy anything for me, cos I know the only thing I am gonna get are key chains. The reason I wanna put it in is to have some of you to tell me when and where can I get them. Cheap and nice.

Ok, I have a few things I want to buy, but I think I'm gonna need a bag more this time. What kind of bag? I don't know yet, maybe a messenger bag, duffel bag or a tote. These are the things I wanna put in the bag:

An Inspiron 1420 lap top ( Buying soon, got a good deal!

My Creative Zen Vision: M

Kodak C763 ( purchased )

My 1 GB Flash Drive

My Nokia 5300

And of course, my note book and a pen

Some lozenges

And of course, a hand sanitizer

I really like a tote bag, looks really classy. I'd like a bag where I can put my essentials and to bring around all the time with me. So if you see a nice cheap one, do let me know cos I don't wanna splurge on luxury items, like a stupid lousy vuitton bag, or a dumbhill bag. I don't believe in spending twice the price for a bag when you can buy it at half the price. I mean I'm in the marketing line, but I'm definitely not a believer of super over rated brand names. Maybe cos I'm in a different line. I still have faith in smart shoppers.

Nothing's ever promised tomorrow today

2008-08-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, my boss wanted me to experience how a TVC is shot for one of our brand. Basically a 101 of how the ad agency, production crews, the talents, work together to get the TVC done. And before we have been brief the process of getting the story boards, offline and online acceptance, and what not.

The shot was done in Monash campus (Its a really really nice campus) and at the end of the day, what I experienced was colleagues, managers and directors going crazy over the lead actor. Totally outshined his heroine. Haha. Some pictures down here.

(l-r) The lead guy and girl, Jessica and Me

But I have to say it is a damn good experience. I've experienced it once, when I was in a video clip but this time, the crew is massive. Oh by the way, the talents are Thais, Thai talents are chosen apparently because they are much cheaper than local talents, and they are better looking. Oh just for you girls information, the guy is Half Thai and French and he's just... 18.

And my usual gym updates:

max rep in 2 minutes each of: Pushups, pullups, tyre flips, rope skips, situps
my results: (47, 26, 18, 260, 65)

8 Rounds of 20 Seconds for pullup pushup situp squats
my results (57, 106, 77, 113)

100 sumo deadlift to high pulls, 21 thrusters, 15 pullups (for time)
75 SDHP, 18 thrusters, 12 pullups (for time)
50 SDHP, 15 thrusters, 9 pullups (for time)

My time:
9:13, 8:25, 5:45

***

My sister told me that this 27 Aug, some sort of eclipse is gonna happen, where a nearby planet will be side by side with the moon therefore making it look like there are two moons. According to her, this only happen once in a few million years.

Why do I hear this kind of happening every year stating that we will only be able to see that some sort of event once in a million years? It seems that there are endless things that are gonna happen for one time in a million years every year. Doesn't make sense, but it happens.

And of course, last but not least and never forgotten... Congratulations Su Yen on your graduation. And really hope to see you soon!

***

Nic: Are you going to church tomorrow?
Justyne: Yeah, see you tomorrow
Nic: Yeah, get to see big boobs tomorrow!
Julian: Wow! Can I go too? For the wrong reasons!
Nic: Come la, anyway you're still going church to admire god's creation what
Julian: Yeah, you're damn right!

Hahhaa.. yeah, only Nic can think of this...

And to be honest, 84.73% of the time, we only believe in religion, when we get ourselves into deep shit... like: Holy cow! I missed my deadline *starts chanting* (hoping that I won't get screwed by my boss!)... Judging by the society these days, this seems to be the trend.

And we'll recall when time runs out : "That it only took a moment to be loved a whole life long"

2008-08-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

My weekly update...

My life in my new company has certainly been a very enlightening one. Life is very different and challenging now that I've moved on, and my responsibilities heavier. As one of my assignment, I've been chosen to lead in holding an event, and at the same time assisting in a few launches. To be honest, I'm in a total blur, but its only my second week, so I thought.. it should be ok. Being new to a different set of practice and cultures isn't always fun, cos it takes time to adapt.

For the assignment I had to go to Pantai Medical Centre to for some negotiation and this is what I found on the way up to the conference room:

I was like.. what the fuck?

Well last last week was the convo for a few of my close friends namely, Ah Liang, Wee Leong and Jiro. Its been awhile since I've been back to campus, so Ken, Victor and I decided to pay our campus a visit. Nothing's changed but it does bring back a lot of fond memories to me. Its funny how I miss those days but never really felt like going back again. I love my life now thats for sure.

Liang's graduation

Been drinking quite often lately (ok, guys, I'm slowly accepting this sin, ok?) not that I really like to drink, but more for social purposes. I'm starting to like Stout, though (Believed to have some health benefits). This weekend was Eva's birthday party so we celebrated at Titanium, which happened to have the "Jack Daniel's Global Battle Of The Bands" which kinda... suck big time. There were only maybe 20 people cheering.. max. But we had a great time... Eva and Liang got drunk... in which Liang eventually became sober after a dose of Claypot Loshifun. Oh its great to see Lilian too, its been quite awhile since I've seen you.. (I guess since new year's day). Anyway a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVA!

By the way, Alicia, thanks for the free movie, Wall-e's really good, but the Thai Food you ordered for me...sucked la! Next time I'll never leave the menu to you anymore! :P And I know I got no choice, but let me tell you, I don't like the cheesy-corny-cliched-scandalous-dumblonde-tak kena-highschoolmusical2! But don't worry I'll forcefully watch with you if you want to.

And in the past month, i kena MBPJ saman twice, police saman once, and lost my parking ticket once! Damn!

***

My usual gym diary!

Workout of the day 081508

3 Rounds of: 50 Double Unders, 50 Sumo Deadlifts @ 32kg, 50 Unanchored Situps (My time: 22:01)

My super saiya hair!

Workout of the Day "Jackie"

100 Sumo Deadlift to High Pull @ 20kg, 50 Thrusters @ 12kg, 30 Pull Ups (My time: 14:13)

I do, You Rest

You Do, I Rest

***

Here's a favourite of mine, originally composed and sang by Hoagy Carmichael but covered by a myriad of artist, but my favourite remains to be Nat King Cole's rendition of the song. Its called Stardust, a really beautiful jazz song.

And now the purple dusk of twilight time
Steals across the meadows of my heart
High up in the sky the little stars climb
Always reminding me that were apart
You wander down the lane and far away
Leaving me a song that will not die
Love is now the stardust
Of yesterday
The music
Of the years
Gone by

Sometimes I wonder why I spend
The lonely nights
Dreaming of a song.
The melody haunts my reverie
And I am once again with you.
When our love was new, and each kiss an inspiration.
But that was long ago, and now my consolation
Is in the stardust of a song.
Beside the garden wall, when stars are bright
You are in my arms
The nightingale tells his fairy tale
Of paradise where roses grew.
Though I dream in vain, in my heart you will remain
My stardust melody
The memory of loves refrain.

The nightingale tells his fairy tale of paradise where roses grew

2008-08-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Its been a real long while since I've had such fun, but you know, sometimes we just have to let loose. This will be one of those few times. It was a little crazy last night, but its been such a long long time that I was that stupid in public.

But I have to admit, its not really the place or the things we were doing that made my day. Its got to be all the people around. Cos the right people do make a difference in our lives. Thanks guys! Ahh.. Now that I've had so much fun, I'm so reluctant to go through the weekdays again.. hmmm.. oh well...

Anyway, ken, maybe you're right... why destroy the feeling of meeting a stranger by having any sort of contact.. After all, we looked so silly.

Old friends

Short lived

Oscar Wilde's

The Nightingale and the Rose

A nightingale overhears a student complaining that his professor's daughter will not dance with him, as he is unable to give her a red rose. The nightingale visits all the rose-trees in the garden, and one tells her that it can produce a red rose, but only if the nightingale is prepared to sacrifice her life to do so. Seeing the student in tears, the nightingale carries out the ritual, and impales herself on the rose-tree's thorn so that her heart's blood can stain the rose. The student takes the rose to the professor's daughter, but she again rejects him because another man has sent her some real jewels, and "everybody knows that jewels cost far more than flowers."

Everybody knows.

I'm coming back into your system!

2008-08-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

Since I've started in Reckitt Benckiser, I haven't really been getting a fair share of online time. I've got no lap top and no internet connection now. The only chance is to go to the cyber cafe which is what I don't really like. The new company's cool, the people are really young and driven.. and what made me a little worried, people are really fast there.. Nothing bad there but it has been a one week of culture shock for me, knowing there's more days to come in the coming week and so on... Anyway, like what my former boss said, your life is gonna be more difficult, but thats gonna be a challenge I'm taking, if not now, someday I'll still have to.

Obviously, there are more chicks as well :p, nice office, big pantry, a strategic location, but all of it comes a big price to pay. A big commitment. Definitely different from what to expect in my old company, definitely an eye opener. Lets hope all is well for me!

Gonna spend this weekend nicely with my bunch of friends, with a couple of pints of Guiness Stout! Don't get me wrong... I am not an alcoholic, but more of a health drinker, which was why I've develop a liking for Stouts

Anyway some gym photos as usual!

The killing 30 muscle ups, which tore my palm skins

Our abs workout

The Push Press with Nigel C!

Sumo Deadlift to High Pulls!

The Pull Ups!

It takes alot to get home, But its ok when the light is always on

2008-08-03T01:48:00.000-07:00

The inevitable... Never expected such an early departure... Well, I only live once... so Que Sera Sera.

The Thank you and Good Bye

The piece of paper which was waiting to be shredded and retired

The Jalangness of the guys.. priceless, really. Thank you all for the great times.

The only demotivation to go into my new company is that I don't have the security of working

with the best people around.. :)

The girls.. Well, the ecosystem needs a balance to work! :D

Dear All,

Today is my last day, A year have already passed me by. Through out my tenure in Nielsen, I have developed the interest in this industry, and will be moving on with other endeavours. I would like to thank all of you for the support, guidance, and feedbacks in work and personal matters. Thanks for the wonderful experience, thank you all for making my first job a fantastic and great one!

Nielsen has set a benchmark not only in the research industry, but for having the greatest people to work with!

A very special note of thanks goes to:-

Teoh: Thank you for the guidance, advice and support you have given on work as well as on life. It is an honour to be under you.

Ling Ling: Thanks for hiring me ;) It has been great working under you, despite my shortcomings, you are patient and forgiving. It is too bad I was only able to work under you for less than half a year.

Nina: Thanks for your guidance and feedbacks in the past 6 months!

All CS: Thanks for being great colleagues to work with, *wishing* my new colleagues are as nice! To the guys: Thanks for the 'priceless moments'... And the girls, you all missed out the fun the guys had :P (I could go on, but do not want to break Kush's longest farewell email record)

Halmi, Chang, Huei Chien, Sandra, See Wai, Ju Peng, Yin Yee, Ying Ying, Weng Yeng and Tatt Wee: Thanks for your extensive help and sorry for all the trouble.. at the end of the day, its all in the good spirit of work! :)

Last but not least...I wish you all well in all your future undertakings. Please keep in touch, my e-mail and contact details as follows. Thank you and I hope our paths will cross again.

There are two less lonely "people" in the world...

2008-08-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

Seriously, who can deny me sexiness now? Despite my chicken legs. YOU! YOU! AND YOUs!

Dear Mom,

Despite all the countless times you say I have a flat ass, and the countless times you asked me not to over exert myself in the gym. And all the time you try to put excess oil and try to feed me fatty food, I STILL HAVE A SEXY ASS! WHAT UP?

Love,

Your son

***

(excerpts from my farewell replies)

Hi Julian,

Good luck in your future job...Yes...U do have a nice ass for someone who is so skinny...kekekekkeke Is your replacement in yet? Oh Yeah, please say Hello to Ng Lee Yin for me. She says she's in your dept..so I am sure u know who she is...She was my schoolmate back in Secondary School...

Best Regards,

M****

E******** MALAYSIA SDN BHD
Add: **, Amoda Building, 22, Jalan Imbi,
55100 Kuala Lumpur. MALAYSIA
Tel : +********** (DID)
Tel : +********** (Main Line)
Fax : +**********

***

Hey Julian,

All the best to you in whatever you are venturing into next... You make all of us sound very demanding... hope that's not the reason why you are leaving... hehhehehe... Well, the truth is you've put up a lot with me, I know... and I thank you with that...

Anyway, since you are leaving already, let you in a little secret... M**** says, you've got nice butt - despite being thin.... (I've got her permission to reveal this to you) Take care and good bye my friend...

Cheers,

************** Brand Manager - Personal Care
E******** MALAYSIA SDN BHD
Add: **, Amoda Building, 22, Jalan Imbi,
55100 Kuala Lumpur. MALAYSIA
Tel : +********** (DID)
Tel : +********** (Main Line)
Fax : +**********

Fall to pieces

2008-07-29T22:36:00.001-07:00

Seriously, I wonder why, there are some people who just don't seem to like their own name, because when I ask for their number, I'd like to have their full name as well, for

    1. I have an OCD whereby I really need to see full names in my handphone, otherwise I'll go berserk, destroying everything I see in front of my eyes, and tear the damn shit out of you! Damn it!

    2. On a lighter note, it helps me identify the person from someone else who may share the same christian name or surname. Simple as that.

    3. On a lighter lighter note, researches have time and time again proven that knowing the full name of a person will lower the chances of identifying the wrong person. Logical? (Actually I don't know of any research of that matter)

I mean, your parents gave you names for a reason, and they would have definitely given a really nice name or if it doesn't really sound nice, should mean great. Unless your parents are retarded, you wouldn't have a stupid name. I mean, its not like your name is something to be proud of (well, unless of course, you have a kick ass awesome name called Julian Chow Meng Hoe, what up?) but it shouldn't be something to be embarrassed about.

Recently, while playing basketball, this guy came up to me and say, "hey give me your no. next time if there's a game, I'll call you" I said "ok, got it, can I have your full name? I need to differentiate the people in my phone book". You know what I got? "Don't have to put my full name, just put Ah Sern". I was so angry, I deleted the number from my phone book, cos I hate people who just can't reveal their full name. Damn it, is it that hard? Just a simple request like this won't cost you a million bucks!?

Another occurrence, "Just call me Bernice Lim, do you have many Bernice Lim in your phone book?" Ok, right I only have one Bernice Lim, but in the future I might just thought a Bernice Lee to be a Bernice Lim.

Seriously, next time, all of YOUs, who read my blog, take note of this. Cos I might just literally tear your face into pieces..

***

And last but not least, rule of thumb in buying souvenirs for friends when you travel to a distant country(s):

    1. Never, never, ever, ever, ever buy key chains for them, because it is highly cliche.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

I never noticed How lovely were the aliens

2008-07-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

I've been very pious these days, leaving work as early as I can and having dinner late at night. I've been spending extensive hours in the gym almost everyday, doing what I do best. A good religious follower.

Well, yesterday, my god woke up on the wrong side of his bed, and decided to ask me to stay away from the temple for awhile. He made my neck break. I brokeded my neck last night. But being the Spartan that I am, I feel the pain but have not died yet.

And my ending tenure in my current company stops me from being able to skip work. Damn.. too many follow ups to be done.

But still... Pushmore for the Win!

Neck breaking Record for time:

100 Pull Ups
100 Push Ups
100 Sit Ups
100 Squats

completed in: 23:51

And, oh don't be misled by my photos, there are more topless guys than what you see in the pics above, girls.

***

What happened on last Saturday, was definitely something that is not very proud to be spoken of. Apparently, there's this group of people who achieved more than we did! So I am not happy now! NOW!

Project: Highland Towers.

For No.1, we couldn't find it, for No.2 we were too afraid to explore further! Damn it! DAMN! But the look out point from there was great though... And the rich people up there.. My God! GTR35 parked outside the house? Daymn, these mofos sure are deep in them pockets.

We shall conquer HT, by hook or by crook, even if our head spins 360 and start vomitting at all costs!

Why are there so many of my friends who don't enjoy ghost hunting?

***

Was dragged down by the Devil.

1st Round: The Squire Telecaster: Its the clean beautiful haunting tone that I've once felt when I was 16, and the feeling never changed. Thats the definition of a beauty. And the slim and elegant neck adds up to the feel while sliding and pressing against the notes. Never cease to amaze me. But Single coil... its just isn't me. It didn't give me that Stereo sound blasted with a good bass tone when I turn on the OD on the Marshall Stack. Somehow, its.. almost there.. only.

Victor: Do you see yourself rocking with that?
ME: Wellllll... I don't know...

Round 2: Ibanez Artcore. When it comes to arch top guitars, no one really chooses Ibanez.. but this baby delivers. It pairs well to give you that clean acoustic tone, and when the O/D is up, you get that fat and rich sound, thanks to the humbuckers. Those F-Holes may have set back alil on the Rock Factor, but what the hell, even Slash uses Hollow body guitar now! But those are Gibsons... of course.

Victor: Do you see yourself rocking with that?
ME: Hmm.. somehow, but I FUCKING HATE Single cuts! Fuckin Les Paul! (Not that I hate LPs but its just a spur of the moment words) (I love LPs actually :] but this archtop, it just doesn't add up)

Round 3, final and deciding moment: Ibanez Artcore, in Matte Black. Gothic. Gives you the baritone sound. Everything that spells sexy. When I was choosing, this guitar just spoke to me somehow. But I had to bear with the open humbucker, which I personally prefer a plated humbucker.

Victor: Do you see yourself rocking with this?
ME: Totally!!! (After paying.. Not like I have any choice... but I totally rocked out with this piece of baby)

F-Holes, for the win!

The Bro Code (Inconclusive)

2008-07-21T20:16:00.001-07:00

The Bro Code

- ARTICLE 56: A Bro shall never reveal the score of a sporting event to another Bro until that Bro has thrice confirmed it's cool.

- ARTICLE 57: A Bro may not speculate on the expected Bro/chick ratio of a party or venue without first disclosing the present - time observed ratio.

- ARTICLE 58: If a Bro, for whatever reason, becomes aware of another bro's girlfriend's birthday and/or anniversary date, he shall endeavor to make that information available to his bro, regardless of whetrher he thinks his Bro already knows.

- ARTICLE 59: One Bro makes a solo attack
                       A Second Bro provides a crutch.
                       A third Bro rounds out the pack,
                       But a fourth Bro is one too much.

- ARTICLE 60: Should a Bro be near to closing with a girl, his Bro shall do anything within his means to ensure the desired outcome, up to and including the seduction of said girl’s wildly unattractive cousin / friend / mother.

- ARTICLE 61: A Bro shall honor thy father and mother

- ARTICLE 62: In the event that two Bros acquire the same target, the Bro with the longer dry spell has dibs. Should the dry spells be of equal length, a game of discreet roshambo shall determine the outcome.

- ARTICLE 63: In a scenario in which two or more Bros are engaged in entertainment of the adult variety, one Bro is forbidden from intentionally or unintentionally touching another Bro in ANY capacity, including but not limited to; the high five, the first bump, or the congratulatory gluteal pat. Winking is also kind of a no-no.

- ARTICLE 64: A Bro must provide his bro with a ticket to an event if said event involves the second Bro’s favorite sports team in a playoff scenario.

- ARTICLE 65: A Bro must always reciprocate a round of drink(s) among Bros with the proviso that no existing wager supersedes this purchase and exchange of spirits.

- ARTICLE 66: If a Bro suffers pain from a permanent dissolution of a relationship with a lady friend, a Bro shall offer nothing more than a “that sucks, man” and copious quantities of beer. A Bro will also refrain from pejorative commentary – deserved or not – regarding said lady friend for a period of three months, when the requisite BACKSLIDE WINDOW has closed.

- ARTICLE 67: Should a Bro pick up a guitar at a party and commence playing, another Bro shall point out that he is a tool.

- ARTICLE 68: If a Bro is on a hot streak, another Bro will do everything possibly to ensure its longevity, even if that includes jeopardizing his own records, the missing of work, or temporarily immigrating to a foreign country.

OTHER ARTICLES from the Bro Code Archive:

- A Bro shall, whenever possible, provide his Bro with protection.

- A Bro will, in a timely manner, alert his Bro of an impending or ongoing girl fight.

- A Bro shalt at all times say yes.

- Mom of a Bro is always off limits, but a Stepmom is fair game if she initiates it or is wearing at least one piece of leopard print.

- Thou shalt not make make eye contact during a Devil’s Three-way

- Thou shalt not sleep with your Bro’s ex-girlfriend.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

When glory days turn to stormy nights

2008-07-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

Another eventful day. The headlights were not working very well, so I had to get a bulb to replace the old one. Went to the workshop my dad goes to fixed it, and I was thinking "well, since we're already here, might as well get the foglamp and the trunk light fixed as well. Got it all done at about RM90, and soon after we left.

I had to get myself a TV cable and headed off to our next destination. This is where the story begin. As soon as I reached the electrical appliance store, I got knocked by this guy who's trying to reverse his car, ignoring the countless times I honked at him. I thought "My god, I just got my car fixed and then got into an accident, what luck!" I got down the car and had a damage check, it was just minor a small dent on the front left panel of my Wira, near the signal light. Well the problem here is, back then when a car hit me on the same place, my dad had to spend an amount of money just to respray the whole panel (you can't just spray a small part of the dented area).

So, this guy who knocked my car was someone familiar. He was my secondary school music teacher, Mr Ronald. Well, the fact about teachers: if you're not the top student/or the teacher's pet, he/she might not remember you. Clearly, I wasn't really bright in his class, hence there wano signs of familiarity to him.

Enough about him. About me now; Should I or should I not reveal that I was his student? Clearly, I picked the latter. My reasoning is, I wanted to avoid any pressures on me or him (I don't want him to have any advantage over our teacher/student relationship, and I certainly do not want to pressure him over the same matter). I have to give credits to him, he admitted his mistake, and were willing to pay us the money we deserve. My dad didn't know how much exactly it would cost, so most reasonably, he would jack up the price a little (we all know, everyone would do the same given the same situation, no?). We asked for RM300, but Mr Ronald argued it was too much.

We did not want to send to a mechanic and repair and charge it to him, cos obviously that would be a hassle, and I need to drive that car up to KL, definitely do not have the luxury of time to leave it with the mechanic for days. Nevertheless, Mr R suggested that we send it to his mechanic to judge how much it would cost for the repairs. In the end we got a fair price of RM250 and he paid on the spot.

I knew Mr R is a nice guy, and the kind of guy we could trust. How could I forget the way he treated his student, man, he was THE teacher and I know he is one of the most passionate teacher I've ever seen. The students love him. Just like Matthew Perry in The Triumph.

How could I want to cheat him. At the point where my dad was asking a price he got from the past, my heard literally skipped a beat. I didn't want to cheat on him. He's a great guy.

The journey home was rather quiet. I didn't buy my TV cable in the end. I was angry and at the same time, I was thinking hard. Thinking if I cheated his money, how would I feel. I got myself inferencing that there's always two to anything. In this case, there's two kind of wrong doings.

1. You feel guilty/sad after you do something wrong
2. You feel stupid after you do something wrong

Its very much like robbing a bank. Do you feel guilty for killing the banker after stealing the money? Or do you feel stupid for not killing the guy who eventually reported you to the cops? It depends, really. It depends on which wrong that you feel most comfortable commiting. Its alittle complicated really, the burden is certainly lower if you feel stupid after doing something, its a lesson learned in time. Often, when you feel guilty, its because the risk is extremely high, and it's really something that you wanted to but too much for you to bear.

In most of my case, I stand in between those two. Like today. There's a reason for a lawyer in determining which wrong you're doing.

Soon after, my dad broke the silence.. He said "Son, turn in to the row of shop houses, I think we need to buy number". Well, it made me smile.

I make many of my decisions like that. To be able to feel neutral after that. The most selfish thing to do. But that's me.

***

A few remarks on movies/TV shows

1. The visionaries of future in Hollywood were never accurate. Just look at Back to the Future 2. 2005 has flying cars and flying skate boards. Man, what were they thinking!?

2. Before all of yous jump the gun and say the industrial giants are the ones causing air pollutions, check out the explosions in the movies! They are the one responsible for all the environmental mishaps!

3. Do americans use fans? I've never seen one in any movies.. A standing or table fan at least?

4. Koreans must die of Cancer, while Chinese must have heart attacks when they are angry/betrayed.

5. The Anchorman rocks big time!

Just Be Yourself

2008-07-15T18:39:00.001-07:00

Crossfit @ Pushmore Gym

What is Crossfit all about? How does it work? After many positive feedbacks about this new fitness regime, I'll briefly explain what it is here.

First off, how do traditional weight lifting help? There are many methods of weight lifting, but the most common goal is for body building. To have a better body, to be in shape. To the girls, no, cardio alone would not give you a good shape. What it will do for you is shed fat off the body hence the slimmer figure.

For guys, on the other hand, traditional weight lifting method usually targets at specific body parts, for instance, working out the shoulders, and chest on monday, rest on tuesday, workout biceps and triceps on wednesday, rest on thursday and work out the lower body on Friday. Probably cardio on saturday or sunday. If the diet goes well, and the workouts work for you, you'll gain mass and get a lean body in no time. Well, give it a couple of months. ;p

I used to do that. Its very simple, really. But I was training on my own, and I was stuck with the same workouts over and over. My workouts were very redundant, and after awhile I hit my plateau. The weakness with this kind of workout is that, you have a limit. You can keep adding weights, but you can't go on forever. You train on all these power lifts but the work outs are very repetitive. Therefore, at the end of the day, you refuse to change.

Now, how does crossfit work? First of all, Crossfit does not only train on one particular aspect of fitness, its a it covers 360* of every element of fitness. Firstly, many of the workouts are focused on training the core, and not on a specific body part. Secondly, the training are organized, ie we train on circuits. Workouts will be combined in a way which represents different sense of fitness. For instance, some circuits are designed to challenged muscle endurance (doing high reps with heavy weights, maybe for max reps or fastest time). Some circuits are made up of workouts that challenges strength, some on explosive strength or endurance.

Crossfit works because there is no constants. You keep changing the workouts, that way your body will never get used to. That is how it works, relate it to real life; when you keep doing the same routines over and over again, you'll be adept at it, you may work things out efficiently, but you may not improve. In other words, if you are given different jobs everyday, you see it as a challenge rather than pursuing a routine. That, is the same way our body works. The key here is to never keep things the same. That's why crossfit works.

In traditional workout, we only lift weights that body builders lift. Famous examples, Bench press, military press, arm curls, up right rows, pull ups. In crossfit, we focus in all types of lifts and workouts. We do not limit our workouts, we get the best from all kinds of fitness regimes, be it olympic lifts, body building lifts, sports training, basic fitness moves, rock climbing trainings, and some gymnastic workouts. By not limiting, crossfit enables every part of our body, be it the big muscles or small muscles to be worked out.

Other organizations or communities which practices and find that crossfit is useful are:-

The Navy Seals (of which are practicing crossfit as the fitness regime). For Free Running/ Yamakasi/ Parkour. Many workouts in crossfit are fundamental to the movements of parkour. Other than that, many fitness freaks have already seen the benefits of crossfit and are already practicing this.

Just FYI, Pushmore is the only crossfit certified gym in Malaysia. It will soon be affiliated into the crossfit community.

***

And... the credit goes to Alicia Cheong Su Kin! for helping me identify the Ikea table from Ikea.com.my! But I did not in the end buy the one that you shown me, as you have conned me into believing there is a black table for the smaller size! But nevertheless, thank you so much for your help! Don't worry, I've carved your name on my table as a token of appreciation! Thank you! Thank you!

Oh, other than that, I have also customized my own wardrobe using a few unused small cabinets and turned it into an IKEA like wardrobe! but much cheaper and more chapalang! My room is now officially colored in the shades of black and maroon!

***

Brian Fantana: 63% of the time, it works every time!

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I'm stuck between my pride and my promise

2008-07-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

What happened last week - this week:

1. Painting rooms in my new house and myself. Never knew it could be this tiring

Dear Gay Friends: Wanna try? :D

2. Accepted new job offer.
3. modified a few cabinets and add new stuff and turned it into a wardrobe. (Thats what I like to do.)
4. Last presentation to my client, and had a good chat with the managers.
5. Did the Pushmore 3o0 and never felt any workout so challenging and tiring but fun before.

nausea moments.

6. Bought curtains and Table.
7. Waking up late and reach late to work
8. Got a new housemate called Chin (happens to be an MMUian and VJ Nigga's friend)
9. Bought water filter.
10. Haven't talked to mom in a week already, missing her now.
11. Planning the weekend.
12. Leaving out all the rest.

***

Ok, I know Linkin Park ain't the best band in the world. But their music is for the masses and the lyrics are good. So just enjoy

I dreamed I was missing
You were so scared
But no one would listen
Cause no one else cared

After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I'm done here

So if you're asking me
I want you to know

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
[End Chorus]

Don't be afraid
I've taken my beating
I've shared what I made

I'm strong on the surface
Not all the way through
I've never been perfect
But neither have you

So if you're asking me
I want you to know

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
[End Chorus]

Forgetting
All the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well

Pretending
Someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest

Forgetting
All the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well

Pretending
Someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are
I can't be who you are

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Aren't you glad you're you?

2008-07-08T01:43:00.001-07:00

The story is, my sister's boyfriend is a feng shui apprentice of a certain level. He most definitely can't predict the future of the world or give you lucky numbers. He, however, is able to "read" general future facts that may befall us. He has a guide book in which he'll need a few profile facts of the person that he is predicting for. Clearly there will be limitations to what he will be able to do with the guide book.

So... he decided to help us calculate the time that we should move in, and in defense of his predictions, he stated that 3 events would occur. (Predictions are called predictions because everything are still vague and blurry... otherwise it will be called "the truth"). He said generally that if we moved in on a bad date, it would affect our relationship, career etc.. those kinda things you know..

our close friend being a superstitious person, decided that we should heed his words. I told her "Actually its not really about you believing it, but because you have heard about it, you tend to relate everything that happens to it". She then replied "you are right, but its not like he asked us to do extreme things, all we have to do is just wait and see".. Well yeah, she has a point there.

The three things should happen within 60 days after we move in. If it happens, it means that we have moved in the right date. But he did mention that the house's direction and color did not suit our profiles, and thus there might be some tension among us housemates in the future.

The three things are:

1. One of the electrical appliances in the house will break down.
- Our light has just went out last weekend. (Check)

2. One of us will meet a close friend we have not met for a long long time.
- I've just met Matt whom I haven't met for a year already (Check).

3. A stranger will come by our house to look for his/her friend by mistake.
- This is kinda freaky but it hasn't happened yet

There, the things that he said. My life in fact was in a turmoil last weekend. The worst and the best things just happened last week. I have to admit, my bro Matt really made my weekend great last week. Well, I don't know when I'll have that much fun again. You have truly turned into a such a different person, in a good way. But all in all, he's still the Matthew who knows how to have fun.

To put things short, I've made a decision to set things straight for myself, aiming at one thing at a time, and totally focusing on myself this time. I'm not letting anything get in my way of achieving my goal. After all these 2 years I've been thinking what I wanna do and I've finally found out about it and I'm happy for myself. I'm more happy than sad, as I actually achieved something in life. Something productive.

I've had 3 job offers in the past month up to now, and finally I'm determined to accept the offer. Now, I truly understand the statement "believe in companies who invest in its people". Firstly, my new company has offered to buy me out of my company so that I'll be able to start early. I've never been any happier, look at me, I am nothing but just a pawn. And the best part is, its a damn good package, and the bigger package is, its what I wanted. Closer.

The other thing is, my company actually wants to retain me, which I was about to stay if the offer is good enough. If there's anything that pulls me back from quitting my company, it definitely isn't what I'm doing, to be honest, I do not enjoy very much doing this, but I've learned many things. The things that I really look at in the company are the few bosses that I've worked with as well as colleagues who'll help in anyway. I've never been in any other company but my experience is enough to judge a good and a bad boss. :) I'd like to work with my boss again in the future if the situation permits. But at the moment, I'll move on.

So yeah, it was a long weekend, but one that was full with things to think about.

We played this game at friends last saturday. Its something like a card game. There'll never be any other games that I've enjoyed playing so much. Its like "YO!" . Word.

***

Monday blues... Cure? Pushmore

Me, Jinn (My colleague) and Jon (Owner of Pushmore)

Jon showing his mad skills

Me with my kettlebells

Heavy balls! (Weighted Pull Ups)

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True Perfection Has To Be Imperfect

2008-06-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

I know that that sounds foolish but its true. Thats how our life should be. To learn to accept our mistakes and realize that there may be no wrongs or rights. These few days have been tough for me. Juggling love, work, and shelter, proves to be too stressful.

Thats where fitness comes in. When I feel as bad as a rotten egg, this shrine heals me deep inside. Its like I could talk to myself. Gym was never as fun and challenging as this before. Crossfit really changed my life. Its my therapy for life.

This is my rehab for overdose of stress and pressure.

The last thing I wanna do is drugs. Fuck weed, seriously. Guys if you know who you are, you know those shit ain't helping you in anyway, so fuck it.

***

You know I didn't mean
What I just said
But my God woke up
On the wrong side of his bed

-Oasis' Little By Little

Malaysia Boleh! In another way!

2008-06-19T08:14:00.001-07:00

Ok, the below excerpt is taken from Askmen.com and boy, am I proud of our country.. its actually one of the horniest country in the world. Well, thats the only time we'll ever have any post with anything about Malaysia in it. Enjoy the post!

***

We’ve ranked these top 10 horniest countries in line with the same Durex survey rankings. So, the higher a country appears on the list, the more of its citizens are having sex -- which means at least once a week. Just to make it on this list of top 10 horniest countries, three-quarters of a country has to be going at it regularly. Embarrassingly, Canada and the U.S. don’t make the cut. The good news: If you want to flee your sex-starved nation for these horny ones, we’ve given you pickup spots where you can start to improve your country’s rank.

Number 10

Mexico

Want to take a sexy siesta? Meet people of the sun and fun in our No. 10 horniest country. Mexicans kick off our list of boot-knocking peoples, and they start from an early age. In fact, in May of 2008 Mexico City's government distributed 700,000 copies of sex-ed textbooks to deliver to the city's student population, well aware that the kids would be doing the horizontal tango one way or another. And when it comes to sex south of the border, there's always a way. While prostitution is generally illegal in Mexico, it is legal in select cities like Tijuana where sex worker zones are set up for your benefit.

Horny hangouts: A huge spring break getaway, Mexico’s resorts often melt into one giant pickup place. Here are some of the more notable places to go in this horny country: In Cancun, check out the popular bars -- Senor Frogs, Daddy ‘O and Coco Bongo. In Acapulco try Palladium, a huge disco that overlooks several other bars, there's also Baby Lobster Bar and Thai Bar, both of which have a reputation for hot girls. Visiting Cabo San Lucas? Then you definitely need to check out Squid Roe, a popular dance bar flowing with tequila. A few other Cabo San Lucas pickup options include The Zoo and Mango deck. If you're in Puerto Vallarta check out The Zoo (another one) and El Hilo for hot Mexican nights. In Tijuana? Hit up Senor Frogs, Mundo Cafe or Safaris.

Number 9

Switzerland

Sure, they’re politically neutral, but the Swiss definitely have an opinion about sex. That opinion roughly translates to: "Gimme more." Apart from their regular bedroom feats, prostitution is also legal in this horny country. Every year 350,000 Swiss pay their own way for pleasure. With this level of commitment it's no wonder they made our list of top 10 horniest countries.

Horny hangouts: If you're traveling in Zurich, you'll want to check out this popular spot, the Hive Bar or even Ba Ba Lu for loud music and a lively crowd that's sure to make your night one to remember.

Number 8

Spain

In the land of Latin love, sex is a foregone conclusion. Its traditional, sexually charged culture has even gone through a modern update. Recently, it's been reported that Spanish men have turned to our modern-day Spanish fly, Viagra, to please their ladies longer -- even if they are fully capable of the act without the pill. Of course, this little enhancement makes sure they meet their own expectations as well, proving that this is definitely one of the horniest countries around.

Horny hangouts: In Barcelona, visit the seaside club Baja Beach where plenty of women come to see and be seen. Your other bet for hot Spanish nights is Razzmatazz, which is a single club with five different clubs attached to it. Here to party? Ibiza’s got the answer: Just pick a bar, any bar, and you’ll do fine

Number 7

Malaysia

In public, this country definitely appears conservative. For example, there was a recent controversy over whether sex education should be taught in high school or not -- not exactly sexually liberated. However, behind closed doors lies (pun totally intended) the real story: Malaysians are swinging from the bedposts, and loving every minute of it. Occasionally we'll get a glimpse of it - like when Malaysia's Minister of Health was forced to step down after his homemade sex tapes made the rounds in January of 2008.

Horny hangouts: In Kuala Lumpur, check out these bars and clubs for a straightforward party: Aloha, Poppy Bar or the Rum Jungle. To “choose your own adventure” visit the Beach Club where there’s a good chance a girl comes at a price, but she'll be worth every penny.

Number 6

Italy

Many Italians live la dolce vita with sex high on their list of things to do on a daily basis. A poll found that 32% of Italians over 60 years old have sex regularly. It's unclear if this means seniors are schtupping around the clock or once a week. However, one thing’s clear; their frequency in the sack helped give this country a spot on our list of top 10 horniest countries.

Horny hangouts: Visiting Florence? Check out the Red Garter, a classic American-style bar with an international reputation as a pickup joint. Your second choice should be Moyo, a laid-back club whose volume lets you have a conversation. In Milan, good bets for passionate encounters are Propaganda, a huge nightclub, plus The Shocking Club, a club known for its crazier theme nights. And when in Rome, visit the Drunken Ship, a popular party bar, and don't forget to do it as the Romans do it.

Number 5

Poland

For a fairly conservative culture, Poland has earned a steamy reputation as one of the horniest countries out there. Poland has an annual Eroticon festival that showcases the latest and greatest sex toys and mechanisms in the adult industry. Even one of Poland's politicians was caught in a sex scandal. However, the most obvious evidence of Poland's hound-dog ways has to be the two Polish women who once held the world gangbang record, which they completed in their home country. Need we explain?

Horny hangouts: If you're going to Warsaw, you'll want to visit Organza, a club with a good share of women. Or for variety check out the two-floor bar Zoo; this bar features plenty of space to party or chat up women. Now Krakow: While you're there go to Cien Klub, described as an institution it’s a big club with lots of girls. Krakow also features Frantic, another two-floor bar and the Goraczka Freak Club, not that kind of “freak,” but a good party place filled with ladies nonetheless.

Number 4

China

The more China’s Cultural Revolution thaws, the more its sexual revolution heats up. Want proof? Just in the past eight years, 5,000 sex shops have opened in Beijing alone. Plus, China even has a SEXPO, where Chinese residents come to check out sex paraphernalia. And with 70% of the world’s sex toys made in China, its horniest country status means that a good deal of their hard work won't have to go very far.

Horny hangouts: If you're visiting Shanghai, you need to check out these better-known spots: Bar Rouge, Zapata’s and Windows. If you're in Beijing, you’ve got a few options: Visit the Sanlitun Lu District, often dubbed “bar street” for all its action. For the tried-and-true joints check out Bar Blu, Suzie Wong and Brown’s, all renowned meat markets. And for your seedier pick you need to head to Maggie’s, a popular nightclub known for its working girls.

Partying at Paradise Beach in Mykonos, Greece, is sure to be a good time

Number 3

Russia

Was the Cold War’s biggest secret that the Russians were having more sex than we were? Since the fall of Communism it looks a lot more likely that it actually was. Russian's libidos are inspiring them to fill tons of new Moscow clubs and bars where hookups are a nightly pastime in this horny country.

Horny hangouts: In Moscow, go to The Hungry Duck, a crazy bar that runs ladies' nights with male strippers three times a week, then lets men in the door once the strippers are off stage. Sure, nothing is set in stone, but you’d have to try hard to miss this softball pickup pitch. Other Russian hot spots include Night Flight, where you can pick up Russian girls, and Propaganda, which is better-known for housing tourists rather than locals.

Number 2

Brazil

Considering this is the birthplace of the thong, it makes sense that sex is as essential as breathing in Brazil. This horny country's beaches are filled with gorgeous women and during its annual Carnaval even the most stubborn inhibitions disappear and this destination proves its spot on our top 10 horniest countries list.

Horny hangouts: In Rio, definitely visit the Lapa district. It's a huge party spot, filled with clubs and gyrating women. Other Rio options include the Nuth Bar, a two-story nightclub notorious as a pickup bar, plus Baronetti or Club Six. Up for more adventure? You can negotiate your price openly at Help.

Number 1

Greece

This country has a long tradition of sex that dates back to ancient times -- these are the guys that brought us pederasty and Sapphic love. With its temperate Mediterranean weather, beaches and tons of islands, Greece’s ingredients make it the No. 1 horniest country in the world.

Horny hangouts: Set aside some time, and plenty of protection, because there are a number of pickup spots throughout the islands and on the mainland. First, in Athens, try out Hoxton in the Gazi district, it's a trendy bar where backpackers are known to hang out. For the islands, Corfu is renowned for its infamous pickup spot, The Pink Palace. And while on the island of Los, check out these bars: Kahlua, Slammer Bar or the Red Bull Bar. Finally, make sure to check out Mykonos, an island known for its partying. While in Mykonos, visit Paradise Beach club that’s set right on, you guessed it, a beach. Paradise Beach is a big hangout, where clothing has been known to occasionally disappear.

home sweet horny home

Seems like other countries are having more fun than yours. From Brazilians’ sex-inspired culture to China’s sexual explosion to Spain’s bedroom conquistadors, our list of the top 10 horniest countries proves that people around the world are having sex for fun, and loving it. For guys whose countries didn’t make the list, get sexing. Your country literally depends on it.

***

Theres this gym that I just joined, its called pushmore. Basically this gym trains on the principles of Crossfit, the kind of training that was used for the actors in 300. Basically this workout pushes you to your limit, aligning your balance and body coordination, strength, flexibility and mental strength. In a nutshell, it makes everything workable in your body, work.

I've never believed in cosmetic gyms i.e. Fitness First, California Fitness... I think they are well equipped, but its more for social acceptance than for a real work out for your body. So previously i always had a preference for hardcore gyms, the kind of gyms where you only have irons and tons more of irons. The kind of gym where you see oversized guys carrying overloaded weights. The place where steroids were born. I've been training in these gyms for about 4 years now. I've got what I've wanted. But true to what people said, you never get satisfied. I wanted more. I pumped more than I could. I ate less. I ran.

Its very much a wrong kind of training I've went thru, but it was really fun. But workout starts to get boring and I hit a plateau. I never really gained anymore, all I got was maintenance. Everything just stopped there and then.

Not too long ago, this new colleague of mine, introduced me to crossfit, and it was like love at first sight. Gym was never this intense, competitive and fun for me. Back then it was all work and no play. Crossfit has proven me wrong. Here, we believe in cohesion, training together and giving out your all. This is heaven for people like me. And the dream of becoming a Spartan intrigues me even more.

www.crossfit.com
www.pushmore.com.my

Check em out. I love it. Just love it.

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Living in Everyday Combat

2008-06-17T21:52:00.001-07:00

So our friend wants a tattoo... He showed me this (below), stating that he wants a dagger tattoo. I though it was not bad, as one of our friends also have a dagger tattooed on his leg. But his dagger was surrounded by a snake. It was cool, but ken doesn't want any other animals. Here's what he wants:

1. Dagger
2. Heart
3. Maybe a wing

I searched thru google to see if there is any nice designs, but only to come up with A few that I think is nice. The one that really caught me eyes is the one below, but ken insisted that he doesn't want skulls cos he said "no peace". He doesn't want roses cos he said "it's gay". I was thinking.. "Guns & Roses aren't gay...". But anyway, I told him I'd design something for him..

so.. ladies and gentlemen, what do you think? Well Its still a draft..

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Let me know if you feel it man, cos everything I'm not made me everything I am

2008-06-17T03:48:00.001-07:00

Today I just got samaned! And its not the MBPJ saman where you could just ignore... but its a PDRM saman.. which means,... its a RM300 saman! Damn, this shit is a real whack! My boss asked me to appeal cos then I'd just got to pay RM50. I was claimed to be causing unnecessary obstruction on a road.. although I clearly wasn't and cars could pass by easily. Yeah, I admit, I was double parking, but I've obviously estimated a safe allowance for other cars and the car parking beside me to get out. And obviously, my consideration wasn't taken very well by the cops.. so yeah.. its kind of a bad day I'd say.. My boss asked me to big the cops cos I'm from Melaka, and claim that in Melaka "Kuning atau putih pun boleh park" haha. If you get what I mean.

I was going to a client's place for a sales and marketing presentation on some market analysis and was almost running late, and Jalan Universiti is such a difficult place to find parking, so I've got no choice, but to double park. Oh by the way, my client's place doesn't have enough allocation for visitors. The presentation went well, was my fifth presentation to the client, so the managers and directors were quite used to me, and I am quite familiar with their characteristics so it wasn't a big deal to me at this point of time.

But that 50 bucks was not necessary! Damn!

Oh I saw this on the way back and couldn't help it..

Oh if im going for any interviews, I'm gonna list out all my talents

1. I can complete the rubik's cube in lesser than 5 minutes
2. I can Moonwalk!
3. I'm going to be able to juggle 3 oranges
4. I can make my veins on my hands move like worms
5. I can snap louder than everyone i know
6. I can cook Maggi Goreng better than your regular mamaks!
7. I can spin my guitar (its broken)
8. I can lick my elbow
9. I can flex my chest like Terry Crews
10. I can talk while I sleep!

I can Moonwalk, MuthaF**kas!

Terry Crews a.k.a Latrell Spencer - My inspiration.

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Let's get retarded

2008-06-09T05:21:00.001-07:00

If you have a friend called nicholas cheong eu jin, then rest assure that you'll have the greatest but most retarded moment in your life. He is so retarded to a point where one of my friend claimed that if nic has to be his roomate, he might as well get a taser gun so that he can tase nic before he speaks.

Anyway here goes...

Nic: You kn0w what is ichiban

(as we walk past ichiban ramen in sunway pyramid)

Me: Yeah, its number 1 in Japanese

Nic: Ya meh? I thought "the bun is itchy"

Me: thinking WTF (but couldn't stop laughing...)

Cannot Handle...

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Happy birthday to Liangzor

2008-06-07T21:50:00.001-07:00

To Liang Dearest,

We have been room mates, I have jumped onto you to seek protection, you have listened to me mumble when I sleep, and I have ran and crashed on to you just to see who stronger but I injured my nose instead. Oh and not to forget how I tried to make you back flip in our tiny room.

"One for now, One for the future" and "On for the day you die, you know that you have your friends to drink with! Cheers!"
Happy 23rd Birthday, and lots of love, muaks.

Liang, Rusty Matt, Me (when I was much fatter) and Ken (When he was much thinner) [2004]
When all of us thought we're gonna make it big in the Malaysian music industry.. :D

As you can see, we are melakans, and we're gay (applies for both meaning)

And like WTF??? (Below pic)

But you guys must be kidding right? I mean the girl in this pic... damn hahaha

The nerdy girl is now the girl 2nd from the right (below pic)... haha wah imagine how old the photo was... Can't help it... photos are still up in the long dead constipating monkey...

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What is there at the north of North Pole?

2008-06-05T09:51:00.001-07:00

Is there a formula to life? Is there really a sure shot text book way to be successful in life? Is there a guidebook whereby you could just follow that ensures your early retirement when you're 35 years old? I don't know.. but I sure wanna find out. I could still remember back then in '94 or '95 I'd be home every Tuesday at 5.00pm on TV3 to catch the latest episode of Ultraman. Yeah, the 60s or 70s Ultraman. If any of you are not from Malaysia, yeah the 70s only came to Malaysia in the 90s. Sad isn't it? That's beside the point anyway, now back to my story. I'm still puzzled back then, kids from my age (back then I was standard 3) to kids as old as Form 3 maybe, enjoyed watching these shows. Maybe its the awesomeness of the costume, or maybe its the beams that Ultraman released, or perhaps kids just liked how zaps his opponents. Well back then, no one really liked the monsters anyway, they are rubber like, ugly and illogical. To us, Ultraman was god although we could obviously notice the zip at the back of his costume. My mom would stress this fact but I kept denying it.

They never fail... to make me nauseous
Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of Ultraman, but these shows are built based on a formula, where good triumphs over evil--most of the time. The good guys are a team of (usually) five members, of whom one of them acquire super powers through magic or technology. They wear bright unicolor outfits/secret identity costumes and fight evil by using martial arts and/or special weapons. Usually, the evil organization comes from another planet or another dimension, and seeks to take over Earth. (You know, the standard motivation for comic book villains.)

The Specium Beam

The funny thing is, the monsters vary, the powers that Ultraman uses vary, but one thing never changed: The story line. As corny as it is, I'd still sit down quietly every week eagerly waiting for Ultraman to zap and burn it down. You know, Ultraman will never ever ever ever appear until one of his team mate's fighter plane gets knocked down by the monster. Its like he never learns from his mistake that he's putting his fellow team mates life at risk (and oh yeah, the team mates who gets knocked down usually take turns). He'll try to act like he's got no other way (in order to have viewers to feel pity over him for awhile) but to summon upon Ultraman. He'll soon engage hand to hand combat with the monster, but only to no avail. He knew it was hopeless. But he had to do it. He had to wait until his color timer beep. At approximately 5.20pm, only will Ultraman realized that he's got not much time before the next cartoon starts at 5.30pm, so he'll be forced to kill the monster with his ultimate Specium Beam, that kills 80% of all his enemies.

My point here is, the Japanese costume superhero's formula is so repetitive and corny, yet it has captured many of our hearts young or old. It felt almost like its really really plain dumb but it has never failed to succeed. Just look at how many other superheroes it has spawned. Ultraman eventually became a franchise. A franchise that became as famous as McDonald's.
And that profitable.

See, unfortunately for us, our life does not work this way, doing the same thing everyday for the rest of your life wouldn't make you successful, and we don't really have the specium beam to zap our bosses, to begin with. But life just ain't that simple. And again, unfortunately life has many many variables that we have to deal with, if you know what I'm saying.

Well, nothing ever seems to be easy for me, and this is something that I'm learning to accept.

The Ultraman-Tits. I think girls back in the 70s adore man tits.

My Idol, Ultraman.

And I thought I could grow up to be just Like you...

Last but not least, the band of brothers. Just like real life, its always Bros before Hos for me.

On a separate note, Japanese do have their own version of Spiderman...

and...

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2008-05-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

Star Wars Episode III: The Backstroke of The West

i saw revenge of the sith last time at a local theater with my friends back in Melaka. In my opinion, it was much better than the first two movies and a fitting end (err.. middle) to the star wars saga.

the next day i was walking past my friendly dvd salesperson and decided to check out revenge of the sith. i was assured the quality was good and for RM8, so why not give it a shot.

Aside from the counters on the top of the screen and a distorted perspective it was ok- not high quality but watchable. the captions were a hilarious surprise- a direct english translation of the chinese interpretation of what the script was saying. it varied from being somewhat close to the script to being 'far far away'....

Well, not too long ago, we saw Rambo 4 which subtitles was also mangled. It turned our mundane hang out session into a really hilarious and interesting one. It is amazing how these people make simple things into something really complicated...

Enjoy...

amazingly enough, the beginning scroll is mistranslated even though the words are right there on the screen.

star war (just one)

'the backstroke of the west' is the english translation of the chinese title.

anakin: "this is where the fun begins"

obi wan: "let them pass between us"

anonymous doomed fighter pilot: "they're all over me"

obi wan, space battle strategist.

obi wan grows impatient with r2.

the chancellor warns anakin and obi wan that count dooku is... big.

obi wan assures the chancellor that it's no problem.

count dooku talks tough.

that's chancellor palpatine speaking, talking about obi wan.

general grevious gets some bad news.

the general considers punishing his troops.

anakin taunts general grevious.

the general fires off a snappy comeback

ummm... ????

we gonna rock down to... lemon avenue.

padme the homemaker

anakin tells padme about his dream.

on the hoof - idiom, 'not yet butchered; alive. used especially of cattle'

hallelujah!

yoda: "premonitions? premonitions?"

sounds like something yoda might actually say... maybe.

anakin is haunted by dreamses.

troopseses!

anakin gets frustrated with the jedi council.

the chancellor tells anakin the story of darth plagueis the wise, aka the dintmeister.

plagueis learned how to become... strong and big.

but he lost his power and died...

...then was killed by his land, so he could sleep. a tragic story indeed.

this seemed completely random until i figured out that 'jedi council' was being translated into chinese then back to english as 'the presbyterian church'.

anakin: "obi wan, may the force be with you"

tion medon: "on the tenth level, thousands of battledroids"

obi wan: "hello there"

the general tells his troops to back off, he'll take care of obi wan.

...but is it big?

the chancellor delivers anakin some bad news.

mace windu reads the chancellor his rights.

anakin bargains for the life of his cuckoldry. cuckoldry?

anakin gets a new name.

the emporer: "rise!"

the emporer tells anakin... umm... something.

anakin: "i agree."

the emperor: "do what must be done, lord vader."

yoda: "goodbye chewbacca."

c3po tells the amorous couple to get a room.

padme: "no thank you, c3po."

obi wan: "who could have done this?"

obi wan can't face what he must do.

yoda insists...

...and explains that the person he once knew noed longer is.

how about a snickers?

anakin tells padme about his new virtues, now being both strong and big.

padme doesn't want strong and big- she also doesn't want to walk on a road meant for running about.

lier!!!

obi wan has heard enough.

meanwhile, the emperor reveals his true ambitions.

anakin taunts, but...

...obi wan stands on higher ground...

...and proclaims his love.

this translation is classic. darth vader is actually shouting, "nooooooooooooo..."

***

a restaurant menu actually reads this:

Hmmm, such tempting delicacies…. I guess there’s a niche restaurant for every kind of customer…

***

Seriously, here's one video you've gotta check out. However, this video has extreme grotesque scenes and are extremely awesome. By far the most gory, violent, and funny video ever!

Enjoy this 80's Hong Kong B-Grade Action movie dubbed in English!

But The Sea Will Electrocute Us All

2008-05-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

If only I'm a little bit more contented with my life, it wouldn't be so difficult for me. But seriously having good friends around changes your life entirely. Especially after watching HIMYM season 3 finale (episode 20). Now there's only 3 of my RHC friends that are still close as brothers to me. Matt has been missing in action (at least in my life) for about 2 years or so, but heard your doing great there at that little kiasu land. Anyway just wanna summarize how I feel about a few things thru these pics.

This is how I envision my friendship with my homiez, we're all on the same boat.

I've recently been thinking about so many things.. a shelter, more money, new openings, love, wants, needs.. It just never ends, and sometimes I'm just happy to sit at one corner, just feel the breeze and enjoy the moment just for that short while. I guess thats my therapy... why I like to stay at home after work, is because of the serenity.

Somethings/one are hard to understand

Driving in KL is truly a hassle. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy driving (I'm a guy), at night when I'm alone, listening to good music, when I could really just drive slowly, counting the street lamps, feel the breeze a little...

But the 6-8pm traffic just drives me nuts.

I guess this needs no explanation... Cos..

This is how my fish is supposed to look like

Despite my regular presentation and meetings with people at work, I'd never get used to nervousness. Ironically, I aspire to one day be a newscaster or a TV host. But what the hell, everyone deserves a try.

somethings just don't change

To be honest, I put up a lego face 50% of the time.. My expressions are fake cos sometimes I do not know how to react to a dumb joke, or not feeling happy for someone cos its got nothing to do with me, or just as a means of keeping a conversation going. Sorry but I'm a fake person. I'd sell my soul for things that are not worth bringing to the afterlife.

And thats why I tell myself:

And last but not least, please... please please please please

Save the earth by: not littering, open burning, public spitting, diesel engines... etc.
I love the planet and my country and sworn not to do the things that would pollute the world.
For this, I'm speaking on behalf of myself and aya.

***

A year in my life
(Soundtracks to my life)

- But the sea will electrocute us all (5/23/08) - Radiohead (Nice Dream)
- Cos tonight, is the night... (4/20/08) - Spice Girls (2 Become 1)
- This world has lost its story (4/4/08) - Bee Gees (Words)
- Let the music heal your soul (3/29/08) - Bravo All Stars
- To My Friends (3/22/08) - Rain
- I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining (3/17/08) - BJ Thomas (Rainbows keep droppin)
- Let My Love Open The Door (2/10/08) - Pete Townshend
- Here comes the sun (2/4/08) - The Beatles
- We're after the same rainbow's end (1/5/08) - Henry Mancini (Moonriver)
- Life ain't perfect, If you don't know what the struggle's for (12/16/07) - Alicia Keys (Lesson Learned)
- Smile! Like you mean it (11/16/07) - The Killers
- Dear Your name here, its been a long time, very long time (11/12/07) - New Found Glory (Sincerely Me)
- Last year's wishes are this years apology (11/7/07) - Fall Out Boy (You're like a Lawyer)
- Don't go changing, to try to please me (11/4/07) - Billy Joel (Just the way you are)
- 不知不觉已经那么久 (10/29/07) - Vanness and Kang Ta (127 Days)
- Hope of Deliverance (10/13/07) - Sir Paul Mc Cartney
- Those days are gone (9/16/07) - Celine Dion (All by Myself)
- Pain throws your heart to the ground and love turns the whole thing around (9/14/07) - John Mayer (Heart of Life)
- When you're dreaming with a broken heart, the waking up is the hardest part (9/12/07) - John Mayer (Dreaming with a broken heart)
- oui Lienda, bella che fa, bonita, bonita que tal? (9/8/07) - Jack Johnson (Belle)
- Running as fast as I can, to the middle of nowhere (8/21/07) - Pink (Just like a Pill)
- Feeling Like an Old Dog Kicked Out (6/3/07) - Bon Jovi (Always)
- Better than Me (6/2/07) - Hinder
- Once I thought My Innocense was gone, Now I know that Happiness goes on (5/22/07) - Billy Joel (For the Longest Time)
- 上を向いて歩こう涙がこぼれないように (5/7/07) - Kyu Sakamoto (Sukiyaki)

私の人生のこれまでの、素晴らしいされています。にはまだ長い道のりするためには、その私を待ってしなければならない。
Life Goes On

2008-05-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

Everyone has something to think about, to be stressed about. Its just a matter of managing your expectations. I'm no different from most of us, I'm a terrible worrier, worrying things that may not be as significant as it may be. But as we grow, this gut feeling gets worse. Gut feelings are never always right, to begin with.

I've been thinking about alot of things recently, which in the end it actually boils down to $$. I did learn something about myself too, finally. Its got something to do with my job. When I was still an undergraduate, I kept thinking about what I do in the future has got to do with something I'm studying or like. Money is a criteria too, but what really matters is that I'll like my job.

Well it took me a little long to understand this but, nothing else really matter more than the money my employer is willing to pay me (for me at least). Now what I really think is how much am I really worth in the industry. Now don't get me wrong, its not that I'm not enjoying my job, I do, and I'm really learning many things now, not only in what my job requires me to do, but also the understanding of how an organization works. How to climb up the corporate ladder, how to be street smart.

Come to think about it, I've observed something simple: How to be at the top of the game?
If you work long enough in a company, well obviously, you've done your work nicely, meet your datelines, have a good relationship with your superior and your colleagues, you're on the right track up the ladder. If you think about it, its really a no brainer, just do OK, at work, do not create conflicts and just go with the flow, and everything's gonna go your way. I've met people who're who they are cos they've been doing it for the past twenty years. I know your director has been in the company for 10 years or so. Its a matter of time, really...

Well, this is really how I see the organization now.. In 2 years time, when I'm 25, and I still think the same on this, then this could well be true.

So... it really bothers me now... to know if I'm really worth what I'm paid now. I've been surrounded by many mediocre temptations that I can't even afford. Its like a social casualty to me, knowing someone is being paid higher than you. It really bothers me that sometimes I'd think about when I sleep and when I wake up in the morning, and when I drive.

It all boils down to that god damn shit called money. I just hate it. Its worse than crap. If crap can eat and crap can shit, thats what it is. Crap's crap.

***

Not too long ago, someone asked me, "Why don't you drink?" Well, at that time, not wanting to elaborate, I impulsively answered, "I'll never sell my principles". I'd like to apologize for not giving an explanation.

I was also asked, "What if you get a job that pays you three times your pay but you have to drink?". I'll answer your question now, after giving it a few months long of thinking... thru painful personal experience, I never really like its taste, I never really enjoyed alcohol, and I get an allergic reaction after consuming, that lasts for a week or so. Everyone said it can be trained, that you'll stop getting rashes if you drink more, and its an "acquired taste".

Its really about the principles I believe. I guess if I'm able to put it in a different situation, you'll be able to understand how I feel about drinking. You're a doctor, if a person offers you three times your salary to be a construction worker, to do what you're not good at, and not your choice, would you do it? Well, it holds true for me too, if I was offered more than what I'm being paid to be a telephone operator, I'd rather not do it. Basically, I'd only do something that would have some sort of value to me. Well, if you're an immigrant and you love doing tough labour, by all means accept that high paying construction job. But it certainly isn't my cup of tea.

***

Ever since I got my tattoo done, everyone asked, what fish is that? To answer your question:

Its actually the fighting fish you normally see in a aquarium shop. The one in the hundred plus bottle. It means something to me. It symbolizes my spirit to fight for my life, and that I'll want to win even if I have to die. I'd fight for what I want. It also reminds me of where I come from. Fighting fish is never an expensive fish, it can be easily acquired at a very low price. Thats what I am, I came from a small town, and was never a rich brat, never a yuppie. I strive to earn my own legacy.

Cool huh? I actually came up with that story like 5 minutes ago, cos I'm really bored of explaining to people what it is. For now, thats my story if you wanna know what it is... If you want to think its a koi, arowana, carp, or whatever, its really.... up to you.

Cos I really hate it when people ask, why do you go back to Melaka every week. Its like... "sukalah if I wanna go back" Right? right? right?

***

By the way, Ipoh trip was fun, its been awhile since we've travelled together. And happy mothers day to all mothers, cos mothers are the most awesome people in the world. Anyway, My mother is more awesome than your mother. Yes, your mother! YOURS!

Tagged by Eva!

2008-05-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

The Rules
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. List 10 random facts about yourself.
3. Tag eight people at the end of this post and list their names.
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving them a comment on their blogs.

So...10 random facts...

1. When I was 18 - 20 my cousin and some friends thought I looked like Wang Lee Hom

2. When I was 22 my friend Lai Voon Shong said I somehow kinda looked like C. Ronaldo

3. Not too long ago the photocopy lady boss near my house said I look like a foreigner.

4. My mom's friend thought I looked like a Baba although I'm purely chinese

5. Today, my sister's land lord said I looked like Tom Cruise.

6. My friends say my legs are so thin that I could run faster if I used my hands.

7. I am currently nick named "Muskelman" and "Chicken Legs"

8. I think I am awesome. What up.

9. I burp in my Girlfriends face and vice versa.

10. I also intentionally burp and fart in Nicholas Cheong Eu Jin's car after consuming crazy amount of garlic and Durians just to annoy him.

There! The 10 most awesome random facts about me.

Tag 8 people:

Ken, Liang, Liang, Eva, Eva, Eva, Victor, Aya

Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka, the amazing chocolatier

2008-04-27T04:18:00.000-07:00

Charlie Bucket: I'm not going to the factory. Our family needs money. A lady just offered me $500 for the ticket.
Grandpa George: There's plenty of money out there. They print more of it every day. But that ticket? There are only five of them in the world, and that's all there's ever going to be. Only a dummy would give this up for something as common as money. Are you a dummy?
Charlie Bucket: No sir.