Happy 8th Anniversary Dear

Actually it is 8 + 6( prior to marriage ) anniversary.

As a special treat to mark the occasion, I brought the other half for a Japanese Dinner. Actually, we have been trying to get the anniversary cum Valentine's meal last Sunday but due to busy *shopping schedule* we missed the lunch slot. ~ refer to previous posting ~

For me, I was introduced to Japanese cuisine when I started working about 10 yrs ago. The mrs. was one step better as she had actually set food in Japan and had enjoyed the authentic meal at the land of the rising sun. My only claim to fame was that I was brave enough to try it in the first place...( but still wouldn't even remotely consider the puffer / blow fish)

I can still remember when she had the craving for california temaki, and could finish three in a sitting. To be honest, my choice would still be conservative to others but considered adventurous according to my palate.

All in all, it was quite an enjoyable dinner with a relaxed ambiance (rather than the over hyped and over priced valentine's dinner )

Pebbles decking the walls

Table setup - from the next table


some appetizer - didn't manage to get the name but tasted like seaweed ~ nash, any input?~

shisamo - grilled pregnant fish

shiki bento - what the mrs had. a mixture of tempura, miso soup, salad, grilled salmon and selection of sashimi ( raw fish - salmon, tuna and cod )

Unagi bento - grilled eel set with miso soup, rice and salad.

There was a free flow of hot green tea and to cap it off we had some mochi ice cream. If only I could have experienced the real deal and enjoy the meal in Japan itself. Siapalah nak belanja pergi Jepun ni, *wink* ( if any kind soul * you know who you are* in Japan reading this, YM je le )

There's no therapy like .......

..............retail therapy. After all that has been going on for the past month, we feel that it's time that we put those incidents behind us and continue with our normal routine. Hence the 'self indulgence' trip sans du fil is exactly what the doctor ordered.....

It started off with the mrs. wanting to replace her trusted and battered *Sony Ericsson K500i* which she had for almost 2 years (the shop doesn't even considering a trade in - "ini macam third hand punya phone ah...) . It has a long lists of faults and the replacement has a big shoes to fill. The requirement for the new phone is simple :- no fancy-smancy-smarty-pants multifunction-all-in-one-convergence device, just a nice form factor and could handle loads of .mp3 files.

After window-shopping and data gathering, Nokia 5300 fits the bill nicely, plus it has some interesting offer packaged in - eg, bluetooth stereo headphone, memory card upgrade thrown in as well. Plus I got a good deal on a blue tooth handsfree device, to replace my *lost* wired handsfree. Actually I've been meaning to get one since I first got the Treo but putting it off till now.

Also as our anniversary is just around the corner, we decided to have a his & hers complementary fragrance so that we could smell good together. Actually the mrs. has already knew what she been looking for, and upon sampling the fragrance, I agreed with her. Hence we got ourself these ...........

Mont Blanc Starwalker pour homme et Femme Individuelle

As the self indulgence trip took a bit longer than expected, our supposedly advanced anniversary lunch had been postponed as the restaurant was closed when we got there and only would reopen in the evening, but as we've been away for most of the day from our son, we decided to head home and have a some quality time with him instead ( plus to set up the plethora of gadgets picked up during the trip ).

The hardest thing now for me is where to take her for the dinner, as it will so close to Valentine's Day and everything would be commercialized and the price sky high during the 'week of love'....any ideas guys?

Surprise Visit

Today I had the pleasure of my *mentor* and friend came to visit today. He was my first immediate when I first started work and took me under his wing in terms of learning the ropes of working life in a corporate environment. A lot has happened since and we couldn't believe that it has been almost 10 years since I first reported duty. He has quit the company about 7 years ago and now runs his own business, which I think suits him better as he has a special way of creating rapport with people.

As usual, the meeting would be started off with updating of whats going on the personal front. I found out that he had just recovered from an acute cardiac arrest 2 days before X'mas. At 37!!!! The way he was relating the incident to me, make me feels that man, I could in the situation in 5 years time. (which means I have to watch my comfort food intake ) So now he has to keep tab on his diet, reduce his smoking and stress level. Which gonna mean more golf and leisure. Also the conversation was peppered with words of wisdom about his experience venturing out of the company and what I could expect to happen along the line.

To Sam, thanks for the words of comfort and insights. Cheers....

Comfort Food

Part of my new year resolution is to keep my weight below 70 kg. As of now, I'm a tad overweight as per pic :

As 2007 has gone into Feb, the result is still not showing due to the fact that :

1. busy schedule not being able to implement to proposed plans
2. having indulged in too much comfort food
3. excuses instead of action...hehe...guilty as charged

These are some of the food that I had today for tea/dinner :-

Home-made lasagna by yours truly.

The thing about self cook food is that you could control the ingredients used, e.g. not using MSG and to suit the taste to your liking, but could also have the drawback of having too much of the good stuff, where they would be normally skimped in process food (such as loads of beschamel sauce and cheese topping).

Cempedak Goreng

The drawback that having out-of-season food is the out-of-season price. For example, the chempedak weighs in at 2 kg but could only yield 20 pieces of chempedak goreng, which if selling at 3/RM1 would not cover the price of the fruit in the first place...Grrrrr...

Not forgetting the tub of Baskin Robbins acquired on the 31st January..No wonder the waistline is the hardest thing to lose but the easiest to gain...

Oh well, there's still 11 months to go in 2007 and keep watching this space......

Wohooo! Got myself a Ferari 360 Modena !

I'm a Ferrari 360 Modena!

You've got it all. Power, passion, precision, and style. You're sensuous, exotic, and temperamental. Sure, you're expensive and high-maintenance, but you're worth it.

"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Touch of Healing Hands

I always believe that most of our medical condition needs the right treatment irregardless of whether it's modern medicine or traditional remedies. But one thing that I don't believe at all is leaving it to fate alone, without any effort to seek any option at all and the very thing I'm a bit sceptical is seeking out bomoh/shaman / quacks to cure you. Sometimes I wonder what does these so called medicine man / bomoh / shaman & what have you have over tried and tested ways. To me it seem like mumbo jumbo yet most people believe it, and you have read all about it in the papers, victims of these so called healers. Some of them more established ones even have ads in tabloids/magazines.

But what I experienced over the weekend kinda changed my perspective. I have been urged to seek a more traditional method to relieve the pain and to help me regain my mobility, which up to that point was a tad better than a slug. I mean I can either sit/lie or stand without twisting my body or not to put my whole weight on my right leg. Even laughing became painful. Under the pain killers I could manage to drive, but once it wears off the pain came back with a vengeance. I couldn't perform my prayers in the normal way as I can't bend my body without wincing. I was in such a state that I'm willing to try anything just to get better.

At the suggestion of the mrs. family, I went to see someone who might be able to help me in this matter. When I got there, there were others waiting to have a one-on-one session with him. Once he was available, he diagnosed my condition as over-exertion of the back :-0. I was preparing myself for an intense massaging to the affected area, only to find out that the whole session only lasted about 15 minutes but with tolerable pain (bukan tak ingat dunia punye sakit). To my surprise, I was able to turn my body, get up on my right leg alone, squat, do push ups etc right after the session.

The pain was still there but at least I have regain most of my mobility again. Looking back, I would expect for some pain relief with some improvement in my mobility but to my surprise I'm like 80% there and I can even laugh. He didn't put any price on his treatment, but I've given him some token of appreciation. He told me that this would be a quick-fix relief and asked me to come back for a more thorough session when I have the time as it would require more than 2 sessions . For me, the treatment that was given plus the relief that it brought was worth it. I felt that I've been touched by hands that do really heals.

ps. I'm considering on the more thorough session even though have been forewarned that it might be painful, worse than I had experience for the 'quick' session

pss. Men are interested in talks about improving your 'prowess' and would have a long chit-chat session about it.

Which superhero are you?

Got tagged for the survey. Didn't feel anywhere remotely superheroic as experiencing lower back spasm, which is excruciatingly painful. Got it when I was going out for breakfast in the morning and now lying in bed on doctor's order. :-(

Your results:
You are Green Lantern

Green Lantern 90% Catwoman 85% Superman 70% Hulk 70% Spider-Man 65% Iron Man 60% Robin 55% The Flash 55% Supergirl 50% Wonder Woman 40% Batman 40%

Hot-headed. You have strong will power and a good imagination.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

The one that wasn't meant to be

Everybody Hurts - REM

When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
When youre sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on.
Don't let yourself go, everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes.

Sometimes everything is wrong. now its time to sing along.
When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go, (hold on)
When you think youve had too much of this life, well hang on.

Everybody hurts. take comfort in your friends.
Everybody hurts. don't throw your hand. oh, no. don't throw your hand.
If you feel like youre alone, no, no, no, you are not alone

If youre on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,
When you think youve had too much of this life to hang on.

Well, everybody hurts sometimes,
Everybody cries. and everybody hurts sometimes.
And everybody hurts sometimes. so, hold on, hold on.
Hold on, hold on. hold on, hold on. hold on, hold on. (repeat & fade)
(everybody hurts. you are not alone.)

The Year That Was 2006

I know its kinda late to have a look at the year before, but due to some events my schedule have been thrown haywire. It might not amount to much, but I think it would be great to reflect upon what the past year's doing, for which can be a good yard stick for 2007.

Jan 06

• Loss of a colleague due to accident at work. It was kind of hard on everyone in the office plus I've known him since 1997. The hardest thing is to face the grieving family, as they expect you to have all the answers to why they are in the predicament.

• Organised Qurban, Golf Session plus obtained my Lead Auditor Certificate.

Feb 06

• Quiet Chinese New Year in hometown plus a short break in Bukit Merah.
• My 7th Wedding Anniversary dinner wedding and met my boss at the restaurant
  
• Got my Treo 650, started seeing the gynae for another attempt to have addition to the family

March 06

• Outing with Jools & Family at Janda Baik
  
• Went for live ammo shooting for the first time in my life
• Merisik for my brother

April 06

• Disney On Ice
• Maulidur Rasul Parade in Shah Alam
• My SIL's wedding

May 06

• Sabah Trip
• Achik's Engagement

Jun 06

• Won preview tickets for CARS & Superman Returns (which I slept in for abt 10 mins)
  
• Aiman's Birthday

July 06

• Transferred to new department
• Mrs' Birthday

Aug 06

• Went to Melaka for a family day
• First time trying Archery
• Snorkelling at Pulau Kapas

Sept 06

• Organised Detailing Day for MyBenz.org
• Short break to Genting Highlands

Oct 06

• My Birthday
• Various Buka Puasas
• Aidil Fitri

Nov 06

• Our Raya Open House
• 2 cousins got married
• Unforgettable Experience at ********** Embassy

Dec 06

• Langkawi break + snorkelling at Pulau Payar
• Good News - the two thin blue lines
• Achik's Wedding

I know some of you may have a more jet-setting life than me, but at this point of time I felt that I have done good for myself in the past year. May good things be along the way for the next one.

Reliving your yo-yo-uth

These days all the toys have some sort of electronics to it. From simple toys that can do what has been programmed the the more sophisticated such as Gameboy, PSP etc.

One things that we could notice is that things tend to be 'cyclic' in terms of popularity of games. Who could amongst us still remember our childhood games that we used to play, eg selipar tige, konda-kondi, galah panjang and that sort. It used to be seasonal, where we would play one game to the max and then shifting to other games after the current one has fall out of flavour.

The 'in' thing now is a yoyo and for any boy to be 'cool' would be seen with one. I got my son a yoyo and it might surprise parents at the range of prices available, from RM 5 at the night market to RM70 and above at upmarket shops. It used to to be a simple fixed axle yoyo, but now they have a plethora of axels utilising bearings for more 'sleep'. They even have an accompanying CD for tricks plus with special lubricant to ensure that the yoyo would spin effortlesly.


Playing with it has brought back memories long gone, but there's still a lot of it that I need to relearn to be deemed 'cool' ........

ps....I felt kinda 'over the hill' as the things deemed vintage now was the things that I grew up with ;-)

Like Father Like Son

For the upcoming new year, we have decided to try a new haircut, plus the barber was giving a 2 for 1 special :-0

Eid Mubarak & A Happy New Year !

A Really Hectic Two Weeks for Me!

The past two weeks has been really hectic for me. It started off with loads of work to do at the office due to the year end, pending & new investigation that need to be wrapped up, my brother's wedding preparation, the flood in the southern states and the mrs. condition due to the pregnancy.

It all started last week when I was supposed to do finish tidying all the outstanding works, only to find out that there has been a major failure that warrants investigation. Then there was the news that flood has rendered three southern malaysian states into emergency status. On top of that, the mrs. has to visit the gynae twice for some observation wrt the pregnancy.

Then the weekend came with all the wedding preparation and the actual function itself. I've applied leave until the year end to finish off my annual leave allocation, only to find out that there was an urgent meeting on Christmas Day, plus I was on standby at the operation room after that. Then came the day trip to JB on Boxing Day, in which it was raining and gloomy all day long. I had only slept 4 hrs max. per night.

Then when I got back, the mrs. was in such a weak condition that when we went to the GP, he straight away asked for her to be admitted to the hospital, as it was a severe case of Hyperemesis Gravidarum. So off to the ER we went, had her admitted for three days. This is when I discovered I was I in the wrong profession, as a mere 5 mins visit by a so-called 'specialist' could earn him RM150++(Our gynae was away for a holiday, hence we got the backup gynae, which was supposed to be a 'class' above than ourr normal gynae, but I found that his bedside manners was lacking as he keeps fidgeting around and never had any physical contact with the patient and yet command high RM for his consultation). Anyway, the mrs. is still in not in the clear, hence our plan to 'balik kampung' for the upcoming Eid is stil 50/50.

The new year is just around the corner and I still haven't settled the boy's school matters yet due to all the event above, and I still need to do some shopping during the year end sale. Hope things would turn around for me in the coming new year.


p.s - to the kind friend who has been my GPS during the JB trip, your assisstance was highly appreciated. Without the help, I wouldn't have discovered the 'seedy' side of JB ;-), cloak & dagger operations of some 'stall' operators and the thought that Pasir Gudang in on the same direction as Stulang (guilty of being a KL'ite all my life)

Achik's Wedding - Reception on our side

The theme was purple & white. Everything has to be decked in the official colour or will incur the wrath of the BOSS! It was a very long day, fortunately the weather was fine until the function ends (or was it due to ASP Mamat's singing?) I was on usherer's duty on the day. The turnout was about 80%. To all who has made the day possible, we would like to express our hearfelt gratitude for all your assistance in making the day a success.

Pelamin

Setup for guests

Calm before the storm

Kompang boys

Makan Beradap - notice the videocameraman determined
look to capture the ceremony in all its glory

Mr & Mrs Boss

Tea & Coffee Corner
The couple & friends

Malu-malu plak dia!


p.s. Happy 3rd Birthday Adam Nuqman

The groom on pot cleaning duty

Last but not least, welcome to the family Erna!

Congratulations Achik & Erna

Duduk dua sejoli,
Atas pelamin berseri,
Dihias intan baiduri,
Sebagai raja sehari.

Direnjis-renjis dipilis,
Ditepungilah tawar,
Hai beras kunyit ditabur,
Disiram si air mawar

Solemnation of the marriage

The Happy Couple

'Bersanding' Ceremony

Pasangan Sedondon

ps. Happy Birthday to Angah
Attack of the Saliva Brigade

Friends- Old & New

My schoolmates have setup this email-group, where it is for keeping up with the hapennings of everyone regardless of distance. Some of us are in the country, some out of the country, some has announcements to make and even work as a sounding board to some. This is the closest that we have been since leaving school in 1991. Some of us have not even met since then. Even though we've organised annual gatherings, impromptu teh tarik session, buka puasa or sahur session, its hard to gather everyone together and by the virtue of technology, the cyberspace is the only place where people could keep up with the latest happenings either through email or IM/YM.

A few friends have goods news to share - eg addition to the family, new job at a new place, impending wedding and also the sad news - eg. loss of a child, parents, siblings. A few has some issues pertinent to life to get second opinions from, maybe a free medical consultation from 'in-house' doctors, share (KLSE) tips, networking, which business to venture in etc. etc.

In retrospect, I have been pondering about what constitute a friendship. Imagine someone whom we are close to at one particular time could act / feel like a stranger now. Things that were in common years were just memory kept in the annals of time. And somehow new friends could felt like they have been your best friend forever.

I read somewhere that a good friend would stand by you through thick & thin but a great friend would go through it with you. So to all my friends of the past, present and the future, lets cherish what we have.

TheThin Blue Line

No, not the Rowan Atkinson / BBC Comedy (The Thin Blue Line) Variety

But more of these type of the *eagerly anticipated* blue lines

After trying for more than 3 years, we are excited and thankful with this result. Our son now is 5 years old and longing for a baby/companion (so do we) hence this news comes at the appropriate time. It has been a roller coaster ride of emotions for the past 2 years (anticipation, hope, frustration) but thank god it has materialised now.

*Alhamdulillah*

Langkawi Trip - Part 2 (Pulau Payar)

Here's some more pictures that I took using a disposable underwater camera. The images are a bit grainy due to the film used (ISO 800) but the camera has been proven handy for these sort of activities. It is prudent to keep all electronics stuff away from water especially salt water, but the drawback is that the videocam is also left on board, hence no video on the shark feeding activities *sighs*

on the launching deck at the coral platform

trying to *find* their water feet/fin


lets swim with the fishes

fish feeding time

help!help! man overboard!these are the kind of fishes that we swim with. Don't let the small size
fool you, they still bites.

Shark feeding - they can smell the blood

*theme to JAWS plays in the background*

Enticing the baby sharks to the water's edge

They're coming in for the kill

Feeding frenzy - shark out of water


Teasing Of The Sharks - only to be done by professionals

Langkawi Island Trip - Part 1

Flight tickets for 3 - RM 540.00


Boat Trip To Pulau Payar for 3 - RM 490.00

Sea sickness during the trip - RM ?

Seeing the look on this little snorkeler & the view under the sea - PRICELESS