The Teh Tarik Monologues, Part 2

J: What movies made you cry, and why?

R: Haha paiseh to say lah!!

Z: C’mon lah!!

R: Errmmm. Let’s see. I remember watching a Japanese movie called ‘Crying out for Love in the Center of the World’. There was a boy and girl, they fell in love and suddenly the girl got sick and was slowly dying. When the girl was vey close to death, out of true love the boy proposed to marry her, in hospital and on her deathbed, even though he knew he wouldn’t get to see her again for another day. I remember he even brought the marriage cert for her! And when she said yes and he cried, the music and all came on and I started crying too!! Hahaha…Very very touching. Luckily it was in the cinema haha, still very dark inside, can’t see can’t see…

Z: Hahah, got no “sob sob” sound one meh?

R: Got, but make it sound like I’m having a flu lah!! HAhaha

J: Like that also can!!

R: Hahahha. The other movie I remember I cried abit was also a Japanese movie called ‘Cyborg girl’. Also called ‘My girlfriend is a Cyborg’, or ‘Cyborg She’ I think. There’s this guy that met and fell in love with a girl, and that girl turns out to be a cyborg or robot, built by himself in the future and set back in time to met himself!! I think why he did that was because in the past he met this girl and fell in love, but he didn’t have the guts to approach or talk to her. Ever since then, he grew old and alone, he really regretted it until his dying day. So, he being a brilliant scientist made a cyborg of her to bring back to the past, to allow himself another chance not only at love, but in life, to show him the mistakes he had made and hopefully learns to rectify them. In the end, when the girl had to ‘shut down’, the boy was reminiscing about all that he had experienced and learned about life with a second chance, and when the music came on, I just cried hahahaha….Quite a meaningful movie, if you really look into it. But luckily I was watching it alone.

Z: Ooooooh.

R: The other one was…Jeng jeng jeng!!! Titanic hahahahaha.

J & Z: Wahalooooooooo….

R: Eh, when watching it the first time it was so nice ok!! Then it got so popular until everyone was singing that song and all. Sigh, spoil the movie already haha. But the scene when Jack was clinging on to Rose on the water after the ship had sunk, Jack had died from the cold, Rose kept calling him to wake up, but he didn’t, she still kept calling him to wake up, hoping he would, but in the end she had to let him go, and seeing Jack fading into the water, and that music started playing, I cried hahahhaa….Lukily, the person next to me was crying also, so no problems hahaha…can share share tissue paper hahaha….

J: Aiyooooo!! Any other movies?

R: Got la, quite a few lor. ‘Winter Sonata’ was so good, and then ‘1 Liter of Tears’. Wahlau, that one really can make you cry 1 liter of tears out from you one haha…

Z: Hahah, not corny or cliché meh these shows?

R: It’s clichéd lar, but sometimes you just have to open up and let it all in. Allow yourself be taken in by it, and when you start to believe in it, then it shows you emotions that you can only dream of haha…And sometimes, who knows, you can maybe learn something from these shows too.

J: Like what?

R: Like opening up to love, I mean I see some people always so cool, like too cool for sentimentality, too cool for love. But, why not? But then again, they might have gotten hurt from love…and love is not welcomed.

J: Yes true. People are the way they are from their past experiences, the way there brought up, etc. So many factors.

R: True. So thank God I didn’t have to go through many bad experiences.

Z: So that’s for movies, what about in real life? What touched you most and made you cry?

R: I think it was only recently. It was during my wedding and it was at the tea ceremony. There’s this auntie that I know since I was a kid. She cared for me and saw me grow up since young. And on that day, when it was her turn to present the tea to her, I was touched. There she is, from the day when she walked me to school when I was a boy in primary school, fetched me in to secondary school, she was there when I graduated in the UK, she came all the way there, until now, I am married and here she is, in front of me. When I said the words to ‘cheng yamca’ I was touched then, but after finishing her drink, she put the cup aside and got up and hugged me. And it was a long hug, it was a hug many, many years in the making, and I cried. It was not a sobbing cry, it was a cry of comfort and assurance, that we reached so far in the journey together, and hopefully for many years to come. Many people didn’t notice I think. I looked away & continued on with the day…

Z & J: Awwwwww….ahahahhaa….

Z: Wahhh so much crying, and nothing to do with your wife one ah??

R: Hahahah. Well, for me, the most romantic thing la together with her is when I proposed and she said yes, we spent the first moments engaged underneath the sky of fireworks in Disneyland, Hong Kong. I think for me, the feeling was just perfect. The fireworks were out of this world, and the feeling with her was out of this world. And just walking around Disneyland with her, with the fairy lights and innocent laughter all around the park, it was just special for me. It was ‘A Whole New World’!!! Hahaha.

J: Ooooooo…Interesting interesting…shall we talk more about your love life hmmmm? Your ex, or ex-es etc hahaha…

R: No laaaahhhh…..enough enough ahhaha

Z: Yaya, how many ah? 2? 3? 4? 5?

R: I’m a single-lady person ok!!

J: YEAH RIGHT LAHH hahaha…

Z: Quick quick tell, how one your love life. In UK sure got one ler? I heard got, Ben say one hahah…almost want to start, but didn’t start one rite!!! The girl got bf already somemore!!!

R: Whatever lahhh….


The rain slowly subsides, but the questions linger much longer. Much more was said, but that’s all for today. But after reminiscing through all that was asked and spoken, it’s amazing how a few cups of The Tarik can bring about so many emotions, so many questions, so many words spoken. I guess it’s just one of those peculiar pulls of the teh.
Coffee shop talk and all that. Until next time….

The Teh Tarik Monologues, Part 1

Me, Zach and Jerry was driving back from KL last weekend, and we were stuck in a massive rain storm (and I mean massive, can't see a cun chick from 4 yards out if I wanted to). In order to avoid all the floods, jams, drenched cows, crazy rushing motorists etc, we stopped by a mamak stall nearby Solaris Mount Kiara and took a few sips of teh tarik to wait for the rain to subside. During the warm sippings, our mouths got a wee bit loose and some interesting questions popped out.

And the topic of conversation was, ME.

Here's something to share. Conversation recorded using Zach's handphone and transfered in writing my 'muah'.

Zach: Question: If one of your friend or friends says to you one day that he’s gay, what’s your reaction?

Ray: You gay kah??!! I knew it…

Z: &&*$#%@^%$!!! (plus some Hokkien flower power bad words too).

R: Hhhahaha. Well, if he’s gay, then gay lo. If I can be friends with him before, then why not now after I know he’s gay? Why would his sexuality change anything leh? I got a lot gay friends anyway….

Z: Really ah? A lot?

R: Yalor. One of them is you lor.

Z: &&*$#%@^%$!!! (plus Double the Hokkien flower power bad words).

R: Hahaha, really lah. I still hang out with them.

Jerry: I know a few gay people also. But I don’t really hang out with them. They never friend me also haha.

R: Actually I knew one when I started working in ********* after graduation. That time Friendster was very popular and people always post things there like “finding new job” etc, and this guy was finding a job. Then I just play play and asked him to try-out my company. Weeks after that he joined lor. We shared the same working hours selling electronic stuff for the company. We become quite good friends, and he was the one that introduced me to the “world of gayness” (haha). He was the one that intro me to other gay people, took me to gay bars, gay discos, all those lah. Call them PLU la, G la, Bi la, versatile la, they are all friends in the end.

J: Ooooh. He got intro you to gay sex ah?

R: &&*$#%@^%$!!! (plus Cantonese flower power bad words).

Z: They are so ‘na’ leh!! (so feminine/so sotong/etc)

R: Not all of the so sotong lah. Got straight types, meaning outside look and act like guy but inside likes guys one haha. Then got the feminine ones lah, then got transvestites lah, so many lah.

Z: And all you met before, hang out with them before?

R: All lah. Hahaha. Most of them are nice and friendly people lah. You know some of them even gave me a bottle of fragrance for my birthday. It was Giorgio Armani Aqua Di Gio. Still of my favorite fragrances ever haha.

Z and J: HHHMMMMMMM. Give you perfume?? INTERESTING haha...

R: Shaddup lah.

J: Seriously, did any of them ask you to be their partners?

R: *Pause*. Yes. a few times.

Z: A few times by the same guy??

R: Different guy lahh.

J: And then? You said yes?

R: Your head lahh.

Z: And then??

R: Just politely say no lahh

Z: That's it??

R: That's it lo. But it happened quite along time ago la...

Z: So, anyway, another question lah. Who are the 5 people you want to meet before you die? Besides family la, make it more interesting…

R: Wahlau. I think for me, First to meet is Barrack Obama. I love that guy. I think he’s the first president since the 1st president hahaha. Secondly, Michael Jackson, to see if he really is dead anot. Thirdly, Paris Hilton, to see if her head is really so hollow. Fourth, Homer Simpson, coz he is the coolest dad in the whole world. And lastly, Pamela Anderson, just to squeeze those tootsies to see if it qualifies as the 9th wonder of this world.

Z & J: OMIGODD!!!

J: Name 5 things you want to bring with you if you ever get stuck on an deserted island.

R: Of course a lot of food and water lahh!!! Besides that, one of them would be a solar powered PS3 Hahaha. Secondly, alot of suntan lotion? Haha. Then, of course a lot of popcorn, coz it would just pop from under the hot sun and at night can enjoy it under the stars haha. Then, I would bring along Jim Carrey coz he will make me laugh all the time!!!

J: Would you be a girl for a day or more??

R: Yes I will haha. Shiok ma, u know hahahaha….

Z: Aiyerrrrr!!!

Z: Your favorite things you always do…

J: This question so easy lahhh!!!

R: Hahaha okok, I’ll name 5. Going for movies, coffee, shopping, eating, I mean not just eating but going out to eat new and good stuff, photography and sex hahahah.

J: That’s 6!!!

R: Oklah, forgot about sex haha

R: Here’s a weird question for you. Is it rude for a deaf person to talk with handsign while their mouth is full of food?

J and Z: *Silence*

R: Forget about that question haha

J: Do prison buses have emergency exits? Hahaha

R: Omigoddd

Z: If a nursing mother had her nipples pierced would the milk come out of all three holes?

J: Wahhhlaaooo

R: I think soo lahh!! Hahaha

Z: So Ray, if your wife one day asks you for a divorce coz she turned a lesbian, what would you think and say??

R: Hhahahaa. If she turned a lesbian then I’m really doing something wrong in bed right??! Hahaha

Z: Tooo much infooooo

J: Next question pleasssee….

Z: Okla, here’s a serious question for you. Assume you are not married, and also not even with your gal at the moment. You are single. Would you have chosen anyone else, and how would that affect your life?

R: WAAAAHH. Super deep question leh. Well, I would not know what or how my life will be if I’m with another person. But I can tell you now that I have no regrets over who I with now (J and Z goes WHHHOOAAAAA!!!!). But I’m not sure if that person I’m with now got any regrets anot hahahah.

To Be Continued....

The Roads Not Taken

So how’s life after marriage? Many people ask me this question ever since I tied the knot. Well, the answer is, to be honest, there not much change whatsoever. For me anyway. Maybe because I’m in Sabah now since the marriage and going back to KL periodically didn’t have that much effect on my life in regards to me and SL. Some say the further the distance makes the heart go fonder for each other. In a way it’s very true, there’s some sort of comforting space between us due to the distance that I’m actually quite contended with. It’s like watching your favorite TV series everyday over and over again for the rest of our lives, would that TV series still remain your most favorite? Or would you like to watch something else after a while? I’m not suggesting we go grab a “remote life control” and go wild with partner surfing, and using a TV series isn’t all that right but there you go, you get my drift?

So I guess I’ve not really “become” a truly marriage man yet? Besides some extra added weight on my left hand’s certain little finger, much remains the way they are. And I guess that what I really wanted frankly. To be honest, I was completely apprehensive on how my life would change completely once my “life title” has been changed. Actually, throughout my life, I’m always been very apprehensive on how my “life title” changes from ‘single’ to ‘in a relationship’ to ‘married’ (and not hopefully not ‘divorced’!!). From the beginning of changing of my lifestyle to suit a particular someone, to the changes in attitude and until most recently, I might actually comprehend in changing my job to be closer not only that someone, but to the family on both sides as well. And it’s not something that is forced upon me for this change, it’s just that something clicked in my mind and that would be something that I should do. So should I…? Deep down, I will, it’s only a matter of time…

But there you go, if I’m back in KL full-time, how will that change my life in regards to my new found status quo? For the better? Hypothetically, yes. Well, why shouldn’t it be better? But then again, remember that comforting space I mentioned?

People tell me I shouldn’t think so much into these things, that “life will take its course”. My thoughts on it is that whatever you do, you will end up in the same destination, only the road to that destination was different. But I do wonder. I always did wonder, what would my life be on the roads not taken? Would my life be happier if a certain decision on any given day leads me to a different road? Or would it be far worse? Or would it actually be anything like what it is currently right now?

I never mentioned much to anyone about my many opportunities to work in Singapore. I was a hair’s breath away from working in Singapore upon my graduation from the UK (working in UK is a whole different story). But it didn’t materialize, I chose not go. If I ever did take that road, would my life be the way it is now? Will my Facebook photo albums filled with those photos that it is today? Would I even be married? I can’t possible consider marrying a Singaporean, can I? Last month I spent a good whole week at my company’s Asia HQ in Singapore during my company’s training course. Seeing the life not only on the streets but in the corporate environment there as well, I cannot help but to ponder how my life would change if that road to work there was taken.

“The roads not taken leads to many parallel worlds that are different but only slightly, the destination ends but the same.”

I guess that just got me thinking…

Tale of Halloween's Past...

Last year was the first time I actually participated in Halloween. I dressed up as a pimp, and my sister was my bitch. We had to walk down Jalan Bukit Bintang because we couldn't get a ride to the party, and everyone was sticking their heads out of their cars and yelling at us. It was great. And I made loads of dosh on the way to the party. Life couldn't be any damn sweeter.

Happy Halloween!!!

Random Weird Monday News...

Planting the Seeds of Non-Brainery:

Ever played those Facebook games? Cafe World? Roller Coaster Kingdom? Barn Buddy? If you did, you'll probably just reach a point where the currency used in these games is just not enough to meet your hefty heights for global gaming conquest. That button to buy more electro currency will just devilishly creep into your consciousness (confession: I did casually check on the prices for such currency. Only casually...) But unfortuantely for some, the temptation was too just too much. That extra currency to purchase that extra stove to make that extra few chicken tikka masalas or that extra tractor for more cabbage was too alluring to bear... Read on below taken from 'The Star'...

TAIPEI: A Taiwanese netizen plans to sue Facebook for deceiving him into spending money, according to the United Evening News.

The netizen, surnamed Hsu, spent a total ofUS$62 (RM209) in seven days on a game on the Facebook website named ‘Happy Farm’, and accused the company of luring consumers into spending more money on the game, said the report.

The game is a virtual farm run by players growing vegetables and raising livestock by themselves. Players have to spend all day taking care of the farm and prevent other players from stealing products.

Playing Happy Farm itself is free. However, Facebook users can pay through credit card, cash, Paypal or cell phone to buy virtual currency for extra functions in the game.

But such functions raised disputes with customers, including double charging on credit cards. In some cases, customers didn’t receive virtual currency after paying.

The netizen originally bought the cash loadable cards and added US$9.3 (RM31) value on it. Later, he bought four guard dogs from the website to protect his farm from other players, said the report.

However, his crops were still stolen by other players and he was asked by the website to spend more money to feed the dogs.

Hsu earlier made claims for compensation from the cash cards company, Gamania Digital Entertainment (GDE). But the company said that they are commissioned by Facebook.

They only help to sell the loadable cards and on-line currency for the games, and check for customers’ adding value. The spokesman of GDE said that they would show customers’ dealing records to the police to resolve on-line consumer disputes.

Hsu has not received any response from Facebook and he plans to sue the company.

Facebook is a free social networking website and the game was developed by Hong Kong 6 Wave and recently has become widely popular in Taiwan. Users on the websites can make new friends, send messages, play games and take informal psychological tests.

“I think what is special about the game is that it provides a good platform for office staff to kill time and relieve pressure,” a Facebook user, surnamed Chen, told The China Post. “It’s convenient and simple to play and we don’t have to download anything”.

“Besides, the game is a good way to maintain relationships with friends and you can invite them to play the game together,” said Chen.

The Consumer Protection Commission in Taipei said that they would clarify the responsibility of GDE and Facebook and gave warning to the netizens to be more cautious about online consumption.

Just Married!!!

…And thus I got married. Yup, had the Big Day on the 3rd October 2009. Why? It’s a massively auspicious day for the Chinese as it coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival aka Mooncake Festival. So old ladies and the like scuttle couples to tie the knot regardless of whatsoever and in a nothing-else-matters-do-it-or-lose-it manner, as though doom and gloom would befall any that don’t get together on this great day of fortune. And that’s more or else how the date was set for me. How romantic.

Anyway, my wedding schedule is abit plump & twisted. Had the dinner 1st, then a buffet at my place, only then had the actual day, and then moved to Ipoh to entertain those relatives there. All in a space of 3 weeks, weekend after weekend starting from 27th Sept to 10th October.

In the end, I felt like I got married 3 times, 3 weekends in a row. But luckily only 1 ring on my finger ;)

So I wonder who’s next……..?

Bride and Groom welcomes you to our KL dinner!!!

A white bachelor party/buffet @ my crib. No, that's not my personal stash of Grade A coke, it's flour, and LOTS of them. But maybe I got my coke mixed with the flour somehow. See how high that girl is?

Soaking up the cool pool (private, no less) @ Ritz-Garden hotel for my Ipoh dinner. Looks calm and chilled-out at the pool? Well, LOTS more happened after this was taken...

With some good friends at the wedding dinner @ Ipoh.

Out and about in Ipoh and stop-over in Gopeng. Gua Tumpurung that is, and our usual cam-whoring devils were let out to play. And proud off it, mind you. ;)

Well, would like to show more, but not in an open medium like a blog ;) Hop on to my facebook page for more scandalous moments to wet any grimy tastebuds. Rwwwrrrrr!!!!

Swinging Singapore!!

Back from Singapore!!! Had a wonderful time there, went to so many places and didn’t realize I need to walk so much in a tiny island like Singapore. Here and there, we were rushing to go here, meet there, getting lost (yeah lost in Singapore!!), etc. but it was all for fun. Even though I’ve been to Singapore on a number of occasions, but this time it was a bit more special ‘cause managed to meet up with many old friends and also met new ones. Siew Chyn and Mak, thanks for dropping by and spending time with me again and for Alan (also Ipoh mali punya!!), Raju (original Indian brotha from actual India!!) and Luda (she from Kazakhstan!! I like!!), it was so great meeting you all there. And for the many other Schlumberger friends I’ve met at training that I didn’t manage to spend more time with, glad to have worked and met you all too!!! That’s you Eng Eng, Srini, Jiayi, Arun, G.E., Manoj, and Naritoyo!!!

I guess this time in Singapore it was so memorable not only because of the sights and sounds of this vibrant city, but it was also the many friends that were with me that made it special.

In a nutshell, the main places I’ve been are Sentosa, Night Safari, the Singapore Flyer, Chinatown, Little India, Bugis area, Orchard area, Esplanade, Marina Bay area, Clarke Quay, Jurong (yes Jurong, long story haha), Suntec City, and a few places that I’ve dropped by which I can’t remember now haha.

Will I go back again? I’m already looking forward to another trip back there!! Maybe Christmas this year? Or for the Formula 1 race next year? But whenever it is, I’ll definitely be back, unless of course no one teman me there :(

But right now, have to settle my wedding preparations for this coming weekend and then another week after that, the actual wedding itself….God help me. It’s coming soon. *Gasp*.

Merdeka!!! Merdeka!!! Merdeka!!!

Merdeka's over, and it was a tad bit quiet this year wasn't it? Less fanfare and fireworks probably due to the double whammy of cost-cutting and the fear of A(H1N1) subdued the celebrations. But what was not shown on the outside, it was celebrated on the inside by many of most Malaysians I'm sure. As for me, well, hectic as usual with "the event" and busy delivering "bombs/summons". I was back in KL on Thursday, 27th Aug. until the 1st Sept., so here's a briefy on the days of Merdeka 2009.

Thursday, 27th August 2009.

Arrived LCCT airport and was immediately whisked away to Subang for my contractual obligations with a certain restaurant (hint: chicken rice). There’s no real contract in place of course, it’s just that every time I come back to KL, I always end up at this place one way or another. Thus, I’ve been “contracted” to this place. Can’t really complain coz the food is actually quite good…

Noon time, had to wait for my new cupboard to arrive. No probs on that as supplier was dead on time. Lovely.

By evening, went to meet up with SC to discuss on a certain performer for a certain event. Massive discussions ensued between me, SC and the performer until the wee hours of the morning. 3AM to be exact (actually there was more eating than discussing as we were at SS2 and simply just eat and eat and eat).

By that time, SC’s car which was park at her Subang office's basement car park was LOCKED, with roller-shutters dead shut all over. Massive panic erupted with SC, so had to ask a guard on opening the roller-shutters.

"Bolehkah encik tolong bukak pintu carpark?!!"

“Sorry ‘bang, pukul 6 pagi baru bukak.”

=.=”

“Tolonglah boss, bukak pintu saja la. Nanti pergi minum ok.

"Puasalah."

=.= """

All hope died on the spot.

It was 4AM and caught in between too early and too late to wait for 6AM, I ended up fetching SC back to Damansara Perdana instead. SC then had to bring along another fren the next day and drove 2 cars back to SC’s place. Talk about a logistics cock-up.


Friday, 28th August 2009.

Had to wait for another furniture to arrive, nothing to do but to rot at home until the lorry appears. All afternoon wasted. Haihz.

By night, SL was free from the shackles of work and ended up in Pyramid for dinner at Popeyes. Yes, Popeyes. Tempted by something that we haven’t tried, and thus ordered the below:

The fried chicken was just so-so lah. Spicier then the other fried chicken offerings out there, but really, it’s nothing to shout about. The taste is slightly different from the other fried chicken offerings out there, but nothing unique. But that biscuit on the side however was a surprise as it was shockingly good for a pathetic looking piece of side…

This fish burger was extraordinary ordinary. Nothing to go ga-ga over whatsoever. Was just abit surprised at the size of the offering though, as it will fill you up pretty darn good. Be warned of massive fish breath post finishing of dish.


Our healthy lifestyle continued by going straight for a movie, relaxing our tummies after a fatty round of fast food. Go large on life, I always say, the McD way. The movie was ‘Up’, and being a Pixar film, Pixar delivers what Pixar does best with sugar-coated sweetness of touching stories mixed with innocent jester that guarantees to satisfy the most lucrative demographic in the world, i.e. families. Overall, 8 out 10 if you are into 3-D cartoons/Pixar fare, or just 6 out of 10 if you prefer Wolverine to Shrek.


Saturday, 29th August 2009.

You know what, I have completely no clue on what I did on this day. I remember going for a swim at my friends apartment, had a simple dinner and then gone out with Z to Plaza TTDI for the Man Utd Vs. Arsenal match. Had a few beers, place a 10 bucks bet on Arsenal to win (yes, betted on Arsenal to win. Considering Arsenal was kicking massive ass from the previous matches and Man Utd lost to lowly Burnley of all teams, Arsenal was a safe bet. How happily wrong I was. Coz I’m actually a Man Utd fan hahaha).

We found a ‘Ramly’ burger stall and just had to eat an ‘ayam special’ with telur. My "go large on life" motto never ceases to leave me. After some chit-chat, and bla bla blas, went home at 5am.


Sunday, 30th August 2009.

Woke up late as hell. Bummed around the house. Ran around naked shouting “De Nazi’s are comminggg!!!”

Had a quick yamca session with a buddy from Labuan, and of course, gave out more summons. He’s bringing his gf along. First time can see his gf!!!

Night time, no large groups of agent H1N1 please (i.e big masses of peeps with potential H1N1 at clubs, fireworks shows, etc), so we headed to a slightly secluded restaurant for our Merdeka dinner. It was 'Han Woo Ri' @ Taipan area and In attendance? Me, SL, TK and V. OMG. V. Well what to do, old friends need to maintain some contact right. But I noticed all night long, V and TK never spoke at all!!! C’mon lah…Kiss and makeup ya?

Things we ordered:

Spicy BBQ Sliced Pork. Tastes alot like satay. Satay more cheaper. beh.

But the service is pretty good (as usual with Korean BBQ place in general). They cut, flip, change the metal plate very very regularly. OHhh speaking of service, when you leave the place, ALL the waiters will line-up and in synchronized fashion shouted "anyonghee kahshipsheeyo!!!!!" (or goodbye or something to that effect laaa) haha. Sigh, made me feel soooooo important!!!! Like VIP!!!! I don't mind to come again just to experience that again haha. Now that's sales tactics right?

Doooooone, yummy yummy. This is the usual sliced pork marinated in BBQ sauce. Not the best BBQ pork I've tasted but good nonetheless.

There's so many sides, I've actually lost count. I noticed kimchi, tofu, pickled asparagus, dried seaweed, sliced eggs etc etc etc. And it's unlimited. Free re-fills. The best.

The sauces didn't lose out either. Go dip-crazy!!

But this fried rice however, leaves much to be desired. No taste :( Still prefer Chinese fried rice muuuuch better. Btw, noticed Mickey Mouse?

Dessert drink was on the house. What was it already ah? I forgot. Soya rice or something funky like that haha. Tasted sweet. A good parting drink.

After the dinner has ended, V went her to her separate way while the rest met up with the usual gang at Station 1. Yup, Station 1. Of all places. Well better than another Kopitiam lah (I’m starting to feel intruded by these kopitiams mushrooming all over the place. Now’s there’s Papa Rich, what’s next Mama Poor? I feel we are forced to live with these establishments!!). Highlight of the night? TK going French over his uncle-esque Carlsberg Gold. 0.5% more alcohol!! Phoo-yooh!!! But tastes just the same lah (never fancied beer anyway). Here’s TK almost going orgasmic with a bottle…

"Bottles are my best friend. It offers me pleasures like no other...."

After all the gang’s fanfare has ended, I’ve sent SL home while I dropped by P & S’s house for some late night BBQ session (2AM to be exact, and BBQ indoors. Ohhh the fumes, the fumes. Thank God there’s no fire alarm, or the neighbors will be pissed). Chit-chatted and bla bla bla until 4AM.


Monday, 1st September 2009.

All these late nights were taking a toll on me as I was completely crashed for the day. Wanted to sleep so badly. But mum and dad shook me up like a hurricane for breakfast. Haihzz. There’s a nice Hainanese shop serving delicious ‘Mee Pok’ in SS2 they said. Fair enough, good food conquers all bad troubles, I always think. So off we go, and arrived at the shop to find that is it aptly named ‘Hainanese Taste’. How original!!

Here’s my breakie for the day:

Mee Pok with minced beef. Very tasty and quite spicy!!! Finally there’s an outlet for good Mee Pok around PJ…

Bored with the usual Old Town/Uncle Lim/Papa Rich kaya bread? Dread no more, here’s a excellent substitute. The bun is slightly crunchy on the outside but tender soft inside, and the kaya, Mmmmmm, perfect. I’m going back to this place just for the buns!!

After breakie, headed off to Mid Valley for our retail therapy. With no more cash to splash, window shopping was it. Dusk soon came and for dinner time at the Gardens, dropped by the ever-popular 'Fong Lye' Taiwanese joint for some grub:

The Tea Smoked Duck with Noodle. A weeeee bit expensive at RM15.80. But the duck portion is quite large to be fair, fit for 2 pax if you ask me (considering this as a noodle dish, not rice) and the smokey taste is very evident. The noodle's soup base is quite good too. Quite recommended.

One of their signature dishes, the (obviously) titled Taiwanese Burger!!! Ehhh, so where's the burger? THAT's the burger. Either the Taiwanese has a wicked sense of humor on what is called a burger, this is actually one heck of an original culinary concuction. There are many, many variants of a Taiwanese Burger, but generally it encompasses the skin similar to those found in 'Char Siew Pau' and it wraps in slabs of meat (usually pork belly, yuuum) and hints of some veggies. A must try if you haven't tried before!! Give it a kiss!!! MUACKKSS!!!

Another signature dish, the Sweet Potato Balls (but not really sure this is an authentic Taiwanese dish, coz China will no doubt claim property to this as well as it's easily found in chinese areas, and even Petaling Street has a stall that sells very very good potato balls). This is ever popular among the patrons in 'Fong Lye' as almost every tables ordered this. At RM5.30, you get I think 10 balls. A bit pricey, but hey, it's at the Gardens. Expected lah.

And with that, another Merdeka weekend drew to a close. It is one of the quieter Merdeka celebrations, but it was one of the most filling. My stomach’s still digesting the food as I write this. ***Bruurrp***

Flights of Fancy?

Waiting for the plane again at some damned airport. Bored to death at all these checking-in, wait-for-boarding, safety-beat-fastened-for-take-off bla bla bla. With my current project in full swing, I had to meet up with suppliers from all over East Malaysia, from Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, KK, Brunei, etc. Giving presentations after presentation to our suppliers on what needs to be done etc, hopefully these people knows what needs to be done, or some serious ass-kickin’ is much needed.

I think I’ve done more flying in these past few months than any other time in my lifetime, including those few years while in UK. Now let's reflect on my "flights of fancy". So there's my usual bi-weekly/tri-weekly flight back to KL from Labuan, then there's from Labuan to Miri, and to go to Bintulu I’ll need to fly to Miri first then to Bintulu, and the same goes for Kuching and KK. And soon, Lawas will come into the picture some day, I wonder how that will turn up. Again and again, week after week. Haihz.

And coming soon, I’ll be going to Singapore for training for a week, and that trip's flight is via KL. More boarding and take-off merriment. Oh JOY!!!

Well, at least flying is the safest mode of transportation. Statistically anyway. It better stay that way dammit. Oh crap, time to board the plane...

Squirrelized!!!!!!

On 19th August 2009, this appeared:

From yahoo.com:

"The rodent first made its appearance in a holiday photo taken by an American couple in Canada and has gone on to become a Web sensation.

Melissa Brandts and her husband, Jackson, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, were taking a time delay picture of themselves in front of a lake at Canada's Banff National Park when the squirrel jumped into the frame.

Melissa Brandts submitted the picture to National Geographic's "Your Shot" photo gallery with an explanation of how the unusual picture came about.

"We had our camera set up on some rocks and were getting ready to take the picture when this curious little ground squirrel appeared, became intrigued with the sound of the focusing camera and popped right into our shot!"

"A once in a lifetime moment! We were laughing about this little guy for days!!"

The holiday photo has since gone viral on the Internet and websites such as "The Squirrelizer" have sprung up in which the photo of the squirrel can be inserted into any picture.

And thus I thought, it would be nuts not to Squirrelized thy-self. And the below is me spending the most time with a rodent ever (besides my boss)...

It's the attack of the 60-foot giant Squirrel!!! AAAAAARRGGHHHH!!!! And it swims too!!! DOUBLE AAAARRRGGHHHH!!!!

Squirrel: "Hey Disney, where's my payments to my image rights eh?"

Goooood squirrel, Baaaaaaaad Uncle!!!

Squirrel: "Hey!! This ain't Kansas no more!!"

"You humans sure are NUTS".

Squirrel bowling via water slide. Poor squirky.

Whooaa squirrel, impressive "3rd hand"!!! So are you just happy to me or are you just going nuts over me?

My place or your place tree eh?

So what would be next...dog? cat? lamb? Barney?