H1N1 Lowdown

I was on duty as a rapporteur on Monday for the annual Overseas Directors Meeting and so just to share some info on H1N1 as supplied by Dato' Dr. Hassan bin Abdul Rahman, Director of Communicable Disease Control Division from Public Health Department who gave updates on the H1N1 influenza pandemic,

H1N1 is a new influenza which causes a contagious respiratory illness that is communicable from human to human. The first case was reported on 16 April 2009, where it continued to spread around the world and by 16 May 2009, Malaysia had reported its first case of the influenza H1N1. Within 2 months, almost all parts in the world have such reported cases, of which 90% of the cases reported originated from the USA, Canada and South America. As of 12 July 2009, 143 countries have reported 106,565 confirmed cases and 470 deaths with 0.44% mortality rate.

A total of 42 countries have reported local transmission of the disease and 10 countries had sustained the virus via human to human transmission. Earlier cases reported of the H1N1 were those who had traveled to the USA, including Mexico and Canada. Now, the virus is spreading via local transmission in Asia and Europe where it was declared by WHO at pandemic level.

For Malaysia, the first confirmed case was reported on 16 May 2009. As to date, there are 710 confirmed cases of which 71% were imported cases from countries where local transmission has occurred and 29% were local transmission. Currently, only 83 victims are still recuperating in the hospital. There were no deaths reported.

It was informed that H1N1 cases with complications such as pneumonia or diabetes will be hospitalized and those with mild symptoms was advised to be quarantined at home. Government hospitals will give free treatment to those who contracted the H1N1 influenza, be it Malaysians or foreigners.

The Public Health Department (PHD) aims to:

• reduce transmission and illness severity;
• provide information to help health care providers, public health officials, and the public to address the challenges posed by this emergency.

PHD has recommended that precautions be taken from all level of society, be it individual or household to take safety measures by adhering to the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health. It is advisable that everyone maintains personal hygiene, practice social distancing, reduce travel, avoid crowded areas and restrict mass gathering to ensure that the H1N1 pandemic will be contained. PHD will conduct disease surveillance by continuing screening at airports. The public is advised to get updates on current situation from credible sources such as Ministry of Health and World Health Organization. With regards to the tourism industry, Ministry of Health has not issued any restrictions for foreign tourists to travel to Malaysia.

Y.B. Minister of Tourism had reiterated that Malaysia is a safe country to visit from the H1N1 virus as we had taken precautionary measures to delay the widespread of this pandemic in this country. Travellers to Malaysia would not be subjected to quarantine if the traveler only showed mild symptoms of the H1N1 influenza.

*text taken from my rapporteur of the session, with info supplied by PHD.

Our Photoshoot

Nice eh?Compliments to Geoffrey, our photographer of the day. We wanted to have a special memory before Ms Jam left for Brunei, so we had our pics taken at Carcosa Seri Negara after work.

Take it from the top: Nuwal, Noriah, Emi, Kamilia & Jamilah.

This shot was inspired by Che Yah. Best of all I looked kurus heh heh

I'd always wondered how this kind of photo was shot. Maybe the model was jumping on trampoline or that they were supper skinny or very good athletes that they could jump very high. The trick is simple, which the photographer have to shoot this crouching down or from a low angle, and the model, which in this pic ces't moi, was jumping as high as she could. And the result, Voila! Me jumping ridiculously high almost reaching the rooftop. It's a wonder that I hadn't actually broke the heel of my sandals as they were very thin and had to support my considerable body weight after each jump!

Trip to Kijal and KT

It was my third wedding anniversary last Thursday, and I'd planned for a mid-week getaway with hubby to Terengganu. Why Terengganu? Maybe because I'd always felt a sense of calm and familiarity with Terengganu's idyllic lifestyle and blue coastline...I'd also promised myself that we'd take a journey somewhere for our anniversary. None of that candle light, romantic dinner nonsense for me. I'd be happier travelling to a favourite destination or discover new places.

So, at high noon on Thursday, 9th July 2009, we started the journey to Kijal using the Lebuhraya Pantai Timur. It is a boring stretch of road, and for 3 hours I drove while hubby nursed an aching back. I cranked up the volume on The Essential MJ. Off Jabor exit, we turned into Cherating. Beautiful stretch of beaches where you get loads of resorts like Impiana and Legend Resorts, and once Club Med (not sure if it still exist). Further down the road was Kemaman town, which I might say is quite big and developed, not the small quaint town I'd imagined. Awana Kijal was another 51 km from here, and less than one hour we'd reached the resort.

Since I'd a good friend working there, she put us up in a complimentary room. Yes, the perks of working in the industry and knowing people. But I was booked under PIBG SMK Rantau Petronas. What the...? Because my friend was working the school accounts, she managed to squeeze me in...but that is a trade secret...so if you have friends working in hotel line, I bet he/she can squeeze you in for one night comp!

This is actually my second visit there, I love the hotel despite the rooms having an 80s feel to it. It's got the largest pool in the east coast, they got a wicked spa called Taman Sari, a giant chess set where you'd have to move the pieces as big as those cones you see at construction sites, lovely breakfast spread serving nasi dagang every morning, huge American Breakfast, mee curry(in the morning??), omelet station, congee.....there's something for everybody. Plus, the club sandwich is to die for!!! Hubby was starting to warm up to the idea of travelling, so it was my mission to bring him to new, exciting destinations.

Next day, we continued on our journey to KT, which was only 126km from Kijal. En route we passed by Kertih, Paka, Dungun, etc, and stopped for air kelapa and jagung rebus, which was our main diet traveling that route. This stretch of road between Rantau Abang and Pantai Kelulut was laden with roadside stalls selling kacang rebus, and jagung bakar & jagung rebus, which you couldn't find anywhere else on the stretch.

Upon reaching Pantai Kelulut, the best keropok lekor I'd ever tasted called "Keropok Lekor 008 Kelulut". The shop is a green double-storey house with open front facing a very purple resort, which its name escapes me now. But if you were looking for it, on your way to KT, the shop will be on your left facing the purple resort after the Pantai Kelulut signboard. I swear its the best keropok, because the fish contents was pure and the keropok itself was soft compared to those meaty, commercial type ones which were laden with flour. Cost cutting measures.

I'd compared it to a few keropoks maker in Losong like Adik Beradik and Adnan. Hands down, its Keropok Lekor 008 Kelulut. But being attached to my kampung in Rompin, I was used to keropok with banyak ikan. Surprisingly, my hubby which hails from Johor and some of my colleagues in the office, do not like the fishy keropok lekor. They'd rather like the pasty keropok lekor which puff up when fried because its full of flour, where the fish taste is only for flavour. Then keropok losong is perfect for them such as Adik Beradik or Adnan keropok. But if you like more fish, then keropok lekor 008 Kelulut is definitely for you...

In KT, we stayed in Primula resort which was RM208nett. The room was recently refurbished, and you get the standard features - white sheets & comforter which is identical to most luxury brand hotels nowadays, none of the fancy & heavy comforter, some new carpeting, new walls and touch screen features remote by your bedside for lamps and tv remote. But the breakfast spread here was not as luxurious compared to Awana Kijal's excellent spread. The food was so-so and might I say, a bit bland.

We then went to the compulsory Pasar Payang for some cuci mata. Didn't bought much cause I'd already bought a few batik sutera when I was in Terengganu back in March for my survey. So had that out of my system. We went to Seberang Takir for some dinner and jus gelas besar, but I was bummed because I didn't find the exact same gerai that I went last March, which had some strange combination of fruit juices, like strawberry + plum. Didn't have much time to bring hubby to the seaside where they served fresh ikan celup tepung...next visit maybe. Hubby's now fired up to go to Terengganu again....can't wait for my next adventure on the road!

R.I.P, M.J?

Still caught up on MJ's reruns on documentary and hit videos on MTV, I'd surfed a few websites for more news and came across this website:
http://sharonastyk.com/2009/07/07/stop-all-the-clocks-mourning-without-object/

I must say that I don't really agree to Sharon's posting because clearly she isn't a fan of MJ thus her post maybe biased to MJ's fans. But please read the posting and all 88 comments, and in it you will find MJ's hater and MJ's supporters, but most improtantly it helped me to see the bigger picture. MJ is human after all, and to err is human, even if he was accused and acquited for child molesting cases. But some of what was said was true, I do think that his memorial was an extravagant affair and those artist who performed or gave eulogoy are either those who barely knew him (i.e. Usher, Jennifer Hudson) or those who hadn't seen him in years (Brooke Shields). Why haven't these people step up and gave him open support when he was dealing with the child molest cases? Only when he's dead that they scramble to offer their grief and support..anyway, I realized that we must now move on because whatever it is he is still dead, and nothing can change it, except that we pray for his soul....

All those stories about his cosmetic surgery or skin bleaching or his claims on vitiligo, that's all is insubstantial to warrant him a freak. Maybe his actions (or alleged actions) do, but he was also an advocator of many charities for Africa, Aids, Heal the Kids foundation. So, it is a war between the good, the bad and the ugly. May God bless his soul.

R.I.P, M.J

Finally, almost two weeks since his death, MJ was finally brought to rest at the Lawn Forest cemetery...

When I heard about his death, it was 26th June in the morning when Shasha smsed me and told the news, and I'd thought it was a hoax. I logged on to MSN and sure enough there was the news. At that time, I was attending the PTK course and was preparing for final presentation later on that day....so naturally, I didn't dwell much on it as I had other things on my mind.

Much much later on, with the media frenzy and CNN and MTV paying tribute, some people said that he wasn't dead, like Elvis when he left the building. There'd be MJ sightings in the future. It was surreal, I couldn't believe it, couldn't believe he was dead. And seeing how everyone was saddened by his death, but me numbed couldn't feel it. I claimed myself as a MJ fan, but I was ashamed to admit to myself that I'd stopped listening to his records long time ago...yeah, I knew his songs but I haven't listened to his albums in a long time, like I did when I was younger.

I remembered that it was my parents who'd bought his records, what I remembered most was his album Bad as I was introduced to Michael Jackson, or rather I became conscious of him as an artist. I was in primary school. Later on, his movie Moonwalker was my favourite that I'd repeatedly watched, with that magnificent claymation and his stories and video clips - Smooth Criminal, Bad, Liberian Girl. I remembered Dangerous, HIStory but I did not remember Invincible. But there was only one song from Invincible that I kept playing on my pc over my working years - Butterflies....that was the last song that I ever heard and played from him...

So, yes, as any other people wanted to be reacquainted with him, I went out and bought The Essential Michael Jackson. Maybe it was guilt trip but I am a fan of Micheal Jackson and he will be missed...R.I.P, M.J.

More health issues and tips

I was down with (presumably) a cold and runny nose last Saturday...went to Klinik Idzham at Jalan Genting Klang and the good doctor gave me your standard paracetamol and flu medicine. Sunday, my nose was blocked but my phlegm was thicker and yellower, so I thought I was on the road to recovery. Monday, woke up with worse nose blocked and drowsiness from last night's flu medicine.

Decided to take MC as I feel that I couldn't work that day. Went to another panel clinic, Klinik Wangsa nearby Alpha Angle Wangsa Maju. Met up with Dr Nadir Khan, told him my flu didn't get any better but it good worst. I suspected that I had sinus problem, maybe I was allergic with seafood (I had seafood tomyam on Friday night, that's when the headache and runny nose started). Dr Nadir Khan said that the symptoms are almost similar and went on to declare,"I haven't given any flu or cough medicine to my patients in almost 17 years". Wow. And I thought that the flu medicine is the answer to our flu problems. And cough medicine for our cough problems. He said explained that flu or cough medicine would dry up the phelgm inside of you that at one point your phelgm will be very thick and yellow, and when you cough it will be very dry and hurts your throat.

Therefore, Dr Nadir tought me a technique to dislodge my phlegm. He doesn't want his patients to heal quickly, and I was puzzled by this statement. Aza de Kaza, who introduced me to this clinic explained that the doctor wants the patients to heal more naturally. I have been having phlegm and cough problems for quite sometime now, so what Dr Nadir tought me had been very helpful:

Administer to self, especially when coughing or feeling phelgm stuck:
1. Cup one palm into a half-inverted "V"
2. Pat vigorously on opposite side of the body just above the breast, and feel the phelgm starts to rise in your throat;
3. Same palm, pat vigorously under your rib cage and the side of your body. In no time you'll be spitting the dislodge phelgm.
4. Repeat with the other palm and opposite side of the body.

Administer to others:
1. Boil water and put it in a basin;
2. If doctor provides you with the herbal crystal that can help with your breathing, then drop just a pinch of it in the hot water;
3. Cup palm into half-inverted "V";
4. Patient bent down to inhale the hot water and you pat vigorously behind his/her back to help with breathing. Airway will be more clear and phlegm will thin out.

*can also be done to self for the hot water treatment, minus the pat on the back.

Overseas Posting & Health issues

My office is now abuzz with people who are going for overseas posting. Some are going to Asian countries like Brunei, Manila, Beijing, Mumbai and some are going to the New York, others are going to Europe eg Milan, Russia, etc.

Exciting times right now, maybe for some it is feeling envious as they wondered why they were not chosen for overseas posting. It is after all, the most coveted position, being able to stay in a foreign country and doing seemingly glamorous job, and the allowance is great! If you bring your family, your partner and kids would get allowance too. The most sought after overseas posting is Japan because of the highest allowance rate, and after that Europe cities like Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Stockholm, etc.

My good friend and colleague, Ms Jam is going to Brunei this coming 26 June. Tons of things to do like packing things, getting to know the market where you are posted - the arrivals, travel behaviour, preference of travelers, the office and the existing staff. Ms Jam was given a rather neat list of things to bring like:

Pots and pans
Sanitary pads
Cutlery
Shampoo
Kicap
Sardine, etc

You might think the items above don't matter much, wait till you get there and you'd certainly need a familiar brand. You need to be comforted with the things you already know especially when the stuff is hard to get in European countries! A colleague in Stockholm once requested another colleague who's coming for a sales mission to bring a carton full of sanitary pads! Everything is so damn expensive, especially in Euros, when you multiply everything to 5 times.

Then there's the matter of medical check-up. A colleague who was supposed to got to Milan found out after her medical check-up that she had Thalassemia, a condition which she never knew about. She may have to defer or even cancel her posting. It is quite sad when something like that befallen your colleague, especially when you knew that she/he have worked hard for it.

As I always say, "Everything in its own time". If something is meant to be yours, then by hook or by crook you will get it. However, if it's not your rezeki yet, then no matter what, you may not get it. Perhaps it is qada' and qadar....WallahuA'lam.

Diabetes Scare

Last week in Rompin I accompanied my mum to the pharmacy. It was 7pm and we had just came back from our wanderings in Teluk Gorek and shoppping around in Rompin's pesta pantai. She wanted to have her blood sugar tested. I was thinking "What the hell" might as well got my blood sugar tested too since I'm already there. My random blood sugar (RBS) was 7.8!! It is borderline to having high blood sugar, hence diabetes. OMG!! I was freaked out because last year when I checked my blood it wasn't even 6, and that was even less than an hour after breakfast.

Once we went back to KL, I had my blood rechecked. It's the fasting blood sugar (FBS) whereby your blood is tested early in the morning before you have your breakfast. My result was 5.8. Doctor said it was fine as FBS should be less than 6.1, but it would be better if my BS was between 5.2 - 5.6. For reference on your blood sugar:

FBS < 6.1 - blood taken early morning before breakfast
RBS <8.1 - blood taken 2 hours after meal or randomly during the day

Two hours later, I had my blood taken again for RBS, after I had my breakfast. The result was 6.7. I was so relieved. The doctor said that I don't have diabetes, as a diabetic person might tested 7 or more for FBS. Then I asked her what made by BS so high when I tested it previously? She said that it was probably because I tested it at 7pm when I had already eaten throughout the day, plus my last meal before my blood was taken was less than one hour. I was pacified by her answer, but I wasn't totally comfortable at the state of my BS being on the high side.

My mum then advised that I should take care of what I eat:

1. Eat according to portion: carb 1 portion, vegies + lauk: 2 portions, 1 fruit;
2. Regulate meal time: eat meals on time;
3. Only eat again after 2 hours, so food can be digested properly;
4. Exercise to loose the weight.

Doctor aslo advise that if I'm having any of the symptoms below, then I should have a recheck:

1. Always thirsty;
2. Always tired or letahrgic:
3. Can't control bladder, and kept peeing at night, etc.

So, I guess this is a wake up call for me. I've to start watching what I ate and regulate my meals. I've just started with more vegies diet, namely salad for dinner. My personal favourite: nicoise salad with italian dressing + tuna, its just delicious! I don't mind having it everyday. Will try to exercise more once Ajol's back from Jakarta.

Will check in again with the doctor in 3 months time and see my BS level...

My Gazpacho Adventure

Essentially, Gazpacho is chilled soup made from veggies. It has thirst quenching ability. The original Spanish gazpacho were made from stale bread soaked in cool water, garlic, olive oil and vinegar. Other gazpachos recipes such as green and oriental gazpacho may included some of these ingredients: lettuce, spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper and chicken broth. The most important thing is the chicken broth.

I love soups, they are my comfort food. So over the weekend, I was inspired by Nigella's slime soup which combines frozen peas, chicken stock and mozarella. I had some mix vegies in the freezer and some chicken stock I had made and frozen. I'm not crazy about frozen carrots and corn, but I loved the green peas. Not to let anything go to waste, I combine the two ingredients and heat it up. Add a dollop of mayonnaise cause I don't have any sour cream or milk to make it more creamy. Cool it down, and blitz till smooth in a blender. Chill in the fridge till serving time. And voila!

Tip for blending hot liquid:

Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth - taken from Nigella's slime soup recipe in Food Network.

And the verdict? Ms Fantaghiro was my guinea pig. I gave her a bowl and she said that it was delicious with a nutty flavour (because of the corn) and does have a cooling effect. So yay! My gazpacho experiment was a success. Try it, you might like it. Especially in this hot weather....

My trip to Phuket, early May

View of Phuket in the morning from my hotel room

Remember when I said I was going to Phuket sometime early May and had much skepticism about it? Boy, was I wrong!! Maybe it was the company that I keep, maybe it was the activities that we did together or maybe it was the overall charm of the place....it turned to be quite an interesting vacation after all....

We took the earliest Air Asia flight to Phuket, which was 7.25 in the morning. Guess what time I had to get up and go? 4.30am!! I was practically dragging my weekend bag when the taxi came. Upon reaching the LCCT, I was amazed at how much it had expanded in terms of capacity for passengers and more restaurants and stores, somehow I felt like being in a regular airport. In fact, it might be better than any old airport in some states in Malaysia.

We reached Phuket at 7.50 am local time, the flight took 1 hour 15 minutes. Thailand's clock is behind Malaysia by one hour, in case you are wandering....our good friend in Phuket picked us up and brought us to a Muslim shop for roti canai. Apparently there were a lot of Chinese from Penang who used to come in Phuket for business and mining. You could see their influences in the buildings, which resembled the shoplots along Chulia Street in Penang. Also, some nyonya wore kebayas and kain batik here. So, it felt oddly familiar eventhough I'm in a strange land.

Phuket is actually an island, and it is much bigger than Langkawi. It faces the Andaman sea, that's why the water is clear and other beaches and island like Krabi and Phi-Phi are so beautiful as well. But it was the hardest hit when tsunami came, as it faces the open sea. It is amazing that you couldn't see the evidence of tsunami at one glance. But the people of Phuket have said it is better for the tsunami to hit again then being hit by this economic downturn. After tsunami, they can rebuilld everything but with economy, you are at the mercy of the tourists. But even in low season in Phuket early May, it is still bustling with foreign tourists then it ever was in other islands in Malaysia.

I think Malaysia is more wholesome as a destination and more suitable for families. Whereas for Phuket, it is fun, fun, fun! With booze, sex, myriad of activities and beautiful beaches.

At the lobby of the Courtyard Marriot in Phuket, waiting to be checked in. Very chic hotel with colonial + contemporary concept. It was recently refurbished and just reopened under new management. I looked like something the cat dragged in. It was the lack of sleep, I tell you!

One of the Muay Thai training centres in Phuket. A lot of Mat Sallehs stayed in these boot camps or nearby chalets to train muay thai, sometimes taking months.

Tiger Muay Thai. Interested, anyone?


Of course a trip to Thailand isn't complete without experiencing the Thai massage. We headed to Island spa somewhere in Phuket and for only RM35, we were treated to two and a half hour massage. Heavenly bliss, after all that walking around Phuket! We were first ordered to go into the herbal steam room, then cool off at the jacuzzi. Then we were massaged for two whole hours, where I drifted in and out of sleep. Yes, I slept eventhough the masseus were doing funny things to my whole body. That's how good it was!

My massues is no 2 from right. She may look petite and old, but her hands are so skillful ;)
we were advised to tip her around THB40...

The quintessential night scene in Patong. Upon closer inspection, we found that these girls were the go-go girls, where you can find mainly dancing on bar tops...

On our last day, we went round the beaches in Phuket, can't remember the names...

Award from Salfaryna

Many thanks to Mrs Salfaryna for the award, which says "Uber Amazing Blog"! I'm quite touched as I haven't exactly been updating my blog...so maybe this will inspire me to start blogging again ;)

To be or not to be...?

What will you reaction be when a really good friend comes out of the closet? Would you be shocked or outraged because she is not having a normal sexual preference? Or would you try to understand her and be a friend by telling her that it is okay to make that choice?

You can't choose who you fall in love with. Even if that person is the same gender as you. Portia De Rossi (now Mrs De Generes), commented on her relationship with Ellen " I just fell in love with her". As simple as that. It was not a conscious decision to be gay, you just happen to find the right person to spend your life with.

I must admit that I am not entirely comfortable with the same sex relationship/marriage, but hey...if it makes you happy. What else can I say...? I am not taking a shot at anybody, just sharing my experience in this matter.

And my friend, if you are reading this, it means that I accept you the way you are and we are still friends. And yes, I think you got some cool reading collection going on. I loved the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Wish that you can come visit me in KL soon :)

Welcome my friend

Long lost friend in UNI - Mrs Aida have recently joined blogspot. So, WELCOME!!

I remembered our time spent when we were in Matriculation in Lembah Pantai, way back in 1996 - 1997. We were together in Block 6 but different floors. She was a Law student, I was in Human Sciences. One day, she told me that I was always blurred with what's going on around me and that sometimes I can be too forthright and that I may hurt some people's feelings with my blunt comments. Well that was a lesson learned, and I may have cut down on my bluntness and bluriness. Well that's for you to find out, Aida, when you come down to KL one fine day to visit me :)

But in the meantime, I look forward to keeping in touch via your blog...and stories about your life and daughters....

Blog...blocked...writer's block

I am having a case of writer's block...absolutely nothing remotely interesting for me to write about. My mind's scattered, and I only have bits and pieces of interesting stuff to share with you guys:

1. Finally finished my daily marathon Season 1 - 4 (half season) of Supernatural which I started from mid March. The 3rd DVD of the first half of the fourth season keeps jumping back and fro, and for a while it kinda creeps me out because I think it was haunted or something. Too much watching the supernatural crap. But I still love Dean Winchester tho'.

2. Famous sightings: Jimi Shanley from Trek Selebrity (he lpopularize the term "Yezza") came over to my office twice, yesterday and last two weeks as he had some projects going on. Incidently, he is the best friend of AzaDeKaza. Up close, he is really jambu with smooth, pink skin and gorgeous hair. I was told that he has some Aussie blood from his gandpa. Anyway, due to his "jambuness", Che Yah mistaken him for a bapuk!! Har har har

3. Famous sighting2: Was up close and not so personal last Tuesday with Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina at her restaurant called "Rainforest" in front of Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel. She is very sweet and humble and oh so pretty....Ms Fantaghiro and La Signora, if you remember, we used to lepak at this place back in UNI days when we went out for an all nighter. Back then it was just some maplay, nothing fancy. Well nowadays, its the Rainforest restaurant and bar and great for open air hang out. And get this, they serve laksa Sarawak and mee kolok! But not so authentic lah...so La Signora, you are not missing much. Wait till u get back to Sarawak...can have all the mee kolok, laksa Sarawak that u want!!

4. Travel plans: Am going to Phuket this weekend with my girlfriend. Quite a last minute do, but what the hell. Might as well reward myself. Not quite sure what to expect of Phuket. Sure there'd be lots of sun, sea, surf, shopping. I didn't enjoy Pattaya much when I was there end of 2007, so am not expecting much out of this trip. Am looking forward to be proven wrong....oh, and I hope that the H1N1 virus is nowhere near there....

5. Ash is getting married and I'm going to miss it because of my trip to Phuket. However Ash, thanks so much for the invitation. I pray that God will bless both you and Sad and that you guys will have a long and happy life and will have lots of kids in the future. Ameen....

Oh..am not able to access blog in the office, for a few months now. It sucks...so I mainly blog at home when hubby is not hogging the computer to play footie matches...

Supernatural

I must admit that I've been possessed (pun intended!) lately with tales of the supernatural. Sure, I'm still scared of horror flick like the scream fest Carrie or the Exorcist or Friday the 13th. That's why I opted for a more tolerable one hour supernatural series or vampire movies as they are lest gory than the rip-your-body-apart-blood-everywhere kinda movie.

Right now I'm obsessed with Supernatural the series, partly because it is just an hour watch on supernatural stuff. I must confess...it because I so love Dean Winchester. Apart from his green eyes and smouldering good looks (Jensen Ackles is of Irish, British & Scottish descendent), he is a typical manly man, loves rock music, loves action and loves chick. Compared to his brother Sam, he is the ignorant one on manners and to a certain extent, the world. All he cares about is hunting evil in the form of "things you never dream about" and demons (it is the core of the series). But he does bring a certain humour to the show with his masochist attitude and the relationship with his brother Sam is fun to watch.

Am marathon watching season 2, I got seasons 1 - 4 on DVD. Got them dirt cheap in Batu Ferringhi night market last march. RM4 for one cd, and buy 5 get one free. Crazy or what?? For one entire season I'd spend about RM20 for 6 DVDs!! Ms Fantaghiro, I am so coming with you next time you go back to Penang. Spent more money on other DVDs - Cashmere Mafia, Confessions of a Call Girl, and some music cds.

Also, been obsessed with the Twilight series. Sure, it is not the best book in the world, in fact it got bad reviews in Goodreads. But I am a sucker for vampire movies, even if the female lead is very clingy and weak and sometimes stupid. Even bought the books to read and found out that Twilight have been the rage all over in the US and I've bought the sequel to Twilight: New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn. I agree with the reviews which have stated poor characterization, thin plots, and personally I think the story could be written in less than 500++ pages. Other books to read in this category: Anne Rice's Complete Vampire Chronicles, Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy.