Teluk Gorek

Chinese New Year 2009: me, my mum and my hubby (the designated driver) went back to my mum's hometown in Rompin, Pahang. Balik kampung la la la balik kampung.....

This entry is more on our trip to Teluk Gorek, which is situated in Endau, and a good 45 minutes drive from Rompin. My aunty, who'd been there last year was so enthusiastic about Teluk Gorek coz she said that it is so beautiful as it is situated in a bay, the water was blue and the surrounding so serene. So we were all sold on the idea to go picnic at Teluk Gorek. We brought homemade nasi lemak, sambal udang, keropok goreng, popia otak2.

At first glance, Teluk Gorek was like any other beaches around Endau like Pantai Penyabong. We forgot one major factor, it is still monsoon season in the east coast, therefore the water would still be dark and treacherous. The waves were quite big, so have to be careful if swimming in the sea at this time of the year. My aunty claimed that when she went last year the water was blue and calm.

Anyway, we settled down at one of the private beach, which we have to pay RM3 per head for usage of facility such as parking, toilet, surau even the picnic area. It was quite clean, and eventhough there were lots os people, but everyone had their own space and privacy. So we settled down at a particularly shaded area, and just relax....

Hubby looking out to sea

View of beach at Teluk Gorek

Brilliant blue sky at 1 o'clock

Teritip growing on the rocks

In between the rocks, we saw ikan tembakul hopping around. They were too fast for my camera to capture...

Waves hitting the rocks

Hole in the rock

Teluk Gorek was actually a pantai bakau area, and the pointy shoots were actually its young roots starting to grow

Pukat set by the nelayan by the beach, when the tide is high, it will capture sea creatures. We saw mostly dead fishes and crabs caught in the net.

Teritip clinging on to rocks

Mum picking out teritip shell but there were no meat left, all been picked out long ago

This is used by nelayan to tie their boats when the tide is up. Teritip clinging on to the foot of the wood...

A nelayan's abandoned net...

This funny thing which mum said is the sand that crabs dug out, looked like a stool or even a very long earthworm

Feets in Teluk Gorek, we've been here!!

A boy proudly dispalying his marine aquarium

Small crabs and shells still alive

Not much to do in Teluk Gorek except relax and wander around the beach. It was a nice retreat after the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur.......maybe will go there again when the monsoon season is off and the water return to blue and calm. I also have half a mind to go to Tasik Chini in July/August when the lotus is in full bloom.

Mari Main Kutu...

Main kutu? Apa tu....?
Mesti dalam kepala korang terbayang beruk tengah cari kutu di kepala rakan beruknya. Lepas beruk tu dapat kutu, ngap dalam mulut. Nate' beruk sungguh.

Sebenarnya KUTU ini adalah salah satu cara simpanan paksa (forced savings) yang menjanjikan pulangan yang hebat tetapi ia bukannya ckim cepat kaya mahupun mengamalkan riba' *petikan kata-kata Aza De Kaza - the Kutu Master*. Jadi sebenarnya, manusia lah yang bermain kutu.

Cara-cara bermain kutu:
1. Cari 12 rakan-rakan anda yang berminat untuk membuat "forced savings" ini;
2. Bincangkan jumlah besar yang hendak dicapai ataupun mampu untuk di simpankan setiap bulan, contohnya nak dapat total sebanyak RM2000 atau dapat simpan RM100 sebulan;
3. Lantik seorang "Kutu Master" untuk coordinate kerja-kerja kutu. Biasanya sesiapa yang mencadangkan main kutu akan menjadi Kutu Master. Tugas Kutu Master ni adalah untuk membuat jadual penerima kutu dan semestinya, kutip duit kutu dari anak-anak kutu yang terlibat;
4. Buat jadual penerimaan kutu yang dipersetujui semua orang, samada cara undi atau pilihan. Cth kutu pilihan: Polan1 pilih bulan Januari, Polan2 pilih bulan November pulak sbb dia nak bayar roadtax Disember, dsb.
5. Startlah bayar kutu bila gaji dah masuk.
6. Kutu Master akan kumpul semua duit dari anak-anak kutu, dan bila dah cukup, serahkan kepada anak kutu yang bertuah pada bulan tersebut. Jadi setiap bulan akan ada anak kutu yang dapat kutu.
7. Mainlah kutu sampai habis walaupun anda dah dapat giliran kutu.

Sebab-sebab bermain kutu:
1. Satu cara simpanan yang berkesan, sebab kalau tak bayar duit kutu, nanti kena kutuk dengan kawan-kawan sekutu;
2. Dapat membantu keadaan kewangan peribadi sekiranya diperlukan untuk sebab-sebab tertentu seperti bayar road tax kereta, nak beli pakej masa MATTA Fair, nak memulakan perniagaan SME seperti penjualan tudung/kerepek/handbag, dll.
3. Tiada riba' dan simpanlah tanpa was-was.
4. Simpanan yang agak fleksible kerana anda boleh tukar suka sama suka giliran dapat kutu sekiranya anda memerlukan. Tapi bayar mesti tiap-tiap bulan buat daa...tak boleh suka hati tak mau bayar....

Tips bermain kutu:
1. Jangan lambat bayar kutu, dapat gaji je terus bayar kutu. Paling busuk pun, minggu pertama anda dah menunaikan kutu. Kalau tak, alamat kena sumpah seranah dengan rakan sekutu.
2. Pilihlah rakan sekutu yang tak liat membayar hutang...kalau tak nangis lah tunggu orang tu nak bayar duit kutu huhu
3. Kepada siapa yang dah dapat kutu, jangan pulak buat bodoh jer next month dah tak bayar duit kutu pulak atas alasan anda dah dapat duit kutu. Anda kiranya masih perlu membayar "hutang" kutu sehinggalah cycle dah habis apabila semua anak-anak kutu telah mendapat kutu masing-masing.
4. Kalau ada kemampuan, anda boleh ambil dua lot atau bahagian kutu. Jadi bayar double, pendapatan pun double.
5. Kalau rasa was-was dengan sistem kutu ni, simpanlah duit anda di bank. Boleh lah dapat dividen ASB/Tabung Haji/Bank Rakyat. Saya cadangkan buat dua-dua: main kutu dan simpan duit lain dibank. Kutu boleh menjadi disposable income anda juga.

Variasi permainan kutu:
1. Cari rakan seramai 6 orang dan kutu yang dipersetujui RM1000. Bermain kutu untuk 6 bulan, jadi simpanan RM6,000.
2. Rakan kutu seramai 20 orang, bermain dengan jumlah RM100. Setiap bulan 4 orang yang dapat, jadi setiap sorang dapt RM500. Main short term untuk 5 bulan saja.

SELAMAT BERMAIN KUTU!!

Things that I witnessed recently

Just a collection of some things that I was privy to witness and amused by it sometime this week which were:

13 Jan 2009, Tuesday
The Dewangga Sakti group entertained us during Anugerah Khas Pengurusan at Saloma Bistro, of which I was a recipient. They were formerly IIUM students but have formed this group that played traditional/malay folk ensamble. Knew one of the founding members, Mohsen Amdan back in Uni days since he was my batch. He was very active then with Gamelan group. Anyway, this group was playing classic songs that nite along the lines of asli, zapin, inang music.

15 Jan 2009, Thursday
An ongoing shooting of a Malay drama at the 24-hour mamak restaurant called Siti Zubaidah in Danau Kota , near the new Uptown night market. The actors were not in action yet, but we managed to see the crew walking about setting up lights and equipments for the actual shoot. Me and hubby were in the car stopping at a traffic light at that time, waiting for it to turn green. Hubby managed to snap a picture of it:

16 Jan 2009, Friday
1. Malay men at the Redbox Karaoke, Pavillion at 1pm on a FRIDAY going into karaoke room or taking their food at the buffet table inside the karaoke area. Me and two friends were there as well for a session of ladies only karaoke during the long lunch break. I must say that the men were quite embarrassed to see us there. Couldn't see us in the eyes...shame on you, guys!

2. A black and white cat trying to cross the main road in front of the surau Taman Melati on my way back home. He was by the side of the road, watching the traffic flow and tentatively trying to cross. Once I passed by him, I looked behind using my rear view mirror, and to my amazement, the cat managed to cross the road safely. Thank God he was not hit by a motorist.

Kehidupan saya di Flat Taman Melati, Setapak, KL

3 hari selepas berkahwin tahun 2006 dulu, saya terus pindah duduk di flat sewaan hubby semenjak dia bujang. Memang dulu saya mati-mati tak moh dok kat situ sbb rupanya buruk & rumah tu rasa macam kecik aje, hanya ada dua bilik. Terpaksa redha sbb hubby kata dia nak cari apartment untuk dibeli dengan kadar segera. Jadi kalau nak pindah, baik sekali jalan je. Jadi memula mmg terpaksa-rela & rasa macam tak standard (konon!) dok kat flat Taman Melati. Bukan flat Seri Wangi, ya! Flat ni hanya 5 tingkat, dan saya duduk tgkt kedua. Lokasi flat ni pulak agak strategik sbb dekat dgn stesen LRT Terminal Putra yg hanya 10 minit jer kalau jalan kaki dr rumah, ada banyak gerai makanan, dekat dgn kedai runcit & pasar malam, dekat dgn rumah mak saya (naik keta 3 mins jer).

Tup-tup dah nak masuk 3 tahun saya dok kat flat Taman Melati ni. Lelama dok situ, rasa macam ok pulak. Kawasan rumah saya ni berdepan dengan padang permainan dan banyak pokok2 besar. Jadi rumah saya sentiasa sejuk & redup. Lagi, flat ni agak private sbb pada satu tingkat hanya ada dua rumah saja yang mengadap satu sama lain. Jadi jiran saya hanya org depan rumah & makcik rumah bawah saja. Keadaan flat ni pulak agak tenang, tak bising dan tak ramai orang. Rata-rata orang balik rumah, terus dok dalam rumah diam2 dah tak kacau orang lain. Mat-mat rempit pun tak banyak preng-preng kat situ, maybe depa preng-preng tempat lain kot. Lagi lah aman flat saya.....Persatuan penduduk sini agak aktif, selalu jer ada mesyuarat, ada aktiviti2 (biasanya yg UMNO based lah).

Tapi duduk di flat ni memang banyak dugaannya. Pandangan saya, rata-rata orang yang duduk di flat ni berpendapatan sederhana atau rendah, dan mungkin juga tidak berpendidikan tinggi. Maafkan sekiranya menyinggung sesiapa yang terasa dengan generalisation saya ni. Tapi ada sebabnya kenapa saya kata begitu, dah banyak berlaku insiden yang tak menyenangkan kepada saya & hubby.

Keadaan kebersihan di sekitar flat ni agak menyedihkan. Ye lah, nama pun flat, mana ada maintenance service, mana ada Alam Flora sapu sampah kat tangga atau sapu daun-daun kat sekitarnya, walaupun bayar sewa mahal -RM450 sebulan. Jadi pakcik/makcik yg dh pencen & tinggal kat rumah bawahlah yg sapu pagi-pagi. Yg menggeramkan, adalah penghuni tak reti bahasa & tak belajar sivik, sukati mak bapaknya saja, buang sampah direct dr tingkap rumah diaorg, jatuh ke bawah. Lagi, tak ajar anak-anak mereka jangan buang sampah keluar tingkap, selalu la bila jalan kat bawah saya jumpa sebelah kasut baby, anak patung, tisu, kertas, plastik, macam2 lah. Memang la kena lalu jalan situ jer pun, takder jalan lain daa....

Yang lagi kurang ajar, bila depa sapu sampah kat atas, selamba jer buang kat bawah, berkumpal kat depan rumah saya & tangga tingkat saya. Memang tau sampah tu disapu kebawah jer sbb pernah saya tengah menyapu tangga, orang atas sapu sampah dan dengan selambanya tolak sampah tu ke bawah & debu-debu terkena atas kepala saya. Masa tu sempat la saya jerit "oi!". Apa kurang ajar sangat depa ni, rumah sendiri bersih sbb sampah buang kat rumah org. Apa salahnya guna scoop utk buang sampah tu. Saya pun reti gak sapu-sapu sampah depan rumah & dkt tangga & guna scoop utk kaut sampah tu. Bukannya saya tolak sampah ke bawah. Kalau ikut hati nak je saya buang sampah kat rumah org atas!! Biar dia tau apa rasanya. Buang masa saya jer kalau buat pun...Nanti dia tolak balik jer sampah tuh ke bawah. Dah settle masalah dia. Memang boleh agak la mentaliti orang yang dok kat flat ni sbb ikut generalisation saya yg kat atas tadi. Yang penting, saya jangan jadi dangkal pemikiran macam depa yang buat benda macam nih...

Lagi, orang yang directly atas rumah saya nih suka buang barang di bahagian dapur luar saya samada secara sengaja atau tidak sengaja, saya pun tak tau. Memang ada bumbung atas dapur luar rumah saya yang memisahkan saya dengan orang atas, tapi dah terkopak sbb Mami dok lalu lalang kat situ. Kejadian berlaku di para kat dapur luar di mana tempat ni saya buat letak penyapu jer & ada seperate sink untuk basuh pinggan, semua masak-memasak dalam rumah. Jadi memula, ada kaftan yang terjatuh kat para tuh. So saya buat dek jer la sbb orang atas pun tak mintak balik kaftan tu. Lantak kau lah, sapa suruh tak sepit baju bila jemur kat tingkat atas kan...? Kalau nak datang la mintak. Agaknya memang dia dah tak nak kaftan tu sbb berbulan benda alah tu tersadai kat tempat yang sama, saya tak alihkan pun.

Insiden kedua pulak, ada spender budak kecik yang masih lagi bergulung (EEUUWWW!!!!) jatuh atas para saya. Yang ni membuatkan saya fikir bahawa kejadian "membuang" pakaian ini bukannya tak sengaja. Saya dah tak boleh bersabar lagi & amik spender tu terus buang dalam tong sampah. Takde masa nak pulangkan balik. I can play silent wars too....lepas tu ada lagi kaftan jatuh and sebelah stokin jatuh/buang. Saya cuma alihkan ketepi supaya tak ganggu penyapu2 saya. Latest incident, rasanya dalam bulan lepas, atas penyapu2 saya ada beberapa sampah dibuang ke bawah iaitu 2-3 tisu bergumpalan, kertas and plastik. "Tuyuk! Paloi! Sik sekolah!". Saya alihkan penyapu saya ketepi supaya lepas ni apa2 barang yang jatuh/buang terus jatuh kat para bawah. Lantak korang lah nak buang apa2 pun lepas ni...

Ada lagi la macam2 kejadian yang terjadi & malas saya nak fikir & cerita, kalau tak lagi sakit jiwa. Bukannya saya tak nak pindah dari tempat ni, memang saya nak! Cuma proses pembelian apartment di Danau Kota tu lambat sikit, makan masa dekat setahun sbb owner dah migrate ke UK. Lagi lawyer owner buat lembap aja, kami baru dapat strata title bulan Disember 2008. Kunci sampai sekarang belum dapat lagi. Owner tak nak kami duduk lagi rumah tu sbb loan bank belum release, tp dah lama lulus. So harap-harap boleh dapat kunci rumah pada Feb 2009 & boleh pindah secepat mungkin!!!

Domestic vs Overseas Traveling

In order to cheer myself up from my bouts of boredom, I been doing some homework on my next getaway - Taman Negara. Not sure why I'm pursuing this destination with fervor. I guess its time for me to go there, this is the year where I will have to go to Taman Negara. Or so I thought, before I did my internet research on it. The fullboard packages not inclusive meals are about RM300 or more, if include activities like nite trekking, canopy walk, shooting rapids, add a few hundred ringgits more. Plus other compulsory expenses like boat transfer from Kuala Tembeling to Kuala Tahan will cost you RM50, each way. If you are taking a bus, then it will cost you about RM140 for return fare. If you are driving, then the toll and petrol costs would be more. So for one person to go to Taman Negara taking a fullboard package with activities, and inclusive of traveling (boat, bus cost) will easily set you back at RM700. Oh man....

Domestic traveling is not cheap! And my definition of cheap for domestic traveling is anything below RM300 to spend on a person for traveling expenses - accommodation, food and ground handling, not inclusive of shopping which will be another cost. Anyway, I do realise with such meager amount allocated for my getaway/holiday/vacation or whatever you may call it, I can't do five star treatment in this time of economic uncertainties. Economy may be down for now, but hotel prices and food costs are still up. There may be some price reduction in the tourism services but I doubt it will be significant in terms of traveling. So, with that budget it'll be lodging in budget motels (RM50 per night) and gerai food for 3D/2N.

The cost of traveling domestic is the same or at time more expansive than overseas traveling, and we are talking about short haul destinations like Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, etc. Case in point: my trip to Bali in Jan 2008 costs about RM750 - which was RM300 for flight and RM450 for fullboard package per pax - inclusive 3 star accommodation, meals, tours with guide and van. It would have been cheaper if we managed to book the Air Asia zero fares flight which will cost about RM150 only to Bali. But then we have booked the flight early (July 2007), so to pay the tour package is not so taxing on us. Another case : Kamilia told me that she paid about RM500 to travel to Bangkok, which included flight, hotel, meals and tours which she went in 2004. With that much and you can travel overseas!

Some comparison for domestic vs overseas traveling:

Domestic Travel
1. Not necessarily cheaper - the popular destinations are quite pricey expecially if you intend to stay in 4-5 star hotels. My costing would have to be double if I bring my other half.
2. Know your product! Get the chance to go up close with tourism products around Malaysia, and get yourself educated with our unique selling points - ecotourism (eg Taman Negara), homestays (eg Banghuris), heritage, etc.
3. Accessiblility - can travel by car, air or sea, anytime (except monsoon season for Pantai Timur area).

4. Culture and language - share same language and understand culture of the

Overseas/International Travel

1. Cost is a factor, and airline ticket is the bulk of traveling expense. So careful planning must be needed to organize your money and travel itinerary. Apart from the obvious expenses like flight, accommodation, food and ground handling (transportation), be sure to spare some for unforseen circumstances like ticket to enter into certain tourist destination (sometimes not included in package), tipping for driver/tour guide, porterage in hotel/airport or airport tax (eg IDR100,000 to exit Indonesia).

2. Take advantage of MAS/Air Asia's promotion camapaigns. Book flight ticket first, then lookout for MATTA Travel Fairs (normally held in March and September) for discounted packages.

3. Do some homework on the destination that you are going to - in order to enjoy fully the destination and whatever info passed by the tour guide. Maximum exposure!

4. Culture & language may be a barrier, especially in non english speaking country.

Even if you want to travel domestic must have some planning and much disposable income. Now I'm thinking twice about Taman Negara unless I get a really good promo during MATTA Fair...

Have you ever had one of those days..?

When you feel so lethargic and you feel like sleeping it off?
When whatever you eat doesn't satisfy your appetite?
When people irritate you and you don't find their jokes funny?
When you are not thinking on your feet and make stupid mistakes?
When whatver you do takes forever to complete and doesn't seem right?

Today was the day that I feel this way, out of sorts;
I don't know what's bugging me;
It's very hard to put down in words;
Tonight I'll just sleep it off;
Hopefully tomorrow will be better, and I will be more energetic....

Two things today....

In the course of my work, there were two things that caught my attention today:

1. Festival Nasi Seratus
Just received a copy of the calendar of events for tourism activities in 2009. One event that particularly interested me is the Festival Nasi Seratus that will be organize in Kelantan from 20 - 22 March 2009. Venue still TBA. This festival basically bring together every known and unknown rice related dishes all over Malaysia such as nasi lemak, nasi beriani, nasi tumpang, nasi kelongsong, etc. Check out about this festival here. Asked mum to go with me to sample the different variations of rice, but she was unable to due to future commitments. Am bummed.

2. Tourist Arrival for 2008
Malaysia reached it's all time high for tourist arrival at 22.05million, thus surpassing it's target of 22.0million tourists for the year of 2008. Tourism Malaysia deserved a pat in the back, but that doesn't mean that they should be resting on their laurels after this achievement. This year's target for tourist arrivals is 20.0million as announced by DPM after the Cabinet Committee for Tourism. Tourism Minister is giving emphasis on ecotourism and youth tourism. So the job's cut out for this year, hope Tourism Malaysia can do a good job as well...chaiyo, chaiyo!

Facts & Quirks

Got tagged from my school friend, Salfaryna, who was in school together with me from 1991 - 1993 in Sultanah Asma School, Alor Setar, Kedah. So here are the rules:

Facts & Quirks
1. List these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog.
3. Tell 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
5. Link the person who tagged you.
6. Leave a comment for each blogger.


7 FACTS ABOUT ME

1. I'm 31 years old female;
2. Second child from 4 siblings, of which I am the eldest daughter;
3. Owns my first ever car, a silver Proton Saga, which I bought June last year, after 5 years of working;
4. Worked in the tourism industry eventhough I'm not a graduate of tourism school and have been working there for 6 years and counting...
5. Loves cats...*
6. Loves food..*
7. Loves TV...*

* nampak sangat takde idea nak jawab nih...hehehe

6 QUIRKS ABOUT ME

1. Hates drinking coffee, but loves the smell of it;
2. Hates people who sneezes in my presence, believes that the germs will get to me;
3. Very the hentam keromo when cooking, never followed ingredients properly, just make do with what I have in the fridge;
4. Quite anal with having things in order before I start working on something i.e. must clean up my desk before doing actual work in the office;
5. Will only exercise only when I'm in the mood or inspired:p...aren't we all??
6. Spend a lot of my time at home being in front of the tv while multi tasking i.e. masak, basuh baju, lipat baju, etc...


Tag 7 persons

1. La Signora - a housewife with nothing better to do except entertaining Pancho and her never ending quest for kurus (aren't we all)
2. Noreez - another housewife with nothing better to do except entertaining Princess and occasionally cook up a mean laksa sarawak - hey, can give me recipe for mee kari??
3. Ash - who's waiting for her GRE result and have the cutest brother. Pretty soon we'll be calling her "Doctor, Phd"!!
4. Hynhar - living in the UK at the moment and a mother to 3 cute children, also a very passionate blogger and a decent chef, too!
5. Ziah - second child mommy to be and now enjoying her iPhone and new laptop;
6. Qirzah - the vivacious superboy living in Buenos Aires, and currently recuperating form his mysterious illness...
7. Sue - formemrly known as luvsal and hubby's officemate!

So people, you've been tagged!

Laknat Israel, Help the Palestinians!!

Let us pray together and do what we can to alleviate the suffering of fellow Muslims in Gaza whom are now under attack from the Israelis. I urge all to do our part in boycotting Israeli goods such as Starbucks, Nokia, Tesco, Carrefour, Colgate, McDonald's (more list in link: Inmind UK and IslamOnline.net) and to contribute to any legible organizations, no matter how small your donation is. The important thing is we do something about it. Donations channels are as below:

NSTP FUND FOR GAZA

Donations to the fund, which will be open until Feb 7, will be handed to Wisma Putra to help the people of Gaza. To contribute to the NSTP Fund for Gaza, the public and corporations can do the following:

- Bank in or transfer money to Maybank account number 514105-320501 under the name "NSTP Fund for Gaza";
- Write cheques made payable to The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd with the words "Fund for Gaza" written on the reverse side and send to NSTP, Balai Berita, 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur; or
- Make cash donations to the cashier at NSTP, Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur or any of the NSTP branch offices nationwide.

or

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society

MRCS will mobilize two Personnel in order to support the PRCS. They are one Medical Doctor - Dr. Hj Yahaya Abu Ahmad and Mr. Nasir Khan Abdul Rahman - Relief Personnel. Next team is ready to be deployed if the requirement or assistance required.

Currently, we are working closely with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help in whatever way necessary.

Donors can sent cheques or cash to the following address:

Secretary General
Malaysian Red Crescent Society
National Headquarters
32, Jalan Nipah off Jalan Ampang
55000 Kuala Lumpur

Cheques should be made out to the “MRCS International Relief Fund” written at the back GAZA CITY or bank in into MRCS Account Maybank No – 5144 2210 2657. Donations to the MRCS are entitled to Tax –Exemption.

Eye Candy: Simon Baker

Pics courtesy of IMDB

Introduction

This is Simon Baker, Australian actor. He is the reason why I must be at home by 7pm nowadays, in order to catch his performance in AXN as the brilliant but stoic lawyer Nick Fallin in the series "The Guardian". He is currently starring in the new series "The Mentalist" as Patrick Jane, which is about a mentalist/clairvoyant turned private investigator to help police solve cases. Of course this series haven't hit Malaysia yet, but I'm looking out for the DVD release from the ever resourful DVD supplier, Raja.

Where Have I Seen Him Before?
You may have seen him in Devil Wears Prada, where he played Christian Thompson, the character who seduces Andy (Anne Hathaway). He was also in the movie "Sex & Death: 101" as the lead character Roderick Blank together with Winona Ryder. And for horror film fans, he starred in The Ring Two as Max Rourke. Hmmm...he always got nice name to go with his characters.

Reasons Why He's My Eye Candy:
Obvious talent (won Logie Award for Best new talent, and nominated for AFI and Golden Globe awards), intensity in potrayal of character, puppy eyes, golden locks, hot bod, and seemingly intelligent persona. Although he was formerly a brick layer. 'nuff said.

Updates for Jan 2009

Nothing much to write about. So I just summarize whatever I was thinking about these past few days:

1. Writing Project
Am now helping Fezin with his travelogue project by rallying round some friends from UIA, as he needs more articles to [ut inside. To date, he already received 10 articles from various writers and non-writers. Famous people like Faisal Tehrani and Saharil have contributed in the travelogue. I told Fezin that the others, including yours truly, are virtually unknown in the writing world, and he said "hey, it's the experience that counts!". If he doesn't have enough articles, this project may be canned. What a shame!

2. Movies
We, as in hubby and me, haven't been to the cinema in a long, long time. I can't even remember what was the last movie we saw together, but I think it may be sometime in August 2008. I been entertaining myself with DVDs. There are lots of interesting movies around like "The Twilight" (maybe just catch the DVD), "The Spirit" (my colleagues said it's stupid, but Ash seemed to like it!), "Australia" (I love Nicole Kidman, but her British accent in the movie sounds more Australian than British).

3. Exercise
After reading "He Loves Lucy", about an advertising exec who gets to slim down in reality tv, I was inspired to do a bit of exercise myself. Haven't exercised in ages. I promised myslef that once I bought my car, I would be able to exercise by going back early and go jogging in a nearby park around my housing. Never got round to it. So last night I did some yoga, just the basic breathing exercise plus some yoga movements like cobra stretch, sun pose, seated sun pose, baby pose, etc. None of that hanky panky chantings. Seemed that I did sweat quite a lot during yoga, means I'm burning calorie. But yoga is more warm up for me, I still need to do some cardio exercise. Didn't have my Kathy Smith Kickboxing DVD, instead I ended up dancing to JLo's videoclip!!

4. Work
Still doing that report which is due by end of this week, then it's going to be presented to a focus group and finally the Management for approval. If everything goes well, by March 2009 we will start with a new study on tourists dispersion throughout Malaysia. That means visiting some tourists attractions around Malaysia. Yay! Can't wait. Other news on office, my Director's been changed again. It's been 3 Directors changed within 4 months of me working there. When will this stop??

5. Going away
First going away project of the year is during CNY, which is about 4 days, and we are going back to Rompin. I know it's my kampung but it's been ages since last I went back. Can't wait to go back for nasi dagang for breakfast, singgang fior lunch, keropok lekor for tea and eating out for dinner! Other projects in the pipeline: possible going to Paka for Ms Fantaghiro's birthday late March, Taman Negara trip in May and Taiping Zoo's Night Safari by end of the year.

That's all for updates today...

My Favourite Views of Kuching

Managed to upload some photos from my last trip to Kuching sometime late November. Pictures taken on my last day in Kuching when I took a walk around Kuching from Holiday Inn, pass by the Main Bazaar, to Bangunan Yayasan Sarawak and the carpark behind for a mee kolok. Walk again till Satok and turn around back to hotel before catching my flight in the afternoon.

Bangunan Yayasan Sarawak on the left hand side of the pic, with the foodcourt behind in yellow building. Also, Masjid Jamek on top of a little hill at the end of the road.

Bot penambang and the Sarawak river

Rajah Brooke monument in front of the Waterfront

The Indian Mosque Lane or Jalan Masjid India.
I met Anita Sarawak once in 1995 browsing inside one of the textile shops, with her then husband the guy from the Commodore group. She still had long black hair, Cleopatra style, complete with heavy bangs in front. She had on a smart suit with a very short skirt and long legs....still young and beautiful at that time...

Used to be my favourite shopping haunts, and still it hadn't changed. As if time stood still in Kuching, all the things same like 13 years ago.

I cannot believe that this bus service still exists!! The bus I took from home in Petra Jaya to go to tuition center behind Hilton Hotel and I'd walk quite a bit from the bus terminal.

And voila! Hopoh Shooping center still exist! My mum hated this shopping centre back then because it's so lousy...this pic is for u mum!

My tuition are behind Hilton Hotel...love this view as it is normally very peaceful and serene...not many cars around..

And my tuition centre, which has now been transformed to the Pinnacle Kuching Lodge. Last time, there used to be a bar instead of 7 Eleven beneath my tuition. There still exist the big wooden door which served as the entrance to the bar from the side of the building by the stairs...was shocked to see this changed coz I always tell my friends that my tuition centre is on top of a bar hehe

WELCOME 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL AND MAY GOD GIVE US THE STRENGTH AND RESOURCES TO FULFILL OUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS!!

My new year's resolution: To enjoy life to the fullest and execute my travel plans as best as I can...