New Label Created!

I'm having breakfast. And this piece of news is giving me indigestion.... Picture of the related incident is displayed in the front page of NST.

I have no hard feelings against motorcyclist. My brother is one. So are few of my uncles and cousins. Even my aunt. But this minor bunch of motorcyclists really make my blood boils. Not enough that we have to look after them on the road, we have to face their abusive actions??!

Once I honked a motorcyclist as a reminder that the turn he made was dangerous and I could've run over him and his wife. And you know what he did? He rode beside my car and hurled sign languages and most probably abusive words. Not that I wound down my window to find out. Probably I should've just knocked him down? He trailed me for another 500 metres just doing that.

You know how many missed accidents happened because of motorcyclist? Drivers have to slam down the break to avoid knocking them down and risking spinal injury of having the vehicle behind them knocking theirs. (*#&^$(*$&%(*@)(&%$&^@(*$&*@%@^.

Government should either enforced the motorcyclist lanes OR just ban motorcycle altogether.

Penang is making me FAT!!

This two weeks are really not the best times to do system implementation. It's looooonggggg weekend for everyone! Things are not running smoothly for my partner. Especially not their infra setup and applications configurations. I wonder how they planned for this before they packed their bags, close the office in KL (for the duration that they are here) and travel up north. Hmmm...

Even though my part does not really have any hiccups, but the problem happens during user registration which involves another party. Haih.. Letih makcik macam nih. Anyway, since my part seems to be fairly smooth, at least now, my partner sees no reason why I should hang around with their team and dok languk ja.. So, I headed to Gurney Plaza with SS. He he he...

We had lunch at The Loft. Nice, nifty, classy looking food court. Our seats were at the huge window overlooking the sea. Picture above was taken from where we were seated. The taxis you see in the picture, SS said they do not use the meter. So people, don't take them if you ever in the area... He he he... At afar is mainland.


I decided to pamper myself tonight. So I burnt some papers for the things I planned to use tonight. I got them from The FaceShop. Another Korean product. Well... I've always wanted a peppermint foot scrub now I have. And I really want to soak in bubble bath, so I got that too! I asked for discount, didn't get it though, but instead I'm given some samples to try. So I will!


Reaching hotel, I feel slightly hungry. So I asked for a simple chicken sandwich. But just look at what I got! (I've eaten three out of four triangles, by the way...) I did not touch the salad and fries. I shall ask them to tapau the lot and bring it up to the room. Three nights in the row, I asked for room service. And it has only been 4 days in Penang, but I think I've gained pounds!! Sheeeeeshh.. How am I supposed to achieve that 8-packs abs in two months if I keep on eating and savouring food like this!

Anyway, my laptop is running low on battery power. And my time for pampering is nearing. And I need to get everything done by 10:30pm tonight. Yes, Grey's on tonight. So, tata people and have a nice long weekend.

Penang is Grey

Today is my third day in Penang. I had good night sleep the previous two nights.

My take for the hotel after two days:

So-so. The buffet breakfast has limited selection. Local dishes instead of a fusion spread; local and continental that is. So, my choices were limited to toast, and toast. The omelette was quite good though. The coffee... hmm... just coffee. Not Starbucks material. He he he... Anyway, the plates, cups and saucers are from plastic, presumably a high grade plastic. Otherwise I'd wondered how the hotel was able to achieve 4 glittering stars.

The room. The bed was good, and I belatedly noticed that I was assigned to the smoking floor. I'm quite surprised why I didn't catch the ciggie smelly smell even though I did mention
to SS that the room did not smell nice when we entered the room on Sunday.

The housekeeping service is excellent. My towels are replaced daily despite the fact that there is another piece to be used. When I called on Sunday night to ask them to spray the room with air freshener, I was immediately attended to and the next morning the housekeeper actually provided me with prayer mat, since she noticed I used the bed cover as alternative.

Superior rooms are not WiFi ready, Deluxe is. Thus, lowly peasants like moi would have to use the Hotspotz Prepaid in the lobby. Tough luck, eh? TV channels... they have Astro Star Movies and Cinemax, ESPN (I think), and Bloomberg. I'm a bit put off because there is no Disney or Nickolodeon. No Channel 17 neither.

Today, during lunch, I had my first bowl of Laksa Penang. I'm sure I've tasted better, after all, my benchmark for laksa Penang is either my Mak's or Mak Lang's. So, SS just have to bring me to some place better than the one that I had in Komtar this afternoon.

By the way, I managed to drive all the way from Bukit Jambul to the town since today I'm visiting the site office in Komtar.

I had ABC with my laksa. And the ABC looked like the picture on the right. Lovely colours, aren't they? And THAT was good. By the way, this picture is taken with my MING.

Yesterday, I drove myself to Seberang Jaya. Managed to find my partner's office after one missed exit and a couple of wrong turns. I had to make a huge turn to get back to where I was supposed to be. And being a woman that I am, I of course, asked for directions. (Hint! Hint!) Otherwise, I might just made several more wrong turns and missed few more exits, wouldn't I?

We then drove to Bukit Mertajam for the site office there and later that afternoon all the way to Seberang Perai Utara. Hmm... I forgot what the are was. Kepala Batas? Heh... Anyway, I arrived in the hotel at about 8:30pm. The traffic on the bridge had eased by the time I was crossing it, so it took me about 20 or 30 minutes to drive back.

I actually consider driving in Penang quite easy despite what some of my friends said when they heard I'll be driving. Probably because I stick to the main roads, asked direction and hey! I've good sense of directions, okay. Shown and proven.

Tomorrow morning, I will need to go to AAM to get my car insurance and road tax renewed. Date with SS, of course, since she'll be the one to show me where I'm supposed to go. And then another day at work.

Penang, by the way, is getting rain everyday. For today though, it has not rain, but the sky looks grey and gloomy. Oooh!!! Tonight is my TV night which also reminds me that tomorrow is Grey's Anatomy night! Ha ha.. Better not forget that... I miss McSteamy...

Okay then, do visit my fotopages at Jade's Fotopage for the pictures... Taaaaaa...

Penang, here I come!

I left KL at about 8:15 am. The weather was good. Not too hot even though it was very sunny. With my newly made audio CD blasting, and necessary phone calls made I’m off to Penang. On my own! Yeay!

Although the purpose of the trip is strictly business, the knowledge that I’m going independently is so exhilarating.

The traffic was not bad. Bigger cars, smaller cars all overtook me, but I still maintained the speed I intended to make when I first decided that I’m driving to Penang. That was 100 km/hour.

I stopped at Tapah for a quick freshening up. Dropped in Dunkin Doughnuts for a couple of doughnuts, and a cuppa. I did not want to stay and it there, so it was a take-out and doughnut munching session in the car.

As I continued driving, I had a sudden urge to take off my sunglasses and experience the true colours of the scenery around me. And I was caught by surprise of how blue and green everything was. It was absolutely breathtaking. I guess I was lucky because the weather was very nice, not hazy nor rainy. It got warmer as time passed by. But it was okay and I was enjoying my drive.

A couple of calls made again to tell loved ones that I’m a-okay.

I took a few shots while driving, because I just could not get enough of the vibrant colours! And you know what, things definitely will look more cheerful if there were red, yellow and orange flowers.

It was definitely a lonely drive. No one to talk to, no one to laugh with (at?). My new CD was still giving me the entertainment I needed though. And as usual, yours truly WILL sing along, no matter how absurd she sounded or lyrics un-savvy she was.

At about 11.18am I finally saw the first signage with “Pulau Pinang” and the famous bridge icon on it. Surprisingly I made good time, since at times I did not realize I was actually driving at 120 km/hour. There was once I caught myself speeding at 130 km/hour. Shhhhhhhhhh… my parents should not know this, mind you.

As I came closer to Penang, the anticipation grew. Few calls made to SS were not picked up. I finally paid the second toll and getting closer to my destination. I received SS’s sms while I was driving on the bridge. I immediately called her and she, cutting short my excited exclamation of my location, quickly gave the direction to her place.

“Make sure you go to the left, and then stay on your right. After that immediately stay on your left because you need to go to the left. At the traffic light, you have to go to the left…” so she explained to me.

All I heard was “to the left, to the left” and I told her, okay, I shall be Beyonce today.

I managed to find my way to her place. I stayed for a while, watch a movie while waiting for her to get ready. At about 2:30pm, we left her place and headed to Vistana Hotel so that I could checked in. It was a very quick process and we went up to 14^th floor to my room. My entitlement only landed me in a Superior room, but I have no complains. After all, it’s paid for and it serve it’s purpose.

I got the large bed I requested. You’d be wondering why, eh? I just love to have big bed in hotel since I don’t have the luxury at home. So, what little thing, I shall not deny myself.

We then left the hotel for Queensbay Mall to have our late lunch at Arena food court. It’s a newly opened shopping complex on the island. Everything looks shiny and new. We parked the car at the open-air area. As we walked to the complex’s main entrance, I told SS how I missed the smell of the sea air, albeit the one we were inhaling was a wee bit smelly…

We had our lunch, walked around a bit and headed back. I dropped SS at her place and drove back to the hotel. And yeay! I managed to find it on my own. He he he… not so bad for a tourist, eh?

It’s just a little more than 6pm now. I’m wondering what I should eat for dinner. I don’t feel like going out or going down to the coffee house. The room service menu is not that interesting, but I think I’ll have the Club Sandwich. No good show on TV, I guess it’ll be a boring night…

6:27pm

The sandwich ordered, and my lenses are out. And guess what? I’ve plans for tonight. First, I’m going to devour my sandwiches and fries with carrot juice. Then, I shall relax for about an hour or so, just doing absolutely nothing. After that, I shall fill up the tub with water and bubble. I will then soak myself while reading (re-read, again) either Digital Fortress or The Da Vinci Code, both by Dan Brown. After which I shall wash my hair. Finishing that, I shall have an early night. Sounds good?

Later this week, I might indulge myself with a session of Luxurious Javanese Lulur provided by the hotel. Hmmm… not so far out from my day dream the other day…

Aaahhh… my food is here…

Another Day

There was this one movie starring Jennifer Aniston where her character exclaimed in a heated argument: Relationship is about choosing one person and making the best out of it.

Have you ever wonder how in every movie or drama series, the writers keep coming out with brilliant captions and exclamations? You might say they are selling it, commercialising it. It's true they are doing that. They'll even get awards for best script writing, best storyline, don't they?

Commercialism aside, and we can learn from these brilliant lines.

How difficult it is actually to pick just one beautiful grass at the field, sticking to it and not look at another? Can you confidently tell me that you can go out there on the field, and find the most beautiful grass and bring it back? The only catch is, once you have gone pass one beautiful grass, you cannot go back.

That, I borrowed from an email I received today.

I just feel like babbling today. Because I'm a bit woo-woo today. So bear with me.

I was listening to Celine Dion this morning. Her song, "Treat Her Like A Lady" has this verse in it: Treat her like a lady, You'll make a good girl crazy if you don't treat her like a lady. This is also true.

You see, I was one. I would say, now I am not such a good girl anymore. Because I'm suspicious, not easily trusting, not easily pleased. To say that I like being this way would be a lie. It's tiring to be suspicious and not trusting. But to not to be is affirmatively dangerous for my well being. Thus I shall quote the famous, To be or not to be, that's the question.

Honestly, it's not easy to just pick one grass and be happy with it. The problem lies with the ability to trust. On top of that, I do not know how to care and hold back half way. Damn difficult, I tell you.

I guess, when the time comes and the right person comes along, you would be able to choose and stick to it to make the best of it. Be that as it may, the right person might already be in front of you all the time, but you never want to admit it.

So, what I'm trying to say is, rejoice on the now and make the best of it. You never know what the future has in store for you. Best things come to those who wait, they say. And I still reverently believe in that.

ps: sometimes I wonder... these people who came out with all these beautiful and meaningful quotes and lines... Did they actually believed in what they said or they were just saying it...?

Come and Get Me - Part 2

It took me some time to collect more facts to continue the second part of my hearty rendition on how to court the genteel other half. (Read Part 1)

1. You are not the Hare and I am not the Tortoise
Remember that there is no competition between the two of us. If I do better in something, you don't have to go head-to-head trying to prove that you can do much better. Accept that there are things that your lady can do as well, if not better. We should strive to be the best together; after all we are a TEAM. We should learn from each other. If your girl gets to go out more to have night caps with her friends and you can't; that does not mean you're less a man to her. Duh.

2. You already have a Mother
Enough said. No, wait, you won't understand that. What this means is that, don't expect your other half to baby you all the time. She's is your partner, thus lamenting how cruel the world is to you day-in, day-out is not acceptable. You after all, should be her protector and, ehem, saviour, so to speak. BUT this does not mean she does not expect you to share your fears and worries with her. There is a line between partnering and mothering.

NOTE: To those whose Mommy has gone to better place, it is still applicable, sorry about that...

3. Take care of your CAR
Don't act surprise. Some of the gents out there do not take good care of their car. At worst they can be worse than women. I kid you not. Their excuse is that the machine does its job by taking them from point A to point B. This is not a commendable action. She can ride a motor kapchai with you, but not a JUNK.

On this note also, yes we expect you to do the plumbing even when we know we can do it ourselves. Yes, we want you to replace that burnt bulb. Yes, do wash our cars when you wash yours. Hey... we put your laundry in the washing machine, didn't we? And probably fold it too. You get the drift...

4. Don't be absent for a year...
... then tell her that you love her and you realise she is better than your long term girlfriend (whom you're still sleeping with, by the way). Even if she does have feelings for you, she really does not know whether to feel happy or insulted. Besides, if you really love her, shouldn't you have ended it with your girlfriend first before approaching her? A real man would do that. Otherwise, it looks as if you're playing it safe. I wouldn't say a wimp exactly, but... well, you get the idea.

5. Above all...
... what we, ladies, really want is for you to care. Call and ask how our day was. When we come back home late and could not prepare your bed time milk, maybe you should just make it yourself. Or if we say that our body is aching, surprise us with a voucher for spa treatment. We are essentially simple creatures. We just want you to care. We might be super women at work or mighty moms to the kids or greatest girlfriends. In a nutshell, we are still women who want our men to be men. Oh, when we say we love you, we really do. It does not matter if we're earning more than you or you're shorter than us. He he he... We have agreed to commit to you, it means, we want to grow old with you.


Okay lah. I shall end the list here. I'm not an expert, just my two sen to share with you. Hope it's useful. And no, this is not meant for debate topic (you'd lose anyway, so why bother, eh? He he he...).

I'm Your Lady

Okay, I confess. I am in my romantic mood these days. Do enjoy this next song selection. And the pictures from my favourite TV show... (Pictures courtesy of ABC.com)

Lady
Lionel Richie

Lady, I’m your knight in shining armor and I love you
You have made me what I am and I am yours
My love, there’s so many ways I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more

You have gone and made me such a fool
I'm so lost in your love
And oh, we belong together
Won't you believe in my song?


Lady, for so many years I thought I’d never find you
You have come into my life and made me whole
Forever let me wake to see you each and every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear

In my eyes I see no one else but you
There’s no other love like our love
And yes, oh yes, I’ll always want you near me
I’ve waited for you for so long


Lady, your love’s the only love I need
And beside me is where I want you to be
’cause, my love, there’s somethin’ I want you to know
You’re the love of my life, you’re my lady

On the side...

I am a Chocolate Cake

Fun, comforting, and friendly. I am a true classic, and while I'm not super cutting edge, I'm of high quality. People love my company - and have even been known to get addicted to me...

What Kind of Cake Are You?

Ain't Enough...

I also like the duet version. Very nice. And so true... Isk...

Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough
Patty Smyth

Now, I don't want to lose you
but I don't want to use you
Just to have somebody by my side
And I don't want to hate you,
I don't want to take you
but I don't want to be the one to cry

And that don't really matter to anyone anymore

But like a fool I keep losing my place
and I keep seeing you walk through that door

But there's a danger in loving somebody too much,
and it's sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust
There's a reason why people don't stay where they are
Baby, sometimes, love just aint enough

Now, I could never change you
I don't want to blame you
Baby, you don't have to take the fall
Yes, I may have hurt you
but I did not desert you
Maybe I just want to have it all

It makes a sound like thunder
it makes me feel like rain
And like a fool who will never see the truth
I keep thinking something's gonna change

But there's a danger in loving somebody too much,
and it's sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust
There's a reason why people don't stay where they are
Baby, sometimes, love just aint enough

And there's no way home
when it's late at night and you're all alone
Are there things that you wanted to say?
And do you feel me beside you in your bed
there beside you
where I used to lay?

And there's a danger in loving somebody too much
and it's sad when you know it's your heart they can't touch
There's a reason why people don't stay who they are
Baby, sometimes, love just ain't enough

Baby, sometimes, love... it just ain't enough
Oh, Oh, Oh, No

Relief

Two hours pause for relaxation.

She said my shoulder muscles were stiff. I agreed and told her that so were my legs and feet. She said not to worry because she will take care of them for me.

I was at BodhiSense this morning for an emergency massage session. I woke up feeling nauseated and my whole body was aching. I knew that I was due for "body service"; as the women in our family would call it, for a long time now. I wanted to wait until we go back to Malacca, and visit Ngah Piah for an intensive session.

(Ngah Piah, by the way, is our very own nenek kebayan. She lives with her husband (who massages the male species). Why I deemed her as such? Because their house is behind tall bushes and trees, albeit it's not far from the main road. She has very strong hands for her age, and they do wonders to your aching muscle. She also has potions and pills kept in a glass cabinet in the room dedicated for massage session.)

Anyway, I endured the stabbing pain that I felt at times, when the masseuse was trying to unknot the muscle. I didn't realise that my body was very, very tired. Well it wasn't as if I was carrying heavy things or did manual labour, right? But I attribute all of it to intense emotional and mental pressure that I have had to endure in silence. He he he... Melodramatic pulak.

I asked for Special Aromatherapy Massage with Ginger oil. And I'm testifying that it's currently doing wonders to my internal system. I would say that the thinker's room is my best friend for today.

Kahn, the masseuse, said that I should come again next week and the following week. And then she said I should come regularly once a month. Now... where have I heard that before? Heh!

What I need most now is actually candle-lit warm bubble bath with Kenny G playing in the background. And a hot date on his way over to whisk me away for an equally hot weekend getaway somewhere far away that no mobile signal is available. Most likely with his own private jet waiting for us to arrive in a long black shiny limo.

Heh! Keep on dreaming Jade. Going by this rate, the only thing that can be accomplished is the first sentence. Even that, I have to book a room in a hotel somewhere... Hmmm...

Chaotic

Mak called me around 4:30pm yesterday. My Pak Ngah was admitted to IJN. Again. All three brothers, Pak Ngah, Pak Lang and Abah have heart condition. Pak Ngah has a tube or something around his heart, Pak Lang had a bypass years ago and Abah refused to be on the OR table, is sticking to medication. All three of them smoked ciggarettes. Only Pak Lang stopped.

What is it with men and their stubbornness? Two of my three brothers are smokers, the third one stopped out of love for his girlfriend. He's been free of tar for six months now. I hope it sticks. And I sincerely hope the other two will also quit. All my male cousins smoke. Basically the male in my family are dragons.

I just don't get it. Living proof is around them, and yet, they just could not care less!

In his defense, Pak Ngah said the cause of yesterday's episode was because his two year old grandson jumped on him. As in literally gedebuk on his chest. Twice. Even the doctor didn't say anything when Pak Ngah answered that yes, he smokes. You see, he was admitted last month as well.

I don't know. I just don't know what to say anymore. I'm angry with them. The men in my family. Don't they care about other people? They just keep on puffing the smoke day in, day out. I'm sad because out of male stupidity and ego, they just don't want to take the right step.

Don't tell me it's too late to stop. Or too difficult to stop. If other people can, why can't you? Damn! I hate being angry. I hate seeing older people intubated with tubes and what nots. But they don't care, don't they? They are willing to admit that God sent reminders to them every now and then that their contract is expiring, but hey, they are basically smoking int God's grace probably?

Damn.

To all smokers out there, if you don't care about anything else, the global warming or the air pollution, think about your loved ones, your wives, husbands, kids, parents, siblings, girlfriends, boyfriends, friends. Think about how they will look like when they see you gasping for air, when they watch you breathe your last breath, when you lie there on the bed still as a log, getting colder by the second. Think about them living their remaining life without you because you chose to waste precious remaining years you could've spent together.

Yes, this post is with anger. So, deal.

Aglio Olio ala Jade

He he he... Suka2 jer bagi nama eh...? Anyway, this is how I prepared my Aglio Olio...

Bahan2 A
========
Chicken or prawns as much as you want
Red chili flakes (if you normally ordered Dominos Pizza.. you'd have some chili flakes with you already; that is if you haven't eaten them all...)
Garlic (lots of 'em... about 8-10 cloves, depending on the size of your chicken/prawns) - crushed
Olive Oil
Salt to taste
Italian herbs (I bought this in a bottle from the supermarket. It already has a combination of basil, dill and thyme)

Bahan2 B
========
Angel Hair Pasta (boiled and dried)
Garlic 4-5 cloves - crushed
Olive Oil
Fresh Basil Leave (boleh potong atau biar sekeping2 macam tuh, asal boleh kunyah...)
Italian herbs (same as above)
Parsley (get the one in bottle too)
Crushed pepper
Salt to taste

As you've guessed it I supposed, I cheated with the bottled herbs. Fresh herbs are preferred, but well. I'm sure the Italians can forgive me for it. Or not? He he he...

1. First, combine all A ingredients in a bowl. Mix and mix. Stir and stir.
2. Heat the pan. Put everything in the bowl into the pan. Half them if your pan is small (like mine) and the mixture is huge. If you're using prawns, fry until they are salmon-coloured. If it's chicken, then until it's white. Don't over fry (is there such term by the way?) because then they will lose the juiciness. Once done, take them out and put it aside.
3. Using the same pan, heat the oil, throw in garlic, low fire, you don't want them to turn black... Golden is just nice although half cooked is preferred.
4. Put in the herbs, and pepper and salt. Do not leave it too long before you put some water in. Remember, this is a halal recipe, so use water or if you're diligent enough to run around for white wine substitute, please do so. Put just enough so that the pasta will be covered nicely.
5. Put the pasta in. Followed by the fresh basil. Mix and stir gently. Wooden spatula is preferred as opposed to metal. One, because you won't crush your pasta and two, well... it's au natural, eh...
6. Essentially, you're done. Serve the pasta with grated cheese on top and the Bahan2 A mixture at the side/top. OR... you can do what I did, mix the whole lot together in the pan if serving many people. Put in a large serving dish. Grate a truck load of cheese. Cut some fresh cherry tomatoes and pour on top of the serving.
   
   But if you're cooking for two or four then maybe you would want to get a little more creative on the presentation, eh?
   

Now, you can be adventurous and add other ingredients to Bahan2 B. Like capsicum for example. Remember, cooking is not just about the taste, it's also about presentation. So mix different colours of capsicum; red, green and yellow.

Also, aglio olio is a simple dish. What it needs most is olive oil, garlic, salt and some herbs. Be adventurous, but don't lose the originality of the dish.

You can also prepare a simple salad as a side dish. I made a "cherry tomato with onion" salad. A little olive oil and salt. Mix together. And you can toast (or not) crusty bread. Here again, either plain or with garlic spread (from the supermarket again...). The bread is for you to wipe the plate clean off the oil and gravy. Just yummy!!

Pictures@PotLuck

We had satay, and look at the beautiful brownies!! Ooohhh... bottom left is my tomato salad...

KFC, doughnuts, whipped potato and some kuih muih

My Aglio Olio. Spicy prawn and chicken; although it was not as pedas as I wanted it to be. Maybe next time I should put cili api, eh..?

Kak Teh's birthday cake. Chocolate Indulgence. We definitely indulged ourselves too much!

The celebrity. Aper yang you tunjuk tu Kak Teh? And note that plates were empty...

The Happy Over-indulged People!

We definitely had fun that day. Food was ample and finger licking good (pun intended!). Company was excellence. Topics were hot and juicy. Ambiance was warm, cozy and inviting. There were positive vibes all around. Some had to go back to work after the makan-makan. Some went back to sleep. Some hoped they won't fall asleep while driving!

May we have more gatherings and happy times together. May we always enjoy each other and laugh together.