it's independence day

....and all I could blog about is this: No whitewashing here. I am proud to be Malaysian, and my late grandfather played an integral part in the establishment of UMNO - he was the late Onn Jaafar's loyal sidekick. (Saya true blue Johorean yang amat berbangga dengan our Founding Fathers). Alamak, let me correct that statement, bukan true blue la because Mummy is Kuching-ite.

But the state of affairs that UMNO is in, let's not talk about UMNO lah, the sorry state of affair of this current administration - I'd rather talk about the following pics rather than dwell on something that dampens my Merdeka spirit...

Hmm... I wonder what this is...

Ta-dah! Wah.. who is the proud owner of this limited edition once-in-a-lifetime, earth-moving, riot-inducing Anya Hindmarch "green" bag??????
AKAK!!!!!
And by the way, something to match the silver Gucci purse I bought last year...

And to all who wants a good dose of Merdeka Magic, Yayasan Warisan Johor will be presenting Bahtera Merdeka (1-4 September), a musical theatre held at PWTC's Dewan Tun Razak 1 - with Ramli Sarip, Dato' Rahim Razali (my hottie), Aishah and only on the 1st of September who else but King of Taib Andak - Mr Mawi himself. (barf).

The YWJ dancers are a talented lot, y'all. And I think the show is free. Those who wanna go can text me at my mobile (I'm assuming the readers of this blog are all my friends who've got my number). I have a feeling like I will be forced to attend like last year's Balada Sang Adiputera show so if you wanna go with me you're also most welcome.

And finally, Happy Independence Day Malaysia. Where all are free to roam the streets and buy bags without fear or favour. Heheh.

i'm so kenyang!

2 days in JB is enough to make me gain back the weight i had lost. For the past few months I've been eating only ONE big meal a day. The rest are small meals (ie. half a portion of a normal meal). Not because I'm on a strict diet but I'm just so used to that routine.

Strangely my friends, whenever I'm in KL, I don't really feel like bingeing. But in JB, oh it must be something in the air, my appetite is easily aroused (appetite for food that is, dont get any weird ideas). Among the items in my most recent southern culinary business trip include:

1. Lontong Kering somewhere near the bomba in Larkin. Kering and basah, i love em both baby.
2. Nasi Lemak Bungkus - ze authentic Johor version cooked with halba. Ok this one was actually served during our meeting and it was so distracting because it's so GOOD!
3. Kacang Pool Haji (they have a website!) at Selera Johor - drool drool!!! One of my faves of all time!!!! siapa tak tahu kacang pool/pol raise your hands! It's the melayu version of chilli con carne, served with an egg sunny side up, diced raw onion and green chillies sprinkled on top and a THICK piece of buttered toast to go with it.
4. Asam Pedas at Tasek Utara. Just like my grandma makes it.
5. Majid Murtabak, Larkin Perdana. Heavenly.

Didn't have time to go to my compulsory ikan bakar dinner at Tip Top, though. Next time!

And now I'm back in KL, still stuffed. And I actually tapaued some murtabak (i was quite paranoid that it will exude its aroma on the airplane but thank god it didn't) which I ate just now before I started writing this... and lookie at what time it is now. Haiyo. How to digest la?

I actually have more to write on my JB trip but being so full at this hour has resulted in some kind of lulling lethargy that automatically switches my brain cells to hibernate mode.

Good nite all.

i only do old and unattractive

Tired, knackered, pooped, fatigued, run-down.

I just got back from Nilai 3, yes you heard it right the first time. Nilai 3. Where busloads of rombongan cik kiah flock hundreds of shops selling all sorts of things from carpets to wedding paraphernalia to electrical items. Don't ask me why I was there. All I can tell you is that this is hari raya-related and this is supposed to elevate my financial situation a bit come Aidilfitri. 'Nuff said.

On a more leisurely note, I went to the Mont Kiara Jazz Fest on Friday night since a friend has a table reserved at Chakri Palace. (Note: I won't go if there are no reserved tables ok, sorry la. I really need the comfort and peace of mind when I watch any live performances ) The first session for the nite was Arthur Kam & Vitalique - they were quite cool. Sheila Majid came out at 11pm which was the second session.

Here's my love-hate thing about Sheila Majid.

I find her somewhat annoying IN SOME WAYS. First, her voice is so-so. Ordinarily so-so. Oklah better than mine la kan, but I dunno...she just came out at the right time I guess. Second, everyone keeps referring to her as Ratu Jazz Malaysia. WTF. Although she does sing some jazz numbers in her live shows, she is so bloody commercial pop. Tapi kasi can lah kan... like I said, she came out at the right time - when Malaysia was devoid of any exclusive, jazzish, female singer. Huh, mampus gue if Sheila Majid baca blog ni. Perasan.

However ladies n gents, she's got a lotta good evergreen songs that have been my personal favourite la since the day she came out with that Dimensi Baru album. And I think I have almost all of her albums save for the later ones. Tak malu kan. Y'all might say, tadi kutuk-kutuk, now I'm gushing over her songs. No doubt, her songs are phenomenal la.

Oh one more thing before I forget. At the Jazz Fest I was introduced by Hani to this really amazingly hot guy. He's tall, slim, fair, 40 (oh, the perfect age to be when you're a guy), bespectacled and a freaking LAWYER. Gasp. He looks pan-asianish - a mix between a typical iranian and zinadine zidane. His first name sounds like my last name. Written in the stars kot. Let's just call him Z and here's an amusing anecdote. We started chatting and then I realized he's got a bit of an Indian twang in his speech. And when I asked of his suku sakat he said "I'm very much Indian". And being the very bad liar that I am, I suddenly paused and had that ???? looked on my face. "But your last name doesn't sound Indian at all." He gave a megawatt smile and said, "Why? Never dated an Indian man before? Are you being racist?" I quickly retorted, "Hhrmph! You lawyers are all so defensive!" To which he replied, "Offense is the best form of defense!"

Lawyers.

I heaved a sigh of relief when later I was told that he IS in fact a Muslim. A bit of consolation probably?

Z's last words to me were, "Email ya, email..." as he rushed off with this boss. He's based in Singapore okay, in case you guys are wondering apasal pulak dia suruh e-mail ni, apasal tak boleh have coffee ke, lunch ke. And he might be coming for next week's Jazz Fest show too.

Here's the thing, I find him too good looking to talk to. I'm not lying ok, he is so super super super super good looking. Next time I should take a picture of him - he looks like he just stepped out of GQ magazine (hyperventilate). I just feel like saying, "Can I just look at you and not say a word? And please don't ever open your mouth because as soon as your Indian slang comes out, akak macam turn off."

Hani has booked a table for us 1 September, and Z might be coming again. And I'm invited again. But honestly, Z is only as good as he looks. There's no heart-skipping-a-beat moment like with you know who la kan. Or maybe I'm just attracted to unattractive old men with sexy protruding bellies after all.

Does that last sentence just made me sound like a sicko?

laundry and the apartment, not literally tho

When the world's crumbling down on you, gather a few friends and have these:The effect that cupcakes have on me is just amazing. I mean, they're not exactly the nicest thing to eat (cloyingly sweet and this one's a bit dry) but I look at them I go awwww... and all cares in this world seem to vanish into thin air.

Had a lovely time at Italianni's/Laundry and The Apartment last nite with the disgruntled and dysfunctional bunch ie. the NSSC members (hehehe....) Hey, that includes me la wei. A tip: next time y'all go to the Apartment ask for a waiter by the name of Michael (from Nigeria). haha! Read Spena's rendition of last nite here.

And no man right now can make me smile like this...

as I see it...

Looks like I haven't really moved up the financial ladder after all...

In 1998

1. Personal Care / Makeup
   I go for facials every month, and used either Chanel or Origins. I have a stylist in one of the KLCC hair salons.


2. Wardrobe
   Nothing less than anything at Isetan or Tangs. And I could afford Sonny San, Zang Toi and Edmund Ser. And at times Marks & Spencer.


3. Bags
   I could afford original brands. In fact I had an original Gucci leather organiser in college.


4. Wining (and Whining) & Dining
   Can go lepak at Bangsar every night. Restaurant hopping from Wagamama to Manja. Ah.. those were the days.


5. My Ride
   I drove a maroon Honda CRV to work - ok lah it's my dad's but come to think of it, I should be driving a CRV now. And it should be MINE.

In 2007

1. Personal Care / Makeup
   My facial cleanser ranges from Body Shop to ermm... (malu nak cakap).. Garnier. And don't ask me when was the last time I went for a facial. Don't ever.


2. Wardrobe
   I'd rather not say where I buy my clothes. This one is a trade secret wei, habisla bocor rahsia aku punya baju yang ala-ala Pucci tu. But my current crush is Uluwatu at The Curve, I've been there only 3 times but everytime I go it's a must-buy, so I have 3 gorgeous Uluwatu tops!


3. Bags
   I'm guilty as hell for buying fakes. Hrmmph. Why did I ever discover Holiday Plaza? But then because I'm so used to having originals last time, some people still think some of my Guccis, Fendis and Coaches are real.


4. Wining & Dining
   Can only splurge in fancy meals once a week. And my idea of an Italian dinner is Suzi's Corner RM6.50 pastas. Eh don't mess, the vongole sauce is da bomb OK.


5. My Ride
   Like any other true blue Malaysian, I have a Proton Waja. Huh. But it's OK, not complaining. At least it's mine. All mine.

But I thank God for 3 wonderful kids and a bunch of fabulous friends (from the office, from my uni days at the States and also from STF) that I've made throughout my life. I thank God for still being able to love unconditionally and be loved in return. I thank the Almighty for all that and wouldn't change anything in my life right now even though it's a big fat mess. I've finally learned to say Alhamdulillah in whatever situation that I'm facing right now. Every cloud has a silver lining, and after more than 3 decades of living and breathing on this earth I've finally understood the real meaning of that.

Entah kenapa, akak teremo pulak tonight. Must be the Damien Rice effect. Too
much. Too much.

a mersing escapade

Our team won the Futsal tourney - miraculous. unbelievable. whatmorecanisay.

Lay-dees and gents, right now I'm snuggling under the comforter at Havanita Hotel, in the quaint little town of Mersing while typing this. In case you're wondering - why Mersing? Has she gone cuckoo and just picked up a random town in Malaysia to run away to? No darlings, I'm here for the SAJ Sports Carnival - arrived yesterday late afternoon after 4 hours of driving from KL. And why am I at SAJ's event - because it's a subsidiary company of the company I'm working in, you silly. Anyways, our team won the Futsal this morning. Had a blast last nite lepaking at Monsoon (the pub at Havanita) and then karaoke-ing at their Fantasia KTV (sounds corny kan? their logo is uncannily like AF's - maybe catering to AF participants wannabes kot). Visit my Multiply for the piccies.

In the meantime, I'm going out for tea - that means freshly fried keropok lekor that's crispy on the outside yet moist and gebu on the inside... by the beach!

Layta, sistas.

merajuk... but still happy

Inspired by Cosmic Gurl's entry on being a tad bit emo.

Merajuk. There is no English equivalent to that word. At least I could never find it, maybe there is after all. I always use upset, dismayed, fussed, maybe the closest is hurt. But hurt is too strong a word I think. Hurt is not merajuk. Merajuk is merajuk.

I once told someone, after a full argument in English, "I dah merajuk FOREVER dengan you." To which he replied, "I know."

For me the definition of merajuk is when you have a mix of hurt/upset/anger (plus a teeny weeny bit of mengada-ngada thrown in) and you expect to be comforted.

Any cunning linguists out there who can offer me an English definition?

p/s: I tak merajuk ok today, this topic just suddenly came to mind. Still basking in the afterglow :)
pp/s: I just had a waffle with vanilla ice cream at Suzi's Corner. And I'm so damn sleepy and will sleep on a full stomach. I will not wake up feeling good tomorrow.

in limbo

I've got three power point files - CSR, sewerage presentation (yes darlings, you heard it right, as in the wastewater carried away in sewers putting it mildly), corporate presentation, to finish by end of today and here I am tapping away at the keyboard doing this. Why? Because I'm happy tapi tak happy. With the dysfunctional label permanently branded on my forehead, this is expected la kan.

Tak happy because:

1. Work is sucking the life out of me - at last nite's MCKK Cagers and STF Dynamites dinner I was yawning the night away and it was only 9:30 pm. Aaah.. how aging creeps up on you.
   
2. I have to go to Mersing on Friday for a subsidiary company sports carnival. (Cry!!!) I'm still trying to talk my way out of this one. Please keep your fingers crossed. (Tu la, siapa suruh awak kerja corp comm kan?)
   
3. My schedule very de off today - supposed to meet some friends, got cancelled, supposed to do a photoshoot, got postponed... and my desk is a freaking MESS I need someone to help me spring clean!

I am so very happy because:

1. Someone who just recently got her Mini Cooper today treated us at The Apartment :) Merci beaucoup ZZ.


2. I get to indulge in the Strawberry Mint Parfait:


3. Adalah! (smile)

jazzy the grouch

On Thursday, I could call you names so foul, I'd have to gargle my mouth with bleach

I don't know what it is but I've been experiencing a very perangai celaka / temporary insanity streak since last Thursday. And I can't really be blaming it on PMS all the time can I?

All explanations aside, I want to take this opportunity to apologize to whomever that I've hurled insults at be it verbally or in text messages (don't keep it in your mailbox, you'll only hurt yourself by doing that) during the past 4 days or so.

On Friday, I didn't give a rat's ass if you're tired or confused or hurt or whatever. It's your life, and you chose to live it that way. So scram!

Every now and then I do this y'know, be a major beeyatch and then realize that I'm just wasting my energy being a beeyatch. Why? Because I'm not really a full-fledge beeyatch and when I say horrible things that I don't mean, in the end I will feel bad about saying it in the first place. But I didn't say I regretted la saying all that, it's just I could've said it in a nicer manner. A less celaka manner :)

But then again, this time it's a bit mild la. You shouldn't be here to watch when I'm in my fist-of-fury mood. I'm not much of a screamer, but when I say something nasty it will hurt you like paper cuts on your eyes.

Today, I'm your angelcakes once again...

So now who wants to buy me a cuppacake at The Apartment?
Nope, I'm not suffering from any form of bipolar disorder.

lip service (trouble sleeping part II)

If you want to have a phone conversation with someone, please act like you WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION la. Don't ask me some courtesy questions that really sound so unsincere - let's just get this conversation moving in whatever shape or form that it's taking. If you can't talk to me, say la... hey I gotta go pee, i'm with a client, or call me later or whatever. My heart's not gonna break if you do that. You still wanna hang on the line for what?? Listen to me breathe??? I feel like disemboweling this someone(s) everytime I get these questions:

1. So what have you been doing all day?

Jo, aku kat ofis la. Aku bukan kat fun fair. Can I say, "Phew, I just finished giving 10 bl*w jobs!"

2. Fever?

When I say I'm not well, that doesn't mean that I have FEVER. Do you know that there are OTHER afflictions/diseases in this world?

3. Dah makan?

You ask me this at midnight. I just feel like saying, "Baru je lepas melantak. I like to sleep on a full stomach and let my food digest while I dream of going to the gym"

4. Did I wake you?

It's 3:15 in the morning and I'm not a 19 year-old. Even if I was 19 I'd probably be asleep if its a freaking WEEKNIGHT!!!

5. You will get through this...

Get yourself another cliche, please. I hear that from you ONE MORE TIME,...!!!!! argghhh...

trouble sleeping

hola people. This weekend was cool. Didn't do much but time flies fast so that's good. In fact, it's all good :) Had a bbq cookout just now - ya, I know... bbq again??? Sampai guard kg warisan tu cakap kat meandmylife "Selalu ek, party-party." Hee hee. It was kindof a pot luck thingy - I just prepared the lamb chops (what else), steaks and chicken. The gurls brought creme caramel (thanks ita!), mihun goreng (fewittt.. meandmylife) and some lovely dadih with nata de coco in it (sedap suze, where did you get those?). Piccies at my Multiply, as usual. But please excuse the pics ya cuz it was freaking RAINING the whole time. URGHS.

I'm having trouble sleeping (could it be i'm suffering, because i'll never give in, won't say that i'm falling in love - as ms corinne bailey rae sings) again.

Ini semua gara-gara wicked witch of the East. Puek betul!

macam real

Yours truly in vintage Bill Keith, bought when Bill Keith was still affordable

So last nite was the much anticipated (by whom ya?) STF-SDAR-STAR dinner at Putrajaya Convention Center. I had a long day at work, with a meeting at MWA in Hartamas at 3 pm and the chairman who wouldn't let me leave without eating the goreng pisang and kopi O. Dahla bad hair day, frizzy nak mampus and of course, as usual I didn't have time to do my hair. The last time I did my hair for an event was our company annual dinner like, what, 3 years ago! That's how pathetic I am.

It was really nothing to shout about la. VIPs were the DPM (i took an up close and personal shot of him) and wifey, Hishamudin and wifey, (whom i thot looked like paris hilton), Awang Adek etc. Some surreal experiences:

1. There were a tad too many white-haired guys and I mean, ancient ancient ancient grandpapa types. I thought I like older men, but this is overkill.

2. A STAR/SDAR guy mistook me for my senior who is like 5 years older than me!!!! Urgh.

3. STF superseniors are super cool. They can dance on the stage with M Nasir and boogie the night away. I just didn't have the vibe for that last nite - I had more vibes with the kugiran at Daisy's wedding.

4. An unnamed senior asked"single lagi ke?" sebab dia nak matchmake kan dengan bapak budak SDAR. Wot????

5. M Nasir is HOT. Everytime i watch him perform, met him in real life i get weak in the knees. Every single time. Funny thing is when he's on TV macam tak teringin pulak nak tengok.

6. Dalina, Rina (!!!) and I got picked up by atok2 dari SDAR during our cig break. Hahahahah!!!
"One more for the road, ladies?" Kan Dalie kan?

I need more excitement than this.

save yourself, save the world!

Since most of my blog readers are mostly (hot) ladies, some available, some not... some Not-So-Single (i don't quite get what that means actually)... I have an experiment for you to try.

See, I've started using my own environmental bags when I do grocery shopping since about a few months back. Yes I'm trying to save the world in my own miniscule way. So far, I've always had guys who are in the queue at the cashier making remarks about how "cool" it is to do BYOBags and sometimes they will like, ahem, chat me up and things like that. Tapi kan, akak dah not in the market so akak tak pursue any further la. Sorry. (eh.. kenapa eh akak not in the market..??? heheheh. Now THAT is another posting altogether. Tapi mungkinkah akak akan kembali in the market?? Geez I'm digressing...)

Just two weeks ago, on a Saturday at Jusco, not one but TWO guys actually made remarks about my bags and how he wishes that "everyone would be like you, oh the world will be a better place". Spare me the saccharine-sweet "sincerity" la brader. The other elderly guy (40ish) went - "nice bag, where do you work? where do you stay?" errr.. so irrelevant la kan to saving the environment.

Why don't you guys participate in this little social experiment of mine? Bring your own bags for groceries, and see if you get chatted up. But don't la go to Bangsar Village or Cold Storage - you won't be the only hot chick carrying environmental bags. Hee hee. Try Giant, Carrefour or Jusco - the less sophisticated ones. See how many hot guys you can score. Betul! Cuba, jgn tak cuba!

So I'm thinking... if going "green" is one of the ways to pick up strangers, so be it. You're doing a lot of good for yourself (who knows you might land a smart and sexy guy who's also into saving the environment) and Mother Earth.

GO GREEN!

trifle-making with little elves

For full recipe, click here.Mula-mula, take Kitchen Elf No 2 to buy ingredients at Jusco.

Make sure they don't kill each other in the car while driving home. Kitchen Elf No 1 is a gentle soul, he always gets beat up by No 2.

No 1 has escaped to his lair, while No 3 plays with toy truck hoping that he can steal some bananas. No 2 is all hyped because "I buat twifle.. twifleeee"

No 3 shows his interest in the banana-laying. While No 2 starts to become agitated and territorial, "It's MYYYYY twifleeeee!!!!"

The Bibik took No 3 away for fear of being scalded with hot custard by his clumsy mummy. No 2 popped a big juicy piece of strawberry while I wasn't looking. Caught red handed in this pic!

No 2 hid her head under the table sebab terasa guilty mencilok strawberry itu.

Yeah they will lick clean whatever bowl that I mix anything in. Licin la my custard periuk.


PUMP IT! Somehow this particular brand of whip cream's nozzle is so keras and have to use full force to pump it. Very unsexy for usage in bed (hahah!) so avoid this particular brand ya people, for those planning for that li'l somethin somethin.

My very limited artistic ability, plus I had to do this quick before No 3 comes over and smoosh everything up.

DONE! Phew! After that I happy-binged at Nirwana banana leaf, Bangsar with Ayu :)

my secret garden

Sunflower looking down on me, with Sri Maya (the cause of my asthma) at the background

I won't take credit for this sunflower, because it wasn't planted by me :P It does however, mark the border between my secret vegetable garden and the rest of the plants planted by the apartment's maintenance Bangla. I love my apartment because it has its own veggie garden tended by the that same Bangla, and in addition, all around the compound there are like more than 30 lemongrass shrubs and pandan shrubs. Siapa nak masak rendang or pandan chicken, you know where to get your ingredients for free, eh?

While some people who know me shrug in disbelief when I tell them that I like gardening, I do have a penchant for growing vegetables. Not fruit trees, not flower plants, not ornamental shrubs .... but vegetables. This craziness started when I was in Standard 5. There was a "Taman Sains" in my primary school, and there were plots of lands available for students to plant their own whatever that they want to plant lah. I remembered planting okra, mustard greens, brinjals, and some other vegetables. I will religiously go there every morning before school actually start (macam rubber tapper) - play with my buddies at the Taman Sains (huyoo.. kitorang main V tau - ingat tak the TV series "V"?? I think it had a cult following in the 80s!!!) while tending to my vegetable plots.

My grandma did have her own HUGE vegetable garden at her backyard. When it comes to veggies, she's completely self sufficient. She had all sorts of herbs as well - daun selaseh, kesum, mint leaves, and all the exotic stuff for her jamu - she has normal veggies like sawi and spinach and she also has kuchai, long beans, tomatoes... whatever veggie that you can get in a mini market, she's got it.

My fingers kan, boleh tahan green jugak la. When I was studying in the States, my housemate had some seeds of this plant that I cannot write the name here for fear of being imprisoned. I took a handful and planted it at our backyard in winter. Spring came, and the plant flourished!!! Yessirree, we had our very own Bob Marley's favourite vegetable growing at our backyard. It became a centerpiece / talking point for our backyard bbqs. And no, I did not make any money out of that darn plant.

So this is my take on my very own veggie plot (credit goes to my bibik la...heheheeh):
Don't let its looks deceive you, I've got okras, papaya tree (I love the young leaves, blanched), cucumbers, tomatoes, long beans, cili padi, baby bitter gourds (it's so unbitter and it's my almost daily ulam), daun cekur, turmeric, ginger...

Crunchy young cucumber... all green and best of all ORGANIC ok! No chemicals, no pesticides. Bottom right is the daun cekur which only my bibik use. I know I can use it when making urap but then again, do I have time to make that???

I love okras - blanch them in boiling water and dip 'em with Sambal Asam (recipe to be added on my recipe blog soon...tee hee).

So there, I know some of you are shaking your head if utter disbelief... Domesticated jugak perempuan Melayu terakhir ni... heheheh.... See, I told you I'm a holistic person :)

the battle begins

Do you know how good it feels to finally be able to say:

"Talk to my lawyer!"

Although I'm RM1,000 poorer (just to open a file) - it's the most worthwhile thing that I've every spent my money on. I'm glad I did it, hired a lawyer. Well, I will file for fasakh (anullment) and according to her i've got good grounds. Let's hope this works.

It's an overwhelming thing, this, in spite of me seeming to taking it lightly, at least in this blog. Emotionally I am completely drained. Physically, my skin is acting up due to the stress. My hair's all frizzy and oh, because of the lawyer's fee yang 4 years ago cost only RM500 to open your file and now it's DOUBLED, akak tak jadi buat streaks. At least not this month. Takpelah, no streaks, but I got me a darn Lawyer!