Bye bye 2007...

Bring on 2008

2007 has been good to us. There have been many ups and downs but on the whole, I think it's been a great year. The highlight for this year was having my parents come down to visit us. My parents have not been in the greatest of health but they are getting better. Although it was a short trip, it was good to have my parents get the chance to finally spend time with us in our new home and with our littl' fur kids. That's the second high of the year - hubby and I adopted little 4-legged additions to the family. SAM (for Super Active Mutt) joined us in July and Kitt in September and the household has never been the same again. Not a day goes by when we don't find another thing destroyed. It is a great test of patience (not to mention a dent on the pocket) but I'm loving it just the same.

The other highs that we've enjoyed are the weddings that have happened this year. Hubby's sister and our close friend, Tam, got married this year and we were privileged enough to be invited to both. The weddings were beautiful and it was good to catch up with family and good friends. It also gave us an excuse to take some time off and enjoy being with each other. However, we didn't get the chance to attend our close friends Izso's and Jocelyn's wedding in KL - guys, we're sorry we couldn't be there but we offer you both our congratulations and I look forward to seeing photos. I'm sure your unions have been blessed with endless good wishes so let us add ours to the pile.

There have been other things that have brought me great joy - celebrating my dad's birthday and Chinese New Year with family, my health improving, my brother getting his own place, getting a free stay courtesy of the lovely Pugly and the road trip that came with that, winning an award at work, getting flown to Sydney and getting to have lunch with the CEO of the company, getting to send gifts to our special birthday girls, Jasmine and Amani who are growing up too quickly for the likes of your Aunty Moo, new additions for our close friends (must be the year for babies), all the littl' things that make being a couple special, spending time with close friends and catching up on things that have gone by, good books, good wine, good food...all the things that make me thank God that I have the health to enjoy this and a future to see even more good things happen.

Sadly, to appreciate the highs in this life, there must be accompanying lows. In the most tragic circumstances, we had 2 angels leave us this year. We pray that Nazri and Danny find hope once again and we pray that their lives may be blessed with new beginnings that bring joy a thousand times over. Not being as severe, I had the bad luck to change jobs into a position that I found I absolutely hated with a passion. For 8 painful months, each new day reminded me of the bad decision I made. I kept being told to persevere and just stick with it, it wasn't going to do my resume any good by moving. Luckily, Lady Luck smiled on me and my previous boss rang me up to offer me a position back in Fraud. I am back with my old team now and loving it.

Now before I end, let me just tell you what 2008 has to bring for us. I am looking forward to 3 weddings in 2008 - Mark and MaryAnn's, Andrew's and Fern's and my brother's with Shirley. We don't know if we will be in a position to attend all weddings given the timing and financial constraints but all I can say is that "It's about time!". But I will definitely be back in KL to celebrate my brother's union. Careerwise, hubby and I are looking to a more challenging year for us both. Hubby, with his new boss, and me, with my new role. Family-wise, we still think that it may be a bit premature for us to get a 'mousekateer' but who knows what God has planned for us. We can only pray that we are sufficiently equipped for the challenge and take things one day at a time.

With that, we wish you all the best for the new year. May the new year bring you new beginnings that you have wished for and the best of health so that you can enjoy these adventures. May you be surrounded with much love and happiness, and family and friends to make the journey worthwhile. You are always in our thoughts (even if you don't hear from me...) and we keep each one of you close to our hearts.

Happy 2008 all and God bless.

A song to end the new year with:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PWfB4lurT4

D.I.F.K?

Double Income Fur Kids!

Hubby's colleagues call our puppies 'fur kids'. I thought that was a nicer way of saying 'child substitutes'. Granted, they may not be able to do the things little "mini me's" do...but some of the things they get up to are just like human kids!

For instance, Sam gets jealous when we play with Kitt. She tries to use her body to block Kitt from getting close to us. The both of them also can't seem to share toys. Sam's been growling at Kitt and snatching toys away from her. And Kitt's toy is always better than the toy Sam's playing with and vice versa.

Doesn't that sound just like how kids behave?

Someone said that this is good training for when we have kids. It's true! I think it's taught us a lot more patience. And it's added a responsibility that we will have for the rest of their blessed little lives. It's something that you learn to accept and work into your everyday life.

Sometimes after a long day at work, all you want to do is relax. But there's Sam to walk, both pups to train, crap to shovel, holes to fill, mouths to feed, pills to swallow, coats to comb, activity toys to prepare, pups to chase...and the list goes on.

I have renewed respect for all the parents out there. It's hard enough with 2 people caring for the 'kids', it would be so much more tiring being a single parent. And I wonder what it will be like when on top of that, we have our own kids.

Then 24 hours will definitely NOT be enough!!! Now, how do I make a duplicate of myself again?

K is for...

Kid?

Ooo...the pressure's mounting. More and more of you are convinced that we should have kids. Somehow, everyone believes that now is the right time for me to get pregnant. It seems that hubby and I are the only ones who are not sure if its the right time for me to get pregnant.

Over the weekend, we found out that my sister-in-law's sister-in-law-to-be (my sister-in-law is getting married in less than 2 weeks) is pregnant. And she's only 22 (I think???). That's just totally thrown me.

Anyway, with the pressure mounting with Sam and stuff, hubby and I had a long discussion. We debated, we talked, we looked at pros and cons. We thought about it long and hard. And finally, we came to a decision.

And so, 2 Sundays ago...we made it official.

What's official, I hear you say?

*drum roll please*

K is for Kitt.

Kitt is the new puppy we've adopted from the pet rescue. What does this have to do with getting pregnant? Well, this is the easiest way for us to add to the family without my having to suffer through childbirth. So will put up pictures of Kitt a bit later when we have good ones of our newest addition to the family.

In the meantime, stop talking about me getting pregnant. Coz' then we might think about getting yet another dog and I doubt I'd be able to handle 3.

Puppy & Parenting...

Sam & The Tooth Fairy

Sam lost a puppy tooth last nite. This was the first tooth that we had found and it was the first time I'd ever found a puppy tooth.

I was excited!

Hubby wanted to put this under her pillow. The littl' voice in my head said "Now, what would the tooth fairy give a puppy?"

Of course, before we could get to the tooth, Sam was chewing on it and playing with it. Sorta like how a kid plays with their tooth before it falls out (and then does God only knows what with it before putting it under their pillow).

I remember writing a letter to the Tooth Fairy when I lost my tooth (RM1 seemed like a lot of money back then!). Back then, when I was young and naive, how was I to know that the letter would end up in my mother's possession?

Oh how life flies by when you're not paying attention...

The following is courtesy of lil miss jaded which is a reminder to us all of growing up:

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult

I have decided i would like to accept the responsibilites of an 8-year old again

I want to go to McDonald's and think that it's a four star restaurant.

I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make ripples with rocks.

I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them.

I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer day.

I want to still believe that someday my knight in shining armour will wisk me off my feet

I want to return to a time when life was simple.

When all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes,

but that didn't bother you, because you didn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care.

All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should

make you worried or upset.

I want to think the world is fair.

That everyone is honest and good.

I want to believe that anything is possible.

I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.

I want to live simple again.

I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news,

how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip,

illness, and loss of loved ones.

I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams,

the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow.

So...here's my checkbook and my car keys, my credit cards and all my responsibility.

I am officially resigning from adulthood.

And if you want to discuss this further, you'll have to catch me first, 'cause,

"Tag! You're it."

Australia's Next Top Model

Doggy Style

"Here's looking at you, kid!"


"Dream...dream dream dream..."

"Every babe has to have a full body shot!"

"Malu malu pulak!"

Out of respect...

As a sign of respect to Wai Seng, there will be silence on my part to mourn for the loss of the parents.

Also, I'm about to make some changes to my life and will need some time to think and reflect. Hopefully, it won't be too long.

To Wai Seng's parents, we are here for you. They say that things happen for a reason. At this point in time, you may question that. And you have every right to. But that doesn't change that we will be here for you.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

My name is SAM

Super Active Mutt

Now that the two boys are getting better, I can tell you about our news. We have a new addition to the family!

Two Sundays ago, hubby & I went to a dog rescue place to look at puppies. I had my eye on a jack russell cross daschund but hubby thought that she would be too small. So we picked another puppy from the group.

She's small with liquid brown eyes and the colour of black, white and salt and pepper. She's got a streak across her side/back that looks like a cross between a lightening bolt and half of a heart shape.

The pet store guy where we got her kennel and other puppy stuff said that she'll like water (yet when I gave her a bath, she squirmed and complained loudly).

She's now 9 weeks old and is intelligent (so says the vet and from what we've seen). When we first got her, she would run to her favourite spot and curl up into a ball whenever I scolded her (trying earnestly to look innocent). Now, she just barks back at me (sounds like a teenager talking back!). She also walks away when I scold her (and when I say where do you think you're going, turn back and give me a pathetic look)!

She's gotten into the habit of climbing onto my lap and curling up to fall asleep. Sometimes, she has dreams and she tremors. Sometimes, she stretches and falls over (it's so funny to watch).

And when she's awake, her goal is to chew my fingers or toes to bits. That or chew her toy to bits...or somehow manage to get it under the couch and try to crawl under the couch to retrieve it, ultimately getting stuck.

Everyday, when I'm at work, I miss her. I don't miss the pee's that she does when she comes into the house (what can I say, we're still in the process of toilet training her). But I miss her company when I'm not there.

& every morning before I leave to work, it breaks my heart to say bubbye. She knows it and makes it harder by sitting on my feet and looking at me. And then she whines... reminds me of a crying child that you leave at daycare.

Some think her antics are hilarious. Others think that it's so cute (reminds them of their dogs a long long time ago). And some say that this is good practice for when we have a child.

I say that if this is good practice, I think we could probably put off having a baby for a little while longer. Just don't mention it to my mom.

When the Lord closes a door

He opens a window

I've always liked this saying from The Sound of Music. I believe that it's true.

Danny, we feel for your family and we are sorry that you and your family have to go through this grief. When you sms'd me your decision, I was in shock. I couldn't believe that you were giving up hope. But I respect your decision. And as parents, I'm sure it was a hard one to make.

I hope however that knowing the following gives you some sort of comfort:

The Buddhist believe that when a baby is born into the world and is taken away soon after, that he is a very pure being. This rebirth is his final reincarnation before he enters Nirvana, or what is known as Heaven. It is his karma that he has to suffer briefly, to be purged of all sins, before he is led into Heaven.

I don't know if you have left Wai Seng's life in the hands of the Lord yet. But whatever the case, we will still continue to pray. Both for him, as well as for the both of you. & we haven't forgotten our twin boys just yet...

Every breath you take...

I'll be watching you

Recently, a good friend, DN, sms'd me to say that his baby has a heart disorder. It's called TAPVD - Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage. Babies who have this disorder usually pass away a few weeks after birth if the disorder is not detected and is left untreated. It is a rare disease, compromising 1% of all congenital heart abnormalities.

This is his story:

"My parents brought him to a clinic in my hometown for a checkup. Several issues were raised and from the diagnosis, the doctor mentioned that Wai Seng has a heart disorder and needed to be admitted immediately. He was referred to another Paediatrician in Gleneagles and was admitted last Saturday. According to the doctor, it is a miracle that he could live now until now as it is common for babies with this disorder to pass on within few weeks from birth. It was simply a miracle!

An operation to correct this disorder was scheduled on 9 July 2007. However on the eve of the operation day, his body refused to function and he had a cardiac arrest. We were with him, and we saw him breathing his last breath, and looking at all the doctor and nurses trying their best to resuscitate him. Our prayers were answered and he was revived!

He is now in ICU and we have engaged 3 specialists, the similar Paediatrician, a Heart Surgeon, and a Post-Operative Doctor, to look into his needs. Our families and friends are praying for his recovery. My heartfelt gratitude and thanks to all of them who prayed and continue praying for Wai Seng."

This is the second good friend who has had baby issues. My other good friend's son is also in ICU. This boy's twin brother, sadly, did not make it.

It makes me sad that such young, innocent angels have to suffer such trials so early in their lives. It just makes me appreciate even more what DN said - "It doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl. As long as it's healthy, that's all that we pray for".

I ask that you join me in prayer for these two boys. I pray for hope - I hope they will continue to be the little soldiers that they are, and fight for life because they've made it this far. It is truly amazing to behold, the will power of something so tiny. Perhaps there is a lesson that we can take away from this. That size or age or religion does not matter. Tenacity can overcome many things. A baby's will power can overcome many things. Sometimes, even death.

Note to self

I love my job, I love my job, I love my job...

How do I love thee? Oh let me count the ways.
I love thee to the death of my sight,
My stomach heaves, my fist is clenched tight.
For the end of living and everyday haste,
Oh why do I try, it's just such a waste.
Most quiet need be, I work til the night,
I love thee so much, I do what is right.
I love thee so true, I believe I'd turn blue,
From being a good employee, so much unlike you.
I love thee with passion, put to good use,
But never will I get any of the dues.
For you promise so much, but so little you give,
I bet you don't even care if I live!
So to work I say, I do love you so,
Just like a blister on my big toe.
Just like lying on a bed of nails,
You work so slow, even worse than a snail.
I don't care anymore, I'll just walk away,
Perhaps then, you might notice, hey!
But I look at the bills, oh boy there's a few,
So I harden my heart and get back in the queue.

Back to the slog, back to the rat race,
Back to being shoved in my square littl' place.
I must remember to breathe, to remember there's an end,
Perhaps, only then, we could possibly be friends.
Perhaps...
But I'd probably shove a stake through my heart first.

Today...

I Pray...

Dear God,

I heard a little angel has gone back to your arms. I pray that You will look after this angel and the family, who is no doubt in suffering at the moment. May You bestow compassion and understanding to the people that this family deal with so that they may pass through this painful period with support from loved ones and friends. May You also look after them and give them the strength to continue on with life.

On this day, I also give thanks for the many blessings I have received. I give thanks that my loved ones are well and happy, and that we have shelter and food. I give thanks for their love and support and for being there when I need them. I give thanks that my friends are alive and kicking, and are healthy and well. I am grateful that I have friends who keep me sane, and friends who make sure I'm insane. There are so many things that I could give thanks for but the people in my life are the most important.

Today, I take a moment out of the craziness of everyday life and whisper a prayer. I want to remind myself of how lucky I am and give thanks for all that I have because someday in the future, only God knows when, it might be the time for me to close the book and end the story.

So God, I know you're listening. You know the drill.

Amen.

Do I Have To?

All Tagged Out

That's it! This is the last and final one for...for awhile. I'm done with it and at this point, I don't wanna do anymore. Not posting any more of 'em, nope. Nada. Zilch. Zeeeero. If any of you tag me after this, I will...hmmm...ermmm...kinda hard to threaten when the moon seems closer to me than any of you! I was going to say tickle you to death but that would require a plane trip and that's not going to happen (unless you wanna fund my ticket back to Malaysia. That's why I'm saving my pennies, by the way).

Anyway, getting down to business. Time to do what 'D B' tagged me with. So here we go:

15 Things I'd Like To Do Before I Die:
1) Have children, see them grow up and be there to teach them the important things in life - like lose the game/a friend/money but don't lose the lesson...Fall and fall again, just pick yourself up every time...Make friends, they make the world a whole lot less lonely...so many lessons, so little time.
2) Become financially independent and buy a home in Malaysia so that my parents can watch their grandchildren grow up (something I never had the pleasure of...grandparents passed away when I was young).
3) Travel to Europe (I've always wanted to go to France...it just seems like such a romantic place to be)...but I'm not that fussed as to where. Anywhere in Europe is good.
4) Write a book which helps someone...somehow. Anyone know anybody who's willing to talk about their experience with any form of substance abuse?
5) Find a way to help increase world literacy...I'm happy to start with Malaysian literacy. Kids need to be able to read, regardless of what their parents want (or don't in this case).
6) Be fluent in Mandarin (oh man, I still remember who turned me off Mandarin classes...this huge, balding Chinese teacher who would put a pig to shame. Now that I think about it, I shouldn't compare him to a pig - it doesn't do the pig any justice).
7) Play in an orchestra (don't really mind which instrument...I really should start my flute lessons and I hear it's easy to pick up the cello but wouldn't it be cool to be someone from percussion section? Like a harpist...).
8) Be able to display a piece of my art - be it through photography or some other way. I guess it doesn't have to be an exhibition. It just has to be good enough to be displayed.
9) Buy my dad a really cool 4WD. Like a Pajero. Or Jeep. Then he can go bush-bashing on the way to his fishing destination.
10) Grow old with hubby and spend our 50th anniversary on some secluded island.
11) Take a cruise to the Artic or the Carribbean. I know, pretty extreme in temperatures but I wanna see polar bears...or have some Carribbean food and soak in the culture.
12) Read all the books in our library and then some. I keep adding to our collection so this is a never ending dream.
13) Find a career - not just a job. Something I look forward to everyday which still pays the bills and the mortgage and the shopping and all my needs and wants.
14) Open a bookstore + kopitiam + a kid area similar to what Ikea has. Doesn't have to be a big place but it definitely has to be comfy. Some place where regulars can hang out.
15) Write (not email but conventional snail mail) to each person who has changed my life and thank them simply for being there.

There. I've done it. Can't be bothered about tagging anyone else. I'd like to read your list but if you don't want to do it...*shrug* I'm not gonna be the one to convince you to! Now, I'm going to sleep. I've got a case of the sniffles and need my sleep. Good nite!

Should I...

Or Shouldn't I?

Initially, I was going to do the tag that NinjaBzzz Bzzz Bee tagged me with. But something happened today that stuck in my mind and has made me wonder if I did the right thing.

Hubby & I try to commute to and from work together. We usually drive to the train station and take the train to work and back home again.

Today, after work, I reached the train station before he did and was reading my book while waiting for him. Along came a young girl, who stopped in front of me and said:

"Do you have a spare dollar? I don't have any money to go home."

Now the thoughts that raced through my mind went something like this...

• Hmmm...she's got quite a few piercings on her face...
• She looks 'Goth' (but I shouldn't judge someone by her looks)...
  
• A dollar isn't going to get her home unless she's a student
• How do I know she's not lying to me? What if she's on drugs or something?

And so, I turned my jacket pockets inside out and came across twenty cents that I had picked up a few weeks ago.

"Is twenty cents okay?" I asked.

"I guess so. Thanks," she mumbled and shuffled off.

I went back to my book but couldn't concentrate. I looked up a couple of minutes later and saw her at the ticket machine. I don't know how but she got the fare she needed to buy a ticket.

I kinda feel a littl' bit bad for not giving her the dollar. A few years ago, I might have given it to her without any further thought. It's kinda sad knowing that you can't trust strangers anymore or reach out to help someone coz' you'd end up get bitten in the bum for doing so. Has my previous job in Fraud and my exposure to House MD made me believe that "Everybody Lies"? Should I have given her the dollar?

In the great scheme of things, I guess a dollar isn't that big a deal. But the thought that has been haunting me ever since I reached home was this:
"What if my child needed a dollar? Would someone give it to her?"

& the conclusion is...

A Story Book

Yup, that's right. That is the conclusion. The conclusion to my 'Should I or shouldn't I write a book ' question is that it shall be a story book.

At this moment, I think uncle is probably going "WHAT?"

Well, if I think about it, you're actually the one who gave me the idea. You errr..."said" (even though it's via MSN, it's still said, technically, right?):
"Talk to old people. Ask them the question".

And magically, that fed through to my brain and turned itself into A Story Book. Literally.

If I can't fill the book up with my made-up stories, then I'm sure other people have stories to share as well. And what else is a good writer but a good storyteller? So yes, between uncle and I, we've decided that the first draft will be done by the end of this year. A pretty ambitious target to set but I did say at the beginning of the year that one of my goals for this year would be to learn or acquire another source of income.

Well...we can attempt to see if this could possibly be a starting point.

So we are halfway through the year and I have 6 more months to figure out how I'm going to turn this idea into reality. I may turn to some of you for help, ideas and inspiration. I won't hold you to helping...but I will appreciate anything thrown my way. If you know interesting people, let me know. If you don't know if they're interesting, still let me know. Because I want the stories to reflect life in general...as long as you're breathing, you have something to share.

I'm still figuring out if I want this solely to be about people our age...somewhere along the continuum of Generation X meets Generation Y or to be just about anyone. I don't know. I guess that will sort itself out. Things always have a way of working out in the end. So *cross fingers*...and *uncross fingers* coz' it's a lot faster to type with all of them.

And now, let the games begin...

Sydney

From Behind a Lens
(by a recently self confessed shutterholic)
All I need to do now is figure out how to copyright my pictures...

View from the Shangri-La

A peek at the Bridge from the Rocks

Sunset on the ferry

On the upper deck of the Train

Couldn't believe there was a PC Tower in the middle of nowhere

ME!

How blue is the sea?

Again at the beach...

A random leaf (what can I say, it's the end of Autumn...)

A tribute to the tree next to our the bus stop

Down Argyle Lane

Going through the Harbour Bridge

Three Wise Monkeys (can't say how sober they might be though...)

The Strand (couldn't afford anything but just had to get a picture!)

Warning - Uncharacteristic Post!

Everything
by Michael Buble

Very rarely do I ever feel the urge to share a song in my blog. But I came across this Michael Buble song when I was doing a mass song download and absolutely fell in love with it. I love the happy, upbeat feel the music has - it just makes me feel like doing very Tigger-like things - like bouncing and smiling. I hope it has the same effect on you. Enjoy.

Everything lyrics

Oh No, Not Again!!!

The Onion...

Just when I think I'm safe from another tag, I get tagged AGAIN!!! Thanks Fairy Godmother, just what I needed...*insert emoticon with tongue sticking out right here*. Just to be fair, I'm going to distribute the tag so that those I previously tagged, don't hafta worry (unless you wanna do it...be my guest!). So! I tag Pugly, Izchan & Syrope (was going to tag Binx & Maggie but they've already done it!!!). But before I forget, congratulations Danny on your new addition to the family!!! He looks like you and Lisa both!

Now, let me get over this and get it done with before blogging next about Sydney.

Layer One: On The Outside
Name : First name NinJa, Last name MoO (as if that wasn't obvious enough!)
Birth Date : Hmmm....the 30th. Technically, I should be able to get away with that since it says 'Birth Date'.
Current status : Happily Married
Eye Colour: Mochacinno without the froth
Hair Colour : Dark brown although I'm thinking if I should try that whole purple phase again...
Righty or Lefty : Righty. Although I'd love to learn how to be ampidexterous (screw the spelling, can't be bothered to have a peek at the dic).

Layer Two: On The Inside
Your Heritage : Chinese Nyonya with possibly some thing else thrown in the mix (who knows what my ancestors were up to!)
Your Fears : Not having my parents around to spoil my kids and help me bring them up right
Your Weakness : Books...and bookstores. I could spend hours and hours in a good bookstore and loads and loads of money on books...*sigh* *drools*
Your Perfect Pizza : Thin crust pepperoni...does it for me everytime.

Layer Three : Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Your Thoughts First thing when you wake up : Where is that damn snooze button?
Your Bedtime : Hubby & I go to bed pretty early...I'd say about 10:30-ish? Unless other things crop up...
Your Most Missed Memory : I miss working at MPH 1U2...I can't believe I actually miss working. But when you're with great people, working ain't so bad.

Layer Four : Your Pick
Pepsi or Coke : I guess it'd have to be Coke if I had to choose.
McDonald’s or Burger King : Over here, I'd have to say Burger King. But back in Malaysia, it would have to be McD's hands down!
Single or Group Dates : Hahaha. It depends on the situation.
Adidas or Nike : Oh man, I've got both!!! Love them both, but use them for different situations so...can't pick!
Tea or Nestea : Same situation here! Love my hot tea and love my cold Nestea (especially the green tea one! *yum!*)
Chocolate or Vanilla : Chocolate please! (Just bought a bag of Snickers...yum yum yum!!!)
Cappucino or Coffee : Errr...neither. Not a big fan of coffee breath...but absolutely love the smell of freshly brewed coffee...mmmmmmmmmm...

Layer Five : Do You..
Smoke : Nope. Stuffed a pack of the neighbour's ciggies down the drain once. Man, was he blooming mad. Tried to tell him that it was bad for his health (gimme a break, I was what...9? 10?)
Curse : Hahaha...*fish sticks!*
Take a shower : Yup...don't have the luxury of having a bath that often.
Have a crush : Right now? Ermm...not really.
Think you’ve been in love: Most definitely...& more than once as well!
Go to school : Ermm...haven't been to school in awhile!
Want to get married : Hahaha...believe it or not, I never did the whole 'thinking about my wedding & wondering what it would be like' before hubby proposed. But it's all good now. Believe in yourself : Most definitely!
Think you’re a health freak : If I was, I'd be out exercising somewhere instead of sitting in front of the computer, blogging...

Layer Six : In The Past Month
Drank alcohol : Some...can't remember what I had though. Must've been some wine...some mixers...*shrug*
Gone to the mall : Of course! What sorta question is that?
Been on stage : In my youth...
Eaten sushi : Oooooo yeah...looking forward to a good sushi session with Fairy Godmother when I get back to KL.
Dyed your hair : Not since I did the purple stint ages ago!

Layer Seven : Have You Ever..
Played A Stripping Game : Hahaha...my memory seems to fail me...
Changed Who You Were To Fit In: But why should I? *shrug* Maybe when I was younger but nowadays, I'm good with myself.

Layer Eight : Age
You’re Hoping To Be Married : Dunno...never set an age which I said I'd get married by.

Layer Nine : In a Girl / Guy
Best Eye Colour : The colour of stormy seas
Best Hair Colour : It's not the colour but the lustre
Short Hair or Long Hair : Short enough to ruffle but long enough for me to run my fingers through

Layer Ten : What Were You Doing
1 Min Ago : Chatting with my cousin on MSN
1 Hour Ago : Having dinner with hubby
1 Month Ago : Starting a new job
1 Year Ago: Actually, this is quite unreal. We were going through old smses and discovered that we were in Sydney a year ago! How coincidental is that?!?

Layer Eleven : Finish The Sentence
I Love : Spending time with the people that mean the world to me...
I Feel : Life is passing me by and I feel it slipping through my fingers...
I Hate : Having no idea what I'm going to do with my life. Uncle says I should get pregnant - now how is a baby going to solve anything?
I Hide : My fears behind a smile and continue on because I have to.
I Need : To stop contemplating over my life and take some sort of action. Now, Uncle also said I should think about writing a book...should I? Could I?

Lots of food for thought...lemme think about it. Be back in a week.

Watch out Sydney...

Here I Come!

Breaking from my normal routine, I'm posting my entry early for this week. I'm due to head off to Sydney in less than 24 hours and neither hubby nor I have started packing. I know what I need to bring although I haven't ironed any of the business clothes I need to take along. Nor have I had a look at anything else that we will need to bring.

I have, however, bought myself a pair of Crocs for the trip.

Some of you will think I'm mad. Some of you will think I've caved in to peer pressure. And others might wonder why I'd wanna walk around with holes in my shoes (hubby has asked me this question numerous times. I tell him that good ventilation is the key to un-smelly feet).

The answer to the question of "Why Crocs?" is simple. I want to be able to walk around Sydney in comfort.

I went to the Crocs website to have a look at their shoes and almost every pair I looked at had comfort somewhere in the lines. The Croc I bought says this:

• comfortable, cool, and molds to your feet • orthotic foot bed • advanced toe-box ventilation system • slip-resistant and non-marking soles • anti-microbial and odor resistant • italian styling • ergonomic certified • wide, roomy foot bed • made with croslite™ PCCR material • waterproof double stitched leather uppers • weighs only ounces

I'm going to try and get away with wearing them to this business lunch...but somehow, I think that might not happen. It's hard wanting to mix comfort with business - something always has to give. But unfortunately, the bottom line is this - holes and stripes somehow just don't go together.

& so, down to some serious packing I must go.

p/s - If you leave a comment, hopefully my 'Out of Office' reply will work. If not, blame it on IT.
pp/s - If you thought that you'd really get an 'Out of Office' reply, you really need to get out more often. I'll see you in Sydney.

Movie Addict...

Or Not...

Thanks to binxie babe, I've been tagged. Been awhile since I've been tagged and this is a hard one for me considering I'm not a big movie person (everyone knows books are more my thang!). So before I continue with the tag, let me just re-tag Izso, Faith, NinjaBee & JohnyBravo for them to carry on the tag.

And now, announcing our winners in their respective categories...

Name movies that you have seen more than 10 times
Sound of Music
Mary Poppins

Name a movie that you have seen multiple times in the theater
Matrix 1-3
I'm sure there are a few others but I can't quite remember at this moment...

Name actors & actresses that would make you more inclined to see a movie
Keanu Reeves
Drew Barrymore

Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie
That guy from 'Nacho Libre'...what's his name? Jack Black?

Name a movie that you can do a quote from
Yoda: Do or do not. There is not try.

Name a movie musical that you know the lyrics to all songs featured
Definitely The Sound of Music. Now...where did I put my music score to that movie?

Name a movie that you would recommend everyone to see
Monsters Inc. The relationship portrayed is so beautiful in its simplicity.

Name a movie that you own
Hmm...I own a few but the last movie I bought was 'The Joy Luck Club' - was so surprised to find it here that I got it!

Name an actor that started in another medium but has surprised you with his/her performance
Erm...I don't know. Is TV another medium? Coz' I never expected Will Smith to be able to be so intense.

Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, which one?
First time was with 'Chronicles of Narnia'. It was such a cool experience. You sit in your car in the middle of a huge car park with everyone else and tune your car radio into the entertainment system. Need to do it again this summer...

Ever made out at a movie?
How do we define making out?

Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just have not yet gotten around to it
That's an unfair question. Hubby thinks my movie education is so bad that he has a list from here to the moon of movies I need to watch.

Ever walked out from a movie?
I always feel compelled to finish it, no matter how bad it is. I've had thoughts about walking out though...does that count?

Name a movie that made you cry in the theater
Oh man! I agree with Binx, there have been so many tear-jerker movies that I've watched! I don't even remember the last one!

What was the last movie you saw in the theater?
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. I probably sat through 75% of the movie with my hands over my eyes going "Oh my GOD! I can't believe this is happening..."

What is your favourite/preferred genre of a movie?
Animation
Comedy
Romantic
Action

What was the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
Never Ending Story. I named one of my stuffed dogs 'Falkor' a long long time ago.

What movie do you wish you had never seen?
Oh, I don't know! Borat?

What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?
Weird in what sense? Is 'The Corpse Bride' weird? I thought it was pretty cool.

What is the scariest movie you have ever seen?
'It' by Stephen King. It's no wonder I'm not a big fan of clowns.

What is the funniest movie you have ever seen?
Shrek hands down. Can't wait for Shrek the Third to come out!!!