After my lip smacking Nasi Kandar Lunch with Maria at Lotus, Jalan Binjai, we hopped over to Lecka Lecka for ice cream and then Chocz at Suria KLCC for hot chocolate indulgence. At least, working on editing the newsletter on my vacation did not sound as bad after Lecka Lecka and Chocz. I will start my diet come the new year!
Anyways, after my meeting with Maria, I watched Meet The Fockers. I'm usually skeptical about sequels but this one was very hilarious - just as good at Meet The Parents.
Synopsis: Greg Focker (Stiller) and his fiancee, Pam Byrnes (Polo), think everything is hunky-dory now that Greg has won over his soon-to-be in-laws, Jack (De Niro) and Dina Byrnes (Danner). But that's before Pam's parents meet Greg's parents, the Fockers. The hyper-relaxed Fockers and the tightly wound Byrneses are mismatched from the start.
The movies stars Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Alanna Ubach, Dorie Barton, Ray Santiago, Karen Gordon, Kathleen Gati, J.P. Manoux, Allan Kolman, Kyle T. McNamee, Bob Marx, Aleksandrs Petukhovs and Tim Blake Nelson.
I was in stitches all the way, and I must say this is value for the RM10.00 I paid for my ticket and queuing up half an hour to buy it and watching it alone. Barbra Streisand as Greg's sex therapist mom, Dr. Roz Focker, is hilarious. Hehehe...I won't spoil it for you by telling all. Go watch it!
Thursday, December 30, 2004
My poor ovaries!
I went for my gynaecologist appointment at HMS Medical Centre in Darby Park this morning - a follow up from my Pap Smear Test just last month.
I must say, after some time being celibate, it's rather uncomfortable having a plastic probe stuck up my uterus, which definitely will pass through my vagina. I had to do that last month, and this morning, my gynae had to stuck up the probe again to scan my uterus and ovaries. And at the same time being asked by my expressionless gynae if I'm sexually active currently. Fortunately or unfortunately, I'm not and ooh don't I just wish that I am married right now!!!
Dr. C.C. Chung said I cannot cure my Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) because I was born with it and the microscopic cysts will just shed off and regrow on my ovaries throughout my life. But I can control it - and he gave a calorie guide book. I have to reduce stress and lose 10% of my weight in order to get my menstrual cycle back on track.
He has put me on a birth control pill called Yasmin that will help me regulate my period. I was skeptical because I don't want to get fat on those pills. But he said, Yasmin has no side effects, and will in fact, help me reduce weight, and make my skin softer and glow with radiance - I agreed right away.
I must say, after some time being celibate, it's rather uncomfortable having a plastic probe stuck up my uterus, which definitely will pass through my vagina. I had to do that last month, and this morning, my gynae had to stuck up the probe again to scan my uterus and ovaries. And at the same time being asked by my expressionless gynae if I'm sexually active currently. Fortunately or unfortunately, I'm not and ooh don't I just wish that I am married right now!!!
Dr. C.C. Chung said I cannot cure my Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) because I was born with it and the microscopic cysts will just shed off and regrow on my ovaries throughout my life. But I can control it - and he gave a calorie guide book. I have to reduce stress and lose 10% of my weight in order to get my menstrual cycle back on track.
He has put me on a birth control pill called Yasmin that will help me regulate my period. I was skeptical because I don't want to get fat on those pills. But he said, Yasmin has no side effects, and will in fact, help me reduce weight, and make my skin softer and glow with radiance - I agreed right away.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
I'm in love with...
I spent half a Boxing Day at City Karting Shah Alam, practicing with my brother, Huffiz and Brian, a fellow My-Karter, who trained Porsche car racers in the United States. I had a chance to learn a thing or two from Wei Leong, Malaysia's Formula 2000 champ. He's currently training up young and upcoming racers on the Swiss Hutless Rotax Max 125cc. They start as young as 7 years old.
I also checked out used go-kart prices - Wai Leong said the Swiss Hutless is selling for RM12K. There's a cheaper range selling for about RM8.5K. But, I'm in love with the Intrepid 125cc, which is just one race old, selling at RM22K. Man oh man...don't I just wish that I have a rich boyfriend who would buy me that!
Haslina Ali, or "Bubu" another My-Karter who was training together with us today, bought one for RM7.5K a couple of years ago.
I also checked out used go-kart prices - Wai Leong said the Swiss Hutless is selling for RM12K. There's a cheaper range selling for about RM8.5K. But, I'm in love with the Intrepid 125cc, which is just one race old, selling at RM22K. Man oh man...don't I just wish that I have a rich boyfriend who would buy me that!
Haslina Ali, or "Bubu" another My-Karter who was training together with us today, bought one for RM7.5K a couple of years ago.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Xmas Shopping Spree
Merry Christmas, folks! How did I spend my Christmas Day? Having a shopping spree with Emak! Jealous? Hehehe, don't be! Shopping spree would have been a girl's wildest dream...but not today. Today, we shopped for inventory for my mother's petit grocery store, Nel Grocers, as I like to call it.
A trip each to Pasar Kampung Baru to buy cigarettes, Pasar Chow Kit to buy eggs, and several trips to Carrefour, to buy almost everything else. We wanted to go to Topzeller and Makro for more things but we didn't manage to.
Hehehe...my biceps must have grown more muscular in a day carrying heavy bulky items like crates of 1.5 litre mineral water bottles, several dozens of 2kg sugar packets, 2 bags of 10kg Beras Basmathi Mogul, 10 bags of 2kg Beras Basmathi Biasa. Not to mention at least 20 kg of chicken parts, and 10 kgs of packet drinks. These are only half of the things we bought!
Bah, I haven't mentioned to you about loading stuff into my car and unloading them. Gosh, this is hard work!
One of the things I enjoy doing shopping with Emak is that I get to learn new roads, short cuts and backroads almost everytime. She's good at roughing it out, and she drives like a rally driver (hehehe...would have won Paris Drakkar Rally!) - one of the reasons I get nervous when she drives my brand new Hyundai Getz!
A trip each to Pasar Kampung Baru to buy cigarettes, Pasar Chow Kit to buy eggs, and several trips to Carrefour, to buy almost everything else. We wanted to go to Topzeller and Makro for more things but we didn't manage to.
Hehehe...my biceps must have grown more muscular in a day carrying heavy bulky items like crates of 1.5 litre mineral water bottles, several dozens of 2kg sugar packets, 2 bags of 10kg Beras Basmathi Mogul, 10 bags of 2kg Beras Basmathi Biasa. Not to mention at least 20 kg of chicken parts, and 10 kgs of packet drinks. These are only half of the things we bought!
Bah, I haven't mentioned to you about loading stuff into my car and unloading them. Gosh, this is hard work!
One of the things I enjoy doing shopping with Emak is that I get to learn new roads, short cuts and backroads almost everytime. She's good at roughing it out, and she drives like a rally driver (hehehe...would have won Paris Drakkar Rally!) - one of the reasons I get nervous when she drives my brand new Hyundai Getz!
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Chocolate
Chocolate: A Boon for the Libido and the Heart
Research suggests it packs some surprising health benefits
By Mark Bloom
HealthDay Reporter
SUNDAY, Dec. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Chocolate. It's on everyone's wish list. And for good reason.
There's something about chocolate, something beyond tactile taste that is indefinable, ineffable and inexpressible.
And as the medical reviews keep coming in, there's evidence that chocolate may meet a variety of needs, from the libido to the heart.
The most recent finding has an Italian researcher saying he has found an association between eating chocolate and sexual fulfillment. Women who love chocolate, he says, seem to have better love lives. And that comes on top of earlier research that chocolate -- at least dark chocolate -- may be good for your heart.
Chocolate seems to straddle the line between a food and a beneficial medicine. Even the conventional wisdom that chocolate is related to acne has been challenged. Its chemical properties are complicated. Chocolate contains more than 300 substances, including caffeine in small quantities, and theobromine, a weaker stimulant. Some contend that these two chemicals form the basis of the much-touted chocolate high, postulating that they increase activity of key neurotransmitters. The stimulant phenylethylamine, which is related chemically to amphetamines, is also in chocolate.
Chocolate seems to make the mood more fulfilling, said Dr. Andrea Salonia, an Italian researcher, who was to report on the link he found between satisfying sex and chocolate at the annual meeting of the European Society for Sexual Medicine in December in London.
Salonia's group at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan had 153 women fill out standard female sexual function questionnaires, among other lifestyle and psychological indices. The women were between 26 and 44 years old, with a median age of 35. It turned out that 120 women, average age 35, reported they ate chocolate frequently, compared with 33 women whose average age was 40.4.
Both overall sexual function and sexual desire were significantly greater among the chocolate-eaters than among those in the older group who were more likely to spurn chocolate, said Salonia.
Calling it "an intriguing correlation," Salonia indicated nevertheless that dalliance between chocolate and sex was far from a sure thing. "It seems alluring to hypothesize that chocolate can have a physiological positive impact over women's sexuality." But he added that the age difference, an important factor in sexuality, was also significant between the groups.
The Italian study merely adds a new chapter to the history of chocolate. It's loaded with myths and legends and unsubstantiated claims. One of those myths is that chocolate can contribute to acne, according to two seminal studies. The National Institutes of Health now states that "despite the popular belief that chocolate, nuts and other foods cause acne, this does not seem to be true."
In one of the studies, at the University of Pennsylvania, a group of acne patients was given a bar of "chocolate" liquor (the substance that's the base for all chocolate products) resembling a chocolate bar and had 28 percent vegetable fat to imitate the fat content of chocolate liquor and cocoa butter. Another group got real chocolate in a test bar with almost 10 times as much chocolate liquor as a normal 1.4 ounce bar. The acne neither improved nor worsened with chocolate or placebo.
In the other study, 80 midshipmen with acne at the U.S. Naval Academy were divided into chocolate abstainers and chocolate-eaters. After a month, careful observation showed no changes in their acne.
Finally, a recent small clinical study of the effects of the substance in rich dark chocolate known as flavonoids has been shown to improve indicators of a healthy heart, seen both by ultrasound measurements and blood levels. Other researchers have pointed to high levels of chemicals in chocolate known as phenolics, also found in red wine, as antioxidants that might help prevent coronary heart disease.
More information
For more on chocolate and its history, visit Exploratorium Magazine (www.exploratorium.edu target=new).
Copyright © 2004 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Research suggests it packs some surprising health benefits
By Mark Bloom
HealthDay Reporter
SUNDAY, Dec. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Chocolate. It's on everyone's wish list. And for good reason.
There's something about chocolate, something beyond tactile taste that is indefinable, ineffable and inexpressible.
And as the medical reviews keep coming in, there's evidence that chocolate may meet a variety of needs, from the libido to the heart.
The most recent finding has an Italian researcher saying he has found an association between eating chocolate and sexual fulfillment. Women who love chocolate, he says, seem to have better love lives. And that comes on top of earlier research that chocolate -- at least dark chocolate -- may be good for your heart.
Chocolate seems to straddle the line between a food and a beneficial medicine. Even the conventional wisdom that chocolate is related to acne has been challenged. Its chemical properties are complicated. Chocolate contains more than 300 substances, including caffeine in small quantities, and theobromine, a weaker stimulant. Some contend that these two chemicals form the basis of the much-touted chocolate high, postulating that they increase activity of key neurotransmitters. The stimulant phenylethylamine, which is related chemically to amphetamines, is also in chocolate.
Chocolate seems to make the mood more fulfilling, said Dr. Andrea Salonia, an Italian researcher, who was to report on the link he found between satisfying sex and chocolate at the annual meeting of the European Society for Sexual Medicine in December in London.
Salonia's group at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan had 153 women fill out standard female sexual function questionnaires, among other lifestyle and psychological indices. The women were between 26 and 44 years old, with a median age of 35. It turned out that 120 women, average age 35, reported they ate chocolate frequently, compared with 33 women whose average age was 40.4.
Both overall sexual function and sexual desire were significantly greater among the chocolate-eaters than among those in the older group who were more likely to spurn chocolate, said Salonia.
Calling it "an intriguing correlation," Salonia indicated nevertheless that dalliance between chocolate and sex was far from a sure thing. "It seems alluring to hypothesize that chocolate can have a physiological positive impact over women's sexuality." But he added that the age difference, an important factor in sexuality, was also significant between the groups.
The Italian study merely adds a new chapter to the history of chocolate. It's loaded with myths and legends and unsubstantiated claims. One of those myths is that chocolate can contribute to acne, according to two seminal studies. The National Institutes of Health now states that "despite the popular belief that chocolate, nuts and other foods cause acne, this does not seem to be true."
In one of the studies, at the University of Pennsylvania, a group of acne patients was given a bar of "chocolate" liquor (the substance that's the base for all chocolate products) resembling a chocolate bar and had 28 percent vegetable fat to imitate the fat content of chocolate liquor and cocoa butter. Another group got real chocolate in a test bar with almost 10 times as much chocolate liquor as a normal 1.4 ounce bar. The acne neither improved nor worsened with chocolate or placebo.
In the other study, 80 midshipmen with acne at the U.S. Naval Academy were divided into chocolate abstainers and chocolate-eaters. After a month, careful observation showed no changes in their acne.
Finally, a recent small clinical study of the effects of the substance in rich dark chocolate known as flavonoids has been shown to improve indicators of a healthy heart, seen both by ultrasound measurements and blood levels. Other researchers have pointed to high levels of chemicals in chocolate known as phenolics, also found in red wine, as antioxidants that might help prevent coronary heart disease.
More information
For more on chocolate and its history, visit Exploratorium Magazine (www.exploratorium.edu target=new).
Copyright © 2004 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Baker's Sin
I had a sinful lunch with Va Va Voom at Bakerzin, which is located on the ground floor of Bangsar Village.
This was my first visit to Bakerzin - I must say apart from the cafe's tasteful decor and pleasant ambience, the cuisines are something to shout about. We had initially wanted to have just dessert lunch, but ended up having a full course!
I had Mussel Linguini, Rose Tea and Couer Noit, while Va Va Voom had Spanish Sardines Sandwich, Sumatran Chocolate and her compulsory dose of caffeine. They are superb!
The desserts are to die for. As Va Va Voom puts it in her own words: "Oooh...this is better than orgasm!" to which I was quick to whip, "Really? I thought you said you're a virgin?" and she blushed a little. Gotcha! Well, of course, she meant the phrase methaporically. I was just teasing her. Hehehe :)
Nonetheless, with food this superb, it is orgasmic, even for virgins! Baker's Sin, not Bakerzin, really.
This was my first visit to Bakerzin - I must say apart from the cafe's tasteful decor and pleasant ambience, the cuisines are something to shout about. We had initially wanted to have just dessert lunch, but ended up having a full course!
I had Mussel Linguini, Rose Tea and Couer Noit, while Va Va Voom had Spanish Sardines Sandwich, Sumatran Chocolate and her compulsory dose of caffeine. They are superb!
The desserts are to die for. As Va Va Voom puts it in her own words: "Oooh...this is better than orgasm!" to which I was quick to whip, "Really? I thought you said you're a virgin?" and she blushed a little. Gotcha! Well, of course, she meant the phrase methaporically. I was just teasing her. Hehehe :)
Nonetheless, with food this superb, it is orgasmic, even for virgins! Baker's Sin, not Bakerzin, really.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Kata-Kata Pujangga
Graveyard Shift sent me some inspiring thots this morning:
Kata-Kata Pujangga
Jika kamu memancing ikan, setelah ikan itu terlekat di mata kail, hendaklah kamu mengambil ikan itu. Janganlah sesekali kamu LEPASKAN ia semula ke dalam air begitu saja, kerana ia akan SAKIT oleh kerana bisanya ketajaman mata kailmu itu dan mungkin ia akan MENDERITA selagi ia masih hidup.
Begitulah juga, setelah kamu memberi HARAPAN kepada seseorang, Setelah dia mulai MENYAYANGIMU hendaklah kamu MENJAGA hatinya. Janganlah sesekali kamu meninggalkannya begitu saja, kerana dia akan TERLUKA oleh kenangan bersamamu dan mungkin TIDAK dapat MELUPAKAN segalanya selagi dia mengingatimu.
Jika kamu menadah air biarlah berpada, Jangan terlalu mengharap pada takungannya dan janganlah menganggap ia begitu teguh, cukuplah sekadar keperluanmu. Apabila sekali ia retak, tentu sukar untuk kamu menambahnya semula. Akhirnya ia dibuang. Sedangkan jika kamu cuba memperbaikinya mungkin ia masih dapat dipergunakan lagi.
Begitu juga jika kamu memiliki seseorang, TERIMALAH seadanya. Janganlah kamu terlalu mengaguminya dan janganlah kamu menganggapnya begitu istimewa, anggaplah dia manusia biasa. Apabila sekali dia melakukan KESILAPAN bukan mudah bagi kamu untuk menerimanya, akhirnya kamu KECEWA dan meninggalkannya. Sedangkan jika kamu MEMAAFKANNYA boleh jadi hubungan kamu akan TERUS hingga keakhirnya.
Jika kamu telah memiliki sepinggan nasi, yang kamu pasti baik untuk dirimu. Mengenyangkan. Berkhasiat. Mengapa kamu masih cuba mencari makanan yang lain. Terlalu ingin mengejar kelazatan. Kelak, nasi itu akan basi dan kamu tidak boleh memakannya. Kamu akan menyesal.
Begitu juga jika kamu telah bertemu dengan seorang insan, yang pasti membawa
KEBAIKAN kepada dirimu. Menyayangimu. Mengasihimu. Mengapa kamu masih cuba MEMBANDINGKANNYA dengan yang lain. Terlalu mengejar kesempurnaan. Kelak, kamu akan KEHILANGANNYA apabila dia menjadi milik orang lain Kamu juga yang akan MENYESAL.
"Wanita itu dijadikan dari tulang rusuk kiri lelaki... bukan dekat kepala untuk dijunjung, bukan juga dekat kaki untuk dijadikan alas, tapi dekat dilengan untuk DILINDUNGI dan dekat dihati untuk DISAYANGI"
Very deep thots indeed! My heart goes out to jilted bride Norlida Abdul Rahman whose jerk of a groom, Hasmawi Hassan, Kedah state football player, left her at the altar. I read today in the papers that she is suing him. Good for her, I'm all behind her. I hope an irresponsible, cruel, cold hearted, unscrupulous man like him gets slapped left and right.
Kata-Kata Pujangga
Jika kamu memancing ikan, setelah ikan itu terlekat di mata kail, hendaklah kamu mengambil ikan itu. Janganlah sesekali kamu LEPASKAN ia semula ke dalam air begitu saja, kerana ia akan SAKIT oleh kerana bisanya ketajaman mata kailmu itu dan mungkin ia akan MENDERITA selagi ia masih hidup.
Begitulah juga, setelah kamu memberi HARAPAN kepada seseorang, Setelah dia mulai MENYAYANGIMU hendaklah kamu MENJAGA hatinya. Janganlah sesekali kamu meninggalkannya begitu saja, kerana dia akan TERLUKA oleh kenangan bersamamu dan mungkin TIDAK dapat MELUPAKAN segalanya selagi dia mengingatimu.
Jika kamu menadah air biarlah berpada, Jangan terlalu mengharap pada takungannya dan janganlah menganggap ia begitu teguh, cukuplah sekadar keperluanmu. Apabila sekali ia retak, tentu sukar untuk kamu menambahnya semula. Akhirnya ia dibuang. Sedangkan jika kamu cuba memperbaikinya mungkin ia masih dapat dipergunakan lagi.
Begitu juga jika kamu memiliki seseorang, TERIMALAH seadanya. Janganlah kamu terlalu mengaguminya dan janganlah kamu menganggapnya begitu istimewa, anggaplah dia manusia biasa. Apabila sekali dia melakukan KESILAPAN bukan mudah bagi kamu untuk menerimanya, akhirnya kamu KECEWA dan meninggalkannya. Sedangkan jika kamu MEMAAFKANNYA boleh jadi hubungan kamu akan TERUS hingga keakhirnya.
Jika kamu telah memiliki sepinggan nasi, yang kamu pasti baik untuk dirimu. Mengenyangkan. Berkhasiat. Mengapa kamu masih cuba mencari makanan yang lain. Terlalu ingin mengejar kelazatan. Kelak, nasi itu akan basi dan kamu tidak boleh memakannya. Kamu akan menyesal.
Begitu juga jika kamu telah bertemu dengan seorang insan, yang pasti membawa
KEBAIKAN kepada dirimu. Menyayangimu. Mengasihimu. Mengapa kamu masih cuba MEMBANDINGKANNYA dengan yang lain. Terlalu mengejar kesempurnaan. Kelak, kamu akan KEHILANGANNYA apabila dia menjadi milik orang lain Kamu juga yang akan MENYESAL.
"Wanita itu dijadikan dari tulang rusuk kiri lelaki... bukan dekat kepala untuk dijunjung, bukan juga dekat kaki untuk dijadikan alas, tapi dekat dilengan untuk DILINDUNGI dan dekat dihati untuk DISAYANGI"
Very deep thots indeed! My heart goes out to jilted bride Norlida Abdul Rahman whose jerk of a groom, Hasmawi Hassan, Kedah state football player, left her at the altar. I read today in the papers that she is suing him. Good for her, I'm all behind her. I hope an irresponsible, cruel, cold hearted, unscrupulous man like him gets slapped left and right.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Happy New Year!
Folks, we're ten days away from 2005! Have you started on your Resolutions 2005 yet?
For 2005, I've scraped Mr. Right off my resolutions list - I think I've been through enough to decide what I don't want a man for some time. Prince Charming can actually be The Beast in disguise, and vice versa. Just reading in the newspaper this morning about the cowardly state football player groom who left his bride Norlida Abdul Rahman at the altar, gave a feeling of deja vu. But, at least in my case, I got an e-mail to explain the sms. But still! I guess The Gentlemen is a dying breed nowadays. God doesn't make them anymore...
There is no such thing as Mr. Right. You can only try to meet someone who makes you feel right, and being with him is the right thing to do - and everything just fit and fall into its place - and the universe conspires to make things right. That, currently, it's Mission Improbable, although not Mission Impossible. So I'll just focus on achieving whatever I want to achieve in life.
I discover that I can be equally happy with or without a partner. Hehehe...I will JUST BE!
Next year, on top of reducing my weight by 10% (it's a constantly challenging uphill battle, even more so as you go downhill), I'll improve on my speed by 50%, as well as my overall reliability and punctuality to 1,000 DPMO (defects per million opportunity, that's 0.1% and being human, I can't be anymore defectless than this!).
So, for a good early start, here's an early Happy New Year wish from me!
Personally, 2004 hasn't been a fantastic year for me, but an adventurous one, nevertheless, with some misadventures too. But hey, they say tough times don't last, tough people do! But having said that, I don't think we should look at our mistakes negatively.
We should look at our mistakes creatively and learn from it like an art - for creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes, while art is knowing which ones to keep.
Coming out of 2004, I've learned many valuable lessons from my mistakes and experiences that have made me a little wiser and tougher than before. I hope!
Nonetheless, what is more important is that we become a better person by learning from our mistakes and experiences - and sharpen our learning curve with every year that we live. Nothing is constant in life, except for change - so we got to keep on moving.
Another thing I have learned is that it is important not just to LIVE and make a LIVING, but to BE ALIVE and to make a LIFE - that is, living a good life that's worth every breath that you take. Quoting Sir Winston Churchill: "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
On that note, I'm looking forward to 2005 and hope it would be a super fantastic year of greater achievements in life.
Hope our learning curve gets sharper in 2005!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2005!
Cheers!
Naliza, Liza and Nel
No, I haven't acquired multiple personalities - I just have more than one term of endearment.
For 2005, I've scraped Mr. Right off my resolutions list - I think I've been through enough to decide what I don't want a man for some time. Prince Charming can actually be The Beast in disguise, and vice versa. Just reading in the newspaper this morning about the cowardly state football player groom who left his bride Norlida Abdul Rahman at the altar, gave a feeling of deja vu. But, at least in my case, I got an e-mail to explain the sms. But still! I guess The Gentlemen is a dying breed nowadays. God doesn't make them anymore...
There is no such thing as Mr. Right. You can only try to meet someone who makes you feel right, and being with him is the right thing to do - and everything just fit and fall into its place - and the universe conspires to make things right. That, currently, it's Mission Improbable, although not Mission Impossible. So I'll just focus on achieving whatever I want to achieve in life.
I discover that I can be equally happy with or without a partner. Hehehe...I will JUST BE!
Next year, on top of reducing my weight by 10% (it's a constantly challenging uphill battle, even more so as you go downhill), I'll improve on my speed by 50%, as well as my overall reliability and punctuality to 1,000 DPMO (defects per million opportunity, that's 0.1% and being human, I can't be anymore defectless than this!).
So, for a good early start, here's an early Happy New Year wish from me!
Personally, 2004 hasn't been a fantastic year for me, but an adventurous one, nevertheless, with some misadventures too. But hey, they say tough times don't last, tough people do! But having said that, I don't think we should look at our mistakes negatively.
We should look at our mistakes creatively and learn from it like an art - for creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes, while art is knowing which ones to keep.
Coming out of 2004, I've learned many valuable lessons from my mistakes and experiences that have made me a little wiser and tougher than before. I hope!
Nonetheless, what is more important is that we become a better person by learning from our mistakes and experiences - and sharpen our learning curve with every year that we live. Nothing is constant in life, except for change - so we got to keep on moving.
Another thing I have learned is that it is important not just to LIVE and make a LIVING, but to BE ALIVE and to make a LIFE - that is, living a good life that's worth every breath that you take. Quoting Sir Winston Churchill: "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
On that note, I'm looking forward to 2005 and hope it would be a super fantastic year of greater achievements in life.
Hope our learning curve gets sharper in 2005!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2005!
Cheers!
Naliza, Liza and Nel
No, I haven't acquired multiple personalities - I just have more than one term of endearment.
Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder
Do you know that there is such thing as "A. A. A. D. D." - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder? .
This is how it manifests:
You decide to wash the car. As you start toward the garage, you notice that there is mail on the hall table. You decide to go through the mail before you wash the car. You lay the car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the trash can under the table, and notice that the trash can is full. So, you decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the trash first.
But then you think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. You take the checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one check left. The extra checks are in the desk in the study, so you go to the desk where you find the can of Coke that you had been drinking. You're going to look for the checks, but first you need to push the Coke aside so that you don't accidentally knock it over. You see that the Coke is getting
warm, and you decide you should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
As you head toward the kitchen with the coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches your eye--they need to be watered. You set the Coke down on the counter, and discover the reading glasses that you've been searching for all morning. You decide you better put them back on the desk, but first you're going to water the flowers. You set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table. You realize that
tonight when you go to watch TV, you'll be looking for the remote, but you won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so you decide to put it back where it belongs, but first you'll water the flowers.
You splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor. So, you set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then you head down the hall trying to remember what you were planning to do.
At the end of the day: the car isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter, the flowers aren't watered, there is still only one check in the checkbook, you can't find the remote, you can't find your glasses, and you don't remember what you did with the car keys. Then when you try to figure out why nothing got done all day, you'll really be baffled because you know you were busy all day long, and you're really tired. Then you'll realize this is a serious problem, and you'll try to get some help for it, but first you'll check your e-mail.
Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!
GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY.
GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL
LAUGHING AT YOURSELF IS THERAPEUTIC
This is how it manifests:
You decide to wash the car. As you start toward the garage, you notice that there is mail on the hall table. You decide to go through the mail before you wash the car. You lay the car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the trash can under the table, and notice that the trash can is full. So, you decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the trash first.
But then you think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. You take the checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one check left. The extra checks are in the desk in the study, so you go to the desk where you find the can of Coke that you had been drinking. You're going to look for the checks, but first you need to push the Coke aside so that you don't accidentally knock it over. You see that the Coke is getting
warm, and you decide you should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
As you head toward the kitchen with the coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches your eye--they need to be watered. You set the Coke down on the counter, and discover the reading glasses that you've been searching for all morning. You decide you better put them back on the desk, but first you're going to water the flowers. You set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table. You realize that
tonight when you go to watch TV, you'll be looking for the remote, but you won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so you decide to put it back where it belongs, but first you'll water the flowers.
You splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor. So, you set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then you head down the hall trying to remember what you were planning to do.
At the end of the day: the car isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter, the flowers aren't watered, there is still only one check in the checkbook, you can't find the remote, you can't find your glasses, and you don't remember what you did with the car keys. Then when you try to figure out why nothing got done all day, you'll really be baffled because you know you were busy all day long, and you're really tired. Then you'll realize this is a serious problem, and you'll try to get some help for it, but first you'll check your e-mail.
Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!
GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY.
GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL
LAUGHING AT YOURSELF IS THERAPEUTIC
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Learning curve
I just to share with you an interesting blog post I came across from another blog that I found while browsing today. It is also called "Random Thots", coincidentally. What can I say, great minds think alike. Hehehe...
Learning Curve
There was this old saying that goes "You should learn from your mistake".
We always learn new stuff every minute of the day. We always make mistakes. Sometimes we learn from our mistakes and look for another solution for the problem. Sometimes we try and try the same solution, despite failing everytime we try it until it finally work.
The solution might not work the first time but after a few times it might work. If that is the case, when do we stop trying and move on to solve the next problem? Had Edison stopped and move on to the next solution, the invention of the light bulb would be years away.
Now things gets more complicated in relationships. Each person we go out with have a different personality. What would be a probable solution to the previous relationship might be a total failure to the current relationship.
I guess in life we are bound to make mistakes anyway... wether we learn anything from our mistakes or not is a different thing afterall. We have to chart our own learning curve be it linear or exponential.
Learning Curve
There was this old saying that goes "You should learn from your mistake".
We always learn new stuff every minute of the day. We always make mistakes. Sometimes we learn from our mistakes and look for another solution for the problem. Sometimes we try and try the same solution, despite failing everytime we try it until it finally work.
The solution might not work the first time but after a few times it might work. If that is the case, when do we stop trying and move on to solve the next problem? Had Edison stopped and move on to the next solution, the invention of the light bulb would be years away.
Now things gets more complicated in relationships. Each person we go out with have a different personality. What would be a probable solution to the previous relationship might be a total failure to the current relationship.
I guess in life we are bound to make mistakes anyway... wether we learn anything from our mistakes or not is a different thing afterall. We have to chart our own learning curve be it linear or exponential.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Well-being of women
Deep Blue Sea sent me an interesting article today about the relationship between women and their jobs, and how crucial it is to her well-being. I've been a workaholic until lately, so I thought that is just a natural phenomenon for both men and women alike.
Well-being of women rests on job satisfaction
Being happy in a job is more important to women than having a good salary or their marital status, according to an assessment of well-being by a Nobel Prize winner, Prof Daniel Kahneman. Women in the study rated different activities creating an "enjoyment" scale. Top was relaxing with friends. Commuting alone came bottom of the list, as did being with the boss, said Prof Kahneman.
I've been feeling not well lately - and I get easily bored nowadays. Perhaps, it is for lack of job satisfaction? Symptoms are showing, so I must find the root cause and make things right again. I agree that relaxing with friends would make me happiest. Human beings especially females are social creatures. Me included.
Well-being of women rests on job satisfaction
Being happy in a job is more important to women than having a good salary or their marital status, according to an assessment of well-being by a Nobel Prize winner, Prof Daniel Kahneman. Women in the study rated different activities creating an "enjoyment" scale. Top was relaxing with friends. Commuting alone came bottom of the list, as did being with the boss, said Prof Kahneman.
I've been feeling not well lately - and I get easily bored nowadays. Perhaps, it is for lack of job satisfaction? Symptoms are showing, so I must find the root cause and make things right again. I agree that relaxing with friends would make me happiest. Human beings especially females are social creatures. Me included.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Last Words
I am amused to no end with Va Va Voom's parrot-like habit of always wanting to have the last word whenever we talked. Her fondness of having the last words ended in a classic sms battle with someone's girlfriend over this jerk of a boneless guy.
I'm inclined to call her Echo, The Goddess of Last Words, much to her protest today. Alright, Va Va Voom shall not be Echo - I'll spare her because she is my mentee. And I also made her promise to try not to always want to have the last words with me or sum up whatever I said, or I shall have to call her parrot. I know, I know, I can be mean sometimes, but hey, a gal has a right to speak her mind and be honest to a friend, right?
But nevertheless, I thought I'd share with you the interesting story of Echo:
Echo and Narcissus in Greek Mythology
Echo was a beautiful nymph, fond of the woods and hills, where she devoted herself to woodland sports. She was a favorite of Artemis, and attended her in the chase. But Echo had one failing; she was fond of talking, and whether in chat or argument, would have the last word. One day Hera was seeking her husband, who, she had reason to fear, was amusing himself among the nymphs. Echo by her talk contrived to detain the goddess till the nymphs made their escape. When Hera discovered it, she passed sentence upon Echo in these words: "You shall forfeit the use of that tongue with which you have cheated me, except for that one purpose you are so fond of - reply. You shall still have the last word, but no power to speak first."
This nymph saw Narcissus, a beautiful youth, as he pursued the chase upon the mountains. She loved him and followed his footsteps. O how she longed to address him in the softest accents, and win him to converse! But it was not in her power. She waited with impatience for him to speak first, and had her answer ready. One day the youth, being separated from his companions, shouted aloud, "Who's here?" Echo replied, "Here." Narcissus looked around, but seeing no one called out, "Come". Echo answered, "Come." As no one came, Narcissus called again, "Why do you shun me?" Echo, asked the same question. "Let us join one another," said the youth. The maid answered with all her heart in the same words, and hastened to the spot, ready to throw her arms about his neck. He started back, exclaiming, "Hands off! I would rather die than you should have me!" "Have me," said she; but it was all in vain.
He left her, and she went to hide her blushes in the recesses of the woods. From that time forth she lived in caves till at last all her flesh shrank away. Her bones were changed into rocks and there was nothing left of her but her voice. With that she is still ready to reply to any one who calls her, and keeps up her old habit of having the last word.
I'm inclined to call her Echo, The Goddess of Last Words, much to her protest today. Alright, Va Va Voom shall not be Echo - I'll spare her because she is my mentee. And I also made her promise to try not to always want to have the last words with me or sum up whatever I said, or I shall have to call her parrot. I know, I know, I can be mean sometimes, but hey, a gal has a right to speak her mind and be honest to a friend, right?
But nevertheless, I thought I'd share with you the interesting story of Echo:
Echo and Narcissus in Greek Mythology
Echo was a beautiful nymph, fond of the woods and hills, where she devoted herself to woodland sports. She was a favorite of Artemis, and attended her in the chase. But Echo had one failing; she was fond of talking, and whether in chat or argument, would have the last word. One day Hera was seeking her husband, who, she had reason to fear, was amusing himself among the nymphs. Echo by her talk contrived to detain the goddess till the nymphs made their escape. When Hera discovered it, she passed sentence upon Echo in these words: "You shall forfeit the use of that tongue with which you have cheated me, except for that one purpose you are so fond of - reply. You shall still have the last word, but no power to speak first."
This nymph saw Narcissus, a beautiful youth, as he pursued the chase upon the mountains. She loved him and followed his footsteps. O how she longed to address him in the softest accents, and win him to converse! But it was not in her power. She waited with impatience for him to speak first, and had her answer ready. One day the youth, being separated from his companions, shouted aloud, "Who's here?" Echo replied, "Here." Narcissus looked around, but seeing no one called out, "Come". Echo answered, "Come." As no one came, Narcissus called again, "Why do you shun me?" Echo, asked the same question. "Let us join one another," said the youth. The maid answered with all her heart in the same words, and hastened to the spot, ready to throw her arms about his neck. He started back, exclaiming, "Hands off! I would rather die than you should have me!" "Have me," said she; but it was all in vain.
He left her, and she went to hide her blushes in the recesses of the woods. From that time forth she lived in caves till at last all her flesh shrank away. Her bones were changed into rocks and there was nothing left of her but her voice. With that she is still ready to reply to any one who calls her, and keeps up her old habit of having the last word.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Girl Around Town
I was browsing http://ascensionmediacomms.blogspot.com and came across this which I thought is amusing:
====================================================================================
Guide To Find Your Type of Girl Around Town
Depends on what kind of chicks u r looking for:
1) Teenage chicks with lots of skin to bare who prefer to dance the whole night and would most likely have a Mat Motor boyfriend: Shadows (Bangsar)
2) Classier chicks with velvet gowns and can dance, not any dance, but Salsa : Q-Ba at Westin Hotel (Bintang Walk)
3) International school chicks (white chicks/jap-chicks/exotic looking chicks) who love to drink : Mezza (formerly T-Club Bangsar)
4) Working chicks who are looking for love : Bar Flam (Bangsar) Hehehe...reminds me of Madam Fuss-Over, because this is her favorite hangout joint!
5) 'God-fearing' chicks who play carrom from Bangsar Gospel Centre : Coffee Bean / Star Bucks i.e. any coffee place in town whose average price is around RM10 for a cuppa (this weeds out all the coffee shops in Lucky Gardens) (Bangsar) Somehow, my mind goes right to Deep Blue Sea and Madam Whiteflower...
6) Hard-core biker chicks or the opposite.. Tudung chicks : mamak stalls in front of the food court previously known as Jolly Green Giant (Bangsar)
7) Chicks who are dating guys who are already married / guys who wanna be girls : Red Chamber (Bangsar) Damn! I like this place...hmmm...but hey I don't do married men
8) Malaysian girls who speak with a British/American/Aussie/Rojak accent who think they are BBC/BBI/BBM(u know wat I mean) and are looking for a boyfriend who has blonde hair and drinks 'Snake Bite Black': Finnegans (Bangsar)
9) Malaysian girls who speak with a British/American/Aussie/Rojak accent who think they are BBC/BBI/BBM who have already found a boyfriend from Finnegans : Telawi Street Bistro (Bangsar)
10) Girls who look like boys who like girls who look like girls: Seasons Pool Club (Bangsar) I don't think I want to ever be caught dead here!
11) Paula Malai Ali type of chicks: The Social (Bangsar)
12) White chicks with white boyfriends/husbands (who also have tan-skinned girlfriends from Beach Club/Thai Bar etc.) : La Bodega (Bangsar)
13) Chicks that have rich boyfriends and like expensive red wines: Grappa / Wine Bar Heritage Row I like the Heritage Row...but hahahaha..where's my rich boyfriend?
14) Chicks that have poor boyfriends and want a taste of western food : McDonald's / Burger King Bangsar
15) Party chicks that think they're so happening they don't mind sweating in a firetrap for 4 hours: Passion This reminds me of Va Va Voom :)
16) Hip-hop chickas who know someone who knows someone who's having a pissup/birthday party and they can avoid cover charge: Nouvo / Sangria
17) Pill-popping chicks and they're drug-induced boyfriends: Atmosphere / Carlos
18) Pill-popping chicks who don't want to go out with "playaz" but suddenly find themselves trying to grab the attention of the "playaz": Bliss
19) Feng Tau chicks : not sure but we think its the old Emporium or K Club
20) Capati chicks who are already betrothed to some distant cousin on their father's orders : Dhol, Bangsar.
21) Beautiful popping chicks with very little clothing & supposedly gangsters boyfriends : TBR KL
22) Beautiful model chicks or wannabes with cheeky friends in tow who can hold their drinks : Velvet
Contributed: Zaira, Kartina, Ziber
Re-edited: Jd
====================================================================================
Guide To Find Your Type of Girl Around Town
Depends on what kind of chicks u r looking for:
1) Teenage chicks with lots of skin to bare who prefer to dance the whole night and would most likely have a Mat Motor boyfriend: Shadows (Bangsar)
2) Classier chicks with velvet gowns and can dance, not any dance, but Salsa : Q-Ba at Westin Hotel (Bintang Walk)
3) International school chicks (white chicks/jap-chicks/exotic looking chicks) who love to drink : Mezza (formerly T-Club Bangsar)
4) Working chicks who are looking for love : Bar Flam (Bangsar) Hehehe...reminds me of Madam Fuss-Over, because this is her favorite hangout joint!
5) 'God-fearing' chicks who play carrom from Bangsar Gospel Centre : Coffee Bean / Star Bucks i.e. any coffee place in town whose average price is around RM10 for a cuppa (this weeds out all the coffee shops in Lucky Gardens) (Bangsar) Somehow, my mind goes right to Deep Blue Sea and Madam Whiteflower...
6) Hard-core biker chicks or the opposite.. Tudung chicks : mamak stalls in front of the food court previously known as Jolly Green Giant (Bangsar)
7) Chicks who are dating guys who are already married / guys who wanna be girls : Red Chamber (Bangsar) Damn! I like this place...hmmm...but hey I don't do married men
8) Malaysian girls who speak with a British/American/Aussie/Rojak accent who think they are BBC/BBI/BBM(u know wat I mean) and are looking for a boyfriend who has blonde hair and drinks 'Snake Bite Black': Finnegans (Bangsar)
9) Malaysian girls who speak with a British/American/Aussie/Rojak accent who think they are BBC/BBI/BBM who have already found a boyfriend from Finnegans : Telawi Street Bistro (Bangsar)
10) Girls who look like boys who like girls who look like girls: Seasons Pool Club (Bangsar) I don't think I want to ever be caught dead here!
11) Paula Malai Ali type of chicks: The Social (Bangsar)
12) White chicks with white boyfriends/husbands (who also have tan-skinned girlfriends from Beach Club/Thai Bar etc.) : La Bodega (Bangsar)
13) Chicks that have rich boyfriends and like expensive red wines: Grappa / Wine Bar Heritage Row I like the Heritage Row...but hahahaha..where's my rich boyfriend?
14) Chicks that have poor boyfriends and want a taste of western food : McDonald's / Burger King Bangsar
15) Party chicks that think they're so happening they don't mind sweating in a firetrap for 4 hours: Passion This reminds me of Va Va Voom :)
16) Hip-hop chickas who know someone who knows someone who's having a pissup/birthday party and they can avoid cover charge: Nouvo / Sangria
17) Pill-popping chicks and they're drug-induced boyfriends: Atmosphere / Carlos
18) Pill-popping chicks who don't want to go out with "playaz" but suddenly find themselves trying to grab the attention of the "playaz": Bliss
19) Feng Tau chicks : not sure but we think its the old Emporium or K Club
20) Capati chicks who are already betrothed to some distant cousin on their father's orders : Dhol, Bangsar.
21) Beautiful popping chicks with very little clothing & supposedly gangsters boyfriends : TBR KL
22) Beautiful model chicks or wannabes with cheeky friends in tow who can hold their drinks : Velvet
Contributed: Zaira, Kartina, Ziber
Re-edited: Jd
Sesame Street Live!
Right after My-Kart Race yesterday, I literally sped off to Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil to accompany orphans and media friends to watch Sesame Street Live! The famous Muppets take center stage in the vibrant production, 'Everyone Makes Music' - 90 minutes of colorful costumes, lavish sets, slick choreography and a whole lotta musical fun.
Education time for me, because I don't know much about Sesame Street, except for some key characters like Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo and Oscar the Grouch. Yesterday, I met the rest of the famous Muppets - Zoe, Rosita, Count von Count and Grover. Of course, Jenny, the music instructor who has just moved into Sesame Street.
The friendly furry gang welcomed her with open arms and experiment with different ways of making music as they await the arrival of the truck carrying Jenny's instruments.
Sesame Street Live
Education time for me, because I don't know much about Sesame Street, except for some key characters like Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo and Oscar the Grouch. Yesterday, I met the rest of the famous Muppets - Zoe, Rosita, Count von Count and Grover. Of course, Jenny, the music instructor who has just moved into Sesame Street.
The friendly furry gang welcomed her with open arms and experiment with different ways of making music as they await the arrival of the truck carrying Jenny's instruments.
Sesame Street Live
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Vrrrooom!
After some months missing out on Karting Amateurs Racing Team (KART)or My-Kart Team, activities, I decided to take to the track again. My adrenaline running high, I was already at CityKarting Shah Alam Circuit before 8 o'clock in the morning. Most of the Karters were already there.
Each category (K2 and K3) were split into two groups each resulting in four groups altogether. They ran two heats for each group.
Kart numbers were drawn before the first qualifying heats and assigned to the grid positions for both groups and qualifying heats in the category. Drivers are pre-assigned grid positions based on current 2004 seeding or registration order. The driver grid orders were then reversed in the second qualifying heat based on the grid positions (not finishing positions) in the first qualifying heat.
There were 10 racers in K3 Category (80cc) Group B. I finished eighth in the first and second heat, and improved to the seventh position in the final. In the first heat, I spun and lost a lap. In the second heat, I almost ran into a spun kart but I managed to swerve in time. But that lost me precious seconds. In the final, I didn't spin at all and I was more comfortable with the racing line.
I was estatic during the final because I have understood the racing line which my brother was explaining to me - and I understand it perfectly too, crystal clear. So much so that I karted with so much ease than I've ever done in a year that I've been karting. Maybe you have to be away for a while and return with a fresh perspective when you don't understand something.
Anyways, in the final positions for the two K3 groups combined, among 21 racers, I finished 16th, Haslina finished 11th and Angeline finished last. There were only three ladies among My-Kart Team's K3 Category this time around. The first position was claimed by Kevin Tan, and flanked by A. Muhaymin and Nazim Mansor, as first and second runners-up, respectively.
I remained at Seed #51 out of 81 My-Karters. My resolution for next year is to move up to the top quartile, or at least Seed #20 by end of December.
I also discovered I have a strong contender at My-Kart Team - another lady driver, Haslina Ali who is a newcomer and unseeded. She finished sixth in the first and second heat, and finished eighth in the final.
I was leading the ladies department in My-Kart Team's K3 Category when My-Kart team started. After a long absence, Haslina has overtaken me by a mile. I'll have to sharpen my skills, apparently, and be at par or better. It's healthy to be competitive - it keeps you going. They say, even if you're the best, you get run over if you just sit there.
The other lady racer, Angeline Ling, was in K3 Category (80cc) Group A which has 11 racers. She finished last in the first heat, eighth in the second heat, and tenth in the final. She does have potential to be a good karter, but she spins out of track a lot and is not consistent in her performance.
I was fortunate to have Deanna Yusoff racing with My-Kart Team today. She easily beat two third of the guys in the K2 Category (100cc). This is my first time ever in meeting her up close and personal - let alone have a conversation with her. But she's really friendly - such a cool lady - and we had a conversation, mostly about racing, expectedly.
I swear the guys stopped breathing for at least 2 seconds when Deanna peeled off her track bottom, revealing her perfect long smooth legs in tight shorts, before she put on her racing suit.
Each category (K2 and K3) were split into two groups each resulting in four groups altogether. They ran two heats for each group.
Kart numbers were drawn before the first qualifying heats and assigned to the grid positions for both groups and qualifying heats in the category. Drivers are pre-assigned grid positions based on current 2004 seeding or registration order. The driver grid orders were then reversed in the second qualifying heat based on the grid positions (not finishing positions) in the first qualifying heat.
There were 10 racers in K3 Category (80cc) Group B. I finished eighth in the first and second heat, and improved to the seventh position in the final. In the first heat, I spun and lost a lap. In the second heat, I almost ran into a spun kart but I managed to swerve in time. But that lost me precious seconds. In the final, I didn't spin at all and I was more comfortable with the racing line.
I was estatic during the final because I have understood the racing line which my brother was explaining to me - and I understand it perfectly too, crystal clear. So much so that I karted with so much ease than I've ever done in a year that I've been karting. Maybe you have to be away for a while and return with a fresh perspective when you don't understand something.
Anyways, in the final positions for the two K3 groups combined, among 21 racers, I finished 16th, Haslina finished 11th and Angeline finished last. There were only three ladies among My-Kart Team's K3 Category this time around. The first position was claimed by Kevin Tan, and flanked by A. Muhaymin and Nazim Mansor, as first and second runners-up, respectively.
I remained at Seed #51 out of 81 My-Karters. My resolution for next year is to move up to the top quartile, or at least Seed #20 by end of December.
I also discovered I have a strong contender at My-Kart Team - another lady driver, Haslina Ali who is a newcomer and unseeded. She finished sixth in the first and second heat, and finished eighth in the final.
I was leading the ladies department in My-Kart Team's K3 Category when My-Kart team started. After a long absence, Haslina has overtaken me by a mile. I'll have to sharpen my skills, apparently, and be at par or better. It's healthy to be competitive - it keeps you going. They say, even if you're the best, you get run over if you just sit there.
The other lady racer, Angeline Ling, was in K3 Category (80cc) Group A which has 11 racers. She finished last in the first heat, eighth in the second heat, and tenth in the final. She does have potential to be a good karter, but she spins out of track a lot and is not consistent in her performance.
I was fortunate to have Deanna Yusoff racing with My-Kart Team today. She easily beat two third of the guys in the K2 Category (100cc). This is my first time ever in meeting her up close and personal - let alone have a conversation with her. But she's really friendly - such a cool lady - and we had a conversation, mostly about racing, expectedly.
I swear the guys stopped breathing for at least 2 seconds when Deanna peeled off her track bottom, revealing her perfect long smooth legs in tight shorts, before she put on her racing suit.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Broken Wings
Yesterday evening, after we discussed Khalil Gibran's "Broken Wings" and the Lebanese poet's other "treasury" of literary works, The Thinking Man advised me, perhaps I should look out to the sky and fly, instead of taking comfort in mending my broken wings.
He suggested that I indicate to Mr. Crush Boom Bang that I like him more than just a friend. To give him subtle hints but strong enough for him to pick up, or if I dare, just ask him out for a date. Dare I?
I have to confess that I am now afraid to risk getting hurt again. The Ex-Hubby left me with broken wings which I am mending. (The Medicine Man is no great loss to me, but he hurts me badly nevertheless. So much so that I'm afraid that I'd end up with another one like him. Looks goody two shoes on the outside but on the inside, he's a psycho).
Today my horoscope says: "Things are likely to be coming to a dramatic climax for you when it comes to matters of love and romance. Perhaps there is a relationship you have been nurturing for quite a while. You have put a great deal of passion and soul into building a strong connection with one other person. This is a time of reckoning in which you feel like you are taking a step back, and realizing what you have gained from all of that. Do you have a partner for life, or do you have someone who doesn't quite appreciate you as much as you feel like they should?"
I will try give him subtle hints, and if that doesn't work, I may ask him out or I may just drop the idea if I think he is someone who doesn't quite appreciate me as much as Ifeel like he should.
He suggested that I indicate to Mr. Crush Boom Bang that I like him more than just a friend. To give him subtle hints but strong enough for him to pick up, or if I dare, just ask him out for a date. Dare I?
I have to confess that I am now afraid to risk getting hurt again. The Ex-Hubby left me with broken wings which I am mending. (The Medicine Man is no great loss to me, but he hurts me badly nevertheless. So much so that I'm afraid that I'd end up with another one like him. Looks goody two shoes on the outside but on the inside, he's a psycho).
Today my horoscope says: "Things are likely to be coming to a dramatic climax for you when it comes to matters of love and romance. Perhaps there is a relationship you have been nurturing for quite a while. You have put a great deal of passion and soul into building a strong connection with one other person. This is a time of reckoning in which you feel like you are taking a step back, and realizing what you have gained from all of that. Do you have a partner for life, or do you have someone who doesn't quite appreciate you as much as you feel like they should?"
I will try give him subtle hints, and if that doesn't work, I may ask him out or I may just drop the idea if I think he is someone who doesn't quite appreciate me as much as Ifeel like he should.
Monday, December 06, 2004
The Mutt, Catwoman & Deep Blue Sea
The Mutt , Catwoman and Deep Blue Sea made my day today - it's always a joy to get some feedback from other bloggers, and read their thoughts on my posts. Today they wrote amusing thoughts on my post on "Sari & Sins".
Nel: I wonder why men leaves their wives for such sluts and bitches. I don't understand - do men prefer bad girls to good girls? So why the hunt for "The Virtuous Woman", only to end up with a "Horny Slut" (money grabbing in 90% of the cases, too) after they get bored with "The Virtuous Woman".
The Mutt: Really, men are quite stupid, I'll admit it, because we always fall for the attractive/bitch package. But it never works out...
Nel: [Smiling] Because men thinks with one head at a time. Depends which one is doing the thinking.
Deep Blue Sea: Well..since I've seen her pic, I most honestly cannot say what he saw in her looks. Combined with what I am sure is a screechy voice and crass language (behaviour, I shudder to think; table manners....ouch!), I think he lost his head somewhere (between his legs?). Ummmph....and they say men are rational creatures. *eyes rolling*
Nel: Beats me...and I thought I married a smart man. I don't mean to be arrogant, you know I'm hardly that, but she is an insult to his intelligence. I can understand if beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but bad manners, is bad manners, period. There's no beauty in bad manners, and being crass. If beauty dwells deep within and is a mind over matter, then what the hell is the matter with his mind?
The Mutt: The bitch seems to be quite tenacious now, but I give her another month or two, and she'll drop your poor ex-hubby and move on to her next victim, fangs wet.
Nel: She's a bloodsucker alright, with terrible manners and very bad English to boot. I can't help but giggle the first time I heard her speak, and baffled too, at The Ex-Hubby's bad taste, and insulted too, because, if he must leave me, I expect her to be someone much better than me.
Catwoman: Either she's just playing with your mind (via the Bro-in-law, thinking that you'd get excited and get in touch with Ex), or she's found out that the Ex ain't that rich after all.
Nel: She has been holding by the balls. He's probably broke by now looking at how she vacuums (being a sucker) him clean for the last 3 years - to financially support her and her two brats.
The Mutt: "The way I see it,you can either sit back, relax, and wait for him to drop down on the ground to tell him "In your face asshole!" or you can ignore them both and continue your reconnaissance with Boom, which is closer to Kareena's personality, an admirable, loyal woman with integrity.
Nel: I still have that crush for Mr. Crush Boom Bang. But even if I'm not setting my sights on the moon for Mr. Crush Boom Bang, I would probably just ignore The Other Woman's mind games - my life no longer evolves around The Ex-Hubby, so she can fuck off if she thinks I would be jumping with excitement like a little child who gets a new toy. I have pride and integrity, and I won't stoop low to succumb to her mind games. I'd say to her, shoo, low life - get a life!
Catwoman: Damn, she's a sicko. But what about you? How are you?
Nel: I can't throw away my more "happening" life just to catch him fall into my arms. I'm no longer his safety net who would catch him everytime he falls. I hope he realises that I'm also no longer his door mat, punching bag and ego soother - I have arrived, as a financially and emotionally independent career woman.
If The Ex-Hubby wants me back, he has to strip his ego and crawls to me if that is what it takes. On that note, he has not even once, asked for my forgiveness, in person, like a man, to my face. He has to learn how to be a true gentleman at heart, not just looking and acting like one. Maybe that would be a good start. After what he did to me, is that too much to ask?
Nel: I wonder why men leaves their wives for such sluts and bitches. I don't understand - do men prefer bad girls to good girls? So why the hunt for "The Virtuous Woman", only to end up with a "Horny Slut" (money grabbing in 90% of the cases, too) after they get bored with "The Virtuous Woman".
The Mutt: Really, men are quite stupid, I'll admit it, because we always fall for the attractive/bitch package. But it never works out...
Nel: [Smiling] Because men thinks with one head at a time. Depends which one is doing the thinking.
Deep Blue Sea: Well..since I've seen her pic, I most honestly cannot say what he saw in her looks. Combined with what I am sure is a screechy voice and crass language (behaviour, I shudder to think; table manners....ouch!), I think he lost his head somewhere (between his legs?). Ummmph....and they say men are rational creatures. *eyes rolling*
Nel: Beats me...and I thought I married a smart man. I don't mean to be arrogant, you know I'm hardly that, but she is an insult to his intelligence. I can understand if beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but bad manners, is bad manners, period. There's no beauty in bad manners, and being crass. If beauty dwells deep within and is a mind over matter, then what the hell is the matter with his mind?
The Mutt: The bitch seems to be quite tenacious now, but I give her another month or two, and she'll drop your poor ex-hubby and move on to her next victim, fangs wet.
Nel: She's a bloodsucker alright, with terrible manners and very bad English to boot. I can't help but giggle the first time I heard her speak, and baffled too, at The Ex-Hubby's bad taste, and insulted too, because, if he must leave me, I expect her to be someone much better than me.
Catwoman: Either she's just playing with your mind (via the Bro-in-law, thinking that you'd get excited and get in touch with Ex), or she's found out that the Ex ain't that rich after all.
Nel: She has been holding by the balls. He's probably broke by now looking at how she vacuums (being a sucker) him clean for the last 3 years - to financially support her and her two brats.
The Mutt: "The way I see it,you can either sit back, relax, and wait for him to drop down on the ground to tell him "In your face asshole!" or you can ignore them both and continue your reconnaissance with Boom, which is closer to Kareena's personality, an admirable, loyal woman with integrity.
Nel: I still have that crush for Mr. Crush Boom Bang. But even if I'm not setting my sights on the moon for Mr. Crush Boom Bang, I would probably just ignore The Other Woman's mind games - my life no longer evolves around The Ex-Hubby, so she can fuck off if she thinks I would be jumping with excitement like a little child who gets a new toy. I have pride and integrity, and I won't stoop low to succumb to her mind games. I'd say to her, shoo, low life - get a life!
Catwoman: Damn, she's a sicko. But what about you? How are you?
Nel: I can't throw away my more "happening" life just to catch him fall into my arms. I'm no longer his safety net who would catch him everytime he falls. I hope he realises that I'm also no longer his door mat, punching bag and ego soother - I have arrived, as a financially and emotionally independent career woman.
If The Ex-Hubby wants me back, he has to strip his ego and crawls to me if that is what it takes. On that note, he has not even once, asked for my forgiveness, in person, like a man, to my face. He has to learn how to be a true gentleman at heart, not just looking and acting like one. Maybe that would be a good start. After what he did to me, is that too much to ask?
Friday, December 03, 2004
Sari & Sins
Last night, I finished reading "Sari & Sins" by Nisha Minha - a story about a Punjabi woman, Kareena who was married off to Samir by her parents. Samir was perfect, except that he has a dark secret in the shapely form of Cloey, his mistress who is not ready to give him up, or rather his house and bank balances.
Cloey reminds me of The Other Woman whom The Ex-Hubby is keeping. Very greedy, crude and possessive - nothing is ever enough to please Cloey. Where else, Kareena, was supportive and does everything she could to make Samir happy. Sounds like what I did for The Ex-Hubby for 15 years that we knew each other (and 7 years of marriage).
By the way, on Dec 15, the second day of Hari Raya, I got a missed call from The Ex-Hubby's mobile phone - I didn't manage to pick up the call in time as I was in the bathroom. I couldn't call back immediately, either, as I had run out of my prepaid credit and was too busy attending to mom's Hari Raya guests.
I asked Emak if I should call him back. Emak said there's no harm in calling back, as he probably expected me to call, being the miser he is. Hmmm...one if things guys should know - in order to be in your mom-in-law's good books, never, never, be stingy with her.
So, I called his mobile back like a few hours later. When I said "Hello", The Other Woman's voice was harshly telling me "Pukimak, apa kau mau?" ("Bitch, what do you want?") and then she hung up. I was shocked to hear such vulgarity from her, that I was speechless for a moment. When I recovered, I called back the number to tell her off but the phone was turned off. So, I never got to her. But I sms her telling her that I'm disappointed in The Ex-Hubby's choice of woman lately - she has no manners at all, I don't what he sees in her. He must be blind.
I wonder if he is really happy now? Stuck with a cormorant (new word I learned today - gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person) lowlife such as THAT.
Just like Samir, Kareena and Cloey's love triangle, I wonder why men leaves their nice wives for such sluts and bitches. I don't understand - do men prefer bad girls to good girls? So why the hunt for The Virtuous Woman, only to end up with a Horny Slut (money grabbing in 90% of the cases, too) after they get bored with The Virtuous Woman.
My mind was echoing Michelle Branch when she sings: Could you look me in the eye, and tell me that you're happy now? Would you tell it to my face (or have I been erased), are you happy now? Ohhh, ohhhh are you happy now? Are you happy now? Are you happy now?
I called up The Ex Hubby's Sister-in-Law, and she said The Other Woman does that all the time when she calls The Ex-Hubby's Sister. The Other Woman wouldn't let The Ex Hubby get close to his own family. The Mummy-in-Law told me that for the whole of Ramadhan month, The Ex Hubby hardly come by except for Hari Raya's eve. He came by on the first day of Hari Raya and left right after lunch, when his phone rang (they assumed it was The Other Woman having him at her beck and call 24/7).
Queen control
I also found out that The Ex-Hubby's Brother got a phone call from The Other Woman to interrogate him how often I call The Ex-Hubby's Family and how often they call me. Waaah, so nosy eh? The Ex-Hubby's Brother told her that we keep in touch very often. And she asked if they still love me. He said, of course. She told him, if that is so, then they can have me back as she's backing off, she's obviously unwanted. Whoa, this is incredible, too good to be true, indeed. I even checked my ears if they are working properly.
I told Graveyard Shift and Madam Fuss-Over, and they said, it's not that she's giving him up. It is just that, being a parasite that she is, she probably found another "tree" to live on and suck it dry. She's leaving The Ex-Hubby only when he is going to be useless to her. She has probably caught a Bigger Fish.
Do you think so? Tell me what is your theory...
Cloey reminds me of The Other Woman whom The Ex-Hubby is keeping. Very greedy, crude and possessive - nothing is ever enough to please Cloey. Where else, Kareena, was supportive and does everything she could to make Samir happy. Sounds like what I did for The Ex-Hubby for 15 years that we knew each other (and 7 years of marriage).
By the way, on Dec 15, the second day of Hari Raya, I got a missed call from The Ex-Hubby's mobile phone - I didn't manage to pick up the call in time as I was in the bathroom. I couldn't call back immediately, either, as I had run out of my prepaid credit and was too busy attending to mom's Hari Raya guests.
I asked Emak if I should call him back. Emak said there's no harm in calling back, as he probably expected me to call, being the miser he is. Hmmm...one if things guys should know - in order to be in your mom-in-law's good books, never, never, be stingy with her.
So, I called his mobile back like a few hours later. When I said "Hello", The Other Woman's voice was harshly telling me "Pukimak, apa kau mau?" ("Bitch, what do you want?") and then she hung up. I was shocked to hear such vulgarity from her, that I was speechless for a moment. When I recovered, I called back the number to tell her off but the phone was turned off. So, I never got to her. But I sms her telling her that I'm disappointed in The Ex-Hubby's choice of woman lately - she has no manners at all, I don't what he sees in her. He must be blind.
I wonder if he is really happy now? Stuck with a cormorant (new word I learned today - gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person) lowlife such as THAT.
Just like Samir, Kareena and Cloey's love triangle, I wonder why men leaves their nice wives for such sluts and bitches. I don't understand - do men prefer bad girls to good girls? So why the hunt for The Virtuous Woman, only to end up with a Horny Slut (money grabbing in 90% of the cases, too) after they get bored with The Virtuous Woman.
My mind was echoing Michelle Branch when she sings: Could you look me in the eye, and tell me that you're happy now? Would you tell it to my face (or have I been erased), are you happy now? Ohhh, ohhhh are you happy now? Are you happy now? Are you happy now?
I called up The Ex Hubby's Sister-in-Law, and she said The Other Woman does that all the time when she calls The Ex-Hubby's Sister. The Other Woman wouldn't let The Ex Hubby get close to his own family. The Mummy-in-Law told me that for the whole of Ramadhan month, The Ex Hubby hardly come by except for Hari Raya's eve. He came by on the first day of Hari Raya and left right after lunch, when his phone rang (they assumed it was The Other Woman having him at her beck and call 24/7).
Queen control
I also found out that The Ex-Hubby's Brother got a phone call from The Other Woman to interrogate him how often I call The Ex-Hubby's Family and how often they call me. Waaah, so nosy eh? The Ex-Hubby's Brother told her that we keep in touch very often. And she asked if they still love me. He said, of course. She told him, if that is so, then they can have me back as she's backing off, she's obviously unwanted. Whoa, this is incredible, too good to be true, indeed. I even checked my ears if they are working properly.
I told Graveyard Shift and Madam Fuss-Over, and they said, it's not that she's giving him up. It is just that, being a parasite that she is, she probably found another "tree" to live on and suck it dry. She's leaving The Ex-Hubby only when he is going to be useless to her. She has probably caught a Bigger Fish.
Do you think so? Tell me what is your theory...
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