Thursday, August 31, 2006

Merdeka

I dislike price hikes and inflation. But it does mean that our country is achieving some progress (based on my basic knowledge of economics), and it's making us work harder, smarter.

I dislike fundamentalists who preach crap about religon. But still I'm able to have my own beliefs instead of being forced to follow a single faith.

I dislike the fact that imported cars cost so expensive. But we still have Proton, and Perodua to provide us with cheap transportation.

I dislike the inefficiency displayed at most government offices. But better to get it done late than not done at all.

I dislike insecurity that one feels when walking on the streets in the middle of the night. But it does build up courage and and inspires us to take up self-defence classes.

I dislike being stuck in traffic jams. But at least there are still roads for us to travel on, not some dirt track where camels and horses come and go.

Of all the things that I dislike about this place, they have their own silver linings if viewed optimistically. Not one of them can overcome the fact that this is my home after all.

It's a place that my family has called home for 3 generations. And it'll still be our home for generations to come.

Happy Merdeka, Malaysia.

This post was inspired by this entry.

thought completed at 5:17 PM | 1 comments

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Monday, August 28, 2006

Sawi and Ino

Omg I can't believe I'm watching the streaming broadcast of Mawi and Ina on the internet.

And my imagination runs wild...

(Music fades in)

Oprah: And welcome back to the Oprah Winfrey show where we have Ino together with us today. Now tell us, how did it happen? How did your engagement with Sawi break off?

Ino: Actually...it wasn't our intentions to seperate. We were a happy couple together. We had so many orgies together...(voice trails off)

Oprah: You're meaning someone else made the two of you break off?

Ino: It's not good to accuse people of bad things...but yes IT WAS HIS FREAKIN AGENT that bugged the hell out of me! He wanted in...and he's gay! (Holds back tears)

Oprah: I'm so sorry. So what was it that made you speak out to the public about your relationship with Sawi?

Ino: All I wanted was the truth to be known to the public. My family's and my pride are at stake. So, I really hope the public, with their insatiable curiousity go out and buy my LATEST tell-all book entitled "One night with Sawi", at just 49.99.

Oprah: Yes talking about your book, what can readers expect from what you have written?

Ino: Well...it's about the sweet things that happened when we were together, like how he *CENSORED* and how I *CENSORED* and all the while we were *CENSORED*. It was like heaven. Speaking of which you can now purchase my LATEST CD, " 5 Minutes in Heaven". It even comes with a free MTV of me singing my heart out for Sawi.

Oprah: I see you've been busy lately after your break off with Sawi.

Ino: Not really. I've just acted in a couple of movies, shot a few ads for some cosmetics companies, appeared on live television for an interiew with Sawi (I'm sure you saw that), and posed nude for Playboy...

Oprah: Wha...

Ino: Oh and I'll be having a meet-the-fans session at Times Square at the end of the month...

* * * * * * *

No wonder celebrity couples (and the not-so-famous) are not holding back anything in private.

Technorati tags: mawi, ina, akademi fantasia, celebrity nonsense

thought completed at 9:36 PM | 5 comments

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Sunday, August 27, 2006

Preparing for convo

Things to do before the day:

1. Polish my shoes. Status: Done, as justified by the shoe polish mark(s) on the floor.

2. Send my suit for dry cleaning. Status: Yet to be done Done. Can someone please recommend a decent laundry place in Kelana Jaya where I can trust them in handling my Padini jacket?

3. Get a haircut. Status: Yet to be done. Again, I have no idea which stylist to head to without burning a gaping hole in my wallet. Getting your hair cut can be so expensive here I could probably pay for three cuts in JB for the price of one.

4. Book photo session. Status: In progress Done. Waiting for LS to confirm the time and date. Darn the photo shop taukes for charging an arm and a leg just for some photos. Then again, it's a once in lifetime opportunity, as they all say.

5. Get a proper shirt and tie. Status: Done. If it weren't for the stupid rules that the uni set for us (MUST be white or light-coloured shirt and dark-coloured tie), I'd be saving myself a dinner at Jogoya. Who doesn't want to look good anyway. Thank goodness for the G2000 sale.

6. Hotel reservation. Status: Done. I'm staying at the Zon Regency (formerly Eden Hotel), where the duty-free complex is situated right next to it. Which means, lots and lots of chocolate, alcohol and cigars. Oh wait, I don't smoke.

7. Pre-order flowers. Status: Yet to be done Done. Initially I thought of just buying from the makeshift stalls, but CY reminded that pre-ordering from the shops is better. Gurl's not much of a flower fan, so I guess if worse comes to worse, at least I won't be without a bouquet of rotting plants.

8. Plan my activities. Status: In progress. Actually all I've got in mind is to bring my family for some of the best cuisines in JB. But it seems there's a plan going on for all SEL coursemates to meet up. We'll see...

thought completed at 10:49 PM | 3 comments

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Friday, August 25, 2006

Random rant

I hate people who don't really know you but go on to tell you about the minute and insignificant details (like how many time they shitted today) of their pathetic daily life.

I hate people who pester you to try out that online game (which sucks and is a total waste of time) when you're busy with your own work.

I hate people who can't speak proper english BUT go on rambling as though they know all the shit in linguistics.

I hate people who make insensitive and incoherant remarks about religion.

I hate people who have a funny laugh that sounds like a hyena while mating.

I hate people who have a funny laugh AND laugh at their own lame jokes when no one else thinks it's funny or amusing.

I hate 'em. Hate 'em all.

And it just so happens that all these annoying characteristics are integrated perfectly into one of the guys at my company.

If I ever resign within 3 months, it'll be because of the presence of these people.

thought completed at 1:37 PM | 1 comments

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Thursday, August 24, 2006

Burnt!

PETALING JAYA: An employee of an electronics company here had an accident in one of the laboratories today, according to the company spokesperson. Apparently, the victim, an engineer, was handling material at extremely high temperatures when the incident occured.

The victim, who shall remain anonymous to spare him the humility, was carrying out some work near an oven. In an exclusive interview, he revealed that he occasionally suffers from Blank Mind Syndrome, a common but usually non-hazardous illness among the workforce. It was during one of his fits that he accidentally touched metal that was being heated up in the oven. As a result, he suffered first and second degree burns to his thumb and index fingers.

The victim has refused to seek any medical treatment and prefers the old fashioned way of healing. He is believed to be recuperating at home in the company of his computer and pet dog. In a press statement given out by the victim's family members, they urged companies to consider the well-being of employees who are suffering from the syndrome.

"Engineers contribute their lives to the company and society. In return, they should be given better benefits and longer breaks to allow them to achieve harmonious work-life balance."

The family members will also be starting a BEDS AT WORK campaign soon to push for their cause. Their immediate aim is to replace office cubicles with comfy beds and pillows at the workplace.

At press time, the company could not be reached for further comment.

* * * * * * * * *

I have a blister the size shape of Sumatra forming around the tip of my index finger, making it partially incapacitated. And I can only blame myself for it. Argh!

thought completed at 12:22 AM | 1 comments

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Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Tickets to Rock4Hope

Anyone interested in going for Rock4Hope? It's a charity concert organized to raise funds for Yvonne Foong's surgery to remove tumours from her body.

It'll be held on the 9th of September at 7.30pm, venue is at the multi-purpose hall in Sunway University College. Bands like Deja Voodoo Spells and A Day at the Zoo will performing on that night.

More details here.

If you have a heart and would like to lend Yvonne a helping hand, by all means go out and purchase the tickets yourselves (RM20 per ticket). Hey if you could contribute to the already wealthy folks at TGV/GSC, why not give some for charity? And there's music too.

BUT, if you're absolutely, hopelessly in need of funds yourself (and you're surviving on instant noodles every other day), I'm giving out 2 tickets to the concert. I'm doing this because two of my colleagues purchased the tickets but cannot make it on that day. So, if you meet the conditions above, contact me at daredevil_tyn@hotmail.com (for the tickets, not for money k).

I've already got a ticket for myself. Hopefully will be able to make it. If you're going too, do let me know...perhaps we could meet up ;)

Technorati tags: rock4hope

thought completed at 12:04 AM | 0 comments

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Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Cheese tarts - absolute heaven!

I haven't had any entries about food for a while now. Reason is because I'm sort of stuck with mamak food during weekdays. Yes, it's the weekends that make my taste buds craving. So it's about time I introduce you to...

Cheese Tarts from heaven Bentong

The crust is rather crispy if eaten fresh or out of the refrigerator. And the cheese is just so dense that you can savour it in your mouth for a couple of minutes before it melts. With a hint of blueberry, you've got the perfect thing to indulge yourself in. Forget chocolates!

It was absolute heaven when I first tasted one of these delicacies. Plus I'm not even a big fan of cheese; Secret Recipe cheesecakes don't tempt me, neither does Cheesie. Well okay I take the latter part back.

They come in 6 per box, and at RM1.10 each, they're pretty much the cheapest thing out there that you can get addicted to. Pity you can't find these anywhere in KL. Authentically made-in-Bentong, that's what they are.

I've had a thought of being a distributor in the Klang Valley for the said baker. Seriously, where can you get such delightful pastries at such a price? I could hike it up to 2 bucks and I bet there'd still be loads of people coming for it.

Sadly, my entrepreneur skills have been put away since I started work. But if you happen to pass by Bentong town, do drop by Deli Choice Cafe at Jalan Chui Yin for a taste of the best cheese tarts.

I'm doing free advertising because I love their cheese tarts and would like to get a lifetime supply of them in case they notice this.

Technorati tags: cheese, cheese tart, bentong

thought completed at 8:54 PM | 3 comments

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Sunday, August 20, 2006

Don't talk to me about religion

Religion is always a sensitive and somewhat unsuitable topic for a casual conversation, especially when you're discussing it with someone you're not very familiar with. Ideas will clash, voices raised, fists proudly displayed and someone might get killed in the process.

No, religion is definitely not something I'd want to bring up with that new friend/colleague/neighbour.

But some people are just so darned persistant on talking about this, even when they're not a follower of a particular religion. Take for example this conversation I had the other day with a new aquaintance. He noticed the Bible in my car and started to yak and yak and yak about his incoherant ideas on the matter.

He started out by saying that some of his friends converted to Christainity, and they were happily serving God by finding they're own purpose in life yadda yadda. Then his words took a 360-degree turn and he went on to say that he didn't believe in the existence of a God, openly stating that religion is some mystical belief and he wouldn't be part of it.

All the time he was talking, I was listening and tried to intervene with my own opinions. Being a young Christian, I guess my explanations didn't quite manage to convince him and he continued with his high-and-mighty preaching about religious beliefs.

I was trying to keep my cool. Okay, I thought, he's not a Christian so it's not his fault that he doesn't understand. But it was the last straw when he said to me "I don't think you look like a Christian".

Wtf? What gives you the right to judge whether or not I belong to one religion or another? Do I need to stamp my beliefs on my forehead and proclaim to the world which God I believe in? Do I have to LOOK like a Christian to be a Christian?

Coolly, I replied to him, "You can't judge a person like that."

That must have made him realize that he had crossed the line. The conversation topic was dropped not long after.

Malaysians are generally a tolerant lot when it comes to discussions like these (if you're not talking about the religion, that is). I don't mind if people talk in a nice way. Respect my beliefs and I'll return the favour. But please, keep away from the insensitive remarks before I label you a dickhead and put you in my freaks list.

And that aquaintance of mine? I'm staying as far away as I can from him.

thought completed at 7:12 PM | 6 comments

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Thursday, August 17, 2006

Of road names and places

I was supposed to fetch a friend back to Bentong last week. This friend of mine, not being familiar with the roads around the Klang Valley, asked where I could pick her up after work. In the end, we decided that the best place for us to meet was at the Kelana Jaya LRT station.

An interesting conversation followed after she got into my car.

Friend: Hey...why couldn't you go Ampang to fetch me?

Me: Huh? I thought you're working at the Renaissance, and you're not staying in Ampang either right?

Friend: Cos my workplace is in Ampang ma...

Me: Kid me ar? Ampang where got Renaissance hotel?

Friend: Got lah, the one near Concorde there.

Me: That's in KL la...nowhere near Ampang.

Friend: But my workplace address...it says Jalan Ampang? I thought it was in Ampang.

Renaissance Hotel
Corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang
Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Malaysia

Me: Like that Jalan Kuching should be in Kuching, and we can go Jalan Ipoh to eat ngar choi kai (chicken rice with beansprouts) la izzit?

Friend: Err...hehehe ya hor.

Me: Then I should put you down at Jalan Pahang. Since we're heading toward Pahang anyway.

Sometimes I wonder what goes through a girl's mind when it's being fed with directions and road names...

thought completed at 12:49 AM | 2 comments

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Tuesday, August 15, 2006

A letter to the Minister

Dear Minister,

Pardon me for my previous post, I really wasn't being angry or vengeful against you and your ministry. Well maybe you (and your predecessors) did mess up the lives of a handful of students around the country, but that's another story.

What bothered me was how you and your abled assistants came up with this system to keep track of fresh graduates. I have no objection to filling up surveys and questionnaires that might be of benefit for our future generation. But the point is, I don't see the point in filling up that particular survey that you so kindly prepared for us.

Of course I knew you 'cared' for our well being and futures by asking loads of questions regarding to our lives in university, but what good will it make to the guy who didn't get the job? Or the girl who had to take care of her siblings instead of having a proper profession? Seriously, if you are going to give out one thousand dollars to every unemployed graduate, I'd be glad to complete it for you (and I bet thousands of others would too).

But the thing is, I've got a job. Now here's the interesting part, how can you make it better for people who are a) currently employed and b) busy like hell with their jobs? If you'd hand us the one grand, that'd be great. But if you're not, apart from being a waste of time and office productivity, I don't see any good coming out of putting a tick to all the questions.

Plus, as a "continuous effort to improve our higher education system", I think you should brush up on your English and set a good example to everyone out there. I mean, you don't want all your efforts to go to waste, right? Forcing grammatically-challenged lecturers to converse in the international language and all that?

Pardon me again if it was not your fault, at least you could do something by transferring the person(s) who put that message up to somewhere that does not require the use of English, thus saving face for the entire ministry.

So dear Minister, I hope that you will not make this a compulsory item for fresh graduates in the years to come. As you might have already known, not everyone has internet access and not everyone has the time.

I sincerely hope that you will take this into consideration, as what I have said here is meant for the good of all. My thanks and appreciation in advance.

A product of your administration,

Derek

PS: Please disregard my survey form. I was tired and frustrated that my answers were not saved for the first time, so I did what people would naturally do.

thought completed at 12:13 AM | 0 comments

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Monday, August 14, 2006

Graduates Tracer Study System - wtf?

Anxious to know where our local graduates are headed to, the Ministry of Higher Education has made it a must for fresh graduates to fill up a survey form to measure our level of "employability and marketability".

Normally I wouldn't bother about these crap surveys, but since I'd need to complete it to collect my graduation robe, I went to the website to have a look at what questions the ministry had prepared for us.

Naturally, I skipped the BM version and went to the English one. Interesting enough, this new system was named "GRADUATES TRACER STUDY SYSTEM", which, though sounding rather professional, made me go "Wtf???"

A check with the BM version reveiled that it was called "Sistem Maklumat Kajian Pengesanan Graduat", yet another lame attempt at making it sound good. Bravo for the creativity and translation.

On the front page, there was a word from the Minister himself. I went through the text to see what message he tried to convey, and I must say he didn't do a very good job at it.

It was littered with grammatical mistakes. And he's the minister ffs!

I really hope that was a screw up by the web admin or some other staff who recorded the message. Think about all the poor undergraduates if he really did have the audicity to come up with such language.

I went on to login, eager to get it done with. After typing in my details, lo and behold, I was greeted with this message:

Damn. I hope he doesn't keep his job for long.

thought completed at 12:43 AM | 5 comments

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Sunday, August 13, 2006

For the sake of my back

Finally! Got myself a proper table and chair.

It's plastic...but it'll do.

I don't know why I've been procrastinating to buy a cheap table since it's been absolutely torturing to my back without one. And since I'll be staying here for a while, I guess it's worth the investment.

Things I could probably do with the table:

1. Reading and writing, obviously.
2. Type without having to bend my back like some Chinese acrobat you see in circus shows.
3. Have meals in the room with one hand free to pick my nose instead of holding a plate.
4. Some naughty stuff that will not be divulged here.

And the list goes on.

So am I ready to say bye-bye to chronic backaches? Are my entries going to be more interesting now that I'm better equipped?

I do hope so...

thought completed at 4:03 PM | 1 comments

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Thursday, August 10, 2006

Looking forward to...

Today is my colleague, Tally's convocation at Universiti Malaya. Congratulations to her.

And this reminds me of one thing: my own convo is due in less than a month's time!

Can't wait to take a break from work and all those engineering issues that are bugging the hell out of me.

Can't wait to get back to a place where I spent the last 5 years of my life.

Can't wait to take my graduation photos together with my family.

Can't wait to meet up with coursemates and friends again.

The one thing I can wait for...is the fact that I've officially ended my life as a student in the academic world. To do masters, or not to do it? That is the question.

thought completed at 8:31 PM | 2 comments

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Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Smoke gets in your eyes

Latest excuses being used by people nowadays:

Schoolboy who didn't finish his homework

"But sir, it was the haze. You see I had this respiratory problem and was bed-ridden and my eyes got all teary so I couldn't see that's why I didn't finish the exercise for Chapter 4 although I really really wanted to, really!"

Employee who's late for work

"Boss, I know I'm late but I was caught in this traffic jam caused by some motorist who claimed he couldn't see the vehicle in front of his due to the reduced visibility. That's due to the haze, of course. Then BANG, the entire LDP was at a standstill and it wasn't really my fault."

Mom who's supposed to fetch her kid back from school

"Hey dear could you hitch a ride back on Johnny's car today? Since it's so hazy outside you know, and you probably don't want mummy to get sick and not be able to make you dinner. So be a good boy and find your own way back okay?"

Ah Beng who gets pulled over by the police for speeding

"Sir, sorry lah, not my fault this time ok? Sky is so damn hazy I can't see a thing ah really! So, didn't see the speed limit sign just now loh. Summore my gal fren ah here coughing all the way so need to see doctor. Give chance lah...can?"

It's back to haunt us again...

Technorati tags: haze, malaysia

thought completed at 12:10 AM | 3 comments

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Monday, August 07, 2006

Quickie

Pop quiz of the day:

What is the legal speed limit on the North South Highway?

110 kmph? Wrong.

The answer is 40 kmph when traffic is heavy, 30 kmph when a lane gets closed down, 20 kmph when goofs in uniform decide to form a roadblock, 10 kmph when a trailer is killed on the road, and 0 kmph when some idiot decides to to cause a pile up in the middle of the highway.



And they call this an expressway. Express my ass.

Man I hate driving back to KL on weekends.

thought completed at 12:55 AM | 3 comments

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Thursday, August 03, 2006

Close encounter of the dumb kind

I am a little short of being stressed out at work. Damn devices just won't run without issues, just like toddlers yearning for attention.

When I was on my way home, fully expecting to get some inner peace and rest, I came across this unbelievably annoying couple. I was in the elevator when the two came in; Plump guy with the face of a retard that screams "Punch me!", whom I shall call Shithead for want of a better name, and his partner of the same physique.

You know that natural loathing of a stranger that grows in you, even when both of you cross paths only for the briefest moments? I had exactly the same feeling.

Shithead, as if not aware of his disgusting aura, was also emitting these loud chewing sounds. Well he might be from Singapore, since gum is a precious commodity there. Perhaps he wanted to fully enjoy the sweetness he never could have tasted in all of his 20 plus years.

Or he could be a fucktard. With no freaking manners.

Partner: What are you eating? (Partner must be of the low IQ category to match Shithead)

Shithead: *Chew chew chew* Chewing gum lah.

Partner: Do you still have any?

Shithead: *Chew chew chew* Hey look, this sign says only 15 persons can go into the elevator.

Partner: Uh huh.

Shithead: *Chew chew chew* Does it include hantu (ghosts) as well? I think it does.

Partner: Hmm...

Shithead: *Chew chew chew* I should add the word hantu to the sign...just to let people know.

And that was my cue to exit the elevator as hurriedly as I could. Not because I was afraid of ghosts of course, but rather due to my low tolerance of absolute stupidity.

Thank you, you shithead for educating us and making my day.

thought completed at 9:25 PM | 1 comments

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Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Dragon Tiger Gate - New age kungfu

Me and Gurl went to catch Pirates 2 last weekend, but ended up watching Dragon Tiger Gate (DTG) instead.

The reason? Somehow Malaysian women just cannot get enough of the smirking Johnny Depp in full makeup, and Malaysian men are too attracted to Keira Knightley’s gorgeous looks to notice her flat chest. What about Orlando Bloom you say? Who needs Orlando Bloom?

To cut it short, the cineplex was full of pirate-wannabes.

Back to DTG, it’s supposed to be an adaptation of a comic series which was way popular in Hong Kong some time ago. I say this because firstly, I didn’t grow up in the 70s, and secondly I don’t read HK comics. Thirdly, I’d rather be shot than pay to watch a HK flick. Alas, miscommunication does happen, and we found ourselves holding the passes to DTG after some blurry moments at the ticket counter.

The story basically goes like this: Brothers go their own ways, one ends up in the dumps, one stays at the kungfu house, both learn kick ass kungfu…Brothers reunite, fight against the scum of the earth, win and rejoice. Throw in a couple of girls and a sidekick and you get the perfect kungfu movie…not.

The main gripe that I have about this movie is the degree of reality the story is set in. Okay so this is supposed to be an entirely fictional, fantasy-based movie, but doesn’t it make you wonder how GUNS never show up in a world where youngster use the latest state-of-the-art cellphones? How the characters' hair can look so cool-til-my-hair's-covering-my-eyes-and-I-can't-see-anything?

Right, I forgot, it’s a martial arts flick. Forgive me if I’m stereotypical, but aren’t these kungfu sifu’s supposed to be...well, a bit more traditional?

So the storyline was like…there was no storyline at all.

Shortcomings apart, the action was good though. Good, not great. Again, it's due to the lack of realistic moves that the human body can perform. Entire movie was full of it though, from the start right up to the final fight scene. And the sound effects! Now that's the only plus point that salvaged this otherwise incoherant movie.

All in all, I still prefer Donnie Yen's previous movie, SPL, though I only watched it on DVD. Well, another lesson learned - NEVER watch HK flicks at the cinemas. Even if there's nothing else to watch.

Technorati tags: dragon tiger gate, donnie yen, kungfu, hk movie

thought completed at 7:02 PM | 3 comments

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