Shift

Hey..it's been some time since I played online games :p Mg refused to let me introduce my latest craze to her. Apparently, she just kicked a habit of throwing paper recently.

THIS is from yahoo. I just picked it randomly from the yahoo site..and found it so addicitve. The game is called Shift 2. Great game to exercise your brain..and take a break from your routine work. It also requires us to make good use of some keys in the keyboard..do away with mouse clicking!

Things That Make a Brighter Day

My day didn't begin very well for some reason but it got better and better as the day go by. Firstly, I remembered that today is pay day. Wee wee wee...one of the main reason for dragging ourselves to work everyday. Secondly, a morning chat with maggie made my day. It was just as simple as I guessed correctly on something that she asked me . I thanked her for the entertainment..but she thinks I should thank myself for being able to see things in a happy way.

Thirdly, I had a good lunch with Jenny and Tracy. Most importantly, Tracy thinks that I look very good today eventhough I have very obvious dark circle around my eyes.

Well, it's evening now... Hope tomorrow is will be a wonderful day.

Perasan

I bump into the cleaner in the toilet a little ago. She was in a good mood and smiling away...so I asked her "why..issit becasue the toilets are much cleaner nowadays after the dirty tenant has moved out?"

She said "no" and whispered a 'hou leng' (very pretty/ nice). For a moment I thought she was praising me! But when I ask again..what is 'leng'?

She said - 'tei har hou leng' (the floor very nice/ clean)

*FROWN*

E-Filing 2007

It is that time of the year again, where everyone scramble to file their tax form. Key documents that we normally scramble for are:

• the form that we may have received months ago
• previous year's form to back check past information
• claimable receipts for tax deduction
• EA form that gives us the 2 important figures..total salary earned and total monthly tax paid

Traditionally, we had to fill in and calculate manually on a hard copy and then either post or hand in the form to the tax office.

Last year, I started to use the e-filing facility where everything can be done online. So..besides the documents and receipts...I have to recall the PASSWORD that I used last year. At this digital age..everything is about PASSWORDS and USERNAMES isn't it.

For some reasons...I was so confident that I wouldn't have problems remembering the password after 12 months. Of course..I didn't remember la. Well, at this digital age..it is fairly easy to solve..just go to the website and click 'forgot password'. As usual, I have to answer a 'challenge question'..which normally will be My Mother's Name. Easy? Not really...I was given five tries..and I failed in the first four! No..I didn't forget my mother's name...it's just that there are suppose to be spaces in between. So..remember that huh..

After getting past that Name test..I managed to reset a new password. That was last week. Guess what...today my mind went blank again! So..I had to repeat the Name test again..to reset the password. Duh!..Not that I have lot's of different passwords to rotate around (although it is safer to do so)...but we are doing so many stuff online..it's getting really tough to manage all this passwords and usernames.

Anyway..I completed my e-filing within 30 mins (including checking time). It's really easy! (Chris..do you hear me?). FYI..Chris is one of those folks who is still sceptical about the reliability of the web especially when it comes to a gov.my site.

However, I have to warn you about making additional tax payment via their site i.e. via e-bayaran. It didnt work for me.

The screen was static at this page for over 10 mins:

Transaction Status
Please Wait... Your request is being processed

And then..it says this:

Transaction Details
Date: 23-Apr-2008 11:08:45
FPX Transaction ID: xxxxxxxxx
Failure Reason: FAILED TRANSACTION Debit Amount: xxxxx

You may wish to print or save a copy for reference.

Now..I gotta make sure the money is still in my account! When it comes to money..it is still best to do it personally at the bank huh..

Chicks..growing ugly

I wanted to wait until they are fully grown..but I can't wait to share wor...look! how ugly they are turning to be... DAY 1 : 15 April
3 DAYS LATER : 18 APRIL
6 DAYS LATER : 21 APRIL

Things that Daughters do

My father has suggested a few times that we should explore some eating places in Cheras. I never agreed to go because I am not familiar with the area. Chris offered that she is available to take us around last Sunday. On Sunday morning I tolf her that I am not going over..my reason as I wrote on my sms as follows:

"..he is very ngam cham today. Complaining non stop. Don't think I wanna eat with him today.."

Chris thought I am a terrible daughter. I ended making a quick dish of pasta and shared with him.

Later in the afternoon, my cousin sms to confirm that she is bringing her parents over to Desa Aman Puri to try out a famous seafood restaurant. Our exchanges of sms as follows:

Cousin:"..hi. we will be at desa amn at 6,30pm. See you and ur brother there , ok.."

Me: " ok. which place? and what about my father?"

Cousin: "..of course he is welcome. BUt..I dun thk my mother will talk to him lo. sigh..."

Me:"..like tat susah la. I can't leave him tonite cos' last nite i didnt eat with him..sigh.."

:DDD see la.. things that we have to manage as daughters. Let me share with you some history. You see, both my her mom and my dad are not nice people to talk to. Once upon a time, about 10 yrs ago, her mother made a statement that wasn't very nice to my dad. And he reverted with another statement that is not very nice also. Ever since then, they have not really met apart from attending special dinner occassions etc.

Later in the afternooon, we had a few more exchanges of sms and phone calls:

Cousin: .."i tested water oridi. my mom seems ok with ur dad coming"

Me:"..hmm..like tat ah. I will test water oso la"

I needed about an hour to gather the courage to tell him about the dinner. He didnt react negatively or annoyed. So..I assumed that he will be going. SO..i tolf cousin that.."so far so good. no objections from him.."

At about 6,30 cousing sms to say that they are leaving their home. I returned to say that..dad is bathing so..we will leave once he is done.

The fact that he went to bath earlier than usual is almost a sign that he is going right? WRONG! After his is out from shower..I told him that we are about to leave, he said.."..you go la..I am not joining.."

*FAINT*

Taxi

When was the last time you took a taxi in Malaysia? Was it a pleasant experience? Well, I took taxi to and back from KL today. It was very convenient to get one from my office building. I hopped on the first cab in the queue but was dissappointed to find that the driver didn't know where Leboh Pasar Besar is.

The 2nd cab claimed that he knew where it is. He dropped me near the high court building and told me that the place I want to go is just around the corner but..I ended up walking for at least 10 mins in the hot sun! Bloody hell.

To get back to my office in PJ, I decided to take a cab although taking the LRT is a cheaper alternative..but it was just too hot and unsafe to walk about in the city.

I was very happy when I saw a long stretch of taxis waiting in line. I approached the 1st one in line as usual. The driver is a Chinese man ...I thought he didn't look too happy to see a customer...but I went on to state my destination. He 'as a matter of factly' answered that he wanted 20 bucks - f^%k!

Pissed! I went to pick the next one. In fact..I recalled now..none of them looked happy to see a customer. The second cab rejected me. The 3rd cab practically ignored me. The 4th cab agreed to take me but there was no acknowledgement whatsoever - I had to guess that he was actually going to take me since he switched on the meter. The taxi was filthy and stuffy. Ewww..

The journey was very straightforward..there was no traffic congestion. It cost only 8 bucks. And he immediately took another customer after I got off. So..what's wrong with my destination. Why was I given such a cold treatment..

^&%@ what is wrong with these people!!!

Based on my experience in Beijing, HK, Taiwan, SG, BKK...our attitude is way to the bottom >>Z-class! Taxi drivers in other countries are polite eventhough some may not be friendly. Their taxis are also clean and comfortable.

What's hapenning to us?? I don't understand at all.

Rather inauspicious day for driving

Today doesn't seem to be a good day to be on the road, for me at least. I witnessed a couple of rather strange motorist on the road this morning.

Firstly, as I was driving along the LDP, I noticed an agitated motorcyclist swaying away trying to catch up with a Proton Wira. As he approached the car, he raised his right leg and gave the car a kick! Stunt man ka? The car swift to the outer lane without any signals..luckily there were no fast approaching cars on the other lane. The motorcyclist continued pursuing the car. Wonder what happens next. Whatever the car has done to him..it doesn't warrant such stunts on a busy higway isn't it? Hooligans!

Secondly, there was this slow moving CRV that practically stops moving to maneuver a simple curve. I managed to catch a glimpse of the driver - he/ she wears a white cap/hat with sunglasses. Wears a sweatshirt with long sleeve and he/she wears One white glove on the right hand. Strange huh..

Thirdly, as I was making my way across a roundabout on the inner most lane, a car (looks like a volvo) on my left came so close to me that I had to stop my car to give way. He wanted to go 3 o'clock wor while I wanted to go 12 o'clock. Give la signal. He apologised.. forgiven.

Forthly, I came across this red old Datsun 120 which seems to be somewhat struggling on the road. It's tyres seem way too small for the body and it's left signal light was perpetually blinking away and of course the car is moving very slowly la. Since it looks like it is going towards the left, I tried to overtake lor. Guess what ...the car didn't go to the left...the car was actually swerving right very very slowly. Hmm....speechless. I managed to overtake after all. Later on, I actually saw the car on the right most lane preparing to turn right with the left signal still on of course. :DD

I reached the office safely in one piece. And saw this piece of news >>>link

It is not very safe on the roads nowadays isn't it.

Chicks in the House

These adorable chicks were found loitering in front of my house last night. No signs of mother hen at the time of discovery but we know that there are a bunch of 'chicken family' that loiters frequently in the neighbourhood. There was a huge thunderstorm in the evening, my father said that these two poor chaps must have been left behind accidentally by the family. My brother found the first one loitering aimlessly in the middle of the road. Worried for it's safety he picked it up and brought into the house. My SIL said that she still heard some chirping sound in the bushes, I went to check and found another one under a bush. My father asked to bring it in too.

I presumed they were happy to see each other cos they immediatelly snuggled together. Well, occasionnaly they 'quarrel' by pecking at each other. They must be so cold and hungry cos when I picked them up they will snuggle and fall asleep.

After some trial and error I discovered that they are capable of eating and drinking by themselves. They are currentlyon oats (they don't like rice and bread).

The chicken family is back in the morning. I was contemplating if I should return the chicks to the family. But..will they be left behind again?

Do you speak Mandarin?

P/S: I am in a blogathon mood and workload is surpirisngly light. So here I am blogging my heart out

I received a weird anonymous call this morning. The call is as follows (in Mandarin):

• Caller: Helo..ni huei chiang hua yue ma? (Helo..can you speak Mandarin?)
• Me: Bu huey (No)

After answering Bu Huey..I felt guilty and tickled..while I am really being honest that I can't speak Mandarin....I did feel silly for anwering in Mandarin -"Bu Huey" - that's one of the few Mandarin phrases that I know. I think the caller was a bit suspicious cos' she asked me a few times. I stammered a little bit...struggling to think of how else I could tell her that I really can't speak Mandarin besides saying Bu Huey. I mumbled a few times Bu Huey..tried to pronouce it as bad as I can. She gave up eventually.

I am quite certain it sounded like one of those sales or conman calls from China. SO becareful out there.

This is dedicated to all Single Women out there.
This is dedicated to my 'alcoholic' friends out there ;

I thought customers are always right?

I just received an email about Restaurant Yoong Kie at Gohtong Jaya that charges RM420 for half a Sultan Fish which apprently weighed 1.4kg. The case was also highlighted in one of the Chinese newspapers last week. Daylight robbery man!

This prompted me to share my recent experience at a popular seafood restaurant at Bandar Manjalara called DeFoodland. My complain is relatively minor compared to the Yoong Kie case but since I am rather dissappointed, here goes:

Defoodland is quite a popular restaurant and is (was) one of my family's favourite dinner place. I was told recently that customers come from as far as Tmn Tun to have their crabs.

We were there on Saturday to have a simple dinner to celebrate Danial's birhtday and also to welcome SIL's sis from Thailand.

The restaurant was packed. and we waited for about 10 mins for the table to be cleared and at least another 15 mins to have orders taken. They have a huge variety of options in their menu so we took alot of effort shortlisting our choices. After much pain, we ordered steam crab with egg white, fried egg with prawns, claypot pork belly with salted fish and stir fried ginger onion clams.

After waiting for about half an hour...a waitress brought a plate of clam cooked in a kung po style
, which was not what we ordered. She explained that the kitchen had accidentally cooked wrongly and this is the last dish of clam left. It was only about 9pm...and the restaurant only closes at 12am..do you believe that they do not have any clams left on a Saturday night? Being nice and hungry customers, we were not suspicious at all and accepted the dish. We were given our rice and served only that one dish. ME..being the one with a higher expectation on food..immediately felt that the dish is much much too cold! I cannot accept that it's just been cooked! My father thinks I am being picky. My SIL was too hungry too comment. My nephew was truly enjoying it.

Only my brother and I was dissatisfied. Both of us were pretty sure that they must have prepared the dish wrongly much earlier for other customers and they wanted to try their luck on us. And what's peculiar is that no other dishes arrive even after about 10 mins. So..how can it be that they cooked that for us?

I finally got the attention of a staff and told her our dissatisfaction. What do you think the outcome was?

Unfortunately..another dissappointment to the standard of our service industry. Fiirstly, the staff stressed a few times that they do not serve rejected dishes other customers. Next she offered to Reheat the dish for us - Big Deal. We declined..so she as a matter of factly 'offred' to take the dish away and promise to cancel the dish from our bill - BIG DEAL.

No signs of being apologetic. There wasn't any offer or suggestion to other dishes. We even had to stop her from turning away..cos we need to know what options wehad since we were left with one dish less. Her solution was that..she will Chase to kitchen to expedite our other dishes.

Niama.

FYI..the other dishes only arrive at least 20 mins later. The crabs arrive even later...after we finished all other dishes!

Niama.

My pals

This post is dedicated to my pals. I have know this bunch for at least 5 years (i think). We had differences...but we've worked together for a few years, we've travelled together a couple of times. We've gone separate ways since..but ocassionally we get together for gossip sessions. No doubt sometimes we run out of things to yak about..but we still make it a point to stay in touch. And I believe deep inside each of us...we treasure friendship. What are friends for? A someone you can call upon when you need company...a different companion other than family, spouse or colleague.

Some birthdays are coming up in April and we are trying to organise a get together. This is how diffficult and irrelevant women can get. Men..will never understand.

F: lets try next week.....tis week is a bit tight on my end....but go ahead if everyone is available....
T: m ok on 18th (anytime), 19th cannot – someone just booked me for full day..
W: Aiyah………….18th S may not be free. How about 20th then? Is everyone ok for 20th? If not then we postpone to the next week la

F: m ok for lunch......... TQ 4 being d organiser v r a bunch of mar fan ppl.....getting all of us together is really difficult......

S: 20th set. lunch. now..the nex challenge is where. the easiest is dim sum in a nice cosy restaurant? suits the sunday mood too. i can only thk of Oriental in Jaya 33 ..new n cosy.


C: There is another dim sum place at the Fitness First near Hilton, nearer to the DHL office .. sorry cannot remember the name of the building.

F: building name annexe ahhhhhh...mayb v go jalan2x at jaya 33 i have never been there....but parking mayb a problem unless v park inside

S: hmm..i hv to decipher f's sentence again.i presume ..she meant we shall go to Jaya 33 instead of the Menara Anexxe (or isit Axis).parking in Jaya 33 is not a problem, lotsa spaces ..thk its flat rate on weekend.

C: F gave me the impression she is using Blackberry to reply emails ... ehhh .. you use Blackberry ah ... why use all the shortcut for words (jalan2X) etc ... took me a while to understand ..

S : may be she uses a very small laptop with v small keyboard ler.

C: the keyboard as small as like those in a Blackberry phone or PDA?

T: why u all so free!!!! my head gonna explode already.. can't think already..

C: I also busy but taking break to tease F only mah ... such a short sentence :)
Unlike writing work related emails, this kind of emails need not 'plant trees and flowers', need not take care of spelling error, grammar ... etc .. straight from the otak, just type down (example, like jalanx2 .. :P)

W: Wah this morning when I log on to my email, I am swarmed with all your emails!!! Anyway, so is the place confirmed in Jaya 33, I think the restaurant name is Oriental Palace

P/S: No confirmation on time and place of meet as at press time :D Emails had suddenly stopped coming in. That's how temperamental women can be.

Dear Blog

Dear Blog,

Yesterday I 'suddenly' realised my waistline has become wider than usual and there is a very much more obvious spare tyre bulging out. I also suddenly found it much more difficult than usual to fit into my pants and both my pants and shorts are now 'suddenly' tighter around the thighs.

Not that I had an hour glass thinner figure before this, but these excessive fats...was never that obvious before! Well, I did spend quite a bit of money and quite some effort on 25 hourly gym sessions with a professional trainer ....err that was about half a year ago (ooh....didn't realise that was so long ago). After all the hardwork and of course thanks to the surgery in February and all the tai chi sessions...there were consistent feedback that confirmed that I had a fitter outlook. For the first time in my life I could proudly ask for Small size blouses! Hmm..I am not about to give all that up.

So..I wonder why and when did all this excessive fats creep into my body. Sigh...must be all those fatty pork that I've been indulging on. Gym attendance was also reduced to once (sometimes NIL) a week (instead of twice), from 1 hour to 30 mins per visit. *SHAME*

So..I hereby promise that I will revive my regime again.

So..dear blog, please remind me to go to the gym every Wednesday and Saturday (or Sunday). I must also continue with tai ci every Monday and Thursday.

Happy Belated April Fools Day

My previous entry was meant to be an April Fool Joke :D

ML thinks I am a 'horrid' ..whatever she meant.

Well, I think it's good to remember this day. Don't you remember that we used to be so excited on this day? On eve of April 1st itself, we started cracking our heads to think about pranks that we will use to 'fool' friends at school.

Such innocent fun.