.: Love Guru :.

I am no relationship guru.

In fact, my relationship is far from being the ideal or perfect relationship. But somehow, when it comes to relationship issues, people do come to me for advise. And I do cautiously give them out. For free. Yes, there are such things as free, even for this kiamsap accountant here.

JC says its because I have the gift - the gift of wisdom.

Like when I said " Marriage should not be the solution to your relationship problems, marriage should be the next step after all your relationship problems are resolved "

It's hard to believe, but there are actually people out there - educated, well learned people, who rush into marriages for all the wrong reasons.

One must always remember that you should only marry because of love, for that will make you the happiest person, not only on your wedding day, but for the rest of your lives together.

For more of my opinion of marriage (with a lil light hearted humour) - read here! :)

.: Wilson Philips : You're In Love :.

Wilson Philips

You're In Love

Open the door and come in
I'm so glad to see you my friend
Don't know how long it has been
Having those feelings again.

And now I see that you're so happy
And ooh, it just sets me free
And I'd like to see
Us as good of friends
As we used to be

[Chorus:]
Aah, my love, Aah
You're in love
That's the way
It should be
'Cause I want you to be happy
You're in love
And I know
That you're not in love with me
Ooh it's enough
For me to know
That you're in love
Now I'll let you go
'Cause I know
That you're in love

Sometimes it's hard to believe
That you're never coming back to me
I've had this dream that you'd always be by my side
Oh I could have died.

But now I see that you're so happy
And ooh, it just sets me free.
And I'd like to see
Us as good of friends
As we used to be

[Chorus]

I tried to find you but you were so far away
I was praying that fate would bring you back to me
Someday, someday, someday... Ooh, you're in love

Ooh it's enough
For me to know
That you're in love
Now I'll let you go
'Cause I know
That you're in love

[Fade]

.: Movie Premiere : Surrogates :.

Guess where will I be at 9.30pm tomorrow?

At the premiere of Surrogates - in Cathay Cineplex Damansara!

Big thanx to Nuffnang for the double passes! See you fellow Nuffnangers there tomorrow! :)

.: Nicholas Sparks : Nights In Rodanthe :.

Nicholas Sparks, one of my very favourite contemporary author, have novels spend more than a year both in the New York Times hardcover and paperback lists.

The Notebook, Nights In Rodanthe, The Rescue, A Bend in the Road, True Believer, At First Sight and Dear John have all reached the number one spot.

Message in the Bottle, A Walk To Remember, The Notebook and Nights in Rodanthe have been adapted into major films.

This speaks for how good his novels really are.

If I were to list a few of my favourite - I would have to say its The Notebook, A Walk To Remember and The Wedding.

I have read and equally love At First Sight and Message In The Bottle.

Sadly, I didn't really agree with The Guardian and find it all a bit to bland as I was rather having really high expectations of Nicholas.

Now, when ever I go to our National Library (they do have some fantastic collections over there), I would always pop by to check if they have added any new collections to Nicholas Sparks novel. Well, guess what? Today is my lucky day as I manage to get hold of Nights In Rodanthe.

Let's just hope that it is worth the read! :)

to be continued....

.: Recipe : French Onion Soup :.

While my very creative cousin, Tammie, is good at making cute lil bawang men and women, her not-so-creative-cousin (that would be me) would go into Martha Stewart mode and explain to you what you could make from this lovely bawangs (onions).

French Onion Soup (Simple Version)

Heat a dollop of butter into a frying pan and brown the thinly sliced onions under low to medium heat. Now the onions will firstly 'sweat', then it will slowly brown. The whole pan will be brownish at the sides, but not to worry, that's where the good taste is!

Brown the onions for about 25 - 30 minutes (but please make sure you do not burn it - hence, it's important for you to constantly stir it and ensure that the heat is not too high). Add salt and sugar to taste.

Add about a liter plus of chicken stock (or you could use beef stock - depending on your liking) and bring it to boil. When boiling, slow down the fire for it to simmer. Add a dash of wine or brandy (I used daddy's brandy *shuuuuu*) if you like.

Serve in bowl while hot with warm bread.

Such a simple, but delectable meal!

.: Weak On The First Week Of Work :.

Sigh. Week One of my new job and I am already tired (and this week was only a three-day week)!

Not so much because of work, but because I have to explain to the people I bump into on why I am still in Hong Leong building - in fact, the same floor but opposite wing from where I used to work.

Sigh.

Yes, so now you all know that I am still with Hong Leong - but not with GuocoLand anymore. I am with HL Financial Group.

Well, I should be counting my blessings instead of whining. But boy, is it awkward to answer to the question - "What are you doing here? I thought you have left?"

Well, oh well, that's the price I need to pay!

.: Chatters @ Chatterbox :.

Am so glad with today's gathering at Chatterbox, One Utama.
Note : The cheese-bake rice are absolutely scrumptious (much better that Wong Kok's or Kim Gary's for that matter)

Met up with Qian, Suk, Xiao, Esther, Carol, PYuen, NChong & PLing. Hwa did join us much later.

It's good to catch up with these guys, especially Xiao, whom tho stays nearby, have never really gotten a chance to have a heart to heart talk with for quite a while since she's back from T'ganu.

Post pictures of this gathering up very soon (as soon as I can rip if of Facebook - which they promise to post up - we shall wait and see).

Oh, and again, big thanx to Qian *Tigger hugz* who organised this small farewell gathering.

All the best PYuen in your journey of getting your PhD! :)

.: UpSiDe DoWn :.

(: ¡ʇno ǝpısuı 'uʍop ǝpısdn

.: The CEO :.

Psssst. A lil clue to where I will be working next! :)

.: The Ugly Truth :.

The truth ain't pretty.

But Katherine Heigl is!

This movie is about Abby(Katherine), a control-freak TV producer, who seems to be a lil unlucky in the romance department. She then met and had to work with Mike(Gerald) - a TV host, a supposedly relationship-guru who treats women like objects (we then very much later in the movie finds out why).

He has agreed to mentor her so that she could get the man she wanted (her next door neighbour - a hawt doctor). If he succeeds, hence proving that his theory of relationships hold true, she would agree to work happily together with him. If he doesn't succeed, he would quit his job.



Well, as expected, they eventually fall in love with each other. It wasn't so much of the plot that was interesting, but the jokes and the ... well, it was just the jokes, and Katherine was a real eye candy. I just love to watch her, coz she's just so naturally pretty.

All in all, I like this movie very much, tho many movie critics felt otherwise.

But be warned tho, it's jokes and punchline may be a lil bit too crude for some people.

.: Who Am I : Casting Crown :.

Who Am I

Casting Crown

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You're

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

.: My Life's Drama :.

Facebook status :

5.25pm : Rectification - Stage One.

5.45pm : Faced the music and got an earful :( Now for rectification - Stage Two.

All the drama. Well, at least it's dramatic for my all-so-boring-melancholy-life.

Remember the time where I told you I had a job offer? Well, at least not explicitly, but... (Read here)

And then remember when I told you I had a counter-offer by my Singapore counterparts? (Read here)

And after much contemplation, I finally made my decision? Well, I never mentioned where I was going, but .... (Read here)

And then, just when I thought that my decision was final, at the eleventh hour, I was actually given another option. (Read here)

And all the choices I have made, lead me to this path.

Throughout the whole time, I was seeking God's guidance, that His plans for me to be revealed, and that I will take not the path that I want to take, but rather the path that He wants me to take.

And it's rather humorous, how each step could lead to this very point.

But, put aside the lighter side of things, there is a few measure that I need to take, to ensure that I do not burn any bridges. Afterall, the corporate world is so small, and you'll never know who you will bump into in the future.

As for now, Stage One is completed. I am feeling rather down about it. But sometimes, business is business, and I can't let my personal feelings hinder my judgement of things.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just need the assurance that I am doing the right thing.
Thanks so much dear Fei for that assurance.

.: Numb3rs :.

It's amazing how numb3rs can play such a significant role in Chinese culture, even to this very modern day.

After brunch with my family today, my brother decided to apply for a subline (my dad being the mainline) from Maxis.

So after the helpful young Malay boy behind the counter got the necessary details, he asked my dad and bro to give a four digit preference.

Immediately, my dad conjure up with combination of numbers with eights and sixes, such as "8866" (my dad's previous car number, plus his current handphone number) "8800" (my lil Piccanto car's number - which I didn't choose by the way, by my dad insisted to 'buy' this plate number) "3366" (my dad's existing car number), and other various combination.

The poor boy at the counter, still smiley (I wonder how he could put up with such nonsense), churned out a few numbers, but was immediately rejected by my dad and mom (don't ask why my dad and mom has the veto say in my bro's handphone number), because there was the unlucky number in it.

Yes, you got it right. Four. 4. Sei. Si. Tse. Means die, in whatever Chinese dialect.

So back to the number-churning machine.

The brilliant boy, finally printed out a list of available numbers - and with a smiley face, asked my parents to sit down and think about it, while he attended to other customers.

And guess how long it took the two of them to deliberate the best number?

Forty-four minutes and forty four seconds. 44 minutes 44 seconds.

Well, not exactly.

But I felt like dying there and then.

C'mon. It's just a NUMBER for goodness sake.

Does it mean that if you get a "68" you will be flowing with prosperity?

Or better still "168" where you will be forever prosperous?

Sigh.

I mean how 38 could my parents be?

Note : 38 means sampat in Hokkien! :)

.: My Errands-Running Day :.

Today, I left my house at 10.30am and only reached home at 8.30pm.

This is my hour to hour account of what I did the whole day :

11am - 11.30am - Drive to JC's place to pick him up

11.30am - 12.30pm - Drive to to KL (Heritage House - Jalan Yap Ah Shak) to collect Tammie's LG Cookie handphone and my two complimentary GSC passes. I got stuck in a one hour jam to KL (approximately 15kms distance) at 11.30am in the morning. Why is there a jam at 11.30am? Why?

12.30pm - 12.50pm - Drive to Jalan Yap Kwan Seng (Menara AmBank) to get my medical checkup. Clinic closed at 1pm sharp. Walked to British Council and chill for a while there.

2pm - 3pm - Medical checkup done and report printed. After that, I walked from Menara AmBank to Menara Maxis to submit my medical report (which I will elaborate in my next post why this whole exercise is pointless) Then walked back to Menara AmBank to get my car.

3pm - 4pm - I was stuck in a 1 hour jam in KL going back to JC's place. Why is there a jam at 3pm? Why?

4pm - 4.30pm - Went to Sunway College to pay my long outstanding bills. To keep it short and simple, it wasn't my fault it was long outstanding, ask my HR why. But, because the bill was long outstanding, the cheque payment should be made payable to Sunway University College instead of Sunway College, and hence, my cheque was not accepted. Again, another pointless waste of time!

4.30pm - 5.30pm - Stuck in a LDP jam to The Curve. Well, at least this 4.30pm jam was expected, but frustrating nonetheless.

5.30pm - 8pm - Met up with Su and her two super hyperactive boys, Ks & Kd. Had dinner with them at TGIF. It was there that I got THE CALL (again, I will elaborate further in my next post, but it's gonna be hush-hush for now)

8.30pm - Home.

And there we have it, my long errands-running day (of which 3 hours was spent in the jam), which was suppose to be my first day off from work.

Well, at least I have tomorrow to rest! :)

.: A Place Called Here :.

Currently reading (2nd Sept 2009) : A Place Called Here

Finished reading : Perfect Match (click here)

Sometimes, people can go missing right before our very eyes.

Sometimes, people discover you, even though they've been looking at you the entire time.

Sometimes, we lose sight of ourselves when we're not paying enough attention.

We all get lost once in a while, sometimes by choice, somtimes due to forces beyond our control.

When we learn what it is our soul needs to learn, the path presents itself.

Sometimes we see the way out, but wander further and deeper despite ourselves; the fear, the anger or the sadness preventing us returning.

Sometimes we prefer to be lost and wandering, sometimes it's easier. Sometimes we find our own way out.

But regardless, always, we are found.

.: Scenic Picture :.

The beautiful scenic view of Cameron Highlands, captured with my pathetic camera phone :)

.: Path :.

And just when I thought my path is firmed up, come another possible,unassuming path...

Ah, the humour of the whole situation.

Let's all again pray for the right door of opportunity to open up for me.

.: To Do A To-Do List :.

Quote of the day

I do not like to do the things I need to do on my to-do list;
but I like to do a to-do list so that I know the things that I need to do, but not necessary will be doing.

.: When Is My Birthday? :.

JC : Dear, what are you doing?

Kath : Having cake! Mmmmm.

JC : Who's birthday is it?

Kath : Mine!

JC : No, your birthday is in December.

Kath : I have two birthdays.

JC : Two?

Kath : Yes, two birthdays. One is 4th December, and the other one is every other day other than 4th December.

JC : Wah, you're so special.

.: Starbucks @ Cameron :.

Greetings!

Am sitting here on a comfy couch in Starbucks Coffee enjoying my cuppa while breathing in the fresh-after-rain air of Cameron Highlands.

Ah, this is the good life! :)

.: The Proposal :.

I was given a proposal just a couple of days ago.

And after thinking hard and long about it, I have decided that my answer would be YES! :)

So Su, my answer to your proposal is a BIG YES!

Now, for those who are thinkin who is this Su fella - she's someone I randomly met on a blogshop review blog and we became really good friends subsequently. Some sort of sparks or magical connection or something.

A she?

Now, don't get me wrong (but I like that scandalous thoughts you are thinking right now - don't you deny it, I can read minds, even via blogs *wink*). I am not swinging the other way and Su is, by the way, happily married with two beautiful boys!

So what is this proposal all about?

Remember that I mentioned once that I was quite interested to open a blogshop?

When?

Read here to jog your memory!

So as I was saying, I am actually very interested to set up a blogshop, and after toying with the idea with and having some serious discussions with friends and my cousins, the proposal from Su to invest in Threadbarn couldn't have come at a better timing than now.

The reason why I mentioned that this is the right timing is because, after evaluation my cash or cash equivalent position recently and I have actually hit the target that I set out when I started working. You see, from the onset, I told myself that before anything else, I would need to have a targeted buffer cash or cash equivalent (which means readily convertible cash in accounting terms) and any surplus thereafter, I would be able to stomach some moderate risk, albeit - businesses, buying properties, so on and so forth.

And so, the journey of Kath taking calculated moderate risk with her money begins with this very first step! :)

Wish me all the best! :)

.: Check Out My Cheque :.

Ok, today, for one post, I am gonna brag about my FIRST NUFFNANG cheque.

Right, tho it's not like it's my first time receiving a cheque, neither is it a big amount, I am still nonetheless proud to declare that today, as at 09.09.09 (such a good day), that I, Kathlynn, shall forever immortalize this moment.

My FIRST NUFFNANG cheque! May many, many more cheques from Nuffnang come in the near future!

Thank you Nuffie! :)

.: Final Destination 4 Movie Review :.

If you need to find the most horrifying death ideas for a coming home-made movie this coming Halloween , you just need to watch Final Destination 4 : Rest In Pieces and I assure you, you will not run out of ideas!

And if there was an award for the most goriest movie I have ever watched - Final Destination 4 wins by a million fold! From being hit by a flying tire in the head til the head was decapitated to guts being sucked out by in a swimming pool to a stone being launched by a lawn mower and hit right through the eye.

Gosh!

It was just so disgusting and absolutely gory-fyin!

Why did I agree to watch this movie at 1am in the morning?

On top of that, why on earth did I agree to watch this movie, knowing the next day I am coming down from Genting by cable car?

Note : Already, before this movie, I have a phobia of heights and the squicky machinery sounds the cable car makes. The last thing I need is a movie to implant all those sick, sick images into my head on what could possibly happen to the cable car I am in (screws loosening, wire snapping, power breakdown, wind blowing, gosh, I had the whole list of obscure scenarios running during my 20 minutes, 3.5 km cable car ride). Forget the Flying Coster or the Corkscrew, just pay RM11 for a movie ticket to FD4 is all you need for a horrifying ride on anything mechanical. Or anything for that matter. Ugh!

This is one of the least gory picture I can put in (for the benefit of my underaged readers).

I strongly recommend you to watch this movie only and only if you could keep your guts in til the end of the movie. No pun intended.

.: Singing Our Hearts Out :.

Had a great time with my colleagues (soon to be ex-colleagues) last night at Neway, Berjaya Times Square as a farewell party for Rachel & me - two accountants leaving (unplanned by both of us) at the same time.

Sidetrack : My last day of work would be the week after next, and I will be starting my new job after Raya. So did I choose Singapore or KL? Well, I will tell you soon enough! *wink* Tammie, be patient! :)

It's been a while since I've been to a karaoke joint. In fact, I don't really fancy karaoke coz the only time I sing out loud is when I am in the shower (which is once in the blue moon - the singing, not the showering *doh*) or when I am with my crazy cousins.

Don't know why, but being with my cousins allows me to let myself go and just be my crazy self, but otherwise, I am calmer and more composed with others.

But, still enjoy yesterday's outing nonetheless. Sang a few song (without the mike - tho they made many futile attempts to get me to sing with the mike on).

This was one of my favourite songs I sang last night! :)

Lucky
Jason Marz & Colbie Caillat

Do you hear me? I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying

Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Ooh ooh ooh

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you I promise you, I will

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again

Lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair

Though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning 'round
You hold me right here, right now

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again

I'm lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh, ooh

.: God's Love For Us :.

Science without religion is lame.
Religion without science is blind.
- Albert Einstein -

.: Fifty First Reactions :.

It's about time for me to do something mindless, for the kicks of it! *wink*

This is called 50 FIRST REACTIONS... Type what comes to your mind FIRST whenever you hear these 50 words. Don't think and don't go back and change. Doesn't matter how random just type it!

1. Beer: is something I try to cut down on *beerbelly*

2. Food: Malaysian's food - all sorts *drools*

3. Relationships: are more often than not, complicated

4. Crush: Mandy Moore (I am just reminded of her song "I've Got A Crush On You")

5. Power Rangers: is a cartoon my cousins grew up watching

6. Life: becomes more complicated when you are trying to simplify it. Ironic, isn't it?

7. The President: Erm....

8. Yummy: "Yummy, yummy, I got bugs in my tummy" (Timon & Pumba)

9. Cars: My coo-chi Piccanto (coo-chi as in mini)

10. Movie: The Ugly Truth - coz my bro (who detests chick flicks) actually recommends me to watch this, so I guess it must be THAT good!

11. Halloween: is something I never celebrated.

12. Sex: "blank" yes, that was my first reaction

13. Religion: Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship with God

14. Hate: is a strong word - dislike is more like it.

15. Fear: insects, especially cockroaches!

16. Marriage: is something I fear too!

17. Blonde: is the colour I am daring myself to dye my hair to

18. Slippers: are comfy

19. Shoes: are my current weakness now (no thanks to Su)

20. Asians: food is the BEST!

21. Past time: what time?

22. One night stand: why do they call it one night stand?

23. My cell Phone: is in dire need of upgrading to a better one!

24. Smoke: is what I breath everyday, coz the air is SOOO bad!

25. Fantasy: is a lie we create about people and places as we like them to be.

26. College: was too short for me!

27. High school Life: was one of the best memories I have!

28. Pajamas: mine has cute lil teddies motive!

29. Stars: Shinny stuff! *blonde joke*

30. Center: in the middle

31. Alcohol: is something I try to avoid too - coz it kills braincells, and as you all know, as you age, you generate less and less braincells *yes, I admit I am aging*

32. The word love: Read 1 Cor 13:4-7

33. Friends: especially good friends are so hard to come by now, hence I cherish the ones I have now even more!

34. Money: is just earthly treasures, we should be constantly reminded that it is not something we can bring with us when we die.

35. Heartache: is needed in order for us to appreciate true love.

36. Time: is ticking and ticking and ticking ever so quickly.

37. Divorce: sounds scary. Hence, the fear of marriage to begin with.

38. Dogs: I heart puppies.

39. Undies: are not optional *wink*

40. Parents: love 'em, even tho they can annoy the heck out of me (but I am sure the feeling is mutual)

41. Babies: are absolutely adorable. I heart them, just can't carry them.

42. Ex: Don't really like her (not my ex, but someone elses)

43. Song: Sing a song!

44. Color: Blue, all shades of blue

45. Weddings: is something woman have been plannin for since a lil girl, but not me! I kid you not!

46. Pizza: it's been a while since I had a slice of pizza!

47. Hangout: at home! I am a homely person!

48. Rest: I need so desperately.

49. Goal: to lose weight (it has been my goal since forever)

50. Inspiration: to be remembered for the right reasons.

.: My Decision :.

I made my decision. And tho I am scared, I know the strength of the Lord is in me.