.: Sox :.

It had been a real hectic day today, now that I'm on leave....

In the morning, I went to the bank to get some thing repaid. I realise that I've been quite relax in terms of my finances control. I've been quite strict with myself, in the sense that I allocate a fix amount for monthly expenditures. But now, it seems that that prelocated amount is not enough, and I seem to be having more and more "exceptional" expenses - like my contact lens, glasses, some meals in fancy restaurants...... tsktsktsk.....

From this month on (ok,ok, from next month - since it's nearing CNY and one know that there's alot of "exceptional" expenditures for this month....

So after my banking, I'm went to search for Sox (JC's dog), which was caught by the local municipal council last Friday. We did try to look for the Puchong dog pound on Saturday, but we couldn't not seem to locate the place.

So I went to Ampang (correction - I went to Setapak) , and knowing my sense of direction (or should I say the lack of it) I was quite proud of myself that I manage to navigate myself with a printed map. So there I was, in a isolated dog pound in Ampang, trying to search for Sox. I saw one dog that looked like him, sitting in a corner, but seemed to ignore me when I call his name.

I was pleading to the guys to help me, but they were really rude. After minutes on the phone with JC, one nice man called me in to the office. Of course I was really scared, afterall, I'm the only girl there. But I prayed silently, and I know that God will protect me. This nice man was looking thru some papers and told me that there wasn't any dog being caught around JC's place. I was so dissapointed, but decided to try PAWS, near Subang old airport.

Lo and behold, PAWS is closed every Wednesday (so now I know), but I pleaded to this nice Filipino (or maybe Sabahan/Sarawakian) that I was looking for my missing dog. I explained to him that I went to Ampang, and this was my only hope.

He brought me in, and to my utter disappointment, Sox is not there. Then, as I was talking to this guy, he mentioned that there is a dog pound in Puchong area. I told him that I tried to find, but could not. He just shrugged.

Thinking there still might be hope, I asked JC to pass me the number of the Puchong dog pound (which we got from the website) and this nice Malay boy answered the line. I explained to him my whole situation, and tho he sympatised with me, he told me that it was unlikely Sox was brought to Puchong, as all dogs caught in JC's area will be sent Ampang. He promised to check on the paperwork and call me back. And I was surprised he did. But he explained that there wasn't any catch around JC's place. I described to him Sox, and he promised he would call if he could identify a dog that meet to that description. No news from him after that.

I'm so disappointed.

I pray that Sox is really ok. I'm actually more attached to Sox than JC, JC's dad or JC's grandma is.

So now it's already 4.30pm. My whole day's gone. I got a church camp meeting to go to later....

I'm mentally and physically drained!

I don't know what else I could do.............

.: Gotta Be Somebody For Me Out There :.

Nickelback - Gotta Be Somebody

This time
I wonder what it feels like
To find the one in this life
The one we all dream of
But dreams just aren't enough

So I'll be waiting for the real thing
I'll know it by the feeling
The moment when we're meeting
Will play out like a scene straight off the silver screen

So I'll be holdin' my breath
Right up 'til the end
Until that moment when
I find the one that I'll spend forever with!

'Cause nobody wants to be the last one there
'Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares
Someone to love with my life in their hands
There's gotta be somebody for me like that

'Cause nobody wants to go it on their own
And everyone wants to know they're not alone
There's somebody else that feels the same somewhere
There's gotta be somebody for me out there

Tonight
Out on the street, out in the moonlight
And, damn it, this feels too right
It's just like deja vu
Me standin' here with you

So I'll be holdin' my breath
Could this be the end?
Is it that moment when
I find the one that I'll spend forever with?

'Cause nobody wants to be the last one there
'Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares
Someone to love with my life in their hands
There's gotta be somebody for me like that

'Cause nobody wants to go it on their own
And everyone wants to know they're not alone
There's somebody else that feels the same somewhere
There's gotta be somebody for me out there

Ooh! You can't give up
When you're lookin' for a diamond in the rough
Because you'll never know when it shows up
Make sure you're holdin' on
'Cause it could be the one, the one you're waiting on

'Cause nobody wants to be the last one there
And everyone wants to feel like someone cares
Someone to love with my life in their hands
There's gotta be somebody for me, oh!

Nobody wants to go it on their own
And everyone wants to know they're not alone
There's somebody else that feels the same somewhere
There's gotta be somebody for me out there

Nobody wants to be the last one there
'Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares
There's somebody else that feels the same somewhere
There's gotta be somebody for me out there

Gotta Be Somebody.mp3 - Nickelback

.: Ricky Martin :.

There goes my hope.....

Ricky Martin & his twins

.: Courage :.

I was quite emotional yesterday when I saw a beggar sitting down at a corner as I was buying my lunch on Saturday.

As I waited for my wan tan mee, I observed this frail old man, peeling the mandarin orange in his hands, and eating it as if it's his last meal.
Now, I've seen a couple of beggars before, but somehow I just felt so greatly sympathetic to him that I was really compelled to buy him lunch or something.
But in my head, I was beginning to debate with myself.
"What if he doesn't want lunch?" "Should I ask him first?" "But I can't really speak fluent Cantonese.. What if he doesn't understand me? What if I don't understand him?"
So while all this was running thru my head, the beggar stood up, walked into Secret Recipe, walked out and then walk away.

When I drove off, I broke down and cry. If only I had the courage to do what I intend to do. If only……..

I really felt so bad for that old man, and I don't really understand what's so different with this beggar from the other beggars that I've cross path with. And I was quite upset with myself for not taking more initiative when I know I could.

So I said a lil prayer for him. And one for myself - for the courage to help when I know I can.

.: Oh Crappy Day, Oh Crappy Day :.

So frustrated with work-related stuff these past three days. And so frustrated with a certain individual.
Ah… so much negativity - not good, not good!

As I talk to Yin today, I realise that her life is so full of drama.
It's like watching One Tree Hill - all the complicated relationships and feelings and all
Oh, by they way, I was watching the 5th Season of One Tree Hill on TV just the other day.
How can Lucas no longer be with Peyton? I think I missed out like 3 Seasons already!
So, anyways - back to all the dramas, what's with kids nowadays? (when one start saying "kids nowadays", it’s a sure sign of aging)
What happened to the simple puppy love or an innocent crush?
Or was puppy love never simple? And crushes rarely innocent?

I had a really exceptionally crappy day at work today. Even tho I try to be peace maker between all departments, I end up being the most hated person in the world. I really hate that I'm a phlegmatic.I just hate it that I always feel compelled to help in every ways possible, ending up not being appreciated and being blamed instead. Sometimes I wish I'm a lil more selfish, so that I would be a lil better to myself.

Anyways, not going to let all this pull me down, coz it's the start of the weekend.
And since it's only twice a week, I'm gonna bask and enjoy every moment of it!~

Cheers!~

.: Of Lipsticks & Perfumes :.

I've been doing some really slow and light reading these past few weeks.

I have just finished Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell (the same author for the popular series Sex In The City). Lipstick Jungle tells the stories of three very successful women in their respective field; Victory Ford (a fashion designer), Wendy Healy (President of Parador Pictures) and Nico O'Neilly (a magazine editor).

And also Lisa Kleypas's It Happened One Autumn (which is part of her Wallflower series). It may be just me, but the storyline here is so much similiar to Austen's Pride & Prejudice.

Lilian Bowmen = Elizabeth Bennet, Lord Westcliff = Mark Darcy, Lord St Vincent = Wickham

The storyline is kinda corny and predictable - starting with Lilian who supposedly purchased a magical perfume that would make men fall for her. Overall, I would have to say it's a good read nonetheless :)

Now....more reading to go!~ :)

.: Updates :.

On Facebook

Siew is filling up TDMs & WBLs for ACCA & ACA. All the abbreviations!~

On MSN

shanlyn ~My article in GradAsia Jan issue : Pg 55~ [http://viewer.zmags.com/showmag.php?magid=119460#/page0/]

There's been so much going on in my life. And in a way, I'm quite happy with the overall progress so far. Not really the blissful-I-have-it-all-going-for-me-and-everything-is-hunky-dory, but at least………... I'm happy.

I have a short conversation with Angelia on MSN just the other day, it's good to know that she's settling down fine.

I also was talking to Ben on Skype the other day, and I realise that this lil boy I once played masak-masak with has now grown to be a man.

It's really different for him, now that he is no longer living under the protective wings of my parents (and for those who knows my parents, they are super-super protective!) and there are a lot of things he need to learn.

The one thing good bout sending your kids overseas or at least away from home (tho I know there are demerits to it as well) is that they will be able to gain more knowledge and be more streetwise.

I miss watching TV. Instead of heading to the gym yesterday, which I was enthusiastic about until I reach home and saw my green comfy couch calling my name, that I just gave in and did a lot of mindless surfing.

You know, the times where you slouch on your couch, hold the remote, just flexing the index finger muscle (the only muscle that's getting any workout for the day), surfing from one chanel to the other.

I watch part of Gilmore Girls yesterday.
And for a very long time, I finally watched Grey's Anatomy.
Then I went on to watch part of One Tree Hill.

Must be Murphy's Law or something, but have you guys ever realised that - when there's NOTHING to watch on TV, there is absolutely nothing.
But where there is something good, it usually clashes with something equally good.
How do you choose what to watch?

Anyways, Soo Ann's butt is somewhere in Malaysia, but she hasn't drop a word at all. [Ann, if you're reading this, it's bout time you called us ok!]

.: Angelia's Wings To Fly :.

On Saturday, I send my dear friend Angelia off.
It's kinda sad coz she's planning to migrate there for good.

I've known this girl since Form 1 - that's for almost 11 years! :)
We have shared so much with each other, we watched each other grew, going thru ups and downs together.
It's amazing that after so long, we're still such good friends.

In many ways, she and I are so alike.
Good at giving advises (especially when it comes to relationships), but not so good at following our own advises. (In Ah Yin's words "Cakap tak serupa bikin")
We made a vow back in Form 3 that we would never settle down, and would travel round the world with each other - let's just see if that crystalises :)

Anyways Angelia, wishing you all the best in everything that you do.
Now you have wings to soar wherever you want to be and I'm really proud of you, but always know that I'll always be here for you should you need a rest from all the flying….

.: Freaky :.

I had the freakest time of my life on the lift in Menara Standard Chartered, along Jalan Raja Chulan.

Tho I only went up 35 floors, the air pressure and speed really made me feel so uncomfortable. At least in a roller coaster, you know it's suppose to feel like that. But in the lift, I was like "Are we going to crash?". Seriously freaky. Seriously!

.: Capris :.

Had a great long chat with my ol' pal Sanjeev yesterday, over ice-blended caramel mocha in Secret Recipe last night.

It's really been ages since we last kept in touch, so we really had so much to catch up.

In this chat with him, I've realised that this dude has matured through the times I've known him. It's really cool to see your friends change from a childish boy, who's method of testing what kinda chemical it was during Chemistry classes b y dipping his finger into the liquid, putting it on his tongue, and saying "Hmmmm...it taste salty, must be Sodium Chloride...." to this mature, soon-to-be doctor.

I laughed at his stories (he's a good story teller) as we sat in my car (Secret Recipe closes at 11pm) for two hours straight.

Tho I no longer believe in zodiac signs, but there seem to be some inclination for me to click with Capricorns. Qianhui, Sanjeev, JC, Xiao & LWei are all Capris :)

It's good to know that some good friends will still be good friends after all these years.

Cheers to friendships!~

.: Hot & Cold ; Up & Down :.

Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up and
you're down
-Kate Perry : Hot & Cold-

This is exactly how I'm feeling right now.

No, not suffering from hot flushes from PMS (I'm no due for PMS just yet).

And no, it's not about my relationship with JC.

As a matter of fact, it's about my relationship with MYSELF.

I just find that I'm in this IN BETWEEN stage, in particular - of my age. On one hand, I feel that I'm still young, and should still be having fun. But on the other hand, I'm shoved with "adults" responsibilities, especially in terms of my career. I know that being a qualified accountant at this age is no big of a deal, but when I look around me, and realise that there are others my age who are barely there, and those at my position are in their early 30s, I wonder if I'm really good at what I do to be where I'm right now.

And I feel that if I have progressed this much in term of my career, what about the other aspect of my life? Should it not be progressing at that pace too, so that I can progress overall? Again, on one hand, I want to - push on, so that the other aspect of my life can catch up with this, but on the other hand - I'm not sure if I'm able to cope.

Well, as JC & I continue to plan for our future, we know that ultimately, it is all in God's hands.

In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Dear Lord,

We commit all our plans into Your hands, as only You know what is best for us.
We pray that You continue to guide us along this journey, and that Your mighty plan will unravel itself. Let You will be done, not ours. Give us what we need, not what we want.

We pray Lord, for continueos wisdom in decisions we are about to make and take. And courage to overcome problems and challanges along the way.

Amen.

.: Adios 2008, Hola 2009 :.

It's that time of the year again.
The period where people take time off to reflect on the events for the past year.
And of course, many would look forward to starting the New Year afresh.

For me, as I look back, pretty much a lot that has change.
Whether it's within my surrounding environment or myself.


All that is gold does not glitter,
not all those who wander are lost.
-JRR Tollkien-

Went overseas twice this year.
One to Beijing, China in May (right before the Beijing Olympics) with my family.
And the other to Sydney, Australia in June with JC.
Was really a good opportunity for me to see what's the world like beyond Malaysia (Yes, I’m live under the coconut shell and have never really gotten the chance to travel much).
Got to experience snow in China (according to the tour guide, it rarely snows), bargaining in my half-past-six Mandarin, enjoy the scenic views of Blue Mountains (backpacked there), spelunking in Jenolan Caves, touch the blue Pacific Ocean ….
But all this traveling and wandering, it just made me realize something – that there’s indeed no place like home!


Bad luck comes in threes
-Old superstition-

Had a series of car incidents this year.
One, my bro's car battery die-ed (while I was driving his car)
Two, my car battery die-ed (coz I was too excited to play COD4, I forgot to switch of my headlights and left it running for 4 hours plus)
Three, my car back wheel tire punctured (while on the way to JC's house)
All this within a span of three months.
Thank goodness for Lonpac!


If I were a boy, even just for a day
-Beyonce Knowles-

Learned to play COD4 (Call Of Duty 4) with the big bad boyz - thanks to Sifu Drew & Sifu SJian.
Manage to kick some of the dudes' a$$, something which I'm absolutely proud of!

And just recently, had a try at Left 4 Dead, another online multiplayer game, but still have not gotten the hang of it. Practise makes (close to) perfect right? :)
Yes, I may scream like a girl!
But this is one girl with an attitude!


Change; we don’t like it, we fear it, but we can't stop it from coming. We either adapt to change or we get left behind. And it hurts to grow, anybody who tells you it doesn’t is lying. But heres the truth: the more things change, the more they stay the same. And sometimes, oh, sometimes change is good. Oh, sometimes, change is ... everything.
-Grey’s Anotomy-

Elections back in April made a tidal change for Malaysia.
Barisan lost the two-thirds majority, which they have had since independence back in 1957.
And I was part of the 10.4 million registered Malaysian voters who voted on that day.
My very first vote cast! :)
Months later, in the USA, an unprecedented moment, where the first African-American, Barack Obama from the Democrat Party, was elected the 44th President of United States.

My favourite (and only) brother left to complete his final year in Stradclyde, Scotland. A place where men wears skirts (kilts – whatever, it looks the same to me *wink*). He will be back somewhere late June or early July next year – so it’s our family first Christmas & CNY without him.
Qianhui left for the USA under a student travel and work programme, leaving me Tigger-less for 5 months, but now, my Tigger is back! Yay!
Aunty Janet from SLS with her family migrated to Melbourne, Aus.
Aunty Mandy and kids returned back to UK.
Angelia, my best friend whom I've known for almost a decade, is also migrating to Aus mid Jan next year. We have shared a lot – from studying PMR together, to playing mahjongs, to insulting men’s intelligence (or more correctly; the lack of it), to arguing if “rubber” is the right word to use. I’m really going to miss her, knowing I can’t conveniently call her as and when I like. But I know that our friendship will truly stand the test of time and distance!


The Earth is full of the goodness of the Lord
-Psalm 33:5-

I have officially passed my EE & ICAEW.
It’s truly been God’s grace that I was given the opportunity to do the EE programme.
And it was His grace too that I manage to pass my final ICAEW paper.
I’m also now promoted to Accountant in the Group, I think being the youngest here.
There were a lot of challenges I’ve faced this year, in terms of physical, emotional and spiritual. But I believe that God has been with me throughout the whole ordeal, never letting me go, when I felt like giving up.
Indeed, God has blessed me with all his goodness!


Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure.
-Benjamin Franklin-

Been reading a couple of good books of late. To just list a few – P/S I Love You (Cecelia Aherns), Blue Eyed Devil (Lisa Kleypas), Message In The Bottle (Nicholas Sparks), Saving Fish From Drowning (Amy Tan), To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee). But to pick my favorite read for the year, I would have to say Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern. I really enjoyed it so much that I actually read it twice!

Also, there have been quite a number of great movies this year.
I’m utterly impressed with the late Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker in Dark Knight.
I also adore the antics of cute lil Po, the Panda in Kung Fu Panda.
I’ve enjoyed and tapped my feet to the musical of Mamma Mia bringing back the good ol’ Abba hits.
And I laugh so hard at Rhino’s character (a hamster with an attitude) in Bolt.

Adventures locally include my very first hiking trip to FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia), where I screamed my head off when I realize I had a leech on my leg.
Another screaming adventure would be taking the Space Shot in Genting Theme Park, being dropped 183 feet above the ground at free fall speed.
Visit to Kuala Selangor, to see a breathtaking natural wonder - fireflies.

I love meeting up with old friends, even though the organising part is havoc (I'm usually the one organising it), but looking back, it's all worth while.

Have been continuing or monthly/bi-monthly meet up with SJian, Jes & Drew, as what we have been doing since last year.

Also have been catching up with Fei, Xiao, Suk, Ser & Qian.

Biggest gathering so far was done just last week with the ex 5 Bataians, at Marche, The Curve.

Those who came include myself (of course) Qian, Ting, Drew, SJian, Ching, EWei, Steph, Rach, Dinah, Jeev, DHui, WLi, Nick. A couple of good news about engagements & weddings coming up (to be revealed later!). Indeed, most of us, tho look the same in many ways, have really grown up! :)

Indeed, 2008 has brings lots of ups and downs.
But one can not and should not dwell in the past, let memories be memories, and to look forward to a wonderful new year ahead! :)

Adios 2008!

Hola 2009!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year 2009!~

.: I C U P :.

Creative toilets & urinals!

Oh look-ey here! What have we got?

Lady 1 : *giggles*

Lday 2 : Kodak moments!
Lady 3 : Soooo tiny?
Lady 4 : Whoooaa!

Lady 5 : I'm cutting that one off!

.: Tired :.

"I'm really tired of falling short of everyone's standards,

including myself"

.: Madagascar + Bolt :.

Madagascar was go0o0o0o0od....

But Bolt was wayyyyyyyyyyyy better! :)

It's soooo be-awwwwwwwsome.......

I was laughing out loud like mad on the antics of Bolt's unofficial sidekick - Rhino!

So darn funny! :)