244. Pix from Pulau Perhentian

............CONTINUED FROM BLOG ENTRY #242

Had a great 4 days and 3 nites at the Island. Wish I had more time there. Because we're the only guests left on the island, all the staff really took good care of us.

On the way from KL, I had to chat with the dive instructor to keep him awake. :) Was nice chatting with him and finding out more about the life of a diving instructor. About how he travels to Thailand, Bali and Sipadan Island in the monsoon season. He really enjoys it. A carefree life doing what he loves.

Anyway, the Bubbles Resort at turtle beach creek is a really quiet secluded resort. Just what I needed. A quiet diving getaway.

Being nice to the diving instructor has it's priviledges. He decided to give us 2 free dives and 2 free snorkelings. He was gonna throw in a nite snorkeling too, but, it rained on the last nite. But he said he'll make up for it the next time we go. What a salesman.

Basically we saw everything I wanted to see. I saw Nemo playing in it's home, 3 black tip sharks (including one that's 2+ meters long), 2 huge Green turtles, a baby hawksbill turtle and a Stingray. Of course we saw other marine life too including a cute little yellow box fish.

We also took some underwater shots. Hopefully my dive instructor gets the uploaded soon. Can't wait to see how that turns out.

All good things must come to an end. Made a couple of new friends during the trip. The instructor for one, will be coming to Penang for White Water Rafting. So we'll probably meet up when he comes. As for the other friends, we're supposedly planning another diving trip. If they're leaving the planning to me, guess we'll not see each other for a while :D

Glad that I actually went. Was a tad reluctant to go initially becoz it's the monsoon season and all. It was an amazing experience. I also managed to get started on Carl Sagen's Demon Haunted World.

On the way from Kuala Besut Jetty to Pulau Perhentian


The view from the beach of the boat leaving


The beach from the resort (note the hammock on the right, spent quite a bit of time there)


Another shot of the beach, you can actually see the sea bed


The float reads "Diver Below" :)


Me in front of the Dive shop (the topless guy is my instructor)


My tan line


My diver pendant and my temporary card :)

Shots taken from the plane on the way back to Penang from KL

The following pics are taken by my instructor, next time, I'll hopefully be able to bring my own camera underwater

Batman in the water


Help!!! I'm being chased by a school of Barracudas


Me chasing da fishes


Peekaboo, I see u! Checking out the coral formations





Cute little Box fish


More of the cute little fella

243. Dave's Birthday

Took a nap after work and headed to Soho with Wee to celebrate Dave's birthday. Beau, Mandy, Howe and Dan was there too. Basically was a bit tired, but still managed to have a good time. Jo was there too. After Soho, went for soup and nasi lemak next to Soho. It's been a long time since I last ate there. When we finally reach home, it's already 4am. Yawn!

Happy Birthday Dave!

242. Back from Stop-over Island

Just got back from Pulau Perhentian this morning. So many things to write about my trip, but I also have so much work accumulated over the weekend. I'll catch up later, in the meantime, suffice to say I had a really really fun and relaxing time there. Just what the doctor prescribed. In fact, it was so relaxing, I forgot I was broke :D The wheather was amazingly kind despite the fact that it's the monsoon season already :D

to be continued........

THE PRICE OF CHILDREN

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle-income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into $8,896.66 a year, $741.38 a month, or $171.08 a week. That's a mere $24.24 a day! Just over a dollar an hour. Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have children if you want to be "rich." Actually, it is just the opposite. What do you get for your $160,140?

· Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
· Glimpses of God every day.
· Giggles.... under the covers every night.
· More love than your heart can hold
· Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
· Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
· A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
· A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building sandcastles, and skipping down the sidewalk in the pouring rain.
· Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to finger-paint, carve pumpkins, play hide-and-seek, catch lightning bugs, and never stop believing in Santa Claus. You have an excuse to keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, watching Saturday morning cartoons, going to Disney movies, and wishing on stars. You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, taking the training wheels off a bike, removing a splinter, filling a wading pool, coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the first step, first word, first date, and first time behind the wheel. You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so . . . one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost.

From:
http://www.allprodad.com/9priceofchildren.asp

[forwarded by Bob Simmons]

today's THOT
=======================================

Children and dogs are good judges of character.

=======================================

241. Nine Emperor Gods Festival

Today is the last day of the 9 emperor gods festival.

The festival is celebrated over the first nine days of the ninth moon in the Chinese lunar calendar. Devotees flock to the temples throughout the country for this religious festival. The Nine Emperor Gods are part of a spirit-medium cult known locally as ‘Jieu Hwang Yeh’. These Nine Deities are believed to dwell in the stars in northern heaven under the reign of ‘Thien Hou’ - the Queen of Heaven. They are believed to preside over blessings, life and death, peace and harmony on Earth. Thus the focus of rituals during the nine-day festival acts as a channel between celestial and terrestrial beings for the salvation and protection of mankind.

On the eve of the ninth moon, temples of the Deities hold a ceremony to invoke and welcome the ‘Jieu Hwang Yeh’. Since the arrival of the Nine Emperor Gods is believed to be through the waterways, processions are held from temples to the sea-shore or river to symbolise this belief. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying joss-sticks and candles, await the arrival of their “Excellencies”. A carnival-like atmosphere pervades the temple throughout the nine-day festival. During this period of time, the constant chiming of a prayer bell and chants from the temple priests are heard. Most devotees stay at the temple, take vegetarian meals and recite continuous chanting of prayers. A procession to send the Nine Emperor Gods home then takes place to complete the rites of this religious festival.

To welcome the Nine Emperors, mediums wielding axes and swords will perform evening rituals on odd numbered days. The spirits of the gods are entertained in the temple grounds with Chinese opera performances and fire-walking sessions.

The Nine Emperors are the Chinese version of Robin Hood, who during the Qing dynasty robbed the rich and gave to the poor. According to legend, they were cornered at a seaside by soldiers, but a giant red turtle came to their rescue and ferried them to safety on Tow Boo Keong island.

Devotees throng to the Tow Boo Keong Temple in Ipoh, one of the oldest temples in Malaysia, and Temples of the Star Deities like the Nan Thien Kwang in Ampang, in Kuala Lumpur.


A photo taken near the Gold Coast apartments. It seems the processions ends near here

______________________________

My Random Thots:

Learnt a new lesson today from Wee. Don't test people! Just move with the flow. Most people will fail. So will I. There are many different reasons. That shouldn't be the focus.

On a more negative note, someone stole my rims and tires from my car :(

REWARD FOR INFO LEADING TO THE ARREST OR CASTRATION OF THE PERPETRATORS

240. Monday flew right by

Now it's already Tuesday 3pm. Where hath all the time gone?

Now kwai kwai waiting in the office for my customer to come for a visit. Since I have some time, might as well put it to good use and blog something.

Spent last nite at Starbucks @ E-Gate. Nice place. Met Andrew, CP and Khai at 9pm. Then suppose to meet Jack and Yew Peng at the same place at 11pm. :) Now that's what I call make good use of time. Was actually surprised that Yew Peng actually came out. It's so late at nite d and he has to work the next day some more.

Something of interest is that they're actually introducing the next Nissan GT-R Prototype in 8 days...... This is exciting.

___________________________________

A stolen article from Crosswalk.com

How to Deal with Difficult Relationships

...God's Insight for Making Wise Relational Choices
Bayless Conley

All of us at one time or another have had to deal with difficult relationships. Perhaps for you it has been with a family member. Or perhaps it has been with someone you thought was a friend. Or, even worse, the difficulty is with your spouse.

In Genesis, chapter 16, a story unfolds that provides us with God's insight and wisdom regarding how to deal with a difficult relationship. It is the story of Sarah, Abraham's wife, and her maid, Hagar.

We pick up the story after Sarah decides she will never conceive. And she tells Abraham to sleep with Hagar in order to produce a child. Abraham complies and Hagar becomes pregnant. But Hagar develops an attitude and begins to make Sarah's life miserable.

So Sarah goes to Abraham and complains... as a result, things don't turn out well for Hagar - yet in this story we find some powerful lessons in how to handle difficult relationships.

6 So Abram said to Sarai, "Indeed your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please." And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence. 7 Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And He said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?" She said, "I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai." 9 The Angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand."

Sarah's harsh treatment of Hagar drives Hagar away, and that's when God shows up. He asks a profound, two-fold question... "Where have you come from, and where are you going?" Questions from which you and I can learn.

Now the first part of that question, "Where have you come from?" suggests that Hagar ought to consider what she was leaving. Implied in this question is God saying,

"I know you're hurt, you're upset, and maybe you're confused. You're angry. But have you really considered what you might be forfeiting if you follow through on this decision? You are going to be forfeiting:

* A husband that knows God (not too common in those days)
* A family who is being taught in the way of the Lord
* Great prosperity (because Abraham is very wealthy),
* Safety, and a place where your needs are met
* A place where you know your child is going to be cared for."

What can you and I learn from the first half of this question? To begin with, it is never wise to make major decisions when you're upset emotionally or when you've been hurt. How many of us have made a decision or made a call when the air was emotionally charged...and it just led to something bad? I can tell you, I've been guilty of that!

Or, how many of us have said something when we were angry or hurt, and the moment the words escaped our lips we wished we could have taken them back?

The principle is to think twice before you speak once. And don't be rash to make an important decision, especially when you're upset.

The Scripture says in Proverbs 19:2, "He sins who hastens with his feet." Yet, quite often, people make rash decisions. People will make a decision to leave a church, to leave a job, to even leave a marriage, and they haven't properly considered what they would be forfeiting in that decision.

Through the years I've heard people say many times, whether they are leaving a church, a job, a relationship, a marriage, "Well, the Lord has just released me." Very rarely have I believed them when I've heard those words. It is sometimes just easier to blame things on God than to deal with issues that need to be resolved.

Which brings us to the second half of the Lord's question to Hagar: "Where are you going?" I think God is asking her, "Are you going out of the frying pan into the fire?"

Hagar was on the way to Shur. If you look on a map, she is making a beeline back for Egypt, back for her home. She was going back to a land that, at this point in time, had no knowledge of the God of Abraham...back to a land full of pagan worship and idolatry.

She would have to go through a wilderness that, according to Deuteronomy 8:15, is a land that is thirsty... where there is no water. A land full of fiery serpents and scorpions.

Where will rash, emotionally-charged decisions take us? And what are we forfeiting? What are we getting ourselves into? Are we heading for a wilderness? Is divorce really the answer? Or is it just a temporary release from some of the pressure?

Is your decision ultimately going to make things harder or make things worse?

If you cut and run from wherever you are right now, no matter how distressed you may feel, you need to ask yourself: Is this wise? Are there other options? I think those are good questions. Where have you come from? And where are you going?

239. Hectic weekend

Saturday
Didn't get enough rest the nite before, but alas, still have to go to work. Basically was looking forward to go home and take a nap before going for Mun Kit's wedding. Turned out couldn't fall asleep. Seng and Wee decided to leave at 6pm instead of 7pm. Had a good time there except that Mun Kit's father-in-law isn't very sporting and was a bit uptight. Perhaps it's from the stress of giving the daughter away.

The MCs (Wee & Jimbo) announcing the arrival the the Bride & Groom

The decor

Everyone on our table

Adrian picked me up at about 10:40pm. We headed to Bagan to meet the rest of the guys. Ran into Lorna and Prakash there. The band there was really nice. After finishing the bottle, the guys headed to Sea Breeze beside Naza Hotel to end the nite. :)

Sunday
Was suppose to go Chang Lun today for archery, but found out that Jack is coming back today and not tomorrow as planned. So we didn't get to go after all. Really wanted to go for archery there, it's only RM5 for 24 arrows.

Anyway, end up going for Laksa and then went to the new Metrojaya at Island Plaza for shopping. Actually managed to get my shoes and also my new sunglasses. If they're not nice, the head of my fashion consultant shall roll. Heh heh. Spent the evening resting at home.

I'll be back!

A close up of my new sunglasses

My new shoes, I think it looks like my previous hush puppies shoe

By the way, it seems that my trip to Pulau Perhentian in pretty much confirmed :) Good thing I ran into Prakash last nite. Coincidently he's leaving for KL on thursday nite. So I'm gonna hitch a ride with him and fly back on tuesday. Woo Hoo.

My diving gear (actually it's Wee's), I'm borrowing it

238. As expected.......

I'm blur this morning :) This is what happens when one stays awake till 3:30am (Mental note: watching Astro can severely hinder progress of clearing paperwork!).

Tonite I'm suppose to go for Mun Kit's bachelor nite. We'll see how motivated I am after work. I might attend church service at BEDSIDE Baptist Church. I sense strong annointing there tonite. Heh heh heh.

To keep myself awake, I make myself laugh. My favourites are in BOLD :) My favouritest is in RED :)

These are the laws of the natural universe:

~ Law of Mechanical Repair: After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch.

~ Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

~ Law of the Telephone: When you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.

~ Law of the Alibi: If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

~ Variation Law: If you change lines or traffic lanes, the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now.

~ Bath Theorem: When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

~ Law of Lines: When you walk IN the grocery store, there's never anyone in the checkout line.

~ Inverse Hair Dryer Law: You're sure you hear the phone ringing in the background, until you turn the hair dryer off.

~ Law of Close Encounters: The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

~ Law of the Result: When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

~ Law of Bio mechanics: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

~ Theater Law: At any event, the people whose seats are farthest from the aisle arrive last.

~ Law of Coffee: As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

~ Murphy's Law of Lockers: If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

~ Law of Natural Attraction: If you and your date are the only two on a five-mile stretch of beach, the family of five will set up right next to you.

~ Law of Dirty Rugs/Carpets: The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.

~ Law of Location: No matter where you go, there you are.

~ Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

~ Oliver's Law: A closed mouth gathers no feet.

~ Law of the Last Word: "Hey, watch this!"

~ Theory of Absolute Certainty: Do not take life too seriously, because in the end, you won't come out alive anyway.

In the end, after a nice long nap, went out with the guys. Finally met Tomoko after she's been here for more than a week. After hanging out at Sega's went over to McDonald's Green Lane. It seems that the place is open till 3am during the weekends and the drive thru is open 24hrs. I ordered 21pcs nuggets thinking I'm getting help finishing it. Wrong! I had to eat 15pcs. *Burp!*

237. Another quiet lazy day

Basically worked the whole day and was pretty tired. Decided that it's been a while since I've met up with the guys. So made it a point to go out tonite. Met up with the usual people with the exception of a new friend named Wood. Lewis decided to come along as well. As usual hung out till about 12:30am and called it a nite. Still have some paper work to finish before tomorrow morning. :(

236. Tiring day......

..........but looking forward to dinner with Chuwy and Bee Hong. It's always nice to have something to look forward to after a long day at work. Reached home and headed to pick up Bee Hong.

We decided to eat at Passion of Kerala at Brown Garden. Surprisingly there was no one at the restaurant. We were worried that it'll be packed. There was a lot of baby talk on the table. Sophia was a joy to play with while the adults have their grown up talk. I was playing hide and seek with her :)

Sophia looking adorable :) She's so well behaved throughout dinner

After dinner, sent Bee Hong home and hang out at her apartment together with Meena for a while.

Haven't seen Meena in a long time. She just came back from a trip to India and Bangladesh. And she's going to Sri Lanka this saturday. Saw some of the photos she took while she was there. I was surprised how modern the city looks. She was also telling me about the salsa class she's been attending. She said I should join her at the class. Brave girl, she obviously haven't seen me dancing.

Bee Hong was her usual sweet self, trying to make drinks and oranges for us. It was good to sit down with old friends and see how far we've come in life. Boy, I sound old :)

Decided might go to Pulau Perhentian next week to get my diving certification. Gee, that means I have less than a week to plan. Wonder if I can pull it off.

235. Interesting response......

After my posting on the "girls and secrets", I've gotten a few interesting response :) heh heh heh. Some confessions, some just to gimme a piece of their mind for my chauvinistic views. :) Thank you for all responses. Now, lemme explain.

The fact that you have access to my blog, it's unlikely I'm refering to YOU. I blog as a form of diary. To keep my memories (as my brain cells obviously can't hold the data). I'm comfortable writing about my experiences here because I know the actual person doesn't have access to my blog or the experience doesn't directly involve me (as in this particular case, I'm writing as an observer). The point is, "siapa makan cili, dia rasa pedas." I don't use this blog as a form of vendetta. Just to vent or record my experiences.

I'm not going to apologize for invoking discomfort between "yourself" and I. I will, however, apologize for my view that I think girls have less propensity to hold secrets. I may be right or wrong, but these are my experiences. :) Relax :) I love/hate u all equally. There's no favoritism. I'm no bigot.

OK, back to my daily ordeals. I've had a long day. Will have a meeting with my bros at home later in the evening. Gosh, and I have to get to the office at 6am tomorrow morning. Yawn. Nite nite.


Our secretary at the meeting at home :) look at her curves

234. An uneventful weekend

Basically just took it easy and spent most of the time chillin. Watched 2 movies. Closer and Sin City. Both interesting.

Let's start with SIN CITY. Thot I've gotten the demo copy when I played it and it was in black and white. Later realised that it was the intention of the director. Creative. A lot of big time actors and actresses in this one. Jessica Alba is a stripper. That alone is good enough a reason to watch it. It's a very gory and quick paced movie. Lotsa meaningless nudity and violence. Here's a review of it.

Next was CLOSER. Again, another movie with lotsa big names. Again, my favourite girl is a stripper :D Gosh, I see a pattern. Natalie Portman was awesome. The movie, however, is a little disturbing. Entertaining and enlightening nonetheless. Very honest and accurate. I agree with the review of this movie at IMDb.

Will be having dinner at Ichiban, Gurney Hotel with Chuwy and Mook San and their families. Went over to Chuwy's place earlier to hang out. The food wasn't spectacular but wasn't bad anyway. We had a nice little room all to ourselves. Actually, come to think of it, we had the whole restaurant to ourselves. I wonder how they make money.

The view of the room we had. Sean, Sophia, Daniel and the zoo they set up on the table.

I've added a link to the pics of Baby Looi as Ruyi's Blog. :)
___________________________

My Random Thots:

Was told once that girls are "good" at keeping secrets. They know that secrets can only be told to one person at any one time. I know that not all are like that, I'm glad that most ladies I've met are not gossipy or back stabbing.

As another wise man once told me, "choose your confidants wisely."

Oh well, there are 2 solutions when one meets these people.
a) sign non disclosure agreement or
b) severe contact/communications

Apparently option A is only appropriate when you're conducting business. I guess I'll live with the stigma of being an ass. As long as I cover my own ;) Misunderstood? Jaded? U betcha!

233. Finally, some time for myself

Trip Report

Sunday
Well, let's start by summarizing the trip. It was really fun. On the way to our hotel, we passed by a few car showrooms. 2 caught my attention. One was the Jaguar showroom, they have a XJ220 on display and the other is Ferrari. They have the Enzo on display. Gosh, this speaks volumes on the buying power here. :) But then again, they have their Anti Money Laundering Office nearby :D How ironic.

The Ferrari and Maserati showroom. I didn't get a chance to take the photo of the Enzo displayed

The Anti Money Laundering Office - which was near our hotel

This is our first day here, so there was a lot of shopping and massages (at RM40 for 2 hrs, it's darn worth it). The food is cheap and good (not the fancy restaurants la).

A shrine in the middle of the shopping district

While roaming around town, we stumbled upon Hard Rock Bangkok. We decided to hang out there while waiting for my Singapore boss to show up. We had our dinner there. I must say, it's odd to see so many pork items on the menu. Of course, I had to order the Bacon sandwich. :) The live band there was excellent and it wasn't even the house band. Apparently the house band is off on Sundays. They had an promotional offer for Coke. 120 Baht and it's free refills the whole nite and u can keep the souvenier glass it's served in. Of course I had to get that too. :) My Singapore boss and another colleague finally showed up at about 11ish. We stayed till about 12 and headed back to the hotel. I'll spare you guys the SPG stories.

Hard Rock Bangkok

My Hard Rock/Coke glass

Monday
Woke up early and had breakfast. The Taxi won't be here till about 11. So after breakfast we actually walked around the shopping mall next to our hotel. The taxi was punctual and we set off to visit my customer. It was a long drive. about 2 hours or so. Along the way, we asked our driver to take us to some place for lunch. We told him specifically to take us to a local joint, no fancy restaurants. He took a turn off the highway we had our makan in a "hut" beside a river infested with giant monitor lizards. The food was indeed excellent. We had a prawn ommelette, a mixed seafood tomyam, a deep fried fish and a steamed fish ala thai. All for just RM40. What a deal.

The view from our hut and National Geographic Special, these buggers are about 5 feet long

Further along the way, we passed some "paddy" fields with windmills. I asked the driver what are they, he said they're actually salt fields. But he don't know what the windmills are for though.

Pictures of the Salt "mines" and the windmill

After the customer visit, we headed back to the hotel, but along the way, the driver asked if we wanted massage. Of course we did! :) We made sure he understands we want JUST the massage and nothing else. Again, he took us to a dodgy place somewhere in town. It's a tad expensive, at RM65 for 2 hrs, but it was the best massage I had so far. My boss and Wee disagreed. They hated it. Hmmm, there must be something wrong with my taste. Oh well, who cares, I felt good and that's all that matters :P

Met up with our customer for dinner in Bangkok. Went to this restaurant called Somboon Seafood. They even have valet parking. Even the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Junichiro Koizumi came here before. The food was really good as expected. Again, it was a whole load of food. Oysters, Crabs, Squids, Vege, Pork Claws and so on. Some how the pineapple rice was more fragrant than the ones we have here.

Mr Junichiro Koizumi at the Somboon restaurant, there were a lot of Japanese present at the restaurant and they serve sake

After that we adjourned for a little drinking at a local place, didn't get the name. Guess old ppl are not that happening. The Thai Disco in Singapore was more "shocking" that this place.

Early nite as well, have to wake up early tomorrow as the customer we're visiting is further than the one yesterday.

Tuesday
Woke up same time for breakfast and again headed out to see the customer. Today will be a quiet day as we'll be headed straight to the airport hotel after the customer visit. So there'll be nothing going on :( no massages nothing.

Today's driver was a very blur old man. He wasn't even sure where we're going. We had to stop and ask for directions. Gosh. We finally got to our customer's place. After the meeting we headed to the Asia Airport Hotel. When we arrived, we discovered that it's situated on a shopping complex. Much like the Berjaya Hotel at Midvalley or Midlands. But this seems like an IT mall. All all they sell are IT stuff.

Had dinner at a restaurant in the mall itself. The food wasn't anything spectacular except for the pork shoulder. It taste like taiwanese sausage actually. Spent the evening there shopping. but in the end, just bought a mouse pad as nothing else is worth it.

The 30 Baht mouse pad

Everything closed by 8:30pm. That leaves a lot of time at my hands. Good thing there was a thunder storm approaching and there are a lot of planes landing. The only problem is my camera ran out of battery before I could catch any really good shots. Damn it! So what is a guy to do in a hotel room? :) Well, I took the "opportunity" to finish reading Tim Allen's book. It's a really funny book.

A picture of the approching thunder storm. Would've gotten a few great shots if not for my dying battery

A picture of a plane (high on the right) coming in for landing in the darkness of nite

Wednesday
Woke up at 4am for our flight. The rest of the day was a blur. Wanted to sleep early, but Sally gave birth so will have to visit her in the Hospital. Pang Kok and her decided to name their child Enzo! I'm not kidding you! Enzo! You know age is catching up when your friends are not only married, they are having kids!!!!!


Enzo resting peacefully in his crib

In the few days that I was gone, Ruyi can stand on her own d. My goodness, they do grow up fast.

232. Back, but busy.......

So these 2 short articles will have to do for now. Trip "report" to be up by this weekend. hopefully I still remember what happened :)

today's FUNNY
===========================

During a trial in a small town, a witness was sworn in with her hand on the Bible - the standard admonitions to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help her God.

The witness was a proper, well-dressed, elderly lady - the Grandmother type - well-spoken and poised. The prosecuting attorney approached the woman and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"

She responded, "Why, yes I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, cheat on your wife, manipulate people and talk badly about them behind their backs. You think you're a rising big shot when you haven't the sense to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit, paper-pushing shyster. Yes, I know you quite well."

The lawyer was stunned. He couldn't even think for a few minutes. Then, slowly backed away, fearing the looks on the judge and jurors' faces, not to mention the court reporter who documented every word.

Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?"

She again replied, "Why, yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, has a bad drinking problem. The man can't build or keep a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. Yes, I know him."

The defense attorney almost fainted and was seen slipping downward in his chair, looking at the floor. Laughter mixed with gasps, thundered throughout the courtroom, the audience was on the verge of chaos.

The judge brought the courtroom to silence, called both counselors to the bench, and in a very quiet voice said, "If either of you morons asks her if she knows me, you're going to jail."

[forwarded by Pastor Steve]

today's THOT
=================================

On your mark...get set...go away!

=================================

____________________________________________


$ 20.00
Sometimes we just need to be reminded!

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by
holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked,
"Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you
but first, let me do this.
He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"
And he dropped it on the ground
and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
"Now, who still wants it?"
Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it
because it did not decrease in value.
It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives,
we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt
by the decisions we make and
the circumstances that come our way.
We feel as though we are worthless.
But no matter what has happened or
what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased,
you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know,
but by WHO WE ARE.
You are special- Don't EVER forget it."

If you do not pass this on, you may never know the
lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to,
or the hope that it can bring.
Count your blessings, not your problems.

And remember: amateurs built the ark ..
professionals built the Titanic.

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.

YOLANDA MAYERS

231. Been a Mellow fellow

OK, OK, actually just quiet :P Getting ready for my trip to Bangkok. Need to get as much rest as I can so that this tailend of my flu will go away before my trip. Lest it'll be another blur trip. Guess that means an early nite tonite.

230. Farewell for Tan Sri Tun Dr Abu Bakar Alex Levin Sdn. Bhd. (That's what he likes to call himself)

Thot last nite will be another quiet nite, but was informed of the farewell of Alex. He's leaving for Taiwan today and from there back to the US. Totally forgot about that as was stuck in office till about 8ish. It was nice having him around. He'll be back in Feb 06.

Alex, before and after breathing Malaysian air

Also, Raine has started a pool to see who gets Isaac's date of birth correct. Winner takes all :) The closing date is 22nd Oct. Her due date is 29th Nov. :D

The proud mum to be

229. Raine's B'day

We had a surprise b'day dinner for Raine last nite. The whole of Raine's family and ours were there. To keep the element of surprise, Wee actually took her out earlier to Baskin Robbins for a presumably pre dinner appetizer. He told Raine that they're having dinner at Pizza Hut. She actually believed him. Heh Heh.




Everyone was suppose to adjourne to Soho after that, but I opted for a quiet nite at home. Just chillin with some mags I bought from Kinokuniya.