I kid you not. For 4 days in a row, KS and I have encountered cockroaches every night. Two were outside the house beside the gate (KS smashed one with his umbrella which I'm never touching again), one was in a friend's place (she swears she never had cockroaches since she shifted in a few months ago - and I must be the first to introduce it to her) and the final one was in my toilet.
The one in my toilet was discovered thanks to my nose. I was rushing to use the toilet but the moment I stepped in, I could smell it. Calling KS, my roach terminator, he tried to sniff it out but didn't smell anything. After standing there for a full minute, then he saw where it was, on my bar of soap! You bet I threw it away and started a fresh bar! But now I geli to think that it might have ventured to my toothbrush and other toiletries.
God, why did you ever create cockroaches? Every single living thing seems to have a purpose here on earth except them. To make us exercise our lungs by screaming whenever we encounter one?
Friday, May 12, 2006
Sin
There is one sin that is absolutely embraced here in Malaysia. It is encouraged and the more one does it, the more admiration is given.
I'm, of course, talking about Gluttony.
Last night my working partners decided to go out for dinner and karaoke to celebrate the hard work we all put in for the launch of the product. We went to this restaurant in Starhill Jogoya (what a stupid name as it's not catchy at all and I keep having to refer to the name card I accidentally took to remember it, even as I type). Anyway, this place is having a promotional price of RM88++ per pax for a buffet dinner.
To be honest, the moment we stepped in and looked at the array of food, a singular thought crossed my mind, "So much food, so little stomach!". The food is great with an immense variety of Eastern dishes, the most recognisable would be Japanese. I had loads of raw salmon, yummy. However, even after several rounds of walking about, my boss had the same thoughts as me, "A lot of food but... nothing much to eat!" I don't know how to quite explain it. Sure, there's loads of food but almost everything is the same? There's prawns, crabs , oysters (fresh and baked in cheese)... but it's just the same things, you know? How many versions of prawns and crabs do you want to eat? Both were available in curry, clear soup, steamed, fried whatever.
The dessert table was impressive too, with Movenpick ice cream being the highlight. The rest were just small slices of the usual stuff, cheesecake, mango pudding, Chinese black jelly etc and interestingly, biscuits. I mean, how often do you go to a buffet dinner which offers a variety of biscuits?
The chap sitting beside me was steadily going through all the seafood and really ate his worth. Other than that, we all never really ate it's worth.
I guess the presentation of the place really blew me away. I'm not sure if I would pay RM88++ to go back there again. Mind you, this is a promotional price too. Hahaha... that's my Pay Little, Eat Bulk side talking.
Thereafter, we adjorned to Karaoke. Dang, I hate having to sing in front of others, let alone my two bosses and the Managing Director of the other company. In the end, I had to croak a few songs for the sake of participation.
In KL, there IS nothing else better to do for corporate celebration but to eat and sing. My boss initially suggested go-karting but unfortunately, the suggestion didn't interest the partner.
I'm, of course, talking about Gluttony.
Last night my working partners decided to go out for dinner and karaoke to celebrate the hard work we all put in for the launch of the product. We went to this restaurant in Starhill Jogoya (what a stupid name as it's not catchy at all and I keep having to refer to the name card I accidentally took to remember it, even as I type). Anyway, this place is having a promotional price of RM88++ per pax for a buffet dinner.
To be honest, the moment we stepped in and looked at the array of food, a singular thought crossed my mind, "So much food, so little stomach!". The food is great with an immense variety of Eastern dishes, the most recognisable would be Japanese. I had loads of raw salmon, yummy. However, even after several rounds of walking about, my boss had the same thoughts as me, "A lot of food but... nothing much to eat!" I don't know how to quite explain it. Sure, there's loads of food but almost everything is the same? There's prawns, crabs , oysters (fresh and baked in cheese)... but it's just the same things, you know? How many versions of prawns and crabs do you want to eat? Both were available in curry, clear soup, steamed, fried whatever.
The dessert table was impressive too, with Movenpick ice cream being the highlight. The rest were just small slices of the usual stuff, cheesecake, mango pudding, Chinese black jelly etc and interestingly, biscuits. I mean, how often do you go to a buffet dinner which offers a variety of biscuits?
The chap sitting beside me was steadily going through all the seafood and really ate his worth. Other than that, we all never really ate it's worth.
I guess the presentation of the place really blew me away. I'm not sure if I would pay RM88++ to go back there again. Mind you, this is a promotional price too. Hahaha... that's my Pay Little, Eat Bulk side talking.
Thereafter, we adjorned to Karaoke. Dang, I hate having to sing in front of others, let alone my two bosses and the Managing Director of the other company. In the end, I had to croak a few songs for the sake of participation.
In KL, there IS nothing else better to do for corporate celebration but to eat and sing. My boss initially suggested go-karting but unfortunately, the suggestion didn't interest the partner.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Man, I just realised I haven't updated my blog in almost a week! Sorry, nothing much happening except work.
Today is Wesak Day and I organised an indoor rock climbing session with some of my CG members. I have friends in Penang who used to do indoor rock climbing on a weekly basis and here I was, doing it 10 years after I first tried it in NZ.
The class was only 1 hour and we climbed 4 walls in total, the last being the tallest about 3 stories (12 metres, if I'm not mistaken). I nearly gave up halfway but pushed myself to reach the top. Now my fingers are aching and I'm aching all over. Cheh... so lau ya.
In conclusion, I'm not sure if I'm hot into it although the rest of the people who went with me are keen to go again. Of course, one of them does push ups on 3 fingers and is always looking for ways to strenghten his upper torso. Sheesh. I'm going to collapse to sleep soon.
Today is Wesak Day and I organised an indoor rock climbing session with some of my CG members. I have friends in Penang who used to do indoor rock climbing on a weekly basis and here I was, doing it 10 years after I first tried it in NZ.
The class was only 1 hour and we climbed 4 walls in total, the last being the tallest about 3 stories (12 metres, if I'm not mistaken). I nearly gave up halfway but pushed myself to reach the top. Now my fingers are aching and I'm aching all over. Cheh... so lau ya.
In conclusion, I'm not sure if I'm hot into it although the rest of the people who went with me are keen to go again. Of course, one of them does push ups on 3 fingers and is always looking for ways to strenghten his upper torso. Sheesh. I'm going to collapse to sleep soon.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Surprising Wedding Guests
Yesterday night, KS and I were in Melaka for his classmate's wedding dinner. I have never met this friend although KS has mentioned his name several times as being a really intelligent guy who was studying in Singapore and then working as a doctor there.
Hardly expecting to know any of his guests, I was first introduced to those who sat at the same table, all classmates of KS and some of their partners. One of them looked vaguely familiar but when he introduced himself, the name didn't ring a bell. Shortly after, I discovered he was my ex-colleague at the bank! He left one month after I joined, which means I did see him on ocassion since he was just one floor above me. We exchanged news on those who were still there, gossips about the mass exodus of staff from my department.
Then suddenly, this girl was walking past my table when she stopped and gave me a queer look as though she'd seen me before. I recognised her at once and rose to greet her. Quickly making introductions to KS, she still looked bewildered that I know her full name and asked me honestly where have we met. I told her she was my classmate since Form 1 until Form 5 back in Alor Star but it's been a while since we last saw each other. She had gone to Singapore right after Form 5 for ASEAN scholarship and also studied at the same uni as the groom and she's also a doctor there. Ree Nee. Blast from the past. Again, I exchanged news on those whom I still keep in touch but am not sure if the names registered. But jo-bloggs, she remembered you, though. Come to think of it, I didn't tell her my name so she probably doesn't remember me today either.
Then, throughout the dinner, this guy kept walking up to the stage to take photos and he looked familiar. He was sitting at the main dinner table so it wasn't until much later when he walked past my table when I flagged him down. Hock, the ex-auditor from my old company, is actually the groom's brother-in-law. KS and I actually bumped into him and his wife some years back in Bidor but KS didn't know his friend's sister well enough to recognise her.
Malaysia is pretty small, I guess.
Hardly expecting to know any of his guests, I was first introduced to those who sat at the same table, all classmates of KS and some of their partners. One of them looked vaguely familiar but when he introduced himself, the name didn't ring a bell. Shortly after, I discovered he was my ex-colleague at the bank! He left one month after I joined, which means I did see him on ocassion since he was just one floor above me. We exchanged news on those who were still there, gossips about the mass exodus of staff from my department.
Then suddenly, this girl was walking past my table when she stopped and gave me a queer look as though she'd seen me before. I recognised her at once and rose to greet her. Quickly making introductions to KS, she still looked bewildered that I know her full name and asked me honestly where have we met. I told her she was my classmate since Form 1 until Form 5 back in Alor Star but it's been a while since we last saw each other. She had gone to Singapore right after Form 5 for ASEAN scholarship and also studied at the same uni as the groom and she's also a doctor there. Ree Nee. Blast from the past. Again, I exchanged news on those whom I still keep in touch but am not sure if the names registered. But jo-bloggs, she remembered you, though. Come to think of it, I didn't tell her my name so she probably doesn't remember me today either.
Then, throughout the dinner, this guy kept walking up to the stage to take photos and he looked familiar. He was sitting at the main dinner table so it wasn't until much later when he walked past my table when I flagged him down. Hock, the ex-auditor from my old company, is actually the groom's brother-in-law. KS and I actually bumped into him and his wife some years back in Bidor but KS didn't know his friend's sister well enough to recognise her.
Malaysia is pretty small, I guess.
2 Intense Days
After much longing, I finally got myself a copy of The Da Vinci Code on Friday evening. Said I wanted to read it before Astro shows the discussion about it this Monday evening. KS didn't believe that I would be able to finish it by then.
Dang, I should have made a bet.
I enjoyed it and think I will enjoy Angels & Demons since it is recommended over the Da Vinci Code.
Dang, I should have made a bet.
I enjoyed it and think I will enjoy Angels & Demons since it is recommended over the Da Vinci Code.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Insecticide
We've been having roach problems again. It's twice now in a week that we've had major mama's in the kitchen right after we get back from work.
I know of two instant ways to kill a cockroach without using insecticide spray:
1. Pour boiling water - tip from Ron
2. Pour dishwashing liquid (even if it's diluted, it works) - tip from Jan
If you have the time, Tip #1 works fine and water is easy to clean up. But most of the time, we don't want the vermin running away before we want it dead. So Tip #2 works just as well for us. And since the last two pests were in the kitchen, reaching for the dishwashing liquid was the easiest and most instant.
I also got rid of a colony of red ants at my front lawn using this method.
It's really amazing to see how quick they die. Makes me think of how many more I'm killing every time I wash my dishes. And what other things am I killing along the way.
I know of two instant ways to kill a cockroach without using insecticide spray:
1. Pour boiling water - tip from Ron
2. Pour dishwashing liquid (even if it's diluted, it works) - tip from Jan
If you have the time, Tip #1 works fine and water is easy to clean up. But most of the time, we don't want the vermin running away before we want it dead. So Tip #2 works just as well for us. And since the last two pests were in the kitchen, reaching for the dishwashing liquid was the easiest and most instant.
I also got rid of a colony of red ants at my front lawn using this method.
It's really amazing to see how quick they die. Makes me think of how many more I'm killing every time I wash my dishes. And what other things am I killing along the way.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Readings
A couple of months back I went to a warehouse book sale. As I was making my way out, they were throwing away some books at a total bargain, just RM1 for this book which had a nice cover. Yeah, judge a book by it's price, not cover. The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer.
I have conflicted feelings about this book. On one hand, I feel horrified of the main character for leaving her fiance even after he broke his neck and is left paralysed and runs to New York. But on the other hand, I symphatise for her. The starting of the book made me feel a little depressed but things are looking up a bit now. Hope to finish it by today.
The other book I'm reading is The Brethren, John Grisham. Yet another John Grisham.
I have conflicted feelings about this book. On one hand, I feel horrified of the main character for leaving her fiance even after he broke his neck and is left paralysed and runs to New York. But on the other hand, I symphatise for her. The starting of the book made me feel a little depressed but things are looking up a bit now. Hope to finish it by today.
The other book I'm reading is The Brethren, John Grisham. Yet another John Grisham.
There's a Place I Go...
Spring cleaning my photos again. There's this place I go during lunch when I want the solace or just to sit and read while I have my meal.
It's an old pre-war shop that is beautifully maintained by the owners. Introduced by Monster as the lawyer's hang-out place after court, the place is always full but somehow I always manage to find a seat.
It's funny that I NEVER used to eat alone and would resort to eating biscuits (lest I starve) but now I find that being on my own for lunch once a month is good for the soul.
It's an old pre-war shop that is beautifully maintained by the owners. Introduced by Monster as the lawyer's hang-out place after court, the place is always full but somehow I always manage to find a seat.
It's funny that I NEVER used to eat alone and would resort to eating biscuits (lest I starve) but now I find that being on my own for lunch once a month is good for the soul.
Kiss Me
To my ex-colleagues who didn't believe there was such a brand of a sweet, NAH!
Believe me now? What a weird name for a sweet though...
Believe me now? What a weird name for a sweet though...
Officially Adopted
Folks, we've been officially adopted again.
She is the weirdest cat we've had so far. Doesn't like attention much, only comes a-calling when she's hungry. Our other cats loved attention and would always look for us to manja them but not this one. She looks like Jay, doesn't she? We haven't named her yet, and we believe it's a she coz we also suspect she may be pregnant. Great.
She is the weirdest cat we've had so far. Doesn't like attention much, only comes a-calling when she's hungry. Our other cats loved attention and would always look for us to manja them but not this one. She looks like Jay, doesn't she? We haven't named her yet, and we believe it's a she coz we also suspect she may be pregnant. Great.
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