Archive for September, 2006

A trip to the Land of Smiles - Part 1

Early this year, Hui Ming seized the opportunity to book cheap tickets to Thailand for our leisure trip. Air Asia was having giving away free ticket to customers who manage to book successfully online. And we are the lucky ones.

So Hui Ming and I, together with her twin sister and brother-in-law set off to Bangkok on 15 September 2006 for a leisure trip.

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A view on the AirAsia plane we were boarding, while flying to Bangkok. Look at the puffy cotton clouds!

This is where we checked into when we reached Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. (Bangkok Palace Hotel)

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We were free-to-roam on first day we touched down, so Hui Sim (Hui Ming’s twin sister) suggested that we do our shopping spree in MBK Shopping Centre. To get there was quite frustrating for Bangkok was famously known for its super-duper heavy traffic. The moment we reach MBK vide taxi, it was already 7.00 p.m. I nearly died of hunger :P

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This is how Bangkok traffic looks like for most of the time. Congested.

Worth to mention is "The Fifth", a food court located in the MPK Center that is so luxuriously furnished, and well maintained. The service staff were exceptionally well-mannered and polite. It looks more like an eatery or high-end restaurant in a prestigious hotel compared to the bland and dull food courts we have here in Malaysia. I was very much impressed with "The Fifth".

Their purchase and payment system is commendably convenient as well. You just need to take a swipe card, and present it to the stall keeper that prepares your food of your choice. And after a heartful lunch/dining, you just take the swiped card to the payment counter and pay accordingly. It acts just like a credit card!

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Just look at the posh surroundings in The Fifth…

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  This is what I had choosed for my first touch down dinner - Thai Boat Noodle (only 50 baht = RM5.00)

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Just look at the mouth-watering tomyam and Thailand’s famous pineapple fried rice. Delicious~

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I’ve never seen Hui Ming enjoyed food this much. O.o

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Thailand’s Mc Donald’s.

After a hearty dinner, the ladies indulged in the most interesting activity for the day - SHOPPING. We bought plenty of clothings and shoes. Things are really cheap here. I’ve got a beautiful purple dress for a steal price of 350 Baht (RM35) only. Shoes that matches Vincci’s standards cost only 199 Baht per pair. The twins had their best time trying out each and every pair of shoes/high heels in the shops.

At the end of the day, these are what both Hui Ming and I bought from MBK Shopping Centre.

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The shopping centre closed at 10.30 p.m. We took a cab back and retreated to our hotel rooms for our needful rest to end the day.

To be continued - Day 2

A letter to Mr. X

Dear X,

Its been a long time since I have actually spoken to you. How have you been?

….

Occassionally, I do receive news about you. I heard that you are climbing slowly but surely up the corporate ladder and I was glad for you. I sometimes wish time can be unwinded, and the mistakes we had created can be reversed, so we can still be the same like before. Friendship is what that really matters.

You used to be so close and dear to me. You used to consult me on matters you are unfamiliar with. And you opened my eyes to the little little things that I have come to cherish in my life. You have the credit for moulding me to become the one I am now.

I still can still remember vividly how I really got to know you. You bumped into me. You insisted to be near to me. You were there to help and I was there to assist you in return. During those days, my self-esteem was the bleakest, appearance wise as well. It was you who brought me back high up again. It was you who made me felt useful and being heard. You told me there is no one that can talk to you the way I do. And no one could understand you the way I do. 

Along the way, I picked myself up, and started changing myself for better. Tongues around us started wagging. Gossips fled everywhere. People started teasing us as an odd couple. I slowly fell for you.

You oozed a special charisma that attracted me. The way you speak, look and how you present yourself is unique and attractive. I loved to see how you sometimes stare in a daze and how you lost yourself in daydream. I cherish how we used to tease each other and made the others around us so envious and so green. You appealed to me.

We used to have structured arguments and talked about all sorts of things. Humanity, philosophy, wonders of nature, colourful ethnic cultures and the things that revolved around us. It was you who taught me to appreciate culture. It was you who told me experience is what we really gain for a meaningful life, not material gains.

I fell deep for you.

I allocated most of my time for you, and I believe you did the same. We are so used to having each other around that people started percepting us both as a couple, although our relationship remains platonic. You did not took advantage of me and I respect you for that.

Until one day. Remember that day? Your birthday.

You spoke of me being your special one.

You touched on the subject of love. And how you finally had feelings for me after so long. You knew that I admired you all along. I blushed but I admit. I did. But though we loved each other, you had a request. You wanted our relationship to be discreet. No one was supposed to know us. I being the innocent and fresh in love, agreed. This was the first disaster. I should not have agreed with you. Because of the great trust I had for you, little did I know that you was scheming a risk-free plan, for yourself.

We started. Do you still remember how we used to enjoy sneaking out middle of the night to go uphills? How you held my hands so tenderly? How you whispered softly into my ears? Do you still remember the mini-rendevous we had? Do you know how blissful I felt deep down in my heart?

But things moved too fast. Suddenly you were no longer caring. You found excuses not to see me. Everytime I spoke to you, the more I felt that the one I loved is becoming a stranger. Something was not right. This did not happen before we become a secret couple.

Then you asked for a break up. Second disaster. You gave me reasons that I no longer understands you, and how you suffered to be with me. X, I had known you for 6 years, we had been so close and dear for 6 years. I never ever heard that you complained you suffered being with me. Did you know your words broke my heart into pieces? Did you know how I felt myself plummeted into a dark hollow well and how my fall to the ground shattered my soul into pieces? Did you know how I cried until my tears dried up and no longer roll down my cheeks, albeit I was still crying tearlessly? The 6 years we had together was incomparable to the mere 1 1/2 months "suffering" you had?

You were eager… and desperate. You gave all other sorts of illogical reasons. I only knew the summary and conclusion. You wanted out. So I let you out. With overflowing tears. You knew that, X. You saw me crying my heart out. You saw me in the ultimate despair. You broke my heart. On my birthday.

I had to believe that you suffered. And to end it, I must set you free. I did. Soon I knew the real reason you left me was for another girl. You betrayed me.

I finally knew the real intention for your request of keeping our relationship in the dark. You had planned to dump me whenever you feel convenient. By keeping me behind scene, there would be less interogation from our friends and families. Cleaning up the mess would be an easier chore. I fell into the worst state of despair. You, X, the one I had always trusted, had never cherished our friendship. You treated me as a game. That mere 1 1/2 months was enough to let me discover the real you.

I still did not want to accept the fact you are no longer an angel. I kept hoping although we are no longer couple, we can still remain sincere friends. But you destroyed the frail hope of mine. Remember the last call I made to you, X?

You joked with humiliating undertones. You "offered" monetary assistance should I require any for foetus abortion. Remember that? You stripped me off my dignity. You made me felt so worthless. I never went to bed with you, X. Why would you said something so distasteful, degrading and unrespectful?

My affection for you was turned into hatred in an instance. I was both wrathful and in grievance. I met you for the last time and ended our friendship and relationship there and then. I drew a line between both of us and even told you that I would never want to see you again. You were silent, but nodded your head in acceptance.

X, ever since that fateful night, you headed your own direction and I walked my path. We no longer communicate. We no longer acknowledge each other. I was left alone to gather my shattered body and soul up. And I slowly recuperated.

And we had been this way until now. Time slowly washes away my hatred and I no longer felt bitter. I was back to being the bouncy and cheery me, but friends commented that I was no longer the previous me.

Nowadays, my memory of you has become more distant and faint. I no longer recall your scent, no longer remember how its feels to touch you. I no longer recall your sounds of laughter. I no longer know you.

Do you still remember me, X? Do you still recall the days we had before? Do you still know me? I sometimes wonder, X.

Distantly yours,

Christine

A Little Something

A little something was tucked deep in my heart for quite some time. Sometimes it throbbed painfully, sometimes it swells with joy. This "little something" is against my own principals of life and given enough time, it has eaten away my conscience and my ability to think rationally.

But I decided the "little something" must give way, and to be taken out from my heart. So it was pulled out forcefully, despite its strong insistance to cling to my heart still.

It is now out and casted away. But I am yet to be relieved. I still feel its not the end. The "little something" is contemplating a revenge.

Military Coup in Thailand

My God. I thank God for my safe journey home from my recent trip to Thailand. I just returned home on Monday from a happy journey from Bangkok-Pattaya.

The news that the military has launched a coup-de-tat in Bangkok has really shocked Hui Ming and myself. The few days I had spent in Bangkok was very peaceful and there were no signs that the military is up to something BIG.

Anyhow, will be updating my blog soon with stories and pictures of my holiday in the then-peaceful-now-worrisome Bangkok .

Hutan Lipur Kanching

I recently went to Hutan Lipur Kanching. We were on our way to meet Hui Ming in the morning and being no plans made earlier for the day, we decided to go to the Templer’s Park on the spur of the moment. So in a car suited only for 4 people, we left and headed to Selayang, where the park was located. :)

We reached there around 12 pm. We planned to go to Templer’s Park earlier but  we just couldn’t find the entrance sign. So we changed our initial plan and headed to Hutan Lipur instead, which is also located in the same area as Templer’s.

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Monkeys are scattered all around the entrance area.  I wanted to take photos but heck no, these monkeys are really wild and daring. I did not want to risk a monkey to come wrestle with me and carry away my Sony E phone as his champion prize. Better not! :P

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It was shady and cool. The weather seems gloomy and it was going to rain anytime soon. We had to climb up a long flight of stairs before we could reach the top part of the waterfall, where the water is clearer and less crowd around.

Again I felt dizzy and nearly fainted off. I think I have stair-o-phobia. I can jump, I can run and I can skip, BUT I cannot climb stairs. It was so embarrassing for as the others had to stop halfway and wait for me to recover. :P

I was here 8-9 years ago and I never been this weak. This shows I am starting to age. Argh.

One little pig… Second little pig…

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Third little pig also posed for photo :P

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We finally reached the top. I nearly died from exhaustion and sudden dizziness.

This part of the waterfall is more secluded and hence we had more privacy to do what we wish to do. The guys took a dip in the water. Hui Ming and I just played along side the waterbed.


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A favourite photo of mine. The two at the side look soooo fascinated with Ah Sou’s sucked-in tummy.

Meng Fong’s contact lenses came off and Hui Ming rushed to rescue.

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We did have fun during this unexpected short trip and wish to visit again in the near future. :)

Toy Pinching Machine

This is Christina. She is so happy today. See the little teddy bear she clutched so dearly to her cheeks?

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This is where the teddy bear came from. One whole bunch of it.

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And this is the "hero" that rescued the poor teddy bear out of the machine and to Lady Christina.

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So now the teddy bear lives happily ever after under the delicate care of Lady Christina…haha!

Ah Bie 5 months old

I now present Ah Bie, almost fully grown, 5 months old….

This time the photos are very sharp, courtesy of my mom’s Olympus camera.

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Took this photo when my father was playing with Bie Bie.

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See how big she grew.

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Clear Water Bay Restaurant

Went to SS2, Petaling Jaya last evening for a change of place for yumcha. As usual I would tag my two buddies along.

Saw one catchy restaurant, with the name "Tsing Shui Wan" meaning Clearwater Bay. The shop’s signboard looks sharp, decorated with strategically placed coloured neon lights and that’s what attracted us to step in. Well, Clearwater Bay is a place located in Hong Kong. I’ve been there before but I have forgotten how the place looked like :P

Anyhow, the environment just so-so and food isn’t worthy to mention. But I got surprised when the dessert I ordered, i.e. Mango Sai-Mai-Lou was um… GIGANTIC SHAVED ICE WITH OVERFLOWING MANGO PUREE IN AN UNSUITABLY TINY SIZED BOWL.

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Can’t finish it. :P

Before and After

This is me. The "before" me, snapshot taken at my workplace, 2 weeks ago.

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Then, the following is the "after" me. Snapshot taken minutes ago. The new me :D

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Ok la, I just coloured my hair to a subtle shade of brown. Just a little excited to document it down, that’s all, nothing special =P In fact, the colour isn’t showing in photo. Cis….

*The black lump on the floor, is my pet doggie, my loyal companion. In the house, wherever I go , she will follow suit. I didn’t realise she was behind me when I snapped this photo.