Penang, Back Again.

It has been a while since I last went back to the Pearl of the Orient's land. Spent two days during Iduladha visiting MN's granny and touring the island.

Harvest In Cafe is a nice little diner snuggled at the corner between Irrawaddy Road and Chow Thye Road where I had a lovely birthday luncheon with hubby. I have always love the eateries around the island especially those old government-quarters-turn-cafes. They are all neatly tucked in around the bend, surprising you with a warm and inviting psychedelic look. Now this one gem, has a pretty impressive western line-up that comes with reasonable prices. Main meals start from RM7.90 onwards for lunch, with delicious mushroom soup and ginger bread for RM4.90. 

I had a tasty peach tea with my stir fried spaghetti which was a nice combo for a sunny afternoon. The interior is a crispy white with high ceilings and nicely decorated wall. The only downturn is that there's not much of variety but I leave them with a benefit of a doubt. They are pretty new anyway. The manager is such a sweetheart, checking up on us every 10 minutes or so. It was a hols so we made ourselves cosy outside, away from the (pretty noisy) crowd, enjoying the day. Definitely gonna go back here the next time around, cause a good western treat is kinda hard to come by in Penang.

I have always love Batu Feringghi and life is incomplete without a tour along the night street market. Got a real deal from a few newly opened stalls. MN bought me two beautiful pairs of leather slippers from Jaipur. Pretty good steal considering its real leather. Had a quick dinner at the Long Beach cafe down the road before Golden Sands Resort. Always full of tourists, this place is frikkin' hot and locals often being mistaken as tourists. And what do ya know, I stumbled into two tattoed dude whom I thought were backpackers. As it turned out, Chris and his friend hails from England and have been making Malaysia as their second home by opening up a kebab stall for seven years now. Definitely gonna pop down again for their scrumptious kebab and chips.

One of my favorite thing to do while in Penang is of course, hunting down for vintage findings. This time, got myself two pairs of digital Casio watches that didn't burn any hole in my pocket plus a green, handmade canvas bag at an old shop down the Campbell Street. These two businesses belong to daddy-in-law's old friends so you can say that I got even better deal being around the locals.

I've cut my hair pixie-short after four good years of keeping it shoulder-length. Give me a good, happy vibe everytime.

OMG.

I turned twenty-blardy-seven today.

find more great photos with sabino.

Her Real Name Is Jane

If I am a movie character, I’ll define myself as Alice Ayres in Closer. As how one reviewer described her in that movie: ‘flirty and sweet, cynical and manipulative, evasive and yet very open, sexual and gloomy all in one.’ So much has been written about Alice but the truth.

I’ve never feel so close to a fictional figure before.

I was the young girl in need of saving, in search for a semblance of love. I drift with the wind, go wherever the breeze takes me to.

There’s a bit of her left in me, I must say. Though I was saved by my handsome prince and we are living the ever-after; the troubled, pink-headed, delicate girl in me still lives. I am still vulnerable, needy at times but at least, like Alice, while some may still be longing for the ideals, I know exactly what I want.

I suppose its better that way then yearning for something out of uncertainty.

Oh What A Day Is Today

http://kittenskittenskittens.tumblr.com

Kitty pictures never fail to pick me up. I was feeling a bit under the weather last weekend. A minor headache and a bit of nausea. Felt very uncomfortable and sore all over. 
 

Rainy days entering our life practically every hour now. It’s really good to just snuggle up, enjoying the rain and do nothing.

Happy rainy Monday, everyone :)

The 'Man' of My Dream.

Image from posinz.diaryis.com

I sat on this beautiful baby today. Can't forget him now. But I realized one thing after our first meeting:

I have the height but not the weight to match him.

>.< The 2009 KSR-110 mini super sports bike, I'll be dreaming of you day and night!

Fight For Preemies!

Every year, 20 million babies are born too soon, too small and very sick ― half a million of them in the United States. November 17 is when we fight.

Do you know a baby that was born too soon, too small, unable to suck, unable to breathe on his own? Premature birth is a health crisis that jeopardizes the lives and health of nearly half-million babies each year. It is the #1 killer of newborns and can lead to lifelong disabilities. Worse: the number has increased 31 percent since 1981. It can happen without warning and for no known reason. Until we have more answers, anyone’s baby, could be born too soon.

Read more here!

--

A preemie myself, I have a fair share in surviving life as a pre-mature baby. I was only 7months in mom's womb when suddenly it strike to me that 1982 is such a cool number to be born in. I can't wait to get out.

So I did. On a Thursday of November the 25th around 2pm I made it obvious that living in a womb for 9months like any other kids is so not me. I wanna get out.

I was born in KL, being held captive in an incubator for two months alone on my own as mom was transferred back to Muar right after I was born, with 16 wires on my body, weighing merely 1lb (that's 453.59237 gram for you) with my head just as big as a cup I look ridiculous. News even spread amongst the doctors that I might either be unhealthy or....dead.

But here I am, reaching 27 in a week's time, perfectly healthy and fit. I fight for my life and proved them wrong. I didn't even get jaundice when other babies around me in the incubation area suffered and died of 'em. Alhamdullilah. I am grateful everyday for the chance to live that He had given me and for having an amazing mother and affectionate dad.

You see, I took the risk to live. Right from the moment I see the world for the first time, I have taken the plunge. And after 26years, 11 months and 8 days; I've taken a plenty of 'em during my short journey in this world. I have skated on thin ice. I even took some leaps before even looking. Stupid? I let you have your benefit of a doubt.

What I had when I was born was a miracle. Took a chance and with God's willing I live to see sunset and sunrise for twenty-seven years. That's how I got my name derived from a word in a Sura meaning 'close to Him'. Having a pre-mature baby can be an emotional journey for parents. I believe the same happened to my mom and dad. I am what my husband would like to call me 'calm before the storm'. My mom might spent a morning in the kitchen preparing breakfast, when suddenly she noticed that everything went quiet and the air seems to be still and calm. Suddenly a line of clouds portentously appears on the horizon right in front of her through the window; clouds with a look that tells her they aren't fooling around.

The cloud is me. Ever since I was born, I am their little pint of hurricane - the tropical cyclone that brings strong wind and heavy rain. I pushed myself through despite anything. I fight for myself every time.

My point is - if you are going through your pregnancy days, have a preemie baby, a preemie baby yourself or simply a curious blogger; you might wanna check out the article above. November is dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis of premature birth. The March of Dimes invites bloggers like you to get involved.

As they say it, we need to fight ― because babies shouldn’t have to.

Source from marchofdimes.com

This post is dedicated to my sister's son; baby Adam who was a preemie borne on November 17, 2009. Al-fatihah.

Radio Rocks!

Have you watch 'The Boat That Rocked' yet? If you haven't, I recommend you to watch it for 3 definite reasons:

1- Awesome soundtracks - Brits music rocks!
2- Midnight Mark is major cute
3- Lovely lovely 60's setting



This movie is based on a popular pirate radio ship in the 60s called Radio Caroline that broadcast from a ship to UK. The only thing I hate about the movie is that they didn't include The Beatles's tracks though 1960s is the famous band's unmistakable prime year. How could they not when other famous rock&roll songs are innit? Royalty issues? Grr. My favorite of all time is of course 'All Day And All of The Night' by The Kinks and 'Crimson And Clover' by Tommy James & The Shondells. The rest of the featured ones include songs by The Turtles, Procol Harum, Cat Stevens, Jimi Hendrix, Dusty Springfield, The Who and even David Bowie. Unfortunately, Aaron Neville's 'Tell It Like It Is' wasn't in the official OST though it was played in one of the scenes with Midnight Mark. How cruel.

All in all, an enjoyable cruise but don't expect much of it.

I've always consider myself as a radio person. If you hand me a survey stating 'List down 3 famous TV shows of all time', I know jackshit of what to write. I grew up listening to keronchong from my late dad's old radio. Its one of the most magical music I've ever heard my whole life. A Johorian's trait? Perhaps so. 

Approaching my teenage years, I began to listen to my Sony walkman practically every second and every friggin' minute of the day. Piles and piles of music tapes was kept well-hidden under my bed away from prying eyes. Every other day I would drop by at my babysitter's house and watched her husband whom I called Abah, played the accordion.

I survived my childhood without the idiot box.

I don't know whats gonna happen back then if I have to live without the ghetto blaster. It was even my best friend and I auto routine, to turn the dial on every time we went into her room or while in the car. Always the first thing we would do before anything else. ALWAYS. We would bicker on which radio station to listen to; apparently the driver always get to choose. Remembered how a few of my friends and I would giddily lined up - I kid you not; at our school's public phone to call Hitz FM just to say 'No 2 belongs to Brandy 'The Boy Is Mine' live on air with John Boy! Imagine! Such are radio to some of us back then: huge and nothing short of humongous.

So when my strategist, the Tuan Berhormat Yang Dikasihi told me that I'm gonna write a radio script; you can imagine how excited I was! And today I went to a studio in Taman Tun to do the recording. Quite interesting to watch how the professional voice talents do their job - some did it coolly while another talent was so animated with the hand waving in the air and whole expression on his face. In 4 hours time, they wrapped it up and handed us a CD containing two commercial ads in English and Chinese.

I must say, the script was far from what I had in mind but for a safe choice, the ad might work well.

Budget Trip

It has been the slowest weekend for 2009.

Tuesday creeping up sluggishly to yet another slow Wednesday before finally moving on to Friday. They say, 'penantian suatu penyeksaan' - oh boy, i agree! I love rainy days where it rains all day long and everything is just super relaxing, I really do; but not while at work. The energy I have in me doesn't quite gel with the weather.

They declared a 6 days official hols for the company starting end of December till next year. An opportunity fell into my lap! Rubbing my hands in glee, I did a mini checklist on where to go. With a very limited budget, roadtrip for two is a no-no considering there's gonna be only MN and I since Nadiah broke her foot. Its always cheaper to travel in groups.

We were really considering a trip to Kuching and a few other possible places to go during this time of year. But a friend pointed out that it is best to save Kuching for another occasion - a visit to the longhouse or Rainforest, say. Finally decided to do a short backpacking trip to Singapore that really suits the budget. There's a few of you who would cringe your nose and say 'singapore is boring' but that is for me to find out. Hehe. Considering that I've never been there (eventhough I'm partially a Johorian), I will look at it as an opportunity to do street-shooting, visiting friends and celebrating the arrival of 2010 in another country. Might as well catch fireworks at the Asian Civilisation Museum as the admission is gonna be free from 8pm - 1am. There are actually quite a few other free admissions to other galleries and museums during the new year.

I've booked a bunk at a really nice backpacker's hostel in Joo Chiat road at $20 per night. I shall spill the beans after the trip. Other than that, I'm just slowly, like November, taking my time to tick my so-called backpacker's list: looking around for a cheap 50L Deuter, shoes and whatever necessary. I will most likely to travel by train coz I is the train person, you see.

One thing I've learnt so far - never be afraid to ask other backpackers for tips. I met a wonderful new friend through Lonely Planet who gave me wonderful tips for backpacking to Laos. Splendid! I shall look into that once I have more time and moolah next year!

A round, solid week

If I am a font, I would marry Century Gothic for its darling a and g's look. They are elliptically sexy . I had a miserable time trying to construct a good opening sentence. Normally, words come to me naturally but not tonight. Reason being the font I used. It looked boring and tiresome and and. Urgh, so much more.

Or maybe not.

Ah, petty reasons to avoid admitting that it had been a slow, rough week without anything interesting happening for most of the days; enthralling event or gripping story that I could share in today's entry. Yeap, it was a slow, rough week, I admit. There were just deadlines to catch up as well as the usual luncheons and dinners. Apart from the uneventful, I survived the platitudinous.

An old friend came by for dinner on Saturday. Had been a year since I saw her and we had a smashin' good time gossiping and reminiscing. It has been great so far ; we received quite a number of visits from family and close friends whom like us, fell in love with the open space of the house. My best friend dropped by a few days back too, with a pack of biscuits in a hand. 'I know you love chocolate biscuits so I bring some. Good things are meant to be shared' she announced at the door. Best friends!

We were suppose to go on a little hike up a hill in Semenyih to catch sunset this evening but twas cancelled thanks to rain, superb home-cooked lunch at mum's and balmy weather that makes me sleepy. And a good book. Which I dont mind - good moments are meant to be shared...with your family. Not somewhere up a strange hill by one's self.

I love my garden - our petunias and white periwinkles are blooming beautifully from the hanging pot and my baby's breath looks like she can't wait to grow! I'm expecting our little christmas tree to be back on her good self again - she looks like a sad little snag the past coupla week. So sad but MN convinced me that its only a natural cycle.

I'm gonna write my first radio commercial so I'm hoping for the best. Have a great remaining weekend!