Spending Too Much Time In Bed

Yeah, that's what I've been doing these past few days because I have been sick! Bad, huh? I hate being sick. Right, I get to lie in bed but then I don't get to rest. I can't even sleep well because I am so unwell. Obviously, what I'm feeling is nothing major compared to others who are medically worse off than I am but when I'll ill with my head spinning, I just need to lie down and don't have mood to do anything at all.

Besides having fever, I aught a stomach bug too. I am trying to stay away from Western medicine but I have been going in and out of the toilet, it's not fun. Let's see how I am tomorrow. Maybe I really do need a dose of antibiotics. I'm afraid my doctor would give me a good scolding because he told me to take yoghurt daily and I have stopped my daily yoghurt intake for sometime. Maybe that's why I'm suffering now. Argh!

Higher Premiums For Motor Vehicles Beginning 1st Jan 2012

My heart dropped when I read in the papers last night that we will have to pay higher insurance premiums for our cars and motorcycles. You know the dreaded feeling...

With two cars, old cars at that, it means that we will have to pay even more. It'll do me good to start looking for cheap car insurance right now because I don't want to be caught off guard when this policy takes effect beginning of next year.

From what I understand, insurance premiums will continue to rise until 2015 and then from 2016 onwards, insurance companies can start to compete against each other to bring us the best premiums. Now, I really don't get why they have to raise their premiums FIRST!

Clearing Out My Hard Disk

I just spent the entire day burning 27 pieces of DVDs... can you imagine that?? These are stuff that I have accumulated over the past couple of years and I had wanted to copy them out but did not buy any blank DVDs. I do have black CD but they are not enough to hold my data.

And then I bought 50 pieces of blank DVDs last year, about four months ago and couldn't find time to sort out my data to copy them out systematically. I am still not done yet, even after 27 pieces but at this rate, I am afraid that either my DVD writer KO on me or I'd run out of DVD blanks. And then I would have to wait for the next PC Fair.

I didn’t even realize that I had accumulated so much junk over these past few years!

Dealing With Dogs

Although I have sworn off keeping dogs, I found out recently that I still love dogs very much and miss keeping one as a pet. As you know, I have been weighing my options lately and I wonder what I would like to do. A friend suggested that I pick up some skills that have something to do with dogs; perhaps dog training or grooming.

I really like the idea of dog grooming but my parents, like all traditional minded parents, are not very keen. Such a course is not cheap, you know? Some years ago, a friend was looking for a companion to take up a dog grooming course together and the fees was close to five figures!

Seriously, I love to spend my days playing with dogs. Is there anyone willing to pay for my services, even though I am unskilled?

Earlier To Bed

I can't write "early to bed" because I can never be early. I can be earlier though and I have tried to get to bed latest by 1.30am. Maybe because age is catching up and I can't get my eyes to keep open after a certain time threshold or maybe it's because I am not able to get a good afternoon nap but then I know it's a bad habit and it just makes me stay up later than I should at night.

I am still waking up at my usual time of 7 - 8am, which is luxury compared to my friends who are parents to school-going kids. These kids have to get up so early, it's pitiful that the parents have to get up and prepare for their schooling even earlier!!

If possible, I want to tune my biological clock more so that i would look for my bed at around midnight and stay away from my bed in the afternoon. I know it's possible but then the afternoons are so hot, I just feel so sleepy and not productive at all.

Four Shades Darker

On the second day of Chinese New Year, I visited my aunt. She commented that I am a lot darker now compared to the last time she saw me, which was a long time ago. She said that I was very fair last time but as far as I could remember, I have never been the fair type and get dark very easily. My cousin's wife agreed that I am darker too but she saw me even less as she lives in KL.

Now, if my aunt sees me, she would be shocked. I am so much darker now, possibly four shades darker, as I went to cover four outdoor events during Chinese New Year. As you know, Chinese New Year is always hot and this year was no exception. It wouldn't be so bad if I had applied sunblock but I have never used it and it would feel weird. The funnier thing is that a friend wanted to give me a voucher to an indoor tanning lotion center. I guess I don't need it now.

If there a quick way to get fairer again? What if I stay indoors for one month?

Where Should I Next Visit?

After a hectic beginning of the year of the Rabbit, I am now thinking of going on a trip to get away from the mundane. As you know, I'm a free agent and I can go as and when I like, provided that I have the finances. Of course, it would be wonderful if I don't have to fork out money myself but nah, I'm not that lucky!

I've actually been keeping tabs on Air Asia ticket fares but even during promotions, ticket fares are not as cheap as I would like them to be. How, then, am I able to get an intentional holiday? Haih, I think I am better off going on a local tour. My passport is expiring soon and it's an expensive affair to renew it!

So last year, I have been from Sg. Petani, Malaysia to Sentosa Island, Singapore. What about this year? I think I should spend time exploring the east coast. it shouldn't be too expensive except for fuel which continues to rise!

Feeling Extremely Bloated

After so much eating over Chinese New Year, I'm feeling stuffed. And you know, I only eat a little at each place. Chinese people would feel offended if you do not eat at all, thinking that either their food isn't good enough for their guests or not delicious enough. Which is not true, of course.

I wonder how much weight I have put on over the past two years. I didn't measure my weight before the food fest began but I KNOW that I am a lot fatter now because of my tighter pants. HHmm it's time to look for natural weight loss pills next week. I don't want my fat to be permanent!

My father asked me to follow him to the night market tonight. I declined as I know he would surely stuff me with food again. Let me lose weight first before I get stuffed again!

Most Memorable 2011 CNY Open House

My friend asked me, now that I have been to so many state-level Chinese New Year open houses, which is the most memorable. Well, I have been to Perak State Chinese New Year open house hosted by the Menteri Besar, the MCA Perak Chinese New Year open house and Pakatan Rakyat CNY Open House.

I am apolitical so it did not bother me that I was shaking hands with the MB one afternoon and an opposition leader the following morning. However, I would say that he most memorable Chinese New Year open house that I attended this year was the one hosted by the Menteri Besar because I was able to get more than a glimpse of Dato' Michelle Yeoh.

As for the food, that didn't matter to me as long as I was not served beef. That would be pretty costly, wouldn't it? LOL

Goddess of Mercy Cave Temple In Ipoh

I went to the Goddess of Mercy Cave Temple in Ipoh a couple of evenings ago and even though I didn't have the intention to participate in Chap Goh Meh celebrations, I too was caught up in them.

There was a game show which got us in stitches. First they got two guys and two girls up on stage and they were given couple t-shirts to wear. The guys had to wear the smaller sized one while the girls had to wear the larger one. They were then asked to switch the t-shirts. Yucky, right? LOL

The guys were both so skinny, it's amazing that they were able to fit into girl size t-shirts. Me thinks they both need a good dose of testosterone boosters! I think even they were surprised they were able to wear the smaller t-shirt!

The catch was that they had to change their clothes on stage! Imagine how awkward it was for the girls. Poor thing! But everyone had a good laugh and that's most important, isn't it?

Now That The CNY Celebrations Are Over....

In a blink of an eye, CNY celebrations are over, I get to take care of my work which has piled up. On average, I spent at least three hours at an event and then spend just as long editing my photos. Many friends asked me what I benefit from such things that I do but then I like it. When one is interested, one doesn't really need to gain any benefit, right?

Also, now that I no longer need to run all over town, I need to get my car repaired. My father has been bugging me that my steering rack needs replacing but I haven't given him the money for it yet. Well, that will get done this coming week since I no longer need to use my car as much as the past two weeks.

After all these are wrapped, perhaps I would need to take a break. Wonder where I should go this time that is inexpensive!

Time To Cleanse!

After two weeks of open houses, I am ready to do some colon cleansing. Although I went to open houses not for the food but for the photos, I still ate when food was served, of course. Most of the foods served were ordinary street food fare but imagine eating so many types of food in such a short period of time. No wonder I feel bloated.

Anyway, it's time to take a break from all the craziness that I put myself through after a hectic two weeks. You can imagine that I went all over town just to attend one event after another. And I'm four shades darker after covering a few outdoor events! The sun was streaking hot... I couldn't decide if it was better to get sun burnt or soaking wet. LOL

Now that the craziness that was Chinese New Year was over, perhaps I could start planning a trip down to KL again.

Happy Chap Goh Meh

It's Chap Goh Meh today, the fifteenth night of Chinese New Year, which is the last day of celebrations of the Spring festival. It's also known as Chinese Valentine's Day. I have never celebrated Chap Goh Meh in a grand way before because it's mostly a Hokkien festival. Chap Goh Meh itself is Hokkien word for "the fifteenth night" as I have mentioned.

I have also never celebrated it in a romantic way. Maybe because I have never "thrown" mandarin oranges before that I am still single till today. Sigh... it is too late to throw now as all the kiddies will be the one picking up mandarin oranges.

Yesterday, I was at a Chinese New Year event where mandarin oranges were thrown specifically for girls to catch. According to the emcee, these oranges have been written with the names and contact numbers of "leng chais" so she specifically asked only "leng luis" to catch those oranges but I saw some pretty elderly men fighting for those oranges.

Maybe the significances of trying to seek a life partner through mandarin oranges do not hold any water to them and they just wanted the oranges to fill their stomach. It was quite funny. I should have fought for one of those oranges, right?

Oh well, after this weekend, everything should be back to normal after the craze that is Chinese New Year!

Being In Hospital During Chinese New Year

My neighbor, whose husband works offshore, told me that she received bad news just before Chinese New Year. While the family was eagerly waiting for his return to celebrate the festivity, apparently, he was injured while at work. Right now, they don't know how bad he is but I believe they have already engaged an Offshore Injury Lawyer to help him seek compensation from his employer or whatever third party that caused his injury.

Although I am not close to this man because he is hardly home, I still feel bad for him, particularly during this time of the year where we should be spending with our family and not alone in hospital in a foreign land. I do hope, though, that he could settle his legal matters as soon as possible so that he could concentrate on getting well and rehabilitation.

Three More Open Houses To Attend

I still have, as far as I could tell, three more open houses to attend and then Chinese New Year would be over for me. Personally, I have never felt like it's Chinese New Year. I didn't even prepare the house for it because I don't have time to take on the task alone because the house is too large it would take somewhere between two to three weeks to get it spick and span. Besides, I would rather spend time doing more constructive things.

A friend said that although he has received numerous open house invitations, he didn't bother to turn up. Well, neither did I all these years. I decided to go this year and I am glad I made this decision. Otherwise, how would I ever get to see Dato' Michelle Yeoh, the State ruler and Government leaders?

Now, I'm not saying that these people are "better" or a class above us but then let's be frank, how often do we get to even see them, right? It has truly been a whirlwind Chinese New Year until now!

Dream Retirement

My sister recently returned from a holiday in Los Angeles during Christmas time. That's one of the good things about being a migrant in a foreign land like America. While the rest of the country are busy celebrating with family, my sister and her husband, who both do not have family to celebrate with, could take advantage of the break off work to visit other cities.

My sister said that LA is such a dream city that she would one day like to relocate and spend her retirement there, but moving is seriously tedious. A friend recently moved to Australia and I have seen first-hand how stressful a task it was. The again, to save cost, my friend had to take care of lots of nitty gritty stuffs.

On the other hand, my sister said that even if a professional mover is engaged, one of the Los Angeles Movers that she read about charges a flat rate for moving without hidden costs. That's certainly a relief to know! What every relocation family would need at this time is peace of mind.

The good thing about FlatRate Moving is that no job is too small or too big. They can help us move the entire house or even just a piece of furniture. Obviously, fees are charged according to the size of the job. Now, my sister’s dream of moving to LA doesn’t sound like too much work after all.

Nuffnang Mini Gathering In Ipoh

I got to know about Nuffnang's mini gathering in Ipoh a couple of nights ago. The mini gathering was held this afternoon at Kinta City's McDonald's from 12.30pm onwards. Truth be told, I had wanted to attend Nuffnang's gathering all along and had hoped that there would be more activities organised for Nuffnangers in Ipoh so that I don't have to travel to Kuala Lumpur just to participate. You know how things are always happening either in Kuala Lumpur or Penang.

But having this mini gathering during the Chinese New Year period is certainly not a very good time. Obviously, it is impossible to fit in a mini gathering that would suit everyone so unfortunately, I had to give this a miss. I just have so many things on my hands over the weekends during Chinese New Year. I have been hopping all over town to cover one event after another!

Well, hopefully there will be a Nuffnang gathering that I could attend soon. It would be fun, wouldn’t it?

Chinese New Year Open Houses

It's only the seventh day of Chinese New Year and I am already so full of CNY cookies. It's the birthday of humankind today but I don't have any special celebration for it. I feel tired with Chinese New Year already and I still have a few open houses to attend before the New Year is over. This Chinese New Year, I had the opportunity to meet and greet with some of some of the state leaders and celebrities, even our State ruler, HRH Sultan of Perak.

Since the first day of Chinese New Year, I went to cover four outdoor events over four days and now I am four shades darker, almost as dark as a blackie. Hahah! But I've enjoyed so much! How else could I meet with people like Dato' Michelle Yeoh and Gary Chaw? How else could I meet with royalties and top politicians?

Anyway, Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Celebrating Chinese New Year at Station 18, Pengkalan

A reporter friend tipped me off to this event at Station 8 a couple of evenings ago, telling me the MB will be there and there's a fireworks. The MB didn't come but a member of the EXCO did and so did the Mayor of Ipoh. Well, these aren't people that I usually see, so it was an eye-opener too.

My father, who drove me there because it was very far from my house and the traffic as very heavy and there wouldn't be any parking, didn't want to wait for the fireworks display, unfortunately. I thought I would have the opportunity to shoot some fireworks but too bad I had to leave. Yeah, it's not very convenient going with someone who doesn't share the same interest. Anyway, I didn't bring along a tripod so it wasn't a huge loss. My photos wouldn't turn out good, anyway. Bleh...

Replacing Curtains With Shutters

I've been meaning to replace my fabric curtains with Interior Shutters for a long time now but I have procrastinated. However, with just a few days to Chinese New Year and the load of housework on my shoulders to keep the house sparkling clean to welcome guests, who, funnily, drops by only once a year during Chinese New Year, I am once again reminded that I MUST discard those curtains because washing them is just too much work. With my sister away and age catching up with my mother, I am the only one taking care of the house, unfortunately.

I guess it's already too late to many these changes now because I don't have time to meddle with DIY projects. I still haven't finished with my shopping yet, you see! With Chinese New Year, my superstitious mother wouldn't let me discard anything from the house. We are supposed to do that BEFORE ushering in the New Year.

Anyway, this is definitely going to be one of the things to tackle as soon as I could. I wouldn't want to go through the same workload again twelve months later, would I? Even though I am already doing minimal housework, there are still too many things to do alone. I could get a maid but I don’t feel like paying. Getting shutters would certainly minimise my work load since they require minimal maintenance and care!

*** This post has been sponsored.

Transformers

I was at Little India, Ipoh for Thaipusam and while shopping at the night bazaar, I cme across this stall which was selling Transformers figurine. Obviously, these aren't those of exceptional quality that real Transformer fans collect. These are more like toys for boys and inexpensive.

The reason I took this photo was to try out my Samsung ST600 in "night condition". Judging from this Samsung ST600 sample photo, it handled the condition pretty well, right?

Another reason was that I found it rather amusing that while every vendor was selling stuff that are related to Thaipusam, Indian-centric stuff, here was this vendor selling Transformer toys!! LOL Cute, huh?