Sunday, October 30, 2005
My Dirty Weekend
Every year during Ramadan I would have mini projects to occupy my time - from sewing the kitchen curtains (even though I am crap at sewing), to painting the swing (after removing the rust with my dad's Bosch power drill), to painting the windows, grilles, etc. Partly because by volunteering I get to choose what I want to do and not have it imposed on me. Partly also to get out of cooking and be able to request for whatever I want to eat/drink later.It is my two-in-one special edition Ramadan-house-cleaning-cum-exercise regime.
On Saturday morning I decided to give the front door grilles a thorough cleaning. It is amazing the amount of grime which can be accumulated in one year. It took me 4.5 hours to clean it all.
Finishing early, I didn't quite get out of cooking as planned. So I made my kerabu kobis (cabbage salad).
It was, unsurprisingly, salty.
Problem with cleaning the front grilles was that it made the upper part of the grilles (which I didn't have time to paint the last time) look extra rusty. So my Dad said why don't you paint that as well.
Joy.
That took 6.5 hours on Sunday. By 3pm I was splattered with paint (and later smelling of kerosene to take the paint off), and exhausted beyond belief.
I think I'll go back to sewing the kitchen curtains next year.
*******************
Events of the past few days plus listening to Dewa while doing all this work, unsurprisingly, inescapably, made me think of D&G.
Which is not good.
Not good at all.
*******************
Every year it is also a minor tradition for my brother and I to take a drive around the neighbourhood after tarawih prayers to check out the pelita (open kerosene lamps) display. Sadly, there was only a dismal showing, unlike previous years. And certainly not like it was when we were kids.
People don't seem to bother anymore.
My brother commented that the people who bothered with pelitas before must have either grown up and went to university, or got married and moved away.
Which certainly did not help my mood.
*******************
On a happy note, I had been told that there was a possiblity that my broadband modem which was struck by lightning last week could be replaced, maybe by Monday.
So it was a nice surprise when the technical people actually came yesterday to replace it.
On a Sunday. And for free too.
My faith in humanity and all things good is (temporarily) restored.
lita at 3:14 PM
Close To You
Surprise on a Monday!I dedicate this song to all the adorable people out there, especially my sis. :)
*mwah*
MyMusicCode.com
Happy Diwali and Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!
Love and Memories at 10:50 AM
Thursday, October 27, 2005
The Dating Cycle
Love (or should I say LustLife?) Life comes in phases -
dry seasons when you spend many a Satuday nite alone watching re-runs eating eating pizza all by your little self - to high seasons when you are frantically running around schduling dates into your PDA and keeping up with who's who in your (mental) little black book.
Miss J have been extremely sociable lately, meeting a lot of interesting, exciting (and at times, dull boring) gentlemen of various dispositions, background, color and creed. She had stopped *looking* for her soulmate, and is now perfectly (really?) contented to have a pleasant cordial evening talking to someone, learning about their life, cereers and share anecdotes to make us both laugh. A good bottle of Riesling / Pinot / Chardonnay would be an added bonus but not a pre-requisite. The occasional kiss is also nice but also not a pre-requisite. Pleasant company is a definite must.
Despite the lowering of standards (you go on dates but you are no longer looking for The Elusive One, so pressure's off), Miss J had only just gotten herself tied in a knot - scheduling dates around other dates and work commitments, girlfriends, J-time alone, and family, and hospital trips and hairdresser/facial/manicure.....
So in the end, Miss J seems, to all her dates - not interested in relationhips. And that is so far from the truth as you can get about her.
(sorry lx, this pic of Eva Longoria is too hot to leave it alone in one blog, I am parading it here too - a point I want to make - visuals get you hits!)
***********************
Ms J at 11:00 PM
Distract-ed
I sent out a rather emotion-laden text message to a friend arriving home last night, but due to the bad reception, the message could not be sent. Minutes later, I pressing the “ok” button in the semi darkness when a number appeared in the little screen, thinking the kind folks at Maxis were trying to send the message again.Message sent, it said.
And later ... Message delivered to A S Lee.
What the…??
I had sent my emo message to my car salesman, whose name (by default) was first on the list. After a frantic retracting text with apologies, Mr. Lee replied – “Buat saya terkejutlah…..” (You gave me a fright….)
It is perhaps good that I put Mr Lee’s name on my list; otherwise that message would have been sent to the former first name on the list – “Abah” – my father.
Which does not even bear thinking about.
Thank God for small mercies.
Mr. Lee, I’m so sorry, hope you didn’t get into trouble with the missus!!
Somebody hang on to my mobile phone for me, I cannot be trusted with it.
lita at 10:32 PM
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Distractions
I was trying to concentrate on what I was doing last night when the arrival of the three young men shattered the peace.Loud and somewhat brash, they were obviously trying to vie for the attention of the woman they were with, who in turn tried her level best to ignore them.
Which was more than I could do.
The one who appeared to be the youngest caught and held my eyes several times at intervals, and smiled.
Dressed in a light green baju Melayu*, he cut a rather dashing figure.
Cheeky, I thought.
And I do have a soft spot for guys in baju Melayu.
I smiled back.
After a few more disruptive little episodes, they finally left, leaving me to my own devices once again.
I sighed inwardly.
And vowed never again to do my tarawih prayers behind a woman with her three pre-school sons in tow.
Especially if they are cute.
* traditional costume for Malay men
lita at 6:35 PM
OOOhhhhh Fugggit wot have i done??!
1st Email from my NL Project Manager:(pardon his European English - he's *only* a German...)
Hi LittleWarrior, in fact it would be great, if you could cover in the BC meeting in Paris a small interactive part with me together on LL: interface core team - regions / operational LL. Could you send me some LL (just in an email) ? I ask Yvonne as well, so that we can then at the meeting do this together. cheers, M
My reply:
Hey, that's great! As I dont want to attend a meeting as a passive participant.
OK, let me spend some time this evening to think about LLs and do a quick write up for you tomorrow.
Its 20:00 - i will head home now and Zzz. Just had delicious gourmet here - its called McBurger.
kr,
Warrior
2nd email from him:
very delicious indeed, you crazy chica.
i will give you a bright spot to present something (and yourself ;-))
My reply:
oh no! 1 week to go...do i have time??? Need to re-color my hair, lose some weight, buy new power suit...
too much to do, too little time!!
DAMN.
Lesson #326i(a) in Miss J's Book of Health and Safety Tips to Stress-Free Living:
Dont ever, ever try to suck up to anyone unless
(i) you are giving a BJ; (and more importantly, and more relevant-ly)
(ii) you can handle the consequences.
I now have to present the work I do at the meeting in Paris, to a bunch of clever people I aspire to but will take years to be. I might spit, stutter and stammer in nervousness and make a bloody-fool of myself. How does one calm one's pre-presentation nerves? Vodka-ribena with my Continental Breakfast, no doubt.
(rang up mom to share her my panic moment and she told me to just visualise the audience naked because when everyone's stripped to the bone, we are all the same. Bless her, my mom. Pearls of wisdom always)
Ms J at 12:41 AM
Sunday, October 23, 2005
A lost little lamb
So many thinks happening on the work front - all very exciting, and scary at the same time.Without saying too much too soon until everything is official, suffice to say that I am about to be a little lost lamb - an orphan in the division I work in - but it also means exciting opportunities. and I feel lucky to have bosses who seem to take me under their wings (for whatever reason) . I'll just have to wing it!
Paris is a city for lovers, not corporate meetings. But if love is so hard to find, I guess Miss J will just have to enjoy the city on her own.
But one day maybe..?
*********************************
It was great fun entertaining to-be clients - we had drinks at The Westin on Friday nite, delicious Thai food at Bangkok Jazz followed by a night out at QBa. I hit it off much better with the 45 year old Texan lady than the young man. Glad about that because I dont want to be invited to entertian clients only because I am a girl of the right age and disposition.
So we danced, and we giggled and we salsa-ed the night away and we hope the deal will be signed this week :-)
It is funny when she asked us out right in her Southern drawl.."So how long have you guys been dating??"
Gobsmacked. No no , we only came in the same car because *name witheld* doesnt pay my jockey parking allowance! we are not dating gosh no!
ha. ha. americans. bloody straight to the point. AND they get it wrong!
*******************************
This is Sunday at the office (how sad) but Miss J just had a call from California - from her ever so lovely Balinese prince / kosher ex colleague and Miss J is left with a big wide smile all afternoon.
I am so happy that our friendship had not changed and you warmed my heart even today. Thank you. And you'd better not foget me when you become that big hot shot ivy-league MBA holder because when you are Mr President of your company, I'm gonna be your VP. ha.
******************************
When you go on a date and its been described as 'cordial and pleasant'...then you just know that he's not that in to you.
A bruised ego. A slight disappointment. i dont know. i think i just dont have what it takes to appeal to malay men. and i hate having to generalise. but i ask why. and i wish someone would tell me what's so off putting about me to an asian guy. when i date caucasian men, it is not because i think i am too good for local blokes (for how i wish i am appealing to them) but perhaps, i just feel that i am not good enuff.
*******************************
Cant wait for Friday next week. You know why.
Ms J at 2:09 AM
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Nuts
Whose brilliant idea was it to show a movie with yummy, sweaty, muddy men running around in shorts when I'm:
1) fasting
2) stuck at home chopping nuts and making cookies?
Some people are SO inconsiderate, I tell you!!
*************
Useless information on a Sunday morning:
In a small packet of mixed nuts, there are peanuts (lots), 10 cashew nuts, 6 almonds and 1-2 macadamia nuts.
It takes about 10 minutes to chop up one packet of said nuts.
Today is going to be a very long day.
lita at 6:45 PM
Friday, October 21, 2005
The Wedding
I am attending R’s wedding tonight.This is the person who rescued me from my car accidents – both times.
The person I’d run to, to go through my work problems and toss ideas with.
The one who, when the going got tough, would always, always, say the right things to distract me and make me laugh.
The one I’d have lunch with everyday for more than two years.
The one who never failed to stop for a chat and bid me goodbye when he left the office before me.
The one I went to the Commonwealth Games with in 1998, and volunteered alongside at the Commonwealth Law Conference in 1999.
The one who took me out for a night on the town the evening before my long call to the Bar, to celebrate.
The one who made my heart bounce (how often does that happen to you?)
The one it took miss j three (fruitless) years of counselling – first through letters, later by email, all the way for ol’ Blighty – to try and help me get over.
The one I missed terribly when he left TheFirm 5 years ago, when a tiny part of me died.
The one I only fully got over approximately a month before he met his bride-to-be in 2000.
The one who religiously came for my Raya open house seven years in a row, until a death in the family prevented him from coming in 2004.
The one who, I know, whatever happens, will always (only) be my friend.
The one that was never meant to be.
The one who was never mine.
lita at 2:46 AM
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Cookie Dynamo Day
3 slabs of butter ... checkPlain flour ... check
Corn flour ... check
Vanilla essence ... check
Hershey’s semi sweet chocolate chips ... check
Castor sugar .. castor sugar.. (..searches in cabinet, storeroom, closet..).. Damn!
(drives out to buy castor sugar)
*********************
(almost 8 hours and 3 DVDs later..)
I am exhausted, still have unbaked cookie dough in the fridge, three trays of cookies to put into the jar(s), decide what to wear for the wedding tonight, get ready and be in town by 7pm.
Why oh why did I say yes??
lita at 7:50 PM
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
What a small playground this is..
Its funny in not a ha-ha way how small the city we live in can suddenly feel when you read about someone you know who u meet who used to date someone u met and read about ..(my english teacher will squirm reading this piece of shit but i am in no mood to impress anyone today, sorry folks)Its funny in not a ha-ha way that leaves you feeling a little sombre on this dull gloomy Thursday, and despite everything that has the makings of a lovely scenario , it leaves you with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
It is slowly dawning upon me that the problem with why there are so many great , perfectly 'normal' people out there STILL single, is perhaps due to this city we live in. (sorry, no attmepts made to sound like Carrie Bradshaw either)
The problem with LOVE is that there is not enough to go around, in a small playground that is KL.
Ms J at 9:29 PM
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Enter Sandman
Having read and loved Good Omens (co written with Terry Pratchett, a hilarious account about the end of the world), and liked Stardust (of a young man in search of a fallen star), Neverwhere (on an alternative London, Below) and American Gods (self-explanatory), I have been greatly intrigued by Neil Gaiman’s other works, specifically his award-winning graphic novels, The Sandman.I had been resisting seeking them out for so long because graphic novels are, well ... glorified comic books ... aren’t they? Then again I wanted to see what the fuss was all about.
After an age of idly toying with the idea of buying the novels (but never ever seeing them in any second hand book-store), I finally managed to get my hands on some - from diaz’s j (thank you, thank you, thank you!!), who has gracefully let me borrow a couple of his that I’d spied on their bookshelves over the months. On pain of losing my fingers should anything untoward happen to them.
And so I enter the world of Dream a.k.a. Morpheus, Lord Shaper, the Prince of Stories, the King of Dreams.
Brother to Death, Destiny, Despair, Destruction, Desire and Delirium. One of the Endless. Not Gods, not mortal.
The novels are graphic, undoubtedly, even morbid in parts; violent and extremely disturbing in others, and the drawings (by different artists over the years) are inconsistent at the best of times, and yet … there is something about Dream himself that I find strangely compelling. I have always been a fool for brooding, troubled, misguided souls with a dark past who, despite appearances, will still do their duty and, who, just sometimes and against all expectations, will use their powers to do good.
And with Dream, you get all of this. With the promise of more.
There is an exchange I love in "A Hope in Hell" (Preludes & Nocturnes), when, derided and questioned by Lucifer on his powers, and the (mere) power of dreams, Morpheus turns to the hosts of Hell and says:
"You say I have no power? Perhaps you speak truly..."
"But - you say that DREAMS have no power here? .. Tell me, Lucifer Morningstar.."
"What power would HELL have if those here imprisoned were not able to DREAM of HEAVEN?"
I still have 8 more novels to go through. They may disappoint and I may not even like some of them.
But I live in hope.
Because for now, I am, completely and utterly, hooked.
Mr. Gaiman, Prince of Stories, I am your slave.
.
lita at 8:35 PM
On The Air (Part 2)
Miss J was (surprise surprise) stuck in horrid MRII traffic into KL this morning when she yet again decided to amuse herself by calling Rudy and JJ on Hits.FM (that radio station that plays Top 40 la la tunes over, and over, and over again.)With Malaysia's darling - Nicol David being accorded World No1 in the Squash Womens Open, the topic was on 'Does it take monetary incentives or passion for the game to make you a good sports man?'
Miss J hit her speed dial 2 number on her Nokia 6680 even before she decided what she wanted to say. True to the consultant-streak in her, there is the innate tendency to allow the mouth to work faster than the brains (haha, if I may so so myself, but anyone else says that about a consultant will get a boot up his bottoms because I will be most offended, thank you very much).
So, many many words later to match the also quite verbose Rudy and JJ, Miss J finished with her call-in and waited for her honest but unpopular (guess which stand I took!) opinion to go on air.
...and unlike last week's radio call in where Miss J sounded like a 10 year old kid, this time she improved tremendously in her effort to *not* sound like an underage girl. This time, Miss J sounded like an zimmerframed OAP* with a pregnant frog in her throat.
One day..maybe one day...Miss J will finally sound sexy, enticing on the air...but perhaps a few more practise with the call-ins?
* old age pensioner
***************************
Question: If you have a blind date lined up, would your date think you SPOILT / IRRATIONAL / PRINCESSY /RIDICULOUS if you even attempt to suggest that he pick you up from the office to go to dinner? Or its no big issue, and all one as to do is *suggest* ?
****************************
My boss brought a rum-laden slice of Christmas cake for my tea break today which I had in the meeting room prior to my conferance call to NL. I was so totally full of bloody good ideas to share with the project team in Den Haag thereafter that I am now convinced I work so much better with a little alco-preservative in the afternoon.
or is it just DUGAAN?
Ms J at 4:59 AM
Sunday, October 16, 2005
When in Guilt, SHOP!
Miss J got a little carried away one evening at the weekend and is so guilt-ridden by shenanigans that should not take place (yes, you only get cryptic clues here and no more - but ReVirginisation is still...well,INTACT), that she decided to go out and get herself a new lippy from M.A.C (when the going gets tough, the tough goes SHOPPING).
So, with Lita and Rose in tow, we headed to Lot 10 and Sungai Wang (dont you just love te mix of posh and cheesy all within the same triangle?) and many many hours laters, Miss J is now the proud (and broke) owner of:
1. A nice wool pencil slim work skirt
2. An off-white silk blouse
3. A flowy flowery Laura Ashley-ish work skirt
4. A pendant
5. A pink M.A.C lipstick
So much for the initial text message sent to the gals.." I wanna pop out to the shops and get a lipstick - a quick in and out. wanna come wif me?" We spent a good 6 hours across 3 shopping malls..
Now Miss J just cant wait to go to work this week because she'll be geared in all her new outfit. yeay, yeay.
********************************
Dinner on Friday nite with the nicest loveliest bunch of people one can find. Lots of good food, chocolate marshmellow drinks, and abundance of cakes. Lots of laughter, and a little drama from Miss J (naturally). Words of wisdom from NotQuiteBlond - he of the cool linen shirt, polished shoes and waxed new car called Winkie ( not WANKER as Fazu would have liked it named)...
Miss J, you are in love with ideals. These people are ideals in your head...Could it be true? Are you an ideal in my head? yes, YOU :-)
Ms J at 10:34 PM
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Loving James Blunt
Yes, him of the weird video(s). And *that* song.
So what if (some of) his (other) songs sound a wee bit clichéd, and remind you of snatches of every other song you’ve heard in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s; and the hit single itself has conflicting lyrics (“I won’t lose any sleep on that, coz I’ve got a plan” vs. “..I saw your face in a crowded place, and I don’t know what to do”).
You’ve gotta love a man who served for four years in the British army, drove an armoured tank on a NATO peacekeeping mission to Kosovo with his guitar bolted outside, lead 30, 000 troops into Pristina, wrote one of his songs (the gorgeous “No Bravery”) lying by the tank in a sleeping bag with his boots on, and whose family owns a windmill in Norfolk.
Who writes lyrics that make references to Dorian Gray.
And who sings “but I won’t be your concubine – I’m a puppet, not a whore”.
Hope to see more of the lad. Pun most definitely intended.
Oo-er.
Soldier on, Captain Blunt.
lita at 12:48 AM
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Se7en
Miss J had been tagged by a fellow blogger Pseudonymous so here it is, Inconditus's Se7en...(can anyone do a psychoanalysis of one's personality based on these answers?)
Seven things to do before I die:
#1. Feel, Honour and Love GOD.
#2. Find myself
#3. Adopt an unwanted child.
#4. Be financially secure - on my own accord (yes to the Baemer, the posh pad and the to-die for shoes and handbags - but with own heard-earned cash)
#5. Feel at peace with self - beuatiful from the inside
#6. Cook 'nasi lemak' on Sunday for my loyal husband and beautiful children
#7.To stop searching (for the near-perfect everything)
Seven things I just can't do:
#1. Get on/off a 4WD with elegance (as a lady should) while in a skirt.
#2. Be in Love ( because that's scary)
#3. Stay in Love (because that's scarier)
#4. Self love / DIY Sex
#5. Have enough in my savings.
#6. Have a temper / be really really angry for long
#7. Touch the tip of my nose with my tongue
Seven celebrity crushes:
#1. Topher Grace (boy next door come give me a hug puppy face makes you go..awww come to momma)
#2. Jack Nicholson (ugly old men with personality is a yes please)
#3. Jeremy Irons (the 'I carry with me excess emo-baggage' look I so desire)
#4. Will Smith (for his laddish humour)
#5. Hawaiian golfer(of Korean origin) turned Pro - Wei (for having the world at her feet at such a young age - and not have to show off skin doing that - Venus/Serena/Anna and all you tennis chicks take note)
#6. TONY (not to be confused with Freddie) Fernandez of Air Asia (for making a succesful transition from the airy fairy world of recording companies, and media celebrities to aviation whiz-kid - the asian branson - a blue print that drive and determination is all it takes to be succesful anywhere, any industry)
#7. The Cycling God of Taman Tun
Seven often repeated words/phrases:
#1. I cant...I am on a ReVirginisation Program (also.....famous last words)
#2. My mum said..
#3. Oh My Gawd.. (oft quoted mid orgasm..and due to ReVirginisation, this phrase had not been uttered for aeons..in case anyone's wondering. heh.)
#4. Oh My God.. (when talking to God)
#5. Shit .. (as in, Oh My God, Shit!..a precursor to I Am In Trouble)
#6. Heyya .. (a subconscious attempt to be 15 years yuonger)
#7. Let's do dinner/drinks/coffee ...
Seven things that attract me to the opposite sex:
#1. Confidence (but not Arrogance)
#2. Humility (but not Inferiority)
#3. Intelligence (both EQ and IQ)
#4. Spirituality (yes, that big undefinable word)
#5. Generosity(because I too can spoil you)
#6. Wit (to match my oft off-kilter not all there personality)
#7. Aspirations (ambition and drive is sexy)
Miss J also considered 'Faithful' as an attractive trait in a man but realised she had to be realistic ... men and loyalty is like Water to Oil. Cheating is a man's default setting.
Tagging:
#1. The Observer
#2. Phases
#3. Suspicious Bastard
#4. Stingray
Ms J at 5:56 PM
The Sevens
Received an unexpected tag from pseudonymous. So here goes …
7 Things to Do before I Die:
1. Make a home for myself. One with wooden floors. And a free standing bathtub in the bathroom. With French windows. And a fabulous garden. And a homey kitchen (with a window seat) to cook my brownies and cookies in. If not to feed my own children, then my friends and their children.
2. Travel to as many countries as I can. And visit the places I missed in the countries I have been to (Petra, Jordan and Deir-el Bahri, Luxor & Temple of Horus, Edfu comes to mind).
3. Stay in a partially ruined castle in the Scottish Highlands. In autumn. If its with the man I love and on our honeymoon, this will be an added bonus.
4. Climb Mt Kinabalu, in my birth state of Sabah. I was supposed to go this year but events have conspired against this happening (fazu, next year?).
5. Go to Nepal. And complete the Annapurna Circuit. At the very least.
6. Be really, really fit. And look damn good in the shortest skimpiest white shorts I could find.
7. Be financially comfortable and independent.
7 Things I Just Cannot Do:
1. Dance in public.
2. Tolerate inconsiderate people who jump queues and litter.
3. Be romantically involved with a married man.
4. Understand people who don’t mean what they say.
5. Not cry during our family “minta maaf” session on Raya morning, even if not a single word is actually said. Have since learnt not to bother with eye makeup until after.
6. Feign interest/make small talk. I just can’t be bothered. Or have the knack.
7. Talk sense to miss j in matters of the heart (& groin). God knows I’ve tried.
7 Celebrity Crushes:
1. Keifer Sutherland, in The Lost Boys. I have a thing for vampires ever since.
2. Kevin Spacey.
3. Paul Bettany, since he played Chaucer in A Knight’s Tale. Who’d have thought blond eyelashes and brows could be sexy?
4. Denzel Washington. In everything.
5. David Thewlis.
6. Robert Downey Jr.
7. Tommy Lee Jones (as Captain Woodrow F. Call, in Lonesome Dove. Heartbreaking)
7 Oft Repeated Words/Phrases:
1. Actually, kan…
2. Mangkuk!
3. Can I get back to you on that?
4. Entertain me!!
5. But then again…
6. Di manakah/Bagaimanakah? (Where are you/How (is it)?)
7. Lapaaaar…(Hungrryyy..)
7 Things That Attract Me to the Opposite Sex:
1. Honesty and humility.
2. Intelligent, well-read and articulate.
3. Quiet conviction and faith: a sexy man of God.
4. Strong, capable hands. (or long artistic fingers).
5. A kind, honest face.
6. A wicked sense of humour.
7. Aspirations - and the strength and will to follow them through.
(ok, ok, so that's actually more than seven.. no wonder I have yet to find someone..)
7 Tags:
1. fazu
2. halva
3. notquiteblonde (only if you want to, and when you’re ready, luv. by email if necessary)
4. Stingray (if he ever finds/reads this blog, that is)
5. The Observer
6. ..
7. .. (any takers?)
lita at 3:55 AM
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
34
... was the number of emails going back and forth from this morning until about 4.45 p.m. to decide where we shall have our “buka puasa” (iftar), from Ramadhan buffets (Concorde, JW Marriott and Islamic Arts Museum) to Kampung Baru (being disgusted at buffet prices), to Alexis, to Aji Don, to Delicious (including some private emails, and not counting messenger conversations, all tiptoeing around the fact that miss j has zero tolerance for people who cannot make up their minds).This for a group of 9 people which include one lawyer, two managers, two consultants and one economist, and only half of whom are actually fasting.
The matter was finally settled at around 4.10 p.m., with a tabled booked, and a threat that further changes will result in the detractor’s eyeballs being gouged out.
I love my friends to bits!!
lita at 3:22 AM
Monday, October 10, 2005
Have Money Will Travel
I have just finished the book “Whose Panties Are These” I received for my birthday, a collection of travel anecdotes by women travellers.As can only be expected, the book made me itch to travel again.
And inevitably brought to mind our first (of many) misadventure in Egypt last year, beginning with our sleeper train journey south to Upper Egypt.
Our attendant was a handsome, somewhat regal looking young Egyptian who, for some reason I could not then fathom, looked vaguely familiar. (It only occurred to me later that he was the spitting image of the picture of the Pharaoh Khafre - builder of the Khefren pyramid in Giza - as appears on the back of the 10 pound Egyptian note, with the very same upturned lips, though minus the Nemes headdress, false beard and the God Horus on his shoulders, of course).We were woken up around 4 a.m. for breakfast, and when asked how much longer before we arrived, were told we had about one hour to go. Emboldened by this, and feeling snug with breakfast, we sought him again half an hour later to ask for more coffee before packing up.
Absorbing this request, our reincarnated young Pharaoh furrowed his noble brows and queried,
“Coffee??!”
“Luxor ... TWO MINUTES!!!”, with the requisite number of fingers held up for emphasis just in case we misunderstood him.
A half second of complete silence followed this declaration before activity and expletives exploded in our 2 adjoining cabins while four women attempted the impossible and tried to get ready in record time.
So it was in various stages of undress, pimple cream on face, glasses askew, that we found ourselves unceremoniously dumped on the cold open air platform that is Luxor Station, at not yet 5 a.m. in the morning, completely out of breath, seconds before the train moved on.
God, I want to go on another trip…
lita at 10:02 PM
Thursday, October 06, 2005
On The Air
While driving into work feeling chatty chirpy, Miss J rang up Red FM 104.6 to give her 2 cents worth on the topic "Beauty in the Media" - in true Miss J style, a lot of verbal diaorhea (blast cant spell that word!) on why we shd redefine the word BEAUTY, that GROOMING and PERSONAL STYLE is worth much more that the perfect skin, or nose or smile - that there are a lot of bias AGAINST 'beautiful' women because it is assumed they have not much up there ya da ya da....all very exciting until Miss J hears her voice on air...and realised she sounded like a 10 year old... dang!**********************
You know you have too many lawyers and consultant friends reading this blog when readership shot up exponentially over a posting discussing CONDENSED/SWEETENED milk.
Alahai apa nak jadi pada kawan kawan saya?
(Oh, I lament my friends!)
**********************
Today Miss J is in a blue kebaya top and jeans purchased from a new found Japanese brand in TheCurve called "Kamesetan". Now what Miss J likes about this brand is that despite her ever growing tushie, she can fit into a size XS denims from Kamesetan - certainly an ego booster to have an XS apparel in the wardrobe when feeling 'Larger Than Life' on Fat Days. Also, as we all want to look young, nubile and innocent, a brand that has Natalie Portman as its brand ambassador, is a definite plus point and yes, Miss J is gullible to advertising of all sorts.
(Mr Regional Marketing, please take note)
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Dont 'yoll think Gabrielle Solis in Desperate Housewives is so fucking hot?
(Thank you SuperS for pointing this out to me - shall lie in bed tonight harbouring impure thoughts of a hispanic housewife in TVland)
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Yesterday afterwork, Miss J rushed from Damansara Heights to Lot10 Bukit Bintang (to all your non KL readers, that's the otherside of town, and in KL Ramadhan rush hour, you might as well take a flight LON-AMS and get there sooner) to buy dad his pumpkin seeds (you gotta spoil the old man sometimes, really) and the new maid a cheap Nokia. In between errands, Miss J tried on some MNG in the spirit of Retail Theraphy. Was also entertained by text messages by friendie while slipping in and out of clothes in the changing room.
Rushed back to the other side of town to visit mum at hospital. As it was break-fasting time and Miss J's was crammed in between cars in the most notorious highway known to KL folks, she just *had* to have the only food found in the car ....
Stochliya - Vodka Liquor Dark Chocholates. Yumms.
I am so going to HELL.
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Feeling like in need of some good loving this weekend - any spare love to give out?
Ms J at 7:04 PM
Pour Some Sugar on Me
It’s a slow Thursday and am nursing a slight headache. I can hear thunder outside threatening rain. If it starts falling now I’ll reach home tomorrow morning in time for sahur. I have to answer a query from a client in Pakistan about using a mark already registered by someone else for different goods, when all I want to do is run out and buy James Blunt’s album.This is an excerpt of my msn conversation with MrAccenture regarding the goods in question:
lita said:
MrAccenture, condensed milk is just evaporated milk right
lita said:
there is no vegetable oil content in it? yg ada vege oil possibly is non-dairy creamer, right?
MrAccenture said:
i wld think so
lita said:
ok tq
MrAccenture said:
why the sudden interest in food content
lita said:
haha, no its to do with specification of goods for a trade mark
lita said:
need to see if the goods can be of same goods or same description of goods
lita said:
if condensed milk has no vege oil content then can’t be said to be of same description of goods as vege oil
MrAccenture said:
er rite!
….
MrAccenture says:
eh
MrAccenture says:
condensed milk is not evaporated milk la
lita says:
yes it is. with added sugar
lita says:
that’s what my trusted dictionary says
MrAccenture says:
evaporated milk is evaporated milk
MrAccenture says:
condensed milk is condensed milk
MrAccenture says:
2 different things
lita says:
evaporated milk is milk thickened by evaporation, unsweetened
lita says:
condensed milk is evaporated milk with added sugar
lita says:
Chamber's dictionary cannot be wrong!
lita says:
(can it??)
MrAccenture says:
so condensed milk = evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk = sweetened evaporated milk?
lita says:
no no
MrAccenture says:
there is sweetened condensed milk remember?
lita says:
condensed milk is milk reduced by evaporation, and sugared (chambers)
lita says:
maybe its just to distinguish from evaporated milk which doesn’t say so?
lita says:
otherwise how can you tell?
MrAccenture says:
oh here's the history
MrAccenture says:
Condensed milk is cow's milk from which water has been removed and to which sugar has been added, yielding a very thick, sweet product that can last on the shelf for years. Also known as "sweetened condensed milk", the two terms have become synonymous; though there have been unsweetened condensed milk products, today they are uncommon. Condensed milk is used in numerous dessert dishes, and by the
lita says:
OMG you googled that??
MrAccenture says:
but of course
lita says:
you don’t trust ME?
MrAccenture says:
bcos i remember our tin susu always say sweetened condensed milk
lita says:
yeah, and its true
lita says:
it is sweetened!
MrAccenture says:
so if there is sweetened condensed milk, i assumed there wld be unsweetened
lita says:
ah see ah see
lita says:
so my dictionary betui aa?
MrAccenture says:
i needed to see the distinction btw the three
MrAccenture says:
yr dictionary is correct
MrAccenture says:
at the heart of it all is evaporation
lita says:
which I used in both instances
lita says:
yeay
MrAccenture says:
sweetened condensed is now used interchagably with unsweetened condensed milk
…
So now you KNOW.
Selamat berbuka puasa everyone!!
And go easy on kuih/dessert laden with (sweetened) condensed milk!
lita at 1:55 AM
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Just because...
i had the most unforgettable Saturday night on Oct 1st. why? becoz...
...of him! *sings I Have A Crush On You*
the event was supposed to be a serious-boring-dull Orientation for new students. however, it turned out to be a "young people only" party, thanks to our magical touch. :)
i am currently leading a happy + busy + satisfying varsity life. so many things to do with so little time!
went shopping with juniors two days ago. couldnt resist all those pweeettty sweaters and skirts and whatnots. one of the sellers asked if i was a mixed kid. i hesitated... and nodded.
my junior promptly added that my mum is from Xinjiang province (a Muslim concerntrated area where the Chinese people there look so much like Arabs) and my dad is from India.
"Oh! So are your parents here with you in Beijing?"
"Erm no. They live in India." said i.
Just because i am partly Chinese (supposed-ly), the seller decided to give me more discounts.
hurrah! *i love confusing people*
little did they realize that i am just another simple Malay girl hailed from a tiny town in tiny Malaysia.
wait till mama and bapa hear about this. hehehehe~
btw, how do i change colours here?? i still prefer my blog @ Xanga.
Love and Memories at 1:58 PM
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Oh God!
Mama called me up at 06:30 yesterday morning and again at mid day in the midst my emails, document reviews, in between meetings.. it was at first to ask how my eyes are (Miss J's left eye had been bloodshot red since Friday perhaps due to long hours in front of PC, allergy to new eye makeup, insufficient sleep whateva). She had been insisting I take a few days off work To rest my eyes. To sleep. To relax.Then she started getting emotional. Asking me to be more *holy*. To be more *religious*. Then the words that crush me and breaks my heart - because somehow the way I lead my life is not good enough to mama..
"I am proud of you - but of all my 6 children, I worry about you most. You are the eldest but you are also the baby in the family - because I think you look after your siblings well but not after yourself. Your spiritual health. Who is going to look after you, when I leave? ...."
It goes on - about God and prayers..and I listened through it all, frustrated, annoyed, angry even. That being spiritual is below par. That I have to don a white costume 5 times a day before the omnipresent Big Guy will receive me and my prayers.
So I feel, despite everything, I have disappointed her.
And yet, I cannot be what I am not.
Even to my dying mother.
I cannot have my arm twisted to be *holy* and *religious*.
I cannot allow emotional blackmail even from mama.
Because then I am lying to myself.
So yet again for the nth time, I cried in the car driving home.
Because she does not understand me and I do not understand God.
Ms J at 6:15 PM
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Virgin No More
I hurt myBaby today.Banged her against a(nother) stationary car parked outside the house. Reversing into stationary cars seems to be my modus operandi in breaking in newly acquired cars. At least I lasted 3 weeks this time.
But, the good folks at Honda were able to fix most of it. There’s an austere almost clinical feel to their service centres I find strangely reassuring.
And it was free of charge, too.
All that’s left is a tiny cleft right under the number plate, which will be magnified ten- or a thousand-fold depending on my frame of mind.
Ah well.
Life goes on...
lita at 11:48 PM
