At 24, just short of half a century past, my dad got married and had me a year later. With a pay cheque barely 200 a month and fresh from school, my mom and dad took the leap into marriagehood and subsequently parenthood at an age where we are all concerned about how we can buy the luxuries we want with our 'meagre' thousand over dollar salary. Whether I came into the picture by choice or circumstance, all I know is that for all of their younger years, I was in the picture in a life changing way for both of them.

I'm relating this because everywhere I go, I hear people complain. Look at the headlines, we are a nation of whiners. We whine, gripe, complain about everything under the sun but when push comes to shove, we take the road of complacency and expect problems to resolve on it's own. Everyone has problems, no matter rich or poor, lucky or otherwise. The best way however, I realise to deal with all the problems in life is a change of perspective. For example, as much as traffic jams bother me, it only does because I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford a car. Everything is about perspective and though it's great to aspire, don't forget to count the blessings along the way. And let us just stop the whining and try to become a nation united.

Through it all, the best rewards in life are truly the simplest things. Take a breather, think about the things you are truly thankful for and share it with everyone. I will look forward to reading the comments :)

First up, thank you everyone for the birthday well wishes :) It was appreciated.

I had a good weekend. Kicked off birthday celebrations by watching The League of Extraordinary Gentleman on Friday. Love the movie :) Realise that most serious reviewers were turned off for a myriad of reasons (including the usual not keeping true to the graphic novel) but heck, it was a fun watch. Who cares if super cool vampiress could stand in the sun and has a reflection. It was such a visually pretty movie and loads of eye candy that's really a no-brainer. Ending I could have done without though.

Went home to Melaka on Saturday and did massive shopping. It was also my grandma's, aunt's and cousin's birthday so we had an extended family dinner, primarily for grandma of course. I don't know why but I had to pay for everything in advance (dinner and gifts and etc.) to be reimbursed by the family fund later. Charged over a K to my card... (woohoo, points). Pretty good day but darn exhausting.

Sunday was shopping and lunch. Bought fruits by the kilos at Tesco seeing how cheap it was. My fridge is well stocked now. Hehe... also finally got myself a proper outdoor antennae. Pretty nifty one that can rotate itself via remote. Installed it just outside the door, much to the amusement of neighbours. Laugh all you want, I now have a clear snow free reception :) and whenever I rotate the antennae, I can just hear the oohs and aahs from outside. :)

All in all, good weekend. A little tired still but well worth it. Housemate Rick also had his birthday the same as mine so it was pretty fun. :)

Alas... all that's gone and done with... it's Monday now.... Grrr...

Woohoo! Friday! Woohoo!

Can't wait for the weekend. This week went by really fast though. Didn't even had time to gripe proper and whang! Friday is here. Woohoo...

Some of you will already know that Sunday is my birthday. :) Looking somewhat to it for the prospect of well wishes. I already had my cake (thanks Chun and Saw) and some pressies (thank you). Seeing how I have not received any soft toys or flowers (I got a rose bouquet last year, yes, for real... I have no idea what my friend was thinking), I am glad.

Looking deeper however, birthdays are really not so much about the presents and cake (wouldn't mind another), but more about being remembered and cherished. Friends are most felt on this day and a milestone marking another year into life does hit you. There's always the thought of what have you done with your life? I've gone past that by the simple measure that what I do with my life is on my own accord. I would love to be able to contribute more to the world at large (and get out of the greed oriented corporate culture) but I first have to be happy with myself and my life. And that one single task takes the most effort to accomplish.

Happiness is relative. To some people, it is a measure of material wealth. Others, by love. For me, I think it is a combination of many things. Even though wealth is appealing, I treasure the freedom of moving about with anonymity and so average that the impetus to rob/kidnap and etc. is not something I have to worry about. I love having enough education to hold my own yet not too much to be pompous. I also willingly admit to having a lot more to learn, and with this life, that journey I will willingly take.

With the world in a chaotic mess, and with so many people unhappy for the simplest of things, it is really a depressing time to live in. We really should learn to find happiness whatever the circumstance and find a belief that is more resilient than opinion and adaptive to change. I think religion is something we all can do without, just imagine the wars that will not have been fought. Good in humanity I like to believe is innate. The bad however is instilled. We do not need the restrictive imposition of religion to tell us what to do, we should be able to do it with clear conscience and without fear for the after life. You are not here today to live for tomorrow.

At the end of the day, when all is spent and done, the only certainty in life is that today is here. Don't live for tomorrow, don't dwell on yesterday. Live for today and let love be shared.

It has been a busy month and seeing how under-staffed we are, it looks like the hectic pace will not cease for quite a while. Thank goodness for wholesome cheesecakey goodness... hehehe!

Life in the office has been surreal. Boss is on some kind of overdrive where the inner chinaman prevails over good management sense. In not so many words, he has indicated that bonuses and increments are nowhere near in sight. Tone of the office is also one that's taut with frustration and overworkedness. Sigh... and to think that all it takes to change it will be things as simple as giving us extra leave in exchange for bonuses, or things like actually listening to the staff when he asks for an opinion, rather than always 'correcting' us. Remind me never to run a company.

Anyways, looking forward to the weekend :) It's Friday tomorrow! Whoopeedoo!

Wow... I've not blogged for a whole week. Must be a personal record. Have been occupied though... :)

Monday again, sigh. Monday is the most blargh... especially after a good weekend. Had some small makan with Chun, Saw and Jin at Shakey's. Pretty good stuff. New menu is cool...

Went for bowling, archery, pool and foosball afterwards. Needless to say I suck at most of the games. :) T'was fun needling Jin tho.

And to Chun and Saw, big thank you for the cake. :) It's good... though do expect hyperactive Dan for the next few days, what with the sugar rush and all.

Happy workweek everyone.

Morning... Gah... (I hate Mondays...)

Traffic is back to usual after a slight school holiday reprieve. Darn... Good news is, I'm off to a 3 day workshop/seminar in MMU so it'll be commuting to Cyberjaya the next 3 days. A little further but usually jam-free. :)

Weekend was alright. Stocked up the office with baby goldfishes. Did some arts and crafts. And slept at least 14 hours on Saturday. A pig I am... I am, I am.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIMO!!! :) May frenzied naked hamsters find their way to you! Hahahahaha!

(pauses for a moment)

Two years ago, the twisted actions of a few led to the death of many, and a turbulent change of policies and outlooks of the world at large. Discrimination, hate, fear, anger, and destructive tendencies swept the world led by the charges of powerhouses, driven by the blinded need to 'make things right'. There is just no justifying terrorism but when you fight fire with fire, all that happens will be a bigger blaze of heated fury and tension.

We have to learn to sometimes step back, bite our tongue, and consider the merits before pride. Ego lost is no lost at all... A moment's prayer and thought to the perished and the innocents who lost lives to the actions of a disturbed few...

First up, on this wet rainy Wednesday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHUNNIE!!! Warm birthday wishes to long time blogger Kotak! :) May you enjoy the bounty of age and cherish the lines of time. Muahahahahhaa....

Morning! Back from an exhaustive and dull Penang work weekend and smack, it's Monday. Cruelnyer!

Anyways, here are some 'highlights' of my trip:

1. Bus to Penang due at 6pm left at 7.3opm. Concluded that NICE buses at double the price are not worth it. Unreliable with lousy service staff.

2. Arrived at Penang and followed this taxi guy for ride to hotel. His taxi turns out to be a beaten up car, unlicensed obviously, that broke down midway due to lack of petrol (it was prob leaking). Reached the hotel smelling like diesel.

3. Grand Continental seemed a decent hotel but room sucks. Pillows were icky and hard and room had a smell. At least TV works... phew.

4. MBA preview the next day was an episode of patience. Gosh... very pushy and demanding people turned up. Including one soft spoken guy who spoke in barely audible whispers.

5. Classes went off alright, except for one terrible student who doesn't ask, but demands. Thank goodness for Aewis who helped save me from future student torment. Thank you!

6. Hotel had elevator problems so only one worked on Saturday and Sunday. And bus loads of school kids and the biggest herd of uncles and aunties I've ever seen arrived then. Those people never queue, hog the elevator, push you at the breakfast buffet and talk at a volume of jets taking off. GAH!

7. Left hotel on Sunday at 3.50pm to catch a bus at 4.00pm. I told the taxi driver to charge me whatever as long as he gets me there on time. It felt like the Amazing Race for a short while! Hahaha....

Pretty dull trip, seeing how I was in the hotel mostly. Dropped by Komtar and Prangin for a bit but nothing much for me to do there. Anyways, happy work week everyone!


Overall...

Darn... it's a Friday... never thought I'd say that... but darn...

Have to go to Penang today. I am working over the weekend in Penang, manning an MBA preview as well as monitoring the classes. Sigh... leaving by bus this evening to arrive close to midnight. Then sleep, then start work the next morning at 11'ish all the way till 9pm! muaaa..... may not be difficult work but it sure will be boring. Sigh... Sunday work again from 8'ish to 3 then leave Penang at 4. Won't even get to enjoy my hotel stay... MUAAAAAA!!!!

Hope you guys have a good weekend. Sigh...

GAH! Today must be the worst work commute ever...

I've been experimenting with new routines. Waking up at 6 and moving out by 630 is getting too exhaustive, especially now when workload seems ever piling. So decided to try leaving an hour later. Traffic is undoubtedly worse then but it has been pretty alright... taking up on average an additional 10-15 mins and that I can live with. Today however was a killer... but stupid ol' me made it worse.

After 15 mins of crawling through Jalan Tujuan (this usually takes just 5) I was expecting the worse when I reached the Federal Highway. The 3 lane highway miraculously became 6 lanes on entry so gave up and tried a diversionary route thru the old Subang airport highway. Roads there was clear and I was at the exit to the LDP in less than 5 mins before I realised I missed it. Turned off then at the highway exit and ended up at Damansara which was BADly jammed. After more crawling I ended up at Tropicana and then took the LDP back down to Kelana. GRRRRR... all in all... it took me 1 hr 15 mins to get to work this morning. I'm pissed.

Back to work! ARGH....

Weekend has been long, fun, albeit exhaustive. Here's a quick rundown for those interested.

Friday: Watched Bruce Almighty. Alrite lar... somewhat funny, very touching... very the hallmark'ish.

Saturday: Went to SPCA. So many dogs... so keen to help them out. Only to be told by gruff and irritable SPCA lady that 'dogs are only to be adopted by families, bachelors are not allowed'. Considering how they have so many dogs and any home is better than a queue to the gas chamber... well, SPCA can go to heck.

Sunday: Family came down so did the usual routine of shopping, eating, sightseeing. Caught a movie as well, The Italian Job. GREAT movie! Best one yet this year.

Monday: Lethargy central. Tired, bored. Did some shopping again and had a good Vietnamese lunch before family went off to Melaka. Spent the evening having a great Western dinner with Chun and Saw and Mr and Mrs Tan. Waiter was weird but food was good. Proceeded to Chun's aunt's mini zoo. Wows... 2 dogs, 4 puppies, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters and chickens! Wows...

Tuesday: Took leave... became a pig. Cooked dinner. :)