Simply wasn’t my week

You know you had a bad week when everything seems to be against you.
To the extent that people around you tells you “This simply isn’t your week.”

I’ve always had fond memories of the hotel I have been staying in for my outstation job.
It has always been rather decent, with proper breakfast, etc.

As I always do, I requested for a room near to the lift. The receptionist gave me one halfway down the end.
No problem. Am not going to create a fuss out of it.
Opened the door, and as we enter the room, we thought the room smelled rather odd. As if the carpet was sent for washing and not dried properly. Yet not quite that.
Requested for a change of room, and upon noticing that the condition of the 2nd room was a fair bit better, we settled down, only to realise that the lights at the shower wasn’t working. As I picked up the phone, I couldn’t help but notice that there were no directory available, which means any request, queries, complaints goes through the operator. What the…..
Called for the technician, which took them 30 mins to come, and by the time they fixed that, it was already past 9pm.
Due to some maintenance, the hot water would be turned off at 10pm..*sigh*
Then, I noticed that they didn’t provide the room with towels for the floor…hence, called them up to request for it…
5 mins later, they sent me 2 towels… (o.O)”
“Hello??! I asked for the floor mat/towel, not extra towels~! #%@^*!@”
Another day, we asked for hand towel, they gave us yet another towel…truly makes me wonder if they could understand English.
Then, on one random day, the housekeeping decided to give us 2 sets of toiletries….and then decided not to stock up the shower gel the next…
Hmmm…maybe she/he thought I could use shampoo on my body too..
(=.=)”

On day 2, our key cards decided not to work.
And so, my colleague had to go all the way back to the reception to change the key cards…How ridiculous…

On our final 2 days there, the occupancy rate must have been really high, for when we headed down for breakfast…it was like a war zone… (T.T)
It was so bad that we ended up having to share our table with another group of people…in a HOTEL cafeteria…I really can’t believe them…
And they took away my “Roti bakar”! (A bread which is toasted using charcoal rather than the conventional toaster)…they are quite good. =P
As well as my half boiled eggs~!
We were left with nasi lemak, and all things goreng (fried)…
By Friday, my throat started protesting against me taking in too much fried food…

By Friday, I was exhausted.
Not quite from work, but from the frustration I get from the hotel.
Not to mention, we were very fortunate to have a happy family that stayed in the room next door, and they have some hyperactive kids that don’t seem to need any sleep, for they were noisy before we sleep, and already making helluva lot of noise before we wake up…basically, they are just noisy all the time…Grrr…
So, I was obviously very grateful when it was finally Friday…

Only to be met with fire drill at client’s premise…
(>.<)

That totally explains why I felt so tired despite finishing work at decent times this week…
I sure hope this coming week is for the better….
I would be totally speechless if it's for the worse…

Addiction

More often than not, when we think about the word addiction, we tend to relate it to one being alcoholic, compulsive gambler, or chain smoker.

Yet, as I came across an article in the newspaper the other day, it dawned on me that addiction comes in a lot of ways and forms. And most of us have addiction for certain materials or feelings; Money, Status, Power, or perhaps even approval of others.
Something that we continue doing despite knowing that it’s taking a toll on us.
Something that we continue doing despite everything else is crumbling down.
Often, it starts off as an ideal, and we chase that ideal. Yet, when we get so absorbed into chasing that, it becomes an addiction. And we then go far to feed that addiction.
We complain about being tired of it all, we complain about how ridiculous things are getting, and yet, despite all the complaints, we never do anything about it, for “our ideal” blinded us from perhaps making the best decision, even for ourselves.
After a while, we lose sight of our goal, turning the focus to, instead, our addiction. We feed on it. We live off it.

I begin to wonder if I’ve fallen into exactly that.
Is my pursuit for my goal? Or have I been merely feeding on my addiction?
Before I started, I could clearly visualise my aim, my end.
Yet, the further I go, rather than having a clearer view of the end, it has became all too blur, and I couldn’t help but feel, at times, my hunt is for a phantom, something beyond reach, beyond what is real.
I’ve always known, yet have been brushing it off. It was not until today, when someone broke me a news, that I began to realise as much as I believe I’m pursuing my goals, I have not achieve a single one. Because I never wanted to. For I was too occupied with my addiction.
Perhaps it is time to cut it off, and redirect my focus back.

I have gone off for too long.
About time for a reality check. The good news is, I haven’t diverted very far off in reality, the bad news, it’s called an addiction for a reason.

Illegal Immigrants!

Recently, some government officials were doing their rounds around the area where I lived in, and they caught 4 illegal immigrants in the house~!
(o.O)”

Illegal immigrant No. 1

Bailey…it’s getting harder to take her pics by the day. She just can’t sit still..Noticed how dad was actually carrying her so that I can take a pic of her.. (T.T)”

Illegal immigrant No. 2

Lucky

Illegal immigrant No. 3

Mon Mon. This has got to be one of his nicer pictures. It was so hard to have them sit quietly, dad bribed them with treats to have them sit!

Illegal immigrant No. 4

Patchie~!! Another one that was bribed to sit still.

The result? We got rid of Bailey and Mon Mon.
For we can’t keep 4 dogs, under the law.

From what I understand from mom (Since I was away for an outstation job), the government officials were doing some checking around the area since our neighbour was infected with dengue fever.
And boy oh boy, when they saw my 4 cute doggies, they came knocking on the door. What has this to do with dengue? Beats me.
My mom was the only person in the house, and so, she came out, wondering what happened. The conversation then took place:
*Translated, of course.
Officer: Hi, are all these dogs yours?
Mom: Nope! They are not mine. They belong to my husband
*(o.O) I wonder if it means any different
Officer: Do you bathe them? They smelly.
Mom: Of course! They bathe every week.
Officer: One week? Not enough! Have to bathe them everyday!
*wtf…dogs cannot bathe everyday, idiot!
Mom: Nola! Cannot bathe everyday! Doctor says once a week!
Officer: (o.O)”…..You cannot keep 4 dogs in the house, you know the law..
Mom: Nope…that 2 dogs belong to my sister-in-law (points at Bailey, and Mon Mon, and then at my sister-in-law’s house, which is 2 doors away)
Officer: What are they doing here then?
Mom: They came over to play la! Cannot one meh?
*Fact: They illegally migrated over
Officer: (-.-)… Your dogs have license?
Mom: Don’t know where my husband puts them. They are not mine.
*Fact: They are all illegal immigrants with no license
Officer: (=.=)”…Actually, terrace house can only keep one dog, but I’ll be nice, I let you keep 2.
Mom: ….
Officer: Anyway, I’ll issue them summon for not being able to produce license now. Should you have the license, bring them to the MBPJ (Govt office), and they’ll waive the summons.
Mom: Fine..

So, there we have it. The officer issued 2 summons (One house, 2 dogs, hence 4 dogs – 2 summons), RM250 each!
That’s a freaking RM500!
!@^(#$!%
My dad’s appealing for a lower fine, obviously.

And that’s how we “lost” Bailey and Mon Mon.
Why them? Cuz they are the 2 that’s easily distinguishable from the rest.
Just in case, if the officer asks my aunts to bring their dog home next time, they’ll still know which is theirs!
teehehehehe

And after more than 1 year being illegal immigrants, dad’s finally applying for their “citizenship”

Before he gets fined yet another RM500..

Keeping it simple

I had a rough day at work recently.
Was pushed to the limit of what I think is acceptable, standing between the fine line of what I called the gray area.
Accused of doing something I did not, together with all other things, I thought I really had enough.

When I was younger, I was one ambitious person, like a lot of my other friends. Some wanted to be successful entrepreneur, another wanted to appear at Time Magazine front page, others just wanted to be CEO, Managing Director..etc.
As time passed, one by one slowly changed. And I’m beginning to understand why. Simplicity in life is a blessing, not a situation that confined us to what we are to be.

A pretty close friend of mine recently got engaged. A simple girl, yet prolly the happiest among the bunch of us, for she seemed to understand something that some of us overlooked…the fact that happiness lies in simplicity, not success.

That day, I pondered if I had enough. That day, I wondered if I truly know what am I chasing after. That day, I questioned if this is really what’s best for myself, as I know it, and not because others told me this is best for me.
Yes, I was upset. Very upset.
Yet, the day after, when I stopped looking at things from just one perspective, stopped being stubborn, I understand that it’s part of life.

Life isn’t perfect, for it wasn’t meant to be. And life, by itself, is bound to leave a person with things that one would look back, and regretted the decision he/she made.
Some said if you do not have something you regretted doing, you have not live.
It is part of life that there are times where we are wronged, and we take it nonetheless, because we understand that, to harp on the matter would only bring more pain, without resolving the issue itself.

Nonetheless, I am beginning to marvel at the beauty of simplicity. The idea of having modest life, growing apple trees and picking them, have my 4 dogs to play with, and do barter trading for other necessities kinda appeal to me at the moment. Away from the hustle and bustle of people chasing for materials, ideals, and lose themselves along the way.
Away from what others perceive to be right, and what others think is best for yourself.
Away from criticism, skewed perception, and peer pressure to be more than what you are.

A place where we can call our own, a place we can be ourselves..
The only problem?
I do not have the money for that plot of land for my apple trees..
Now who said simplicity doesn’t require having money?! Whoo??! (ok..no one said that)
Bahhhhh..back to square one! !^#!&#&*!@%*

Cycling @ Taman Bukit Cahaya

Exercise and YinFun simply doesn’t jive. I know. For when people think of me, they can only relate me with work, and lazy bum.
Fact: I almost never exercise. Exercise simply isn’t part of my genes. When I think of exercise, I’m already tired before I even begun doing anything.

Approximately 2 years back, I tried joining the gym, thinking that I’d exercise more since I’ve paid for it..
In the end, I still couldn’t be bothered, and totally wasted my gym membership.
*Stupid me…what was I thinking then? To think that I would actually go gym is seriously, unthinkable*
And I’ve been a couch potato since…except for firm events, my only exercise is prolly the walk out to grab lunch everyday. (>.<)

But it did occur to me that my lifestyle is extremely unhealthy, and the only reason why am I not putting on weight is because I eat less when I'm stressed, which is almost every other day, if not everyday.

So, recently, when a friend suggested that we go cycle around the park with a bunch of friends, I happily agreed…only to regret later because I had to wake up at 6.45am (That's earlier than the time I wake up for work!!) because we would like to cycle before the weather gets scorching hot.
But since I've already said yes, I decided to keep my words, and just do it anyway.

At the start, everyone looking happy and fresh~!
From left: Resha, Michelle, Zen and I

This was taken after we cycled up one hill, I think…while waiting for Zen, whom was already lagging behind… teehehehe
With Shanice and Cindy

Things then went downhill for a few of us since…

At mid-point (sorta)..I could barely stand straight…Look how I was leaning to the railing…
From left: Myself, Penny, Wendy, and Zen

After huffing and puffing up and down the hills.. (which really felt like mountains to me)…and some being laughed at for not being able to cycle up the hill..
we finally got back~! YAY~!!!

With Wendy. Was already dead tired by then..

Group pictures before returning the bicycles…
From left: Zen, Michelle, Cindy, Penny, Shanice, Resha, myself and Wendy

I nearly died. The cycle around the park turned out to be cycling up and down the hills…
There were 8 of us, and luckily, almost half of us were unfit, unhealthy, and without exercise.
Zen was even funnier, for the moment she saw the first uphill track, she was already regretting her decision to come… *hahahaha*

But by the end of the day, all of us made it back, successfully, without any help from the ambulance (Thank god!)
And I’d like to think that by the end of the day, none of us regretted doing that…
Miraculously, my legs weren’t painful the next day! Felt a lil tired, but at least I wasn’t experiencing muscle pain, unlike last few tries of me exercising..
Sadly, although my legs and thighs weren’t aching, my butt was…DAMN YOU NARROW SEAT! They should come up with more comfy seats on the bicycle really…bahh!

Ultimately,it’s true that people say, when there’s a will, there’s a way. Who would’ve thought that YinFun and Zen would actually exercise??!
And exercise is definitely a lot more fun when you are doing it with a bunch of friends! What’s next, peeps?!

*Credits to Shanice for the pictures..The ever-so-gung-ho one who could cycle and still hold the camera and take pics…For I was dying just handling the bicycle and myself! Thanks dear for the pics!

A girls’ night out

Everyone grows. We grow old with each passing day, and along the way, we would hope that we grow up along the way.

When we were younger, we would always look forward to that one day where we would no longer be dependent on our parents.
However, with the benefit of hindsight, I truly wished I’m still relying on them, without a care in the world..
Useless and unambitious, I know, but carefree, and happy.

But fact is, we grow. We grow and pursue our own dreams, and hopefully happiness.
We may all start the journey from the same starting point, but surely, most people’s destinations differ.

Zen and I are the only ones left in the firm. Paik Yee has left us for greener pasture outside, which obviously offered her a much better work-life balance, and both Cindy and PawKie has tendered. (Actually, strictly speaking, PawKie was never quite with us, for she joined another firm instead, but well..still audit)

After what seems like eternity…apparently, the last we met was approximately 2 years ago, we successfully planned for a night out last Friday (23rd Nov 2009). Just us.

Zen and I was having course that day. Both Cindy and PawKie has tendered (hence, have all the right to leave early), so we left early from work, to meet up at Pavilion.
But Friday nights being Friday nights, the city was packed~! It took us approximately 40 mins just to get from one side of the street (Sheraton) to the other end (Pavilion). Bahhh! Could someone kindly remind me why I don’t like heading to the golden triangle? Oh yes, the blardee jam!

It was a good catch-up. The only person missing was Shane, our other uni-mate. Shanice, whom was supposed to be there, could not turn up last minute due to work commitments.

We had dinner at Ichiban Boshi (Sorry, no pics, for we were starved and gobbled down most of the food fast)…

And we then adjourned for desserts at Chocolate.

Our chocolate fondue…and..I-don’t-know-what’s-the-other-one-called. It was pretty interesting though.

PawKie and Paikyee.
I haven’t seen PawKie for ages really. The last time I met her was prolly for the CPA Assignment.

The regulars: Zen and Cindy.

With PaikYee.
The girl who claimed she’ll be there at 5pm, but turned up at almost 8pm! The rest of us were there by 7pm…and oh, she didn’t even have to brace the traffic. Just walked across.. d(o.o)b
So much for work-life balance eh?

The very people that I went university with; we came back together, joined the audit firm(s) together. Some have subsequently moved on, others still doing the same old. I met up with one or two of them every now and then, but it has certainly been a while since we came out as a group.
Somehow, the common reason for not meeting up: Busy with work.
Valid reason or mere excuse? A lil of both, I’d reckon.
What kind of life did we all get ourselves into? I wonder too..

Nonetheless, it was nice to catch up again, and picked up from where we last left off.
Ultimately, we may not all have the same goals, the same directions in life. Yet friends being friends, is that besides enjoying the similarities between us, we respect the differences too.