LANGKAWI VISIT 08

25th December 2008

We were on a plane to Langkawi on Christmas evening. We made it on time but got distracted with McD (because some of us hadn't had anything the whole day). Our flight leaves on 6.45pm but we were still happily eating at 6.30 pm (shakes head...) Zaim, Huda and me had express boarding which means that we were supposed to get on the plane a bit earlier and saved seats for the others. That plan severely backfired because when we got there everybody was clamoring to get to the plane. Abah was fuming. However, Zaim managed to save a couple of seats, so Mama and me joined him. Husna managed to grab a seat with Zaid, not far away from Huda and Abah was somewhere out front. The flight was pretty much uneventful. I sat between Mama and Zaim and ended up reading my book or talking to Mama.

Waiting for my vanilla Milkshake...

It turned out the plane that we were in was the one that brought the Man U team so that meant that we had to take some pictures of it. Hee hee.. You can't really make it out coz it was dark and we were in a hurry to take the pictures coz it was raining...

When we landed, Auntie Zawiah and Uncle Malik were already waiting with two cars. They took us to a restaurant (Haji Ramli) at Pantai Cenang. We had a quite filling dinner and we were quickly brought to the hotel. We checked in Awana Porto Malai (Room 1237 and 1239) and quickly fell asleep (Huda and Zaid went to Pantai Cenang for a bit though).

What was left of our dinner...

26th December 2008

It's DBSK's 5th anniversary today!! But that's for another post. We were up a bit late and went out for breakfast at about 10.30am. Needless to say, there were not many shops open then. So we stopped at the first stall that we saw (TOMATO). Then we headed to Langkawi Fair and did a little shopping. We went a bit crazy at the FOS shop though. Abah made plans for a bit golf with Uncle Malik so he left early. As we were walking around, we spotted a karaoke bar and just couldn't resist. We sang a few songs but the computer got stuck mid-song (Intifada').. Then we tried our hands snooker. It was a close call between the two teams but Zaim and Huda managed to sink their last ball first. Sorry Zaid!! Hee...

Anyway, that night we were invited to Auntie and Uncle's house because they had a sort of kenduri (their son just got circumsized). It was our first time seeing their new house and let me tell you, it is WOW!! We had ikan and udang bakar there. Absolute YUM!! After that we just could't resist taking a few pictures around the house, being the camwhores that we are.. We got home a bit late that night..

27th December 2008

Mama found a note early that morning telling that we were supposed to check out that day. Turned out there was a misunderstanding when we were booking that we were only staying for 2 nights instead of 3 nights. And the bad part is we can't extend our stay because the hotel is already fully booked. Waaaa!!! It was a good thing that me and Mama stayed up after Subuh to watch the sunrise. It was beautiful...

I had breakfast at the lounge with Zaim, Abah and Una. We went island hopping that day to Pulau Beras Basah and then to do some eagle feeding(more like eagle watching because apparently they just fed the eagles). There are not so many pictures because most of them are for privete viewing. Sorry!!

Waiting for our ride to the pier

Taken on our way to the island...

At the island and on our way back after the eagle feeding session

Then we had our lunch, somewhere on the way to Kuah. Mind you, we had to stop at at least two different places before settling on that place. So then we checked out from Awana and Mama and Abah brought our stuff to Auntie and Uncles's house. We're bunking at their place tonight!! Me and the young ones took pictures around the hotel for a bit and then went shopping along Cenang.

I bought some dresses, a sunglass and ice cream!! We were at the go-kart place by 4.45pm. Yarp (Zaim's friend) was also there along with some of his friends. We had a couple of friendly games. I managed 7 laps in 10 minutes, but at the last two laps I was feeling a bit nauseous and kinda threw up a little after I finished the race. I wasn't feeling well after that, and when we got to Auntie and Uncle's I promptly fell asleep until about 10pm. Our last activity for the day is.. (drumroll....) KARAOKE!! Uncle Malik has booked a room for us at the Karaoke Lounge in Bayview. I sang a couple of songs (Mmmbop, Bagaikan puteri etc) even though I wasn't really feeling top notch. And we got home at about 2.00 am. Zzzz...

28th December 2008

It's Mama's birthday today!!! We got up at about 9.30am and lazed around for a bit. Got ready and had some breakfast while watching a rerun of Mawi and Ekin's Akad. Then me and the young ones followed Abah and bought ourselves an SLR Camera!!

Canon EOS 1000D

Then we bought Nenek a phone coz she's been having some problems with hers. We met up with Mama and Auntie Zawiah at Wan Thai and had a nice lunch.

After we had our fill, we followed Mama for some more shopping. I bought some batik lepas and then we head over to Langkawi Fair (again..) and bought some chocolates. I bought RM200 worth!! Wow!! Finally we headed to the house and started packing. I finished reading my book (Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella).

Mama bought some Laksa Penarak so we we had some of those before going to the airport. I read the End Year's Doa with Mama. We persuaded Mama and Abah for some Starbucks before boarding. I finally had my Toffee Nut Frappucino.. Heaven!!

Since I got express boarding, I managed to snag a window seat (yeay Me!!!)..

Landed safely at the LCCT..Although the walk from the plane to the arrival place is quite long...

We took a van home and as usual I immediately unpack. Watched the ending of Pirates of the Carribean:At World's End and slept at about 1.30am after some fiddling with the computer..

Looking forward for the next family trip...

HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY BOYS!!

26th December 2003 is the date Dong bang Shin Ki made their first stage debut. It has been five solid years since the boys came and totally changed the landscape of Korean music. In the span of five years they have gathered fans from all over the world and has captured many hearts with their personality, their warmth and their love for music. Granted they are talented and totally easy on the eyes but they have shown again and again that they are so much more than voices and faces. They are human beings, striving for the best, always pushing themselves way over the limit just for their fans. Their compassion cannot be denied. Their honesty really shine through. As they mature, they are not afraid to let the fans see their true side. All the tears and sweat that all of them are shared. They know that their success is not theirs alone but the fans' as well.

Jung Yunho.

Park Yoochun.

Kim Junsu.

Kim Jaejoong.

Shim Changmin.

More people became fans because of their talent. But most are diehard fans because of their humanity and humbleness. They have certainly taught me that anything is possible. Learning anything can be done if you just work at it hard enough. And love is certainly something that can always be shared.

I hope they will continue their hardwork and to spread the Dong Bang love and to all fans, let's always cheer them on and pray for their happiness and success. The boys will always have a special place in my heart if not for the music, then surely for the bond that they have forged between me and Kak Maya. Thank you for the music boys. Keep up the good work but don't push yourselves too much OK? We'll always be by your side... No matter what...

GIRL'S NITE OUT

Kak Maya's BAAACK!!
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As promised she was in KL on the 20th December. I picked her and Kak Hawe at the Setiawangsa LRT and we headed straight to the new AU2 Jaya Jusco. Kak Hawe wasn't feeling so well, so we kind of took things slow. I promised her that we would drag her to the nearest clinic if she ever collapsed, and by dragging I mean literally dragging by the feet... Muahahaha... The first thing we did there was to have some snacks at Oldtown. Me and Kak Maya shared a Hor Fun and Kaya toast. Then I took both of them for a bit of tour around the complex and also did some shopping at Hinode and SenQ (They were selling some stuff for RM10!!).

Then we made a beeline for Johnys and had our second eating round. And let me tell you, it was soo filling that I had to do some things that I would never imagine I'd do in public. I'll keep that to myself and pray that Kak Maya and Kak Hawe also kept it to themselves. It's not very bad though, just a bit embarassing.

Left: Kak Maya with Kak Hawe

Right: The yummy wummy food we had at Johnys

On a side note, we saw Afdlin Shauki there and also Kak Hawe's sister, Kak Manje. I bought some Big Apple donuts and Starbuck's Toffee Nut Frappuchino to go. Just thinking about them makes me want to go buy them.. Torture it is.. It's a good thing I have loads of patience.. Hee..

At about 5.00 pm, we went to KLCC and bought tickets for Los dan Faun (coincidentally directed by Afdlin Shauki!!). That movie is hilarious but gag comedy can last for so long.. Sigh..

We finished the donuts and after the movie, we took some pictures with the KLCC Christmas tree.

Kak Hawe and Kak Maya had another friend they were going to hang out with after and invited me to come with so I said OK!! We had a late supper at Taman Melati and at about 11pm we said our goodbyes. God knows when our next session's going to be. But till then...

AIDILADHA 1429 H

Originally we planned to leave for Terengganu on the 4th. But because of the rain and possible flood, the plan was postponed. Since I already took my leave on the 5th I thought why not enjoy the day. So me and Husna headed to the newly opened AU2 Jaya Jusco. We took a quick look around and was infinitely pleased with the fact that there are some interseting and exciting places(namely eateries) there. There were Johnys, Oldtown, Kenny Rogers, Sushi King, Subway, Starbucks, Big Apple and the usual KFC and Pizza Hut. I called Kak Maya because two of our favourite haunts are there (Yeay us!!) and also to fill in some Dong Bang stuff. I must've looked a bit loopy when I was talking to her coz I was on the handsfree so it basically looke like I was talking and laughing to myself.

We made our way to Kuantan on the 6th and checked in Grand Intercontinental Hotel at about 9.45pm. After we unpacked for a bit we went out to Alif's for some dinner. We had quite a laugh with the Reserved sign.

The next day is Eid. It's our first time celebrating any Eid away from home or kampung. After the Eid prayers we had breakfast at a local Kopitiam and then went shopping at Berjaya Megamall. I didn't buy anything. Just a speaker for my office computer.

First we stopped by our cousin's place. Just to check up on what they have been doing.

Then we headed to Sungai Ular because a cousin of ours is having aqiqah for his new son. There Ina and Faiz instantly came running towards us as soon as they saw us. So we had a bit fun playing with them.

We had to head home when the sun was about to set. It was so hard seeing their sad faces. But there will always be next time OK sweeties? Seal the promise with 5 roses...

HAHAHA

IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Being happy could add years to your life. While happiness doesn't cure illness, it does help healthy people live about 7.5 to 10 years longer, according to an analysis of more than 30 studies. Researchers don't know for sure how happiness fosters physical health, but happy people may be more likely to watch their weight and be more perceptive of symptoms of illness.

Ways To Get Happy:

1. Practice random acts of kindness. Research shows altruism is a powerful catalyst for happiness.

2. Redefine happiness. Some people think happiness only menas pure joy, but it also includes emotions such as contentment. Work out what happiness means to you.

3. Be curious. Set aside time to do something new, such as taking up a new sport or visiting a different town.

(Reader's Digest January 2009, pg 37)

It's been a while since I posted about TVXQ. Just the photos at the end of each blog. The actual point of this blog is for the Samsung HAHAHA campaign but somehow I just wanted to share the article above. The boys (especially Yunho and Yoochun hereafter dubbed the NOKY Brothers) did a series of public campaign announcement type thingy where they sang a song and basically act all dorky and goofy. The objective is to put smiles on peoples' faces. This effort is definitely a worthy one especially for the people in Korea with the increasing number of celebrity suicides this year. Really is a pity.

Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sor47642QDo&fmt=18

Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJn9fsGHQUk&fmt=18

Video 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U9_9TGmReI&fmt=18

Video 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb3TbW4qKJ0&fmt=18

For fans of TVXQ the videos is actually nothing new but for those who are just getting to know them, it seriously is a different side than what they usually show on TV. They are total dorks. Also Yunho and Yoochun is my top three fave members in TVXQ. It would've been perfect if Junsu was there too!! Yoosu!!

What I'm trying to say is, it's not a crime to be happy and smile every once in a while. I'm not saying that you're gonna be happy every time you smile, but it's a step in the right direction. So every effort to bring more smiles on the earth, particularly for those who are suffering is a definite welcome. Come on everyone!! Show that sweet smile of yours.

SELCA!!

SelCa means Self Camera. It's a Korean phrase actually, meaning you take your pictures of yourself.. Over the past few years more people are becoming addicted to Selca. I'm not exactly addicted because I only do it when I'm extremely bored or stuck in a jam or when friends ask for my pictures. Husna, Huda and Zaid, however can be a bit obsessed with SelCa. If all of us go on trips, you can almost guarantee that the three will be in at least 80% of the pictures.Husna can sit for hours in front of a mirror and be happily snapping away.

At Qamah's house, waiting for her to get ready.

Somewhere in UIA waiting for my turn to meet a lecturer.

In my first office, waiting for the light to come back on. (There was a black out, which explains the lack of work done that day)

In my car, gathering up the courage for my interview in LGM.

It was batik day and someone MMS'ed me his picture so I replied with this.

I just love green and thought I should take a picture.

In my new office, feeling a bit sad.

As you can see, I'm not terribly good at it. Plus I usually use my phone to take the pictures which means the quality's a bit bleh. I don't usually take photographs, preferring to be in front of the lens than behind it. That's why you almost never see me with a camera in my hands. It does however, make me a bit dependent on any camera bearing person. It's a good thing that I'm surrounded by camera freaks. Hee..

To sign off, a SelCa of Yunho..

MAKAN MAKAN LEO

I feel a bit sad that Kak Maya won't be able to come to KL until next year. Maya Unnie!! Pogoshipoyo!! Until then....

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Kak Maya, Kak Hawe and me (sometimes it's just Kak Maya and me) will have these eating sessions every time Kak Maya is in KL . There was even one night where we hit 3 places in the space of a few hours. And mind you we didn't just order drinks. There's almost always something filling that we just couldn't resist ordering. We will have this ritual of waiting until all the food and drinks have arrived and take pictures (for illustration purposes only)..

Kak Maya with a bowl of Soba noodle at Secret Recipe

We call it MAKAN MAKAN LEO because all three of us are August babies (ergo all of us are Leos). It kinda started by accident because if I remember correctly, we were just having cakes at Secret Recipe and were planning to have a heavier meal at Johnys. But then after Johnys Kak Hawe suggested that we go for some extra desserts at Old Town.

In fact it is becoming a habit for me to take picture of the food I'm about to eat when I eat out.. How dorky is that? Among our usual haunts include (pictures taken at different eating sessions):

Old Town

(I just love the kaya toast and hor fun..YUM!)

Secret Recipe

(Obviously the cakes are double YUM!!)

Johnys

(We always leave Johnys with our tummies almost bursting! That deserves tiple YUM!!)

It seems DBSK wants a piece and are racing to our table with chairs.. Hurry before the food disappears!!!...