AND THEN THERE WERE TWO

Zin left for Germany yesterday, together with her husband and son. So, that just leaves me and Ama now..
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After work, I headed straight to Ama's house. Had to wait a while for her to reach home. So after Maghrib and some freshening up, we headed to Cineleisure Damansara. Ama really, really, really wanted to watch Race to Witch Mountain. By hook or by crook, as the English saying goes. When we got there, the line was considerably long and it didn't help that there were a few couples who took their sweet time picking their seats. I mean, hello people!! It's not exactly quantum physics!! I joked that we might get the front seats just to mess with her and guess what, we got the third seat from the front.. (Sorry Ama!!). We didn't have dinner because we didn't really have the time so, we just bought popcorn and potato wedges to eat in the cinema. The movie was OK. The storyline was a bit predictable, but I think the ending was a bit meh.. It didn't really help that I was kinda sleepy towards the end. Howeve, all that matters is Ama got her wish.. (Sorry no pictures with the movie poster this time, too tired)

The next day, both of us were quite reluctant to wake up, which is why we only got out of the house at 9.00am although Zin already said that she was going to board at about 9.45am. We got to KLIA in 30 minutes (sayang punye pasal...) and managed to spend some time with her. She looks tired but calm. But when she was going down the escalator, the tears started coming. Me and Ama gave her a great big bear hug and asked her to take care of herself and to be strong for her family. Hmm, I wonder when the four of us will ever get together again... Anyway, bye Zin. I hope for the best for you and to always be healthy and safe and most importantly, happy. After she was out of sight, me and Ama grabbed a late breakfast at Delifrance and then proceeded to our next destination.

(Note: L is LOVE)

The last pictures before boarding..

We stopped at the Senawang toll house, changed and waited for the others so that we could go to Khalid's wedding together. It was good seeing old friends again. We had to wait quite a while to take pictures with the happy couple since all of his family members want a photo memento. Quite understandable, ne? Hmm, but I seriously loved the photo session. It was one of the most fun session I've had at any wedding.

After clearing some misunderstanding, me and Ama had some time on our hands. So as Ama would say, "To the beach!!". We made a quick stop at The Store in Port Dickson and each bought some stuff. And then... to the beach!!

I just love the white flowers against the graying sky...

As usual, pictures were taken and stuff were written in the sand. At first, it looked like it was going to rain. But the sky soon cleared up (Alhamdulillah). It only started drizzling after we got in the car.. Yatta!!

The first time I took a picture in panoramic mode...

My current and everlasting craze

We got to Damansara at about 7pm. After we said our goodbyes, I started my drive home. Although the day was quite eventful, I only got to bed at about 11.30pm.

The day of bittersweet goodbyes, happy celebrations and joyful reunions. Definitely a day to remember....

Just wanted to post this picture. My current wallpaper..

And my usual end to a post..

WITHOUT ANY GOODBYE

I remember the last time we were together

You were laughing and somehow

Looked like you were poised for flight

Ready to take off at any time

But the next day you were gone

Without any goodbye

Sometimes I still feel as if you're still there

And after a while I realized it was all in my mind

My heart refused to believe that you just left

Without any goodbye

Almost everything in my life changed

It made me realize how essential you were to me

But you going made me stronger

In a way

The only thing that hurt me

Was not that you were gone

But that you went

Without any goodbye

So now I hope for you

A life that is full of happiness

A comfortable life

But sometimes do look back

And always remember

The ones you left

Without any goodbye

I LOVE YOU!!

Three simple words that when uttered in earnest can change one's entire life.

All my family, friends and even colleagues are touchy feely. Me and my sisters hug all the time. And we basically shower our parents with kisses. So much so that sometimes Mama kinda looks away when we come with lips-a-pouting. I hold hands with my friends almost all the time when we go out and sometimes would lean on a colleague's shoulder just because I felt like it.

So it was kind of baffling for me when I heard on radio that Malaysians don't express their love so much and kind of expect everything to be understood rather than said (or shown). I can not even imagine being in that sort of relationship where you just kind of take the emotions for granted and just left unexpressed. I have no opposition to that but let me tell you a hug is a thousand times better than just someone saying everything's gonna be alright. I make it a point to give both my parents a quick peck when I go out to work. Call it childish, but that gives me energy and a certain peace of mind. A kind of feeling that if ever anything happens to me (Nauzubillah) there will be no regrets. I've shown my parents how much I loved them and they also know how much I love them.

The thing that is BIG in our family is birthday celebrations. We just love celebrating birthdays and it is kind of unfortunate for us that we only get 7 a year. Usually we'll go out and celebrate together. A cake and a card is a MUST. But I learnt that not everybody does that and that is quite sad. Get togethers are the time when you gather all your family members and have a good time with each other. We would make jokes and catch up with each other. Take pictures together and basically just enjoy in each other company. I love moments like those where all of us are together and just having fun. All of us having one big smile plastered on our face. We've never been shy to hug and hold hands when we are out. I sometimes think it's fun to do in public, just to see others' reaction.

The same can not be said for my friends though. Although I take every effort to go out with them, work life has kept us separate for long periods of time. But you know what the first thing Kak Maya will do when she sees me? She'll pinch my cheeks real hard and then both of us will laugh it off, walking along with arms linking. I sometimes make it a point to say "I love you" when I talk with them on the phone. Me and Qamah would shout our I love yous back and forth in every telephone conversation, amidst the muahx and *hugs*..I wouls sometime send messages to Ama for hugs and just simple I miss yous. Honestly I don't feel that it is nothing to be embarassed about to show affection to your loved ones. It lets them know that you care.

Therefore, without further ado. I just want to say I love you to all my family (Abah, Mama, Zaim, Huda, Zaid and Husna), my friends (Ama, Kak Maya, Illi, Qamah, Zinn) and anybody that know me. All of you made a difference in my life and made me who I am today. Although at times I may not be able to show it, I LOVE YOU!!

(props to Ichigo for the DBSK scans)

WEEKEND GETAWAY

Qamah and me spent the weekend together (14th February) in Port Dickson. But we also spent quite some time in Seremban, namely in Jaya Jusco.

She picked me up at the Subang Jaya Komuter station in her brand new car, a Persona (named Pern). It seems both of my best friends have names for their cars (Ama's Savvy is Cornelius, Corny for short. My MyVi is Avicenna, Avy for short and no, Ama it's not Evanescence). We got a little bit lost on our way to the lodge, mainly because we didn't have a map and only have some blurry directions to go there. So we decided to have our lunch before continuing the possibly long journey ahead. After a total of 3 U-turns we finally reached the lodge. Alhamdulillah.

After a brief rest, we headed first to Qamah's brother's place and met with her new nephew. Me, Qamah and Kak Malis (her sister-in-law) took Hakim to the playground for a while and had some evening tea. Then we went to Jaya Jusco Seremban. Originally we planned to have dinner there and catch a movie. BUT all the eateries were packed and all the good movies were sold out!! In the end we just had some drinks and taosts from OldTown and bought tickets for Geng Upin & Ipin fot the next day's show. However, I managed to buy MIROTIC version C there. Yeay ME!!

The next day, we woke up at about 10am and packed up. We stopped by the beach for a while and walked along the shores. Photos were taken and things were written on the sand.

We had Delifrance for lunch at JJ Seremban (Yes, again!!). We saw Geng Upin and Ipin and it was hilarious!!

We kept going over all the cute scenes in the car all the way to Kuala Lumpur.

She dropped me home and gave me a big hug before waving goodbye... Aaah, I miss you already Yang...

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

WEEKEND IN MELAKA

On the 31st of January, all of us went to have a quick vacation to A'Famosa Resort in Melaka. A'Famosa has been sort of our go to place for any RnR these days. We booked our usual bungalow, which is quite secluded from the rest.

We were supposed to have been on the road by 10, but true to our roots, we only finished loading the car and picking up Nenek at 11.00. Nenek was a bit upset because we were supposed to pick her up at 9.30. Sorry Nenek!!

I managed to watch an episode of a Korean variety show, 2Days 1Night where they had Park Chanho as their first ever guest. As usual, I would laugh my guts off everytime I see the antics of the hosts. They are just too hilarious. Since I woke up quite early that morning, I also managed to watch 2 episodes of Hana Yori Dango. Waa, I'm just so in love with Domyouji and Makino.. They are just too cute!! Of course, all of this happened before 10am...

Kawaii Makino with Domyouji...

Anyway, after filling the car up, we started our travel at 11.15. We had to take two cars since there were 9 of us, including Nenek and Kak Tina. I wasn't feeling so well, because I was just recovering from a slight fever and flu. So I kinda stayed quite and slept throughout the journey.

We stopped for a while at Nilai Impian to see the house that Mama and Abah is planning to buy. It's a bungalow so we'll have a nice bit of land around the house. The house is a bit bigger than the one in Setiawangsa. Nenek couldn't walk far so she just saw one of the houses upfront.

We reached our bungalow at about 2. After unpacking, all of us were quite hungry. Luckily, mama and Kak Tina had packed and prepared a nice lunch for us. After quicky gobbling up the food, I slept for a while and some others watched the TV. Then, I went outside and just enjoyed some music while dipping my legs in the cool swimming pool. Nenek came out and said it would be such a waste if we didn't have a swim since we are already there. After a quick change, me, Nenek, Huda and Husna were in the pool. The water was unbelievably cold. Plus, the wind was blowing pretty strongly. My teeth were close to chattering!! But it was so refreshing. I was also happy since it was a long time since I last swam.

That night we went out to eat at Melaka (as usual). Zaim brought us to this place (Sorry, I can't remember where) and we had some fish, squids and fishes accompanied by Nasi Lemak and Otak Otak. We stopped by RnR Alor Gajah since some of us wanted to use the toilet. Abah wanted to have teh tarik and we ended up staying there for at least a good half an hour. We bought some bread and snacks from the nearby Caltex and went back to our bungalow.

The next day, I started packing early but it turned out we were checking out at 12. We (Zaim, Zaid, Huda and me) had another dip in the pool and got ready to go back. But only after we had Mam's delicious soto. Maximum umai!!

Ama picked me up at the Alor Gajah tol and we went to our friend's wedding. There were a lot of familiar faces there and I got to meet Nazri's baby!! Yeay!! Meanwhile, the rest of my family went to Taman Seribu Bunga and had lunch somewhere in Melaka before returning to KL.

When we reached KL, Ama had a sudden craving for Johnys. So we headed to Aeon AU2 and had a smaller version of the meals we usually have at Johnys. Then we did a bit of shopping. It was Ama's first time there so we went around the complex. She dropped me off at home at about 6.45pm. Thanks Ama!! I love You!!

So I had a brief rest before turning in for the night. Gotta work tomorow...

HONG GIL DONG

One of the best KDramas in 2008 and the one that got me hooked on Kang Ji Hwan. I love the goofiness of the first few episodes but the funnies were steadily tapering down to zero towards the last episodes. Honestly, I seriously enjoyed the show till episode 18 and then just continued watching for Ji Hwan. Ji Hwan oppa!! Fighting!!

[Note: Below is a simple summary I did of the drama so SPOILER alert!! Plus, I didn't really impress upon the love triangle (or square) and mainly focused on GilNok]

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Left:Gildong with Yinok

Right:Chang Hui

Kwaedo Hong Gildong is about the life of Hong Gildong, the illegitimate son of Minister Hong, the Internal Affairs Minister of Joseon. In earlier episodes, Gildong is shown as a good-for-nothing man with his one goal in life: to have fun. As he is an illegitimate son, he cannot study to become an official to help his country. His father also disallows him to learn anything and asks him to just do nothing and lay low. Fortunately, a monk saw in him the makings of a hero and took Gildong under his wing. Through a series of events, Gildong was framed by his own brother and was abandoned by his father leading to his "death" when he was shot with an arrow by soldiers at the tip of a cliff. In reality, Gildong was saved by a group of thieves he had previously befriended and continued to live in hiding.

With Gildong's guidance, the group robbed the corrupt officials and gives most of their loot to the suffering people of Joseon. The king of Joseon, Kwang Hui was preoccupied with fighting his own demons which was the result of him having killed of his brother, Chang Hui in order to attain the throne. Haunted by the ghosts of Chang Hui he spends his days and nights in the arms of gisaengs (Korean form of geishas, I think). Similar to Gildong, Chang Hui was actually not dead. He was saved by one of his mother's attendants and was whisked away to China. It so happened that Chang Hui was just returning to the land of Joseon where our hero's story is just starting.

And to complete the love triangle, we have the adorable, bumbling Yinok. A carefree girl with no regards to social decorum. She dresses like a man and eats like there's no tomorrow. Before Gildong's "death" him and Yinok has developed a special relationship, even being "engaged" at one point in the drama. Their relationship matters to Gildong as Yinok is the only one who believes in him and his innocence when he was framed. Yinok is actually the daughter of Minister Heo who is killed by none other than (drum roll please...) Minister Hong, Gildong's father. Yinok is also kind of Chang Hui's engaged since that union was already being discussed by both families when they were little.

Gildong let Yinok think that he was dead because it would be easier for her not to be tangled up in the "Robin Hood"esque thing that he is involved in. But when he saw how deeply Yinok was affected by his "death" he just couldn't break her heart anymore. While at first Yinok was happy to learn that Gildong is alive, she (not very quickly) learnt that he is involved in theft and is currently living in a very dangerous world. One where he could be caught and killed at any moment. However, Yinok's only desire is to be with Gildong, no matter how dangerous. She is quickly accepted as one of the gang when she helped them retrieve the Sa Yin sword, the sword that proves the legitimacy of Chang Hui as the next king.

With the Sa Yin sword and Gildong's help, Chang Hui managed to overtake the throne from his brother. At this time, Yinok's true identity was revealed, whereby she is now the fiancee of the king. Being a noble lady separated Yinok from Gildong moreover upon learning that Gildong's father killed her parents. Gildong focused on changing the nation's king to forget the pain of the separation. Gildong's true intentions of helping Chang Hui is so that Chang Hui would create a better place than the one that they are living in now. Where there would be no difference in ranks, no nobles and slaves and everybody lives in harmony with equal opportunities. But that is not to be since Chang Hui kept almost all of the corrupt ministers in the government. The sudden change of Chang Hui's heart is brought on by the discovery that the Sa Yin sword is actually a fake planted by his mother to ensure Chang Hui's ascension to the throne.

In the end, Gildong and Chang Hui went to war with each other. Upon hearing the news, Yinok quickly went to tha mountain hideout to be with Gildong (her ultimate desire remember?). They got married and shared a few quite moments together before the royal soldiers came down on them.

The hideout was showered with flaming arrows suggesting that the whole gang died (which initially I refuse to believe). The story ended with a Gildong lookalike standing on top a buliding in today's time kind of portraying that there will always be a Gildong who will stand up for the weak and oppressed.

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The end. There were a lot of scenes I didn't mention for lack of patience and memory. For a more detailed synopsis feel free to check out Dramabeans'.