tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-127431262024-03-13T22:08:45.306+08:00Jess' three JsJottings, ramblings, snapshots, candid and spiritual sharing.. which all began with her two beloved doggies Jojo & Jelly.. and later, the adorable Jam!jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.comBlogger900125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-92046210433643633772011-09-06T05:17:00.003+08:002011-09-06T05:18:46.280+08:00Blog update!It's been a while.. I'm now in Italia and blogging at <a href="http://viaggioditalia.tumblr.com">http://viaggioditalia.tumblr.com</a><div>
<br /></div><div>Kinda miss using Blogger! </div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-44536881281153849312011-01-10T01:41:00.003+08:002011-01-10T01:47:27.596+08:00a new home for the Js!!<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">After 5-years-and-seven months, I decide to move to a swankier new `home'!</span></span></b><div><b></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Click <a href="http://jesscet.tumblr.com">here</a> and visit `The Owl and 3 Js'! </span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Ciao! ;) </b></span></span></div></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-50941418791997487642011-01-04T18:03:00.003+08:002011-01-04T18:21:08.704+08:00Just rambling and feeling a bit unwell..<b>After the high of December.. January 2011 had got on with a slow start. </b> <div><br /></div><div>Not that I've planned it this way.. but I guess I needed some rest. And while having NY day and Sunday resting (and working sporadically) was good, what I did not need had happened..</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been feeling sick-ish for two days now. :(</div><div><br /></div><div>I can't exactly pinpoint what's wrong or what caused my flu-ish feeling, itchy throat and now slight cough.. but i think it started after I drank more than half a bottle of red-wine with quite a heavy meal (neighbours came over) on Sunday evening.</div><div><br /></div><div>I slept for two hours yesterday afternoon and today felt like sleeping too but had work to do.. Even cancelled my Italian class. Drove down to the pharmacy to tell the pharmacist for something to treat my `unwellness' and all she said was take more Vitamin C! But when I insisted, she gave me something else that would boost up my immune.. so I bought it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't know why but I am one of those who need to take medicines or other forms of remedies, but I guess this time I have reason to do so as I can't afford to fall ill.. tomorrow have things to do and must do! </div><div><br /></div><div>What a lousy post but I think better than nothing as I now try to go back to blogging and not let Facebook alone dictate my online life.. Speaking of Facebook, spent so much time asking friends to vote for Jelly in a pet shop contest. I know we won't win but still the competitive spirit of me want her to go further (as in getting more votes!)</div><div><br /></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-35195811820171408552011-01-02T00:58:00.007+08:002011-01-02T01:49:40.586+08:00December summary and (just some) new year thoughts..Looks like my blog is heading towards a natural demise.. but i'm reluctant to let it really die..<div><br /></div><div>SO MUCH had happened in December but I didn't get to blog about it.. and now we're in the 2nd day of a brand new year, or should I add, decade - 2011!</div><div><br /></div><div>Well.. perhaps I could just summarise - more for the sake of reminding myself of the more significant things and events that took place.. all in the month of December!</div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663333;">Singing and performing 3 concerts with Cantus Musicus - Christmas Tree lighting @ Equatorial KL, Nine Lessons and Carols @ St Andrews Church, Weihnachtskonzert (German Speaking Society of Kuala Lumpur) @ Bukit Nanas Chapel. Each of these concerts were followed by sumptuous (free) meals!!! </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">Three new gadgets that keep me pretty occupied - Lumix Panasonic Semipro camera, iPad and iPod Touch! Ok the first was bought end of Nov. by myself , the icing of the cake must be the iPad - a birthday present from dad and mom that arrived 10 days before my actual birthday, and finally days before Christmas, got the new generation iPod Touch by a generous friend - a real nice surprise!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663333;"> My birthday new haircut - made up my mind to chop off the hair to a short bob, and did it on the day itself! Feel fresh and had quite a lot of positive feedback. Well, a change after 4 years or so of long hair!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">Birthday dinner with parents @ Hakka Republic and visited SkyBar - first time for all of us.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663333;">Watched `Follow the Light' with friends - and after, the cast to sang happy birthday song - very nice harmony - to me! Also watched `Celebrations' by PAN production and caught up with some friends.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">Work wise - two interesting interviews - 1. with four talented performing artistes (my recorder failed me but thanksfully could be salvaged!), and 2. with YB Teresa Kok in Shah Alam.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663333;">A busy Christmas week and weekend which involved 3 rehearsals (didn't make one cos zonked out!), leading songs for 3 services - Christmas and Sunday service on Boxing Day.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">Three dinner parties over Christmas and Boxing day - the annual Christmas party with the Boeys, my CG Christmas Party and the worship ministry Thanksgiving dinner - had to split myself for the latter two. All were really fun!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663333;">On new year's eve, had a wonderful excursion to Bentong Farm Sanctuary - an animal haven that had so many dogs able to roam and run freely in the vast nature land.. also visited Bentong town and had nice lunch and ice-cream. (this event deserves a blog post to itself)</span></li></ul><div>Of course, the above were just some highlights that came to mind.. there were many other interesting things that happened and December was definitely an eventful and exciting month..</div></div><div><br /></div><div>And I'm really looking forward to the first few months of 2011 with some exciting plans installed.. details later (so I have the reasons to carry on blogging..)</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, for a bigger picture, I have always at this time of the year, do a reflection of sort and then set out my new year resolutions.. but strangely, for some reasons unknown, I have not even given it any thoughts so I guess I won't be blogging on them as well..</div><div><br /></div><div>Or maybe I'm just slow.. as it still hasn't sunk in that we're in 2011 already!</div><div><br /></div><div>Having said that.. I still believe it's good to have some kind of `wish' or `direction' or whatever you choose to call it for a fresh new year, so that you start the year with a right set of mind to want to improve yourself.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, besides the list of unwritten down resolutions which I already know I should do. ie. exercise regularly, sleep earlier, do regular quiet time (yes all these I endeavour to do) more importantly, I want to just remember this `principle' every minute, every day in 2011:</div><div><br /></div><div>To glorify God by doing the best in whatever I am to do, and to be the `salt and light' that He calls us to be - ie. making a difference in the lives of people.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I will say `Amen' to it. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 11px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-57775191803336372202010-11-22T00:15:00.005+08:002010-11-22T00:26:34.021+08:00Introducing the `3 in 1'..<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">JOLLYAM</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><br /></span></b></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TOlHHexC6HI/AAAAAAAAEsg/5Gja1QuQZM8/s1600/P1150825.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TOlHG-MGtlI/AAAAAAAAEsY/9ICQCLLxcUQ/s1600/P1150810.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TOlHG-MGtlI/AAAAAAAAEsY/9ICQCLLxcUQ/s400/P1150810.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542039001554662994" /></a><br />I've coined a new name today for the 3 Js.<div><br /></div><div>I used to have a self-made keychain which I put the word `JOLLY' - which signifies JOjo+JeLLY. Now that Jam is here.. the new name for the three of them would be: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>`JOLLYAM' (JOjo+jeLLY+jAM)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway.. Jam has grown quite a bit.. but have not taken photos of the 3 of them, I mean Jollyam together. The pix here are from the first week..</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TOlHHexC6HI/AAAAAAAAEsg/5Gja1QuQZM8/s400/P1150825.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542039010299537522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Will upload more new pix of Jollyam soon!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TOlHFzeJvRI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/phNh6zaTR2U/s400/P1150807.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542038981497699602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-29496335715096234122010-11-10T11:32:00.004+08:002010-11-10T12:18:22.116+08:00Ah! Beautiful Morning...<b>It's right that they say morning is the most beautiful time of the day.</b><br /><br />If a day is a year - I would say early morning is like fresh spring time, afternoon is well, hot summer, evenings signifying the sombre autumn and the night is gloomy winter.<div><br /></div><div>How interesting - as this obvious simile just dawned on me..</div><div><br /></div><div>Why? Because I just rediscovered the beauty and preciousness of mornings - that had eluded me for far too long. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am a self-confessed `owl' - meaning I thrive and live my day to the wee hours of the morning. Since my last posting was with an afternoon paper and doing entertainment, my work-hours were so flexible that I used to wake up close to noon, grab lunch and only enter office - since my editor did that himself! I would work till around dinner time or later.. went home and slept only about 3am.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then, since I became a freelance writer, my sleeping hours became even more ridiculous. I blamed the Internet for such a habit at first and then, my cousin who is an even chronic owl herself told me about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_syndrome">DSPS (Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome)</a> so we both have a valid `medical' reason to justify our indulgence and lack of discipline.. and just blame it on having a `sleep disorder syndrome' that we had no control of..</div><div><br /></div><div>Not that I am proud of it and in fact many times, I've mentally taken note to want to change and adjust this habit. I posted on FB and G-chat status that Ee-Tan wants to `kill the owl' But alas, the spirit is willing but the flesh is week. I continue to let myself be consumed by this so called DSPS and it came to a stage so bad that I was sleeping at close to 5am every day and wake up after 1pm!!</div><div><br /></div><div>My day started only after 2pm and many times, I could not do the things I wanted to do because evening and nights also have their distractions.. I found myself not being productive and fruitful in my work. And then a few times I fell ill because of that - ie. after World Cup and also before my <a href="http://jesscet.blogspot.com/2010/10/oh-those-sickly-days.html">prolong flu from Shanghai</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another area that took a toll from my sleeping habit was the quiet time and devotion with God. It's true that morning is the best time for devotions as I personally have experienced and agree. But during morning, I was in slumber land. When I got up, I quickly checked my emails/FB and then lunch and usually out after that. I was either watching Astro on Demand or glued to the PC and by the time I realised I had to sleep, it's like 4am plus? I was already too tired and felt it's too late to speak to God!!</div><div><br /></div><div>But God is good! He pulled me back in time.. last week, I began to feel the stress from work - as I have quite a lot of on-going as well as new workload to keep me occupied. But because of my sleeping hours and also still trying to watch Astro and do many things, I couldn't get enough sleep. Instead of waking up after 1pm, I woke up earlier and could not sleep again.. That means I only had like 5-6 hours of sleep which was not enough for me (i'm one of those who need 8 optimum hours of sleep). The patterned continue for a few days until I decided to see my doctor for help and medication.</div><div><br /></div><div>I already was exhausted in the last few days so I took the medication earlier (ie before midnight) And somehow automatically wake up earlier. Of course it took a few days to adjust.. Finally this morning, I woke up at 7:30am (thanks to puppy Jam), laid in bed a bit, and got ready by 8am. The birds were chirping still and the weather was good. Suddenly God prompted me to do my devotion.. and ya, it's the perfect timing!</div><div><br /></div><div>So i took my Bible and some Bible reading aids and sat at our front patio, which Dad calls` JJ Corner' (not should be JJJ!) I prayed, sang some songs of praises and read 2 Corinthian 1. I haven't felt so close to God for ages.. even if I was in church service or leading songs on stage. There was a personal connection with Him and my soul felt lifted. Oh the joy of reading and meditating on His Word!</div><div><br /></div><div>It was 8:30am or so when I had breakfast.. and I hadn't had breakfast except a rushed one on Sunday late morning before going to church. I practice my singing as I have vocal class at 2pn today, and then proceeded to the Internet to do the necessary things - work related mainly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, it's almost noon and I had done so much already... I couldn't believe I still have more than half a day (of sunlight) ahead of me!! And I even wrote such a long blog entry! And imagine I have wasted all the mornings in my working adult life!!!? </div><div><br /></div><div>I know it's not easy to change.. old habits die hard and maybe DSPS is true though most people don't buy it. But this vicious cycle has to be broken, once and for all.. These few days since I still have the medication to help me sleep well, I think I must aim to be in bed by midnight so that I have enough sleep and would get up in the morning!! And hopefully later I will adjust to live a `normal' life!</div><div><br /></div><div>All I need is determination and discipline.. And I pray that God will give me the strength to do it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mornings are too beautiful and precious to waste away... where as the dark and quiet night (wee hours pre-morning) are best for slumbering anyway.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, I finally see the light, and I want to see many many more beautiful mornings</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-84218067693750141712010-10-29T00:07:00.005+08:002010-10-29T00:40:50.852+08:00Has it been FOUR years??<b>Four years.. I've been a freelance writer for four years already!! Gosh, how time has flown by! </b><div><div><br /></div><div>From a reminder from <a href="http://jesscet.blogspot.com/2006/10/its-day.html">this post</a>, Oct 27, 2006 was my last day with the newspaper company that I had worked for more than 12 years. Actually when I left I never thought of going freelance, and never thought I would be doing it for this long.. I thought of just taking a break and find something else to do - most likely joining another publication full-time.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Not long after that, I was asked to contribute some articles for a couple of newspapers..So gradually, I drifted into doing freelance writing work. More opportunities came by and soon I was making quite a decent income. There had been a couple of times when I wanted to go back into full-time employment.. by somehow they just didn't work out at the end! It was as if I was led by God's invisible hand to do what I love to do..</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course this `career' is quite unstable and I can tell you that throughout these four years, there had been so many changes and challenges. For instance, I was quite happy in 2007-2008 as I got to contribute regular to about 4-5 publications. But due to the set back in economy and various reasons.. I lost all these jobs one by one and had to pro-actively look for more jobs.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the last one to two years, I have diversified to doing copywriting and translation work. They are quite tedious and can be boring but to be honest, they pay better than editorial work. THe set back however is that I feel my creative writing has become stale because I don't get to write free flow articles like I used to. It's quite frustrating but the fact is, it's not so easy to break into editorial features as many newspapers and magazines have enough writers already..</div><div><br /></div><div>But thankfully, I still have a few platforms where I can contribute such articles.. though they really can't become my bread and butter..</div><div><br /></div><div>As recent as just two months back, I thought I would be bidding goodbye to my free lifestyle as I verbally agreed to take up a full-time job as an editor of a yet-to-be-launched magazine. I was supposed to start work in October. But then I was having second thoughts and after a discussion with my dad, I turned it down. Why? Well, it's a long story - the job looked quite uncertain and potentially very stressful and even risky. But I guess at the back of my mind, I still could not give up the `luxury' of a freelance lifestyle that I've so accustomed to!</div><div><br /></div><div>But God is good! He has provided me with quite a lot of work since - and many are new ones! :) In fact, I still have a few deadlines looming very soon right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, I would say I really have enjoyed my years as a journalist with the newspaper - I've learned so much and got to go many places and meet many people. And it's my dream job anyway since I was in my teen. But again, if you ask me, I have never regretted a bit quitting my job four years ago. It's a welcome change. Despite its ups and downs, I wouldn't trade anything for this freelance writing `career' (if you could call it that!)</div><div><br /></div><div>So here's wishing a `Happy Fourth Anniversary' to my freelancing career!! May there be many more (lucrative and fruitful) years to come! :D</div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-11381159153080091142010-10-09T15:55:00.007+08:002010-10-09T23:21:53.691+08:00Oh those sickly days..<div style="text-align: left;">Thank God I finally recovered from a nasty flu that lasted 3 weeks!!</div><div><br /></div><div>It's not a norm that I get ill for so long.. normally my flu/fever never lasted more than 3 days or so.</div><div><br /></div><div>Caught this pretty nasty viral flu while we went to Shanghai last month for the World Expo. I already had a cough and had not been resting enough. The hectic schedule and the change of temperature didn't help.. By the end of the 3rd day, I was feeling really lousy and needed to see a doctor when I got up on the 4th day - supposedly our `rest' day in between the Expo visit.</div><div><br /></div><div>The doctor gave me anti-biotic, cough mixture and other flu med. I was told that rest was what I needed. I was thinking maybe if I rested enough I could make it to the Expo the following day.. but that was just wishful thinking.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was indeed miserable to fall sick while travelling. I spent two whole days sleeping in our hotel room :( And then on Friday afternoon, we needed to fly back. I was afraid I couldn't make it but God gave me just enough strength to make the journey. Though I was like sleeping on the chairs when mom did her last round of shopping in the departure hall.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 5-hour plus flight was not good.. I slept (or tried to sleep) most of it.. speaking of sleep. I had trouble sleeping when ill - mostly because the cough was so bad that it affected me, and I think the medicine too had some effect. So ya, it was terrible.. :(</div><div><br /></div><div>I felt like collapsing when I reached home that night.. forced myself to eat a little and just climbed into bed.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since the med had finished, I went to my trusted GP the next day. I was upset that I had to miss 3 events that I was looking forward to attend - a friend's son's dedication in the morning, an old friend's wedding luncheon and the OKR mid-autumn festival celebration in the evening! Yup, had to just cancel all and just rested at home..</div><div><br /></div><div>Took this pic of my old (China) medicine and the medicines my GP gave</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TLAjUHbN9ZI/AAAAAAAAEro/xkzLOlfwZq0/s400/P1150710.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525955571281163666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px; " /></span><div>Normally, my GP's medications are very effective. But not this time. I completed the anti-biotic and everything else (he gave me 5 diff. meds) but I had not recovered. The cough was still very bad and I still felt weak.. I have abstained from lots of stuff - of course cold, icy drinks and food, fried oily stuff, spicy stuff.. and even chicken and egg!! Ya, I know it sounds like old-wife tale but somehow when I took chicken I ended up coughing really badly. So I rather just `believe' on the safe side. I also tried various remedy like Manukka honey, garlic essence and so on... in desperation to get well..</div><div><br /></div><div>The cough was still unbearable, so I decided to try alternative treatment - ie Chinese traditional medicine since many people have recommended this for treatment of cough. And since the anti-biotics and the many meds that my GP gave me had made me feel quite week, I thot the change would be good.</div><div><br /></div><div>I went to see a doctor from China practising at the Tung Shin Hospital in KL. He basically just felt my pulse and looked at my tongue.. also took my blood pressure. And then he wrote a long list of `prescription' for us to pick up. The `herbs' included things like tree barks, roots and even rocks!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Comparing to Western medicine, Chinese medicine is quite a hassle to prepare. The cooking time for the medicine daily is around 1.5 hours.. And this is how it looks like</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TLAmz38NwZI/AAAAAAAAErw/v-NAOEBMcOY/s400/P1150878.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525959415415292306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TLAm0Eh_IrI/AAAAAAAAEr4/wIChTAigX54/s400/P1150883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525959418794943154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TLAm0swGM5I/AAAAAAAAEsI/ERPF--fO8Bo/s1600/P1150889.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TLAm0swGM5I/AAAAAAAAEsI/ERPF--fO8Bo/s400/P1150889.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525959429591544722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TLAm0be_zOI/AAAAAAAAEsA/Kgkn0z1Zs0k/s1600/P1150888.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TLAm0be_zOI/AAAAAAAAEsA/Kgkn0z1Zs0k/s400/P1150888.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525959424956419298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;">For the following six days, I faithfully cooked the Chinese herbs (ok, my maid helped) and drank two bowls of it every day. To me, the taste at least was bearable, not too bitter.. but it's not exactly very palatable too..</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But sigh.. the Chinese medicine didn't have much effect on my cough. In fact, after a few days, I started having slight fever again... and the cough was still really bad, until I even felt like I wanted to die - and even ranted on my Facebook status.. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was wondering what was wrong.. and deliberating what doctor I should see next. My wise parents suggested I should go see a specialist physician - my parents' doctor actually. I also agreed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think it was the most thorough check-up I had - and she was my 4th doctor already! After doing some checking, she declared my lungs to be cleared.. but because I was still having slight fever, she wanted me to do an chest Xray as well as blood-count test. Good thing that the labs and all were just next door. But it took an extra hour or more for the results to be out. </div><div><br /></div><div>Phew, everything was fine.. but, she has to give me medicine again and it included a different type of anti-biotic too. It's my third round already.. </div><div><br /></div><div>And finally...as if by miracle, the medicines were working! Just a couple of days after, I already felt vast improvement - including my cough. But I was quite tired as I think that was the side effect of the meds.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the following Tues (this week), I already felt like I've recovered.. at least 95 per cent! I had the energy again to go out and do things.. and even looked forward to sing - having not been able to go for my vocal class for 3 weeks..</div><div><br /></div><div>And these few days, I feel the energy was coming back. Just now I even went out to see a friend and we went for massage, dinner and shopped a bit. Yey, finally I have recovered. </div><div><br /></div><div>(ok, I know this post is rather pathetic but like I said, is not usual that I felt this ill and for so long...)</div><div><br /></div><div>So, yes.. so long, nasty flu. Good riddance once and for all!</div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-89155787724142403472010-10-02T20:14:00.005+08:002010-10-02T20:45:53.208+08:00Oh Jam - my miracle puppy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKcmU3OeuyI/AAAAAAAAErg/5gvRws3EeXY/s1600/P1150956_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKcmU3OeuyI/AAAAAAAAErg/5gvRws3EeXY/s400/P1150956_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523425607857126178" /></a><br />This afternoon, I brought Jam to another vet. The one that I brought him to last week didn't seem very promising to me - the elderly vet hardly even looked at him or said much.. So after a media friend's recommendation, we brought him to this veterinary hospital in Gasing, Petaling Jaya that is supposedly very good and popular.<div><br /><div>A young female vet attended to us. After looking at Jam's Xray, she said: `If I hadn't seen the dog and just by looking at this Xray, I would have thought the dog is already paralysed. Indeed it is a miracle that he recovers so well!"</div><div><br /></div><div>I was slightly taken aback and my first reaction was to utter a silent prayer of thanksgiving to God.</div><div><br /></div><div>"I was really praying for him.." was all I could say to the vet, who returned a smile.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just like what the other vets have said, there's nothing much we could do for Jam's condition, said the vet. Jam's vertebral column at the lower back has been fractured from the fall - causing his spinal cord being slightly bent. There is no corrective surgery that can be done nor medication that could correct it. </div><div><br /></div><div>But God has been merciful to this little pup and he has healed very well indeed.. and my only wish for him is for him to grow up normal and healthy</div><div><br /></div><div>And he is such an active little pup. He is totally oblivious to his own handicap.. he is a playful, naughty and a happy little pup. When he runs, he hops like a bunny because of his weak back legs.. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, although he can lives a normal life, he is not exactly normal. The vet said we must be careful not to let him to be TOO active. Just 4 days after arriving home, he already learned how to walk, no, run or hop, up and down the stairs! I got a shock one day when I found him outside my door when no one brought him up!</div><div><br /></div><div>Going up and down staircase is NOT good for him, said the vet, so is jumping or running too much. Therefore we really need to watch out for him. Maybe an idea is to confine him to a playpan of sort when no one is around looking out for him.. And it is better to carry him - the vet also showed us the proper way of carrying a pup - it's not the same way as carrying a human baby! </div><div><br /></div><div>We spent a good some time chatting with the vet and again she emphasised and reassured us that Jam is doing very well already. And there's a good possibility that his condition would improve as he grows up, but of course there may also be the dreaded opposite. I think a lot also depends on how well we look after him.</div><div><br /></div><div>So darling Jam, mommy promise you to take very good care of you. And in return, be a good pup and grow up healthy and well, ok?</div><div><br /></div><div>I love you, my miracle puppy! :)</div><div><br /></div></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-1277336213599644962010-09-27T12:26:00.018+08:002010-09-28T14:25:24.635+08:00Little Jam with his elder siblings - and photo gallore!<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Jam has been here for six days already! </span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">I've changed the title of this blog - well, it's only appropriate.. So, now it's officially `Jess' three Js'! </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">It's quite funny to see how the two Js got on with him.. Of course the initial reactions were curiosity from both Jojo and Jelly. But soon, Jelly somehow had an adverse `feeling' or should I say `reaction' of Jam! Well, I think party she feels jealous and her `queen' status threatened, but also because Jam loves to `terrorise' her!!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">He is really quite active and is at a stage of teething so anything becomes his `target' - not only he likes to nibble at our feet or fingers but he also always chasing Jelly to bite her tail!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">No wonder she couldn't stand him.. in fact, she runs away from him and at times even growls at him.. :(</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Jojo, on the other hand is always his gracious self. Like how he welcomed Jelly as his sister, so he seems to be quite to have the company of little Jam too! And he doesn't seem to feel threatened at all by Jam's presence. In fact, he seems to adore him and always getting near him..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">For the first 3 nites, Jelly refused to come into my room to sleep like she usually did! Reason being Jam is inside with me. But for the last few nites, she came.. and made sure she is a good distance away from her younger brother.. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">As we can see from the photographs - it's quite an interesting `triangular' relationship the 3 Js share.. well maybe things will be different later.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAgigQ5qiI/AAAAAAAAEng/vC5fX4xA52E/s400/P1150735.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521448920304691746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">At first Jelly was very curious and was trying to sniff Jam out!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAdpuCtMOI/AAAAAAAAEnI/miC6Z4_1wNs/s1600/P1150723.JPG"></a></span></span><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAdpJxhAGI/AAAAAAAAEnA/W-zpB2sCvdw/s400/P1150722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521445735991672930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px; " /><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAdpuCtMOI/AAAAAAAAEnI/miC6Z4_1wNs/s400/P1150723.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521445745727451362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA_U3vYkJI/AAAAAAAAErY/nn6Hh7VDkM0/s400/P1150724.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521482770948853906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 354px; " /></span><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAdqX_Y_MI/AAAAAAAAEnY/VwGyP44yQ10/s400/P1150729_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521445756987833538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Jam sleeping in his bed next to my bed.. :)</span></span><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAgixFiM8I/AAAAAAAAEno/qUv15q9w4k8/s400/P1150749.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521448924820419522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 368px; " /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAgja2t2xI/AAAAAAAAEnw/b0vensYuWwo/s400/P1150754.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521448936032557842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">2nd night - taking photos with Jam! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAdqX_Y_MI/AAAAAAAAEnY/VwGyP44yQ10/s1600/P1150729_2.jpg"></a></span></span></div></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAjNXY2ySI/AAAAAAAAEog/mf-trVrftqM/s1600/P1150791.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAjNXY2ySI/AAAAAAAAEog/mf-trVrftqM/s400/P1150791.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521451855679768866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 400px; " /> </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAjNDb3vII/AAAAAAAAEoY/WGPILE9LPB4/s1600/P1150790.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAjNDb3vII/AAAAAAAAEoY/WGPILE9LPB4/s400/P1150790.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521451850323704962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px; " /></a><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAjMwvqQ4I/AAAAAAAAEoQ/q32jve3GoJ8/s400/P1150789.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521451845306434434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAjMd1YvHI/AAAAAAAAEoI/a6xNt3hDRYY/s400/P1150785.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521451840230177906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 400px; " /></div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAgkBJDU9I/AAAAAAAAEoA/Ad8zQFy0jBQ/s400/P1150784.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521448946310009810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Jelly is so reluctant to have her photo taken with Jam!!</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAlaSAmBYI/AAAAAAAAEo4/DDWnrjY7ako/s1600/P1150795.JPG"></a></span></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAlaG7aHlI/AAAAAAAAEow/B-MF1BJ9ZFY/s1600/P1150794.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAlaG7aHlI/AAAAAAAAEow/B-MF1BJ9ZFY/s400/P1150794.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521454273622842962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 400px; " /></a><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAjN_oqyoI/AAAAAAAAEoo/wxC_Upp1w5s/s400/P1150793.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521451866483509890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 388px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Finally a more decent one where Jelly succumbed to struggling!</span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAlaSAmBYI/AAAAAAAAEo4/DDWnrjY7ako/s400/P1150795.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521454276597384578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 400px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">look how grouchy Jelly is! :S</span></span></div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAgjmoRYFI/AAAAAAAAEn4/NMK6ybYJqiY/s400/P1150776.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521448939193196626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 400px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmndbkXaI/AAAAAAAAEpw/FBqNF7hjKkg/s1600/P1150838.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmndbkXaI/AAAAAAAAEpw/FBqNF7hjKkg/s1600/P1150838.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmndbkXaI/AAAAAAAAEpw/FBqNF7hjKkg/s1600/P1150838.JPG"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAjNXY2ySI/AAAAAAAAEog/mf-trVrftqM/s1600/P1150791.jpg"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAjNXY2ySI/AAAAAAAAEog/mf-trVrftqM/s1600/P1150791.jpg"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAjNXY2ySI/AAAAAAAAEog/mf-trVrftqM/s1600/P1150791.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">The next day getting all the three Js together!</span></span></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmndbkXaI/AAAAAAAAEpw/FBqNF7hjKkg/s1600/P1150838.JPG"></a></span></span><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAlbNaC0YI/AAAAAAAAEpI/Hy3lh49HIO8/s400/P1150806.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521454292541821314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAlazfLeqI/AAAAAAAAEpA/OUxIed06FkE/s400/P1150805.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521454285584038562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px; " /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA7uJxzhcI/AAAAAAAAEp4/twMW0xv_KKE/s400/P1150816.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521478807241065922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 345px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAlbiClRpI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/iISxFe5S0Fo/s400/P1150807.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521454298080560786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 400px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmndbkXaI/AAAAAAAAEpw/FBqNF7hjKkg/s1600/P1150838.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmndbkXaI/AAAAAAAAEpw/FBqNF7hjKkg/s1600/P1150838.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmndbkXaI/AAAAAAAAEpw/FBqNF7hjKkg/s1600/P1150838.JPG"></a></span></span><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmmSAHQ0I/AAAAAAAAEpY/rE4FFhe5cQQ/s400/P1150810.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521455582265426754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px; " /> </span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA7uq6SfjI/AAAAAAAAEqI/8_ep3lPVFJw/s400/P1150825.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521478816135020082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA88YMFo8I/AAAAAAAAEqw/OlEpyEJrXnk/s400/P1150841.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521480151139197890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA880-EPiI/AAAAAAAAEq4/9wc1Nn83C9s/s400/P1150850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521480158865014306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 334px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Yes you can see Jojo is quite taken by Jam still!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA7vQttkeI/AAAAAAAAEqY/1g1bOxhzNEw/s400/P1150837.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521478826282815970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px; " /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmmwTrmLI/AAAAAAAAEpo/NSt3M66260Y/s1600/P1150834.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmmwTrmLI/AAAAAAAAEpo/NSt3M66260Y/s400/P1150834.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521455590400563378" /></a></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmmiXAbHI/AAAAAAAAEpg/x5noYczS14I/s400/P1150833.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521455586656414834" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAmndbkXaI/AAAAAAAAEpw/FBqNF7hjKkg/s400/P1150838.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521455602513239458" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px; " /></span></span></div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA7uxoaxgI/AAAAAAAAEqQ/b0s4etd3mWg/s400/P1150839.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521478817939113474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">The diva looking unhappy :p</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA7uXhGZjI/AAAAAAAAEqA/BWerGu2kVjM/s400/P1150836.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521478810929096242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Jojo welcoming Jelly at his side</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAjNXY2ySI/AAAAAAAAEog/mf-trVrftqM/s1600/P1150791.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKAdqX_Y_MI/AAAAAAAAEnY/VwGyP44yQ10/s1600/P1150729_2.jpg"></a></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA89ElSFbI/AAAAAAAAErA/J0bcYPPYEzw/s400/P1150857.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521480163056031154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA9Wp52kII/AAAAAAAAErI/B6pS9zvbMBA/s400/P1150858.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521480602571149442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 356px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">But Jelly rather stays a distance from him!</span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA9W1n7mdI/AAAAAAAAErQ/DojG_xn9uQY/s400/P1150877.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521480605717207506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TKA9W1n7mdI/AAAAAAAAErQ/DojG_xn9uQY/s1600/P1150877.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-35317017322406344732010-09-09T22:11:00.007+08:002010-09-10T00:08:29.902+08:00My `accidental' puppy<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is a twist to an almost `tragic' story of a dog..</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Last Saturday afternoon, I went to my usual pet shop to get dog food for the two Js. A cute little miniature schnauzer puppy caught my eyes and he was walking around! The pet shop owner said the pup was for sale but was letting him out for some exercise.. I couldn't help but cuddle him and play with him. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When I put some items on the counter, I didn't think twice but also carry the puppy and put him on the counter and played with him a while. I thought the owner who was behind the cash register saw what I did but didn't object; I turned round to talk to him and proceeded to pay.. and then suddenly there was a loud yelping sound!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As I turned round, imagine my horror to see the little puppy had fallen from the counter onto the floor! He was lying still, yelping and crying loudly and non-stop, clearly in agony! Seeing the way he lie motionless, it looked like he could have broken his leg! I was so shocked and in utter anguish.. What have I done!?? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The owner said how could I put the puppy on the counter! (He didn't see me doing that he claimed..) He carried the pup and carefully massage his legs and kept listening to his heartbeat too.. he then put the pup on a cushioned bed.. the little pup still didn't move at all..</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Words couldn't describe my feeling - I kept uttering `sorry, sorry, sorry' to the dog and also apologised to the owner.. I felt so distressed and heartbroken seeing the pup. Just minutes ago, he was so active and lively and now... If not for my stupidity.. :*(</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TIjtaauYQuI/AAAAAAAAEmE/NhnNamku6GA/s400/04092010(002).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514918781821403874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TIjtZp1odQI/AAAAAAAAEl8/1tHKzZYN_AI/s400/04092010(001).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514918768698488066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I spent another 15 minutes or more with the puppy.. which by then had not made anymore noise. Thank goodness he was conscious and alert but looked so pitiful.. the owner said he would bring him to see a vet soon.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My heart was so heavy when I went home.. The whole night I couldn't stop thinking of the pup and was praying for him.. At night I tried calling the owner but could not get him. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I managed to contact the owner the next day and he said the pup was with the vet, and he still could not walk. They were trying to find out where the injury was. Two days later, I was told by the pet shop owner that they did an x'ray on the pup and found his spinal cord was injured! And he had only 50-50 chance of recovery.. and he still couldn't walk!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I was wretched and miserable! I felt like a murderer.. a dog's life is ruined because of my mistake. When I shared this with my family and one or two friends, some of them said if there's no chance of recovery, it's more humane to put the dog to sleep.. but this option deeply troubled me.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then thanks to another friend who told me that paralysed dog could also live a `normal' life with the help of wheels.. and even showed me Youtube clip and website on it, I decided unless the vet recommended euthanasia, I would adopt the crippled pup and take good care of him and give him a good life to compensate him...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yesterday afternoon when I contacted the pet shop owner, I was told the pup was back already. I went to see him, preparing myself to be heartbroken again.. and then to my joy and surprise, the owner said the pup could walk already! Not only could he walk, he could also jump up! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TIjtbLR_tdI/AAAAAAAAEmU/cHASF9tPyMY/s400/P1150123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514918794855691730" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TIjta67MJlI/AAAAAAAAEmM/gw9_qo0yHdo/s400/P1150122.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514918790465070674" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TIjtcMNOG6I/AAAAAAAAEmc/zvh09wdK5kE/s400/P1150124.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514918812283968418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TIjtcMNOG6I/AAAAAAAAEmc/zvh09wdK5kE/s1600/P1150124.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TIjtbLR_tdI/AAAAAAAAEmU/cHASF9tPyMY/s1600/P1150123.JPG"></a></span></span><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I saw the x'ray and it showed a column of his spinal cord has jut out' due to the impact of the fall. Although he seems pretty normal now, extra care needs to be given especially in keeping his body small.. If he grows heavy that would put strain on his spine and he may not be able to walk.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I must say I was so relief seeing and knowing that the pup could now walk and has no life danger from the fall.. So even though I have to fork out RM1K (a discount of RM200 apparently) to buy the pup - although the owner did not spell it out in the beginning, he finally admitted I HAD to take on the responsibility of buying the dog as he could not sell him anymore! Ya, I know I couldn't argue with the case...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, this cute pup is my new `accidental' dog and I will be his new `accidental' `mom'. I am actually very excited although its under such circumstance that I have a third dog. But I love min. schnauzer and he is such a beautiful pup!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I somehow felt we had established a bond. And he seemed very happy to see me - totally oblivious to the fact that I was the one who caused him such pain and sorrow.. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Because both my parents and I would be travelling in the coming week, the owner agreed to take care of him till we are back. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I spent the evening thinking of a name for my new pup - finally, I decided to call him `Jammy' or `Jam' for short.. According to the Urban dictionary, a meaning of Jammy is `</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">flukey, lucky, defying probability with outrageous good fortune' - quite appropriate indeed!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Guess soon I will have to change my blog's name to `Jess' three Js'! And c</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">an't wait to welcome little Jammy home next weekend! :))</span></div></span><br /></span></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-80105450489483011692010-08-31T22:17:00.001+08:002010-09-02T00:55:51.757+08:00Dad's 70th Birthday: Celebrations and Surprises!<div style="text-align: left;"><b>What exciting celebrations we had for dad's 70th Birthday!</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Knowing that he's quite a low-key person and would not organise his own birthday party, I thought of throwing a surprise birthday dinner for him. After discussing with mom and sis, we decided to keep it as a family affairs - ie. have a nice Chinese dinner and invite his siblings and family as well as my mom's side.</div><div><br /></div><div>To accommodate my sis and brother-in-law who are able to be back only after work on Friday, we decided to hold it on Saturday, after all, his Chinese birthday is not over yet.. I called my two aunts in Singapore and as well my other aunts and uncles in KL. Finally we got 29 people confirmed!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Of course he knew nothing about it. Instead, he thought of calling a few of his close friends over for dinner and drinks, and that happened on Wednesday (and some of them couldn't make it on Fri) And he didn't want to tell them it was for his birthday.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>He really had a whale of a time on Wed night - after dinner, they went down for karaoke and really sang and drank the night a way!! Yes, he got pretty drunk...</div><div><br /></div><div>And on his birthday proper, I told him I would cook him a nice Western meal. Ya, I do like cooking especially Western meals once in a while. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Dinner menu:</div><div><ul><li>fresh mushroom soup with dinner roll</li><li>arugula, avocado and aspragus salad</li><li>ribeye steak with red wine sauce</li><li>roasted new potatoes</li><li>buttered baby carrots</li><li>molten chocolate cake with pecan vanilla ice-cream (no, i didn't make this ;p)</li><li>red wine, brie with grapes</li></ul><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5nbI4esgI/AAAAAAAAEhs/W4YFUSP12xc/s400/P1140858.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511956709886571010" /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5nbzM4ZVI/AAAAAAAAEh0/gN2SmoOE4j4/s400/P1140859.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511956721246430546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5ncqtbHJI/AAAAAAAAEh8/p2iFc6blP2o/s400/P1140863.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511956736146873490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5nc-40chI/AAAAAAAAEiE/mZZkHhYzr6A/s400/P1140865.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511956741563380242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was quite fun preparing for dinner and since I've had some experiences (ahem), the timing was pretty perfect and I thought I was quite organised! So everything was ready and dinner was served at 7:30pm sharp as expected!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5ndQhhAVI/AAAAAAAAEiM/Wh1V8uJ3G4U/s400/P1140861.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511956746297475410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div>And dad thought that was it, not knowing that the real two surprises were awaiting him.</div><div>He had no idea that my sister would come back for his birthday (it was a secret the whole family hid from him.. )</div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier in the morning, sis has already sms him to wish him happy birthday and then in the afternoon, called and asked the kids to greet him too - telling him that they were going out that night! </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, sis and brother-in-law took the late flight home from Hong Kong (as they were working and arrived at about 10pm. It was so funny when she returned dad's call, she was already on the cab home from airport! She even apologised for not being able to be with him on his birthday to which my dad said it's ok.. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, imagine his shock and surprise when my sis and b-i-l turned up at the gate at about 11:25pm! Dad's jaw dropped and his mouth agape. It was something he never thought of! And after hugs and all, I could see he was so touched and happy that tears welded in his eyes..</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5yamv7R6I/AAAAAAAAEic/qKu17x_1ywk/s1600/P1140871.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5yamv7R6I/AAAAAAAAEic/qKu17x_1ywk/s400/P1140871.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511968795351795618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5yaMBIFYI/AAAAAAAAEiU/-izmwdIOazk/s1600/P1140870.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5yaMBIFYI/AAAAAAAAEiU/-izmwdIOazk/s400/P1140870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511968788176180610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dad would have thought was the ultimate birthday surprise for him..</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day, we acted as usual and since sis and b-i-l were around, it was natural that we planned to go out for a meal. And we told him that the venue has been planned in advance. He was curious but I insisted we wanted to keep it as `secret'..</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, all the guests ie. our aunts and uncles from both sides and our cousins had all been informed personally about this surprise dinner and had been playing along with it. I found out that an uncle had to make up stories to dad about the date he was coming over (since he does come here quite often)</div><div><br /></div><div>I texted the guests to remind them to be there at 7:30pm and we would arrive a bit late.. so dad would be greeted by a sea of people.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps dad was already elated enough to have sis back to celebrate his birthday with him, he really didn't suspect anything at all. Even when he saw an uncle's car parked at the car park of the restaurant, he just presumed it was a coincidence that they were also dining at the same place!</div><div><br /></div><div>As we entered Elegant Inn, the restaurant manager played along and even pretended to have mixed up my booking and fumbling to find a table for us, as he led us to a darkened room. When dad pushed open the door, voices shouted `Happy Birthday!' and he was shell shocked as the lights were switched on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, he was literally stunned for a couple of seconds! </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5ybfQWcYI/AAAAAAAAEik/lrfG11C-qik/s400/P1140881.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511968810520179074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>I think dad's reaction was a mixed one - of course he was happy to see all of them, including my two aunts who came specially from Singapore. But knowing him he also felt a bit bad as well.. he never wanted to trouble anyone and has always quite low profil.</div><div><br /></div><div>But hey it's his 70th birthday after all, and that only happens once in a life time! :D</div><div><br /></div><div>So all in there were 28 of us, seated in two big tables. It was a time of reunion and good company, to catch up with one another. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH50WOs4Y4I/AAAAAAAAEjM/V-D19etFgPE/s400/P1140898.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511970919200351106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH6ETy8KwjI/AAAAAAAAEl0/SN9-d9YeK_Y/s400/P1140899.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511988469574582834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH6ETGO5A2I/AAAAAAAAEls/DnmGUjq81Ss/s400/P1140896.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511988457573516130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH58_OB7DyI/AAAAAAAAEkM/B-FZgVDtUvo/s1600/P1140887.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH58_OB7DyI/AAAAAAAAEkM/B-FZgVDtUvo/s400/P1140887.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511980419487829794" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5463RBZUI/AAAAAAAAEj0/EEykYYXHJwE/s400/P1140908.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511975946611156290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH545v-1_EI/AAAAAAAAEjk/9JN6_W7NAFk/s400/P1140890.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511975927475993666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH546J-j2eI/AAAAAAAAEjs/UOf4NpWCFzQ/s400/P1140902.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511975934454127074" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH546J-j2eI/AAAAAAAAEjs/UOf4NpWCFzQ/s1600/P1140902.JPG"></a></div><div>Of course, it was a time for feasting and drinking! The food was nice - I had spent some time and effort pondering over the menu and really glad it up to standard. And the service was very good (all included in the rather expensive prices!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Drink wise, we had dad's favourite - whisky and also a few bottles of red wine.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH59BKJERUI/AAAAAAAAEkk/j8L4-vddyL8/s1600/P1140905.JPG"></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH59AvGbGgI/AAAAAAAAEkc/W0dNn4nm96M/s1600/P1140889.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH59AvGbGgI/AAAAAAAAEkc/W0dNn4nm96M/s400/P1140889.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511980445544946178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5_MkcA8pI/AAAAAAAAElU/dbduSM6Vc1Y/s1600/P1140917.JPG"></a><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH59BKJERUI/AAAAAAAAEkk/j8L4-vddyL8/s400/P1140905.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511980452803790146" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH59BinAzWI/AAAAAAAAEks/23MB-rLmqIE/s400/P1140906.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511980459371842914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5_LRJw3VI/AAAAAAAAElE/8hgSpx08qjw/s400/P1140914.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511982825507708242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5_KC9jp2I/AAAAAAAAEk0/iC5PBJ7FQnY/s400/P1140910.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511982804518545250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5_LyHyhTI/AAAAAAAAElM/mtGRmX5ux9Y/s400/P1140916.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511982834357798194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5_MkcA8pI/AAAAAAAAElU/dbduSM6Vc1Y/s400/P1140917.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511982847864402578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH6BQ_fygSI/AAAAAAAAElc/uNCa5uiqujw/s400/P1140940.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511985122870722850" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally, we had special homemade birthday cake - a Rum & Raisin Cheesecake - ordered from my friend FBB. It was a really yummy, as extra rum has been added! Everyone loved it!</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH50VJjyaCI/AAAAAAAAEi8/YOavQ-aoFM8/s400/P1140921.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511970900640163874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px; " /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH548qDhIdI/AAAAAAAAEkE/oDefaDvqUUI/s400/P1140936.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511975977424593362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH6ESpvA1sI/AAAAAAAAElk/KN353TRFJ4A/s400/P1140939.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511988449923618498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH50VvslcrI/AAAAAAAAEjE/LfekeuPW3pY/s400/P1140925.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511970910877610674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div>Besides a few quite hefty angpows, dad also received a beautiful framed painting and a collectable huge bottle of Johnny Walker that's more 20 years old.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I'm sure, more importantly, it was the family get-together that surely made his birthday extra memorable..</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5yccT5eHI/AAAAAAAAEi0/YlBFxHP9hRk/s400/P1140942.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511968826909620338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH50WsouVZI/AAAAAAAAEjU/JvJOwLX0VrA/s400/P1140943.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511970927235978642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH50XOeEhRI/AAAAAAAAEjc/EoBXrN2cyvk/s1600/P1140947.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH50XOeEhRI/AAAAAAAAEjc/EoBXrN2cyvk/s400/P1140947.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511970936318100754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH547rmjt3I/AAAAAAAAEj8/qe2Y6GKsKdA/s400/P1140931.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511975960660129650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH5yb8slyaI/AAAAAAAAEis/e9Bf_SE-_80/s400/P1140938.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511968818423253410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">... and not to mention the two big birthday surprises he would never forget! (phew, so glad we pulled it off and I gave myself a pat on my back as the mastermind.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy 70th Birthday (again) dad, and ya, you deserve all the attention!! :D</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TH58_72_54I/AAAAAAAAEkU/uUp5sU5uDYc/s400/P1140897.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511980431790040962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><br /></span></span></span></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-88331432836173623362010-08-11T02:18:00.007+08:002010-08-13T12:32:55.471+08:00Another Crime Alert!!<div style="text-align: left;"><b>I became the victim of another crime just four months after that `<a href="http://jesscet.blogspot.com/2010/04/it-was-no-april-fools-prank.html">bag snatch' incident</a>! But thank God it's not as bad as it could have been!!</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I was driving home after meeting up with a friend for drink and dessert in Cheras - taking that more `logical' toll-free way via Alam Damai home. It was just past 10pm. I stopped at the traffic light junction and noticed there was a motorcycle which headlamp was not on riding at the left side of me and stopped just behind. If I was not mistaken, it was a guy rider with a girl passenger. I didn't really pay much attention to it. There were at least 5-6 cars in front of me at the traffic light. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then just a couple of second after I stopped, that motorcycle rode up to my left and then the rider, a young Malay guy, started hitting my passenger seat window with some hard object (which i couldn't tell what it was) When the first impact came, I thought he was some kind of a road bully! Then he hit a few times more, very hard, and the window began to `crack' - disintegrating but the glass did not break. It happened so fast and I suddenly realise he was trying to get my handbag on the passenger seat. I quickly grabbed it and then honked loudly. By that time, he had hit the window at least 7-8 times and since it didn't break, he gave up and then sped off!! I couldn't do anything as I was stuck at the traffic - which by then the light had turned green and I could move.. but the motorcyclist had already disappeared!!</div><div><br /></div><div>The motorist in front of me must have witnessed what happened and slowed down and wound down her window to talk to me.. we got honked by the cars behind. It was a Malay woman and she asked whether I saw the number plate. I didn't and unfortunately she said she didn't as well but she advised me still to make a police report. I drove on with that shattering window and called home and related briefly to my dad what happened and asked him to accompany me to the police station. Noticing that window had a gap at the top, I tried to close it but the moment I pressed the remote, the whole glass fell off inwards!! Argh!! I became extra cautious and thankfully I didn't have to stop at any more traffic light.</div><div><br /></div><div>Besides mild shocked after what happened, my reaction was that of anger more than feeling scared! I mean, what is our society coming to? Can't people work for a proper living rather than doing immoral, illegal stuff? Have they any conscience?</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully the drive home was another five minutes or so and then dad took over the wheels - I sat at the back and we drove to the police station which happened to be just 200 meters away from the `crime scene'! We spent the next 40 mins or more reporting and waiting to take statement on the phone with the sargent. I took photos with my camera that was in my bag. Here is how it looked like:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TGGi-1OevzI/AAAAAAAAEhc/3VBHgE47Boo/s400/P1140719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503859419946860338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TGGi_rXGLtI/AAAAAAAAEhk/nUVXxMZjlHE/s400/P1140721.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503859434478513874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Since I couldn't see the motorcycle's model nor the plate number, I know its almost impossible to arrest the culprit. But both my dad and I wanted to report to alert the police of such crime committed just at their backyard! </div><div><br /></div><div>To think of it, it was really fortunate that my shattered-proof glass has protected me and my bag. I would have been so upset if my bag was taken for this time, I have some RM300 cash (besides the important documents) in my wallet, my beloved camera and the iPod touch my niece gave me! And nothing untoward happened to me. I really thank God for the protection..</div><div><br /></div><div>But the troublesome thing is I had to get the window fixed - unsure if Nissan has ready stock or not, and then claim insurance etc.. It kinda put a damper to my mood - as tomorrow, or rather today, I would be going for a short holiday to the seaside with my parents.. for some relaxing and recharging.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh well, now that the incident had occured, I guess it's also timely that I can get away and just put this behind my mind for a while..</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-88082751245924735082010-08-09T00:46:00.005+08:002010-08-09T01:39:26.380+08:00Pondering a `Cross-road'?<b>Somehow, I feel my life is at some kind of `crossroad' lately..</b><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps it's to do with work and income - or the lack of it; a small part to do with the end of a relationship; and as a result the roaming of the mind thinking of unfulfilled dreams and aspirations - career, personal, spiritual... and then wondering as we're in the eighth month of 2010 and where my future lies..</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel kinda lost sometimes.. :(</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, I know I am blessed. I don't have to worry about many things. I get to enjoy life as many see it - to pursue my interests, to have freedom to relax while many slog at work, and also hold a `job' that I love.. On top of that, I have God, a loving family, many friends.. so what else do I lack?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, blame my personality.... While I know and I'm independent, capable, confident in carrying out whatever I believe I could do, another part of me that I somehow feel I lack control of - I lack motivation, drive, discipline and worst of all self-control... to certain extent. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, so last year I achieved something I am proud of - that that took lots of motivation, drive, discipline and self-control. I managed to lose significant amount of weight and `revamp' my appearance so to speak. But now I'm wondering why I can't translate that to other facets of my life - ie. my career, my ministries in God's kingdom, and general self-improvement which I am so far behind..</div><div><br /></div><div>By self improvement, I mean things like reading to enhance my knowledge - articles and columns, news, books (i mean even frivolous books I hardly bother to read) but rather, I have been `wasting' too much time on things like Facebook (but thankfully I cut off the games addiction), watching HK series and God knows what else.. And what about the daily devotion time - reading the Bible, praying and meditating, which I so desired to do? Then there's exercise.. I regret to say since CNY, my fitness regime has totally gone down the drain..</div><div><br /></div><div>It's not like I have been idle either. Just that for about 3-4 months this year, I have channeled my energy/time to something that unfortunately did not work-out.. to put it simply. I guess it's part and parcel of life experience and I'm still gradually picking up the pieces in a way, though life goes on as normal... </div><div><br /></div><div>And now, after the `extended holiday' of family reunion etc.. and all is back to track, I'm faced with certain dilemmas. Firstly, work wise, what I thought was looking positive one to two months back unfortunately saw changes and I'm losing a current regular contribution as well as a couple of promising prospects. Other works are at best quarterly contribution and others adhoc. It makes me think.. could this be a `sign' that I might want to rethink of my career path? The thing is, I still love writing. In fact, the journalist in me would keep in view of interesting people/places I go.. It's nothing more satisfying to see your writing in print. But these days, I am not doing so much of `original' writing but many compiling, interviews that do not really test my writing skills (so maybe it's good to blog more regularly just to hone the skills.)</div><div><br /></div><div>What about back to full-time work? I've been asked and my answer is still the same. Unless there's a job that offers equally great challenges, work satisfaction and remuneration, then I would consider.. So far, I have yet to find one and to be honest, it's hard for me to leave the freelancing lifestyle and freedom! If so, I have push myself more and also trust God to provide me with more work as a freelancer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Spiritually, I know I have been quite `dry' in my walk but all the while from the people and places I go, I'm reminded again and again of His faithfulness. So I guess I should consciously live and commit myself and my life to the Lord daily and I believe He would guide. There is a nagging voice that still prompts me now and again to heed His calling and less of my own selfish desires..</div><div><br /></div><div>Which brings me to this personal dream that I have been harbouring for some two years now. It's always been my dream to go to Italy, ever since a short visit after graduation. I love the country and felt so at home even though I didn't speak a word of Italian then.. Because of my vocal training, I started singing Italian arias.. Then the passion rekindled and I took up Italian lesson beginning of last year, which I enjoyed a lot. With the influence and encouragement of my first teacher, I really wanted to go to Italy - not just for a short vacation but to stay there for at least 2 months or so to study singing and language. Of course, the main factor would be financial. It's not easy to get sponsorship due to my age :( and that means I need to fork out quite a huge sum. But now that I have some contacts with my three Italian teachers who could help me in certain ways, it's a `dream' that can come true.. and in fact, I'm seriously considering and planning to go there in September 2011. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm praying for God's blessings in this plan of mine too...</div><div><br /></div><div>So in the mean time, I know need more motivation, drive, discipline and self-control... to do what I should do.. no use feeling `sorry' for the inadequacy..</div><div><br /></div><div>And I know, I am not lost really. And even if I'm at a crossroad - I should be reminded that His Cross would lead me onwards..</div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-47467201313279634132010-07-18T00:18:00.006+08:002010-07-18T00:38:53.285+08:00timely family holiday to...BALI again!! :)<b>This afternoon, I'm flying off to Bali - my fav ASEAN destination again!! :D</b><br /><br />This trip is kinda unexpected and was only confirmed less than 2 months ago. After all, I had already went on a memorable <a href="http://jesscet.blogspot.com/2010/03/sweet-solo-sojourn.html">solo trip</a> in March this year. But I'm not complaining, cos it would be a family trip - with dad and mom and also sis, bro-in-law and my three nephews and niece!!<div><br /></div><div>I guess sis has heard enough of me raving about Bali and finally decided they would also like to go there - since they had never been before. Well, their itinerary would be quite different, basically centered around the kids.. and we would thus be doing things and going places I've not done before. But we would also have lots of time to go spa and shopping! ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm really looking forward to it.. and thankful that it's come at a time when I really need a break away from the chain of events that had been happening in my life.. I've been quite sapped up physically and emotionally. Yes, I do deserve this break and more so, I thank God for the opportunity to go on vacation together with my closest loved ones - at the paradise island which I would never get tired of!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and the bonus is that the flight and accommodation have been `sponsored'! ;) Well, and in exchange, I would be the `tour guide' of sort. After all, this would be my 4th trip there in 3 years! </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I am telling myself now: forget about everything that's been preoccupying my mind, and soak into a vacation mood to do nothing but enjoy myself for the next five days.. Oh, and of course also the week that follows when sis and kids would be at home. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ya, life is good.. and I'm glad I'm an optimist :)</div><div><br /></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-19648445464566993922010-07-13T02:15:00.008+08:002010-07-13T03:29:24.403+08:00Viva Espana!<div style="text-align: left;">Once in four years, the whole world becomes fixated over a month of football fiesta - which is now just over. But South Africa 2010 is definitely a memorable one - interesting matches, unexpected results and and unbelievable prediction of a famous psychic octopus!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 350px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtfWptUXVI/AAAAAAAAEgk/SXh6ejQETes/s400/WC+logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493089013266144594" /></div><div>Ever since my first World Cup in 1986, I have been hooked to the Beautiful Game. But funny thing is, I'm not a football fan per se. I don't follow EPL even.. BUT when it comes to the World Cup and international tournament like the European Championship. I am an ardent fan!</div><div><br /></div><div>As in previous years, I was supporting Argentina and Italy (loyal as always..) but alas, the Italy team was a far shadow from that four years ago when they clinched the Cup, and was sadly kicked out in the first round. Meanwhile, the Argies, under the coaching of the charismatic Maradona, started off impressively but suffered a humiliated defeat in the quarter-final against Germany!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>My heart was broken but of course, I watched on... and then I gradually fell in love with a team that combines great skills and flair (not mentioning sharing the same Latin root as two favourite teams) - yes, of course it is the Euro champion and our newest World Cup champion Espana!</div><div><br /></div><div>I was elated when they beat the strong and sturdy Germany in the semi-finals and decided I would be rooting for them to win the final. They had not been scoring many goals but it's a feat for the eyes to watch them play..they had talented and some cute players too to boot! :p</div><div><br /></div><div>So, the final saw the Netherlands versus Spain - a highly anticipated final as whoever wins, we would have a brand new World Cup winner! </div><div><br /></div><div>(somehow I missed the closing ceremony on TV.. saw photos and it's indeed a colourful affair!)</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtfWNvUXpI/AAAAAAAAEgc/FH0GZ2pGpwQ/s1600/closing_worldcup10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtfWNvUXpI/AAAAAAAAEgc/FH0GZ2pGpwQ/s400/closing_worldcup10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493089005758340754" /></a><br /></div><div><div>Then the match itself.. which turned out to be quite a frustrating affair!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The first half was going nowhere.. basically the Dutch was just trying to stop Spain and by doing so committed tonnes of fouls and got many yellow cards. The rhythm of the game was rudely interrupted and both sides could not get their footing not mentioning scoring!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtlWhaTEqI/AAAAAAAAEg0/KslokTMuuAg/s400/match_worldcup10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493095608108651170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtpvz5C6fI/AAAAAAAAEg8/UO_oj1rFX44/s400/foul_wc10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493100440612694514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtlWCeQejI/AAAAAAAAEgs/oA24wjJs_Mg/s400/dutch_worldcup10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493095599803759154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px; " /></span></div><div>At the end of the night, only two of these Dutch players were not booked! And one received a red card.. what a shameful record!!'</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtpxqJPL_I/AAAAAAAAEhU/_Z4XorzfwlE/s400/redcard_WC10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493100472355991538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div>Second half picked up speed and saw both sides creating more chances in the penalty areas. But still the goal eluded them.. and it remained goal-less at full time! We had to go into extra time.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was already dreading and half-expecting a penalty shoot-out - just like four years ago, which would be such a damper for a World Cup final!</div><div><br /></div><div>And then finally, shy of 3 minutes before the end of the extra time, just out of sudden, a brilliant Iniesta scored!! Dutch keeper Stekelenberg was beaten!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtc2fWk2SI/AAAAAAAAEgU/iJwr268V2Sc/s1600/goal_worldcup1-.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtc2fWk2SI/AAAAAAAAEgU/iJwr268V2Sc/s400/goal_worldcup1-.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493086261707331874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtc18oOmjI/AAAAAAAAEgM/JjARP0Lf0_g/s1600/iniesta_worldcup10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtc18oOmjI/AAAAAAAAEgM/JjARP0Lf0_g/s400/iniesta_worldcup10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493086252386130482" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtpw6dO1dI/AAAAAAAAEhM/ABV4SvUbMw8/s400/spaincelebrates_WC10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493100459554952658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px; " /></span><div>The goal came so late, but at such a brilliant timing that the Dutch just couldn't do anything about it. In fact, they looked so dejected and the last few mins both teams were just letting the time pass!</div><div><br /></div><div>And yes, Spain won the World Cup for the first time ever! They were in a delirium and who could blame them? Spain goal-keeper Casillas was so overcharged with emotions that he covered his face and sobbed! And later, oas captain, he had the honour to lift the highly coveted Cup!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtpwS7gJ_I/AAAAAAAAEhE/CyOPksKnui4/s400/lift-cup_worldcup10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493100448944498674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtc1C9R_PI/AAAAAAAAEgE/6asTsYo9fLM/s1600/spain_worldcup2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtc1C9R_PI/AAAAAAAAEgE/6asTsYo9fLM/s400/spain_worldcup2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493086236905176306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtc04cCu0I/AAAAAAAAEf8/NrWEPSrcTCI/s1600/espana_worldcup10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtc04cCu0I/AAAAAAAAEf8/NrWEPSrcTCI/s400/espana_worldcup10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493086234081409858" /></a><br /></div><div><b>Congratulations to Spain! You're a well-deserved winner for sure! </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Finally how could we forget Paul the psychic octopus? For the recent fortnight or so, this creature had been hogging the limelight as it had miraculous and accurately `predicted' the result of all the seven matches involving Germany (ya, his adopted home is Germany)</div><div><br /></div><div>And then, for the first time, Paul also rightly predicted that Spain would win the World Cup!</div><div>It's a 8 out of 8 perfect record. What are the odds!? </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtc0QjLZ3I/AAAAAAAAEf0/TkLOO40ON1U/s1600/paul_octopus2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/TDtc0QjLZ3I/AAAAAAAAEf0/TkLOO40ON1U/s400/paul_octopus2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493086223373920114" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So, adios to an exciting month of World Cup.. now, we would have to wait four years more to the great show in Brazil! </div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-26421815488368464762010-07-01T20:49:00.003+08:002010-07-01T20:53:24.795+08:00Perhaps Love...<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;font-size:11px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">Perhaps love is like a resting place</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">A shelter from the storm<br />It exists to give you comfort<br />It is there to keep you warm<br />And in those times of trouble<br />When you are most alone<br />The memory of love will bring you home<br /><br />Perhaps love is like a window<br />Perhaps an open door<br />It invites you to come closer<br />It wants to show you more<br />And even if you lose yourself<br />And don't know what to do<br />The memory of love will see you through<br /><br />Oh, Love to some is like a cloud<br />To some as strong as steel<br />For some a way of living<br />For some a way to feel<br /><br />And some say love is holding on<br />And some say letting go<br />And some say love is everything<br />And some say they don't know<br /><br />Perhaps love is like the ocean<br />Full of conflict, full of change<br />Like a fire when it's cold outside<br />Thunder when it rains<br />If I should live forever<br />And all my dreams come true<br />My memories of love will be of you</span></span><br /></span>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-3590203131100901282010-06-09T00:54:00.002+08:002010-06-09T01:24:46.455+08:00A time for everything...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><h4><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Ecclesiastes 3</span></i></h4><h5><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">A Time for Everything</span></i></h5><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-17361" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1</span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> There is a time for everything,<br /> and a season for every activity under heaven:</span></i><p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-17362" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2</span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> a time to be born and a time to die,<br /> a time to plant and a time to uproot,</span></i></p><p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-17363" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">3</span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> a time to kill and a time to heal,<br /> a time to tear down and a time to build,</span></i></p><p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-17364" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">4</span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> a time to weep and a time to laugh,<br /> a time to mourn and a time to dance,</span></i></p><p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-17365" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">5</span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,<br /> a time to embrace and a time to refrain,</span></i></p><p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-17366" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">6</span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> a time to search and a time to give up,<br /> a time to keep and a time to throw away,</span></i></p><p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-17367" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">7</span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> a time to tear and a time to mend,<br /> a time to be silent and a time to speak,</span></i></p><p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-17368" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">8</span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> a time to love and a time to hate,<br /> a time for war and a time for peace.</span></i></p><p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-17369" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">9</span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> What does the worker gain from his toil? </span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-17370" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">10</span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> I have seen the burden God has laid on men. </span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-17371" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">11</span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. </span></i></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The scripture is full of truth and wisdom.. And indeed, although it's kinda sad and not what we've expected, now is a time when we need to take time off, take a step back and seek God's guidance and wisdom..</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The happy moments - the rainbows after the storm - were short-lived and then all the nitty gritty problems set in again.. we have talked and shared our feelings openly, we have tried to get over them.. but I think after a while the pressure became too much especially for him.. so the best thing I guess we could do was to `take time off', to `cool down' and have time to ourselves... and not let history repeat itself..</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Initially I was quite dismayed and upset, but when I brought it all to the Lord, He comforted me and reassured me, and spoke words of wisdom. He did not give me an immediate answer, but asked me to trust in Him and His timing. He knows we need time to heal, and we need time to build ourselves up again.. And what's most important now is we need to get our lives right with Him.. No matter what the future holds, it's in God's hand and it's no use that I get anxious and distraught over it..</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">It's not easy but strange enough, it has not been too hard this time round.. In fact, I told him about my prayers and what God has impressed upon me and he agrees. So now, we are leaving things as it is.. no expectations of what is to come, but to get on with our lives and trusting God's timing and leading.. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I know when we finally have to come to that `cross-road' - which ever it may be, it would not be too hard.. as there is always a time for everything...</span></div></span>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-32044036022495991712010-05-31T01:44:00.003+08:002010-05-31T02:08:32.934+08:00Wither de blog?<span style="font-weight: bold;">I have been blogging for five years now</span>..<span style="font-weight: bold;"> and I sigh at the pathetic state of this blog in its current form..</span><br /><br />Looking back to the beginning, when I started this blog out of impulse and dedicated it to my two pooches - hence the name `Jess' two Js'.. I blogged enthusiastically and tirelessly, for the first couple of months, everything about my two dogs - including half-baked doggerel.<br /><br />Then, as I ran out of things to talk about my dogs, it became my own blog - a `lifestyle' blog as it is known.. I blogged very frequently - at least twice or more a week, on everything mildly interesting that happened in my life - thoughts, events, food, travels etc.. and I took great pride in my blog.. as it has more or less chronicled all the worth-while memories that I would like to remember..<br /><br />I don't know since when I have lost steam.. I even considered a couple of times in the last two years, taking a hiatus, or even stopping to blog altogether.. But of course I didn't give up. And at least there would be a couple of entries in a month or so.. But i must admit sometimes I kinda `forced' myself to come out with something to write, just for the sake of `updating' my blog!<br /><br />I had wanted to do a `commemorative post' of sort to mark the 5th anniversary of blogging - which actually fell in the beginning of this month. But I forgot.. and many personal things had kept me occupied so much that the only blog post this month was something quite heart-felt.<br /><br />Anyway, whey am I writing this post? I don't know.. in a way, as a freelance writer whose job is quite unstable, I really begin to feel that I have lost my flair for writing. For about half the work I do is monotonous, non-creative type of writing. And on the other hand, I have neglected this blog, which could serve as a platform for a more free flow type of writing. Sigh.. I am seriously beginning to doubt myself as a writer. Can i really write??!<br /><br />Ok, self-pity aside, and since I'm an optimist, I can foresee there will be some topics worth blogging about. Actually I started a blog post last Thursday morning, when I was flabbergasted with American Idol's finale result! I was rooting for Crystal Bowersox - who undoubtedly was the most outstanding contestant for the insipid Season 9. And she performed very well on the finale performance show.. but again, almost repeating last year's shocking result, she lost to a guy who is pretty good, maybe more marketable, but definitely less brilliant than she was. And not mentioning bordering a boring personality. Here were the few lines I began with but had lost the steam to complete it...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I was holding my breath when Ryan Seacrest was about to announce the winner of American Idol this morning..</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">And I couldn't believe my ears!! Although deep in my heart I already had this hunch.. Again, for the 2nd year in a row, the clearly better contestant was robbed of the crowned!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Ok, this was by far the most bored Idol seasons in years.. but amidst it, Crystal Bowersox was a sparkling star and had been consistently good with her choice of songs and her crystal clear, powerful vocals.</span>..<br /><br />Oh well..<br /><br />June is around the corner! And what's a bigger thing than the once-in-four-year Fifa World Cup? Yup, I am a World Cup fan although I don't watch much of other footballs including the Premier League. But since 1986 when the amazing Maradona led Argentina to win the Cup, I was hooked.. And had been following diligently the game of one-month every four years.. So ya, guess that would be something that I would blog about!<br /><br />I guess the irony that although there may be things I would like to write about, I know there will be audience and sometimes I self-censor, especially something quite personal like relationships..<br /><br />So, in the meantime, I guess I would not even call myself a blogger anymore.. unless I am once again inspired to really keep this blog as a close friend, whom I would like share my life and happenings and everything else that matter to me..<br /><br />Till then..jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-85824508796598893972010-05-21T02:41:00.003+08:002010-05-22T00:11:42.789+08:00So there are rainbows after a dark storm..IT has been a long, tiring week... beginning with a storm early last Friday evening that culminated into a painful decision that appeared to be mutual.. and following that, hours and days ahead that were gradually transforming.. from almost hopeless to glimpses of hope..<div><br /></div><div>But amidst this, God has been so good and faithful.. and He was definitely in control, guiding and leading us, in the heartaches, confusions and uncertainties we went through. And finally, when we knew that the feelings we had had never ceased, He showed us the rainbows..</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes, we won't know what we had was precious till we (almost) lost it. And then when we thought we had lost it, we then realised how much it meant to us. And that if we take a step back and just think and look at the situation from a bigger picture, we then found out what we thought was `dead-ends' were just some knots that could be ironed out..</div><div><br /></div><div>We had almost given up. But in my heart, it was more about `letting go' and letting God.. I knew it would be hard.. in fact, I cried myself to sleep for a few nights.. Memories came flooding back - of how it all began, the good times and how we talked hours and tried so hard to work through tough moments.. how we dreamt of a future together.. and while many good things that yet to come.. it was so sad that it had to end so soon.. </div><div><br /></div><div>But deep in my heart, and I know in his too, that we still loved and cared for each other... but the conflicts, the expectations and some issues surrounding our relationship seemed too overwhelming, too painful and tiring for us to cope. And then I also thought perhaps it was because we had entered the relationship too soon.. that we didn't know each other well enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was grateful that we could still be friends. And I realise that even IF we were not a couple, we can be the best of friends.. we do share lots in common. In fact, the `friendship' that we were sharing in the past week, inadvertently became even stronger.. It's kinda strange, we actually communicated daily, either on chat, sms or phone..It was like we have never been apart.</div><div><br /></div><div>Initially, he had said he believed we won't get back together... But on my own, I have prayed and somehow I knew somehow God is not finished with us.. So I just asked that he would leave things open and let God lead.. and he did not persist his original thought. And then, day by day as we spoke on the phone, I sensed the changes in his heart. Two nights ago, he told me it's not a question of `if' but `when' we would be together again... That was the first time I didn't shed tears when I went to bed.</div><div><br /></div><div>And last night when we met up, it happened.. Just like we had the mutual decision at the same time last week to part, this time, we could no longer holdback our feelings for each other. Especially when we spoke of how some friends are having such huge issues and challenges in their relationship, and we could not even really pinpoint what big problems we had. Yes, of course we had our shares of fights and unhappiness (which couple doesn't) but surely they weren't something that we could not overcome, especially when we know how much we do love each other and how much we treasure the relationship.</div><div><br /></div><div>We didn't talk much.. but there's a mutual understanding the comfort of holding each other.. Making up is always sweet. </div><div><br /></div><div>While driving home, I was overwhelmed by emotions and cried.. I cried because I was so thankful to God for His goodness and faithfulness.. and that after the week of heartache and sadness, thinking that we have lost each other, he brought us back together. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you God, for your rainbows after the storm... we would commit our relationship afresh unto You.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-83334509633455201632010-04-30T00:15:00.000+08:002010-04-30T20:28:24.808+08:00April roundup..It's the last day of April! Exactly 1/3 of 2010 has already passed.. How time has flown!!<div><br /></div><div>And yes.. I have been so sluggish in updating my blog.. But in order to not let this beloved blog of mine to die a natural death, here're some (more interesting) updates:<div><div><br /></div><div><b>1. I `lost' my second Italian teacher but found a new one! </b></div><div>I was so glad to have been introduced to Lina earlier this year after Giovanna left for Rome. Lina was a lovely lady, and I liked the fact that she `pushed' me more.. making me speak Italian all the time in class and even when I sms or called her. What she did was basically revised and strengthened what I needed - basically the conversational part. In just three months, I think I've become a bit more confident in attempting to speak in Italian. Though this forgetful mind of mine means I'm still quite slow..</div><div><br /></div><div>She was supposed to leave for Italy for 2 1/2 months and back..but since her husband's work contract is ending in August, she won't be coming back. :( She really wanted me to continue learning Italian, which I assure her I would continue! So she found me a new teacher before she left two weeks ago.. (it was quite a sudden sad farewell)</div><div><br /></div><div>I met up with Beatrice at the Italian Embassy on Wednesday and I'm already excited to start class with her! She believes in interactive teaching style.. and just like Lina and maybe more so, she wants to drill in my conversational Italian, which I fully agreed is what I needed most! She won't be teaching from textbook, but may use music, or even cooking as part of a class (identifying ingredients and following recipes in Italian)! We will be starting 2 weeks later after she's back from her holiday.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. My First Opportunity into `Christian Journalism'</b></div><div>Having been a journalist and writer all these years.. having written for national papers to many publications, corporate and websites, finally I got the chance to write for Christian publication (church and peer group newsletters notwithstanding). A few weeks ago, I was introduced to the editor of Asian Beacon and I'm glad that not long after that, he actually contacted me to do a story, and then another one! I've just done my first personality interview with an American Christian leader-author this afternoon. Another interview is also in the pipeline. </div><div><br /></div><div>Writing for Christian publications has always been something at the back of my mind. I believe since God gave me the gift of writing (not that I'm a great writer but it is my vocation) I do want to serve Him and glorify Him in my writing, in a more direct way. And I get paid for it too although the amount is comparably less than other secular publications, but it is something I feel is worthy and meaningful to do. And I'm really glad and excited about it! :)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. Two Traditional Spa Treatments in One Day</b></div><div>Thanks to my work, I had the opportunity to experience an Ayurvedic massage and the luxurious Hammam spa almost back-to-back in one day last Tuesday! Yes, I have been to spas and have frequent massages quite regularly. But these two types of `treatments' were totally new to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was asked to write for a lifestyle magazine on some `traditional remedies' that are being offered in some more upmarket spas or centers. Actually I only needed to introduce each of them briefly (about 300 words?) and get some photos. But when I approached these places, they were nice enough to offer me to try their treatments. Well, no reason to refuse right? ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>I was given the Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Oil Massage) and Patra Pnda Sweda (Herbal leaf poultice therapy) at<a href="http://www.samkkya.com.my/"> Samkkya Ayurved</a>a in Bangsar. It was very different from the massages I had experienced - very oily but I like the vigorous stroke. The medicinal smell was quite strong and while it felt rejuvenating, I wasn't that used to the oiliness! Still it was an interesting experience. I also learned more about ayurveda treatments...</div><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="http://www.hammambaths.com/main.html">Hammam</a> spa at Bangsar Village 2 was something else! The Moroccan version of the traditional Turkish bath contained the signature `Hammam & Gommage' - a bathing ritual that involves a `black soap' wash, moorish body polish and `enveloppment' (ie body wrap). I was taken to a warm dimly-lit`bathroom' in Moroccan style. I just sat or laid down and did nothing, and a Moroccan `bathing lady' attended to me - soaped, bathed, scrubbed my whole body and also washed my hair etc.. in a way, it felt kinda weird :p And the rigorous body polish really leave your skin feeling clean! The whole process was really relaxing. </div><div><br /></div><div>After that, I was also given a full-body Moroccan massage which was so good.. and followed by a facial, which was much needed since I hadn't had one for months! The whole `ritual' took more than 3 hours and I must say it was one of the best if not the best spa experience I have ever had.. what bliss!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>4. Singing and more singing</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Earlier over Easter weekend, Cantus Musicus (yes, the has been revived!) did a presentation of `Thorns & Roses' at St. Andrew's Church. We didn't have much time to practise and in fact my choir director was quite worried and stressed about it. But thank God, everyone put in effort and rose to the occasion. </div><div><br /></div><div>We didn't sing many songs but they were really lovely such as Agnus Dei, Libera Me and the finale Den wir haben hie keine belbende Statt by Johannes Brahms, which was a tough song to sing but I think we did justice to it! And the audience response said it all too.. it was great to sing for the Glory of God! </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, we are busy practising for our next concert - a Celtic Concert at the home of the Irish Ambassador next month. The repertoire includes not just Irish but Welsh songs. Welsh must be one of the hardest languages to pronounce! But the music again is lovely, something you don't hear often...</div><div><br /></div><div>As for my personal vocal class, my teacher is gearing me up for my grade 6 vocal exam end of the year. I've already started learning the exam pieces some time ago (which I didn't know then were the exam pieces!) - an Italian aria, a German lieder and two more.. </div><div><br /></div><div>As you can guess, to me, singing is one of the most enjoyable things I could do :) And it is a great way to destress as well. I just hope I am more diligent and hardworking to improve this art and skill...</div><div><br /></div><div>................................................................................................</div><div>Yes, so April has been an eventful month, even at personal level which I won't share here.. :p </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, work is picking up too so May looks like another busy month.. </div><div><br /></div><div>and guess what, this blog is turning five next month!</div><div><br /></div></div></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-7535921235651392842010-04-02T23:12:00.005+08:002010-04-02T23:52:45.794+08:00It was no April Fool's prank!! :((<b>April Fool's evening dealt a real `prank' on me. </b>My handbag was snatched from the chair right next to me when I was having dinner!<div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">We were eating at a open-air restaurant just down the road from my house. Earlier was thinking of going to another one but since we were quite hungry and I knew the food was pretty good, so we thought of just eating near by.</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">We sat outside, thinking that it was quieter and breezier.. were enjoying the meal, chit-chatting and we were almost finished eating...<br /></span></b><div><br /></div><div>Then, it happened so fast...! I heard my friend yelled and next thing I knew, a scrawny Indian guy was running away with my bag! My friend up and chased him but just 50 m away, that thief jumped on a motorbike and his friend rode off in high speed. That was it!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't scream.. think I was dazed.<br /><br />What happened was the suspecting guy was walking near our table.. And walked behind me, which I didn't even know! He and his partner-in-crime must be eye-ing my bag already. They are pretty pro. The motorcycle light was off so we couldn't see the no. plate as well!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, I lost my whole handbag - it wasn't expensive but one of my favourite.. :( Of course my wallet was inside.. containing my I.C., driving licence, ATM card, a number of credit cards and many many shopping rewards cards.. some vouchers.. and my dog's puppy photo! :(<br /><br />BUT guess what? I had absolutely no money inside except some coins. Not even ONE ringgit! I used up the last few ringgit buying some light bulbs which were also in my bag.. </div><div><br /></div><div>That thief must be dumbfounded and frustrated! All his `effort' and not even one ringgit! Serve him right!!</div><div><br /></div><div>For a second after that I panicked. Not for my lost wallet or anything in my bag.. but I thought my mobile phone was gone! And I have all my contacts in there! But thank God. I took it out earlier and have placed it on the dinner table..</div><div><br /></div><div>However I lost my iPod Touch! A present mom gave me which is less than a year old.. That I feel very sad about.. I wouldn't have brought it out but since it was already in the bag I didn't bother to take it out.. Then there are other (less valuable) things like my lipstick case, card-holder (a present from sis which I really like too)..<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course I curse the thieves!! But I also know that I have been too careless. I always have the habit of putting my handbag on the chair next to me. Like last night, I thought there were hardly anyone around or near and I was totally unsuspecting..</div><div><br /></div><div>Sigh I've learned my lesson now. :(<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So after that, I had to do the necessary. Went home to call the bank one by one.. FOUR in all (yes, i have quite a lot of cards..) And then we went to the nearest police station to lodge a report.. And I have to re-apply for my identity card and driving licence on Monday or Tuesday..<br /><br />Guess I could look at it on the positive side.. At least I wasn't hurt at all.. Cases of snatch theft was just too prevalent.. I know of friends and acquaintances who fell victims to these cowardice criminals.<br /><br />Right now, I'm still feeling heartache losing my iPod Touch (which, well, you can say is replaceable with money) but..... :((<br /><br />So yes, I have learned my lesson -I'll from now on to be extremely careful with my belongings..<br /><br />Arghh!! how I wished it's really just an April Fool's prank!! <br /></div></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-43883954419088795972010-03-23T17:43:00.009+08:002010-03-23T19:15:26.041+08:00So that's what they call serendipity...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(101, 101, 101); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;"><div>Fly me to the moon<br />Let me play among the stars<br />Let me see what spring is like<br />On a-Jupiter and Mars<br />In other words, hold my hand<br />In other words, baby, kiss me<br /><br />Fill my heart with song<br />And let me sing for ever more<br />You are all I long for<br />All I worship and adore<br />In other words, please be true<br />In other words, I love you </div><div><br /></div><div>(Fly Me To The Moon - the 1st song we shared online)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Ok, here it goes.. this is indeed the most personal post i've written.</span></div></span></i></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(101, 101, 101); line-height: 20px; ">It's a weird, wonderful feeling that words could not begin to describe.. I mean, am not the type that share my intimate feelings on my blog but to not share it, is like betraying myself.. and my blog! :p</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">From the first encounter on Facebook (ya, the place i hangout most :p) a month back, it has been surreal how things have developed. No, i had not been looking for someone on the Net, nor even really searching for that someone elsewhere.. But the Almighty works in a mysterious and funny way.. and before we knew it.. it just happened.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">He added me as `friend'. Ok, I've been receiving many friends requests and I tried to add only people I know or at least with some close common ties. I checked out his profile.. we had quite a bit in common and he seemed quite interesting. Didn't know why I dropped him a private message and asked: `do i know you..?' And that was the start of our continuous conversation on line.. from Facebook to G-talk.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(101, 101, 101); line-height: 20px; ">Since then, we have spent hours (which adds up to days and maybe more..) chatting online. It was really really nice talking and also found we have so much in common.. we talked about everything under the sun, from family to food, politics to religion, and other frivolous stuff like sharing songs on youtube. And although we hadn't met physically, a bond has gradually formed and yes.. whether we wanted to admit it or now, the feelings for each other has developed...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; ">But of course, neither of us believe it's possible to have this `relationship' just by chatting online, behind our screens.. the friendship has grown and I think in a way `absence makes the heart grows fonder.. So ya, after my Bali trip (during which there were quite a bit of sms exchanges) we met up for the first time and we enjoyed the company just like we had been online. And we continued chatting online.. and then in the days to come, the realisation of our feelings for each other sank in.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(101, 101, 101); line-height: 20px; ">Lately, I had been dropping `hints' or just a fragment of my happiness on my Facebook status for the last two weeks or so. And yes, they arouse some curiosity.. No, i did not mean to flaunt it, but when the surreal has become reality.. it's not for me to hide it as well. Hey, might as well just come out of the open! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(101, 101, 101); line-height: 20px; ">So on the one month `anniversary' that we met, we took the plunge and changed the relationship status. After all, we `owed it' to Facebook else we won't even have met!? ;) I was quite amused though by the influx of `congratulatory' comments.. but guess friends and relatives are just happy for me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(101, 101, 101); line-height: 20px; ">While it may seems fast.. but I guess it happens when matters of the hearts are concerned. We are no lovestruck teenagers.. and are going into it with our eyes opened. And to me, what is wonderful is that it's not the physical attraction that started it all.. We have talked and shared so much and that we can be very good friends anyways.. And I guess the most beautiful thing about our relationship is that neither of us saw it coming. Some may call it `fate' but I know it's our God brought us together.. And to him, knowing me is his` serendipity' (a word he needed to explain to me) .. he even wrote about it in his blog.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">It is not merely about the warm and fuzzy feeling of falling in love, though that feels wonderful. But I just feel so blessed when I know there's someone whom you can click with so well, share so much with, who cares for you very much, who wants the best of your interests in heart.. and most importantly, likes you and loves you as who you are. Of course we all have our own flaws and weaknesses but I like to think we will encourage each other and bring out the best of each other.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Oh, and he makes me laugh so much.. he's quite a paradox (in a good way), and many things about him amazes me (don't blush now dear if u're reading this! :p) So, ya, I can't deny that I have been feeling on cloud nine for the last one-two weeks. Still am.. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">But of course, we also know life is not a bed of roses, and one has to put in efforts in a relationship. I mean we have only just begun our walk and surely there would be setbacks and challenges along the way. But at the same time, I know that our all-loving God who has given us more than we expect and deserve, would be leading us every step of the journey ahead. And we both also want to put Him first in our lives.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#656565;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Thank you God for your immense blessings :) May our journey together and with You be a beautiful one that glorifies Your name.</span></span></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-49698373834586145232010-03-15T00:40:00.036+08:002010-03-16T18:53:48.560+08:00a sweet solo sojourn..<div style="text-align: left;">When I told people that I was going on a solo-trip to Bali, I generally got two types of responses. They either were very surprise and bewildered that why on earth would I want to travel without any company; or some were happily excited for me and admired my courage for doing so.</div><div><br /><div>Having gone and come back.. I could totally relate to what my friend Alex (who has done this herself) said: it is really liberating and something one should try at least once!</div><div><br /><div><div>So I'm back for five days already but am still in a Bali-state-of-mind... What an experience it was, travelling for the first time on my own to one my favourite places on Earth. And I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Imagine having the liberty to do what you want, go where you wish without having to plan and take into consideration others' preferences.. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>Being alone and being lonely are two different things.. really, how would you feel lonely when you're in the island paradise of beautiful Bali? I certainly didn't!</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50tEHn8ubI/AAAAAAAAEPw/OWURx8QT8OU/s400/06032010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448560672977500594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><div>I've booked my flight as November last year and started searching and booking the accommodations online in January. Everything was set. I even booked a spa session in Ubud at this quaint and reasonably-priced spa.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So what did I do? Quite a lot, and of course the things I wanted to do! ;) Since I've already visited Bali twice (both in 2007) and already been to all the well known temples and tourist attractions, so I could afford to take it easy.. the highlight I would say was eating, shopping, relaxing and just chilling and enjoying the beautiful places.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think it's best to let the photos (a small portion of what i've taken!)tell the story.. </div><div><br /></div><div>I arrived on a sunny Saturday afternoon into Kuta. The hotel I've booked is Febri's at Tuban area - nothing luxurious and has two very nice pools! In fact, I was upgraded to its premium room that has a view of a small pool.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50ZnUfAfiI/AAAAAAAAELA/xK2Cyw2JB08/s1600-h/P1130012.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50ZnUfAfiI/AAAAAAAAELA/xK2Cyw2JB08/s400/P1130012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448539287492525602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50ZoaAT0OI/AAAAAAAAELI/0XSwge2Nx0A/s1600-h/P1130010.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50ZoaAT0OI/AAAAAAAAELI/0XSwge2Nx0A/s400/P1130010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448539306154250466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50eKKLvfNI/AAAAAAAAEMY/nyFOzbPP5XE/s1600-h/P1130008.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50eKKLvfNI/AAAAAAAAEMY/nyFOzbPP5XE/s400/P1130008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448544284069297362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50lzFWub1I/AAAAAAAAEN4/xYeDZaDoTu8/s1600-h/P1130179.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50lzFWub1I/AAAAAAAAEN4/xYeDZaDoTu8/s400/P1130179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448552683729219410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50gJAvV4II/AAAAAAAAENY/GrI-g09dGoM/s1600-h/P1130125.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50gJAvV4II/AAAAAAAAENY/GrI-g09dGoM/s400/P1130125.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448546463377645698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50bjTklq4I/AAAAAAAAEL4/lBaxRZ7L_M8/s1600-h/P1130186.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50bjTklq4I/AAAAAAAAEL4/lBaxRZ7L_M8/s400/P1130186.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448541417551276930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>The only `drawback' was that the weather was way too hot, I mean scorching HOT. So one thing I didn't plan was ending up buying quite a number of light-weight sleeveless dresses since I felt too warm even in my regular tees and peddle-pushers. Drinking a (small) bottle of local Bintang beer is another favourite of beating the heat!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50gG-YqxHI/AAAAAAAAEM4/fLJkIPtFqUI/s1600-h/P1130066.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50gG-YqxHI/AAAAAAAAEM4/fLJkIPtFqUI/s400/P1130066.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448546428385936498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50gHsf_SvI/AAAAAAAAENI/kdukl5fBrUc/s1600-h/P1130080.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50gHsf_SvI/AAAAAAAAENI/kdukl5fBrUc/s400/P1130080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448546440764672754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50l0EnzqZI/AAAAAAAAEOI/QPzORD4zsQs/s1600-h/P1130029.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50l0EnzqZI/AAAAAAAAEOI/QPzORD4zsQs/s400/P1130029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448552700712298898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>Balinese are generally very friendly, and many of them curious. Seeing that I went about by myself, I got asked many times whether I was travelling alone. But I guess they have seen many single female travellers before, so it's not really an abnormality. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50ZpkIppdI/AAAAAAAAELY/agUdG8aFpoQ/s1600-h/P1130121.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50ZpkIppdI/AAAAAAAAELY/agUdG8aFpoQ/s400/P1130121.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448539326053459410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50eJgf5O2I/AAAAAAAAEMQ/SUIvp-04dmU/s400/P1130217.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448544272879532898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div>The main reason I stayed in Kuta was for the sea. Actually I much much prefer Ubud and in hindsight, I should have just stayed in Ubud for the five days.. But since I do love the sea..and did go twice on the beach. I had to walk through the hotel opposite of the road to get to the beach. And on my second visit, got my pedicure and a heel scrub done while lying on the beach chair! ;)</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50gIPyb_FI/AAAAAAAAENQ/ghiolu6toho/s400/P1130211.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448546450237291602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50Zp9KGBfI/AAAAAAAAELg/y7yx0MGA1G0/s400/P1130117.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448539332770399730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50eMs7zbZI/AAAAAAAAEMw/W0qieT4Argk/s400/P1130194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448544327757426066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50eLRyVzSI/AAAAAAAAEMo/B9u3CebPeK0/s400/P1130198.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448544303290109218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In both Kuta and Ubud, although there were taxis, the easiest way to commute was actually on a motorbike, and there were no short of motorbikers who would offer to take tourists on to earn a few bucks. So yes, I hopped on more motorbikes than I did on taxis - as it's much faster and convenient and also could save a few bucks or rupiah! :p</div><div><br /></div><div>My first motorbiker was a girl from a salon/coffee-shop. I was too hot and tired and stopped there for a beer.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50tEZam3mI/AAAAAAAAEP4/c-TvoaG0RA8/s1600-h/P1130094.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50tEZam3mI/AAAAAAAAEP4/c-TvoaG0RA8/s400/P1130094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448560677753380450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50Zokor_FI/AAAAAAAAELQ/RoXiiJc9j_0/s1600-h/P1130099.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50Zokor_FI/AAAAAAAAELQ/RoXiiJc9j_0/s400/P1130099.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448539309007961170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>On the first night, I met up with my friend from KL whose holiday in Bali overlapped with mine. We had dinner at the famous Made Warong and I ordered Nasi Campur/Gado Gado. We also went for a drink at one of the nightspots with live music.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50eKlXP5GI/AAAAAAAAEMg/jPvrfAxT5Gs/s400/P1130040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448544291365315682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50tGJrzVII/AAAAAAAAEQI/EnPT_0z6r24/s400/P1130170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448560707890271362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div>On the second night, I took a cab to Seminyak to catch the famous sunset scene at the famous but overpriced <a href="http://bali.kudeta.net/">Kudeta restaurant/ba</a>r. But stupidly I thought the sun set at about the same time as in Malaysia but in fact it was earlier in Bali. So by the time I reached, it was almost dark. And I just went and took some photos and also talked to some tourists from Australia. Indeed the beach and sunset are lovely there but the place is just too packed!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50gHVEzpoI/AAAAAAAAENA/cLHOMLIxhao/s1600-h/P1130129.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50gHVEzpoI/AAAAAAAAENA/cLHOMLIxhao/s400/P1130129.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448546434476648066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50biEtKJLI/AAAAAAAAELo/3RhBI_jJYw0/s400/P1130133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448541396380820658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50l1M0Zh2I/AAAAAAAAEOY/49235vbYjHA/s400/P1130131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448552720092464994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50biyZf2HI/AAAAAAAAELw/pbd-OAA3WD8/s400/P1130139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448541408646387826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had dinner at a cosy and relaxing restaurant in Seminyak Square - sitting outside in a sofa with nice music. Ordered a dish called Nasi Goreng Gila! :D</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50tExgM5CI/AAAAAAAAEQA/GJkS0p7U-nw/s1600-h/P1130142.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50tExgM5CI/AAAAAAAAEQA/GJkS0p7U-nw/s400/P1130142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448560684219294754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50bknJHoSI/AAAAAAAAEMI/HhO13j8VVQE/s1600-h/P1130146.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50bknJHoSI/AAAAAAAAEMI/HhO13j8VVQE/s400/P1130146.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448541439984640290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div>Really enjoyed myself but after dinner. Was disappointed when I wanted to look at the shops but most of them are closed way too early! So I went back to Kuta and inadvertently got stuck in the commercial areas..</div><div><br /></div><div>My favourite store in Kuta that I discovered.. and ended up buying a few items..</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50bj66h0mI/AAAAAAAAEMA/U96gm2Inl7Q/s400/P1130171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448541428112282210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50l0jVC3pI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/wfz3ipsYzp8/s400/P1130052.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448552708955102866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50tGio2OrI/AAAAAAAAEQQ/EOVI2aCr23s/s400/P1130178.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448560714588764850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, the highlight of my trip would be in Ubud, which I took almost 3x as many photos as I did in Kuta. But I could only select a small faction of it here..</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The road trip to Ubud was interesting, which saw us passing the the arts and craft wholesalers - stone and wood carving, arts and handicrafts. And of course the sceneries of rice fields and other plantations were nice sights..</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50vXJVd17I/AAAAAAAAEQo/cksPqtSH8Bs/s400/P1130239.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448563198877620146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50vWV213PI/AAAAAAAAEQg/UxCqskWh_Lk/s400/P1130232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448563185058962674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50vV3JzSWI/AAAAAAAAEQY/pt10bpVaNS4/s400/P1130228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448563176816986466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was pleasantly surprised by <a href="http://www.purigarden-hotel.com/">Puri Garden Hotel</a>, which cost US$20 less for two nights compared to Febri's. It was totally Balinese in style, small, quaint and charming. There were lots of plants everywhere.. and my room even has a four-poster bed!</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50vYO6zffI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/_lyT5mT83K4/s400/P1130247.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448563217556274674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My room!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50xMHT6UfI/AAAAAAAAERA/AY18N1fu1fU/s400/P1130252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448565208378921458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50xM4mD1GI/AAAAAAAAERI/QMOK3Rqwy7k/s400/P1130255.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448565221608379490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53Jea349BI/AAAAAAAAEaA/_1k8xVXDbAI/s400/P1130504.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448732648635167762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S500ESk-YYI/AAAAAAAAER4/d6YcF4UVfhs/s400/P1130260.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448568372499210626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S500Ft3nWPI/AAAAAAAAESI/3zUv2tzpGXo/s400/P1130262.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448568397005019378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So of course, I went about exploring Ubud.. beginning with a lovely field-side restaurant near my hotel and then discovered the streets were longer and further than I remembered! I walked (and shopped) till dark..</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50xOY4cGjI/AAAAAAAAERY/hVBt_t83xFk/s400/P1130271.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448565247455271474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S50xNaIp3qI/AAAAAAAAERQ/X0EP7vmS8c0/s400/P1130267.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448565230611848866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S503pyFBtjI/AAAAAAAAETQ/NjzvVvfDuHg/s400/P1130296.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448572315145188914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S500C5lZhXI/AAAAAAAAERo/PjLS8GV5sMU/s400/P1130283.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448568348610233714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S500DkFjYHI/AAAAAAAAERw/V5PMW9flpJw/s400/P1130309.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448568360019386482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S500E-Z_XQI/AAAAAAAAESA/9otyG38l_Bs/s400/P1130278.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448568384264297730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S501hy3AqEI/AAAAAAAAESQ/tr5LiQe13T0/s400/P1130291.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448569978892625986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S501kOgU1tI/AAAAAAAAESw/-j1AeYMK218/s400/P1130299.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448570020673410770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S501is-hT3I/AAAAAAAAESY/3Jlby_sboBg/s400/P1130326.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448569994493382514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53Jd8ru9JI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/5WyjZBTPQqk/s400/P1130497.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448732640531117202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Free WiFi was something I looked out for.. ya, somehow it was more fun updating friends back home what I was doing on my holiday in Bali! ;p</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S503oHLJUyI/AAAAAAAAES4/SBEgV8rbxUc/s400/P1130331.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448572286448259874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S503ogACFMI/AAAAAAAAETA/QkGqOixvMuE/s400/P1130348.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448572293112534210" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first night, I had the famous Bebek Bengkil (Dirty Duck). It was raining when I arrived but the restaurant had a very nice ambience.. one of the very few times I dined at a nice place by myself, but it's my solo-holiday! I even ordered a glass of red wine but they brought white wine instead!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S501jDHWnbI/AAAAAAAAESg/93dIRSRGLQU/s1600-h/P1130351.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S501jDHWnbI/AAAAAAAAESg/93dIRSRGLQU/s400/P1130351.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448570000436010418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S501jhQ28SI/AAAAAAAAESo/c_Xq_9gEMJc/s400/P1130357.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448570008528941346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next morning, after breakfast, I set off to see the famous rice terrace at Tegal Lalang.. beautiful!</div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S503qFYOOlI/AAAAAAAAETY/EondWrKefVs/s400/P1130363.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448572320325974610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S503pEkTFOI/AAAAAAAAETI/tcV0jbhdoWw/s400/P1130364.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448572302928319714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S527X17M17I/AAAAAAAAEWg/MtXYlx5q3DE/s400/P1130365.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448717142474938290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S527ZHjTjfI/AAAAAAAAEWw/XHHXYWsPGec/s400/P1130386.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448717164386422258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S527YuJrUaI/AAAAAAAAEWo/c0yfREU_M08/s400/P1130371.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448717157568041378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S527ZneNStI/AAAAAAAAEW4/HPK8OE4kL44/s400/P1130375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448717172954974930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S529nNs9mtI/AAAAAAAAEXg/jYVhJF7_7jw/s400/P1130390.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448719605578963666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S527aOPXkaI/AAAAAAAAEXA/cZDfV3vZgZE/s400/P1130389.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448717183361716642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S529lQICWvI/AAAAAAAAEXI/LuDWyh6i4e8/s400/P1130397.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448719571869653746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S529mAEY2uI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/oHoqX18GtQo/s400/P1130403.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448719584739252962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S529mWUyaiI/AAAAAAAAEXY/QLG4-RXxjI8/s400/P1130405.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448719590713616930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also thronged the famous Ubud market where the stalls are so packed up but full of good bargains..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53AqTyr19I/AAAAAAAAEXw/E4CFHdvHLmU/s1600-h/P1130425.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53AqTyr19I/AAAAAAAAEXw/E4CFHdvHLmU/s400/P1130425.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448722957288069074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S529nkDBpNI/AAAAAAAAEXo/26185eVA5dg/s400/P1130426.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448719611577083090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S529nkDBpNI/AAAAAAAAEXo/26185eVA5dg/s1600-h/P1130426.JPG"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">After 3-days of Indonesian food, I decided to eat something different.. Casa Luna is quite a well known Italian/Western cafe. Lovely pasta and finally, a proper cup of strong caffe! ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53AtRqjF6I/AAAAAAAAEYQ/U_ZMDKcMPiw/s1600-h/P1130442.JPG"><br /></a><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53Assjv1uI/AAAAAAAAEYI/jK3-462HSY4/s400/P1130440.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448722998296041186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53Ar4RfGHI/AAAAAAAAEYA/10DCwdobhxc/s400/P1130435.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448722984260802674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S54G4ovdB_I/AAAAAAAAEeo/FqIDB1bv5LY/s400/P1130438.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448800169243772914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53ArNFHikI/AAAAAAAAEX4/_3TO7CgTPP4/s400/P1130428.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448722972666202690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S54SbXtAefI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/OM5y-9uKtes/s400/P1130666.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448812860593437170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53QtXHpdLI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/JdfW1nz6ZZA/s400/P1130473.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448740601906951346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53DKwaPn-I/AAAAAAAAEY4/IMHFSxGDakQ/s400/P1130469.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448725713749254114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I just had to check out this art gallery/shop that's called the `Owl House' which according to my map, was located at a beaten path off Jalan Bisma - a road flanked by vast padi fields and some quaint villas and cafes..</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53DIQcUyrI/AAAAAAAAEYY/U3HOEHDBwRc/s400/P1130448.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448725670808308402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53DJdmJnVI/AAAAAAAAEYg/XH6YhhDmF1U/s400/P1130449.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448725691519049042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53DKYF7aiI/AAAAAAAAEYw/jonoqNj-nQ4/s400/P1130461.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448725707221592610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53DJ7w3cII/AAAAAAAAEYo/kXar22qddl4/s400/P1130454.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448725699617058946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53FHhR_81I/AAAAAAAAEZI/7pgv7ibsBoY/s400/P1130482.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448727857171788626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53FGoY7VNI/AAAAAAAAEZA/y5M6jnBszuk/s400/P1130479.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448727841900025042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After walking for 10-15 mins or so, I saw the sign!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53DJdmJnVI/AAAAAAAAEYg/XH6YhhDmF1U/s1600-h/P1130449.jpg"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53FIJZ5H2I/AAAAAAAAEZQ/puUgHnJqLXY/s400/P1130486.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448727867942313826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53FIkYlq6I/AAAAAAAAEZY/OInkBDY1_4A/s400/P1130487.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448727875184602018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53FJBiw93I/AAAAAAAAEZg/1Lc5bvHHmts/s400/P1130492.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448727883011913586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: left;">But too bad the artist wasn't there - he was having an exhibition in Japan! And by then my camera had run out of battery.. suffice to say, the little `art shop' was filled with everything owls! and I quite like the water-colour paintings of owls.. But since they do not take credit cards, I didn't have enough rupiah to buy any.. oh well. But i think i will return next time :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After that I found myself in the middle of a huge remote padi field whereby the nearest way back to civilisation was easily 20-30 mins walk... I walked and walked without hardly seeing a single soul.. it looked much longer than the map! Finally a kind young motorcyclist gave me a ride back to the main road.. which was near where <a href="http://www.karmaspaubud.com/">Karma Spa</a> - the spa I've booked - located..</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S54Imod_NlI/AAAAAAAAEe4/OVHmfbeX8Po/s1600-h/09032010(003).jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S54Imod_NlI/AAAAAAAAEe4/OVHmfbeX8Po/s400/09032010(003).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448802058956125778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53JcT0gvFI/AAAAAAAAEZo/xxfjYvrXd40/s400/P1130495.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448732612382211154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53JdAsuV_I/AAAAAAAAEZw/jeadkEGgVb8/s400/P1130496.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448732624429144050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I spent almost four hours in the spa - so timely as my tired body (and mind) was nicely pampered and rejuvenated.. After a warm shower, I had a full body `Java Lulur' scrub, followed by a flower bath. Then a cream bath for my hair and finally a 90-minute Balinese massage.. Ahh.. heavenly, I almost dose off into dreamland..</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wanted to search for somewhere with free Wifi for dinner.. and chanced upon a new restaurant `Cafe Havana' which has a nice ambience and value-for- money food! I was recommended to try the grilled prawns - six large succulent prawns with rice and mango salsa/salad - at only Rup 550,000 - which is around RM20!! Incredible by KL standard.. and they're really fresh and nice too! And of course, it was matched perfectly with ice cold beer.. :p</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style=""><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S54ImTRPaaI/AAAAAAAAEew/DUSGPuKZhXo/s400/P1130498.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448802053265516962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S54FIH_un3I/AAAAAAAAEeY/F-K-lSh_HE8/s400/09032010(008).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448798236308316018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out the door and old-fashion pad-lock they use for some of the rooms in Puri Garden!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53JfWWHYoI/AAAAAAAAEaI/hfCUKcz-xfk/s1600-h/P1130506.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53JfWWHYoI/AAAAAAAAEaI/hfCUKcz-xfk/s400/P1130506.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448732664599634562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I decided to check out the beautiful hotel opposite mine - <a href="http://www.tegalsari-ubud.com/enhanced/index.php">Tegal Sari</a>, which is nestle amidst vast green padi fields. I read of it on the Net and tried booking it online but unfortunately it was already full-booked. I could understand why now.. I was taken on a tour around and I must say it is simply gorgeous and breath-taking..! And compared to other hotels/villas of similar kind, this is really quite affordable!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53QuPCxAYI/AAAAAAAAEaY/Y14_oaecnH0/s400/P1130510.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448740616918860162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53WWCBS1PI/AAAAAAAAEbI/dF6avn4Br0c/s400/P1130539.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448746798175933682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53WXTeCcWI/AAAAAAAAEbY/JGgDtirZXa8/s400/P1130547.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448746820039766370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53WWu9GoiI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/LzWl0V1esEo/s400/P1130546.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448746810237952546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53WVoH8PDI/AAAAAAAAEbA/64VAapcvMe0/s400/P1130538.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448746791224491058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53WUxyzCsI/AAAAAAAAEa4/5TLnJ1LD7Bw/s400/P1130530.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448746776640293570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53Qwb5U0PI/AAAAAAAAEaw/N7mBN2jEh24/s400/P1130520.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448740654728663282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53QvpUMPjI/AAAAAAAAEao/9rQB2qtViSk/s400/P1130525.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448740641151139378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53Qu0ruLAI/AAAAAAAAEag/PLp1aT8Ju2M/s400/P1130523.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448740627022752770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px; " /><div style="text-align: left;">One of the most well known attractions in Ubud is the Monkey Forest reserve.. which I had missed in my last two trips. So this time, I decided I should go in and I must say I really enjoyed myself amidst the tropical rain forest and most of all the many monkeys, and watching their cute and funny antics! Can't believe I took so many photos of them and videos too!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53hc9FfNLI/AAAAAAAAEco/6wN_Fv3LeNI/s400/P1130631.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448759011738334386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53cj0oKUlI/AAAAAAAAEbg/1ezEEa2sFSo/s400/P1130557.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448753632168792658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " />This naughty monkey grabbed my drink!!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53ckllbGsI/AAAAAAAAEbo/Cz0HZQW75Hk/s400/P1130580.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448753645310646978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53ha4-s_OI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/6LUXz43aWlg/s400/P1130629.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448758976276397282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53haPSXZ2I/AAAAAAAAEcI/uHSl4QqfAog/s400/P1130628.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448758965084579682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53cnFbx18I/AAAAAAAAEcA/svklp8my45Y/s400/P1130619.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448753688219867074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53cmhTaImI/AAAAAAAAEb4/7XqhyvUaiw4/s400/P1130560.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448753678521082466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53clZBcpaI/AAAAAAAAEbw/FsnwTfeGe4w/s400/P1130594.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448753659118396834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53hbabOhYI/AAAAAAAAEcY/tCZ1s1Hf1sA/s400/P1130654.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448758985254405506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was too tired to walk all the way up Jln Monkey Forest to the main street so I got on my newly discovered favourite vehicle - motorbike! </div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53hcPhiuAI/AAAAAAAAEcg/xXgF49VWdvE/s400/P1130658.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448758999507974146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And had lunch at the famous Babi Guling Ibu Oka! I actually had not tried babi guling before so I thought I must not missed it this time. It's quite nice but to be honest, I think our `siew yoke' is more tasty! I bumped into a group of tourists from Malaysia.. they were quite surprised I came travelling here on my own..</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53ny-fv8MI/AAAAAAAAEdA/qHj4WWXuh9s/s400/P1130664.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448765987143807170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53nxg_FOsI/AAAAAAAAEc4/3HwOO_jdgbo/s400/P1130663.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448765962042292930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53nwwcQIhI/AAAAAAAAEcw/fBKXokM8HKw/s400/P1130660.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448765949011304978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div style="text-align: left;">Finally in the afternoon, it was time to check out... My luggage was at least 4-5kg heavier.. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53n0YiAwjI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/BvFn6i77C5w/s400/P1130685.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448766011312489010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My last `itinerary': I have requested for the driver to take me to see the <a href="http://www.kupubarong.com/spabyloccitane/">Mango Tree Spa by L'Occitane</a> at Kupubarong. I was mesmerised when I found this spa on the Internet but a look at the prices I decided was better to be a bit more frugal. Nevertheless, I just wanted to see the place... and yes, it was beautiful and truly a class of its own..</div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53xcabdAFI/AAAAAAAAEd4/pF4tpuEpx1c/s400/P1130687.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448776594621268050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53xdhgy64I/AAAAAAAAEeI/xPl3PhhXcmc/s400/P1130701.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448776613702593410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S54SaBqeRwI/AAAAAAAAEfA/a_he08J4LXQ/s400/P1130694.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448812837497358082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S54ScOv-QZI/AAAAAAAAEfY/GW9Rzzy32-I/s400/P1130702.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448812875369824658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S54SakvUc8I/AAAAAAAAEfI/OiwIXG2nrqo/s400/P1130709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448812846912926658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S53xeC1XsEI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/HrOVZlMAbxc/s400/P1130711.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448776622647259202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then again.. it's like a once-in-a-life time experience that I should try out.. And I know, this will not be the last time I visit to Bali. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So would I go on a solo trip again? I guess I don't need to give you the answer.. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12743126.post-46524690058599853792010-02-26T19:06:00.005+08:002010-02-26T20:39:22.320+08:0012-days away!<div style="text-align: left;">No, I'm not going away for vacation for 12 days.. that would be nice. It just happens that my schedule has happened in such a way that three events have fallen back-to-back!</div><br />In early Nov last year, I have already booked my `coming-of-age' first solo-trip to Bali -the beautiful island i've already visited twice and still longed to go again.. I thought early March would be a good date and after trying to get the cheapest available flights, I would be flying off on March 6 morning and back on March 10 night - 4-nites and 5 full days.. And as of early this year, I have been busy surfing and hunting the Internet for suitable accommodations (ie. nicest within my budget) and was quite pleased with the choices..<br /><br />I've digressed.. so why 12 days? It so happened that end of last year, I was contacted by the organiser of the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) to be their show newsletter writer. Actually I was supposed to be part of the team last year but couldn't do it due to my involvement with another project. This time, the working date happened to be March 1-5, ending just the day before my schedule Bali trip! As i really do need extra and fast income, this job is ideal BUT although it' based in KL, we are to be put up in a hotel near by the exhibitions for the whole five days.. I heard we will be staying at the Grand Seasons - which is not bad. :)<br /><br />And then just a few weeks before CNY, i was offered a short-trip assignment by a new magazine I'm contributing to - to Westin Langkawi Resort to review the food and spa. And the date happens to be Feb 27-28 - just one day before my job with MIFF. First i wasn't sure whether I should take it but after meeting with the marketing people and understanding the `light' nature of the assignment - I need to write two short pieces. And I get to enjoy free accommodation, food and spa in a five-star resort. No reasons for turning it down!<br /><br />So I'll be flying off tomorrow tomorrow morning and would get to stay one night, and then another night back home in between the MIFF stint and my Bali holiday! Well.. at least it will be work first, and holiday later.. and I'm really looking forward to my 4-days escapade in Bali.<br /><br />In the mean time tho, I am a bit worried about next Mon to Fri - as I have not done a 9am-5pm (well actually it would end later) for eons!! I would have to get up at 7-something each morning -which is really quite a daunting thing for this owl. My normal sleeping time is from 4am-noon...<br /><br />Oh well... it's good to be out of the comfort zone sometimes.. and after all, I have Bali to look forward to!<br /><br />So I will be packing in and out of suitcases. Just for the sake of frivolity, here are two photos of the suitcases I plan to bring for the 3 `trips' - and it will be in the order of the smallest to the largest.<div> <img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S4e_sjZzh1I/AAAAAAAAEKo/NZehqoMnQ84/s400/P1120672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442529446839158610" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S4e_tfGonGI/AAAAAAAAEKw/7JmK9gCkC0E/s400/P1120675.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442529462864878690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">And here's Jelly trying to get into the photo! :p</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S4e_uAcMxXI/AAAAAAAAEK4/DTrzxgazV1w/s1600-h/P1120673.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TVTeI8gvLa4/S4e_uAcMxXI/AAAAAAAAEK4/DTrzxgazV1w/s400/P1120673.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442529471813698930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div></div></div>jesscethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212448017940388610noreply@blogger.com0