In Loving Memory of July (2004 - 2009)

26th July 2004, is the day when July first joined our family. His exact birthday is unknown, but judging by his size then (less than 1 feet long) he should be about 1 month old. He was a cute and active puppy. I still remember throwing him a ball, and he'll fetch it back to me. However, it was also heavily infested by parasites; ticks and worms. So, we took him to the vet, vaccinate him and bath him with chemicals to get rid of his ticks.

After I left my hometown for my degree in UPM in July, 2005, the time I spent with July is only during semester breaks. When I started working in May, 2008, I only go back to my hometown once every month, most of the time, only for a weekend.

Time flies, it has been almost 6 years since July came. Without realizing it, July had aged. He lost weight. He became less active. Barks less. Eats less. Occasionally, he vomits.

On 21st July 2009, July collapsed. He couldn't even drink on his own. Mom sent him to the vet.

When I was told about this, I became worried. The vet is not optimistic about July's condition.

We were told that July may die. The first thing that crossed my mind was; How can this happen? I was expecting July to live for at least 8 years or so. And I realised that I couldn't even remember when was the last time I actually see July.

I prayed. I prayed that July will survive. I prayed that I'll still see him at least one last time. I wanted to rush back to BP. But I can't. The department is seriously short-handed. I couldn't sleep at night. I was worried that July didn't make it through the night. It was miserable.

On 23rd July 2009, July's blood test reveals that his kidneys had failed. It was then, we know that we have to let him go. As much as I wanted to see him for one last time, the thought of him suffering every second made me just want to end his pain. We agreed to put him to sleep. 1 injections. 2 minutes. And he slept. Forever.

Thanks Kevin, for this picture. It meant alot to me.

I guess my mom definately felt more than me. July was her company when everyone else is away from home.

It is 1 of my greatest regrets that I couldn't be there for him during his last moments. I just hope he felt my guilt for neglecting him all these years, that he still remembers me and the moments we shared. July, I'm sorry.

Even so you might not remember me, but you'll always be remembered. July, thanks for the memories.

What a Proud Moment

It was our graduation day. Looking at my cute and pretty girl friend on the stage, receiving her moment, I must say I felt happy and proud of her.

What a proud moment.

But wait........there's something weird about this picture.Her lips. Okie, let me explain. She was actually on-the-way of saying "Thank you" and it was when she "THA---NK----YU", as she reaches the "U" the camera man snaps. Thats' why the picture portraits the perception of "smooching". But wait again, here's the best part .....

1. Degree receiver.
2. Dean.
3. Vice-Chansellor.
4. Pro-Chansellor.
5. Girl who passes the "thing".

If you realized, NOBODY in this picture had their eyes open. There could only be 2 possibilities,

• the ceremony is so boring, that every fell asleep.
• everyone blinked at the same time.

So, which one is more likely to be the cause of this phenomena?

Nevertheless, the credit goes to the unknown photographer, who manages to capture such a moment. Salute~!

Size 3 Feet

Both me and Jyeying have small feet.Mine, one the right is no.5 (male) and her's on the left no.3 (female).

I always feel that a girl having small feet is cute, adorable and should be something to be proud of. We went shopping for a pair of no.3 covered shoes, and it was then, I realized how agonizing being an out-lier can be.

You see, the average shoe-size for a female Malaysian ranges from 5 - 7. 4 is already considered smaller than usual, whereas 3 is rarely-small.

So, we comb the whole Mid-Valley City (including The Gardens) for a pair of no.3 covered shoes.

The smallest size most shop has is no.5, some do have no.4, and none has no.3. Can you believe it? Such a discrimination for people with small feet.

By 7 p.m, we gave up and head back to Serdang, but not without trying our luck at The Mines first. We went into a shop, and the kind sales-lady brought out all the no.3 size covered shoes they have in the store. You can't imagine how touched we were.

Even at size 3, it was still to loose for Jyeying.

So, we requested the boss to add 2 paddings.
2 paddings added.

At least, we got it by the end of the day. Anyone knows where we can get size 3 shoes easily in Malaysia?

Bon Odori 2008

"The Bon Festival is a Japanese Buddhist custom which is held annually to honour the deceased spirits of one's ancestors. It is meant to be a joyful celebration, bringing families together, and celebrating rather than mourning the lives of the dearly departed.The Bon Odori Festival has been a fixture here in Malaysia for the last 30 odd years, and is more a festival of Japanese culture, with Japanese dances - including the traditional Bon Odori, danced specially for this occassion - music, food and lots more, presented throughout the evening."

Venue :
Matsushita Stadium, Shah AlamPanasonic Sports Complex (formerly Matsushita Centre)Lot 4, Persiaran Perkilangan, Seksyen 21Shah Alam,Selangor

Date & Time :
Sat 12 Jul 2008 (7pm onwards)

Tickets :
Free Admission

Have a taste of Japanese Culture;

• Music & Dancing
• Food & Delicacies
• Taiko Drum Performance
• Traditional Costumes & Dressing

-Source:undisclosed

Alright, that's some information about this annual event for publisity purpose. This year, I joined this event with my coursemates.It was still early when we reached there..

It was very thoughtful of the organizing committee as they prepared sufficient number of toilets to avoid long queqes.

Not only that, you'll get to choose whether you want to ...

Sit, or...

...squat when you do your business. I absolutely love this part of the event. Hehe..

And for smokers, even a smoking area was allocated. Havent seen this in any other events before.

So, "Food and Delicacies" huh? You bet. You'll see stalls selling Japanese food here. The problem is, they are all obviously catered from Sushi King, Isetan and Jusco. I don't see any point why I should come here to experience Japanese food and delicacies. Sushi King, Isetan and Jusco can be seen all over Selangor.

Luckily, there are still some freebies and cheap snacks.

About "Traditional Costumes and Dressings", - Yes. Little children like these will be the celebrities of the night. People will be hording around them to snap photos of them in their cute traditional outfits.

And at 7.05pm, (5 minutes behind the schedule time), the event started with the less than 2 minute "Taiko Drum Performance". Only 5 minutes late - consider very punctual already in Malaysia.As for "Music and Dancing" it was really traditional, easy-to-follow, simple and slow dance steps. Very effective for de-stressing.Apparently, it was much better last year. We left Bon O-Boring before 9p.m. Not a bad experience, but once is enough.

LRT (Leak Rail Transit)

It was one of the rainy evenings. There was a heavy pour in the afternoon, it was still drizzling as I walk my way to the LRT station after work. Stepping into the train, I was surprised.Amazingly, I discovered that our trains are not water proof.
Just a pour and it leaks, all over the train.

Petrol Price Hike

It was on the 4th of June 2008, when the increase of petrol by 78cents and diesel by RM1 is announced by our prime minister, with immediate effect by 12am of the following day.

As expected, let it be long or short term, the impact is dramatic. I rush to the petrol kiosk, which is right outside the condoninium that I'm staying at Jalan San Peng, right after work. Took me about 20minutes to queqe up before toping up the remaining half-empty tank of my car. Could have been a 5-minute task during normal days. Anyway, I was lucky enough.

From the 16th floor, I had a clear view of the petrol kiosk. Throughout the night, horns of desperation can be heard. It was annoying.

Well, the cause is obvious. The queqe was getting longer.....

And longer....and all the way down Jalan San Peng.....wow....poor people.

Luckily the madness only last til midnight.

My First Summon on the Highway

I was one of those, who never care about the traffic speed limit on the highway.

Ya, I know, 140km/h is not any record setting speed, but it is way over the speed limit on the highway.

Well, it is not that I'm a bad driver, who never abide by the traffic rules....but.....it is so hard...so hard to keep the speed under 110km/h when...

.....the road is so empty....it is so tempting to accelerate.

So, on 11th November 2007 (2 days after Deepavali, apparently Ops. Sikap is still in operation). I kena. It was the first time I got a speeding ticket on the highway.

I was on the 178th kilometer of the North-South Expressway at 122km/h when the camera caught me.

So, at Jasin. there was a road block, and after looking at a gadget on his hand, the officer "mempersilakan" me to the left lane, where other officers were issuing tickets to many other cars. Then an officer came towards my car. Telling me about my offence in a polite-manner. Fair enough, I speed and I got a ticket. I'll be more careful next time, at least on the 178th kilometer of the North-South Expressway.

Cats

Over the years, I've been bumping into cats. Sometimes they gave me very funny or cute poses. Hence, I would take any chance available to capture some weird/interesting pictures of cats.

Some cats are really cute.

Some cats try to get attention.

Cats can also fall in love.And even pose nicely before they sleep.


Cats sure can be really "desperate".
Now here's a close up of what they are trying to do.

Just in case you are cursing me for taking R-rated photos of them without their knowledge, YOU ARE WRONG!!

They are absolutely aware of it;

Cat on the top "Yeah,yeah, I'm naked and I'm nailing her.So what?Take my picture~?!Take la..take la...I don't care.I need to!".

Cat on the bottom:"Please save me. He's raping me.Please~!!Help~!!!".

Then, he "enters" her.

Very soon, you'll see kittens fighting for milk around a corner in the neighbourhood.

Now, how about another story on dogs?

Haha~

[p/s:No animals are harm in the making of this entry. All animals involve posed on their own free will without being forced and fully aware of being photographed. ]

Work and Travel USA'07 (4th of July)

4th of July is the Independence Day for the Americans. At the town Newburgh, they celebrate this event by having carnivals and fireworks display. We are fortunate enough to be able to join in the celebration as Mr. and Mrs. Kopaskie were kind enough to invite us along to watch the fireworks.

A huge crowd waiting for the fireworks display to begin.

It was pretty much like how we celebrate our "Hari Merdeka" back in Malaysia. And of course, traffic jams, food stalls, crowds of people and noises will be part of it.

There are also huge air inflated slides. Poh Ching, with a cotton candy.

Me and Mr. and Mrs. John Kopaskie.

All of their 3 sons are voluntary firemen of Newburgh, so was Mr. John Kopaskie when he was young. Why? Because Mr. John Kopaskie's father was one of the founders of this Fire Rescue team.

As the sky grew darker, people are getting more excited.

And finally, the fireworks display.

Poh Piah Per

It was one of the times where I help my mum run an errand. I was told to buy poh piah per (skin of pohpiah). Usually, I can get them at a small poh piah stall near a street. However, it was a bit different this time because it was still very early in the morning, and the stall is yet to be ready. So, the only other place that I can to get the poh piah per is a house of the poh piah per makers. And so, I was there.

It was an old wooden house. At the house of the poh piah per makers, of course there will be a high possibility for me to witness the process of making poh piah per.

Actually; I was expecting to see something like this:Thank to my sis for posing for this pic~hehe~

But what I saw was this;
I wouldn’t say that I was shocked, but I was rather surprised and amused. After all these years of eating poh piah I never ponder on how its skin was made. It was that day that I finally know the actual way of making poh piah per. I know I’m Suah Ku (means mountain tortoise in hokkien, used to describe someone who has little exposure), however, I’m sure that many of those around my age or younger never know it as well.

And so I observed the old lady completing several rounds of the whole process.

First, she sticks the whole bundle of flour and spins it on the hot metal surface.
Then, she pulls the bundle of flour, leaving behind a thin layer of flour on the hot metal surface.
And after that, with her other hand, she skillfully peals the thin layer of flour off the hot metal surface.
And there you have it, the poh piah per, at the price of 80cents per 100g.