Chapter : Weigh Gain

"One fine day"(using it as an expression here), I told the boyfriend,

“I have put on weight!”

“Mmm?” was his reply because he has heard it from me so many times. 

“Let’s go weight ourselves!” I said

“Okay...” he agreed and brought me the weighing scales.

I weighed myself and this was my face. 

I'll admit, I'm a vain person.

I have put on 5kgs. I’m now officially 53kgs (yes, I'm not shy in revealing my weight). The boyfriend then weighs himself and he too has found out that he put on 5kgs. The sign of happiness, you will gain weight.

I told him that I want to lose some and toned up my little flabby tummy and thighs...he said, “Simple, exercise! Come, go jogging!”

Ah, it’s simple for him to say because he was into the health thing where he was lifting weights, doing push-ups and sit-ups waaaay before we got together.  I was jogging before with him because I wanted to look good for my sister’s wedding...then when the boyfriend got into an accident, we stopped...

Then now I feel flabby...and also that my clothes are getting tight! Not a good sign because I will have to spend more to buy clothes to FIT me instead. In my head I have decided, “LET’S LOSE SOME WEIGHT AND TONE UP!” but my body is like, “NOOOO, LET’S JUST ROLL IN BED AND BECOME A HOUSE CAT AND EAT LOADS OF CAKE!”

So now I’ll try my best to keep a track of my hopefully it will come to reality health and weigh diet thingy tracker...wish me luck!

Dear self, please be more discipline!

Chapter : An Entry for Memory

Today was a pretty eventful day for me. Originally the boyfriend and I planned to head down to town to try this restaurant that serves Japanese shabu-shabu. I’m a huge fan for Japanese cuisine so I managed to pester the boyfriend to take a drive down to town. Unfortunately, as the day approached  for our lovely date, we found out that there would be some rally going on in town and was advised by parents and friends not to head down unless we’re willing to face the jam. 

So our plans were changed, so the boyfriend called me yesterday (since I’m typing this on a Sunday morning) asking whether  I wanted to watch the most awaited movie, The Avengers. Of course I said yes because all my friends have already watched it and I was eagerly waiting for the hype to die down so I could get decent seats in the cinema just to watch the movie. 

After the boyfriend told me that he bought the tickets, he also told me that his mom was waiting for me to come over so she could cook for me my favourite dish, pan mee. I immediately got ready and asked him to pick me up because I have been craving for that dish for some time. After he picked me up, we had a really late lunch; we headed to the mall to catch our movie. 

We were watching our movie at this cinema called MBO located in Kepong. The cinema is alright, though the movie itself had two subtitles, one was in Malay and the other in Chinese...kind of spoilt the entire visual of the movie, that’s what I felt. Anyway, the movie was awesome. I enjoyed every single part of it! But watching in the cinema was quite an experienced I would say...there was this guy sitting next to me, half way watching the movie, he had the time to go on Facebook on his phone, there was someone coughing his heart out and at times could hear some uncle talking really loudly to someone. 

After the movie, I pestered the boyfriend to bring me to One Utama because I wanted to eat at BBQ Plaza, also wanted the boyfriend to try out that place too. We actually planned to eat there for quite some time but every time when we wanted to, somehow we would forget or have other plans instead. At first after our meal, I wanted to do some shopping but the boyfriend was tired so we decided to head back to his house to watch some shows.  When we’re about to head back to his place, I asked whether I could drive his car because he never lets me. It took me a lot of pleading to get him to agree to let me drive his car. 

We hung around at his place watching Korra the Last Airbender (or was it Next?), I have no idea.  Then we watched some anime because I wanted too...can’t take out the otaku in me. Basically I felt like I was a princess for a day. The boyfriend even allowed me to drive back to my place! I never felt so privileged in my life. 

To sum it up, today...

• Watched the Avengers movie
• Ate at BBQ Plaza after countless times of promising that would go there
• The boyfriend allowed me to drive his previous car
• Watched all the shows that I wanted
• Being treated like a little princess because I get to do almost everything that I wanted.

Thank you to the lovely boyfriend was bringing me out today. Now we shall plan another date to town to eat at the other restaurant that I wanted!

Chapter : Getting Back in Shape...Attempt 1

So I have decided to start jogging again...after months of lazing away in the bedroom, reading my books or stealing my mom’s iPad to play (occasionally) I realized that I’m getting way too unhealthy. Been eating slightly more than usual, been sleeping a lot and also feeling that my clothes are getting tighter. If you are still thinking, “Seriously?  Jessie you’re skinny!” I beg to differ, as I have a slightly longish looking body, I tend to look slimmer to others. The wonders of fashion, they manage to help you hide your unwanted spots and utilize your lovely spots. 

But to be honest, the only parts that I’m putting on some weight are around my pooch, my bums and my thighs. Well, actually a little bit on my bum is good because my mom and sister keep saying that I have an ugly bum because it’s flat. So I guess a little bit of fats there is good to make my bum looks fuller, I suppose. 

Anyway, back to my little effort to take up jogging again. I failed terribly. I couldn’t even jog for a full two minutes! I walked most of the time, before it started to rain. But mostly I forced myself to jog at least a minute to make myself feel better but eventually I gave up because the pain at the right side of my body is causing me to limp my way across to achieve my one minute goal. Maybe I should start walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift. Problem is that at my office it’s up on the 11^th floor and at my house is up on the 13^th floor. So if I climb up these floors every single day, I might be able to build up my stamina again! I think I rather climb up all the floors than jogging for two minutes.

Basically I’m following a routine that was recommended by the boyfriend. Apparently it’s for couch potatoes who decides to become a marathon runner so it will train you slowly to build up your stamina and eventually you’ll be able to run a FULL half an hour run (possibly run a FULL marathon in the near future).  After giving up on my epic fail jogging effort, I decided to do some sit-ups at home! Finally manage to locate my dad’s missing yoga mat, I lay it on the floor and did a few sit-ups. I manage to do a good twenty sit-ups before lying flat on the floor counting my life away. 

Then out of curiosity, I decided to look up planking. Everyone seems to be doing it, and as silly as it may be, I thought it was a pretty simple to achieve. Boy, what a fool I’ve been. Maybe because I keep seeing people planking all over the town for a joke, I assumed it was a simple thing to do but planking for fun and planking exercise are TWO different things. Seriously, trying to stay still for a GOOD 20 seconds is pure torture for me. Plus, I wasn’t sure I was doing it right, but judging from my shaky elbows trying to maintain my weight above ground wasn’t an easy feat. After doing it 3 times, I fell towards the floor welcoming the feeling of my entire body against it. 

Yes, that's how I look like planking for the first time.

I should start doing small exercises to build up my stamina again before going off to do something greater. Seeing my parents healthier than I am makes me feel defeated. My parents walk up the hill every day and my mom occasionally swims on Saturdays and the only rest day is Sunday. I on the other hand, roll on bed from Monday to Sunday and occasionally leaving the fort for errands, dinners and parties. I must be a cat in past life. That’s my theory.

Chapter : The Bug.

I have been sick far too long. I was sick towards the end of February, and then I fell sick again on Thursday last week which dragged on till today. I have been popping pills as though I was a certified drug addict. It’s not good.

Popping pills as though it's candies.

My antibiotics have already gone and I’m still not well yet. I went to work today but I asked to leave early because I couldn’t breathe properly in the office due to the fact it was dusty and I was almost literally coughing a lung out and I was wearing a MASK to the office too!

Yes, I took an extra effort to wear  a  MASK to work.

Maybe I should see the doctor tomorrow to ask for another day of MC just in case because I want to be in a perfect health condition to complete all the tasks that is going to come my way. Need another day to recuperate my health and body condition. Resting so far is the only way for me to regain back my health somehow.

My nose is still block and I feel pathetic that I can’t eat my usual spicy food nor drink my favourite coffee or tea because of the medication that I’m taking. I managed to finish a box of tissues just from my flu alone and at night if I’m lucky I would be able to get a good night’s rest, but mostly I’m unlucky because I’m always coughing my lungs out and it disrupts my sleep. 

If only I looked this cute when I was blowing my nose off my face!

Good health, where art thou? I missed you so. A good night’s rest and the feeling of being able to eat and drink anything under the sun is what I have longed for. 

On the other hand, the boyfriend is doing well after his surgery, but he got infected by the sick bug because of me and now currently recuperating to recover from the sore throat and cough bug. I saw his x-ray after his surgery where they implanted some metal plate and screws which gives a little twinge in my heart because it reminded me of the accident that he had not too long ago that lead to the metal plate implant. 

Till then, take good care of your health and make sure that you don’t become a victim of the crazy bug which I seem to have inherited for the past few days.

Chapter : The Boyfriend's "House Arrest"

Last month the boyfriend fell off his bike. The moment I received the news from him, I couldn’t pay attention at work because I was so worried. I quickly rushed to his house after work and found out that he fractured his collar bone. The poor guy has his dominant arm in a sling and his knee has a huge scab there – really grossed me out though.

During the first week, I was at his place helping him clean and dress his wounds, wipe him because he can’t bathe. He can’t go out because it hurts too much so basically he was like having a “house arrest” for a month. He couldn’t sleep on his bed because when he gets up, it hurts the shit of him so he had to sleep on the chair. It’s unfortunate for him because he couldn’t get a good night’s sleep because 

1. His arm is in a sling.
2. He can’t move that much.
3. He gets a sore back just staying in one spot. 

 Then one fine day, he told me that he was going to the hospital for a check up (well, more like a second opinion) and found out that his collar bone was actually broken into three parts (not a tiny fracture) and now have to go for surgery to put in a metal plate into his collar bone. Well, he said that he don’t need the surgery but will have to have his arm in a sling for the next one to two months and it might affect some flexibility on his right arm. So he decided to go for the surgery instead to make life easier because I can see that it’s a lot of hassle for him to do things which just one arm. Anyway, knowing that he has to go for the surgery soon, I told the boyfriend that this is his first process of becoming Robocop and now he can deflect bullets with his collar bone!

But I wouldn't want him to be the exact real thing...Hard to hug.

Hopefully after the surgery it will heal properly, so he can use both of his arms again and also for him to be able to get a GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP! It’s so pitiful seeing him in his chair and getting dark circles from lack of sleep. Maybe I should bring him for a massage after he has healed properly and I too can get one for myself too! Double win!

Chapter : Valetine's Day 2012

A little late night post before I head to bed. Happy Belated Valentine’s Day everyone! This year, my Valentine’s Day was spent not only with the boyfriend but with two of our very close friends too. At first I didn’t want to make any plans because I was afraid that there would be some last minute work which I did have and thankfully I managed to complete it and rush off. 

The boyfriend and I were waiting for the J couple because James had work and only ends at 8pm so we just surf the net while waiting for them. After they arrive, we head off to look for food because knowing that everywhere would be packed with people, so we agreed to just sit wherever as long there’s food. We ended up at Sidz Pub in Bukit Damansara and we sat there for a while having our dinner before we left hunting for dessert. Though truth to be told, our dessert wasn’t dessert...we ended up in Mont Kiara for Chatime instead. 

We just sat for a while, talking and then we decided to leave. The J couple, James and Joanna have classes tomorrow while the boyfriend and I have work. But I have to wake up extra early to head to the bank with my mom. This year for the first time, the boyfriend gave me a rose! I was actually pretty surprise because in my head I thought some girl gave him the rose and then he decided to just pass it to me instead...I know, my mind works in some weird way.

Thank you to the boyfriend was the lovely dinner and flower, though I think it will die off later because I do not know how to maintain it...Happy Belated Valentine’s Day everyone, hope that you had a wonderful celebration. To me, it was way better than last year because I get to spend it with the boyfriend and close friends instead in the office working.

The lovely rose that the boyfriend gave to me.

Chapter : Call Me Ahmad.

So my sister is getting married this Saturday and there are loads of things needed to be done. I took leave from work since Tuesday and only will be returning work on Wednesday, the 17th. Basically I’m her “driver” for the entire week till the wedding day itself. I brought her to do her make-up trial, pick her Australian friends up from the airport and brought them sight-seeing; send them back to the hotel, run some errands for my mom and many more. 

Attended my sister’s registration and have to wake up at 5 in the morning to get ready because my sister and I are sharing the room and there’s only one bathroom for us to share. My house is currently being occupied by my grandmother and godparents, they are here to help up with all the preparations that’s needed for the wedding.

Soon my entire relatives including nephews and nieces will be arriving and the entire house will be filled with noise and laughter. Once the wedding is over, the house will be quiet once again and my sister will officially “move” out of the house to stay with her husband. For the first time in years my sister will be able to celebrate Chinese New Year with the entire family though my dad and my youngest brother will be leaving to Australia on the 3rd day of Chinese New Year because my youngest brother will be studying there.

Then my sister and my other brother only be leaving on the 4th day of Chinese New Year and the house will only have my mom and I. It will be tough for my mom to endure the “loneliness” for a few months because she’s used to have my youngest brother around accompanying her everywhere. Hopefully my mom will finally find some hobbies to keep her occupied while I’m at work or meeting up with some friends and the boyfriend once in a while.

Till then, I will write a new post, probably slightly more detailed about the things that happened during the week of preparation to the wedding day itself. 

Who knew that there are so many things needed to be done? My dad said that it’s better to elope than to do all these preparations. He told me, “Ting, the next time when you want to get married, just elope. I will even provide the money for you. Less troublesome and I will save more!” You know, I actually thought it was a pretty decent idea, but would love to wear a wedding dress at least if I’m eloping or something. Just kidding, I will never elope..............right?

Chapter : Cooking Together for The First Time.

Yesterday was an interesting day for me because it was the first time the boyfriend and I decided to cook something together. The recipe of the day was Curry Chicken Katsu. The boyfriend prepared the Chicken Katsu while I cooked the Japanese Curry. Well, mine was an easy task to achieve whereas the boyfriend had quite a bit of steps to do...

His mom and aunt were curious to see what we were up too because according to his mom, the boyfriend rarely cooks so it was a surprise for her to see him on his own account, to go all out to prepare something and cook. He look like a little boy learning how to prepare his own meal, it was really a sight to see. Wished I could record it because he was asking his mom what to do or how to make it better that sort of thing. It was really a sight to see. 

I was watching the boyfriend marinating the chicken with pepper, salt and flour then covering it with beaten eggs and covering it with breadcrumbs then watching him frying it. He looked so serious with the task he was doing. He took the harder task from me whereas I just have to peel the potatoes and carrots and cut the onions. Then boil the potatoes and carrots until they are soft before frying them together in the pan with the onions. After frying them, then only I add water for it to boil before dunking in the instant Japanese curry paste into the broth. The only mistake I did was accidentally putting the corn starch straight into the mixture before diluting it with water. 

Everything turned out alright thought the boyfriend said that he wasn’t happy with his Chicken Katsu and hopefully next time he can make it better. Well, after all, there’s always a first time for everything. At least we can learn from our mistake and hope that we can make it better. But it was a lovely experience to cook something with the boyfriend and in hopes that we will try something else again together.

The only picture of our final masterpiece is with the boyfriend’s phone. See whether I can get the picture from him and post it up here. 

UPDATE!

The boyfriend gave me the picture of our "masterpiece". 

Chapter : Christmas 2011

This year my Christmas was pretty...mundane. On Christmas eve, I spent my morning eating Bak Kut Teh with the family, then followed them to Subang Parade to do some shopping for my youngest brother because he’s running out of PROPER clothes. After that was a simple dinner and we went home afterwards. Then on Christmas day itself, went to church in the morning, my aunt, cousin and her husband dropped by for a visit and then we went for dinner afterwards. It was such a boring celebration for both days. Didn’t get to go to Shaun’s party after that too because it was too late so I just stayed at home and watched my Japanese dramas like a hopeless nerd. But it’s good to spend dinner with my family once in a while...I guess. 

Other than that, I got lovely Christmas presents this year, though it may not be many but its lovely nevertheless. I got a handmade item from Joey and surprisingly enough a pair of earrings from the boyfriend but it isn’t your typical ten bucks pair of earrings from any typical store but it’s from a PROPER jewelery store! Like a store that sold real gold and silvers! I was so shocked that when I received it from the boyfriend...he’s always doing things like this. 

First he will play mind tricks on you saying he will get pepper spray, steering lock or some funny items that would make you think that it would be useful but not suitable for a gift to someone. Then he will continue it for a while and it would stick inside your head thinking that he will be getting it for you. Then when the day comes he will say, “I got something for you! It’s small and cute.” And since it’s already planted in your head you automatically say, “It is pepper spray??” and he would laugh and replied, “No, I didn’t. Just wait, it’s a surprise!” Then you will start deducting what is small and cute that is sold which you would like. Then curiousity takes you over and you start to pester him what he actually bought for you but deep down you feel as though he really DID get pepper spray as a gift.

Then when you meet him you continued to pester him asking whether he got you pepper spray or a pen drive...then when he finally gave you the present and when you opened it you will be totally mind blown. Yes, that really did happen to me. I was mind blown...it’s the first time that a boyfriend gave me REAL jewelery...I mean I have received some fake earrings here and there but REAL jewelery? He’s the first. Now I feel bad for getting him a t-shirt. How in the world can I top REAL JEWELERY? I really should start planting a money tree so I could get him some mind blowing gift in the future. 

But sadly though, when he got me the present my ear-holes have closed up so I have to pierce them again. Just to wear the EARRINGS he got for me! Thank you for the lovely present my dear! I really didn’t expect that you would get me something so extravagant! And to Joey, even though you are so tight on money you still gave me an adorable Christmas gift, I love it SO MUCH! Thank you! 

Well, I hope that during the coming week I would be able to celebrate an early New Year’s Eve celebration because I wouldn’t be around on the eve of the New Year as I’m heading back to my hometown for some prayers for my late grandfather. 

Till then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Chapter : Celebration!!

This past few weeks was crazy for me. There were so many birthday celebrations and the amount of cakes I have consumed; I think I’m at the borderline to have diabetes!

30th June, my colleague’s birthday, so we had “Death by Chocolate” cake and I really died from overly dosage of chocolate. Then during dinner with Stephanie and Chuong, we had a small piece of cheesecake.

1st July, my youngest brother birthday, so we too had another cake, some mango sponge cake thing. 

4th July, another colleague’s birthday (her real birthday was on the 1st though) and they too bought another chocolate cake. 

Then I took a small break from all the cakes...just a tiny one...

Then today...I mean yesterday, 12th July, the boyfriend’s birthday. His best friend baked a cake for him and that was chocolate too! It was so rich and thick, I felt as though I was really a huge bar of chocolate! Quite delicious I must say!

Anyway, reason for this post is to wrap up what happened on the boyfriend’s birthday.Luckily his birthday fell on the day where we normally meet up with the Rock Band group to play board games. So it was a perfect occasion to call everyone for dinner and celebrate!

The boyfriend knew there was dinner but he didn’t know that there would be cake and a little surprise waiting for him. Well, he told me later he suspected something was going on though...because everyone just kept disappearing!

So as usual, we have our dinner and catching up with everyone, then once everyone was done, Farah (his best friend who baked the cake) brought the cake out. Tried distracting him while she prepared the cake but doing a very bad job at it because the boyfriend said he could tell I was trying to make conversation. Damn social skills, why you fail me at the wrong time?

After we sang Happy Birthday to him, we gave him a troll card which I thought up. Remember Terry Crews from White Chicks? If you can remember the portrait of him in the movie, well that was at the front and everyone just signed behind it. If you can’t, look at the picture below...

I know I'm sexy!

 

So imagine, when you turn over the card and see that face, what would your expression be? The boyfriend laughed. How the idea came about? The boyfriend was joking with me one day saying that he would love to have a poster of him so he could stick it in his room. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a high resolution of the picture so I asked a friend to print out an A4 size of it and turned it into a card.

Tony Roma’s actually gave the boyfriend a birthday cake to celebrate and we sang Happy Birthday to him again. It was funny! Overall, I hope the boyfriend enjoyed his birthday and the card. I wonder where he would put it. Imagine if he put it up in his room, what would his brother or his parents say? 

That would be hilarious.

To the birthday boyfriend, Happy Birthday once again! I mean...belated Birthday. Love ya!

Chapter : Cheesecake Success!

Yesterday was my mom’s birthday so I decided to do something really out from the blue. I have decided to bake a cake for her birthday. Well, you see, I’m not kind of person who can cook or bake...so this is a big accomplishment for me.

The day before her birthday, I went over to my godmother’s house to bake the cake and also needed her guidance to help me complete the actual cake itself. So straight after work, I rushed to her house and after I ate dinner which she prepared, we started baking the cake!

To cut story short, I managed to complete a basic cheesecake with Oreo as its base. Little did I know that hiding the cake from my own mom is the simplest thing to achieve! Just move some jars and used them to cover the cake and it’s done! 

My dad brought us to some Chinese restaurant for dinner and then I was really excited to go home and prepare the cake. I gave a candle for my mom to blow out because if I put her actual age, she will probably scold me...but the expression on my mom’s face was classic. 

It’s because whenever it comes to celebrating my parent’s birthday, they never had their own candle to blow out or cake to cut into so I decided a small change for once. So my mom gets to experienced cake cutting and making the wish process. 

Mom said the cake wasn’t bad and I brought some for the boyfriend and his family to try and they liked it. It makes me happy to see people liking what I cooked for them...or maybe they are just being nice. I don’t know. 

Maybe I will try something else another day. Should I bake one for the boyfriend? Hopefully he will tell me what cake he really likes...I still have yet to make Japanese curry for him too...good Lord, I’m cooking and baking. Who am I?

Chapter : First Blood Donation

Few days ago, there was a blood donation drive happening just nearby my office. Then I have decided to donate some of my blood for the very first time. Well, I always wanted to donate some blood but before this I was always underweight. But now since I’m in the normal weight zone, I’m able to do so.

I went to the donation drive with two of my colleague, C and CY. Unfortunately, CY was under some Chinese medicine to treat his long time injury so he was not suitable to donate some blood. C on the other hand, her blood lack iron and she was the one who initiated to donate some blood. So C and CY had no choice but to keep my company while I wait for my turn to be poked by the needle...

Once it was my turn, the nurse injected some pain killer thing to numb my entire hand or veins before planting the huge ass needle with the bag...I have no idea what is it called. Then she passed me some PVC pipe (she said it wasn’t but it really looked like one) and asked me to keep on pressing it. While filling up the bag, I was talking to my colleague and laughing at the same time. C kept on joking, “Jessie! Hurry up! Pump faster!!! I got work to do!” So I did. 

Within minutes I filled up the bag and was done. The guy next to me was shocked that I filled up the bag so fast. After the nurse pulled out the needle, she asked me to rest for ten minutes before standing up or do anything. So I sat there watching my blood bag being packed properly by some other male nurses who were watching some Youtube videos. After ten minutes, I was asked to eat something in the next room but instead I chose to drink hot Milo.

It was a great experience for me and I wouldn’t mind donating blood again. The arm that was used to donate blood currently has some bruises which looked as though I’m some drug addict...but I'm so proud of myself!

When is the next blood donation drive?

Chapter : Livin' in Borderlands!

Guess what am I doing these days? Apart from working and occasionally meeting up with friends...the boyfriend and I are playing Borderlands! I would be hanging out at his place just to place this game. We’re going on missions and shooting weird ass monsters and ugly bandits that gives me the creeps when looking at them up close. I guess normal couples go on dates at shopping malls...my boyfriend and I have our “date” in Borderlands! I’m happy that I get to share my little nerdy and geeky side with someone. 

That game is pretty addictive and I remember pestering the boyfriend that I want to go over to his place to play it...it’s so much fun! We could go on for hours playing it and occasionally stopping to eat or to have potty breaks. I wonder whether we’re going to try another co-op type game again after we complete this one. I will let the boyfriend decide because he’s way much more experienced in these kinds of games.

Good Friday and Easter are this week. Happy Easter everyone!

Chapter : First Trip On My Own!

For the first time ever, I actually went for a trip with friends and also using my own money to pay for it. I had fun. I have wanted to go for a vacation for the longest time and luckily enough, my wish came true and best of all, it was at the beach!

Unfortunately, due to the recent natural disaster events in Japan, the weather has been crazy. Wasn’t much sun at the beach area...gloomy and the waves were so choppy that the boyfriend got sea sick on the way to the resort. He was looking a little green by the time he reached the resort though. I too was a little sea sick because the boat ride was so rocky...but I managed to hold all my puke in...

After resting for a while, the boyfriend and I head to the beach! Swam in the ocean, though I was told that the ocean was clearer years ago...but nevertheless still enjoyed myself playing in the waters. The waves were pretty big and strong and I lost count the number of times I was thrown off balance by the waves. 

I also went snorkelling for the first time, and the boyfriend was being really cheeky by throwing pieces of bread around me causing me to freak out because suddenly there were a lot of fishes swimming around me. Luckily the current was as strong that I imagined it would be...I managed to see the moray eel (which I was actually terrified to get close too...), garupa and the Christmas trees! I wouldn’t mind going snorkelling again.

The travel back felt really long because most of the time I was on the bus and on the boat. I felt really tired and sluggish by the time I reached home.

I wish I could go for another vacation again...but need to look for a time and save up enough money if I do ever want to have another get away again.

Chapter : The Generation Gap

Last Sunday, I joined the family for dinner. While deciding what to eat, the dad decided to start the conversation in the car...

Dad: So how’s your new Mac in the office?

Me: Not too bad...still getting used to it...

Dad: Okay...what is that word, “noob” you put on your Skype?

Before I could answered it, the youngest brother B, decided to do it for me with a lot of confidence too...

Brother B: IT MEANS NEWBIE!!

Dad: How is newbie related to NOOB?

Brother B: NEWBIE MEANS BEGINNER!!

Then Brother A, the older one said, "Daddy asked HOW it is related. Not what does newbie mean."

Brother B looked at brother A with a clueless expression.

Dad asked again, "How is newbie related to noob?"

I said, "It’s just computer language. A gaming term."

Dad: But how-?

Mom interrupted, "You don’t have to learn this fancy mancy language. This is the sign that you’re getting old when you don’t know what language or words your children are using"

Dad: I want to learn so I can keep up to date of the latest trend that our kids are using these days.

Mom: What for? No point. Not like you are going to use it also.

Few minutes later...

Mom was asking Brother A...

Mom: What is futsal?

Before Brother A could answer...

Brother B: FOOTBALL!!

Mom: I know, but what's the difference? Why futsal not football? 

Brother B: CAUSE IT’S INSIDE!

  

Brother A face palmed and said, "The only difference is that we played it indoors and the ball is heavier."

Mom: Why is it heavier?

Brother A: So the ball won’t fly...

Mom: So why is it call futsal?

Dad: Why you want to know? No need to learn these fancy mancy languages or words. No point, not like you’re going to use it also.

Mom smacked Dad on the arm and said,  "I want to keep up to date also!"

The generation gap. It happens to everyone. At least my parents are learning...some how.

Chapter : This Christmas

This Christmas I gave my boyfriend a handmade card and some joke t-shirt that says, “Thanks. I work out” which I know that he would never fit it in and a computer ram. 

Funny story about the card, on the eve of Christmas, I was out at his place hanging out, then by the time he sent me home, it was pretty late at night and I haven’t wrapped his gifts nor done the card. So burning the midnight oil, I lugged out my dusty old light box which I used for my 2d animation during my college days and spent the night tracing my drawing and then colouring it with my dried out markers. 

I was having fun colouring the card because it really reminded me of my college days working late nights finishing some marker rendering work which I know that I can never do it well because I can’t make my artwork look realistic enough. 

Then on Christmas day, we both went over to our friend’s place and there was a massive spread of food. Turkey, cake, spaghetti and loads more. I literally ate till I could not move anymore. Then there was some caroling going on. It was really Christmassy. I really enjoyed myself that night. 

Anyway, when the boyfriend opened the present and saw the card, at first he thought I bought some card from the rack and cut off the picture and pasted it on some cheap ass paper and wrote a note behind it. Then when I told him that I drew and coloured it, he was like, “Whoa.” 

Here’s the final outcome.

Sorry for the tiny image size, I took it from his blog.

Anyway, wishing you all Merry Christmas or Happy Boxing Day would be too late. Instead, I would wish you all HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Chapter : The Surprise (Plus Updates)

Updates! Just started my first job ever...survived the first week at work! Upside, I get to wear whatever clothes I want, downside...my work place is in the city where it’s always jam and I work late nights. That’s how life is in the media and creative world...

Anyway, few days ago when I was at work chatting with the boyfriend and we planned to have dinner together on Friday because since I have started working, I can barely spend time with him...suddenly he said,

“Dear, if tomorrow you finish work at 8, let me know, then we can postpone to Saturday. I have to bring you somewhere, but got to be 8.30.”

“Err...Ok...but can you still pick me up after 8?” (I feel so demanding here!) 

“Can”

“Yay! But why have to be there by 8.30?”

“Err, cause surprise la...if cannot, then can do on Saturday.”

So at work when he said that, I had all sorts of funny thoughts in my head. I was like, “Is he going to bring me to some place and sell me? Is he going to bring me some place romantic? Do I have to dress up? Are we celebrating something? Why is he going to sell me?”

These nonsenses were just swimming in my head...

So last night (since it’s 2am, now) I managed to leave the office on normal working time because I did most of my part for that day and on Monday I will have to continue it. Lucky that I don’t have to work on weekends...he picked me up from the LRT station and he drove to Digital Mall.

I was like thinking, “Why are we going to Digital Mall? Does he need to fix something? Get something? Going to sell me?” I was puzzled but never thought much about it. Then he parked his car, then he carried my laptop bag for me and then he said, 

“Dear, can you go to the glove compartment and take out the thing I’m going to bring to fix?” (I think it was something along that line...)

 

So naturally I did, and when I opened the glove compartment, inside there was a NINTENDO DS LITE box. Then he was grinning from ear to ear and said, “Merry Christmas, dear.” 

I stood there frozen with the glove compartment open, holding the box and staring at him at disbelief. He was laughing and I was flabbergasted. I didn’t know what to say or do. Instead of saying thank you, I believed I said "Why did you get me this? Why did you get me a present? When did you get it? Why did you get it?"

A lot of whys, but barely a thank you (I did thank him in the end!!!)...so walking towards Digital Mall because he wants me to choose games and I was still questioning him and pestering him but he keeps changing the subject. That moron. 

After choosing games and stuffs, we headed off to Tropicana City Mall to grab dinner and a movie. We watched The Social Network. Awesome stuffs, I would seriously recommended it if you are a fan of Facebook. The way they scripted the entire thing was really great. A lot of talking but nevertheless it was awesome. I really liked it! 

Also, another movie I would recommend is, Rapunzel (Tangled to some others). I was laughing throughout the entire movie and the graphics, design, animation was mind-blasting (quoting from Russell Peters). Do watch it!

Other than that, this last paragraph is to the boyfriend. Thank you for the lovely Christmas present! How am I going to top that? 

Suggestions anyone??

Chapter : Facial Session

I have been back in Malaysia for a week now and am settling around nicely. Still have to meet up with my friends and find a job. Anyway, today for the first time I actually had a facial. My mom decided that I needed one since I had some allergic reaction which started from my chest up to my face. It’s better now, just that the scars on my body and face would take some time to heal.

So the lady came to the house in the morning with her daughter (3 years old) and her maid. Her daughter was so adorable! Dressed in Ultraman clothes and Spiderman slippers while carrying a pink Barbie bag, she stared at me as though I was someone from another planet or something. I smiled and asked her, “Harlo, how are you?” she ignored me. Then I found out that she only response to Mandarin instead of English. She was really excited to be in a ‘new’ place because she was skipping around the house until I suggested whether she would like to go to the playground.

After guiding the maid and the little chickadee to the playground, the facial lady began her work. Funnily enough, she was speaking to me in Mandarin all the time and I was struggling to converse with her. I understood most of the stuffs she was asking but I couldn’t reply back. So I replied her in English, but I carefully chose my words because English wasn’t her main language.

First she slathers some cream on my face and massages it. Then she would wash it off with two sponges soaked in water and continued the same procedure twice. After that, she steamed my face to open up the pores so she could pinch all the gritty blackheads on my face. I have no idea what she used but it was painful! My eyes were closed but I could feel my tears all building up from the pain. At least now my face is clearer now…red but clearer. Then she put another cream on my face which hardens then she put a cooling mask and let me rest there for 20 minutes while she gave me some shoulder massage. 

She left me there while she went to see her daughter at the playground. Soon after she was back, but it wasn’t time to remove the mask. Even though I had the mask on, I could “feel” my surroundings…her daughter was so curious she stood nearby me and said in Mandarin, “Is she sleeping? I want to see” I wanted to laugh but I couldn’t. After 20 minutes, she removed the mask and put on some more cream on my face and gave me a facial massage PLUS a scalp massage. Then when everything was completed, she gave me a quick BACK massage. Then while she was massaging me, she said, “Why are you so skinny? Don’t you eat?” Why is everyone saying that to me? I DO eat. 

After the facial lady left, my mom called asking me how was it and stuffs…Well, it’s okay actually though the only painful part was the ‘extracting’ of the blackheads. Other than that, it’s fun…I have no idea whether my mom wants me to have a monthly facial session but I do know that my mom does have it every single month and this is what she said, “Your mother not that young anymore, so she needs facial session to be pretty.” 

Chapter : Freedom

Man, so is this what freedom feels like? After working for the past month on my Master’s work resubmission, I’m DONE. FREE. Maybe I should run around naked to celebrate my freedom or something. Now, I have to wait for my results which I would only know on the 1st of September…hope that I will pass this time. 

Originally, my deadline for my resubmission was on the 31st of August but out of the blue my supervisor sent me an email saying that my resubmission date was pushed forward to the 26th of August and guess what, I found that piece of information on the 24th of August. Boy that certainly made my day.

So on the 25th I met up with my supervisor and she was amazed on how calm I looked. She said this to me, “Jessie, I’m amazed that you are so calm. If it was me, I would be panicking! I’m proud of you seeing how you handle this so well!”  

Then when she left for her class, I started listing down the things I have to do to prepare myself for my presentation in front of two examiners the next day. As I was listing, suddenly I started panicking and was like SHIT! Can I complete all these things on time?!! 

At that moment, my mom called (she read my Facebook status and was worried). So we started talking and she was asking me about my boyfriend. This is how she asks about him, “How’s things with you and your boy boy?” I find it amusing as she refers him as boy boy instead of boyfriend. Also, normally the term boy boy (in my books) meant a guy who is younger than you…well, he does look younger than me even though he is the older one.

Anyway, so my mom called to calm me down and gave me some encouragement (I love you, mom) but I guess these past months I’m closer to her because she calls me more often now. I always joke with her by saying,

You only call me when jie (older sister) is working or not free or the younger one (my brother) is at school or not answering your phone calls. I’m the last resort. (Insert dramatic sobs here)

To this she replied,

Excuse me young lady, your mother here call you just to talk to you. You think phone calls to Australia very cheap ar? (Chinese slang all the way!) Your mother misses her children okay, so far and only one to keep me company here in KL. 

How am I supposed to reply to that?

Moving on, the day of the presentation…I knew that one of my examiners is my lecturer that taught me before and the other was an external examiner that works in a games industry and is also teaching in the university part-time. I was nervous as hell and on top of that, I didn’t sleep a wink that night because I was rushing for my work. I texted my mom and my boyfriend that I was really nervous and my mom called me straight and the first thing she said to me, “Did you pray to God? If not, go pray and ask Him for encouragement.” 

Well, my mom is a religious person so I guess that was expected from her. After that, I called my boyfriend and talked to him for a while and I managed to calm down a little. Then while Kelsie was doing her presentation I was sitting in the corner reading through my little speech that I wrote down like moments ago which I didn’t even use it at all. When Kelsie’s presentation was done, it was my turn…my hands were shaking and I said a silent prayer, “Dear God, please help me get through this. Thank you.”

During the Q & A session, I was amazed that I could answer all the questions from the examiners and what really made my day was one of the examiners (my lecturer) actually liked my game concept! Compared to my previous presentation with a different set of examiners (the first time) they said that it wasn’t even worth doing. So that really meant a lot to me. 

Now that I’m finally free, I should start doing all the stuffs that I have neglected...reading, drawing, playing games and my freelance. In few weeks time, I would be back in KL. I just can’t wait!