What Happened Today

This morning, I was with Cosmos in the room. I was going to get ready for work so I went to grab my bottle to go fill up and I see this creature jumping around in the bathroom, its a squirrel. Cosmos comes near me and sees the critter and goes in after it. I could hear it squeaking and I climb onto the bed (you do not want to be near a terrorised squirrel!). Good thing too, cause both squirrel and chihuahua came bolting out of the bathroom to the dressing mirror and 'played' hide-and-seek around there. Then they go back into the bathroom again and I'm running out to go get L.

While I'm in the kitchenette, they come into the living room and I can see Cosmos has it in his mouth and is shaking the squirrel wildly side to side. When I manage to get L after not finding Aunty Jeannie (the maid), Cosmos is on the patio outside and a dying squirrel lies at the doorway to the annex. The thing was quite skinny and goodness knows if it had any diseases (eck). L and I didn't dare to touch the thing, so we called Aunty Ivy up in PD since Cosmos was kinda drooling.

Aunty Jeannie then came along and cleared the dead squirrel away and gave Cosmos a bath and mouth washing. Poor Cosmos, he is a smart dog but oh well, he doesn't know what to do sometimes. Kaiser is probably home right now, that poodle-chihuahua (he had, uhh, an accident and looks like a poodle now). I wonder what Uncle Berty thinks of his ferocious chihuahua now. Hmmm, he's always saying "where's the squirrel" or "sic 'em" and Cosmos DID find the squirrel and sic it now.

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Adventures on Kuala Lumpur public transport

Rapid KL, Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras Kuala Lumpur (English, Rapid Intergrated Transport Cluster Kuala Lumpur) is the company tasked with restructuring KL's public transport. Good job or bad job? I'll get to that later. But anyway.... Haha. On the first day of work, I took the LRT to Bangsar station and then got on the bus 634 which, when checked on the net went to Jalan Beringin (near Plaza Damansara). So I asked the driver who said something like, nanti saya tunjuk (I'll show you later). So I sat down and the bus went to Damansara Central and all the way back to Bangsar LRT. I ended up taking a taxi to the office in the end. LOL.

The public transport system in KL has majorly improved since the time we used to stay here. The Touch 'n Go card can now be used on all rail lines, compared to purchasing individual tickets on different lines run by different operators previously (eg. PUTRA, STAR, KL Monorail & KTM Komuter). Much, much more efficient. Thank goodness for Rapid KL!

Buses have become more organised. There are several types of services available - city shuttle, local shuttle, trunk routes and express routes. Each is given its own code colour, city shuttles are red, local shuttles green, trunk routes blue and express routes yellow. In addition, for the first time ever, bus route details and numbers are displayed at bus stops. Tickets are usually a flat fare for a day (I think, at least applies to city shuttle).

Its a far cry from the days of Intrakota, Cityliner and MetroBus and Mini buses. Much much more organised and improved. Thank goodness for Rapid KL! While only Intrakota and Cityliner came under Rapid KL for buses and PUTRAline and STARline for rail, the attempt is a good one at intergrating public transport modes. Rail lines serve as the main backbones and buses (local shuttles & city shuttles) radiate from the stations, acting like feeder services. Very similar to how things are done in Singapore. But hey, like I said, its a good attempt and the improvements are obvious.

I've heard that the company lives up to its promised frequency (city shuttle - 10 mins; local shuttle - 15 mins) except when buses break down or there's unpredictable traffic of course. The new buses are great too, like the bendy buses in Singapore. Clean I must say. The trains could do with improvements though, especially the Kelana Jaya line which is the most heavily used (since it passes through the city centre & other touristy spots). It also has the shortest trains for the ridership that the line sees daily. At KL Sentral station, during the morning rush, employees put up barriers and act as marshals to help people get off before the crowd gets on the train (don't see that in Singapore).

Its not that the trains are dirty, they could do with expansion and probably a refurbishment. The flooring looks worn (the trains are 9 years old already) and paint comes off the metal parts so they probably could re-do the flooring and give the trains a paint job perhaps. The goodnews is that within a year's time, newer, longer trains will be servicing the line.

So, well done Rapid KL!

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More updates before I leave

I was thinking so much of the cafe meeting yesterday I forgot to update about some other stuff. Anyway, here it is. This CNY, we visited Chiew Yen and finally saw her new baby. Technically, that makes him my nephew (Chiew Yen being my cousin). His name is Ignitious (sp?) and he weighs about 8 pounds. Must say that he's a really cute baby. Oh, and he's 10 weeks old! He can smile already when played with as his dad showed us.

Big sister Emmanuel (Emmy) has grown long hair and just turned four last November. She's another cute one. More talkative now and very active. Maybe that's cause she was at home in familiar surroundings. Since we're on nephews and neices, technically, might as well talk about the rest of 'em. There's Li An (English Leann), the oldest of the lot. She's 8 this year but she's so smart she's a grade up (meaning she's with those who are 9 this year). Then next comes Emmy who is 5 this year and in her first year of kindergarten. Next is Li Lian (English Lilian) who is 3 I think. More bold than before but still very, very shy of new people. Following that is Russel and Ridley. Both are 2 years old and cute in their own ways. Russel is a very active, adventurous baby. He doesn't mind going to new people at all. Ridley, didn't get to play with him much. I assume that he's attached to mommy. And lastly we have Ignitious who is 10 weeks old. Lovely.

Going back to the cafe meeting, it just brought back memories of old times. The classmates (love ya 4/2!), teachers and friends. I'm glad that the cafe has stuck together through the 2 years since graduation (I deeply value the friendship with each of you!). As Esther has counted, here are the years I've been really good friends with you (taking into account when we first were in the same class):
- Esther -- 6 years
- Shwee -- 5 years
- Yen Hao -- 4 years
- Yessie -- 4 years

It has been a long time, yes... I remember that Esther and Chris were the first two to speak to me when I came into the school. *ahem ahem* Chris used to call her Oyster (long time no hear eh?). And 4/2, who was in the class?

Ying Shin, Kum Hong, Esther, Shwee, Yen Hao, Yessie, Kenny, Jin Hui, James, Antonius, Stephen, Tjahyadi, Syaza, Kim, Ben, Beng Loong, Debbie, Sharmaine, Victoria, Carol, Shi Hao, Chun Yang, Ho Mun, Dephanie, Yu Ting, Jun Wei, Willie, Febe, Yvonne, Edmund.
You guys were spectacular. Thanks for the memories. =))

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Unofficial internship & some other stuff

I'm leaving for KL tomorrow. I'll be there for about a month. Its my unofficial internship at my aunt's ad agency. Its going to be fun for sure, since I'll be with the cousins. Hope the My Word competition goes well and the group can pull it off. Anyway, off topic. L and I are supposed to do some cooking though I'm not sure what constitutes as "some". But at least we can plan our own meals at that rate, hahaha.

In other news, yesterday the cafe fam met at BK for dinner. Goodness, its been so long since we've had a full group meeting. The last time was at Esther's and Yen Hao's birthday in JUNE! And since we're all on holiday, let us all arrange a date to go to Sentosa eh? Cafe read this: Go to Amari Sakura's gallery, picture 6 of 22! =P I am so going to die hahaha.

Uhm, I suppose that's about all that's happened this holiday so far. Before I forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY XIN LE. Did I wish L happy birthday? Don't think so. Happy belated birthday cuz!

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Ravu Eradicates Erica

Episode 2: Snakes are misunderstood... We have an understanding now.
Ravu loses yet again and Erica is eradicated from the tribe. Why? She freaked out during the challenge. I suppose it was a hard vote for the tribe. Sylvia rejoined the tribe on day 4 and had been making waves ever since her arrival. It was literally get rid of the camp-annoyer or the challenge-annoyer. Who do you vote out at that rate?

Anyway, Ravu managed to make me laugh. Take a look at this...
Erica: THAT'S IT! THAT'S IT! EARL HAS IT!
Sylvia: Okay... Erica, CALM DOwn...
Someone: Listen to Erica.
*tries what Erica says*
Someone else: That's not it.

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Chinese New Year 2007: Year of the Pig

This year is the year of the pig. How they chose the zodiac animals, I have no idea. The animals include snakes, dragons, rats, oxen, monkeys, rabbits, goats, tigers, dogs and I have no idea what else. Anyway, Chinese New Year's eve is here. That's tomorrow. And day after (Sunday) is visiting day. Travel around Kota Tinggi town and visit people. I have no idea what they say or talk about mostly since its dialect (I think). Ah, who cares eh? As long as I can be entertained. Hmmm, that doesn't sound very nice.... Anyway, this is the only time in the year we get to see Dad's family. Strange isn't it? Seeing family only once a year... With Mom's side, its like at least twice a year. I suppose language helps close the gap, but its not as though Dad's side can't speak English or Malay. Oh well, have a good CNY celebration everyone. May you be prosperous with the $$$ harvest this year.

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Snow Patrol: Chasing Cars

We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes
They're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things
Will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

-LIVESTRONG!-
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Remembering India

Last night, I was watching Ian Wright's VIP Travels. He visited the King, Prince & Princess in Udaipur, India. Just looking at the shots of the palace (Yes, they still live in it. Many of the palaces and/or forts are now vacated, but there're some that are still used I suppose) reminded me of our own trip to Northern India. Delhi, Haryana, Jaipur and Agra. It was fun (and this is owing to the people who went on the trip; Weijie, Arisya, Kamesh, Carol, Shaun, Nicholas, Nuraini, Dave, Timo, Rachel, Joan). The blackouts every now and then, the mountains, the elephants, the sarees, the bargaining, the food. Haha, good memories.

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Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day. I know I'm a tad late. Oh, and Happy Birthday Luigi! Nothing much to say, nothing much to say. So I'll shut the trap now.

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Video-ing

Today I helped Ben with his filming. Can't say I did much really... But oh well, at least I did something. He's willing to learn and I? I dunno whether I remember anything or have any creativity whatsoever. Mehh... Sometimes the world is so, uggh. Anyway, holidays and here and not much going on. Same old, same old.

Tomorrow is Valentine's day. I didn't realise its here so fast. Everyone, enjoy yourselves. Goodnight.

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Jessica jettisoned from Ravu

No intro credits yet, but was in part to the early non-division of tribes. Ala failed season of Palau, all started on one tribe/beach. Then they got to know each other while constructing the shelter with instructions from Jeff. Come day three and challenge time, Jeff asks the person who lead to split the other 18 into two tribes. Sylvia evenly distributed the women and separated feuding duo Dreamz and Rocky, then evenly distributed the rest of the men. Moto and Ravu were formed. And poor Sylvia went off to exile island. Only to find there's NO hidden immunity idol there.

Early likes and dislikes:

Likes:
Boo
Cassandra
Earl
Lisi
Michelle
Yau-Man

Mehh, I'm okay:
Alex
Anthony
Edgardo
Erica
Gary
Jessica
James "Rocky"
Liliana
Mookie
Rita
Stacy
Sylvia

Dislikes:
Dre "Dreamz"

OMG. Stupid, stupid, stupid. If Dreamz were on Ravu, his ass would've so been gone within 4 episodes or LESS. That guy is a walking big idiot. When people are trying to sleep, don't disturb them. Can't you understand that? Like you yourself don't need sleep. Goodness! Survivor is a social game as much as it is physical, and social is a BIG part while physical pales in comparisson. Fail social, you'll hardly gather votes in the final 3.

Also, this is Survivor: Fiji, not Fuji. I want Dreamz gone.

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Its coming

Survivor: Fiji is coming. The theme is out on iTunes. Similar to Cook Islands', but still unique. Gonna wait for tomorrow to watch it. Oh, have you watched the first 5 minutes of episode 1 yet? Something Cruel Is About To Happen... Real Soon. Watch it. I won't spoil it for ya.

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Female team curse no more

OMG SO AWESOME! I know I'm kinda late, but yeah. I loved the win! The first female team to win ANY edition of The Amazing Race came from Malaysia. And an all female-team won in the first season. So, CONGRATS JOEJER AND ZABRINA! I'm really high just thinking about the win. Season was good. Good job AXN! Loved the casting choices.

Ernie & Jeena - Liked their daredevil-ness.
Aubrey & Jacqueline - Different to see girls who made up a lot race.
Sahil & Prashant - Added interesting accents.
Sharon & Melody - Local team from here, fun to see how far they could go.
Howard & Sahran - Entertainment value with the breakdowns.
Andy & Laura - Asian Romber! Totally liked the flavour they added to the mix.
Marsio & Mardy - I'm so tired of you guys! Granted, AXN could've edited them better. But still, I don't like them.
Andrew & Syeon - A bit plain but good racers nonetheless.
Sandy & Francesca - Nice accents too, these expats. Coming from behind, they made good racers.
JOEJER & ZABRINA - Totally love the two underdogs. Placings in each leg were freaky (4th, 5th, 6th, 3rd, 3rd, 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd 1st). Fantastic win!

Can't get over the fact that JJZ won. Awesome, awesome, awesome. They now each have, what? RM150,000+? Sheesh! Love TARA.


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Another Birthday

Wishing Aunty Dah a happy birthday! Have a good one.

Quick updates: AM exam down, MLE exam down, PRMP exam left. One month of 2007 gone! Busy, busy, busy.

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