just had a chat with Kat.
She's planning to join the gym 'cos she planned to get back to her shape when she was still competing professionally. She's thinking of competing again actually. She asked me along to help each other, I guess she's going to do more on helping me ;)
Apparently she's also thinking of setting up the same business she had back in US here. Read the website and it's quite a success there. She'd help me achieving my goal n she'll capture my progress and if she decided to set up her business here, my progress will be used as one of the proof - I'm game for it!
anyways, all this will only start early next year and only when Bob's okay with it as well.

and now Im imagining myself walking with the washboard abs heeeee

note: this post is simply about me thinking aloud, no intention of having any racism remarks or whatsoever (better said first before being arrested)

last friday nite, on my way home from my kuzzin's b'day the taxi driver took the wrong route. He's not supposed to turn left and I informed him abt this. He apologized and said that he would deduct the total cost. I said no need and he insisted. I said 'uncle, it's only few cents - not that I'll be rich with that, if it's $10 then I complain'. He was quite surprised with my attitude and kept on saying how understanding I was. I said that we have to give and take, this small things shouldn't be made big. He said that there were not many ppl like me around. Me being nosy asked him if he encountered ppl who complained a lot about this. He said yes, especially ang moh (caucasian). He said they were so calculative and so wanna show their power.

This reminds me about a thread posted by an ang moh in a forum that I visit frequently. There, this person complained about taxi driver here being so rude and no manners at all. He complained quite a lot - some people in the forum agrees and some doesn't. I personally respond to that thread saying that I always have great time in a taxi ride here, except once.

Well, after the friday nite ride all I can think about is 'what will the person who posted the thread about rude taxi driver respond to this driver's complain'

Just came back from dinner (or should i said supper?) with yolli. Prior to that, we went to catch a movie - bought myself a nachos w/ cheese n a coke. Ended the supper with a tiramisu. I lost count of the sinful dessert I had this week!
Haven't really train for next week's standard chartered marathon. Only did running on the threadmill for 2 days in a row and thats it!. Planned on running this sunday morning but Im still wide awake at this time - so I guess I won't be going for a run later. Lucky that I only register for the 10 km.

I think I'm gonna embarassed myself next week.

My 1st Thanksgiving Dinner

The authentic one that is.

Kat invited me to her place for a traditional american thanksgiving. I thought its so sweet of her that I decided to go. Dunno what to bring her, I simply bring a box of brownie. Went to her place, a little bit kampung for me, I dunno that she has to allow me in before I can press the lift button. So there I went out again n buzzed her when actually the door was open - hehe *kampungan. Since the feast started at the afternoon, there's only Ava - the scandinavian lady - left. She lived in Jakarta for 2 years long time ago but she still can speak few bahasa indonesia, quite fun.
Dinner was superb - Kat's been cooking for 2 days and I got a taste of all the traditional thanksgiving dishes. Love the baked yam n marshmallow & her cranberry sauce is simply delicious. But I guess what I love most was the dessert - apple pie topped with homemade caramel sauce. Ava even licked the plate because of the caramel sauce! - very very delicious.
Bob, kat's hubby is a nice guy. We spent time chit chatting about anything and ended the night in the kitchen helping Kat to clean up. She found the wish bone while keeping the turkey. I just knew abt this wish bone thingy - something new. I dunno how, the subject body combat came up and I told them to join me for the class anytime the wanted to. Ava's so excited about this. She's such a fun lady to be with - very expressive and friendly.
We left ard 9.30 as kat's already so burned up cooking for 2 days. I myself wanted to go home early to watch the last episode of Lost.

Absolutely a great way to experience my 1st thanksgiving feast.

REST IN PEACE

my dear Valentin...
last night when I called, you were being fed by my elder sis n when I called again you're inside my younger sis' room.
This morning I heard that you died with your hands around my younger sister arms - you're her favourite after all.

at this moment, Valentin is playing with the giant ball of string in the sky...

why oh why ..

are my cats destined to have kidney failure.. 1st was grace, then jimmy and now VALENTIN?
poor valentin - too young to have this kind of illness ...
though we always lash you with bad nickname like bego, pengkor or si idung - that doesn't mean that we love you less. Its actually the way of us showing you our love n care.

we pray for your speed recovery .. idung and hope to see you on my next trip home...

with all the things I've been faced to see, to admit its existence, and to witness make me wonder is there only few of us left? are we a rare breed in this modernisation world?
*you can be among them but you don't have to be one of them*

Its Monday again ...

The day most ppl drag, including myself.
Its good that I had quite a nice w/end that I feel I can see myself bracing a week ahead with my head held high.

Friday was quite a bad day at the office, a colleague of mine broke down due to the stress. We are really under pressure because on top of our daily job, there's this project that requires lotsa documentation - every step must be documented and presented to the central team which in turn decided whether its accepted or not. I didn't touch my part last week as Im busy with the server crashed and the HR project. Well, hopefully nothing happen this week so I can concentrate more on the project.

Weekend was quite good. Just went for spinning on saturday 'cos my aunt called when I was preparing myself to go for combat. What do you know, no taxi around that I simply went back home waiting for another 30 mins before heading the gym. From the gym went to city for the Tangs rebate - time to stock up of skincare with this promotion around :).
Catched 2 movies with my flatmate as well, haven't been to the movies for so long and now there's a long list of movies need to be catched.

Okay, now I have to face the fact that it's monday once again

You know what I did Last Night ...

I had the BEST brownies I have ever had in my life!
Yesterday me n few friends from the forum met up for dinner, made new friends as well. Me n 1 girl were late that the rest had their dinner already. So when I reached there we decided to move somewhere else for dessert. Sofi suggested us going to Chijmes where there's this place which has nice desserts. 2 of the guys decided not to join as the went for clubbing - the rest of us are not in the mood for that. I dunno, but Im not so into clubbing, guess once in a while is okay but not every week. Those that decided to chit chat instead of clubbing all have the same feeling like me.

Back to the dessert - There's quite a number of sinful choice but then I decided to order melting moments - warm brownies topped w/ vanilla ice cream n accompanied w/ cherry, whipped cream n chocolate syrup - while others order either tiramisu or creme brulee. I wanted the tiramisu as 1st but I've been having lots of tiramisu recently that I decided brownies instead, furthermore it sounds more fantastic.

It was so damn fantastic, once you felt the warm brownies in ur mouth, I feel like I was transported somewhere else. Had a taste of the tiramisu as well, but the brownies is simply heaven! If I were that thick skin I'd lick the plate - thats how good it taste. I've made a decision to come back n try the other stuff there.

We chit chat 'til we're almost being asked to leave ;). Lotsa stuff to talk about n I brought up something that I plan on doing - go around singapore trying desserts. They agree n even someone told us abt where to get a great tiramisu here. Hope the dessert club becomes a reality or else, I'll just do it myself. 'Cos I kinda decided to give myself a new job - tiramisu critic ;)

I've been having quite a number of sinful food recently. There's a new tents ard my office area selling british pie that looks so good. I bought 2 of it and what do you know - behind it is a place selling all kind of brownies and I bought 2 kinds as well, their best seller, the double fudge, and another one w/ marshmallow n almond on it.
Now Im blogging while eating a piece of brownie, the one topped up w/ marshmallows n almost - simply delicious!

Lunch will be british pie before heading to the gym and burn all this sinful pleasure..

JC Boxercise is cool...

yupe, after trying it out myself I sense that Im gonna fall in love with this exercise. Me n Eileen have actually decided to attend the class every thursday, not sure abt the saturday one though as it clashes with spinning class. Probably take turn or worse case, come on sunday as well haha.

Brought my wraps there and join 2 girls whose wearing it - the last time I wore it for combat it didn't look that nice, so I thought might as well I tried the right way. Still confused, one of the instructor who was there ended up wearing it for me. Well I tried remembering how he wrapped so next time I can do it myself.

Its a partnering class, and we took turn with the gloves n the mittens. Like the instructor said, forget combat, forget boxercise, forget cardiokick. No shouting, no more 'everybody uppercut' no jumping jet - this is boxing training. And it truly was. Well, yesterday focused more on techniques so no sweat there, just some soreness around the shoulder, back, and your leg for moving like a boxer. We also laughed when we were to punch fast and ended up punching the air.

Too bad the time passed by quickly that we have to skipped the circuit training. Instructor told us that once we're used to the technique, they gonna pick up the pace an incorporate circuit training, jumping rope etc. I guess once we're more to it, the sand bag and speedball available are gonna be part of the routine.

Will I be there this sunday? I surely hope so!!

I couldn't sleep tonight so I flicked through the tv channel and ended up watching this movie, hunger point, which is an adaptation from a novel with the same title. Not a bad movie - at least for me. It actually made me think of few stuffs.

I dunno, but I kinda look into myself and relate to the story a bit. Just a little bit though.
There were times when I too were obsessed with my weight. Those were the days when I was underweight and people around me commented on it but I still felt I need to loose more to get the desired abs.
There were once or twice (or maybe even thrice) I took laxatives after a heavy dinner or supper. Not often I felt depressed about my weight. Thank God, I never succumbed to the temptation of diet pills and I forced myself to admit if I didn't change my way of thinking now I'd end up with an eating disorder.
I keep on telling myself, that I wanna feel good not simply look good. Feel good for me is having a balance diet and exercise. I started cutting down on my exercise regime and introduce myself to the joyous of food. Yes I gained weight, not much but people around me said that I look fresher, no longer haggard.
Now, I may complain here n there abt my weight - but Im no longer the obsessed lady who checked her abs every morning and night and definitely no longer the one said no to a great food.

Watching this movie also made me realised how much I love my sisters. I dunno how will I feel if anything bad happen to them. Yes we do have our share of arguments, but that doesn't change the way we feel for each other. It makes me wonder as well, how will life be if my belated sister is still around us - wonder how she looks like.

I try my luck by calling the hotline again, the one answering is one of the instructor which I knew by name. Asked him abt the JC Boxercise and I MANAGED TO GET A PLACE FOR MYSELF n A FRIEND OF MINE ....

part from that, the vendor just called and has forced consistent the database. Its back to our part, but looks everything will be okay cum tomorrow..

Im sooo happy!!

went for late lunch so that I could get a meni pedi n relax during this time, boy was i wrong. Boss called and asked me to go back to office asap as the vendor need some information/clarification before doing their part. So there I go, luckily the ladies there were nice and asked me to come back either tonite or tomorrow to continue.
Hehe, my fault here too as based on previous experience of database crashed, I knew that I should've cancelled the appointment.

Anyways, Im more sad that I couldn't book a place for tomorrow's JC Boxercise. Im soo saad, I forgotten to call the hotline at 2 PM and only remember it now. Alas, nobody pick up the phone. Hope I got a chance to try this class some other day.

the main application her is in coma, if i couldn't say dead. I hope it can be up soon, its been more than a day already and the company's business can't cope with it being down for so long. The problem is out of our hand, and the vendor need to look into it.

Another server has been configured and reflection run successfully on it - yeay .. no more embarassment answering the central team during the next conference call.

I have to give two thumbs up to the IT guy who I complained about before. He's been the one and only person who has the best infrastructure knowledge in his department. He's attitude changed as well and I really really appreciate all his help infrastructure wise. Really hope his boss is aware of how important he is in IT.

Work aside, finally after 6 years living in this country, I saw someone that made my head turned inside the train. Well not that hunkilicious or what, but at least something than nothing.
Just imagine, 6 years here and managed to saw 1 person that turned my head while going back to my hometown just over the weekend managed to make my head turned several times!!

My younger sis is playing on being a matchmaker for my friend and her friend's kuzzin - so my friend (I know u are here quite often) let me know how does the meetup ends ya..

aug 2003

• 56 kg
• decided to start a workout n diet regime, a healthy one that is

sept 2003

• fasting month
• workout after breaking fast
• modified phase 1 of SBD

oct 2003

• 48 kg - lighter me

2004

• was used to the diet that I kept on working out n sticking to phase 1 when supposed to move to phase 2
• 42 kg

early 2005

• starting a new, work out but with a healthier meal plan
• 46 kg

mid 2005

• enjoying food to the fullest
• must eat more to gain muscle, but been eating the wrong stuffs
• 47 kg

sept 2005

• 48 kg

oct 2005

• fasting month - appetite can't be controlled
• 47 kg

nov 2005

• went home - hello local delights good by healthy lifestyle
• 49 kg

today

• 2 days of hari raya visiting here, all houses preparing fried noodle or something alike
• enjoying food to the fullest
• 51 kg!!!

tonite

• gym
• grocery shopping, cooking

tomorrow

• a brand new day, a brand new lifestyle - a healthy one that is

give me one week - una semana

Back to Normal ...

Finally, I managed to finish combat yesterday without huffing n puffing like I did on tuesday. Getting back on track after 2 weeks of exercise-free was a killer. Every inch of my muscles are aching 'til now and the worst part is the cardio.
I used to be able to do combat while Im fasting, but last tuesday I couldn't continue without a sip of water after the 4th track!! huffing n puffing, I felt like my heart could jump out anytime. Left after the muaythai track - 'cos I shouted during this track my stamina was zipped for the last track.

Yesterday, I was afraid the same thing will happen - but it didn't and managed to stay 'til the end. Yay!!
My stamina for cardio is back and I hope I can get back to the same weight next week...

Im just wondering what will happen to my sis who took a month break from the gym - good luck to u sis!!

its always like this when Im faced with Lotus Notes application. I've planned on going through the notes application today and find out what enhancement need to be done and how to explain the whole flow to HR tomorrow.

Yet, I ended up thinking of other stuff and munching these preserved mangoes n cashew nuts I bought during my lunch break. Haha, most ppl who saw me was surprised seeing me act normal when I knew I gained weight - no longer the freaky me whenever I gain even a kg. Well, I only told them to give me 1 week 'cos I've started my workout just yesterday. Yesterday's weight training was a nightmare, we simply need to decrease the weight as I haven't been doing weight for a month now.

Hope within a month time I'll have the washboard abs of my dreams - I plan to do it the right way starting next monday. Why next monday, why not now? Actually I've started looking after my diet since yesterday, but tomorrow nite my company is organizing a *surprise surprise* Deepavali n Hari Raya Gathering only for those celebrating it at Grand Hyatt. This is the 1st time they organise it and I think it's a good way of recognising everyone.

another note to myself: 04 december is just round the corner - its standard chartered marathon and I haven't start training .. arrghh, I have no intention of making a fool of myself on that day

I surrender to the devil in me...

after deciding again and again .. and again that it's enough shopping for me and that I have to start saving more for my future, I surrender to my weakness SHOES!

bought 2 pairs of shoes and Im a happy girl today - happy when Im supposed to be angry to myself. But, I can't help it! - one can never enuff shoes right.

Now I only need to think where the hell am I gonna put these shoes at.
I guess I have to start sorting my shoes and have an online auction, auctioning those shoes I will not wear again .. have to have to!!

a Recap...

my last night back home for this year - been coughing like crazy that I decided to blog instead since Im having trouble sleeping...

Well, what can I said .. let's see

28 Oct 05
The plane was delayed for 1/2 hour I guess that me n my flatmate decided to browse the net while waiting for it. Yupe, finally after 6 year living in the same flat, we went home together ;)
Browsing the net made me realised works waiting for me once Im home as they've sent the files to my yahoo account.
Landed safely and been welcomed by a cute voice of my little nephew who still calls me aa instead of khala ;) - as usual, his 1st question was 'aeroplane inside here?' pointing to my luggage. Reached home and had siomay from my younger sis' office for supper. That night I slept with my nephew. Well I actually moved out of his room only to be waken by him twice to move back to his room

29 Oct 05
My 1st sahur with my family - nothing special on this day. Only that after breaking our fast and did our prayers, me n my sisters went to the mall - my sis sent her son for a haircut while the other one accompanied me looking for hari raya clothing.

30 Oct 05
Met my Uni friends at Tamani Cafe where we broke our fast together. Prior to that I met biki n rusdi n we kinda walk around Pasaraya 'cos our meeting time is way too early. Well, I reached there much earlier than them that we decided to head straight to the cafe earlier. There we met another bunch of friends and we kinda had a chit chat before breaking fast times. Boy, how time flies - haven't met my ex-roommate back in uni years since she gave birth to her 2nd born almost 6 years ago! Nothing change from everyone there except that they have kids now. Well, not all of them though.

31 Oct and 1 Nov 05
Im the babysitter for 2 days - babysitting my nephew that is. It always amaze me how words can come out of a 4 year old boy. Some even made us speechless dunno how to answer him back. When his mom bought frapuccino and he ended up controlling the drink - he said that 'u must take turn mummy' but his turn is always longer than his mum. When my younger sis warned him not to asked things in the supermarket he asked my sis 'why you always treaten me'. We kinda speechless not knowing how to answer him back. Probably going to school at a young age made him more open to society and of course him being more vocal. There was once when his mom scolded him, he ran to me and lay on my lap saying 'later i tell auntie (his teacher) that mummy n aa alun (my sis) always fighting with me'.
He left me dumbfounded as well when he asked me what is the meaning of some spanish words in english while I was putting him in bed. I guess watching dora made him understand few spanish. He knows numbers in english, bahasa indonesia, mandarin, and spanish. Well, for mandarin n spanish he can only said it 'til 10 but still! My sis said that he tends to sing all sort of mandarin songs at home and when in class he will say a prayer that he learned from his religious class until the teacher asked if he like to pray at home..
When you asked him to do things that he refused to do he'd end up holding his head saying 'don't disturb me, I am headache'
I always smile when he start singing in english, continued with mandarin songs and ended it with some prayers. Haha, kids nowadays... But its good that he learns to speak more Bahasa since attending the religious class

02 Nov 2005
Hmm, can't recall what happened this day apart from accompanying my sis to visit the doctor since my nephews coughing. Just a precautious 'cos the following day is Hari Raya and all doctors wouldn't be available in case she need some medication for his son's cough.

03 Nov 2005
EID MUBARAK - Its Hari Raya
After a month of fasting in Ramadhan, today is the time all the muslims celebrate their victory. Should I said victory? well - during the fasting month, it is said that all the devil is chained so that the only devil we have to fight it the devil within ourself. This 1 full month is the time for us to practice being kind, patience, and doing all other good deeds. Its time for instropection as well - hoping once the month's over we can continue practicing it on our daily life. The celebration is because after the 1 month of fasting, we were like a new born, all our sin is washed and its a brand new day for us - we should be doing all the right things from now on. Its up to the individual though, but God has given us this opportunity so we should try our best in striving the best in everything. We started the day with the prayer in which after that, we asked forgiveness from the people around us - for me, its from my parents and sisters. Then come the visiting. Daddy being the eldest brother in Jakarta made our house crowded from morning 'til late afternoon. Its good we had some helpers as normally 3 of us ended up arguing on whose washing the plates etc. We tend to asked the guests to help themselves when the crowd gets uncontrollable - just imagine, 100 ppl can come at one go!

04-05 Nov 05
Time to pay visit to the elders and those that came to my parents house. Luckily this time around its not as many as before *grin. Lucky me gonna fly home tomorrow so I don't have to endure all the visitings - I've visited the elders and my uncles, I guess thats enough for me. I still have another round of visiting to do once Im back to singapore tomorrow.
Decided to check my work again today after sending the files on monday - thank god I found out that the problem Im having with the software is now a global problem. Other countries kinda asking the central team to update them on this. It is also written that the new loadset must be installed under certain infrastucture - so basically this shouldn't be burdened to me but to the person who asked me to look into it! Well, I also found out that cum Monday - lotsa job waiting for me. I'll just plan on my head what to do once Im back to office

Well, all I can said from my trip home this time around is:
1. I gained lotsa lotsa weight and I don't care - Im going to hit the gym on monday
2. Im coughing like hell - thanks to MnM, mom's cheesecake, mom's cookies, and all the local delights