There Is Such Thing As Jinx After All

It's 8pm and I'm currently blogging from my office desk. Why am I here so late? Turns out that there was an incident happening within the cogeneration unit in the refinery. Long story short, we lost our steam supply which then caused our unit to face problems. Basically steam is one of the crucial elements in the operation of the refinery. So, product goes off spec, the unit had to be normalised and regrouped again. So, basically the night shift will have quite a night I suppose.

I do not wish to elaborate further about this. What happens happened. The thing here is this; prior to the incident, someone in the office was discussing about leave plans and so forth. Unintentionally, something spilled out from this fellas's mouth, something about plant having a major incident (knock wood). Turns out, something did happened! And the funny thing is, the last time we had an emergency like this, someone did actually spilled out the probable thing that could happen, phrases like 'kang nanti jadi apa2 kang'. No pun intended of course, but still. People have been talking for a while about how some things are not meant to be said, cause you'll jinx it. I'm starting to believe that jinx does exist, and it's no child's play! Who knows what else could have happened. So I have learnt my lesson, think before you actually spill out something potentially disastrous, or else it could actually happen! Signing off, I'm going home...

So This Is What It Feels Like To Be In A 5 Million Ringgit Home (and more snippets)

1) The fasting month is the time where your workload is at minimal, and so you can enjoy some quality time...sleeping! Almost everyday without fail, I'll spend my afternoon taking a 1-hour nap...You have know idea what it feels like after waking up...You basically feel like not working anymore, haha! But seriously, the hours spent on sleeping increased up to 20% I supposed, during fasting month...

2) You know how people of all walks of life enjoy the coming of the fasting month because of the melting pots at the Ramadan bazaar which are just...so...tempting? Usually the beginning fasting is the time which I would say...most challenging; Challenging in the sense that you can't keep your eyes on one type of food, you just think about what to eat next, next and after that. Now fasting month has reached half way, and to be honest, my cravings are gone! Everyday during the fasting month, I only look forward to fill up my appetite with the food that I think is only appropriate. After work, I shall only hunt for a main course, a drink (be it coconut or sugar cane juice) and just a RM1 kueh. I just don't feel the urge to eat anymore...because in the end, you'll never have time to finish everything as you'll be busy sleeping...

3) I just found out that someone who I love dearly has lost her cat. It's a terrible news to hear since I was quite close to both the pet and the owner. I know how much she loves her, and the cat has got so much love thanks to her. I can only understand how devastated she must feel after that incident. Rest in peace Lucci, and you will be missed...

4) Last Thursday I discovered a new spot for my tastebuds. I went out for buka puasa with my office mates (basically bachelors, which is led by a head 'bachelor'; a 40 year old principal engineer whose wife and family are in the UK, huhu). Anyway, the place is called Restoran Tiga Lima (located somewhere near Mahkota Parade) and it serves local authentic assam pedas, which I think is just marvellous. Worth checking out, and I might just pay another visit some day...

5) The US Open is currently airing on TV, and my dad and I happened to be quite an avid fan of tennis. Anyway, we were watching Federer - Hewitt match (which the great RF advances to the next round), and all of a sudden, my dad was like 'Eh lawa pulok baju Federer paka..kalu gi keda napok tolong beli ko papa' The attire he referred to is Federer's red shirt with black collar, huhu. So yesterday I went to OU and specifically to the Nike store, and found the shirt! Not of the exact colour of course. There's also the one the RF wore during Wimbledon this year, it's white and has this gold stripe at the collar which I think just translates into 'the great Roger'. Anyway, I thought the cut of the shirt is a little slim, so I'm not entirely sure if size M or L fits my dad better. So I took the picture of both shirts and let my dad to decide! That way, my dad will be satisfied, and I will not be frustrated for buying the wrong size (or the wrong shirt!)

6) Now, for what I am talking about in the main header. Recently there was the passing of one of the prominent figures in the nation's judiciary system. So it happens that my sister in law's older sister is married to him. So my mum and I went to this majlis tahlil held at her house somewhere in KL. Woww, her house is just gorgeous and huge! Lavishly filled with top notch furnitures, a pool, grand scale bathroom (my sister took picture inside it, huhu). And the neighbourhood just reminds you of Hollywood Hills, or the Upper East Side. Anyway, she was thinking of selling it since it is just too big for her and her only daughter. The price tag? A hefty five million ringgit. Ka-ching! I wouldn't mind living there if I happened to be a multi-millionaire. So, any takers out there?

It's approaching 6am (I just had my sahur), and I better get ready to head to Melaka...to work...Weekday blues is back...at least I can now look forward to sleeping in the afternoon in the office, hahaha...Selamat Berpuasa!

Channel 707: You Made Me Smile For Being Malaysian

It's Merdeka Day today. Today marks the 52th anniversary of the nation's independence. H1N1 is still spreading like wildfire, I'm preserving my energy in the fasting month, I've done my necessary shoppings. So what better way to spend a public holiday of doing nothing rather than living a bum marking on the couch. I've always enjoyed watching channel 707 (Astro translation: Discovery Travel & Living). I've always been fascinated with all the great places to go around the world, to explore the great people and the great food around the world. The travel journalist sure did their job well. I just feel like not working, spending a whole year just, travelling.

But today, channel 707 did more than just that. Channel 707 brought me back home and make me realise how great it is to live here in Malaysia. I was watching back to back episodes of Passage To Malaysia and I have to say 'Hey, being Malaysian is not a bad thing at all'. One episode talks about how Jamie (the host that is) went throught the festivities celebrated here in Malaysia (i.e. Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali), and how the concept of warmth, family, togetherness being portrayed. It's cool to see Jamie celebrated Hari Raya with the Negeri Sembilan royal family, chatting around with the now Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar, and enjoying great hospitality by the royal family. Then you see Denise (another host, which is interestingly hot) travel down the waters of Langkawi, Penang, Pangkor & Melaka, exploring the wonders of flora & fauna, culture & history. I was amazed to see a Caucasian family been living in Pangkor Island for the past 4 generations, settling down with the locals and loving it. Woww, it just amazes me that we are so proud and bragged about living overseas, yet little that we know that the foreigners think Malaysia as more than just home.

Another show, 'Food Safari' talks about Malaysian food loved by the Australians. There's a Malaysian restaurant owned by a Chinese family and they cook and serve beef rendang, laksa, even roti canai. Malay cuisine being prepared by a Chinese? That is just so 1 Malaysia. And some time ago I've watched Anthony Bourdain's show about his journey into Malaysian culinary world and how he was just mesmerised by the fusion that is going on. Wow, I do watch a lot of TV, haha...

So there you go, watching these shows made me realised that Malaysia is home. We arm warm, fun loving people with nice food to eat and nice places to go to. The foreigners gave two thumbs up to what Malaysia has to offer, and so why can't we? Yes of course, we have cracks and voids here and there in our system. To Astro, I think your Negaraku concept of airing Malaysia related material during Merdeka month is just brilliant! As a Malaysian I just want to say terima kasih...

P.S: I just laughed my ass off hearing Denise's pronunciation of an-gin lembut lembut...

What My Health Says About Me

Working in a refinery, you are constantly exposed with demanding work challenge, not to mention hazardous substances. Also, all the stress in work will make you eat whatever it is and ended up regretting it, huhu. That is why it is an obligation to all staffs to undergo annual medical checkup. Nothing rocket science; just some physical checks (BP, eyesight, hearing) and some blood work. Well, I have done mine about 2 weeks ago, and I have received my report.

Here are some findings on my health based on the report:

1) My blood type is A Positive
2) My total RBC (red blood cell count) is 6.3
3) My MCV is on a lower side (which according to the Internet, means that I have a lower than average red blood cell size
4) My hemoglobin amount per red blood cell is also lower than average
5) Result for uric acid is within range
6) HDL Cholestrol is 1.2 (OK, I guess)
7) LDL Cholestrol (Haha, now this is a concern). Basically LDL cholestrol is also known as the bad cholestrol. My LDL result is 3.2, against the optimal range of less then 2.6. I kinda expect this, since I happen to eat lots of fast foods..Haiyooo, have to cut some maaa
8) And lastly blood glucose; 5.6. Normal. Yeayy!

Well, I may have to refer to my brother on this. I'm not a doctor, so I don't exactly know what these numbers mean (especially the hemoglobin, MCV thingy).

Owhh before I forgot, my BP was OK, but my left eyesight is not performing very well. I got 6/6 for my right eye, but I only got 6/8 for my left eye...

Let's just hope that I will not start wearing contacts or glasses anytime soon...I don't want to look like a nerd!

See Malaysia From The Eyes Of Malaysians...

In the spirit of Merdeka, I came across the website of 15Malaysia. Basically it is a short film project, led by Pete Teo addressing some aspects of Malaysia life. Why 15? Well, according to the website's FAQ, it's simply because it is a nice number (not to mention that there are 15 featured short films in this website). Filmmakers of these films ranged from the unknowns to the reputable ones, like the late Yasmin Ahmad.

I happened to stumble on this site while surfing a gossip column (That's right, I admit it. I enjoy gossips once in a while, haha). At the moment not all videos have been featured; they have their own release dates. I have however check out some of the uploaded videos. 'Potong Saga' tells a story about how a guy was misinformed on how Islamic banking works; but in the end unfolds something more; the fact that people can easily be misinformed and have the tendency of 'following without questioning'. 'Chocolate' by arwah Yasmin Ahmad reminds us that life goes on- even if not all of it is sweet (how I like this statement). Owhh not to mention, we even have politicians of different political background willingly participate in this project. In 'The Tree' the great Tuan Guru himself was the principal cast, giving his words of wisdom in a subtle yet meaningful way.

So, enough reading my thoughts about this. Go check it out yourself! You may have a diiferent word than what I have said. Heck, there's even one video which I thought was great but the ending scene brought me to a conclusion that the filmmaker could be insensitive. (you may know ehich vid I'm talking about once you've watched it). As a teaser, here's one of the showcased short films. Have a good weekend:)

I Pledge Myself Not To Text While Driving…

Apparently there’s new initiative brought to my interest. The Road Safety Department has established a campaign, ‘Malaysians Unite For Road Safety’ or in short MUFOR. The idea of the campaign is to increase awareness among us road users on how important it is to be a vigilant driver. The plan of course is to get 250,000 pledges by 9 September 2009 (09/09/09, cool date eh). Here’s a little bit about the website:

Everyday we are bombarded with news of road accidents that often result in fatalities. The numbers are alarming as recent statistics from the Road Safety Department show that an average of 18 people are killed in road accidents everyday in Malaysia. The lives lost not only weigh heavily on the families that mourn them, but the country as well, for the passing of each of the thousands of lives lost on the road every year has an impact on the fabric of society and the economy.
But who is responsible for these very worrying numbers? We are quick to blame others and point out their weaknesses but unfortunately, we overlook the fact that we are often just as guilty of committing the same offenses and indulging in the same driving habits that lead to accidents. This vicious cycle has escalated to the point that many drivers no longer even think twice before doing something that they shouldn’t – it's as simple as "everyone else does it, why can't I?"
MUFORS is a community project that was set up not only to empower you, the Rakyat, to voice out your thoughts and concerns on road safety in the country but more importantly as a platform for all of us to take a minute to think about how we as road users can do our part to making our roads safer for all.
"Malaysians Unite for Road Safety" Day will fall on 9th September, 2009 (090909). In conjunction with MUFORS 090909, we are calling on all Malaysians to make a pledge on how to reduce accidents and save lives, and to honour these pledges on Wednesday, the 9th of September, 2009 between the hours of 9:00am-to-9:00pm. Our fervent hope is that these pledges honoured over a 12-hour period will transform into a lifetime of change.
Isn't it time we took matters into our own hands? Let's start taking responsibility for our own actions and pledge to save lives, our own and that of others, today. Let Malaysians Unite for Road Safety!

You can pledge yourself by typing in your pledge in the website or send in a photo or video pledge if you feel like being creative. Besides pledging, you can actually vote the top 5 most annoying driving habits. There are tones to choose from. At the moment, I believe the most popular vote goes to aggressive tailgaters (you know, the ones giving their high beams miles before reaching you, just cucuk-ing around your rear bumper. That’s just damn annoying man.So anyway, I’ve done my part (don’t believe me? There’s a screenshot of my pledge after the jump), and I have told you about this. So, go on to the website and pledge yourself! Together we can make a difference:)

The Dawn Of The Resistance

In case you're wondering, this has nothing to do with the political agenda of some sort. Muse (in case you're wondering, they're like one of the coolest British acts ever!) is coming out soon! According to iTunes, 'The Resistance' (the title of the album that is) will be released on the 14th September! I've heard the 30 second preview thing on iTunes, and boy do they sound good! Their first single to be released is titled 'Uprising', and I'm trying to search for it right now. So, if you're a big fan of Muse, this is indeed a very good news!

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