Another Party Theme?

On Thursday morning, I had a 3 hours sleep only due to staying up for the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Bolton. Worth staying up as Man Utd won to top the EPL, 3 points ahead of Arsenal. At 9am, went for a dim sum breakfast with my group of friends before embarking to a brainstorming session in organising the church's 20th Anniversary dinner.

Venue was at Kuchai Entrepreneur's Park. That restaurant's business was so good that even getting them to collect money as we wanted to leave took ages.













As the restaurant was not condusive for the brainstorming, we went to Amandesa condominium's poolside cafeteria (at Desa Petaling). One of the committee member stays here.
When we reached the cafeteria, we started to put four tables together as seen in the picture but the person-in-charge told us that we can't do that. HUH? Why?

He said we have to sit at different tables even though we were friends as his boss would reprimand him for allowing people to move those tables / chairs.

Really weird, isn't it? We told him that we were all friends and wanted to sit together to talk and would put all the tables / chairs back to its original positions when we are done.

Then he nodded his head and said "Oh, you all wanted to sit together but please help me put back all the tables / chairs later on".

The meeting proceeded just before 11am and went into serious discussion. With this group, however serious, ridiculous suggestions / ideas would come out from their brains. All talk only but those things would be unachievable.....haha.

Well, we like to dream and when we dream, we dream really beyond what humans could do.

As we went on, we talked about the souvenirs, ticket pricing, venue for the dinner, menu, programmes and lastly the dress code.

Just attended Nuffnang's Pajama Party on 15 March 2008 and did enjoy myself with their programmes / activities. Fresh from that, the committee wanted to have a party theme for it too. Wow, another one?

Various ideas came out:-
* Purple colour theme
* Pink colour theme (pink panther costume accepted)
* Pirates of the Caribbean theme
* Malaysian Culture theme
* The 80s theme
(at this moment, all crazy ideas went way beyond human intelligence)
* Pajama theme (my eyes rolled and nuffnangers may storm into this party)

I told them that I'm very sure that the response may not be good. The church comprise of people of all ages and those uncles / aunties (aged 60 and above) would come in their pajamas? Besides that, some could be conservative and could spoil the night by coming formally dressed for the function.

At last, we settled with this theme - Sports Theme. Immediately, the person staying in this condo went up to her apartment and came down with a shirt. She told us this shirt belongs Lin Dan from China (top badminton player).

Ok ok it would be such dress code that would be allowed.

One fella wanted to come as a chess player. We told him we would ban him from coming in.

Alternatively, a swimmer is also acceptable but you would freeze to death in the restaurant.

I thought of coming as a scuba diver but it could be boiling hot within the scuba suit.

Frontal of the shirt. Must be filled with Lin Dan's sweat too....hehe

We also decided that all committee members would have to be dressed in various sports' referee dressing. Easiest would be football as it would be all black but must come in real football socks / boots.

Referee? Which sports referee has a nice dressing? Baseball?






The meeting ended around 2.15pm and a few of us went up to our friend's house to chit chat. There goes my sleep.

What a view up from the condo where you could see the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers.
On this supposedly nice day, we were supposed to enjoy the public holiday and went straight home for a rest.

As there was some rain between here and there, at one point I ran a bit say 10m - 15m distance. Do you know what? That day was the dog shit and now, the short distance slow run just to avoid the rain. I pulled my left thigh's muscles again. Oh no!

When I went for dinner, was walking as if one leg was in pain. Can't even take a full stride when I walked. My friend said "You are getting old lah". Must admit but then how could it be when I go to gym regularly. This is terrible. How am I going to participate in the dance drama this Easter Sunday?

That was my day on a public holiday. Told you that busy days are coming up again.

Related post:-
* Busy Days Coming Up Again
Tags: Dim Sum, Kuchai Entrepreneur's Park, Amandesa, Desa Petaling, Church Anniversary, Party Theme, Sports Theme, Lin Dan, Pulled Muscle, Easter Sunday

World Will Be Silent for 4 Hours

The Bali Non-Government Organisation (NGO) Collaboration for Climate Change is appealing to communities all over the world to switch off electronic appliances for four hours on March 21 to tackle global warming.

When I opened up the World Silent Day's website, I saw the following screen. They really practise what they say. Never heard of this day before, only today, after reading that the Malaysian Qualifications Agency would be participating as well albeit for two and half hours.
My office will be joining this event right after office hours ;)
Tags: World Silent Day, Bali Non-Government Organisation (NGO) Collaboration for Climate Change, NGO, Environment, Global Warming, Malaysian Qualifications Agency

Busy Days Coming Up Again

Good Friday and Easter weekend is here again and I'm involved in the dance drama. Not headed by me this time but by lady who's quite creative with choreography owing to her passion for it only. What? Johnny is involved in a dance? You didn't know that I could at least move my butt?

On Monday, the housing developer's lawyer, for my new house, called me up about the sale and purchase agreement for the new house and he was nice in emailing the draft copy for my review first. Normally you don't get to read it but sign on the spot. I remembered when I first bought my current condominium, buyers who had selected the condo unit was required to walk to another room where lawyers from the housing developers' panel of legal firms were waiting for buyers. Was given the sale and purchase agreement to be signed on the spot. Did ask what was the rush and the lawyer said it was usual for such launching event.

You got no choice but to sign it otherwise your unit would be given to another purchaser as my all the 450 condo units were sold off on that launching date itself. Take it or leave it. So, this time was something different. Even though the sale and purchase is a standard agreement, I rather read through to have the comfort of what I would be signing later on. I'm sure many of you have the same experience.

Well, the lawyer sent me a soft copy of his invoice too. How convenient. A staggering RM9,000 bill? Oh my my. I'm gonna faintttttttttt ...............

With that almost in the bag, I have to source for a financier now. Approached UOB Bank, CIMB Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Alliance Bank, Hong Leong Bank and ING Insurance. Have to be melancholy as it involves a big amount that would tie me down for next 28 years. Thought I was smart in getting many proposals so that I could make good judgement but a bit confused now with the various interest rates offered for different years by different banks. Need to meet those bankers to overcome the dizziness.

Managed to get two of the banks to send me the quotation for legal fees just for the home loan and could come up to RM6,700. I have gotten three friends to take a look at the legal fees and wondering whether I could get further discounts from those charges imposed.

Need to settle it fast as a friend of mine who bought at the same area has told me that the developer has issued a letter requesting for the payment of the second 10%. The house is expected to be completed next March 2009. Twelve more months to go.

As at todate, I have not been to the gym for last three weeks. Reason - I pulled my left thigh's muscle. How it happened - you won't believe it. Stepped onto some dog shit in a public garden and went back to the roadside to scrape those shit off my right slipper. Left leg was holding steadfastly on the ground while right leg moved rigorously, trying my best to get those shit off my slippers. The pain the day after and lasted for three weeks now albeit much much better now. Should be jumping back into the gym by early next week.

Well, tonight was a rest day and while watching the English Premier League match between Manchester United vs. Bolton live, I typed this blog entry. Man Utd was leading 2-0 at halftime and would definitely, read the words here, top the league three points ahead of Arsenal. Man Utd's year again? Hopefully (toes are crossed now).

Match will finish by 6am and I'm supposed to meet up with few friends for breakfast at 9am later on to discuss / plan for our church's 20th anniversary come August 2008. Huh? Everything 8 8 ??? Too bad 8.8.08 is on a Friday. We haven't fix the exact date but August would be the month. Dim sum breakfast at Sri Petaling ............... yummy!

Good thing the meeting would be held at a restaurant for a some brainstorming session. If it was to be held in a meeting room, I guarantee I would go zzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzz. Would come back to sleep after the meeting and hopefully those fellas don't plan for anything else that could tempt me.
Tags: Sale And Purchase Agreement, Home Loan, Legal Fees, Dim Sum Breakfast

Malaysian Style

A simple guide to Malaysian Style for foreigners in Malaysia in which Malaysians could vouch for it:-

Lesson 1
You have just landed in Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the first thing you want to do is to call your Malaysian friend. If you're calling him at home or at the office, the first thing to say on the phone is "Eh, what you doing?". If you're calling him on the handphone (cellular phone) the standard greeting is "Eh, where are you?"

Lesson 2
Your Malaysian friend has graciously offered to pick you up from the airport. He said "Give me half an hour...", be prepared to wait at least one and a half hours. This is probably your first encounter with Malaysian Timing. There's no need to adjust your watch. Whatever time a Malaysian tells you, just add another hour, and you won't go wrong.

Lesson 3
You have no friends in Malaysia (yet) and you decide to take a cab from the airport. You'll soon realize that the one-way taxi fare is more expensive than a night's stay at most decent hotels.
(this is still prevalent even though the government has said it again and again that illegal cabs wouldn't surface again)

Lesson 4
If your friendly limo or taxi driver, says "Sir, you want to try some Thai chicken?", he's definitely not suggesting a good place for Thai food. If you encounter the word "chicken" in a taxi, hotel lobby or street corner, it usually means a lady who charges you a fee in exchange for pleasure.

Lesson 5
If you're a newbie expat, your colleagues will definitely introduce you to the mini Beverly Hills of Kuala Lumpur, Bangsar. Believe me, there are other more interesting places to shop, eat and drink. And by the way, get the pronunciation right! It's "Bar-ngsar" not "Bang-sar" as in "Bangkok".

Lesson 6
Why do Malaysians call all Caucasians "Mat Sallehs"? About a hundred years ago, drunkard sailors from the West were a common sight in the Port Klang area. The locals used to call them "Mad Sailors". Somehow, it got corrupted into the Malay name "Mat Salleh". The Chinese will still call you "Gwai-Loh" or "Devil". To the more polite Hokkiens you're a "Ang Moh" or "Red Hair".

Lesson 7
If your Chinese friends invite you to join them for a Chinese meal like "Hokkien Mee" or "Bak Kut Teh", eat as much as you can. You're never gonna get it anywhere else. Not even in China, Taiwan or HongKong. There's another Malaysian invention, the "Yee Sang" or raw fish salad (served during the Chinese New Year). Before I forget,if you're the queasy type, avoid ordering "spare-parts" when you're having "Bak Kut Teh", unless you fancy all the internal parts of a pig.

Lesson 8
When you're in a restaurant, always "pop" the disposable tissue packet as loud as you can. Don't worry, nobody will get annoyed. Usually, at the end of a ten course dinner, there'll be one "Big Bang" as everybody "pop" theirs. In order to express your appreciation to your generous host, remember to throw in a loud belch as well. Although it may be normal in your own country, don't ask the waiter for a separate bill (check). Either you pay for everything or just keep your mouth (and wallet) shut. If you feel bad about it, offer to pay the next time. Anyway, don't worry too much about it as most locals know that most Mat Sallehs are "stingy buggers".

Lesson 9
Don't like to be a stingy Mat? Take your friends to a Mamak "fish-head curry" restaurant. Order the prawns and the crabs as well. Be totally reckless, don't ask about the prices and don't check your bill as well. I guarantee you'll find a big hole. The one in your pocket, not the ones you're always chasing in Bangsar. Whether you're in a five-star hotel or at a roadside stall, always ask for the "bill". Nobody will understand when you say "check" or "tab". Need a paper napkin or serviette? Just say "tissue".

Lesson 10
Every Wednesday or Thursday night is Ladies' Night at the "fun pubs" and discos. That's the night when most club operators get rid of all their stale and unwanted alcohol. They mix it into some strange cocktails and give it away free to the ladies. Ladies' Night is actually Men's Night! That's the time when all the predatory "buayas" (crocodiles) go out in full force. Stick to normal nights, you'll find less competition. If you're a lady, stay away from the "buayas" and the free drinks (unless it's pouring brands).

Lesson 11
Stop hassling the street vendor who sold you a 3 VCD set of "The Titanic" that didn't exactly meet the ISO 9000 specifications. C'mon, what can you buy for US $3 back home? Besides, you should listen to your own government and not buy pirated stuff. But from what I see at Imbi Plaza, pewter and batik are no longer the favorite souvenirs. By the way, when you're at Imbi Plaza, don't forget to check out another distinguished landmark of Malaysia; the world's first and only permanently static escalator.

Lesson 12
Malaysian drivers tend to slow down when they come across any road accidents. They are not being cautious nor are they intending to give assistance. They must catch a glimpse of that ever important "Nombor". Even if the number (license) plate is broken into a million pieces,* *the passersby will patiently re-assemble it just to obtain that "lucky" number. Then, it's off to the 4D betting shops. If the numbers don't come this way, they do some quick interpretation of their dreams through the handy Chinese Dream Book. It looks like a Clip Art Visual Catalog.
Nightmares are included as well.
Tags: Malaysian Lifestyle, Malaysian Style, Funny, Humour, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, KLIA, Malaysian Timing, Bangsar, Caucasians, Mat Sallehs, Hokkien Mee, Bak Kut Teh, Yee Sang, Disposable Tissue Packet, Mamak, Fish Head Curry, Ladies' Night, Buayas, Imbi Plaza, 4D

Partying at Nuffnang's Birthday Bash

The Nuffnang Pajama Party finally came (held last Saturday night). Party revellers came to register around 6pm to 7pm.

About 200 Malaysian bloggers and 100 Singaporean bloggers attended this event.

Thanks to Nuffnang, our blog advertising company, who organised this event in conjunction with their 1st anniversary / birthday.

The event was held at Borneo Baruk Club located at Jalan Kia Peng.

The party dress code was - come dressed in what you wear to sleep. It was a big problem for me and many others as well.

I went along with Dominic and we got to know Amy and Akira (one party reveller thought he was a japanese) just before the start of the party.

Amy bought the night dress just for the party itself. Akira was in a common long sleeve/pants pajamas style.

As for me and Dominic? Simple shorts with our t-shirts as that were our usual sleeping outfit. Actually was worried while driving to the event as it was raining then. How cold would the air-cond be? I ensured that the place we were sitting was far from those strong blowing air-conds.

On hotter nights, may go without the t-shirt but this was not an option for the party night as it would cause me to be too busy handling new found fans.

Dominic participated in the mimic the Malaysian Dreamgirl contestant's modelling pose. If you were good enough, you would win a prize. But it seems all who went up won a prize. All of them were that good?

The co-founders of Nuffnang, Timothy Tiah and Ming were presented with a gift each and were required to open and use the gift immediately.

How nice of the Nuffnang staff ........ and they get to 'humiliate' their bosses to become Superman for the night in front of 300 bloggers who would blog about this (cameras were clicking away to the maximum at this point of time) and 300 multiply with all those blog readers ............ my my.

I would have gotten sack by my boss just by the sight of the underwear.

Got to know KYspeaks who usually blogs about his food adventures wherever he travels to. And when he speaks, everyone listens?

Excellent write-ups on many food outlets in Kuala Lumpur. So, food afficinados.....go check it out.

David Lian won a Nintendo Wii game console by virtue of him having the quirkiest blog on the I Sleep Better with Chipster contest.

The party was co-sponsored by Chipster and this David Lian went to the extent of 'sewing' a set of wearable shirt and shorts. Such efforts must surely be rewarded.



Now, whom did I get to know / meet personally?
Curryegg - found out she's staying near my condo

Skyler - I thought it was her so I tried my luck and asked "Do you know who is Skyler?" ........ haha! Have to be thick face at times

Liyin - there was a game that pits you with a lady. I was Tarzan and need to find my Jane, she was one of the 2 Janes I found, where were the rest of the Tarzans and Janes?

In this game, there were other pairs, for e.g. Beauty and the Beast, Hans Solo and Princess Leia, Mickey and Minnie and you would have to grab your other half to go up stage to grab a price. Second part of the game was to gather as many of your pairs as possible and the top team won cinema tickets

First part - can't find any Jane, maybe she hid from me when she noticed me shouting for JANE!
Second part - only 2 pairs of Tarzans and Janes (I was 1 of the guys) ................ sigh!

Yvonne Lee - won lots of nuffnang monies from her in the traditional scissors-paper-stone game

Ione - won lots of nuffnang monies from her too .... hehe but it was nice of her donating all her nuffnang monies hoping that I could bid for some prizes but ended up donating it to KYspeaks as the amount that I have was totally insufficient to bid for anything

Yipguseng - heard that he was not feeling well that night but still made it for the party - bravo!

Did I miss anyone out?
More party pictures in Nuffnang's website.

Reading: Bloggers jam in pyjamas at first year party - Star
Reading: Bloggers turned sexy creatures at party - New Straits Times

Tags: Nuffnang, Nuffnang 1st Birthday Bash, Borneo Baruk Club, Birthday Party, Party, Pyjamas, Pajamas, Pajama Party, Malaysian Dreamgirl, Chipster, Wii

Escapa Air Force Test

This will drive you nuts!!

The object of the game is to move the red block around without getting hit by the blue blocks or touching the black walls.

If you can go longer than 18 seconds you are phenomenal. It's been said that the US Air Force uses this for their fighter pilots. They are expected to go for at least 2 minutes. So, if you do pass the 2 minutes barrier, click here to join the US Air Force.

Give it a try but be careful...it is addictive!! Tags: Escapa, US Air Force, Air Force Test, Game

Abu Dhabi Through My Lens IV

On the night before I departed from Abu Dhabi, went over to the nearest McDonalds from my hotel for dinner. Rather had a take away and their take away packaging was superb.

I ordered a Big Mac (McValue meal - large) and it cost me 21 Dirham, roughly RM18. Life in Abu Dhabi is definitely not cheap.









This was Abu Dhabi's airport right at the centre of the departure lounge.

A friend asked "Why only one photo lah?"

The moment after I took this shot, I saw a signboard which has a camera picture with a slash over it, meaning no photograph shooting inside this area.

Was I lucky that the nearest airport security personnel was quite far away. Walked away from this spot so that those people (other than security personnel) who saw me wouldn't be able to pinpoint me..............phew!

Related posts:-
* Abu Dhabi Through My Lens I
* Abu Dhabi Through My Lens II
* Abu Dhabi Through My Lens III
Tags: McDonalds, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Airport, Travel