Year 2009

The year passed by so quickly. It was as if yesterday that I wrote the wrapped-up for 2008. And now, I am entering into 2010. I was literally hoping the time will stop or at least pause for a moment when I was in office. Is this sign of aging? I don't know. I just felt like the time went by too fast as I was too busy throughout the year.

Highlight of the year:
- 3 weeks in Perth, Australia :)
- Mission trip to Shangkalaburi: Awesome experience
- Trip to HCMC: very relax indeed

Other than that I didn't really do much for the year. I think I worked a lot and been quite busy which I am trying to change.

Thank God for His guidance. Actually, I wonder why ppl want to celebrate the calendar year, what about weeks or months? For me, there's not much feel about it. Weird...

Boxing Day

Went out dating with Fong. We had wanted to go out and do something for a long time. Well, thought of meeting up in KL and it didn't work out. Argh... We met up with a few more at Mid-Valley for dinner on Tuesday though.

We decided to watch The Princess and The Frog today. Went to fetch her and we went to Terminal 2, got our ticket and went lepaking a bit prior the movie starts.

It was a nice show aside the kids behind us were kinda kicking our chairs. The cinema was small. 8 in a row only. But, it was kinda new.

Then, we went to Jusco @ Seremban 2. Walking without nothing much in mind. hmm.... And we had cone ice-cream from McD. Yummy...

It was a nice outing. :)

Popeyes @ Sunway Pyramid

Met up Viveen for dinner at Popeyes @ Sunway Pyramid.

The traffic to there was horrible. And I thought that was all. The worse was I was at the car park looking for a parking lot for almost 1 hour. Really tormenting!! :(

Well, at least the food was alright. It was like KFC, well, it doesn't look as spicy as KFC, but, it was more spicy than KFC. The mashed potatoes and salad was nicer than KFC. :) Like it..

We spent the rest of the time sitting there and talking as I was too tired after the super tiring finding parking lot thingy..

Small little Christmas tree

Yeah! Finally a small little Christmas tree on our table. :)

Thank you... :D

Taman Pertanian/ Bukit Cahaya, Shah Alam

It's been N years since I last cycled. Unsure if I still know how to. Hoever, I've make few phone calls, sent few sms yesterday prior decided to go to Bukit Cahaya today. Have been hearing ppl talking about it. And since we have said we wanna go, so, go lar...

Only the 3 of us. Well, it was raining in the morning and kind of worried.

Anyhow, we still went. We were not very sure of the direction, just followed the signboard and the signboard kinda missing after awhile. Roughly, head towards Tesco in Shah Alam, then, all the way straight. Until seeing signboard turning right. Then, all the way straight again. I think it's about that. haha... have to ask my friend who drove. I was just sitting in the car enjoying myself. :p We arrived there about 9-ish am.

The park only open at 9am - 4,30pm. Close on Monday except it is a public holiday.

Car need to pay an entrace fee of RM1. Then, each person (adult) cost RM3 per person. Then, had some light breakfast, which was really expensive.

We proceeded to rent a bicycle though there's a skytrex which pre-booking through internet is required. http://www.skytrex-adventure.com/booking.php There are 2 types of package on bicycle: old and new. Old one starts with RM3 for the 1st hour and thereafter RM1 per hour. New one starts with RM5 for the 1st hour and thereafter RM1 per hour. We took the new ones.

Tested and started the journey. Well, moutain bikes is different from the normal bikes. Found it so breathless to cycle and up the slope. The roads were tarred, just the terrained was tiring. At one point, chain on TBH's bike was lossen which need to be fixed. Good to have engineer around. ;)

We passed-by the Skytrex. So many people, no wonder booking is required.

It started to drizzle and since we needed rest, we just went to the shelter place. Then, we headed back. It was still early, but, tired already, also, TBH needed to go back for lunch appointment. It's even tougher. Gosh... I have to push my bike going uphill sometimes. Going downhill was fun, have to watch out and be careful though as the road is winding also.

The place is so big, in total about 8KM for cycling, think we only cover 3KM or less. In total, we only spent about 1.5 hours cycling after N years. hahah....


Well, the only drawback was the toilet facility is not very well. It would be much better if they have the shower host for people to freshen up after the exercise.

Then, it's meal time, so hungry. Went to Damansara for nasi lemak. So many people. (ooppss... to hungry till I didn't and also forgot to take picture).

We went to 1 Utama to see a few other friends doing wall climbing after dropping TBH. My palms and feet sweat too seeing them doing that. I reckon, it's something I will not do. :(


Had ice cream at McD before I head home. It's nice to have a nice shower and rest afterall. :)

Yeah... I would like to go back there for cycling though.

Working day

Noticed some unusual people been working late recently. Took pictures of them and shared with the group. Wow... Received unbelievable response from the team. It's amazing. Was just to share with the team and make them feel a bit better, kinda entertainment?! hahaa...

Then, I saw different ones staying back late. And even CTO went back at 7++pm today. Snapped a picture of him too. haha... Woon actually came jokingly and told me that he wanted me to take a picture of him. hahaha..

And it's kinda 'funny' that, camera out, they pack, when I am done, they took their laptops out and start working again. hmm....

Today, while I was rushing some modeling template for a project, some of the decided to play some board game since it was raining heavily and surely traffic will be horrible. Then, someone suggested to play Upwords. I wanted to play too and yet still have to rush for my work. So, I just give them the alphabets, and when it gets to my turn, no time for me to think so much. So, I ended up with lowest points. I must say, it's a nice game. :)

We work hard + smart and yet not to forget to relax a bit as well.

Chocolate Butter Cake

Struggled to bake/ make something this weekend or not since I have been doing it 3 consecutive days last weekend.

At the end, I told my sister to get me some unsalted butter and buttermilk from Giant after church. She rang and told me couldn't get buttermilk. Well, that means chocolate creamy cake is gone. So, with butter and chocolate powder at home and milk, what should I make. Maybe chocolate and orange cake? Since we have orange at home. But, I look at the recipe again, 2 hours cooking time. Forget it.

So, at the end, opted for simple chocolate butter cake. Earlier was also thinking should I make Chiffon cake again? Since everyone likes Chiffon cake so fast.

At the end, Chocolate Butter Cake it is. It's quite simple, i reckon and the baking time was fast. It was halfway after I have done all the washing.

hmm... yumm.... I didn't put the chocolate cream as the book said, unless for party, I reckon, else, how to finish?

Japanese Dinner

A few colleagues cum friends celebrated belated birthday for me and early birthday for uncle Boon Hwa today. Had Japanese (again. 3rd time this week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Had high class mamak on Wed) at Sunway Pyramid.

They reckon the food is the same as Rakuzen in Subang and the serving in Subang is much better. For me, I am not very sure. I think they put a lot of food seasoning here as I can feel it especially dried mouth after meal. And the ventilation here is not as good. Shall recomment Rakuzen in Subang is a better place. :)

Birthday lunch + dinner

2 friends celebrated my birthday with me yesterday by taking me out to Rakuzen (Japanese restaurant). Actually, I don't expect them to do so. Well, after a whole day meeting, i needed rest. I was at IT Helpdesk installing something on my PC and within that 5 minutes, I realised that I was so tired and it's only Monday evening. I couldn't move at all until the IT ppl jokingly said they are going to call me a cab. hahaha... I told them to push me back up to level 4.

Well, then, the 2 friends took me to dinner with me feeling tired to walk, to eat. But, it was very sweet of them insisted to take me for dinner and a cake which I opted for ice cream.

No picture taken as I didn't bring anything out except my phone and myself.

Today, few other colleagues cum friends took me out for lunch for a fried chicken nasi lemak. Nice... sweet as....


Tonight, went out with another 2 friends (ex-colleagues). One of them is having same birthday with me (another friend of mine having same birthday, same year is a Japanese, lost contact, so sad). So, we ate at Sakae Sushi. I think I have not see them for 5 - 6 years. wow.. and we just talked and talked like old friends. cool... :)

I was jokingly saying when will we meet again? After another 10 years?

Sushi + Sponge Cake

Make sushi as lunch today. Right after church. Took me less than 1 hour to get it done. :)

Then, make sponge cake. It's ok, just that I should have make a Black Forest.

Chiffon Cake

Had enjoyed really nice chiffon cake baked by Aunt Mei Ling when I was in NZ. Tried many times and still couldn't be like what she did.

Today, I tried again. Taste and smell were there, not the look :( Only thing, it didn't raise enough and not fluffy enough. But, I beat the egg enough. Wondering and only realised that I forgot about the cream of tartar... aiks.... (oh... I make my own pandan juice too), so, this cake has got not colouring. :)

Dad and mom like it. Mom said it's a bit sweet though I have reduced the sugar. Overall, it's still ok. haha... So, maybe try again and it should be alright? Hopefully.... :s

Mango Orange Sorbet

I read about making own ice cream and sorbet long long time ago. And I thought it was quite difficult and tedious to make them.

Recent trip to Saigon had the really nice sorbet make me rethink. And as I came back, read those recipe again. And since we have home grown mango and passion fruit, just thought why not try to make.

Since I didn't have enough passion fruit this time, I tried to make the mango. It was easy, but tedious. Have to make into puree, strain (though may not necessary). Just that I like it smooth. And I did a mistake, I accidentally put the same amount of measurement of concentrated orange juice as orange juice, aiks... a bit too thick and too sweet.

Then, I fridge it, freeze it, blend it a few times.

And the next time... tadaa.... It's nice, I reckon. hahaha..... Next time, I shall try on the passion fruit.

Fireworks - Deepavali

Hindu is celebrating Deepavali today. And once passed midnight, lots of fireworks at my neighborhood...

It sounded like war zone though and yet beautiful. Needless to mention, air pollution also.. :s

Another wisdom tooth

Make a dental appointment today since it's a off day. :)

Thought of doing the annual check-up and also thinking should I extract the upper right wisdom tooth. It's not giving me problem, just the food will get stuck there and irritates me.

After almost driving around half the town for a parking lot, I managed to find one (so far) and walked so fast to the dental clinic as I was really late. Told the doc. on what I wanted to do. He looked at it and said, ok.

It was a fast process. And I have lost another 25% of wisdom. Lost 25% last year also. So, total of 50% lost. haha... =D

Making & Baking

Wanted to bake or make something for a long time. Then, thought was making jelly and sis agreed.


Went to The Store after church to get a can of lychee and the konnyaku jelly powder. Thinking that I can have passion fruit favour too since there are a few fruits at home.

And I started making when I got home. It was quite easy. :)

After making that, looking at the clock, it's only 3pm. And I felt like baking. Then, I decided to try muffin again since I failed it the last time.

A lot of people tell me muffin is the easiest, but, I just couldn't make it. I can make Black Forest but, I can't make muffin. aiks... So, I wanted to try again. tadaa.... I managed, just that I think I need to use the right flour. The one that I am using makes my muffin a bit chewy (according to the book-lar....)

So, I shall try again next time...

This coming weekend, I shall try to make something else... :)

Farewell Dinner

Actually, I don't like to go for farewell dinner. It is as if we will not meet again and I always wonder why don't we do this kind of makan (eating) more often but wait till someone is resign.

Anyway, we had our dinner at Sunway, Tasty Pot was the restaurant. It's steamboat. I would say the company count more than the food. :)

It was fun to play with KK Yap's son. He found out that I am also Rachel and his eyes blink as he said he has a friend also Rachel. hahaha...

We ate and we had fun. Take care Ms. Chong (Swee Kwee). Surely we will miss you...

Gunung Angsi via Bukit Putus

A friend mailed me about the climb this Sat 2 days ago, I kinda ignored it cos I have had an appointment made in the morning. Then, received sms. Also, cannot lar..

On Friday, I was thinking should I go or should I not. And I called to postpone the appointment to next Sat. Even when I got home, well, parents kinda encouraged me to go since I was pretty stress-up recently.

I wasn't sure if I will go though I started packing. I was quite anxious as it has been a long time (years?) since my last climb a mountain. Well, I did go for hills and Rat Race, but, it's different. There was this fear growing in me as I knew the others are very fit.

So, I woke up on Saturday, it was cloudy and I think I should go. So, I went to meet up the rest at church. There were only 7 of us. KG, Peter Lim, Jason Wong, Pat, David, Nataniel (Peter's youngest son) and me.

We arrived at Bukit Putus (decided to take this alternate route as was told it's easier and shorted) at about 8.15am. We could see the new Lekas (yet to open) highway just below us. We started after a word of prayer.

The terrain at the start was narrow and steep. I already find it difficult and thinking how to survive for the rest. And they called this ez! It's definitely not for me. Thank God Peter Lim and Nataniel were behind me (by purpose?). Peter has always been a sweeper in my climb with him around.

Arrived at this Kopitiam (Cafe) place after 30 minutes of the steep climb. We rested and was told it's easy after that. True enough it was fairly easy. It's walking and some ups and downs.

Somehow we need to go over or under a lot of falled tree trunks. It's very much like obstacle course. At some junctions, I didn't know where to go. And Peter told me, just follow the red plant. It was planted by the owner of the Kopitiam, they come here every Saturday. That really impressed and touches me. Every Saturday!! And they plant it so people are able to follow the route. Good samaritans.

At one part, it was so dark, and misty. Well, it was cooling too. We summited at about 10.00am, took us about 1.50 hours. Wow...

After rested and chatted with some other guys there. They were talking about helicopter evacuation at Everest base camp which required USD5K upfront as the insurance coverage is more of refund later. The team got excited of the topic. It started to drizzle and we descended after about 15 - 20 minutes rest.

Natheniel was so cute showing me his protection bag. :)



Descending was fast. I took opportunity to snap more photos. One can actually see the Lekas (still building) highway.

The rain got heavier when we were about to reach the base (~ 12 noon). Well, since we were about there, no one borthered to wear the rain coat, so, we were wet.

I knew I had a scratched on my way up. It was painful especially the sweat got into it. Only later I realised that it was like a Nike mark. hahaha... Just do it, uh.

As soon as I got my belongings for changed, an accident happened within split second right in front of me. The car got hit because another car which tried to overtake and squeezed in as there were on-coming car. And the car behind can't move at all... wow...

For me, I think it's not that easy climb, overall, it's not that difficult as well. Do I want to climb more mountains? I am not sure. I know they are trying to convince me to go Nepal climb next March for 18 days trip. hmm....

Broga Hill, Semenyih

Saw pictures posted by friends to Broga Hill recently and make me wanted to go.

So, I sent out emails asking colleagues and friends, talked to friends over MSN. OK, a few wanted to go and we thought maybe 17th Oct is good.

At about 6++pm yesterday, Fong sent me a text asking what if going tomorrow (ie, today). Why not, more than happy to go, though none of us know how to get there. hahaha...

At 10++pm or 11++pm, she text me and confirm going. Ya... sounded a bit crazy. I called up another friend and keen as well. OK. Let's prepare. And we realised, we have no food (eg. bread or banana, etc..) but, well, just go. Fong's friend, LKK, has been there last week and saying that it's easy climb. I was thinking since I have not done any exercise (wanted to sleep than walk), so not wanting to take it for granted.

Then, those from KL arranged their own timing and transport. Us from Seremban arranged ours. So, I got to wake-up at 4am to pick Fong up at her place before 5am and meet up Cheng and Min Chee at 5.15am at Bukit Lemon. Why so early? We are supposed to be at University of Nottingham at 6.15am.

This morning, my alarm went off and everything was as scheduled. Well, we arrived there about 6am and found out that those from KL were still at Seri Kembangan. hmm.... Then, we asked the guard at the university and decided to meet the guys at the palm oil estate instead.

It is located about 3KM away from University of Nottingham, turn off at the traffic light ahead, palm oil estate behind a rabbit farm. One can see (carefully) that many cars would park on the roadside or in the palm oil plantation.


So many cars there already by the time we arrived. Finally, the guys arrived and we started our journey. Well, I must say it wasn't as steep as Panaroma Hill, but, it can also be a challenge. It was dark and we needed torch light.

Would propose to go a bit earlier, hence no rush and do it slowly and able to take more photos.

Soon, we arrived at Peak #1, a flat area with lots of people. Didn't spend too much time here and we proceeded to Peak #2. Some good samaritans actually make steps on the hill for easy walking. Peak #2 was crowded too. But, the sun started to come out and we spent a bit more time here taking pictures. The cool breeze was so nice that helps to cool us down. LKK said we took 45 minutes to reach Peak #1 which could be done in 30 minutes. Not sure. Maybe.... :S

Peak #3, short distance away, where the big rock is. We spent a lot more time here taking more pictures. haha.... Ladies... The view was really nice.

And went on to Peak #4 where I saw ladder and string which immediately reminded me of Gunung Datuk. Well, this is the mini version. We saw a group of young Malays actually changed into Malay costume and taking pictures which was really cool. Then, Min Chee suggested we do something like this in CNY. Cheng said, in Cheong Sam?! I said, only make it here gets their ang-pao.. hahah... We didn't spend too much time at Peak #4 as the surface is quite small.


Going down can be quite slipperly though. Thank God the steps were made to make it easier. At one point, we gotta stopped due to the amount of people (traffic jam) which reminded us of the crowd we experience in Panaroma Hill.

There's no tree on the hill, the entire hill is full of lalang (cogongrass/ reeds/ straw).

After that, we went for nasi lemak with Milo as our breakfast which was really yummy. Nasi lemak and Milo really compliment each other...

I enjoyed the trip. Thank you all for making it happend though this was quite last minute and ad-hoc. :)

Fireworks in office???

Suddenly, I heard the sound boom boom.... and I looked-up and out... wah... so nice... But, it was too late when I had my camera. So, I continued talking with my colleague + brother. Then, again, now, i had my camera on the table.. so, i went to the window. Shutter is really slow as I turned it to fireworks mode...

Still, it's so nice..

Where's that coming from? I think from Kelana Jaya....

So, it's not all the time so bad to stay in the office till so late. Not also to say that I like to stay till so late... But, u know what I meant, don't u? :)

Home made cakes....

Was supposed to pick-up the jelly mooncake from cousin last Friday. But, since I was to KL and not able to do so, she came delivered to our house this evening. And all the more was all the way from USJ. So touching..

On top of it, she also made yam cake.... Sooooo yummy.... :) She is such warm hearted.

Both items are for open to order and purchase. It's really nice...

Languages

Realised that I have learnt quite a number of new languages through the mission trip. It's fun... and the most exciting part is that I am still able to use some Burmese locally as there are some Myanmar ppl in Malaysia. It is very exciting, at least for me to know so many languages... Example as below:

English	Chinese	Malay	Thai	Myanmar	Vietnam	Korea
Hello	你好	Hello	sawadika	ming-kla-ba	chao	an-yong-ha-seh-yong
Thank you	谢谢	Terima kasih	cop-kun-ka	je-ju-tem-ba-re	com-on
very delicious	很好吃	sangat sedap/ enak-nya	a-loy mak-mak	sa-gaung-de
rice	饭	nasi	kar	ta-mer	com
sorry	对不起	minta maaf	ko-tol		xin loi
don't understand	不明白	tidak faham	mind-kao-zhai	na-me-le-ba
toilet/ washroom	厕所/卫生间	tandas	hong-nam	anne-ta	nha ve sinh

It's so strange that I spent so much time with Korean and I didn't learn any Korean from them, but, all other languages. :)

Conclusion: I like to go mission trip. Aside learning the languagues and culture, I was blessed a lot which is really cool....