Not so leisurely Monday in Leisure Mall

Mondays always prove challenging. It's a busy day, with many patients to attend to. On top of that, yesterday was only the 3rd day my new assistant was on the job, hence a very tired me. It takes a lot of repetition ( and patience) to train a new DSA, especially one just out of school.

Thankfully she's not all that blur and can pick up quite quickly, but the learning curve is steep. Just have to keep taking very DEEP breaths. Am amazed that my patients too are very patient once we explain the situation, enough to give the new ( and slower) girl a chance. Least she's not as bad as what I've had to work with before and for that, I'm very thankful.

Plus, the BOSS came back from hols and guess who had the guts to give him a status report on all the mice happily playing while the cat was away? The usual office politics, with a dash of drama and blame slinging thrown in is enough to create a huge headache. So, by the time I finished the last patient, I was eager enough to get out of there and into the jam around the mall.

It took me a good 45 minutes to reach LM. BH, who had left before me, reached 10 minutes ahead...but since he'd been pointing out that we have not been back in our home gym for a while...I felt it was ok la. After hours, everywhere also jam what? Might as well make a trip "home" where the canto pop stars roam.

LM is way different from the others...almost to the point you need a visa to get in...hehehehe. The official language is Cantonese, the official stand is...So What? We like it OUR way...hehehe. LM members got spunk, I tell you. They'll joke about fishballs, height and mannerisms and they don't really care who's on stage. If it's a class they wanna attend, they'll show up, no matter who's teaching.

So anyway, we were there for combat...it was 32 ALL THE WAY, I can't stress it enough, Track 1 :32, Track 2 :32 , Track 3:32, you get the point.Teeheee. After a week plus of not doing combat, I can still hook!!! But as BH said, no power. What to do? No practice mah.

It was Cheng and Nicholas on stage, both have gotten better since I last saw them. Cheng's instructions were very clear, timing is good and I'm sure newbies can follow. Nicholas has got more power, he just has to get rid of the accent. So the combo of the two of them, made for a very enjoyable class. The class was packed as usual, it's LM, its always packed, except for 5.30 classes lar. the usual LM suspects were in class, with a few who have gone astray...by that I mean to IOI.

Finally got my groove for combat back....am feeling it now. Mostly in my shoulders. Looks like I'm gonna be back in combat class soon...can't wait till next week when they start mixing!!! Will probably still carry on terrorising the RPM and BS classes, and might even someday, actually terrorise a Jam class...

Daydreaming

Was driving along dreamily on saturday morning to work , thinking about training new assistant, patients and cases I have to work on, when I pulled up at the traffic lights and I saw next to me....

....................................................................Optimus Prime?

Ok, maybe I've got too much Transformers on my brain, it is a bit of a stretch, but the colour same mah?

Which then made me dream....what if my car was an Autobot? Fuuuiyoh...can transform into some cool chick robot, with the ability to surf over floods ( and traffic in jams). Kekekeke. Wouldn't that be nice?

Transformers...more than meets the eye!

Autobots! Roll out! Chu,chu,chu,chu,chu....kekekeke. BH and I managed to get tickets on opening night, at BTS, Imax theatre. HUGE screen, but we were sitting at the corner, so the effect not so great lah. The sound was good though.

I can see why many die hard fans had threatened Micheal Bay, his version is a bit off the original cartoon. And the fight sequences, from where we were sitting, was just a ball of confusion...two pieces of metal,mashed together, can't see the real punches/kicks/etc. So, I'm not exactly a fan..I did watch the cartoons as a kid lar, but I don't remember much other than Optimus and Megatron. I was more of a Thunder, Thunder,Thundercats...HO! Fan. I wonder if that will ever make it to the big screen...doubt it lar.

My favourite parts were their references to Japanese technology, with one liners like "Something as advanced like this can only be Japanese"...kekekeke. That's what happens when a Japanese cartoon becomes a cult hit all over the world. I do wonder though, where does all that metal go? When they transform from robot to car/plane/truck/tank...oh err, better not reveal too much...

Yesterday's movie was also an adventure for me...finally got to travel on the Monorail. Decided to meet BH at BTS, so took the Komuter ( and it's wonderful odours) to Sentral, then the Monorail. The train itself was ok la, but it's not well integrated with sentral. Have to walk from main terminal, out past the cark park to Tun Sambanthan station. Lots of walking , lots of stairs. No biggie for me, but noticed many tourist struggling with their bags, esp this one Arab lady, all dressed up in 5 inch heels...kesiannye. The train though gives one a very rare view, one of the Brickfields area and it's cultural diversity. I saw a Chinese temple, then a Hindu one, and then a mosque...seeing these buildings from an elevated view is not something one gets to see everyday.

Ok, back to Transformers...die hard fans and not die hard fans, just watch for the effects la, very cool...but comparing to the cartoon and comic will make you frustrated, so don't bother and enjoy the movie. All together now...Bum...Bel....Beeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

I Have a Dream

I'm broke, but I have a dream, a dream of a better life. I might not be able to afford it, but right now, I can't stop dreaming about it. This one is a self motivational post...for when I lose track of my dream.

Uncomfortable, not breathless.

Sorry Herny, but I was uncomfortable the moment my behind hit the saddle and breathless all the way. When it was time for Herny to go "You should be breathless by now" I was like a fish out of water, gasping desperately for air. Arrrgh!!!! Pee Em...

I'm still not used to the bike, so is it quarter twist turn and pull...no that's endodontics. So it should be full turn to the right when she says "turn it up" and "quarter turn to the left" to back off? Oh wait, that can't be right either...my wheels were hardly turning. So, it should be quarter to the right, full to the left? Wheels still barely turning...oh dear.

I really dunno how Lionheart does it. From way back of the room, we could hear him way in front. ( We being BH and I) and I could see his wheels spinning and spinning and spinning. And mine? Well, lets just say in a real uphill climb, by the time he'd reach the peak, I'd still be OFF the bike, PUSHING it up, somewhere about halfway lah.

BH theorised that maybe its the combination of Steps and RPM that has my legs like jelly. Hmm... I wonder then, what would happen if I pursued this new passion for lower body workouts longer? Would my upper body shrink? Or instead, would fat start accumulating there instead of my thighs? Maybe my muscles would atrophy? Holly Cow! Would I lose the ability to do a hook altogether?

For now, I'm still swaggering ala John Wayne, ie legs akimbo...you know, kangkang....I bet most people would think I was a bad girl last night, heh.The things I do to lose weight. But BH is right, the variation of programmes is making me more enthusiastic about hitting the gym. My body has been "shocked" ( that's the term he used) and really, it's starting to ache in places I never knew could ache. I feel the way I used to feel when I first started working out...tired, achy but satisfied. This does feel good.

So, where there's a will, there will be a way...someday, I'll try RPM Challenge...someday lar, when I can do "uncomfortable but not breathless" and "breathless" and still walk out not swaggering like John Wayne!

On an unrelated note: Paris is out! They let her out early on good behaviour, so now she says she wants to serve God, by this I doubt she means becoming a nun. Rather she plans to open a halfway house for released inmates. If she does, she's got class.....lets hope she doesn't go back to her "pretending to be blonde and dumb" days. And yeah, I added this just to fluff up the post...I have no shame...hehehehe.

Time to clear the air

Reading my post Constructive Criticism and it's comments has been very insightful. It proves that I'm not the only one who jumps to conclusions and I admit, I do.

I wrote that post with a few things in my mind. One was the previous one, BC 32, where someone did try to start a fight out of an opinion. Perhaps thinking that a bad review of a release means a bad impact on the programme or on the instructors teaching it. It's a bad release, it happens. There are good releases, the programme is not popular for no reason. But that doesn't mean we CAN'T chose NOT to go for this release. Tak kan die, die also must do combat?

When I wrote Constructive Criticism, I was writing about people in general. To assume that I only write posts gym related ( or instructor related) is wrong. I do have a life outside the gym.
I actually wrote that piece with everyone in mind, the people I work with, the people who come to me for consultation and yes, the people I meet in the gym. To say I aimed it specifically at any instructor, let alone one particular instructor is wrong. Seriously, no instructors were badgered in the making of this post. Read it again...carefully, slowly and try to read it without any preconceived notions.

The labelling under gym rant was an error. When you type "g" under "labels", it automatically comes up with the last word used under "labels". It's a blogger publishing thing. I hit the button before I realised, but I let it be, since it was, in a way gym related.

Perhaps it drew a lot of attention because "anonymous" decided to tie it and the one on BC 32 to a post many months ago about an instructor. BC 32 and Constructive Criticism have nothing to do with that post. To assume and jump to the wrong conclusions merely reflect a rash mind, but to comment negatively, repeatedly, reflects an unthinking mind. I let the comments section run, and kept on saying it was my post, my blog, hence my right, because it is.

Until I realised someone was taking this way too personally to be just about BC 32 and my opinions on criticisms. After I realised that, I just let you continue assuming what ever you want to assume, too tired to argue with someone so hell bent on their way of thinking. You must be a lawyer, and I suppose a good one.Plus, it's just interesting to see how people think, so I let it be lah.

In the end, most people got it...I didn't write about anyone in particular at all.
So anonymous, if you still want take excerpts from this post or the previous posts or posts done in the stone age and use it against me...well, still jumping I guess.

This post, just in case, is for those of you who silently read and just wonder what the hell its all about?

Bodohlah, Why You So Like That One?

( Sung to Do Re Mi, from the Sound of Music) This song in the recent Broadway Parodies by the Actors Studio always makes me laugh. Especially when I see some bodohs. You know, the ones, those motorcyclist who veer into your path just to overtake a car, almost hitting the front end of your car and just barely swiping the side mirror? Those bodohs? In the spirit of muhibah...and broadway....

Scene 1 act 1

Ayah: jom kita gi shopping? Mid Valley, nak?
Mak,Long,Ngah,Teh and Su: Yeay! Jom!
Ayah: Ok, Long duduk belakang mak, Ngah, Teh antara Mak dan Ayah, Su dudk dalam bakul, ok?

And off they all go, a happy family of five, on the Honda...kapchai.


Scene 2 act 1
( In tamil)

Appa: Dei, Thamby! Amma ask you to go buy some curry powder...
Thamby:Ok, I take the bike, appa?
Meenachi: But anneh, you no lesen, how?
Thamby: Nevermind, short distance only....and happily takes the kapchai
Amma: ( shouting) Thamby...take the helmet lar!!!
Thamby: No need amma...near only............


Scene 3 act 1
( In cantonese/hakka/fu chow/whatever chinese dialect you can speak)

On a motorbike somewhere in the Klang Valley

Girl: Lou Kong ah, late already lah!
Boy: Aiya, don't worry Lou Poh, I know short cuts

( Bike, a kapchai, squeezes in and out of traffic, between cars, lorries and tankers, runs a few red lights, gets on side pathway....)

Bodohlah, Why You So Like That One?

10 parts Step 4 parts Combat...

.........Equals a very tired me.....

Traffic on the federal highway was terrible yesterday...well, more terrible than usual, its always at a crawl. But since BH and I decided to hit Axis, stuck with it lar. I wanted to go for BS, he wanted to try finishing an entire RPM class.

BS was great, had Diha as a kaki again last night. This time around, Jeremy wasn't on stage, so less holy water sprinkled on us in front. Nevertheless, Serena did a good job again last night. Had a great work out and am still loving the music. Mostly remixes, my favourites being New Sensation, the warm up and a remake of Why, Why Tell me Why in English, an old Anita Mui track, damn syok for party track.

Dunno what it is about step, at the end and until the next day, my legs and bum would hurt. Though I walked out of class tired, BH said I didn't sweat enough. Plus, he didn't make it to class, no more bikes it seems. Hence the 4 parts Combat.

And, it was Shades class..so we decided to hang around for 4 tracks. BH's theory about alternating instructors is valid, different styles, different feel, different mood makes it interesting. Shades being Shades, always puts a smile on my face as there's always a witty joke thrown in. His technique has gotten better over the years, and dude, your kata's now very nice lar. I guess he didn't become Head Teacher for nothing.

But I still don't like the release. Just don't feel it at all. Can't wait till they start mixing tracks...hehehe.

In attendance were several people I haven't seen in a while, mostly people from a forum that seem to have somewhat disappeared. Two have taken up Combat training, hopefully will be able to put it to good use. It would be nice to see new faces.

Still aching from yesterday...but it feels good.

Constructive Criticism

Funnily enough, I've been thinking about this post for quite a while now. I blame it on the current book I'm reading, Wild Swans. It's about a generation of Chinese women in China, the author of whom later migrated, but wrote on her mother and grandmother and life under Communism when it first began in China. In her book, there are many references to something called "self criticism" where people had to criticise themselves to other people in the community as a way of improving themselves and a way of controlling their thoughts under Communist rule.

Far from discussing Communist doctrines, my post is actually about taking constructive criticism. A lot of us can't. A lot of us do not know how to react when faced with a negative comment about ourselves nor when we fail. This includes me, as yes, I am not that great at taking criticism's myself. But at least after I simmer down, I try to figure out, what went wrong, why I failed and why someone said what they did. If in fact the negative comment can be turned into a positive so I can be better?

I have to thank a lecturer in Uni making me understand this way of thinking and learning how to receive criticism. Dr. Tii, she was the strictest one we had, very difficult to pass with her. On one case, in year 2, I showed her my prep, she said, no, cannot pass. And then went on to say " Do you really want to just pass with barely there work? Or do you want to learn how to do it properly? Spend some time and slowly do the prep, learn, then show me". Which I did, I re-did the prep and then showed her and she said "See, you can do it, you just need to be more patient and do it properly".

In my third year, for major cases, I chose lecturers who were tough, because I knew, if they passed me, I was doing something well. I still remember Dr. Tii's words, especially when I fail. I go through it, over and over again, analysing where and how and what I could have done differently. Same too when someone says " This wasn't good, have to do better" or something along those lines lah.

But I suppose a lot of people can't take constructive criticism, preferring instead to believe that they are never wrong, can do no wrong, and when someone says something bad about them, its out of malice, prejudice and hatred. To which I say, is it not those who are honestly harshest with us who loves us most?

Back to communism...we don't live in a communist country, thankfully, and we are all entitled to opinions. This blog represents my right as a citizen of the blogosphere to write as I please, within reason, about topics that I see fit. It's my blog, I may whine, rant, criticise and what not as I please and like I said, if you don't like it, don't read it. BFC thinks when I write gym related stuff, I will definitely draw some flak...oh well, Jim ( note sarcastic purposeful wrong spelling) Jihads will always champion.... goodness knows what they champion...but BFC is right ..................
So What?!!!!

Family

Of late I have been thinking very seriously about family. To me, busy that I am trying to earn a miserable living, I still believe that family is the most important thing to me. I always feel short changed on the amount of time I get to spend with family and loved ones, with my Saturdays virtually taken away. But alas, that's how my cookie crumbles at the moment and until I can afford to change that, so it shall be for the time being.

It was an interesting weekend nonetheless, as it was a time for family. It was baby Alden Wong's full moon luncheon. Born to BH's brother, a whole lot of family showed up yesterday to welcome the kid into the family. I'm writing about this, because BH's mum decided to invite my folks as well, so my family met his family and the baby's mum's family. The kid was busy sleeping through most of the noise, occasionally waking up to be fed, but otherwise not a peep outta him.

BH has so many uncle's and aunts and cousins and second cousins...I was lost for the most bit. My folks lagi lar lost...hehehehe. But we did see the family resemblance lah, BH follows his dad's side. His brother, his mum's side. It was nice though, to get to meet everybody. Well, almost everybody, according to BH, there's still family Down Under, which hopefully if all goes well, we'll meet soon enough.

All nice people, his folks, a few funny cousins like BH. All in all, my folks and I had a nice time, meeting everyone. The food, so so only lah. I am hoping that there will be more family time. Hopefully I can reneg on my working hours, so I have more time with mum, dad, BH and my ( I mean our) doggie and our families.

BC 32

Ok, tried it for the second time yesterday. Have to be honest, this is one of those releases where if I where away for the entire duration the compulsory use of this release is in effect, I would not have missed it. This is also one of those releases where I seriously wonder if the choreographers have run out of ideas...or if they just did it haphazardly. Why? Repetitions, lack of challenge ( directional and co-ordination wise) , choreo that doesn't jive and music that doesn't inspire make me feel this way.


BC seems to mimic BA more often these days, perhaps to up the cardio workout. But what hapened to the inspiring choreo that challenged us and made us sweat buckets, ache and yet yearn for more? I miss those. Like Jigga jigga, like Push it good, like Vogue, like So what?. This time, the warm up was sooooo slow, I swear, I almost fell asleep. Then track 2 suddenly an increase in intensity..hard to accomplish if the warm up doesn't warm you up right?


This release isn't without some saving grace of course, Call me when you're sober, with the evasive side kick and front kick combo was good. But then I'm biased about evasive side kicks la, I like the move. As for the switch knee...errr....pass. More like a BA move to me.

BH thinks its because of the instructor...one gets bored with one style after so long. Ok, will try other instructors, but I have a feeling, I'll still be complaining about BC.

By now, filming of BC 33 would be done, they would be starting to film BC 34 and already working on BC 35 I suppose. I hope, sincerely that things will only get better. Until then, I can't wait till the instructors can mix tracks and will probably spend more time in BS and RPM...

A virgin in Eric's Den

Thanks to a hard saddle between my legs and a tough instructor, I am a virgin no more....in RPM lar...take those dirty thoughts out of your head! FBB is right , AAAARGH Pee Em is more appropriate.

Sweat buckets yesterday in Eric's class, my very first. Okay, have tried spinning, I mean cycling before, but never RPM. My one and only previous experience was in a Schwinn class in Cali. That was excruciatingly painful for a delicate person like myself. The bike was very uncomfortable. Walked out of that class still dry, walking funny due to the pain and swearing I'd never get on a bike again! Until yesterday lah.

Have to be creative with workouts post shoulder injury, hence the RPM and Bodystep on Monday. BH has been trying to get me into a class, with me always finding some excuse or other not to. Finally caved in and surprise, surprise, I actually enjoyed the class. Can't say it beats a great BC, but okla...at least I sweat right? Next time, shall increase the resistance more, since today I can still walk, no pain in the legs at all. Gonna try to push it next time. Yeah, there actually will be a next time.

In fact, there will be more next time's in RPM and in BS...BH is right, I have to diversify my workouts. BC is getting dull for me, especially with the new release...and since I can't do much upper body weights right now, time to look into other options.

But not Attack...nope, never, nada, no way hose! But then, that's what I said about RPM too before yesterday.

OUCH!

At 3.10 pm yesterday, it happened. This sharp excruciating pain stared to shoot from my left shoulder. Couldn't lift my arm or move it, and the pain was radiating to my forearm. My mind raced...left side, pain...angina? No way la....it than rationalised, probably a shoulder injury. Strangely, my shoulder gave no warning signs, the pain just came on.

Off and on I've had soreness around my shoulder. Never this bad though. After settling my patients, I popped over to Medicare next door. Do. confirm an anterior deltoid injury, the muscle was swollen and tender. After some muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories, back to my patients.

I figure I must have strained the muscle some time ago and the position of my left hand when I hold a mirror to work must have triggered the episode. Looks like there will be no jabs, crosses, hooks or uppercuts for me for a while. So, with an aching shoulder, I headed of for Step in Axis.

Have not been to BS in a while. Must say I had fun. Serena and Jeremy were great, managed to follow the class and work up a good sweat. I think till my injury recovers, I'm gonna have to find alternative ways of working out, so it looks like it's gonna be BS and maybe BA. Don't like RPM, cos I find the thought of cycling and going no just tiresome.

Second ouch: Have yet to find a replacement for my assistant. Had ONE interview today, not many people want to become dental assistant. The lady who came in sounded great, has experience and all, but alas, I don't think we can meet her pay expectations. Sigh....

Sitting and hoping and praying now that both ouch's go away soon. Right now the first ouch is still ouch, cos my shoulder is still very much sore. The second ouch...I only have till the end of the month before my assistant leaves. Drat.

Father's Day

Father's day this year was slightly special. Apart from waking up post Saturday night with BFC, Bf and BH with a HUGE headache, BH and I decided to take our dad's out for makan. At first the plan was high-tea with my folks, then dinner with his. But my mum suggested why not kill two birds with one stone? Thinking she was right and that both BH and I need to cut down on eating, all six of us headed to some hotel nearby lah.



This was the first time BH's folks and mine got together for a meal. BH and I had been thinking and planning for a while, how, when and for what occasion to get everyone together and so finally it happened lah.



The food was not that great, new hotel, poor organisation and all. But the company was good. It was very nice to see the four of them getting along, laughing, joking and generally having a good time. Both our dads were happy as were our mums. Hmmm...promising.

Miracle Part II

Wondering who's super cool arm this is?................

..........the blur face says it all "You taking my photo ah?"

Managed only to get these two pics on the cell phone to blog...the rest are with BH, his "professional" ones. He managed to get all the Tribe teams for BC to pose for him. Oh, BTW, Peggy, pictured above...in tribe team for Attack...and apparently it was her first time on the BC launch team. Good on ya...she's one of the instructors BH and I think are full of potential and way underrated. The other being Jason, who lead his team in BC and won. I bet it was the head breaking plank trick at the end that did it.

Shal not blog very much about Miracle this year, cos Shades and most probably Anneh will blog all about it. It was ok lar...not as happening as last year. This year no auction as well and though it was indoors, the floor was slippery..they carpeted it, but it kept slipping under our feet. And there just wasn't enough space for BC...people kept bumping into one another. The endless jingga didn't help. Also the sound system wasn't very good, couldn't hear the instructions clearly...of maybe I'm just going deaf lah. Anyway, it was for charity, so....

Strange observation though, some members had make up on. Ironically, those on stage presenting did not. Must be a new trend, working out with make up.

Didn't stay for the end, decided to spend time with BFC and BF who were in town. Where else but at our favourite pub, Online lar. Too bad no more Hokkien mee, we had to settle for ribs, bites and of course our favourite stout. BH, who was tired, decided to unwittingly challenge BFC to Guiness...bad move. She isn't called Miss Guiness Stout by the proprietors of Online for nothing. Plus BH baru recover from dengue and was dead tired...after a few ( still quite a few lar), he was slurring and saying all sorts of stuff. Kekeke...Soooo funny. But then, by that time, I was pretty much laughing at anything also lah. I think I only had 3 draughts and a bottle...and I was slumped on the counter. BH and I will NEVER attempt this again.

Oh, and why Miracle Part II? Cos part one was last year mah...last year, BFC caught me in the changing rooms, after launch, getting all dressed up for date with BH, then just..."friend from LM".

BFC: Who you getting all dolled up for la?

Me: (applying make up)...Just some guy who asked me out lah

BFC: Cute or not?

Me: Errr..ok la.

This year, Crystal caught me and went:

Crystal: Getting ready for date ah?

Me: Yeah

Crystal: Err...you're going out with Bernard right?

Me: Yalor

Crystal: Bernard who ONLY used to go to Leisure Mall right?

Me: Yup

Crystal: Didn't you go to LM for Calvin's class also?

Me: err...yeah

Crystal: Ooohhhh.......

Smart girl this one. No wonder can become GXC at such a young age.

I wonder what will happen if there's a Miracle 08?

A change is in the air

This always happens to me, when I'm happy, complacent and behaving like a frog in warm water, something has to change. You know the story right? You put a frog in cold water, slowly heat it up, the water gets warm, the frog is happy, you heat up some more, the water boils and the frog is well...tender and boiled with it. If you dunk a frog straight into hot water, it jumps right out.. Anyway, my point is me=froggie in warm jacuzzi, until now. I got news that my assistant is leaving for greener pastures and I'm in a fix.

Dentistry is very much a four handed profession. We rely on our assistants a lot, and they play a huge role. Throughout the years, I've had all sorts as assistants. Good ones, bad ones, good ones who stole money, bad ones who claimed they were possesed...ALL SORTS. It's not an easy job, a lot to do and it does require some brain matter as well. The trouble is, there is no training school for dental assistants in the private sector. There is a school for the government nurses, but they all end up working for the MOH lah. ( That's actually where my assistant is going). For us in private, we usually have to train our own nurses. So, we spend time and a lot of effort in training our assistants.

With my current assistant, I've trained her and she has gotten pretty good. From not understanding what bonding agent is, she now knows just how to tip the bottle and get the right, un-evaporated amount onto the brush. Brain matter is there, she gets the logic of doing things properly and best of all, she gets all the equipment I require before I even ask for it. Sometimes I forget and she reminds me. She is THAT good. And no one can assist me in root canals better than she can. She just gets it lah.

Which I guess is the whole problem...cos now, she wants better things. I don't blame her, the school will give her a diploma, something I can't give. But truth is, I trained her better than what she will learn in that school, trust me. Which works out very well for her I guess, cos she will be well ahead of the rest of the class, having had experience and all. She might even give her lecturer's a lesson or two. But I'm left in a bind.

Now, I have to find a new assistant, train her and hope she doesn't leave...also I hope she's not a psycho...it's amazing how many there are out there who masquerade as dental nurses.. Plus, boss is off on holiday, which means I have to do the interviews, which means I have to be responsible for hiring a person who might be good, loyal member of staff...or yet another loony. We've had a few. Sigh...I guess this means this froggie has to jump out of the jacuzzi now and into some cold water. Oh well, better than becoming a boiled frog. Maybe I should just set up my own training school...now that's an idea!

note MOH = Ministry of Health

The sound of silence

Have been neglecting the blog recently, being too busy doing nothing, enjoying the sound of silence. Have been on a short break for the past four days. Didn't go anywhere, just decided I needed to stop and smell the roses for a bit.

Finally got my car back yesterday, it feels so strange driving it again. Managed to get it serviced, battery changed ( it's already two years old , time to get the ticker changed, right?) and of course the damage done by the "other" 3189 repaired. It cost RM2670 just to change the bumper and boot panel...now that is a bomb. My insurance premium isn't even that amount! But heck...not my bill what?

Apart from that, the past 4 days has been a good break. Finally caught up with all the 3's...Pirates, Spidey...missed Shrek though, on the account of feeling lazy and sick. Will probably get the DVD lah. Also managed to catch Actorlympics at the Actors Studio with BH on Friday last. We were both howling with laughter the entire show...all 2 hours of it! Afdlin, Douglas, Nell, Ida, Joanna, Reza and newbie Sophira had us all entertained. It's sorta like Who's line is it anyway...they do improvs and sketches to a live audience la.

Also had more time to spend with the folks and of course BH. We are reaching a milestone and somehow no matter how much time we spend with each other, it's still just not enough.

Now am back at work, gotta say, the drill already feels weird in my hand....but that was only the first patient lah. Now back to normal already. It's turning out to be a hectic week.

Bah...school holidays!

For the record...I HATE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!. Traffic jams where I work, no parking cos everyone and their friend drives these days, endless ques for food and for shopping, unlimited number of KIDS running amok in the mall.

Forget trying to watch a movie...if you can get tickets, they will be bad seats, you'll have some over active kid behind you kicking into the chair, some teenager's handphone ringing in the cinema and the sound of boisterous youthful enthusiam spoiling the THX.

All these kids, with what must be very comfortable allowances, with their friends and their noise invading every nook and cranny of the mall. Don't parent's these days know about the zoo, the museum, the Lake Gardens, PD...CUTI-CUTI MALAYSIA?

For the record, my kids will end up in camp...and not a menace at malls.

Man in the mirror

Was wondering what to write about, until I saw her....

Pic above is from net, by Richard Nowitz, but I saw one just like her. I suppose when she looks in the mirror she sees the chubby, fat, ugly girl. I hope I never end up like this.

I wanna check the microphone.....

....I wanna check the microphone, I wanna check, I wanna check...

It's nice to have kindred spirits in class...makes it so much more fun and all worth while

Everybody....I'm not here for your entertainment... do you really wanna mess with me tonight...

When I grow up....

I wanna be the new model Proton on four wheel drive


FWD on the left Normal on the right


Going over speed bumps for this fler would definitely be faster...he wont' be going super slow, zig-zagging across that bump like most other proton's with there super low ground clearance, huh?

looks extra high, some cars only modify the back, some the entire car. Even saw a saga altered this way too. I wonder if it's legal though? Jacking up the suspension like that? From the back, the bontotHmm...apart from speed bumps, I wonder what the other advantages are? And is this car chassis now safe when cornering, considering the centre of gravity has been altered too? I'm no mechy engineer, but umm...plus it looks ugly to me.

Funnily, have only seen this on phenomenon Proton's...oh wait, Kancils too...it's called a KEMBARA.

Doctor, doctor

When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was become a doctor. At 9 I was playing with my own "Play Doctor" set, you know, with the fake stethoscope and fake syringes and medicines. So all I did from then on, was study super hard, cos mum and dad told me that's the only way. And all I ever did in exams was score A's.

By the time I reached 17, I had sat for SPM, done well and had only one thought in my mind...medicine. Knowing full well that my folks could never send me abroad, I was left with one choice...STP lar...the dreaded one! So single minded and one tracked I was back then.

Form Six in SJI changed quite a bit of that. I was exposed to a bunch of classmates smarter, better than I. Bigger pond mah! Anyways, I was also exposed to the creative arts, drama, music ( I was in the choir, can you believe that???). I met people like Nazruddin Rahman, who showed me the fun of being in school, of pretending on stage and just chilling...things I didn't do before, single tracked mind that I had. Anyways, by the time the exams came around, I began to realise that I probably wouldn't cut it...5A's way beyond my reach. Also, I began to wonder if I really did want to do medicine?

I'd become a bit smarter lar, realising that that career would basically kill any social life I'd planned to have. I am so glad I came to my senses. These days, when my patients ask me, if Dentistry was my first choice, I say yes. Why? Because it's really not as DEMANDING as medicine. I have friends, really dedicated doctors, who went down that path. Life for them has never been easy, the physical demands of being on call for 48 hours, doing endless rounds, sucking up to bosses and still studying for exams to further their careers, would have been too much for me. So yeah, I love working with people, and I love my job. I get to help, yet I don't lose my "Me" time. I'm so glad my folks never pressured me to do anything, unlike some Indian families, who insist on having doctors for children.

My cousins, and my second cousins come under these families. Sometimes I don't know if that really is what these kids wanna do for a career. I thinks it's parental pressure, and they really don't know what their getting into. Any way possible, mortgage house, take loans, just to send them to India, Russia, God knows where just for that MBBS. Gosh..

That degree must come with a prerequisite of passion and commitment, as a doctor friend I was talking to said yesterday, "it's not about the money, it's the satisfaction of the job". He really had it and still has it tough. He was post call yesterday, obviously tired, but still had the graciousness to return my call. I know for a fact that he deals with really sick kids, often seeing them at their worse, has to deal with them dying and he gets paid very little. But yet, he loves his job, he loves what he does and he doesn't want to leave government service, cos thats where the work is. See, I don't think I could ever do that. Much as I love my job, I get to say "No" sometimes to my patients.

To all the doctors like Dr. Ng Ruey Terng...I salute you! And I hope anyone wanting to pursue a career in medicine have the heart and soul like you...oh and of course the brains also lah. We do need doctors, but we really need good ones.

My car

Well, its two weeks since the accident, car in the shop, police final report finally out. Also managed to get a copy of the other parties report...what nerve that woman had, she claims I braked suddenly, while she was approaching the traffic lights! And whats worse? In the report, the complainant is a guy! When the person driving was a STUPID woman, who wasn't paying attention to her driving, but was instead on the phone and due to her negligence, rammed into the back of my car.

I can only guess that they are claiming another party was driving for some insurance reason and I guess when faced with making a report, they decided to LIE. Well, the liars will lose their NCB and have been summoned 300 hundred anyway, cos the police judgement is for me..heck, even if I did brake at the traffic lights ( which I didn't, my car was fully stationary, as in my report), SHE is in the wrong for following too closely anyway. It must have been a last ditch effort to try to save money...but what a LIE! And to claim someone else was driving...sigh.

People these days, huh?

Brimming with sarcasm, cynicism and criticism

Oh wait..I'm not supposed to give free publicity to ingrates...so, will re-title this

The Bold and the Beautiful

Why? It's amazing the kind of sordid news one gets from the gym, enough to base a daytime soap opera on! Yesterday, shelved my original plan to go for Cheng's class at the Curve at 11.30. It's always fun with her, cos Nicholas and gang would be there and it's juts fun. But, BH wanted to go for the 2.45 class instead and since I hadn't seen his parents in a while...well, kill two birds with one stone kinda thing lar.

So back to the sordid stuff...apart from the usual gossip of women tweezing armpit hair, sex in the shower stalls etc, it's sad to note that racism is alive and well in our "muhibah" society. So too is cronyism and "cheapism". Apparently people who come in to LM who are Chinese ask only to be served by Chinese sales staff. members who are Chinese also request pt with only Chinese pt. I wonder if Indians who come in ask only to see an Indian staff member?

As for cyronism...well, heard yesterday also la, got some people use their positions as gf/bf to climb up the corporate ladder...which brings me to "cheapism". Some women are willing to sleep their way up, taking full advantage of the guy to gain a better position, upon confirmation of post, dumping the guy and setting their sights on someone with higher power. I have no respect for people who go up without working for it, but BH pointed out, they did work for it. In his words, "You think its easy spreading your legs open for an ang moh? A lot of work you know, to accommodate their size!

Well, to those women who work hard, without sacrificing your values and who get where they are based on merit...I salute you! So to to those who face all sorts of racism, but still have the dignity and perseverance to plow on, I salute you too. Lets us not forget our pride and who we are, and remember, like all soaps, the good guy eventually wins.

I got my first AD!!!!!! and weekend ramblings

Hehehe....finally got an ad from MPH from Nuffnang...kekekeke. On books some more...how appropiate. See my recent purchases during the last sale?


I love reading, finding time to read however, is a bit of a challenge. Shucks, I barely have time to go watch a movie these days, even with all the new movies out...you know, all the 3 parter's, Shrek 3, Pirates 3, Spidey 3.

Which is why yesterday, on one of those very rare occasions I get Saturday afternoon off, BH and I decided to go catch up on our movies. We watched NEXT, starring Nicholas Cage. In BH's words, IT"S NICHOLAS CAGE lah..we HAVE to watch! We'll skip the hot movies till after the school hols lar....otherwise, a cinema full of noisy kids and I'm not just talking bout BH.

OK, so I'm not exactly a fan of Mr. Cage, so sue me. But I have to say, the movie was good. Interesting watch if you haven't seen it, about this guy who can see the future, in all the possible ways that affects him. It's cool, however, I found the ending a bit abrupt.

Since we'd both been eating quite a bit, with dinners and what not, decided to head to the gym also lah. Didn't know Leon was teaching at 4.50, always thought his class was at 3 something. We arrived at track 4, decided not to pressure Leon, and just do our weights. Leon claims we surprised him enough with out faces at the glass that he forgot his choreo. Yeah, right...from what we could see and hear, he was and I supposed is always a pro. BH commented on his good visual and verbal ques. I think Leon still has it good, technique wise. Who says BJ instructors cant teach BC? Or vice versa. Looks like Leon might have a new regular in BH....

We had planned to watch another movie over at Cineleisure, post work out. BH, being pretty unhappy with the seats available (even through internet booking) decided to give it a pass la. So we just ended up visiting my favourite stores over at the Curve, Uluwatu and IKEA!!!! I love IKEA...so many pretty things to look at. BH likes it too, so many places for him to sit and let me do my wandering..hehehe.

Bumped into Mr. and Mrs. Lionheart, shopping for their new shop over in Bangsar Village. Looks like BH and I will have to pop by one day...another Wong, his nephew, is about to be born. Shopping for baby things...cool. I love miniatures, kekekeke.

By the time we got home, we were both just so tired.I dunno, it seems like we're both getting old, I mean my parents fall asleep in front of the telly... and now we're doing it too! Sigh...am I supposed to start worrying about osteoporosis now?

Right...sure

Now that my car is in the workshop getting repairs, it's time for me to make some important decisions. I have no car for a good 2 - 3 weeks, something about parts needing shipment from Tokyo, so...hmm...maybe I should get my driver to roll out the Benz and chauffeur me to work. Wait...Uncle Charlie is on leave and I don't know how to handle a car that big. Maybe I should use the spare Maserati....hang on, my dad would kill me, since I can't drive manual. Oooohhh. I got it! I'll just take the Lear, go off to the Bahamas. 2 weeks is just about sufficient to get a tan, do justice to the books piled on the bed stand, relax and mingle with Paris, before she does her sentence of course. I tell you, it's all a publicity stunt, that media w****. By the time I get back, my car should be ready, no?

The reality : I'm wedged up in a Komuter, my behind up against some other girls hip, my back against some Indian guy, me, trying to grasp the poles to steady myself....all sorts of odours permeate my nose...heh.

One in four

I have to warn you, this post might make you go red or green depending on how you deal with reading about women's medical related stuff. So if you are one who gets queasy or uncomfortable when people discuss these things, STOP reading.

About a month plus ago, my mum had to go for a hysterectomy. What that is is a total removal of the uterus, the ducts , ovaries and cervix. Why? Because a routine gynae exam found large fibroids in her uterus which had calcification's. Fibroids are growths usually made up of just fibrous tissue, but hers were large and impinging on her kidney, so they had to go. Mum is 60, and like most women her age, is menopausal, for her to have large fibroids is unusual.Fibroids in the uterus become large because of the hormones, so in pregnant women, they can get bigger. Menopausal women don't have these hormones anymore hence the fibroids shouldn't grow. Also, many women have fibroids, apparently three out of four women.Fibroids though not cancerous, cause trouble by impinging on other structures, like kidneys or growing and causing excessive bleeding and miscarriages.

While with her during the numerous check ups and all, I saw some posters about pap smears and how one in four women is diagnosed with cervical cancer. A simple test, could save your life. If I'm not mistaken, Anita Mui died of this disease and like any other cancer, it's deadly. If caught early and removed, survival rates are good. My mum had her last pap smear 2 years ago.

Sitting with my mum, with all this confronting both of us was a challenge. We both knew that surgery was necessary for her, as the ultrasounds didn't seem good. There was always this looming threat over our heads...what if?

It turns out, mum was lucky, the growth was fibrous and not malignant, everything went well. But it raised a question in my mind...what about me? I had asked a friend before, he'd just finished med school and he said, well, if you are young, you don't need to get one, especially if you're still a virgin, etc. But I read up on this and found that a pap smear should be done once a woman passes the age of 18, whether sexually active or not. And it should be done yearly. You wont know if there are any abnormalities unless you see a gynae. So, that's what I did today.

I went here. I was scared...like most my patients are of me the first time they see me. Apprehensive and nervous, I was very glad that BH came along with me, he'd read up on this too and agreed that a routine pap is the way to go. ( I think he deserves another huge MUAKS).

When we were sitting, waiting, we saw that the other women who were there were all expecting. No young, single women like me, just in for a screening. The doc even told us that its rare for anyone to see a gynae, until they are pregnant. Our society doesn't talk about these things openly. People think that if a young, single woman were to go see a gynae, it's because she got herself into trouble and needed and abortion. But I kept thinking, ONE IN FOUR....what if?

The exam itself was not painful, a bit uncomfortable and a bit embarrassing, until I realised that I'd probably seem more horrific things in peoples mouths than what the gynae was looking at. Plus, he's a professional, he sees this all the time. It took just 5 maybe 10 minutes and I'll only know the results in a week, but the ultrasound looks good. No abnormalities, healthy, normal. I breathed a sigh of relief as I walked out the door. Glad to know that if I ever decide on kids, I would have a good shot. BH kept joking, with all these pregnant ladies around, I might get peer pressure and wanna have kids too...I do, but maybe not just now lah...hehehe.

I do however urge you, if you haven't had one, and you're past 18, maybe you should. The place I went to is a bit pricey, came to 300 over bucks. But there will be places that charge less. Any of my girlfriends, if you wanna go, but are too shy or too scared, I'll go with, just make sure its a Thursday afternoon or Sunday. Having BH ( Muaks, muaks, muaaks) there made it so much easier, the moral support helps if its your first time. Seriously, one in four.

When things don't work.

It's been 9 days since my accident and my car has yet to be fixed. All because I listened to my insurance agent, who told me that I needed to wait for the police confinement letter. I called Toyota again, finally got to speak to someone who could understand me and lo and behold, I don't need that letter. Nor do I need the "gambar rajah kasar". I just need my police report and the other persons insurance cover letter, which I need to get from JPJ. Here's the catch...my insurance agent, said he's get it for me on Monday/Tuesday. He calls me up on Wednesday and says...eh, I need your police report la...can fax to me ah?

I have since figured that the guy knows nuts and hence decided late Wednesday to go today, after work, shelving a prior appointment. BH came to the rescue, sorta Tarzan style, came over last night, got my report and went all the way to Wangsa Maju to get the cover letter. Does he deserve a muaks or not? A big one is coming his way anyway. Sorry to put THAT image in your head Shades...let it mingle with the other one, eh?

The past week, I keep remembering what a Swedish patient mentioned to me. He said he loves our country, it's nice, its warm, but when he needs things done...God help him, nothing works. Am now beginning to see why. It's true, bureaucracy is in every level, be it in the government agencies or even private ones, as I mentioned earlier about THAT insurance company. Also the level of stupidity is at its all time high, as demonstrated by my current insurance agent, who seems to love running around like a headless chicken. By the way, does anyone know of a good motor insurance agent? My road tax and insurance needs renewing by June.

So back to my 3189...now that I got all I need, am gonna send it tomorrow morning and hopefully the people at Toyota do WORK. Otherwise, you'll read all about here, hot and fresh off the press.

Oh, on a sarcastic note, am gonna be posting only about certain instructors in the gym. Apparently I've "over-exposed" myself, in more ways than one, hence...am going for the path of least resistance.

Things that make you go hmmm....

Was flipping channels on Sunday evening, after BH had left and chanced upon this show on 8tv, the Bachelorette. Apparently it's a spin off from the Bachelor, a reality show which had 25 girls vieing for the affections of this one guy. This season's Bachelorette is one of the loser's from the bachelor. I think she came in second or something.

Anyway, it's about 25 GUYS trying their luck "at love" with this girl. The winner ( who lasts all season without getting eliminated) gets the girl. The girl, gets a guy, a rock and a proposal. Hmm... Ok, I'm skeptical. I mean, how much can you know a person in a few weeks, enough to

1) Propose
2) Accept said proposal
3) Begin a life together, hopefully happily ever after?

Yea, the initial spark seems to have something to do with the happily ever after, but I'm thinking it takes a while before a couple is comfortable enough to stop pretending and be themselves. Hence the passing of wind indiscriminately only occurs at least a month after serious dating. Same goes for all the other skeletons we keep in the closet. Only then can you decided whether you can live with the Beauty who picks her nose while watching tv or the Hunk who forgets to flush the toilet every now and again.

Back to the shows I have reason to be skeptical. Throughout the show, the girl gets to date the guys. Some on group dates, some on one on one, some overnight dates...hmmm...again. On group dates, how to get to know any particular guy? I guess the guys have to stand out to get attention kwa. On one on one...ok la, can get to know the guy...but how to chose? On overnights...seriously. The show portrays the overnights as REAL overnights...camera zooms in on the couple making out on the bed, then the door closes...hmmmm. I wonder what goes on in the heads of the other guys who get overnights? Was her last date better? Do I want a woman who slept with another man just yesterday? Hmmm.....

Same goes for The Bachelor...I wouldn't be a contestant, because I wouldn't want to go out with a guy who has kissed/slept with a few other women and has finally decided to give me a try. I just don't like a bunch of women fighting over a guy. I probably would not, unless of course someone tries to steal BH-lah. But that's just not right. I got here first! Hehehe. I wouldn't steal someone else's guy.

I know many people these days find it ok to date a few people, meaning there isn't any exclusivity at all. When dating, no holds are barred. Hence the reason why some relationships don't have rules. I suppose if both sides are ok to that, well...but then of course people who get into such relationships thinking they get to have all the bootie they want, better realise that it works both ways. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer my caveman to whack my head, then drag ONLY ME back to his cave.

I wonder how much cat-fighting and fist brawls occur off camera on the sets...hmmmm...now THAT would be reality TV.

I try

As I am writing this, I am thinking back to what my dad used to say just before any major exam or competition..."Just do your best. It doesn't matter if you fail, as long as you try and give it your best effort, it's ok". Sometimes I'm faced with situations these days that make me remember these words. Unfortunately, sometimes just doing your best doesn't quite cut it.

My boss says I'm a perfectionist. He thinks that I aim too high, my standards, be it at work or outside are set way above the norm. Sometimes I agree. Yes, I do try, I try my best. Hence when something fails, I feel really bad. Everyone goes through failure, I'm no exception. I've failed at school, at work, but what gets me the most is when I fail at human relationships.

I feel it's hard to understand people, its easier to understand my dog. I'm always questioning, Why? Why do people do what they do? Why do people behave the way they do? My mum always says, its takes all sorts to make up the world. Good, bad, not so good, not so bad. And I guess that explains it. Cos, no matter how hard I try, there will be people who don't like me and who don't like what I have to say. It's too bad, cos' the people who hate me the most, are basically just like me. I'm rambling, forgive me...its a Monday.

I am thankful for Miracle 2006 though, cos a miracle did happen. Just hope I don't mess up this relationship.

One for the road

(For BFC who couldn't make it last night.)

There was a lot of that being said last night, mostly by Fuh Buh Buh...kekeke. Am still wondering who the heck finished up that whole bottle of Chivas??? Darn it...share lar with other kudikarans. Whoever it was must probably be feeling it this morning, unless of course they carried on with the beer and wine that was left over. BH is feeling it, having just recovered from liver damage post dengue fever. The wine got to him he said, too acidic, messed with his tummy and now he really feels like Ranjeet. Poor baby.

It was FCI's 2 ..err, will not say his age, birthday do. There was food a plenty, namely the crab curry and basmati rice and BH's cookies. And duck pasta and sambal petai ( really good stuff), and pie ( didn't know Lionheart can cook so well) and mee hoon and paella and beard papa and chocolate cake and I can't remember what else. Must have been way too sloshed by then. Couldn't even put cheese on a cracker without it flipping off the darn thing. But the food was good, the company, better. Anneh did a great job organising.

20 plus people had gathered to celebrate FCI's growing older, with a little munchkin added in as a surprise guest. A little girl called Emily, stole BH's (and many others) hearts for the night. With her playing peekaboo with BH, he nicely forgot the footie match on t.v. And no, am not in any way JEALOUS.

It was nice to meet many of the abbreviations on FBB's blog in person. And Leon was there too. Too bad there was no dancing...oh wait, there was some hip shaking on the birthday boy's part. Not enough alcohol though ( thanks to the missing bottle), as the alcoholic only sang Kris Dayanti songs with Leon. The twosome are kindred spirits, bursting into song every now and again. How anyone can remember songs to movies is beyond me. My memory is limited what I had for dinner last night. Oh wait...I can't even remember all of that.

BFC, BH and FBB have the pics and video. FBB was snapping haphazardly. Am expecting to see a lot of huge grins with half cut out of frame faces. Hehehehe. BFC, you were missed. Sorry, could not deliver your birthday gift, you'll have to give it to him whenever-lah.

The merriment ended late, poor FCI GF left with the cleaning up and packing of left-overs. Not much left of BH's cookies, Lionheart having professed to munching 9 all by himself. The crab curry and rice being heated up for lunch. I guess no one needed anything dry cleaned or any broken teeth fixed. Leon though gave the crabs due credit, sweating it out while eating. Must be a new LM programme...BE, with the tag line "Just eat it".

Hell hath no fury...

like a woman scorned, especially if that woman is me.

After the fiasco on Tuesday, Wednesday was full of phone calls. Mostly made by me to my insurance agent. Apparently for me to send my car back to Toyota, I need lots of documents. Other than the multiple police reports ( from both sides and the final judgement) I also need copies of my insurance policy and the other persons insurance policy.Thats the big problem la. that fler does not want to furnish me with the copy. So I had to call their insurance, get a run around from some stupid customer service guy, then some claims woman who sounded like she was half asleep at 3pm, only to find out that they will do all in their power to prevent my claim. They won't give me the copy as I am third party claim and to pay out to me would not be good for business.I suppose they hope that people in my situation would find it so hard that we'd give up and just take any kind of repair, from some kedai motor ah beng or something. No way, no how. My baby goes back to the manufacturer and gets the repair she deserves!

Though none of what happened was my fault, it looks like I am being made to pay anyway. My car now sits at home, waiting for the proper documents, before I can get it repaired and even then, it may take a while.Luckily I have mum's car..and BH to drive me around on weekends.

Most of the time, when the unexpected occurs, I take it as a learning experience. This unexpected occurrence has thought me that sometimes life isn't quite fair, shit happens and when it does, you can be angry and upset all you want, but this doesn't change a thing.

I was angry at the system, at the stupid insurance companies and at that stupid si lai who hit me....it didn't do me any good. Now I'm just tired, I want it all to go away...but that doesn't mean I'm gonna forget the hassle these people have put me through. Unfortunately I'm not your typical Malaysian. I don't forget. I'm gonna make all the claims that I possibly can, fix my car and hope that this never happens again. Oh..and Pan Global, SUCKS!

Tuesday Night Live

After a bad day, nothing like a good work out to make me feel better. Getting into an accident which was not in any way a fault of mine is no fun. Apart from dealing with the person who hit me, making a police report I have to deal with Toyota and their stringent requirements before they can proceede to repair my car. Looks like WMV 3189 will be out of action for a while...sigh.

Anyways, back to the feeling better part. BH left work early, came all the way from UPM to Kepong to pick me up to go to Damansara. We made it to class and FBB is right, nothing like familiar faces to make the class more fun. Apart from BH, Sunshine, Lionheart, Steve and FCI gf, the usual MML suspects were in class. Only Panjang was missing, his regular spot right in front of FCI left strangely vacant. FCI does pick on FBB, no matter where he stands. Poor him, but fun for us. Was giggling all the way through..BH up to his usual antics and of course those subtle ribs directed at FBB..hehehehe. Doesn't help that he wore orange to class...so obvious from a mile away.

The class was good. Enough power, enough humour and enough fun to make me forget my day, at least for a while. After class was even more fun. BH and I went to get ice cream.Haagen Dazs, Belgian chocolate...oooohhh....love those endorphins. Got my mood back, until I reached home and saw my car lah. Aiyo...I hope I never meet that 3189 again.

What happens when 3189 meets 3189?

3189 met 3189 at a traffic junction


So what?!!! happens when the two meet unexpectedly ?

A bent bonnet


A bent bumper,clips and boot...and a RM1684 estimate of damages...my poor baby. Almost 2 years old only, and now in need of a new bumper. And yes, sudah beli nombor.

TGIF?

Fridays are good days. They mean the week is almost over. Just one more day at work to go before I reach Sunday, pass go and collect 200...more like collect sleep points. I need my sleep, ask anyone, and they will tell you how cranky I get when I don't have enough sleep. The only person who doesn't get me cranky when I don't have enough sleep is BH, and that in itself is a miracle...so says VJ .

I digress...anyways, BH finally came home, after 5 days in the jungle's of Pahang. As if swinging from trees wasn't enough for Tarzan, we decided to go for BC , FCI class lah, what else? Ok, maybe not so much swinging, but more whacking tre..I mean shrubs with the parang. images of BH, all manly macho making his way through thick jungle...fuiyoh!

Wasn't a great class for me. My fatigue getting the better of me, I could hardly keep up with BH. But I blame it on the 4 newbies right in front and beside me. Nothing like a few blur fellas in class to throw you off focus. Poor fellas, trying very hard, but just so distracting. FCI had to split them up, for fear they'd wreck havoc on the rest of us.....hehehe. Gotta give kudo's to them for trying and FCI for actually getting off the stage and giving one on one lessons. Hmm...looks like his pro instructor thingy is working out. Nice to see people inprove. Thank goodness he skipped conditioning. My chest still ached from weights the previous day. My sigh of relief must have been heard all the way in the jungles of Pahang.

Am glad, so glad BH is back. Now we have a few days, before he's off again...sigh.

B A A A

Apparently I'm not as good at listening as I am at reading, speaking or writing. But I did it anyway...so gimme a job!

Pretending to be a Thai-Thai

So, I made it to the gym, at a time when only people with no jobs or are on holiday can make it to the gym. Or people who have the life of luxury..the illusive thai-thai. Reminiscent of Sweat Club days when I used to bump into these ladies, I walked into an almost empty gym. Parking was a breeze...even at Axis. And guess what? No beefy buffed up men in the weights area. Yipppee!!

Though feeling a little nauseous ( from the Puri I had this morning I'm guessing), I still managed to do my weights. Err...leg press, adductor, pulldown, seated row, chest press, flys, extensions and abs ( two sets of each) and shower all in under an hour. Not bad, huh? Anyways, a chance encounter with Kris brought back more memories of Sweat Club.( Kris being a former instructor of SC, now a PT with FF) Of the quiet atmosphere, the gossip and the HUGE shower cubicles.
( Double the size of those in Axis) Since Cali took over, its now the miniscule size of....well, if BH went in for a shower, he'd come out with his knees and elbows bruised...every time he turns, he'd probably hit the wall. It's THAT small. Working out when every one is just working, ah, the life of a thai-thai. Since I decided to have a facial after gym, wah...really felt like pretending to be one also lah.

Didn't help that facial was in THE shopping mall for thai-thai's, Bangsar Village larr...at 128 Fauborg. I got there early and decided that since I was in the thai-thai mood, I'd just do some shopping la. Walked into Warehouse, cos I saw this gorgeous dress in the window..walked out when I saw the price. I can pretend all I want, but I sure as hell do NOT have the bank account of a thai-thai.

Sothy's is wonderful though, for my make believe. My beautician, Vience ( I know, its a weird name) is very,very good at her job. When she massages my shoulders...fuah...BLISS!!! She must have been the emperor's masseuse in her past life. Can imagine her pampering some emperor who goes "Do it right or its off with your head!" Hence she got real good. The woman is good with her hands la...I felt sooo goood.Have not once been disappointed with Sothys. Always end up with a huge smile on my face. They are that good...my birthday is in December, hint,hint, wink,wink. Had another round of their chocolate facial. More more on that, read this.

And to top off the pampering, had my manicure done at the same time. My manicurist Jessie was free, so might as well lah. All I could think off was...can I come back tomorrow for another round? That was until the bill came, and there went my thai-thai fantasies up in smoke again. I guess I'll play pretend again next month...errr.....maybe next month and a half.

Thursday

It's another uneventful Thursday morning. Am wondering if it will remain an uneventful Thursday afternoon and evening. I love Thursdays, I get off work at 1, then I'm free to do whatever I want. Which usually means spending quality and quantity time in my favourite place, my bed. My bed is nice, it's warm, it's comforting, it makes me feel safe. No matter what kinda day I'm having, I can count on my bed to make things right. There are days when I don't want to leave my bed. Then there are days when I have to.

Most Thursdays after spending much needed time in my favourite place I head of to Axis, to join many other sweaty people punch air, in combat. Not this Thursday. This Thursday will be different. (Of late, so have my Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.) But, I still have to hit the gym. Why? Because according to some machine, I am obese. Not that I really believe that that's true. But it really doesn't hurt to go do some weights, now does it?

So, after 1 and after lunch, I will be off. It will be just me, the weights and my Ipod. Will not have a care in the world other than that, will do my circuit as best I can, ignore the stares from those beefy buffed up kinds normally grunting in front of mirrors and just get down to it. Just me, my weights and my Ipod......and then, I'll go for my chocolate facial. Ah, the icing for the day. That will be my Thursday for today.

My second rule of combat

My second rule of combat...if the instructor ignores and avoids all eye contact with you, bear down, work it, sweat it and just have fun. Do not ever imitate a cat and meow about it in class.

It was a weird class tonight at MML. I got there 20 past 6, wondering why the lifts from the basement weren't working. As I was climbing up the stairs, the lights went off for a while and more people were headed toward the car park than toward the gym...hmmm...power failure? Sure enough, the lights were out. Apparently someone in Damansara Heights decided to blow a major fuse.

Well, it was either stay and hope the power comes back, go to Axis or go home. While trying to make up my mind ( I'm so indecisive these days), I texted FBB about power failure...and solved the mystery of his malfunctioning auto gate. The power was out in his house as well.

I thought class would be cancelled. Unless FCI could sing all ten tracks ( he can teach without a mic, can he teach without music?), I'd have to go home. Diha showed up, so we hung out at the cafe outside the gym. After getting fed up of that, we decided to leave lah. Well, when I saw the jam in the car park, I changed my mind. Obviously everyone in the building was leaving at the same time, so the car park was a massive crawl. Might as well wait it out comfortably with a cup of tea.

By the time I got back to the gym, the lights were on again! Wah...TNB worked super fast. Must be some VIP who made a lot of noise. Things get done faster on the right side of the fence I guess. Anyways, class started just a little before seven, FCI waiting for more people to show up. After some minor griping about the "first time ever" small number of members in MML, we got down to it la.

Panjang was in class, but since there were just a few of us, he had his 10ft. Unfortunately, he doesn't know my first rule of combat. But, what he lacks in stamina and coordination, he makes up for amply with enthusiasm. Nothing like a bright eyed, bushy tailed excited newbie to make one feel excited about combat. Oh, and Steve was in attendance too. He always gets people in the mood, with his shouts and jump knees. He reminds me of Jack Black...must be the hair and his preference for black clothing. I wonder if Steve can do rock?

Was missing BH. He makes me laugh, no matter how crappy the instructor makes me feel. Also miss Brains For Codes...she's the only one who gets and laughs at my jokes of instructors who make me feel crappy. One good thing about MML though, the mirrors. Apparently I should look more into them to check my own technique before criticizing others...hmm, that worked out pretty well tonight.

Lazy hazy Monday

Am feeling ultra fatigued today and I just can't put my finger on it. My body doesn't ache like it should after a gruelling work out, but I'm so darn sleepy. I feel I can just close my eyes and instantly be zzzzzz-ing away.Yesterday's work out wasn't even gruelling. After BC with FCI in LM, Bh and I decided to do one set of legs, back and chest, two exercises each. Weights were my normal ones. Oh, but I was gasping for breath during BC...hmmm, must be the flu.

Haven't quite recovered from that I guess.Been blowing my brains and some blood out of my nose, which is constantly blocked. Sigh...think I'll skip BC tonight. After all, BH is not in town and Anneh wont be in class today. California and their launch of BC 32 beckons him...cis! Class just isn't the same without the usual suspects. I miss brains for codes.

Ipoh Road Yong Tau Foo

BH and I have one thing in common, one very important thing in common, we both love looking for good food. So, the last May Day public holiday, we decided to try out this famous restaurant which used to be in Jalan Ipoh. It's now in a bungalow in Segambut, near Jalan Ipoh.

Being a public holiday, the place was packed! Literally packed! PArking was a huge problem..but as our luck would have it, we found a spot, right in front. The setup is like a typical restaurant, if you ignore the fact that you are dining in what used to be someone's living room and dining room and the kitchen used to be a bedroom. Oh, the only things thats left original is the centre courtyard in the middle of the house, with a nice swing for kids.

The service here was super quick...better than Diner Dash expert players anyday! We got our food within 10 minutes of ordering...Overall, the Yong Tau Foo was good, msg was marginal. And there are options for side dishes as well, there's a rojak stall and a siew pau stall and some roasted chestnut thingy too. Wasn't expensive, costs about 80 sen a piece and it was good, so no complaints. Another place BH and I will probably go to again.

Read BH's review on Damansara Seafood Village when he posts it...thats another place we heard a lot about from blogs and decided to try last night. I'll reserve the food review for him. He's bettter at it mah!