Farewell 2009

I'm nervous about 2010. Cant really put my finger on why ... but I do. Maybe bcos I was 'too' happy to welcome 2009 a year ago, only to have my father taken away from the family - so soon after (in late February).

But 2009 has also been filled with many good events and things happening to me and my family of which I know my father would have been proud of IF I can only share it with him. It's funny to think that I'm nearly forty but whenever I'm with him, I still acted like a young kid forever hungry for his praises and want him to always be proud of my achievement. Not that he said it out a lot, bcos my late father was a man with very few words but he did make an exceptional especially when it comes to his children achievements ... in anything at all.

Lately I found myself thinking more and more of my late father and usually at unexpected places or events. Like only yesterday, my family and I were at this shopping mall where I looked at all these sofas designed for people to take rest and I asked my kids 'remember who had sit here before and fell asleep while you boys had to wait for him while the rest of the family members went shopping?' My children exclaimed well and and loud ... atok lumut!!! (grandfather).

New year's eve had been uneventful for me. But I can hear plenty of fireworks from a distant. Like it or not, we still have to embrace 2010 and with it life's unfold events, surprises and miracles, irregardless whether we are ready for it or not.

Happy New Year.

The Girls by Lori Lansens

I started reading the book about 2-3 months ago. The book is about a conjoined twin sisters whom see or rather face the world side by side all their lives. They were 'suppose' to be the oldest living craniophagus twins. I somehow have a problem with story being fictional. I wanted it to be a real deal so I can empathize with the characters which I can't with this book. Soon I lost interest and stopped reading altogether.

On Dec 2, I picked the book again and continued from where I had left on page 119. By this time I already forgot who's Rose and who's Ruby? Nevertheless, the book managed to pique my interest again. I especially enjoyed the flash back love story on the twins adopted parents. Where instead of saying I love you to each other, Uncle Stash (father) will hold his heart and look into Aunt Lovey (mother)eyes and say You. And Aunt Lovey will reply You with a smile or a nod. Aaww ...

Cant say I enjoyed the book. But I'm glad I finally finished reading it. Not able to finish a book to me felt like wasting food (although the food may not taste so good or even not to my liking, but it is food nontheless).

I found this quotation on page 307:
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Janda Baik escapade

An old schoolmate invited our family to his vacation home in Janda Baik, Pahang last weekend. We didnt spend the night there (unlike other friends) due to hubby's other engagement on the next day. After 1hr drive from KL, we reached 'Selindong'. The kids had a blast - swimming in the shallow river, touring the animal's farm within the house compound while I can't stop admiring the beauty of the house itself which is to me like a replica of an old Malacca palace. It was just so beautiful.

It was a fabulous afternoon for all of us. We almost hate to say goodbye.

Temptation

It was one day before the Aidil Adha public holiday. Both hubby and me took leave to take the family to PD but before leaving KL, I had one request to my hubby - bring me to one of the biggest, boldest book sales aptly named the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale. And he said OK. Yipee!! We soon realised that hundreds of KLites were thinking of the same thing. We were stucked in a long que just to park the car. I went off first in order to safe time (we had a hotel reservation to chase later in the afternoon) whilst hubby tried to find a parking space. It was a Thursday and a working day.

To my dismay, there was another long que before one can get into the sale venue. Malaysians and sales! That's what we all have in common irregardless of race and age :))

An hour later, I came out with 6 new books and 2 house magazines for me and 4 books for the kids. With that I now have ... 22 books (really??) in my to read list. Mustnt say that out loud. Hubby already complained that I didnt read this one (very) thick book he bought for me. Soon was my reply. For me reading a book really much depends on what kind of mood I am. So that's why I keep a lot of genres with me. Just in case :)

I'm currently reading 3 books. Not all together but one after another. No joke. There's this one book which took me forever to finish hence I took another book just to spice up my attention. Lost? So am I.

I better take my shower now. Have a good week everyone.

Angela Ashes - the movie

Finally we made it. The third activity of the Not-So Bookclub of Sisterhood (and Kite Runner)Society was to watch Angela Ashes. We did it last weekend during the Aidil Adha holiday at our last venue - Kak Lin's house in Sri Iskandar. The usual members were there except for kak long (my eldest sis-in law) who's attending her daughter's graduation in London (and is still there, as I'm writing this).

I enjoyed the movie but I adored the book 10 times more. It probably be just a film for some who havent read the book but for Angela Ashes (the book) fans, the said book leave a lasting impression long after you have read it. Nevertheless, all the child actors in the movie was so convincing and adorable. I can imagine Frank McCourt and his brothers running around in the rain in cold, cold Limerick. Thanks to Kerry who was the one who alerted me about the existence of the said movie ^_^

New Moon the movie

I had wanted to post this for several days ago but due to technical glitches (I dont know how to download the pic from my ehem ... new phone) that I had to postpone it until I figure out the how-to.

After days of anticipating, it finally here. I've received 2 passes to the premier screening from a colleague who knows I'm a fan of both the books and the previous Twilight movie. And for New Moon the movie... I luurvvvee it!!! No doubt everytime Edward or Jacob appeared .. or did something .. or even something happened to them on screen, you can hear the girls when aawww.. ahhh.. omg!! ... etc. Which was quite comical actually. The were many Team Jacob fans who came for the premier show (judging from the gushes everytime he appeared on screen) and there were even Team Volturi fans who came complete with their costume. Black cape and all. Ha!ha! But in all honesty Volturi's wears such lavish attire. I'm talking Twilight's language here. But what's not so good about it was that all 3 kissing scenes were chopped off by I presume our censorship board to appear shorter. Can you believe it - they sensored kissing scenes. Hmm ... Nevertheless I'm so glad that Chris Weizt (the director) is genius enough to let Edward appear more often on screen to satisfy the Edward-thirst vampire fans. Unlike in the book. Okay enough said.

I'm happy to say that my hubby enjoyed the movie too ^_^ He's interest is of cos towards Alice (the cutest vampire) which I totally am okay with. I'm sooo greatful that he want to see the movie with me, knowing how obssesed I am with the books.

Bottom line is he didnt doze off like he did in Angels and Demon. And for that I'm thankful. Oh I cant wait for the third movie - Eclipse.

Hong Kong pics - final

These are the final pics of my recent trip. Our last day in HK was spent at Bauhinia Square, Sampan (small boat) ride and at this beach where Jackie Chan has one of his house on top of the hill.

Later in the evening we took a ferry to Zhuhai, China where another shopping iterinary awaits us. Phew! The city is literary across the road from Macau! But we didnt get to see much of Macau except for on our way to its airport the next day. Nevertheless on that short bus ride I got to see about 5-6 of the tiny country's 33 casinos.