Life's Good~

Hiya all~ although i know i don't have a big following but knowing that there are people reading this crappy piece of journalistic endeavor i call a blog somewhat makes me happy~

I don't have anything to update actually, life is the same as always - wake up, go to work, go home, eat, sleep. I'm kinda settled in already with this routine, which on some days are fine by me but on others I get a little sick of it. Biasalah, humans~ nda pandai satisfied all the time~ heheheh~ But all in all, as the title says: "Life's Good" heheh~ sorry LG, copyright sikit~

I managed to save a bit of my income in various banks, but the amount is still not what I have in mind - well, not if I wanted to be a millionnaire by the time I'm 30. But at least adalah jua sikit masuk bank dari nada kan? It's all due to the fact that now I have to loan out another car for my sister on top of having incurred extra expenses from shelling out for a new air-conditioner (alang2 mbli, baik tah yang high end rite?) and dispensing machine for the upcoming raya. Of course, add in the 1/3 for my parents (wajib ni, wajib!! for those yg nda mbagi, baik tah start - not only it helps them out financially, it also makes you feel good to finally do something in return for all those years they spent on melayan karenah kami dari damit sampai ke basar). So in all, I have about less than 1/4 of my net gaji to spend on me for this month and the next. Tolak lagi duit minyak... aduhai~ cukup2 lah pakai makan hari2~ Nasib lah puasa nda lagi batah, so ada jua lah sikit for entertainment purposes (keluar hang out with my peeps, tengok wayang, bli kain~).

One thing i noticed is that since I'm in the working generation, I keep spending on buying kain. I'm not really a fashionista yang suka berfesyen with kain baju kurung, you know the type that tukar2 trend - this month kain kipas and baju kisi, next kain payung and baju manik2 -kinda girl. But lately, most of my misc expenses lari ke kain. Baru terasa yang baju yg dlm closet atu nda banyak, balik2 makai nda jua best. Dulu time raya kanya baru kan motong baru but now, every month udah mbeli and motong~ Huhuhu~ I think I have to moderate lah my kain spending - kan roboh udah my closet atu nda cukup space~

So now, I'm waiting for October to roll around and finally have those pesky extra expenses to shove away and spend more on stuff that i wanted. Not that I have anything in mind right now - I've just bought the new iPod nano 4G in purple since that's the only colour that caught my eye, I would've prefered it in bright #004466 (google it if you wanna know) - its the the colour of a pair of my shoes which I will post up soon since i'm in my office and i don't have it with me. My previous iPod got drowned in Temburong~ I forgot I have it in my pants pocket when we went for floating lessons and it got submerged for two hours~ It was just as well, since I've been eyeing the new iPod 4G for sometime now but am too karit to buy it when i have a perfectly working mp3 player. So most probably now, I'll be stocking up my shopping list with iPod accessories since the previous accessories doesn't fit anymore -larger screen and different scroll positon, not to mention slimmer body.

For my peeps: I think I'm free this Sunday 16/08, so just contact me if udah ada confirmed plan to go for soto and/or ambuyat~ I'm also free weekday evenings after keraja, as long as nda akhir balik (marah krg mama~).

Serius serius serius~

Yay! Akhirnya I've completed my one month plus course! And I got two sijil to prove it too~ Aside from the feeling of accomplishment of completing such a long course, there's also a bit of sadness at leaving all my course comrades to go back to the working world. We have sweated, got thrown overboard the kayak, jogged in the early hours, built camps after midnight, went through a fire drill, got bored and distracted throughout the numerous briefings and presentations, joked, laughed and cried together for the better part of June and July - its like going through the rigorous regiment that armies and polices went through and then going out as a band of brothers thingie.

Dinner at Nyonya restaurant in Serusop with almost everyone present. This was the 'normal' pose, the rest comprised of pose 'mengasak', dunhill, 'focus arah seorang' and etc.

And now all of us have to say goodbye to everyone and the fun (and not so fun) moments we had. We had a dinner cum certificate presentation on the last day and had fun camwhoring, but I went back early since I was driving and didn't want to meet any Casper on my way home, you never know... anyways, I heard that it got emotional towards the end when everybody was saying their goodbyes. I thank God I was not there to witness it since I would pretty much start blubbering and trust me, that is not a pretty sight at all.

And now I'm back working albeit in a different unit as my group is to be rotated within our first six months of employment. After that, I'm take the exams to be permanently appointed and then who knows where I'll be 'kena humban'. I've received my first task in my new unit yesterday's yesterday, it was nothing heavy like the one I got in my previous one and my superior was quite accomodating and gave me a few days to acclimate myself to the new environment. All in all, I would say life's good... for now~

As for those of you who wanted to take a look at my car... sori ler~ I don't wanna post a pic of it here since aku takut kena recognise on the road and whenever I deviate from the law, some may know me from the pics I've posted and then one thing will lead to another and I'll end up with a broken something. Heheheh, as you can surmise from that, I am not a really good driver. Anyone who have seen me drive knows that - fact is, I barely managed to pass my driving test some 4 years ago and that was I think because the instructure gave up on me and pass kan aku saja for the sake of 'nda ku mliat mua anak ani lagi eh'. Well that's my theory lah~

If you guys really wanna know the type of driver I am, you have to conduct a long term study - because I am not consistent. There are days when I totally follow all the rules and drive within the limit but as much as days when I totally say 'to heck with it all' and drove zigzagging through the traffic without as much as a signal light on. I have to say though I've somewhat improved and my driving is smoother now than when I first started, although my sister complained that I've always taken a corner with too much speed than she thought was safe. Che, what does she know? The by-the-book newbie driver....

Wow! Batah panya nda berupdate...

Hohoho~ I didn't notice it was almost three weeks since the last update. It felt like it was just yesterday I posted my last entry. This can all be blamed on the compulsory course that I had to take in the last three weeks and is still ongoing just until before the Sultan's birthday. I had to go on a three day two nights Outwards Bound trip to Temburong which was both a great and hellish adventure for me whose roughest adventure was touring London all alone by my loneself~

I finally experienced how to float (which was a miracle since I tend to sink like a rock in water), went Kayaking (for four friggin' hours!), how to set up a tent (I held the torchlight, which was very very important :P), went camping outdoors (I found out that camp = sauna) and made new friends. The camping experience was actually kinda pathetic since we didn't really rough it out in the wild but just based our camping site a bit off from our sleeping quarter (something like a chicken coop just bigger) and the shower and toilet building. The rest of the course was sometimes okay and sometimes it was just all I can do not to fall of my seat trying to stay awake. So I guess its going pretty well since I did not actually fall asleep~ heheheheh~

With the volatile weather we're having lately, I became one of the victims of the changing temperatures like many others. I fell sick with the climax of having a fever of around 38.4 degrees Celcius. It started with the usual suspects of dry throat, then coughing, then phlegm got into the equation together with a blocked nose. I managed to get by in Temburong which included an episode of lost voice for a day. All my symptoms then looked like they were disappearing at the end of the one week I've had them, I was left with minor coughing for a few days after that. Then BAM! My temperature just spiked last Thursday and all I wanted to do was lie in bed all day and sleep - Mom brought me to a private clinic and I was prescribed a list of assorted pills and capsules and a bottle of cough syrup. I'm all okay now, with the slight cough now and then but well on my road to recovery~

I guess thats all thats happening in my life currently. I haven't been able to meet up with my peeps for as long as the course had been going on, a few of our plans got cancelled or I can't make it so the only one I've been able to meet so far is Zat over lunch a couple of times last week. We did talk but its always more fun when the whole group is there for a few hours of chatfest. Just call me guys! I'm free this weekend!

I think....

And before I sign off~ a bit of good news~ My Da relented and finally I got the car I wanted on the first week of July! Yesssssss! I still got some issues regarding the loan period to iron out but that small small matter meh~ Bottom line: I got my car!~

I'll worry about the payments tomorrow...

Stuff

N.B. I wrote this post a few days after my last one so there may be some parts that will seem ketinggalan:

I've picked up a new drama series the other day. It's been around for a while but has just caught my eye recently since it's been hyped up in the entertainment news. It's called FRINGE - referring to fringe science that just borders on the supernatural. It's like a blend of Medium and CSI, with an almost X-Files feel to it. The show consists of a few FBI agents, a couple of geniuses - one level-headed (kinda) and the other a mad scientist, a big bad corporation (aren't there always~), an underground lab, a different freakshow every episode and a bovine by the name of Jean... or Gem... or Gemma... I forget. Whatever. I've watched the first three episodes and I have to say it's very good at surprising you since you don't know whats coming every episode - it's unlike anything I've ever watched before (unless you're a government conspiracy theorist). And I like the protagonist's voice. Yes, I said voice. Something about the timbre of it caught me and hasn't let go since.

[New post: Huhuhu (T_T) I broke my HDD with all my latest Supernatural, Medium, Bones episodes, together with all my pics and movies inside... Sh*te. At least I have Fringe up until episode 7 in my thumbdrive but a new HDD is in order to store all latest acquisitions of series and movies. Let us have a moment of silence at this tragic loss...]

Other than TV shows, I've also caught up on my reading. Nothing work related, although I should start soon if I wanna keep my job. Most of my current reads are YA (Young Adult) fiction since I've missed out on them during my actual YA years - I was too busy then immersing myself in Romance novels and later *cough*18-SX*cough* materials in my attempt to learn about the bird and the bees and stuff that happens in between. We don't have sex ed classes back then, and I was a curious child so why not make the learning process enjoyable while I'm at it, non?

My current reads. I tried to mosaic the sticker I put on my shelf, just cause I wanna keep myself a bit mysterious but for those who know me it's quite obvious what it covers~And since all of the readers that I know of are all my peeps... there goes that mystery angle I was hoping for~

Let's get back to the topic at hand though - the last book that I've finished (as in 10 minutes ago) was one titled 'Beastly' by Alex Flinn. I liked it although there were parts that I thought seemed too similar to works on which the story was based - 'Beauty and the Beast'. This version was told from the Beast perspective which was interesting and gave a background account as to the reasons for the transformation without it seeming to be ridiculous and too far out, especially since it's set in contemporary New York. As usual, just Google it if you want to know more. It piqued me enough to buy it online. Partly because the original (Disney version rather than Grimms') is my favourite of all the fairytales - something about the Beast has my oestrogen level surging, probably due to the epitome of alpha male he portrays~

I've also read one Neil Gaiman book so far, 'The Graveyard Book', since I love the movie version of his other work 'StarDust'. Am told the book was even better but have yet to scourge for it, later when I have the time. The story was not bad, and full of the magic and dark...humour? undertones? I don't know exactly what it is but it has that dark something that's always associated with his stories. I found it dragging in some parts which I initially thought was unnecessary and made me want to skip them and rush forward to where the climatic scene starts. Turns out the draggy bits were sorta important but it didn't make it less so. I probably can dig it better if Tim Burton could translate this into his famous stop motion works.

There are others that I want to review on but I'll post them later since I don't feel like it now. It feels better to let out my thoughts on these works since I used to do so when I actually meet my friends and swapped reviews, but everyone's busy these days and so I have you guys to torture with my incessant chattering on stuff that nobody wants to know but I still want to bore you with.

Shut up and Put up.

(Cracks whip)

***

That brings me to the end of that post. Now in current time...

Am currently reading Book One of The Mortal Instruments series: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - I'm about three quarters through it and it is satisfying so far. Probably will talk on this one on the next post along with a couple of books by Vivian Vande Velde (how's that for a name~). I will probably pick up a couple of romance later just to keep up to speed on my favourite authors' works, namely Linda Howard (something Angel, I didn't quite catch it) and Johanna Lindsey (something Seduction, I think), which I spied on the shelves this morning when I was browsing through the aisle at the bookstore. I didn't pick them up coz at the moment I'm quite broke and ruthfully it's the first time I ever felt so destitute.

Usually I have cash stashed somewhere or other but due to the long unemployment phase I went on a long shopping spree just cause I was bored out of my mind. I did relieve my boredom, but along the way it appears I also managed to relieve my senses and my money. So right now I only have the depositing balance left in all of my bank accounts, and only enough money in my wallet to cover my expenses until the end of this month providing I limit my entertainment to watching movies played in video stores' screen. Which leaves me the option of breaking poor froggy's head open below...

The sacrifice to be offered to the uber empty pockets of its owner

Hopefully I won't have to do that... yet.

WTF did I get myself into....

Shiiiiiiiii*******t*****eeee! was running through my mind when I went in to report on my first day at work. I was thinking that it was a kacang job with all I have to do is manage simple administrative tasks but it has been bestowed upon me by my superiors that my job involves wayyyy more than that - I have to know all aspects of management of all departments on top of having to take 4 exams by the end of the year (a mandatory order is what one of them said) in order to be a full pledged officer. And then I will be sent to wherever on earth they want me to and I have to obey if I want the money. Ahh~ the money~ I'll just have to think about the money~~~

Moving on, I was frustrated when I found out NBC has cancelled 'Medium', but luckily it has been picked up by CBS. I wasn't in any way actually devastated by the cancellation as the story has progressed well passed the 'public outrage of psychic use in criminal cases' phase which I think was the biggest obstacle that the show has to overcome, and the main character is happily married with kids so the 'finding the other half' phase has been fulfilled. Actually I thought the show has ended during the 3rd season (or was it 4th?) when she got back her job and everyone has to accept the fact that she sees dead people.

I went and watched 'Wolverine', 'Star Trek' and 'Night at the Museum 2' in the last couple of weeks - love the first two and the last was okay. The testosterone overload in 'Wolverine' made it for me (not to mention the funny responses - this one guy was saying something to the effect that Logan has an obligation to serve his country and he replied, "I'm Canadian." And don't get me started on Wade - funny as hell). While in 'Star Trek', it was Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as James Kirk and Spock respectively, 'nuff said. 'Night at the Museum 2' was as I said okay, mostly cuz its a family oriented movie so it didn't have any of the subtle crude jokes and sarcastic undertone that I like in my entertainment viewing - the rest of moviegoers seem to enjoy it more though. Hmm.. maybe it was the guy sitting next to me who was ruining it for me - he kept yapping to his friends commenting on all the scenes in a way that just made me want to shut his trap. I'll remember to bring duct tape next time....

Since I have nothing else to blab about, I'll end my post here.

P.S. I will be one of those in power to govern this country. Be afraid... be very afraid... (insert evil laughter here)

Pacah Parut (>u<)

Not literally, that would be disgusting and not to mention how that would traumatised me for life. Dum dum dum! ~ For your viewing pleasure~ :

The Original 'Gee' by Girls Generation



Infinity Challenge Parody



You guys should check out other Infinity Challenge's parody, they're so funny! Just check out the originals if you're not familiar with the parody version. They make me happy and all is well with the world again~


P.S. The books I ordered via The Book Depository arrived - in less than a week! which is so fast considering the location of this country. I recommend~ But hold that thought, heheh, 'coz I haven't actually went and picked them up from the Post Office yet so I don't know the condition they're in. Will go next week so I can combine with my other order from Amazon and save myself the second trip.

Paperbacks and Money

My two favourite types of paper above all else~ I recently bought a few books off the internet having a rather hard time trying to find the titles I wanted in bookstores. Rather than wait for them to stock up (since they never seem to order the ones I wanted), I decided to take matters into my own hands. But ugh, I hate having to buy stuff online now based on the fact that it never gets delivered to my doorstep and I have to go all the way to the main post office to get them. And there I have to go through procedures before I get my stuff, they even had me ripped open the package in front of them just to make sure I wasn't ordering TNT. It makes for very uncomfortable moments when I have paperbacks with the lurid covers on them. Why can't they just deliver them straight to the recipients? Certainly not very servicable of them pssh~ Sigh~ I miss UK and its postal services (not to mention the cute delivery guy I get once in a while)~

I also have to consider the shipping and handling costs and taking into account that the country is located on an island somewhat off the radar of big shipping companies - it all amounts to a very, very expensive bill that can get me to cry a lot better than any of the tear jerking movies out there. I usually frequent eBay for stuff, but since my account got on the black list (that's another story for another day) I just head to Amazon (the website, not the jungle in Brazil - just to clarify). I prefer The Book Depository the best 'coz not only most of their books are cheaper than Amazon, they also have free shipping worldwide! I love you!

However, a few weeks ago my card didn't make it through their authorization system which I thought was because I had changed address to my current residence and didn't notify the card people. So I amended all my details and went back to my orders, but the card still got rejected. I figured that it's no longer valid for online transactions since I no longer reside in the country where I had it made. Out of desperation, I had to use Amazon instead since I really, really wanted them titles, spending way more on shipping than on my stuff - which made me cry a bit whenever I see the receipt (I had it shredded in glee when it came with the books).

So imagine my shock when, on a whim, I decided to order a few books from the site via the same procedures and voila - it came through and I ended up with more cash spent on a trilogy that I don't know if I would like or not (but here's hoping that its money well spent since they really got glowing reviews). And I was not joking when I said shocked - I could have thrown my laptop to the wall in frustration thinking about if I had just waited for a bit I could have saved a bit of money on shipping costs!

I feel better now after all that ranting and complaining. Probably more to come soon based on recent subtle tense undertone exchange of words on the choices of cars I've had with everybody, yes everybody in the household people, since they think what I drive is up to them to decide. They seem to forget that its MY MONEY that's gonna be spent. Ugh, here comes the waterworks again.

Excuse me while I lament on the state of my depleting resource of happiness...

In case you're wonderin', I meant money.

Later