I have been busy these days. Work was demanding (more because my Director will be away for a few weeks, holiday with his family). Friends are in town so I had to find some time to meet them. Met a few celebrities too (and some royalties). So I guess despite the hectic schedule, I managed to do most stuffs.
Oh yeah, its mid season sale. Shopping again but not as bad as before i.e. during boxing day. Still, the items bought are seriously good bargain. No regrets. *winks*
Been playing Wii sports these days. I realise I am soooooo unfit (for that matter. I think I'm fit enough to do some other physical work out *LOL*). I think it is kinda addictive. For example, when one plays bowling, they will show the points to reach professional level. Each time you want to stop and you see the points keep increasing, you just want to continue to improve the points.
Will write again. Loads to say but I will do so when I'm in my relax mode.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
I am my mother's daughter
I watched Spanglish today. It's about a single mexican mother, Flor (Paz Vega), who crossed the border into the United States with her young daughter Cristina, in search of a better life. She becomes a housekeeper for a rich Clasky family. The story is narrated by her daughter, who towards the end became so closed to family that she wanted to live their life. Seeing how Mrs Clasky treated her daughter like a trophy, showering her with gifts and private school, Flor then quitted her job. Perhaps it was also due to the fact she was falling for Mr Clasky (Adam Sandler) who is so nice and down to earth person, yet the wife isnt appreciating him enough (and sleeps around).
In the last scene, while the mother and daughter made their walk towards the bus stops (1 mile from the Clasky's house), the daughter had much anger and hurt with her mom's decision to quit the job which gives her (the daughter) the life she always wanted. After a moment of silence at the bus stop, Flor tearfully asks Cristina a question that will define the rest of her life: Does she really want to become someone very different from her mother?
Cristina responds by silently boarding the bus with her mother, initially sits away from Flor, then comes close to her mother again and ends up embracing her for the duration of their ride. At the background, Cristina as an adult narrates, acknowledging that “all she is today” rests on the simple fact that she is her mother’s daughter.
A beautiful story. I hope my lil girl will one day understand the sacrifice we make together. I love you my love...
In the last scene, while the mother and daughter made their walk towards the bus stops (1 mile from the Clasky's house), the daughter had much anger and hurt with her mom's decision to quit the job which gives her (the daughter) the life she always wanted. After a moment of silence at the bus stop, Flor tearfully asks Cristina a question that will define the rest of her life: Does she really want to become someone very different from her mother?
Cristina responds by silently boarding the bus with her mother, initially sits away from Flor, then comes close to her mother again and ends up embracing her for the duration of their ride. At the background, Cristina as an adult narrates, acknowledging that “all she is today” rests on the simple fact that she is her mother’s daughter.
A beautiful story. I hope my lil girl will one day understand the sacrifice we make together. I love you my love...
Saturday, March 22, 2008
A date with McDreamy
I got back early from work. Had my shower, pampered myself with body lotion, top to toe. Put on my sexy lingerie and sprayed my favourite perfume. I made sure the room was warm and cosy. As I waited for him to arrive, I sat on the couch, wrapped myself to maintain the heat.
Then at 10pm, he came. He looks the same, sexier than ever. I swore to myself that I shall make sure I keep my Thursday nights free just to be with him.
Oh yes, Greys Anatomy is back! Better than ever! McDreamy is one hell of a guy.
Ps: what were you thinking? *winks*
Then at 10pm, he came. He looks the same, sexier than ever. I swore to myself that I shall make sure I keep my Thursday nights free just to be with him.
Oh yes, Greys Anatomy is back! Better than ever! McDreamy is one hell of a guy.
Ps: what were you thinking? *winks*
Friday, March 14, 2008
Dating
"Enough! This is not dating. I want moonlight, and flowers, and candy, and people trying to feel me up. Nobody is trying to feel me up. Nobody is even looking at me. Do you have any idea how much effort it takes to do all this? I am waxed and plucked and I have a clean top on. No talking until you figure out how to put on a date. I want heat! I want romance! Damn it, I want to feel like a freaking lady!"
I seriously dont have time to dress up or groom myself. So when I do, they better take note. Especially the body lotion (top to toe), perfume at the right spots, killer dress with heels and stockings, WAXING!!! If they have any idea how much hell we have to go through, they will surely appreciate the effort. Seriously..
ps: Most of the time, he does. *winks*
I seriously dont have time to dress up or groom myself. So when I do, they better take note. Especially the body lotion (top to toe), perfume at the right spots, killer dress with heels and stockings, WAXING!!! If they have any idea how much hell we have to go through, they will surely appreciate the effort. Seriously..
ps: Most of the time, he does. *winks*
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wounds and pain
"People have scars. In all sorts of unexpected places. Like secret roadmaps of their personal histories. Diagrams of all their old wounds. Most of our wounds heal, leaving nothing behind but a scar. But some of them don't. Some wounds we carry with us everywhere and though the cut's long gone, the pain still lingers."
Sometimes it feels that the pain is making me hesitate in letting him in....
Sometimes it feels that the pain is making me hesitate in letting him in....
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Political tsunami
GLANCE at the front pages of Malaysia’s newspapers the day after the general election on Saturday March 8th and you would assume that the opposition had won. “Political tsunami” is how the Sunday Star summed things up. Even the prime minister, Abdullah Badawi, seemed to accept the analysis. “We’ve lost; we’ve lost” was all he could muster when confronted by baying pressmen at 4am.
In fact, the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition he heads had done nothing of the sort. It won 140 of the 222 seats in the federal parliament—in most places, that would be a thumping majority. In the concurrent elections for assemblies in 13 states, it had won majorities in eight. Yet so big was the upset that the stockmarket fell by 10% on Monday as investors worried about the danger of unrest and instability.
The fears seem overblown. But this was a remarkable rebuke for Mr Badawi. At the last elections, in 2004, he profited from his amiable manner and apparent promise of a less acerbic style than that of his long-serving predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad. The BN won 64% of the votes, 90% of the parliamentary seats and all but one of the other assembly elections.
In this election, it won just 51% of the votes; and 63% of parliamentary seats. This was its worst performance ever in Malaysia’s 50 years of independence, and crucially, for the first time since 1969, the BN lost the two-thirds majority in parliament it needs to amend the constitution.
Nor was this a truly free and fair election. The government enjoyed many entrenched advantages: huge resources; a docile, even sycophantic, press; permission more readily granted for big rallies; a ban on the candidacy of Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minister who is now the opposition’s best-known figure.
The government has denied Mr Anwar’s allegations of vote-rigging in close-fought constituencies. But sceptical opposition supporters were made even more suspicious last week when the Election Commission went back on its decision to use indelible ink to identify those who had voted. (It said it had uncovered a plot in which some of the ink had been smuggled into the country, apparently in an opposition attempt to dupe potential voters into disqualifying themselves through premature inking.)
One reason for Mr Badawi’s debacle is that, for once, the opposition did not cut its own throat. Its three main parties—Mr Anwar’s, now led by his wife; an Islamist party and the Democratic Action Party, which appeals mainly to the Chinese minority—on the whole did not compete with each other.
There are also worries about a slowing economy and rising prices; and a feeling that after 50 years of impressive economic growth, too many of the benefits have accrued to a small elite, and the Mr Badawi has not done enough to tackle corruption.
There is also anger among the minorities. Many Chinese, who make up about a quarter of the population, feel that policies of affirmative action in favour of the Malay majority are no longer necessary—if they ever were. And the Indian minority, only about 8% of the population, feel discriminated against and have turned against the BN’s main ethnic-Indian component, the Malaysian Indian Congress.
Whatever the reasons for it, the result places Mr Badawi’s future in doubt. Dr Mahathir has said he is “100% responsible” for the defeat and should resign. Unusually, Dr Mahathir admitted to a mistake of his own—having selected Mr Badawi as his successor.
Mr Badawi’s spokesman has said he has no intention of resigning. If he does not, he may come under pressure when his party, the United Malays National Organisation, holds its next congress. Since UMNO’s chief always becomes prime minister, that gathering has always been far more important than the general election in choosing Malaysia’s leaders. One of the many startling possibilities opened up by the latest election result is that this arrangement may not be immutable.
http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10833119
In fact, the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition he heads had done nothing of the sort. It won 140 of the 222 seats in the federal parliament—in most places, that would be a thumping majority. In the concurrent elections for assemblies in 13 states, it had won majorities in eight. Yet so big was the upset that the stockmarket fell by 10% on Monday as investors worried about the danger of unrest and instability.
The fears seem overblown. But this was a remarkable rebuke for Mr Badawi. At the last elections, in 2004, he profited from his amiable manner and apparent promise of a less acerbic style than that of his long-serving predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad. The BN won 64% of the votes, 90% of the parliamentary seats and all but one of the other assembly elections.
In this election, it won just 51% of the votes; and 63% of parliamentary seats. This was its worst performance ever in Malaysia’s 50 years of independence, and crucially, for the first time since 1969, the BN lost the two-thirds majority in parliament it needs to amend the constitution.
Nor was this a truly free and fair election. The government enjoyed many entrenched advantages: huge resources; a docile, even sycophantic, press; permission more readily granted for big rallies; a ban on the candidacy of Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minister who is now the opposition’s best-known figure.
The government has denied Mr Anwar’s allegations of vote-rigging in close-fought constituencies. But sceptical opposition supporters were made even more suspicious last week when the Election Commission went back on its decision to use indelible ink to identify those who had voted. (It said it had uncovered a plot in which some of the ink had been smuggled into the country, apparently in an opposition attempt to dupe potential voters into disqualifying themselves through premature inking.)
One reason for Mr Badawi’s debacle is that, for once, the opposition did not cut its own throat. Its three main parties—Mr Anwar’s, now led by his wife; an Islamist party and the Democratic Action Party, which appeals mainly to the Chinese minority—on the whole did not compete with each other.
There are also worries about a slowing economy and rising prices; and a feeling that after 50 years of impressive economic growth, too many of the benefits have accrued to a small elite, and the Mr Badawi has not done enough to tackle corruption.
There is also anger among the minorities. Many Chinese, who make up about a quarter of the population, feel that policies of affirmative action in favour of the Malay majority are no longer necessary—if they ever were. And the Indian minority, only about 8% of the population, feel discriminated against and have turned against the BN’s main ethnic-Indian component, the Malaysian Indian Congress.
Whatever the reasons for it, the result places Mr Badawi’s future in doubt. Dr Mahathir has said he is “100% responsible” for the defeat and should resign. Unusually, Dr Mahathir admitted to a mistake of his own—having selected Mr Badawi as his successor.
Mr Badawi’s spokesman has said he has no intention of resigning. If he does not, he may come under pressure when his party, the United Malays National Organisation, holds its next congress. Since UMNO’s chief always becomes prime minister, that gathering has always been far more important than the general election in choosing Malaysia’s leaders. One of the many startling possibilities opened up by the latest election result is that this arrangement may not be immutable.
http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10833119
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Robin Hood
Robin Hood is a figure in archetypal English folk tales, whose story originates from medieval times. In popular culture he is painted as a man known for robbing the rich to provide for the poor and fighting against injustice and tyranny.
It doesnt matter if he wins or loses, he has already won by just going to the battle. A simple man who has nothing superficial on his CV and takes the courage to fight for the welfare of the people, deserves my respect. Good luck Che Gu Bard. You are the modern version of Robin Hood.
I am doing my bit of community service. If you can vote, please do so. I agree with the Old Wise Man that we need strong leaders on both sides to ensure the country progresses for the benefit of our people. EVERYONE, and not for certain group's benefit. Otherwise, we will end like some of our neighbours, the gap between the rich and the poor is so huge that the country finds it difficult to compete with others. And Yes, I believe we should try to be at par with Down South.
Ms Coach made an interesting statement the other day, seeing how passionate I am with this election. "Ms Istanbul, let me know if one day you decide to run for election. I will be your supporter and gather all my friends to vote for you." Errr, I am sure her funds alone can cover my election campaign and better, her networking is damn good. *winks* Anyway Ms Coach, hope you have a nice time at Bali for your friend's wedding. I hope you will follow her footsteps so that on your wedding day, I get to go to nice places, fully sponsored by you. These bankers really make huge money to make a splurge for their friends! Psst, let me know if you get any goodie bags. (heard that on some occasions, the guests get seriously nice high end handbags.)
It doesnt matter if he wins or loses, he has already won by just going to the battle. A simple man who has nothing superficial on his CV and takes the courage to fight for the welfare of the people, deserves my respect. Good luck Che Gu Bard. You are the modern version of Robin Hood.
I am doing my bit of community service. If you can vote, please do so. I agree with the Old Wise Man that we need strong leaders on both sides to ensure the country progresses for the benefit of our people. EVERYONE, and not for certain group's benefit. Otherwise, we will end like some of our neighbours, the gap between the rich and the poor is so huge that the country finds it difficult to compete with others. And Yes, I believe we should try to be at par with Down South.
Ms Coach made an interesting statement the other day, seeing how passionate I am with this election. "Ms Istanbul, let me know if one day you decide to run for election. I will be your supporter and gather all my friends to vote for you." Errr, I am sure her funds alone can cover my election campaign and better, her networking is damn good. *winks* Anyway Ms Coach, hope you have a nice time at Bali for your friend's wedding. I hope you will follow her footsteps so that on your wedding day, I get to go to nice places, fully sponsored by you. These bankers really make huge money to make a splurge for their friends! Psst, let me know if you get any goodie bags. (heard that on some occasions, the guests get seriously nice high end handbags.)
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Love actually
Yesterday, my lil girl gave me a card. It was Mother’s day on Sunday. So yesterday, at school, she did the card. Inside it read,
“ To Mummy. I am sorry for not giving you anything on Mother’s day. I love you and I hope you get better. Love from Mini Ms Istanbul”
She drew a picture of me lying on bed and her standing next to.
You see, I got sick over the weekend. Really bad. It wasnt fever or flu. Just seriously bad stomach ache and vomiting. The pain was unbearable that on Sunday I decided to see the private doc. Thats me. I don’t compromise on our health. If a private GP is needed, so be it. And on Sundays, it’s an extra 50% charge. Apparently, according to him and my fellow doc friends, there is a bug running around. Weird English bug I reckon.
During this period, I must say that the lil one did her best to make me feel better. While I rested on the sofa, she took the blanket and covered me. I made sure that the snacks and drinks were on the table so that it would be easy for her to reach. The nanny came and took her out for a few hours so that she wouldn’t get bored.
When I read the card, it touched my heart. Her words show how much she loves me. I told her, “the best gift is your presence. And last weekend was the best mother’s day ever because you spent the day with me.” She smiled.
He came as well. Spent the whole afternoon, made pizza for the lil one. What more can I ask for? Thank you to both of you for taking care of me. I am blessed.
“ To Mummy. I am sorry for not giving you anything on Mother’s day. I love you and I hope you get better. Love from Mini Ms Istanbul”
She drew a picture of me lying on bed and her standing next to.
You see, I got sick over the weekend. Really bad. It wasnt fever or flu. Just seriously bad stomach ache and vomiting. The pain was unbearable that on Sunday I decided to see the private doc. Thats me. I don’t compromise on our health. If a private GP is needed, so be it. And on Sundays, it’s an extra 50% charge. Apparently, according to him and my fellow doc friends, there is a bug running around. Weird English bug I reckon.
During this period, I must say that the lil one did her best to make me feel better. While I rested on the sofa, she took the blanket and covered me. I made sure that the snacks and drinks were on the table so that it would be easy for her to reach. The nanny came and took her out for a few hours so that she wouldn’t get bored.
When I read the card, it touched my heart. Her words show how much she loves me. I told her, “the best gift is your presence. And last weekend was the best mother’s day ever because you spent the day with me.” She smiled.
He came as well. Spent the whole afternoon, made pizza for the lil one. What more can I ask for? Thank you to both of you for taking care of me. I am blessed.
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