Are you a friend of the Earth?

Earth Hour was yesterdy in Malaysia, 8TV has been heavily promoting this event and the climax was yesterday where Malaysians were urged to turn off energy from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. My feelings were mixed on this, part of me wanted to and part of me was thinking what's the point. The part that wanted to won out and we switched off for an hour yesterday, the reason? because rather than not do anything at least we can try doing something. We came home early from dinner and lo and behold my 75 year old neighbour, was sitting outside with a candle and she went as far as even switching off her fridge..so with renewed faith in the human race we did the same..

I know that Malaysia can't just turn off everything, but I was hoping that the government supported this effort more, even though 8tv stopped transmission for an hour, other channels didn't, since 8tv was part tv3 as it is with ntv7, these two channels were business as usual.

And how about hybrid cars in Malaysia, which is near impossible to get, our government is on the "we should do mode", but more accurately, I think it's more of "we should do but maybe not lah, it's not possible mode" .. so we're 50/50, and that's not good enough. So know this, even if you know whatever you're doing is a small step in reducing your carbon footprint go ahead, do that little than not at all. Let's stop being a cynic .. so reuse, reduce and recycle. Not only on the designated day, but make every day an Earth Day at home or at work, do your bit for the environment ..fuel awareness on climate change and prove that when the people of the world work together, you can make a difference in the fight against global warming. Save the Earth now before it's too late!

Have Bike Will Travel

Reading a 1991 version of Bill Dalton's Indonesia Handbook I came across a section on motorbikes.

For our forthcoming trip, we thought of renting a bike and exploring the island ourselves whenever our guide is not with us. I mean, we can't have the guide chaperoning us 24x7 can we? And of course it won't be too romantic with a third wheel :) pardon the pun!

And so being adventurous Vicky & I have decided that we would rent a bike there, from my initial research it costs about $5 - $6 a day which I think will be cheaper once we get there.

A simple motorbike with a 110cc engine is easy to ride, can carry 2 and can afford you access to the whole island. Its there waiting for you in the morning and is cheap to run. A tank of petrol is about IDR8,000.

Let's just hope Vicky can still remember how to ride one :)

My experience with bikes were not good, I once fell off my uncle's bike way back when I was a kid and it has pretty much scared me off it ever since! But now in my thirties, I've discovered that I have grown some courage and am actually quite open to the idea of riding on a bike, who knows I may even ask Vicky to give me a lesson while there..who knows?

Hair today gone tomorrow

I'm thinking about HAIR.

Yes, hair..

I feel the need to do something to my hair, but Vicky has said that I shouldn't .. just because I'm bored. Yes, I bored, but I don't want to go any shorter! I'm so over looking like a boy. I want to bestow upon myself a girly look. And waiting for it to grow up, well is kind of taking forever.

I think I may go home and get it treated to a hair spa. Yeah I think I need one.

And I need a pedi too, my nails look horrid and chipped but someone told me to get it done in Bali, but what if they don't use Opi, my nails only knows Opi. So I make an appointment to see Ruby and get it done nice before donning my spring sandals in Bali!

As for the hair I guess it has gotta wait until I come up with some bright idea!

Of Ms Smarty pants

I gave Niki quite an earful this morning, which she throughly deserves but I felt bad about it later. But I know that this is part & parcel with discipline. And we do it because we love her, if we don't we wouldn't care less if she turns out to be a total brat, which will be the last thing I would allow to happen. But sometimes I do feel like just biting her head off (not literally!!) when she's being a smart ass, which is quite often these days now that she learns more about everything! Can't put the brakes on growth, can you..

Pre-Jom Bali

Office has been pretty much crazy, we're growing, we're ever changing, and to ensure one of our projects move smoother we have decided to open another branch office in KL. It's been pretty hectic! And now with most everyone out of the office and out on the field there's a few moments of peace right now.

Our friend/agent called just now with more tips on our forthcoming Bali trip, so I need to say thank you to everyone who's contributed their tourist hotspots/guide/hotels options/food etc, it's been nothing but helpful and I'm now trying to work out our itinerary. Now, five days doesn't actually seem enough.

The weather is pretty weird today, it's raining, and it looks glum, very London-ey.

And yup, we need to get ourselves a new bed, the old one which has been with us for the past 10 years well is heading into retirement.

And yup cried and laughed buckets watching Marley and Me yesterday.

All Fluey

All three of us is unfortunately feeling under the weather, combination of cold, fever and cough, all of us feeling blue-y too..

and all the meds is our system ... bleeeuuukkk!

..and I haven't even written anything of value in my blog for ages already, *angry with self!*

Ink

It's my mind..

I'm still pondering..

Vicky & Nikita

Primary One

I had just registered Niki for the Primary One about one week back. She'll be officially starting her formal schooling in 2011.

Which made me recollect my own Std One experience.

It was 1982. I was placed in 1 Biru and my class teacher was Cikgu Zawiyah.

Did I ever tell you that I disliked my Kindergarten teacher Mrs Lian? Well that's another post all together.

Anyways it was 1982; which was 27 years ago. Wow ..

Kuta, Ubud and Seminyak

kuta beach club

harris resort

bali dynasty

all seasons

I'm pretty much very confused by now, been going through websites after websites trying to find a place to stay. This time, we're travelling light, as in light luggages, light summery clothes, light accommodation veering on budget types, and I realized that even three star properties in Bali comes with a hefty price tag pricing from USD80 and above, which is about RM300 per room night, and not inclusive of the most important meal of the day!

I'm rather partial to All Seasons though coz it's part of the Novotel group which I frequently use but most importantly they have an outdoor shower ;-)

But I'm still trying to make up my mind .. ish!

As for the Villas in Ubud, I would love to stay in them but prices start from USD150 onwards for paddy field views and since I'm from Alor Setar, I think I've seen enough paddy fields in my lifetime to know how it looks like, eh?

Greys

I’ve quite a few strands of grey now and I realize now that as I approach 34 I don’t mind it so much anymore, that along with the fine lines beneath my eyes, above on my forehead and God knows where else. A girlfriend and I went talking about botox and we both agreed, yeah though it may remove lines it may also come with some unknown side effects and whatever not.
As for greys a friend of mine suggested eating sesame seeds and sesame powder, I’ll remember that the next time I see black sesame sprinkled on my rice, usually I just pick it out but now that I know .. I’m gonna eat them! You see sesame seed is naturally rich with Vitamin E, which helps to keep greys at bay, and now you know!

The ME today

As a schoolkid growing up in AS, I always felt alot of eerrrmmm .. shortcomings about myself, I am your perfect example of someone with very low self esteem and yearns mostly for acceptance. Acceptance .. yes, a simple word with a simple meaning, but not always the easiest to execute. Most times back then I wonder why was I so below average, I wanted to be more, I was angry at myself why I wasn't more..; more of this, and more of that .. you know the usual gripes .. I yearned to be more, but I knew I wasn't .. then somehow fate has a funny way of dealing with us. Is fate fair? To me, the answer is yes.. I am now blessed to enjoy all those which I yearned for when I was younger. See, I'm not trying to sound arrogant, no .. all I'm trying to say is I want to remember this part of my life now, where everything is finally in place.. where I finally feel comfortable in my own skin.. comfortable about my own identity, my plus points and yes, I've even come to terms with my own shortcomings..

Funny, isn't it .. how the things we feel were important back then no longer feels the same now.. is it because I've evolved? I don't think, I've evolved so much .. I still very much the same .. but just that I'm now very much every bit of ME!

And I love ME!

The Marching is on!

Slam, BAM! It's already March!
Could you believe this? Stuffs already lined up ..
And Bali resort to sort out..

Last weekend, it was the most fun I had this year..together with Siva & Joey we went to Aliyaa in Damansara Heights, it's a a rather chic laidback kinda place that serves Indian food and delicious wines. Between the four of us we polished off 4 bottles of wine from South Africa to New Zealand! And the band's repetoire was rockin' .. :) very the rocker in my summer frock!

Random thought: Niki's three-gather it cracks me up everytime :)

Ok see ya, joining a new friend, Mimi for breakfast :)