Today's Breakfast

My daily routine for the past 7 months:

5.45am: Phone rings and I go "ggrrrrrrrrr........ hhhhhhhhhhmmmmm.......... ok........ ahhhhhhh..........huh?????" on the phone with my semi-shut eyes.

5.50am: Alarm goes off. *snooze no. 1*

5.59am: Alarm goes off. *snooze no. 2*

6.08am: Alarm goes off. *snooze no. 3*

6.17am: Alarm goes off. *snooze no. 4*

6.20am: "Okie, time to get outta bed!" *Rolls outta bed, whilst trying to avoid tripping over my pillows and blankets*

6.21am & beyond: Do the whole, bangun pagi, gosok gigi, cuci muka, la la la..... deed, whilst taking of what to have for breakfast.

6.40am: Take a look at the clock. "Oh shit, I'm running late!" Slaps on some compact powder, blusher and prolly some eye shadow if I have the time to.

6.45am: Decide to screw breakfast. Grab a can of Nescafe regular + some biscuits/bread. Dashes out the door.

The above is an illustration of why I enjoyed today's breakfast. Am currently on leave, hence, I have the luxury of time. The perfect opportunity to (as ironic as it sounds) cook instant noodles for breakfast. It was Maggi curry btw.

A temporary life of sheer indolence!

-LV-

My New Toy

Surviving with only 30GB of memory on my lappie for the past 5 years has always been challenging!

I had always wanted to get a HDD for obvious purposes but have never gotten myself to doing it.

Was walking in Tesco today, and saw this Western Digital baby on sale for RM189 (160GB).

I stood there, thought for a second. "Well, this may be expensive. But what the heck!!!"

I grabbed it and headed towards the nearest check-out counter.

And home we went....

-LV-

Mika

27th Sept 2008 - The day I got over my phobia of dogs (have only gotten over phobia of small ones though).

We were walking along the streets of 31900, when we had a chance encounter with a slightly less than 30cm tall and 4kg heavy, one year old Miniature Pinscher at our 'friendly neighbourhood petshop'.

As we've been mulling over the thought of getting a dog for quite sometime, we decided to bring it home. And off home it went with us.

To greener pastures,

And bluer skies.... We hope...

After some deliberation, we decided to christen it Mika, after my favourite Formula 1 driver Mika Hakkinen.

He He...we shall get a Kimi and Heikki next?

PS: The author is still terrified at the sight of dogs which are more than 30cm in height and those that weigh more than 4kg.

-LV-

The 5am Bootcamp: Week 1

Short update:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/14/nation/21816709&sec=nation
____

5am Bootcamp: Knock-out Round 1.

A short round-up of my personal thoughts on the See-Elle-Pee thus far.

Monday: 14 July 2008
Civil Procedure
- Not as bad as expected. Still a touch and go situation. Touchwood won't fail this paper. Scary though.

Wednesday: 16 July 2008
General Paper
- Managed to finish in time. Honestly hope that the 10mark mistake I made in the Contract bit won't prove costly. Tak mau kantoi!

Friday: 18 July 2008
Criminal Procedure
- Ha Ha! What should I say about this paper. Upacara menyalin 'bible'!
Too good to be true, it's like God sent! Merely a cut, copy and paste exercise from the Criminal Procedure Code, though focus was a lot on the 2007 amendments. No case laws to refer to. So it's just a matter of opening the relevant page and copy balik the statutory provisions.
I must admit, I got bored at the end of the paper. I had time to write nicely instead of scribble, and to stretch my tired arms and neck. *lols* Even hot topics such as alibi and charges tak keluar!!!!!!
Anyway, no complaints, just hope that the examiners won't raise the bar. And barring any unforeseen circumstances, should be able to sail through this paper. 40% can gua....

3 down, 2 more to go!

Monday: 21 July 2008
Professional Practice
- 5 subjects in 1 paper, only allowed to bring in one 'bible' - the National Land Code. Of the 5 subjects involved in this paper, Land law is my weakest subject. Praying hard that the questions 'ngam' makan! Please don't kantoi!

Wednesday: 23 July 2008
Evidence
- Very very abstract paper. I do at times fail to identify the correct issues. Hmmm... hope I get caught often enough during practice questions to avoid getting caught again during the exams!

Wednesday: 23 July 2008 - 12.15pm (GMT +8)

I'll be a FREE LADY!!!!!!!

-LV-

The Hill Saga: Part 3

A news article in a Chinese daily (I'm not sure which one) highlighting our plight.

Ah! Finally found it!

<http://mykampung.sinchew.com.my/node/37451?tid=5>

Original article as follows:

(Translations provided - to the best of my Sdn. Bhd. abilities.)

金寶裕隆園居民舉紙卡‧抗議闢路銜接新住宅區

(Sin Chew Jit Poh, 14th July 2008)

"Residents of TJL Raises Placards: Opposes the Construction of an Access Road Linking to a Proposed Housing Project."

霹靂‧金寶）金寶裕隆園居民週日（13日）高舉紙卡，非議屋業發展商在當地開闢一條道路連接正在進行興建工程的住宅區。

Kampar, Perak: The residents of TJL had on the 13th of July staged a protest whereby they raised placards in a show of opposition towards the proposed construction of an access road linking their current residential area to a new housing project adjacent to it.

居民找來霹靂州行政議員兼克蘭芝區州議員曾福仔到場巡視，以及了解該區旁邊約16英畝工地的情況並傳達居民反對開路的意願。

The residents had sought help from their State Assemblyman Chen Fook Chye who had on Sunday arrived to listen to the plights of residents as well as to survey the construction works being undertaken in the site measuring approximately 16acres.

擔心開路引來竊賊

"Fears of Rise in Crime Rates"

居民李永昌(51)指出，裕隆園成立了30年，建在山坡上，住戶約56家，向來都平安無事，他們擔心有關道路開闢後，將會引來小賊偷竊和發生罪案。

Resident, WC Lee (51 years old) stated that TJL has been in existence for the past 30 years and is situated on a hillside. It has 56 houses and has a track-record of being crime-free. He highlighted his concern that the construction of the proposed access road would result in an increase in crimes, particularly theft and burglary around the area.

住在帕里路48號的譚永光（55歲）說，他透露，一名測量師兩星期前到來測量土地時說，他住家外的花園內部份土地被徵收，但他看回本身的地契圖測，發現被徵收的範圍，有8呎土地是屬於他的。

A fellow resident WK Tham (55 years old) disclosed that survey works had been undertaken by land surveyors appointed by the developers and they contended that his garden had encroached into the land belonging to the said housing developers. However, upon inspection of his own Issue Document of Title, he discovered that their contentions were untrue as the measurements were inaccurate and had taken up more than 8 feet of land which rightfully belongs to him.

這情況讓他感到不解，他希望曾福仔和有關發展商協調。

He is baffled by the situation and as such, hopes that Chen Fook Chey would be able to provide him with the needed assistance in the reclamation of land that is rightfully his.

曾福仔：收集資料研究

"Chen Fook Chye: More Research Needed"

曾福仔說，他會收集各方面的資料，以便和有關單位作詳細研究。
Chen added that he had received the necessary material from all parties in order to resolve the necessary dispute.

他表示，他曾於4月帶環境局官員來巡視這片工地，也聯絡過縣土地局，當時被告知，如果樹林被開闢不超過25英畝，即不涉及破壞環境。

He explains that he had visited the site in April along with some officials from the DoE (Department of Environment). He has also been in contact with the District Land Office and was told that no environmental impact assessment is required for land which area is less than 25 acres.

*phew* Translation done!

-LV-

What 'ya Looking At?

Follow-Up

What a start to my morning!
A follow-up to my previous post. Btw, he did not highlight the access road issue.
___

Residents Want Hill Preserved (By: Jaspal Singh)

KAMPAR: A group of people are determined to see that the lush greenery of Bukit Kampar will not fall victim to arbitrary hillside development.

Hence, an approval given by the Kinta Selatan District Council to a developer early this year to clear the land on a steep slope of the hill for housing is being challenged by residents living close to the area.

Although the proposed project was taking place on private land, the residents of Taman Juloong want the district council to be transparent about the approval it had given.

Not only were they upset that the district council had allowed the clearing of 7ha on the slope, they were also angry with its apparent lack of seriousness in ensuring that the work was done according to established rules and regulations.

Speaking to reporters invited to see the massive land-clearing work being carried out at Bukit Kampar, the residents' spokesman, Ridzuan Lee Abdullah, said the district council's technical committee did not seek the views of Taman Juloong residents who had been staying on the fringes of Bukit Kampar for the past 30 years.

"The approval was given blatantly without care or regard for the environment and the residents living in the vicinity of the project.

"Having given this approval, the district council does not even bother to check on the land-clearing activities being carried out on the slope."

According to Ridzuan, no silt traps were installed by the developer to stop the flow of mud from the cleared area from going into the monsoon drains.

He said the one-metre deep drains near the area were filled with 70 per cent of silt and this had resulted in minor flash floods in nearby areas because the drains were now unable to channel water to the Kranji river when it rained heavily.

Ridzuan said the district council failed to adhere to the regulations which prohibited development on hill slopes with a gradient of more than 25 degrees.

"In this case, the slopes involved have gradients between 35 and 70 degrees. How could the district council allow the clearing of land on such steep gradients?"

He said the land clearing was carried out 12 hours every day, including weekends and public holidays, adding that no proper signboard had been erected to show who the developer was and other details.

According to Ridzuan, the residents had brought the matter up to the attention of the Kranji state assemblyman Chen Fook Chye but were told that the project had satisfied the guidelines.

"We have also written to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as well as state Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming about the project and our plight but there has been no response from them."

Chen, who is state National Unity and Integration and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman, said he had referred the matter to the Department of Environment in April for action and was informed that the project did not need an environmental impact assessment because the size of the project was less than 20ha.

NST Online, 14 July 2008; http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2293203/Article
____

Hmmm... are we fighting a losing battle?

-LV-

TJL 'Street Demonstration'

Those fellas have been digging, digging, digging and filling for the past 4 months. And my God... They took out half a hill! My room faces barren land now!

BEFORE:
Circles denote the 'raped' areas. A rough estimate, I think it may be more.

Image source: http://www.kampar.net

AFTER:


Street demos seem to be the 'in' word nowadays. Hence, the Persatuan Uncle-Aunty of TJL, 31900 decided that it's time to take action.

With placards (English, Cina, Melayu... hambalang language pun ada) and all, they staged a street demo as evidence of their discontent.

Mr. ADUN, 5th from the left.

It took only 2 persons to get the ball rolling initially, and 'Ball-roller A' came knocking on my door requesting for a official complaints letter to be drafted in English and BM. And me being the dutiful resident obliged.

More ball-rollers were roped into the picture soon after and it appears that there was an earlier 'Ball-roller before Ball-roller A' who has already done background work. Kudos!

An earlier letter (bukan aku yg tulis) handed over to the MB resulted in being forwarded to an Exco but no action was taken. It is hoped that with the recent election of local councillors, this would yield some results. Anyway, subsequent letter handed into the local authorities, Persatuan Uncle-Aunty meetings held, and coupled with the initiative of a few pro-active residents, it resulted in a visit from my State Assemblyman yesterday (Sunday). Mr. YB who visited the site himself, promised to 'look into it'.

Tak buat kerja, no more "X" for you next round!

The 'commotion' outside my house. It's quite nice seeing all neighbours gathered outside ala Wisteria Lane.

Anyway, our (correction: should be their, as I'm only supporting cast this time around. Had to keep my nose outta the picture due to exam commitments) mission statement is simple:-

1. To oppose to the proposed construction of an access road that by passes our particular Jalan; linking the new housing development project to our Taman and to town.
- I personally find this proposed access road redundant as there are currently 2 access roads available for their disposal. Why need a 3rd one? Especially when the 3rd by-passes a row of houses? It's not even the main road of our Taman.
- Plus, this new road will be constructed on 'filled-land'. Trust me, that place used to be a ravine, a very deep one which is now filled up. God bless those who buy the houses there.

2. The new housing site involves cutting or as the Persatuan Uncle-Aunty puts it 'raping' a hill which has a gradient of more than 35% (or is it 25%). And apparently, it is illegal an against the law.
- I have no idea about this. Have yet to check out the relevant statute.

3. And perhaps to review the feasibility of the whole project in general.
- A couple of rivers have been clogged up as a result of this 'penerokaan hutan'. Not a good sign. But, I honestly think that it's a bit too wishy-washy to hope that the developers would review the project as a whole.
- We're still far behind in attempts to do 'environmentally sustainable development'. All we do is blast (limestone hills), dig (i.e. rape the mountains), fill (the ravine), chop, dig, fill, chop, dig, fill.... *repeat process*

We shall see. I'll keep you posted.

Sekian berita untuk hari ini. Vannakum...

-LV-

A New Addition to the Family

-LV-

Game On

Update: And now, the accountant wants to party too!!!! Opps... it turns out that they've partied together long time ago. Way to go guys!
___

A letter written by the 'lawyer',

Signatures collected by the teacher,

Formal complaint subsequently lodged by the doctor,

MPs and ADUNs (soon to be) roped into the picture *aha*...

Can we stop deforestation, encroachment and development?

Game's on, babehhhhhhhhhhhh.....

-LV-

Haih...

'The-other-fella' won the British Grand Prix

And Federer lost the Wimbledon finals

The lansi tortoise @ 31900; 6th July 2008

*haih*

I think I'd better stop jinxing anyone by supporting them...

-LV-

On Integrity

In our quest for the gospel truth, one must not leave any stone (or empty coconut) untouched...

-LV-

*2 cents worth on Malaysian politics

Gone With the Wind

It's been 25 years since that fateful day...

When it started out this way...


It grew strong and mighty day by day...


Until heavy rain and strong winds struck one fine day...

Casualty 1: Bob the Cactus

Casualty 2: Bob the Bat

Most trees in my garden were slayed...

Casualty 3: Bob the Coconut Tree

Casualty 4: Bob the Banana Tree

And my dear ol' coconut tree ended up this way...

The coconut tree trunks, now converted into fish pond decorations. Painstakingly sawn by yours truly.

*Ha Ha! Lame attempt to be poetic... :P

-LV-

"X" Marks the Spot

Encroachment into MY land, MY territory. And the battle for custody officially begins! Mark and measure your boundaries properly, mate! I bite!

And I repeat, I bite!!!

-LV-

Akibat Kerakusan Manusia

It's hard to find the exact words to explain how I feel. And, I'm actually unsure of why I feel this way.

They say, pictures speak a thousand words.

I have been wondering...

Why am I feeling the way I do?

1. Am I reluctant to accept change and what some would consider a small price to pay for the development of 31900?

Yeah, with Universities and Colleges around, plus a Tesco. We seem to be a (possibly) booming township. Small thing for the city-folks out there, but a big thing for a former-mining town which has been rather quiet and 'dead' for the past few decades since all the Yap Ah Loy's left in search for a better living in the cities.

2. Or, is it because I'm a tree-hugger who detests such rampant deforestation?

I'm not the biggest tree-hugger in Malaysia. But I try to do my bit at times. I really hate the sight of forests being cleared away for development. (Case in point, the housing project behind SC's place.) And I do detest the 'bombing' of limestone hills to some extent. But then, living in a state where all car number plates begin with "A", I guess it's something I'll have to live with. It's our source of income.

3. Perhaps, I'm selfish?

For 25 years, I've been happy and content with living in a rather sedate neighbourhood in 31900. Limited traffic (but for TJL residents), away from the hustle and bustle of the town... And the ocassional sight of kingfishers, monkeys, squirrels and dragonflies. There USED TO BE rare sightings of Rajah Brookes too!

So, am I reluctant to accept change and the need for it? Am I irritated as what used to be a corner lot is not longer as 'corner' and has less privacy than before?

I'm annoyed. (I must admit - Sorry KH for the constant complaints! And thanks for bearing with me!)

Annoyed as my room window would no longer provide me with a view of lush greenery.

Annoyed because I'll look out to someone else's houses (in the future).

Annoyed as so many trees were fell to make place for the housing development projects. Those fellas practically carved out a bloody big portion of the hill! Landslides soon to come.

But, must I really accept the fact that good things (refer to no. 3) have to come to an end eventually?

I really miss this!

But what's done cannot be undone!

It rained just now.

And I saw mist/fog... Should I be thankful for that?

Though it used to be foggier before...

-LV

I Kick and I Punch

It's been 4 years since I've last executed a kick...

And I miss it dearly...

Ah, the thing(s) one has to give up as we get caught up with other things in life...

A badly executed back-thrust kick. *Lols* I love KK's expression!: Merdeka Celebrations, 2001

And my fellow Black-belts, along with our Instructor...

I miss Taekwondo!!!!!! VERY MUCH!!!!!

-LV-

The Effects of Development

A view from my room window at 31900 (what it used to be)

Bye bye greenery....

Bye bye squirrels, bye bye kingfishers, bye bye butterflies!

Stupid housing development projects! Who's interested in buying houses in 31900!

I HATE YOU!

I feel like strapping myself to the trees...

-LV-

Vidal Sassoon, I Could Have Been

A 4.5+ year old me with my 1.5+ year old 'model'.

No worries, it's a fake pair of scissors and no one was hurt in the process.

Now again, why did I put myself through this legal pain and agony (reading law)? Pain and suffering, loss of amenities. *grins*

Could have been better off as a hairstylist, you see! *winks* Ouch, see-elle-pee hurts!

-LV-

Pa's New Toy

I swear! There's supposed to be more fishes in that aquarium. Alas, all gone hiding!

He MMS-ed me this picture of his new accessory for the indoor aquarium; 'faux plastic grass' this morning. Poor fish-ies left with more place to hide, but less place to swim.

Happy Father's Day, dad!

-LV-

Reasons Why I Love My Doctors

I went to the Dermatologist's as well today. (Was just there as a 'moral supporter' and not the patient btw).

Stepped into the room, plonked myself down onto the chair directly opposite Mr. Dermatologist. He proceeded to examine the patient and then turned his attention to me.

"Hey, I've treated you before! I recognise your face!", he exclaimed in an excited manner.

"Yeah, but that was ages ago! Man, you've got good memory!", I remarked.

And Mr. Dermatologist went (note: I'm not the patient for today!), "So did you do anything with your keloid scar?" (I've got a scar on my right wrist, due to a nasty fall during my athletics days.)

"Nah, I've just left it as it is, though it hurts at times. No point doing steroid injections and all for that...", I replied casually.

Mr. Dermatologist continued, "Yeah, cosmetic surgery is an option too, but I don't see the need for it. But you've just got to be really careful you know, no piercings, cuts and all. You're so prone to them."

"Yeah I know..."

And then came the cracker from Mr. Dermatologist...

"But they will love you when you go to Africa!"

And I went (a bit confused), "What?!?!?! They even more prone to keloids themselves!"

"Yeah, but they practice self-scarification. They use bamboo shoots to cut their face so that they get keloids on their face. Well, they think it makes them look more like warriors, you know..."

I was dumbfounded. Really kena cha dou!

PS: My apologies for taking the limelight away from the patient! :P

-LV-