Reflections: 2008

Howdy folks!

It's the time of the year again; where I humbly reflect upon the ups and downs of 2008 and offer thanks and gratitude for the good times bestowed upon me.

Now, let's begin.

1. Passing CLP
- CLP was one helluva emotional roller coaster for me.

One can only imagine the amount of relief I felt when I found out that I passed the mother of all exams. Thank God!

2. Raleigh International: Borneo 08G

- Embarked on a 5 week expedition, had a wonderful time. Built a kindergarten in 19 days; an achievement that I'm tremendously proud of. *Lols* Can't imagine myself lugging those huge belian poles ever again!

And yes, I bear some 'war scars' to tell the tale. Maybe to my kids and grandkids perhaps... ;)

3. Climbed Mt. K!
- YES!!!!!! However, the achievement was marred by bad weather. A bit potong steam that we had to miss the sunrise due to bad weather.

4. White Water Rafting!

- Did Sg. Kiulu (Sabah), and then conquered Sg. Kampar (Perak) 2 weeks later with Ju Vern. Had a very enjoyable time.
Planning to conquer Sg. Padas next, any takers?



5. Settled down to a proper full-time job.

- Financial freedom, need I say more?

This has had its ups and downs. Well, 3 months into it, I'll wait and see. Tempted to embark on a more enticing placement, but Mum has her reservations though its only for another 9 months (minimum). Shall see how the transfer orders go.

But frankly speaking, I do have my fears of hitman and hired assassins.

6. Mika
- This is perhaps one of the best things that has happened to me this year. We got a dog, which I dutifully christened Mika.
The parents reckon that I'm crazy over him. Despite my infamous fear of dogs, I've shown none of such fear towards him. He He.... I really really sayang this 'lil critter.

7. Travelling

- Frolicking round Sabah post-expedition was probably one of the greatest things I've done. The road trip, together with 3 great companions was enjoyable. And yes, not forgetting the 2 biji of 5kg watermelons we had in the span of 3 days!

We shall return for diving one day mates! ;) Sabah's definitely one of the beautiful-est places around!

And yes, travelled further down South of East M'sia to meet up with the boy. Didn't do much, yet enjoyable and relaxing to the max! Damai beach, Damai beach, Damai beach!!!!!!

And I guess, that pretty much sums up my wonderful year of 2008!

Adios!

-LV-

Life's Lessons: Kiss Your Boy/Girlfriend

One reason I love eating those insanely expensive Baci chocolates is because of the little notes found inside them. Here's what I found the other day. "Never close your lips to someone whom you've opened your heart"

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-

Resolution 2007 Revisited

The boy asked me recently, "So have you kept to your resolutions for 2007?"

Now, lets revisit those resolutions...

http://livyen.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-promises-for-2008.html

1. To relax and be less uptight
Still trying to, and working on it. It's hard trying to change my inborn nature.

2. To eat less junk
This required quite a bit of effort. But overall, did so-so on this resolution. Too busy to stuff myself with junk anyway... Lols!
Managed to lose some weight in 2007 at least... FINALLY!!!!!!!

3. To study more (for the sake of CLP)
Done and over with it!!!!! Thank God!!!!!! Need I say more? *phew*

As for this... Madam Zorra's prediction.
http://livyen.blogspot.com/2007/12/new-year-heralds-new-beginnings.html

"... This is a wonderful year for the Virgo especially in love, marriage and personal relationships. Let go and you will see new beginnings flow through you like the life-reviving rays of the Sun. The year brings renewed courage to face adversities especially in money matters and health..."

Hmmm...

I'm still not married and as poor as a church mouse...

But she's probably true as letting go and easing up a bit certainly brought the best returns...

-LV-

My Many Firsts...

My first professional pay cheque...

My first time in robes...

My first proper 'office'...

My first appeal submission...

My first time in court...

My first Investigation Paper...

My first briefing...

My first time seeing eye-to-eye with hardcore criminals...

My first briefing with policemen...

AND

More to look forward to...

My first mention...

My first witness...

My first trial...

More to come...

-LV-

Waffles for Lunch!

A much welcomed break from the usual nasi kandar stall at C3...

Tercipta Untukku

I first fell in love with this song when I heard it in Amy J's car, and then again when I heard it during Mira's wedding.

Tercipta Untukku by Ungu

And the lyrics...

Menatap indahnya senyuman diwajahmu
Membuat ku terdiam dan terpaku
Mengerti akan hadirnya cinta terindah
Saat kau peluk mesra tubuhku

Banyak kata
Yang tak mampu kuungkapkan
Kepada dirimu

Aku ingin engkau slalu
Hadir dan temani aku
Disetiap langkah
Yang meyakiniku
Kau tercipta untukku
Sepanjang hidupku

Aku ingin engkau slalu
Hadir dan temani aku
Disetiap langkah
Yang meyakiniku
Kau tercipta untukku
Meski waktu akan mampu
Memanggil seluruh ragaku
Ku ingin kau tau
Kuslalu milikmu
Yang mencintaimu
Sepanjang hidupku

Aku ingin engkau slalu
Hadir dan temani aku
Disetiap langkah
Yang meyakiniku
Kau tercipta untukku
Meski waktu akan mampu
Memanggil seluruh ragaku
Ku ingin kau tau
Kuslalu milikmu
Yang mencintaimu

-LV-

What Women Want???

I've come across many guys whom I consider very gentlemanly, very polite, very nice and in short, too good to be true.

I met K (an eternal bachelor) again recently; to discover (without much surprise) that he's still very much available.

K is simply one of the nicest, sweetest and most considerate guys around. Oh yes, he's got a well-established career, and is 150% financially secure.

Well-mannered and articulate as well.

And no, he doesn't play the field.

He's certainly one of those who deserve a nice happy little family to call his own. And I've got no qualms that he'll be one of the best husbands and fathers around.

He's not a bed-hopper too! Neither does he have any commitment problems.

It does make me wonder, why is he still single?

Nice guys DO finish last perhaps???

-LV-

Mika @ Night

-LV-

When It Gets Too Cold At Work...

And when wearing my blazer is insufficient... I buy a Pashima to keep me warm....

A Reflection of My Daily Routine

I came upon an entry on XT's blog recently on her daily routine, which sounds eeriely similar to mine.

A typical day for me....

5.30am: 1st alarm rings (Snooze - Grab my phone, check for text messages, reply - Go back to sleep)

5.39am: 2nd alarm rings (Snooze)

5.48am: 3rd alarm rings (Grab my phone for our daily Good Morning call)

6.02am: Alarm clock rings (Hang up - Shower and get dressed)

6.35am: Breakfast

6.45am: Put my heels on, begin my 45km commute to work.

7.35am: Arrive at C7 (Clock in - Grab the keys to my room - Put my stuff - Read the papers)

8.00am: Work

12.50pm: Naveena calls, makan time!!!!

*Makan!!!!!*

2.00pm: Back to work

Circa 5.20pm: Pack my bags - Clock out - Carpark here I come!!!

6.10pm: Arrive home

7.15pm: Dinner

8.30pm: Turn the idiot box on, Channel surf for a bit, Internet time, Call the parents...

Circa 10.00pm: 'Porridge' eating session!!!!! :P

11.30pm: ZZZZZzzzzzzz.......

And the routine is repeated the following day... Alas, how I 'love' my life!!!!

-LV-

A Sound Piece of Advice

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jahvs/236480066/

One of the many advice Dad has given me, and perhaps the best so far...

"You'll meet many detractors along the way...

Brush them aside, get the job done and move on..."

-LV-

LDP

I drive along the LDP (Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong) and past this building - Plaza Perabot LDP during my daily commute to and from work...

AND

It never fails to remind me of my 'early days' living in KL.

I swear, that I used to hate life here with a vengeance and was one of the members of PBSM (Persatuan Balik Setiap Minggu). Social life in KL back then was practically next to zero. I never ventured out further than the college (I used to live only 3 doors away. Yes, I swear. I did!), and perhaps the ocassional banana leaf at Bangsar. Had practically no friends in KL apart from the gang (but we never did meet each other in KL back then - all PBSM fellas). And yes, the only time I probably went out was with XY with whom I used to be quite close to. And very often, we'd end up on the wrong end of the LDP, in front of this Furniture Mall. *lols* Hence, the 'nostalgia' everytime I drive past this 'structure' nowadays - the constant reminder of my 'miserable' life down south 5 years ago.

Anyway, things change, and people surely do.

We're no longer as close, and I no longer dread living in KL.

I no longer have a zero social life.

I'm no longer a student.

I no longer fear getting lost.

But yet, some things never change - I still suck at driving!

-LV-

Impulse Buy?

Look what I managed to buy during the long lunch break today! Btw, we've all got ourselves a pair each. *lols*

VCKY, a close up shot especially for you... *winks*

Lamb Charmers @ Charms Café, 1U

I had one of the loveliest lunch recently. Chunks of lamb over a mini 'BBQ Pit', served with butter rice. Washed down with lime juice. All for RM18.90. Hmmm...think I'd better stop my eating spree. As the saying goes, "A moment on yr lips, a lifetime on yr hips." Danger, danger, danger...

-LV-

Pondering

I know I could have and am capable of doing more within this period, and it's bothering me big time. When will I be unleashed? Or am I expecting too much in too short a time? Dear ol' idealistic me...

-LV-

Sympathy?

Some shoes are just plain ugly that you'll just have to buy them...

-LV-

Kitchen Therapy

It's been ages since I last cooked a proper meal, from scratch. And hence, taking into account the fact that I'm no longer obliged to study during the weekends, plus with a special request for pasta from the brother, I decided to make it from scratch.

Got some tomatoes and onions from the minimart downstairs. And off home I went to start my mini kitchen rendezvous only to discover that the tin of tomato puree that I spotted in the kitchen cabinet a couple of days ago had been used by the dear brother!

Left with no choice, I decided to just pump in an unknown god-forsaken amount (as the Malay cookbooks would say - "secukup rasa") of ketchup into my mixture of sauteed onions, garlic, beef and tomatoes along with 3 cups of water.

I left the 'brew' to simmer whilst I cooked the pasta and brocolli.

Voila! I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. It tasted lovely! And the brother agreed.... :P

-LV-

Fish & Noodle House

Note: This is an unpaid and hence, an unbiased review. And when I say it tastes good, it has to be good! :P
___

As some of you may know, I've been busy moonlighting at my Uncle's newly opened restaurant prior to starting my job. Haven't actually tried the food there during my 'tenure' as a cashier cum waitress cum table-cleaner.

The shop's doing brisk business.

Was fortunate to have the time to drop by the other day with my family. And yes, the noodles tasted awesome, which probably explains why people keep coming back for more (in troops).

I had the Salmon Fillet Noodles (Well, okay, this picture does not do it justice. But I swear on my life it tastes awesome!).

Bro had the Salmon Rice.

And Dad, the Fish Fillet Noodles (without milk)

Whilst Mum had the house specialty; Fish Head Noodles. To be taken specially with the delicious Sambal!


All of which we duly washed down with a Lime and Sour Plum juice (Super concentrated! Yummy!).


As well as a cold Chrysanthemum.


Refreshing and lovely brunch indeed! And the best thing is that we didn't feel thirsty even after downing the whole bowl of soup!!!!

And here's the menu and location map for your perusal.

Feel free to drop by!

-LV-