** Hey guys, just taking a moment to wish everyone a very belated Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year! 2007 woot! Here I come! What are your New Year resolutions? **

Monkeying Around Penang

Slept at 2am and woke at 5am. I just sat there dazing out…until…suddenly…out of nowhere…

Morning prayers from the nearby mosque rang out as loud as if I was in the mosque itself. I was jolted into awareness and wondered, “Why does Quin’s alarm has the morning prayer in it?” Okay, so maybe not fully awake still.

I was still blur as I showered and got ready for the Penang trip. PB was to pick us up and then we were going to meet up with everyone else for dim sum. It was fun seeing all of us wearing the guild t-shirt. Hee, I felt more part of the guild instead of a lost monkey. After a hearty breakfast, a quick stop at a petrol station, we were on our way.

This time I spent the trip riding with Sala, Eekie and Spire. It was fun as we entertained each other with stories during our 3 hr trips. Viewed the scenery made more interesting by Sala’s info on each one. The cave where people from the Communist insurgency hid…well according to Sala, or maybe my memory may be faulty.


Beautiful weather that day as well.

Sala pointed out the temple built into a cliff (we went too fast to take a pic of it, it looks amazing though) and the spot where they shot part of the movie ‘Anna and the King’. The natural waterfall, the perils of driving around that area because not too long ago a boulder fell on the road, quarries that made the moutains look like giant pieces of nougat. Mom would love to go hashing in those hills. Palm trees, lots of palm trees…it brought me back to my geography lessons where I learned Palm oil is one of the resources of Malaysia.



I loved the scenery, you don’t get much of this while driving from KB to Bandar…the only place I can think of that can compare is Shah Bandar and that is only if you do the grunt work to hike the hills, only then can you enjoy the scenery.


A quick stop to grab some Baskin Robins (mmm, pistacio this time) where we were entertained by ‘It’s a Bug’s Life: The Adventure of the Cave of Wax’ written and directed by PB.

We went to pick up Pozart first at Butterworth? Why does that name keep popping up in my head? I think it’s wrong but I remember reading Butterworth there…why do I remember Butterworth??? Pozart is from BM, btw, but I have no idea what BM stands for.

I tot Pozart would look kinda round, cute and with a dancing hamster on his shoulder. He turned out to be like more of an anime char from Pokemon. I have no idea what his family must have thought about us…I mean if my online guild friends suddenly popped out of nowhere one Sunday and wanted to take me out for a fun filled day of board games, my mom would prolly locked me up in my room without an internet connection and throw away the key.

After kidnapping Poring we went off to pick up Gary. Now Sala said Gary looks like a romulan…although the resemblance is kinda uncanny (all he needs now are the ears to complete the romulan cosplay) Gary also has this permanent scowl on his face like he has the weight of the world upon him. I dunno whether he’s thinking about lunch or contemplating Socrates.

Off to Gurney Plaza to meet up with Cicak, Mach, Xiang and Wei Ho.

What to say about these fellas, hmm…

Cicak – Tall, he had an unfortunate encounter with a toothpick on his ear, sleepy fella like he just drank a whole bottle of nyquil before coming. I accidentally sponsored him a root beer.

Mach – Tall (ALL of the Penang trio are tall, what do they put in the Penang food kan?), bulky fella, likes to make fun of me and sea spiders.

Xiang – Very quiet kid which is suprising since online he’s the chattiest.

Wei Ho – I dunno who is cuter, Wei Ho or Pozart… Wei Ho looks like the Asian version of Harry Potter especially when he put the guild tee shirt on. ROFL, the shirt practically ROBED the fella. Everytime he eats, he waves his wand “Consumedious!” and *poof* the food disappears.

After A&W at Gurney Plaza, we all went to check in at Sri Sayang Apartments. Nothing much to say about the apartment we rented. The shower is a bit funky and likes to surprise people, the chairs were traps disguised as chairs and if there is a killer on the lose, there’s no alternative escape route unless you jumped form one balcony to one next door.


The best part was the view. We were on the 14th floor you see and I loved it. I spent a lot of time just spazing out there. There was this one night, where it was full moon and you can see moonlight reflecting off the sea. It was windy and so soothing.

Most of us played RISK during the afternoon. RISK I find is a complicated game full of strategy, kinda like CIV (Civillization IV) except you don’t develop cities, and it’s a war game. It was fun to watch but I didn’t play, mainly I wasn’t too interested and it was kidna fully booked already. Everyone was in pairs. Haha. Spire didn’t play and we instead spent the afternoon playing MTG, discussing MTG strats and deck builds.

Soon it was dinner time and we all headed out for a simple makan at this Indian place where they can mix almost anything at your request. Just point at anything and they scoop a ladle full of that and plop it onto your plate, pay at the counter then eat.

Next they brought me to this place which I have no idea what it’s called but I named it ‘Hawker’s Street’ cuz the whole jalan just paved with hawkers stands. I had some rojak and some other stuff I can’t name now cuz I totally fogot what they are called. I took pictures of them though.

See? ^_^

We headed back to the apartment for more RISK, Monopoly and MTG, then finally sleep beckoned us all.

To Be Continued…

KLCC, KINOKUNIYA & KILLING TIME

Woke up at around 9 something, then showered and everything. PB came over and the three of us headed out for some breakfast dim sum at this nice place that I have no idea what the name is but it’s pretty nice. The chicken feet & ha kau there was good, very fresh. Got to remember to ask PB what the place is called. XD

Then it was off to KLCC to meet up with Sala, Eekie and Spire. Turns out they were having sushi there. Omg, sushi, but I was too full with dim sum liao. Nvm, I’ll catch the sushi next time I go KL. Hehehe. Really, it was ok, cuz you know why? It was Kinokuniya next…the kingdom of knowledge, the realm of the written word, the holy temple of text. There were just so many books there…I wouldn’t mind working at a place like that or opening my own bookshop one day. But then…I’m afraid that I would either splurge my entire salary and buy the books on employee discount or, hang up the ‘closed’ sign and spend the rest of my days reading in my own shop, thus heading straight for bankrupcy.

Haiz, my habit of reading everything under the sun will be death of me one day.

However, since I am on a budget trip, I spent the time mostly browsing (No, I didn’t walk around sniffing the books, despite what rumours say.) and looking for something that I think my sister would like. She’s a regular bookworm, just like me. ^_^

I was kinda disappointed they didn’t have the book I wanted in stock. It’s Tale of Murasaki by Liza Dalby which came out around last year I think.

Sidenote: Lady Murasaki was a courtesan of 11th century Japan. She was the writer responsible for the famous ‘Tale of Genji’, probably the first novel ever written in history.

But never mind if they dun have my book in stock cuz I’m in Kinokuniya. People asked me before, if I’m so into books, why don’t I just order them online. My friend, nothing beats entering a shop full of books, ok? The smell of new covers, the feel of crisp pages, the sight of rows and rows of books just waiting for you to pick them up, it’s just lovely.

*ahem*

Okay, after I bought a couple of books, we all headed off to Times Square. There’s another bookshop there which according to Spire, is a big place, I didn’t go there though. I swear on my Louisa M. Alcott books, I didn’t. Haha. Instead, after a quick stop at Baskin Robins for ice cream, we went off to the huge arcade there. (I have no idea how they manage to put a roller coaster inside that building, it didn’t look that big to me from the ouside.)

The last arcade I’ve been to was in Gadong, where they had the old street fighter and shooting games. Too bad the place closed down after the PS was introduced into Brunei. So, I felt kinda like 13 again when I saw the place. Noisy, crowded and dim, it was the ideal hang out place for teens. Spire wanted me to try the para para machine. Sure I will try it, when I’m all alone and inside my room under a controlled environment.

She’s good at para para-ing, I can give her that much.

It’s really something to see my friends, 30’s and 20’s somethings, gaming and shooting baskets along side with the adolecents. In truth, I’m more into the shooting arcade games there. The smashing music button game reminds me too much of the button music smashing game my brother plays on the ps2. There’s a game called ‘House of the Dead’ or something like that, that I really wanted to try but it was fully booked so I pulled spire to accompany me playing ‘Timeline’ or something, another shooting game. There were also the seasoned DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) kids. This one kid, woah, breakdanced through this really wicked song on invisible mode. Freaky.

If all fails there’s always the lollipop machine. All you have to do is to drop in a coin and push the button. Viola, lollipops comes out. Eekie loved this machine. All Hail the Lollipop Princess. XD

When we’re all done, it was time for us to go to WOE. Omg, woe…*meow*

Actually, other than being constantly under the air conditioning throughout the 2 hours or so, it was pretty good. 6 people, 3 on each row, all for one purpose. It was really weird for me because well, for one, I never actually reported verbally and I am neither used to taking orders verbally. But I can tell you it was not so bad, other than the fact that I clicked too much. I learned a lot that night, such as if I limited my clicking, focused more on the angle of my direction, my performance would be better. I found out its very true.

Also I was as nervous as a kamikaze heading for a mission because Sala (Guild Leader) sat right beside me. Dammit, I actually felt my hands shaking that night. Or maybe it’s the air conditioning instead. Well either way, I felt as if my body was drained of every drop of blood. I felt numb, nervous and numb.

In the end it turned out better than I thought it would be. All of us talked about the woe while we all headed for TOLA. I THINK I had nasi lemak and milo peng cuz I was still kinda numb at the time. Everyone was talking and eating, amongst all the chatter we discussed our plans for tomorrow. What gonna happen tomorrow? We were all heading for Penang to meet other guild mates! Woot!

Effy (not Eekie) and Calvin was suppose to join us at TOLA but they didn’t make it in time. Instead, Quin directed them to a nearby makan place and dropped me there. I introduced her to Effy. Effy, meet Quin, my KL jie jie. Quin, meet Effy, my good friend and sister under the So-So Sisterhood of Jen. After an invigorating debate with Calvin about the pros and cons for a Bruneian like me to migrate to KL, we headed home. (Effy kinda like, “Yeah! You’re right!” on the side. Lol. I think she very bored with me debating with Calvin like that. Can’t help it what, the fella baited me…kinda.)

See how bored she is? Sampai play play with her mobile instead. Rofl!

It was 1 am already when they dropped me off at Quin’s place. I was worried Quin would forget about me and lock the door, go to sleep liao. *meow!* I would deserve it too, for coming back that late. Fortunately, Quin is an understanding sweetie and opened the door to let the stray cat (me) in.

I quickly packed my stuff for the Penang trip and went to bed at 2 am.

To be continued…

Come Fly With Me, Let's Fly, Let's Fly Away ~

When I went to KL last year with Shikin, I didn’t think I would visit again and alone even more. Sad to say ah, the last time I traveled alone was when I was sent to Singapore for job training and that was 4 years ago. So this is the second time I’m actually traveling alone.

The main purpose of going to KL this time was to visit my guild mates in KL and Penang. Even a guild mate from Singapore went. It was exciting to think I’ll be meeting and staying with friends I’ve only known online. Ones that I trust won’t leave me in a tub of ice with both my kidneys missing. This is gathering also marks the one year I’ve been playing Ragnarok Online. Haha, I remembered that I wanted to try RO just for the fun of it. Look at where I am now, still playing RO.

I was so excited the night before that I couldn’t sleep and finally snoozed at around 5am. Nevermind, my flight was scheduled at 6pm, no problem.

Reached the airport in time and checked in. Scan, scan, scan, everything put into the big x ray machine and scan. I put in Josey (laptop) first but when she went in, the whole machine stopped. Ah? My baby is still in there, at least let me pass le. Haiz, but couldn’t cuz the whole gate power down. Maybe they forgot to pay last month’s electric bill. So we had to wait for a while for them to sort things out lo. At least I’m better off than this guy who was in line before me. Since he had metal buckles on his shoes, he had to take them off and put them through the x-ray machine. Ended up his shoes on one side and the fella was bare foot on the other. XD

Finally seated in the plane, can hear my heart go bump bump bump, cuz in 2 hrs, I would be meeting Quin and PB in person. So excited! Kya~! >_<

So I tried to settle down when who I see happen to pass by? It was Mr. X, head of a department in the company I work for. Okay la, wave and say hello to the fella, that’s it, but a few minutes later, “Any one sitting here?” Aiyoh…

The fella talked mostly about investments, bank interests, inflation and insurance for 2 solid hours. Woopeee…

Trust me, I’ve tried steering the conversation into other topics.

“So why is Mr. X flying to KL?”
“Oh going to catch a flight to Penang around midnight.”
“Mr. X got business in Penang?”
“Not really, my family is there, and my father in law is celebrating his birthday this weekend so I decided to attend.”
“Oh, I see…I’m gonna visit Penang this Sunday.”
“Is it? You should really try the hawker food there, it’s really good.”
“Yeah, that’s what I heard too.”

…

*smile* *smile*

…

“So you already got your own insurance plan?”

Lord, give me strength.

Turns out he’s going back to Brunei on Sunday. He said it was a pity cuz then he could show me around in Penang. In my heart I was thinking there is a God after all.

Finally when the plane landed, I picked up my luggage and started messaging Quin. She asked me to wait for her at the coffee zone near by, and since I slept so late the night before, I was already lagging a bit and the smell of the coffee was so nice…

“Hi Mareen”

Huh? Who? Oh ya, that’s me. ^_^ Heh, not use to hearing people call me by my internet nick.

PB and Quin, I recognize them since I’ve seen their pictures before. Then I was introduced to Quin’s mom also. I tried to speak to auntie with my best mandarin le, but even that failed, PB had a nice time poking me. Damn me and my broken mandarin tongue.

Everyone dropped by Quin’s house first where I freshened up. Sala, Eekie and Spire presented the guild tee shirt (really cute! A1!)

Hmm…I dunno how to describe it lo, first time meeting the people who I’ve befriended and even grown close to virtually for a year now. I didn’t know what to say. It was kinda awkward for me. Most of the time I remember thinking how surreal it felt or maybe it could be because I was kinda tired. Everyone said I resemble Eekie but I think she’s like an energizer bunny and her voice matches her personality, very cute. I feel like pinching her now.

We all went out for supper.

Mino – bits of burger like meat (you can choose either chicken or beef) fried and mixed with cabbage and mayonnaise, all wrapped up in a nicely cooked egg with cheese on top.

I mostly spent my time studying their faces, occasionally saying something or answering a question or two thrown my way, otherwise I was pretty quiet. I like listening to everyone talk instead. It’s interesting what people say sometimes. Then after that, PB went home to finish off some work while the rest of us head for La Bodega for drinks. I’m not a drinker. I dunno what my alcoholic preferences are. I know I dun like vodka. I know I like good whiskey & wine. That’s it. In the end I ordered something called Mai Tai, which seems safe enough.

It turned out to be pretty nice. We didn’t drink much, mind you, unlike the last time when I drank any alcoholic beverage in KL. Ok, I better not get into that. (Shikin & Effy, shhhh! Don't have to say anything. You know, I know, ok, right?) XD

Everyone headed home and I managed to catch some sleep.

To be continued…

Second Home

After 7 days from the sanding, there’s one last ceremony left. I dun remember what it’s called but I’m guessing something like ‘Returning Home’. This is when Wandi will bring his lovely bride, Shikin, back to his house.

I’ve been to Wandi’s house several times but only entered once. Funny how all these years I’ve lived so close to Shikin, Effy and pat but never knew that much about them until our hostel days together. I knew Patricia from school but she wasn’t that long in SJS and I only remember her as this funny girl who pops up once in a while.

Anyway I’m digress, so, first I went to Shikin’s house and I helped her put on her make up cuz the make up artist wouldn’t be coming for that occasion. I guess I did alright, nothing really compared to what the make up artist did but good enough. Haha. It’s fun applying make up on my friends. Effy too, I love to make her girly. Haha, I guess it’s because I can still remember her during the time when I first met her. She was a very serious looking girl. Many people wrongly assume that Effy’s the elder sister and Shikin the younger.





** Haha, jagan marah Effy, mua mu serious masa tu what, kau lagi tinggi daripada Shikin. Takut ku liat mua mu dulu, macam kan makan orang, masa ni, makan orang pulang tapi species jenis laki, dalam dark corners lagi tu. Hahahaha. **

So once the couple was ready, we all set off, convoy to Wandi’s house where then tents are still there, and all the makanan was prepared. The couple was seated in the pelamin of the groom’s side and pictures were taken. There was some traditional gifts set in front of the pelamin too, sacks of rice, oil, kitchen utensils…wifey stuff. Then the couple greeted or salam all the elders and guests. After a quick prayer it was time to dig in.



Wah, I still remember the food from that day, seriously, the sambal got real kick le. I still like Shikin & Effy’s mom’s sambal and chenchalu, but the food that nite was not bad also. Then there’s Aiman…who I seriously think is in love with Effy la. It seems like she’s the only one who can understand him and he keeps dragging her here and there and showing her stuff. Maybe it was puppy love at first sight. Maybe he’s already planning Effy’s pelamin. Whahahahaha.

After most of the guests have eaten and went home, some stayed back and started to kareoke. Okay, this is something I always wondered, if it’s not the song ‘Isabella’ it’s always this dangdut song starting with the lyrics, “Jatuh bagun ~” I dun know what the song is called but I swear, every malay wedding I’ve been to or can hear (especially when they are my neighbours) sure will have either one or both songs. Must be real popular wedding songs.

Tired but happy, everyone of us went to our respective homes. (Except Shikin of course, being the bride, she has to spend the night at Wandi’s house.) Hmm, I dunno what more I can wish Wandi & Shikin, except that may your cup always be full and your plate never empty and that your years together will grow richer than the year before. *kampai!* XD



Also, in happy days, in sad days, in good days and in bad days, remember whatever day it is, your friends and family are always near by. ^_^ Congrats chabo!

The Sanding

Got up quiet early this time because it’s an important day where the most guests would attend. This day is the ‘sanding’ where Wandi and Shikin is ‘Raja and Raja Isteri’ (King & Queen) for a day.

Effy and I head off to Helen’s to get our hair set for the day. We were bridesmaids mah, must make up pretty pretty also le. Hahaha. But they say 3 times a bridesmaid, never a bride. >_<

Then the groom, Wandi, arrived also dressed in blue. His car was escorted by an entourage of bikers. Before entering the house he made the customary ‘3 rounds’.

Inside seated beside Shikin on the pelamin, *sigh* it finally hit me that they are husband and wife liao.

When everyone has eaten liao they all gathered to cheer on the newly weds who stood at the balcony at front of their house. After the noise, the crowd, the food, all gone, then finally everyone took a well earned rest. We viewed what Effy took on her camcorder. It was fun. I was just damn tired, dunno from what also, all I remember is a lot of walking around, taking pics, talking to people, carrying food…all that.

At night there’s left a trickle of guests left but the band was still there playing. Pat and I hung around cuz we wanted to see what wedding presents Shikin and Wandi got. One by one they peeled off the present paper and opened each box. Of course, she opened the nice necklace Pat and I got for her. ^_^

Then in the middle of it all, suddenly everyone rushed to the window to look outside. I wondered what was going on until I saw Shikin’s grandfather was dancing outside along with the band music! Wahlau le! Steady la their grandfather. Then the grandchildren (Shikin, Effy and their siblings) made a beeline through the guests and chairs.

Next thing I know, one was pouring water into a cup, the other patting his back, the other two sitting there looking concerned and asking what in the world was he doing. His answer was that all the people are not celebrating and dancing to the music as they should at an after wedding party so he decided to take matters into his own hands! That’s one gutsy granddad I tell you.

I thought it was over but in a week up comes, the ceremony where the bride goes back to the groom's house. *Can't remember what this ceremony is called!* XD

Note: I had fun taking all these pictures. Yes I like taking pictures and this one on the left is my favourite pic out of the whole lot.

The Berbadak...


Woke up the next day at the sound of the ‘orang tua’ knocking at the door of Shikin’s room cuz it was already time for her mandi. I dun know what it was exactly but I had to go out anyway. When I entered the kitchen that morning simply to greet the parents good morn, lo and behold, there’s Shikin’s mother at the back with a big ass bloody cleaver, mobile phone held between her ear and shoulder, talking a mile a minute.

It was really something of an eye opener as she went on to complain about yesterday’s buffet to the unfortunate person at the other end of the line and chopping up chunks of beef. First thing on my mind was, “Where did she get all that meat?” There was bags and bags load of beef. *Did she get mad at the bland buffet yesterday? Was she so pissed that she went out with that cleaver and killed a cow?*

Effy grinned “Nada lah, order lah.” Oh…cuz I swear, her mom that morning looked cool enough to kill something with her bare hands. Kinda like Resident Evil cool, blood, big chopper and all.

Basically we lolled around the house because things aren’t starting to happen until later that evening. It was only until mid afternoon that Effy and I managed to get our asses into a car and run errands for the household. Buy extension, big plastic covers for the food, tomato sauce, etc, etc, etc. When we got back, we hung around shikin’s room cuz basically most of the hantaran was transferred there and plus, shikin’s still not yet allowed to go out. You can imagine how hard it is to be cooped inside your own house/room for three whole days, it would drive any sane person mad.

During the evening she was getting ready. Make up artist made her lovely as usual with her hair and face all dolled up. *sigh* My *ahem* lovely Shikin is getting married (already married since her nikah was the day before), now left only Effy and I the bachelorettes.

That night they preformed the berbadak ceremony. This is where they sprinkle some fragant stuff on to her hands, kinda like a blessing I think. I didn’t ask what it was all about nor did I take a close look at what it actually was. I was afraid they might want to ask me to preform the simple ritual as well. For all I know, I might trip and spill the whole thing on Shikin. >_<

That night there was more makan, which we again brought to the living room upstairs for the make up artist and the photographer.

I decided to stay another night, cuz the next say is the ‘sanding’. Plus my car was still blocked so can't escape. Haha.

To be continued…

Shikin's Wedding : Part One

The Introduction

This is Shikin.



I first met her when I started studying in Focus Computer School around 6 years ago. In truth I wasn’t all that keen on speaking with her or her sister Effy at the time. This is because at that time I was prolly the only Bruneian girl who DID NOT UNDERSTAND A SINGLE DAMN WORD of the malay language. I was a real dodo of the local tongue. When I moved into the girl’s hostel of the school, that’s when I really started getting to know her better. The more I know about her, the more I like her. In the end the four of us, Shikin, Effy, Patricia and I, became inseperable buddies.


The Night Before

I’ve been visiting the girls (shikin and effy) for a couple of nights before the wedding (ok that sounds kinda wrong) and we would catch up on loads of stuff. Especially with Effy, since she only got back a few days ago. On the night before the nikah, Patricia and some more friends joined us at Shikin’s house (according to their tradition the bride can’t go out of the house before the wedding is completed). What a fun nite that was.

Sidenote: Patricia is 7 mths pregnant now. Woot! Go Pat! Go!



Effy, Pat and I planned stuff for the next day.

The Nikah


Today the girls and I actually wanted to meet up for breakfast then drop by the salon to get our hair fixed. Effy actually was a bit cranky that morning to say the least. She harassed the salon girls. They just have no idea what she wanted them to do with her hair. She wanted some kind of provocative clipped hairdo. After we done our errands (pick up clothes, had some ‘candy’ *ahem* ) and reach home it was around 12 noon. The ceremony would start around 1 something. We rushed around to get things ready.



The make up artist came and did up Shikin’s hair and make up. (sorry I dun have the pictures ready yet, cuz at the time I was using my mother’s old canon camera.) I’m also waiting for the pictures to come from the photographer. Both the make up artist and photographer were friendly people. They turned what otherwise would have been a nervous atmosphere into a relaxed scene.



Effy was the camerawoman of the day, running here and there to get the most potential angles so she can capture the best shots. I was taking a lot of pictures also but dunno what’s wrong with my canon camera *swt* it just keeps jamming and making stupid noises at the most inappropriate times.

Like the silent meaningful moment where the imam preforms the ceremony in Shikin’s room…all were watching, tears at the tip and on hold, beautiful moment…then *click* *weeeeezeeeeeeekkeeeeeeeeeeeheeeeeeeeezeeeeeeee* I could kill myself and my camera that moment, just toss both out of the window. Everyone was laughing and even the stoic imam smiled. Beautiful moment? Spoiled!

Then wandi came over, also all dressed in white, and everyone sat around in the living room to complete the Nikah ceremony. It was lovely. I didn’t spoile that moment cuz at the time I hate the camera and the film ran out. My N80 also low batt so I couldn’t use that either. Man I could kick myself.

After the ceremony, everyone else had some food and went home (including the groom). Patricia went home but I stayed overnight cuz one, shikin and effy asked me to, two, it’s more fun that way and three, easier that way cuz next day I dun have to run over to their house again. Pat, Shikin & Effy and I live like 5 minutes drive from each other.

(To be continued …)

Happy Birthday Basic Life

It’s been exactly 1 year since I started this blog. Looking back there’s a lot that happened within a year. Since moving back to Kuala Belait I’ve bumped into many of my old friends. Some of them are married and are proud parents to tiny tots.

I use to keep a diary and use to write down every details of my life diligently. I would start each entry with a ‘Dear Diary’ and end it with love. This feature I only started adding after I read ‘Anne Frank’s Diary’ where she would sign off each entry like writing a letter. So my diary became my best pen pal.


My first entry:-

24th December 1990
Dear, Diary, Today my friend Ah Sui is here to play with me and my brother. At 30 12 1990 at Sunday will be my birthday and today night 12 o clock I and my mother also with my brother will get present. Tomorrow will be Christmas day and they will be a lot of cartoon to see from morning till night. And wish me and my parent a merry charismas and a happy new year. –

22nd August 1997
…Really, there are too much complex situations now in this world that honesty should be valued and loyalty treasured. I hate people who are rude, dishonest, crude, selfish and conceited. Naturally we are not all perfect. We are not made nor meant to be, if we were then all of us would be exactly the same. CLONES!...

My last entry was on the 28th October 2004. (Which turned out to be too personal to post here, haha, restricted area, sorry.)

A year after that then only I started to blog. First I created Fish Cakes as my first blog in Friendster but later I found blogspot to be a better place because it’s more flexible and allows me to change my blog accordingly to my taste.

Yet a year later, Basic Life still remains, this is the 50th entry. Thanks go to all my friends and people who bother to read this blog of mine.

Okay...

I know it's been two months since I last posted but recently I've been having a writer's block. Trust me there is A LOT to blog about but as soon as I sit in front of Josey (laptop) my mind just goes blank.

Here's what to expect coming up:-

Shikin's Wedding...

This blog's 1st year anniversary...

Me playing Ragnarok for 1 year anniversary...

So please be patient while I organize all the mumbo jumbo that's been festering in my cranium for the past two months.

Much oblidged.

Excapade Sushi
(No, not escape with the sushi)

There's a lot of sushi restaurants mushrooming around Brunei but my fav is still Excapade Sushi. Their first restaurant opened in Kuilap. It use to be an old coffee shop where my friends and I once hung out. Plus I use to live just 100 metres away, in the staff hostel right above the old Dee Jay shop.

Ever since I moved back to KB, I missed the food there until...tada! They opened their own branch in KB itself. Wooooot!

What I like about this place is that there's no stuffiness or snob atmosphere of some sushi places I've been. The place is comfortable, cosy and crowded. XD

Sometimes my friends and I have to reserve a place just to eat there. Yes, it's that popular.

Not only the food is nice (ingredients brought in from Japan) but there's an interesting variety for everyone. I'm spoilt for choice usually. Plus sometimes they make different kinds of maki or rolls or dishes apart from the menu to put on the choo choo train.

David and I went there for lunch today. Hehee, yes, the fella is back from Australia for his cousin's wedding.

Here's some of my favourite dishes.

Here's some of David's preference...or something he just felt like eating at the time.

Hehehe, finish liao!

Full Metal Alchemist
The Movie : Conqueror of Shamballa

"Tu tooo lu tu loooo, hm? What's this? Full Metal? I already watched the whole thing... what? Oh, it's the movie?...The Movie!?!?"

Yes, I dunno if it recently came out or a few years ago and I just never heard of it. Nevertheless, FMA is one of my favourite manga/anime series. It sits on my list of favourites right next to Ran Ma 1/2, Fruit Basket and One Piece.


You get a pretty nifty cover. One is a DVD with the movie and the other is a CD of FMA sountrack from the series. Although everything on the cover looks legit but I still have my doubts. It's hard to find real originals in Brunei that doesn't cost you an arm and 1/2 your spleen. This one cost me $12.

What? $12? But the movie on the pirated VCD ver is only $3. I know, I know, but I much rather have something that I can keep for a while instead of having it lasting only 6 mths and then turn into crap the next 6 mths.



WARNING: Do not watch this movie unless you have finished watching the series or else you will have no idea what is actually going on. Same, if you continue reading this entry, it will be a spoiler for your if you HAVE NOT FINISHED WATCHING THE SERIES. If you dun care about spoilers anyway, then just go ahead reading.

The story basically is this. It's been two years since the last episode of the series. Edward and his brother Alphonse are in seperate parallel worlds and they are their best to find a way back to reunite.

Edward ends up in Berlin and finds that he cannot use alchemy anymore. He helps out working with rockets to see if it's a way for him to get back. There he meets up with many people he recognize although they are not who they were in his world. He even meets up with those who are suppose to be dead.

Alphonse is now an experienced alchemist in his own right and journeys on his own to find a way to get back his brother. He has no memory of the past 4 years, the time when he spent with Edward travelling in search of a way to restore their original bodies. Alphonse looks remarkably like Edward from his pony tail down to the boots he wears. Alphonse amazing alchemy ability reminds one of his brother's talent as well. One wonders if this is the side effect of using the Philosopher's Stone.

In this movie we also get to see what happened with the other chars that played such an important roles in the series. Roy Mustang (he was my fav char in FMA) was not the man he once was. Alex Armstrong is still same as ever *glitter glitter* *swt swt swt* Winry is as lovely as ever.

Watch it. It ties up many of the loose ends left behind by the series and even created a new road of the brothers to travel...whethertogether or not, well, you will just have to find out now, won't you?

Whatever the outcome is, it's really satisfying and didn't disappoint me one bit. Truly Full Metal Alchemist to the end.

*Snap* *Snap* *Snappity* *Snap*

Sorry for not blogging much lately. I seem to have nothing to blog about these days...not surprsing though, this coming form someone who works in a boring job of a boring company in the boringest part of Brunei Darussalam.

There was a black out last saturday though. It only lasted a few hours from around 12 midnight to 3 am. It was nice cuz I spent most of it imagining I was in an era where there is no electricity, when ppl used oil lamps and candles. I also made a wax ball from melted wax of my candle.

No Electricity = Bored Woman in the Dark

At least in Temburong I can go hunt animals or fry insects or something. What is there to do in Kuala Belait? Ab-so-lute-ly nothing! Well, of course there's always Miri, but so sien visit Miri...nothing to do there also but to drink and get wasted.

So what am I doing now? Being trigger happy that's what I'm doing. I just got a new Nokia N80 and let me tell you, it's sweet. 3 megapix baby yeah! It's about time my blog gets clearer better pics.

This is all taken in chronological order so it's a bit random. I'm just putting the ones that aren't :-

A. Shakey
B. Dark
C. Pointless, nothing to see at all kind of pics taken by bored user.

Today I went to Bandar with Shikin. We didn't have anything to do so went to catch a movie instead at the Mall. Superman, RV, Recycle...bleh...nothing much so we hamtam pick one, 'Grandma's Boy'. It turned out to be freaking hilarious though.

36yr old game tester got kicked out his house by landlord cuz his roomate spent all the rent money on hookers. With no where to go, he moved into his grandmother's house and that's where all the trouble starts of course. It's a comedy where you get an inside look of how a loser/geek/nerd adult life is like. There's absolutely no story line here. It's more like you're watching a very entertaining bunch of monkeys.

But it's freaking hilarious. Ever watch 'Dude Where's My Car?' the concept is similar. Lots of funnies, little sense. Out of 10 I rate this movie : -

Story Line = 0.5

Funny Factor = 7.5

Total = 8.0

Was it worth my $5 + $3 popcorn? Not really, it's worth a $5 DVD 9 but not a one night stand cinema ticket. I rather hold out for Pirates of the Carribean 2. Jonny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightly, oh yeah.