The year that was 2009

Can't believe with less than 12 hours more to go, 2009 turns 2010. This also brings me a step closer to being 30 soon since I'm now 25 turning on 26! No more a quarter of a century old... "What would a typical girl would have done when she is 25?" I asked myself. Afterall, I don't really lead a life of a typical girl. I told myself I can't and I wouldn't because 30 is catching on fast and I shouldn't waste my life at 20's not knowing what I should do.

Here is a rundown of what I've done this year (in the shortest way possible)...

Career
So far so good besides the back-biting and bitching going on in the office. Even it has been a year of economic turmoil and falling GDPs, I still manage to grow my brand by over 30% and just a single digit percentage under Budget. I regard this as a good achievement and hopefully I would be well rewarded! I'm really in need of money! (boss, please answer my prayers)...

Relationship
Not in luck. As complicated as a intertwined grapevine. Wine is still young. Probably it needs some aging before I should revisit the wine again. Nevermind if you don't get it. Let's move on!

Friendship
Ever growing. In fact, I've met some really wonderful people this year that I've never thought I would. Sometimes it's the status and age gap difference that I thought that being friends with them is impossible but hey, just be yourself and the rest is history! But the ol' friends are not forgotten. If you guys are reading this, "Hello, I still love you peeps".

Blogging
A big part of my life ever since I started posting actively since 2008. I never thought that I would be so determined to update my blog regularly. Well, many things can't be predicted anyways. Blogging can be quite an addiction. It's like my daily methamphetamine. I've made quite a number of friends too from the blogosphere be it a blogger or one of my readers. It also brings me opportunities that I've never imagined like the H-Artistry parties, the advertorials and also a chance to experience BMW's Efficient Dynamics together with a group of friends.

Politics
Has always been a drama. A drama that is so over-played that it makes me sick! Who cares about politicians when they are the very ones whom f*cked up the country. Why don't they look into the needs of the people before themselves? Their thirst for power and money is just so appalling.

Economy
If you're not living on earth, then it's forgivable that you do not know that the whole world is suffering from a economic and financial crisis. However a great depression it is, some countries have bounced back and is recovering unlike our bl**dy country because of you-know-whos! I'm just so saddened that with all the crisis and broke-ness in our bank accounts, suddenly our govt thinks it's a good idea to burden the citizens more with credit card taxes and a GST mechanism that is going to be tabled. We'll be f*cked up anyhow.

Happenings
I did quite a few interesting things like traveling and also trying to outdo myself. Every year, I make it a point to at least visit one country outside Malaysia and this year, I managed to cover a few places like Bangkok, Krabi, Melbourne and Sydney. No wonder I was so broke!

I'll be honest and admit that I party or rather club less than once a month. This whole year, I've gone to the clubs less than 10 times I think. Despite telling myself that I have to somehow improve my partying statistics, it's not happening! One thing, I'm too lazy to dress up and hit the club and the other, I don't have a clubbing kaki group! So, I ended up drinking at dinners often and attending lavish dinners (at least once a week) which made up half of my weekly activities. No wonder the expanding waistlines and refined tastebuds. Not really a good thing though.


And for 2010, I would love to complete a few stints that I've been procrastinating. Since I've always wanted to go diving, I'll need to get a PADI license soon because I dream to dive in Sipadan. After getting a hole-in-14 inspiration from Tiger, I wanted to pick up golf- playing for real! I'm only a half-a-bucket-once-in-a-blue-moon-driving-range golf player. On traveling, I haven't really decide which country to go but I'll be flying to Siem Reap in January! yay....

So, my dear friends, I wish you a very Happy New Year. Don't look back and regret but treasure the good memories of yesteryear's. I wish you all a better year to come and lots of happiness (to your own interpretation) and have a jolly drunk night! On this new year's eve, instead of enjoying my last day of leave, I came and slave myself at the office. Cheers!


Don't drive when drunk but you can drink and drive.

Hibiki Suntory Whisky

In the older days, many people do not take Japanese whisky seriously. We have all heard of Japanese sake and after all they do make the best sake right? But who would have thought that Japanese whisky would also be a big hit today? Many years ago, Japanese whisky would have been considered as a joke to many scotch whisky drinkers just like any other Japanese products to the Europeans. Look today, and you see them driving a Japanese car, having lunch at a Japanese restaurant and perhaps having a kitchen hood from Japan too!

So, after decades of concentrating on blends, the Jap started marketing single malts. In 2001 the quality of the malts was highly regarded when a Yoichi whisky from Nikka distillers was voted 'Best of the Best' by Whisky Magazine. Now it was official, not only could the Japanese make good whisky, but they could make whisky that a distinguished international panel of tasters considered the best in the world.

Japanese distillers have traditionally taken Scotch as their model, and today, the UK whisky drinker can purchase around a dozen Japanese malt whiskies from specialist retailers, with ranges available from both Nikka and Suntory. But sadly, in Malaysia, we do not have such a privilege. However, they are some Japanese restaurants or bars that do serve Japanese whisky.

I, personally, do not have a wide understanding of Japanese whisky. Just give me a whisky and I'll drink it. After only which if I found that I like that particular taste, only would I go on to conduct a brief research on my newfound favourite! Yesterday, we were so delighted to be able to taste a bottle of 17-year-old Suntory Whisky Hibiki.




Firstly, I was already attracted to the bottle itself. It's a very cute stout clear glass bottle with 24 faces which symbolises the ancient tradition of "sekki" (the age-old Japanese calendar and followed for centuries representing the 24 seasons). Don't ask me what it means. Read here. And the label is made from hand crafted paper called washi.



Hibiki is the flagship blend of Suntory, one of Japan's biggest drinks companies.
On the history of Suntory, you can read it from this website.

This is a multi-award blended whisky with 43 % ABV. On the nose, it has a fragrant and floral note, with some hints of citrus and spices. Full bodied and creamy on the palate, with a touch of fruits and spices. Long, fruity and spicy all interwined, with pleasing oak notes and a good finish. Overall, it's a rich, full-bodied blend, full of class and elegance. Smooth, mellow and velvety. I like it and I must say that I'm pretty impressed with the Japanese whisky makers!

I'm going to keep this empty bottle now and put some hand folded stars in them! Cheers!

Bar Madrid @ Jaya 1

Bar Madrid

This is a new place in Jaya 1 that replaces the old bar Two Monkeys. I guess Two Monkeys is not monkeying well enough to sustain it's business and thus it was closed down. Bar Madrid takes over with a new bold red exterior and interior serving spanish tapas and drinks. This new place is just right opposite Brussels Bar.

My friends and I went over to try its tapas since we have time to kill before dinner at Cubes. Sebastian is one of the partners and do you know that he's also a qualified sommelier and a wine consultant?

Charming Sebastian Le Francois

They do serve German beers like Paulaner Natur and Weihenstephan Weissl. And we started with a glass of Sparkling Rose Cava from Spain.....

Lavit Rosado Brut

We did a few dishes - all recommended by Sebastian himself.

Champinones Al Atillo
Sauteed mushroom with garlic (RM13.90)

Jamon Serrano with Cheese
(Off the menu)

Gambas Salteadas
Sauteed prawns (RM20)

Pescado Ahumado
Smoked Butter Fish on Baguette (RM12.90)

Tapas range from RM8 - RM20. Cheese & Spanish cold cut platters are available at RM30.90-33.90. They do serve the spanish specialty hams like Jamon Serrano and Jamon Iberico which are all around RM20-40. I find the tapas quite tasty but still not as good as my favourite tapas outlet which I will disclose later if I'm in the mood to tell....

This place is worth a visit considering that it's out of the hustle bustle of KL city centre and it's easy to get a parking at Jaya One. After tapas, we adjourned for our dinner at Cubes before going back to bar Madrid for a night cap.

Bar Madrid
L-12A-G Palm Square,
Block L Jaya One,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

One Big Roast Pig for Birthday

Birthday Boy cutting the Roast Pig himself.

Recently we had a dinner at Imbi Palace for one of our close friends in conjunction with his birthday. For others, birthday means obligatory birthday cakes, or even eating boiled eggs in red or having a piece of chicken thigh but we do it in style! We don't cut cakes, we cut roasted pigs! My friend ordered one whole roasted pig for his birthday! heheh...

I drool at the sight of the roast pig. Give me anything roast - char siew, siu ngap, siu ngo and siu yue kap (pork, duck, goose and pigeon) and I'll wallop everything! Surprisingly for the pig that size, the meat is tender and nice! One big roasted pig for 12 of us!

And they say the best part of the pig is the neck!

And if you think roasted pig is an appetizer, you're wrong! We had at least 5 other appetizers on the lazy susan. This is what happened when you eat with one of my wine kakis. He'll stuff you to death - literally and physically....

Siu Long Bao

Imbi Palace makes very nice Cold Crabs
(Fa Hai - Flower crab)

It's refreshing to eat cold crabs once in a while. These cold crabs are considered as a Teochew delight. To make cold crabs, the crabs itself has to be really fresh or else it'll taste fishy and aweful.

Dunno-what's-the-name-cockles
Was taught to eat only the outer part (extreme right) and leave the inner part (intestines) out!

Soon Hock / Bamboo Fish / Ikan Hantu

Just got to know the name of this fish in English and Malay. Expensive but heavenly because the flesh is so silky smooth!

Soon Hock Omelette
There's almost a quarter fish left and we asked the chef to make an omelette out of it! This is my first time having a fish omelette and I must say it's very good! I thought eggs and fish don't jive but boy I was so wrong...

All the booze that we had that night.
From wines to whisky and cognac for 12 of us...

And my pipe smoking moment.
One of the most relaxing smoke of all times...
A good burwood handmade pipe paired with good tobacco = a good smoke.

KY's Infamous Xmas Eve Party 2009

Heineken Batman & Heineken Santa

It was a little bit different from last year's party putting aside the same venue, people and MUST HAVE BOOZE. This year, the party is graced by Heineken - enough green bottles to go around, balloons, so much food, party packs and cute green Heineken hats! You can read KY's full account on the Xmas eve party here.

Terence @ God with his self-created beer funnel.
No one escaped by not at least puking half the content!

Time for gift exchange!

Everyone gathered for the gift exchange. This is the time that everyone is practically waiting for. This year we have a total of 40 people for the gifts exchange. This is how the game goes....

1. Everyone has to bring a gift and put their names on it.
2. Each one is to draw a number from the bucket.
3. The smallest number starts first by choosing a gift from the pile.
4. He/She has to open the gift to show everyone.
5. The next person gets to hijack the opened gifts or he/she can choose a new one from the pile.
6. If one's gift is hijacked, he/she can hijack other opened gifts or choose a new one from the pile.
7. The person whom have taken the particular gift before cannot hijack the same gift again.
8. The game goes on until the last number.

This can be a little tricky because the good gifts get hijacked all the time and it'll never end! So, some rules should be put in place like no hijacking more than 5 times in the same round and the person needs to open a new present. So, practically speaking, the bigger the number you draw, the better and there's no guarantee that you get to keep your pressie even though you're second last! haha....

Most sought after pressies....

More than 10 times this cocktail shaker has been hijacked. Alcoholics!

This gift is so sought after! War Craft crazy fans....

I think Kim ends up with the Bee Cheng Hiang Ba Gua...

I didn't get to keep it :( Finally got a mascara instead.

Haze got 4 packets of Penang Asam Laksa - freshly frozen all the way from Penang. Who knows... that Fireangel decides to steal it from her since she has been deprived of it for 1 year working in Singapore! haha...

And if you're wondering what's the painting or design in those picture backgrounds, it's KY's new living hall! Woot....

This awesome wall design is a work of art by Haze. Read it here. Don't ask me why it has only 1 boob.. it's art mah... but Haze says, it's an average boob derived from the population... LOL...

Merry Christmas 2009

It's the time of the year again where wishes are expressed,
Gifts are exchanged,
Booze are loaded,
And everyone get wasted...

Well, that's the interpretation for me, someone whom is not a Christian but do celebrate Xmas just for the festive spirit.... But for Christians, Christmas is not just a party or gifts giving, it might be something deeper and spiritual. Whatever it is, one thing I do know is that - the year is coming to an end.

And I'm still working my ass off at this time when everyone is on a holiday mood. It's such a bummer considering I have to wake up early and go to work tomorrow!

It's time to be merry,
Let's have a bread pudding with cherry,
Oh bubblies where art thou,
A toast to a better year we shall!

2010, see you soon! Merry Xmas to all of you!

Another awesome Xmas Gift

This Xmas is not too bad. Although work is crazy, pressure is high and the stress is nigh,I do get some pretty awesome pressies from friends and colleagues. Wei Mei was so cute, she even had time to device a small lucky draw on pressies for my sisters and I. Daphne gave me a beautiful pair of earrings too.



But of course, I also received a fair share of awesome pressies from my wine drinking kakis. One being the beautiful blue watch with some diamonds, and now, one of them bought me the a SK-II coffret set! Must have been reading my post on the Seven Days of Christmas... yay!

My 3 humble SK-II bottles.

The 3 humble bottles are finishing soon. Last check at airport duty free, these 3 bottles cost a hundred! Was saving so hard to afford new ones and now... ta daa....

I've got the whole set complete with a whitening serum too!

Big E gave me a bottle of Chateau Haut-Corbin 2003.

More history about Chateau Haut-Corbin here.

Location:

In the commune of Saint Emilion. The vineyard lies only a few hundred yards from the Pomerol appellation. The 16 acre vineyard is planted on silico-gravel soil on a clay limestone base.

Classification:

Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe. Total production is 3,000 cases.

Grape varieties:

70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Food:

Excellent served with veal, lamb and other red meats and also mildly aromatic cheeses

Now I can't wait to pop open the bottle! Thanks to all my dear friends. I wish you all a Merry Xmas and have a happy holiday!



Cheers!

Wanna leave early?

Just wanna share something funny I read today from my mom.

It is near the Christmas break of the school year. The students have turned in all their work and there is really nothing more to do. All the children are restless and the teacher decides to have an early dismissal.

Teacher: "Whoever answers the questions I ask, first and correctly can leave early today."
Little Johnny says to himself "Good, I want to get outta here. I'm smart and will answer the question."

Teacher: "Who said 'Four Score and Seven Years Ago....'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Susie says, "Abraham Lincoln."
Teacher: "That's right Susie, you can go home."
Johnny is mad that Susie answered the question first.

Teacher: "Who said 'I Have a Dream'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Mary says, "Martin Luther King."
Teacher: "That's right Mary, you can go."

Johnny is even madder than before.
Teacher: "Who said 'Ask not, what your country can do for you'?"
Before Johnny can open his mouth, Nancy says, "John F. Kennedy."
Teacher: "That's right Nancy , you may also leave."

Johnny is boiling mad that he has not been able to answer any of the questions. When the teacher turns her back Johnny says, "I wish these bitches would keep their mouths shut!"

The teacher turns around angrily: "WHO SAID THAT?"

Johnny: "TIGER WOODS. CAN I GO NOW?"

Skytrex Extreme Adventure

For a start, I'm not really an adventurous person by nature. It is sometimes by coincidence or by force (most of the times) that I've to brave myself for new challenges in life - like this one! I remembered that my friends used to ask me to join them for some fun at Skytrex in Taman Pertanian Malaysia in Shah Alam and I never accept the invitation. That's because I don't think I'm cut for it.

Finally, they have managed to convince me to join them on their second outing to Skytrex. Since I'm on leave on Saturday, I've not no more excuses to give. If I have to die there, I'll have to die with dignity!

Take the Yellow Bus (pic) after the entrance to the Skytrex venue.

Skytrex Adventure is part of "eco-recreational cum educational" activity that one can participate in this park. This is where one can go through a series of obstacles from tree to tree in the forest testing one's agility and fear but in total safety while appreciating the mother nature. There are a total of 3 circuits - Little Adventure (for Kids), Big Thrill & Extreme (for Adults).

This is my first time and I have to brave the Extreme since my friends all have gone through Big Thrill and they now need even a bigger thrill! They are really hardcore man, I tell you!

Extreme FTW!

To be eligible for the Extreme challenge, the requirements are one has to be at least 1.5m in height and less than 100kg in weight. The challenge takes 2 hours to complete with a total of 21 extreme challenges that are done 21m above the ground! This Extreme challenge has just opened its doors 2 months ago and now we are here to test it!

Getting all strapped up for some extreme thrills!

After arriving at the Skytrex site, one has to sign a Medical Declaration and the Terms and Risk Acceptance Form. This is also where you can buy a pair of gloves for RM3 or rent a small carrier bag for you keys or money. Remember, no bags are allowed during the challenge but lockers can be rented. After that, one proceeds to the higher ground for briefing, strapping up with the safety harness and then move on to learn how to use the equipments. Immediately after that, everyone has to go through a short test to make sure that each and everyone adheres to the safety measures.

This is NO JOKE!

This extreme challenge is really no joke, man! Look at the height of the ladder that we have to climb for the first obstacle. There are all in all 3 ladders throughout the challenge and all are almost that height with the last one being the worst because the width of the ladder can fit no two feet together if you have big feet!

My favourite of all - Flying Fox (easy, do nothing and just fly)

Doing what I do best - walking on wires.
Strategy is, walk sideways, look straight and don't look down.

There's only 1 AYAM EXIT for those who chickens out.
Available only once in the middle of the obstacles. If at anytime you want to cry and quit, you can't. You can cry and continue but no quitting until you see the Ayam Exit.

Walking on tubes.
I don't like this, it's kinda difficult but this is not the worst yet.

Agnes doing the monkey bars.
I had it easy but just flying across with the cables. Don't waste my energy. Actually I can't do monkey bars hehe....

A short ugly videoclip of myself during one of the obstacles...

Honestly, after completing the first few obstacles, I thought I was going to die because I've never done these before. However, it gets more fun after each and every one because you've gotten the hang of it. One thing though, there should be no thoughts on quitting because it only makes the journey more difficult to go on. Just think "If I fall, I won't die because I have the safety harness". And it works!

It's kinda sad when it comes to an end because I really enjoyed the whole thing. Now that I have tried Extreme, I'll have to settle for something less like the Big Thrill next time. Big Thrill has more Flying Fox if you like those.

Johnny who conned me into going!

With the Extreme Skytrex Hardcores....

If I can do this, I'm sure there'll be no problem for many (since I'm unfit and all). The next day I woke up with arm aches and abdomen aches. Sigh... but it's better than gym because you can't quit!

If you wanna go, just make sure you book early because their schedules are packed even if you book 2 weeks in advance. Extreme is RM45 per person and each session only allows 25 participants. Bookings and payment are all done online here. This place is actually in Bukit Cahaya Shah Alam, which is not very far away from the Concorde Hotel. I am looking forward to my next Big Thrill! See how far I go to just prove I'm no "Puteri Lilin" (damsel in distress) hehe...

Win a NICE ONE Private Party!

What’s better than having your own private party with all the FHM Girl Next Door 2009 Finalists with unlimited glasses of “probably the best beer in the world” in hand? Well, I’ll tell you what’s even better – It is having all of the above and inviting 50 of your friends to join you in a private Carlsberg bar where the public is out of reach!

Sounds good? Sounds perfect to me!

And all you need to do is follow the instructions below and you’re a few steps away from your dream party… (just make sure you have a Facebook account)

(Note: Girl in this pic not included in the party)

1. Become a fan of Carlsberg on Facebook at this link
   
   
   
   

2. Add this application and start decorating the Carlsberg Christmas tree.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Step 1:

Choose a FRIEND from your friends list. Then choose a picture from the list of pictures displayed.

Step 2 :

Now, choose the trinket that you like.





Step 3 :

This is where you can scale the picture and rotate it accordingly. You can even just display your friend’s limbs instead of his/her face. Here I have our very own talented Malaysian Violinist - Dennis Lau with his violin

Step 4 :

This is the last step where you can drag the finished trinket and hang it on the tree in the dotted circles. After all the empty circles have been filled, you’ll be upgraded to a bigger and taller tree. The bigger the tree, the bigger chance to win your own private party!

Look, I’m now in Level 3, with a 24ft Christmas Tree and 20 trinkets.

Come beat me to it!

We were given a preview of what the venue of the private party would look like and the Carlsberg bar happens to be right in the heart of the Carlsberg Malaysia office! It’s a bar for its employees but now, they are turning it into a private party venue just for you! Don’t even worry about the pretty babes because FHM is taking care of it! Imagine how exclusive this party is!

The Private Bar & having a beer from a Frozen Tap

Just imagine….

1. All the fun you’ll have!

2. The talk of the town!

3. All the pretty girls!

Need I say more?

I’m having a NICE ONE! Are you?

Come on, join the contest and start decorating your Xmas tree now! And then, when you win, invite me and you still have 49 more friends to go! Dateline: 28^th Dec 2009. Terms & Conditions apply.

Remember, Carlsberg don’t do dreams, and if they did, they would probably be the best dreams in the world!

Watch this awesome Carlsberg commercial: