the coming 8-8-8

Advance congratulations to these upcoming bride & groom:-

The 08-08-08 weddings

Miss Jaja & Mr Said (rpi)

Miss Emmy & Mr Adzrul (smesh)

Miss Elleney & Mr Helime (smesh)

Emmy, Elleney and I used to be in this "5 pemalas" group when we were in 4 Alpha... Because our other classmates were so rajin and we on the other hand were so hmmmm pemalas, and emmy & elleney are the first to get married -the same day even!


elleney and I were many-many things... We used to be roomate when we were in form 3 and next door desk when were in form 5. We even had this secret letters (which I still keep until now) sent to each other with our thoughts, wishes and dreams. Hahahahah.. Biasalah tu teenagers ;) As usual high school is always full with drama, and to go through it all, you just need good friends to survive.

Anyway....

Wishing you couples wonderful years ahead!

** I want to order this super yummy carrot cheese cake for myself from deana. I think my new fav cake is carrot cake lah... Unfortunately minimum order is 2kg... I wish I can take that and eat this all by myself (sooooo not good uji)... So any takers who want to split order with me?

August is coming!

Time flies really fast. I can't believe the next day after tomorrow is August already! Hmmm, resolution still un-accomplished...

*tomorrow, gonna do last minute "ganti puasa" - eh, how to jog when puasa?


training update:
1) monday training: I was on leave-walking around the malls for two hours. I considered this as walkathon. Those who know me, knew that I tend to walk kinda fast. After 2 hours of walking around in the mall, I did my groceries (this was my weight-training). I didn't use trolley, so I was carrying my basket full with groceries all by myself. I'm pretty sure I was burning at least 100 calories and building some muscles while doing groceries ;)
2)wednesday (today) finished work late around 6pm-so couldn't jog

Tomorrow, if I got some energy left, have-to, have-to, have-to jog. Gonna run from my office to stadium (inside), and run back - estimation around 5km.

Scary lah public places to go jogging in KK. I don't why every time I jog, I have that nervous feeling. Nervous either some penjahat gonna come and get me. Or some pencuri gonna broke into my car and steal my stuff. Or some people will kacau me while I jog. Sigh...

When is the world start becoming so UNSAFE?

Even when I go to the mall alone, I would walk like really-really fast to get to my car. Usually getting out from the mall door, I already prepare my car keys. Girls tend to do that, don't you think? FYI guys, girls have a lot of things in their bag, it's sooo unsafe to dig car key when only we get to the car. For guys, it's easier, the car key is always in the pocket. I think all parking area at shopping mall kinda scary. Even watching movie also scary at night. This is the modern world where supposedly single gals can go out and enjoy own company at the same time feeling safe. Buuuuuttt... it's not the reality truth.

I want to be able to go out for movie, sipping coffee at coffee shop, browsing books at bookstore after a hard day at work. AND at the same time I can get to my car without running and feeling like I'm being chased. Geeeh.. Shouldn't all single gals out there hiring a bodyguard so that we can watch midnight movie by ourselves???

necessity or what?

Remember my post on to buy or not to buy a sports bra? I've finally decided to get pairs (on sale!) of it over the weekend.. especially after reading this...

Fact or Fiction

• Fact: Female breasts are primarily composed of glandular tissue and fat and are held in position by delicate ligaments
• Fact: There are no muscles in the breast
• Fiction: Specific exercise will return your breasts to their original shape
• Fact: Once breasts have dropped because of stretched ligaments, NOTHING can restore them to their former position.

**from runnersworld

**Initially wanted to post pic of SB purchase, but macam showing off my delicate lingerie pulak... my SB one is black with crossback strap, the other one is purple...

It's definitely an investment - hey or else I might need an EXPENSIVE b00b job once running become a routine.

Taking advice from city chic on budget book, running shorts are all from el-cheapo brands. I don't need to glide superfast with a nike RM129 running shorts...

*** I will be posting training update in this blog

Training:
35 minutes run @ alam mesra neighbourhood - testing my supergliding black SB, (best!)- cannot jog near work cause i might kena tegur security for wearing running short/sleeveless top

creative award

It has been done according to the following rules:
1. The winner may put the logo on her blog.
2. Put a link to the person you got the award from.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to the blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

I received this award from neneth. Thanks :) Errr.... Actually, I'm not that creative, but I do love some artsy fartsy stuff....

Like baking+cake decorating! Picture is birthday cake for lyn's birthday mmmm ageeeess ago. The last time I baked mmmmm, was 2 years ago :( But not original baking-lah, back then I cheated and always get those betty crocker box and instant chocolate whipping cream. But, I grated the chocolate myself okaaaaaay... oooh, and strawberry fan made by con ;) i think I should stop by Merdeka Supermarket one of these days, and get myself some betty crocker...
This is the perfect mocktail- mock cocktail :) Gingerale added with few fruit juices with a little of holiday spirit: candy cane (note the bluish color in the drinks-coming from
I do take pictures at times...

And finally.... the art of shopping! Heheheh... Note my pretty red envirosax
So..... I nominate these people for creative-ness ;)
1. Whimsy (pretty ooo her roses collections!)
2. Jen
3. Sha (who takes beautiful shots)
4. Lana-chan
5. Jurra

Keep being artsy-fartsy yea!

nothing

Nothing much is going on lately.

I was having discussion previously about the retirement age, 56 and now is 58! Gawd that's like 30 years from now. Even now driving to and from work can take me 3 HOURS (really-really terrible traffic) could make me crazy and super-moody! There goes my precious time- And I have to do that in like 30 more freakin years??? Pssst, I need a chauffeur to drive me around :(

Also, I was reading some blog talking about singles and free time. She mentioned other people always assume that her (single people) will have more time than married (with or without kids). I think that's sooo not true at all. Surely married people or parents would have more responsibility, but it doesn't mean that singles have free time all around... Don't you think we have stuff to do too? Like run to the bank, pay bills, do laundry (my all-time-housework), clean the house, send mom to org kawin/kenduri/shops, and sometimes babysit on weekend. So my point is.... singles have responsibilities too-just as the rest of the populations. Eheh... It's how you prioritize and manage your time that matters...

I just read nadiah's noor blog- and saw beautiful wedding photoshoot in hawaii.... very romantic oooo... August is really the wedding month. I've known like 3 couples getting married on 8.8.8 -two of them are miss jaja & emmy (who has been together with the guy since after high school). Also, two of my high school friends- erna & (we used to add ibu at the front) salmie are getting hitched this year too. So it's 2008, the wedding year.

Oooh, i've finally gotten a compact mp3 player for my run! Nothing fancy- 2GB storage to keep me high and running ;) Now, it's time to select some upbeat songs for my (hopefully) 3.5 hrs run!

Now, wishlist, wishlist, wishlist- an Iphone or blackberry (eksyen kan?), maybe new lens for camera, external flash for D70, ooooh can i include financial freedom too?

overstock stuff for sale

Nope.. I'm not starting my own e-business... Just overstock on my part. Teheheheh...

These toddlers and kids clothes are for sale!

Toodles...

world of cuteness...

I just realized I haven't taken pictures much lately... But here are my latest shots...

My little niece, Tisha with her giraffe bblegs n blueberry minky the bulat 3 months old niece qathreena...

who cries but still looks adorable :)

baby qathreena with lavender rumparooz

matter of what?

Nope. I'm not a superwoman-wannabe who is busy juggling career, family, friends and night life with coffee latte on my left hand! It's been a hiatus because I'm simply l-a-z-y.

In my last post, I've mentioned about my TEN YEARS high school reunion which is going to be early next year! Gosh, I can't believe next year it's going to be ten freakin' years since I wore that white and light blue uniform. Bad me, I don't quite keep in touch with many of my high school classmates-only few that I still contact from time to time to update on each others life. Very few that I can still talk to the same way since high school. But many I used to be close with, now whenever we meet, it'll be filled with some awkward silence in between. Of course meeting OLD friends (having old friends, mean we've gotten old?), means there's always that standard questions-where do you work, are you married (and if you're not, when you're gonna get married) and how are you questions. I don't blame them, because I ask the same thing! Heheheh...

Well, I'm not sure what's the theme gonna be. But preliminary title is 10 years after high school-married or single. Hmmm, it could've been 10 years later: are you happy with adulthood and would you wish to be teenagers again? 10 years later, do you have 10 thousand ringgit in your account? 10 years later, happy or miserable? Don't you think it could be more divisions to single or married? Like single by choice (commitment phobia), single but want to get married(but nobody wants to marry), single but don't want to get married(no money), single after divorced, married (as the first/second/third/..... wife), married (and happy), married (and miserable). I could go on with the list until forever... I wonder if they're going to split the table even-like singles table, married table, and married(with kids) table. I wonder if I pass the married (with kids) table all I could hear is some discussion on diapers, formulas, nursery, breastpump, and all in between. Then, over at singles table, discussion about cars and gadgets(men, duh!), and some club/concerts for the girls. If these are the case, I will be totally the outcast! But I'm sure it will turn better than my imaginations...

I totally reminded of that tv show when I was in second year (me and rozanna used to watch it- I think). hmmmmm.. show about selected people from the same high school spending time in an island together. Then, they had the chance to say what they wanted to say after high school and stuff.

Okay... Enough about reunions---

Right now-I'm zenning to wake up early every morning(this is coming from someone who woke up at 6am daily in high school). Let's hope I won't be snoozing too much tomorrow morning ;)

budgetary issues

Truthfully, I've abandoned my quicken from mid-March until April- so that means I have no idea where my money went for those two months. But mmm after checking out my calendar, I knew most of them went for travel. First, my trip to KL in March and another one shopping spree to Bandung in April. This travel-craze gotta stop! It's sooo draining my bank account- maybe I should learn to backpack when travel-save more and travel more...
But from my mid-year audit (should consider auditor as a career) - my expense for fuel in January was ~RM250, while predicted expense for fuel this month is ~RM400++ (that's like almost double of what it used to be!). I would rather spend that extra rm200 on something else like my emergency fund, insurance or even to charity. I'd say that now, but honestly seeing money, I probably spend it on myself. Even now, I've been extremely kedekut with my fuel-only drive to parents home once a week still costs a lot. Should really consider carpooling. It's kinda sayang to see empty passenger seats beside me and at the back (single passenger tambah jammed only). So... I'm advertising myself- any interested hitch hikers??? Don't worrrryyy, I'm an extemely careful driver (hahahaha) and I promise (double promise even) to wake up early!

**Good finance article: Young, Prosperous and Frugal

So from news/rumors, I heard that batch of spm 99 of my school will have its 10 years reunion in January next year. Hmmmm, if I'm like Marissa/Serena/Blair Waldorf, I wouldn't mind showing off my face. But i'd like to think I'm more like Seth Cohen or Dan Humphrey- hehehhe... It's not even confirmed yet, so we'll see if people can actually plan and execute it (i've retired from the planning business yea).

I received sms from Aisya- who mentioned about eco-bag after she read this. This article mentioned how environmental awareness in m'sia is still low. What shocking is this: if we collect the rubbish/garbage m'sian throw away in only NINE days, it could reach the height of KLCC! In average, people are using 8 plastic bags in a week and it takes 100 years to 500 years for plastic to decompose. Apparently recycling in Msia is one of the lowest in the world with only 5% compared to Switzerland 52%, Germany 48% and other european Countries. But it's sooo true, I've never seen a proper recycling center in KK. I mean, I've seen few, but most of recycling bin are filled with other garbage... I've gotten my red-envirosax from mia bambina earlier this year that I just toss in my handbag for my groceries. I wonder if I should learn to make compost (not gelikah this?)....

time for bed... See if I'm rajin to update tomorrow ;)

energy and other stuff

Sorry no updates for so long... I was trying to hold on to my sanity as long as I can, and I figure no need to blog while cranky and irritable....

Anyway, I was reading thru HBR October 2007 edition. I bought it on bargain RM2.50 @ tong hing (because i'm so cheap. Heheheh-I figure I need some reading materials). Somehow I am intrigued by this article in the section of Managing Yourself. People always say, manage your time... manage your time... manage your time... But in this article, it mentions that instead of managing our time, we should manage our energy instead.

I'm quoting the article
"...core problem with working longer hours is that time is a finite resource. Energy is a different story. Defined in physics as the capacity to work, energy comes from four main wellsprings in human beings: the body, emotions, mind, and spirit. In each, energy can be systematically expanded and renewed by establishing specific rituals... "

So basically the article explained about body(physical energy), the emotion(quality of energy), the mind(focus of energy and the human spirit(energy of meaning and spirit)...By manipulating all of these, we can sustain high energy, and getting more done in short span of time. So no need to bore all of you with boring details, instead I will list down some tips to maintain high energy:-

• Adequate nutrition, exercise, sleep, and rest to maintain high energy level. I know with many demands in lives, it's hard to practice this. But doing this consistently, say goodbye to fatigue...
• Next step is to identify rituals or habits so you can build and renew your physical energy. eg:take brief but regular breaks at specific time (i don't think ciggie breaks count)
• Take more control of your emotions as people perform best when they're feeling positive energy
• If you're doing something important, don't multi task. Focus on getting important thing done first rather than juggling with emails and phone. It's more efficient to fully focus for 90 to 120 minutes rather than switching from one work to another which could cost you extra 25% of your time
• People tap into the energy of human spirit when their daily work consistent with what they value the most and what gives them sense of meaning and purpose. I think it's the same as the saying, work with what you love best and you don't have to work a single day.
• To access this energy, people need to re-establish priorities and make rituals for 3 categories: doing what they do best and enjoy most at work, allocate time & energy to other areas of their lives (work, family, friends, health,etc), and finally practice your core values in your daily lives.
  

After reading this article, I'm still gonna drink my morning coffee, but will attempt to jog after work. Malasness doesn't help my prep for my run in October. I read fiona lim's blog, she wrote that if one say she/he is always busy, then one will never have the time... I'm so bored with people who say they're busy, don't have time. If you don't have the time, then make time.

Oh, new update: I just cut my hair short! I feel so light now....

Another new purchase

• Purse hanger from Kim. Do you know bottom of our purse is full with bacteria yet we put it on the dining table?
• Alice Soaker for little nieces from Neneth.
  

I can't wait for my getaway in less than a month time if all goes well...

Until next update yea!