A day before Daddy flew to U.S., I die-die also must put up the Christmas tree even though I really have no time for it. It’s a tradition in my family that the Man of the House will put up the last piece of ornaments, i.e. the tree top. This year, I decided to just go simple with only the tree minus the other decorations like the Christmas socks and the mistletoe. I know. The decoration is not complete without a mistletoe but then, who the heck want to watch us kissing under the mistletoe leh?

And I haven’t been able to do any serious shopping during Daddy’s absence. Hence Daddy is now back barely 5 day, yesterday Sis and me finally caught up with shopping during Jusco Members Day Sale till 1am. Can you beat that!

I’ve got the pressies for all my family members. A total of 27 items. Can you beat that again??? I just need to find time again to wrap them up with pretty papers and ribbons before placing them under the tree. The unwrap presents doesn’t bother me at all. I am more than happy to see the 6 Feet Tree standing in the corner.

In tech world, ROM is known as a class of storage media used in computers and other electronic devices. In its strictest sense, ROM refers only to mask ROM, which is fabricated with the desired data permanently stored in it, and thus can never be modified. However, more modern types such as EPROM and flash EEPROM can be erased and re-programmed multiple times; they are still described as “read-only memory” (ROM) because the reprogramming process is generally infrequent, comparatively slow – Wikipedia

However, my translation of ROM here is known as Registration of Marriage. In it’s strictest sense, ROM refers to two person that was fabricated into one with their desired status permanently stored as ‘Not Available’, and thus can never be modified. However, more modern types of ROM has been erased and re-programmed many times too. In one word ‘divorce’ la.. So now you see the two similarity to both ROM?

Now, back to topic, I covered my Cousin Sister’s ROM over the weekend in Buddhist Mahavihara Temple in Brickfields. Initially, there is only me going as official photographer. To cut the long story short, my Sifu who happens to be Aaron’s Cousin was invited too. And to cut another long story short, if Sifu is there, how can the toudai (student) become the official photographer right? I have to give my Sifu face ma. So I suggested that he take the lead and I shot from belakang (knowing how bad my skill is and not further embarrassed myself!). That is how my Cousin Sis ended up with 2 photographers and lots of uninvited guests (according to them).

Before I was officially given this task by Cousin, she make me promised not to post up her beau.ti.ful face in my blog o.O

So, sorry folks. All you see today is many parts of the body part o.O

Kancheong (nervous). Every couple took about 20mins for the ROM. Man sitting further away is my new cousin-in-law *cough*. Don’t play-play as he works as a motorcycle accident attorneys.

With just a paper and filling up at the dotted line, they are now pronounce as “Man & Wife”. His money is now her money. Her Money is still her money. It’s a tradition, so stick with it *sticking out tongue*

I love the reflection on the table!!!!

Working officially on an assignment with my Sifu, I learnt a few new things again – The manipulation of the external flash. I’ve never done so many twisting (of the flash) in my life before. I think my flash is going to break soon if the ROM session is one hour long.

The couple adjourned to the temple for blessing.

Just fooling around. It takes one imagination to tell. *evil grin*

Even by not looking at their face, we can tell that my cousin is made from lace & ribbon & all things nice….

Lighting up the joss sticks. I failed to create a better bokeh on the lotus candle. Sometimes, things don’t happen as how I wanted them to be. Crappy isn’t it?

Parents of both couple praying for their children. How I know what they are praying wor.

Little Baby busy cruising around. Cute la they way she tippy toe.

Blessing by the monk. Sifu busy at work.

Congratulations to my Cousin & CIL (Cousin-in-law. Wow!)

And that makes me related to my Sifu now? Yikes!!!!

Daddy’s Bento

Left: Steam white rice with furikaki, wakame (green seaweed) is in the blue silicon cup.
Right – top to bottom: Roasted honey chicken, stir fried aubergine (brinjal/eggplant) with minced chicken and sweet tamago.

This  time I over fried the brinjal and lost it’s purple colour.  Bad me.

Close-up on the dishes:

Zucchini  act as food divider plus Daddy love fresh zucchini very much.

For dessert:

The very aromatic with a little tinge of sweet yet sourish all blend together, passion fruits. And I am so wrong again to store Jackfruits with the passion fruits in the same container.  It’s the smell!  To keep them cool, I have them wrapped in insulation bag together with the blue ice gel.

My bento:

Sometimes, I’d prefer to use Lock and Lock bento box for myself  as I don’t need all those decorating and presentation.  But I still end up cutting my zucchini with the cookie cutter.  Vain!

We was at the Paediatrician the other day when Kharlette was sick and at the same time to visit a friend and pass her the personalized baby gifts to her newborn. Kharlette was then asked to stepped on the analog weighing machine – She weights at 15kg.

We used to update our own weight from time to time whenever they are at the Paediatrician.

Since it was free, I asked Carlgene to step on the weighing machine too – 19kg, wow! He has put on 2 kgs.

Now is Mummy’s turn.

Carlgene exclaimed very loudly, “Wah, Mummy, COOOL!!! The needle went so high up!”

O.o

p/s: He was amazed by the fast moving needle.

p/p/s: Sad to say, I’ve putted on 2 kgs 🙁

Day Two –
4am – Ship reach Langkawi (Can you imagine the ship sail for 12 hours?)
8am – Passenger is allowed to disembark in Langkawi
12noon – Ship sail again to SG

Today is Day Three –
4pm – Ship reach SG (Can you imagine the ship sail for 28 hours!!!)
4pm – Passenger is allowed to disembark in SG.
7pm – Ship sail back to Port Klang

We have been sailing since the day before at 12noon and today when we woke up, the ship is still sailing to our destination i.e. Singapore. Morning breakfast as usual then it is free at leisure. Actually, everyday is free at leisure. LOL. Since today is our last day on the Cruise, we make sure we camwhore kau-kau. Pictures during breakfast with my Youngest Sister.

We called ourself the ‘Lone Ranger’. She is 7 years my junior, single and still available 😉 . We have each other’s company through out the whole journey. We eat together. Loitering together. Sleep together. Share the same interest in photography. Own the same dSLR model. It was a great experience all together. The first time we went for a holiday together about 2 years ago, (to Siem Reap) I already knew we can get along and has been looking forward to more photography outing together.

I recalled an incident that happened last night during dinner. You know those guy that goes round with a camera taking pictures of you and then put them up for sales? We was tempted to buy a few photographs taken during our boarding with their Cruise mascot that cost us a whopping S$10 (RM24.00). And when the guy came up to us again during dinner in the pretext to take our photographs, we pakat that we should make goofy faces so that the pictures will turned out ugly and that will put us off from buying. And guess what?

The pictures turned out to be so cute! Aiyah. Did we buy that print? No, we did not. They was cute but doesn’t show any sentimental value for remembrance. Nothing like the mascot. You know, at one glance people is able to tell that the pics was taken on a Cruise. We still laugh over the incident.

After breakfast, we joined the crew for games. Remember I mentioned earlier in Day 1 post? You will bored yourself to death if you do not want to participate in any of their program that is meant to kill time catered specially for us. Most important thing is we all have fun. Winning is secondary.

We stayed on for Bingo. No one win the jackpot. The couple that won the consolation of S$400 bought a total of 15 pcs Bingo luck (S$12.50 for 3 pcs of Bingo luck). BIL bought 9 pcs Bingo altogether. On the first night, he left only one digit before striking the bingo. This is pure luck!

More camwhore coming up:

One of the foreigner voluntered to help us took this shot. I mean he really opened his mouth to volunteer. We don’t see any harm to it so we just agreed. You know, harm? Something like “once you pass him the camera, he will run away with it”? That harm?

As usual, my camera was set on multiple shots. Altogether, we had 5 same sequel of this pose and the last one is of us cracking up!

I know, the shuttle sound sometimes is quite therapeutic. I love to hear them too. lol.

My knight and me *ahem*

Some scene that we saw from deck 10th.

Not sure what they are doing but we saw the man leap over to our moving cruise. Dem keng cau like some scene we saw on teevee.

Wanted to switch my camera mode to try some panning shot. And if I do that, they might be gone by the time I press all those buttons. Next time maybe.

We really are killing time on Day 3.

The cruise dock at 4pm in Harbour Front Singapore. Not much shopping can be done since my 6 months old Niece had a high fever and I have to help to look for pharmacy -.-‘

I left my own kids at home and thought I can have fun shopping. Manatau, kena jaga anak orang lain pulak. They have Doctor on board for a fee of S$26 but my Sis was too stingy to pay for it. Now you know why travel medical insurance comes in handy. While for my Parents, they met up with my Uncle and Aunty in Starbucks for a chat. I am so glad about that as they will sure get bored following me running around the mall. I didn’t managed to find a pharmacy but got some Cool Pad gel instead for the baby. I really want to get my stuff but all this running around in the big mall is hampering me. We have to get back to the ship again at 7pm again. Time really flies when come to shopping.

After dinner, we watched some show again called the Singing Bees. Really cracked us up big time. Too much to elaborate here. Since this is the final night, they have program running till late like a disco party or the Wild Wild West party thingy. We won something at last. We took home 3 medals courtesy of Star Cruises souvenir item. All thanks to my Sisters hardship while I just sit there watching and laugh my ass off. That’s all for the night after supper at 12am ish.

Day 4 – Cruise was sailing the day before at 4pm and reached Port Klang at 10am the next morning. Back to the ground where I stepped. Called Daddy at 10am ish and he goes, “What! Reach home so early ah?”

It all started about 1 year ago when I felt my monthly flow is very abnormal than usual.  They are superbly heavy with big chunk of blood clot dashing out like the tap water.  This happened usually on the first and second day. However, subsequent days is rated at medium and low.  This took me about 6 months to consult a doctor and a ultrasound scan revealed that there is a fibroid growing in my womb.  And 6 months later today, after another ultrasound scan…. the result is not looking good.

Not only the fibroid is growing, the Doctor discovered more than 3 cyst growing.  If you look at the smaller circle on the left, that is the cyst.  They are now measuring at 33.2mm.  If the cyst grow beyond 50mm, there is a need to get it remove through surgery and I am now on medication to treat anemia.  Even if the cyst did not grow beyond 50mm but the anemia has worsen, it is advisable to get the cyst remove too. Now, on the bigger circle, that is my womb.  A womb is supposed to be oval shape but mine is out-of-shape.  That is because on the bulging part, that is where the fibroid is and they are definitely growing too!

Most women with fibroid did not develop any symptom.  One out of 5 women may get this and they are genetic too.  So far in my household, my mom, one of my sis, one of my cousins (she had gone through 3 surgeries and the fibroid kept on coming back!), all of them has been a victim too. I am not writing this to get sympathy.  I just want to remind all ladies out there to learn to know your body, take note of body changes and go for your yearly check-up.   Educate yourself on cyst and fibroid, check out articles on Google.

I know for some people, the RM625.00 subsidy given by the Government from the previous fuel hike is like a donation to them because their working place is just a stone throw away from their home and the previous fuel hike doesn’t burden them at all. After waiting all these month, finally I get my rebates when I renew my auto insurance and road tax at the Pos Office.

Let me related to you my experience.  For claims at the Pos Office by the car owner, they are paid RM625.00 in cold hard cash.  But claims by a representative, you will have a choice to received the money in Money Order or by Bank Transfer.  I choose Bank Transfer as I am afraid the Money Order will lost in the mail.  Remember to attached a copy of your identity card together with the completed form.  Two days later after submission,  the money is in my bank already.  I can’t believe they are so efficient! Malaysia Boleh!

For some reason, ever since I mastered the skill of making my own sushi, I hardly frequent Sushi King anymore. Making your own vinegar sushi rice is so easy. There is no rules saying you can’t use your normal cooking rice. The only difference between the fragrant rice and japanese rice is the sticky consistency. Japanese rice is more sticky and they required less water when cooking. So it is alright to use fragrant rice as they are still sticky but less sticky. Get it?

Cook rice as normal in your rice cooker. Once your rice is done, fluff them up with a pair of chopstick. For a cup of rice, drizzle 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar. While mixing, fan the rice (for unknown reason). There is a wide variety of ingredients sold in Jusco and since my kids is a fan of grilled eel I make Unagi quite often. Fish roe is another hit but I doubt they will stay any fresher as a bento meal. For dessert, kids have zucchini, golden kiwi and fresh red dates.

I bought a new tamago pan specially for the tamagoyaki (rolled egg). They are a superb kitchen gadget that I’ve invested so far. And since this is a bento lunch, you will want to make sure the egg is well done to avoid any contamination. I used baran (separator) to avoid the nori (seaweed) from sticking to one another. Not shown in the picture, I have the bento box wrapped in insulation bag with a pack of blue gel ice too. Since the recession is coming, we dine outside lesser now. No more extra expenses like buying the diet pills online.  Self control now to shed the extra pound.

Rating:

Director: Hijackqueen

Writer : Nazlan J.

Release Date: 27 November 2008

Genre: Cartoon

Plot: Yoga Bear was banned from entering Jellystone Park. Yogi Bear reported the news to his Cousin, Yoga Bear in Jellystone Park. Uncle Yoda came to their rescue!

Cast: Yogi Bear
Yoga Bear
Yoda Master

I was awaken rudely by a ringing tone. Obviously it is not my mobile phone. I hurriedly stood up and make my way towards the sound. As I was half awaken and still blur, I lost my balance and fell on my bum. I realised one side of my leg is numb. NO WONDER I CAN’T WALK! So I limp to the cabin’s phone and it was my MOM on the other line. Gosh! It was a morning call! And it was 6.30am!!!

The itinerary was like this:

Day One –
12 to 2pm – Gate open for boarding.
4pm – Ship sail to Langkawi

Toay is Day Two –
4am – Ship reach Langkawi (Can you imagine the ship sail for 12 hours?)
8am – Passenger is allowed to disembark in Langkawi
12noon – Ship sail again to SG

Day Three –
4pm – Ship reach SG (Can you imagine the ship sail for 28 hours!!!)
4pm – Passenger is allowed to disembark in SG.
7pm – Ship sail back to Port Klang

Day Four –
10am – Ship reach Port Klang

So where were we? Ok, day 2 and my leg was numb. I tried to continue my sleep but can’t cos the air conditioning compressor is humming. Since my MOM was so excited to disembark from the ship, I woke my other Sisters. They took ages to get ready so I told them I make my way first to meet my Mom who was already waiting at the restaurant. It was like 7am? While on my way, I spotted the sunrise!

I am not a morning person. This is probably my 2nd time taking shots of sunrise (1st time was Angkor Wat’s trip). The beauty of sunrise is the soft blue effect they created in the morning compare. I walk about the ship and ended at the bow (front of the ship).

They are so beautiful. It’s a restricted area so I just stood at where I was allowed, took few more shots then proceed to meet my parents for breakfast before we disembark from the ship. The rest of the people was wondering how come I left the room first but last to reach the restaurant. *hehe…During disembarkment, you can either pay a large small sum of money to join some tours organized by the Cruise or you can DIY yourself or just stay on board. Activities on board still carry on like usual. We just walk about Awana Morto Malai Hotel just across the jetty to kill time. What else can we do?

Lots of camwhoring of course! This is the only photo I shot of my Parents together.

Youngest Sis (6th) and Nephew (5th Sis’s Son)

2nd Sister with her 6mths old Daughter. The last time I saw the Baby when she was only 1mth old. Time flies.

Ahem, ah then hor… I ended up buying a straw hat from Awana Porto Malai’s souvenir shop at RM33.90 and we was having so much fun and lots of crazy moments again.

Jonathan, the floor dirty or not???

Advertising for Magnolia ice-cream

5th Sis idea to go in the rubbish bin. Yes, it’s a bin!

The worker came out yelling at us from the cafe. So hillarious we almost die laughing.

Too much gila-gila liao. I have whole lots of camwhoring pics in my hard drive. Too paiseh to show all. Let’s tone down a bit. Some serious shot.

Yoga Pose – Inverted prayer.

We spent about 2 hours out under the hot sun and later decided to go back to the cruise. Mom was holding a magazine over her head as a shield from the blazing sun and said, “Look at my hat. I don’t have to pay a single cent for it.” O.o don’t la char me like this, Ma.

While walking back to the jetty, this two is the last photo of the day cos after which…..

…after this shot….

… my niece hat flew away and in a nick of time, I stretched out my hand to grab it only to realized I was holding my spectacle with that same hand. Now that I’ve grabbed hold of her hat but dropped my RM200.00 spectacle into the sea! Can you imagine how I felt that time? I really want to cry! I really want to turn back the clock! I really regretted my act! I walk silently back to the cruise, back to my cabin and buried my head under the pillow. And for the whole day, I was not in a mood for photography. Heck, I’ve forgotten what I did on the 2nd day. Now you know why photographs is so important.

Night life on board is quite fixed. After dinner, we catched a show at 9pm, there after adjouned to the open deck at deck 10th. Just lazying around, crack some jokes, admire the full moon, on our way back to the cabin, we dropped by the casinos, inhale some nicotine cos we are the tech savvy people we only play at the best casino online. *cough* The next day we will repeat the same thing all over again. I can say that life is slow and stress free on board. Love that. The most amazing thing is today, we are going to sail across the ocean for 28 hours before reaching our destination and still we felt like we are not sitting on a moving ship at all. Amazing isn’t it?

More camwhore in Day 3. Stay tune!