Darn! Its another 33 days!

I have to admit that work is getting to me. And I am feeling in a desperate need of a beach holiday real soon. In reality I am off to be a beach bum for the coming New Year countdown. But for now, it seems so far away.

So here's a few pics from my "sunny" beach weekend getaways:D

"Sunny" because I am contended to sit by the beach even during the monsoon seasons. And I am thankful that my monsoon getaways are always rewarded with sunny skies. 

Why do I like the beach? There's something about the sea and sand. And of course the sun. But then again, there's always the activities and creatures that we meet. The sunset and sunrises.

For now the countdown begins...33 days more...Shalom counts on too with me:D

Lover's Tears, A Mad Chinaman & Mustafa

Of Lover's Tears, A Mad Chinaman and Mustafa...

If you're from Singapore or Johor or spent some good time down south, then Dick Lee is no stranger. Dick Lee is a multi talented Singapore composer & singer who's added a dash of spice into music. His later works includes the musicals P Ramlee and Puteri Gunung Ledang. Here's a few  of my fave songs from my secondary school days that I adored.

Really have to thank Kin Kok (whom I've met via the Nike 101010 run) for putting up Mustafa this morning:D

Lovers' Tears with Sandy Lam:

A Mad Chinaman:

Mustafa:

Kiddo needs a forever home

Pal Shereen rescued Kiddo off the streets. This kid was absolutely dehydrated and skinny with only bones and fur. Kiddo had to be placed on the drip as soon as he was rescued. So you can imagine his condition then. A fair bit of cuts and ulcers were also on his body especially under his belly.

Another pal Jo has been boarding and nursing him back to health. And now he's ready for his forever home with a loving family who would love him for who he is. 

This lil black pup has a thick undercoat of black medium length fur with an equally adorable marble eyes.

Jo noted the following characteristics:

• Adores human company

• Loves to eat

• Loves to sleep (he's a puppy:P)

• Loves to play

• Loves human company

• No fear of big dogs (Kiddo has been inducted by Jo's 4 other dogs of which 2 are big breeds)

Please leave a note if you're keen to give Kiddo his forever loving home. THANX!!!

Christmas Without You - Dolly Parton @ Kenny Rogers

This is from 1984 (I think). Remembered it during Christmas when I was in Primary 3 and dad was away for surgery during Christmas. Literally it was Christmas Without You Daddy dearest.

I love Dolly Parton's voice. Think Daddy does too. And I do remember dad playing her songs whenever we drive around for our holidays. Yes I do adore her voice. Its crisp and clear. Mesmerizing too.

National Geographic is here! More ideas for Christmas gifts:D

National Geographic. And I bet all that comes to our mind is the infamous yellow border its equally famous tagline "Inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888".

So when I visited the National Geographic Store at Lot 10, I wasn't sure what to expect. But when I walked in, the store is huge. Its approximately 4,840 square feet! The store is exciting. With merchandise that is bound to excite everyone in the household. Not kidding but there is seriously something for everyone at home. As I took a tour of the store, I was planning my shopping list for my huge Ang and Loo family of parents, siblings, nieces and nephews.

The store opened in in April this year in Lot 10. Bet many of you didn't know its even opened and is in fact the 3rd flagship store around after London and Singapore.

As I walked through the store I realised that this store has almost everything for the whole family this Christmas. There's clothes and mind you its not just the pure rugged styles you associate with the idea of National Geographic. They are wearable pieces for work, travel or merely for a fashion statement. And the travel range includes the Gore-tex waterproof jackets and trousers selected by National Geographic based on the strict requirements that explorers require.

The bags caught my eyes. National Geographic bags are fully waterproof and dust proof. It comes with a warranty too! The TIZIP zippers ensure absolute waterproofing and insulation. Lovely for cameras and our lenses!

And this place also houses soft toys, scientific ones, books, maps, furnitures and more!

I am kind of smitten with the soft toys. Not your regular fluffies but these are educational ones. On the duck seen here, it comes with tag that tells us more about this bird and comes with a recorded sound of what the bird actually sounds.

Never liked snakes. They freak me out. But these were kind of adorable. Rather tempted to return and get one for Shalom to add to her collection of soft toys. Or should I get her one of the birds?

And I spotted a telescope. Not the decorative ones but this one seriously works for a mere RM400 odd and can view up to 167x. Certainly a good gift idea for a budding astronomers. And perhaps myself for my Sleepless in KL nights.

The maps caught my mind. There are 2 types. The conventional printed large world maps that cost between RM100 to RM200. And you don't have to worry about framing since Nat Geo does offer some pretty cool choices of frames, delivery and installation at a nominal fee.

The other is the round globes. Made of 17 layers, this globe shows the regular country boundaries and cities like any other globes. When illuminated, it'll expose detailed terrains and more. Makes a pretty and practical piece of decoration.

I've always enjoyed reading National Geographic. And am attracted that the have backdated issues for us to read there. And for an avid collector, they have an archive of 120 years (1888-2008) for merely RM456. That is unfortunately sold out. So right now I am eyeing my eyes and waiting patiently for the 121 years compilation. Using Adobe Air this collection can be viewed and printed too. And I'm definitely getting this for my dad in law this year.

And while you're at it, if you love music, they have music CDs too under the same roof.

If you have guests visiting Kuala Lumpur, this is a must visit place for them to pick up the National Geographic Kuala Lumpur merchandise. Similar to the Hard Rock cafe memorabilias such as tees and caps that tourist often seek, National Geograhic has theirs too. And equally good looking too!

So if you think shopping is the only idea to visit the National Geographic Store, you'll be in for a surprise. Check out their high tea offerings. You must try the delectable Pinchos a Spanish snack while youʼre there which reminds me that I really should arrange for a session to chit chat and savour the offerings there with the girlfriends.

And if you've not been there, well head down to Lot 10. National Geographic is located at:
T 16-17, Level 3,
Lot 10 Shopping Centre.

Have fun shopping and bon appetite!

Here Comes Christmas

I'm in my super duper Christmas mood. So here's the first of the many Christmas posts to come. This is by The Nadas with Here Comes Christmas. 

The Nadas is a folk / rock group. Came across them when they were featured in a Christmas issue of MacAddict 2005. 

Honda City and rock climbing? Not kidding!

Rebecca of Advertlets emailed me and said "car and rock climbing". It sounded good! Not that I can climb with my left arm condition still nursing an old injury from my ATV accident). But it sounds so exciting, no way I will let it pass.

So there I was at Camp 5 at One Utama to witness what Honda City and rock climbing had in common.

The Honda City as we know is in its 3rd generation (launched in late 2008) and has sold over 36, 000 units since then. Its quite a popular car with the Honda City being the choice of many urban young people who want something that looks stylish, practical and with an element of excitement in performance. For RM 85,480 (Grade S) and RM90,480 (Grade E) (both on-the-road inclusive of insurance in Peninsula Malaysia), its also a no brainer why Honda City is clearly the choice for the urban young.

A new addition to the 3rd generation of Honda City is a new colour aptly called Tafetta White. There are currently 3 colours available i.e. Alabaster Silver, Crystal Black Pearl and Polished Metal. Quite a departure from the previous colours but their internal customer profile studies reviewed that white is also a colour that many would have liked on their Honda City. This I believe has something to do with the sexy sporty Championship White which is seen on the performance oriented Honda Civic Type-R only (going at RM199,800 on the road). Thus the birth of Honda City Tafetta White.

The new Tafetta White was unveiled in style at Camp 5 with the veil being lifted by the rock climbers. White I have to admit looks good on the Honda City although my greatest fear in white has always being how to keep my white car looking white and clean.

That aside, we were given a tour of the car. It is spacious (well compared to my Gen 2 and the Spyder). An attractive point is the trunk space (506 litre) that can fit in 2 golf bags or 2 of Rashid Salleh. This trunk space means it makes a marvellous shopping car:P

An added feature to the car is its flexible rear seat recline. This means the folks sitting at the rear can also enjoy a more comfortable long distance travel. I also love the under seat tray (available with Grade E only). No more umbrellas flying around in the rear seat or interfering with passenger comfort. And as the picture shows it can also fit in our shoes:D

With the Honda City, stained seats are almost past tense. The new seat covers are protected with a material that repels water spills.

This crazy Malaysian hot weather has many of us cursing especially when we have to sit at the rear seats. Air con doesn't reach us so fast. Surprise surprise...the Honda City comes with vents on the rear seat floor for better cooling at the back of the car. Cool idea isn't it?

And the paddle shifter that comes with the Grade E is a delightful feature for many. For RM90,480, it sounds good!

Didn't get the chance to test the Honda City. However at the price of RM 85,480 (Grade S) and RM90,480 (Grade E) with a 1.5L engine, this is definitely a good buy just looking at some of the features mentioned above.

For more information and enquiries about the Honda City, call Honda’s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or log on to www.honda.com.my for more details.

Done with the car, don't stop me and I would go on forever and ever. Can't wait to take a test drive one of these days.

So what about Honda City and rock climbing? It isn't a pure coincidence or a bright spark idea to choose rock climbing to unveil the Tafetta White Honda City.

Honda City represents a complete package of Style, performance, Practicality and Best in Class features. And with rock climbing, these 4 qualities must also be present in the rock climbing competition "Get on the rock!".

This month long competition opens for registration till 7th December 2010. Its open to all Malaysian aged 21 and above. There are 2 categories with the following simple terms of the competition are simple::
(1) Open Class (anyone even non climbers can participate)
--> submit one climbing photo shot that best interprets one of Honda City's unique qualities:
• Style
• Performance
• Best in Class

(2) Pro Climber (climbers wit climbing experience rated 6c)
--> submit four climbing photo shots that best interprets ALL of Honda City's unique qualities:
• Style
• Performance
• Best in Class

Submissions will be evaluated via an online public voting system. A total of 25 teams from the Open category and 20 from the Pro category will be shortlisted for the finale show down to be held in Camp 5 at One Utama Shopping Centre on December 18 2010.

In the final showdown, teams need to climb the most mileage in the given 2 hours. Prizes are attractive:
• Open category winner gets an adventure filled climbing trip on the limestone cliffs in Krabi worth RM3,500 and a 1 year membership at Camp5.

• Pro category gets the chance of a lifetime to meet Reini Scherer (one of the world climbing champions) in a climbing clinic in Austria worth RM13,000. There is also a RM2,000 cash prize for the winner!

Rock climbing is definitely popular and is fast gaining recognition that it is not the simplest sport around town. It demands coordination between strength and strategy. I know it looks easy but when you try it, then you know the amount of coordination and strength required.

Get more details and mechanics of the Get on the rock! with Honda City on www.facebook.com/hondacity

So will I be able to give it a try for the Open category? Hmmmm, let me have a chat with my stubborn arm first:P