why so malas...

I sometimes wonder why I even blog when I am so malas (lazy). Its hard enough uploading pics to Facebook. And to blog too...adoi...seems like hardwork.

But I realised that if I could just spare 10 minutes per day and blog, it really couldn't get that bad. Right? I mean at least I have experienced it first hand the following of doing it a maximum of 10 minutes a day and I love the results:

(1) groom Shalom at least 10 strokes a day and she's now such a pretty girl with her long fur . Almost like a tissue box:P

(2) clearing the store room and closets of clothes, shoes and accessories that others would wear it more often coz they need it than my whim and fancies of wearing it like once a year?

(3) reading. I've always been a reader of all sorts. But I realised that I rarely read the enriching and empowering books. if compared to my junk reading of magazines and labels (yes I read all sorts of labels), it would be 1 of book to 9 of magazines and labels. So these days, its at least 10 minutes of "proper" reading before I sudoku and sleep. 

Well that does not mean that I will darn blog everyday. I will need at least to have something interesting or worthy to say. I hate to grumble and bitch about life. Plus it would seem such a waste to try to remember my life like that.

Shalom's day out

Every weekend, no matter how busy we are, we will not fail to bring kiddo out. Most days we will definitely bring her to parks where she gets to share gossips with different pals of hers. Not sure if they know each other but let's just assume that they are all friends. Life will be more peaceful this way. LOL

From these outings, I sort of gathered that the kids relay messages or gossips by marking with their pee. It seems like one sniff is a download of information of each other's life:P And comments are when one marks over someone else's pee mark. Hehehe.

I supposed when they sniff each other's butts or face, it also another form of communication.

Armed with our poo bags for our diva is quite a poo machine during her sessions out to the parks or jungle trekking, and yes we generally keep her on leash. Well its just adherence to rules although she has proven herself to be very good off leash. However we do not want to encourage owners whose kids are not good at recalls or off leash commands, so we have Shalom on the leash. Cleaning up after her is also a must. Can you imagine how it is to step on poo? Eeeewww. But yes, despite clear signs, some owners just choose to ignore the clean up signs or leash signs. Sigh. It is not easy to find dog friendly parks in Malaysia, and I can't comprehend why some folks could not are less. Are they waiting for the park to be taken from us all? For now, it seems like only Desa Park City Waterfront is truly doggie friendly except for the eateries.

Complaints aside - can't be "sighy". Shalom gets her chance to be off leash where possible. That is for her to have her runs. This diva with all her fur is quite a sight when she runs. Yes she runs like the wind and her fur flaps. Something like a flying mop. And when airborne you can catch her expression - almost a gremlin. Very delightful.

Of course once she has finished her runs, the pink tongue is all out with her contented smily face - most times, she will seek for a chair or stool. Anything but the ground. Such diva isn't she?

And on days when she absolutely is super diva after the walk, Daddy comes armed with a stroller for the diva to ride in.

All these trips, I normally stock up on plenty of water, treats (in case she gets hungry but again no reason for her nor her pals to say no to treats:P) and ice cool yogurt. Honestly, the icy yogurt is for us, but she loves it. And being generally a safe food, we allow her these lovely ice cold yogurt. Shalom absolutely adores them. Check out that face:-)

One other reason why we simply love the weekend outings as much as Shalom, these parks or jungle trek sessions (will post pictures from trekking session soon) is so peaceful and delightful for both Shalom and us alike. Its therapeutic - the fresh air, some sun, grass - nature does wonders to the soul!)

Allah, Islam & Christianity

The whole world is looking at Malaysia. Malaysians are talking about it. Sigh...

My take? No reason to drop the word Allah from Bibles when it has been used all this while in East & Peninsular Malaysia all this while. Even the the Christians in the Middle East use the word "Allah". Are we to demand that they drop the usage too?

But more so, its simply the Christian way of addressing Allah in Bahasa Malaysia. If I were to call my father "Daddy", does that mean that only I can use the word Daddy and I demand that everyone else not use the word daddy. No more Godaddy for us to purchase domain names. The movie Big Daddy starring Adam Sandler is also not allowed. Imagine the courts around the world or for that matter our Malaysian courts and cabinet ministers being kept busy on Daddy, Dad, Papa, Appa etc. LOL.

Even in protesting a court's judgement, who are these arsonist to burn the churches? Its total disrespect. Surely Islam has taught all to be humble and be respectful. Beyond respect, we're also looking at what if people were hurt in the attack? Or what if someone dies because of the arson?

Whatever it is, nothing warrants such deliberate provocative violent acts on places of worship (I would like to term it terrorism although I fear it is a strong word for emotional beings who cannot exercise restrain and humility). This violence is not to be termed as as communal conflict of Muslims and Christians in malaysia because we have always being united. The arson is an insult to Islam and to all religions in Malaysia.

We are pushing for 1Malaysia . And in the absence of tolerance, what is 1Malaysia. Is it even possible?

Fabulous 2010

Its a new year and I can't help feeling chirpy and excited. Many are not sure what the year of the Tiger (Chinese horoscope) brings - many fengshui masters have said its a lot of clashing of the elements.

I am however very upbeat. Not just because my fengshui consultant Belinda has said so but its just the feel good factor that I have been having inside my being. On another note, the law of attraction - feel down and nasty and that is what you will attract.

2009 albeit a rocky year with so many hospital visits and stays, my Godma passed away, some lost transactions and a bad accident myself (I crashed an ATV and the ATV bounced off my 41kg frame) but its still been a good one coz I chose to look at it from a good angle. The incidences has united friends and family. A precious bond that we cannot value in dollars and sense. That warm fuzzy feel is precious.

So 2010...it will be fabulous. I wish all friends and family, acquaintances and even the random stranger a bountiful year ahead filled with good health, joy and prosperity.

Resolutions? None. Just goals! And I have 10 of them. Breaking them down seems easier and so come 2010, its just 10 goals broken down into 365 days. I'll fill in the details as the days goes:-)

Monsoon fun at Cherating

It is the Monsoon season. Despite reading about the floods etc, nothing dampened our holiday getaway mood. So there we were, a family of 3 (hubby, me and of course our furkid Shalom - mind you, Shalom is family!!!) packed our bags and headed off to Cherating beach for our impromptu break with some pals.

The drive there this round was fun. No 90 minutes jam for a stretch of 30km. Little diva Shalom was all excited and restless in the car. Bravo, as soon as we reached and opened the car door, she ran straight for the beach. Indeed a water baby.

Waves were quite huge but nevertheless we still hit the beach for a walk. No way could I nor Shalom nor Jo resist the sea. We went in nevertheless for some good cold salty water therapy. Felt good. Till it hit me...ooops there we go again - 2 hours grooming for diva Shalom.

When it rained, we hid in our chalets. Not sleeping but enjoyed a good Javanese massage and foot reflexology. Then in company of good pals, we enjoyed our wines, stout, beer & vodka, tidbits and chats - yes this is what we call our AA session - Alcohol Appreciation:P. The furkids also got their share of tidbits. Think they ate more snacks than their regular kibbles.

Discovered a new stiffed crab in Kemaman. Sin Bing Kee - It is a few shops away from our regular Tong Kee. Reason being it is just pure crab meat marinated. Unlike Tong Kee which had some vegies. Don't get me wrong. I love my vegies, but it was "refreshing" to have stuffed crab that was spewing with crabby goodness:P

Makan-makan - loved the lobster. Greedy me actually wrote down that this round we must have:
(1) lobster

(2) salt grilled prawns

(3) or chean (oyster omellete)

Popped to Hai Peng - the famous kopitiam in Kemaman. Discovered tapai - fermented rice. But wasn't sure if it was to come with fungus:-( Told the waiter, he took it from us and nicely wrapped it and placed it back at the cpunter for sale. Aiks:-(

This was Nova - GSD pup's maiden trip to the beach. She was fabulous. Curious yet in a way fearful of the sea. Nevertheless, she walked and on the 3rd day began mustering more courage to hit the sea. Looking at her, Jo is bound to return to Ruby's Resort for her own getaway and of course for Nova too!

Trampolin. I discovered this is not easy to jump. Hard work. But fun. Am talking about the big huge ones. Not the small tiny at home. The best part...falling and landing on our butt:P I also learnt it is tough to jump with 2 persons. Jo jumped and I fell. LOL. Lilian and her hubby Goo also had a fabulous time with Goo trying to execute some kungfu flip. Hehe.

Cherating at Ruby's Resort. Its just amazing. And yes, we've packed our packs to head back there in CNY!!

Shalom turns 6

Our lil gal finally turns 6. A huge furball with lots of love and certainly a very cheeky babe.

A friend commented that Shalom is lucky to have been adopted by us. I seek to differ. In fact we are so blessed to have her in our lives. Coming home to a furry ball of joy and jumps and licks. After a tiring and long day at work, its so good to be greeted by her and her choice of toy. Yes...her choice of toy. Somedays, it is her octopus, another day the pink slipper, some other days she will choose the dinosaur. It all changes and hehe, she has amassed over 40 toys on her own. I have not included the ones not given to her yet and those from her birthday presents.

It was a fun day in the park with food for the furslaves and furmasters (furkids) alike. Something new that I learnt for the kids, jelly cake! Will be making it for a picnic with the furkids very soon. But I think I will make it with more meat and some mince so that I can achieve a harder consistency. Some of the kids didn't know how to eat the soft ones.

Birthday cake was superb lamb and pumpkin with lots of love and attentin by a wonderful friend Min. Min makes lovely cakes for humans and furkids. Check her out at http://mamamin.wordpress.com/

The 50 party packs finished. We gave to her pals who could not make it too. And think we had close to 40 furkids for the 3 hour picnic. Some kids went into the pond. Shalom being such a water baby, I had a tough time keeping an eye on her. She was making her way to the pond inch by inch and slowly...only to hear her momma scream "Shalommmmmmmm" and the lil one runs back to me. LOL.

It was good to note that one of her friends, a black poodle boy Mika who was so scared of water prior to our Cherating trip, now loves water so much. his slaves for the days Alex and Jacklyn had to hang on ti him for fear that he would get himself all wet by jumping into the pond. They came unprepared with towels.

Human...do you know that a Malaysian fave "Nasi lemak" goes well with Siu Yok (BBQ pork). Amazing combination and definitely potently potent as far as the cholesterol is concerned with coconut milk and pork fat (lard). But thanx to Alex, we discovered that joyous sinful food:P.

Caffeine

Yes...good or is it bad caffeine?

I have a love hate relationship with caffeine. It perks me up when I need that extra kick in the system. Somedays, the body and brains just don't want to work. LOL.

However it becomes a hate when I have such lousy caffeine intolerence. I used to be able to have my at cup of tea - yes Malaysians love our good ol teh tarik by 6pm. These days, the last caffeine form coffee or tea has to be the latest 11am - yes before lunch time. Failing which, I am still very awake even at 4am. Yes, even after more than 12 hours after my caffeine intake, I am wide awake.

So what to do? How do I stay awake after lunch? Green tea, chocolate, even coke is just a bad idea. The caffeine in it will still keep me very wide awake?

I know that when we are sleepy, we should sleep or rest. But not during working hours... So what do I do?

On an interesting note on caffeine. Do you know that caffeine increases the level of circulating fatty acids. This has been shown to increase the oxidation of these fuels, hence enhancing fat oxidation. Caffeine has been used for years by runners and endurance people to enhance fatty acid metabolism.

Interestingly I also read that green tea, unless it is decaffeinated, also contains caffeine. Normal green tea itself may contain more caffeine than coffee, but the length of infusion with hot water, and the number of time you use the green tea leaves can greatly reduce your caffeine intake.