2016 resolutions

Happy New Year 2016! 

It's another new year. I hope this year I'll be older, wiser and luckier. 

My resolutions for this year :- 

* to revive my fitness regime. I've been slacking so much lately, it's so unhealthy. 
* to finally learn some dance 
* to learn some new courses 
* to never give up finding love 
* to be more confident in my driving 

This would be the last year before I turned 30 - here's to success! 

The hospital visit

Mia had surgery on her ankle and it's been a while since we seen each other. The initial plan was we were supposed to meet her at her home after she checked out of the hospital. Unfortunately the whole insurance business was delayed therefore we went to the hospital straight to see her. 



Mia's mom bought us chicken rice and we brought some chips. We spent a few hours with her there, just catching up. Coincidentally a year ago on the same date, we had our Christmas gathering. This year we didn't have it as Lily's auntie passed away. 

This would be the last time we see each other before the new year. Here's hoping to more fun times in 2016! 

Trial advent

One thing I like to do for people - small little gestures. I've been wanting to make an advent calendar for someone but I am not sure how people might take it. Christmas culture is not well known around here therefore I kept postponing the idea. 

Anyways I tried to make this advent calendar countdown thing for Simmy. I even extended it to 27 December in celebration of her birthday. In order to experiment, I searched for motivational quotes and put them together in a 25 boxes grid.

For the first day, I gave her a paper with 25 boxes with the following quotes to be opened daily for the next 25 days. On the last day, I gave her a 100 days planner for her to plan her upcoming year. Simmy and I usually talked about our fitness goals and I thought this would be perfect for her. 

 

This is my first lousy attempt at an advent calendar. Hopefully I'll be able to get more budget next time to make a nicer one next round. 

The custom trip

Karyn and I went on one of our shopping spree and bought several items for ourselves and some others. Unfortunately our spending exceeded the limit and after few days of wondering, we received the custom letter to go settle our stuff.

The letter itself had the address of KLIA on the top so based on google map, we took the bus to KLIA - thinking that we just had to sort it out and return with our package.

No, the custom department is not in KLIA. We either had to pay post office to settle it for us (have to call them) or we go to the custom office ourselves. If the parcel is not collected within 11 days of the letter, then it will be sent back to the original country. The custom office is also closed on the first Saturday so we had to make it that last Saturday of the month no matter what. 

We took the taxi to LCCT (which is where the custom office is) and got down to this building where we walked up and down the floors but the offices were not opened. We asked the cleaner the location of the address and she pointed us to the post office building further up front. We walked about 1 km distance to reach the post office, surrendered an identification at the guard house, took a number and proceed in.

First I need to submit the letter to the counter then proceed to collect the parcel. Opened the parcel in front of the officers and proceed back to the first counter to collect a specific form. Waited nearly 20 mins for the form before being told to proceed to pharmacy department (since our stuff were skin cares products) with one of each stuff that we have (20 items). It was back in the first building so we stuffed our backpack with our items and walked back.

The forms were verified and we spent some time at the mamak nearby while figuring out how we were supposed to get back home since there was no taxi around the area. LCCT is an abandoned area ever since AirAsia moved to KLIA2. Download the mytaxi app and headed back to the post office.

Submitted our forms and finally get the sign off to finally get our parcel. It took us hours to get all these administrative stuff settled, we finally laid them all out for a group photo. 



Tadaahhh .. then we emptied the box and filled up our backpack before we used the myTaxi app and called up a ride. Luckily there was an uncle taxi nearby who took us back to the airport where we board the bus back to Paradigm. 

It took us nearly 8 hours out there - just to get our items. Luckily even though with the tax amount divided per item, it is still much cheaper than buying retail here. 

It was certainly an adventure and I learned from it but I hope to never repeat it. 

Selfish society

People are so selfish nowadays. Greedy and takes advantage at any opportunity.

Yesterday while loitering around the express counter in hypermarket while Jo was queuing up, a dude in front of her had a basket full of items. My mental calculation, there are more than 10 items in his basket.

Can't he read that 10 items and below sign above his head? The express counter is longer than other counters but each customer are allowed 10 items and below thus making the line supposedly faster.


Why are there people who chose to be ignorant and selfish to hog up the express counter lane? You are very much aware of how many items you have in your basket so go to the appropriate counter.

I admit, I'm a bit too goody goody sometimes. I push when the door says push and I cringed when someone pull instead. I'm a little crazy like that but seriously, this social behavior annoyed the crap out of me.

The other thing I realize was how no manners the people are in public transport. Empty seat are not meant for your bag, lady! I don't mind standing but there are other people who might need the seat and your backpack is not it.

Not to say society is doomed forever. I witnessed some kind soul who willingly give up their seats to old people. It puts a smile on my face.

Please people, just be considerate. Don't be selfish.

Legoland

I took a trip to Johor last weekend and I got the opportunity to go to Legoland. Here are some photos that I took. 





The view from the top of the rotating tower. 



This dinosaur spits out cooling mist. 









A water percussion band with music





The flying airplane ride where I was supposed to put away my phone





The ninja shadow show



The ninjas who are controlling the puppets











Driving around the lake





Hi there! 

The following are buildings made of lego. 













They are so awesome, the photos are nothing. 



Halloween around the corner.



That's a Lego scuba diver









The sleeping man - complete with snores







If you are a Lego fan or you have the opportunity, do go for a visit. The theme parks are designed to cater to the younger audiences so thrill seekers might find this boring. 

Run for Peace 2015

The bi-annual run is back! The first time I joined was two years ago. I don't like joining marathons but I'm running for the awareness of peace! Woke up at 4 am + and it's time to go. 

The whole family was ready to go. We arrived at the stadium at 5 am + and loitered around the area. 



The sun is not up yet. I really wish I was still in bed but I'm also glad to be here with my family. The sea of purple everywhere! 



This is my crew who ran separately after the first 500 metres. Once again, I walked with Eve and her boyfriend. I didn't realize my towel was too tight around my head and it cut my circulation which made me dizzy. FML.  



It took me about 2 hours to get to 8 km done. Burnt nearly 1 thousand calories but I'm proud of myself for not taking the short cut although I was tempted several times. I really don't like marathon or walking.  

So happy to be finally be back at the stadium and settled down with my ice cream. Milo line was way too long for me to queue so I skipped that. 

Run for Peace 2017, I'll be there!

Everything You Treasure

For a short period of time, the exhibition of Everything You Treasure - A World Free from Nuclear Weapon was held in KL. I had to get there to appreciate the effort that people had put to make this happened. 

"I am convinced that human beings are best able to advance, not when driven by fear of catastrophe but when guided by the prospect of hope-filled objectives" 

Really awesome art work that is really simple but it speaks a lot in depth. I really like these types of art.

There was a little mini maze where you can choose your path. Which path would you choose? 

As a woman, this piece of information hit quite close to heart. 

At first, I thought babies born like apple was funny but the reality is, that would be horrifying. Imagine the horror. Imagine your precious baby looking like an apple or octopus.  

A little set up of this threat looming above our head. There's two little soldiers in the midst of the people but with nuclear weapon, instead of just eliminating the two soldiers, innocent people will suffer as well.  

Birds of peace. 

One of my favorite quote about humanity. 

Colorful backdrop for the little ones but it was well received by everyone of all ages.  

For more information -> click here