I'm leaving on a jet plane

After all those months of waiting, I am finally going to step into Auckland International Airport at 10:40am tomorrow. So, I guess I won't be able to post for a while. Hrmmn...much to my despair, I will be away just for a short period of time only. I enjoy posting but I also love travelling.

Will be back on the 4th October .... oh, how I wish it could be longer. I am very much into travelling...or should I say, travelling is part of my life.

Don't know where I will be heading this time. Done part of the North Island in my last trip. I missed the Jetboating - something I was looking forward to during my last trip. I was at the Huka Fall - a place famous for its jetboating but was unable to join in the fun because it seems, I have to make an early booking (which I did not). Yeah, I was devastated. I actually put away an amount of money for that.

Another place I visited was Rotorua. Entering into the region itself, you can smell sulphur being released from the ground itself. Not a nice smell - it was nasty. So, if you don't smell it, you ain't missing anything. Rotorua is famous for its Maori show and feast (aka hangi), hot-spring like the Whakarewarewa, sheep show and some fun rides. If you have been following the Amazing Race 5, you will notice in the recent show while the teams were in Rotorua, they have to go inside a huge ball and roll down the hill. I only manage to go on the luge and took some photos with the sheeps. The sheeps weren't very nice...I was itchy all over till the time I came back here. My MO said the itchiness was due to the flea from the sheep.Sigh...

Gotta leave now!

Anyway, happy holiday to the usual readers of my blog. You now can have some rest and escape from listening to my rants/complaints/etc, etc for 2 weeks. But do come back after that because I enjoy your comments.

Adios! I wanted to say 'till we meet again' in Spanish. I tried using the Google's language tool and it translated to: hasta que satisfacemos otra vez. But when I tried translating it back to English, it became: Until we satisfy again. The reason I double-check was because I read something about such blunder in Ashotiwoth's blog. So, apparently I decided to stick to english - Till we meet again folks!

I ain't busy

Yesterday's training went fine but was horribly tired. The clients came late and yup, we finished late. *yawn* Managed to have dinner at about 10.30pm but couldn't eat much. Either I was too tired or the food was really bad. Had steam pork-rib with rice - a very bad choice I made. And the soya milk was like plain water, except for the colour.

Went to bed at about 1am and my sis wanted to watch a VCD. So, ended up watching Love Actually (disc 2).

Woke up at 8.45am. Finished breakfast and chatted with a colleague for a while. Then, went to bathed the dog - have not been bathing the dog by myself for some time. Most of the time, my mum bath her. I think my dog is on a eating-strike. She has not been eating much since my mum left on Wednesday. Hrmmn....

Have finished packing my luggage and don't know what to do now. Have to wait till about 3pm for my uncle to pick me up.

Funny guy

I just finished chatting with a friend on yahoo. I was telling him I will be going to New Zealand tomorrow. He asked me, "Are you going with a boy or are you going for a boy?"

That was the funniest question I have got from him. He always have quetions or statements that make me laugh. The best time to chat with him is when he have his webcam on. You get to see all his expression while chatting. Most of the time, I can see him smiling and laughing out laugh (I supposed he is, because that is the time I see him smile with his mouth wide open). And his face will turn into a frown when I have questions that baffled him. Sometimes I don't know what I was asking him too. Silly me and poor boy!

I have not chat with other friends with their webcam on, so maybe that is why I find him funny. It's been a long time since I chatted with him ... as long as about 3 - 6 months. The funniest chat with him is when his dad came on to the webcam and waved. So, I was like 'Hi, uncle' . Gee, I don't think I should address him uncle cos he left after that. I then told him his dad is good-looking and his answer was 'Good look runs in the family'. He always have something funny to add-on.

I have not told him about my blog ... I think I should. So I guess I will keep this post about him as nice as can be (just in case he drops by). Just joking. He IS a very nice chap.

Gastroenteritis

I have been plagued by gastroenteritis up to 3 times since July. And mum told me to check-up on the net what is gastroenteritis. Eventhough I used to work in a hospital, the word 'gastroenteritis' is still alien to me. I never rub shoulders with doctors nor nurses, so I don't expect myself to be well equipped with medical terms. But I am quite close with the pharmacist and accountant yet I am not familiar with the name of drugs...and yes, I still hate accounts.

So, what is Gastroenteritis?

According to Dr Lockie, Gastroenteritis aka gastric flu is the inflammation of digestive tract. It is usually caused by a virus transmitted by personal contact, contaminated food or water, by specific food which produce an extreme allergic reaction, by a sudden change in diet, or by any illness or drug which alters natural balance of bacteria in gut.

Symptoms:- nausea & vomitting, diarrhoea, cramping abdominal pain, fever and exhaustion. A mild case may be limited to vague nausea and a loose stool or two. In infants and elderly people, 'stomach upsets' can be serious as they easily lead to dehyration and even shock.

Best treatment:- Rest, plenty of fluids

But I still wonder whether it has something to do with the office feng-shui. Cos' I started to have this gastric flu when I start working in this new place. Hrmmn...

The Oprah Winfrey Show

2005 Pontiac® G6

I heard from my sis, Oprah gave away a 2005 Pontiac G6 to each of the audience. Eleven people were invited to the show and they were told, they have each gotten themself a brand new car. But the surprises continue ...

"I've got a little twist," Oprah says. "I've got one car left, and someone in the audience will have a chance to go home with a brand new Pontiac G6!"

The audience were each given a box and told, if the box that they open contain a key - they will get the car. And everyone in the audience got the key to a 2005 Pontiac® G6™!

Check it out at Oprah.

Gee ...

Life goes on

The rain stopped and life goes on...not that life stop when there is rain. What I meant is, the financial training will not be postponed nor canceled. So, the moral of the story is, no matter how much you hate a certain thing, you will still have to face it. Urrgghhh...

It is already near 7:30pm and I don't see a soul (minus my CEO and the trainer and me). So, did the rain make them late or is my wish coming true?

You and I know, my wish is and never will be granted. So, happy waiting... to me!

Rain rain go away, come again another day

The rain is pouring harder each minute...and I wish I can leave this miserable place back to my bed. How I wish they will cancel the training! But with such heavy rain, I think the clients will come in late and I have to sit here longer. Oh gosh!

My mum called a couple of minutes back to tell me dinner is cooked. I don't think it is a good idea to give me the details of her food too much, cos it is making me more depress thinking about the financial class. Anyway she did. She said she bought sweet sour pork - yummy and dunno what, cos sweet sour pork itself deafened me.

Oh why me???????? At least put someone with me - so I can make some stupid eye contact if the class is boring. Oh yeah, my CEO will be there but I don't think it is wise to play any eye-trick with him. lol

Hrmmn... I am thinking of watching Bridget Jones' Diary or maybe POA - nay, I hate POA because there's a time-turner involved and they have to repeat a few scenes. Uh-oh, my parents are leaving tomorrow. Maybe I should just tell him, I need to go back and help my parents pack! I think someone should write a book on '1001 reasons to avoid staying back after work'!

How far can you go?

A colleague sent me this --> HomeRun Albanifest 2004. You just have control the drunk guy to walk without falling with your mouse. I am not sure what/how far you have to go or whether there is a second or third level to it, I only went as far as 20m.

Try it, if you have nothing to do.

Settled

At last, my travel agent has successfully settled my ticket problem for me. But alas, still need to pay about 400 bucks for the changes.

Sigh...

Ring ring

As per updated by my travel agent - they have sent my air ticket for changes but they still can't get any sales rep from MAS to pick up the phone.

Hrmm ...

My incomplete name

I am due to fly to Auckland next week but I just found out (more to like, the travel agent found out) there's some problem with my name which is printed on the air ticket.

And now she is telling me, I might not be allowed to board the plane. Interesting! And if MAS don't allow the changes to the name, the travel agent will have to cancel my ticket - and I have to lose about 1k for my promotional ticket.

Now, I just have to keep my finger crossed - hoping that MAS will allow the changes. But funnily, my travel agent can't get the MAS sales rep the whole day yesterday.

Friends at work

I still have problem posting from home due to the spam-ware in my desktop. Maybe I should call up Dell BUT *uh-oh* it has got nothing to do with them. Hrmmn…so, I guess I will just continue posting from my workplace. At the moment, I have been typing with my notebook using notepad, then post it from the office. Why didn't I connect to the net using my notebook? The answer: lazy.

So, back to the topic – Friends at work

I was thinking of something I read about friends we made at work in a magazine. So, let's discuss.

We spent more of our time at work, than anywhere else … apart from when we’re asleep. Are the friends we make at work, just colleagues we're happy to see at work but wouldn’t really want to see socially?

Work seems a good place to make friends, because, interactions have to be made. When we are at a function, we can choose not to talk to anyone, just minding our own business – in the end, no friendship was developed. But at work, the interactions are organized. Take this for example: your boss ask you to work with so & so on a project, and then you realize you like this person and without knowingly, you started meeting so & so for lunch, dinner or even shop together.

Friendships are based on commonality. It’s the shared experiences that draw us together in the first place and then keep us together. That is why, when we start working, we tend to lose the ‘connection’ with our childhood friends, school friends, etc, etc and tend to be closer with our work friends. Why? When you talk about a certain work issue, your work friends will understand what you are blabbing about.

Having friends at work can make the daily grind go a lot better and I am sure, you will feel much less of a life sentence. I think you will know what I mean! Having friends at work also make us feel that we have something to look forward to at work – apart from wanting to hear more gossip, I am sure there is something about your work friends that you find comfortable with.

But, we do need a life away from work - to go for dinner or an evening drink with someone without talking about work. I am sure we do not want to talk about work day & night. When I meet my friends (not colleagues) for dinner, we only ask "How's work?”and that's that. Then, we will continue with other topics. Anyway, too much ranting about work will just bored the other person if they are not working in the same line as you.

So, I guess … even though we felt there is a better clique with our work friends, we should have our normal friends too... in-order to have a so-called balance life.

The Pain

Agony of waiting 

Idol Reject

When I first saw his audition, I had a good laugh - it was funny. But now - I don't think so anymore. I agree with Simon Cowell, he can't sing and he can't dance! So, why is he so famous? Are we becoming tone-deaf?
 

Why?

A mother and daughter 

questa queste questi questo

My appointment with my 2 gal friends was canceled and here I am sitting in a class. Class? Italian class.

My sis has a replacement language class today. She told me it would end in less than half-hour time. And she promised to bring me for dinner after that, so why'd not? So, here I am with my sis and her lecturer. They are in front there blabbing 'italia, pizza, piazza, armani, duomo, mama mia'

"What's 'niante'?, asked the lecturer. My sis was puzzled. After a brief pause, she said "Why don't you just tell me". I laughed - cos, I know nyanteh means nothing. The lecturer laughed too.

And while I was typing this, I was thinking ... wait till I tell mum! Without going to the class, I know what niante means and she was clueless. You can even get that in tv. That means, she wasn't paying attention. ***But mum doesn't have to know ... if she is willing to bribe me*** lol

I wanted to take language class too - first I had Japanese in mind. I even bought 'Japanese for Dummies'. Then, I was thinking Spanish - because it is the most used language in the world. But my dad wants me to take up Mandarin instead. Hrmnn ....

p/s: At the end of the class, I can say 'Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Moschino' like an Italian. Cool!

Something to ponder for the weekend

I've gotten this from dream. Thanks again! ;)

It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let that person know how you feel. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for the gift.

Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, and the romance in a relationship, and find out you still care for that person. A sad thing in life is when you meet someone who means a lot to you, only to find out in the end that is was never meant to be and you just have to let go.

When the door of happiness closes, another door opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one that has been opened for us. The best kind of friend is the kind that can sit on a porch and swing with you, never saying a word and then walk away thinking it was the best conversation you've ever had.

It's true that we don't know what we've go until we lost it, but its also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives. Giving someone all our love is never an assurance that they'll love you back. Don't expect love in return, just wait for it to grow in their hearts, but if it doesn't, then be content that it grew in yours.

There are some things you'll love to hear that you would never hear from the person whom you would like to hear it from, but remember not to be so deaf as to hear it from the one who says it from the heart. Never say good-bye if you still want to try, never give up if you still feel you can go on, and never say you don't love a person anymore if you can't let go.

Love comes to those who still hope, although they've been disappointed. Also to those who still believe, although they've been betrayed. Need to love those who still love, although they've been hurt before. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive you. Don't go for wealth; in the end it fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Hope you fine the one that makes you smile.

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, and be what you want to be because you only have one life and one chance to do all the thing you want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy and enough money to buy other people gifts.

Always put yourself in others shoes, if you feel it hurts you, it probably hurt the other person as well. A careless word may kindle strife, a cruel word may wreck a life, a timely word may level stress, a loving word may heal and bless. Words are stronger than people may realize, watch what you say because with one word a life can be lost or a life can be spared.

The beginning of love is to let those we love be just they, and not twist them with our own image. Otherwise, we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes their way.

Happiness tries for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

I find it true yet hurting.

Colleen Firth

Colin Firth in Love Actually

I have been thinking about Colin Firth for the past few days. No, not thoroughly on him alone but he has been on my mind for a couple of days. Don't know much about him but saw him in Bridget Jones's Diary and Love Actually - but that was couple of months back.

Guess watching too much of Potter and Love Actually (my sis was addicted to it. She played the movie and CD on and off) - which involve listening to too much of british accent... thus led to Colin Firth. Hah! Just my assumption. Anyway, he just pop into my mind.

Speaking of british accent - My friend came over to my apartment to stay before the trip to Italy. She was a friend from my secondary school years. Once she reached my apartment, she asked "Pauline, how'd come you don't have any british accent in you?" and I go huh? She continued "You've been here for about a year, you should speak like a british!". I was speechless.

My parents never told me part of the package is to learn their accent. And my lecturers don't have problem understanding me. So, that got me into thinking:

1. If I suddenly speak like a british, I am sure my friends will be saying "Pauline, stop faking it!"
2. My sis friend has been staying in Australia for about 10 years, he don't have any so-called Australian accent

So, why bother? I think I only tried talking like a British once or twice and I went back to my own Malaysian accent.

Accent are clues to where people were born and where they grew up. Although some people may change the way they speak during their lifetimes, most people still carry some trace of their dialect origins. And if I am to speak with a british accent, which region should I copy?

Cockney English or Queen's English?

Cockney English is the broadest form of London local accent. It shows the working class accent of Londoners. While Queen's English or King's English, depending on who is the ruler at that time, can be traced back to the 16th and 17th century. It is ideally thought that the monarch's usage of the language should be a model in speech and writing. But current Queen's English is not what it used to be. Research compared how HRH pronounced certain words over the last 40 years. They discovered that 'estuary English' had influenced those cultured vowels, making Her Majesty altogether a little more common.

• Estuary English was coined by linguist David Rosewarne in 1984. It is characterised by using 'w' rather than 'l' is words such as milk or bill; glottal stops; and exaggerating the ends of words ending in 'y'? reallee, or lovelee. Being used by young people in Essex and Kent.

Geisha

Living only for the moment, giving all our time to the pleasures of the moon, the snow, cherry blossoms and maple leaves. Singing songs, drinking sake, caressing each other, just drifting, drifting. Never giving a care if we have no money, never sad in our hearts. Only like a plant moving on the river's current; that is what is called ukiyo : The Floating World - Tales of the Floating World, Ryoi Asai

Eversince I read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, I have been wanting to read more about geisha. Their secretive and mysterious life captivated me. The flower and willow world is almost vanished. Though there are still geisha in Japan, they are not the 'real-one'. A geisha started learning their art when they are young and went through a dod-eat-dog world. The modern geisha did not go through the arduos path the olden geisha did last time.

Almost all the geisha books I read says this "Many people in the West think of geisha simply as prostitutes". Geisha is also known as an artisan. The word geisha is derived from Japanese word for art. After reading books of Geisha, all I can say is there are geisha who really work as a performer and there are those who hrmmn... work as a prostitute. Geisha are sometimes being kept by man - as mistress. So, what's the difference between being a prostitute and being a 'kept woman'? Both sell their body for money. No doubt, some for love.

I am more surprised to learn that, Japanese wife would feel uneasy if her husband were having an affair with a bar hostess or a secretary at work, but she would probably not feel so threatened by a geisha. Hrmmn, I guess this will only happen if the geisha is aware not to throws away her professional code and being the latter. But do our modern society think of the same? I can't and I won't.

I am not going through details here. I think the book is a good read and the movie will be out (sometime next year I think).

Other books on Geisha:-
1) Geisha by Lesley Downer : more like a dictionary to the geisha world
2) Geisha by Liza Dalby: the first Westerner to become a geisha
3) Geisha of Gion by Mineko Iwasaki: a real geisha. It is believed, Memoirs of a Geisha is based on her life. This book is kind of a counter attack against Memoirs of a Geisha. According to her, Arthur Golden promised to keep her identity a secret and whatever written in Arthur Golden's book is not what being desribed by her.