Personality Test

You are nurturing, kind, and lucky. Like mother nature, you want to help everyone. You are good at keeping secrets and tend to be secretive. A seeker of harmony, you are a natural peacemaker. You are good natured and people enjoy your company. You put people at ease and make them feel at home with you.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

While waiting ...

Thursday - 23rd June 2005

I spent about 2.5 hours in MPH while waiting for my sister's arrival. As there's comfortable looking chairs at the side, I began to read (after much browsing at some Travel books by Frommer and Beckham's Autobiography).

My Life as Emperor - It is a book by Su Tong, translated into English by Howard Goldblatt. An entertaining story about a pampered 14 yo prince who, finds himself being appointed as the ruler of the kingdom after the sudden death of his father. A ruler with no talent and limited ability, his throne was later overtake by his brother. His brother sent him away from the palace and he then began his life as a commoner.

After finishing the book, I went to Starbucks to have my dinner. I ordered a Turkey ham Panini and a cup of coffee. I should have ordered the blueberry cheese or tiramisu... as I was still full with Hokkien Mee.

This is my first time sitting at Starbucks at night. The indoor cafe was packed with people with notebooks...and some have to settle for the outside seats. If you've been to Starbucks, you will notice that they sell all kind of tumblers. They are lovely yet pricey. I always pretend not to see them when I walk pass, as I am a person who will 'sometimes' shop on impulse. But as I was quite free that night, I looked through the cups and tumblers and made up my mind to purchase one when I return to KL - there should be a wider selection here.

The internet connection is quite bad, as the line will reconnect every now and then. But it was better than paying RM4 at the place I was staying.

Which cartoon character are you?

You are Tweety!
You are cute, and everyone loves you.You are a best friend that no one takes the chance of losing. You never hurt feelings and seldom have your own feelings hurt. Life is a breeze. You are witty, and calm most of the time. Just keep clear of backstabbers, and you are worry free.

I am so not-Tweety!

If I am going to choose on impulse, I will be -->

Pepe Le Pew!

You are a lover.Romance, flowers, and wine are all you need to enjoy yourself. You are serious about all commitments. A family person. You call your Mom every Sunday, and never forget a Birthday. Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the real thing.

B'day Calculator

You were born on a Mondayunder the astrological sign Capricorn.

Your Life path number is 1.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2443510.5.

The golden number for 1978 is 3.

The epact number for 1978 is 21.

The year 1978 was not a leap year.

As of 6/27/2005 10:27:26 PM CDT

You are 27 years old.

You are 329 months old.

You are 1,434 weeks old.

You are 10,038 days old.

You are 240,934 hours old.

You are 14,456,067 minutes old.

You are 867,364,046 seconds old.

There are 189 days till your next birthday on which your cake will have 28 candles on it.

Those 28 candles produce 28 BTU's,or 7,056 calories of heat (that's only 7.0560 food Calories!).

You can boil 3.20 US ounces of water with that many candles.

Your birthstone is Garnet

The Mystical properties of Garnet
Garnet is used as a power stone

Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewlers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)
Emerald, Rose Quartz

Your birth tree is Fir Tree, the Mysterious, Extraordinary taste, dignity, cultivated airs, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to it,rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious uncontent lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.There are 181 days till Christmas 2005!The moon's phase on the day you wereborn was in its last quarter.

Err... what happened?

I am posting from Starbucks and the line connection was quite bad. When I tried to post, 'page cannot found' occurred. Since there's a Recover Post function, I managed to recover my post... But was quite shocked to find something that is not mine.

I reached Bayan Lepas at 1015 yesterday. It costs me RM38 to take a cab from the airport to Gurney Drive. I am in Penang for work and leisure later.
I checked-in into the hotel at 1100 and took a cab to my client's place at 1200. The hotel staff called a cab for me and it cost RM8. My client said it is expensive as the journey is short. Kinda like a turning away from n>
She is so much like me, only little-er.

After an hour or so of im hysterics (she is so damned funny), we parted ways, and she sent me a kiss. I smiled back at her.

And so tonight, we will meet, in person. Sometime around 8ish at some coffee-serving venue, we will convene, and I am nervous with excitement.

Tonight...Tonight...
on. Sometime around 8ish at some coffee-serving venue, we will convene, and I am nervous with excitement.

Tonight...Tonight...

A little too late ...

Was the verdict fair? I personally don't think it is. He is cleared of all 10 charges. He might be framed, like what some people said. But his lifestyle led us to believe, he more or less act like a paedophile. Even the juror said so. If he is not MJ, will he be acquited?

US teen on 'vomit assault' charge A US high school student who vomited on his Spanish teacher has been charged with battery against a school official. The student said it was due to exam pressure and he vomitted but witnesses said he did it on purpose --> This remind me not to splatter my vomit onto anyone. Might just get sued for it.

Penang

I reached Bayan Lepas at 1015 yesterday. It costs me RM38 to take a cab from the airport to Gurney Drive. I am in Penang for work and leisure later.
I checked-in into the hotel at 1100 and took a cab to my client's place at 1200. The hotel staff called a cab for me and it cost RM8. My client said it is expensive as the journey is short. Kinda like a turning away from where I stayed. So she decided to drive me to-and-off from work.

I had Penang char-kuey-teow at 'Sisters' for lunch. The prawn is big and juicy. Frankly speaking, I've never seen such big prawn in KL. And there's a wide selection of home-made herbal drinks to choose from - there's 'pat poh' (no idea what it is), nutmeg (reddish-pink drink), chrysanthemum and etc. I had chrysanthemum - Just what I need after all the durians I took. Besides char-kuey-teow, we also have yam-cake and lobak.

Later my client took me to Indian Street in Penang. We stopped at an Indian Restaurant for dinner. I had a chapatti. I still think Sri Paandi in PJ is better... as it is thinner and crispy even after some time. She also ordered 'ketuk' (if this is what it is called)... there's pieces of chicken in it.

I was rather tired and had to cancel my plan of loffering at Starbucks...which is a few minutes away. Anyway the main reason was to get a free internet connection. But that also means I will have part with at least 10 bucks.
As for today, due to limited internet connection - I only get to log in for about 30mins in total. I was of cos devastated. My total communication with my office is down. But that also means, I will be cut-off from my addiction to a forum I have been following.

My dear client took me to Pulau Tikus for some hawker food. I wanted to order 'Hokkien Mee' thinking it is the same one in KL. But before I place my order, I was informed Hokkien Mee is a soup noodle - is called prawn mee in KL. The Hokkien Mee in KL is not a soup dish. But big fat yellow noodle cooked with black sauce.

Oh Na Ra I

One of my favourite song at the moment. Listen to the song and see whether you agree with me. Just click on the link above.

Oh Na Ra I (OST)
o na ra o na ra a ju o na
ka na ra ka na ra a ju ka na
na na ni ta ryo do mou no na ni
a ni ri a ni ri a ni no ne
he i ya di i ya he i ya na ra ni no
o ji do mo ta na ta ryo ka ma
o na ra o na ra a ju o na
ka na ra ka na ra a ju ka na
na na ni ta ryo do mou no na ni
a ni ri a ni ri a ni no ne
o na ra o na ra a ju o na
ka na ra ka na ra a ju ka na
na na ni ta ryo do mou no na ni
a ni ri a ni ri a ni no ne
he i ya di i ya he i ya na ra ni no
o ji do mo ta na ta ryo ka ma
he i ya di i ya he i ya na ra ni no
o ji do mo ta na ta ryo ka ma

Dae Jang Geum

I've been caught with the Korean craze 'Jewel in the Palace'. It has been aired quite a few times but this is my first time watching it. I don't know how to describe my feelings about the show ... but I love everything about the show.... from the song to the casts.

"It is based on the story of a real historical figure (Jang-geum) who was the first and only woman to serve as head physician to the King in the rigidly hierarchical and male-dominated social structure of the Joseon Dynasty. Daejanggeum, in English, “the Great Jang-geum,” caught the attention of Korean TV viewers with its unique combination of two themes: the successful rise of a female, which is rarely covered in historical genre, and the elements of traditional food and medicine. "

I heard from friends that Korean drama are draggy but I enjoyed every episodes of it. It is a sad story from the beginning to the end (I think so... I am just at episode 12 only). The tissues seems to get lesser everytime this show is aired... lol

Why you must double-check the address you typed

A lesson to be learned from one typing the wrong email address!

A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email. Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack. The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted.

The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:
To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've Arrived
Date: October 16, 2004
I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. Sure is freaking hot down here!

Two years in the Forbidden City

It tells the story of Princess Der Ling stay in the Forbidden City. She spent 2 years serving as a Court Lady to *Lao Fo Yeh (Old Buddha).Princess Der Ling lived in France for about 4 years before returning to China. She is the daughter of Lord Yu Keng, a member of the Manchu White Bannerman who was once assigned as a Minister to France.

I have heard a lot about the Empress. Nothing good but mostly ill-natured. She was known to be evil. She kills those who defy her. One of them was Chen Fei, consort to Emperor Kwang Hsu. Empress Dowager had Chen Fei threw into a well when they (Empress and Emperor Kwang Hsu) fled the Imperial Palace. It seems that Chen Fei was helping Emperor Kwang Hsu to reform China. Something which failed and the Emperor became a prisoner of *Lao Fo Yeh.

It was also known that Empress Dowager was glad that her own son, Emperor Tung Chih was dead, so she can rule China herself. He was said to be contracted with venereal disease. She then replaced him with her nephew - Emperor Kwang Hsu and later, Emperor Puyi also known as the Last Emperor.

Princess Der Ling has nothing but praises for the Empress. To me is like, either she likes her cruelty (maybe she cruel as she is) or it is a need for her to praise her in her book. First, she said she stopped liking the eunuch when she stepped into the palace. She thinks the eunuch deserved to be punished once a while.Then she said she wanted to laugh when Her Majesty asked 2 maids to slap each other .

There's also one time when a eunuch pulled off some hair of Her Majesty while combing it - the Majesty told him to replace it and the eunuch was very frightened. He even started to cry. And what Princess Der ling said was, she almost laughed. She as a Manchu in the Imperial Palace should know, the life of any person can be taken almost immediately for the slightest mistake. It does not matter whether the person is a minister or the low-rank eunuch.

It just doesn't make sense to me. I felt stupid for buying this book now. I just bought the ebook on net for about $2. I felt sillier when I found a free copy of ebook at another website.

*Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi

Empress Orchid

I have finished reading Empress Orchid aka, Empress Dowager Cixi. The book is authored by Anchee Min. The story tells us how Orchid, a girl who was nearly married to his mentally-retarded cousin brother, who later become the most powerful woman in China.

The story is good but it ended after her husband, the late Emperor Hsien Feng died at the age of 30. I thought the book will tell me how she ruled China...and how she was feared by her son and ministers. But it just end after the burial ceremony. So now I have to hunt for a more complete book.

Anyway, here is a short synopsis of the story: Orchid was born under the Yehonala clan. Her father was the White Bannerman that guarded the Forbidden City.Orchid's father was stripped of his title for failing his duty. Later he died and the family intend to bury him in Peking. They were all staying at Anhwei.

They travelled to Peking and ran out of money.But they did make it there. They then lodged with the father's relative - called Uncle Eleven. After a while, Uncle Eleven asked Orchid to marry his son as Orchid's family couldn't pay up their lodging. Her cousin, a son of her uncle with a prostitute was mentally retarded. He was also an opium addict. At the same time, there were flyers indicating any girls who are under 17 and from the Bannerman's clan and etc, etc rules, they must register themself to the Palace. The Emperor will choose whether he will make them one of his 7 wife or one of the 3000 concubines.

Orchid was chosen as a fifth-rank wife and was later promoted. Eventhough the Emperor's had many concubines, only Orchid gave him a son. There's also a Princess by another wife but 'son' is always the important ones in the eyes of Chinese....so, whether there's a Princess or not is not that important.

After the death of the Emperor, Orchid's five year old son, Tung Chih became the new Emperor. Orchid's name became Tzu Hsi (Cixi), meaning 'kindly and virtuos' while Emperor Hsien Feng's primary five (1st rank) took the name Tzu An. The late emperor gave them the power to rule as regents (Tung Chih is too young to rule), in which both of them were given a seal each. They are called the 'partneship' seals. Any edicts drafted by the ministers, must be validated by both regents. Empress Tzu An will use her seal at the top of the document and Empress Tzu Hsi will leave her print at the bottom.

A group of royal councillors, consisting of 8 people were told to help Emperor Tung Chih with his ruling. They were called the 'Gang of 8' by Empress Tzu An. But even before Emperor Hsien Feng was about to die, they were already planning to take over his dynasty. But with Empress Tzu Hsi's brain and the help of Prince Kung (brother of the late emperor) and Commander Jung Lu, they managed to seized control of the government. The head of the group, Su Shun was supposed to suffer the traditional 'Death of a thousand cuts' (I think it means that, he will be sliced a thousand times)...he was simply beheaded. The book said Tzu Hsi asked for the beheading instead of the former but in other sources, it was written that Tzu Hsi was the one who wanted Su Shun to be cut thousand times. Both Tzu Hsi and Su Shun hated each other. Because at one time, Su Shun actually persuaded the Emperor to take Tzu Hsi with him when he enter another world. It is common at that time for an emperor to be buried with his wives, jewelleries, servants, etc, etc. To him, Tzu Hsi is a threat - Not like Empress Tzu An ... where she is more taken with prayers and keeps herself busy with embroidery.

A good read ... but the gold embossed ink of the book title is coming out. I am now reading Two Years in the Forbidden City by Princess Der Ling.