Selamat Hari Raya & Away For Two Nights

To my Muslim friends, I'd like to wish you and your family

Selamat Hari Raya Adilfitri 

and to my non-Muslim friends, Happy Holidays!!

My hubby's office is closed one week for the Raya holidays, and their annual leave deducted. No, they don't have a choice. They can't say they want to come in to work and not have their leave deducted. 

What are we going to do to amuse ourselves for one whole week? Eat, sleep and poo? Yes, that too. But besides that? 

Well, hubby wanted to go and soak in the sun along the beach in Penang. Yes, he fancies himself as a baked potato now!

As for me, I'm so looking forward to eating, eating, and eating in Penang. Oh yeah, let's not forget the poo part. Wouldn't want to bloat up and explode like a frog....LOLs...

So, Penang, here we come!!!!! We'll be leaving tomorrow morning (28 Sept), and will be back on Tuesday evening (30 Sept). Try not to miss me too much, friends.

White Cat Lost In Sungai Buloh

A friend's sister lost her cat at Sungai Buloh. If any of you see this cat below, please contact Abgraldo at http://forums.petfinder.my/showthread.php?p=12183#post12183 . Thank you.

Name of Cat : Bluereen (DLH)

Color : Pure White

Eyes : Odd eyes (Left Blue, Right Green)

Size : Medium

Blackie's Identity Card and Girls Night Out

My hubby is always telling my cat, Blackie, that he's an illegal immigrant because he doesn't possess an Identity Card. I have been meaning to get him an Identity Card ever since he was born, but due to my nature to procrastinate, I tend to hold off what I can do today to some other day.

But last night, during a girls' night out with another cat friend of mine, June, I was reminded of Blackie's lack of warganegara (citizenship) status. 

Hubby had to attend official buka puasa functions for three nights in a row, and I took the opportunity to meet up with June, whom I've never met but felt close to. She recommended that we ate at Sari Ratu Restaurant in Bukit Bintang area. 

To make sure I do not get lost, June emailed me a map to the restaurant. There, we ate, laughed, talked and basically did what all girls did when they got together. When the shop closed at 10pm, we proceeded to PizzaHut next door and continued yakking.

Twenty minutes before the clock struck twelve, the PizzaHut staff came to tell us they had to close the shop and we were chased away, like homeless strays. That was when I remembered that I had yet to get Blackie his Identity Card. So, tadaaa.......here is Blackie's MyKad...!!!

So, what do you guys think? Is it nice?.......lol.....

Mamma Mia, Mamma Mia, Here I Go Again...My My

Help! I just can't seem to stop singing this song...well, my definition of what singing is. 

My hubby thinks it's more like draging a cow up a tree (translated directly from Cantonese). Anyone ever tried to drag a cow up a tree? Or drag a cow against its will for that matter? 

Well, not that I've ever dragged a cow or come that close to a cow before, but I can imagine the moooooos of protest..........and that's what my hubby likens my singing to.... Hmmphh!!  Thanks, hubby, love you too. 

Anyway, the day that I had been waiting for finally arrived yesterday - the Premiere Screening of Mamma Mia! The Movie by Nuffnang. I made my hubby come home early (early means he gets home at 7:00pm) so that we could have dinner at 1-Utama before the show.

Nuffnang had set up a booth for us to collect our tickets. They had some cool badges, too. Hubby and I took one each.

Above: The ticket   Below: The badge

I was a little disappointed that I didn't see my friend, CazzyCazz there. I kept a lookout, and did see a hip couple making a beeline for the stairs to hall 9, but could not be sure if it was CazzyCazz.

At 9:00pm sharp, the movie began without any trailers or commercials. Yes, they don't believe in wasting the audience's time. 

And now, without further ado, let's get to the point of this post....what I thought of the movie. 

The long and short of it is, I enjoyed every minute of it, though my hubby found the opening act rather nauseous. He's not one for giddy, girly scenes to be stretched to ten full minutes. As for me, I was just waiting impatiently for former James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) to make his appearance.

I haven't seen Pierce Brosnan's movies for ages, and couldn't help drooling when he finally appeared. He has aged quite a bit, but still looked as gorgeous as ever. However, I must say I have a little difficulty with the "Don Juan" role....

I thought he looked really hilarious when he sang those Abba songs while trying to look like he has some tender feelings for Donna, Meryl Streep's character. Instead of looking passionate, tender and whatever else that comes with lovey-dovey feelings, he ended up looking like he was having some chronic constipation.

And....he can't sing. The whole cast can't sing, as a matter of fact. If you are an American Idol avid fan like I am, you could just picture Simon Cowell giving them the thumbs down. Yes, the delectable Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep and others are American Idol rejects....albeit very cute and entertaining rejects.....

Another thing.....it's not very appealing to see women past their prime prancing around with their sagging boobs showing, and generally behaving like teeny-boppers. It would have been a better movie had the producer and director gotten a younger cast, and perhaps filmed it in Copenhagen. After all, Abba is a Swedish group.

But that said, there are two things that I really like about this movie. First, it is obvious that the cast are truly having a great time, enjoying themselves despite the heat on the island (perspiration could be seen trickling down Meryl Streep's neck while dots of sweat formed on Pierce Brosnan's forehead). 

Second, you could sense the chemistry between Donna and her two best friends. They are there for her. It really inpsires you to treasure the friendships you have - I would want my best friend to remain my best friend 20 years on.

Not So Happy...

How am I feeling today? A bit blue, moody, restless and yeah, generally, not too happy. Yes, I know, I've already made my feelings clear on my Happy Meter on the right. 

I bet some of you must be wondering why on earth would I put up a Happy Meter to measure my happy or unhappy state like a temperature reader? Well, that just goes to show how bored and restless I am. 

I don't even understand myself, why I'm feeling so moody....maybe it has to do with my lack of sleep. Insomniac has struck again, and the most number of hours I slept was --- three and a half hours, and that was last night.

I think I've gotta cut back on the caffeine in the day. It's making me like this.....

Even my cat Blackie ran away from me this morning when I emerged from my bedroom looking like this.

What A Boring Life....

Well, that's what my cat thinks, when he looks at me. He thinks my life is boring, not his....lol

This is him lying on top of my desk watching me as my fingers danced away at the keyboard. He can't understand why I'm always at the computer and not lying down and enjoying life like he is....

Cotemplation is hard work, and he is now tired and ready to sleep. A cat sleeps 16 hours of the day, and can't understand why their human slaves do not wish to emulate them.

I Won The Mamma Mia Premiere Screening Tickets!!

I just checked my email, and guess what?? I received an email from Nuffnang that I had secured two tickets to watch the Premiere Screening of Mamma Mia! The Movie next Monday night (22 Sept) at GSC 1-Utama. 

Oh man, I am so happy, happy, happy!!! **Running around in circles chasing my own shadow now**

Just to give you a brief background, Nuffnang was giving out tickets to the Premiere Screening to 215 Glitterati members who posted on their blog what they look forward to in the movie....hehe, now all of you know why I posted that post titled "Mamma Mia! The Movie".......it was in the hopes of winning the tickets....!!!

Oh wow, oh wow, let me go dance a little victory dance......I'm gonna watch James Bond sing! Yaber-dee-yaber-dee-doo.

Anwar's Press Conference Live Video Disappeared

The live video that I saw at 2:20pm today has disappeared (the link I posted in the earlier post titled "PKR has enough numbers to form a new government). However, you can read his full statement given to the media at http://www.anwaribrahimclub.com/2008/09/anwar-pakatan-rakyat-ready-to-take-over/.

I wonder what happened to the video? Was it banned? But it wasn't seditious or anything, surely? Oh well, what do I know......I'm just a mixed-up, confused  housewife who can't even tell East from West.

PKR Has Enough Numbers To Form The Government

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has just announced at a press conference that he has the numbers needed to form the new government. When one reporter asked him for the numbers, he said he has more than the numbers required. 

He has asked the current government for a smooth transition of power, that they do not shred any parliamentary documents or evidence as they had done when the government lost the Selangor and Perak seat to Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat on March 8, 2008.

He also asked that the government not to arrest any of his supporters, or the MPs under ISA to prevent them from forming the government. You can watch it in www.anwaribrahimclub.com

Wow, I never thought I'll live to see the day when a new government can be formed by the crossing over  of MPs. This will be a classic case study for political science students. 

English version of Sin Chew Jit Poh

If you are a yellow banana (Chinese but can't read or speak Chinese) like me and have always wanted to know what some of the Chinese media are reporting in their papers, you'll be glad to know that Sin Chew Jit Poh has an English version which is available online. The URL is http://www.mysinchew.com/.

I'm sure the English version has been around for some time, but I only discovered this while reading Tan Hoon Cheng's report on her 18-hour ordeal under ISA in The Star. Star had, with permission from Sin Chew, reprinted the article.

Mashed Potato

Hmm.......all this talk of potatoes, mashed potatoes, fries, curry with potatoes are making me hungry. I think I'll make some mashed potato today. I just bought some nice potatoes from the market in Kepong this morning, by the way.

Lupie, this is specially for you.... :D

Ok, let's gather all the ingredients. As the recipe is my own, and I kept adding and stirring without pre-measuring the ingredients, you'll have to adjust the measurements by adding a bit at a time until you get the flavour you like. I like it really soft and smooth with a buttery flavour so I do use quite a bit of milk and butter.

5 potatoes

Fresh milk (warmed it slightly first)

Butter

A pinch of salt

Method:

1. Bring water to a boil,  with a bit of salt in it to bring it to a higer temperature.

2. Add potatoes and boil for about 20 minutes till soft.

3. Drain the potatoes.

4. Mash the potatoes with butter and fresh milk.

5. Add a pinch of salt to give it a fuller flavour.

If you don't have ready fresh milk, you can substitute with powdered milk. I've done that before.

Reporter Tan Hoon Cheng Released

I just returned home from dinner to hear it announced on telly that the Sin Chew Daily reporter, Tan Hoon Cheng, who was detained under the ISA on Friday was released at fourish this afternoon.

She is now reunited with her family in Bukit Mertajam. Yay!!! I hope she is not too traumatized by the ordeal. I know I would be, were I in her shoes.

A Housewife's Plea: Please release Tan HC

This morning, I woke up to a shock! The Sin Chew Daily reporter, Tan Hoon Cheng, and Teresa Kok were arrested under ISA last night at their homes. What for??

As I mentioned yesterday afternoon, Raja Petra Kamaruddin was arrested at his home at 1:10pm. That, I could understand, as the government has been eyeing him for some time now. But Tan and Kok? What have they done wrong? And Tan was in handcuffs like a big time criminal!!

Photo source: The Star at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/13/nation/2022372&sec=nation

Tears filled my eyes when I saw the picture. She is just an ordinary person, not a politician and was only carrying out her duty as a journalist to report on what transpired. What she wrote had to be approved by the editorial board. And if what she wrote wasn't true, why did Najib publicly apologize for what Ahmad Ismail said?

Please do not make her the scapegoat. Please release her.

List of Nicknames.........

Oops, what am I doing, posting the third post of the day? Looks like the verbal diarrhea medication I took last night was not effective. If anything, it's only making matters worse...I'm now having my third verbal diarrhea in the span of six hours!

So, let's look at the list of nicknames my creative hubby has given me over the past eight years we've been together, in no particular order.......

1. Mrs Potato (that came about from the nickname I gave him, which I'll go into details later)
2. Egg (not very complimentary, as it's to refer to my directionless self, always getting lost)
3. Squeeze (hmmm......)
5. Insomniac Vampire (gasp!!)
6. Flower (hopefully he didn't mean the world's largest flower that stinks to high heaven???)
7. Queen of the house (hmm......not sure how I feel about this)
8. Mushroom (yikes!!)
9. Mosquito Repellent (huh??)
10. Verbal Diarrhea (referring to my blog.....definitely not complimentary!!)

And my nicknames for him??

1. Mr Potato (because he loves potatoes)
2. Mr Potato (because he is a couch potato)
3. Mr Potato (yes, again, because he now looks like a potato!!!)

Oops, I'd better run before he throws a brickbat at me!!! Ta-ta everyone, until next time.... ;)

RPK Arrested Under ISA

Author of Malaysia Today blog, Raja Petra Kamaruddin was arrested at 1:10pm today in his house under the Internal Security Act section 73(1).

The arrest came at the same time as the order to the Multimedia and Communications Commission (MCMC) to re­instate access to all blocked websites, including the controversial Malaysia Today.

It is reported in the Star's website five minutes ago that the Energy, Water and Com­mu­nications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said the order was made because there were other “harsher” laws in the country, under which authorities could take action against the owners of blogs and websites, instead of blocking it.

Read more in The Star.

Movie Review: Meet The Spartans

A parody of the movie 300, this has some of the best scenes from big, epic blockbusters with a few laugh out loud moments.

It's a watchable movie if you like parodies, and are not selective about what you watch. My bone of contention is that the laugh out loud moments are too few in between. But on the whole, it is enjoyable, if you are a retard wannabe like me (hehe, disclaimer included so no brickbats if you hate the movie, please).

Those who displease King Leonidas are thrown into the Pit of Death, including Tom Cruise, The American Idol judges, just to name a few.

The sexy Carmen Elektra as Queen Margo

Hubby Calls My Blog Verbal Diarrhea!

Just now, as I was chatting online with my cousin, my hubby walked in and asked if I'm having verbal diarrhea again. He wanted to use the computer and thought I was blogging again.

First he calls it self-indulgence, now he calls it verbal diarrhea. Hrrumphh!!

So, my dear friends, today's post is simply this: I have taken some diarrhea medication and my verbal diarrhea has stopped. Until the next post, ta-ta. :)

How To Make Money From Your Blog

If you're wondering why there are so many extra widgets of late, those are opportunities for you and I to make money out of our blogs.

The PayPerPost works like this:-
i) If you sign up, you could choose from a myriad of companies to write a review of their products. The fee ranges from USD15 onwards. Your blog needs to be at least 30 days old (counting from the first entry) and must have a minimum of 30 posts.

ii) Or, for immediate gratification, if you review my post, both you and I will make USD7.50 each. To review my post, click on the PayPerPost link below. This also signs you up to post product reviews in your blog for a fee ranging from USD15 onwards.

The Sponsored Review is literally that - a company pays you to review their products in your blog.

The Bidvertiser is both a referral program as well as provides you with per-pay-click ads. But unlike AdSense, the advertisers will bid for the space on your blog, and you get to approve or decline the bids. It gives you more control on who advertises on your blog as well as gives you a chance to choose the highest bidders.

So, go ahead and click on the square logos on the right to sign up for those great programs! They pay better than AdSense.

Thanks, Lupie and Ms Kay Poh, for bringing me to my senses that I should explain what those logos are for.

Musical Breasts, Anyone?

A friend emailed the following to me today.

"Apple announced today that it has developed a breast implant that can store and play music. The i-Tit will cost between $499 or $599 depending on cup size. This has been hailed as a major breakthrough because women are always complaining about men staring at their breasts and not listening to them."

Thanks for sharing this, Tom Cat. ;)

No Room For Personal Vendetta, Ahmad Ismail...

Last night, I couldn't believe what I was seeing on telly. Ahmad Ismail called for Gerakan to leave the ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional. And to add further drama, his supporters took down Dr Koh's poster and tore it to bits and pieces.

Hello.....we know you have a personal vendetta against Dr Koh, Ahmad, but you are a politician, and you should know better than to turn a personal quarrel into a racial discord. If you have made a mistake in one of your speeches, just apologize for it. We won't think any less of you for that. In fact, we might even respect you more. All great leaders are not afraid to apologize. Learn from them.

Or, learn from Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz. Below is an excerpt taken from The Star dated September 9, 2008.

"Earlier, Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said Malaysians should not question each other's racial backgrounds and issues regarding nationality and loyalty."

Such a mature and wise outlook. She is truly the Malaysian equivalent of the Iron Lady (Margaret Thatcher of London). She really deserves all the respect I have for her.

And what is this talking about silat and tai chi, Ahmad? Are you looking for a physical fight? Why don't you just go to the nearest cyber cafe and have a virtual boxing game? Or, if that's too tame for you, why don't you pop over to 1-Utama and race radio-controlled racing cars with Dr Koh? That way, you can crash his car, overturn it or whatever and both of you would still be unharmed. You are just behaving like an unneutered tom cat, looking for fights in every corner.....meowwww!! roarrrrrrr!!

Slot Machine Tips

Ever since winning RM600 at the slot machines in Genting, I've been intrigued by how they work. Is there a way to beat the system? With that thought, I decided to do some research on slot machines and see if I could beat the machines at their own game. Yeah, yeah, I am always looking for ways to beat the system.

After an hour's crash course, I am now in a position to advise on how to increase your chances of winning at the slot machines (gasp!).

1. Money management - Don't play with money you can't afford to lose. Set a loss limit before you enter a casino. Discipline yourself and stop playing once you've reached that pre-determined limit.

2. Know the payout table - Read the pay table on the machine first. Choose a machine that offers the most winnings for the lower and medium symbol combos, because these are the ones you will be hitting most often, which consequently will keep you playing longer. Do not play a slot machine simply it has a high maximum payout because your chances of winning the maximum payout are a lot lower than winning smaller payouts.

3. Hit and run - The longer you stay at any slot machine, the greater the odds against you. The casino’s built-in mathematical advantage takes effect, which is, the longer a gambler plays, the more likely the house will win. So, do not be greedy. Quit when you're ahead.

Now you're ready to have fun! Did you guys seriously think there is a way to beat the slot machines??!! Lol... :-)

Related posts:

Spot Check At Uncle Lim's

What A Magical Holiday....Thanks To Genting

48,000 Cars Went Up To Genting In Two Days

Slot Machine Tips

Up In The Clouds & RM600 Richer

Salmon and Milk Drops Treats

I bought a couple of cat treats, Angel's salmon and Milk Drops, for King Blackie, my master, at the Merdeka Cat Show for RM7 and RM5 respectively. I haven't opened the Milk Drops yet, but Blackie loved the salmon treats and has whalloped all of them.

Up In The Clouds and RM600 Richer

It's been three days since I last posted here. I've been real busy......resting and relaxing....haha, what did you expect??

The past weekend was significant not only for Malaysia but for me and my hubby. While Malaysia celebrated its 51st birthday on 31st August 2008, my hubby celebrated his birthday and our anniversary on 2nd September.

Usually, we would take a 3 days 2 nights trip to the beach where we could sunbathe and watch the sunset, like this......
But this year, a friend took us to Genting. He is a Genting Silver Card member which gives him access into the International Room, where the stakes are higher. Since we've never been inside the International Room where all the 'movers and shakers' are, we accepted his invitation to be his guests.

There, in the International Room, we decided to play the slot machines instead of sitting at the tables where everyone was betting a few thousand ringgit per bet (we are risk averse). We were prepared to lose only RM50 at the slot machines as 'entertainment fee'. Imagine our surprise when we won a total of RM600 for just sitting around and punching buttons.

And our friend walked away RM800 richer, too. He was so delighted he bought us supper that night. Hmmm.....not a bad way to spend our anniversary. Thanks, TC, for taking us there and giving us a great time!

Related posts:

Slot Machine Tips

48,000 Cars Went Up To Genting In Two Days

What A Magical Holiday.....Thanks To Genting

Spot Check At Uncle Lim's