Sepang Gold Coast

Prodded by CazzyCazz's post in February this year, we finally managed to check out Sepang Gold Coast a few Sundays ago. 

So, what is Sepang Gold Coast? Any connection to The Gold Coast in Australia? No. Sepang Goldcoast is a 4621 acres of seafront land mixed development project spanning 22 kilometres out to sea.

The entrance from land

It is a mixed development with residential, retail and restaurants, in the shape of a palm tree. The "trunk" of the palm tree is Sepang Walk, and will be lined with retail shops. If you missed the last water cab from the ferry terminal to your home, it is a long walk to your villa at the top of the "trunk". If you live here, you certainly do not want to stay out too late into the night.  

Golden Palm Tree Water Villas

The Water Villas kind of made me nervous about pirates, though. It is easily accessible from the sea if you have boats, ships or yachts.

Easy access by pirates or tsunami

The actual Palm Tree under construction

A closer look of the construction

Although the "trunk" and "branches and leaves" aren't ready yet, the base of the trunk is. There are a few restaurants where you could eat and enjoy the sea-breeze or sunset.  

Other things you could do at Sepang Gold Coast are archery, bird-watching or simply sleeping on the beach.

Archery

Bird-watching

It takes two to rock the baby to sleep  :)

Or, just stretch out and sleep if you don't feel like talking to the wife  :)

Some Funny Pictures From Pakistan

My uncle forwarded me some funny photos today, and here's a few that I found hilarious. Enjoy.... :)

Neno's Award....Thanks!

Lazzybunny has forwarded me this award to cheer me up, after a rude awakening by some less than scrupulous business people. Thanks, LB, that's very sweet of you.  :)

The award came with this mission :

* As a dedication for those who love blogging activity and love to encourage friendships through blogging.

* To seek the reasons why we all love blogging!

And it comes with some rules!

* Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it

* Don’t forget to mention the person who gave you the award

* Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging

* Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like

* Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post

Why i love blogging?

Hmmm......got to put on my thinking cap for this lor.......oops, cannot find my thinking cap, will my broken glasses do??? 

Broken glasses on and thinking.....still thinking.... :D

Ok...got it! I love blogging because:-

* That's the only time I can put on my glasses and express my intellectuality.

* It's great to be connected to other pets, and to share tales of our exploits or of our slaves.

* It's quite eye-opening, to read and learn about things that the mainstream media would never publish, that is, from those blogger friends who blog about life's happenings.

* And lastly......my blog serves as my diary, useful for recalling events or situations in my life....yeah, it's my extended memory cells..... :)

And this award is forwarded to these friends whose blogs have never failed to put a smile on my face:-

1) Sillylupie

2) Celena's World

2) A New Love Found

3) An Accidental Travelogue

4) CazyCazz

5) BabyZee

Now that's out of the way, let me stop my slave from using the toilet. 

Yeah!! She has nowhere to place her feet, hehe. 

Removing Wu Travel

I am removing Wu Travel banner from my blog as they have yet to pay me. When they approached me to place their banner ad on my blog, they said they would pay me within TWO days of my putting up the banner ad.

More than a week has passed --- it's almost two weeks now, and they have yet to pay me. I've emailed Stella twice, and there is no reply from their side.

This is so different from the beginning, when they wanted their ad on my blog. They respond within a few hours, but now, after having placed their banner ad on my blog, they have chosen not to reply my emails.

So....Stella and those in Wu Travel, I have removed your banner ad until you deposit the money into my Paypal account.

Updated on 31 August 2009
Still no reply nor any payment from Wu Travel. They know about this post, but I guess they have chosen to remain mum.

Unanswered questions from day one which should have warned me:-
Claim #1: They said even if those that came from my blog did not buy on the spot, but bought from them later, they can track because of the cookies they placed in the person's computer.

My question: How do you track that when most browsers removed all cookies when you close the browser?

Claim #2: Even if the cookies are removed, they can track by ISP.

My question: My ISP code changes each time I log online. The modem resets and look for the next available ISP. Also, when you switch internet services, you'll have a completely different ISP. So, how do you counter this problem of the same user not having the same ISP all the time?

Blackie's Onboard Signs

Two packages awaited me today when I opened my mailbox. They are gifts from Clement, a friend in Penang who makes onboard signs and sells them on the internet.

The first one is a DIMB Petfinder Award. To find what this award is, check out this link.

Custom-made Onboard Sign

This second one is a private bet between Clement and myself. We had a private game and if Clement won, I would buy him a drink when he visits KL, and if I won, he would give me a Black Label Limited Edition.

Black Label Limited Edition

Aren't they beautiful? So, if you guys see a car with either of this sign, you know it's me behind the wheel. Just give a short, soft honk and wave at me, yeah?  :-)

If you'd like to order these signs, just visit Clement at www.petmysite.com

Britain's Got Talent 2009

Britain's Got Talent was created by Simon Cowell, the Pop Idol/American Idol judge in 2007.  Britain's Got Talent 2009 kicked off on 11 April, and there will be seven audition shows on consecutive Saturdays before a week of nightly shows so fans can pick the two finalists to battle it out on 30 May 2009.

And one of the contestants, Susan Boyle, is someone worth watching......I must have watched this yuotube clip at least 5 times today! I saw Les Miserables when I was a student in London, and Susan Boyle is definitely another Elaine Page! Or maybe even better!!

A must-watch..!!!!!  

The Disappearing "Werewolf" Moon

Last  night, or was it early this morning, depending on how you interpret the clock, while standing at our balcony, sipping our hot Milo (our tradition before we turned out the lights for the night), hubby and I felt that the moon that night was rather interesting.

It reminded us of those moons in movies where men turned into werewolves. Hurriedly, I set up the tripod ---- the secret to taking good night scene photography. 

Unfortunately, by the time the tripod was set up, the moon no longer resembled a werewolf night moon. However, we did capture some interesting shots, within 5 minutes, before it disappeared from view.

Life Is Grand

The Fluffies has sent me an award...... I'm not sure how I'm supposed to go about doing this, but I guess the first thing to do is to copy the image and the rules & paste them here. 

The 'Life is Grand' Award comes with these rules:

• Give five reasons why you think life is grand
• Pass it on to 5 more blogs

Why life is grand? Hmm....let me think....

1) A bed that I call my own, although I'm kind enough to share it with my slave. 

2) My very own sofa

3) Anything that my heart desires

Slave: What would you like? Milk or warm water?

Master Blackie: Milk, please. Shaken, not stirred

4) An obedient slave

Slave: Here's your milk, shaken, not stirred, as you requested.

Master Blackie: Put it down between my paws.

5) A safe window ledge to watch those silly birds from

Hmmm......is that all? If so, I'm gonna sleep now.

Snore...zzzzzzzzzzz

And I'd like to pass the award to.....

1. Vivien 
2. Clement
3. Nana 
4. Lizzie 
5. Yan Daniial 

Great Books At Reduced Price

Last weekend, Payless Books had another one of their warehouse clearance sale. This time, it's held at the YMCA, Brickfields, KL. Their sale is known to be way better than other major book retailers like MPH, Times or Popular Bookstore.

So, on Sunday, after Qing Ming, hubby and I popped over to the YMCA. I bought the following eleven books at a total of RM50. Cheap, huh? 

Three Hard-cover Fiction for RM18

1) "O" is for Outlaw by Sue Grafton

2) The Cat Who Brought Down the House by Lilian Jackson Braun

3) The Cat Who Smelled A Rat by Lilian Jackson Braun

(no. 2 & 3 are a Jim Qwilleran detective story where a male cat, Koko, has an uncanny intuition that can tell right from wrong, and frequently sniffs out the evildoer)

Three Hard-cover Fiction for RM20

1) The First Wives Club by Olivia Goldsmith

2) Dangerous To Know by Barbara Taylor Bradford

3) Midnight by Dean R. Koontz

Five Paperback Fiction for RM12

1) First Avenue by Lowen Clausen

2) Op-Center by Tom Clancy

3) A Game of Spies by John Altman

4) I'll Be Seeing You by Mary Higgins Clark

5) Dixie City Jam by James Lee Burke

No doubt some are old books, but hey, with newer paperback fiction being sold at RM32.90 to RM34.90 each, it wasn't possible for me to read all the books written by every single favourite author of mine when they were first made available. And I do gobble up books like a camel gobbles up water.

Qing Ming in Malaysia

Yesterday was Qing Ming. In China, people visit the graves of departed family members, sweep the tombs and plant trees at the grave sites. They also celebrate by flying kites, singing and dancing. And they do this on Qing Ming day itself.

In Malaysia, people start visiting the graves of the dead 10 days before Qing Ming, and continue doing so until 10 days after Qing Ming. In Malaysia, there is no singing or dancing parties, neither are there kite-flying or planting of trees. 

So, what do Malaysians do at Qing Ming? Well, a picture is worth a thousand words, so I'm just going to be economical and post pictures instead.

An onslaught of incense and candle smoke greeted us upon our arrival.

Saw a family overcome with emotion.....must be their first Qing Ming.

Mini "planter-boxes" (sorry, don't know what they are called) were provided by the temple for devotees to sacrifice food and burn joss sticks to the dead.

Where are those people going, with joss sticks in hand?

Hmmm.....let's follow them.

Oh I see.....they are going upstairs to call the dead from the columburiams to come downstairs and eat the food they have brought.

A close-up look at the food....some brought beer, too!!

And.....if there's a prize for the most expensive offering, this family should get it. A roast pig!! Wow, the dead has better food than me....Lol..!!!

While the dead is munching away on the food, the living is taking a rest under the shade. My mother-in-law told me that the dead has finished eating when the joss stick has burned out.

And what is this?? A city council dumpster on fire??

On closer look, it is paper cars, paper money and paper clothes being sacrificed to the dead. 

Some families wanted to make sure those offerings get delivered to their departed family, so they wrote their names and address on the boxes. Well, that was what they told me when I asked them about the yellow paper with Chinese writing on the boxes. 

It was also a hey-day for the beggars who lined up the roads & pavements at Kwong Tong Cemetery. In anticipation of a good day, they came armed with huge, plastic containers (about 10" in diameter). They weren't disappointed as their bowls are filled to the brim with RM1 notes. I saw them bunching up the notes and stuffing them into their pockets to make room for more donations. Too bad  I forgot to take a picture of them. It was hot and the smoke was getting into my eyes, and I was getting a bit grumpy.  :(

Fast & Furious 4 is ON April 2

 

Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reteam for the ultimate chapter of the franchise built on speed. 

Ok, Nuffnang, hand over the tickets to the Premiere Screening NOW!!  :)

You Can Make A Difference

It took a post from Sillylupie to make me realise that I can make a difference to the numbers of abandoned or stray cats by vouching and recommending for pet shops that have a heart. 

And you can make a difference, too, by only buying from these pet shops. And shun those petshops that buy and sell pets, especially pets without certificates, because:

1)their pets are housed in very dirty and unhygienic condition 

2)you would be supporting the irresponsible backyard breeders and kitten or puppy mills

One pet shop that I know and support is none other than Home Pet Food & Care. Although Jimmy, the owner, is a Maine Coon breeder, he does not sell any pets in his pet shop. He is a VERY RESPONSIBLE and SELECTIVE breeder, and will only sell his cats to you if he knows you, or if he's comfortable with you.  That is why you could never buy his cats from his pet shop.

But most of all, Jimmy rescues strays off the streets of Sri Petaling, and house them in his shop. He feeds them with Royal Canin, a super premium cat food, as well as multi-vitamins and immunity boosters if the cat's condition calls for it. He gives them the best care & attention that he can until permanent, loving homes are found for them. And he is very thorough in questioning you to make sure you are genuine before he gives away the rescue cats.

I have personally seen with my own eyes how he fed the booster and multi-vitamin gel into a 6-month-old kitten that he had rescued. He had taken this kitten to be spayed as its heat cycle was very frequent. After the procedure, the kitten did not eat for 2 days, despite their attempt to tempt it with various canned food. I was so touched to see how he was so concerned about the cat.

So, please support Home Pet Food & Care because their profits goes towards helping the strays. Thank you.

Their address is:

No. 41, Jalan 1/149J

Bandar Baru Seri Petaling

57000 Kuala Lumpur

Tel No. 03 - 9059 3191/3192

N.B. This is not an advert, nor am I receiving any payment in kind for posting this.

Police, Robbers, What Is The Difference?

Yesterday morning I went to the flea market at Amcorp Mall again. I had ordered a daun limau purut plant from Danny, the plant guy, and he said I could pick it up that day.

There, Danny told me that he was stopped at a roadblock that morning, and relieved of over RM100 by the police. He said he was taking his driver's license out when the police saw his money inside his wallet and asked that he handed over his wallet. The police then removed all the money inside before returning the wallet to him.

Danny asked the police what he's going to do if he needs to buy petrol on the way. The police ignored his question and just waved him away, saying "pergi, pergi".

This is outrageous. Isn't the police supposed to protect the civilians? Instead, the police is robbing from the very people they were sworn to protect. Who is going to protect us from the police then?

How Bad is the Economic Situation Out There?

It is definitely very bad !

In fact it is getting from bad to worse.

Just see the sign below:

Ironmaine The "Golden Retriever" Cat

We all know about Golden Retrievers and Labradors as retreiver dogs. Dogs that retrieve and fetch. Yesterday, I had a chance to witness with my own eyes a cat that retrieves. It likes to play fetch with its owners.

Presenting the "Golden Retriever" Cat, Ironman (but spelled as Ironmaine), the 6 months old Maine Coon kitten that belongs to Jimmy of Felis Wonder Cattery.

You can hear my naughty friend's voice in the background telling Ironmaine to take my bag and all the money in it.  :)

Ironmaine relaxing in his nursery after a tiring game with us

The sire: GC, DW Nascat Super Charged 

a.k.a. Charger of Felis Wonder Cattery

photo credit: Felis Wondery Gallery & PKL Photography

Jimmy, thanks for the great time E.Jin and I had there.  ;)

Pasar Kutu & Homemade Soaps

Pasar kutu??? Yes, pasar kutu, or....as I have literally translated from English......flea market. 

Well, actually, a flea market is called pasar lambak in Malay (at least, I think so), but I really think it's more fun to call it pasar kutu, as in, a market of fleas. hahahaha!!!

Anyway.....yesterday, hubby and I popped by the flea market at Amcorp Mall. The flea market operates from 10am to 6pm, Saturdays & Sundays. A table rental is RM30 on Saturdays, and RM50 on Sundays. 

Although the flea market has been around for years, this is only our second visit there. Most of the vendors are retired people selling antiques, stamp collections, old black & white photos, collectibles like coal irons, records, record players and even magazines dating from 1960. And some items that are so antique that I couldn't quite figure out what. 

There was a table that sold homemade soaps, which the vendor claimed he made them himself. Now, that really got me interested, as I love homemade soaps made from natural ingredients. 

But at the same time, I was puzzled, as from what I understood, lye, a basic ingredient in soaps, is not available to the individual. Only large organisations like Palmolive could buy it as lye falls under the poison or hazardous category. So, how did the vendor make his soap? Did he import lye from Indonesia?

His answer was no. In fact, he had never heard of lye, even after I spelled it out for him. He said he did not use lye, and does not know what lye is. So, how? To satisfy my curiosity, we bought a scrub bar that he claims is what people use to make their skin fair. Hubby wanted to look as fair as me, so he was sold immediately. :))

This is the soap we bought. It's RM5, and the vendor said it could last 3 weeks, used on a daily basis. The ingredients are: curcuma aromatica extract, rhinacantus nasutus extract, palm kenelate, perfume (essential oil), glycerin & water. 

Hmmm.......no lye. The ingredients don't mean a thing to me. Hope my cousin, the soap-making expert, could help me understand the ingredients better.

I also bought a pot of plant for my mum. Blackie my cat & master had chewed my mum's precious plant until it is all gone, and my mum had been moaning the fact that it's not available anywhere in KL, not even in the nurseries in Sungai Buloh. She was beginning to think she would have to make a trip to Penang to procure this plant.

It costs only RM5, and the vendor said he grew it himself in his own garden. It is an indoor plant and must not come into contact with sunlight. Hope Blackie will leave this plant alone. So far, he hasn't noticed it yet. :))

Plasma TV Just Got Bigger!!!!

Yesterday, while scouring around an electrical shop at 1-Utama, we came across Malaysia's largest plasma TV.....103"!!!! And the price? A whopping RM220,000!!!

But the picture quality is not as sharp as the 50" plasma TV yet. It will take some time before the technology catches up, I think. 

Wish I can afford such a TV, but then, I'll probably have to upgrade to a larger house to accomodate such a huge TV....hahahah!!!

The 103" TV made the 50" look like dwarves

A zoomed in view of the price tag

Only RM3 For A Valentine Movie

This Valentine, we decided to do something different. Instead of the usual Valentine dinner that we opt for every year, we set out for a quick & simple dinner followed by a movie.

We hadn't quite made up our mind as to what to watch yet when we arrived at Star cinema in Kepong, and was pleasantly surprised to find that there was a Valentine promotion.

It's Lovers' Special - Share a movie at only RM3 per ticket, and the movies for this promotion are Wall-E and Mamma Mia. Although Wall-E was screened in the cinemas last August, we missed it as hubby wasn't too keen on watching a lovestruck robot chasing his paramour across the galaxy. 

But since Saturday was Valentine, and love is in the air, as Lupie said, it was the right time to get hubby to be mushy and catch Wall-E.

And hubby's verdict after the end of it? He enjoyed it! Yay!  :))

Synopsis: What if mankind had to leave Earth, and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off? After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL*E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL*E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile, WALL*E chases EVE across the galaxy and sets an adventure into motion. Joining WALL*E on his journey across the universe is a cast of characters including a pet cockroach and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots.

Extracted from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910970/synopsis

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

To my darling hubby, cousins & dear friends:

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! 

MAY YOUR LIFE BE FILLED WITH 

LOVE & HAPPINESS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Curry Prawns

Yup, I cooked that. I wanted to cook it during Chinese New Year, but the prawns were being sold at RM45 per kati. Mind you, not kg, but kati. 

So now that the prawns are back to their regular price, I can enjoy my curry prawns again. This recipe was passed down from my grandmother to my mother, and now to me, and as you know, in grandmothers' days, it was a bit of this, a pinch of that.....yup, no measurements used.  :)

The ingredients are simple: lots of fresh and dry chilli, some onions, garlic, lots of shallots, lemongrass & belacan (ground together), gingerbud flower, daun kesom & assam. 

We like it real spicy, so the proportion of chilli was very much higher than the rest of the ingredients. Oh yeah, not forgetting the prawns and ladies' fingers a.k.a okra.