Langkawi Island, September 2007

Arrived Langkawi Airport at 1.20 pm and was promptly greeted by shouts from the local tout offering discount for tour packages and car rentals.

Approached a bearer whose holding a place card with my name on it….exchanged formalities, collected our baggage and made a beeline to a Nissan Serena ( 7 seater ) which I rented for the duration of my stay.

My kids were shouting in glee at the prospect of exploring the island on a vehicle which was new to them. Drove to the direction of our hotel ( Awana Porto Malai ) with HAA HAAs and HEE HEEs in the back ground.

Managed to check in to our rooms ( I booked 2 rooms ) and ushered the kids to change their baju for a day in Kuah Town.

There is nothing special to write about the hive centre of Langkawi except that its like your normal seaside town which was once a busy port. Visited the Eagle Statue where the Island Of Langkawi got its name from…took a few snapshots and headed of for some shopping activities.

Took about 30 minutes for me to locate the shops selling dried seafood, Wifey and my mum promptly parked themselves in the shop and left me with my kids….sheeesh!

They were pestering my like hell to take them to a more “exiting” place within 5 minutes. I did what they wanted just to decrease the pressure on my eardrums which ended up with me buying 2 Hotwheels car for each of them.

Had dinner at Kuah town before proceeding to the famous Langkawi Underwater World. I must admit that the fishes on show was much better than what is in the KL Aquaria. I use the word “WAS” because all the fishes in the Underwater World was poisoned ( 600 fishes died ) two days after I got back to KL. Finished the Aquarium tour in about 2 hours and immediately headed back to Awana Porto Malai for some much needed shut eye. Have to wake up early the next day because of the Island hopping activity that I have arranged.

Breakfast at the Resort was quite simple ( refer to below picture ) and nothing to write home about....buuuurp!!!

Guide picked us up at 9.30 and we were shooting off to the Island Of The Pregnant Maiden in no time. Took one hell of a hike up the slopes of the Pregnant Maiden before reaching a fresh water lake in the middle of the island. Legend has it that the lake was formed from the tears of the maiden in question. Spent about 45 minutes here before proceeding to another island sanctuary where were we treated to a sight for the eyes to behold…..feeding the eagles.

There were hundreds of them flying around in the sky within minutes of our arrival. The boatman then started to throw pieces of chicken meat into the sea which propmpted the eagles to dive bomb and pick up the meat using their talons…..pheeew!

My kids were oooohing and aaahing away and I nearly followed them before realizing that my mouth was in the open position. This is one activity that I would fully recommend to future visitors and readers of my blog….worth every single cent that I paid.

Last stop was Pulau Beras Basah ( Island Of Wet Rice ) for swimming activity. We spent one and a half hour there before heading back to Langkawi Island for some more swimming activity in the resort swimming pool.

Kids were pooped out by 3.00pm was was sleeping like babies before I woke them up at 5.30 pm for dinner at Kuah Town. Mum and Wifey did some last minute shopping after dinner because I plan to spend tomorrow lazing about at the resort before our intended flight home.

All in all it was a splendid trip for the family….wifey and mum enjoyed themselves going shopping and bargain hunting….kids enjoyed themselves with swimming and torturing me….I enjoyed myself watching them enjoying themselves. Would like to end this post by saying that Langkawi Island is a place that I hope to revisit in the near future.

2 every1 his/her OWN………….

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Lives And Times

Recently read an unhappy post regarding a suicide by someone close to my cousin...again please accept my sincerest condolences and May The God Lord Look After His Blessed Soul.

This post is not to elaborate about the person who committed suicide but to address the statement that was made in the said post, which is:

"Men are more prone to suffering from depression" or something along that line.

I for one, do not agree that men are more prone to depression because:

1) I know a lot of women who suffer from depression
2) I know a lot of men who suffer from depression

I know that it is not fair to rebutt statements without any hard evidence but I am still of the stand that the sufferers are equal in men as in women….so there.

For me, a good avenue of releasing one’s pent up anger or frustration is a must to avoid any onset of depression….that’s why I sometimes "F" like mad in my blog. People who don’t know me or do not understand me will most probably think that I am always losing my cool or blowing my top for no reason whatsoever but I can assure you that its not for "no reason" at all, on the contrary, its for my good. Aptly put, it’s a way for me to maintain my calm and focus on everyday life. Let’s face it, most of the problems faced by humans nowadays are 80% work or business related ( I might be wrong but I seriously doubt it ).

I also understand that not many can relate to writing as an avenue to voice out one’s discontent AND not many people I know are in favour of blogging…hey they might be right in their own way huh…..2 every1 his/her OWN.

Talk to someone dear…call friends anonymous…go drinking with friends…go for a massage…frequent a prostitute if you must BUT FIND AN AVENUE TO LET LOOSE or you might end up going bonkers or worse.

Please do not get me wrong, I am not encouraging nor implying that it is right to frequent prostitutes or go on a drinking binge to escape from ones problems…..but if you must then you must…here again its 2 every1 his/her OWN.

Me, I talk to wifey cause:
1) she is my wife
2) she is my best friend
3) she understands me like no one else does
4) we have ESP ( not scientifically proven )
5) I love her and I cannot bear to see her or my kids living without me

By saying that, I would also like to add that for now I do not have any bloody plans to commit suicide even if I am broke, treated like a dog and down on my knees begging for food.

Anyway, if I die,

I will die with the knowledge that I have done my best for my family, my best being a husband and a parent.

My best, as a son to my Parents.

To my Brothers, my best as a brother.

To my friends, I hope that they believe that I have done my best being a friend and a brother.


2 every1 his/her OWN………

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Time After Time

After all the grumblings and uncountable scoldings that was unleash onto me for not taking them anywhere this school holiday, I finally found some time today ( Saturday ) to bring my family to 1 Utama ( I have my bloody company to thank so much…THANK YOU, THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH ).

We left the house at 10.15 am and reached the dang place by 10.30 am and was caught dead smack in the chaos caused by vehicles trying to enter 1 Utama’s carpark. There were arseholes that were trying to cut the queue, morons who don’t know how to drive, bumbling buggers struggling with their shift sticks and the typical Sunday freaking drivers. All in all I managed to bloody crawl into the car park about 30 minutes later.

Thank God because I was bursting inside to scream obscenities not so much at the bumbling idiots but mostly at the queue jumpers for their assistance in elevating the chaos ( they were lucky not to kena kaukau for my kids were in the car ). Upon entering the car park, I drove straight to my favourite parking area and found me a sweet and safe spot for my baby.

The crowd was building up by the time I got in to the concourse area. There were some mini exhibitions held around the complex that were specially setup for the holidays. People were jostling and pushing to see what was on offer ( OFFER? Offer my arse! ), babies were crying, promoters shouting at the top of their voice, DIGIMAN was trying to cope with the amount of people trying to take photos with him ( and to fondle his arse as well )…in short, total pandemonium…..woooohoooo!!!

Made a beeline to Kidzsport at the old wing, registered my kids ( RM23 buckos each ) and let them loose. Wifey, my mum and me went jalan-jalan for some look see. Came back after 2 hours to pick the kids up and took them for lunch at TGIF. Ordered the special set meal they had on offer ( 1 entrée, 1 main course and 1 dessert for RM 39.90 ) and was happy to see that the kids wolfed down the lot ( total RM155 )..kekekekke

Ended up at the ground floor pet shop cause my youngest kid was making hell of a fuss for a pet. Bought him two Syrian Hamsters ( RM18 bucks each with 50% discount on the 2nd hammy ) and a hamster “house” that cost me RM120 buckos ( with it came some hammy food and bedding ). During the whole time my eldest kid was engaged in catching some fish ( 3 minutes for RM 3 buckos ). The staffs told me that he could take home whatever fish he caught. He ended up netting about 100 plus fish in 9 minutes…shit!!!

Luckily my kids wanted to go home immediately after satisfying their wants. Reached home about 30 minutes later, set up the hammy house and poured the fishes in 2 fish bowls and 2 aquariums. Kids were poofed out and were dreamland not before long.

All in all my damage for the day was:

RM 1 – parking
RM 46 – Kidsport
RM 155 – lunch
RM 147 – Hamsters and hammy “house”
RM 9 – fish
Total damage = RM 358.00

Uncountable – time, frustration and happiness

Verdict = should find/make time to do this more with my family…worth every single blooming cent to see the happiness that was on their face.

2 every1 his/her OWN…………..

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How ar? Where ar? Can ar?

Been talking with a few of my colleagues about a trip that we are proposing to take but the question on everyone mind is…WHERE TO GO?

We cannot go to places where there is no “halal” food
We cannot go to places where things are too expensive
We cannot go to places where there is no shopping
We cannot go to places where site seeing is the only agenda
We cannot go to places where there is racial discrimination
We cannot go to places where we will be treated like terrorist
We cannot go to places where the price exceed RM2500 per pax

With the above restrictions, we can only aim for places in Asia or South East Asia only. Transatlantic tours are out of the question liao….sheeeesh! AIIIIYOOOOOOO....manyak susah woooh!!!!

So the question of WHERE CAN WE GO remains………

JAPAN – I have been there and its just too bloody expensive but the chicks are damn nice!

AUSTRALIA – Bloody nice country, not much problem with “halal” food. Exchange rate is ok. Shopping aplenty, sightseeing and attractions aplenty. Most of us have been to Melbourne, Perth and the Gold Coast.

CHINA – Been to Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian and Haerbin. Exchange rate quite good but “halal” food not easily available. Shopping activities are a plus factor. Sightseeing is mainly on historical sites and artifacts only

KOREA – Been to Jeju, Mount Sorak and Seoul. Exchange rate not that favourable especially when one tries to shop. Attractions are ok only lah. Difficulty in locating “halal” food. “Soju” daaaamn cheap and always in high mode most of the time…hehehehehe

INDONESIA – Been to Bali, Jakarta and Medan ( does Tanjung Balai Karimun count? ). Exchange rate ok. Price of shopping goods quite favourable. Attractions aplenty. “Halal” food no problem.

THAILAND – Been to Pattaya, Phuket, Chiangmai, Bangkok, Hadyai and Patyau. Shopping haven for most, exchange rate still considered ok. “Halal” food easily available. Attraction value ( apart from the sexy shows and whatever that got to do with sex ) ok only lah.

VIETNAM - Nice place. Exchange rate ok but they prefer USD. Shopping haven. Chu Chi Tunnels tour a MUST. Attractions so and so.

MYANMAR - Have never been there. Any comments on this country?

PHILLIPINES – Have never been there. How is the place? Ok ar?

HONG KONG– Never been there and don’t particularly fancy the place.

For me, anywhere is ok as long as I don’t have to pay a single cent for the dang Sports Club trip because I am planning to take my family as well....4 for the price of 3 ok loh..hehehehehe

My immediate headache is Christmas 2007. Talked to wifey and came to the conclusion of spending Christmas somewhere where there is lotsa SNOW....so, I have to start cracking my noggin' from today onwards...kekeke

Neways, a trip to Pulau Lang Tengah ( next May ) is already on the cards for me and my family…..WOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!


2 every1 his/her OWN…………..

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Happy Birthday To Me

Another year passed….another year older, hopefully wiser….

Just came back from yumcha with the gang and waiting to greet me was wifey….she gave me a BIG kiss and a hug coupled with the wishes of “Happy Birthday”…yup, today is my birthday..

I like to spend low keyed birthdays..nothing fancy...dinner with the family will do. The difference about my birthday year is I get to blog about it and my parents.

Parents who sent me to La Salle primary and parents who said nothing when they knew I was playing truant during Form 6 at Maxwell Secondary. Parents who bust their butts off trying to give me a good education for a good head start in life…parents who were kept apart because of our financial situation due to the economic downturn in the 80s.

We were staying in KL but my Dad had to be in Penang because his Salesman position ( he was 3M Malaysia’s GM before he got retrenced ) entails that he be in charge of the Northern Area. He rented a RM200 per month room in Ayer Itam and sent back RM500 for our expenses here. Till today I still don’t know how in the world he could survive with Rm100 left in his pocket….thanks Dad.

Mom would be slogging like mad giving daily tuition lessons. She would be rushing home from Jesus Caritas Kindergarden like a mad woman where she was teaching pre school ( still is ) to prepare our lunch. We would come back, gobbled lunch and hit the sack without even a simple thank you. The tuition crowd will start coming in about 3.30 pm everyday and would last till about 8.30 pm. In between the chaos, Mom would find time to prepare our dinner and check on our school work.



Both Mom’s and Dad’s income would then go towards sustaining the monthly household expenses. I remembered a year where Mom cried because she did not have any extra money to buy new clothes for us for CNY…she didn’t even have any money for Ang Pows…..I secretly cried in my room for 2 nights.

I am glad that my siblings and I have been through the hard times as it has taught us to “Hang Tough” and "Dig In" but how I wished that my parents didn’t go through it because of us. I have made a vow that I will NEVER, EVER let my parents OR my family go thru the shit again….no matter what.

Today being my birthday is nothing great…without my parents there is no Jamie or my brothers. My birthday wishes every year is automatically dedicated to my parents and siblings albeit an extra addition for my family this past few years.

Thank you for being great parents, thank you for giving me the chance to be in this world, thank you for all the sufferings that you guys had to endure and thank you for giving me the chance to be your son.

The most importantly is…..a million sorries if I have hurt you guys at any point in time……

You guys are the greatest…I dedicate this and all future birthdays that I may have to my parents....THANK YOU…


2 every1 his/her OWN…………………..

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