There’s Something About Mary

OK, honestly, I don’t know any Mary (well, except for the one in the nursery rhyme). So let’s talk about Fàbregas instead - because there is definitely something about Fàbregas and because it’s more interesting to talk about him than a fictional character with a pet lamb (those nursery rhyme fans are so going to kill me for this statement).

Fàbregas has won the Young Player of The Year award (OK so Cristina won the Professional Footballers Association player of the year award). For more, read this, this and this. And he has pledged loyalty to Arsenal too.

The star is also due to star in his own live show shortly. Cor!

And there’s something about Arsenal too which inflicted injury on the pride of relegated Derby at Pride Park. And four of Arsenal players are in the Premier League team chosen by the PFA (Fàbregas, Adebayor, Sagna and Clichy) - no Chelshit player in there at all. The next season for Arsenal starts now.

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The first time I saw him, I couldn’t stop looking. Oh, he’s not that good-looking or handsome but there was just something about him that drew me to continue staring until I realised it was bordering on being rude. He’s not my usual type of guy – OK, maybe the type I’d go for when I was doing A-Level – with his slightly long hair (then) and dark features. Funny, I thought, I never found him attractive before.

Gradually, we got to talking. It takes time for me to be comfortable to someone new (so much so some people think I’m a stuck-up) and it’s no different with him. He’s the fun and jovial type whereas I can be mistaken as serious and aloof and arrogant.

But I’m sure nothing will come out of this. Because he’s wrong for me. Or rather, I’m all wrong for him – as I am for most of the male species. OK, we are both wrong for each other. And besides, who I am kidding? It’s not as if he even fancies me.

Stop this and get on with life already.

Champ

I lost one of my anklets (yes, yet another one) on Friday and set about trying to locate it when I discovered it was missing. It had come undone a few times before but I was lucky as it happened either in the bathroom at home or in the office and I managed to recover it. Although I reported it immediately to the security and emailed my colleagues, I’m not sure if I’ll be as lucky this time. And he teasingly said he’d buy me a new one. Yeah, right. (Maybe one day I’ll blog about him. Maybe I won’t.)

What can I say, I’m a ditsy donna and I’m a champion when it comes to losing things.

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I was ready to head home Saturday noon after a bit of retail therapy at Isetan when I decided to walk over to KM Oli (Isetan no longer carry any anklet at its jewellery department and the ones at Tomei didn’t appeal at all) reasoning I was in the neighbourhood anyway. KM Oli was however closed due to power failure and after calling the store manager who assured me the store would reopen after 2 pm, I retraced my steps back to KLCC for lunch and prayers. As my luck turned out, KM Oli was having a clearance sale. That should explain why my left hand was itching on Friday. *Sigh* Being ditsy sure is expensive.

I saw the new Pepsi ad later that evening. It has my Fàbregas in it too! To see the clip, go here or here. To see some pictures from the ad, go here. (And to see the ad ‘Shuffle’, go here or here - the latter is a bit blurred though).

In the ad, striker David Beckham is a dead ringer for Indiana Jones as he dons a fedora hat and a brown leather jacket - with his name and number 23 printed on the back. Beckham teams up with five of the world’s biggest football stars for the multimillion-pound advertisement i.e., Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fàbregas and Frank Lampard. The dream team kicks the ball around a series of exotic locations, from the moon to China to ‘Nowhere’ beach.

The ad starts with Ronaldinho on a paradise beach kicking the ball about then in comes Messi who jumps and lands on the moon. Messi then kicks the ball while dodging cabs on the moon before passing it to a tuxedoed Thierry Henry who steps out of a cab on the grass-covered moon before kicking the Pepsi-themed ball into the Angkor Wat jungle for a waiting Indiana Jones-attired Beckham who then transformed into an Indiana Jones-attired Fàbregas. Fàbregas then jumps down, strums a guitar, gives a cute shrug (all together now: Ahhhh...) and knocks into a Pepsi sign. The ball reaches Frank Lampard who is seen wearing a kimono while in China (and eating too).

The team ends up on the remote ‘Nowhere’ beach - with Beckham handing out bottles of Pepsi to his dream team mates. Apparently, the Pepsi ad promotes a new social networking website ‘Youniverse’ that allows users to set up their own profile and compare their interests with the sporting champions.

What a cool advert, full of footie champs! (Note: there are no ManUre or even Liverpool players in the ad - because ManUre footie players are the ugliest on the face of earth - and moon).

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I spent Sunday recuperating and sorting out things. It was a lazy Sunday; I had a very late breakfast (at 11!) and went about leisurely with my chores as I watched Football Extra. Hence, I could not explain nor understand why I was suddenly feeling very weak while performing prayers. I struggled to finish prayers and by the end of it, my body was drenched in sweat and I had to lie down for about 15 minutes on my prayer mat to regain strength. When I went down, I stuffed myself with food – crackers, cheese, ice cream, chocolates, etc, etc.

I tell you, I’m a champ alright at champing and chomping.

Earth Day 2008

It is Earth Day today. Let’s continue to reduce pollutants, recycle more and conserve resources to make this planet a better one. We can all do our part at home, at work and even when we travel (by being socially and environmentally responsible and aware travellers).

Thoughtless People

I was at a seaside resort over the weekend with la familia. It was a good stay: the facilities were good as a whole and the weather was kind as it didn’t rain that heavily and any showers were brief and were either in the late evening or early morning. However, there were instances of inconsiderate behaviour that made me wonder why Malaysians can’t just be more civilised.

The first instance was the racket coming from the neighbouring properties with what sounded like a drunken attempt at karaokeing that Friday evening. The noise continued until well past 11 pm and didn’t seem to abate when I retired. However, I was informed that the security guard patrolling the premises would ensure that any noise level will be brought down after midnight even if it comes from neighbouring premises.

The second instance was some people’s thoughtless consideration to others. Now, there are two pools on the premises: a miniature one for the kids and a larger pool for everyone else. I first overhead my brother-in-law telling my nephew on Saturday morning not to go to the kids’ pool as there was a faint smell of urine there. Can you just believe that? How disgusting, stupid and thoughtless is that? It is a good thing that my nieces and nephew could swim in the big pool or they’d be swimming in urine-and-chlorine water. Then Akak told me that she actually saw some parents letting their children enter the kids’ pool in their diapers that evening. Even if the intention was to stop the children from peeing uncontrollably because some young children cannot tell when their urge to pee will be, surely that is set off by the soiled diapers polluting the water? Euuwww, I can’t even bear to think of it. How do parents become parents exactly? Toddlers can always be excused for not being able to control themselves and their bladders but I don’t think any parents can be forgiven for this lack of logical thinking. I’m no parent - heck anyone can vouch that I behave like a kid sometimes - but I’m sure that to stop young children from ‘accidentally’ peeing in the pool, the parents should not let the kids drink a lot before swimming, insist they relieve themselves just before going to the pool and ask every now and then if they need to pee and telling them they shouldn’t do so in the pool.

The last instance of sheer inconsiderate behaviour was when a family checked in well after 11 pm on Saturday night. I doubt any one missed their arrival as they were loud, rowdy and noisy. Unfortunately too, they checked into the unit above us and we had to endure the sound of furniture being pulled across the floor and of the booming thump, thump, thump thundering sound of children running above. Not only did they inconvenience the check-in counter by arriving late, but they were also oblivious to the fact that the others may already be asleep. Again, how do parents become parents that way? Parents are supposed to set good example to their children and admonish them from making noise after a certain hour but no, I could hear the father’s voice calling out to his children loudly when I stepped out into the corridor. Finally I could not stand it any longer and reported the noise to the security guard. We were also lodgers and we also deserved the right to the premises (and the right to a peaceful stay). Any considerate human being can understand that.

*Sigh* How do we set good examples to our children and youth if we don’t behave well and act considerately as adults ourselves?

April Showers

It has been raining on an almost daily basis lately, way after spring equinox and Ching Ming. I am probably one of the very few who actually don’t mind the rainy weather – well, as long as it doesn’t mess up my Korean drama viewing, which unfortunately it does. But I’m more inclined to blame Astro than the rain for the service disruption.

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Justice delayed is justice denied. While goodwill ex-gratia payments had been announced to the six sacked judges and their surviving families, it is by no means an apology. However, the former lord president was still thankful and viewed it as a moral victory. What a honourable and decent guy.

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Much has been grunted and squealed (pun very much intended) about the pig project. I call it the Swine Whine. Fingers were pointed and politicians-turn-bloggers were all too happy to blog about it and heap criticisms on others in their blogs (and even went as far as to sarcastically congratulate the masses for their voting choice). The mainstream media was also making a pig’s ear out of the issue until it was revealed that the project was actually approved by the previous administration (which tried to defend itself by saying the approval was only in principle) which had even gone on a study trip to Germany (on the tax payers’ account but of course) to study modern pig farming technology.

Frankly, nothing surprises me anymore.

Bragging Rights

We had an internal game of dart yesterday during lunchtime and I arrived late as I went off to run some errands first. Our group was a bit behind – my poor team mates had to cover for me until I arrived, bless them - but we soon managed to catch up and were neck to neck with our opponent team. We had twenty more points to finish when it was my turn again. ‘Finish it, Adek,’ said a chap and I turned to the board to find the slice of the board with 10 points to aim my arrow at, squinting hard and asking aloud as I tried to locate it.

I took an aim and would you believe it, I immediately hit a perfect double 10! A brief stunned silence followed before we realised that I’d won the game for our team and the next minute I was shrieking and jumping up and down! (Yes, I am shamefully capable of public self-congratulatory celebration).

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I met my mate’s teenage daughter last week – this wasn’t our first meeting – and she told my mate that I looked.like.a.kid. Oh, what a boost to my ego indeed, to be told I look not only much younger than my age but like a kid instead of an adult (and err, I do behave like one sometimes too instead of as an adult). It is one thing to hear your mates and colleagues say that you look young but it’s quite another thing to know a teenager thinks the same too.

Yes, I am vain. Pardon me, but please allow me to cling on to this feeling of indulgence for a little bit more. (That SK-II does work wonders after all if I am a living proof - and it’d better after all I paid for it!).

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I’ve always known that people have children for various different reasons – the natural consequence of marriage; to fulfil others’ expectations (parents, parents and siblings in-laws, society, spouse); as bargaining power to ensure the spouse/partner stays in the marriage (sounds more like blackmail to me); to ensure their lineage will continue; to accept responsibility for their irresponsible action (by this, I’m referring to those who have children out of wedlock); or even to save another child (think those conceived to be bone marrow donors for their leukaemia-stricken siblings).

I was reading the book My Sister’s Keeper and it made me wonder whether such an act (conceiving a child to save another) is ethically correct and morally acceptable. At the same time, it also made me realise that parents will do anything to save their children and will take any risks so long as their ill children can be made better and as long as they can spend more time with their children. But I can also understand why Anna filed the lawsuit for the right to her body even though she loved her sister.

So there are many reasons why people have children. What I don’t understand are –
- why some people have children and yet are so unnecessarily fierce and strict with their kids (I had the misfortune of witnessing some parents scolding their children angrily and loudly in public a few times);
- why some parents neglect their children (to pursue other activities, having extra-marital affairs, placing work above family, or indulging in drugs, alcohol or gambling); and
- why some parents seem indifferent to their children (too self-absorbed in own problems or feel their spouse loves the children more).

And yes, some have children so that they can ‘live’ through their children – by imposing their unfulfilled dreams and ambitions on their kids – and claiming bragging rights too by bragging on and on about their children’s achievement.

Yea, there are smug married people and there are bloody smug parents too.

Personality Test

I just did one for fun and the result is as follows:

You are the grass-fragrance type.

You have very strong will, not dependent on others and give an impression of being a lone ranger. You are extremely curious and sensual, living a clear-headed modern life. At first glance, you place yourself on a pedestal and are difficult to get along. But once others talk to you, they know you are easygoing. And when the relationship develops, they realise you are affable. You have an androgynous charm, which makes you popular with all genders. But you don’t like your weak side to be seen. You might look cool on the surface, but beneath it all, you are really passionate. Only people who know you true self can maintain a long-lasting relationship with you.

Me thinks my result is eerily close to the truth.

Never Give Up

We once had a tomcat that stayed with us, well, actually we had a few tomcats (and tabbies) but this one was ‘special’. Like other cats that came, he was a stray which somehow found his way to our house. And because Mummy never had the heart to turn them away, she fed him along with the rest. I guess he must be happy with the food and attention he was getting as he decided to stay on.

One day, he came back with his front right leg injured. Abah took him to the vet who declared that the leg must be amputated as it could not be saved. And so the tomcat came back a few days later minus his front leg, amputated all the way to where the limb started (there was no stump where the leg once was). He went on to live a relatively long life with his three legs although I’m sure it must have annoyed him that he could not move as fast as before, had to struggle to climb fences (if we saw him, we’d open the gate for him) and limited other climbing and bird-chasing activities. He did, however, seem to ‘resent’ Abah after that and pointedly showed it too by slinking away whenever Abah came into his peripheral vision or even if he as much as sensed Abah’s presence; I guess he probably felt and held Abah responsible for the loss of his leg - instead of the driver who hit him.

The amazing dog below reminded me of that cat (which is now in cat heaven). And I’m amazed, with the resilience and spirit demonstrated by the dog. The few lessons that we can learn from the dog (and my cat) that I can think of at the top of my mind are as follows:

- What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
- Never give up, even if it means doing something you’ve never done before.
- Persevere, persevere, and persevere!
- Adapt yourself to changing circumstances.
- We all (all creatures) have amazing capacity to bounce back. I’ve read of many human stories which tell of their amazing resilience, patience, strength and perseverance when tested.

True, no one likes challenges and think we can’t face the challenges but we can. God knows we can and hence He tests us and He will test those He loves. It’s up to us how we rise to the challenges of His tests: whether we face them alone or with the help of family and friends, whether we be patient and accept the tests or be angry with the test, or whether we just throw our hands and give up without trying.

I believe we owe it to ourselves and God to accept and face the tests He gives us.

Signs

... of an economic recession

I think we’ll be heading there sooner or later, no thanks to the financial turmoil caused by the collapse of the US sub-prime mortgage market and the weakening greenback. Prices of many commodities have also reached new highs in recent months and while this may be good for commodity-exporting countries, commodity importers and consumers are beginning to feel the pinch from higher commodity prices, with concerns of the impact on the poor in developing countries. Already the rising rice prices have hit poor Filipinos and other countries will also likely face food crisis. So be prepared for rising food prices coming our way.

And that’s free economic advice for today.

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... of my best friend’s visit

Of late, I’m especially and easily irritated and impatient. Was stuck in a meeting that lasted more than two hours yesterday afternoon and was impatient and annoyed with the slow progress. Oh, and I was handed a piece of work on Friday that was initially assigned to another. Like, what the heck! And while I hadn’t yet entered the moody phase on Friday, I am definitely in that phase now.

Need I say more? Stay out of my way. (A Scouser was pestering me earlier today and I practically snapped at him).

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... that nothing is what it seems

When we were young(er), we used to think we are invincible, that we are powerful, that the world is our oyster and we have all the time in the world to do things. But of course, things don’t normally go as planned. Obstacles get in the way; life throws back challenges at us and threatens to pull us down.

I got this picture from a mate yesterday. Yes, ancient, I know. It was taken about 30 years ago (can’t you tell from the clothes and UFO glasses?). My eldest half-sister is in the picture (to be honest, I didn’t recognise her the first time I saw it as I was looking for my mate instead. Yes, my mate is much, much older than me) and she must be about 19 then.

My half-sister passed away 10 years after the picture was taken and this year marks the twentieth anniversary (is that the right word?) of her passing. She had bone cancer. But in the picture below, she would always look like any other healthy 19-year old girl.

So let’s make the best of our time left in this world and prepare for our journey in the hereafter which will be more permanent.

April Fools

I’m sure most of you had read about Sufiah Yusof, the British citizen daughter of a Malaysian lady. She made the headlines previously when she was admitted into Oxford at the tender age of 13 and later when she ran away from Oxford. Now she’s made headlines again and this time, the child prodigy has turned to prostitution to support herself.

And shortly after this seemingly shocking bit of news, we hear of the foolish idiots who want to start a campaign to save Sufiah. Don’t get me wrong: this novel idea is noble enough but why does the Government want to save a non-tax payer and a non-Malaysian too – and no doubt using our taxpayers’ money for it too – when she probably doesn’t even want to be saved? When there are more pressing issues to solve in the country – drug addiction, prostitution, illegal racing, just to name a few - all in our backyard? For starters, she’s supposed to be a brilliant person so surely she knows what she’s doing. Heck, I dare say no one forced her to do it. She can easily get another decent job, like I said, she is bright enough. But she chose to resort to selling herself and she made that choice herself consciously.

I’m not against saving someone from self-destruction but I do object strongly if our monies are being used for it. I don’t care if NGOs or voluntary/charitable organisations want to go and save her but please do not utilise our taxpayers’ money. Why are we always bent on solving problems far away and not doing enough to solve domestic social issues? It reminds me of the time when the Government was busy trying to offer all kinds of financial help to the descendant of the legendary Mahsuri, who like Sufiah, is not even a Malaysian. And yet we have many of our own students who are more deserving and yet deprived of financial aid – heck some even have to drop out of school/university, some have to resort to borrowing money, and some having to juggle studying and part-time work to support themselves.

Stupid fools. I don’t know who is a bigger fool: Sufiah who chose to earn a living this way or the stupid Minister (and his deputy) at the PM’s Department. Sometimes I think the latter just wants to be seen as doing something rather than doing the right thing. Well, considering who they (the Minister and deputy) report to, maybe I shouldn’t be too surprised.

Stupid fools!!!

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Roma, which my mate and I hoped will stop ManUre’s progress, lost at home ground in their first leg of Champions League quarter-finals.

Stupid fools!!! (At least Arsenal drew with Liverpool. Oh and we’re meeting them again tomorrow and Tuesday. And Arsenal will be fools if they lose).

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I went to the nearby departmental store after office hours yesterday. There was a ‘warehouse sale’ for members and I borrowed my friend’s card to attend the sale. Only to realise when I reached the entrance that I had left the card in the office. I felt like kicking myself there and then. And to think I had to walk in the drizzle – the few rare times I go anywhere without my brolly and it had to rain.

Oh no, I’m no fool, just a forgetful ditsy scatterbrain.

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It’s been raining often of late. Some say it’s because of Chin Beng aka Ching Ming aka Qing Ming. I don’t mind the rain as it gets too hot otherwise.

Have a good rainy weekend peeps!