Christmas 2007

Woke up today morning by mum and this Christmas is far the weirdest I have had. Spent a whole morning vacumning the inside of the car with Mum's new power vacumn cleaner. Didn't realise that the 11 year old Satria's inside is SO DIRTY! Had to change the vacumn cleaner's water twice and each time, it looks murky foamy brown water. Bro was the expert on using this new vacumn cleaner. Even the piano was not spared of the cleaning process. It received a new coat of polish (bright and beautiful now).

Then, Ah-Choo and her family came to make "tang yuen" (sweet balls) which took forever to make because her 2 children were more of a hassle rather than helping. I think good intentions in this case ended up in more work fore everyone. At the end, the "tang yuen" which took half a day to roll and cook, finished in less than 10 minutes.

Dad took to painting the scratch marks on the Satria (courtesy of Hoey Sheen as a new driver). Didn't realise the car had that many scratches. But now, the car looks as good as new through the workmanship of brushpainting cannot be compared to those of airbrushing.

It's 4.10pm now so I wonder what will happen through the day. Sheen is still at Pastor's house, cleaning the place after the Christmas Party for the youth last night.

Indecent Exposure

Yesternight, after having the instant noodle which I was craving for since Penang and while I was watching MTV, I heard thudding sounds from my backyard. Feeling lazy, I decided to ignore the sounds but it became more persistent. Finally, I turn my head to the left to see what was the source of the sound. My heart froze.

I saw a man throwing stones at my backyard window to get my attention. That wasn't the scary part but immediately, I recognised the familiarity in that man's frame and behaviour of throwing stones. This was the man who indecently exposed himself to me approximately 6 months ago at the same location.

Approximately 6 months ago, while I was studying for my LLB Part 2 in the dining hall which had a 3-frame window facing the backyard. With my back to the window, I was engrossed in my studies and suddenly, a stone whizzed past me and landed within a short ruler distance from me. I turned around to see a man throwing stones and calling out, "Mel".

Thinking that he was Mel's friend, I went to the backyard to open the wooden door to speak to him. His first words were, "Is Mel around?"

I said, "No, Mel is not around" which was a big mistake because I just revealed that I was home alone. He, then started to whank himself in front of me to which I promptly close the back door. My heart thumping and my hands shaking, realising that I am home alone and worried for my safety. I called Koko Mike and Mel to come home immediately which they did. Having searched the neighbourhood, they couldn't find him. No surprise, he probably would have bolted knowing that I made a call to friends.

Yesternight's incident relived that fear again. The fear of knowing that my sister is coming to stay with me and might be home alone freaked me out. Knowing that Mel will be travelling out most of the time and will not be returning early scares me. Realising that this pervert is observing my timing at home scares me. Bad enough I had a brush with a stalker not too long ago and now, I have to deal with a serial pervert which seems to be targetting my home.

So much for a boring life with all these happening within such a short time frame.

Learning To Trust Once More

When the heart has been wounded again and again in the same spot, each hit slices deeper into the same wound, making the wound impossible to heal. The wound bleeds continuously and one day, it bleeds dry and the heart dies.

My heart was wounded this way by someone I loved and after a year, I plucked up the courage to even considering dating once more. The final cut left an invisible scar which acted as a warning against loving. Till now, the scar remains and reminds me of the pain that I went through not too long ago.

Many advices came and left their messages imprinted in me. One of is that to love once more is to trust love again. How does one trust easily especially after the immeasurable hurt? There is no easy way out. Never to trust love is never loving again. And by doing that, I'm taking my own chance to find love.

"Take that step to love. You can't live your life avoiding trust and love. Make that baby step and with each step, you will learn to trust love more and more".

I took that baby step, only to find out that the baby step is not an easy step. There are so many hurdles that I have to face in order to leave my comfort zone of "not-trusting love". Its easy to say that I should trust once more but in reality, it takes a lot of emotional strength to face the fear of hurt. My first step is already wobbly - how shall I proceed with another step?

Family

While reading the article below, tears welled in my eyes to feel the truth of our own selfish ways. A simple truth - we don't show the people we love that we love them. I read this article twice and on both occasions, I cried because I felt so guilty. Guilty of doing the same to people I love. My heart wrenched in pain as I struggled to feel the hurt that my loved ones felt when I scolded them, vented my temper or frustrations on them. Innocent victims of our own selfish need to release our disappointment, frustration, irritation on something or someone. Why the people you love?

A reminder to myself - NEVER TO TREAT MY LOVED ONES POORLY

Family

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,
"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in
a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss
for the rest of their lives.

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
into work than into our own family,
an unwise investment indeed,
don't you think?
So what is behind the story?

Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

Habitual Claims

Each one of us has a childhood habit which we would resume whenever at home or in need of comfort. These habits don't go away even till one turns middle-aged and I find that quite interesting. Some of the habits I have seen:

Rubbing on cotton puffs that appear on bedsheets
Smelling a stinky old pillow which is covered in drool
Feeling the apex of pillows, collars or anything sharp
Chewing on lips
Cracking of fingers
Digging of nose wax and eating it
Touching the upper cleft of the lip

This is rather common among Malaysians and I wonder why? It is because we adopt this sub-consciously when we see our parents doing the same? I don't remember what are my parents' habits but each one of us children has a habit. Our parents tried to stop us initially from the habits but eventually, gave up trying for it seem harmless to them. In a weird way, having a childhood habit is comforting whenever one is sad, lonely or misses home provided it is not disgusting.

Fighting Sleep

Nodding head, watery eyes, spinning mind, slurring of speech (sounding more like speech impediment), aching neck and slowness of action. These are clear signs that one needs to sleep but young people (I mean teens and young adults) try to fight sleep frequently. I wonder why?

Right now, I am sleepy but I'm struggling to stay awake. Time is precious and to spend so much time sleeping is a waste. That is my only reason. As a result of this reasoning and habitual fighting of sleep, my body has adjusted itself to minimise sleep. Hence, the puffy and dark eye bags which have taken permanent residence under my eyes.

Hoey Theen

Giving Up Its Soul

"NO! Please don't die on me now. You are my lifeline to the world outside. You kept me informed on the latest news and made me a part of the world. Without you I would die, too."

Those were the last words I uttered to a dying friend. I was devastated to know that his time was up as I struggled to accept this sad truth. Nevertheless, he had been a faithful friend for the past 2 years. To think that his time is up, it is indeed a difficult passing for me.

My SAMSUNG mobile has been my life partner in these years. Going through thick and thin with me, he is now aged, physically worn out and handicapped in many ways. After dunking in toilet bowls, dipping in drains and falling from great heights, this faithful friend survived all challenges.

Finally, he has reached a time where he lost his eyesight. No longer able to see text, my friend can now only see lines. All numbers and words are lost. Just like Van Gogh, his eyesight deteriorated to a point it has become an abstract world to me. I can no longer see the world through my friend's eyes and as such, it is time for retirement.

Arranging for my friend's retirement is almost like a death sentence to me. My connection to the world has been cut. No outgoing calls or messages. I cannot even read the incoming messages. Alone since his death, I relunctantly seek a new friend to replace the void I feel. My search revealed many potential friends but my shortlisted friends are only the SAMSUNG touch screen or the SONY ERICSON W300i. Which shall I choose?

I like both but I can only manage 1 friend at a time. Before I choose my next friend, I would rather mourn the death of my old faithful mate. A sad goodbye, my mourning days will last till my sadness disappears and a new friend reappears.

Hoey Theen

Robbed of Innocence

While watching television with her uncle, a child of 5 was asked a peculiar question, "Can I put my hands in your panties?" The child didn't know if that was ok or not and the uncle just shoved his hands in. The little child then felt it was wrong and that she was very dirty. No amount of cleaning could make her feel clean again. The thought haunted her whenever she is alone. She, then only realised it was wrong but why was it wrong?

A young child exposed to molestation is a common societal problem yet many choose to deny the ugly truth because they do not know how to deal with it. The difficult part of acceptance usually deals with the person committing the crime. This is usually a person close to the victim and family. Closeness is associated with acceptance into the family circle and trust in that person. An act of molestation breaches this very trust and the familiarity surrounding this person. How does a parent deal with the change in reality? Many choose denial as the safest route or postponement as a way of buying time before dealing with the situation. Both can be detrimental to a child.

In the case study above, the child took another 14 years before telling her parents the truth to protect her younger siblings. The mother took the news in tears and started to take precautions for the safety of the younger ones. Words of comfort and offers of counselling were given. While the father took the news silently and never spoke a word of it to another.

What does this mean to the child? The act alone left scars of guilt, fear, pain and doubt in the child. Even though, by no means was this the fault of the child, she didn't know this and yet these negative feelings settled in a child as young as 5. The child was forced to learn to deal with these emotions at a tender age and took on the responsibility to protect her siblings at a price. The price of innocence and trust. The child could not trust any man as easily as before and this affected her relationships. The child, now a grown woman, has to face the ghost of her past even till today.

The moral education today should include an area of study and that is the right of a child. Not that I'm condemning the current syllabus but it should include a variety of important common knowledge such as rights to one's childhood and preservation.

Parents should take not be afraid to ask the child occasionally if he/she is uncomfortable with any adult and why. Such a question will open avenues to what the child is experiencing. In conclusion, a traumatic experience such as molestation leaves a life-long scar on any child and it must be addressed and allowed to heal for the victim to resume a normal life.

Hoey Theen

Obsession with Slimness

"I Need To Slim Down"
"I'm Too Fat"
"I Must Lose Weight"

Sounds familiar? I said the same something along that line and I was literally shouted down by loads of people. This obsession with keeping thin is not an uncommon syndrome, believe me. A lot of people worship this mantra and it is forever on their lips however, like most mantras - we are paying only lip-service to it. NATO (No Action, Talk Only).

Some of the interesting dieting programmes:

• Eat only vegetables and no meat. This diet only applies on working days. No dieting on public holidays or weekends.
• Diet before CNY to lose weight and eat as normal during CNY

Dieting programmes only work if one combines it with exercise and discipline to keep off fatty foods (Jojo definitely cannot be on a diet after the porky meal).

My toning mantra:

• Less Carbs
• Less Fats
• Less Sugar
• Jog on Alternate Days
• 200 Crunches on Alternate Days

Does it work? YES! It does. Don't believe me...try it out for 2 months without eating more but cut half of what one normally eats and TRusT me! This thing really works.

Hoey Theen

Finding the Right Fit

2 days ago, I pondered over a dress I was going to wear to a friend's wedding and I skimmed through my current collection. Sadly, nothing met up to my expectations. The dress must not overshine the bride for she is after all, the princess of the night, and the dress must not be so plain that it doesn't complement me. My current collection is rather boring to me because I've seen it so many times. Some are too extravagant to wear to a wedding while some are just too casual. I contemplated whether I should get another dress ie from Topshop or Miss Selfridge. At this point in time, I fancy a pom-pom dress but I have yet to see one in the shops.

I asked myself, "Why all this trouble to dress up?" Knowing myself, I don't dress up for weddings on 1 simple ground but this time, I'm making the exception to dress. Maybe because I haven't been playing dress up for dinners for a long time or because a certain person might be going. Maybe. Unless I see the right dress, I doubt I would get myself another dress. I'll probably save this for a date. Hei! Come to think about this...I have a lovely dress which will be perfect for this wedding night. Something that won't scream yet lovely enough for me to appreciate the dress. Found the right fit.

Finding the right fit triggered my mind on another issue, "Marriage". Many people mistaken temporal passion for love and thinking that they have found the 'right fit', they marry, only to find out that the partner is not the 'right fit' during the marriage. Is love so elusive that people nowadays cannot recognise it? I am tempted to say that emotional immaturity in young marriages increases the chance of finding the wrong fit but this temptation will hold no ground, for many seasoned marriages resulted in divorces, too. I'm more inclined to believe that finding the right fit in a life partner starts with crushes which develop into love as defined by the desire to remain commited to one another.

So, how do one know if they have found the right fit? Not an easy task but one thing is for sure, when you found the right fit - you will know it at once that you would want to be with that person for the rest of your life. Eternal love in a marriage is knowing that you cannot live without that person and both will work to make it last. Who said love was easy? Falling in love is easy, remaining in love is not easy.

So many friends and family made the mistake of associating sex with love. I call this lust and it is definitely not love. Lust induces similar emotions as crushes and infatuations but it is further propelled by hormonal desire. Thus, it is often mistaken as love. Western values of pre-marital sex which was frowned upon by our Eastern families, is now prevalent among the society. As such, increasing the cases of abortions due to unwanted pregnancies. 15 minutes of pleasure and a lifelong commitment ensues. All I can say is that 'Think before You Do".

Hoey Theen

Falling Sick During CNY

After sleeping for what felt like a million years this CNY, my eyebags have finally disappeared and I don't look so trashed. But knowing my schedule, I think this is only temporal till my work begins. Reality has its interludes of rest.

With so much sleep, I thought this was going to be a restful holiday. Instead, I fell sick. Here are my signs and symptoms:

Nose is runny so I made loads of "wantan"
Left ear feels congested and pressurised so I'm a bit deaf there
Left side of the throat feels like a knife has been stuck there permanently
Stomach ache in the middle of the night, depriving me of peaceful sleep
Diarrhea (needless to describe this torture)
Lethargic to the point I sleep more than usual
Sudden loss of appetite
Head feels pressurised and feverish but no fever
Cold when everyone else is feeling hot

All in all, I feel like an invalid and super miserable. I can't even have my orange juice (my usual comfort drink when I'm sick) because its too cooling for my cold. Mum was great in trying to make me feel comfortable. Shall I visit the dr or not? Right now, I can still handle the symptoms but in the middle of the night when I don't have enough sleep and feel miserable, that is when I need medicine most. My fav line, "I'll think about it".

Hoey Theen

The Fascination of Fashion

Women and men alike spends precious dollars on the latest seasons' collection only to wear it for a year or 2 before it is chucked aside in a corner of the wardrobe. The fashionistas would only wear it for 3 months before the season ends or risk social ostracisation for being outdated. Like it or not, many of us would rather put on a piece that would garner praises and admiration from peers than to allow an old garb drap our bodies. Even accessories and make-up should reflect the season's latest colours. To the least, either the accessories, make-up or clothes must be fashionable if one cannot afford a complete set.

Why the desire? What is fashionable? Has society taught us that being fashionable means following what is dictated by a niche group of designers? These designers will hold no power over the society if society doesn't grant it the power in the first place. Amongst these designers, a power of struggle ensues for market domination. Who gets the bigger piece of the pie? Who is more popular among the society? Further enforced by the globalisation of mass media, "fashionable" is an optimal condition desired by the society with rewards of admiration from peers and confidence in self.

Not denying that I myself is a victim of wanting to be fashionable, I find myself subjected to the same desire. My vanity has led me to buying loads of clothes and shoes. Some which I have not worn yet. I spent hours watching "World Fashion" to see what is in the latest season.Though a fashion vain-pot, I am not one to throw out outdated clothings. I believe these designers set the pace of what is fashionable but personal style is an element which makes fashion unique.

My favourite styles are those which are simple in cutting which requires the wearer to make the dress stands out. Simple yet incorporating a touch of ruffles, lace, or an outstanding element ie collar, belt or sleeve. A cross between demure and confidence, romance and reality - that is what I deem personal fashion.

Hoey Theen

Infatuation, Crushes and Love

Signs & Symptoms

• Sweaty palms that doesn't dry no matter how many times you wipe it on your skirt.
• Mouth that suddenly becomes dry and no amount of saliva can seem to make it normal once more.
• Heart pumps so fast and hard that you wonder if anyone can hear it. In fact, it sounds louder than the music in the car.
• Sudden shyness which makes you do stupid things.
• Time stops and passes so quickly. Don't know how this happens but it does.
• Heart brims with happiness every time that person emails, sms or calls.
• Constant desire to be in that person's presence.
• Blushes whenever that person is being discussed or mentioned by friends or family.

Definitions

Infatuation : Foolish or all-absorbing attraction
Crushes: Intense short-lived infatuation
Love: Best described in the 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

"Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth.It always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. Love never fails."

Case Study: A girl likes a guy and experiences the above signs and symptoms

Which of the 3 conditions is the girl experiencing?
Can it be that the beginning is always an infatuation or a crush which can develop into love if the other party reciprocate?
How does one differentiates real love from a rebounded crush?
Love is beyond mere feelings, it is a condition which demands the whole self to be "in love" and not just the heart.

Hoey Theen

It is OK to be single

Is it such an amazement that I do not have a BF at the age of 27? That seems to be everyone's question when I visited my relatives this CNY. I see the look of wonder on their faces each time I answer "no" and it makes me question myself, "Am I normal?". I think I am normal considering that I am quite contented to be single at this point of time. The perks are definitely interesting now but no...people still highlight that its not normal. Somehow, society has defined normal as having a BF in your mid-20s and those who do not are given looks that say "poor thing".

Even dad and mum get worried at times. Mum resorted to telling me that I shouldn't be so picky while dad told me to go for social outings more often to meet new people. Friends are setting me up with their single friends. What is this? Am I such a SAD (Single, Alone and Desperate) case?

Are my expectations for a dream guy too difficult to achieve? Some said yes while others wish me luck because they never saw one like that. My sis asked me to list my criteria in a man and once I started rattling away, she stopped me at mid-point and said, "I think you are asking for too much. I would also want a man like that". I'm beginning to think that I'm joining the ranks of spinsterhood.

On the other hand, some friends remain so optimistic that I would find my Mr Right in time to come. Maybe they are right...that time will come or has it arrived(*wink*)?

Hoey Theen

Weird Remarks During CNY

Of Boyfriends and Girlfriend

Auntie: How old are you?
HT: 27
Auntie: When are you getting married?
HT: I don't even have a BF, how to get married?
Auntie: Is your bro dating?
HT: No
Auntie: Are your sisters dating?
HT: No
Auntie: Why isn't anyone dating in the family?
HT: I don't know?

Dad had been visiting Mum's 5th sis for the past 28 years and that sis asked:

Auntie: What is your name?
Dad (in surprise): Tony

Recognising Relatives

Dad: We are visiting 2nd Aunt
Children: Who?
Dad: My 2nd Aunt, your grandma's sister
Children: Who?
Dad: The one who stays in Tmn XXX
Children: Who?
Dad: The one who stays in front of the playground
Children: Oh....yeah....that one

Dad: We are visiting "A Bak Chik"
Children: Who?
Dad: One of your relatives on grandma's side. We always visit them. Remember, the boys are about your age.
Children: Who?
Dad: The one who always serve us mee siam with mushrooms and longans
Children: Oh....that one.

Dad: Next stop is Uncle Cheah's place
Children: Who?
Dad: He was my landlord for many years when I was a bachelor. We visited his house last year.
Children: Who?
Dad: The one who always makes us 'Top Hats (ala Pai Tees)'
Children: Oh...that one.

Hoey Theen

A Stressful and Sleepy Year of the Boar

Of all the CNY, this one is the most stressful one because I drove my housemate's car. The pressure of handling another's car hung heavily over me as I manouvered this giant car. Surprisingly, this car is very comfortable to drive. Got me thinking that I might want to consider a saloon car insteaad of a cute and dashingly striking red MyVi. Dad's car statistic revealed that red cars get into more accidents than any other colour. I wonder why? Still...I'm determined to get the red baby. Anyway, my history of accidents is legendary so...why bother to change that perception though I HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT FOR OVER 2 YEARS.

I slept a lot this holiday, too. Maybe my body realised that it has been sleep-deprived and knowing that this is holiday season, it just gives up being energetic and decides to rejuvenate. I slept literally everywhere; in the car while waiting for my parents, in my relative's house, at home while everyone is changing clothes for dinner and immediately upon reaching home in the night after visitations. I'm still sleepy now even though I have slept for 8 hours last night.

Back to CNY, here's how it went:

CNY's Reunion Dinner

Hungry people who waited patiently for the glorious feast that was prepared by Mum, Hoey Theen and Hoey Lit. Mum did the curry rendang chicken and fishball soup, Hoey Theen did the kicap manis fish and vege, while Mum supervised the cooking of the chicken pong teh. The cooking went smoothly except for the little beige scavenger who kept hovering near the stove for scraps.

Visitations

Getting ready for our visitations...means we wait and sleep on the bed while mum puts on her makeup and dad waits in the car.

Playing cards with Cin Cau (oops... I mean Chin Hao)... Btw, getting Chin Hao as your partner in the game of 'Bridge' is as good as losing, parents and relatives catching up with each other in English and Hokkien (the part which lost most of us and we zoned out elsewhere), making uncles and aunties serve us drinks and entertaining ourselves.

When Bored

Out of boredom, we took photos of our silhoulettes, played with Cookie and Duchie though they were more interested in car rides, being juvenile and lazing.

That's CNY in Malacca for us. Did I mention that it was sweltering hot there and constantly inadequate food as no shops were open. I was in constant hunger and sleepiness throughout the trip but thanks to my parents' desire to ensure their offsprings are well-fed...all I had to say was "hungry" and I'll get food ASAP.

Hi's and bye's

Come get to know me,
I am waiting,
Let's connect.

I hate merely hi's and bye's,
Be around at least,
So we can be friends.

Hoey Lit

Photojournalism

Director Leon is very happy that war is over!

Sweet Kenneth praised my photography skills for Saturday. Apparently, I should switch my course to photojournalism:) with such good talent for a first timer convering the Hall Play event "Letters from the Frontline". I was emcee cum part-time photographer.

On the other hand, my emcee skills are not that impressive, the curtain was nearly knocking me down when it was closing. Who cares? Great show.

Gotham Penthouse's Boys

Po Ling and Wan Yi have been planning a clubbing trip to Ministry of Sound for one year. It was never fulfilled until yesterday. So there was a bevy of girls out on a Wednesday night. Ironic, Po Ling felt guilty and said " Can I bring my lecture notes?" ????? Well, it will be cool to study in a club.

At 12 am, we went into Gotham Penthouse to catch the Odessey - a dance act of 5 hot guys from Johannesburg (imagine a bulkier Backstreet Boys that dance but don't sing). Initially we thought it was a strip show. Thank goodness it wasn't. I would have grossed out.


Hoey Lit

Risk ...Reward

The higher the reward, the higher the risk.


Hoey Lit

The tennis match that we lost.....and that sucks.

Yesterday, Wen Yan and I played tennis doubles against Eusoff Hall. Though we were leading by 8-3 initially, we started making mistakes and gave the match to them on a silver platter. Damn. I should practice more.

My intelligent racquet deserves a more skillful owner.


Hoey Lit

the static age

I like the static age...have been listening to their "cherry red", "vertigo", "blank screen" and etc. Described as a post dance punk band, they are a quiet bunch of people. The music is never loud but it has a pulsing gloomy yet fun melody. Their music makes you reminiscense about the past yet imagine about the future.
Beware, listening to it more than 5 times makes the band intolerable.

http://www.purevolume.com/thestaticage

Han Yang just gave a half-paralysed zebrafish to Po Ling. The poor fish was injected with transgenic gene to induce paralysis during ecology class, the paralysis will last for a few weeks. Apparently, the fish's two other buddies committed suicide by jumping out of the aquarium. Sigh...all in the name of science and education, even small fish are suffering.


Hoey Lit

Be An Al-Cheapo Valentine

NEWS RELEASE
A BORING VALENTINE? I DON’T THINK SO

BANDAR SUNWAY, 18 JAN - Every February, across the country, chocolates, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of Valentine’s Day. Be an el-cheapo and win yourself a Valentine’s gift for your loved ones without spending a single cent. Steps to becoming a cheapo:

1. See cheap looking 4x8 board beside the Concierge
2. Choose one of the gifts in the board
3. Borrow the pen from the Concierge. Don’t bring your own
4. Mark on contest form provided by the Concierge
5. Remember, fill in all details or you won’t get your al-cheapo gift IF YOU DO WIN
6. Keep the pen and walk off, pretending that you didn’t hear the Concierge Assistant calling you to return the pen.
7. Do not return to the Concierge

By the way, as with all contest, the fine prints indicate that you have to spend a minimum of RM100 in a single receipt to qualify for this contest. Our advice is to dig the rubbish bin to find any unwanted receipts and use that to participate in this exciting contest. Better still, stand by cashier counters and grab the receipt before it is given to the customer.

To the sponsors, you are mentioned because I have no choice but to put your name here. I have no intention of giving free publicity as this is work for me and no benefit at all BUT I HAD NO CHOICE!

______________________________________________
Media enquiries, please contact

Ms Loo Hoey Theen
Senior Public Relations Executive
X Group Sdn Bhd
Tel: 03 7494 31XX
Fax: 03 7492 62XX

Christmas Pics with Cell

Hot Chickies of the Kuku Cell

(Shocker Award of the Year goes to Min Litt for that outrageously HOT zebra-striped dress and boots, Glamour Queen Kim shines in her dazzling PINK necklace)

Me and my little Bro (no doubt the cutest guy in town that night and coupled with the SUPER SMART tie and suit...he is out to melt hearts)
(Kuku Cell Chickies in their Christmas garbs) Lian Khin looks deliciously pretty in that black and white dress. Someone needs to get her a cute guy to match the pretty gal.

Growing Pile of Work

After 5 days away from work, I thought I would have a good holiday and break but mana tahu, my neck is already aching by now. I have loads of work to do but somehow, I can't seem to finish my work. How I wish I can just tumble into bed right now and snuggle in the warmness of my comforter. Then, turn on the night light to watch a happy, romantic comedy. I'm not in a mood for any negativity right now because I'm super TIRED and STRESSED!

My ways of DE-STRESSING:

1. A bath tub filled with warm therapeutic essence (rose for feminity, sea minerals to refresh, wisteria for pampering, strawberry for sweetness).
2. A box of Ferrero Rocher and a cold citrus drink in front of a romantic comedy.
3. Lying on the bed with the lights off and a GOOD CD.
4. Harry Potter's 7th book and the handphone OFF.
5. Shopping and actually getting good deals.
6. Everyone disappears and I get the piano to myself.
7. Aromatherapeutic massage (not greedy but 4 hours will be great).
8. Writing articles on topics that I'm passionate about.
9. Cleaning up the house.
10. Rearranging my cubicle.

Shopping For Slacks

Woke up early to jog but couldn’t get any of my sis to wake up at 9am. Looks like I had to wait for them to wake up. PIGLETS!

Finally, I got the last piggy to wake up because we had to get Hoey Sheen a pair of new slacks for her job at the kindergarten. She had lost so much weight that all her pants look too big for her which is a good sign coz she is beginning to look pretty. I can’t wait for the final completion of her slimming diet.

We decided Tebrau City was going to be our shopping destination because MNG, TopShop and all were having sale. After 5 hours of walking, we finally decided on a pair of army pants for Hoey Sheen and she looks great in them! She now wears a size 8 for Dorothy Perkins (which is the smallest size) and I bet a few weeks from now, she will be wearing a size 8 for TopShop (right now, size 10 for TopShop).

Hoey Lit … she got herself a pair of super tight jeans which accentuates her ass nicely. Lucky her. I look like I’ve got a flat ass when I wore the jeans. There goes my chance of getting any other cutting besides Levi’s. Being this thin is no fun when it comes to finding clothes. Whoever said that it was easy to find clothes, PLEASE! Come and try to be me when shopping to experience “depressive shopping syndrome” (DSS) – a disorder that is triggered by the impossibility of finding the right skirt in the right size or the unavailability of size for the preferred design.

Thank goodness I didn’t have to endure DSS this time because I got myself a G2000 blouse (a beautiful and green collared blouse with soft glowing lines and chiffon lining). Can’t imagine what I’m describing? Its just a collared G2000 blouse but I’ve been eyeing this piece since last year and I can’t believe that its going for 50%!

While we trying out clothes, one of us had a brainwave for each to buy the same baby T and wear this for family outings. We never wore the same outfits since we were young and we got super excited over this.

Our aim: To wear this baby T in our individual style and make it look GOOD!

When we got home, the first thing we did was to try out the baby T in different styles and the results – fantabulous!

Hoey Sheen : Playful, cute and cheeky charm with her usual style of “carefree-ness”

Hoey Lit: Casual chic with style

Hoey Theen: Still haven’t decided on the combo because all my clothes are back in Subang.

To see the results of this “Sisterhood Baby T” fashion statement, stay tuned for more updates or better still, catch us LIVE at FGT’s Sunday Service this week.

Countdown to 2007 with CSI

3, 2, 1….zzz…zzz… that was what I was doing during the new year’s countdown. Tired after staying up late the night before and spending a whole day with the family. All of us were watching CSI Season 6 (the whole series in a night) which was quite fun, between channel surfing on our new satellite channels. My favourite which incidentally was also Hoey Lit’ fav is the World Fashion Channel which features the latest trends in fashion. Next was Trace TV, a channel similar to Malaysia’s MTV and Channel V but this is European based. Poor Dad and bro had to endure our endless fascination with fashion, criticism of “ugly” designs and raves about those that we like. I guess we only found out that they were bored when we heard Dad snoring in the background.

Hoey Sheen went for her countdown party after our New Year’s eve dinner which was the fabulously delicious “pong teh” chicken and “chai sim” soup. Dad cooked and I was supposed to help but I slept through the afternoon. Must be sleep compensation after all the deprivation earlier this month. Living on barely 5-6 hours of sleep each day and sometimes, less has a very tiring effect on the poor mind.

In the afternoon, all of us went to Willy’s new house in Mount Austin and the house was ideally nice for a couple or young family. Gated, clean, spacious, plenty of parking space, cooling and quiet. The best part – it was superbly reasonable at only RM190,000. Can’t imagine getting a deal like that in Subang – MISSION IMPOSSIBLE! We didn’t get our chocolate fondue as promised by Kok Peng, but we had chocolates instead during our gossip session (as usual for girls) while the guys had a gala time shouting over their Playstation football game.