Doreamon

Frontal

As a kid, I adored Doreamon, the blue robotic/mechanical cat. He belongs to 小熊 , who attracts bullies like the light attracts bugs.

Winking

Doreamon has a penchant for saving 小熊 from the bullies, by withdrawing cool gadgets from never-ending pocket. Who could forget the helicopter cap, or the desk that transcends time etc etc?

I'd imagine I was 小熊 and Doreamon's my pet. He'd run with me when we're chased by bandits and just as they're about to kill us, he'll fish out a cool WMD from his pocket and totally pulverize them!!. haha

That's probably why I have imaginary chats with my soft toys.

Look at his cute tail

OMG to see Doraemon in the flesh is like a dream come true. Too bad the pics were meticulously stolen from the wife's friend's facebook that obviously doesn't belong to me.

So cute

/me relishes my childhood. I'd spent hours on end lapping up every single story of the blue cat.

In those days, a blue cat is all it takes to keep a boy happy.


Technorati Tags: Doraemon

If tomorrow never comes ....

If tomorrow never comes...

If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in more tightly, and pray the Lord your soul to keep. If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and kiss, and call you back for just one more.

If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise, I would tape each word and action, and play them back throughout my days If I knew it would be the last time, I would spare an extra minute or two, To stop and say "I love you," instead of assuming you know I do.

So just in case tomorrow never comes, and today is all I get, I'd like to say how much I love you, and I hope we never will forget. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today? For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day That you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss,
And you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear, That you love them very much, and you'll always hold them dear. Take time to say "I'm sorry," "Please forgive me," "thank you" or "it's okay". And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.

© Norma Cornett Marek ~ 1989

Everyday I'd come in to work, and keep looking at the watch, waiting for the time to go home. I'd peek at the calendar, fuck it's only tuesday, another 3 days to go. Always waiting for the weekends to arrive. When its sunday, I'll feel depress and be looking forward to the next weekend. This viscious cycle goes on continously. I'd feel that time flies by pretty quick. It's already the 8th month of 2008.

But what I fail to realize is that, I spent so much time waiting, for that next weekend, that next public holiday, that next event that I forget to actually live "this moment". I'd be secretly wishing that time would fly, hell I'd skip a few months if that's what it takes, to our next trip back to Malaysia.

Take for example our wedding receiption next year. I'd treat all the planning, the venue selection, the invitation card making as a chore rather than a pleasure. I'd hope that everything gets done ASAP so that everything will be in place for the actual event. That's so wrong! All that planning & arranging etc etc is actually part of the fun of the receiption. They should be partook with a happy attitude rather than a reluctant heart.

Too much emphasize on the results, and never enough on the process.

My point is, to stop glancing forward to the future ... and start living the moment. What are you doing right now? Probably something boring and mundane and tedious, something you do everyday but take for granted. Sweeping the floor? Massaging your dear's back? Cooking dinner?

Ask yourself one question, "What if today is my last day?"

You're back from work, your kids want you to help them with their homework. Fuck it! I'm so tired from work and still need to be bothered with their homework. What if they're killed in a car accident tomorrow? Will you still find helping them with their homework a chore?

Your aging mum wants you to accompany her to the clinic for her monthly checkups. Damn it! It's the weekends I still have to waste time at the clinic. What if her liver transplant few weeks back was rejected and she passed away the next morning? Still a waste of time?

....

Live life like there's no tomorrow, and you'll have no regrets in life.

....

I know I will.


"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

- Kungfu Panda


Technorati Tags: Tomorrow, time

SKYDIVE @ Sydney

Gathering spot

After chickening out on the Bungy Jump in Macau Tower, I was adamant to follow through on this, to redeem my self esteem.

I'd never expected it to be so soon due to price constraints and I ain't rich. But sis and ym gave the go ahead and I figured it's better to have company, lest any misfortunes happen.

On the bus

We gathered at the office in the CBD before departing to the drop zone in a van. After a 45 mins drive, we ended up in wilderness, in the middle of nowhere.

With 1 of the instructors

Was rather suprised at the bareness and unkept of the place. A couple of wooden single storey buildings in the middle of a large field with an tiny airplane parked beside it.

Notice how the instructor's suit is torn at the knees? I was having a bout of queasy and nervousess at this point. But hell I've paid $100 deposit and no backing down.

Wind out south is queer, same wind blows ym's
face in one direction and mine in the other

Our group of about 20 jumpers were too large for a single flight. We were on the 2nd flight, giving us ample time to iron out our fears, have a cup of coffee and just tour the area.

On the other hand, it amplifies the nervous factor because we had to wait. And as we all know, waiting is damn agonizing.

Pftt.

The plane

Beware of dropping objects

I wonder if they comb these fields for dropped valuables? I wouldn't mind getting smacked in the head by a mobile phone or a diamond ring, but I'd get really aggitated if it was a boot.

Gearing up

Finally, the announcement on the speaker for us to gear up. Slightly frantic now, legs are wobbly and heart seems to be dropping into a never-ending abyss.

We had a brief orientation on how to position our bodies during the drop and touch down. We are tandem-jumping with a qualified skydiver strapped on our backs. (AUD$260)

Parachute

This is where I got introduced to Phil, my partner to jump. I was fiddling around with the parachute atm and he came up to me and said, "Don't play with that or it'll fail, we'll be using this one for our jump".

We went for the dvd package for an extra $100. So check out the video:

Scariest point - Him sitting on the ledge and my entire body is hanging in the air before we jumped. We experienced 60 secs of freefall and 3-4 mins of gliding and view after the parachute opened.

We jumped at 14,000 feet, that's the [QUOTE] highest altitude we could go without donning special equipment. [UNQUOTE]

Here's an animated review of the jump courtesy of YM.

Relieved

Certificate

So i did it! I jumped out of a plane and survived!



Technorati Tags: Skydive, Adrenaline, Sydney

Sushi Samurai (Pyrmont)

Main Entrance

We had a department luncheon a couple of weeks back our reward for our decent performance for last financial year's figures.

Quite crowded

The usual Japanese greetings "Irrashaimase" greeted us as we entered the establishment. The chef and workers seemed to be predominantly japanese.

The interior is comfortably decorated with japanese wordings on the wall & subtle lightings. The shop is small and was slightly crowded especially during the lunch hour crowd.

Samurai Seafood Salad - $9.80

Generous portions of salmon, tuna and kingfish sashimi plattered on a bed of salad dressing and covered by a sweet syrup and tobiko. If heaven had a taste, this is what it'll taste like.

Samurai Chirashi Sushi - $15.80

Tuna, salmon & kingfish sashimi served on an oyster/mussel shell. Sliced raw cuttlefish placed in a bowl with ikura on top. The raw seafood had the taste of seafood freshness, with a tinge of sweetness.

Premium Wagyu Beef Steak Yakiniku (Teriyaki Sauce) - $12.80

The teriyaki sauce which flavoured the beef was overflowing with flavour. The beef tasted pretty much like your regular beef. Paled in comparison with the rest of the dishes.

Deep Fried Prawn Dimsum - $7.80

Fried to perfection, the sweetness of the prawn oozed through the crust as our teeth sunk into the dimsum.

Pork Belly Peking Duck Style - $12.80

We ordered the entree with only 4 pcs. It was definitely not enough! The tenderness of the belly melted as it met our salivating orifice. OMG it was truly delicious. There's a stamp "trademark" on the dish in the menu, aptly so!

Teriyaki Salmon - $16.80

The salmon was sweet, tasty and so scrumptious that it will convert a vegetarian to a carnivor. The flavouring seeped through every inch of salmon flesh, ensuring every bite is returned with a big grin on everyone's mouth.

"Absolutely brilliant" - says George.

Main Tempura - $18.80

Battered fish, prawns and assorted vegetables.

Sushi Main - $19.80

Me, Ping, Nigel & George (Left - Right)

The whole experience was exhilirating for our taste buds. It's very rare to come across an authentic japanese shop that offers food that's so good - people will abstain from sex for it. The total bill came to $120.

After every company meal, I will convey my special thanks to the company's coffers for making this luncheon such a success.


Technorati Tags: Sydney, Japanese, Pyrmont

I Killed Someone

I had a dream the other night. Which was weird cause I'm not much of a dreamer, except when I day-dream at work. The thing about my dreams is that, no matter how vivid/lurid the dream may be, I can only remember fractions of it after I'm awake.

In this particular dream .... I killed someone. As it turns out, I don't know this person. But what I did do, is chuck him into the car boot discreetly before anyone found out. Then I went to work, and parked the car .... in the car park (obviously).

When it was time to go home, I went to the spot that I left my car at this morning and find that it's no longer there. And then I woke up.

Not much of a dream, I know. But this isn't the 1st time I've dreamt of killing someone. It isn't always the same settings, nor the same victims, but these dreams all had a common ending.

Unfazed, I searched the www and found this:


********************************

being killed	The idea that some person or situation is attempting to take power from you or victimize you, especially mentally or emotionally. For example, dreaming that a co-worker kills you may represent when she got assigned the project you wanted last week, and you're blaming her for your not getting that opportunity. A fear of ill will, being taken advantage of, manipulation, or victimization See also: killing being attacked menacing executing killer jumping coffin death of you missing person violence lose your life force dying executing hunting being shot weapon or ammunition Category: Events
killing	Killing or wanting to kill often represents a desire for power or control, often based in feelings of powerlessness. Killing someone can mean: You'd like to take power from whomever or whatever that person represents in your real life, perhaps so you can feel less powerless You are angry at them in real life You're feeling unwilling to deal with the problems or hassles you feel they cause you Killing someone in self defense can mean you're feeling attacked somehow (mentally, emotionally, physically) or that you need to defend yourself or stand up for yourself somehow. Killing someone accidentally can mean you're afraid you'll accidentally hurt that person, that something you do may be detrimental to them somehow, or that your subconscious mind is thinking things through to make sure this doesn't happen. See also: being killed attacking someone executing killer violence executing being chased hunting weapon or ammunition Category: Activities
unknown person	A person you don't know can represent many things, such as: A real person you actually know, or a particular person's role in your life A characteristic or general type of person A type of person you'd like (or wouldn't like) to know A general threat or fear (not a person) A problem, challenge, issue, to-do list item, etc. A religious figure or helper For clues about what the person represents, consider their characteristics, what they're doing and how, what stands out about them, and your emotional reaction to their presence.

********************************

I think my dreams are listed under "killing some accidentally" OR "unknown person". I seriously can't conjure any memories about being afraid that I'll hurt someone. So its probably an unsolved problem/issue/to-do list that's nagging my conscience.

The only thing left to do now, is to figure out what is it.

I bet it has something to do with the wedding planning. Or the multiple things to accomplish in my Nokia N73 to-do list, which I scan through 4-5 times daily. I have a constant phobia that I'll forget to do something, and the wife will get upset. Because many a times I've forgotten to do certain tasks eventhough I had been reminded by her millions of times.

I know its my fault, for having poor memory. (or I could blame my mum for not serving me pig's brain soup as a kid) But I think it has improved, maybe .... just a little. But I'm still constantly checking my phone, lest I forget .... hence the dream.

Just maybe.



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(TACT) MELBOURNE - The City

Hot breakfast

After the bathing boxes at Brighton Beach, we headed to the adjacent St. Kilda beach for some hot breakfast. The big breakfast set was enough to feed a family of 10. The spanish ommelette is aptly named, for it was as huge as a spaniard.

Melbourne City map

It was relatively easy to get around the city. The CBD and everything else is boxed up within the square-shaped city tram tracks. We decided to rent the car for another day (bad mistake) as it was too troublesome to walk to city (30mins), spend a day there and walk back to apartment (30mins) to collect our luggage.

Besides, we're cool folks and cool folks don't walk.

Big Church

Small Church

Shopping center

I didn't know half of these buildings, I still don't. There isn't much to do in the city, except shopping. We filtered through the streets without a definite plan, and just ended up dozing off in the parked car, in the middle of a busy street.

Insufficient sleep makes us do crazy stuff. Passerbys must had thought we were goners.

Melbourne Central Station

The photo has a university kinda feel doesn't it?

Driving in Melbourne sucks, like a fat sore dislocated thumb. As if the hook turns aren't irritating enough, the tram runs adjacent to the cars. On single lane streets, all the cars will be piled up behind the tram as it makes its way around the city, stopping ever so often to pickup/drop passengers.

Had coffee/chocolate here

Town Hall

Horse Carriages

We tried to locate these horse carriages which were supposed to be in the Swanston St. vincinity. The only one we found had passengers and wouldn't stop for us. No one seemed to have any clue except advising us to wait.

Waiting in line to cross the road

A dog pissing under a tree

Random building

The buildings in Melbourne are newer, more unique and definitely more asthetically pleasing than those in Sydney. The only nice buildings we've got is Central Station ... and St. Mary's Cathedral.

Flinder's Street Station

City Circle Tram

It moves around the boundary of the CBD and the best part is that it's free. We took the tram after failing to locate the horse carriages. After the tram ride, we returned to our parked vehicle to find that (to our horror), we got fined - for overdue parking.

CCB. Luckily the parking warden informed us that they can't book us twice in a day. So once we're booked, it's free parking for the entire day. And to think we wasted $10 paying the meter when we should have just gotten the ticket ($57) from the beginning.

Telstra Dome

Considering that a majority of australian companies' head offices are in Melbourne, the pace here is pretty slow. That aside, its packed with students & asians. Weather wise, it wasn't as cold as expected. I would say it's a pretty nice place to reside in.


Technorati Tags: Melbourne

(TACT) MELBOURNE - Brighton Beach

Bathing Boxes

Looks familiar? You've probably spotted these colorful huts before in advertorials. They're one of the trademarks of Melbourne (at least that's what my mind makes me believe)

Brighton Beach

It's located 15-20 mins drive from Melbourne City, although a certain friend tried to dupe us into thinking it's 45mins drive away.

He might had been confused with the ones at Mornington Peninsula, which is a great deal further.

Each box had a different color scheme

We had to visit the beach, eventhough waking up damn early 3 days in a row was starting to drive us insane, eventhough the beach was deserted at 8am, eventhough the wind brewing was so cold we could have produced ice cubes by spitting in the wind.

I mean, who could resist those bathing boxes, so many colors .... emitting happy vibes.

Jumping with joy

....

Come to think of it, nobody noticed if the boxes were locked, let alone try to open them. I have a sudden urge to take a peek inside.


Technorati Tags: Melbourne, Brighton Beach, Bath box

My bragging colleague

I just stepped back into the office. Feeling a lil' drowsy from the afternoon sun. Barely warmed up my seat when Nigel started to speak to me.

Nigel is a 5o+ yo guy that sits opposite me. He has a penchant for bragging and has no qualms in telling everyone he bought his mazda at the cheapest price, or that his 42in plasma isn't the biggest, but it certainly portrays the brightest and clearest picture, or that his house by the beach has unrivalled scenery .... + he bought it at the lowest price .... etc etc.

So he tells me, "You remember the time I used the company camera (a 5mp digicam) to take a photo and the lighting is yellow? Well I brought my Fuji 10mp digital SLR in today and guess what? (insert big grin on face) It's perfect! No more yellowish hue on the photo."

I just nodded & smiled. (What I normally do while hoping that he'll stop)

He went on, " With the company camera I had to spend so much time focusing and adjusting the settings before I could get a decent shot. But with my camera I just went snap snap, (insert bigger grin on face) and it was perfect!

I continued smiling while contemplating killing myself if he doesn't stop.

But he goes on, "And you know what's the best thing about my camera? A single charge can last me for weeks, and I can put thousands of pictures on my 4gb SD card." (still grinning)



I replied, "You've got the best camera in the world, mate."



He stopped. I glanced over, and saw him with biggest, largest & widest grin ever seen on his face. Now he's happy (and quiet) and I'm happy.



Technorati Tags: Colleague, Brag

(TACT) MELBOURNE - City @ Night + meeting YunWui

Arrived back at the city circa 8:00pm. That's a helluva long time cramped in a vehicle (13 hrs to be exact) Did you know that being confined in a vehicular container for lengthy periods of time can lead to hallucinations and occassional verbal spurt of gibberish?

ENERGY - dangerously low levels. (Sleep deprived + amassing negative thoughts at alarmingly fast rate)

Melbourne chinatown

It was drizzling. We would had been drenched had we decide to walk there instead. The apartment we stayed in was advertised as 15mins walk to the CBD. It was more like 30mins walk, which would feel like 45 mins in the freezing weather. (Add 15mins for the rain)

Bamboo House Restaurant

Traditional chinese restaurant

Dined at the Bamboo House Restaurant. Supposedly quite famous in this part of the world.

Peking Duck

Seafood delight, Mapo Taufu & Kailan

The Peking Duck was awesome, as in finger-licking. The rest of the dishes were rather mediocre. Wasn't too impressed when most of the other customers were caucasians. We have a simple mathematics linear equation:

No. of caucasians in asian eatery (up) = chances of getting duped (up)

Almost fainted when the table next to us (7 ppl) had the bill over $1000! Luckily ours stopped short of the 3XX figure.

Ex-classmate

We met up with YunWui, ex secondary school classmate who had been M.I.A. for 5-6 years. The last time I met him was when he had industrial training in Kuching. He told us tales about life in Melbourne & his exceptional 3 days drive from Perth - Melbourne. (Particularly interesting was a long stretch of road that has no houses, no lights, no receiption and no water. You even have to pay to use the tap water at the petrol station)

He appeared different as depicted in my memory. An older and more experienced version.

Collected a small monetary prize from him after our wager on the recent Roger - Nadal tennis match. haha

Southbank area

Had to take a photo with the tower. Too cool in blue. Minus evelyn who had a bout of i'm-tired-fuckit-going-to-sleep-in-car-nomood-take-photos-with awesome-night-scene.

Weather was freezing

Best pic of the night

The resemblance to Clarke Quay, Singapore is uncanny. Shops+eateries lining the 2 banks of a river flowing right through the city almost guarantees an instant success.

The night view of Melbourne city is pretty amazing. Romantic.

Federation Square? I'm not sure

Building with L.E.D. decorated exteriors

Some random church

There are quite a number of exquisite victorian styled churches around the city. Adds a subtle european touch to the city. We just went around capturing photos, without a clue in the world what structures were around us.

Pretty quiet in the city, we presumed that most folks were at home sleeping/ makingout/ watching telly at 9.30 on a sunday night.

Rain started to fall ....

Our apartment in the city

Went back to the apartment to catch a few winks. Damn our rented apartment looks like a war zone where US and Iraqi troops just slugged it out.

I wonder what the management has to say about this.


Technorati Tags: Melbourne, Chinatown, Bamboo