The Letter

Private & Confidential
29 April 2005



Binx's full name
Company
Dept



Dear Binx,

PROMOTION

I am pleased to inform you that with effect from 1-7-2005 you have been promoted to Assistant Accountant, Grade *. Congratulations!

(para omitted due to confidentiality)

The promotion is a reflection of the progress you have made in your exams and at work. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your successful completion of the CIMA exams in the not too distant future.

With best regards and wishing you a successful umrah.

Sincerely


UNCLE DAN
Director, Financial Services



binx: yipeeeee!

Old people say the darnest things (Part II)

At the same location... 3 same ladies continued their conversation...

Lady C: Apa laa you nieh innocent sangat?
Lady A: Eh if you think I was innocent wait till you hear B's story..
Lady B: Eh... which story laarr?
Lady A: Ala.. about conceiving..
Lady B: Ooohh... hehehe.. yeah
Lady C: What story laar? Do tell...
Lady B: Takde laa.. last time I was really curious why married people yang kawin lama but takde anak...
Lady C: Ahaaa....
Lady A: You know what she asked ah?
(A telling the story...)
Lady B: "Eh you how come si X and si Z tuh takde anak lagi?"
Lady A: "Errrmm.. kan the husband works outside of KL.. He comes back only once a month.."
Lady B: " Ahaaa.. but the sperm yang lama-lama inside si Z tuh takkan cannot lekat?"
Lady A: "Hey.. you nieh.. how long do you think it stays in there?"
Lady B: " Dah masuk kan.. dia tunggu jek laa telur appear.. cannot ah?"
Lady B: "Cannot recycle ke?"

D'oh!!!


Moral of the story: Recycle - think before you throw (pikir dulu sebelum buang)



binx: sambung gelak rolling2

Alhamdulillah...

"Sabar Ja... Just stay focus.. Pray hard.. and Insyallah the reward will come soon.."

I can still remember Mom's words when I came back one night from work, crying.. due to the stress at work. Mom was always there to provide me with the encouraging words of advice.. Being an ex-accountant herself, she understands my gripes and the trials and tribulations that I face in my line of work.

And today, I was close to tears when I relayed the happy news to Mom.. The joy and happiness on her face was priceless..

Finally my patience and hard work had been paid off. Alhamdulillah...


Thomas Arnold Bennett
Having once decided to achieve a certain task, achieve it at all cost of tedium and distaste. The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labor is immense.

Napoleon Hill: Quotes on Hard Work
Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.

Unknown Author: Quotes on Hard Work
Every job is a self portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence.

Jim Rohn: Quotes on Hard Work
For every disciplined effort there is a multiple reward.

Thomas Alva Edison: Quotes on Hard Work
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.


binx: sujud syukur

Old people say the darnest things (Part I)

I noticed that my last few post had been very mundane n down.... Can't help it if my daily routine actually affects my writting mood.

Anyway, it's time for a change. Because...

1. I've finished the quarterly consol a/c (finally!!)
2. I've had a good 12 hrs sleep last Sunday (yehaaa!!)
3. I've had a great massage after my sleep (yipee...!!)
4. Am going on a 2 weeks leave starting next Monday..

Celebrate? Nah.. it's too early to do that.. I still have lots of things to settle before I go for my long awaited break..

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

A conversation between 3 elderly ladies on a Sunday evening, winding down after a massage session:-

Lady A: Wah budak-budak sekarang nieh.. asyik mengadap PC aje..
Lady B: Yeah tuh laa pasal.. At least time kita dulu banyak jugak activities lain..
Lady C: Last time I love to go swimming kat public pool kat Bangsar tuh..
Lady A: Oh.. really.. You went swimming? (in shocked) Pakai swimming suit and all laa?
Lady C: Yeah.. of course..
Lady A: You know.. last time I takut sangat nak go for a swim in the pool...
Lady B: How come? You can't swim ke?
Lady A: Eh.. no laaa.. I used to think that the pool will be contaminated with sperms..

"female in the pool.. attack!!!"

Lady C: So you thought it was dirty ke?
Lady A: Not just that.. I was afraid that I could get pregnant by swimming in the pool full of sperms...
Lady B: *lol* Laaaa... dia can swim inside kaaaa?
Lady A: Well, I was very innocent back then.. (blushing..)

Moral of the story: Always wear protection when you go out swimming...


binx: *rotflol* (still tak habis gelak pecah perut)

Stuck

Binx: Can I ask you something?
Abg Zorro: Yeah sure...
Binx: Do you enjoy what you are doing now? Group accounts and consolidations..
Abg Zorro: No..
Binx: Hmmm.. how long have you been doing it?
Abg Zorro: Since Yr 2000..
Binx: My God! You've been doing something you don't enjoy for 5 years!!
Binx: How can you stand doing something you don't like every single day?
Binx: I've been in this dept for almost 2 months now and I don't look forward going to work every single morning...
Abg Zorro: I don't know.. I guess that's why I am still single at the age of 32..
Abg Zorro: I have no life.. My life centers around my work.. Even on weekends pun I kat office..
Abg Zorro: What about yourself? Are you enjoying your current work?
Binx: Not at all.. It's not what I see myself doing for long.
Binx: I mean, I love the new experience and all.. but I don't see myself enjoying it for long..
Binx: I never enjoy doing pure accounting work.. I love IT, dealing with system.. management accounting even..
Binx: But never financial accounting
Abg Zorro: So, are you going to quit soon? Like what everyone else is doing..
Binx: I'm never a quitter.. Maybe I should have a "chat" with Uncle Dan when I think I can no longer handle the current job.
Binx: There are many other areas to explore..
Abg Zorro: Ok.. just make sure you don't end up like me k...

The conversation took place yesterday (Saturday), when there were only the two of us in the office. Abg. Zorro, being the Accountant in the dept. and also my current Sifu, was trying to teach and coach me on how to do the Group Consol Accounts. Me, being a very uninterested and tired student, had constantly dozed off during the 6 hours lesson. Luckily he didn't noticed it.. hehehe.. (Binx pandai cover...)

Anyway, back to the point of this post.... Have you even been stuck doing something that you don't like?

I am currently posted to the Group Accounts department, doing solely pure financial accounting. No more management stuffs, no more dealing with the accounting systems or anything else for that matters. Ever since my uni days, I was never interested in any of the financial accounting subjects. To me it's just plain dry and boring. My mind usually wonders off to space or just shutdown during these classes. I just plain hates it!! ( yeah and I have a Bachelor degree in Accountancy)...

Hence, I've been thinking.. "Am I going to be stuck doing something that I don't like for life?"..

I hate the feeling of dreading myself to work every morning.. I hate the feeling of feeling rather stupid or incapable in completing a task that I don't understand/ have no idea how to go about it. It just not me larr.. not giving my 100% in the things that I do.. But I just can't help but not trying my best this time around because I just don't like what I'm stuck with now..

I don't want to turn out to be like Abg. Zorro and Aunty Beast, working hard and staying back till wee hours crunching numbers. No doubt they are really good at their job. Maybe it's due to the fact that they enjoy what they do. I want to be doing something that I like too..

I know that I'm asking for too much.. No want gets to do what they want all the time.. Unless they're running their own company or works freelance. Or unless they are very very lucky...

Another question that has been creeping inside my empty and tired head is that.. "Since I don't enjoy doing financial accounting, and am now currently completing my professional accounting papers.. would I be fit to wear the "Charted Accountant" title in a few years time?".

Can I fit the "Accountant's"shoe?

binx: crunch.. crunch.. *yawns* crunch.. crunch... *yawns*

Confession of a Workaholic

Me, a workaholic? No way!

However, that's how it looks like from everyone else's point of view. Even one of my colleague had called me as "penghuni tetap" the department cause I've been seen staying back till late nights.

My I/D access card had recently been upgraded permanently to a 24/7 access to the department, instead of the normal 7 am-7 pm from Monday to Friday. All I need now is a duplicate copy of the key to the department's door to be qualified as a full-fledged "penghuni tetap".

A typical Binx's weekly schedule:-

Monday:
8.30 am - 7.30 pm work @ office
10.00 pm - 1.00 am work @ home

Tuesday:
8.30 am - 8.45 pm work @ office
10.00 pm - 1.00 am work @ home

Wednesday:
8.30 am - 9.15 pm work @ office
10.00 pm - 1.00 am work @ home

Thursday:
8.30 am - 9.30 pm work @ office
12.00 am - 2.oo am work @ home

Friday:
8.30 am - 9.45 pm work @ office

Saturday:
10 am - 5.30 pm work @ office

Sunday:
work @ home


Yeah, I have no social life now days. Besides the occassional chat with friends online, and on the phone, my social life is totally extinct. There was even no time for LLB'ing now days... *sob* *sob*

Hopefully things will change soon. My body has been showing signs that fatigue had finally caught up with my hectic schedules. My back had been aching and begging for some TLC massage. My face resembles that of a raccoon's with huge eye bags and dark circles around it. Really need to pamper myself soon... But when?

When can I find the time to kick back and enjoy a cozy cuppa?

binx: work.. work.. work.. huh? no play? *sniff* *sniff*

What's the purpose of this blog?

Someone asked me tonight, what's the most important thing that I cherish or value about my blog... and my answer was "the comments".

Many says that that should not be the reason why I blog.

Am I blogging for the wrong reasons?

I mean, I write what I feel like writing, even though I may not be really good at it. I don't write to get any sympathy or to umpan anything from any of you. Even the blog title says that it's my confessions.. my ramblings.. I do nothing but ramble.

I cherish the comments cause it indicates that some people can relate to my post. Some do share my opinion on things, some laughed at my antics and some even cried with me through my darkest moments. I don't care about the quantity of the comments that I get for each post. Hey, some of my post even goes uncommented. What I do care the thought that comes with each comment. It's priceless...

Hence, should I reconsider my reasons to blog? Am I blogging for the wrong reasons?



binx: hmmm.....

It is what's inside that count!

It has been a very hectic week..

I've been staring at the Group Cashflow for one whole week and finally today I've finally completed it! Yeay! Lembab sikit coz it is my first time doing it.. Lots of things to learn.. Lots of templates and formulas to modify... It was crazy I tell you.. Sampai my office PC decided to go bonkers on me at the most critical moments.. (time to request for a new lappie from Aunty Beast *winks*).

Oh yeah.. this week marks my 3rd year as a singelton. Was feeling a wee bit blue one day and when I checked the calendar, it was April the 14th. Hmm... yeah yeah breakup pun ada anniversary.. *winks*.. Well, I'm a sentimental kinda gal that will remember every significant dates in my life. The date I do this, the date I do that, the date I break up with my ex.... Too bad my memory chose to remember that date instead of the date of any other interesting events that had happened to me in the past. (nak remember the dates for History exam time SPM punya laa susah kan.. *lol*)

Went to work again yesterday. It has been the 2nd consecutive week that I actually came to the office (we don't work Saturdays you see..). I kinda enjoy coming in on Saturdays coz there's no one around to bug me, plus the phone won't be ringing off the hook like on a typical working day.. Hence, I can actually complete my work in peace..

That was what I felt when I left the office at around 5.30pm - Peace. Despite the fact that I was carrying a bundle of files back home (hope to continue the work at home today), I felt that very peaceful. Hence, I decided to grab the chance to run some errands that I've been postponing for a month!

Stopped by the local car wash on my way back. Yes, it has been a month since my "baby" has been given a good wash. And the guy there noticed it too...

Guy: Where's your lil sis that drives the Satria?
Binx: Huh? My lil sis? You actually noticed that she hasn'y been around?
Guy: Of course! She comes here once a week, and you only come once in a bluemoon...
Binx: hahahaha... She has the time.. I don't..
Guy: So where is she?
Binx: Oh she's in Australia now.. studying
Guy: No wonder I haven't seen her around for ages..
Binx: hmmm (wah.. this bro actually keeps track of everything)

wash wash wash

Guy: So... bila nak kawin?(grabbing a chair next to me)
Binx: Huh?
Guy: Bila nak kawin? A girl like you takkan takde bf lagi by now..
Binx: Aiks.. why tiba-tiba tanya nieh?
Guy: Tak boleh?
Binx: How can I get married when I can't even take care of myself...
Binx: Balik kerja lambat everyday...
Guy: Ala.. you're kidding rite.. Takkan laa takde bf?
Binx: Errmmm.. if awak boleh tolong carik kan org, I kawin laaa..
Guy: Do you see any sign "Agen Pencari Jodoh" hanging around here?
Binx: (loyar buruk nya mamat nieh) rite.......
Guy: Ok.. What kind a guy are you looking for?
Guy: Yang beriman? Err My friends yg beriman tak ramai...
Guy: Yang handsome..? Yang come from very well-known family...?
Guy: Yang drives kereta mahal2....?
Binx: Errrrrr..... I don't think those traits are important..
Binx: Yang penting is what's inside...
Guy: (pointing to his chest..) Nampak tak sign, "Single and available"?
Binx: Huh?
Guy: Kalau I ask you to be my gf, will you accept?
Binx: (oooooooooooo.... ada motive rupanya)
Binx: *lol*
Guy: Hey.. I'm not kidding... Tanak laa tuh.. siapa laa nak kita...
Guy: Kerja cash wash aje.. hey but I run a production house tau!
Guy: This is only a part time job.
Binx: Did I comment anything about your work? No kan..
Binx: Like I said.. it's what's inside that count.

With that note.. My car was ready.. and I was ready to pay and walk away. I didn't know that they've had increased the charge now. Luckily, since the guy was trying his best to get my attention, he lets me pay the old charge.. hahaha... Oh well, not my lost kan?

As I drive back home, I can't help but to dwell on the guy's last few sentence... Can I actually fall for someone like him? Hey, no.. I am not basing my judgment on his job. To me, job, wealth and status are not that important when looking for a partner. What I look for is compatibility. I would love to have a partner who has the same wavelength as me, if not higher, so we can talk and debate about anything and everything. Communication is the key to everything. I think I can fall for someone just by hearing him talk. *lol* BUT not talking about himself laa.. That's a total turnoff...

That's my personal opinion.. What are your views? What should we look for in a partner?

Ash's baby - Sylvester

binx: baik layan my cat and kittens.... *winks*

I'm soooo blue...

hug me....?

Always the second best?

The Middle Child Syndrome...

I've always been said to have that syndrome.. Whenever I start to have my gastric, Dad would always say.. "dah start dah dia nya syndrome"..

Should I be blamed for being the middle child? Being the 2nd out of 3 darling angels?

What is "the middle child syndrome"?

"Middle child syndrome can entail feeling sandwiched between two other 'more important'; people - an older sibling who gets all the rights and is treated like an adult and a younger sibling who gets all the privileges and is treated like a spoilt kid. This can leave you feeling insignificant and unloved. From your parents' perspective, they'd probably feel horrified to know you feel this way, so it's important you let them know. On the plus side, middle children are thought to become brilliant diplomats - the lack of having your parents all to yourself supposedly helps you develop excellent negotiating powers!"

Well that's the definition from the expert.

Is it true that all middle children suffers from the same syndrome?

Well, I can't deny the fact that I am an attention seeker when I was small. I'll try to catch my parent's attention in every way I can. However, I don't recall ever being sick on purpose. Or even falling down on purpose and knocked my head at the drain while running in an oversized "terompah", screaming, "yeay ayah balik... ayah balik".. only to be screamed at caused my tired Dad had ended up driving me to the hospital to stitch my broken skull.

Nope... Never did all of that on purpose...

I was a little angel.... *winks*

However, I do recall feeling sandwiched in between the two sisters while growing up. Well of course...

Kak Nor's the eldest, hence, she gets to have all the credits for everything. She's the high flyer in the family. Constantly scoring the top 10 in her class during primary and went off to the top all girls boarding school. She then left for Japan to pursue her degree. Parents mana tak bangga kan?

Lil' Sis pulak is the baby of the family... "Baby Ayah". Plus she's cute when she was little (dgn nada jeles? oh tidak...). She always gets her way.. All she needs to do was bats her thick and curly lashes or if that doesn't work, she'll just cry and the parents will come running after her. Eh ye ke? Or I'm over exaggerating? *lol*

Well, the fact is, I did somehow felt like I was always second best over the two sisters. I did recall writing a letter (yes I write letters) to Kak Nor, when she was away in JB, complaining about how Ayah and Mama always sided with Lil Sis. I was treated like an anak tiri (well... yes I was a drama queen too...). I remember the letter had tear drop stains on it.. Ingat tak Kak Nor? *lol*

Ok Ok...
Why am I babbling nieh? Well, I heard on Hitz.fm today that there was a research done on "the middle child syndrome"... and the findings states that the middle child are always the least successful, among his/her siblings. They are also a non-achiever in life...

I was really stunned when I heard that statement... B*llsh*t laaa... Who in the h*ll did that research. I was so tempted to call the station and state my facts, but another caller beats me to it. Luckily she shared my view on the matter and had set the facts straight.

Well, I don't think I'm a loser amongst my siblings. I won't say that I'm great either, but I shall say that we are all equally good in our own field.

Kak Nor's a great writer and wishes to be the National Geographic reporter one day.

Lil' Sis's a very dedicated interior architecture student, who in the future will be very successful pursuing her artistic interest.

And as for me, I'm paving my way in becoming a qualified charted accountant cum lady entrepreneur, with my very own cafe in the future.

There..... all successful girls....

Oh yeah, a very wise man pointed out to me that John F. Kennedy was a middle child, and we all know that he was a successful person, rite?

Hence, I would like to put a stop to the "Middle Child Syndrome". There's no such thing as the said syndrome. If the middle child is trying to get the parent's attention, maybe they just needed the extra TLC during that stage of their lives... Cherish it while it lasted!



binx: very very notty kid when small...

LUCK

Do you ever believe in predictions? Be it astrological (horoscopes) or Feng Shui or even nujum/bomoh..

I've had my fair share of predictions being thrown at me. Most of them are quite similar and are rooted down to one particular thing: I'm a very lucky girl...

Here's what Lillian Too has to say bout my Feng Shui:

You are born with the promise of a good life. Your family is well-known and renowned. When you are 36 years old, your luck improves by leaps and bounds, going from good to golden! Place Fuk Luk Sau in your house to bring you an abundance of good fortune.

Check out your Feng Shui here.


LUCKY?

When I first got posted to the Group Finance dept., I was called by Uncle Singh into his room for a 'chat'. And it was really a long chat (this Uncle can really talk non-stop).

He told me that he's into astrology. He got hooked to it since his wife died of cancer. He wanted to look for answers as to why things happen the way they happened. That was when he discovered the wonders of astrology. He even has a special software installed in his laptop that can read people's astrological signs.

Hence, he proceeded to ask me few questions relating to my astrological background, i.e. date of birth, time of birth, full name, mother's name, etc. With a single push of the 'Enter" button, my so-call 'life' appeared on the monitor.

I can't recall exactly what it says about me, but what I remembered was that Uncle Singh was really intrigued and said that I'll become a 'somebody' in the near future. *LOL*.. Of course laa I'm a somebody.. How can I be a nobody?

What he revealed about my personality was almost 80% accurate that I cringed in my seat, afraid that the result revealed more than he should know about me. However, Uncle Singh is a nice person that he never used the information he discovered in any way that could to be to my disadvantage. In fact, during the time when I had to report to him last year, he actually try to help me overcome my weak points and highlight my stronger ones.

When I shared my future plans with Uncle Singh ( about starting my own business), he didn't even hesitate to become my business partner. He even pointed out some key areas that I should look into. He even encouraged me to attend the entrepreneur courses held by MARA and KPUM.

Binx: How come you have so much faith in me, Uncle Singh?
US: I saw something in you that amazes me. And I'm willing to bet my life on it that you'll be very successful...
Binx: Errmm... even I don't have that much faith in myself..
US: I'll be stupid if I don't invest in something as sure as you, girl.
Binx: Insyallah Uncle.. Insyallah...

Oh well, that's my take on predictions.

To say that I'm a believer, I don't think our religion allows us to believe in any sorts of predictions. It'll be said as "syirik". Hence, I'm just going to make the best of what I have. If my life turns out to be filled with luck, then alhamdulillah and praise the Almighty. However, it would not stop me from working as hard as I can to make my dream a reality.



binx: $$$$ come my way... *winks*

Confession of an innocent girl *winks*

Innocent moment # 1:

location: Gerai tepi jalan in Desa Serdang
time: a very long long time ago (1998 kut)

Everyone: bang nak order.. lapar nieh
Waiter: ok nak order apa?
Binx: ada menu tak bang?
Waiter: (handed the menu) ok.. nak order apa?
Binx: (checked out the menu)
Girl 1: nasi goreng pataya satu
Girl 2: mee goreng, tanak pedas, tanak udang, tanak sotong, nak sayur & ayam saja..
Guy 1: nasi daging masak merah
Binx: (spotted something new on the menu).. Huh???!!! Nasi goreng usa??? (read: like "ru-sa")..
Binx: nasi goreng apa tuh? (will a really innocent, confuse and blur look)
Everyone: HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
Binx: hey... apa nieh? nasi goreng usa tuh apa? come on laa ppl...
Everyone: it's nasi goreng U.S.A laa.. not usa...
Binx: ooooOOOOOOO.... (arrgghhh....)



innocent moment #99:

location: 4th floor, college of business mgmt buidling, UNITEN
time: 8 am, Final presentation day

Feeling nervous..
Hates presentation..
Hates public speaking...
Stomach started to rhumble (maybe it was the morning coffee)
Headed for the nearest ladies room..

Did my business..
Walked out of the stall..
Washing hands..
Practised speech in front of the mirror

Suddenly a guy walked in
Stunned..
He froze.. I froze..
I jeling the guy..
He stepped back.. checked the sign..
Then walked out...

Binx: eeii... takkan tak gheti baca sign kut..
Binx: isn't it obvious...? issshhh...

Continued practising the final speech..
Satisfied...
Opened the toilet door..
Guy waiting outside the door..
Peered at the sign on the door

Binx: ooooopppsss..... sorry... (aarrrrrgggghhhhhh...)


innocent moment #1079:

location: Awana Kijal, Terengganu
day 2 of the great retreat

Blabber girl: girl u bawak ur knapsack eh...? can i tumpang my stuffs?
Binx: after what happened yesterday, of course im bringing my bag..
Binx: do you still trust me with ur stuffs ah girl?
Blabber girl: well.. do i have a choice..? hehhe.. of course i do laaa...
Blabber girl: (sumbat her camera, phone n etc into my knapsack)
(Walk, walk, climb, climb, laugh, laugh, snap, snap)
Binx: ah.. finally now we can rest... (sank into the lobby lounge chair)
Blabber girl: eh girl, can u pass me my phone..
Binx: (opened bag, search search..) eerrrkkk...
Blabber girl: (eyes wide open...) what now?
Binx: (pulled out the melted chocolate covered phone) ooopppssssss......
Blabber girl: haaaaaaaaaaaa?
Binx: sorry..... sorry.... sorry....
Binx: i terforgot that i left the half eaten Tobelerone in the bag....
Blabber girl: (shakes her head)
Binx: sorry?


innocent moment # 1080:

location: Kampung Cafe, Awana Kijal
day 3 - Final bfast

Uncle Dan: can I join you for bfast?
Everyone: of course, please do..
Uncle Dan: how's the trip so far?
Everyone: great.. yada yada yada
Uncle Dan: yada yada yada yada
(repeat 30 times)

suddenly there was silence............

Binx: (on cue - saw the news paper) the Pope died this morning
(note: was eagerly waiting for the moment the whole weekend.. tuned to CNN 1st thing every morning - "Pope dah mati ke?" was the 1st Q asked every morning)
Kidd: finally!!!
(note: Uncle Dan's a staunch Christian)
Blabber girl: (hard kick under the table with mata terbeliak)
Binx: (dlm hati) adoooooooooooiiiiiiiii.............
Kidd: (cover line) yeah laa... at least it ended his sufferring....



binx: binxatoon network

Sad Beginning... Happy Ending... (Part II)

Lady Luck was not around that Friday evening to help us look for our missing belongings.

With somber mood, both of us went down for dinner with some hope that someone in the group has taken our stuffs by mistake. Unfortunately, no one said anything about it.

Missing stuffs aside, things had took a turn for the better. We had quite a joyful dinner with fellow management trainees (old and new). The best part was when Uncle Dan actually joined us for dessert!! It's quite a rare occasion that Uncle Dan would actually grace us with his company. Hence, we embrace the opportunity to get to know him better as he was trying to get to know us. Even though he didn't say that much, I can sense that he was actually trying to measure each one of us individually, since he didn't have that much opportunity in doing so at the office with his busy schedules.

The highlight of the evening was the karaoke session we had at the Spice Island - Studio One.

Mama Sal & Kamal had warmed up the mic with few jiwang and sappy Malay songs (I really dunno the title of those songs). Then me, Blabber Girl, Kiddo & Mat Li took the mic and started off with the 70's and 80's Malay duets, and then moved on to the Beetle's - I wanna hold your hand. Then Mat Li gave his rendition of M Nasir's - Nur Nilam Sari, which was way off key.. I think his famous Ruffedge member cousin of his can sing much better *winks*... We finished off the session with Shanty & Marcel's Hanya Memuji and Glenn's Januari. It was a fun night indeed... melalak till almost 1.30 am.

Since we only went to bed at 2 am.. I was very very reluctant to wake up early the next day. It was the Teambuilding Activity day.. My whole body was aching from struggling to get back on the Banana Boat the day before. My neck felt like it was gonna dislocate from my shoulder with any move. Sakiiiiiittttt.........................!! Nasib baik I brought along my ever reliable Minyak Mestika... kekekeke...

However, since Blabber Girl kept on tugging on my pillow.. I had to wake up in the end laa kan. If not I don't know what else she'll start to pull next *winks*.

By 9 am, the team started to walk toward the jungle tracking path. We had to cross the golf course in order to get there. On the way, we passed a very unique entrance to a cave ( or whatever you call it). It's actually shaped like a heart.. check it out...

The activity itself was not really challenging for us, the youngsters. While everyone else was busy trying ti get themselves up and down the steep hill (which was nothing compared to what we had faced at the Outward Bound School - which was made compulsory for the trainees to attend), we were busy snapping away our cameras.. trying to catch the breathtaking sceneries..

Spectacular view kan...? Well, one thing I love most about the resort was it's views. Memang superb.

Telematch was held at the beach that late afternoon. This was when all the teams tried to compete against each other playing all sorts of fun games. There was "lari dalam guni", baloon race, charlie chaplin race, and many more. Despite the fact that my group had to sit out 2 of our members, we won the event!! D'boomers won!! Hahaha.. and was Uncle Dan mad... He didn't like to lose, especially in last place. Everyone was saying that our group members will actually miss out our increment for the next 5 years for beating Uncle Dan's group... *lol* Sore losers....

The grand finale of our trip was the BBQ dinner cum. prize giving ceremony which was held that nite by the beach. I was impressed by the set up and deco prepared by the resort staffs. When I first heard the BBQ plan, I thought it was just going to be a simple, casual gathering.. Whoa.. was I wrong. The site actually looks like a garden wedding corner, with the sound of the waves gently hitting the sand every now and then.. truly romantic (for a wedding laa...).

The BBQ buffet spread was great. However, I was tad bit disappointed cause there was no lamb served that night. I was really prepared to chomped down on few ribs with mint sauce. Oh well, the steak and red snapper was equally good lar.

With lots of flashes and clicks, the night ended in a high note, that is.. it was a great trip indeed. The Finance Team had reunited over the weekend to forget about the management accounts, quaterly reports, spreadsheets and journals and really bond with each other. Bosses and subordinates had finally formed friendship links that had made life in the office more bearable.

We said goodbye to Awana Kijal on Sunday and proceed to the Chukai town where I had my first taste of kopi Hai Peng. Excellent coffee.. I wonder why they didn't try to market the coffee throughout Malaysia. It can actually become the Malaysian very own Starbucks coffee.. beh beh...

binx: one taste of Hai Peng's Kopi 'O Ais makes me forget how Rhumba Frap. taste like...

Sad Beginning... Happy Ending... (Part I)

It has been a wonderful getaway...

Awana Kijal was superb.. Oh well, maybe not the resort as a whole, but it was the trip that was superb.

The journey from KL was delayed (why am I not surprised?). Even when we've forwarded the departure time in the itinerary, people still tend to show up 15 mins late... M'sian!!

We thought that we could at least get some shut eye in the bus. Unfortunately for us (ppl in Bus #2), our guide was a SSTG (syiok sendiri tour guide).. As soon as he stepped on the bus and reached for the mic, we kinda knew that there won't be any peaceful time throughout the journey. He started off his tour speech with why M'sians tend to have poor time management, then continued with the history of rubber (beats me.. what does it got to do with the whole thing?), then to the history of highways, then he started to name all the highways in M'sia, yada yada yada... You get the picture..

OK enuf bout him...

snack during the journey....

Ouwh... after almost 1 hr of yacking.. the guide finally stopped (maybe dah letih yacking kut) and put on "Ms Congeniality 2".. Sandra Bullock was great in the movie. However, I need to watch it again cause didn't catch some of the jokes she cracked due to the distortion in the bus.

Next was "Hitch"!! Finally got to see the movie.. cool sgt.. The first few lines he said was really touching. I even typed it out and saved it in my handphone.. but it can't be retrieved ever again... (details later)..

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The room at the resort was a welcome sight to our aching body. I fell in love with the toilet that I took a whole bunch of pics of it just to show the architect the next time he comes around. Best nya if my toilet mcm tuh..

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Went to the beach that late afternoon, clad in jeans n the same shirt that I wore during the journey, with hope that the beach activity will be cancelled (the guide did mentioned that it had been raining in the evening for the past few days plus the beach was a red flagged area). We didn't expect everything will be all sunny and inviting. Hence, was forced to go on the Banana boat ride wearing my jeans and all... It was a heavy and bumpy ride for sure... And the driver of the boat did not have any mercy on us and had caused us to capsized.. not once... not twice... but three freaking scary times...

However, it was a thrilling ride. A fun one indeed, even though my tudung tercabut when we capsized the 2nd time. *LOL*

Aunty Beast: Now the whole world can see you...
Binx: errrkkk... so?

The joy ended for me and Blabber Girl when we found out that our stuffs went MIA. My Samsung handphone and her Esprit sunshades were not in the bag where we left them. I was so sure that both of the items were in the front pocket of the bag before I went for the Banana boat ride. @#%$$#%^*&#%$....

Am soooooo terribly sorry Blabber Girl.. I know that I got you into trouble with your hubby.. But I didn't think that the person who was suppose to watch after the bag for us could just put it behind her all the time... Oh well.. sh*t happens... and it was really depressing for us... (before we started to sing our hearts out that night... hihihi)

What a way to start our weekend.



binx: too tired to continue... zzz...

Weekend Getaway

All my bags are packed
I'm ready to go
I'm standing here
Outside your door
I hate to wake you up
To say goodbye

But the dawn is breaking
This early morn'
The taxi's waiting
He's blowing his horn
Already I'm so lonesome
I could cry



No no... this is not a sad song...

The day has finally come.. 1st April 2005..
Not April Fool Day..
It's the Trip Day!!

I'm leaving for Awana Kijal, Terengganu in a few hrs time (wuhoo.. not working tomorrow). We've been planning for the trip for ages.. and since I'm in the planning committee, I've endured enuf bullying and am now looking forward to finally enjoy the weekend.

Trip Checklist:-

Bags: 2 (1 duffel bag, 1 knapsack)
Clothes: sufficient for 3 days
Repellent: checked
Sunblock: checked (how long can a sun block last? I bought this bottle in 2003 before my OBS trip.. can still use ah?)
Prizes: in the boot of my car - checked
Shoes: sneakers (for jungle tracking/team building) & sandals
Toiletries: errmmm.. the syampoo's still in the bathroom (note to self: grab it after morning shower)

Ok.. I'm all set for a great weekend. Just hope the weather will be sunny till Sunday.

Hope everyone will have a good weekend too...


binx: hope all my walks and aerobics will be paid off...