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)..

====================

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..

====================

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...