Grandmother's Birthday

Yesterday night we all went to my uncle's house to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. I was late by the time I reached there already near 10pm and grandmother already cut the birthday cakes. Why I was late? Because I went for one photographic class, my mum only told me about the dinner on Thursday night which I already promised my friends that I will attend the class. Here are some photos I took with my little cousin sister and also my uncle's dog and of course grand mum as well.

Waterfall

Last Sunday morning I followed my dad for hiking, he told me it was only a very short distance hike. What actually make me to follow him for hiking? The waterfall, he told me the waterfall very nice and awesome and nowadays it is really very hard to find waterfall at Penang so I took my new camera followed him for the hike.

We started the hike before 8.00am by the time we finished the hike it was already near 12pm. Why the hike took us so long? It was actually very short distance but my dad bought us for jungle tracking (I think) used one track hike to 86 (half way up to Penang Hill) then came down to using another track to the waterfall. The waterfall actually is the reserve and treatment plant for PBA, it only open once a year for public and my dad used the illegal jungle track to go in. The weather didn't turn on my site it was actually raining and cover by dark cloud so the picture turn out no nice no sunlight.

Spice Market at Rasa Sayang Spa & Resort

Last Friday night one of my secondary school time friend Pei Fang's birthday so five of us went to Spice Market for seafood buffet to celebrate. Honestly the foods there are very yummy, delicious and a lot of varieties but very expensive. Five of us really enjoy ourselves sitting down there chit-chat have a laugh. Friends although we like to teased each others and "suan" each others but let's cheers up for friendship forever.

Canon EOS 450D

I cannot remember when was my last time taking photos using SLR camera. I have been thinking and thinking whether I should get one DSLR camera for many years, from the launching of EOS 350 until now EOS 450D.

I like and love photographic, used to be very crazy about it during high school time. I remember me and few of my friends always went for photos shooting, even during exam time we also don't care. During that time, we still student and using film camera, so every month our pocket money are all invested into films and photos developing. Last week, few of us went out for a small gathering dinner and I found out that my friends also recently went back to photographic again and one of them also using EOS 450D.

Before I decide to buy Canon EOS 450D I been surveying and asking around which one should I get for? Should I go for Canon or Nikkon? After much consideration and comparison, finally I went for Canon EOS 450D. Why I choose this camera? I am a big fan of Canon camera, from the 1st camera I owned Canon EOS 1000 and few of others Canon digital camera model for my family members , I found that the quality of Canon camera are very good and reliable and touch wood to said that it never let me encounter any big problem. I still have my 1st camera with me in good condition.

I been very busy lately so although the camera already sitting nicely at my room but I still have not time to go through the manual guide to figure out all the functions and etc. Yesterday night I finally have time to play around with the camera. The photos turn out not very nice, need to figure out all the functions and polish out my skills.

08/08/08

(Photos from Xin Huan Net)

Today is a very special day for all Chinese over the world not matter where you are, I believe that every single one of us are very proud of China to be the host for this year Olympic summer games. Tonight I believe the street will be much quiet although tonight is Friday night. Let us cheer and congratulate China for all the efforts and hard works that they put in to bring the greatest games to all of us over the world. Instead of Malaysia boleh I would like to said "CHINA BOLEH" :)

4321排骨

I cannot remember when was my last time go inside kitchen and cook for my family, if I not mistaken should be last year after my mum operation. I have to admit that my mum is a very good cook so since after I came back from Australia I seldom cook. Last Sunday thanks to Ohbin, I finally tried out the 4321排骨, this dish really very simple, easy to cook and delicious and yummy to eat. My whole family gave it a thumb up just that the meat a bit hard, my mum suggested that I should boil the spare rib a little bit longer before I fry it. At first I very scare the meat didn't well cook but all are fine just a bit hard and my mum said a bit sweet although I already cut down the sugar because my dad cannot take too much sugar.

Neighbor's House Break In

Nowadays our society very unsafe and unsecured, everyday open up the newspapers also a lot of cases like snatch thief, break in and murder. Ohbin asked me where did I stay? I stayed at Penang Greenlane area, last time when my family first moved in, the whole neighborhood very quiet and not much cars passed by, nowadays 9 out of 10 peoples will tell you Greenlane everyday jam like hell and recently this housing area became very famous thanks to our lovely Chief Minister because his parent's house also at this area and he stayed there for few months before he moved into his official residence and I think you all also know what happen to his mum's dog last Sunday.

This quiet and peaceful housing area is not longer safe. Tuesday mid-night around 2 something my parent and my 3rd sister heard of peoples screaming, car horn and me sleeping like pig also heard of car speeding away like Formula 1 car racing. At first I also thought they heard of “砰砰” like what happen at Ohbin neighborhood but end up the true is I misinterpret their sentence. They heard peoples screaming said got gun, car horn sound and very loud car speeding away sound.

So yesterday whole day, we been guessing what happen until at night the neighbor behind my house came and told us the whole story. The owner of the house happens to be my dad childhood friend. According to him, Tuesday night only his son alone at home, about mid night 2 something his son heard of some noise so he wake up have a look and realise there are strangers inside the house so the son quickly locked himself inside the room and called the parent. This uncle and aunty don't know why so brave instead of calling police they quickly went home (not idea where are they at that time).

When they reached home they saw one car waiting outside the house (guess what car is that? is Hyundai Sonata with Johor number plate). The uncle said when they arrived the thief quickly came out from the house so the wife start to horn whiles the uncle came down from the car and chased the thieves. One thief is Indian run toward our house direction and another one run toward the car (I also a bit confused whether there is someone waiting inside the car or not) and half way chasing toward our house don't know what happen the uncle fall down and the Indian thief pull out his gun and pointed toward the uncle but luckily the thief never fire the gun. Then the partner quickly drove the car over and the Indian thief jump inside the car and speed away.

These were second time their house been broke in and toward yours surprise the house is facing the main road. The 1st time the thief climbed through the fencing and tried to unlock his car but fail so changed target. From his house jumped to next door and drove away the neighbor BMW. This time according to him, luckily they came back on time; the thief already took out the safe but didn't manage to take it. They took away laptop, DVD player and etc. I don't know when they make the Police report, he told us the police only came Wednesday morning. His house got CCTV and when they played back the CCTV, they saw the thieves straight away went upstairs to his bedroom without much delay so he suspect must be someone familiar with his house.

The uncle and aunty told us after this incident they plan to sales the house and moved to apartment and they also asked us to be more careful especially when we came back and open our auto gate. We also warned my maid to be more careful because she very forgetful always forgets to close the backdoor. She will let the door open widely and went to do her things.

"Bad News"

This morning received one sms from someone which I been trying to avoid for quite sometime. The news was she is coming back from Singapore next weekend and asked me to spare one night for her. Why I been avoiding her, I got mentioned it at my previous blog. Recently very broke, no money to change new Hand phone which have the function to block specific incoming call. So next weekend, straight after working hours I am going to off my hand phone. Luckily due to some reasons my father already changed my house phone number so she will not be able to call my house as well. Just wish me luck, I know I sound very bad but I really have not choice.

Did I Change A Lot

Yesterday when I was at Jogoya I met one of my school mate, she didn't see me until I called out her name and she was stunt for a while only managed to say out my name in doubt. I think we never see each other for nearly 6-8 years. The first word out from her mount was are you Jiin Ling, I can't recognise you, and you really changed a lot. I was like ok, did I really change a lot, it this a compliment or ....

Recently I bumped into few school mates some of them really long time never see/meet them, I think since finished Form Five until now and some may be just recent 1-2 years. Last month Wesak day I also happen to bumped into one friend. She was with group of friends which I know as well, last time my classmate, just that I not close with them, never contact except this friend of my. While she was talking to me, one of the friend interrupted and asked her who I am. When she told her that I am so and so, this girl actually very surprise and keep asking are you really Jiin Ling, I was like yes I am.

For those who know me, did I really physically change a lot since school time until now? It is in term of good change or bad one?

KL Trip

My 3rd sister's friend from Hong Kong came to KL for holidays so my 3rd sister insisted want to go down KL to meet up with her friend, so two of us together with my youngest sister drove all the way from Penang to KL. We departed on 8.ooam and reached Ipoh around 9.15am so we stopped at Ipoh for Dim Sum. By the time we reached KL already 1.30pm. After check-in we rest a while at the hotel before heading for lunch. We went to Mid-Valley to have Korean foods. My Uni best mate Carolyn and her friend Ting came to Mid-Valley to meet up with me. After lunch we went to shopping, didn't really shop just managed to bought one top and one 3/4 pant. At night we went to one very nice place (forgot the name) for dinner. We open one white wine sitting down there chit-chat and gossiping, very enjoying and relaxing conversation, three of us really have fun and enjoying the night.

After dinner Carolyn have to meet up with her group of friends which she and another Ting very reluctant to go, but they have not choice. So after dinner we went to Sunway and join the other group of friends. I not close with her friends just happen to met them for few times. When we reached there and only realised that they are inside one disco, three of us were like OMG. I think I am really too old for this kind of activity, didn't enjoy it and keep sms my sister come and rescue me, felt very "pai seh" to Carolyn and Ting because I seriously don't like the place plus don't know what to talk with the rest so I leave the place first instead of waiting for Carolyn to send me back to hotel.

Sunday morning 3 of us hang around at Midvalley for a while, we have Big Apple Donuts while waiting for Carolyn came and fetch us to city because my sisters want have lunch at Jogoya. I really like the big apply durian donut very yummy but too bad it only can last for 3 hours if not I will buy back for my parents have a try. When we reached city still very early so we walk around at Parkvillion and guess what we bought J Co donuts again. Towards our surprise the queue not long so Carolyn asked me to queue for it. I not yet try the J co donuts so can’t comment which one is better and yummy.

After that we have late lunch at Jogoya, this was my 3rd time went there, honestly I found that yesterday one not as nice as the last time. A lot of the foods especially the fish like Salmon head are not available.

Anyway it was very nice weekend for me to relax release tension and stress and also meet up and catch up with friends. Sorry I didn’t take any photos; I think I seriously need to rethink to invest one good camera. Any good recommendation?

Petrol Price Up

Since the government announced petrol price increase until now already one week plus, we can read from newspaper a lot of price hike and employees like us basically asked for paid raise as well.

Last week after the petrol price increased, one customer called all the way from Singapore asked for price negotiation for one job. The price for the quotation is less than RM 1,000.00, basically the reasons given by her were since our technician will be there everyday so we cannot charge her the labour cost, the labour cost need to be FOC and asked for 50% price deduction. I was like what are you taking about, my company technician standby there everyday was a service provided by our company in case of any emergency breakdown and the customer site didn't pay us for this service. So when there is job request from customers of course we need to charge the labour cost in order to cover our overhead cost and also of course our salary. So the conversation lasted about half an hour and I not sure how much is her phone call bill. Instead of wanting for cut cost but in fact she wasted time and money called all the way from Singapore.

Last two days another customers called also for price negotiation, she said although petrol price increased by 40% but the raw materials cost didn't gone up until that level and actually compared the raw material such as metal, copper and etc the price actually gone down. Excuses me true the raw materials price traded at the London Metal Exchange market actually gone down but our ringgit depreciated around 3-5% since last month until now. The materials price was control by manufacturer and passed down to supplier, so suppliers of course have to raise the price as well and so do us.

Sometime those procurement or purchasing peoples thought that we mark up very high percentages of profit margin, but in fact our industry are very competitive. Sometime our quotations only have 3-5 % profit margin or sometime only cost price and we need to wait for 60 days or 75 days for the payment. I know nowadays everywhere, every company also talking about cut cost, not budget and etc, but sometime the things they asking are really too much, sound like only they need to eat and survive and other none of their business.

With the current situation, I don't know whether we should glad that we still have job and pray that company will not go through retrenchment or we should voice up for paid hike? Sometime I think I am lucky that I still single not commitment on anything yet, I really cannot imagine how those have commitment with all source of loans, family expenses and kid’s expenses survive with their current salary especially those low income earners.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday!!! Haha don't get me wrong today is not my birthday, it is someone birthday today, just here to wish him Happy Birthday although I know he will never see this, may god bless you success and happiness.

"Your Life, You have great common sense but usually fail to follow through. This might happens because you are too busy with your mission and shut yourself from the outside world. You are clever and profound so there's a slight chance for self-control problem Your Love. Your love progress slowly, and quietly. You seem to be contented with your unrequited love. You are a romantic and loyal lover. "

黑糖蕃薯包

黑糖蕃薯包

面粉 600gm

蕃薯 400gm (Sweet potato) (放香草加水去煮)

黑糖 200gm (放香草加30g水去煮)

发酵粉 1包

白糖 50gm, 3 汤匙Olive Oil

(发 1/2小时, 后弄成小团再发1 1/4小时), put in raisin into each small dough as you like.

Ohbin this is my mum recipe, when she made it that time I at work so I not really sure the actual step by step.

Dogs

I am not a dog lover but unfortunately currently my house got 4 dogs. They are one German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher and two other unknown species. My dad don't like those small cuties dog, he like to prefer the guardant dog.

Hi, my name is cookies and I am from German Shepherd family.

She was given by one of my dad's friend. Every Sunday my dad will bring her for hiking. Honestly I very scare of her and she keep barking at me every time she see me and at one time she nearly bite me, may be I never touch and feet her.

Hi, my name is Jakies and I am from Doberman Pinscher Family

Jackies is new member and was given by my aunt's friend. I always wake up from my sweet dream land due to her none stop barking even my neighbor also came out have a look. So we have not choice but to keep her at the back instead of let her stay at the garden.

Hi, my name is Snowky

Snowky was given by my eldest sister's friend together with his brother Blacky but unfortunately last year due to his bad behavior damaging the garden sand and grass so my dad let go of Blacky. My youngest sister was so mad and angry with my dad that she refuesed to talk to my dad for a week and she is so scare that my dad will do the same thing to Snowky, every time she called back she sure will ask and make sure that Snowky still stay with us. Snowky always like to rest and sleep under the car but he is very smart once you open the car door he will quickly run out already. Whenever you open the auto gate he will love to run out and walk around looking for his friends.

Hello, my name is Mickey

She is the oldest among the rest, she already over 100 years old. Like I mention in my previous blog, she is the one and only one that I play and touched. She is a very good girl like a princess very well behave and will shake hand with you whenever you asked her to do so.

Wakin's Concert at Genting 周华健

The stage



This was my second time went for concert, last year I went to Singapore for Jacky Cheung's concert. Yes I purposely went down to Singapore for the concert and also short holidays for myself. May be some of you will ask he came to KL why have to go down to Singapore for it? The answer is I have to take care of the house and home alone because my whole family went for his Bukit Jalil concert so I took it as excuses I also want to watch his concert and went to Singapore.

We got super duper nice seat very near the stage and at the centre thanks to my dad's friend because he is the Genting Platinum card member so my dad asked him to book the ticket for us. That night as usual at some part 华健大哥忘词, I didn't notice it until my 3rd sister told me about it, I think about 2-3 times.

I really enjoy the night, I actually very scare that I will fall to sleep but luckily I never. I always fall to sleep when I went for movie in cinema until my siblings they all bang me not longer want to ask me for movie :( "I am Malaysia Dato"

华健大哥 is my idol I like one of his song "朋友" very much for me the 歌词 very meaningful and I used this song as my handphone ring tone. I still remember the 1st time I heard of this song was from a cassette posted all the way from Penang to me as a birthday present by my friend. That time I was so lonely and homesick when I heard of this song there were actually tears on my eyes, I miss my family and friends so much.
According to the newspaper 华健大哥 sang 32 songs on that night but I don't know I didn't count it but most of the song sang by him were my favorite songs like 花心, 朋友 and etc. Towards the end he changed to red colour T-shirt plus a vest together with jean and slipper very casual, I was very surprise.
When we were waiting outside for the Genting limousine back to hotel we saw him came out from the concert hall and walk toward the MPV. Too bad we didn't get his autograph. Here are some photos we took on that night, I promised Veronica that I will post the photos but the photos came out not really good and close enough I just wish that I have DSLR camera :(

Thank You 感恩

Where did we celebrate this year mother's day? Hehe the answer is at Jogoya Restaurant at Starhill. My parent, me, my 3rd sister and my brother 5 of us went to Genting on Saturday night for 周华健 concert then on Sunday morning drove down to KL for the buffet lunch. Will post about the concert and lunch on my next blog.

My family can consider a big family, my parent have 5 girls and one boy and I am the 2nd one. Me and my youngest sister age gap is 12 years apart then 15 years for my brother. I still remember we went through some difficult time during my childhood, my dad just started his own business and everyday my mum will bring me and my eldest sister walk to my dad's shop and help him take care of the shop. One day when we on the way toward the shop we met an accident, my eldest sister hit by one car and until now still can see the scar on her forehead. My dad have to work everyday and he seldom spend time with us by the time he came back already midnight and the next day early morning he went to work again.

Although my mum only study until standard 6and didn't went through a lot of education but for me she is the greatest mum. She gave birth to 6 of us, help to take care of dad's business, taking care of grand mum for so many years until she passed away, been buli by all my aunties and uncles and etc. She like to cook and bake all those kind of cakes, kuih, I miss her Laksa and Hokkien mee the most.

For me both of their's love toward all of our siblings is 无私, they parent never ask for any return for their's love, care and financial burden for them to raise us up. Last Sunday is Mother's day but I didn't buy any present for her but on the other hand I received an early birthday present from them.

Last Sunday after lunch we all are so full so we decided to walk around Starhill before head back to Penang. We are inside one jewellery shop then suddenly my 3rd sister mentioned to them that my birthday fall on this month. I was very surprised when my mum asked me to choose one birthday present at 1st I thought she is joking who know my dad also said choose one and I do said no need. At the end they choose one birthday stone ring for me and the present really not cheap.

Thank you mum and dad, although I never said this to you both but I really thank god and being proud to be your's daughter. I love you all and thank you for yours love, care, guidance and many many more.

Credit Card Debt

Have you ever run into credit card debt? Nowadays all banks came out with all sources of credit card promotions such as lifetime annual fees waive, zero % balance transfer, cash on phone and etc and it is so easy to apply for credit card. I believe more than 50% of the teenagers over 21 years old have at least one credit card in hand especially those young fresh graduate.

I don't know how those banks approve the credit card application and base on what terms and conditions they approve the credit limit. I not sure whether my calculation is correct or not but for example maximum salary for one fresh graduate (engineering) in Penang job market should be RM 2,800.00, business graduate should be less around RM 1,800.00. So let said petrol expenses per month RM 300, car loan RM500, daily expenses on foods minimum (RM10 x 30 days = RM300) already RM 1,100.00 so how about other expenses and allowance to parent, how much else left for the saving?

With one credit card on hand they can easily swipe and withdraw cash from ATM machine but how many of them afford to pay back before the due date and aware that bank actually charge 18% for the overdue amount. For ATM cash withdraw the bank immediately charge the interest on the second day so can you imagine the interest plus interest roll over amount?

Recently I encounter one situation, one relative of mine run into credit card debt and seek the help of my parent. When I took all his credit card statement and went through it, OMG I can’t believe the bank approved such big credit limit for him, just two bank credit cards along the credit limit already more than RM 300,000.00 I nearly fainted when I saw the figure and he is only a chicken seller at market. From there I learn and find out about cash on phone, balance transfer and etc.

Although credit card can be very useful and convenience especially during emergency but one advise on credit card spending, when you swipe the card you will be very happy but please make sure you can and afford to pay back before the due date.

Finally

My friend finally returns me the balance $$$. At first I plan to buy DSLR camera after I get back the money but don't know why now not longer want to buy it, just don't know why. I keep asking myself whether worth it to buy the DSLR camera, I very scare after I buy it then later regret because I know that I no longer so crazy about photographic as I do last time. The most important thing is the camera so expensive, the other day I went to the shop clarified some doubt but end up I also confused and not sure which one I should go for and the price also not cheap :(

I msn with a friend just now and we both agreed that ladies are very easy to change their mind that's why peoples always said woman Money are the most easy and most difficult to earn :)

Long Lost Contact

It is really amazing and wonderful that nowadays with the help of technologies we can get in touch easily with our friends and love one through the cyber world such as MSN, Facebook, Friendster and etc. We get to know their recent life, sharing photos and where they are and what are they doing.

I met back few of my secondary school friends through Facebook recently. It is really very surprise and wonderful feeling to get in touch back with some of them, it really bring me back to some old memory lanes. Times really flies, since graduated from secondary school till now, it had been more than 10 years already. I do kept in touch with some of them and some I totally loss contact and never bump into them at all.

Through Facebook I knew some of them stayed and worked at other countries and few of them already married and one to be a beautiful bride soon. It is also wonderful to know that some of them already have kids and their kids are so chubby and cute.

I also chat with some friends through MSN. We shared our daily works issues, happiness, opinions, problems and etc through MSN. Although we never meet each other for quite sometime but through chatting it make me felt that our friendship are more closer.

To all my friends there friendship forever and do keep in touch and big thank you to the world of technologies that bring us closer to each others.

What Should I Get?

What should I get as a present for myself? A new hand phone, DSLR camera or tennis racquet?

My Samsung SGH-D600 already 2 years old and it still look very new and nice because last time when I first bought the phone I asked the salesperson FOC the phone cover and I only used the phone to call and sms seldom use other function so it still look very new. Why I want to get a new hand phone since my old phone still look new and nice because Samsung don't have name card function, sometime want to send contact details very troublesome need to search through the phonebook, write it down, retype then only can sms out. Thinking to get Sony Ericsson phone but at the moment I don't know which model should I get, any good suggestion?

During school time I used to be very active and love to take photos with my old Canon SLR camera and I won a consolation prize before, but too bad I didn't develop the photo to keep it and the only copy I have already framed it and hand on the wall by my mum. Nowadays I seldom go take photos the only time that I take photos is when I go to travel. I have been thinking to get a DSLR camera for few years already, should I get the DSLR camera? Which one to get? Nikkon or Canon? The DSLR camera not cheap minimum budget is around RM3, 000.

The cheapest price among the 3 things that I want to get is the tennis racquet is around RM600-700. I not an expert in tennis, only play it once a week with my coach, have been taking the lesson from my coach for few years already but not much improvement in the skill due to my laziness and also very hard to find a partner to play tennis.

Hand phone and tennis racquet still can use just a little bit out-dated and old, I really want to get the DSLR camera but very expensive, me very funny don't know what should I get, I think most likely end up I will not buy anyone of it :(