4 years ago.....

4 years ago today at about 3:30 am Malaysia time, I lost someone whom I love very much, my mom, Raja Hjh Hairul Nisha bt. Raja Hj Hussein. She passed away after battling breast cancer for about 2 years which in the end had spread to her colon, bones and brain. She was diagnosed with the illness in 2001. After her surgery and rounds of chemotherapy, she was in remiscion for about a year. Then, in late 2002 we got the devastating news that she had a relapse.

I was able to go back to Malaysia with Jim for her 56th birthday (her last) in December '02 and also during my sister, Deen's wedding, in March '03. Late July '03 I received the devastating call from my dad saying that her cancer had spread to her bones and brain and she would not have much time left. I frantically tried to book my flight home with Malaysia Airlines and since it was the summer holidays, their flight were fully booked so they put me on a waiting list. Not 30 minutes after I spoke with MAS, I had just gotten of the phone with various other airlines to see if I could get a ticket (they were either fully booked or the price was so outrageous that I could buy a brand new car with it), MAS called me back and said that someone had just cancelled their ticket so they have one ready for me. Anyways, I left for Malaysia on Aug 6th and arrived at KLIA on the afternoon of August 8th. Went straight to my parents house to see my mom.

She looked so much different from the last time I saw her 5 months earlier. She was so thin and frail that I almost did not recognize her. She was able to recognize me and she seemed happy to see me there. All her family was there and it seemed like (to me anyways) she was a little better than when I first saw her that afternoon. Alas, by night fall she had gotten worse that we took her to the emergency room and was admitted at Damansara Specialist. I stayed with her all night (I was still in the clothes I had on the airplane). Our family was in and out of her room all day, taking turns to stay with her. That night my dad, aunt (Wan Chik - mom's youngest sister), their maid and myself took turn staying up with her. I woke up at 3 am for my turn. Mummy was asleep so I read the Surah Yassin as I kept an eye on the heart & pulse monitor by the bed. At about 3:20 am I felt her gently squeezed my hand, took a very deep breathe (the lines on the heart & pulse monitor went up) and then she was gone (the lines went all the way down and never came back). It took me a couple of seconds to realized what had just happened but as soon as I came back to reality, I started screaming for my dad and aunt to wake up. After that everything was a blur, I was walking around like a zombie that I don't know how I even managed to drive. Everything was on "auto-pilot" from then on...

My mom's last wish was for her to be buried among her family in her hometown of Kuala Kangsar, Perak. So after all the legalities were done and the "kapan" was done at my parents house in KL, we drove her to KK. Everything was done by about 5pm that day....

She was an awesome woman, loved by all her family & friends. I missed her very much and tho we have had our differences, I truly love her. I am just glad that she's not suffering anymore.

Mummy, I love you & miss you lots. Alfatihah...

Sicko

Jim & I saw the movie "Sicko" by Michael Moore last night. It was a documentary about the health system in the US compared to other countries in the world. I love watching his movies/documentaries coz it makes you think. Anyways, if you have a chance, go watch it...

Harry Potter & the Deadly Hollows

I finally finished reading "Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows" at 3am this morning. For the last 4 days I could not put that book down. I've never had so much fun reading a fictional book ever since I read "Lord of the Rings" by Tolkien so many years ago when I was in high school.

I have to admit that this is the only book I've read of the Harry Potter series. I've always just wait for the movie to come out. Haven't had a chance to see the 5th movie yet, "Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix" but I am sure I will love it just like I love the first 4 movies. Reading "Deadly Hollows" makes me want to read the first 6 books. It is one of a few books that while reading it, I would sink into the imaginary world of Harry Potter. I feel like I was actually there seeing all their adventure unfold in front of me. I was so into my imaginary world that Jim (my hubby) said I was totally oblivious to my surrounding. I had this total concentration on my face as I turn page after page of that book.

Anyways, I am thinking of ordering the hardcover set, book 1 - 6 on Amazon.com. The set doesn't go on sale until October 1st and I am not sure if I want to wait that long to read it. Since I've already seen the first 4 movies and most likely will see the 5th, I might just buy the "Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince" so as to keep my "thirsty" mind from wondering too far.....

It Finally Happened....

Alas, what I have been waiting for the last few months finally happened. Remember a few blogs ago I wrote about changes happening at work? It finally happened yesterday. Everything is signed, t's are crossed, i's are dotted and the ink is dry. Dr. K now owns 100% of the dental practice. Dr. S and Mr. A are no longer part of the dental ownership.... Starting next week I will be working from home for Dr. K doing the books and all the stuff I normally do. It will be interesting to see how that goes. I am looking forward to working from home coz I get to see my 3 boys more..he he he.

Anyways, even though Dr. S and Mr. A are no longer partners with Dr. K on the dental practice, I will still work for them on the dental software side along with Mr. V. In fact, Dr. S wants me to start working for him for his own dental practice. So, now I will have 3 part time jobs instead of a full time and a part time and I still have the same 4 bosses as I did before.

I am excited about the new arrangement. I just hope that I will be able to handle juggling 3 different companies all at once... Oh well, here's to a new beginning....

Pray...

Thanks Wan Chik for this postcard....I love you...

B.I.T.C.H.O.L.O.G.Y.

*I got this from my friend, Julie. I do have to say, in some way I am a bitch...he he he.

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch.

When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch.

When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch.

Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart. It means I live my life MY way. It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.

When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a bitch.

The same happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish.

It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they thing I "should" be.

I am outspoken, opinionate and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!

So try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed.

And if that makes me a bitch, so be it. I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.

"Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody is watching."

Between Friends

I came across this comic strip today. Have you ever done this? I know I have

Pet Peeve(s)

I have this little pet peeve about online chatting (instant messenging i.e. IM). I have been communicating with family and friends on yahoo messenger (definitely cheaper than calling them on the phone). Lately, I have a few chatters who would "BUZZ" me when they first get online. So, this is my pet peeve...how hard is it to say "Hello" or bagi salam when you first chat with someone? Everytime someone buzz me, I feel like I have to sit up straight and pay attention or that I am someone's maid that I have to go fetch something for his/her majesty. I am not your SERVANT, dammit!!! . It bugs me so much that I have put a few people on my ignore list just because of this.

Another pet peeve I have about internet chatting is that just because you have all the time in the world to chat, does not mean that I do. Or that when I do have time to chat but a little late in replying to their chat, they would start buzzing. HELLO??? If I could reply immediately I would.

I honestly think that some people need to take some kind of online etiqutte class before they are allowed to chat with anyone (I feel the same way about cell phones too but that is a whole different story). People are just so rude and/or don't have any manners nowadays. No wonder our society is going down the tubes...

Anyways, to all my family and friends, if you BUZZ me and I don't answer, you know the reason why....

Rose is Rose

I just love this comic strip!!!

Happy Birthday Wan Chik

HAPPY 46th BIRTHDAY WAN CHIK!!!

Love,

Jim, Yin, Sammy & Tiger

Arrrggghhhhhh...worry, worry, worry

Could I be standing in line at this office in a month or two? Maybe, but I surely hope not. There are some changes happening at my work that will definitely effect everyone. I can't tell you what the changes are just yet coz nobody else in the office knows about it except for the owners and yours truly. The owners don't want to announce it to the employees just yet until they are sure everything is in order. They don't want to cause any panic among the employees which I can understand. I truly appreciate the trust the owners have in me to keep everything in order...

I think the changes that are happening will be good for the office but I just can't stop worrying about how it would effect me. I've been with this company for a little over 2 years now after quitting a very good job at a bank. In fact, the owners were my customers at the bank. Though there are more opportunities for me to climb the corporate ladder at the bank, I was not happy there. After about 10 years working in the customer service department (at various jobs including the bank), I was getting burned out dealing with the public. I find that I don't want to hear people whine when they don't get their way or deal with rude people (customers are not always right, you know!). I am just tired of dealing with people.

At my present job, I have my own little office tucked away in the far corner of the building where it is peace and quiet (except for Tuesdays when they use my side of the building to see additional patients). As long as I have my cup of coffee or tea (depending whether it's winter or summer) and my music, I am happy clicking away on the computer looking at numbers and charts. My hours are pretty flexible, Tuesday - Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. Actually, the hours are not really important since the work I do doesn't require me to be in the office while the patients are there, I can actually work whenever I want. That really helps especially if I have appointments to go to, I can adjust my work hours around it. I can even go into work at midnight if I want to...

Anyways, one of the changes that will effect me is that I might be working from home a lot more. Which, by itself would be totally awesome but the compensation might be a little less than what I get right now. My hours might also be less and that is what is worrying me the most at the moment. You see, Jim has been ill since February and am not able to work full time so, currently I am the main bread winner. As I am being paid by the hour, the more hours I work, the more I make. We are doing okay at the moment but if my hours are cut down, I worry that we might not be able to fulfill our financial obligations (I am so glad that my student loan is paid off a long time ago - phew!). Of course we have our savings to fall back on but I would like to keep that for a true emergency or our old age.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to take it one day at a time. Nothing else I can do about it. In time, I am sure everything will fall into place. Everything will work out in the end...

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.

Courage to change the things I can.

And the wisdom to know the difference

Tips For An Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life

Thanks Raj, for these words of wisdom. I am trying to practice them as much as I can though some are harder to accomplish than others...

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to ____ today."

5. Live with the 3 E's - Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2006.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, taichi, qigong and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and planty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.

13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest you enery in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that apprear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to wate time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idead what their journey is all about.

24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy linderie (not you guys). Don't save it for a special occassion. Today is special.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In 5 years, will this matter?"

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family & friends will. Stay in touch.

32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

34. The best is yet to come.

35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36. Do the right thing!

37. Call your family often.

38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I am thankful for ____." Today I accomplished _____.

39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so mate the most of it and enjoy the ride.

Ouch!!!

The last couple of weeks I have been having this dull pain on my lower back. I am not sure what is wrong with it. Every time I stand up, the pain shots up and down my spine that I couldn't stand up straight. I am starting to walk like I did before I had my back surgery in '92. I try to lay down as much as I can but there come a point where you can't lay anymore. At first I thought it was because I've been laying on the futon downstairs but now whatever I do I'm in pain. I've tried laying on the bed as well as the floor and it doesn't help. I wear the back brace almost all the time now coz without it, the pain is excruciating.

I guess if the pain doesn't go away soon, I should go in and see the doctor. I've been taking Advil to dull the pain but of course, I have to keep taking it every 4 hours and I feel like I'm all drugged up. Urgh, I really hate this. I feel like an old woman!!! I just hope that I'm not getting the same problem I had before I had my back surgery, that would really suck!!!

I am getting really frustrated coz if it's not one thing, it's another... I hope this will end soon coz I don't know how much more I can take.!!!

Sleepy

Here I am at about 5:05 am and wide awake.... Woke up at about 3:45 am and can't go back to sleep so I decided to play some of my games in the hopes that I would get sleepy. No such luck so far... Am yawning quite a bit but my eyes are wide open. My 3 boys are fast asleep. Tiger is sleeping on Jim's belly at the moment and Sammy is right here beside me, sleeping on the chair. Every so often Sammy would open his eyes a little just to make sure that I am still here. He must be wondering why I'm not in bed. I am sure he would rather be on the futon/bed right now. But, being my "shadow", he'll be right beside me wherever I am at the moment hence the reason why he's on the chair curled up in a ball.

Hemm, I'm having my in laws over for lunch tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. My mother in law's birthday was yesterday (July 6th) and since I had to work and Jim not feeling well, I figured I'll have the family come over for lunch on Sunday. That way, even if Jim isn't up to it, he at least could enjoy some time with his family and still be at home. He hasn't seen little Karsen for a while now and I know that he misses her.

What am I going to make for lunch? My in laws really like it when I make Malaysian dishes when they come over. I think I'll make some popiah goreng (spring rolls) for appertizer. For the main dish I think I'll make kuey teoy goreng with seafood. Also maybe make some roti paratha with dahl, or maybe nasi ayam (chicken rice). I'm not good at making dessert so maybe I'll just get an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbin's. It is my mother in law's birthday after all...

I'm getting a little hungry now so I think I'll go raid the fridge and see what leftovers we have that I could munch on. Maybe I should just heat up some milk and see if that would help me fall back to sleep.

Catch ya guys later.... Adios

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy 61st birthday Mom...

Help! - The Beatles

Help, I need somebody

Help, not just anybody

Help, you know I need someone, help

When I was younger, so much younger than today

I never needed anybody's help in any way

But now those days are fone, I'm not so self assured

Now I feel I've changed my mind and opened up the doors

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down

And I do appreciate you being around

Help me, get my feet back on the ground

Won't you please, please help me

And now my life has changed in oh so many ways

My independence seems to vanish in the haze

But every now and then I so so insecure

I know that I just need you like I've never done before

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down

And I do appreciate you being around

Help me get my feet back on the ground

Won't you please, please help me, help me , help me...oh

4th of July with Karsen

I was over at Christine & Frank's (my sister in law) earlier today to celebrate 4th of July and took some of these pictures of my little niece Karsen. She's only about 19 months but is quite tall and very smart!

"What are you looking at?" She's a little grumpy since she just woke up from her nap

"Look Daddy, I'm playing the drums"

"Yum, this thumb sure taste good"

The pool in the backyard sure is a good place to cool off in this 116F degree weather.

Happy 4th!!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

Malas!!!

Hello, hello, hello...It's me, the "lazy" bum, who is extremely bored at the moment..LOL. Well, the dental side is off today as well as all of next week for 4th of July. Everyone is off somewhere on vacation...(Melissa, I am really jealous that you are in Hawaii!!!), except for yours truly...

Actually, I could be off too but I can't afford not to work at the moment. Anyways, the software side is open today and next week except for July 4th for Independence Day. I have to "keep an eye" on the guys since our bosses are all on vacation he he he. Since I don't really have much to do at work today, and the payroll guy is already here (I've distributed everyone's paycheck), I think I will get off of work very early...like in the next half hour or so..he he he.

I have to stop at the petstore as well as the grocery store on my way home. I gave the boys their last can of food this morning so I need to get more for them before there is a riot at home. Also, need to pick up some milk and veggies for Jim & myself. Am thinking of going to Lee Lee's market coz I'm already out of the lempuk but am feeling lazy to drive that far. Maybe I'll go to Lee Lee's on Monday.

Well, I guess I'd better get to tidying up me desk if I want to get out of here soon. I'll catch ya later...Have a great weekend!!!!

Who's Diary Entry is this???

* Someone forwarded me this diary entry...I thought it was funny...

WIFE's DIARY
Sunday night.
I thought he was acting weird.
We had made plans to meet at a cafe to have coffee.
I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset that I was a bit late, but he made no comment.

Conversation wasn't flowing, so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk.
He agreed but he kept quiet and absent.
I asked him what was wrong.
He said: "Nothing."
I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset.
He said it had nothing to do with me, and not to worry.

On the way home I told him that I loved him.
He simply smiled and kept driving.
I can't explain his behavior;
I don't know why he didn't say: "I love u, too."

When we got home, I felt as if I had lost him, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore.
He just sat there and watched TV; he seemed distant and absent.

Finally, I decided to go to bed.
About 10 minutes later he came to bed.

I could not take it anymore, so I decided to confront him with the situation but he had fallen asleep.
I started crying and cried until I too fell asleep.
I don't know what to do.
I'm almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else.


HUSBAND's DIARY
Today, Manchester United lost the match. DAMN IT..!!

As Tagged by B.A.MZ.1.0.7 - for charity

Alhamdulillah... it's for charity..(pls refer to Idham's blog for details)The rules: If you are tagged, you need to write an entry related to the meme. At the end of your entry you just need to tag as many person as you like. You will then leave a comment in their blog to let them know they have been tagged."By doing this meme/tag Idham is contributing rm127 on YOUR BEHALF to the Darul Izzah Orphanage".The meme is about completing at least seventeen out of the following twenty seven sentences........

1. A person is only as good as ..... he/she wants to be

2. Friendship is always ..... good to have

3. To love is to..... be yourself

4. Money makes me..... want to spend more ;-)

5. I miss ..... my family

6. My way of saying I care is by ..... showing it

7. I try to spread love and happiness by..... being nice to other people & not expecting anything in return

8. Pick the flowers when..... it's in your own garden or buy it from the florist

9. To love someone is to..... accept the way they are

10. Beauty is..... only skin deep

11. When I was thirteen, what I remember the most was..... being sent off to boarding school

12. When I was twenty one, I remember..... going to college in the states

13. I am most happy when ..... I am with my honey & 2 boys

14. Nothing makes me happier than ..... time with my honey & 2 boys

15. If I can change one thing, I will change..... the prejudice people have on anyone who is different from them

16. If smiles were..... chocolates then I..... will try to eat as much as I can then distribute the rest to everyone else ;-)

17. Wouldn't it be nice if we could..... live in peace and harmony without prejudice and hatred

18. If you want to ..... be a good person, then you have to ..... be good to yourself first.

19. Money is not everything but..... it sure does help get most things

20. The most touching moments I have experienced is..... when my late mom told me that she loves me

21. I smile when.... I'm happy

22. When I am happy, I..... smile.. ;)

23. If only I don't have to ..... go to work, then..... I will be at home right now ;-P

24. The best thing I did yesterday was.... being with my honey & boys

25. If I ever write a book, I will give it this title, "... Tales of Two Kitties ..."

26. One thing I must do before I die is..... do my hajj

27. Doing this meme, I feel like ..... doing a good deed indeed :-)

The originator of this tag is aiming to collect at least rm10,000 worth of meme/tags from bloggers by 26th August. Once this tag is done, please leave a comment in Idham’s blog to inform him that you have done the tag. Many thanks and hope this small tag could contribute towards making some orphans happy, insya Allah...

I herefore tag: Deen, Riz, Wan Chik, Nin, Ifrah & Mawan

Lempuk

This afternoon I drove Jim to his doctor's appointment. Since I don't feel like waiting, I dropped Jim off at his doctor's and went to Lee Lee's Asian Market not too far from his appointment.

I really love going to that store. It's a huge Asian grocery store and it sells all kind of stuff from all over the world. I get all my Asian stuff from there. You wouldn't believe all the stuff that they sell, from the normal stuff you could get from the regular grocery store to the most bizarre things.

The first time I went there, I was really amazed that they carry the stuff that I would normally get from home but not here. They have santa, roti paratha, maggi mee, kicap ABC, sauce lingam, petai, fresh cempedak, durian, belacan and even cincalok!!! They have a deli section too and I would get fresh cendol as well as tau foo fah (hard soy curd) from there. I am in heaven whenever I go there...he he he. They also carry things from Europe so I would go down the "Holland" aisle and get the mayonaisse I fell in love with when we lived in Holland.

Anyways, as I was browsing the aisles today, I came across something that I didn't think I would find here...it was durian paste (lempuk in Malay - pictured above). My oh my, I was so happy...You see durian (left pic) is my favorite fruit but unfortunately, the smell would knock Jim off his feet, so he forbids me to bring it home. Since I love durian so much and I am "forbidden" to eat it (he he he)... lempuk come in a close 2nd. I would rather have tempoyak (another kind of durian paste) but that would involve me bringing in the forbidden durian into the house...

So, since it only cost US$0.79 plus tax, I bought quite a few of them. I am actually eating one right now as I type this blog.... We'll see later if Jim get knocks off his feet when he tries to kiss me.... he he he

Go Cubbies Go!!!

Take me out to the ballgame

Take me out to the crowd

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack

I don't care if I ever get back

For we root, root, root for the CUBBIES

If they don't win it's a shame

Coz it's one, two, three strikes, you're out

At the old ballgame

GO CUBBIES GO!!!!!

My Favorite TV Shows

HEROES - NBC (Channel 12), Monday @ 8:00 pm. A drama that examines what happens when otherwise ordinary people find out they have superpowers. All strangers at first, it is slowly revealed they they are all connected somehow as a greater conspiracy unfolds as well as a global danger of a nuclear bomb that they seem predestined to stop. As the mysteries of who they are and the dangers they face as individuals and a group unfold, they band together, one at a time, to save the world and possibly each other.








LOST - ABC (Channel 15), Wednesdays @ 9:00 pm. The survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 were 1,000 miles off course when they crashed on a lush, mysterious island. Each person possesses a shocking secret, but they've got nothing on the island itself, which harbors a monsterous "security system," a series of underground bunkers and a group of violent survivalists hidden in the shadows.








GREY'S ANATOMY - ABC (Channel 15), Thursdays @ 8:00 pm. A hospital drama that focuses on Meredith Grey, who's part of a group of surgical interns at a hospital in Seattle. The daughter of a famous surgeon, Meredith struggles to maintain relationships with her fellow interns while at the same time competing with them.








THE OFFICE - NBC (Channel 12), Thursdays @ 7:30 pm. An American remake of the hit British mockumentary series of the same name, set in the workplace of a paper company, that follows the daily follies of an odd group of employees and their tyrannical boss.









THE CLOSER - TNT (Channel 26), Mondays @ 8:00 pm. A female deputy chief from Atlanta, known for her ability to obtain confessions, oversees a newly-created unit of the Los Angeles Police Department that handles high-profile murder cases. As a woman and an outsider, she must fight for the respect she deserves from her old-boy network colleagues while trying to solve homicides








THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART - Comedy Central (Channel 52), daily @ 11:00pm. Nightly news series presenting an alternative and humorous perspective on trends, pop culture, current events, politics, sports and movies. Episodes feature clips, short films, debates, panel discussions, live in-studio performances, man-on-the-street interviews, and celebrity interviews








THE COLBERT REPORT - Comedy Central (Channel 52), daily @ 11:30 pm. Former "Daily Show" Senior Correspondent Stephen Colbert takes on cable-news blowhards in his own show, which each night asserts his essential rightness about the issues of the day. Colbert also promises that he will "not just read the news to viewers, but feel the news at them."








MONK - USA (Channel 28), Fridays @ 10:00pm. After the unsolved murder of his wife, Adrian Monk developed obsessive-compulsive disorder -- a terrifying and irrational fear of germs and contamination. His condition cost him his job as a prominent homicide detective on the San Francisco police force. He continues to solve crimes with the help of his new nurse, Natalie, and his former boss, Leland Stottlemeyer.








WITHOUT A TRACE - CBS (Channel 5), Sundays @ 8:00 pm. A fast-paced procedural drama about the Missing Persons Squad of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The sole responsibility of the special task force is to find missing persons by applying advanced psychological profiling techniques to the evidence and decide whether the missing people have been abducted, been murdered, committed suicide or simply run away.

Happy Birthday Syarah

HAPPY 34th BIRTHDAY SYARAH - TENGKU AISYARAH

Backache

For the last few days, my lower back have been aching non stop. I am not sure why it's hurting so much. I feel like an old lady everytime I walk. I have been sleeping on the futon a lot lately since our big tv is in the living room, maybe that's why my back is all out of whack.

I have to admit that I don't have good posture to begin with. Ever since I was young, I've always slouched when I walk. I tried to make myself smaller coz I was always teased about my height. From that I think I've gotten so used to slouching that I do it without even thinking about it.

Anyways, Jim found my back brace for me and all night last night and today I have it on. One thing about wearing that brace is not only it helps with my back but it also helps me to eat less. I guess with my backache, I won't be on the computer too much this weekend. I'd better just lay down and be the lazy bum I usually am anyways....he he he...

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Scarred

Thanks to my little boy, Tiger, I am scarred for life. Let me start from the beginning.... For the past few weeks, Jim & I had left the blinds of our big front window open so that Tiger & Sammy could look outside at the birds. They both really like staring out that window, Tiger especially. He would sit on the futon with his front paws on the window sill (just like the pic above) and stare at the birds, bugs or the neighbor's kids for hours. He would get really excited especially when the birds come near the window. His tail would wag really fast and he would make this "Eaik, Eaik" sound.

Being the loving mom that I am, I figured that he would enjoy going out onto the front lawn so that he could watch the birds more closely. So, on Sunday afternoon, I put him on his leash and was about to take him outside for his little outing. I had him in my arms over my left shoulder and as I unlocked the front door, it made a loud noise. The sound scared Tiger so much that he started to squirm in my arms. I tried to hold him still but the more I try, the harder he squirmed and struggled to get free. Alas, he got away from me and as he jumped from my arms, his back paws scratched up my upper left arm and the side of my left boob. The rest of the day, Tiger hid in his den under the futon and no matter how much coaxing Jim & I did, he wouldn't come out until later in the day.

I was in shock when the whole thing happened. I wanted to make sure that Tiger was okay then, when I looked at my arm, it had welt up with red scratches all over it and my left boob has a long red scratch along the side. I was in so much pain that I almost cried... Cleaned up my "battle" wounds as best as I can and tried to coax Tiger out from his den.

Tiger stayed away from me the rest of the day. I think he was more scared than I was about the whole thing. He did come and sleep with me and Sammy on the futon that night. The next day, it seems like he had forgotten what had happened the day before until he saw me picked up his leash. He zoomed right into his den under the futon and didn't come out until I put the leash away... Poor guy...

Anyways, I am still nursing my wounds, it still hurts like crazy.... but I guess I'll have my scars from my battle with my little boy Tiger....he he he

Happy Father's Day

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all you Dads, Grandpas & Uncles out there....

Heroes Personality Test

What can I say, I am a nerd and I am proud of it!!! Thanks Sofia for the link to the Heroes Personality Test..... I really love this show, never miss it, every Monday nights at 8:00pm on NBC (channel 12).

Your Score: Micah Sanders

You scored 50 Idealism, 29 Nonconformity, 41 Nerdiness

Can we play Scrabble tonight?Congratulations, you're Micah Sanders! You're good-natured, intelligent, perceptive, and naturally inclined toward technology. You're also quite innocent and loving. You've got a fondness for computers and Scrabble. Your best quality: You're extremely perceptive Your worst quality: You can be a little demanding at times

Link: The Heroes Personality Test written by freedomdegrees on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Bored

I am so bored today. Not that I don't have anything better to do....have plenty of work but I am just feeling bored. It's only about 11:00 am right now and I feel like I've been here for hours. Though it's Wednesday, it just feels like a Friday to me...malas betul. I wish I could go home and hang out with my boys...

I couldn't sleep very well last night. Kept tossing and turning all night, not sure why. Maybe that's why I'm feeling bored...can't really concentrate coz lack of zzzzzz.

Oh well, I better get back to work...Feeling bored and lazy isn't gonna get my work done...

House on Pooh Corner

Christopher Robin and I walked along

under branches lit up by the moon

Posing our questions to Owl and Eeyore

as our days disappeared all too soon

But I've wandered much further today than I should

and I can't seem to find my way to to the wood

So, help me if you can, I've got to get

back to the house at Pooh corner by one

You'd be surprised there's so much to be done

Count all the bees in the hive

chase all the clouds from the sky

Back to the days of Christopher Robin and Pooh

Winnie the Pooh doesn't know what to do

got a honey jar stuck on his nose

He came to me asking help and advice

and from here no one knows where he goes

So, I sent him to ask the Owl if he's there

how to loosen a jar from the nose of a bear

Unwritten - Natasha Beddingfield

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined

I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty window

Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines

We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

As tagged by B.A.M.Z.1.0.7

Here’s my answer to your tag…

The Layered me

Layer One: On the Outside
Name: Raja Norshirin Raja Jalil-Pergo, Yin to family and close friends. Shirin to most friends. Honey/Shereeeeen to hubby. Mrs. Pergo to telemarketers
Birthdate: January 14th, 197_
Current status: Married, mom to 2 cats
Eye color: Brown
Hair Color: Black going on "blonde" due to my gray hair
Righty or Lefty: Righty

Layer Two: On the Inside
My heritage: Melayu - Dad from Selangor, late Mom half Perak & half Tanjung Balai, Sumatra
My fears: too many to list here....
My weaknesses: my patience
My perfect pizza: Uno's Pizza

Layer Three: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
My thoughts first thing when I wake up: Ish bising lah alarm clock ni
My bedtime: Varies from day to day or should I say night to night
My most missed memory: Childhood

Layer Four: My picks
Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi, but I rather have Mountain Dew
McDonald's or Burger King: McD
Single or Group Dates: Single
Adidas or Nike: Nike
Tea or Nestea: Tea
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Cappucino or Coffee: Both, I'm a coffeeholic

Layer Five: Do I
Smoke: Tried it once - tasted like crap
Curse: Of course
Take shower: Every day
Have a crush: Of course, don't we all?
Think I've Been In love: Yes
Go to school: Did that
Want to get married: Am currently married
Believe in myself: Yes
Think I'm a health freak: Me, a health freak? You're kidding right?


Layer Six: In the past month
Drank alcohol: Never
Gone to the mall: Superstition Spring Mall
Been on stage: No
Eaten Sushi: No
Dyed your hair: No

Layer Seven: Have I ever
Played a stripping game: No
Changed who I am to fit in: No

Layer Eight: Age
I am hoping to be married: 21 but did it when I was 25 (better to be married to the right person than at the "right" age)

Layer Nine: What was I doing
1 min ago: Making Ramen Noodle
1 hour ago: Chatting with Jim
4.5 hours ago: Sleeping
A month ago: Can't remember...mostly at home or work
1 year ago: Cursing the hot summer weather

Layer Ten: Finish The Sentence
I love: My family, Jim & my 2 boys
I feel: restless
I hate: people who are ignorant but think that they are right
I hide: my archie comic books so that Sammy doesn't tear them up

Layer Eleven: Tag 5 people
I hereby pass this on to Deen, Riz, Wan Chik, Nin & Cynthia

Happy Birthday Timah!!

HAPPY 31st BIRTHDAY TIMAH - Fatima Shaharuddin

Happy Birthday Iqie!!!

HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY IQIE - Raja Harith Rifqi

Not Ready To Make Nice

Not Ready To Make Nice Video

Not Ready To Make Nice lyrics - Dixie Chicks lyrics

Dixie Chicks Music Videos

Music Video Codes by VideoCure

Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I'm not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I'm still waiting

I'm through, with doubt
There's nothing left for me to figure out
I've paid a price, and I'll keep paying

I'm not ready to make nice
I'm not ready to back down
I'm still mad as hell
And I don't have time
To go round and round and round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is
You think I should

I know you said
Why can't you just get over it
It turned my whole world around
And I kind of like it

I made my bed, and I sleep like a baby
With no regrets and I don't mind saying
It's a sad sad story
That a mother will teach her daughter
That she ought to hate a perfect stranger
And how in the world
Can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge

Tired!!!

I am so tired of adults acting like kids!!! Please just grow up and not sulked around when you don't get your way. I am tired....I work all day and at times I really don't feel like catering to other people's needs.

Who's REALLY Threatening Your Relationship? by David Zinczenko

Who's REALLY Threatening Your Relationship?
Posted by David Zinczenko
on Fri, May 25, 2007, 2:30 pm PDT

No matter how well your relationship seems to be going, there are always threats circling: financial stresses that send your harmony off-key. Divergent interests and priorities that make together-time hard to schedule. But perhaps the most potent threat comes in the form of the enemy invader -- the man or woman who has the power to lure your partner into the tempting and dangerous world of infidelity. And even if your partner is a man or woman of unyielding loyalty, your own jealousy-justified or not-can create a relationship hazard. So, is your jealousy justified? Let's take a look at the prime suspects, and see if we can't figure out what they've been up to.

The Co-Worker:
In most work settings, your partner has maybe hundreds, probably dozens, or at least a few opportunities to develop good relationships with people who could be potential lovers. In most cases, those relationships are more innocent than baby lambs. Still, the average office has high potential for trouble, because it's where your partner will meet people who think alike, who battle crises side-by-side, who work in close quarters, and who have the opportunity to really get to know (and admire) each other. While it's crazy to obsess over every person your partner works with, chances are that if you have a gut feeling about a lurking somebody, there may be something to it.

Potential Threat Level: 4 stars (out of a possible 5)

The Drunk Stranger:
It's the scenario we all fear. Our partner goes out, hangs with friends, flirts with fellow drunks, makes a bad decision, and wakes up with their underwear hanging from some stranger's chandelier. While the scenario lends itself easily to our imaginations, the truth is that the drunk-stranger scenario isn't as much of a threat as we make it out to be. Why? Even drunk, most of us can be savvy enough to know that the momentary adrenaline that may come from said hookup isn't worth the long-term damage that comes later. The exception: If your partner shows a propensity to make bad, dangerous decisions when drinking. In which case, they have to change, or go.

Potential Threat Level: 1 star (unless...)

The Ex:
Tough one. Some of us want nothing more to do with our exes once we break up. And some of us keep have our exes as our desktop background for years after the split. Since we're very sensitive about the status of the ex (according to national surveys I did for Men, Love & Sex, 20 percent of us think that searching the Internet for an ex is cheating, for example), we all know the stakes. We know that our current partner used to find something attractive about the ex-so we're vulnerable to feeling as if we'll never live up to that prior history. While hooking back up with an ex is tempting, most of remember exactly why we broke up in the first place. Novelty is the greatest temptation toward cheating, and that's one thing an old flame can't offer: the lure of something new.

Potential Threat Level: 2 stars

The Opposite-Sex Friend:
Drives you crazy, eh? He meets her for coffee every week. She IMs an old college buddy a few times a month. The opposite-sex friend lurks like a hungry wolf, ready to pounce at the next opportunity. While I'm convinced that men and women can both be very good at drawing the line between friendship and romance, the truth is that it's pretty darn easy for a long-lasting friendship to turn into a secretly burning romance. In the aforementioned surveys, one-fifth of men say they secretly love their platonic friend, with many more secretly lusting after them. That doesn't mean that your partner can't have opposite-sex friends, but it does mean that as the friendship grows, so do the odds of trouble.

Potential Threat Level: 5 stars

That's my inventory of lurking love threats. Now it's your turn to share yours-either merging traffic that knocked your main love interest off the road, or exit ramps you've taken, or were tempted to take, for roadside attractions. Do tell...The harder part, here, is deciding what to do about this phenomenon, whether you're tempter or temptee. My advice is to shine a big light on the situation. Mystery is the shawdowy zone where suspicions take root. So if your partner tends to worry about interoffice correspondence springing up, invite him out for after-work drinks with the gang, or to the company picnic this summer. Familiarity, in this case, breeds understanding and defuses suspicions. And if you're thinking about an extracurricular dalliance, take a step back. The only thing that works is to stick to the one-serious-relationship-at-a-time rule. If you're not satisfied with the primary relationship, either fix it or end it. Then when Paula from accounting or Peter from HR starts hanging around your desk, you'll reject the offer with good reason, or head off into the supply closet with nary a care in the world (unless, of course, there are security cameras and company rules about this sort of stuff).

Happy Birthday Abg Man

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABANG MAN!!! (RAJA AZMAN RAJA SULAIMAN)

Balik Kampung.....

Hemm, it looks like I might be able to go back to Malaysia this October for raya puasa as well as my cousin, Hazel's wedding...yes!!!! That is, if my bosses let me go la...I have to ask them when I get back to work on Tuesday.

At first we weren't sure if I could go back or not since Jim was out of work for about 3 months due to his illness but after looking at our budget, it looks like I will be able to. Unfortunately, Jim most likely won't be able to go since he was out sick and is still not 100% healthy. He will be left with the boys for about 2 weeks while I am gone.

Anyways, I am really excited about going back. This will be the 2nd time I am able to go back for raya puasa. The 1st time being November '05. I miss my family so much and am glad that I am able to see them again, tho I am a little anxious about seeing my dad considering how things went between us the last time I was there. Oh well, if I see him, that is okay, if not that is okay too, I'm not going to worry about it.

I guess I'd better book my ticket as soon as I get the okay from my bosses..... I'll let you guys know when everything is confirmed.