Good Morning

Easter Eggs

These were my first attempt at making Easter eggs yesterday. I have to admit that they turned out pretty good.

Salukis vs Sun Devils

vs

The 2nd round of the NIT (National Invitational Tournament) between Jim & my alma mater, the Southern Illinois University Salukis (4) against the Arizona State University Sun Devils (1) was last night. The game was at the ASU Wells Fargo arena in Tempe, Arizona. We were suppose to go to the game but since Jim wasn't feeling too good, we end up watching it on ESPN (channel 32) last night.

I think it was a good thing that we didn't go coz the Salukis got trounced by the Sun Devils 65-51. The Salukis were leading for about the first 8 minutes of the first half of the game then the Sun Devils took the lead and everything start going downhill from then on. 2 of the Salukis starters are injured so they had to put a couple of freshmen in to play instead. They kept making shots but nothing went in. It got so frustating that I started to yell at the tv. My 2 sons got so scared of my yelling that they stayed as far away from me as they can without leaving the room.

A few of the guys at the software office I work for went to or is attending ASU so I'm in for some ribbing from them. Oh well, there is always next year.... *evil grin*

Happy Birthday Aunty Duya

Happy birthday to my aunt, Aunty Duya (Tengku Khrusia) who is celebrating her 45th tomorrow.

My Favorite Pics

I took these two pictures a few days ago and they are fast becoming my favorite.

Tiger (front) loves Sammy very much that Sammy is by far his favorite in the house. Tiger emulates whatever Sammy does, he even learned to fight like Sammy (boxer style, jab jab jab with his left then "POW!" with his right). He is also very attached to his Daddy that he sleeps on Jim's belly most of the time. In this picture, they are both looking out the window at the birds on the front lawn. Sammy is in his little "cubby" which he likes to sleep in during the day. Tiger has his own cube too but red with blue trimming.

Sammy is so attached to me that he gets really jealous of anything or anyone (including his Daddy) that takes me away from paying attention to him. He is especially jealous of the computer. Whenever he sees me on the computer is when he wants me to pay attention to him. He will climb the desk, stand in front of the monitor or just plain sit on the keyboard or mouse. He's been getting worst about it that I have to resort to locking him out of the computer room. This, however, does not deter him at all. Now whenever I am in the computer room, he slamss himself against the door as if to break it down as well as hanging by the door knob trying to turn it (which he can't since the door knob is round). He would also resort to howling (yes, HOWLING!) outside the room to get me to let him in. As you can see in this picture his attempt to keep me from reading the "Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets".

Well, what can I say... I love my 2 boys to bits ;-)

Happy Anniversary Deen & Riz

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY SISTER, DEEN (Raja Nor Syazleen) AND HER HUSBAND, RIZ (Tarkriz)WHO IS CELEBRATING THEIR 5TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TOMORROW. They are also expecting their first child some time in August...

Happy Birthday Nida

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEST FRIEND, NIDA (Hairunnida) WHO IS CELEBRATING HER 37TH TODAY. MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE!

Spring Break

Man, I must be getting old... I woke up this morning dreading that I have to go back to work tomorrow (Tuesday). I had a doctor's appointment at 8:30am this morning and when I got there, the receptionist greeted me by saying that she dreaded coming in this morning coz last week, they were on vacation for spring break. That is when I realized that my office (the dental side) is off this whole week for spring break and I don't have to go into work!!!

Can you imagine that? How could I forgot that I don't have to go to work this week? Well, I take that back, I still have to go to work for the software side but at least that is half the work load I normally have to do.

Anyways, I am going to take advantage of the spring break by doing some spring cleaning around the house. It's about time too. I better go thru all the clothes I have piled on the guestroom bed and see which ones I can donate. I think I'll stop at the Home Depot later and get a weed whacker for the back yard. About a month ago all the weed and grass are dead. But now it's about knee high coz of the rain we've getting lately.

Hemm, I guess I'd better get cracking on those clothes... Catch ya later

Tired...I'm so tired

... this is how I usually am on the weekends (see pic of polar bear). I get so tired from working during the week that I need the weekend to recharge.

Yes, I'll do the normal housework but other than that I don't do much. The older I get, the lazier I get. I would love to sleep in on the weekends but it's hard for me coz the boys will be clamouring all over me starting at about 5am wanting their breakfast. Even after their breakfast is served, I'll probably get about 5-10 minutes nap time before they want to play and that usually involves thrampling all over me as they chase each other.

What did I do this past weekend? Let me see... Saturday, nothing... How about Sunday? Hemm, again, nothing. Oh I did clean the bathroom and kitchen... that's about it.

Yawn... today is Monday... and even though I don't work on Mondays, it's usually filled with other things especially doctor appointments. Hemm, I better go take my shower since I do have one in 2 hours time.

First Pitch

My colleague, Melissa's son had the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at the Cubs spring training game last Thursday. Here are some pics of him on the pitching mount as well as by the Cubs logo

True Friendship

* A friend forwarded me this email and I thought it was funny so I decided to share it with you. Thanks Melissa..

This is dedicated to all my friends out there...

True Friendship is None of that Sissy Crap

Are you tired of those sissy "Friendship" poems that always sounds good, but never actually come close to reality?

Well, here are a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship. You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card -

1. When you are sad -- I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey.

2. When you are blue -- I will try to disloge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

4. When you are scared -- I will rag on you about it every chance I get.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7. When you are sick -- Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsiness.

9. This is my oath ... I pledge it to the end.

Why? you may ask; "because you are my friends!".

Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.

Cubs game

Jim and I were over at the Hohokam Stadium (it's only about 8 miles down the street from where we live) yesterday afternoon to watch the spring training game between the Arizona Diamonbacks and our beloved Chicago Cubs. Above is a pic of Jim that I took with my cellphone camera about half way thru the game. The weather was very nice, temperature was about 74F (about 23C), the sun was out and not a cloud in the sky. I was slightly sunburned but not too bad.

As you can see, we were on the first row near the Diamondbacks dugout. I was hoping to get some foul balls but alas did not get any. A few that came our way went to the upper deck or to the section next to us. There was one that I would have gotten (it was rolling on the field straight to me) but one of the ground staff dashed in front of me, caught the ball, gave it to a little kid a few seats down, and slid & fell as he was going back to his station. Hah!! karma!!

Anyways, we had fun at the game. We left at the top of the 8th inning (there are 9 innings for those of you who don't know much about baseball). Oh, we were parked right in front of the gate since Jim got a temporary handicapped parking sticker so we didn't have far to walk at all. At first we were a little worried about the car being hit with foul balls that leave the stadium but none came our way (Phew!).

The rest of the early evening was spent babysitting our little niece, Karsen, so that her parents get to have a "date" night...

By the way, Cubs won 4-1

Catfight!

I always wonder why when there is a bunch of women (well, men do this too) working together, there will be catfight(s). There is always some kind of drama when women are put together in any close proximity. I am so freaking tired of all these catfights and drama. Can't we all just get along?

I don't know why but it seems to me that some people (men & women) just love drama in their lives. They seems to like chaos so much that they sometimes instigate things that would cause conflicts. They seems to enjoy seeing mistrust, arguments and/or plain dislike among other people that they would go out of their way to make these things happen.

With my current job as financial controller and HR personnel, I've learned that the best thing for me to do is just stay out of these catfights and drama. I have enough things going on in my own life that I don't need someone else's crap to deal with.

When someone comes to me to vent, I will listen but I keep my mouth shut and not badmouth the other person they are venting about. There are always two sides of the story. I will try to listen to what they are saying and let them vent coz most of the time that is all that is to it, just venting. I don't take too seriously what people are saying especially when there are "threats" in that moment of frustration, unless there is a real concern that that threat is going to be carried out ("going postal" for example).

I've also learned that when someone comes to me and say, "so and so says this about you (or anyone else)", to just not trust what that person is saying. Trust me, that same person will turn around and say the same thing to the other person. People like this are not to be trusted with confidential information unless subconsciously you do want other people to know that information.

I just wish that there are less bickering, backstabbing, etc. Perhaps the world would be a better place if that these catfights would just ceased and deceased!!!

Pet Diaries

Jim emailed this to me the other day and I thought it was hilarious, especially the cat diary. So here they are...Enjoy!!!

Dog Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Cat Diary

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!!!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear noises and smell of food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies". I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seemed to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The birds has got to be an informant. I observed him communicate with the Guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.

For now....

Margot at the Wedding

Jim & I saw this movie last night and very early this morning. We fell asleep half way thru it last night, so we watched the rest very early this morning.

To me the movie was ok, a little bit boring actually. Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jack Black & John Turtorro starred in it. Kidman & Leigh played sisters in the movie. Kidman was Margot, a writer/author whose marriage to Turtorro is in trouble. So, to think things over, she and her son (who looks very much like a girl to me) went back to her parents house (now owned by Leigh) for Pauline's (Leigh) wedding. Jack Black was Leigh's musician fiance. Margot doesn't approve of Pauline's fiance since he's an unsuccessful musician, so she tries to put doubts in Pauline's about their relationship.

The movie isn't really about a wedding but more of a sister/sibling relationship. I think the movie would be better if that don't jump all over the place and move up the pace a little bit. So, if you are looking for a family drama, this is the movie for you but if you are looking for action or comedy...skip it. You won't find it here.

Matt Damon vs Ben Affleck on Jimmy Kimmel

Jim & I first saw this first clip on Jimmy Kimmel show a few weeks ago. Just a little background, Sarah Silverman is a comedian and she & Kimmel have been dating for several years now. As a joke to Kimmel, she did this video with Matt Damon below....

"I'M FUCKING MATT DAMON"

Well, last week Jimmy Kimmel got his revenge with this video... I thought these two video were hilarious!!!

"I'M FUCKING BEN AFFLECK"

Happy Anniversary Yon & Syarah

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY BROTHER AND SISTER-IN-LAW (Raja Lyon Ariff & Tengku Aisyarah), WHO CELEBRATED THEIR 9th TODAY.

My favorite colors

Black had always been my favorite color and most of my things are black. From time to time I do favor other colors though black remains my basic color.

From my early childhood to about my early grade school years I loved pink. Everything I owned had to have pink in it. I think every girl loves pink.

Going into high school.. The first couple of year I still loved pink. Lucky for me coz pink was the "it" color at that time that even the guys were also wearing pink..he he he. Into my 3rd year in high school I started wearing black too. I didn't really enjoy my time in high school so I think I wore a lot of black to match my mood then.

After high school and while I was in Holland, tulips became my favorite flower (and still is to this day) especially the yellow ones. So everything I have at that time was black with splashes of yellow or "orangy". Even then, black remains my color of choice.

Back to Malaysia after my little stint in Holland, I went to community college in Kuantan. I really enjoyed my time there so I wore more colorful stuff though black still remained my favorite color.

Ever since I live here in the US, my colors have been black and purple. Everything is either black or purple or a combination of both. Purple pen, purple ruler, purple & black calculator etc. I've had purple and/or black stuff for so long that I figure I'll most likely stick to those colors now. Well, I made a discovery today...

This morning as I was getting ready for work, I was in our closet trying to decide what I want to wear when I realized that my "it" color now is red. I just noticed that lots of my clothes are a variation of the color red. I thought it was rather interesting since I never really consciously buy anything red. Of course, black still make an appearance in most of my stuff.

As you notice, my choice of colors tend to reflex my "moods" so I am wondering what red means....

Jigsaw Puzzle

I am addicted!!! Absolutely addicted... Hopeless, absolutely, positively addicted... to jigsaw puzzle!!! My aunt and cousin got me hooked up on this jigsaw puzzle game on Facebook called "Puzzle Bee". Every free time I have now is spent solving those darn puzzles!!!

Well, gotta cut this short... need to get back to my puzzles...

Puzzle, puzzle, puzzle... need to solve more puzzle.....

Aunty Duya & Azli... I blame both of you for this!!!

Adventure at Golden Corral

We had lunch at the Golden Corral near my house today to celebrate my brother-in-law, Frank's, birthday. It is a buffet style restaurant so of course we ate too much, especially yours truly..he he he. We all had fun and here are some pics I took at the restaurant...Jim couldn't make it since he wasn't feeling well.

Karsen

Mom & Chris

Birthday boy, Frank

Dad & yours truly

Happy Birthday Frank

Happy birthday to my brother-in-law, Frank who is celebrating his 41st today. We'll see you at the Golden Corral tomorrow afternoon, Frank!! ;-)

9 Words Women Use

A good friend of mine emailed me this today. In the current mood that I am in right now, I thought it would be appropriate if I pass this along....

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with "nothing" usually end in "fine".

4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Dont' Do It!

5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonder why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing).

6. That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. This is true, unless she says "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thank you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome" ... that will bring on a "whatever".

8. Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying ____ YOU!

9. Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?". For the woman's response refer to #3.

Valentine

3's About Me...

Tagged again...this time by Jim

3's About Me!

1. Three jobs I have had in my life: Financial Controller, Senior Teller, Personal Financial Representative

2. Three movies I would watch over and over: Harry Potter & (insert any of the movies here), Four Weddings & a Funeral, While You Were Sleeping

3. Three places I have lived: USA, Malaysia, The Netherlands

4. Three shows that I watch: Lost, The Office, Grey's Anatomy

5. Three places I have been: England, Italy, Switzerland

6. Three people who e-mail me regularly: Jim, Wan Chik, Melissa

7. Three of my favorite foods: Nasi lemak, satay, curry noodle soup

8. Three places I'd rather be right now: Malaysia, in bed, on the beach somewhere

9. Three friends I think will respond: Wan Chik, Nin, Sofia

10. Three things I am looking forward to this year: a new niece or nephew, vacation in Malaysia, some peace and quiet

The Last King of Scotland

Jim & I finally saw this movie last night. It's about Idi Amin, the deposed dictator of Uganda. The movie was very good. It starred Forest Whitaker and James McAvoy.

Forest Whitaker played Idi Amin and James McAvoy was his personal physician. Although Idi Amin was a true person, the character of Dr Nicholas Garrigan (McAvoy) was fictional. The movie was seen thru the "eyes" of Dr Garrigan. Good movie, watch it if you can.

Happy Birthday Yon

Happy Birthday to my little brother, Yon (Raja Lyon Ariff), who celebrated his 34th today.

Happy Birthday Wan Nyah

Happy Birthday to my aunt, Wan Nyah (Raja Zaharira) who is celebrating her 60th today!!!

My Favorite Movies

These are my 5 all time favorite movies (they are not in any particular order). As you may notice 3 out of the 5 are Hugh Grant movies. I have to say that he is not one of my favorite actors but he happens to be in 3 of my favorite movies. Of course, my other favorite movies are the Harry Potter series...which I think have become my obsession he he he

Title: Four Weddings & a Funeral

Cast: Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, John Hannah, Kristin Scott Thomas

Plot Outline: This film follows the fortunes of Charles (Hugh Grant) and his friends as they wonder if they will ever find true love and marry. Charles thnks he's found "Miss Right" in Carrie (Andie MacDowell), an American. This British subtle comedy revolves around Charlie, his friens and the four weddings and one funeral which they attend.

Title: Nine Months

Cast: Hugh Grant, Julianne Moore, Tom Arnold, Joan Cusack, Jeff Goldblum, Robin Williams

Plot Outline: Samuel Faulkner (Hugh Grant) panics when he learns that his girlfriend of 5 years, Rebecca Taylor (Julianne Moore), is pregnant. Samuel is a child psychiatrist who is frustrated by children. Samuel doesn't want the baby, but Rebecca wants to settle down, even if she has to be a single mother. After a breakup and a makeover by Samual's friend Sean (Jeff Goldblum), he realizes that he loves Rebecca very much, and he will his child. Samuel proposes to Rebecca, and learns to love his child and life.

Title: Notting Hill

Cast: Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant

Plot Outline: Every man's dream comes true for William Thacker (Huggh Grant) , successless Notting Hill bookstore owner, when Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), the world's most beautiful woman and best-liked actress, enters this shop.

Title: While You Were Sleeping

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Jack Warden

Plot Outline: Lucy's (Sandra Bullock) life consists of constant loneliness that is until she saves Peter's (Peter Gallagher) life. Now she is part of his family, and with a strong heart and fate on her side, others begin to realize what a terrific person she is, especially Jack (Bill Pullman), Peter's brother. an extraordinary true to life sequence of events begin to take place as Lucy and Jack become closer and learn more about each other and themselves than one would ever expect from such coincidental, yet believable events.

Title: You Got Mail

Cast: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Greg Kinnear, Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton, Steve Zahn, Dave Chappalle

Plot Outline: Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan), owner of a little and famous bookstore for children's books, has an affair. Being together with Frank Navasky (Greg Kinnear), a well known journalist, she betrays him by emailing secretly and anonymously with a man whom she met in a chat room. Suddenly, her business gets endangered by the opening of Fox Books discount store just "around the corner". She meets Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), son of the owner, and soon gets annoyed by his arrogant way of managing business matters. Although getting advice by her anonymous mail-pal, she has to close down her store. But Joe Fox's life suddently gets out of control when he learns that his anonymous mail-pal is nobody other than Kathleen Kelly.

The Giants Win!!!

The Giants win! The Giants win! The Giants win! Enough said..... ;-)

p/s Sorry la Hafidz and Abg Firdaus...better luck next year ;-)

Ghost Rider

I wasn't feeling so great when I went to bed last night. I think I'm catching whatever that is being spread around the office. Needless to say, I had a restless night.

I had borrowed this DVD from one of my colleage last week and haven't had a chance to watch. So, at about 3am this morning and after tossing and turning in bed, I decided to watch it with my boy Sammy.

The movie was okay. Nicholas Cage plays the character Johnny Blaze who during the day is a stunt cyclist and at night is the Ghost Rider. It is based on a Marvel Comic character. There are a few famous actors in the movie; Peter Fonda, Wes Bentley, Sam Elliot & Eva Mendes.

At this point, I am not sure if I like the movie or not. Mainly, due to the fact that I was hacking up a storm while watching the movie that I didn't really concentrate on what was going on. So, you guys decide on your own okay.

I am off to bed to sleep off this pounding headache...bye

Super Bowl XLII

VS

This year The Super Bowl is being held at the University of Phoenix Stadium here in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, February 3 between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants.

Who are Jim & I rooting for?... Well, we don't really care who wins since our team is the Chicago Bears (they lost against the Indiana Colts in last year's SuperBowl). Though we are not picking side, I would like to see the Giants win. Everyone is saying that the Patriots are going to win since they went 16-0 during the regular season. And of course, Tom Brady had been in 3 SuperBowls and won all 3. I just like to root for the underdog. Furthermore, the Giants quarterback is Eli Manning who is the younger brother to Peyton Manning who plays for the Colts and won the SuperBowl last year.

We are going over to my in-law's house on Sunday to watch the game as well as celebrate Jim & my father-in-law's birthdays. Of course with the SuperBowl being here, Phoenix and its surrounding area is going to be extra busy and congested this weekend. Luckily, we live on the east side so it won't be as bad as on the west side.

Anyways, what I look forward to most are the ads and not the games...he he he

Oh btw, the FBR Open (golf) is also on this week here in Scottsdale so memang busy ler this area.

Happy Birthday Jim!!

To my best friend, my confidant, my partner, my love...
Hope you have the best birthday today. We love you very much!!!

Love, kisses & licks,
Shirin, Sammy & Tiger