Archives for Vacation

Yeehah, my holidays have started.  I took today off since I still have 3 more vacation days to burn.  I will have the entire weekend, the holidays, and the day after Christmas off.  Long frigging weekend. 

Friday today but it sure feels like Saturday to me.  I went to work for Corrine at Satay2Go this evening.  I told her I will work for only if she needs help, especially when school starts on January 16th.  It will be a challenge trying to get my reading in and work in the weekends. 

Tomorrow is the day SD and her fiancee are moving to their townhome.  I’m happy for them.  DB will go over to help out.  He rented some moving rugs for them.  I’m not going – have stuff to do at home and have to work for Corrine, too.

What did I do this morning?  Shopping and went to the pharmacy to get my prescription but I still have not receive my insurance card (I had insurance coverage under DB’s company, but the cut off was Nov 30).  So, now I have more paperwork to do for claims.  Haih…..

Oh, I made a banana bread and it was a disaster initially.  I fold the flour in to the mixture and poured it to the pan and just realized I forgot to add eggs!!!!!  Duh!!!!!!!  Threw the entire mixture into the disposal and start a brand new batch.  The recipe asked for 3 bananas, I only have 2 left.  It turned out not too bad, of course short of bananas, but it was a little too dry I think.  The stupid oven’s temp is not what it says.  Damn thing.  Oh well, DB still like it.  We will have that for breakfast for a few days.

Hello Singapore! 

I bid farewell to my parents, sister, BIL and their kids at KLIA.  I have never cried so much since I left Malaysia back in 1997.  Cried all the way out of KLIA and touched down to Singapore.  I already missed my family even before I left KLIA.  It really sucks.  I don’t know when I will see them again.  I’m hoping it will be  next 2 years.

I’m now in Singapore Changi airport waiting for my flight to Tokyo.  Arrived Changi at 10:45 p.m. Dec 8.  Spent a lot of my time confirming my NWA tickets since the internet connection is so darn slow; talking on the phone with my sis, mom and DB; walking around enjoying the crowd in this beautiful airport. 

I’m so tired…really beat.  Did sleep much the past week.  I have been going to bed past 1:30 a.m. every night since I came to KL.  I’m so ready to sleep when I board the plane.  I even changed my aisle seat to a window seat for my flight to Tokyo.  I know I will be sleeping during this leg of the flight.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip very much.  I will download more pictures when I get back to the States.  There are so many pictures I had taken, and now this internet thing is logging me off after 15 minutes.  So, folks hang in there till I am back on MN soil.

Think I will go window shopping and walk till I can’t walk anymore.

See you again mom, dad, sis, BIL, #1, 2 and 3.  I so love the time I spent with them.  Seeing my sis’ kids was just absolutely wonderful.  Mom, dad, I hope to see you all again in two years and my friends, too.

Ok, since I have already taken my shower and ate half a chicken and bacon sandwich, I’m all ready to walk it off.  Till then, TTFN.

I have been KL since Saturday, Dec 1. I can’t believe time just flew by in Ipoh. I had a wonderful time in Ipoh with my parents. I didn’t much in Ipoh except spent most of my time with them, Steph and my other friends.

My sis came to Ipoh with her family on Nov 30th. I was so happy to see her and her family. It has been two years since I last saw them. Her 3 boys has grown so much. Number 1 is taller than me and he’s so shy! Number 2 is getting really cute; and number 3 is as skinny as ever. I was surprised number 1 and 3 got use to me, whereas number 2 is his usual self since the last I saw him. Obviously, they were very shy when they saw their uncle – Yee Cheong (DB).

My sis and I were at it, yakking away, and exchanging what we bought for each other. I gave her the IPod our brother from Boston gave her (he mailed it to me so I can give it to her). She was all teeth, no eyes (Chinese literal translation).

My BIL bought us all dinner at Kim-Bali restaurant. Steph and Rachel’s parents were there too. It was a very delicious dinner. I know I won’t get it when I am back in Minnesota.

Next day was a big breakfast at our family Hakka noodle restaurant. I love those meat balls the store made – “fee yen”. That is Hakka pronunciation for the type of meatballs they served in that store. It means “light balls” or my dad says “flying balls”. DB had a good laugh over the term “flying balls”!

Then to old town white coffee shop , Sun Yee Loong, for its famous Ipoh white coffee. DB loves the Ipoh coffee. I love the kaya toast too. Can’t get them in MN, that’s what my dad said.

Came home and the packing started. My mom actually started it for me the day before. She is an expert in packing. My sis tried to pack as much in to the big suitcase, but, sorry, most of the food items had to be taken out and be shipped back to MN. Same with DB’s luggage. Then a few picture sessions.

Time to depart my parents’ and head to the bus station in Bercham. My parents and sis’ family sent DB and I off. Will definitely miss my beloved hometown, however, the sad thing is I will not miss the blasting HEAT in Ipoh.

The bus took us straight to KLIA. Checked DB in and we both found our way to the train station where I bought a ticket to KL Sentral (RM35) . DB waited with me till the train at 7 p.m. arrived and saw me moved off the tracks. That was the last I saw DB – he continued his journey to Singapore/Tokyo/Minneapolis, and I to KL to spend a few days with my friends in KL.

The train ride to KL Sentral station took 28 minutes on the nuts, no more no less. Very impressed coz it was very punctual. My friends back from Primary school days, Mandy and Debbie were there to pick me up. It is always a wonderful feeling to see old friends. It brings back so many memories of our days in school and what we had done all these years.

They took me to Sri Hartamas at a restaurant call Exotic (I think) which is a Vietnamese/Thai restaurant. Lovely food and wonderful company. Both their hubbies came along and joined us. It was the first time I met Deb’s hubby, at long last!

Then to Mandy’s.  We had midnight supper at a Mamak (Indian/Muslim) store for roti canai and teh tarik (pulled tea). Taste so good, but we both had a hard time sleeping that night. I hardly slept. I could be I was thinking of DB a lot. oh by the way, that guy was able to upgrade his ticket from cattle coach to business. He called me before he boarded the plane in SIN. I put up a night at Mandy’s that night/morning. The next morning (12/2/2007), Deb picked us up for breakfast at Mandy’s hubby’s coffee shop, Sun Yin Loong.

Next stop was some sight seeing of th e new mosque in don’t know where, the new High Court, and then to Bangsar. At Bangsar, we were there for one of Deb’s relative’s store call thirtyfour. Hey Deb, if you are reading this, please correct me if I’m wrong! The shop is opened my two cousins selling designer leather goods. I bought a pair of custom made leather sandals. See sample of what I had ordered…but in red. It cost RM290 (family price) and it is suppose to be ready in months, however, since I will be leaving this Saturday (12/8), they had to put a rush on it and today, 12/5, I have to go over for a fitting. The final product will be ready on Friday.

To be continued……I have to get ready to be picked up by Deb for sandal fitting!

We have been in Ipoh since November 18.  Today is the 29th and we will be leaving Ipoh on Dec 1.  Time really flies when we are having fun.  It’s just not enough time.  I tried to spend as much time with my parents as possible. 

I spent a lot of my time with my buddy, Steph, too.  She is one loving, adorable person.  Very helpful, caring, and insightful!  She took DB and I around.  Took us out shopping, eating, just wherever we want.  Like I told my mom and she said the same thing, “it’s hard to find such a friend.”  She invited DB and I to Cameron Highlands last week.  I went and Db stayed behind since he was not feeling well.  I knew Steph since we were in Form One (13 years old) at our Alma mater, Main Convent, Ipoh and we have been friends since.  Thanks, Steph, for driving us around.  We really appreciate it very much.

I also met up with Michael, another buddy of mine I met when I started at Seagate, Ipoh back in 1995.  This dude is now happily married with a cutie pie.  I wish I had more time catching up with him.  See how it goes today and tomorrow.

Oh yeah, another great fun person I knew is Kiran.  I knew her since Thong Fook Plastic days back in 1993+.  Damn, that feels so long ago.  She was the one who brought me over to Seagate.  I will be meeting her tonight to catch up.  There is so much to talk about.

There is so much to catch up with my friends, but we are running out of days. 

I met up with Samm Tuesday afternoon.  She is as skinny as ever.  We took some pictures, got home and showed my parents and DB the pictures.  Dad still remembered her and when I showed him the picture of Samm and I, this is what he said: “Wah, so fat, ahh?”  I had to tell him that fat one is me.  “Samm is the one next to me lah!!”  Will see if I will put the picture up.  Too shy to put it up since I’m looking like a barrell now

We made it!!  The heat and DB getting sick.  He is doing better for now.  As usual we are now  at IMAX.  Those folks here recognized us and knows which PC we want – #53 and 54.

Since I bought the new camera, I have been clicking away – anything under the roof, sun, just whatever.  Yesterday, Dad came in and asked if I can take pictures of the fixed up hole where the car hit the side of the garden.  I said not a problem.  He was so happy about it coz I told him once we take the pictures, we can take it to Chan Sam Lock, the photo shop in Ipoh Garden and get it develop for him.

I took the pictures and then dad said we should get our bus tickets to KLIA for December 1.  We wanted to take the cab, but mom said it’s cheaper to take the bus.  Moreover, the taxi drivers who used to be DB’s drivers were no more in sight.  Dad took us to the bus company call YoYo in Bercham.  We wanted to pay by VISA, but dad paid for it.  We can’t they will charge additional 2.5% for that purchase for paying with VISA.   Tickets to KLIA for December 1 bought, now we need to shop more to fill up our luggages.  They are so empty and the things I got from my mom are breakable.  I still need to go to Jaya Jusco to buy a bolster – that will help with some of the packing.  OK, the bolster is not for me – it’s for a friend. 

Time to hit the other networks and make some extra cash now.  Though I say I’m enjoying myself, deep down I’m still very worry about our financial situation….sigh…..guess I should worry about it when we get home, huh?

Till then, TTFN.

Again, we are at IMAX checking our emails, unemployment stuff, and of course, my blog on paid posts.  I am still working on some paid posts that keeps popping up in my Gmail.  Gotta make hay when the sun still shines.

We have been eating since day 1 and still going.  So by the time I meet my sis on the 30th, I will be a barrell, an oil drum.  DB caught a cold, coughing like mad.  Took some thick cough syrup from my mom’s refrigerator.  I really salute him.  He is such a sport having to eat stuff that he has not eaten before.  I guess it must be my parents’ cooking.  The way I cook like the dried shrimp.  My parents said I should fry them first instead of just dumping them in the pot.  Learned quite a few tips from them!!!  That’s what I want anyways.

I  talked to some of my friends in Ipoh – Steph, Michael, Kiran and our old childhood friend, Rachel’s, mom.  Talked to her for abit and also my aunt and uncle in Taiping.  I am not sure if DB and I are making a trip to Penang.  We are thinking about it.  If we do, we might stop over at my aunt’s.  It’s been such a long time since I been there. 

So, what I have eaten since we got here??  Kerabu beehoon, nasi lemak, fried keow teow, dim sum, chee cheong fun (Canning Garden), nyonya kuih (nyonya style cakes), lots of coffee, dad’s beehoon in soup, kaya kok (kaya puff), kai chai paeng (little chicken biscuits – direct translation), and a lot more.  We went to 1919 restaurant too.  Great food there.

Oh, I finally bought a camera.  A Sony Cybershot.  Steph and Patrick (her hubby) took us to Jaya Jusco, looked around and finally decided to buy a Sony.  Heard that this Canon Powershot series has big probs with their LCD panel.  We wanted to get it fix in Ipoh, but all we spoke to at the stores said it will take a few months as they need to get it fix back at Canon’s.  Darn.  Well, I bought my dream camera, a Sony and I’m damn happy with it.  It’s compact and it cool.  So, no complains at all.  Db is happy coz I’m happy and he likes that camera, too.

Can’t believe how many snatched thieves’ stories I have heard since I reached Ipoh.  It’s frigging crazy.  We can’t walk around the town, or I should say city now, freely like we used to.  Same as my parents’ home, we need to put all valuable stuff in my dad’s safe or bring them along with us.   Where my parents live, it’s notorious for burglaries.  No where is save anymore in Malaysia. 

I will be meeting Kiran tonight, can’t wait and catch up with her.  Tomorrow will be with Steph, my best buddy since secondary school days and she is totally the best!!!  In the evening dinner with her and Patrick, and I told my mom to invite RAchel’s mom and dad along for dinner at Mar Poh.  Then after dinner, I will meet Michael.  Weekend’s plans are still up in the air.

Alrightie, that’s all for now…..I can’t upload pictures to this blog yet.  Hopefully to be able to download them to my photo gallery.

Till then, TTFN.

Db and I are now in IMAX internet cafe checking our mails and I have to write posts for one advertisers.  Money is money, a little  still adds up.

Our plane ride fom SIN to KUL was so smooth that we didn’t want it to stop!  SIA really ROCKS!  Too bad the flight was only 55 minutes – right after the steward/stewardess served us coffee/water, they came around immediately to collect them as the plane was starting to descend.

We arrived KLIA at 7:55 a.m. and as soon as we walked out of the jetway, a bunch of folks that looked like ants appeared from the trains.  It was a mad rush and we were rushing to get to immigration too.  The signage in that airport really stinks.  Really pathetic.  I had to ask at the information booth where to get to immigration.  Told we had to take the train.  We walked to the train and joined an entire troop of men which I think were from Bangladesh.  It was a “wonderful” short ride to wherever it took us.  The BO was just FABULOUS!!!

Once we got to that terminal, I think, it was another mad rush.  I said adious to DB: Nice meeting you!  The lanes for Malaysian passports were very empty.  I walked right to an empty lane and was done in 5 seconds and went to pick up my bags.  I was standing waiting for my/our bags for 25 minutes.  We really thought the bags did not make it to KL.  Eventually they came and we went our separate ways again.  Customs didn’t bother to look at me and DB. 

Once we got out customs, we looked for the bus station.  Right away I had to use my Malay.  It was so rusty, I could hardly speak it.  Got the directions to the bus station and on our way looking for the elevators, there was a guy asking if we wanted a taxi.  We said no.  We found the KLIA/Ipoh bus counter hoping to catch the 9:30 a.m. bus to Ipoh, however, no one was in there and there was a Malay guy yelling across telling  us there are no more busses to Ipoh at that time.  Were we bummed out.  The next bus will be at 1:30 p.m. and I didn’t want to wait in that stinky airport.  So we both took his advise and took  his bus to Duta and where ever the hell Duta was, I trust that bastard.  That bus ride was ok but just damn, damn long.  I didn’t know KLIA moved to the boondocks.   When we got to Duta, the bus driver just dropped us and our luggages off at the curb.  I didn’t see any bus stations or taxis. 

With 4 luggages, backpacks, and starving, I told DB to stand right in the hot sun (there were no shade at all), I walked in to look for busses, but I changed my mind and looked for taxis.  I saw an older  Malay guy for taxis.  He was so helpful and found us a taxi for our 4 big luggages.   He actually had to make a few phone calls to get one that was willing to take us.  That taxi came and the ride to Ipoh began.   When we passed Tanjung Malim, I called my dad using the taxi driver’s cell.  I asked my dad which exit to use – Ipoh Sg Siput or Ipoh Utara (North).  Dad said North.

After we paid toll, and I saw that exit to Ipoh Sg. Siput and then Ipoh Utara, the driver went ahead and took that exit.  As soon as we got to the exit, I knew we took the wrong exit.  That road was so new to me but some things looked familiar but could not place were it is or the name of the damn road.  It took us a whole 30 minutes or more to get to my parents’ home.  WHen the driver drove to the city, to streets I have not seen before, flyovers (overpasses), I was so lost.  My dad finally called the driver’s cell and told him I was near the Kow Wong Yeh temple.  He said I should wait at the MGS school and he will come meet us.  What’s worse DB said he needed to pee super bad and we have to wait for my dad.  I told him he has no choice but to wait in the cab.  I was fuming, just FUMING.  I was thinking the beginning of the trip to where we were, the entire journey to Ipoh from MSP was a disaster!

If my dad had not have come rescue us, we will be roaming around Ipoh town, or I should say city forever.  Ipoh has changed so much, I hardly recognized some of the streets.

 Ok, I better get going.  We have been here for 2 hours now. 

TTFN….