This time MONTH NUMBER 11!

At a time when the world economy is still uncertain and amid rising prices, I as a Malaysian have questioned the necessity for the RM2.5 billion to RM3 billion tower project after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the project in his budget speech recently. Construction work on the 100-storey Warisan Merdeka Tower will kick off next year. Touted to be the country’s tallest when it is completed in 2015, it will have a gross floor space of 3 million sq ft and 2.2 million sq ft of net floor space. The 5-star green building will be the beacon to create more excitement and to attract more interest to the whole development. This will be followed by two subsequent phases comprising a shopping complex and condominium. The whole development, to be undertaken over a 10 year period, will cost RM5 billion.

The question is, do we really really need another skyscraper in the city? Did the government and the developer (Permodalan Nasional Bhd) take into consideration the impact on the environment (the tower will be built on a 19-acre land adjacent to Stadium Merdeka & Stadium Negara, it's already compact & congested), the impact to the social system, the commercial development which will cause an oversupply of office space in the city & the speculation of higher office rental, the worsening of the already heavy traffic situation and the suitability of the site?

Isn’t it better to put the money elsewhere? That truly benefits everyone from all walks of life. Like building more schools, suraus, temples, churches, fixing the local playgrounds, more community centers, higher interest rates for EPF, no incomes taxes, re-painting the old government-owned apartments & flats, repair the lifts, building more government clinics, availability of more scholarships, feeding the poor, free baby milk powder & diapers, poverty elimination programs, fixed the pothholes so we can have better roads, subsidize for first-time home buyers, helping the Orang Aslis, free toll etc. Another skyscraper is really unnecessary. Whether this project is being funded from the public funding or from the private equity, I still think it's a waste of money.

Malaysia – I don’t think we are going to go anywhere, anytime soon.

tonight the stars, tomorrow the moon

WEIGHT = 53.5KG
IDEAL BODY WEIGHT = 54.9KG
AGE = 28 YEARS OLD
METABOLIC AGE = 25 YEARS OLD
FAT % = 27.4%
FAT MASS = 14.7KG
BMI = 21.4
MUSCLE MASS = 36.6KG
BONE MASS = 2.2KG

Recently, Nestle with Fitness First jointly organized a 14 Days Shape Up Program. So, Mrs Simon, Theresa, Lyan & myself decide to sign up for the challenge where we have to reduce an X-amount of weight in order to win the prize money. We have to follow a very strict eating diet, followed by a vigorous exercise regime. Unfortunately, none of us are qualified :) Instead; we have our BMI test done. And yes, I am absolutely thrill that I am underweight and that my body age is actually younger that my actual age :) But I know that I still need to do some weighting and lifting to firm up my arms, thighs & butt. They are so flabby :(

What’s keeping me going right now is the thought of the bright things that living a healthy lifestyle can bring. I will try to exercise daily, start with small stretchers here and there. Re-energize myself daily. Take care of myself. Eat well. Live well. Have time for myself. Balance my activities. Manage my stress and anxiety. Take one moment to savor my life and my surroundings. Take the time to really enjoy them. Allow myself to glow with happiness each day. And most importantly, find 5 things to be thankful for everyday :)

Red Badge

Finally a win…Liverpool beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1.
Still…we are at the bottom of the table, still in the relegation zone.
It’s just heartbreaking :(
It will take a huge mountainous effort to move up. As a matter of fact, The Reds will need a miracle to be in the Top 4 and to qualify for the next Champions League qualifications.

Tomm Taw

This movie is real sloooooow.
Simple story line – about a woman; figuring out what she wants out of life. First, she flew to Italy, where she spent 4 months eating and enjoying life. Then to India, where she explored her spirituality. And finally to Bali, Indonesia, where she found love. It’s a rites-of-passage movie for the women. Ok, everybody has a journey, a moment in their life when they need to redefine who they are and what they are looking for. But realistically, how many of us can drop everything and go away for so long & just like that?

Eating In Italy – Rome is all about living in the moment; something that all of us tend not to do very well. Eating is a ritual for Italians. Italian culture has everything to do with food. One thing I learn from this movie is that the food feeds the soul. The food not only makes us full but it nourishes us. We must romance our food :) and we must master the meaning of 'Dolce Far Niente' – the beauty of doing nothing :)

Praying In India – We must be at peace with ourselves...we must forgive, forget and move on. And again, I love India for its colors :)

Loving In Indonesia - Fairytale endings are like it is; fairytales. I think a relationship CAN get better just by simply being WILLING...willing to try...willing to learn...willing to give...willing to forgive and accept...willing to do...willing to love...willing to listen...willing to read a self-help book to improve & seeking professional help!

After a 55 hour week, I honestly just want to be at home in my bed. I suppose I am worn-out about everything. I should be scheming, working hard & climbing up the corporate ladder, but I’m not that way inclined either. In fact, I’m just jaded with the working world that I want to Eat, Pray, Love :)

ruin leads to transformation

Life is so freaking fragile.
I want to be this unafraid of the world, and be undaunted by the prospect of failure.
I want to be this innocent, resilient and optimistic.
I want to be this strong.
I want to be this happy.

second chances

I love ice cream. And I love chocolate. Combine both, and they are lethal & sinful :) Wall’s premium selection – Rocky Road & Double Dutch is absolutely fantastic. These are great for low days. When I’m feeling a little sluggish and down in the dumps. When, let’s face it, I feel like crap; everything in my life is going wrong, and nothing in the world can make me feel better. So I eat ice cream to celebrate the deepness of the depression. They saved me :) I’m thoroughly enjoying it. If I’m feeling stress during my working hours, I will take a McD ice cream during lunch to de-stress myself for a quick fix :) I will immediately feel electrified or energized. I feel alive and buzzing. I will be zippy and fresh and ecstatic. Ice cream is that powerful :) But the crazy thing about me is this, I absolutely, totally enjoy being in the office as well, I really take pride of myself in the work that I do, I love being with people who're my colleagues, and even though my superiors can be incredibly difficult sometimes, it's still nice to be a part of a great big organization; it's nice to head to work, to see my desk, and even though the meetings can be unbearably and crazily long (and many times, unnecessary), I do enjoy being a part of these decision making processes.

Patrick drop da’bomb and Patrick’s last day was yesterday :( I am so going to missed Patrick.
Always let Celtic bullied him. Sometimes, I wonder why Patrick never fights back. How can Patrick stand such abuses, embarrassment, constant criticism…so weak, so dependent on Celtic. Patrick is so down to earth, gentle, mild, has a heart of gold; wish him all the best.

kasi gempak

Alamak…aiyo, this is what the Malaysian Contingent actually wore to the opening ceremony of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games. It is so uncool, untrendy, unfashionable…it’s plain U.G.L.Y. Grey & Yellow! It’s dull, no vibrancy. How come our uniforms always look so awful? When can we have decent attire? Can’t the government hire a good fashion designer?
On the other hand, we have already achieved 6 gold medals so far. Yay!

I love fireworks :) TOO stunning.

The Golden Knight

This week, has been a real eye-opener for me. I get to see how cold Snow Petrol is. How manipulative, evil & dangerous Celtic is. Dasyat sungguh. I am wondering, if…if by chance…if I have the opportunity to be in their position one day; would I do the same thing as well? I don’t think so. Perhaps this explains why I am in this position and they are in their position :)

I know that I will not have a mercurial rise in my career. Perhaps, my expectations are too simple :) I have always been the sort that is working and then taking some time off; finding pleasure and inspiration in everyday simple, tiny things in life. For example, when we have KFC for lunch, it was just another lunch to them…but for me; I will devour it slowly, enjoying the taste in every bite, it’s just joyful…finger licking good :) They say that I’m too positive but I believe, if I have lots of positive energy in me…it will attract all the goodness of life to me. Laws of attraction. If that positiveness disappears out of view, well…I keep making up new ones! I’m that easy to please. Ice cream is a good start! But there are certain things that cannot be compromise as well. Of course, I’m too a human being, I have emotional issues too; I do give in to the pressure of life.

I don't care what they have to say. The road is endless. The load is heavy. I will continue to pause, to set down my load for a while, and to appreciate my surroundings. I will stop and rest. I will take a breather before I go on.