Wednesday, December 31, 2008

My first entry...happy things that I remember in 2008.

Hello! This is my very first entry at Blogspot! Previously I used to blog at msn space (http://serenecwm.spaces.live.com) but I stop because it's not that user-friendly...so I’m looking for a change. I see many friends using Blogspot so I thought of giving it a try...hehe... Right, since it's my first entry, I'll make it a long one.. Today's the last day for year 2008..maybe I should list down all the good things that I remember from Jan to Dec 2008 :)

Here goes the marathon:

January
2008 ended with a tour to Taiwan..It was a good one..Went to Shilin Night Market for dinner..they have nice local food there..love the so called frog eggs dessert (don't worry it's just a name). Transfer back to hotel..beautiful room ensuite with huge Jacuzzi. Next morning went to their National Museum later depart to Hualien by Taroko train and visited the marble stone factory (largest in Asia). Next day to the famous Taroko Gorge (one of the most natural wonders in the world like the Spring Shrine, Swallow Caves etc). It's a winding road and i almost got car sick but the view is really beautiful).



Later on visited the folk's village for Aboriginal Show. Passed the famous Tzu Chi University. Tonight's hotel is Taidong Naruwan Hotel also a great one. We had spa (cold and hot), little casino, snooker and we had a dance show too. We saw someone really looks like Fahreheit's Jiro!! so cute!! :P The next day visited Bunong Etnic Village again enjoyed an aboriginal dancing and singing show. Lunch at Botanic Garden which they have really nice veges!! their organic mushrooms so nice!! great steamboat!

Proceed to Kaoshiung's Liuhe night market. The BBQ fresh prawns!! Diao!! so nice!! and it's quite cheap too. The shopping place in 'Xing Jue Jiang' is so cool!!! too bad not enough time to shop..but in 1 hr I bought 1 sport shoes, 1 winter jacket, 2 shirts, accessories and foods!! wahaha..so happy!

After shopping, we decide not to take the taxi cuz they wanted to walk around and have a look at the Lovely River but guess we over walked to the other bridge and it took us about 45 minutes to get back to our hotel!! So tiring..especially when you're carrying all the shopping bags!!! but anyhow, we enjoyed the journey! Proceed to Tainan the next day. Lotus Pond Scenic area is filled with more than 20 unique temples such as Spring & Autumn Pavillions, Dragon & Tiger Pagodas. Visited the most famous temple in Taiwan named 'Fo Guang Shan'. Had good vegetarian for lunch. Reached Da Keng Leisure Farm late noon. Very relaxing place. The room is very nice and cosy. Coop Changed Hotels. It looks a bit like Cameron Highlands. Here we also enjoeyd the flying fox, rope bridge, nice food, making glatinous rice , dancing, spa, sauna etc. Will like to add on the good service they have! Keep it up!


After the breakfast in DaKeng Farm we proceed to Alishan. Another long winding road.. very nice place with fresh air and nice food. The scenery and the forest (Alishan sacred trees, Sister's Pond, Banyan Park) is so beautiful! Weather is little colder but i love cold weather.


Next stop is Janfusan Theme Park. Miss out the theme park games but had the Russian show, k'oke etc. The prince Hotel is very big neh.. but facilities only so so..Leave Janfusan to Nantou to have our lunch at Sun Moon Lake..so many luxury yatch. Stop at WenWu temple to taste the natural honey and for some photos. Proceed toTaipei's Ximending for dinner and shopping!!! Gosh..sport shoes again! The stuffs are so cheap compared to ours!! still not enough neh..proceed back to hotel then went out again shop shop shop..gawd..I feel like a shopaholic!! too many in 1&half hrs.. 4 shirts, 1 bag, 2 heels, another sport shoes and accessories! wahaha! so happY!! Luckily never pokkai! eh this time never use credit card leh compared to the shopping I had in Hong Kong earlier...
wow..if you wanna shop..can consider Taiwan! not bad!



The last day of CNY (Chap Goh Meh) we went for the throwing mandarin oranges event..it was really funny as this is our first time. Well, for those who don't know what it's about..let me tell you *briefly. Chap Goh Meh literally the 15th day of the Lunar Calendar, celebrated by the Chinese. This is when family gather together for reunion dinner. Not to forgot the consumption of 'tang yuan' (glutinous rice ball). It is also when young unmarried women gather to toss tangerines into the river/sea, in hope that their future spouse wil pick it up...LOL. We we went there for fun only la.. Too bad it's not my day..haha


Malacca trip with friends


March

Our company had a dinner and dance event at Equatorial Resort on 29-Feb. It was quite fun as everyone can get together and play around. Lots of dinner and farewell..*when's my turn?? Later went straight to Poppy for dance with some colleagues..around 12 ppl! cool! It’s wicked! we drank and drunk..not me la.. really fun and loads of laughs. Party till 3+ am and reach home around 4am. Some colleagues overnight at my house as we have another function to attend in the morning.


We have to wake up around 6am to get ready and be 'jimui' for our ex-colleague's (Jocylin) wedding day. Must reach her house by 7.30am. We only slept for 1 hour+!!!! so tired..but we still go on..the games for the groom and 'heng tai' really damn funny.


After the ceremony, we went back home at noon and SLEEP! then at night another party at my cousin's house! gosh! my schedule was so tight! hahahaha... althugh i'm really tired, but I really had loads of fun!!

April
A short tour to Hong Kong and Macau again...this time is with my parents and sister..Love to see my dad enjoying the food there..beef noodles! We had a reunion with my aunt in Hong Kong. They have never ending stories to tell.. so happy hearing the laughter..so warm..




Never forget about shopping when you're in Hong Kong of course!shop shop shop..eat eat eat.. walk walk walk..but really happy. The so called 3 star hotel in HK is rather small so went for a better one when we're in Macau.We stayed in the Emperor's Hotel where Jay stays during his concert in Macau..beautiful and it's expensive though.. $1800 per room per nite!


Back to work..Our (MBA) M'sia bulky parts project won the Gold prize for the MD Award during Sony Global Assembly! We've been through quite a tough time for the past few month..and coming months will be tougher as the target will be higher! duh~
But at least our effort being recongnized! hmm..where the award/money goes? don't ask me~ o_o


May
Erm.. I can't really remember what happen in May.. Oh ya..I remember that we suppose to change our seating this month but boss didn't change ours (project team) seating location last minute..so we can only seat at our old seat.. :(

June
Nothing much in June...I think it's all about work...boring..

July
Went to Bali with friends. Our schedule is very tight but fun! I remembered i was sick the day before my flight. I vomitted on the plane twice!! Once arrived Denpasar airport, Nyoman (the tour guide cum driver) pick us up and straight to the hotel (Febri's Hotel and Spa) at Kuta.
After check in, we continue to Uluwatu temple. The scenery was awesome! Luckily i got better..and get to enjoy the view and their kecak dance and fire performance. We also get to see the sunset.

We then proceed to Jimbaran for seafood at the beach.. we spend so much on the very first day for seafood! I've forgotten how much it cost..but rounded up is around RM100 per head and we have 6 ppl!!!

The following day, we went to Kintamani and Ubud for some Batik and wood carving experience. Lunch at Kintamani. Again the scenery is so...nice. Later on to the temple middle of the lake. At midnite, we depart to Lovina around 3am for dolphin. The road was so windy..make us all wanna puke..we wind down in an area to throw out..(4 out of 6) its so funny.. We reached Lovina around 6am..it was breezy and cold but we get to see the sunrise. We ride on teh boat to catch a glance of the dolphins.. We saw so many of them..cool! We’re like racing with them in our boat. It's worth it.

After the adventure, we went to the Tanah Lot..another great tourist spot..the things there are so cheap! We had a very good Balinese meal. Yummy! and this time it's cheap!

Without wasting our last day before returning home, we went to the Kuta beach for some beach activities. We went to visit the turtle island then I went for the Parasailing. The view of Kuta beach from above was so cool! Then we go for Spa which was good. Depart home...




August
When i was about to think of quitting...there's new opportunity for me to explore. I've been given the chance for business trip to Thailand.. although it's a short trip, at least i learned something and get to experience what's business trip like. It came out very smooth.. came back doing report..it's all well done. Just that I’m not enjoying that much in work now..i'm trying to make my job fun but the limit is there..Due to the current economic crisis, maybe I should think carefully but if there's a new good opportunity, I will not let go. Ganbate!

September
15th Sep 2008 is the Chinese Mid Autumn festival.. 3 years back on the very same day i left Malaysia to UK for my Degree. In few blinks i'm now back to Malaysia..has worked for 2 years now. There are many thoughts in mind..gone through the ups and downs..learned new stuffs..enjoyed times with family and friends..travelled around..this year i've been to Macau, HK, Bali and Thai more to go..i'm such a fortunate child living in a happy family. Although sometimes will think of the unfairness that we encountered but it's part of the journey of life..there's no perfect human being..we all used to compare with others..but by comparing, are we looking down at ourselves? we will never had enough..we're all very demanding human.. one will never be satisfied with what they have..but we must never forget to love the things that we have and owned now because we will never know what will happen in the next minute. I'm still learning to appreciated what i have..especially my family. There's nothing more important than them. I love my mum and dad.

October
My birthday on 1st Oct. Celebrated with my best friends as my family went on for a holiday somewhere. Another year older..I've been in this world for 1/4 of a century. Guess how old am I? hahaha...



Cousin Benjamin came all the way from the United Kingdom to Malaysia for a reunion with the family here for his wedding do with lovely Laura. Went clubbing at Euphoria, MOS Sunway. The wedding dinner goes smoothly with all uncles&aunties and the little ones gathering together.



November
I remember this month as 1 of the happiest and fun month in 2008. I never felt this way after Uni life as a student. We actually formed a team and came out with some fun and crazy idea to perform for our company's very first Annual Dinner (Well maybe not the first but it's the first for us). We take time to come out with some acting and dancing. We also come out with props and funny group name '2 beauties and 5 beasts'. Can't believe we won the Best Performers for our SSCSM Company Trip + Annual Dinner. Thanks to all the actors - Eunice, Annie, Pei Sun, Raymond, Albert and Yen. Have a look at our performance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlZloFQG-Kw



December
Many good things this month..i enjoy everyday of this month. Went to Japan and Hong Kong early of the month with my parents and sister. Love Japan so much especially their people. They are so polite and friendly! Although there're some language barrier...but it's a beautiful country. Their public toilets are so clean compared to Malaysia! This is so true!
Went to the Tokyo Disneyland the 2nd day upon arrival at Tokyo city. We had our full day unlimited ride passport but we only get to try 3 of the rides because of the crowd.


In Tokyo, we went to Imperial Palace and Asakusa Kannon Temple. After dinner, we went to the Observatory Tower for Tokyo night view at the 45th floor. Next day, still in Tokyo, we went to the Odaiba Pallete Town's Toyota City Showcase, Nakamise Avenue (dozens of stores selling variety of souvenirs and articles such as toys, clothes etc) and the famous Ginza (the most exclusive and expensive area in Japan)!



Next day we proceed to Fuji area. We stayed in a onsen hotel which faces the magnificent view of Mt Fuji and lake. Imagine...early morning, when you woke up, you see the Mt Fuji by your window..Beautiful!

We proceed to Hakone/Toyohashi the next day. We went to the Peace Park (Japanese style garden and a great Peace Pagoda and the Golden Buddha).


We ate the Black Cell boiled egg at the Owakudani Volcano Valley.

The unagi meal was awesome!!

The Main Hall of Kiyozumi Temple is another attraction due to its broad wooden veranda which juts out over a wooded canyon. We still get to see the maple leaves although it's winter..beautiful.


Next we proceed to Heian Shrine and Nishijin Kimono Centre. We took Shinkansen (bullet train) from Kyoto to Osaka.


Went for Ramen (yummy) and shopping at Shinsaibashi (7km shopping street..*faint)

Next day, we stop at the Osaka Castle for photo shot then we proceed to Osaka Universal Studio. Had a great day! We went for 6 rides!! After full day fun, we boost up our energy with big buffet!!! Loads of scallop, salmon, beef etc...

End of Japan tour..Depart to Hong Kong for more food and shopping!!

We stayed ar Tsim Sha Tsui. Meet up with cousin (Tracy). Went to the Madame Tussauds and the peak.





Went for the famous 'Siu Ngor' (Roasted duck) and seafood at Sam Zheng. Went for a drink later on till 4am..

Back to work...busy preparing for the next performance (combined with the IPO Spice), we formed as a team for the Dinner and Dance + Nishio san's farewell. It seems funnier this time. As a committee, we have to think of ice-breaking and table games as well as preparing gifts. Overall it turns out well.


Another performance please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmpYBPX1Gsw


Had dinner with my jimuis on Christmas eve at Pavillion. Met the DJ Royce from MYfm. Was so embarrased not remembering his name at first but luckily he's very nice and waited for me to recall. Sorry for that. Went clubbing with my jimuis after the meal at Tony Romas and gift exchange..



26th was my cousin's wedding. The next day 27th...early morning before 6am I have to gather at Sri Petaling to meet up with my friends for White Water Rafting at Kuala Kubu Bharu. With the help of GPS, we reach our destination earler than rest of the team.. It was fun!


Our boat overturned at the very end...LOL. We've bruises everywhere..but we had so much fun!

Was arranged as VIP guest at Bosco Wong (TVB actor)'s autograph session at Metro Point on 29th with my sis. We're lucky enough to go on stage for a photograph with him. Thanks to Onn zai kor for the arrangement.