tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-175662852024-03-14T00:09:28.678-07:00nanda666nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-1159648468579980442012-04-04T01:44:00.007-07:002012-04-09T21:22:47.575-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>What's new in Perth??</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Maya is 4, going to school and loving it!! Rohan is 1 and walking.</span><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Mary and I have bought a new house.</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Well,.. I guess I could say..EVERYTHING is new in Perth!!!</span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729620246349587650" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pnoIBRAtWIQ/T4OzQdmNpMI/AAAAAAAAAXw/sTAN2ZpUtJk/s320/front.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729620454946578402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KRlbkgRpqxU/T4OzcmrnH-I/AAAAAAAAAX8/9TeEyB6WR3U/s320/kitchen.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729620692856687602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsjXbb-9NTQ/T4Ozqc9zS_I/AAAAAAAAAYI/0OeNIKJgTb8/s320/pool.jpg" /><span style="font-family:arial;">Our new house is in Booragoon, sits on 7400sq ft and yes....it has a pool!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We should be moving in in May after all the formalities are completed.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Looking at our bank balances....getting the 911 porsche is gonna be a long wait....hahahaha!!!<br /></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></p><br /><p></p></span>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-33814414826856121902012-01-04T20:03:00.000-08:002012-01-04T20:23:23.315-08:00<span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_FO08T8GjQ/TwUkEXel66I/AAAAAAAAAXY/Q1OZ986izMI/s1600/Perth%2B2012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 456px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693996961320266658" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_FO08T8GjQ/TwUkEXel66I/AAAAAAAAAXY/Q1OZ986izMI/s400/Perth%2B2012.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"><strong>HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!</strong></span></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">So......what does 2012 have in store for the Kumars??????</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Since Malaysia is clearly heading nowhere with BN or PKR, we have decided to move over here permanently. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Yup! We'll be applying for our PRs. With the PR will also come the intent to purchase our own home too. (Guess there's no turning back now!! hehehehe!!)</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Of course, once the house is sorted then the other needs will be addressed too......</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 322px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693996952095955570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e24G1j7m2Wc/TwUkD1HWGnI/AAAAAAAAAXM/FXVFinW6qvw/s400/beagle_dog.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 388px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 329px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693996946641004898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OT5OXp3wG4U/TwUkDgyyKWI/AAAAAAAAAW0/Fn-cmmKgbKM/s400/Porsche911-wallpaper.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693996949358713938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5aN5fzBf9lk/TwUkDq6vHFI/AAAAAAAAAW8/ZhiDWihlWX8/s400/Allmand-55-Yacht.jpg" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Have a good 2012 everybody!!! hehehehe!!<br /></span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-75978415590893188242011-12-04T20:50:00.000-08:002011-12-04T20:57:10.836-08:00<div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"><strong>The Malaysian Expat in KL</strong></span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 211px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 167px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682503340567956706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ks2viVAVKRg/TtxOrlmGDOI/AAAAAAAAAWo/ZgaZlqBjagE/s400/Expat.jpg" /> <br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">After declaring Malaysia being no longer suitable for myself and my family, Perth became home. (As detailed in my previous posts)<br />So it did come as an interesting surprise to be posted back to KL as an Expat!! </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><div><br />Spent the last month and a half in a nice executive apartment, AUD$ allowances and expat treatment in KL. My Aussie employer ensured that I was well taken care of, my family provided for and that we were all happy with the assignment conditions. Life as an expat in KL was really good.</div><br /><div><br />Hard to imagine that this was the same place where I fought to get a raise, was denied my bonuses and basically where I was treated like crap by my own fellow Malaysians!! </div><br /><div><br />It was nice to see friends and family again but after a while, the reasons why I left started becoming clear again.<br />- Cabs that don’t go to where you want to go.<br />- The horrible driving and traffic<br />- The non-existence of pavements or ramps for the kids in their buggy.<br />- The constant hassle of “out of order” stuff…i.e ATMs, Government office computers, etc, etc.<br />- The horrible heat followed by the crazy storms.<br />- The constant fear of your safety and security<br />- The political racist crap in the media everyday </div><br /><div><br />Guess the list above could go on and on but the point is, sad to say, I really wanted to go home….to Perth!! </span></div>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-18149885364342517612011-09-15T21:33:00.000-07:002011-09-15T21:50:11.125-07:00<div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"><strong>Perth - we now call it home!!</strong></span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652814578133919858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOBfmedSNfc/TnLU6K7SaHI/AAAAAAAAAWg/ToMfkNCxCIQ/s400/kangaroo.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">The move is complete.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Yup. Mary, the kids and I have our daily routines and chores.....I have tennis and diving.....Mary has running and yoga......Maya has dance and kiddie yoga classes.......and Rohan has....hmmm....loads of attention!!! hehehe!!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">We got a good bunch of friends and life is really fun again!!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">We're just waiting for Rohan to get a little bigger and then we'll start to explore Australia!! </span></div>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-51266390965383108042011-07-20T00:26:00.000-07:002011-07-20T00:42:57.230-07:00<div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;">Perth, Australia - Part 2</span> </div><br /><div></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631335034012624642" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9SyL2DNK5Q/TiaFYJmI5wI/AAAAAAAAAWA/QygpK_5PPb0/s400/IMG_0842.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Part 1 ended after week one and now…….part 2……2 months later…<br /><br />The basics are DONE!! We now have a beautifully furnished home with all our stuff from KL and all the heating, internet, phone, etc hooked up. Banking, bus route, driving, etc, etc,…..all sorted out. Although it all took quite a while.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Well....that’s what they say.....WA (Western Australia) stands for……WAIT AWHILE!!<br /><br />My parents arrived and we’ve never been happier to see them. (The kids were driving Mary to the brink!! Hehehe!!) Mom has taken to Rohan and he adores her too!! Maya has both of them wrapped around her fingers and gets away with everything….almost.<br /><br />We’ve found our favourite stuff as below:<br /><br />1. Shopping mall has to be Garden City Mall. It has everything that Mary wants!!<br />2. “Local shop” in Kong’s in Vic Park. It has everything I want for my “Masterchef” kitchen!!<br />3. Milk, fruit and veg get delivered to our door by Aussie Farmers Direct.<br />4. Fish, Prawns and scallop from Sealanes in Freo are awesome!!<br />5. The nearby playground by the Esplanade is Maya’s favourite.<br />6. Walks around Mount Pleasant keeps Mom and Dad so happy.<br />7. Little Indian/Sri Lankan shop in Willetton is great.<br />8. Bunning Hardware is my one stop centre for my DIY.<br />9. Carnegie’s is my new Backyard!!<br />10. 92.9fm keeps me company to and from work.<br />11. Masterchef Australia is what we all sit around to watch after dinner<br />12. With mum & dad around....Mary and I get a little time to check out the night life too!! (Not much in Perth though!! hahaha!!)</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Yup….life in Perth is all about balance and we got it going on pretty good. My fitness regime starts next week with tennis at the Blue Gum Tennis Club…..but that will be stories for part 3!! </span></div></div>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-42503137306652284282011-05-19T22:04:00.000-07:002011-05-19T22:06:06.732-07:00<div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Perth, Australia – Part 1 </strong></span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><br /></div></strong></span></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608660109930640498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GKtY3RGoIfQ/TdX2p25RtHI/AAAAAAAAAVs/jrGLs2NJz9U/s400/perth_skyline.jpg" border="0" /><br />The adventure began weeks before we arrived on the 29th of April 2011. Selling the condo and cars….packing…..settling bills, loans and banking…..phone lines, Astro and internet to cancel, meeting friends and family.....We were misplacing documents, forgetting stuff to do……..just plain crazy!!<br /><br />The company I work for really helped make the shift great. Crown relocation took great care of our stuff for the move.<br /><br />With flight tickets, visas and passports in hand…..we were off!!! Flight went well….with Rohan sleeping quite a bit and Maya enjoying her own TV!!<br /><br />We cleared immigration and custom with easy……having 2 cute kids goes a long way…hehehehe…<br /><br />The usual “Indian” cab driver helped us get to South Perth. We decided on a quick stop to get the essentials (Was told that Perth shuts down at 5pm) like bread, milk, etc so we pulled over at a little roadside shop….just our luck…..run by Malaysians!!! When we got to the apartment, we were pleasantly surprised that the office had already stocked up for us. We had Milk, juice, butter and cheese in the fridge, bread and biscuits……Nice.<br /><br />Our temp home was a fine 3 room service apartment in a really nice suburb called South Perth. Oak trees along the nice clean roads….fresh air with the view of the river…..Nice.<br /><br />The next week was a fun filled exploration ride…..ferry across the river….drives around town…getting the bus to work…..shopping….just getting our feel of this new place we now call home.<br /><br />We have some great friends here that really helped us get into the groove of things.<br /><br />Next week….phase 2….new house and new car and our own stuff has arrived from KL!!!nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-85962669602699279852010-10-25T21:30:00.000-07:002010-10-25T21:54:20.278-07:00TIME TO GO......Again!!<br /><br />The first time: <br /><br />I left Malaysia in 1991 to pursue my Marine Engineering in Singapore and was off sailing all over the world for the next 11 years. Almost everywhere I went, I was asked the same question, " Are you indian?" and my response use to be..."No, I'm Malaysian. Not Indian."<br /><br />It's now coming to the end of 2010 and it's been 5 years since I started working in KL for a government linked company. They have, time and again, made it clear to me that "No, you're not Malaysian. You're Indian." <br /><br />Sad, huh??? <br /><br />IN MY OWN COUNTRY, I'M A FOREIGNER/NON BUMI/PENDATANG. EVERYWHERE ELSE, I WAS A PROUD MALAYSIAN!!!!!!!<br /><br /><br />Well, if I'm always going to be Malaysian INDIAN, and be treated "officially" 2nd class, I might as well be Australian INDIAN and be treated "unofficially" 2nd class, right???? <br /><br />I guess that is what it's come down to. Which is better, officially 2nd Class in your OWN country or "unofficially" 2nd class in another. (Australia, Canada, US, UK, NZ, etc, etc)<br /><br />Well, my normal point form explains my reasons:<br /><br />1. Better job with better salary.<br /><br />2. Better quality of life for me & family.<br /><br />3. Better education system.<br /><br />4. Better future for my kids.<br /><br />What will I miss when I go???<br /><br />Food??? But I do cook pretty well so I doubt I'll be missing much.<br /><br />Friends??? Well, we seem to be in contact electronically more than physically anyway so no worries there.<br /><br />Family??? Guess this will be the hardest part especially for Maya who's so so close to her Tata & Ava. (Grandparents.)<br /><br />If/When we head to Singapore.......45 min flight away.<br /><br />If/When we head to Perth...........4 hours flight away.<br /><br />I guess it was a sign....."WHEN THE BEEMER GOES....WE GO!!!" HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-11003731955613192612010-09-20T23:21:00.000-07:002010-09-21T00:00:56.068-07:00TIME TO SAY GOODBYE!!!<br /><br />Well....it's been a good 10 year partnership but every good thing must end....<br /><br />This baby is on sale now!!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 413px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519254960203944226" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/TJhVJN_E0SI/AAAAAAAAAVc/GkTJ2NvG3ew/s400/IMG_2172.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p>My tip top condition BMW dream car!!</p><p>A little history about this machine...... </p><p>I had this obsession with BMWs when growing up and promised myself that "ONE DAY", I will own one. </p><p>With my sailing career doing well and the USDs rolling in, I decided to get my Beemer in 2000. The Millinium Beemer!! The idea was to get a second-hand unit but the interest rates were terrible while a new 2000 model E46 had 4.25% (And this was great in those days!!) financing. Price tag on the new E46.....a whooping RM 206,000!! (But only USD 54,200 la........that's what I said!!)</p><p>And in August 2000, I drove this baby out of the Auto Bavaria showroom. At age 28, it was the ultimate party machine........</p><p>For 6 months of every year from 2000 - 2005, it was my dads "pasar malam" and "around the town" car. (While I was away.) When I was back on holidays, it was my "clubbing" car!! It only did 30,000 kms in those 5 years!!! </p><p>It also spent a lot of time parked outside "Broadwalk" pub in Phileo Damansara!!!! </p><p>For the next 5 year, when I started working in KL, it was the daily commute from Klang to KL that raked up the miles......an additional 150,000 kms.</p><p>It was our wedding car 2007 and the car that brought Maya home from the hospital in 2008. </p><p>Now, in 2010,..... the babyseat just doesn't go with the 17" M3 sports rims, the rims won't handle the bumpy potholed roads of Dutamas/Solaris and eventually.....the space won't fit the "additional" family member expected in 2011!!</p><p>My honest opinion........it looks and rides better than it ever did but.....sadly...... </p><p>All sentimental value aside, this machine will have to make way for something bigger and stronger........</p><p>So.......coming soon:</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 463px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 369px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519254375473461602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/TJhUnLsduWI/AAAAAAAAAVU/-OG58tD_KR0/s400/X5.jpg" /><br /><br />Hahahaha!!!! <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-61450753904827553572010-08-26T20:35:00.000-07:002010-08-27T01:32:36.347-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">My 1Malaysia</span></strong></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span>
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<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509929560059105202" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/THczvfS_T7I/AAAAAAAAAVE/Pjz1T2HAUks/s400/merdeka.jpg" /><span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br />Our country is about to celebrate its 53rd year of independence. What does it all mean to me??? Well, I wouldn’t really know as I was not around for the “troubled” years. I didn’t see British rule, the fight for independence, MAY 13TH, the split with Singapore, communist insurgents, Japanese occupation, bombs, war, famine……nope….none of that.
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<br />My Malaysia was comfortable. Grew up in a nice neighborhood, nice house, nice car(OPEL CADET was a nice car back then!!! Hehehe!!), good food and a pretty normal life. Dad was a teacher (Government job!!) who felt every cent he made was owed to the kindness of the “government”. “We should be thankful for what we have. People in India are starving”, he used to remind us.
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<br /><p> </p><p>I went to school knowing there was a quota system. I knew my Malay friends will get better deals for education. I knew my Chinese friends had to do even better than me if they wanted to succeed. I spoke better English than Bahasa Malaysia, better Bahasa Malaysia than Tamil and better Tamil than a few “white” Indian friends!! We played together, studied together, ate together, hell… we did everything together. That was and still is my Malaysia. (Regardless of what the politicians try to tell me!!)
<br /></p><p>I left in 1991 to study in Singapore and it was a country that I never warmed up to. It was cold, heartless and just felt fake. It was like LEGO land. Just too perfect to be real. I knew why I was there and what I had to do. Get a good education. Period. I longed to leave as soon as I could.
<br />From there, it was off to sail the seven seas!! Across the continents, across the oceans, across borders I went for 11 years. In all those years, in all those different countries, I was always Malaysian. “But you look Indian”, was the standard response. And there I was, explaining my Indian origin time and again but always insisting I was Malaysian and NOT Indian. My Malaysian Chinese buddies had to endeavor the same fate.
<br /></p><p>So for 11 years I fought hard to ensure I was respected as a Malaysian outside my country but only to realize when I came home in 2005, that I had to fight equally hard to be considered Malaysian at home!!!
<br /></p><p>Where have we gone so wrong???? I guess that long story is everywhere on the net so I’m not going to bother even remotely trying to explain that one!
<br /></p><p>I love this country not because it’s 1Malaysia……it’s my 1 and only Malaysia!!! Whatever ethnic background I may have, I know my stand. It may be different for some politicians but I’m surely MALAYSIAN FIRST, INDIAN SECOND!! </p>
<br />So to all my Malaysian friends, let the politicians say whatever they want…..This is our Malaysia so let’s make it the best it can be!!
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<br />SELAMAT HARI MERDEKA MALAYSIA!!! Someone still loves you!!nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-58416386582792823682010-08-03T19:52:00.000-07:002010-08-03T20:34:22.847-07:00<div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;">PLAN FOR A NEW RIDE</span></strong></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">It's finally time to let my last remaining "toy" go....yup.....Nanda's all grown up and it's time for the family car to take over. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">First, I'll have to say goodbye to the German engineered dream machine which kept me company for the last ten years. (At times, I even thought it drove me home all by itself like KITT!!!) </span></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501385683924182114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/TFjZIca4ZGI/AAAAAAAAAUk/RNPzrHk1zZ8/s400/Maya+latest+065.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So what comes next???? Well... below are my options:</span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Option 1: Chevy Captiva - RM 160K, 2.0 Turbo Diesel 7 seater SUV</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 395px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501384322325305970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/TFjX5MEaWnI/AAAAAAAAAUc/E7QZK7C9Tvw/s400/captiva%2520lowering%2520kit.jpg" /></span></p>(The standard model doesn't come with lowered suspension and 20" rims as above, though!! Hehehe!!)<br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Option 2: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport - RM 166K, 2.5 Turbo Diesel, 7 seater "Bad Ass"!!</span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 374px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501388157998260466" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/TFjbYdEG4PI/AAAAAAAAAUs/WH4COuVJMVM/s400/pajero+sport01.jpg" /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p>(Again, version above is what I'll make it look like!!!)<br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Option 3: Volvo XC 90 - RM 355K, 2.4 Turbo Disel, 7 seater "Luxury SUV"!!</span></p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 463px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 208px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501388631997939474" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/TFjb0C2b_xI/AAAAAAAAAU0/EAr7o6DuJU4/s400/XC90.jpg" /><br /><br />(If I spend RM 355K on this, it gonna look pretty standard as I won't have any money left!!!)<br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">If anyone has better rides to suggest or comments, let me know!!!</span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p><p> </p>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-27062745512577086312010-07-04T22:20:00.000-07:002010-07-04T22:57:39.155-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"><strong>FOOTBALL AND GOD</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 379px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490288156387696626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/TDFr_UwF3_I/AAAAAAAAAT0/wTF4l3W6i30/s400/football+%2B+god.jpg" /></p><p><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">FIFA has recently warned Brazillian players to comply with the FIFA ruling that does not allow t-shirts worn under the jerseys of the players to have religious, political or any other slogans or messsages.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Interesting.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">I really don't understand how GOD fits into the whole world of sports anyway. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Asamoah Gyan, the Ghanian striker was praising GOD for his winning goal againts USA in the post match interview. It was GOD that wanted Ghana to be in the last 8! It was GOD that made him shoot like that, he said. PRAISE THE LORD!! (GOD wasn't a USA fan, I gather.....!!)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">What really suprises me is that, we don't see him in a similar post match interview where he says GOD made him miss the penalty and therefore he should not rely on this GOD anymore!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">As i've always said, "GOD is a fantastic product as it can never fail!!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Yup!! If your team wins...THANK GOD!! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">If your team loses....PRAY HARDER AND GOD WILL REWARD YOU THE NEXT TIME!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Is there just no accountability for this GOD???? </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">GOD that we spend time and money on.......a GOD that humans have gone to war and died for......a GOD that huge monuments, churches, mosques and temples have been built for......</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">And bookies have better control over match results!!!! (I love the Chinese for their simplicity....it's all about the money....!! Assuming that the bookies are Chinese la....)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Yeah! Yeah!.....heard all the "faith" arguments before but really....come on la.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">100,000 people in the stadium...all praying to their own GOD for a win.....somebody's GOD has to lose, right??? </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">I honestly feel, if there is a GOD.........he/she/it really should/would be looking at more important things in this world rather that the games we humans play!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">But if you have to watch the World Cup.......thank GOD for HD!!!! hahahahaha!!!!</span> </p><p> </p>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-91215489581993618022010-02-17T20:50:00.000-08:002010-02-17T20:53:03.061-08:00AVATAR – THE MOVIE <br /><br /><br />I went to see this movie with Mary (Left Maya with our great babysitter, Kakak Mia) at GCS premier class in 3D.<br /><br />WOW!! The special effects was seriously mind blowing and…….well….that’s it!<br /><br />For the millions (Or was it billions??) that James Cameron spent on the effects, he could have spent a little more time and effort on the @#$@# story la!!<br />Let me give you the run down on the story…. (Since everyone I know has seen the movie and I’m only putting this post up now….shouldn’t spoil it for anyone, right?) <br />The American want to mine a particular metal on Pandora and don’t give a @#$% about the local tribe, the Na Vi. (Trying hard to mirror the conflicts in Afghan and the Iraqi war but failing miserably!) Then one particular disabled “low ranking” army guy decides to save this poor tribe from the “clutches of the oppressor” something along the “Last of the Mohicans” storyline. (Because of some….predictably…. GIRL!!)<br />The battle scenes are so so spectacular that the producers hope that they can blast logic out of your head and keep your brain disconnected from your eyes. If they did not manage or failed to do this, these are a few things that you may have thought about during/after the movie:<br /><br /><br />1. The humans cannot breathe on this planet. Shouldn’t the Na Vi look at messing with their air supply to get rid of them? Terrorist style? Rather than taking on the entire “high tech” arsenal of weapons which the American had, on a civil war approach!! <br />2. The NaVi took their attack strategy from a private in the army of the Americans???? Haiyo…at least if the $%#$$#@ was a general…ok la. And he was only there for a couple of days/weeks!! What the @!#$ does he know about your talking trees and “multiple connect” tails that can feel (This was a little corny to me too but ok la…) the dragons, etc??<br />3. The main battle scene was the attack on a huge tree where the radiation/magnetic flux prevented radar guided missiles to be used. This doesn’t mean that the Americans had to hover directly above the tree and drop the bomb from the back of a truck, right????? Even in medieval times there were catapults that could launch rocks some distance away la….AARRGGHH!! <br /><br /><br /><br />Honestly, after the first 2 hours, the movie was getting painful to watch and at the end, as we left the theater, we said that this will be the last James Cameron movie we’re ever watching…unless he makes the Mahabharata in 3D…with 1 blue dude we all know soooo well!!! Hehehehe!!<br /><br /><br />Note : Avatar is derived from the Sanskrit word “Avatara” meaning incarnation. Cute huh?nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-35493231443581104292010-01-06T19:07:00.000-08:002010-01-06T19:12:35.431-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!<br /><br />2009 gone…..hello 2010!!<br /><br />So…what was 2009 for me….well…..<br /> <br />1. Maya turned 1 year old in March.<br /><br />2. Mary and Maya went off to Ireland for the summer..without me!!! (Which ensured that I was at Backyard on most days!!! hahahaha!!)<br /><br />3. Became my own boss after my boss got suspended (until now still status quo) in July. Same salary though!!<br /><br />4. Managed to sort out most of my credit card bills. (Still got some la…)<br /><br />5. Bought a new ride for the wife. (Although the 4WD function was more in my interest for dive trips…hehehe!!) Still managed to keep the Beemer. (Hurray!!)<br /><br />6. Certified 10 open water divers and 2 NITROX divers. (Not bad for a part time instructor.)<br /><br />7. Got diagnoses with heredity high cholesterol so on 20mg of Lipitor every day. <br /><br />8. Got my snoring/sleep apnea problem fixed with a throat operation that hurt like #@$% for 2 weeks!!<br /><br />9. Spent our first family Xmas in Malaysia. (Last year was the “pandi” fest in Ireland!! Damn..I missed the black pudding and superb pints of Guinness!!) Was really fun here too with our own turkey and ham dinner.<br /><br />10. Turned 37 on the 31st!!! (Uncle already la….)<br /><br /><br /><br />Plan for 2010……<br /><br />1. Get a better salary…hopefully ASAP.<br /><br />2. Head off to Ireland for Mary’s sis wedding.<br /><br />3. Have some good family holidays.<br /><br />4. Have some good dive trips.<br /><br />5. Fix up the condo with any money left over after doing the above….hahaha..which means this will happen in 2012!!! Hahahaha!!!nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-65194220176260346392009-09-26T07:11:00.000-07:002009-09-28T22:40:10.684-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/Sr4h5OA8Z5I/AAAAAAAAAS4/xdu8ZO9apyA/s1600-h/IMG_0880.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385779471280007058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/Sr4h5OA8Z5I/AAAAAAAAAS4/xdu8ZO9apyA/s400/IMG_0880.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:180%;" >CAMERON HIGHLANDS HOLIDAY!!</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">We headed out on a bright and sunny Saturday morning (A day before Hari Raya...hmmm...not too bright, huh??) and were pleasantly suprised by the smooth flow of traffic on the PLUS highway until we got to a "Hentian sebelah" or rest stop, near Tapah. Stuck here for an hour, just to move 200m!!! (Why Malaysians behave this way during the holiday season will be another posting!!) It was a better drive once we got off the highway and started our accend through the trunk road from Tapah to Tanah Rata. It was a great drive up to the top from there. (Maya slept through the entire winding climb!!)</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">We stayed at the Old Smokehouse Hotel (Pretty pricey but worth it la...) and it was impressive. Built in the old Tudor style with multiple fireplaces and an amazing garden. Actually, as I turned into the driveway of the hotel, it felt like I was somewhere in the UK. (Or pulling into the driveway at Mary's parents in Portloise in Ireland)</span></strong><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386753990742345106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SsGYNt6dhZI/AAAAAAAAATA/iWXLyMChTKc/s400/camerons.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">The garden was their best asset and Maya just ran around all day, even when it rained.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong><br /><p><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">And then there were the scones!!! Emmmmmm...</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">The scones, jam and Devonshire cream were seriously the best I've ever had. (RM 8.50 for 2 of them.....good things never come cheap, do they?)</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">The temperature was a chill 18 Degree C so the fireplace was the place to hang out in the evenings. (The bar had a fireplace too!!)</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Oh...almost forgot to mention a very important fact......the food is NON HALAL!! (So all you "bacon, eggs and bangers" people....the English breakfast is a REAL English breakfast!!) </span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">We did do the regular tourist route of the tea plantation, bee farm, butterfly park, etc but we did some other pretty weird stuff like helping a Punjabi bunch of kids with their "amazing race" around Cameron Highlands, lunch at Starbuck's (Why??? Becos it's there??..duh.??) and a full blown "Mutton Peratel" banana leaf dinner!! (Maya loved the papadams!)</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Overall, Cameron highlands still has it's charm as colonial hill station and staying at the Old smokehouse did indeed deliver that experience.</span></strong> </p>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-5715447718721288952009-09-17T21:07:00.000-07:002009-09-17T21:21:10.671-07:00<div><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;">MY NEW RIDE!!</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Been a while since I did this bloggin thing but I'm back!! hehehe!!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">This is my new ride. (Coming soon la..) The Perodua Nautica 4WD 1.5L.</span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382656919853064258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SrMJ8zej4EI/AAAAAAAAASw/6O3FCbfK2c4/s400/Perodua_Nautica_4WD.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">It's a cute 5 seater that handles well, and is ideal for my dive trips to Tioman, etc as well as cosy enough for Mary. (The X5, XC90 and gang are just tooooo hugh!!)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">FYI, this unit is a CBU from Japan. (Toyota Rush) </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">And YES.....I'm still keeping my beemer la........hahahaha!!</span></div>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-13514601915457095832009-07-20T20:01:00.000-07:002009-07-20T20:04:51.756-07:00<div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">GADOH – The movie</span></strong> </span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360743541308620002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SmUv2S-rfOI/AAAAAAAAASg/6HOW7O7ZYKA/s400/gadoh.gif" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><div><br />Amrit got this DVD at the launch in Laundry, the Curve on Sunday. He brought it over to my place and we watched it over a couple of cold ones. </div><div>Directed by Brenda Danker and Namron, it is produced by Big Pictures Production for KOMAS, a Malaysian human rights organization. </div><div><br />Damn! This was an “In your face” movie about racial tension in our schools. </div><div><br />It did play along the lines of the movie, Freedom Fighters. (I had an earlier post on that one) The plot revolves around 2 school gangs (Malay and Chinese with the lone Indian kid stuck in the midst.) and how they work out their differences by the strength of their similarities.<br />The script was well written and the acting of most of the cast was decent if not good. It is nice to see Malaysians finally saying stuff on the big screen which they say everyday at the mamaks and kopitiams. </div><div><br />It’s truly worth all 70 minutes of your time. </div><div><br />Let me know what you think if you do find time to catch it. To watch the trailer check out their site: </span></div><a href="http://komas.org/gadoh" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://komas.org/gadoh</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">. </span><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I think it’s available via download as well. </span></div>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-53552432122545182222009-07-19T22:18:00.000-07:002009-07-19T22:41:36.606-07:00<div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Indian Divers + 1 crazy Aussie</span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360409132836473234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SmP_tKV6SZI/AAAAAAAAAR4/PeGgjAqJ8Hk/s400/IMG_0789.jpg" border="0" /><br />Finally got around to posting our dive trip to Tioman. The weather was good and the diving was great. The duty free status of Tioman Island was the best!!! Hehehe!!<br />The trip started out with the 5 hour drive. KL – Ayer Hitam – Kluang – Mersing. No bemmer this time but instead we had the brilliant CHEVY CAPTIVA 4WD courtesy of my Indian expat buddy, Siva!! </span><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360409680825988690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SmQANDwytlI/AAAAAAAAASA/ToPJOmQtJZI/s400/captiva.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">This was my first time driving a 4WD diesel driven vehicle and man, it had some horses under the hood. We were doing 160km/hr at 2000revs!! (Max revs were at 5000, I think.) It handled the winding road of FELDA NITAR like a pro.<br />We (Prem, Siva, Adam and I) spent the night in Mersing and crossed over to the island early the next morning. Diving began after lunch.<br />We did 2 dives on Friday and 3 on Saturday and my gang was certified!! </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360410176495377154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SmQAp6RlWwI/AAAAAAAAASI/886CXn7iXwY/s400/IMG_0757.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Let the party begin. Salang is a pretty nice stretch of beach with a bar and a couple of restaurants. We had a good dinner (Siva, our Brahmin diver, ate fish for the 1st time in his life!!! He swears it’s better than chicken!! Hahaha!!) and headed off to the bar. To make the long nite there a short story, the party ended at 3 30 am. (I , of course, had to pay tribute to MJ with some moves la…)<br />The dive the next morning was just Siva and me. Wonder where Prem and Adam were??? Zzzzzzzzzzz<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Overall, we had a superb and much needed holiday. Can’t wait for the next trip!!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Ps. The nonexistent MAXIS signal, no sound of traffic and just the pure sound of wind in the trees and waves crashing on the beach…ahhhhhh.....and then some underwater yoga...... </span></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360413308532298402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SmQDgOBYEqI/AAAAAAAAASY/iDxNdP6LZuQ/s400/indian+diver.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></div></span></div></div></div>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-44210579348890406592009-06-11T00:23:00.000-07:002009-06-16T07:04:32.229-07:00<strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Taiping & Penang Holiday</span></span></strong><br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347916052688800434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SjedUMEgCrI/AAAAAAAAARE/4S5mOF_lZew/s320/Maya+latest+067.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Managed to carve this holiday out of our busy schedule and we were off!!<br />The drive up north was scenic on a nice sunny morning and Maya being asleep all the way was a bonus. With daddy next to me (watching the speedometer) and the rest of the gang (Mom, Mary and Maya) bundled in the back, we still had a comfy ride. (Was quickly up to 140 – 160 km/hr when daddy wasn’t looking.)<br />We spend 2 days in Taiping and stayed at Kamalodge at the foot of Maxwell Hill. (or Bukit Larut) It had a nice pool and was just next to the Lake Gardens. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347917350248382610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 247px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/Sjeeft20AJI/AAAAAAAAARM/ynZGew12_Xg/s200/Maya+latest+060.jpg" border="0" /> <div><span style="font-family:arial;">Parents were at my aunt’s in Kamunting. So…what to do in Taiping??....EAT la…. The food was really good and just like our “Ireland” trip, we looked for all the nice “panddi” stuff. The roast pork for breakfast was nice!!<br />While my parents chilled in Kamunting, we (Mary, Maya and I) headed north to Penang for a night. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">A pretty “classy” night at the E & O hotel. (This is my attempt to copy the E & O "artsy" photo)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347918041857633810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SjefH-TTrhI/AAAAAAAAARU/c4Ytkao0hiQ/s400/Maya+latest+114.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Now this hotel was something else. The classic look, the services, the bell boys dressed in Khakis, the “English tea”….. I was looking around to see if someone was going to say, “Hey boy, leave the white lady and child and be on your way!!” hehehe!!"</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347919662156195042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 328px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SjegmSYlpOI/AAAAAAAAARc/2Rzkw82w3CA/s400/Maya+BW.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">(Decided on the classic shot!!)</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><div>The room was so impressive that we actually spend more time in it then out.<br /></div><div>So what to do in Penang???....EAT again la….the “nasi kandar” and “kambing sup” was awesome!!</span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347921939617233394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/Sjeiq2lnOfI/AAAAAAAAARk/Oi1mdJfq2Jc/s400/Maya+latest+093.jpg" border="0" /><br />(Note the "licin" plates in the background!!)<br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Although our trip was only for the weekend, it was a much needed break.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Now back in the city, I do miss the slow traffic and clean air.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Well....I'll be off diving soon so that a relief!!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-6540405816018632952009-04-26T18:13:00.000-07:002009-04-26T18:19:44.510-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"><strong>RELEGATED...AGAIN!!!</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SfUHT9G80_I/AAAAAAAAAQk/LTY0XjW-48c/s1600-h/Southampton.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329173773465474034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SfUHT9G80_I/AAAAAAAAAQk/LTY0XjW-48c/s400/Southampton.png" border="0" /></a> Well, it's happened again.<br /><br />Will we fair better in League one? Will we ever see the premiership again?<br /><br />As Metallica said, "SAD BUT TRUE!!"<br /><br />At least they can count on 1 Malaysian fan who'll still follow his team as the Saints go marching on!!!!nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-77147378856919389182009-04-22T22:32:00.000-07:002009-04-22T23:15:50.286-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"><strong>THE 11TH HOUR</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/Se_9gyXkyPI/AAAAAAAAAQU/nD_63omZH2E/s1600-h/The_11th_hour.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327755623920879858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/Se_9gyXkyPI/AAAAAAAAAQU/nD_63omZH2E/s400/The_11th_hour.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Watched this documentary last night and it had quite an impact on me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">It had all the usual, " </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">How humans are screwing up this planets' resources, how it is just unsustainable and how we drastically need to change the way we do things."</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">The only difference was that it showed how dependant we are to all these consumer products. How we are unable to move without vehicles, have food without grocery stores or just have fun without man made gadgets!!!</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">A lot of the blame seems to be going to the Oil & Gas giants like ExxonMobil, Shell, etc, etc, who have recorded a profit of USD 33 Billion last year.</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Although I do agree that this is an absurd sum of money, shouldn't we also see that their products ensure we have fuel for the cars we drives and the planes we travel on???</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I strongly feel that the entertainment industry is far worst. We pay million or even billions to subsidize entertainers with their extravagant lifestyles. what is their contribution actually worth???</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Footballers, NBA & NFL stars, actors and actresses, SEGA, PLAYSTATION, XBOX, etc, etc. What amount of our income goes to stuff like this?????</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Our world is slowly becoming unreal. </span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Humans shed tears for the likes of Liverpool and Man U but barely blink at death tolls of a major disaster. (Unless it's football related!!)</span></div><div><br /> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">We play futsal on artificial grass under floodlights.....Why????? Toooo hot la in the day time!!! Too busy working to make money la!!!</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I do agree that I too spend a considerable time of my day to "make ends meet" but are my "ends" too far from reality???? Do I really need to renovate my house??? Do I really need another car????</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Well, the answer for me as of yesterday is NO!!</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Me and Mary, for the benefit of Maya and her generation, are going to start to do things different from today. This is our plan and hopefully, it will be adopted by my buddies too!!</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>1. Reduce the use of lights, fan and AC.</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>2. Use my balcony to plant food. (My mom used to do this in our garden in Klang so I don't see why I can't do it.) Plants that can be grown are chillies, herbs, brinjals, tomatoes, etc, etc.</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>3. Spend more time together with my family and friends without TV and other gadgets. </strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>4. Play outdoors more. (I do play tennis and my diving does get me outdoors too.)</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>5. Eat organic and buy products that are from sustainable sourses. (Fish, furniture, etc.)</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>6. Get my condo to have recycling facilities for plastics, metal and glass products.</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>7. STOP SPENDING MONEY ON LUXURIES!! (Yup! I'll just keep the beemer as the one and only luxury item!! But it's already 9 years old so I doubt it's a luxury item any more!! Hehehe!!)</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Well, that's all I can do for now but I'll be looking into other means of reducing my "Carbon footprint" on this planet and will keep you guys updated.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>"SAVE THE TREES, SAVE THE WORLD!!!"</strong></span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-50382691358989544242009-04-13T22:18:00.000-07:002009-04-13T22:53:06.808-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"><strong>DADDY FOR A YEAR NOW!!!</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></div><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324412555193643970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 362px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SeQdAk3yc8I/AAAAAAAAAQE/z6A33EVeFAs/s400/Bday+cake.jpg" border="0" /><br /></strong><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong></strong></span></p><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Maya turned 1 on the 25th of March and it just made me want to look back to see how far I’ve come from the crazy sailor boy to being a responsible “grown up” daddy. </strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>My artsy “bachelor pad” is now a multi colored theme park where you can just name a color and I’m sure I have it strewn across my living room floor in the form of a ball, block, etc, etc.!! My chairs and tables have “fenders” (Like the rubbers tires around a tug boat!!) for collision protection and my plain, light purple, velvet sofa has so many food stains that it now resembles some exotic animal!! Gone are the cool table top decor....replaced by stuff that is either chewable, washable or throwable!! </strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>I do occasionally get to see my IKEA carpet...or glimpes of it when the toys are put away......</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>That my living room, version 2009.</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>What about my bedroom, version 2009??? Well, it depends….Is it the room that used to be my bedroom or the “spare” room that I’m in now so that my snoring doesn’t wake up Maya???? Yup…just like Southampton…I got relegated too!!! Hahahaha!!<br /></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>The TV, version 2009??? Channels available have drastically reduced to channels beginning with 6xx. Honestly, I find POCOYO and THE YOUNG EINSTEINS pretty entertaining!! </strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>My precious Beemer also now comes with a 2009 baby upgraded version. Baby seat with all boot space taken up by the pram. The 2009 version also comes with rattling accessories (multi colored, of course) and massively annoying, nursery rymes emitting, electronic devices!!</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>So…a full year of a constantly changing baby, constantly changing schedules and constantly changing lifestyle….opps...almost forgot....and constantly changing nappies!!!!</strong></span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>The reward….. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324414175782977554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SeQee6CZQBI/AAAAAAAAAQM/JESCX7BZmZg/s400/Maya_oct_06.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></div><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>That SMILE!!! </strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>My little "nutcase" (That's what I call her as she is usually hysterically happy to see me when I get home everyday!!) and all that she gets up to!!</strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>I believe this parenthood thinggi is gonna be a great ride!!!</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p> </p>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-4929623105236813372009-03-10T23:56:00.000-07:002009-03-17T22:40:01.448-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;"><strong>TAKING RESPONSIBILITY</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I was fortunate enough to be sent for free training by MISC/PETRONAS recently and I just wanted to share something pretty simple yet facinating.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">The presenter made this statement about how people have varying reactions to taking on responsibility for their failed actions. These reactions fall into 4 categories in declining levels of conviction:</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">1. To Quit.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">(Example: My job screwed up so I quit!!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">2. To Deny.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">(Example: Who said my job's screwed up? it's fine.)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">3. To Blame.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">(Example: My job screwed up because of that other fella la!!!)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">4. To Justify.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">(Example: My job screwed up because of the economy la....it was sure to happen!!)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">You can see this phenomenon in the newspapers with our politicians all the time.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">It was also interesting when I actually looked at some of my friends and realised that most of the time, their actions fall into these 4 categories too.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">When it comes to girlfriends, job satisfaction, salary or even life as a whole, they either QUIT, DENY, BLAME or JUSTIFY but seldom actually take responsibility.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">The faults are blamed on God, the heavens and stars, fung sui, other people, fate, work commitments, money or lack of it, etc, etc but rarely do they say, "Hey, that was my fault so I'm gonna do something about it to fix the problem!!".</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">This post is just for you guys to think about the next time you have to explain a mistake or failure. Try not to rely on the 4 categories above and see if you can make a difference by your own actions!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Let me know if it works!! Hehe!!</span>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-57068562411749931772009-03-02T17:30:00.001-08:002009-03-02T17:33:54.264-08:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">...SAINTS GO MARCHING ON!!!</span></strong><br /></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308767983417650738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 159px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 87px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m06-w2zkny0/SayIWpaTbjI/AAAAAAAAAPk/XwdSyeXJsi4/s400/southhampton+2.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">We won 2 in a row!!!! hurray!!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Yeah..yeah..we're not in the big leagues but a win is a win, right???</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Ipswich on Tuesday so let's see if we can make it 3!!</span></p><p> </p>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-78546911577556767002009-02-10T21:21:00.000-08:002009-02-10T21:37:39.261-08:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>FEELING SAD n SICK</strong></span></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong>
<br />This is how I felt this morning after a chat with my wife on the current political situation in Malaysia.
<br />She is a foreigner and it’s so hard to explain our sad and sick politicians.
<br />
<br />What am I talking about? Well…..
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<br /><strong>1. The UMNO youth demonstrations with racist comments, shown live on Bernama TV.
<br /></strong>
<br />Yup. They had signs “INI TANAH MELAYU, BUKAN TANAH SINGH!!” (THIS IS MALAY LAND NOT FOR THE SIKHS!!) in full view. Not even discrete!! She was asking me why the ISA was not used on these guys as it was inciting racial hatred.
<br />
<br /><strong>2. Police reports made against Karpal Singh by UMNO youth all over Malaysia.</strong>
<br /><strong>
<br /></strong>I remember trying to make a report about an accident in Klang at the PJ police station and the cop said I couldn’t. I had to report it in Klang. She wanted to know how these guys can make reports about something in Perak in another state?
<br /></strong>
<br /><strong>3. MP in Kedah states his reason for quitting is that he and his family have been threatened by BN.</strong>
<br /><strong>
<br /></strong>Police report? Protection from the police? No….he disappears. “If an MP can’t trust our police force for protection, what about us normal folk?” she asked.
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<br /></strong><strong>4. UMNO Youth leaders say “By any means necessary”. Murder, Bloodshed, Genocide???? </strong>
<br />
<br />She asked me how far they would go. I’m afraid to answer. Really.
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<br /><strong>5. Police officers charged with murder have their faces covered ALL the time. </strong>
<br /><strong>
<br /></strong>Since they’re handcuffed, I guess their police buddies helped them bundle up? I recall the police not allowing defendants in other cases to cover their faces. (Although most try sooooo hard with their T shirt, newspapers, etc.) “Even if they’re found guilty, what if they are secretly released and are back it the police force? Will anyone know, since nobody know what they look like?” she asked again.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></strong>She was comparing our current situation to that of countries in Africa....only good thing here is that we've got oil, so money and jobs are ok...for now.
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<br />As I was left with no answers, it really made me sad to think how far we've come socially and economically only to have daft politicians send us back to the racial riffs of the 60's.
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<br />If this is the path that our political scene is taking us, I’m really getting worried for the safety of my family and friends.
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<br />Will all my vocal friends disappear too?? Will supporting a certain party be considered treason?
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<br />Will the "Truly Asia" slogan means we become like other Asian countries like Cambodia, Burma, Laos and Phillipines with incapable and corrupt leaders?
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<br />nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17566285.post-60711310357351548122009-02-02T22:37:00.000-08:002009-02-02T23:17:51.839-08:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">MALAY or ENGLISH??????</span></strong><br /><br />I’ve been hearing this issue of Maths and Science being taught in English and it’s getting pretty tiring.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I really don’t get these education ministry fellas…<br /><br />Let me break it down in my usual point form on what the problem is and how to tackle it:<br /><br /><strong>The problem<br /></strong><br />1. Level of proficiency in English in Malaysia is on the decline.<br />2. Children in rural areas don’t speak English at all.<br />3. Lack of teachers who speak good English.<br /><br /><strong>The solution</strong><br /><br />1. GET BETTER ENGLISH TEACHERS!!<br />2. TEACH ENGLISH MORE OFTEN!!!!<br /><br />I mean, why mess about with Maths, Science and other subjects. Just put in more hours per week for English lessons.<br /><br />During my backpacking days, I’ve met so many backpackers in India, China and Indonesia who were teaching English as part of some volunteer program. Get these guys over here la!!!<br /><br />Leave the primary schools subjects in Malay while concentrating in making the kids really good at English as a subject on it's own and when they get to secondary school, teach the technical subjects (Maths, Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, etc.) in English.<br /><br />Then we’ll finally get somewhere!!<br /><br /> </span><br /></span>nanda666http://www.blogger.com/profile/16312860708160010420noreply@blogger.com2