Market Research (Survey)

Last weekend, I read about Msau’s blog about being conned by people using survey as a tool. I am working in market research industry, dealing with survey projects day in day out. We face a lot of difficulties in convincing people we are carrying out genuine market research – high refusal rate, thanks to these con men.

Anyway, coming back to the point. Genuine market research does not give gifts (we call ‘token of appreciation’ or ‘incentives’) by ‘CHANCE’. It is usually a standard gift for all respondents (people who participates the survey). Normal house-to-house or office-to-office interviews usually are without gifts or low value (RM10 max); e.g. pen, towel, mug, etc. Value of gifts depends on length of interview and subject. If it is a business-to-business interview, value of gifts would likely be higher; e.g. Selangor Pewter product that worths around RM50-200 (depends on how difficult is the subject).

We don’t give out incentives based on ‘your luck’. If we give, every respondent gets the same thing. There is no such thing as ‘scratch and win’.

There were a few occasions when interviewers come to my house. I always let them interview, as I understand how difficult their task is (am now with client side so qualified). However, I always get disappointed when it comes to the end of the interview – the interviewers would say that ‘as a token of appreciation, we are giving out gifts… it depends on your luck what you will be getting…’. The moment they said it depends on my luck, I knew it was a fake research. I immediately told them to leave – without even to see my ‘luck’ what I was getting. I was sure I would get something great – con man punya style mah!

So, you have my word – genuine market research will not tell you that your gifts depend on your luck. If you get something, it is always carried in their bag – you get it immediately after interview completed. If you don’t want the gift, they will leave it at your doorstep, because one of the QC we check on their work is whether they give out the gift or not (so the interviewers will not keep the gifts and sell it for side income).

Buying Unit Trusts with EPF

I have just opened an account with Public Mutual Fund, using my EPF fund. Didn’t know I could do it until this week. How it works?

There are a few rules here:

• EPF account 1 (the biggest among the three) must have more than RM50k.
• RM50k in the account 1 cannot be withdrawn.
• 20% of the balance (minus RM50k) can be used at any one time to buy unit trusts.
• Once account is opened & paid by EPF fund, it cannot be topped up with cash.
• EPF account 1 can be withdrawn every 3 months to top up. Same rules above applies for every withdrawal (20% of the balance after minus RM50k).
• After selling the trust, the capital and profit will have to go back to EPF.

Since the EPF’s interest is not good, if you think unit trusts can give you better return, why not invest in it using the EPF money?

My Friends Are Reading My Blog!

Yesterday, I received an email from an ex-colleague. She wrote:

How are you? Read from your blog that u're trying for no. 2. Wish U Luck. Inform me when you have good news already.

Also read that probably u're going to wean Ian from breastfeeding. You have done a lot - now is time for you relax while trying for 2nd baby.
:
:
p/s never taught that u r very good in writing... keep writing. enjoy reading ur posting!

And then (separate mail after I asked her how she came across my blog)…

That day i browse through mymombest and happen to see your blog address. Quickly surf and read a few posting ... since i know you then reading ur posting become very interesting, can imagine you urself are telling all those stories. try to read other blogs but can't seem understand the whole stories.

Promote ur blog to XXXX and she also likes it. We both feel very sad to read ur posting 'never lie to ur boss'....ermmm..

I never knew I’ve got supporters from my old pals! I am so happy about it, and it makes me want to keep my blog going. And I didn't even know they also a member of MMB!

Well, knowing my friends are reading my blog, it also gives some pressure to me as well. Must keep on writing and updating myself. One form of encouragement for me too!

Oh, guess what? My DH also doesn’t know my blog ler!

One day while we were talking, I casually told him about my blog. He was surprised and curious to find out what I wrote about Ian, but I refused to tell him the URL. Hehe, I am very wicked one, I asked him to search the URL if he is really interested. I think he is not very interested lah, so until now he never bother to ask me again and he has not discovered this URL yet.

Actually har, if he really wants to find out, there is many ways. Isn’t it?

P/s: MM, hope you don’t mind ya, I post your email? Just feel so happy about this and must keep it a record. :p

Choose to Look Fat or Old?

Well, let me put this in a more positive manner: when you age, you have only 2 choices in terms of look: slim/thin OR young – cannot be both.

Many women want to look slim and they always envy people who are skinny or bony. They thought it makes them look pretty. But is it true? Is it all about weight that makes people look good?

Many women who look much older than their age, and the common things they share are: cheeky face, skinny body, deep eye socket and, of course wrinkles.

There are also many women who look much younger than their age. They have one thing in common: MEATY (plump, or Hokkien say: wu bak 有肉).

Look at the HongKong actresses who look younger than their age. We have 薛家燕, 沈澱霞, etc. I believe if they both lose their weight they will look very old!

My mom used to be very plump. I thought she looked good – round face, hearty and young look. Then she listened to her friends and took diet pills + diet tea etc. She successfully lost so much of weight.

But, she now looks at least 10 years older than before she lost her weight!!

Probably it was the fat and round face that pulls the skin tightly, so wrinkles don’t appear? I don’t know the scientific reasons behind this.

Bottom line is: What is more important to women? To look thin (but old), or to look young (but plump)? Well, not many of us can look both slim AND young. So you can chose only one.

I chose to look young. So I am trying to put some weight now. This gives me all excuses to eat my favorite food – chocolate, nasi lemak, laksa. :p LOL!!!

Revived

I am reviving this blog. Need to have different blog sites to cater for different topics. This way, I can better organize my posts, and I think my visitors will enjoy more. Currently everything is quite mixed up.

I plan to keep this blog away from parenting and personal stuff. Will try to post more interesting stuff, but that would mean more research and more work. That's my mission. Hope I can make it.

NKF Scandal

Recently I have been reading this news about NKF case in Singapore with interest. Really disappointed with the way they handle the money. (More info here)

Imagine, when I donate my money to the diabetic patients, I expect my money to be used to help them as directly as possible.

I would least want my money to be sponsoring those high level guys flying on first class, getting highly paid salary (many times higher than my own), using expensive luxury cars and toilets, etc.

When I was approached by a NKF represented agency few years ago in Amcorp Mall, and requested for regular contribution, I nearly signed up, but I didn't. I took their form, verified information with NKF later, and then I called the sales rep for appointment. He didn’t show up.

Then I called NKF office and asked for another sales rep. No body bothered me.

I presume their ‘business’ is so good that they don’t even bother to ‘service’ donors like me…

Then I made my contribution to MAA, also for diabetic patients. This MAA is definitely a registered organization because I did get my income tax refund on this donation.

This whole thing really bothered me. First of all, why would NKF assign a third party agency to help raising fund for them? What would the agency charge them? I’m pretty sure this agency is not doing this as charity for free, as they do employ quite a lot of ‘SALES’ reps, who earn commissions.

I did ask NKF how can they make donations into a ‘sales’, and part of our monthly contribution goes to this third party agency? They avoided my question by asking me to write in.

Now after reading the news in Singapore, I am glad I did not sign up with the donation program. I would like my money to be used in a better way. If somebody is going to get rich with MY money, I wish that the ‘somebody’ were I, LZBONE. Hehehe!

p/s: Just a quick summary of what NKF (National Kidney Foundation) Singapore did (abstract modified from The Star):

NKF had sued Singapore Press Holdings over an article last year that stated a gold-plated tap had been installed and later replaced in the private bathroom of the CEO's (TT Durai) office suite. NKF said the article had damaged the charity's reputation by implying that donors' funds were being misused. Last week, in the court, after his salary (S$600,000 (RM1.3mil))and perks generated major media coverage in the city-state, Durai and the foundation withdrew their lawsuit. He also conceded he flew first class when travelling overseas, although he insisted he was entitled to the benefits of “every other CEO.” NKF describes itself on its website as “the largest charitable organisation in Singapore” and the “largest not-for-profit dialysis provider in the world.”

Blog About Travelling? No Way!

When I started this blog, I really had no idea what I wanted this blog to be. Initially, I though this blog is like my EventBook. Knew already that this cannot be.

So, I thought, hmm… since I travel a lot, why don’t I blog about traveling stories.

But… my traveling stories are so boring! I am doing BUSINESS traveling, not traveling for holiday! It is extremely boring to travel like this: Airport – Hotel – Office – Hotel – Airport.

I really envy my best friend, who is currently with a Swedish company. She doesn’t travel as frequently as I do, but when she travels, there are people who really look after her. ‘The other side’ would arrange everything for her, at least for the 1st time. They bring her out for sight seeing, recommend places she can visit or things that she can do.

She has been to Sweden, Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, Denmark, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and etc. The names of the places already sound exotic. Compared to mine: Houston, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Beijing, Delhi, Sabah and Sarawak.

What she does is Travel – Hotel – SIGHTSEEING – Meeting – SIGHTSEEING – Hotel – Travel. On meeting days, she only works during office hour 9-to-5. After 5: FOOD and REST and SIGHTSEEING.

As for me? On meeting days, I only rest 4 hours max. 7am to 9pm: in meetings/discussions. 9pm-11pm: dinner (with the same boring people talking about work over the table). Back to the room at 12 midnight. After refreshed myself, got to work on emails and prepare stuff for next day - usually ends at 3am or until I am too tired to go on. I really have to make an effort to sightsee, and I will be ALONE. Sob! Sob!

So, who will be interested to read my blog if I write this kind of stuff? I am not even interested to write this – only for this time.

New to PPS

5xmom and twinsmom both encouraged pinging to PPS. It was new to me. I registered some time ago, haven’t used it yet.

OK, since they both preached for PPS, I’m giving it a try today. Actually I am not quite sure I really want traffic or not… must be something good, otherwise people will not be whoring for traffic (as said by 5xmom).

But the thought of it is kind of scary too. Sure or not you want so many people reading your blog??!! Anyway, got traffic is still better than no traffic lah! :D

Another Beijing Trip

After grounded for 2 months, traveling starts again! Last week went to Tanjong Jara, and this week in Beijing (again). Flew on Mon night flight, arrived at 6am, meeting starts at 10am.

At first, thought of sleeping through the flight. Then was asked to be seated next to a newly joined colleague, “so that we can talk on the journey” – as said by the guy’s boss. Luckily my boss was so nice, before the flight she told the new guy to let me sleep. That guy changed his seat when he checked in – I felt a little ‘paiseh’! :p

Anyway, on Tuesday (first) night, we went to 老舍茶馆 (Lao She tea house), which has some great performance on 京剧 (Beijing Opera). The greatest one was 变脸 (face-change). Love it! This is a place must go!

Actually, I wanted to visit Beijing Underground City (北京地下城), but strange enough none of the locals or taxi drivers ever heard of it. I searched the web, and finally found 2 reports on this:
Part 1
Part 2

Looks like only the hotel’s concierge also knows about this place. With the help from the web and the concierge, the taxi finally managed to take me there on Thursday morning. Not exactly sending me to the right place. He just dropped me off around that area, and I had to walk for around 10 min to get to the place. I had to ask around.

It is no big deal about the place, but I have to say it is worth visiting: can’t believe the people can dig out such huge underground city that can accommodate 300,000 people. The place connects all places, and can even go to Tianjin. It is just so amazing. Well, when I said ‘no big deal’ is because the place they open for tourist is only very small area – quite disappointing.

I paid RMB 20, for a guided tour. They will not allow anyone go in without a guide because there have been cases where people got lost. It only took me 30 min to finish the tour. So, this can be done during lunch hour, or early in the morning before office hour. They open from 8:30am till 6pm.

They don't allow photography inside, but I still managed to get a photo with my phone. :D

Book Tag

I was tagged by mama22beas on this. Msau made this tag so interesting by using photos of the books, so I copy her idea here.

I have to modify the tag slightly because I don’t really read those ‘meaningful’ books, can’t find that many to blog. :p

1) Total number of books that I’ve owned:
I presume this is for ‘current’ + at ‘home’ (excl. other places). I have around 250 books in my apartment now.

2) The last book I bought:
Actually is a whole series of 12 books minus 1, bought secondhand from a MPH staff. It is ‘Left Behind’ series, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. One book is missing. Does anyone have book 11 (Armageddon) and wish to sell it? Please, please I want it!

3) The last book I read: ‘The Last Juror’ by John Grisham.

4) Book(s) I am reading NOW: I have a habit of not finishing one book then start another one, so I have 4 books that I have started but not finished yet, all alternated depends on my mood.

• 我在慈禧身边的日子 (金易)
  
• 'Taken' by Thomas Cook based on a TV series (shown in ASTRO before but I missed it).
  
• 楚留香 (Palm’s e-book version)
• The Arabian Nights (Palm’s e-book version)

5) 5 books that mean a lot to me (or I enjoyed reading):
a) Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden
I read the 1st edition, borrowed from a friend in 2002. Loved it so much, cried so much about it, and then bought it for myself.

b) Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
Recommended by DH. I read the English version 4 years ago, lend the book to friends, never got it back. DH won lucky draw and got this Chinese version.

c) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secret – J. K. Rowling
Never thought a ‘children book’ is so interesting to read. I was basically hooked when I was reading this particular one, read 24 hours non-stop – had to hide in the guest room at night so DH can’t scold me. :p

d) 连城决 – 金庸
Very pitiful to the main character.

e) The Prey – Michael Crichton
Sister borrowed, lazy to surf net, so has no photo to show. The storyline is very exciting. Reading it just like watching movie.

I will not tag anyone because most people were already been tagged.

Money and 人格

When I heard of the news on the recoveries of the missing 4 boys in Fraser’s Hill, I was rather… hmm… somewhat disturbed on something.

It was read and understood that: the youngest one (9 years), when found by the orang asli, was delighted in joy and cried out ‘I love you’. Following that, he offered all of his money and ask the orang asli to bring him out of the jungle.

I am not sure I read and understood it correctly or not. Did the boy offer the orang asli the money, to THANK him or in EXCHANGE for help?

My friends/family all felt the boy’s gesture is very cute and innocent. I have a different view. If I were the orang asli, I would feel very offended of my 人格. I don’t know how to translate 人格 into English (can anyone help?). Basically, I just feel that it is an insult to someone who went into the jungle at night to search for the boys.

I am not saying the boy is wrong. But from where did he learn this kind of gesture? Did the adults always do this kind of thing in front of him: 用钱挞死人 (direct translate: use money to throw people)?

Never Lie To Your Boss

Never lie to your boss. Because while you are lying she may already knew the truth before you lied. She may just want to test your credibility further, by asking you a few more details. The more you try to cover up your previous lies, the more terrible it gets. A very small white lie will be snowballed to something unforgivable to her at the end. She will then distrust you, and there gone your career.

That is my advice, after I was caught lying to my boss. I regret it very much, but I can never turn back and fix it. What I am trying to fix now, will still leave a mark, like fixing a broken mirror…

The story goes this way:

Last March, I went to Beijing for a 1-week meeting. I planned to extend the trip and stay on Saturday, so I could do some sightseeing in Great Wall. One colleague (more senior) has decided to join me, so we planned our trip together.

Just few days before departure, my boss called me from Jakarta, after attending a meeting there with that colleague. My boss asked, “Just now Ms A told me that she is having distributor meeting on Saturday (the day that I planned to go to Great Wall). Why must she involve you in HER distributor’s meeting, which has nothing to do with you? If she is extending her stay to do her other works, you don’t have to follow her. You have your family here, if you need to come back earlier just tell her off.”

I was caught by surprised, why Ms A said that to my boss. So, instead of telling my boss about my plan for the sightseeing, I kept quite and told her I would check with Ms A before getting back to her. That was the 1st mistake I made. After that, there weren’t any points of turning back already…

I failed to contact Ms A in the next 2 days coz she never answered her phone until we reached Beijing. My boss was in Beijing as well, and she asked me again (before Ms A arrived). I, again, made a bigger mistake, by trying to cover up for Ms A, and I said, “I haven’t heard from Ms A, I will let you know after I talk to her.”

When I checked with Ms A finally, she denied what she told my boss (later I found out she is a 2 headed snake, I was too naive to cover up for her). So, I decided to tell my boss the truth that I was extending to do sightseeing. But, that was already too late – because she actually knew I was lying, before she even met me in Beijing. She knew it from her best friend – whom I told about my trip, because I originally didn’t have any intention to lie!

The most ironic part was, I didn’t know my boss knew already while she was further testing my faithfulness to her. She asked me again (giving me another chance): “If you are extending to sightsee that is fine, but why you did not know about this earlier? Didn’t you discuss before you make your flight booking? You are the project leader and this meeting is YOUR meeting, you should know the agenda and the schedule of this trip, and you have all the control.”

So, to cover up myself (or that woman) more, I lied further (story also not logical already)… I actually can’t remember what I said, but now think back, everything were so obvious that I lied.

The best part of this story is, I didn’t know my boss knew. Until last Thursday!!!!!! She was very distant from me these few months, and I could sense she disliked me. I was glad she brought it up yesterday, and she said I was influenced by Ms A, and became ‘bad’.

Lessons learned. Will not lie to my boss again. But damage is done. Very bad mood, 烦, since Thursday, so didn’t blog for a few days liao…

Fighting Hunger

WFP (World Food Program) is organizing a Walk the World event this Sunday. This event aims to raise awareness and funds to help end child hunger. And we can help by:

• Click on the URL here: http://www.FightHunger.org - each click will contribute 19 US cents, donated by TNT Global Express, Logistics & Mail.
• On July 12, take part in the walk (Malaysia is included!)
• If you can't walk on 12 June, don't worry. You can still ensure that other hungry children receive the food they need by sending this link on to others: http://www.fighthunger.org/home
• You can even make a donation if you want. There is an option in the link.

As of today at 1800 hours (GMT+8:00), there are only 17 people registered to walk, from Malaysia. It is quite disappointing.

I want to help spread the words around, but my blog is not very popular, have very limited visitors. How I wish the other popular bloggers can blog about this, and increase the awareness. Let’s flight child hunger!

BTW, it would be good that bloggers meet up in the walk, like a MGT.
As for myself, I am going to arrange with MIL, hopefully she can take care of Ian, so I can participate! Hmm… otherwise, I’m not sure if they would accept me walking with ‘Ian in a pram’?

Lottery

I always tell people, “I will xxxxxx, if I strike lottery.” For example:
“I will quite my job and be a SAHM if I strike lottery.”
“I will bring my mum and MIL to spa if I strike lottery.”
“I will get a maid if I strike lottery.”
Etc

For people who don’t know me well, may think that I always buy lottery. Well, I only buy 1 ticket during Chinese New Year. My friend always tells me, “If ChoySanYe (god of prosperity) wants to give you fortune, if you don’t even open your door how can he give you har?” So, I took her advice and buy once a year. I have never striked one.

Last week, DH told me that TOTO has accumulated the prize to 15 million. So, I have decided to try my luck. So embarrassing, I did not know how to buy! I went to the shop and gave the lady my 6 numbers. DH told me is from 1 to 49. So, one of the number I have chosen was 45.

I didn’t know what is that thing called, so I thought if the prize can be accumulated, must be called something like a ‘Jackpot’, so I told the lady I wanted RM1 of the Jackpot.

She said, “45 cannot. Maximum is 42, I change that to 42 ok?”
I blurred, blurred and said OK.

But then, before I walked out, I thought DH couldn’t be wrong. So I turned back:
“Miss ah, I thought the numbers are from 1 to 49 why 45 cannot?”
She then became defensive, “You told me you wanted to buy Jackpot. Jackpot is 1 to 42. If you want the one 1 to 49 it is called ‘Super’”.

Oops, so embarrassing. So I spent another 1 dollar bought the ‘Super’ ticket… well, of course I didn’t strike the lottery, but the most stupid thing I did was…

ACTUALLY THE CUMULATED POT HAS ALREADY BEEN WON IN PREVIOUS ROUND. So stupid of me! :p

Quality of Local Graduates

In today’s newspaper, there is a discussion about quality of the local university graduates. I am also locally educated but I don’t think I fit into the described typical local grads. However, I have to agree to the article.

I have worked with some postgraduates and undergraduates (internship), from local and overseas universities. Comparing the two, as well as my friends who are locally vs overseas graduated, I do find different qualities in them. I am not saying ALL local grads are like this, and ALL overseas grads are like that, but most of them are… unfortunately.

Overseas grads are generally more independent and have pleasant personality. I don’t have to tell them how to do a task. I just tell them what output I want from them, what are the objectives, and then I give them some leads. They generally can perform the task well - independently.

However, local grads usually need a lot more guidance. Sometimes it is even to the extent of handholding or spoon-feeding. Very often I have the feeling of “sigh, why don’t I do the task myself, it may save me more time and effort…”

Some of my locally graduated friends are exactly what is described in the article:

• They don’t have good personality (rude, snobbish, selfish…)
• They can’t express themselves fully in an interview, even with their friends
• They have no working experience (I don’t count those part-time or 1-2 month job as experience).

But yet, they demand high salary. Some of these friends have not been able to get a permanent job until now (nearly 8 years after graduated), and they still dare to demand high salary! These are their complaints:

“You all already earning so much. I should not be paid less than 4k, this is discrimination!”
Well, you have never got experience in any permanent job, how can you demand that.

“This job is too difficult, have to work on Saturday…”
“They are giving me a ridiculous sales quota.”
“The office location is very jam.”
“That person is terrible lah, I think I can be his boss, how can I report to him?!”
Hello! Who do you think you are?

In my opinion, Malaysia’s education system uses too much of spoon-feeding. Even the solution suggested by the article is also very much spoon-feeding method, i.e. all undergraduates must go through a ‘job interview course’ before their graduation.

I don’t think all the good quality postgraduates, local or overseas, have all attended such course.

I Can Use WiFi!!

Aiyoh, dunno which Kampong I come from! I have been using this new company-notebook since Jan this year (HP Compaq nc4010), and until early this week only I discovered that it has WiFi device! It took me a few days to figure it out, installed the driver and tested it out!

While trying to install the WiFi driver and get it setup, I discovered how to activate the bluetooth too. Actually, I knew it comes with built-in bluetooth, but I never knew how to activate it. Our IT support said, “Press that button! Press that button!” But I was still blurred, not knowing what button he was referring too. I always thought that button is for microphone because the symbol really looks like a microphone! (at this point, my colleague shouted me Jakun (no offence har), I have to admit that lah! :p).

Actually, ever since I started using this model, I have been trying to hot sync it with my Palm Zire 72 – but never successful (always rely on cable), and I always thought my notebook’s bluetooth device is faulty. :p

Now, I can use wireless broadband already. Very excited, though I haven’t got any chance to really try out. Have checked out TMNet’s Hotspot. I thought Streamyx users’ rate is cheaper, but the savings is just insignificant. AirZed seem to have better coverage… But anyway, I better check which ones are supported by our IT department first…

Dear bloggers, if you are a user on wireless broadband, can give some recommendations? :)

Sembunyi SPA

Last Christmas, my department held a Christmas party with the theme ‘Tropical Christmas’. As usual, everyone was expected to dress up according to the theme, and there were penalties given to the worst dressed guy – turkey awards. I was too afraid to receive that ‘turkey awards’, so I rented a frutti-trutti hat. And… dadadada! I won the best dress, unexpectedly.

The prize was a Surf and Turf Spa Package at the Sembunyi Spa, Cyberview Lodge Resort and Spa. The gift voucher can only be used during weekdays, exclude public holidays.

Ever since given birth to Ian, I have to work and take care of him, how to go leh? So, delayed, delayed and delayed. Last Sat night when I was cleaning the house, I saw the voucher… Alamak, 10 June is the expiry date. So, have decided to take a day off and enjoy myself yesterday (Wed).

Because it was a weekday, I occupied the whole spa by myself. I soaked in the hot Jacuzzi, immersed in the cold pool, went in to the steam room… but quite boring because I was alone!

Then, the treatment started. It was a private room… Nicely scented. In the room, there was a window, bed, a warm bath…
All started with a traditional Balinese whole body massage. Oohhh… so comfortable that it made me dozed off. The long and soothing strokes, very calming.

Then, followed by scrub. It was sea salt with essential oil and cooling gel. It was meant for detoxifying and cleansing. I felt that my skin is really cleaned after that, from neck to toes (head not included lah!). I dozed off again.

After the scrub, I was wrapped in rich black mud in a warm blanket. It was hot, I was supposed to sweat inside, so I just sweat… and dozed off. (See how calming and soothing the whole thing is, I just keep sleeping – lazy bone mah! Hehehe!)

And finally, I was woke up, and asked to enjoy the Ocean’s Away bath, which is purifying salt and algae bath. Actually this is the smelliest part of the whole package. All the other parts come with nice aroma, but this one really smelled fishy. I was advised to soak in it for 20 minutes (hey, just the bath costs RM60!). But it was just so uncomfortable, imagine I soaked inside the bath with the mud wrap in my body! So, I only managed it for 5 min, then quickly shampooed myself and left the room.

After the spa session, wow, I really felt myself very clean, smoothed, and coated with very nice fragrance – luckily the last part’s smell doesn’t stick on me. The nice feeling and fragrant lingered for another 6 hour or so. Oohhhhh… I now understand how nice is a spa and I wish I could pay for my mom and MIL to join me. :)

Oh, BTW, the package was RM322. Now it is 295++. How generous my department is! But how can I afford for 3 persons leh? Think first har…

If I Could Be

Aiyoh, on a bad Sunday like this, I checked out DoubleHappiness blog and saw this assignment for me! I don't like to delay stuff, so decided to finish this assignment first before blogging about bad Sunday...

What follows is a list of different occupations. The reader must select at least 5 of them. The reader may add more if they like to the list before they pass it on (after the reader select five of the items as it was passed to the reader). Of the five selected, the reader is to finish each phrase with what he would do as a member of that profession. Then pass it on to three other bloggers.

Here's that list: (My selections are in bold - don't expect me to be creative coz I am lazybone, ok? Hehehe!)
If [Reader] could be a scientist // If [Reader] could be a farmer
If [Reader] could be a musician // If [Reader] could be a doctor
If [Reader] could be a painter // If [Reader] could be a gardener
If [Reader] could be a missionary // If [Reader] could be a chef
If [Reader] could be an architect // If [Reader] could be a linguist
If [Reader] could be a psychologist // If [Reader] could be a librarian
If [Reader] could be an athlete // If [Reader] could be a lawyer
If [Reader] could be an innkeeper // If [Reader] could be a professor
If [Reader] could be a writer // If [Reader] could be a backup dancer
If [Reader] could be a llama-rider // If [Reader] could be a bonnie pirate
If [Reader] could be a midget stripper // If [Reader] could be a proctologist
If [Reader] could be a TV-Chat Show host // If [Reader] could be a pariah
If [Reader] could be an actor // If [Reader] could be a judge
If [Reader] could be a Jedi // If [Reader] could be a mob boss
If [Reader] could be a backup singer // If [Reader] could be a CEO
If [Reader] could be a movie reviewer // If [Reader] could be a monkey's uncle
If [Reader] could be a bible archaeologist //If [Reader] could be a househusband
If [Reader] could be a lifeguard //If [Reader] could be a comic artist
If [Reader] could be a stockbroker//If [Reader] could be a travel writer
If [Reader] could be a food reviewer //If [Reader] could be a politician
If [Reader] could be a male underwear model //If [Reader] could be a fashion designer
If [Reader] could be an game designer // If [Reader] could be a dog-trainer

If Lazybone could be a scientist, she would have invented a walk-a-air-cond (so Ian will not have to sweat so much when outdoor).
If Lazybone could be a farmer, she would not have killed so many plants nor forgot to water them.
If Lazybone could be a doctor, she would have cooled her husband down when Ian is only sneezing.
If Lazybone could be a chef, Ian would not have to eat such lousy food every weekend.
If Lazybone could be a stockbroker, she would be broke.

Now, pass this on to: Jason Mumbles, Msau and Mr. Kiasu! Sorry har...

Kota Kinabalu Trip

In KK, in between Shannon’s baptize ceremony and the dinner party, we went to the Monsopiad Cultural Village. We paid RM30 per person, 6 of us (excl Ian). It was claimed that if you have been to KK without visiting this MCV, you are considered not been to KK (so exaggerating).

It was said that the village is the only cultural village at the real headhunter tribe’s original place, and what is exhibited is the real/original things, with some maintenance/renovation (of course). The greatest attraction here is the House of Skulls, which displays the real human skulls hunted by the famous warrior Monsopiad himself. The cultural village is named after this warrior/headhunter. I can’t remember how many skulls, but it is in the region of c 24.

Unfortunately my entrance fee is not worth paying, because I could not join the guided tour as Ian started to get fussy and made so much noise disturbing other tourists. When we were at the House of Skulls, Ian cried so badly and refused to be carried in his sarong sling. Because of him moving so much, I found it so hard to carry him I believed he needed his fix. So, I only had a glance of the skulls with my 眼尾 (end of eye) quickly left and park myself at the registration office to bf him. Right after his fix, he immediately backed to his alert stage (thank God!).

We then joined back the group at the cultural dance center. I thought it was funny; the leader of the dance group (4 of them) has to make a funny noise “Yee----- Yak”, “Yee---- Yak”, all the way. After the dance, Ian was able to pick it up “Yee---- Yak”! :D
We were also invited to go up and dance with them twice. All the 7 of us including Ian (DH hold him) did. The last dance – bamboo dance, is something I used to play in school, the rhythm got faster and faster, until all of us got kepit by the bamboo! It was so fun! :)

Sunday early morning, I brought Ian to the pool before DH’s friend picked us at 10am. I have always wanted to bring him to the pool, so must grab this opportunity. He was initially very scared in the water, but later when he saw other older boys swimming, he slowly enjoyed it too.

At 10am, we went over to the Sunday market, followed by the Philippino market. Nothing much to see, only hot HOT HHOOTTT! Ian was soon soaked with sweat, and they have to drop Ian and me back to hotel first because he was getting tired and fussy.

And this Ian ah, he really spoiled our plan lah. I thought if he could sleep at 1pm, and wake up at 3pm, we could at least spend an hour at the harbour there, enjoying the nice scenery and waterfront. Unfortunately he was so alert and happy when we were back to our room. He crawl here crawl there on the bed. Instead of him falling to sleep, I was the one. At around 2pm, he came and woke me up “Emm, emm’. OMG, he wanted to poo. Too late liao before I could grab the potter. He already poo a little in the diaper, but refused to make more. So, fed him some lunch, and this time he was able to sleep, but that was already 2:30pm. At 3:45pm, we had no choice but to wake him up (check out at 4pm). We just had a quick GLANCE at the harbour only, less than 5 min, and had to leave the hotel, some more it started raining right at 4pm.

With children ah, you cannot plan anything one lah!
So, the whole trip, 48% in the hotel ROOM, 30% in DH’s friend’s house, 10% at the MCV, 10% under the sun (markets), and 2% in the pool. Not bad, but if we can spend some time at the waterfront/harbour that would make my days. So greedy huh?!

The 21st century version of health

Received this from a 'snack mail', think it is good...

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Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a lamb eat? Leaves and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a kebab is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system.
Need grain? Eat chicken.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have body fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO ? Cocoa beans ... another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!