to son with love

Received a text from Son the other day, informing me that he was leaving and would like to meet up.

I was like 'what?' Okay... I did know that he was leaving but didn't realised it was so soon. How time flies!!

Son's from Hochimin City (Hanoi) on a government scholarship to complete a masters in Project Management. We (Yen, Tik Kai and I) were quite pleased on his arrival in our second semester as he was a new addition to the asian (or SEAsean) mates since the rest of our classmates were africans. So our 'gang' grew to four.

We had lots of group work together and activities that was supposed to be group work - like being entrusted to do group work but actually playing with snow.

Back to the gathering... we finally meet up with our other friends and have a great meal at Goulash. Have to get pics form Peggy. Its a really lovely restaurant - when we entered the restaurant it was like we were in a totally different country. The food was reasonably priced and the meal was good. The fellowship was even better!

Its a very small and cosy restaurant hidden in an alley. The place was run by one guy - from ordering to serving. His PR was really good. He most likely have a chef in the kitchen.

After the meal, we all dragged ourselves to the cinema to catch 'The Reaping'. I went watching without knowing what to expect and I think it was a really good movie. Am so looking forward to possibly 'The Reaping 2'. hmmm...

We had a great time that night and wish Son all the best in his future undertakings. Everyone is looking forward to a trip to Vietnam one day. And being Malaysians (the rest of our party of six), we wish Son well to become the PM (Prime Minister) of Vietnam and send his leer jet to pick us up with limo and police convoy on ground when we visit him!

Drink log: one third of a bottle of rosé

what is love?

We had one of the longest Rotaract meeting last night. And I remembered telling clearly to James that when I chair the meeting, it will be a short one since I normally try to finish it as soon as possible and not making it a drag. Well, I would say it was a very good meeting and I hope the rest didn't think it was a drag.

Anyways, after the meeting, the guys (Chris R and Emmanuel) and I stayed for a drink (which turned out to a few!) and we had quite an interesting chat. Amongst all that we had chatted, one topic that keep resurfacing was 'love'.

What is love?

To Emmanuel, love was this strong feeling that you have for each other. And he thinks that it does not take one long to know if they are in love or not. Our guy of love-at-first-sight-and-I-know-whether-I-love-you-or-not. I agree with him to a certain degree that you may know whether you love this one person or not in quite an early stage. But then again... it could be just attraction.

Chris believes that you need to spend a considerable time with someone before you know that you love that person. And you know you love that person when you want to spend the rest of your life together forever - not just five years or ten years.

As I listen to the guys debating each of their definition of love, I just can't stop wondering is there a 'right' definition of love? How do you know it is love and not infatuation?

A quick check up on infatuation and love provided some food for thought.

As for me? You can be attracted to someone in a matter of seconds, go through the stages of infatuation and when you accept the good as well as the bad of the person and know that no matter what, you would not want to change anything of that person, knowing that you want to spend the rest of your life together - that is love.

I don't think people are meant to be by themselves. That's why, if you actually find someone you care about it's important to let go of the little things. Even if you can't let go all the way. Because nothing sucks more than feeling all alone no matter how many people are around. ~ J.D. Scrubs 'My T.C.W.'

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

The definition of love would be different for everyone, so what is yours - what is love?

Drink log: 3 pints of Guiness Extra Cold, 1 Irish Car Bomb

hot guyz

The other day we had some bobbies (police) coming to the desk asking to see the security guard for statements. After they left, the following conversation took place...

ennazus: Those guys are not too bad looking
Morvern: They are not good looking at all. (Before ennazus could say anything...) Maybe you think they look good because of their uniforms
ennazus: Yeaaah... I like men in uniform

Yup. I dare admit that I like men in uniform. I always feel that somehow butterfiles just appear in my stomach when I see men in uniform. hmm...

In fact I think guys are hot if they have/are in the following:

1. Men with facial hair: didn't realised I had this soft spot until my sister pointed it out that everytime I think a guy is good looking they have facial hair. My mom thinks 'wu shou lat thaat' (literally: moustache dirty, if my translation serves me right) Major soft spot: stubbles... oooer... Big turn off: thick thick beard and moustache, full face hair... eeeww...

2. Men who smell nice: There's this guy that stays in one of the flats above (I don't know who) but if I have to go to work early in the morning, I can smell 'him' in the hallways. At times I feel that my knees would just buckle there... No intention of finding out who he is. The mind is a powerful tool. Enough said!

3. Men who shave their head bald: I really don't know why but somehow I have this inclination towards it. Am wondering...

#updated 7th May#
4. Men who has a tan/dark guys: possibly due to the saying of tall, dark, handsome? Dark to the extend of tan but not darker than that.
##

But the above are mainly first impression or just physical admiration. Of coruse not every guy that fulfill the above can be considered hot he must have good looks too. But then again, all this are just a matter of preference. And it will definitely differ from one person to another.

Anyways, I do have my theory about good looking guys though:
A. They are single but not available ...or...
B. They are married ...or...
C. They are married with children ...or...
D. They are gay ...or...
E. They are dead

Speaking of which, I met this very good looking guy at church two weeks ago. *Siren wailing: eye candy!!!* but as my theory above, he is married to a beautiful woman with two really adorable sons. I met the family at work this week and Chic Chick thinks that they are too good to be true - perfect looking family.

Of course at the end of the day, I think that hot guys are only but eye candy and I'll just enjoy the scenery then... ;P

p.s.: My SH is hot! At least to me... hehehe...

drama princess

Today I realised that I could be a drama queen: I make a big deal out of nothing. I make a mountain out of a molehill.

So anyway, a quick check around and a quick test done, I am actually just a drama princess. I didn't think I would qualify as a drama queen anyways.

Wiktionary defines a drama queen as 'an exaggeratedly dramatic person'. Oooh.. guess that's why I am sooooooo expressive, huh?!

You Are a Drama Princess!!!

You're not over the top dramatic, but you have your moments. You know how to steal the spotlight... And how to act out to get your way. People around you know that you're good for a laugh. But at times, your drama gets a bit too much for everyone. Tone it down a tad, and you'll still be the center of attention.

Are You a Drama Queen (or King)?

Seriously! I think I need to control myself and not dramatise everything. It can be so unnecessarily stressful you know!

a good rest

Last night I stayed up late to watch one of Film 4's Films to See Before You Die - they were showing 'Kung Fu Hustle', even knowing that I have to wake up early to go to work.

Half way through the movie, I was like 'Huh? This is a film to see before you die?!'

Maybe it was the slapstick comedy. Maybe it was the morbid violence. Maybe it was the exaggeration. But somehow, the film didn't appeal to me.

Right, so not all movies are made for everyone. Overall it was ok. I might need to watch it a second time to appreciate it. At the moment its at borderline.

Working early mornings always give me this anxiety of waking up late to go to work. So I usually hardly have a good sleep the night before. I think if I have to wake up early everyday and it has become a routine, it may not be that bad after all.

Wait a minute... but then again, I remember having the radio alarm switched on an hour early, got Su-Anne to come and switch on the room light and if all else fails and I'm still stuck in bed, I get her to tell me that we are late. That always help: I will definitely jump out of bed. You say that why didn't I just get SA to say that we are late in the first instance? Well, for one she is too nice to do that, secondly, I will nag her to no end about it - telling me we're late when we are not. So it is really an achievement that I can wake up and be at work on time on my own accord. Wow!

Okay... so I still need at least an hour's notice for the first alarm to remind me to get up, I need my bed rolling time! Another 20 to 30 minutes to get ready (this considered as a very good allowance) and depending on where I am going, a certain time allocated for travelling.

The question of whether the place of sleep: be it the bed or my new place of sleep the couch, should it be a comfortable resting place or a not so comfortable one? My love of snuggling under the duvet on a cold morning does not help at the process of getting up let alone getting off the bed. Beds (including any place of sleep) should be comfortable enough to sleep and rest but uncomfortable enough to get off in the morning. I wonder how is this ever going to work?

In a total random thing. I heard a girl telling her guy friend that she was so surprised (in a good way) that her bf came over her place one night and presented her with a bottle of champers and box of chocolates because it was exactly a year since they met. She didn't even realised and remembered it. Aawwww...

She said, and I agree, that this kind of things normally remembered by the female party and not the male. I'm so happy for her.

Guys *hint* *hint*. I wonder if SH is reading this.. hehehee.. ;P

sober

So much for trying to stay off alcohol. After last week's almost neverending drinking, I was hoping to stay off alcohol for as long as I could.

Last week's drinking log:
Sunday - half bottle of sauvignon blanc (can't remember what was the name)
Monday - the remainder half bottle
Tuesday - pint of Extra Cold Guiness after Rotaract meeting
Wednesday (staff party) - G&T, 2 glasses of medium dry cava, 3-4 bottles of Magners
Thursday - sober
Friday (Paddy's leaving do) - 1 and half bottle of rosé, 2 G&T

The staff party was a good one. Overall it was a good week, a great week actually! I spent on my shopping but I gained £85 through winning stuff. Bliss! Now, awaiting for the incriminating evidence from the staff party. Can't complaint much thought, it was truly a good night.

After Friday I stayed sober, up until Tuesday night. The Shrink was back. And I would never miss our 'sessions' where possible. These 'sessions' normally consists of good conversations over drinks and sometimes some grub. (The Shrink must be laughing when he read this, me calling him 'The Shrink')

Anyways... it was a good night as usual. I often look back and thank God that I have friends like The Shrink who keep me sane. I am also thankful for others which I will speak about them more in future.

So on Tuesday, the company had a group of people doing an internal video. There was a small team of people directing and filming in store. It was about Plan A, the company's commitment to change. I was quite surprised to be pulled in to give my views on it. I was briefed roughly about the questions to be asked and then had this HUGE camera pointing at my face (from the side).

Mr. Director: What do you think of Plan A?
ennazus: Erm, I think Plan A is a good plan. (dooosh! wtf?! Obviously it is a good plan! Gawd!)

At one point, Mr. Director had to point out that I was sneeking a peek at the camera, and I should be looking between his eyes or over his shoulders, anywhere but the camera. Well, I didn't realised I was doing it actually.

Goodness! All the memories of my primary school english storytelling competition started flooding back. Me on the stage telling my story (which I can't remember what was it about now) and then my concentration started to wonder. Somehow it had me ended up staring at the mic because there was an ant scurrying around it. It was all mumble after that. It was so embarassing!

I don't know how much of my opinion will be kept for the video. Won't be surprise that it will not be used at all.

Got me thinking, am I that bad during a spontanous interview? Hmm... Maybe I was just not prepared. I mean: I love public speaking, I love presentations, and I know I do it quite well. But not on this ocassion. Must have been hard for those people who appear on the news being interviewed on the streets.

in the distance

Last night just before I switched off the computer, news on Virginia Tech shootings were highlighted on MSN.

It was disturbing to know yet another education establishment in the States has made the headlines, through bad news.

What is becoming of this world?!

My thoughts went out to the people I know who are living across the pacific as well as those who have made plans to go there. And to think that I could have been at St. Louis studying. (I know its quite a distance but thats not the point...)

Guns seem so real compared to when we were playing with them as a child. We pretend to be police and theives - sticking out our fingers imitating a gun; cowboys and indians; etc. Then there were slingshots as well as rubber band slingshots. Guns in theme parks: you shoot something down or you shoot the target to move something.

During those times, it was more like target practice. Innocent childsplay. Fun.

As we grow older, we learn the reality of guns. Not that there were no gun crimes in the past but cases like high school shooting; shooting of school children on the streets; gang shootings; sniping; etc seemed just another day's news.

When news such as shootings in other country we seemed to just brush it off... 'oh, its them not us'. We only raise panic alarms when it happens in our own backyard. Still what can we do? What can the government do? What can the country do? Is there anyone to blame?

Whatever that seems to be the solution, there will still always be a 'hole' where someone will bypass the system.

Will we ever be safe again?