Tropfest South East Asia 2015.

with my HOD.
on the 1st February 2015.

The world's LARGEST short film festival, now that's a first for me. It's their second time having it in Penang and we were invited to attend its opening at the VIP section. I can't tell if I was already excited days prior to the event or I was just looking forward to being a VIP that day.

Never been invited to be a VIP so that's why this one is like such a big deal. Heh.

One of the best thing that I can ever have is this. VIP parking. Oh goodness. When I do sales call, finding a parking space can be the one thing that really challenges my patience and to find one that is nearby is also very difficult. So, when we got that VIP space, I was smiling from ear to ear. Besttt.

We got there by 5:30pm and already there were some crowds on the field, enjoying the live band on stage. For VIPs, I think we were the first to arrive. I think VIPs should learn that punctuality applies to everyone whatever your status may be. It's basic manners don't you think so? 

So guys, when you become someone important and big shot in the future, remember your manners. Be at an event on time, seriously.

Anyways, we hung around the take photo place, took some shots and quickly get to our seats. Evening sun too hot cannot tahan. Hah.

And yes, I was like a little girl when I saw Kumar walked towards me and sat at the same row. Too shy to get a photo with him her so this will do. I won't say I'm a very big fan of Kumar but it's quite exciting to see a celeb like that. Heh.

Turns out the opening act was just for us to chill and enjoy the live band music for a while, chit-chat with the other VIPs and be served like the royalties. Their lemon lychee drink is amazing but because I too lazy to go to the toilet, I just had one. Heh.

Finger foods like satay, shrimps, brownies, cheesecake, fish cake, pie tee and their ever-delicious mushroom pastries were served to us at our seat. It was all so good. 

We sat there till 8pm and that's when the short films started to play on the big screen. We watched the first 8 films and then I decided to leave the VIP section and go meet with the crazy bunch.

Being pampered like VIPs and sit on the comfy chair is amazing but nothing beats watching those films with your friends even when I have to sit on the floor and have backache after. Nothing.

We stayed till the end of Tropfest and goofed around for a while before we went for supper. 

It was a good Sunday night. 

:) 

 Bonus photo :)

3D2N Johor Bahru: HTT's Annual Dinner 2015.

for Holiday Tours & Travel's Company Trip.
with 280 staffs of HTT Malaysia.
on the 23-25 January 2015.

For those of you who have absolutely no idea where I'm currently working at (shame on you!), I am with Holiday Tours & Travel. It has been 2 years plus with this company and so far, I'm loving it! 

Our HQ is in KL and we have a few branches all across the Peninsular. Penang, Kuantan and Johor. We are also expanding to the East Malaysia very soon. We have a total of 300 staffs. Holiday Tours & Travel by far is the top travel agency in Malaysia (if I'm not wrong!). 

One of the core services in this company is corporate travels and that's the department I'm in. That should be enough for a company's summary I hope. 

TWENTY-THIRD OF JANUARY

Penang-Johor Bahru

The Penang team are divided into half and the first group flew to Johor in the afternoon and the rest of us at night. We took Airasia direct flight, AK 6415 and it only took us less than an hour to reach Johor. 

Thanks to Blake Lively that 45 minutes ride felt really short. Don't you think she's like the hottest celeb mom everrr. Gah. 

We stayed at Doubletree by Hilton. LOVE THE ROOM! The food okay okay only. Nothing to shout about really.

By the time we got to the hotel, it was already midnight and after settling down in my room and changed into my PJ, we all went to another room and played monopoly deal. Heh. I went back to sleep halfway because the flu was getting worse and we got to wake up at 6am the next day for the teambuilding.

It was insane okay! Less than 4 hours to sleep and I was still feeling pretty weak.

TWENTY-FOURTH OF JANUARY

Johor Bahru

Yes, I really did wake up at 6am. Surprisingly, I didn't sleep well despite taking the sleepy-flu-med. Hmm. I took a long nice hot shower and got ready for breakfast. Then, we all gathered together and headed to Legoland. 

There, we took photos and did a lot of icebreaker games before we kick start our Lego Race (The Amazing Race style!). I was in the yellow team but apparently, the Manchester United singlet that Koay got from Phuket was more to green than yellow. So, basically I looked like the 'lost member' in the yellow team. Heh. 

Our team consists of staffs from KL, Kuantan, Johor and Penang! So muhibah okay.

The man in blue on the first left is my Managing Director, Thomas. The coolest Director I have ever known. So humble and down to earth. Bestt!

We ran quite a lot in the beginning because so pumped up to finish first and stuff. Oh and it was so hot in Johor that it feels like it's two different sun compared to our sun here. Crazy okay! 

The Lego race isn't like The Amazing Race. All we need to do is complete all 10 rides and answer some questions along the way and break some codes. ALL WE NEED TO DO IS JUST SIT FOR ALL RIDES. Whaatt? Okaylah, it was fun lah but definitely not very like The Amazing Race. Hah.

I'm proud to say that I did all although I was very hesitant about the main roller coaster ride. I did it in the end lah since I wanted to have like perfect team score. Kiasu me.

All very determined to solve those questions. Some so difficult it's impossible to answer.

We stopped at 1pm for lunch and have free time till 3:30pm. There were 7 buses in total right. 6 of the buses were summoned to come earlier and send us all back to hotel earlier. Haha. So funny. No one wanted to stay any longer because it was so hot and we did most of the rides also anyways.

Penang team reunited again after lunch! 

I love coming back to a nice-already-made-up-room. I rested a while before taking the longest and warmest shower. Oh goodness. If only they have the bathtub in the room, then it will be perfect already. If only I have the room all to myself, lagi perfect! Hah.



Anyways, I watched Revenge on the TV a while and fell asleep until about 5:30pm and literally had to drag myself out of the bed. Quickly doll up and met with the rest of them. 

We went down to get our 'lucky dip prizes' and many of them get things like Jusco's RM50 vouchers, Philip's hair dryer, toaster and blender. 

Me?

THREE DAYS TWO NIGHTS STAY AT THE PANDA HOTEL, HONG KONG.

Yes, HONG KONG.

I was pretty excited at first then only realize that there is absolutely no point in it because I'm not going to spend RM500 (good promotion time!) or up to RM1,000 fly to Hong Kong just to stay at this hotel for free right? Besides, I already have so many travel plans for the first half of the year and this is valid till 30 June 2015 only.

So yeah. Trying to sell it off to my colleagues if anyone happens to want to go Hong Kong. Too bad I can only sell/give to HTT staffs only. Part of the terms and conditions. Boohoo. 

So, while waiting to be seated, we hung around, take lots of photos, talk to people and make new friends. We definitely took a lot of photos outside. Sales team lah, 4th floor team lah, Contiki gang lah (people who are below 35 years old!) etc. The list is never ending!

Sales team :)

Some of the Contiki Gang :)

90% of HTT Penang's staff :)

One thing about the night though is that it's buffet style so hmm.. Never really like buffet style kind of dinner, especially when it's so formal and everyone is so dressed up. 

The rest of the night, we sat down and enjoyed some of the performances. The emcee I thought was really funny. I can't remember his name. We participated in a 'game' where the whole table must stand on the chair and dance. Malu but memorable night it was.

After the night was done, we stayed back and continue dancing to the music in front of the stage with the rest of the young people of HTT. Our MD still partying outside the hall with some of the guests. It was such a fun night. 

TWENTY-FIFTH OF JANUARY

Johor Bahru-Penang

I skipped breakfast needless to say because first, the food isn't that great and second, we all slept at don't know what time. By the time I woke up, I only had less than an hour to do everything for check-out already.

We went to Johor Premium Outlet before heading to the airport. My flight departs at 3:20pm with AK 6418 so I had so little time to walk around and actually buy things. EVERYTHING IN JPO WAS ON SALE! 

Since I couldn't really decide whether I was going to spend money there and then, might as well spend more time have a good lunch. 

I SHOULD HAVE GONE TO THE SWATCH SHOP! My colleagues told me on Monday that they got a total of 16 WATCHES! SIXTEEN!! Because it was super cheap after the discounts! 

I wanna cry okay. I'm the biggest fan of Swatch. I never wear other brands one okay. The one that I'm wearing costs me about RM300 and they only got it for less than RM100! MADNESS.

Then, PEN-JHB with Airasia got promo. Return trip only RM58! I told Koay we should do a one day trip down just to shop at JPO. No kidding! Cheaper than bus ticket to KL. I told him G2000 that time also on crazy promotion and it's super true. Ahhh.

If I have a choice, I will always prefer to travel with an international airlines like Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and others. I don't really like low cost carriers. Cheap yes but super uncomfortable. Actually, Airasia also not that cheap anymore. Sometimes, MAS' rates are much cheaper. 

But I'm not complaining. It's all good :)

Thankful for every opportunity that I get to travel :)

How To Be A Man 201.

How To Be A Man 101.

Not that I'm a pro or something when it comes to all these 'wisdom' of becoming a man. Heh. Although I did (and still is!) spend a lot of my time hanging out with boys rather than girls. Less drama. Hah.

So yes, if you have ever killed a COCKROACH (doesn't matter what size it is since roaches has to be the most disgusting house insects!) with your bare hands, no tissue paper, no cardboard, no shoes, no slippers. Just with your hand, you automatically got leveled up in becoming a man. 

Good job, Koay. You are one level up already :)

Ipoh Mali Ipoh Ipoh Mali.

It felt really nice to take one day off in the week to go on a really short vacation with the family. Even if that means have to sacrifice one day of annual leave. Good thing it was just two hours away since we only have 2D1n so wouldn't want to spend most of our time travelling in the car on the highway.

We left in one car after work on Wednesday and slowly drive our way to Symphony Suites where we all stayed a night in a room. This kind of thing brings back memories. When we were much younger, we (the three sisters) always sleep together, be it on the floor, a very thin mattress, on a blanket or just plain floor. 

My family were doing averagely okay when we were young and even though our Tanjung Court's house had three rooms, we always chose to sleep together even if that means that it's less comfortable and warmer. If one of us had to sleep on the floor and the other on the bed, then we would think of something so that all can sleep in the same condition. It was only Rachel and I in the beginning but as Vanessa grew older, we included her into our 'gang'. No choice right? Heh kidding.

When Rachel got married, Vanessa and I obviously moved into our own room. I had the bigger room of course since I'm 7 years older than her. Hah. 

So now it's very difficult to have this kind of sleepovers just like how we used to do it. Not until when we went to Ipoh. The parents and the baby on one bed and the three of us on another wooden-not-that-hard-half-bed. Back to the past yo.

I remembered sleeping really well despite my blocked nose. Apparently, the two others who slept on my right and left each didn't get good sleep at all. According to Vanessa, I snored throughout the entire night! Oh and I was louder than my dad!

WHATTT!? HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE!?

I concluded that it was my blocked nose. Heh.

I hope I'm not being too lengthy here but I do want to keep this here so that I can read back and smile. 

Anyways, moving on got a very interesting story! READ ON OKAY?

We got up early and went to Foh San for dim sum. I tried before the shop opposite and beside but still find Foh San nicer and a bit more expensive lah. 

This photo is actually what Koay had this morning on his way to crazy city for the week for floorball national training. Since he sent me this photo, I shall just use it because I was too busy eating my dim sum that morning that I didn't bother snap snap.

After that, we went to the new shopping mall. No idea what it's called. This comes the exciting part.

We parked the car, got to the washroom to freshen up and be more comfortable so that we can enjoy the rest of the shopping without toilet breaks in between. 

We started out at the lower ground floor and made our way up to the 1st floor. This was when I felt the cramps and I knew it was going to get worse. I told my parents and Vanessa to go ahead first and I will go downstairs to get some panadols for the cramps.

I walked into Guardians and took those panadols and grabbed one mineral water off the shelves. I was walking towards the counter when I felt cold chills on my neck and I was finding it really difficult to breathe.

I hold myself against the counter and popped one pill and swallowed. That time, I couldn't even talk properly because I couldn't even breathe properly. I asked the cashier if there is a place for me to sit down or lie as I'm feeling really not well. She said no. 

She wasn't being rude lah because she explained that it's a cashier counter and there's money involved right. What if I'm part of a sindiket who has this trick to pretend I'm sick all then rob them sort of thing lah.

Anyways, she told me that there's chairs outside if I really needed to sit down. She gave my change back and at that time, I was dragging my feet to the nearest chair because my vision was turning dark. 

Just before I reached the chair, I blacked out completely. Rested for a few minutes alone on the chair while still holding my purse and iPhone tighly because scared someone come and steal. Hah. Then, the breathing got more difficult and the cramps came.

WORSE FEELING EVER.

Vanessa texted me, "Sudah hilang kah you?"

After getting out from the black-out, I called back and told her I blacked out.

They came and I started vomiting. There goes my dim sum in that Guardians' plastic bag. It was a painful vomit because it was just painful lah. I don't even know how to describe it. 

I was shaking and vomiting and having cold sweats.

Minutes before, I was fine pushing the stroller. True definition of sudden.

We all went back to hotel and I rested for 45 more minutes and we checked out. By then, I was feeling a lot better, but weaker. We went to Jaya Jusco and had lunch and walked around for a bit before we bid farewell to Ipoh.

Lost my appetite whatsoever but needed to eat something because if I don't, hypoglycemia might attack again. I only ate half of it anyways. 

Put on some lip gloss and looking fine again :) Vanessa must be really sleepy. Hah.

Well, I am very thankful that it happened in Ipoh and not when I'm in Johor this weekend with 3oo other staffs of Holiday Tours & Travel! 

Few more hours and here I come! This time, we are going to stay at Double-Tree Hilton! SUPERB! :)

So many things to be thankful for.

Have a great weekend ahead, guys :)

Our Third Year of Date-ship.

It was such an easy morning to wake up to yesterday. We were both excited to celebrate because it hits us that we actually got together for 3 years already.

If not mistaken, we have been friends for over 7 years. 

I shall tell you the story of how/when/where we first became friends.

Please excuse some quite blurry photos. Anyone wants to take couple shots for us for free? We can be your guinea pigs! Heh.

Anyways, 7 years ago, fireBRANDS had just joined Floorball and they needed at least 3 secretariats. Since no one wanted to do it, I told Alex that I will volunteer to help until he finds someone who can do it more often than me. 

Then, we had this secretariat meeting where we were given a briefing on how to do the scoring etc. There were like 20 boys (I think) and I was the only girl. Back then, I think there were no all-girls team. I'm not so sure.

But according to Koay, I was the only girl there and he had already noticed me. His first impression on me was not a very good one. Hah. He thought I looked weird, like funny kind of weird. I didn't even know he existed then. AND HE NOTICED ME FIRST so that explains a lot about who like who first. Though that time wasn't even counted. Since we can never agree on who like who first, it will always be the other one then.

On the very first game that I was involved in and on duty for secretariat work, I was one of the scorekeeper I think. There was someone sitting on my left and Alex was on my right. Koay was sitting next to the someone on my left and he was the timekeeper. I didn't know their names. How to remember right? So many new people.

So, halfway through the game, I needed to check how much time was left. So, I gave Koay a poke on the shoulder and asked him. It was after the game that we introduced ourselves among the secretariat team.

That's how we met, sort of. 

To cut the story short, we became best friends when he came to KDU College and enrolled in the same course as I did. No, we were not course mates because I started my course first. One semester earlier, but we spend a lot of time together in college and also then, I started playing floorball already.

Looking back, I was sure that he's the one person that I will never date because of various reasons that I will not reveal here, other than the fact that I was already attached that time. As for him, he thought the same thing. His preference of a girl that he would date was just not me-kind-of-girl. He wanted someone tall, someone younger (for sure!), someone girlier, someone who plays sports actively, someone taller (yes, I've said that already but he really wanted a girl who's taller than him!! ), someone probably darker (I don't know!). My color quite nice what. Haha. There is just no way that we would love each other in that sense. It has always been me and him as best buddies, doing stupid things together. 

But I guess things changed and here we are, in love with each other. Heh. Bieber say never say never.

It's definitely NOT love at first sight. 

Okay, back to our three years of dating dinner. 

I was supposed to finish work at 5:30pm right because we wanted to catch the sunset. Last minute, I had to rush a mini project and got held back for a while. Straight panicked and kept looking at the sky to see if the sun has gone down.

We rushed home and changed quickly. While driving towards Balik Pulau, he kept assuring that the sun is still quite high and all. We got there and the sun was still high in the sky. Haven't gone down yet. So, we hang around and took some photos.

We ordered and ate like a royalty. Since it's going to be just once a year kinda thing, we spam terus. It was a lot for just two persons dinner okay. And yes, we tapau-ed back some of the food because it's impossible for us to finish all. 

The night was special because I was with him. That's all that matters. I wasn't afraid to let him see my bulging tummy. I wasn't afraid if I had to dig my nose in front of him (okay, maybe not so much). I wasn't afraid if he would judge me when I eat like a boy. I felt most comfortable with him. Best friend for life okay?

In my every night prayer, I thank God for you, Adrian Koay. You were there at the right time and right place when everyone else was not. It was you who taught me the real meaning of GIVING. Okay, no need write too long essay already. You know deep inside can d. I lazy type so long. Heh. Conclusion is I love you long long time, Muthu! :)

Here's to many more amazing years for the both of us :)

Looking Forward.

I shall update about our date tonight tomorrow.

So, please stay tuned.

Wait, maybe not so fast also. 

Depends on how busy I'm going to be tomorrow.

I'm so looking forward to tonight's dinner. 

I know he is too because he's texting me more than usual on a working day. Heh.

Guess we both are :)

Such a journey so far.

BLESSED THREE, US!

:)

Sixteenth of January.

ONE.
I am still looking for a cover for the phone. It's hard to find one that I like and willing to pay for because those that I like costs more than RM50 usually.

TWO.
I cannot believe that we will be celebrating our three years together in few days time. Good times always passed by quicker than realized. 

THREE.
I need to eat banana leaf rice sooooon.

FOUR.
I just realized that I'm supposed to get extra 2 days leave this year for working for more than 2 years already. Yeeehaa!

FIVE.
I still didn't manage to find out what was it that makes me itchy every once in a while. No idea what food items.

SIX.
Everyday since 1 January 2015, ONE baby cockroach will crawl out and roam around my table. That's 16 baby roaches that I've killed. No kidding. Today, I was so frustrated that I took my WhatTwoEatHere's name card and killed it. I JUST CLEANED MY WHOLE ENTIRE TABLE TWO DAYS AGO. I don't know what else to do.

SEVEN.
I didn't realized that getting a new calculator can bring so much joy it's ridiculous.

EIGHT.
I'm quite excited for the HQ's Annual Trip to Johor next week. Get to stay at Hilton and spend a whole afternoon at Legoland, playing Amazing Race with the other 270 staffs of Holiday Tours & Travel. Yes, my company is huge and quite famous if you ask me :)

NINE.
Yes, our packages may be slightly more pricey but we guarantee good quality. We put very high priority to making your holiday/travelling a memorable one. Of course unless you just want to step foot in that country and don't bother about the kind of hotel you stay and kind of food you eat.

TEN.
I am very proud to be part of this company. The pay isn't much but I wake up easy every morning because I love doing things for this travel agency. 

ELEVEN.
The other day, Muthu and I almost had an argument through Whatsapp (because we were both at work) and what he did after we stopped was sweet. Obviously, we were kinda cold to each other because just kinda argued right? So, like ten minutes later, he sent over a voice message. I waited till I was out of the office only play it because who knows maybe he wants to continue the argument or something right? Turns out, it was him singing a song alongside with the radio.. "Oh uu oh uu yeahyee yeahyee, I love you more than I can say.. I love you twice as much tomorrow.. woah love you more than I can say.."

TWELVE.
I have been craving for grilled chicken breast meat a lot lately. 

THIRTEEN.
It looks like most likely scuba diving plan this year has to be postponed. Something else in our mind. Heh.

FOURTEEN.
I do not like the fact that I'm so close to the big three zero. It sucks, but since I'm such a positive person, I shall always be 22.

FIFTEEN.
I've been quite disciplined in my eating habits. Quite proud of myself.

SIXTEEN.
It's going to be a year with many changes. MANY.