Has it ever occurred to you which category you belong to?

Eat to Live or Live to Eat...

To most Chinese (or me and family for the matter)... it is not difficult to guess which one describes us best ... the latter of course! Hehehe...

Since CNY is a time of gatherings with families and friends... it is also a time where culinary skills are shared... cos' every family will have one or two of their signature dishes that are served to those visiting during CNY for lunches and dinners... During this time, there bound to be lots of ooohhhsss... and aaahhhsss... as adults start discussing recipes around the table...

This year... (by popular demands!) my father made his famous "wu tau kao yuk" (errr... yam with errr pork) and my mom made her famous "zhar ju yuk" (errr... fried pork?)... sorry... I'm a lousy translator but here's how they look on our dining table:

Everyone complimented the signature dishes and I kid you not when I say everyone cos' my parents really have superb culinary skills (albeit having a 30-year old daughter who can't even fry an egg without burning it)... Anyway, the 2 signature dishes appeared on our dining table EVERYDAY for at least 5 daysss cos' everyday there'd be different families visiting us for lunches or dinners!!!

Here are some of the pictures of my relatives... Only managed to take photo on the first day cos' I was ahem "busy" entertaining... Also cos' the first day of CNY is a tradition where all my uncles and aunties will come visiting...

Notice how all the shots revolved around eating and drinking at the dining table? That's because we're Chinese!!! And CNY is really about getting-together... feasting... drinking... and be merry!!! Cheers!!!

This CNY, I no longer have to think of excuses or politically correct answers to the world's famous question by nosy relatives during family gatherings... "When are you getting married?"... cos' ahem, I AM already married! Hehehehe...

So the BIG debate now is whether I should be giving out ang pows or if I am still eligible for ang pows... So, here's my take on that: "Technically... I am married cos' I've just registered earlier this year... BUT theoretically... I am not cos' I have not officially gone thru the Chinese customary of "gor mun" yet... SO... net net... I am still eligible for ang pows this CNY!!!" :)

My relatives are all pretty cool about it cos' they continued giving me ang pow but ahem... they also made sure that the message was LOUD and CLEAR: "Last one ar... next year your turn to give DOUBLE di!!! Hehehe!!!" O_o

Tho' I received slightly lesser ang pows than before (thanks to my husband's 'kiamsiap' relatives)... my cool HUSBAND compensated the difference by giving me a BIG ang pow and I too gave him one just like how my parents exchange ang pows along with well wishes on CNY eve every year! Definitely a custom that I don't mind practicing!!! :)

Thus... am happy to say that my ang pow collection is still pretty satisfactory this year... my usual 4-digit!!! Hooray!!!

Today's CNY Nin Chor Yat!

"maemee" would like to take this "Ox"portunity to wish everyone

a very Happy "Niu" Year!
May the year of "Ox" be a bullish one that brings us all to greater heights of success with "mooos" of luck, "mooos" of joy, "mooos" of health, wealth and happiness!

Happy "Niu" Year!!!

Today's Chinese New Year eve... since I have not drawn up my resolutions yet... thought it's a perfect day to do so...

Be a Good Wife
I wanna be a good wife (now that I'm legally married to OWLoon) and that means...
>> Learn how to cook...
>> Spend more time with OWLoon...

Be an Even More Fillial Daughter
I refuse to agree to the term "Married Daughters = Poured Out Water / Strangers" (Ka Chut Lui Yu Put Chut Ge Sui) cos afterall, tak-kan I ignore my family just because I'm married? Without my parents, I wouldn't even be here today... So to me this means...
>> Take on more responsibilities...
>> Spend more time with my parents...

Be a Better Person
I'm approaching the big 3-O this year... ain't getting any younger... so this year... this is what I've set out to do...
>> Increase savings...
>> Decrease impulse spending...
>> Be a HAPPY person...

All astrology books say the same thing bout Sheeps this year... i.e. it will be a bad year for us since we are in direct contact with the Grand 'Tai Sui'. But someone wise once told me that the destiny of one's life lies in one's own hands... Thus with that, I would like to remind myself that MY LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL and will continue to be BEAUTIFUL!!! Thank you... Thank you...

One of the happiest thing bout this CNY is the fact that we went and got a brand new Honda each with my father. My bro got the all new Honda City (the one on the left) while I got a Honda Civic 1.8 (the one on the right). We even got the same car plate number!

Life is indeed beautiful!

Of late... I have gained weight... 2kg to be precise... And this is kinda weird considering that I lost tonnes of weight when I first put on braces... Tho it is a good thing that I can now eat... but this is also the first time I feel as if my teeth has not moved or at least did not move as much as it used to...

So today, when I visited the dentist for my 8th ortho review, I told him my worries...

Apparently, one of the biggest problem with me was that I used to be "gummy"... and so the dentist needed to push my upper teeth upwards first before pushing it inward... and that takes awhile... And that was why I felt as if my upper teeth wasn't moving! The weird thing was that... when he told me I used to be "gummy" and that I am less "gummy" now... I thought I looked the same!

Nevertheless... I then asked him when I can remove my braces completely cos' I needed to plan for my pre-wedding photography and all... and he said DECEMBER!!! But but... I thought I'd be removing them in September??? 1 year 6 months ma... What happened???!!!

If I knew this is gonna happen... I wouldn't have agreed to put on braces in the first place! One of the biggest reason as to why I put on braces was so that I can be a pretty bride with a sweet natural smile!!! And when I asked if he could remove them temporarily so that I can have my pre-wedding photography... he told me that he can remove the wire but the brackets will have to be maintained!!! My blinking god!!!

So now I'm stuck with this fugly braces that aren't exactly correcting my protruding upper teeth as yet and that I am forced to look for a studio that will be willing to DI the brackets off my teeth for my pre-wedding photos!!! WTF???

Not to mention... the moolah that I have spent thus far...

xx-03-2008: $1,100 [Deposit, X-Rays, Photos & Moulding]
30-03-2008: $ 870 [Deposit & Upper Braces Fitting]
20-04-2008: $ 423 [Extraction & Medication]
18-05-2008: $ 325 [Wire Change]
17-08-2008: $ 325 [Bottom Braces Fitting]
14-09-2008: $ 764 [Extraction, Frenectomy & Medication]
25-10-2008: $ 385 [Upper & Lower Wire Change & Scaling]
23-11-2008: $ 385 [Upper & Lower Wire Change, Scaling & Rubber Loops]
24-12-2008: $ 325 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change]
24-01-2009: $ 325 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change]

YTD Spent: $5,227.00!!! Padahal he told me that the entire program would only cost me $6,000!!!

Damn kannasai I tell you!

Chinese New Year is fast approaching... and around this time every year, forwarded emails carrying various predictions are circulated...

I came across one by L.y.n.n. Y.a.p. yesterday... and here are the 2009 predictions for Goat, Horse, Rabbit and Boar...

GOAT – Bad Year
Intro

There is 1 lucky star and 6 bad stars. The Ox year clashes with you to produce changes this year like: change job, change house, change car, change spouse. It’s a year of changes for you and things can be taken away from you or your neighbour will move house. Therefore, you are advised to wear a "goat gold pendant" on you so that the year of Ox will clash with that pendant and not on you then things will be smooth.

Money & Work

There is no money luck therefore do not gamble. Just make sure you don’t loose money this year !!! Do not do any major investments or buy property. However there is a chance that you may travel for business and therefore you should go. If there is a good career opportunity to move, it is best to consult your "fortune teller" before making that move. If not, you would be making the mistake of your life!!!

Health
This year, your health is not so good as you may be admitted to the hospital if you are old and sometimes for no reason.

Love & Family
If married, be careful of your relationship and be extra care when you speak. If single, there is a possibility of a break up and so carrying a "gold goat pendant" can help.

HORSE - Good Year
Intro

You have1 lucky star and 4 bad stars. It is going to be a good year for you and you may be promoted so there is money luck. Work is smooth.

Money & Work
Though there is career promotion however you may have a tendency to want to change job. Go ahead. It is the right timing for you.

Health
Your health is great though "a slow down" is good for you to rest your body and your mind. Just remember not to stress your body too much.

Love & Family
If married, this year you will be spending more time with family members. If single and in a relationship, it may be time to get married so go ahead. How to choose a rightful spouse? As long as he/she is caring towards you then, that will do.

RABBIT – Excellent Year
Intro

There are 1 lucky star and 4 bad stars. This is a year where you will have fame, promotion and wealth. You will find yourself very popular with friends and invited to many networking functions.

Money & Work
At work, there is a promotion for you and then there is a tendency for you to be proud. Try to remain as humble as possible and yet still get things done. Being humble does not mean that you appear to be weak but rather it will be being "flexible" at the right circumstances that can make you the final winner.

Health
Your health will be good and don’t take dishes with "rabbit" on it. Always remember not to eat "yourself" so those who is born in the pig year cannot take "pork" for example.

Love & Family
If married, everything appears rosy and is good and smooth. Do not panic when children demands your attention but act calmly that is the best as then you can show to others that you have a "calm" mind. Those who are single is the time to get married.

PIG - Average Poor Year
Intro

There is only 1 lucky star and 2 bad stars. It is not going to be a good year and career is going to be slow and full of obstacles. Since you will be very free in the Ox year be thankful that there is a job for you. Relax and enjoy the year or go attend some courses and pick up a new skill.

Money & Work
This year the money luck is slow and you may loose money if not careful. So no major investments, buying a new house or gambling. There is fame for you though and you will be more popular.

Health
Health is generally good however you are still advise to exercise often and to take your vitamins everyday.

Love & Family

If married, spend more time with your spouse in whatever method that work for both of you. If single, just wait till the year to be over because this year, there is no romance in the charts.

Have not been blogging lately cos' am terribly fed up with the SIMpress fluid template...

FYI, there are 2 types of template sizes...

Fixed Template: Is where the parameters of the designs are fixed no matter what screen size it is viewed on...

Fluid Template: Is where the one section of the design (usually where the post is) adapts to the width of the screen. That means... while it may look nice on a 15-inch monitor, it will look horrendous on a 22-inch!

So anyway, after daysss of searching... I finally found one that is simple and is easily customizable... Hope you like it! :)

I finally got my new laptop today!!! A brand new H.P. E.l.i.t.e. B.o.o.k. to replace my old D.e.l.l. Dinosaur!!! Yippieee!!!

This is my old dino...

Aaand THIS... is my new lappie...

And it even comes with a cute wireless mouse!

Ahhhh... life is really beautiful!!!

For the record, I am extremely happy today!

Two of the top five guns in the entire company emailed me and said "Well done... some huge increases Y-o-Y" and "Very well done... didn't give up when things were tough" upon seeing the 2008 business closure that my boss forwarded to them!!! It's unbelievable! Am so so so so happy!!! And of course, all this wouldn't have been possible without the support of my boss!

It does pay off to work hard but it pays off even better if you have someone who believes in you enough to grant you the leeway and the opportunities not to mention support you all the way!

My life is soooooo beautiful!

Today's a very special day in my life... 09-01-09... cos' I am now officially married to OWLoon! Since it's a memorable day, thought I should capture the details of what happened earlier...

Our session was supposed to be at 9.30am but since OWLoon and his family's from Kuala Selangor, we called to change the time to 11.30am instead. We were supposed to meet at Thean Hou Temple at 11.00am so I was a little upset when he arrived 10 minutes late... Luckily my friend was there to distract me... :)

We were number "20" for the day, not sure if it meant we were the 20th couple... nevertheless, once it was our turn, we were asked to produce our original ICs as well as the witnesses IC. Then we were asked to check the details on our marriage certificate...

Thereafter, we entered a little room... OWLoon and I sat side by side facing our fathers (our witnesses). Right in the middle, sat the marriage registrar person. We were then given 3 pieces of documentations to sign... 2 original marriage certs and 1 photostatted... which was rather funny cos' I was under the impression that we should say our wows first prior to signing...

Upon signing... we were asked to stand up... Now this is where the guy started saying our wows for us... in MANDARIN... Honestly, I can't remember half the things he said... partly cos' I was nervous and also cos' my Mandarin's not very 'canggih'. My colleague told me that we can request for the session to be conducted in English... but since everything happened very fast, I guess we forgot to request... hehehe...

Then it was the customary rings exchange session where my hands trembled a little... just a little... :)

And with that... we were pronounced man and wife...! Yay!

I was about to go to the back for the photo taking to begin when dear OWLoon asked the marriage registrar guy... "Don't we have to kiss?"... LoL...

We took numerous photos that day... cos' we've got 3 different cameras... my brother with his view cam... my brother's girlfriend with a point-and-shoot camera and my friend's brother with a DSLR camera...! So much so that we felt like celebrities that day! Haha!

Will post up more photos in a separate post but here's one with OWLoon and I as well as our parents... which marks the beginning of the union of OngLai clans on this auspicious 09-01-09 date... FYI, OWLoon's surname is ONG and mine's LAI. OngLai... means pineapple in Hokkien and the translation's a meaningful one... hehe... Ong = Auspicious, Lai = Come... thus OngLai = Money Come? :)

With that, "maemee" is now officially married and is also legally known as Mrs. Ong! Yay!

The good thing bout getting registered in a temple is that we're able to pray for blessings thereafter... not to mention... temple's a nice place for photo sessions too... :)

OWLoon and I took numerous shots but of the many shots, the most memorable one was when we were "caught" in the act of praying... :)

This was damn funny cos' while we were praying, OWLoon whispered "Praying to your friend ar?" cos' my friend's brother was standing right opposite us and that sentence alone sent me laughing like a mad cow!

Not sure why but I love this photo!!!

OWLoon's friends said our lips looked a like in this photo... And my ex-boss said we look like celebrities... hahaha!

We kept the session small and private where only close family members and friends were present and it is of my greatest pleasure to introduce them to everyone.

My parents & my niece...

OWLoon's parents...

My brother and his girlfriend (who will also be my bridesmaid)...

OWLoon's friend (who will also be his bestman)...

My darling friend... da SHEEP...

And here are some more shots to mark the historical union of the OngLai clans... :)


My life is so beautiful! Yay!!! :)

Whoever who said that there's nothing to prepare for Registration of Marriage (RoM) deserved to be slapped... cos' there are actually quite a few things to be done...

6 weeks before...
First thing first... the wedding bands!!! Honestly, if you ask me what is the happiest thing about getting married? It has got to be da bling blings!!! "Salah" priority I know... hehehe... We took quite a few weeks to get this done... cos' most of the wedding bands are normal looking and are usually just plain platinum bands... But one fine day while we were walking around in Mid Valley, we randomly walked into Diamond & Platinum... and that was where we found the wedding bands we both liked!

4 weeks before...
Next... we needed to ensure that we are properly dressed for the occasion... and this task alone sent OWLoon and I hunting shops after shops, boutiques after boutiques, weeks after weeks... OWLoon needed to get a new blazer and I a new dress... But we are both pretty fussy and vain by nature... Either the cutting's not right or the colour's not "ngam"... In the end... I got my dress a few days before the RoM and OWLoon got his blazer 2 days before!!! Talk about being last minute!!! This was the only photo of us in full length...


1 week before...
Since we spent so much time looking for our blings and our attires... we completely forgot bout the flowers for the day!!! OWLoon only managed to book this 2 days prior the RoM... had to rely on his judgement cos' I had to work... and lucky thing, it turned out great!

1 day before...
A day before the BIG day... I had to go and get my hair done too (must look nice la... somemore my hair is so short now)... Since I was already in my "vain" and "tai-tai" mode... I also went ahead to get a French manicure and pedicure... :)


And those were the preparations we did for our Registration of Marriage. :)

Yesterday's post was written and uploaded via my mobile phone. Since it was OK, here I am again... updating my blog before I zzz...

RoM's this Friday... Only 2 more days to go... The closer it is to the DAY, the more nervous I am. Afterall, my singlehood will be gone within a few strokes of the pen! It's not like I'm not ready to be legally married, but RoM's really a BIG deal! It's a declaration of a lifetime of love and devotion to one another through sickness and health till death do us part. It's a heavy responsibility and should in no way be treated in a light manner!

So I guess, whatever I'm feeling's perfectly normal...

It's my first day at work after my long break and I intentionally got up at 6.30am today hoping that if I start the year waking up early, I won't be late for the rest of the year (not a morning person ma)! Hehe...

Am damn sleepy now, but there are a couple of things buzzing at the top of my mind now...


Fluid Template
I just realized that this template is a fluid one, instead of a fixed one I wanted! While it looks good on a 15-inch laptop, it looks terrible on a 22-inch monitor cos the post panel stretches in accordance to the size of the screen! Each paragraph then became a single liner!!! Grrr...

I supposed that was also one of the reasons as to why I'm not updating this blog as often as I should cos' I spent every free moment fiddling with the bloddy html scripts. Damn kannasai!


New Car
I got a new car last Friday and was rather happy until I realized that the engine sound was louder than it should be (in my opinion la...) and that the car jerks when there's a gear shift. My colleagues said it sounded like a transmittor problem. Anyway OWLoon said he'll test drive it on Wednesday... and the car is on warranty for 3 years... but aiiiii...

Also, I didn't know how SLOW I was driving until I drove this car cos' the digital speedometer's right at the top of the dashboard and one can't help but be drawn to look at the numerical changes. All these while, I've been driving like 50-ish to 60-ish ONLY!!! No wonder everyone says I'm a 'careful' driver!


Old Car
OWLoon came to KL to drive my car to KS last Sat evening cos' I'm selling it off to his relative who owns a chain of Used Cars outlets. The value given was RM3k more than market value and the car collection was done at OWLoon's house! So convenient!

Since this is the first time I'm selling a car (my 1st car is with my brother still until he gets his newly launched City), I wasn't sure what to expect and I must say, it's quite a memorable experience.

Upon signing all the required docs, OWLoon's cousin checked the engine and chasis number to ensure that the actual matches what was written on the registration card. Thereafter, I expected him to inspect the car in greater detail but to my surprised, he said: "OK that's all. Thank you very much. Bye bye!".

When the car was driven away, I felt a twinge of sadness... It's akin to watching your wife elope with some other man! Really! Afterall, my dear City served me well for close to 5 years now. Regretted not taking photos of my car. Sob sob. Goodbye City! Muax!


Registration of Marriage
(I) Dress
I spent 16 fucking days not working and yet I couldn't find a dress for RoM. Last Saturday was the final deciding moment cos I know for a fact that when I resume work, I'll have no time to go dress hunting. Thus OWLoon fetched me to Just Wardrobe at Damansara Uptown.

Out of the many many dresses I tried on, OWLoon selected one and was rather adament that it looked good on me. But somehow I dislike the dress. It was a 1 piece corset like tube top coupled with a flaired A-line bottom. Anyway, as a back up option - we bought the dress and will be collecting it on Wednesday cos alterations are required. Back up option cos if I see anything nicer between now and then, I'd buy it!

(II) Hand Bouquet
Which reminds me... We haven't booked any hand bouquet yet!!!

(III) Lunch Venue
And we have not even decided where to have lunch after the session!

Kannasai or not? I'm registering in a few days time and everything's not done yet! This is only the beginning and I'm already scrambling! I'm so stressed out!!! Wahhh!


New Role
This new role was more challenging than I initially thought. But strangely I felt motivated to catch up and learn up asap. If anything, this new role will have me equipped with enterpreneurial skills of running a business on a large scale! And is something I've always wanted...


Btw... blogging is really a great way to relieve pent up frustrations and an even greater avenue to record beautiful moments / occasions!


ZZZzzz...

Including Saturday and Sundays, I was away from work/office for 2 full weeks!

Since it was such a long holiday, I told myself that I ought to make everyday as productive as it can be and here's an account on the daily highlights... :)

Day 1: 20-Dec (Saturday)
Had a talk-cock-sing-song session with OWLoon & friends...

Bought a new 22inch monitor for my brother...

Day 2: 21-Dec (Sunday)
Fetched parents to replenish new bamboo shoots...
Had family reunion dinner on Dong Zhe day... and ate Tang Yuen...

Day 3: 22-Dec (Monday)
Went to serviced my Honda City with my father...

Placed deposits for new Honda City 1.5 (for my brother) and Honda Civic 1.8 (for me)...

Day 4: 23-Dec (Tuesday)
Fetched parents to EPF office to print out my mummy's annual statement...(for fun cos' her previous employer cheated her EPF... RM700 bucks became over RM7k... 27 years later!)

Day 5: 24-Dec (Wednesday)

Opened a new EON Bank account... and bought House Insurance...to satisfy some stupid housing loan criteria though my loan amount was only ~55% of property value...

Christmas Eve dinner with family...

Day 6: 25-Dec (Thursday)

Fetched parents to buy praying "materials"...

Day 7: 26-Dec (Friday)

Alan's parents visited my parents... Thereafter, OWLoon treated us to a 10-course dinner...

Day 8: 27-Dec (Saturday)

C.l.u.b H.i.t.z at B.a.r C.e.l.o.n.a... more on this later...

Day 9: 28-Dec (Sunday)

Short trip to Kuala Selangor with family + niece and nephew

Day 10: 29-Dec (Monday)

Short trip to Kuala Selangor with family + niece and nephew

Day 11: 30-Dec (Tuesday)

Return from Kuala Selangor...

Collected wedding bands... cos' OWLoon's one was custom-made...

Day 12: 31-Dec (Wednesday)

Spring cleaning my own room...

Day 13: 01-Jan (Thursday)

Haircut at Saw's

Drinks with friends at T.h.e S.o.c.i.a.l at B.a.n.g.s.a.r (my favourite hangout place now)

Day 14: 02-Jan (Friday)

Bank draft for Honda Civic down payment...

Collected my new Honda Civic from Jln 222, PJ... Yippee!!!

Ordered 2 units of Garmin GPS nuvi 205... 1 for me and 1 for my brother!

Day 15: 03-Jan (Saturday)

Handover my old Honda City to OWLoon's relative who owns a Used Car business in Kuala Selangor... Price offered was RM3K more than market value!

Day 16: 04-Jan (Sunday)

Haven't figured out what to do but I intend to lepak all day...

To sum it all up... everything I did during this 16 days period revolves around:

Come to think of it... my 16 days of leave was pretty productive! Hooray! :)