All Grown Up....

Was catching up with an old friend (12 years of friendship!) at Toms just now.. and we were reminiscing of the great fun that we had in Christchurch when we were studying, and how we were the pillar of rock for each other emotionally and psychically.. I'm just so grateful to have such good friends around me.

Cryptkeeper and AlanHarperIsMyIdol has been my best friends for more than half my life.. we became besties in Primary 4, and I know that no matter what, we'll remain besties til the time I die.. that's cos we've been through ups and downs.. and are still besties after all this time.  Even after catching up with them in person after not seeing each other for years, it's as if our conversation never left from our last conversation.. know what I mean?

I caught up with "Freezer" for lunch and we talked about what our friends are going through now.. second child, divorce etc.. and it's like we've just saw each other the other day (well, technically, I did visit her during Hari Raya..) but the conversation just flowed so smoothly.

Whose going through divorce?  Our friend/fiend :P "Smoocher".. not as in kisses.. but as in one that 'steals' off another.  She's known to me as a slut.. but hey, that's my opinion.  I mean, if you were to sell yourself for free rent, you're a prostitute in my books.  Not to mention 'go home' with your divorce attorney.. what am I supposed to think?

How about second child.. our first friend that I made in New Zealand.. "sweetie pie".. she's awesome.  I remember a time when I was working in Sydney and feeling down in the dumps.. she flew over from Christchurch to keep me company during the weekend.. no questions asked.  I could never ask for more from a friend.  She's having her second child in October, another son.  I can't wait to go visit her next year (or whenever I get the chance to!)

As for Freezer, she's doing really well for herself in Miri.  She got married a year ago and has not looked back since.  It's always been great catching up with her.  Looking forward to our next meeting.. maybe karaoke tomorrow night! hahaha

Friends.. you need them!

Kuching Drivers... what can I say?

I totally understand how people can actually succumb to road rage.. trust me, I've been at the wheels many times when I wish that I had a shot gun that I can just take out and eliminate the driver in front of me.

Now.. I'm not saying that I am the best driver in the world.. but I would like to point out that at least I drive with common sense!

Granted.. it's not easy to navigate a 3 lane roundabout.. I reckon Malaysia is the ONLY place that does it.. but rule of thumb.. you stick to the closest exit lane when you want to exit!  Don't try to exit at the last minute from the middle lane!  Do you know how many near accidents I've almost had with cars coming into my lane at the last minute trying to swerve for their exit?

And what about coming out from a roundabout?  Naturally, you stick behind the white line and wait until there is no cars then you exit.  Don't expect cars to not hit you when you are literally one car length out from the white line and totally in the way of the oncoming car!  In situations like this, come out quickly.. don't just park your car there and avoid the glare of the person in the car that you just blocked!

And driver who want to drive at 20kmph.. come on.. at least stick to the side so others can safely over take you.  And seriously.. do you feel as if you're driving really fast at that speed?  It's not really safe driving at that speed on the highway!

And if you decided to turn out from an entrance really fast.. keep up that speed when you drive.. do not slow down causing the car behind you to brake!  It's annoying.. and if you were taking a driving exam... you would have failed!

And lastly.. is it so hard to signal?  Just a little click of the handle.. I actually like hearing the click of the handle.. why don't you give it a try?

Grrrr... makes driving more stressful than it is.. but what can I say, at least it makes the day more colorful.

So what's been happening?

Man.. sorry for the long hiatus.. but been lazy to blog these days as nothing much has been happening.  Just had a one week break, with me going to Singapore and Hari Raya holidays.. so here's just a recap over the month and what's been happening in my life =)

In the beginning of August 2012, I made a trip down to Bintulu to conduct some interviews for site supervisors.. I stayed two nights in Bintulu Kemena Hotel.. it's a pretty nice hotel too.. so one day was spent in Bintulu itself, and the next day, we drove 2 hours to Sungai Asap to conduct the interview there for our Murum project.  It was a fun road trip, with one of the worst road conditions I have ever experienced.  Bintulu itself was pretty boring, I couldn't imagine staying there for a week!  I spent both nights at the bar, enjoying nice cold glasses of Hoegaarden beer.. my favorite.. but let's just say, when mission was completed and all interviews and AP applications were processed.. I was ready to hobnob it out of there!

It was my best friends AlanHarperIsMyIdol and Cryptkeeper's birthday mid-August.  I wish I was there to mark the occasion with them, but I was traveling way too much and therefore couldn't afford a trip to Australia this year, but I'm definitely planning a trip to Melbourne, Sydney and Christchurch next year!  I'm already saving my Enrich points for free tickets!

I traveled to Singapore mid-August for 4 days, returning on the Eve of Hari Raya.  Went up to Singapore to visit my Grandmother as she was celebrating her 85th birthday!  Also, it was my regular visit with my psychiatrist and psychologist. I saw a fellow inpatient (when I was admitted in Singapore at the beginning of 2010) who seems to be suffering deeply in her eating disorder.. she was down to just slightly above 30 kilos!  I must say, it's very triggering seeing all this skinny girls, but I must keep strong.  What I did notice about most of this skinny girls.. is how extremely big their feet looks.. weird huh?  Had really good sessions, it's good seeing Dr Lee and Vivien again.  I got told off by Dr Lee for not taking my meds.. mainly cos I didn't want to take it, and I got lazy.. but after suffering from withdrawal symptoms so bad that I wanted to rip my head off.. I've put myself back on the anti-depressants and don't think I'll be missing it anytime soon!  Caught up with Kien, Mela, Koko and Mie Mie in Singapore.. it was nice to see them again.. just had the realization that we all worked in the same company one time or another.  First night, we went for Panini (YUM!) and second night we went for crepe!  Third night was the start of the Ghost Month, so none of them wanted to go out and come home late.. wow.. didn't know that they were so superstitious.. so I was home on a Friday night, indulging in crabs.. yummy!  Although ONE crab did cost me SGD36!  Talk about a rip off..

Hari Raya.. ahh.. another occasion of indulgence.  Too many rendang and curries to taste.. oh and guess what.. had a blast from the past when I met Miss Chow at Bujano's house.. she knew me, but couldn't recognize me.  She only recognized Ron, and Ron introduced me as his 'sister' and Miss Chow asked 'where's Lisa and Laura?' and I was like.. "Ummm.. I'm Lisa'.. and she was astonished (no doubt by my great beauty :P) and said 'wow, if I saw you on the streets, I wouldn't have recognized you!'  Reminding me of the time where I did see her on the street crossing the road and almost rammed into her with my car!

So now, it's back to work.. and I must say, after a week's hiatus, I am excited to be back at work.  What a nerd!  hahaha

So there you have it, a month full of partying and traveling.. I'm looking to travel more in the next few months, going back to USA to catch up with PrincessBling and my great pals Dave and Jannine.. planning an escape to KL for a weekend, going to Singapore for Koko's wedding in November and back again a week later for the Standard Chartered Marathon.. 

Man I love traveling! :)