Monday, July 28, 2008

Politicians staging drama

Though I have been busy for the past weeks, I still managed to spare some time for this channel of entertainment...my daily routine...10.30pm for news.

Most of the news revolves around the possible leader of our nation who has his years 'meringkuk' in the jail while plotting his master plan on how to rule this nation, Mr Anwar Ibrahim...would he be able to clean his name again on the charge this time?

First we see that he has been arrested instead of given the chance to turn up himself for the investigation, then he has his full body checkup, striping him bare naked and with hospital authority denying its' action. Then we have insider from Raja Petra on the medical report on Saiful done by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid. Are we still going to believe that Anwar has commited such a ridiculous action or Anwar is innocent and the ruling party is able to manipulate and over ruled all goverment agencies in the country? Do we still trust the judiciary and law enforcers of our country who kept shouting out loud their moto of 'Tegas, Adil dan Berhemah'?

Finally what I deemed funniest about this staging was, why on earth a sodomy case got the attention of all the leaders and enforcers of our country? Don't they have any other better thing to do? Chief and assistant chief police are busy commenting and throwing press conference. Politicians are busy speculating...I have no idea what will all these led us to but for the near future, it still all so gray...

Let us cross our fingers and pray...

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Cameron Highland after a YeaR

Last weekend, I was in Cameron Highland for my family's holiday. We was there last year at the same time of the year too...holiday occasional with our Governor's Birthday.

We departed from home as early as 6am....first drove to Ipoh for our early Dim Sum . We have been regular customer to Fok San and Ming Court but our visit to Fok San this trip was upsetting. Less waiting for the crowd was less and perhaps due to this, the dim sum was not very fresh. I wasn't sure if it was my family that has been picky and choosy or the food really sucked but somehow others seemed to be enjoying the food.

Then we drove South to the Kellie Castle. See that bear before?...that was the miraculous Bear...it is a tree trunk bear look alike.

Bear...it is way larger than me

Then we climbed ups and downs into secret pathway and to the roof top, enjoying the great and peaceful scenery around. The architecture of the building was marvelous...and I could imagine how beautiful it can be if it was completed...such a waste Sir William Kellie Smith died at such an early age.
abstract shot
luxurious...only possible for the rich
unfinished red bricks house
happy trip with mummy

This place was so much to be enjoyed by me and my siblings but my 3 little cousins were afraid of it...saying that it is haunted. Hmm...I didn't have such a picture during that age...wondering why...is that the influence of entertainment industry or perhaps like my sister suggest, we grew up in the era of Kampung Kids, we have been running around the kampung like no body's business.
professional jumper...can turn n cheese!

After the hot day jumps, we continued our journey to Cameron Highland via Simpang Pulai. The winding route was long but we enjoyed the chilling breeze. We stopped at the 88 Holiday Fun Garden for a break...then to the Bee farm. And lucky me...at one glance, I found a 4 cloves leaves...'I am going to be lucky, lucKY, LuCKy!
lucky cloves...didn't plug it...hoping that it will bring luck to the next person

We arrived at Tanah Rata at about 2 in the afternoon.

2 missing from this photo...too bad that my big bro and little bro couldn't join us in this trip

Our apartment for the weekend...it was situated at Puncak Arabella, Tanah Rata. Hidden away from the noisy street, situated uphill...it was such a nice place at an affordable price. The scenery was great and the rooms are comfortable.

view from our apartment
our wooden sofa and dining table
well equipped kitchen
simple and nice room

Hungry...really hungry...after settling down, we headed to the T-cafe...this was a recommended dining place by many bloggers. The signature dishes were cream scones and apple pie. They were really yummy. On top of these 2, I liked the lamb chop too. But the local or the oriental was not remarkable. So please go for western food.
T, T-c, T-ca, T-caf, T-cafe...

see how hungry my cousins were...all :-( ...lazy even for photo.
yummy lamb chop

After some rest, we visited the night market. Bought some yummy hot fried mushrooms and potatoes. They were great to be taken in this cold weather. We have bought some fresh local vegetables for our steamboat that night.

Hours in front of steamboats and TV were good ways to relax and to end our day.

On the 2nd day, we went hiking to the Robinson Waterfall. The trek was easy and suitable for family with young and old. We enjoyed the breakaway and the great waterfall. I have the urged to continue on the track but my 3 little cousin kept asking us the same questions...'Why so long wan? When will we reach? and etc'. It was really nice to be able to go hiking...the air was fresh and chilling breeze.

there were more great photos...but my cousin accidentally deleted them all...so let's ll be back for more...
wild berries

After the hike, it was food hunt again...this time we headed to Tanah Rata for strawberry pancakes...too bad that we could not find the stall recommended by my guide book, but still we managed to get some great strawberry cheese cakes and strawberry muffins...yumyum!

Then to the Cameron Tea Valley. Here a little more hiking to do. We hike down the valley and got really lots of great shots.
hibiscus...our pride
water lily...standing strong on this highland
some unknown flower
love these few shots...great enviroment and fresh air are the key to nice photo...enjoyed it!
more of me...
and it's me again
poor vocab...don't know their names

Then moving on towards Brichang, we headed to the Cactus Points where I bought some green plants for my cubicle. I loved the cactus and flowers on exhibit there.

love this flowers...into macro photographing

Then lunch at Oldies & Goodies Roasted Restaurant...yummy dishes...all swept clean by us. Food maniac sis and me, hopped into Strawberry Moment next door for our dessert...more cheese cakes. Food presentation was good, taste ok.

yes...am paid to advertise for them...haha

We moved back to our cossy apartment...another nap...good time and place to rest...

Another steamboat for dinner.

On the last day, we went back to T-cafe for our brunch. Another lamb chop and more scones and more apple pie...their cheese cakes was excellent too and cheap. I love T-cafe. Thumbs up and truly recommended dining place.
beef lasagna
chicken spaghetti
cream scone...best of all
fruity strawberry scone
hot baked apple pie with creamy vanilla ice-cream
yummy and cheapest strawberry cheese cake in town

Our final destination was Cactus Valley...here we purchased lots of fresh strawberries and vegetables...great place to visit for strawberry and the gigantic pumpkin...

tomatoes...i love them
they were so colourful...I want it to myself
mama straw, papa straw n me...
i wonder how many palms we need to cover it up...
curi-curi makan...haha
green veg...lovely

can you believe this is what strawberry like?
unknown flower...another macro shot

Yes...I know...lots of eating and resting...that was our intention...rest and enjoy!

panaroma view from my apartment

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

After a month

After a month in Intel, I fell in love with it. I love my workload, I love my teammates and I love the environments...I am convince that Intel is right for me now.

We have celebrated 2 of our colleagues departure. 1st, it was Sundar. Sundar left after 2 years of relocation here in Intel Penang. He is well integrated into our culture. He eats and speaks like us. I am happy for him.

The 2nd was Jia Huey. She is a lovely and active. She is heading to Australia for a betterment. We celebrated her farewell in 火锅王. This was also a great opportunity for me to get to know my colleagues. And by the end, I got a surprise farewell gift from Jia Huey.

So let you...what have I received?
any idea? know what is that?

still empty?

hai...everything is revealed...still don't know?

haha...that is it...it is a gun from Jia Huey...reminder for us to have fun!

My Gun...my funness

another gift of the week...from World Vision