tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152212942024-03-13T10:17:06.322+08:00Livin' in a crystalwishful thinking, thoughts, jokes, daily anecdotes, crapz, useful info, feedback, rantings, kapsiao...H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.comBlogger379125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-69140268645912858862018-03-05T23:02:00.001+08:002018-03-05T23:03:29.413+08:00Instagram<p dir="ltr">Why everyone looks so happy in their Instagram one ah? I can't help feeling sour grapeish 😋</p>
H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-2702393618321043762018-01-16T15:57:00.003+08:002018-01-16T15:57:35.189+08:0018.5 mo post partum!Sekali imbas...not so sekali...the days are short, the nights are long - my little boy is now 18.5 months old! :)<br />
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Well done to mama too for still breastfeeding!<br />
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Sekian update for this time LOLOLH.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-89607703626270922332016-07-05T20:00:00.002+08:002016-07-05T20:00:29.998+08:00My birth story - Arrival of precious baby TylerFinally I am back in this blog! :) After 3 years, really a lot of things have happened.<br />
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Well in between of the arrival of li'l Tyler, HS and I got hitched on 14th Dec 2014...and 1.5 years later our li'l Tyler arrived.<br />
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I will just talk about my birth story as I am due to share it with my HypnoBirth practitioner in her FB group...and to relive it while everything is fresh in my mind!<br />
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For this pregnancy, I have been diagnosed with GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus) so I was not allowed to deliver later than the due date (post-date). Of course I tried all the possible ways to naturally "induce" the baby out but it did not seem to go anywhere!<br />
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<b><u>2 weeks before due date (38 weeks' gestation)</u></b><br />
Went for my usual check up with Dr. Tan, baby was almost in OFP (optimal foetal position) with the head facing right towards the back and heads down and Doc said that it could be "anytime" as the baby's engagement is quite deep already. Which is fine for me as I had started my maternity leave and would be on standby at home anyway. So I just continued with my normal routine and also started the "natural induction" process...as I was hoping to carry the baby till minimum 39 weeks' so I did not want to overdo it.<br />
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<b><u>1 week before due date (39 weeks' gestation)</u></b><br />
The bun is still baking in the oven! Doc says despite the engagement, my cervix is still thick and don't seem to be thinning/effaced anytime soon. It might even take weeks so we proceeded to discuss the possibility of induction come 18th June (baby's EDD). Initially I was a bit disappointed having to be induced but doc says even induction can be "gentle"...and a powerful phrase that she told me was <b><i>"Release your fears"</i></b>...and she asked me to continue to try the natural induction for another week, especially being intimate with my hubby (for the prostaglandin) LOL TMI!<br />
So the whole week:<br />
1) Intimacy<br />
2) Walk a lot a lot a lot (I have been walking minimum 4000-8000 steps a day during my last trimester, more during the weekends)<br />
3) Eat pineapples, VCO, kurma<br />
4) Drink lots and lots and lots of coconut water - 1 biji a day<br />
5) Polar bear position<br />
6) Yoga and squats (malasana)<br />
7) Perineal massage<br />
<br />
But of course, nothing happened...<br />
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<b><u>**ACTION TIME**</u></b><br />
<br />
<i><b>18th June 2016 (Saturday)</b></i><br />
I checked into Pantai Cheras after a good shower and breakfast @ 7am. Dr Tan arrived shortly after and spoke about the induction methods - after checking she said the cervix has yet to start thinning so will insert prostaglandin suppository to help with the thinning. I was put on CTG intermittently in the labour room and did feel some constant surges (but bearable) and went back to the maternity ward to rest from time to time. As the surges' frequency became lesser and lesser, I walked around the ward, bounced on the birth ball, went downstairs to grab a bite, had kurma and repeated while waiting. At around 5pm, Dr. Tan came back and looked at the CTG charts, the surges were practically non existent anymore so doc decided to insert balloon catherer to aid with the thinning. BUTTTT, when the nurse wanted to tape the tube next to my thighs, the balloon fell out and voila, apparently I am already 4cm dilated! After discussion, rather than another dosage of prostaglandin, we decided to see if nature would take its course during the night. So I had a relatively good night's rest (with just mild surges in between).<br />
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<b><i>19th June 2016 (Sunday)</i></b><br />
No progress - so Dr. Tan inserted another dosage of prostaglandin and continued the same process as the day before. This time around, the surges were stronger but still bearable ;) The frequency of the surges were too far apart so I received 3rd dosage @ 4pm and continued with CTG monitoring. I really had to practice some breathing techniques and even to channel the sensation of the surges...in fact I vomited out my sandwich and couldn't really stomach heavy meals...Thankfully the kurma and energy bars really helped...and most importantly to keep myself hydrated (thanks to my dispatch boy, Mr. Hubby who was the runner for whatever I needed). When another VE was done at 11pm I was finally at 7cm! And...the sensation was intense...maybe because I was strapped to the CTG machine intermittently. There were no other patients in the labour rooms so I was really "letting go"...moaning and breathing loudly and "blowing the candle" (tip from Internet)...not really HypnoBirthing anymore as maybe I listened to Birthing Affirmation too many times :D Hubby rested at the foldable couch next to my bed and it was comforting to have him with me. From the CTG and contraction monitoring, my surges were still strong but the frequency gradually reducing through the night (maybe 8 minutes apart?)<br />
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<b><i>20th June 2016 (Monday)</i></b><br />
When Dr. Tan dropped by, I was worried she would tell me that I am still at 7cm 0_o"...to be honest, after 48 hours, I was getting quite exhausted (baby is still doing great from the CTG monitoring). I was so happy when she did the VE and told me that I was already at 9cm! But because the frequency was quite far apart, it could drag on into the 4th day (if I want to wait)...or we could intervene a bit more, by rupturing the membrane. Dr. Tan suggested it and I accepted the method as I was already 9cm dilated. True enough, the intensity built up and I did dilate to 10cm (then slow down again) LOL...yes, a bit exasperating but...hey at least I finally made it to 10cm right? After that Dr. Tan asked if I would like to go with pitocin drip to help to increase the frequency of the surges - else I would be nowhere close to have the urge and much needed surges to birth the baby out. The first drip (low dosage) it was more like warm up, I tried to push but it was not going anywhere. Lying down position was a no no for me, I tried to walk and squat but did not feel comfortable either. Then in the end I tried (hands and knees on floor) knees on the bed and hugging the birth ball while gripping on the rails of the bed during the surges. After that the dosage was upped and that's when the I really feel like I can breathe the baby properly. I kind of forgotten my birth breathing/J breathing and was "blow out the candle" like crazy and grunting (yes sometimes when the time comes you just forget everything LOL!). The nurse kindly reminded me to stop wasting the energy and to focus on the breathing inside during surges to breathe out the baby. After trying for maybe 1/2 hour (I think?) finally the nurses could see the baby's head (still in and out)...until I got hang of the rhythm and FINALLY baby's head is crowning (Hubby had sneak preview . That's when everything happened so fast - all the nurses got to work preparing for the arrival of the baby, Dr. Tan appeared out of nowhere and she guided me to breathe the baby out. And I think I did feel the <i style="font-weight: bold;">"ring of fire" </i>when the baby's head was descending...at that point any sensation is good sensation, as it brings the baby closer to me! Towards the end - after a slow and steady descent, (Dr even said, you had a slow and steady labour, even when birthing out also slow and steady, slowly breathing out the baby...)I think the baby's waist onwards (??) I might have stopped breathing and gave a slight push instead and the baby just slipped out and of course I had teared :P<br />
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And then again everyone was moving again, one nurse came to unbutton my top, the other wiped the blood off the baby, doc was busy with the umbilical cord, hubby was on my side and then the baby was passed to me. :)<br />
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What a wonderful moment that was! Really, you kind of forget about the pain that you have been through the past 3 days and especially the past hour! The stitches were done, the placenta was pushed out, the umbilical cord was cut by hubby after it stopped pulsating and I got my skin to skin with baby...the most magical 1 hour in our lives...well at least mine :D Baby was quite alert and just observing his surroundings...fell asleep for awhile and then moved around a bit again. He didn't really crawl...more like not much space for him to crawl...and for him to crawl up the 2 big twin peaks (LOL) would be too much of a challenge! We were left alone for more than 1 hour, and after exploring here and there (he had the best smell ever even though I know it's probably just my amniotic fluid haha), we nudged him to latch. He did latch on like a champion, although he just suckled for a bit and rested, and then suckled a bit more.<br />
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After taking our own sweet time we eventually passed the baby to the nurse who was waiting to weigh him - our perfect little baby weighed 3.4 kgs and measured 52 cms!<br />
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What we achieved from this HypnoBirth:<br />
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1) I had to be induced because of GDM, but it was done in such that it is still gentle, baby was never in distress and had good heart rate throughout the 3 days despite few interventions - and each method was discussed with my husband and I prior to it being administered, I did not feel like I was coerced into any decision<br />
2) No enema, episiotomy<br />
3) Allowed to eat and drink in labour room<br />
4) Free to move around (well during CTG I was strapped but after the wireless CTG was used instead, I was allowed to move around)<br />
5) I could set up the labour room in a manner that I felt at ease in - I had my Bose speakers, IPad, pillows from home and birth ball<br />
6) Birth in any position that you feel most comfortable in<br />
7) Birth companion (my hubby) played an active role throughout the whole birthing process<br />
8) Delayed cord clamping until stop pulsation<br />
9) Immediate skin to skin for 1 hour<br />
10) No painkillers or epidural<br />
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All in all, we had the perfect outcome from the long labour - even though my cervix was pretty stubborn for that few days, with HypnoBirth, we made the best out of the situation and just tried to embrace the experience into something beautiful that we would remember for life - the welcoming of our baby Tyler into our lives. :) :)<br />
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<br />H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-9377433893845464792012-10-15T22:14:00.002+08:002012-10-15T22:14:24.556+08:00Day by day...life goes by!Felt like posting today!<br />
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Had a less than perfect day from work today...and one can post a "bad day" status on FB and instantly you can see the replies reverberating, sharing the same sentiments. Mostly with empathy, some with sympathy.<br />
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Now, how many of YOU live your day to the fullest? Or how many of you wished that the day will end sooner? How nice it would be for the clock to tick closer to 5.00pm. After all, it is SSDD (same shit, different day)...How nice it is to be holding a bottle of ice cold beer in your hands, sipping away your work troubles...Am not much of a drinker but it is still nice to hang out with colleagues after work!<br />
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You know, one of the most anticipated days in my company is 28th or 29th or 30th of the month...depending on how many days there are in a month.Or specifically, any day close to pay day. Maybank2u would become the website with most hits in the base (most of us have our salary credited into maybank) and the connection would be extra slow. Each time, the click would be followed by <i><b>"Damn, gaji belum masuk"</b></i> and a disappointed sigh; OR, <i style="font-weight: bold;">"Yay, gaji dah masuk!!!"</i>...and a <i style="font-weight: bold;">"Banyak betul income tax ditolak"</i>....In an instant, everyone would scurry to their laptops and *click* *click* *click* away...<br />
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Key words, "house installment", "car loan", "credit card bill", "utilities bill", "Astro subscription", "personal loan", "online betting debt", "furniture installment", "phone bill", "new whim - IPhone 5...new sports rim... new accessory... new handbag"...Shall I elaborate?<br />
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Naturally, the following day or two, the same sentence would be heard "Ahhh...paid all my debts, only RM xxx left for the rest of the month". I cannot say it applies 100% to everyone, but 80% of the population would be quite a close guess.<br />
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Thus, a vicious cycle is created. Everyday, you would wish that pay day would arrive sooner. How time could pass quicker, how you could pay off your bills, how you could plan your finances, how one day you could be debt free etc etc etc...Question, did YOU pause to smell the flower amid all the worries?<br />
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And before you know it, time indeed did pass by quickly. Looking back, I would have had been paid my salary about 53 times in my life (minus all the part time jobs) already...meaning 4.5 years in the work force.<br />
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But boy, do I wish I could turn back time to 4.5 years ago and live my life to the fullest each day! (actually maybe rewind to 20 years back)<br />
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It is <i>STILL </i>not too late to pause and smell the flowers, my friends. As Albert Einstein said, <i><b>"He who can no longer can pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed."</b></i><br />
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<br />H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-67700108782650198122012-05-27T21:27:00.001+08:002012-05-27T21:27:25.870+08:00Zest in LifeSome people really have the zest in life. Passion for life. Live to inspire.<br />
I <i>think </i>that I used to have that...Which is why I wrote. To inspire people with my writing.<br />
Granted, I am not that talented in writing...I don't have that flair with words. I mean, I am an engineer...how creative can I be right? :)<br />
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But I loved to share my experience...and I want my readers (if there are any left) to see the world from my point of view...The thoughts...my life...my experiences. I guess if you are not writing anonymously, you will have to refrain from saying some things i.e. bitching about your company and managers...for an instance. Not so hard to connect who your boss is from blog --- facebook profile --- company --- manager's name. hahaha.<br />
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That's besides the point. I remember I used to read this blog where I found the writer extremely talented. And she really inspired me to try to write, back when blogging was such a hit. She just got married and I feel like a close friend got married as well. I feel connected to her from her writings...Too bad she closed her blog.<br />
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Anyway...I do still read blogs and from time to time, there will still be posts that inspire me. Whoever it is...keep writing and inspire! :)H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-35107228253126391632012-04-21T23:33:00.003+08:002012-04-21T23:33:51.360+08:00RM140 vs RM1400Have you ever wondered the value of money? A few years back, before I joined my current company, being freshly graduated and all, I would think that having RM140 in my bank account meant that I was very <i>hebat</i>, cos that meant I would be able to survive for another 2 weeks which means 2 weeks less of agony of waiting for the next paycheque. :) Yes, seriously. Lunch, RM5...and dinner, I could always go to my aunt's to tapao a week's worth of yummy <i>nyonya </i>food or have <i>nasi goreng kampung</i> for RM3.50...Life was simple...everyday it would be just thoughts of surviving for another day...or another week...Worse come to worst...there is always the back up Maggi Mee, specifically lontong and duck flavoured :)<br />
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Let's not even go too far back, back to university days, secondary school or primary school...that seemed long long long time ago...correct? <strike>(of course not, I'm not <b>THAT</b> old)</strike><br />
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With that being said, the salary I was drawing a few years back after I came back from Italy was very "fresh graduate-ish"... Standard. I thought, wow, I am a smart engineer, that was pretty good pay. I was proud of myself. Apparently, that was not the case. After deducting income tax, company share deduction, EPF contribution...almost 1/3 was gone. Then the "smart" me decided that I would pay only 5 years for my then newly acquired Viva...so it's another RM700/mth in installment. RM300 for dad as <i>duit poket</i>. Gym fees, parking fees, fuel, groceries for my uncle's house which I menumpang...really, there was almost nothing left. But each time I log on into my Maybank2u...if I see 3 digits in my bank account, it always meant good news. Cos it would mean that I would last another 2 weeks. Haha. However, I had to depend on my dad to clear my credit card bills for me first and slowly pay him off during the next paycheque. There were no savings and never extra money in my bank. BUT, I was carefree.<br />
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Fast forward 2-3 years...I am now in a new job, technical role, maintenance engineer in a multinational company. The money is now much better than my previous role, I am lucky, I must say so (well, it's not so so so so good)...But at least I do not have to worry about feeding on <i>nasi goreng kampung</i> for the next 2 weeks...I eat whatever I please (not steaks and high end food everyday though!!! But Korean food, Japanese food, western food would always be in the list whenever I go back to KL), be vigilant in my spending, can afford to give my dad a bit more extra, always paid my car installments in time, and even have savings to pay down payment for a house with my beau. Not to mention I can even afford a spa and facial package!!! But you know what...it's stressful. Now with even RM1400 in my bank, yes, 10 times of more than what I would use to have by end of the month, I would feel stressed out. Insecure. Cold. Haha...now I want the money to grow grow grow so that I can have a good vacation...the money is growing but tooo tooo tooo slowly! I really should be grateful of what I have, but with all the rising costs it doesn't seem to be a lot. Whenever I open my super excel sheet of my so-called "finances", it's actually quite depressing.<br />
"When <i>lah </i>will I be able to afford this?"<br />"When <i>lah </i>will I be able to pay off this?"<br />
"Why <i>lah </i>all these buggers so damn rich one?"<br />
"Why <i>lah </i>my salary is so little?"<br />
"Why <i>lah </i>I have to wake up everyday at 7am and go to work?"<br />
All these rocket science questions.<br />
<br />
Then it dawned upon me. What is the difference between RM140 and RM1400 besides the additional "0"? Age.<br />
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It must be the <b>aging</b>. As a fresh grad...you did not have to worry about owning a house to settle in, paying for renovations if you were even able to buy a place...nor care for retired parents, pay off credit card bills, investments, weddings to attend (the angpows do cost a lot!!!), plan your own wedding (also cost a bomb!)...starting a family (hence you need savings)...etc etc etc.<br />
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So, the conclusion is...the older you get, the more you worry. Now I really know why parents used to tell their anxious to grow up children "Kids, enjoy your childhood while you are still young. Don't hurry to grow up". 100% factual. If only I could rewind my life to when I was 12 and happily buying my RM0.30 bowl of laksa from school canteen.H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-40105522421651333812012-02-07T10:47:00.000+08:002012-02-07T10:47:00.492+08:00kegeraman melimpah-limpahis it so difficult to openly show affection? I'm not crazed about proclaiming love thru fb or doing crazy things in public, or blogging in public or announce to the whole world- I just want someone who is proud to say "I love you". I don't understand it. which is why sometimes I keep forgetting and start to have a tiny glimpse of hope, a little expectation... time to reset n wipe that off again.<div class="iblogger-footer"><br clear="all"/><p style="text-align:right;font-size:10px;">[Posted with <a href="http://illuminex.com/iBlogger/index.html">iBlogger</a> from my iPhone]</p><br/></div><br />H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-6051546085893987592012-02-06T19:32:00.001+08:002012-02-06T19:36:53.846+08:00Another year, another milestoneGong xi fa cai everyone! Wishing all of you a bundle of joy for Water Dragon year ahead :)<br />
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<div>Another year, another milestone. In a whirlpool of things happening around us, we have such little time to sit back and reflect. Have I been reflecting the past 3 weeks of vacation? Not really. I spent the first week visiting my beau in Miri and then went back to Penang for Chinese New Year...and another week in KL with him. Now I am back in Labuan, trying to get back into the momentum of work...and then as usual, the daydreaming begins.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>Many thoughts came into my mind...which is why this new template for my blog is my current template!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Few things on my mind</div><div>1) Revival of my blog!!!</div><div>2) Anniversary of my 'accident'</div><div>3) Money matters and career</div><div></div><div>Too many things happen too quickly and I have to buck up for 2012. At the same time, I've been taking things too easily. How do I put it this way, back in THOSE time where our ahkong ahma all have to cycle to the woods to get food or garden or breed their own stocks, there is so much being accomplished in a day. Families still get hot food on the table, nice attap houses were built, people are happy, there are no security issues, friendly neighbours et cetera. People were contented.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Now? Life? On a vacation day - wake up, close to noon. catching up on facebook updates - 1/2 hour, go out, be stuck on a traffic jam - 2 hours, have a cup of coffee - 1 hour, read newspaper - 2 hours, watch tv - 1 hour, attempting/pretending to catch up on work and then stray away and surf the internet instead - 2 hours, dinner and traffic jam - 2 hours, catch a movie - 2 hours...the end. by the way, I'm sure all these added up to more than the amount of waking hours in a day.</div><div><br />
</div><div>On a working day. Need I say more? 8am-5pm, work work work. As an undergrad, probably to continue working till about 6pm-7pm, then go out for dinner and being stuck in traffic jam, come home, check Facebook etc, amounting to about 1 hour, speak on the phone or MSN or chat, 1 hour, watch a bit of tv, 1 hour...the end.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Quality of life? Despite all the latest gadgets, iPhone, iPad, massage chairs, spas, facials, luxurious cafes, branded handbags, bestest makeup, are we all happier? Do we all go to bed happily at the end of the day?</div><div><br />
</div><div>The past year, in 2011 I went to a few places - spent total of about 3 months in Kemaman (not to mention the car accident I got into, thank God I'm all ok now), travelled to Abu Dhabi, UAE for 3 weeks, Oklahoma City, US for 3 weeks, Myanmar for 2 weeks. Spent quite a lot of money on traveling and also a bit of shopping, not to mention all the 'extreme consumerism' I've gotten myself into - i.e. signing up a package in luxury spa, buying quite a lot facial and hair care stuff, been to a lot a lot of massages. Tried some new stuff, like went to a shooting range in US, tried go-karting in Abu Dhabi and Oklahoma, went up the tallest building in the world (Burj Khalifa), went to a bunch of touristic places - - - yes, until now I have not been able to sort them out...sorry!!! To a certain extent, yes, all that made me happy - but not for a long time.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Arghh...confused...cos the more I have, and no thanks to facebook, the more I see what others have, I lagilah want. and the more I buy, the more broke I become, and in the end, poket mia lubang pun pecah...and sendiri sakit hati...I felt that I've accomplished a lot in 2011, but at the same time, it feels like nothing has been accomplished at all.</div><div><br />
</div><div>This is just the beginning of my thoughts of reviving my blog. :) Stay tuned! Hopefully I will write again and to touch the hearts of the few of my readers. To a fruitful 2012...hugs to all!!</div>H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-79710472739871795112012-01-19T14:24:00.001+08:002012-01-19T14:30:30.713+08:00the other halfWhat does your other half, your soulmate, your partner bring out in you?<br />
The best in you, or the worst in you...<br />
Does he/she put you down to prevent you from reaching further or;<br />
does he/she encourage you to shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you will land among the stars?<br />
Or at least tell you that he/she will be there to catch you even if you fall :)H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-57734980848344244752012-01-19T14:21:00.000+08:002012-01-19T14:21:18.713+08:00happy new year 2012!!wishing everyone happy CNY too :)<br />
This time around I will get 3 weeks off, yahoooo<br />
gong xi fa cai!H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-76638368215535494172011-12-07T02:32:00.000+08:002011-12-07T02:32:01.193+08:00Hello!!!Quick update, currently in Oklahoma City for a transmission school and freezing my a$$ off...<br />
Will be back in Malaysia on the 26th Dec...<br />
brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr............................H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-61774867001723796012011-11-20T19:08:00.000+08:002011-11-20T19:08:57.141+08:00to write again!Hopefully will start to write again!<br />
Yesterday I went to the Family Day 2011 for my company, most of my colleagues from my dept won some stuff...I won myself a hamper for playing a game. Prizes won were a Samsung Galaxy tab, washing machine, 32" tv, convection oven, bread maker etc etc...<br />
<br />
When a colleague told me not to be sad cos i haven't won anything, I was like "no worries, I feel happy for those who won"...honestly, I memang don't have a lucky draw luck...but in all honesty, I think it's ok, i believe God is fair, the reason I never win lucky draws is because I'm already very blessed in life, and very very lucky...especially always meeting very nice people to help me etc ^_^H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-71695240296672351322011-11-09T18:51:00.000+08:002011-11-09T18:51:32.559+08:00Gratitude<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know how about we always complain about needing more, wanting more?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On my trip back to Yangon from Kalaw, approximately 7pm, a single event that I witnessed completely changed my life.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At least I hope that I would permanently remember that image.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were in a hired van, and for most of the 9 days in the van, although it was sooooooooo old we were generally grateful that it brought us to where we wanted to go. Never mind the dust that got onto all our clothes and faces. Never mind the air-conditionless van. Never mind the non-existing suspension of the van. Never mind the every single spot we touched was black in color.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were on the end of the highway and entering the border of Yangon, and from far we saw a boy sitting on the middle of the street. "That's really dangerous, vehicles could easily not see him", we exclaimed. (Given the fact that Myanmar doesn't have enough electricity so the lights were kinda dim too).</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we passed by, guess what we saw the boy doing? He was holding a book, reading. The only reason he was sitting there, risking himself being run over by vehicles is because he needed the lights from the street lamp. I guess his house must not have electricity then...</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And our kids in Malaysia? (and many parts of the world) They could not be bothered nor appreciative of the resources provided by parents...luxurious study table, chair, all the books they can read. Instead they complain of wanting the latest gadgets. I'm sure this poor boy would've been ecstatic if his family could afford to have electricity at home.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the moral of the story? Be appreciative of what we have. It's not easy when there are so many things that we are chasing in life, but sometimes we just need to step back and appreciate what we have. ♥♥♥</span></div>H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-32003365032215898572011-06-30T07:50:00.000+08:002011-06-30T07:50:00.770+08:00incoherent speechif only he was more articulate in the language of love...<div class="iblogger-footer"><br clear="all"/><p style="text-align:right;font-size:10px;">[Posted with <a href="http://illuminex.com/iBlogger/index.html">iBlogger</a> from my iPhone]</p><br/></div><br />H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-60397629408056557462011-06-15T07:55:00.000+08:002011-06-15T07:55:00.140+08:00hmmI don't think he will ever be interested in my non existing ongoing life, will he?<br/><br/><br/><div class="iblogger-footer"><br clear="all"/><p style="text-align:right;font-size:10px;">[Posted with <a href="http://illuminex.com/iBlogger/index.html">iBlogger</a> from my iPhone]</p><br/></div><br />H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-42113027593371076262011-06-13T23:44:00.000+08:002011-06-13T23:44:30.805+08:00unlike me...2nd post in a span of a week. not bad not bad... :P<br />
<br />
Just had a very random thought again, and these thoughts could not be expressed in FB cos it wouldn't make sense.<br />
<br />
Was just looking back at old pictures and specifically had my eyes on one pic, this one super cute Greek guy i met when I was in Italy. and I sighed and asked myself "if only..."<br />
<br />
If I had to ask myself this question, then I would say there were many missed opportunities...<br />
<br />
I mean, these were the guys who caught my fancy and they reciprocated...but due to my lembab signal picking skills, they became missed opportunities! :P<br />
Back in Glo, Mr. Z and Mr. C<br />
Back in Italy, Mr. F and Mr. K<br />
Back in Baker, Mr. A, Mr. (i actually forgot his name? then he wasnt worth it ha ha), and Mr. G<br />
Back in SLB, Mr. H...<br />
<br />
Oh well, now that I have found my Mr.Y...I do hope that, and I know that he will make up for all the missed opportunities that I lost, and worthy than all of them combined. (*crosses fingers)H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com0Labuan, Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia5.291322 115.245908999999985.2152995 115.18958399999998 5.3673445 115.30223399999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-15338900821169343532011-06-11T12:56:00.000+08:002011-06-11T12:56:35.382+08:00thoughtsbi-annual posts, how's that for a blog. or a post a year :P<br />
<br />
had been an eventful yet quiet year so far...time passes, sun rises, sun sets...day by day...<br />
<br />
OH not to mention i got into a bad car accident which i will have to post pictures of one of these days :)<br />
<br />
just a few random words came into my mind at the moment:<br />
- unhealthily dependent<br />
- the words "i promise it will never happen again", "i forgot" don't mean ANYTHING<br />
- i need a life<br />
<br />
:) other than that, all's well...just landed back in Labuan an hour ago, I was in KL for a week bingeing on food like nobody's business.<br />
<br />
Job wise, I hate my job but i kinda like it too, just have to make up my mind, really... :)H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com1Labuan, Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia5.291322 115.245908999999985.2152995 115.18958399999998 5.3673445 115.30223399999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-90129417817993476452011-01-05T18:50:00.000+08:002011-01-05T18:50:17.760+08:00Happy new year!!! [2011]yes yes another year, another year wiser, more wrinkles, more waistline... less metabolism, less money, less energy<br />
<br />
but i have a good feeling about this year...2011<br />
<br />
2010 was such a hectic year and passed by in a blur, to be honest I don't remember much about the year...it all started on Dec 2009 when i signed up with the new job. The chronology after that...let's see...if i remember correctly:<br />
<br />
The year it was...<br />
Abu Dhabi to KL to Labuan<br />
Labuan to Miri<br />
Miri to Labuan<br />
Labuan to Kota Kinabalu...wait all these was just in December 2009...<br />
<br />
2010~<br />
Feb: Labuan to KL to Balikpapan, Indonesia<br />
<br />
Met amazing peeps there, the friendliest I've seen, the helpfulest ones I've seen, but also the most corrupted ones too (had some problem with the work permit there and almost got deported)<br />
Made amazing friends which I hope would last long long time...<br />
April: Left and went back to KL then to Abu Dhabi (again!!)<br />
Here it felt like I was back to high school again or was it university...endless assignments but fun fun fun too!<br />
End of May, left for KL --- finally!!! a good 2 weeks vacation *whoop dee doo* spent quality time with family and friends, my dear LL Housemate got married, Mrs Au... ;) Congrats Rin2<br />
June - October - headed back to Labuan, got thrown offshore in Bintulu for 1 month<br />
Back in KL once, beau came to visit once, oh received a gorgeous bouquet of flowers once too<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3Jg3GxejJJA/THDm1OLoCrI/AAAAAAAAB4k/6IovWnnGI_s/s1600/IMG_2911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3Jg3GxejJJA/THDm1OLoCrI/AAAAAAAAB4k/6IovWnnGI_s/s320/IMG_2911.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then November...again to Abu Dhabi...yes for the 3rd time in one year, the one month was the most, well, let's just say i met the most arrogant and annoying people, but again, we learn something from them, mainly "not to be like them" but i'm glad each of us improved towards the end of the month<br />
<br />
and in December! yes yes yes, finally got my long awaited vacation...in fact extended for 3 weeks...spent great great time with beau, we went to Melaka and Port Dickson...then went back to Penang again for another very good friend's wedding, miss Jolene Ooi *sheds tear* she made such a gorgeous bride and I hope my wedding one day would be as beautiful as hers...<br />
<br />
So...This year? back to the grind of work, but I am positive about this year...partly because i know i will be having scheduled days off/vacation now from my current position ;) yes! and then...no more training so i can do so much more @ work instead of pretending to study every day...LOL<br />
<br />
Anyways typed in hurry...but happy new year y'all!!!!!!H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-18693370042425876892010-11-27T19:50:00.000+08:002010-11-27T19:50:59.119+08:00Stumped growthLovely Saturday, and I'm in the classroom agonizing thru a lecture regarding Transmitters. Well at least I think it's about transmitters.<br />
<br />
I don't know if it's my <strike>passion</strike> hatred towards Electronics or not (actually I do have a passion towards electronics, I hate it with passion :) ) but I totally phased out the moment the instructor opened his mouth. TOTALLY.<br />
<br />
And I'm in a class with youngsters that just got out of college, yes, freshies of 23 year olds, or 24 yr olds or so.<br />
<br />
Having 2 years ahead of them doesn't help either. I just feel too too too old to learn.<br />
<br />
Think my brain's a little rusty. Not as fresh as last time. I don't even analyze anymore, accept things as it is.<br />
<br />
Not good. Need. to. challenge. brains.<br />
<br />
Or is it due to caffeine overdose? or brain cells deteriorating from the radiation of FB-ing too much. Been training like almost one year d...Too long........................H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-62824004573328430782010-11-25T02:54:00.001+08:002010-11-25T02:55:35.109+08:00me and him<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLPRNL0w_pbSnFI5xJelA_YAoCp31yo2rl1j8yfBJk5yXLgVwtdnXViwRQCCv5K78hfg33p1ecCtrEPupTZ5B1JWvMdX7ylj-FTsyuor7wZlq3Rq6OxHqDWnh1sHMbgejw7BX/s1600/Yong.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLPRNL0w_pbSnFI5xJelA_YAoCp31yo2rl1j8yfBJk5yXLgVwtdnXViwRQCCv5K78hfg33p1ecCtrEPupTZ5B1JWvMdX7ylj-FTsyuor7wZlq3Rq6OxHqDWnh1sHMbgejw7BX/s400/Yong.jpg" /></a><br />
Just to share a picture of me and him. Yes he was very reluctant to write that on the sand ;)</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-33143240249385772072010-11-10T02:40:00.000+08:002010-11-10T02:40:39.966+08:00am supposed to be flattered...back in Abu Dhabi again!<br />
<br />
Am in the same class with 12 young men, with raging hormones for my maintenance school.<br />
<br />
<br />
6 healthy americans. hmmm i would say 2 of them are nice, but the other 4 of them are just well so miang and hamsap. it should be flattering that they are hitting on me, but i'm actually annoyed...<br />
<br />
since i lagi sudah berpunya. haha. ok but need to clarify none of them said anything 'harassing' to me since our company is really big on this sexual harassment thing. :P<br />
<br />
but i am loyal to my abang la. that's the main point. none of them are as cute as my abang anyway...ever since i got attached seems like no one is as cute as him. (haha, saying it cos he may be reading this blog la)<br />
<br />
I am soooooooooooo tired...Air brakes and pneumatic systems just don't make sense to me anymore, it's been years since I graduated...GanbatteeeeeeeeeeH.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-52927634422535326952010-10-17T23:08:00.001+08:002010-10-17T23:21:06.345+08:00inadequacyI feel inadequate somehow!<br />
not by size, definitely, but by measuring myself against my other super successful friends...<br />
and at the moment, i am lagging behind financially, physically, emotionally and...hmm socially?<br />
<br />
i do have a loving boyfriend and a great family though (which i don't see often)...<br />
<br />
money o' money, pls grow quickly!<br />
<br />
on a 2nd thought, me here in Labuan, other than working i don't really hv much to do, i should have ALL the time to focus on self-improving...bt so far the only improvement i've seen is the expansion of my waistline and everywhere else on my body, which is bad bad news :PH.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-31839006384931849362010-09-13T16:59:00.001+08:002010-09-13T17:00:05.354+08:00quarterlife crisis thingI think I'm experiencing a phase II quarterlife crisis. I just feel so lazy and demotivated to do anything at all. Totally uninspired.H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-35227745766891477532010-09-13T16:41:00.001+08:002010-09-13T16:42:15.208+08:00change design!After being MIA so long in blogging...never realized this Template Designer function thingy...but it's time for a change...still a bit too colorfulish for my liking, yes i'm such a boring person...we'll see!H.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221294.post-51064221062235607072010-09-07T09:39:00.004+08:002012-05-27T21:30:08.939+08:00Poppy...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh995o2GqMvDTNZZ9boIu32y0GRzfzam68X0k_NWmXxvE9syS3Y8YduGzKH0nTS3XoIHhx-_U6sCyJG4UEMwxtNPXNBzdtAE2rrJGH-QdimELCJV8I4V_Bb8Wi-QYkMTzrMCkCa/s1600/IMG_2790.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513981786175220418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh995o2GqMvDTNZZ9boIu32y0GRzfzam68X0k_NWmXxvE9syS3Y8YduGzKH0nTS3XoIHhx-_U6sCyJG4UEMwxtNPXNBzdtAE2rrJGH-QdimELCJV8I4V_Bb8Wi-QYkMTzrMCkCa/s400/IMG_2790.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs2K6XNOQ281ZU53HWgh9X-SyhfV8axaLFARPh_1fC7bvK3vD2keYCjOUjAm-H56nD0v-n1plcr0LxFPs0aCo043Pqn_PNaJusdT1KoIlRgFX6UdwsDwtzZ-lqiMlxrgEVt1v/s1600/IMG_2779.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513981780493108466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs2K6XNOQ281ZU53HWgh9X-SyhfV8axaLFARPh_1fC7bvK3vD2keYCjOUjAm-H56nD0v-n1plcr0LxFPs0aCo043Pqn_PNaJusdT1KoIlRgFX6UdwsDwtzZ-lqiMlxrgEVt1v/s400/IMG_2779.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Btw it's my birthday today! :) Spoke to my mom just now and she told me that she won a lucky draw last night - A Dell Laptop, but she also said that Poppy, our dog in Taiping passed away a few days ago...and Papa said he has been with us since 1995...so it's a bit older than 15 years old...for a dog to live up to 15 yrs I find it impressive, no?<br />
<br />
Mom said a week ago when she went back to Taiping Poppy seemed really weak but Poppy has always been loyal and guarded the house (fiercely?) all his life. I remembered it came in a cute puppy size, if I am not mistaken...well I don't go back to Taiping that often so I don't remember...<br />
<br />
But initially, it used to at all strangers, the 1st time I saw it, it barked at me and my mom made it 'smell' and 'sniff' at me and remember my 'scent'...after that it never barked at me anymore...<br />
<br />
Anyway, Poppy had been sick since early this year, I'd say due to old age and something at his 'coconuts'...but it wouldn't quit and still took care of the house. Mama said she did this 'ritual', burned incense etc and spoke to Poppy..."you know you've served us for a long long time, and since you have been sick, you don't have to do it anymore...you could go if you want, we appreciate you being around for so long" (I don't know ar if this has been dramatized or not...I'm just saying it how my mom told me) but i guess Poppy understood? My parents make a weekly trip back to Taiping just to feed him...so last weekend when they went back to Taiping, Poppy already died peacefully in his sleep. Mama said it sat in a very nice position, with his nose facing the gate, just as usual, waiting for his owners to come home every week...but maybe his spirits was lifted and felt it was OK to leave after my mom did the 'ritual' thing. I don't know for sure if a dog understood but I guess so? It's so simple but yet so touching...<br />
<br />
Then Mama buried it with Papa's help...but as carcasses, like humans, after it died, would bloat up...Mama wrapped it and was about to carry it then it let out a big fart...so she got such a fright and fell sick...well, anyway Poppy is now lying in his last home just behind our house in Taiping...Mama said it brought her luck, hence the Laptop Dell lucky draw...so it's all good<br />
<br />
May Poppy RIPH.C. Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314789401387435820noreply@blogger.com2