Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A-dressing decency
Last night, I had dinner with a friend, PM whom I've known for 27 years now. We met when she was interning at my workplace. We never really worked together but we're in a related industry. So, I see her several times a year socially and professionally. She's in my facebook.
Unlike me, PM actually loves browsing the albums of those in her facebook network. Recently, she checked a tagged photo of me at a wedding and remarked that I dressed well for the occasion which surprises her. She said, she always sees me in casuals and can't imagine me dressing up.
I told her, that I always dress appropriately although I am most comfortable dressing down. Of course, for a wedding reception, I'd dress up. I also pointed out to her that I hate it when people turn up in jeans and t-shirt for a wedding reception (yes, they do that in kampungs).
Last year, when a friend hosted a corporate iftar dinner at a hotel, I turned up in baju kurung. Everyone were surprised. They expected me to come in jeans and t-shirt. My friend's staff came in their usual office outfits (they're in advertising business and always in jeans and t-shirts) although the function was not on a working day.
To me, dressing up properly for an occasion is very important. It's a sign of respect for the host. At the iftar dinner for example, my friend had some influential guests. They all dressed accordingly. The host has made the effort to have a grand event. I don't want to spoil it by being sloppy. You got to show some grace and give face to the host.
Still on dressing, once a friend asked me to help her pitch for a job with a government agency. I felt a bit slighted when she instructed me to wear a button up blouse, not to show my cleavage and don't wear jeans because we're going to a government agency.
The thing is, I've been to meetings with her before and I always wear decent clothings (shirt and pants and sometimes with a jacket). I even put on a designer court shoes for meetings. Yet, she gave me that specific instructions just because she sees me in my jeans and t-shirt most of the time. When I am in my casuals, it means I don't have any business meetings for the day.
I think, it's suffice for her to tell me that we're going for a meeting with a government agency and I know what to do.
Maybe I am not the most well-dressed person but I know how to respect people at least. Once I went to a colleague's wedding reception. Another colleague came with me. When she saw me all dressed up while she's in jeans and blouse, she asked why am I in a baju kurung when the reception is in a community hall.
I just can't imagine wearing something sloppy while the bride and groom are all dolled up in their finest outfits. I am not talking about stealing the attention away from the couple. But at least, we must celebrate their day by going along with the occasion. I'd like to help them have a beautiful wedding by being beautiful myself.
After that, I told her that for my wedding, please wear your finest clothes. I would really appreciate that. I hope she'll heed my advise.
Unlike me, PM actually loves browsing the albums of those in her facebook network. Recently, she checked a tagged photo of me at a wedding and remarked that I dressed well for the occasion which surprises her. She said, she always sees me in casuals and can't imagine me dressing up.
I told her, that I always dress appropriately although I am most comfortable dressing down. Of course, for a wedding reception, I'd dress up. I also pointed out to her that I hate it when people turn up in jeans and t-shirt for a wedding reception (yes, they do that in kampungs).
Last year, when a friend hosted a corporate iftar dinner at a hotel, I turned up in baju kurung. Everyone were surprised. They expected me to come in jeans and t-shirt. My friend's staff came in their usual office outfits (they're in advertising business and always in jeans and t-shirts) although the function was not on a working day.
To me, dressing up properly for an occasion is very important. It's a sign of respect for the host. At the iftar dinner for example, my friend had some influential guests. They all dressed accordingly. The host has made the effort to have a grand event. I don't want to spoil it by being sloppy. You got to show some grace and give face to the host.
Still on dressing, once a friend asked me to help her pitch for a job with a government agency. I felt a bit slighted when she instructed me to wear a button up blouse, not to show my cleavage and don't wear jeans because we're going to a government agency.
The thing is, I've been to meetings with her before and I always wear decent clothings (shirt and pants and sometimes with a jacket). I even put on a designer court shoes for meetings. Yet, she gave me that specific instructions just because she sees me in my jeans and t-shirt most of the time. When I am in my casuals, it means I don't have any business meetings for the day.
I think, it's suffice for her to tell me that we're going for a meeting with a government agency and I know what to do.
Maybe I am not the most well-dressed person but I know how to respect people at least. Once I went to a colleague's wedding reception. Another colleague came with me. When she saw me all dressed up while she's in jeans and blouse, she asked why am I in a baju kurung when the reception is in a community hall.
I just can't imagine wearing something sloppy while the bride and groom are all dolled up in their finest outfits. I am not talking about stealing the attention away from the couple. But at least, we must celebrate their day by going along with the occasion. I'd like to help them have a beautiful wedding by being beautiful myself.
After that, I told her that for my wedding, please wear your finest clothes. I would really appreciate that. I hope she'll heed my advise.
Unorganised thoughts
There are so many things on my mind now.
1. I want to clear plastics and other non-biodegradable rubbish that are choking the drains in KL. These are the things that cause flash flood during heavy rain. I also want to pressure the city hall to get more garbage bins and have a better garbage disposal system.
2. I want to clean public toilets and teach people the right way to use the toilets.
3. I want to learn how to sew so that I can restyle preloved clothes or make blankets for disaster victims.
4. I've been making garbage enzyme and use it as my cleaning agent at home. I wish I can make more so that I can use it for my clean the toilet campaign. It's chemical-free, organic and super efficient cleaning solution.
And I don't know where to start.
1. I want to clear plastics and other non-biodegradable rubbish that are choking the drains in KL. These are the things that cause flash flood during heavy rain. I also want to pressure the city hall to get more garbage bins and have a better garbage disposal system.
2. I want to clean public toilets and teach people the right way to use the toilets.
3. I want to learn how to sew so that I can restyle preloved clothes or make blankets for disaster victims.
4. I've been making garbage enzyme and use it as my cleaning agent at home. I wish I can make more so that I can use it for my clean the toilet campaign. It's chemical-free, organic and super efficient cleaning solution.
And I don't know where to start.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sandy loves me
"Sandy loves you", said FR as his male boxer licks my hand. Unlike his other guests, Sandy is apparently happy to see me whenever I come by. He'd always approach me slowly and then reach out for my hand.
Although he's kinda huge, Sandy is actually quite gentle. He's a very protective dog, too. Whenever he goes for a walk with the family's shih tzu, he's protect the latter whenever a bigger dog tries to bully him.
Yeah, for now, only a dog loves me :)
Although he's kinda huge, Sandy is actually quite gentle. He's a very protective dog, too. Whenever he goes for a walk with the family's shih tzu, he's protect the latter whenever a bigger dog tries to bully him.
Yeah, for now, only a dog loves me :)
Monday, June 15, 2009
I think I'm in love
Yes. I think I'm in love.
Before you all get too excited about it, let me tell you that I'm in love with too many people :) I am really smitten by my little nephews and nieces and friends' children. Too smitten that this auntie may sometimes pinch a little bit from her retirement fund to shower them with gifts.
Last month, FS celebrated her 14th birthday and I got her an Action Sampler Flash lomo camera. She was so thrilled that she told her friends in her blog "be jealous" (she doesn't know that I've been reading her blog). Action Sampler wasn't my first choice. I wanted to get her an Oktomat or a Diana F+ but they're all out of stock. She's a trigger happy gal (she has a mean Nikon DSLR as a toy). She's been pestering her dad to get her a new Canon DSLR but he detests that brand. At least I know I can get her the Canon DSLR for her birthday next year (it's not easy to pick a gift for a teenager. So, knowing what they really like makes gift buying a little bit easier).
I've been checking out shops that sell lomo cameras quite a bit. I have a batallion of young relatives who are into lomo. Bought DZ an Oktomat for his birthday last year. DZ is 16 this year. DZ has been participating in lomo online photo contests. He's a brilliant student and it's so easy to get him gifts. Just get him a lomo. He has a Diana F+ and he's happy with a Super Sampler but not an Action Sampler (that's the reason why I contemplated getting it for FS in the very first place).
Last week, I went to Mooks (where I got FS her Action Sampler) cos I happened to be around the area. They got the stock for Oktomat!!! (and they told me that the stock will only arrive next year !@£$% earlier). So, I quickly grab it. It will be FS' Christmas pressie :)
When I was in Melbourne recently, I was dotting 17 year old FZ who's in a boarding school there. The moment she said, "I don't know how I'm going to cope with winter" my heart just melted and I rushed out to Target and Big W to get her a wool blanket, polar fleece tops, hot water bottle, wool thermal socks, flannel PJ, chocolates, wafers etc (hahahahahaha). Luckily she's already got her Ugg shoes. She's not allowed to use an electric blanket. If not, I'd get that for her, too.
Her mom told me not to be tricked by her daughter. According to her mom, FZ just wants to save her money so that she has some extra stash to buy phone credits to call her boyfriend in KL. Her mom also said that it's time for FZ to learn to be independent.
True. I agree with her mom. But when I decided to get her all those stuff, I feel sorry for the girl cos 1. her mom is far from her, 2. she doesn't know her way around Melbourne yet (it's only her second term there. She's quite a homebody and not used to taking public transport. When I was there, I was the one who had to show her how to use the tram and train services). So, what I got her were all basic stuff. Oh, I got her some nice branded polar fleece from some outlets at DFO (an excuse to shop hahahahaha).
Yeah. I am so in love with all of them.
When 11-year old FR talks about ATVs, this auntie makes time for him to try enjoy an ATV. When MM was 8, she wanted my PDA and I almost got her an entry level HP iPaq for her birthday (she's quite good with my PDA). ST stopped me from buying it. Now with mini notebooks getting cheaper, I might get MM one for her next birthday. Hey.....children are computer literate these days.
You know, it's a bliss when you see the excitement in their face. That's why I will never stop splurging on them.
Before you all get too excited about it, let me tell you that I'm in love with too many people :) I am really smitten by my little nephews and nieces and friends' children. Too smitten that this auntie may sometimes pinch a little bit from her retirement fund to shower them with gifts.
Last month, FS celebrated her 14th birthday and I got her an Action Sampler Flash lomo camera. She was so thrilled that she told her friends in her blog "be jealous" (she doesn't know that I've been reading her blog). Action Sampler wasn't my first choice. I wanted to get her an Oktomat or a Diana F+ but they're all out of stock. She's a trigger happy gal (she has a mean Nikon DSLR as a toy). She's been pestering her dad to get her a new Canon DSLR but he detests that brand. At least I know I can get her the Canon DSLR for her birthday next year (it's not easy to pick a gift for a teenager. So, knowing what they really like makes gift buying a little bit easier).
I've been checking out shops that sell lomo cameras quite a bit. I have a batallion of young relatives who are into lomo. Bought DZ an Oktomat for his birthday last year. DZ is 16 this year. DZ has been participating in lomo online photo contests. He's a brilliant student and it's so easy to get him gifts. Just get him a lomo. He has a Diana F+ and he's happy with a Super Sampler but not an Action Sampler (that's the reason why I contemplated getting it for FS in the very first place).
Last week, I went to Mooks (where I got FS her Action Sampler) cos I happened to be around the area. They got the stock for Oktomat!!! (and they told me that the stock will only arrive next year !@£$% earlier). So, I quickly grab it. It will be FS' Christmas pressie :)
When I was in Melbourne recently, I was dotting 17 year old FZ who's in a boarding school there. The moment she said, "I don't know how I'm going to cope with winter" my heart just melted and I rushed out to Target and Big W to get her a wool blanket, polar fleece tops, hot water bottle, wool thermal socks, flannel PJ, chocolates, wafers etc (hahahahahaha). Luckily she's already got her Ugg shoes. She's not allowed to use an electric blanket. If not, I'd get that for her, too.
Her mom told me not to be tricked by her daughter. According to her mom, FZ just wants to save her money so that she has some extra stash to buy phone credits to call her boyfriend in KL. Her mom also said that it's time for FZ to learn to be independent.
True. I agree with her mom. But when I decided to get her all those stuff, I feel sorry for the girl cos 1. her mom is far from her, 2. she doesn't know her way around Melbourne yet (it's only her second term there. She's quite a homebody and not used to taking public transport. When I was there, I was the one who had to show her how to use the tram and train services). So, what I got her were all basic stuff. Oh, I got her some nice branded polar fleece from some outlets at DFO (an excuse to shop hahahahaha).
Yeah. I am so in love with all of them.
When 11-year old FR talks about ATVs, this auntie makes time for him to try enjoy an ATV. When MM was 8, she wanted my PDA and I almost got her an entry level HP iPaq for her birthday (she's quite good with my PDA). ST stopped me from buying it. Now with mini notebooks getting cheaper, I might get MM one for her next birthday. Hey.....children are computer literate these days.
You know, it's a bliss when you see the excitement in their face. That's why I will never stop splurging on them.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Busy, busy, busy
Been really, really busy of late. Attended four weddings and a funeral (no puns intended) in the past two months.
The left side of my hip, just below my tummy is still aching from the long distance drive last month. I drove EL and her son to Penang when we received news that her favourite aunt was admitted to the hospital. And then, I drove back to KL to get back to work and then off to Melbourne to attend a friend's wedding reception.
Before I could even recover from my Melbourne trip, I have to rush to Penang with EL again. This time is to pay our last respect for the woman that EL loves dearly. This aunt was also quite fond of me.
And because of prior work commitment, I have to get back to KL after spending two hours in Penang.
Will try to write more later (been working on most weekends since February).
The left side of my hip, just below my tummy is still aching from the long distance drive last month. I drove EL and her son to Penang when we received news that her favourite aunt was admitted to the hospital. And then, I drove back to KL to get back to work and then off to Melbourne to attend a friend's wedding reception.
Before I could even recover from my Melbourne trip, I have to rush to Penang with EL again. This time is to pay our last respect for the woman that EL loves dearly. This aunt was also quite fond of me.
And because of prior work commitment, I have to get back to KL after spending two hours in Penang.
Will try to write more later (been working on most weekends since February).
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