Kualoa Ranch Camp Pics

For those who know me, I am not a camper. Never was. I have to say..I like the luxury of a bathroom/toilet. But since I was told that there is something of a portal potty there and it was only for night, why not right?

We went camping at Ka'a'awa Valley on the northern side of Kualoa Ranch. This is where parts of films like Pearl harbor, Jurassic Park, Godzilla, 50 First Dates, Winstalkers and LOST were filmed. There was no electricity, hardly any water, lots of bugs and mosquitoes, self decomposing portal potties that a few of us do not dare enter again - However, I had a lot of fun. Crazy huh?

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Pics of Pu'uKalena Hike

Our Hike to Pu'uKalena. Beautiful views

More Pics Here

Jes’s Birthday on the Beach

With her darling hubby - Twu Yong

My “baby’s mama” had her birthday about a week ago on the beach. It’s nice being outdoors. Sometimes just because we live in Hawaii… we take the beach for granted, thinking it’ll always be around. Happy birthday Jes!!!

The Groupie

Homemade bday cake, the view and Yoshi

The Stingy

Went to Waimanalo beach today for a picnic with Brendan and his friends. Guess what we found on the beach?? Haha...Baby Portuguese Man-Of-Wars!!!

Another kind of graduation

Today will be the last day that I will see Ivana before I leave Hawaii. Wow..we have been together for almost 3 years (it would have been three years this coming Sept). How time flies. I remember signing up to be a Big Sister about 3 1/2 years ago and they finally got me my match slightly more than half a year later.

My first few experiences with Ivana were not easy. I mean..I thought how bad can it be right? I do have a younger brother…am kindda experienced and all. Well, Ivana comes from a single-parent family, parents are divorced and am the only child. She was spoilt and she will throw tantrums if she could not get what she wanted. It was a little difficult to get through to her. And now fast forward slightly more than 2 ½ years later, we are communicating much better. She’s grown up so much, knows how to compromise, am much smarter and reasons very well. Of course I would like to think that I did play a part in all that!!

When I told her that I was leaving the Big Brother Big Sister organization as I am planning to go home, it was difficult for her. It is difficult for a young girl to part with her “big sister” - someone who sees her almost every week for the past couple of years. But she was a tough girl. She understands. Told her that it is like graduation. You got to leave elementary school to go on to middle school. Got to part with your friends. It will be sad but it’s a step one has to take to achieve bigger and better things in life.

I just hope that I was able to influence her, teach her enough and give her some sort of foundation that she will be able to use through her life… especially now that she’s becoming a teenager. Hope she remembers me!

Self Made diploma for Ivana

Getting Territorial

Like dogs and cats, we women can get territorial too.

Like one of my cats, who starts pissing and pooping around to let me know she's pissed off with me, or trying to gain attention from me.
Not sure which one.
Women too can get territorial.
Teritorial with Men.

We don't piss or poop around.
We just make more noise,
Get angry and we show it.
There may not even be a real logical reason as to why or what we get angry about.

Men,
FYI. Most of the time, we get territorial only on men we care about. Maybe have feelings for.
And when attention are taken away from us, we "rebel".

What can we say? We get protective of what we have. If we never had it, we usually will not fight for it. Like the saying, you don't miss what you never had.

Waikiki Ho'olaule'a

Decided to walk in Waikiki today as there was the Pan Pacific Matsuri Festival and there was a Ho'olaule'a (block party) there. The usual food fare and lots of Hula dancing. But of all the things that that really got me to go walk in the ever-so-crowded Waikiki was the chance to stop by my favourite store - Mondo Gelato Ice cream store!

Trying to be Fendi's Eyewear models. Do you think we passed?

Enjoying Ice cream at Mondo Gelato with Sue Anne and Ben; and Su-lynn

Elementary graduation..

Yesterday, I attended my "little sister" Ivana's graduation from elementary school. Can you believe it...? Graduating from 6th grade. I remember when I graduated from 6th grade....It's was simple and unelaborate. Finished National 6th grade examination (UPSR) and then waited for results. That was it. What my friends and I did on our last day? Said goodbye and I'll see you in high school.

So Simple!!

You can understand my surprise by what I experienced yesterday. The ceremony was held in the hall. The Headmistress called out every 6th grade students by name and said something about them. ( I am not sure whether she really knows everyone by name but sure sounds like it). There was performances, video clips of the students and receipt of the diploma. Pretty interesting. After all that, it was time for the lei giving and photo taking outside in the courtyard.

Very Interesting. I guess..Hawaii is so small and people here like to celebrate events, small or large. People will find something to celebrate. Very Ohana.

With her mum Inger

Quite Funny

Thought I'd share something funny that someone sent me a while ago...

Say Also Don't Listen
Listen Also Don't Understand
Don't Understand Also Don't Ask
Ask Also Don't Do
Do Also Do Wrong
Wrong Also Don't Admit
Admit Also Don't Correct
Correct Also Not Happy
Not Happy Also Don't Say

How?

Women...

WOMEN ARE MEANT TO BE LOVED,

NOT UNDERSTOOD

A little Blue

Hmm...I wonder why when people are down..they call it "having the blues"? I am sure there's a reason for how they came up with it...just that i never did take the initiative to find out why. Why not black?...or gray? Gray seems like a sad/down color!

For those who don't know yet... I am going back home to Malaysia in less than a month. Not for good...but for a little while. Need to spend some time with my family as they have not seen me often since I left home 10 years ago. Maybe..it's also to ease my parents transition to having an empty nest as my brother is leaving for Langkawi for cadet pilot training! (Yay!!! Yew Jin got into Malaysian Airlines..I am so proud of you!!). My parents, knowing me, will not expect a fixed presence of me for long...but it'll help them cope...I think..or hope..not sure which one..

On the other hand..I need a change. Needed to leave Hawaii. I felt stuck. It wasn't good for me. Need a change of perspective. A different drive. A new chapter.

I should be excited...yeah? Then why do I feel so BLUE???

A while... A little too long

How time flies...

To me it's just been a while since i last blogged but in reality..it's actually been a while.

We don't really know how much advantage we take of time...we procratinate, pushing things for later cos we think it's okay..it will not be a problem..then we realize that time passed is time lost.

We always think we have time. But we don't. In a blink of an eye.. our one day turns to one month. Shit...where did all the days go?

Got to start living life to the fullest. Do all you can in one day..no regrets

Friend...

Hawaiians had many terms for "friend" that signified varying degrees and types of friendship. Hoaloha (beloved companion), for example, is a general term for friend. Makamaka (face to face) is a friend with whom you share freely. Aikane (probably "dependable") is a close, personal friend of the same sex. Pilialoha (sticky love) is a romantic friend. And here's a great one: 'au ko'i (axe handle), a trusted friend.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said "The only way to have a friend is to be one." But many people have trouble making friends because they don't know how to be one. So here is a set of guidelines to help you remember:

F = Freedom (give up control)

R = Respect (respect your differences)

I = Interest (take an interest in your friend's interests)

E = Equality (treat your friend like an equal)

N = Nurture (nurture your friend's best qualities)

D = Devotion (be loyal and helpful whenever, wherever, and for as long as you can)

The Hawaiians made such an art of this that I'll end with one of their proverbs describing a good friendship:

Pili kau,

pili ho'oilo

(Together in the dry season,

Together in the wet season)

Me ke aloha pumehana i ko'u kini hoaloha - with warm regards to my many friends.

About Love...True?

Love is a game of Power, the manipulation of emotions to control the mind.

It's a game where the one who shows affection first gives up total control.

"Life is a series of rooms, and who we get stuck in those rooms with, adds up to what our lives are. "

Excerpts taken from House M.D

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!

Thought I'd share some random notes from the wrapper of some Dove Chocolate Hearts that I had plenty of today!!! Courtesy of my darling co-workers...:)

Am not a person who really celebrates Valentine's but Hei...if you can't beat em...join em!!

Be swept away by Love

Trust with your Heart, not your Head

Hold Hands firmly, Hearts gently

and of course you can't leave out...

Be My Valentine

Calm after the Storm

Well it's definitely been while since my last posting!

It's been one very busy month for me lately with work and friends...again...it's not like I'm complaning... Like all of you know.....when it rains..it pours!

Amy's just left on the weekend...She was here for 10 days. It was so much fun! Sabrina was here also earlier in the month of November for 7 days and left 3 days before Amy arrived. Okay..0kay..that's quite some math...don't bother to count! haha..

Kindda like the mayhem of "opps..I gotta work now....okay Amy/Sabrina...I gotta dump you at the mall or Waikiki..will pick you up later".. etc. Haha...what a friend right?? Rush off to work and rush back. Had to study for my continuing education courses to renew my license at the same time...had plenty of deadlines...

BUT IN ALL...I had fun!

And now...it's calm....when will the storm arrive again?

Thinking of Bro...

Just thought of my darling brother....so here's some picture that he took while he was here

Fish Bowl Shot...with Ding Jr. and Mister Heng

Look at these posers!!!

For more pics...go to My Pictures on the side bar

Letting Go

Maybe the past is like an anchor holding us back.

Maybe you have to let go of who you were,

to become who you will be...

When it rains...it pours

Why when things happen.....everything else happens? All at the same time....non stop...can't take a breathe?

Year's coming to an end. Things are supposed to be winding down. Holiday seasons coming...people are supposed to be merry and jolly....eat eat eat!

Winding down...winding down...winding down....

Yeah right! DECK THE HALLS!! Make noise...no time...

I realize for me and people around me...things start getting messy. A lot of people's relationships..kindda went kaput. This year's bad for relationships, I have to say. Hei...but maybe it's for the better. DECK THE HALLS!!

Am I complaining? Not really....yeah things are moving a little fast now...stressful...but it's good. The one thing that's been good for me is work! Yeah I know...people think I'm crazy now. But hei...money's coming in....yay...DECK THE HALLS!!

All this keeps me busy....friends keeps me busy....keeps me from thinking too much.

DECK THE HALLS!!

Tears

"What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul" - Jewish proverb

I guess sometimes...crying is a good thing. It's sort of like a release. Letting it all out. It feels better. There's always something to a good cry.

Saying Goodbye

How does one say goodbye?

How do you let go of something that has been so precious to you for so long? How do you feel to have something so close to you and now it's not there? A part of you that's now missing. Empty, blank.

I wished I had a good answer for that. I really don't know....but I knew I had to and I did.

For once I was honest...laid it all out there and so did he. Finally I understood. The things we do, and why we do it, are to protect ourselves. We are not good for each other at this time. So we had to say goodbye. I had to say goodbye. I needed to do that. I know I did. I have to move on. I have to stop hoping that things will be better. I have to think of myself first. Even though my heart really don't want to.

At this moment... I don't know how to feel. Maybe I'm not trying to feel. Maybe I'm just inoring it.

There was closure. No hard feelings. Mature.

And now...I just have to ride out the pain of loss. A sense of grief. With a forward looking goal and hope that things will be better. With faith that things happen for a reason.

This all, however, does not change the fact that I love him and will miss him. I would not change the good times that we had.

So,
Thanks M,
for you

Understanding Me

These past week or two...I've been overly stressed. Work stress, people stress, misunderstanding etc... At this moment, I don't know how to truly express myself but I found a poem that expresses it all...

If you should try
to understand me
through the eyes
of your experiences
your only understanding
will be misunderstanding...

For we have walked different paths
and have known different fears
and that which brings you laughter
just might bring me tears.

So if you can learn
to accept me
and the strange thingsI say and do,
Maybe through your acceptance
you will gain understanding.

Rumble Rumble Earthquake!

Haha...who would have thought that there'll be earthquake here in Hawaii?.....

Sunday Oct,15 2006
7.07am, 6.6 magnitude
7.14 am, 5.8 magnitude
After 10.30 am.... a series of 55 aftershocks.
Power was cut off.... for more than 12 hrs.

Me:
Hhmmmm...the bed is swaying....(peeping out of blanket)..not really...I think the room is swaying... (heard the growling of the earth..just like the movies). Nope...I think it's an earthquake..HHmmm..interesting. (close back eyes and hid under blanket again)
(In my mind...it's not as bad as the earthquake I felt in taipei many years ago...when..at that time I thought there was a ghost in the hotel room!)

Few minutes later.....
ahhh....the building is swaying again. Fun!! (peep out of blanket again).. Feels like being in a cradle..haha. Back and forth..back and forth.

Puff....electricity went off...NOOO...I wonder how long it'll stay off..
I realized how dependent I was to electricity...no tv, no radio (forgot to stock up on batteries), no internet, no hot water or food, cell phone's dying (stupid me..forgot to charge batt)....AHHHHH WHAT TO DO???? - ended up reading and playing board games

9 pm: Puff...YAAYYYYY Electricity's back!

Promises....Words of Wisdom

"Promises are the bricks of life and trust is the mortar. We build nothing in life if we make no promises, and we tear down what others have built if we make them and break them."

Quote taken from: Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen L. Carter

Here's a SHOUT OUT to you SU GIM!!!

GOH SU GIM.....or better known as "Uncle" Goh....or "Uncle" Su....or "Uncle" Gim, whichever you fancy...made a comment that I didn't write or mention anything else in my blog except for furry pets, my life, some friends or my roomate..(duh..that's who and what I live with!!)

SO I guess I have to mention him right?

Don't feel left out just because I have not mention you before

Great guy and friend....want a drinking buddy...here he is. Just be careful when he drinks too much Golden Draake and Chimays!!

Love you LOTSSS!! haha

My Stored Life is FOUND!!!!

I guess sometimes patience does pay off!!!

Thanking all the angels above and on ground......

My lost external hard drive....IS FOUND!!

Thanks Earllyn.....

TM's Birthday

Some pics from Ding Jr's 23rd birthday!!

The Malaysian gang at Sorabol Got slammed into the cake! Kindda...

Ding Sr. and Ding Jr.

Joe, Denesia and I

Hippos Go Beserk!!

I absolutely love this poem.....first heard it on an episode of E.R when a doctor recited this to her baby over the phone to before saying good night.

This is longer version of it.

One hippo all alone

calls two hippos on the phone

three hippos at the door

bring along another four

five hippos come overdressed

six hippos show up with a guest

seven hippos arrive in a sack

eight hippos sneak in the back

nine hippos come to work

ALL THE HIPPOS GO BESERK!

All through the hippo night

hippos play with great delight

but at the hippos break of day

the hippos all must go away

nine hippos and a beast

join eight hippos riding east

while seven hippos moving west

leave six hippos quite distressed

five hippos then set forth

with four hippos headed north

three hippos say good day

the last two hippos go their way

one hippo alone once more

misses the other forty four.

Puberty...2nd time around

Ahh....pimple and acnes. AGAIN!

Actually they are kindda gone now....But it wasn't like this a few months ago. I got so freaked that I tried on everything...Proactive, Murad etc and even took evening primrose oil..trying to balance out my hormones (though I don't know why my hormones would be raging) Whatever it is, something worked...just don't know which one. Though I strongly believe it's the evening primrose.

Roommate-Su is going through the same thing. Felt bad for her cos she's always had flawless skin. Funny how her acne is only on her forehead. Lucky for her...she has a fringe to cover it up. Maybe if she listen to me and take the evening primrose oil.......just maybe..

GO EVENING PRIMROSE OIL!!!!

My Little Monkey

Tot everyone would like to see what my "crossbreed" cat look like.

Here's Pepper and she's a monkey!

Sometimes she can be a dog. No kidding...she can totally act like one!

And the other cat nudging at her...that's Chloe...the pissy and poopy cat.

Deny, Deny, Deny

DENIAL

Sometimes I think I do that very well! Actually people have actually said that I do. According to my roommate...it's a "goat" thing.

We deny that we're tired. We deny we're scared. We deny how badly we want to succeed in life. We deny we're in pain..

Most importantly, we deny that we're in denial!

We only see what we want to see and believe what we want to believe...and it works..up to a point. We lie to ourselves so much that after a while the lies start to seem like the truth. We deny so much that we can't recognize the truth anymore.

The scary part: Sometimes reality has a way of sneaking up and biting us in the ass. We can only lie to ourselves for so long. We are tired, scared and denying it all does not change the truth.

The one thing that we can hope for - that reality will come to us like a gentle stream of water and not a burst dam!

L'Uraku

Had always wanted to try this restaurant - L'Uraku, a Euro-japanese restaurant. Lucky me..I had a business meeting there. Haha...all paid for lunch. Ambiance was kindda nice....deco was adorable with ceilings filled with inverted umbrellas. They are known for their seafood dishes. Wouldn't mind going there again!

The Poop and Pee Inducer!

Su: "Ahhhh.....hahaha....Chloe just pooped!!"
Me: "Where? What happened?"
Su: "Hahaha.....You won't believe it. She pooped on the balcony. I don't know what happened but she just pooped when I walked up to her"
Me: "What do you mean she just pooped?? What did you do?"
Su: "Nothing! I was chasing her"

Few Days Later.......

Su: "Ahhhhh...Looooookkkkk!!!!"
Me: "What??..."
( I turned and saw Su holding Chloe by the back of her neck and Chloe is peeing on her and the dining table)
Su: "She is peeing and its a lot!!!"
Me: "Hahahaha. What happened"
Su: "I don't know. I just went up to her and she just started peeing!"

Point that I am trying to make: I just figured out that my room mate is a poop and pee laxative for my cats

One arrives while the other leaves...

Two days ago, Matt told me about his neighbor passing away while giving birth. Ironic isn't it, how a beautiful event is marred by such tragedy.
Is this how mother nature balances itself out? A person dies...and in its place comes a birth? It is even more humbling when one loses her life while giving one. The risks women take.

The love of a mother.

The King & 1

If someone were to ask if there's a king in your life, what would your answer be?
Haha....I actually would say that there is! and his name is King. Here's Matt's dog King and I

Seize the Day

"Never leave till tomorrow which you could do today" – Benjamin Franklin

Procrastination…why do we keep putting things off? Why do we not want to know?

Answer: Fear.

Fear of Failure. Fear of Rejection. Fear of Pain. Whatever it is that we’re afraid of, one thing holds true. There will come a point when the pain of not doing the thing gets worse than the fear of doing it.

Sometimes the knowing is better than the wondering, that the waking is better than the sleeping. Even the biggest failure beats the hell out of never trying.

Life stored in a Box

It's interesting how we become so dependent on technology......our whole life stored in a computer. We wake up and the first thing we need to do is to check our email....communicate through email..Internet..Our whole life as a soft copy.

I did not know how much my life was a soft copy until I lost my external hard drive a few days ago! I used it to back up my stuff from the computer because I needed to clean my computer up. Never had a chance to put the info back and now everything that's important to me is gone. Important docs, pictures ( all of them - this is what happen when you get a digital camera and not print them out), university reports & thesis, recommendation letters, music etc..... My whole life flashed before my eyes...lost in a minute.

Communication

Communication. It's the first thing we really learn in life.

Funny thing is, once we grow up, learn our words and really start talking the harder it becomes to know what to say.

Or how to ask for what we really need.

10-year Anniversary

When people say time passes fast...they really do mean it!

I can't believe it's been 10 years since I graduated high school! Wow..I still remember the end of high school....all excited, all full of hope...or just glad we'll be done wearing uniforms! All geared up for what's out there. Waiting to get into college and finally leaving bounded grounds. For a few of us...it's the excitement of leaving home...preparing to leave for foreign land. It all boils down to finding and making one's own life. Making it on our own.

Which begs the question...what have I done with my life since then? What have I achieve? Have I gotten to achieve all the goals I set for myself? It's funny how goals tend to change while you're living your life. What's important then doesn't seem so important after all now. We had timelines...I had timelines..graduate by 21....get a good job and be successful by 25...maybe married by 26...hahah...something like that. Life doesn't work with a timeline..they don't want to succumb to it. Life tend to have a mind of its own. Now that I'm 27....I still think I am young...I still have plenty of time...but yet...I feel old. Weird huh?

To further stomp on the fact that it's been 10 years....I get an invitation for my high school class 10-year reunion! Wonder what everyone's like now...how everyone's life turned out to be. I hope to go but since I am so far out here in some random islands in the middle of the Pacific..I am not sure I'll be able to make it. Do I wanna make it?