Monthly Archive for December, 2008

is there ever a “right” price?

Published on December 31, 2008 in people, stuff and thoughts. 2 Comments

I was reading the latest issue of Australasia ScubaDiver and was somehow rather taken aback by the article posted under the Environment section. Title of the article: When the Price is Right, by Paul Walden.

In a nutshell, the article focuses on the business opportunity on shark-fishing. It goes on to talk about how much one can earn from this business, how environmentalists have concerns over the matter of overfishing for sharks, how ppl in this business are under-reporting the amount of sharks that they fish, etc. Somehow, in Australia, there’s no law to this whole overfishing and under-reporting issue. The highlighted quote in this whole article is:

PEOPLE ARE MAKING MONEY HERE — AND FAST. WHY NOT GET ABOARD WHILE THE MOMENTUM IS HIGH?

I know my in-a-nutshell does not give out a lot of info (well, I could probably scan the article and post it online for you ppl to read them), but I somehow feel the whole idea of this promoting the business in shark fishing is not right. Not when the article is tagged under the environment section in a scuba magazine, which btw, is the official scuba divers magazine for the PADI society, which btw, has this whole Project Aware program going on.

I haven’t had shark fins for the longest time — I guess I’m rather uncomfortable with the fact that they cut off their fins and throw them back to sea — to die. With this whole deal on fishing, it just gives me this uncomfortable feeling as to why they are promoting this. Yes, money is indeed important. But really, is it right to forgo humanity and the environment so we can have money and fulfill the demands of Chinese ppl for shark fins?

I’m no environmentalists. I’m not some serious tree-hugger but I do agree with the fact that environment is part of the whole ecosystem and it is what that makes the world go round. I may be wrong… but this article just doesn’t seemed right.

Let me know if anyone who reads this wants a copy of the article. I might just scan and post it up for your reading pleasure.

p/s: Last post of the year! HAPPY NEW YEAR ppl!

we before, we after

Published on December 27, 2008 in friends and me. 11 Comments

During a little get-together with a bunch of high school mates yesterday night, we were all recalling the times we had when we were back in high school. Guess what? I wasn’t the only one who thinks that we were a bunch of michevious trouble-makers in school. Especially the gals in 5 Science 2 (year 1999). *woohoo* :D I’m so proud to be one of the contributors to that trouble making class! :P *teehee*

The whole get-together yesterday made me miss school times so much. I then dug out a couple of photos I had and I just HAD to blog about it. :)

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This pic is taken in year 1993, Batu Lanchang. Yes, I look pissed. Yean Phing, you haven’t change a bit! Well, you did grew taller. I can remember all of your names (those in this pic); Penny, Pabrinder, Tara, Tanya, Sabrina & Doreen. :)

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A bunch of gals who plays volleyball. Well, not that I’m any good at it… :P

We went our separate ways after Std 6. I was grateful that a whole bunch of us went to St. George’s Girls’ School together. It’s a whole new beginning with some old friends and new bunch of friends and new uniforms.

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Class of 1 Delima – 1995. We were so crazy, we actually set up our own family tree! *haha* I think 80% of the gals here are married. How time flies!

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…and then there’s the red skirt clan. I had the honor to be one of them… (now, spot me if you can). Pic taken in 1999.

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…and then the red skirt clan again… only this time, we’ve been upgraded. Pic taken in 2001.

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Tennis is a definite part of my high school life – and here are the ppl I play with!

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Of coz, not forgetting the ups and downs of being a guide and a ranger…

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This is one of the many luncheons we had organized by the school. I think it’s the prefect luncheon in 1998 (pls correct me if I’m wrong). From left; Seok Koon, Yean Phing, Yee Von, Shen Yu, Chiao Ju.

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Here’s a time where Yean Phing decides to pay us a visit at school when we were in Upper 6. From left: Li Yueh, Shen Yu, Yean Phing, Chiao Ju, Lay Kwan.

There are more pictures than this of course… but I’ll stop here for now. After all these years, it has come down to us looking like this:

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…still lovely as ever eh? :P (sitting: Bee Yong, Shen Yu; standing: Yean Phing, Chiao Ju, Seok Koon, Li Yueh)

We’re planning to have this 10 year reunion for Class of ‘99 in year 2009. Seok Koon’s the president btw. I’m not sure how many of my high school friends actually reads my blog, but we’ll keep as many Class of ‘99 Georgians updated on this (on Facebook I suppose). :P It would be great to meet everyone again!

How time flies… I know most of you are already attached… some married and some have even become mummies! Congrats! It would be nice to gather and just talked about the crazy stuff we did in school – like driving our teachers mad by not handing in our homework… pulling faces… omg! :P *haha*

Well, let’s make this work. I’m sure it’s gonna be one hell of a reunion. :P

a magical christmas

Published on December 24, 2008 in life and love. 0 Comments

Christmas is a time for joy and laughter, for family to get together. Christmas is a time for love and happiness, for being with your loved ones. Christmas itself, is magical. So magical that you’d almost believe that your wishes would come true.

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I love Christmas. I love the magic that happens during Christmas.

Cherish your loved ones this Christmas. Certain ppl only come by once in your life. Certain opportunities only come by once in your life. Certain love only come by once in your life. And sometimes, certain decisions are meant to be made just once — in exchange for blissful years ahead.

Merry Christmas to all… and may the year 2009 is merry and good to all.

annoying advert

Published on December 23, 2008 in stuff and thoughts. 0 Comments

Advertisements are meant for publicity and marketing purposes. An advertisement is suppose to convey the message of a company, organization, the government or an individual about a product or service that they are offering or on an awareness campaign. It is meant to attract their customer base. It is meant to be soothing or pleasant or whatever adjectives you may want to use to basically say that advertisements should be nice.

NOT ANNOYING.

I don’t know how many of you have heard the advert where this couple (or just this guy and girl — maybe they are not a couple) talking about having lunch and how the girl was emphasizing about some food-poisoning-food-hygiene stuff over the radio recently. As always, I tune in to hitz.fm every morning on my way to work (sidetrack a little: the receiption on hitz.fm from my car is really really bad! I actually have to live with an extra bass tuning in to them. I’ve checked — it’s not my car. argh).

Okie. Back to the topic. Y do I say it’s annoying? Coz the girl in the advert can’t talk properly. They have to make this girl talk in the most crazily annoying “manja” seductive tone. Mind you that this advertisement is an awareness campaign (by the government I presume) about being hygienic conscious when you dine outside (i.e. making sure that the food is clean, the dining place is clean). Y can’t they make her talk nicely? Is that their way of “attracting” the listeners to listen? Or is this suppose to be an advertisement that has a purpose for turning on guys (beats me as to why they want to do that…) — since she’s talking oh-so-seductively…

I’m just plain annoyed. Some people never fail to amaze me by the stuff they do every now and then. Y can’t they just keep it simple yet creative? And for crying out loud, asking a girl to speak as though she’s ready to be nailed that very night is no where near creative… or simple… or conveying the message nicely! Sheesh!

I hope they remove this advert soon enough. I’m almost 95% sure that I’m not the only one annoyed about this advert. Seriously giving me the creeps.  

…

Published on December 18, 2008 in me. 0 Comments

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pain… *ouch*

Published on December 16, 2008 in me and stuff. 5 Comments

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For frequent blood donars, this book would look oh-so-familiar to you. Just an hour ago, I went to have my blood drawn in hope that the small amount of blood that I’ve donated would help those who are in need of blood. :) *angelic look*

BUT…

This is by far my worst blood donation experience.

I’ve always know that I have fine veins… since forever. Hence, I always have this fear that the nurses may not be able to find my veins. For the past 7 years of my blood donation life, I have experienced pain, but definitely not as pain as this time.

Tears were literally coming out of my eyes. *gulp*. It was those tears of pain. *ouch*. I could actually feel the needle wriggling like a worm inside me. I was really close to telling her — alright, I give up, I don’t want to donate anymore. The so-called local anasthetic that was injected in me most definitely didn’t help (I still prefer the one where they spray some anasthetic similar-like stuff on your arm — you can actually have them spray more for you :) ).

Anyway, I was in so much pain that I made the nurse feel bad. She kept apologizing.

I’m sorry Nurse Lizawati… I honestly wish my veins were bigger. :|

Well, I just hope my blood will be put to good use. :) Yay!

Facebook

Published on December 15, 2008 in life, people and stuff. 2 Comments

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Is this true or what? :|

Btw, Jeroen’s comic strips are pretty funny. :)

Love his little phrase that says – it doesn’t take much to be someone special. I guess it just takes that someone.

2009 resolution?

Published on December 14, 2008 in life, me and thoughts. 7 Comments

Yes, I suppose it’s a little wee bit early to be writing about new year resolutions. BUT… I was going through my stuff yesterday and found my dive log. Last dive – July 2007. *gasp*. And to think that I tell myself I have to at least dive ONCE a year after I got my first diving certification in 2006. Well, I didn’t even touch sea water this year. I then wondered how was I doing with all the other resolution? So, I looked back at my December 2007 post and found this – my year 2008 resolution.

  • My 1st resolution – to hit the gym more often: I want Nicole Kidman’s arms.
    Okie, reality check. I DID hit the gym more often — only for the first quarter of the year. I then stopped for I-don’t-what-reason-so-don’t-ask. Do I have Nicole Kidman’s arms? Nope — not even close. It is still flabby and un-toned.
  • My 2nd resolution – Make at least 2 dives in 2008
    Like I say, my feet didn’t even TOUCH or TASTE sea water this year. We don’t even need to talk about submerging myself with all the fancy oxygen tank and BCD with the ever so tight scuba diving suit and mask into the salty sea. I stay in Penang. I could have just gone to Pulau Payar and do a quick 2 dives. I could have achieved this resolution pretty easily! Beats me why I didn’t do it. Argh!
  • My 3rd resolution – Major life overhaul.
    Okie, I really don’t know what was this all about. *confused*. I think it’s about quitting my job, and changing jobs and getting my love life right. I think. Guess what? Absolutely nothing was right till this very day! Tadaaaaaa!

I didn’t achieve anything. *boooooo*.

Year 2009? Welllllllllllllll… okie, here would be my list for 2009. I think I’m gonna make it work this time. Yes, I’m determined. YAY!

chiaoju’s 2009 new year resolution

  • shed off some pounds and have my arms toned up
    I bet it’s on every gal’s list – hence I don’t know if it make sense. But I think I should tone my body a little; hooiju did ask me to join the gym together with her when she’s back in Malaysia for good.
  • to be calm at all times. no sudden outburst. temper control. patience. OhmMmmMmMmmmm *in meditation position*
    I started this resolution in November (I think) and I’ve been doing just fineeeee complying to this little resolution of mine. I shall make it part of my 2009 resolution. :)
  • to dive at least twice in 2009
    I have to do this. I just HAVE TO. HAVE TO! Sipadan? Bali? Bunaken? Great Barrier Reefs? *dreamy eyes*
  • major life overhaul – part 2
    I’ll do something about this. Work, love, LIFE

So the list has been made. My 5th resolution is to stick to the resolutions I make. We shall do a post mortem on this again when 2010 is around the corner.

Well, all in all — I’m just hoping for a better 2009 – wishing, praying, hoping reallllll hard. 2008 has really been rather sucky. *boo*

p/s: I’m loving Jon McLaughlin! His voice is just amazing!

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