The one with my new eye wear of choice

After 5 years, I finally had to make myself a new pair of glasses. The last time I changed my glasses was when Superman Returns came out. Couldn't make it last until the next Superman film due next year.
My optician showed me a lot of new designs. The modern 21st century designs which is pretty funky. However, I decided to just stick with the usual design I have.
Anyways, below is my new eye wear of choice.

The one with my KK trip

I guess most of you have viewed our 7 minutes of youtube fame. God save us.

Anyways, I just came back from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah last night. Was there for 2 days 1 night, on a business and marketing trip. Had to pull off 5 meetings in one and a half days. I went with my senior Jacqueline, Poh a local Sabahan working in KL and Emily our representive from the KK branch. I will spare you the details of the meetings.
It's my first trip to KK, in fact first trip to East Malaysia. And I fell in love with the place when I arrived. I knew I had to come back again one day and probably on a non-fasting month. I've heard so much about the food and didn't have the chance to sample it all. Besides the food, the sights were beautiful and this was the time I forgot to bring my camera. There were a lot of pictures waiting to be taken.
So my first taste of KK food was during buka puasa. Poh brought us to a seafood restaurant. And it must have been the tastiest seafood dinner I had since Melaka last year. Being a KK boy he sure knows where to go for food. The restaurant allowed us to pick our meat. There was aquariums of fish, crabs, lobsters, etc. Manage to take some pictures with my camera phone. But I have no idea what you call it. If you know, kindly let me know.
We were joined for dinner by a friend Poh made on his flight back (he went back early due to the long weekend). Our new friend is Nicole from the US Virgin Islands. And from her Facebook, she has been around the world. I still haven't browsed through her photos. There is too many. Sadly her trip to KK hasn't been a pleasant one. Mainly due to being overcharged for everything. Guess that's why she enjoyed dinner that night. Able to enjoy food we Malaysians enjoy food.
Also, in our last meeting, we had a great view. I view I can get use to. I'm a fan of sun, surf and sea. No idea what I'm doing in an concrete jungle. Manage a couple of shots from my camera phone.
So now I leave you with some shots from KK.

The one with niece's brithday bash, her first adidas and Natalie Portman

My niece turn 1 on October 6, but we held her super-belated-birthday-bash yesterday (25th November). Reason being since her birthday fell during fasting month, then we had Eid and my little sister was going through her finals.

A small gathering of family and friends. I myself invited the entourage and some of my office colleagues (thanks for coming). It was a tea-time event so we had simple dishes and snacks. We also had door gifts, but you have to be a kid to get one. Her birthday cake had an icing of Elmo. Don't know how we are suppose to eat Elmo, but the cake was chocolaty good.

And what did I get my niece. After all the suggestions I received on my Facebook, I went with my original idea. A pair of adidas shoes (which I know she'll outgrow in 6 months). I didn't want to get her a toy because most of the toys are unsuitable for her age and most of them were made in China. Still it was cute, her first adidas.
Took the Monday off to send my car for servicing. Found out I need to change my timing belt, and that would cost me an arm and a leg. Good thing I (almost) cleared my credit card balance.
After that I went to catch a couple of movies. Went back-to-back today. Watched Hitman and Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium. Both were watchable and movies to just kill time. I don't recall ever finishing a Hitman game though. As for Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium, I just went for it for Natalie Portman. Its one of those movies you'll fall in love with Natalie (again). Yes, I'm a big Natalie Portman fan.
And I've just became Natalie Portman's fan in Facebook.

The one with Shah-Faizah's wedding

Triple 7 day today. Which is also the wedding reception for ShahFaizah. Congratulations to both of them on their joyous occasion.

The night before was the akad nikah ceremony. Which myself and Farrish attended, just to be there for Shah. Well he manage to go through the akad on the first try.
Today's reception is at Faizah's side in Bangi. Convoyed with Shah (the other one), Badrul, Jeff, Lan and his partner Lin (hang on, that rhymes). Farrish himself was the best man or in today's case the kipas boy. Something I believe he is kind of an expert by now. We all had futsal later, but somehow didn't take care of the food intake. I myself had two helpings as the chicken was so good.
There was a live band performance, and I was wondering why I wasn't asked to sing. But then again, I don't really know any wedding songs and I don't think My Chemical Romance would be appropriate for the occasion. We all hanged around until 3:15 as we had to go for futsal.
Now for some photos from the wedding reception.

Shah, Bad, Jeff, Lan & Lin

The Kipas-boy (Farrish) and the groom (Shah)
Shah-Faizah
Live band

Today's game was so much fun. Must be the chicken. Today's game was recorded and hopefully Jeff will pass the DVD next week. A lot of footage to use this time around (I know I still haven't uploaded the last video). And I scored a goal which would make ESPN Top Ten Plays of the Day. Good game all around, fun free flowing futsal with beautiful goals.
And if you all wondering when is my turn for the big day, how about 29 February 2009. The reason, the 29 effect.

The one with the Melaka trip

Just got back from Melaka. Went with Farrish-Ida and Shah-Faizah. Planned as a bachelor gig for Shah ended up as a get together. Ended up as tour de Melaka and seafood dinner and a Starbucking experience in Melaka.

We all went in one car, Farrish's mums car. For me, it felt good being co-pilot even though I offered to help out with the driving duties. Along the way Faizah pulled out a sudoku puzzle dated 26 January 2007 which she still has yet to solve. I offered to help finish it. Completing a sudoku puzzle in the co-pilot seat isn't as easy as I thought. But I manage to focus and finish the puzzle in half an hour. Arrived in Melaka town and went around to see the sites. Just walked around looking for photo opportunities and such. The Farrish had to make a pit stop to meet his brother and pass some items. After that we began the trip for dinner. I was very hungry already as I didn't have lunch, then again everyone in the car was already hungry by the the we headed for food. Dinner was at Medan Ikan Bakar, Muara Sungai Duyung. I'm not much of a seafood expert, so I left it to Shah to order. We had a variety of food as you can see in the pictures below. The meal overall was an experience itself. The food was damn good. Been some time since I last enjoyed seafood. I myself can't really take seafood, but as long as I lay off the prawns I should be fine.

The Ikan Bakar place

The appetizers

The main dish

The after shot

After the meal, we were all stuffed and I think I could be used for a human sacrifice. As we got into the car we decided to wrap it up with some coffee at Starbucks in Mahkota Parade. Had the usual Caramel Macchiato. Coffee was needed to keep everyone awake in the car for the ride home. One thing we all did when we were in the car was sing. Sing to whatever was playing on the radio. Just to keep everyone lively and active. But once we hit the highway Ida, Faizah and Shah fell asleep. So I had to keep Farrish company as he broke every land speed record there is. Didn't even realize we were going that fast, must be the V-TEC. Guess we all had a long day and the next thing we need is sleep. Which seems right about now for me.

The one with the Chilling Waterfall

Today is my final day of 'gardening leave' before I commence work tomorrow. To cap it off I went to Chilling Waterfall in Kuala Kubu Bahru. You could say it was my day with nature and water. One last activity to end my leave with a bang...I mean splash.
My tour guide was Hafizah as she is very familiar with the area and also a regular there (she knows the tour guides there). It is a very nice place to get away from the hassles of city life. I have to admit once I was there, all my problems were a light years away. To make things more fun it wasn't crowded, only two groups today. So there was plenty of water to play with for everyone. When we reach a place to swim I was like a kid unleashed into the biggest toy store.
On our way up we stop at two places to swim, first a the mid-point and then at the waterfall. There was a lot of fishes in the water as the place was under the Fishery Department jurisdiction. They are fine with people coming to visit as long as they don't make a mess. The water was chilling (hence the name) and clear. Felt like I could just swim all day and also wish the day didn't have to end. Yes, I have this thing for the water especially beaches and waterfalls. I just like being in the water. I also tried one of the jumps from one of the jump-off points. Just jump into the middle of the pool and let the current push you to the pool. The adrenaline rush was like wow. On our way down had another swim at the mid-point. You could say I just didn't have enough of the water.
It was one of the most fun experiences I've had in a while. Maybe its been a long time since I got in touch with nature. The whole experience is really hard for me to put into words. So I'll post some pictures for you all to see.

The one with the origami pix

Finally got the origami pictures. So now see how 5 friends filled their time while waiting for their food. Eke, thanks for the pix.

In case you are not sure what to look for its a heart, a shirt, a jet, a boat, a box (but not quiet visible) and something which I don't know what you call it.