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Reeking of Confidence and Insight August 20, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging , comments closed

No amount of boredom or work could stop me from taking this test. When I first saw it on Rinnah’s, I told myself I would do it one fine day, but today when I again saw this same test done at Tine’s, I hesitated just for a heartbeat and then took the test.

Your Blogging Type is Confident and Insightful

You’ve got a ton of brain power, and you leverage it into brilliant blog.
Both creative and logical, you come up with amazing ideas and insights.
A total perfectionist, you find yourself revising and rewriting posts a lot of the time.
You blog for yourself – and you don’t care how popular (or unpopular) your blog is!

What’s Your Blogging Personality?

And you know, I find that it is eeriely TRUE!  What do you think?

This post is brought to you by the number FIVE August 20, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Memes & Tags , comments closed

Rinnah and I have been playing tag too much, I think.  It’s amazing how this girl can fit so many things into her schedule, even speed-shopping!   I thought I had better complete this one, before my list of tags-to-do start growing insidiously long again…. And I just know that no sooner have I completed a tag, more will come my way. Hehehe….so without further ado, here I go again….This time round, it’s another number tag, and the number for today is FIVE.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so:
1. Mistyeiz
2. Wuching
3. Ehon’s Rojak’d Life
4. Rinnah
5. Giddy Tiger

Choose 5 people to tag:
Jazzmint
Leah
Zara & Zaria’s Mama
Hijack Queen
Sue

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I had just completed my undergraduate studies in UKM and was preparing to venture into the vicious working world.  Unaware of what my future held, I still found time to hang out in malls and enjoyed my neither-studying-nor-working status to the max.  Those were the days….

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Unfortunately about the same thing I am doing right now.  Stuck in this boring thing called my job.  But it brings in the dough, so I am not allowed to complain much.  A year ago, Ethan had also just turned 6 months old and I remember we made our maiden trip to KL with him to attend a friend’s wedding.

Five snacks you enjoy
(again very similar tastes to Rinnah’s) Twisties, Pringles, Cheezels, dark chocolate and pillow biscuits/biskut bantal ~ you know those cute brown tiny little things that are shaped like pillows?  In school, I bought them for like 10-20 cents per packet.

Five songs that you know all the lyrics to
I’m good at remembering lyrics and surprisingly this comes naturally to me, with no extra effort on my part.  I’ll just name the five songs off the top of my head:

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire
Correction…if I were a trillionaire :) ….and I’ve already listed the things I would do in an earlier tag I did.

Five bad habits
I’m way too stubborn for my own good, I am moody, I can’t save a dime or a cent, I watch TV too much and I’m too lazy!

Five favourite toys
My big brown grizzly teddy bear, my Nokia N73, and errr…. all of Ethan’s toys!  I play those toys with him, what! :P

Five things you like doing
This is easy!  Shopping, eating, cooking (but not cleaning up after), watching TV and watching Ethan.

Five things you would never wear again
Humungously HUGE shirts with skinny stretchy leotards, which was all the rage in the 80’s. Polka-dotted track bottoms (don’t ask).  80’s Madonna-like hair accessories, e.g. big scarves adorning the head in the form of a hair band.  My school shoes, never again will I need to wash them every week and put white shoe polish on them!  Socks with cartoon characters on them.

Strap ‘em in! August 18, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Parenting & Motherhood, Thoughts & Scribblings , comments closed

Last Friday while on my way to work, we stopped behind a white Proton Iswara aeroback at the traffic lights. The driver was a lady and she was ferrying her son in the back seat. From the looks of it, her son was almost the same age as Ethan, and he was standing up. The little boy proceeded to take a few steps forward to *tell* his mother something and then gingerly stepped back.

What’s wrong with this picture?

You guessed it. Why isn’t this boy in a car seat? I felt my knees wobble in fear when I saw how dangerous it was for that boy to prance around in the car, sans seat belt. When the traffic lights turned green, mommy the driver stepped on the gas pedal so suddenly that the little boy was violently jerked backward! And she even drove as if she was on some F1 circuit!

To this day, I am appalled that the majority of people with kids do not place importance on having their kids strapped into a child car seat. In fact, from birth, babies *MUST* be placed in an infant seat in the car at all times. I have heard grouses that car seats are “so expensive” and parents often pooh-poohed it as a “not important” item to purchase. It irks me, however, that these same parents can fork out a few thousand ringgit to hire a confinement lady but can’t even buy a car seat for their baby’s safety. You tell me if that is placing their priorities in the right place!

Well, and what about those parents who don’t own a car and have to ferry their kids on motorbikes, a la sandwich style? I’m sorry, but I think that is totally absurd. I would rather the kid stay at home than live dangerously moving around the city on a bike, at breakneck speed. Either have the kid stay at home or don’t have a kid at all.

In my opinion, Malaysian roads are too dangerous for children to ride in cars without being in a car seat, even though it is for a short distance. The Malaysian government should make it compulsory for all babies and toddlers to be strapped into child seats, and then follow through on this ruling by enforcing it. Do we all not believe the children are our future?

Hello to Confidence! August 18, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Rainmakers, The Fairer Sex , comments closed

During the last department staff meeting I attended, apart from the boring work stuff that was discussed, the topic of speaking up with confidence was also brought to the table.  The usual tools of the trade were shared, such as the importance of making eye contact, keeping the topic interesting to the target audience and yes, even telling the obligatory opening joke.

I’ve been giving this some thought, and in my opinion, while all of the factors above play a pivotal role, having the confidence to speak up in public depends not only on what is being conveyed or how it is being conveyed, but unfortunately or fortunately, it depends a lot on the appearance of the person giving the speech too.  I mean, I would certainly find it difficult to take someone seriously if he or she were dressed in an untidy manner.  If the speaker did not care about his appearance, why should we, the audience, care about what he has to say, right?

In the same vein, having a great complexion definitely bodes well to boost one’s confidence, and I definitely feel it is an important aspect that should not be overlooked by anyone for that matter.  Having said that, acne problems plague almost everyone, teenagers, young adults and sadly, even those whose lives have only just begun at 40.  There are so many methods used to combat acne, ranging from traditional ones to modern ones, even to the extent of hormone therapy.  A popular chemical agent that is used widely to fight acne and breakouts is Benzoyl Peroxide.  This substance acts in drying up trouble areas anywhere on a person’s skin where treatment is needed.  However, Benzoyl Peroxide could pose as a potential irritant to some people, especially those with sensitive skin.  And here’s where TriClear acne treatment comes in.  Containing absolutely NO Benzoyl Peroxide whatsoever, TriClear’s secret ingredient is *Inflacin*, which treats all four causes of acne at one go.  With TriClear, infection, inflammation, excess oil production and clogged pores become a thing of the past, as prominent results can be seen within just a week! 

Isn’t that great?  One week is all it takes to get a major confidence booster!  Now THAT’s what I would recommend to people who need to speak effectively in public! :)

Three’s Company, Three’s a Crowd August 17, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Memes & Tags , comments closed

Is it that obvious that my favorite number is THREE? I myself cannot explain it, but there is something about that number that makes me attracted to it. Maybe it’s the way it is shaped, or maybe it’s just the way I am. And because of this, it is only appropriate that I complete this tag from Chinnee as best as I can.

Three things that scare me are
1. Clowns – must have started from that Stephen King movie, “It”.
2. Lizards (including detached lizards’ tails that are hopping and dancing around)
3. Visiting public toilets

Three people who make me laugh
1. Ethan
2. My hubby
3. Myself

Three things I love
1. Spending quality time with hubby and Ethan
2. Sleeping in under the cool quilt on a wet and rainy morning
3. The smell of photocopied paper

Three things I hate
1. Isn’t it obvious? W O R K!
2. People who think they can abuse their high and mighty position to do anything they want, even if it means flouting rules and regulations
3. People who have not guts to speak up about their complaints, but instead complain in private

Three things I don’t understand
1. Why we have to work to get money to make for a happy living. Why can’t we survive on fresh air and sunshine?
2. How to memorize the special keys and functions on computer games
3. Very complex science fiction story lines from movies, such as Star Trek.

Three things on my desk
1. Picture of Ethan Boy with his Barney and Winnie the Pooh
2. My tumbler of water
3. My cellphone

Three things I am doing right now
1. Completing this meme -DUH!
2. Thinking about the upcoming weekend and why it is not here sooner
3. Planning what to eat for lunch.

Three things I want to do before I die
1. Be an SAHM
2. Complete my cross-stitch project… I know, I know….
3. Bunjee jump

Three things I can do
1. Make Sarawak Laksa
2. Watch TV for hours
3. Swim (all strokes except the butterfly. I can do half a butterfly stroke actually)

Three things I can’t do
1. Turn back time
2. Respect someone who treats me like dirt
3. Use the sewing machine

Three things I think you should listen to
1. The Word of God
2. Your parents
3. Your heart

Three things you should never listen to
1. Rumors and gossip
2. *Friends* who call you up after a LONG LONG absence to share their thoughts on an MLM program
3. Stories beginning with “They say….”

Three shows I watched as a kid
1. The Electric Company
2. Gummi Bears
3. Thundercats

Three people I am tagging
1. Rinnah
2. EastCoastLife
3. ParisB

Fighting Drug Addiction August 16, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Rainmakers , comments closed

When I was a little girl, I remember watching community service ads on the telly which told of the dangers of drug addiction. Vivid scenes and posters depicting drug addicts in deplorable living conditions were plastered all over our school walls too. Banners and slogans to educate us on what drug addiction could do to us were also in abundance. There were some famous celebrities who became the talk of the nation too when they succumbed to this addiction.Yes, drug addiction is indeed a worrying trend, and has been so for a long, long time. It is a problem that can of course be alleviated if it is nipped in the bud. People suffering from drug addiction should come to the realization that they need help, and that they need it fast. But all that is easier said than done. More often than not, it is not only the drug addict that suffers, their loved ones also share in their pain.

But all is not lost, because now there is a special drug rehab referral service that enables anyone to find a suitable drug treatment center that meets their needs, or the needs of their loved ones.  With this service, there is an international network of drug rehab treatment centers available to cater for all types of addiction, be it drug addiction, alcoholism or chronic relapse, to name a few.  The task to secure an effective drug rehab center is no mean feat, but with this drug rehab referral service, you get the assurance that you will be getting the best for your loved ones at no charge at all!  They have an online assessment form for you to fill up where you can provide as much detail as possible, following which an experienced counselor will call you up.

This non-profit free drug rehab referral service is certainly a step forward in our war against drug addiction, because not only are counselors available around the clock, testimonials show that this service indeed does wonders.

Sensational Sushi! August 15, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Drooling & Cooking , comments closed

My first visit to Sakae Sushi Queensbay Mall was many months ago, when it first opened there. I was not at all impressed with the service then. The food took aeons to reach our table and it was served with nary a smile from the waiters and waitresses. In fact, we almost had an argument with one of the waitresses there too.

So it doesn’t come as a surprise that we have avoided this Japanese restaurant since that day.

A few weeks back, however, my hubby went for lunch at the same Sakae Sushi outlet with some of his colleagues and he told me that the service was a 180 degrees of a difference from the one we had experienced before. And being a hardcore fan of Japanese food, I just had to try it out for myself.

So off we went last weekend. The wait for a table was not long at all, and I was equally impressed when they produced a booster seat for Ethan. The booster seat could be placed right beside me where we sat and it did not take up any space on the walkway too! We ordered our food via the online ordering menu and although the restaurant was quite full, I was glad that the food arrived in no time at all. My hubby ordered the Unatama Don (grilled eel, served with fried egg and steamed rice) and I ordered the salmon teriyaki bento, which also included a delectable potato salad sprinkled with a teasing of fish roe. I also ordered the Sakae chawan mushi for Ethan, which had a little bit of sharks’ fin added in it.

Of course, we also ordered a serving of salmon sashimi with wasabi, because truth be told, what’s a Japanese meal without some sashimi, eh?

The food was piping hot and very palatable. Every dish was as good as it looked and I had no regrets having my meal there. We enjoyed it very much and as for coming back again, would you believe we made it two days in a row at Sakae Sushi? Hehe…. next time, perhaps we ought to try the one at The Curve? *wink*

Judge for Yourself August 14, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Thoughts & Scribblings , comments closed

Come August 31st, Malaysia will be celebrating 50 years of independence. 50 years of freedom and 50 years of developmental progress. But are we really kidding ourselves? Do the past 50 years signify we have “arrived”? If so, then why do I sometimes feel oppressed in an independent country?

What does Merdeka Day mean to us? Is patriotism exemplified by sticking 50 flags all over your car and flying it all around for everyone to see? Does it mean you love your country more if you paint your face with the colors of the Jalur Gemilang? Is Merdeka Day celebrated by participating in the Merdeka Day parade only? Are Malaysians looking forward to *celebrating* Merdeka Day to reflect on Malaysia’s Independence or as just another day that they do not need to go to work? Does not the beggar on the street love Malaysia more than the high and mighty CEO of an industrial firm? Who makes the call here? Why is the majority of the youth of today not bothered with registering themselves as voters? Do they care anymore that they are voting for their future?

And what about individual freedom? Is it a dream or a reality… or perhaps a dream within a reality, that really exists? Are we able to choose what to view and differentiate what is good and what is bad? Are Malaysians given the trust to do that?

I flip through the newspapers and I see a picture of Maggie Q wearing a stunning black dress. However.. the neckline her dress that reveals her cleavage has been blurred out. Are we not independent enough to make our own decisions as to what to see and what not to see? I’m worried now because I just bought myself a new dress that has an even lower neckline. Will I be apprehended if I were to wear that dress in public? Can I sue the retail outlet I bought it from?

You be the judge.

Donate a Car for Charity August 9, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Rainmakers , comments closed

I have owned two cars all my life. My first car was a Proton Satria, a hatchback car that made me feel like a Formula 1 driver when I was behind the wheel. After seven years of driving it, my hubby and I decided to upgrade to a Toyota Vios. It was a decision that made absolute sense because we were expecting a baby then and we figured it would be easier and safer to move around with a baby in the back of a sedan rather than a 2-door car.

It was a little hard for me to bid goodbye to my Satria when the time came, because we had shared some wonderful times together. A trip to Club Med Cherating, vacations up in Genting Highlands as well as a fair share of breakdowns. Sometimes I wonder what has become of my good ol’ Satria, … if the new owner has been good to her and is the new owner treating her well. If I had only knew about the L.A. Car Donation program, I would be rest assured that at least the proceeds from my car has gone to a good cause. CarAngel is a non-profit charitable organization that introduced Car Donations in Los Angeles. This is a special and unique way to show we care, and that we can do that extra bit to help the less fortunate. What’s great is that this program eliminates the need to place an ad in the classifieds to sell your car! All that you need to do is to choose the charity organization of your choice to give your donation to, and the rest will all be handled by CarAngel. From repairs to nationwide towing, you can be assured that you have put a smile on the face of someone by doing your bit for charity. I know I would want to Donate My Car in Los Angeles if I had the means to do so.

Slimy Wriggly Scary August 8, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Memes & Tags , comments closed

There are very few things that scare the living daylights out of me.  When I watched the *supposedly scary* horror movie The Eye, I was the only one who was giggling when I should be shaking in fear.  Chinese horror movies do that to me sometimes.  I find the brand of horror portrayed more in-the-face rather than chilly scary Sixth Sense-like.  Now *that” one was spooky.  I was still thinking about it a week after the show.

I’m also not afraid of bugs and cockroaches.  When I was in school, I dissected so many cockroaches (I even did it at home!) that I’ve grown immune to them.  Still can’t stand the smell though.. I remember spraying the dead cockroaches with perfume before I dissected them.  Worms do not scare me either.  But the one creature that makes me squirm and run for dear life upon sight is…… the lizard.   I’m referring to the regular house lizard, no bigger than the palm of my hand.  And just like Lovely Mummy, the very sight of a lizard will make me shriek out loud.

I once experienced a lizard crawling across my feet!  Eeeekk……!!  And one of my fears is to have one of these lizards land right smack on top of my head, especially when I am just sitting on the couch reading quietly.  I heard that these lizards are able to detach their bodies from their wriggly tails and my immense fear is that one of these wriggly tails would wriggle their way into my ear!  Major EEEEKKKKKK!!!!!

But you’ll be surprised that in spite of my fear of lizards, I have voluntarily touched one before.  This happened when I was in secondary school and the lizard was considered the church’s pet lizard.  Very tame and very friendly.  I held that lizard gently in my palm, flipped it over and tickled its tummy.

Okay, my tummy just did a somersault after I typed that sentence.  I think I’ll stop here.  Bleaaagh.

And I bet it’s not just the ladies who are afraid of creatures.  What do these guys fear?