Across the oceans and seas December 19, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home, Relax & Celebrate , 11comments
Pretty little surprises greeted me in my mailbox today. I’m talking physical mailboxes okay, not the email-boxes… Miray, our sponsored child, sent us a short note that doubled up as a Christmas greeting card and a 2008 calendar all in one. And then there was also a cute red Christmas card (what a coincidence eh? *wink*) that goes oh-so-well with my blog, sent all the way from Australia by May! Thank you for being so thoughtful! I have to admit, this year I began sending Christmas cards again. After so many years of e-cards, I have always felt snail mail cards are just so much more personal. But that’s just me! 
The two cards I received today will add to my Christmas card collection this year, the first one being the one I received from Mom and Dad last week, all the way from Ipoh.
In the final 5-day countdown to Christmas, the foot of our tree is certainly gearing up for the festivities. Last weekend we found a silver star to complete the look at the top of our tree, and it’s perfect. I still have some Christmas shopping left undone and of course some more Christmas gift wrapping to complete. With tomorrow a holiday and just one more working day left on Friday before the Christmas break, I am certainly more-than-ever filled with the Christmas spirit…
“Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now….. “
Sweet honey baby please… December 18, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Relax & Celebrate , 8comments
Photo credits: 2 Tasty Ladies
My department will be holding our annual Christmas party tomorrow afternoon. Yeah, we get paid to partay tomorrow - whooopeeee! And guess what? I just found out that I have to lead the Christmas caroling session then. Of course I will have backup music provided, i.e. guitar. This year instead of passing out song sheets, I suggested putting the lyrics up on the projector. Saves the environment by not having to print them out, no?
So I just finished preparing the slide show of all the Christmas carols we are to sing tomorrow, and verified the key to be played on the guitar for me to sing (I sing in G). Well, everything looks set except for my poor throat. I’ve been nursing a sore and dry throat for the past two days, drinking water by the gallons and going to the loo more often that normal. I hope it will feel better tomorrow. Won’t be very nice to hear a croaky “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” now, would it? I think it’s time I made myself a cup of warm honey to soothe my throat, eh? I hear that works wonders… Makes for a much sweeter voice too. 
In any case, I can still sing along in tune to All I Want For Christmas Is You, one of my favoritest songs for Christmas! *starts singing* “Won’t you please bring my baby to me….”
Wordless Wednesday 003 December 12, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home, Relax & Celebrate , 20comments
I’ll have a blue Christmas… December 10, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Relax & Celebrate , 21comments
Blue is definitely the IN color this Christmas… as far as shopping malls in Penang are concerned, that is. Queensbay Mall and Gurney Plaza are decked in blueish hues of every Christmas decoration imaginable. Last weekend, when we were in Queensbay, we were drawn by the beautiful Christmas trees that were on display there. Every where we turned, a Christmas tree would greet us, with lights all a-twinkling. Christmas is definitely in the air.
Actually we were also on the hunt for Christmas tree of our own. The week before we wanted to get red decorations for our tree-to-be, but inspired by all the Christmas trees put up all around the mall, we decided to get blue and silver decorations instead. They exude that white christmassy, silver bells feel that makes me wanna break out and sing, “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas”. I don’t really dig white Christmas trees, because I think GREEN looks more authentic. So anyway, yeah, we finally got our tree after spending weeks of tree-window-shopping, all six feet of it, mind you!. We got our blue and silver baubles, stars and snowflakes and oooh, of course, we got twinkly, sparkly lights too. And now, to find some time to set up that tree We’ll get round to that STAR on top of the tree once everything is in place, just so it coordinates perfectly.
* hops and skips in glee to decorate that Christmas tree * Whhheeeeeeee….!!!!!
Wordless Wednesday 002 November 7, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Relax & Celebrate , 9comments
Chocolates Candies Sweets November 1, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Memes & Tags, Relax & Celebrate , 9comments
I’m sitting here, chewing on some yummy Halloween Gummy Spiders Candy and I’m thinking to myself, “Aren’t we bloggers a revealing lot?” We tell everyone what happens in our lives, and sometimes we even document stuff that we wouldn’t ordinarily tell our friends. I guess there is something about seeing your thoughts plastered all over the internet and the knowledge that people all over the net would be able to read it that tantalizes a blogger. Of course, it is up to the individual blogger to draw the line as to what to reveal and what to hold back, but essentially by blogging, our lives are a wide-open book. Some bloggers blog about their lives in such excruciating detail that it seems as though they may very well be going up to a stranger on the street to tell him, “Hey, my kid pooped twice today!” And isn’t it a little bit odd that people whom you have not even met or spoken to before know exactly what you had for breakfast or dinner last night? Blogging certainly takes privacy to a whole new level.
In a similarly odd fashion, blogs reach out to strangers all around the world. Some of them would leave a comment or two, some will virtually poke and tickle, some stubbornly ask “How come?” and yet some choose just to remain the strong silent type. And I am fine with all of them. Really! So that’s why this treat from Wen comes at an opportune time…well, it was in conjunction with Halloween but I am posting this a day late. Originating from Hootin’ Anni, the twist to this is to pass it on to random blog visitors. Yes, no one will be left unscathed now…. And just to jazz it up, I will pass this treat on to my two latest first-time commentors, Kerry & Sting, all in the hopes that this will prod you guys to say something?
Happy belated Halloween everyone! Hope y’all had a splendid trick-or-treatin’ time!
Wordless Wednesday 001 October 24, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Relax & Celebrate , 18comments
I know what I did this Raya October 17, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Relax & Celebrate , 20commentsWe had a 4-day extended weekend break for the Hari Raya holidays. I’m back at work today, wondering where that holiday had escaped to. It only seemed like yesterday that I was happily packing up after work on Friday evening, and then heading for home in a cheerful mood, preparing to pack my clothes for a short holiday to my hometown in Ipoh and also a visit to the country’s capital, KL.
- We Woollied
In Ipoh, we had originally intended to satisfy our craving for the famous Lou Wong Nga-choy kai (bean sprouts and chicken) by having dinner there. But the crowd in the restaurant was standing room only and as we drove past, it became apparent to us that we would have to postpone the nga-choy kai dinner to another day. Instead we ended up having dinner in Woolley Center. I was amazed at the vast transformation that had befallen the food court that held many a childhood memory for me.
- We Crowned
On Sunday, we headed for KL after lunch and checked into the Crowne Plaza Mutiara KL, after some (ahem) experienced navigating and driving around the Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail area. The hotel was splendid, a glorious wedding anniversary present (in advance) from Mom and Dad. Right smack in the middle of town, we knew we were going to be staying in the midst of a shopping haven, as the newly-opened Pavilion was just a stone’s throw away. Food in the hotel was good too, as was apparent from the buffet breakfast we had. So good, that I only *remembered* to take a picture of the teochew porridge….Of course, it certainly helped that the coffee house was tastefully decorated too.
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We Italiannied
In any case, our initial plan of having dinner on Sunday night at the Pavilion did not materialize, although it was a good excuse anyway to call Rinnah and Paris a couple of hours before then. Instead, dinner was at another shopping mall: The Gardens. We didn’t need to go to The Curve to get good Italian food, because we could get it at The Gardens.
Because the outlet was still new, we were given complimentary appetizers comprising lasagna and garlic bread. Some of us preferred the default plain bread they normally served, but whatever. They just replaced it in the blink of an eye. We ordered the fried calamari, pizza and salmon fettucine, and mentally we prepared ourselves for the dessert that was to come too. Oh, by the way, the strawberry cheesecake and creme brulee at Italiannies were so heavenly and sinfully good, I’m still craving for it now. Gosh. Don’t think any other cheesecake could even come close to it…
We *Dove* Underwater
We visited the Aquaria, where the queue was SO long when we arrived. I just don’t know what the management was thinking. They only had two counters open to cater for the large crowd! Imagine if a tourist were to visit the Aquaria on their first sight-seeing trip in Malaysia, what a bad impression that would have made! So much for Visit Malaysia Year 2007, huh? Perhaps it is time the Aquaria implemented online ticketing. But anyway, after a wait of about half an hour, we finally got our tickets. I must add that the ticketing officer wasn’t at all pleasant too, to begin with.
In comparison to Singapore’s Underwater World, the Aquaria had less fishes but more turtles. The tunnel, which was really the highlight of my Singapore Underwater World experience, failed to deliver this time around in the Aquaria. We did manage to get some pictures of our trip though…
We Sushied and Sashimied
Anyway, I forgot to mention that this is the view that greeted us at the back of our hotel:
…and yes, of course, we were tempted to go for buffet lunch there. Unfortunately, because of the long wait at the Aquaria, when we arrived at Saisaki, it was already 2:10p.m. and the buffet spread would be cleared at 2:30p.m.! In fact, they were already on their “last call” when we arrived. Dang. The Aquaria queue caused us our Saisaki buffet lunch 
So scratch that plan. We made our way to Pavilion instead and had our Japanese fix there.
I had wanted to get some J.Co Donuts too while I was at the Pavilion, but the long queue put me off. What is it about queues and holidays anyway?
- We Jammed
On the way back to Penang, we were stuck in traffic jams. In fact both sides of the highway were jam-packed with cars rushing back home after the Raya break. Inching our way forward for about 45 minutes for about 3 km before the Jelapang toll booth, and then again before reaching the Juru toll booth, we thought we saw the last of it, but we had to endure one final jam at the Penang bridge.
Tiring? You bet. But it was worth all the fun we had. I look forward to the next holiday in all excitement.
Do you know Mr Inspiring? October 12, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Relax & Celebrate , 9comments 
If you have the latest copy of the Malaysian Women’s Weekly, you would recognize him as one of the finalists for the “Who’s your favorite Hunky Hubby?” contest. He is Jerad Solomon, Hunky Hubby finalist #01… and the best thing of all is that I actually know this man! You see, Jerad is one of my hubby’s best friends and they were both former classmates. That’s not all, Mr Inspiring right here is the boss of that lingerie store ad I have on my side bar…see? And, oh well…I took the liberty to virtually interview Jerad yesterday, … yep, the wonders of technology. He was such a sport, he completed the interview in super quick time!
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Me: Why do you think you have been selected as a finalist?
Jerad: The mag people knew I run Chicwear.com.my (Hema mentioned it in her submission)…so my guess is that’s what got their attention.
Me: Describe your perfect vacation.
Jerad: Island, beach, snorkeling, quietness, sleep…and wife for company.
Me: I know that you pamper yourself with a haircut every month, but have you ever gone for a facial before?
Jerad: Tried it once before and it was quite relaxing actually…..but the steam part kinda made me feel my face was gonna melt off!
Me: What is the first thing you do when you arrive at work?
Jerad: Coffee and emails.
Me: What is the first thing you do when you come home after work?
Jerad: Take off my shoes and change into something more comfortable. No fixed routine for after that….sometimes the net, sometimes house chores, etc.
Me: Whisky, Wine or Beer?
Jerad: Beer for sure. I had the chance to try out some german beers recently and was quite hooked on them.
Me: If you could be a superhero, who would you be, and why?
Jerad: Batman. A cool dude with a fast car and brains.
Me: What kind of exercise do you do to keep in shape?
Jerad: Futsal every week. Try to do more but time and laziness gets in the way sometimes.
Me: What is your favorite TV program now?
Jerad: 24 without a doubt. It’s the best tv series ever. Can’t wait for the next season already. In the meantime I get my regular dose of Prison Break and House.
Me: Any other comments??
Jerad: I had no idea Hema had submitted me for this contest and was totally dumb struck when the mag called and told me I was picked as a finalist. I have never been into this sort of thing and have never experienced a photoshoot before. But I relented and went ahead with it to support her effort. I must admit it was a cool experience in the end. Now my wife accuses me of being a closet celebrity-wannabe!
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But sorry ladies, he just got married last year, i.e. not available anymore …hence him being a “Hunky Hubby” finalist. You can still vote for him in the contest though, and win prizes worth over RM3000! So if you like what you see, vote now for Jerad, by sending an SMS to 32733 with the message MWW<space>HH<space>NRIC<space>NAME<space>01
For example: MWW HH 770606058888 SUSAN LIM 01
Each SMS will be charged RM1, but that is such a meager figure compared to the amount of the prizes, donchafinkso? Voting ends Oct 31, so get SMSing right away! I just sent in mine! 
*prays that I will win so that MY OWN *Hunky Hubby* will get some of the goodies*
Pop Six Squish Uh-uh Cicero Lipschitz October 5, 2007
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Relax & Celebrate , 4commentsOn another note, I wonder what would happen if real life was like that. I mean what if we were all in a board meeting and then suddenly someone stood up and made a proposal, all in a musical rendition. And then when we go to a restaurant, the waiter suddenly rattles off the specials in a singsong manner. Tee hee! Wouldn’t that be hilarious? Or would that be something akin to the Twilight Zone?
Anyhoo. I am just glad the weekend is finally here. I can put the monstrosity of the week that was behind me and look forward to two days of non-work ahead of me. Our weekend starts after work on Friday, when we take Ethan out to dinner in Queensbay Mall. Then it’s back home to rest and relax. Oh, there’s another wedding dinner to attend on Sunday too. Which means I need to finalize my attire. *grins*
Ethan Boy
Our Journey of Love
