Universal Studio Singapore (USS)

My next destination of holiday shall be the Universal Studio in Singapore. So, I have started conducting some research on where to stay, how to get to USS, ticket pricing, et cetera ...

I guess the main thing that was giving me headache was where to stay. Should I stay in a budget hotel, or should I opt for slightly higher rate of accomodation, which are causing RM100 and more per night. I do like staying in a better hotel, but then again, we will be out most of the time, so there wasnt any point in putting more money in rooms that we hardly stay.

So, I guess, my choice will be budget hotel in Taman U.

I have also found transportation to USS (or actually Resort World Sentosa). There is a bus departing from Kota Raya Terminal II, which brings you directly to RWS. So I think that will be a nice start - bringing Daniel to experience bus. He always pointed out busses whenever we pass by some on the road.

My next step is of course getting Daniel his own passport. Need to find some time to actually get to the Immigration Counter. Maybe on 24th ? Let just see how my schedule shall be in the upcoming weeks.

Advent Season Is Here !

Yeah.... We have come to the last month of the year - December ! And it is a season of Advent, a season of hope, joy and love. I have always look forward to celebrate Christmas. I think it is such a nice season - both Christmas and Easter. And I was get goosebumps whenever we started singing Gloria (with bells ringing) during Easter Vigil and Christmas Vigil masses. Tonight we have eucharistic celebration in Jenjarom as well as Penitential Services after that. Woah, haven't really prepare myself for the service. I know I have a lot to seek forgiveness for...

And this is also the month where we celebrate Daniel 2nd birthday for this year. Truly thankful for God's so many wonderful blessings on our family. Daniel is certainly growing up fast now, and getting more stubborn day by day. But his love for singing is grewing. He knows the song Tuhan Kasihani Kami, Tamaza (Our Father in Kadazan), Lamb of God, Alleluia, Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star. Every night, before sle ep, it will be our family routine to sing some of the songs above. Previously, all he knew was Tamaza. Lately, when his database of songs grew, he will be the one dictating which song to sing. And he will say "no" for the song which he didn't want to sing. Well, that's Daniel. From time to time, we are trying to introduce more songs but sometimes, he really surprised us coz he knew the song even before we started teaching him. Probably because he listened to us singing during mass times.

Bored

I was getting bored, so I decided to pen down some thoughts into this lovely (but abandoned) blog of mine.
I had been so busy lately, trying to get all the things done before Christmas. And the most important of it all, is trying to ensure that the budget is being maximised, if not utilised fully.

Now, we are having our 3rd Symposium of Space Research and Development. It has been an annual program ever since 2008, but frankly speaking, this is my first year presenting. I missed the one in year 2008 because I just delivered Daniel, I passed year 2009 because I had already presented in 2 international conferences, and this year, due to budget tighting, I was only able to present in one international conference (which was quite frustrating, but its over though), so here I am, presenting my paper in this Symposium.

I have done my part, but I can't say that I am happy with it. Felt as though it was just for the purpose of putting up a paper, not throughly doing my part as a researcher. My head has started giving numerous excuses but I have decided to ignore it. I put the blame solely on myself, for not having the drive to do a research. Shall this be my new year's resolution ? I think I should ....

Ok, I will try to do a bit more research next year onwards.... Hopefully I won't procrastinate (again !)

No Idea

My mind is blank, empty.....
My body felt as though it doesn't belong to me....
Why oh why ?

Annapolis, Maryland

I have been here for the past one week, and am actually leaving tonight.

Came here to attend the conference on Space Simulation, jointly organized by Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was a fruitful conference I would say, for I have learned so much in just past 4 days. Things that I may need to implement back in Malaysia, certainly.

Also, managed to walked around the historic site of Annapolis yesterday, after the conclusion of the conference.  The hotel shuttle sent me to the historic site, and dropped me off there. I walked around, buying some souvenirs and I walked back to the hotel. Mind you, it was 3.2 miles and I walked for more than an hour. Well, it wasnt really tiring coz I was appreciating the sceneary laid before me. And I did got detour a few times when I saw first the Goodwill store along West Street, next I saw McD (which I went in and bought my lunch cum dinner set). Then I went into WholeFood at the Festival Riva (very much near the hotel actually, which means I am near to my destination) and bought some fruits, water and chips to last me till tomorrow.

I think it was nice making that decision to walk for only God knows when my next chance of exercising will be. I think I'll walk to the Westfield Mall today, before the shuttle come and pick me up at 5.

Oh, did I mentioned that I spent a lot here as well ? Beauty of shopping... I just love it. Muahahahahaha...

Lact Of Update

I'm so sorry folks... I can't seem to bring myself to pen down my thoughts. Blame it on my laziness.
What have I been doing lately ? Office works + Meetings + Travelling + Conference. That sums it up.

Daniel and His Love For Glasses

That's my little boy alright...

Prayer for Tracy Wong

The sister of my colleague was diagnosed with cancer (stage 2 going into stage 3) recently and is now undergoing treatment at Sime Darby Medical Centre.

I am not someone who knows how to speak eloquently or provide comforting words especially in times of need. All I can do is offer up prayers for Tracy - that she will be given the strength, courage and faith to undergo all these trials. For when the Lord closes a door, somehow He opens a window. Trials are placed unto our shoulder to make us stronger and more faithful in Him - I truly believe that.

I pray that she will recover soon, and the Lord will be merciful on her, sparing her with much pain. God bless you and keep you safe always, Tracy. Amen.

Happy Malaysia Day ...

For the first time since Independence Day, Malaysia will be celebrating another holiday - which is almost as important as the Independence Day. That is Malaysia Day, which falls on the 16th September every year. For readers who are non-malaysian, you may be wondering - "What is the difference between the two ?"

Well, to simplify things, Independence Day which is celebrated on 31st August every year is about how MALAYA obtained independence from United Kingdom. Yup, you read it right. Its MALAYA and not Malaysia. MALAYA at that time refers to the Penisular Malaysia and Singapore.

16th September 1963 is the date when Sabah and Sarawak decided to join Malaya and formed a new country called MALAYSIA. There you go, a little bit of history today. Don't ask me why Singapore decide not to join Malaysia and became an independent country by their own. They must have their own reasons... Maybe the forefathers of Singapore were ahli nujum - being able to predict the future perhaps?

So, happy birthday MALAYSIA ! Wish all of us continue to live in a peaceful and harmony country.

New Sultan For Kelantan

The Crown Regent of Kelantan succeed his father to become the new Sultan of Kelantan after his father suffered a stroke since May 2009.

Though the father is still alive, but he was unable to perform his duties. I guessed it is only right that there should be a new successor.

Hope that all Kelantanese will prosper under the new Sultan.

Back From Turin

On a happier note, syg just came back from Turin (Torinho), Italy for a 2 weeks course. So happy to have him safe and sound back home. Hehehehe...

Most of all, so happy to have him come back and cook for me. For the past two weeks that he wasn't around, I did not even lift a finger to cook. Nope, nothing at all. Not even for Daniel. Why ? Because the comfort of having my mum staying down the next road. Hehehe...

All I think during the past two weeks was to make sure my house is clean, my clothes are washed, dried and ironed and taking care of Daniel. Cooking ? Mummy is around, so just drove over to eat. Cheaper ma...

Yesterday, I had a very nice meal at home - syg cooked crabs. My bro-in-laws gave us lots of crabs (but very small one), and it took us more than 1 hour to finish our meal. What to do, we had more than 5 crabs per person. Hehehehehe.....

Thank you God... Muuaaahhh syg... What's for dinner tonight ?

Selamat Hari Raya

Though a bit belated, nevertheless, I would like to wish all my Muslim friends and readers Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Happy Eidul-Fitr.

Killed, Burned and Ashes Thrown

I thought this would only happen in movies. Boy, how wrong I was.

Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya, together with three others, were killed, burned and her ashes thrown into river. How can people be so inhuman ? What the Bible said is true - 'No man shall have two masters'.

Looked at what money can make one person do. Since her dissapearance was higlighted in the newspaper, I don't doubt that I did harbored a small hope that she and the rest will be save and they will return home to their families. I guess the 'happy ending thinking' in me like to believe this way.

I can't believe man can be this cruel, but reality, again, has pointed me wrong. Is this the sign of 'The End of the World' ?

Norman & Memey

Today, in Harian Metro, published the news of engagement between Norman and Memey. While I felt that I should congratulate them, be happy for them, I couldnt find it in my heart at all to even wish them all the best. Why ? Because I felt that it is because of this woman that the happy family between Norman and Abby and their three children was torn apart. I hate the fact that he did not try to salvage his marriage hard enough. Perhaps new blood is better.

I still remembered in the tabloid when the husband was caught for close proximity with Memey, their third child was just barely 2 months old, and the wife had just finished her 'pantang'. How her dreams were shattered on the very day her husband chosed to side with Memey, defending this woman being naive, and accusing his own wife for not being considerate at all.

I guessed I felt very strongly of inteference from 3rd party. Suffice to say that I hate 3rd party who wrecked another couple's marriage.

The reality of this world. What a sad reality it is.

Crowded

Yup. That is one word that describes my head now. Crowded.

There are lots of things that I wanna blog about, to share it out, but didn't have the mood to write. There are too many news that had kept my interest, plus the latest development of Daniel - all of theses are enough for me to write for hours long, but I choose not to. Basically, the mood of sharing my thoughts is just not there.

Finally, today, I am able to pen my thoughts.