IVY-KINI dan selamanya

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Tronoh

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:41:53 PST

Due to a colleague resigning from the company, I was carefully selected to replace her in overlooking the finishing of a project. My colleague has been monitoring the multi-million dollar project at UTP and her resignation (pasal kahwin lorr) is a huge lost to the company due to her extensive knowledge on project for about a 1++ years already. The problem is that: she's the only scientist who knows how to synthesize the material hands on, and yup...you've guessed it: NO ONE ELSES knows how. Hence, I believe that in the future, we shouldn't let any knowledge be passed down to a single person. This is what happens when he/she resigns from the project/company - panic strikes!

And so, I, of three candidates were selected by my project leader to be attached to UTP, Tronoh. I was the most obvious candidate cause 1. I am Ipoh, Ipoh-mali 2. I am single 3. I am a genius :P My boss orally assured me that three months is all it takes, max (but now I am not so sure anymore).

I've not been to UTP. I've heard that it's one modern campus stuck in the middle of two small dainty township: Tronoh and Seri Iskandar, Perak. I've passed by UTP several times on my way to Setiawan or Lumut but have not stepped foot in its vicinity. I did not want to judge, but on mid-Dec 2011 when I first came to UTP for the first time in my entire life - it actually felt good.

: Macaques and beruks often sighted here in huge numbers (20-30s).

UTP is really green. It's within those hutan-hutan virgin yang belum disentuh lelaki (opps, I mean, manusia). Macaque monkeys and big beruks communing, chatting and scouring for food near the campus is a common sight. I once drove pass the jungle side of the campus and had a clear sight of at least 30 monkeys communing in a clearing of the jungle. I simply thought: there's going to be a planet-of-the apes revolt some day in Malaysia! I can sense it!

: Library at the Chanselor's Hall

As you enter UTP from the main gate (Lumut road), you can see a huge UFO-like structure ahead on your far left. That's the Chancellor's Hall. The point is, there lies the building of the library. The architecture for the library is pretty amazing to me because it resembles several oil rig platforms, graduated in form. Books are visible from the outside, stacked in the most pleasant manner to the eyes. The library is spacious and high-tech machines are all in place for students to borrow or return books. Of course, I've been into the awesome National Library of Singapore, but UTP's library, IMHO, has fight. This is because at night, this library is brightly litten resembling a mini Eiffle Tower....really!

: View from Block 15 - I think that's Civil Engineering Block in the pic

: Modern Structures of UTP buildings in the middle of Perak's green lung

Despite being there for more than a month, I am still most impressed of the modern structures and the conducive working (studying?) environment here. It's serene and pleasant to be walking the corridors of the faculties. I personally adore the arrangement of the buildings where it is not too symmetrical, yet functional in many ways. And there's my personal fav: the glass walls of almost 60% of each building; well, may contribute to global warming, but a service to architecture. Transparency to me is important because it assures that knowledge is to be promulgated and disseminated.

: The connecting stairscase linking one faculty to another.

One structure that complete overwhelmes me, which to many means nothing, is the stairs. I huge open staircase exist in every two blocks complements the 'transparency' concept this campus meant to convey. I hang out around here often (yes, stairs!) cause I get better phone reception than any other area :P Oh, I can assure you that the toilets here are clean... but they aint transparent! :P

: Spot a few ppl doing LSD runs in the morning. Wow!

I would love to run around this campus to train my runs. It would be around 5km to run the whole campus, I guess. But ummm....I have to wear long pants and no singlets. So, forget it! I am still under strict regulation for dress code in-campus.

I was provided with accommodation in-campus. It's a guesthouse. BTW, if you didn't know, the UTP campus was previously a USM campus. Ok, let's make it clearer: this location was where USM campus was located before PETRONAS took over and throw in their billions and make it their own university. I am actually staying in a old guesthouse which belong to USM previously. Ain't that nice the guesthouse; hence I prefer to go back to the comforts of my own home in Ipoh and drive 32km daily to Tronoh to work.

So, I drive daily to work in UTP. Life's been pretty easy peasy in this dainty, small place. UTP is a great place - it's relaxing, and if you're a student, it's a conducive location to study. Some times I had to remind myself I am there to WORK, and not study.

Tronoh is where the Chinese ppl are, while Seri Iskandar has mostly Malays in its population. So, demographically, you know where to find your food. If you want chinese food, go to Tronoh while Seri Iskandar has all sorta traditional Malay and mamak stalls. Cheaper than Ipoh, but not cheap comparatively to other ulu townships (it's pretty kampung lah, u see). I usually stop by Tronoh to savour the wan ton mee or soup noodles before heading to work. My lunch is usually malay nasi campur with chicken Vanggey. BTW, there's a new Tesco and Secret Recipe (whoa!) now at Seri Iskandar. :P

I love the sight of dawn on the way to Tronoh. I do enjoy the slow drive to Tronoh daily too as it is never, never as hectic as KL. BUT ummm...like I've said many times to many ppl: Love the campus, hate the township.

: Traffic light turning into Tronoh town

Coffee Dilemma

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:35:02 PST

The Coffee Dilemma

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning.

The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee".

The husband said, " You are in charge of the cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."

Wife replies, "No you should do it, and besides it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."

Husband replies, " I can't believe that, show me."

So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and shows him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says:

"HEBREWS"

And here I go...complaining again.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:17:11 PST

Yikes. It's Year 2012!

I am already beginning to feel what a start of a new year is like: school begins and cars, busses clogging up the streets before and after schooling hours. The volume of cars increases tremendously. I have to wake up earlier than usual to get to work; McD and KFC is filled with mothers or uniformed students buying fast food during lunch. And their uniforms stinks...worst than some BO!! Betcha you guys concur with me...you've smelt that sweaty stink somewhere before.

Then, before you can even count to the Twelfth Day of Christmas, shopping malls have hightened their decor and music for Chinese New Year. Ooooh, I love some of the jingles, it does set up the mood, but at some point I am irritated. Too much of CNY music can be super annoying (too much of any thing is not good). And also I get irritated because I have not shopped for anything yet and my salary is finis.....hmmpph...let's not go there!

Last year ended with a note of surprise: Boss posted me for <3 months to UTP. Love the campus, hate the township. Anyway, I come back to Ipoh probably every single day to make full use of my RPGC membership which I've been paying since 21 for nothing all this while - to gym, swim and dine. That's my daily triathlon regime. I almost sold my club membership (thank God I didn't) and I really am happy with my decision not to.

Rationale to come back everyday to Ipoh:

Tronoh (UTP) --> Ipoh = 30km + overtaking huge trucks and lorries + old Kancils (0:40 min)

Puchong --> Office(Bangi) = 32km (LDP, Putrajaya) + RM1.60 toll + usual traffic (0:40 min)

Running on the roads (near my house, near the hills) is more dangerous in Ipoh than in KL. Ipoh is too quiet to run and if you do meet something or ~one on the road, they are either stray dogs or robbers. My mum said lately Ipoh has been very very dangerous with loads of snatch thieves in motorbikes. Robbing maids and old people while walking, even watering their plants or taking out the garbage. Puchong is relatively safer: I feel like middle class just as anyone else; there are many people running on the roads; the streets are sooo busy, happening and filled with people; no thief would wanna rob a sweaty, fugly runner in front of 2 primary schools pack with kids, rows of restaurants, hawkers stalls and Otai burger stalls. The only risk I face in Puchong as a road runner is....being knocked down by a car. I don't bring money while running in Ipoh, which makes it worst: I've nothing to give the robber which in turn may ignite his anger (I suppose) and murderlize me.

(Wow, I have great imagination.)

Polo Ground, you said? No way. So many kids running around and many walkers clog the pathways that it is not conducive for real running. Kids popping out of bushes or graveyard is pretty hazourdous to me! Not that I am a fast runner, but do not want my brains to work hard trying to scheme ways to manuever and overtake people. What do I think about when I run? - I don't like to use my brains while running and I prefer to think of nothing.

And irritation no. 2: Why is everyone so kaypoh in Ipoh? People in Ipoh like to peek. I don't wanna generalised but while washing my car, there was this lady who was walking by - then paused like 10 seconds - stared at me straight to the eyes, then continued on. After that, came a car with a couple and a cargo of kids, was driving thru quite quick but then slowed down abruptly to peek into my house (and me). Err, caring? Or just kaypoh? Or maybe I was naked washing the car? But I wasn't naked. Confirm.

On a positive note. Life's sooo relaxing here (til it becomes boring), with the magnitude of good food, I couldn't ask for more. I deserve this. I've been working hard all these while :P In terms of career, I got out of my comfort zone in KL and...straight into another comfort zone. From a bed of roses to a bed of fluffy feathers.

Complaining makes life interesting, doesn't it? A good friend keep telling me I complain just about anything and everything. Couldn't agree with him more - I do like to complain even if...life have been fantastic!!

(...as long as I don't complain as much as those ppl in Singapore :P)

Ivy-out!

A Year of Reckoning

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:03:21 PST

The world as you know it will end in 21 Dec 2012. This movie depicted the so-ever-frightening events that ensue before the world ends (sh*t, I am going to drown in some tsunami). Well, well, if you did not know yet, 2012-12-21 doomsday is actually a projection of some Mayan people and their calendar. Okay, whatever it is, before I die I certainly would like to set my life straight-er and yes, pretti-er. Therefore, I would want to make two resolutions because 2012 has eleven months for me to spare, so why not make the best out of those months:

Resolution no. 1: Less spending on my credit cards (Straighter)

Resolution no. 2: Clock in more sleeping hours (Prettier)

Hnmmphh, suddenly setting resolutions doesn't quite sound appropriate, does it? Cause it's going to be the End of the World for Christ sake!! Which means: the more important thing to do is to readjust my Bucket List:

1. Be successful in my Professional career

~~2. Run the full marathon - 42.2 km~~

3. Finish the Pulau Kapas-Marang International Swimathon - 6.5km open water

4. Married to a great man who believes in love...and errmm diamonds

5. Visit ~~Paris~~, Austria, Sipadan and the Vatican (City).

6. Owner of a red Mini Cooper.

7. Owner of a cafe serving top-notch brew.

8. Own a pair of Jimmy Choo's

9. Attend a red-carpet event of Hollywood celebrities & shake the hands of Brad Pitt.

10. Leave a legacy

Wuahahaha...I am laughing at myself.....because...let's not take the end of the world too seriously, yahh ok?!

"Blessed Christmas & Happy New Year 2012" to all my readers!

Make sure whatever you wish for comes true (that is, by 2012)

SUPERsports.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:40:03 PST

My previous post, I blah blah about my career, but let's move on from that. Today, I wanna talk about one of my many hobbies - sports.

I am no runner, no swimmer by birth. I was borned into a short family. Not that my parents are hobbits, but mum & dad ain't that tall. The only one thing that mum said when I was pulled out from her womb is that - I was TOTALLY Bald. She concluded that I may be a good swimmer when I grow up because I was born aerodynamic. She took back those words after spotting my first strand of hair at age 2.

So, being short and plump, I had no obvious potential. Dad could only praise me for being super diligent and hardworking in sports :P (what!??!?!). I can practice whole day-whole night cause I know if I don't, I can never beat those tall, strong girls. I performed pretty well in swimming at MASUM (University Games) at age 23, and found out that I can backstroke quite well (never liked backstroke when I was younger). I am now running my own small swimming business whereby my niche is teaching kids and ladies.

Running wasn't in my blood til I was 18. From swimming, my coach was determined that there's still an "age group" for old swimmers like me (18 is veteran already when it comes to swimming): it's called Triathlon. My swim coach and his gang of Ipoh Roadrunners were avid triathletes thus introducing me to the sport. Actually, my first ever long distance run was during sport trials at high school where I ran err.....200 m track and panted like a fucked up puppy. At that time I simply thought that if I could swim well, I could run well. Well, duh! Didn't realised they weren't the same set of muscles used in running and swimming (I don't like studying human anatomy). So started learning and practice running. My first REAL long-distance running, 10km, was at Ipoh RoadRunner's run. From then, I progress to triathlon and biathlons by waking up 5am in the morning to swim and run at Ipoh Swimming Club almost every other day (I was 19 years old). I remembered winning a pair of Brooks running shoes after being in podium position for a small biathlon event.

Swimming took over my life and life was all about swimming. I forgot all about running but not until I entered university and was being ragged by seniors to run the WHOLE of UPM campus. And guess what, I came out top of the pack. Actually, I have a very good stamina, and not because I can run fast. In 2009, I entered my first 10km run at SCKL after several years of hiatus. I have a log book of all my runs. Not only scuba diving has log book, ok?

My log. Running races since 2009:
1. Standard Chartered KL Marathon - 10km - 26 June 2009 <--- first LDR after 6 yrs hiatus
2. Energizer Night Race - 10km - 27 March 2010
3. New Balance Pacesetters -15km - 16 May 2010
4. Standard Chartered KL Marathon - 21km - 27 June 2010
5. Ipoh International Marathon - 21km - 18 July 2010 <--- hometown run!
6. Penang Bridge Marathon - 21km - 21 Nov 2010 <--- Super-duper Thunderstorm and got sick after that.
7. Malakoff - 12km run - 19 Dec 2010 <--- Killer hill almost at the end of the route. Gila
8. Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon - 21km - 20 Feb 2011 <--- first ever International run - super-duper cold (11 degrees)!
9. Menara KL Towerthon - 2058 steps (24 floors) - 7 May 2011 <--- I did super well. Name at first page of the results page.
10. New Balance Pacesetters - 15km - 5 June 2011
11. Standard Chartered KL Marathon - 21km - 26 June 2011
12. Centro Run, Klang - 12 km - 23 July 2011
13. 7th Pacemaker Relay (PAR) - 14 Aug 2011
14. Siemens Run - 10 km - 25 Sept 2011 <--- worst ever 10km run. Ran super slow and dunno why.
15. Adidas KING of the Road - 16.8km - 2 Oct 2011
16. PJ Half Marathon - 21km - 20 Oct 2011<--- super hot sun. I got super headache after that.
17. Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore - 42.2km - 4 Dec 2011 <--- broke my FM virginity
~~18. Malakoff - 12km run - 18 Dec 2011~~


Me in Pink cotton Victoria Secret shorts. First run after 6 years of hiatus - SCKL 2009.

Penang Bridge Marathon 2010 - Super heavy thunderstorm during the run cause me to get high fever after that.

Race pack collection at Victoria Park, Hong Kong

Running through Hong Kong Island. If Singapore was super-crowded, then Hong Kong's run was super-DUPER crowded and super COLD. So can't complain much abt Singapore, yeh.

New Balance Pacesetters 15km 2010, Putrajaya

Hey, ECP, I am going to challenge you again next year! FMV at Singapore 20111204

What's next for me in running? I have yet to plan any races for 2012. Nil. Zero. This is because I am giving running a short hiatus. I am concentrating on major runs, and not to participate in too many minor runs which may cause me to get jaded. If you know me well enough, I get jaded with things pretty fast. By choosing a few races to enter I want to ensure I don't lose the excitement in running or try not to do anything TOO MUCH. I tak nak jadi muak.

Possibly, the Sundown Marathon at Singapore (May 2012) is next. My running coach @Teh Boon King said that I might be facing the challenging ECP again (cause Singapore so small, sure use ECP wan, where else?). But deep down inside me, I feel like facing ECP once again to challenge myself and make a comeback this May.

SUPERB life!

My Career Dilemma

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:29:43 PST

Disclaimer: This will be some plain boring, lengthy stuffs; only read if you have the time or if you like to kaypoh my life (for that, I am grateful). I am sure you will abandon and unsubscribe to my blog if you are uninterested with this post (but please don't) :P

Here goes: I had this dilemma since the restructuring of my company early this year. I was given the task to decide which scientific group I would love to be at my point of career.

Before that, here's a little background to my career: I've been 2 years in this multinational company. Gladly, it has been a memorable and terrific 2 years; my contribution to the previous project was duly recognized. I was having fun and enjoyed my position as researcher in the Environment group where I, a biologist, dealt with research of plants (like scrubs and trees, not factory plants) that mitigate oil spills and heavy metals. After the project ended and the group dissociated early this 2011, I was left in a limbo because being originally hired as a biologist, I became a lost child (di-anaktiri-kan) because my company refocused on research related only to exploration and production (nutshell: chemistry and engineering). Biologists are no longer needed. I guessed they could not kick me out of the company cause I did nothing wrong, right?

Top management also dunno what to do with these biologists, with Ph.D. degree and all, dunno which new project to be placed with, I was finally in a Management post after options have all ran out. Initially, I thought I was made to manage staffs and could adapt into the new role. However, three months into it, I opted out cause I wasn't contributing well and felt out of place (my senior said I was toooo nice; should be more ruthless esp. in management). Call me un-risky and unadaptable, whatever you want, I really hated my role in the management line. Sorry to those ppl who trusted me to manage other ppl - I just can't! I wrote to the GM of research so that I could placed once more in a technical/scientific role, well, which was definitely in line with my Ph.D. degree anyway.

Wait! The above paragraph is not the dilemma.

When my GM in research accepted my request, I was once again placed in scientific research, and this is where the real dilemma begins. Yes, yes, people in research love me cause I was pretty fast in picking up scientific knowledge as my fundamentals in science was pretty strong. Throw me a reservoir, I can tell you the science of it in 2 weeks (with lots of reading, of course). The research group was huge: There were 7 teams consisting of physicist, geologist, engineers to chemist (nope, definitely NO biologist). Just to be sure I was in a team, I was first housed at Team 4. But my work in the laboratories was Team 1-related. I helped out in completing some samples for Team 1. Then, Team 6 had some HSE tasks, had to second me to their group to handle the task. So I my name is in T4, but doing mostly T1 work, however also assisting T6.

My GM of research said that I should decide where I wanna be and not doing everything, like some servant/maid. So I have to decide where I wanna be. All 7 teams have different projects to complete, with different demography.

I've posted the dilemma in FB 3 months back. I've gotten some answers but I believe the FB post does not realistically explain the whole situation I am facing. It's a lot more complicated than a few lines on my status update. I appreciate all responses anyway. Thanks guys!

So, here's the description of Teams 1, 4, and 6. The detailed version:

Team 1:

Group is mostly production engineers, chemists, physicists, that is bright and smart. Not that other Teams are not as smart, but T1 members are specifically brilliant cause their fundamentals in science (I am talking molecules, protons, atoms, etc) must be strong to dictate possible chemical reactions for most processes. They look into things very deeply. Fundamentals. Like quantum physics (but not quite also :P ). Yes, that is the kinda brilliant I am talking about! My immediate superior is a married lady who is straight fwd, passionate. She say what's in her mind and she doesn't hold grudges. Whether you're a genius or sloppy, she'll tell u straight to the face. I like this kinda boss. No hidden agenda.

Pros. You will be versed in the science of oil research. In my company, you'll be given a researcher scale. In the lab, I get to complete whatever criteria in that scale, and then I will go for my assessment. You will sure pass the assessment because you've completed every darn laboratory thing written in that scale. By achieving everything in that scale, boomsss......in no time, you will get to naik pangkat, naik grade (become technical boss) and salary akan naik mendadak. The ladder way. You have a good balance in work-life: 9-5 job, time for yourself, reading is all you do, don't meet ppl (can be a good thing, so no gossips will ever involve you). You don't get grapewines. And you can blast the radio in the laboratory and strip naked in the lab - no one cares. Also cause the chemicals I deal with (think: H2S, Octanol, Butanol acids, etc.) stinks the whole freaking lab, no one bothers to disturb you. Btw, T1 group relatively receives the highest budget allocation because... it's freaking fundamental research we're talking about here, ya? Yes, I get to go conferences to present my results, but it's not my KPI.

Cons: I will be confined to my laboratories (dem, exactly like those boring Ph.D. years). One is one. Two is two. In the lab, there's only BLACK AND WHITE, no gray. Results are YES or NO...no Betweens. Your either FAIL or PASS. Top management will not appreciate your work cause you're visibility in the company is low. Top management also won't understand how important your work is. At the end of the day, unless you win the Nobel prize, nobody knows you cause you are not the one presenting the results/report to the CEO - it's your lady boss who presents your lab results. Lembu punya susu, sapi dapat nama.

Team 4:

This is the glamour group. They get to go to offshore often and local and overseas conferences all the time. The boss is a smart, great personality, very knowledgeable and very sensual in leading the group. Sensual cause...she's just so nice = not bossy. She is respected by many and I respect her most of the many people in my company. The team handle important elements at the platform- such as the side-effects of Team 1's doings, oil quality. When you have a nice boss, a team consist mostly of females (but weirdly, no gossips), it's ...err...Easy breezy, Cover Girl..!!

Pros: Vice President puts much hope in this group. They have high budget, and their job is interesting. The chinese lady boss is wondrous and easy to work with. Get to travel here and there....who doesn't like that? In addition, the members of this team are also geniuses. Not much further from Team 1. It's the pride, don't you get it don't you, the pride?

Cons: When you travel too much, my lab work gets abandon, and I might not be to meet my standard naik pangkat/assessment criteria that requires me to accomplish some laboratory work, hands-on. The tradeoff: get stuck in the position forever (unless you found amazing opportunities elsewhere) vs. enjoy with traveling/networking.

Team 6:

A new team. Only 2 person in this team. Currently, the boss is a mechanical engineer (from F1 engineering) and his subordinate is a geneticist/biologist. You may wonder why a geneticist is in my company. Yes, she and I happened to be in the same quagmire for being abandon from our Environment Group. This group, despite only being manned by 2 person, has the heaviest job load on their shoulders.

Pros: What makes this group so interesting is that, if you join this group......you learnt everything about reservoir/process/production/petroleum engineering from a scratch. When you learnt everything from a scratch, you really really learnt! You don't have to teach old dog new tricks. The 2 team members here offered many fresh and practical ideas from outside the industry. In my honest observations, I realised that many colleagues who has been in the industry for a decade or more had a hard time changing their mindset on certain issues and therefore, fresh ideas seemed elusive. Since you are new, and if fail, no one will really blame you (err...more like "I can forgive you this time round"), but if your project brings back great returns and impact to the company, you will be duly recognize and rise up the corporate ladder pretty quick.

Cons: There's little budget given to this group. Cause this group basically just manage and no scientific work involved. All we do is make phone calls here & there, meeting here meeting there. Basically admin stuff (managerial work!). They are decision makers but I know my personality: it's tak begitu best (for me).

ZzzzZZzzzzZzzz.....Hey, there....asleep yet??

If you are wondering where I am now: I am officially in Team 1 (genius team, ahem), but helping Team 6 in one tiny part of the project.

What I wanna say is: I am happy now. I am happier than before when I was in the management team. It's been 3 months since the dilemma, and changes has been rapid. I am learning everything in Petroleum engineering to process engineering from a scratch. It's difficult, but I like. LOIKE! The challenges are ample but they are challenges that I am glad to face everyday. My work now fits my personality.

Things has been rapid. As I am speaking now, I've been seconded to UTP to monitor a project there until its completion (about 3 months). Sounds simple, but my role is HUGE.

You'll never know what's with me...in another 3 months!!! Dynamic, unpredictable, ever changing and fluid.

Just as many would say:"That's so Ivy"

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:48:27 PDT

Thank you for my Ipod Nano that brought me through 6 half-marathons and the Ipad2 that redefined my family.

You will be missed.

RIP Mr. Jobs.

Fellie's Baby Shower - 16 Sept 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 23:19:26 PDT

This is my first time attending a baby-shower, and what an interesting experience. Didn't know such event existed in the first place! :P

My colleague, Fellie who is conceiving her first child will give birth coming early November (or see if baby cannot tahan di, maybe late October 2011). Mommy-to-be, together with her best friend Gracey and sister Ken, threw a baby shower party...to celebrate the coming of a baby boy to the family!!

Also partly because mommy will be leaving soon to hometown Kota Kinabalu Sabah, so that the whole confinement period can be held there with the help of her own mother.

Baby wants Diapers! Everyone writes a msg to baby...

The highlight of the party are the party-going hosts and guests, plus some guessing games (e.g. how huge is mommy's ass, diameter of mommy's tummy, cannot say the word B-A-B-Y during the whole party, and seach for a missing 'baby'). Food was homemade but I kept picking on some nachos dipped in some unfinished spaghetti sauce! A combo one must try.

Congrats once again to both Fellie and Tharmain! Good luck in welcoming your new born baby son in November (or October) (Eh, u choose to go natural birth, kan?)

Mid Life Crisis pulak!

Guests arriving.

Fellie and I

Fellie and hubby, Tharmain.

The girls and Fellie with big-breasted-and-tummy cake!

Doesn't the cake look familiar??!?!?! (read: Ian's 30th bday)

It's a boy!

One of the many decorations for the party.

I spotted Fellie sipping on a Banrock white wine earlier! Bad mommy :P

Belon = Aeroplane in S'wakian language

One person wrote to baby: Listen to your mommy and daddy!

The Great Expectations by Mum Dickens

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 07:25:42 PDT

My mother always say that she didn't give birth to me. I agree 70%. Cause there's little in common in our characters and being. She's street-smart, I am book-smart; She was prettiest girl in Taiping (my dad vouched), I took the crown of prettiest in Jalan Persiaran Perajurit 2 Ipoh ever since my mum got old(er) and wrinkly; She loves raring chickens and do gardening, I was afraid of chicken droppings and has 'hot' hands (even cactus die under my care).

I despise her fashion sense. She hates mine completely.

But then mathematically, the 30% has some truth: We are both females..duh!; we love to eat anything and everything that is edible + sambal belacan-kinda-spicy; she and I are caring..yup yup...to a certain extent; she and I can never say "no" (kinda bad trait, actually) to any requests; both me and my mum loves flowers; she likes to entertain people, and so do I (e.g. jemput orang makan-makan, masak byk-byk di rumah, suka ber-party, etc.). And this trait, no one can deny: She and I are both super-talkative and opinionated/vocal.

Some China-based flowering plant which only thrive in cool climates, but my mum managed to make it grow and bloom in hot, humid Ipoh.

Why did I even start this blogpost?

I suddenly miss my mum. No wonder I hate holidays (yesterday). Thinking of nothing makes you think of something. Tak han mou yeh chou. Makes me over-think about things...and worst, I get emotional over it.

So yes...I miss my mum. If I hadn't talk to her in a couple of days, I may suffer, die or stab myself to death. Not that I am dependent on my mum, but she gives the best opinion ever and some how, and I dunno how, her opinion turns out right. She used to pressure me a lot when I was younger to study, music, swimming, and other sports but I understand why....cause I could do it. Since my 20s, I've been buggering (it came to a point that I was WARNING her) her to stop putting any pressure on me anymore in my studies, career...and surprisingly she relented. I know why. When I was young, she thought I was perfect and could do wonders until.... I didn't fare quite well in STPM onwards. Today, my mum probably has come to grounds that I am a failure in many things, and finally it made sense to her: I am only human.

My Ipoh's house is full of plants, crops and flowers maintain by my mum. No wonder I was named after a plant by my mum.

Yup, in spite of all the madhouse, old-school punishments, caning and scoldings I endured....I was given a lot of freedom and most important of all: she trusts me. She allowed me to do and pursue anything I want. I was allowed to dye my hair red (which I didn't), go clubbing every single weekend (in my mid-20s), drink and drunk, buy as much clothes as I want with my teaching-swimming side income, date any guys I want. She doesn't care who I brought back home. But she only warn me of these 3 things:
1. No drugs,
2. No smoking, and
3. Don't get raped.

And her favourite sentence of all time: "Never be kan-cheong in anything you do". But I always feel that she meant otherwise. Cause it's soooo unlike her to say this to me after all the pushing and pressure she imposed to me to do just about everything.

My mum is my best friend. You can see me and her talking in the afternoon and one will never know that's my mum on the other side of the line. We talk like friends... taruh each other, talk loud-loud, scold each other (both of us opinionated marr)...but there's definitely a sense of respect somewhere.

Or maybe I don't have a sister. I do secretly pray each day that I had a sister one day. Father and brothers...ahem...I won't say you guys aren't any good in this earth, but you don't have enough oestrogens to understand me. You guys are really from Mars!

I love you, Mum.

Bla bLa bla bla...Okay, now Mum, cook me some prawn sambal petai!

At Lumut jetty. Mum showing of her 'luxury' salted fish. She had gotten it at a bargain price and soooo proud a...salty fish?!

You can do it, guys,

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:18:19 PDT

Whassup August?!

Before you know it, it's already mid-August and for me, August is the month of flowers. Roses to be exact. I am not shy to say (to all the guys out there): every girl in this world loves flowers. And guys, it's always worth giving flower(s) to your love ones though I totally know many out there will curse me for campaigning so. Don't cha believe it if a girl tells you she's not into flowers - that's BS.

Cause any girl will go head-over-heels over flowers!

And give real flowers. If you're like my dad who thinks real flowers represents real love, then you're right. Though it wilts and last barely a week, at least it's FOR REAL. I don't buy into the idea of giving fake plastic flowers that obviously doesn't die, but thinking that it represents everlasting love? Nah....so not appropriate. Leave fake flowers for decorating houses. :P

Bouquet I got when I was at Secret of Louisiana, KJ. The flowers were a surprise, an so was the venue. Hidden gem of Selangor.

I got these roses for no apparent reason.

...and these too.

This are fee yen's bouquet after complaining of not getting one (when I got 2 in a month!). Kidding lah... Hubby surprised her with these white-peach bouquet for anniversary. Sweet!

YP's bouquet of lilies (pretty!) sent by hubby to her office. *sorry for copywriting this fr your FB

OOoooo...seems like a trend here. Keep it up, guys!

But just want to set the record straight: besides flowers and roses, I am also into Coach bags, Gucci, Sports Cars, Tiffany's Diamonds, Blue Mountain beans, Caviar, Fois Gras, Truffles, Kobe beef, etc, etc.... (fill in the blanks with luxury items here). Muahahahaha.

And btw, my Ph.D. graduation/convocation (sigh, finally!) will be this October 15th. *Hint**hint*

______________________________________________________________________________

I just love the Spongebob Squarepants sticker used during today's Pacemaker's Relay Run. See, see, rambut serabut and blur....just like I every morning! I chose this sticker cause it reminds me that I need to get a hair cut quite quickly.

I've never done a relay, but it's pretty stressful. My pace was brought to a sprint(!), and I was panting the sh*t out of myself upon passing the baton to the next runner. But believe me, I had really great fun with the SpongeBob Square Pants/ BKT runners :)

More pics of the event in my FB page.

Ivy Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:42:18 PDT

Always happens!

Man does not live by bread alone.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 07:54:21 PDT

I kinda know why I hate leaving my country for an extended period of time. It's the food (and my parents) that I miss, of course. I am not that independent as one would teethingly claim because I can assure you that I am highly dependent on Malaysian food.

What makes me this meaty and chubby despite my highly active lifestyle is because I am strictly unfussy in food. Except for tortoise, turtle, reptiles, insects and larvae, I pretty much gobble anything that is mildly nice. I can't tell if a dish is better than another shop serving the same although ppl claim that one place serves it better. Say for example, some friends say that Ipoh's Kuey Teow noodles is many times better than the one I am slurping on in PJ. I really don't know, man. I can't tell. For me, both Ipoh and PJ Kuay Teow is insignificantly different from each other (95% confidence level) despite my friend kept brainwashing me that it is. Another example: the Tau-Fu-Fah in Funny Snow Mountain Ipoh (whatever!) is soooooooooooooo good? Nah, don't bullshit me. HOW MUCH TASTIER CAN A TAU FU FA in Ipoh compared to say...Klang Valley's, eh?!?! It's psychology...you come this far, you definitely think it's worth it although it's not, because you don't want to think you wasted your time, journey and money to come here and say it's the same as anywhere else. (warning: tongue twister).

Let me tell you a secret: I went to HK and I can't tell if it beats every meat ball noodles I've eaten in KL. I've tasted noodles in KL that is as good as that in HK. Same goes for the lai-cha (Teh C). Oppss...

So after reading the above, you can tell that I ain't a foody person. Cause I ain't. I admit. When I go to many other countries and enjoy whatever food (not fussy mah) I find, but I won't go search for a particular food. I won't go the extra mild to search for a so-said famous food.

Anyway, here's the list of my favourite food (from any country) from 10th placing to 1st (only if I can't cook/prepare them). But I dunno where's the best place/restaurant to makan these, so no need to recommend me. I don't care. Period:

10. Slimy Lady's Finger Indian Curry (+ fish is a bonus)

9. Chapati + Tandoori Chicken + Mint sauce and pickled onions

8. Banana Leaf Rice (only when makan with clean bare hands) + must have deep-fried batter bitter gourd

7. Bakkutteh + offals + deep-fried ghost

6. Any egg dish i.e. steam eggs, sunny side up, scrambled, half-boiled, full boiled, infused with herbs, fu-yeong, etc... including Century eggs, salty eggs and duck eggs in curry

5. Ramly/Otai burger daging special + cheese = "Sloppy Burger" in kwai low's terms

4. Maggi Mee Goreng + Sunny side up

3. Semi-cooked (bloody) Kerang in 6-6 style

2. Penang style Char Kuay Teow with kerang (and must have chives!)

....and the number one food that I, without it for a week, would sit the first flight back to Malaysia:

1. Nasi lemak ikan bilis, only those in banana leaf packs. I can't find it good in any other country. No nasi lemak in any part of this earth beats Malaysia's nasi lemak.

A few food I found worth mentioning: Nasi Ulam/Kerabu, Ho Boh's Lui Cha, Agedashi Tofu, Bibimbap + Kimchi, Fried Wanton, Dim sum-style Deep Fried Tapioca, Pheasant's hand (Chicken feet lah!) + Wan Ton mee, Tau Fu Fah.

My favourite month.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 10:02:06 PDT

June.

It's my utmost favourite month.

It's the month where my birthday resides. What more, in 2011, I had four b'day celebrations in a week. Blessed with good friends and good company.

It's the month of the Geminis. Btw, Geminis consist mostly of hyper, noisy and gila-gila ppl (jenis yang buat lawak bodoh). I do find myself annoying. Esp. during this month.

It's the month where I got my new assignment in my company. But I fought to get out. And guess what, being gutsy paid off. I am going to continue being an Environment consultant and will be at Daya Bumi - which is what I have always wanted.

It's the month where I get to go Singapore and shopped til I drop. Read post here (blogspot) or here (wordpress).

It's the month where I decide to sign up for a Full Marathon. It will be in Singapore this Dec 4th 2011.

It's the month where I decide to have two races in a month - NB15km and SCKL21.1km, and fared pretty well. Satisfied.

It's the month where I had to fight off a bunch of termites and colony. With money. But money can't heal all. Though all that matters is that it's working (for now).

It's the month where I think I own way too many running shoes. A new pair of Adi Response and a pair of Nike.

It's the month where I decide to give July a rest. No races, less swimming, more balik kampungs.

It's the month where summer movies (the bests ones of the year!) are out. - POTC IV, Super 8, X-Men First Class, Green Lantern, Transformers.

It's the month where a good friend migrates to Australia.

It's the month where I found new friends having the same passion. Many good new friends.

It's the month where I made soo many atrocious decisions, I amazed myself. Funny, every thing turned out fine.

It's the month where I hope every month will be like this month!

Thank you, June. Welcome, July.

Singapore - 18-19 June 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:14:52 PDT

Some didn't know that I studied in NUS for a 6-month-stint in Singapore under the SIF-ASEAN Student Fellowship in 2002. Since then, I go back to Singapore every year; also because it's the nearest 'overseas' (or just Over-Selat) location to go to. Singapore is our cleaner, more efficient and more politically-timid neighbour, but there's still a good amount of vibrancy, happenings, and twice the number of hunks than say....Malaysia. Somehow, Singapore never fails to impress me, though I would think twice, nope thrice, about living there. I have my reasons why I am unlikely to ever move to Singapore. Maybe another post.

On my way, walking to Marina Bay Sands, to dine and shop (nope, no gambling).

My trip this time coincided with the Great Singapore Sales. I identified several (actually, a lot lah!) stuffs that were way cheaper than in Malaysia, but the Singapore Dollar (against the Malaysian ringgit) was the highest I've ever experience! So it was kinda back to square one when you purchase something to eat or wear. Food is not cheap unless you don't keep converting the prices in your brains. As I walk along Orchard Rd, I kept reminding myself of my impulsive buying habits and not to overspend. But when you have only 2 days and the cheque's in the bank, the just-grab-whatever-first-and-regret-later mode set in. Also, I will never forget what a good friend said to me while I did a 'freestyle' in a pool of clothings at Somerset 313, "Whatever makes you happy, Ivy!". Thank you, I know. But damn you too - you're supposed to stop me from over-buying!

Certain shops such as MNG, Forever 21, Cotton On were like ...how do I put it....moving walls of flesh! Those shops were soo packed with people, I couldn't believe I was cut at my queue at the cashiers...in Singapore! :P So, Jakun ppl still exists in Singapore! When it comes to shopping, manners are valued at zero, even here. In addition, queues and wait to the changing room could put any Bangkok jam to shame.

As much as I wanna write down every minute of my shopping and eating experiences in Singapore (I could if I want to), it's past my bed time here. Let's keep it short. Here are some memorable moment of my 2 day experiences in photos:

Tau Suan, (Lek-tau dessert in Hokkien). One of the best desserts I've ever tasted. It's only found in Singapore, I supposed.
Most memorable lunch ever @ Le Chasseur, Clark Quay

BK bought me a Marron cake from Flor by Chef Yamaguchi.
Memorable frozen cheese cakes too

Worth my walk. My long black @ Forty Hands Cafe.
Cozy, different and hard-to-get-to (we walked 1.0km from Flor) to get here, I think!

Egg Beneddict for breakfast. That's a half-cooked yolk that explodes in your mouth. Volcanic experience!
(forgot the name of this cafe di)

Boon King's experiment...his hypothesis null that cameras are water-proof. :P
Conclusion: Only Boon King's camera.

Most 'memorable' dining experience because it's a super expensive meal, but gave me beef paties instead of real steak! Urghh...

Can't even bother about the name of this restaurant @ Marina Bay Sands

Being in Singapore is a annual affair. I'll be back in Singapore once more this year between 1-4 December, in conjunction with the SIF-ASEAN Alumni gathering. Can't believe it's been 10 years since I was part of the fellowship. *proud*. And...tada...many already knew that on the 4 Dec 2011 itself, I'll be doing my virgin FULL MARATHON. 42.195 km to be exact. *breath, Ivy, breath*

The Singapore's Standard Chartered Building near Marina Bay Sands.
Scaring the sh*t out of me already.

Menara KL Night Towerthon 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 05:18:01 PDT

This is a long overdued post. Sorry folks. Some posts can wait, right?

The Towerthon took place on 7th May 2011, so it's exactly a month since I raced up 22 floors of the Menara KL in the night. This was my first time entering a race that involves going up a skyscraper. Last time I remembered training for a climb (not race!) was Mount Kinabalu in 2005.

Even if you boastfully said that you've been trapped in an elevator for 10 minutes and not feel a clinch in your stomach, then try the claustrophobic stairs of the KL Tower that goes up all the way to the observation deck and see why claustrophobic is a gross understatement. Before the race, I wiki-ed 'KL tower' which states that there are 22 floors of stairs including 4 elevators that makes up 2,058 steps. I was like, wow... but I was also thinking: if I could conquer Mount Kinabalu, what harm can 2,058 steps do?!

Again, a gross underestimation of the horror 2,058 steps could do to your soul. The combination of the claustrophobic-ness of the staircase and the number of people climbing at the same time PLUS the lack of ventilation (claustrophobic lah tu!) makes walking up Batu Caves 10-times while fending yourself against monkeys, a piece of cake. I dedicated a substantial amount of time to train for this Towerthon and ended up in a total 6000++ steps accumulated over that period. It was one of my more well-prepared races compared to say PBIM 2010 and HK Marathon 2011.

Looks can be decieving. Tough race up the brightly lit tower.

On paper, my race starts at 8.30pm. Biasalah, the Malaysia boleh mentally sets in, and for whatever reason my race delayed to 10pm. In Malaysia, memang apa-apa pun boleh! I was sitting there mengantuk like crazy, and because I was all by myself and alone for this race, I was bored to death. The race organizers were releasing 300 ppl up the tower any one time, and even so, we heard that a human traffic jam was already forming within the walls of the Menara. Before the start of the race, I really felt like being in a kandang lembu, being sequestered from other race categories with wooden barriers. While at the starting line, I saw Yuen Yu Fang, our Malaysia veteran pro-long distance runner at another kandang just behind me. She was staring at me. Maybe I look intimidating! But I quietly thank the Lord that she is not in my race category.

Tip no.1: The starting line is 800m away from the foot of the Tower. No one told me to do so, neither did I google for this tip, but I told myself to run as fast as I could for this 800m even though it was 100% uphill all the way. I ran as fast as I could 800m overtaking approx. 100+ runners, as all these runners were blimley oblivious to the fact that running as fast as u can RIGHT NOW, RIGHT HERE is the key to this Towerthon. Many took their sweet time walking uphill towards the tower. I was delighted I came out top of the pack cause there's no better time to beat 100 runners anymroe....not at the narrow staircase, no!

I was the first few girls in my category to reach the staircase. I ran ASAP up for first 10 floors. Wasn't really tired, but I've anticipated the impending human traffic jam on my way up. It was almost impossible to run up anymore - the stairs are narrow and you have to overtake the person in front of you in the most flattering way: by saying "EXCUSE ME" all the way up. Not easy. And thats like soo many people ahead of you. There was this one time where I blocked by this fat girl (sorry!). Her huge frame blocked the whole stairway. Being behind her, I had to resort to walking about 5 floors, but unable to take her (slow) pace, and excused myself to overtake her. She wasn't happy.

I had to watch my steps...Tip no. 2: The stupidest idea for one who does a towerthon, is to listen to his Ipod while racing up! It will definitely kill your concentration because it was very easy to trip and fall. You need to focus on your footsteps, taking care not to fall over papercups and slip on wetfloors.

Stamina and breathing is core to this race. But your mind should be above all, be strong and stubborn. Let me tell you why: Ventilation is almost zero, the stairs is claustrophobic (how many times have I mentioned this word here already?), people are behind and in front of you mere inches apart, you smell fresh sweat, and finally....you see people stopping halfway, hyperventilating and some idiots sitting on the stairway blocking other runners (where are your manners, people!). Some looking at you, their swelled up faces probably demanding that you empathize with them. Tip no. 3: Do not look into the faces of runners who stopped. Their faces demotivates you. Their tired faces sucks the life out of your pace. Continue running and focus on your steps.

I finished the race in 27 minutes!! I can't benchmark my performance against anything, but for the first time in my life, my name was at the first page of the results pages. I was Top 48 in my category. Maybe you've heard stories, but did you know that it was wayyyy tougher to come down from the Menara then racing up? The idiotic organizers had only one lift working for the thousands of runners coming down. That aside, I was satisfied and convinced to not let this be my last Towerthon up the Menara KL. The observation deck awarded every finisher a pleasant night scenery of KL for a tough finish to the top.

3 Peas for my Big 3-0: Politics, Passion, Priorities

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 05:03:19 PDT

Indeed I have a lot of explanation to do. I have a lot to explain to the followers of this blog and to myself after being MIA for > 2 months (from this blog), which is quite unlike me. Who doesn't know that I love to rant and write. And yet, I still cannot comprehend this awkward difficulty in expressing myself lately. Even as I am typing now, there is still much reluctance. Reluctance in thoughts. Well, even my idol, Stephen Hawking said that some things are memang inexplicable. I have so much to tell (if u know me well, I always do) but words doesn't spell (and spill) out as easily as before. You may say it's a 'writer's block' but I digress. I call it errr...'stagflation'. If you've gone to economics class (I did mine in NUS and fared badly; should have stuck my classic sciences :P), it's a combination of being fake-ly 'high-spirited', but probably compensating for the stagnancy in my life.

Wow, I found another 8th of June baby at office!

Politics. These two MIA months were actually critical months in my career. My company is (still) going through a huge re-org and I found myself in a limbo. Shoved around. Found out that during such times, words are mere words if there are no actions. Promises were made and broken. A position in the company that was 'promised' to me, in which I was also eyeing for, was taken away without remorse. Such that I was the last one standing, in a game of musical chairs. Pretty much makes me the loser in this ruthless game. Of course, it's pretty normal in any company; many have journeyed through a similar path. I could only do two things: Quit or Stay. Office politics is as shitty as Malaysian politics. But the solution to politics is 'easy': You stay or you quit. (as per Singapore NDP 2002's speech by ex-premier Goh Chok Tong). You stay: you are doomed. You quit: politics will come find you wherever you are. Sooner or later, you're doomed.

Relationships: This 2 months has gladly shown me who are the people who don't give a damn about your life and those who genuinely do, who puts you down cause they envy your success, who understands your needs or those that plays down your aspirations by knowingly giving you shitty advice. At this point, it was ridiculously easy to pick out the ones that REALLY care and you care for too. Also those who makes use of you and your money, and those who thinks I am a nice girl, found out that I am not!

Doesn't feel great to be thrown around and letting the company or your anyone else decide your future. I need to decide my own future. But in turbulent times, a silver lining appears: The situation has allowed me to re-assess my priorities, my wants and more importantly - my passion. It the midst of chaos (and it was chaotic), I sorta found myself. Learnt more about what I want in life. What my limitations are. What my strengths are. By now, I am 70% sure in what I want (that's quite high by my standards!). These two months was a debate between passion vs. money; relationships vs. invasion; heart vs. mind.

Makan-makan with my senior colleague.

Passion. What is passion actually? Probably it's just stuffs that you enjoy doing. My passion was swimming. Then, it was Aikido. Later, it was my doctoral research where I was delighted to see fungus growing out of any thing. I also found out that passion changes over time. It's vulnerably fluid. I currently enjoy running, which is definitely my passion today. All I talk about lately is about running, the shoes, the races, the training, etc. But hey, passion doesn't pay your bills! I run but it's not good enough to beat those (angry) Kenyans or Japanese to stand on the podium with a mock cheque of USD8,000. So, to some people, stop asking me quit my job to do what I am passionate about. Let me tell you, I can't do running as a job. Read my lips: It doesn't pay my bills. Maybe, not at this moment. Hopefully one day, I shall find my TRUE(?) passion. But whatever it is, I hope to find a job/passion that fits my out-going, bubbly personality.

Priorities. You can see where my priorities lie even in this blogpost itself. Chronologically. Notice that I always speak about career first......then you do the maths. Maybe that's where the problem lies when it comes to r/ship. More on r/ships next time. That would be in another post. Maybe several posts :P :P

Tomorrow, I'll be hitting the Big three-Oh. I reflected back on what I've gone through for the past 30 years (wait...I barely have any memories of my first 5 years after birth, so it's 25 years) - the bitter-sweet memories, unforgettable travels, joyous occasions, big achievements, horrendous mistakes, life-changing moments, plain dumb decisions , and weird paths chosen - that led me to where I am today, I know I am blessed. I am also grateful, though slightly unsatisfied (I am still human being marr!),. I did come to conclusion that God do not allow me have everything, because if he does, I won't turn to Him anymore. Change, Loss and Pain are unavoidable. Growth is optional. "My prayer is you'll keep growing in love, knowledge and insight" - Philippians 1:9

Happy Birthday, Ivy. And grow up!

EMG Family Day - Damai Laut, Perak

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:36:21 PDT

Welcome to my second family. My colleagues and I are so close, I consider them my second family. In fact, I spend most my time (working life) for the pass 1.5 years with them. We are all such a great team that I am greatly saddened by the current restructuring that will see most of us going to other groups/projects. So, this is also a farewell trip for our close-knitted group.

If you must know, we are bonded mostly by food. Well, who's not, if you're in Malaysia. Everyone is such a great cook; I envy them being able to juggle between taking care of 5 kids(!) and coming to work with breakfast prepared (<8.00am!) enough for everyone to savour. They always cook lebih-lebih. I come to work every morning with home-made breakfast for sure at the pantry. (And I will be latest to wake up every morning and come in office empty-handed for the pass year - the luxury of being single and having no kids, husband to cook for).

As anticipated, our department's family day was a food-filled time. The trip to Damai Laut was a breeze and plus, the weather was kind to us. I packed my parents, god-sister and swim suit (as I was designated swim teacher for family day) into the Alza, sped to resort, and soon found out we are all staying at this awesome huge bungalow. Well, to cut the story short - we swam, BBQ-ed at night, karaoke-d whole night, played pool, relaxed at the beach, acara sukaneka involving balloons (my phobia!) for adults and kids, bitten by hundreds of mozzies, and the highlight for me (personally!) was - sharing ghost stories in the night. I spooked myself out, but was too tired to not sleep.

More importantly, my dad and mum enjoyed themselves and no-doubt fitted quite well with my colleagues, bosses and their family members. My mum is the most sporting mum in the world, which put me at total ease 'cause I was worried they wouldn't fit in easily (esp. dad). They were really really happy with the trip. I was happy that they are too.

I love my current boss. She's the greatest. She will be retiring end of this year and I am really sad that I'm about to lose a great mentor, a great problem-solver, and the one who hired me into a great company! *mata duitan*

Some random pics of the Family day:

BBQ

Afternoon at the beach

Damai Laut Resort - overlooking the golf course.

Mum

Newly-wed Fellie and hubby; others ain't my colleagues :P

Mum, Dad, Ying2

Biblical 1111

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:54:05 PDT

Look what I stumbled upon that interests me @RickWarren:

"A GODLY man loves the strength of a GODLY woman “IN THE LORD women & men are not independent of each other.”

1 Cor. 11:11

The verse and of course, the numbers interests me.

Btw, Corinthians is the 7th book of the bible. How perfect :)

Previous posts on 1111: here, here, and here AND HERE!!!!

Tempias

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:28:46 PDT

kan...kan...kan! I dah cakap awal-awal:

Singapore finds radioactivity in imported Japan vegetables

March 24, 2011

SINGAPORE, March 23 – Singapore said today its authorities had found low levels of radioactive contaminants in four samples of vegetables imported from Japan.

It said samples of wild parsley, rapeseed plant, mustard and perilla leaf were found to have elevated levels of radiation, although an adult would have to consume 3.5kg of these vegetables to receive a similar amount of radiation as one X-ray.

The contaminated samples were imported from the affected prefectures of Tochigi and Ibaraki, as well as Chiba and Ehime which are outside the affected areas.

Earlier today, Singapore suspended the import of milk, meat and produce from areas near Japan’s crippled nuclear power plant due to worries of radiation contamination. – Reuters

....Tempias nuclear ni dah nak sampai benua ni! Jagalah sikit, tuan-tuan & puan-puan. See my previous post here: http://cchivy.blogspot.com/2011/03/compounding-interest.html Malaysia, being Malaysia, will play down the seriousness of this radioactivity. Gomen takkan report punya...

Kalau lah you think it's low levels only and radioactivity is normal, then I have nothing to say. Kissaten lah, hari-hari. :-p But don't be paranoid, just be aware and careful. Awareness je...

Honestly, radioactive vege is worst as pesticide-laden Cameron Highland vege. At least you can wash off pesticide away very easily!

Dreaded Slope

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:09:56 PDT

The Dreaded Slope of Koi Kinrara, Puchong.

Almost every 2 days (if it ain't raining), I will drag myself up this slope:

....and down (which is more dangerous!)

Doesn't portray that much here in the pics, but it's pretty steep.

I assumed it's about 30 degrees..

Compounding interest

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:27:40 PDT

My current muse: The Looniness of a Long Distance Runner - Russell Taylor

RM5.00 only from the Big Bad Wolf Book fair. So worth it!

'Compounding interests':
I love this term. Makes you wanna cry every month :-P However, I am talking about the interest in running. My interest in running is compounded by reading several funny-ha-ha books such as the one above - "looniness of the long distance runner..." . I always ter-sleep when I read a book to bed, but not this book. I laugh hysterically every night reading this book (not good if you're my neighbour), and knowingly bearing the consequence of a mere 4 hour sleep nightly. You know how I hate British authors and style of writing since uni days: Dry! dry! dry! and leave you more confused at the end of your read. Once you've read American-authored books, you'll never lay hand on a Brit's shit ever. But this Brit (Russell Taylor) has been killing my sleep every night.....*smiles*

And I thought the first chapter that prints a huge title: "The History of Marathon" would be harshly mundane, wordy and only a greek kid would be compelled to follow it. This was different, surprisingly. I actually did enjoy this chapter the most. The modern history of marathon was the best-est part.

Who would've thought the infamous Murakami runs....and writes abt it! I would have to recommend this book to anyone who has compounding interest in running. The read has motivated and taught me so much too. This was because I could relate to him and his experience in both is struggles in running and triathlon (swimming). Yes, I can lend you this book, but for once, please return to me after reading. None of my books were returned to me after I lent them to so many. Darn

I can never leave coffee out in anything I do. Caffeine is another 'compounding interest' of mine.


Topping up my reads with a brew of Choco-Cappuccino (from Marks & Spencers - Xmas'10 present fr Callie).

____________________________________________

With all the natural disasters and pending-wars in this world, I am optimistic that the world is going to end relatively(?) soon (eh, relative to what?).

I truly believe, either:

1. 2012 is for real, ppl. Buy a property/land in South Africa's Cape of Good Hope. :-P

2. Climate change is for real, ppl. It has always been anyway.

3. Earthquakes can be human-triggered ;-) Many do know about this already but if you're in the oil/gas company, you will know exactly how and the science behind it. Small, small tremors may be human triggered. Don't bother if you're not a scientific person.

Google in the lines of: 'Human-triggered earthquakes'; 'secondary oil recovery and seismic activity', 'reinjection of water into well', etc.

4. Radiation clouds will arrive in Malaysia soon. Ppl think this is an overstatement, but I think otherwise. When it comes to radiation and eventhough ppl say: it's still far away from here lah, trust the Japanese ppl lah; Japanese ppl are damn modern and can handle this nuclear situation lah, whatever shit wind doesn't reach Malaysia lah, all government will say that to keep calm. I am not paranoid abt this. I barely have extra toilet paper at home and only one Maggi mee left :-P It is just that I have a bad feeling that even if the radiation has arrived in Malaysia, and Malaysia being Malaysia, will have their meteorological station play down their data!! I don't like information to elude me. I sgt benci data-scandal!

This is the same thing as GMO lah. You dunno meh...you've been eating GMO soy bean products for the past 12 years? I got data mar. Our gov can't even be bothered to label those GMO food. Same: you may already kena radiation or emitting some, but betcha our gov can't be bothered or can't handle the situation. We should be smart enough to not to play down the nuclear situation in Japan.

http://www.slate.com/id/2288618/?from=rss

Sigh. I also believed Japanese gov ( just as any gov would have) is really really undermining and playing down the effects of radiation in this region cause they don't want panic, panic-buying and economic meltdown or stuffs like that. But hey, which government wouldn't, eh?

But wait!!! Dah cakap membebel-bebel banyak ni. Let me see...radiation or not, I don't have a gym. So, you'll still see me in Bkt Jalil running under the rain. Any forms of radiation won't stop my compounding interest in running :-P

My wishlish 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 02:00:50 PDT

Tick tock... tick tock...tick tock...*boring giler*....

Half an hour feels like 'forever'. My bags are packed and I'm ready to go...home. Work finishes at 5pm and ....hmpph...I have 'forever' to....hmmphh...maybe fill in a post or two anything:

Let's see. It's definitely way too late to put my NY's resolution, no? Okay, maybe a list of WANTS (TO-DO) this year 2011.

1. A good vacation somewhere faarr. Can't complain in this department. I've got HK in my bag already that automatically come with a half-marathon. But HK ain't too far. I've got a Scuba diving trip this September in Tulamben, Bali. Can I put another vacation in between now and Bali, say...Australia, Siem Reap, Anzac?

2. Bali. Yes, I need to get a good dive package for all 4 of us. Almost forgot.

3. KL Marathon 2011 (26 June 2011) - I am going to push myself beyond my physical comfort for this race. I am aiming for 2:15. If I can do 2:21 in darn cold weather in HK, I can do it in KL (with ample hydration, of course).

4. Set to run thrice a week....towards a full marathon in 2 years time.

5. Slim down 1.5 kg. I am at my optimal weight now, which consequently means that it's a tat more difficult to reduce my weight even it's a little itsy weeny bit more. To do that, I need to reduce my greediness.

6. Spend more money on anything I want and whatever that makes me happy. Clothes, coffee, vacations, classy food, bak kut teh, make up, perfume, bag berjenama, on family, on shoes, conserving turtles, orchestra, theatres, on plays, on my boyfriend, on romantic dates, on comedy night, spend spend spend spend!!!

7. ....and with the little extra money I've got, derma them to Japan (via a legal route). You guys need to tell me how to donate, and if my money reaches (or not!). How to know ar?

and

8. Drink a whole pint of Guinness draft this year. And why not this Saturday with the girls?! It's St. Patricks Day this whole week anyway!

Now, that's not too bad for a restless half hour. Just about the right time to fong kong or pang kang!!

Death of this blog imminent

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:57:16 PST

Blek, celebrating the impending death of this blog....

I have not been updating as frequently as previous years due to work (part time teaching swimming and full time work) and a series of events that led to me to abandon my blog this year. Not on purpose. Cause, mind you, I love blogging and writing. And I love this blog. It's been My Space (pun intended) since 2005.

1. The domain: Blogspot has limited the number of pictures (which is linked to Picasa) that I can post on my current blog. Max photos in Picasa is 1GB, which I surpassed long ago because I had uploaded pictures to Picasa since 2005. Well, unless I delete my old photos which is big no-no. I am altogether pissed with, not my blog, but with Picasa. I am definitely not paying for extending my 1GB space of my current Picasa account. What I did was to set up another Picasa account: cchivy81@gmail.com where I get yet again another brand new lousy 1GB. Whatever it is, this factor alone has compelled me to wanna quit blogging for real.

2. Indeed, the word 'microblogging' rather than blogging per se have taken over me. I've been twittering more, and concurrently updating my life in Linked-in, FB, Buzz via TweetDeck. While I still will upload photos to my new Picasa account (sure boh?), I am definitely looking forward to my FB account in terms of uploading new photo albums as FB is not limiting my album space (sure boh!?). Will they limit in the future? Well, let's just hope not for the time being. Microblogging is the way to go, but where little bits and parts of my mind goes bewildered and lost in some 'book' that I have a hard time recovering back. That's what I don't like abt microblogging and where microblogging is lacking.

3. Setting a new blog, probably: cchivy81.blogspot.com. Will this work? No eye-deer. I am contemplating on doing this though I am pretty sure it is repeating the cycle/wheel with blogspot again; I foresee the same damn problem cropping up in the future. And soon, I will copy-paste from this rant again for y'all :P

I don't need readers for this blog is not for ppl to see (though I do appreciate comments), just that I would love to have a so-called online diary...you get what I mean? I enjoy writing and looking back at the past posts and smile at my sillyness (and smartness also lah).

4. Set up my own website/domain such as: ilovecchivy.com.my :P No?

5. Apa dia Tumblr ni? Put water punya bekas? Accelerated death of blog due to microblogging: http://www.goreng.my/spark/article/tumblring-up

Any suggestions in solving my issue above? I am a clueless person on the web. I know very well, but I have little idea how to exploit the vast opportunities that exist in the internet. Please, please, a big part of me don't want to quit blogging altogether.

*Apologies if I did not get my facts right on those issues above. Errata appreciated.

December 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:27:43 PST

Wow, what a month. Filled with activities and many joyous occasions. Never a month so happening. Of course, most of the time, esp. when you're in Malaysia, it involves this thing call food.

First of all, congratulations to my bestie Pink for getting married. Indeed it was a fairy tale wedding. Pls pray for me it will someday be my turn......as wonderful as yours (I'm optimistic, but it could be a long wait..hahaha). I am already missing you as my cool housemate and clubbing kaki.

OPS's wedding was the week before. Was a simple but joyous occasion nonetheless. The so ever tall friend of mine got a wife as tall has he ;-) (She is tall!). I have to mention this: the jazz band that they hired that night was damn good. Best I've ever experienced in a wedding dinner. Though consist of only a keyboardist and a female soloist, they were absolutely brilliant. All the latest songs (think: Bruno Mars) and the male keyboardist had this really mellow voice. Was glad that I made a few new friends from HK that was at the table. I've never spoke soo much Cantonese in one night! One of them will be joining the Stand Chart Hong Kong Marathon this February as well.

SIF-Alumni: Lum, Me, Ee Yee at OPS's wedding dinner

Oh yah, my car arrived early Dec. Sold my junk away for a very very safe buy - a Vios. And just 2 days after I got my car, someone purportedly farted (times 5) in it. I am pissed 'til today(!) and therefore want this 'disastrous incident' to be mentioned in this post and written in my history books ... for forever. LOL

The Malakoff 12km run at Mont. Kiara/Damansara Heights was quite relaxing. My gang arrived to a huge crowd of runners; probably 12 km is very much achievable for many. Plus, the weather was just right for the run. Finally met Farah (yay!) at the starting line after our countless unsuccessful meet-ups at previous races.

This is how we 'carbo-load'. No, it's more like 'protein-load'. HUGE, BEST-GRADE MACADEMIA NUTS from SYDNEY

Aunt's kindergarden always become the party spot.

Baby Jasmine: German mix Indian-Chinese

My Christmas was celebrated on Sunday. Went to regular church service with dad and then went up to Klang to pick up my mum from my aunt's place. Somewhat an annual event, we celebrated Boxing Day at Aunt Nancy's and Chris kindergarten. I always always attend their dinner parties cause it never fails to impress me - the food is extensive and delicious, the party-goers are in a class of their own, the drinks are ample from Holland beer to a 21-year-Chivas to ice kacang. And my cousin just got a new little 6 week-old baby call Jasmine. Adorable to the max & fearless of parties and noise!

My beer from Holland. Smoooooth....

Their free-flow of any type of booze or ice kacang or cendol u desire.

Of course, Malaysia won the Suzuki Cup. Never heard of this Cup, til....last week. Whatever it is, I had a bunch of replacement holidays to be wasted off due to this win. I'm in Ipoh and it's still December 2010. I'm still expecting a bunch of yum chas, food and booze before the year ends.

Other worth mentioning and I-had-so-much-fun events in Dec:

Callie's German Xmas party. "Frohe Weihnachten"!!

Colleagues at 'Penang Village' celebrating our boss' Birthday

Beloved Uncle Max at L's Xmas dinner party

I'm absolutely optimistic about 2011. Dream more, may your dreams come true.

"You may say that I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one"

John Lennon, taken from "Meet the Schmucks"

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 EVERYONE!

Christmas 2010 at Pavillion.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Ivy Chai) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:43:18 PST

Ohhhh my parents are here (again!). Not that I'm complaining apart from being the driver and tour guide for them for the whole of KL/PJ. Like cabby. Ah-mad, but without the gaji.

I always have a good time with my parents! My mum is really fun to hang out with and entertainingly funny (not the slapstick kind). She always, always make my day. She disturbs me and poke silly jokes at me, and I always ask her to repeat her jokes to me. It's stupid, I know.

This time, it's Pavillion's Christmas decoration that they wanna check out. Honestly it's the best Christmas decor in town. We set at the centre court to the sounds of carols and a cup of cappucinno, just allow time to pass us by, wasting away. That's the "Merry'' part of Christmas.

Here are some of the photos:

Like father, Like daughter, we cannot live without our daily dose of caffeine.