My cracked frame

Purchased a new pair of plastic frame glasses at Ronnie Optics Wisma Hopoh on last April. My previous pair of glasses was 3 years ago, also patronized from Ronnie Optics. I was somewhat contented with the sensible pricing and prompt service of Ronnie Optics so I decided to patronize the same optical shop again this time. Guess what, to my astonishment, the left side of the plastic frame broke out of sudden. I started to wear it permanently for around one month only. I was wandering in my house with my glasses on and the left frame just cracked and the lens fell on ground.

Pity of my 1 month old plus glasses =( such a misfortune

I went back to Ronnie anticipating for some miracles (free changing of frame) as I bought it less than 2 months ago. According to the shop assistant, there's no warranty for that. I can either replace it with new frames or buy a new pair of glasses. In the end, I opted for former option to keep my total damage to minimal. To my dismal I did not have much frames selection (as I just wanted to choose frame with average pricing) as that particular frame was needed to match it with my existing photochromic lenses.  

That's my new flawed entire black XinHan plastic frame glasses. You may not see visibly from the above photo that there's an apparent seam between the frame and the lenses. The new frame did not perfectly fit on my existing lenses. Hope that there won't be another nasty episode of either the lenses fell off from the frame or cracked frame once more. 

Hello glasses please be kind for me. I guess I won't be a loyal customer to Ronnie Optics in the near future. That's the consequences I'm gonna pay of being penny-pinching in the first place.

Yellow Puffer Fish: A Safe Food To Eat...My Thesis/Final Year Project 2011/2012

It was a random thought after my lunch time at work. I googled UPM, my name Ho Chin Mei and buntal kuning, to my astonishment, the first article that came up were familiar!

It was a journal published with my name contain in it. All the content was mainly written by me during the old times, with minor amendment and alteration and of course, more authors!

I was indeed very surprised to find such article. I reminisced my thesis entitled --> Yellow Puffer Fish: A safe food to eat had drawn so much attention from my own supervisor, presentation panels and also my own fellow course mates. To them, it was truly a new and interesting topic.

Please click the article from the link here. Enjoy reading it =)

Read some of my related stories during my data collection of Yellow Puffer Fish/Ikan Buntal Kuning:
1. The people, Ikan Buntal, Betong
2. The foods I came across and savour in Betong
3. A post
4. The Regent Inn (2), Betong
5. The Regent Inn, Betong, Sarawak
6. My 2011

September, a month of JOY

September, a month of joy for wedding and register of marriage (ROM)! There were at least ten (confirm more than 10) of my friends in Facebook that tied their knot with their better half in the past month. I managed to send congratulation messages to all of them through Facebook (hope I didn't missed up any of them) 

I was invited to witness one of my primary classmate, Carol's wedding ceremony. It was my first time attending church wedding (ashamed to admit, yes it my very first time attending church wedding).

A simple yet nice invitation card in softcopy with picture of bride and groom at the back =)

The morning session photograph with the newly wed couple after the church ceremony

with Lynn & Sarah

We were friends for more than 10 years? (ignore my fatty leg!)

To be frank, time flies and I had to admit I wasn't really close to most of my primary classmates. We were happened to attend some gatherings, and it ended up we would invite the same bunch of friends when there were more meet ups and yum cha session. Nevertheless, it was an honor to be invited to witness their special moments of their life although we might not as close as before.

Night party session photography at Cafe Cafe @The Original Car Wash

And another primary classmate of mine, Jessica is tying the knot on this coming December =)

A very well written article written by one of my upper secondary schoolmate friend for her best friend that had her wedding reception last month. It was a touching article with full of blessings for her friend.

My first Photobook!

Got a free 1 x 8 x 6 small landscape softcover 40 pages Photobook from LINE BCard after got the answer right for sort of Q & A quiz (in fact I forgot the details)

Chin Mei's Diary

love  .  friendship  .  memories

compiling few years of my photo collection. Chose a 4 years back old photo as cover photo (my chubby face lolx)

Love the black background. Simple and easy to match the font color with photo captions and lovely quotes.

Paid only RM 12.72 for shipping fees and I received my Photobook in good quality and condition on the 6th day after I submitted my project for printing.

Osome Wood Fired Pizza, Jln Datuk Tawi Sli

Went to one of famed pizza eatery place in the town and redeem the pizza voucher bought in Supermain. We were approached by several warm and friendly staffs and the service was rather speedy.

Four Elements Pizza RM24.90 with additional topping Bacon

probably the way they bake their pizza using wood fired attract the most. For me the pizza was somehwhat typical and nothing to shout about.

Panna Cotta Almond RM4

extremely humble portion of Italian dessert, topped with aromatic almond.

Everything went well until we made payment at the cashier. Two ladies: the cashier and I both went wacky. After I took the change, we left and drove off, and out of sudden I realised I was given short change of RM10. I went back and demanded for my change and obviously it was too late. They agreed to check and gave me a call after they checked their money during closing. They did called me the following day, however, there was no surplus money but only shortage from their cashier. It was indeed predictable that the money was gone. Lesson learnt for the day: 

1. TO ME: Be alert when paying bills and check your MONEY!

2. TO THEM: Even if I intended to cheat the RM10 or I made mistakes, but they are still short of money in their cashier. Undoubtedly, someone has a huge questionable payment system in their cashier.

Thought of the day

我们的思路总是被常规限制着，在一个狭小的范围内打转，被常识或偏见牵着鼻子走。其实，很多事情只要换个思路，抛弃惯性思维，结局马上就会不同，正是："山重水复疑无路，柳暗花明又一村".

Our conventional thoughts are always restricted within a narrow range, being led by the bias. In fact, if a lot of things could abandon the inertia of thinking, the outcome would be totally different from now.

My 2013

Happy Horse Year! This is a super delayed post, thus I guess I'll just make a superb brief one and go on with My 2014!

Nevertheless, all in all, my 2013 was a peaceful one. I actually stepped into real working society for 1 year plus, stayed in the same company, welcomed my super cutie niece Lynelle, voted in Election Day, be the first ever bridesmaid in my life and made one of the most and perhaps the only decision in my life. 

I do hope more and prosperous opportunities will come ahead. Happy Horse Year 2014!

updating...

Everyday was a raining day for the past few days. I almost late to work and I took almost an hour to reach home everyday. I guess the weather and also our Malaysia day rehearsal was making the traffic so terrible for the past one week. Every working day was pretty much the same. Very routine and sort of get used to it. Periodically went to a few outlets to make some checking and writing reports. Browsing my SD card, I just couldn't decide what to write. So I guess I'll just combine everything in one post!

Super missed Roti Pisang that I used to eat often during my uni time but in Kuching, I find hardly find people selling Roti Canai  selling Roti Pisang. Happened to find out Rumah Hijau got and we went there but Roti Canai habis liao. 

#1 Rumah Hijau

Oreo Cheese Cake, not really my cup of cake

Nasi Briyani with Ayam Penyet. Like their aromatic herbs and spices used.

#2 Big Thumb Jumbo Giant Drink

Jumbo Giant Size 3 Layer Teh C Peng...around RM3.50...two people also have difficulties to finish one drink

#3 Ah Gan Tea Buy 1 Free 1 Promotion

Thirst Quenching Drink at CityOne

#4 Claimed a free popcorn

I wrote a blog entry about Planet Popcorn and I was entitled for a free popcorn. Sis was happened to be in KL area, and I asked her to pick up my popcorn on behalf of me =)

#5 Cut down meats and beans!

Happened to see the uric acid content in some foods, even mushroom also contain considerable amount of uric acid! Careful!

# 6 Teh Dangdut

Made a few attempts of preparing teh/kopi dangdut. Interesting trials and the drinks was actually quite nice to see and drink

#7 Black Green Case

After two deliveries and some complications, finally we got two of us an identical the black green case each. Not bad though.

# Quote of the day

When life gives you lemon, make a lemonade!

To hold

stress cause suffocation, making us difficult to breath, encouraging us to give up

but a simple treat, pleasure and surprise will uphold everything

in fact, are there values, merit and significance behind the persistence?

after rain there's a rainbow, 

after a storm there's calm, 

after the night there's morning,

 and after a ending there's a new beginning

So after no money there's more money to come?

Queenie Age 2

Time goes by so fast! Queenie is age 2 now! Last year she had a Queen Crown Birthday Cake. This year she was granted with a Kitty Birthday Cake.

The Kitty was so tall until they had to make a hole in the middle to accommodate the head.

The Giant Kitty was surrounded by 5 mini Kitty.

She even had a special candle.

She wore a long dress too. She will look nicer if she gains more weight. The dress is too loose for her.

Introducing Queenie little sister, Lynelle. Just as tiny as her sister. Wearing Kitty shirt as well =)

Older & definitely NAUGHTIER

Both cakes were custom made and designed by Taka

Meal of the night at Yew Fook Cafe...

Hot & Sour Soup, Butter Chicken, Chicken Mee, Bittergourd with Eggs, Midin with Garlic, Crispy Pork with Red Fermented Beancurd and Sweet & Sour Black Pomfret.

女人一定要有钱

女人一定要有钱，情妇也会输给你，

忘了在哪本书看过，但内容印象深刻。笔者是一位女性，她的父亲曾教她如何当一个女人。她被父亲带到高级俱乐部，去看那些女人如何和她的父亲相处。後来，她结婚了，他的另一半没有情妇，只有她一个女人。她学了什么？她学会了如何打高尔夫，如何评监美酒；她会了温柔聆听；她学会了表达自己的意见；她学会了摄影；她学会了舞蹈；她学会让自己高贵美丽；她学会经营自己的事业。她不取悦男人，但男人喜欢她。她不是情妇，却叫人难忘。

女人，要懂得经营自己，「白头偕老」已经快要成为神话的现代社会，女人拥有一张长期饭票的机率越来越低，当婚姻破碎了，金钱纠纷很容易导致男女双方恶言相向，受害的一方往往是女人。即使婚姻幸福的女人，也有机会单独面对现实人生，因为妇女普遍比男性长寿八到十岁，年轻守寡的事也时有所闻。在职场上，女性普遍比男性处於劣势，女性收入普遍比男性低，即使同工也不同酬，女性换工作的频率也比男性高，公司裁员多半先裁掉女性员工，显然，女性比较不容易领到退休金， 就算领到退休金，也少得可怜，因为，男性总是将低微的工作分配给女人做。

年轻的时候，女人觉得这一天永远不会来临，总是很乐观的认为「船到桥头自然直」，女人总是逃避现实，缺乏居安思危的观念，不愿意去想倒楣的事，等到问题发生了才烧香拜佛，祈求上苍眷顾，帮忙降福改运。其实，女人如果尽早学会理财，为没有依赖的日子做好准备，命运可以掌握在自己手中。

前一阵子，「女人要有钱」这本书卖到缺货，不仅女人在看，男性读者中也十分抢手，作者是美国主妇茱蒂．瑞斯尼克，她强调：「女人要青春，要美丽，要遇见好男人，更要有钱才会幸福」。女人从来不替自己的未来生活做打算是很危险的事。作者在书中一再对妇女洗脑：「聪明的女性寻觅的是一个温馨和充满关怀的伴侣，而不是长期饭票。」， 她说：女性必须体认到，白马王子早在50年代就绝迹了，而且职场不是一个公平竞争的地方，如果女人完全依赖别人，可能导致个人健康和财富的损失。茱蒂说：女人开始投资和储蓄，起步越早成功的机会越大，越年轻开始充实这方面的常识越有利，在能力范围内牺牲物质享受， 学习精打细算，为未来做准备，不要甘於贫穷，才能拥有真正的自由， 当然，绝对不可为了金钱而不择手段。

高职毕业的台湾名女人何丽玲，曾经在一次访谈中说： 「我很小就明白，美貌和理财是女人一生最重要的事」， 她提到她的祖母告诉她：「女人读书成绩差一点没关系，但是一定要懂得理财」。 她在八岁时，祖母就开始训练她理财观，丢给她一本帐簿，教她如何记帐， 帐本里有两百多个互助会名单，这个国小二年级的小女生，开始跨出理财的第一步。何丽玲也说过一句发人深省的话：「女人能年轻多久？可以无忧无虑多久？ 身为依赖成习的女性，有时候我们该思考，如果有一天发生意外状况，我有没有能力自给自足？总有一天我们必须靠自己想办法过日子，只有自己才能保障自己的未来」，因此，女人要有钱， 并不是要追求享乐，而是生命的尊严。她说：「如果女人懂得理财，懂得独立，人生就是你的， 女人无法在厨房中要求独立，学会理财才是追求独立自主的基础。何丽玲在职场和情场的成功，不是没有道理的。

有些女性认为理财是男人的事，懒得伤脑筋，也有些女性害怕自己太能干，而得不到男人的爱，但现实生活里，看到许多例子，懂得财务规划的夫妇，婚姻比较幸福，会理财的妻子也比较能够得到丈夫的欢心，身为一般妇女的父兄或师长，为什么不能趁早指导女性学习金钱观念， 如同教育她们举手投足像淑女一样。

「女人一定要有钱」再穷，也要去旅行！ 脑袋决定你的口袋，口袋里的自由，决定你一生的幸福，决定你脸上的笑容。

1:永远不要让任何一个男人成为你生命的全部,要懂得投入越多,失去越多的道理.

2:不要为任何男人放弃自己的个性,其实并不是你迁就他,就可以让他觉得你多好,恰恰相反,男人更喜欢有自己个性的女人.

3:千万不可以为了爱情,放弃事业,很简单,选择爱情,一旦爱情没有了,你就什么都没有了,选择事业,即使爱情没有了,可是你还有本事赚钱养活自己,还有属于自己的生活.

4:不要企图依附男人生活,没有人会对寄生虫保持永远的热情.

5:不要过度的索取,如果你爱他,那么为了你们的将来,你应该珍惜他的收获,为你们的以后做好规划;如果你不爱他,迟早会离开他,那么不要在分手后,让他有机会在别人面前说你只是贪图他的钱.

6:不要在你的爱情遭遇第三者时,一味的妥协,原谅.要知道,有些事可以原谅,但有些事是一辈子的伤痕.

7:不要在生活的细节上计较那么多,要知道,大部分男人,是孩子,需要你的照顾.

8:不要在发现你的爱情没有爱了的时候,还固执的坚持,有时候,放手,不光是给他自由,还是给自己一条生路.

9:不要认为谁离开谁就活不下去,要知道,你的生命来自父母,除他们之外,没有任何人值得你付出生命的代价,而你的父母只会希望你快乐平安.

10:不要把你所有的钱花在他身上,女人该对自己好点.

11:不要为任何人打扮自己或把自己搞得不修边幅,要每天都把自己装扮的干干净净,漂漂亮亮,美丽,只为自己.

12:不要为任何人放弃你的朋友,忽视你的家人,要知道,如果有一天爱情不在了,真正在你身边支持你的不是那个曾经的山盟海誓,而是这些人.

13:不要把世事看得太重,我们生活在这世界上,都是戏子,台上的演,台下的看,所以,演得时候认真,看得时候就不要太认真.

14:不要总是用眼泪去打动去挽留,有时侯你的眼泪适得其反,微笑,一定要自信的微笑着面对一切!

15:不要看低自己,每个人都有自己的优秀,他不懂珍惜,就找懂珍惜你的,他不会欣赏,就找欣赏你的!错过这一站,只因为最好的那个在下一站等你.女人～能靠谁呢？单身父母、婚后靠另一半！又或许谁都不可靠！因为人心会随着时间去改变！

所以女人该懂得：靠山山会倒、靠水水会流、靠人不如靠己！

为自己的青春买单、为自己的幸福买单！加油吧！

女人

Copy...something very true to share

當你的女人失去了貓性，說明她要離開你了。

我的一個女生朋友晚上加班，天氣很冷，她發了簡訊請男朋友送外套給她，男朋友因為在打遊戲所以拒絕了。 這件事讓她心情不好兩天之後氣消了。雖然是件小事，不會影響兩個人的以後，但是她說:她會記住，以後加班一定會帶衣服，如果哪天忘記了，即使冷死也不會再叫他送。

我很能了解這種感覺

很久以前，一個女孩在某天晚上心情特別低落，特別想念某個人的安慰，然後打電話給那個人，說很想聽他說話，電話另一邊的他正在外面跟朋友喝茶聊天，不耐煩的敷衍她。

從此以後，她再也沒有在傷心難過的時候打電話給他

我發現女人身上有一種貓性

小貓在撒嬌或做錯事的時候需要別人的安慰和指導，如果這時候主人打擊了它，它會狠狠的記住，不會再犯

女人，有著像貓一樣的自尊，特別是在愛情裡的女人

在別人看來無關緊要，其實需要保護

因為愛，已經讓她的心變得柔軟，她的自尊，其實是要你對她在乎。

曾經，我跟一個男人說過這句話，

有時候女人需要一個男人，就像逃機者需要降落傘，如果他在這個時候不在，那以後他也不必在了。真的，就這樣。

如果哪天貓咪用堅定的眼神看著你說我可以的時候，那麼貓咪已經做好了離開的準備了。

女人是要獨立，但是獨立到不再會對你不講道理的撒嬌任性，不會再無厘頭的纏著你，你覺得你對於她形同路人還有多大的區別?

女人的貓性不是每個男人都有幸看到的，

因為喜歡在意才對你發出特有的慵懶聲，其他人只能聽到喵喵叫，而這個聲音只為你而生，有幾個人明白?

女人愛開玩笑，只是愛開那個他的玩笑而已。如果有一天，發現自己一個人玩都不覺得悶，很久不捏他手也不會癢，只是安靜的待在他旁邊，不再想辦法和他膩在一起，到這個時候的你們該有多難過。

男人總是說女人無理取鬧，沒事找事不講道理不可理喻(不是泛指所有男人，請不要自動留言糾正)。為什麼不去想想，她在對待別人的時候不是這樣的態度

如果有一天，她不再對你撒嬌任性，不會再纏著你跟你要這個要那個，她不再因為你的任何事情微笑或者皺眉，

那麼，你就永遠的失去她了。

Requiring RM16K to Maldives

I guess I have reached an age
Where marriage is somehow pretty often lately
When I'm browsing through the FB news feed,
Proposal, engagement, registration,
Pre-wedding photoshoot, wedding day photography are so frequent
Happened to read a blogger post of the proposal in Maldives,
Which incured the expense of RM16K,

 RM 15k + USD 400+ (tipping, wine, spa, beverages) = RM 16K+

I almost want to shout out loud when I saw the post:
"This guy is so incredibly rich, and this girl so is exceptionally blessed, LOL!"

My 2012 Updated

 I did a brief summary of my 2012.

#1  I have a job!

Officially, I enter another phase of a typical life. No more part time and free lance jobs. (But I'm still under probation, which means I can be jobless anytime!). Working 5.5 days in a week is somehow exhausting, especially I'm required to punch in the card earlier before my actual working time and nothing such as "Oh, it's 5pm, OFF! " I get to know some Indon and Bangla foreigners, learn some local dialects (Sigik = satu, dua igit = dua, nyaman = sedap), deal with some factory issues to ensure smooth operation. I learn to get used to eat alone sometimes when my only lunch partner went off with her bf. No high heels, fancy working attire and make-up (I think I can throw away the blouse, dress, skirts and cosmetics soon) Even I'm not allow to put on my earrings and watch. (hopefully I can still put on my necklace~) Everyday my shirt was loaded with ROJAK food smells-garlic, onion, belacan, chilli, curry, complex isn't it? 

#2  I graduated!

I left UPM, a place where I spent around four years. The memories, the friendship, the fate. I know it's almost impossible to stay well connected with those people I known through UPM. At least I can shout off "I'd gone through my university life!"

#3 I flew to Thailand alone!

Graduation trip with coursemates, without those familiar one. I actually flew all alone to Thailand, sat on an unknown cab just because a Thai guy took a tag with my full name when I arrived the airport! I enjoyed the trip well although it was a trip without my besties, whom blow off the trip last minute.

#4 I lost a car!

I drove my mum/bro's car out and the next thing happen was ----the car just vanished like that. I was scared to "death" at that time. It creates a lot of complicated issues and inconvenience to people around me. Until now, the car was not found and I think it is quite impossible to get off the incident off my mind.

#5 I won a trip to China but I blew off everything!

I had never been so lucky in my life that I won myself a 2 weeks youth exchange programme to China. I submitted a English essay promoting and introducing myself together with the application forms. Five star accomodations, foods and flight expenses were included. However, due to my delay response and arrogant officer, the officer canceled my name and that my FOC trip to Hong Kong, Shanghai and many more destinations was called off =( I am really NEVER been so lucky before and obviously I'm not fortunate enough to enjoy the golden privileges.

#6 I'm in relationship!

He's not an amazing one nor a standard guy in terms of everything - work, money, family, look, attitude etc but I'm giving both of us a chance. Sometimes it feels good to be able to get pampered by someone once a while.

#7 Roxstan left us at 20.12.2012!
Roxstan fell sick. He had been with us around six years. We all knew he had suffered and struggled a lot. Thanks for being with us throughout the years.

#8 I participated a night run!

 I went for a 5km night run and I did some trainings before it. My first run!

Lastly, my family portrait! Three years ago and now! Two more members joined in my family, and one more next year =). 

Happy and blessed 2013! Think of your 2013 resolutions and achieve them! Seriously =)