My sister-in-law is back from Ireland with her husband and 2-year old son, therefore, my in-laws organized a mini break to Pangkor with the whole family. Alex went back with them on Monday leaving me all alone throughout the week. The younger brother-in-law, my age, came to pick me up on Thursday night to go back.

It was totally a bad time to drive home. Minutes after we’ve begin our journey, it starting raining. At first it was just the normal raininig, but half an hour into the journey, it was pouring cats and dogs. Everything was a blur. I can’t see anything. Although my BIL was driving, but that did not really helped much since he has astigmatism as bad as mine. So practically both of us crawling really slow on the highway.

Upon reaching Bidor, the rain begin to lightened a little but the earlier storm has really damaged some of the kampung area. The roads were slightly flooded right outside Bidor (I think it’s Kampung Cold Stream) and we saw a few fire engines.

Despite all that, I think we made pretty good time when we arrived at slightly pass 9 o’clock. Everyone was happy to see us, I guess, including Joseph, my sister-in-law’s son. He remembered me! Warmed up to me real quick.

On Saturday morning, we journeyed to Lumut to catch the ferry across to Pangkor. I haven’t been to Pangkor since 2004 with Linda and Vincent. We did a round island tour  just to get the little fella to see the sights. Too bad for Joseph that the humid weather is not really agreeing with his Irish skin. He was sweating profusely. Poor boy.

In the evening, all the boys (Alex, his two brothers and Paul - Joseph’s dad) and I went on the banana boat. It was real great fun. It was my first time. Me and the youngest BIL wanted to do a more thrilling burger slice (yeap, new fad) but Paul wanted to try the banana first. So we did that. Still great fun especially if you’re sitting on the first seat. Just like roller coasters, that’s the best seat.

After dinner, Paul taught us ( or rather gave a refresher course to the Diong brothers) Trans-Siberian Express, a card game. Great game. Easy gameplay and lots of speculative elements. My FIL although he was not getting the game right, but I believed he was truly enjoying himself in the company of his children and grandchild. I guess, when we get older, we all want to be with our families more often.

Overall, it was great family bonding time, although every other hour, my inlaws drops me big hints about providing an additional to the family which I always blissfully pretended not to hear!

I finally discovered how to block my crochet work so that my squares will remain squares. All you need is : -

1. Steam Iron.

2. Styrofoam

3. Pins

 You’ll need to pin the crochet work exactly how you would want it. Spray a little bit of water and leave to dry. After the work dries, carefully remove your crochet and put a cloth in between the iron and your work and press slightly! Taadaa.. you have a piece of perfect crochet.

 These are two of my squares being left to dry. I have yet to iron them. The styrofoam that I am using comes from bottled drinks. Therefore virtually no cost! Recycling rocks! 

I’m now crocheting basic granny squares to be joined together into a baby afghan. This is my first time designing such. Do give me some ideas what do you think!

And no, Athena’s not pregnant!

Went I read this piece of news , I nearly fainted.

I mean, men getting kicks from kiss of a miniature robot that is battery-operated? What is wrong with these people?  Can’t they just socialize more with ‘normal’ people and get all the love and attention from  organic creatures? Not limitted to just human, but also pets.  Gosh!

I have been wanting to do write a review on this right after I finished watching it but somehow, I didn’t manage to find the time. Probably it was also because of my block module, it slipped my mind.

I watched it with no prior knowledge of what the movie is about. Alex bought it based on the sysnopsis that was written on the cover. The movie is based on a novel of the same name by Khaled Housseini, a native Afghan (yes, from Afghanistan, not the blanket).

The plot is written very accurately over at Wikipedia’s. Click here. (Spoilers Alert!)

Amir and Hassan going for the kite competiton

I thought the little boys who did the potrayal for Amir and Hassan were superb! They managed to show to the audience the intense emotions of what was happening. The fear, the knowledge of being betrayed, the shame of being the coward, the bravery, the love and the pain . All the emotions you can possibly think of. In fact, I think they outshone all the adult actors in the movie.

Another thing which I liked, but am very depressed about was the realness of the show. Although I know now, that most of the scenes are shot in China, but it really made me believe that this is what Afghanistan is really like.  A cold and barren land with little natural resource.  The transition of the times was well depicted. From the monarchy rule, till the Soviet Invasion and lastly the Taliban rule.

Although this is a movie on the kids, but there are several scenes which are quite disturbing and kids, if you should allow them to watch with you, you must really guide them well. Scene No. 1 that is truly disturbing is the anal rape by an older kid, Assef to Hassan. This is his way of taking revenge on Hassan when the younger boy threatened him with a slingshot when Assef tried to bully Amir. I really cannot fathom why Assef have to resort to sexually abusing Hassan. Assef at that time was most probably around 15~17 years of age.  The scene was also disturbing because, I remembered on article in the newspaper regarding the practice by Aghanistan men of taking pre-pubescent younger boys as lovers (little boys who has yet to have deep voices and facial hair were seen as ‘women’). This is again potrayed many years later in the film when Assef is now a ‘high official’ in the Taliban rule visits an orphange on a monthly basis in the war-torn capital Kabul to have his pick of both little boys and little girls to satisfy his sadistic desires.

The second scene which was disturbing to me was when they had a football match, during half-time, some officials from the Taliban brought a woman dressed in burqa’ and another man. They have been accused on committing adultery and were to be stoned to death. To me, that scene is just too graphic.

All in all, this movie is very emotionally intense. Definitely a highly recommended watch. However, this is not for everyone because of the language, the rape scene and some violence. I rate this at a very high 8.5/10

The time is nearly 4pm. Facilities dudes are coming at 4pm to get all our stuff over to the new place.

 We’re all ready to roll!

First up, I am sorry, I didn’t take any pictures of the babe, the father of the babe, Ging, had the most adorable picture of him and his son lying down. The little bundle is really a chip off the old block. He’s a splitting image of his dad!

 Last Sunday, Alex and I went out for lunch with Ging, Michelle, and their baby, Adrian (I don’t call him that, I prefer Ging Ning Ning!) The baby is now nearly 3 months old and is surely melting hearts already. The last time we went out, he managed to captured the heart of a very beautiful single girl around early 20s who was seated at the table next to ours to play with him. Ging said out loud that he could be using his kiddo to attract more attention from the girls!! Too bad for him, Michelle quickly pulas his telinga!!! Padan muka!

Alex was certainly not equipped to handle small children. He is very clumsy with Ging Ning Ning. Before we have our own kiddos, must make Alex babysit Ging Ning Ning more often first!! LOL!

My favourite game throughout my university days has always been The Sims. I have almost all the add-ons. Therefore, this particular PS2 (ok, I’m outdated, what to do!) game is exactly like The Sims but infused with lots and lots of stuff which Playboy founder, the legendary Hugh Hefner is famous for!

 There are two type of gameplay to choose from , mission based or freeform. I haven’t tried the freeform, yet but the mission-based one is fun!  Basically, you’ll need to publish the magazine, get some hot action from from your girlfriends (yes, it’s plural), shoot some nude women! It’s pretty shallow really and not suitable for kids below the age of 18. What can I say, Sex Sells!!

Sorry la, no screen shot from the game. This blog is family friendly! :p

Boohoo!!!

 My team’s expanding and the other folks in the same office is expanding at the same time. Sad to say my boss lost the battle, and now we’re going to be chucked to one lonely dingy corner of the plant!  Good point is, we have our own private toilet. Bad point, it’s not part of the main building which means, we could be wet during rain!