Seriously, Common Sense

Dear pipsqueaks,

Sometimes, during those "do u think ever think with ur brain?" moments, u wonder if we even have the same common sense anymore. I've always thought some things were a given- so obvious that there shouldn't be any questions- but again n again, I'm brought to doubt the level of IQ & EQ of people nowadays.

A short list of common sense that I think are quite self-explanatory...

In the office:

• close ur office door when ur having a private conversation or when u think its too loud outside- ur the one with an office door, duh, use it
• put in a new jug of water when u finish the one in the dispenser- ur a member of the office, so take some responsibility
• ur 10 minutes is worth the same as anyone else's 10 minutes- don't be conveniently inconvenient to others
• unless it's an emergency, ur family should NOT be calling the office 3x a day- that's why u have a cellphone, use it
• if it isn't urs, don't touch it
• if u aren't in the conversation to begin with, don't ask
• respect others' privacy
• always, always, always think before u do or speak

Axiata Cup 2012- Prelims Day 1

Dear pipsqueaks,

This was the second time attending a tournament in Malaysia since I arrived, n knowing how crazy locals are when it comes to their Badminton, I had high expectations of the atmosphere n overall look-n-feel of the event. Actually, it's the first year for the Axiata Cup, so I was a bit more relaxed with what to expect, n since the venue was where the old office was (hm, it didn't leave a very good impression for me, so I wasn't exactly excited to drop by, but it's what it is. The tourney's there, n if I wanna go check it out, I'll have to go there. *exhale*).

As I had a few friends coming to play the event, I thought it'd be nice to say hello's n cheer them on, etc. (since I didn't have a 'home team' playing, I can cheer for anyone!). When we reached the stadium, parking wasn't too difficult, n upon entering, I have to say, Badminton Asia did a really good job transforming the whole place! Almost less frightening, but it could be because there were more bodies walking around, so the environment looked more alive. It wasn't a large venue, so it may have been easier to manage in terms of sponsorship placements n things like that. So, for first impression, better than I expected.

Friends Tribute

Dear pipsqueaks,

Having just watched the much-anticipated first episode of the final season of Desperate Housewives (on Malaysian TV channel), the catch-line's just stuck in my head...

"Friends are the ones that stay behind to help clean up the mess..."- with reference to the dead body hidden in the living room table box.

Oddly enough, I don't think I've written anything about how amazing my friends are. Most of them have been around for ages, but that's never an excuse to take them for granted. Thinking back, I do have some of the most patient, daring, n supportive friends. Here are just some anonymous shout outs for those that remember the time when...

St. Patty's Day Celebration

Dear pipsqueaks,

I've been meaning to do a recap of the random St. Patrick's Day celebration that we ran into during the weekend, but somehow, the "postponement syndrome" kicked in. No worries, better late than never...

The night was supposed to be just a short chilling session with the intern. I mean, it was a Saturday night, n the urge to head out was much stronger after having such a WTF week at work. So, I finished gym earlier than usual, n just as I was flipping through my closet to see what I should wear, outside of my wall of window, was a full display of fireworks. It seemed to be arising from the Radius Hotel- where Changkat was. Hm, I wonder what was the occasion? (Yes, after spending almost ten months here, the western holidays don't mean as much to me now as we function on a totally different calendar here). Since we were meeting in that area, I could go check it out. So I did.

(it's only 11pm...@@") 

(can't see an END to this crowd)

The Good Friend-Girl

Dear pipsqueaks,

Always the good friend; never the "it" girl.

It's quite odd to be thinking about all those days of young crushes when I'm happily committed now, but I guess it only happens when u have something more solid to compare to. Reminiscing, those were really wild days. Ha, the things we do in the name of "love"...

Beautiful People... & Life's Randomness

Dear pipsqueaks,

Do u remember that episode of "Family Guy" where Peter completely transformed himself just to get into the "Beautiful People's"club? Well, it's not something that I'd like to admit or agree with, but it IS a sad truth.: just being beautiful, u get more perks. Period. That's partially why I have very limited group of friends because I'm just so picky. Just kidding! But seriously, it was never that apparent until last weekend when I was on the scene with three beautiful European girls: two from Norway n one from Germany. No kidding, people were just so much easier to deal with wherever we went.

For instance, the Saturday night that we went to the "Whitney Houston Tribute", as I didn't know reservations were allowed, we had to squeeze-stand on the second floor with no tables or chairs. Then, all of a sudden, a server asked if we wanted a table n through the crowded space brought us a high-stand. Not long after, some guy bought a glass of white wine for one of my girl (although, he really should've got one for all of us, but it's all good, lol). What started as a really uncomfortable setting became a very enjoyable night.

Whitney Houston Tribute @ No Black Tie

Dear pipsqueaks,

As usual, weekends tend to be the slow, low-tide days for me. Never had I woke before 9am, I was probably a little too optimistic to schedule all my house work in the morning, n possibly too enthusiastic about the weather in KL to think I'd be able to read by the pool-side in the afternoon *shaking my head*. Not only was it raining, it rained MOST of Saturday. Brilliant. I still managed to make a trip to the grocery store to pick up the essentials just so I don't feel like I'm wasting the fridge away by leaving it almost empty. Gotta buy some soya milk n fruits to keep the cheese-strings company in the cold. Let's not forget about the last piece of french chocolate that my bun brought me...

Anyway, the highlight of this weekend- at this point, I try to find a "main event" every weekend just so I feel that time had at least been better well-spent than on my couch- was the "Whitney Houston Tribute" at No Black Tie. For those that know me, I've never been too particular to these kinds of performances, but somehow, I just fell in love with the atmosphere of this space. With the live band n soulful voices, possibly, it allows me to feel like I'm elsewhere. Not in KL. It really does give me this peculiar-in-a-good-way feeling to be there.

(Just hearing the "and I~" brought me to tears)

Happy [Luniversary]

[T]ill this day, I'm still at disbelief

[H]ow random events brought you to me

[O]ur first Long Island and brownie relief

[M]esmerised by the night's mystery

[A]s we trek lightly into uncharted lands

[S]urely, yet unconsciously, I accepted your hands

[N]erves set in as we prepared to take flight

[I]n hopes to calm some loose-end's fright

[C]losed off our world to any spotlight

[A]ll along, "we" were always in sight

[I]nspired by what the future may write

[S]howered by love's endless delight

[E]ven distance cannot deny our right

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Just want to say, 

Thank you for loving me <3

Worst Lies

Dear pipsqueaks,

To start off, I'd like to recommend a movie called "The Invention of Lying". It's a brilliant movie that gives u a glimpse of a world without lies. This is not to promote the act of lying, but rather, to acknowledge its importance, purpose n dangers. Now, what are the worst lies one can think of? Some say they're the ones that are meant to harm- obvious. Some believe they're the ones that were done to protect- a bit hypocritical when lies are never meant for such a function, n most likely than not, it'll surface some day. Maybe not now, not later, but some day, because in order to complete a lie, another will have to be fabricated, n so on. There's bound to be a loophole somewhere because nothing's perfect. "It's just the way the cookie crumbles!" For me, the worst lies are the ones u tell urself.

Keep in mind, lies are not only of the spoken. They could be actions, inactions n feelings- intangible things. It's funny because, due to my past experiences that I'm not so proud of, I can see through lies in similar matters even before they've been completely formulated in the person's mind. Like a flat screen, their thought processes scream out at me, n as much as they try to explain or reason with their words, I laugh knowing it's not the truth. Oh, how they try so hard to convince themselves- it's a little painful to see someone do such a thing. It tempts me to just spill everything on the table n put their HEAD right into the facts- everything that's happened n how they reflect certain denials- so they'd wake up n smell the reality. Let's be honest here- by the time I'm about to choke u for all this frustration, the elephant will probably have grown to fill the room right up to the corners. It'll need more than just a blanket to "disappear" for a while. For one, Harry would never agree to lend his invisibility cloak to u for ur elephant, or else, by the time he gets it back, it'll better fit someone of Hagrid's size.