Spirits? Are they for REAL????

The Star, Sunday 29/01/12

This article reminds me of my recent experiences, with the first incident happening while I was holidaying in Korea, in October, 2011.

After having packed my luggage past midnight, I switched off the dresser's light and headed to the bathroom for a bath. Upon opening the bathroom door after my shower, the entire room was brightly lit and my roommate was still deep in slumber as she was when I left her!

I felt goosebumps all over me and hastened towards her! "Chin Lan, Chin Lan, did you have the lights on?" "No..." she murmured. "No? Hey then, I'm gonna share your bed tonight....and we shall sleep with the lights on huh...." I said calmly trying hard not to display my fear.

In the middle of the night........ the lights WENT OFF leaving the room in complete DARKNESS!!! I shuddered, closed my eyes instantly and didn't dare budge an inch and prayed for early dawn while my heart thudded loudly!!!

The next morning, Chin Lan reminded me that throughout our stay, at every hotel room, we checked into, the tasks of switching on and off of lights, television etc were left to me as she didn't even know how to. Thus, obviously it wasn't she who had on or off the lights that night!!! Could it be as what the above author mentioned about power surges or even timer settings???

The next incident happened in Genting Highlands, November, 2011. I chided Aderlyn about her smelly feet, which in fact was not, as she removed her shoes by my bedside. While she roared at me about the uncalled for reproach, I inhaled a very nice scent. So incensed she was, I dared not comment further!

It was not until she called weeks later warning me against passing whatever comments inside hotel rooms when in Hong Kong that I realized that she too inhaled a very nice scent that night following her rebuke!! How do you explain, first, the kinda salted fish stench followed by almost instantly the very nice fragrance???

Then this experience .... December, 2011. For almost a fortnight, prior to his passing, I would administer the last of the 8 hourly round the clock, oral medication, to Canon about one-ish am. I left my bedside lamp on so that I would remember to have the medication administered.

The night on his passing, I woke up to the triggering of alarm, as in the case of power failure, from the panel. In darkness, I groped for the switch and on the bedside lamp which flooded the room..... It wasn't a power failure!

With eyes still puffy, having sobbed the entire day over Canon's passing, I squinted at the clock....1.20am. My hair stood on ends. I was very very very petrified! Canon seeking attention?? .....OMG....noOooooo.........

I reassured myself. Why be afraid? Surely loving him like I did, he wouldn't harm me? Besides, wasn't he suppose to watch over me? However, try as I would to remain compose, it was still somewhat eerie when the alarm triggered about the same time for the next few consecutive days!!! Should I opt to believe that it was merely a case of coincidence????

Whatever, I braved myself sleeping alone through the weeks with lights on! The last time it triggered off was during my sharing with my mum and sister after our trip back from Hong Kong, 3 weeks later!!!

I am not superstitious and am all ears to reasoning if ever there is one..........

Huge price difference!

So satisfied with the first Coach bag, within days, I went for a second at the same outlet in Gurney Plaza! This time, a tote bag with the signature logo, which I suppose may double up as an overnight bag when I go visiting my family in KL or anywhere for a brief stay.

Upon removal of the stuffed paper from the tote bag, I noticed the Made in China label which is not present in the Madison range or I may have overlooked. Well, I would have bought them while holidaying in Hong Kong then! They were so much cheaper! Going online to check the authenticity, I stumbled upon a link offering rates way below the prices I paid for!

The madison for which I paid Rm1,525 is merely Rm990, about the price of the American quoted rate online and the tote Rm890 instead of the Rm1,137 totalling a difference of Rm782!!!

Of course when confronted, the personnel claimed that these days most branded items come from China, if not where else?? and those sold online are mostly replicas! Yet, he couldn't brief me when asked how one is able to differentiate a genuine from a fake! "You'll be able to tell when you see one!" he offered simply! WOULD I???? WOULD YOU???

Simultaneously, there is this turquoise leather bag I bought to compliment my stilettos. Except for the prominent GL logo key chain attached, there is nothing on the bag that spells Guy Larogue!!

I'm of the impression that these may be factory overruns somewhere in China and Viola! with the key chain attached sold as Guy Larogue!! To have the discoveries made only after the purchases in the comfort of my home..sigh..sigh Now, I'm skeptical about going for the luxury labels with so many replicas in the market...........

Happy Birthday to Myself!!

Being cost conscious, I had always exercised careful spending. Saving money for investment into gold jewelry pieces and properties which will generate returns with appreciation in value, had been my motto!

For self luxurious indulgence, the bulk of my savings goes towards the beautification and comfort of my home as HEART is always where the HOME is!

However, my mindset has since changed. While I had scoffed at the designer label conscious maniacs, I'm beginning to emulate one.

I had BOUGHT myself for casual use, birthday gifts of a Coach, a madison op art sateen maggie shoulder bag and a full leather Guy Laroche draw string shoulder bag.

Farewell, my favourite Guess of 8 months. I'll miss greatly the multi-zipped compartments, each for my cash & credit cards, hand phone, car/house keys and one doubling up as a vanity compact!








I'm drooling for the Gucci 'soho' large hobo with embossed interlocking G and tassel and would LOVE to add it to my treasure. However, I've yet to accept lavish squandering to that extent!!

God is very fair!

Just as I was triumphant over my weight loss, I was not spared this criticism from my ex-patron, Ann, this afternoon!! "Say! Slimming down doesn't suit you! You looked better before!"

I indeed looked harassed especially right after my weekly Rm160 facial session at the beauty salon!! For someone who has always been cost conscious, I surprised myself signing up for the first promotion of Rm255 for a 5 weekly sessions, then Rm1,000 for a 5 weekly sessions and just before I left for Hong Kong, Rm1,600 for a 10 weekly sessions!!

I had earlier questioned my beautician why I look worse off when I should be looking radiant with all my hard earned money spent!!

My once clear complexion is now replaced with acne breakouts all over! And, because of my habitual teasing of the pimples, I'VE GOT VERY ITCHY FINGERS, my face is scarred with LEOPARD spots!!! You can well imagine, right???

The explanation offered was unbelievable! That it was a good sign. The regular massage and products used caused all hidden toxic trapped to surface! I must be nuts to digest such reasoning!!

I shouldn't have started the facial sessions at all and die with a clear complexion, then, I lamented! Who cares about hidden toxic that doesn't bother me like it is now, huh???

Chinese New Year with the latest look??????? sigh......

No discretion exercised!

I was rudely awakened at 3.05am with a message from Ca-Ryn which reads: "Happy New Year & Best Wishes fr Tokyo. Prayed in the Jap temple just now with all the locals for our health and happiness. Going Disney later. Back in BJ on 5th."

Japan is merely an hour ahead of us so it was obvious this message was a late delivery from Maxis centre!!

Notice no mention of wealth in Ca-Ryn's prayer? Hey, darling, mommy is drained dry of $$$$ already!!!!

Good start to a new year??!

You bet!! I spent the entire morning, picking up glass fragments from a broken soy sauce bottle that dropped from the fridge door! I could feel searing pain on my foot caused by the shattered glass!

I had expected it, dropping of the bottle which sat precariously on the side door, to happen, but definitely not on the first day of a new year though!! A lesson learnt for ignoring warning signs! Next to take a dive would be the Thai chilly sauce bottle! Haha!
On a happier note , I have successfully shed 11.7 kg over a period of 11 months losing steadily one+ kg monthly! Record low of 59.9 kg after 7 years! My weight stood at 71.6 kg as of 14/02/11 after I ceased operation of the pet shop!

I marvel at my own achievement! Mission accomplished!! I have proven everybody wrong about aging causing the slowing down of metabolism rate thus my weight gain then!!!

Viola! No more ill-fitting jeans for me! I even slipped into and out of Ca-Ryn's jeans, which I was struggling to fit into months back, without unbuttoning and unzipping the fasteners!! No kidding, a sharp tug would leave me bare to the toes!!!

With the change of my otherwise bland wardrobe, I am now exuding the air of confidence once again and hope to age gracefully......

Happy 2012!

A GLEEFUL NEW YEAR TO MYSELF AND ALL!!!