Souvenirs from Ho Chin Minh City

These pictures were bought from Saigon. It shows the traditional costume which is a tight fitting top worn over pantaloons. A cross between a cheongsam top and a punjabi bottom. I didn't see any overweight women in Saigon. Is this a sign of healthier eating? Or a sign of a struggling economy? True or fale...one in two Malaysians are overweight!! The next time you are tempted to take a second helping, just remember, being overweight is unhealthy.

Pet tupai named Poo-poo

Plucked from the jungle in Raub, Pahang, this baby tupai had the misfortune of falling off a tree. It was "saved" from obscurity by a couple of do-gooders ie my dad and his friend Uncle Sonny-boy. The journey doesn't end here, this tupai then took a trip to KL and stayed overnight at my apartment. Not bad for a small-town tupai!

It's name is poo-poo. Possibly inspired by the pooh it emanates? The do-gooders are cagey over who named the poor little tupai. Suffice to say if it was my Dad, I need to be very thankful I got named something sensible. I could have had pooh as my middle name? *shudder*

Things I have learnt from watching West Wing

1. Martin Sheen is a really really good actor. He was initially signed up to play a couple of episodes. The plan was for the story to be centered on the people working at the White House, rather than the focus being on the President himself. That didn't quite work out. On shooting the first episode, it was plain to everyone, that Sheen's role as Jed Bartlet would be central.

2. The presidential debate plays an incredibly important role and is used as a marker of who will actually win the elections.

3. The oval officer has more than two doors and is indeed oval in shape.

4.Martin Sheen had a weak arm as a child and he puts his coat on in a distinct manner. Flicks it over his head. It's done in a split second. So unless someone points it out to you ..you'll probably miss it.

5. Stockhard Channing, matches Sheen word for word in any argument they may have on screen. And it's a testament to both their acting skills.

6. Aaron Sorkin is a genius.

Tips for writing by Melissa Hill

No less than 4 minutes ago, I finished reading my fourth Hill book " Wishful Thinking". A friend ( who shall remain anonymous ) has this rule on how to decide whether an author writes well. It's a simple rule. First thing to strike most people when they choose books is the cover. Yes, go on admit it. We're shallow sometimes that way. Of course, the next step would be to read the back..and turn and possible read the first two pages...just to get the feel of the author's writing.
I'm detracting, the point is, in addition to the steps above, it might prove useful to take a look at the author's picture....the friend states and I quote " the writing skill is inversely proportional to the beauty of the author".

I no longer believe this. Melissa Hill is not ugly and she 's a brilliant brilliant writer whose plot at the end with a little twist is different and unpredictable. If you visit her website...Melissa Hill's official website there's a bit where she gives tips for writing...and it 's all sensible and inspiring. So I'm blogging today because Hill says we're not meant to think too much but just get on with the writing.

Growing grapes

Many things are just not meant to grow in the tropics. Grapes being one of them. So...finding these grapes finally taking shape in the garden ( not mine obviously ) was a big thing. It was planted a year ago, maybe longer.

A quick internet search tells me...there are three steps to grape growing

1) For the first year and a bit, you're meant to be patient in tending it.

2)You then have to confine their growth. ( They apparently tend to dominate)

3) Find some where of securing / promoting pollination.

Our grapes are sour . Not a candidate for making table wine..plus the great growth ammounted to 4 measely grapes. We were down because the nasty birds got to them before we did. I hope the birds got a tummy ache for their trouble.

Selamat Hari Merdeka

I think in the light of recent political mini turmoil, it's taken some of the thunder away from the celebration of Merdeka. 51 years ago, Malaysia walked out of the shadow and into the light of independence and with it such dreams of achieving so many good things. I have faith ...in God...and in my country.

Selamat Hari Merdeka ke 51!!

I need to ventilate...

My lungs are choked with smoke. I was surrounded by smoke during breakfast this morning. There was seriously no place in the restaurant not occupied by a SMOKER.
And so this morning, I'm ranting and raving about smokers in general and smokers at THAT mamak stall in particular. At this very moment, I have very little, in fact NO SYMPATHY for COPD sufferers who chain-smoke their way to death...bringing US along with them. It's not the actual smoke that I'm bothered about..but the wheeze which follows the immediate exposure.
And so to those who smoked around me today...I hope you rot. Or at least have some form of scare so you'll kick this disgusting habit. I'm back home in my smoke-free zone...taking deep breaths..while waiting for the tighteness to dissipate.
Smokers..please be considerate to those around you. Some of us really can't be surrounded by smoke. Never mind the higher risk of cancer...I'm more concerned with more immediate side effects.

Book Sale !!!

For the folks out there who read ...TIME is having a warehouse sale at Plaza Damas..and no they're not paying me to say this on the blog. ( If only ). I found a knock knock joke book. *laugh* Here's a sample.......

Knock Knock

Who's there?

Atomic

Atomic who?

I got atomic ache

The picture was taken with a weird lense...my head isn't usually that shape.

You know you're old when...

You know you're old when everybody else in the "waiting room" is as relax and calm as you are agitated and nervy. Also if you happen to be the tallest structure in the room. ( Even more significant if you happen to stand at 5 feet nothing in your stockinged feet.) Welcome to the ABRSM exam center for the greater part of Klang valley...IMPIANA hotel near KLCC. The lift will bring you to level two...where there is this long corridoor with doors on either side...and makeshift counters outside these doors with the signs indication venue number. As you walk down ...you hear various tempos and pieces being played. And seated outside these rooms..are solemn looking kids waiting their turns. I'll spare the details of the exam. Suffice to say, it was an experience I didn't enjoy too much ...but which I think was useful. *fingers crossed* I hope I pass.

The West Wing!

"Actor Martin Sheen has registered as an arts student at the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, taking classes in English Literature, Philosophy and Oceanography." Fancy that? So Sheen and I would have at least this in common...UCG. West Wing is such a great serial I wonder why everyone isn't hooked on it like I am.

D DAY!!!

If I could SOUND as good as I look..tomorrow's exam would be breeze!!!

New books....

On the pretext of looking for Impiana Hotel ( the venue for the dreaded exam tomorrow ) I got into the car..and drove to town. Naturally, ( you would agree ) it seemed natural after locating the place for the journey to proceed to KLCC and onto a spot of shopping. There were throngs of people lurking...the same people who have very little understanding of body buffer zone, adults pushing buggies ( with no kid in it ) and kids running about the place with no leash.

I'm a great fan of Ms read...am very excited to find this two new titles in Kinokuniya. Starbook is a gamble. The book called out to me ( quietly..it sisn't quite shout out to me...BUY me Buy me ) as I walked past it tothe magazine section. The reviews were so good, I couldn't resist. This weekend will be a reading-laden one.

( There's a void to be filled since I completed the last DVD of West Wing Seventh season.) BOOhoohoo