Handbook of Living

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a King, lunch like a Prince and dinner like a Beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4. Live with the 3 E's.... Energy, Enthusiasm & Empathy.

5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga and prayer.

6. Play more games.

7. Read more books than you did in 2008.

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.

14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake.

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more.

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

37. The best is yet to come.

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.


Last but not the least:

40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about...

Inspiration of Northern Sky

Today Al told me that my blog title 'Northern Sky' is similar to Melanie C's song. But, he has made a mistake because Melanie C's song is called Northern Star which is quite similar but not exactly the same.

In fact, the title of my blog is inspired by the song "Northern Skies" by Dido. It's a nice song with her soft angelic voice. You can listen to the song in my Play List and the lyrics are below:

I have returned to the northern skies

Where the summer hasn't touched the clouds that pass above

I have returned to the somber grace

Of days too early to come and too early to stay

And I have left a million stars

And an ocean light and clearly blue

And I have left the warmth of the sun

And a million adventures not yet begun

For once there was beauty here for me under the white northern skies

And once there was magic here for me under the white northern skies

I saw trees as green and as dark as blue

I'd break them poetry deep as roots

And now I know this lonely country

It leads me only back to the sea

For once there was beauty here for me under the white northern skies

And once there was magic here for me under the white northern skies

And once there was beauty here for me under these white northern skies

And once there was magic here for me under the white northern skies

Mmm

Mmm

---

May you find beauty, magic and inspiration by returning to Northern Sky...

Ryan Reynolds in The Proposal and The Nines

Last Sunday I watched the movie: The Proposal (starring Ryan reynolds and Sandra Bullock) and I would say that it is of one of the most romantic movie so far for this year 2009. I was probably laughed out loudly in the cinema as there were a lot of comedy scenes. Even though Ryan Reynolds is not very leng chai (means handsome guy in Cantonese) but I was amazed by his six-abs body. He must have really worked hard on his abs.

After watching The Proposal, I then remember I still have a DVD starring Ryan Reynolds which I haven't watch yet. Hmmm...so I went back that night to watch this movie called The Nines. But, this movie is really a philosophical mind teaser. This movie consists of three short films, each featuring the same actors in different and sometimes overlapping roles.





The movie explores several old philosophical and theological ideas, notably about multiple universes and Leibniz's idea that this world is the best of all possible worlds. By this, it is usually meant that, as an omnipotent being, God has chosen this "version" of all possible "versions" of the world.

It is clear that lead character Gary is not equivalent to God, but as Gary is told that he is a "nine" and God is a "ten". Thus, Gary is more akin to the god-like.

This movie ended with a song from Snow Patrol called The Finish Line which really suits the movie. Try to listen to this song in my blog. Enjoy the song with lyrics below.

THE FINISH LINE

-

The earth is warm next to my ear

Insect noise is all that I hear

A magic trick makes the world disappear

The skies are dark, they're dark but they're clear

-

A distant motorcade and suddenly there's joy

The snow and tickertape blurs all my senses numb

It's like the finish line where everything just ends

The crack of radios seems close enough to touch

-

Cold water, cleaning my wounds

A side parade, with a single balloon

I'm done with this, I'm counting to ten

Blue as seas, running to them

-

I feel like I am watching everything from space

And in a minute I hear my name and I wake

I think the finish line's a good place we could start

Take a deep breath, take in all that you could want

Yes, I am finally done with this and I'm counting to ten...

And make a toast for change...

A better change in life and career....

New Upcoming Album by Khalil Fong

My favorite R&B singer, Khalil Fong is going to release a new cover album soon in mid-August that traces his musical inspirations.

This new cover album comes after his four original albums that were greeted with critical and commercial success.

Back in 2005, the year he made his debut, Khalil already had this idea of recording a cover album that is closely tied to his days growing up, and he would give the old songs new arrangements.

The time has finally come, and this self-selected collection includes 10 songs that have influenced him most one way or another.

This is a very personal project for Khalil, as behind each of these songs there is a story for him. For instance, the first plug "Red Bean" was a song his friends used to sing in karaoke when he returned to Shanghai in his younger days.

The tracks in his upcoming album:

01. You Are The Sunshine of My Life (O.S. Stevie Wonder)

02. Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You (O.S. Glenn Medeiros)

03. Bad (O.S. Michael Jackson)

04. Kwang Chiu 狂潮 (O.S. 關菊英Kwan Guk Ying)

05. La Bamba (O.S. Ritchie Valens)

06. Red Bean 紅豆 (O.S. 王菲 Faye Wang)

07. Georgia on My Mind (O.S. Ray Charles)

08. Remember 記得 (O.S. 張惠妹Amei Chang)

09. Wonderful Tonight (O.S. Eric Clapton)

10. Moon River (O.S. Andy William)

Can't wait to get my hands on this new album.

Wondering when he will come here to open his own concert...

OBSESSED: Mariah's new song

First came the emancipation, then came energy and power, and now comes MEMOIRS OF AN IMPERFECT ANGEL, the new album by international superstar Mariah Carey, scheduled to arrive on August 25th. The first new single pick from MEMOIRS is "Obsessed," which blasts out to radio today, Tuesday, June 16th. The video for "Obsessed" will be directed by Brett Ratner. "Obsessed" was written and produced by Mariah, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, who are responsible for the majority of tracks on the new album. MEMOIRS was executive-produced by Antonio "L.A." Reid.

The song, Obsessed is targeting Eminem, who recently started a beef with Carey and her husband Nick Cannon with the Relapse song "Bagpipes From Baghdad. "I was like, why are you so obsessed with me?" Carey asks before the song even begins.In "Bagpipes," Eminem rapped, "Mariah, what ever happened to us, why did we have to break up… Nick Cannon better back the f**k up. I'm not playing, I want her back, you punk." Mariah's response? "You're delusional, boy, you're losing your mind," Carey sings over choppy synths, with a dash of Auto-Tune dabbed on her voice. "It must be weed, it must be the E… Why are you so obsessed with me? Lying that you're sexing me." Carey adds some more barbs, like "Telling the world how much you miss me, but we never were so why you trippin' " and provoking the rapper with "You're a mom & pop, I'm a corporation. I'm a press conference, you're a conversation." The biting mid-tempo track is already more musically and lyrically engrossing than E=MC2's singles.

Get ready for the summer of MC!

Are you a Gold Digger?

Yesterday I read an interesting article on The Star paper about Gold Diggers. It raises a lot thoughts and tips too. Does love still matter in the 21st century? After all, marrying rich is perhaps the best way to beat recession.

There's even a song called Gold Digger by Kanye West.

How to spot a Gold Digger?

1. She wants to marry. Now. A gold digger will push for marriage fast so that she won't lose out on the opportunity with Mr. Rich.

2. She gives love. Quickly.

3. She plays the good role of a good wife. Too soon. She cooks, cleans and washes. She doesn't nag him when he goes out with the guys. Why? So she can show him exactly what a great partner she will be.

4. She makes him pay for everything. ALWAYS. Pay for her dinner. Buy her the latest designer bag. Help out with her credit card bill, her daily needs and even accommodation rental. A gold digger will have no qualms asking him for financial favours. That's what he is for anyway, right?

Can money really buy love? And what happens when Mr. Rich decides to go for a younger and more attractive gold digger?


So, are you a gold digger? How good are you? Can you spot the correct Mr. Rich?


Or else, you will end up like in the movie Priceless whereby a young gold digger (Audrey Tautou) mistakenly woos a mild-mannered bartender (Elmaleh) thinking he's a wealthy man.






Haha...so gold diggers stay away from me... I'm not your Mr. Rich.


Go and target someone else.

Friendship

Where Is My Salary?

I have worked for 1 week already and HR dept said that they will bank in my 1 week of May salary together with my June salary which I have to wait until end of this month. WTF!!

..

Luckily, my superior is also the head of HR and I complained to her. In the end, she said that HR will issue a cheque to me by next week. Phew! I shall wait and see.

My 1st Day in New Company

Today is my 1st day in my new company. I didn't have much rests after leaving my old company. Maybe I'm too greedy for money and I joined this company almost immediately. LOL.

Unfortunately, I don't have my own manager's room, instead I have to share my room with 1 of my staff and my other staff is sitting in Purchasing Dept. Luckily, we are facing each other so neither of us can see each other's monitor which is a good thing as I'm sure she will be stress if I could see her screen all the time.

Since I'm new to this company, I better keep myself low profile (especially in my dressing, can't be too flashy). I can't believe that male employees are forbidden to wear earring to work. Ohmigod, what century is this??

I also better listen more than to speak more. Maybe I'll just ask more questions to learn more things.

The best part is I can access to Facebook, MSN chat and Youtube (hmm...but the problem is my PC doesn't have any speakers...frown and sigh)

Farewell Lunch 8

This is my last farewell on my last day in my company which I have reserved for my own departmental colleagues: Saw, Wendy and Joejo.

We went to Chili's in Midvalley as I was still craving for Western food. We were so busy talking (actually, it's more to gossiping and bitching) until I have forgotten to take pictures on the food.

The only picture I have taken is Joejo and me (Pic below). I think my face look fat in this picture.

I shall miss you girls and all the bittersweet moments that we shared together.

Thank you girls for the delicious meal.

Farewell Lunch 7

For my 7th Farewell Lunch, I went out with my good friends who are also my colleagues; Kay and Shirley. Even Shirley is not feeling that well, she also came and joined us (thanks for giving face)... Karen also came to join us even though she has left the company half year ago.

I was craving for Western food especially steaks, therefore we went to Tony Romas in Midvalley. The food there are quite good and they have Set Lunch Promotion. So, I ordered the Steak Set Lunch but the portion was quite small, so I stole some foods from Karen as her prawn pasta is quite huge.

For the dessert, we ordered my favorite dessert, The Avalanche (1st pic above). The taste is so good.

Thank you for the yummylicious farewell lunch.

Missing you...

Today you are in my THOUGHTS again,

As you so often are.

Do you miss me too, DL?

Farewell Lunch 6

I can't believe that I already had so many farewell lunches and this is the number 6th. My two lovely and pretty colleagues, Kelly and Ms Mal brought me to Ninja Jones @ Northpoint, Midvalley yesterday (actually I will be attending an interview later in Northpoint Offices and that's why we find somewhere nearby).

Ninja Jones is a Japanese restaurant and the ambiance there is quite dark and mysterious. If you are not careful, you may get lost especially going to the toilet. Damn, I nearly trip myself. However, I like the gent's room as it has a nice glass panel where you can look into the garden of Northpoint and there are 3 Japanese swords on display near the glass panel (pic below).

The set lunch there apparently looks quite cheap, averagely is RM 30 and there is additional 20% off on the set lunch. Nevertheless, do not let the discounted price deceive you as the food portions are extremely small. Well, cheaper price, smaller portion. Hmmm...seems like not so honest. Moreover, the food taste is not so good especially if compared to Xenri. A set lunch in Xenri which also costs averagely RM 30 has a big food portions and your stomach will definitely be extremely full and satisfied.

The scary thing is the male waiter is dressed up as a black ninja. The ambiance there is already quite dark and I don't need a scary Ninja to suddenly appear in front of me. Get lost... u creepy Ninja...no wonder the restaurant is called Ninja Jones (or maybe they meant Ninja Zones). LOL.

Thank you, Kelly and Ms Mal for the farewell lunch (or should I say a scary farewell lunch).

Farewell Lunch 5

I was so busy preparing my handover and interview last week until I don't have time to write my farewell lunches in my blog. Even though, I was damn busy but I still have time to eat my farewell lunch. LOL.

My Japanese supplier, Ms Satomi-san came and we had my farewell lunch in our company's Japanese restaurant, Xenri. A lot of bloggers have written positive comments on this good Japanese restaurant. Well, for staffs, we are entitled for 25% discounts except for Sunday lunch buffet.

Bottom left: My pregnant colleague was caught in a guilty act for eating ice cream. Naughty mum...

We ordered a lot of food and there is sake promotion (Buy 1, Free 1). The sake is quite nice and not too sweet.

I love the Sashimi...so fresh...

I ordered the beef sukiyaki. The soup is delicious.

The sake poured into a special jar...

I love the Chocolate Parfait Ice cream. But, I still prefer the one in Sushi Zanmai.

I am gonna miss Xenri restaurant a lot. So many great foods...

DL, do you want to eat the Sunday buffet lunch with me?

Farewell Lunch 4

I brought my colleagues (Ms Chin, Carolyn, Michelle and Rachel) to a new restaurant, Best Fish Head @ Kuchai Lama for my 4th Farewell Lunch today.

This restaurant is touted as the original fish head from Chan Sow Lin. But, to our dissappointment, the food taste doesn't live up to our expectation as compared to the real fish head in Chan Sow Lin.

Furthermore, there is not much food choices there. In fact, it is less than 8 choices of food. So limited options and their reason is all of the food in the menu are their best selections already, hence the name of their restaurant: Best Fish Head. I don't think that I will go back in the future.

Even though the food is not so good, I still have to express my gratitude to my dear colleagues for the treat. Thank you.

Farewell Dinner 1

Upon hearing that both of us, me and the bitch are leaving the company for good, our dear suppliers immediately arrange a farewell dinner for both of us last night (yes, with that doggy bitch tagging along).

The farewell dinner was held at SOULed OUT @ Desa Sri Hartamas which is a bit far from my office and I have to pay a bit fair of toll money (@#$!&). Anyway, this well-known restaurant doesn't need anymore prior introduction as it is one of the coolest hangout place in KL.



I quickly left the office early while the bitch is still having meeting (as usual, she always pretend to be very busy until her very last moment) so that she won't be able to follow me because she is a direction-idiot. Ooopss probably not...as her semi-botak secret lover who also hails from the same company is staying in Mont Kiara. Maybe that's why she know the direction too well.... uummm...always go there for pleasure or shall I say ONS or most probably several nights instead. LOL.



Me and two of the suppliers; Paige and Catherine arrived first. So, we ordered their signature drink; Dragonfly (mixture of Dragonfruit, strawberry and other fruits) which tastes quite good and apparently good for your health and skin. Besides that, we also ordered some appetizers first (naan, anchovies, seafood salad and calamari) while waiting for the rest to arrive.




The bitch and the other supplier, Doris arrived later and we ordered the main dishes; Fish with pasta, wood-fired pizza (with salmon) and claypot Loh Shui Fun. The wood-fired pizza is quite nice as the crust is thin and crispy. As usual, there were too many food and we can't really finish all of them.

Finally, for my favorite part, the sinful dessert, we ordered their signature dessert (Lava Cake) and Banana Boat (with Haagen Daaz ice creams). The Lava Cake is quite sweet though and the taste is not bad. However, I would still prefer the Avalanche in Tony Romas.

The super duper low-esteem bitch was very boastful tonight as she said that she has a long line-up of farewell waiting for her. People already started to book her 1 week later after she threw her letter. The bookings are so full for lunch until she needs to slot in breakfast for them and some even have to go nearby her house area after she leaves the company to give her farewell treats. That's nothing to be proud of, Bitch when your team members are not giving you any farewell treats. So shameful and pathetic.

I finished off with a glass of JD coke (haha...my favorite drink) before calling it a night. Before I signed off, I need to extend my gratitude to my suppliers: Doris, Paige and Catherine for the wonderful dinner. Thank you.

Farewell Lunch 3

Today is my third farewell lunch with other PDD colleagues (KC, Wendy, Lisa and Maggie). They are all fairly quite new colleagues who have worked here less than 2 years.

We went to my favorite Goon Wah Restaurant in Kuchai Lama where I always bring my suppliers to go there for good food. W e ordered a lot of food especially the famous Fish Head Noodles, Fried Loh Shi Fun and XO Chicken. My stomach nearly burst after eating so much of food.

The food there is quite cheap though as it only cost RM 70 for five dishes of food (Fish Head Noodles, Fried Loh Shi Fun, XO Chicken, Fried Rice, Nyonya Mee and Vegetable) we ordered.

Fish Head Noodles (with Yam)

Fried Loh Shi Fun (in Claypot)

XO Chicken

Fried Rice

For those who are interested to go, the map and contact is below:

Thank you all for the enormous lunch today.

Farewell Lunch 2

My second farewell lunch is today and the treat is on our Senior Vice President, Mr. Chong. He is a nice man who has a very strong stamina. He can just stand there and talk with you for at least 3 hours without making a single move at the age of 61. Amazing, I really salute him. I don't even have that kind of strength. Well, you can't blame a snake for its laziness though. Love to eat and sleep.

Beside treating me, he also invited that super duper low-esteem bitchy witch to come along as she is leaving too. As he realised that there is a tension between her and me, he invited two more colleagues to join us; his secretary and the 'old chicken mother' for lunch at Fong Lye Restaurant in The Gardens, Midvalley.

Guess who is the witch...Tips: Witch likes to tie a ribbon...

It is a nice Taiwanese Restaurant with good food but it is always jammed pack with people. If you go to this restaurant, make sure you bring enough cash because they don't accept credit cards. I can still remember that we don't have enough cash to pay when we brought our Japanese suppliers to eat there. It is so embarassing that we need to walk out from the restaurant to get more cash from ATM machine and left the two Japanese ladies waiting there.

I like the sweet and sour fish dish and so the three of us ordered the same dish. We also ordered some side dishes especially the famous Taiwanese Sausage and the Sweet Potato balls.

The sweet and sour fish set

The famous Taiwanese sausage

The Chinese Tea served in a nice teapot

Thank you, Mr Chong for the lovely treat.

Farewell Lunch 1

My first farewell lunch was yesterday with 7 pretty girls from Beauty-PD. They brought me to a place called Chicken Pot in Kuchai Lama. My goodness, this place was so hard to find a car park.

All the dishes are spicy, so you can choose 3 levels of spiciness. I can't really eat spicy food, or else I'll be sweating like rains. Nevertheless, the girls wanted to be more adventurous, so we ordered medium spice for the chicken, pork and beef dishes.

Beef Dish

Chicken dish

Ohmigod, the chicken and beef are so spicy until everyone's mouth get numb and I was sweating like hell until I used up all the tissues. All of us prefer the pork as it is not that spicy and tastes better (with a bit of vinegar sweetness).

See so many tissues...So embarassing....

Anyway, thank you girls for the extreme-hot lunch. I shall remember always.....