Doodling and the Soul Seek

Thought of sharing these two pieces of my amateurish doodle with all a while back, but didn’t get around to it till today. Both were done on the same evening about a month back when I was silently walloping in what seems like a perpetual glum. I was trying to fill the void in my soul by attempting to do some artwork to ease my rollercoaster like emotion back then by distracting myself with some sketching and doodling when I came up with these two pieces.

Tell me frankly what you all think of it so I may further improve myself. Kinda childish isn’t it... I mean the artworks. I personally like the second attempt better – the bishie. The first one (Farinelli) was kinda rough and I blame it on the wrong size pen I opted for the outlining – the lines are a little too thick and dark. Hence, the unrefined look produced. The scanning result wasn't very kind to the artwork's appeal either - as you should be able to notice here at the unrefined lines produced on the images.

Doodle # 1: Farinelli (Sketch in Pencil)

Doodle # 1: Farinelli (Outlined in Ink)

Doodle # 2: Bishie (Sketch in Pencil)

Doodle # 2: Bishie (Outlined in Ink)

Dear all,

Been missing you all very much. Sorry for being so quiet for the past month and for not visiting you guys/gals much. At times I did dropped by but most of the time, refrained myself from making any comments at all as I don’t really trust myself with words at that period as I felt that I wasn’t in my right state of mind.

This post is my first attempt in returning to the blogsphere once again. And it felt right. I really did miss you all and I am currently trying to catch up on the happenings of each and every blog I came to treasure.

Happy blogging everyone.

PS: I shall also try to finish all those long overdued memes tags I got. Tee hee hee. Sorry people, for the long wait.

Lascia Ch'io Pianga - Air de Almirena {Rinaldo} - (Farinelli Il Castrato)

This aria, Lascia Ch'io Pianga sung in Farinelli Il Castrato was my personal favorite piece. I fell in love with it instantaneously. No matter how many times I had listened to it, I just wouldn't get tired of it. It's like each time I hear it, fresh emotion was evoked. This aria is deliciously painful and sad. Yet... I am loving every second of it. Welcoming the pain as it floods my mind and body, torturing my soul. I felt connected to it somehow... to the cries of the singer, as I too longed to be free again someday. This aria is like an emotional release for my soul.

• See my previous blog post on this endearing film here.

Actually I really like the whole soundtrack of this film. Especially these few arias:

1. Ombra Fedele Anch'io - Air de Dario (Idaspe)
2. Alto Giove - Air d'Acio (Polifemo)
3. Cara Sposa - Air de Rinaldo (Rinaldo)
4. Generoso Risuegliati O Core - Air de Poro (Cleofide)

• Visit my collection on Farinelli Il Castrato here.

Here's the lyrics and its translation for Lascia Ch'io Pianga:

Lyrics
Lascia ch'io pianga
mia cruda sorte,
E che sospiri la libertà!
E che sospiri,
e che sospiri la libertà!
Lascia ch'io pianga mia cruda sorte,
E che sospiri la libertà!

Il duolo infranga
queste ritorte
de miei martiri
sol per pietà,
de miei martiri
sol per pietà.
Lascia ch'io pianga
mia cruda sorte,
E che sospiri la libertà!
E che sospiri,
e che sospiri la libertà!
Lascia ch'io pianga mia cruda sorte,
E che sospiri la libertà!



Translation
Let me weep over
my cruel fate,
And that I long for freedom!
And that I long,
and that I long for freedom!
Let me weep
over my cruel fate,
And that I long for freedom!

The duel infringes
these images
of my sufferings
I pray for mercy.
for my sufferances.
I pray for mercy.
Let me weep
over my cruel fate,
And that I long for freedom!
And that I long,
and that I long for freedom!
Let me weep
over my cruel fate,
And that I long for freedom!

*************************************************************************************

Infomation on this this aria which I found on the net.

Lascia ch'io pianga

from Act II, Scene 2 of the Italian opera, Rinaldo by George Frideric Handel

Libretto : Aaron Hill, translated into Italian by Giacomo Rossi

* Role : Almirena, daughter of Goffredo

* Voice Part : soprano Fach : lyric coloratura

* Setting : a garden in Argante's palace, , , during the Crusades

* Range : F4 to G5. Tessitura : G4 to F5

* Synopsis : Almirena has been abducted by the sorceress Armida and imprisoned in the palace. She laments her fate.

* This aria appears in both Handel's first and second versions of the opera. The range listed is for the first version of the opera.

Visit Aria-Database for more info.

Interesting facts about this soundtrack:

As none of our current era contemporary singers can sing like Farinelli. Who has a wide vocal range (over 4 octaves) and a massive lung capacity to produce 250 notes in a single breath. Producers of this movie had to use a process called sound morphing to blend both a soprano and a countertenor voices into a single voice to create this magnificent singing voice of Farinelli.

If you are interested to learn more on how it was done, please visit SONY Classics.

Almost Like Me Again

Today I felt happy with myself. I felt pretty again. I felt that long and carefully hidden part of me resurfaced again. It’s the old me. The happy-go-lucky beautiful me - I am elated! Yet, I felt like crying. Crying perhaps because I didn’t know I still have it in me. I am not sure. Anyhow, happy is good right.

Lately, I have started thinking and determining to be happy. Somehow, just somehow, I might just make this a reality.

Gist: This is a rather spontaneous post of mine. I am just writing down what’s echoed in my head.

Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城 Hauru no Ugoku Shiro)

• Director: Hayao Miyazaki
• Genre: Animation (Sub-catergories: Adventure / Fantasy / Romance / Sci-Fi / War)
• Studio: Studio Ghibli
• Release Dates: Japan (20 November 2004), Malaysia (23 September 2005)
• Rating: MPAA RATING: PG for frightening images and brief mild language
• Music: Original Music by Joe Hisaishi with Songs by Yumi Kimura and Shuntaro Tanigawa.
• Fact: This anime film is the 3rd Highest Grossing Film in Japanese History

This visually stunning film was brought to you by the ever brilliant Studio Ghibli which has also produces several other highly acclaimed anime such as, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and the likes with the help of Hayao Miyazaki, a talented and famous director in the animation world. So, did this particular anime measures up to its predecessors? Well, it has gotten 13 nominations and bags 7 win from prestigious film awards worldwide to boast. How’s that for quality hmmm?

A bizarre but engaging story based on a British novelist, Diana Wynne Jones’ novel bearing the same title. The book was first published in 1986 under The Castle Series, categorized as fantasy and children’s literature. I know it’s a kiddy read but I don’t care, I would still go pick up a copy of it to quench my thirst for more of this story I fell in love with.


Plot Summary
It’s about a strong will young woman named Sophie, the protagonist in this story who was cruelly cursed by a spiteful and envious Witch of the Waste into a 90-year-old hag which in turns trigger off the biggest adventure of her lifetime, embarking on an arduous quest to break her curse.

Sophie lives in a town called Ingary where magic are accepted ways of life. Her home was also where she works, as she is the eldest child in the family she had taken up the responsibility to dutifully take care of her family’s hat shop. One day when Sophie was on her way to visit her pretty younger sister Lettie at the bakery, she had an enchanting encounter with a young wizard named Howl who has left her pretty much in awe and admiration for his handsomeness and suave demeanor. Who wouldn’t have swooned if someone so appealing took you for a stroll through the sky? Except for the fact that all woman in Ingary should have known better what’s best for them, as it is a wide known fact Howl has an unfavorable reputation of a womanizer and worst of all… was also rumored to be very fond of eating pretty young woman's heart. OMG!

This short but sweet encounter of Sophie’s has unfortunately stoked the jealous heart of the Witch of the Waste who has then promptly left her with that cruel curse which I had mentioned earlier. Unable to face her family, Sophie left and went into the Waste in search of a cure when she met and made friend with a friendly scarecrow, Turnip Head after mistaken him for a walking stick.

Turnip Head repaid Sophie’s kindness for rescuing him from the bushes by leading her into Howl’s moving castle. It was a run-down but enchanted castle that walks on four spindly legs. There, she made her acquaintance with Calcifer, a cute albeit feisty and proud little fire demon and also Markl, Howl’s 8-years-old boy apprentice. On their first contact, Calcifer persuaded Sophie to help him break the contract that binds him to Howl as a servant, and in return he shall lift Sophie’s curse.

Sophie then decided to take refuges at Howl’s castle hence she masqueraded as a cleaning lady employed by Calcifer, of which both Howl and Markl readily accepted her service. What follows after this was a chain of exciting incidents whereupon threatens and at the same time strengthens the relationship of both Sophie and Howl.


Moments Dear to Me
I was utterly mesmerized when Howl first came to Sophie’s rescue at the small lane where she was trying to ward of unwanted attentions from two wayward soldiers… though one of the soldiers was quite dashing *bites lower lip*.

There’s also a part where Howl grabs Sophie and flew up into the sky for a slow stroll was the most enchanting moments of all – it’s so romantic especially when accompanied by the enthralling orchestra music. Yeah, the whole show was peppered with stunning orchestra pieces by Joe Hisaishi, a noteworthy composer. Many of Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpieces were accompanied by Joe Hisaishi’s compositions. If you are a true fan of Miyazaki’s animations, you would have noticed that almost all of the soundtracks are absolutely astounding and engaging.

Another scene which I particularly adore is when Howl breaks out from his usual suave demeanor and sulked like an inconsolable child. It’s just too funny and charming to see everyone rushing to pamper and pacify an over dramatic Howl. Plus, his show of tantrums was really something to regard with and not to be taken lightly at all… afterall, he is a powerful wizard.

The scene where Sophie takes a break from her overzealous cleaning mission to look out of the castle’s window while it is on the move was simply priceless. The sceneries that met the eyes beyond the window are truly breathtaking. I really felt like what Sophie was feeling then, all awe and surreal.


My Two-cents
To me, this film is a winner for its spectacular animation and its endearing characters. I especially adore cute little Calcifer and of course the boyish and charming Howl. I love Sophie too, for her feisty spirit and undying love for Howl. The soundtracks were manly orchestra music but the compositions were simply marvelous – especially the theme song, Sekai no Yakusoku (The Promise of the World)... fantastic. I felt like being suck through Alice in the Wonderland’s rabbit hole.

This is truly a must watch film even for non-anime lover. It’s worthy of your attention, believe me. Then again... please don't come back here and Karate-chop me if you don't happen to fancy it ok :P



The Promise: I know, I had actually promised to post the review since my last post, and that was right after CNY. Sorry for the delay.

Time Frame: I have been composing this post since 5th March 2007 until todate 20th March 2007. That is about 2 week’s time. Oh gosh… I am pathetic when it comes to writing review aren’t I? Hope my review didn’t suck BIG time.

Worry: I hope I didn’t ruin the appeal of this noteworthy film for everyone. And did not accidentally leave any spoilers in my review. If I did, please do pardon me for I am really a first timer film reviewer. As a matter of fact, I have not written any sort of reviews before.

Lesson Learned: All in all, writing this review has been another good way of boosting my confidence in writing. I am proud of myself for finishing it at least and for keeping my promise to post it. Yay! *pat self on the back* Good job :P




Howl's Moving Castle (Music)
I love the whole soundtracks of this anime, but I do favour two of it more... The Merry-Go-Round of Life and Sekai no Yakusoku (The Promise of the World).


Howl's Moving Castle (Trailer)




Howl's Moving Castle (Pictures)
Feast your eyes on these.....

If You Think It Hurts… then It Does

Yesterday was a lousy day for me. Had some financial and family probs. A good friend cum colleague of mine told me I had been daydreaming during work. Yes I am. And thanks to her for shaking me up a bit… that’s what friends are for. Sometimes we do need someone we trust to give us a tight slap to stay focus. However, do remember to lend a sympathetic ear after that friendly jolt ok.

I got just that from my buddy, and it wasn’t even a tight slap, just a gentle and concerned but truthful dialogue… followed by her understanding ear – just what I needed. I am blessed to have a friend like her… honored in fact that she chose to be my friend. I thank her for lending me a sympathetic ear and for being patient, impartial and unjudgemental when I most needed someone to talk to, clearing my emotionally clogged in-built drain.

Actually, it wasn’t at all my normal traits to spill my guts out to other people. I hated doing it… hated unloading emotional baggage on others especially someone I cared… hated being a burden to others… hated being a bringer of negative vibes. It just feels so whinny and I hated that too. Whining is for weak people and it’s an emotional suicidal feature. It pulls one deeper into the hell hole. The more you whine the deeper shit you are in.

That’s why I seldom blog about depressing stuffs… or at least I avoided doing so. Live our life like an undying candle, lighting the way of others as we go by… isn’t it more meaningful to bring hope and renewed faith to others. In turn, we gather more inspirations and strength along the way. This is and always have been my principles in life, one I tried to hold on tight to… as it gives me reason to push myself on. Therefore, I told myself this, “Hey, it’s all okay… these are just some minor setbacks, not that it is not improvable or impossible to resolve… like losing an arm or a leg. It’s just a matter of time for things to straighten out. And straighten out it will should we ourselves still have hope and work upon it”. There, the world is much a nicer place now isn’t it?

Our voice resonates with life. Because this is so, it can touch the lives of others. The caring and compassion imbued in your voice finds passage to the listener's soul, striking his or her heart and causing it to sing out; the human voice summons something profound from deep within, and can even compel a person into action. – Daisaku Ikeda

If you always have a shallow perspective and pay attention only to trivial things, you are sure to get bogged down in all kinds of petty worries and concerns, and not be able to move forward. Even relatively minor hurdles or problems will seem insurmountable. But if you look at life from a broad viewpoint, you naturally spot the way to solve any problem you may confront. This is true when we consider our own personal problems as well as those of society and even the future of the entire world. – Daisaku Ikeda

It is senseless to blame others or your environment for your miseries. Change begins from the moment you muster the courage to act. When you change, the environment will change. The power to change the world is found nowhere but within our own life. – Daisaku Ikeda

One of my favorite poets, the Argentine educator Almafuerte (1854-1917) wrote: "To the weak, difficulty is a closed door. To the strong, however, it is a door waiting to be opened." Difficulties impede the progress of those who are weak. For the strong, however, they are an opportunity to open wide the doors to a bright future. Everything is determined by our attitude, by our resolve. Our heart is what matters most. – Daisaku Ikeda

My buddy says she salutes me for being so emotionally strong and independent… while I could only hope I am not lying to myself in self consolation.


On a different and happier note today…..

I held the lift (elevator) and waited for a fellow colleague who had not long ago did somewhat the very much opposite of what I just done for her.

What happened was that a couple months ago… she hurriedly closes the office lift door when she saw me coming and I was kinda left feeling indignant and silly staring at the closed lift door. Luckily there wasn’t anybody nearby at that time. Later on, I had dismissed her action as accidental and unintentional, although we were like face to face each other and her eyes let me know that she saw me when the lift door closes.

I actually felt nice for what I have done today. Proud of myself for not stooping as low as her and took today’s chance to return the unsavory favor. I have even wrung a ‘Thank You’ from her for holding the lift. Everybody deserves a second chance right?

The heart of one person moves another's. ... If one's own heart is closed, then the doors of other people's hearts will also shut tight. On the other hand, someone who makes all those around him or her into allies, bathing them in the sunlight of spring, will be treasured by all. – Daisaku Ikeda

Genuine sincerity opens people's hearts, while manipulation causes them to close. – Daisaku Ikeda

Post Title:
At first, I thought of putting the title of this post as, "Of Crisis, Friendship and Self-Evaluation"... dunno why but I think it's a bit boring so I ditched the idea.

Romance:
My hubby sent me another one of his love note via SMS yesterday. Yeah, he’s quite fond of doing this but not on regular basis of course. This time it’s a poetry, well… sort of. It’s his first attempt on poetry writing he told me.

Here’s what he wrote (don’t mind the English ok. He’s not English educated but I love it for his thoughts):

“Storm cloud darken the sky, your smile light up my mood.
When rain falls outside the window, your beautiful face lift up my heart.
When lightning and thunder shows its might, your encouragements warm up my soul.
With you around me I am invincible, my biggest blessing is have you with me.
To my dearest wife, I will forever love you with all my heart and soul”.

Pachelbel Rant

This comedian is freaking hilarious. He's a roar. I found this piece of entertaining video while doing some exploration at my newly created Vox account, another happening social networking site which is very similar to Multiply and Friendster. I thought it would be another great way for me to connect with other people with similar mind or interest, plus it would be cool to upload and share some of my stuffs there... which is something I couldn't do with Blogger. Currently I haven't upload much yet. You are all invited to check it out later maybe in a week or so after I have feed it more stuff ok. Don't worry, I have made most of my things viewiable by the public, hence you don't actually need to join Vox to view my stuff. *Wink* Yeah, I am that good to you all. See *straighten back and tilt head up in a proud pose*.

Ok now back to this awesome video I found. This is the intro I plucked out from Youtube on this video:

A comedian rants about how much it sucks to play Pachelbel's Canon in D on a cello. Recorded live at Penn State, this piece by comedian/musician Rob Paravonian has been a favorite on the Dr. Demento Show - Paravonian.

I love Pachelbel's Canon in D very very much, and I know he's dissing my favorite piece of music, except I just can’t help it but to love him for his uproariusly funny antics.

Go on, check it out. You wouldn’t be disappointed, really. You will be rolling on the floor laughing hard in no time. I dare ya ;)

Little Jet's Chilli Foray

Hot Chili by ~Headspinn on deviantART

Little Jet (my 5-year old boy. Yeah I've changed his nickname from Cheeky Boy to this) has been experimenting with hot food lately. My mom's the one encouraging him. I am a bit apprehensive at first. Afraid that he might upset his stomach.

Anyhow, it seems like my worries are for naught. Looks like he is really set on the road of becoming a true Asian. A true Malaysian :D He now truly loves his nasi lemak, laksa, assam fish and many other spicy dishes.

Heck, Little Jet's chilli tolerance is even better than by my brother's. My brother is the worst in my family when it comes to braving the chilli test. He would break into sweat just looking at them. There goes his macho-ness. LOL.

Last Saturday, Little Jet had had a painful experience with the unforgiving chilli king, 'Cili Padi' while having a family gathering dinner at a restaurant. The poor thing was in shock. His hands were trembling non-stop. He had to hang his tongue out for quite a looong while. We had to give him some ice to lick on to lessen his agony.

Now we could only hope this minor but shocking incident does not deter him from loving spicy food in the future.



Current Sanity: Still mulling over the film review post I promise. Yeesh, this is really not easy... for me that is. Sigh... I need more practice on this.

A short short Hello

Just to say hi-I-am-back to everyone. Didn’t really have the chance to write any proper post yet… currently neck deep in work. Was suddenly landed with an avalanche of paper work. Sheesh… Therefore, please pardon me for not posting any updates yet. But then again, this post can also be counted as a short update right *raise right eyebrow with a sly look*.

Actually, I am all fired up to post my first film review... can't wait to recommend it to all. This film made a deep impression in me. Watched it during my CNY week long break… and fell in love with it totally. Guess I’ll have to put this film review notion on hold for a while till I cleared my work :(


Just Random Thoughts: My best buddy complained about the loud CNY music on this page of mine due the the CNY e-card I have uploaded sometime last week. She said she avoided my site like a plague now due to the shock she had gotten when she access my blog (it was her style to have her laptop sound to the MAX) *Laugh* I think it’s pretty funny :P Guess she will have to come back here next month in order to avoid being shocked again. LOL. Sorry gal, I thought it would be fun to lit up my blog with some CNY cheer mah.

The Z-List Explained

This post is an extension to my previous post, CNY Ang Pow: The Z-List. It's a special meme I got from Ryeurn.


Hey, I just found out who is the brainchild of this amazing Z-List meme. May I have the honor of introducing to you Mr. Mack Collier from US (The Viral Garden). He had got one cool blog, go check it out.


The Z-List Phenomenon Explained:

1) Revenge of the 'Z-Lister'

2) 'Z-Lister' update

3) Methinks the 'Z-Listers' are winning

4) Need free blog traffic and links? Try the Z-List.


The first 3 links is from The Viral Garden itself. Just take a look at it and you will get exactly how big a buzz this Z-List has created. Very impressive indeed. Now the 4th link is from another blogger Dosh Dosh, I am linking this site because it has provided a very detailed explanation on the Z-List magic.

Why am I posting this? Well, let's just say I would like to credit the inventor and also to live up to the spirit of sharing. There is no delight in owning anything unshared right.

So if anyone of you are interested in joining this Z-List scheme. Just grab the link here and propagate away!

Happy Z-Listing people!

Have a Boarific CNY!

Yahoo! I am going on week long break from work starting on this Friday, 16th February 2007 *happy dance*. Since I am married, it’s an obligation for me to follow my hubby to his mom’s house (which is actually his eldest sister’s house) and spend a few nights there. I don’t particularly enjoy it, plus I still miss having Reunion Dinner ‘Tuen-Yun Fan’ with my mom, grandmamma, brother and sister – even though I have already been married for 6 years now. Sob *dab eyes with Kleenex* I guess I am still momma’s little girl afterall, no matter how old I am. Come to think of it, this is part of a necessary sacrifice a married woman has to make due to culture's demand.

Other than that, I do miss the event of tagging along my family for friends and relatives visiting... which can be a very lucrative trip if we put in extra hours to make more rounds :D Ang Pow mari, mari, mari! Oh well, that was the privilage of singlehood. Now I am the one feeling the painful pinch of the Ang Pow feat. Aiyoh… ‘Keuk-Yun lor’ (getting weak in the knees).

Anyway, I take this opportunity to wish all fellow bloggers especially those who had supported my blog thus long... A Very Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year!

( E-CARD REMOVED: Sorry my friends, I had to take down this e-card due to the fact that CNY is over now and I don't need all the commotion (noise) it has been creating. I believe most of you would agree and are delighted to hear this right. Now be frank with me ok. I know you are. )

The above e-card is especially dedicated to Gina, Che-Cheh, Stev, Jay, Ryeurn, Bengbeng, Kok, Tine, Tien Soon, Pau-pau, CC, Paris and Firehorse.

"May the golden pig brings you prosperity, and everything goes well"
In Chinese, "Jin Chu Bao Si, "Chu" Si Zu I".

Eat, eat, eat and play, play, play ok. But, do watch out for your health. Don’t be like me starting off the CNY with flu (earlier on) and now diarrhea too - must be due to my own gluttony in Mandarin Oranges. Am going to have to swear off em’ for sometime now and let my poor stomach and burning ass settle down first, before going to another bound of gluttony. LOL. It’s Chinese New Year mah after all right? We all have license to glut. *singing and shaking leg to song’s tempo, “That’s the way it is. Uh-huh, uh-huh. I like it! Uh-huh, uh-huh!”*

Bye for now folks! I shall only be able to blog-hop or blog after my long break… that would be on 26th February 2007, Monday. Unless, I get to hog my beloved brother’s PC. Grin.

Adious, partner.




Current Health Condition: Flu still bugging me although there’s noticeable improvement after taking some Chinese medicine. Stomach still rumbling and upset with the diarrhea, and my ass is still burning.

Mood: Quite agreeable and malleable... Could be due to long break anticipation.

Current Thought: WTF am I supposed to do with the load of Mandarin Oranges at home and also with those currently on my desk tempting me.

CNY Ang Pow: The Z-List

Got this from Ryeurn (thanks Ryeurn!) I guess it’s his early angpow for me. So I am hereby returning his kind gesture by keeping this Z-list going. I don’t see any harm of doing it and helping out other bloggers to increase their page rank and popularity. As I said earlier, search engines are suckers for links and page ranking is based on the number of linkages a site has. Page rank is especially important to those bloggers who participant in the PPP scheme. The higher their page rank the more moolah they earn from their post. So I am going to help them out by keeping this Z-list going and hope you will too.

If you are interested to be a part of this exercise (circulation of links), all you have to do is just to follow the instructions given below ok. Here goes…

**Instructions**

The premise is simple:
Write a post, and copy and paste my list from below into it. Make sure the links are active and correct. If your blog is on that list, remove it because your post isn’t about self-promotion. Don’t worry, because if your name is on mine, it’s on others and will spread. Add your favourite deserving blogs to the top of the list (not compulsory). Publish the post. People will notice the incoming links, and hopefully write their own z-list posts. The result will be that we all get more links pointing to our blogs, and more readers - got to be good!


Key Points
1) Create a new post on your blog.
2) Copy and Paste the entire list of blog links below
3) Add any blogs that you want to include near the top of the list. (Optional)
4) Include the blog where you first got the list from, on the list in your post.
5) Do not include your own blog links on the list in your post.
6) Make sure that all links are copied intact.
7) Publish the Post.

The List:

My adds:

RyeUrn - A Blog Kegful of Rye

StevBlogs... On Life

Tien Soon's Tech Blog

Not so complicated

Oh for the love of me!

Quaint Melody

Fatty Poh's Kopi Tiam


Originals:

Andy's Anything Goes

Beng Beng

A Hermit's Muse

Che-Cheh

Paris Beaverbanks

Rojaks

Melting Wok

Rasa Malaysia

Organic Income

My Mothering Corner

Mummy In Vain

Lovely Mummy

Desperate Mummy

Judy

Home Office Women

Shoppingmum

Cyberpartygal

Hochiak! Delicious Asian Food

Blueapron

Make$ Money$

Owen of Ugh

Jules is Utterly Geek

Internet. Serious Business

The Sabahan

Critical Thoughts

Blog-Op

Carols Vault

Blog About Your Blog

Monetize Your Blog

Cosmin PTR

Make Money On The Net

Successful Online Money Making

Turn One Pound Into One Million$

Work at Home Blog

Blogging For Beginners

How to earn money online?

Dosh Dosh

Money Money Money

Money Making Quest

Connected Internet

Mike’s Money Making Mission

Time to Budget

Can I Make Big Money Online

Blogtrepreneur

Flee the Cube

Blogging Secret

Blogging to Fame

Million Dollar Experiment heads Down Under

Quest to make money on the internet

Kumiko’s Cash Quest

Calico Monkey

Internet Bazaar

Shotgun Marketing Blog

BrandSizzle

bizsolutionsplus

Customers Rock!

Being Peter Kim

Pow! Right Between The Eyes!

Billions With Zero Knowledge

Working at Home on the Internet

MapleLeaf 2.0

Two Hat Marketing

darrenbarefoot.com

The Emerging Brand

The Branding Blog

CrapHammer

Drew’s Marketing Minute

Golden Practices

Viaspire

Tell Ten Friends

Flooring the Consumer

Kinetic Ideas

Unconventional Thinking

Buzzoodle

NewsPaperGrl

The Copywriting Maven

Hee-Haw Marketing

Scott Burkett’s Pothole on the Infobahn

Multi-Cult Classics

Logic + Emotion

Branding & Marketing

Popcorn n Roses

On Influence & Automation

Bullshitobserver

Servant of Chaos

converstations

eSoup

Presentation Zen

Dmitry Linkov

aialone

John Wagner

Nick Rice

CKs Blog

Design Sojourn

Frozen Puck

The Sartorialist

Small Surfaces

Africa Unchained

Perspective

gDiapers

Marketing Nirvana

Bob Sutton

¡Hola! Oi! Hi!

Shut Up and Drink the Kool-Aid!

Women, Art, Life: Weaving It All Together

Community Guy

Social Media on the fly

Feeling off Colour

FLU by ~MissSpoox on deviantART

I had flu,
It’s so not cool.
Woe betide my ailing nose,
Weepy and raw from constant blows.

Watery eyes,
Runny nose.
Rubbity-rub me poor sparklers,
Drippity-drip goes me poor nosey.

Two rolled-up tissues in my nostrils,
Stop the flow it will,
Stop the breath it will not.
Pardon me for my long absence,
Blog hopping has been sorely missed.

Well I am back my dear ol’ friend,
Thou are missed.
Thou I thought of day and night.
Absence does make the heart fonder,
If not dearer still.

I wrote this whilst my eyes still waters and that persistent gooey gunk in my nose still flows as freely as a running tap. Can this be excuse enough for a lousy poem? LOL. It’s my first attempt at one anyways. And I know it’s junk so don’t call my bluff ok.

Oh and I still feels like SHIT. My eyes look swollen and fatigue – I wonder if it is bloodshot too. My poor nose’s raw and sensitive from all those vigorous rubbings. The thing is I can’t bloody &@#$% do a damn thing about it - Can’t take any flu medication to halt the flow, as it contradicts with my current physical health condition. Yeah, I had a health condition - one that has been a nuisance since I had my baby.

Back to my flu ranting… I was on medical leave for two days straight (Tuesday & Wed) and back only today, Thursday – that’s why I am not able to do any blogging or blog visiting at that period.

My first day of leave was spent on ze bed fully doped *eyes glazed and drooling* (I took those cursed flu medication of which later another doctor cautioned me against for fear it might cause a relapse of ze condition I mentioned earlier) I was like, “Wah lao ye!” Why only tell me now. Damage is done. For I now suffered mild palpitation (120 bpm - is that mild? I dunno) all thanks to the first doctor’s oversight. Geezz…

Hence, I had to swear off assistance from any flu medication and hang-on to my trusty tissue-nose-plug (use it only when no one’s around of course. What, you think I am mad enough to use it in a room full of people?) otherwise it's the ol’ blow and wrap-it method (in Cantonese: Pau-Wantan). Oh yeah, I am also now on some sort of hypertensive drug called Propranolol to counter the palpitation. Sigh… I must be more careful with what the docs prescribes in the near future. Lesson learned.

Sneeze with mouth open wide. Ah-tishooo… *RED ALERT. RED ALERT. Germs Abound. Germs Abound*