All Paws on Deck!!!

13th August 2006, Sunday

Ahoy there mate! I was washed ashore the ‘Bukit Ekspo’ this morn’ with my four-legged mate ‘Kopi-O’ and ‘Susu’ together with my Momsie, Brosie and BB (my five-year-old son). It was my Brosie’s brilliant idea to set sail for the Pirateland-of-the-Four-Legged-Canines.

KOPI-O & SUSU

Yup! Your guess is right! I am babbling about this years’ Dogathon 2006 organized by the Veterinary students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), and sponsored by Pedigree. The event is from 7am-1pm and is held at ‘Bukit Ekspo' in the spacious campus grounds of UPM, Serdang. They even have a theme for it - “Pirates: All Paws on Deck!!” DOGATHON 2006. After some Googling I found out that, last year they had a Cowboy theme. I guess this year’s theme has been pretty much influenced by the current hype-up blockbuster movie, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”.

I can’t believe that it was already the 10^th Dogathon Annivesary (started since 1997) and yet, I have not even been to one until now. What a shame “tsk, tsk, tsk”. I am glad that I agreed to go when my Momsie offered to slot me and my boy in this time. Frankly speaking, I was a little bit reluctant to tag along at first, as I will have to get up goddamn early - at 6.20am on a lazy Sunday too! Have to be there early to avoid the scorching sun my Momsie reasoned – it suck! But, I had to agree on this cos’ I too detest the sun’s damaging effect on my beautiful alabaster skin *cheeky grin*. At first, I was perplexed when she mentioned dogathon – I thought I heard ‘togathon’ or something *chuckle*.

Some info on the event:-

Ok, as I am currently trying not to be too long-winded when I blog – here are some photos taken at this fun event: -

Top Clockwise: The Stage of course / Just one of the many Signs with the Piratry Theme / One of the Booth / Ahoy there! Me ship has docked at the Pirateland-of-the-Four-Legged-Canines.

Top Clockwise: That Booth again (sorry for the repeated photo) / Pic 2 & 4: A booth by SPCA for Dogs Adoption – there are some cuties waiting for loving master in their cages / Other pooch-related-booths for those shopaholics out there.

Left: Babes with picnicking with their as-lovely-as-their-owner pooch.

Right: Actually, I was trying to snap a pic of that cute lil’ old man there – A Schnauzer, I believe. Sorry, I know I didn’t do much of a good job taking this lousy pic – thing is, it kept turning its head left-right, left-right, over and over again. Sigh.

An Obstacle-Course for owners to show-off their pooch’s skill and to satisfy their own ego *grin* - no offends, just joking ok!

This was actually, quite fun - ‘Kopi-O’ enjoyed it the most (as you can see from these pics. On the other hand, ‘Susu’ wasn’t very game for this – then again, that’s expected as she is already in the Old-ladies category (she’s a 10-years-old dog). She’s grumpy most of the time nowadays – so, don’t irk her or else you’ll be at the receiving end of a bitch’s wrath. Growl!!!

‘Kopi-O’ performing with agility and grace with much courage too – for a young pooch. Sigh! And here is ‘Susu’ being forced coaxed by my Brosie to go up the ramp – poor thing, she was shaky throughout the ordeal.

This ‘Kopi-O’ is truly a ‘Cili-Padi’ (hot pepper) – she may by small and all but, she was really daring, as many other poochies were terrified of this ramp. God, it was steep. Kudos to ‘Kopi-O’!

Top Clockwise: What’s a cute lil’ thing doing on the ramp? – poor thing, did your master put you up there for his own ego? / ‘Kopi-O’ exploring the Tunnel-of-Love while old ‘Susu’ looks on. / Had to coax ‘Kopi-O’ out from the tunnel as she was intoxicated by love and lost direction *snigger* / Another poochy with it’s owner exploring the course.

Top Clockwise: This set-up was for the Master-Hunt event. We had ‘Kopi-O’ tried it out – the first time, she was puzzled as to what we want her to do. After the first run, she was brilliant – completed the hunt in seconds!

This event was called the ‘Fastest Eating Duo’ – where the owner and their pooch stuff their faces with food as-quick-as-possible to clinch the title.

Awww… ‘Susu’ made a friend - such an adorable lil’ thing too. Looks like ‘Susu’ still has her own charm albeit being an old pooch.

P/S: They were butt-sniffing each other. Euww!

Top Clockwise:

Ø BB (my son) pats a cute poochie of his choice. I don’t know what breed it was but, I sure would like one too – feels like squeezing the life out of it – its too cute (Ok, ok! please don’t call the Animal Abuse Hotline – I am just trying to describe how cute and cuddly this little pooch was)

Ø Aik!? This one looks exactly like my ‘Kopi-O’. It was sitting contently on the lap of an old lady throughout the morning.

Ø Wow, very original. A kingly pooch. Aye, yer majesty! (Next time, must convince my Momsie to dress ‘Kopi-O’ as a clown *tee hee hee* and ‘Susu’ can be a princess)

Ø Just another pooch I spotted.

Introducing the Cute-Ones – loved the two at the bottom of this pic (clockwise, pic no. 3 & 4) very much.

More cuties and some of Susu’s look-alikes (clockwise, pic no. 2 & 4).

Aha! The Majestic-Ones. My dream dogs are the two on top

(Golden Retriever/Labrador). The Afghan hound in this pic looks a little weird.

A dog with sunshades – Cool man!

Top Clockwise:

Ø Oooo… my dream dog again – the Labrador/Golden Retriever.

Ø “This old man, he plays one. He plays knick-knack on my drum…” – the Schnauzer again.

Ø A trio of Alsatian?? Or is it German Shepherd? They gave me and my boy a scare as one of them leap and barked at us for no reason at all, Shessh! (or maybe it was barking at ‘Susu’?).

Ø The Beetles - Oops! sorry, I meant the 'Beagles'. Yeah!!! – love em!

Tada!!! – the biggest of em’ all in the pack. The ‘Big-Brother’ in this event. LOL. Don’t they look magnificent?

Saint Bernard is one cool breed – I love em’ too! – at least, I wouldn’t squeeze them to death as easily as the cutes-ones.

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End of photography session!!! Hoped you enjoyed it cos’ I really did enjoyed the whole event *grinning eye-to-eye*. Came out of it with a huge urge to squeeze every warm and cuddly thing in my path.

If you are interested to know more about this event you can log on to Dogathon 2006 the official site by UPM. Alternatively, you may also visit a fellow blogger Che-Cheh.

The One with a Gecko in it

4th August 2006, Friday

One Crappy Morning

Had I lousy morning today – that stupid filling of my lower bottom left tooth dropped out while I was brushing my teeth. Startled me with a ‘ting’ on the bathroom floor – it was quite a big filing, mind you - hence the alleged sound can be produced. Sigh, there goes my plan to procrastinate till the eleventh hour. Guess this is it. I finally had to meet the sadist dentist. Ouch…

It has been a couple of years since my last visit to a dental clinic – not that I don’t need one though. As we speak, there are already a few cavities lurking around from the last few years – just never gotten around to patch it up – or I never seem to be able to pluck up enough courage to face the inevitable fact that I needed an appointment desperately. Oh just shut-up okay. I know that I am being a Chicken here “Cluck. Cluck” – Hmph! So what! Betcha scared like me too if it’s your turn *stick-out tongue. Blew raspberry*

This time around I am going to the company’s panel dentist around my neighborhood. Hopefully, I’ll come out from in one piece and mentally unmarred. Now… if I could just pluck up enough courage and resolution to make that appointment call. Sigh! I am pathetic ain’t I?

Cheeky Boy turns Barbaric!

This too happens on this same crappy morning!

I heard a loud banging noise downstairs while changing into my work uniform - yup, where I work; there is no freedom in expression of style and personality through fashion. I guess they just want to promote a sense of unity and loyalty plus, the so-called-image thingy.

Oh okay sorry bout’ the distraction, now where was I……… yeah, I heard the loud noise and proceeded to go downstairs into the living room to check, and that’s when I saw my soon-to-be five-year-old boy trying to pocket something urgently with his back to me (apparently, heard me coming down the stairs and trying to hide something from me).

When I ordered asked him to show me what he has in his hand, Cheeky Boy (my son) was startled and looks at me guilty but, still very much reluctant to show me the hidden goods. Only after several times repeating my request firmly, did he unwilling bow to my demand – and showed me that offending object…….... YIKES!!!! –shrieking and jumping around in shock- %$#%& - Had goose-bumps all over when Cheeky Boy held up a DEAD LIZARD dangling it by its tail! Shit!!!. That’s when I go ballistic – shouting for him to throw it away or to put it down (cos’ I didn’t dare to take even one step closer to him to solve the dilemma myself). Cringed – I HATE lizards. Period!

At last I managed to persuade him to put it down on a stool and quickly whisked him off to the bathroom for a throughout clean up from any residual left by that offending icky-yucky thing when he whack it to its death (so now I know what was that banging noise while I was changing upstairs). Oh my gawd, never knew my boy was so barbaric! And all this while I thought he has at least some trepidation when it comes to the creepy crawlies just like me.

Just when I thought the worst was over, I had my final fright of all when I reach out to pick-up that icky-dead-thing with a bunch of tissues – it moved! It damn freaking MOVED!!! My heart nearly jumps out from my throat at that time. Continues with more shrieking until I woke “His-Royal-Crankiness” (my hubby) who grumpily grabs that offending stool with that ‘thing’ on it, and promptly left it at the back of the kitchen.

It’s just not fair… I mean, how can that ‘thing’ still be alive for gods sake! Cheeky Boy has practically beaten it to pulp when I saw it – it was all bruised and reddish in the mid body.

You know what; Cheeky Boy even has the cheek to ask me if he could bring it (the dead lizard) to school with him. Geezz!!! Not in a million years son!

Anyhow, I count my blessing for the early discovery of that lizard incident or else, I cringed to think if Cheeky Boy did manage to put it in his pocket - and it crawling out while we are in the car sending him of to Kindergarten – I would have died there and then :P –shuddered-

A Romeo at the Tender Age of Five - A True Casanova in the Making?

Last week my boy happens to tag along with his grandma to fetch me back from work, when something amusing occurs.






While in the Car

My mum and I were busy chit-chatting away to take much notice of my cheeky little boy who was then safely belted on the back passenger seat. As usual, he would try all means to join our conversation or gain our attention at least, by babbling away noisily – which we would normally just ignore him until he ‘shush’ us loudly and cover his ears in protest.

After sometime, I heard him giggling and laughing loudly back there. Curiously, I turned to take a look at him and to my surprise and amusement, I found him trying his best to capture the attention of 2 cute little Malay girls in the car (an MPV) that stopped next to ours at the red light. They were both at about the same age as him – one is younger though.

He looked so cute gesturing away and boldly asking the girls as to where they are heading to (in his not so perfect Mandarin of course). He kept on teasing and made the girls giggling shyly away and smiling sweetly - apparently taken by his ahem, handsomeness and charm *grin*.


The Story about the Red Light Courtship

It was a weekday, we were on our way home when our car stops at the red light and an MPV stops right beside us. My Romeo boy spotted 2 cute little Malay girls in the MPV.

My Boy: -Laughing and waving his hands to get the girls’ attention- He asked them “Ni Chu Na Li? Ni Chu Na Li?” (Mandarin 您处哪里: Where are you going?)
Girls in the MPV: *giggling* -looks at each other- *resume giggling covering mouth*

Me & My mom: Tries to tease my boy “Oh my gawd, boy why you are so thick skin?” -both trying to hide our apparent amusement and delights-

My Boy: -Ignored us. Gave his best charming smile – Apparently determined, he tries again “Ni Chu Na Li Ah? Ni Chu Na Li?” – this time louder too.

Girls in the MPV: Apparently taken by his cuteness and brazenness, waves back and smiled sweetly while looking at each other and continue to giggle.

My Boy: Getting braver and started knocking at the window pane while repeating the question again and again “Ni Chu Na Li Ah?” –flashes his megawatts smile-

Unfortunately, the light turned green by this time and we had to drive on.

My Boy: Not given up yet, calls out loudly “Bye-bye. Bye-bye…?” –waves happily with much gusto-

Girls in the MPV: Both waves back shyly.

Me & My mom: -Shakes our head in disbelieves-
Me: Mom, it looks like our little-one has got a taste for pretty girls. And I must rephrase that as PRETTY girls ONLY.

The Evidence – Years Ago

Frankly speaking, I already have inkling that my boy has an eye for beauty – and that was, when he was just a baby. How did I deduce so? Well, he was by then, already pretty much inclined to stare ONLY at pretty girls (of any age) - he would ogle at attractive woman in the TV ads (Oh yes, we did test our theory by changing the channel and as expected he would promptly take his gaze of the screen a soon as the pretty girl is no longer on it!), and he would be all excited and happy when cooed by cute-young-things.

Last week, he had also fussed when I tried to chance the TV channel when he was appreciating the beauty and charm of one China actress, Crystal Liu Yifei (leading lady “Xiao Long Nu” in the wuxia drama series “Return of the Condor Hero” produced in China).

He kept telling me “Mummy, mummy, che-che (Cantonese: sister or lady) is very pretty” –points at ‘Xiao Long Nu’ a.k.a. Crystal Liu Yifei-. Amused and curious as to his judgment of beauty, I then asked him if the character ‘Li Mo Chou’ (the martial sister and arch enemy of Xiao Long Nu) is also beautiful – to my incredulity, he actually said NO. I was surprised by his answer, as the actress for this malevolent character is also another beauty. When I press on, he just gave her a look of distaste – then, it struck me, for I have discovered that he actual can differentiate the Good versus Evil perspective at his tender age. Awww… I felt so proud of him. *sighing contently*

However, I did not let the subject drop – instead, I asked him if he finds mummy pretty too *blush* (sorry, for my thick skin but, I had to know *grin*). You know what? He actually made my day and gave me a wonderful cloud-nine answer – he said mummy is also pretty and gave me a very sweet shy look (Instantly, I felt my heart melts, flooded with tender feelings for him).
Honestly, did I believe him wholeheartedly (or I choose to believe him anyway, for my own benefit. Hahaha :P) although I did say to him “Are you sure? You are not just saying it to ‘Angkat-my-Bakul’ is it?” (Malay: ‘Angkat Bakul’ simply means to butter-up/sweet talk). Ah, the frustration of having an insecure and skeptical mum must be driving my son nuts.


What Mummy Wished For

In conclusion, I do hope that my sweet little boy wouldn’t turned into a Casanova for real in the near future – a Romeo is okay but, must be one with a fairytale wholesome ending.

As they always say “A Mom always wants the Best for her Child”.

Huh!?? Where did I leave my Brain?

This morning I literally left my brain at home AGAIN. Yeap, this is not my first time, it’s my don’t-know-how-many gazillion times! Sigh… must be an early sign of Alzheimer disease *wailing in self-pity*.

The Story Goes Like this…

This Morning

Was skipping happily to the office front door this morning in anticipation of indulging the pack of freshly ‘ta pau’ (Cantonese: takeaways) Nasi Lemak I bought from the street opposite my office.

When I reached the front door, I took a look at the tote-bag on my right shoulder and realized my Access Card was not clipped on it as usual. Then, I proceeded to frantically rummage around my handbag (as I vaguely remembered putting the card in it when I pick it up from the floor yesterday after it dropped out from my tote-bag). Several seconds later, (feels more like half an hour) and still no luck, I started to feel stupid standing at the front door like that. Since lady luck does not favor me today, I had no choice but to tap the glass door gracefully for our favourite receptionist to let me in, and I resignedly dutifully signs the Staff Movement Log book at the lobby as a record of my crime.


Later after Breaky

Returning to my humble cubicle upon satiating my condescending appetite in the pantry on that pack of zero-wow-factor Nasi Lemak, to my astonishment, I found that offending Access Card nicely clipped on my tote-bag after all this while! Geezzz! –exasperated by self- What the f&*%$^@k!

Proceeded to DOINK self on the head HARD for being such a silly bitch. Then, unceremoniously POKE self in the eyes for being such a ‘mata-juling’ (Malay: meaning cross-eyed which can also describe a person who is not observant enough).

Later part of the morning, I found the lighter side of today’s lesson and laugh about it alone.


Some Musings on the Incident

Being silly is always a trademark of mine, as my hubby likes to put it. He adores this little imperfection side of me, and yet, at the same time also cursed me for it. Hmph! Talking about contradictory comments, so far no one I know can top him in this catergory :P