Danell Showcase 227

A long overdued post. Just when everyone has gotten over the excitement, here I am blogging about it.

Mom has called me weeks earlier to tell me that Danell will be conducting his own showcase and she wants to attend. Told me to get tickets. Boy, was I surprised to receive her call because I wasn't even aware of whatever showcase that she was talking about.

The much awaited day finally arrived......my neck has grown a few inches longer waiting for this day. Feb 27, 2009 was a Friday. It was a crazy day for me. I had to work. To attend this event would mean I need to leave office early. And so my agenda went like this :

8:00am - Start work
5:00pm - Finish work(the only trouble was something came up at 4:50pm and I couldn't leave at 5pm sharp). It just had to happen on that very particular day.
5:15pm - Left office. Headed for home...yes....I had to go back to Klang to fetch a bunch of faithful fans.
5:45pm - Zig zagged my way through along the highways. Managed to reach home in 30 minutes including the waitings at a few traffic lights. Office in USJ, mind you.
5:50pm - Showered. Collected 2 old ladies at my house
6:00pm - Went to pick-up Edrik. 10 minutes of shower. Obviously it is mandi kerbau la. Apa lagi? (I had to call up the centre to request for earlier release - 30 minutes earlier, to be precise).
6:05pm - Left Klang and headed to KL.
7:30pm - Arrived at Wisma MCA. I would have arrived earlier had I not taken a wrong turn and ended up in some weird places. But that's typical of me.

I met lots of my "old" as in old friends. Took my tickets and found some seats way behind. The whole entire rows were supposedly for the fan club.

Waited.....*tapping my finger......8pm, no sign of Danell. I thought the show starts at 8pm. So while waiting, here's what I took.

The auditorium.

The banner.
And then we heard drums strolling, the lights shone on someone. He looked so small and from where I was seated, I couldn't see him very clearly. But the audiences were shouting. So it has to be Danell, right? I got excited. It turned out the guy was a fellow singer from the same recording company as Danell....Hao Ren. He was the special guest invited to perform and I think he rendered 2 of his popular numbers.

Then Danell made his entry with his own composition - Sui Yi Men (Portal), his back facing us.
He performed many songs that night. His own numbers, jazz, bosa nova....so many. He did his unplug with his Takamine. He swayed his butt. He kept mentioning "cool". He was bilingual that night. So considerate of him...knowing most of his Pinkies are bananas. he threw flying kisses which turned his fans all mad, screaming away. He responded with "I Love You too". Gosh...I must say his PR skills has certainly improved. Still a shy boy, I find him. But I also find him being able to interact and handle the crowd with much more confidence now.


This was taken when he was singing his Heaven Knows. A killer song, that's what I think. One would just melt and die for him when he sings this number.
His XJHXJN bosa nova version sounded really weird to me. But he seemed to like it and was proud with it.

An hour passed so fast. It was the end of the show. He said good-bye and left. The audiences didn't have enough of him especially his Pinkies. We all shouted 'encore, encore, encore...." (the drummer strolled the drum, adding on to the suspense) endlessly until he showed up with his winning song, Mimpi. Wow....indeed it was the right number to sing. All of us stood up, singing along. All of us know this song by heart. We whistled, we waved banners and light boards. We were very high.

After this song, Dan gave a short speech. Once again, thanking all of us, his recording company, parents and family and his fans. Emotions got into him. Tears welled up. He cried. Pinkies said, "Danell, please don't cry"....Awww.......it was a touching moment when he related his feelings, the stress he went through preparing for the showcase. Another Pinkie gave him a tissue to wipe his tears. Some Pinkies cried along with him.


Danell and the Pinkies has a very unusual relationship....a special bond. Although he is a shy boy, the Pinkies has supported him throughout his 3 years in the entertainment industry. He has a magical charisma which I do not know how to describe. His fans base comprises of not just the young girls, there are young children, teenage boys, and uncles and aunties as well. It's a combination of all age group.

A picture paints a thousand words. Look carefully at this group picture and you will know what I mean.

Overall, I feel Danell did a good job. He was bold enough to try something different. Apart from a small stage, it would have been better if he had 2 big screens on the sides so that those seated at the back can have better view. Oh, and I'd like to add this.....Danell, I liked the way you swayed your butt. I hope to see you do more dances and build some muscles. I know you can do it!

Petronas - MESRA outlet

So called Mesra outlet but not that mesra pun.

It happened last Friday. I went to the USJ 20 outlet to buy a loaf of bread. While queuing for my turn, I saw a notice pasted on the table top of the cashier. I read it. It says if you are not given a receipt for your purchases, you are entitle to a bottle of mineral water for FREE.

I was quite surprised. It's like..wow..if they can put up such notice then their service level must be there. Not bad for a Petronas. At least that was what I thought.

So my turn arrived and I paid for my bread. I gave him RM5.00and he gave me my change RM1.00. But without receipt. So I read again the notice on the table top, just to be sure before I make an enquiry and embarrass myself. Hmm...ok....I am entitled to a free bottle of mineral water. My BM can't be that lousy till I misunderstood every word that is written on it.

I asked the cashier. Here's how the conversation went.

Me : You tak bagi I resit, jadi I dapatlah mineral water?
Cashier : *Silence* but he quickly took the receipt from the cash machine and pushed it into my plastic bag.
I bengang liao.
Me : Macam ni ke servis awak? Sepatutnya you kena bagi I satu botol mineral water.
Cashier : *Silence* he looked outside to the cars filling up the petrol.

He uttered not even a word. No eye contact. Not apologetic at all. By then I was fuming mad. I didn't want to create a scene so I left. But I was not going to let him off so easily.

I went to the office. That was around 8:30am. I was complaining so hard to my colleagues. While toasting my bread, the office went into a blackout. Alamak...my bread also not properly toasted. My colleague who was making her drink couldn't remember if she had added the creamer. With the candle, the pantry was still dark.

My colleague said this is all because of me. For being so angry, the office had a power failure. And because of that, I was not able to log into the internet to obtain the phone number of Mesra. I MUST lodge a complain. Die-die also must complain.

Then we found out half the USJ blackout, including Putra Heights. We went ronda-ronda. Boss released us but told us to come back later. Half a day gone. By the time we got back to the office, it was 2:30pm. Everything was back to normal.

My temperature also cooled down already. But after thinking it over, I decided to make that phone call. I complained. originally I didn't have that guy's name but because he was such a smart ass, he threw the receipt into my plastic bag. I had his name, date, time, tel no. outlet address all in the receipt. Hahaha......so I gave all the details to the lady.

I actually told the lady that it is a disgrace to keep such employees. Petronas represents the country's national petroleum producer. All it takes is 1 rotten apple to spoil all. Times are bad. There are many jobless people out there who can perform better than this guy. If he has such bad attitude, you should not even keep him.

I told her to convey the message to this guy. if he denies, just watch the CCTV from the outlet. See if I am lying or not.

Well, she said they will investigate and revert to me. I shall wait and see.

It is not the issue of a bottle of mineral water. I can very well afford it, not only 1 bottle but many many bottles. It was his attitude which made me mad. He could have at least be apologetic and I would let him off even without giving me that bottle of water.

What A Blow!

I reached home almost around 8pm tonight. Was supposed to workout at the gym but changed my mind. Was kinda tired. I reached the gate and I turned off my car engine, thinking to park my car into the porch later. This would allow Mac some time to run around in the compound before being leashed up. Then I saw him behind the grille door, so I thought to myself...aiyah..might as well park the car. I went back to the car but I couldn't get it started.

Damn...what is wrong with the car? I changed my tyres last Saturday. At the same time I told the guy to check my car battery and he said, "Miss...your car battery still very power wor. No need to change". So with that assurance.......still very power, right....I didn't change my car battery. I kept igniting the car engine and finally got it started. Drove to the porch and turned it off. Then I tried to reignite again...over and over...it wouldn't work.

My dad then called his mechanic. So the mechanic came. Checked the car battery, turned on my flashlights and then said it's due to weak battery. Looks like I didn't have a choice but to change the battery. He charged me RM140 for the battery and it's one of those which I have to monitor the battery water level. Duh.....this isn't my preference. I wanted those which I didn't have to check on the water level. But he told me this type is better...longer lasting. Sigh....I had to give in. RM140......I said to him very expensive. I told him since he is taking my old battery back, he should give me a better discount. So he said RM5 for the old battery. Nowadays the value has dropped. Have you ever wonder, when it's their turn to pay us because they took our things, the story is always the same....ie Price has dropped. No value. But when they sell us things...they say...aiyoh...suppliers increase price, so we have no choice but to increase. So RM140 - RM5 = RM135. I told him...RM130 will do. And he agreed. Dad said price is reasonable but I do not think so. I was expecting to pay about RM110-RM120 for the battery. Any idea what is the market price for the battery. Anyway, when he replaced the battery, it triggered the car alarm. I saw him fondled around the steering area and then the alarm stopped. Then he left. The minute when I opened the car door, the alarm went off again. I panicked. I didn't know how to switch it off. I couldn't use the remote as it has no battery as well. Nobody was able to help me.

Dad didn't know what to do. He's been driving his antique car without alarm and auto lock. Edrik kept saying..mum...do something...do something. Aiyoh...I was so embarrassed. Must have disturbed the neighbours too. I got into the car and shut the door and the alarm stopped. Oh...I thought that settled my problem. But when I opened the door to get down, the alarm went off again. Gosh....I stared in despair. I opened the door and closed it, repeated a few times and the alarm stopped. I can't be going to work in that car tomorrow!! I don't want people cursing at me for making so much noise. It's like when you open the door, it triggers the alarm and when you shut the door, it does not necessarily stop the alarm.

Then I had an idea. While in the car, the alarm stopped crying. I decided to go hunting for a car accessories shop to help me. It was 9pm then. I went roaming several places and all shops were closed. I almost gave up when I spotted one particular shop still open. Wow...so happy. But I knew they were already closing up. It was already 9:15pm. I had to wait for my turn at the traffic light.

A second felt like 5 minutes. Coast clear, I drove across the road while traffic light was still red. I didn't have much of a choice. The shop was closing. When I arrived, the shutters were already down. Had to be thick skinned liao. Walked to one of the guys and with a pleading look I told him my problem.

He checked for me and even taught me the emergency button to press when the alarm goes off. He even told me to try pressing the button. Then I told him to replace my remote batteries which he did. He even tested a few times on the car to make sure everything was okay. Here's what I learned tonight. I learned where the emergency button for the alarm is....underneath the steering. I learned that when we use the remote, 1 beep means "doors locked". 2 beeps mean "doors unlocked", 3 beeps mean "doors not properly locked" and 4 beeps mean "your alarm had triggered earlier".

Honestly, I didn't know about all these. I somehow prefer manual lock because I tend to forget if I have locked my car each and every time I use the remote lock. But I have to admit, come rainy days, the remote lock is a better and wiser option.

I was pretty much like a mad woman tonight. It is during situations like this I would miss Edrik's dad. Whenever he is around, I never once had to worry about my car. He always make sure my car is in a tip top condition for me to drive, checking the car's internal and external.

Sighhhh....I guess good things just don't last.

Bruschetta

Last weekend, I had the urge to prepare something different for the family. So off I went shopping at Tesco. Upon arrival, I went to King's Confectionery. Checked the baguette.....it was RM2.49...hmm...I thought to myself......cheaper than what I expected (I don't buy baguettes so I didn't know the market price).

Then I went into Tesco. Walked into the bakery section. Saw the baguettes hot from the oven. The lady was putting it one by one into the long paper bag. Checked the price...whoaaaaaa....RM 1.59!! Grab lor.....waiting for what summore? Any human in the right frame of mind would definitely grab it, what more 1 chinese lady stood next to another lady and told her Tesco baguette very nice. Then I went to gather a few other stuffs, paid and went home.

When my mom saw the baguette, she was quite worried. My aunt also gave the same reaction...err....we are gonna eat that hard-hard bread ah? Alamak! Eh.....you all are not being very adventurous with food la. And not very encouraging to me as well.

Anyway, here's what I did.

Ingredients:
Capsicum
Yellow pepper
Tomatoes
Ham
Bacon
Garlic spread
Cheese - grated
Pepper
Salt
Baguette - sliced

Here's how I did it. Not sure if it's the right method.

1. Chopped the capsicum, yellow pepper and tomatoes. Mixed them together with a bit of salt to taste.
2. Stir fry quickly the cubed ham and bacon. Set aside. Toast the sliced baguette in the oven. Once it turns brown, turn over to the other side until it turns brown as well. Remove and apply the garlic spread.
3. Add a dash of pepper.
4. Spread the chopped ingredients on top. Followed by the ham and bacon.
5. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top.
6. Put it back into the oven for another quick toast. Just to heat it up.

Serve hot. It tastes better.

Well, I thought I had cheese at home but when I got home I found out I had none. So mine went without cheese. Dad loves it. I do too because it's not heavy, not filling. Just nice for a light, healthy meal.



By the way, guess what? The following day I saw Giant advertised their baguette in the newspaper. Do you know how much? It was RM0.99!!!! And I thought I got a good deal at Tesco. Dummy me.

Selfless Love

My wife called, 'How long will you be with that newspaper? Will you come here and make your darling daughter eat her food?

I tossed the paper away and rushed to the scene. My only daughter, Sindu, looked frightened; tears were welling up in her eyes. In front of her was a bowl filled to its brim with curd rice. Sindu is a nice child, quite intelligent for her age.

I cleared my throat and picked up the bowl. 'Sindu, darling, why don't you take a few mouthful of this curd rice? Just for Dad's sake, dear'.

Sindu softened a bit and wiped her tears with the back of her hands. 'Ok, Dad. I will eat - not just a few mouthfuls, but the whole lot of this. But, you should...' Sindu hesitated. 'Dad, if I eat this entire curd Rice, will you give me whatever I ask for?'

'Promise'. I covered the pink soft hand extended by my daughter with mine, and clinched the deal. Now I became a bit anxious. 'Sindu, dear, you shouldn't insist on getting a computer or any such expensive items. Dad does not have that kind of money right now. Ok?'

'No, Dad. I do not want anything expensive'. Slowly and painfully, she finished eating the whole quantity. I was silently angry with my wife and my mother for forcing my child to eat something that she detested. After the ordeal was through, Sindu came to me with her eyes wide with expectation. All our attention was on her. 'Dad, I want to have my head shaved off, this Sunday!' was her demand.

'Atrocious!' shouted my wife, 'A girl child having her head shaved off? Impossible!'

'Never in our family!' My mother rasped. 'She has been watching too much of television. Our culture is getting totally spoiled with these TV programs!'

'Sindu, darling, why don't you ask for something else? We will be sad seeing you with a clean-shaven head.'

'Please, Sindu, why don't you try to understand our feelings?' I tried to plead with her.

'Dad, you saw how difficult it was for me to eat that Curd Rice'. Sindu was in tears. 'And you promised to grant me whatever I ask for. Now, you are going back on your words. Was it not you who told me the story of King Harishchandra, and its moral that we should honor our promises no matter what?'

It was time for me to call the shots. 'Our promise must be kept.'

'Are you out of your mind?' chorused my mother and wife.

'No. If we go back on ourpromises, she will never learn to honour her own. Sindu, your wish will be fulfilled.'

With her head clean-shaven, Sindu had a round-face, and her eyes looked big and beautiful.

On Monday morning, I dropped her at her school. It was a sight to watch my hairless Sindu walking towards her classroom. She turned around and waved. I waved back with a smile. Just then, a boy alighted from a car, and shouted, 'Sinduja, please wait for me!' What struck me was the hairless head of that boy. 'May be, that is the in-stuff', I thought.

'Sir, your daughter Sinduja is great indeed!' Without introducing herself, a lady got out of the car, and continued, 'that boy who is walking along with your daughter is my son Harish. He is suffering from... leukemia'. She paused to muffle her sobs. 'Harish could not attend the school for the whole of the last month. He lost all his hair due to the side effects of the chemotherapy. He refused to come back to school fearing the unintentional but cruel teasing of the schoolmates. Sinduja visited him last week, and promised him that she will take care of the teasing issue. But, I never imagined she would sacrifice her lovely hair for the sake of my son!

Sir, you and your wife are blessed to have such a noble soul as your daughter.'

Selfishness

Sometimes I cannot understand why some human beings can be so selfish. In fact, ihis selfish species can be someone who is really close to you, with blood connection, share the same DNA profile ...so selfish to the extent I think it is forgotten that we are ONE FAMILY!!!

It is so sad to note this. While there maybe communication breakdowns at times in our lives, while we may have different perspectives in our lives, while we have our differences, are we not still a family?

What does FAMILY mean to you? Just a name? Or a burden to you? Or people whom you once loved? Responsibility? You have been so selfish till I could feel if you can, you just want to get away from us. Avoid us and ignore us. This is so damn bloody hurtful to think that it came from you.

Your family does not look down upon you. In fact your family will always be there when you need them. Sometimes, advices are being misinterpreted as nagging and lectures. Misinterpreted as scoldings. Heed advices offered by the elderly. As the young ones, we have nothing to lose. As the saying goes, "they have eaten more salt than us eating rice".

Criticism from your family does not mean they want you dead. It is in fact for your own good. If you can't take it, then no one is able to help you further.

"With this ring, I am now yours"

No...no....I'm not referring to myself. It's my brother. He registered his life to this woman(vice versa) last Monday, 2nd March 2009. Venue : Some Kwangtung Association.


My parents
Well...we are just a small family with me being the eldest. Standing next to King Kong & King Kongresss made me felt so small.
This is like a briefing on the marriage in accordance to Malaysia Law.
Sign...sign....sign....need to sign 3 copies. 1 for the husband, 1 for the wife and another for the what ah? The country? The law? Aiyah...can't remember la......the Master of Registrar did mention but I didn't put much notice to it.
I guess I should feel honored to be the chosen one as my brother's witness. Celyn had also requested for her eldest sister to be her witness.

"I now pronounce you Hubby & Wifey. You may kiss the bride".Congrats, Bro. You are now a "Big Man", liao. Be responsible for your family. Know your role and duties. (that's how old folks like to put it, isn't it?)

Lastly, I hope my brother doesn't kill me for blogging about his registration in such a manner.

Someone has just visited my blog!

I was about to blog when I noticed someone has visited my blog.

You think it was REALLY HER??!! Boy ..oh..boy...I'm not a lesbian but when I saw her footprint, it did get me excited.

Can't see who she is...click on the pic please. You'll get the enlarge image.