As one window closes, another opens

Yes folks, I don't mean to boast, but I felt that this year has got to be one of the best I had so far!

I've had the chance to travel, meet new people, get closer to people I've already known.

Definitely in better mental health compared to last year. In terms of physical health, I guess this year has been my fittest year to date!

On the home front, I'll have to miss my sister for a few more months before visiting her in UK during summer 2011. My sister's absence meant that the nest is now pretty empty since I myself have moved out to live nearer to my workplace. But that has meant I would spend more of my weekends back at home to be with my parents.

Work has been good, in both places where I previously worked in KL and now in Shah Alam. I guess the career gods have been kind to me in giving me great colleagues and understanding bosses!

And I have my resolutions for next year!
1st would be maybe to lose 1-2kgs in fat, and toughen up at the gym. Lost about 10kgs this year and lost about 3 inches on my waist.

I resolve to visit Europe next year. Targetted countries are England, France, Italy at minimum!

I'd love to be closer to all the new friends I met this year. I've been exposed to many groups of ppl this year and I'd like to get to know them better!

Were there any downsides this year? Every year there are, but this year, it's all too trivial as I am going to look back at this year and remember all the great times and experiences I've had.
I'd like to thank every1 I've met this year as they all helped to make this a good year.

Lets hope for a better year in 2011!!

Here's to songs to party the last hour of 2010 away!
=)







Boodyboy, out!!

2010: My year in Summary

January




Was still kinda bummed out about the poor year I had last year. Started my new job not too long ago, hence was busy in training and had no time for blogging.

Working back in KL meant early mornings and late nights, some which I almost forgot how it felt like. Oh and the pain of the traffic jams...

Took my 1st holiday, a 5d4n trip to Bali! Definitely had a great time with EC and my sister. Pics can be found in my FB album here. Highlight of the trip had to be when I got ambushed by a monkey in Tanah Lot and it took my spectacles.


February

Most memorable thing about this month was that I got into an accident and lived to tell about it. Its was after a good friend's CNY open house and I was about 200m from home when I fell asleep on the wheel.

Thankfully I wasnt driving fast, just veered off the road, went up the divider and took a 15 year old palm tree down. Airbags came out and well, the key thing is that I'm safe.


March

A lot of stuff happened in March. Super busy as well as happy time for me =)
Highlights include, watching the Zee Avi concert, Hot Air Balloon Festival in Putrajaya (pictures here) and also a day trip to Ipoh (pictures here)! Definitely a month of fun!

Oh we also celebrated Earth Hour back in my paternal grandparent's place in Triang Pahang. Night shots here.

Ran the 10km Subang Jaya Run with CKH!
Surprised even myself as I never thought I could cover that distance


April

Another month of pure joy! And 5 years of Boodyblog!

There was my Phuket trip with my sister and Rach (album here, here and here). Our flight was delayed and we just had enough cash left for some food while waiting, hehehe.

Then there was my overnight trip to Cameron Highlands with Stef and Yvonne (album here). Took the Teluk Intan - Sekinchan way back home. The thing i remember most was on our way back, I took them to see Teluk Intan's leaning tower and they told me it didnt lean enough. Funny thing about the tower is that I would stand to profit some money from it at the year end ;-)


May

Welcomed a new member to my photography family. My new fave, Sony Cybershot HX-5!!

Singapore overnight trip. This was super spontaneous. Friday morning itself decided to head down with my sis and got the ticket in the afternoon. Later at night, there we were in Singapore!
Definitely a memorable trip! (Album here)

Oh, I started my new job in Shah Alam this month as well. And I can say that I like this place very much!

Then next it was Siem Reap in Cambodia. Woots, finally a World Heritage site in my sights!
=)
4d3n at a very good guesthouse! Definitely a memorable trip which involved me wondering if I might survive a rocky boat ride! (Album here, here & here)

And last but not least, a photo outing with my friends to the KL Bird Park (Photos here)


June

Yes, the FIFA World Cup finally kicked off in June. Its a pity my fave team, Italy got knocked out early. But kudos to Spain who won with beautiful football.

June was a month where I took a guilt trip down emo lane, lol. But glad thats over!

Went up Genting for a good photo outing (album here) and the Trekked Broga Hill (album here) to prove my fitness
=)


July

yes, it was still World Cup month. Lack of activities.

Moved to my cousin's place in Kota Kemuning as it would be closer to my office. Joined my company's inter dept badminton tourney where we emerged champions!

Went to see the floral exhibition, Floria 2010 (album here) with KTJ and JL.
Also joined a new gym, REV fitness! Thanks to them, I've lost weight and have better body shape
=)


August

It was the moon cake festival and this year again, we went to Semenyih dam to try and get a good moonlight shot! It drizzled, but we did see fireflies! (Album here). Then went back to Triang again for my grandparent's Khong Teik, celebration of the time when the souls get into heaven. And also got invites for the Sony A33 and A55 launching in Putrajaya!

Started my 100Day burpee challenge at the gym, which ultimately helped me improve my fitness and conditioning


September

KTJ invited me to the players party at the ATP Malaysian Open at Mandarin Oriental. Met players like Soderling, Ferrer and Berdych!

Finally went to Macau and Hong Kong to visit my very dear friend, SQS. I've promised to visit him in HK since we both started working 4 years ago, and this year I finally had the chance to do so. I'm tempted to go visit him again in the near future! I spent 7d6n in the wonderful country.

Mizuno Wave Run 11km was also on the agenda. KTJ asked me to join the run with his friends.
I've never run 11km before, so this was a big test. Managed to complete it in 1hr.13 mins! Damn proud of myself!

My sister flew to UK to finish her Law degree. Will fly over there to see her when she graduates!

My last remaining grandparent passed away (maternal grandmother). May her soul RIP.


October

Was possibly my most quiet month of the year. Was just getting work done and going to gym. COmpleted the 100 day burpees challenge and damn proud of myself!


November

Finally conquered Bukit Apeh in Cheras/Ampang. Treeked for a total of 6 hours, but the reward was definitely the waterfall we stumbled upon! (Photos here).

Brazillian Guitar Recital at KLPAC was definitely a highlight as well. Celso Machado was a great act! And oh, the joy of meeting my ex-OSKT colleagues, never fails to bring me joy!

Went to Abu Dhabi for the 1st time! For work, but I managed to squeeze in some time to meet up with KL, who works there! (Photos here)


December

Not edited any of my December pix yet, but lots of highlights here!

1stly, enjoyed my birthday with many fair maidens (photos here)
NExt up, lunch with my Ex-OSK colleagues again, makes me super happy. Numerous dinner with my colleagues and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Attended a Xmas Production at my friends church, CHC in Subang, was extremely enjoyable and the lessons learnt kept me grounded.

The next weekend, I went for the Malakoff 12km run with KTJ and gang again. THis time I finished my 12km in 1hr 17mins, still within my target. Malakoff's route was more challenging than the Mizuno earlier.

After that, later in that very same afternoon, met up with May and gang to visit an Orphanage. Good Samaritan Home in Klang. It was definitely a good experience for me, and I really enjoyed the fact that the kids are happy with what we could provide for them! Very fulfilling indeed! (Photos here).


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

So that was my year in Summary! I guess this year was a pretty good year for me!
I just hope it gets better and more good stuff keeps coming up. All these wouldnt have happened without all my friends and family. They played a big part and will continue to do so!



Boodyboy, out!!!

2010 : Year in Numbers

Gonna try to do something like "TIME" magazine, where they give out facts by numbers. Lets see how it goes as I try to define my year with numbers.









365 - Number of days in this year





10 - Number of months I worked this year. Weight in Kilograms I've lost since last year.





7 - The number of pairs of footwear I've bought this year. The number of countries I visited.





8 - Holidays / Trips (min 1 night) I had this year.





RM 450.00 - My most expensive footwear this year: Vibram FiveFingers Treksport





RM 10.00 - My cheapest footwear: Blue Beach thongs from Bali.





> 25,000 km - Distance I drove this year





2 - Car accidents I got into this year: Thankfully I'm still safe and sound. Number of months I was unemployed. Cameras I bought this year. Runs I joined this year (Mizuno Wave & Malakoff)

45 - number of canned food about RM150 can buy!



13 - days left in this year. And not enuff time to spend it with the people I care about =)

Infinity - The amount of blessing / good luck I've received this year. Of course, there are times when I've been down, but this year has been good to me.


Boodyboy, out!!!

Key Observations during my short stay in AUH

AUH is the airport code for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
I was there early last week for work and though is was only 2 full days, there are lots of things that I could conclude.



(This is the National Mosque, the largest mosque in UAE and the 6th largest in the world. At night, its lighted to a aqua blue-ish hue. Beautiful!)

1. Despite being the capital and independent for only 39 years, they are excellent in city planning. Roads inside the city (even in the old parts of the city) are at least 3 lanes wide on each side. Roads towards the suburbs and outskirts of the city are about 4 lanes and above. I was told the Abu Dhabi - Dubai highway is 6 lanes wide. This totally minimises the occurence of traffic jams for a city with a population of 6 million.

2. About 80% of the 6 million population is comprised of foreign nationals. Most of them are from India, Egypt, Pakistan and other parts of the world. I did notice that there was a fair amount of Koreans there as well; so much so that the hotel I stayed in had a few Korean staff to better serve them. On a side note, a Korean waitress spoke to me in her native language during breakfast, thinking I was a comrade. After noticing my puzzled look, she apologized and spoke to me in English. Hehehe...

3. The local citizens of Abu Dhabi seem to be pretty well taken care of by their government. They are pampered with lots of incentives and are very rich. The civil servants are very well paid, and hence almost all of them are with the civil service. You would be hard pressed to find a local working in a private firm.

4. Most of the cars here are high powered, well at least above 2,000 cc. Its rare to spot a car less that engine capacity, though i did see a Peugeot 308, Mini Cooper and a few more smaller cars. Cars here are cheap because there ain't any taxed levied on cars, unlike in Malaysia. Price of petrol is also comparable to Malaysia but if you take into account their average salary in comparison with the price of petrol, then its even cheaper for them. Also, did I mention I saw uncountable number of Bentleys, Porches, Maseratis on the roads here? heck i even saw a few Hummers! Mercedes and BMW just doesnt take the cake here.

5. The locals here love their country a lot, and unlike Malaysia, they are forced to hang flags stick flags on their cars. The governemnt doesnt need to take initiavtive, the locals do! I have seen many Bentleys, Mercedes, Range Rovers and all sorts of expensive cars being painted / decal-ed with the country's flag as well as the Sheikhs face. Some even custom painted their cars with the colours of their flag. These aren't cheap cars mind you! But yeah, i can sense the nationalistic pride while I was there. The night I left was the eve of their Independence day, hence there were decorations over the city.

6. Despite being a Muslim country, it doesnt feel like it is as strict as Malaysia. I guess the 80% foreign population helped changed that. Restaurants here do not have to proclaim that they are halal, people will still eat at those places. Local women are cover up in diffrent amoutn of cloth, but most of them seem to wear only a thin head scarf over their head. Its rare to see women to be fully covered in the burqa.

7. On the other hand, being covered up and just wearing a head scarf (not tudung) seems to be alright with me. Did I mentiont aht the people here look half Caucasian? Man, they have sharp features, nose bridges, and yet maintain that slightly Asian look. Couple with blue/ light hazelnut / green eyes, the people here look great! Guys look macho (partly due to their bigger, more European size) and the women look pretty.

8. In fact, I think its great that the we can only see the women's faces. Less emphasis on them having to dress provocatively just to look pretty. Many a times, I am just stunned by how beautiful some of the women here look, just by looking at their faces. Did I mention the eyes, they have the prettiest eyes over here, coupled with the asian look! OMG!! Eyes are like windows to the soul, and with eyes like those, its like I'm in Heaven!! (Yes, Im a sucker for the eyes, oh also smiles) Yes the Women here seems to have the right proportion of Eyes - nose and mouth width. Which makes them smiling even more appealing. And I dont even have to resort to looking at toher parts of their body (not that I do that, I have objectifying women, but I appreaciate mother nature's beauty ;-p)

Well, yes, those are some of the observations I made during my short stay there. Maybe if I had a longer stay I would be able to learn more abouit their country. Well, till the next time...



Boodyboy, out!!!

Be Be Your Love

HEard this song on "So you think you can dance"
Performed by Rachael Yamagata

Love the song and loved the dance that accompanied this song!






If I could take you away
Pretend I was queen
What would you say
Would you think I'm unreal
'Cause everybody's got their way I should feel

Everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love, for real
Everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love for real
Want to be your everything

Everything...

Everything's falling, and I am included in that
Oh, how I try to be just okay
Yeah, but all I ever really wanted
Was a little piece of you

And everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love, for real
Everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love for real

Everything will be alright
If you just stay the night
Please, sir, don't you walk away, don't you walk away, don't you walk away
Please, sir, don't you walk away, don't you walk away, don't you walk away

And everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love, for real
Everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love for real

And everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love, for real
Everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love for real

I want to be your love, love, love


Enjoy the song!


Boodyboy, out!!