Hey, I DO KNOW I overload on caffeine!

I am reporting from Gloria Jeans Coffee @ Sunway Pyramid. Today is 27th Oct 2009, 9pm. If my mind is still clear (it should be!), I have had my 4th cup of coffee within a span of 18 hours.

Being the very OCD and meticulous me, I actually did keep count of the coffee(s) I have had since Petronas started its training:

19th October 2009 - 4 cups

20th - 5 cups

21th - 4 cups

22th - 1 cup (I had a migraine!)

23th - 2

24th - 4

25th - 5

26th - 6

27th (today!)- 3rd + Ice Coffee (Gloria Jeans)

.....and counting....

Petronas' fault! :P They provide black coffee for all 6 meals, daily. I diligently prepare my own latte after each meal => half-cup of full cream milk, added with a dose of espresso into the milk, and no sugar = my perfect latte.

Every colleague of mine noticed. They were in pain when they saw me with another cup and another cup and another cup...... Well, I wasn't alone: three other ppl were seen to overload on their daily caffeine.

When me migrain struck on the 22th Oct, of course, everyone blamed it on my bad coffee habit. Even my trainer blamed my frequent headaches on coffee. Then he imposed some pretty big negativities of coffee "It causes osteoporosis, migraines, lack of vitamins...etc..." I totally agree with him. I've read ample studies about the effects of caffeine overload. It's bad. It's could be as bad as smoking. BUT I CAN'T STOP. How??!!! I REALLY CAN'T. Days after my migraine, there u go again - back to my 6 cuppa day. Not even my hideous migraine could stop me.

I am an addict. Either u are WITH me or you shut it. I had enough of bla blahs regarding my addiction. Just shut it.

THIS IS IT

I thought...damn, this is the last 2 days of my apparent 'freedom'. I am really going to be working. WORKING. Three weeks back, I finished my Ph.D. thesis (yes, the whole damn plus minus 250 pages) and THIS IS IT: My 4 years of struggle in understanding deeper into the lives of insects and how to kill them is finally over! It's really really over.

It's time to tell the others that I've taken the job in Petronas. It begins this Monday. And then, I am definitely stuck in a working life forever. I told a few of my close friends about my taking the job but I've yet to tell my lab colleagues. They found out about my job mere 3 days back from my own Prof and (uncourteously) not from my own mouth. I dare not promulgate the news cause I had a lot of documents which I've yet to submit to Petronas, hence unable to confirm my status as of a week ago. Sorry labbies, but yey!!! - I am finally leaving the lab. You will all miss me and my big mouth, I know. But I will totally miss you all more.

I would love to dedicate this post to a few of my friends. Many would not know (because u don't RSS/subscribe my blog), but I have had this blog since 2005 and have been actively updating it with lively stories of me. I know no shame when it comes to my life. Probably no secrets. I tell all. Today, I speak as if it's the end of the world, but why shouldn't ppl live in daily appreciation as if the world's going to end tomorrow? To ppl who probably knows me quite well, I love freedom (=Ivy time) more than anything else. To me, no freedom equates end-of-the-world.

Hope it's not in Year 2012 btw.

To my labmates and ex-labbies: Beloved Yati, Handsome but tak-tahu malu Mizie, Quiet Aizat, Witty little Ashraf, Grandma Mogeret, Elegant Ani, Walking Calculator Mahbub, lab clown Arshia, and cutiepie Dahlia: I didn't want to tell u guys I've got a job earlier cause I don't want the whole lab to go hu-hah over some job that has not really really confirmed me yet (a week back). Plus, I don't want to belanja you yet; I am quite broke. Betulll. Let me have my first pay check first, k.

To my besties: Don't miss me too much. Hehehe. I will never 'sell' any of my time just to be with you guys. There's no opportunity cost incurred (really?)when it comes to yum cha, running, swimming, salsaing and clubbing with u babes/guys.

To my Starbucks: Going to miss you! You're really tasty but nasty at times (don't ever, ever drink that Morning Glory bottled juice!) I have had you every fortnight so I'll see you the coming fortnight. Ice blended Cafe Latte with hazel nut flavouring and lots lots of cream for our next date.

To my Darling: My life is not the same anymore after meeting u. It's filled with so much fun and you've lightened my so heavy heart. I am going to miss my SLK as much as I am going to miss your CLK. Hehhehee...When you are in France, don't forget to get me a.....errrr....ahem... bag. Kidding!

To my SLK: You have been the only loyal companion in my live in KL. I have no complains about u. Loyal in both good and hard times. I may have taken advantage and mis-used you ample times and you're are never shy to throw some tantrums. Sorry. But I may have to trade u off soon. But I'll treasure our times (deep in my heart forever). You don't have to be jealous: You may not have an ass, but the next car (Vios, soon) that I will be getting will not be as cute as u are. You're assless, but my new Vios will have a Dugong ass (!?).

To my 'Dear': was just wondering, and I mean really wondering, when will you actually start calling (sms and online chats don't count!).... :P

To everyone else: I WILL BELANJA YOU ALL lahhhhh ONCE I GET MY 1st PAYCHECK. OKAY? Don't pester me. Else, I will spray insecticide on all you pest. arrgghhh!

It's abt losing the Freedom:

It's like your Real wedding day. The anticipation, the naked truth. Kan-cheong. Freaking out. Once you're in, you know it's quite impossible to get out. Just like your marriage, you are now happy(ier?) you have your 'guy' but you freak out cause u know it will never be the same as before again. Cause you know there's a trade off, a sacrifice. In my case, it's Time. And then you suddenly talk yourself into being a Runaway Bride. "I don't feel like working". I dun really want money as much as I want Ivy's Time. Where is the freedom of waking up at 10am? Or sleep watever time you want? Wear same smelly jeans you have daily? Wear a round-neck tee daily? Where will I ever have the freedom to be so very casual anymore? I believe I might miss the Freedom I've enjoyed for this past 4 years.

I am beginning to freak out. You listen to people, and ppl tell you things you don't want to hear about working life. (Hey, btw I was always working as in 'my work was in the lab'. PhD=work okay?!?!! But they say that this is Real work. Whatever that means). I worked in BERNAS before for 6 months but I have forgotten how 'so-called Real' work feels already after quitting that job in 2005. So their advices scare you quite a bit. Still...I'll take ALL your advices. Kenny, thanks. Ee Meng, thanks. Lee Ching (my future boss), thanks a lot for today, Cal with her Ferrari back, thanks!

Freedom. I will be missing that word. I want to be dear Jo, where I can find time to do things I love. Things I love is Reading, Jogging, Swimming, Window shopping. But I can forsee the future. There will be no more freedom. Because: I also confirmed continue to teach my loyal students and aunties swimming, I also earlier confirmed teaching some English tuition, and I also confirmed myself into salsa (one more try), and I also confirmed myself into being an unofficial consultant (but I don't get a single cent! just name only) for a techno company and I also confirmed submitting my revamped thesis by this month's end.

That's like 5 other different jobs I'm doing at the same time. But I also believe I can handle them all. Just that I will have no time for a lot of other things i.e. travelling, reading, National Geographic History channel, and Oprah Winfrey at noon.

You'll see why:

In Petronas, it all starts with training-cum-orientation. 16 days straight. I'll check in myself to hostels/hotels around Malaysia (esp. Terengganu) starting October 19. You are not suppose to go home. Nope, not even if your house is 100 metres away. You won't see me in clubs dancing, or salsa-ing, or in swimming pools, or in even in my apartment for 16 days straight. That also means, no dating spree for me too. For 16 days. That's a long time w/o a guy! Shucks. :P

I am permanently working in Petronas Research Sdn. Bhd. WHICH IS IN BANGI! Not Twin Towers. Which means, hah, no jam! May have huge volume of cars, but definitely no jam. You may figure I use the TPM road towards the Race-horse roundabout towards Bangi, but nope, I always always always use the Putrajaya way towards Bangi. Even when I was teaching swimming in UKM or doing my lab work in UPM, I frequently travel that Putrajaya-Kajang highway. Cause I know that jams make me into a terrorist (on the road). I try to escape them as much as I can because I KNOW I can burst into a horning bozo on the road, tailgating and screaming at slow idiots on the road.

Therefore, these 10 days remains the most important 10 days in my entire life, as i know it. I'll treasure these 10 days and do as much things I am passionate about in these 10 days. From today onwards, it's pure plain VICES: clubbing, drinking (not drunk), dancing, salsaing, meeting guys, eating a lot a lot of bak kut teh with pork offal, swim leisurely and training for my upcoming half-marathon @ Penang!

And see u in Ipoh on Deepavali....

P/s: My parents will be 'happy' to see their bitch daughter back home again. I just had a very huge fight with my mum last weekend....*sweats*

Canton-i

I hate reviewing about food. In fact, I just don't. Try to trackback my post, and you won't find food reviews. But I had to review this one:

Canton-i, Sunway Pyramid

The oversized menu. Typical HK style. (squint your eyes!)

And why one shouldn't confused this HK-style chinese restaurant with Dragon-i: though opened by the same big boss, Canton-i is definitely one notch higher than its overrated twin.

Thanks to an amazing person, who happens to eat good food his entire life (nope, he probably doesn't know what hawker stall food is :P), I was introduced by him to this restaurant. My first time too. The settings and environment was great. Service not too great cause we were the last couple out of the restaurant and we were both bogged by wild stares from their tired staff! "It-is-10-pm-get-your-asses-out-of-the-restaurant stares!"

For your information, I was earlier primed by how un-worthwhile Dragon-i's food is but I was surprised by the different offerings on Canton-i's menu instead. Still very un-worthwhile if you compare a normal wanton-mee out in front of my Puchong apartment (RM3.50) to this Canton-i's at least RM11.00 per plate. Stop judging the food alone. It's the ambience. And it's the first date. You expect luxury.

I chose something different out of the menu. Earlier I thought of playing it safe, cause I don't want to waste/throw adventurous (=different) food in front of a cute guy who was obviously buying me dinner. Wanton-mee is familiar, but I went for Wanton-mee with Goose meat. A bit salty for the gravy and soup (ajinomoto!) but the goose meat was very tender. Tasty. I wallop the skin also. Actually, the skin was the best part.

Then he ordered oily deep-fried ghost wrapped with a thin-slice of chee-cheong fun-noodles. WTF. Such creativity! Who could ever think of such combo. Brilliant!

Then, there's this mantau that when you bite on it, it splurts out its yellow fillings. The taste of 4 melted egg yolks (=think mooncake yolks, but creamier) just burst into your mouth and though you are literally choke by the oncoming eggy lava, you still won't want to swallow it. Cause it's too good. Too good. Too good. Cause there's only two mantau. One's for him, one's must be for me lah. I really wanted to rob him off his mantau. Can't get enough of it. But but but but.....a very bad first-date dish = so sloppy!

Out of the 5 small pics: That's the sloppy dim sum I was mentioning about (purple mantau with yellow eggy in there). 2nd pic from your right. It's called errr...'egg custard bun'

It's more of the experience. Even you would reckon. The food is not THAT flabagasting. But it's better than Dragon-i's, definitely. Both are still good food but I sorta can tell the clear winner in the battle between Canton-i and Dragon-i.

Verdict: 3.5 stars for food and presentation, 4 stars for serving portions, 1.5 stars for myself for misbehaving (soo sloppy) on a first date.

Outcome: He asked me out on Date no. 2. Means, I didn't do that bad, did i?

Other reviews: http://genzie.blogspot.com/2009/03/canton-i-sunway-pyramid.html and

http://www.vkeong.com/2009/food-drink/canton-i-sunway-pyramid-truly-hong-kong/ also corroborated with me that Canton-i is better than Dragon-i.

I'll remember this week: 21-27 September 2009

This week 21-27 Sept 2009 was filled with food, fun and laughters. Where in the world can I get back this week. If every week was like that, it wouldn't mind getting retarded and...fat.

Started of with Setiawan (that's on Sunday tho') which I had ample food! Next day, a crazy text msg asking me for a golf game?!??!!. Hey, me an golf is like chocolates & onions. Nope. I had a great work out at gym @ RPGC, which was amazing cause there was just this ONE cute guy there, and me. JUST THE TWO OF US. GYMing. And then, it was movie at TGV Ipoh. A popcorn movie. "The Perfect Getaway". A cute but macho guy actor there kept my ass and eyes glued to the movie. Best scene of that movie: the way he proposed. Shucks! How I wish.

Then next day: my uncle's new bangalow at Bukit Kinding, Chemor. Right Up the hill. Just like "Up". Amazing view. Amazing house. Amazing jacuzzi. I have always loved his FairLady. But I loved his cats. And yes, for the first time I do admit I love cats. Only his cats. How come his cats are so sweet and adorable? Hate his dogs. A skinny irritating chihuahua and four crazy Rottweilers.

Kevin in KL. Arthur's Day celebration: BLACK EYE PEAS played some of their new songs, a few of their old songs, and most awaited song: Boom Boom Pow and I Got A Feeling!!!! A blast!! Feet killing me adi. THE FIREWORKS was soooo amazing.....loooonnger than the merdeka day ones...... Guinness got too much money...!

Quattro. Love you Pink. 4 tics for 6 pax. Pink, Me, Kevin, Chin Yee, Ling2, Gerry. Danced thru the night. Drink thru the night. Kevin and Gerry and Chin Yee bottom's up for like countless times. Kevin drunk. Gerry ate 4 eggs (wtf!). High cholestrol. Maggi goreng was sooo spicy that even I pengsan. I was little dizzy due to over-dancing (and not drunk!). Kevin hangover until next day. We left him in my car. Overnight. But dunno how he so pandai can walk up to my apartment himself.

Manutd won. Watched Fulham vs. Arsenal at Sri Bayu. 12am. 4 guys and a girl. Yes, I am a football fan. But not arsenal. Nm if Arsenal won. As long as Chelsea lose. They did.

Pavillion: Kevin watched me shop. Didn't shop til drop. Makan food court there. Conversation led me talking about Lenny and his magical powers. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, Lenny text (via Pink). He senses I was gossiping about him and then he text me. That's creepy.

Sunway Pyramid: Met Lenny and Dev. Lenny showed his magical mind reading power on me(not again!). He happy I am single. Duh! Intro-ed a guy to me. I will be his trophy wife. But said I should career-focus first. 28 is young. Fine! Talk laugh, Talk laugh. Lenny gossips more than me. Cannot tahan. Lenny and Dev talked me into joining salsa again. Dev: If Lenny can dance, so can you. Objective: Salsa gives you good 'performance'.

Today is a new week: All the shit work comes back. Here I am writing thesis, papers and reports again. This week will be shit week.

ASS Language.

The holidays sudah mau habises. I am so sads and scares. Scares of jams tomorrows. But betters go backs cause in ipoh, i can'ts concentrate on works..and i gettings sooosss fats. Fats like whens I was Form Fives that time onwards....

More weddings comes on next months. Pokais! Pokets kosongs. But see yous in Ipohs...!

*sweats*

Devalued. Revalued.

Yikes, Petronas offered me a job! (I have not decided to take the offer as of now...still praying about it). When it rains, it pours: three job offers in a week! (shows that my mum's always right).

I went to the Twin Towers to get the offer letter. I thought "Hey, lets see, maybe they offer me some mad-scientist job cause my hair was all frizzy and blown up in places during the interview." AND they did: I am going to be their mad-scientist! They disclosed my basic salary: It's relatively a lot.

Actually, it's not that a lot. Considering I have Ph.D., and I have skipped (missed!) 4 years of real working life. Not like you guys: You have been in the so-called real working world since like what?.....23-24???? So my accumulated wealth will NEVER EVER be as high as yours at any time....so shut up...and don't get jealous with my current pay (and those pretty allowances!!) :P

Basically, it was all about the expectation. I lowered my expectations. I shouldn't. I thought Petronas would buy my brains for RM2800 and guess what, that was what I quoted them (stupid!). But thinking of it: I was a magna cum laude in my degree years, I am geared with excellent laboratory research skills. My on-site experiences are pretty excellent too. I lack industrial experiences; that's why I didn't wanna push my standards too high. Hence, the SURPRISE element kicks in (easier) when something 'normal' happens.

I have suffered 4 years doing my Ph.D. Go get a Ph.D. yourself if you think it's easy! Well, many thinks my knowledge does not commensurate with the gaji. But how not? My knowledge in chemistry and biology is sooooo in depth, irreplaceable and soooo specialised that even one interviewer in Petronas and the CEO of a company called me "indispensable" in this field (and I sometimes I do wonder why am I soo smart *cough**cough*). The CEO kow-towed to me literally. Btw, only a handsful of ppl in Malaysia works directly in the toxicology-cum-entomology-and-application technology combo sciences. I am going to solve the world's climate change problem!

People don't take me seriously: I laugh too loud, I can get pretty fickle and bozo, I'm fat, I talk way too much, I swim and teach like an Aunty, I go clubbing, I drink, drank, drunk and drive, my hobby is facebooking, I read History and Economic books(?!), I kissed many unknown guys(!), I watch too much Astro (esp. History channel and CSIs), etc. From the outside, I looked like a stupid idiot because sometimes I am. But from the outside, you just won't get what's in my brain. It's very very scientific, yet random: elaborated thoughts do fly in every minute. To many, my work seemed insignificant. But just like everyone else, I don't like talking about my work, and not because I am not proud of it: no friends in my klik will know what I do even if I gave them 1 hour no frills quick course. Even my colleagues still don't. Sometimes when I read my own stuff - I go wow-ses! :P

Like I said: I still haven't decided if I would take the job, k? So don't bug me for a dinner yet. I have 3 job offers btw. One fits my personality, one fits my pocket quite nicely, and one can't fit my pocket at all. SO hell......let me think....and pray about it.

I devalued myself way too much previously. Way toooooooooooooooo humble. Parents always say don't speak about your abilities and be very humble marrrrr. Time to stop.

I want bonus now! :P

Many FIRSTs this September.

My first page: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

About freemasonry

I bought this: Casio digital watch for teaching swimming purposes.

It's a kid's watch. Very cheap(skate).

See...got light wann..!

I bought this: SK-II facial treatment essence. I've tried the leftovers from FP's (thanks!) and it really works for my skin.
This is my first buy: a very good investment.


I did this: My first manicure.
A neutral colour, but...loved it!
You're right FP, I could get addicted with this.

12 Predicaments

1. I am Twittering more than usual. Because FB bores me quite a bit now. Hey, join Twitter cause I've no friend to kacau there! http://twitter.com/cchivy . <-------If you scroll thru and see the left panel of this blog, those are my twitter updates @ real time. I also follow 'NajibRazak' just to give my dua-cent worth.

2. I've got 4 weddings up, with 2 funerals down this year.

3. I passed my PTD M41 gov test (Peringkat 1). See my previous post about it.... but now what?

4. (hidden)

5. Swimming business or no swimming business? I would have to answer that very soon.

6. Mum says good things come only with patience. Just a little more patience....and all good things shall arrive (and maybe at the same time). She BEGGED me not to jump to any decisions so quickly as she knows I am very very agitated at my present situation now.

7. No more vacations. Focus on career development. And PBIM run. You can't blame me: I really pokai ady after all the angpows for weddings, clothes to attend them, and petrol back and forth Ipoh.

8. Lecturing? Thinking twice.

9. (Insyallah....) God willing, my Ph.D. viva may be this December.

10. Should I get a pair of Adizero running shoes? $$$$.

11. Pelik sungguh! Era asked me to teach English and Literature. To which I said yes(?!). My England also not very the good, how can to teach! But thank God, it's the Form 1-3 class he was talking about. I might have to re-read Wuthering Heights, Prisoner of Zenda or Great Expectation. Or I shall make all of them read and translate Zaid Ibrahim's "Saya Pun Melayu"

12. Sigh....

"Wake me up when September ends" - GreenDay

One of my fav song by Greenday. I think it's about time - my inaugural first post for the month of September. I really have been 'sleeping', so today is time to wake up.

There's so much to blog about, but there were certain things that struck me as interesting and worth mentioning:

Kanye West....bullied my no.1 female idol: Taylor Swift. I don't adore Taylor Swift as a person nor her songs. I just adore her curled-hair. And totally love her silver toga gown she wore at the VMAs. But Kanye was totally disrespectful to just barge up there and disrupt her acceptance speech! I feel for Taylor. She, as was everyone else, was appalled by what Kanye did. Good thing many ppl booed. Not even his fans condone his act. Nope, not any thousand apologies could render forgiveness for that act.

Nevermind what happened; it did happened. But what was the cue that made that mad-man go up to just speak his mind at the wrong time. Maybe he's just Gemini, and that's my theory. Very typical behaviour of male-gemini. He has the same birth date as I: 8th June; that's why I think I know why he loves the attention so much and at the same time being reckless about it.

This September began with my OWN (yes, my own) swimming classes. I've got many students who are willing to brave thru' the strict management of my apartment just to be my faithful followers. They showed passion in swimming and that's why I love teaching all of 'em. Now, I have a good many followers in my new religion of swimming. How faithful!! What do you think of the name (of my so-called future swim business): *"DIP DEEP"

*Nope, not just yet. Cause I can't pay for the rent of the pool just yet.

I would have to thank my dearest friend *Jonie for this opportunity. I was always afraid of water-rafting because:

1. I love my body;

2. Though I might have some permanent head damage, I need the head and what's in it;

3. Honestly, I am a little height phobic, that's why I don't go on roller coasters or solero shot (ever again);

4. I love my fingers: All of my digits are designed for scientific research, write, type and Facebooking;

5. I might have to redo my manicure.

6. Kiasi!

But the trip in Ulu Slim has awaken some amount of confidence, and with such crazy friends (or some said I was the only crazy one*) to raft along, I am hoping for the next trip....say at KKB, yah?!

*Jonie, you were sooo composed during rafting! But nope, I'll never ever Kiteboard (try convincing me again).

Maybe I should stick to swimming and running. But some say, I might just die in a car crash, or get knock by a car while running our Malaysian roads......instead. Kiasi is not an excuse.

As Jonie would have said: Trudge on.