Chinese New Year 2009 Photos

Some of the photos took during Chinese New Year's eve and 1st Day of Chinese New Year.

Kiong Hee Huat Chai

Chinese New Year is here!! We welcome the year of Ox, Cow, Niu, Goo, Lembu..whatever and however you want to call it and we say good bye to the sneaky Rat!

We didn't have a good start of 2009 where we face heavy rain, flood, so many accident in January, 2 death from the horrifying flood...so I hope and pray that, with the start of the Chinese New Year, the Year of OX, things will be better and improve.

In Chinese believes that, in every Chinese New Year one must wear new cloths, shoes and so on...welll..if u are thinking of wearing new underwear, by all mean...hehehe...BUT there is always a last minute thing that we need to do..or should I say ME!!!

There were few last minute things I did before Chinese New Year! Two days before CNY, I went around Brunei town to look for new trousers and shoes! I think I am quite choosy when it comes to clothing. I was in Singapore last month and didn't get any cos it's too expensive! And I was in Miri 2 weeks before Chinese New Year and I didn't get any new trousers or shoes! I normally get all my stuffs well ready before CNY...Prob this OX year wants me to teach me a lesson by not doing things in the last minute and make me work hard to look for the stuffs I want. I manage to get only one pair of jeans and a pair of new shoe at BATA!

On the nite of Chinese New Year's eve, we pray at 12am and then head off to the Chinese Temple at Muara. There are quite a few people there but I'm sure there were more people at the Temple at Bandar.. I did take a few photo of the activities on Chinese New Year's eve and on 1st day of CNY...I will upload it in a bit...just be patient....hehe

Weird? It's Getting Weirder!!

Like what I say in my previous post that people, weather and the lifestyle is getting weird! Last night, I experience the weirdest and see the most scary sight that I have ever seen!

As most of you know, the weather was really bad last nite. It was raining when I leave the house at 8 ish and thinking that the rain will stop soon. Went to Yayasan, the rain get heavier. Later went for supper with friends at Qlap and it was still raining! After supper, I decide to go home knowing that the rain getting heavier and don't see that it will stop!

Normally I will drive along the Kiulap-Gadong roundabout to go home, but last night I decide to drive along Jalan Gadong to go home. While driving, I enjoy driving pass the pool of water on the road and see the water splashing clearing the dirt on my car! But as soon as I got near to the Gadong Police Station, I did not like what I see! The road was flooded and cars stopped in front a big pool of water. The road was flooded and I can see water gushing out from the Police Station main gate! I stayed there for almost 10 mins when the car in front decide to drive through the flood! After that, I drove through the flood and a 4-wheel-drive car from the opposite side drove through the flood quite fast and I can see the wave made by that car coming towards me and splash on my car! I was so worried that my car will stop and luckily it didn't!

After passing through that horrified flood, I thought the nightmare is over....as I drove towards Jln Beribi, a long queue of cars stopped along the road! I was like..."OH MY GOD..Not another one!!!" I was stuck on the road for almost 3 hours and as cars started to move and I get closer to my place, I saw the road was flooded and on my left side, I saw cars that parked along the road was covered with water!! I managed to snap some photos but not a good one..At least you can get an idea how deep it is.

Weird People Weird Weather Weird Lifestyle

I was hoping that I will have a good start of the New Year with my new resolution and so on! It turn out that i Still have a good start of the year...hehehe... despite the weird thing that have happen to me from 010109. Let me list down some of the weird thing....

1. Weird People (Let's call this person 'X')
Sometimes when you thought that you really know that person, please do follow your instinct!! What you thought is true!

I have a friend whom I chatted with me quite often. We swear and talk rudely at each other for fun like no other people business...hehehe... Knowing that we like to chat in a funny way, at time X will make a statement why do I chat so rudely. It can get very confusing sometimes! Well, I told X that I can be polite and you wont like it! Sometimes the chat causes "argument". So when I ask "Why u sound so angry"..and then the answer is always "....where got angry!.." which in the actual fact X is angry but in denial!! And sometimes X make some statement which really irritating and disgusting! When I told X off, X starts to get angry! Very Weird.....

2. Weird Weather
The weather wasn't that good since the start of the New Year. It have been raining for almost everyday! Flood everywhere! Accident Everywhere!! In the recent news, there are over 50 car accident for just the first week of 2009!

Last night, I was out and about with friends. The weather seems fine. Was walking and the next thing I know, it start pouring and very strong wind! I think the weather in Brunei and other countries in this region is unpredictable! It will rain whenever it wants!

3. Weird Lifestyle
Do you realise that the teenagers and youngster nowadays are getting more daring when it comes to clothing and hairstyle! I was shocked and can't believe my eyes that I come across youngster wearing a Gothic costume and walk around town!

And I saw this person walking around with a winter scarf around his neck in Brunei in a hot day!! C'mon, this is Brunei! You don't need that! If it's a fashion..do it sensibly and don't make yourself look stupid!

I have seen guys with Mohawk hairstyle but this year itself I saw more guys with Mohawk hairstyle walking around town! Why do their parents allow their son to have such hairstyle? We are from the Asian Country...Act and Behave like one! Don't bring those unwanted western style over and encourage the younger generation to follow it!

People change, Country developed and few other things that will change in our lifetime but please do change in a good way. We have seen so much things happen to other countries and we should be glad that we are living in a country call Brunei Darussalam.

Gloomy Tuesday Morning

To be honest, the weather in Brunei is so unpredictable nowadays. I like the wet weather cos it really cool down the hot weather we are facing now. BUT I hate the wet weather when I just clean and polish my car 2 days ago!

Normally I don't bother to wash my car cos of the unpredictable weather. Since it's the beginning of the year and going back to work, I don't want to have a dirty car full of dust and bird droppings on my car!! DAMN YOU Sparrow!! Stop shitting on my car!!...oppppsss.....hehehe..... I just hate it when I see my car full of bird dropping! There are just too many sparrow nesting at my place....

Tonight I will be staying at my parents just to look after the house since they are enjoying their cruise around Malaysia and Bangkok....

We will be celebrating Chinese New Year is just less than 3 weeks! WOW!! And the OX will be here to get rid on the RAT! ....best to do that cos there are just too many "RAT" running around in Brunei and cause too much problem!

Till then........

It's About Time To Say Goodbye

Looking back to my blog dated 27 September 2008, I mentioned about my parrot fish and Oscar fish that have died and I left with 2 Oscar fish. Ever since the death of the fish, the 2 Oscar fish that live acted differently. They are not as active as before. I presume they are just like human who feel sad and mellow after their close ones passed on.

A few weeks after the death of my fish, one of the Oscar look weak and basically just stay at the bottom of the aquarium and do very minimal movement. The other Oscar is ok but not as active. 2 days ago, the Oscar that just stayed at the bottom of the aquarium is getting weaker!! It will stay up for a bit and then lie down.

I'm not sure how long will it live...I have put some medication in the water and hope it will get better otherwise..it's time to say goodbye...

Earliest Blog Ever

This is the first time in my blogging life that I blog so early in the morning. I actually got up at 6am and get ready to send my parents to the airport as they are off to Singapore to join the Star Cruise for 5 days.

Now, i just finish my breakfast and feel so lonely at my parents' place now. So quiet....hehehe.... BUT it's the best time to sleep without any interruption by anyone..hehe

Tonite, i will be off to a chinese restaurant for a "quack quack" dinner. My friend from KB is treating us and she is so tempted to eat duck! So I have two places in my mind....not sure which one to go yet!

After dinner we are planning to go for Karaoke ^_^ Gosh...it have been so many months that I have been to a karaoke place. I used to go to my favourite karaoke place but eversince they changed the DJ, I stop going there as i don't really like the 'NEW' DJ.

Anyway..going to continue my sleep now......

Happy New Year 2009 Everyone

We have been waiting for the new year to arrive and now it is here! Today is already the second day of 2009 and in a few days time, I will be back to work again. I am hoping that this year will bring me more confident to myself, work and anything that I do.

It was a quiet new year celebration for me. Knowing my parents will be celebrating alone this year, so I decide to accompany them. I brought them for dinner at Golden Leaf. Quite surprisingly there aren't many people in there. So I let my parents to order the food as I am hopeless in ordering chinese food.

The food arrived and as usual, I have my mom to rate the food. The food wasn't really that good. I agree with my mom rating this time. The taste of the food was quite plain but we still finish the food..hehehe...

After dinner, we went home and watch the 'LIVE' telecast of the chinese singing competition in Taiwan and did the countdown at home with my parents and my eldest brother and his wife who return home after a wedding dinner. Somehow I feel that this year is really quiet and a quiet start of the new year.

Although I celebrated New Year with parents this year, but I did a Pre-New Year celebration with two of my closest friends..and also belated birthday makan makan for me and my friend. We had grilled food and one of my friends were in the kitchen doing some mushroom and vegetable :) Taste good.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009 EVERYONE

Happy New Year 2009

Despite my lack of attention to my blog, that doesn't mean I have stop blogging. I promise to update my blog regularly in this coming new year.

I would like to wish all my friends, family, bloggers, blogger hoppers and anyone who visit my blog a Happy New Year 2009! Cherish the last 2 days of 2008 as it will become history by tomorrow and days to come. ENJOY!!!

Part of Growing Up

As day goes by, we learn new things. It can be by clicking of a button on a computer keyboard that will create a shortcut to a certain function, it can be getting to know new people and make new friends and lots more....

For me, from the beginning of this year till today, I have encountered alot of things in my life..there are good and bad but more to the good side :)

Let me run through what had happen to me this year....

Good Part

As of 1 April 2008, I have been working with the same company for 4 years with nice colleagues and understanding boss :) (kes mengampu lah tu...hahahaha)..Seriously, do you think I will stay in this company if I can't get along with my colleague and boss??

I was at Sydney in May, Auckland in November and Singapore in December...Free of charge...paid by the company....hehe..I was in Sydney and Auckland for training and work in Singapore for a week :)

My niece turning 1 year old in September and we had it at Rizqun Coffee House. She is getting naughtier each day and thats the fun part of it. When you get angry with her and then she start to smile and make funny faces, all the angriness in you just disappear immediately..hehehe..That's the power of baby eh...

Went to Labuan with my usual group of friends after a year being sober...oppppssss...hehehe

Went to a costume birthday party for the first time. I dress as a modern fat dracula with white makeup on my face! hehehe.. I was the MC for that party and I didn't have my make-up for long cos I just cant stand it and wipe it off and transform myself to ..... ME

Bought myself a Nokia N95 8GB early this year and loving it so much! It really help me to move around Auckland and Singapore so easily without getting lost! I'm very bad with my direction. I can go in to a shop and then don't know which direction to go out!

Bought myself a new 32" Sony Bravia LCD TV and HDMI DVD Player. When this two things connect and WOW!!! the picture were so amazing..... sakai lah tu...hehehe

BAD THING

There are only two bad things that had happen to me this year....i think...

1. My car of 4 years finally disfigured after a minor car accident at GIANT! I was reversing my car out of the parking and this car from the other side of the parking reverse at the same time and BANG! Got out of my car and saw the dent and crack backlight! And the frustrating part is that, there isn't a single scratch on the car that hit me!!

2. 3 Parrot Fish and 1 Oscar fish which I have for over a year died after a power failure at my place. I was at my parents place at that time and when I return home the next day, I was so sad to see my lovely red parrot fish floating!

You will never what will comes ahead of you..let it be good or bad, that is already part of life and growing up.

What Did I Do Since 1 December 2008?

December is here and the time just passes by so fast...and there are few things that I have this year seems like it only happen few days ago!

I have been so busy since the first December until today and I'm sure more to come next week...sigh...

Anyway...So little thing happen to me over such a long period of time between 1 Dec till 12 Dec 2008. From 1 Dec until 7 Dec 2008, I was in Singapore for a business trip. Working in Singapore is not easy eh... Everything are in fast track and I finish work around 6ish for almost everyday! And when I get back to the hotel, the first thing I do is to take shower! It's really humid in Singapore! Put work aside, I really enjoy shopping there and love the Christmas decoration! When I say shopping...I mean window shopping..hehe.. The things there are reasonably cheap and since Christmas is just few days away, the shopping mall are packed with people!! I went to Takashimaya and that mall was packed with people!! I think I can see the whole population of Brunei in that MALL! Gosh.....I do enjoy my stay there and manage to snap few nice Christmas deco....

Back to Brunei and went to work on Tuesday. I didn't even have the time to have a cup of coffee when I reach work and straight off for a meeting. And another meeting in the afternoon. The next day..another meeting in the morning and then afternoon! Then today, meeting in the morning and meeting in the afternoon! That's what I call "M I B" hehehe...

Oh..last night I went to watch the Premier for Cicak II and manage to take photo with the lead actor and director of that movie! I didn't go hysterical though..hahahaha...nothing to be hysterical anyway. But it is good to be able to take photo with artis and this is my first time to take photo with artis!!

Will put up more photos of my trip in Singapore later ah.....

Interested in Bracelet?

I have a friend who sell Chinese Crystal. The crystal bracelet price is reasonable and, if you are interested to buy the product, click here and it will direct you to the site! Enjoy!

Back To Reality!

For those who have been following my blog, first of all, I would like to apologise for not updating my blog for such a long time. I can't find any good excuses for not updating my blog but just pure laziness!

Since I have been abandoned my blog for such a long time, I will update what I have done from the period of my disappearance till now.

20 September 2008

Bought a new pair of RayBan sunglasses. My friend say I look good on it, so decide to get it :)


25 September 2008
Decide to wash my car after almost 2 months of dust, sand, bird shit, insect sticks on my car! Shiny eh :)


27 September 2008
I was in Seria on that Saturday to renew my car road tax and car insurance. Before heading back to Bandar, I decide to drop by the Billionth Barrel Monument.

28 September 2008
I was at The Mall on that night and saw so many Parking Idiot around the shopping area and one of them is shown below!

07 October 2008
I love watching P.Ramlee's movie and they always show it at Astro Prima almost everynite around 1am. So one nite while I was watching Pendekar Bujang Lapok, I decide to capture the three of them singing "Maafkan Kami" to Rose.

07 October 2008
After work, as I was heading home, I saw this unsafe container on a trailer. Been seeing this trailer few times on the road and I do find it disturbing to see the condition of the container. Was worried that the things inside the container might pop out and thrown out! How can this container be on the road of Brunei?!


11 October 2008
Was out and about at Hua Ho Bunut and for the first time, I was out with my baby niece! It's not easy to bring her out cos her hand will try to grab on things nearby! But it's fun to bring her out...with her mom of course!

13 October 2008
I was sent to Auckland to attend a 3 days seminar. It was interesting talk. Didn't do much there as the things there are pricey and nothing special to see or do!! I like my room cos I have my own Jacuzzi!!!!

26 October 2008
Every time when it comes to pay day, Parking Idiots are everywhere! Saw this car at The Mall Gadong! I always wonder if the owner of this feel any shame or guilt for parking there!


Finally...November

1 November 2008
It's been a year since I go to Labuan with my usual group of friends. This time we didn't stay at Beta Apartment as it is under renovation. We end up staying at Labuan Hotel 2 and this hotel doesn't have a LIFT!

9 November 2008
I went to Miri with few of my friends. This is another group of friends. Hehe...I have different group of friends for different activities! This group of friends is the "SOBER" type of friends. hehehe...

We tried one of the new kopi tiam in Miri. It was quite good and the food is not bad as well..BUT ... portion is quite small..hehe..It's good for those who are not a big eater.

27 November 2008
Been on the site the whole day but it was a fun day on site. Been looking at the safety on site and it wasn't good. So gave them a good brainwash on the safety issue!

Lazy Mood Is Back!

It's been almost a month since I update my blog! So lazy eh! Why like this kan?! Why so lazy??!! Tell me!! tell me!!! hehehe

I have been tight up with work and also designing our company calendar! I have finish the desktop calendar and now trying hard to absorb as much idea as possible to create our company's poster calendar! It's not an easy task! Glad that the desktop calendar came out nice and so glad that my boss was happy with it.

Anyway...I hope to update my blog soon! I have so much to tell but.....

Back In Brunei And BANG!!

Glad to be back to Brunei although the heat is not to my favour! Didn't get much from Auckland at all. Just a small souvenir for few close friends.

The next day, I went to Giant to do my grocery shopping. Bought quite a lot since I was away for almost a week and really need stocking up my fridge. After my shopping, went to the car, start my engine, put in reverse gear and suddenly BANG! My car shook abit..and then I realise that my car got knocked by another who is reversing at the same time!

My heart was pounding so fast cos this is the first time my car got kissed by another car! I went out of the car and at first I looked at the other guy's car and can't see a single dent. And when I looked at my car, I was speechless....look at the pic..

It might look just a small dent but for a car which never had an accident and for me, it's a major dent and the light is broken :( It will cost me a lot of $$$ to repair all this.

Anyway...I decide to call the police as the other guy just kept quiet and agree with what I wanna do. The police came and then advise me not to do police report cos at the end of the day, both of us will be charged guilty. So it's either we want to pay the fine on top of the repair or just to pay the repair. So I decide to settle this among the two of us. After the police left, the other guy just kept quiet and I don't even dare to ask him to pay as it's both our fault. So I decide to settle this by myself.

Went back home and then I decide to push the dent part out...and guess what..it pop out so easily! That really show how thin Lexus body is :( I didn't have the tools to push out the 'bone' of the dented part.

The next day I went to my parents place and my dad say he can fix the problem :) So left the car there and drove my dad's Pajero to work. When I got back from work, I was so glad to see that my dad manage to push the dented body out and align with the bumper. There are still dent lines but who cares...! My dad glued the back light. I am still looking for a 2nd hand back light if anyone who have a friend or relative selling it..please do contact me. It's good to keep a spare knowing the one I have now is cracked. So basically, I don't have to spend anything for my car although it doesn't look as good as before :( This is the outcome....

I am planning to get it fix when I decide to re-paint my car. Both the front and back bumper's paint are fading :( So, I rather spend at one go rather than bit by bit. Was quite sad to see the dent in the car but it's a lesson to me to be more careful when reversing my car!

Fourth & Fifth Day in Auckland

Today is the last day of our training! Finally it's all over...hehe..

Let me tell you what we did yesterday and today.

Yesterday, the training started a bit late..it was 9 am that we start the bootcamp. The training was quite fun and on that night we had a group dinner at the city. I can't remember the name of the restaurant...oppsss....I had New Zealand Oyster for starter :) Then I have NZ Beef steak for my main course...although I'm not suppose to eat beef for certain reason..hehe...what the heck...I'm in NZ! We really enjoy the dinner with wine and beer. I wish Brunei have restaurants like in NZ! I'm not saying Brunei doesn't have good restaurant but its the service and decoration of the restaurant that really impress me..

After dinner, we went to an Irish bar! As soon as we enter the bar, a big Unbelievably Good Looking Young tall lady came to one of my OZ colleague and ask if he wanted to dance!! We were like laughing at him cos he got picked by a Unbelievably Good Looking Young tall lady...U get what I mean! hehe...Got back to the motel about 11pm and I have to get up at 8.30am the next day!

This morning, it was a relaxing day as it's the last day of the bootcamp. The funny bit is that, when the speaker were doing presentation, the speaker will hint about the Unbelievably Good Looking Young tall lady and everyone starts laughing.

We finish the bootcamp around 1 and everyone say goodbye to each other! Now I am waiting for 1:45am for the taxi to pick me up and send me to the airport...My flight is at 4am! It's really a weird time to travel...

Anyway...till then and see you in Brunei ^_^

Second & Third Day In NZ

Weather here is colder! It's cloudy now though. Nothing much happening yesterday cos it was a long day training and got so tired! Went to bed early last night and surprisingly I woke up at2 am and cant sleep! So I decide to go online and bore myself to sleep! Finally manage to sleep around 3!

Today, it was quite relaxing. The training finish at 4pm. I am going for a dinner tonite with my ex colig from Brunei who is now working in Auckland. It's good to meet an old friend. Tomorrow I will be meeting another ex-colig of mine. Looking forward to that. While killing my time, I decide to stay in and update my blog cos got someone complaint already why no update one! hehe...U know who u are. While updating my blog I'm listening to Pilihan on air too! hehe...

Anyway, nothing much to report today. Hope more to write tomorrow :)

Auckland, NZ - First Day

This is my second trip to New Zealand. The last trip was 4 years ago. Left Brunei at 11.15am and got in to Auckland at 3:30am (Auckland Time) which is 5 hrs ahead of Brunei.

When I was in Brunei airport, I have to wait for almost 45 mins just to get my ticket approved. What happen is the seat were fully booked and my name wasn't on the list! I was so furious and speechless wondering how this thing can happen! The lady at the counter seems to be a new staff as she keep on asking her colleague sitting next to her. After a long wait, I finally got a boarding pass. Got in the plane, and first time in my life, I was given the seat which located at the end of the plane. When I say end of the plane, I mean the last row and behind me was the toilet! It was quite annoying to have people passing by me and the disgusting bit is when you can hear then flushing the toilet...Uuuurrrgggghhhhhh.... Ah well..the good thing is that I don't have to walk so far for the toilet.

Got in to Auckland at 3:30am and it took about 30mins by taxi to the motel i'm staying. As I enter my room, I was quite amazed with what they have in the room. Look at the picture below and you will know why.

This morning I have a wander around. I walk from the motel to Newmarket which took about 1 hr walk. I love walking and with the weather now which is cool that make me enjoy the walk more. Didn't get anything but manage to visit the War Memorial Museum and took some photos.

Will update my second day in Auckland tomorrow...