The Attention Whore

I thought evening primrose oil was supposed to help blood circulation, but it’s definitely not doing anything for me.  I’m still having my cramps as usual.  Maybe I should try something else, or perhaps just get off stress and work.  Huhuhu..  I wish..  Maybe I need to see the doctor and have it checked.  Scary..  But necessary..

It’s days like these when I’m so glad I don’t have any classes at the gym.  Otherwise it would be sheer torture.  Your body is not up to it, but it’s not that bad that you can’t really do it.  It’s different, you know, doing classes for fun and doing them for the pay cheque.  But I guess not many would know that unless they have gone through the same thing.

Well, I guess I can’t complain too much.  If I didn’t love it, then why do it in the first place?  It’s just one of those days; one of those ‘off’ days for me.  Thank God for painkillers!   

I’ve been watching the House series with my sister, Shasha these past few nights.  She has the whole set of the dvd series of the first season.  Didn’t ask her where she got them from.  Either borrowed or bought.  If she bought them, then she must be making a lot of money at the moment.  Boleh buat muka kasihan and mintak birthday present mahal sket kot.  Hehehe..

You know, in the commercials on Astro where they advertise House and promote the series to the viewers, they actually portray the series as a comedy, and Dr. House as a kind of comical character.  However, if you watch the series, the storylines are so far from comical.  It’s actually quite heavy drama but with great one-liners.  It’s the one-liners that make it on the House gazettes during commercial breaks.  And Dr. House is definitely not comical.  It’s actually what he says that are funny, but in a sarcastic kind of way.  And he can be superbly damn sarcastic, to the point of irritation.  If he was a real-life doctor, patients would hate him or totally love him (just as in the series).  I have this love-hate relationship with him.  Hehehe..

The one-liners are great, especially from the character, Dr. House.  Sometimes, you’ll be able to catch the other characters giving off some great ones too.  The series intially make you feel like Dr. House is the focus character but actually, the other characters have been given some depth too, especially the four doctors in Dr. House’s team.  (For those of you who don’t know, the series are about Dr. House and his medical team, who are working in an expensive American hospital, and also their medical cases and patients.)

The main thing that I want to say here is that, the House advertisments on cable TV are good at attracting us with the one-liners, but it’s actually the characters and storylines that keep me watching it.  And of course, the one-liners too.

Catch it sometimes, if you can.  Reality shows are great.  But sometimes you need to watch something where you can appreciate the storyline, the script and the acting.

When Jaley texted me that he was in the cinema watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire last Thursday, I was major pissed.  Not at him, but at the fact that I wished it could have been me and not him.

Plus that day was like MAJOR rushing day for me.  Had to rush to Summit after work to replace Leo’s Jam class at 5.45pm, which by the way, I was late by 5 minutes for (Leo had sore throat that day and couldn’t do the class.  I was her last minute and last resort replacement.  Wouldn’t have done it if it hadn’t been for her).

Then I had to rush all the way to SPK for my Jam class there 7.45pm.  You can imagine what the traffic must have been like, plus the fact it was raining that day.  KL traffic and rain??  Definite NO, NO.

All in all, I felt that it was a bad day for me.  Was busy at work and what with all the rushing that I had to do, definitely did not help my mental and emotional stability.  That’s why I was pissed when Jaley texted me.

On the bright side, Ajak texted me just before I left work and asked me to the movies.  Takdelah rasa cam spinster tak laku all the time.  Hehehe..

If movies with Ajak on a week day, mesti tengok midnight show punye and I did not really feel up to it.  I actually asked if we could make it the next day, but he had other plans and I felt bad because that would be about the fourth time (I think) I cancelled on any of our plans everytime we wanted to go for a movie.  So I told him, pegi makan-makan bolehlah and that if we could get good seats for the Harry Potter movies, then yes, let’s catch the movie.

So anyway, that was also the day Bard lost his phone (which I found out later he lost at the Coca Restaurant) and I loaned him mine for the meantime while he got himself a new one.  He was leaving for work the next day and couldn’t get a new phone in time as it was already late and his flight the next day was early.  He actually wanted to buy the phone from me but I still need it as I still have many numbers in there which I haven’t transferred yet as my new phone (Nokia 6170 - bought it with Anthony - long story) does not have enough memory storage for all my numbers (banyak siot!!!).

I know, I know, banyak sangat menyimpang.

Anyway, went for dinner that night with Ajak.  We got tickets for the 11.45pm show of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at the old OU.  Centre row seats.  Lucky us!!!

One thing’s for sure, if you have read the book, the movie is kind of a let down.  And I have definitely read and perused all 6 novels of the Harry Potter series.  My sisters, brother and I are great fans of the series (eventhough we were vastly disappointed with the recent one, but it was still a good read anyway).

You need to go in for the movie with an open mind because what prior knowledge you get from reading the novel will make you really pissed that the director cut and adapted many sections of the novel.  I tried not be influenced too much by what I read.  But sometimes I can’t help it but get irritated when I know certain parts have been adapted for the movie viewers.  But you really can’t blame the director.  There are certain parts in the novel that are not necessary for the movie, but when too many become "unnecessary", it becomes VERY irritating and disappointing.

There are too many to list down the parts that were adapted or excluded.  I’ll try to name a few.  Only the ones who have read the novel will understand.

First of all, the Quidditch World Cup was a letdown.  In the novel, the description of the match between Ireland and Bulgaria was so vivid, so that when it’s not in the movie, you wonder why the director could not have included some parts of it.  Maybe it was not necessary for the movie.

Harry was not supposed to fall and faint at the fire of the Quidditch World Cup.  And he definitely was not able to see Barty Crouch Jr. before he created the Dark Mark in the sky.  This is where Winky, Crouch’s house elf should have come in.  Crouch Jr was actually under the Imperius curse of his dad and wearing an invisible cloak, so no one should have been able to see him.  Remember in the first few scenes at the abandoned cottage?  Crouch Jr. was introduced there for the movie goers but in the book he doesn’t come out till almost towards the end of the story.

Winky was the one who was supposed to make sure Crouch Jr. does not get into any mischief.  Harry’s wand was stolen while they were in the topbox during the Quidditch match, and that wasn’t mentioned also.  Winky and the invisible Crouch Jr. was in the topbox with them; that’s how Harry’s wand got stolen.

Harry and friends were suspected of creating the Dark Mark because the spell was from Harry’s wand.  In the end, Winky was blamed for it because she was the nearest to the wand when they found it.  Consequently, Crouch Sr. expelled her from his household.  She ended up in Hogwart’s with Dobby (remember him from The Prisoner of Azkaban??).

Oh my God..  This is going to be long..  There are so many other things that I want to write about here, but then that will make me hold the record for the longest blog written ever.  So just let me cut it short a bit.  Just A BIT.  Hehehe..

Dobby was the one who introduced the gillyweed to Harry, and not Neville as in the movie.  He overheard Moody telling Professor McGonagall that piece of information.  Moody purposely said it out loud so that Dobby would hear him and inform Harry; which was just what Dobby did.

The Marauder’s Map was never mentioned once in this movie.   They introduced it in the last movie.  It actually got into the hands of the impersonating Moody who used the map to help him detect his father and then kill his own father in Hogwart’s grounds.

Mr Crouch Sr.’s body was never found.  The impersonating Moody (actually Crouch’s son) transfigured his father into a bone and buried him before Dumbledore and the other teachers could find him.  Mr Couch Sr. had the tables turned on him by his own son.  His son put him under the Imperius curse.

I guess the novel was too long to be adapted into the movie that they never once mentioned that Rita Skeeter is an Animagus (like Sirius - he can change into a dog).  She can change into a beetle.  That’s how she got all the hot gossips.  But in the movie, they never showed all this and how all her stories in the papers actually caused Harry and his friends a lot of trouble.

Madame Maxim is actually a half-giant also, like Hagrid.  There were parts in the novel which explained this, but not in the movie.

Charlie Weasley and Bill Weasley were also introduced in the novel.  But not in the movie.  Charlie was actually there when Harry first saw the dragons.

The movie never fully explained that the Triwizard Tournament is only for ONE school champion each.  So how is it that Harry’s name got into the goblet?  Which was why the other schools were very upset when Harry was included in the tournament because that means Hogwart’s has two school champions and not just one as the other schools.  So the odds would be against them.

And Dumbledore was never upset with Harry when his name came out of the Goblet of Fire.  Because he knew that Harry wouldn’t have been able to do it.  It requires a very strong wizard or witch to hoodwink the Goblet.  Dumbledore knew someone was after Harry, which was why in the novel he was very worried when Harry was bonded to the tournament.

I think there are quite a few more which I have not mentioned, but that could go on for ever.  Nie pun dah panjang berjela.  Cukuplah setakat nie.  If you want to hold a discussion about this, we can do it over teh tarik at the mamak stall.

Anyway, as Jaley said, the moral of the story is..  If you do not want to be disappointed by the movie, don’t read the book first.  But I agree with Jaley that they could have done a better job with this movie.  They adapted quite a lot for The Prisoner of Azkaban, but the story was still great if not superb and definitely not as diaspointing as this one.

For movie goers, the story would be quite great.  I found it quite fun also, certain parts.  But I definitely enjoyed the book better.

So those who never read, you lose out a lot.  I know some of you hate reading, but I’m sorry to say that I stereotype those people as super lazy and can never truly understand the power of words; not just for writing but also for communication.  You can learn a lot through reading, if not a bit.  Knowledge does not just come through experience ONLY.  If you have both; experience and the power of reading, then you are more blessed with knowledge; much more than what the average Joe around you has.

And never stereotype all bookworms as nerds, because I know I’m definitely not a nerd.

Movies are great but books and words really let your imagination and appreciation of the story run overtime.  Movies have sound and visual effects.  But books, just require you imagination.  And that requires no boundaries.

Both have their plus points.  If you enjoy both, then you are a luckier person.

I wrote a blog in tribute to Juwita, my main babe.  So, it’s only fair that I write one in tribute to my younger concubine babe ;-).  Leo.

Before I begin, I would just like to advise Miss Leonora that you cannot challenge the Queen of Essays a.k.a. Ratu Karangan Blog.  The next time you compose a long one, I will be able to come up with an even longer one. T rust me.;-)  This is not a threat or a challenge.  It is a fact of life.=)

First and foremost, I would like to apologise to Leo for all the lies I told her in trying to get her to Juwita’s house last Saturday, 12th November 2005.  But the lies worked, so I would do it all over again if I had to.  Minah Leo nie, balek cuti sempena Raya ala-ala 3 minggu.  Cuti tak sedar diri.  Sampai semput main mercun dengan anak buah.  Haiyaaa..  Anyway, it was actually Leo’s birthday on the 5th of November 2005 but since she was in Pasir Mas, there was no surprise party for her on that date lah.  If there was, ala-ala ada party but the guest of honour is about 500km away in Kelantan.  Party apa gitu?

Originally, we were supposed to celebrate Leo’s and Juwita’s birthdays together when Leo returned to KL, but since Raja Baderol suggested that we hold a bash first for Juwita, we had to come up with one for Leo too.  So, Juwita, Jenny, Anthony and I mapped out a plan to do a surprise bash for Leo.  I had to lie to her that I was taking her out for a birthday celebration dinner together with Juwita and that it was on me.  Konon-kononnye nak pegi Coliseum because we’ve been wanting to go there together but never had the chance to do so.  So, I kind of thought of Coliseum because I knew it would be a suggested venue that I felt Leo wouldn’t be able to resist.  (I KNOW she will chase me to my dying days about that treat even though it was done as a lie.)  I even told her that she shouldn’t mention it to our other gym friends as I’m afraid that they would want to tag along, so I’ll be super broke if I had to pay for dinner for all of them =P.  (Which is kind of true..)  Her mom was around (Leo brought her down from Pasir Mas to stay with her for a while in KL), so the bigger the possibility that Leo might not want to have dinner with us that Saturday night.  Terpaksalah come up with the Coliseum story.  (Nantilah ye, we go together-gether with the whole gang.  But we’re definitely going Dutch.)

The venue = Juwita and Bard’s place in Ara Damansara.  Saturday, 12th November 2005.  Arrival time for guest of honour = 2000 hours.  Arrival time for other guests = before 2000 hours.  Hosts = Juwita and Raja Baderol Isam.  Guest of honour = Sharifah Leonora Syed Halim.  Guest List = Azyei, Jenny, Anthony, Andrew, Kenny, Claire, Bryan, Farah Hani + hubby + sister, Janet + two daughters.  (Sulin, Kak Tina, Kak Mas, Kak Nun, Selena, Yean, Jimmy, Jeremy and the 3 Summit Sisters couldn’t make it.  They all had matters to attend to.)

The morning was spent with Leo and Anthony doing some Body Jam Demos.  1000 hours in Fairview International School; the three of us with Kenny.  Siap belajar choreo to the new demo compilation that morning jugak just before we got on stage.  Then we headed off to Mid Valley and had lunch there.  Sempat jugak kejar cari birthday card for Leo.  1300 hours we had a Body Jam Demo in the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Hall 3.  This time with Jason instead of Kenny.

After that, Anthony and I went to check out Body Jam 35 at The Curve.  Tracy’s class, 1500 hours.  It was fun, but it spoiled the thrill of looking forward to a new launch since we’ve already previewed it before the general public did.  Leo was supposed to join us, but she wasn’t feeling well so she went home first.

After the class, I went for a drink with Anthony, Colin and Alton at Kopitiam before I headed to Leo’s place.  The original plan (which was actually part of the lie) was to get ready at her house and then we’ll go together and pick up Juwita at her place, and from there the three of us will go together in my car to Coliseum.

I felt bad for leaving Leo’s mom behind.  I actually suggested to Leo that we bring her along because Bard might be following us, so Bard and I can split the expenses between us (another lie..).

We left USJ around 1945 hours. I actually made Leo contact Jue and tell her that we’re about to leave USJ, so she should get ready and be ready by the time we arrive.  Leo dengan innocentnya, smsd Jue, for me.  However, Jue did not answer the sms.  I had the strong feeling that that woman was probably so busy preparing for the bash, that she did not even have the time to check her phone.  (I was close.  She was charging her phone.)

I did not want to take the risk.  So, the next lie came along.  How was I to explain why Anthony’s handphone was with me?  My handphone, battery dah mati.  So how was I supposed to contact them to tell them that the birthday girl and I were on the way, so please get ready for our arrival?  So, Anthony and I switched handphones at Kopitiam earlier.  He said he’ll charge my handphone for me and return it to me at Juwita’s place.  I had to lie through my teeth about why I was holding Anthony’s handphone.  Citer panjang lebar to Leo in the car why we switched phones.  I called Juwita at first.  True to my guess, her handphone was not with her.  Then I called Anthony (he was using my phone). He also didn’t pick up the phone.  I assumed he was still having it charged.

The last resort was to call Jenny.  Thank God she picked up her phone.  But then, Leo would be wondering why I was calling Jenny, so I pretended that it was Anthony I was calling, when it was actually Jenny on the other line.  Poor Jenny.  She sounded a bit confused that I was addressing her as Anthony when it’s so clear that her voice is a lady’s voice and definitely not Anthony’s voice. But I was hoping that she understood that I was calling to inform them that we were on the way and that they have be ready for Leo’s arrival.  Luckily, she did.  One worry pushed aside.

The next was that, I hoped they did not park their cars in clear sight for Leo to see when we arrived at Juwita’s place.  Then she would definitely suspect that they were all there.  Then it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore.  Luckily, Leo was not her observant self that day.  She missed Jenny’s car which was in plain sight.  Juwita, Bard and Nadia were waiting for us outside the house.  Juwita made Leo go inside, and SURPRISE!!!

Thank God Leo was genuinely surprised (I hope.. Minah tu boleh tahan jugak pandai berlakon).  But I guess you can’t fake tears of surprise, so I guess she must have been.  We had a great time eating, taking pictures and catching up on the latest and juiciest gossips.  Some left early, but the rest of us left around 0300 hours.  I had to send Leo home first, as she came with me.  I reached home at 0400.  (The next day I got a stern lecture from my pop about coming back so early in the morning / late at night.  Promised him that I will come home earlier the next time I go out for a late night with my friends.  3.00 am.  One hour earlier. Awal sket apa?)

But it was a great night. It’s been such a long time since our particular group of friends hung out together to just chat and talk. The drama, and the competing and interrupting of trying to get a word in. Everyone wants to talk. At least the ones who did the talking that night.

Thank you so much to everyone who came.  It wouldn’t have happened without all of us being there.  It’s really great that we can come from so many different backgrounds and yet be able to connect in so many ways.  It really hit me that night that those who are true friends, are really TRUE friends, and that the others are just people who come into our lives, be part of our lives, share our lives, and become our companions in life, but not really be our TRUE friends.  I guess, for me, you are lucky if you have shared one TRUE friendship rather than a lifetime of friendships.

So, I guess I should be considered blessed, because I have more than one TRUE friend.  And I shared that night with so many of them.  I think you all know who you are.  If you don’t, the next time you meet me, ask.=)

So, dearest Leo, you are one of them.  Thank you for sharing a true friendship with me.  I know we’ve had our ups and downs, and we don’t always get along great, but it’s a privilege to meet and have a superb adik like you.  I know I always kiss ass, and that I can be a super bitch at times, so thank you for accepting that part of me as I am.  (By the way, you can interpret this as kissing ass, but this is ‘SINCERE’ kissing ass.) It’s not everyone who can tolerate the real me in spite of all those layers of hypocrisy I have.  As I’ve told you before, the day you were brought into this world, 26 years ago, we didn’t know how blessed we would be to have you in our lives.  Love you, babe.  Always and forever. From, your darling ass kisser sister.

Also wishing you the greatest of birthdays and even greater ones to come.  Be happy and healthy always. (Kiss! Kiss! Hugs!!!)

Juwita.

One of my bestest friends, if not my bestest.  We’ve been through thick and thin, and so many other things together.  If anyone knows me inside out, it will be her.  God bless her, and also her mom and pa for helping bring her into this world.  The day she was brought into this world, which was a couple of years ago on the 8th of November, will be a date that I usually never forget.  Hopefully even as I grow older.

Anyway, the 8th of November was last Tuesday.  So, last Monday, I remembered it was going to be her birthday the next day.  Actually, I’ve been remembering the day for the past few weeks.  The whole weekend I was up till late at night trying to compose a birthday message for her through sms.  But I ended up editing them over and over again, and finally, I deleted them.  Cause the messages were super poyo.  A message to a gempaq best friend must be equally gempaq, what more if it is from a gempaq friend.  Me. =P  (Huhuhu..  Puji diri sendiri.)

Anyway, the only thing I was actually planning on giving to her at midnight, was an sms wish for her birthday.  Because the initial plan was that I was going to celebrate hers and Leo’s birthday together when Leo comes back from Pasir Mas.  So, in truth, I hadn’t really planned anything for that Monday night itself.

When heyho..  Her husband called me..  Just before I left the office.  The first question he asked me, "Malam nie balek mana?"  Huh?  Abang bard nie memang suka beat around the bush.  Why couldn’t he just come up front and asked me straight, "Tak plan apa-apa ke for Juwita’s birthday tonight?"  So, pusing punye pusing dulu, then only he asked me that questions.  Betul jugak, kan?  Takkan nak tunggu Leo balek baru nak celebrate?  I mean, we can’t celebrate with Leo because she’s not in town, but Juwita is, so why wait when she’s already here?

So, from that point onwards started the 100 metre sprint to gather our friends and get all the food and presents for a surprise bash at her house last Monday night.  Huiyooo..  Never plan a last minute surprise birthday bash.  Penat woooo..

But it turned out great!!!  We got the food, the presents, and the cake plus the 28 candles. Juwita was sucessfully surprised.  Thank God!!!  What’s a surprise party if it’s not a surprise for the birthday babe?  Quite a few turned up.  Jenny, Anthony, Andrew, Kenny, Claire, Jeremy, Farah Hani, Abang Bard and me. Mostly gym friends.   Even Mama, Farah and Merah joined us a bit later.  Some couldn’t make it.  Janet got the days mixed up and thought that it was the following night.  Leo was not there as she was still in Pasir Mas.  (Wish you could have been there, babe.)  So, those of us who were there had a real nice heyho that night and went back at two in the morning.  (The next morning I couldn’t get up to go to work.  Huhuhu..)

So this blog is actually a tribute to the mastermind of the party –> Raja Baderol Isam, and all of those who came that night and made it happen.  Thanks guys!!!

And most importantly, the highest tribute is for Juwita.  I just want others to know that Juwita is a really special lady, friend, sister, daughter, wife and mother, and someone in my life who means the world to me and I don’t think I can survive without her friendship and love now, before, and in the future.

Thanks, babe.  Hope you had the bestest of birthdays and will have even better ones to come.  Love ya lots!!!

We’ve been fasting for one month..  But my God!!!  Since Raya, makan tak ingat dunia!!!  I’ve been eating in one week, more than what I’ve been eating the past month.  Haiyaa..  The result now is..  Extreme cirit birit!!!  For the whole of this past week!!!  Disgusting!!!  I’m in extreme torture especially when I’m in the middle of a Body Jam class, and that is exactly when my stomach calls to me, "Hello, I need to use the services of the toilet."  Mana boleh nak walk-out of the class?  The class has to go on.  Duh-huh..  What did I do to deserve that?  (Lagi mau tanya..)

It’s no wonder my stomach is soo upset.  I’ve been letting it rest for one month, and now I’ve been letting it work overtime for one week.  What more with the rendang, kuah kacang, laksa penang, laksa johor, ketupat, lemang and all the other heavy and spicy food you can usually find during the Raya festivities.

Memang patut pun diarrhoea..

Huhuhu..  I safely made it through my second venture shopping for Raya in the realm of Jalan TAR and Jalan Masjid India.  There were not as many people out shopping yesterday as there were last Sunday, but there were still a lot!  Did not stay too long out on the streets.  I guessed I survived because I was mostly in Sogo where there is air-conditioning.  The crowd in Sogo is quite packed but not as bad as Sunday.  You don’t actually have to queue for half an hour before you can pay for what you want to buy.

I was actually supposed to meet my mom and sister there to go shopping together, but clever me..  I did not call them till I was actually there.  And heyho!  When I did call them, there were already at HOME!  And they have been at home since 1pm!  Haiyaa!!!  Silly me!  If I had known, I could have hung out with my friends longer in Axis and gossiped with them.

Well, since I was already there, and there did not seem to be that many people around as Sunday, I went to Sogo to find a new pair of shoes.  Now, the SMALL problem with people who have small-sized feet is that, it’s difficult to find shoes in just the right size.  And when you finally do find a pair you like, they don’t have it in your size.  And if you do find a pair that you like and they have your size, it’s the last pair and it’s on display.  Can things get any worse?!  So I ended up buying not shoes, but a new tube of lipstick which I don’t think I need, as I already have tons of them at home.

Hope my next shopping venture will be more exciting..