China Trip: Day 5

So it’s the last day. Colleagues were so envy with some of us for getting to shop in Shanghai while they were stuck in the typical tourist spots. So after our last visit to the medicine shop in China, we were brought to Xintiandi for picture taking and kill some time before we head to the terminal to take the bullet train to the airport. The bullet train in China is apparently the fastest now. It took us only 7 minutes.

And despite being there on time, we were informed that our flight was delayed. Shucks!!! At least the bosses were nice to let us come in late to work the next day. And I guess it was fated. Bcos of the delay, I bumped into Rosamund Kwan, one of Hong Kong’s actress. And please, I am no celebrity stalker but I was thinking why not? I asked her for a picture together but though my feelings told me she was quite reluctant, she still did. Phew…

So what does Porky Queen have to say?
1) Shopping in Shanghai Qi Pu Lu is awesome. But only cash accepted here. So bring more cash and save the credit cards for the rip-off places.
2) Every meal has pork. So you either love it or hate it. Me of course, love it to bits
3) If you need to get rid of Mr H, get a cream from Quan Jian Street called 999. Haha... it’s true.
4) Souvenirs are cheaper in Suzhou and Wuxi. And forget about buying Nike and other branded stuff in China. The taxes are higher there.
5) Drivers in China are mad. They love to honk. And drivers are seated on the left side just like America.
6) If you wanna compliment a pretty gal in Suzhou and Wuxi, you say Ah Yo Yo.
7) Learn some basic Mandarin to help you get around.

For more pictures on China, please visit my site at http://anniehor81.multiply.com/photos (you got to register and add me before you can view the pictures)

Cheers!!!

China Trip: Day 4

The morning started with some early visits to the shopping places. First stop: Yu Yuan Garden which is made up on antique shops and various small food stores.

Well, since I could not really get anything from there, we headed to Qi Pu Lu. A definitely must go for all tourists. And remember to bargain 2/3 of the price cos I managed to bargain for a dress which originally cost 480 yuan (RM240) to 100 yuan (RM50). And do play hard to get cos they will definitely call you back if they are desperate.

After some initial shopping, El and I headed to Crystal Jade Restaurant at Xintiandi for some must-have dim sum. Yes that means eating egg tarts, siu long pao, char siew pau, real carrot cake and peanut soup noodles. All of them were awesome and I really wanna take another bite but my tummy just seems to decline. Shucks.

After more shopping in Qi Pu Lu, I headed back to El’s place to bid goodbye to her and joined my cousin at Three On The Bund for some fine dining with his friends. Three on the Bund is a celebration of contemporary fine living where art, culture, food, fashion and music converge to inspire a richer life. Good things come in three. Here, you can get a view of Shanghai.

Unfortunately, good things have to come to an end. I have to rejoin the company tour as we are departing back to KL the next day.

China Trip: Day 3

So early morning, we headed to Lingshan Giant Buddha, a bronze Buddha with a height of 88 meter at the slope of Lingshan. I was already sweating buckets here and my legs seem to feel like its tearing itself apart.


That was not all. We were later brought to a Pearl factory whereby we were shown how to differentiate real and fake pearls. Here is how. Just scratch your pearl on a mirror. If you see white powder on the surface of the mirror, you got the right stuff. I always wanted a set of pearl earrings. Now I have 2 pairs. :D


Soon later, we left WuXi and departed for Shanghai known as the Paris of the East. I will call it the shopping heaven. So as soon as we reached Shanghai, I ditched the tour and looked up for my ex-colleague, El, who was so kind enough to let me put up a night in her lovely apartment. My first challenge was to get to her place. And in Shanghai, you must always remember to give them 2 crossroads names or it will be hell walking from one end of the road to the other.

So El brought me to NanJing Road for some shopping and we went to Barbarossa Club Restaurant for a drink before we head to Xintiandi for dinner. Barbarossa is a really nice club to hangout and I so wish they have a place like that back here in KL. So for dinner, we went to a Taiwanese restaurant, Bellagro, whereby we had Century Egg Tofu, Beans Fried with Duck Egg, Shrimp With Pineapple and Szechuan Pork. Man, I shouldn’t have touch all the food cos of Mr H. But what the heck!!!! And I had the best Mango pudding ice cream for dessert. Burppp…

And at night, I joined my cousin and friends in the latest club, Win Win. Not a bad place but I was very underdressed for a place like that. Well, I am a tourist!!!

The journey to continue tomorrow.

China Trip: Day 2

Thank goodness the morning call was not until 7am. You don’t know how dreadful it is to wake up at 5am in some tour. Phew. So after breakfast, we left for Hanshan Temple which is named after a poet-monk Han Shan who lived in the 7th century.

Then off to the biggest Silk Factory in China whereby we got to watch the making of silk and see some models parade silk wears. I think this place is such a rip-off. Very commercialize and no wonder tour guides are required to bring you to these places.

After lunch, we head straight for the Three Kingdoms Movieland whereby we got to see how the making of the movie of the 3 kingdoms about heroes of the 3 warring states; Wei, Shu and Wu from AD 220-280. Man, it was no fun especially when you are under the hot sun. Hmm… have to stay positive and smile for the camera.

Then, we were brought to the Zhi Za Yu Yuan, a ceramic making teapot place. Another rip-off place. Tsk tsk tsk!!! Here, we are so called taught how teapots are being made by the special material called “Zisha” clay that can only be found in the mountain of Yixing in the whole China.

So after dinner, we headed to Wuxi, known as “Pottery Metropolis” of China where we rested for the night. And of course, we refused to stay in so early. So some of us headed to do some pork shopping in Carrefour. And I ended up with some pork, clothes, bag, sunglasses and a chu chu key chain for my phone. :D

China Trip: Day 1

Okies. Finally an update on my trip to China. Joined the company trip for a 5 Days 4 Nights to Shanghai, Suzhou and Wuxi. Seems short huh? Guess it’s a good thing cos most of our pockets are dried up by then. Well, at least for me, it is.

Let’s start off with the close to five hours flight whereby I was just being a pig sleeping all the way. MAS food sucks as usual. Flight entertainment was good but my eyes were too heavy to even bother about it.

So we reached China safely at 7am. Gosh... I still need my sleep. And really, things start to become a nightmare when we reached the immigration. Queue was very very very long. The line didn’t seem to be moving at all and we were already queuing for 45 minutes. And you know why? That’s because we found out later that some CHINA folks decides to proclaim themselves as foreigners by queuing in our lane. #XO/x#% Dumb ass. Can’t they read? Their lanes are on the other side.

Trying not to get that to affect my impression towards China. After all, I am a Chinese and my so-called home land is here.

So from Shanghai, we depart for Xitang Water Village. And what is so special about this place? Have you watched Mission Impossible 3? Remember the scene whereby Tom Cruise ran really fast in one of the village? Ta dahhhhhhh………


After which, we depart to Suzhou, one of the most beautiful city in Jiangsu Province situated in the southern Yangtze Delta. And after dinner, the tour guide brought us to Quan Qian Street to shop for souvenirs.

Oh boy! What a day…..

D' art of selling water

Got up really early at 6.45am on a Sunday morning and yawnnn.... you never imagine wat a zombie I was. Cos I promised to do my bit for charity by selling mineral water at a food and fun fair to raise funds for Vision Home and Rumah Wawasan which are situated in Ipoh and Sitiawan respectively. The 2 establishments are registered welfare homes set up to provide shelter, food, education and training in various basic skills to children from hardcore poor families as well as those that are abandoned, abused and orphaned.

The food coupons booklet to be given to the orphans (thanks to all who donated). The kids have a great time. No pics of the kids here. Sorry.. have to protect their identity.

The 2 jokers who wake up that early to do our bit for charity

Some illegal home made muffins which we also sold

Even the vegetable seller is here k
It's not as easy k especially since we have a "competitor" selling cold orange juice. But we finished selling the mineral water.. or at least Warren did. I had to dash for another event where I was pimped to be an emcee at no charge. Why do I always get myself into all these??

Tip: In order to sell more mineral water, we just have to ignore the customers. They will come to you when they are thirsty. Trust me.

Anyway, it was great fun. At least I am contributing back to the community - in kind and in time. :D

Paranoid Queen

I am so fat. I am serious. I put on so much weight since Shanghai .... or maybe before. Well, bottomline is that my pics looks chubby. Mom said its cute to be chubby. I disagree. Im living up to my Porky Queen title now. Shucks! Cant I be a lean Porky Queen?

My arms are still big despite my loyalty to Pump and Step at least once every 2 weeks. :P Maybe I should really pay more attention in Yoga and Combat to tone up my flabby arms. See, I even bought this for home exercise. But my arms are still fat. It actually look even bigger than before. @#%X&ox And my tummy is no better. Shucks!!!! I need gym. I love food. I guess I have to be selective ever since I made friends with Mr H who or rather which refuses to leave my life... and in this case my legs. You cant imagine the agony I had while in China. Anyway, more on China in another entry. This entry is suppose to be on how I will make gym my best friend starting next week. Why next week? Cos my little green apple is coming as well. Another entry as well.

Till then, CHU YOOK LUI will just stay agonised especially since she havent found time to go gym.

THIS SUCKS!!!

Poem of The Week

Happiness keep You Sweet,

Trials keep You Strong,

Sorrows keep You Human,

Failures keep You Humble,

Success keeps You Glowing.

Blog Revamped

I started liking green last year. I feel it is good feng shui colour for me. Haha.. im not superstitious.. Just that most of my clothes, accessories are all green in colour. Even my MYVI will also be in olive green (if there is stock).. hahaha.. guess the funky colour suits my bubbly personality. That's why I have revamped my blog from creepy black to the colour now. Seems more refreshing and high-spirited. So ME ME ME... Hope you guys like it too. Also, check out my updated profile.

Starlight Cinema 2006

Frankly, Starlight Cinema was not as great as before. The change of venue (from Kiara to Sentul Park) did somehow give it a new feel but sad to say, it was below my expectation. The ground was not exactly solid and the grass need some trimming. The stalls are getting lesser. The sound system was horrible and I am beginning to think that people are wasting their money on this. Thank goodness for the free tickets from my kawan-kawan from Brylcreem. If not, I will be even more dissapointed.

Well, although the place was not up to par, I had great company that night watching Chicken Little and Over The Hedge. My first outdoor cinema with so many people... and FOOD of course. So who went? Warren, Ted and I were the earliest to arrive. And so, being kiasu, we went to book a nice spot for the remaining 7 people who are nowhere to be seen. And they were Steph, Keith, Keith's frens (Marzuki, Jo, Abby), Diana and lastly Wai - with more food and even booze.

Alas.. the movie has started.

I was quite distracted from Chicken Little with all the food being passed around. Imagine eating Chicken Mcnuggets while watching Chicken Little! How ironic! It was hilarious but I like Over The Hedge better.

Great laugh, great fun, great company, great food! Even without char siew and siu yook.

Hopefully, next year will be better. Maybe they should have a drive-thru next year. :P

Once bitten, twice shy

How is it possible that some people are evil while some are angels? Can there be a balance? Can someone heartless actually have a heart of gold in them? Sometimes you wonder what made them that way. Society? Upbringing? Experiences? Or just plain selfish?

How naïve are some females?
Naïve because we hope for the impossible! Because we believe in lies. Because we believe in sweet talks. Because we look for excitement. Because we look for trouble. And naïve, because we also believe that there is good in them. How naïve!!!

And how stupid are some males?
Stupid because they think we are stupid and mentally raw. Because they think the world is so big to have coincidence. Because they just act stupid. Because they don’t appreciate people in their lives. Because they are full of themselves. Because they believe the naïve females will fall for them.
Maybe! But for how long? For what? And why? How Stupid!!!

Really! Life seems to be playing tricks on us. Everyday, we make mistakes. But, hopefully not the same mistakes. But what happened to those who do not learn? Cant help it, can we? We are just simply naïve and stupid homosapiens.

I always believe there is a good heart in everyone. No matter what a jerk, asshole, slut, bitch or bastard they are, I always feel there is something good in them. Maybe not now, maybe later when all is too late! Maybe Not! I don’t know. May the truth prevail and may we see the good things in them – be it female or male.

Updates Updates Updates

The week has been so busy that I have no time to blog. So updates peeps!

PussyCat Dolls World Tour
Thanks to buddies like Jayson for inviting me to join the concert with Jennifer and Ted. Although I am not a huge fan of the cats, I really don’t mind especially when the tickets are FOC. And mind you, they are VIP tickets and that means we get a better look at them. Or so we think!!! Being vertically challenged does not really help much at standing concerts. Overall, it was good but too short with Reshmonu singing for close to ½ hour. Thanks again mates for bringing me there.

Bonus Bonus Bonus
Well, some of you might have read about my upcoming Shanghai trip. And if you think that’s rewarding, wait till you hear about the bonus we got mid-year. YES!!! My first company bonus ever and I am sure going to leap like mad. Actually I already did. :D Despite only worked here for 7 months, I was already appreciated by the company. See hard work pays!!!

New Gadget
It’s Malaysia Mega Sale and yes I bought myself a new phone. My new Sony Ericsson W700i is my new toy. Being a hardcore Nokia lover, switching to Sony was a big step. I wasn’t really thinking when I bought that phone. It was such impulse purchase but what the heck! I really need a new hp. Thank goodness, I found out about the company bonus the next day. But then again, if I have known earlier, I would have picked the most latest model. Cant have everything right?

Publicis Dialog Reunion
Miss you people and glad to see some of you once again. Those who came were Eugene, Christine, Cheng, Karina, Geeta, Delyana, Joanne Wong and Brenda. It’s really good to catch up with what everyone has been up to recently. Not much changes in the past 2 years but really hope more people turn up that day. Nevertheless, we will sure to have another one soon yeah. And I still have to say that I paid RM40 for a buffet that I hardly got to eat, thanks to hives. But I still love you guys.

In a nutshell, thats all.

Lift Experience

I was just thinking the other day how it would be to be stucked in a lift with a cute guy. Haha.. and I got my wish.. BUT without the hunk. Just about an hour ago, I was happily going in the lift with my yummy chocolate croissant for breakfast when the stoppid machine died on me. My first encounter trapped in the lift.. and all alone. Not that frightening cos the lights didnt go out. The ventilation was still there. So I rang my receptionist and told her to get some help while I pushed the SOS button in the lift and at the same time, ate my choc croissant to calm myself down.

5 minutes of wait and Im done with breakfast. Where is help when you need it the most?

Just as I was about to phone my friends, the rescue guy came.

And since I was stucked in between floors, my only option would be to jump down to the floor below (obviously when the lift door opens) and unfortunately there was no leng chai maintenance guy who you expect to save the damsel in distress. What the heck? Losers cant be beggars. I can either stay in the lift or choose to be carried down by some unknown stranger who is far beyond a hunk. And mind you, wearing a skirt today does not help much in the process of jumping down.Whatever!!! I just need to get out of the lift. You never know if the lift decides to collapse right? I know i know.. I watch too many action movies but shit like tat does happen. Better safe than sorry.

Guess, I will be very cautious what I wish for in the future... hahaha.. And watch lesser romance shows. In reality, we dont always get wat we want.. hahahaha... but I still want my knight in shining armour.....hahaha

Cheers.

Random Tots

1. FIRST NAME... Annie
2. WERE YOU NAME AFTER ANYONE? The orphan in red dress from Annie
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? 6 months ago
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I cant even read my own writing. So No!
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCHMEAT? PORK PLEASE
6. KIDS? Well, I like being a kid.
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU. Of course!!!
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? chilipadiporky-queen@blogspot.com
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? All the time!
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Don’t everyone??
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? If you give me a USD 1 million.
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? Anything with raisins, wheats and grains.
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nah. NO TIME.
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Well, mentally yes.
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM? Rum & Raisin from Baskin.
16. SHOE SIZE? 5
17. RED OR PINK? I like pink lingerie please.
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My temper
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Someone I do now know.
20. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? Blue and black.
21. LAST THING YOU ATE? Cream Crackers
22. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Faith Hill – er.. I don’t know the title.
23. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? Maroon.
24. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SMELL? Anything nice definitely. Sweet.
25. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Cindy.
26. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes are the window to the soul.
27. FAVORITE DRINK? 100 Plus + Ice Lemon Tea
28. FAVORITE SPORT? I only like gym classes.
29. HAIR COLOR? Urban red
30. EYE COLOR? Brown
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes.
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Porky please.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy ending. No scary movies for me.
34. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Lake House
35. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Turqoise! And it is not a shirt.
36. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer. I don’t like being Ms Michelin.
37. HUGS OR KISSES? I wan both.
38. FAVORITE DESSERT? Mango Sticky Rice
39. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Richest Man in Babylon
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Er… my tikus??
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? I didn’t had time for TV. I had a LIFE.
42. FAVOURITE SOUNDS? My laugh?
43. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles.
44. THE FURTHERS YOU BEEN FROM HOME? New Zealand.
45. YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I consider multitasking a talent.
46. WHAT ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW? Keeping myself awake!!

-end-

No time

Familiar? The two words we tend to use in this day and time. NO TIME.

It's true. People are so "busy" these days that they give excuses for not dating, exercising, meeting friends, spending time with family, learning a new trade, going for a holiday, doing charity etc. Yes, we all work our ass off and place it the top priority over our health, families and everything that should come first. Is it our lack of time management that pushes us to say "no time"? Is it that our families and friends are not important? No? If not, what is it?

In The Lake House, Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves)'s brother asked him the reason he is not seeing anyone. Alex answered "I have no time for this!" And his bro said "What has time got to do with this?" At that point, it struck me. I keep telling people I have no time to be in a relationship. Somehow it's true. I have too many things I want to do and achieve right now. But really, what has time got to do with it? Maybe in Kate (Sandra Bullock) and Alex's case, it is kinda time consuming to be writing to each other all the time since they lived 2 years apart. Confusin? Watch the show k. But in a normal average person like you and me, what has time got to do with it? Maybe time is not the absolute reason here. Maybe its the priority. Maybe its waiting for "the one" to finally arrive. Maybe the time has not arrived. Maybe its all excuses. Maybe....

Chatterbox Alive

Attn my dear friends:

Chili Padi Porky Queen has just launched her chatterbox. Scroll down the page and you will find the new place for you to pen your comments. But please do not SPAM me with advertising messages or crappy stuff k. Only for the intelligent and the educated ones. :D

Cheers.

Will Ya' Grow Up

Dont u just hate it when people just think they know you well when in actual fact they dont? They think they know everything but they dont know anything about me. It is irritating and at the same time annoying. Yes, it is a free world where one can say, comment, critic, pass judgement of something or someone, but I still think it is ridiculous for one to talk as though they know you best. I REPEAT. YOU DONT KNOW ME WELL TO SAY A BLOODY THING ABOUT ME K. I am sorry but I dont like it. If it is meant as a harmless joke, I wouldnt mind. But when said too often and use too many times, it becomes hurtful.

So, just because I made some silly mistakes or were ignorant of the things around me previously do not make me a stupid person now k. People grow as they aged. They come across new things. They learned and have new experiences. Just like me. Im not perfect and so are you. So dont start to become a bitch or bastard with me.

Some mistakes I mad, I repent
Some things I dont know, I learn

Hopefully u will too....

Bukit Jalil Lantern Festival

A lantern festival in July does sparked some interest in some. Really not sure why it is called that especially when we couldnt really find much tanglungs around.. Maybe they meant light festival. So lets start the journey...

Bukit Jalil Disneyland??? Seems like it..

While waiting for Diana and Senn (thanks to Senn 4 picking up my kawan.. )

Finally.... we meet after the confusion of Gate A & B

Amazing Dragon Made of Plates and Cups.. Yes the whole thing...

Look at the vain people.. cant help taking more pictures, cant we?

Some refreshments after a short journey.. quite KUAT MAKAN le especially since we came from dinner

Anyway, the fun night ended young. Didnt manage to finish the journey. But still missed the fantastic noodles so might be a Chapter 2 there.. Till then!

Sunny Day

When you ask for the sun
It rains
When you ask for the rain
It shines

Some things at times
Just makes your mind wonder.

When you hope for it
It's nowhere to be found
When you least expect it
It turns around

Shocked but delighted
Surprised but thankful
It's a start
And hopefully not the last

Sun is bright
Skies are clear
Maybe the rain will come
Maybe it wont.

*smile*

Polka Dots Be Gone.....

Pheww.... The Queen is back to normal now. Rashes and allergies gone. But still pantang makan for say a few more days.. Two things I wanna eat the most right now are Crab and Egg Tarts. When I passed by Esquire Kitchen yesterday, I was tempted and peek to see if they actually sold eggy tarts. Nah... Thank goodness......

Guess I will just wait for a few more days and see how the skin reacts. Right now, my leg feels like a dry orange. Yuck.. no Body Shop cream just in case it breaks out to rashes again. Alamak....

Sabar Sabar Sabar!!!!