I sure hope not. But I'm not holding my breath.
Our high school biology teacher is a petite woman, shorter than me even in her signature kitten heel slipers. She easily brings out the huge insectarium boxes out of the cabinet one by one until she finds the one she's looking for, ours; which she also heaves, with a bit more effort, out of the cabinet and leans it against a table. We all talk and catch up for awhile. She asks Gina and me how we're going to get it home and then decided that one of the guys should carry it to the car for us. It didn't happen.
Camera guy was leaning against the same table as the box was. So when she asked who was going to carry the box first, Singapore guy (another ex-classmate now studying in Singapore) quickly says to Camera guy, "You're nearer to it." I'll admit the box is freaking heavy. Everyone else's was made of plywood and cardboard or something, ours was custom made, out of metal. Gina had had it made and none of us had paid her anything for it, but it was definitely expensive. Anyways, all the way down the stairs, Camera guy bangs it against the stairs and I couldn't decide which was more worrying: him chipping the stairs or scratching the box. I just couldn't stand it and he took that as his excuse to essentially say "There you girls carry it yourselves." I'll admit it was a lot of effort and heavy but that's where I would've expected Singapore guy to volunteer to help.
Gina and I ended up taking turns carrying it on the long walk back to the car while carrying our own umbrellas because it was raining crazy heavily. The whole time neither of them made any attempt to take over carrying the thing, or even help us open the car door or get it into the car.
Sure, Gina and I managed it. But it makes me wonder...they couldn't have given up or avoided the task any faster. What ever happened to chivalry? Heck, what ever happened to just being plain courteous or helpful?
Make no mistake; I'm not one of those who are a disgrace to feminism and all that. I'm all for equality and equal rights and all. Truth is, if you look at it in another perspective, people who think women who expect men to carry heavier loads aren't getting with the whole feminism programme are probably either stuck in the dark ages themselves (come on, you really think how heavey a load you can carry, how far you can throw something, or just plain how strong you are determines how much rights you get? Really?!?!) or are men like my buddies Singapore guy and Camera guy who will find any lame excuse to tell girls "You go ahead and carry all that while we stand by and watch."
While I get it that being treated nicely isn't something to be expected but is more of a luxury to be pleasantly surprised by, I think all of us girls could do with being pleasantly surprised a bit more often.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Vuvuzela drone killing World Cup atmosphere - World Cup News - FOX Sports on MSN
Vuvuzela drone killing World Cup atmosphere - World Cup News - FOX Sports on MSN
I totally agree with this! The games have been so boring because...well the games haven't been awesome. And no cheering from the crowd = those of us at home don't really feel the emotion (Actually, I'm not too sure those in the stadium can really feel anything but annoyed either thanks to the constant buzzing like a swarm of flies. I really do just feel like swatting them!) And seriously, who the hell can blow on those bloody things throughout the ENTIRE match and be actually watching it at the same time? What on earth was FIFA thinking when they allowed it?
I totally agree with this! The games have been so boring because...well the games haven't been awesome. And no cheering from the crowd = those of us at home don't really feel the emotion (Actually, I'm not too sure those in the stadium can really feel anything but annoyed either thanks to the constant buzzing like a swarm of flies. I really do just feel like swatting them!) And seriously, who the hell can blow on those bloody things throughout the ENTIRE match and be actually watching it at the same time? What on earth was FIFA thinking when they allowed it?
Friday, June 11, 2010
Gym Bunny
Belly dancing is starting to get challenging. After a month at it, I'm beginning to feel the need to actually practice during the week. The moves are also starting to challenge my coordination abilities and now I actually break a sweat in class. A stark contrast to the first two weeks of class where I come back with my shirt all dry.
In addition to belly dance, I've started going to the gym. While most magazine articles make it seem like everyone's got a whole hoarde of girlfriends around and all of them are just as keen on getting fit as you are and are awesome at being a motivator, I beg to differ. Finding that buddy to join you on your fitness programme isn't as easy as I'd initially thought. This week, I managed to convince Gina to come with me. However, I'm not sure if she'll ever want to come again. By the time we were done, her legs were like jelly and She was convinced she'll wake up tomorrow morning with aching arms and legs.
There were two treadmills available at the gym. One was on, the other wasn't. And we couldn't figure out how to turn it on. So we decided to start off on the elliptical trainers. After our short workout on them, Gina was ready to sit down for the rest of the afternoon. Though a wee bit dizzy from the heat, I was still pretty determined to get my ass on a treadmill and walk off some calories. However, five minutes into my little power walk, a huge sweaty stinking guy walks up to the treadmil that we'd assumed was out of order. To my dismay, he bends over and flips a tiny switch Gina and I had missed earlier and gets on. OMG! It was pure torture....10 minutes of the smell of sweat and BO....urghhhhhhhh....
Later while we were on the exercise bikes, this African guy who'd been on one of them the whole time we were there seriously couldn't stand how clueless we were anymore. He couldn't stop himself from giving hits like where the "On" button Gina yet again couldn't find was, or how I should place my feet on the pedals or how I should adjust my seat if I wanted to cycle at a higher resistance.
After only an hour at the gym, Gina could barely make it down the four steps to the weight training and locker area, and I was feeling a little woozy myself. We dragged ourselves along the wall all the way down the stairs to the car park. And the one hot guy there was like "You're done already?" as we dragged our asses to our gym bags (agh! why do I always look terrible in front of the hot ones?! More on that some other time...)
But yes, I so have to do this again. Mum actually said my ass looked big yesterday! My own Mum! The one who's never been judgemental, never told me to be on a diet in my life....this is bad...
In addition to belly dance, I've started going to the gym. While most magazine articles make it seem like everyone's got a whole hoarde of girlfriends around and all of them are just as keen on getting fit as you are and are awesome at being a motivator, I beg to differ. Finding that buddy to join you on your fitness programme isn't as easy as I'd initially thought. This week, I managed to convince Gina to come with me. However, I'm not sure if she'll ever want to come again. By the time we were done, her legs were like jelly and She was convinced she'll wake up tomorrow morning with aching arms and legs.
There were two treadmills available at the gym. One was on, the other wasn't. And we couldn't figure out how to turn it on. So we decided to start off on the elliptical trainers. After our short workout on them, Gina was ready to sit down for the rest of the afternoon. Though a wee bit dizzy from the heat, I was still pretty determined to get my ass on a treadmill and walk off some calories. However, five minutes into my little power walk, a huge sweaty stinking guy walks up to the treadmil that we'd assumed was out of order. To my dismay, he bends over and flips a tiny switch Gina and I had missed earlier and gets on. OMG! It was pure torture....10 minutes of the smell of sweat and BO....urghhhhhhhh....
Later while we were on the exercise bikes, this African guy who'd been on one of them the whole time we were there seriously couldn't stand how clueless we were anymore. He couldn't stop himself from giving hits like where the "On" button Gina yet again couldn't find was, or how I should place my feet on the pedals or how I should adjust my seat if I wanted to cycle at a higher resistance.
After only an hour at the gym, Gina could barely make it down the four steps to the weight training and locker area, and I was feeling a little woozy myself. We dragged ourselves along the wall all the way down the stairs to the car park. And the one hot guy there was like "You're done already?" as we dragged our asses to our gym bags (agh! why do I always look terrible in front of the hot ones?! More on that some other time...)
But yes, I so have to do this again. Mum actually said my ass looked big yesterday! My own Mum! The one who's never been judgemental, never told me to be on a diet in my life....this is bad...
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Mizi's Bistro
A few friends and I went out to dinner at Mizi's at New World Park recently. It wasn't my first time there, but if it HAD been, I would guarantee that I would not have wanted to go back there, ever. In fact, I don't think I ever want to as it is.
At first glance, it's a nice looking place. The theme is red and brown, with cozy looking tables and one of those cool looking counters with loads of glasses hanging overhead. The owner is usually pretty friendly, too. In the past, he used to go around making sure everything was in order and customers were satisfied. Tonight, no such luck. Even as we were being greeted while walking in, he seemed like he could do with a few less customers.
This time we were given one of the two long rows of tables at the back because we were a larger group. Unfortunately, there was a nother large group taking the other row which made the area a little bit too crowded. If there's anything a restaurant can do to really annoy me, it's to cram more tables than it can comfortably accommodate. So, we had the two rows full, the other group had some small band come in and sing a few songs for them, which was just too much for the already tiny, noisy and uncomfortable space. It also included me being at risk of being bludgeoned by their guitars as they squeezed past between the two rows to get to what little open space there was to perform. For the rest of the evening, I also had waiters perpetually squeeze past because it seemed to be where they had to go to send their dirty dishes. It was uncomfortable!
Ordering also seemed a pretty difficult task as most of the staff walk around with their heads down (Hey, I know we're supposed to be nice to waiters, but if the waiters don't want to take orders or bring the check, DON'T BE A DAMN WAITER!!!), ignored us and when they finally acknowledged us, they told us to wait even though some were clearly free. I guess I didn't get the memo that said customers make orders at the convenience of the staff. The first round of orders went fairly smoothly. As we were having our starters two more of our friends arrived. They, too, were told to wait to place their orders. At the same time, the waitress came back with our main courses and plonked them on the table. We'd barely started on our soup! While you could say that's pretty quick service, I'd just say we felt like we were being rushed.
Another well meaning waitress came to attempt to take my friends' orders. Except that Qing didn't want the regular set meal. She wanted the one where you add RM6 to the a'la carte price. The waitress didn't get it. She just stood there dumbfounded at the revelation that there was such a deal on the menu. Which was when the rest of the staff that were watching basically told us to wait. WTF.
The food was so-so. My usual favourite, pumpkin soup, was pretty watered down. I had some awesome pumpkin soup somewhere the other day....I can't remember where. But okay back to point. My canneloni was pretty good. My friends' chicken dishes weren't that great. To be honest I couldn't tell the difference between one or the other. They were just bland and dry.
Would I go back? No.
If there's any consolation, J. L. Gourmet, also run by the same family, at Prangin Mall would be a better bet. The place doesn't look like much. But the food and the service is much better.
At first glance, it's a nice looking place. The theme is red and brown, with cozy looking tables and one of those cool looking counters with loads of glasses hanging overhead. The owner is usually pretty friendly, too. In the past, he used to go around making sure everything was in order and customers were satisfied. Tonight, no such luck. Even as we were being greeted while walking in, he seemed like he could do with a few less customers.
This time we were given one of the two long rows of tables at the back because we were a larger group. Unfortunately, there was a nother large group taking the other row which made the area a little bit too crowded. If there's anything a restaurant can do to really annoy me, it's to cram more tables than it can comfortably accommodate. So, we had the two rows full, the other group had some small band come in and sing a few songs for them, which was just too much for the already tiny, noisy and uncomfortable space. It also included me being at risk of being bludgeoned by their guitars as they squeezed past between the two rows to get to what little open space there was to perform. For the rest of the evening, I also had waiters perpetually squeeze past because it seemed to be where they had to go to send their dirty dishes. It was uncomfortable!
Ordering also seemed a pretty difficult task as most of the staff walk around with their heads down (Hey, I know we're supposed to be nice to waiters, but if the waiters don't want to take orders or bring the check, DON'T BE A DAMN WAITER!!!), ignored us and when they finally acknowledged us, they told us to wait even though some were clearly free. I guess I didn't get the memo that said customers make orders at the convenience of the staff. The first round of orders went fairly smoothly. As we were having our starters two more of our friends arrived. They, too, were told to wait to place their orders. At the same time, the waitress came back with our main courses and plonked them on the table. We'd barely started on our soup! While you could say that's pretty quick service, I'd just say we felt like we were being rushed.
Another well meaning waitress came to attempt to take my friends' orders. Except that Qing didn't want the regular set meal. She wanted the one where you add RM6 to the a'la carte price. The waitress didn't get it. She just stood there dumbfounded at the revelation that there was such a deal on the menu. Which was when the rest of the staff that were watching basically told us to wait. WTF.
The food was so-so. My usual favourite, pumpkin soup, was pretty watered down. I had some awesome pumpkin soup somewhere the other day....I can't remember where. But okay back to point. My canneloni was pretty good. My friends' chicken dishes weren't that great. To be honest I couldn't tell the difference between one or the other. They were just bland and dry.
Would I go back? No.
If there's any consolation, J. L. Gourmet, also run by the same family, at Prangin Mall would be a better bet. The place doesn't look like much. But the food and the service is much better.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Karaoke
In the spirit of trying things we've never bothered to try, my friends and I randomly decided to go to the karaoke the other day. Well, some of us have been but some of us haven't.
It was a fairly uncomfortable outing at first. We were meeting up with a friend we hadn't seen since we finished school, although we did keep up with her via Facebook. When she showed up, I have her a quick hug which she did not even reciprocate and even when we were all talking, she was still pretty quiet. I know there are shy people out there but seriously, we were pretty ok (translate: can hug if we haven't seen each other in a long time) in school, and we used to talk. But she was so quiet around us, didn't want to tell us much about what's been going on with her, nor did she really take part in the conversation or laugh at any of the jokes for that matter. I don't know how other people feel, but people like this always make me wonder if I'm talking too much or making them feel left out.
After lunch, we couldn't find any good movie at a suitable time. The idea of going for a karaoke session together had been floating around, and Neway was just in sight from where we were checking out movie times at the cinema in Queensbay, we decided to give it a go.
It was some kind of off peak hour so it cost us RM16 per person and there's some promotion there where if you have an 8 in your IC number. you get a discount. While I've seen some blog posts about this place charging excessively for the nuts and stuff, I don't really know what other places charge. At first we were a bit freaked out when the waiter told us it was RM44 for nuts. We initially thought he meant that price was per person. But then realised that was for all of us so it didn't seem so bad. It also included a drink and a plate of snacks for each of us. The snacks could be replaced with a second drink order. Pretty expensive, but it wasn't as bad as we'd initially thought. Ms Quiet was still making me uncomfortable, though. She refused to even open her mouth at all, let alone even hold a microphone! Even my other friend Gina, who's also pretty shy, ended up singing, though pretty softly. But at least she was still sporting enough to give it a go. It was definitely more fun that I'd initially expected. But don't think I'll be a regular anytime soon. Have probably stumbled on a good thing to do should any of my girlfriends suffer some terrible breakup or something, though.
It was a fairly uncomfortable outing at first. We were meeting up with a friend we hadn't seen since we finished school, although we did keep up with her via Facebook. When she showed up, I have her a quick hug which she did not even reciprocate and even when we were all talking, she was still pretty quiet. I know there are shy people out there but seriously, we were pretty ok (translate: can hug if we haven't seen each other in a long time) in school, and we used to talk. But she was so quiet around us, didn't want to tell us much about what's been going on with her, nor did she really take part in the conversation or laugh at any of the jokes for that matter. I don't know how other people feel, but people like this always make me wonder if I'm talking too much or making them feel left out.
After lunch, we couldn't find any good movie at a suitable time. The idea of going for a karaoke session together had been floating around, and Neway was just in sight from where we were checking out movie times at the cinema in Queensbay, we decided to give it a go.
It was some kind of off peak hour so it cost us RM16 per person and there's some promotion there where if you have an 8 in your IC number. you get a discount. While I've seen some blog posts about this place charging excessively for the nuts and stuff, I don't really know what other places charge. At first we were a bit freaked out when the waiter told us it was RM44 for nuts. We initially thought he meant that price was per person. But then realised that was for all of us so it didn't seem so bad. It also included a drink and a plate of snacks for each of us. The snacks could be replaced with a second drink order. Pretty expensive, but it wasn't as bad as we'd initially thought. Ms Quiet was still making me uncomfortable, though. She refused to even open her mouth at all, let alone even hold a microphone! Even my other friend Gina, who's also pretty shy, ended up singing, though pretty softly. But at least she was still sporting enough to give it a go. It was definitely more fun that I'd initially expected. But don't think I'll be a regular anytime soon. Have probably stumbled on a good thing to do should any of my girlfriends suffer some terrible breakup or something, though.
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