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Saturday, September 10, 2011
It is summer in Dubai and it is HOT HOT HOT. Had some visitors over and did some touristy stuffs, some of which I have yet done it myself.  And guess what? I got sunburnt! Just some 10-15 minutes out in the sun and I already got sunburnt. Took a few days for my lip to recover. Believe it or not - the following are all the FIRST EXPERIENCE in Dubai after all these years... After breakfast at my favorite cafe, Lime Tree Cafe, did a brief visit to the Jumeirah Mosque. This is featured on the AED 500 note.  And my successful jumping photo in front of Burj Al Arab. After like 3-4 tries, I am all sweaty... now you know how I got sunburnt.
 Quite unexpectedly, car got hit in the parking lot - while stationery! The driver was honest enough to lodge a police report and left. The report copy slip is in green (means accident is not my fault but the other party's fault). He actually reversed into my car (as written on the report in Arabic). [Pink slip means you are in trouble]
  The next day, crossed over to the creek on the abra (one dirham ride) to check out Gold Souk and Spice Souk. Pretty much covered the Old Dubai area. Have been to Dubai Museum like 4 times now and Old Souk many times, but it was first time visiting the souks across the creek....
  ~Scribbles~
Posted at 03:30 pm by tracyskf
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Tuesday, August 30, 2011
First day of Eid Al Fitr in the UAE on Tuesday
In the UAE, festivities start soon after the early morning prayers at the various prayer grounds and mosques
- Gulf News Report
- Published: 23:00 August 29, 2011
Dubai: It's Eid
Al Fitr on Tuesday for millions of Muslims across the globe who are
celebrating after a month-long day time fasting during Ramadan. People were seen dressed in their best clothes and hugging and
kissing friends and relatives. In the UAE, festivities start soon after
the early morning prayers at the various prayer grounds and mosques
across the emirates.
The moon sighting committee chaired by Hadif Juan Al Dahiri, Minister
of Justice, which met in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening, said that the new
moon was sighted on Monday evening. ~~~
It probably is closed to a year since my last blog entry. That was during the previous EID last year. "Time flies". So what has happened for the past year? There should be a lot to write about - how come I was missing in action on my blog? Well, procrastination I suppose... what else? Or too buzy travelling? Hmmm... I have a hard time trying to recall what are the achievements for the past year, except quite a fair bit of traveling and I'd say a productive year at work. Moved to a bigger apartment, spent a lot more on new IKEA furnitures. Got a bigger TV (surprise!) and have the expert to changing the apartment layout to give it more space. Space - yes, i must say I am loving my space. There are times where I am having that "home alone" feeling, but this is quickly gotten over with technology. Technology is great - how an Apple lover is introducing me to all Apple gadgets... having a hard time keeping up, but hey, I should learn since I was left with the MacBook, iPad and Apple TV. So I mentioned quite a fair bit of travelling since last Sept - well where have I been to? Lemme check my FB albums: > Jordan - Christmas through New Year > San Francisco, Yosemite, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Minnesota - Spring break (and stopover in Amsterdam again to smell the tulips  ) > Ras Al Jinz, Oman - Summer break > Kathmandu & Pokhara, Nepal - Extended summer break > Oxford & London - Yet another extended summer break (The riot in London happened
while I were in Oxford.) What is next? A lot on the list... but first for the EID holidays... time to restart... Time to Restart, Tracy Soo! JIA YOU!~Scribbles~
Posted at 01:36 am by tracyskf
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Thursday, September 09, 2010
Start of Eid Al Fitr in the UAE announcedPublished: 20:26 September 8, 2010 Dubai: Friday is the first day of Eid Al Fitr, the UAE Shawal Moon Sighting Committee announced on Wednesday. So it is Friday according to the moon, thus it would be Fri, Sat and Sun off... somehow I felt "cheated" cos most of the public holidays in UAE falls on a Fri this year. Too bad... Look forward for a long weekend - lots to do. Finally have opened my Wii Fit Plus game and started using it... plus started some new hobby. One of my pastime is to buy stuffs for new hobbies, but somehow ended up collection things for hobbies and then put it aside... and not find a mood to start on it till months later. How about that unfinished canvas painting of mine? And the 30 day wii fitness program that have somehow been lost in the midst? How about experimental cooking, let alone learning to bake? And the plan on organizing wardrobe according to the "2 seasons" instead of everything just being chucked together? Time for me to get really busy this long weekend. Haha. And of course there is always time for the little naps and pinot noir... and bubble baths... finally some "me time"...  ~Scribbles~
Posted at 12:50 am by tracyskf
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Tuesday, August 31, 2010
The warmth and tenderness
This happened a few days back - it seemed so real. I must be in some kind of drama. The warmth and the tenderness. Of a hug ever so tight. Not wanting to let go. Missed that feeling. Felt so vulnerable... in need of some sweetness. A great big hug. I woke up in a jolt. And there I was hugging "him"... Plumpy. Celebrating Independence - another year have passed. Happy Independence Day - to you, and to me... ~Scribbles~
Posted at 12:49 am by tracyskf
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Monday, August 30, 2010
Almost Lover (A Fine Frenzy)
Your fingertips across my skin
The palm trees swaying in the wind
Images
You sang me Spanish lullabies
The sweetest sadness in your eyes
Clever trick
I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me
Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
I should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do
We walked along a crowded street
You took my hand and danced with me
Images
And when you left you kissed my lips
You told me you'd never ever forget these images, no
I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me
Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
I should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do
I cannot go to the ocean
I cannot drive the streets at night
I cannot wake up in the morning
Without you on my mind
So you're gone and I'm haunted
And I bet you are just fine
Did I make it that easy
To walk right in and out of my life?
Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
I should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do
~Lyrics~
Posted at 01:38 am by tracyskf
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Saturday, April 03, 2010
Do you know what is a boysenberry?
I can't believe it have been more than 3 months since my last posting - there was definitely lots to write about. Ever since 2010 is here, life have been bz - definitely a new beginning for me. Stability within turmoil. Or turmoil within stability? Haha. Anyway, I have begin settling in my new job and right after completion of probation, I am off to the kiwiland for 2 weeks. WHEEEEEE! I should have wrote about all the anticipation but I did not have the time to. Anyway, lots stories to blog about in coming days... For now, do you know what is a boysenberry? I was having a feast with blueberries and kiwiberries in the kiwiland, came across boysenberry ice cream!
Posted at 12:40 pm by tracyskf
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Sunday, December 13, 2009
So totally need to re-post this
A friend sent this link to me. I so totally need to re-post it!
Monday, December 14, 2009, 02.39 AM http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/hsbcrich/Article/ Rich Malaysians are now even richer and many have plans to live abroad, a recent survey revealed.
Affluent Malaysians have reported that they are now 55 per cent
wealthier than before compared to 35 per cent earlier this year.
And those Malaysians who want to move are looking at Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the US.
The HSBC Affuent Asian Tracker, a survey conducted by Nielsen for HSBC,
surveyed a total of 1,700 affluent individuals between 30 to 55 years
of age in eight key markets in September and October 2009.
The survey gauged views of people in the top 10 per cent of the population by income and liquid assets.
HSBC in a press release said the data was a clear
indication that savvy affluent Malaysians came through the financial
turmoil at the end of 2009, relatively unscathed.
Some 86 per cent of Malaysian respondents gained their wealth through
employment. Generally, 56 per cent of their income is spent on daily
and recurring expenses while 26 per cent committed towards savings,
insurance and investment. HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd's general
manager for personal financial services Lim Eng Seong said that the
high net worth Malaysians were riding on Asia's recovery and improved
market sentiment, their confidence is returning as investors are
providing momentum towards a more robust wealth management market in
Malaysia. Questions on planned changes in investment risk
appetite over the next six months, revealed that 50 per cent were
willing to increase their investments. Of this an equal number were
planning to invest in direct stocks and in unit trusts. However, they were mostly moderate risk takers and will not change their risk appetite in the next six months.
The asset holding of most surveyed skewed towards saving and unit
trusts (73 per cent), properties (65 per cent) and life insurance (61
per cent). Fourty-seven per cent of Malaysians felt that Asia
Pacific was a better option followed by Greater China, but 35 per cent
have no plans to invest in funds or equities abroad. The
survey's investment risk index showed that most Malaysians are leaning
towards more secured long-term investment products. "Growing
affluence is the key driver for investment activities and
diversification of asset holdings. While market sentiment will continue
to remain an important driver, other factors will also influence the
psyche of the affluent Malaysian investor," Lim said. The
survey showed that advice from independent financial advisers (53 per
cent), financial media (40 per cent) and friends (29 per cent) were the
top three role players in shaping their investment portfolio.
Some 44 per cent of Malaysians preferred to spend their earnings on
dining out, entertainment and hobbies with another 40 per cent on travel and 36 per cent on property. Meanwhile, although 52 per cent of those surveyed have no plans to live
abroad, 30 per cent of those of who do, are looking to live in
Australia or New Zealand, following by Singapore (18 per cent) and the
US (10 per cent). In Asia, mainland China leads the wealth
surge with a 70 per cent rise in net worth compared to 46 per cent in
the first half of 2009.
~Something out of nothing~
Posted at 11:14 pm by tracyskf
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Saturday, December 05, 2009
Sentimental Journey - being a "tourist" in home country
I'd just like to mention that I went up to the KLCC twin towers bridge tour after like close to many-many-years-not-going-to-mention-how-many-years (gulp!) in the country and have not been there. I consider this a "touristy" thingy because we were there early in the morning to queue to get the tickets - there are a lot of people from other countries and perhaps we are probably among the few Malaysians. My point is sometimes we are in an environment most familiar with, not knowing how many things we could have done but did not do it until we come back as "tourist".
I find there is something odd on the English used here.
The Petronas Twin Towers stand at 452.02 metres, about 301 times my height.
Some shots at the exhibition area and on the Petronas Twin Towers bridge
Night view of KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towers So I felt I did some "touristy" things this time around... do not know how to describe it but weird. At the exhibition area, there are comparisons of towers' heights around the world, there is of course many that I have been to - The Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai; Al Burj, Dubai; Sears Tower, Chicago; Macau Tower, Macau...there are also many that I have yet to visit. This time around I have checked the Twin Towers on my list, as for the KL Tower, I'd save it for my next trip home... ~Memories~
Posted at 09:23 pm by tracyskf
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Thursday, December 03, 2009
Sentimental Journey - The Graduation
I made it back for The Graduation!!! Yep, the statement was not "I graduated!" but I made it back home for the graduation ceremony! (A matter of fact that I always graduate "on time" when I enroll in any academic program, it's just a matter of whether I attend the graduation ceremony). I was a bit indecisive in the first place, well actually in fact I decided not to attend the graduation, and then I "must" be home for graduation! This is probably one of the last education program I accomplish (do not foresee anything further than MBA) so I guess I should be there in person! 
The graduating batch - 18 Nov 2009
Some comrades have graduated earlier, some are from earlier / later batchesI have done so many professional papers in my life, yet I have only attended the Sunway-ACCA graduation. I have somehow skipped ACCA Malaysia graduation and MICPA graduation as I was out of the country. This time around, I decided to fly home for the ceremony. Formality is one thing, but catching up with MBA mates is another.
 
My buddies from MBA - these are the closer ones but the group is not complete
Speaking of MBA mates, some of them have actually ditched me for the project when I was leaving for overseas! I am not sure if they have been forgiven but I probably forgive them at the point of graduation since I have a kind heart (ahem!)... only at that point. Anyhow the most important thing is that I graduated the same time as them.  My partner in crime who is equally a procrastinator like myself.
I think some better ones are the candid ones.
Really pity some people who should be there but were not there. But for me, no regret coming back and capturing the moments with my beloved family.  Would be perfect if brother is around but he is overseas
And the conclusion for the day - graduation ceremonies is a very good avenue for photo shops to earn money!
~Memories~
Posted at 12:41 am by tracyskf
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Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Sentimental Journey - simple things that make me happy
As I gestured up and down like a roller coaster when a relative asked me: how was your trip home so far? This time around, it was truly a roller coaster ride... probably best described through this series of Sentimental Journey postings. There were gains and losses... not just talking about my weight (gain) and shopping spending (loss) but also key happenings throughout the weeks... gain of my MBA qualification, loss of Uncle 11. I would want to write all of these down, no matter happy or sad, pleasant or unpleasant, it is always something to remind me to look forward and to cherish what is there. Life is short, we must remember what we are meant to do and get them done with no regrets. This blog entry is simply on the simple things that make me happy. FOOD!! Not just any food but home-cook food by personal chef.  ~Memories~
Posted at 02:55 pm by tracyskf
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