Tuesday, May 07, 2013

= Ttakji King =

Been having sleepless nights. Don't know the reason why, I figured maybe my mind might not be at ease so tried different ways to tired myself out. Exercise, browsing through Facebook and Instagram but nothing seems to work.

Last night was no exception. Tried to go to bed at around 12 midnight but end up rolling from side to side till I check the clock and it's almost 3 am. Browse at a certain person's facebook profile thinking maybe seeing her face might put my mind at ease but nah didn't work. So I figured, It's technically Tuesday already so that means The english subs for the latest Running Man Episode must be out. Might as well watched it since I couldn't sleep. Didn't regret my decision... Last night's theme was Children's Day, apparently Korea celebrates Children day on May 5th ( In Singapore it's October 1st) So yeah all the games they played last night was based on the votes kids would like to see their Running Man celebrities take part in and the Highest voted games was "Ttakji" (in english it's commonly known as "Slammers").

Well anyway, throughout the 100 plus episodes, The Running Man members have played Ttakji among themselves a couple of times and most of the time the winner is either Jae suk (The 1st and original Ttakji king) or Jong Kook (The next or current Ttakji king ).

Last night's episode, whether it's scripted or fated. Both Ttakji Masters faced off in the finals. Since Jong kook is the current Ttakji king holder, Jae suk is waiting for this opportunity to reclaim the title. Who won? well I shall not spoil it for those of you who haven't watched it. If you want to know who is the King now watched Running Man Episode 144 here.

It was an epic match. Took them almost an hour to finally find a winner. So with all the hype and excitement about Ttakji, I figured why not make one? Sounds interesting and fun. So I googled and found this website/blog on how to to make your own Ttakji. (Credits to Ophila Ong for her guide)
Haha my Ttakjis, kinda small though because I use A4 size paper

It's raining heavily now. I just got back from work. Kinda depressing weather. Makes me lazy wanna cook. So what do I do? Just pop in the ready made lasagna into the oven and voila!!! Dinner is serve. Ok people the oven just rang... Time to eat. Hungry and tired.
The 2 kg Ready made just pop into oven because I'm tired and lazy to cook Lasagna, haha
Jemput makan :)


= Without Wax = 
Spiderfiq

Friday, May 03, 2013

God of Entertainment = Lee Kwang Soo

This has got to be the best part of Running Man Episode 143. I burst out laughing. Unlucky Kwang soo.... hahaha


 




= Without Wax =
Spiderfiq

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Just got back from Lenny's place for dinner. The girls decided to cooked a scrumptious meal of Sambal Goreng, Lemak Chili Padi Ayam, Begedil and Serunding. I'm so full and Happy that I couldn't even walk let alone move. It was delicious thank you Lenny, Nurul, Ainul and Rushdi for dinner. It's been awhile I had authentic malay home-cooked food.


I'm gonna find a wife who can make a mean Sambal Goreng. Well even if she doesn't and she's willing to learn from my mum, I'll accept haha. It's one of my favorite malay dishes of all time. Back during my primary/secondary school days I use to like buy a packet of Nasi Sambal Goreng from those Mama shop or Kedai Aunty under the void deck for 50cents or the most expensive was $1.50. It's not much inside just rice, the sambal goreng and 1 begedil oh and not to forget the sambal. That alone is pure heaven.
Couldn't find a pic of the old packet of Nasi sambal goreng but I found this, A packet of void deck Nasi lemak.

Nowadays it is pretty hard to get packets of these Nasi sambal goreng from shops under the void deck. The familir Mama shop no longer cease to exist. In its place the colours of Green, white, orange and Red takes over, commonly known as "7-Eleven". I miss these Mama shops as it give the neighborhood a neighborly feeling. The aunties and uncles were very nice and they would sell anything. From sweets to foodstuff to  fresh grated coconuts to even household items like mops and brooms. It's like an all in one supermarket. I remember they even had religious books.

A typical void deck mama shop

The new modern mama shop - The 7 eleven
Everyone knew the uncle and Aunty and they watch us grow up. A couple of years back when my youngest sister was still in Primary school, (The school she went to was, Juying Primary along Jurong West Street 91, my old neighborhood, the place I grew up) my mum will go and pick her up after school. So while waiting for her, my mum would go and buy some sweets or drinks at the nearby Mama shop near my old flat.



Surprisingly the aunty still remembers my mum and even ask her "How is boy doing?" (referring to me). Wow my mum told me about it, I felt honored that after   all these years and eventhough we had moved out of the neighborhood, she still remembers me. Everyone was pretty close knit in the neighborhood.


Nowadays I pity the newer, younger generations. They won't be able to experience all these things. Running to the mama shop and buying groceries or last minute ingredient for a dish she is cooking. Making friends with the aunty and uncle. But I guess that's how life is now. As the country progresses and modernize, the old mama shop too will be upgraded to the more modern convenient store, 7-Eleven.

My old Flat, Block 919, Jurong West St 91
My old flat.





Damn I miss my old house. Such fond memories...

= Without Wax = 
Spiderfiq


Kinda sums up my life right now.....

Kinda sums up my life right now.....  I just haven't met you yet :)


Gd nite
= Without Wax =
Spiderfiq

Thursday, May 02, 2013

Meeting the 19 year old me....

So, I just got back into blogging. Spend the entire night reading my old posts. Cracked myself up reminiscing bout the past.

Here I am, 27 year old me reading bout 19 year old me and I'm going. Holy crap, was I like that back then?

So let's recap...

My first entry was dated 20 March 2004, 9 years ago. 18 year old me in my 1st year of Polytechnic. Joined The Singapore Polytechnic Taekwondo Club and to my understanding the start of a long depressing love story with a girl name Siti Zaliza Warti (Damn I still remember her full name). Anyway 70%-80% of the posts so far has got something related to her. 19 year old me must be really hung up on her.
Was digging up old pictures and I found this. The one and only pic of Liza I have left. haha

Then there are some really angsty, emo, depressing posts bout teenage love and all. Haha... as much as I hate to admit it. I was a really sick love puppy. But it's not all depressing, there are some nice instances. Like sending her home, our dates and stuff. Hmm, I wonder what happened to that valentine's Day rose I gave her? Haha I remember that day now after I had read the particular post. It's was a saturday and it was valentine's day. Just finish Training my NCC cadets and decidedly to meet up with her in poly (I think she was having some extra classes or curriculum) So there I was decked out in my smart No.3 uniform, because I remember her telling me she like a guy in uniform (Kinda cliche' i know right?) Brought a stalk of rose and presented it to her in the middle of Food Court 3 in front of her friends. Haha... it was a pretty embarrassing moment for both of us with the stares from the onlookers. But it was a good day :)
My TKD brothers and me at our favorite hangout place after training, The Old Clementi Fountain.
Top: Me
 Middle: Qaiyum, Mif, Usop, Hafiz
Bottom: Syahidin, Hairoul

Moving on... I realized that I really treasure my guy friends a lot. The numerous post bout our hangouts and escapades brings back good times. Mainly because, I think not having any other male siblings. I treated all my guy friends as my own brothers. Munir, Hairoul, Mif, Hafiz, Syahidin, Ramesh, Usop, Bob, Qaiyum and many more. Going to each other's houses playing Xbox, the sentosa trip which we almost explored the haunted house haha, telling each other bout our BGR problems, Budget eating (we would actually go to supermarkets and buy bread and spreads and have lunch outside Plaza Singapura, that's how budget we were haha) and etc.

There were other post bout other girls though besides Liz. Let me think there was Salmiyati, Lina and towards the end around 2006 before I entered National Service there was Idza. Ah yes Idza... Funny story.

Post dated September 06, 2006. My last entry before The long hiatus...

Remember the movie, Love Actually? The scene about the the guy who was secretly in love with his bestfriend's girlfriend/wife and finally when she found out bout it, on Christmas he stood in front of her door and did those signs. So yeah I actually did plan to replicate that scene but to no avail. haha.

A few days before, I actually walked from Tanjong Pagar MRT station all the way to Town via Esplanade, bugis, towards little India then down to Plaza Singapura and lastly towards Orchard. Crazy? Yeah I guess so... dunno what was going on in that 19 yr old head of mind. I remembered Idza mentioning she was looking for a book bout some Feminism stuff regarding her Uni work. So I remembered going from bookstore to bookstore searching for that book. MPH, Kinokuniya, Popular bookstore tried it all. (Now come to think of it why didn't I try Bras Basah Complex? inexperience... haiz) Anyway for more details bout that route march  check out the post entry "Pre-NS routemarch from Tanjong Pagar to Orchard...".

But yeah I did found the book finally in Takashimaya's Kinokuniya. (Wow really the lengths I would go too to please a girl). Planned to give it to her on the day before I was enlisted. But unfortunately she was in her dorm... hence the failed love actually scene. Haha pathetic I know.

Well fast forward to 7 years later... now I'm 27. In University and still SINGLE. hahaha. I seriously need to buck up the love department. Anyway, I've changed. I think National Service played a big role in the development and also being alone here in Perth, I had to be independent, more like forced to grow up.

But I'm glad I had this blog. Reading bout my past self reminds me of my past mistakes and lessons to learn so that I don't repeat them again. And my priorities now are to graduate, get a job and hopefully settle down. But that doesn't mean I've totally change. I'm still the same shy guy among girls. The same fun dependable Syafiq that my brother's can depend on when in need or the same hopeless romantic that would go to any lengths to please that one special girl.

So yeah I'm still the same except older, wiser and maybe much better looking... haha (Sorry 18 yr old me, Center parting is sooo out of fashion )
18 yr old me with liza sporting a center parting hairstyle
27 year old me now :P


= Without Wax =
   Spiderfiq

Guess I'm back to blogging?

Wow, last entry was like in 2006. Fast forward.... it's now 2013. After a 7 years hiatus... I guess I'm back. I don't know why but just felt like blogging.

Anyway, was reading my last entry and cracked myself up. Last entry was the day I entered National service. To be honest I don't really remember much bout that day until I read that post. Ha ha... Oh man the lengths I go to impress a girl. Tried to replicate the scene from "Love Actually". I still remember I was really nervous kept wanting to knock on her dorm door but my hand would just stopped short of it, then I would just sit at the staircase and calm myself down before attempting to knock again. Those were the days. But come to think of it, I'm still in contact with this girl, well on Facebook that is. Hmm should I try to re kindle the old flame? Nah, she probably doesn't remember that day even.

Viper Platoon 2 Field Camp
Let's get up to speed shall we. NS life was OK, not what I expected. Was posted to Viper Company. Platoon 2, Section 2, Bed 5. My "wife's" butt number was 88. After BMT, was posted to become a Transport Supervisor at Sembawang Camp. To be truthful I was disappointed. I was at least expecting to be sent to SISPEC if not OCS. I guess I couldn't fulfill both our dreams Dad, Mianhe. Now let's pressure my son then to enter OCS.... *evil laughter*. Nah just kidding. Doesn't matter where he ends up as long as he does his best. OK FUTURE SON, If you happen to read this It's ok if you don't enter OCS or Sispec. Even if you become Rifleman or Driver. I'll still be proud of you.
Transport Supervisor course Exercise "Underslung" 

After I ORD-ed started a new chapter in life when I worked part-time at Toys R us. Which I didn't know would last till 4 wonderful years. Met and work with lots of wonderful people. Build myself up from a complete noob to someone the managers trust and so called "mentor" to the new younger staffs. Which I'm rather proud off. Enjoyed myself too much that I almost though of making it a career. Until I got an earful from my bosses. Don't get the wrong idea. I wasn't getting scolded for some mistake I did, rather I was being scolded for actually considering working at Toys R us permanently. I had too much of a bright future with my Engineering degree(Pending) and all to waste it on TRU. Thanks Zul and Eddie for that earful, felt like Manchester United players getting the hairdryer treatment from Sir Alex haha.
My Last day working at Toys R Us. Got Shrinkwrapped!!!

In between working at TRU, I started on my engineering degree at Curtin University in Perth. It wasn't easy to be honest. First time being away from home and by away I meant another country completely. If Australia was like Malaysia I wouldn't be too worried. I could just hop on a bus and go home If I ever miss my family but here in Australia how am I gonna do that? So yeah It took awhile for me to adjust to life here in Perth. The first 2 weeks was ok. Mainly because my dad was here with me to help me settle down and stuff. After that 2 weeks, the next 6 months was a lonely one. It's not like I didn't have any friends here, I do. I have Taufiq my long lost childhood friend. Who happens to be studying here in Perth as well and his elder sister whom took care of us. But it's a pity she got laid off and decided to go back to Singapore.
Ryan, Shab and Jamil

I made some friends in uni. It wasn't easy at first. Mainly because growing up in an Asian environment, we were brainwashed that the whites were pretty much superior than us. (TV propaganda). Plus being the quiet type didn't help much. But I managed to pluck up some courage and approached some of my classmates, using the "I need help in this subject" excuse to get to know them. Found out they were actually nice people once you get to know them. Willing to help if you need it. Ryan Pinto, Shab Hark and Jamil Mahmud. Thanks guys, My first 3 friends in Uni.
The Original four - Aizuddin, Hermie, Azhari and Me

After my 1st semester, God decided to throw me a lifeline, in the form of an ex-secondary schoolmate. Named Hermie Malek. We weren't exactly the best of friends in secondary school. Heck we hardly talked. We were not in the same class and to make matters worst, our classes we rivals. So I wonder how from being rival schoolmates, we became close friends? Wallahu a'lam, Allah knows best... But I'm thankful for that. Even if he had send me an enemy from Singapore, I would still be glad because it's a familiar face.

Well like I've mentioned I'm still pursuing my degree. The past 1 year hasn't been easy. Failures and breakdowns have been frequent. But thanks to the support from my family and friends, Alhamdulilah I'm still surviving.

Shan't rant too much or else It gets too boring to read. Will talk more soon. Time check 1.45am and it's pouring outside. Good weather to hide under the covers and enter dreamland. Plus I've got  work tomorrow. Don't wanna be late or else Kak Tini will be mad. (Shall talk bout my part-time job some other time)

= without wax =
Spiderfiq