Deepest Sympathies

I've been procrastinating my blog so I'll reblog about the past few haps later. Here now, I'd like to extend the greatest of sorrows to those who lost their loved ones and homes in the unexpected earthquake cum tsunami. Losing someone precious to nature is quite unfair as no one can possibly be blamed. No culprit can be brought to justice.

Seeing pictures of those clinging to dear life before succumbing to their untimely ends disturbs me a great deal. Because this was a new phenomena to occur especially in Malaysia, a lot of those perished were innocent, curious onlookers who wanted to find out what the white foam gathering out at sea was all about. But before any of those could turn and run, it was all but too late. Not long ago, I had a great holiday in Redang and while playing with the waves near the shore I could feel the currents slamming into me and dragging me back in. That was a tame wave barely half a foot high compared to the monster waves measuring as high as 8m crashing into people and pulling them out into the ocean.

I'm fortunate enough not to personally lose anyone in this tragedy but I somehow feel that I'm cherishing more of life now than I ever have. As I read CNN online, the total death toll in Asia has risen to 116,000... my heart just sank. Nature when at its best can be the most beautiful, priceless ever creations like rainbows after rain, the reflection of the moon off the sea on a clear beautiful night, the misty smoke from the river caused by plunging temperatures. It can be the most cruel of all with such devastation of the tsunami phenomena.

I thought our PM, Pak Lah deserved a pat on the back for urging fellow citizens not to celebrate the coming new year, but to pray for the perished, missing and the homeless. Although Malaysia suffered the least of most affected nations, Thailand on the other hand weren't so lucky. Having been to Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi, I just can't imagine the devastation it went through, wiping out everything in sight..It is now a pile of debris at this once bustling, well-known island. Newspapers showing stiffed bodies littering the shores of the popular beach reduced me to tears at how these people were enjoying their hard earned break, but fate decided otherwise.

As we usher in the year 2005, I'd like to extend my deepest sympathies to those involved in the unfortunate calamity. Our thoughts go out to you all. Be strong, as life goes on...

Twista

My cat, Twista was tragically killed today by my father. I'm not a big fan of cats but Twista was different. He seemed more like a dog than a cat. Cats don't come when you call it to, well it depends on their mood basically. But Twista (I named it such because his tail was in a twist) wasn't an arrogant cat. It was different from its siblings and was a playful kitten right from the start, without a fear in the world of people.

I became atttached to it after noticing it warming up to me like my own pet dogs. Imagine me actually taking leftovers of fish and feeding it after carefully extracting small amounts of flesh. Everytime Twista saw or heard me, it'd come dashing from nowhere and brush itself against my shoes, typical attention seeker I admit but he does it in such a professional way it reminds of the the scene from Shrek 2 when the cat (voiced by Antonio Banderas) stops a bunch of knights with its innocent smile. I really can't believe he's gone...

Dad explained that Twista was under his car sleeping and as he let the handbrakes down for the car to move..*censored*
Its unbelievable.. I was just playing with him before leaving the restaurant. Its just gonna be so quiet without him around. Even my cooks were telling my dad to make up a story that Twista ran away, or was taken by some good samaritan for a proper home. But dad being dad, couldn't hide the truth and started with 'I have some bad news to tell you..'

Sigh.. today's blog is a dedication to ya, Twista. Rest in peace wherever you may be.

Twista June '04- Dec '04

This week & beyond

This week gone by has been a good one, and I hope to keep hold of the momentum. The restaurant has been doing well and weekends are super packed. I'm glad. Now for the next phase -Expansion. The sickening part is the slow response of the city council in getting anything approved. There are so many restaurants around illegally, i.e. No permit. I don't blame business operators as it takes a hell of a long time for our own state government to approve the necessary criteria in F&B. I was left fuming when I had submitted all the needed documents for the process and it was delayed over and over again. Finally after some big wig intervention, my license was approved- after three years.

Anyways, I'm still in the positive light as plans are hovering on the second phase of a new restaurant. I'll be getting the proposal from owners of e-Gate within this week to study the rent structure their management has drawn up. Still nothing is solid, but after seeing the place, and its magnificent view, one has to flash a big big smile. Gee, why do I seem so happy though? I think I've been hit by the festivity bug. Christmas is just round the corner and new years' a shout away.. Nah..Ok partly... Hohoho, princess is comin to town! Yippers, she'll be in by next week! I guess its all that combined together that's got me all excited. We got princess, BBQ, Christmas dinner, new year's countdown.. Then the new year begins, with new resolutions/aims/goals/targets. I really can't wait for all that to fall into place. Blog you later (;