♥@ 1st sight - 14

As planned, after my busy weeks and election fever before Jakarta trip, I went to visit the Fiat at Torino Auto.

All the paint job has been done. Now is the stage where all the parts (bigs and smalls) the undercarriage of the car is being scrutinized in detail.





The mechanics have been very careful with the newly painted body. Like those used in Auto Bavaria, they actually use the protective vinyl / canvas to avoid contacts when they installed the engine.





New set of altenator. Original Fiat, Made in Italy. I haven't got a clue how David managed to source for this item. I was advised to used a Japanese equivalent.

I refused.

I want the Fiat to be as Italian as possible.

If I had to feed her with extra virgin olive oil, I certainly will.






I requested the engine compartment to be painted white. Not so much to match the color of the body, but to enhance the visibility of the engine once it's hood is up for people to appreciate the original parts and the simplicity in its design.






Engine oil reservoir - has been cleaned thoroughly. All of the sediments accumulated for tens of years has been flushed out completely. The cooling and lubrication system will be regained, naturally.





Gearbox - cleaned from years of exposure to road elements such as dirt and road tar.





Steering system has been dismantled. All the small moving parts are at the machine shops for repair and restoration.





Shock absorber: All fours are kaput. Good news is: Original replacement has arrived.
Yeay!





Still waiting for all the work to be done for a month may be.

2 more major procedures to be done: To seal all windows / screed / windshield parts with customized rubber.





Meanwhile, Mr. Fiat 600 are still waiting for another 2 to 3 weeks in semidarkness of Torino workshop. She look sad from this angle.

Jakarta - Dance The Night Away!

Jakarta has got great clubs. Since the city is rather big and spread out, with 10 million inhabitant, the distant between clubs are quite far so its not a good idea to go club hopping especially when traffic can be really bad.




I have to say the clubs like X2 and Dragonfly were designed very well. Nice deco and all and more importantly the ventilation and air conditioning systems (which KL clubs lack of) are sufficient. So, you have more room to be stylish because it's quite comfortable to be in suits or jackets.

I had the chance to party at the Stadium as well. Reminded me so much of our very own Backroom (which has been closed down). Big, dark, loud, dodgy, creepy, filed with people from all walks of life - all stoned their shaking heads off. Watching the crowd from the Balcony, it's like a convergence of cults in a big column-free cathederal.


Nobody in a correct state of mind would not be able to enjoy it without the input of chemical substances....


The most amazing facts about Stadium is - Open 24 hours from Friday to Monday and you know what? You can get ANYTHING there. I mean - ANYTHING!


Of course I felt like a zombie on the last day........

Had a fantastic time and made a bunch of new friends in the process.

Jakarta ROCKS, Big Time!

Just got back from a 5 day holidays in Jakarta and Bandung.


Had a great (party) time, met a bunch of new friends.




BUT,

Malaysia still have the same Prime Minister

AND

The Menteri Besar of Terengganu has NOT been appointed YET!



I need to catch up on my sleep!

Capek Banget!




The view, shortly after sunset, from the 7th floor balcony of Somerset Grand Citra, Kuningan, Jakarta and Paris Van Java - Bandung.

It's now -9 days gone after Polling Day, March 8, 2008. What's the plan?

-jeffooi.com

I am eagerly waiting for Perlis and Terengganu.

Especially Terengganu.

Who's next?

The people have spoken.

The royals too?

Auntie

I finally had the opportunity to meet “auntie” for the first time, the last time for almost 5 hours.

I have heard about her from KW all the time.

Auntie is KW’s mom. Single-handedly raised 3 children from the, fair to say, day they were born until they graduated with at least a Master Degree from London School of Economic and Political Science.

The first and the last time I saw her, we were in the same car for 5 hours enroute Singapore. Very motherly, yet stern. You can see hard work and struggle on her face, in gesture and emotion.

I know a lot about her, not during the 5-hour cruise down south, but through KW – one of my closest buddies who I can talk about ANYTHING with.

She is EVERYTHING to KW as his father was never around. But softhearted KW still took care of his dad when the dad was battling cancer but defeated last year.

Auntie used to run snooker centers and slot machines joints. You can never imagine how hard she had to face and deal with the intricacy of the underworld and the authorities. She retired a couple of years ago when the children are pretty much independent and quite successful.

Her last job was watching Bloomberg everyday. Neither she understood the Financial Reports nor the language. She only watches probably one-tenth of the screen – the stock market flicker – to keep track on her investment. Whether she bought on rumors or fundamentals, I never could tell. I remember though, once I gave her a market tip, through KW, she gave me a bottle of wine and whiskey – which KW drank them all, I think. I used to tell KW, it takes more than red wine and whiskey to shake corporate information from me – like I was that privileged to obtain such sensitive matters!

I still remember since pre-cancer days, KW regularly had dinner with his mom. I could normally guess what’s on the menu at her place. Steamed fish. Is that her specialty dish or she tried to eat healthy? I am not quite sure. One thing for sure, she would not have kerang – cockle – on her dining table. A taboo.

Once when KW was small, he was not allowed to eat cockle because of potential hepatitis related diseases. Being hardheaded KW one day ate that at home. Mom literally dumped the food onto the dining table. KW never took cockle since that day. Even today if KW ever saw cockle in my plate, he’d be shitting in his pants.

She was KW’s EVERYTHING.

KW called me like at 5 or 6 in the morning a couple of years ago. I thought he was high and stoned at the club or something like that. Nope! Worse than that! He spun the brand new 3 series mom bought near KLIA after dropping mom at the airport for her one-week holiday to China. KW told me, the scariest part of the accident was when the car spun, the image of mom appeared and asked himself: How the fuck am I going to tell her… Luckily KW managed to get the car fixed on time and she only learned about it weeks after. Being the only son (Chinese some more!) KW got away with it – like in any other cases.

I owe auntie a big one for sharing an individual, a son to her and a dear friend to me.

Auntie passed away a few hours ago after fighting a losing battle called cancer.

May God bless her soul.

With all other challenges KW is facing right now, I am very sure he will be a better and stronger person.

My deep condolences to the whole family, especially Auntie's children and grand children. They are going to miss her forever.


FUNERAL DETAILS:

Today 13th March 2008
2.00 to 5.00pm or 7.30 to 11pm
Xiao En Centre Hall 7,
no. 1, Jalan Kuari.
Cheras

image from www.metafilter.com/19807/

MUJOland

Mujo or mujur in Standard Bahasa means "fortunate" or "lucky". InTerengganu it means more than that. Mujo is an attitude, a testament to the optimism of the Terengganu folks.

I believe that Terengganunese are optimistic. I haven't heard of any suicides there yet. No newswhatsoever of people jumping down from coconut trees or drinking expired budu (preserved anchovy thick sauce) neat in order to expire themselves.

You must remember that Terengganu people lived with ferries, morningpapers that came in the night and other things people in the West Coast take for granted. In spite of doing without 4D shops, discos, malls or Hot Spot-enabled coffee houses, they are surviving well without any mental hospital in sight. All because they have mujo.

Like I mentioned previously, mujo encapsulate a philosophy in itself. It means one should thank God that it is not worse. Time for an illustration.

(Cut to a scene of 3 village ladies in their kemban washing clothes by the village well)

Mok Long Selamoh: Guane doh adik mung Mek?
(How is your brother Mek?)

Mok Teh Som : Bakpe pulok adik die?
(What happened to her brother?)

Mok Long Selamoh: Laaa! Mung dok tau ke Som?
(You don't know Som?)

Mok Teh Som : Dok tau setarang kite.
(I don't know anything)

Mok Long Selamoh: Adik Mek ni kene langgor loghi kemareng.
(Mek's brother was knocked down by a lorry yesterday)

Mek Beso : Bukang loghi Mok Long, beng ikang!
(It wasn't a lorry Mok Long, it was a fish van)

Mok Long Selamoh : Mujo bukang lori!
(Lucky it wasn't a lorry)

Mok Teh Som : Pah tu? Teghok ke?
(Then? Was he seriously injured?)

Mek Beso : Kaki patoh sebeloh......
(One leg was broken)

Mok Teh Som : Mujo dok patoh due due
(Lucky both legs weren't broken)

Mok Long Selamoh: Tu pong mujo dreba beng dang bghek.
(It was lucky that the van driver braked in time)

Mek Beso : Mujo beng tu dok laju..
(Lucky the van wasn't going fast..)

(Fade to black)
If both legs were broken, the response would be "Mujo dok pecoh pale"
(Lucky the head wasn't cracked).

If the head WAS cracked, the response would be "Mujo dok mapuh"
(Lucky he didn't die).

If the worst happened and the brother died, the mujo would still surface. "Mujo lah bukang adik kite"
(Lucky it wasn't my brother).

You get the drift.....??? Mujo. A nice word. Adopt it. Embrace it. It will preserve your sanity...



Sent by a friend.... I don't know who is the brilliant author from Terengganu...

Current scenario application of MUJO:

Mujo kite deny two third je.....

Lomo

Yes,

You pronounce it as lomo.

Lo as in LAW

Mo as in MORE

It is a word from Terengganu dictionary.

Lomo means sapu, as in to apply. Like applying moisturizer to your skin, kindathing.

Came across this word again recently when one of my Terengganu friends was ill from small / chicken pox.

I asked him,

What did the doctor said and what did he prescribe?

Obak makang and obak lomo.

I guess you can tell what it means....

Malaysia Decided - 2008

The people of Malaysia (of all races) have expressed themselves through their votes over the weekend. The result, as you know, has been quite a pleasant surprise for most Malaysians. The general sentiments are - this is a brand new start for a batter and fairer future for everybody.

Having a louder voice in the Parliament formed by a slim majority (2/3 denied), the oppositions (which are the ruling parties in 5 states) will have more leverage to ensure the check and balance in various aspects of the governance of the country, including political and economic policies, which will be ironed out for greater transparency and accountability.

The stock market (Malaysian Bursa) took severe beating, down by 10% which triggered the circuit breaker. Is has been renewed shortly before 4pm a moment ago. A substantial amount of foreign funds has been pulled-out from the country because foreign investors are not yet sure (perhaps still trying to digest and understand) about the situation. This could be a correctional period toward stronger fundamentals with less political influence especially on certain related counters.

As far as Pahang and Terengganu states are concerned, where most of our business interests are located, the ruling parties are still the same parties but with, like the Parliament, stronger opposition voices which will result a good balance. As at now, the legislative lineups for both states have not been finalized yet. True, it is good to deal with familiar faces in the state governments. However with G’s track records and values to offer towards the development of mining and manufacturing industries in both states, it will be seen by the new guards, who will be closely watched by the oppositions, positively - based on merits. To the Board of Directors and the Shareholders of XXX Limited, I assure you that we are approaching a new interesting and very promising era with more transparency in the administration of the country with enhanced professionalism.

I have personally gone through these transitions not once, but twice, over the previous two elections in the Sate of Terengganu. The state executives serve the Government of the Day and they have been very professional and apolitical.

Today, as we speak, the country is as peaceful as ever and business is as usual. Nobody has taken their defeat or victory to the streets. In fact there are positive signs and remarks everywhere – the streets, the coffee shops, blogs, on line and internet news and facebook.

Over the weekend, Malaysians have rejuvenated their pride to be Malaysians, a better and stronger pride. We have reached a new, higher level of democracy and this is an excellent indicator for a better MALAYSIA.

MH

MAIMUN BINTI YUSUF

Ramai orang bertanya sebab kita sanggup mengambil perjalanan yang jauh dari Kuala Lumpur ke Kuala Terengganu untuk berkempen untuk Maimun Yusuf (Tok Mun).

Jawapan: Dari permukaan, orang mungkin berpendapat bahawa kita tidak mempunyai apa-apa persamaan dengan Tok Mun - kita mempunyai perbezaan dari segi umur, kaum, kelas, agama dan sebagainya. Namun apa yang kita berkongsi adalah semangat untuk berjuang bersama-sama untuk negara sebagai warganegara Malaysia.

Many people have asked why we were willing to travel all the way from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu to campaign for Maimun Yusuf (Tok Mun).

Response: From the surface, it would seem as if we did not have anything in common with Tok Mun - we have differences in age, race, class and religion among other things. However, what we share is a passion to strive together for a better Malaysia as Malaysian citizens.


source:

http://www.maimunbintiyusuf.blogspot.com/

Tuk Mun's very own blog.

ECONOMICS 101 - THE COW FACTOR

This was mailed to me by Mr. D70s.

I have read it before. Now, I'd like to immortalize it in my blog.



SOCIALISM:
You have 2 cows, so you
give one to your neighbour.

COMMUNISM:
You have 2 cows. The State
takes both and gives you some milk.

FASCISM:
You have 2 cows. The State
takes both and sells you some milk.

NAZISM:
You have 2 cows. The State
takes both and shoots you.

TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM:
You have two
cows. You sell one and buy a bull.
Your herd multiplies, and the economy
grows. You sell them and retire on the
income.

MALAYSIAN BUMIPUTRAISM:
You have two
cows, the State takes one and gives it
to your bumiputra neighbour. From the
milk you sell from the remaining cow
you buy a bull and mulitply your herd.
The State take 30 per cent of your
herd as it grows and give them to your
bumiputra neigbour. Your bumiputra
neighbour has a kenduri each time they
receive a cow.

UMNOPUTRAISM :
The State takes 30 per
cent of your herd and parks them in
Switzerland in the name of some UMNO
official or close relatives, friends
and sons-in-law.

MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT LINKED OR
BUMIPUTRA CORPORATION :
You have two
cows. You employ mainly bumiputras to
milk them. But both cows have been
sent to the kenduri, so the State
gives you more cows and write off the
losses of the first two. After several
kenduris later, you invite an American
or German Corporation to turnaround
the losses. The Japanese have however
already taken their two original cows
back home to Japan .

AN AMERICAN CORPORATION:
You have two
cows. You sell one, and force the
other to produce the milk of four
cows.Later, you hire a consultant to
analyse why the cow has dropped dead.

ENRON VENTURE CAPITALISM:
You have two
cows. You sell three of them to your
publicly listed company, using letters
of credit opened by your brother-in-
law at the bank, then execute a
debt/equity swap with an associated
general offer so that you get all four
cows back, with a tax exemption for
five cows. The milk rights of the six
cows are transferred via an
intermediary to a Cayman Island
Company secretly owned by the majority
shareholder who sells the rights to
all seven cows back to your listed
company. The annual report says the
company owns eight cows, with an
option on one more. Sell one cow to
buy a new president of the United
States , leaving you with nine cows.
No balance sheet provided with the
release. The public buys your bull.

A FRENCH CORPORATION:
You have two
cows. You go on strike, organise a
riot, and block the roads, because you
want three cows.

A JAPANESE CORPORATION:
You have two
cows. You redesign them so they are
one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow
and produce twenty times the milk. You
then create a clever cow cartoon image
called 'Cowkimon' and market it
worldwide.

A GERMAN CORPORATION:
You have two
cows. You re-engineer them so they
live for 100 years, eat once a month,
and milk themselves.

AN ITALIAN CORPORATION:
You have two
cows, but you don't know where they
are. You decide to have lunch.

A RUSSIAN CORPORATION:
You have two
cows. You count them and learn you
have five cows. You count them again
and learn you have 42 cows. You count
them again and learn you have 2 cows.
You stop counting cows because you're
sobering up and open another bottle of
vodka.

A SWISS CORPORATION:
You have 5,000
cows. None of them belong to you. You
charge the owners for storing them.

A CHINA CORPORATION:
You have two
cows. You have 300 people milking
them. You claim that you have full
employment, and high bovine
productivity, and arrest the newsman
who reported the real situation.

AN INDIAN CORPORATION:
You have two
cows. You worship them

A BRITISH CORPORATION:
You have two
cows. Both are mad.

IRAQI CORPORATION:
Everyone thinks you
have lots of cows. You tell them that
you have none. No-one believes you, so
they bomb you and invade your country.
You still have no cows, but at least
now you are part of a Democracy....