Active Defensive Driving

Part of the requirement to enable me to drive a car provided by the company was to obtain a Defensive Driving Certificate. Thus registered myself for one in June. Having driven since high school and also having had an ex who was a petrol head, I was kinda cocky about cars and assumed that the course was gonna be boring. Boy, was I wrong.

Held at BSTS, Miri, the course last one whole day starting from 8am till 5pm. It consists of classroom teaching, hands on lessons and also written and practical tests. They also provide breakfast, lunch and tea. It cost RM750 (I dont know if that is corporate rate or open for public too).

First, we had to do a written exam, testing our knowledge on what the course had to offer. (Note: We have to resit this at the end of the course and believe me there were many "I didnt know that" moments). Then came the lecture and informative videos on what's requisite in a good driver and how to excel in defensive driving. Most profound were the videos on accidents, its impact and what actually occurs was quite an eye opener. Let's just say seat belts for my passengers, front and rear are a must after that. (A ride on the crash simulator was also convincing)

Then the fun part, we learned how to steer with Push and Pull TEchnique, activate ABS, Emergency Braking - Stomp, Steer and Stay. Just like video!! Trust me, having someone yelled at you to brake when the cone is 5inch from the car is a heart attack waiting to happen. I may have triggered one in my instructor :D


After lunch, we learned about car parts and maintenance. Especially useful before a long journey. Always remember the acronym POWER (Power Oil Water Electricity Rubber) and that is what you check for. Next, each of us had to drive around with the instructor while giving commentary on what we applied from the morning lessons. Trust me, commentary driving sucks!! (Tip: When the instructor hints to you that it looks like its going to rain with the cloudy sky, you are suppose to switch on your lights for visibility to other. Do not response by saying "I think I'll make it back before it rains" like me.)

Finally its back to the classroom for a shot at PS2 GT4 Game. No, it wasnt for fun, the instructor will actually talk to you while you are driving. Why?? To show you that you cant concentrate on the road while talking to someone i.e. ON THE PHONE! But I actually did pretty good.So he concluded either its because I'm a gamer or women are better at multitasking. I wonder if that excuse will let me off the hook from the cops. :D Then we had a crack at their beer goggle and tried to kick a ball while wearing one. I think they overrated that bit, I use to play futsal after happy hour.

Overall, if you have extra pennies or your company pays for your training this is one course that I highly recommend. Actually Malaysian Government should make it a pre-requisite before awarding driving license as in many developed country. Sure would help reduce the statistics. Food for thought.

Why do we have relationships?

I googled the exact phrase and stumbled upon a very interesting site that listed down Relationship and the 16 types available. I'm just too lazy to decide which type I am :D

Journey to Oblivion...

Upon being told I'll be posted to Teluk Ramunia, first thing I did was to google the location. Lo and behold, its on the southern most tip of Peninsular Malaysia. A remote town (can I call it a town, more like 'Pekan' (Bahasa Malaysia for small town, bigger than village but smaller than town). Thrives from weekend visits from S'porean for its seafood but other than that nothing much can be googled about it, thus this entry is for anyone else who would be posted here in the future.

Taking the 11.15am flight out of Miri, arrived at KLIA around 1.30pm. The next flight to Johor Bahru was 5.25pm and arriving at JB 6.15pm. JB Senai Airport was under construction so it was quite a long walk to the taxi counter. I haven't set foot in JB since I was 7 so was a bit apprehensive about travelling alone with 3 weeks worth of luggage (I am a GIRL!). Found taxi counter at the end of a mock 'under construction' pathway/tunnel and paid RM44 for a taxi to Mutiara JB Hotel.

An hour later, I arrived at Mutiara JB Hotel which is conveniently located next to a shopping mall, Holiday Plaza. No high expections though, it's similar to Pertama Complex in KL, maybe dodgier, pirate DVDs galore. As for Mutiara JB, room are big but the Hainanese Chicken Rice I ordered for room service was crap. The Tom Yam was a sad affair too.

Next morning, my pre-book taxi driver was waiting at 7:30am to take me to Sebana Cover Resort, the nearest hotel to Teluk Ramunia. I would have stayed at Desaru if i had my Defensive Driving Certificate. Not allowed to drive company car without one. Booooooooooooooo.....

It takes 2 hours from JB to Sebana Cove Resort. I was so happy to see the signboard Welcome to Sebana but guess what, it's another 20 minutes drive from the main entrance to the resort itself.  I suppose it is a golf resort thus the sprawling land. BUT the signs beware of elephants and wild boars were enough to intimidate anyone planning to take a walk around. 

 

 

Room 104 will be my humble abode for the next 3 weeks. Hello Room Service!!! Bye Bye Diet!!!

p/s: Plus side of staying at Teluk Ramunia is the cheap food. I'm not kidding, a complete meal with drinks is average rm5/-, i'm talking rice with 3 side dishes including meat. Soto was rm2.50!! Roti Canai 60sen!! Lunch for 4 with 5 dishes to share (pari asam, sotong, lala/kepah, sayur, udang) was rm32. I had dinner for 2 just now for only rm23 (steam fish (siakap), kailan and telur bifstik).Compare to MIRI price these were cheap okayyyyyy!!

Downside: The annoyingly rude contractors who finds joy in harassing site staff on a daily basis. No amount of cheap food can balance this miserable experience.

When to Get Married

DAY?

"Monday for wealth
Tuesday for health
Wednesday the best day of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
Saturday for no luck at all" 

p/s: what about SUNDAY????

MONTH?


"Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man.
Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bred.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see
Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last."

COLOUR?


"Married in white, you have chosen right.
Married in blue, your lover is true.
Married in pink, your fortunes will sink.
Married in green, you will not long be seen.
Married in red, you'll wish you were dead.
Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow.
Married in brown, you'll live out of town.
Married in grey, you'll live far away.
Married in black, you'll wish you were back."

WHY SOMETHING OLD, NEW, BORROWED AND BLUE ??

• "Something old" represents the link with the bride's family and the past.
• "Something new" represents the good fortune and success in her future.
• "Something borrowed" reminds her that friends and family will be there for her when she needs help.
• "Something blue" symbolises faithfulness and loyalty.

SUMMARY:

My options are reduced to any Wednesday of January, April, September, November or December either in white or blue and wearing something old, new, borrowed and again blue. 

Since January and April has passed, that leaves September (1,8,15,22,29), November (3,10,17,23) or December (1,8,15,22,29) wearing WHITE with OLD engagement ring, NEW undies, a BORROWED veil and BLUE watch. p/s: rooting for 10.11.10

To Have or Not To Have???

A Wedding that is...a marriage yes but a wedding? Still torn on that one...Been there done that...Should I go through it again?? As much as my practical mind is saying No Nana You Do Not Need Another Wedding, something inside is screaming Do It, Do It, Do It, think of all the people who didn't come to the first one and those who really want to come to the second one they have said they would gatecrash if they were not invited. Of course you'll be invited, I just haven't decided if I am going to have something to invite you to.

If it was up to him the option would be either elope or Vegas.

OPTION A

OPTION B

Eloping and Vegas Style Wedding both are looking pretty attractive right now what with the culture/religion clash. Also the fact that to plan a wedding when the groom to be is halfway across the world apart proves to be a couture's nightmare. Trying to get him to measure himself over the phone was fun..

Sigh....plus the fact that just because he has to wear a Baju Melayu for my family's reception, i now have the option of either wearing a Cheongsam or Iban's Dress for his reception/cocktail party. That was the deal if we chose OPTION C: The Wedding.

Wearing this is not so bad is it??? I think he would look quite handsome in one =))

Atleast the Malay outfit is forgiving to the imperfections of the body. Now picture me in these??? How ler wei??