Together Gather, it’s the happiest moment.

If you ask what program actually we had during the lunar year celebration, for me, the best thing we could do  is Visiting each other, relatives and friends. You come to my house, and I go over your house. Maybe you would say, some of the people we met everyday, why still need to visit their home? Hmm, I’m not sure, but that’s the culture. And I’m happy to follow this culture :p

On the early morning of CNY Day 1, we woke up around 8am and get ourselves ready for the visiting.  The whole family need to get ready, and we go to visit the grand parents at Sibu Jaya.

Before we proceed to Sibu Jaya, let’s take a family portraits. =)

Sibu Jaya takes 20-30 mins drive from Sibu town. It’s a satelite town of Sibu, but its yet to be fully occupied. So we don’t really see much happenings over here.  Since the grandparents stay here, so its compulsory for all the siblings to be here on this festive.  It’s just the best way to show your respects and concern to the elderly.

It’s consider quite a simple celebrating at Sibu compare to Miri where I need to attend to all the guest at my own parent’s home. Haha, its so much relaxing here in Sibu! Hehe..

Left: CNY day 1 , going to have a break at The Queens.
Right:  CNY day 2 outfit, going for house visiting.

On the second day of CNY, we’ve date all the friends to go house to house visiting.
1st we gathered at our home while waiting for Bongkersz and Will Chua from Sarikei.

Then we go to Eric’s house and continue to Joseph’s.

The similarity I found from each house, they are all serving fruit juices rather than the classic f&n carbonated drinks. Yeah~ Go Healthy Lifestyle!

We also took the chance to visit the most respected blogger,  Mr. Suituapui. We really enjoyed the buffet.

Follow by Kongkay’s House.
This is my 1st time visited his mansion.  How I wish one day I could own such a big mansion too! Haha..

The weather were a bit strange for the whole new year, its been raining cats and dogs. You hardly predict what’s the next weather would be. But the great thing is Sibu is flood free for this lunar year! It’s a good symptoms don’t you know?

Visited to Justin’s house & Amie’s in the evening.

Basically, that’s how’s the visiting goes in Sibu.

We were back to Miri on CNY Day 4 .
Its the last day of house visiting because most of us need to report on duty on CNY day 5.
I missed the annual School Gathering on the day 3, so I have to compensate it back on Day 4!

It’s time for the sisterly gathering..  In sibu I follow Alex, In Miri, He has to follow me back! Hahah…

Meet Yaya. She’s the cutest “Michelin Baby”…. she’s just 4 months old but she’s 8KG….

Most of my friends were married and have kids.  Great to see that all my friends are doing pretty well.

This year celebration seems quite short for me .. maybe time flies during traveling here and there.  Somehow its a great experience for me, hmm, to be an adult, and give angpaos to the the small ones. Haha..

Haven’t claim your angpao from me? Do remember to give us a visit next year!

Once again,  Gong Hei Fat Choy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Huat Ah~~~~~~~~~~~

From : Alexallied.com & Goolooloo.com

Happy Hop Hop Year Everyone!
Its been quite sometime again since my last update, but would not forget to send my new year greetings through my blog.

This year celebration would be slightly different for me, as life after marriage, I would need to spent my lunar year back at Sibu wheres Alex’s hometown is. Things went smoothly, the reunion was great that brings everyone closer. Although I can’t be at Miri during the first few days of CNY, however through FB i’m still be able to update every now and then.

Celebrating Lunar Year in Sibu I do have some kind of different experiences. Slightly different from Miri, where it’s much more festive feel compare to many other places. Its very common during the big festive for all the folks to be back to their hometown, where’s the home sweet home is. <3

Alex is the big fan’s of Sibu Kampua. Almost every night we must go out to have Kampua for supper. But that’s what everyone in Sibu is doing. The coffee shop’s business is super duper good during the festive season. Price hike? No worries, a lot of people would still afford the RM2.50 lard kampua!

As days getting closer to the CNY… the streets were jammed everywhere. So the best thing to avoid the jam is,  buy some DVDs and stay home for movie marathon!

A day before CNY .. Reunion Dinner..

I’m not a good cook, so I dare not to offer help to cook for the reunion dinner. Since my MIL is a great cook, she cooks great dishes, so me and the sisters would just be her assistant in preparing the ingredients.   We had 8 dishes for the dinner, Fabulous!!!!

The most important, there must be the FISH, to be 年年有余。。。

And before the dinner is serve, the fire crackers must be lit.  That’s the Sibu culture, but in Miri we did it after the dinner.  Did i mention, we done the dinner before 4pm? That’s really early! Hahaha!

The lucky thing was, Sibu was flood free during this CNY, meaning that its gonna be a good year ahead!

Will post up all the gathering and visiting pictures on the next post.

Alex and Mary wishes all the friends and readers,  have a prosperous new year!

Just a short update here:

The Iphone 4 temperature overheat issues happen again today.

Managed to capture down the moment.

iphone 4 temperature overheat problem

This is the second time since we bought the phone last 2 weeks. Meaning that, it go malfunction once per week?!

Date of Purchase: 4th October 2010
Place of purchase: Maxis Miri
Model: Iphone 4 – 32gb (Black color)

1st warning : 6th October 2010
1st report lodge: 7th October 2010 Sent In to Maxis center
Report feedback on 9th : They reformat, and ask us to try again. If problem exist, they are going to make one on one exchange.

This time, I’m definitely asking MAXIS to replace a new set. They shouldn’t be making any more excuses since they promise if it happen again they would be responsible.

Stay tune, if you wanna know how is Maxis Center gonna response to its “beloved” customer

Dear Maxis, I know you won’t let us down right?

I know, arrrgh its so lame to post Iphone 4 post since its like over a decade people talking about it. No matter how lame it was, I think the story of mine would be a different scene out of others.

Before the launching of Iphone 4, everyone was guessing over the actual price of the device. Debating over the telcos of who is going to have the cheapest Iphone 4 deal and doing all kind of research of the pros and cons of the I4.

And of course, I’m part of the above mentioned.

Option to Choose:
1. To get a set from Singapore at SGD888, estimated RM2100 after converted.
2. To get it from local telco but to tie up with the 24 MONTHSsssss contracts.

It ended up we got 1 from Singapore for 16gb through my brother and sent it back to Miri.

Foxconn China – Singapore – Johor Bahru – Kuching – Sibu – MIRI !!!

It was so much hassle that the phone has to go from Foxconn Shenzhen China, reaching Sg Home address by DHL. Then, my cousin to bring it out of SG and check in to Johor Airport and flew to Kuching. From Kuching again it flew to Sibu and finally pass over to my hand. And then finally it followed me on the road trip and safely arrive Miri.

The unboxing process of Iphone 4. All sealed up and I’m the one who officiate it! Woohoo..

It looks so charming rite?

This is my 2nd Apple product of my life, and I bet coming there could be more since I’m so so addicted to it.

So we got 1 set only, who is going to OWN this 1 set? The husband or The wife?

We didn’t plan to have 2, its gonna be a big wasting spending over RM4000 for 2 iphones. Thats ridiculous!! We fight over this, arguing who should be having it. He got his says I got my say.

God was watching us and gave us a punishment for being so IDIOT to argue over an Iphone 4. The Iphone 4 could not function properly due to the Micro Sim and 2 of the noob can only watch the EMERGENCY CALL screen instead of trying out the apps. That was really NOT FUN at all… Fight la, end up both also can’t own it.

The Iphone 4 was safely following me in the box from Sibu to Miri again and finally ACTIVATED through a valid Micro Sim. I warn you, if you are buying a set from the outsource, its better you ask them to activate for you first. At least, for the 1st time user, you wont get so stress up looking for a Mirco Sim cutter!!

Iphone 4 was officially ACTIVATED and I lost the battle with Alex.

I was thinking to have a second hand I phone 3gs instead. Its been selling in the market for around RM 1000 ++. Quite attractive deal, somehow I think I prefer the I4. He looks so much gorgeous and handsome. I looks so much pretty and elegant holding him. I ended up heading to Maxis office and get the 32gb deal at RM1390. You must be thinking, I’m insane. I use my dad’s account and upgraded his plan purposely for this Iphone 4. The lightning must have been strike on my hair!

It sounds like almost the end of the story.

No, its just 70% of the story.

Now we both are Iphone 4 user.
I have my 32gb from Maxis and He got his 16gb from SG.

Another deal is here.
Alex offer to pay RM2100 for the 32gb and while I only have to pay RM1390 for the 16gb. Fuiyo, this two people ah! Why so calculative!? Of course, I let him win again la… Since I don’t need a 32gb and I am definitely happy to pay less. Hehehe. 80% of the story.

Day 1 of using Iphone 4 – 80%
Both of us were so excited figure out the apps, syncing the phone and giving the baby a protective cover!

Putting on fav/ve portage ’s screen protector. Very good quality!
The screen protector covers the back too! Although they say it wont scratch as it was made of glass, but better be safe than Sorry lo!

We got some accessories for the phone, such as the silicon and incase cover.

Day 2 of using Iphone 4 – 85%
TEMPERATURE WARNING

32gb fell sick.
High fever and could not function for a few minutes. But it was OK after that.

A lot of friends were asking over this picture in facebook of why would this happen, as it was such a new phone. Everyone start getting nervous as they worry their phone will be like tat too.

Day 4 of using Iphone 4 – 90%
Alex was worry about his baby, and after the advise from friends he decided to send it back to Maxis for a quarantine check.

Day 6 of using Iphone 4 – 95%
The Maxis officer in Miri was not that helpful, although they say the technician will be here the next day but we did not get any feedback until the next 2 days. The baby was quarantine at Maxis center for 3 days. Then we finally receive a call. The technician says the phone was ok. He advise us to use the phone again, if the problem persist only then they will make a one to one exchange WHICH they need to send it to KL and then wait for 1 week then it will send a new set back to MIRI.

Wah…. its finally reaching 99 % of the story..
Both the Iphone 4 are now peacefully laying on our arms. WE FINALLY MADE IT. Pray hard that it wont bring us any more hassles. Thank you for reading, and that’s the story of our Iphone 4.

Yet another hotel run by Shin Yang Group.

For reservations, please call 085-437799.

Imperial Palace Hotel sounds familiar as it is another sister hotel of Imperial Suites.  The 3 star hotel has just open for business in the early of September 2010. Here we take a chance and do some sneak preview.

The origin building of this hotel was previously known as M2 – Miri Square. However the shopping mall did not survive for over 5 years and has been vacant for a while. The location was great, its at the heart of Pelita Commercial Center, where you could easily access to Food, Fun and Entertainment.

The new Imperial Palace would definitely attract a lot of crowd. I forget to check out their room rate, but according to the public, as told, its about RM110++ only. For the facilities provided, location and environment, I bet this could be the most affordable hotel in Miri City.

Brunei people would love this hotel as they provide basement parking!

I was glancing through the window, and one of the waiter invited me to go inside the restaurant and take photo instead of looking from outside. Oh, I feel great, they actually welcoming the public to take a look at their newly open hotel.

The kitchen is an open concept sealed with the glass. By this, they will assure that their kitchen is always hygiene as they are being WATCH!

The staff were well trained, probably they were transferred over from the sister hotel.

I was told there were no buffet meals at the moment, meaning that this could not be our next Buffet Gathering venue. Haha!

Somehow I love the environment very much.

Now, lets  go to Level 3.
Ok. On the lift, you can only open access up to the 3rd floor. 4th and 5th you need to have an access card.

Take a look at the map. There’s roughly around 70 rooms per floor. But some of the rooms were in the middle so I bet that would be cheaper?

The view from 3rd Floor. Grand palace hotel and Servay Hypermart is just a few steps away!

Now lets take a look at the room.
The designs were simple. Come with a big TV but its a HUGE one not a FLAT type.

The room that I went into was the intermediate type. Where there’s no outdoor view but building views. Haha, if the room on the next row did not close their window, you could see them through! Ahak!!!

Toilet are spacious, come with bath tub. No transparent door. :p I didn’t try the water pressure, but I guess it should be fine?

This is the conference room. I don’t like the carpet, it looks old. They should have apply new concept, this is exactly the same as in Imperial.

I’ve been searching for the Mini Swimming Pool.

All the sign were not ready yet, in fact, I couldn’t find the sign of Swimming Pool!

We’ve been asking the Janitors, and they told me its on “tingkat 2″.. and still we don’t get it. Then when ask the second floor’s Janitor, and they say oh, its on “tingkat bawah”. Means that its on 1st floor. On the lift, pls press 1.

I don’t really like the mini pool. A little too creepy to walk through all the engineering rooms. Luckily its an out door pool, small enough to fit 2 -5 person to swim at one time. Unless you are like me, stay still in the water and don’t know how to swim !

Okie dokie.

Seems like I’ve covered 50% of the hotel. Looking forward for some feedback over it.

I woke up this morning to harvest all my crops. Can’t wait to get my goal accomplished as I know coming soon we gonna have a baby! I’m now currently at level 18.

The goal needed my spouse to harvest 50 wheat, so I have to harvest a lot!Definitely I need to buy myself some energy. Previously I understand 100food can give you 15energy. And did you notice? They increased to 200food for 11 energy! This is day light robbing! I don’t understand why do you want to make such changes. Is this gonna be fair for your so called pioneer group? Solving your teething issues?

I’ve make complaint at their facebook page. I wonder do they respond to me. I’m playing half way now, luckily I have enough food with me. But that’s not gonna survive for long even if I have back up energy from the collections.

Zynga, if you want to earn horse shoes credit, do it in a better way man! People play games wanna get relax, get happier, but now, you make my whole neighbourhood feel so disappointed!

Perhaps, they wanna cut off some users of FrontierVille to solve their loading problem. Less user play sure can help to load faster, right?

Update: The energy has just adjusted. I love your changes! Thank you!

Everything could be better If only I did not injured my toes!!!

During the last Gawai Season,we visited to the capital of Sarawak, Kuching. We had road trip from Miri up to Kuching.  As in part of the plan, we will be heading to Gunung Gading National Park and it’s waterfall was the main attraction.

Back to Mother Nature.

It was raining cats and dogs at the beginning, the trails  were slippery. There were 11 of us holding the trail one by one hiking up to Gunung Gading. Along the way, someone would say “watch out” broken steps! Few moments later, someone will shout as a sign emergency break, eventually there’s someone falling down and get hurts!

We were just being briefed that there’s lots of steps, but never thought it will be such a tough journey. At that time I was only hoping, if I know it earlier, I won’t bring all the big equipments with me. In fact, the smaller the better.  Regrets No.1

Along the way in the jungle, there’s lot of unique species that we rarely seen. But due to low light condition, most of my pictures came out blurry. I hate to say that, even with a big Dslr if you don’t have the skill, the result came our are just as ordinary digital camera.  Regrets No.2

There’s actually 3 waterfall at Gunung Gading, but we can’t go further up, you should know why, we don’t have the sport men spirit, to fight till the end. The bags were too heavy, each bag weight at least 5kg to 10kg. The tiredness were worthwhile, that’s because the good things is always happen latter. We heard the crispy water sounds. Its from the waterfall!

We left our bags and belongings on the higher part, as we need to walk lower down to access to the waterfall. Someone must stay back at the top to watch over their belongings. We can’t bring our camera down, we worried it will be water damage! Regrets no.3

Photo credits: Robert Lau.
He did not join us in the water as he worry his fortune Dslr camera to get wet. The only thing he could do is stay far away and zoom with his 300mm telelens . His fortune camera cost him more than RM10k. So he better take good care of his belongings and miss out the happiest water moments with the others. Pity him.. someone must do the scarification. =)

William at the peak enjoying his water moments!

Alex was having waterspa! Gosh!

The scenery was great, but where’s my camera? No.. I can’t bring it here as its not waterproof camera. If I own the Sony TX5 waterproof camera, then I’m sure I will have lots of candid moments of us splashing each other in the water! If I have thought of having this camera for this trip, I bet it could solve up a lot of regrets and problems.

Each of us was overjoyed to see the waterfall, the environment was real good for a short retreat. Everything off and jump to the waterfall!  Can’t wait to get splashed by the waterfall. We were like Kampung boys and girls. Forget about all the doubts and let go all the stress.

All those funny moments could have taken with Sony TX5, it can capture a moving subject in a sequence of 10 continuous frames per second. Meaning that, all the fast action moments can be captured just like the moment we splashed water at each other! Oh, Eric, I will remember the moment you splashed the freezing cold water at me!

While trying to cross the stones, I sprained my right leg and it hurt my middle toe. In fact, it is very dangerous to hop around the big stones to reach the highest peak.  We have to be extra careful while playing at the waterfall. The big stones are slippery, and our feet couldn’t grab firm on it.  I soaked my toes in the cold water, but it doesn’t help much. The pain get worsen, and it turns black on my toe.

My swollen leg. Looks like old nanny’s leg.

The moment I lay on the rocks, I noticed the greens were really attractive. Too bad I don’t have a camera with me, even If I have, I don’t have a wide angle lens with me. With Sony TX5, I can take Panorama Photos. It could automatically join up a few photos into one and it even can recognize human faces and subjects!

I couldn’t move else where, can only sit still by the rocks and enjoying the water splash.

Sony TX5 could play a big roll especially for a frequent traveler like me. It has many many proof! Have you ever encounter of your camera getting blur due to cool temperature? Do you ever face problem when there’s dust in your lens? And worst is do you ever face problem if you drop your camera?

That is why I should have bring it to Gunung Gading. I don’t have to worry carrying a big back pack, and running out of breath. I still can capture whatever moments I had even my ugliest moment that I hurt my toes. Even if the camera drop into the water, it still can be use, and of course even if I accidentally drop and knock on the rocks, I bet is still can work pretty fine.

Of course as a blogger, I need a really durable camera to be with me on the go. Imagine, regardless of what condition I would still be able to capture down the moment. I could have shoot some nice photos in the jungle but due to low light condition the photos came out blur. I could be able to shoot nice photos with its Twillight mode.

Sometimes I really hate to bring out the big Dslr with me. It makes me looks so gigantic. A small compact camera would be nice to fit into my handbag.  Counting back, this could be my first crush with Sony camera. Previously I’ve heard of lots of positive feedback from my friends but  I’ve never give them a try. But ever since I heard of  Sony TX5 , I think I’ve fall in love with it. And hey, it does comes with 5 different colours. Which color do you think is suitable for me? A pink? or A black?

Sony TX5 is selling at RM1499. I think this price is very attractive with all the advantages and latest technology. Don’t you think so?

For me Photography is an art, there’s no right or wrong. Everyone can be a very good photographer.Go ahead with your own instincts and capture the best moment of yours in life.

P/s: Again and again, If only I have known of this camera earlier, I bet I won’t have hurt my toes. I won’t have bad mood and throwing tantrums at my hubby. I had the biggest war with Alex a day before my birthday. Holiday ruined, Mood Spoiled, Toes Pain. What a birthday gift to myself ! So now I should get myself a TX5 to pamper back myself!

OMG, I’ve been playing FrontierVille in my facebook continuously for 4 days. My friends commented she thought i quit all the fb games. Suddenly I’m back alive!? Reasons behind the scene, its because finally I found something more interactive and less tiring.

Remember back then when we play barn buddy in the earliest stage, we need to do a lot of steps only then we can harvest it. Although I complain a lot of how boring it was to set my alarm on time to take care of my crops, but I found it interesting still!

But soon when lots of things have been invent into it, I start to get over it and switch to Cafe World. Yet another popular demand games in FB. Crazy for the cooking things, looking for recipes, even I cant eat or smell it, but I found it must be yummilicious!

There’s lots of other games keep popping in FB nowadays, like my empire is also on the hit now. But I don’t know whats the reason and motive I’m playing it.

In the end, I found this, FrontierVille. It seems like its combination of a few great games. You can build, you can hunt, you can plant, you can even get married over here. Isn’t that sounds more interesting? At least you would be eager to know what’s gonna happen at the next stage.

In 4 days time, I’ve been running up to Level 12. Competing with my friends, we seems to be like after one another.

Here I write up a few tips in playing FrontierVille.

• you really need to have lots of neighbour. You need to visit them daily.
• Of course, your neighbour must be supportive, as we need to always exchange gift.
• There’s gonna be bear inside the forest, but don’t bother it as they don’t bite. Same things, there’s gonna be snake in the grass and groundhog in the crops.
• Here’s a quick tips, if the areas were highlighted by those bugs, just go to the arrow key and move the crops or your animal so that they will be out of the danger zone.
• In the beginning, I will need to cut lots of tree. As I need wood to build. So normally when I visit to my neighbours, I will cut trees there, at least it doesn’t waste me energy and i gain coins and reputation. Not bad right?
• Be a smart farmer, plant more spent less. You will get lots of xp, and it will refill your energy when you level up. So don’t simply spend on your food exchange. So plant more, the more you harvest, the more food you can keep. Keep some food for the rainy days. Try to plant crops that took longer days to harvest, at least take the 12 hours type. It’s better deal than you waste your energy on a few coins thingy.
• Pumpkins are good, as you collect the treasure in your collections, it allows you to exchange for 5 energy.
• As for the animals, I don’t really bother them. Sometimes when I’m running out of energy, I just leave it there. When I have extra, only then  I feed them. At this moment, animals doesn’t help much. Just sometimes I get some treasure collections from them.
• Trees were good too. Although buying a tree is pretty expensive. but they are less hassle. You just have to water for the first few times, then after that it harvest all year long. Even if you left it, it won’t die.  Sometimes when I do harvesting for tree, I get extra energy. That’s pretty cool!

A few drawbacks of this game:

• Since we are the pioneer batch, i bet I shouldn’t complain much. But still there are certain issues like can’t add the neighbours and gifts will disappear.
• The connection were not stable, when I’m happily earning coins and experience (xp) and it suddenly pop out the error msg. That is not fun at all!
• Loading to the game took sometime. Maybe is my own internet connection problem. But it really take me ages to load the game. I understand, maybe too much graphics to load.
• Energy in the games run out very fast, and the ratio of food and energy exchange were over high. But that’s the game, of course they prefer to give us more difficulties so that we could buy credits from them.
• The gift request session were too limited. You can only request it once per day. And I could hardly wait for it.

Let’s exchange more reviews here.
I’m hoping to see greater things in the coming level. Hope that Zynga will read this.