It was my weekly day off yesterday. I stayed home in the daytime eventhough I was supposed to be out doing some errands. But decided to stay at home last minute and watch The Mentalist instead. I have been addicted to the series lately. I know I am not someone who is into watching those series or movies with gross scene. But seriously, this is nice. You'll find yourself watching it non-stop.

Anyways, I started to get bored in the afternoon so I texted JiaJia and asked her whether she's interested to go Manggis Mall with me. She agreed since she desperately needed a place to go online so that she could update her blog. It's funny seeing her being so faithful and addicted to blogging. Hahaha …

JiaJia picked me up from home five minutes before seven and we headed for Manggis Mall straight. Diddy tagged along too but met up with his classmate instead. Funny thing was that both Diddy and JiaJia warned me not to stare at the guy when I see him coz he doesn't like people to stare at him. The first thing which came across my mind was – "Is he good looking?" Hahaha …

JiaJia said that he was just a normal average looking guy. Well, I had to agree with her. He's indeed just another average looking guy. Well, the only thing special about him is that he's very tall. That's the reason he's getting all the attention. But seriously, he's not at all an attention seeker. Anyways, stop talking about the guy. I don't even know him.

I bought some toiletries from Manggis Mall and then this sales promoter tried to persuade both JiaJia and I to go for their skin test. *sweat* I am not at all interested in going for any sort of skin test coz I know that there's no turning back once I take a seat at their counter. I could actually predict what they are gonna say about your skin. Normally, they wouldn't say good stuffs about your skin. If they say lots of good stuffs about your skin, how are they gonna sell their products? So, they will try their best to exaggerate the bad side of your skin making you fearful that you will have an extremely bad complexion in the next two years and bla bla bla.

JiaJia wasn't that lucky. She went for the skin test and got ripped to purchase a whole set of Nano White products worth BND$51++. The sales promoter wasn't being honest at all. They tried to bill her the things which she doesn't even want in the first place. Lucky that JiaJia asked for a quotation before she actually decided to buy coz the figure which the sales promoter quoted us wasn't the same as the price which was shown at the checkout counter.

After we are done with our purchases at Manggis Mall, we went to Easyway, Serusop. Easyway is a franchising company specialising in Bubble Milk Tea. Currently, there are three branches throughout Brunei. Both JiaJia and I ordered a drink each and a side dish of Fried HotDogs & Chips. I had Honeydew Pudding Milk Tea while she had Pearl Bubble Milk Tea.

1. Honeydew Pudding Milk Tea & Pearl Bubble Milk Tea

2. Fried HotDog & Chips

3. HotDogs Fried Rice

I felt a little bit hungry a while after I had a little bit of the chips and ordered another plate of Hotdog Fried Rice shared among JiaJia and me. We ended up not finishing the rice and had it takeaway.

I was doing spring cleaning hours ago and found out that I have quite a lot of unread new books stashed in my room. Hahaha …

All of them are still in good condition. Hahaha …

I told Andrea that maybe I should post them on my blog and sell it online. Hahaha … And then she told me that the success rate will be very low coz not all of my readers are bookworms. Hahaha … xD

Well, I seriously have no intention of selling them anyways. Hahaha …

1). Playing Away – Adele Parks

Connie has been happily married for a year. She's just met John Harding. Imagine the sexiest man you can think of. He's a walking stag weekend. He's a funny, disrespectful, fast, confident, irreverent pub crawl. He is also completely unscrupulous. He is about to destroy Connie's peace of mind and her grand plan for living happily ever after with her gentle, loyal and loving husband Luke.

It's against the rules. It's the closest thing you'll get to an affair without actually having one.

2). Rumour Has It – Jill Mansell

When newly single Tilly Cole impulsively quits her London job for a fresh start in the small town of Roxborough she finds she's arrived in a hotbed of gossip, intrigue and rampant rivalry for the most desirable men. Tilly has no intention of joining in -- she's just happy with her new Girl Friday job. Then she meets Jack Lucas. Jack is irresistible...and he's got his eye on Tilly. But there are shocking rumours about his wicked reputation. Tilly doesn't want to be just another notch on anyone's bedpost. But is she being mature and sensible -- or is she running away from the love of her life?

3). Larger Than Life - Adele Parks

Georgina fell in love with Hugh the first moment she saw him. She was eighteen. She's now thirty-two. In all that time she never loved another man. People are always bowled over with the concept of love at first sight and the idea of such constancy. Faces tend to fall when she mentions that at the time he was seeing a friend of hers, whom he subsequently married and had two children with.

But, hey, girl. Life isn't a fairy tale.

When his marriage breaks down Hugh finally moves in with George but her 'dream come true' turns into a nightmare when she accidentally falls pregnant and Hugh spends more time in the office than she does in Mothercare. George can't help but wonder whether the late nights at work are legitimate. She can't help but be disturbed that he can't remember his children's birthdays.

George wants to believe Hugh been worth the wait but as her waistline expands so do her doubts. There has to be more to being a woman than kitten heels and expensive shopping sprees and more to love than erotic sex in exotic locations.

What's bigger than the biggest love of your life?

4). Still Thinking Of You - Adele Parks

New love, old friendships and a question of fidelity.

Tash and Rich are newly engaged and wild about each other. They can't wait to celebrate their wedding with their closest friends, all of whom have known each other since university, where they enjoyed a hedonistic whirl of parties, popularity, sex and success.

But is fun really as easy-come-easy-go in your thirties as it was in your twenties? How do relationships change once you leave college and have to cope with real life? And what if the love of that life were to reappear now?

As old, long buried passions are reawakened, the group realise that a lot can change in twelve years. And a lot can happen in seven days…

5). Love Lies - Adele Parks

Fern is staring thirty in the face and can't ignore the love lies any longer. Life with Adam was amazing once – although these days swinging from the chandeliers means D.I.Y not S.E.X. She believes a romantic wedding should be the next step but Adam just won't go down on one knee.

Then a chance meeting with Scottie Taylor – the UK's sexiest pop star – lights fireworks in Fern that won't stop exploding. It's mind-expanding love at first sight for them both so when he proposes in front of a sell-out crowd at Wembley Stadium, there's only one answer. Yes, yes, yes!

Before you know it, Fern is living the celebrity dream in LA and a wedding planner is arranging designer shoe fittings. But isn't it all happening a little too fast? Why is this modern day Cinderella homesick for a rented two-bedroom flat in Clapham?

How do you know whether love is telling the truth? Fern must choose which version of this fairy tale is hers.

6). Beach House – Jane Green

One summer a group of strangers - each with their own reason for wanting to step out of their busy life - meet at rented beach house in sunny Nantucket. There's Daniel, who's causing heartbreak for his wife Bee; recently divorced Daff, who feels she's lost touch with her daughter Jess; and Michael - son of the house's mischievous, free-spirited owner Nan - who is having an ill-advised fling with his boss. With so many lost souls gathered under one roof, very soon there are tears and laughter, friendship and - for some - even love. Each one of them is hoping for a new beginning. But will any of them find it?

7). Young Wives' Tales – Adele Parks

For Better. For Worse

Lucy stole her friend Rose's 'happily ever after' because she wanted Rose's husband and Lucy always gets what she wants. Big mistake. Rose was the ideal wife and is the ideal mother; Lucy was the perfect mistress.

As Peter's interest diminishes and Lucy's domestic responsibilities increase, Lucy wonders if the 'happily ever after' is all a big con. Without a maternal bone in her body she's always playing catch-up in a game where she doesn't know the rules and can't understand what there is to win anyway.

Rose doesn't have the vocabulary to describe Lucy, she doesn't like using expletives. A devoted single mum, she fills her life with labeling school uniforms, organic vegetables and car runs for extracurricular activities. She's an exemplary mother but the boys seem to need her less and less and without them she wonders what she amounts to. Her friends are concerned that her life is devoid of passion, romance or even plans for the future.

They both envy Connie, who is happily married and is effortlessly balancing two kids with a fulfilling career until, that is, a dangerous old flame flickers back into view at the school gates and threatens her marriage.

All three of these women need more than blind belief to negotiate their way through modern life. Things can only get better…or worse. Or better?

PS: Andrea, if you are interested in any of them, you are more than welcome to borrow them from me.

I had been doing quite a lot of surveying on computers lately. Initially, I planned to get a brand new laptop but think twice, I think it would be wiser to get a desktop PC when I do loads of downloading most of the time. Hahaha …

Initially, I had my eyes on the HP Pavillion P6130D. But then, I had heard endless stream of negative comments about getting HP desktop PC. Frankly speaking, the price ain't cheap at all compared to a Dell desktop PC which offers almost the same specifications but better.

I did went to one of the HP authorized dealers in Bandar and asked about the desktop PC. The service offered was quite nice but the thing is I need to wait for about two weeks before I could have the PC. They do not have any in-stock good for the model which I wanted hence I have to pre-order them. So, I told them I will reconsider and will go back if I really it. But I did not go back there.

There was an ICT Fiesta at The Mall last week. They did sell some quite acceptable desktop PC at a reasonable price but then I doubt the reliability and durability of the brand hence I did not bother to enquire much about the model.

So, I browsed through Dell Malaysia online and was interested with their Dell Inspiron One 19 but was being told not to get it despite the "good-look". There goes my fantasy of getting one for myself. My friend told me that the PC wouldn't be able to serve me long judging from the way I am using my current notebook. *ouch*

In the end, I've decided to get a normal desktop PC. I went for price research for Dell Inspiron 545S Desktop PC. Dell Singapore is selling it for more than 1K. I was surprised when I found a much cheaper deal in Bandar. They are only selling it for BND$958 and you'll get to choose the skin colour of your CPU. Well, you also get to choose the skin colour of your CPU from Dell Singapore but then you will be paying for the colour you chose. Hahaha …

And the best thing yet is that they are offering a 20" LCD Monitor. I know it ain't big deal since most computer users are now using a 24" LCD Monitor. But then, 20" is more than enough for me. They also offered free upgrade to Windows 7 from Windows Vista Premium 32Bit.

I have yet placed my order for the computer but will do it soon. Hahaha … =D

I had turned 22 since the last couple of hours ago. Hahaha … Everything which happened today was interesting and unexpected.

I went for a Think Big business workshop organized by the iCentre, Brunei. The topic of today's workshop is Business Plan Writing. We had two sessions – morning and afternoon. I find the morning session pretty interesting as the speaker used reality facts and examples to relate to the issues that he talked about. But the second session was a bit of disappointment. I am pretty sure that it has nothing to do with the content of the topic. It was just that my energy had drained away coz I slept pretty late yesterday night.

And then I received a call from the office. Gosh! How I hate to receive calls from office when I am in the middle of a holiday. I am expecting that I might receive at least one phone call from the office today hence I switched my phone off and only switched it on when I was having lunch break. Like what I predicted, someone from my office did gave me a call but I didn't get the chance to pick it up before I switched it off.

So, I gave them a call back when we were having afternoon tea break session only to find out that they are desperately in need of some documents which they couldn't find in my office. Out of no choice, I had to go back to my office and collect them before passing them to the Accounts Department. Then I bumped into my Senior Manager at the office. He was surprised to see me at the office since he knew that I will be on leave for the next two days.

Anyways, KinG and I loitered around Jaya Hypermarket and The Mall whilst waiting for Hui Juan to come and meet us at Excapade Sushi, Gadong. I was completely disappointed with the food presentation they had for this evening. We had too much raw salmon which made me feel like throwing up by the end of the meal. And KinG had a bit of minor diarrhoea half an hour later. Hahaha …

The three of us went for a movie at Seri Qlap Cineplex. We watched The Perfect Gateway. Frankly speaking, I had no idea what the movie was talking about. But all I know is that fake identity is involved. Anyways, there were quite a few gross scenes. Scenes such as knife stabbing into palms and then taking the knife off the stabbing area. *sweat*

KinG and I went home after dropping Hui Juan off by her car. We reached home by quarter to eleven. And then there was a knock by the house main door some time before twelve. We were quite surprised that there is someone knocking at the door at such late hour and to find out that JiaJia was standing outside the door with DiDi.

Little did I know that my darling – Jia had a little meeting with two of my friends without my knowledge. No worries. There aren't any bad intentions. Hahaha … The four of them – Jia, DiDi, Alan and Seng Yee gave me a big surprise standing right singing me a birthday song right outside the main door in the middle of the night with a Chinese biscuit on Alan's palms and two extremely red candles on the top of it which you probably would only see in temples. Hahaha … I am not expecting any of them to come. Maybe Seng Yee but not Alan. I was completely speechless and looked at the both of them with wide eyes and probably opened mouth. Hahaha … The two of them purposely came down all the way from Miri for my birthday. Hahaha ...

Anyways, I am very grateful that you two came along since it's been a while I last had a big birthday dinner with friends. Thanks a lot.

And to my darling – Jia, thanks for bringing the both of them to my house. *muackz*

I will be turning 22 in less than 24 hours. *sigh*

I was being given two sets of birthday presents from my colleagues. One of them was being given by staffs from the Accounts Department. The other one was from my Manager, staffs of MIS Department and one of my colleagues from the Sales Department.

When I first got back to the office after I had finished running some job errands, I didn't realise that there was a bag stashed under my table until my other colleagues from the MIS Dept called me into their office. They bought me a book which I was totally speechless about. I did mention that I might buy the book if I feel like reading it. I never expected that they took it so seriously!

And seriously, I swear to God that you will never find me reading that book in public. God! It will be damn embarrassing if people see me reading it in public. Doesn't that make people think that I am desperate to jump into a relationship? No no … There's no way that I will be doing something like that.

Anyways, the title of the book which they gave me is "How To Make Someone Fall In Love With You In 90 Minutes" Kill me before I die out of humiliation! Just kidding! Anyways, big thanks for the thoughtful birthday gift that you guys bought me.

My colleagues from the Accounts Department bought me a pen holder cup and a carrot plushies. Hahaha … Initially, I thought it was something like a smiley face with hands on the side coz my colleague sealed the paper bag quite tight and the only thing which I could see is the green leaf which I assumed to be the fingers of a smiley face. Hahaha … How naïve I was.

Tadah … These are my birthday gift …

The legendary psychological book which you will never ever see me reading it in public.

And the carrot plushies which my colleague told me not to think otherwise. I wonder what they were trying to imply. Hmm …

I came across this song few days ago. Found it to be nice hence I downloaded it. And later found out that the singer is a blind.

Basically, you are able to feel the pain he's trying to express out of the song. He is living in a world that the only colour he is able to see is black.

Try listen to it and feel it for yourself.

And also Happy Belated Lunar Birthday to myself! You must be wondering why I added "Lunar" onto the statement. I was born on the day of Mooncake Festival on the year I was being given birth to. Hahaha … So each and every year, I get the same joke from my closest friends that they will buy me mooncakes as presents. *sweat*

Could you guys think of something more creative rather than sticking with the same joke every year? Hahaha … Just kidding! Anyways, it's the thought that counts. I have yet received any mooncake as birthday present for the past 21 years and I am expecting it to be the same this year. Hahaha …

Anyways, I am turning 22 in less than 48 hours. How I wish I could stop the clock from ticking and I will stay 21 for the rest of my life. Hahaha … *evil grin*

I think that's all I have to say for now. See ya. Happy Belated Mooncake Festival to you all out there.

For those who live in Brunei, I am pretty sure you know that there's another Excapade Sushi in Regent Square around Kiulap area. So, the three of us – Jenny, Jia and I went to try out the new place some time last week. It was my first time going there but not the first time for the other two girls.

We had a hearty meal and we ordered a table full of dishes. Hahaha … People might be shocked at how much the three of us could eat. Well, there were quite a few stuffs which I found nice. I like their Enoki Battayaki. It is needle mushroom cooked with oyster sauce. Hahaha …

We paid quite a lot for a person. Jenny and I paid $16 each and Jia paid for about $20 coz she ordered takeaways for her family.

Anyways, I like the way they serve you Green Tea in this new branch. They give tea bags in each and every cup rather than the tea pots they are using at the Gadong Branch. And they have got this little hot water dispenser by the side of your table. So, you can refill as much as you like without even thinking that the waiter or waitress giving you a face when you kept on asking for refills. Hahaha …

PS: There will be loads of pictures about Japanese food coming soon. So, if you are currently craving for Japanese food, I will suggest you leave the page before you start blaming me for your crave towards Japanese food. Hahaha … Just kidding!

1). Green Tea

A very convenient way for both the customers and the waiter/waitress. Customers can have their refill any time they want.

There's blackout in the Gadong area earlier on and I heard that the electric has yet recovered. The areas nearby to my house were affected as well. But we were lucky that it's being fixed now.

I was unable to sleep early on. No matter how calm I tried to be, I just couldn't sleep coz it was £$%% hot. I logged into MSN with my phone but didn't stay for long coz I am not sure how long the battery could sustain if there's no electric for the next few days.

What we knew about the blackout was that the one of the parts in the main electric fuse box for Gadong area wasn't fixed properly in the first place. Sometime around the previous CNY, we had a blackout which lasted for about three days. Some claimed that it was due to the heavy rain and flooding around the area. But some claimed that there was an explosion from the part which was being faulty.

So, the people-in-charge had the thing fixed by ordering a brand new part from overseas. But it only lasted for a few months before it tripped again earlier this evening. All we know now is that the faulty part is beyond repair and they have to order a new part again. The blackout might last for another two days.

*sigh*

I still have got loads of work to do in the office. If the electric has yet recovered by tomorrow, then I guess I am left with no choice but to bring work home. *sob*