How to hug a porcupine

Porcupine are animals that will defend themselves with their quills when face with danger. "Porcupine" in this charming little book I found defines people who are defensive and difficult (annoying, bad tempered). Often in our lives we have to deal with people who are like this, whether at home, friends, working world, and even strangers. It is hard to deal with them as people who are defensive are hard to reach to.

Sometimes we ourselves are porcupines, there's definitely one in all of us. When dealing with people like them, we first put ourselves in their shoes, what made them defend themselves. Sometimes the words we choose and the gesture we show can be misunderstood and people will start to defend, it's nobody's fault, the best way to approach is to interact calmly with that person and find out what made them defensive.

This book offers simple steps to love "porcupines". It addresses "porcupines" that are your lovers, parents, children and work place. It's an interesting book to me because I only know that when people are defensive I either become defensive myself or I try to communicate calmly. This book managed to offer more advice because it's written by a psychiatrist. Best to listen to experts who have studied on this subject and apply them. The more you practise the more it will become a norm to you :).

She went all the way

She went all the way to what? where? with who?.....Rumour has it that it's with a movie star, who is she? Lou Calabrese famous screenwriter who won an academy award was stranded with Jack Townsend in Alaska. They have to survive in the cold cold wilderness and also from killing each other because they hate each other, and this hate has been around for 6-7 years. How did they survive?? Well we will have to read the latest novel from Meg Cabot, "She went all the way".

This book contains elements that are funny, adventurous, mysterious and also romantic, entertaining from start till end. At first I laughed a lot because the main characters hate each other and say spiteful things to each other all the time, which makes it funny. Surviving in the cold cold wilderness in Alaska makes the story adventurous followed by the running away from murderers makes you wonder who would go after a movie star who claims to have not offended anyone in his entire life.

The spark and lust that they both have for each other is the romance element of the book. They are both attracted to each other but both doesn't want to admit it. Lou kept thinking that it's not right to be attracted to Jack because he broke her best friends' heart and she does not want to date another actor again. Jack has never loved before and thinks that his feelings are just interest in Lou because she is a different type of woman that he has dated all these whiles.

The stories starts with the introduction of our characters then it moves on to how Lou and Jack ended in the cold wilderness, proceeded to how they survived and made it back to civilization, how they uncover the murderer and what comes of the relationship.

Everytime I pick up a Meg Cabot book I always enjoy the book. All novels that are written by her always have new characters with different personality and definitely a different kind of storyline. I have read her novel on a lady bumping into trouble and trying to solve it, another novel is about a blabber mouth who fixes wedding dresses and has a crisis in her love life and this one is about a screenwriter. You truly cannot find any resemblance and even the locations are all different parts of USA. I will definitely keep being a fan of Meg Cabot books.

Accenture Annual Dinner & Dance 2009

This annual dinner was on 10th of July just this Friday and it was my last time attending as I am leaving the company already. Currently I'm having my leave and my official last day is 15th July, it's kinda sad because I'll definitely miss all the good people and wonderful friends that I met throughout my time with the company. I hope I still have the opportunity to work with them in the future again. All is not too bad as technology is advance and we can always keep in touch and chat everyday. I'm just a MSN message, a Facebook message, an email, a sms and a phone call away, I'm never too far as I'm not going overseas for a job.

Anyway back to the main topic, last year's dinner was much better which is in terms of location, food and performance. The theme itself is interesting but I think the performances were not musical enough nevertheless good effort from the people, work is busy and they used their own personal time for practices. I was eager to try desserts as my convocation was there and the tea time food was good :) but sadly desserts weren't served at all :(.

Most of my colleagues were there except for two, sad that they miss out on this, the Shell DSO gang came in an interesting group "The Little Mermaid" and they won the best team dress up. The lucky draw prizes weren't as good as last year, they have to cut down on budget because of the economy I guess but still I think Accenture can afford as projects that are won cost millions.

Performances started with Phantom of the Opera which sucked, there were dancing but it ain't good, there wasn't the famous song, which I think they should have performed. Next were the Bollywood group, I think they did a fantastic job, there was a lot of dancing but still no singing. Then we have Beauty and the Beast, not bad seeing that they did a little bit of singing, only one sang and the most were just lip synching. Lastly we have the Grease performance which was the best there were lots of singing and dancing, about 3 songs from the Grease musical, definitely enjoyable. One thing that I didn't enjoy about the performances is they all put in elements of work. It's our annual dinner and we're suppose to relax and enjoy but no they had to remind us of work, oh well, nothing you can change about a company that promotes people being workaholics.

Below are some pictures that I've taken, not a lot, most of it are in my Facebook album. Enjoy!!

Krispy Kreme

I haven't heard of creme that is crispy before nor have I tasted one. I guess the name for this doughnut might have been derived from the outside being crispy and the inside of the doughnut so soft and creamy, well that's what I've tasted.

Finally the famous US doughnut is here in town, for quite sometime actually since Berjaya Times Square has the first store opened. Now Midvalley Megamall has one too, it's right next to Pizza Hut at Lower Ground. This brand of doughnut is owned by Vincent Tan the guy who started Mcdonalds chain. With this new brand we see more competition with the other brands such as Dunkin' Doughnuts, J Co and Big Apple. I would say that the flavor between J Co and Big Apple is similar. Dunkin' Doughnuts have their own flavours and Krispy Kreme too.

Currently not all flavours are available in Malaysia's Kripsy Kreme, I asked the employees and they said maybe in future more will be brought in. Before I've tasted it's original flavour, I've heard many stories that if you travel overseas this doughnut is a must try. I have a colleague who studied in England told me that everytime his friends visit him they will definitely buy a dozen to eat.

I sound like I'm advertising for them, LOL, I just want to share my thoughts on it. The first bite was really nice, the whole doughhut is good, could be sweeter and slightly bigger because I can finish the whole in just 3 bites. It's kinda small, I notice all doughnuts shops are selling it at that size, I remembered it used to be bigger in Dunkin', oh well I guess the economy is causing them to be stingy. The flavours that Krispy Kreme is selling is different from the rest, they have cookies and creams, the toppings in chunks, peanut butter and chocolate, Hershey's, glazed chocolate cake (love this) and many that I haven't tried. Overall I give it a 8/10. The following are some photos of my sister posing for them :P.

Toradora!

This Japanese animation originates from a set of light novels with a total of 25 episodes. I have yet to finish the watching it, 3 more to go because I'm waiting for the subber to finish this project. This anime has 4 great opening and ending to it, I totally love the "Orange" the second ending sung by the three voice actresses of the characters.

You have your typical high school life, romance between the characters. Our main characters both live next to each other without knowing and then they met by Ryuuji bumping into Taiga. Taiga is a feisty little person, aggressive and both of them got on the wrong end. Little did they know, they were in love with each other's best friend and therefore decided to help in each to get the person they love.

This series is filled with fun, a slice of high school life and polygon romance. It's a bit obvious of who would end up with who just by looking at the openings. What I like about this anime is how innocent Taiga becomes when talking bout Yuusaku (Ryuuji's best friend) and how dumb looking Ryuuji is when next to Minori.

I'm sure the light novels are better but no doubt the animators did a great job bringing the book to life in short 25 episodes. You can read the light novels at Toradora Light Novels. Below are a sample of the opening and endings.

Vanilla Salt - Yui Horie

Pre-Parade (TV-SIZE) - Toradora!

Blood+ - 2

More hacking and slashing from chevaliers and Saya herself, of course the Red Shield gang is not left out with their guns, more shooting and more bloodshed. From Vietnam to Russia is where Saya had to go to search for Diva. Saya have yet to meet Diva but encountered her from her flashbacks of memories.

The story of Hagi and Saya is revealed a bit where how they met is mentioned. Saya had her memory jolted when she was in Russia traveling and fell of the train. More of her past becomes clearer and Saya didn't seem to like it. After falling from the train, Saya, Hagi, Riku and their guide in Russia manage to reach their destination but more trouble happens. Saya was attacked and a new gang of baddies appear where their story is not told yet.

The attack triggered Saya to leave with Hagi in search of the Zoo where more of her past is revealed. Finally Saya met Diva but something happened that devasted her. Diva escaped Saya and a clear difference in strength can be seen. Saya had to do something touch to save the situation, it's definitely not what she wanted.

The book ended with a sad ending, no one important died though but still sad. I wouldn't know what to expect next. This second novel definitely kept my attention compared to the first one, that's because more of Saya's past was revealed but still more to come. More fighting and the bond between Saya and her brothers are definitely shaken at one point but the bond definitely get stronger after every obstacle. The storyline progresses very well in this book and the mystery is still kept alive,in regards to action wise there are plenty. Looking forward to the third book as I want to know more of Saya's past and the story continues whether she will beat Diva and defeat all of the Chiropterans.

Choose to be Happy

With the hustle and bustle lives we have in the city, it's no wonder we have many unhappy people. The current economy situation is definitely not helping and giving more troubles to us. Although I am not trouble by the economy I still have other problems that make me unhappy, other dissatisfaction that makes me sad. I have been quite unhappy with my career since January because I was rolled off from a project and have been sitting at the office doing nothing until April. When I have gotten a project it didn't suite my career path. I was always worrying and thinking whether to correct my career path instead of being sidetracked.

Last month was a really emotional month for me, I wake up dreading to work, only feeling happy when I get to go home and the cycle goes on the next day. I was really depressed and it brought upon my family and friend many troubles and I thank them for being around to help console me. So I came across this book, "Choose to be Happy" by Rima Rudner. I know it is time to stop being depressed and make a change for my life, I will choose to be happy and walk the path that I want.

I am really inspired and determined after reading the first few chapters, whatever that I feared to do I did it because it released me from worries. In the book, the writer puts her life experience, how she choose to be happy, giving examples of what could cause unhappiness. It is hard to accept certain things and to forgive people who have hurt you but you can make yourself happy, life is in the grasp of your hands. The books highlights things that cause depression and how to move your thoughts in achieving happiness. All is in the mind.

Many people think happiness comes from material things, money, success, power and many more, but it comes from within. I have often been influenced to think that way too but right now with all the money in the world, I can't be happy unless I'm doing something that I'm passionate about, something I love to do. My current job is not allowing me to do so, and yes we can learn to love it, I gave it my all but I can't proceed therefore I have decided to leave my current work for something I have more passion on. I'm still doing programming but with a different technology and language.

There are still many things I want to do but one step at a time. I know I am much happier now that I was before and I'm excited about the new experiences that I'm about to gain. I've learnt that only I myself can change my state and to move forward. No fears and worries shall concur my life.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

When I am sad I shop, when I am happy I shop. Oooh....look at those shoes, that jacket, wow that dress would look gorgeous on me. I pile up the stuff on my hand until it was full, I can't stop this sensation I feel! I'm not a shopaholic, OMG bills, more and more debts. Nevermind I still can swipe my card one more time, no biggie. That is Rebecca Bloomwood, the main character of this book written by Sophie Kinsella.

I watched the movie before I read the book. This book was famous before it was being made into a movie and all the while I've considered reading, buying it but didn't came across it. I don't know why but after the movie, I was curious on how the story in the book had been written so I've bought it. The book is definitely different from the movie, firstly the magazine she works for is successful savings in the start. She did not dream of working in a fashion magazine and many other details were different. The movie had more humour because the actress did a different portrait of Rebecca Bloomwood.

I like the book because it has a different setting, more characters and definitely more of Becky's personality. The things about books is character are slowly built and developed, where else in a movie you would have to cramp as much as you can within 1 and a half hour. I feel that the Becky in the book spends much much worse and lies even more. Other than that, she isn't that frank compared to the movie.

Overall, this story is something new out of a chic lit, not the usual type (triangle love, lonely, complicated relationships) talks more about real life situation and definitely funny.