http://nawooz.mybrute.com

You will notice my character on the right side of the screen. Ignore this. Select and name your character, which is on the left. After you’re done, you might wanna create a password so it’s exclusively yours. It’s then time to battle in the Arena. Click F5 (refresh) to look for potential victims. If you like one, just click on the character and you will be brought to a new page asking if you wanna fight. Click fight and watch the bloody battle ensue. Just like watching gladiators in the ring. Mind you, if you pick the wrong opponent, you will be crushed by their pet dogs and what not. Did I mention you get to unlock new weapons and skills with each level? You get 2 points for a Win and 1 point for a Lose.

The battles are all automated, so no stress. Just click and sit back.

Mindless Flash games are awesome!!!

I’m so sick of Pavillion!!!!! Everyday it’s the same darn thing. Risk life and limb crossing the uber busy streets like chickens to Pavillion and then scratch head and scratch balls on what to eat. Gah…makes me head spin just thinking about it.

Anyone wanna trade me your home-cooked goodness for my MSG laced dinner? Anyone?

It’s still sitting next to my keyboard wondering when I’m gonna finally eat it. Sigh, I’m so gonna regret this >_<”

So…so sleepy now. Time to go wake up the coffee machine.

So how’s you’re day? Wait, don’t tell me. I’ll use my pre-Understanding People powers to predict…

Nope. Nothing coming true. Need to work on this more. *Yawn* Please ignore the sleep talk…

I was suffering from sneezing fits, running nose and water eyes last Saturday. Since I had a whole bottle of 250MG lying in the fridge, I decided to give it a go. By Sunday morning, I could do house chores and attended the Sepang F1 event.

This is a community service by Nawooz.Com.My.

I guess my life is starting to slowly show signs of the puzzle coming together. Most of you may have wondered where Nawooz has been. Well, I’ve got a different job. My life is about to be 1+1+1. I would love to post the scans of the little thing growing in my wife’s belly. The little heartbeat beeping on the screen. Unfortunately, I don’t have the scans nor the scanner with me. Go Nawooz!! Tech guy but can’t do the simplest tasks.

My wife has settled on the name Cyrus Ong if it’s a boy. Interesting name you say. Wifey chose it because I have a Persian name. Cyrus was a Persian King. Read more about Cyrus the Great at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_the_Great.

However, it was June who brought to my attention this odd pattern. My mom’s and my name both start with “N”. My dad and my sister’s name both start with “F”. Cyrus and Catherine both start with “C”. Hence, our daughter would most probably have “N” for her name. Cool huh. Thanks June for pointing this out.

New work environment has been pretty interesting. Sales is where you definitely wanna be at. The perks are nice! I’m also learning new stuff I’ve never been exposed in the IT industry. It’s a nice change for a new start. I wish there would be more trainings though. All in good time though.

Now comes the cool part. Our soon-to-be-born kid has brought us luck. With the small windfall, we sat down and calculated the budget. We finally can afford a safer and economical car. The deal was signed and sealed today and we’re expecting the ride to arrive somewhere next month. The old ride is gonna be wifey’s mode of transport when we shift into our soon-to-be completed condo. It’s taking so darn long as the finishing after our second inspection was terrible. We were told to get a full inspection and this was like a month ago. I guess they really got grilled for that. Not my problem though. We like our new home to be nice and all. Especially since I paid for it with blood, sweat and tears. The awesome news is that the investment has appreciated by28-30% in the span of 2 years. Not bad, not bad at all. Glad I invested in property than a car at an early stage.

Since the increase of fuel prices, raw materials have been on the climb as well. This has pushed up the building costs. Developers are rumoured to be fleeing as profits are dwindling. So, I’m kinda lucky to have this over with.

The pieces are still many, but you get the sense of satisfaction and drive when the pictures starts to materialize, doesn’t it.

To all who wished my wifey and I on our new addition to the family, my thanks and this question:

“When’s your turn ah??!!” Muahahahaah. Sorry, it’s just too tempting. Have a great week ahead!

2 tests and a squeal later, I’m going to be a dad. Turns out the weeks of nausea my wifey was facing, was actually good old morning sickness symptoms. I’m still coming to terms with this sudden news. It was a little unexpected, but I’m sure my parents are thrilled. News hasn’t got out to all parties yet, so you guys and gals are a lucky bunch.

It’s kinda hard to describe the feeling I have now, but it’s mixed emotions. I’m elated at the thought of a Nawooz Jr. running all around. However, at the same time I’m worried about so many things. Capricorns are born worriers. We like to think ahead and fret over stuff. Thankfully I’ve got supportive parents, whom I know are behind us 100%. Not forgetting our great bunch of family and friends. It’s gonna be a real ride leading up to the next 8-9 months.

Wifey has already decided an English name if the baby is a boy. He will be Cyrus Ong (pronounced SAI-ress). We haven’t really decided on the Chinese name yet. If it’s a girl, then we’ve got 8 months more to decide!! I guess I’ll blog a couple of other names and see how the response is like.

Gotta brush up on my “How to become a Dad for Dummies” knowledge as well. Any tips are most welcomed. Especially from you Yvy. How are things with Kecik? Sorry I haven’t been visiting your blog (and others). I don’t have as much time to chill as I had previously. Hope all are in good health

That’s it folks. I’m gonna be signing off for now and will continue with unfolding events. Stay tuned…

I’m a firm supporter of Air Asia. Their holiday packages allow us mortals to enjoy vacations, which don’t require amputating an arm or a leg.

Just recently, thanks to my wife, we (4 other friends) made a short trip to this historical island named Langkawi. Langkawi is famous (more like infamy) for it’s Mahsuri tale. The island was previously unknown for the fact that legend has it, Mahsuri cursed it to be barren for the next 7 generations. Thankfully, it’s over now.

The plane journey was short and we arrived at Langkawi airport, only to be hounded by the numerous travel agents. Each offering a “better and cheaper” package. Our accomodations had already been arranged prior to the flight. Upon advice from other friends, who have made the trip, we decided that renting an Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) would be our best bet. The 2 guys decided on a Nissan Serena after the test-drive. It would cost us RM240 for a 3 day duration. The gas bill would be out of our own pocket. If you are planning on a 3day 2 night trip with moderate driving, I suggest keeping the tank half full only. We only used half of our RM110 full tank and were told the rest was not refundable.

We decided to head to Kuah town to stock up on supplies. Being a duty free zone, alcohol, ciggies and chocs were dirt cheap. The 2 other guys, who were conveniently smokers, went beserk. We had lunch ala Melayu (Malay-style) and then did a little sight-seeing. I stumbled upon a shop selling fragrances, which in my opinion were ultra cheap compared to other outlets and KL. If you are into fragrances, head on the RFA.

We then had a nice drive to Pantai Cenang, where our lodging Awana Porto Malai beckoned. There are many many places of interest you will pass along the way.  Most of them nightlife spots. The staff at the check-in counter were most friendly and accomodating. We were told our rooms were in the smoking preference section, which had my wife and I grimacing. After viewing the rooms, we all decided to request for a room change. It was completed by the hotel staff with no fuss and under 30 minutes. Great stuff!

Our rooms had ocean front view. It’s great to wake up to the sea outside your balcony. After settling in, we headed over to Langkawi’s Underwater World. There were many displays of marine life here. Some even showcasing freshwater exotics. My personal favourite would be the prehistoric Nautilus (Google it) and Rock Hopper penguin exhibits. They had a 3D show, but I felt it lacked substance. After this, we went back to the hotel for some relaxation before dinner. 3 of the 6, me included, decided to test the pool. I’m glad to report that I still can cover the length of a pool underwater. However, I “killed” my eyes red due to the pool chlorine.

Dinner was at May Hiang, which specialized in seafood. We had lobster, crabs and other dishes. The bill was RM360+ for the 6 of us. Kinda pricy due to the lobster. The owner, Mr. Loh was very jovial and constantly dropped by our table to chit-chat. Wiht our stomachs full, we decided to tour the island. We drove to Telaga Harbour, which was poshy. Our ex-PM actually has a bakery named “The Loaf” here. Needless to say, we just took pictures around the area. That night, we slept under the soft lull of waves.

Day two started with a hearty breakfast provided by Awana. The spread was non too shabby. We then prepared for a tour of 3 destinations. It costs RM35 per person, but is sbjected to your bargaining skills. The jetty was only a 2 minute drive from our hotel. We boarded a boat and headed towards our first destination, Tasik Dayang Bunting, which roughly translates to Pregnant Maiden Lake. Legend has it that by drinking it’s mystical waters, a woman will conceive within a short period of time. Our guide joked with the guys to not drink the water. Leave it to the ladies.

Beware of the monkeys in this area though. They can be a little fiesty especially if you are carrying plastic bags. We had to trek up the hill to reach the lake. We were greeted by a jade-green lake with platforms extended from it’s shores. The adventurous jumped in without hesitation. Those who dislike getting wet can opt for the kayaks or solarized pedal boats, if you’re feeling sluggish. The water was nice and cooling after the trek. I was told the lake’s specialty was the catfish. Luckily I only found out about this after my swim.

We were given an hour at the lake before heading to our second destination, feeding the eagles. Sadly, I got the feeling that it’s been over-commercialized. We spent hardly 5 minutes there before being whisked off to Pantai Beras Basah (Wet Rice Beach). I still feel that the beaches in Redang Island were better in contrast. We spent about an hour clowning around and taking pictures. The highlight of this island was the beer drinking monkey. One of our friends decided to hand it his half-finished 100 Plus canned drink. The monkey took it and threw out the straw before emptying it’s contents down his throat. This signalled the end of our 3 hour tour.

We cleaned up and headed for lunch at Lan Kwai Fong Restaurant. Their set meals are worth it. After lunch, our next plan was to rest and relax. Someone suggested looking around for spa packages. We wasted a lot of time around Pantai Cenang area before heading to Kuah town. Here, we found the BEST spa nestled in a row of shoplots. I STRONGLY recommend this place to anyone looking for a wonderful and relaxing time. Wu Senses (5 senses) was headed by Eric, a really friendly chap, who is not only an experienced wellness practitioner but also a great person for Langkawi hot spots. Our service was First Class all the way. I really admire Eric and his dedicated staff for making us feel like kings and queens. 3 of us opted for the “Smell spa treatment”, which is a holistic approach for the ultimate relaxation. 1 decided to try out their facial package. My wife and I had the 30 minute leg massage, but wifey had another back and shoulder massage. We all left very very happy with the pampering received.

Next stop, Langkawi’s famous landmark. The giant eagle monument. Nothing much here except taking pictures. Stomachs growling, we dined at Champor-Champor. Eric highly recommended the Tom Yam and Chicken Escalope and we we had it. Wifey enjoyed the Tom Yam very much, which was rich and had lots of seafood in it. Not bad for a place featured in the Malaysian Tatler magazine. Eric dropped by just as we finished our meal for his nocturnal night cap. He had great plands for Wu Senses and we are looking forward to his updates. Our next activity was also suggested by Eric. Just opposite Champor-Champor is the beach. We were told to walk along the beach and lookout for lights on the beach. Here, we would find Babylon. During the daytime, this would be a watersports shop. At night, a section of the beach was enclosed with burning torches. Small tables and mats were laid out for the ultimate night picnic on the beach. Order drinks and chill out to the sounds of Bob Marley and such. Mind you, try to get there early to avoid disappointment. Too late and the main bar closes.

Our final day saw us heading towards Langkawi Geopark. At the foothill, we paid for our cablecar ride up to the observation posts. We were told the view was breathtaking. Getting over the initial horror of how steep the ride was, we were greeted with Langkawi island at our feet. The wind was absolutely devilish up there. Definitely not for the faint of heart and afraid of heights. We also had a chance to camwhore on the suspended bridge up there. Getting to it was a real pain though. The trek up and down the steps leave us gasping for breath. We ended the Geopark visit with a final call to the duty free shops. We had lunch at Sunday Bistro and Restaurant if only for their exquisite architecture. Due to time contraints, we had time for one more destination. We stopped by at Langkasuka Beach Resort to check out the rates and was pleasantly surprised by it’s beautiful beach front. The rates were definitely cheaper than Awana, but I have yet to benchmark it. Perhaps another time? It was then time to leave this beautiful island behind.

One thing I liked about Langkawi was the places of interest we could visit. We still haven’t covered the mangrove swamp, the caves and so many more. It’s very unlike Redang Island, where you were mostly confined to the resort you were at. 3d ays 2 nights were definitely insufficient to cover Langkawi, which is why we are planning a second raid!

That, my good readers, was my first impression of Langkawi. I fell in love with it. Wifey uploaded our photos and they can be viewed at:

http://www.mywedding.com/nawcath/photo_63449_10953904.html

One of the interesting things I observed. From a small age, I was quite the hyper-active child. I’d get myself into a lot of problems and this would usually end with my name being shouted really loud. “Nawooooooooooz!!!!!!!” I usually stop being naughty or run for life upon hearing my name. Survival instincts need not be taught to kids. It’s natural

It’s ironic though! Communication skills training mention that people love hearing their own name. Hence, we are encouraged to use the other person’s name at least 3-5 times to reinforce this positive point. However, a parent shouting out your name usually brings fear and terror to a kids heart. What more of your name being shouted more than once!! More than once means somebody is gonna get a hurt real bad.

Even today, I dread it when my names is shouted by my parents. Though now, it’s mostly related to technology problems they face rather than my mischief. But it does NOT make me cringe any less! When I hear the shrill call of “Nawoooozzzzz!!!”. My mental state just shuts down. It’s like an in-built mechanism now. I sometimes wonder if my parents notice this. Rather than shout my name, calling for help in a normal tone usually works better for me. Something like “I can’t do so and so on this program, can you come take a look Nawooz?” It would definitely minimize my fight or flight instincts.

Honestly, I like computers and tech stuff to a certain degree and I like troubleshooting it as well. A sense of accomplishment and satisfation does work for me most times. You just have to keep my name shouting to a minimal.

So ladies and gentlemen, ask for help and not shout for help. This community service reminder is brought to you by Nawooz. 

Then I started to recall some of the stuff I did and somehow it made me feel…young? Gosh, I seriously feel old when typing this out. It’s the same thing when I meet up with my buddies. We tend to look back on the good ol’ days. Which explains why many of the old uncles tend to hangout at coffeeshops and spent hours sipping their coffee and shooting the breeze. Guess I’m not nearly there yet, but on the track.

This is happening before I’m 30. Wonder what it would be like at 40…Gotta start getting used to being called “Uncle” now.

>_<”