Massages

After almost 3 months of countless unsatisfying massages, i finally went home after an acceptable massage last night and slept like a baby till noon. Its raining outside and all I want to do right now is curl up in my comforter and sleep but I cant do that coz I woke up at noon so i'm gonna blog about massages.

I love massages, not the hard ones that make you let out a silent scream while your face gets all wrinkled up, but the soft ones with aromatherapy oil and gentle strokes that makes you all relaxed and feel good. Through out the years, I've tested out a number of outlets and here's the summary of each. I'll start with the one from last night

1. Karabuning Boutique Spa (Bangsar Shopping Centre)

Honestly, I only went to this one yesterday coz its close to my work and the after work traffic was horrible. I called the place and asked if there was any empty slots so i can book an appointment. The receptionist is not as professional and kind as the other branches I have to say but I booked the appointment anyway. I arrived a bit late due to the horrendous traffic but they squeezed me in anyway. I was attended to by a masseuse named Pa. Shes quite good. Her techniques are somewhat different and way better than the other branch in Karabuning (Sunway Pyramid). The one in Sunway was not good as she was too soft and I think that she thinks that applying more pressure would break my bones. Anyway, there were moments where I was slightly uncomfortable because the pressure and technique was hard but like I said, it was acceptable. I would definitely go there again to avoid traffic.

2. Thai Odyssey

There are a lot of outlets for Thai Odyssey. The one I usually go to is the one in Empire Shopping Centre. I would always request for the same masseuse. She's my favorite  Shes the only one who can make me feel like my money is so worth it. I would also usually give her an extra tip as she always did a good job. Perfect pressure and perfect strokes and perfect technique makes me a happy girl. Shes now back in Thailand helping her parents with some house things hence the quest for other masseuse the past 3 months. She'll be back next month. Yeay!

Though most of the spa therapist from this outlet do a good job but I sure cant say the same for all the other outlets. I have tried the ones from One Utama, Midvalley and Bangsar Village but I would usually feel sore the next day. Even when you say that you're in pain, they wont listen and would continue doing what they were doing.

3. Jentayu Spa

Verdict: Not as great as it sounds. It was my sister's idea to try it out. I called and booked the 1 hour aromatherapy plus 1 1/2 hour cremebath. We arrived early as we weren't sure of the location and we were not really familiar with Publika and also coz its the "rule" that we have to arrive at least 15 mins early or they  delay your appointment time. We rang the bell hoping that we could at least wait inside. No one answered and we had to wait outside. With the weather scorching hot outside, we didn't really start off great. A girl who obviously just woke up from a nap opened the door and welcomed us. The place is really small, not a lot of moving space and from the way they gave us instructions, we had a feeling that the two therapists were the only ones that they have. We started our treatment with the massage. I did not like it at all! The pressure was really hard and I kept telling her to reduce it as I asked for aromatherapy and not traditional. Even after I told her to reduce the pressure, she kept going at her pace and telling me that because of all the "knots" she has to do it hard. All I can say is that she is an idiot. I did not pay 250 bucks for her not to abide by my wishes. The cremebath was so so. I am denifitely NOT going back there again.

4. Urban Retreat (The Curve)

One of the best so far. Almost all of their therapists do a good job. Not sure if its a one time thing but the last time I went, I was attended to by a malay therapist and it was not good. Just like the one in Jentayu, she didn't listen to the customer. Hopefully they will maintain their standard or I'll stop going there.

5. Arokaya (Sunway Pyramid)

Hmm..lets see. Some of them are okay and some are not. There was this once, i had this old lady as my therapist she did a wonderful job. Top 3 in my list for favorite foot massage. The aromatherapy massage is just okay. The best part of aromatherapy there is that they let you take a shower after the treatment so that you wont be all oily when you walk out of there.

6. Zouk Spa (Taipan Subang and Bangsar)

I used to go to Zouk Spa in Subang a lot. There's this one girl who is very good. The price isn't that bad either. But after that they got sloppy and the last massage i had there was terrible. So I am kind of terrified to go there again. Another thing I don't like there is the fact that the therapist likes to force you to get extra stuff like some stupid salt or ginger oil or some scrub.


7. Kak Lia (Kampung Pandan)

Hahahahah.. My colleague dragged me there one after work coz she wanted a massage. It was in a dodgy flat in Kampung Pandan which scared the hell out of me. The whole place was occupied by Indonesian workers. Honestly, I would not have gone there knowing the condition of the place. Not trying to be a brat or anything but it was scary. If I couldn't afford to go to a real spa, then I would just have asked my sister to massage me. There were a few families living in the same unit so we hurriedly went into Kak Lia's room. There was nothing magical about the massage, I have had better plus I don't really like talking when I am having my massage. Don't get me started on the hygiene of the place. So, I am also not going there again.

8. Angel Spa (Solaris)

A friend bought me a voucher for this place. Its so small that it doesn't even have a website but i went for the massage anyway. At that time the building was still under construction so it was kind of creepy. Finding the place was also not easy but I managed. The place is very nice actually. Great ambience, they have 4 different rooms with different themes. The massage was great. Just the right pressure and very relaxing. I just didn't like that the therapist kept talking to me. But all was forgiven coz she did a great job. :) I have not been there since coz its kind far from where I live plus I don't think I want to go through all the traffic just to get a massage.

Well, that's it. All the places I can remember. I am kind of broke now so I am going to refrain myself from going until I get my paycheck.

Envy

Every once in a while, you come across "friends" that can constantly talk about themselves and/or boast about expensive items that they purchased for a whole get-together session. Usually a get-together session lasts a minimum of 2 hours. I can tolerate a person giving me updates on their lives or stuff that i have missed if i have not seen them in a while but talking about yourself the whole time makes me a weary. Nodding and smiling as if i care takes up a lot of energy!

Exhibit A: 

"I just bought a new (insert name of imported car), it took a while for me to get it because of the metallic color I chose. Are you still using your old Satria? Not thinking of changing it eh?"

Exhibit B:

Out of nowhere..

Person X: "I'm sure you had a lot of fun in Melbourne last time huh".

Me: "It was alright. I got to travel with allowance provided by the company".

Person X: "Tu laa. I am planning to further my studies abroad to Aussie maybe next year. My mom and I are planning to go there to survey the universities end of this year".

Me: "Oooookay..". (Puzzled)

That was more than two years ago. I am no longer with the company that sent me to Melbourne and Person X is still very much in Malaysia and has not even traveled to Australia let alone survey the universities over there.

Exhibit C:

Person X: "Are you still working in Cyber?"

Me: "Ermm..no. I resigned last October. I'm working with (insert luxury automobile company name). I just started."

Person X: "Oh. I'm also no longer working in Cyber dah. Working with (insert public listed company name) now".

Me: "Okie...".

Person X: "By the way, do you mind me asking how much do you make in a month?" (So very inappropriate)

Me: "(Completely speechless)..Ermm..I make about so and so.. (Obviously not giving out accurate details)

Person X: "Oh. I make that much as well. I consider myself so lucky that my husband pays for all the bills, puts food on the table and even gives me pocket money. Though I did offer to help him out with some of the bills.."

Me: "Oh....." (The only syllable that came out of my mouth)

Exhibit D:

"I can soo catch up with her. She has no strength. Bukan nak cakap besar la but she has joined earlier than me but she can't do much. She's just flexible. I on the other hand can burn calories very fast and I am a lot stronger".

"Oh your skin tone is like my skin dah sekarang".

All of the above relates to the same person. Person X is always asking me why I always go missing and my answer will be same ol same ol "I'm just busy". There's a reason why I always try to avoid hanging out with her. Its just so very exhausting. You don't know me as well as you think you do but after 5 years I think you can guess that I couldn't care less about imported expensive cars or stylish phones or handbags. Its not like I have anything against them but at my current drawn salary, I know I can't afford those things, I prioritise accordingly and I am totally fine with it. I prefer to spend money on things that make me very happy like vacations and buying things from my never ending wishlist. I can tell you for sure that my list looks nothing like yours. I'll start browsing through catalogues of expensive items when my salary hits five or six figures. Not that I'm jealous or anything but the only reason you can afford the car is because your parents put large down payment for it. I love my Johnny and I wouldn't even think of changing it if not because of the location and traffic of my current work place. A manual car makes my knees all wobbly the moment I reach home everyday. Totally not cool.

I can't think of any other reason for all of the above behavior other than low self esteem and jealousy. I would love nothing but to tell you that there's nothing to be jealous about. I just can't do that coz I hate unnecessary confrontation.You have no idea what I have been through to be where I am today. Its a bumpy journey. Not just the bumps you get in dodgy roads in KL but like in a 4X4 ride in the woods. I feel very sorry for you that you feel the need to put other people down just so you can feel good about yourself. Its just very sad. My life isn't perfect. In fact its not perfect at all. I do get struck with envy whenever I see people accomplish things that I have not or have the things that I don't but I still don't feel the need to put other people down especially my friends because as bad as things may get, I believe in myself and I don't think I ever want to be anyone but myself. I just hope that you realize this one day coz I know I'm not the only one who feels this way about you. I am just one who nods and smiles at your comments coz you're a girl and I know you will not want to hear what I really want to say.

New

I changed the layout of this blog. Slightly less depressing than before I would say. Honestly, I'm not all bright and shiny on a daily basis. Hence, I'm gonna try something new here, i'll fake it till i make it.

I've always loved writing. It lets me express myself better. Not that i'm all so quiet to begin with, i can ramble on and on about everything but when it comes to feelings especially, i tend to freeze. That's how you can get me to shut up actually.

I recently come to notice that there are no documented memories of my life for the past 6 years. They're all in my tiny brain. I don't take a lot of pictures of myself and I publish vague posts of incidents happening in my life only every few months. When I grow old, wrinkly, losing my memory and trying to tell the story of my life to my grand kids, it would be helpful to have something to refer to. Hopefully this would motivate me to write in this blog more and more each day.

Short updates

• Tomorrow is my first day on the new job. I am really really nervous. Bismillah..
• I cancelled my trip to London due to the new job. Good news is that Fiq will be in London until July next year to pursue his ACCA. It'll give me some time to settle in my new company, convince my boss to let me take leave for the London trip and earn some more extra spending cash. 
• Planning to get a part time job to earn the extra cash as well. In the midst of getting an insurance certification so that i can be an insurance adviser.
• i made a very difficult decision that involves me hurting a person that i care about. i have to start thinking about my own future rather than worrying so much about how much i am hurting someone else.
• I finally logged on to my facebook and created a page for my business. Very difficult thing to do considering how much i hate facebook.

Choosing an outfit for my first day is so very irritating..Pfftt

Weight and Body (What else is new?!)

When I was in school, I could eat a whole large pizza by myself without any guilt or even putting on an ounce. Nowadays I cant even finish a slice without guilt hanging over my head. Of course, I am now 15 years older with decreasing metabolic rate and no longer marching around the school field 8 hours a day.

I miss those days when i can eat anything without worrying about my health or weight. Sigh..

I was at my best 3 years ago, I ate moderately, was doing capoeira twice a week, climbing 3 thrice a week and swimming on the weekends. I led an active and healthy lifestyle back then. I was not skinny, but I had lean muscles and I was strong. Also, the depression helped the losing weight process. Muahahahah. Once I started working on my first job, I started to sway away from that lifestyle. The shift hours and workload were taking a toll on my body especially when I worked the morning shifts. None the less, I tried hard to attend capoeira classes after work, I even left the office hurriedly, drove like a maniac and to be able to only attend second half of the class every Friday.

Ever since I started my second job, I haven't gone to any capoeira classes, I climbed in PCP like once or twice in the past year and to make things worse, the place I'm currently living at has no swimming pool. Super awesome huh. It also doesn't help that stress from work makes me munch like all the time and giving me back pain  The pain was so bad that in July I stayed home from work for a week. I then decided to have an MRI, thankfully its nothing serious, just degenerated discs.The doctor asked me to do some back exercises and not to sit in one position too long.

Ever since my appendectomy last October, I haven't done any exercise at all until two days ago. I went for a run in the park with my dad. Unfortunately I can't run on the road, it hurts my ankles and knees. I can only run on the grass. Oh my super old and super gedik body! Pffttt

As much as I tried to avoid it, I am now taking meal replacements twice a day. I'm not trying to take any shortcut to lose weight and get back into shape. Its just that when I have the meal replacements, I am more disciplined. I don't have to think bout what i wanna eat or cook and plus I am eating more veggies coz I put carrots and other stuff in the blender! My grocery list is growing shorter with the meal replacements which is a really good thing coz I always end up with a trolley when I do my shopping at Jaya Grocer.

Am planning another run in the park tomorrow. I wish myself the best of luck -__-

Annoying daughter

Short conversation with my mom 2 days ago

Me: Mummy, can i borrow some money? You have lots of it, can i have 10% pls pwetty pls? (totally joking, i do that to my mom everyday to annoy her)

Mom: You and your sister should really start saving your money and stop buying crap. Whats gonna happen when you wanna get married? How to pay for your wedding?? Takkan me and your daddy have to pay for everything??

Me: Ermm...noooo...i didn't say thaaat..

Mom: Ya laa..you think its cheap to plan for a wedding these days..

Me: Of course not. Coz im soo not planning to have a big wedding. Buat dekat masjid cukup. Just our family, future husband, durrah and the tok kadi enough laa kan.

Mom: Isk this girl! if your daddy and i are gonna pay for the reception, you still have to buy all the hantaran and stuff..(i started rolling my eyes already)

Me: Again..nooooo, not even planning to have a reception, just nikah only. How to have reception if during the nikah, the tok kadi says, aku nikahkan engkau dengan mas kahwinnya RM22.95 HUTANG! hahahahahahahahahhahahahahhaha

Mom stared at me speechlessly for a few seconds and walked away feeling very much annoyed.. :D

Kusut

that's the only word i can think of to describe how i feel these past few months. i look so haggard. messy hair, "couldn't care less" outfits, stuffing my face with food, no exercise, cant fit into my clothes, knee and back pain, expressionless face sick of hearing "bila nak kawin? jangan tunggu lama-lama, nanti expired!"..all i wanted to say to them was fuck you! mind your own bloody business! like really??!! no sane person wants to end up alone,let alone be miserable for the rest of their lives. do you honestly think 80% of the spinsters out there willingly chose to be that way?? like the old cliched saying amongst the elders in my family, choosing a husband is not like picking out fish from the market, if you later decide that you don't like the fish, you can always not cook it or throw it out,cant really do that with marriage can you? am i not allowed to pick the person im about to spend the rest of my life with wisely? i don't really care if the person is rich or handsome or what. as long as he looks attractive to my eyes, has a stable job, can endure my mood swings and can make me smile, im in! it doesn't take much to make me happy. if im cranky, feed me food. if im crying, let be there for me. for two eids in a row, my dad asked me about the person im involved with when i asked for forgiveness. telling me not to wait too long. im not trying to drive you mad daddy, im just not too sure bout the guy myself. my parents are getting too attached to him. asking bout him all the time, asking me to be involved in even the smallest things in his life, buying him stuff from overseas, they're trying to be supportive but little did they know that they're pushing me towards the edge with every mention of his name. i constantly am struggling to keep myself at the office. everyday, i think of many reasons to stay home when my alarm rings. when i get to the office, ill think of more urgent reasons to go home immediately or i tell myself ill pretend to be sick and take 1/2 a sick day off. im also constantly struggling to keep myself from surrendering my resignation letter before i secure another job. no matter how hard i try or how much i do, its never enough. if i had one wish, i wish that you had better daughter, someone to make you proud, doesnt waste her potentials, isnt so hard headed, feisty or opinionated, someone successful, a devout muslim, not so socially retarded or afraid to be committed and can someone who wouldve given you beautiful grandchildren by now.

2012

Another new year. Am I excited? Not so sure.

Personal checklist

A stable job - checked

A career -

A new car -

Open water scuba diving license - checked

Advanced scuba diving license -

A husband and beautiful kids -

Buy a house -

Shooting range - March 2012

Spend a day at the orphanage - February 2012

Euro trip -

Business revamp -

Mount Kinabalu -

Run a marathon -

Ok. I have a long way to go. Sigh