Death by killer escalators has always been spoken about, especially after it has been incorporated into one of the scenes of Final Destination 4. To me, it's one of the most gruesome deaths ever and it would be likened to a meat grinder. No, seriously. You know how sharp the edges of an escalator platforms are?

 

Just like bloody blades of cold hard steel

 

Okay so this was what happened. I'm writing this with rage so I can't exactly be responsible towards my language. You have been forewarned!

 

As I was visiting my fockers back in the hometown, we decided to head down to Yik Foong Complex, Ipoh today to get my laptop fixed and to buy my CF card for my DSLR. We hardly ever go to that dodgy place but since it was dubbed the Low Yat Plaza of Ipoh where all the digital and photography stuff are, we decided to pay it a visit.

 

 

Uncle Mike and Mum accompanied me while I was searching for my DSLR's CF Card and extra Blackberry charger. Godmom and popoh (granny) went upstairs towards the computer store. After I was done, I called Godmom to find where she was so that we could meet up with her and Popoh.

 

She didn't pick up the phone even after so many rings, but we didn't suspect anything amiss.

 

In the end, we decided to go upstairs to look for them, but the escalator wasn't working! Goddamn it. -___- We had to walk up the escalator to get there. And when we arrived the 2nd floor, we found them standing directly beside the offending escalator looking rather flushed, quite alarmed and disturbed.

 

 

Godmom then told us the tragedy that befell them 5 minutes ago.

 

 

She was standing in fronta Popoh on that rusty, old and creaking escalator as they were going up to the 2nd floor. Heck, it was the only miserable escalator accessible to that level. All of a sudden, that motherfucking escalator halted to a stop and BEGAN TO ACCELERATE BACKWARDS FOR FUCKS SAKE!

 

Being a 75 year old woman, Popoh lost her balance and was almost flung backwards due to the sudden inertia. Godmom also toppled backwards but managed to stretch out her hand towards Popoh in dire attempts to prevent her from following headfirst towards the ground 20 feet below.

 

Which totally reminded me of the scene in Final Destination 4

 

 

But gravity and inertia had the upper hand in this near-death situation. Godmom also tried to save herself by holding onto the escalator railing for dear life with one hand and trying her best to hold on to Popoh with the other hand. My poor granny was shaken and couldn't support herself up when she slipped on that accelerating escalator.

 

They were going down in breakneck speed.

 

And that's when Godmum yelled "TOLONG!!" (Malay Language for 'HELPP!!')

Luck must be on our side when a Malay man dangerously ran up towards them and stopped Popoh before she fell down entirely – saving her life. Thankfully enough, the broken escalator stopped immediately before they ended up hitting rock-bottom

 

I could understand the immense fear that was going through their minds at that very point on the killer escalator

 

 

Thank God that my both my loved ones were saved. The irresponsible management better have some bloody good explanation for this lack of safety & maintainance. What if the Malay man didn't come rushing to save them? Popoh would have already tumbled down the escalator 20 feet below, either breaking her spine or cracking her skull (if not both) from the impact of the fatal fall.

And even if she didn't, a nasty fall that bad would have already robbed the life of a 75 year old woman with Arthritis. But Godmom would certainly not let that happen – she would have already sacrificed to the very maximum to pull Popoh back up. But what if Popoh's weight was more than Godmum could take? In that state of shock, panic and immense fear, your mind gets cockscrewed and you won't know what to do.

 

 

And Godmum would have succumbed to the force of gravity and the mass of my falling grandmother.

Enough for me to lose BOTH my loved ones if not landing them in hospital for serious injuries or profuse bleeding

 

 

If that happens, you motherfucking slackers of a management better pay for this. Do something to your faulty and murderous escalators for fucks sake! Get that into your puny lackadaisical minds – YOU. ALMOST. HAD. MY GRANDMOTHER.KILLED.

 

 

Remember loves, if this near-death incident can happen to us.. if can happen anywhere to you too. So please be careful and hold on to the railings should there be a mechanical error like our case.

 

 

Thank you Lord for protecting my granny and my Godmum today.

I simply cannot take another death in the family.

 

 

PART 1

Let the craze for Blackberries propagate! I know so many of you are itching for your very 1st BB but don't know which telco plan to subscribe to. Yup.. there you go, a dilemma. Well I definitely know because I've quite a number of people already asking me which is better and worth paying for.

 

 

Basically, it all boils down to one thing.

WHICH IS A BETTER DEAL?

I was given the opportunity to review a telco plan on a Blackberry unit - which is perfect as I have a similar Blackberry registered with another telco to compare it against. It has been almost 2 weeks of usage of both the BBs telco services and within my 1st week and near 2nd week, I've noticed a few huge differences in that short period so far.

 

Let the saga begin!

 

 

Okay, first and foremost - Imma introduce you to what I'm currently using for EACH telco Blackberry plan and what has to offer me, in terms of price and plan. Before reviewing the mobile line services, you definitely need to know what you're gonna be in for first, right?  I'll let the stats speak for themselves and from there, you can go figure

 

 

 

Maxis Blackberry plan

You pay RM150 nett per month for call plan, which includes SMS, MMS and calls.

You pay another RM120 nett per month for unlimited mobile data plan, which includes internet browsing, social networking and emails.

And as you pay a steep amount of RM270 every month, you can get your BB Curve 8520 for RM488.

 

 

But there's a catch. YouI will have to sign a contract with Maxis for 24 months (2 years) in order to continue. AND yoi must be a principle line holder – not a supplementary line.

 

———-

 

But what about the deal from DiGi 's? For the exact same phone which is the Blackberry Curve 8520 smartphone, let's take a look at what they're offering yes?

 

DiGi Blackberry Plan

 

You pay for only what you use per month. That means no heebiejeebie of a fixed usage which you have to achieve. It's 5 sen per SMS to any network and 15 sen per minute for calls to any network as well. Don't forget that there's also the Friends&Family promo!

You pay another RM58 for unlimited mobile data plan which includes similarly, internet browsing, social networking and emails.

And the best part is? There are completely no commitments at all! This means you ain't binded to the telco and you can stop using or terminate your line anytime you want.

So technically, you only pay RM58 + RM as-little-as-you-want-to-use-per-month. All the freedom in the world to extensively use or use it a little as possible – entirely up to you! So if you're feelin a lil broke this month, then cut down on your calls/texts and it'll still be fine

 

And you'll get the Blackberry Curve 8520 smartphone for it's original price of RM1199

but that's  just a one-off! It's very very worth it if you're gonna use your BB in the long run.

 

 

By now, if you're smart enough – you would have already deduced that the DiGi telco Blackberry plan is definitely more affordable and worth spending on if you're on a budget. But the only thing you don't know yet is, how RELIABLE OR UNRELIABLE each of the networks are. You'll find out soon enough

 

 

Blackberry unlimited to me means a hell lot of things. With this, my extreme internet-dependent lifestyle is enhanced by leaps and bounds. I will no longer have to rush to the nearby Starbucks nor stay out late at the wifi-enabled mamaks just to attend to my needs for being online. I could actually sit in my car in fronta some neighbour's house to tap on their wifi. To me, it's a buy beg borrow or steal thing. See how important it is?

 

Caught BB-ing while lou sang-ing with my friends during Ren's CNY open house

(pic credited to Joshua)

 

 

Even my colleagues, friends and family members jokingly tease me by saying that I am "busier than the prime minister" because I'm always with my BB and having to reply emails and constantly do my work on the go. Other than that, I'm religiously hooked on social networking. I blog, Tweet and Facebook a lot from my BB and sometimes stream videos for entertainment. And all these is just a small portion of why having Blackberry unlimited is indeed VERY essential to me everyday.

 

 

I even need Blackberry unlimited whilst in the middle of a river jungle in Sabah!

 

Without Blackberry unlimited, I am deduced to nothing (in the 21st century) and with nothing, I'd be better off disintegrated. Okay, yes I'm being hyperbolic here but that's metaphorically as close how much I rely on the internet. They even say that my BB could have grown roots to be a part of my biological anatomy. Thing is, I know some of you are prolly just as internet savy as I am or probably more! *bows*

 

Yes even while sippin a cuppa coffee from Starbucks

 

 

Which is why Imma share with you WHICH Blackberry plan is more cost-efficient and worthy so that you don't get ripped off for the amount of money you're gonna pay for! Now that you already know what you're going to pay for, let's just see which Telco will give each other a run for their money in terms of reliability?

Which BB telco plan has a better coverage, quality and yes – which has better connection and speed of the Blackberry Internet Service (BIS). Maxis or DiGi?

 

It's time for me to put it to test and lay it all out on the table for you

 

 

Find out soon in the next post!

Who will emerge victorious? Let the war begin

 

————-

POST  UPDATES!

PART 2 : Along the North-South highways & hiking uphill, which Blackberry wins?

PART 3 : Putting both the Blackberry  to test in the streets!

PART 4 : Dating both my Blackberries, which did I decide on in the end?

 

 

I know Chinese New Year isn't over yet, but I can't wait to share how the celebrations were! There's still plenty coming up, with the family reunion and mini gambling sessions with friends – but now, here's one CNY Luncheon that began the lunar new year with a big bang!

 

 

I was invited to Visiber's Chinese New Year Luncheon last Saturday and it was impressive how big a scale that luncheon was! Now, this was one event that anyone could spot from a mile away. Visiber and its surrounding vicinity was very well decorated and the amount of guests wearing bright & striking red? Innumerable.

 

 

With the creative web team

who were in red as well!

 

 

What I liked most about it was although they did it in an elaborate manner -with tables and tables of delectable buffet food varieties, lion & tiger dances ON 12FEET HIGH STILTS, God of Prosperity mascots giving away AngPow packets, impeccable decorations and so on - they never steered one bit away from the gung ho festive spirit of Chinese New Year.

 

The bosses generously giving out AngPows to the guests

GONG XI FA CHAI!

 

 

HUATTT AHH!!

 

Lots of merry making were seen at all corners and we could all feel the warmth and unity of the people in the house!

 

 

I initially wanted to wear my Cheongsam (Qipao) to the event – but unfortunately, the one I own was black! Not exactly appropriate to don black on a Chinese New Year celebration. It's a taboo apparently! So I settled with a red checkered blouse with a matching hair bow instead !

 

Brought my date along to the event as well – he came back to Malaysia for CNY

I was astonished when I caught sight of a few huge pieces of lamb being grilled by a fully uniformed Chef live before us all. Certainly did not expect to see that! Also, the chef was such a jolly good fellow!

 

 

When I 1st spotted him grilling the huge slab of something that resembled an animal, I asked,

"Is that pork? Or is that beef?"

 

 

"NO! IT'S A MEKK MEKK!"

he chuckled loudly with a twinkle in his eye.

 

From there, I instantly gathered that he meant mutton

 

 

 

There were lotsa satay too! Two lovely Malay ladies were busy behind the BBQ pit and the marinating bowls. Well, they're the ones behind the succulent and tasty satay. Glad that Visiber so smartly included these live grilling stations!

 

 

 

What year is this again according to the Chinese zodiac? If you didn't know then you must be living under a shell! Why, it's the Year of the Tiger of  course! And we significantly have a new member to the Lion Dance.

 

Oh hello, stripey one

 

 

Soon after, the Lion + Tiger Dance was at it – complete in choreography too! The year of the Tiger has it all It was really a combo performance, bursting with zest but not until they leaped to the sky high stilts to work their magic!

 

 

I reckon these peeps have been training all year to perform marvelous (not to mention, dangerous too!) acrobatic stunts.

 

 

As Visiber is very well known for their repertoire in numbers & numerology, how can they not have numerical cakes present for this CNY luncheon? I spotted lotsa adorable fluffy cakes with brightly colored numbers on top!

 

So cute

 

 

Then it was time to do the Chinese New Year traditional rituals of prayers and burning notes in a large ceramic cauldron. Was pretty cool that the board of Directors and Department Heads were leading the other staff in doing this practice.

 

 I watched silently, but with keen interest from the sidelines as they read out vows and other mantras

 

 

It ended approximately at 3pm. Humid as the weather was, it didn't seem to scorch away the spirit of festivity. Happy Chinese New Year again to all my readers and do enjoy the remaining days of CNY! There's 15 days altogether, if you didn't already know

 

 

ROARR!

 

Oookay. So this is it. Back to life in university! Its a very strange feeling to be back, having dabbled and worked in the industry for a quite a fair bit. I hope I haven't lost my study mojo though *gulps* As you would have already read from my tweets, today was my 1st day of Orientation. Figured you would wanna know how it went for me!

 

My breakfast, brunch and lunch on campus. How sad.

You'll see why in a bit

 

 

Felt enthusiastic yet oddly nervous at the same time. Didn't know what to wear, as I couldn't remember the last time I wore something academically appropriate in campus. Soon enough, I discovered that there aint no dress code in Monash University unlike my former college KDU. Yippee! Anyway, boyfie told me not to wear heels nor a skirt because we might be required to play games.

 

BUT I WORE A SKIRT ANYWAY

Let's just pray we didn't have to play games then!

 

 

I arrived at an ungodly hour of 8.30am. Oh believe me when I say I'm never a fan of early mornings, I absolutely despise it. But ironically, I parked my ass into Monash University foyer and was told that the orientation for the School of Arts & Social Sciences begins at 10.45am. FML. -__- So there I sat, all alone with only my Blackberries keeping me company.

And it didn't help that I absent mindedly forgotten to bring my wallet to Uni as I left it in my gym bag last night. Double FML prosperity -__-

 

yes you may stick your tongue at me now Nadia  T___T

 

Keeping myself well-occupied with people watching, it is beyond me as to why certain students just had to bring both their parents and (possibly!) the whole family tree along with them to the orientation. I mean, hello? You gotta be AT LEAST 20 years of age to enter University, and yippee yaya you brought mommy daddy grandpa grandma uncles aunties brothers sisters and a stroller with a baby inside. I swear there was not exaggeration.

 

Say hello to my new home

Monash University

 

 

Totally reminds me of how mom and dad used to wait outside my Primary One classroom for me under the tree with all the other parents. Mine were holding my lunchbox waiting to accompany me during recess. I vividly recall I wore my ponytail in a while ribbon which mom ties for me every morning OKAY ENOUGH NOSTALGIA

 

was walking as I took quick random shots

 

More and more students began flocking the registeration counter. My eyes darted across the area in hopes of landing them upon a potential classmate. Yes you read right, POTENTIAL CLASSMATE. They say that you can tell a Communications student from other students. We're generally stigmatized to be a notch dressier and louder in character.

 

Spotted Nadia, my former classmate back in college lining up for her turn.

Oh finally, a familiar face! xoxo

 

Apparently, all the Communication students ended up in the wrong auditorium (blame that lady who passed down the wrong info!) and we all had to switch auditoriums. And that's when I met my new clique. We clicked instantly and found out that we had lotsa things in common. All 3 of us also had bangs and the best part was WE WERE ALL FROM KDU COLLEGE albeit different campuses.

 

Birds of a feather really flock together!

 

Exchanged BBpins with a few other students and noticed that lotsa peeps were also using Blackberries

 

Sorry! Used the blackberry to snap this under bad lighting

 

Soon it was time for the most repetitive and dreary briefing ever and we were bored out of our skins. If I remember correctly, one of the things we were told was not to talk to strangers. Ohhh-kay -__- Do we look like 12 year olds? hmmm. But anyway, better to be safe than sorry I guess

 

 

When it was all over, the 3 of us – Jody, SueAnne and myself sprung outta the auditorium and quickly registered ourselves for the Monash Trip to Genting! It's gonna be a one day bash, we're gonna have so much fun Been dying for a trip to Genting for almost a year now. Rollercoaster rides and daredevil activities here we come!

 

We went in search of food like hungry leopards on prowl and guess what made our eyes glimmer?

 

J.Co Donuts were in the house!

 

 

And so was Nasi Lemak, Sandwiches, Burgers and more. We took so much food back to our table to share. Nom noms

 

 

Whilst eating, it's of human nature to jabber and people watch. We spotted a really cute and hunky exchange student (he's prolly Australian) wearing red. But what burst our bubble entirely was when 2 obnoxious guys came right up to us and said the lamest pick up line ever. From the corner of my eye, I could see Jo and Sue rolling their eyes. So what was the lamest pick-up lines of the day?

 

"THAT'S A REALLY NICE TATTOO. IS IT A CAT? I'VE GOT A TATTOO OF A CAT TOO *points to back*

NO I WAS JUST KIDDING *begins to laugh at own joke*

*mumbles random and unrelated sentences*

ARE YOU GOING TO THE GENTING BASH? x2 "

 

=_____="

 

 

I nodded my head in the affirmative

and just when we taught it was over, the same question was asked

"HAHA. *inserts lame maximus jokes here*

SO ARE YOU GOING TO THE GENTING BASH?"

 

Is there nothing else more interesting to talk about?

 

Sometimes, chicks have balls bigger than your brains

Think twice before you try a lame pick up line mister

 

 

My eyes couldn't help but to roll away to the other end of the campus. AWKWARD MOMENT ALERT! And Sue couldn't help but to shout "BUT HE JUST ASKED THAT QUESTION! WHY ARE YOU ASKING? LOL" They just feigned smiles and walked away (hopefully in embarrassment)

 

 

Soon enough, something else caught our eye after all the people watching. There was a L'Oreal roadshow and they were giving away their latest L'oreal Dermo Expertise Hydrafresh (omg super long name wtf) Anti-Shine All Day Hydrating & Matifiying Icy Gel. It's deep marine source water is rich in purifiying minerals and it's supposed to act as a a tinted moisturizer or a make up base.

 

We tried and tested it – was really smooth and blends so well.

 

 

We had to play a game to get it though.. and we gave it a shot! I reckon it's a simulation of what that icy Gel is supposed to do to your skin Protection against UVA and UVB. The yellow and red balls were supposed to be the UV rays that attacks our skin surface

 

 

 

All in all, the 1st day of Orientation Week went well for me. Made new friends and sorta nestled down already even within a few hours. Ohwell, more to come! Can't wait to embark on new adventures, life-dramas, study pressure and to see what heralds next for me. But one thing's for sure, I won't stop what I'm already doing. I will just have to learn how to stay focused and juggle studies and work well ^__^

 

The best part of today's orientation was…

 

I HAPPENED TO BE SITTING ON A CHAIR IN AUDITORIUM 1 LABELLED WITH MY NAME DURING THE ORIENTATION

Creepy much? Thanks to fellow student Dianah who pointed it out to me in alarm

 

 

LOOKS LIKE I'M PROLLY FATED TO COMMENCE MY TERTIARY STUDIES HERE AFTER ALL *inserts superstitious face*

Full swing yo! Wish me luck! it's back to school in style