Sabah Snake Grass adventure

Back when it was still popular, I have always hated never been fond of forwarded texts and emails. I just couldn’t care less about it. Now that smart phones are ruling the world, I am sort of secretly relieved that nobody forwards alphabetical roses or teddy bears anymore. (OK, I hate those texts offering sexy photos of Liyana Jasmay some artist or predictions of my love life, but for now, I can live with that.)

So when my boss forwarded an email to me early this month, asking me to share around a newfound cure for cancer, I moved it to my junk folder and forgot about it. Then, last week on Tuesday, I received the same email again. This time, I read it through. For now I had a reason to.

To cut a long story short, I Google-d around and found out that Sabah Snake Grass (SSG) has been famously claimed to be curing many forms of cancer or improving cancer symptoms. Testimonials can be found easily as many people blog about it. Just Google Sabah snake grass. But there are some people claiming that SSG didn’t help their case (to be expected). Nevertheless, there is this herbal farm in Negeri Sembilan that is flocked by visitors all week round who come from far just to buy supplies of SSG. I decided to pay the farm a little visit to see for myself the miraculous famous SSG, and share about it with others who might find it of any benefit or help to them. I went there last Sunday.

For those who wish to visit the farm, you can take the LEKAS highway from KL. I think this might be the easiest way to go there. If you travel on SILK highway towards Kajang, starting from Sg. Balak onwards you need to pay RM1.00, RM4.90 & RM1.90 tolls. Take the exit at Ampangan/Seremban/Jelebu. After the exit, take the immediate left turn towards Jelebu. The Yik Poh Ling farm should be about 10km from this exit.

At the farm, fresh SSG leaves are sold in clear plastic containers at RM25 each. One container contains 300-400 leaves that can last about 2 weeks depending on one’s dosage. To know the accurate dosage, it’s advisable to consult the farm staff as they are well-versed in it. In my case, I was told that someone my age would need to eat about 30 raw SSG leaves every day. It is worth noting that while you consume SSG, you need to watch your sugar and salt intake; most importantly. (Actually, they did mention many types of food but I forgot to jot down any; my bad. I will take note the next time I go).

At the farm, you could opt to buy SSG plant if you wish to grow it on your own. One soil bag with 5-6 sown stalks is priced at RM10. I did buy 4 bags – one for a friend, two for me and another one for my MIL. Apart from SSG, the farm has many other herbs and nutritional plants; some unheard-of. They also sell tea bags with various concoctions of herbs. One packet containing 20 sachets sells at RM30. Hubby decided to try the “keremak merah” tea which is said to be good for heart and stomach (still a longgg way from 30-min jogging on daily basis I’ve been nagging him with, but anyway, PROGRESS).

SSG (daun belalai gajah in Malay) is a natural herb that can be grown just by cutting the stalk into several 4-inch pieces and placing it in a soil bag. It needs watering just twice daily and must not be placed in direct sunlight. Nevertheless, SSG can’t be adopted as in-house plant. This is how I grow my own SSG:

This place allows the plants to get enough morning sunlight and remain shaded the rest of the day.

In 3 weeks time, the little SSG plant is ready to be transferred to a bigger pot. At this point, you might want to try and feed it some organic fertilizer to boost its growth. But I have yet to study about that so I will update later on. From what I was told, after 3 months, the SSG should grow about 3-ft tall.

I cannot wait to see my own little SSG farm but in the meantime, I shall just pray that hubby or his partially-stray cat, Jo, would not harm my SSG plant in any way that might hinder its progress – either accidentally or accidentally-on-purpose. Just saying... (maybe another post on this later)

Jo the hubster's gay buddy cat

sick heart (read:sakit hati)

Tolong score sendiri boleh?

Both pun ihsan daripada Arsenal, tak perlu buat muke berlagak kot?

Shot on goal pun takde, main flocking and tak habis2 diving serta memancing free kicks, nak2 pula ref tu semua happily entertain childish tactic korang itu, suka la ye?

Dah sah2 Arshavin patut dpt penalty minutes before he scored that first WONDROUS (quoting the commentator on duty) goal, but ref buat apa? Oh tidak nampak dia di tackle. F*** Evra.

And that was a WONDROUS goal. Arshavin rocks.

Stop parading that ugly smug face, Roo-boo, you'd only be dreaming of scoring if not for the lousy penalty awarded to you. Learn how to score from the young and mightily talented Arshavin, eh? He may be new, he may be "cheaper" than you, but if there was a definition of A GOOD PLAYER, he'd fit it way better than you and your pink face would ever do.

not reading fiction anymore

Twenties Girl, Sophie Kinsella

Yay! Finished this just now. Yummy read. Sadly, this HAS to be my last novel. Gonna have to start digging into journals, articles and textbooks soon since having kissed and made up with my master's degree *cryptic phrase, i like*

I am determined to be a determined person about my determination to focus on my thesis and ignore the stacks of unread yummy novels currently residing everywhere around me *haven't gotten round to sorting everything yet; i've decided moving is the 3rd thing i hate after milk and Statistics*

Hopefully the paperback version of this book will be released soon. Wanna buy one for my keep and re-read the part where they kiss on the London Eye and lust after Mr American Frown all i want...

I so want August 17th to be TOMORROW.

I need distraction from the calendar.

JUMBLED UP

i'm back blogging.

no particular reason. just need a place to channel my thoughts and feelings. perhaps.

and to preserve memories *snort*

there was a time when i used to feel inexplicably frustrated when people did not remember things; something that i did without trying. but i guess when scientists claim that human memory weakens as we age; they do it for a reason (for one SOLE reason); it is TRUE.

i am approaching 25.
and i am now constantly frustrated with the fact that i do forget things these days. and another fact that im fast becoming a regular user of this phrase "if my memory serves me right". it is frustrating. hence the blog.

i once said PEOPLE DON'T FORGET, THEY JUST DON'T REMEMBER; approximately 2 years ago.

why?

because i believe that nobody intends to forget; if our capability permits, im sure we all want to remember everything. but its not possible. people dont call people geniuses for having superb memory for nothing.

hence the adage. the sentence forgives people for not remembering. the auxiliary verb "DON'T" lends a softer/nicer sound to it. THEY DON'T REMEMBER sounds a lot better than THEY FORGET.

i'm listening to LOVE REMAINS THE SAME; Gavin Rossdale.

only the heart knows

"Ku mencintaimu lebih dari apa pun
Meskipun tiada satu orang pun yang tahu
Ku mencintaimu sedalam-dalam hatiku...

Yakinlah bahawa engkau adalah cintaku
Yang ku cari selama ini dalam hidupku
Dan hanya pada mu ku berikan sisa cintaku
Yang panjang dalam hidupku..."

missing you more than you could ever know :(

s0me tw0 years later ..

I was sitting on my doorstep,
I hung up the phone and it fell out of my hand,
But I knew I had to do it,
And he wouldn't understand.

So hard to see myself without him,
I felt a piece of my heart break,
But when you're standing at a crossroad,
There's a choice you gotta make.

I guess it's gonna have to hurt,
I guess I'm gonna have to cry,
And let go of some things I've loved,
To get to the other side.

I guess it's gonna break me down,
Like falling when you try to fly,
It's sad, but sometimes moving on with the rest of your life,
Starts with goodbye.

I know there's a blue horizon,
Somewhere up ahead, just waiting for me,
Getting there means leaving things behind,
Sometimes life's so bitter sweet.

Time, time heals,
The wounds that you feel,
Somehow, right now.

h0w d0 i start this entry, really? there's s0 many th0ughts racing thr0ugh my mind as 0f n0w, but s0metimes even w0rds can't describe things. several excruciating events have taken their h0n0rable place in my life recently. it has always left me w0ndering; h0w 0ne s0le day c0nsisting 0nly 0f 24 h0urs can see t0 it that s0 many things happen, and the many changes it brings. and h0w it always succeeds at keeping us riding 0n the balanced wave 0f j0y and sadness; as an0ther day g0es by.

anyways. the thing that happened last Friday was 0ne 0f the saddest in my life, yet funny h0w it still c0uldn't bring tears t0 my eyes. n0t sad en0ugh, i think =) but it'll always be a reminder t0 me, f0r the rest 0f my life. t0 'Aliaa, =) instead 0f s0bbing y0ur heart 0ut, i guess the m0st appr0priate thing t0 d0 is t0 c0ngratulate y0urself. we've been thr0ugh a l0t, and apparently a l0t is still inadequate t0 really teach us the real meaning 0f s0-called LIFE, s0 He h0n0red us with even m0re 0pp0rtunity t0 see the many ways LIFE can be nasty t0 us all. and still, we pulled thr0ugh, t0 the very end =) i guess the best thing we can d0 is t0 bear it all in mind; the tears shed *'Aliaa's 0nly haha*, the hurt felt, and the pain shared; lest we get t0 the gl0ri0us t0p 0ne day, and f0rget that there's the murky d0wn s0mewhere; waiting f0r us t0 miss a grab and fall. as i said, it'll be a reminder t0 always watch 0ur steps, c0z evidently, the w0rld 0ut there is cruel, and we've witnessed 0nly the tiniest part 0f it. still, we made it t0 the end; unscathed in the br0adest scheme 0f things. what i'm sure 0f, we came 0ut 0f it with a brand-new dimensi0n t0 0urselves; m0re intact spirit and greater sense 0f ... well, 0f alm0st everything. s0, i say let's be pr0ud 0f 0urselves, celebrate 0ur terrific c0urage and patience, and definitely, 0ur FREED0M. freed0m. h0w nice is that w0rd. we're free, eventually =)
i l00k f0rward t0 seeing the pe0ple i've missed m0st, and haven't seen f0r s0 l0ng. well, since we started 0ff 0ur training; required t0 c0mplete 0ur engineering degree. and it's never 0ccured t0 me that s00n as the new semester c0mmences, we'll have 0nly 0ne year left 0f c0llege. 0ne year. and all th0se m0nths will be filled with vari0us pr0jects, researches, papers and c0urses. and if we're lucky en0ugh, we'll get t0 sl0t in time t0 take a break, hang ar0und and have as m0st fun as we can p0ssibly manage t0gether; bef0re we finally graduate and g0 0ur separate ways. the questi0n is there. will i miss it all? will i l00k back 0n the f0ur years and sigh and wish that i c0uld relive all th0se m0ments? h0nestly, i d0n't kn0w; yet. i've gr0wn cl0se t0 s0me pe0ple; much t0 my 0wn surprise, and i've als0 had s0me w0nderful mem0ries and stuff with 0thers. but i've always been a ... well, dunn0. i guess i'll have t0 re-think a questi0n s0me0ne has asked me very recently; what/where is y0ur life? yeah. it hit me a great deal. sadly, i d0n't have the answer t0 that. ('_')

anyways. what an em0ti0nal entry. haha. and is ab0ut t0 bec0me m0re em0ti0nal right fr0m this p0int ;p

0ne 0f the saddest things that has ever happened in my life; BRAZIL's 0-1 defeat against France. yeah, it might s0und daft, but it really is. i was devastated when Argentina l0st t0 Germany thr0ugh a penalty sh00t-0ut. Yatie was t00, as it was her very first time f0ll0wing updates 0n s0ccer, and the first time she decided t0 ch00se a team t0 supp0rt. and even th0ugh she hasn't been able t0 rec0gnize every Argentine 0n the team just yet, she was quite deeply affected. and w0rse, she didn't even get t0 watch the match. and i'd had t0 keep her updated every single minute until their last w0rld-cup-2006 penalty kick. i was frustrated, yet it didn't really matter since i've been supp0rting Germany t00. then, it was England against P0rtugal. and even th0ugh i've been supp0rting P0rtugal and s0 was glad that they made it, the dejected-l00king England players h0lding hands, s0bbing 0n the pitch, plus a friend 0f mine *wh0 cried (!!) after the match* left me silent, with a mixed feeling. it's kind 0f cruel when 0ne 0f tw0 great teams wh0 play great games are faced with an excruciating fate. they had all the right reas0ns t0 cry. even th0ugh s0me said that they c0uldn't wait t0 see England get kn0cked 0ut and that England have been limping al0ng like w0unded animals, pers0nally, i take my hat 0ff t0 England; they've sh0wn a very entertaining game, they've played really well, it was such a brilliant game that night against P0rtugal. true, their previ0us perf0rmance in the early r0und were d0wnright unspectacular, but against P0rtugal, they were very much better. *err excepti0n f0r R00ney th0ugh* hehe
it has never 0ccured t0 me at that m0ment that i was ab0ut t0 experience a great turn 0f event just a c0upla h0urs after that match. BRAZIL : FRANCE. when the ref's whistle at the end 0f the match reverberated thr0ugh the pitch; France players and fans celebrated their gl0ri0us m0ment, while the rest 0f the w0rld sat rigidly; n0t believing f0r a single sec0nd the fact that there w0uld be n0 Samba dance f0r us Brazil's supp0rters, and that that was the end t0 everything. it was a truly sad m0ment. and if all the 0rdeals in my life recently still didn't manage t0 make me cry; believe it 0r n0t, Brazil's defeat did. i cried =) en0ugh said! and when Yatie messaged me, and Eppy after that, and the rest wh0 did, i was speechless; dr0wn in my 0wn frustrati0n.

well, it'd n0rmally make me feel furi0us and disgusted if i cried, which explains why i suck at crying, but this time it was w0rth it. i didnt feel ashamed that i cried. c0z f0r all i kn0w, the w0rld 0ut there was crying t00. well, maybe n0t the wh0le w0rld, but a great big part 0f it. France deserved an applause th0ugh, they went all-0ut and their perf0rmance was unquesti0nably well. and here i am, thinking w0efully; i felt s0rry f0r France earlier 0n in the first r0und c0z it l00ked like they needed all the luck they c0uld get t0 make it t0 the R0und 0f 16. but then they pr0ceeded; far than grandly, and hit the w0rld by kn0cking 0ut my 2nd fav0rite team; Spain. i was sad. and n0w that they've kn0cked Brazil 0ut t00, please, i need a w0rd f0r "sadder than sad". had i kn0wn that they'd c0ntribute t0 my unhappiness later 0n, i'd never g0 ar0und dr0ning 0n ab0ut h0w s0rry i was f0r France in the first place.

anyways. that's it. w0rld cup 2006 is cl0se t0 the end. n0 m0re f00tball fevers, n0 m0re late nights 0ut, n0 m0re impr0per sleeping schedules, n0 m0re j0y 0f watching w0rld's best-l00king + talented + c00l guys play s0ccer *grins*, n0 m0re w0rld speaking 0ne special language; f00tball =) t0 th0se wh0've 0nly kn0wn that Li0nel Messi is 0ne 0f the y0ungest f00tballers t0 play in W0rld Cup, n0t a guitarist 0f an undergr0und band, (meaning: th0se wh0 n0rmally didn't watch s0ccer and 0nly paid attenti0n c0z 0f the infecti0us W0rld Cup spirit), they may c0ntinue life where they left it bef0re the seas0n began. and t0 me and milli0ns 0ther l0yal s0ccer fans, let's replenish 0ur spirit and l00k f0rward t0 the many champi0nships/leagues t0 c0me. there's the Eur0 2008! =) but still, i'm anticipating the WC final this Sunday. g0nna watch it with my dearest friends. my eagerness has s0mewhat reduced in intensity, th0ugh. it's 0kay. the spirit never dies! \(^_^)/

HIDUP B0LA!~

Fra : Esp [3-1]

whew.. sad. really and truly.

:'(

*****************************************************************

Bra : Gha [3-0]

\(^_^)/

***********************************************

y0u can't always have everything y0u want in life. y0u've g0t t0 ch00se.

in 0rder t0 get 0ne thing, y0u'll have t0 let g0 0f the 0ther.

that's just h0w it w0rks.

=)

The Bottom Line
The walls you've built need to come down, so show the world the real (amazing) you.

In Detail
A strange encounter with a friend will lead you to understand just how imposing the walls you've built have become. There's no good explanation for this wave of self-protectiveness that's come over you, so what gives? Try letting a few folks in on how you're feeling right now and let them see the real -- and amazing -- you. Trusting a friend will give you the confidence you need to start tearing down that wall before it grows any higher.

i supp0se it's right. *sigh*

lalalala.. life g0es 0n.. lalalala.. it makes me str0ng.. =)

i've been thr0ugh a l0t in the past few weeks. but i hadn't had en0ugh spare time t0 write everything d0wn. i wish i c0uld cram in everything here; fr0m awful times at w0rk :( t0 great fun at riding classes :) t0 r0llerblading with my friends :) t0 spending time at h0rse farm at every available time with H0b0 and c0. \(^_^)/ etc. anyways. what's written here d0esn't really matter, as l0ng as all the mem0ries remain alive in my heart =) *err the happy and sweet 0nes i mean, minus the awful 0nes*

t0day, i t00k cute Margarita 0ut f0r a walk. she's nice; slightly less stubb0rn than my darling H0b0 :) i had t0 h0ld her c0llar all the time th0ugh as she was afraid 0f a gr0up 0f ab0ut ten wild p0nies at nearby field; 0ne thing i c0uldn't really t0lerate since she was physically way bigger and t0ugher than th0se scraggy, 0bvi0usly-far-fr0m-well-fed p0nies. if she ran away, she'd m0st likely drag me al0ng and i'd end up breaking a few b0nes; which was a c0nstant reminder f0r me t0 keep h0lding 0n t0 her c0llar. apart fr0m the p0nies, we were al0ne. and since Margarita decided that she felt intimidated, i had t0 distract her fr0m paying attenti0n t0 th0se p0nies and scare herself. there was this time when the p0nies came t00 cl0se t0 the white w00den fence that was separating us fr0m them, and Margarita started jerking wildly. i tried t0 drag her away fr0m the fence. i even sh0ved her b0dy f0rward, and 0bvi0usly she didn't budge even an inch =p *additi0nal inf0: Margarita's weight = 450kg (!!)* i pulled her c0llar desperately and at that crucial m0ment, i saw an aer0plane s0aring high int0 the sky. h0ping f0r the best, i patted her neck and yelled with faux excitement "l00k Margarita! there's an aer0plane! l00k at it!" believe it 0r n0t, she turned and l00ked up at the sky. and i dragged her away t0 s0mewhere within a safer distance fr0m the p0nies. thank G0d after that, she c0ntinued feeding 0n the grass as if n0thing happened. phew! it was fun. but it'd have been m0re fun if it was H0b0. but H0b0 was 0ut 0n a riding trip. i like Margarita and all 0ther h0rses, but i l0ve H0b0 t0 bits, really and truly =) *haha ayat ad0pted fr0m a b00k i read recently; my best friend's girl* ;)

while Margarita was grazing, i picked all s0rts 0f wild leaves even th0ugh i had abs0lutely n0 idea as t0 whether it was edible/danger0us 0r n0t; with the h0pe that Margarita w0uld kn0w which 0ne was safe t0 eat. my the0ry was pr0ven right, she ate s0me, and rejected s0me. we had fun, wandering ar0und the hill, watching the sun set; which was a wh0le l0t m0re beautiful when y0u were lying 0n the grass; stretched bef0re y0u an endless green field, with equally green hills, and birds singing, and a fresh air smelling 0f nature, far away a herd 0f c0ws grazing at the field l00king like black and br0wn d0ts, it was all t00 amazing a sight that i st00d still beside Margarita and mumbled t0 her "L00k, girl. beautiful, isn't it? i c0uld live here f0r the rest 0f my life, y0u kn0w. y0u're s0 lucky y0u practically live here." *err m0re t0 myself actually c0z she was 0bvi0usly less appreciative 0f the event 0f nature unf0lding bef0re us as she was busy helping herself t0 her pre-dinner hehe* i l0ve t0 lie d0wn and watch the sunset but i c0uldn't d0 that with Margarita. i c0uldn't let her wander ar0und 0n her 0wn.

at 7.20 pm, i led Margarita d0wn the hill, al0ng the gravelly lane, back t0 the h0rse farm, t0 her 0wn stable. there, her guardian (Ajis, a Bangladeshi) wh0's been teaching me s0me 0f his language as well as Hindustani *haha* was filling the h0rses' buckets with pellets and hay. i put Margarita in her stable and wandered ar0und t0 say hell0 t0 her friends; Alisha, Jesse James, Ria, Shiva and Braveheart. they are trained f0r 'endurance', which explains the lean and str0ng b0dy despite their small size.

n0t l0ng after that, H0b0 and friends (Anch0r Minka, Paint, Bull Eye, Bucky and Mrs. Zed) were back fr0m their riding trip, which caused me t0 jump ecstatically at the sight 0f H0b0. hihiii ;D after undressing the h0rses, they were put in their individual stable as it was dinner time already. i t00k H0b0 t0 the 0pen arena where i gave him a bath; an0ther r0utine i enj0y s0000 much as it was a special b0nding m0ment f0r me and H0b0. i l0ve patting his str0ng b0dy (he's big; 500 kg++), str0king his mane, rubbing anti-bacterial shamp00, brushing and scraping, and playing with his supp0sedly-called-mane-but-0ftenly-referred-t0-as-hair-by-me 0n his head. he l00ks really cute with f0am in his hair, that's why i l0ve trying 0ut all s0rts 0f haird0s 0n him. haha. and he'd stand patiently, waiting f0r me t0 finish bathing him which usually t00k 0thers 0nly 15 minutes. my bathing him means he'd have t0 stand at least half an h0ur. hahaha. i still needed help t0 clean up the h0rses' h00ves since it was quite a difficult task. it t00ke me quite s0me time t0 be able t0 wash their head with0ut help, c0z they're very sensitive t0 pe0ple p0uring water 0nt0 their head and they c0uld turn aggresive *plus the h0rses are way taller than i am haha* ;p

see, his hair, cute kan! hehe =)

while bathing him, i'd pause every n0w and again, gaze at him ad0ringly, and hug him ar0und his neck. he's g0tten used t0 my sh0wing these extra-affecti0nate gestures by n0w that he l0wered his head and let me cling t0 his neck. hehe =) the h0rses w0uld usually pull away if they didn't like pe0ple they were unfamiliar with t0uching them. after c0mbing H0b0's hair *which was abs0lutely unnecessary and 0nly i did it* i put him back in his stable, filled all their buckets with clean water and left them t0 their dinner.

meal time is 0ne thing i d0n't really like c0z all the h0rses w0uld be t00 busy t0 n0tice any0ne 0r anything ar0und them. it w0uld be unwise t0 disturb them as they'd be aggresive. n0rmally we'd be sitting d0wn, drinking tea 0r s0mething, watching the h0rses quietly, relaxing after all the exhausting h0urs 0f l00king after the h0rses. it'd be s0 quiet except f0r the 0ccasi0nal s0und 0f either Andrew 0r Attenti0n kicking their bucket, turning it upside d0wn in an eff0rt t0 spill 0ut the pellets. *they l0ve d0ing that, which is quite irritating!* i l0ve this m0ment t00; watching the h0rses c0ntentedly, kn0wing thay they were safe, clean, and well taken-care 0f. and during this time t00, the 0ther c0aches wh0 have bec0me my friends since the first time i went there alm0st tw0 years ag0 (the pe0ple i l00k f0rward t0 seeing at every available time), w0uld be feeding me new kn0wledge ab0ut h0rses. there'd always be s0mething new f0r me t0 learn.

at 9 am, we ate dinner *b0ught by yati and dan - wink wink* ;) t0gether at the small area 0utside the shed and 0ffice, facing the stables. i l0ve this t00, what with the endless j0kes and laughters =) after dinner, we were 0ff t0 kara0ke. when we arrived at c0llege later at 2 am, i was smiling despite my knackered b0dy.

\(^_^)/ am l00king f0rward t0 a new day t0m0rr0w. nite~ zZZZzzZzzzzz *dreaming 0f H0b0* =)

n0rmal day 0ut with H0b0 =)

H0b0 \(^_^)/

that's Paint =)

Paint d0esn't trust any0ne, and he's t00 careful. he's scared 0f alm0st every0ne. unlike 0ther h0rses, he st0ps eating and m0ves away t0 the c0rner 0f his stable if s0me0ne appr0aches. i alm0st gave up trying t0 c0nvince him that i'm harmless. after s0me time, he's decided that i'm sincere and s0 he's taken t0 like me. haha. n0w he c0mes t0 me when i call 0ut his name, and he feels at ease with me. well, it paid 0ff =) he l0ves red apples! s0 cute. hehe. 0thers l0ve carr0ts. H0b0 l0ves everything. huhu. Paint is nice, really. easier t0 c0ntr0l even H0b0 pun tak mcm Paint. H0b0 yang gemuk, kuat makan and manje ssgt2. hehe. but i still l0ve him ssgt =)

sunset =)

GUNNERS R0CK.!~ \(^_^)/

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL- ARSENAL VS BARCELONA

By Richard Clarke in Paris

It was just not to be.

Arsenal's journey to the Champions League Final had been based on bravery, artistry and youthful endeavour. But, with the trophy within their grasp, they found their path blocked by a mighty Barcelona side.

In a few days time, Arsene Wenger's side will be able to puff out their chests with pride at their performance in the first ever final in Europe's top competition. They played with 10 men for 72 minutes after Jens Lehmann was sent off in the early stages then took the lead eight minutes before the break when Sol Campbell nodded home a free-kick.

For much of the second half it seemed like this impossible mission would be accomplished. Barca had all the pressure but Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg had chances to finish the argument.

However, 14 minutes from time, Samuel Eto'o struck home from an acute angle on one side and soon afterwards substitute David Belletti fired home in similar circumstances on the other.
There would be no way back.

The air was thick with equal measures of ambition and anxiety in the hours before kick-off. Inside the stadium, a small army of media men prepared to carry news of this historic game out to the world. Outside, there were thousands more fans -some in yellow, some in red and blue- all of them ready to drink deep from the well of atmosphere this evening. To put it simply, it was the biggest game Arsenal had ever played.

Wenger stuck with his tried and tested European formation. It was a 4-5-1 with Alexander Hleb and Ljungberg pushing forward to support Henry, the lone striker. At the back, Campbell got the nod over Philippe Senderos.

Within the first 180 seconds Henry could have scored twice. First he cushioned a well-timed pass into the area by Emmanuel Eboue past his marker, Rafael Marquez, he give himself a point-blank shot at goal just eight yards out. Barca keeper Victor Valdes was quick off his line blocked the French striker's shot with his leg. The ball ricocheted away for a corner. It was played short to Henry on the left of the area and his vicious, low shot nearly surprised Valdes at the near post.

The opening salvos were coming from Arsenal and the London fans sensed it. If their side were to sing a tuneful song tonight then Henry would the conductor and the captain seemed to have the baton in his hand in the early stages.

In the ninth minute Ludovic Giuly escaped from Ashley Cole and stung Lehmann's hands. Soon afterwards, Ronaldinho sent a free-kick just wide. It was a 'sighter' and there would be surely more from him this evening.

And so it proved.

In the 17th minute, the Brazilian cleverly sent Eto'o through against an Arsenal defence that had found itself too square on. The Cameroon striker raced forward and has appeared to have skipped past Jens Lehmann only to see his trailing leg caught by the German. The ball ran on and Giuly planted it into the empty net.

It appeared to be a goal but amid the din referee Terje Hauge had blown for the original foul. Play would be pulled back for a free-kick right on the line of the penalty area. However the foul meant Lehmann had to see red. The 36-year-old held his head in his hands at the sight of the card.

It was a correct decision but a truly sad one aswell given Lehmann's huge contribution to Arsenal's season. Perhaps even unluckier was Pires, who was substituted to make way for substitute keeper Manuel Almunia. The Spaniard, who had been excellent himself when required his season, survived an immediate scare when play finally restarted as Ronaldinho whistled another free-kick just wide.

It was, of course, a pivotal moment and Arsenal struggled to recover.

But history has proved that this side should not underestimated. In the 37th minute, Eboue roared up the right and was felled by Carles Puyol. Henry took it and Campbell ghosted in front of Oleguer to flick a header into the net at the far post.

Half of the stadium exploded in noise and colour. The other half was stunned into silence.

In the minutes that followed Barca's swagger had a certain urgency about it. Could they really throw it away from such a position of strength? However they still had Ronaldinho and the Brazilians was still pulling the strings.

In first half injury time he nudged the ball into Eto'o in the corner of the area. The striker swivelled past and sent a shot fizzing toward the goal. Almunia narrowed the angle and got a finger tip on the ball to deflected it on to the post.

An incredible save and one that made you think this might just not be Barca's night.

The Catalans flew at Arsenal at the start of the second half. Ronaldinho continued to sparkle and tested Almunia with a couple of efforts from distance. In driving rain, the tide was unremittingly one-way. But it seemed Arsenal’s dam has been well-built.

It seemed that Barca had run out of ideas and, if anything, Arsenal were stretching them more and more. Henry fired wastefully at Valdes when put clear and Ljungberg forced the Spanish international keeper tipped acrobatically over the bar when the Swede had wriggled himself into some space on the left of the area.

On the hour, Barca manager Frank Rikjaard brought on Henrik Larsson for the ineffective Mark van Bommel. The Swedish striker's introduction was to prove pivotal. In the 76th minute he laid on a perfect ball for Eto'o to race through and fire home from an acute angle. Five minutes later the Swede laid on the pass for Belletti to thump home a shot that cannoned into the net off the ankle of Almunia.

Arsenal tried their best to raise themselves but, tired and outnumbered, their tanks was empty.

Fortunately this young side will come again and every Arsenal fan can be proud of their team this evening.

As I said early, after the disappointment has died, satisfaction will take its place. Next season we will have the Emirates Stadium and, thank heaven, another opportunity in this great competition.

But, for tonight at least, we must console ourselves with the thought that it was just not to be.

what was the last m0vie i watched?? hurm.. SHE'S THE MAN, TGV klcc, a day bef0re i went 0ff to my practical training. 0-kay. it just seems s0000 damn l0ng since i last had c0ntact with a real human living. *sigh* :(

wish y0u were here. CIK SIP0T KEBUNNN..!! ;) blek! :p

i've just finished reading "n0 sec0nd chance" by harlan c0ben. it t00k me 7 h0urs. the st0ry's gripping. brilliant, as always. i'm n0t g0ing any deeper int0 that. when i finished scanning the last page, *and the ackn0wledgements after that, and the ab0ut-the-auth0r thing after that* ;) i grabbed my hp and msged.. well. this might strike 0ne as weird 0r daft 0r anything but there was a reas0n as t0 why i did it. hehe. i msged Ana, wh0 was a few feet away fr0m me. in 0ther w0rds, we were in the same r00m, 0nly the tw0 0f us, yet i c0uldn't seem t0 find a m0re direct f0rm 0f c0mmunicating with her. n0t under CURRENT circumstances. hehe. well, here's what was in the sms:
"d0 u want me t0 fix y0u s0methg? that cereal 0r h0t ch0c? we're n0t 0n speaking terms right? s0 i figured sms w0uld be 0kay. heee~ :D"

the thing is, Ana was (still is) s0 abs0rbed in her w0rk that i dared n0t distract her. we've agreed 0n n0t speaking t0 each 0ther; she had t0 finish up her rep0rt which is a l0ad 0f mess; f0r starters, she hasn't even begun w0rking 0n the results (let al0ne the discussi0n) and w0rse, she hadn't even g0t a result; she'd been running the experiment/pr0gram 0r whatever it was that she did f0r her pr0ject survey all in vain. it's been 3 weeks. and she had t0 hand in the rep0rt t0m0rr0w. earlier 0n she msged her dad, asked her parents t0 pray f0r her final attempt t0 c0me t0 a success (which we t00, had agreed unanim0usly that it was like h0ping f0r a miracle t0 happen) and her dad rang back. and she t0ld her 0ld man j0kingly that the 0nly 0pti0n left if she didn't get all the equati0ns needed f0r the rep0rt was t0 jump 0ff the building. and sure en0ugh, he freaked 0ut at her t0ne. y0u kn0w, y0u might think y0u kn0w s0me0ne very well yet i've always believed that there just has t0 be s0me territ0ry that y0u're unfamiliar with. and that y0u're b0und t0 find s0me surprise every n0w and then. at least, i believe it w0rks that way. s0, back t0 Ana and her 0ld man. he 0ught t0 be a little wary ab0ut her resp0nse; funny as it might've s0unded. then, she sat at her very-rarely-used desk and started w0rking. and i was c0zily tucked in Yatie's bed, reading my third n0vel this week (despite the fact that my first paper is less than 0ne week away). i'd wanted t0 resume watching the g0dfather (0h i'll get t0 that in a few minutes) but she'd specifically requested 0n having n0 s0und whats0ever. plus the b00k i was reading was m0re appealing at the time. Ana's w0rking very hard (and y0u c0uld say that's a breakthr0ugh hehe). we're 0f the same league; never paid much attenti0n t0 studies, never w0rried much ab0ut assignments... well, y0u g0t the picture. and s0 seeing her n0w with her b0dy in an upright p0siti0n and her fingers actively tapping away at her lapt0p it's like... dunn0. and it was her wh0 helped me 0ut with my rep0rt last week.

just a quick recap; i was supp0sed t0, wait. let me rephrase that. WE were supp0sed t0 hand in the rep0rt 0n tuesday (it was a gr0up thing) yet they dumped it 0n me in the eleventh h0ur, and expected me t0 finish it. wth? that was what i was s0 furi0us ab0ut. heh. n0, that wasn't really infuriating. what was was the fact that they expected me t0 finish it all by myself 0n such sh0rt n0tice yet they expected t0 see their names 0n the fr0nt c0ver. again, wtf? and like it always did, my bad luck f0r the day didn't end there. while struggling t0 analyze the data and everything, with the time cl0sing in 0n me, i'd felt a severe pain in my st0mach. that was at 1.25pm that tuesday. and i had t0 bring the rep0rt t0 class later 0n at 2pm. i've rarely been sick bef0re and it was sheer bad luck that the preci0us m0ment ch0se t0 happen then. i cr0uched 0ver the lapt0p; 0ne hand squeezing my st0mach, the 0ther still tapping at the lapt0p; th0ugh a little less frantically. Ana made me take s0me Alka-Seltzer (whatever that is :p) and helped me 0ut with the graphs. i lay in bed, h0ping that the pain w0uld die d0wn. after a g00d few minutes i g0t back t0 the rep0rt. finally i managed t0 get it d0ne. and (i certainly kn0w this bit isn't necessary but heck wh0 cares?) my lecturer said it was g00d and suggested that the 0thers ask me t0 pr00f-read their rep0rt bef0re handing it in. that really put the big g00fy smile 0n my face. at least, it paid 0ff ;) and as f0r the pain in my st0mach, it g0t w0rse, i tried t0 sleep it 0ff but it was futile and i ended up cr0uched in bed all day, until later that night. i c0uldn't even talk when dennis called. and i felt really bad ab0ut that. i tried t0 listen t0 her and bear the pain but in the end i really c0uldn't f0cus anym0re s0 i t0ld her i had t0 hang up. and the fact that i'd said it abruptly while she was kinda d0wn and she was actually telling me s0mething really made me feel bad. s0rry, denn =(

s0 n0w i want t0 help Ana but i d0n't think there's any part 0f her w0rk that i c0uld help with. the title 0f her pr0ject: "m0delling 0f affinity precipitati0n system 0f enzyme rec0very". i kn0w s0me basics ab0ut her pr0ject (i myself am studying m0delling and simulati0n this semester, and MATLAB, well, is there any engineer wh0 d0esn't kn0w what it is?) but at this crucial p0int basic w0uldn't suffice. s0 i th0ught perhaps i c0uld at least get her s0mething t0 drink 0r anything. as s00n as i hit the 'send' butt0n, i fled the r00m *haha* and went t0 the bathr00m. when i was back, she was slightly slumped 0n her chair; her face deadpan yet there was a faint trace 0f amusement. she was biting her l0wer lip. within 3 sec0nds she cracked up a little. i instantane0usly checked my hp and there it was; her reply msg. haha. i kn0w it wasn't much, i kn0w it w0uldn't help as in miracul0usly make all her w0rkl0ad just disappear, but at least it t00k s0me strain 0ff her face =)

the g0dfather. i read the b00k by mari0 puz0 last tw0 days. it's a damn great st0ry, i fell f0r all the characters instantly (0r michael c0rle0ne, at least ;b) i've always been keen 0n all the mafia s0rts 0f stuff and that explains my fav0ring "the italian j0b", "f0ur br0thers", etc (n0t menti0ning mark wahlberg, ahax!) i watched "f0ur br0thers" a few times; in 0ne night. s0 last night i watched the dvd; the g0dfather part 1. i was transfixed in fr0nt 0f the lapt0p f0r the wh0le 3 h0urs. i n0ticed tw0 differences between the m0vie and the b00k. 0ne thing ab0ut reading the st0ry in w0rds is that y0u get better (and/0r clearer) view 0n things. better understanding even. the 0nly d0wnside is that i c0uld remember alm0st every dial0gue in the b00k and s0 i f0und myself mentally checking whether Al Pacin0 was saying exactly the right thing fr0m the b00k 0r n0t, thr0ugh0ut the m0vie. and when he 0r s0me0ne else in the m0vie wasn't, i felt an unnecessary dejecti0n. haha. as if i was afraid that they might twist the st0ry fr0m its 0riginality hence alter my c0mprehensi0n 0f the st0ry (0r my feeling t0ward the characters *ahem*) ;b i'm g0ing t0 watch part 2 and part 3 s00n. t0m0rr0w, perhaps. have t0 brace myself f0r the w0rst th0ugh, heard that michael c0rle0ne is g0ing t0 be sh0t t0 death. huuuuu.. ;b well, mafi0s0! 0h, the g0dfather definitely has t0 be 0ne my m0st fav0rite b00ks/m0vies ever! \(^_^)/

Yatie had g0ne h0me 0n friday. i didn't see her bef0re she left. but we had early lunch t0gether at 10am that day, with Ana. and managed t0 g00f ar0und a little while we were at it. eheh. \(^_^)/ she's c0ming back here t0m0rr0w. can't wait t0 hear ab0ut her grandparent's (i'm n0t sure if it was her g'm0ther 0r g'father) new cat. she msged me ab0ut it this aftern00n. s0unds 'interesting'. hehe.

quite a l0t 0f 'interesting' things happened t0day. hehe. i had brunch with Ana yet we f0und 0urselves c0nstantly munching s0mething afterwards; Ana claiming she needed all the extra energy t0 think, and me.. well, i've always been kn0wn t0 eat a l0t. after maghrib, we shared chicken papar0ng pizza a friend had kindly br0ught us and after having p0lished 0ff the last crumb, i l00ked up at Ana and she said "let's g0 0ut and get s0mething t0 eat." haha. and s0 we did. (t0gether with Jah). we were raven0us. haha. i ate nasi lemak, and then r0ti telur. the game 'chelsea-west ham' was 0n and it was all i c0uld d0 n0t t0 beg them t0 linger a bit l0nger until the end 0f the game. i underst00d they had the rep0rt due t0m0rr0w. i had actually asked Ana if we c0uld stay a little while s0 i c0uld at least catch the first half 0f the "arsenal-MU" game at 11pm; 0n the 0ff-chance that she might suddenly change her mind. heh. it was like asking a questi0n t0 which the answer is 0bvi0us (and y0u knew :p) but y0u ask anyway. well, the interesting thing was ab0ut Jah. and.. s0me guy. ehehh. \(^_^)/

hurm... what a lengthy p0st. well... haven't written in a while :)

ahhhh *b0red*

.all i kn0w. `kelly clarks0n`

For all I know, you could be near and every breath I take, you could feel

For all I know, you're just a thought that crossed my mind

What I wouldn't give to live that thought of mine

For all I know is nothing's changed,

Nothing ever will if I don't leave this place,

For all I know,

You're waiting for me to whisper your name ,

What I wouldn't give to kiss your sweet face,

Coz all I know is I need you here,

And all I have, I would give away,

So I could tell you dear,

All I feel...

oh I tried so hard to not feel,

It's killing me,

For all I know, you forgot me,

For all I know, you're different completely,

And everything we had was never what I thought it was,

But for all I know,

Oh it was love...

Coz all I know is I need you here,

All I have, I would give away to so I could tell you dear,

All I feel...

Oh I tried so hard to not feel,

It's killing me,

Now everyone has a name,

And every face always somehow looks the same,

I always feel so alone,

Especially when it rains,

For all I know, boy, you do the same,

Yeah I didn't know that I need you here,

All I had, I gave away cause I was still afraid to feel,

All I feel, oh I tried so hard to not feel

It's killing me, it's killing me,

All I know

All I know

For all I know..!

"Lighting is prescribed up0n y0u, and y0u dislike it. But it is p0ssible that y0u dislike a thing which is g00d f0r y0u, and that y0u l0ve a thing which is bad f0r y0u. But Allah SWT kn0ws... and y0u kn0w n0t..."

Al-Baqarah:216

my passi0n~ =)

\(^_^)/ yippieee!!! 0ne 0f the best-est days 0f my life! huhu. i b0ught seven(!!) b00ks this aftern00n, at the KL Internati0nal B00k Fair, PWTC. the feeling's like.. *huhu* indescribable. when we g0t there *me n yatie* i alm0st hyperventilated *haha* t0 see s000000000000 many b00ksssssss everywhere. i was giddy all 0ver with excitement. heheheh. like yatie when she saw handbags 0r sandals. hahahaha. *i'm g0ing t0 have t0 hear her nag f0r this* i was frustrated th0ugh, didn't find any 0f stephen king's b00ks which i've planned t0 buy. i've just finished his pseud0nym's n0vel (richard bachman) "the regulat0rs". it's brilliant, all right. it t00k me 9 h0urs t0 finish it (it's s00 thick, with small typing) and the minute i finished the last page, i grabbed my hp and msged ching f0ng.

"all i can say.. *deep breath* t0tally brilliant! u mustn't skip dis 0ne! hav t0 read it! seri0usly, i've read s0 many thrillers by different auth0rs but n0ne c0mes cl0se as t0 the 0riginality 0f his ideas. m0st 0f the time u can guess the ending 0f these thrillers, but i assure u, n0t with King. it's either u keep reading 0r u'd be l0st f0r directi0n. phew! i really am getting all em0ti0nal after finishing this 0ne. ain't that s0mething?"

that's exactly what i said t0 her, and what i'd say t0 any0ne. huhu. and i think i've succeeded at influencing ching f0ng. haha. she's never read any 0f King's b00ks bef0re (0r tried t0 but 0nly managed a few pages) and she wanted t0 hear my c0mment 0n this 0ne c0z she's determined t0 read it thr0ugh t0 the very last page this time. well, i really h0pe she w0n't give up halfway thr0ugh c0z pers0nally, i admit that King's b00ks are b0ring, excessively descriptive and dragging BUT 0nly the first 0ne 0r tw0 hundred pages. y0u'll get t0 that p0int at which y0u w0n't be able t0 put the b00k d0wn c0z it's s0 riveting. i assure y0u. meanwhile y0u have t0 put up with the b0ring phase laa. haha. h0wever, as i said, it's a little difficult if y0u've g0t a prec0nceived judgment 0n it. i mean like.. if y0u've had y0ur mind set that it's b0ring, that y0u'll never make it, then that's the way it's g0nna be right? might as well n0t b0ther trying in the first place. huhu.

. c0ma (r0bin c00k) <--- i've been c0llecting his b00ks *th0ugh s0me 0f his c0mplicated medical terms really c0nfuse me s0metimes*
. bitter medicine (sara peretsky)
. the g0dfather (mari0 puz0) <--- been l00king f0r it f0r s0me time *a friend suggested it*
. the last t0 kn0w (wendy c0rsi staub)
. first bl00d (david m0rrell) <--- am reading his newest b00k; 'burnt sienna' at the m0ment
. s0mething w0nderful (judith mcnaught) <--- i've read this s0me time ag0 *damn jiwang! huhu*
. n0 sec0nd chance (harlan c0ben) <--- i've g0t several 0f his b00ks, he's definitely g0t a distinguished style

n0w that i've added s0me m0re b00ks t0 my c0llecti0n (which means adding s0me m0re mess t0 my already jam-packed desk) i think i really am n0t g0nna read agatha christie's "ten little niggers" i b0rr0wed fr0m ching f0ng. it's never impressed me much in the first place. f0r starters, i d0n't like thin b00ks. 0nly like.. 2 hundred pages. and even th0ugh i kn0w it's n0t g00d t0 judge a b00k by it's c0ver, i can't help thinking that it's t00 drab; unappealing. 0kay. i'm n0t reading it. peri0d. huhu. i've g0t seven brand-new b00ks after all, haven't i? h0h0h0 ;) *heaven heaven*

yatie taught me 0ne little game t0day. and we played it whenever we were b0red; str0lling at the mall 0r cr0ssing the streets 0r waiting f0r meals; 0blivi0us t0 the surr0unding. well.. we did n0tice the 0ccasi0nal 0dd stares, but wth? they're strangers after all. i was reluctant t0 play at first, *biasela takut kalah haha ;)* but yatie insisted and after winning a c0upla r0unds, i ended up the 0ne s000 excited t0 initiate the game afterwards. it's fun when y0u're b0red 0ut 0f y0ur mind. and it pr0mises a g00d laugh. haha ;) back in c0llege, we lay 0n the fl00r in yatie's r00m and resumed playing despite 0ur dr00ping eyelids and nagging fatigue. yatie gave me her aubergine-purple crystal bracelet t0 wear bef0re we went 0ut and i'm still wearing it n0w. i never th0ught i c0uld actually stand having a bracelet dangling at my wrist but the weird feeling w0re 0ff eventually. and i managed t0 quit str0king and adjusting it every 1.8 sec0nd after s0me time. *as well as mentally telling myself 'i'm feeling m0re 0f a girl' again and again* hahaha. rev0luti0n's 0n its way ;)

0h i missed my ke-negara-an presentati0n this aftern00n. heheh. accidentally-0n-purp0se *hahaha* :D it's been p0stp0ned f0r alm0st 3 weeks n0w and i've l0st all interest in d0ing it *n0t that i had much in the first place pun ;)*

happy 22nd birthday t0 Isha!~ :) all the best-est!~ \(^_^)/

"... 000h hands0me...!!" ;)

haha. i decided to st0p bl0gging yet after tw0 weeks, here i am, writing again. actually, i'm w0rking 0n 0ur research rep0rt; meth0d0l0gy part that's s000 darned b0ring. huhu. 0kay. this is 0nly a quick digressi0n. i'm getting back t0 that in a minute. heh :p

well. there's n0thing much t0 write ab0ut. l0tsa things happened but i'm t00 lazy t0 write them d0wn. plus i've rarely been in my st0ry-telling m00d recently. i used t0 l0ve t0 "ber-cerite" but that particular habit 0f mine has s0meh0w reduced in intensity. i d0 tell st0ries t0 ppl, but 0nly every n0w and then.

early this year, we l0st t0 K6 at the finals 0f inter-c0llege v0lleyball. and it was an expected defeat since K6 is a residential c0llege f0r athlete. we l0st t0 them last year t00. at the finals this year, there was this 0ne K6 player wh0 caught every0ne's attenti0n. she didn't play last year s0 every0ne th0ught "here's a new face". but it's c0mm0n kn0wledge that there are s0me pe0ple wh0 kind 0f exude p0wer and auth0rity with0ut having t0 d0 anything, and i'd say this girl d0es exactly that. she had that i-am-a-great-player-and-i-kn0w-that l00k ab0ut her. apparently every0ne saw that in her. the m0st amusing thing was every girl was like.. "000hh hands0me..!" when she first sh0wed up. haha. and she's a girl :p s0me even immediately claimed that they were lesbian 0r c0uld be bi-sexual. funny. anyways. she pr0ved it allright. it's n0t 0nly my th0ught. she is a great player. and every0ne had been talking ab0ut her until days after that. here and there i heard "n0 5.. n0 5.." and i c0uldn't help smiling. umm. 0kay. there's m0re t0 it but i'm n0t g0ing int0 the details 0f it all :)

here's a c0uple 0f newspaper clippings i've g0t. s0me th0ughtful friend saw the article and gave it t0 me. i keep them. 0kay. apparently, n0. 5 has been playing f0r Malaysia since she was 14. *hmm n0 w0nder* she's 21, 5'8" tall, and she was b0rn a day bef0re me!!! (29th 0ct0ber) *i practically yelled this t0 my friends when i first f0und 0ut, huhu :p*

0kay. meth0d0l0gy.. meth0d0l0gy :p