seeking talents, behind and in front of the camera...

RED NOSE DAY T-SHIRT MONTAGE

Hey hey, people!! We're looking for people with nice sweet face and smile :-) to pose portraits of themselves wearing a red nose like this ;o) The pictures will be arranged into a collage to create a montage, of which the Red Nose icon will be super-imposed on, like the sample I've posted earlier. We have relatively short time to do it, so I'm hunting for serious SERIOUS volunteers to help me out with this.

ARE YOU GAME???

Okay, first, we'll need the photographers. Anyone with a digital camera that can take decent pictures with a white background would be good enough. A decent camera means it can take up to 5 megapixels picture size, so technically any compact digital cameras made after the year 2005 would be able to do the trick. DSLRs are GRREAATT but hardly necessary ;o)

We will need the photographers to send the pictures, unedited, to me at arteo@yahoo.com so I can pass them to the design person in the merchandising team of the project. We'll need the format to be upper body, 4x3" @ 300dpi. Since we need about 50 pictures of different poses to make a good randomly distributed montage, we need at least 5 volunteer photographers.

Buzz me as soon as you read this and would be able to help out ;o) We'll really like it if you have celebrities friends who want to lend a hand...errr... face. We'll need to standardise the pictures so please contact me to get the red nose to be used on the models.

RED NOSE ON ;o)

That was about the photographers. Now the talents. It doesn't matter if no one other than your mom thinks that you've got a likable face, as long as you have eyes that can wink, a nose to clip the red nose on, and a mouth that can smile, we'll take you in ;o) Okay, maybe that wasn't haha funny. Anyway...

We're looking for people who'd want to have their face to be a part of the montage. We need people of all sizes, colours and structures. What needed is a few pictures of you doing certain poses ;o) To standardise the pictures, we'll need to adhere to these few instructions:

1. Models must be wearing plain coloured shirts with no graphics. Any types of collar is okay.
2. Red nose is distributed to volunteering photographers. I'll put you in touch with a photographer nearest to you ;o)
3. We'll have you do 3 pictures, one facing the camera winking and smiling, 2 freestyles.
4. All pictures taken down to chest level only, like passport photo, maybe slightly lower... so it's okay if you have a thing about not wearing pants ;o)
5. Back ground must be white (any hue of white is okay)

Buzz me if you want to appear on our t-shirts ;o) I'll tell you more about the project ;o)

mushrooms galore........

My lunch today. Planned this for 2 days already, since I didn't get back in time to cook after gym last night, so I sped back home after class and start on this culinary project ;o) yummy...

I'm yet to name this dish yet. Ideas?

The ingredients:

Portobello, swiss whites, brown buttons and Korean enoki. Sliced beef is marinated and then stir fried for a few minutes before adding in the mushrooms and seasonings. Salt is added last, just a sprinkle, to prevent water from the mushrooms leaking out and making them soggy.

Last weekend's dinner -- spiral pasta with bbq cheese added to the mushroom tomato sauce. Beef is grilled with Italian herbs rub. Chef Jey lead the production that day.

red nose project coffee chat #2..................

18.01.2011, sbux jayaone, pj

1. Hey hey! Admittedly this has been a very very late minute on our last meeting. Sincere apologies on my side.
   
2. The second Coffee session was held last Tuesday at the same place and time, and we had 3 new people joining us ;o) Sheon came, Shuey brought 3 new friends over -- Wai Ling, Patrick and Dr Irinda. Unfortunately Albert has a meeting on, Garrett was not well, and so was Sheon's friend who planned to come. Anyway, here's wishing a speedy recovery for them ;o)
3. Okay, now the brief on stuffs that were discussed. We were joined by 2 staffs of Malaysian AIDS Council, Azahemy and a friend, to explain to us the related issues on fund raising for Malaysian AIDS Foundation. They seemed alright about the idea of the project, just needing a proposal paper to help explain better to the MAF Board of Trustees. I am yet to receive the document on MAF Fund-raising guideline from them, but once I have read through it, I'll summarise it here for you guys ;o) I will also have to prepare the Project Proposal write up for them by Monday. Ah... there goes my weekend ;o/
4. The amount of money that is set as fund-raising target may be pledged on a contract basis, and we "might" be liable to meeting the amount. That kinda scare us off a little bit, and have decided to bring the number down from RM50k to RM20k. Let's try small for the first time, and over-achieving our target has a nice ring to it ;o)
5. The structure of the Red Nose Project has been modified slightly to better suit the current existing programmes. Rather than having the finale Red Nose Day as a stand-alone event, we're thinking of piggy-riding on The Malay Mail Walkathon planned on the 3rd April 2011. MAF is also their main beneficiary for this fund raising walkathon. Perhaps an army of Red Nose walker will be at Dataran Merdeka, also to promote awareness on HIV/AIDS as it happens ;o)
6. The mob flash (RED FLASH) is still on as previously planned, on the week 12 weekend (26th or 27th March). The locations is still tentatively at the front open space of Pavilion KL. We're still deciding on the thing to do (rather than just appearing with a red nose) maybe a choreographed movement?
7. The Comedian show may be shifted to week 13 weekend (1st or 2nd April). We're still yet to get any comedians to agree to join our project, but I guess it's not time to panic yet. We'll keep om trying ;o) We're discussing the location that is probable to stage the comedian show. Any suggestions on a space that can hold up to 300-400 pax? We're thinking of asking the TAR Uni (PJ) for their auditorium. Got contacts?
8. Rather than setting up a bazaar / garage sale on our own, we've discussed the possibility of just putting up a booth or two, in any existing bazaars or flea markets. This is basically for the Red Nose Project to gain publicity and we're inviting people to come as vendors under Red Nose Project and pledge the proceeds to the cause. Anything with a Red Nose theme would be nice ;o)
9. We're getting samples from 2 resources for the plastic red nose. It's still happening too slowly, and I am getting slightly anxious over this issue ;o/ But thanks Sheon, for reminding me that this project is supposed to be fun and there's very little benefit to gain from getting myself worked up and stressed ;o) Maybe another cup of coffee would help!
10. Since the bulk of the fund is estimated to come from corporate sponsorship, we have to start the soft approach to the companies already and get them to consider donating to our cause ;o)
11. The next coffee session is scheduled at the same time and place next week, unless there's any other suggestions? Don't miss the fun, come join us for a cup of coffee and we'll chat ;o)

shiitake happens......!

The worst part about home cooking is...

...the cleaning up ;o(

I love mushrooms... can't you tell?

clockwise from top: runny yolk sunny side up (my favourite), smoked chicken franks, stir-fried shiitake with lemon and pepper seasoning (using fresh mushrooms makes all the difference), hash browns, strips of japanese cucumber

stir fried minced beef marinated with japanese sauce, with fresh shiitake, japanese cucumber and spring onion

3 coffees, red honkers and celebrities.....

1. Feeling kinda restless -- having tremors and palpitations from caffeine overdosing but weirdly my mind is still lagging... Feeling so sleepy. Been doing gym everyday ;o) for the past 5 days, and depriving myself of afternoon naps. Trying to readjust the diurnal sleep pattern, will... get... through... this... eventually... I know... zzz......
2. Feeling the void from post Toy Story Project, I quickly launched the Red Nose Project. Much criticism on the project initially, from the motives of a fun-in-return type of charity, to the seemingly short time for planning and fund raising. Putting the tentative date for Red Nose Day Malaysia on 1.04.11, I still feel that it's a little way to far to get people sufficiently excited at this point of time. Got to strengthen the core group running the show first.
3. Wrote to a few celebrities but have not gotten any responds yet ;o( but I'm still writing more anyway...

red nose coffee chat #1.......

Coffee Talk 01 - 11.01.11

1. Thanks very much to Sheon, Albert, Garret, Shuey and Tony (for coming along a short while) for participating in the brainstorming session at Starbucks JayaOne. We were expecting more would come ;o) but anyway the group was appropriately small for a more intimate brainstorming activity ;o)
2. To keep our discussion ambiance at a more relaxed tone, meetings will be called Coffee sessions. Minutes of discussion will be presented in blog form. Nice?
3. The purpose of that first session of brainstorming was to lay down the basic methodology by which we would carry out this fund raising project. The mood of the project was set to 'casual and easy' by majority consensus. Rationale being that we've been subject to hard structure at work from 9 to 5, so this project would preferably be carried out in a more flexible rhythm -- as friends who want to do a bit of good and have fun while at it ;o)
4. The main objective for organising Red Nose Project, primarily is to raise fund to benefit the HIV shelter homes that are affiliated with Malaysian AIDS Council.
5. Secondary objectives are to raise public awareness on HIV issues, and of course, to have fun in the process.
6. As discussed during the first coffee session, logically we only have time to do 2 collateral events and a finale (which is scheduled on 1 April). These 3 events would be the fund raising components of the project. Another activity that is not a part of the fund raising effort, but more of a publicity effort -- by doing a flash mob activity, will also be planned.
7. According to a document that I've got from MAC, there are 19 shelter homes in Malaysia catering for PLWHA (people living with HIV and AIDS), but only 6 of them cater for children. There are 3 in KL, and 1 in Sabah, Kelantan and Pahang respectively. So we're targeting these 6 homes specifically.
8. The events that are listed (but subject to improvements and further development of ideas) include a stand up comedian show, a garage sale / flea market and a finale event which we have yet any ideas on what type of event to organise.
9. At this point, some of us are doing our initial contacts with some funny people that may help us with the events -- Harith Iskander, Doudlas Lim, Adibah Noor, JJ and Ean. Any other connections to other funny people are very much welcomed ;o)
10. Albert, Garrett and Christine are working on sourcing the red nose.
11. We have no objections for companies to use our events as marketing scheme as long as we're achieving our fund raising objectives, but this point would have to be developed further.
12. We would be getting someone from MAF to sit in our Coffee sessions to advise us on the fund transactions protocols from corporate donors and such. Arteo will call MAF again soon, before the next Coffee.
13. To start small, we've put RM50k as our target amount of fund raising this time. The amount is still open for discussion. We'll have to solidify our targets and events to plan by the next Coffee session. We all promised to sleep on it first ;o) I hope we won't be insomniac after all that coffee...
14. The next Coffee session will be at the same place, same time next week 18.01.11. Invitations will be through an event page. Click on "attend" please ;o)

arteo

trying out fusion........

Hearty meal in a plate, where East meets West ;oP

~Spaghetti Al Fungi, with mushroom tomato sauce and smoked cheese~
~Stir fried blanched asparagus with garlic~
~Gung-pao chicken with Korean Seaweed~

GUNG-PAO CHICKEN

1. Chicken cutlets marinated in Italian herbs and oyster sauce
2. Sliced onion x1
3. Diced yellow bell pepper x1 medium size
4. Dried chilli x10, seeded
5. Wasabi flavoured cashew and macadamia nuts x1 small packet from Tong's
6. Korean seaweed, flavoured with sesame
   

STIR FRIED BABY BUTTERHEAD

1. Baby Butterhead leaves
2. Fishcake
3. Oyster sauce

Chef Jeremy at work...

arteo gets a new laptop........

the spankin' brand new gadget -- ASUS A42JE

1. Went for computer shopping at the PJ Digital Mall yesterday. Man, I am so not in tune with the computer lingo, I just can't pretend I'm smart enough to know what I want. All I can say is I need 3 things done -- do a thesis, go online, and occasionally watch a movie.
2. Had a dilemma of either getting a laptop, or a desktop. Since portability is already provided by my netbook, I don't need another mobile computer to lug around, so that benefit is not considered in getting my next computer. Most of the sales people manning the shops there are more, if not just as dungu as I am, I feel. All these youngsters want to do is to impress me with how well their machine can carry a gaming software, which is totally redundant to me. If it's all included, I might even ask for it to be removed just to save on a few grams of weight. Totally of no use to me.
3. So I went around searching for a computer that hopefully will stick around till I finished my thesis, based on how well the sales chap can talk... and answer my questions correctly, I mean convincingly, and don't make me roll my eyes. And I found him at Tech World IT Sdn Bhd.
4. Finally I came home with something out of the convention -- I've been buying from HP for the past 2 computers, and before that, Acer. But now, I'm getting myself an ASUS. Meet my new baby -- Asus A42JE !! RM1799 plus so many collaterals thrown in, including another cool laptop bag, cooler fan, ecobag, mouse, pad, wrist rest, cleaning gadgets, etc etc..
5. My laptop that just conked was one of the few remaining earlier generation HP Pavilion with touch screen that can be flipped backwards to become a tablet pc. This model has cought on such a lousy reputation in the market, with so many complains, that I was not able to trade it in before it crashed. Anyway, I guess mine was one of the lucky ones to have lasted this long. I just hope that Asus A42JE will last for the next 4 years at least ;o)
   

rest well in peace, friend, we've been through a lot together

ie almost the whole season of Gilmore Girls, Chuck 1&2, Heroes and Sex and the City...

arteo's thoughts on red nose project 2011..........

Hey hey... how's everybody? Hope you had a blast during the New Year holiday!

As promised, here's a little thought on the next project that we can do together, it's called The Red Nose Project ;o) read on and hope you'll be excited about it too ;o)

RED NOSE PROJECT
Inspired by the Red Nose Day of UK, we're motivated to join in the fun by organising (of course) fun filled events that involves people participation. Red Nose Project is a series of events organised to raise fund for local charities.

WHY RED NOSE PROJECT?
Because we'll all be wearing our Red Nose during the events! The Red Nose is all about injecting the element of FUN into the activities, a reminder to enjoy what we're doing, even for events as serious as a fund raiser ;o) It's also a way to say that we're doing ordinary things in extra-ordinary ways.

WHAT KIND OF EVENTS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
That's where YOU come in ;o) we need to brainstorm on what types of activities we can do together! Events can be of any social function involving the public, preferably FUN type of events ;o) During these events, we'll all be wearing our Red Noses. Imagine everybody with a clown nose... now, isn't that fun? Let's start small for the first year, let's see if we can come up with a couple of events. Maybe 3. Or 4? Or 5?

The Project will then close with the summit event on the 1st of April, which is also April Fool's Day. Imagining an event perhaps involving some of our local comedians... Have a bit of publicity going on... Get people to be aware of what we're doing... and next year we'll plan slightly bigger ;oD

Events are definitely not finalised yet... I've some suggestion scribbled in my notebook. Have any swell ideas? Jot them in your books and when we meet up, lets compare notes ;o) Since events may take a bit of planning, lets meet up real soon ;o)

HOW DO WE RAISE FUNDS BY WEARING RED NOSE?
Ah, the money talk... During events, we'll be dishing out Red Noses to participants for an exchange of a small donation... I'm thinking RM10/nose... proceeds from these Red Nose will then be channeled to local charities.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE THAT COULD NOT JOIN THE EVENTS?
People who are excited about the cause of Red Nose Projects may infect their school-mates / office-mates / family members with the same enthusiasm. Just pledge a donation to the charity and we'll send them the Red Noses to wherever they are ;o) They can then organise their own Red Nose Event in their schools / offices and take lots of pictures, or just have a group picture taken with everybody sporting a Red Nose, and upload it to our Red Nose Project Facebook page.

WHAT RED NOSE PROJECT FACEBOOK PAGE?
Exactly. Currently it is still not in existence. During the last project (if you still remember Operation Toy Story 2010) Kennedy has been (strongly) suggesting that we should have a FB event page where people can join in, get more infos, upload photos etc... Okay now the confession -- I suck at stuffs like these -- and I really hope someone would volunteer to help with these techno stuffs ;o) Maybe Kennedy would like to volunteer? Hehe...

PROJECT GOALS
1. Promote awareness on HIV issues -- we can discuss the scope when we meet ;o)
2. Raise fund in aid of shelter homes that cater for HIV infected / affected children
3. Create a medium of social networking through project organisation and participation
4. Have some fun ;o)

WHO ARE THE CHARITY BENEFICIARIES?
I am in the middle of collecting information from Malaysian AIDS Council on their affiliated shelter homes. The need is definitely there, I've been involved in a shelter home running for the same cause in Kota Kinabalu previously. There is much work to do to create awareness, reducing social stigma and provide resources for the continuous operations of such shelter homes. My passion is for the Paediatrics HIV.

PROJECT SCHEDULE
Since the Red Nose Day is tentatively scheduled for April 1st, we have still about 2 1/2 months to plan, organise and carry out the programmes. I have given myself till the end of this month to source for Red Noses and identify the shelter homes in need of funding. We have to meet as soon as possible to brainstorm on ideas.

I'm pretty excited about this, so do buzz me, or email me back here if you're interested. Lets get together and we'll talk shop okay ;o)

Now you also know why I use this ;o) so much... I'm already wearing a Red Nose all along ;o)

Hear from you soon, ya!!

arteo

things i'm missing right now.......

chicken feet soup, crispy cucur and fresh ikan bakar
Pasar Sim-sim, Sandakan

my potted plants in the office. never dies, never fails. very calming indeed
just need a lil' sunshine.... or fluorescent light would do just fine
Beluran Health Office

the stuff i do when i'm stressed... transforming these fellas to vehicle mode, then robot mode, then vehicle mode, then....
Beluran Health Office

christmas wish, economics, a.g.e. outbreaks and clown noses.....

Somewhere over the rainbow...

1. Generally a good day today. The dreaded Health Economics class turned out to be very interesting. It could be because of the interesting way our lecturer DrN presented economics to us (and also the umpteen reminders of how she loves Cadbury Chocolate Family-size Bar, Milk Chocolate No Nuts No fruits, preferably Not Made in Malaysia) haha. But she sure whipped up the entire class' appetite for more of her lectures (other than the appetite for KFC Original Recipe drumsticks with sides of coleslaw, whipped potato and a bun)
2. Got my Christmas present today. Late, but very timely. I was at Bangsar Village II waiting for Garrett to go lunch, and there was this blind guy on the piano serenading away. So I helped myself to the free performance. And suddenly he stopped and I guess it was the intermission, but I asked him if he could play O'er the Rainbow for me. He obliged and did the slow-jazz rendition of that song. Loved it. Loved it much! He's good!
3. Jeremy has had food poisoning over the New Year weekend, and he wasn't able to eat anything for more than 24 hours, so I brought him to UMMC thinking of getting him put on a drip. At first he was given a Triage 3, so I told the counter fella that I'll put the drip on myself so he was changed to Triage 2. After getting a bed and got his vitals taken, I realised that I wasn't allowed to put a line for him, as I am not a staff of UMMC. So we got demoted back to Triage 3, and out to the Common Waiting Hall we were for the next 2 hours. We even watched a whole movie on TV about a dog who could fly and wears a cape, from abut 30 meters away, and never even really found out the title of that movie. Finally he got fed up, and decided to leave. Fortunately he was okay and able to tolerate sips till the next day.
4. Found out that Garrett was down with food poisoning too, and right after our lunch today, he went back to puke some more. He found a curly piece of hair in his second round of fried rice in PapaRich (ullgghh) and got it replaced after downing half of it. So he ended up eating 2 1/2 portions of fried rice with eggs. My suspicion is overloading on fried rice, however, haha.
5. Went over to a party supplies shop in Bangsar and found a red nose there. RM5.90 per piece, but not exactly the type I was looking for. So the hunt continues...

cheaper than eating out....?

Hardly, I guess... but this is just the beginning, and soon I'll be cooking boring cheap stuffs not worthy of blog posts... till then, let me pride over my creations ;o)

Okay this first one isn't really a creation, just crack, tear, throw in pan and stir fry...

Sunday breakfast
~SUNNY-SIDE-UP, OMEGA-3 ENRICHED EGGS~
~SMOKED CHICKEN FRANKS~
~CHICKEN HAMS~
~PAN-TOASTED MULTIGRAINS BREAD~

single course dinner
~SPAGHETTI WITH ITALIAN HERBS AND EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL DRESSING~
~TOPPED WITH PAN FRIED CHICKEN BREAST MARINATED WITH LEMON AND PEPPER, AND SQUEEZED FRESH CHERRY TOMATOES~
~ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON AND PEPPER~

when service tax is up to 6 percent........

While the Government has decided to postpone the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), it has increased Government Services tax from 5 percent to 6 percent effective on 1 Jan, 2011.

Time to learn to cook and put my Jamie Oliver cookbooks to good use!

Dessert
~FROZEN STRAWBERRY YOGURT WITH FROZEN GRAPES AND APPLE SLICES~

main course
~SPAGHETTI AL FUNGI IN CHEESE AND HERBS SAUCE~
~MEDIUM DONE KNUCKLE CUT IMPORTED BEEF MARINATED WITH ITALIAN HERBS AND JAPANESE SAUCE~

side of

~TRIPLE WASHED GARDEN SALAD IN VINAIGRETTE DRESSING~

main dish
~PAN GRILLED SALMON STEAK WITH ITALIAN HERBS RUB~

main dish
~BLANCHED BROCCOLI IN GARLIC DRESSING~

main dish
~PAN FRIED CHICKEN CUTLETS IN JAPANESE SAUCE~

main dish
~SPAGHETTI AL FUNGI IN FRESH MUSHROOM SAUCE WITH SMOKED CHEESE~

eleven resolutions for the two-owh-one-one......

the gunturun is difficult to control... breathe... breathe... breathe...

1. Stop procrastineting. I'll check the spelling later.
2. Listen more, talk less...
3. Remember to breathe. Bite the urge to retort. Be milder of temperament.
4. Gym, gym, gym, gym, gym...
5. Drop 6 inches. Maybe 4. Why not 6... Okay, 4...
   
6. Learn something new. Perhaps start on the felt-craft project.
7. Start on Wings Connection
   
8. Cook more often.
9. Have more ME TIME.
10. Run a marathon. Or at least join one.
11. Go vacation...

For those who need help coming up with New Year resolutions, click here

happy new year 2011.......!

See'ya 2010, it's been great ;oP Thanks very much!! Now to aim higher and better for 2011 ;o) love, hope and faith all the way! Happy New Year!

The socks doll sent by Florence for Operation Toy Story ;o) posing for photo before being sent to the kids

the year that was 2010..........

for the first half of 2010, I was still flying over the mountain twice a week... now I'm missing the view...

1. I know, I know, the last few entries were crap entries but I really want to hit 100 posts for this year, so just let me continue ;o)
2. 2010 was marked with quite a few major changes in life. Going on study leave to pursue Master in Public Health was one. It wasn't easy to regrease the brain engine after leaving it out rusty for donkey years. But it was probably the single most important decision that I've made in this year.
3. Leaving office was not so easy on the emotions. I've been working in the past 7 years, from managing a clinic to managing a state programme, and finally managing a district health office. I've worked with the best staffs, being guided by the best seniors who treated me like peers and was mentored by the best boss who believed in me. Coming back to studies where everyone starts from scratch, not so exciting.
4. MPH has been okay so far. First semester exam just passed and now waiting for the results in a few days time. The next semester starts on Monday. Having worked in the field did help in understanding concepts, but come exam, whatever I know may just freeze and refuse to come down in writing. Why that happened is still a mystery.
5. Okay, maybe I didn't mug hard enough. Promised myself to mug harder for next semester ':o/
6. Rekindled some lost friendships, made some new ones... and in the process made some 'dislikes' too perhaps. Learned that anger, frustration, disappointment is not the opposite of love, but can be part of love. Hate is the opposite of love. Since I don't hate anybody, I must be loving everybody! Oh wow...
7. But wait... then there was that person who stole our Christmas toys... okay, there is someone that I hate >:o(
8. The most exciting month has to be December when I turned an evening of depression into fruitful initiation to start on Project Toy Story. Now come to think of it, I have the 3 Ps to thank for doing the publicity (another P here)... Pang (of Annexe Gallery) Patrick Teoh (of Niamah!! blog) and Poesy (of Helping Angels)... Nice coincidence ;o) By the way, the name Operation Toy Story was coined by Pang, not me.
9. One of the frustrations I've had in this year, was the inability to keep to training discipline despite having a Personal Trainer to whip me around the exercise machines. One reflection from this. I guess I'm more comfortable climbing on the machines on my own effort than having someone push me there.
10. The total body fat composition is another strong drive to keep coming back to the gym. I was upset with the 42.2% earlier, which got me started with OTS. After a couple of weeks of going to the gym and toiling on OTS (and I swear I didn't stuff the face during Christmas) I couldn't believe my eyes when the body stats machine reads 43.3%! on the good side, my weight did drop.
11. Now that does it... I will not let some numbers (in percentage) define who I am. Now off to bigger projects....

some thoughts on the next project...

where are you christmas?

My Christmas theme song for this year...



Where Are You Christmas

Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play

My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too?

Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know?
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go

Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh

If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time

I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas
Fill your heart with love

going back home for chinese new year!!....

I'll be darned if I missed my flights again this time...

thank you note for operation toy story.....

confession: I kept a Rex from the pile of donated toys, to remind myself of OTS2010

1. Took 2 days off from the Internet. It's midnight now but I told myself I must not sleep until I've written a thank you note to all donors, contributors, volunteers and publicists ;o) for Operation Toy Story '10.
2. So here goes -- A WARM AND HEARTY THANK YOU TO ALL DONORS. CONTRIBUTORS, VOLUNTEERS AND PUBLICISTS FOR MAKING OPERATION TOY STORY 2010 A GREAT SUCCESS!!
3. I must admit that I did not at all expected such overwhelming response from so many people that I've never known existed ;o) such is the power of electronic social networking! What started off as a 30 emails sent out to people I have in my friends list, ended up as far as Thailand and India!
4. 1 day before d-day, my living room was a heaven for kids, with all sorts of toys from cute fluffy penguins to a 7-feet tall zebra (not kidding about the zebra), pianos and keyboards, talking and singing dolls, books, colouring stationery and mysterious wrapped gifts! Not too good for my housemate though because he's a neat freak and all that hoard is giving him a major headache.
5. On d-day, 4 cars were deployed to bring the toys to Base-Zero, a conference room kindly provided by Beely of Usana Health Sciences (many many many thanks to her, can't do it without her!) and from 3pm onwards, the volunteers gathered and started wrapping and categorising toys accordingly so that they'll be gender and age appropriate.
6. To keep the working morale high, some contributed snacks and drinks for us, we even had a kilo of butter cake made just for the event! Thanks to all who provided food, I really helped myself with the cakes ;oP
7. At 6pm, designated Scouts went on their way to get information on the numbers of kids who stayed back to spend Christmas in the wards. There were 7 wards in 3 different locations, so we split up and covered our given assignments. Had a slight glitch on the Onco ward initially, but it was rectified promptly with the help of an internal Mule, DrS who has been indispensable for this project since the beginning ;o) DrJ was roped in when I happened to cross her path on the way to the baby-ward, I've not seen her for the past 7 years and I had about 20 seconds to explain to her what's going to happen later that night, and she signed up immediately! And she brought along her minions of medical students!
8. After scouting we went back to Base-Zero to tag the presents and pack them according to wards. Even after pushing in 10% more toys into the loot (to account for late admissions), and filling a car-load worth of toys for the Paeds Day-care Unit, we had around 300+ extra toys and presents left and didn't know what to do with it.
9. The housemate gave me a sharp threatening look - a deadly warning that none of the toys should come back into our house ':o}
10. Finally they were donated to another volunteer's charity event, also involving kids just before the new year, yay!
11. The night ended after we shuttled the packed toys to the designated drop-off points at the hospital. The night duty nurses seems to be nicer and more accepting than the evening shift ones. Not sure why, but the sight of over sized plush animals with huge button eyes might have melted their hearts ;o)
12. The plan for an after-mission party didn't take off, the volunteers were so visibly tired from the day's work at the Toy Factory. I've had a splitting headache since the evening and was just too glad to be able to go home and have a warm shower ;o)
13. Many did ask in their sms the next morning, were the kids happy when they woke up on Christmas morning? Well, all I can say is, we'll probably never get to know, because Santa never stayed to watch anyway...
    
14. But of course they will be :o)
    
15. So, now for the aftermath -- cleaning up and clearing up the remaining of the toys. Some of them have been donated to other charities such as the refugee camps (since we're all about cheering up those who didn't get to be home for Christmas, so I thought it would be very fitting to give some to them).
16. Till the next project, have a Merry Merry Christmas, and a Wonderful New Year 2011!!

Luv, Arteo

tang-yuen, toys and the grinch who stole christmas toys.....

you're on Santa's BAD BAD boy list, Grinch!

1. Can hardly find time to blog down updates on Operation Toy Story. Was on the move for the past few days, receiving tremendous amount of toys and gifts, Ookikuro could hardly be stuffed more at one point of time. Felling good, feeling the Fuzz. And also feeling tired, of course...
2. Winter Solstice today. Missing the tang-yuen that Kakak makes. It used to be without season in Asrama Budi, we had it whenever we feel like it, or whenever Kakak wasn't too tired to roll some gelatinous rice flour into marble sized yummy marbles. Moments like this makes me miss home much.
3. This week has been crazy with pickups for those that could not make it for the Annexe drop-off. Starting from Friday till yesterday I've been in shopping malls and driving all over Damansara, Subang and Mont Kiara under the hot sun and crazy rain.
4. The BJ condo right now looks like a petting zoo with so many kinds of fluffy animals in it, ducks, puppies, dinosaurs and mostly my species, the bears. Haha.
5. Just last night, a deranged individual (or maybe there are few of them I can't be too sure) broke into Albert's car, and swept away 1/3 of the toys that he collected on his side. I am actually upset about this, but some people had asked me to see it in brighter light, since it's Christmas... not sure I can do that. The Grinch will pay for what he's done! Fortunately Albert's car was okay. Note to all and myself: Do Not Leave ANYTHING not even toys in your cars!
6. Still having problem looking for a suitable place to centralise gifts and toys collection for wrapping and preparation before sending off to UMMC paeds wards on the 24th... Hoping to get a free space to fit around 20-30 working elves called Scouts, and maybe a bit of finger food pot luck while working... ;o)
7. Many lessons learned from doing this. One of them is: Need anything? Ask for it. Nicely.
8. Received a lot of undeserving pat on the back for doing this. In actual fact, the real Superstars are those who generously donated, and those that offered their help to drive around, to navigate, to pickup, to publicize and do scrubbing and conditioning of the toys, being on the phone to look for resources and space, and willing to offer up their own home for this project. When I started off writing the emails to ask for pre-loved toys, it was imagined like a size of a cupcake. Now I have a 3-levels fabulous cake of a project to handle. Wow.
9. I wish for this Christmas, to have someone play O'er the Rainbow, live on a piano, or violin, or guitar, that I can listen to with my eyes closed and imagine that wonderful place beyond the rainbow where my troubles would melt like lemon-drops. Haha. Or What A Wonderful World. My two all time favourite songs.

letter from a fellow dreamer, a kindred spirit........

20 December at 12:09

Hey there,

Its Christmas time once again. And somehow, the holiday season never fails to remind me of all of you. Maybe I'm getting old or just feeling nostalgic. I just thought that I would write to say hi. I hope that you are keeping warm in spite of the cold weather ( except you roddy !)

In the spirit of the season, I just wanted to rekindle the warm feelings and memories that we all shared a while ago . I guess those times seems ages ago now, though I'm sure it feels like yesterday for all of us at some point or another.

Much have been said and done over the past few years. On my part,I just want to apologize for all that I have done or failed to do. Maybe some of you will think that I'm being excessive but I do think that it is important. There may still be some sore feelings here and there ...

I have missed each and every one of you. I do sometime wish that someday we can all 'hang out' once again. You never know ... Whichever the case, I really do want to keep trying to keep us together.

Anyhow, I do want to wish you all a merry christmas, my old friends. Have a blessed time knowing that someone is thinking of you here ...

KT

socks-creatures, sinful donuts and stuffed ookikuro.....

mochabella freeze, tiramisu donut and that other coffee based donut... not the best decision made for breakfast choice...

1. Came home last night to a package received from Florence from Ipoh. She sent her 3 cute creatures, all handmade from socks and gloves, and they are sooo cuuuuuute!! And I think I heard them whisper to me, saying they'd rather stay with me than to be given away. Just kidding. I do hope some kids would really feel better after receiving them (o:3
2. Woke up early to be in IOI Mall before 10am this morning. Receiving toys from Anthony and Winnie. While waiting for them I was just loitering in front of Fitness First, but decided to have coffee at J.Co Coffee and Donuts, right in front of Fitness First. Probably the worst decision considering I'm still pretty upset about the 42.2% thingy.
3. Ookikuro is so stuffed with Hello Kitties and other stuffed toys right now. I'm going to need some help to transfer everything into the house if I want to make it in 1 trip.
4. Locum right after gym is probably not the best idea... but I don't think I could afford to skip gym today, considering the sinful breakfast I had in the morning.

toys, blog hits, the fuzz and pan bakery fraternity.....

our nasi lemak at pan bakery was more monsterous than this

1. First batch of toys arrived this morning, yay! There should be some already at the Annexe Gallery, I should retrieve them before they clutter up Pang's place...
2. Sat down to chat with Angela this morning, a woman of strong will and a heart of gold. Inspired by her stories, and really, it's been a while since I had a good chat with someone. Reminds me of the good ol' days before Facebook, where chat means mouth-works rather than finger-works...
3. The blog visitors count hits 105 at the moment. Ah, the shameless unethical self-promotional post up of my blog address tagging along Operation Toy Story. I usually have 15 hits a day, no wonder Nuffnang stops banking in money! Hahaha, what ethics?!
4. Thinking about the reason behind doing all this charity stuffs. There was a time, years ago, when there was a group of kindred spirits doing every little that they can to feel the Fuzz. Usually the high came from a night of walking in the red-districts back lanes of metropolitan KL, re-humanizing the outcasts of society, bringing a pack of nasi lemak as a token of friendship to start conversations. More of than not, the street folks would be too busy shooting in the hi-way to talk to us, but consistency did the trick. Some became good friends. We felt the Fuzz.
5. I miss the Fuzz. I miss the time when we just sat down and talked deep and pretended we knew something about the quality of life. Well maybe we did know a little. Maybe just a little. I miss the time when we fixed our own monster size nasi lemak from Pan Bakery.
6. Thinking of next project to do already. Got to keep the Fuzz going. Keeps me sane. And humane, I think. Keeps me busy that's for sure. Keeps me wishing that the Pan Bakery fraternity would come back together one day for another project.
7. Just got another box of toy, brought in during locum. Among the stuffs in the loot-box, two football jerseys for an adolescent sized football fan. Original from UK!! Heard that they were intended as a gift for one kid that has leukemia, but passed on before he received them. I'm just so glad my life is fortified with stories like these... thanks Melvin ;o)
   

scouts and mules get wings...........

OPERATION TOY STORY: THE ACTUAL MISSION :o)

These are the angels that have pledged to come along during the distribution day. Do tell me in the comment section, or post up on Facebook if your name isn't here and you're interested to join in the FUN ;o) This list will be updated frequently until the 23rd Dec 2010 ;o)

SCOUTS

1. Jey
2. Albert Law
3. Albert's dad
4. Alvin (Albert's brother)
5. Albert's friend from TV
   
6. Sky Ku
7. Hazel Chia
8. Hazel's Husband
9. Trista (Hazel's sister)
10. Richard Chin
11. Chloe Wang
12. Vicky (Chloe's friend)
13. Sulin Lau
14. Jasmine Tan
15. Sheon Lo
16. Comieko Luna
17. P (Arteo's friend)
18. Chenyi
19. Kelli
20. Rachel Loke
21. Siyan
22. June
23. Shuey Lim
24. Shuey Lim's friend
25. RongRong
26. RongRong's friend
27. Beely Tang
28. Ivan Lim
29. more more more (I think best to stop at 30)
    

MULES DESPERATELY NEEDED!!!

1. Dr. Smrdhi
2. Arteo
3. Anne Yong
4. Anne Yong's friend1
5. Anne Yong's friend2
6. SFX youths
7. more more more (hopefully can reach 10)
   

mission toy story......

1. Collection of the toys are still going on. We will probably be able to gauge how many toys we get only after the 19th Dec.
2. Sorting of Toys would have to be done prior to the 24th. Cleaning and scrubbing (though we hope there would be minimal works on this) also would have to be done before the 24th. Final sorting would be done on the 24th itself.
3. Due to the procedures and regulations on visiting hours of the hospital, we would be limited to visiting during the evening visiting hours. So a new plan has been put up to deliver the toys to the kids at midnight as originally intended.
4. Two groups of secret agents would be recruited for the operation ;o) One group called Scouts and the internal group called Mules ;o) I know, for want of a better name! Do suggest ;o)
5. Scouts would go around the designated wards and identify the kids there using a location map that will be distributed later. Particulars on age, gender and suitability for types of toys would be noted.
6. After the visiting hour is over or when everybody's done collecting data, Scouts will gather at the "toys factory" and start matching kids to toys and wrapping the identified toys and labeling them with the corresponding bed numbers.
7. After that, the toys would be passed to another group of agents called the Mules (haha).. Mules are volunteering medical students and staffs who are either on-call or working on that particular night, and they will have the task of delivering the gifts as intended.
8. I know that this mission sounds like a secret-agent spy-game, but hey, we adults must not forget to have fun too, right?
9. I am going to put up a list of volunteering Scouts and Mules, so do tell me if you're available and interested ;o) Visiting Hours for Christmas Eve starts from 5pm to 8pm. The gifts have to be delivered after the 11pm doctor's round (so as not to disturb their work).
10. It would be nice to have a little gathering for makan or just hang for us volunteers and contributors after the mission. Any suggestions on place? Or shall we just crash someone's party? Haha..

Designated "Toy Factory" will be announced later. Since wrapping will be done after all, we'll need contributions of wrapping papers, sticky tapes and gift-tags. Please get neutral wrapping papers and neutral message gift-tags (religious sensitivity is something we all have to put up with, even when we're doing charity, a request from the hospital admin :o/ ) Thanks very very very much!!

coffee, emails and the bloody red tapes....

civet cats eat coffee cherries and shit out good stuff...!

1. My third cup of coffee today. And while discussing the brew of the day at the counter, the barista asked me "Are you a coffee drinker?"... Shall I say "No, I eat coffee..." ;o!
2. Continuously receiving emails for inquiries and volunteering to join the Operation. Feel so happy that the response has been extremely encouraging, but still I need to cook up a plan to get the execution done within the normal evening visiting hours, meaning that I need to recruit at least a few internalists, the gifts-mule to carry them to the kids while they're asleep ;o/
3. As for now, I think there are about slightly less than 80 active respondents to pledge toys contributions and other ideas that they have -- baking, making chocolate cookies and all -- but the Red Tapes.. Arrgghh the Red Tapes!!
4. Okay. Just finished the round of email replying for the first quarter of the day... Need to seriously sit down and write down the modus operandi of toy distribution on Christmas eve.
5. More coffee perhaps... my House Blend feels a bit cold already...

when life gives you lemon, make lemonade.....

1. Why is it that everybody's having meeting when I need to vent today?
2. Just came back from meeting with the authority of UMMC, in hoping to get permission to distribute gifts to the kids while they're asleep. Bad news. Sometimes it is better to not ask for permission and just do it. Now that I've gotten a red light from them to do it at night (along with so many other rules on no religious materials to be passed out, no praying over, no overtly playing/dressing up like Santa - this point I can't believe myself)...
3. Told them that I used to do it for many years as a medical student and all they can answer back was "Keadaan dah berubah"... I just had to refrain from rolling my eyes openly just now.
4. So I have to device a new plan. If we're only allowed to come during visiting hours, well, visiting hours it is! That way I can bring more volunteers in. Not all is lost ;o)
5. Lemonade anyone?

final bits of exam and operation toy story.......

1. Currently on my semester break proper, while waiting for the result of the exams and registration of the next semester.
2. Exam for the last few papers weren't that fabulous. I got numb from disappointment on the OEH paper, so I guess I went in for HRA (Health Risk Assessment) with an ounce less expectation. Told myself I won't be an Occupational Health Physician anyway. But hey! I actually felt much relaxed, not so stressed about the exam and it was a pinch lighter on the nerves.
3. Law and Health was, as predicted, another kelentong paper. Again as usual, i spent too much time answering the Problem Solving Questions and the Essays I didn't have much time allocated for the Short Notes. At the end, my Short Notes were REALLY short. But good riddance, I was just happy to breathe again after the last paper.
4. Started to go to the gym again. Had a swollen toe, my foot was hurting, not wanting to shock the system for my first day of workout so I took it easy a little bit (sounds like an excuse no matter how I put it ;o/)
5. Had my body fat composition measured (just for the fun of it) again and the numbers really hit me pretty hard on the self esteem department and I was feeling pretty shitty about myself. So I decided to rescue some self respect while doing my locum last weekend, I started writing personal notes to people in my facebook friends list, appealing to those I know are in KL for used toys to be given out to kids who don't get to go back for Christmas in the hospital.
6. Few key friends responded and offered to re-post the plea in their website and open up a collection box at their workplace! Pang from Annexe Gallery and Poesy from Helping Angels helped to make the project viral... and within hours (yes, hours) of their involvement, I started having an incredible influx of emails asking for more information and volunteering to help. It's really a matter of not what you know, but who you know ;o)
7. Even Patrick Teoh, yeah I can't believe it at first too, Patrick Teoh of the broadcasting fame, re-posted the plea in his blog and tweeted about it! And so many people were directed from his blog to this project! Ahh.... this project has become bigger than it was intended when first conceived about 10 years ago!
8. I'm still having to reply up to 30 emails each day, and I'm just overwhelmed by the generosity of the people.
9. At least I am thinking less about the 42.2% that makes me unhappy in the first place ;o/
10. More updates on Project Operation Toy Story later ;o) ... ... ...
    

tag game on facebook........

You've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with the 3's of YOU. At the end, choose 26 people to be tagged. You have to tag me so really you just need 25 more people. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you - but not in a creepy stalker kind of way. It's a good way to learn more about your friends without INTRUDING!!

To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, copy & paste everything you see in this note into the body of the note, edit your answers, tag 26 people - in the right hand corner of the app - then click publish.

Three names I go by:
1. Roddy
2. Boy
3. Arteo

Three Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Assistant Administrator in a tuition center in SS2 PJ
2. Floor staff of MPH, MidValley
3. Government servant (still till today)

Three Places I have lived:
1. Kota Kinabalu
2. Tungku, Lahad Datu
3. Beluran

Three Favorite drinks:
1. Coffee drinks
2. Iced Calamansi plum
3. Did I mention coffee drinks?

Three TV Shows that I watch:
1. Judging Amy
2. Gilmore Girls
3. Ed

Three places I have been: *most recent*
1. Low Yat Plaza
2. IOI Mall, Puchong
3. Salak South Garden hawker center

Three places I am looking forward to go:
1. Bali again
2. Japan perhaps
3. Taiwan sounds nice

People that I sms/sms me regularly:
1. Jeremy
2. Tony
3. UM MPH 2010/11 Group leaders

Three of my favorite foods:
1. Anything mushroom
2. Anything seaweed
3. KFC

Three friends I think will respond:
1. I
2. Don't
3. Know

Three things I am looking forward to:
1. The end of this First Semester Exam
2. To get into the Doctorate of Public Health programme
3. To drop 6 sizes

Three things that are always by your side:
1. Handphone
2. Wallet
3. Ventolin Evolaher

Three things I always look forward to during weekends:
1. Waking up late
2. Bumming
3. The next weekend

Three things I always do every morning:
1. Brush teeth + shower
2. Shite
3. Make coffee