I should do this more often

Kathleen and I went to install the backseat safety belts in the Perodua service centre in Section 19. I got to mee Liyana whom I have spoken on the phone on several occasions, including making appointment and then requesting to move it to school holidays. Liyana has been very helpful. It tooks about 30 minutes. I am impressed with their professionalism, efficiency and courtesy.

We then rushed to the Bandar Utama Hall (near Puay Chay 2) to see what we could get with the coupon we bought to help the cause of the United Voice. By now you should notice Jesse was not with us. He wanted to spend his time playing computer games, even though his recent exam showed a drop in marks. We met Crystal and Danny. We also saw a hardworking pastor intern doing her part in clearing up the place.

We proceeded to 1 Utama. We had three GSC movie vouchers courtesy of Michael and Jamie. I intepreted their wedding service. We were trying to decide among Slumdog Millionaire, Watchmen and Race to Witch Mountain (that's our first choice because Jesse said he wanted to watch it.) We decided on the last one.

Kathleen called my mom to pick Jesse up for the weekly shopping with my sister and my little niece. We didn't want him to be alone at home for so long.

We walked around and then had some food and coffee in Starbucks. Of course we went online.

The movie was enjoyable. I am partial to Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson. He was one of my favourite "superstar" in WWE. And as an actor, he is still one of my favourites. I told Kathleen he would win an Oscar someday. She didn't believe it.

We also bought a pair of shoes for me. Kathleen reminded me that she listened and remembered what I said.

I got to spend time alone with Kathleen. I thank God for it. I need to spend more time with her and Jesse.

Come what may, I think I am ready to face the challenges. I am not alone.

I could use one of these emergency chargers

Check out this nifty little thing. It charges major phones, smart phones (mini USB), iPhones and portable gaming consoles. And it can double as a bright source of light for 5 hours!

It sells for USD32.

Free shipping! Ask for my address if you want to buy it for me. Or you can just receive it and pass it to me.

The original post is here.

Shopping and Thailand

I just told my BHP sister my idea of shopping which is go buy what I want and exit the scene.

Yesterday (it's already 1:50 am MYT on Tue now, which is 12:50 am Thailand time), my Thailand colleagues took me to have Japanese food for dinner. It was a struggle for me. Not only I took the American buffet breakfast from the hotel, I had lunch with the management AND had dinner. Wow! No problem with my stomach at all except in my mind. Tomorrow, they will take me to the bazaar to have dinner and then shop!

Speaking of shopping, I did something that will make my wife hate me. She always complains I have no patience to shop with her and that she would rather shop without me. Yesterday, after dinner, my three colleagues took me to 'shop' around Esplanade and then Robinsons. And I spent quite a bit of time at the ladies' department with them! Siriporn told me normally people from KL will buy ahem, bra since they are cheaper than those in KL. I told her K already has a lot and quickly ended the discussion. I looked around the electrical departments and checked out some luggage bags with trolley. Some are quite nice. But I only have 1,000 Thai Baht with me. My Maybank card could not be used when I was back in KL last week. I didn't bother trying them.

I used my CitiBank card to make some purchases for the company, I don't think the cheque payment is cleared. I will check via the web when I get into the office today (Tue.) I was really angry. There I was (it was Thurday) in Low Yat. I had 1 dot matrix printer, seven LCD monitors (six 17" and one 19"), 1 mouse, 2 keypads selected. And both my Maybank cards could not be used! I have 99% credit in one card. I called the card centre and waited for 10 minutes before I gave up. I called up Citibank to increase my credit and got it done within 6 minutes. That tells you a lot.

Anyway, I don't think I'll be buying a lot of things. If I want to, Siriporn said she could get me good rate if I want to exchange my Malaysian Ringgit.

Truth be told, if it were three guys instead of three ladies, I'd have gone back to my hotel room with my food packed.

My accountant is right when she told me Thais are genuinely warm and hospitable. They really take good care of me. I kept getting asked if I needed anything. They think of almost everything. Siriporn perhaps could sense my tension with my stomach. Whenever we passed by a toilet, she'd asked me if I wanted to use it. Heh. And she bought me lots of bakeries and goodies to try since I would be here for many days.

BTW, I could hardly recognize her in the airport. Without her glasses and with longer hair, she looked so different. She wondered if it is because she is fatter. I didn't tell her she looked prettier (not petrifier, which is not a word.)