February 2010

Sunday

Is Shopping an Addiction?

Recently, I have been on mad trips to nearby super markets at least once a week and buy things that I need or might remotely need in the future. It all started as an act of escapade when there were elders at home and I didn't want to get in unwanted discussions early in the morning. Thank heavens, after two months my situation has changed.

Looking back at the stock in hand I'm shocked to realize how desperate I have been in these days. Then, I was doing a flash-back of the yester years and how I used to shop only for the necessities. This made me to Google and find if there are compulsive shoppers.

After reading the indications and symptoms of compulsive shoppers am shocked to realize how shopping could lead one towards addiction, which further would lead to financial destruction! Here is a description on chronic or compulsive shoppers...

Shopaholics (as they are sometimes referred to) when they are feeling "out of sorts, shop for a " pick-me-up." They go out and buy, to get a high, or get a "rush" just like a drug or alcohol addict.

Here is a questionnaire you might want to go through...

Do you often go on buying binges?
Do you find yourself spending more time and/or money buying on the Internet or on the shopping channels than you want to?
Does money burn a hole in your pocket?
Do you go shopping because you want to make yourself feel better?
Do you often buy things because you think they will make you more like your ideal image?
Do you sometimes feel that something inside of you pushes you to shop?
Do you shop to avoid doing something else in your life?

If you answered YES to most of the questions, it is time for you to wake up and take stock, lock and barrel on your shopping habit.

Monday

Pitiable Tropical Fruit Farm

Twice we tried to go the Tropical Fruit Farm in Sungai Udang, which is about 20 mins drive from our place. First we came across this farm when we were on a wild goose chase trying to find new beaches.

Then, when I studied the colorful brochure and the info online, we were hoping to get an experience similar to the fruit picking farms in the west or at least something like the one in Cameron Highlands. When we reached there, again I was feeling a bit uneasy as the place looked deserted, but the entrance ticket counter was opened. When we inquired why there was no rush even during the holidays, the attendant said that it was not a popular destination and besides at the moment there were no events in the farm.

The tram service was canceled because there were no visitors! Well, instead they allowed us to drive through the large farm, thank heavens we were at least spared from the unbearable heat!

First, a caged pathetic monkey greeted us...

We heard that in its heyday, this poor creature used to pluck coconuts. We drove past beautiful landscape, but with dead gardens.

Dying lotus pond...

Apart from this we saw sickened Ostrich...

Under nourished camel...

Now, I lost the interest in taking pictures, even my kid didn't want to shoot the deers and cattle. Somehow, this place reminded me of some under-developed zoo in a third world country.

What a pity that this place is left to rot. After all these years in Malaysia, this is the first place that I ever regret being there. No hard feelings, at least I can rest in peace^^, that I have been there.

Dining Experience

After 3 months, we were feeling so free that we didn't have to plan or discuss with elders as to what is for dinner. In fact, it was becoming a head-ache day by day as the elders always wanted Indian food where as we were in favor of multi-cuisine.
We decided to try out a new place called Sizzling Stonegrill, in the newly opened Bandaraya Melaka Shopping Center.

When we reached this place, it was full and there was a short queue waiting to be seated. Two foreigners came and bypassed the queue and stood at the entrance (though I could identify their nationality by their slang, I don't want to mention their origin). At first, I was stunned as how they could behave like this, but as the couples in front of us didn't object, I too stood patiently to see what happens next. However, when they started asking the waiters if they could get a seat, I lost my patience. But politely, I told them that we were all waiting in queue. Well, she had the cheek to tell me that they were aware of it, and further added that she thought that we all would have spoken to the waiters and then only standing there!!! After this small talk, they moved to the end of the queue and asked me if I were happy!? In a few minutes, they started talking loudly in their language and left the place. Where they embarrassed?
Now, I took few snaps from my new LG Chocolate:)(wait, its just KE800 and not the latest model)