[ wHaT aRe yOu ThiNKiNg, bOY? ]

The pop-up icon from my MSN highlighted to me that I have a new message in my inbox from Facebook. Naturally, I logged in to read the message.

I just started playing with Facebook two weeks back. Wilson introduced this to me and some of my friends insisted that I should try it out. Initially, I wasn't too keen about it since I still hold an existing account with Friendster. However, I gave in to my curiosity in the end.

After reading the message, I simply decided to ignore it completely. But this message inspired me to blog. On top of that, Marcus and I was on a debate over sms last night over 'Men are jerks'. It sort of proven to me (once again) that there are indeed examples of such jerks around.They are jerks not because they want to befriend me. It is because I had put my status as 'In a relationship' and posted photos of Ck and I and my purpose is to look around for friends that I KNOW, not strangers. Quoting from Marcus, 'Duo Ren Suo Hao Fei Jun Zi', in Enligh, it says a gentleman will not steal others' love. Marcus himself also mentioned to me before that guys have hidden agenda at times. Now, you know.

One point that I will like to clarify is I AM NO BEAUTY and I KNOW IT MYSELF. For Christ's sake, I happened to have a full length mirror at home. Therefore, it puzzled me to recieve such messages. No doubts, they are flattering but intangible. I DO not believe in any shit that I have read. These messages just reinforce my point, 'Men go for looks'.

These messages are cut directly from my inbox from Friendster and Facebook. No editing was done. I have used initials instead of their real names and their number and email account have been replaced by ???.

J.L.
Heyo. stumbled across your profile by chance and thought you are absolutely gorgeous and ur description in ur profile juz intrigued me sooo much dat I MUZ GET TO KNOE YOU!! May I just wonder if I may have the sweet honor of befriending you then?? :)

D.C.
hi, ni hao, hmm Do u have MSN? so can chat there.? heez looking forward to yr reply. tata. =)

E.
Hi Angeline... How r u??? I m increasing my circle of frenz in friendster...Would u mind 2 b frenz??? If u dun mind... Please ur email add in ur next reply... Or u can add me at ??? ... Hope 2 hear from u soon... Take care... Cya... Bye....

W.
just browsing thru friendster,and interested to know you as friend? May I have your msn address, easier to chat with you on msn. l0oking forward 2 your reply. Enjoy ur weeKenDs AheAd

B.P.
Getting your attention sure is hard... hopefully i can get some response this time.... if not i might have to try a little bit harder.... cheers!

A.B.
heh angeline, i sincerely like to be friends with u... Do u have a msn? My msn n friendster is ??? ... Looking forward to your sweet reply soon.

B.L.
Hello.. Hope this message never bother u much .... Intend to know more new friends :)
If u don`t mind to be friend. Do leave me yr email address (for friendster) so that i`m able to add u to contact list. Looking forward to hear from u soon... R u using msn as well?? Mind to x-change Msn contact ??

J.
hi! i like ur smile and frankly speaking really want to know you,can you add me ??? thanks!

R.
Hope you dun mind this stranger writing to you. This is one way for me to widen my social circle n reach out to more pple especially pple with different life experiences and perspectives to share.If u dun mind knowing one more new fren, do drop me a line or msn me at ???

M.
hi there...nice to know u...well...its been quitesome time since i have been active in my friendster...u seem to be quite interesting and cool...therefore i was wondering if u would like to be myfrz??? Anyway, do take care okie? Stay cool and Cheers!!! Will be waiting for ur reply..^_^

O.
hello sorry to take some of ur time i like to make friend with u hope u dont mind this yr 22 serving ns now feel sianz n bored in camp hope can keep in touch with u can? my number is ??? urs? take care =P

N.O.
hi...you look might familiar...have we met before?

W.I.
i'm trying to widen my network of frens here...wanna be fren? if u're comfy with that of cos...anyway have a nice week... cheers!~ :)

N.
My name is naohiko. can i be your friend ? heres my email ???

K.
hi ger..nice2'meet' u!!! I tink its fate tat bring us together here! hope u allow this fate to blosom and we get 2 koe each other better as frends? care2add as frends..;) can gimi ur email so tat i can add u?? if not u can add mi at ???

S.
hi there 28 m ch sg here add me to ur friendster or msn? msn: ??? friendster: ??? hope to chat wif u realli soon...cya

These messages are some of the those that I have received. What did I say? Men are jerk.

[ seLaMaT haRi raYa ]

"Selamat Hari Raya" to all my Muslim friends!!!

Aisha was invited to her friends' house to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri. If you are wondering who is Aisha, it's time that you keep yourself updated with my blog. (Aisha = Angeline)

My coursemates invited me to their houses on the first day of Hari Raya, my first Hari Raya celebration for the past 24 years. Natually, I was super enthusiastic and looking forward to it for the entire week.

The first stop was Choa Chu Kang Ave 4, Satimah's house. I made a detour to pick up Hannah at her place before driving over. We reached promptly at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. The moment the lift door opened, we were greeted by Satimah's hubby and brother. It just happened that her house is next to the lift and the family laid a carpet and a mat on the ground for the celebration. They had cornered the area in front of their front door all the way to the lift! Aisha hopes that it is legal.

Hannah and I were introduced to the rest of her family members. When Satimah introduced me to her mother, she held out her hand at me and I don't know why I took it and 'salam' her. *scratch head*

After that, Satimah urged us to get food. That was exactly what I look forward to. On display, there were 'Ketupat', 'Bagedel', 'Mutton Rendang ', 'Sambal Prawns', 'Vegetables Curry', 'Ayam Percik', 'Kuihs', 'Pulut Lepa' and some other side dishes whose name I am unsure of. I took a small portion of most dishes and settled myself comfortably on the couch before attacking the food. I must really learn how to cook from Satimah and her mother. THE FOOD WAS SUPER YUMMY-LICIOUS! Ultimately, I couldn't resist the temptation of taking a second helping to some of my favourites, like 'Bagedel' and 'Mutton Rendang'.

Ayam Goreng

Ayam Percik

Ketupat

Mutton Rendang

Pulut Lepa

Kuihs

No gambling activites took place at the celebration, unlike the Chinese New Year, which is always filled with 'Huat ah!' thoroughout the day. It was more like a gathering for friends and family members. We 'makan', chit chat, took photos, expressed worries for coming assignment, complained about lecturers, watched Mr Bean on Disney Channel, more 'makan', toured the hubby's workshop in one of the rooms, sat down and 'makan' more kuihs. DAMN! I am so going to hit the gym soon.

After 2 hours, the trio decided to head to Hannah's house. FINALLY! We were too comfortable on the couch to move our arses. Ha! Before I forgot, this was also my first time giving 'green' packets to children, one each to Satimah's two daughters and one for Satimah's nephew. According to Malay customs, a person is eligible to give 'green' packets once he/she started working, even though the person is not married. Now, I enjoy being a Chinese.

Next stop is Choa Chu Kang Central. It was about a 5 minutes drive from Satimah's house. We were quite taken aback when we saw the house full of relatives. I was feeling a bit out of place, because I was the only Chinese there. This time around, Hannah did the introduction and her younger niece asked for my hand to 'salam'. *scratch head again*

When we were seated comfortably on Hannah's BIG sofa, her mother walked over and invited us to eat (AGAIN) !!! Out of politeness, I joined Satimah and Hannah at the table. I took sparingly from the dishes. Hm, I observed that the dishes were similar. There were 'Mutton Rendang', 'Ketupat', 'Vegetable Curry', 'Sambal Prawns', 'Bagedel', 'Ayam Goreng', 'Kuihs' and 'Pulut Lepa'. I tried a bit from some of the dishes and concluded that they tasted somewhat the same. Ha!

After the 'makan' session, we went to Hannah's room to continue our chit chat. We were in there for about one hour before we heard more relatives flooding into Hannah's house. Right! Time to go!

That marked the end of my Hari Raya celebration.