The Ugly Duckling

The Ugly Duckling that everybody kutuk

When I was much younger (read: primary school), I was the ugly duckling amongst my schoolmates. Why? Because I look like Ugly Betty with my nerdy plastic-framed glasses and above all, I walk funny ... like a duck. When I walk, both my feet will point inwards. Those "friends" of mine would purposely call out my name and make me walk towards them, and then they snickered behind my back in front of me. Yes, kids can be cruel too!

At that stage, even my parents was puzzled as to why am I walking like that. At one point, they were even seriously contemplating to either send me for ballet or those model-catwalk classes they should have cause I may have become a model by now because at that time, they thought that it was my bad posture which caused me to walk like a duck.

It wasn't until much later in my college/university years that I found out the actual reason of me walking like that - I have bunion on both my feet. Bunion is the bone that protrudes out from the side of your big toe. It causes the toes to constrict together looking like a fan (yes I know .. very strange metaphor I'm using). Bunion will usually cause flat feet as well. Because of the bunion, when I walk it tends to point inwards - like flippers. Common sense la, since all the toes points inward like a fan. Also, I tend to trip on my own feet. Weird I know 0_o

I think my bunion is bigger than this

This disorder was caused genetically. We didn't see a doctor specifically to check out the condition, it was so-happened that I was at Kuala Lumpur Sports Medicine Centre (KLSMC) to check-up on my spinal cord (will come to that later) that the doctor pointed out to my condition. The bunion doesn't cause me any physical pain .. just that aesthetically it doesn't look too pretty and of course naturally I have a hard time looking for shoes/heels as the bunion tend to "be in the way".

Now you know how it looks like

According to Dr. Low Tze Choong (highly recommended!) who specialises in foot and ankle problems, he recommends that I go for a micro-surgery to correct the problem. Thereafter, I would need to wear this ugly special sandal for 6 months during the recovery. Of course being the wuss that I am on all things hospitals and surgeries, I have been delaying for years. Heh~



Dr. Lee Tze Choong

Back to why I was at KLSMC in the first place, aside from my duckling feet, I also hunch very bad. Yes, bad posture yada~ yada ~ I look sloppy yada~ yada~ ... I've heard it all. And at one point in time, I really did try to be cautious of my posture. Making sure that I stand and sit straight all the time. But everytime when I do that, my back tends to be quite sore (almost like a backache). I couldn't understand why that I find hunching relaxes my back. My parents couldn't either they thought I was talking cock.

Hunchback of Notre Dame

This all changed when one of those random days I followed my parents to the physiotherapist and she pointed out that my back is crooked. And I was like huh?! o_O. It didn't occur to me at all that I have a crooked back. And that is the cause of why I hunch so bad all these while. I promptly went for an X-Ray and voila~ I have Scoliosis. Scoliosis causes your spine to curve. This condition was also inborn and I have no idea why I so suey kena. 

And then it all fell into place, no wonder when I wear bra or spaghetti strap, the strap on my left always fall to my shoulders - it is because of the curve of the spine, which causes my shoulders to slouch to the left, which causes my left leg to be shorter than my right leg. This is also the reason why my right heels always wear off faster than my left!  

A normal straight back vs. the curve back

That was went we were recommended to see a chiropractor. I was a patient of Kiropraktis in Subang for a period of time until I've got too lazy to go under the charming and hensem Dr. Andre Abader who is a fair Muslim South African. Did I mention that he is cute? :)

He told me that the reason why I hunch is because my body is doing what is natural i.e. to support the curvature of my spine. There is no cure for Scoliosis unfortunately, however the damage can be controlled by visiting the chiropractor regularly and to wear the special insole (of which I also malas wanna wear already) which will help align your back. Nowadays, I have been reading the papers and apparently there is a special brace too to support your spine.

A female Scoliosis patient will have problem with pregnancy. Why? Because when you are carrying a baby, there is additional weight so it could cause backache. Also, it could be harder for us to deliver (read: more painful) as the pelvic bone is lopsided. Well, looks like I would need to contact my gynea when the time comes for me to conceive then. :) And I trust God that everything will be fine.

The cute Dr. Andre. This picture doesn't do him justice!

So now you know why am I the hunchbacked-duckling. Now that I have gained knowledge on my so-called "defects", I have learned to embrace my differences.

Love;

The-Not-So-Ugly-Duckling :)

Christmas Came Early :)

Bear surprised me with an early Christmas present this year. It was a very sweet and unsuspecting gesture from him. Didn't expect anything expensive from him at all simply because we have spent a bit on travelling this year. Nevertheless, it was still a very nice move by him. :)

This year he bought me a Frederique Constant leather strap watch. Actually, I kinda knew he was up to something when he kept WhatsApp~ing me pictures of ladies watches and asking me opinion about them.

What do you think of the present?
Simple and nice, just how I like it. :) 

Love;
Mrs Lee

Exhibit A : Malaysians Seeing Snow for the First Time

 Yes, for jakun people like us who experienced snow for the first time ... we WENT NUTS !!!!!!!!

Take One : The boys behind are up to no good!!

Take 2 : Ready!!!!!!

Take 3 : WHACK THE SNOWBALLS !!!!!

We rolled. We kicked. We threw snowballs.Some of us even went topless just for the fun of it!It was such an awesome experience :)

Mr Incredible trying to prove a point

WHACK! Couldn't resist not throwing snowballs at him :)

We also took the opportunity to go snow-tubing. Basically sitting in a tube and sliiiddddiinnggg down an iced-slope. Fun fun fun~! It's like Sunway Lagoon in a winter country. And instead of water, it's ice! Woo~! Macam-macam style we tried ... from Superman, to backwards, to Choo-Choo Train. We were like kids! :D

Getting ready to snow-tube for the first time :)

Superman!

Choo-Choo Train!

My next wish is to visit a country with falling snow on snow-covered streets with Christmas decor and music playing from shops and houses. :)

Love;
Mrs Lee

The Hermitage Hotel @ Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand

We stayed at this amazing place in Mt Cook called The Hermitage Hotel. Honestly, you don't have much of an accommodation option over there. Initially we thought that Mt Cook would have some kind of activities like Cameron Highlands.

Majestic Mt Cook

Alas, we were caught offguard .. there's nothing there. No town. No villages. Only small scattered population of people and a backpackers' lodge. Nevertheless, the view was very breathtaking that having nothing to do there seems so trivial.

The Hermitage Hotel has a small museum attached to it - it houses all the old skool relics from the Hermitage Hotel all the way back in the 1880s when the hotel was first built. The museum also has articles on past climbers of people who has scaled Mt Cook, in particular Sir Edmund Hillary who was the first person who conquered Mt Cook.

Aoraki Mt Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. Mt Cook was renamed to its present name in 1998 to incorporate its Maori heritage. While we were there, we were suppose to join a glacier expedition. Unfortunately, the expedition was cancelled as the lake was too frozen for people to pass through. :( :(  *sad*

Our hotel

Love the architecture 

Our room has a big window that overlooks the mountain and it sets a very nice and romantic ambiance. :) All in, I don't have anything to complain in the hotel and the staff there. Only thing is that their beds are too soft (in fact all hotels/motels in New Zealand has soft beds .. I wonder why?). Their breakfast was very limited - anything extra you would have to pay.

Amazing view right?

I suggest though, that you head over to the backpackers' lodge. The cafeteria serves fantastic food! See it for yourself! :) Portion is generous too. A lot of ang moh backpackers to watch too  

One more last picture before I end the post :) *heart*

Love;
Mrs Lee

Me, Myself, and I

Found a place that's named after me in New Zealand :D. I think I need to elect myself as the Mayor in that town.

I mean come on ... my name is not common, what are the odds that a place is named Geraldine, right?

Every nook and cranny which I turned, I see buildings and signboards bearing my name - it is quite overwhelming! 0_0" 

Aside from the road names, the town of Geraldine has this awesome quaint restaurant that serves AWESOME pork ribs! Nyums~!

Amazing big-ass pork ribs!! The green sauce thingy is awesome!

The steak is good too!

Love;
Mrs Lee

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Ever since the demise of Bluey aka my fighting fish, I have moved on to buying a new pet - pets to be exact! They are a pair of terrapins!! :) Yup, it was another act of random~ness again. I think my maternal instinct is kicking in.

Gotta say, Bear is more kan cheong than me, he kena con spent a total of RM130 on a new bigger aquarium, rocks, and wood to "decorate" the tank. He was afraid that if we don't create a higher platform for the terrapins, they will inevitably drown and die. -.-"

What you looking at ??

Dear all, may I introduce Donatello (Donna) and Raphael (Rapha) to you. They are our latest addition to the the family. Yes, name inspired from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.:)

Honestly I can't tell which is Donna which is Rapha

Hopefully they can last more than 6 months though. Terrapins has long life right?? :s

Love;

Mrs Lee  

It's Almost Like Shopping in Bangkok @ Amcorp Mall

OMG I'm so excited!!!

(No I'm not pregnant in case if you are wondering)

I found a place in Amcorp Mall that sells cheap clothes~! Stumbled upon the shop when I was walking around kaypoh~ing and checking out the flea market on one of those random weekends. The clothes there ranges from RM10 - RM45. A majority of the clothes are from Japan and Australia (don't know how true it is).

All items here are RM20 only! :D

So far I have bought a lot of some clothes from them and the quality are pretty decent! The only problem is that you don't get to try them out cos there is no fitting room in the shop. Anyway, my mindset is simple : If it doesn't fit, I can always opt to give it away as present, sell it online, or pack it away to donate to the orphanage. After all, it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

All items here are RM15 only! Shiok~ness!!

What's the name of the shop then? Funny thing is the shop has no name and no signboards whatsoever (really budget set-up). All I can say is that, it is on the same floor as Book Xcess which is on the second floor. Go rounding on that floor, you won't miss the shop. :)

The shop stocks up every twice (sometimes thrice) a week, so you will always find new items every week. Yes, I am in shopping heaven! *beams*

Please do pay a visit to this shop, you won't regret it.

You may thank me later. :)

Love;

Mrs Lee

Review: Bubba Gump @ The Curve

Yeah I know Bubba Gump has been around for ages in Malaysia and I haven't gotten around to tried it .. until recently for a colleague's cum my birthday a couple of months back. Frankly, I didn't put much expectations and thoughts about the restaurant as I have the impression that it is just your "typical fast food chain". How wrong I was!

Firstly, I would like to bring your attention to the sign. If you wanna call for the waitress, all you need to do is flip it to "Stop Forest Stop" and the ever efficient waitress will pop by your table to take your orders. Flip it back to "Run Forest Run" if you don't need their services. Creative yes? :)

And the food was out of this world!! Sungguh sedap sangat!! Way past my expectation. Note that however a major portion of its food are fried. I was in sin food-heaven I tell you. :)

Some of the food which we ordered for centre pool sharing. Notice that the food has funky names too.

Run Across American Sampler, which consist of nachos, cheesy spinach thingy, fried shrimps, fried fish, and fried chicken cutlets. It also comes along with three different types of dips.

Run Across American Sampler

Bucket of Boat Trash (yeah I know, doesn't sound too appetizing but trust me.. this bucket of thrash was fantastic-o!), which has all the fried stuff such as shrimps, lobster tail, fish, and chicken. Who doesn't love their fried stuff? Yummy-licious!

Bucket of Boat Trash 

Each of us had our individual orders as well. If you don't fancy fried food, you may opt for the Crazy Cajun Chicken or Bourbon Street Catch of the Day. Both are equally as good. The gravy was just nice and the texture of the meat was spot on!

Crazy Cajun Chicken

Bourbon Street Catch of the Day

But .. if you want MORE FRIED STUFF .. I highly recommend Mama Blue's Southern Charmed Fried Shrimps. Yes, by now you would've guessed that Bubba Gump's signature dish are shrimps! It comes with fried shrimps, fries, and coleslaw.

Mama Blue's Southern Charmed Fried Shrimps 

Another healthier alternative is BBQ Chicken. The portion is huge and the chicken is tender, juicy, and succulent. The BBQ gravy is heavenly!

BBQ Chicken

For those health freak don't even know why you chose to come to Bubba Gump in the first place, the best salad which you should try is their Pear and Berry Salad. Out of this world! That plate of vegetable is memang sangat sedap! Don't underestimate it!

Pear and Berry Salad

To pair with your food, I highly recommend the Mango Sparkler. It's a really refreshing drink and most importantly it is bottomless! *al-cheapo*

If you are looking for a place to chill and at the same time enjoy great food, I would highly recommend Bubba Gump instead of your usual Chillies or TGIF.

Love;

Mrs Lee