What a FORGETTABLE concert!

No, I did not make a mistake in the spelling. The final concert was one of the most forgettable concert in the history of Akademi Fantasia. There is nothing about the concert that sticks to my mind at the moment. Well, okay, except for the fact that Aril was cute! LOL! *wink*

I think it's the choice of songs, regardless of whether it was the cover version or the new songs, none of the songs were outstanding. None of the kids' performance were outstanding. Nothing sticks to your mind. It was just like watching another weekly concert instead of the finals. Even the weekly concerts were far more memorable and unforgettable. I still remember Aril's amazing performances in the 7th and the 5th concert.

AC Mizal's bad hosting and silly jokes made it even worse. Aznil was there in the audience. I just wished that he was on stage instead of AC Mizal. Enough is enough. Please replace him for the next season if there is going to be an 8th season. Please, don't torture us further, Astro.

I expected Hafiz to win (the only way it will appease fans of Hafiz, and yes, Hafiz has a great voice, and yes, he deserves to win), but had someone else won, it would have created a greater impact to the already bland night, and the papers tomorrow will be going to town with a great story. But, as Hafiz won, as any other result would only get fans of Hafiz (the fanatic ones) mad with Astro, complaining non-stop, and accusing Astro of playing favouritsim or fixing the results, it wasn't a surprising enough news to grab the headlines.

I know fans of Hafiz (not all of them, but the fanatic ones) will not like me saying this, but, had Akim or Aril won, it would have created a huge surprise and an impact as one concert that many will remember for a very long time to come because of the surprising and unexpected headlines, and will overshadow the weaknessese of the concert.

The headlines might read as "The underdog that went on to become a champion" if Akim won, or "The first AFMASUK to create history by winning the most coveted title!" had Aril won.

Even if Yazid had won it would have created an impact of sorts that many will be talking about for a very long time to come, whether to condemn or to praise. But, as it was Hafiz that won - as expected by many (Me? I just want the fans of Hafiz to be happy so that they will stop condemning Aril - macam bagi gula-gula kat budak-budak to keep them quiet *wink*), the newspaper headlines will just be a normal one with not much of an impact. The New Sunday Times today just reads "Hafiz Tops AF7".

Anyway, my congrats to Hafiz for being crowned the champion tonight. He does have a great voice, though he has got to work on his showmanship.

My congrats to all the finalists too. They did the best that they can with the lousy songs that they got. At least they deserve the standing ovation for putting on their best show that they can with all the constraints. Now, it's to wait and see how many of them will actually survive in the real world.

Just to put in a little comment on Aril's performance last night, I must say that I was a little disappointed with Aril's new song. The fact that he got the lyrics to his song so late in the week sort of affected his performnace as he could not get the feel for the song.

I agree with Adlin that I could not understand the song. The melody to the song was terrible. I understand why Aril said that the song just wasn't him. Why in the world did Astro chose that song makes me wonder. I thought we had many great talents in the music industry - Ajai, M Nasir, Roslan Aziz, Adnan Abu Hassan and many more. Why take from the unknown? It is, after all, the final concert. Only the best will do for the final concert. Did Astro not think this through?

I know that Aril could have done a better job with his performance. He proved it at the 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th concert that he has got the talent to dance, play act and sing all at the same time, and that he has got what it takes to make it in the entertainment industry.

He could have done some dance routine. But, because he couldn't feel the song, he couldn't get creative to come up with some sort of dance steps. I even felt that the ending of his song was like hanging and abrupt. The ending was kind of like an anti-climax. I pity Aril. I think he wanted to do more, but couldn't. I am glad that he at least tried some sort of gimmick by jumping almost 3 feet down from the stage and doing a somersault just to try to create an impact, but the song was too weak to create the impact that he wanted.

Changing Aril's song would have fans of Hafiz going to town again complaining and condemning Aril, Astro and the faculty. *sigh*

The song, to say the least, is best forgotten. In fact, I think all the new songs are best forgotten. *sigh* Such a pity to what was supposed to be a climatic night. *SIGH*

I hope that Aril will get some new songs for his first album, and I hope that it will be soon, VERY SOON!

I wish Aril all the best in the real world. I wish all the finalist the best of luck to face the real world!

It's finally time to lower the curtains on Akademi Fantasia for this year. My saturday nights in front of the TV will be boring again as I sit and fold my weekly laundry, but my hubby will be VERY happy to have back the remote control to the TV! LOL! *wink*

Thank you to all fans of Akademi Fantasia who have followed by blog this season. I apologised if any of what I have wrote on AF might have hit a few sore points, but I only speak of what I think. It is my personal opinion, and you do not necessarily have to agree with me.

It had been a fun season, though it was tattered with lots of controversies. I salute the production team of Astro and the faculty for their patience and perseverance to go through all the accusations thrown at them. They did a great job!

To readers of my blog who follows my entry on AF, I hope you all had fun reading what I have to say. Thank you for agreeing with me. Bite your lips and move on if you don't.

Till next year, if there is a season 8, take care, everyone!

P/S Coming up next ...."A Final Comment" on the concert

**Note - photo taken from http://www.subhikarim.com/
and http://mrmanager.blogspot.com/

You can never please everyone.....

.....especially when that person/s can never be satisfied no matter what you do. Buat salah, tak buat pun salah. All they know what to do is to complain, and complain they will, no matter what you do. In plain simple english, they are just looking for reasons to complain and to find faults onto others but never onto themselves.

Before I am being accused of generalising, I just want to say that I am saying this to those that have been complaining and making lots of noise non-stop ever since the Akademi Fantasia started some 10 weeks ago. Siapa yang makan cili akan terasa pedasnya.

First, they complain that their dear Hafiz is not being focused enough in the diary. They complain that Astro is not being fair, and accused Astro of playing favouritism when Astro focussed mostly on Aril and Yazid, the more colourful characters that lights up the diaries.

For making so much noise, I noticed that Astro started showing more of Hafiz in the diaries. Were they satisfied? No! They look for other things to complain - that Hafiz was given a boring song each week while the other kids were given the popular songs to sing. Err......didn't Hafiz get "Terlanjur Cinta" which is currently topping the Weekly Top Charts in Era?

Didn't Hafiz also got Aizat's "Lagu Kita" and Aznil's "Toyol", both songs that have topped the charts before? "Lagu Kita" is still in the top 10 charts.

Hafiz also got "I Believe I Can Fly", which he sang beautifully, but they never thanked Astro for it. They said that Hafiz sang the song well because he is a great singer. Astro had nothing to do with it.

Did that stop them complaining? No! They started saying that Hafiz should be given songs that will challenge his vocals and prove that he is a great singer. But, when Hafiz was given "Kau Yang Punya", which I believe Astro meant was to prove his vocals, the complaining fans went to town to complain that Astro was being unfair, that the song shouldn't be included in a competition as it was a rap song. Zizi sang a rap song with no problems at all when she sang Farid Harja's "Ini Rindu".

The next thing they complained about was the slot given to Hafiz to perform. When Hafiz was slotted to perform last or second last (I think it was during the first, second and 5th concert), they complained that fence sitters would not have enough time to vote for Hafiz as these fence sitters would only normally vote after each kid performs.

So, if these fence sitters voted after Hafiz performs, their votes might not get through to Astro in time before the voting is closed. So, subsequent concerts after that, Hafiz was slotted in earlier.

For the final concert, using the 9th week's concert votes to determine the slot to perform, as Hafiz got 1st placing, Astro has slotted Hafiz to perform first, thus giving plenty of time for fence sitters (they argue that there are no fence sitters during the final concert - another reason to complain?) to vote for Hafiz.

Are they happy? No! Now, they are complaining that Hafiz should be slotted in last as they say that as in any big and prestigious events, the best is always saved for last. Errr.......do they think that Hafiz is so great? That only Hafiz is the best? What about Yazid and Akim and Isma? I don't even want to mention Aril less it might get them even madder!

Akim is already starting to make his mark, and I am getting more and more impressed with him. Compare Akim with Hafiz, I'd rather have Akim as a champion than Hafiz as Akim is more matured, and he has been transformed since the audition days.

Although I agree that Hafiz has a great voice, but, compare him to Akim, Akim has begun to develop some interesting characters, but Hafiz has pretty much remained the same throughout the 10 weeks. I am also beginning to like listening to Akim. To me, Hafiz's voice might be great, but, that is about it. I find his character uninteresting, though I must say that he has a cute face. But, so has Akim and, eerr...dare I say, Aril? LOL! *wink*

These fans have not stopped complaining. They complain about almost anything and everything. They feel that Hafiz should be given this, should have that, is not being given this, should not be have to do that and blah blah blah.....

They feel that Hafiz is too good for anything and everything that Astro has to offer. I feel that Astro has heard them and acted upon many of their complaints, but yet, they still complain. I don't think these kind of people will ever be satisfied no matter what you do.

They find faults in Astro, in the production team, in the faculty, in the other kids, but never in themselves and in Hafiz. Are they so great? Is Hafiz so great?

Only time will tell when, after Saturday, we will see who among the 5 finalists will actually make it in this cruel and insane entertainment industry. Then we shall see who is actually great among the five.

My bet is on Isma, Akim, and, of course, Aril. Hafiz might make it, and I might even like his songs, but, don't bet on it that I will go crazy over him enough to want to buy his album.

I am looking forward to buying Aril's album, and maybe even Akim's!

**note - photo taken from sultanmuzaffar

It's time to choose the champion!

Earlier on in the day yesterday, before the concert, I wanted to write about who I think should be eliminated at last night’s concert. My argument would be based on who I think has got the right attitude and the package to be a champion. Not only do you need the voice, not necessarily a great voice though, but pleasant to hear and unique, you also need the look, as in pleasant to look at, not necessarily drop dead gorgeous or hulky handsome *grin* but you also need the champion to have the right attitude and confident in one’s own capabilities.

Based on those arguments, I felt that Yazid should be eliminated because, despite being in the Akademi for 9 weeks already, he still have yet to have confidence in himself, he is whiny and always seems to be complaining about his own lack of self esteem (He knows it [lacking in self-worth], but does not seem to be doing anything about it).

I sometimes feel that he is trying to win the hearts of the voters by making them take pity on him rather than vote for his talents. Mas of AF2 won the hearts of voters when it was revealed that she is a single mum. Aswad’s votes jumped up immediately after it was revealed that he is an orphan. There have been many ‘Kodak Moments’ and sob stories in the Akademi when tears have successfully pushed up the votes.

But, after watching all the four kids perform last night, though I still think that Yazid just won’t make a good champion (he will just be another Faizal of AF4, I am afraid. Sorry, fans of Yazid, but this is my blog and this is my personal opinion) – remember, he fumbled even to introduce his own song where as, he himself said that his communication skills have improved since joining in the Akademi? – when it was time for AC Mizal to announce who will be eliminated, I took pity on all four kids and felt that all four of them have worked so hard and have come this far, that they deserve to at least be in the finals, but not necessarily to be the champion. So, I was quite relieved, and I am sure it was also a huge relief to all the fans of AF, when Yazid himself announced that there will be no elimination last night. *smile*

In the finals, there will be five kids performing, which included Aril, who back got in via a week long AFMASUK. The bitching and condemning started almost immediately after it was announced that Aril got in. Apalah dosa dia kepada pengutuk-pengutuk semua sehingga dikutuk dan dikeji sebegitu rupa? What sins has he done to those people who are critically condemning him? He does not even know who they are.

Kritikan boleh diberi, tetapi kritikan yang objektif, dan bukannya kritikan yang boleh menjatuhkan maruah seseorang. Setiap kali ada komen yang mengutuk mana-mana pelajar, saya akan terfikir apakah perasaan keluarga pelajar yang dikutuk teruk itu. Pastinya sedih dan terluka.

Fikirkanlah, sekiranya pelajar itu kaum keluarga kita sendiri, pasti kita juga akan merasa sedih dan terluka. Apakah dosa pelajar tersebut sehingga dikutuk dengan begitu hina sekali, itu yang kadang-kadang bermain difikiran saya.

Have patience, Aril. It is said that the more people criticize you for something you did not do, for they have sinned, the more pahala you will get. Hopefully, the pahala will be in the form of winning the champion title. *wink*

If Aril does become the champion, I can already almost imagine that many more will criticize him, but, never mind; that means Aril will make even more money (bertambah rezeki) from their ‘sins’ (for condemning him). LOL! *wink* Then, we shall see who will actually be laughing all the way to the bank! LOL! *grin*

Out of the five that are going into the finals, as of before the concert, Yazid was at the top. Hmm…why doesn’t that surprise me, since he has been asking for pity all week long?

Hafiz came in second, which is also of no surprise to me. He has got the voice, though I must agree with the Edrie and Adlin last night that though he has been constantly good since the first concert, he has not progressed much. If you were charting his progress on a chart, it will actually be almost flat. I am not saying that this is necessarily bad, but, the tagline did say “TRANSFORMASI’, so, has Hafiz actually been transformed? Even his hair has pretty much remained the same, just to quote a simple example. *wink*

Opps! I can already see fanatic fans of Hafiz turning red and about to come after me with that statement! LOL! Whoa! Calm down, people! LOL! *wink*

I am not a fan of Akim, but my 9 year old son is. In my humble opinion, Akim has shown quite a lot of improvement from the first day he stepped into the Akademi, though it would have been better if he showed even much more progress. He has, after all, been in the Akademi for 9 weeks already. Maybe he will spring in a surprise in the finals?

I have the same to say of Isma like what I have said of Hafiz. She has the voice, the looks and the right attitude, and she too, has been constantly good since the first concert, but she has not progressed much. Like Hafiz, her progress chart will also be almost flat. She has yet to be transformed, though I must agree with AC Mizal that she is looking less like a mum with 5 kids nowadays. She looks like she is only in her early twenties with her short skirt and tight pants or whatchamacolic that she was wearing last night. She looks good!

Hmm….I don’t want to make any more comments on Aril this time around because I have already said what I wanted to say about him in my Saturday, April 25, 2009 entry titled “Shocking, unbelievable, and sad….”

I only wish him the best of luck. My only other wish is for everyone to stop critically criticizing and condemning him. I am not a favour of AFMASUK either, but I like him (for his talent, of course, but he is also cute! LOL! *wink*) and since he got in via AFMASUK with a huge margin in percentage, I hope that those who have been critical of him will just stop condemning him, and just concentrate on making the kids of their choice a champion.

It will be almost near impossible for him to be champion with fans of Hafiz and Isma fearlessly voting for them. It will be a huge bonus if Aril gets even second placing. He will most probably be a ‘threat’ to Akim and Yazid, but then again, Akim might just surpass him in position as of late, Akim is showing huge signs of improvement. Aril has been out of practice for 2 weeks. I am just happy that Aril is in the Finals, and that I get to see him sing his own original song.

BTW, if there is one person who really needs to be transformed, it has to be AC Mizal. Can ASTRO please transform AC Mizal? *wink* I believe that a lot of the surprise gimmicks could not be carried out because of AC Mizal’s lack of talent to carry it through with drama like the way Aznil did.

Most of the time, I find the elimination round kind of an anti-climax. I have a feeling that probably ASTRO had to rope in Principal Tiara to announce the AFMASUK because AC Mizal just couldn’t inject enough drama into it. If only Aznil would replace AC Mizal for the final concert……

Anyway, all the best to Aril, Akim, Isma, Hafiz and Yazid! I am looking forward to a highly charged final concert next Saturday!

**note - photo taken from Berita Harian Online.

HAPPY MOTHER's DAY!

Wishing all the wonderful mothers out there, HAPPY MOTHER's DAY!

A special wish to my mother-in-law, Mak, my two wonderful sisters, Lin and Chik, my 4 great sister-in-laws, Eli, Sufia, Ina and Adeque.

A very special wish to my wonderful mum, MA! I love you, MA! Thank you for everything! We couldn't have done it without your love and support! Lots of love and kisses!

For Mother's Day this year, my son made this for me during his Art Class yesterday....

Sweet, right? *wink* Thanks, sweetie! Hugs!

**note - graphic image was taken from http://www.prahtthai.ac.th/

A sneak peak!

Despite having a bad case of diarrhea yesterday, I managed to complete it as all I could do yesterday was sit in front of the TV. I was too weak to do any household chores, but rather than just sit around doing nothing, I decided to work on the bag, though at a very slow pace.

I completed the second crochet bag last night at 9.21pm as I sat watching the Akademi Fantasia concert last night! Yipppee!

However, I can’t reveal the whole bag just yet as it is going to someone whose birthday is coming up soon. *wink*

Today, I started on a 3rd bag which is also going to someone whose birthday is also coming up soon. Here’s a sneak peak of both bags - the 2nd bag is on the left and the 3rd bag is on the right……..*wink*

Both will be revealed soon, so, keep a look out! *wink*

BTW, I also completed the Lizzie Kate “Home is where we share” piece I started on March 23, 2009, while I waited for Aiman to attend his Saturday classes, which I blogged about it here.

This piece did not take me that long to do as, I like said in my blog earlier, it is quite an easy piece to do. I am now back working on the LHN “The Counting House” piece which had taken a back seat when I started on this piece 3 months ago.

I hope to complete this piece in a couple of months as I won’t be working much on it until I complete the 3rd crochet bag. After that, I also have the ABC quilt which I am way behind. I really need to get into the quilting mood again very soon. For now, I have been bitten by the crochet bag bug!I blame it all on Mel! LOL! *wink*

Lunch at 7.00pm!

Yup! On Friday, work has been so hectic that I only had time to have my lunch when I got home at 7.00pm. All I had all day was a cup of Nescafe and a slice of bread at 6.15am before leaving for work.

I chaired a meeting in the morning, and even though light refreshments were served, I did not have time to even take a bite as I was the chairperson, except to get a sip or two of nescafe.

I made a quick outing lunch time to get some stash for my crochet bag project, and bought `nasi campur’ (mixed rice) at an open hawker stall along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman with the intention to have my lunch in my office as I would still have about 20 minutes of lunch time before it would be back to work for me. I hardly go out for long lunch breaks these days as work is always piling up sky high.

However, when I tried to start my car, it just wouldn’t start up. It just went dead. All I could hear was a clicking sound. I called my hubby but he was still in Jumaat prayers. Luckily there was this boy who was selling those car polishing staff walking around the parking lot, and so I called him to help me see what was wrong with the car.

He did some fiddling with the battery connectors (sorry, I am no car expert *grin*), and I managed to get the car to start. As I drove back to the office, my hubby called and we went to the workshop to get the car fixed.

By the time we got the car fixed, I was already late getting back in to work. Even before I could put down my packed lunch, calls were already coming in and my staffs were coming in and out of my room asking me to look into matters. I had piles of letters to clear, and before I knew it, it was already 6.30pm!

I was getting mentally and physically exhausted and decided to head home.

It was already 7.00pm when I got home. I thought I’d wait for my hubby and son to come home first to have an early dinner, but, my tummy was growling so much and I was already starting to get a headache, so, I decided to have the packed lunch that I had bought earlier at 2.00pm.

Nothing to it, except that the next morning, I had a bad case of diarrhea. It could be because I had my lunch so late that my tummy was already filled up with gastric juice thus causing me to have the diarrhea, or, it could be because I had my lunch packed up and mixed together since 2.00pm, and maybe some of the food (lauk) had already gone bad by 7.00pm, though I could not taste anything bad when I ate it. Could it be because I was too hungry to even notice? LOL!

It could also be that the food already had bacteria in it when I bought it as I had bought the food at an open hawker stall along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman as it was exposed to all the dust and dirt from passing cars and whatever that was flying in the air. Gulp!

So, yesterday, though I managed to bring Aiman for his usual Saturday classes, I spent quite a lot of time going in and out of the toilet. I couldn’t wait to get home.

When I got home, all I could do was sit in front of the TV as I was too weak from the diarrhea to do anything else. To make matters worse, my hubby developed a slight fever, and he ended up sleeping for most part of yesterday. I am glad that Aiman was well, so we need not have to worry about him, but he was attention deprived yesterday when both of us could not spend time entertaining him.

After a couple of rounds of medication, I am feeling better today, but, unfortunately, my hubby developed diarrhea too today. Even as I write this, he is still having diarrhea and is sleeping from feeling weak.

I could not actually figure out what could be the cause of our diarrhea as Aiman was well yesterday and today, thank God, and he ate almost the same thing we did for dinner. But, he did have a case of diarrhea on Friday morning when I sent him to school. I had to practically rush him to the toilet in school. But, after that, he told me he was fine.

I hope that my hubby will be up and about soon as he has taken another dose of the diarrhea medication after lunch today. It worries me to see him lying sleeping all day when he is usally up and about on weekends.

Get well soon, hubby! Hugs!

Who shall it be?

I waited in anticipation of the Diary last night but was a little bit disappointed as I expected Sarimah to announce something different with regards to the AFMASUK. I was hoping that there will be something different to the approach in bringing back one or two of the ex-students into the Akademi.

I was hoping that Astro would have a concert of sorts by the ex-students, and the voters will decide from there who should deserve a place into the finals. I was also hoping that maybe Astro would announce that Aishah be given another chance, like a wild card or sorts, into the Akademi, and then the voters would only vote for another person back into the Akademi.

I was also hoping that the voting method would be a little different though I can't really say how different I want it to be, but I just wanted it to be different than from the previous AFMASUK. But, yesterday, it was just like any other AFMASUK they had during the season 2 and 4 of AF.

Was I expecting too much? Probably if I didn't (expect too much), then I wouldn't have been too disappointed, right? AF is known to have done many things out of the unexpected, so, I was just hoping again for the unexpected, but, I guess, this time around, it did not come. It was just another Diary last night. *sigh* Or, maybe that was the unexpected? What you expected became the unexpected! Opps! Did I just got everyone confused? LOL! *wink*

It would be nice IF, that's a BIG `IF' Astro would bring back in 3 ex-students to make it 7 finalists in conjunction with season 7 of AF. One student is brought in via sms, one is chosen by the Critics (Pengritik Mingguan) and one chosen by the Faculty. That would be nice as it would fulfill everyone's wishes - the voters, the Critics, and the Faculty who have worked so hard to mold these kids from no one to someone. Wouldn't that be great?

Fat hopes, huh? But, nothing wrong in hoping and wishing, right? *wink*

This would be my choice into the FINALS from the pool of ex-students - Aishah, Aril and Zizi.

Why Aishah?

Because she has worked hard, and if you were to look back from the first week she was in the Akademi till now, she has improved a lot. Her confidence level has increased, though she is still very shy, but, that is what appeal you to her - shy, demure and innocent.

Why Zizi?

Because I like her husky voice and I think she's got the potential and almost fulfills the package of an entertainer.

Why Aril?

BECAUSE I LIKE HIM! FULLSTOP! LOL! *wink*

No, seriously...well, seriously I do like him *grin*, but I also think that he has got the right element (package) to make it big into this cruel and insane entertainment world.

I know it will be very hard for him to be a champion knowing very well how fanatic most fans of Hafiz are (my personal opinion and you don't necessarily have to agree) in crowning Hafiz as the champion, but I will be most happy just having him in the finals (him being a champion would be a HUGE bonus!) just to see him perform again with his very own song, with the hope that his song will hit the top charts faster than you can blink an eye. LOL! *wink* That's a figure of speech! *wink*

I just know (shall I say wish and hope? *grin*) that he will be easily snapped up by big recording companies if they are able to see how talented he is. Didn't Pricipal Tiara said that he has the right package to be an Ikon? I believe her. Don't you? *wink*

**notes - photos taken from Klubbkidd.

Nice room but lousy service!

I was in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah last week to attend two meetings, and while there, I stayed at Imperial International Hotel which was recommended by a friend. The location is great as it is located right smack in the middle of town, and is attached to a shopping complex. It is great if you are traveling alone, as you can get to almost anywhere around town on foot.

Upon arrival at the hotel, you could almost miss it as the entrance to the hotel isn’t that welcoming because it has no porch. You have to side park your car, and you have to be really careful when alighting from your car as the traffic is quite heavy.

Going by the décor in the hotel lobby and the lifts, you’d say that the hotel is pretty old. But, you’d be surprise once you get off the lift to go to your room as the carpeting on the floor leading to the rooms look very much like it was just replaced quite recently. The corridors are wide and well lit.

The biggest surprise comes when you open the door to your room to find quite a very nice and tastefully decorated room. The décor almost jumps out at you! The most unusual being the bright red chair!

Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to sit on the unusual red chair as I spent most of my time outside of the room throughout my two day stay there.

It would have been a very pleasant stay at the hotel because of its location and the nicely decorated room if not for the lousy service.

When I made the reservations for 5 rooms a week prior to my trip, I requested for the RM160.00 + RM15.00 (for breakfast) rooms and was told that the rooms were all available on the said date. My staff called the hotel 3 days later to book 3 more rooms and was told that the RM160.00 rooms are no longer available for these 3 rooms, but that only the RM175.00 (not including breakfast) rooms are available on the said date. All the rooms were reserved under my name using my credit card to confirm the bookings.

The first sign of problem arise when I got a call from the hotel asking me to reconfirm my booking 4 days prior to the said date. I was told that if there is a no-show of any of the rooms, I will be surcharged. She gave me up to 72 hours to confirm my booking. That’s 3 days prior to my travel date!

That’s crazy because most hotels that I have stayed in (I have stayed in many hotels due to my work) will give me up to 24 hours to confirm booking, upon which, only then will a surcharged be made to my card.

Since I will be taking up 8 rooms, I asked for some consideration from the hotel not to surcharge me if only ONE out of the EIGHT rooms that is not being taken up, as anything could happen within the 72 hours. She refused even after much negotiation. It was only finally resolved when I called up the friend who recommended me the hotel who in turn, called up the Manager who happens to be his friend.

On the said date, I arrived with 3 colleagues while the rest arrived via a later flight. I checked in with not much of a problem, and I informed the front desk that the billings for the hotel rooms shall be made in the name of the individual person who will be occupying the rooms even though the bookings were all made under my name.

Easy peasy instructions, right? Not really. I will tell you later what happens upon our checking out, but first, let me tell you about the second lousy service I encountered at the hotel.

As I was about to go out for dinner, I dropped by the front desk to inform the person in charge that I would like to extend the check out time on my room as my flight back to KL would only be at 7.30pm.

I asked how much the hotel will be charging me for a half day use of the room. That was when I found out that the person on duty earlier had given me a room that was RM175.00 (not including breakfast) and not the RM160.00 like what I had requested when I made my booking the first time around.

The only difference between the two rooms was that the more expensive one had a view. It did not matter to me about the view as I wouldn’t have time to look out of the window anyway, and when I asked her why was I given a more expensive room when I had already made booking for the cheaper room; she gave me the excuse that the room was not yet ready upon my arrival.

I accepted that reasoning but I was not happy that the person who checked me in earlier never even informed me that he was going to give me the more expensive room. It wasn’t about the money, but more of the principal behind it. He could have at least informed me that the rooms I had booked earlier was not available upon my checking in, and asked me if it was okay for him to give me the more expensive room, or would I like to wait until the rooms I had booked earlier are ready. I could have chosen to wait. It’s a matter of courtesy.

Most hotels would usually give me the more expensive room but charge me the same rate of the room that I had booked as they could not get the rooms ready in time. That’s what you call good sales service.

When I requested that they charge me according my booking, he said that it is not possible, but he will be more than happy to move me into the cheaper room, and when I refused as I had already unpacked and was already on the way to dinner, he said that he will help me to pack and unpack again. Uurrghhh!

Why was it so difficult for him to just charge me the rate that I wanted as it was the hotel’s mistake to have put me up in a room that I did not book, without even the courtesy to inform me about it!

I gave up arguing when he insisted that I move room if I still insist on being charge the cheaper rate. Reason number two for taking my business elsewhere the next time I come to KK. *sigh*

Remember I told you earlier that I had given instructions for the bills to be charged on individual names? Well, I thought the person at the front desk understood my instructions as he nodded like he did understand, but, when we checked out the next day, a couple of the rooms had my name on it, which would make it difficult for the person staying in the respective rooms to make claims later on for lodging. Reason number three for taking my business elsewhere.

In the morning, before going out for my meeting, I told the front desk that I would like my bills to be ready when I check out at 5.30pm as I have a flight to catch. Again he nodded as if understanding my instructions.

When I got to the front desk at 5.20pm, guess what? The bill was not yet ready. The queue was long as many were checking out at about the same time. I had to wait for at least 30 minutes before they finally got my bills ready, and they also had to redo the bills for some of my colleagues who had my name on their bills.

It was a mad dash to the airport as we got caught in the traffic of office people leaving for home. Uurrghh! I almost panicked in case we might miss our flight! Reason number four for taking my business elsewhere.

Upon checking out, I spoke to the Assistant Manager and told him of my complains and the bad service the hotel was providing. I told him that he’s better do something about it, or, this will be my first and last stay at the hotel, and certainly I won’t be recommending this hotel to any of my friends. He nodded and said that he will take it up with the management.

I wonder whether it really matters to them as I am just one person complaining, and they could have hundreds more coming in daily.

If there is any reason why I would want to stay again at that hotel is if only they improve their service, or they are the only hotel available during my next trip, or because of its location. But then again, if because of location, I think I might try for Le Meridien next, since the hotel is only next door to Imperial International Hotel.

AFMASUK?

Honestly, I am not too much in favour of AFMASUK. Even though I would love to see Aril perform again, assuming that he might be the one that will be taken back in if the votes are on his side, I am more concerned that him going back into the Akademi via AFMASUK will only hurt him more than help him. Those fans of the other students will only be even more critical of him, condemning him even more, and worse, bitching about him. That’s more damage to him than doing him good.

He is, in my honest opinion, better off outside. Like many have said, if he is a shining star, he need not even have to be the champion, but he will still make it into this cruel and insane world. He has got the right package – the looks, the right attitude, the style, the persona, the stage presence, he can dance, he can act, and though his voice may not be anything at par to the darling Hafiz, the rest of what he has makes up for much of his lackings in the vocal department.

After all, Dafi made it, and he wasn’t even in the finals. Aizat wasn’t in the finals either, and neither was Rich, but look at where they both are now, winning awards after awards.

The only time that AFMASUK benefited the students themselves was during the third season of AF when Mawi and Marsha was brought in, but, they were brought in much earlier, if I am not mistaken, during the second concert. After that, their votes stayed constantly at the top for the voters were wary that both these two students might be booted out again; though fans of Mawi need not have to worry as the percentage of his votes were too wide a gap from the rest of the kids for any of them to be able to catch up.

AFMASUK did nothing much to Linda Nanuwil though she went on to win the first runner up. But, where is she now? She was condemned throughout her 2nd chance stay at the Akademi.

Lotter went through the same ordeal too, despite winning second placing too. He is not successful as a solo artiste but I caught on the radio a couple of times of a song which I felt was really catchy, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was a song sung by Lotter and his brothers. Though I must say that I like the song, I doubt it that he will be successful as a solo artiste, but I wish him luck in his future endeavors with his siblings.

So, again, as much as I would like to see Aril perform again in the Akademi, I still prefer to catch him in the finals as a guest artiste or former AF kids rather than as a finalist as he will be condemned non-stop by fans of the other AF kids who have been critically condemning him all this while. Astro just gave them more bullets to condemn Aril even more, and that makes me sad…..

I don’t think if Zizi and Qhoud are to be brought in via AFMASUK that they will be condemned as much as Aril will be.

Aril has been the target of much controversy right from the early weeks of AF7, despite doing well and being a very dedicated student, improving over the weeks, transforming himself from someone who lacks in the vocal department to someone who can dance and act, and you must agree with me that his vocals have improved, and he has taken any songs given to him without much of a complain compared to the other kids. Think about it. Flashback at the diaries, and seriously look at it without being overly bias, and emotional. Look at it at a rational angle, and you will see what I mean.

Whatever the results will be when the AFMASUK will be announced, I hope that whoever gets in will not be condemned too much, though my fear remains, and if he or she becomes the champion, that he or she will be a true champion, meaning that he or she will win not just because of a good voice, but because of the total package that he or she has – able to sing, act, dance, have stage presence and have got that aura that will get him or her to last for a very long time to come in this cruel industry.

I find this comment left at Klubbkidd interesting…..

QUOTE
AF ni memang drama......Seperti minggu lepas, astro provok lagu hafiz, so semua pengundi hafiz menjerit. Then, astro sengaja masukkan marsha. So, apa lagi...... kisah anak emas dah jadi besar .......siapa mangsa dari semua ini ....jawapannyer ialah "aril"

Memang bila ada pelajar yang tersingkir...semua orang kata salah pengundi dialah yang tak cukup undi .....

Apabila kes hafiz dianak tirikan dibesarkan, ada pengundi yang ada 2 calon cuba nak selamatkan hafiz dahulu, sehingga mereka sedikit pun tak undi aril. Maka, sebenarnyer, siapa yang telah dianak tirikan. Pengundi aril memang terus mengundi tetapi pengundi yg ada 2 calon ini yang tidak mengundi aril sebab isu anak tiri......

Bila marsha dimasukkan....wah...lagi kesian aril....dia seolah-olah kehilangan pengundi wanita ...sebab aksi marsha yang menggoda aril ditayangkan dan diperbesarkan dalam diari ....... aril lagi yang jadi mangsa.

Bila aril keluar, astro pun, wah, tunjuk adegan study dan fokus jer. Kesian aril....seperti, dengan kehadiran dialah selama ni yang menyebabkan pelajar main-main......

kesian aril....dia jadi mangsa hanya kerana dia menjadi dirinyer sendiri.

akhirnyer, astro juga untung. Isu afmasuk akan memburukkan nama aril jer. Aril lagi sekali jadi mangsa.....
UNQUOTE

I am not saying that I agree with everything that she said, though I must say that she is a true Aril Fan, fanatic too, to a certain extent *wink*, but I find it interesting at how people tend to look at the same thing in so many different ways, and come up with so many different variations and interpretations.

To me, everyone is entitled to their own opinion on things, and everyone should respect that. You can either agree with it, or you don't. One man's meat is another man's poison. Only wise men will be able to respect another man's opinion.

To Aril, and all those other kids vying for a place into the finals via AFMASUK, I wish them ALL THE BEST OF LUCK!

**note - photos taken from Klubbkidd.

The crochet bag is done!

Yup! It's done, though it took longer than Rose who did hers in 5 days, and sifu Mel did hers in only two days!

I could have completed the bag last Saturday night as I sat watching the Akademi Fantasia concert last week, but, I lost the mood to complete it that night when Aril was announced that he was booted out! *sob! sob!* LOL! *grin*

At that time, I was already on the last row for the handle. LOL! *wink*

I finally completed it on Sunday evening last week when I sat to watch a repeat of the concert. *grin*

Heheh...I still have not quite gotten over the fact that Aril's out! LOL! Fanatic, am I? LOL! *blush* No, I am just someone who enjoys watching him perform and appreaciates good talent when I see one, despite considering myself to be tonedeaf. LOL!

I'll miss watching him perform every Saturday night, and soon, it's going to be all over..... *sigh**grin*

Oppps! Digressing again, am I? LOL! *wink*

Anyway, back to my bag, I love all the shades of PINK that I had used for this bag. It's yummy! It's sweet! It's very ME! LOL! This bag is MINE! *grin*

The bag is approximately 17" x 17" not including the handle part. I made quite a number of mistakes, but, like I said earlier, this is my practice piece.

The above photo was taken as soon as I completed it last Sunday, and in my excitement to snap a photo of it, I forgot to put in the ribbon and magnetic clasp.

So, here is the bag with the ribbon inserted and with the magnetic clasp in place.

I should have placed the clasp either above or below the line of the ribbon, instead of in lined with it. That's another mistake I had made. But, instead of taking it out, I decided to put a button on top of the clasp, and inserting the ribbon through the button holes to grip the ribbon in place.

I have already bought more yarns today to make another bag for someone who's birthday is coming up quite soon, but I am not telling who she is....just yet! *wink*

Writing in flight!

This is a first…I am writing this while on a flight to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah for a meeting….jakun dan darat sikit….tak pernah write while on a flight…LOL! *grin*

Well for one, most…..eerr…make that ALL…LOL!.. of my travels for work are usually short bounds, meaning they are domestic flights, which usually takes only a 45 minutes to get to my destination. So, by the time I take out my laptop to write, it’s almost time to switch off all electronic gadgets for the landing! LOL!

Today, I decided to take my laptop with me to KK as I might be doing a lot of waiting at the airport for my flight back to KL from KK tomorrow as I couldn’t get an earlier flight than 7.30pm after my meeting which I expect will be done by 3.00pm.

I could go shopping for some pearls……hmmmmmm….but, I couldn’t possibly be spending 3 hours looking for pearls, could I? I could, but I’ll end up spending like thousands of ringgits if I were to go pearl shopping for 3 hours!

Ooopps! I think I just saw my hubby’s jaw dropped reading that statement above! LOL! *wink*

You know, when it comes to pearls, I think my hubby knows best what to get for me. I have gone to KK on several occasions (some years ago), and have gone looking for nice looking pearl accessories like bracelets, necklaces and earrings, but I always end up coming home empty handed, as I really couldn’t decide which one I want or what I want, or, I just couldn’t find the ones I like. But, when my hubby use to travel to KK every month for work some 3 years ago, each time he comes home, he would buy me pearl accessories, and they are always very beautiful ones, those that I have never seen before when I am in KK myself. That’s one shopping that my hubby does better than me! LOL! *wink* Well, OK, I am a lousy shopper to begin with! LOL!

I’ll be in KK for two days. I have a meeting in the afternoon upon arriving in KK (ETA 11.45am). Tomorrow I have another meeting and a site visit to a new project which is scheduled to take off early next year if budget allows.

In the evening, before my flight back, I might make a stop over at the Filipino market to see what fancies me to bring back to KL. Anyone any suggestion on what I should get, since it’s been a very long time since I last came here?

I can’t buy anything big though since I only carried a small overnight bag and my laptop bag. I say small overnight bag but my colleague just teased me that my bag is like I am traveling for 3 days! LOL!

You see, my colleague traveling with me is a male, and you know how light men travel, right? I admire women who can travel light, as I am one of those who doesn’t know how to travel light, despite squeezing my makeup bag and toiletries into the tiniest of bags! LOL. Even my smallest overnight bag is considered big! LOL!

You see, I can’t travel without a novel to read on the plane. I also can’t leave home without my cross stitch with me and a at least one craft magazine in my bag. *grin*

I don’t know how people squeeze their pajamas and the work clothes for tomorrow all in a very tiny bag.

I don’t fancy rolling up my clothes as some have said that rolling your clothes will make your travel bag smaller as you get to squeeze the clothes into a smaller bag. Hmmm….if I were to do that, I’d end up with a very wrinkled blouse for work, and that wouldn’t look professional, right? Ask the hotel for an iron? I could do that, but, not all hotels have irons ready for you to use, especially if you go to small hotels where they would have limited number of irons to go around, and I might already need it for my meeting upon my arrival at the hotel.

Ok! OK! I am just making up excuses for bringing a big overnight bag! LOL!

I guess I will just have to remain as one of those typical women who simply lose out when it comes to traveling light. *grin* But, have you got any tips for me for traveling light? Who knows they might be ones I have yet to try out.

I can’t kept getting teased from my male colleagues for bringing a HUGE overnight bag, each time I travel with them, right? LOL! Or, they just simply LOVE to tease me, no matter what! LOL! *blush*

Written at 10.45 am on board flight MH2708 to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Shocking, unbelievable, and sad.......

I hope by now those who have been critically condemning Aril are finally at peace and happy now that Aril is out of the game.

However, I still don't get it why fans of Hafiz feels that Aril is a threat to Hafiz, when the actual threat is Isma, whose votes have been constantly at the top no matter how good or bad she performs each week. She could just be standing on stage doing nothing at all for all we know, and her votes would still be high. Sounds like Mawi? I may not like Mawi very much, but I must admit that Mawi was phenomenal, but Isma is far from having the aura that Mawi has.

I am shocked and I find it unbelievable that someone as talented as Aril was eliminated at the 7th concert last night. How could this have happened? Was everyone trying to save the not so good ones that they forgot to vote for Aril?

Even Sultan Muzaffar has this to say, or rather he has gone speechless.....

QUOTE

Apa yang boleh saya katakan ? Pengundi telah pun bertitah. Jadi saya tiada kuasa untuk berkata apa-apa. Hanya sekadar mampu melihat dan melihat Aril pergi. Tapi bolehkah penyingkiran Aril diganti ? Mustahil ! Satu penyingkiran yang sukar di cari ganti.

UNQUOTE

I visited several blogs this morning, and many comments that were left were of disappointment and disconsolate with Aril's elimination. Even those that are not fans of Aril agrees that Aril is a good performer.

Adibah said that Aril was born to be on stage. Adlin, who I consider quite truthful and brutal in his comments, said that Aril is a new product never before been produced by Astro.

And to say that fans of Aril did not vote, many voted, but it seems that the votes somehow did not get through in time before the votings were closed for the night. So, what really happened?

I am sure fans of Akim and Yazid will not agree with me, but, compare Akim and Yazid to Aril, and Aril is any time better than both of them combined (this is my personal opinion, and you have yours). You have to remember that this is already the 7th concert and Akim has yet to show proof that he has got something big to deserve a place in the finals.

Aril can dance and he has so far never performed without coming out with something that is extra ordinary. He can act going by the impressive play acting drama and feel that he did when he delivered his duet with Marsha and the song "Andainya Aku Pergi Dulu...." was delivered full of expression and feel. Even MrManager, who is a great fan of Hafiz, said that Aril has got a shining persona, and he was beginning to like him. He too was shocked by Aril's elimination.

He has slide on the floor, he has slithered and slept on the floor. He has thrown himself across the floor. He has jumped down from the stage. And last night, he did a somersault of sorts. You name it, he has done it. Has Akim or Yazid done any of those yet? Akim only started last night.....

I quote this comment left by AKOO at MrManager's blog......

QUOTE
Aril rocks the stadium tonight, sayang you are not there... Nakal sound and look good with him performing, and I'm not comparing his singing with the original singer. ARIL WAS DAMNED GOOD.

When he was backing up for Hafiz performance, he didn't even try to outshine Hafiz at all.
UNQUOTE

Compare the voice, and Aril may not have the vocals of Hafiz, but compare his voice with Yazid and Akim, they are almost at par if Aril is not better. So, OK, Yazid might have a slight edge over Aril when it comes to the vocals, but has Yazid got the stage presence that Aril has?

This week, it was Aril that came to Hafiz's aid when Hafiz was struggling with his lyrics. He even offered to help sing the parts where Hafiz couldn't memorize. He even promised that he wouldn't overshadow Hafiz, and he did just that, pretty much stayed on the side, and Hafiz got all the attention.

If fans of Hafiz still thinks that Aril is a threat and condemn Aril, than they must really be fanatics, and that is sad.

I quote a comment placed at Klubbkidd's blog last night, right after the concert...

QUOTE
Noticed in the other blog, a fan of another student mentioned about justice being done when Aril is out of the competition.

What justice is she/he talking about? What is wrong with her/him? Aril performed well (best performance) 3 weeks in a row and him being booted out is called justice? I guess he is really a threat to their fauvorite student in terms of performance. (I couldn't agree with you more!) They should be more worried with Isma not Aril. She is actually the main competitor in terms of votes and could even be a juara due to voting alone. Aril's votes always the bottom half after the concert and still he is considered a threat. Go figure...
UNQUOTE

Aril was just trying to help. He has a kind heart, but, unfortunately, like klubbkidd said, his bigger than life personality overshadowed the talent that he has, and good and kind heart that is naturally him, making him being hated by paranoid people who finds him a threat to their darling choices of the AF7 kinds.

I was hoping that Astro would announce that that there would be no elimination this week, but, then I realised that had Astro done that and it was Aril who was at the bottom of the ranking, then all the more Aril will be condemned non-stop, and they will say that Astro was playing favouritism. That would be even sadder. So, maybe it is for the best that Aril is no longer in the game. Maybe a big recording company will pick him up, hopefully KRU, and I am hoping to see an album the likes of Adam coming out not too long after the AF7 is over.

The diaries, to me, will be boring to watch from tomorrow onwards. I am a little embarassed to admit, but I watch the diaries to watch Aril's playful and mischievious antics, and fun personality. He brings life to the diaries.

Looks like I won't be watching much of the diaries anymore. The others are simply boring.....I probably won't watch the concerts anymore either, except to maybe pass my time away while I fold my weekly laundry like what I do every Saturday night since the concerts started.

To Aril, I wish you all the best. Never mind what people say about you. Stay the way you are - fun, loving, mischievious, playful, and, most of all, caring, because it is the way you are that makes people like me love you and wanting to watch you!

You are a star in the making! You left last night with pride. Hold your head up high!

Thanks for making the past 7 weeks an enjoyable one!

**notes - photo taken from Berita Harian Online and SultanMuzaffar

My baby turned 9!

Yeah, he's already 9, and yet I still call him my baby. *grin*

Aiman will always be `my baby' even when he is 12, 18, 24, or even 30! I think he might get embarassed though if I call him baby at age 30 if he is already married by than and with his own kids. LOL! *wink*

I shall not embarassed him, but, he will always remain by baby forever.

So, `my baby' turned 9 on 22 April 2009. I thought it was only yesterday that he was just learning how to walk, and already this week, he already knows how to make demands as to what he wants for his birthday. *grin*

This year, we are not having a big birthday celebration for him. We explained to him that things are simply getting too expensive, especially his school tuition fees. Also, if we were to have a party celebration for him, that would mean that I would have to take leave to prepare for it as from our experience doing it at A&W last year, nothing beats doing one at home.

But, as it turned out, I won't be able to take leave this time around as work was piling up sky high and I have been having meetings back to back almost everyday of the week last week. I eventually had to take an emergency leave though when I ended up with a bad case of aerosol poisoning on Thursday. So, I guess it was never meant to be for us to have a birthday celebration for him this year.

We told him we will try to have one next year. In the mean time, this year, we promised a special dinner at a fancy restaurant of his choice, and so he chose VICTORIA STATION.

So, on Friday, we went out for the sepcial dinner. I made reservations earlier as he had been wanting to sit at the head of the train each time we have dinner there on special occassions, and so, last night, he finally got his wish.

He was excited and kept asking us if this was really the head of the train. My hubby pointed out that even the spelling on the train were in old malay spelling. I forgot to take a photo of it though to show what my hubby meant.

Anyway, we had our usual starters of Nachos, my favourite! Hubby had Meatloaf and I had Salmon with Lamb Loin Combo, while Aiman had BBQ Chicken.

It felt like a simply dish (but expensive! LOL!) but I felt full right up until this morning! LOL!

Earlier on in the week, on Wednesday, 22nd April, the actual day of his birthday, I bought a small cake and we had sort of a small celebration just the 3 of us, and he opened presents given to him by his Atok & Tokmama, my hubby and I.

I hope Aiman had enjoyed his dinner and would still be able to appreciate the small celebration that we had for him earlier, though we know it wasn't a birthday celebration that a kid his age would want, but, he will have to learn that life isn't always about what he wants.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sayang! We LOVE YOU!