- Angela Ciemny - Moment of Truth
- The moment of truth! Shallow Angela Ciemny! and one more site.

Basically, the last question of the episode was, “Would you pose nude for $100,000?”

My question of the day is - do we have a price?

Do you have a price? Would you pose nude for $100,000? Would you sleep with someone for a few hundred thousand? Would you become someone’s mistress for a healthy monthly income?

I was listening to some people discussing extra-marital affairs today. The rich tycoons and their concubines.

It reminded me of an article that I really loved reading this week that had the title, “Why do men take second wives?”

Yes, it is out in the open and people have no shame. They don’t hide their affairs. They parade around town with their mistresses. You don’t need to be rich to have mistresses or second wives but the richer men get the prettier girls.

I think, “well do the women have kept men then?” and the answer is, “yes”.

It makes you and me wonder then, that we all actually do have a price? It may not be $100,000… it may be $300,000 or $3,000,000. We think, “well, it’s just one night, it can’t be that bad” or you think, “well, he’s really old, he’ll only last a few more months…”

The local celebrities are almost all linked to rich businessmen and it makes you think that it may not be all about talent. If you have a rich investor backing you up, liking your services, you will rise to the top… how many Hollywood actresses relied on this formula? Or are still relying on this formula?

Love doesn’t fit into the equation anywhere. It’s all about survival - “I need his money to pay my bills, to fuel my lifestyle…” or whatever other excuse is out there - or you might feel even better knowing that you are a mistress because you feel protected and secure.

Do you think we all have a price? I haven’t quite worked out my price yet because it’s never quite crossed my mind but imagine for people out there, it’s their way of life. Do you think it’s sad or it’s ok?

This reminds me of Indecent Proposal.

It was my mistake for not uploading this picture here on the exact 1 year anniversary of my father’s passing. This actually appeared in our local newspaper on October 1, 2008.

October 2, 2008 was a public holiday - end of Ramadan. Yes, my father is most blessed because he keeps giving us public holidays! His birthday is perpetually a public holiday because it is our independence day and now even his anniversary this year, he gave us a public holiday.

I uploaded this on my Facebook on October 2, 2008 rather than here. Silly me.

We visited his grave on his anniversary. It’s so beautiful and serene.

After that, we drove down to Singapore to visit my sister. Basically, we wanted to visit her before she was a due a week later. We arrived around dinner time and had a happy and lively conversation at the table.

We lazed about in the living room after dinner and I was telling my sister’s stomach that we were there and that it was time to come out. I was also playing with her stomach because I hadn’t seen her stomach for a few months and the baby was kicking and moving in her stomach. I was quite fascinated really.

Then, the next morning, I was rudely awakened at 8am by my sister’s incessant alarm clock. Getting quite annoyed, I got up to source where it was coming from and realised it was coming from my sister’s room. I thought it odd the door was open and I walked in only to realise that nobody was there. I turned off the alarm clock and began thinking, “where could they be???” I thought maybe my sister had sent my brother-in-law to work. But my sister can’t drive ‘cos she’s so pregnant. I kept thinking, “could she be at the hospital?!” But I kept ruling it out ‘cos it just cannot be that coincidental.

Just to double check, I asked the maid what time my brother-in-law goes to work normally and she said around 8:30am so I grab my phone to sms my brother-in-law, “where are you?” and he calls back and says, “Your wish came true…we’re at the hospital now” and I got all excited ‘cos I thought she gave birth but she hadn’t.

We waited in the lobby since we were not allowed into the delivery room. Although her labour was 10 hours, it felt like everything happened in the last 10 minutes. There was a lot of drama - my mother just informing my aunty and uncle that my sister was in labour after deliberating whether to inform them or not and five to ten minutes later, my sister gives birth! We were so noisy outside the delivery ward. She gave birth at 3:41pm.

- my niece at a few minutes old!

I want to give you some interesting trivia at this time. My father’s birthday is on 31 August 1949 (31/08/1949). His favourite number has always been 3108 because of this. Or 3 1 8 in that sequence.

My niece weighed 3.18kg and was born on 3 October 2008 (3/10/08).

Could this be a coincidence? Well, it’s too uncanny to be a coincidence really. I believe it is a blessing from God!

As I’ve always believed, a coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. We didn’t realise the numbers until a few hours later. And as you know, the day before was my father’s first year memorial.

That evening after coming back from the hospital, I was looking at the daily bible verse and it read this,

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, - 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

I was stunned speechless. I was also very excited and in awe of God and His immense love for us.

That night, I was looking at my father’s anniversary picture above and re-read the verse I had chosen,

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. - Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

When I chose that verse at the time, I thought it was very meaningful and poetic. The fact that we are sad because we are missing him but we are also hopeful and happy knowing we have memories to cling on to. Basically, we do not want to weep forever because we have hope in God and the fact that we will see Papa again.

I only included the last part of that verse in the anniversary acknowledgement. But that night, in the dark and just before I was going to sleep, I read the verse again and literally sprang up from my sister’s couch.

God wanted us to know that everything was going to be ok. It was literally a night and a morning that everything happened. Mourning our loss and receiving new life. What an appropriate verse!!

We were so happy that my sister gave birth when we were there. We wouldn’t have wanted to miss a thing. My sister was also glad we were there.

- my sister could still smile and all!

Everything fell into such perfect place. God gave us that opportunity to share this moment. How special is that!

After my sister gave birth, all that came out from my mouth for a couple of hours was, “Wow, God’s impeccable timing. Only God could have planned this.”

God is my hero.

Have you ever noticed that the worst way to miss someone is when they are right beside you and yet you can never have them…when the moment you can’t feel them under your fingertips you miss them?

Have you ever wondered which hurts the most; saying something and wishing you had not, or saying nothing and wishing you had?

I guess the most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of because words diminish them, words shrink things that seemed timeless when they were in your head… to no more than living size when they are brought out…

Don’t be afraid to tell someone you love them. If you do, they might break your heart… but if you don’t, you might break theirs.

Have you ever decided not to become a couple because you were so afraid of losing what you already had with that person? Your heart decides who it likes and who it doesn’t. You can’t tell your heart what to do. It does it on its own…. when you least suspect it, or even when you don’t want it to.

Have you ever wanted to love someone with everything you had, but that other person was too afraid to let you? Too many of us stay walled because we are too afraid to care too much…for fear that the other person do not care as much, or at all.

Have you ever loved someone and they had absolutely no idea whatsoever? Or fell for your best-friend in the entire world, and then sat around and watched him/her fall for someone else?

Have you ever denied your feelings for someone because your fear of rejection was too hard to handle?

We tell lies when we are afraid…afraid of what we don’t know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie…the thing we fear grows stronger.

Life is all about risks and it requires you to jump. Don’t be a person who has to look back and wonder what they would have, or could have had.

No one waits forever…

This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get a better insight concerning their employees and potential employees.

It’s only 10 simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers.

Ready? Begin:

1. When do you feel your best?
(a) in the morning
(b) during the afternoon & early evening
(c) late at night

2. You usually walk…
(a) fairly fast, with long steps.
(b) fairly fast, with short, quick steps.
(c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face.
(d) less fast, head down.
(e) very slowly.

3. When talking to people you…
(a) stand with your arms folded?
(b) have your hands clasped?
(c) have one or both your hands on your hips?
(d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking?
(e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair?

4. When relaxing, you sit with…
(a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side.
(b) your legs crossed.
(c) your legs stretched out or straight.
(d) one leg curled under you.

5. When something really amuses you, you respond with…
(a) a big, appreciative laugh.
(b) a laugh, but not a loud one.
(c) a quiet chuckle.
(d) a sheepish smile.

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you…
(a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you.
(b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know.
(c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You’re working very hard ,concentrating hard, and you’re interrupted. Do you..
(a) welcome the break?
(b) feel extremely irritated?
(c) vary between these two extremes?

8. Which of the following colors do you like most?
(a) red or orange
(b) black
(c) yellow or light blue
(d) green
(e) dark blue or purple
(f) white
(g) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep, you lie…
(a) stretched out on your back.
(b) stretched out face down on your stomach.
(c) on your side, slightly curled.
(d) with your head on one arm.
(e) with your head under the covers.

10. You often dream that you are…
(a) falling.
(b) fighting or struggling.
(c) searching for something or somebody.
(d) flying or floating.
(e) you usually have dreamless sleep.
(f) your dreams are always pleasant.

Now, assign yourself points for each of your answers, and write down the total:

1.
(a) 2
(b) 4
(c) 6

2.
(a) 6
(b) 4
(c) 7
(d) 2
(e) 1

3.
(a) 4
(b) 2
(c) 5
(d) 7
(e) 6

4.
(a) 4
(b) 6
(c) 2
(d) 1

5.
(a) 6
(b) 4
(c) 3
(d) 5
(e) 2

6.
(a) 6
(b) 4
(c) 2

7.
(a) 6
(b) 2
(c) 4

8.
(a) 6
(b) 7
(c) 5
(d) 4
(e) 3
(f) 2
(g) 1

9.
(a) 7
(b) 6
(c) 4
(d) 2
(e) 1

10.
(a) 4
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 5
(e) 6
(f) 1

Now add up the total number of points you received for your answers.

OVER 60 POINTS:

Others see you as someone they should “handle with care” You’re seen as vain, self-centered, and extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don’t always
trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS:

Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who’s quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold
and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS:

Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who’s constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who’ll always cheer them up and
help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS:

Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest…Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who’s extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over it if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS:

Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It’d really surprise them if You ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS:

People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn’t want to get involved with
anyone or anything. They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don’t exist. Some people think you’re boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren’t.

Anyway, the flight was ok. Food was alright. You know whats funny aboard planes, especially in economy class, you’re confined to just your seat and that’s your space for however many hours. It’s weird because you’re sandwiched between so many people and yet that’s all you got to move around with. It’s not much space. Imagine if you were extra claustrophobic… yes and imagine if you were taller or bigger sized.

So I arrived London about 2 hours later. Immigration took forever… arrived around 8.30pm. My great cousin was waiting for me. We walked to her house and while I was showering, she made us dinner - some bacon, tomato and macaroni concoction. She said it was her first time making it. It was good.

We chatted for a couple of hours and I felt quite light-headed near the end of it, I remember feeling woozy. Maybe talked too much or drank too much ginger beer.

We went on our computers and then I went to bed around 1am+.

I woke up at 8am today but lay in bed watching Gossip Girl Season 2 Episode 1 and One Tree Hill Season 6 Episode 1. Man, can I just say that whenever Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass were on-screen alone, it was just so intense? You could feel the electricity! I love Blair!!! Isn’t it funny how it’s always the secondary couples who outshine the main couple after awhile. It happened with The OC and now with Gossip Girl. Haha… very good though. Now, it makes me want to watch the rest of the episodes I’d put off watching. Darn it. Shoulda put it into my Creative. One Tree Hill was rather strange to watch… somehow, they always seem to have crazy, mad people in one Tree Hill. The good thing however is that Peyton and Lucas are together. I don’t quite know what happened at the end of Season 5 to warrant this. I thought he had a tough time deciding or something… anyway….

Then we got showered, I ate toast and then we decided what to do today. We took a leisurely walk through Hyde Park and visited the Serpentine Gallery where Frank Gehry had built a pavillion out of wood and glass. Quite pretty. I noticed that Malaysians would never be able to appreciate the culture of everything. Somehow, we are still so backward in that respect.

Then we came home and I had trouble uploading my photos to my website only because I didn’t know how to re-size my photos and I didn’t want to stick up 160 2mb photos. In the end I resorted to sticking it up on Picasa Web Albums. It just feels wrong though and rather nightmarish.

Can I just say that I am not a fan of Linux anymore? Although I still find it cool using Linux, I just have no idea how to install and uninstall stuff on it. Ive been trying to figure out how to install and upgrade my Firefox to Firefox 3 and no, I wasn’t successful.

Finally, we headed out again to meet Li-Ann, Sam and Su-Ann. We decided to walk it out and it was a LONG walk. I never walk much in KL so this was quite an adventure. While waiting on Oxford Street for the trio, we went to Borders and were on our way out when Tang Wei walked by us!

I thought she looked familiar and my cousin was like, “isn’t that the girl from Lust, Caution?” I was like, “yeah!” so we turned around and tried to find out if it was her.

My cousin tried to look less suspicious while I was looking all around. Finally found her talking to some guy behind some shelves. She was really pretty in real life… slim and she had no make-up on… very fresh-faced but gorgeous. She was dressed casually in jeans, a jacket and carrying a backpack. I wonder what she’s doing in London. Her hair was real nice too… just let down and straight. She looked simple and very pretty. I was kicking myself because I had a camera around my neck and didn’t think of taking a picture. ‘Cos after I spotted her, about a minute later she walked out of Borders. Bah. So no proof for you guys. But isn’t this great that on my first day around London I already spot a celebrity?? I think it’s cool.

Dinner was great. We ate at a restaurant called Nara - Korean Japanese cuisine and it was a friend of Sam and Li-Ann’s so we got two free dishes - sushi and sweet and sour chicken. We had a hotpot full of food which was great and the extra condiments - kim chi and cucumber salad. Really good food and I’m glad it was hot stuff cos I’m really not that much a fan of the cold. I’m not a fan of the heat either. So… yeah.

Heading to Dulwich now. Will be staying there for two days. Gotta go. I’m so tired.

We paid homage to them as they were moved out of their old burial place and brought to rest with my dad. They got new urns (shan’t go into the details - it’s quite gory - no really, it is. Trust me) and I think they’ll love their new surroundings.

It’s so peaceful where Papa is and we got to see the latest developments too. There’s now a pavillion for shade and steps to make it easier. It’s not finished yet but landscaping should be done by Papa’s 1st anniversary.

It was so great today. The sun was shining and it was hot. There were lots of flies and a bunch of red ants but nothing too ghastly.

We picked up Pastor Ong Fook today and he did the prayers and sermon bits for Ah Poh and Ah Kung.
It was all in Mandarin so I had no idea what was going on.

When it came to Papa’s time, we laid the headstone and then sang a hymn (In the Sweet By and By) .

Then we sang Happy Birthday to Papa! It was his birthday yesterday! I think he must’ve been beaming in heaven. I could feel his happiness radiate in my heart. He loved his birthday. He used to tell us how one time he woke up before everyone else, sang Happy Birthday to himself and then ate the cake himself and then went back to sleep. His parents were so angry at him the next day. HAHAHA.

Last year, my cousins came down as a group to visit Papa. Yes, I have the best cousins. I remembered they visited Papa at the hospital but I didn’t expect other people to remember but they did… (I private-d my previous post because I felt there were some things that needed to be private-d for now but I wrote about what happened last year)

This year, the whole clan also had a mini celebration (not for his birthday or for Merdeka though but it WAS on his birthday so it kind of counts) - they had steamboat and durian! No real purpose except just to eat. It was really fun.

Today was a great day. Even with all the things going on at Papa’s place, there was still an overall serenity.

We came back and had lunch as a clan which was great too.

I’m REALLY happy I got to be around for today.

I’m leaving for London in 5 hours and so many people asked me why I had not left for London earlier. When I was booking my ticket, I wanted to make sure I was in town for my dad’s birthday. Even if he’s not around anymore, I wanted to be here with my family because I think it would be tragic of me to be travelling on my dad’s birthday when I could have stuck around. It is just unimaginable, in my opinion.

And I am REALLY glad I booked my ticket on the 2nd if not I would have missed today. They only decided to do my grandparents’ transfer about a week ago so this was a last minute event.

I have to thank God for this blessing. I was contemplating how to phrase it. I know I haven’t been the most upright Christian so I wanted to thank my lucky stars but really, it’s not luck - all glory goes to God for his utmost and best timing. Thank you, God.

Happy Birthday, Pa! Thank you for the holiday.

I’d always wanted to get you a cake with solitaire on it and I’m sorry I was never able to.

We miss you, Papa!!

I didn’t expect it but in the last 5 seconds of that video, tears welled up in my eyes.

Man, it’s strange listening to Australians speak. It’s like going back in time. I kind of miss it.

I am most impressed at the damage control so far. Their lawyers and PR teams are smart. People were a bit skeptical on Today Tonight’s involvement in this situation even though the Guglielmuccis’ signed an exclusive deal with them. Read: Exclusive deal means that the Guglielmuccis will give Channel 7 the story but they cannot make deragatory statements or flame them. VERY SMART. It protects the Church(es) and the people involved. It was heavily and well edited and what really struck me was the calmness everybody had on the show. Almost as if they were coached and prepped by the legal team beforehand. Listening to each person say 10 words before cutting to the next segment or interviewee is not enough to form a proper argument or a proper apology to such a crime.

On top of that, the Guglielmuccis’ only gave their statement in church when everybody is obviously on their best behaviour because they are in God’s house. It is only right since they owe their church an apology, not to Australia or to the world.

I am impressed because everything that has come out so far has been controlled. Well done PR team!!

They knew this would blow up big but they needed to make sure that the impact would be lessened so that people will not lose faith in the Church and maybe even in God. It’s a sensitive and precarious ledge to be standing on. After all, 3 churches were indirectly/directly involved… even if the churches are trying very hard to disassociate themselves.

After all, megachurches already get enough flack for their hype and presentation.

In a way, although we have watched and witnessed ‘the truth’, we will never really know if they are telling everything because it was a heavily edited and exclusive “insight”.

What happened to investigative journalism? Has it become one big PR game?

They tell the world one thing and then two days later, change their minds. I am not sure if this is their tactic like, “hey what if we tell them that it’s not going to happen and when we do implement it 3 days later, they’ll be surprised and happy!”

Um, dear government, we’re not impressed at all.

I think I’ll start with the petrol price increase. After major news syndicates around the world picked up that our government will only review and introduce new petrol prices on September 1, our government reduces the price a week earlier.

The prices of diesel and petrol have been reduced by between eight and 22 sen a litre from today, 10 days earlier than expected. - Source

Although this is good news, I can’t help but wonder if it is a political ploy to garner votes for the by-election happening on August 26 at Permatang Pauh. Earlier this week, or maybe last week, I said, “I bet the government will reduce fuel prices just before the by-election.” People scoffed me naturally but look who came out as the psychic. However, I am sure I am not the only psychic around. A lot of Malaysian citizens can also second-guess the government easily.

I was apathetic towards this petrol price reduction. This is what our government has done to us. There is such a general malaise amongst the people towards the government’s actions because for the last two months, we’ve seen them grappling and stumbling, trying to find themselves amidst the allegations hurled at them. The politics in my country is very immature and dirty.

My sentiments towards this whole petrol price issue sunk lower in the sewer after reading what our beloved Deputy Prime Minister said today.

Najib: No more fuel rebates if you don’t appreciate them

Najib, who appeared to be a bit annoyed, said the people must understand that for every litre, the price was subsidised 30 sen.

He also said they have forgotten about the RM625 rebate given to owners with vehicles up to 2,000cc that was announced in June.

“The rebate, if translated, will cost between 35 sen and 40 sen a litre. If the people do not appreciate the rebates, it is better for us not issue any more in the future.

“It is better for us to transfer the allocation for the rebate to reduce the fuel price,” he told reporters after visiting an education and career exhibition here on Saturday. - Source

I’m sorry but is that a veiled threat towards the people who put you in your position, Mr. Deputy Prime Minister? Not impressed.

The government’s heavy hand on the press means that our media becomes smarter at concealing and implying their feelings. They do not blatantly trumpet their displeasure but rather they glaringly hint at it and thus ask their readers to be wiser headline readers.

I can’t believe our Deputy PM at this precarious moment of his political career can say such a thing like that. I don’t know, maybe I’m sensitive but do you think it’s ok?

OK, next up on the list. About two days ago I blogged on Avril Lavigne’s KL concert cancellation due to some religious event.

Well, our government decided to over-turn their decision and are now allowing this singer they claimed to be “sexy” into our country. Wait, so what about this all important religious event then? I guess it wasn’t THAT important.

Either that or the political future of our government hangs on whether this concert goes on or not. Again, they are playing politics. The people who called for the ban was a youth opposition party. So our government considers their reasons and imposes the ban thinking that this will be political leverage since people will throw bricks and stones at the opposition party for being so close-minded but I think it backfired. ‘Cos dear government, you were the one that made the decision to ban it and then to allow it. It shows a certain amount of indecision on your part. Really, quite ridiculous. As a government, you’re meant to steer us out of murky waters but rather you’re going round and round in circles, not sure which direction to take.

Not impressed. Why couldn’t you guys have evaluated this with brains two days ago rather than come down so harshly and reject the concert and then two days later have a change of heart and allow it? It doesn’t make sense AT ALL.

Dear government, stop playing with us. Don’t you guys have better things to do like run a country with integrity and wisdom for example?

Edit: I read Charlie Chia’s post and that reminded me of something else I wanted to blog about. You know how our Anti-Corruption Agency has been hauling government servants to court for suspected corruption? I think it’s all too late. We expected this four years ago and when cases of corruption did pop up 2 years ago, our Prime Minister did not take action. It is a bit late now, isn’t it? We were waiting for you to be firm but no, they walked all over you instead.

Another thing, why does our government need to comment on the current man-rape case that’s in the headlines now if they are not involved. Our Home Minister always has something to say, detailing the processes, our PM also has things to say… I mean, if you’re not involved, just don’t say anything! The new catchphrase maybe you could learn is, “No comment!”

Ok, phew, off my chest.