the green issue: office plants

Just the other day I was washing my mug in the office pantry, I suddenly noticed that there were a lot of greeneries in my office pantry. Too many for such a tiny space - 2m x 2m. No, seriously, the office pantry is that small. No, seriously. Come have a look! It's free. :)

Anyhoo, sometimes, the office/working place/home #2 feels like a bleak place. But apart from the blinding number of emails and phone calls to answer, long hours, below zero temperature which freezes up your muscles, the very snug pantry aka Office Plants Graveyard (OPG) etc... we don't really have it as bad as the other living things in there: the abandoned plants.

With all the magazines out there screaming "GREEN iS the new Black!" I figured I too shall pay a tribute to the greeneries in my office. The under-privileged ones, that is.

Case #1: Mr Tall
Length of stay in OPG: more than 1.5 years
Location: Next to coffee machine
The Abandoner: Unknown.
History: It has just been there always.



Look at it grow - full of optimism and vitality. This plant has been there even before I joined this office. Like 1.5 years ago. It is like the pioneer of the Abandoned Ones. It has to be! Because no one dares to move it. It gets the premium spot of being next to the coffee machine. Recently the lower leaves have shown some loss of chlorophyll (and spirits), but the younger leaves on top badgers on for optimum sunlight, no flourescent light, to stay alive.


Case #2: Me-in-a-mug
Length of stay in OPG: about 1 year
Location: On top of mini oven
The Abandoner: Unknown.
History: Sudden appearance on a weekday afternoon.

OK, this one is quite sneaky because I never knew it was in a mug. I thought it was always in a jar, left on top of a tall cupboard in the office. Anyhow, when there are new colleagues, we would pluck some of it and place in a new vase to welcome the new-comer. Sad, right!!

Case #3 + 4: Mr One Leaf Jack and Mr Earthy (a duo)

Length of stay in OPG: 8 months / more than 1.5 years
Location: On the floor beside the water cooler
The Abandoner: Pending investigation
History: too sad...



OK so One Leaf Jack was left there because the leaves used to have white stuff, like it was ill. And then due to lack of care, it is now left with ONE LEAF. The one on the right, Earthy, it the only earth based one in here. It has always been there... and sometimes people accidentally kick it when entering the pantry... poor guys. Sometimes hot coffee splashes on them too. Poor guys indeed.

Case #5: Ms Honey Pot

Length of stay in OPG: One week (latest member!)
Location: Next to sink
The Abandoner: Comms.. well, not by choice. only temporary.
History: The beautiful glass vase which it once called home suddenly split, soaking documents and threatening the safety of the owner's computer leading to its temporary quarantine in an abandoned plastic honey container.

This plant loves its owner very much. The owner fell very sick and has been away on MC for a few days so I guess it got anxious causing the glass to split. No one else touched the vase! Now it is next to the sink. Sometimes dish washing detergent splashes in too. I've moved it a little further away.


Be strong plants! You will find new loving owners soon. Honey Pot, your owner will be back in no time!

Anyone who would like to adopt a plant, please do not hesitate to proceed to the pantry and do mother earth proud.

camerons : in touch with nature

Just about 2 weeks ago I went to Cameron Highlands! It was pretty much impromptu and I love impromptu trips! I love the whole Just Go spirit! So here we gooo... on a healthy diet and fresh air trip!

winding

winding...

oh the roads are so curvy... getting dizzy... my butt is moving from left to right... my head is swaying! help!

Luckily, everyone survived the whole ordeal. Some resorted to drugs but I just ate some pringles and went to sleep. Haha.. whatever works.


First stop: Strawberry farm!!

So cute!!!!!!!!

My first time seeing strawberries and I was very happy. Though it was pretty sunny and hot too.

"wtf. Why is it so hot?"

Being the youngest and first time in Cams, I asked the most questions.

"Why the strawberries so small one?"

because the big ones are protected in the other gated areas.. haha!

And then we went to Kea's Market!

They have sooo many stalls here selling fruits, flowers, corn, vegetables, mushrooms, strawberries strawberries strawberries.

Somehow those aunties keep on trying their selling pitch on my guy colleague and it works all the time..
"Come la leng chai! Buy la.. u buy 4, I give you cheaper!" ok la ok la..

then suddenly she pulls out this huge gigantic packet from the back of the store,

"ah, since you buying so much, why not buy this whole bunch!! cheap only..."


Suddenly, we have like 2 dozens of corn. Suddenly, we have like 20 bags of vege. Suddenly, the car is filled with flowers... oh boy..

Wah! Big eggplant!

Finally we checked in!
Bala's chalet.. do not be deceived by its name because it is actually very English..

Beautiful, quiet and gives us the Smokehouse experience without having to stop by the Smokehouse.


I want to own this place!!!
Our chalet which opens out to the courtyard with lots of chilling spots..There you have 5 hoteliers coming up with brilliant ideas to spruce up this place and market it.. damn I want this property.

Anyways, we decided to drive to the "atas" Equatorial for a look and yes, beautiful view...
but boring rooms...

Then we went to look at all those flower shops along the roads.. Here they sell everything in pots - flowers, chillies, cactus, strawberries...




Then we headed to the night market which is only available on Fridays and Saturdays...

Lotsa food on offer!Strawberry ice cream too!
But I still prefer Verry Verry Strawberry at BR.. :D

We had steamboat which was very regular but one thing great is the vegetables are free!!! just top up as much as you want.. it is freeeee!

We even had durians.. but too excited so no photos here.. haha..

At the night market, they sold everything that they offer such as fruits, flowers, vege and strawberries.. but also a lot of merchandise with strawberries on it. It is funny how Cams have strawberries as its icon. Even pyjamas bright orange pyjamas with strawberry prints! I told my friend that wearing that will totally spoil anyone's love life.

It rained in the evening (bummer) but the next morning, we woke up to a beautiful morning!!

Cold and misty... just the kind of temperature we need. Like, it was hot yesterday and we were like, wtf??

So cold! I like!!! See :D it's like I can imagine the scene in Twilight here up in the mountains...


And just the right setting to visit my favourite place of them all!!


The tea plantation!!
Chan!

That's where we're going to have breakfast!! coming up!!
On the way... hungry... but want to take photos like no tomorrow...

I'm sooo impressed with what I see here..
Beautiful architecture and design...

Loved the whole semi outdoor atmosphere and well taken care facilities...

We had breakfast right at the edge itself!

Partly due to my whining...

"Don't want to sit here! must sit outside!!!"

because it was full outside where the view is the best but lucky lucky... some uncles were leaving...
we had the obligatory scones with butter and jam.. delicious! and the tea was of course gold blend... and then there was a little squel from me "I want nasi lemak!!"

Eating nasi lemak here is so nice. It's cold and the sambal is hot.. can only be described as "shiok".

Beautiful! I want a weekend house here!!!
If only the roads are not so windy..

The whole Tea Centre is filled with history of Boh and it was artfully done..


And I find Mr Boh adorable! How come I never knew about him... hmm Comms not strong..
We also had a tour of the tea factory... oh.. cannot tahan the smell here... The strong tea smell as the leaves are crushed and rolled..
Finally, we left with a very satisfied tummy of scones and tea...

I'll miss you!

But not before stopping by Kea's Market for more strawberrys and vege shopping...

blue!

hahaha... so the revamp plan went down the drain due to unforeseen circumstances to my schedule but I was determined to at least make some minor changes to this page.


Obviously have just changed the background colour and the blog header and removed some clutter. And since the header has hints of blue, the whole colour scheme should change too! awww... I liked my pink and magenta notes! hmm.. Maybe I will photoshop and change my gym ball to pink later.


and on the right you have Fishies!! my 3 new digital pet fishes. This is already a popular gadget on blogger so I don't think it is that amusing but they are so cute! Give me some time to name them. click to feed them!

Speaking of pets, I have a new addition to my pet plants family! I adopted a little potted plant - aiko! I don't know what is her species because the guy I bought it from told me in chinese. But I DO know what she will look like when she is all grown up. She will have one or two pink/red flowers only at any one time.

aiko has curves

This photo is about the actual size of it... it will probably take me a few years to see her blossom. Exciting! but slow process la. My mom has already warned me not be to over zealous and feed her too much water or fertalizer because it is a plant that is sensitive to such stuff. OMG. Aiko, please survive.

The revamp process is still ongoing. I'm looking for stuff to add on. I will also probably add a twitter update thinghie. Who knows? Maybe I have a need to publish whatever's on my mind every hour or so? Maybe I need to let people know what I'm eating for lunch? I have yet to check out twitter and have yet to figure out the fun of it. The scary part is - what if I get addicted?! Wait! Can't eat! Need to Twit! steam fish with ginger for dinner. Twit.

I'm just imagining what I would be twitting about.

Stuck in traffic jam. Twit.
Still stuck in traffic jam. Twit.
French toast for breakkie. Twit.
Don't like Mondays. Twit.
Bobbee the plant has grown one new leaf! Twit.
Found one pimple on forehead. Twit.
Stuck in traffic jam again. Twit.


shudder.

going green

.... and I thought I was a bit paranoid with taking care of my little potted plant Bobbee and his new water-based sister Dee-Dee. When they look kinda wilt-ish, I water them and touch their leaves to make sure they know I'm there. I even introduce them to all my colleagues. But I just found out there are people who takes this more seriously than I ever did!

Maxine: Psst!!
Me: *whisper* yes? er, why are we whispering?
Maxine: *whisper* Ms Nora is going to give you one of her.. wait

*use her palms to cover Dee-Dee so Dee-Dee won't hear our conversation.

Maxine: .. going to give you one of her plants. Also water-based. You have to think of a new name for it and think where to put it!
Me: *whispers back* OK! Let's see... not sure. Have to see it first!

*removes palms around Dee-Dee*

Maxine: OK. I'm going to inherit one of the plants as well. Do you think Emily is a good name?
Me: Sounds nice! One of the more popular names.. but..
Maxine: Each time I think of Emily, I think of Emily Rose
Me: Yes, exactly what I wanted to say. Better not.


Our Front Office Manager treats her plants like her pets as she speaks to them and praise them when they look fresh and pretty. She's being promoted and is leaving to another sister hotel for her new challenges but sadly, her pets cannot follow... so we are inheriting it!


FOM: Its OK. You'll have a new owner who will take good care of you. Really good care, OK?

At first I thought it was just basically speaking to the plants in general... like how are you all today?

But she acknowledges each of them and with a meaningful look. Like having a conversation. No wonder they are so healthy. Wow. I thought I was alone in this world where I'm the only one who talks to inanimate objects until now! So, I'm pretty normal after all. Try suing me for talking to my plants!

On the day we inherited the plants...

Maxine: Awww... I shall name you Lovely... Yvonne, is Lovely a good name for her?
Me: Yeah, she is lovely after all..
Maxine: And you, Beauty... aww... tomorrow I'll clean you up, OK?


You see, Maxine is new to plants. So this is like her first baby. There is bound to be more fuss and frills for these plants. Like the first time parent, the baby has priority in everything. Even a place on her desk.

Me?

Maxine: So, what are you going to name your new family member?
Me: Well, I'm going to buy a bigger bowl and merge Dee-Dee with him and they can flourish and have lotsa leaves(children) together...
Maxine: How did you know the new plant is a male? How sure are you?
Me: hmm... I guess it doesn't matter.. they are.. erm.. homos...
Trainee: *choke choke*
Maxine: Hmm.. that will do.

Earth Ox Year!

Chinese New Year has come and today is the 7th day already. 8 more days to go! My colleagues Presee and Maxine were abuzz with reading their feng shui and eating jam tarts. It is the year of the Earth Ox! And I'm born in the year of the Ox!

"Does anyone have a compass around here?!" screamed Max once she got hold of the Feng Shui book from Ms Nora.

"So how, face east? West?" Presee querried. Krishna and I look on curiously.

"I can be your compass!" I volunteered and promptly stretched out both my arms with my right pointing to where I remember the sun rised (and burn my backside) and my left pointing to the supposed west la.

"OK, let's see your Pak Kua first. Ox, 1985, earth OX, woman, ok you are number 9."

"Whoa, Max, you can change jobs!"


Anyways, it was all for the fun of CNY. When else you can indulge in people telling you what to do and how to do it.

Don't wear black!
Don't say "die!"
Don't freaking sweep the floor!
Wear red!
Light fire crackers!
Toss yee sang!
Eat prawns!
Throw orange into river!
Eat crazy seaweed called Fat Choy!
Don't buy books! (??)
...and many more...


It is fun although sometimes you struggle to make sense of things.

Anyways, some photos from this CNY!

Yee Sang with colleagues!

back home! visit to the organice farm - they have flowers! And did you know that the tiny tiny black seeds in the dragon fruits can each grow into that huge plant which produces the fruits? Yes, it starts with that one tiny tiny seed!

Wah! Kluang has a new shopping mall! We have Big Apple Donuts and Secret Recipe and PDI and Sushi King. Whoa. Anyways, bought these slippers to commemorate the year of the Ox.

First day of New Year at Grammy's place of course... some shiok sendiri photos...


Barbecue at my place with family!Man, it was fun. So much food, so much coke, so many chicken wings, toooo many pineapple tarts. Time for exercise! Moo-!

Grow, plant, grow!

2 weeks ago, Ivan, who just came back from a trip to Bangkok (aaaand Singapore, lucky b******:), gave me this as a souvenir. A shot glass, some seeds and a pill. ERM...

"It is a plant!"
"Oh really? Will it look like wheatgrass?"
"I think so"
"No, actually it is quite ugly..."
"How do you know?"
"He gave me one earlier and I planted mine already"
"Oh, what does it look like then?"
"Dunno.. some leaves."


First Step:

Put the pill into the shot glass with some clean water.

















Second Step:

Watch it grow into nutritious jelly (Don't eat it)

*It took about 5 minutes to expand into this but Hajar's one took 4 hours because she didn't remove the contents from the capsules... hehe! We just realized.












Third Step:

Place the seeds on top of the nutritious jelly. Voila, your plant is on its way to life!

















Two days later:

"Is that a sprout? It is! Take photo!!!"

*Of course the roots came first but who cares, right?







"Two sprouts! Yay!"














A few days later:

"Whoa... I wonder how tall you guys are going to be."










"Come on! Achieving Forest Status soon!"














A few days later:

Erm, this is about as tall as they get. (Notice the champion sprout, the tallest one)
















In fact, a few days later, I realized that the plant was in a Decline Stage. So I discussed with my fellow recipient of this cute plant thing on msn.

Yvonne: I'm blogging about my little plant... hehe!
Hajar: Ohhh..
Yvonne: It is at a stage where it is going to die already...
Hajar: Haih, my plant mati already.
Yvonne: Hahahahha! Why ya?
Hajar: Wakakaka
Yvonne: They just grow for a while and then die. Are we supposed to eat them?
Hajar: Noooo... please don't!


Anyways, I saw some spores growing on the jelly and I immediately decided to say sorry to the plants and removed it from my room. Now they are struggling for a few more days of survival in front of the tv. I wish you all the best, little plants in the shot glass! :D