. . . rambling thots . . .

I've just discovered that Goldie Hawn has a son that is such a hunk!

His name is Oliver Rutledge Hudson (brother to Kate Hudson), born 7 September 1976 making him almost 2 years older than me. What's the significant of this? I don't know. At the time I typed it, I thought it meant something.

He used to act in Dawson's Creek but not until recently he looked scrawny and a bit geekish to me.

Look at him now!
What a transformation!

My body is aching terribly right now. It feels as if I've been trampled by a stampede of wild horses (I can't say boar, otherwise I'd have to samak - not that I actually have to).

Yesterday evening, it rained heavily in Kuala Lumpur. And for the first time after the kitchen's renovation, it flooded!!! In less than 5 minutes the kitchen floor was filled with water (don't even ask from where the water came from!) up to our ankle.

I'm not sure why it happened again.

Although previously only our house was flooded, this time almost the entire neighborhood is affected.

So maybe it had something to do with the work done recently to change the residential area's pipe. Water, gas - I'm not sure which. I think the soil dug for that work clogged the drain and thus causing the flood.

So for 1-2 hours, my family had to scoop the water out of the kitchen floor into the drain outside. Redundant? Maybe. But where else to pour out the water?

If only we had water pump to drain the water out.

The aftermath of the flood is - me aching all over!

I thought of getting an MC. Thinking there's a meeting at 3pm today, I had to snub the idea. I shouldn't have because the meeting only lasted 5 minutes! Nothing important discussed... *urggh!*

European GP, Nurburgring

Michael Schumacher dominated the European Grand Prix as the Ferrari star led from his 60th Pole Position to record his 76th career victory. With six wins from seven races, Schumacher led home team- mate Rubens Barrichello to record their fourth one-two results of the season. Jenson Button finished in third position securing his fifth podium position of the season.

The start of the 60-lap European Grand Prix saw plenty of action as Juan Pablo Montoya made a mess of the first turn. more...

I was browsing the internet last Saturday - I only have access to it in the office - and found out that (for Gilmore Girls fans) Lorelai and Luke might indeed be having "a thing" with each other by the end of this season. Just to give you a 'hint' of it, I have attached this screen capture.



What did I tell you?

Although it's one among the many series of screen capture for that episode (not gonna tell you which), in the episodes prior to this one, Lorelai broke up with Jason (finally!), Luke have got a divorce from Nicole (also, finally!) and been listening to self-help tape about... *drumroll* ...l'amour. Since the first season, Luke has been potrayed as a tough, a bit machoist, and ever the no-nonsense guy. But, he finally took the effort of buying the self-help kit and although he tries to hide the fact from others, we know he must have a motive for doing so.

And get this! When the motivator (in the tape) asked:

'Whose phone calls or visits are never unwanted or too long? Do you see her face? Who would you most like to have in your life to ward off moments of loneliness? Do you see her face? When you travel, who would make your travels more enjoyable? Do you see her face? When you're in pain, who would you most like to comfort you? Do you see her face? When something wonderful happens in your life -- a promotion at work, a successful refinancing -- who do you want to share the news with? Do you see her face? Whose face appears to you, my friend? Whose face?'

Whose face do you think came across Luke's mind?

;P

Although they did kiss, I'm not sure how far it will go. Would Lorelai accept Luke and put their friendship at stake? Or accepting Luke's love would not affect their long-time friendship?

Can't wait to watch this episode...

But on the negative side, does this mean that Girlmore Girls is coming to an end? Hope not. Or is it?

);

and also, when you talk about one of the GGs, we must talk about the other; Rory. She slept with someone... and I think it was in her house... hmmm...

i didn't have much time to update the blog lately. or sometimes, i even felt that i am in no mood to update.

but that was then... anyway...

first thing first! i took leave on wednesday becoz:
1) i wanted to watch the american idol finale : the final 2
2) i wanted to go out and buy me something to wear to the Black Eyed Peas concert.

but i only managed to watch 15 minutes of item [1] as Tini wanted us to meet earlier. ok lah. i am known for my undecisive-ness when it comes to buying clothes - if its not the design (color, cutting), its the price... ;P

American Idol... Fantasia won !!!! She is awesome!!! really! especially when she sang 'i believe' - beautifully - after she was announced the winner, emotions were high. Although I wanted La Toya to be in the Final Two, I don't think she'd win it anyhow. Granted both has a magnificent voice, La Toya however lack the persona that Fantasia has. Click here to read the Final's recap.

Let's get retarded!!! Tini, Kak Ina and I went for the BEP concert at Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club (I don't know how many times I have typed that name!). We arrived early at 5.15pm and there were already people there. The weather was terrible. We took shelter under the Ticket's canopies with about 15 other people, which like us regretted coming to the place that early. The water came up as high as our ankle (lucky I wore sandal).

Lulu was supposed to join us but by the time we went in, she was still no where to be seen. She haven't bought the ticket yet, but I saw there were several more at the counter when we arrived and the Customer Service person who answered her call said that there 100% chances of her getting the podium ticket (like ours).

I managed to sneak my camera pass the security and into the stadium. I put it into a plastic bag and when the security 'felt' the bag, I said "handphones". Stupid man! Hah! This was the only thing good about the rain! ;P

About an hour (or so) before the concert, DJ TBONE nad friends came on the stage and played some songs. The crowd was happening and cheered whenever the djs change the tracks. There were these 3 girls; carefree. They danced to all the songs, as if they were in a disco. But I'd rather be amongst these people than those that just stand still.

By this time, Lulu called and told she's on her way back. The Maxis One Club tickets were sold out. Maybe next time lah hoh Lulu dearie?

Too Phat came on at around 8.30. They were the opening act. Ok lah! At least Too Phat and BEP's genre is Hip Hop. And the crowd was into Hip Hop. Of course lah kan? Otherwise they won't be there. Duh! The last time Too Phat opened for Linkin Park! Hah! Tak sesuwayyyyy... A hip hop band opening for rock concert??? What da...?

Our view was not really that great as there were a group of tall guys in front of us, and once in a while, or more than once rather, there'd be a group of teens trying to slip to the front. One even threw a cup - with water in it - on the floor, near my feet. Bitches!!!

But that was all forgotten when Phat Fabs and Rudy announced BEP. But, they were still not on the stage. The crowd roared and cheered and clapped and we even stamped our feet on the (wooden) floor, for BEP. At first I thought there was a stampede (really!). But when I realized what was happening, I joined in.


When BEP finally came, the energy in the stadium was - how do I describe it - phenomenal!
will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie (S-E-X-X-X-Y!) were fantastic despite the fact that they just had another concert in Bangkok the night before! Aren't they tired? They sang most of songs in their current album and one old song.

I just love the crowd!!! I can't seem to stop mentioning about them! I don't think there was even a single silence - if it's quantifiable - during the concert. We were determined to prove to BEP that Malaysians are craiiiiizzzeeee about them!!!

However, as in any other concerts, there's always this one typical couple. By that, I mean, a guy and her girlfriend - standing really still - the girl wrapping her hands across her chests (once in a while nodding her head to the music), the guy standing behind her (not even once nodding his head to the music), as if to shield the girlfriend from any harm. Not that that's a bad thing but this is a CONCERT damn it! You're supposed to have fun and get really crazzzyyyy!!! If they were trying to immitate a pair of tombstones, then all I can say is - GREAT JOB!!! But next time do it at some other place. You might dampened our spirit... BOOOORRRRRINNNG!!!

If my partner was like that guy, I'd leave him. Not only for the concert, but for someone else. Hah!

And as usual (again!) I stepped on someone's shoes while jumping to the songs. Fortunately, the (Chinese) guy was supporting and understandable enough, so when I said "SOR-EEE" his only reply was "It's OK". But I think he must be cursing me inside his head! ;P

The concert was great! The time flew really fast, but I didn't feel it.

I danced! I screamed! I sang along! I snapped pictures! I had fun!

I knew the concert would be great!

Oh, for the pictures, click here...

Enough rambling... "fly away"!

MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
PREVIEW: JAPAN GT CHAMPIONSHIP MALAYSIA - ROUND 3

Chilly weather and wet tracks were the order of the opening two races of the Japan GT Championship 2004. It should, however, be a different story when the drivers and teams resume competition for the following round in Sepang, Malaysia next month.

Sepang had hosted three Japan GT races since 2000 including a full championship round and all three were run under the hot and steamy tropical June weather with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius.

The Japan GT Championship Malaysia 2004 and Round 3 of the championship, which is scheduled on June 18 and 19, is expected to be as dry and hot though should be a few degrees cooler than before as the race will start later than the previous races at 5pm.

"High or low temperatures, rain or shine, we can be sure of a thrilling race in Sepang as what had happened in Round 1 and Round 2 in Japan. The Japan GT races have always been exciting and sensational," says event director Ahmad Mustafa, who is also the General Manager of Sepang International Circuit.

With the conclusion of Round 2 at Sportsland Sugo on Sunday (May 23), it is the Toyota teams leading the charge in both championships with the au CERUMO Supra partnership of Yuji Tachikawa and Seiji Ara leading the GT500 class and the WedSport Celica duo of Takayuki Aoki and Nobuteru Taniguchi leading the GT300 class.

Both teams surged to the top of the championships after bouncing back from a poor performance in the opening round in TI Circuit on April 4 to win the 81-lap race in Sugo at Round 2.

Tachikawa and Ara now have 29 points to lead second-placed and Round 1 winners Satoso Motoyama and Richard Lyons by eight points. Manabu Orido and Dominik Schwager are joint third with Juichi Wakisaka and Akira Iida on 17 points with five more rounds to go including the Malaysian round.

Defending champion Motoyama, who broke up with Michael Krumm for the 2004 season, had a frustrating outing in Sugo after his Nissan Fairlady machine simply went dead at the start of the race lap and failed to even complete the formation lap; leaving them stuck on 21 points.

The only consolation for Motoyama and Lyons would be that they would not be carrying any weight handicaps in Malaysia as they did in Sugo and that would easily promote them as strong favourites for the Sepang race.

As Round 2 winners, Tachikawa and Ara will have an additional 50kg as weight handicap in Sepang. On top that, they would also need to carry another 10kg as top qualifiers and another 10kg for recording the fastest lap in Sugo.
Altogether, they would need to deal with an additional 70kg when competing around the 56-lap race in Sepang.

Krumm, who is seeking for this third drivers' title and is the pre-season favourites with Masami Kageyama and the NISMO Motul Pitwork Racing Team, is trailing further behind in 11th position with only six points to show. They failed to finish the race and collected only a single point for recording the second fastest lap with a time of 1 minute 20.609 seconds around the 3.70km hilly Sugo track.

It was a similar story in the GT300 race with Round 1 winners Tetsuya Tanaka and Atsushi Yogo failing miserably in Sugo to collect only three points after finishing a lowly eighth position.

With 23 points they remained second in the overall standings, but they trailed Aoki and Taniguchi by seven points. Third overall would be an all Japan partnership of Morio Nitta and Shinichi Takagi of the ARTA Garaiya Racing Team with 21 points.

The Honda teams have yet to make an impact in this 11th edition of the Japan GT Championship, which traces back to 1994. They would, however, take comfort that it was the Honda NSX partnership of Ralph Firman and Tsugio Matsudo who won the last Japan GT race in Sepang in on June 23, 2002 with a dominating performance by leading from start to finish.

For more information, log on to www.jgtc.net. For details, contact Shuhainie Shamsudin - Senior Manager, Marketing Communications at +603-85262020 / +6019-3287184.

JAPAN GT CHAMPIONSHIP 2004 - POINTS STANDINGS
Top Ten - GT500 Class
Driver/Co-driver - Teams - Points
1. Yuji Tachikawa / Seiji Ara au CERUMO Supra 29
2. Satosho Motoyama / Richard Lyons Xanavi NISMO Z 21
3. Manabu Orido / Dominik Schwager Eclipse Advan Supra 17
4. Juichi Wakisaka / Akira Iida ESSO Ultraflo Supra 17
5. Naoki Hattori / Shigekazu Wakisaka Yellow Hat Supra 14
6. Jeremie Dufour / Andre Couto Denso SARD Supra GT 13
7. James Courtney / Tatsuya Kataoka Dynacity Tom's Supra 12
8. Toshihiro Kaneishi / Erik Comas G'ZOX SSR HASEMI Z 10
9. Tsugio Matsuda / Andre Lotterer Epson NSX 9
10. Takeshi Tsuchiya / Marco Apicella Woodone Tom's Supra 8

Top 10 - GT300 Class
Driver/Co-driver - Teams - Points
1 Takayuki Aoki / Nobuteru Taniguchi WedsSport Celica 30
2. Tetsuya Tanaka / Atsushi Yogo Jim Gainer Advan F360 23
3. Morio Nitta / Shinichi Takagi ARTA Garaiya 21
4. Tetsuya Yamano / Hiroyuki Yagi M-TEC NSX 20
5. Masaoki Nagashima /Masahiro Matsunaga ESPELIR Kosei Celica 15
6. Hideshi Matsuda / Ichijo Suga JIM Redeodrive ADVAN 15
7. OSAMU / Hiroki Yoshimoto LEYJUN Dunlop 320R 13
8. Shinicho Yamaji / Hiroyuki Iiri AMEMIYA Asparadrink RX7 10
9. Tetsuji Tamanaka /Go Mifune Project u Mach-Go GTR 6
10. Minoru Tanaka / Koji Matsuda A'PEX I-mobisess MR-S 5

work...work has been a bit hectic these past few days. i didn't manage to take some time off to update my blog.

currently busy doing vendor's assessment for 2 new projects. so, apart from compiling all the information sent to me by the vendors, i also have to do some background research on other vendors for another project. and then there's users call that i have to attend to.

however, there's no stress involved. Especially when I'm free from my boss.

$$$...I'm taking the day off tomorrow. Wanna do some shopping. I don't have any clothes to wear to the Black Eyed Peas concert. Maybe go find some in Sunway Pyramid. The last time I went there, there's a lot of cool and trendy shirts in one of their shops. And they're are quite affordable.

Besides, my salary's already in. Maybe that's why I'm feeling a bit better. Last month, my financial condition was bad, really bad. I had to take out some money from my emergency savings - twice!

Also, managed to TT Cik Li's money to her account. In addition, I sent some of my money to her account too, while the rate is still low (compared to the rate 7.11 in January, 6.7 is better). Got the help from a friend of mine in HSBC to do it because HSBC staff gets staff rate, which is much lower, for FOREX rate.

10 seconds and counting...Several days left before I go to UK to meet Cik Li and then go for the Euro tour. Really excited about it but am a bit worried about :
1) my flight tickets. I have contacted my travel agent, bt he hasn't got back to me on it , yet! Hopefully I'll be able to get a cheaper price with him.
2) money to spend. And money when I get back to Malaysia. But, I don't think I have to because the day I go off I'll be getting my salary. And it'll be 2-3 days before i get my salary when i return. So, i think it should be ok.

Nevertheless, I am feeling anxious and excited about going to UK, and especially more about meeting Cik Li. Cik Li, siap sediakan hadiah birthday aku tau!!! hehehehe....

change...I have been thinking of changing the blog's layout. Yes, again! I'm easily bored. Lucky I'm not married yet. Otherwise, I'd be thinking of changing husbands....LOL!

today's we're doing something a bit out of the ordinary (for us). We're gonna watch Shrek 2, Pontianak HSM, and Troy back to back. a movie-marathon of our own!

we were smart. as we didn't manage to make a reservation, we decided that we should buy the ticket yesterday. even then the queue at the cinema was looooonngggg, loooooooonnnnggg... imagine how it would be today! if it weren't for tini's and jean's company, I don't think I would make it, waiting there for more than half an hour. but it didn't feel that long as tini and i chatted (non-stop) about things i.e. her trip to Perhentian, people around us, etc.

today, i'm gonna dash straight to medan mara, after work, to meet tini. the first movie will be at 1.50 followed by 4.50 and 11.25pm.

so, if you're watching any of these movies at any of these times at TGV KLCC, you might bump into us (but of course you don't recognise us lah!)

life has been better. today i'm gonna go 'UB40' - "shiny happy people!!!"

to start things off, at 9.30am, I have a meeting. what a way to start a day, aye?

oh, yesterday I flipped through this monthe's Australian's Women's Weekly, and I saw a really nice office shoe. I didn't have any pictures of it right now or neither can I remember what's its brand. But, I can remember the design and it's really nice, at least to me. I don't think they have that brand here in Malaysia though.

oops! it's 9.30! gtg.

i was browsing SIA's website to check for its airflight fare to Manchester. Unlike MAS, we can check the flight fare for international destination and that's much easier than having to go to travel agents or the counter itself. Sometimes their CS Officer aren't really helpful and/or friendly as you want them to be. Besides via the internet i'll be able to take my own sweet time and make as many search as I like.

So, anyway...

I made the necessary selection e.g. class (business - just trying my luck! gimme a break!), destination, departure date and click on the search button. When it displayed the fare, I was taken aback. Who wouldn't! It stated there RM18,+++.++. That couldn't be right. Could it?

I decided that there must be some system error. You know how it is when your computer's setting is different that the currency and its decimal points are sometimes 'misplaced'. I happily thought that's what had happened. hey what's rm1900 compared to MAS RM3000, right? And i continued on browsing...

I tried several situation... then somehow it occurred to me to try browse the 'Economy' class. and I did.

It states that the fare is RM26++.++. Meaning, RM26+.++. WAAAAAAIDAMINUTE! That couldn't be right. The decimal points have automatically repaired itself!

KNOCK!KNOCK! Anybody home????

Disappointment! Despair!!!

I was just starting to imagine myself seated on a large comfy chair, which fits only me and no elbow-bumping incidents with the next passenger (although i wouldn't mind if he's a handsome eligible well-off bachelor *wink*wink*) . And they would cover you with the plush blanket if you fell asleep. Just like in the advertisement... haaa.... *sigh*

but now, that's all gone! like dust!

ok! fine! so, i don't know how much a business class flight ticket costs! so, what! i'm not rich ok! i don't get that much opportunity to travel oversea...

urrghh!! );

calmcalmcalmcalmcalm....

breath in, breath out.. fuuuuuuuuuu...

ahh.. better... :)

i'd better buy my flight ticket - PRONTO!

PS: I love putting images in each of my entry. it adds colors. ;P

i'm going through such an emotional rollercoaster ride right now that at some time i even thought of nasty thoughts, but i quickly dismiss them.

the only thing that's keeping me sane right now (apart from my faith) is my friends. whenever i'm with them or on the phone with them, my turmoil seem to be lessen. those 'feelings' are far, far away from me. the present is where i am.

but as soon as they're away, everything seem to come rushing to me. past, present, future... they all are very jumbled up. my chest felt weighed down by tonnes of bricks, my teeth become sensitive as if i've just bite into one of those chunk of iceburg in North Pole...


what i found out for the past few months - blow by blow:

1) my half-sis (from this point forward i shall just say 'sis') have officialy announced to her friends that we are not related
2) she drinks at got terribly drunk on her last trip to phuket that she did table top dancing and my cousin sister had to go fetch her back to the hotel. she has the video to prove it.
3) after running away from home, she sent mom a mothers day card attached with a letter. (so, i read it! unethical? who cares!!! otherwise i won't find out how they feel about me). in the letter :-
a) she ask my mom not to blame 'anyone' as it is them (my parents) who drove her away. how nice of her...not!
b) she screamed "mummy" when she and her friends were involved in an accident (i think it's minor as she only had bump on her forehead and her friends broke their finger(s) ).
c) she admitted to drinking, smoking (apparently those boxes of cigarettes my father had found, they're hers!) and piercing (her navel and lips)
d) she hates my guts! hmmm... as i've known this for a long time, not surprising lah kan?

and after all these confessions that my sis made, my mom has the odacity of asking my aunt "aku tak tau kenapa lah [my name] dengki sangat dengan adik dia?". *smile* oh don't get me wrong... it's not an evil-smile, it's actually a no-use-of-wasting-my-breathe-to-defend-myself-from-that-false-statement smile. i really don't know how to answer her. dengki translated to English, is it 'jealous'?

i've been trying so hard to gain her attention/affection, but until now i never succeeded. why?

is it that compared to my sis:

1) i can't cook great dishes?
2) i don't have much thing to converse with my mom? anyway, she and my sis only gossips about other people, which i don't think concerns me.
3) i don't have a great negro-like singing voice?
4) i'm not good at socializing?
5) or maybe i'm just plain lazy (in her eyes)?

but, after all these, i give up. I-GIVE-UP! it's no use at all.

did i tell you that my mom avoided any family-related gatherings e.g. weddings during the time my sis ran-away? she was ashamed!!!

but as soon as she (the sis) got home, my mom literally piggy-back her to our relatives house/events. Last Sunday, our family-friend got married (i found out about it through my colleague who happens to that person also) and they went ahead without me. I was of course at jean's as no one told me about the wedding in advance. so, ok, maybe i'm supposed to chase after them (like igor to dr frankenstine) everyday asking
"Marrstterr...Marrstterr! Is there any special events tomorrow Marrstterr wants eee-gor to know???"

if i'm destined to live on my own, then on my own it shall be!

by Carol Hildebrand

When it comes to finding a high-paying job in the information systems field these days, it pays to stick to the nuts and bolts. The need for data management is growing by leaps and bounds throughout the industry, and companies are hiring professionals to manage this explosion.

According to the TechTarget annual Salary Survey, which draws on salary numbers across the TechTarget family of Web sites, four of the ten top-paying data management jobs deal with management and manipulation of online data. The title "Data modeler," which wasn't even in the top ten last year, was the highest-paying with an average salary of $86,500. "Storage architect" came in at number four, with an average salary of $80,636, while "storage manager" followed in the sixth slot at $75,000. "Data architect" brought up the rear in eighth place, with an average wage of $70,167.

Similarly, companies are sticking to their knitting when it comes to maintaining and safeguarding the technical infrastructure that drives the economic engine. Security managers continued to do well, coming in as the second highest paying job with an average salary of $79,000. Internet architects and network managers also had a strong presence, in fifth and eighth place respectively. Meanwhile, contractor/consultants climbed a notch from seventh to sixth place, despite the current popularity of IT offshore outsourcing.

The survey has rated the ten highest paying jobs at each site in the TechTarget portfolio; some interesting analysis can be gleaned by comparing this year's results with similar data from last year's survey. We'll look at SearchDatabase.com and SearchNetworking.com.

SearchDatabase.com
This survey reflected the fact that information management is a hot-button issue at many companies. "Data modeler" scored high on this survey as well -- landing in the second slot behind "network manager/architect." "Data architect" came in at number five, and storage managers were tenth on the list with an average salary of $72,000.

The top position of network manager, with an average salary of $82,500, reflects similar survey results from DICE.com, a IT job website (www.dice.com). DICE.com's recent salary survey found that network and MIS manager positions had the largest increases over the past year, gaining 7% and 5% respectively. Both positions have seen steady salary growth since 2001, according to DICE.

Regional analysis: The Northwest region made a strong surge last year. The average Northwest salary from the SearchDatabase.com numbers jumped from 7th place ($63,278) to first place ($72,600). Meanwhile, the Mid-Atlantic area dropped from first place last year, with an average salary of $69,125, to sixth place with an average salary of $65,421. New England held steady at the number two spot but dropped to sixth place when the numbers were broadened to include
salaries across all IT professions.

Bonuses: The average bonus for SearchDatabase.com professionals was 3%, compared with the industry-wide average of 4%.

Job Satisfaction: 18% of respondents said that their job satisfaction had increased in the past 12 months, while 44% gave their job satisfaction rating a thumbs down. 37% reported no change in satisfaction.

Workweek: Workweek isn't nearly as bad for database professionals as software developers. A whopping 80% of respondents reported working 40-50 hours a week, while only 12% worked 51-60 hours. A meager two percent worked more than 60 hours a week. Four percent of respondents clocked fewer than 40 hours a week.

Top 10 Paying Jobs on SearchDatabase.com

- Network manager/architect
- Data modeler
- Technical support manager
- Security specialist
- Data architect
- Internet architect
- Software development manager
- Project manager/team leader
- IS director
- Storage manager

SearchNetworking.com
Software development remained on top at SearchNetworking.com for both years, with a salary that jumped from $85,500 to $87,000, reflecting a continued corporate commitment to infrastructural improvement and maintenance. In fact, jobs that involved information management or infrastructural administration did quite well.

For example, storage architects and storage managers appeared in the survey for the first time, in second and fifth places and with average salaries of $82,500 and $72,000 respectively. Security also continued to bring in a hefty paycheck at many companies, reflecting ongoing preoccupation with information security brought on by legislation such as Sarbanes-Oxley and HIPAA. This year, the position of security manager jumped from seventh to third place, with an average salary that rose from $70,000 to $75,333.

On the losing side, the position of Web developer fell out of the top ten, from a number two perch last year. Database administrators also suffered a loss, falling from sixth to tenth place, with an average salary that dropped from $70,000 to $63,571.

Regional analysis: Hikers and skiers, rejoice -- the Mountain region was the best place for respondents to the SearchNetworking.com survey to live and work, with a regional average salary of $68,250. It rebounded from the fifth spot the previous year. The next strongest contender was the Mid-Atlantic region with its stronghold of government jobs, which inched up one level from the year before with an average salary of $64,680. This jibes with data from the DICE salary survey, which saw jobs in the D.C. area grow by 66% last year.

Bonuses: The average bonus for SearchNetworking.com professionals was 3%, compared with the industrywide average of 4%.

Job Satisfaction: Job satisfaction is down, another victim of ongoing pressure in the IT job market. 50% of respondents said that their job satisfaction had decreased in the past year, while only 18% said it had improved.

Workweek: 77% of respondents worked 40 to 50 hours a week, while 15% worked 51-60. An unlucky two percent spent more than sixty hours a week at work, no doubt envying the four percent that worked fewer than 40 hours weekly.

Top 10 Paying Jobs on SearchNetworking.com
- Software development manager
- Storage architect
- Security manage
- Project manager/team leader
- Storage manager
- Network manager/architect
- IS director
- Contractor/consultant
- CRM director
- Database administrator

MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC:
>> Read the full results of the SearchDatabase.com salary survey.
>> Read the full results of the SearchNetworking.com salary survey.

RESOURCES DIRECT FROM: TechTarget
>> SearchDatabase.com
>> SearchNetworking.com

bored I went out with Jean last weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday. I was bored and didn't feel like staying home. Somehow I felt suffocated and can't think. Called Jean to accompany me.

Spent the first (almost) two hours wandering KLCC on my own. Saw a nice black jacket (i could fit in it but i can't button it up). Wanted to buy a pair of cheap sunglasses, picked up 3 nice ones, waited for Jean - to ask her opinion - lucky she was late, otherwise i'd already buy the thing. then i got the sudden urge for Baskin's "Rum Raisins" or Lecka-lecka's gelato (which is much cheaper), but by the time i was heading towards the shop, jean have arrived - dragging Wan in tow! Wow! it's been a long time since i met Wan. although married and a mother-to-be, she is still her stylish self.

3-1=2 we went lepak-lepak at gloria jean's for maybe an hour or so, walked around klcc for a bit while and had an early dinner. we didn't actually know what to do. by the time i bought two scoops of Baskin's "rum raisins" and "jamoca almond fudge", wan's better half had already arrived to pick her up. then it was only me and jean...

we thought of watching movie. but we have watched most of them except troy and pontianak, which i have promised tini that we'd watch it together (she even suggested a movie marathon of troy-phsm-shrek2 of our own!) once she came back from her trip to perhentian. so... window shopping - done! dinner - done! what else could these two single women do on a saturday nite???

kill bill i've decided to stayover at jean's (in a way, to accompany her, since none of her housemates are in) and watch kill bill 2. my comments on kb2? it was less gory than kb1 and maybe a bit boring too!

but love elle (darryl hannah), esp her realistic reaction when the bride pick elle's eyeball out of its socket with her bare hands!!! elle went berzerrkkk!!! trashed everything in the trailer...

and it was a bit touching, seeing the bride crying on the bathroom floor - not sure whether it's because :-
1) she'd finally killed bill and got her daughter back
or
2) she had to kill the man she love in order to have an ordinary life with her daughter....

i realized halfway through the movie that i was alone. jean had already dozed off!

driving miss siti the next day we went to Jaya Jusco and had breakfast and again, went shopping - i finally bought a pair of shades (rm19) and we bought 'Buli' vcd - and went back to the apartment. at 4, we went to pick up wan at her house and drove to bdr tasik selatan (there were 'KL International Extreme Watersport' event). Then, we headed straight to Bangsar's Pasar Malam (and jean didn't even bother to bring along her money and ID - gila lah u woman!). one thing good about this pasar malam is that their greens are fresh and they even looked so! unlike other pasar malams i've been to! and they even sell flowers - cheap! wan bought a bouquet for rm4.

we walked around the area, and went from one shop to the other, but bought nothing.

after sending wan home, jean and i thought of going to the hairstylist (Atelier) in Jaya Jusco (again) and have our hair cut. but that place is soo busy, we have to have an appointment first. urrggh! ok-lah! at least i can give time for my pimples to receed... (?)

so, went back to the apartment to lepak before going home... and for jean to spare some time with her cat before she hands her over to me! and nope, the cat still don't have a name. yet!

what's your name again? the cat behaved while in the car. she sat quietly while i hugged her. she didn't even 'meow'-ed a single note! but!

but she was really fierce with the other cats when we were sitting in my house's living room. when the other cats came about 3 inches close to her, she would hisss real loud. she wouldn't even allow us to hold her. i know jean was worried, that's why she stayed longer than usual. but, i know this is normal for a cat when they're in a new place. especially if the place is 'crowded' by lots of cats! she just need some time to adapt to her new environment. give and take 5 days or so...

she's put into the cat carrier, to 'quarantine' her from the rests. or more so to protect the others from her long-nail-i'll-scratch-you-if-you-dare-to-come-near-me-paws.

i asked jean if she'd like to give the cat a name. she came up with this typical 'Sayang' name. "jean, please. none of that sort. in this house, cats are named after food (e.g. cookies or ginger)". She changed it to "buttercup". although i think buttercup is more of a flower than a food, i accepted it nonetheless. "buttercup"...

this morning, i woke up and checked on buttercup straight away. she was still alive. and i let her out and she got to smell her surroundings for several minutes. although there was some "hissing", but it was less than last night's. before getting ready for work, i put her back into the carrier, just in case she runs out of the house to find her way back to jean's!

ps oh yeah, did i mention this? i thought i saw an ex-mccian on saturday, when we were at klcc.

we were in the car and exiting the parking lot (btw, we had problem locating jean's car) when we saw this guy - his back actually - whom, to me, was 'tinjau-tinjau' looking for his car and was standing in the middle of the way. "this guy nak mati agaknyer!" i told jean. she gave him a honk. at about the same time, the guy was about to reach for the girl's hand (o, didn't i mention there was a girl with him? she's tall, slim, fair-ish-looking, and wore a tudung. pretty lah) when he noticed the car and took a step back. That's when i said to jean "Hey, isn't that what's his name? Rizal?". Indeed he was. Amboi... dating ek?

reminisce : this guy rizal. we were just your basic college mates. but even from far, something i noticed about him. he looked like a "player", someone very flirtatious... he's elected as our college's student union member (did i vote for him? maybe not). and he's facial features are 'soft'. I'M NOT SAYING HE'S GAY. he's just not your usual mill's and boon's man - strong, squared jaw. chissled high cheekbone. and i guess it can be said that he's a bit short for a guy. i'm not saying this because he didn't hit on me, or anything like that. i'm just stating a fact. nothing more. full stop. my man is more like that guy we saw in Tower Records. Kan, Tini???

The other thing i noticed on Saturday - he sure have wide forehead. it's either he's born that way or he's balding... kesian...

we just drove on...

Martial law in Indonesia's Aceh province will soon be downgraded to a state of civil emergency, according to a government spokesman. The change in status will come into effect on 19 May - a year after Jakarta began a military operation against rebels from the Free Aceh Movement GAM.

"Conditions have improved," said security minister Hari Sabarno.

But he said troops would remain in the province because the separatist threat still existed in some areas.

When Indonesia launched its military operation last May, martial law was initially imposed for six months. It was extended for another six months in November.

Under martial law, the province's leader is an army general, while civil emergency means the territory is ruled by a civilian governor. But curfews, house searches and indefinite detentions can still be licensed by the authorities under civilian rule.

The crackdown against GAM rebels began when Jakarta abandoned an internationally sponsored peace process aimed at ending the ongoing separatist war, which has been going on for 27 years.

The Indonesian military says it has killed about 2,000 members of GAM, and captured 3,000 others, since last May.

But human rights groups say most of the dead are innocent Acehnese civilians.

Precise information is difficult to obtain, as foreign media and non-governmental agencies are largely prevented from working in Aceh.

an ending that i'm in favor with!

'Survivor' Gives Rupert $1M Consolation

NEW YORK - Rupert Boneham, the bushy-bearded giant from Indianapolis who was an audience favorite during the last two "Survivor" games, won a $1 million consolation prize during a special edition of the CBS game on Thursday

CBS said 38 million people cast votes for the second $1 million winner, a gimmick that brought an "American Idol" flavor to the long-running game. Host Jeff Probst even called it "America's Tribal Council." source : Yahoo!

i have been following this season's american idol on 8tv.
and usually, before the result show is shown on saturday, i'd go to www.idolonfox.com on thursday to check who's voted out.

and today, the biggest shocker!
the two people that i predicted to be in the final, fantasia and la toya, received the lowest votes amongst the four!
however, it was LA toya who was sent home!!!!
nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
why, america, why!?!?!?!

she's a natural-born idol!!!

americans, you guys definitely don't understand the phrase "Learn from your past mistake!"

HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY LULU!!!Love always!!!
Sue, Tini, Liza, Jean, Meen.

we were having a briefing session this morning, when the lights suddenly decided to do a 'David Copperfield' act.

it came back about 5 minutes later. however, when we all reach our department, although the lights were on, we could not switch on our PCs. Those with laptops did not have this problem, unless they didn't recharge the battery the night before.

for about 2 hours we weren't able to do any work (that's the only problem with having paperless environment!). so, some of us started wondering around and have gossip session, some took out magazines/books and read, and when we're already bored of all that we even thought of going to the nearest shopping mall jalan-jalan.

when the clock strikes 12, my friend and i headed to the door and went straight to the commuter station for KL Sentral. we had early lunch and came back at 15 minutes past 2...

yeah, our fathers do own the company!!!

i went to KL Sentral just now to book ticket for my return tickets to Manchester. however, as the ticket is rm3000 (not including tax and surcharge) and the available credit on my card is only rm2900, i decided to buy it next time. but hopefully by the end of the week. *sigh*

it's already 5.45pm. time to go home!!!

and why am i using all the questions as my entry title today?
beats me! just felt like it.

bye guys!

stop myself from eating, or snacking rather.
today alone, i have been munching and munching away...

now i'm feeling bloated like a [fill in the blanks].

the mask says it best, "shomebody shtop me!"

blerghh!

For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on. At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon".

In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: "If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics":

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a
new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would
have to pull over to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and! reopen the windows before you could continue.
For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your
car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to
reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable,
five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five
percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be
replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning
light.

7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and
refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle,
turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how
to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the
same manner as the old car.

10.You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

doodleboard?

i can't communicate with my friends lah like this!!!

"briiiiiing-back, ooo briiiiiing-back, o bring-back my doodleboard to me - to me!" (sing to the tune of Boney)

So, there we were all ready with our yoga attire and anxiously waiting for our instructor. but one thing caught our mind. The room's too small and what's with the old antique rattan chairs?

the person who answered our inquiry said the beginner's class would start at 7.30pm. wonder what they'll teach us? I really need to learn on the proper yoga breathing technique. inhale (stomach in, then your ribcage, then catch your breathe at the base of your throat (?)), exhale (throat, rib, stomach) - not forgetting to make the 'tssss' wave-like sound...

apart from jean and myself, there were two other people. with this number of people, I hope they could give more personal attention to each one of us...

7.40pm. still no instructor.

we looked around the room (a 180 degrees head turn is sufficient). there's a notice board hanging on the wall fully covered by colour papers with words like 'LOVE','HONESTY','WHO AM I?' (sounds like one of Jackie Chan's action movie!). one the opposite wall, a poster-like paper displaying the '8 types of power' (not sure what it says on it anymore). there's a radio - probably to play the soothing music when we're lying on the floor corpse-like at the end of the yoga session... cool!

on the table there were several books. written and published by no one we know. I picked up one, to lose the boredom of waiting. I scan the index. 'drama of life', 'learn from mistakes', 'honesty' (again?), et al... these people are really suckers for motivation articles, aren't they.

7.50pm in came the instructor (You're late!!!) with another 2 potential students. the instructor, a she, is dressed in an all-white kurta dress and pants complete with a, you've guessed right, white pashmina shawl. she sat down and took her shawl and spread it across her thighs to cover her already pants-covered legs.

I looked at my own legs. my cut-but-am-too-lazy-to-sew-the-hem sweatpants only covered my legs halfway down my calves. ooo-kaay... I saw that the other students also repositioned their legs (legs straight, knees together, feet on the floor) to look at least a bit more p-o-l-i-t-e.

isn't she going to change into something more comfortable to do the exercise?

I started to feel something's a bit weird here...

then she started introducing herself as Beng Ju and went through the forms, which we have to fill in when we came earlier, for our names. 'lucky' for me, jean put my form at the very top of everyone else's. she said my name and turned to me, and the expression on her face tells me that she too was a bit surprised to see me there.

then, I got my second weird-thingy feeling...

she recomposed herself for 2 seconds and started with the introduction.

heyyyyyyyy... waaaaiiit a minute!!!! this is no exercise session!

and that's when I looked at jean, only to find jean looking at me with that same 'shit-we're-in-the-wrong-yoga-session' expression on our face. LOL!!!

lucky for Lulu - she decided to opt out when we invited her to come along... damn!

although the sister gave us permission to leave if we want to, we kept our mind open, gave a chance to what this 'sister' has to say. o btw, this yoga is known as 'RAJAYOGA', not 'HATHAYOGA'. so...

our first lesson was 'WHO AM I?' (again with Jackie Chan)

I (note that it is 'I' not 'WE', as to 'speak-for-yourself' I) had to endure until 8.30pm, which was 30 minutes away.

she went on and on about 'soul' and 'divinity' and 'evil thoughts'...etc,etc,etc...

alhamdulillah, the time moved very fast that night, for me.

I looked at jean, thru eye-language we made our agreement, waited for a chance, to 'mencelah', and told the instructor, 'We love to stay longer but we had to go off'. with an 'i'm-not-giving-up-on-you-just-because-you're-leaving-this-class-early' attitude, she assigned us with a homework. A H-O-M-E-W-O-R-K I tell you! but we just sat there and listened nonetheless. we're supposed to take a minute - today - and jot down all the things that come across our mind.

yeah, right... ok. it's not like I have a LOT OF WORK TO DO!

I should have stick with the YOGA session in TAPA's...

so, off we went and head straight to BSC Coffee Bean for the SURVIVOR : ALLSTARS Grand Finale (that bitch Jenna backstabbed Rupert - stupid woman!). But before that, a little loving from my dear friend, McDonald... i'm famished!!!

"The country's most popular reality game was thrown a curve Sunday night when one of the final two "Survivor" contestants, "Boston Rob" Mariano, pulled out a ring and proposed to the other one, Amber Brkich.

Brkich, who wore a T-shirt proclaiming her love for Mariano, quickly accepted."

source :Yahoo!Entertainment
DO NOT CLICK IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE SURPRISE.

It's kindda sweet that you'd meet the love of your life in a place where the peole are very mischievous, conniving and back-stabbing, and the word 'trust' is something worth less than a penny.

ps:
1) ooh!ooh! also found this in MSN - DO NOT CLICK IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE SURPRISE.

"In a much-speculated-about twist, Probst announced that another million dollars would be awarded to one of the 18 competitors. Viewers will vote to decide who gets the money, which will be awarded on a live show Thursday."

SO, go to http://www.cbs.com/ and vote for Rupert!!!
2)"(Bristol Herald Courier 5.10.04) - The reunion show audience jeered any of the contestants who felt hurt by the back-stabbing million dollar winner. Jerri Manthey got booed so much after voicing her beliefs that the game had gone too far that she ended up storming off the set during a commercial break."
3) Ethan Zohn is dating Jenna Morasca. Uuwaaa!!!! two-millionaires dating... *sigh* Meaning she left that survivor-model-guy, Matthew. hmmm...!

i'm in the office testing out the connection for the servers after they're relocated to the new data centre.

yesterday went out with Jean and Tini. today, my feet hurts like hell! and i am soooo tired and feeling a bit groggy.

bought tickets to watch Black Eyed Peas' concert on this 26th. Managed to buy the Hotlink Club member's ticket - so will be standing quite near to the stage. but i'm sure the crowd will be a bit rowdy, thus making it hard for me to snap pictures of their performance. nevertheless, i'm really looking forward to it.

where's our food? they're suppose to provide us food for making us come to work today. i'm hungry!!!

maybe i'll watch some vcds.

really feeling down right now.

Yesterday, my mom used her RM100 to pay for my brother's tuition fees, which I was supposed to pay, without first consulting me. and while i was in the cinema, she smsed me. told me my bro has been barred from entering the tuition class, and she just had to give the money first. the best part is, she asked me to reimburse her money... yeah, re-im-burse.

i just ignored the message for i know i don't have any rm100 to give to her. and when i got home, she didn't even say a word or speak to me about it.

o btw, i haven't been on speaking terms with my mom for the last few weeks, which i guessed have add up to a month in total. during which, the only time she spoke to me was on 25th April. That's when I usually give her monthly allowance - sort of lah!

so, the story...

just now she smsed me - asking again about the money. my phone battery went dead straight after that. as if it knows my grievances...

i knew she'd be trying to contact me on the office's phone. so, i just left all calls unanswered. but, i knew some of the clients might be trying to call me - about the systems - so, when my phone rang, without thinking i straight away picked it up. And, just my luck...

IT WAS MY MOM!

again, the same question. i told her i don't have much money in the bank. maybe around rm60 only.

the minute she raised her voice, i put the phone 5 inches away from my ear. once in a while i pull it near in case she ask for my reply. the only thing i can hear
"...why didn't u tell me in the first place..."
"...today it's only the 7th. what did u do with your money?"
"...what do u expect me to do now..."
she went on and on and on about how she need the money to buy her mother-in-law (sort of my grandma) and my aunt (her sister) Mother's day presents. She had placed orders on something, given the deposits, but now she doesn't have the money to take her orders. Mother's day is on Sunday, for god sake! there's always tomorrow. unless, of course, the shop don't operate.

i've already told her i don't have enuf money. what does she want me to do? what does she expect me to do?

this is why i don't like any of my family members to call me in the office unless it's a real emergency. what if i was in a middle of a discussion?

although i ignored whatever she saying, once i put down the phone, i felt tears welling in my eyes. "now, now. we don't want the colleagues to see, do we?" i calmly walked to the toilet and sat in the cubicle and jest let it flow out.

in the toilet, i thought...

i have this theory - or whatever u wanna call it. my existence is a mere 'mistake' (as my mom once put it herself when she tried to share with me her love story - actually she said "i married your father. it was a mistake") and the only reason for me (working) is to 'contribute' money to the family.

every month i'm giving my mom rm250 (that's what i can afford right now), rm80 for my brother's tuition fees, my (real) father rm200 (a real contribution eventhough he didn't ask for it. beside, he was the one who gave me school allowances), rm 300 for my kutu collection, rm150 for my insurance premium, around rm150 for my cat's food. what else? how much is that already? rm 1080. that leaves me around rm400++.

usually that would be enuf for me. but this month, i don't know why but i have finished them. i bought new office shoes, which is really ne-ces-sa-ry. my friend knows i use the same pair of shoe (ONE) to the office everyday for at least a year. as my current shoes need mending, i went out with jean on tuesday and bought one.

ok, so, i know rm250 is not enough, but what about my step-father? he makes at least rm1500 more than i do. doesn't he gives her any allowances? the last i heard he gives her rm1000 plus the pention money he received (rm220). in total, that's more money than i have to spend every month.

they shouldn't rely on me, totally, for money, should they?

10 minutes later (believe me it's not enough!) i faced the mirror. making sure there were no traces to show that i have been crying. but, my cheek still looked flushed. just let it f#$%$%ing be.

i only have rm60.

what should i do? call my father and ask for rm100 from the rm200 which i have given him? borrow some money from my aunt to 'pay' for the present my mom's gonna give to her?

the phone keeps on ringing, as we speak...

*sigh*

o did i mention that the 'preciouso' daughter returned yesterday and they all acted as if nothing happened. let's imagine what would happened if it was me in her place... they all had dinner together, like a big happy family that they should be. nobody asked me. maybe they thought i had eaten while i was out. hmm. well, lucky i did!

got to go. have to meet up with yan. i don't actually feel like meeting anyone right now, but, it just that she's been wanting to see me since last monday.

my feet hurts...

note to myself : one of these days, should learn and stop putting other people first before me, myself and i.

SHATTERED ALLIANCE: BIG TOM OUSTED

With deception and paranoia growing with each passing day, SURVIVOR: ALL-STARS has been whittled down to the Final Four Chaboga Mogos. Feeling secure in his alliance with Rob and Amber, Tom Buchanan, the 48-year-old tribe member of SURVIVOR: AFRICA from Rich Valley, Virginia, was shocked to hear his name read at Tribal Council. Big Tom had mistakenly thought Jenna Lewis, the 26-year-old castaway of SURVIVOR: BORNEO from Franklin, New Hampshire, was the target of the alliance, which sent him home in a four-to-one vote. MORE...

watched Van Helsing(VH) yesterday with Tini and Jean. It was entertaining, apart from the very-romance-book-cover-look-alike-pose between VH and Anna at one part of the movie. Or instead of 'apart' maybe I should say 'including'... hmmm???

Anyway...

One thing kept distracting my focus on the storyline.

Van Helsing's Assistant, Carl.

Yeup!

It's not that the character is goodlooking or anything of that sort. What I can say about Carl's character is that he is supposed to bring in the comedic/funny aspect into the story... Ugly, naive but the brain behind Van Helsing's monster-fighting-james-bond-like-armory.

It was becoz the fact that the actor who is Carl, was Faramir in Lord of the Rings!
David Wenham. Look at this pictures. Compare lah!

VH's Carl

LOTR Faramir


Imagine the shock I have! I knew he is one of the cast in VH, but I didn't know he's gonna play that type of character... Tini didn't believe me at first. But when they did a close up on Carl... LOL!

Instead of feeling terribly scared looking at the gorry monsters (but i was a bit scared lah!), I kept laughing or at least smiling whenever Carl came into the screen...

And at times, in VH, the way Carl spoke remind me very much of C-3P0 of Star Wars...

What I can conclude from all this is that David is in fact a good actor for being daring enough (and not choosy) to play a (totally) different role than that of LOTR, which I know, what he is famous for.

I wasn't keeping track of the concert until Tini reminded me about it just now.

Tickets are priced at RM120 each.
Discounts are given to Maxis subscriber (10%) and Hotlink Club members (20%).
All are free seatings/standings.

Click here to buy tickets

I want to goooo!!!! Surely, the concert will be like those of LP's and Incubus.
But, I'm totally broke this month!
"Where is the love!?!" indeed!

Hmmm, maaaaayyyybe I could take out some money from my savings, IF there's anyone to accompany me to the concert...

better get started on their songs!

it has been a ver-ry looooooonnngg weekend... but a nice relaxing one too!
i managed to finish off two books (and now i don't have anything else to read, damn!).

SHOULD I RECAPS?

naah!!!

oh yeah... Just want to recommend a movie for you for this Sunday's Mother's day - btw, i have to work this sunday ..hmm..

"One True Thing"
(I have been telling Cik Li to watch this movie. But everytime she wanted to watch the VCD 'hangs')

Starring : Meryl Streep, Renée Zellweger, William Hurt, Tom Everett Scott, Lauren Graham
Plot Summary : When a tough New Yorker's (Renee Zellweger) mother (Meryl Streep) is stricken with a serious illness, she is forced to quit her job and her relationship with her boyfriend to take care of her, finding out a lot of things she didn't know about her mother and father (William Hurt) and her life along the way.