Since I’m going to write about Taiwan I might as well write about the book which I had finished reading during my time in Taiwan.

Well, this book jumped the queue for there a few books I had read before this one. I was reading faster than I could write about them at one point. (excuses excuses…)

Anyway, back to the book, this one has a very peculiar name – The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time. Not to mention a extremely long one too.

I really applaud Mark Haddon, the writer of the book, for this unusual yet brilliantly written book which brings us into the mind of a ‘unique’ and ‘special’ teenager who is a genius!

From what I’ve gathered, this teen, though a genius academically, doesn’t not understand emotions and have a hard time trying to decipher human relationships.

What is interesting and ingenious about Mark Haddon is his ability to let us readers feel the emotions such as love and frustrations of the people who surrounds the main character, seeing emotions through the eyes of someone who seemed detached from them…

Well, I don’t really know how to describe this book accurately with words. You’ll have to read it for yourselves. Let’s just say it’s different compared to any other books that I’ve read but different in a very very good way.

One more thing I really like about the book is the small fun facts that were ,I think, randomly mentioned in the book. Like The Monty Hall Problem and The Case of the Cottingley Fairies. It’s fun to know…

Ok, it’s old news because I’ve been back for a week. With all the unpacking and laundry that needed to be done, I didn’t have the time to sort out the pictures I took in Taiwan and hence the delay.

I’m still not quite done with the pictures but I’ll start my first bit on Taiwan.

I went on a 8-day trip to Taiwan with my parents on the 17th of July 2010. We didn’t join a tour because we wanted it to be free and easy. And we really don’t like our freedom to linger in a place we like or leave a place which we’re not interested in being confiscated. Moreover it’s a place where we speak the language and it’s known to be safe!

We landed in Tao Yuan Airport, Taipei in mid-afternoon and took a bus to the main station.

Oh ya, for those of you who are aged between 15-30 years old you should apply for a Youth Card before you leave the airport. It gives you various discounts in a wide variety of stores, attractions, transportation, hotels etc and all of it is stated in the booklet which comes with the card.

The card is the round key chain. Looks good as a backpack accessory.

I think if you plan you journey in accordance to the places which gives you discounts or privileges you could save a lot but I’m not really sure how good it is because I’ve only used it once or twice. (I didn’t read the booklet properly.   )

Anyway, Taiwan didn’t greet us with a happy face. Maybe it’s not happy that we polluting its air by travelling on planes and buses…

It’s senget because it’s taken on a moving bus.

This is my first glimpse of Taiwan – lots and lots of fields and plantations. It was a long bus ride and when we reached the main station we still have to take the MRT to the place where our hotel is hauling our luggage all the way!

Overall I would say that travelling in Taiwan by public transport is easy and very convenient. I am especially impressed by their MRT. No long waits and I’ve have not yet encounter a break down in my 8 days stay!

The only thing I could pin point is the long long walk from the entrance of the main station to the MRT platform. If I remember correctly, it’s 3 floor down, walk walk walk then 1 floor up… Something like that. And imagine hauling our luggage along with us.

After all the pulling, tugging and puffing we finally arrive in the area where our hotel is – Ximen.

Our hotel is located in a small alleyway near the Ximen MRT station.

This is the view of the alleyway when you enter from the main road and you can easily spot the hotel’s sky blue sign. It’s English name is totally different from it’s Chinese name. In Chinese it’s called Guo Guang Da Fan Dian; in English it’s Good Ground Hotel. What a name!

If you walk straight down the alleyway it opens up into Ximen Pedestrian Area!

This place is the hot spot. I think you can get anything there. From small cafe to restaurants, boutique to stalls by the road, eat, drink, see, watch… All your senses can be satisfied there!

At least I think so… :roll:  Come to think of it, I don’t think I saw a massage center there. But there could be one in one of those alleyways. I didn’t get to cover the place proper because there’s just too much to see and too many things to try!

To sum it up in one sentence – It’s busy, it’s crowd, it’s interesting!

And so, our hotel’s location is some what perfect because it’s in the middle of all the buzz and fuzz yet still a little secluded, laying peacefully in one of the least busy alleyways.

I think the location certainly makes up for the shabby looking rooms.

Interior wise it’s kind of below expectations for the price we were paying but I guess the land itself is expensive. Anyway we did sleep well the few nights we stayed there so there’s no complains. =)

As half the day had passed there’s really not much time to do anything so we just wandered around the Pedestrian Area, trying out some of the food and snacks and taking in as much as possible.

We got tired quite early then because we didn’t really sleep the night before as we had to take the Yoyo Bus at midnight to get to LCCT in time. And so we retired early that night.

I am super tired now and so I’ll retire to bed now and continue my Taiwan journey in another post. Good Night~

All 7 Harry Potter books!!!

I know some girls may feel that it’s a bit nerdy to give books as presents but I am kind of nerdy in a non text book way. hehe…

I first saw this set of Harry Potter series selling in the Popular Bookstore in Kinta City, Ipoh and I desired it. Of course, besides being tempted to read the Harry Potter series I am also attracted by the beautiful packaging.

The books come in a magnificently designed box with a different magical object/place as shown on the cover of each book decorating its sides! Pretty~

I have planned to save up and splurge on this but it turned out that my Dear did not give me the chance to! Thank you so so much!

FYI, I have never read a single Harry Potter book because 1) I’m not usually attracted to the things the things masses are crazy about. 2) The first Harry Potter book did not attract me because I was into Asian Writers then. 3) I can’t stand the wait so I might as well not start.

But now, since it’s all out and everyone (as in Harry Potter readers) says that the book is much much better than the movies and many a times cursed the producers after watching them so I thought I might as well read them. And also I can finish in time before the last Harry Potter movie is released!

And so start my Harry Potter journey. After each book my Dear will watch the movie with me and I find myself acting as the Harry Potter fans did. I understand now, I am enlighten…

The first movie was still ok but then it was down hill there on. I hated the fact that they cut out scenes and storyline and added crap into the mix, i guess, for the ‘Hollywood effect’. And I am terribly disappointed to find that some of the scenes that I looked forward to seeing them gets filmed is cut out, not mentioned at all!!!!

And I get puzzle over the fact the JK Rowling let the filmmakers ruin her work! Why didn’t she defend it? Did her heart break not when she sees what kind of crap they make out of her work??? 

Books on the other hand were great. I got sucked into the magical world instantly and I was flying through the pages. My mind was making a Harry Potter movie of its own with every book I finish.

Things started to make lots of sense now that I getting information out of the book no thanks to the filmmakers! I finished the whole series in less than 2 months! I would be able to finish it in less than a month if not for the fact that I have to travel.

I did feel sad when I finally finish reading all 7 books. It was a mixed feeling when I reached the last few pages of the 7th book – while anticipating the grand finale there’s also a urge to hold back and not let it end. Overall it was a great read and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

However I am left with some question marks hanging when I close my last book.

Didn’t Lily’s protection expired when Harry Potter left his Uncle’s house for good? So why is it that it still work and Harry can go back to life?

And why is it that Harry Potter have the choice of going back to life when he died voluntarily to protect those who mattered to him and Dumbledore could didn’t?

There are more questions that I needed answers but I won’t bombard them here. Maybe if I read the books again I’ll be enlighten…

Also one of the reasons why I can’t been blogging much lately. (ahem, excuses, ahem)

Now that I have my pictures, not many because I lost my interest to snap thinking I couldn’t use them anyway, I will blog about ancient events. Let me start with my birthday on the 7th of May.

Days before my birthday I was feeling quite depressed because every year there’s difficulties celebrating my birthday as it falls on the unfortunate month of May when everyone is at their busiest and stress level raises to a dangerous point.

It wasn’t that bad years ago when I was still staying in Damansara Jaya because I had my housemates, or at the very least, I had my loyal roommate who made quite sure it’ll be an occasion. Nothing big and fancy but a very warm one.

A group of friends will gather for dinner no matter how busy they were and as a friend told me recently that she fail an assignment because she came for my birthday dinner celebration and she never fails, as so she claimed if my memory did not fail me.

Now, living away from them, getting together is hard. And also they’ve graduated and started working. So I started having quieter birthday celebrations which is not a bad thing because the warmth of it has never dampen but I do miss my bunch of friends really much…

Anyway, it hit me harder this year because I’m not taking any examinations and so I had a lot of time in my hands when everyone’s pot of work is boiling hot and steaming.

It struck me that the situation will never change and every year, no matter what, it’ll always be the same. I’ll never have my bunch of friends back! I know I sound like a puppy whining for more when my bowl is still full, making a big fuss about something which is not exactly matters of life and death but it did hit me hard. Maybe it’s because I had too much time to think…

However, on my birthday eve I decided that I have to snap out of it and so I embarked on a journey of peace and quiet… to Sunway Pyramid. I will enjoy being on my own, tranquilize in the aura that surrounds me, making peace with solitary.

My dose of instant peace and happiness…

My favourite Norwegian Smoke Salmon and Egg Sandwich can instantly bright up my day! Then I sat there quiet sipping ice fruit tea while reading The Secret Garden, a wonderful book which was once made into a movie that I like very much but still can’t find it because it was a very old movie, looking up once in a while to watch the ice skaters.

When I felt that I’ve sat there long enough I went for a stroll along the aisles of the shopping center taking my own sweet time in searching for a birthday present for myself. I wanted a pair of shoes of a certain design, and I’m quite particular about having the design that I had in mind, so I went on a hunting spree.

And guess what?! I found it! That very design that I made up in my mind! Although the outlet didn’t have my size, I am told that the outlet in Times Square has it and they will hold it for me for a week! Was super excited and super happy about it! And my Dear took me to Times Square the very next day!

Here is the shoe which got me all pumped up! It looks a bit squashed up because it was kept in a box for quite some time but it’s still a beauty!

Happy Birthday to Me and I’m Happy!

Still on the 6th of May, everything was going perfectly well until some guy who couldn’t understand the word NO approached me wanting me to have a drink with me. But it was only a minor hiccough and I was not going to let something as insignificant as this ruin MY DAY!

Later in the evening my Dear came over to my place to pick me up for dinner. We headed to KLCC and had a nice meal in San Francisco Steakhouse. I guess we were starving at that time and laid all our concentration on the food because I forgot to take any pictures.

After dinner my Dear took me to Sky Bar. I have always wanted to go there and my Dear had actually planned to take me there on our very first Valentine’s Day but the servers there screwed up the table bookings. I think I didn’t know my Dear was going to take me there or I would have dressed up.

A nice view of the Twin Towers + champagne = bliss

We tried to take pictures of us with the Twin Towers but all of it turned out looking awkward. Well, I guess the Twin Tower looks good without people blocking the view.

And I think champagne will be my new favourite alcoholic drink.

The drink I’m holding in the picture is not pure champagne though, we toasted it at the strike of twelve and I finished it because it was so so goooooood~ , it’s champagne mixed with peach I think.

ON MY BIRTHDAY, my Dear took me to Times Square because I so badly want THE pair of shoes and it was a simple and nice day out filled with lots of love!

I had a wonderful surprise when a friend called to wish my Happy Birthday all the way from UK! Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate every warm wishes from my friends and family. It’s just that I never expect to receive an oversea call! That certain friend had shot my happiness level to a bursting tip!

Super Duper Happy!!!

One more surprise awaits me at home – A cake from both my brothers!

Thank you everyone, friends and family, for remembering and making my day! I had a wonderful birthday, special thanks to my Dear who made the effort the celebrate it with me in the midst of assignments and examinations.

I went missing from my blog for I was lost in the pages of books… I entered into the worlds of others which refused to free me. I was bounded by the clutches of the plots and have to drift along the flow of the story until I reached the shore of the final page.

I went missing from my blog for I went wandering… I wandered from Subang to JB, to Singapore, to Ipoh, to Penang then back to Ipoh and Subang again. Too caught up with my wanderings, I can’t even stay still in one place let alone sit still in front of my computer.

I went missing from my blog for I was busy admiring the colours of life… Trip to Penang painted blue, cousin’s wedding painted red, a gathering of relatives painted orange, holidaying with my mom painted yellow, stays with my dear painted pink, friends’ hang out painted green and time alone painted purple. The colours of life, the things that I will cherish and carry with me into my future of shining white light…

I went missing from my blog in the month of June but I will not let June be missing from my blog. And so this late post will be filed under June though it’s written in July for I went missing in the month of June.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to bloggie,

Happy birthday to you!

In a blink of an eye, my blog has turn 1! Time really flies… =)

My first time there was when I was attending extra law classes for my A-levels examinations. I was studying in KDU then but we had extra classes there instead. From then onwards, I’ve always attended classes there with the late Mr A (I actually thought twice about linking this back to my post about the terrible loss. It’s not something that I want to remember but it’s also a memory that I want to hold on to dearly. Therefore, in the end, I’ve decided it should be reminded despite the pain), the awesome teacher which made me abandon college, Uni and other learning institutions.

Such a place with so many memories which has found its way to be part of me must be made into something more permanent, more solid and vivid for I may never go back again and it will eventually be a place that only exist in my mind and imagination. What better way to concretise this treasured memory than a post and pictures of this place?!

Memoirs of the days in KGNS begins after being stuck in a jam for sometime:-

Camwhored while stuck in jam and waiting for the traffic light to turn green on LDP. It’s a bit blur but it’s the blurriness that makes me like this picture much. Don’t know why…

The Drive In. After being greeted by the arches of the KGNS entrance, we’ll be greeted by the guards. Sometime they will let us pass without stopping us but sometime they’ll ask our purpose of going into the club (most students are not members of the club).

When they do ask, we’ll often have to stop at a place near the arches to register ourselves and place a placard stating ‘VISITOR’ on our dashboards. If we’re in luck, we don’t have to go through the hassle, be it they are out of ‘VISITOR’ placards or that they’re just plain lazy.

Than it’ll be a peaceful drive into the club with green scenery on both sides…

on the right (above) and the left (below).

In front, you’ll be greeted by two rows of trees, saluting while you make your way in…

Not a very clear view of the saluting trees but it’s there. And yes, I was snapping while driving but I was driving REAL slow… And there’s hardly any cars.

After a while, you’ll see two buildings, the main building where the restaurants and ballroom is located, and the not-so-main building.

The not-so-main building is where the classes are held.

After passing this building, further up the road, the road will spilt into two. Left to parking P4 and right to parking P5, where the visitors are allowed to park.

Recently there’s a sign at the entrance stating the P4 is now open to visitors too but I still stick with what I’m used to – turning right, passing the car wash center, into this -

Long rows of parking lots… Sometimes it’s quite empty, like how it is in the photos, but other times it can be very full. Luckily there wasn’t a time that I could get a parking.

Then we’ll have to walk across the parking lots to the not-so-main building. Right in front of the building, there’s a little oasis of serenity.

It can be seen while driving pass the buildings into the parking lots. It is a lovely place to be in like a small island of paradise. You can just sit there and chat while looking at the fishes swimming in the pond and be amused by the tortoises that keeps trying to climbing out of the pond.

There was a time when I used to making calls while waiting for my class to start in the evening and often find myself in this little piece of paradise.

And from the main entrance of the building is this:-

I took a quick snap while walking in so it’s a bit senget. hehe… bear with me…

Walk in and on the left is a corridor where the seminar rooms are and also where my classes are held.

We use seminar room 2 which is the room further down the corridor.

A peek into seminar room 2:-

We used to have more tables and chairs but they sometimes get stolen/missing and we’ll have to steal them back. Usually from this hole in the wall -

Hehe… it’s not a hole. It’s a partition that separated seminar room 1 and 2. The fastest and easiest way to smuggle tables and chairs over.

The sight of ‘learning in progress’:-

Nah, we were actually having a break when I snapped this. But they were still learning and discussing about, erm, Dworkin?

As this is one of the two places where we spent most of our time in KGNS, I go sentimental over every object:-

Air-con that are often too cold and we have to plea for it to be turned off and in the process being given the hate-stare and also being accused of going to class naked.

It is also one of the means ‘Uncle Lim’ use to disturb us.  Maybe ‘he’ got cross with us for not noticing ‘him’ when we concentrate to much in class. lol… (an inside story/rumour)

Another means ‘Uncle Lim’ love to use is this:-

The door at the far end of the room. Sometimes we get knocks on the door or it shakes people will go ‘Uncle Lim Uncle Lim’ when it’s often the workers who did it. Same goes to the footsteps we hear that comes from corridor outside.

Funny things and fun times… Class was never boring. Ok, maybe sometimes it was but rarely.

Before I move on to the second place that we spend most of our time in, there is an insignificant place in KGNS where you might forget about it but can’t miss it or even afford to not visit it when you’re here for 3 years+. And that’s,

The Loo!  (I told you everything is sentimental.)

Can’t help snapping a picture of myself. I can feel lots of  right now. hahaha…

Ok, the second place we use to hung out the most is the Pool Terrence aka our cafe/canteen.

Addie, Debbie and Kalash are already hanging out at one of the tables.

We spent our time here while waiting for class to start and for our dinner/breakfast and talks with our good ol’ teacher.

Popular food we order are: tom yum soup/meehon, nasi paprik, nuggets, nasi goreng tom yum tambah telur mata, keoy teow soup, sandwiches, cucur udang so on and so forth…

The management of this place changed a few times so the quality of the food sometimes varies. One thing that doesn’t change throughout the years is us, still always hang out there. And maybe, also, the fact that we will, and, almost, must order our drinks before class or to bring to class.

Me and my usual, nescafe tarik.

During the earliest time, it used to be teh tarik and teh O limau ordered alternately. Lately it has changed to nescafe tarik. Only if I’ve already had coffee early in the day then I’ll order teh tarik.

This is the counter where we order and pay. For payment, as we not members of the club, we pay cash we pay with coupons which can be purchased at the counter.

Sitting in the Pool Terrence can be very relaxing when we’re not talking about academic stuff. Just look at the view that greets us!

The sun was in its best when I took this picture but I can assure you that it is a great view to look at when the sun is shining, being kind and gentle. Kids playing in the pool, watching people swimming… I can just stare and day dream.

As you can see in the picture, rain clouds’ on its way. The wind was getting rough and then, it poured. Not necessarily a bad thing because the rain has its beauty too. It gives us another side of KGNS.

Now, not forgetting the most important element which gives life to this experience/memory – the people, my classmates.

The three bookworms! hahaha…

They normally not so bookworm-y. It’s because of the up coming exams and they are hating me for being so cheerful and happy snapping away because I’m not taking them this year!

Me and my empty table space.

And, there are also others attending classes here but for now and this class it’s just us.

Debbie, who refused to pose for me but she was a darling and gave me a great big smile in the end.

see, big big smile…

Kalash, on the other hand, rather layan her BB than to layan me!

I only got to conquer and make her succumb to my camera during class!

Haha… nola, she did smile for my camera but she told me not to upload it.

Hehe… just this one Kalash.

Then, there Addie…

She was the only one I knew when I first came here for classes as she was with me during A-levels in KDU. I didn’t know her well then but I was really, super glad that she was there. Kalash did A-levels with us too but she joined us later during revision.

What are you looking? A colour to highlight my book.

Found it!

Haha… Addie and her colours. You’ll see what I mean.

Addie’s BRIGHT and COLOURFUL pencil case.

Check out her apparels! BRIGHT PURPLE sandals and a multi-coloured top.

and, and, and…

her COLOURFUL bunch of bangles!

There one more thing about my three comrades in battle, except this year, is their notes which distinguishes them from one another.

Here Kalash’s -

Neat and tidy. Black and white.

And Debbie’s -

Her signature, eye-squinting notes. Sometimes with a dash of colour.

And Addie’s -

Contrasting green and bright pink!

This is not her most colourful and these aren’t notes but you get the point. haha…

Anyway, I love the three of you lots and I could never have made it this far without you guys. You made this journey so much better and easier that I can’t imagine how I’ll get through it next year, all by myself. We’ve been through think and thin together, although it may not be much but it is enough to the friendship we had special. I’ll certainly miss the times we had together in KGNS. Thank you for everything.

Please keep in touch after all this and get together often. (God, I feel like hugging you guys right now) It’s been great knowing and having you guys. And once again, thank you so so much…

This is KGNS which much of my 3 years+ evolves around. Class – KGNS, failed-to-planned parties – KGNS, talks about studies and future – KGNS…

All of these, so insignificant when you’re at it but such a huge part taken out when all of this comes to an end. It’s one of the things that creeps silently and slowly into your life, so unnoticeable at first but so cherished and treasured in the end.

This is one of the things that I want to hold on tightly to but it just slips away with time to become a memory, a place where I can only visit in my mind and imagination.

However I didn’t want to read PS: I Love You because I’ve already seen the movie so randomly picked another book and this is it – A Place Called Here.

This book is about a woman discovering a place where all missing things go. It plays around the idea of ‘things just happen’. The characters can’t explain how things/persons got to that place or why. It is something that no one can control like it’s fated.

It illustrates the frustration of the characters very well, telling the story from different angles. I do agree with one of the commenters of this book that it’s a fairytale, the adult kind of fairytale but I prefer the classical kind of fairytale where things are simpler and the sense of magic and fantasy is more vivid.

One thing that I don’t like about the story is that things are fated, like a mentioned earlier. Yes, I agree, in real life sometime, some things really do seem like they are fated and it’s frustrating. But I got the feeling, after reading this book, that it discourages us, readers, to do anything about a disagreeable situation!

In the book where the key character, Sandy, finds herself in the place where missing things and people go, the people there tells her that there is no way out and that there is nothing she can do about it but accept the fact that she’s staying there. There are people in that place who kept on looking for ways out but their efforts are not fruitful. Yes, there are situations like that in life but I don’t feel that efforts to do something about a situation should be discouraged.

In the end, Sandy was not meant to stay in that place and so she mysteriously found her way out, back into our world. But then again, it was fated, she got out not knowing why and how. It was just her luck.

This is just my two cents worth about the book. I just personally didn’t like the story, not the author. Maybe if I had read it from another angle, it’ll be totally different but for now, I’m of this opinion.

A good note to end this post – Although I didn’t like the story but I do feel that Cecelia Ahern is a good storyteller. I especially like chapter 53. She tells it so well that I could see the scenes before my eyes like a movie. I can imagine how beautiful it will be if it was to be made into a movie.

I’ll definitely read her other books to find out more about her work. Judging an author by just reading one of her books is just not fair.

Although she is irrevocably tough, fierce and easily flared up but she is the best coach I have ever had. I truly miss the times when we were training, be it for cheerleading competitions, hip hop competitions, aerofit competition or mere classes, including the scolding and injuries… I will not have it any other way.

It has been a long long time since I last trained under her. If I’m not mistaken it was 2003/2004. Oh, the last time I saw her was when she was a participant of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. My friends and I once went all the way to Ruums to support her and we never miss an episode. But it was a very brief meeting. We didn’t even get to talk to her.

Anyway, after all these years (sounded like a million years, lol) she made a trip back to Ipoh and we finally get to meet up! So I headed back to Ipoh on the 24th of April 2010 for the meet in a restaurant called My Point. We only ever go there because it was near the studio where we used to train and because of Ms Brancy. After all these years (again sounded like I’m 80 years-old) this fact hasn’t change.

The lighting at the place is really not suitable for picture taking. The ceiling light is blue so without the flash we became -

AVATARS!!! Who needs computers for specials effects!

Anyhow, here a group pic -

Hmm… not my good angle.

Too bad Mr Wilson (he’s the one who owned the studio, Gymkids, where we trained) left early and I forgot to take pictures before he left. Another pity thing was that Shosann and Mei Lee couldn’t make it. Oh how I miss the carefree days of training and teaching in Gymkids!

During this meeting, I feel that there’s something different. Nothing bad, just different. Maybe it’s because I haven’t seen her a in a long time. Or maybe it’s because I used to be her student and now it feels more like meeting a friend – a change in status. I’m not sure… However I’m sure it’s a good thing and I’m certainly glad that we had this meet up.

Near 7pm, Ms Brancy have to leave and so the meeting was adjourned. Boo~

Never mind. My sis and I decided to have dinner together! Yay! We went to Ipoh Parade to ‘walk’ up an appetite and did some shopping. Not much, just 2 tops but my purse is already shouting at me.

Lastly, we camwhored a bit while waiting for our food to arrive and called it a day.

See, my sis always so ‘shiong keing’. The camera loves her!

Actually I went out with my Dear for a late yam cha session before calling it a day.

Not a really good pic. Lots of shadows on the face but it is still a pic of my Dear and I nonetheless…

It was certainly entertaining and really random. So random that I don’t think anyone has ever thought about them.

Did you know that -

President Kennedy was the fastest random speaker in the world with upwards of 350 words per minute.

and that -

In the average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of 5 times around the equator.

How about this? -

In the early days of the telephone, operators would pick up a call and use the phrase, “Well, are you there?”. It wasn’t until 1895 that someone suggested answering the phone with the phrase “number please?”

or,

According to suicide statistics, Monday is the favored day for self-destruction.

Talk about Monday blues…

And also, did you know that -

The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.

and,

It is believed that Shakespeare was 46 around the time that the King James Version of the Bible was written. In Psalms 46, the 46th word from the first word is shake and the 46th word from the last word is spear.

Is it just me? I find it fascinating!!! Who would go check out stuff like these??

Oh, this one is yucky yet very interesting -

The first known contraceptive was crocodile dung, used by Egyptians in 2000 B.C.

How?? Maybe I’ll look this up later…

And there’s more -

When you die your hair still grows for a couple of months.

Each of the suits on a deck of cards represents the four major pillars of the economy in the middle ages: heart represented the Church, spades represented the military, clubs represented agriculture, and diamonds represented the merchant class.

The Main Library at Indiana University sinks over an inch every year because when it was built, engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would occupy the building.

Must be a lot of books. Are they saving the books before it sinks with the library? Or will they find a way to turn it into a underground library one day?

The sound of E.T. walking was made by someone squishing her hands in jelly.

So that’s how it’s made!!!

1 in 5,000 north Atlantic lobsters are born bright blue.

So rare, they must be beautiful. Don’t eat the lobster if it’s blue! Keep it as a pet.

There are 10 human body parts that are only 3 letters long (eye hip arm leg ear toe jaw rib lip gum).

The king of hearts is the only king without a moustache.

Mario, of Super Mario Bros. fame, appeared in the 1981 arcade game, Donkey Kong. His original name was Jumpman, but was changed to Mario to honor the Nintendo of America’s landlord, Mario Segali.

Luckily they changed the name. Super Mario sounds so much better than Jumpman…

There are more than 1,700 references to gems and precious stones in the King James translation of the Bible.

Who actually take note of this??!

Mary Stuart became Queen of Scotland when she was only six days old.

I don’t know who Mary Stuart is but Queen when she’s six days old!!? Poor baby, so much responsibilities at such a young age…

Flying from London to New York by Concord, due to the time zones crossed, you can arrive 2 hours before you leave.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least 6 feet (2 m) away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.

Yucks! I am so following that advice!

You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching TV.

Go to sleep people if you want to loose weight! lol…

The citrus soda 7-UP was created in 1929; “7″ was selected because the original containers were 7 ounces. “UP” indicated the direction of the bubbles.

So that’s why it’s named 7-UP…

Canadian researchers have found that Einstein’s brain was 15% wider than normal.

No wonder he’s so smart.

The fist product to have a bar code was Wrigleys gum.

The word “nerd” was first coined by Dr. Seuss in “If I Ran the Zoo.”

Haha… Everyone use the word ‘nerd’ so much but I never thought of how or where it came from.

The roar that we hear when we place a seashell next to our ear is not the ocean, but rather the sound of blood surging through the veins in the ear. Any cup-shaped object placed over the ear produces the same effect.

Hmm… listening to a sea shell is not so eerie fairy now…

Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of unwanted people without killing them used to burn their houses down — hence the expression “to get fired”

Now we know why people say ‘you’re fired!’

The plastic things on the end of shoelaces are called aglets.

I know now and I’m going to try and remember it.

The earliest recorded case of a man giving up smoking was on April 5, 1679, when Johan Katsu, Sheriff of Turku, Finland, wrote in his diary “I quit smoking tobacco.” He died one month later.

So much for ‘live longer/healthier when you quit smoking’. Not very encouraging for smokers to wants to quit…

“Goodbye” came from “God bye” which came from “God be with you.”

I didn’t know ‘good bye’ is so meaningful… I’m going to say more ‘good byes’ from now on…

These are only some I find interesting. There are more on the page itself.