:: Mini Mini Cupcakes ::

There were so mini... Super mini.. I didn't make the normal size ones since it is meant for my neighbour, Cik Haron's kenduri tonight..

So I started with the baking at about 12pm.



The mixture..



Before going into the oven...



Into the oven...



Out from the oven...



Ready to be sent to Cik haron's place..

It's the hols today but I am stuck at home.. He is fast asleep. Go fishing again yesterday.. So maybe I'll just spend some time at home, watch TV and surf the net..

What did you guys do for the holidays..

:: Forgetful Rose ::

Argh, My forgetful streak is still lingering... Now I forget my purse. I left it in the office car. So Stoooopid lah you rose.. What you thinking?? Lose this, forget that..

I called Ayie, he say yes sayang.. But after I told him what happen, he goes, asal you so cuai. Yes I know negligence on my part.. So later, if he finish work early, he will go back to my office with me and get my purse back.... Sweet.. But he say it is a trick coz I want to go out with him.. Eh perasan lak dier eh..

Maybe, it's a sign dear.. For a new purse.. What do you think dear??

Okie I have a few presentations to make here... Something that I have been waiting for so long....

Anyway, let me present you..............



The nasi sambal goreng.. Ate them at ABC Market.. $2.50. Would be much better if there's rendang instead of the chicken wing...

I had wanted to eat them so much, since my colleague keep saying that it is good.. and I finally got to do so yesterday. The stall name is nusantara.. So sedap...

Next, I shall present you the.......



The Lift.

Not only me, but the whole family is waiting for this lift. And finally today, it's the opening ceremony...

So now, no more carrying heavy stuff, up and down the stairs. We have the lift. Just push all the way..

And now.. Presenting you the..........



The chef....

It's Hafiz O level practical exams today so he was so excited since last night. Doing the menu, Getting stuffs to decorate the food and even makes me test out the sauce that he cooks..



What's in the menu???

Saute Chicken with Brown Sauce,
Fresh Mushroom Soup
Mashed Potato
Grilled Chicken Salad
Jellied Haunted Hayride Apple

He said that his teacher said that his work was impressive.. It definitely reminds me of my days in secondary school. I was also quite good with home econs.. Top student for home econs.. Home econs only.. The rest not so top...

It's the holidays tomorrow.. Yipppeee...

Happy holidays..

:: Down with luck ::

It has been busy this weekend..

I am still having the hangover from shopping..

I am eye-ing for this bag at Coach. Argh. Love that bag but then I am not if I would be able to buy it since this year would be a year where I'll need a lot of money.

Nevertheless, I did ask Kak linda to check out the price in Japan since the price featured online is so much lower compared to the ones in the Coach boutiques here.. Ayie said, I can buy it if I like it so much but then again, would I be fine, spending $500 on a bag. A small one somemore. Haiz.. I am not sure. Maybe, I'll decide later lah..

Now I know why those rich peeps loves shopping. It sure feels good to spend so much money. To buy things that you want. But for us, it was a temporary feelings since we burn so much of our savings..

Anyway, the bookings for the void deck done just now. I went over to meet my mum and uncle and aunties for lunch after work. I didn't eat with them since I already had Mac breakfast. Too hungry to wait lah..

I feel so so pathetic yesterday and today. Yesterday, I went to work without my purse. Ayie send me to work so by the time I realise it, it was too late.. I was so hungry but shy wanna borrow some moolah from my colleague. So just tahan..

This morning, ask my colleague Edwin for $10 so that I can take the train to Woodlands where I'll meet my mom. Initially, I wanted to take taxi but I didn't wanna waste money lah..

Then later in the evening, I wanted to go out with my bro Hafiz. I realise that I lost my ATM card. Must have lost it at town council. Argh..

I called Ayie to tell bout my poor state.. kekeke.. I told him, that I even had to borrow $10 from Hafiz to top up my ezlink and asked Hafiz to buy me a drink. Ayie wanted to transfer some money to me but I told him it's okie since I would do e-transfer.

I bought Irah assesment books so that she could do them during the holidays. No chance to slack.

That's all for today. I need to do some stuff for Hafiz. Kesian dier.. Busy with his exams.. So adioz..

:: I'm too Low ::

I am not talking about my height. I am quite tall.. It's my blood. Blood pressure to be exact.

I rush after work to meet Hafiz and Boon Lay, then go all the way in the train, filled with the evening crowd. Filled up the questionaire, all ready to give some gift of life when the doc told me. Your blood pressure is too low. It has to be at least 100 on top. Mine is 86/69. I don't understand what this means..

This hence makes my third consecutive trip a unsuccessful one. All because of low blood pressure. Hafiz suggest I take lots of salt since it increase blood pressure.. Takper lah.. from no penyakit jadik penyakit lak nanti..

I tried to get sympathy by asking her to just let me donate since I bring Hafiz with me.. But she say no..

Haiz..

Hafiz on the other hand was enjoying his first time..



Hafiz, super excited. He gets a sticker since it's his first time..



"Be nice to me. This is my first donation."

So cute...

After that I asked for some sympathy from the nurse to let me into the donation room so I can snap some pics of Hafiz...

Keep for memory lah... Who knows when he got kids then can show them... Wah so far my thinking.. Anyway..



there was quite a number of donors so Hafiz have to wait for his turn. He's quite nervous actually. I said it's very painful.. LoL..



The donation starts.. He said it was not painful. Cannot even feel the needle.

Yalah, your kulit tebal what..

I was told to sit outside by the nurse.. Sob Sob.. The big boss nurse come oredi lah.. I get a drink and snack coupon to go redeem some at the donor's lounge..




Eat like I also donate..Padahal Padahal..

Now you donate, you get a cute squeeze ball in the shape of a blood drop. Last time, you get one milo only..



The squeeze ball..

Left for Causeway point after that.. to have our much needed dinner..




Not before with take some pics with cutie..



Brother sister bonding...



Let's order



Beef Lasagne for Hafiz and my Traditional Bolognaise which I forget to take pictures.. By the time I realies it's only some minced meat and beef balls.. Look to bloody and gory to be pictured..



This is the second batch...



He couldn't stopped eating... We ordered 16 and...



He ate 12... Waduh...

We went home, happy and filled. I even manage to grab a comforter set for my wedding.. Yippeee.. Don't even need to lug it from Plaza Sing..

Woke up early today despite the late night. Ayie also woke up early to appease his fiancee who buzz him the moment she's awake...

We have shopping remember..

We start off taking the bus and train. I take the bus and then ask him to board the bus at his stop.. Then we sit together gether.. Feels different without the bike...

Start time : 11am

First stop - Al Falah... Paid the marriage prep course fees. We were told that we were among the first to sign up for the course and I think among the last to pay. We were so busy during the weekdays and Ayie was working the past few weekends so no time to squeeze in...

Second Stop - Swenson. Ayie was famished. With the Pizza Hut and Swenson, my lost weight will creep back.. Argh.. Ayie nyer idea lah nie.. Swenson..

Third Stop - Takashimaya. Was there till like 4pm

Fourth Stop - Al Falah. Ayie went to perform his Zohor and Asar prayers.

Fifth Stop - Centrepoint. We were too tired to go back to taka and time is running out. It's already close to five.

Sixth Stop - Plaza Singapura. This is thankfully our last stop.



Ayie with all the shopping bags. He was so kind today. Volunteering to carry all the bags. I just lenggang kangkong. I said that people might think I like sugar mummy. Bring you go shopping. No pics of me since Ayie no hands oredi to take the pics. And luckily I bought the comforter yesterday.. If not, it would be so so heavy. I still haven't bought my shoes. None that I fancy..

We call a cab since the taxi queue is so long...

Reach home, things all dump at my house and Ayie went home.

Stop Time : 10.30pm

That was like almost 12hours hours of retail therapy.

If we only havea camera... We could take pictures of the times we went shopping for wedding gifts. Then the preparations and have them developed and kept in an album. Macam 'Making the Wedding Preps' lah... But too late lah kan..

My mom came back and we went off to Changi. My dad woke up from his sleep just because his tembam dotter was close to tears and nose all red.

My dad told her we are going to Changi. But since my mom came back late and my dad fell asleep, he wanted to cancel it.

But..

Irah, when you tell her something, you have to do it if not her nose becomes red like rudolph. (When she wanna cry, the nose becomes red)

So off we went. A little bit after midnight. Stop at Changi Village for food supply. Mee goreng, Nasi lemak and Satay.

The 'kakaks' were at the carpark. Some here some there. Looking at their antics makes me, Hafiz and my dad laugh. My dad even said, yang baju merah tu jambu lah.. Mesti tunggu orang nak bawak dier gie clubbing tak..

Kekekeke.. Like real only my dad.. we go one round to chwee chwee a bit more lah..

There are really pretty lah... Some at least. Sexy woi...

I told my dad.. Yelah Jambu.. Nanti make up cuci.. Ha.. amik kau..

Then we go to Changi Beach.

There were many tents pitched up. And mostly are Malays. You see, the kampong feel will always be with us.. Kinda nice. Hopefully this picnics and camping by the beach is a tradition that will be here to stay for good coz I also like lah..

Parents and kids doing this with uncles and aunties, cousins and nieces and nephews. Strengthen the bond you see. If not, we will all be lost in our own daily lives, that even when our cousins pass by us, we can't even recognize them or we are too awkward to even speak and joke around with our relatives..

While at Changi beach, we eat and laugh and talk.

Hafiz, Ira and I, swing and see saw..



The pics for swing too dark lah.. The see saw one.. Macam supernatural pics lak..

After that, everybody tired.. And our tembam princess. Sleepy...




In her own wonderland...

So now, I shall go to my wonderland after being nek slampit with my long entry..

I truly enjoy my day. Yesterday and Today...

I just love my family and Ayie soo soo much.. And my friends too..

Sinah and Lihua.. So sorry gals, couldn't join you coz I was so tight with time.. Tried to rush so I could make it but still couldn't. Next time ya.. Mish yOu guys..

PS: Ain is now in a train making her way to Kelantan. She's going for an expedition. Mountain climbing and white water rafting. Take care okie.. The house very quiet without your shrieking voice.. Sungguh best.. LoL..

:: The Gift of Life ::

I am a free bird now.. Yippee..

This morning, as I was in the cab, I realise that the sun was very very bright and glaring. At that point of time, I wish I had my shades with me.

I used to be so fond of shades that I practically wear them the moment I am in the sun. Helps to protect my eyes that is very dry. When it's dry, it starts to itch.

So much for my love for shades that I end up with someone who are also into shades. Ayie have so many of them in different designs and colour. Kalah I..

Anyway, yesterday after my exams, Ayie met up with me and we hang around for dinner. Then he suddenly ask me, Yang, You happy tak ngan I.. I said happy lah.. He asked again, Happy macam mana?? I said happy, happy lah.. Got macam mana nyer happy...

Then I asked him lak.. Asal?? You happy that ngan I?? He said, Happy lah.. Mestilah happy.. I asked again, happy macam mana?? He say happy like Tuuut...

Then I blur, huh happy like tuuut to happy apa eh... I ask him dowan to answer.. Alamak.. Then when I was in the cab this morning, I realise what that tuuut means.. Hmph.. Slow betol..

Today Hafiz and I would be going to HSA to do this
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.


It's Hafiz first time and he keeps bugging me to go with him.. So I succumb...

It's been a long while since I donate blood. I use to be a regular donor and donates at least twice a year.. but since last two years, slowed down alot...

After the donation thingy,. I would be treating him to dinner at any place he wants. Sister brother bonding time lah kira..

But this Hafiz, when you ask him, Nak makan mana?? He will say, apa apa lah.. Nak makan apa?? Tak kisah lah...

I think they need to come up with food nama whatever and anything..

I am taking a short break from work.. I've been working non stop since I came.. Tons of work to do after my long absence.. almost 3/4 are done, I can finally breathe a bit...

I am so looking forward to shopping for the main items tomorrow. It would be a public transport trip for both of us.. Too cumbersome to carry so many things on the bike.. Bike no box lagi.. After shopping, we shall take a cab back.. benefits of staying so close to each other..

Okie me, outz now.. Back to work..

:: Almost there ::

A short one..

I am taking my Research Methods in Psychology at 7.30pm till 10.30pm tonight.

I am counting down to my temporary freedom..

Ayie will fetch me after my paper, Insyallah..

And Dear, I am looking forward to our shopping spree this Saturday.. And I am thinking about the bling bling we saw yesterday...

"Any other rose is not as sweet"

:: Food Food Food ::

My house was practically filled with food. Every single corner, left and right, front and back..

Alhamdullilah, the orders kept coming in every week and that means business for my mom. For small orders, it's okie for her to take a few orders at one time but for wedding, it would only be one event. This is to ensure that we give the best to that particular event. Wedding is a milestone in peoples' lives so we have to do our part to ensure that their big day goes smoothly..

Every year, this shipping company, let' call the Company X, will order food for their gathering session or something like that lah... So this year as per normal, they ordered again..

So.........

My bro Hafiz woke up early and start to bakar satay at about 11am with the help of two of his friends and Cik Harun, our neighbour. My bro and his friends all caboot from school. Lucky exams are over, if not I ketok you all... They have 1900 sticks of satay to barbeque. I think our estate smell of satay yesterday.. The wonderful aroma might be distracting to the contractors who is busy with the upgrading project...



Hafiz and his friend..



Cik Haron and another of Hafiz friend. There were three tempat bakar satay..



Cik Haron separating the satays..



Me and Shahir (Cik Haron's son)...

At about 4pm, we start carrying the numerous tumblers and pots and the styrofoam plates, cups and bowls..

My sweat was dripping... The weather was so hot and the things were all so heavy..



Pushing the pots... Bumpy lah the pavements..



Food all loaded and ready to be delivered..

After the the function, there would be a big mess to bring home filled with grit and oil..

Someone volunteered to wash everything for the price of $20.

Some of the many pots to be washed...




Many small ones



And one big ones..



These hands are made for washing.. And that's just what they do..

So who's hand are those??



Ain's hands.. LoL..

Wash wash.. Hafiz and me were teasing her all the way...

Kekekeke...

Ayie is off to ziarah his fren who's mom passed away. So I guess he would only be back at about 4+ before he fetch me..

To Saifuddin, my condolences to you. Moga roh arwah ibumu akan di tempatkan dengan orang orang yang soleh dan soleha..

Tomorrow is my exam.. Last paper before I am free..

Free like a bird..

Though momentarily.. It taste sweet..

:: I got it ::

Finally after one month plus, I managed to get it done.. I feel so relieved..

For those who's wondering what time I slept. Oh I slept at 7+ am and woke up at 10+am and continued to tido tido ayam till 12+pm before I wake up and got ready for Mary Chia.

My body was aching so badly and that leads to laziness. I end up waiting for cabs. I think cabs has been my transportation everyday. Sorry dear but I met Sinah.. We hug each other since it has been long since we met.. Miss you gal..

I lost 500g at Mary Chia. LoL..

My weight is stable.. Eversince i lost that 2kg, it stays that way, I didn't put on any more... Mary Chia staffs suggest that I took up more packages but I told them no..

Mary Chia makes me lazy... Seriously.. I rather spend that 1 hour sweating out and feeling good. The weight you lose exercise stays that way for quite some time but the weight you lose dieting comes back as fast as it disappears.

After that I am off to the library. Cafe Galilee was the choice.. I ate Galilee Special Spaggethi and they tasted so good. I would definitely go there for more. Perhaps try their Black pepper since I love spicy stuffs. I asked half half a portion since I can never finish a whole serving. I don't mind paying the full amount rather than waste the food.

After that I am off to Sembawang and shop around at Phoon Huat. Kak the cake board, the largest is at 16inch. So I guess we have to settle for that. I even looked around for transparent cake box since I am gonna start baking after my exams but there isn't any..

Off to This Fashion and I saw so many things that I wanna buy. Tops and bottoms.. But when I was about to grab some to try, Ayie msg, come down now okie.. Alamak no chance oredi..

We passed Chong Pang and I told Ayie that Monday is Su and Bean's Spize day.. They go to Spize on every other Monday. Serious.. So I called her and we decided that yes.. We should meet..

We met at Tekka then off to Mustapha to get the Simple bar soaps for my mom and also the Davidoff perfume for my bro..

After that we left for East Coast...

The food we ordered, Nasi Goreng Seafood for him and Roti John for me was not tasty at all. I am not going to say more since Ayie said kalau tak sedap, takper, lain kali takmo beli dari situ lagi, takmo cakap macam macam...

So okielah tak cakap.. Su and bean had Ikan Pari and Gong Gong. Ayie ate Gong Gong for the first time and he liked it. I don't eat Gong Gong. Don't know why..

Anyway we kene saman.. Alamak, kinda expected it..

Ayie suggest that we should go jalan jalan carik makan.. Alamak dear, cannot lah.. I am suppose to be on diet. Exercise then eat so much where can...

I am quite happy that Ayie bring me out today.. Seriously I am lucky that he pampers me a lot but not all the time lah.. We do have our disagreements, those minor ones, where got couple never argue one.. Bedek rite..

I know what Ayie is doing right now. He's peeping at my blog. He said I got spelling mistakes in my previous entry.. Kan my teacher tegur oredi..

Tomorrow I shall go Amore-ing... Yippee...

I need a cam. I am eye-ing on Nikon but I am quite tight to buy one lah.. And I lost something... Haiz..

As for now, it's back to my notes...

Dear, I am missing you oredi...

:: Are you sleeping?? ::

While a majority of the people in Asia are sleeping right now, some people are awake because they are getting ready for work or some who like me, are awake because I can't sleep.

I am having terrible insonmia. I sleep very late or should I say early in the morning, wakes up at about 11am and then do some stuff before falling asleep at about 5pm and then stays wide awake till the next early morning. I am becoming a vampire I think. Or vampira since I am a girl..

But I am using my insonmia to my advantage. I studied. So Alhamdullilah, I should be able to cover one block, which consists of two units today. I did one in the evening and one now.. Almost half done..

I write my notes since I am afraid that my lappy could be unreliable. If it decide to go off on me.. How???

So I write, despite my hands being so tired and at times my wrist is shouting for help... At least I know should my hand just refuse to write anymore, I still have my notes..

I write my notes in colourful pens. Red, blue, turquoise, black and purple. Looking back, it's like my poly days where I sleep in the day and study at night.

But the bad thing about this is that, it makes me giddy and gives me a funny feeling in my tummy, my throat feels funny too. Sometimes I feel like throwing up and my body temperature seems like they are increasing...

Whatever that is, it would be over after my exam this thurs..

Did you watch the advertisement on these two new drinks that hit the shops..



Smart move rite.. So now whenever people say anything or whatever, you just get them what they asked for.

'Whatever' comprises of non carbonated drinks such as Ice Lemon Tea, Peach Tea, Green tea, White grape tea, Crysanthemum tea and apple tea

While,

'Anything' comprises of carbonated drinks such as Cola, cola with lemon, Apple, fizz up, Cloudy Lemon and root beer.

The best part is you don't know what's inside..

Cool huh.. Okie me back to my studies so I can catch some sleep.

My sinus is starting up..

Adioz...

:: Man U Lost ::

Argh.. am i suppose to be mourning or what...

I am so so dissappointed that Man U lost. There were so many attempts to score but not even one was successful.. There was even one on the line.. Hmph..

But I was not concentrating much on the game coz I have my mind full doing something else..

Who is that culprit who distract me from my game...



Pardon my nenek kebayan look.. LoL.. I was busy with taking self shots with this cutie that I ignored my looks..

Anyway this cutie is Yuni Izzati.. She is one darling... Cik Misah's niece..

Oh talking about Cik Misah.. It was all thanks to her that I got seats.. Ayie and I arrived at Singgah Selalu quite late so by then there was so many people and all the seats were taken..

Ayie even have the cheek to tell me, we should come earlier eh yang... hmph earlier.. I didn't say anything, Just a glare at him and we both laugh...

So while he scout for seats at the other end.. I was standing looking at this family thinking, bila makcik nie sumer nak balik.. Then I continued looking around before I heard eh Mar!!! (Exclamation marks because it was loud)

Alamak that makcik is Cik Misah lah... Aiyo.. I didn't even realise it was her.. Goodness.. My mata super potek or what.. even at that close range cannot see...

So we sit with them lah.. haha.. Ayie came over and hit off instantly to the already talkative Cik Din while I chit chat with Cik Misah.. We asked the waiter to get us two more seats since Su and Bean would be joining us.. Finally after a nong nong time..

Even Su was hooked to the baby..



From when she is awake till...



She fell asleep..

I think the baby can pass off as Su dotter since she is so fair and mine as we both got bulat face..

So after Man U lost and Cik misah and family left.. Only the four of us remained..

We had a project.. Project S...

Shissha lah.. Cik Misah and family was around earlier so not very nice lah to smoke Shissha.. Must respect the elders...



Us the ladies



And our other halves..



We even shared drinks and Chi Kong

It was really fun.. And it has been so long since we met..

By the time we reach home it was close to two.. Wooo...

Anyway, I am done with one block of my Research Methods.. Still two more blocks to go.. Hoping to score for this paper..

And Nurul have yet to get back to me so maybe she not interested to sell the cam to me lah.. I quote the price too low I think..

And now blogger has this thing called Autosave.. They should have thought of this way way earlier..

Anyway.. Just glad there is one now..

Some self taken pics I took some time back but just didn't remember to put up..





Ayie say I look mentel.. Ye ker?? Kekekke..

I think I would be having a very big problem waking up come next Friday going at the rate I sleep now and wakes up the next morning..

Maybe tomorrow ask my dad bring us to Changi to relaks.. I can study there too, if not I'll go Amore-ing and then to the library.. Ayie would be busy pancing with Awang tomorrow..

I am now in lurve with Ungu - Shalwat.. So sedap the song..

And finally to Fiza, thanks ya gal for inviting me to your wedding.. Insyallah I come..

:: Fingers Crossed ::

I am simply hoping that my laptop won't go kapoot..

I have managed to turn it on after it made fun of me..

It keep on saying FAT32..

You call me Fat not enough still call me 32 (32 is the police lingo for crazy people), Hmph...

Anyway I was enquiring on Nurul Aini cam that she is selling away.. So I hope she is willing to sell it to me at that crazy price I am offering since I would love to have a camera since my Canon decide to die on me.

My dad is super excited about our lift.. The contractors removed the zinc that keeps it hidden from view today.. And after the tiles are up, it's good to go..

I would be on leave tomorrow till Thursday and I really hope this laptop won't go kapoot so that I can type my notes tonight and if it does go kapoot, I would have to go back to my office on Saturday and type everything.

At the moment, I am feeling sore... My stomach is not feeling good and my heart hurts...

I starting to love my Davidoff..

:: Kapoot ::

I was almost done typing my entry before my laptop decide to go haywire and go kapoot... Argh..

It was at about 3.20am in the morning that I typed the entry due to me not being able to sleep. My biological clock decide to go haywire too...

Anyway since Su was busy last night, I didnt have any shopping khaki to go out with and I was quite busy the whole day.. So by the time I finish work it was almost 8pm... I called Ayie if he is free to accompany me to Mustapha Centre. Looking for mom's present and after much evaluation, we decide to forgo the idea bout buying a phone..

Ayie was going to finish late so I have quite some time to kill, so Cik Yuni was nice enough to give me a massage... Skali last minute AYie finish work early so he went home first to rest as he was quite tired...

So off I went to Cik Yuni place and I got a nice kneading from her.. Sungguh best and I would definitely come back for more.. Now my sore body feels so much better...

Ayie didn't pick up my call when I called him so I assume he was asleep and the trip would be cancelled but last minute he called.. Thanks dear for being so sweet to accompany your girlfriend fiancee to Mustapha despite being tired..

So at about 10pm we make our way to Mustapha..

The place was jam-packed.. Every shelf that we wanna browse which was initially empty becomes packed the moment we are there.. Bother..

We got the presents and I couldn't resist getting myself the Davidoff Coolwater... I wanted Ralph but it was way too ex..

We got Mum Gucci Envy Me .. Nice..

After that we went to Bencoolen to have our late dinner. The mee goreng tasted funny and the mutton soup was watery... Eeew.. I would not be going there ever again... It was only at Bencoolen that I remembered bout the wrapping paper.. Alamak no wrapping paper lah for the presents..

So off we went home...

Ain was up so we both decide to just use newspaper.. Well it's the thought that counts.. I got this advert by Lancome which look pretty decent... We bought her some health products from GNC too...

See the end product of our creativity.. LoL..



We even made a card...



The outside and



The inside

We place the gifts on top of the table and went to sleep.

This afternoon when I was leaving for work, My mom saw me.. She insist that I kiss her and she in turn gave me a kiss.. Argh... I hate the kissing part coz among the 4 of us, I am the like independent one and I just find it awkward to do the kissing with my mom or aunties..

Hmph.. Will be on leave tomorrow so it is time to start studying..

My laptop is having problems so I shall rely on my office com.. Hopefully the problem won't linger.. Argh...