here's an update.. we isolated the noise to resemble the ABS pulsation that xviper mentioned earlier.. however,

1) it has multiple loud 'ticks' and it seems like it might be coming from behind the steering wheel, or the ABS modulator..

2) the ticks only happen when slowing down and when the car is 10mph or less.. it continues to tick until it completely slows down to a complete stop...

i asked one of my friends in HONDA and he said that one of my ABS sensors might be malfunctioning since the ABS light does not stay on anymore, but the loud ticking is still there..

anyone here ever have a malfunctioning ABS sensor in one of their wheels? did it show the same symptoms that mine is showing now?