The Mat Salleh vs the Cina-wannabe

Blog more

2012-01-08T06:17:00.000+08:00

I feel sad for my poor blog. Like many other blogs, it has been neglected and cast aside. Replaced by trendier online avenues or perhaps the writers are all too busy living life, instead of just writing about it.

Strangely I didn't bother thinking about any new years resolutions this year. Perhaps because i had too many other things on my mind, I just wanted 2012 to start as soon as possible.

I am now in Aberdeen, North East part of Scotland. Tomorrow I start a new job, a normal job, with normal working hours; which I am so thankful to have got. Over the weekend I moved into a room in a flat, sharing it with a yoga teaching granny landlady, a PhD student from Bulgaria and a quiet Scot I've yet to talk to properly. In time I will probably get to know them well, and hopefully they me.

One year.

This time last year I was waiting to be contacted about a job in London, things were unsure, relationships were uncertain. Its funny how things fall into place, or you think they don't fall into place but then you look back and realize how they actually do.

I'm really looking forward to this year.

Right now though, I'm trying to drink a cup of hot chocolate, thinking ironically that my hot chocolate is too hot to drink, and it's burnt my tongue.

Hate it when that happens.

Scent of a woman...

2011-11-25T18:58:00.002+08:00

Very first proper perfume, feel quite grown up.

To Poke or not to Poke...

2011-10-28T17:38:00.008+08:00

Facebook. It's a love/hate thing for me obviously. Sometimes I think it's more hassle than it's worth.

People wonder why I don't add people on Fb, in fact it's quite annoying how many people expect that I HAVE to add them just because they think I must.

No one really cares that the reason why I was forced into getting FB in the first place was so family and close friends could know what I'm up to here in Scotland, and it was an easy place to upload pictures for them to see. That is and has always been my primary reason for having FB.

I like my privacy. I don't like the idea of a person who doesn't speak to me on a normal basis, doesn't really care about how I am or hasn't even seen me for years wanting access into my life and what I do. That is simply called kay-por. Its fine if you are fine with that, but don't impose your ways onto me.

Furthermore, I don't understand why people take it so personally. If we are friends, then surely you should be confident to know that our friendship is not defined by Facebook. And whatever happened to a phone call or a text message or sending an email if you really want to find out what is happening in my life? How difficult is it to type an email as opposed to clicking onto a FB page. Sorry, it seems like a load of superficial crap to me. I don't want a Poke, a Poke means squat if that is all our friendship consists of.

Finally, I hate FB "etiquette"! If I don't Poke back means I'm ignoring someone. If someone comments on my comments I must Like it or else I'm being a snob. If someone Likes something I must comment on how much I like them liking what I like or else I'm not liked. Lol. I do not desire to be so bound by the rules of social networking.

What is a Poke; What is a Like - a click of a mouse in a world of clicking mice.

Now excuse me while I go check my FB page.

Seriously...I mean, seriously?

2011-10-25T17:43:00.002+08:00

PAkS – Parti Anti-konsert Se-Malaysia

Oooooookayyy then.

What a silly little thing...!

2011-10-23T17:35:00.002+08:00

You'd have thought that for such big,tall & beefy men the rugby trophy would be a massive thing, not such a tiny cup that lools ridiculously small next to them giants.

Adele - Someone Like You

2011-10-20T19:10:00.002+08:00

Camping in Hell

2011-08-31T17:38:00.003+08:00

Beautiful campsite in the wilds of Scotland, ruined by the wee beastie midges...

Small pleasures

2011-07-20T17:31:00.000+08:00

BERSIH 2.0

2011-06-23T18:42:00.001+08:00

I'll be outside the Malaysian Embassy in London on the 9th of July in a yellow t-shirt.

Where will you be?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2010-12-25T01:57:00.002+08:00

Google or Wiki Jesus Christ to find out what it's all really about.

Joke of the day

2010-12-18T18:44:00.000+08:00

Ho..Ho..Ho @ Oxford St.

2010-12-12T06:19:00.002+08:00

What am I?

2010-12-10T05:54:00.000+08:00

I picked up a brochure about organ donation in the UK.

PSI: Do it! Register yourself as an organ donor - it saves lives and seriously your body is just going either rot in a grave or be burnt to ashes anyway. Might as well be of some use after death.

Which best describes me though?

Surely I'm White/Chinese Asian, cause I'm not a White/Chinese Chinese...

Can I tick 2 boxes?

Or Not Stated - I am Scotinese/Chitish.

LoL.

People Power

2010-12-09T16:09:00.004+08:00

Today the UK government is going to vote on higher higher education fees.

Thousands of students are going out to the streets in front of Westminster to protest against the increase and the changes which wont help the lower income groups.

I long for the day where Malaysian students have such freedom, power and gumption.

To speak out and not be robots chanting "Aspirasi! Aspirasi! Aspirasi!"

When did the word 'Protest' become such a bad word in Malaysia?

The day our government said it was.

Big Brother is watching you.

Flawed Logic

2010-12-08T02:51:00.003+08:00

In true Shelby fashion, I didn't bother getting a jacket for my trip because I have all my winter stuff here, and figured I'll be in the aeroplane and the airport the whole time anyway so it'd be fine. Someone would bring me a jacket when they picked me up.

The one thing I failed to take into account was the EasyJet flight I was taking from Stansted to Glasgow, like AirAsia flights, and I had to go out onto the runway and walk to the plane!

So there I was in my short sleeved tshirt and thin cardigan, dashing from the airport gate out into the -2 degree weather, laughing to myself thinking how silly I must look. All the locals probably muttering, "Bloody stupid foreigners..."

When we landed in Glasgow, it was SNOWING (just for me) and I had the pleasure of speed walking through it, shivering in delight.

Moral of the story - When on a budget flight, one must always be prepared. .

How did that happen?

2010-12-06T01:43:00.003+08:00

Amazingly, somehow I am back in the UK.

My initial 3month trip back in 2009 became 10months, at the end of those 10months I felt tak puas and decided to try coming back.

So here I am again.

Crazy - yes.
Uncertainty - definitely.
Stability - Non existent.

We'll see how it goes. I'm giving myself 6months and if in that time I fail to find something decent then that's me done.

I figure, if I don't do this sorta thing now while I'm still young and commitment free, then I'll never do it.

Filipino Frennnn

2010-09-26T13:14:00.005+08:00

While I was at Compass, I made friends with people from all over the world. There was another Asian girl working there as well, Mel from the Philippines and I we clicked, probably because of our shared cultural background.

When different staff come and go, we always say stuff like, "Oh yeah, I'd love to go visit you Germany/Canada/Australia/South Africa..." but chances are it ain't gonna happen. Which was why, a month after leaving Compass I got the exciting news that Mel was going to make a stopover in Malaysia on her way back to Scotland. Woot woot!

The challenge was, what can I cram into 3d3n without making it too rushed a trip. Also, I was determined that Mel must try as many local dishes as possible.

Thurs : Evening arrival
Night - Banana leaf rice

Fri : Batu Caves, KLCC and Petalilng Street
Breakfast - Nasi Lemak
Lunch - Eggy Fried rice
Random - Rotiboy's Rotibun
Dinner - Petaling Street Beef Ball Noodles

Sat : Road Trip to Melaka
Breakfast - Char siew pau/assorted yau char quai type stuff
Lunch - Melaka Chicken rice balls
Random - Popiah, mua chee, durian cendol, Melaka layered-cake
Dinner - Chinese dishes: lala, toufu, pork ribs, kai lan, fried sotong
Supper - Fruit rojak

Sun : Noon departure
Breakfast - Roti telur and teh tarik

As I scan the list, I think we managed to try lots of different food BUT there is still so much left uneaten! Bah kut teh, dim sum, satay, Indian rojak, kuey teow....and the list goes on. Which is why the next time she's in South East Asia, she said she'll try to come over for a longer visit and try more of the food.

Malaysia Truly Asiaaaaaa...

Why didn't you?

2010-09-21T23:18:00.005+08:00

The cause of so many headaches - undeclared expectations.
You think I'll do this, and are frustrated when I don't.
I think you'll do that, and am disappointed when you don't.

There's nothing wrong with having expectations, its only natural in friendships and relationships to expect more from a friend. If not what makes a friend any different from the next random person walking down the street?

The problem is always when we do not make our expectations known. Why don't we? Because none of us want to come across as bossy or demanding.

Big mistake, as it only results in one person being oblivious and the other person hurt.

Home

2010-09-09T10:26:00.004+08:00

I'm back.

Its really weird to be home after being away for 10months.
Little things have been moved about; what used to be here is now over there. This drawer now has this stuff and the other drawer has that stuff. My room needs a total clear out of junk.

Today I drove to get something from a stationary shop and I discovered it had shut down, I went to the TTDI post office and was shocked to see it now a KFC Drive-Thru and when I wanted to take the u-turn to get to Damansara Kim, I ended up going over a flyover that wasn't there when I left! So much has changed, and I am not happy with the changes happening to my area.

Damansara Utama used to be such a quiet, nice area, no jams, no fuss. Over the past 10years, its changed so dramatically, but now its just gone crazy being caught between everything, and no developement control at all. Way to many cars squeeze through DU to get to the NKVE and the LDP. Unfortunately, since my room is just one row away from the highway, there is the constant sound of traffic. Something else I've got to get used to after a year of silence at night.

Ah, there's so much I could grumble about, I'll just have to keep thinking of the reasons why I'm home for now.

The 3F's - Family, Friends and Food.

No different

2010-08-28T07:12:00.002+08:00

No different from the past
No different from the rest
No different from the cliché
No different from the change

Some things never change,
like me not remembering
that some things never change.

His Eye is on the Sparrow

2010-08-25T17:00:00.002+08:00

As Christians we always try to make our plans around what we believe is God’s will. Before making any major life decisions, we commit the matter to Him, ask for His will to be done but then have the impossibly difficult task of waiting to hear what he has to say, we wait for the Yes, No or Wait that He is meant to give us.

Its challenging therefore when faced with a situation where once all the good Christian steps have been taken, and we think we’ve figured out what He wants for our lives, suddenly everything gets turned around or is topsy turvy and you find yourself questioning not only yourself but God. But didn’t He say yes to this? Wasn’t that His will for me? What now Lord? Over thinking and over analyzing every single thing we might see as a ‘sign’ from Him. Freaking out that we’ve made a huge mistake and wondering how annoyed God probably is with us.

From calmly walking down the set out path, to a sudden stand-still. We wonder about our own judgement of His will and our confidence in tuning into that still small voice is shaken. How easy it must have been for Abraham and Moses to have God speaking directly to them, telling them exactly what He wanted them to do. Does it mean they listened to God 100%? We think, “If I was told directly by God to do this, or do that, I’d obey – no questions asked.” No, they definitely strayed from time to time, but there’s no denying that we Christians now envy the direct hotline they had to God.

The problem of a mistaken discernment of His will is that we then tend to let our weaknesses take over – anger, frustration, fear, doubt and worry... Everything that is the opposite of being under His wing. We worry because the plans we’ve made, plans that most probably provide security and safety, predictability and stability, are no longer part of the agenda.

The bible talks about worry in the well known passage in Matthew 6. It says in verse 25,
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

For those days when we are feeling low and wondering if God is bothered with our problems, it’s good to remember that God cares for and looks after the sparrows, a small and insignificant bird. We are worth more to Him than the sparrow.

We are worth so much that Jesus died for us so that we might live. We are worth so much that we were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are worth so much that we will one day be reunited with God, the maker of the Heaven and the Earth in paradise forever.

What do we do when we are stumped to figure out His will for us? Knowing the Father is the surest way of knowing His ways and only by reading the Word will we have the knowledge of who He is and what He would want us to do. Sometimes there are no right or wrong answers, but there are right or wrong intentions and motives. We need to check and see whether or not the ‘path’ we thought He had set out was actually designed by us, or chosen to suit our desires and ambitions. Or maybe He isn’t intending a 180 turn in the opposite direction, but just a detour along the way.

At the end of the day, the message is clear: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength. If this commandment is kept as the focus point in our lives, we should have no cause to worry so much about choosing the right path or be too overly cautious that we end up doing nothing. Remember that to walk the talk does actually require walking, and as worrying as it can be sometimes, we know that the Good Shepherd is always guiding, helping and walking beside us along the way.

Matthew 10
29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny[d]? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Staff Campfire @ CCC

2010-06-11T08:39:00.000+08:00

Ceilidh @ Blairgowrie

2010-06-05T06:27:00.000+08:00

Wildly Entertaining

2010-05-29T21:08:00.000+08:00

Never really heard about this before coming over here, I mean, it hardly applies to us South East Asians anyhow.

The UK does not take this contest seriously at all, its a joke more than anything but apparently the rest of Europe goes all out to try and win.

Its so cheesy, so cringe-worthy, so strange, so theatrical, so garish, so gaudy and just so BAD that its GOOD!

You have to watch it to fully understand.

Temporary Home

2010-05-21T17:02:00.004+08:00

I dunno if I've explained why I'm still in the UK. I was supposed to go back to Malaysia in January, but my cousin here in Scotland is getting married in July and my whole family is coming over for it so we figured it would make more sense to just extend my stay instead of go back, only to fly over to the UK again.

Its funny how when I left 3months seemed like a really long time, but I've been here almost 7months now and its felt like the time has just whizzed by.

Anyhow, I saved up for this trip and my 3month budget was being stretched to the limit. Since I was staying with relatives, I didn't have to worry about food and a roof over my head, but still - didn't want to impose too much.

Everyone said get a job, which I 100% wanted to do but the job situation in the Uk is pretty grim at the moment. So many locals were laid off last year and are looking for work, so its even tougher for a foreigner like me.

Thankfully though, I managed to get somewhere unexpected and have been working the past 2 weeks now. Its an outdoor centre, up in the North of Scotland in an area called Glenshee. It can have up to 70ish guests at one time, mostly school groups during the weekdays and youth groups on weekends. I'm doing housekeeping duties and I don't think I've ever cleaned so much in my life.

My day begins with cleaning and ends with cleaning. Though the pay is just so so, food and accommodation is provided here which is great because now I'm not a 'burden' to anyone.

The centre has people from all over - 3 Germans, a Filipino, an Australian, a South African couple, English folkes and of course some Scots. Most of the housekeeping staff are around my age which is also a relief because it was longing for peer friendship.

So this is what I'll be doing till the wedding date, working and saving and enjoying God's creation.

Paris - Day 1.3

2010-05-05T22:04:00.011+08:00

1.3 : When In Paris...

After our Eiffel Tower once in a lifetime experience, we met up with our host Michelle at the base of the tower. She's from Cumnock, I met her in December during the Christmas holidays, but has been living and working in Paris for the past 6months.

The best thing about having someone who lives in an area your visiting is that they can take you to the non-touristy places and do non-touristy things.

That night, Michelle told us there was gonna be a picnic at a bridge, a farewell do for one of her colleagues. I automatically assumed it would be on a grassy area at the end of the bridge, but no- it was ON the bridge itself!

Apparently its a local hang out spot. The Pont des Arts is a pedestrian bridge over the Seine and people gather with all their picnic stuff.

I was so amused by it, and a little skeptical. However once we were on the bridge, there were already several groups sitting in circles and had a picnic spread. Tablecloth, baguettes, cheese, ham,wine, beer, juice, fruit, snacks....

Also, because this part of the world gets longer days now, we picnic-ed while the sun set behind us and with boats passing underneath the bridge.

How cool is that?

The thing I loved the most was the atmosphere the whole bridge had, there was a sense of friendliness that flowed from group to group with people going between groups borrowing or asking for things.

For example, one happy looking dude came up to us and asked for salt and pepper! We had none so he just shrugged, smiled and moved on.

Some guy wheeled a big speaker around and was a mini-mobile DJ; stopping beside different groups and DJ-ing for a bit before moving on.

Suzanne and I felt very welcome, thought we 'crashed' the picnic, those we met were great fun. Two Russians, a French couple and 3 Ukranians, all Physicists. It was a blast.
So much so that we made plans to meet up the following night. =)

If we did that back home in Malaysia, the police would come and chase us all away.

Paris - Day 1.2

2010-05-04T01:56:00.002+08:00

1.2 : Hello Mr. Eiffel

Bir Hakeim is the nearest Metro station to the tower, about 5mins walk from it.

The Eiffel tower is really a spectacular sight! It's massive and it totally lives up to my expectations. When I was sight seeing in London, I was so disappointed with Big Ben because in my mind he was much bigger, but this French icon didn't let me down.

Now the number one thing you must have if you want to visit the Eiffel Tower is patience. It is at least a 45minute wait at the base of the tower. Thirty minutes is spent lining up for tickets, and another 15mins to go through security and wait for the lift to take you up to the 2nd floor, thats about 1/4 of the way up.

Once the lift takes you up to the 2nd floor, you're ushered/pushed out and can walk around for as long as you like...

Once you're satisfied and have taken all the photos you want, you then join another queue, the one that takes you all the way up to the top. Thats at least another 45minutes. It is a long wait, but if you have a travel buddy its not so bad.

View from the top, the Arc de Triomphe and just imagine all the pictures above, only smaller.

I'm guessing this tiny bar is located all the way up in the sky for those fellas who decide to propose right at the top of the Eiffel Tower, and celebrate her saying yes with champagne.

Suzanne and I discussed this and I definitely would NOT want to be proposed to at the top of the Eiffel Tower because 1. omg, its a 2hour wait to get to the top and 2. its so packed with people there is no privacy at all! The dude wont even have enough space to get down on his knee... Seriously, the top section of the tower is totally swamped.

Unless the guy can rent the whole tower for the day, I dont think its a romantic idea at all.

While walking round the top, we spotted a toilet sign (they have toilets up there!) and although we weren't needing to we decided to go anyway.

I mean, how many people can say they peed over Paris eh? (prob thousands)

Get this, even to go back down its another 30ish minute wait. Yes, again we waited but it was worse getting down because there was no respect for the queue and people were going past and joining on near the top of the line. Grrrr.

To keep you occupied while waiting they have a list of countries and their distance from the tower up on the walls...

Negaraku!

Overall, I would say if you are in Paris and have the time then you should definitely go up the Eiffel Tower. I mean, its a once in a lifetime thing, and its not like I'm gonna be going up it anytime in the near or distant future.

The waiting time is sucky but if you go prepared for a long wait then its fine.
Bring a book if you're going on your own.

Paris - Day 1.1

2010-05-03T18:02:00.001+08:00

1.1: Horrible Start

Well, the day finally came, Suzanne (my cousin) and I were off for our weekend in Paris. The whole week leading up to the Friday I would have sudden bursts of, "I'm going to Paris!" and do a little dance, much to the amusement of those around me.

I had booked my flights way back in December, and unfortunately I didnt know where I would be at the end of April. Turns out I was in London, so my journey actually began with an 11hour train-bus-train ride back up to Scotland. Had I known I'd be in London, I would have taken the Eurostar or a flight from there instead of going all the way back up North only to fly back down South again.

Upon arrival at the Charles De Gaulle Airport, we had to queue up to get a train into the city, but the lines were massive and we spent ages inching our way to the ticket machine.

Cant understand what took so long because we managed to get our tickets with no problem at all. We were surprised at the size of the ticket the machine issued because its tiny! I felt so cheated, waiting for ages for a tiny insignificant ticket. It reminded me of the scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory where the great big machine is making so much noise and you expect great big candy to come out of it, when all it produces is a stick of gum.

After a 40min train ride to Denfert-Rochereau, dropped our bags off at Michelle's flat and got to the Metro station (their Underground/LRT) to go to the Eiffel Tower.

At the station i was an active participant in a pick-pocket attempt that I helped prevent but was threatened after.

So I was at the bottom of the stairs leading into the Metro and two ladies were walking down. Suddenly her mobile phone went flying, as well as her purse. Her phone did the battery fly one way, casing fly another so she was preoccupied with that. I saw where her purse fell, and half a second later a scruffyish looking man in his 50's stepped on it. Obviously during that exact moment I just thought, "Oopsy, he's accidentally trodden on her purse." But then I realized he wasn't moving, he was just standing still on it. By then the lady had got her phone together and almost walked away when she said to the other woman with her that her purse was missing.

Automatically I stretched out my hand and pointed to the man's foot and said its there! Unfortunately he had it so well hidden, I had to point and say again, its there under his foot. The lady went over to him and was cursing and pissed cause it was by then so clear what he tried to do, got the purse and walked off.

It was then that I was aware that I was all alone. Just me and the pick-pocketer. My cousin had gone up to ground level to make a phone call. There was no one around us at all. Not good. So I quickly went back up the stairs to the entrance of the tube and he followed up behind me.

He then came close-ish speaking French which I obviously couldnt understand, did the finger-to-lips Shhhh gesture, followed by a I'll-slit-your-throat action. He repeated both gestures with a menacing stare, I nodded that I understood and he then walked off. If you can't get what he did it was basically saying, "Keep your mouth shut or I'll kill you."

Once I explained it all to Suzanne (she thought he was trying to tell me not to go that way, its not the way out... hahaha) and we got onto the right platform, our journey to the tower began.

S.A.W.S

2010-04-27T16:58:00.000+08:00

The best thing about my extended stay here in the UK is getting to experience all four seasons.

When asked if Malaysia has seasons? Yes, rainy season and non-rainy season.

The beautiful flowers and lambs totally make up for the cold winter days.

Chimney or Fish

2010-04-26T01:22:00.001+08:00

Walking back from the park with my cousin and her 18-month year old daughter, she asked me when I wanted to get married, how many children did I want...etc. (errr, what?!)

Naturally she asked me what type of guy I was looking for; I said a Christian who doesn't drink and doesn't smoke.

She told me I had high standards.

?!?!

Seriously?

No, seriously?!?!

No thanks.

Boom

2010-04-13T16:19:00.004+08:00

I hate how tv ads are so much louder than the tv programme.

Turn up volume, turn down volume, turn up volume, turn down volume, forget to do it in time and you get blasted...

Bonjour

2010-04-12T20:26:00.004+08:00

Four days and three nights in Paris at the end of the month, any suggestions?

1. Eiffel Tower (duh)
2. The Louvre - If not to see Miss Lisa, must see the outside at least.
3. The big arch thingamajig
4. Moulin Rouge - picture taking!
5. Fabulous cafe/pub filled with decent sleazy French men...

Glee

2010-04-05T19:44:00.000+08:00

Yay!

HRH

2010-04-01T17:24:00.003+08:00

I have met the future King of England.

Really.

I offered him a chocolate finger.

For the past few weeks I have been 'volunteering' myself for my aunt's project; clearing a path through an area in Dumfries Estate. People like going for walks over here remember.

On the estate there's a huge stately home, which closes to the public for Winter and yesterday was its opening for Spring. Unknown to everyone (except the top officials I guess) Prince Charles was to visit the house and have lunch there.

As he was going for a walk through the estate to his next appointment, he passed where our group was gathered (outside old stables where we were putting up a display) and my aunt spotted him, went (dashed) over and asked if he could spare a few minutes to say hello.

Over he came, but unfortunately I was inside the stable pinning up pictures and I didn't hear, nor see him come over. By the time I realized who and what was happening it was too late to naturally shake his hand and no way was I gonna force my way through to introduce myself. I'm not sure if it was 'royal etiquette' but when he did notice me slightly behind the group he smiled at me and I did the 'smile-nod-head-oh-hello-there' gesture which he returned.

It was only much later on that I thought perhaps the, "Hey! wassup macha?" type greeting wasn't appropriate for HRH but my aunt told me he prefers people to be natural around him. No wonder, I'm sure he's stuck with meeting stuffy important people all the time!

Still a short distance away I couldn't hear what he was saying clearly, but I heard HRH say something like, "Do you have any food?"

I grabbed the only thing we were munching on, Cadbury's chocolate fingers, stepped forward and offered it to him. I didn't expect him to take one, it was a semi-joke offer. I mean, a chocolate finger for a future King? C'mon...

He looked amused and declined with a chuckle, and everyone had a laugh which I was glad for because it was too quiet and still for my liking.

He then said goodbye and was on his way with his relatively small entourage, mainly his bodyguards I think.

It was all over so fast. We were very lucky he even 1. walked by where we were and 2. stopped for a few minutes because we were told that he was very far behind in his schedule and had to cancel some other meetings he had lined up.

The few things I noticed about him was...

1. He had a cool walking stick - not that he needs assistance in walking, but as an accessory (maybe for protection as well)
2. He doesn't have any posh airs about him, he was approachable and 'normal'
3. Most importantly, there is nothing wrong with his ears! I did not notice any sticky-outyness at all...

Coming Very Soon!

2010-03-31T03:46:00.003+08:00

Unfortunately I wont be around to see what TLC has got prepared this Easter, but if anyone has no plans for the coming Sunday or the weekend after, why not go check it out...

Theatre Mania

2010-03-18T16:02:00.005+08:00

Throughout the duration of my trip so far I've been fortunate enough to have watched:

This weekend I'm going down to London for an express visit and will be watching not one but TWO musicals! Going on an overnight bus, arriving in London early Friday morning and leaving late Saturday night.

First up on Friday night, Wicked - my cousins absolutely love this musical and have built up my expectations so I hope it doesn't disappoint.

But the one I'm really looking forward to is the newly released, brand new sequel to the very famous Phantom of the Opera

Woo hoo!
I remember going down to Singapore few years ago to watch the Phantom of the Opera and I had no idea that there was a sequel in the works.

Now I'm here and gonna watch it mere weeks after opening night!

Bending

2010-03-13T19:30:00.001+08:00

A friend recently wrote about honesty on her blog, about the consequences and reaction of a person who asked for honesty and couldn't handle what my friend had to say.

Shortly after reading it, I was in a similar yet different situation where I found out a friend was not being totally honest with me. Instead of just being straight, she said one thing, then another but the truth was revealed in the worst kind of way - an sms meant for someone else was accidentally sent to me...

What a fool I felt I was! What a let down and a disappointment, with regards both to the issue at hand and more importantly, the friendship.

I guess I felt I was in a friendship where to expect anything less than honesty was not a possibility. It was such a small matter that I'm surprised she felt she had to, not tell an outward lie, but chose to bend the truth, fearing I might be, like the situation discribed above, unable to handle the truth.

Perhaps the most unsettling thing about this is wondering what I have done, or how I have portrayed myself to make my friend think that I was the sort of person who would not be able to handle something reasonably.

Those who know me know I'm usually pretty blunt in a non-Simon Cowell manner, and all I ask for is the same in return.

Sometimes its a very tricky situation to be in; tell the truth and hurt or bend it and spare. The most important thing about bending the truth is you better make sure you dont get caught, because its just as bad as getting caught telling a lie.

Two Roads

2010-03-11T17:56:00.006+08:00

Monique was a city girl. She grew up with the sights and sounds of traffic, crowded streets and towering buildings all around her. She was used to big shopping centres, cinemas and a typical urban lifestyle.

Every year she would visit her grand-uncle who lived in a quaint, sleepy little village, a couple of hours drive away from the nearest McDonalds, just to give you an idea.

She loved visiting her grand-uncle. She loved the slow paced, laid-back lifestyle. She loved how everyone knew everyone. She loved the sounds of nature she rarely heard; birds of all sorts singing happily, butterflies and trees whispering in the wind. At nights she loved looking up at the jet black sky, dotted with clear sparkling diamonds winking down at her.

One day, her family sold their house and went off on an around the world cruise, leaving Monique to decide what she wanted to do. Her kind grand-uncle invited her to stay with him, and she thought it was a wonderful idea.

Now, at first Monique really enjoyed her time in the little village. She woke up to the sounds of chirping birds and she went to sleep with the stars shining down. It was a content situation.

Several months went by and Monique's cousin asked her down to the city to celebrate World Hat Day. As soon as Monique stepped out of the bus, a wave of nostalgia hit her. The busy streets. The mega-shops. The people who walk on by without even caring about her existence. It was a familiar feeling.

She spent a happy weekend with her cousin. At the end of the trip, her cousin offered Monique the spare room indefinitely should she ever be back in town. As Monique got back onto the bus, she reminded herself of the joys the countryside had to offer.

During her 5hour ride back to the village, Monique fell asleep and started to dream. In her dream she was walking on a road, a road that lead her to a t-junction. There were signs pointing in opposite directions. To the left, the road to her grand-uncles village; to the right, the road that led to the City.

Monique didn't know which road was meant for her.

Scottish Pride

2010-03-07T23:16:00.003+08:00

Kilted skiers set CairnGorm 'world record'

More than 200 skiers and snowboarders have set a new "world record" for the most people in kilts going down a piste.

Participants came down in a line from the Ptarmigan Top Station on CairnGorm Mountain, near Aviemore.

A totals of 235 intermediate and advanced level skiers took part in the attempt, which organisers described as a "fantastic spectacle". The record bid came during the best ski season in Scotland since 2001, according to Ski-Scotland.

More snow has been forecast, meaning the season could last through to May.

The event was the first attempt to set a record and was led across the finish line by two pipers and a drummer.

BBC News 6/03/10

------------------------------

Well, guess what?

I can now say that I am a world record holder! Woot woot!

Hahahahahaha!

Check out the video in the link below and see if you can spot me. =p

http://www.planetski.eu/news/1436

An absolutely fantastic experience.

Well, there was one disappointment; outta the 200 kilted men there that morning, I only got to see one bare bum.

;p

Kawanku

2010-03-01T16:55:00.002+08:00

Its always good to see a familiar face...

Its even better to see familiar face(s) miles away from home!

Had a lovely 3days in London with some old SMDU buddies. Loads more fun jalan-jalaning around with friends compared to doing it on my own.

I had someone to take pictures with, made cultural comparisons, got lost together, laughed at the same things...and one of my favs, I got to speak Manglish!

You wouldn't believe how much of a relief it is to be able to slip back into a language only Malaysians can understand. (Okay, fine- Singaporeans too...)

Out came all the lah, mah, meh, makan, oi, eh, how can, leh, liddat lor, bodoh, gila dan lain-lain lagi! Strange the things you end up missing.

If I said, "Eh, how can liddat wan?" or "No la, dowan dat wan la" or "Where got?" to any local here, they would not have a clue as to what I was saying.

Dreeeeeam

2010-02-24T17:38:00.001+08:00

I dreamt I missed a flight.
First I was on my way to watch a movie, when my aunt called to tell me someone was sick. I rushed off only to discover I was too late for my flight. Then my phone wasn't working and I couldn't contact anyone for help. So I sat on the steps of a building crying when two people I knew came along but totally ignored me and walked right on by.
After that someone I didn't know so well came over and offered help, we got into his/her car and drove off.

What does this mean?
Well, according to http://www.dreammoods.com/

To dream that you or others are sick, denotes discordance and trouble in your life. It may also signal a part of yourself that needs to be healed, either physically or mentally.

To dream that you miss your connection flight, indicates that you are feeling helpless and trapped by some situation. You feel that you are being held back, either physically or mentally. Alternatively, the dream may also suggest that you are feeling disconnected in some aspect of your life - work, relationship or home life.

To dream that you are being ignored, represents some aspect of yourself which you are not paying enough attention to. Alternatively, it may reflect your real waking experiences of being ignored by that person.

To see your childhood friend in your dream, signifies regression into your past where you had no responsibilities and things were much simpler and carefree. You may be wanting to escape the the pressures and stresses of adulthood. Consider the relationship you had with this friend and the lessons that were learned.

To dream that you are a passenger in a car indicates you are taking a passive role. Overall, this dream symbol is an indication of your dependence and degree of control you have on your life.

All in all, utter nonsense. Don't believe me check out another silly interpretation below -

To see or wear contact lens in your dream, suggests that you need to focus on the task at hand. The dream may also mean that you need to get in contact with someone.

...

Tong Tong Chiang

2010-02-22T19:40:00.006+08:00

For some strange reason, CNY is celebrated a week late in London's ChinaTown. Maybe cause on CNY the C's are too busy celebrating individually to be bothered with mass celebrations.

I expected a large crowd, but it was JAM-PACKED! All areas around Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Chinatown was swamped. At one point movement came to a complete stand still, why? Cause a lion was dancing...Sheesh! Big deal! Dont block the road people! =p

Ceroc

2010-02-18T02:49:00.000+08:00

I went dancing!

Not clubbing, dancing!

Like, one man one lady, swirling, twirling.

Its called Ceroc and is also referred to as 'Modern Jive'; a fusion of Salsa, Ballroom, Hip Hop, Tango and Jive.

The family friend I've been visiting has been doing it for 8years. Although I was extremely stressed and nervous to begin with, it was so much fun!

There was about 40 people in a hall, like our dewan serbaguna , and the instructors on a stage teach 3 or 4 moves and then there's time to dance/freestyle.
The beginners go to a separate area to practice the moves with the instructors and then are released back onto the dance floor.

I went twice - the first time mostly were old foggies, but the 2nd time had people in their 30's and 40's, 50's and 60's, and I even danced with a 72 year old!
He was very sweet...
Since I was a beginner, it limited what the experienced dancers could do, and every time i was asked to dance, I pointed to my Beginners sticker , just to make sure they were aware. However all of them were very nice and taught me new moves as we danced.

The men have the very important task of leading and thinking of each next move they want to make. The first week, I found that kinda hard to just go with the flow and my body was resisting. I was told over and over to just trust my partner and let him lead.

So the second time I relaxed, and its a wonderful feeling to be in the hands of a man who knows what he's doing.

How slow is a slow cooker?

2010-02-15T00:10:00.001+08:00

Can a slow cooker = a rice cooker?

These are the important questions I find myself asking as I attempt to make the most complicated and intricate dish of all - porridge.

I can hear my parents groaning "Oh my god, our daughter is a nincompoop".

Yesterday, first day of CNY I went to Brighton and the most Chinesee thing I saw was a Chinese Mini Market.

Imagine my delight when I went in and found IndoMi Goreng!

Happiness! However the family friend that I'm staying with didn't seem to share my enthusiastic excitement.

Decided against it (not worth the £s), and instead went for my usual porridge ingredients, a combination that I simply love love love.

Yes, what you are looking at is probably the most expensive porridge ever (RM24) but its okay. Was worth the price for a bowlful of homey, comforting food.

I thought it pretty funny when the lady at the counter looked at my items and stated, "That's a very Chinese selection..."

I have to admit that I've had more Malaysian food in the last 3days than I've had in the past 3months, which could be a bad thing cause it's only made me want Malaysian food more.

Chinese New Years Eve Dinner - Siew Yok & Asparagus and prawns fried in belachan

New Years Dinner - Hokkien Mi (slightly improvised version)

Gong Xi Tines

2010-02-14T03:06:00.003+08:00

I think this is the first year I didn't balik kampung for Chinese New Year.

The important question is this; do I get ang pow even though I'm not there?

Hmmmm...

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

Ok, this video was meant for my grandmother, but I thought what the heck - why not give my friends a laugh as well. So if you really must, prepare to cringe and watch in horror as i completely mangle the language that is Hokkien. Seriously its so so bad. Really.

Hooked

2010-02-12T19:01:00.002+08:00

The main storyline is a rip off of HSM, which is like a rip off of Greese.

The dubbing is really, really bad.

The weekly issues have gotten more outrageous and unbelievable.

The characters are so fake and ridiculous. (a 27yr old acting 17)

But even knowing all that, I'm hooked on Glee.

Simply because of the music and singing. The style of the show reminds me of Ugly Betty - colourful, chirpy, fast paced...

I know the series started last year, but I'm quite oblivious to news of new shows. Unless someone tells me, "Shelby, you gotta watch ----!" it wont happen. UK channel E4 is airing it and I must admit I look forward to Monday's cause that means its Glee Day!

Was in love with this mash up, in an episode where the boys were competing against the girls and imho the boys were a zillion times better.

Mad love the way the two songs were intertwined. Just dont cringe too much at the dubbing and cheesy bad acting.

I'd rather...

2010-02-11T00:18:00.001+08:00

Wor yao!

2010-02-10T09:14:00.002+08:00

Desire

Want

Lust

Craving

Long for

All of the above describes how i feel after setting my eyes on...

I stumbled upon it while looking through hundreds of coats on eBay.

A bid has been made, but there's still 5days left for someone else to snatch it from my grasp.

Usually I'm super tak kisah about my clothes, but for some reason I really want this coat.

Fingers crossed.

Yum Yum

2010-02-09T09:34:00.006+08:00

You know what I would love to eat during these cold winter days ?

A steaming pot of bah-kut-teh. I know most would go for steam boat, but I've never been a big fan of it. I like it, but I don't love it.

In no particular order, the food and people I can't wait to be reunited with is...

1. Saturday morning bah kut teh at the place next to the Indian temple. Can't remember the name of the area, but it’s off the LDP around Giant. Sorta. The soup there is the bomb! The young fella that takes orders can sometimes be a bit impatient but the food makes up for it. I'm also a fan of the one opposite the church along the LDP, the Kelana Jaya shop, with the high pitched screaming aunty that takes your order. Sometimes I think I might as well screech for another shuit-cha myself.

2. Hong Kee Dim Sum in Damansara Jaya. I love the one that’s crispy yammy on the outside and savoury inside. I hate when there's only one left cause although I really want it the polite Ms. Ng offers it to others. Unless I'm eating with close buddies then too bad, its mine! We became quite regular there throughout 2009, some of the staff recognized us and I like having that relationship. It’s comforting. Maybe not where everybody knows your name like Cheers, but you are remembered.

3. Fajar rojak, named so because he used to be on a motorbike outside the old Fajar in Uptown which is now Starbucks. My family have been buying from him for YEARS. The rojak man moved to the Uptown hawkers and he makes the best fruit rojak ever, while his wife is Grand Master of popiah.

4. Pinapple fried rice/ Thai fried rice at Say Huat Skt 17. Every week after church when deciding where to eat I tell the rest, "Don't ask me cause I'll say Say Huat." An interesting story attached to this guy - he used to make BKT in the original Mau Tak Teng (before it moved and changed owners) and my family would go for our BKT in Taman Tun donkey years ago. Then he went away and year’s later ta-dah he's in Skt 17. He made good BKT and now he makes great pineapple friend rice. Its yummylicious.

5. Village Park nasi lemak OR little kedai kopi in Kampung Sg. Penchala's nasi lemak. I'd go for daging over ayam rendang, ayam rendang over fried chicken and fried chicken over sotong. Only made complete with a glass of teh ais. I definitely prefer these two over Maybank nasi lemak. Their standards have dropped now I'm afraid... Like all tepi-jalan makan places, once it gets too popular you know it’s time to look for somewhere else.

6. Which brings me to another place I used to haunt weekly, Williams in Taman Megah/Mayang. I think his food is really good, but has gotten to the stage where it’s just way too overpriced. Eating there among the rats and roaches costs the same as eating at Italianies. No joke. I remember once upon a time you could get a big, yummy pasta dish for RM8. Now it'll cost RM20 for the same thing. What's worse, and I think it’s very mean of him, when you ask for a recommendation William will list all the things that are Rm25 and above, without telling you the price! So after returning from USM and finding this out the hard way, my once weekly visits became quarterly.

7. Cendol from the DU roundabout Cendol man. He scares everyone because once in a while he'll disappear and the locals would wonder if he's gone on holiday or gone for good. He has family up in Penang and I found out that’s where he usually goes off to for a month or so. But last year I seriously thought he wasn't coming back; he was away for months! Just when I thought he was really gone, he returned before I left Malaysia. Sadly I didn't get my last bowl of cendol so he better not die before I return.

8. Cendol man is connected to soya bean man because I usually have to choose between the two desserts. Soya bean man is associated with Fajar rojak because the two of them used to sell their fare side by side. Now only soya bean man is left, outside the gap between the former Fajar and a shop that is forever changing hands. It’s a reflexology place at the moment. My soya bean man is tall and skinny, always in his full white uniform; I guess to represent the product? Haha... He never seems to age. I dunno why we have never really chatted before, I've known him at least 10 years and know nothing about him. Anyway, I like his tau foo fah with black sugar. The way he scoops up each flesh-like thin layer is an art form.

9. Further down the road is the Apum Balik couple. He makes them, she cuts and bags them. Not sure why but she never smiles at me and seems grumpy all the time. With apum balik it really depends on my mood at the time - I like both crispy and soft, but which I like more is decided right there and then. Changes every time.

10. Last but not least is Indian Rojak man; he completes the Holy Fajar circle. When he came along, he used to park his van between Fajar Rojak and Soya Bean, but there just wasn't enough space for the 3 of them (this was years before the AB Couple came along) so Indian Rojak had to move location - but just about 50m away, in front of Maybank. Which works out great cause he gets loads of customers coming outta the bank that stop off for ais kacang and cendol. With Indian Rojak it’s all about the sauce, and his is superb. It’s just thick enough, it’s just the right amount and it’s got a spicy kick to it. My order- no cucumber, no tau geh, extra tauhu. Perfection.

Hmmm, looks like there's gonna be a Part 2 some other time.

Some people should get run over by big lorries

2010-02-08T00:00:00.005+08:00

Like snatch thieves.

As I started talking to my family via Skype (around 10.40pm Msian time) there was a sudden commotion; Veggie was barking like crazy, my brother and sis-in-law started shouting, my mother ran off to see what was going on and I was left in the dark.

Turns out as some visitors were leaving my neighbours house (directly opposite mine) to get into their cars, 4 men on 2 motorcycles rode up and demanded they hand over their valuables. Unfortunately they had parang(s); the worst case scenario to be in because they could have been seriously injured.

Thank God no one was hurt, and after the victims handed over their belongings, the baddies rode off. It pisses me off even more when I hear about those who cooperate and surrender everything, but are still violently attacked.

I'm so angry that my previously happy, safe Damansara Utama is now so frequently targeted its common to hear of someone else suffering the same fate every other month.

Usually I don't wish ill upon anyone, but I can't say I'll feel sorry if these criminals get hit by a truck.

The Day that Was

2010-01-30T22:19:00.001+08:00

I was supposed to be going back home today.

It was a very, very difficult decision to make, cause I have been considering and reconsidering staying on/go home/stay on/go home.

Anyway, in actual truth if you asked me a few weeks ago, i was quite certain I would be returning home.

But in the end the reasons to stay outweighed the reasons to go home, and the flight change was made.

See you in August people!

The suckiest thing is missing out on whats happening back home.

But thats life.

In the news

2010-01-26T20:28:00.003+08:00

In today's paper an article was screaming "read me!!!" I found it amusing enough to begin with, my interest fizzled out towards the middle but it was the last bit I'm glad I stuck out for.

Considering my recent 'copy & paste' chat post, I chuckled to myself when I saw the last few paragraphs...

What?!?!

Now, I can't say that these exact thoughts have never run through my mind before. They have, but the answer for now is: cannot!

There are some males I know with admirable qualities and if only I could like them, things would be simpler but....I don't and that's that. I think a number of my female friends feel the same way. The problem we have though is our pool of possibilities is very small, but by taking action to explore other options then puts us in the category of 'looking' or 'desperate', something we are definitely not. 'Open' is the word. If he comes, he comes if not, I've got my back up LKP plan.

Anyway, since this article is aimed at 30-something year olds with ticking biological clocks. I think I still have a good 10 years before alarm bells start ringing- if I want kids anyway.

Ask me again in 5 years...

Inner Conflict

2010-01-21T19:11:00.000+08:00

I got this from a christmas cracker

I think its purdy and have this unexplainable urge to attach it to something like, my phone...

But I just can't bring myself be the girl wih the annoyingly cute thing dangling from her phone.

Its.just.wrong.

Men are from God knows where...

2010-01-19T23:58:00.003+08:00

Excerpt of a chat with a male friend. You would need to know the story of Bridget Jones to understand some of what we're talking about. If you don't know Bridget, shame on you:

Me: nope, no fun at all.... Cause its not like you are Daniel Cleaver who flirts with her and leads her on

Dude: daniel cleaver?
who taht?

Me: he's hugh grant's character in Bridget Jones
scum but is the sexy scum

Dude: ahh, right. i remember
sexy but scum
hahahhaa
but he really likes her in the end!
was kinda rooting for him actly
firth is so
darcy
so boring
safe
dispassionate abit

Me: what NONSENSE

Dude: eh
wat

Me: he does NOT really like her in the end
where on EARTH did u get that

Dude: i am entitled to have an opinion
doesn't he?

Me: NOOOOOOOOOO

Dude: he fights for her wert

Me: he is scum through n through

Dude: didn't he run back to her?
and say like u know at the end of the day - we are meant to be
flawed as it may be
that they're meant to be?

Me: oh.my.goodness. You are a gullible GIRL! He said that just to get her to take him back
she was just his bus stop till someone else came aalong
i cannot believe u culd root for him
urgh

Dude: well from what i remember
in a sort of cynical damaged way
he made sense
and though it probly wasn't true love, it was somewhat functional
know wat i mean

Me: .........
i cannot believe u jus tsaid that
u suck

Dude: like a mutually detrimental relationship which still pulls thru
somehow
eh
wat the crap

Me: have u even watched the second movie?

Dude: can't remember

Me: Tsk tsk, if that is a reflection of ur true views

Dude: wat haapened?

Me: well, they end up working together
and have to go to thailand
where he tries to seduce her
brings her back to the hotel room all

Dude: ic

Me: but he has a Thai prostitute come

Dude: hmm...
i thot i saw it
can't recall la

Me: see, the problem is tho, IF he doesn't make it about his feelings, then its fine

Dude: right, but...

Me: but he tries to trick her into thinking he really loves her when he doesnt instead of just one night stand
scum
and you're on his side
SCUM

Dude: oh, right
maybe not the 2nd movie la
where he confirms to bridget that she made the right call

Me: Mark Darcey likes bridget jones,and the famous smile inducing, awwww inspiring, melt worthy line goes "I like you...just as you are"

Dude: but at the end of the 1st one, its still open as to whether he can change..

Me: urgh

Dude: oh pls

Me: please

Dude: bullcrap

Me: ur such a guy

Dude: wow

Me: typical guy

Dude: that's almost a compliment

Me: you wish

Dude: for me
eh most guys won't remember a thing
i rmember part 1
at leasy
leadt

Me: long ago i migh have thought you had a chance of not beinging such a typical guy, but i think no, you are just like the rest of them

Dude: not such a bad thing la
girls are typically girls too

Me: yeah.... the girls who can tahan typical guys..

Dude: nice/good guys finish last remember?

Me: and i do believe that there r girls around who are the type that typical guys need
nice guys finish last cause they r boring...
nice is not the reason

Dude: of course there are they're in the majority
exactly
u can't have it both ways

Me: they dont finish last because they r nice

Dude: nice guys are sage
safe

Me: mark Darcy did not finish last

Dude: safe = less edgy
= less dangerous
= less risk
= less unpredictable

Me: i wld choose Mark Darcy in a flash
heartbeat

Dude: = less spontaneous
= less adrenaline
= less physiological hormonnes
= less successful

Me: excuse me, Mark Darcy is spontaneous, edgy, takes risks, unpredictable

Dude: yea right

Me: plenty hormones, HE started the fight for her honous
swooon

Dude: and if he didn't look like colin firth and actly lost to hugh grant in a fight?

Me: doesnt matter!

Dude: like got beat up?
sorry
wish i could believe u
really

Me: oh,too bad u dont... if the guy lost in a fight he started to fight for me, i would SO clean his wounds
especially if the guy he was fighting was a guy i caught with another woman, fiance for that matter....

Dude: yea

Me: in case u dont remember, Bridget walks into the bathroom and a pretty, slim, american lady is there NAKED who turns out to be Daniel's fiance

Dude: but if he wasn't good looking like colin firth
wat abt the naked lady?
can't remember

Me: looks really dont matter that much.... if colin firth wasn't the CHARACTEr he was, he would not be that attractive
i mean, D-u-H...

Dude: but u have not addressed the poiny
point

Me: put Colin firth n Hugh grant, hugh grant is wayyyyyyyyyy better looking

Dude: if he had the same character minus the looks
of course
but colin is
presentable

Me: we r talking about character

Dude: can take out
no i am not
u are
colin looked like seth rogan

Me: aiyo, even looks, presentable is good

Dude: hah
with character

Me: a person who does not shower?
who is seth rogan?

Dude: u'd would NOT go got him

Me: i WOULD TOO

Dude: just think of a non-showering man

Me: true, non-showering for no good reason

Dude: if only girls could do wat they say

Me: or didnt brush teeth

Dude: watever

Me: or had 1 glass eye

Dude: bad looks

Me: eh, please la

Dude: imperfect hygiene
bad looks

Me: imperfect hygiene is ok so long as its not LAzy hygine
there is a difference

Dude: like borayt
borat!
how?

Me: and i cannot believe u can say i go for looks

Dude: nice character all that jazz

Me: i never saw borat

Dude: idiot
like mr bean
there u go u brit

Me: hello?!?! thats where things like compatibility n attraction do come in

Dude: no looks only

Me: there was that girl who loved MR Bean what

Dude: he doens't acy stupid
act
but just looks like him
nice guy

Me: he was just too dumb to realise

Dude: i mean YOU!!!
pls la

Me: hahahaha, ok ok

Dude: u're being a squat
colin firth is a myth

Me: Looks wise, i'm not so
bothered
i would love to get someone attractive
i wont lie,

Dude: that's why awesome great guys can be single while squattier ppl can be on the road to M...

Me: but i am grounded enough to know that substance is worth more than packaging

Dude: and u're going to give that crap abt chemistry and attraction
but that's just it
some guys are NOT as awesome as others

Me: hahahaha

Dude: less awesome ppl can generate attraction or chemistry better
coz its NOT about character

Me: no, i disagree

Dude: its about squattier things

Me: my cousin is married, she is younger than us by the way, and her husband is a nice, quiet man...
and he's lovely
i think we are on different levels

Dude: thats sweet, good for her

Me: and she loves him, not because he i edgy or good looking etc etc
If i were to meet someone , get to know the person, character def. is what i wld be attracted to
and its not like i'd be attracted just like that *snap fingers
i'd be even more weary and guarded if the person were attractive

Dude: that's the prob
the attraction bit
great that ur cousin saw/got past it
but to get to attraction without the friends thing getting in the way

Me: wahhhhhhhhh, what nonsesne "got past it"

Dude: that's the difficulty
no, not in the got past it like immune to the unsightliness of bald head

Me: thats where i say, if its meant to be, its meant to be

Dude: but it never got in the way?
haha
not sure how to explain

Dude: since chicks are all abt character
how come they don’t go for the nice guys?

Me: that s NOT what i said
i said, I - EYE - Me would rather go for characer

Dude: look even if u are not meant to be, doesn't mean its not possible to be attracted

Me: u give me a Mark Darcy or a Daniel Cleaver , i go for the mark Darcy

Dude:AN UGLY DARCY
WHO LOOKS LIKE MR BEAN

Me: can u even remember what [insert ex's name] looked like ar?
hahahaha
he is pretty unatractive
he was pudgy - or plump - or some say fat
he has really crooked teeth
he got small eyes

Dude: [insert ex's name]?

Me: so what's your point about me and looks?

Dude: see no character, no looks but not NICE guy
still can work
u're attracted to squats

Me: hahahahaha....how was [insert another name] a squat?

Dude: that's just it

Me: ur theory sucks

Dude: morons attract chivks
he was a squat
super squat

Me: WHAT?!?!?!

Dude: then he became WUSS
pussy
then died

Me: what about him was a squat?

Dude: a tragic death

Me: he was being 'honest'

Dude: in langkawi he was still a squat

Me: he was being daniel cleaver telling bridget straight up it was a onne night stand
he was NOT a squat in langkawi

Dude: then he turned pussy

Me: i'm sorry but ur wrong there

Dude: and did the public declatation
Declaration

Me: he never declaed anything, he just sang a song

Dude: just tragic la he
pls la

Me: you, my dear friend, are an idiot
u are talking rubbish

Dude: nope
u know somewhere i make sense
even tho i don't really know how
haha

Me: if i figure out where i'll let u know
but i doubt it
anyway, so what ur saying reinforces my current status
cause if YOU say that i am attracted to Squats, and i'm incapable of falling for a nice guy

Dude: pls la
getting stale
it was then

Me: then all the more its necessary for me to just stay away, cause i'm bound to fail anyhow

Dude: don't need to prove me right like tha
that
and then?
for how long?
then wat happens?

Me: because the Squat guy that i'm attracted to will eventually show his true colours n then all is lost

Dude: don't be a chicken

Me: hahaha
what chicken
smart

Dude: yea, that's when u hope he's not too hypocritical
so at least the deal didn't change

Me: i gtg now, dinner ready

Dude: the scary ones are the ones who put on a show
like rihanna says
hahha

Me: and i still stand by what i said
you are an idiot

Dude: bye

Me: bye

And just like that...

2010-01-17T19:31:00.001+08:00

the snow is gone.

=(

It was around for almost a month but just 2 days of rain washed it all away.

Glencoe

2010-01-14T08:46:00.003+08:00

This was me learning how to ski on a dry ski slope

Later today I'll be going skiing for real! Excited!

Wonder how many times i'm gonna end up rolling down the hill.

Fingers crossed there'll be cute snowborders to help me up...

;p

Second Xmas

2010-01-13T21:34:00.005+08:00

Its always wonderful to receive something in the post.

Its even more special to get something when you're away from home!

Weeeeeeeeeeee!

Was trying to figure out who it was from based on the handwriting, but eventually I just looked at the return address...

My darling Nerds

Had a great time unwrapping each gift, laughing at some of them and puzzled by others.

Yep, a strange collection of gifts. What does it say about me...

For those who don't know, I (shamefully) admit that I:
1. like leopard print (but not as much as the former Miss Singapore of course) and

2. love reading the super crappy/cheesy/cliche/soppy/unrealistic/lame/romantic/predictable rubbish Mills & Boon books.

It all began when I read my first copy, 7 years ago. The cafe where I was waitressing had a whole bookshelf of them and while waiting for the lunch rush, I'd pass the time reading.

Then there was a good 5years of no M&B. Simply because I could never part with RM15 for such trash... =p

Unfortunately in uni I met someone who also shared my passion for M&B, and she had a source she'd borrow from each week. Alas, I was sucked into it again, and worse! She told me of a place where I could buy them second had for Rm2.50...! RM2.50 I say!
The only not so ideal thing was the RM2.50 copies were published in the 60's and 70', so it wasn't as current as I'd like it to be.

I get really excited if while reading there is mention of handphones, computers and stuff like that, means I found a more 'current' copy.

Gah! I'm getting carried away by books my mum once told me were for middle aged spinsters...

Where was I anyway?

Oh yeah, just thinking about how lucky (blessed) I am to have good friends who know me well.

ps: Kevin, shut up your face!

1999-2009

2010-01-10T08:15:00.000+08:00

(I wrote this really, really late one night a week ago and its all over the place)

It seems wrong that someone my age can say 10 years went by in a flash. Since when did ten years become 'flashable'?

"Not too long ago" I was a fourteen year old school girl, running back and forth between my class and the one next door (whenever the teacher was out) so I could be with my best friend, wishing i was placed in her class. That was the year of Star Wars 1, and all feared the world would come to a stop because of Y2K.

I can never realise how old music is, so I decided to stop and think about the songs that I would have listened to during the past 10 years of my life.

2000
Britney Spears - Oops!... I Did It Again
Corrs - Breathless
Robbie Williams - Rock DJ
LeAnn Rimes Can't Fight The Moonlight
- Introduction to contact lenses. One of my favourite years in school, PMR? Pftttt! Who cares...

2001
Limp Bizkit - Rollin'
Geri Halliwell - It's Raining Men
Christina A, Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink - Lady Marmalade
Afroman - Because I Got High
- Honestly can't remember anything specific for this year. Hmmm.... Decided I didn't like Chemistry? (the subject) By then it was too late, I was shingz-ed. =p

2002
Las Ketchup - The Ketchup Song
Christina Aguilera - Dirrty
Eminem - Lose Yourself
Nelly - Hot In Here
- First boyfriend, which coincidentally coincided with the year I lost all common sense. You know when people ask if you could turn back time and change something in your past? That would be the thing I would 100% do over.

2003
Evanescence - Bring Me To Life
Beyonce - Crazy In Love
Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love
OutKast - Hey Ya!
- My culture shock of being in boy's school with Boys School Boys and Girls School Girls. Only a Co-ed'er would understand.

2004
3 Doors Down - Here Without You
Maroon 5 - This Love
Hoobastank - The Reason
Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway
- Great times with my batch of Upper 6'ers... Then the Lower Sixers came in and all hell broke loose. Blame it on the attitude of the girls school girls and the stupidity of boys. Will never forget the song Wonderful Tonight. Ever. Unfortunately. (Though it was very sweet...)

2005
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Lifehouse - You and Me
Gavin DeGraw - I Don't Want to Be
- Posted to USM, Penang. Made a hopeful decision. Met the best roommate and had the most fun a local uni student could have. Attended a church that made me feel so at home.

2006
Nelly Furtado - Maneater
Justin Timberlake - Sexyback
Daniel Powter - Bad Day
Rascal Flatts - What Hurts the Most
- An emotionally challenging year, with a crappy ending. I was cliché personified. I hate being a cliché. Also the year my grandfather died.

2007
Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
Rihanna - Umbrella
Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry
Colbie Caillat - Bubbly"
- A really bad first quarter. I changed; a result of cause and effect. Couldn't be bothered with a lot of things and people. Lost something about me that I've not got back yet. RIP Snubby and Little Dog.

2008
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Low - Flo Rida
Crush - David Archuleta
Love Story - Taylor Swift
- The end of 3 wonderful years in Penang and the start of my working life. Sorta. Not the 9-5 desk job in formal wear that i was expecting.

2009
Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling
Michael Buble - Just Haven't Met You Yet
Susan Boyle - I Dreamed A Dream
- A good year, felt really good about myself. Decided to go for it and booked my flight to the UK. Figured, what the hell- I'm young with no commitments, if not now then when?

I'm happy with life right now.
(Besides a sorta major decision I'll have to make very soon; but its nothing to do with a guy so I should be alright!)

Thanks, God.

Shameless

2010-01-09T20:10:00.003+08:00

Pic taken from The Star Online

How typical. Politicians getting a photo op.

This picture disgusts me.

You now say you condemn the very thing you condoned.

Do we really have 'Stupid' printed on our foreheads? Many still do, but many have woken from the stupor of unquestioning acceptance.

Shaking hands for photographs and offering money will never make up for the damage done.

Something you still haven't figured out yet.

(My use of the word You doesn't refer to only one person.)

1 step forward, 10 steps back

2010-01-08T17:49:00.004+08:00

That is how I see my country at the moment.

I woke up to an sms saying that my church had a molotov cocktail thrown at it. Being 8 hours behind Malaysian time, I rushed to the computer to read up on what has been going on.

I hate irresponsible leaders.

God/Tuhan/Allah must be feeling pretty sad right now.

Ho...Ho...Ho...

2009-12-25T09:26:00.006+08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Road Trip!

2009-12-18T18:42:00.001+08:00

With ME behind the wheel....

Weeeeeeee!

Its coming...!

2009-12-12T09:15:00.000+08:00

York Minster

2009-12-04T09:00:00.005+08:00

If God is in the house, I wouldn't be surprised if this is one of his favourite cribs...

Superbly gorgeous inside and out.

London

2009-11-29T08:34:00.003+08:00

My summary of London:

Family

Family

Family.

Though I did get to the major sights, a lot of my trip was spent with my Auntie Liz and cousins (and his kids that I had never seen before).

15 years is a long time...

Lure of the Golden Arches

2009-11-28T08:25:00.000+08:00

I must say that i have been very good.

So far I have only had McDonalds here ONCE

Not that I always have it back home.

But i probably would if it had....

(Kevin, brace yourself...)

Can you see it? Can you see it?

=)

Its their Big 'n' Tasty - totally lives up to its name.

That medium set put me back £5 which is around RM27, making it the most expensive McValue Meal I've ever had in my life!!!

Am I glad it was worth it...

(But the thought of spending RM27 each time I feel llike a McD's meal...Ouch!)

Baaaaa chee wemm baaa.....

2009-11-26T18:37:00.003+08:00

Try and guess what the title refers to.

Got something in mind?

Hold that thought and see if you got it right.

As an early birthday treat, my Aunty Liz got me tickets to watch,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

The Lion King!

Its all Oprah's fault. Ages ago when the production first came out, she went to see it and raved about how good it was. Well, ever since then I've hoped it would come to Malaysia but yeah right, how many musicals actually reach our shores...

The theatre is quite nice, I mean, compared to some of the others around its considered small, but I think it was the right size for the production. If it were too big the audience wouldn't be able to experience, er, certain things.

Well, one thing definitely didn't let me down - the costumes. I had heard they were fantastic, and they exceeded my expectations. Obviously it is a challenge to turn humans into animals, but whoever designed their costumes are geniuses. Some were as simple as body suits, while others looked like engineering works of art!

Can't take pictures inside the theatre, but here are some I got off Google images.

The opening scene where the sun rises and all the animals come and gather round Pride Rock is absolutely phenomenal!

Only thing I was a little disappointed in was the boy who played young Simba, he wasn't a very good singer. Understandably, he is a young fella so gotta be forgiving. Besides that though, i thoroughly enjoyed myself and loved every minute of it.

Well, I did sneakily take a picture of,

a super happy me and Gran moments before the show started.

I left the theatre smiling with a warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart.

=)

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

The Queen

2009-11-25T19:52:00.003+08:00

18/11/09
Went down to London on an overnight train and arrived at a very early 6.30am. Unknown to me (till that morning) the Queen was gonna leave her palace to give her speech at the State Opening of Parliament. Cool!

After dropping off our bags, we headed to Buckingham Palace.

The road that lead to the palace was lined with the Queen's guards, in their winter uniform, not the usual red. Kinda pitied them cause there was a bit of rain initially, so they had to stand super still, all cold and wet.

She was supposed to come out at 11am, after some pictures and guessing which side of the carriage she'd be sitting on (we asked a police man for advice and he told us the side he saw her sitting last year, so we went with that), we took our places and waited.

Not having time to go online to read up about what exactly was happening, all I knew was she was coming out in her golden carriage, something that only happens 2 or 3 times a year. Lucky me!

Thank goodness VIP's here are not like the ones in good ol' Boleh-land, and right on the dot, the procession started from the palace gates.

As my Aunty Liz put it, the Brits really know how to put on a show, and no where else in the world can you find such pomp and ceremony.

Was a real treat, there was easily 200 of those black horses, trotting by in batches, then the absolutely beautiful carriages, with the coachmen in their uniforms - it was like something from a history book.
That's all it is though really, keeping up with tradition.

A chatty lady next to my aunt told us about the 21-gun Salute that was to happen in Green Park, just across the road from where we were, and as soon a barrier opened up, we nipped across to check it out.

Call me ignorant but I thought its was gonna be guns going off, not cannons, and boy were they loud!

Amazingly, the horses that were nearby didn't flinch, move or even bother with the loud bangs... Makes me wonder if they're wearing ear plugs, or just freakin' well trained.

Even more impressive, as soon as it was over, all those horses you see behind me, went over to collect the cannons back onto their carts, and off they went. Quick as lightning. Was packed up in a flash!

Just as we were about to leave, we found out that the whole procession would be back in an hour. "An hour?", I thought, "That can't be right, how can that whole jing-bang get to the Houses of Parliament, get in, make her speech, then get back into the load of carriages and back to Buckingham Palace in an hour? Cannot be lah..."

Since it was only bout 15minutes till the hour, we thought might as well stick around, and sure enough - less than 5minutes after 12 the whole lot came back. This time I got to see them clearly (without taking any photos) and I guess she was happy she'd got that job done cause the Queen was waving out at everyone, smiling.

Yay! I managed to see the stereotypical image of Her Royal Highness, sitting in her gorgeous carriage, waving out at the people!

I suspect as soon as she got home, she put her feet up and had a nice cuppa tea.

Only happens once in your life...

2009-11-24T01:13:00.000+08:00

Painful Feet, Aching back

2009-11-17T17:07:00.002+08:00

I'm so sick of walking on eggshells and bending over backwards.

Some people are just impossible to please, and I'm tired.

Seems like wherever I go I'm destined to deal with such people.

BoomZ & ShingZ

2009-11-16T03:59:00.001+08:00

For those who were entertained and amused by the clip of the former Miss Singapore, creator of the word BoomZ, here is a sorta follow up that is equally, if not more entertaining.

Cracked up and watched it at least 3 times.

Dunno if its real or exaggerated, but I find it hilarious.

Though some of course may say its totally ShingZ.

Scottish Fry Up

2009-11-15T22:07:00.000+08:00

1. Smoked sausage
2. Black pudding
3. Grilled tomato
4. Tattie scone
5. Dumpling
6. Fried egg
7. Bacon
8. Link sausage
9. Hash brown
10. Mushrooms

A full blown, true blue 100% Saturday morning fry up, made by my Uncle Alex;

Looked on by his loving wife my Aunty Ruth.

Uncle Alex is my brother's mum, and lives a 5 minute walk down the street from where I am staying.

What is black pudding you ask? A type of sausage made by cooking blood with a filler until it is thick enough to congeal when cooled. It is also called blood sausage. Usually pigs or cows blood is used.

Well, I had to be polite...

...and I must say it wasn't so bad.

Initially I thought it would be like the coagulated pigs blood we get in our kari mee, but its not! Its totally different, doesn't taste like blood at all and honestly if I wasn't told what was in it I couldn't have guessed.

Doesn't mean I will be eating it all the time though.

Some

2009-11-14T17:22:00.005+08:00

Pictures i took in Liverpool.

My verdict of the city - I like.

We all live in a yellow submarine...

2009-11-13T04:34:00.000+08:00

Although I was only in Liverpool a total of 48 hours, I think I did manage to cover quite a lot of touristy ground, and one area not to be missed is Albert Dock.

It used to be, can you guess? A dock! Busy during the WW eras and now the area has been converted into museums. Its quite a nice place to walk around.

I'm guessing the most popular place there is the museum dedicated to 4 lads from Liverpool who created some of the hits that are still much loved today...

Its worth going to, and your £12 ticket is valid for 48hours so you can go back again the next day if you wanna spend more time there.

You get a head set, and as you walk around you just punch in the numbers indicated next to the displays and the story unfolds.

Well, it turns out that you are NOT allowed to take photos inside, and I dunno if I was blind or blur, I didn't see any signs at the ticketing counter and was happily clicking away till I turned round a corner andsaw a very clear, in-your-face sign NO PHOTOGRAPY. Oops...

I liked what they did with the place. You follow the Beatles journey from how they first got together, their rise and their eventual break up.

Each section completely reflected the different stages in their careers. One section had an 'old school' record shop, another had a set of them recording their first single, another section was the inside of an aeroplane for when they first went over to the US; but I think the most famous section is the exact replica of the Cavern Club, the place the Beatles performed the most.

As of June 2009, the Beatle Story museum expanded and set up another exhibition area further down the road at Pier Head.

Its the biggest shop for Beatles merchandise, and currently has 2 main attractions. One is an exhibition of John Lenon with stuff contributed by his first wife and son., and the other is something I came so close to missing.

Due to time constraints, I couldn't visit Pier Head on the Tuesday, so I toyed with the idea of going the next morning. My bus was at 11am, the museum opens at 10am. I was told that it is a 10 minute short movie, only 10 minutes?! Hmmmm, one hour, 10 minutes - should I squeeze it in?

Yes!

Was outside by 9.40am, waiting for the doors to open. As soon as it was 10am, I dashed in and upstairs only to be told the first screening of it was at 10.40am - oh tidak! Thank goodness staff there were really really nice (as well as cute), and while I was wondering around the Lennon exhibition one of them came up to tell me they were going to do a test run, would I like to sit in for it? Yes please!

Absolutely loved it! Would go back and watch it again, and again if I had the time! Dunno if you have to pay again though, but the £12 ticket from the other museum includes the entrance fee for this one.

Can't say much about what it actually is (in case someone reading does go to Liverpool) but its in 4D (what's that you ask?), its the Beatles (think their crazy style) and its an extension of their music in a modern setting.

Perhaps its kinda like experiencing being high, without being high - if you know what I mean.

=p

Talk myself in, I talk myself out; I guess it's half timing & the other half's Luck.

2009-11-11T09:01:00.006+08:00

.
As pathetic as it may sound, this song almost gives me hope that one day I might find someone who'll love me as much as I'll love him.

You'll Never Walk Alone

2009-11-10T05:02:00.000+08:00

I'd been looking forward to this mini trip (trip within my trip) for 6weeks. That when I got myself all booked up to go down to watch:

Well, that was the plan but my match ticket wasn't 100% confirmed till a week before the game. Thank goodness it all worked out, but even if it didn't I was gonna go down to Liverpool anyhow to check the place out and go for the Anfield Stadium tour. Either way I was getting into the stadium!

I took a train down early from Glasgow, and bunked over at a friend of my brother's place. A kind soul who offered his room for two nights.

Anyhow, I went to the stadium super early, 2hours before the match, to collect my ticket. As i stepped out the cab my eyes immediately were drawn to a glorious sight:

Holy, holy, holy...

Once I got my ticket and put it safely away I wondered about till I came to a gathering crowd. I kinda figured why they were all standing there, waiting so since I had nothing else better to do I joined them. Bout 15minutes later, in came the Liverpool players bus.

Doesn't look it in the picture, but I got a great view. Right in front of the bus, so I saw Rafa Benitez and all the players getting off.

After that, I didn't have much else to do so I headed in.

Now, the first thing that is really obvious about Anfield is it is so SMALL. For a top team, their stadium seriously looks way bigger on tv. The stands are tight around the pitch, not many tiers and basically just ngam-ngam.
I found out later it can hold 40,000 people, and that's like half the size of Old Trafford.

Another thing I realized once in, uh-oh, no big screens! Die, how am I gonna see whats going on!

Turns out, the locals don't bother to come in and wait, they pour in just before the game starts. From an empty stadium it fills up in less than 15minutes.

I wasn't at the Kop end (above), it was just to my right - close enough to hear all the singing pretty loudly. Everytime the ball went close to the goalmouth, like a wave everyone would stand up, and if nothing happened, everyone sat back down again in unison. Quite an impressive sight.

The crowed got pumped up once the players came out for their warm ups. Pepe Reina was the 'closest' to me. Its the best individual picture I could get.

After one minute of silence (out of respect for soldiers who died at war because it was near Remembrance Day) and shaking hands it was time for the match to begin.

It was fun, it was loud, there was cursing, there was laughter, jeering and cheering.

Everything you hear and see on tv when watching a live match; that was what I was a part of.

I had authentic Scousers behind me, pretty much going f*kin' ell' most of the time, and 2 somewhat drunk, bulky Russians next to me who kept screaming C'mon Agger!

First half was 'good' cause a lot of the action was at my end.

I love watching Rafa Benitez, well any football manager for that matter. They look hilarious with their furious hand gestures and try so hard to keep inside their designated rectangle.

Overall, I enjoyed myself very much.
It sucked that it was a draw, but what can you do?
Liverpool made their usual idiotic mistakes, and Birmingham City's defence was excellent.

I had not idea what all the hoo-ha was about when the penalty was given as all I saw from the other end of the stadium was:

There are no instant replays in the stadium remember.

To be honest, I didn't even know what the issue was the next day either because 1.I'm not a hardcore fan 2.I don't do follow ups on matches and 3. I don't care.

Dive or no dive, I had a great time.

Walking Disaster

2009-11-05T06:10:00.002+08:00

Enchanted Forest

2009-11-01T01:19:00.006+08:00

After a short 12hour stop at London, I caught a Ryan Air flight to Prestwick, Scotland.

Reason why I am up in Scotland is because I have family here. Reason why i had to be up in Scotland so quickly is because they wanted to take me to the Enchanted Forest.

When i mentioned to my friends, many associated it with the movie Enchanted.

Well, it was and it wasn't.

Its located Northwest area of Scotland, in a place called Pitlochry. Was about 2 hours 30mins away from where I am in Cumnock.

Basically we went into a forest at night, and some of the trees are lit up, and there's speakers all around playing music, or sound effects - like a horse galloping, witch cackling (because is was Halloween), there are life like statues all around... Makes it feel like the forest is alive.

(a mermaid lures fishermen to their deaths)

So you arrive at the entrance of the woods and a man in costume welcomes you and you start your walk . The theme this year was Scotland (last year it was a sci-fi theme with UFO's) and all around there were stops with Scots history or myth.

There was life-like sets, for example one was a man sitting in a cave or in a tavern, another was a dragon breathing fire. Audio stories accompany each set, explaining the history or story of the scene.

The ones i loved the most were the light displays on the lake where they used a projector to project images not onto the water surface in a 2D way, but up above the water 3D way, so it looks like a hologram hovering/coming up out of the water.
That was really pretty.

(L: a horse rising up out of the water, R: the Loch Ness Monster)

The forest is not completely lit up, just here and there to provide enough light and cast shadows as you walk. There was also a witch that jumped out and asked riddles, she only let you pass if you get it right - What gets bigger the more you take away?

Since it was at 9pm it was really, really cold, though the misty air added to the effects which was good.

I didn't manage to take many pictures cause
1. my camera isn't very good at night
2. i was more focused on watching and experiencing the event
3. its hard to snap while wearing thick gloves!

So pictures are thanks to Aunty Margaret.

Air Asia X

2009-10-29T06:36:00.000+08:00

So how was my 14 hour Air Asia flight from LCCT KL to Stansted London you ask?

Surprisingly, it was a lot better than i had prepared myself for it to be.

I entered the plane from the front, which was a mistake cause i passed by all the XL seats which were very spacious. Got me wondering (for the millionth time) what my seats would be like.

Was alright, the seats are 2-4-2 and thankfully I was next to the window. As the plane filled up i was hoping either no one would sit next to me, OR it would be a really hot guy. I think i got the better of the two, as no one came so i claimed both seats for myself.

This is what the middle rows look like. Didn't realize at the time but guy in blue shirt was cute.

Now the most important thing, space.

From the edge of my seat, to the seat in front of me there is 36cm. I think its alright, as most of the tall forrigners looked comfy enough.

The pic below is me sitting straight and there's enough room to stretch out if i wanted to.

The only disappointing thing is the meal. Mega-super-duper let down.

For RM36, this is what you get:

And inside - rubbery and tastless spinich something lasagne.

Which was served too early for me, at 5ish.

Wasn't even that warm, hurmph.

Followed by sad pasta and chicken, dried up peas and so-so mini carrots.

Not sure when it was, probably around 8hours into the flight?

Its the only thing I have to complain about. I'm SURE they can come up with better meals.

Overall, it was a good flight for me because I managed to sleep at least 10hours.
Probably because I wore myself out before I left; packing, sorting, meeting, going. Leaving things and people is tiring!

I would say go ahead and use Air Asia X.

You dont get a blanket or a pillow or free flowing drinks, but you get to save quite a bit.

Unless you find another airline that offers a return trip for less than RM1700.

7/9

2009-10-24T23:38:00.002+08:00

I [heart] these people.

I also [heart] the other two who are stuck on the little Red Dot.

And I [heart] the little girls but we forgot to take a picture, and I [heart] those I had steamboat with but the photo was sent to me as a zip file...

And I [heart] the people who I didn't have time to be with, due to time and distance.

Love knowing I know who I [heart] and who [hearts] me too!

All over again

2009-10-22T23:49:00.001+08:00

All my bags aren't packed, I'm not ready to go,
I'm sitting here staring at my door
I can't believe 8 months have gone by

But the days are passing, its coming soon
The hours fly by with surprising doom
I'm thinking of all the things I'm gonna miss

So hug me and smile for me
Promise me you'll update me
Laugh as I tell a real bad joke

Cause I'm leaving on an Air Asia plane
Not sure when I'll be back again
But it will be in two-o-one-o....

I'm leaving on a budget plane
Small space, my legs might feel the pain
Oh, I really hope there'll be snow...

*

Started my goodbyes, though I'm only going on a holiday, many people seem to think that I wont be coming back. I myself do not know what my exact plans are, and it'll depend on many factors.

This is the sucky thing, when i think about all the emotional ties I have here, family and friends, missing them and home and all the events coming up that I wont be part of. I know I can't let that be a reason to not do what i want to do, but it just makes me feel bleh about it.

Can't help worrying about many things, wondering whats going to happen without me around.

It'll pass, and I'll be alright once I'm there.

Pfft!

2009-10-21T12:25:00.003+08:00

Obviously with weddings happening left, right and centre, its a hot topic of conversation. One night...

.
Me: I think i can live happily not being married.

X: It'll be happy, but not happily ever after..

Who says marriages are "happily ever after"?

I beg to differ.

(I'm not saying it can't be, I'm saying it isn't necessarily so)

Marriage ≠ Total happiness in life

Sahabat Berenam

2009-10-20T09:46:00.002+08:00

First time I'm driving alone to my Ah-ma's place.

I've gone a zillion times and in my head i know the route, but when your not driving you tend to not remember roads as well compared to when you are driving.

Nevermind! Thanks to a friend who has a bad sense of direction, but a generous soul, I have a Garmin GPS thingy so even if I do make a wrong turn, Karen (the GPS voice) will tell me

Recalculating....

Recalculating...

And get me back on track.

5 seconds

2009-10-18T23:51:00.000+08:00

Thats all it takes for my blood to reach boiling point if provoked by certain conditions/people.

I'm not talking about the usual "somone cut in front of your car" kind of anger.

I am talking about the kind that can get me so worked up that my heart beats like its fighting to get out, my hands start to shake, my skin tingles and I need to tell myself to breathe slowly. The 10 out of 10 full blown, seeing red kind of anger.

Its a rare thing, and usually only over one issue.

Before, I was too young to have to right to be angry.

Not anymore.

10 days and counting...

2009-10-17T00:38:00.005+08:00

Some of the sights....

...and sounds...

Coming soon.

Another one bites the dust

2009-10-13T11:51:00.001+08:00

I can't believe it.

They are demolishing Pudu Jail.

I fail to understand how other countries strive to preserve national landmarks and history, Malaysia tears it down. As if a 114 year old building is a dime a dozen.

What sickens me most is this:

“The remainder of the jail site will be used by UDA to construct a mix-development shopping mall/residential buildings, something similar to Berjaya Times Square,” said Sudirman Kamal, an engineer from Khairi Consult Sdn Bhd, an engineering consultancy firm.

Just what we need.
ANOTHER Berjaya Times Square, a stone throw away from the existing one.
What fool thinks a shopping mall can replace more than a century's worth of history?
Obviously the ones who stand to reap financial gain. Who else...

You know, when I think about where to bring tourists in KL, there really is not that much the city has to offer. Which is why I thought it was great when Pudu Jail was open to the public. I went when I was a young teenager and was facinated by the prison cells, paintings, stories and amazed to be where many had once lived and died.

Such a shame how things of great value can be destroyed so easily.

Malaysia Boleh!

Read more here

Kau kau poh chee

2009-10-02T09:54:00.000+08:00

Who on earth came up with the original tune for the old newspaper lorries that drive around with the loudspeaker blaring...

Kau kau poh chee

Ol newsss pay-pa

Sulat karba laamaa

Why that tune, and why do they all follow it?

So funny, so Malaysian.

Love it!

Kooooching

2009-09-25T08:51:00.001+08:00

I was supposed to do a proper blog entry about it.

Alas, it was reduced to this. I compiled some of my fav pictures and put it to the song that was playing on all the radio stations at the time, like a theme song for my trip.

Every night there was a good, good night...

Meow!

2009-09-09T00:59:00.004+08:00

I've only been over to East Malaysia once, and that was for a very rushed 48hour trip back in Oct 2007.

Now two years later I get to go back!

Thanks to Air Asia's super cheap return flights for RM123.

This time I'm there for 6 days - yipee!
Even better, I'll be staying with a local who's gonna bring me around to all the right places.

Things I wanna do:
1. Visit the orang utan sanctuary again
2. Satisfy my yearning for the yummy White Lady
3. Visit an old uni buddy and find out how she's doing
4. Go to some water spot (beach/waterfall)

Story Song

2009-09-03T17:47:00.004+08:00

Thanks to old buddy Rudi I have a new Mark Schultz song to listen to!
There's been a drought of meaningful story songs, so finding out that he has a new album is like rain falling on the dry lands...

If you wanna know what type of song I adore listening to, and hear to an amazing voice - check it out here.

This song reminded me about this clip I saw on youtube, and if the song caught your interest, maybe this clip will too.
Such love.

So who's gonna be Joseph?

2009-08-29T16:52:00.007+08:00

Marathon Heaven!

Back to back episodes of Any Dream Will Do on BBCE.

The wait is finally coming to an end, tomorrow night is the last episode of the [2007] reality tv series to search for a lead actor for a West End musical.
I can't wait cause it'll mean I can finally google and youtube to my heart's content without fear of accidentally stumbling onto the winner and spoiling my 2months of anticipation.

I'm rooting for Keith but I'm quite sure Lee will win.

Cannot tahan! Grin galore!

__________________

He's 61 years old but he's still a fantastic singer, performer and actor!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAnoTqB21D0

Such a powerful song.

Lyrics | Meat Loaf Lyrics | Cry Over Me Lyrics

Plan A

2009-08-28T01:10:00.005+08:00

I just got back from a drink and a friend said that the dream or Plan A, to get married at the age of 24, looks like its not going to happen.

Driving back alone, I mindlessly realized when I was younger (teens) I never really set an 'ideal marriage age' so specifically. There's nothing wring with that at all, many people I know do have ideal ages they think they'd like to be married by etc. When asked, probably in my teenage mind the answer was within the next year or so. I always thought it'd be nice to be a young mother.

However, to a 14year old in From 3, a 24 year old is old! A teen usually thinks about the wedding, not a marriage; likes the idea of being mommy, not the responsibility of it. I think I thought that I would be all grown up by now; having a stable job, seriously dating someone, a nice car, a "stable" life.
Rightttt...

Now a quick reality check would be: I still don't feel that I'm an adult, I'm soon to be jobless (no worries), the thought of dating makes me cringe (recoil in distaste) , I have my Pumpkin which I'm so happy with, and my life is going to become anything but stable in the next few months.

I'm not the image of the person I think I thought I would be some day.
Do I even want children?
Mathematically speaking, the chances of me being a young mother is not gonna happen.
I'm 24, nearest possible date I think I could be married 27. I don't want to have a child till about 2 years of settling down, which makes me 29.

Yeah. I can kiss that mental image goodbye.

Thank goodness it was never my Plan A.

Shameless Arrogance

2009-08-22T15:30:00.004+08:00

Just take a look at how our MINISTER handles a press conference.

Totally unnecessary and uncalled for.

Makes me sick to think he represents the rakyat.

And how is a person like him to face the international community?

Leaders of other countries? Only talk to those who speak BM is it?

Guess that limits our international relations to Indonesia then.

Oh wait a minute, they are already pissed at us for abusing their maids.

Malaysia Boleh!

Blind

2009-08-21T00:41:00.002+08:00

I have been a spectacle wearer for over 10 years now, and I still MISPLACE them from time to time...

You would think that I have some routine where the specs will be in the same place when I wake up and before I go to sleep, but Nooooooooooo!
They have grown legs and run away I think. Or probably I had some genius idea at the time (that I have now forgotten) and I will find them tomorrow night next to the door or on the coffee table or microwave or other strange places. Maybe its in my car.

For now its extra irritating because i heard a noise in my room which freaked me out big time. Chances are it could be a cockroach and because I have no specs, I dare not investigate further. Therefore, I have run downstairs and am surfing, hoping one of two things to happen:

1. I suddenly remember where my specs are or;

2. When I return to my room the 'noise' will be gone.

*whimper*

Convocation 2009

2009-08-16T23:58:00.004+08:00

48hours in Penang to visit the juniors who put on their purple robes and walked across the yellow carpet to receive their reward for 3-4years of work.

Unbelievable, cause when i look at them, I still see them as my first/second year juniors! But not anymore...

ConGRADulations to all the graduates of 2009!

*On the other hand this convo means another full year has gone by, what have I done in all that time...*

Urgh...

2009-08-10T00:26:00.000+08:00

TGIW

2009-08-05T01:16:00.000+08:00

Picture has nothing to do with post. He's just nice to look at.

I love Wednesdays, always have since I was in primary school.

To me its the middle point of the school days/working days.

When Wednesday comes around, it means I'm closer to the weekend, and once Wednesday is over, Saturday is just around the corner.

Who will be Joseph?

2009-08-02T20:13:00.005+08:00

I am hooked on BBCE's reality competition called:

Its a fantastic competition to look for the next lead actor for the West End musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
I've never watched the musical before, nor listened to its songs but after following this program I think I want to.

The show started off with mass auditions, and then cut down to 12, each performing weekly and the audience has to vote for them. The lowest 2 will have to go through a sing off, and Andrew Lloyd Webber himself will decide who is eliminated. Stress...

An added bonus is the fact that I can watch talented guys with fabulous voices, singing their hearts out. *swoon* And because its for a musical, its very different from American Idol where they are looking for a pop star. This show is looking for an actor, singer, dancer - the whole package.

Actually, the show aired in 2007 (ages ago!) but I'm using all my self control to stop myself from looking up the winner. I want to cheer on my favourite, Keith, hoping he has a chance to be the next Joseph. (Though I don't think he will win, I suspect Lee will walk away the next Joseph)

*I think I generally enjoy British shows more than American shows, but Astro's BBCE is quite limited...*

Here we go again...

2009-08-01T16:25:00.003+08:00

Sometimes I don't get the stupidity of those leaders...

First world countries hold marches/gatherings/protests/strikes/rallies all the time with the presence of the police. Do the police restrict, beat and arrest them?

No, the police HELP by maintaining order, guiding traffic and blocking off roads to make sure the march can go on peacefully.

What happens here in my beloved country?

They set up roadblocks along major roads around the city the night before, creating huge traffic jams and making ordinary people who wanna go home after work pissed off, cursing in their cars. Malaysia Boleh!

Then on the day itself early in the morning, they nicely arrest people for loitering, wearing coloured t-shirts and looking suspiciously like they might be involved. Arrest you know, no joke. If only all that manpower was used to catch snatch thieves. Malaysia Boleh!

Best of all, instead of helping to keep order, they start the chaos by firing off tear gas, using water cannons, grabbing, kicking, arresting. Malaysia Boleh!

Tonight and tomorrow, those leaders, local news and papers will say all this disturbance and chaos is because of the protesters. Trouble makers. Rioters.

Hell-o Dumb*sses...?

If you just let the people to walk calmly and peacefully in the first place (to the Istana Negara to hand over a memorandum at 2pm), it would be over by 4-5pm. Everyone will be happy and there would be a tiny glimmer of freedom and justice in the country.

But noooooooo.... How can they allow that? These peaceful people in red or black tshirts will create havoc! They will cause traffic jams.... Yeah, like taking up 1 lane will cause as bad a jam as blocking off all roads around the city. Sureee. I get ya.

Tourists that come to Malaysia will get a bad impression of the country - oh please, they will be wondering why the the police is so brutal and why the people can't speak out! You think the foreigners are so dumb?

And the list goes on...

Recently a friend said about the gathering, "I don't know if using an aggressive approach is the way to go"
I stopped him there. Aggressive? I told him to be very careful about misusing words like that. That is exactly how irresponsible reporting comes about.

Word choice is so important, and the media is supposed to have responsibility of delivering accurate news reports.
Instead of reporting a group of peaceful protesters, they are labelled rioters.
Most rural folk who do not have internet access will of course not be as aware of events that unfold, as the city dwellers. So they take the word of our credible local papers, RTM and shake their heads.

Words. That's another problem with our Rakyat. We have been drilled and indoctrinated so that words like march, protest, rally, demonstrate, vigil - automatically carry negative connotations.

Like dogs that have been trained - when they hear the bell, they salivate and think they will be fed. The Rakyat have been trained so that when they hear certain words, they are to cower, retreat and not get involved. Toe the line. Keep your head down. Be afraid - you stick up for something you'll end up in jail. Be a robot - Don't question.

People fear these words, and those leaders want the Rakyat to be fearful.

In so many first world countries when these things happen the leaders listen.

In our country, the Rakyat are silenced. By force.

Wait a minute, let me correct that statement.

In our country, the Rakyat who want truth / justice / equality / answers are silenced.
By force.

Rich poverty

2009-07-30T21:10:00.005+08:00

Cambodia was amazing.

If only the pictures I took could fully reflect my experience.