The Little Red Dot

Just got back from a trip to Singapore. Only a short weekend, but I have realised the promise made to Rui. Better late than never!

The current exchange rate is 2.47. The last time I went to Singapore, the exchange rate was 2.00. It hurt so bad to give RM 300 over the counter and only got back SD$ 120. You can easily draw your own conclusion that this might as well be the first time I go down to that tiny red dot on the map since the last time I went eons ago.

Since waaaayyyyy before I went down, the wise lady gave me a very wise advice:

"Don't convert."

Very wise words indeed. Thus, for the rest of the trip, I spent the dollars, thinking they were ringgit. All the time, keeping the mantra of the wise lady in mind.

For breakfast, Rui took me to this dim sum place in a back road. The star of the meal: Portugese Egg Tart. Crisp pastry with a soft egg custard on the inside. All warm and fresh from the oven.

She asked me to think of where to go. I said, I don't know. Do you want to go see the Merlion? she asked, rather reluctantly. Err.. no. Can we not do anything touristy? I could almost hear her sigh of relieve over the sms.

That's why, knowing what you want is very important. I knew it that I wanna fill this trip with a whole lot of walking, shopping, and eating. Nothing touristy. Just money-spending and each other's company.

And it was really just that through it all.

Check it out: HUNK!!! THREE O'CLOCK!! So gorgeous, so shiny, so adorable.. sigh....~ Don't you think the blue is just such a handsome colour?

We started off with some pretty good bargains. I got myself a new pair of pants, a black leather bangle and a journal. The journal cost me the most. It has this rough fabric cover and unlined acid free paper on the inside. My fingers trembled slightly as I ran my hand across the paper. It was love at first sight. I had never been good with journal. I really really hope I can make a difference with this one.

As for Rui, woohoo~ she had a field day.

She had been looking and staring and trying it on... an obvious goner. Sigh.

I have never tried MOS burger. I got myself the rice burger with unagi. It was not bad. But maybe too early in the day and was still full from dim sum. Didn't really see what all the hype was about.

After a looonnngggg day of walking on the streets, and from mall to mall, we finally sat down for... soup. Tangy tomato soup with basil. Different. Second time? Hell no.

For dinner, we went to Clarke Quay for this Japanese place, Waraku. The curry udon was not bad, but so far, the one from Pasta Zammai reigns supreme.

Between us, we shared this sizzling squid on a hot plate. It was pretty good. But the combination of the sauce and squid reminded me of the sotong bakar in Gurney Drive. Ah, home.

Clarke Quay's a nice place at night to just sit and chill. The place overlooked the river and across from where we sat, there's this row of bars and restaurants. Everything was lit up prettily. A good night for people watching. A lot of ang mohs and smartly dressed guys walking around. Is it any wonder why we sat there for so long?

Ooooo!!! The extreme drop! There's another reverse bungee jumping kinda thing too!! Soooo scared looking at it. We were wild eyed and excited just by looking. So where are we going on it?? Next trip! Pull Hooi Fong along. Lalalla~

Overnighted at her hostel in NUS. Finally, a peek into Rui's life in Singapore. I'd have to say, am impressed by her campus and hostel. Look! It looked just like a condo!

Our new bangles~

Wearing her new shoes, all black and white. Me? Mine's just ciplak. Her's the real thing.

The next day, I only had a few hours before catching the bus ride home. She brought me to Marche, a Swiss Market Restaurant. The theme of the restaurant is a market place where they cook in the open and the materials are laid around. There's a branch at the Curve. Never been to one before this. The presentation of the food was really tantalising. Mantra: Don't convert. I didn't. That's why the meal was so cheap. Repeat mantra: Don't convert.

Would really like to go this place again. Chia Yinn!! Up for a round of Marche?

She had root beer. Very cold and refreshing. I had banana shake. The milk shake was totally over priced, but then again, I was not converting.

Rui battling with her lamb!

I was so spoilt with choices, that I didn't know what to have. I ended up with chicken wings. Kinda lame, I know. But they were good!! And yeah, I had roesti. It's strips of potatos being fried flat in a pan. Just oil and potato and sour cream on the side.

Let me end this post with a tutorial on how to eat Roesti with chicken wing:

And the appropriate eating behavior:

Thank you, Rui, for an awesome weekend!!!!

Rui: And you're just going to leave like that? Just come and go, just like that?
Quin: And you're just going to let me go? You're not doing anything to make me stay!


So gay.

Eason Chan's 上五樓的快活

Official site - Official Release Date 23/09/09 - Mandarin Album




OMG.. OMG.. OMG..
money.. money.. money
*flip over mattress, ah, ten cents! flip open all books, ah, the hidden ten bucks! check all jeans and shorts pockets, over turn all bags... need more to buy the album!!!*

999

I just wanna post on

9 September 2009.


Very rare for this to happen okay? Almost never. Just like how 10 September is also rare, but you get my drift. Hah!

Movie: The Ugly Truth

Is it me, or am I talking a little too much about irony these days? I had these two FREE movie passes to the screening of "The Ugly Truth". The movie was good, but I have a feeling a major factor of it being good was due to the crowd in the cinema. Anyway, prior to the movie, I had dinner with Chia Yinn at Bubba Gump. It cost a freakin' bomb and far.. far.. far.. from being satisfying. There. The irony of the night.

And oh, since we spent so much on dinner itself and stuffed ourselves full on shrimps and nachos, I could only stare with longing at the pictures of desserts in the menu. I don't care.. will go back there for the dessert, if not the food.

Anyway, the main reason for this post: THE UGLY TRUTH

I was oh-so-fortunate to be blessed upon by Mr-busy-busy-but-still-got-time-to-win-tonnes-of-radio-contests-who-is-also-a-blogger. Thus two free passes to the movie.

I have wanted to watch this movie since I saw the trailer. Main reason: Gerald Butler (like, duh, hello?!). So utterly mesmerizing in Phantom of the Opera and incredibly charming though sounded kinda funny with the fake Irish accent (or was it real?) on P.S: I Love You. He looked pretty good with Katherine Heigl on screen. The trailer was just sizzling with the chemistry between these two.

I like the second poster. Goes to show how women rationalize love with the brain while to men, love is all about going down south.

The movie, was in truth, a disappointment. Take away the great crowd from the cinema, take away the willingness to simply enjoy the flick and put in those expectations from earlier, the movie was nothing to shout about. I can go into how I find Katherine Heigl's acting was a little too forced, how the jokes were not really that funny, and how this supposedly romantic chick flick was not romantic at all. But then again, what for?

I am not saying that the movie was a total flop. It did have its moments. The chemistry between the two leads, a delectable eye-candy who is destined to never get the girl, plus some sweet moments that though did not make the movie, but were good enough that they were there. Oh, and don't forget the fact that I laughed non-stop. The movie was only a disappointment in the romantic sappy sense.

Anyhow, it was a great night out. It was my first time seeing so many bloggers gathered at the same spot. My first time sitting in a couple seat (albeit with CY; her first time too, mind you, albeit with me). The first time I have seen CY ever since she dropped me off at my place when I first got into Damansara eons ago.

Ah... if only I could end the night with hot chocolate pudding with melted center served with vanilla ice cream, drizzled with caramel. Yum~

Something Silly for Someone Silly

You should know what I am doing. Notice my failed attempt in recreating our drawing style back in primary school? Those big bug eyes and rounded cheeks? Well, more your style than mine anyway.

You're getting me worried here. I wanted to drop on your FB page and and give you a little pep talk on positivity and all that crap. But I figured this might be a lil' more efficient in putting that smile back on your face.

Take a deep breath.

Focus on what really matters and go from there. Chin up and smile, silly!

Mel & Junior

Meet Mel and Junior, best friends with a great deal of contrasts, bracing against the world together, armed with some street smarts, a battered aging Honda, a dumb poodle named Dumb Dumb, plus a whole lot of luck, hopefully.

I was bunking over at my cousin, Melissa's, place over the weekend. For two days, I did nothing but tagged along where these two went. I pigged and I slept in. On a more interesting point, I observed.

What I saw, amused me. These two are like comic characters that sprang out from a comic book. On one hand, Mel's the busty, petite and hot tempered heroine that's not afraid to get what she wants relying on her charms. On the other, Junior's her huge side kick that's not afraid to give her the much needed kick-in-the-ass when it comes down to it.

(dunno how to come up with a nice conclusion.. so just gonna leave this post hanging like that la.. heh~ ta!)

The Language of Irony

Back then, I look forward to conversations with him. Every time we talked, it was fun and refreshing. We never seem to run out of things to say. We just talk, about anything under the sky, of relationships, of troubles with family and friends, of the past, dreams for the future, uncertainties of the present.

Back then, I used to avoid even looking at her. When she opened her mouth to speak, I pretended not to hear. We would never speak directly to one another, some of the time, using another friend as a communicator between us. And if we really have to, strained conversations were held over forced smiles on our faces.

Today, we talked again. Haven't been talking with him in a long time. Topics were superficial, things you ask to avoid awkwardness with people you don't know very well. Why? We're just like strangers.

Today, we talked again. All of a sudden, all those misunderstandings from the past seemed so silly now. I don't even remember why we didn't talk before. She smiled and joked with me. I returned the sentiments. Nothing was strained as we simply just look at each other in the face, no more avoidance, and talk. Why? We're just like friends.

As it should be.

Book Fest @ Malaysia 2009

Tonight was the night I fulfilled my annual fantasy. This only happened once a year, a ritual that I have started from last year. After tonight, it was still as satisfying, still as glorifying as ever.

It was the annual Malaysian Book Fest at KLCC!

Well, friends who knew me, would know that I have no qualms buying novels from time to time. But those times when I did buy, I would only buy authors that I liked and was confident that their books were good. I rarely steer away from those few good ones that I like.

One of the reasons I like going to book fairs was because of the discounted price. Besides saving money, I would also dare try some other authors that I have never read before. This was coz if the book turned out to be bad, at least I didn't pay the full price!

On the way to the book fest, I have already calculated mentally how much I could spend. I still need to save up some of my cash this month for utilities. Okay, I told myself, just RMxxx. No more. Self restrain, I must practice.

But within a few feet of the entrance, I could literally SMELL the books. The smell of new books chilled in air-con. There was an extra skip in my step as I entered the realm of my fantasy. The moment I began putting the second book on top of the first book I took, I knew that my budget of RMxxx was not realistic at all. Ah, money, small detail when it came to fulfilling my destiny tonight. Buahahah~

Check out my loot!!

1. 2 Eason Chan CDs at RM9.90 each!!! (like hello, how to resist??!)
2. Live 3-CD of various Hong Kong singers at a concert, RM9.90
3. A Fraction of the Whole, a novel, Steve Toltz
4. By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, Paulo Coelho
5. The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow
6. Keeping Faith, Jodi Picoult
7. The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffennegger
8. Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, John Gray
9. Turn Left, Turn Right, Ji Mi (not sure if the pinyin is right tho)

I am so in love with the idea of so many different books from various genre. Keeping Faith and Time Traveler's Wife were two books that I have been wanting to buy since forever. I intend to read the Time Traveler's Wife before going for the movie version. I do have to admit, Eric Bana's good looks in the trailer did give me the very much needed last prompt to get the book. Good bargain, therefore good buy!

I got myself two 'self-help' books. Zilch told me that Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus was really good. I came across that book at the MPH sales in One U. Stood there for a while reading the first two pages. Immediately I was drawn into the narration. I kept myself from buying then, so I bought it at the book fest. The Last Lecture could be something like Tuesdays with Morrie. I think it was David that told me it was good, and an inspirational read is always a welcome.

25% rebate is definitely better than the usual 20% or 10%.

Bought the second book by Paulo Coelho at 50%. He's a popular author, and I wanted to try one of his books for a long time. But it seemed like such a rip off to get one of his thiner-than-usual-paperback at the normal price. This 50% thing came at a good time.

I have never heard of this author. Never heard of the book. Worst of all, it's from Penguin. Could mean that it's a classic, thus synonymous with *YAWN*... I bought if for the pretty cover! And the first paragraph was not bad. During fairs like this, I'd normally chuck in one completely foreign author. Let's see if the content will live up to the cover.

My CDs, not even exceeding RM30, all three added together.

I pre-ordered their first comic book. KK and Luke are my fav DJs from 988.

It seemed that by pre-ordering, I became their club member by default. I am member #0053. Woohoo~

Ahhh... another huge chunk off my wallet. But no worries, it's month end already. That huge chunck will grow back in no time! Yes, life should be lived always, in the light of optimism.

Ta-da, so long~ Good night!


Could barely keep my eyes open already... *yawn*

Rhythm of the Rain

It was a beautiful morning that started out wrong.

I was supposed to go for a walk/jog with my colleagues one fine morning in this park somewhere near/in Bukit Kiara. Since I don't drive here, I really don't bother about road/location names. Lianne picked me up from my place at about 9 am. We are supposed to meet up with Mike at the park at 9.30 am. We were there at about 9.20. It was only when we didn't see Mike at all when he called to say he has reached that we knew we were at the wrong park.

Off we went, trying to find our way to the park. The correct park was just NEXT to the one we were at! Anyway, suffice to say we managed to begin walking at 11 am.

The first stretch that led into the park was kinda steep. In fact, it was the hardest part of the whole trail. I couldn't talk from the beginning, I needed all my breath to keep my momentum going. When we entered from the real starting point, there were this words painted on the ground "THIS WAY TO BETTER HEALTH". How apt.

From there onwards, the walk was easier. I could talk and have conversations going back and forth. But the best, has yet to happen.

Half way through it all, a drizzle of rain fell. It was just this really light soft curtain of rain falling from the sky. You couldn't even feel it. Mike said from the beginning that we have to continue walking even though it's going to rain. I didn't tell him walking in the rain has been something I wanted to do for a very long time, but just couldn't find the opportunity.

So, we moved onwards, going another round of the park. There was no one else saved the three of us, nature and beautiful rain. At this point, it really began to pour. It was like walking and having a shower head aimed at you all the time.

Peaceful atmosphere that was pierced occasionally with Mike's joking, trees, clean clear air, pouring rain and mist rising from the ground. Ah... plus both Mike's and Lianne's singing. Not the best there is out there, but an experience nonetheless.

The irony of it all was, if Lianne and I didn't get lost trying to find our way to the park, we wouldn't have experienced the rain. All the frustration and foolishness that we felt, actually resulted into something really good. Life is beautiful like that.

演唱會

This was the best song out of the dance medley. Sung by his incomparable vocals, under such an intense atmosphere, this was, without a doubt, the best song of the night. Well, to me, at least. =D Click on the title to try and see what's so great about this song!

演唱會
曲: C Y Kong 詞: 陳詩慧

嘴巴似支槍 那誇張 其實極痕癢
每次我 看見舞台 會令血管都擴張
歌曲太鏗鏘 要分享 來吧盡情唱
節拍太強 教人血脈沸騰 歡呼聲最響
一組擴音 的喇叭 合成電子加結他
一套鼓 跟貝司 已經足夠盡情吧
聽到嗎 聲再沙 亦無礙我放聲吧
演唱會 等於演唱現場 不必多廢話

表演要飛天 坐飛毯 難道是成見
你要看 那個會在舞台 夠膽踩鋼線
可知我偏偏 愛經典 難附和愚見
我有責任 那是繼續唱 讓歌聲響遍天

一組擴音 的喇叭 合成電子加結他
一套鼓 跟貝司 已經足夠盡情吧
聽到嗎 聲再沙 亦無礙我放聲吧
演唱會 等於演唱現場 不必多廢話

興奮嗎 氣氛夠激昂嗎
隨便叫 隨便跳
這一晚可以盡情吧

青筋你都可 看清楚 連熱淚流過
看看我 那裡有別個及我喜歡唱歌
知音有幾多 我的歌 連續地重播
派對裡就似沒晝夜我用Microphone切磋

一組擴音 的喇叭 合成電子加結他
一套鼓 跟貝司 已經足夠盡情吧
聽到嗎 聲再沙 亦無礙我放聲吧
演唱會 等於演唱現場 不必多廢話

一組擴音 的喇叭 合成電子加結他
一套鼓 跟Bass Guitar 已經足夠盡情吧
聽到嗎 聲再沙 亦無礙我放聲吧
演唱會 等於演唱現場 不必多廢話

興奮嗎 氣氛夠激昂嗎
隨便叫 隨便跳
這一晚可以盡情吧

聲音再沙 都足以享受嗎
仍是我 陳奕迅
開演唱會不多廢話

Like, the BEST Ever!

It rained in the afternoon. I was hoping that the sky would pour away, so that it would be clear at night for the concert. On the day itself, Sunday, went over to Kelly's place to put our stuff. It was great seeing her for the first time in ages! The plan was to go for lunch with some friends, head early to the entrance to get a good position then back to Kelly's place for a stayover. Overall, everything worked out incredibly well.

We were at the Sunway Lagoon entrance at about 5.30 p.m. I even told Anonymous, come on, don't be silly. Why wait for so long, when the concert was only going to start at 8p.m.? Thanks to his/her perseverance on not leaving the spot, we managed to be at the front of the pack.

Look at the picture below. The line was already beginning to get long even before six.

Due to reasons of his/her own, Anonymous barred me from mentioning his/her presence at the concert. For those of you who knew whom he/she was, please refrained from saying out loud. Buhaha~ Anonymous with his/her ticket.

One thing that truly surprised us was how punctual the audiences were. It was the first concert that I have been to that started right on time, at 8p.m. Look at the crowd. So full even before time.

Myself and Anonymous. Hehe~ With the dumb caricature covering Anonymous' face, for once someone looked stupider than I did.

Lucky for us, we managed to secure this bump on the floor to stand on. Gave us the extra two inches to see Eason better!

The ticket we bought was RM298. But I bought it on the day of the autograph session, so I got 10% off. An awesome deal of RM 270 and we were only several feet away from the stage! I was so happy when I saw the short distance. Immediately, I wanted to stand by the grill, directly below the stage. But Anonymous beckoned me to the back, saying we could get a better view of the overall performance than we could so near the stage. At that time, it seemed like a fine idea. But by the end of the concert, I sorta regretted not standing at the front. The back was alright, but it would have been grand to feel what standing in the first row was like.

Waited until the sun set...

When we were at the entrance, we saw this banner that said there's an even more expensive ticket, VVIP, selling at RM398. At that moment, we thought to ourselves, if we knew, we would have considered buying the more expensive one to get a better view.

Check out the picture below. This is the distance between RM298 and RM198.

Since the ticket we bought was already right in front, where the heck could the VVIPs be seated? Apparently, there's this stand that surrounded the Surf Beach. VVIPs were seated there, to get a higher view on the concert as well as being served food. Dank! Luckily we didn't get the VVIP tickets. What's the whole point of going to a concert if you're gonna sit so darn far away, chewing on fried chicken, and losing the freedom to move around??

.

This was the huge distance between RM298 and RM398.

Just let me say this: THIS WAS THE BEST EASON'S CONCERT EVER!!!!

All tickets are Rock Zone area, except for the VVIPs. Therefore, the sole purpose of the whole freakin' concert is to rock the night away!

During Stage 9, the last concert in KL last year, he did several fast numbers while showing off his dance moves. It was apparent then that he didn't have the stamina to dance and sing back-to-back at the same time. Even till now, I remembered him panting into his microphone. But after a whole year of tours around the world, he seemed to have built up a strong stamina as well as smoother dance moves. It was exhilarating seeing him so near! SO NEAR! I saw every moves and his every expressions, LIVE! For once, I didn't have to rely on those big screens at the side to see what's happening on the stage!

Another factor that contributed to the atmosphere was us, standing amidst some local Eason fan club members. Those people really knew how to enjoy themselves. They knew the lyrics to every song and were not afraid to move to the music. Standing among them, it pushed the excitement to a whole new level. I especially loved, loved, the dance medley. It was a medley of all his fast tracks, including my fav fast track, 'Live Concert Gig', as well as a compilation of other fast classics by veterans like Leslie Cheung, Alan Tam, etc. I have heard of those medley before, though I didn't know the lyrics, that didn't stop me from singing gibberish at the top of my lungs!

I was expecting more costumes this time around. In reality, there was only one costume that he wore, and it was this polka dot shirt right at the beginning. From then on towards the end, it was just T-shirts and track pants. Forget about all those frills. Eason is one singer that if he were to just stand alone on the stage with only a mic, I would have still pay so much to see him.

It was a night of pure Eason Chan. With his great canto classics, several Mandarin songs that I had no idea what they were doing in the line up, some new songs from his H3M album that I loved, Eason's usual hilarious banter with the crowd and the crowd's pure undulated love for everything Eason Chan.

The night would have been perfect if only I brought my SLR. I didn't. The last time I did, the camera was rendered useless by the distance and poor lighting. This last picture was the best I could do with my cheap-a** camera phone.

Eason Chan's Moving On Stage 26. Seriously the BEST ever.

The Finale Concert

He's coming! He's coming! I AM GOING!!

Okay, all dramatics aside, EASON CHAN is coming to Malaysia for a second time for his 'Eason Chan Moving on Stage 26' concert! It's going to be a finale stop to his world tour. I got the tickets! Got them immediately when I went to his autograph session the other time.

All rock zone, people! No sitting, all standing. That means we will have to get to the place earlier to queue up for good standing position. This will be my third Eason Chan concert. I have my expectations, but Eason has never failed to deliver.

This is an excerpt from an article on an interview he made about this concert:

"演唱會時間短了點，平時是2小時15分左右，唉……但（大馬）最后一站了，難免會唱久一點的……如果過分少少，也不會過分吧？哈！"

"The duration for concert is usually quite short, for about 2 hours and 15 minutes. But this last stop in Malaysia, it wouldn't be over doing it if we were to exceed the time limit a little, right? Ha!"

Eason's encores were always superb. He would sing to the audience's content. I look forward to his interactivity with us as well as him exceeding any silly time limit imposed on the concert. The past two concerts I went to, he sang for about three hours.

Come on, Eason, break your record in Malaysia!

Michael Hui Comedy Talk Show 2009

I haven't been to a stand-up comedy before, have you?

For the weekend, went up to Genting with my family. It seemed that we have been making just such a trip at the average of twice a year. As mentioned, my mom just retired, and she was looking for a short trip some where just to unwind. I suggested her to go catch this Michael Hui Comedy Talk Show in Genting. After much resistance, coz she wanted to go for the Tsai Chin concert instead, and good luck since the ticket to Tsai Chin was sold out, she relented.

I liked Michael Hui. I enjoyed those comedies by the Hui Brothers. Call me old school, but my preference for these canto-pop veterans went way back to my childhood. I was raised in a family where we devour all things Hong Kong. My father used to go to those VCR rental shops just to get those TVB drama series. That's why, up till today, I still prefer TVB dramas and why I enjoy cantonese songs more than others.

I have been to a lot of concerts with my mom. All in the Arena of Stars. We went to watch Sam Hui, the four divas consisting of Francis Yip etc, and Fei Yu Qing. Ugh. The last one was such a horrible bore. Ah, and one more, Mamma Mia, the musical~ awesome! This was at the Budaya centre one thing or another. Hah.

Anyway, back to Michael Hui, I was really looking forward to the show. He did not disappoint, neither did he wow me. His jokes were a little bit on the stereotypical side and sometimes it felt as if we're laughing just for the sake of laughing. One of his better lines was at the very end. He had already taken his bow and left the stage. But people in the arena kept shouting for more, refusing to leave. He then came out again, much to the people's delight. Then he said this, "I am so sorry to say that this is not a concert. So there will not be any encore."

Haha~ funny. But he managed to sing a song. And that's the end. Hopefully, his stint will attract other Hong Kong celebs to come here for a show too. Ah... I would like to go for Jan Lamb's stand up comedy. I have been watching his shows online... very funny! Much more so than Michael Hui's.

One down another to go. Did I say anything about Eason Chan's finale concert to his world tour coming Sunday?


You bet your *** I got the ticket!

Sunday. Eason Chan. Ah.

Aw Mom... The Continuation

Buahaha! Revenge is sweet.


ps: Though really, 'bloody' is no profanity. Whatever reasons I can get to toss that line back at her.

E Lala~

愛女 (New Eason Demo) (Excerpt) - Eason Chan 陳奕迅

Eason lala-ing.... It's nice. Thank you, yes, I have a screw loose for whatever pertaining him. So sue me. >P

Eason's Rare Finds

I have finally found out the magical appeal of Imeem.com. All thanks to the GREAT internet connection I have in my place now. Back in Desa, I'll have to wait for a couple of minutes just to play one song. Now, I can play any song, and have it played as if it's stored in my own iTunes.

Awesomeness! I have found some rare finds on Eason's songs. Well, not really that rare, but these are songs that I don't have yet. They are old songs of his, but new and fresh to my ears.

Check out this playlist (yes, I have finally figured out how to create my own playlist from the songs in Imeem):

Eason's Rare Finds (self-proclaimed so). An Eason fan? Hehe~ check out the playlist then.

She's Leaving... On An Airplane

Sayonara, Hooi Fong. Have fun in Japan (fully sponsored!!!!!) Remember my souvenirs!!

'A's Are Over Rated. Yes?

'A's are over rated. But I NEED them if I want to have any hope of maintaining my scholarship.

Results are out. My result sucked last sem. I didn't blog about it then. It sucked too bad. This time around, no improvement, but neither did it sink. I just couldn't care anymore. So long as it's still above that border line, I'm cool with it.

When you're out working, school results seemed so inconsequential. So what? But in truth, they mattered a whole great deal. At least for now, they do.

In some ways, I can't wait to finish school. Stupid school results being part of it.

Along The Way...

I was walking home from work with heaviest heart. Lonely Friday nights.. you get the picture.

What made it worse was a call from mom. The whole family has gone out for a celebration dinner for her retirement. People complimented her on her beautiful and professional looking farewell message. I SO wanna go home...

There's this path by the side of the road, which is also along side some of the houses at the place I stay. I walk by on this path everyday, to and fro from work. Some of the mornings, there will be this aunty who came out of her house to clean up around the area by the path. This evening, I saw her again. She has this HUGE dalmatian for company. She looked at me in recognition, and nodded at me.

Just yesterday, as I walked by the path, I noticed there's this boy who was playing with his maid in the garden. They made pistols out of cloth pins. As I walked past them, I heard the boy ask his maid, "Why is there a lady over there?" And this evening, as I walked past his house again, he was just standing there with his maid, looking at me. He smiled and asked rather loudly, "See for what?" Finding it kinda funny, I smiled back and asked him back the same question.

At my place, I noticed there's this house at the corner, couple of doors down, which has this HUGE white hairy dog. It's tied with a leash to the grill. The compound looked really clean. I guess that's the reason why its fur is still so white, I guess. Standing at my gate, I jingled my keys and got the dog to look at my direction. It has this shaggy hair that covered its eyes. Really looking like some fictional dog from a storybook. Huge, white and hairy.

I like walking to and from work. Ah...... I get my entertainment wherever I can.

GM - Great Mother

31 July 2009 mark my mother's retirement day. Haha.. I have been complaining on and off about what a nuisance my mom was on Facebook, and how she always nagged and nagged and nagged...

But what I have neglected to mention, was how awesome a woman my mom is.

Besides having the ability to cook up the best dishes ever, clean the house with more efficiency than fifty Indonesian maids all add together, my mom is also a force to be reckoned with at work. She is, about to not be, a planning manager in Agilent Technologies. Back in those days when degrees were scarce, she started off in Hewlett Packard at the bottom of the food chain, an operator. One can say she started off the hard way. Today, a mere twenty something with a university degree can easily fall into her post.

My mom is feared by many at work. She is efficient and when she wants something, she'll expect you to deliver. A few of her subordinates, have told her that when they started off under her, they were under extreme pressure. By the time they leave her guidance, they have learn a lot. To a point where, some said she's the best superior that they had. And as her daughter, I smiled with extreme pride when I heard that. (and also heaved a huge breath of relief that I don't work under her)

Upon her retirement, she is supposed to hand over all matters in her hand over to her colleague who will be taking over. This is an instance I find really funny and so typical of my mother. Her colleague asked one of those people under them to hand in a report on something-something. That person said no, the report's not ready. Upon hearing this, my mother got angry. It was very clear that those people are bullying this colleague of hers, because he was easier to push around. Immediately, my mom sent a message to that person and demanded a report from her on that certain business.

Within moments, the report was delivered to my mother's desk.

Yes, you are right. Your suspicions have been confirmed. I am bragging. My mother is great, and I am not afraid to let the whole world know.

She is retiring, and has already packed her schedule full with traveling plans. First trip to the US, to find my uncles over there. After that, end of the year to Hong Kong. A trip that I have succeeded in poking my head in and asked her to bring me along! Going to US in October... and I don't get to go......... What the.

The image above is something my mom asked me to put together, to send out as a goodbye message to all her colleagues. It got a tad too long. Anyhow, do click on it for clearer view.



ps: on the other hand, my mom now have ALL THE TIME in the world to bug me. aih.................

For Rui

Wei, crazy girl. Come back la.




ps: spur of the moment kinda thing

For Fear

It is funny the way things work out some times. But at what price? Thus the saying 'becareful what you wish for' cannot come at a more appropriate time.

Is there such a thing as too much goodness? I cannot stop the imminent fear for the day it ends.

I have a fear of growing up, not due to vanity or anything. But simply, me growing up, also means my mom is growing old.



Living in the present is a funny thing.

A thought.

It's a bit strange, and sad, to have other people remind you of how precious your best friend is.

A Summary of Week One

There are so much that I want to share, so much that I want to write, but at the same time, don't feel like writing grandmother stories.

The first week of internship has passed. And my wallet is quick running dry. Dank.. my wallet could hardly survive my first weekend here, in Damansara. But what to do?? It's the Malaysian Mega Sale, for goodness sake! And what kind of a good loyal citizen am I if I don't at least contribute a little back to further boost the economy? This show of patriotism "earned" me a new pair of jeans, two cardigans, and awesome lunches.

Let me wrap up the week with a few thoughts:

Out of sheer boredom, extraordinary things happen. Or, You'll do anything out of sheer boredom.

Let me elaborate. Heck, I am finally in the heart of a city! I can go places without first having to fork out RM20 to get to Serdang KTM. So you can't really blame me for letting things get out of hand. But the down part of this is, friends are far away. Uni friends, that is. I get back home from work, and the only thing that greeted me were four empty walls. I'd appreciate a friendly face, and sorta missed the light banter between friends. Come weekend, with all the free time of 48 hours, I needed real hang out time!

Therefore, out of boredom, nudged Kar Yee on msn. Asked her out for lunch. Dank. Never been out with her one on one before, what are we going to talk about??!! On the day itself, ShzeLi came too. What a weird threesome. We definitely never hung out with each other back in Penang. But then again, things tend to surprise you. Kar Yee, if you're reading this, I'd say the hang out session was a successful one. Except for the costly lunch in the Apartment. It's pretty cool hanging out with a different group of people, not with the usual ones, and you get to hear different things and opinions. Coz truth be told, I have definitely heard it all when it comes to my usual clique: CY, HF, Rui (not Vietnam, tho!) and Eve.

And CY, I still hate you. =D

Good or bad a situation, it all depends on you.

Work was boring, coz I have nothing much to do yet. Everyone has been telling me their internship started off the same way; some have even perfected the skill of staring into spaces. I wanna do more! I want to learn more! I want to be busy!! Really really busy! People there are awesome, and I am definitely learning more about web design every single day. But I have really touched on real design work only once. Blog skin. Which I am not even sure is going to be used. Had fun though.

This place is a whole different environment from the one in LUCT. What I have learnt so far, would have put some of the lecturers back there to shame. Horrible comment, but it's the truth!

It all really depends on how much of an initiative I am willing to put in. It's all in my hands.

And they say the web is a free world....

I can't rant about personal feelings on FB, coz my mom is there.
I can't rant about work on twitter, coz I have all my colleagues there.
As for ranting in my blog... I prefer to believe in blind oblivion that no one even bothers.


Right.

Aw, Mom!

This is why you shouldn't add your mom on Facebook:

One day, you had a bad day. Frustrated, you try to rant it out on your Facebook status update. This is what you wrote: Screw those who said, "Are you sure you can be great? Careful, wouldn't want you to trip and smack your face on the ground."

A few minutes later, your mother came with this message on FB:

"Watch your language, dear."

New Spot

This is my new place in Damansara. No furniture what-so-ever, but heck, it's twice the size of the room I had in Desa. Plus, it's only ten minutes walk away from work. It will do me fine until the end of this internship, I think. Seemed a little too much trouble to go through for this, but what the heck. Since I did it all, will simply enjoy till the end.

Heee... My beloved desk top on this lil' table. Have to sit on the floor. *peace*

This place was a little scary when I first got here. But once I got over the fear, I believe it will serve me well. I plan to have a totally different semester this time. Not only with work, but more fun too!

It's No Rocket Science, I Say!

It was supposed to look like this. Heck, it's no rocket science. Just connect the joints and voila!!!

But then, I forgot that it's some cheap made-in-China product with plastic joints that break as easily as tofu. I thought I could brave it, however wobbly, just pull the darn cloth over and hopefully it'll last me till end of the year.

Mana tau........


The fragile broken frame couldn't take the strain from the cloth. Ta-da!!

I was left with the carcass of the PVC wardrobe. Bones I didn't need I cast aside.

BUT!!

You cannot blame me for not being innovative! So, I figured out a way to make use of the PVC.

The image is upside down, bear with me. So, I hung it at the window to make a curtain!

Up go my clothes on the window grill, and there it is, my wardrobe in this new place.

=D Brilliant, aren't I?

A Love Story

I knew you were going to be there. My eyes searched above the crowd just so I could catch a tiny glimpse of you. Alas, the first sight of you set my heart aflutter, as a smile pulled at the corners of my lips. I have waited so long for this moment. This moment of pure adoration and love.

As I approached you, I find it impossible to pull my eyes from your face. Finally. I have never been so close before.

But as I stood before you, to my disappointment, you do not see me. Please, a look, a glance; I have waited too long to be simply brushed off by your nonchalance.

I wanted to call out your name. I wanted to do anything to capture your attention, even if it's just for the span of a moment. With trembling lips and the clenching of a fist for added courage, I let the sound of your name glide off my tongue. Clear. Precise. You couldn't have known how afraid I was of making a fool of myself.

You looked up. Finally, our eyes met. A surprised smile touched your lips and brighten your eyes. "Hi," you quipped. As if I were an old friend you haven't seen for a long time.

"Hi," I breathed. A jumbled bundle of emotion ranging from plain awe to stunned bewilderment all wrapped up in one of the shortest words in the English language.

We shook hands. Your grip was strong, the palm of your hand slightly rough. What should I say? I could sense the moment of our parting looming ahead. I have rehearsed so many different lines in my mind before. I could not and would not leave you without saying at least something more than just 'hi'.

"你要永远 enjoy 唱歌!" That came out. Just like how I meant it to be.

You smiled in appreciation. As if you truly took in this little wish I had for you.

"Thank you," you said.

No, thank you, for being the best there is and for giving me this memory.



Thus, my first ever real interaction with Eason Chan. =P

Year 2 Sem 1, Sayonara!

It is finally over!!!!!!

I am going home tomorrow, at twelve, going on a friend's car. Thank you, Shiau Fung!!!

Academically speaking, this semester is a dull one. There's hardly any final presentations on our work. Yep, one of the core modules, GD, was a disappointment. On the other hand, the other core module, advertising was fantastic. All this was thanks to having a really good lecturer who was so much fun in class.

Personally speaking, semester five was an interesting one. I enjoyed myself a whole lot more this time around. Met some new people who were able to broaden the horizon of my thoughts.

Not in a blogging mood, but am just anxious to announce the end of this semester.

Don't think I will be updating this blog as much anymore. Going home and having back my life and all (read: getting back my wheels) plus there might not be that much of creative juices flowing. I hope to change this, if the opportunity arise. Otherwise, my break is here!!!

Friends in LUCT, happy holidays!! Friends back home, I am coming back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Job Hunt

Today is a perfect example of how some times fear gets the best of you and the best way to tackle any fear, is to simply focus on what you want. Just in case if you were wondering something horrible happened to me today, well no, on the contrary, it couldn't have been any better. Well, it could, but still, no complains.

We are all supposed to be looking for internships now. If you know me, you'll realize how I often drag my feet when it comes to official matters such as these. Making formal phone calls, enquiries and actually planning for something, put fluttering bugs in my stomach. It's a situation where I know I will have to do it sooner or later, but I was just too lazy to get started. Fine, I was scared. *blek* Cut me some slack.

Anyway, what motivated me was the uncertainties that were going around. What to do with my current hostel unit, where to live when I come back for final year, where to work, penang or KL, if in KL, do I need to rent a house, then what about transportation? Little details that were quickly unsettling me. But the greatest motivator of all, I need to have already done something before going home. I seriously don't need my mom nagging into my ears.

Therefore, I set out to make the perfect resume! I referenced how to make a good one from three different sources. Thank you Adrienne for fixing some phrasing for me. Then next, I went and look for a whole list of different companies in which to apply to. Even registered to jobstreet.com. This is my list of priorities:

1. Ad agency
2. Web company
3. Graphic design company
4. Balik Penang

I simply bombarded every single company I found with an email. Hee... there was a moment of panic as well, as I didn't know how to start the enquiry. Once again, thanks to the Australian llama, who perfected a good opening for me: Dear Sir/Madam ......

It was nerve wrecking checking up on the emails after the bombardment. The waiting game ensued. After one day, I got a reply. It was a request to view my port. Thus, I scrambled to assemble some of my better works into InDesign, saved it in PDF, and sent it! (Adrienne: Use PDF, more professional)

And thus, the waiting continues... (This was after sending a few copies of my port out to total strangers.)

And then the interviews came. I got myself scheduled to three different interviews. Even got a call today from a company that I was having some pretty high hopes for confirming my placement. It was pretty high, being accepted, but at the same time, that web company is like located in the middle of no-where rich man's land. And I could have slapped myself over and over for not remembering the allowance advertised!

A bit long winded here. But I'd like to record down all these fine details. My memory is giving up on me when it comes to little things like these. I don't want to forget, therefore I write. More on this in future posts.

Anyway, I went for an ad agency interview today, therefore the last minute printing of my port. I went on the KL transit for the first time! So cool lo, I tell you... if only all Malaysian public transportation was like that! Yea right.. I wouldn't mind giving the extra ringgit for such a comfortable speedy ride again. I good choice apart from going to Serdang KTM. Will keep that in mind for future reference.

Aiyo! I seemed to be deterred from my main point in every turn of this post. So, there I was, pretty tired after changing so many rounds of different trains and taxi, I finally got to the company. Truth be told, I was not bearing any hopes. In fact, I did think about canceling this interview when I got an offer from the web company. But like a wise guy used to say, choice is power. Nothing wrong with having more to choose from.

So I went. And was immediately impressed. The company (sounding like a reference to Prison Break) was small in size, but not so small that they deal only with below the line ads. They don't do tv commercials, but they have some pretty big clients under their belt. The woman who interviewed me impressed me a lot. Quoting Ken Goh: She managed to sell herself to me. As in, I'm sold on the impression of her... something like that. The company was what I thought to myself to get even before I started looking for jobs. Best of all, it's in a very convenient location. And opposite the building there's room for rents. AND... it's only RM3 by taxi away from the LRT station. Pay is low, but not about to get greedy here. Money has never been an issue when I thought of this internship, and it shouldn't be now too, even when I do have more choices now.

So, will be going for another internship with a web/ad company on Monday. So, wish me luck!


ps: I feel so incredibly lucky today... so lucky to the point where I am afraid of whatever bad that's going to happen. Nothing bad happened, but just a thought.

Printing my portfolio cost a bomb! A3 pintouts: RM 35, emergency black folder: RM 15.

Super Entao!

Like hello??!! Super entao lo, ok or not??!!! MY nephew, Ethan Chow. It's quite apparent gorgeousness runs in the family.

Buahahahahahhahahah~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forlorn Be Not

Something I have been wanting to do for a long time. Details later. Cheers people~

沙龍 陳奕迅

Woes of Being a Jack

I am not the master of anything.

I can't draw exceptionally well, I can't create magic with photoshop, I can't capture moments with a camera, and I surely can't move anyone to tears with my writing.

But I am, the jack of all trades.

I draw fairly well, I can sketch a portrait of you in under five minutes that bears a slight resemblance, I can handle photoshop to achieve my objectives, I can use Illustrator to trace and make vector art, I can shoot pictures better than some who never attended photography classes, and I can definitely write to make people think I can write.

But being the jack of all trades, simply means, you are never the best at anything, nor is there ever going to be a time when you're standing at the pinnacle of your success. Tinkering in anything and everything, simply means, you have not found your way, THE passion.

I get inspired by great work. I go to a friend's blog and will simply go green with envy by the things he/she is able to do. I go to deviant art, while collecting and faving all those great works out there, I can't help but think, when will the time come when I will be able to create amazing works of art such as these?

There's a saying that success is 99% perspiration and 1% genius/talent.

To me, this simply means I may never create a miracle. But I can start.

And miracle to me means the great artwork I have seen. You might think ego is getting into my head, though I do not deny I have a healthy dose of it. But I know I can do it. I will just have to start. Cultivate what I have now. It may not be much, but it is something.

If I can do fairly well in the things I tinker with, can you imagine what I can do if I concentrate in cultivating only one aspect of art? Oh well, just a thought.

There is also another saying. Do not think about the fears, but what you want.



I want to be extraordinary.

The Final Rush

I shall be doing this for the last time this semester. Just some loose ends to tie up and sayonara, Year2 Sem1!! These are to be completed over the weekends. Just two days.

1. Advertising journal
2. Socio-psy journal
3. Tune Hotels.Com Ads FINAL touch up
4. Illustration mounting and journal
5. Graphic Design CIS
6. Socio-psy research
7. Make resume
8. Compile port

I realised I haven't been updating my own work very much this semester. Neither did I go through every pain staking details of what I was doing, like I did last sem. Surely it's not due to my losing interest. Just simply nothing much to show....

To E!

My newest designer aspiration:

To be able to collaborate with Eason Chan one day!! Having him wear my T-shirt design, or maybe design his album for him.. not bad wat... hehe~ so high just thinking about it.

It has to be in the near future! Work work work... I shall path my way to my idol~

Heal the World

I happen to think this is my favourite work this semester. A final assignment for illustration class. Yea~ if only I know how to make the sky background look more dramatic.

Drawn on A3, coloured with my expensive colour pencils, inked with artline and colour pens borrowed from tzeyee. Background with soft pastels.

Indulge. Like Chocolate.

You know how life is so full of ironies? Just when you decide to put your guard down and to simply indulge, things turn their heads and you're left wondering. I am a sucker for indulging in the moment. To simply feel and go with the flow. And when you're slammed against a hard wall simply because you were following the current, oh-well, better luck next time.

It hurts so much. But there's more to life than this. More than fickle friends and empty encouragements. My time will come, surely. Until then, I shall wait. Again.

You know what? I think this week might just be the most eventful one of the whole semester. I was on clouds, then plummeted back to earth. I went to a funeral, but ended up leaving a birthday party. I thought I was doing better than fine, and then... things just didn't work out, I guess.

May the walls go back up. Take a step back. And check the sensibilities. I think I am ready to go again. =D

Crunch Time

So tired right now. Can barely keep my eyes open. Today was eventful. But a ribbon of gloom spiraled along this happy day. Um... and it all ended with a piece of truly juicy gossip. I have given myself permission to a short holiday that I think I kinda craved and deserved. But holiday is over now.

It's crunch time, people.

Spiral Foods: Pasta Packaging

AH!!! I had such trouble trying to upload these pictures! I don't know what's wrong with my image uploader in blogger.. not even sure if it'll fix itself in time. Anyway, once again, I used Photobucket to upload these. Otherwise, who knows when it'll be until I'll be able to share with you my latest fantastic work? Wahahahha~

Right. Another packaging design. This cost so little this time around, just a little under a hundred ringgit. Yea~ extra money for good food.

And I happen to think this is my best effort when it comes to shooting my own product design out of the studio. It doesn't look cheap or anything like that right? RIGHT??!

Pasta packaging. Modern minimalism. Natural Packaging. Red. Black. Corporate colours. Like, what else can I say?

So, you dig? Heee....~


ps: Please enlighten me.. click on for larger view. =D

To No 12

I wanted to upload my packaging photos.. but apparently I can't upload any photos in blogger now. I don't know why. I have been trying many times lately, but without any success. I even have to link my new header over from some other image hosting site.

Anyway, I have finally finished my packaging just in time for me to go home about ten hours later. Not going to say much about it here, but shall divulge on the next post. Maybe I will have better luck uploading photos from home.

So people, GOOD BYE!!!!

The things I am going to do at home (haven't been back for two months):
1. Food! Actually, I just kinda wanna hang out with Hooi Fong over a good meal. Kapitan Tandoori Set, maybe? Or KFC? I know you can get KFC anywhere, but it's different with different people. Really! O man.. maybe it's really about food and not the company.
2. Drama updates. Gonna get all those new episodes from my sister~ I have almost run my stock here to the ground..
3. Books. My sister and mom went to Borders and bought a whole lot of paperbacks while I was not home.. I am so going back with a vengeance!!
4. Drown. In the love, people. Hee...

Maybe you'll see further updates from me back home. I do want to put up my packaging post. Anyhow, you have a good weekend. It's gonna be Wesak Day on Saturday and Mother's Day on Sunday. Well, love your Buddha and your Mom.

=P

Counting Down: Four Weeks!

I tried adding a picture. Tonnes of time. But it didn't work. Oh well... never mind.

Right this moment, I am so excited over three things. They are all putting butterflies in my stomach!

1. I am going home next week. No idea why, but I am having a case of homesickness now. Hopefully a short trip back will cure it for me. But before that, I will have to finish up some stuff first for I will be taking a few days off schedule. A few days of computer abandonment. No blogging, Facebook, online drama and MSN. Great. I can't wait!! (No sarcasm. Really.)

2. I will be working for something something. Am losing confidence every time I think about it, so it's best I don't do that now. If it didn't end up being a huge embarrassment, I'll consider putting the details here. Other than that, well, let's just say I'll keep you in suspense, or not. Whatever.

3. Dank Ong Kang Rui!!! Thank you for the idea, heheheheheheh~~~ Sem ends in FOUR weeks!! I seriously can't wait! I am so envious of those local uni people who have finished their exams and am free of all worries now. Though I am not having a hard time this sem, hardly, but I'm getting sick of work. You know??!! Rui bragged about her summer plans. And it so happened I zoomed in on one of those plans and will be making myself available for it. She's probably regretting telling me anything, but what the heck, I'm tagging along, Rui... Don't disappoint me. Well, I hope I don't disappoint me.