I have had to pack all my belongings at very short notice during the week, and I saw it as an opportunity to throw out the stuff that I didn't want/need and I thought I could be ruthless. But I can't. And I have so much STUFF it's ridiculous. Every time I have to pack and move, I keep telling myself that I will stop buying but obviously I didn't learn my lesson 2.5 year ago, and here I am again in the same situation with too much stuff and not ruthless enough.
And what's really really annoying is that sometimes, I know I need to get rid of the stuff, but I feel so bad and wasteful about throwing it away. Often, I think I might be able to sell it and make some money, but lack the knowledge/motivation/time to sell it on ebay or something. I have so much stuff that even if I sold each item for RM5, I'd probably make enough to buy another pair of Charles and Keith shoes! Hey, replacing all that stuff with just 1 pair of shoes or a bag is a pretty good deal, ok? ;)
The bigger issue here is how to curb the spending and buying and 'collecting' to avoid having the same problem in future. When Ben and I have our own place, I don't want to go through this again. I have at least 5 bags of clothes, for goodness' sake! Grr.
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Melbourne News
I've been reading up on The Age website again, in anticipation of my next big move. As usual the Epicure section is always one of the highlights for me. I was especially thrilled when I read the first blurb in today's Espresso. Opening March-April next year?? Perfect!!
But please, Mr new Premier, tell me why I should be liable for late public transport when I am the one who is inconvenienced by it?
And an article related to some of the fashion dilemmas I'm going through... :)
But please, Mr new Premier, tell me why I should be liable for late public transport when I am the one who is inconvenienced by it?
And an article related to some of the fashion dilemmas I'm going through... :)
Monday, 16 November 2009
Sam Newman and his big mouth
I always found the footy show pretty appalling and wondered why people put up with Sam Newman. I thought that maybe I just didn't get that aspect of Australian culture (just the being an @$$ bit, not the footy bit), and am comforted to know that I am not the only one who thinks so (make sure you read the comments at the bottom of the page). However, I did think that any apology should have come from the network's ED or Sam Newman himself, and not their over-paid QC!
Friday, 13 November 2009
Tustle
As I have a 'friendly discussion' again with my colleagues about where to go for lunch, I am reminded yet again oh how different I am from the typical Malaysian in some ways. :(
I've also found out that not only is the manager that I am working with resigning, more the senior staff on my project is too! They both leave on the same day in December, and I am just hanging on, waiting for my time to do the same because I can't do it just yet...
On a completely different note, I saw this car on the road the other day, and I'm sure you'll agree that the back of the car - the tail lights, at the very least - look like a Mercedes. It is in fact, a Hyundai i30. Hehe.
And in the meantime, to alleviate my sadness, I keep myself occupied with tasting the food at more new places, such as The Darling bakery in Kuching. It was pretty decent, but too much cream in proportion to the mini cake, I thought.
I've also found out that not only is the manager that I am working with resigning, more the senior staff on my project is too! They both leave on the same day in December, and I am just hanging on, waiting for my time to do the same because I can't do it just yet...
On a completely different note, I saw this car on the road the other day, and I'm sure you'll agree that the back of the car - the tail lights, at the very least - look like a Mercedes. It is in fact, a Hyundai i30. Hehe.
And in the meantime, to alleviate my sadness, I keep myself occupied with tasting the food at more new places, such as The Darling bakery in Kuching. It was pretty decent, but too much cream in proportion to the mini cake, I thought.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Misses
Ben was here for a few days over a long weekend and it was so good to spend time together and be able to talk face-to-face about our plans and thoughts. We've gotten better at talking about things over the phone and skype and such, but nothing beats seeing Ben in person. :)
Ben and his most favourite Malaysia breakfast (or Malaysian food in general, I think!), roti pisang. It consists of bananas (usually sliced, preferably of the pisang emas/'golden banana' variety) wrapped in an Indian-style roti or bread. He discovered this on his own, at a time when I had just started working in KL and had not ventured beyond the plain roti, and I have to admit that it has become one of my 'safe' options and comfort foods.
Roti pisang on banana leaf - you can't get more authentic than that! :)
We also had a great Vietnamese dinner with some of my colleagues/friends, and a Japanese sushi train dinner - just the 2 of us - the following night.
The period right after we spend some time together is always really difficult - we miss each other's company a lot. On my end, it also reminds me of all the things I miss about being in Melbourne too. For instance, having a great variety of eating outlets to go and try (and having someone to go with!). Great neighbourhoods with conveniences close by and people would rather walk to the shops 1km away than drive (unless it's winter!). I would never have thought that I was particularly attached to North Melbourne, the suburb I lived in for 2 years, but I find myself suddenly reminiscing about it and the little cafes and restaurants there and missing it. Even the tiny video rental store!
This is just one of the many things that I miss about Melbourne and I hope we'll be able to do at least some of things we used to do while we were in uni when I'm finally living in Melbourne again. I cannot wait to go back.
Ben and his most favourite Malaysia breakfast (or Malaysian food in general, I think!), roti pisang. It consists of bananas (usually sliced, preferably of the pisang emas/'golden banana' variety) wrapped in an Indian-style roti or bread. He discovered this on his own, at a time when I had just started working in KL and had not ventured beyond the plain roti, and I have to admit that it has become one of my 'safe' options and comfort foods.
Roti pisang on banana leaf - you can't get more authentic than that! :)We also had a great Vietnamese dinner with some of my colleagues/friends, and a Japanese sushi train dinner - just the 2 of us - the following night.
The period right after we spend some time together is always really difficult - we miss each other's company a lot. On my end, it also reminds me of all the things I miss about being in Melbourne too. For instance, having a great variety of eating outlets to go and try (and having someone to go with!). Great neighbourhoods with conveniences close by and people would rather walk to the shops 1km away than drive (unless it's winter!). I would never have thought that I was particularly attached to North Melbourne, the suburb I lived in for 2 years, but I find myself suddenly reminiscing about it and the little cafes and restaurants there and missing it. Even the tiny video rental store!
This is just one of the many things that I miss about Melbourne and I hope we'll be able to do at least some of things we used to do while we were in uni when I'm finally living in Melbourne again. I cannot wait to go back.
Monday, 26 October 2009
The Proposal
I'm talking about the movie. I just watched it. I never thought Ryan Reynolds was hot when he was in 2 Guys... But in the movie and now that he's buffed up, he is HOT. And has ridiculously beautiful hands. Nicer than mine. I'm so jealous. ;)
Monday, 12 October 2009
Sink
She doesn't know when exactly it happened. For reasons that she cannot define. In the company of others but alone. Neither happy nor sad, nevermind the superlatives. Wanting, but not going for it. Some people could make the difference, but they are not aware of it. They move on, she stands rooted. Today, tomorrow, the day after. Each is different but blur into a week, month, year. One year. Not one person, nor the other. No one has any idea. Give and take, one a little, one a lot. Neither knows who more. Can she, should she, expect. Can they, should they, oblige? No and no. Unexpected. So unexpected.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Peplum dresses
This is apparently the 'in' thing at the mo: "Peplum Dresses".
The article notes:
"A word to the wise: if you have a pear-shaped body, avoid this style. It will only accentuate your hips."
No kidding. Guess I'll just have to keep being out of fashion, then!
The article notes:
"A word to the wise: if you have a pear-shaped body, avoid this style. It will only accentuate your hips."
No kidding. Guess I'll just have to keep being out of fashion, then!
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Goodbye to a friendship
So, my friend(?). It seems I must say goodbye to you and our friendship now before I drive myself crazy. It is clear you don't care about the loss of this friendship - perhaps too common an occurance in your life for it to be a big issue anymore - so I really must learn to let it go. To stop talking to you. To stop wishing that we could spend more time together, even though it was you who expressed that wish first.
So this is my goodbye.
So this is my goodbye.
Monday, 28 September 2009
My new babies! Hehe
People are usually shocked when they find out that I play futsal. For some guys, it's simply incomprehensible that a girl should play at all. These are the sort of guys who usually give me a hard time when I play with them. To other guys, it's more because "no offence, but you don't really look like the type". No offence taken, as long as they let me join in the fun :)
The same thing happens when I walk into sports stores looking for futsal boots. I had to do this over the weekend because my beloved pair which I'd been using for more than 2 years were at the end of their useful life. After a year with these boots, I'd already decided I needed a new pair, but I had to buy an adult's (men's) size and they were a bit too big for me. I got injured a fair bit before I realised that it was because of my boots. For the competition that we eventually won in July this year, I decided to revert back to my old boots, and those babies worked their magic :D They are a kid's size, and therefore the narrower cut was better suited to my small feet.
I know they look pretty decent still, apart from the inner heel lining falling apart. Truth of the matter is, the soles were falling off, but I was so determined to wear them that even on the days of the tournament itself, I added more super glue to keep the soles on!
Back to my original point... I walked into a few stores this past weekend (and at other times in the past) asking for the kids' futsal boots range. The sales people usually think that I'm buying for a kid brother or something. Even when I try the shoes on, they don't get it. Take yesterday, for example, I tried on this pair.
Cool or what? ;)
They look pretty good for futsal boots, and good enough that they can be worn as casual shoes (if I was desperate coz really, the light coloured soles that are characteristic of futsal boots are such a dead giveaway that you are wearing casual or street shoes). The girl who was attending to me kept telling me that they looked really good, especially for ... walking around. Excuse me? I proceeded to ask her which other models had the size I wanted. And she pointed out every other shoe in the futsal range and kept saying, 'oh this one looks good, and this one is kacak too'... (kacak is Malay for handsome or generally good-looking) Since she said they looked good, I asked if they had those shoes in my size and she said no. Sighs... So why would you show them to me??? And moreover, the next column of shoes were the proper street shoes from that brand. If I wanted a street shoe, wouldn't I just have asked for those ones? Pffftt... It was beyond my understanding.
Anyway, just thought I'd share the burdens and the end-product ;)
The same thing happens when I walk into sports stores looking for futsal boots. I had to do this over the weekend because my beloved pair which I'd been using for more than 2 years were at the end of their useful life. After a year with these boots, I'd already decided I needed a new pair, but I had to buy an adult's (men's) size and they were a bit too big for me. I got injured a fair bit before I realised that it was because of my boots. For the competition that we eventually won in July this year, I decided to revert back to my old boots, and those babies worked their magic :D They are a kid's size, and therefore the narrower cut was better suited to my small feet.
I know they look pretty decent still, apart from the inner heel lining falling apart. Truth of the matter is, the soles were falling off, but I was so determined to wear them that even on the days of the tournament itself, I added more super glue to keep the soles on!Back to my original point... I walked into a few stores this past weekend (and at other times in the past) asking for the kids' futsal boots range. The sales people usually think that I'm buying for a kid brother or something. Even when I try the shoes on, they don't get it. Take yesterday, for example, I tried on this pair.
Cool or what? ;)They look pretty good for futsal boots, and good enough that they can be worn as casual shoes (if I was desperate coz really, the light coloured soles that are characteristic of futsal boots are such a dead giveaway that you are wearing casual or street shoes). The girl who was attending to me kept telling me that they looked really good, especially for ... walking around. Excuse me? I proceeded to ask her which other models had the size I wanted. And she pointed out every other shoe in the futsal range and kept saying, 'oh this one looks good, and this one is kacak too'... (kacak is Malay for handsome or generally good-looking) Since she said they looked good, I asked if they had those shoes in my size and she said no. Sighs... So why would you show them to me??? And moreover, the next column of shoes were the proper street shoes from that brand. If I wanted a street shoe, wouldn't I just have asked for those ones? Pffftt... It was beyond my understanding.
Anyway, just thought I'd share the burdens and the end-product ;)
Sunday, 6 September 2009
No sleep
Isn't it funny how you can be on such an extreme high one week and on a real low the next? At the start of August and til about mid way through I was feeling so good (thanks, in part to winning the futsal tournament that we lost last year). The now I'm feeling so down that all I want to do is dig a big hole and stay in it and talk to only a handful of people. Who, incidentally, are too busy for me.
Tonight I didn't want to go out. But a supposed friend insisted, so I did. I didn't plan to stay long - latest midnight or so - I need to establish a better sleep pattern otherwise insomnia is going to rule my life. It already has started to do so. Yet the friend, well-meaning as he/she is, will not let me leave. If someone tells me they would like to leave early and have been getting very little sleep and would like to do what I've just described, I'd tell them to go home and rest. But no, that's not what I got tonight. And when I drove home in the rain and told said friend how dangerous the drive was (half asleep, flooded roads, heavy rain, fallen branches), said friend laughed. WTF.
And of course now I'm too pissed off to sleep. 3.30am. Well done, friend. Guess you got what you wanted. Is it possible for people to be so well-meaning that they become selfish? I think they can.
Tonight I didn't want to go out. But a supposed friend insisted, so I did. I didn't plan to stay long - latest midnight or so - I need to establish a better sleep pattern otherwise insomnia is going to rule my life. It already has started to do so. Yet the friend, well-meaning as he/she is, will not let me leave. If someone tells me they would like to leave early and have been getting very little sleep and would like to do what I've just described, I'd tell them to go home and rest. But no, that's not what I got tonight. And when I drove home in the rain and told said friend how dangerous the drive was (half asleep, flooded roads, heavy rain, fallen branches), said friend laughed. WTF.
And of course now I'm too pissed off to sleep. 3.30am. Well done, friend. Guess you got what you wanted. Is it possible for people to be so well-meaning that they become selfish? I think they can.
Friday, 4 September 2009
No excuse for not updating :)
I haven't disappeared; I just spend most of my spare time playing sport now or indulging in my new hobby - jewellery-making. My aim is to get good enough to make some for some side income. 'Side income' because I'm not quite at the stage where I can create and churn out countless designs, and also because I'm conscious that it could become less fun if it becomes what I rely on for all my income, though I must admit that at this stage, I wish work didn't get in the way of my hobby/ies! ;)
I really indulged myself today. When I went to the shop to pick up some beads and stuff I'd ordered ahead of time, I decided to get (i.e. invest in) some proper, really good tools. They cost a bit for 4 pliers, but they are stainless steel, and the extremely basic ones that I got as part of the course materials from my classes had begun to rust, no matter how well I looked after them. Hopefully these will last a few years (I wouldn't go so far as to say that I would not need to replace them at all anymore).
I have managed to go home and see my family twice already in the past 3 weeks (to make up for the months that I have not been able to go home) and will go home again next weekend. My sister also came to visit for a week while on her summer vacation. Too bad it was such a short break for her! :(
I hope to start updating this blog more frequently from now on. In the meantime, here are some of my latest creations :)
I really indulged myself today. When I went to the shop to pick up some beads and stuff I'd ordered ahead of time, I decided to get (i.e. invest in) some proper, really good tools. They cost a bit for 4 pliers, but they are stainless steel, and the extremely basic ones that I got as part of the course materials from my classes had begun to rust, no matter how well I looked after them. Hopefully these will last a few years (I wouldn't go so far as to say that I would not need to replace them at all anymore).
I have managed to go home and see my family twice already in the past 3 weeks (to make up for the months that I have not been able to go home) and will go home again next weekend. My sister also came to visit for a week while on her summer vacation. Too bad it was such a short break for her! :(
I hope to start updating this blog more frequently from now on. In the meantime, here are some of my latest creations :)
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Sunday, 2 August 2009
What goes around comes around
Do you believe in Karma? I've had experiences that have happened often enough that I do not think I can dismiss as irony.
Take today, for example. I was supposed to meet Friend A who has been asking to meet up with me for weeks. Friend B wanted to meet up as well (as did as Friend C), but I made Friend A a priority because this was the friend I had not caught up with the longest among the 3, and A's company was the one I really wanted today (apart from my lovely fiance's). Friend C didn't contact me today, so that was an awkward situation avoided.
So I waited for A, who had a commitment to attend to first, and took a raincheck on the meeting with B. And waited all afternoon for A who, after our initial contact, didn't get in touch with me until I texted to check on the status hours later. Only to be told that A was tired and wanted to meet another day. To be honest, it felt very much like the time that I was 'on call' to go into work on a Sunday. It was a complete waste of the day. I could have met up with B. Run some errands. Anything. Instead I waited by the phone.
But was it payback for 'blowing off' Friend B who really wanted to hang out today? Probably. It sucked and ended an otherwise fun weekend on a slightly down note. Oh, and it sucked even more considering that A only agreed to come out clubbing last night because she had another group of friends going and spent the whole night with them. What the.
Take today, for example. I was supposed to meet Friend A who has been asking to meet up with me for weeks. Friend B wanted to meet up as well (as did as Friend C), but I made Friend A a priority because this was the friend I had not caught up with the longest among the 3, and A's company was the one I really wanted today (apart from my lovely fiance's). Friend C didn't contact me today, so that was an awkward situation avoided.
So I waited for A, who had a commitment to attend to first, and took a raincheck on the meeting with B. And waited all afternoon for A who, after our initial contact, didn't get in touch with me until I texted to check on the status hours later. Only to be told that A was tired and wanted to meet another day. To be honest, it felt very much like the time that I was 'on call' to go into work on a Sunday. It was a complete waste of the day. I could have met up with B. Run some errands. Anything. Instead I waited by the phone.
But was it payback for 'blowing off' Friend B who really wanted to hang out today? Probably. It sucked and ended an otherwise fun weekend on a slightly down note. Oh, and it sucked even more considering that A only agreed to come out clubbing last night because she had another group of friends going and spent the whole night with them. What the.
Monday, 20 July 2009
Out of action
Get home at 1.15am on Sunday night/Monday morning. If only I could say that I've been out having a good time. In fact, I've been at the office since 3pm yesterday afternoon.
I have a futsal tourney on Tues and Thurs - the annual inter-firm games. I was so excited about it this time last year. This year I feel we are so unprepared and just nowhere near the standard we were at last year. We don't play as a team, our offensive players don't mark, it's all a mess. So I hope and pray for the best result we could possibly get. We have to do well. We just have to.
I have a futsal tourney on Tues and Thurs - the annual inter-firm games. I was so excited about it this time last year. This year I feel we are so unprepared and just nowhere near the standard we were at last year. We don't play as a team, our offensive players don't mark, it's all a mess. So I hope and pray for the best result we could possibly get. We have to do well. We just have to.
Monday, 29 June 2009
Photos
Long overdue, these are.
From dinner at TGIF about a month(!) ago:
Dessert at Caffe Cino last night:
The first dessert is a white chocolate eclair - wasn't as good as it looks. The choux pastry tasted a bit stale. The tiramisu was ok, but the really yummy desserts were the macadamia & apricot and lime chocolate truffles. Expensive, though!
Jewellery! I love making them!
The first class - the floating necklace:
One that I made on my own for my friend Azy. Green, dark aubergine and gold beads:
The bracelet here is from the second lesson, and the ring was another lesson. I LOVE the ring.
Then my attempts at making the rings on my own:
I also made another one with faceted jet black beads, and smaller beads around the sides (square glass topaz and bicone aquamarine swarovski). The first attempt was very dissatisfactory so I deconstructed it and put it back together. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of it because I had to rush it for my friend Michelle who is leaving KL. I also designed it in such a way that I knew she'd be able to pull off, and very very few would be able to do so. However, of all the things I've attempted to make on my own so far, I have to admit that my favourite is probably the blue/red/clear one on the left in the photos above.
From dinner at TGIF about a month(!) ago:
Dessert at Caffe Cino last night:
The first dessert is a white chocolate eclair - wasn't as good as it looks. The choux pastry tasted a bit stale. The tiramisu was ok, but the really yummy desserts were the macadamia & apricot and lime chocolate truffles. Expensive, though!Jewellery! I love making them!
The first class - the floating necklace:
One that I made on my own for my friend Azy. Green, dark aubergine and gold beads:
The bracelet here is from the second lesson, and the ring was another lesson. I LOVE the ring.
Then my attempts at making the rings on my own:
I also made another one with faceted jet black beads, and smaller beads around the sides (square glass topaz and bicone aquamarine swarovski). The first attempt was very dissatisfactory so I deconstructed it and put it back together. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of it because I had to rush it for my friend Michelle who is leaving KL. I also designed it in such a way that I knew she'd be able to pull off, and very very few would be able to do so. However, of all the things I've attempted to make on my own so far, I have to admit that my favourite is probably the blue/red/clear one on the left in the photos above.
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Old friends, new friends.
It is really nice when you find a new friend. Sometimes it is in someone unexpected. But you should never forget your old ones. I may not talk to a lot of my friends often, but it does not mean that I'mnot thinking about them, because I do. I just have to be better at staying in touch... And apologise for sucking at doing that! :)
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Not positive. Aging quicker because of work and negativity. Try to fight it but it's not easy. There, negative again.
I hate it when people think they know you and to try and prove it to themselves, they tell someone else something about you. I hate it more when what they say is not all true, and it results in you doing something out of obligation and politeness. Case in point: peeling potato skins when you are already late for work in the morning. Yes, you heard me right.
Also when people think they know and understand and try to tell you it will be okay when they have no idea what it is you are really going through.
Jewellery making classes are an escape from the world for a couple of hours, when I get the opportunity. It's so much fun. I really should post some photos soon! :P
I hate it when people think they know you and to try and prove it to themselves, they tell someone else something about you. I hate it more when what they say is not all true, and it results in you doing something out of obligation and politeness. Case in point: peeling potato skins when you are already late for work in the morning. Yes, you heard me right.
Also when people think they know and understand and try to tell you it will be okay when they have no idea what it is you are really going through.
Jewellery making classes are an escape from the world for a couple of hours, when I get the opportunity. It's so much fun. I really should post some photos soon! :P
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Busy!
I've been told I need to post more! Lol. Sorry, of late I have been busy with:
1. Work (what else) - these days we get to go home a bit earlier, but we take work home. What nonsense.
2. Trying to get to sports training - interfirm competition is coming up!
3. Making jewellery - my new hobby and craze, but insufficient funds to keep buying materials! :)
4. Spending time with mum & dad who were visiting for a few days.
5. Trying to make plans with Ben - but not gotten far yet.
6. Seem to be angry with the world a lot these days. That takes up a fair amount of energy & time!
7. Did I mention work?
The nice thing about working at the client's office is that a couple of my friends work close by so I've had the opp to catch up with them over lunch. And one of them is now my first prospective buyer of my jewellery! *yay* so excitement! Hahaha.
1. Work (what else) - these days we get to go home a bit earlier, but we take work home. What nonsense.
2. Trying to get to sports training - interfirm competition is coming up!
3. Making jewellery - my new hobby and craze, but insufficient funds to keep buying materials! :)
4. Spending time with mum & dad who were visiting for a few days.
5. Trying to make plans with Ben - but not gotten far yet.
6. Seem to be angry with the world a lot these days. That takes up a fair amount of energy & time!
7. Did I mention work?
The nice thing about working at the client's office is that a couple of my friends work close by so I've had the opp to catch up with them over lunch. And one of them is now my first prospective buyer of my jewellery! *yay* so excitement! Hahaha.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Crystal Ball
As predicted, Susan Boyle had a meltdown before the finals of Britain's Got Talent.
My next crystal ball call: that I'll be working this weekend. This is one that I hope will not come true!
Have to look for the positives. Positives. Positives... Otherwise I won't make it. Not without wrinkles, anyway!
My next crystal ball call: that I'll be working this weekend. This is one that I hope will not come true!
Have to look for the positives. Positives. Positives... Otherwise I won't make it. Not without wrinkles, anyway!
Friday, 29 May 2009
TGIF!
It's Thursday night. Tomorrow is Friday! It seems like this has been a very long week. Monday seems like ages ago!
Bummed that futsal training was cancelled tonight. Was looking forward to having the run! Instead ended up having dinner with colleagues at Rumahku, which was fun. Been wanting to go to this place for some time, as I read about it in Timeout KL and other food reviews. Was not disappointed; the food was awesome! And the deco and feel was so homely. We were there for about 2 hours, and a lot of 'talking' about work was done ;)
Bummed that futsal training was cancelled tonight. Was looking forward to having the run! Instead ended up having dinner with colleagues at Rumahku, which was fun. Been wanting to go to this place for some time, as I read about it in Timeout KL and other food reviews. Was not disappointed; the food was awesome! And the deco and feel was so homely. We were there for about 2 hours, and a lot of 'talking' about work was done ;)
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Go get that dream, Susan Boyle!!
I finally got a chance to look up videos of Susan Boyle's performances on YouTube tonight. I'd heard so much about her audition, they talk about her constantly on the radio, and I've seen a couple of pictures of her in the newspapers. But it wasn't until I saw a snippet of news on her on the telly last night that I actually started to get an inkling about why there was so much media hype about her. And boy, can she sing! I watched the footage of her signing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables for her Britain's Got Talent audition; it gave me shivers!
Then Memories, from Cats, her perfomance in the semi-final that won her a spot in the final. While she was shaky at the very start, she settled into the song quickly and it was breathtaking. I think the best part was when they had a close-up of her about 2/3 of the way into the song, during a musical interlude, and she broke into a huge smile. It was so touching, and it really portrayed that she was at ease and enjoying herself tremedously.
I didn't think though, although it may have been the truth, that Piers should have been so brutally honest by saying after her audition that everyone was laughing at her. It seemed kind of cruel. After her semi-final performance he kept harping on the fact that the whole world was watching her. I'd like for her to go through the show enjoying herself without worrying about things like that. Because the whole popularity thing might just hit her one day, and she'll realise how much people are expecting of her, and she could crumble. Could, I'm not saying she would. But for someone who seems quite untainted by the negativity in the world, she might not know how to deal with it.
There was also an interview where Amanda, another of the judges claims that Susan will “be an instant international superstar — but I don’t think she’ll have longevity.” Ouch. This from someone who looked like she was going to cry when she first heard Susan sing the opening lines of "I dreamed a dream in time gone by..." And especially since, thanks to Susan, Amanda has finally landed a gig in the US, something she's apparently been trying to get for years. The best part: "We move on very fast. But who cares? She won’t. This is more than she ever dreamed of anyway." 'Anyway'???? What's that supposed to mean? That it's acceptable if Susan had her 5 minutes of fame and that's all we expect her to get? For an actress, Amanda was pretty horrible at suppressing her emotions during Susan's audition. Perhaps that's why she needed Susan's fame to help her land a job in the US.
Regardless, I'm proud to say that I am on the Susan Boyle bandwagon, and hope with all my heart that she wins and goes on to have a long successful career. Oh, and I hope she fulfills her dream to perform in front of the Queen!!! =)
P.s. I do love that Simon cupped his chin in the hands towards the end of "I Dreamed a Dream" and had this dreamy smile on his face. Like a little boy with a crush on his teacher! :) Seems like the man is human after all.
Then Memories, from Cats, her perfomance in the semi-final that won her a spot in the final. While she was shaky at the very start, she settled into the song quickly and it was breathtaking. I think the best part was when they had a close-up of her about 2/3 of the way into the song, during a musical interlude, and she broke into a huge smile. It was so touching, and it really portrayed that she was at ease and enjoying herself tremedously.
I didn't think though, although it may have been the truth, that Piers should have been so brutally honest by saying after her audition that everyone was laughing at her. It seemed kind of cruel. After her semi-final performance he kept harping on the fact that the whole world was watching her. I'd like for her to go through the show enjoying herself without worrying about things like that. Because the whole popularity thing might just hit her one day, and she'll realise how much people are expecting of her, and she could crumble. Could, I'm not saying she would. But for someone who seems quite untainted by the negativity in the world, she might not know how to deal with it.
There was also an interview where Amanda, another of the judges claims that Susan will “be an instant international superstar — but I don’t think she’ll have longevity.” Ouch. This from someone who looked like she was going to cry when she first heard Susan sing the opening lines of "I dreamed a dream in time gone by..." And especially since, thanks to Susan, Amanda has finally landed a gig in the US, something she's apparently been trying to get for years. The best part: "We move on very fast. But who cares? She won’t. This is more than she ever dreamed of anyway." 'Anyway'???? What's that supposed to mean? That it's acceptable if Susan had her 5 minutes of fame and that's all we expect her to get? For an actress, Amanda was pretty horrible at suppressing her emotions during Susan's audition. Perhaps that's why she needed Susan's fame to help her land a job in the US.
Regardless, I'm proud to say that I am on the Susan Boyle bandwagon, and hope with all my heart that she wins and goes on to have a long successful career. Oh, and I hope she fulfills her dream to perform in front of the Queen!!! =)
P.s. I do love that Simon cupped his chin in the hands towards the end of "I Dreamed a Dream" and had this dreamy smile on his face. Like a little boy with a crush on his teacher! :) Seems like the man is human after all.
Clear eyes...
Sometimes you don't want to believe something, but then someone provides information that supports your hunch and then you are in disbelief.
My hair is falling out, I'm saying it's due to stress!
I need to work harder, faster, better. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose (focus)!
My hair is falling out, I'm saying it's due to stress!
I need to work harder, faster, better. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose (focus)!
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Addiction
I've always been cautious in my consumption of coffee. As much as I love the taste, and the caffeine hit of a good espresso-based coffee. Whilst on holiday in Turkey last Christmas, I had to restrict myself to just one a day, otherwise I would have a) gotten addicted to it, and b) not been able to sleep at night. :) Otherwise, I try to only drink coffee if I need the caffeine, or if I want to treat myself to a store-bought one (as opposed to instant coffee powder and granules).
Recently, however, the requirement to work some crazy hours (including being 'on-call' on a Sunday) has played cruel jokes on my body clock, so I've been relying more and more on coffee to get me through the day and keep me awake. This is compounded by the fact that the client's office where we are stationed, has a nescafe coffee machine, so you get lattes and cappucinos at the touch of a button, FOC! I decided last week to reduce the amount of coffee I consume from that machine (things that cause creamer to artificially foam cannot be good for your body) but I think the seeds of an addiction to coffee have been planted.
I had a headache for quite a while last weekend, and again yesterday. but I've yet to establish for certain whether it's caffeine-related.
Recently, however, the requirement to work some crazy hours (including being 'on-call' on a Sunday) has played cruel jokes on my body clock, so I've been relying more and more on coffee to get me through the day and keep me awake. This is compounded by the fact that the client's office where we are stationed, has a nescafe coffee machine, so you get lattes and cappucinos at the touch of a button, FOC! I decided last week to reduce the amount of coffee I consume from that machine (things that cause creamer to artificially foam cannot be good for your body) but I think the seeds of an addiction to coffee have been planted.
I had a headache for quite a while last weekend, and again yesterday. but I've yet to establish for certain whether it's caffeine-related.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Favourite music?
Every once in a while, I get asked what type of music/which singers or bands I like. And my answer is always the same.
I don't have a particular favourite singer/band/genre. Granted I was brought up in a mainstream culture, therefore my likes and dislikes tend to bend in that direction. But I have in the past liked some pretty off-beat stuff when I hear (of) it. At the end of the day, it all depends on the song itself, how I'm feeling and what I'm in the mood for.
Sometimes, if I'm not having a great day, a song that I usually like may just annoy me and other songs may work a treat as a pick-me-up. On other days, the opposite could be true of these same songs.
Lyrics are so important. Often, they are what enable to me to relate to a particular song. So while 'Hey There Delilah' by the Plain White T's had a catchy tune, I'm loving this song more: 1234. It also has a great tune.
Then there's Miley Cyrus' The Climb. It's hard to imagine that someone that young has such a mature voice (but if my dad were Billy Ray Cyrus I'd expect pretty good music genes!). The song itself is o-k, and I don't think the video's great either, but I like the lyrics - a message that I have to keep in mind. Enjoy! :)
I don't have a particular favourite singer/band/genre. Granted I was brought up in a mainstream culture, therefore my likes and dislikes tend to bend in that direction. But I have in the past liked some pretty off-beat stuff when I hear (of) it. At the end of the day, it all depends on the song itself, how I'm feeling and what I'm in the mood for.
Sometimes, if I'm not having a great day, a song that I usually like may just annoy me and other songs may work a treat as a pick-me-up. On other days, the opposite could be true of these same songs.
Lyrics are so important. Often, they are what enable to me to relate to a particular song. So while 'Hey There Delilah' by the Plain White T's had a catchy tune, I'm loving this song more: 1234. It also has a great tune.
Then there's Miley Cyrus' The Climb. It's hard to imagine that someone that young has such a mature voice (but if my dad were Billy Ray Cyrus I'd expect pretty good music genes!). The song itself is o-k, and I don't think the video's great either, but I like the lyrics - a message that I have to keep in mind. Enjoy! :)
Long long work hours
I don't mind the work that I'm doing now, but it is the cause of my lack of a social life. Heck, I hardly see the sun anymore, except through the tinted windows of the client's office on the 26th floor!
We have been finishing work between 9 and 11 pm, sometimes 12 and beyond, consistently. We worked yesterday, and will do so again today. It's insane and I doubt that the solution of taking turns at going home at 5.30pm during weekdays (only to work at home) is going to do us much good.
I hope I get remunerated well for this!! :)
In the meantime, I console myself in other ways. Last night, I managed to get off 9.30pm, in time to join some friends for dessert. I decided on melted chocolate cake (as in, chocolate lava cake). It wasn't great - not hot enough so the chocolate with thick rather than liquidy, but it was chocolate nonetheless! Not the best for my heart and waistline, but who goes to the gym on a Saturday night, hmmm?
We have been finishing work between 9 and 11 pm, sometimes 12 and beyond, consistently. We worked yesterday, and will do so again today. It's insane and I doubt that the solution of taking turns at going home at 5.30pm during weekdays (only to work at home) is going to do us much good.
I hope I get remunerated well for this!! :)
In the meantime, I console myself in other ways. Last night, I managed to get off 9.30pm, in time to join some friends for dessert. I decided on melted chocolate cake (as in, chocolate lava cake). It wasn't great - not hot enough so the chocolate with thick rather than liquidy, but it was chocolate nonetheless! Not the best for my heart and waistline, but who goes to the gym on a Saturday night, hmmm?
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
so damn sure
I have been called many things in my life. 'Cock sure' of myself is definitely not one of them. Til today.
I am willing to bet that if I were a case study in psychology, I would be classified as the furthest specimen you can obtain from 'cock sure'. I give you 2 inches, you first take 6, then proceed to walk all over me.
I don't feel confident of myself, and such references have been made before. I think the way I am is partly a result of the lack of confidence. I could only rely on myself for a while, so I tried to build up some self-confidence intrinsically, only to have you shoot me down time & again.
I am willing to bet that if I were a case study in psychology, I would be classified as the furthest specimen you can obtain from 'cock sure'. I give you 2 inches, you first take 6, then proceed to walk all over me.
I don't feel confident of myself, and such references have been made before. I think the way I am is partly a result of the lack of confidence. I could only rely on myself for a while, so I tried to build up some self-confidence intrinsically, only to have you shoot me down time & again.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
My Favourite Things
I was in a feeling of great despair tonight. Then I saw someone post this link, and I have to share it. Because when I thought that I couldn't take anymore, this managed to make me smile, laugh, sing. I hope you enjoy it.
p.s. feel free to share the link/this post to make someone else smile too. They will be very grateful to you for it
p.s. feel free to share the link/this post to make someone else smile too. They will be very grateful to you for it
Monday, 4 May 2009
Mark Bittan / Food bag
Just quickly, some articles from The Star today:
Article on Mark Bittan: Food matters to Mark Bittan
Will have to keep following his blog!
Also, making dishes out of random ingredients, kind of a more friendly version of the Iron Chef, I suppose!
What's in your bag?
And this is not directly related to cooking, but it is definitely food-related! :) Cupcakes, anyone?
Article on Mark Bittan: Food matters to Mark Bittan
Will have to keep following his blog!
Also, making dishes out of random ingredients, kind of a more friendly version of the Iron Chef, I suppose!
What's in your bag?
And this is not directly related to cooking, but it is definitely food-related! :) Cupcakes, anyone?
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Motivate
It's hard to get up and feel excited about the day ahead when you have been let down, time and again, each day. You know that's not the right frame of mind to be in, and you can try to dance all you want to (literally and figuratively) shake it off. And not being able to exercise + eating too much out of boredom = feeling very blah and blegh. Need to find ways to keep my brain active, because it is seriously rotting. Rotting!!
BUT I had a 'moment' while getting ready for work this morning when I just had to stop and marvel at something that caught my eye and for a few minutes, the world didn't seem so bad after all :) I will be ok. I just have to be patient. Good things take time.
BUT I had a 'moment' while getting ready for work this morning when I just had to stop and marvel at something that caught my eye and for a few minutes, the world didn't seem so bad after all :) I will be ok. I just have to be patient. Good things take time.
Monday, 27 April 2009
OK? Just OK???
When you tell someone (in a really excited voice) who's supposed to be really important in your life that you will see them in a couple of days or so, and all you get is a dull ok, what the heck are you supposed to think???
Friday, 24 April 2009
Slumming
I finally got around to watching slumdog millionaire and can see why it won so many awards. Quite a unique concept and significantly, such a feel-good ending. Who wouldn't walk out of that movie cinema all happy-happy?
Even though I'm supposed to be feeling happy-happy, I'm feeling lonely. And who do I have to tell about this? A blog that no one reads.
Even though I'm supposed to be feeling happy-happy, I'm feeling lonely. And who do I have to tell about this? A blog that no one reads.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
"Always look on the bright side of life"
[Written Tuesday, 21 April 2009]
Know the song?
Okay, so maybe yesterday’s post was not exactly bright and sunny and inspriring. If you subscribe to the belief that good things happen to those who see the bright and positive side of everything, then I suppose I should concentrate on the happy, smiley things today! :)
I’ve been surfing the web for ideas and have come across a whole community of bloggers whose sites are created purely for posting information and details planned for their big day. I’m tempted to start the same. I’m thinking that the amount of information that I am about to accumulate is going to be massive. I suppose that in time, that is where our friends will be able to refer to get information as well. Would that be too cliché/girly? Note: to discuss with Ben! :D
The web is such a useful resource tool, but nothing can beat the feeling of actually touching or seeing what you are looking at. So it’s going to be a crazy weekend for me when I got home for a weekend at the start of May, as I will have to try and cover as much ground and get as much information as possible. With my mummy! Am also in desperate need of a haircut. It’s pretty disgusting at the mo…
Played futsal on Sunday, when I really should have tried to hold out for another week, but a whole week of inactivity was getting to be more than I could stand. Have to be careful; don’t want standing (literally) to become an issue for me. \’.’/ But playing makes me happy, and scoring goals makes me happier! Sigh, what’s a girl to do? :)
Had dinner with a friend last night who’d lost her voice over the weekend. We had dinner at Nagomi Shabu Shabu, which is sort of like a posher version of the Chinese hotpot, with individual pots. Good stuff, lots of fun, way too much food!
I’ve just been given work so it’s time to stop writing – for now!
Know the song?
Okay, so maybe yesterday’s post was not exactly bright and sunny and inspriring. If you subscribe to the belief that good things happen to those who see the bright and positive side of everything, then I suppose I should concentrate on the happy, smiley things today! :)
I’ve been surfing the web for ideas and have come across a whole community of bloggers whose sites are created purely for posting information and details planned for their big day. I’m tempted to start the same. I’m thinking that the amount of information that I am about to accumulate is going to be massive. I suppose that in time, that is where our friends will be able to refer to get information as well. Would that be too cliché/girly? Note: to discuss with Ben! :D
The web is such a useful resource tool, but nothing can beat the feeling of actually touching or seeing what you are looking at. So it’s going to be a crazy weekend for me when I got home for a weekend at the start of May, as I will have to try and cover as much ground and get as much information as possible. With my mummy! Am also in desperate need of a haircut. It’s pretty disgusting at the mo…
Played futsal on Sunday, when I really should have tried to hold out for another week, but a whole week of inactivity was getting to be more than I could stand. Have to be careful; don’t want standing (literally) to become an issue for me. \’.’/ But playing makes me happy, and scoring goals makes me happier! Sigh, what’s a girl to do? :)
Had dinner with a friend last night who’d lost her voice over the weekend. We had dinner at Nagomi Shabu Shabu, which is sort of like a posher version of the Chinese hotpot, with individual pots. Good stuff, lots of fun, way too much food!
I’ve just been given work so it’s time to stop writing – for now!
Of expectations
[Written Monday, 20 April 2009]
I must not be updating my blog often enough if Ben is telling me to write articles while I’m bored at work, to be uploaded online when I have internet access! Lol.
Since it is inevitable that I’m going to start blogging constantly about my big news, what better time to start than when I’m at my wit’s end out of boredom.:)
I have not been feeling extremely positive of late, although this should be one of the happiest times of my life. My swap to a new department has kicked off with my being assigned to another team that does completely unrelated work to what my new department is supposed to do. Coupled with the fact that I spend half my days at work staring into space with no internet connection, it has been a very uninspiring 3 weeks, to say the least. Very far from the career rejuvenation that I’d envisaged.
The highlights have been talking to Ben, my sister and some other friends when I get the chance. I miss my sister. It would have been superb to have her on hand to help me with the task at hand. But so far, it’s been pretty cool to be able to talk to mum about some of the things. It sounds like it’s going to be a fair bit of work, and would be great if I could afford to take a month off to be based where the event will be, get all the prelim planning out of the way and get it off my mind. It would be even more fantastic if Ben could be here for that month so that the decisions could be made together. A girl can dream, right?
Speaking of dreams…
When I was younger I’d always thought that I would have a big white with lots of people – an über-grand affair in a big ballroom or banquet hall. I suppose it’s what I grew up seeing and knowing. And culturally, traditionally, that is what is expected. By your family, by their friends, by onlookers. I haven’t attended many in my adult life – at last count, ONE (1) that wasn’t family-related - but the more I think about it, the more I’d rather have something that reflects my personality (personal and personable (hopefully), a little bit serious, a little fun/crazy, and bending the rules *just a little bit*).
I wouldn’t say small, as I have many people I count as friends whom I would love to be there to share in the fun. Then again, I don’t want massive either. Because then it just becomes extremely impersonal, you don’t get the chance to have any semblance of a decent conversation with a single soul, and the worst part I think is not knowing half the people in attendance.
No doubt, whilst I have my dreams and expectations, so do the other parties involved in this event. Some may have had their own dreams and expectations of this event for longer than I have.
Heritage, culture and tradition dictate that I be an obedient child, adhere to the wishes of others, but I’ve always had a rebellious streak. ;) So let’s just hope that the coming months are as painless as possible!
I must not be updating my blog often enough if Ben is telling me to write articles while I’m bored at work, to be uploaded online when I have internet access! Lol.
Since it is inevitable that I’m going to start blogging constantly about my big news, what better time to start than when I’m at my wit’s end out of boredom.:)
I have not been feeling extremely positive of late, although this should be one of the happiest times of my life. My swap to a new department has kicked off with my being assigned to another team that does completely unrelated work to what my new department is supposed to do. Coupled with the fact that I spend half my days at work staring into space with no internet connection, it has been a very uninspiring 3 weeks, to say the least. Very far from the career rejuvenation that I’d envisaged.
The highlights have been talking to Ben, my sister and some other friends when I get the chance. I miss my sister. It would have been superb to have her on hand to help me with the task at hand. But so far, it’s been pretty cool to be able to talk to mum about some of the things. It sounds like it’s going to be a fair bit of work, and would be great if I could afford to take a month off to be based where the event will be, get all the prelim planning out of the way and get it off my mind. It would be even more fantastic if Ben could be here for that month so that the decisions could be made together. A girl can dream, right?
Speaking of dreams…
When I was younger I’d always thought that I would have a big white with lots of people – an über-grand affair in a big ballroom or banquet hall. I suppose it’s what I grew up seeing and knowing. And culturally, traditionally, that is what is expected. By your family, by their friends, by onlookers. I haven’t attended many in my adult life – at last count, ONE (1) that wasn’t family-related - but the more I think about it, the more I’d rather have something that reflects my personality (personal and personable (hopefully), a little bit serious, a little fun/crazy, and bending the rules *just a little bit*).
I wouldn’t say small, as I have many people I count as friends whom I would love to be there to share in the fun. Then again, I don’t want massive either. Because then it just becomes extremely impersonal, you don’t get the chance to have any semblance of a decent conversation with a single soul, and the worst part I think is not knowing half the people in attendance.
No doubt, whilst I have my dreams and expectations, so do the other parties involved in this event. Some may have had their own dreams and expectations of this event for longer than I have.
Heritage, culture and tradition dictate that I be an obedient child, adhere to the wishes of others, but I’ve always had a rebellious streak. ;) So let’s just hope that the coming months are as painless as possible!
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Frustration
I can't seem to shake this horrible frustrated feeling I've been experiencing for the last couple of weeks, but it's much stronger today. It's the feeling that I'm being really unproductive and useless, and that there are far better (and more fun) things I could be doing with my time. I don't mind if it was sucky work, but I'm doing crap all at work.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Involvement
Excerpt from pg 62 of "Wedding Planning for Dummies", which touches on the possibility of having your wedding ceremony at home:
"The home works well as a venue when friends and relatives are breaking down your door to help in some way, shape or form and everyone gets involved. An 'all hands on deck' celebration can forge friendships and repair broken ones."
Ok. I'm done rolling around on the floor laughing hysterically and can breathe now. I want to believe that. I really do!
"The home works well as a venue when friends and relatives are breaking down your door to help in some way, shape or form and everyone gets involved. An 'all hands on deck' celebration can forge friendships and repair broken ones."
Ok. I'm done rolling around on the floor laughing hysterically and can breathe now. I want to believe that. I really do!
Monday, 13 April 2009
Unexpected
Two things have happened so far this morning:
1. Sometimes, the most unlikely people can surprise you with the smallest gestures to show they care - and you are put on a massive guilt trip for not being very nice to them in the past...
2. I was told to ask a certain person for clarification on something, supposedly because she was very helpful, and instead got my head bitten off. Brill.
1. Sometimes, the most unlikely people can surprise you with the smallest gestures to show they care - and you are put on a massive guilt trip for not being very nice to them in the past...
2. I was told to ask a certain person for clarification on something, supposedly because she was very helpful, and instead got my head bitten off. Brill.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
2 weeks and a day
It has been, for the most part, a pretty good fortnight. The big news has been broken to most of my extended family as of this morning.
The first 3 days in my new department has been interesting, and tomorrow I start on an actual engagement. I've spent the weekend attending farewells for Stefan; it's been a blast hanging out with him and Jeremy.
We played paintball yesterday - my first time ever - and I have yet another beautiful bruise on my shin. Looks like it's going to be dark grey or black stockings for me for the next fortnight. Lovely!
I am missing Melbourne (and more the point, Ben) a great deal. The weather there was gorgeous while I was on holiday, and the food was so familiar and comforting. I can't wait to go back.
The first 3 days in my new department has been interesting, and tomorrow I start on an actual engagement. I've spent the weekend attending farewells for Stefan; it's been a blast hanging out with him and Jeremy.
We played paintball yesterday - my first time ever - and I have yet another beautiful bruise on my shin. Looks like it's going to be dark grey or black stockings for me for the next fortnight. Lovely!
I am missing Melbourne (and more the point, Ben) a great deal. The weather there was gorgeous while I was on holiday, and the food was so familiar and comforting. I can't wait to go back.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
A wonderful feeling
It's a wonderful feeling to know that you are going to spend your life with the person you love. And you look forward to a future filled with excitement and adventure.
It's a wonderful feeling to know that your friends and family can be happy for you and share the moment with you or will at least attempt to share your excitement and joy (and reality to know that some won't or can't be happy for you).
It's just plain wonderful to be able to revel in the moment and feel what you feel.
It's a wonderful feeling to know that your friends and family can be happy for you and share the moment with you or will at least attempt to share your excitement and joy (and reality to know that some won't or can't be happy for you).
It's just plain wonderful to be able to revel in the moment and feel what you feel.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Eye candy
After Liverpool's epic win over a certain fierce rival *ahem*, needless to say I am über proud of my team and a certain Spanish striker. And in this line-up of supposedly the best-looking men in football, I can confidently say that no one can hold a candle to El Niño!
More on last weekend's MU 1-4 Liverpool match to come!
More on last weekend's MU 1-4 Liverpool match to come!
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Thai massage
Felt like having a massage the other day, so decided to try a place that some of colleagues had talked about before. I don't go often, but my body really felt out of it that day. It wasn't exactly the soothing experience I was looking for (it really hurt sometimes!!), but they did straighten me out in places that I would never have thought possible, mainly in my back. I definitely came out feeling taller and with less pressure in my spine.
If you want to give Thai massage a go, you can check out Thai Odyssey/Touches de Siam.
If you want to give Thai massage a go, you can check out Thai Odyssey/Touches de Siam.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Weekend in Singapore
Last weekend was a 3-day weekend for Malaysia (thank you Prophet Muhammad) so I went down to Singapore on a whirlwind trip to meet some friends and my parents.
On Saturday, I hung out with friends and we ended up in Vivo City after much deliberation (you have no idea...). More specifically, we ended up at White Dog Cafe, because a sign that read $3.50 Tiger Beer, $5 Heineken and Kilkenny caught the boys' eyes. Figures!
The ambience in the place was great (although our little group probably spoilt it for everyone else during our more boisterous periods), the food extremely reasonably priced and quite delicious. It wa clearly very popular when we couldn't get window seats overlooking the harbour at 5.30pm because of they had been reserved, and there were quite a few people queueing up for tables from about 7pm onwards. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera at the time, so I'll have to wait for my mate Garry to send me his photos.
We then played Pictionary til the weeee hours of the morning at Viv's house. So much fun!
On Sunday, my friends and I went on a small adventure in search of some tau sar (bean paste) pastries which we'd read about in a street food guide. There is an outlet in Vivo City, but since we'd been there the previous day, the boys suggested instead to head to Sembawang Shopping Centre where the other shop is located. Each bun is handmade in their shop. And I tell you, it was worth every minute of our time to travel out and locate the mall.
Dinner Sunday was with my folks, brother and aunt, in a 2-month old Brazilian churrascaria (steakhouse) in Katong Village. The salad is served at the salad bar, the mains, well, that's where it gets interesting. They grill the meats, fish and some vegetables (like pineapple!) over a fire, on a great big skewer, and bring the meats, on the skewer to your table! You tell the waiter how much you want, and he either shaves the meat off a larger piece, or in the case of something like chicken, ribs or fish, just slides off a chunk for you. The meat is supposed to keep coming until you have had enough.
I went to a similar restaurant in Melbourne last year. There they had coasters beside each person, with one side in blue with the word 'GO', and the other (red) side read 'STOP'. However, in Melbourne, the restaurant adopts a more rustic feel. Here, the owner created an ambience with a posher feel, though prices remain quite reasonable for a restaurant with beautiful light fittings and crisp linen.
...to this!
We started off with caipirinha (excluding yours truly, as usual) and cheesy bread balls, then took our tentative first steps towards the salad bar. Because this style of dining is eat-all-you-can, we didn't want to stuff ourselves full with veges! So we kept eating and eating, not just the meat, but had second rounds of salad as well. There were 12 different skewers, from butter fish, topside, rump, pork and beef ribs, lamb, and a spiced pineapple (think it was cinnamon). Some of the meats came well done, others on the rare side.
We were incredibly full at the end of it all, but managed to squeeze in desserts of Pave (nicknamed the Brazilian tiramizu) and Bolo de chocolate (a.k.a. chocolate lava cake)!! The chocolate lava cake was as it should be - hot, slighty crusty on the outside and oozing chocolate on the inside. MMmmm.
The Pave had all of us talking. Apart from being a new dish to us, it scored brownie points for being rich without overwhelming us, especially after a big meal. Personally prepared by the owner of the restaurant (whom we met), it is a heavenly combination of coconut milk, kahlua, chocolate and grated coconut, served on a plate with tiny cubes of orange peel, which somehow manage to transfer a citrusy tinge onto the tiramisu. This helped cut through the richness of the dessert.
Casa do Churrasco Brazil is located at 86 East Coast Road, #01-37/39, Katong Village Singapore 428788. For more details, click on the link.
P.s. Dinner was under $300 for 5 people including at least 6 caipirinhas ($12 each), Pave was $9, $12 for the bolo, and eat-all-you-can was $30 each, if I remember correctly. They charge for water, but it's just $2 for a 1.5litre bottle of mineral water. Singapore tax is 10% + 7%
On Saturday, I hung out with friends and we ended up in Vivo City after much deliberation (you have no idea...). More specifically, we ended up at White Dog Cafe, because a sign that read $3.50 Tiger Beer, $5 Heineken and Kilkenny caught the boys' eyes. Figures!
The ambience in the place was great (although our little group probably spoilt it for everyone else during our more boisterous periods), the food extremely reasonably priced and quite delicious. It wa clearly very popular when we couldn't get window seats overlooking the harbour at 5.30pm because of they had been reserved, and there were quite a few people queueing up for tables from about 7pm onwards. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera at the time, so I'll have to wait for my mate Garry to send me his photos.
We then played Pictionary til the weeee hours of the morning at Viv's house. So much fun!
On Sunday, my friends and I went on a small adventure in search of some tau sar (bean paste) pastries which we'd read about in a street food guide. There is an outlet in Vivo City, but since we'd been there the previous day, the boys suggested instead to head to Sembawang Shopping Centre where the other shop is located. Each bun is handmade in their shop. And I tell you, it was worth every minute of our time to travel out and locate the mall.
Dinner Sunday was with my folks, brother and aunt, in a 2-month old Brazilian churrascaria (steakhouse) in Katong Village. The salad is served at the salad bar, the mains, well, that's where it gets interesting. They grill the meats, fish and some vegetables (like pineapple!) over a fire, on a great big skewer, and bring the meats, on the skewer to your table! You tell the waiter how much you want, and he either shaves the meat off a larger piece, or in the case of something like chicken, ribs or fish, just slides off a chunk for you. The meat is supposed to keep coming until you have had enough.
I went to a similar restaurant in Melbourne last year. There they had coasters beside each person, with one side in blue with the word 'GO', and the other (red) side read 'STOP'. However, in Melbourne, the restaurant adopts a more rustic feel. Here, the owner created an ambience with a posher feel, though prices remain quite reasonable for a restaurant with beautiful light fittings and crisp linen.From this...
...to this!
We started off with caipirinha (excluding yours truly, as usual) and cheesy bread balls, then took our tentative first steps towards the salad bar. Because this style of dining is eat-all-you-can, we didn't want to stuff ourselves full with veges! So we kept eating and eating, not just the meat, but had second rounds of salad as well. There were 12 different skewers, from butter fish, topside, rump, pork and beef ribs, lamb, and a spiced pineapple (think it was cinnamon). Some of the meats came well done, others on the rare side.We were incredibly full at the end of it all, but managed to squeeze in desserts of Pave (nicknamed the Brazilian tiramizu) and Bolo de chocolate (a.k.a. chocolate lava cake)!! The chocolate lava cake was as it should be - hot, slighty crusty on the outside and oozing chocolate on the inside. MMmmm.
First round of salad with some of the meats, including beef with garlic and ribs
Second round of salad, after lots and lots of meat between salads...
The Pave had all of us talking. Apart from being a new dish to us, it scored brownie points for being rich without overwhelming us, especially after a big meal. Personally prepared by the owner of the restaurant (whom we met), it is a heavenly combination of coconut milk, kahlua, chocolate and grated coconut, served on a plate with tiny cubes of orange peel, which somehow manage to transfer a citrusy tinge onto the tiramisu. This helped cut through the richness of the dessert.
How good do they look?! I'm sure I don't have to tell you what's what!
Casa do Churrasco Brazil is located at 86 East Coast Road, #01-37/39, Katong Village Singapore 428788. For more details, click on the link.P.s. Dinner was under $300 for 5 people including at least 6 caipirinhas ($12 each), Pave was $9, $12 for the bolo, and eat-all-you-can was $30 each, if I remember correctly. They charge for water, but it's just $2 for a 1.5litre bottle of mineral water. Singapore tax is 10% + 7%
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
They have my back
Sometimes you sit and wonder if who you are and what you're doing in life is right. Or good. Or meaningful. And in almost every decision that you make, there are multiple considerations that only you can understand. When there is no one that you can share it with, for someone like me, it can be a very lonely world. I like to consult, confide, thrash things out with someone else before I make decisions. May not be the most efficient and independent way to operate, I admit. But this is my way of acknowledging that I do not know everything, and hoping that my discussions with friends, family, colleagues, even strangers would provide insight and broaden my perspective on things. But sometimes, when you can't tell other people some of your most private thoughts because you're afraid that they might judge you (or even worse, because it affirms to yourself that you are in fact the type of person that you've always vowed not to be), that's when, I think, the consultation process will be doomed to fail.
I recently had to make a fairly big decision. It was one in which there were many things that I had to consider. I ultimately made my choice - the result of which will be a mixture of the complete unknown and some things that I know. I was excited at first, but slowly I find out more things and they throw my decision into question. Grrr.. Talk about a wet blanket. These things would have saved me the trouble of making that big decision. I might have been able to go into something that I knew, and would have happily gone into, but there's no use thinking about that now.
On the other hand - and this comes back to my original question of how we know if we're doing something right - the show of support that I have received since me secondment (at the end of last year) from a handful or so of people has been quite an eye-opener. Some I've gotten close to, and others I didn't even think would care. What they've said to me has caught me completely off-guard, and I may never get a chance to tell them how much it has meant to me, or that they have brightened my day/week - probably too mushy for the real world, especially guys. But those are comments which, although they might not have thought much of it, mean the world to me and gives me a bit of comfort that I just might be doing alright in the world after all - people don't hate me or think that I'm a dud/bimbo! Sometimes we think we're doing the right thing - or we hope so - and it's nice to know that we're on the right track.
I recently had to make a fairly big decision. It was one in which there were many things that I had to consider. I ultimately made my choice - the result of which will be a mixture of the complete unknown and some things that I know. I was excited at first, but slowly I find out more things and they throw my decision into question. Grrr.. Talk about a wet blanket. These things would have saved me the trouble of making that big decision. I might have been able to go into something that I knew, and would have happily gone into, but there's no use thinking about that now.
On the other hand - and this comes back to my original question of how we know if we're doing something right - the show of support that I have received since me secondment (at the end of last year) from a handful or so of people has been quite an eye-opener. Some I've gotten close to, and others I didn't even think would care. What they've said to me has caught me completely off-guard, and I may never get a chance to tell them how much it has meant to me, or that they have brightened my day/week - probably too mushy for the real world, especially guys. But those are comments which, although they might not have thought much of it, mean the world to me and gives me a bit of comfort that I just might be doing alright in the world after all - people don't hate me or think that I'm a dud/bimbo! Sometimes we think we're doing the right thing - or we hope so - and it's nice to know that we're on the right track.
Friday, 27 February 2009
Section 377A of the Penal Code
In an article in today's Star, which had a very interesting description of something that most people in modern civilisation may not even think twice about. Read the article to see what I mean.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Viva La Vida
For no reason I am aware of, whenever I hear Coldplay's Viva La Vida now, I think of Rob. It's ridiculous, because I don't know if he liked the song, or Coldplay - nothing that would link the memory of him to the song, other than the title.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Firefly Park
Went to Kuala Selangor on a trip organised by a friend, with her other friends whom I only got to meet on the day. It was an interesting outing, made much more so by the nerve-wrecking manouvering of the designated driver - a foreigner who had not driven in 3 months, and had never driven in Malaysia. I was navigator and am proud to say that we didn't get lost (though we may have taken the, um, 'scenic' route on a couple of occassions. But no one but I knew ;) Oh, and the fireflies were really pretty!
Just a couple of pictures I hope you'll enjoy
Just a couple of pictures I hope you'll enjoy
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Who wants to be a macho man?
Men seem to have been programmed to be macho and act tough. I read an article in the newspaper today by a writer who defends his fellow men by claiming that they can't help it - that it is a result of years of making decisions about going to war, losing men, and having to answer for their actions. Apparently, they find it hard to say sorry today because their ancestors or what-have-you who led whole armies could never say sorry. Right. Glad to know that society has progressed so much since, say, the 17th century.
Which might be why, over the years, the men that I have found most attractive are the ones who are not ashamed to be a little vulnerable, who can apologise and admit defeat once in a while. I would not expect it all the time, even I know that may be asking a bit too much lol. But honestly, what girl wouldn't like a softer side in her partner? To me, showing that side takes far more guts than a stoic, emotionless front.
Which might be why, over the years, the men that I have found most attractive are the ones who are not ashamed to be a little vulnerable, who can apologise and admit defeat once in a while. I would not expect it all the time, even I know that may be asking a bit too much lol. But honestly, what girl wouldn't like a softer side in her partner? To me, showing that side takes far more guts than a stoic, emotionless front.
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Blank
-Started this post on Tuesday, couldn't complete it. Making another attempt on Wednesday. Apparently it's called writer's block?-
I have found myself staring into space on countless occasions in the last 30 or so hours. Was so incredibly unproductive at work today.
No matter how much I learn about the situation and the circumstances, I don't think I will be able to fully understand. I find myself constantly wondering what was going through his mind - everything from what he must have been thinking on Monday, how long he'd been thinking about it, why he didn't feel like he could talk to anyone, get help, anything. Then there is the information that may be more 'easily' (for wont of a better word) attainable, but which I'm not quite in the position to ask, nor would it be very polite for me to do so. Also, whatever is uncovered now may not provide a full picture. Basically, we will never get the full story because only he could answer those questions.
I have been advised to try and concentrate on the good and happy memories, like Rob making his yummy chilli, playing Risk, crosswords, and Rob's love for music and DJ-ing. He and Ben planted in front of the couch every week to watch the O.C. It does help to talk about him, and it does help that there is someone who understands, though I can't help feeling I'm the one who should be lending others an ear and a shoulder and not the other way around!
p.s. It's Wednesday and though being at work is not easy (especially when there is little work to do), I'm making sure I keep myself occupied outside of work so I'm not just sitting and staring at the wall.
I have found myself staring into space on countless occasions in the last 30 or so hours. Was so incredibly unproductive at work today.
No matter how much I learn about the situation and the circumstances, I don't think I will be able to fully understand. I find myself constantly wondering what was going through his mind - everything from what he must have been thinking on Monday, how long he'd been thinking about it, why he didn't feel like he could talk to anyone, get help, anything. Then there is the information that may be more 'easily' (for wont of a better word) attainable, but which I'm not quite in the position to ask, nor would it be very polite for me to do so. Also, whatever is uncovered now may not provide a full picture. Basically, we will never get the full story because only he could answer those questions.
I have been advised to try and concentrate on the good and happy memories, like Rob making his yummy chilli, playing Risk, crosswords, and Rob's love for music and DJ-ing. He and Ben planted in front of the couch every week to watch the O.C. It does help to talk about him, and it does help that there is someone who understands, though I can't help feeling I'm the one who should be lending others an ear and a shoulder and not the other way around!
p.s. It's Wednesday and though being at work is not easy (especially when there is little work to do), I'm making sure I keep myself occupied outside of work so I'm not just sitting and staring at the wall.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Fragile
After my post in the wee hours of Saturday morning, I was pleasantly surprised when the weekend was very enjoyable. I received a surprise delivery, had dinner paid for, caught up with some friends I hadn't spent much time with of late - I was a very happy girl.
But today we were dumbfounded, and reminded that life is so so fragile.
I have not been able to stop thinking about Rob since Ben called around 4.30 this afternoon. I could not believe then and still cannot quite grasp what he told me 7 hours ago. I will not claim to have been very close to Rob, but it doesn't change the fact that I felt this sadness and helplessness wash over me. It couldn't be true. You think you know someone...
Why did he not tell anyone? Ask for help? Something, anything at all to indicate. It's too late to ask the whys now.
Rob, I hope you've found peace where you are. You will be missed.
But today we were dumbfounded, and reminded that life is so so fragile.
I have not been able to stop thinking about Rob since Ben called around 4.30 this afternoon. I could not believe then and still cannot quite grasp what he told me 7 hours ago. I will not claim to have been very close to Rob, but it doesn't change the fact that I felt this sadness and helplessness wash over me. It couldn't be true. You think you know someone...
Why did he not tell anyone? Ask for help? Something, anything at all to indicate. It's too late to ask the whys now.
Rob, I hope you've found peace where you are. You will be missed.
Saturday, 14 February 2009
WIshing you all a happy Valentine's Day
- I must have had coffee too late in the day yesterday because
despite my best attempts tonight, I have gotten little sleep -
despite my best attempts tonight, I have gotten little sleep -
There is so much debate about what Valentine's Day means and what people can expect on the day or from the event. Many girls (and increasingly, guys as well) are 'programmed' from young to think that it is a day when they should be pampered, showered with gifts and roses, chocolates and jewellery, as a sign of affection. I too, harboured some of these fantasies. And fantasies they were, as year after year passed and I watched from the sidelines as my friends received all sorts of gifts from boyfriends or admirers.
I say 'some of these fantasies' because I didn't consider myself a girly girl. I admit that I wouldn't know what to do with flowers if someone had given them to me, and goodness knows I feed myself enough chocolates without any assistance. I certainly never expected to be showered with presents, nor did I really feel the need to. Then again, it would have been nice if I had been, for once, the recipient of some of the attention.
Fast forward about 10 years. While I have come to, in a way, accept that retailers and restaurants play up V-Day as a way of adding to their bottom lines, I am also trying to find some reconciliation as to what V-Day does and should mean - a middle ground, if you will, between being spoilt rotten on the one hand and doing nothing at all on the other.
One of the main gripes that men seem to have about V-Day is that they may be allowed to start off simple, but the expectations on them increase over the years the longer they stay in the relationship. Their girlfriends would expect this year's gift(s) to be bigger, better, and more expensive than the previous year's. The other problem, men find, is that they are often expected to be the ones splashing out on their partners or dates.
If some couples choose to spend a lot of money on it, that is their choice. Personally, I don't expect expensive and/or plentiful gifts. But I'd like to not have to pretend that it's not the 14th of February everytime it comes around. Because for better or for worse, I was born a girl, and despite the usually tough and tomboyish exterior, I do have a soft spot. One, I think, that is bigger than I care to admit :)
When you cut out all the fluff (the 'sideshows') that tells us we have to spend a lot of money, what you'll find you're left with is a day to celebrate your love. I believe that that is the core idea of V-Day. As such, a well thought-out gift, no matter how small, would be far more meaningful than the multiple gifts bought for the sake of buying gifts. Treat yourselves and your relationship to dinner at the fancy restaurant you've always wanted to try and if you must be equals, go Dutch. Alternatively, have one person arrange V-Day plans one year and the other person can make plans (and foot the resultant costs) the following year. This way, there is still an element of surprise to it for the other person.
And while we're at it, why limit your show of love to your partners? Show your friends and family too! A text message or email to let them know you are thinking of them, or a hug for those a little closer (literally and figuratively speaking).
Because at the end of the day, we all just want to feel appreciated and loved.
Friday, 13 February 2009
Pictures
It's late and I need sleep but the internet was working so I thought I'd do a quick post:
[click on the photo to enlarge]
On the left, banana leaf rice, banana lassi and papadum; on the right, roti tisu (tissue bread)
Bisou, the cafe I mentioned in the last post
Pat & I got to KL tower and took a couple of photos outside. I managed to snap this a split second before we got pelted by huge drops of rain.
Big breakfast at the Magnificient Fish & Chips Bar (yes, that actually is the name of the place). First big fry-up I've had in a looong time.
Not sure what they mean here: 'place boiled water'? Or 'please boil water'?
Yee Sang, a Malaysian Chinese New Year dish believed to bring prosperity
That's all for now. It really is getting too late, because let's face it: photos usually take a while to upload! ;)
[click on the photo to enlarge]
On the left, banana leaf rice, banana lassi and papadum; on the right, roti tisu (tissue bread)
Bisou, the cafe I mentioned in the last post
Pat & I got to KL tower and took a couple of photos outside. I managed to snap this a split second before we got pelted by huge drops of rain.
Big breakfast at the Magnificient Fish & Chips Bar (yes, that actually is the name of the place). First big fry-up I've had in a looong time.
Not sure what they mean here: 'place boiled water'? Or 'please boil water'?
Yee Sang, a Malaysian Chinese New Year dish believed to bring prosperity
That's all for now. It really is getting too late, because let's face it: photos usually take a while to upload! ;)
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Eat eat and eat some more!
It has been about 3 weeks since I last posted, and I've been pretty busy since then. I will just post random comments on what I've been up to/thought about the past 3 weeks.
I went home for a week for Chinese New Year, then it was back to KL to meet up with a friend and former workmate from Melbourne who is visiting KL for the first time. Lots of eating ensued in the first 2 weeks and I've spent the last week trying to work it off. And in case you were wondering, no, the extra pounds that have (not slowly) accumulated since Christmas last year (even before that, actually) do not seem to be going anywhere.
Met up with a few school and futsal friends while at home; it was good to be able to see so many people for the first time in many years.
I've been to play basketball twice since my nasty bruise and seem to be getting worse at it, though for the most part, it is enjoyable.
I bought a new pair of sport shoes. Pretty expensive, but supposedly shoes from that brand last a long time, and I can use it for both gym and basketball, so that's how I justified my purchase. Also, if I didn't get the shoes, I wouldn't use my gym membership as much. Or maybe I mean that because I bought the shoes, I tell myself I have to go to the gym more... :)
Den and Alicia were here on Tuesday night and it was so much fun to hang out with them and I forgot, for a few hours, the rut that I seem to be in a lot these days. They will be back in KL for almost a week at the end of the month, and I'm so looking forward to that.
Found a nice cafe that makes fantastic food and cakes. Been there twice with Pat, and intend to take Den and Alicia there too. It reminds me of the food and ambience in Melbourne. Love it.
Work is not turning out the way I imagined it would this year - I've asked for a transfer to another department and that has been rejected due to some complications. Quite disappointing, and that's part of the reason for the rut, though there are other contributing factors. The important thing now is to reconsider what I want and how to achieve that goal, seeing as the first course of action that I chose failed.
Was going to go for Rihanna concert but no one else could go, then by the time I got enough people to go, they had sold out of tickets. Then her show got postponed. Because of Chris Brown and his 'manly' ways.
I have many photos I took recently that I hope to put up soon. If only the internet at home would work when I actually have time to blog! :P
I went home for a week for Chinese New Year, then it was back to KL to meet up with a friend and former workmate from Melbourne who is visiting KL for the first time. Lots of eating ensued in the first 2 weeks and I've spent the last week trying to work it off. And in case you were wondering, no, the extra pounds that have (not slowly) accumulated since Christmas last year (even before that, actually) do not seem to be going anywhere.
Met up with a few school and futsal friends while at home; it was good to be able to see so many people for the first time in many years.
I've been to play basketball twice since my nasty bruise and seem to be getting worse at it, though for the most part, it is enjoyable.
I bought a new pair of sport shoes. Pretty expensive, but supposedly shoes from that brand last a long time, and I can use it for both gym and basketball, so that's how I justified my purchase. Also, if I didn't get the shoes, I wouldn't use my gym membership as much. Or maybe I mean that because I bought the shoes, I tell myself I have to go to the gym more... :)
Den and Alicia were here on Tuesday night and it was so much fun to hang out with them and I forgot, for a few hours, the rut that I seem to be in a lot these days. They will be back in KL for almost a week at the end of the month, and I'm so looking forward to that.
Found a nice cafe that makes fantastic food and cakes. Been there twice with Pat, and intend to take Den and Alicia there too. It reminds me of the food and ambience in Melbourne. Love it.
Work is not turning out the way I imagined it would this year - I've asked for a transfer to another department and that has been rejected due to some complications. Quite disappointing, and that's part of the reason for the rut, though there are other contributing factors. The important thing now is to reconsider what I want and how to achieve that goal, seeing as the first course of action that I chose failed.
Was going to go for Rihanna concert but no one else could go, then by the time I got enough people to go, they had sold out of tickets. Then her show got postponed. Because of Chris Brown and his 'manly' ways.
I have many photos I took recently that I hope to put up soon. If only the internet at home would work when I actually have time to blog! :P
Friday, 23 January 2009
How did I get that??
I played in a futsal tourney on Sunday. Got kicked in the shins twice in one game, about a minute apart. I got bruises from that (despite the shin guards) but it wasn't too obvious to the naked eye.
On Wednesday night, I played basketball for the first time in more than 3 years. It may have been 4 years, in fact, since I played any sort of basketball game. I was surprised that I didn't completely make a full of myself in front of my (male) colleagues, even managing to score a couple of 3 pointers.
Yesterday (Thursday) morning, I noticed a bruise on the outer part of my lower leg, just under the right knee. It was very faint, and I have no idea whether it came from the day of futsal or the game of basketball, but last night, dad pointed it out (and pressed it!! OUCH!!) and it looked like this:
Ok, I'm going to need someone to explain to me how it got from barely-there to "look at me!". Seriously. Not funny.
On Wednesday night, I played basketball for the first time in more than 3 years. It may have been 4 years, in fact, since I played any sort of basketball game. I was surprised that I didn't completely make a full of myself in front of my (male) colleagues, even managing to score a couple of 3 pointers.
Yesterday (Thursday) morning, I noticed a bruise on the outer part of my lower leg, just under the right knee. It was very faint, and I have no idea whether it came from the day of futsal or the game of basketball, but last night, dad pointed it out (and pressed it!! OUCH!!) and it looked like this:
Ok, I'm going to need someone to explain to me how it got from barely-there to "look at me!". Seriously. Not funny.
Sunday, 18 January 2009
I love shoes but...
I am hopeless when it comes to fashion. I tend to choose comfort over catwalk. This doesn't mean that I don't observe what other people wear, because I do. Kudos to them for being able to pick up trends so quickly and to a certain extent, put up with the discomfort in the name of fashion. Bags and shoes seem to really stand out to me in a person's outfit, probably because I seem to have a thing for these, especially bags!
But imagine this scenario: you notice a girl/lady/woman with gorgeous shoes walking towards you. Impeccably dressed, 'face' on, and not a strand of hair out of place. As she walks past you, you turn your head to check out her shoes from behind. And that's when you see it: the price tag (more often that not, it is a white rectangular sticker), still stuck to the sole of her shoe.
Was she in a hurry? Or was she too excited about wearing it that she forgot to remove it?
But imagine this scenario: you notice a girl/lady/woman with gorgeous shoes walking towards you. Impeccably dressed, 'face' on, and not a strand of hair out of place. As she walks past you, you turn your head to check out her shoes from behind. And that's when you see it: the price tag (more often that not, it is a white rectangular sticker), still stuck to the sole of her shoe.
Was she in a hurry? Or was she too excited about wearing it that she forgot to remove it?
Monday, 12 January 2009
To the people in my life
Happyness.
I have never been the extremely happy type of person. I realise this may seem completely incomprehensible to some, but it's true. Of late, maybe in the last 6 months, I have been feeling more happy more often. People have seen it, but how can I say that that is the true measure of the person that I really am?
Fact is, I don't believe that any person can be so thoroughly happy that they do not experience low moments, days, or periods. They just may not talk about it or choose not to show it. But those times exist.
Personally, I prefer to show it once in a while. It may manifest in a myriad of ways; equally unpredictable is where and when. But I will not hide it all the time, because hey, that's what gives a person character, dimension. But most of the time, if I tell someone, it would be a person whom I would hope for feedback and support from, but most of all whom I am comfortable enough to confide in and trust.
So please. If I'm not on a constant high, at least know that I'm being honest. To you and to myself. I am more upbeat these days, on a more regular basis, and will make every effort to keep it that way. Try and understand that it is important (at least to me) that if I tell you the bad or sad stories, it's because I think you deserve to know what I really think - the 'real' me. Not the illusion, not the version with icing and ribbons and flowers. Or the doll with the fixed smile and no feelings. But the stripped back, heartfelt version. I hope you'll consider it a compliment rather than an insult.
[On the subject of unhappy people, I seem to encounter a large number of people who have advanced in their careers but for reasons that are beyond me, are so insecure and unhappy that they have to belittle and be spiteful to their subordinates and other colleagues. I don't think I'm particularly good-looking, but sometimes being ugly on the inside can make someone seem uglier on the outside.]
I have never been the extremely happy type of person. I realise this may seem completely incomprehensible to some, but it's true. Of late, maybe in the last 6 months, I have been feeling more happy more often. People have seen it, but how can I say that that is the true measure of the person that I really am?
Fact is, I don't believe that any person can be so thoroughly happy that they do not experience low moments, days, or periods. They just may not talk about it or choose not to show it. But those times exist.
Personally, I prefer to show it once in a while. It may manifest in a myriad of ways; equally unpredictable is where and when. But I will not hide it all the time, because hey, that's what gives a person character, dimension. But most of the time, if I tell someone, it would be a person whom I would hope for feedback and support from, but most of all whom I am comfortable enough to confide in and trust.
So please. If I'm not on a constant high, at least know that I'm being honest. To you and to myself. I am more upbeat these days, on a more regular basis, and will make every effort to keep it that way. Try and understand that it is important (at least to me) that if I tell you the bad or sad stories, it's because I think you deserve to know what I really think - the 'real' me. Not the illusion, not the version with icing and ribbons and flowers. Or the doll with the fixed smile and no feelings. But the stripped back, heartfelt version. I hope you'll consider it a compliment rather than an insult.
[On the subject of unhappy people, I seem to encounter a large number of people who have advanced in their careers but for reasons that are beyond me, are so insecure and unhappy that they have to belittle and be spiteful to their subordinates and other colleagues. I don't think I'm particularly good-looking, but sometimes being ugly on the inside can make someone seem uglier on the outside.]
Are you for real?
Today, I received an email from a client about their employee. The sentence went something along the lines of: "Mr X is an expatriate in Malaysia, with a real working permit." Right. Because you'd tell us if your employee was on a fake visa?
A few minutes later, a colleague who was researching another client read this on their website: "We make potato chips - from real potatoes". As opposed to fake potatoes? ;)
A few minutes later, a colleague who was researching another client read this on their website: "We make potato chips - from real potatoes". As opposed to fake potatoes? ;)
Sunday, 11 January 2009
A trip to Guilt
It's the one day that I'm supposed to feel special. I was looking forward to this weekend. I did feel special a few days ago. Last night, even. But today, somehow I feel as if I'm not meant to have fun.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Turkey - Day 7 (Pt 2) & 8
[continued from previous post]
Okay, last post!! Well, I'm sure I'll find things to add over time, but this is the last on our activities and tours. The previous post ended with the last stop of our morning tour - at Ayasofya - and the excitement of going to the Spice Market.
Our tour guide takes us to the stall she recommends before bidding us farewell and going to enjoy her afternoon off. But first, she explains the name of the shop: Harem Saray. If you’d been paying attention to my previous posts you would know that saray means palace, and harem refers to the domestic section of the palace, where the women live. If you hadn’t been paying attention, I won’t hold it against you. I’m sure I missed out on a lot of translations and explanations over the course of the week, anyway :)
We lunch at Hamdi, a restaurant that was recommended to us before we arrived in Turkey, and again by Latife. It occupies all four floors of one shop (not the whole block of shops), and we are lucky in that we got to sit on the top floor and see the magnificent skyline of Istanbul outside our window, even if it is raining and cloudy outside. We lunch on the ‘usual’ – salad, bread, kebabs and finish up with Turkish coffee and teas. It's good, but the service is what we have come to expect in Turkey. Slightly aloof, waiters that disappear whenever you want to actually order something, and far-too-efficient removal of our plates :)
We then return to the Spice Market and spend hours there, enjoying the afternoon of bargaining and joking with the traders. I listen with amusement as my brother is offered camels for my sister – a compliment to her, supposedly. Camels are expensive, alright?? :) We end up purchasing all sorts of things, from T-shirts to pashminas, cushion covers to tea light holders, and of course, spices, dried fruit, Turkish Delight, and apple tea.
When we are finally ready to leave the Spice Market, it is almost closing time, 7pm. Good timing, except where do we go for dinner now? It is drizzling again. I have not yet had ‘authentic’ kebab-shop type food. We’ve had great food in restaurants, but have yet to sample the food from the smaller ‘kopitiam’-type of shops. So I suggest that and there are no objections. We gear up to head out into the cold – gloves, beanies and scarves on; jackets zipped and coats buttoned up; umbrellas up – and begin the walk back in the direction of the apartment, all the while keeping a lookout for ‘authentic’ kebab shops. We find one that looks popular and provides seats upstairs. We have to wait downstairs for a table to become available, and when we finally make our way upstairs, the reason becomes apparent: it’s tiny! Haha. No matter. We put our shopping safely in a corner and await the food that we pre-ordered downstairs.
We tuck into doner kebabs, kebab rolls, fish, and kumpir that are all priced at a fraction of what we paid in restaurants, but certainly no less delicious. Hmm… maybe I should set up a Turkish restaurant in KL! Then I could have all this food whenever I wanted… Our first order is not quite enough; the fish is delicious so we order a second helping of that. I think that we made a spectacle of ourselves, sending the ‘waiter’ down to help us order more food and drink.
Finally satisfied, we set off back to the apartments, stopping along the way so that I can buy some baklava. We hadn’t had it all week, and I couldn’t leave without having some!
We get back at around 8.30pm, arms laden with shopping, bellies full of food, and empty pockets. Lol. Metin is surprised that we have had dinner, but I think subconsciously we all knew that we had to get started early on the packing because we had bought so much :) I think we, all of us, just managed to stuff everything into our respective bags (between the 5 of us, there were 4 final destinations).
That night, we could not get the hot water running in the shower (the wash basin and kitchen sink were fine). We couldn’t in the morning earlier that day either, but I think everyone just assumed that someone else had informed Metin. No one had. Uh oh. I trudge down the stairs to ask if there was a problem with the hot water system. No, I’m told, it should work. The guys check the hot water in the shower in the apartments above and below ours – they work. So what’s up with ours? It turned out that someone had installed the pipes wrongly in our shower, so to get hot water, we had to turn the knob to the right, instead of the left. And didn’t I feel pretty dumb for not having tried that…:p
We pack up, sleep, and the next morning, prepare for our flight without much incident. As expected, there were some dramas during the course of the trip (that I shall not get into), but really, what’s a family holiday without it? This morning, there is no time for drama. In a few hours, we will be parting ways with my sister at the airport. Before that, we have our last meal in Istanbul at Angel’s, snap a few photos with Metin and of mum and dad on his bike, load the car, and are off on our trip to the airport. One last opportunity to see the streets and sights of Istanbul.
I am sad, very sad to leave. I feel like I have only touched the tip of the iceberg, and indeed, as I discover when I get back to Malaysia, there is so much of Turkey that we did not see, and probably could not cover even if we stayed there a year. I had accumulated 1GB worth of photos, a memory full of well, memories, a heart full of feelings, and hopefully a lifetime friendship. I know that made no sense, but I’m trying my hardest to explain (obviously not so eloquently) how this trip has been such an eye-opener in so many ways. Gotta remember to thank the folks for it again one day! ;)
Okay, last post!! Well, I'm sure I'll find things to add over time, but this is the last on our activities and tours. The previous post ended with the last stop of our morning tour - at Ayasofya - and the excitement of going to the Spice Market.
Our tour guide takes us to the stall she recommends before bidding us farewell and going to enjoy her afternoon off. But first, she explains the name of the shop: Harem Saray. If you’d been paying attention to my previous posts you would know that saray means palace, and harem refers to the domestic section of the palace, where the women live. If you hadn’t been paying attention, I won’t hold it against you. I’m sure I missed out on a lot of translations and explanations over the course of the week, anyway :)
We lunch at Hamdi, a restaurant that was recommended to us before we arrived in Turkey, and again by Latife. It occupies all four floors of one shop (not the whole block of shops), and we are lucky in that we got to sit on the top floor and see the magnificent skyline of Istanbul outside our window, even if it is raining and cloudy outside. We lunch on the ‘usual’ – salad, bread, kebabs and finish up with Turkish coffee and teas. It's good, but the service is what we have come to expect in Turkey. Slightly aloof, waiters that disappear whenever you want to actually order something, and far-too-efficient removal of our plates :)
We then return to the Spice Market and spend hours there, enjoying the afternoon of bargaining and joking with the traders. I listen with amusement as my brother is offered camels for my sister – a compliment to her, supposedly. Camels are expensive, alright?? :) We end up purchasing all sorts of things, from T-shirts to pashminas, cushion covers to tea light holders, and of course, spices, dried fruit, Turkish Delight, and apple tea.
When we are finally ready to leave the Spice Market, it is almost closing time, 7pm. Good timing, except where do we go for dinner now? It is drizzling again. I have not yet had ‘authentic’ kebab-shop type food. We’ve had great food in restaurants, but have yet to sample the food from the smaller ‘kopitiam’-type of shops. So I suggest that and there are no objections. We gear up to head out into the cold – gloves, beanies and scarves on; jackets zipped and coats buttoned up; umbrellas up – and begin the walk back in the direction of the apartment, all the while keeping a lookout for ‘authentic’ kebab shops. We find one that looks popular and provides seats upstairs. We have to wait downstairs for a table to become available, and when we finally make our way upstairs, the reason becomes apparent: it’s tiny! Haha. No matter. We put our shopping safely in a corner and await the food that we pre-ordered downstairs.
We tuck into doner kebabs, kebab rolls, fish, and kumpir that are all priced at a fraction of what we paid in restaurants, but certainly no less delicious. Hmm… maybe I should set up a Turkish restaurant in KL! Then I could have all this food whenever I wanted… Our first order is not quite enough; the fish is delicious so we order a second helping of that. I think that we made a spectacle of ourselves, sending the ‘waiter’ down to help us order more food and drink.
Finally satisfied, we set off back to the apartments, stopping along the way so that I can buy some baklava. We hadn’t had it all week, and I couldn’t leave without having some!
We get back at around 8.30pm, arms laden with shopping, bellies full of food, and empty pockets. Lol. Metin is surprised that we have had dinner, but I think subconsciously we all knew that we had to get started early on the packing because we had bought so much :) I think we, all of us, just managed to stuff everything into our respective bags (between the 5 of us, there were 4 final destinations).
That night, we could not get the hot water running in the shower (the wash basin and kitchen sink were fine). We couldn’t in the morning earlier that day either, but I think everyone just assumed that someone else had informed Metin. No one had. Uh oh. I trudge down the stairs to ask if there was a problem with the hot water system. No, I’m told, it should work. The guys check the hot water in the shower in the apartments above and below ours – they work. So what’s up with ours? It turned out that someone had installed the pipes wrongly in our shower, so to get hot water, we had to turn the knob to the right, instead of the left. And didn’t I feel pretty dumb for not having tried that…:p
We pack up, sleep, and the next morning, prepare for our flight without much incident. As expected, there were some dramas during the course of the trip (that I shall not get into), but really, what’s a family holiday without it? This morning, there is no time for drama. In a few hours, we will be parting ways with my sister at the airport. Before that, we have our last meal in Istanbul at Angel’s, snap a few photos with Metin and of mum and dad on his bike, load the car, and are off on our trip to the airport. One last opportunity to see the streets and sights of Istanbul.
I am sad, very sad to leave. I feel like I have only touched the tip of the iceberg, and indeed, as I discover when I get back to Malaysia, there is so much of Turkey that we did not see, and probably could not cover even if we stayed there a year. I had accumulated 1GB worth of photos, a memory full of well, memories, a heart full of feelings, and hopefully a lifetime friendship. I know that made no sense, but I’m trying my hardest to explain (obviously not so eloquently) how this trip has been such an eye-opener in so many ways. Gotta remember to thank the folks for it again one day! ;)
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