An Ode To Music

Music is a gift from God,
How it heals the whole being!
Sounds so sacred, vibrating throughout the universe.
How could we be inspired without singing the ancient Psalter?
Where would we be without the cantatas of Bach,
The symphonies of Beethoven, the operas of Mozart?
What would we do without the folk ballads of Bob,
Joni, Buffie, and Bruce? Who could dance, sing, laugh or cry without
The blues of B.B., the jazz of Miles, the rock
guitarists like Jimmie, Eric and George? Music is heaven's official language,
It fills the body with peace, the mind with creativity,
The heart with love, the soul with complete union.
Music is the vehicle wherein humankind journeys
As one family of brothers and sisters without
divisions and barriers.
We travel with music to the wonders of the world,
Places of such breathtaking, astounding beauty and sweet ecstasy.
So wherever you may be or whoever you are,
Sing a song, play an instrument dance with joy
In this life-long ode to music.
- Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

Music has always played a very big role in my life, whether it's in playing the piano or singing. I've played the piano since I was six (started off on the humble organ), and have always enjoyed singing. Music also has a very calming effect on me, and has served as a soothing haven for me to forget all my troubles, even if it was only temporary.

With this, I've created a section in this blog where I'll be introducing music which I find inspiring. I'll be sharing Christian songs, contemporary ballads, etc. Just drop me an email if you'd like a copy of the song(s).

Many thanks to Zeroimpact whose blog inspired me to share my favourite music (and also to use Lifelogger as a media-sharing tool, hehe).

A Girly Sunday At Makeup School

A week ago, my colleagues and I signed up for a personal image grooming and makeup course at Stella-in International. I was initially rather reluctant to join 'em, as RM380 for a 6-hour course (divided into two Sundays) is pretty pricey. After some time of consideration, I figured it could be fun after all, learning with the girls, and ended up forking out the money. We were quite excited, and was looking forward to the class all week.

As the date drew near, we were told to bring our own facial cotton, tissues, facial wipes, cotton buds, and eyelash curler. I was quite surprised that they did not provide such basic amenities, being such a prominent beauty centre in Penang. Warning bells, perhaps?

Anyways, the class began promptly at 10am. After brief introductions, we got down to business. A general overview of the course:

Aim of Course:
This course provides you with detailed information about various cosmetic tools and skin care products. You will learn the basic steps and techniques of make-up applications, and be guided in choosing correct colour combinations, suitable cosmetics and the best way to enhance your features.
- Introduction to products, tools and materials
- Basic skin care and preparation
- Cleanse, tone and moisturise
- Personal face massage
- Colour coordination and selection of makeup colours
- Day makeup
- Evening makeup
- Choosing suitable foundation
- Application of concealer cream
- Loose powder for long-lasting makeup
- Drawing of eyebrows
- Correct application of eyeshadow
- Correct application of eyeliner
- Techniques to lip colour application
- Latest techniques to blusher application

I was actually more interested in learning the proper way of makeup than anything else. I felt that the trainer spent a lot of time on teaching us the proper skincare methods, etc. I do not deny that proper skincare is very very important to us ladies, and that we should start early, and know the correct ways to cleanse, tone and moisturise your face. However, the main objective of us going for the class was to learn about makeup; I thought it would have been better if she focused more on that.

When we finally got to the part where we could finally paint our faces, it was pretty fun, unveiling all the brushes which Stella-in provided. I finally learnt how to use the corrective concealer kit (the one with 3 to 4 colours - green, pink, purple and brown), which was really good, 'cos I've always wanted to know how to work that. I also learnt the proper method of applying liquid eyeliner, which I've always had trouble with (my shaky hands always manage to draw jagged lines on my eyes *gulp*).

On the whole, it was an okay class. I did enjoy the session, but it was more in the company of my friends than anything else. To be honest, I expected more out of the session. For example, instead of just teaching us how to draw our eyebrows, it would have been more useful if they had taught us how to shape 'em too ('cos every girl knows that ain't easy to do all by yourself without getting 'em shaped by a pro first). It would also be good for them to teach us how to 'create' double-eyelids, which a lot of us Asians sadly lack.

I guess we'll just have to see what comes up during the next session, which, incidentally, is our last. I already have plenty of questions which I'd want to ask, e.g. how to use makeup to define a flat nose, how to create the 'smoky-eye' look without looking like we've been punched in the eyes, how to put on fake eyelashes, etc. Hmmm ... anything else I should look out for?

What to do, the kiasu person in me has to 'squeeze' as much info as I can for the money I paid leh. Tee hee hee!

Get Stuffed, Streamyx!

Excessive use of punctuation coming up.

Why the #$%@ does streamyx have to go bonkers on me, at the SAME time EVERY day, from 7 to 9pm???!! Especially when that is the time I need to use the Internet the most!!! What, everyone will be home from work/school/wherever to download their Heroes, CSI or porn, is it??!! IS IT???!!!

Gah!!! :(

PS: Recommended read.

My Hair Ordeal

My Saturday at the hair salon was just as I expected, and remembered - long and tiring. I finally had the horrid kinks on my hair straightened, but at a price. I went to the salon prepared; I had two books with me, and a piece of cake in case it took too long.

I think, from now on, there really has to be a limit to how vain I can be. Because seriously, FIVE hours on my ass while people yank and iron my hair, and burn my scalp, really isn't worth the poker-straight hair I ended up with. I was so tired when I came home, with a splitting headache.

Sadly, there wasn't any cute guys at the salon, let alone 'doing' me. Drats.

The top of my head's too flat, and there's a lingering chemical odour on my hair. Methinks I'll have to wash my hair pretty often now, just to 'fluff' the top, give it more volume, and also to get rid of the bad smell.

A reason it took so long for me to get my hair done, other than the tedious process, was the large amount of customers the salon had that day. I had to wait almost an hour before I was even attended to. Big mistake in not calling in first, to check if the salon's free (10 something in the morning on a Saturday woh. Aren't people still in bed on a lazy Saturday morning? Or is that only on Sundays?). A lesson to learn - call first, no matter how early. You never know if there are more kiasu people than you.

Sigh ... will I never learn?

Yay, It's Friday Once More

TGIF, people. A few more hours, and the weekend will start for me. It's a public holiday in Australia today (Australia Day), but the boyfriend will be working on night shift though, till Saturday morning. Boo! (the work, not him :p)

Quite a bit to do this weekend. Going to the hair salon tomorrow to straighten my hair. The last time I did was over a year ago, and after my haircut, I'm left with plenty of unruly and unsightly kinks in my hair. It's really 'big' at the back, all puffed up from the waves. Will definitely let the hairstylist know that I do not want poker straight hair from root to tip (too limp for my taste). She'll probably just fix 3/4 length of my hair, I suppose. I've always been 'cursed' with coarse, unruly hair. When I was in secondary school, I have people calling me "rambut besi" (iron hair), or a lion. Sigh. Ah well, at least, with straighter hair, it'd be more manageable.

On Sunday, I'll be going for a makeup course with a few colleagues. That's going to be interesting, will blog more on that when it's over. It'll be like my good ol' art lessons back in school, with brushes and sponges. Only this time, my face will be the canvas. Tee hee hee.

My weekend's going to cost me quite a bomb. What can I say? Many times over - vanity, thy name is woman.

Enjoy the weekend, y'all.

Bad Breakfast, Good Exercise

I just have to say,

Ugh ... my stomach's still churning from the breakfast this morning :(

On another note, I finally returned to my aerobics sessions. I used to attend workout sessions twice a week with a couple of girlfriends, but after our gym membership expired, so did our resolutions. I finally went back to proper exercise after FOUR months of slacking. Tsk tsk tsk. I was like a lumbering fool in the class; my muscles (or lackof) were so stiff, I couldn't stretch properly. But the feeling after a good workout session's fantastic. It's a great way to eat less for dinner, 'cos you wouldn't want your strenuous workout to go to waste.

Next session's on Thursday. If I can still manage to walk, that is.

A Gift From Paris

I received this in the mail yesterday.

Many thanks to fellow blogger, Paris Beaverbanks, who sent this to me, along with a nice lil' note.

Got this from one of her giveaways. What can I say, I'm a sucker for freebies. This is the first time I've actually gotten something out of blogging, so yay!

Anyhoos, I'd take this opportunity to also pimp Paris' beauty blog (no, she didn't ask me to do so; just wanted to, that's all), which I find very useful. I like it for a fact that she does not always give positive reviews to different types and brands of skincare or cosmetics, which means she actually tried 'em out. There are some sites who practically sing praises to ALL of the products they review, which gets boring after a while (especially if they're paid to do so). I mean, err, did y'all even try out these stuff? Anyways, do check it out. Tine says it's good :)

One thing though, Paris. I haven't tried it out yet. The packet's only 3cc each, but it mentions that the lotion is supposed to last 3 to 5 applications. That would be, like, a drop per application? Enough kah?

PS: This is not a Paris Beaverbanks-sponsored post. Hehe.

Of Children's Clothes & A Baby Girl

Back to work on a dreary Monday morning. Despite the gloomy weather and intermittent rain (apparently the rain dance worked), it's still very humid and stiflingly warm. The electricity bill's gonna hit the roof during the next couple of months, no thanks to the heat.

Weekend wasn't too bad. Had a haircut (RM10, very cheap!). Watched a few DVDs. I also accompanied Mum to Island Plaza, which I haven't been in over a year. Nothing much has changed; it's still pretty empty, even with Metrojaya as its anchor tenant. I was at the children's section for Somerset Bay, as Mum was paying for some stuff at a nearby cashier. Too my surprise and horror, I saw dresses for girls (ages 8 to 12) for RM150 to RM200!! What the ... ?? When the hell did children's clothes become so expensive? I could get a full-length dress for MYSELF for that price! What happened to bundling children up in lampin? Hehe, yeah, I know, that's getting a tad far-fetched, but still ... Children's clothes, what a lucrative business. For a measly amount of cloth, a pretty decent design (heck, even the crappy ones cost over RM50), you can sell such clothes to parents for a nice sum. Hmmm ... *squeezing out brain juices*

Speaking of children, my heartiest congratulations to a friend (and ex-colleague), UMR, whose wife delivered a beautiful baby girl yesterday evening. Don't think he knows of my blog, but what the hey, good news is good news.

Birthday Shoutout

To my dear cousin Kim,

On your birthday I wish you much pleasure and joy;
I hope all of your wishes come true.
May each hour and minute be filled with delight,
And your birthday be perfect for you!
~Joanna Fuchs~

Have a wonderful day. Many happy returns!

Blog Wars Have Begun

It has finally happened. Certain Malaysian bloggers are now being sued for defamation and libel.

My two cents, and I'm treading carefully here.

I've always maintained that the Internet's a tool of communication, which we have to be careful of. It's the public. As long as your words are available on the Internet, it's there for everyone to see and read.

I'm not advocating Jeff Ooi, Rocky Bru, etc's blogs, NOR do I want these people to be sued. Not even the slightest. I do enjoy reading Jeff Ooi's blog, albeit its sometimes controversial content. It's just that, sometimes, we have to take a step back, and look at the situation clearly. Would my entry affect another's well-being? What about their families and so on? More importantly, what about MY family? MY friends? Would my writing have any adverse effects on them? Call me a coward if you will, but my blog's not even worth a cent compared to my loved ones.

It's very common to read the words "it's MY blog, I can write whatever I want, if you don't like it, you can get lost, etc". These words are very easy to say (and write), but whatever outcome which arises from our words, we have to bear the consequences. And many a time, it's not a pretty sight.

We have to remember that there is no such thing as liberal free speech in Malaysia. We can argue till the cows come home, but let's face the facts, it's not likely to happen anytime soon, and not even the near future. We are NOT the US. We are not covered by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. China is already filtering all blogs, Iran is currently doing the same. It won't be long before blogging is banned for good. What would we do when it comes to that?

Standing up for what you believe in is, no doubt, good. I certainly would not want to compromise my integrity and principles for something which I believe is clearly wrong. But do be careful that it does not also compromise your loved ones. I agree with AhPek. It's not worth it.

As Rocky Bru said, these are unchartered waters. Please tread carefully. There is a time and place for everything.

Rain, Oh Where Art Thou?

How do you when the Chinese New Year is near? The telltale red lanterns and CNY music blaring over the speakers in shopping malls? Or the ever-growing stack of crates containing kum (mandarin oranges)? For me, it's the scorching heat.

I believe it was about 36C yesterday afternoon. It was so bloody hot, you could cook an egg on my head. Not a cloud was in sight, and to think that I actually ventured outside the office for lunch. I came back flushed in the face, parched and dizzy. How could it be flooding in Johor, and not even a drop of rain in Penang? Argh.

Every Chinese New Year, when people were out visiting from house to house, I'd stay put in my cousin's place in Seremban. I'm so glad that we did not have to do any house-visits during CNY, because I'd definitely not be able to take the heat. If you think Penang's hot during CNY, you wouldn't even wanna try Seremban.

Drink lots of water during the holiday season, people. You wouldn't want to fall ill from the heat, not when it's a season of EATING.

Oh for a drop of rain! *do a lil' rain dance*

Golden Rules In Choosing Your Life Partner

May forwarded an email to me this afternoon on the subject of choosing your life partner wisely. I'd admit, I'm not normally keen on reading such material, as I am often skeptical on what others would think on such a subject. I mean, hey, who made 'em experts on relationships? But as I read on, I discovered a lot of aspects which I found interesting and useful.

I thought I'd share it here, not simply as a post filler, but because I believe it's one of the most important decisions in one's life, as it's something we have to live with for the rest of our lives. This post is for everyone - single, or in a relationship.

A relationship coach lays out his 5 golden rules for evaluating the prospects of long-term success. When it comes to making the decision about choosing a life partner, no one wants to make a mistake. Yet, with a divorce rate of close to 50 percent, it appears that many are making serious mistakes in their approach to finding Mr/Ms Right!

If you ask most couples who are engaged why they're getting married, they'll say: "We're in love." I believe this is the #1 mistake people make when they date. Choosing a life partner should never be based on love (alone).

Though this may sound not politically correct, there's a profound truth here. Love (alone) is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage. When the other ingredients are right, then the love will come. Let me say it again: You can't build a lifetime relationship on love alone. You need a lot more.

Here are five questions you must ask yourself if you're serious about finding and keeping a life partner.


QUESTION #1:
Do we share a common life purpose?
Why is this so important?
Let me put it this way: If you're married for 20 or 30 years, that's a long time to live with someone.
What do you plan to do with each other all that time? Travel, eat and jog together? You need to share something deeper and more meaningful. You need a common life purpose.

Two things can happen in a marriage. You can grow together, or you can grow apart. 50 percent of the people out there are growing apart. To make a marriage work, you need to know what you want out of life - bottom line - and marry someone who wants the same thing.


QUESTION #2:
Do I feel safe expressing my feelings and thoughts with this person?
This question goes to the core of the quality of your relationship.
Feeling safe means you can communicate openly with this person. The basis of having good communication is trust! i.e. trust that I won't get "punished" or hurt for expressing my honest thoughts and feelings.
A colleague of mine defines an abusive person as someone with whom you feel afraid to express your thoughts and feelings.
Be honest with yourself on this one. Make sure you feel emotionally safe with the person you plan to marry.


QUESTION #3:
Is he/she a mensch?
A mensch is someone who is a refined and sensitive person.
How can you test? Here are some suggestions.
1. Do they work on personal growth on a regular basis?
2. Are they serious about improving themselves?
A teacher of mine defines a good person as "someone who is always striving to be good and do the right thing".
So, ask about your significant other: What do they do with their time? Is this person materialistic? Usually, a materialistic person is not someone whose top priority is character refinement.
There are essentially two types of people in the world: People who are dedicated to personal growth and people who are dedicated to seeking comfort. Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing.
You need to know that before walking down the aisle.


QUESTION #4:
How does he/she treat other people?
The one most important thing that makes any relationship work is the ability to give. By giving, we mean the ability to give another person pleasure.
Ask: Is this someone who enjoys giving pleasure to others or are they wrapped up in themselves and self-absorbed?
To measure this, think about the following:
1. How do they treat people whom they do not have to be nice to, such as waiters, bus boys, taxi drivers, etc?
2. How do they treat parents and siblings? Do they have gratitude and appreciation?
3. Do they show respect? If they don't have gratitude for the people who have given them everything, you cannot expect that they'll have gratitude for you - who can't do nearly as much for them!
4. Do they gossip and speak badly about others? Someone who gossips cannot be someone who loves others. You can be sure that someone who treats others poorly, will eventually treat you poorly as well.


QUESTION #5:
Is there anything I'm hoping to change about this person after we're married?
Too many people make the mistake of marrying someone with the intention of trying to "improve" them after they're married.
As a colleague of mine puts it, "You can probably expect someone to change after marriage ... for the worse!"
If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you are not ready to marry them.

In conclusion, dating doesn't have to be difficult and treacherous. The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart.

It pays to be as objective as possible when you are dating, to be sure to ask questions that will help you get to the key issues. Falling in love is a great feeling, but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don't want to find yourself in trouble because you didn't do your homework.


HOW WILL I KNOW IF I'VE MET THE PERSON I SHOULD MARRY?

The choice of a marriage partner should not be based on "I get a warm, wonderful feeling whenever we're together and I want to have that warm wonderful feeling forever, so let's go get married".

Feelings, as we have discussed, have no logic on their own. They need to be acknowledged, of course, but they need considerable assistance from your brain.

Marriage means choosing the person you will spend the rest of your life with. This, as you may have guessed, is a very long time to spend with one person. This person will live with you, eat meals with you, sleep with you and go on vacation with you. More important yet, this person will share your children. You need to choose wisely. The decision should not be made based on feelings alone. You need to ask yourself some tough questions. The decisions have to be made on solid considerations.

Will this person be a good partner?
Is she mature enough to put her own selfish desires aside to look out for what is best for the family? Is he prepared to be a good provider? What is his track record? Is he responsible enough to get a good job and keep it?

Will this person be a good parent?
Can you stand the thought of your children turning out exactly like this person? They will, you know. Children spend a lot of time with their parents and consequently pick up many or most of their parents' character traits. You had better like your spouse's traits a lot because you will be seeing them again in your children.

If something were to happen to you, would you completely trust this person, alone, with the task of raising and forming your children? This is not a pleasant thought, but it is an important consideration. Not everyone dies at a ripe old age with great grandchildren gathered around the bed.

Sometimes a parent dies and leaves young children in the care of the other parent. If you feel that you would need to be around to correct or lessen this person's influence on your children, then you are considering the wrong person.

Does this person share your faith in God?
God does not give us children so that we can mould them into the coolest, most popular people in school. Our job is to get them to heaven. To do that, we need to raise them believing in God. It is tough to do that if only one parent believes.

Saying "This is right and that is wrong, and I want you to ignore Mommy until you are thirty-five" does not work. Small children ask about eight million questions in a single day. The answers to those questions go a long way toward forming the kind of adults they will become. Who will be answering those questions for your children?


Does this person you are marrying have sexual self-control?
Single people sometimes have this idea that marriage is just some kind of lifelong sex festival and that as long as they have each other, they will never be tempted by other people. Wrong!

There are many times in every marriage when one partner or the other is sexually unavailable - illness, the last months of pregnancy, travel. There are also times when spouses, just get on each others' nerves. At times like this, other people can seem very appealing. That can be dangerous, because there are plenty of very attractive people out there who are willing to make themselves available to married men and women. Do you want someone who has never said "no" to sex? If he is not good at saying "no" at eighteen, it won't be different at forty. Do you want to worry about whether or not your spouse is being faithful?

These are very important questions, and if you are not comfortable with all of the answers, you should definitely not marry this person.

None if this is to say that feelings play no role at all in a marriage decision. You don't have to, "Well, I suppose that you would make a good spouse and parent, so even though I don't particularly like you I guess I'll marry you'. You need to be happy and excited about the prospect of spending your life with someone. Your brain however must acknowledge that this person as a good choice.

Don't listen to your heart alone nor your head alone. Wait until your heart and head agree.

Stupid Vincci Shoes

Vincci shoes are popular for a few things - they're cheap (well, relatively cheap, on par with other home brands such as Nose and Primavera), pretty ... and bloody uncomfortable. I have a LOT of shoes, and most of my Vinccis aren't exactly feet heaven. Look good, yes. Feel good, no.

I bought a pair of court shoes over the weekend, which I thought I'd wear to work. My Clarks' were looking worse for wear, so I thought I'd get something new. I saw this at Vincci.

Not too bad, right? The heels are only about an inch and a half, which is just nice. It was rather pricey though, RM70 for a pair. I thought I'd get half a size bigger, so that I can stretch it nicely.

Unfortunately, the damn pair of shoes totally pinched my wee toes within FIVE minutes of wear (okay, I didn't know that'd happen; I didn't test the shoes at the store for 5 minutes, for goodness' sake!), and I had to endure walking from the carpark to the office and back in pretty, but super painful shoes. Thank God, I don't have to wear that at the office (we have to change our shoes to ugly, but pretty comfy Bata ones). Or else I'd have a pool of blood in my shoes.

Damnit, that's RM70 I'd never see again. Reminder to self - pay through the nose for a good pair of Clark's or Hush Puppies, and that'd last you many years. Save Vincci for events which you don't have to walk or stand much.

I need to nurse the blisters on my wee toes now. Ouch!

PS: Don't ask me why I still buy shoes that are uncomfortable but pretty. They had me at pretty. That's all I'm sayin' ;)

Top Five Movie Favourites

I've been tagged by Paris B. It's been a while since I've done a meme, so here goes nothing.

It's really difficult for me to pinpoint a particular favourite movie, as there are so many! I think a movie's good and worth watching if I'd want to watch it over and over again (yeah, I can watch a good movie many times over without getting bored). I'm more into comedies and chick flicks than anything else. Anyways, after rummaging my bin of favourites, here are my top five, in no particular order. I've also added a lil' something of my own to the meme, which are memorable scenes and lines.


Bridget Jones' Diary I & II

Something about the lumbering, 30-something love pariah endears to me, especially when her love interest's played by Colin Firth. I'd watch anything played by the sexy Brit (better than Hugh Grant anytime). Renee Zellweger played Bridget really well; you just can't help but be sorry for her when it came to struggling with her love-life, career, and a porky behind. So like many of us, eh?

Favourite scene: Bridget deciding on whether to wear really tiny knickers, or huge granny pants for her date with Daniel (Hugh Grant).
Favourite line: Don't have a particular favourite. Every line's hilarious!


Back to the Future I, II & III

I was 5 years old when I first watched Part 1, but only fully understood the show a couple of years later. By then I was simply hooked. It's funny how I learnt the word "butthead", and the phrase "make like a tree, and get out of here" when I was only seven. I thoroughly enjoyed Part 2 though; I thought that by the year 2015, there'll really be flying cars and self-drying clothes! Doc Brown's (Christopher Lloyd) my favourite character, followed by Marty (Michael J. Fox).

Favourite scene: In Part 2, when Marty got on the Hover Board to get away from Biff Jr. (Thomas F. Wilson) I wanted a Hover Board so bad!!
Favourite line: "Manure! I HATE manure!!" (when Biff crashed into a truck with a large load of manure)


The Devil Wears Prada

The book actually portrayed Andy Sachs as a real bitch, compared to Anne Hathaway's angelic features and actions. Still, Meryl Streep did Miranda's character justice; very chic, very bitchy, very VERY cold. As for the rest ... hello? Weren't you mainly paying attention to the clothes? ;)

Favourite scene: Andy strutting down the streets of New York, lookin' very chic, and wearing all those super-gorgeous clothes to Madonna's Vogue. I want me that lovely white coat she wore in that scene.
Favourite line: "Why is no one reeeaady?" (Miranda to her staff, during a fashion runthrough)


The Wedding Singer

I'm quite a fan of Adam Sandler movies (yeah, I know, not many are), and I think this is one of his best works, as he portrayed his character really well as a jilted wedding singer (the scene where he sang a song which he wrote for his ex-girlfriend was hilarious). Drew Barrymore complemented him really well. At least his character isn't all crazy and stuff, as he usually was in his previous movies.

Favourite scene: Whenever the Boy George-lookalike, who is, incidentally, also called George (Alexis Arquette), sang the song "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?", it NEVER fails to crack me up.
Favourite line: (when deciding how the wedding kiss at church should go) "Well, maybe a little tongue. Not "porno" tongue. "Church" tongue."


Kate And Leopold

Any movie with Hugh Jackman in it gets my vote ANY time. Leopold (Hugh Jackman) represents ALL the heroes of the many romance novels I've read - handsome, suave, oozing with charisma, and a perfect gentleman *sigh*. It's simply every girl's dream. Meg Ryan who? ;)

Favourite scene: When Leopold had to accustom himself to the appliances of the future. Oh, and when he stood everytime a lady leaves the table. Priceless.
Favourite line: (Leopold telling the sandwichman off when he (the sandwichman) was rude to him when Leopold couldn't pay for his food as he did not have any money) "May I remind you, merchant, that I am the customer in this establishment and as such require your attention and the utmost respect. I do not accept this modern convention of desecrating one's patrons with such contemptuous disregard. Need I add that without our patronage you would not own that unwashed counter behind which you spew your filthy mouth?" (took this off IMSDb - can't rememeber it word-for-word lah)

(We should seriously learn to speak like that. That should tell people off without sounding crude and crass :P)


I shall tag Beetrice, Blooogin and TruBluePenangite (up to you folks if you want to add the favourite scene and line bits; I was just bored anyways). There ya go ;)

Mind Your Language

Does anybody remember the 1977 sitcom "Mind Your Language"?

By a stroke of luck, I managed to get "The Best of Mind Your Language" DVDs today. I've only watched the first disc, and I was already in tears of laughter. Who could forget the prim and proper Miss Courtney (Zara Nutley) who goes all high-pitched, "Missstteerr Brrroowwwwnnnn!!" Or Taro's (Robert Lee) constant bowing, "Ahh so"? Or the incessantly patriotic Chinese, Su Lee (Pik-Sen Lim, who was, incidentally, born in Penang), who goes on and on about Chairman Mao?

Anyways, is it just me, or is Barry Evans (who played Mr Brown, the English teacher. He died of alcohol poisoning in 1997) really cute? Well, in a nerdy sort of way.

Gotta return to my DVDs now. A thousand apologies.

Tee hee hee!

Weekend's Here Again

So the weekend's a-coming. Any plans?

I'll be staying in this weekend. Will go to town on Sunday to run some errands, but that'll be it. I've been pretty down of late, what with problems at the workplace (will blog on that some other time), topped with a really bad stomachache yesterday (still recovering from it actually). Right now, I just wanna crawl into bed, hide myself under the covers, and sleep it all off.

On a lighter note, by staying home this weekend, I'll be reorganising my makeup bag. Time to bin all the old makeup (I still have bits and pieces which I bought in the UK three years ago), to clear some space for new ones. I've been buying quite a lot of single eyeshadow refills from Elianto ('cos it's super cheap), and they add to the bulk. Single eyeshadow cases are more fun for me; I get to experiment with different colours. It's also more challenging; the sets which come in 2 colours or more pretty much restrict you to the existing colours if you're not ready to mix colours of your own. Plus, it's like having separate bottles of paint; spread 'em out, and you get a rainbow of colours. Ahh ... such purrdy colours ... *grin*

Here's to a good weekend, people.

Bag Junkies, I Give You The Bag Snob

As y'all know, I'm a real bag junkie. You think I'm nuts for having over 20 pairs of shoes? Try doubling (or tripling) that, and you'll get the amount of bags I have. I'm truly blessed and thankful for my designer bags as they were all gifts. I just don't have the heart to fork out that much money simply for a bag. No, no, the bags were not from rich boyfriends. They were mostly courtesy of my mum and aunt. If left to me, I'd be buying fake LVs and Chanels (which I have, by the way *grin*).

Anyways, I'm pimping a new website today, which I happened to find when I was checking out Paris B's site. It's called The Bag Snob (hover your mouse over the link to check it out), and the bags shown there are simply to-die-for (i.e. you have to slice off your body parts to sell in order to get 'em, it's THAT expensive). I have NEVER browsed a particular site, gasped, shrieked, oohed and aahed that much before. Mata terbeliak, man! I'm not looking to actually get these bags, y'know; that's the whole point of a fantasy (well, this kinda fantasy anyway *wink*). Fulfill it, and it loses its edge. Not much fun to ooh and ahh anymore. But hey, I welcome all contributions ;)

Do check it out if you're a bag junkie like me. Or if you're simply curious as to why a girl needs a hundred bags. Tee hee hee.

(This is NOT a sponsored post)

Memories In Our Hearts, Not Our Phones

(A personal post)

As I was doing my usual blog-surfing, I found a post which struck a cord in me.

Do read it before you continue with my entry.

I, too, used to keep my text messages in my mobile's inbox and folders, all for sentimental reasons. To tell you the truth, I still do it, but there is a limit to it now.

For the past couple of years, I used to keep every single text message the exes sent me. When it got too much for my mobile phone to handle, I'd source the Internet for any piece of software which could allow me to save these messages out of my phone to my PC. Only then would I be willing to delete 'em off my phone, as I would still be able to keep those old messages.

Whenever I was feeling lonely and blue, especially during my times in Japan, I'd go through every message in my phone, reading the messages, which gave me temporary relief. But, at the end of the day, I ended up feeling even more lonely and miserable than before, because such so-called relief was all I got. All I had were memories which I could only keep, but not re-live. I clung to the past possessively. Unneccesarily.

It was sad how the few hundreds of text messages could screw me up like that. My mobile became my lifeline; I could only look forward to the next text message to arrive, which I would then fiercely read and store into my Personal folder. In the dark of the night, when I was all alone in my room, I would take out these messages to read again.

Everytime something bad happens, when life screws me over, I'd delete all of these messages, hoping that I could somehow 'erase' the past and start afresh. Yet, when things are rosy, I'd start keeping 'em all over again. It was a vicious cycle.

I agree with Arth, you cannot move on and accept the new things in your life, if you continue to cling to your past. It took me a long time to accept these new changes, and when I finally deleted all the old messages FOR GOOD, it felt great. It initially felt somewhat strange, and, I'd admit, a little sad, for I was finally tearing away from what used to hold me back. But ultimately, I felt good. Not anxiously waiting and wondering when the next text message was coming felt good.

I still save my text messages, as my current mobile can store quite a bit more than my previous ones, but it wouldn't affect me much if I were to delete them. Don't get me wrong, I do save the sweet messages the boyfriend sends me, but I no longer feel lost and wretched if they do get deleted. The memories are there in my heart. Not in my phone.

At the end of the rainbow, I feel that there IS a pot of gold for me. Along the way, we'd build bittersweet memories, which we keep in our minds and hearts. The mobile phone is just a piece of metal, which should only be used for what it's made for, and not to take hold of our lives as such.

Go ahead, take that step. Delete those messages which you know you should. You may not know it now, but you'd feel much better after you do. Just like the rainbow after the storm.

I quote Arth, whose words hold true, "If you are incapable of keeping memories in your own head, then those memories aren't worth keeping".

Chinese New Year Shopping & Tradition

Did my Chinese New Year shopping today. Y'know, when you are to wear new clothes on the first day of CNY? No? Well, it's a long-standing tradition in my family; Mum had it when she was growing up, so must we. Definitely no complaints from my department, that's for sure.

I remembered Mum buying us new clothes a month or so before CNY, and we'd all be dressed in new garb on the first day. Mum told me stories about how my grandmother would make all her children new clothes just for the festive season. They'd only be able to have new clothes ONCE a year, but they'd all be dressed to the nines then. Puts the 'shopping-for-every-occasion" into a whole new perspective, huh? Still, it's a tradition which I hope to carry on with me. I know I can't sew for peanuts, but it'd be nice to put on something new just for the occasion.

Anyhoos, yeah, I did a LOT of damage today. Five tops, a skirt, two eyeliners, and other bits and bobs. Bought a t-shirt for the boyfriend too. It's not a thing for him to wear brand-new clothes on the first day of CNY though. Ah well, there's always a first time, no? I actually swiped my credit card three times today. Don't even want to know what the final bill will be *gulp*.

Five more weeks to CNY. Can't wait ;)

My 5 Seconds Of Fame

I recently wrote about the lack of Internet access due to the Taiwan earthquake. To my surprise, my blog was actually featured on Digital Life, in the Straits Times Singapore (Jan 2).

Click for a larger image

Many thanks to fellow Singaporean reader and blogger, Daren, who alerted me, and very kindly scanned this page and sent it to me. Cheers!

Reflections of 2006

As 2006 drew to an end, we contemplate the past year. Was it a good year for us? Was it bad? Did we learn something from the past 365 days? Would we leave with something good to keep, or just wished that the year'd be over as soon as possible?

1. Was 2006 a good year for you?
2006 started off really badly. It marked the end of a very painful on-and-off relationship which I am glad to be finally out of. Moving on wasn't easy, but God is good and faithful. Towards the end of the year, an old friend came back significantly into my life, and what continued as a beautiful friendship blossomed to an even more beautiful relationship.

2. What was your favorite moment(s) of the year?
The wonderful shopping holiday at Bangkok with cousin Bea, attending my friend's wedding in KK, meeting up with a friend from Canada whom I've been corresponding with for a year but have never met, my first paintball event (wooot!!), and most of all, meeting up with the boyfriend in Melbourne :)

3. What was your least favorite moment of the year?
See no. 1

4. Where were you when 2006 began?
I was pretty hammered after downing 3/4 bottle of red wine on New Year's Eve of 2005, all the way to New Year's Day. I was at home.

5. Who were you with?
My family

6. Where will you be when 2006 ends?
At Hester's wedding

7. Who will you be with when 2006 ends?
A lot of my colleagues, and also people whom I don't know at Hester's wedding.

8. Did you keep your new years resolution of 2006?
Hmm ... I was determined that 2006 would be a happier year for me. It didn't start off well, but it definitely picked up towards the end, and a blissful end, so yeah, I guess I did keep my resolution for 2006 after all :)

9. Do you have a new years resolution for 2007?
Lose a few kilos, exercise more and spend less. Oh, and also to spend less time on the computer (finally realised how hooked I was to my notebook), and the telly. I've got a couple more, but I'll keep that to myself for now, thank you very much.

10. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Yep :)

11. Did you break up with anyone in 2006?
Yes.

12. Did you make any new friends in 2006?
A couple of Japanese girls, when I was in Japan in the beginning of the year. They brought me outlet shopping!

13. Who are your favourite new friends?
Not even going to go there. I still wanna keep my friends, y'know ;)

14. What was your favourite month of 2006?
Hmm ... a toughie to actually pinpoint a favourite MONTH. I guess I'd say October, 'cos it was the first time I visited Australia, and more importantly, to see the boyfriend.

15. Did you travel outside of Malaysia in 2006?
This was the year I did the most traveling.

16. How many different countries did you travel to in 2006?
Went to Bangkok with cousin Bea in July, and to visit the boyfriend in Melbourne in October.

17. Did you miss anybody in the past year?
My dear friends, AW and Ric, from Dundee who got married in KK in September, another from Singapore, BC, and also another couple who couldn't make it to the wedding, Mich and Don, because Mich was expecting (baby arrives in February '07).

18. What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2006?
It's gotta be "The Devil Wears Prada". The shoes! The clothes! The bags! Beautiful, just beautiful *tee hee hee*

19. What was your favorite song from 2006?
Don't have a favourite song of the YEAR, but I've always liked "It Might Be You" by Stephen Bishop.

20. What was your favorite record from 2006?
Don't have a favourite record either.

21. How many concerts did you see in 2006?
A charity concert at the beginning of December. Yeah, only one! Sad huh?

22. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2006?
I think I drank more wine when I was in Melbourne, than I did my whole life (well, up to now anyway)!

23. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Yeah, haven't we all?

24. What was the worst lie someone told you in 2006?
Erm ... the odd white lie here and there's inevitable, but I don't think there were any major, bad lies which I cooked up. Hmmm ....

25. Did you treat somebody badly in 2006?
I hope I didn't. But if I did, I do apologise.

26. How much money did you spend in 2006?
A crazy, crazy amount! I bought a new car, a new mobile phone, travelled a lot this year, and what with 2 weddings ... sigh. Money going out, hardly any coming in :(

27. What was your proudest moment of 2006?
Finally being able to move on with my life.

28. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2006?
Gosh, don't think I can remember a specific moment. I do get my odd hiccups. Thank goodness it's nothing big :)

29. If you could go back in time to any moment of 2006 and change something, what would it be?
Nothing. Life experiences are there for a reason. We learn, we grow.

30. What are your plans for 2007?
I'll take anything that comes along ;)


Have a great 2007, y'all.

A Wedding, And The New Year

As much as I enjoyed helping my friend planning her wedding, I definitely overdid it this time. Too many things to do, till I was simply stretched to the point of exhaustion up to the wedding dinner. I've decided that I shall not get myself too involved in weddings this year (Hester's my 4th). Gotta give myself a break.

The entire day went as smoothly as planned, thank God. From the preparations, picking up of the bride, tea ceremonies, plenty of luncheons (oh yeah, it was a day of a lot of eating. A typical Malaysian wedding, no doubt, hehe!), church ceremony, up to the wedding dinner. Finally, we could all breathe a good, long, sigh of relief.

Really glad that I got Monday and Tuesday off from work. A nice break with a bit of reading and television was good. Didn't do much yesterday. Went for a facial at Kanebo with mum. Pricey, yes, but the service was excellent. Will definitely go there again. Bought a pair of capris for Chinese New Year. The Giordano shop was actually playing boisterous Chinese New Year music already. Tee hee hee!

How did you spend your New Year's? Watched the fabulous display of fireworks? Par-tayed till the wee hours of the morning? Or simply like me, head dropped to the pillow just before the clock struck twelve?

Wedding Bells

Heartiest congratulations to my girl, Hester, who just tied the knot, with her sweetheart of SEVEN years, Benjamin.

May the good Lord continue to bless you both, and your marriage, abundantly. When you do have kids, I call godmother! *grin*