{j'aime la vie}

Some Kind of Wonderful

2011-08-26T03:30:00.007+08:00

Langkawi, returned
I can never get tired coming back over and over
It is never the same
There is always something else to fall in love with
This is not a vacation, it feels more like i was going "home"
After all, I left my heart here long ago

{Listening to......}

2011-08-16T16:26:00.017+08:00

This is the beach edition of "Listening to..." as i will heading to one very soon. I always compile a list of songs both old and new before i head off for any vacation. This is because when i suffer from post-holiday syndrome, i want to associate those songs i put in my 'vacation song list" to how happy i felt then by listening to them. It works all the time.

Hey Fatima Rainey
Come Away With Me Norah Jones
Don't Get Me Wrong The Pretenders
Thinking of Me Olly Murs
Don't You Want Me Atomic Tom
Valerie Amy Winehouse
When I First Kissed You Extreme
The Sweetest Love Robin Thicke
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Elton John
Happiness Alexis Jordan
Mornin Al Jarreau
Some Kind of Wonderful Peter Cincotti

Bright City Lights.

2011-08-12T05:01:00.015+08:00

The beautiful sight and sounds of Bangkok, 2011

The Photolog : RWMF 2011

2011-08-11T02:34:00.013+08:00

Rainforest World Music Festival 2011

RWMF 101 : Practical Tips.

2011-07-24T03:17:00.027+08:00

Now that you have gathered all your willing buddies, handed your leave form to your HR lady, booked your flight tickets, paid for your accommodations, bought your 3-Day passes and is counting down the days (read PART 1 here on planning for your RWMF trip). You are excited and pleased that you got everything sorted out so soon. Heck you even managed to save money from all the early booking discounts and deals. Congrats because you have now extra dough to spend on more booze (ok that's just my friends) or some awesome rainforest festival souvenirs or even for all the yummy food you are going to eat in Sarawak.

Before you head to RWMF : What To Wear and What To Bring

Wear appropriate footwear. Slippers or flip-flops are the smartest choice. Preferably an old pair that is comfortable or one that is inexpensive. This is because you will be walking/standing alot, there might be rain which equals mud everywhere and yes, there is a chance you may lose a pair while dancing.

As for attire - keep it as simple, light, comfortable and decent. What you rather not wear : jeans, anything white, maxi dresses, your expensive jewelry, skintight clothes you wear when you go clubbing, heels (see above) or your birthday suit as we want this event to be PG rated.

You can bring a mat or foldable chair to the festival to rest your weary feet. But for us who are not local may find it a tad hard to bring it all the way from home. My favourite spot for when i am tired but still want the concert atmosphere is right behind where the sound crew is located. There are these steps where the rock formations are and sitting there gives you a great overall view of not only both stages but the whole crowd as a whole.

Bring enough cash. Not too much or too little. There is no atm machines in the venue or nearby. Credit cards are of no use as everything is cash basis. So in essence you would just need some cash and an ID in case.

Other things to bring (optional) : Camera, hat, sunblock, sunglasses, small umbrella, disposable rain coat/poncho, tissue and wet wipes, hand sanitizer, plasters/band-aid, a towel and an extra change of clothing if possible.

Be prepared for the rain. You may have your raincoat for yourself but not for your things. A good tip is to put your handphone into a clear zip lock bag. That way you can still see and use your phone without it getting wet. You can do the same with your money and essentials too. If you are bringing a bag whether a handbag/backpack, bring along a large clear garbage bag and put the entire bag into it to keep it dry. Looks silly carrying it around but it will work.

Festival Tips : What To Do During The RWMF

Attend as many daytime workshops as possible. You will not regret it nor would you want to miss it. I cannot express how amazing the experience can be.

Buy all the awesome CD's from all performers. Each year, the performers would bring some of their albums (even T-Shirts) with them to be sold. It is only available at the merchandise stall right at the venue entrance. However you need to be quick as it runs out fast as there is usually very limited quantities. So if you hear a group you absolute love that night, it's best you start running to the stall.

Check out the arts and craft bazaar at the Melanau House. Good if you are looking for souvenirs. There is also awesome sape player who performs there too.

The best place to chill out during downtime between 5pm to 7pm includes in and around the lake area as it is the coolest spots, food court if you want to grab dinner and have the fans cool you down or my other favourite spot would be Damai Beach. It's a little tricky to get in but it's a beautiful place to chill.

Final Checklist

Stay safe always.

Respect the forest and other festival goers there by not littering or being insensitive or disrespectful. Let's play it civil people.

Don't ever drink and drive. The roads to and fro Santubong can get dark and dangerous. Be responsible and take the shuttle bus.

Be friendly and smile. Its fun to just mingle around too whether you are sitting by the lake or at a workshop event. You will never know who you may meet and trust me, i had met some every interesting people from all over the world at the festival.

Make sure you enjoy your experience truly. Take your time to just soak up all the wonderful sights & sounds, the festival energy, the rich culture and the beautiful surroundings of Santubong.

What are you waiting for, The Rainforest World Music Festival beckons!

RWMF 101 : Planning Your Trip.

2011-07-22T19:12:00.015+08:00

Hey all,

Recently since coming back from The Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching, i had many friends asked about my trip over there. I would excitingly tell them about the music and bands that were playing or how the atmosphere was like and their faces would lit up for a moment with curiosity to what really goes on in this jungle in the far end corner of Borneo.

And this is when i realized that the curiosity of wanting to know what goes on soon quickly translates into the next few questions which include - "how did you plan for this trip?", "how much did the entire trip course" and "when must we start booking if we want to go next year". So i guess my friends do want to go but just don't know where to start.

And with those questions asked and asnwered, i thought that seeing that i am having a little downtime now, i could share some tips on how to plan, book and other things on how to have an enjoyable RWMF experience.

BEFORE - Planning Your Trip

Start with the four basics - Date, Flight Tickets, Accommodation and Festival Tickets.

First things first, you can start blocking out your dates for the RWMF which is held every second week(end) of July (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) every year. It's your best bet to fly in by Thursday or latest Friday on the earliest morning flight. You can start applying for work leave early or make sure you don't have anything that weekend.

From my experience, i usually start searching for flight tickets of all things first. My timeline for searching and purchasing flight tickets starts as early as 9 months ahead. There are three airlines that flies from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching which is AirAsia, MAS and Firefly. The average fare should be around RM 300 per person or more depending. I find that AirAsia has the lowest fare and if you are lucky, you can get them for less than RM 100 for return tickets when the airline have their infamous "free seat" sales. You should try MAS too as they do have that occasional sale for their domestic flights. That's why you should always start looking whenever you get the chance and try to book months ahead for the best deals.

Next is accommodation.
There are two options to where to stay which is either :
a) in one of the surrounding Damai/Santubong resorts nearest to the festival grounds
b) hotels/resorts/B&B's in and around Kuching city.

The best choice would be (a) because it saves tons of time travelling back and forth (almost an hour from Kuching city) and it's safer if you intend/foresee yourself to be drinking throughout the festival. This is a however a little subjective as it really depends on your budget and how willing are you to book (and pay a deposit upfront) months ahead. Please be forewarned that prices for rooms can increase up to three times the published rates for most lodgings because of the demand and even more so for the three main hotel/resorts at Santubong.

A friend who is a loyal festival goer of almost 10 years tells me that the very day they check-out from Damai Beach Resort on the last day of the festival is the very same day they place a booking for a room for next year's festival. So book way ahead which is best done 2-3 months ahead or else you will risk being put on a waiting list or worst still, made to pay overpriced rooms for last minute bookings. Last year, i was fortunate to be able to stay at the Sarawak Cultural Village itself at one of their home stays for being part of Media. This year however, i stayed at Four Points by Sheraton Kuching. Although i had to travel quite abit, the stay was fantastic which i wrote a review for at Trip advisor (click here to read).

My Tip : Try searching and comparing prices from hotel reservation websites like agoda, asiatravel, booking.com, asiarooms and many others. This is especially useful if you are booking a few weeks ahead the festival and need a good bargain. Agoda and AsiaTravel are my two favourite and have been booking with them for many of my holidays. For a list of RWMF recommended stays, check it out here.

Next is the festival tickets which has two options :-
a) 3-Day Pass which you can only buy online only and its not for sale at the festival (RM300)
b) Daily Passes (valid for one day) which you can buy online or at the Festival ground ticketing booth during the festival (RM110 per day)

This has been the standard price for the past three years as far as i know. Many festival goers and first timers hasve complained that it is pretty steep and that puts them off from going. However, don't fret people as there is a few ways to score cheaper tickets. Here is how :-

a) Be an early bird. RWMF starts the sale of tickets in January and sells them through Ticketcharge. This is when you should buy your tickets because it was almost half price for the 3-Day Pass. So instead of RM 300, it was only RM 180.

b) If you were still not sure whether you are going then, no worries as there will probably be more promotions but just not half the price. This year, RWMF contiuned on with two more promotions in the following months. The prices for the 3 Day Passes went from RM 180 (Jan to Feb) to RM 240 (March to April) to RM 260 (May) before it went back to full priced by June. So it gives you about 6 months to think about it and still get a discount.

c) Now for those who really have just decided last minute and is hitting your head because you now have to fork out the full RM300 then stop because you never know when RWMF would decide to have a last minute promotion. For those lucky last minute goer's this year, RWMF offered the same 3-Day Passes at RM180 again for a period of 6 days in the last week of June.

d) Lastly, if you really want to try your luck, there are many competitions and giveaways ongoing where you can score free tickets. I do know that one of the best giveaways is from Heineken where you can win an All-Expense Trip.

Alright, this is PART I where i share a little about planning for your trip. Check out my next post where i discuss some practical tips on what to bring, what to do and others while at the festival (read PART 2 here on what to do, what to bring and more festival tips for the RWMF)

Gosh No!

2011-07-21T16:56:00.005+08:00

Hola,

It's Summer, it's hot and i am on an 'unofficial' break for the time being. Just so you know that i haven't abandon my blog yet. There has been lots of things going on and changes undercurrent. I am moving into another phase now whilst getting life sorted out. It's more play though than work at the moment as i am taking a vacation or two in the next few weeks. Can't wait - beach and shopping!

Since i have some precious 'time' on my side before i venture into the working world, i think i would be taking a little break from blogging till around mid August. So till then, get out more often, soak up some some, enjoy a drink or two and i will see ya soon. Have a great month ahead!

P/S : Isn't the poster above too cute :) And btw, RWMF 2011 was fantastic. Had such a great time x

There is only one place.

2011-07-07T03:57:00.007+08:00

The journey

The sights and sounds

The depth of forest.

The spirit that lives on.

And here we are again.

In the midst of it all.

With love.

Have a great weekend. I know i will x

To have and to hold.

2011-07-04T16:21:00.008+08:00

Just heard the craziest kinda news. Ok, screw the last post about midyear madness and change it to mid-life crisis alert because we are going to talk about weddings.

Woke up, washed up, powered up the computer, boiled water, made some tea, threw some bread in the toaster, changed, headed back to kitchen, grab tea and walked back to computer, opens Facebook and on the News Feed it was flooded with congratulatory messages. Woah.

Hold up.

Its not to me silly but to a friend. This friend is rather a friend of a friend, really nice girl who i know has been dating this guy for eons. Through FB (you will be surprise that lots of people write all sorts of things on it), i knew she was on a vacation. So how did she announced it to the world? Well, she wrote a a simple "YES" followed by numerous exclamation marks on her status and it didn't take a genius to put that with the vacation that someone just got proposed to.

Well, it's not really the idea that she is getting married at such a young age* that is the point (*young age - depends on what you think is age appropriate). Its really the bigger picture that is scary. Its reality with a capital R but the thing is she is not the first friend to get married or have a baby at my age (woah, a baby? This will be for another day) so why does it feel like a wake-up call? I guess all the reality check is happening because i am at another crossroad in my life. Reminds me so much of Green Day's "Time of Your Life" beginning lyrics which says;

Another turning point;
a fork stuck in the road.

Time grabs you by the wrist;
directs you where to go.

I am crazy excited, crazy confused and crazy everything at the same time. So many plans to carry out, so many life long dreams yet to be fulfilled and so many places to go. Well, its almost a good amount of time of life left to start something. So bring it on :)

P/S : Congrats to the happy couple. I doubt she reads this blog but it's nice to wish people happiness and love as they start their lives together x

The Second Half.

2011-07-01T16:40:00.005+08:00

We have reached the midway mark of 2011 as of today. Its been fairly a great balance of ups and downs but more on the ups. Balance seemed to be the keyword for the first half as a good amount of work and play.

Its crazy how comparing to the last year things are now.

Things have started to pick up pace heading towards the second half of 2011. I am grateful for all the opportunities and am certain (maybe, almost certain) about what i want in the near future. Well here goes the saying "what doesn't kill you will make you stronger" and it's true. You will survive and come out glorious.

Hopefully the second half is going to be life changing and if not so, equally great as the first half. For now make everyday count x

The Good Life

2011-06-30T03:50:00.015+08:00

My schedule for June has been absolutely packed. I understand that it is the mid-year and all but woah, this was far out. And the thing is, it was all the last minutes unscheduled things that had me on a constant go all week and weekend. I can say i am a little overwhelmed. I just came back from a short weekend away with the familia and i had just catch up on all the much needed sleep. Hence, i am able to blog abit more than i have been doing (sorry about all the filler posts!).

And there, i said it once, twice and have always have been saying it countless times that when life is good, good means busy".

So what has been going on in busy ol June

Market Research Techniques, Strategic Marketing and Business Law classes this semester. The trifecta of subjects of all subjects. But no sweat, just tons and tons of project work, exams, presentations and no sleep. Last semester though so gotta persevere or in this case more like survive

Our cousin Daniel from New Zealand came and stay with us for one of the weekends. Its a long story but we basically all just reconnected with our mom's side of the family last month at an Uncle's birthday after not seeing them including Daniel, his sister Rachel and his parents Uncle Peter and Aunt Ineke for 15 years (amazing stuff but will blogged about another day). It was so fun to have him around as i brought him out most of the days (mostly to eat - banana leaf rice, chicken rice, Thai food, noodles & all kinds). The sisters and i got to know him a little better and it's nice to rediscovered your family connections again!

Celebrated 3 birthdays which was Alina's, Tasha's and Jason's - 3 different celebrations, 3 different places, 3 different nights.

Tasha was back for the Summer albeit and earlier one. This year because she had such a short time here, we had to cram whatever plans we could have which involved lots of eating out as we tried so many different places - Ben's, Canoodling, The Apartment, Spaghetti Grill, goreng pisang stalls & more, shopping, Gong Cha (she has converted me into an official GC addict), road tripping to Seremban to meet some of her friends over yummy food, dinners at her place and just some good quality amounts of time spent. I missed you already :(

And there was good old family time where we had a weekend family getaway over at Camerons which was as usual awesome. It was a good holiday just chilling out, eating lots of fresh food/veges/fruits, enjoying the weather, going to our fave Boh Plantation and the highlight was karaoke night at the hotel. It was funny coz we were bored at the apartment and there is really nothing much at night to do so when my sister saw a banner at the lobby stating RM40 nett for an hour, she was like "Lets go karaoke!". We were like "what?" at first but when there is a private room with 3 microphones and 6000 songs, family karaoke was crazeee fun :)

June has been not only good but great in my books. And it has come to an end. As for July, I have been looking forward to you too. Happy weekend. Till then x

Tinged Nostalgia.

2011-06-24T01:16:00.005+08:00

Life at best is bittersweet.

Deconstructed Salad

2011-06-15T04:01:00.003+08:00

via Sweet Paul Magazine

Closer.

2011-06-09T02:22:00.008+08:00

The thought about endings. There are always a feeling of something tagged to it.

“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”

Have you had that feeling of being caught between being relief that something is over and done with that rush of excitement and yet being absolutely terrified that it is coming to an end?

So close that i could feel it, yet so far still.

As Time Goes Slowly By.

2011-06-08T18:56:00.007+08:00

Welcome home.

When you're back, it always feels like Summer. I love how for all the past Summers we had, it has been always super fun, carefree and there was a fair share of the randomest things done. It has been lotsa long talks into the day, shopping trips, stayovers, drinks on the balcony and the love of eating be it lunches, brunches, teatime, snacks or dinners. Never breakfast because we are always sleeping in late. The good ol days :) I know this time you are only back for a relatively short holiday but i am grateful for the time we will get to spend together x

SaturdayNight

2011-06-07T03:04:00.008+08:00

Celebrating Alina's 23rd at TwentyOne.

Stumbling Across

2011-06-02T02:37:00.006+08:00

Holla there.

For some reason, June is always a good month. Things will be winding down and moving lazily into Summer. Good friends are back, holiday trips are planned and things seemed to move slower when your having a good time. I am going to enjoy the gift of time that i have now and used it wisely for after this, i am afraid Summer will just be another season - nothing more, nothing less. It seems like June is the begining of a very good journey to the end of the year. Catch you all later x

The world needs more love.

2011-05-27T17:33:00.008+08:00

Let Your

Light Shine.

Be A Source

of Strength

And Courage.

Share Your

Wisdom.

Radiate Love.

The forest that never sleeps.

2011-05-25T13:02:00.014+08:00

I am stoked. Extremely stoked actually because the rainforest dream is back and alive :) After months of "nays" and "let's sees", we finally made flight bookings today and it's as good as locking the dates down. I remember at the initial stage of toying with the idea of our return to Kuching this year, i made it a habit to check up on random flight promotions as a "just-in-case" measures of all the domestic airlines. I guessed i had always harboured that desire to return eventhough it's currently one of the busiest times of the year and you don't have the luxury yet to think about taking a holiday and all.

So for almost 7 months religiously, i did that. Amazing how being slightly compulsive can be a blessing. And today, i managed to score relatively cheap tickets to Kuching via MAS especially considering it's quite last minute. I have been lucky to stumbled onto this ongoing promotion for MAS when i was logging in to activate my Enrich card membership which had just arrived a couple of days ago. Btw, just to point out that AirAsia has been getting ridiculously expensive. They started including fuel surcharge recently & their baggage prices is just expensive. My MAS tickets were not only cheaper but it included 20 kg's of baggage, refreshment and i get to earn Enrich points. So always check all airlines and compare prices.

With that done, i am a little at ease. A friend of mine Kay and i have actually been talking about this trip since the beginning of this year. It would be her first time and i have been telling her all about it. In fact she has been the one keeping the "jungle boogie" (as what we call it) alive for me. She will be going with a large group of friends with some of them based in Kuching itself. Can't wait to hangout with her and some familiar faces that will (or hopefully) be going including Reza and his family, Aaron and friends, Simon and his Lithuanian friend. Also, i am excited and hope very much that Priscilla and Geoff will be come back to M'sia and we can all meet up in the festival as promised. I miss them much. Now if only i can convinced some of my other friends to contract the festival fever and come along. I can imagine twice the fun and memories.

Mmm memories. I had so much of them there. I still can feel myself standing in the middle of the forest, with all these exotic sounds permeating through the beautiful jungle. The beautiful revellers, the warm sun during the day and chilly nights, the wonderful kaleidoscope of different world music and the spirit of the festival is something you just take along with you and never forget.

For now i am one step closer, i have only the lodging and misc to worry about. But it's all good. I still can't believe i am planning for Kuching. If you had asked me just a few weeks ago whether i was going, i would have hesitated with my answer and yet i would be standing there telling you how amazeballs the whole thing is. Yes, i have been shamelessly promoting the festival to everyone i know. RWMF organisers would be so proud. You would too if you felt as if you left your heart there when it was all over :)

And the countdown begins - 1 month 14 days more to go.

For more information about the Rainforest World Music Festival 2011, click here.

{Listening to....}

2011-05-18T04:28:00.006+08:00

Walk On U2

Taper Jean Girl Kings of Leon

The Last Time Eric Benet

Last Train To London Electric Light Orchestra

Go Your Own Way Fleetwood Mac

Let It Be Me Ray LaMontagne

Night Cruise Boney James & Al Jarreau

Give A Little More Maroon 5

Unpretty/I Feel Pretty Glee

Valerie Amy Winehouse

Don't Get Stuck

2011-05-11T01:01:00.012+08:00

Don’t get stuck. Move, travel, take a class, take a risk. Walk away, try something new. There is a season for wildness and a season for settledness, and this is neither. This season is about becoming. Don’t lose yourself at happy hour, but don’t lose yourself on the corporate ladder either. Stop every once in a while and go out to coffee or climb in bed with your journal. Ask yourself some good questions like: “Am I proud of the life I’m living? What have I tried this month? What parts of my childhood faith am I leaving behind, and what parts am I choosing to keep with me for this leg of the journey? Do the people I’m spending time with give me life, or make me feel small? Is there any brokenness in my life that’s keeping me from moving forward?”

Now is your time. Become, believe, try. Walk closely with people you love, and with other people who believe that God is very good and life is a grand adventure. Don’t spend time with people who make you feel like less than you are. Don’t get stuck in the past, and don’t try to fast-forward yourself into a future you haven’t yet earned. Give today all the love and intensity and courage you can, and keep traveling honestly along life’s path

You are young enough to believe that anything is possible, and you are old enough to make that belief a reality.

Excerpt from Relevant Magazine article by Shauna Niequist, "What To Know When You're 25(ish).

To do list

2011-05-06T16:31:00.009+08:00

smile at strangers
notice kindess
smile and hope
eat icecream
take pictures
wear perfume
count your blessings
keep learning
laugh and lovedaydream
listen to great music

Jil Sander Acetate Market Bag

2011-05-05T01:49:00.008+08:00

I am an advocate of using shopping bags. Which means i try not to use those ugly plastic bags that do no good to our earth. The ones from the market, small retail shops and food shops still irk me with it's hideous ghastly purple, black and orange colours and the fact that it is NOT recyclable. My whole family are changing our ways slowly and surely by bringing our own recyclable bags (they are sold in almost every supermarket for less than RM 5) and we use a tiffin carrier to take away food as much as possible.

So when i saw Jil Sander's market bag, i went "yes please, i want one. thank you very much". Yes, it is basically a glorified plastic bag and this controversial bag of a kind has made its debut on Net-A-Porter. It is said by the editor that " Jil Sander puts a contemporary spin on the classic carryall with its bright-orange transparent acetate bag. Carry this statement shopper to punctuate a new-season muted palette"

The bag is no ordinary bag. The transparent acetate bag in bright orange measuring 32 cm by 58 cm is as simple as it gets. It has no inner pockets or side slots or any prints of sorts though it comes with a stamped leather tag which carries the designer’s logo. And that’s it, really.

So how much does a fashionable shopping bag cost you? According to Net-A-Porter, it is priced at GBP 90 or after conversion to our dollar - the grand sum would be around RM 440. With that price, i could just get a Longchamp Le Pliage and call it a classier shopping bag. I agree that it's a little over the top but i am still in awed with it. In fact i would love to tote it around Village Grocer when i shop for groceries or maybe to the post office carrying all my parcels just to have people turn and look at my glorified bright orange plastic bag. So what do you think?

First of May

2011-05-01T01:19:00.012+08:00

“Sweet May hath come to love us, flowers, trees, their blossoms don; And through the blue heavens above us The very clouds move on.”

All in a row.

2011-04-30T16:44:00.017+08:00

I have officially converted my bedroom into a makeshift studio/storage room for all the clothes to be sold on {Pyng Kitsch + Co}. Its actually not that bad now cause all the clothes are neatly arranged on hangers and a bunch of other stuff are in storage bags. I now own this small corner where i pretty much do my business - be it taking photographs of the clothes to packaging to just about everything.

Other than that, i was half working while watching the Royal Wedding yesterday. Although it was kinda surreal to think we are so grounded in reality with our normal daily lives and right across the world, there is a monarchy still so alive and well with their palaces, crown jewels, titles and customs. The only fairytale i know belongs in story books. But it still makes for something out of the ordinary but i must add that after all that secrecy and speculation i thought that the wedding dress was way too plain. Same goes with the boutique of flowers. I know it's classic but have a little pomp and grandeur. I was in fact loving her sister's dress which was quite plain but it had an amazing cut and elegance to it which was just right.

I don't have to explain the rest of the wedding. It is in every possible mainstream media there is. Anyway enjoy the long Labour Day weekend. Looking forward to having a relaxing one x

Happiness in a cup.

2011-04-28T00:29:00.011+08:00

From now till the 6th of May, Starbucks is offering fraps for half the price on weekdays. Quite the awesomeness on their part since my enthusiasm for Starbucks was fading a little since i discovered Spinelli's and how yummy their coffee was. Another plus for me is that it is quite a discount seeing that i get only 10% off my latte with the HSBC card.

But don't go rushing over anytime of the day. It's only between 5pm - 7pm which some people may complain as it's a little late in the afternoon to have caffeine. But a discount is still a discount and i suspect the good people of Starbucks is probably cashing in on the scorching hot weather we had been having by dropping the price of their iced cold fraps. Or if it rains, it will get people to stay indoors somehow and sip merrily on some coffee. I'll probably head over to the nearest outlet later today as i have a uber long day.

Should i get a caramel frap or a vanilla one for a change? Mmm. Will see x

Relaunch

2011-04-20T17:40:00.005+08:00

Holla. Come this first weekend of May, i will be relaunching {Pyng Kitsch + Co} after doing a little re-branding of the whole store. Yes, i own a blog shop if you did not know. It was somewhat a side project that was meant for when i had time but it slowly developed into a full bloom labour of love. I handle everything from purchasing, stock take, website design, marketing, accounting, packaging, postal runs, modeling the clothes and replying emails from customers. Even for such a tiny business, it seriously takes a WHOLE lot of time. I am basically a one woman show but it is really something i love doing a whole lot.

At Pyng Kitsch + Co, it started with me selling just pre-loved clothes (which we still do) but i have been sourcing alot more of brand new clothes to be sold too. I have been really keen in expanding further in the future which is currently in the works. Now that i have slightly more time, i am doing some major planning with the hopes to incorporate all the different ideas i have been throwing around for a while now. Hopefully in the next 3-5 months, Pyng Kitsch + Co would be a little bit more niche than now. See, i told you its sheer labour of love. So wish me luck for when the time comes, i would need all that i can x

Scrummy warm rocket salad

2011-04-17T02:21:00.004+08:00

Peel, halve and quarter 2 medium red onions, then quarter again, to give you 8 pieces from each onion. Heat a frying pan and fry off 8 whole rashers of pancetta or smoked streaky bacon until crisp. Remove, add a couple of lugs of olive oil to the pan, and add 4 sprigs of thyme, the onions and a good handful of pinenuts with a pinch of salt. Toss around and fry on a medium heat for about 5 minutes until caramelized and sweet (not black!). Put your pancetta or bacon back into the pan, toss around, then throw everything into a salad bowl with 4 big handfuls of rocket or any nice salad leaves. Drizzle generously with balsamic vinegar – this will make a natural dressing as it mixes with the olive oil. Serve with some shaved Parmesan over the top – you can use a potato peeler to do this. Munch away.

Scrummy warm rocket salad recipe from Jamie Oliver. I love, love rocket to bits. Makes me wanna eat salads all the time x

Ancora

2011-04-15T00:56:00.005+08:00

Be still, my beating heart

{Listening to....}

2011-04-11T02:48:00.010+08:00

Long story short, i have been looking for John Mayer's "Where The Light Is" live concert DVD for the longest time. I know it was released in 2008 but i never gotten around to getting it till fast forward to the present year. So in my attempts to locate it, i checked with all our local CD Shops but it was either out of stock or just plain non-existent. However only Rock Corner said they would try to see whether they had it in stock but alas, nope. It's all gone.

So where else to turn to but eBay. Yes of course there will always be someone selling something you want but if they are based in the USA or some other far off country, ferget it. The shipping will take forever. A friend swears it depends on the seller and what postage they use but give and take, the DVD isn't worth the expensive shipping cost.

Then just before my trip to Singapore, I realized that i should bring my search over there. You know, just in case Singaporeans either love Mayer so much that they stocked up lots of his DVDs or hate him that much that no one in the island wants to buy it. I tried searching for a HMV store which is equivalent to Rock Corner but i couldn't find one. I gave up and thus having to bring the search over to Bangkok.

However when i was wandering about in Great World City the day that i was flying back, lo and behold i found tucked in a corner was this music store which was literally called, That CD Shop. And i had that twinkle of excitement. The shop btw is like a CD dreamland with rows and rows of Cd's neatly stack on high dark brown shelves, almost kitsch like industrial concept. It's hard to describe but check out the link and see for yourselves.

If you're wondering by now whether i got it or not and why is my long story short long then yes. I found it. Blessed their heart's. And yes, it was pretty much fated because it was on the DISPLAY stand first thing on the first shelf i looked at. Imagine that. No, it was not hidden among the rows of other DVDs or worse still if it's not available. It was just there. You should see my face. I had to play it cool and browse around the other DVDs before swiftly picking it up before it disappears again.

And yes, John Mayer was great. Well worth the buy. Of course, you knew i was going to say that :)

Keep Calm.

2011-04-10T00:34:00.009+08:00

My first vacation and i caught on the wanderlust bug. And yes, i have my travel itinerary (almost) planned out which includes blocking out dates for travelling, already purchasing flight tickets (some up to 7 months in advanced) and having a travel budget saving fund. I may not top my last year travelling schedule but i'll probably blow it on one or two major vacations and short trips for the rest. But like an impatient kid at the carousel ride line, i am just counting the days down. Next holiday would probably be in June after i am done with my last semester. Well who knows, i might end up ANYWHERE by then :)

P/S : The poster above is a play on the infamous "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON" posters issued by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of the Second World War, intended to raise the morale of the British public. It went missing for awhile till it was rediscovered in , a second-hand bookshop in Alnwick, Northumberland in 2000. You can check out a whole collection of other Keep Calm quotes at KEEP CALM SHOP.

Up in the air.

2011-04-07T02:29:00.010+08:00

April 4th, 2011.
Awaiting boarding time.
Terminal 1, Changi Airport.

Once over.

2011-03-20T20:25:00.010+08:00

This above depicts how my day was and will be for the next few others. This week will be what i call and know as the dreaded "Week 12" where books, late nights, caffeine addictions and stress all simultaneously marry each other in a unjoyous union for me. As my Raffles peers will know by now, the institute will be practically deserted with the exception of the library and smoking areas while kids walk around with a hush-hush silences as they go about their last minute attempts to round up the Winter Semester. As we speak, i am chilling out on the couch blogging while listening to Albert Hammond Jr. and his debut solo album, "Yours to Keep". I love indie/garage rock and Albert has an amazing voice that fits right into that genre. I am not that a fan of The Strokes where he plays guitar but his solo project is great. He even featured Sean Lennon on a few tracks. Ok. I am drifting too far and i am in need of my caffeine fix soon then back to the books. Wish me luck.

For Japan With Love.

2011-03-19T22:59:00.010+08:00

and so here goes,
2:46 PM
Japan Time
March 11, 2011.
silence for those who can no longer speak
and for those in pain.

Bloggers Day of Silence, organized by Ever Ours and Utterly Engaged

http://www.forjapanwithlove.com/

Slip Away Across The Universe

2011-03-18T01:21:00.008+08:00

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes,
They call me on and on across the universe,
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box they
Tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe

Hope & Faith.

2011-03-13T18:02:00.004+08:00

I Love You, Blogs & Coffee.

2011-03-10T03:08:00.016+08:00

{image from MADEBYGIRL Prints via Esty}

Yes indeed. I love reading blogs with a cuppa coffee on hand (sometimes a good cup of Earl Grey tea too) and can spend hours during weekends going through all my favourite sites x

Butterflyfood Donuts.

2011-03-06T17:46:00.007+08:00

Easy Raised Donuts
from the book Sinister Sprinkles

2 pkg fast raising yeast
2 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 egg beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
3-4 cups flour

In a bowl mix the yeast, sugar and water. Let sit for five minutes for the yeast to activate. Add the egg, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt and mix well. Slowly add in the flour until it's not sticky to the touch. Knead the dough for a couple of minutes. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and cut out donut shapes and lay them on a baking sheet to raise for 30 minutes. Fry in canola oil at 360 F turing once so both sides cook evenly. Drain on a paper towel.

{image and recipe via butterfly food}

Fabric & Handle

2011-03-03T01:27:00.008+08:00

I'm loving these adorable and simple little adjustable handle tote bags from Fabric & Handle founded in 2006 by Salinya Suthinarakorn.

I agree with their four principles on how their designs are based on. It's exactly how a good everyday tote bag should be.

Flexibility
We strive to create bags that can be used in multiple ways. Bags that can be adjusted to be used in different situations while still looking fresh and stylish.

Natural materials that feel good
A beautiful bag should not only look good but also feel good when you touch it. We only use materials that feel natural. From the straps or handles to all materials for constructing the bag.

Strong and sturdy construction
We believe if you like an accessory you should be able to use it for a long, long time. We test every new bag for weak points and design them with longevity in mind.

Keeping it simple
Keeping it simple is at the core of our design philosophy. We believe that design should not get in the way of usefulness and that it should be timeless.

Stop This Train

2011-03-01T20:21:00.026+08:00

One of my most favourite songs. Listening to it makes me miss alot of things like home, friends, my childhood and sometimes when it gets a little quiet and lonely in the city, i do get sentimental. I guess i have the "growing up in a small town" inferiority. From young i knew i would leave home and it would never be the same. And there is that fear that would never go away. Fear of being on your own, fear that you wouldn't be who you want to be, fear that your life spirals out of your control and the fear of losing it all. Well, the song speaks for itself. True that at a point of our life, we just want it to stop and the reality is, we can't. So take it to heart that we have to keep on going till the end. And do take a listen to it here. It's good i promise. Have a great March x

Stop This Train

By John Mayer

No I'm not color blind
I know the world is black and white
I try to keep an open mind
But i just can't sleep on this tonight

Stop this train

I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know i can't but honestly, won't someone stop this train

Don't know how else to say it,
I don't want to see my parents go
One generation's length away
From fighting life out on my own

Stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know i can't but honestly won't someone stop this train

So scared of getting older
I'm only good at being young
So i play the numbers game
To find away to say that life has just begun

Had a talk with my old man
Said "help me understand"
He said "turn sixty-eight, you'll renegotiate"

Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
Don't think i couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly we'll never stop this train

Once in a while, when it's good
It'll feel like it should
When you're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
Till you cry when you're driving away in the dark

Singing stop this train i want to get out and go home again
I can't take this speed it's moving in
I know i can't
Cause now i see I'll never stop this train.

Just Waiting On.

2011-02-28T19:13:00.011+08:00

February '11 was rather like all February's. To me it's always the part of the year where routines are still relatively new and it's where you kinda start making meticulous calculated plans for the rest of the year. Where esle January has been more of the tail-end where we slowly wean off from all the festivities circulating December be it Christmas or New Year's. While still generally unsettled during the first few weeks of the new year, we would then procrastinate further till CNY holidays.

In this very month, it will forever be known as the month that Valentines is in. It just accumulates into a whole fanfare of love festivities for the first two weeks and then zlich. Things usually die down by the end of February because (a) couples are too broke from over love-festness (b) parents are too broke from CNY expenditure extravaganza's (c) those neither in both categories are probably depressed because after the Feb 15th Public Hols, there will be none till May. I know, i am too.

Although i always had this theory that because Feb was always when CNY is in and the fact that it changes Zodiac every year to another animal. I feel as it if the transitions usually slow everyone down. Well i guess we can say that the universe is after all going through the changes into a new year the same as you and i. That's why things, plans, ideas and resolutions usually picks up towards the middle of the year since everyone is in the swing of things. So take your time, enjoy, breathe and soon hope that great things will happen. I am just after all waiting on too.

{Listening to.....}

2011-02-24T01:34:00.019+08:00

I want to hold the hand inside you
I want to take a breath that's true
I look to you and I see nothing
I look to you to see the truth
You live your life
You go in shadows
You'll come apart and you'll go black
Some kind of night into your darkness
Colors your eyes with what's not there.
Fade into you
Strange you never knew

Mazzy Star
"Fade Into You"

For it will count.

2011-02-21T03:35:00.010+08:00

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

Nelle.

2011-02-16T02:00:00.013+08:00

{1. Just Bowtiful Purse, 2. Just Bowtiful Flora Clutch, 3. Just Bowtiful Belt, 4. Classic Flutter Clutch, 5. Chevron Handbag, 6. Shopper in Black. 7. Wallet}

I was browsing through my usual favourite sites and found these gorgeous handbags, clutches and bows by NELLE Handbags. I love the latest collection which is aptly named "It's Just Bowtiful!" and the fact that it is all handmade. I was reading about Laura Nelli, the woman behind all the fab accessories and found out that she had no sewing skills besides the basic skill she learned in home economics. She then set out to learn the art of handbag making by buying herself a sewing machine and borrowing books from the library. Then in 2004, she created NELLE accessories company focused on creating couture inspired clutch confections for brides & their maids. Her materials used included quality linens, ribbons with the likes of beautiful soft white petersham ribbon trimmings & silk organza. I also adore her beautifully formed origami bow designs contrast against structured crisp linen. Currently loving her Chevron Handbag and Just Bowtiful Flora Clutch.

Learnalilgivinanlovin

2011-02-14T02:46:00.018+08:00

Have a good love fest filled day all you crazy lovebirds out there x

Candy

2011-02-11T15:05:00.004+08:00

I was perched outside in the pouring rain
Trying to make myself a sail
Then I'll float to you my darlin'
With the evening on my tail

Although not the most honest means of travel
It gets me there nonetheless
I'm a heartless man at worst, babe
And a helpless one at best

Darling I'll bathe your skin, I'll even wash your clothes
Just give me some candy before I go
Oh, darling I'll kiss your eyes and lay you down on your rug
Just give me some candy after my hug

Oh, and i'm often false explaining
But to her it plays out all the same
And although i'm left defeated
It gets held against my name

I know you got plenty to offer, baby
But I guess I've taken quite enough
Well i'm some stain there on your bedsheet
You're my diamond in the rough

I Heart Fifi

2011-02-08T18:56:00.016+08:00

Since it's all about the bunnies this year, meet one of my favourite fashionista Fifi Lapin. Dubbed as the “the world’s most stylish bunny” and is the fashionable blogger that authored the chic rabbit’s guide to contemporary fashion, last year’s "What Shall I Wear Today?".

Her biography reads as on FiFi Lapin.
Hi, I'm Fifi Lapin... I was born one of 257 brothers and sisters but sadly there was an outbreak of myxomatosis when I was just one year old... I was the only one that survived. My parents are therefore incredibly protective of me and spoil me rotten. I'm an hare-ss to my fathers fortune which he made playing fast and loose with carrot and lettuce shares on the international stock market. There are a lot of rabbits out there eating carrots and lettuce so I guess he just struck gold (or orange you might say). Some people think I’m just a socialite but I think there is more to me than just an extremely stylish clotheshorse!

This is too awesome. It feels like she is a living, breathing fashionable thing. You really wonder how can someone create such an elaborate life around a fictional character. Makes me wish sometimes that i was the one. Anyway, I am such a fan. Tres chic x

Hoppy New Year!

2011-02-02T06:13:00.016+08:00

Happy Lunar New Year guys!

Loving that it is the Year of the Rabbit since yours sincerely is the proud owner of two of the adorable bunnies around. Although i am pretty bummed that i can't bring them back to my hometown this year. It will be awesome to be ushering the rabbit year with the two furballs. For all i know it could be auspicious or something.

Speaking about this new year, my birth year falls in the Rabbit year which makes for me to be one but for all you 1987-ners, the fact is that those born before 28th of Jan '87 falls rather short into the year before. And according to the Chinese Zodiac cycle, it makes us all Tigers instead. So in essence, i was born right at the Tiger Years tail-end and 8 days before the Rabbit Year. So does that make me a Tai-bit or a Rab-ger?

For now, i am gonna put all this zodiac confusion aside and prepare to kick start the lunar new year with a full belly, overflowing pocket full of red packets and the wish for everyone to have a healthy, happy & prosperous CNY! Gong Hei Fatt Choi x

Bakita & Birthday's.

2011-01-30T21:39:00.014+08:00

I love nights out when it is relaxed. And you know it's one when you have great company, a good flow of alcohol, a chilled out atmosphere and the fact that your wearing comfy shorts and a pair of your fav flats. A group of us met up this weekend for a little post birthday over drinks at Bakita, Changkat and its becoming a little of a hangout. Will talk about it later but firstly, thanks Juls & Ryan for the b'day shot of Tequila, Sambuca and Tabasco Sauce. I can't remember the name of the shot but i do know that it was HOT HOT HOT as in your lips are on fire and you can feel it burning down your throat straight to you heart. It was actually really good, of course the sauce was the really kicker.

Back to Bakita, it is located around the corner just behind Werner's on Changkat. It's good cause you still get the whole Changkat vibe bustling with the local party-goers, tourist, expats, lotsa drunken Hen Parties and underage teens but it's a bit more secluded and quieter. The crowd in Bakita is more of the locals and working crowd plus the music is a notch lower than all the other bars so it's not that rowdy. Thank goodness. You could still have a party and dance away if you head upstairs to their cocktail bar that they designate it to be just that. I can't comment about the drinks as all we do is order beer but i heard that they have their own menu of party drinks which is really good. And one thing that i love about the location is that the jockey service is right in front of the bar and it's only RM10 plus there is a mamak right across from it. Overall, the service is good, it's super convenient and so far, it's been my only favourite on Changkat.

Bakita
33, Jalan Berangan
Changkat Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur
T: 03 2141 7733
http://www.bakita.com.my/

These day dreams, these day dreams, let's go.

2011-01-24T02:20:00.023+08:00

This is me relaxing on a cool breezy late Saturday afternoon on a comfy red chaise lounge chair listening to Kings of Leon while reading up on dreamy faraway destinations on Conde Nast Traveller and flipping through a Rolling Stones magazine just because the very sexy Mayer is on the cover. It was quiet, the water was inviting and all i was missing was a nice cold beer in my hand if only hotel bars did not charge that much.

Just as the afternoon sun was slipping away and the palms of the coconut trees slowly sway, i was lull into a sweet slumber. While gently closing my eyes, behind me was the far distant faint sounds of traffic lingering below and the occasional of children laughing as they play in the shallow waters of the pool. It was becoming one of my favourite afternoons so far. This was something i could do over and over again.

Well, one must know though that it could be possible because this afternoon was just a mere 15 minutes away from where i live. It is of the concept of getting away on a weekend getaway without really getting away so your get away right in the city. No travelling required. Just a great hotel deal and time to spare. So scour the Internet for a great deal, pack your weekend best, compile your favourite chill out music, grab a good book you have been dying to read and just have a wonderful weekend xx

B'day.

2011-01-21T23:32:00.016+08:00

Thanks for all the love & b'day wishes.

Love, Bern.

24 going on 16.

2011-01-19T14:48:00.007+08:00

So it's the big 2-4 tomorrow.

It has finally arrived and I've been doing alot of thinking lately.
After all those other birthday's, this one is under the impression that you are all ‘grown up’ (read : graduated, first job) as expected by all.
It seemed a realistic expectation that we all know, agreed on and the reality is, it is true in all sense of the word.

We dream and make plans, working hard along the way to then achieve it all during this new phase of life to be.

The perfect begining to an adulthood of more responsibilities, paying your own bills and taking care of you, yourself.

As i realized, looks like i am the only one clearly still figuring things out.

But it is what it is and we are all different.

We will each write our own definition on life through our own observations and experiences.

And it is through that, we will surely get through and just deal with it.

Well, i believe that the hopes of that perfect job, dinner parties, travelling around and finally having a nice place on your own wouldn't be that far off.

Just keep on pursuing what you love.

Guilty Pleasures.

2011-01-17T00:55:00.011+08:00

SPICY CHAI LATTE // Makes 4 Small Cups

*Sprouted Kitchen

4 Bags of Black Tea (English/Irish Breakfast, Darjeeling etc.)
1 Cup Milk
2 inch. piece Fresh Ginger, cut into pieces
1 tsp. Cloves
1 tsp. Cardamom Seeds
1 tsp. Black Peppercorns
3 Cinnamon Sticks
1 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
Star Anise (optional)

1. In a small plastic bag, combine the peppercorns, cloves and cardamom. Use a heavy mallet or skillet to crush the spices into coarse pieces.

2. In a saucepan on medium heat, combine the milk, crushed spices, cinnamon sticks, ginger pieces, and fresh ground nutmeg. Allow the milk to come to a gentle boil, then cover and turn off the heat. Allow everything to steep for about 15 minutes.

3. While the spicy milk steeps, bring water to a boil. Combine the 4 tea bags with two cups of boiling water. Allow the tea to steep for about 4 minutes and discard the tea bags. Add the tea to the warm spicy milk.

4. Put a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter over a pitcher, and strain the spice chunks out of the tea. Put one Tbsp. of muscavado sugar or honey in each cup and pour the tea latte on top. Stir and enjoy warm.

All things pretty.

2011-01-14T02:56:00.013+08:00

Mignonne handmade

Mignonne handmade was born out of a love for embellishment, deorative forms and above all pretty things. The asethetic combines handmade flowers with vintage pieces and a dash of whimsy. Things that inspire Mignonne handmade creations are nature, films, fashion, art, French vintage, cooking, books and bygone eras.

The 2011 Edition : Travels

2011-01-11T01:09:00.013+08:00

For this 2011 edition, i am listing the places that i would love to visit and also the ones that i hope to return back to. I was watching "Eat Pray Love" recently and it conjured pleasant travel feelings. If you watched the movie or read the book you will come across the words "il dolce far niente" which means the sweetness of doing nothing and that says everything about how i want it to be.

Here is this year's list.

Langkawi Island - Every time i leave the island, it's as if a part of me is left behind. It always feels good to be back. We will return every year without a doubt and we will be so this coming August.

Bangkok, Thailand - Love the city, love the people, love the food, love the shopping. So much so, we will be back this coming July. Can't wait.

Kuching, Sarawak - This year's return will be cause of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2011. I had the most amazing experience over in Santubong last year and the impact it left me still gets me talking about it till now.

Bali, Indonesia - A beach paradise on earth waiting to be discovered. Hopefully if it all works out, this will be slated for the end of this year.

Jakarta, Indonesia - One word : Java Jazz Festival 2011. Click on the link, check out the artist lineup and you will know why i would like to be in Jakarta in March. Enough said!

Tioman Island, Pahang - I fondly remember visiting the beautiful island when i was around 7 or 8 years old. I must had a really great time cause i have been contemplating the idea of revisitng this rugged little island for a while already.

Pulau Lang Tengah or Pulau Gemia, Terengganu - Two gorgeous heaven on earth beaches right in our own backyard. Gemia made it on my travel list in 2009 but so far, it hasn't happened. I really need to get myself to the East Coast pronto.

Phuket, Thailand - I think i am a festival junkie because in February, there will be the Phuket International Blues and Rock Festival 2011. Not only will the music be great, it is held by the beach at The Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa. Plus the band Akasha from M'sia will be one of the headlines. Festival + Beach, what an ultimate dream holiday.

Adieu.

2011-01-07T13:55:00.015+08:00

#1 Resolution.

Life is better when you decide you don't care

So you do what you love, and fuck the rest.

Have a gorgeous 2011.

The end where i begin.

2010-12-14T20:39:00.006+08:00

Ola everyone.

I won't be blogging till the new year - 2011.

So i am saying goodbye first, one memory, one word at a time.

But it's all good coz we are under the same sky, dreaming the same dream.

Between the next hello and i'll see you soon, that's where i'll be.

Do enjoy the sweet, peaceful holidays - be it Christmas & the New Years.

Looking forward to many more beautiful memories together.

Love, Bern.

The Journey.

2010-12-10T02:25:00.018+08:00

It happens all the time.

Curiosities become obsessions.

Outings become overnighters.

Pastimes become passions.

This is how journeys begin.

2010.

What a year it has been.

Of caffeine peace & love.

2010-12-08T18:50:00.010+08:00

"....to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time."

Peppermint Mocha, Starbucks Coffee, The Gardens x

{Listening to....}

2010-12-06T15:15:00.017+08:00

The sexy boys of Kings Of Leon are back with their new album "Come Around Sundown". Their first single "Radioactive" has been pretty promising. Check out the song "Pyro" too.

Manhattan Kings Of Leon

For The First Time The Script

Candy & Last Request Paolo Nutini

Come On Eileen Dexys Midnight Runners

High & Dry Radiohead

Pyro Kings Of Leon

White Knuckle Ride Jamiroquai

Serendipity John Mayer

Hard To Live (In The City) Albert Hammond Jr.

Manhattan

2010-12-01T00:14:00.010+08:00

I like to dance all night, summons the day
But that's how I play, yeah that's how I play
I said who are you? Don't matter who you are
So we dance all night and dance all day

We're gonna fuel the fire, gonna stoke it up
We're gonna sip this wine and pass the cup
Who needs avenues, who needs reservoirs
Gonna show this town how to kiss these stars

Urban Indulgence

2010-11-19T19:28:00.012+08:00

Created to redefine the art of travel, Studio M is Singapore’s first fully loft-inspired hotel where style and functionality are key. Located within the iconic entertainment precinct of Robertson Quay and close to the Central Business District and Orchard Road shopping belt, Studio M calls out to the hip and savvy travellers with a taste for stylish comfort and integrated technological access.

Designed by Italian style maestro and architect, Piero Lissoni, Studio M offers a modern refuge in its chic accommodation coupled with contemporary functionality. Each of the 360 guest rooms features an urban-inspired loft with a three-metre high ceiling, separate work and rest areas and complimentary Internet connectivity. Together with a dedicated open-air tropical deck complete with a 25-metre lap pool, open-air gym and a variety of exciting dining choices, Studio M is where you are at home, away from home.

Studio M Hotel Singapore

No. 3 Nanson Road Singapore 238910

T: +65 6808 8888

F: +65 6808 8899

http://www.studiomhotel.com/

Update, or the lack of thereof

2010-11-17T02:17:00.019+08:00

Great news. I am moving in a months time. We just spent the morning viewing our new place. For six long months we waited oh so patiently for the green light to our moving date and we prayed within that months we will get an available unit left at Saville. We really want this place really much thank you. The location is uber convenient, right in the middle of the valley between the city and the suburbs. It is love.

And it seemed that luck was on our side as our agent told us happily that he had not only 3 units to show us but there was one on the 15th floor that he swears was the one for us. Lo and behold, it had everything we wanted from the still reasonably low rent price to the fact that it wasn't a very high floor to my joy that this unit had a built-in island in the kitchen. It is really a gorgeous place and we should be moving in just before Christmas if everything works out.

Besides the whole moving business, its been pretty hectic in college. Have been slacking since the whole fanfare of summer thus translating into being unmotivated be it preparing for a Business Communication Skills presentation or rushing for an entrepreneurial research paper. But i will work out all the kinks soon enough and work my ass off to finish all papers, assignment before Christmas holidays roll in.

However with that said, i will be going to Singapore this weekend with the sisters for a short getaway. Lol. Just book my flight tickets today which is pretty last minute but I'll be flying with Tiger Airways coz it was cheaper than all others but with that said, my departure time will be at 7.45am making it so very the early. I heard that the decorations are already up in Orchard Road and that its sales period! I am pretty sure I'll be quarter broke by then. Anyway, can't wait for Saturday x

Of Tequila, Rain and a "Safe" trip.

2010-11-07T18:07:00.019+08:00

The moment you land at the airport, walking on the tarmac and the warm sun hits your face. It feels like home.

That familiarity of the arrival hall and the smell of the salty breeze.

Hopping into our car and driving straight to Chenang.

Once there, our first stop will always be at The Duty Free Zon before doing anything else.

The thought of first picking up that RM 2.50 cold, cold beer, cracking it open and imagining yourself never being happier at that moment.

Happiness also came from taking long peaceful drives around the island.

And feeling the soft sand in between your toes, battling the waves in the sea & looking up at the vast skies.

All while enjoying more cold beer with the guys under a hut when it started raining on the beach.

Then having a cool evening dip in the pool and ending up in a beer stake water fight.

Visiting Sunba, Tammy's & Chillout on our nights out.

Finding a new drinking spot that has beer jugs for cheap.

Then spending alot of quality drinking time at this new spot be it morning, afternoon or night.

Having our usual lunch & suppers at Tomato & stopping at Petronas Jetty for the only KFC on the island.

Still sneaking into the beautiful Mutiara Bay beach after all these years.

Not before having to take a nap in the car while waiting for the rain to subside so that we can hit the beach.

Still getting our directions wrong getting into Kuah Town to our fav liquor store and Chinese hawker center for lunch.

Although having it rained for all three days till the day we left, it did not dampened the serenity of this whole trip.

Last but not least, of tequila, self shot timers, 9 Lives, not remembering what happened on the last night & the not so pretty hangovers the next day that last long and well.

And as usual, we promise of never drinking again but the lingering thought that we will be back again next year, just the same, just as perfect as it is because that's living our kind of life.

In the end, this island has so much beautiful memories still, too much perhaps.

Revelry.

2010-10-30T01:20:00.012+08:00

Woah, where did October go to? I am losing track of time in a good way with the start of Fall '10 Semester. Besides surviving the last semester and pulling it off with decent parental approved results, everything has slowed down as we look forward to the end of the year. It's weird coz i had so much work and projects then all of the sudden, it's halted to a minimal. In a way it is great because October has been one amazing month. It has been a mix of really good news, holidays, drinking sessions, airports, freeflows, concerts, beaches and friends. La vita x

You gotta love a beerfest in the city.

2010-10-18T23:32:00.014+08:00

Our love for beer brought us to the other side of the city, nestled deep in rich land namely Bukit Tunku was a small makeshift garden transformed by the lovely people at Sid's Pub into a beer garden on a hot and sunny Sunday afternoon. It was a pretty good mix of crowd - families, expatriates, young working adults, underage teens!, & us. Lots of chatter going on, mingling around, dancing, beer cheering, conga line, meeting of acquaintances, photo taking among the beer loving bunch all decked out in sunnies/shades, hats (including a certain someone with a beer mug hat!) , flip-flops and of course The Oompah Band.

It was a happy, happy day full of beer revelry in an almost but not quite there yet Bavarian style, Oktoberfest. There were plenty of beer everywhere you turned. Prices ranged from roughly RM5 for the likes of Tiger, Guiness & Heineken, RM 10 for Paulaner, Kilkenny & Strongbow and other imported beers like Leffe, Löwenbräu, Stella Artois, Savanna, Konig Ludwig, Asahi, Pure Blond were going for RM 15. Well, it was cheap but not that cheap enough but it was so hawt anyway so all you wanted in your hands was a cold beer or make that two, three or more!

So there we were chilling out, drinking cold beer after another for five hours straight till it was almost dark. Awesomeness. And thanks for the free beer Sid's which everyone was enjoying at the end till the taps ran dry! Free Paulaner never tasted so sweet. It was a truly a bloody fantastic Sunday afternoon x

Last Night.

2010-10-11T18:18:00.025+08:00

We have evolved to being quiet drunks who drives responsibly but spends a bit more expensively at decent upmarket establishments and ritzy suites or we might just fly 405 km's to obtain low-priced duty free alcohol when we feel the alcohol taxes are too high in the mainlands or just maybe, we might hang around waiting for events of sorts coz we just love a good free flow. We do it tastefully and sit on proper chairs, not by the pavement curb. and there will be no more parks or benches or convenience stores.

We drink, we toast ,we clinked our glasses and we have nice conversations. There might still be a little dancing or a loud banters of chatters but we will leave at the end remembering the night even when it's long over.

It's still the same good times and same great company.

Prologue to the future.

2010-10-10T22:10:00.013+08:00

Bangkok : Day 3 & 4, Pampered pleasures.

2010-10-07T23:36:00.018+08:00

Sunday was jam packed so much so we had to have a schedule for the day to keep track of time. We were having breakfast in the hotel when my sis was typing diligently into her Blackberry saying things like "Ok, we have to leave at 2.30pm so that gives us 4 hours of shopping over at JJ!" I was nodding while having the most scrumptious breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausages, potatoes, baked beans and toast. The simpler the better and the idea of having pork served in a hotel makes it simply oh so good.

If you have been or planning to visit Bangkok, of course you can't complete your weekend without heading over to Chatuchak Weekend Market or aslo known as JJ home to the world's largest market with 15 000 stores and counting. Although located further north of BKK, it is so worth it if you wanna shop, people watch or just enjoy baking under the sun on a lazy weekend. It was considered late when we got there at around 11am as it was already crazy packed and blazing super hot .Essentials include very minimal light clothing, backpack to stuff all your shopping (saves tons of plastic bags!), sunblock, water, lots of energy and a stop for the infamous coconut ice cream served in lil coconut shells. In the end of 4-ish hours, we were exhausted, sweaty, sunburned but still happy even if it wasn't enough of time coz you just can't covered the entire damn market.

So next year, we are definitely gonna do two days here because firstly you can get some amazing finds here if you look really carefully which you need plenty of time and secondly, the golden rule of JJ is that you never utter the words "oh, i'll come back to this store and buy it later". This is because if you do that, you will kick yourself so hard because you will never find that store again if you are thinking of doubling back. It is so large to the point that every store and lane will look the same by a certain time to the point they have 27 sections with store addresses on it just in case you desperately want to look for that particular store. So remember the golden rule people, adhere!

And after all that power shopping, you cannot NOT leave without having a massage, a manicure, spa treatment, reflexology or anything pleasurable ok, i am gonna stop your train of thoughts for a sec before you think of something else than what i am trying to say.........and we are back because it's silly not to for it is so super cheap and the service is excellent. The sis and i dedicated the rest of our afternoon having massages and manicures. More like a full 60 min massage, a body spa treatment massage, a manicure and pedicure and a french manicure all for around $1200 Baht. The massage i had made me sleep like a baby that night and cured my back shoulder pain problem all thanks to this dude, yes a guy who had me twisted in body places i didn't know i could bend into and tossed around like a rag doll in the form of the brutally painful but killer good Thai massage.

One unconventionally thing we did was to visit the local supermarket chain which was Tops Supermarket to kinda just browse through their shelves and jealously discover items that we do not have in Malaysia. We did pick up a few items including Thai rice, condensed milk, tea, Glico brand "Pocky Sticks" in different flavours incl. ham & cheese, Milo (there is a difference to it being manufactured under Nestle Thailand. i swear it is milkier that the ones we get here. good stuff!), coffee, shampoo and a host of other things.

We did go to Boots Pharmacy which is the equivalent to our Guardian/Watson's Pharmacies to get some Boots products but pharmacy things are really expensive here. Wanted to get some prescribed medicines that you can't get here like sleeping pills and what not but didn't feel like getting stop at the immigration counters if so whatever i intend to bring back is like super illegal. I love Bangkok and i intend to return as many times possible without a record. But in the end we got stop at the immgration counter anyway because the sister so cleverly concealed a small Swiss army knife in her carry-on luggage whilst forgetting to take it out causing us to be brought one side and manually searched. In the end they found it and tossed it into this huge bin. Oh well so much for that.

So with that said, it was truly love at first city sight and there is just something about it that makes you want to come back and discover more. So till the next time x

Bangkok : Day 1 & 2, Love at first city sight.

2010-10-06T00:07:00.015+08:00

It was an early flight, i was freezing at the terminal building half relying on Starbucks to keep me awake and our flight got delayed by two hours. Even with the subdue early morning half-awaken state and the fact that i am losing time because of the delay making me all fidgety in the terminal, trust me, i was in between being really excited & "omfg, i can't believe we pulled this trip off" because of the love of two things - It's a city i always wanted to visit & of course, you gotta love the shopping over there.

When we arrived and was lining up at the immigration counters, i turned around and noticed that tourism is still doing really good as there was still throngs of touristy white people, Asians and us. It was more than good, the arrivals were bustling. The concern was brought upon the fact that a week before we were to fly over, there were rumours of protest in motion in conjunction with their impending announcement of the country's election but no travel warning was announced and the fact that out flight was full, it was pretty safe.

Back to our arrival in BKK, I have heard numerous times about how friendly Thai people can be and that statement was made true the moment we got into a taxi at SVB airport after we arrived. The taxi driver with what little English he could speak had a conversation with us, almost bordering giving us a tour as we drove to Sukhumvit where our hotel was located. So much so, we booked him in advance to come pick us up on our last day to the airport.

We were staying at Silq Hotel located at district of Sukhumvit which was amazing. Being more of a boutique hotel than the usual fanfare of a large hotel, it was beautiful and warm. It is very personalized with the staff being very attentive to your needs. Being only 8 floors and a maximum of 7 rooms per floor only, the rooms were uber comfy and modern equipped with plasma TV's and free unlimited Wireless access. On top of that, they upgraded us to deluxe rooms for free, threw in breakfast and then gave us F&B discounts. The beds were incredible i swear. Even with just five hours sleep on the first night, i woke up felling super refresh and surprise that it was just 7.28 am BKK time! You can't even get me to wake up by 12pm on my holidays back in KL. No wonder they are listed as #6 of Bangkok Hotels recommended by travelers in Trip Advisor beating some incredible hotels out.

Besides that, the first few things we did was to visit three major shopping places - MBK Center, Platinum Mall and Suan Lum Night Market all in within two days with major shopping damage done. It was like a shopping haven if you know what you are looking for or if you aren't that fussy with quality. I made a list and got almost 99% of everything on it and more. By the end of Day 2, i had filled up an entire luggage with almost 30 pieces of clothing excluding accessories, hats and etc. I had also learned that being nice when bargaining and smiling lots makes a huge difference to getting what you want for so much cheaper.

Other highlights of day 1 & 2 was that everything is relatively cheaper (not currency wise) with the same basic things costing much more in M'sia for example cigarettes, alcohol, taxi fare and food. Oh, i love how efficient their Skytrain's and MRT's are. Cheap, fast, clean and importantly on time plus i wanna hand them an award for having the fastest escalators in the world at their train stations. It was so super fast that it's a sin to be slow! Also, an encounter at the train station was quite a sight. It was nearly around 7pm when we were exiting the train ticket machines when suddenly the hustle and bustle of the people at the busy station came to a standstill. It was dead silent, no walking, everyone stood up and the only people who weren't sure what was going on were us and a bunch of white tourist in front of us. Apparently, the Thai national anthem was playing overhead in the speakers and everyone was just respecting the song. Oh yeah, another thing at the train platforms that i thought was crazy were the presence of soldiers. Yes, real soldiers in full army camouflage gear, hard helmet and gun guarding the station. Talk about security!

Food wise - omg, i love Thai food. Surprisingly, it's not that spicy as how we have it here in M'sia. It basically works like this. You order a dish and in any food place on the table is a little condiment tray which has different things like chilli, sugar, fish sauce, sweet sauce and soy sauce. That's how you gauge how spicy you want your dish to be. I did found two things i craved till now- Pad Thai and mango/papaya/rambutan thai salad. Plus we had this awesome chicken noddles by the side of the road and the amazingly sour tom yum that was out of this world. And pork is available EVERYWHERE but not mango sticky rice which i had to hunt it down only to get it at the airport and carry it pass immigration only to be sitting in the terminal hurriedly eating it before we boarded.

Amazingly, everything went as planned with no problems at all. Besides the usual forgetting to bring a universal adapter, one chatty but dodgy taxi driver who wanted to bring us for a "good time" for cheap, the sudden downpour of rain that made us hail for the dodgy taxi guy in the first place and that SL night market was a tad disappointing, everything else was fuss free. And when the city turns to night, it comes alive and no, we skipped that whole red light district if you were wondering :p

Day Three/Four next....

For the love of travelling.

2010-10-05T01:23:00.012+08:00

Home. I knew we were on home ground as soon as i was woken up by the beeping of the fasten seat belt lights overhead and the crackling of the captain announcing "....as for those who are Malaysians, Selamat pulang ke Tanah air" over the intercom. I got back to KL quite late on Monday night and was suffering major air sickness from the cabin pressure.

So here i am now - jet lag, flat broke & suffering from a major case of holiday blues.

Two days, going on three at home and i have unwashed bed hair from all the catching up on sleep. Sometimes i wake up confusing myself with the time difference while other times, i wake up with fading holiday feelings.

But it's all good now as i am typing here. It lasted about 48 hours but I'll be staying in tomorrow as i have super lots of unpacking to do! How much? Lets have a mathematical equation for it. So there was 4 adults which we proceeded to leave Bangkok with 1 bag pack, 1 laptop bag, 5 hand luggage's and 6 check-in luggage. The check-in itself weighed a total of 85 kg's! Thank goodness for MAS, no extra ridiculous baggage charges. But the things that came out from my luggage, oh.my.goodness. Clothes, bags, hats, accessories and even shampoo (a brand which i found & loved but not yet available in M'sia), Boots products plus grocery items like condensed milk coz it's no longer imported into our country. Oh and ciggies too, thai brands like Khrong Thrip and City Gold 90 coz it's still cheap there around 42 - 58 baht.

Bangkok was amazing & i fell in love with it. So peaceful, so beautiful. The city is not like how everyone depicted it especially after the whole riot/protest/demonstrations a few months back. I will blogged more about BKK in another post. Not much pictures thou' for the first time and instead, i stop looking at a place through the lense of a camera but slowly and amazingly absorbing my newfound surroundings with my own variation.

Pop that bubbly!

2010-09-30T03:27:00.014+08:00

The Ritz, 25th September '10

Going The Distance OST

2010-09-21T15:42:00.014+08:00

Going The Distance, the late summer rom-com starring Barrymore and Justin Long (two of my favourites!) has one of the best damn movie soundtracks i have heard in a long time. It has a very indie heavy mixtape selection of songs which i can't get enough. To be honest, i haven't heard of any of the bands except The Cure & The Pretenders but it features a ton of bands/solo artist that is to die for. One band prominently featured in the film was UK band The Boxer Rebellion. I am very into their kind of music - abstract, haunting and subtle. Everything i love about an alternative rock music Brit Band. Great movie, killer music.

The Boxer Rebellion

"Going The Distance" Soundtrack Tracklisting.

01. Generationals - "Either Way"
02. Georgie James - "Places"
03. Katie Herzig - "Hey Na Na"
04. Albert Hammond, Jr. - "In Transit"

Albert Hammond Jr., aslo the guitarist for the band, "The Strokes".

05. The Cure - "Just Like Heaven"
06. The Pretenders - "Don't Get Me Wrong"
07. The Boxer Rebellion - "Spitting Fire"
08. Cat Power - "Could We"
09. Band Of Skulls - "Cold Flame"

Band of Skulls

10. Eels - "Prizefighter"
11. Passion Pit - "The Reeling" (Groove Police Remix)
12. Fanfarlo - "Harold T. Wilkins, Or How To Wait For A Very Long Time"
13. The Replacements - "Here Comes A Regular"
14. The Boxer Rebellion - "If You Run"
15. Gotye - "Learnalilgivinanlovin"
16. The Airborne Toxic Event - "Half Of Something Else"

The Airborne Toxic Event

Three additional songs can be accessed through a link on the CD and on the digital deluxe version:

01. The Boxer Rebellion - "Evacuate"
02. Joe Purdy - "Miss Me"
03. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - "40 Day Dream"

Correlation love.

2010-09-20T02:17:00.012+08:00

meet ellie heart. he is 3x4.

Time is 11.30 am - bed hair , still in my PJ's, making a cup of tea, listening to The Boxer Rebellion & reading the news.

It was anything but an ordinary day. It was routine. It was life at that moment.

5 more days x

Fly High.

2010-09-14T14:15:00.006+08:00

what a day for a daydream.

shehitpausestudios

Being four again.

2010-09-12T13:59:00.021+08:00

"I'm afraid to grow up because sometimes it seems like things will never feel this beautiful again.."

This is Shaun, aged 4 & i . He kept calling me "aunty" at first & unintentionally, i would never response. Not till his mommy had to whisper in his ears, "not aunty, call jie jie". Everyone joke that day that i consciously had not reach that point where i want a child to call me that yet. It was a good day to feel young again digging through the sand with colourful toys & playing in the sparkling waters. It seemed that children are so easily contented & their laughter infectious. I remembered having to cross the road that day & a tiny hand reach out for mine looking up at me as if i was the world's best road crosser. I was going, "oh no, i don't even know how to cross the road myself properly yet!".

Sg. Gabai,Hulu Langat, 11th September '10

Free from it all.

2010-09-09T18:12:00.030+08:00

So just lay your head down low,
Don't let anybody know
That its hard to live, its hard to live in the city
Yes its hard to live, its hard to live in the city
Tell those questions I have no answers
I wish that I could sit in the sun

I said it once and i am gonna say it again, life is good and good means busy. I foresee the last few days of my September to be absolutely packed. Not only have i been on a constant go every single day, i have no time for anything else than whatever i am doing now that is taking all my time. My social life flew out of the window while i am starting to build a tolerance to being sleep deprived yet again. So much for my half hearted promises to detox/replenish/sleep well. Well, i did make list of things i'll stop or have less in my diet & number #1 was to stop eating fast food such as Mcd's & etc which so far so good that it's almost been a month. Other than that, #2 is an alcohol cutback. Although i don't drink all the time but when i do, i have a bad habit of binge drinking & recently, i would fall violently sick as if i am having a hangover twice over post-drinking. So i am not touching alco in a long time.

Anyway, i have been busy at raffles. From having Saturday classes to projects including a Field Trip for our consumer behaviour report which needed us to spent two hours in Midvalley observing shopping behaviour. We had a presentation recently & you might as well put me under a spotlight, ask me to do a little dance & sing at the same time in the middle of a mall while dressed in a red sequined toga because it felt like that. What a relief that's done and now if only i can finish up with exams in 2 weeks time, 5 more killer subjects down.

But of all, i am happy & i like how things fall slowly into places perfectly without you even knowing. Time sure flies. I remembered a post i wrote back in April '10 titled I Say Hey. Reading it, all the things that are keeping me going are still the same but there is two things i am really excited about. One is that the guys are coming back at the end of the month & it's all going to be fun, fun & fun. Sort of a delayed summer this year but hey, i ain't complaining.

Anyway, i noticed that i had listed sort of a list of places i wanted to travel too & although it's not some killer fancy holiday destinations but nevertheless, my kinda paradise within budget. I have so far done Langkawi in January, Kuching which was the best ever and Singapore recently with the girls (which i did not plan at all but somehow it happened, so it was a bonus!). Then this few days, the most random thing happened. I was helping my sister book her year-end holiday and then i turned to her and said "Hey, how bout Bangkok, did we not say we were doing it end of this year?". Then before i knew, we booked flights & hotel stay all within 2 days after i mentioned it. It was around the MATTA fair week and so between Malaysia Airlines & Airasia, the former drop their prices on their website so we opted for MAS coz the difference was only RM40 or so. Will be leaving to BKK just a few days after my finals at the end of the month so it's gonna be a good holiday!

Oh and i am going to Langkawi again, twice round in October coz Airasia just love dropping their prices & i love holidays.

Till then x

Peace, Love & Ice Cream.

2010-09-05T20:28:00.024+08:00

Friendship in a perfect still frame.

Singapore, August 2010.

Girls, i never imagine we would be meeting together and after such a long time especially Bee whom i have not seen her for over 4 years all the while in another country. It's a pretty sweet story to how we all ended up there. It was Bee's birthday (the girlfriend) and the BF called all of us about two weeks before the day to let us know that he was organizing a surprise birthday to be held in Singapore where she is currently residing. It must have took some major planning to get us all there as the three of us going over were spread out in 3 different states & had different schedules! But it was all good in the end, we got there according to plan and I was excited to see the girls, to surprise the birthday girl (who doesn't like a good surprise?) and to have a little short getaway.

The city was beautiful & not to mention so pristine. I kinda didn't want to compare it to our city but there were glaring obvious differences. I am not going to go into it but i must say that it is so amazingly structured. Love the city skyline, all the architectural buildings and also the quaint river fluidly running through it. It makes a really good model city really.

We stayed at the gorgeous Fullerton Hotel and it was right next to the river. I remember enjoying our walk around the vicinity of the hotel, checking out the happenings of a sunny Saturday, taking pictures, stopping off for a little dessert & getting to know the city more. That night after Bee's birthday dinner over the other side of town, we headed back to the hotel surroundings for some drinks @ Timbre which is a nice outdoor chill out place almost like Laundry Bar. We call it an early night and headed back to our room to have a relax night.

It was a lazy Sunday the next day when we went out for some ice cream heaven in the form of two words - Ben & Jerry's. I just love a good laid back afternoon, doing nothing yet feeling so contented.

Anyway, Happy Birthday love! It was great to see you after all these years. Things have changed definitely but when we were all together that day, it felt just like those good yesteryears x

Where the heart is.

2010-09-02T18:16:00.022+08:00

it's just you and me and us through it all.

Summer '10

Livin' Life.

2010-09-01T01:02:00.020+08:00

Hello September!

I rather love you more at the end than the beginning.

It's just i can't wait.

But you're fine.

At the end, it's all worth waiting for.

Truly Malaysian

2010-08-31T00:06:00.013+08:00

I may be an unconventional malaysian but still one at heart.

i don't speak my language - mandarin. i am considered very un-multilingual by malaysian standard.
i can't handle spicy food. yes, it's just one of those things people say "what! buuuuttt you're malaysian!".
speaking bout spicy, i do not eat sambal with my nasi lemak. i will literally just eat the nasi, ikan bilis, kacang, the cucumber and the egg :) oh. i am not a fan of teh tarik at all. or coffee. or chilli sauce/cili padi. all such malaysian things. but i love durian :)
i speak malay with a slight slang. haha.
i haven't been to our beautiful East Malaysia till last month (note : will visit more often!)

but

i love our food. so many choices, so many places and we get food round the clock at every hour at every corner.
i am truly malaysianised by way of speaking. where else can we talk like that lah?
i think we are so blessed - everything in abdundant, no natural disasters, lush green forests, mountains and beaches at our very own backyard and it's love all around with our diverse cultures! its all love, peace & beauty.

Yes, i may look to other countries and imagine myself there but i there is a love and bond with this place. it's the only one i have and the only one i know by heart even with it's flaws, imperfection and all. i wouldn't have it anyway.

Happy Independence Day.

Hey Beautiful.

2010-08-24T13:55:00.006+08:00

Dempsey Hill, 15/8, Sunday afternoon x

I ain't gonna lose you.

2010-08-22T22:37:00.011+08:00

You can put a stick in my spokes
I can be the butt of your jokes
I can be the laughing stock, I can be your hoax
But I aint gonna lose you

They can come and tear my house down
They can run me out of town
They can tie me up, call me a clown
But I ain't gonna lose you

I can't stand
The thought of another man

They can make me turn my back on my friends
Send me away to up in san quentin
Put me in the hole, a thousand times again
But I ain't gonna lose you

Throw me in a hurricane
Tell the whole world I've gone insane
Run an electric shock to my brain
But I ain't gonna lose you

I can't stand
The thought of another man

I'll sing it from my roof top
I'll sing it from the bus stop
I'll sing it on the street drunk to a cop
But I ain't gonna lose you

Brett Dennen

In memory.

2010-08-17T00:13:00.009+08:00

RIP

Uncle David Tan

13th August 2010

My deepest heartfelt condolences to Auntie Alice, Elaine, Alicia and Evelyn.

No words can describe the sadness but in pain there is healing.

You are in my thoughts, prayers and heart.

Free Falling

2010-08-10T16:28:00.010+08:00

Just keep me where the light is.

Metropolitan Ballerina

2010-08-05T16:08:00.012+08:00

ASOS GREY HEELS H&M BALLERINA SKIRT AND TRANSPARENT GREY TOP ALDO FEATHERS HEADBAND (bought in NYC) ASOS FEATHERS CLUTCH TIFFANY CUSTOMIZED RING

Chiara Ferragni

Reality | Realization

2010-08-04T02:29:00.008+08:00

There is no guide, no cheat codes, no alternatives, no manual instructions, no nothing on how you deal with life.

You just go through it, fail and come back alive and better again.

It is the most amazing thing and yet be unpredictable, complex and so fragile.

Life is just a beautiful struggle.

Be awesome.

2010-08-01T16:37:00.009+08:00

Interesting facts about August 2010

There are :-

5 Sundays

5 Mondays

5 Tuesdays

all in one month

and

it only happens in every 823 years!

so be awesome.

Happy August x

I love (not) rainy days.

2010-07-28T01:51:00.007+08:00

Baby's got blue skies up ahead.

2010-07-27T00:33:00.006+08:00

my own version summer has begun.

it may be a little late this year.

it will definitely be simpler, divergent.

it may even be less adventuresome.

and although there will be less craziness, drinking, late nights, friendships and roadtrips but it will all still be the sweetest thing.

RWMF 2010 : Day 3.

2010-07-16T02:05:00.004+08:00

The final curtain call.

It rained, it glittered and it left many beautiful memories.

See you next year! x

RWMF 2010 : Day 2

2010-07-13T17:27:00.018+08:00

Day 2 - Weather was sunny and gorgeous!

Yes, we did stay in a longhouse - Rumah Melanau.

View of Mt. Santubong right out my window when i woke up.

Hitting one of the many daytime workshops at Dewan Legenda.

This workshop was titled Electro Groove and featured a guitarist each from different bands that were here to perform at the festival.

Posing with Watussi, an Australian/Colombian band that was amazing.

Checking the festival grounds out!

In the late afternoon, we spent it lazily at the beer garden by the lake chilling out.

Glorious dusk setting in for the day.

With Priscilla. I miss you and hope we get to cross paths once again! x

Night falls.

We have arrived.

2010-07-09T15:30:00.011+08:00

Mid-air , 2.30 pm

Arrived just a little late in the afternoon.
It feels so good to be here and as we were landing, from my window seat i could see how vast Sarawak was.

The weather was sunny when we left KL but it was calmly gathering storm clouds here over at Kuching when we landed. Everyone says it's gonna rain later.

Flying above Kuching, 3.40 pm

We headed over to The Secret Sanctuary Boutique Cottage first for a quick early dinner and then took almost 2 hours to get to the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong where else it normally takes only 45 minutes approx.

But we are finally here and it feels so surreal. I am really excited. I can tell that it's gonna be amazing already from the gorgeous venue and the sounds of world music echoing through the forest and crowds. And yes, it started raining but what's a Rainforest World Music Festival without a little 'rain'.

I think I'll be off technology for the next few days coz i am in the middle of a forest and there's too much to see and do. so see you all back in KL :)

P/S : Found out that we will be staying in the cultural village itself, right in the heart of the venue. i think they are putting us up in one of the longhouses. hahaha. can't wait to see it then.

1460 / 4

2010-07-08T14:43:00.010+08:00

Off to Kuching in a few hours time.

11.50 pm - starts packing luggage bag which leaves me a high like no other. i adore holidays. love that i am cramming in lots of dresses, denim shorts, tank tops and no jeans in sight. starts picking out random clothing from closet and throwing them on bed

12.20 am - currently trying on different set of outfits and making numerous trips to the mirror. so far, i have started categorizing clothes into two options the 'must bring' & 'should i bring this?' while dividing them into two piles on the bed.

12.55am - oh no. realize that 'must bring' pile is getting bigger than the other pile. not good woman. starts to stress when indecisiveness kicked in real hard. "should i or should i not". stares at the rest of the messy room and stresses self more but hey there!, found a tank top that has been missing for months in the process and then chucks it into the 'must bring' pile. cycle repeats itself but must pack finish, have only few hours to sleep.

1.30 am - finally! clothes part is packed and done after fickle me got a reality jolt. wonders around house looking to throw in all last minute things - slippers, toiletries, hairdryer, makeup kit, 3-4 chargers for various electronic devices, etc etc etc and aslo the occasional comfort item you take from home in which is my colourful beach scarf/fabric i take everywhere i go.

1.50 am - almost done. weighs luggage and was relief it was less than 10kgs. try rolling bag around then and realize it made squeaky noises. damn. had to take out everything and transfer. re-packing is making me re-think packing more stuff. rawr.

2.05 am - swears to never pack last minute.

anyway i am super excited nevertheless. four years waiting, i am finally going to the rainforest world music festival. love! xx

{Polaroid Edition} : Cameron's

2010-07-07T14:29:00.010+08:00

Cameron Highlands

5/7

Likealovegood.

2010-07-01T00:15:00.008+08:00

July, i have been waiting for you x

Shoots, i missed a spot!

2010-06-27T02:03:00.009+08:00

Major cleaning to be done post-exams. Lots to do, lots to clean and it ain't easy coz i'll probably OCD-ed myself out. Well it has to be done and it gotta be showroom worthy coz we're moving out soon. can't wait!

ok back to vacumming.

Tribute : MJ

2010-06-25T17:21:00.008+08:00

He may be gone but MJ lives forever.

One of the greatest entertainers we will ever have.

RIP
1958/2009

La Vita

2010-06-24T23:50:00.014+08:00

To be young, broke and beautiful x

Transmission

2010-06-20T04:18:00.010+08:00

Finals this week.

Holidays the week after that.

I can hardly wait x