Friday, December 28, 2007

Assassination of Bhutto

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I didn't expect to wake up to such news, the first thing I saw on Towleroad.

I didn't know Bhutto. But I have seen her quite a few times on news. I thought, this is an incredible woman.  A woman who was twice the Prime Minister in one of the chaotic countries in the Middle East and Asia. A woman who was standing among idiot men. She must have done something right. And brave, so brave.

Of course I would think that all fingers are pointed at Musharraf now.

I can't agree more with Sally Field when she said, "If the mothers ruled the world, there would be no goddamn wars in the first place," during 2007 Emmy Awards. I heart Sally.

Perhaps scientists should develop some drugs that numb the adrenaline rush that men get from war or killing each others. 2008 will start with one of its warriors (how ironic) lost.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

in the same room?


When I was staying at The N*v*t*l mid November for my interview, I found this in the bedside drawer. I couldn't wrap my brains around it for 2 seconds. Really? The Quran and The Bible in the same room?

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

turning point

Scared is an understatement.
Hopeless is a possibility-cum-reality.
Hope is a luxury stretched so thin.

Monday, December 10, 2007

compensated, indeed




Following my incident with the chips vending machine, I've received an apology letter from the company. It even came with a $3 postal order! I guess it's not bad at all!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

not the time yet

So I'm jobless and penniless. Soon I'll even have no roof over my head. I was calling an agent property to ask about an apartment on the Docklands.

me: Hi I'm interested in one of your apartments. It is on the Docklands.

woman: Sorry, say it again?

She sounded a bit old and so I forgave her.

me: I'm looking to rent one of your apartment, it's 608/2 McCrea St Docklands...

woman: I'm afraid you've called the wrong number. This is a funeral home.

Instant karma!!!

me: Sorry? Where did you say you were?

woman: This is a funeral home. I'm afraid it's not your time yet.

Hell no!!!!

me: I'm so sorry. I've called the wrong number.

woman: That's alright. Hold on a second, what is your name? You sounded familiar.

Oh dear, has Death ever sought after me before?!?!

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

it did happen

Sometimes one would think about certain things that would never happen to one. Not to say never, but with a low probability.

At least a couple of things happened to me today, which I had not envisaged to be so probable in one go.

So I was waiting for a train. Since I had not had lunch and I was hungry, I went to the vending machine for a bag of chips. After putting in the money, I waited for the packet to be pushed down the chute. It did, but just a little bit! Oh god... My $2.20!!!! I tried to shake the machine but it wouldn't move at all! I couldn't shake it like a mad man as there were people on the platform too! What I did next was even more there's-no-word-to-describe, I called up the vending machine company to complain! Guess what? They are sending me a money order of $2.20!!!!!!

On a hungry stomach I hurried into the train when it had arrived. The trains nowadays were very dirty; one had to look before one sit as the cushions would often be stained. Look I did. Except my vision was on the chairs but not on the floor! You might have guessed what happened next, yes, I stepped onto someone's puke!!!!!!!!!!! Yuck!! Luckily there wasn't much. I dared not even look at it properly. So the whole journey home, I held my leg out as further away from me as possible, despite the soreness. And I willingly breathed lightly so as not to take in any foul smell, albeit I doubt there was any.

The story could have ended there but it continued. I was buying bread at Coles. When I passed some coins to the cashier, she said that I had given her a New Zealand coin!!!!!!!!! Oh god.... the vending machine didn't only deny me my hungry-saving-but-bad-for-health chips, it also gave me a New Zealand coin!!! However now it wasn't worth it anymore to call and complain....

Monday, November 12, 2007

就是一个字 - 笨!

(一)馬來人不長進的反思
(二)一堂9250萬令吉的課

近来英国一所研究所发布最新大学排名,我国大学果然不负众望,名列后茅,排名每况愈下。这项消息来得正是时候,这跟马来西亚政府奢梦太空国互相辉映,好不讽刺。就先说一说这个太空梦,花了九千万打造一刹那光辉。九千万啊,可以建多少所华小、培训多少名医生护士……马来西亚连一所像样的太空研究所都没有,竟然有如夜郎般自大,要向世界宣布我们还有九千万块钱可以花。究竟这项海市蜃楼的壮举有些什么收益呢?我们是否要像外星人宣传马来西亚闻名银河系的马来糕?

拉伯就是不甘愿马哈迪的成就。当马哈迪在位时,我们建有吉隆坡塔、国油双子塔、雪邦第一方程式赛场。有什么可以高过世上数一数二的建筑物呢?又什么可以比天高呢?答案就是在外太空。拉伯还批评马来人不长进 - 他身为一国之首,想的做的都反映着他的无能及眷恋权势。当他国都在飞奔,为各国政、经、社及环境努力时,我国马来人还因为自己拥有拐杖而沾沾自喜。三年后马来西亚会把这一次后备太空旅客也送上太空,再花一次九千万、再花一次人民的血汗、再一次证明马来西亚政府的英明!三年后,恐怕我国大学连什么排名都挤不进去;三年后,如果那些马来钝剑还有用处的话,就用来砍香蕉树吧!

Thursday, November 08, 2007

无心插柳

懵嚓嚓下,我就可能要飞回去。怎么办呢?心好乱哦。有人要我回去,我自己想留,但是梦到头来会不会是一场空呢?

留下来吗?肚子怎么填呢?

回去吗?梦呢?

就在梦与面包之间,脑子再也转不来了。

Saturday, November 03, 2007

it's called "Mother"

Who would you think of when you fell sick? You know, in between rushing to the toilet with one hand covering one's mouth and another on one's twitching tummy or the hind door; or you know, burning at 39C...

I would think of my mother. Mother would always come to rescue when I was sick. I was always a sick kid. And Mommy would always be there, opposite to Dad who used to think that I should be not take too much western medicines. She would sat by me, changing the wet cloth on my forehead. She would sat by me, feeing me spoons of water or congee. She would stand by me, patting my back as I threw up. She would be awake several times at night, to check up upon me if I was OK and to get me to take the medicine.

I remember when I first living on my own and I was sick - I couldn't stop crying when I spoke to her over the phone. I thought about the things she had done for me, not just when I was sick. As I grow older and more apart from her (and Dad), and as I become more able, these things kind of fade away. But remembering them, it feels like they just happened yesterday. It's called heart prints.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

One and a half month earlier!





Since the bday boy received this today, I might as well show it to the world. The design is basically stacking square of different sizes - thus making it complicated (and sophisticated, hopefully). I particularly like the lucky-star ornament and those beads & sequins circling the golden tower of happy birthday.

And Mom, you took a risk by sending it on normal post. You should know how thievious the Malaysian postmen are... =P

Monday, October 29, 2007

life path number

Your Life Path Number is 1

Your purpose in life is to lead others.

You have great drive and determination. Nothing is going to stand in your way.
You seek out challenges and the spotlight. You'll take all the work - and all the glory.
Status and success are important to you. You demand the best from everyone and everything.

In love, you tend to take a protective role. You enjoy being the provider in relationships.

You expect others to be like you, and as a result, you are often disappointed.
A little selfish and vain, you always put yourself first.
Remember, everyone already knows you're great - you don't need to remind them!
I hate to say it but I'm afraid it's quite true.

i'm OUTing you

Since I have had a fair share of weird dreams in the past few weeks, I decided to start to tag-blog them under Dreamcatcher. Unfortunately the protagonist of my dreams was so conveniently myself so I am not putting myself up for inspection this time. Not yet.

Ta-dah - so there goes my first victim, in my wholly imaginary world of alf-land, CL (I better keep her anonymous) was a lesbo!! I don't know why I would help her with overseas student health cover (my job)... When she was passing her passport to me, she said, "I don't think why am I telling you this but I have a girlfriend back home".

The rest of the dream fell through the dreamcatcher though.... But rest assured, just to set the record straight, CL isn't gay.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

在空中巨無霸起飛後

倫敦政經學院的科學家曾預測,在10萬年內,貧富差距可能使人類演化為兩種次種,即英俊而聰明的高雅人和醜陋而愚笨的野蠻人。高雅人處于社會的頂層,由少數擁有特權、受過高等教育而且健康的富人進化而來。他們外貌又高又瘦、體形勻稱,聰明且富有創造力,可維持120歲的平均壽命。而野蠻人處社會的底層,由一無所有的窮人進化而來。他們不僅身材矮小肥胖、智力低下,壽命也大大縮短。

全文

Sunday, October 21, 2007

i likey likey

You Are a Witch (or Warlock)

You are deviously brilliant and a perfect manipulator.
You somehow always end up getting what you want - without anyone knowing you're working behind the scenes.
Crafty and cunning, you can work your way out of any jam.
And it's easy for you to get people to do what you want, whether you're working for good or evil.

Your greatest power: Mind control

Your greatest weakness: Making people your puppets

You play well with: Ghosts

not too surprising...

Your Brain is Purple

Of all the brain types, yours is the most idealistic.
You tend to think wild, amazing thoughts. Your dreams and fantasies are intense.
Your thoughts are creative, inventive, and without boundaries.

You tend to spend a lot of time thinking of fictional people and places - or a very different life for yourself.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

monkey boi








It really proves how free I am nowadays that I can blog 4 entries in a day. I also have less or none white hair for a couple of months now! Amazing what stress can do to one. I guess 白发魔女 wasn't really that implausible. Anyway, I love this new simple design - which I took from a puzzle piece. Got it anybody?

...and cut! that's a wrap people.

Valkyrie

Rendition

Lions for Lambs

Wooo this is exciting! If you realise it, the common denominator of the 3 films is war. I am not normally a fan of this genre. However, one of the reasons that interests me to watch a certain film is because of its actors and actresses. That said, storyline weighs far more than just familiar faces.

Valkyrie started off badly with contraversies around its plot. Naturally, anything to do with world wars, Hitler and Japan would arguably spark arguments among people. The 2 people that I look forward to seeing are Tom Cruise (who else?) and the director Bryan Singer, who has made his name in Apt Pupil and The Usual Suspect. After The Last Samurai, I'm eager to watch Tom in another drama role.

Rendition is another very current-issue type of film that ventures into the realm of torture of war prisoners. Coincidentally, I just watched something similar on TV last night. Images of a female officer keeping a naked Arabian soldier on a leash are really disturbing. She also had this smirk on her face. How much of this goes undisclosed - I don't know. Hopefully Rendition will be able to get people thinking and starting to question government decision and the greater picture of democracy. However, the character of Meryl Streep says something along the line of "we kill one to save many", which will definitely invite criticism. What else can I ask for - Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese no-longer-Mrs.-Phillippe Witherspoon and the great Meryl Streep.

Another amazing rock-solid cast consisting Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise - Lions for Lambs. I have limited knowledge of this movie - seeing that it's gonna screen on Nov 9 2007 and I've just learned of it. One thing that worries me is that great cast often does not coincide with great story. Fingers crossed and knock knock.

Just wondering if Rendition and Lions for Lambs are gonna add to Streep's list of Oscar nominations. With 14 nominations (she won 2) already, I doubt if anyone can surpass that.

it takes more than just holding one


It seems like a lot of companies out there are giving these supposedly green bags away. Literally, they are meant for us to use less plastic bags. That said, everytime I go to the market I still see people having a lot of plastic bags in their green bags. The green bag has been compromised! It's not supposed to be an extra big bag to accomodate more plastic bags.

I definitely think it takes more than just giving out green bags - which is merely another promotional means quite frankly - to help reduce the use of plastic bags. I remember hearing Safeway was phasing out the use of plastic bags but I don't think it's happened yet. Even the Australian government said something like that before - about total discontinuation of plastic bag use.

I don't think we need to start that big - everyone could do their parts. Why do we need to use a blue plastic bag for 4 apples, then another green one for a piece of fish, a pink one for some vege? I do just chuck everything in the green bag. And then you put all those plastic bags in your green bag. What purpose does it serve? When I am given a plastic bag at the market, I shamelessly give it back to the seller.

Tackling green house gases or climate change doesn't have to start big and bold when everyone can play their part. Just by saying NO to plastic bags.

A380


Now Singapore Airline has taken mile high club to a brand new spanking occupied-do-not-disturb-if-you-hear-any-sound level. Perhaps new safety instruction should be included during pre-flight briefing.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Sterling Silver + 1


That 旗袍 was made about 15 years ago and a total of 4 children and Mom can still pull it off. (",)

I'm looking forward to the golden moment in 24 years.

Finally!


Brace yourself and fasten your seatbelt. And let the race begin! Today's poll (some poll!) showed the widening gap between the preference for the Labour or Liberal party, 59% vs. 41%.

I'm sure Australian will be disgusted by the mentioning of the names of Kevin Rudd and John Howard in the next 6 to 8 weeks. Not to mention their right and left hands - Kevin Andrews, Julia Gillard, Wayne Swan, Tony Abbott etc. I'm interested in one other name - Maxine McKew. She might just have enough votes to overthrow John Howard's seat in Bennelong (wherever that is).

Politics... It's like another f word that should be disgusted. And politicians would be the f word plus er. One liar replaced by another? Democrazy is what it is.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

it takes 6 months to ship from the US to Aus?



Awwww. I'm missing all my favourite TV shows -Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy.

I'm loving the new additions to DH and B&S. Right now I can only rely on youtube and this fabulous new blog that I found - televisionista.



I don't know how much longer can Channel 7 hold off these shows. Network 10 and Channel 7 seem to be having rating wars. So far they are so ahead of Network 9, which I am glad as 9 sucks, by screening hit shows directly from the US (well delay of a few days, but who's complaining as long as I can see my Milo on a weekly basis).

So I was saying about my anticipations. There's so much going on in Wysteria Lane with new couples and rekindling of the old characters like Andrew. I also wanna see Lynette more as she's my favouritest housewife, followed by Bree (I could be almost as anal as she is). And after 3 seasons, there's gonna be a gay couple moving into the lane. Cat fight just got more interesting!

On Ugly Betty, I have to say, I'm looking forward to seeing all the characters. First of all the evil queen herself, Wilhemina, followed by the queen hag (is there such a thing?) Marc and the little upcoming queen Justin. And of course Betty with Henry - such bitterrrrrrr sweeeeeeeeet couple, whose love story is so looked forward to. Mind you, our Mrs. Beckham will be guest-starring on the show too, playing herself. I'm sure that would be easy by looking robotic throughout.



And my favourite Mama on TV - Nora Walker, played by the wonderful and outspoken Sally Fields. The cast of B&S is simply joyous to watch. An everyday-family plot which I feel very close to my heart. As if there's not enough characters, there will be more new players, who will be playing new love interests to a couple of the siblings.

And last but not least, a show that might start to slip on ratings - Grey's Anatomy - a show which is no stranger to controversy by depicting slutty doctors who work at a supposedly-public-hospital-but-occassional-brothel-or-hotel. If the decline in rating continued, Isiah Washington must be laughing his ass off after being laid off. However, his new show, Bionic Women doesn't look tasty at all with weak writing and cast. Back to Grey, hopefully the writers will find a way of bringing the audience back. Perhaps this time, enough already with sleeping with the doctors. Cross the line, or should I say IV drip, and get it on with your patients already! Perhaps something along the line of a man who wants a sex change then falls in love with a straight-turned-lesbian doctor? Will that work? It's both a shame and a great deal for Kate Walsh, who played Dr. Addison Montgomery on Grey, now leading a spin-off of Grey in, literally, Private Practice.

Sometimes, OK I was being kind with sometimes, Australia is so behind in not only bringing these shows into Australia on a timely basis, but the DVDs themselves take months of shipping across the Pacific Ocean. I guess I'll have to happy with just Heroes and House for the moment.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

it's a world of roses out there....





The heck with it - originally I didn't wanna show off, but these new creations are screaming to be seen and to be complimented - who am I to deny such noble form of self-admiration and vanity?

how long...

I'm the sort of person that is anal about checking my email. Is this a way of me screaming for attention? I gotta remind myself - email isn't love (aka food isn't love).

I think the longest I have gone without checking my email is probably one to two weeks. Am I gonna looking for a cyber cafe when I am travelling in, say, India? No, perhaps India is too high-tech to allow me ample access. And India is not one of my must-visit countries. How about Morocco? Sounds perfectly foreign and nothing like I've ever been before. How long do you think I'll last without going crazy for not getting access to the internet?

If internet coverage is available on some islands, would you bring together with you your laptop on your holiday? And how long do you think you'll last without internet?

Sunday, October 07, 2007

梅迎冬,我却何去何从

From the other end of the phone there came a familiar and well-missed voice. When my parents told me to enjoy and appreciate the time I had while I was still a student, I didn't quite believe them. But I do now - you'll learn to treasure things or people when you have lost them, the sour grapes are always perceived to be better.

I'm now questioning my decision that I made at the end of 2005. My decision to reside in a still-foreign land. A land that most of my close friends have fled from. Does my resolution of waiting half a year still stand? Will I make up more excuses to stay?

Like she said, it's hard when you can't just pick up the phone or to meet those you think who know you, whenever you need them. Things are OK most of the times, at least on the surface. But sometimes it just gets to you. Like a hidden thorn. I try to stay strong but I can't really bank on keeping cool will not make me stone cold.

山从水复疑无路,柳暗花明又一村?
心焦意摇志消沉,望穿秋水何时了。

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

just suddenly


am in a mess of papers, scissors, card boards, ribbons, wrappers and more papers... And the sun is blazing its alpha & beta rays from millions of kilometers away - sending warmth everywhere. Yes it's getting warmer now. Summa is coming!

But I don't want summer to come. Suddenly I am missing winter. Would it be great if it was winter everyday? Perhaps there would be less skin cancer patients?

I want winter - despite heavy and cumbersome winter clothing, I can hide everything underneath them. I can eat like no tomorrow when excuse myself with I need the fat for the cold. I can also escape gym with I'll go when summer is closer.

Summer is coming and I need to get my lazy bum into shape! Perhaps the treadmill is already snearing at me. Summer is coming and I need to get my skinny arms into bulkier trunks! Summer is coming and I need to flatten my tummy! Summer is coming and I need to get some new sunscreen from Shiseido!

Perhaps I need to find a second home in Europe or Canada when it's getting colder now.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

What The?



Blind Person: Hi, could you please point me to the toilet?

Security Guard (or anyone): Yes of course. Now let me bring you to this wall. At the end of this wall, you'll find the braille signing you to where the toilet is.

Blind person: (as guard guiding his hand onto the wall) Start here?

Guard: Yes, start touching and feeling from here to your right.

Blind person: Is it the male toilet?

Guard: Yes, you will find that the sign will say so too.

Guard: (thinking aloud) Who would care? Even if you went into the opposite-sex toilet, what could you possibly see?

Alf: I just realised how hard it is for a blind person to even go to toilet. Given that they were able to locate the toilet after touching all the great walls, how would they find the cubicles or urinal bowls/stand? A woman could still sit on a toilet bowl; but a man who would pee into the urinal bowl... The toilet cleaner would have a hell lot to mop, not to mention the possibility of someone slipping on some yellow liquid!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Hmmmm... it ain't that bad afterall?


Let's see if I can find a title to this post at the end of writing it. Just feel like I need to write something now.
So I was arriving back in the city after work at about 2.30pm. Decided not to go home so I went for a walk at the bank of Yarra river holding a cone of New Zealand ice-cream. It was such a nice day with the sun coming in and out of the clouds. It was still winter but I thought I could smell the springy-ness in the air. Bracing myself in the still-chilly wind I strutted along the river bank, watching the world went by.

And then I found myself sitting down at Taxi, sipping a lemon-lime bitter. I had not done so for quite some time - enjoying the sun and wind. I think from the look of the picture, I was looking contended with myself, despite other parts of my life were still trying to catch up.

Funny thing is I never allow myself to be happy for too long. The bathroom scale showed that I had gained 1-2kg last night. But I dismissed it as I found out that the scale had an error. After correcting it tonight I knew I couldn't hide it anymore. Two weeks of hay fever have done too much damage to my was-going-to-be-flatter-I-swear tummy. I know I can pull myself back, (",) - not gonna be one that let myself go when confronted with less-than-ideal situation.

Life is still good - and since I'm here now I want to start something that I have been wanting to do for so long. A gratitude diary - I first saw it on Oprah. So there you go. I wanna thank myself (LOL first entry in the gratitude diary I wanna thank myself?!) for not giving up on myself. Maybe sometimes I don't feel like I am good enough or just too up-myself some other times, I know I will always improve. Secondly I wanna thank my parents genes for being OK when they passed it down to me. I appreciate the way I am - when I look around and find people who are less fortunate physically than I am.

That's all for now. Another beautiful day awaits!

Dreamlover come rescue me!!

OMG - I told one of my best frens about the dreams that I had been having. While I thought of nothing more serious than they were just my dreams - he identified the themes in my dreams, which were school and high school.

What he did was looking up some dream interpretations and the following was sent to me. I feel that they are quite accurate given the current drwnd wrld situation that I'm in.

Dream Dictionary
School
To dream that you are in school, signifies feelings of inadequacy and childhood insecurities that have never been resolved. It may relate to anxieties about performance and abilities. You may also be going through a "spiritual learning" experience. If you are still in school and dream about school, then it will naturally serve as a backdrop to your dream world. Alternatively, a dream that takes place in school may be a metaphor for the lessons that you are learning from your waking life.

High School
To dream about high school, refers to the bounds and friendships that you made while you were in high school. What spiritual lessons have you learned? The dream may also be telling you that you need to start preparing for the real world. To dream that you have to repeat high school, suggests that you are doubting your accomplishments and the goals that you have already completed. You feel that you may not be measuring up to the expectation of others. The dream may occur because some recent situation may have awakened old anxieties and insecurities.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Drwnd Wrld

I hv bn qt nctv ltly - n mny wys. Lst, cnfsd, wrrd, bl whl pttng n n K fc. I m ll ths thngs. N tp f tht, my fnncl rsrcs hv bn dply dpltd s mch s tht I jst tld Chryl tht my bnk ccnt blnc ws 0. ZR!!


Smtms whn I fl lk ll hp s lst, I bcm qt n scpst. I wnt t brd th nxt MH149/129 bck t Mlys. Wtht PR chncs f gttng a jb hv bcm vn slmmr. I gt n ntrvw in bldy Bllrt with NB. Tht's rlly fckng fr. I trnd t dwn vntlly. I wldn't gt t nywy wtht PR nd I wldn't wnt t mv t Bllrt. Wht dd I jst d - trnng dwn smthng tht mght b th bggst chnc f my lf? nd gt blcklstd by NB? Bt I jst flt mch lghtr whn I dcdd to wthdrw my applctn.


nthr thng tht hs md m ngry ws tht th lndlrd hs ncrsd r rntl gn. t s lrdy th thrd tm n a yr nd ths tm h bldy ncrsd t by $50 a wk! I knw tht th rntl mrkt s tght bt $50 nd s frqntly? t dds nthr dmnsn f ncrtnty t my lf. t ls pt a thnkng cp n my hd tht t smd ncssry t rn s mch $$$ s sn s pssbl s tht I cld lv ndr my wn rf.


S fr, lf hs md m rls 2 thngs: w rly t mch n cnvnc nd th scfc my prnts & fmly hv md t llw m t cm s fr. Snc I hv t mch tm n hnd, I thnk bt lf vry mrnng - jst tk wshng my fc wth wrm wtr by jst trnng n th wtr tp, hw cld ppl frm th 40s d s? Ppl frm th 1900s stll prbbly hd to d thr nmbr 2 by a rvr - whn w nw jst flsh. nd thn trnng n th stv t ck - ppl frm th pst hd t cllct fr wd, rb tw pcs f rcks t crt sprks bt nw w hv gs spply jst s sly. n wntr, w'd jst trn n a htr whrs th cv ppl shvrd nd trmbld n frzng tmprtr. I rlly wnt t try t cnsrv nd prsrv bcs I dn't rlly thnk I'm wrth ll ths lxrs tkn frm th rth fr grntd.

I thnk I nd t stp ths pst bfr I g crzy wth th omssn f ll vwls. Lt m knw f y hv rd vrythng p t ths pnt nd ndrstd vrythng I'v sd - y dsrv a cmplmnt tht "Y rlly cr bt m nd y hv t mch tm!!!"

Saturday, September 15, 2007

You Can't Stop the Beat

I just watched Hairspray!!! It was super fantastic! I had my expectations all wrong. I had thought that Zac Efron and Nikki Blonsky were going to be big. But I was wrong! John Travolta with her larger-than-life Edna Turnblad stole the focus everytime she appeared on the screen. I was totally blown away by the last scene when Edna took the stage in a red & golden bling bling skirt.

I was, expectedly, singing along with the movie the whole way. Who could blame me? I had been listening to and learning the soundtrack for 2 weeks! My sis and frens said they all could hear me. Oh dear... I think I was watching the movie in my own world.

I was really glad that this movie was made. Such an inspiring and entertaining piece of work. The bling and the fling and the colours were all my favourite. I especially loved the suit & pants worn in the 60s. They looked so kool.


This movie also represents the passing of the baton from John down to Zac - perhaps the next big thing in Hollywood, if not already. John made his name in the biggest musical film ever - Saturday Night Fever. And having already had High School Musical under his belt, Zac was not afraid to profess to the world that he loved singing and dancing. The movie also highlights 3 different generations of the hollywood heavyweights, namely the veterans John Travolta & Michelle Pfieffer, the middle-aged James Marsden & Queen Latifah and of course the rising stars Nikki Blonsky and who-else Zac Efron.

Speaking of star - Stardust is on next week!

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Do not scream for your bday card!



I think with more birthdays coming up from now till the end of the year. Family and friends. I don't think my I have enough muses to carry me through. Not wanting to repeat myself is the biggest challenge yet.

I think I have been making cards for special occassions since I can remember. It is such a great honour that Dad makes the effort to treasure all those cards we have made for them since young. When I was last at home I picked a few of those cards and put them into photo frames, so as to glorify them. Haha.


Anyway, please do not scream for your bday card OK? I have got a couple of new ideas now. Am particularly excited about one of them as it's disco related. However I don't think I'll give that to anyone if it comes out close to my expectations. Save the best FOR MYSELF!

Friday, August 31, 2007

Old times

I was sitting in a city circle tram. I now can't remember if it was something that I really saw or it was on my mind. The vision was a kid holding a tubed ice-cream. He was sucking on it with facial expressions so precious. Precious because I was seeing myself in him.

Grandma used to make those ice-cream in tubes for us. Later on Mom made them too. Normally it would be made of milo and evaporated condensed milk. The ice-cream was considered quite a luxury as it would only be made when a new can of condensed milk was opened. My parents and grandparent are/was people that don't/didn't waste even a single drop of water. So every last bit of the condensed milk sticking to the wall of the can was diluted with hot water and mixed with milo powder.

And when the mixture cooled, it'd be poured into plastic tubes and later frozen. I remember it was so exciting to chew on the ice, like a treat you would get only when you had done good. I remember how hurriedly I was to tear off old calendar pages to wrap around the ice tube using my little hands.

Sometimes it's not just milo ice but with red beans as well. Hmmmm, the taste seems to have come back on my tongue. Sometimes when we run out of plastic tubes, we would just use cup that we got from MAS. Yes Malaysia Airlines. I remember I used to roll my eyes when Dad/Mom took all the cups from the airline when we flew. I didn't realise the act would bring me such a memorable part of my childhood. The best part when using a cup is that all the good stuff like the thick milo powder of the red beans would all be at the bottom of the cup. There's always treasure at the end of the dig.



Only if I could preserve all the memories with my family in a plastic tube and store it away in the fridge, only to be chewed on whenever I would feel nostalgic and homey. Definitely need to recreate one of the unforgettables with Mom and B&S when I next get home.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Soul-ed Out

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are quite expressive and thoughtful. You see the world in a way that others are blind to.

You are a very grounded, responsible, and realistic person. People may not want to hear the truth from you, but they're going to get it.

You believe that people see you as larger than life and important. While this is true, they also think you're a bit full of yourself.

Your near future is calm, relaxing, and pretty much what you want. And it's something you've been anticipating for a while now.

For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Glad that it's over

After quite an uneventful week, my weekend spiced up eventually. I had seen on TV the ad by gl0baLRags - it's supposed to be a sale of branded stuff at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. So I finished one of my job applications after work on Fri, which was about 4 already and trammed to MEC. Initially I even suspected that I went to the wrong place! Having not known that there were actually 10 showrooms at the MEC, I followed a girl who seemed to be shoppalicious. We walked past each room and my legs were getting a bit sore.

I think the building itself was at least 500m in length and we were talking towards the end of the building. And then the call came in - a call from NSW, by the look of it. Gosh it's a recruitment agency and I was shortlisted for the assessment day on Monday. Great! But the bad thing was that I was about to go shopping and I had to do this phone interview right there and then! But phewh, I managed to scraped through. (Just in case if someone would ask - I wasn't shopping for myself that day. I had spent enough money already)

Even though the role was not what I wanted but I was still stressed out over the weekend. The more I researched and prepared the less confident I felt. There was no way I would be doing B2B sales. Not at this stage.

However the intensity of the upcoming assessment day (yes, that's what it is called - the recruitment agency would assess if I was fit for their further recommendation to potential employers) was lightened up by the graduation ceremony of a fellow ex-housemate (sounds a bit like BB doesn't it? Fellow ex-housemate). So Sat morning was filled with lotsa of frenzied posing, directing and photo shoot.

Afternoon - stressing out with the interview again...

We went to Old Kingdom for dinna at night. It'd been a while since I last went there with my family. It was the first time that I was eating at a big table with other 11 people. Normally we would just get a small table. That was a first. Another first was of course the infamous caption was no longer waiting on us. The ducks were being cut by another young fella. However, we did get to see him when we were about to leave. He was really kind and understanding to bring us a couple of boxes as JK & PJ were taking away some duck bones. I remember I asked for bones of 10 ducks once before. And man, did I not enjoy the duck porridge and fried noodles with duck meat after that!

After dinna we went on Collins St as planned to hit one of the bars - The Long Room. It was damn nice to finally get out and about again in the night scene. I had not done that for a long times since my (drinking) buddies were all gone from Melb, leaving me with those who don't drink! Dressed to the sharpest (that's me, hello), we strutted along Collins St with me trying to remember where it was. Even though it was just 5 past 10, the place was already overcrowded with patrons.

We walked around trying to find seat but not to avail. But guess what - it was so damn nice to finally get to enjoy a smoke-free environment. The legislation came into effect since July 1st I think. It's so good now that I don't have to drown in second-hand smoke and my clothes will not be stinking when I leave the place.

Ordering drinks were a bit of a hassle. I ordered my cocktail from a new bartender - and effectively that dragged the gang down with me as well. Everyone was waiting long long for his/her drink. And according to sis the new bartender had to flip a How to make a cocktail - guide to a first-timer (OK - I added the title) and he probably burned with hand. It was a fun night when we're playing cards and talking nonsense. Someone still hadn't changed a bit when given alcoholic drinks.

Didn't stay out for too long as I didn't want to get a hangover and delay my prep for the assessment day. We went to Hungry Jack for supper (NOT ME) as we un-ashamedly asked for the 2-for-1 burger deal. Everyone seemed happy with that. Try that when you go to any Hungry Jack in the Melbourne CBD - it's worked so far. Just say the words just say the words - I wanna get the 2-for-1 xxx burger.

And then Sunday came - creeping on me that the assessment wasn't too far along. I basically studied for an hour then relaxed for the next, repeating the cycle for the rest of the day. Eventually I relaxed more than I studied. I got more nervous this morning. I felt like throwing up and throwing the opportunity away.

But I didn't - I went to the assessment anyway knowing that I would probably not get through. It was quite intensive - first thing up was public speaking which put me right into the graveyard. Something that I had known about myself but still not able to improve, much. It was good, nerve-wrecking fun anyway. I learned heaps. If anything, it's quite a reputable recruitment agency that originated from the UK. Group assessments were tricky though - I really didn't know how to work in a group that consisted of 14 people with 14 different voices all at the same time.

It was bitter sweet that I didn't get through though. Like WW said, it's better to do something that I'd enjoy. I felt the weights off my shoulder now - at least until the next interview comes along.

Monday, August 20, 2007

I got it!!

my Anya Hindmarch I'm not a plastic bag arrived this morning while I was pooping! Gonna strut the streets later with it! I got a blue US one for you too Mom.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

A Horrible (shopping) Whore

That's me. Me - me - me - me. And Sherly would be standing there, arms folded, shooting a I-told-you-so look right at me.

Now I need to get a job at KFC. Angelene, I now need to 替人斟茶递水了咯!!!

Quoting WW, I have only myself to blame. That's why I think it's best for me to be living in small small Tanah Merah where the only shopping places are for me to buy groceries. I don't mind torturing my bank accounts once or twice every year when I go to KL to shop. But living in Melb where shopping centres are just tram stops away, I am no better than a drug addict.

Oh please Mother of Job, please answer my application letters; or can someone burn down the credit card control building of CBA?

I had been sitting on the Politix coat for a week and I threw in the white towel on Friday evening. Apparently, wait-and-see didn't work this time. Normally I would be able to sit it out if I didn't buy things on the spot. And today, I gave in to all my on-the-spot wants at Oxford. Except for 1 FCUK belt. However... I highly suspect history will repeat itself.

Since I love FRIENDS so much, should I follow in Rachel's footstep and cut my credit card?

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

I ♥ Huckabees


How could I have missed this film? Unglaubitch - was trying to go for a long-lost-in-my-memory German word but it didn't come out quite right did it?

What a cast - often the reason I see a movie - Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin, Mark Wahlberg, Jude Law, Naomi Watts and Shania Twain!!
Think I'll have to go to JB Hifi now!!

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Stop Multiplying?

I wonder, if the solution to all the problems we have on earth lies in what people do in the bedroom and/or fertility centres?

First and foremost, fuel consumption. From dating to wooing to wedding (or rather it happens by deliberate accidents), how many energy has been put into it - transport, food, clothes, wedding ceremony (or just you know, hotel?) etc etc. And extravagant extra luxurious people have to import or export stuff or people to celebrate with them... All the black black oil is transformed into something called memories - which, can't feed the next generations.

If I were to believe in signs, like some churches blaming the homosexuals of New Orleans landed the place with Katrina, I'd say Tsunami happened because the earth was lack of lubricants - due to all petroleum being sucked up by human! Of course more earthquakes are bound to happen!

Secondly, CO2 emission. With the world pushing prices up by carbon trading, wouldn't it easier if we just produce less human? As I have many times pointed out that human is cancerous to the earth, from fuel consumption above, from the point where a sperm penetrates an egg, how much CO2 is being emitted into the atmosphere due to our actions? Going for check-ups at the clinics, baby clothing, baby rooms and millions of other baby, somewhat unnecessary, gadgets. The productions and transportation of these items - are the burning torches responsible for melting poles.

Look at India & China where the population explodes like an atomic bomb. The whole world is screaming for energy sources. Wind lar, sun lar, geothermal lar, biomass lar, even nuclear. But why aren't we stopping the source of all problem - OURSELVES? Instead, we have been digging out more petroleum and producing more CO2 along the way just to find alternative energy source, or so they claim.

When it's all so glorious about wind energy or nuclear energy to generate electricity, does anyone actually think about whether it is possible to carry a nuclear reactor in a CAR or BBQ with some bio-waste? And until that actually happens, how many more million human will be borned to consume how many more trillion barrels of petroleum and produce how many more zillion tonnes of CO2?

Is this one of the side effects of demoCRAZY, where majority agrees that we can breed without feeling responsible for the earth mother? Is it sensible to suggest human trading than carbon trading? Is it even humane to suggest that we should limit birth? Is it a bad instinct for species survival to think what I think? Like Agent Smith, I think our out-of-control multiplicability is definitely crashing our Matrix.

Saturday, August 04, 2007

On

.. my face there's a pimple ready to ripen and become juicy. I thought I was done with pimples - I'm a man of a certain age, you know, pimples should stay away from me! Furthermore I also shiseido my face twice a day, scrubbed once or twice a week. They only grow on a certain area of my face, which is the lower right part, near the jaw line. Really felt like popping it. It'd be some kinda of a relief, after a sharp pain followed by a tear or two.

.. my desk there's Tony Parsons' The Family Way, Anita Nair's Mistress and Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner. Since I'm only part-timely employed with lotsa of spare time at night, I guess a little reading wouldn't hurt? I wonder how long has it been since I last enjoyed reading... Discounting Harry Potter. I have not touched too many books other than celebrity news (actually I don't read but just skim the pictures), academic must-read, online news and blogs. Since when I joined the Malaysian club where the average Malaysian only read no more than a few books a year! I have become one that refuses to read and think??!? I just want something easy for the eyes and I'm sure to become mentally retarded and illiterate soon!

.. my bed my quilt is still unmade. Some people don't make their beds. For example my youngest brother. We have to remind him almost every other day. We used to yell at him but that hadn't worked out too well I'm afraid. He does it better now, with occassional slips of course. Sometimes I hope that he would be different to other youngest siblings. However, he can't help being rude, demanding, inconsiderate, lazy, irresponsible and having a foul mouth! And somehow it's always the Mom that has to take the hit. Whenever I'm back home, his rough edges are tamed a little. I wonder if I should shoulder such responsibility. I'm not blaming my parents but I think they are a couple of tired parents. So tired that they now lack the superiority we used to fear, especially Mom's. It's strange to see that it's their edges have gone blunt, if I may say so. Now back to my bed. I think my bed is really out of order... I won't be too surprised if there's one night where the whole thing collapses. The saying is really now, good night, sleep tight, and don't let your bed collide?

.. the balcony of my apartment, now this is amusing, there are a couple of branches of a certain plant, rotting away. I so want to pick them up and go from apartment to apartment above mine, to find out who has lost some limbs, to a plant. I can't blame the weather if it was the wind that broke the branches. But I would be furious if some idiot cut those branches and just d-r-o-p-p-e-d them. I think sis was nearly hit by an empty beer bottle when she was out on the balcony. Often, our balcony also acts as a fail-safe due to its width. Whenever people above me washes their balconies, which they are not allowed to do, my balcony catches all the water. Soapy, dirtful water. I remember those branches being fresh, as they just appeared out of nowhere when I peered over the balcony one morning. Now, they have turned brown and wrinkly. Haha, I should actually put them in a vase and it'd serve as a decorative piece in the office of the corporate body.

.. my never accomplished to-do list, the number 1 task is to haul my ass to the gym and get fit. I don't want die of a heart attack or on a theatre table. You know ar, xxxx has just done a heart bypass surgery. So young lar you see.... Mom's kind words are ringing again.

.. my chair, I'm sitting quite uncomfortably. Not because of the chair, but I think I have got to sit on something else now. And you say that I don't share enough?

Saturday, July 28, 2007

都走了吗?

应该吧。都已经走得七七八八了。一年比一年少。咖啡嘛,已经很少碰了,少到连瘾也没啦;丰富早餐,已经简化成土司面包美禄了;下午茶、爱我的蛋糕,已经变得很遥远了;就连那若有小成的酒量,已经随风蒸发得淡了;逛街的伴儿、无聊透顶的闲聊、背后说人家的三八、评头论足、什么什么到哪儿去旅行、庆祝生日的……通通都告一个段落了。

也可能是树倒猢狲散,剩下的小猫两三只,却也成不了气候。倒下的枯树值得留恋吗?倒下的树已经不能够挡风遮雨或者抵抗炎炎艳阳。

正所谓,桃花依旧,人事已非。想不到小时候学的谚语竟然会派上用场,而且还那么一针见血。我也不学要再掉什么筵席之类的书包,总之使哑子吃黄连,有苦自己知。看到人家三五成群,你们却在水一方;成双成对的,我也不可能那么不醒目的当电灯泡;本来已经藕断丝连的,经过日晒雨淋风摧风霜也断得彻底了。

哀莫大于心死。要换一换画了吗?温室里的花,还是想念温室吗?

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Can't wait to get SPRAYed!

John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer (have missed her dearly on the big screen), James Marsden & Queen Latifah are giving us Hairspray this winter! I can't wait to see this movie, can you? John will be in drag for starter. And all the great 60s tune, the big (black?) voice and dance, I live for this kinda stuff you know.

After Dreamgirls, I am really looking forward to seeing Hairspray. I need to get its OST first and learn all the songs. Anyone wanna join me for Hairspray-sing-and-spray-along?

Damn Australian cinemas which are showing the movie so late (September!), by that time I will have used tonned of hairspray to make sure my wig stay in shape!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

怎么说来说去还是关于穿衣服?

1。大專衣著條例開倒車
2。衣著限制多此一舉
3。將心思放在提高學術水平

很奇怪,马来西亚官方很喜欢管人家怎样穿衣服,比我妈还专制。我真的很生气,很生气政府吃饱太闲空。真的不得不种族歧视,偏偏就是马来西亚的回教徒,每天拜神五次还有那么多时间来管制衣着条例。

真的那么闲空吗?去批一批奏章吧,桌子上还有一大把功夫等着你干呢。别国大学在那儿研究怎么鼓励学生思想进步开放、怎么教育学生准备面对社会大学;马来西亚各大学就等着转行吧,它们打算进军服装业,而且是最没有人买的那一种。

常常有注意吉兰丹政治消息-应该说吉兰丹回教执政党是此大专衣着条例的开山鼻祖吧。你可知道,吉兰丹的女人属于受保护的动物。她们除了要从头包到尾之外,就连口红也不可以涂。听说涂了口红会引起男性性趣大发,对女性不利。哇,他们的想法好令人感动噢,才怪!

我记得在看理查到金的电视节目时,他也是个反宗教的支持者。当他去到一个中东国家时,有个极端回教徒对他这么说,“你们应该先回到你们的国家,管一管治你们女人的穿着”。天哪,当他在讨论到有关宗教及战争的联系时,他还是狗改不了吃屎,就是要提起衣着管制论。他们这些人不做服装生意实在是太亏本了。基本上他们可以这么做:一手拿枪,另一手拿着一套可以从头遮到脚的服装逼他们的俘虏付钱。

好无聊噢……大不了下了地狱还是要光溜溜,不然你以为狱火少烧不了你的衣服吗?

Sunday, July 22, 2007

And 19 years later...

There has never been anything quite like it, and nobody knows whether there ever will be again.

After about 11 hours of reading I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I am still coming down on it. Into reading the first few chapters, my crying face already started to form and when MEM was killed, I couldn't help it. And then there goes H, D, F, T & R (I didn't cry for R as his death came too abrupt but I had always had deeper affection for R).

The first few chapters were gripping where the protagonists have to run away from You-Know-Who. After the wedding where H, R & H went on their own, I felt that it was a little boring. The boredom was occassionally dampened by some new findings, though not very great ones. It started to pick up again when they return to Hogwarts and get ready for the battle. And we get to see some of the old characters again. It's nice to end it at where it all matters.

On a funnier side, I think it's the first time J. K. Rowling uses the B word in her book. Children book. She hasn't used it before has she? What are parents gonna say to explain it? I wonder. But I thank you, J. K. Rowling, first of all for beating the Queen in wealth. Secondly for Harry Potter. The world had never seen such magical power until you came along. We got hooked since.

And a smart move too to bring the ending to 19 years later - J. K. obviously likes to have an ending from the very beginning, whilst finding ways to get there. No matter whoever, if ever there is, writes the in-between, she's got the ending in her hands, just quite like the current Harry Potter series.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

It's here

It's 21/07/2007 - the day every Harry Potter fan has been waiting for - the release date of the final book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I woke up at 7.15am this morning, getting ready (still not =P) to go to Borders at 9am.

I think it's a good think that Borders are having celebration at (almost?) each branch and also at Federation Square in the Melbourne CBD, otherwise we might have to wait in a long queue just to pay. Now with all the fans dispersed, I'm hoping to grab my book when the ribbon is cut and head home! Well except I'll have to wait for PJ to sort out her receipt with Borders as she has lost it.

No more speculations, no more waiting, the day is finally here. Thank you J. K. Rowling, for your brilliance.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

After the Order of the Phoenix

I watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night. I had had high anticipations for this film. Somehow I couldn't help feeling disappointed by the movie. It's not unjustified, given that the books keep getting thicker and the movies aren't. Therefore loads and loads of details had to go and some story lines were time-switched as well. But it's like paying pilgrimages, I had to watch it. I have to watch all the 7 movies.

The starting of the movie was captivating. I seldom don't pay attention to the time when things happen in a book. Or rather my sense of time is totally out of whack. Often it would be at night when I thought the event happened in day time! So the opening scene where Harry and Big D face-off took place happens in the arvo when my memory told me that it'd be at night? No? I think the Dementors have had a make-over since HP3. I thought they looked scarier in HP3.

Loved it when Harry and the members of the Order rode their brooms and raced to the MoM for Harry's hearing. It was exciting to see some broom actions after so long. I really really miss Quidditch in action - which is totally non-existent in this movie. The black shiny walls in the MoM looks more Matrix than HP. I thought they should be less glamourous.

The middle part of the movie, where Harry is back at Hogwarts, is kinda boring. There were funny bits here and there but I couldn't feel the coherence. I have to give my thumb up for the evil, supposedly-toad-like Dolores Jane Umbridge, fantastically played by Imelda something. Her high-pitched sarcastic laughs were timely and just the right amount. Also good job to the design crew as the tone of the pinkiness of her clothes darkens as the movie progresses, showing her true colours exactly.

Watching the movie is like scanning the book using the most powerful scanner, at perhaps 20-pages per second. And sometimes the scanner comes to a sudden halt to take a better resolution at a particular page. I felt jerky at times - like how Professor Trelawny was fired by Umbridge toad, the Weasley boys tearing the exam hall down, Harry getting his first occlumency lesson from Snape, the part where Harry discovered Mr. Weasley was attacked by the snake and his speedy recovery etc.

I was most angry with how unprofessional Hermione had been made. The fine and tricky arrangement for the DA meetings was supposed to be clever and it should belong to Hermione. Yet she didn't get any credits, including how the consequences on the traitor who sold them out. I have always admired Hermione's cleverness and cool use of intellect (to quote Dumbledore in HP1) yet it is hardly felt in the movie.

Even though rather short, the fighting scenes at the MoM were worth waiting for. How the members of the Order and the Death Eaters teleport in puffs of white and black wind, symbolising the fight between good and evil. The firey snake and locking-Voldemort-in-a-ball-of-water were breathe-holding scenes to watch out for. And the field force by Dumbledore when Voldemort directed million pieces of glass at Dumbledore and Harry. Again I don't like the way both J.K. Rowling and the movie killed off Sirius Black. They all seemed too abrupt!

New comers that are worth mentioning - Tonks and Luna. Tonks only got a few minutes of air time, which was a shame really. I think Luna was well played. Dreamy, a bit out there, weird - all of these are right on the money. I did initially think that she would actually be Harry's love interest.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is coming out this Saturday. There'll be a countdown at Fed Square but I don't think my time is worth wasting. I will want to finish the book as fast as I can. I think I have to get ready some Kleenex too and do some serious crying, depending on who else will die.

Really have to thank J.K. Rowling for such fantastic creations that have given the readers worldwide something that'll last forever.

Haha, I like what it says about me

What Your Bathroom Habits Say About You

You are very independent and self-centered. You don't solve other people's problems - and you don't expect them to solve yours.

You spend a lot on clothes, and you tend to be a very dresser. However, it's hard for you to throw away trendy clothes when they go out of style.

You have the perfect blend of confidence and class. You're proud of who you are - but you don't broadcast it.

In relationships, you are practical and realistic. You have a romantic side, but you only let it out when it's appropriate.
What do you think?

我属水

Your Power Element is Water

Your power colors: blue and aqua

Your energy: deep

Your season: winter

Like the ocean, you evoke deep feelings and passion.
You have an emotional, sensitive, and spiritual soul.
A bit mysterious, you tend to be quiet when you are working out a problem.
You need your alone time, so that you can think and dream.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

It is C-O-L-D


Melb is freezing at the moment. Why was I so stupid to leave warm (and sometimes wet) Malaysia to come back to wet and cold-cold Melbourne? With gale-force wind some more. I've decided not to go out unnecessarily.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Hate to Say Goodbye

Sitting at Starbucks Coffee @ KLIA at the moment. I'm flying back to Melbourne on a delayed flight tonight. I have been back home for exactly a month since June 15. I came back to My as Mom was telling me how busy they were handling the family business. I came back as soon as my final exams concluded.

It has been a bliss for the past month where I enjoyed every moment with my parents and family. Be it Dad's constant and random repetition of the n-th track on his best life-stories collection CD, or Mom's complaints. or my constant stopping my brother from computer games... I have enjoyed the moments that we lived together. Precious family moments. Like Dad said, 我们还能有多少次? (how many more times can we do this?)

I've been trying to stop myself thinking about leaving because I know that I would cry. Packing was exceptionally hard. Everytime I come back home, there's an extra ounce of my that doesn't want to leave. Saying goodbye to Mom was the hardest. I know I should have given her a hug but I didn't want to do the Oprah ugly cry. At the airport I just touched my Dad's hand as he was in the car and I knew that my tear dam was starting to overflow. I'm sure my brothers knew that I was emotional when I hugged them goodbye.

I can't start to tell how much I'm missing them now. The parting this time could be long or short, depending on if I could find a job back in Melb/Aus. I'm allowing myself 3 to 6 months, which is until the end of the year. If I'm still unemployed by then, coming home will be my decision.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Alfred is not happy

I had been so excited about tonight's business-class flight back to KL up to the custom check point at Melbourne Airport. My 2 bottle of Shiseido cleansing foam and scrub were confiscated due to them being more than 125ml!!!

The good side is that luckily the rest of them were safe. I got weak knees (not the good kind) after the whole Oh-my-shiseido-are-expensive-stuff and I-don't-give-a-damn dramas. I should not have been ignorant just because they were cosmestics.

Like my grandma used to tell my dad - when you fall down, grab a handful of sand when you get back up. So I gathered the following rules with regards to liquid & gel on board:
1. Each container must be less than 100ml. Anything bigger will not b allowed.
2. The custom officer will put all the less-than-100ml containers in a zip-lock bag (probably about 10cm x 8cm)
3. For those that are less than 100ml but can't fit into the one bag - SORRY.
P/S: medication may be allowed.

I really should feed those terrorist with my Shiseido cleansing foam so that they know the taste.

Saturday, June 09, 2007

I can't be more vain than this!

學校沒有教的東西

朋友傳來比爾蓋茨在一高中的演講。演講中他提到學校為了看起來很“正派”(politically correct),教導的一些處事方針都不實際,因此培養出來的學生,並不知道真正的社會現實,而在真實的世界里,遭受失敗。他列出了11條例,認為這是學校準備學生進入社會的金科玉律。

第一︰人生是不公平的,習慣就好。

第二︰這世界是不照顧你的自尊,在維護你的自尊之前,你必須做出表現。

第三︰你不可能一出校門就可以獲得6萬年薪,或成為有輛車子的副總裁。你必須去爭取。

第四︰如果你認為你的老師是很難應付的,等你有了上司或老闆後,你就知道滋味。

第五︰到快餐店去煎牛肉餅並不委屈,你的爺爺奶奶們對煎牛肉餅有另一種說法︰那是機會。


第六;如果你把事情搞砸,不是你父母的錯。不要埋怨發牢騷,從錯誤中去學習。

第七︰在你出世之前,你的父母並不像現在那麼沒有樂趣。他們要付你的費用,要幫你洗衣,所以在去援救天然雨林之前,先把你的衣櫥整理好。

第八︰學校裡可能不再分優勝者或落後者,但是現實生活不是如此。在美國一些學校,廢除了等級,讓學生不斷嘗試以便及格。但在現實生活中這完全是不可能的。

第九︰現實生活並沒有像在學校有不同的學段,你沒有夏日假期。沒有幾個僱主會有興趣讓你有時間反省,你用自己的時間吧。

第十︰電視劇並不真實,真實生活裡大家都要離開咖啡座去幹活。

第十一︰對於卑微的人必要好好相待,很可能有一天你會替他打工。

我們在學校,老師有教我們這些嗎?

我記得有一個當老師的朋友告訴我,有一次她讓一名小女生當班長兩星期後,覺得小女生不適合就換人,結果家長前來興師問罪,認為老師如此做法不公平,傷害了小女生的自尊,要老師恢復小女生當班長。

我的朋友如果當時看了比爾蓋茨的第一和第二條金科玉律,應該會告訴這家長,世界首富認為世界是不公平的,我們必須接受;沒有表現不用談自尊。

學校是準備孩子將來踏入社會的基地。讓小朋友生活在黑白分明的童話故事裡,是美麗浪漫的。但小朋友一直都留在童話世界裡是不會長大的。長大的孩子必須認識現實社會與學校不同的一面。

新加坡的學校,教導學生最現實的一招就是必須考出好成績,進入好的學校,最好能夠拿到獎學金,就能確保今後生活無憂無慮。

一紙文憑,科科A級,就優人一等嗎?現實不是如此,很多人出現了心理不平衡。所以現代人流行看心理醫生,因為學校教的與現實生活不一樣。看來學校應該把比爾蓋茨的11條金科玉律,列入高中生的必考科目。

(星洲日報/情在人間‧作者:林鳳英‧言論不代表本站立場‧2007.05.06)

Friday, June 08, 2007

It breaks my heart...

From this... 2005
To this...2006

To let you go Hazel... I'll always always miss you. I hope we'll find you someone nice.


Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Updated Trailer for HP&TOOP

I'm having chills up my spine as I'm writing this. This youtube clip contains more than the official trailer of the insights to the upcoming movie in July. I think this instalment will be far better than its predecessor, by the look of things. I'm watching it again and again and again until I get a chance to watch it. The battle at the MoM will rival that of Neo-and-Smith and the LOTR. This will be the first time their magical skills put to the test - worse as they have to go up against the already advanced and dark wizards.

Why? I might have to wait for more than 1 week or 2 to watch it after the release date as I'll probably be back in Tanah Merah, Kelantan, Malaysia where there's unfortunately no cinema! And Tiong Hoe, no I won't join you in watching the pirated VCD. Luckily there's Popular Bookshop that I can purchase the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

And the Harry Potter Theme Park in Orlando, Florida - I'm sure I'll be still excited when I'm old (like 50) if I have a chance to ever go there! Imagine how happy is JKR's bank manager when s/he was told the generosity of the expected present value of the theme park.



Sunday, May 27, 2007

王菲王妃


我爱王菲,严格来说是从199x年-《Di Dar》这张专辑开始,也就是她在Cinepoly/新艺宝的最后第二张专辑。接着从她在EMI的5张大碟-《王菲》、《唱游》、《只爱陌生人》、《寓言》及《王菲》,本人最爱《唱游》及《只爱陌生人》。
《将爱》是王菲在SONY发的第一张,也应该是最后一张专辑了吧!好可惜噢…阿菲曾经提名台湾金曲奖5次,终于在2004年凭着《将爱》得到歌后殊荣。但对于天后来说,她并不在乎;只是她的粉丝-我-就很在乎。认识我的人都知道,除了王菲,其他中文歌手的歌我都不洗耳恭听。

在颁奖礼上,阿菲再次出语惊死金曲奖:我会唱歌,这我知道,所以,对于评审对我的肯定,我也给予充分的肯定。

阿菲就是阿菲。金曲奖这一次是阴沟里翻船,一心想把皇冠往王菲头上戴,哪知王菲嘟一嘟嘴,将其人之道,还治其人之身。

1000 things to do before I die, I don't think I'll be able to complete one of them now as it's very unlikely for her to hold another live concert. 死而有憾吧……







Saturday, May 26, 2007

明天我不能嫁给你啦!!


Oh shit! I just realised that I hadn't backed-up one of my all-time Faye Wong songs. The song was downloaded way back in time. I had had it for years!! She sang that at one of her concerts after which she married her first husband (thanks to the song?).

I must have thought that I had all her songs on CDs hence I missed out the whole Faye Wong folder on purpose, when I was backing up my data. I took things for granted. And now I can't seem to find it on the internet.


3 seconds after I actually posted this entry - PJ da mouse found the song for me on some chinese forums! I owe you one dear.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Mercury? Am I?

You Are From Mercury

You are talkative, clever, and knowledgeable - and it shows.
You probably never leave home without your cell phone!
You're witty, expressive, and aware of everything going on around you.
You love learning, playing, and taking in all of what life has to offer.
Be careful not to talk your friends' ears off, and temper your need to know everything.

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