Half Of My Heart.

Currently listening to - Daughtry's cover of Pokerface

We talk about tolerance, about muhibah, about living in peace and harmony.

We talk about love, forgiveness and the freedom of religion.

But that's just it, isn't it? It's all talk.

The actions of the ruling party are singing a much different tune.

I consider myself to be patriotic - I love my country, my home. I really do.

But as someone so eloquently put it, being patriotic doesn't mean agreeing with everything the ruling party does.

But lets leave it at that for the moment.

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My sister brought me for my very first No Black Tie sometime during the end of last year. Her friend Reza was playing and she wanted to go and support his act so I tagged along.

There was a cover charge but I've totally forgotten how much it was.

We had a late dinner there and although I've heard many complaints about the food, it was actually quite okay. The agadeshi tofu was passable and the shoestring fries were pretty standard but the mentaiko pasta left much to be desired.

I guess we'll stick to snacks the next time we go back.

This was the other band that was playing that night other than Reza's band. I missed the band's name due to the funny little man's (the one sitting on the tiny stool) heavy Indian accent. =/

My sister and I were pretty mean because we kept quietly giggling at the funny little man. Aiyo, I swear! He shouldn't sing larh. I mean their songs are quite good and the musical arrangements are pretty awesome... it's just that the lead singer is... for lack of a better phrase - an epic failure. They really should let somebody else sing. I've a feeling that the funny little man writes the songs and he should continue writing..his topics are quite political and very relevant to Malaysia (apparently he works for a newspaper which explains it) and he can continue playing the guitar but he really should just NOT open his mouth. I know it sounds quite mean, but trust me... our quiet giggling was nothing compared to the other people in the audience. They started talking and laughing really loudly and halfway through the set, they started yelling for Reza.

I must say I quite pity the funny little man. Haih~! His song entitled ISA Blues should really be the anti-ISA theme song.

Anyway, this is Reza Salleh and his band. The guitarist is apparently from Estranged, which was why he looked so familiar (I only found out after the performance).

I'm glad that Reza started a band. His original songs which he used to play solo sounds better when accompanied with a band.

The song that really got me hooked on Reza's music all those years ago was actually For Her. I think he gave a copy of his CD to my sister when they were in college and she used to play it at home. I remember listening to it and thinking it was a cool song. I think that's the only song that I'd prefer him to play solo.

All in all, it was a pretty cool experience and I'm glad we went though I had to work the next day and the gig only ended around 12am. It started on time though which is such a rare occurance in Malaysia.

There are so many talented Malaysian artistes out there. It's great that places like No Black Tie are willing to give exposure to them. I'm so sick of hearing all the same Malaysian bands again and again as opening acts for concerts. They really should have a little more variety.

Preview passes to watch Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant.

Ahh... the perks of working in the media industry! :D

Movie was so-so only though. I thought they could have done better in terms of the pacing of the movie. It was a leetle to slow for my liking. And more character development would have been nice.

Ah, I've just realized this post will probably be the last one regarding the events 2009!

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that it's 2010 already even though I've stopped saying "this year" when what I really meant was "last year".

Anyway, New Year's Eve was spent in Selesa thanks to Ann and Nick. ;)

It was a supremely last minute plan as it was only finalized that afternoon itself while I was at work.

Mel and I as we were on the way up!

Our accommodation for the night! Thanks Nick for picking us up and letting us stay at your place!

Our view of Genting. We stopped by the roadside half way up as we didn't want to go all the way up and jostle with the crowd there.

Night mode! I like how these night mode shots when all the lights transform into cute shapes due to the slow shutter speed. Yes, I know I am slightly weird.

The girls. I think what I liked the most about this trip was that it was so spontaneous. I liked how the whole trip came together without too much planning or hassle. It felt like one minute I was sitting in the office and the next I was enjoying the cooling breeze in Selesa.

Of course, the awesome company helped make the trip epic as well!

The crazy girls doing the flasher pose and the poor guys looking like they don't quite know what to do with us. :P

Love this self-timed group shot! I think it summarizes the whole trip - happy times!

Nick was actually carrying Ann bridal style but Mel and I blocked them. :(

Whoops!

I think this might be when the fireworks started which is why lovebirds #2 were looking up into the sky! :D

A super shweet picture nonetheless.

All I managed to capture of the fireworks. Lol XD Little poofs of light. The fireworks mode in my camera is CMI wan...must be super duper still then only can capture. Ah well. Typical la.

More flasher butt poses. This time we even left gaps for Ka-Yee, Joyce etc.

;)

The boys super layan us coz we wanted to stop by the roadside and camwhore.

So that's how we ended up doing jump shots on the road and whenever a car came we'd all rush back to the side. Adrenaline rush! :D

Unfortunately, the gastric that felt like it was eating away my insides kicked into full force by this time and I didn't feel much like camwhoring anymore. So I settled for being photographer instead!

The other girls went crazy though! I like this picture the best because it's so funny! Especially Mel! It's like she's trying to bait Mun and Ann with her military jacket but they don't wanna layan and want to take pictures instead!

More self-timed group shots! <3

All the epic poses. :D

After that, we headed back to Selesa and played Taboo!

And Gin Rummy as well.

Next, we moved on with Twister. It was so amusing seeing them figure out how to position themselves! That's probably why I was laughing so hard in the corner there. ;D

Totally twisted. Literally.

The boys went to sleep after a few gruelling rounds of Twister while the girls decided to indulge in an aunty pastime and played more Gin Rummy!

This is Aunty #1 who looks more like a lady boss!

Aunty #2

Aunty #3

Kc said this would look more real if I had Chinese Tea in the cup instead of Vodka + Sprite. =.=

Aunty #4 who Ann calls a zombie grandma! lol XD

All in all, it was a rocking start to 2010. Let's hope that it's an indication of how the rest of the year is gonna be.

Better Days.

I remember one morning getting up at dawn; There was such a sense of possibility. You know that feeling? And i remember thinking to myself, "So, this is the beginning of happiness. This is where it starts." And of course there will always be more. It never occurred to me it wasn't the beginning. It was happiness. It was the moment. Right then.

-The Hours

And that day was one of those days. It started out like any other. But as I was on my way to work, I stopped at the traffic light in front of BSC and just glanced up. It struck me how very beautiful the sky was - clear, blue, without any clouds whatsoever hovering above. Don't get me wrong, I'd gladly spend a day lying down, staring at the sky and making shapes out of the cotton candy clouds. But there are days, like that one, when I love how the vast sky is cloudless. Neverending.

And I felt it. That sense of possibility. Instantly, I knew that it was going to be a good day. Isn't it wonderful how simple moments like these can totally transform a mundane, ordinary day into something special? It's moments like these that I truly am glad I'm alive. I'm living, not existing.

Here's hoping everyday will be as awesome for all of you guys too! :D

War Sweater

And so, a new year begins...

2009 was a pretty awesome year for me. My first year at Monash could not have gone any better I think. I feel so sad at the thought of leaving it next, I mean this year. This year. THIS year. It's finally here. There are times when I think of this coming year, and all the uncertainties that lie ahead and I feel a creeping hollow sensation in my gut.

Then there are other times, when I think of this year - 2010, and all the changes it will bring and that stream of excitement bubbles into a fountain inside my heart.

I have not made any New Year's Resolutions these past few years. I think I don't believe in them anymore. Why should it take a new year for people to change? If you were really serious about it, change can start at anytime, anywhere.

The last new year's resolution I made was a few years back, after a crazy shopping spree in Aussieland (Boxing Day salesssss!), I vowed not to buy any clothes for the next 3 months. And I lasted for 5. I was very proud of myself. ;)

Anyway, here's to a fun-filled 2010 brimming with love, joy, laughter, occasional tears, rewarding experiences and enriching journeys.

Bring on that first year in Aussieland! :D

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The last few weeks of 2009 were awesome. I hope I always feel this contented and happy.

Many thanks to Huey Li for inviting us to Elysium's club opening.

They played good music and we had fun!

With our driver for the night. Thank you Max!


Free flow of beer. ;)



Theme of the night was supposed to be Grecian. I think all of us looked a little too funky to be considered really grecian but hey, we tried!

And I find the concept of Asian gladiators very amusing. :P

On to Maison after that!

While I was on my way to Sr2ScA gathering, the sun was setting and it was so beautiful. The palette of colours that melded together in the sky just took my breath away! Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to snap a picture since I was supposed to be following Adele's car as I didn't know the way to Plaza Pantai. As a result of this picture, I nearly lost sight of Dele's car since two other cars cut in front of me. =/

It was great seeing everyone again. It's been nearly a year since I last saw everyone? Wayyy to long.

This picture was epic. They were all still talking and laughing when I wanted to take the picture but as soon as Ying counted to "3" everyone turned to look at the camera and smile! Always camera ready indeed. :P



Christmas Eve dinner at Alexis, Gardens!

That's two years in a row we've been dining there at Christmas Eve. What can I say? They have good food.

My pretty sister with the table deco.

We ordered dishes from their special Christmas menu.

This was one of our starters- Scallops and peas!

The scallops were huge, succulent and juicy making it ultra yummylicious!

Another Christmas starter - Mango and Chicken Salad in Balsamic Vinegar

Christmas mains - Crabmeat and Seafood Pasta

I totally forgot to take a picture of the other main courses (I told you I'm an epic failure as a food blogger) but I'm pretty sure they included Roast Turkey (which had good stuffing) and Alexis' famed Sarawak laksa.

Christmas Day dinner was spent with the cousins at Unique Seafood before we adjourned to Bar TwentyOne at Bangsar Shopping Center to count down to Min's birthday.

Oh, and Greg is back from Melbourne! :D

The sisters!

Our dessert! Christmas pudding, bananna mango mousse and some melted chocolate thingy that sent me to chocolatey heaven!

The bowls they use are super cute too.



Happy clappy times!

When the clock struck 12, we sang the birthday song and attempted to let Minny blow out the match. It took quite a few attempts, but we managed in the end!

Toasting! Their Long Island Tea is super lethal coz it tastes like lemonade but actually has a lot of alcohol in it. My sister and I both K.O-ed when we reached home after that. But that might also be a result of the combination of super lethal long island tea in addition to all the other drinks we had earlier. =/

Reena's turn at blowing out the match since her birthday was only 3 days away!

With the revolving Christmas tree.

In Greg's words: This is what Santa would look like if he were a Chinese Starfish. Complete with the sepet eyes somemore!

Boxing Day or rather Min's birthday was spent in Pavilion looking for er... my belated birthday present. =S



We had a gastronomic adventure at Cafe Stelle run by Raffles.

Their placemats are cool but very sharp. You can't lean your hands on it otherwise you'll get imprints.

Bread served with yummlicious sides - butter, salsa sauce and pesto.

My sister's latte came with these little sticks of brown and white sugar. So adorable!

Banger and mash.

The sausages were really good. I don't know how to explain it but the meat tasted really er... fresh? Not the processed meat flavour that lousy sausages sometimes possess.

Plus, the mash was super smooth too!

The salad that came with my sister's Healthy Set (includes dessert, coffee/tea and a main course)

I thought it was so-so. Nothing to shout about.

Butternut Squash Soup that was superb! Just the right amount of flavour and creamy-ness.

Pesto Linguine. This dish was absolutely delightful coz it the pesto flavour really came through.

Raspberry sorbet with peaches.

Typical kind of dessert.

After we settled my birthday pressie, we had Godiva for tea!

Pistacchio macaroon with a layer of Godiva choclate in the middle is heaven! My sisters and I are a wee bit obsessed with macaroons lately. Blame Delicious Ingredients for that!

Macaroon being washed down by our super yummylicious chocolate drinks- Dark Chocolate Decadence and Chocolate Raspberry.

That's all for now folks! I leave thee with a picture of me wearing all the funky headgear courtesy of my sister. Happy New Year once again and since Christmas last for 12 days, Merry Christmas too!