"Fine Like Buteeeeeeeeeerr"

All-effective remedy for one SwirlDancer:



Heaps of sunshine.



Of course, ice-cream and crackers wouldn't hurt either.

Picture above shows poundcake and peach compote, yumm.




There is an airy feeling, a lightness inside me. I've been writing loads, reading regretfully little, worrying occasionally and picking myself up - repeatedly.
With so many things on the agenda, the bright-eyed planner in me sometimes - but rarely - fears there may not be enough time to achieve them all. But it gives meaning and flavour to an otherwise plain existence as man.



To be just man, without plans, without dreams, is unthinkable. And here lies the rub; a dreamer may be one who floats with her head in the clouds, a dreamer may also likely be the one who falls hardest when the bubble is burst from beneath her dreaming form; she hurtles through space, clutches at time, and lands on leaves of brittle stem in the glen below. Her homeland.
Yes, I have been disappointed time and time again, not just as man, but as dreamer. Despite the sidelong glances ever present from Risk, I don't suppose this part of me will change; bruises heal slow in this fragile flesh, but I am not afraid.



Trials ended for me yesterday, then it was straight out after dinner for some downtime with my VP. I'm so glad she waited for me; Step Up 3 came out a loong time ago in dance movie time!
We hurried from work, from home, and settled in place long before the lights were dimmed for 3D action - meaning I did not, contrary to usual practice, go in late for the movie. Eheh.
I'm still thinking about how, when I left the theatre, no words would come to my tongue to describe what I'd just seen. "Awesome" was too weak a word. This is a movie that lived up to expectations; stunning choreography throughout, sicK breaking; the first qualifying rounds I especially favoured for its raw, fierce energy.
In a word with best fit, it was DOPE.




Legacy Perez, my muse for his inspirational brand of breaking.


No conventional ballet-meets-street-dance routines here; this was entirely off the hook with moves so fresh and gritty I could barely blink for fear of missing a step. Then there was the effortlessly lighthearted Broadway-styled number between Moose and Camille; it turned my mouthends up and even let loose an unsuppressed giggle or two. Charming to a fault. Tango too was used to great effect and managed to look classy instead of the usual borderline tacky.



Accent move before movie's finale choreography


Another plus point was the storyline, which evidently had received more attention this time round - thank goodness. Instead of being a mundane vehicle to get us from danceclub to the showdown, this one made a brave attempt at portraying its male protagonist as something more than just a devoted dancer.
I should stop now. But not before saying, the whole sense of family in the movie... reminded me immensely of the peeps over at Subang! ^ ^

Drove over to Sunway Giza and chilled awhile more before parting, each with thoughts enough to keep her up for hours still. In Lienn I've found a fellow dreamer; one who made me realise I'm not victim to the brittle stems that await our kind when the rainbow gloss vanishes; one who showed me I'm stronger even than I think.

So This is What it Means, to Have Your Heart on Paper...

Sunday
Led Jaf all the way to Sunway Pyramid to watch Alice in Wonderland 'cause it wasn't showing anywhere else anymore. But the ticket still cost 12 bucks! Suspect. - -
Found the world within the movie fairly fascinating, especially since I never finished reading the books. Ended the Day Off with my first foot reflexology massage, in an Uptown outlet with pleasant lighting and pretty curtains.



Monday
LAN project photoshoot in the library. Of all places, you may think. Unless you've seen our library, then you pretty much may abolish that thought.



Douglas and Yang Kang in a broil.



The kiss and make up.



Slid one shoe off 'cause afraid of getting told off by librarian, haha.
Was actually surprised no one chased us away for climbing onto the table.



Mm hmm.



Carmen's solo shot for credits.



Mine; for once my nose looks remotely sharp.



It's a LAN project; so yeah, 1Malaysia.



'B'ecause I'm caught between the reasons not to, and the maybe's of what could be.


Stepped into ECA office, had trouble extricating myself from it,
scooted off to Midvalley for more hanging out! Before that we'd taken lunch at a yummeh Korean place in Desa Sri Hartamas - another one of my enjoyable walk-in attempts.

We were late for collection of tix. Parked at my least fav lot (Zone G) and dashed for the counters.
Carmen and I bought a new set at the reservation counter, then started looking for Hong Onn and YK. I was just saying, "Hope they haven't bought another set on their own...", when Carmen twisted her head to check the regular counters. And spotted the very pair.
What ensued was like a scene out of a TV drama, with Carmen yelling their names and myself doing the inevitable "StOPpPpPp!!!" while sprinting past stunned onlookers. Drama sial.

Well, The Lovely Bones was worth the chaos. Heavy stuff. It had amazing writers who made us smile,
laugh,
cry,
clutch out companions in suspense,
and tear up again
before another lighthearted twist.
All happened seamlessly. More of a thriller and less of the weepy-story I'd thought it would be. The graphics in 'heaven' were quite attractive, but the movie could've avoided being draggy by cutting down on 'heaven' and flashback time.



Wednesday
Do you believe in love at first sip?
Until this day, I didn't.

But Bobalicious Smoothies took me by the heartstrings and looks to be master for a long time to come.
Their product fuses smoothies and bubble tea pearls - two of my favourite things on earth.
What's more, their smoothie is of the right slushy consistency (as all true smoothies should be) and their boba (that's what the pearls are made of) is chewy in the swellest degree, unlike those ripoff pearls which end up mushy and sticking to your teeth.


HellooOo sexayy.




Thursday
Met with the Austrian dance master who'll - God willing - be conducting our Ballroom Course; Reinhard Polt.

He towered over us, even our own Ms. Cheryl in heels. Had genial manners and a thick accent which was fortunately easier to understand in real life than over the phone. According to what I learnt on TV last time, this is because we subconsciously read people's lips when meeting them in person. Obviously, this is impossible on the phone.



His taxi took some time to find the college from Bangsar station, so we waited at the reception lounge. And that's where a very rewarding moment took place for me.

Mr. Rahul was approaching, I looked up to greet him, but it was snatched out of my mouth when he paused and said:

"Good proposal."

It was just one of those moments which tell you, heart and soul, that your effort has paid off and your fears unfounded.

I'd toiled for hours tailoring that proposal in the wee hours of a March night,
looking up and comparing formats,
fleshing out a skeleton of points,
reading and rereading,
pruning paragraphs,
and most of all - writing with my heart.
Truly had no clue how 'formal' the formal proposal had to be; was expecting to get corrected by any one of the higher authorities for letting emotion seep through my writing, but I kept the 'emotional' lines which embodied my sentiments whole.

And there we have it, the proposal for the mirror that's gonna be here for the next dozen generations of dancers. Even though I may never train for competition in front of it... This has been my vision for the Club this year. And next year I want them to take it further; use this mirror well and do something we couldn't before it came.
Turn it into the heart and home of all our dancers.



Now the stress is focused on the upcoming ballroom course - can we find enough people in time?
I really, really want to learn and go to Vienna for the real ball. Or at least just learn for the love of dancing.

Being here has taught me so much. I thank God for placing me in this role though I'd once tried to slip out of it. And a few times after, I'd questioned my will to continue in this position.
My head declared I couldn't take it; my heart said stay.

Growing Like A Bamboo Shoot

Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should live their lives, but none about his or her own.

-The Alchemist-

Finally, I'm reading it! After years and months of putting it off. Yesterday I decided to treat myself to taking this hotcake home - to celebrate the end of AS trials. And before that, a group of us popped down to Pavilion for How to Train Your Dragon which - awww darnit - had some pretty cute dragons featured. Storyline was typical of a son-railing-against-father's-expectations tale, but the fanciful life of dragons - their characteristics, behaviour - engaged the audience well enough to compensate.

The boys cramming in for aircond while waiting for Vinna to change her outfit and pick us up.

Faces from left to right are of Aaron, Abhinav and Yohan.
Imran, Hari and Douglas are somewhere behind them. X)

Hmmm I think this was Aaron on Douggie.

Came back in time for another fruitful meeting with my organising committee for the Club's soon-to-be charity concert. I love how these occasions end up teaching me so much - in fact, my only vexation is how long everyone takes to show up. Precious time is lost!
Interviewing the committee members one by one allowed me to see from an employer's point of view; began to suss out the necessity of the questions which often make the interviewee squirm in their seat.
Interesting, really.


Strange-woman-who-smiles-at-me (how Red Indian is my vocab these days) seems to have joined the ranks of the remarkable people I've met in college; most of whom seem to be meant for a pitifully short term at TCSH.

These who have impacted me on a personal level include Ms. Thinking Skills (from scarily brilliant to respectfully human), Mr. Lee (the funniest, most candid Math lecturer) and - never forgotten - Ms. Ratnes (the best teacher I've ever had). I hate how the last three are all going, going, gone. At least we still have the powerhouse Ms. Anne for Lit!

Here's something I realise they have in common: all are highly experienced in their field, and that's what garnered my initial respect. But all also have personalities and attitudes which stand to firmly prop up their intellectual prowess - no wishy washy giggling here.

February

12th to 17th
Family vacation (mother's side) in Gold Coast, Australia. More precisely, on the Sovereign Islands just off Gold Coast. Not enough interesting eating done, I thought. But it was a rare occasion on which I enjoyed Thai food, since it was watered down for non-Asian taste. Did all my shopping on the second last day; never have I put all my shopping skills to such good use before - or been forced to!

It was actually stressful, but I knew that if I paced myself and moved fast, I could pull this off. Spending every dollar was the challenge - don't deny every thing that seems whimsical; don't purchase every thing that seems indispensable. I had to stretchhhh my dollars to last 'til the last souvenir, but at the same time accomodate the trinkets that came before I found it.
Champion purchase? Beautiful hardcover notebooks that I'll only use for something as important as my wedding week. XP And I found good dance pants there for RM21!! *Dies of joy*



20th
Movie night with Sean and Jaf:
Legion first. Rather creepy but at the same time its creepiness seemed generic. Monstrous beings scuttling along the ceiling, sinister music spelling out fatal mistake, and self-blame for another's death. But Paul Bethany was interesting to watch; there's something about his mouth which draws the eye.
Then Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief was a major disappointment. Waste of time, even. Well I don't think the other Greek mythology flick of the year (Clash of the Titans) will turn out this bad. =) It's about time; I've liked Greek mythology for years.
Left MV for Yann's CNY open house. Mandarins are somewhat addictive. *So are ang pau's* XP

Mostly this year I've been busy running the Dance Club. Sometimes I want to cut myself some slack and just do my collegework. Wanna stop the downward slide I'm been experiencing in classes this sem.. But I can't. I've committed myself to my role, and though I've never imagined holding this position, I know in my heart I'd rather be a Nobody in Dance Club than a Somebody on the Student Council. 'Cause this is where I want to be. I want to learn, and being President has taught me so much already. First of all, that it really is about serving my members. It's about doing the things others won't, like staying back and staying up and calling left right centre.

Perhaps I'll continue another day. It's been a tiring one, with house chores all morning and music practice all evening and waking up early for keyboard duty tomorrow. Where does collegework fit in? When does the Scholar get to breath from under the DutifulDaughter, the ChurchGoer, and the ClubPresident?

My focus needs airing.


Trials are two weeks away, and the Scholar needs air to breath.

A Minute or Two in Jan's Sunshine

(way overdue)

...was what I spent just before I ran in to make this post - the one I kept putting off, always telling myself there'd be another time when I'd feel less preoccupied. But I never did. The days just rolled one into another, in a cycle as blameless as it is natural; and who am I to stop the order of nature?

I love the sunshine on my lashes, the wind on my cheek. Birdsong cuts through the air, like a forgotten lullaby - my old friends, I am glad to still hear you. Powdered wings flit around and past me; now I barely flinch. Maybe it's true I shall grow out of this fear someday.

Locomotion through the slits in my garden walls bring me out of reverie; but no, it is not the brown dog I was hoping to recognise. And its owner, not the leather-skinned old man who used to grin at us as we pedalled our bicycles across the road in haste, in the sort of fear little children have when they see a sharp-toothed critter coming their way (the dog, not the man).
With a pang of regret, I am unable to recall the last time I saw the brown dog on one of its evening walks. I only remember the shock I felt when, a few years ago, I noticed both dog and owner had grown scrawny and aged together, like partners heading for the same deathbed. And I wonder if he has indeed gone, on to the next world.


I'll now seize the chance to run through the many happenings of January!


9th
Second time in my life hanging out with my cousins from my father's side. They're closer to me in age but we're quite distant. Am glad my older girl cousin takes the initiative to bring us out. We spent the day at Sunway Pyramid drinking smoothies, feasting on Sakae Sushi delectables (scallops were a hot choice with me, thanks to their sprinkling of black pepper), playing pool and basically ignoring the gloves and socks we'd brought for ice-skating.

Lol, one delay led to another and by the time we were done taking photos at Dreamworld, a two-hour spell in chairs sounded nice. Which brought us to Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant. Rightly relegated down my list of 'Movies I Wanna Watch' beforehand, it was entertaining in a commonplace way, with characters two-dimensional to the point of being hackneyed (except for the slightly enigmatic Crepsley, well done to John C. Reilly), and a paltry romance subplot thrown in like an afterthought. Just alright.



10th
Michelle Too's newborn sister's full moon party. Scrumptious servings provided by caterers; I had two mid-sized rounds!
Rushed off for the highly anticipated Sherlock Holmes. Was supposed to be a treat for my mother - I lent her my Sherlock Holmes novels later, she was having a binge on him - but was pleased 'nett could join us as well. The show was really good! The writers did the character justice, bringing out his trademark wry humour, uncanny observations, superior intellect, and most of all... his wit. I loved how it was done, especially the men's facial expressions. In comparison with Cirque du Freak, the love interest here hit it off, providing an interesting collage of rivalry, enticement, and undeniable chemistry.



11th
Glad it was a holiday from college. Attended the burial of Giovana's grandmother. I woke up close to 6 in the morning and in my haste forgot to bring my phone along. Only realised when I wanted to call Gio while stuck in a jam outside Summit.
It was a Buddhist affair, an echo of my grandfather's funeral rites - he was my closest relative ever to die, and I was only 6 - except now I was observing it with more understanding. I remember my grandfather's rites as a happy occassion, playing catching to our heart's content, and I, relishing my ability to outrun them.

On this day, my sister seemed calm and unperturbed. Perhaps she'd already spent the worst of her sorrow the preceding weekend - the soul left on Fri, burial was on Mon. Only her mother cried, and hid her eyes behind shades. We had a sunny morning all the way; with dolefully cheerful music coming from traditional instruments, and incense permeating the air - not that I had any particular objection to that.
Gio took me to see the deceased when we reached (it was near Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka in KL). I looked at the elderly figure who had always been in my sister's life, who'd seen me periodically growing up beside Gio, whom I'd shared a vacation bedroom with when I was 13, whom I'd heard snoring... now devoid of life.
After that brief moment, the morning passed with several prayer sessions. Standing at the back and smilingly refusing the joss sticks, we had the view of all other relatives bowing, shuffling and basically waiting for the next instruction to bow. Honestly, if I learnt one Chinese word this day, it was "bai". Several other humorous observations struck me, but I don't recall them now.
A bus to the cemetery. Tying a red sash to my sister. Feeling very 'ang moh'-ish as she translated the priest's instructions. A clod of earth thrown atop the coffin with strictly just one hand. Back onto the bus and back to Subang.

We took advantage of Gio's leave and spent the afternoon at Summit. Lunch at Hainan Chef to see Aunty Karen, then peeked into every photo store to find my cousin - the only one of my age.



12th
Went to the Placement Centre in Taylor's Subang with Carmen. All on account of some important uni-application form. On impulse, I dropped in at the studio across the road. TDC was busy rehearsing for the next day's flashmob and they were using Tik Tok! Somehow or other they got me standing on a chair, recruiting dancers for my flashmob. Which paid off, since half my mob was imported from Subang. Afterwards, I brought Carmen to Patisfrance for a customary 4 scoops of gelato, before picking up something for her mother's designer business.


14th Got my wish, but at a price. Came back late from college, no electricity at home. Got lost on the way to KL Pac. Had problems collecting our tickets. But I did it. Went for Men in Tutus and it was worth it. Funny, engaging, brilliant execution by the hulking ballerinas.


16th Unexpectedly marvellous reports from from all lecturers at the Parent-Teacher Meeting. I felt like a mushroom whose shelter rock had just been removed; the sun was dazzling. But my academics went downhill right after that - this new semester.


22nd Trained hard the whole week leading to this ECA Drive Day. ThDC's first flashmob ever was a success! I was too anxious to demo at the Club booth. Why hadn't Subang called to confirm if I could go get them now? So I left Sri Hartamas a little late and it was jam the way back and Subang crew and I arrived with 5 minutes to spare 'til performance time. I hadn't peed, eaten, or drank in hours. But it was time to go. I remember how my lips cracked into a smile for the audience and how very dry my throat felt as I danced - parched as the sands of Gobi.


30th Showdown 2010 auditions with TDC. Met up unplanned; visit ThDC's blog for details and pics. =]

Mind-messing Business

There's something I didn't include in the previous post. It was my last dream of 2009...
which was really queer because I'd never experienced anything like it before.


1st January 2010

Last night I dreamt I died. Shot point-blank. It was either Gio or me; I remember being glad to see her alive, and getting used to being dead, just looking at the people around (or slightly below) me... I still felt fear when something bad was about to happen, but no longer in the mortal way.

Without realising it, I left Dreamland. Felt disoriented waking up in my body, that I actually had a body. For just a few moments ago, I'd been an insubstantial soul...

Back from a three-day stay at my father's! The activity never ceases; time and time again people have called me a "busy woman" but at least I'm happy to be kept occupied, instead of rotting away. There is always something to be done, the way I see it. Maybe that's why God has seen to it that I have someplace to take a break at; like my own little holiday villa. Lol.

On Tuesday night we went out for groceries. Thought we were going to the usual smaller Giant, but my father turned into the gigantum one that I've often wanted to visit. You know, just to take a look around. I expressed my secret joy and he gave one of his little snorts and said,

"You don't have to wish, just say."

^ ^ How I love to be his girl.


Set my eyes in QuickScan mode 'cause I knew I couldn't drag two grown men (my uncle was there too) in tow for window shopping. This place was nicer to explore than Tesco! (Talkin' in terms of little stores.)

Well we entered Giant itself soon enough and I walked through aisles and aisles of detergent, cereal, brooms, steel pans... until we reached the confectionary section. Then my brain cried out "FoOOOD!"
Now my kitchen cabinet is decently stocked with biscuits and such.
*!!*
Oops, I left my KitKat ice-cream at my father's. =/


Another delightful buy was... WHITE BREAD. The last loaf of Gardenia, to be exact. Wonder why High5 was still in abundance. Anyway, WHITE BREAD is a rare commodity in my TTDI house. Which explains my jakunity. And c'mon, nobody eats pork floss on wholemeal. I've tried, and it's total sewage.


Wednesday, went to catch a movie with Yann. I think I'm a jinx for movies or something, 'cause we ...missed the starting of The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. Rushed in from the Curve, newly bought calendar in hand. Sweet, beatiful desk calendar I can use year in and year out. Muax. (Ew, first time posting that.)

Heath Ledger's last project was worth the rush and my excitement. I found the movie very thought-provoking, especially since I couldn't figure out all that symbolism in one go. Gotta sit down with it some other time and digest it. Not free for that until 20th Nov 2010. =(

Visuals-wise, I relished the style it was done in. The colours were rich and saturated, but there was also a lot of darkness - shot the way it was, the filth felt real but glamorous. Very absorbing.
Then there were the out-of-this-world imaginations where even sparklier colours were used. The shoe dream was ridiculous, and the stilt-walking segment even more so. Both tickled me.

With so many big names in it, I was somewhat confused with who's-who. But now I know that 4 of those names were playing one character. Johnny Depp was unmistakable, though. He had those distinct cheek hollows showing and reminded one so much of Jack Sparrow. =)





One Phone Call Later...

Now is not the right time to tell me I've been spending too much. Now, when I want to watch Men in Tutus so badly.


Train of logic right now:
I'm returning to college in 5 days' time. There is an avalanche of studying and club matters waiting to be taken care of then. I probably won't set foot in a mall for the next 5 months save for its supermarket. I will, in short, turn into a nerd and bound and gag my shopaholic persona.

Is my expenditure justified now? Men in Tutus... the critically-acclaimed, one-of-a-kind... and my first ballet at a theatre.

='(

How can it not be justified?

Another One of Those Butt-less Girls in Skinny Jeans

A long title for a long post.

Run-through of my whirlwind yearend; no time to post 'til now!

Note: All events below are dated December 2009.



18th

Brought my fresh-out-of-skool cousin to Taylor's Subang. He'll be taking SAM and then going straight on to do Medicine. His life plan.
More often, though, there are those who do not have such a clearcut goal in life; so maybe I should envy him. But still I don't find it in me to do so; I have too much a love of liberty - the liberty to choose, and at leisure. Some part of me suspects he's been brought up to this point of single-mindedness, which is not true liberty to me.

Left him, my aunt and mom at Taylor's - bumped into Albert! - before running errands with Giovana:
Picking up my pay from TBS,
Ordering a Math textbook for YangKang,
Unabashedly walking into Inti for their Open Day - because I wanted to use their washroom. *Enemy in the ranks!* Ahaha but seriously, I finally went about enquiring 'bout their shirt which I find so simple and funky. Only RM15! Left my number, hope they can get one for me! Forgot whether they found out I was Taylorian or not. =P

After a quick cup of bubble tea, we got rid of-*Ahem* I mean, dutifully sent home the relatives and set forth for... the one. the only. R-a-i-n. XD

Missed the beginning of Ninja Assassin =( but on the whole I found it gory; crimson streams spurting all over the place, limbs dismembered with careless brute force, and all through the show, pain.
Pain within and without; cruel scars afflicted onto young boys, emotional anguish faced by a youth who finds purity in a girl - indeed, the most poignant moment in the movie was when she, in reply to his rhetorical "Why?", answered

"Why I'm in here... or why you're out there?"

She was imprisoned in a bamboo cage, trying to sleep standing up, and all because she'd done something right.

Many thanks to my gentlemanly cousin who'd bought the tix even though he had to sit on his own. Gio and I spent the remaining hour speed-shopping in OU. Just before we left, I saw it. Reminiscent of Bella's blue frock in Twilight, but so much daintier!



Simple cut. Filmy layer of elegance floating above a black base. Dark red sash, crimped for varied texture.
My heart throbbed with desire.

All night at caroling and after, I thought of it. And succeeded in slipping off to get it on the pretext of tracting! (Which I did, by the way. It's just that we finished with time to spare.)

Paid Naj a surprise visit and - what were the odds!? - her parents were away in Jakarta so she was FREEE to accompany me on my mission. Such a happy collision of circumstances happens only once in a blue moon. =)

Thank goodness I had her to help decide, 'cause she said the black version was better suited for me.



All the dresses I've bought (not many) are in the same price range;
This is the most beautiful one so far.

And the colours happened to be perfect for Christmas. ^ ^





After Yann Said She Didn't Know What A Dreamcatcher Looked Like



The cheeky gold-plated earrings from Venice
my brother bought me.
Ordinarily I dislike yellow gold, but this is unique!



Yann, meet my dreamcatcher earrings.
As you can see, they don't necessarily have to be big; they hang lightly from my earlobes!



From that South American stall in HSC which I stopped at in passing so many times to look at these, the guy soon recognised me.
This cunning shade of turqoise was the last one left, so I hung the "hygienic" issue and took it!





22nd

Watched Avatar with 'nett and Kok Loong.
It was an epic piece of visual effects, to be sure. Sights both mystical and exciting, especially when viewed through 3D glasses. Well, they didn't really make a difference for me and I disliked that we had to hold the glasses up to keep 'em from slipping, ahah.

Storyline... a little predictable. But nice bit of symbolism when Neytiri of the Navi held Jack in human form - signifying perfect union and acceptance.
It's 'save the earth' message is also clear, pleading with watchers to lay aside their greed for what is morally right.

Neither point struck me as hard as the expression I found in the Navi princess herself.
It was her voice; it held emotion as a tightrope holds its walker and her pain, her exhileration was startlingly raw. Stunning performance by Zoe Saldana.





24th


Spent a happy three or four hours wrapping these presents.
I love work like this; sometimes I'd challenge myself to make more creative use of the material at hand.
This session, however, nearly depleted my stock of wrapping paper.

*...*

All the more reason to love it!
I can start buying more pretty gift-wraps now. ^ ^



Didn't know it would end up like this. =)
Guess all stripey wraps do the trick.



It gives me joy to prettify things,
even the simplest gift.

Note the rounded edges of the gift tag.



I accidentally came up with using the corners for this little bow. =)



Err didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. Truth be told, I can't really make a paper bag bottom nicely. =(



Put them all in my new eco-friendly bag.
Its design is called La Boheme Number Five, with subtle coffee-coloured motifs all round and the 3R mantra in elegant sand script at the bottom.



Koko and I met up with Papa for dinner at Umai-Ya on Christmas Eve.

I was facing a dilemma; attend the Subang Dance Club bbq in Puchong later, or hang out with old skoolmates nearer to home?
Old mates won though I wanted to see the Subang crew, because I'd never driven to Puchong before and I didn't plan on getting lost at night!



Sushi topped with mouthwatering salmon roe.



*I-forgot-what-animal* sushi.
They name their original sushi's after animals like the dragon and phoenix, lol.



Papa's must-have Cha Soba, my favourite Dobin Mushi, aluminium-foil-wrapped mushroom soup, and Koko's Udon.



A sprig of Christmas tree caught my eye; lending a festive touch to the sashimi, haha!




Glad to feel solid ground after all that rASH driving.
Finally outside Quattro.
Hahaha we all felt underdressed 'cause we hadn't planned on going clubbing!



But we didn't anyway. A couple of hours ain't worth the moolah; I insisted on returning early in order to be fresh for Christmas service - it was my first time playing keyboard for that occasion. =)



Yann, Vivian and Sean.
We settled on Santini KLCC though I left disappointed. Their iced chocolate is the ultimate ugleh in iced chocolates.



Ahah, Sean and his beer.



I believe the Apartment would've done a better job in sweetening my night.



What can I say? I'm glad this friendship didn't end with school.
Cheers to more idiotic moments and laaame jokes with you.

If Jafri stomping on my foot was what it took to make your most memorable birthday wish, then I'd happily do it again. Just in reverse. - -'



These look rather fetching, methinks.



Some drinking game in progress.



Hm. When I tried to do that, I looked like I was sleeping. And so did Yann, ahahaha.



Jumping Panda. Very rare.



If you know me well enough, my gesture really means:
Sean, what u doing... *worried face*
=P



My favourite candid shot.



It was really as easy as jump and cling on! O.o
Sean's weird bendy hands. - -



Vivian and I! Guess we've finally reconciled. =]



I won't be there for mahjong this CNY... =/
Will be turning brown under the Australian sun. =D



Way to celebrate Christmas wei. > <




25th

Mummy and I in our new dresses.
Decided to give her my silvery grey strand of pearls since she'll have more use for them.



And then come the tears that don't belong to the season;
They catch the light and shimmer in the darkness,
Drip, drip, drip upon my knee.



A quiet Christmas lunch where we were baptised recently.
It's the things you care for that define everything else.



One man's loneliness is another man's solace.

Still, there are people who cannot grasp this thought...



The girls thought I'd gone home =( so there weren't many group photos to be taken.



Me, Reuel, MichelleToo, Gio



Height works in inverse proportion to age among my girls at church.
Gio and I are the shortest;
The Michelles (2 years junior) are the tallest.



My Pastor of 12 years and counting.



Giovana's father and us.



14-year-old (then) Jamie, who sang well that day.



At night, the customary family dinner - mom's side.



We weren't expecting a canopied event, though.



Honestly felt tired and not in the mood to dress up.



Threw on a dress at the last minute;
Thought I should make the effort since I don't see them so very often (but still, often enough).



=)
And tried to match his smile, for the guests.

The business associates, their perfectly manicured wives, the neighbours, their son, their son's girlfriend who was enjoying herself at the karaoke set... and reminding me so much of Juliana.

But I think Ju's voice is sweeter. =>



I love spending time with my li'l cousins,
if being ordered around to fetch them dessert and satay while they soak their feet in the pool
qualifies as time spent together. =/

Just kidding!
That was not even 20% of the night.



My mom taking a stroll on the other side of the pool.



I like it when she's all radiant like this.
Hate it when she sits in darkness thinking of reasons to give life up.
I get scared.

But thank God those times occur less frequently now...
I don't believe in New Year's resolutions - because I only make them when I'm very moved to.
And right now I know I need to work at being a daughter.
Less headstrong, less indifferent.
Not to say that I'm indifferent, but... sometimes I feel like such a bad person. And that rarely used to happen.



Thanks sis, for looking out for me.
You know you've got so many beautiful things about you, don't you?



Recently I met a new cousin - my aunt's bro's son, (probably) born and bred in America.
That evening we were introduced, and he greeted us in impeccable-sounding Mandarin.
Super ironic.

I already knew he was 3 grades ahead in school, and read papers and thick books just like his father - all this at the age of 9.
And, may I add, I foresee he's gonna grow up to be one good-looking chap.
It was like meeting my Thinking Skills lecturer (a woman) again... in miniature. And again, I got a little freaked out.



But in the end, it's the human heart that makes the truest connections, and not the mind.



From being a bashful though self-assured solitary figure there,



He turned into a tiny rascal flying at me for tickle-fights by the end of the night.





27th

Arranged an outing just for Jo Yee. All the school-going girls had to forfeit due to family, etc. so it was just three of us catching up.

Time constraints forced us to settle for Alvin and the Chipmunks 2; I had not bothered to watch the first one, brushing it aside as just another mediocre animation.

This instalment received absolute thumbs up from me, though! An entertaining ride from start to finish, so funny it made me laugh for real in the cinema (stomach-deep, seldom happens there), and and... made me an adoring fan of Theodore, who looks like a "green gumdrop" himself! *Melts*

I think the Chipettes were the determining factor in this movie trumping Avatar, in terms of viewer satisfaction.
Loved it when they first started singing; I'd forgotten how I liked
Corinne Bailey Rae's 'Put Your Records On'. =)

My favourite line:
*Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams...*

Oh yes, I'd much rather watch this a second time instead of Avatar; that's how good.





28th to 30th

Was off to Broga for Youth Retreat!

Relatively good accomodation; I was delighted with the many many bunk beds that contributed to a communal feel!

But way to go for Gospel Assembly wei, on the first day alone we succeeded in slamming into a column of windowpanes and breaking one (angkara Reuel), as well as breaking off one showerhead (err... that's me).
The water was blasting at the wall; you don't expect me to soap the wall with my butt, do you?

Other highlights of the retreat were the bustle of activity on Day Two.
Hiking in the morning sunshine up Broga Hill. Upon reaching a summit, we discovered two more and so up and onwards we went.
Was spellbound by the different face of Nature surrounding me. One particularly lovely sight captivated me and I stood transfixed, trying to etch it into my memory, for my camera was way down the hill with Giovana. Everything I'd packed was in my bag and was with her.

This particular image was of...

Layers and layers of soft yellow featherweeds
Stretching forth to a massive boulder
Brown and olive with aged moss
Nature's juxtaposition of soft and hard

No one else had the heart to snap it; maybe no photographer saw what I saw.
Those boys'd rather take people.


I enjoyed the games that involved running too. I find that, as we grow up, we need excuses to run. Need to work off fats, just to keep fit, training for a sport...
Anyone over 5 feet running around just because they felt like it would be labelled strange or immature, that's why. =(

Got next to no sleep on the first night; I slept on top tier and couldn't drift off for the fans' perpetual disturbance. Always blowing at my face, one after the other. And when I'd crept over the other girls to tilt the fans down, it began to feel unbearably sticky and hot. Gah.

Little surprise then that I should have called it an early night on the next. Was rather tired, and I hate falling asleep with dirty feet. Which I had to, as there was no proper rag to wipe feet on.
But I was pleased to have my share of DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) time both days, as I only get to play it once a year. First day was incredibly rusty, lol.
DDR set was in the boys' dormitory 'cause it wouldn't work on our TV.
And boys were always over 'cause their dorm was stinky, ahaha.





30th

Minor delays on the way back from Broga - Rufus' Unser overheated.
As soon as my luggage arrived (in another car), I sped off for Lynette's birthday treat, a dozen things on my mind: Drop the girls off at MC's,

Tell Mummy that I have told her about this outing before,

Call the spa to delay appointment,

Take a real shower so that 'nett could hug me if she wanted to,

Make sure 'nett was ready on time,

Ready myself on time, etc....

Made it in good time. Handed over the free vouchers (an aunt gave them to me) and was popped into MRI-scan-looking tunnels to begin baking ourselves. Extra gravy, anyone? =P
The infrared was tolerable but not exactly comfortable, and heating time was 40 minutes, which sped past as we both chatted and laughed away.

Came out feeling very thirsty, and I've been feeling thirsty ever since. Even NOW, as I type. Lol.

Had about an hour left so we went to DJ; wanted to bring her to Bon Bon's!
But nooo it was closed. =[

Had tea at Mage Cafe instead. Discovered that board games could be fantastic works of art I'd rather hang on my bedroom wall than utilise.



'nett's Christmas gift to me; charm bracelet.
Hers is the key charm.



Forever didn't see 3OfUs,
But how I loved you so.





31st

Sean lied to me. Well, he didn't, but he didn't give me last-minute notification either, that he was spending NYE's away from the original plan.



Hmph. At least I got to celebrate with people I cared about, still.



Penned down my reflections on the passing year, and went to chill at Yann's place.
Met the new dog, Tiara. Shadow looks like he's getting old. =/
Spread garlic butter on multiple baguette slices -both sides- and forgot to book one. - -'' Must be that Kahmbeng (Yann's bro), ate all.



Failed to get a parking spot on Penchala Link the first round.
Here Panda is seen stalking off across the highway with my butterfly on her cap.



Let good sense and faith be the headlights for this year.



Jafri Adam de Souza. =]
Bangunan buatan Portugis.



Like all good pieces, my street/dance sneakers were found when I least expected them.
Now I can rest in peace.
(Anyway, college starts in a week and I won't have time to shop... again!!)



Vivian Lim Vivian.



Don't ask.



All cracked up.



Miss Cute-iverse 2009!



She used to be a mad scientist before joining the contest.



If you look closely, I'm wearing Forever on my arm! =)



Tachana popped out of nowhere! Brill MJ dancer.

This could've been taken at precisely the split between old and new decade.
Was a little disappointed I didn't get to countdown, since people lining the highway are not in the habit of reciting numbers in reverse.



Waved -not weaved- our way across that neverending stream of lights.
And of course, if you're walking along the highway without belonging to the class of hobo, road sweeper or scary-looking-foreigner, you get all sorts of things shouted out of passing cars.
Way to start a new year, being called Stupid. Hahah.



Measly cloud of vapours.



I got these pretty shooting stars,
and then my camera died on me.

Like a cynical
"Haha, foooOl,
Happy New Year."

And that was how I entered 2010.





1st Jan


Man-with-a-hoe.
Watched him very suspiciously 'cause he looked a lot like the jogger who looked like he was trying to flash me last year when I was watering plants.

Watonearth man. Few days after that, my mom was watering plants and he invited her out for a jog together. An absolute stranger. A creepy one, that.



So you can imagine how cautiously I observed this man - who started hacking the ground on the opposite side of my house. O.O



The stretch of land where I used to play every evening, a full decade ago.
Like Jaf said, we've just lived our first conscious decade. Starting to get old! =P



Then this new appearance changed things.



They were burying their ...dead kitten.
=(

Sorry, mate.



Don't even know which house they came from, must be some way up the road.

I visited the grave a few days after, to pay my respects.
There was a fern stuck into the ground marking the site; soon it will wither to nothingness, and the children who next play there will never know what remains lie under their dreaming feet.
Makes me wonder what were underneath mine.



I got it, suddenly, one day.
This is my cherry-coloured girl, just that I haven't decided on the spelling:
Moxxi or Moxie.

Watcha think? =D