Tummy Whispers

Maggi mee, comfort food.
I remember sneaking downstairs on sleepless nights, to my Papa with the telly on;
he'd whip up a bowl of chicken noodles with an egg done just the way it should be, and pour a little into the pretty plastic bowl with flowers.
And we'd both sit at the coffee table with the telly on
and slurp in silence.

Don't Look For A Floor

June 4th to 6th


Most important examination in my life so far; and yet, the most relaxing one.
The days flew by, panic and peace co-existing in a manner previously unimagined.

Within hours of shading the last answer in my AS,
I bid goodbye to both my favourite teacher and guy, bundled into Vinna's Cross Polo and began the vacation business without delay. X)
These were to be my HolidayHolidays before settling down for the 4-month grind preceding A2. Those four months will see me adopting a different approach to college life; something I'd always thought ideal but never found possible.



Carmen, Hong Onn, Yang Kang and I arrived at the home of Vinna's grandparents in Ipoh by evening.
Stately and lavishly furnished, it seemed we couldn't have had better free accomodation!



The stairway that had Carmen and I gushing about Beauty and the Beast.

There were graceful columns flanking the main doorway, Italian imports making up the dining set, motionless figures watching from their portrait prisons as you traversed the upper hallway,
but one particular feature which struck my fancy were the plaster murals - large painted works with a pleasing paperlike texture, mounted seamlessly onto walls.

On our last morning there I discovered a pretty one underneath the grand stairway, depicting a pair of windows opening out into a starry night. The classic teddy bear waiting by the windowsill lent a whimsical touch, reminiscent of the desire all soft toys have to run and play, as popularised by Enid Blyton.

Nearly as intriguing was a well-sized globe just behind me, white and unassuming.
Well, it didn't interest me very much until I took a closer look at Mexico which seemed to be shaped out of... red quartz. And look! Yugoslavia over there might be made of turqoise! Suddenly every nation on that globe took on a more impactful purpose of being there; they were all made of precious stone.
Interesting.



Strolling through the many rooms, I stumbled upon this sight - it took my breath away.
All around was pink and draped curtains, and the feeling of emptiness beckoning me to run for my luggage and establish myself here, right now, in this

fairy room!



I learnt something between then and now;


How to ignore the sensation of falling...
Don't look for a floor.

Yeah I always used to wonder who'd catch me when I fall,
said years ago
I promise I'll be here for myself, even if no one else is.




And to think
I used to write your name in the misted mirrors of yesterday,
used to dream and smile and then lay both down 'cause there was no truth in your eyes.
No more dreaming
No more reaching
'Cause you weren't worth my tears; I cried for the grey morning that now turned pain against me.



For a while at least

But I wouldn't let hope die; I dreamed on 'til you found me.



It was an odd reverie, that Monday night.
It was as though the past several hours of unconscious, enveloping comfort suddenly wobbled and - under the weight of thought - warped into a specimen for inspection. A prod. A wriggle. A need to be fully conscious; an unexplaination for this internal pantomime.

A place which felt like home
but wasn't mine.

Why, of all things, am I in possession of the need to think about happiness? More specifically, of happiness when I have it. When it's a constant presence in my life.
Sometimes I cannot figure myself out.



Tea at the curiosity-inciting Indulgence!
Best free meal I've ever had.



I liked the personal feel of the menu-listed names,
the warm and vibrant colours everywhere including the washroom,
and the originality of their offerings.
(Most of them, anyway.)



After a whole day on our feet
and a cardio workout for our wallets. XD

Our lovely host Vinna is seen here crouching in embarrassment 'cause her shopping bags were outside in a truck waiting for us to make way.
I'm kidding; she didn't buy anything 'cause she was going to Singapore for her shopping instead. =P



Girl Meets Life Aspiration


Nahh, how about

Easily Removable Clothing (no sleeves to turn inside out)
+
Loaded Wallet (cash or card, pick your poison)
+
Store-powered Stamina (as long as there are shops in sight, she keeps on going!)
+
OoohYeahBaby Environment
=
Shopaholic Unleashed ^ ^ *Rawrr*



Shoe-shopped 'til I dropped!



All cosied up



June 11th

After weeks and days of being kept in the dark, Kendrick's plans were unveiled to me at last. And it still makes me want to laugh, 'cause he's not the kind who plans faaar in advance - he's not like me.

The rain called for a change in plan; he had that covered and the evening went fine and dandy at Kenny Vale.
Then he took me for a play - Beauty and the Beast.
First of all, I've always wanted to be brought to see a play - without having to ask.
Secondly, the past few years have got me curious about Sri Cempaka's annual productions - seemingly topnotch by school standards.
He shot two arrows through my one heart that night.



The opening was promising; elaborate props and style-appropriate costumes.
Then the first highlight of the play happened for me: when Belle sang her sweet high notes to tell us that the protaganist of her favourite book wouldn't appear "'til chapter three~". Even in the movie, that moment always stood still for me.

Quality work all through; a faithfully followed script, a delightfully dashing and debonnaire Lumiere, a beautiful and accurately-timid Belle with a splendid voice to match, and another character worth noting was Gaston - devilish in his cocky arrogance. =D

Midnight drew near; Cinderella alighted with a smarting ankle out of the pumpkin we did not - after all - purchase.
After the day's earlier formalities - to suit me, what transpired was as natural and unceremonious as someone like him could have wished for.

And I set off his house alarm within minutes of becoming his girlfriend.



June 12th


Anan and I went to Plus8 for dinner.
Expected a mamak since it looked like Rasta from afar but it was a little more upscale than that - a high-class mamak! Hahah

Wide choice of Western and Chinese; we settled for rice and dishes since the Lychee Chicken sounded tempting - and turned out simply delicious! Had that together with Mayonnaise Prawns - fresh, generous helping.

He sat back before the plates were cleared and let me do the honours. So I was pret- make that very full by the end of dinner.



But I had to do justice to the beautiful cake he surprised me with; baked mere hours ago by his pastry chef friend in Sheraton where he works.



Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake
Topped with strawberries, raspberries and gold leaf.
*Droooools*



Week Three of June

A lively one of Going Out and reacquainting myself with the piano.

Watched Karate Kid with Kendrick, followed by rock climbing which left me powerless to wear any of the five pairs of shoes I'd bought in Ipoh - flipflops were the only footwear that wouldn't hurt. Life's irony. =P

Talked all day long with 'nett, quality bonding time despite a dreadful ulcer. Cheap and delicious lunch at HongKong Point, Centrepoint!
Music practice at night, and a headache.

Monster tummy upset for my soulmate Najjua. Recovered in time for us to have tea at Tutti Frutti regarding which she made the
Quote of the hols: "I gotta kluakan monay dulu. Is a gold diggin place man."

Prom Night
which I totally skipped, ahah.
Spent it with Kendrick instead, and an express snack-smuggling operation, and The A-Team.

Two music practices in one day which quite drained me.

Father's Day, on which my father gave an afterthought call to say
"Don't come for dinner just because it's Father's Day, if you're tired,"
which sounded silly to me 'cause of course I'd go no matter what; naps were meant for that purpose!



June 21st & 22nd

Was dreadfully late for our Solaris date, but things righted themselves soon enough.
A whole day with Kendrick, what else could I ask for?
To my satisfaction, we did spring-cleaning for his wardrobe and part of his room; Meet the Family didn't really work out hahah, but little Kenneth made up for it by insisting he stay at home with us instead of following everyone else to the airport. =)

Lake Gardens, where a frog hurtled onto his shoulder and bounced off me, and into the night.
Kendrick stomping around looking to kill the bugger.

Tea at Delicious with Kendrick.
Done, done, done.
Both families taken care of.



June 23rd

Day out in Cheras, hosted by Carmen. The Korean bakery - and the sole attraction of South City Plaza - was closed, so all I bought there was a scrunchie.
Went on to do the Mines where I got a new schoolbag and a pair of flipflops. I knOw this is the third pair I've gotten these hols, but it's in a whole different league, I'm serious!! X)

Continued the eating at Connaught night market - longest in the Klang Valley - without a cent in my pocket (figuratively, since I never do keep anything in my pockets).
Denied myself many purchases but still had a decent time on borrowed money.

And now with a play tonight and three more appointments to keep, I hereby announce myself flat broke.
Let the congratulations pour in.

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.

As The River Flows

Tuesday, Carmen took me on a long-promised excursion to Decanter. I sat happily in the passenger seat looking about at the National Science Centre from sides I'd never seen before. Soon I found myself in Bukit Damansara and continued noting places of interest while Carmen drove around in circles trying to pinpoint Decanter's location.

At 3.01pm, we pulled up triumphantly at the shopfront.

And gaped at the ironically cheerful blackboard announcing they were closed for cleaning at 3pm that day.
Honestly!!
I was rather let down; the white wooden framework was exactly my cup of tea, and the menu seemed equally inviting. A waiter, clearly amused by our plight, told us we could go over to the other Decanter at Setiakasih - just a few roads away.

So we took heart and began the hunt once more.

Alas, it was obviously a pub and not the sort of place for a sunshiney lunch like we wanted. This time was no dismay, though, for nearby beckoned an understated establishment simply named The Bread Shop.



The name was enough to pull us in.



I found the exterior deceptively simple,
speaking nought of the stylish atmosphere within.



What a sight. The interior kept to the minimalist theme, but was tastefully done up in black, distressed metal and shades of wood lending their warmth.

It was a place with pastries screaming "take-me-home!"



No need for a fancy signboard outside, I now understood.
It had an obviously loyal clientele; I gathered by observing a steady stream of poised expatriates and trendy moms come to buy the bread after picking up their Sri Cempakan children.



And for good reason too;
our tea spread came close to RM50.

Now, don't let the prices take away your appetite,



the Mango Cheese Chicken Croissant was decidedly tasty!
Its cheese was melted into the bread, a move surreptitious enough to please anti-diary-product consumers like me!



Scones for the price of two lunches.
Would you like those with cream and jam?
Of course. Don't they always come together?

Apparently not here. A serving of clotted cream means an extra RM1, and for jam it's RM2.
The jam was slightly bitter compared to those in other teahouses, but together with the cream it was still good.



Hot cross buns. Real hot cross buns.
That's all I could think when I saw them behind the glass.

Before I'd swallowed my first mouthful, I realised I'd tasted this before...
A familiar aroma similar to that of a freshly painted house filled my nostrils and I forced myself to down the next several bites.
Next time, I'll just say it once.
Hot cross buns.



Cinnamon Swirl was named after two of my favourite things on earth though, so of course I ordered it.
And enjoyed it, nonwithstanding its tad excess in sweetness.

I only consider the Iced Chocolate a ripoff. There was nothing, nothing out of the ordinary to justify its above-average price tag. Just the usual cupful of milk with normal-grade chocolate syrup at the bottom.


All in all, a lovely outing.
I delight in driving wherever the road takes us, and stumbling upon exciting new eateries. Preferably the quintessential cafe.
Mmmm~



Return to the geeky retainers. X)
Two back molars growing at the same time, making it necessary to wear them full-time.

Varied response to them in college, ranging from:
"Since when...?"
and
"It's cool."
to
*Unrelenting shake of the head*

=) Well, at least now I can explain the sudden crookedness in my bottom row of teeth!

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