Ditching that halo

Up up up

2012-02-11T21:43:00.000+08:00

Viber

2012-02-05T23:20:00.000+08:00

*Wheeee* the Iphone 4s rocks. Ok fine, the apps rock!!! Especially Viber. All this while, I always had to timbang the urge to kacau Av against the cost of calls from Malaysia to the UK. But now there's nothing standing in the way of my calling her at odd hours of the day to talk nonsense to her in a British accent and to serenade her with Michael Jackson songs over the phone. All the while ignoring all her ''you're freaking crazy'' comments, of course :)

But oh, why did they have to call it Viber? The first time someone told me to get Viber, I thought they were saying something rude to me.

We have time

2012-01-28T14:01:00.004+08:00

Translation I found online of a poem by Octavian Paler, a Romanian writer. Ohmygoddd so beautiful.

We have time ...
We have time for everything
To sleep, or to be all over the place,
To regret mistakes and do them again,
To judge others and find excuses for ourselves,

We have time to read and write,
To correct our writings, and regret what we wrote,
We have time to make plans and never complete them,
We have time to fantasize about impossible things
and later on to look into the ashes of them.

We have time for ambitions and diseases,
To blame fate and the details,
We have time to watch the clouds, TV commercials and shocking news,
We have time to not answer questions,
To postpone the answers,
We have time to kill a dream and recreate it later
We have time to make friends, and lose them
We have time to get lessons and forget them later on,
We have time to get gifts and not understand them.
We have time for everything.

But we don’t have time for a little kindness.
When one does they are dying.

I learned some important things in my life and I would like to share them with you.
I learned that you can not make somebody love you
All you can do is to be a lovely person
the rest depends on others.
I learned that it does not matter how much I care
others don’t.
I learned that it takes years to win somebody’s trust
and just seconds to lose it.
I learned that doesn’t matter what you have in life
all that matters is with whom you have it
I’ve learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes

After that, you’d better know something
I learned that you don’t have to compare yourself with what other people are best at
you have to find out what is your best
I have learned that what happens to others is not as important as
what I can do to help.

I learned that however thin you slice things there will always be two sides
I learned you should part lovingly from those you love
It may be the last time you have the opportunity to see that person

I’ve learned that you can keep going long after you think you can’t

I learned that heroes are people who do the right thing when it is needed
not caring about the consequences

I learned that there are people that love you
but they do not know how to show it
I’ve learned that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I learned that you can have long distance friendships
the same applies to love
I learned that just because somebody does not love you the way you want them to
It does not mean he or she does not love you with all that they have
I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend is,
they’re going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.

I have learned that it is not always enough to be forgiven by others
Sometimes you must learn how to forgive your own self
I learned that regardless of how much you are suffering
the world does not stop for your grief
I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I’ve learned that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean that they don’t love each other.
And the fact that they do not fight does not mean that they do.
I’ve learned that sometimes you have to put the individual
ahead of their actions.

I’ve learned that two people can look at the exact same thing
and see something totally different.

I’ve learned that no matter the consequences,
those who are honest with themselves get farther in life.
I’ve learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by mere strangers.
I learned that when you think you have nothing more to give
when your friend calls for help you will find the strength to help him

I learned that talking and writing can help to heal your pain.
I’ve learned that the people you care most about in life
are taken from you too soon.

I’ve learned that it’s hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people’s feelings and standing up for what you believe in.

I learned to love so I can be loved in return...

-Octavian Paler

I swear, I don't understand people who don't like to read, not when there's stuff like this out there.

Change

2012-01-28T13:34:00.000+08:00

Sometimes I think constraining yourself to one thing is the worst possible thing you could do. People get expectations, and the minute you feel like you want a change, everyone starts getting all hissy about it, like they're entitled to be disgruntled at you for something that's completely a personal choice. Oh, I want to just smack everyone today *stalks off to merajuk in corner of the room*

Dragon year

2012-01-24T20:47:00.000+08:00

I love CNY!!! Struggled to get into my cheongsam though. Clearly I have gone up a dress size from the last time I wore it. Mommy dearest told me ''eh, koyak then only you know.'' I was all like ''it's ok mom, I just won't eat or breathe until I take it off''. I am nothing if not determined. And slightly silly. But I've realized that life isn't fun or interesting unless you're slightly silly sometimes.

You can't...

2012-01-16T23:41:00.000+08:00

''You can't have your cake and eat it''

I hate it when people tell me things like this with that 'I'm-so-wise' look on their faces.

What's the point of having cake if you can't eat it? Huh? Tell me.

Mothers know best.

2012-01-15T23:37:00.000+08:00

I swear this could be my mom's theme song.

Gosh I love Tangled.

Shampoo bottle singing

2012-01-15T01:24:00.000+08:00

Two weeks ago, this is what Mel, Sooj and I were doing:

Of course, me and Sooj were just singing along to Taylor Swift and pretending we were rock stars. Mel was bringing it to a whole new level.

And this week, we've been having the most serious heart to heart talks about priorities, work and life.

"Work isn't everything, you keep thinking I'll work really crazy hard now and enjoy life when I'm 40, but then one day, *BAM* a bus knocks you down when you're 29 and the only thing you'll have done before you died is worked crazy hard without enjoying life."

I swear, everyone needs friends like these. People who know what's important in life and tell you firmly in no uncertain terms that you're being crazy when you lose sight of the bigger picture, but more importantly, people who know when it's time to take a chill pill, pick up a shampoo bottle and pretend it's a microphone =P

Tails.

2012-01-07T12:20:00.003+08:00

Was talking to my mom recently about how it's really difficult for some people to change. She looked like she was about to say something meaningful and came up with this gem:

"Oh well, it's like that saying goes, you just can't straighten a dog's tail.''

I just looked at her.

"Uh, mom, a dog's tail is memang straight. Do you mean a pig? You can't straighten a pig's tail?''

"Don't be silly, pigs have no tails, dumbass!!!''

Ok, she thinks pigs have no tails and I'm the dumbass?!?!

-___________-

Immediately went to google image to show her that um, hello, they do have tails.

source: google image

Oh my god, how can you not melt at that sight? It's like a little dog with no fur. So freaking cute. I turned to my mom.

''I want one for a pet. Can I get one? Will you jaga and sayang it while I'm at work?''

"Will you stop eating bacon?''

Hmm, maybe I won't get one just yet. Seems wrong to consume the meat of animals you also keep as pets.

2012

2012-01-03T21:12:00.000+08:00

New Year’s Resolutions :

Save up enough to see at least one new place every year
Laugh more. No matter how many times Mel insists I laugh like a pontianak *glares at Mel*
Always look for the silver lining
Take the positive with me and leave the negative behind
Become better at balancing work and play. Work will always be there. But I won't be able to have as much fun when I'm 60.
Be more patient with certain difficult people *takes deep breath*
Go paragliding and white water rafting like I've been wanting to. I'll bite the next person who tells me not to do these things because they're too dangerous. Life is dangerous. I fall down the stairs on a regular basis, it doesn't mean I stop climbing them (although an escalator in my house would be SO COOL!!!)
Appreciate the people around me more through actions, not just silent thoughts.

Dear 2012, please blow 2011 out of the water!!!

Puppy love

2011-12-31T23:17:00.000+08:00

Everyone's always scolding me about how unhygienic it is to let dogs lick your hands and face. Obviously these people are not dog lovers. If they were, they'd know that that's how dogs show their affection. Was formally introduced to Penny's dog, Clumsy, a week ago and immediately fell in love.

5 minutes after meeting him I was like this:

Ok fine, it was 70% 'omg Penny's dog is so cute!!!' and 30% 'crap, work is killing me I'm so sleepy, wow Penny's floor is super comfortable!!!'

So adorable!!! He's a Shih Tzu. Normally they're tiny but this one is the size of a 2 year old. My first reaction was 'whoa, mutant giant shih tzu' because I've never seen one that big in my life. Look at the mini doggy misai and expression laa, how not to get down on the floor and manja?!?!

Liz got down on the floor to manja him too, and I went all ''ahem, excuse me, preferential treatment much?!?!'' on her because she's NEVER gotten down on the floor to manja Sandy. But she made a valid point. 'You never let me get anywhere near her.' It's true. Sandy's a slightly psychotic, very slobbery dog, you have to own her to love her.

Speaking of my psychotic slobbery dog,

Look at how pissed off she looks whenever I get home. She hates anyone who takes me out so whenever people drop me back this is what they get. Cujo staring manically at them. Even if I'm talking to my friend in the car for 20 minutes, she'll stand like this and stare at the person in the driver seat until they drive away. Even if it's raining. Sooo possessive!!! Too cute.

He is we

2011-12-30T00:33:00.000+08:00

It sounds like a happy song, but I teared up while watching the video (but then again I tear up at a lot of things). Soooo sadddd.

Tiger Mom

2011-12-26T22:48:00.000+08:00

I swear I need to become better at balancing work and play. Pushed all my work to one side this weekend and did something I haven't been able to do since I started work. I picked up a book and read it from the first to last page without stopping.

Book of choice: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua.

It's a good, easy read and Amy Chua is hilarious. In the parts of the book where she's not trying too hard to be funny that is. And you can tell she really loves her kids.

There's a passage in the first page of the book that goes like this:

"A lot of people wonder how Chinese parents raise such stereotypically successful kids. They wonder what these parents do to produce so many math whizzes and music prodigies, what it’s like inside the family, and whether they could do it too. Well, I can tell them, because I’ve done it. Here are some things my daughters, Sophia and Louisa, were never allowed to do:

• attend a sleepover

• have a playdate

• be in a school play

• complain about not being in a school play

• watch TV or play computer games

• choose their own extracurricular activities

• get any grade less than an A

• not be the #1 student in every subject except gym and drama

• play any instrument other than the piano or violin

• not play the piano or violin."

As I was reading I was mentally going ''check'' to each thing on that list. Ohmygoddd deja vu ok!!! Most of them are things I was never allowed to do as a kid too.

I knew it!!!

My mom's a tiger mother!!!

I've informed her of this fact before when I read an article about this book. ''No la, where got? I was never strict with you.'' Pfft, obviously my tiger mom is in denial. Either that or she's forgotten how she had to drag me kicking and screaming to swimming classes, singing classes, piano classes, badminton classes...

Also managed to get my greedy hands on this:

Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss.

*excited to start reading*

I wish there were more hours in a day. This long weekend has just flown by.

Sooj's Birthday.

2011-12-18T23:46:00.000+08:00

It's Sooj's birthday today and I was in charge of finding the perfect card and gift. The gift was easy peasy. The card however...Because we're so fond of her I wanted to get something really special. Something that encompasses all the things we feel for her. Something serious and mature. Something with a meaningful message about becoming a year wiser.

Then I found this. The perfect card:

*rolls on floor laughing*

Sooooo funnyyyy!!!!!! Didn't even have to think twice before buying.

Dreamer

2011-12-16T23:14:00.000+08:00

I miss my artsy, stress free weekends. I miss getting 8 hours of sleep every day, but most of all, I miss having time to daydream.

“Yes: I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.”

― Oscar Wilde, The Critic as Artist

Decisions...

2011-12-15T22:40:00.000+08:00

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

- Reinhold Niebuhr

Gangster grandma

2011-12-12T21:14:00.000+08:00

I was a biiiiit emo last weekend because of *ahem* certain things. Walked around with a long face making everyone around me depressed. And also a bit protective. Omg but no one was more protective than my grandma. NO ONE!!!

''Who is making you look so sad? You tell me, you tell me now!!!'' *while rolling up her sleeves*

''Um, no one, no one. This is just my natural face"

''Don't bluff, I know you. You're normally laughing even when got nothing funny.''

''Eh look a squirrel.'' *subtly tried to change subject*

''I can fix. I know people.''

OH. MY. GOD!!!

My grandma the gangster -________-

I swear, she has serious Mafia delusions. Can just imagine her marching up to this person in her nightgown (which she wears EVERYWHERE, even to MidValley wtf), rolling pin in her hand to whack said person up. She's like Grandma Mazur from the Stephanie Plum novels. A little bit cuckoo, but in the awesomest way. She got the first laugh out of me that weekend.

Was laughing about it to my friends and Mel made me promise to let her know in advance if this actually happens because she wants to take leave and come watch. Chris even offered to drive my grandma and her rolling pin there. Pfft, smack them.

More public holidays

2011-12-11T23:55:00.000+08:00

"I want an office that's half in KL and half in Selangor. Like on the border there. Then I can sapu all the public holidays."

My most overused phrase this week.

I wonder if there really is such an office. Someone told me UM is. Jealous. Mel was rubbing the day off she gets tomorrow in my face. Smack her.

We are only human after all...

2011-12-09T00:15:00.000+08:00

Remember we said we were gonna live forever

We would paint over the writing on the wall

Chase that sunset til we're blind

Then wake up to find

We are only human after all...

Missing

2011-12-03T23:41:00.000+08:00

Went out for a family dinner and came home to find a packet of Milo ais tied to our front gate. The minute my dad clicked the button on the remote that opens the gate I knew something was wrong. No manic Labrador Retriever started barking hysterically while jumping in circles because we'd gone out without her. I immediately turned to my parents and wailed ''ohmygod someone's stolen my darling, and all they've left in exchange is a plastic bag of milo!!''

Dad went ''they needn't have left the Milo ais.'' Mom, not to be outdone, said ''who? Who would steal a fat walking dustbin like her?'' (No, they don't hate my dog. They just like to kacau me because they think my annoyed expression is hilarious and they know this is the best way because I'm verrryyy protective when it comes to Sandy since she was abandoned when we found her).

But, um, no. Security guard took her for a walk. Apparently he used to do it quite often when I was overseas. When he brought her back I was watching him with eagle eyes. But my heart melted when he got down on the floor to sayang her head. Then he told me that she's the most adorable dog he's ever seen *melts some more* Aiyoh, I'm such a sap!!! I guess she's not as attention deprived as I thought.

The Alchemist

2011-11-29T22:44:00.000+08:00

"When someone sees the same people every day, they wind up becoming part of that person's life. And then they want the person to change. If someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.''

“Because it’s not love to be static like the desert, nor is it love to roam the world like the wind. And it’s not love to see everything from a distance, like you do. Love is the force that transforms and improves the Soul of the World. When I first reached through to it, I thought the Soul of the World was perfect. But later, I could see that it was like other aspects of creation, and had its own passions and wars. It is we who nourish the Soul of the World, and the world we live in with be either better or worse, depending on whether we become better or worse. And that’s where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”

Just some of my favorite quotes from the book. I think if I were to list them all, I'd have to copy and paste the entire book here. I'm convinced that Paulo Coelho is a genius. He has this lyrical way with words, and even though it's fiction, practically every page made me stop, reflect and draw parallels between Santiago's life and mine. What I wouldn't give to have 10 minutes alone with him to pick his brain. I mean, you simply have to have spent ages reflecting on life and observing people to be able to write something as beautiful as this.

50/50

2011-11-28T01:05:00.000+08:00

I thought everyone would balik kampung because of the long weekend, but no, apparently everyone was at MidValley, grrr. I've never seen it so crowded. Every single movie was sold out. Even Twilight. So I ended up watching 50/50. It had Seth Rogen in it of Knocked Up fame, so we assumed it was a comedy. We were half right. It's kind of a comedy...about a man who finds out he has cancer.

I tried so hard to be tough but half an hour into the movie, when he found out he was sick, I started tearing up. I'm, like, the worst person to bring to this kind of movie. Then his girlfriend cheated on him. I turned to Stooj while sniffling and whispered ''HOWWW??? How can she cheat on him when he's SICK?!?! She's like, the most horrible person everrr'' *because obviously if he was well it would be ok to cheat on him. When I'm being emotional all logic just goes flying out the window* She was like ''omg are you crying? You're like, sooo freaking embarrassing!!!'' -______- Heart of stone.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen are such good actors. They had me sniffling practically throughout the entire movie. Even during the funny parts when I was giggling I had tears in my eyes. Thank god it had a happy ending.

Lost in translation

2011-11-23T22:27:00.000+08:00

So much translation work to finish up, and Google Translate is being completely useless.

I typed in 'benign brain tumor' and this is what I got:

"Tumor otak yang baik hati."

-______________-

I'm never trusting Google Translate again man. No wonder the people in Paris laughed at my french.

Fix you

2011-11-22T00:27:00.000+08:00

Coldplay is amazing!!!

Work in progress

2011-11-20T00:29:00.000+08:00

Went to a 2 day conference that I got signed up for by work. It was a proper grown up conference with adults in blazers and everything. And then there was me; messy hair, trying to cover up my un-ironed blouse with my giant file and trying reallyyyy hard not to trip and embarrass myself. Felt like i was playing grown up for 2 days. Totally not complaining though because it was on a subject matter I'm very interested in, plus, you know, anything to get out of the office for 2 days, LOL.

The past 3 weeks, I realized that working in a law firm is...stressful. Like, there-are-times-when-you-just-want-to-run-to-the-bathroom-and-cry-because-you're-feeling-overwhelmed stressful. I thought Bar School was hard but this makes it seem like kacang. So far so good, I'm not just tolerating it, I'm actually quite enjoying it. My parents, on the other hand, Lol. Been on the receiving end of lectures ranging from ''get your priorities right, this stress isn't healthy for you'' to ''there has to be a limit, can't be coming home so late from work.'' Grr, they instill a good work ethic in me, and now they complain. Pfft. Go in one ear, come out the other only lah.

Last night, I only left the office at 11.40 pm. Being a good kid, I texted my mom to inform her I'd be working late. She immediately texted back ''really? At work? Won't be seeing you in tonight's news gallivanting somewhere? haha I'm so funny'' -_______-

She purposely. I'm generally a good kid. Did my homework and studying without nagging, got good grades, etc. But I lied once. When I was in college, I told my parents I had a physics class and then skipped it to go to the Harry Potter premier in Midvalley with my friends. Apparently they aired footage of how packed the mall was on the news and you could see me in the footage. And my mom saw. Story of my life. I swear the universe has it in for me.

I remember her accusing me of lying, the indignation I felt that she was calling me a liar. Even though I was lying. The more vehemently I denied lying, the more outraged I got that she thought I was a liar. Not very logical because I was blatantly lying. But at the time I didn't know she'd seen me on the news. I just knew that I would go to my grave denying I skipped class.

Moral of the story: Don't lie. Or at least make sure you won't get caught. I should've worn a cap and giant sunnies or something.

But my favorite part of work is still picking out what to wear the next day in mini dress up sessions the night before. Some things don't change.

Spoilt pooch

2011-11-14T23:45:00.001+08:00

Sammy just after her bath is simply...the best stress reliever ever. All cuddly and adorable. I've been so busy lately, leaving the house super early and coming back late, that I haven't been spending as much quality time with her as she'd like. Every night she comes running as soon as the car pulls into the driveway and every night I'm too exhausted to do anything other than sayang her head, drag my body into the house and up the stairs, chuck my armload of stuff on the table and collapse on my bed.

A couple of days ago, I just shoved everything to one side and went outside to manja her. I couldn't take it already. I mean, look at this attention deprived kasihan face:

How to not manja, huh??? Howww???

But I think she'd had enough. She refused to layan me, or even to look at me. I even lay down on the floor to pujuk her. She just yawned. Over and over again.

When she wasn't yawning, she was looking resolutely in the opposite direction.

15 minutes, 3 doggie biscuits (pfft, so easy to buy her affection) and a tummy rub later, she was happily slobbering all over my new expensive leggings.

My stress level always decreases a little bit whenever I spend time with her. She's 11 years old this year, that's super old in dog years. 77 years old. Ok, not gonna think about what that means. I had to trim her nails the other day and it took me and my dad 2 hours. At the end of it, I got a lecture on how she's spoilt rotten and it's all my fault.

''Nush, it's ridiculous that Her Royal Highness your mutt will only sit still to get her nails cut if someone rubs her tummy and simultaneously sings for her.''

a) She is NOT a mutt!!!

b) Unbelievable, but true. And it can't just be any song. It has to be 'God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You' by N'Sync -_______- I tried Baby by Justin Bieber and just got scratches on my arms from trying to stop her struggling.

On another note, it's horrible how the weekdays drag on and the weekend just flies by.

I am not a fan of Mondays.

What. A. Week.

2011-11-14T00:27:00.000+08:00

Only rainbows after rain
The sun will always come again.
And its a circle, circling,
Around again, it comes around again.

Closing cycles - Paulo Coelho

2011-11-10T01:14:00.000+08:00

One always has to know when a stage comes to an end. If we insist on staying longer than the necessary time, we lose the happiness and the meaning of the other stages we have to go through.
Closing cycles, shutting doors, ending chapters – whatever name we give it, what matters is to leave in the past the moments of life that have finished.

Did you lose your job? Has a loving relationship come to an end? Did you leave your parents’ house? Gone to live abroad? Has a long-lasting friendship ended all of a sudden? You can spend a long time wondering why this has happened.

You can tell yourself you won’t take another step until you find out why certain things that were so important and so solid in your life have turned into dust, just like that. But such an attitude will be awfully stressing for everyone involved: your parents, your husband or wife, your friends, your children, your sister.
Everyone is finishing chapters, turning over new leaves, getting on with life, and they will all feel bad seeing you at a standstill.

Things pass, and the best we can do is to let them really go away.

That is why it is so important (however painful it may be!) to destroy souvenirs, move, give lots of things away to orphanages, sell or donate the books you have at home.

Everything in this visible world is a manifestation of the invisible world, of what is going on in our hearts – and getting rid of certain memories also means making some room for other memories to take their place.
Let things go. Release them. Detach yourself from them.

Nobody plays this life with marked cards, so sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Do not expect anything in return, do not expect your efforts to be appreciated, your genius to be discovered, your love to be understood.

Stop turning on your emotional television to watch the same program over and over again, the one that shows how much you suffered from a certain loss: that is only poisoning you, nothing else.

Nothing is more dangerous than not accepting love relationships that are broken off, work that is promised but there is no starting date, decisions that are always put off waiting for the “ideal moment.”

Before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished: tell yourself that what has passed will never come back.
Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person – nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need.
This may sound so obvious, it may even be difficult, but it is very important.

Closing cycles. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because that no longer fits your life.

Shut the door, change the record, clean the house, shake off the dust.

Stop being who you were, and change into who you are.

-Paulo Coelho

Now I so badly want to read The Alchemist.

Finger promise

2011-11-09T01:15:00.000+08:00

Over the weekend I tried to teach my grandma how to pinky swear. I tell her a lot of confidential things, so I thought we should progress to the pinky swearing stage.

''I have something to tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone.''

''Ok, I won't tell''

''You have to pinky swear.''

''What's that?''

*I held out my pinky finger*

You know what she did?!?! She took her house keys from her pocket, hung it on my finger and started laughing.

*slaps forehead*

But we got there in the end. After she hung a rubber band and a plastic bag on my finger and got her 'jokes' out of her system *shakes head*

Then I tested her. Any reason to kacau her, really.

''So if someone asks you if you know anything about what I told you what will you tell them?''

''I will tell them that Nush told me everything but she made me finger promise not to say.''

-________________-

Blatantly doesn't get the concept of 'finger promising,' this one.

''Nooo, you have to pretend you don't know anything.''

''How can man, that's lying.''

Pschhtt, this from the person who told me that when you sleep, your eyes fly up and tell god all the bad things you did during the day, the reason I had potato sacks under my eyes for years.

''Pfft, you think you put the word man in your sentence means you're super cool issit?''

''I think you cannot drive me to the pasar malam so you don't talk to me about cool. Man.''

She's too cute, I love her to bits.And talk about incentive, that very day I drove almost to the pasar malam *whee* Baby steps.

Singin' in the Rain comes to London

2011-11-08T00:21:00.000+08:00

Singin' in the Rain is coming to London. If there's one thing I miss about London, it's the musicals. And Singin' in the Rain is my favorite one. Everyone in school wanted to marry the guys from The Backstreet Boys, I wanted to marry Gene Kelly and Captain Von Trapp. Can't believe I'm missing this :( Liz, please go watch for me? *sad face*

Last week...

2011-11-07T23:35:00.001+08:00

...I learnt that Pai Tee is not a type of muruku (in my defence, when someone asks you to help them make Pai Tee so close to Diwali, you just assume it's some kind of Indian food).

I also learnt that I have a natural flair for making it. Good to know in case the whole law career thing doesn't pan out.

Food never tasted this good in London.

Snakes still scare the crap out of me. I can't even look at a cartoon picture of one without getting goosebumps. But apparently if it's shiny and I can wear it on my finger, they don't scare me quite so much.

I hate it when people lose to me on purpose. Pfft, super potong steam, ok!!!

Fell in love with flowers and my camera all over again.

Tried on a dozen work outfits for my first day, then Mel reminded me that I wasn't going to work on the set of The Good Wife, so after all that effort, I ended up wearing boring black and white :( So uninspiring. Sometimes, I really wish I worked for a fashion magazine or something.

Dad gave me the BESTEST present ever!!!

I was so excited to play with my new toy, then he handed this to me and said ''before you even think of touching that Mac and destroying it like you did with your previous laptop, read this.''

Um, not my favorite genre.

''What??? Why must I read it, can't I just main main and learn from my mistakes?''

''Main-main? I didn't pay for this with Monopoly money ok.''

''Did you read it before you used your Mac?''

''Not only did I read it from cover to cover, I even went for a class on how to use a Mac.''

Haha, he sounded so proud of himself, I couldn't stop laughing. Can imagine him sitting down in class and taking notes. Such. A. Nerd!!! I teased him the whole day. Parents can be so adorable sometimes.

-

2011-11-05T23:58:00.001+08:00

''The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that's the essence of inhumanity.''

-George Bernard Shaw

Any other world

2011-10-31T00:28:00.002+08:00

Not normally a fan of Mika's songs but I love this one, it's so enchanting.

What if...

2011-10-30T22:51:00.004+08:00

''I don't know what I want. I'm very good when I know what I want, but when I don't...I suck.''

-Will Gardner

Excited but extremely nervous, guess I'll find out if it's what I want starting tomorrow.

But............................................................................................what.if.I.suck.What.if.it's hard.What.if.I. don't.meet.everyone's.expectations.What.if.they.hate.me.What.if.it.doesn't.meet. MY.expectations...???

So many what ifs.

Nervous.

Selective deafness

2011-10-29T17:23:00.000+08:00

I swear, my mom has selective deafness.

When I ask her to teman me shopping she's like ''what? You want to go jogging? No? I can't hea...ohhh, you want to cook dinner and do all the housework?'' -_______- But she can hear me open a Coca cola bottle in the kitchen even though she's freaking upstairs and watching TV.

Maybe it's motherly instinct or something but 2 seconds after I opened the bottle I can hear her going ''hah, drink some more coca cola, don't think I don't know what you're doing. Later get osteoporosis then only you'll realize.'' I have no idea how she does it. Creepy.

Psyched to be home

2011-10-26T01:19:00.000+08:00

Yay, finally, a Diwali I'll be home for. I've only missed 3 but it feels like more than that. No more missing out on things and feeling left out looking at the emails and pics on facebook the next day. No more looking forlornly via Skype as all my loving *rolls eyes* family members and friends stuff their faces with muruku in front of their respective laptops then tag me in the food pictures. They purposely one. My first year away from home my cousin took a picture 'with' me and tagged 'me' on facebook. Super sweet. And it made me miss home so much.

I'm the one on the left, btw. The empty space she has her arm around. My friend was with me when I logged onto facebook and saw the picture. This is what I heard while I was *ahem* being a bit emotional: ''woah, you look so much better in the picture than you do in real life.'' Uh, not my friend anymore.

Now I'm looking forward to tagging Nit, Av and Shobs in the empty spaces and food pics *evil laugh*

Little too much

2011-10-20T00:26:00.000+08:00

Neat and tidy.

2011-10-19T23:40:00.001+08:00

I like things organized and tidy. Not like freakishly tidy or anything, normal tidy. Just simple things like having the rugs perfectly aligned with the sofas, the coffee table exactly in the middle of the seating area, cushions placed at the same angle on every couch...you know, small things like that. Ok fine, maybe I am a tiiinnyyy bit OCD. So I'm finding it a bit...frustrating...that my mom just leaves stuff in places where they don't belong. Car keys on the piano instead of the key hooks by the door, letters on the kitchen counter instead of the table near the entrance, book on the couch after she's done reading.

In the spirit of growing up, I tried to have an adult conversation with her.

''Mom, stop leaving your junk everywhere.''

''If you're not happy living here Sandy's kennel is big enough for two, haha.'' *she thinks she's hilarious*

''You're an adult. Put the book away when you're done reading, it doesn't belong on the couch.''

She looked at me, picked another book off the coffee table, deliberately dropped it on the couch and smiled. Oh. My. God. I'm living with a 5 year old. Obviously reasoning wasn't going to work so I had to try another tactic.

''Ok you know that super traditional function you want me to wear a saree to, well, it's 1 week away. Everytime you leave something somewhere it doesn't belong, I'm going to skimpy-fy my outfit bit by bit. Since you left the book on the couch, now it's going to be something without sleeves. And each thing you chuck somewhere it doesn't belong is going to affect the hemline and neckline of that outfit. Capisce?''

''I can't control these things so I guess I'll just see you there in a bikini. Actually, I dare you to do that.''

Now she's purposely leaving things in places because she thinks it's funny. I know it's on purpose because she points them out to me seconds after leaving them there then reminds me about what I 'threatened' to do. She's calling my bluff, which sucks, because it means she knows me better than I thought.

Financial planning

2011-10-18T20:27:00.003+08:00

Financial planning is so important (something that's been drummed into my brain from young) and I think it's something that young people who are just starting work can overlook. Since I'm starting work soon (no more sleeping in til noon *cries*), I thought it was important for me to come up with a budget plan. I know it's verrryy idealistic to hope that I'm going to stick to it every month (especially the months that coincide with the winter and summer sales in London.), but at least I'll have a rough guideline, a goal. I really don't want to wake up one day, realize I'm 30 and that I haven't traveled to half the places I want to see or that I'm no closer to buying my dream house than I was when I started working because I've just been focused on the short term (aka feel happy right now) goals instead of the long term ones.

Source: blisstree.com

Tried talking to my parents about investment and they started throwing around terms like 'high yield', 'low yield', 'blah blah fund' and 'mutual something something'. I genuinely want to know, but my head was spinning. Damn, all those A-level econs classes down the drain. Decided I should probably google 'financial planning for noobs' to understand the basics, then go back to them and ask them to repeat the things they said that I pretended to hear.

Found these 2 sites quite helpful:

http://freshgrads.sg/index.php/articles/career-a-money/money-tips/928-financial-planning-for-fresh-graduates

and

http://www.dunmiscue.com/finance/simple-personal-financial-planning-for-fresh-graduates

Also found some tips on managing your personal finances:

________________________________________________________________

1. Record your daily expenses

I tried doing this when I was in London and I sucked at it. Didn't like carrying cash around so I paid for everything by card. At the end of every month, I had a LOT of explaining to do. I think banks should have a service. For a small fee, they could alter the card statements. Of course not the amount, because, come on, that would just be wrong. But maybe instead of 'Topshop' they could make it 'Tesco' and instead of 'Selfridges' they could make it 'Sainsbury's'. It would have made the 'chats' I had with my dad every month about the card statements more...pleasant. And less like an interrogation.

2. Avoid credit cards

This one I actually agree with. Debit cards are so much better. Note to self: Find out if it works the same way in KL as it does in London. I think the credit card ads that come out on TV are so misleading. They all show someone being so sad that they can't afford something, then they sign up for a credit card and suddenly they just have to swipe it and the thing is theirs. Where are the ads that show the expression on the person's face when they receive their monthly love letters (aka credit card statements)?

3. Shop with a list

Something I've been having so much trouble with lately. The thing is, if I knew I was going to see a khaki colored jumpsuit with gold buttons in the mall before I set out, I would totally put it on the list. Just another area in which I have to be more disciplined :(

________________________________________________________

I drew up a monthly budget plan (the OCD part of me loves drawing up plans and charts) and showed my dad. He was more interested in the amount I set aside monthly under the heading miscellaneous than anything else.

''What does miscellaneous cover?''

''Oh you know, this and that...that and this...important stuff.''

''Important stuff like handbags and clothes?''

Dammit. Cover blown. Not. When I told him it's an amount I'm setting aside each month towards my travel fund he was actually very supportive. I think he was just happy to see that I wasn't planning on blowing a gigantic portion of my future income on shopping. He actually looked at me and went ''oh my god, you must be growing up. Finally.'' -______- Finally??? Talk about in-sul-ting!!! But true.

My parents have been making fun of me sooo much the last 2 weeks. My mom was like ''when you start working, you have to pay me for the privilege of storing your coca cola in MY fridge. And you can, like, pay me for the cooking I do. The going rate of a personal chef sounds fair to me. And now when that wild mongrel of yours damages anything you have to bear financial responsibility.'' Poor Sams. So many haters out there. Dad just smiled and said they're going to pro-rata the electricity bill. No fair. Although, technically, it is kinda fair because my laptop and air-cond are always on. But they're joking. I know they are, they always refuse to take things from me even when I offer.

But my dad was serious about one thing. He said '...just remember that however much you get, it's very important to give some back to society.' So true, and I think I'm quite lucky to have parents who remind me about things like this. It's something I've seen my parents do from young and it's definitely something I plan to follow. Life can be so hectic, stressful and fast paced that it's easy sometimes to forget that the world doesn't revolve around just you and your problems. There's a bigger picture, and everyone could use a reminder every now and then.

Ok, baby steps *takes deep breath*

Random play

2011-10-17T23:30:00.001+08:00

My Ipod has 160 Gb of memory space and most of it is taken up by music. Music I've put in, music my friends have put in when they *ahem* hijacked my Ipod, basically music I haven't heard in years because I always listen to the same playlist over and over again. Felt particularly ill today so just had a lazy day in bed with all the songs in my Ipod set to play at random. (Re)Found some gems.

My favorite:

And waiting to be put into Itunes:

This must be what they call that silver lining =)

Stupid flu

2011-10-15T21:03:00.000+08:00

My friend's dad works in an advertising company and she gets the best freebies waaayyy before they're even stocked in stores. She's not the only one. Every few months without fail my dad brings home presents for us from work. Germs. Ok to be fair, he doesn't just give the whole family the flu of death every couple of months. There was that time in Chem class when I was taking down notes on a notepad that had 'spread love, not herpes' emblazoned across each page. These notes were taken down with pens that screamed 'family planning,' 'viagra' and, my personal favorite, 'early menopause.'

I lost my voice a week ago and my dad kept making fun of me, imitating me getting frustrated when people purposely misunderstood my VERY OBVIOUS sign language. I rubbed my tummy to indicate I was hungry and they were like, ''what? You want to play hula hoops? Ohhh I know, you want to...go for belly dancing classes?'' This is not charades, ok!!! Then when I was recovering, he picked up a really bad flu at work. I think the fact that the only snarky statement I made was ''this is what they mean by karma coming to bite you in the ass'' showed incredible self restraint on my part. But now he's passed that flu to me.

When people are sick I've been made to understand that all they want is porridge and soup. Yuck. All I want is a large filet-o-fish set from McDonalds with coke and an apple pie. Was gleefully heading to the phone to place my order when it was intercepted by my sneaky mom who knows me too well. ''No fast food, it's bad for you even when you're not sick. I'll make you oats.'' Oats. Porridge's evil brother *shudders*

This is currently my best friend:

LOL

2011-10-14T19:39:00.000+08:00

*pic from ponderabout.com*

Blackbird

2011-10-12T23:12:00.000+08:00

LOVE.

And look what I found while looking for good covers.

So talented.

Hello Bob.

2011-10-12T00:19:00.001+08:00

I did it. I chopped off my hair. Now seemed like the perfect time. New job, new haircut. I knew I wanted something a bit different. Ok, a LOT different. So I Google imaged ''bob with bangs'' and found this:

I know, I know. I'm no Katie Holmes. But if you're going to do something different might as well go all the
way, right? I dragged Mel with me for moral support.

We went to what has now become our 'regular' place in Hartamas because the rates are so reasonable and ohmygoddd the hair stylist there is AMAZING. It was a bit sad looking in the mirror and seeing everything being snipped away. Mel, the person I brought with me for moral support, was like ''omg please don't cry here. I'll pretend I dunno you. Don't worry la, if it turns out ugly, I'll still be friends with you anyway.'' I'm currently rethinking our friendship. Even the stylist was teasing me. ''Ohhh, cut already now cannot go back. But I can leave one long strand for you if you want, as souvenir. Or you can take all the hair I'm cutting back home with you, hahahhaa.'' -________-

Ms-Moral-Support followed me home because my mom hates short hair and I hadn't even told her about this, so Mel knew she was in for a show. My dad was on his way out. He took one look, said ''haha, your mom is going to freak'' and practically vaulted into his car in his hurry to escape the drama. Wuss .*makes chicken noise* I love my new hair. The only qualm I have is that now I don't have anything to hide behind when I'm thrust into uncomfortable situations. And I keep lifting my fingers up to twirl my hair (bad habit) and there's nothing there to twirl.

I thought Mel was making progress. She's afraid of dogs and everytime she comes over to my place I'll get a text saying ''5 minutes away, kurungkan your Schmandy.'' -________- Then the last time she came over I got her to go to within 2 feet of Sandy's kennel. And she even said ''Schmandy is actually not bad for a dog.'' MAJOR PROGRESS, ok. But progress, schmogress. Today she hid in the back seat of her car until I put Sandy in the kennel. *shakes head* Such. A. Chicken.

A potential embarrassing moment happened later in the day. Was walking Sandy and my security guard went ''waaahhh, cantiknya rambut hari ni, lawa sangat...'' Immediately started flipping my hair and was about to say thank you when he continued ''...Sandy baru mandi ya hari ini, patutlah cantik, rambut Sandy macam bersinar.'' OMGGGGG. Serves me right for being so perasan-ted.

Arms

2011-10-11T22:09:00.000+08:00

This song was shoved down my throat for the 2 months that Av was back. If Christina Perri wasn't singing it, then Av was wailing it with her Ipod plugged into her ears. It was basically 2 months of me banging on her room door going ''for the love of god, shut up shut up SHADDUUUPPPP!!!!!!!!'' After she flew back to the UK and my ears got some rest, I realized that I actually reeeeaaaallllllyyyy like this song. She's so talented. Christina Perri, not you, Av =P

Sisterly love

2011-10-11T01:23:00.000+08:00

I'm spring cleaning and found this shoved in the back of a drawer.

It's from way back when I wasn't as freakishly neat and tidy as I am now. Back when I used to return the clothes I'd pinjam-ed from Nit and Av by chucking them on their beds (sometimes the floor *hangs head in shame*). Funny how even back then Av would speak to me like our roles were reversed and she's the older sibling, LOL.

Pete's Dragon

2011-10-10T23:28:00.000+08:00

Recently managed to get a copy of one of my favorite films growing up. Not easy, ok. Super hard to find, even on Amazon and Ebay. It's called Pete's Dragon and it was the driving force behind the numerous letters to Santa asking for a pet dragon.

You know what I find shocking? That none of my friends have heard of this film. NO ONE. Not even Liz, Mel, Stooj and TL.

''How can you not have heard of Pete's Dragon? It was, like, the awesomest movie back then.''

''Can't have been that awesome since I've never heard of it. I watched cool shows like Ultraman.''

Pfft.

They don't know what they missed out on. Watching it made me want to youtube videos of the shows I used to watch as a kid, and man, can doing this make you feel O-L-D. I was never into Sesame Street and the giant purple dinosaur. Too mainstream for me. Instead I spent hours watching this little thing called The Elephant Show. Another thing no one I know has heard of. Grr.

When Liz and I were in college the guys were telling us how nursery rhymes have these hidden dirty meanings. They then proceeded to ruin nursery rhymes for me for life by telling us these meanings. Until now I can't hear a kid singing Old McDonald without feeling the urge to cover my ears with my hands. Anyway, as I was listening to the theme song of The Elephant Show, it suddenly started sounding a bit...funny...to me. See? See what happens the minute someone plants that seed in your head.

Three letters.

2011-10-07T00:07:00.000+08:00

Women all around the world have this friend who makes scheduled visits. We don't really like this friend and we ALWAYS grumble when this friend visits. But we also hate it when this friend doesn't visit as scheduled, or when this friend stops visiting altogether. PMS. That time when I can go from happy to sad to back to happy again in 10 seconds. I'm normally very sane ( I can see Av rolling her eyes and going ''you? Sane? You tried to lasso me with raffia string.'' In my defence, I was a kid. And Nit said no. And Av couldn't run very fast so she was a good target), but that whole week will go something like this:

Mom, you made chicken curry for me? I LOVE chicken curry, this is the bestest day EVER, I'm so HAPPY right now, like super yayy, how awesome is everything today? Oh but wait...was this chicken alive when you bought it? They killed it so you could take it home to cook? For us? Like right there in the market? *starts tearing* I don't understand, what if there are some poor baby chicks running around somewhere without a mom now? Why? Why can't we just eat chickens that die naturally from old age? This is so AWFULLL and...OHMYGODDD you bought Big Apple doughnuts? I LOVE Big Apple Doughnuts...

Totally cuckoo ok. Everyone finds it amusing. J once told me that if I become preggers, I'm going to be the most cliche entertaining walking bundle of hormones ever. Pschht, J can go stuff it. After all the labor room horror stories I've heard I've decided that I'm too posh to push. It can be quite draining ok, going through all those emotions one after another.

The other day I was watching one of my Kdramas in the upstairs hall. It's a romantic comedy. But there's this scene where this poor guy wants to pay for the nice dinner he and his rich girlfriend just had and he opens his wallet and it's empty. I immediately reached for the tissue packet. My dad came back from work at that moment and saw me sniffling into my tissue. He sat next to me and put his arm around me.

''My poor darling, did a boy make you cry?''

-_________-

I swear, I'm NEVER letting him watch 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter again. Like, he watches one season, and suddenly he starts using cheesy sitcom dialogue.

Nooo, but look *hiccup*. Th-th-this poor, amazing g-g-guy who works s-s-sooo hard. All he w-w-wants is to buy his girlfriend who he loves d-d-d-dinner, but he has no m-m-monneeeeyyyyyyy and he's too ashamed to t-t-tell her *sobs*

Suddenly the arm disappeared. ''Oh god, not again. I have to, um...go out. For, like, a thing. You go talk to your mom, ok.'' Omg, at least put some effort into the bluff.

Priorities

2011-10-04T00:20:00.000+08:00

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

-Steve Jobs

Still having trouble with this one.

Nyam Nyam Rice Crispy

2011-10-01T13:52:00.000+08:00

Hello, old friend.

I missed you sooo much when I was in London, waaayyy more than I missed Nit and Av. I thought they would have you in Chinatown so I looked in every single supermarket to see if you were nestled between the boxes of Pocky. But no. Then I tried to convince *ahem* to ship a carton of you to me from Malaysia, but Il Duce was all like ''no do you know how unhealthy it is for you? Go eat veggies.'' But it's ok. I have 5 of you sitting in my secret snack cupboard now *happiness*

2011 Formula One Singtel Singapore Grand Prix

2011-09-28T15:39:00.002+08:00

Barely two days after dropping Nit off at KLIA, we had to go back to drop Av off, then 2 days after that I went to Singapore. I think my parents were happy to have a quiet house for a week after 2 weeks of shrieking and giggling. My mom's overused phrase the whole day before I left whenever I annoyed her was ''I'll kick you so hard you'll go flying to Singapore.'' Then she'd start laughing. At herself, ok. She's so cool -_______-

Singapore was all decked out with flags and tyres for the F1 weekend. And my plans for a shopping/ Universal Studios trip changed when my uncle gave me this:

I felt AWFUL. These were really good tickets and they were wasted on me. I mean, I watch EPL with my dad and all, but I just don't get F1. Cars racing around in circles for hours. Super not my thing. And I felt so bad because if you enjoy stuff like this you want to go with people who enjoy it just as much as you. You definitely don't want to go with me. I'm, like, the worst person to go to something like this with. Not only do I not know anything about anything remotely connected with F1, but I was cheering for all the wrong reasons.

''If you want the car to go faster, the engine should be at the middle, but you know the Porsche...blah blah blah...''

''Do you think my hair is blond?''

Then I took a picture of my hair and showed him:

''um yeah, whatever, but here's something interesting about the brakes in these cars...blah blah...''

''Do you think Zara will still be open when this thingy finishes?''

''Thingy? You're calling this F1 race a thingy?''

I'm a horrible person. Talking about hair and shopping when he's telling me about cars. But we had to walk through a mall to get to our seats. Talk about temptation. I had to walk past Zara, Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins without being able to enter any of my houses of worship. Then we saw this. A car simulator. I bet I'd be able to drive in no time if I had one of these to practice with *looks at dad hopefully*

Brunch of champions:

I have to admit, our seats were pretty awesome. The Singapore Flyer to our left (I was so embarrassed, I didn't know what it was and excitedly exclaimed ''later, let's go on that giant ferris wheel.'' I swear I saw some Singaporeans shooting me dirty looks.''):

The Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino and bay area right in front of us:

Mandarin Oriental to our right:

And a good view of the track:

I only knew one F1 driver. So every car that went past I asked ''Is that Michael Schumacher?'' ''No.'' ''Oh, then is that Michael Schumacher?''

But no shade, and for some reason, the weather was really hot. 35 degrees. Thank god I brought my sunnies.

I saw a bunch of guys take their shirt off because they couldn't stand the heat. I so wished I was a guy then. How unfair is it that guys can simply whip off their shirt in public and no one even bats an eyelid but girls have to suffer through the heat?

This is how noob I was. While we were trying to find our seats, someone said to their wife ''ask usher la'' and I went ''OMG Usher is here? I LOVE his music and he's sooo hot!!! Where, where?!?!''

No. Usher wasn't there. Not the Usher I was interested in anyway. It's not my fault ok. The proper thing to say is ''ask THE usher.'' Pfft. They meant this usher:

As the day got less hot, I got a bit more into the race. The sun was setting to my left and everything was just so pretty. The water, the color of the sky, the sunlight glinting off the Marina Bay Sands hotel.

And then they had fireworks over the bay area.

But towards the end of the day (I was there from 1 pm to 11 pm) the sound of the cars as they whizzed past us was...wow, I can't describe it. After awhile I wasn't sure if the noise was coming from my head or from the tracks. I never thought that the sound of a car revving it's engine would make me want to jam a pencil in my eye just so the pain can distract me from the noise. And there were parents there who brought really small kids, some still in the stroller stage. This could NOT have been good for them. I even saw this really adorable kid standing on his chair and covering his ears with his hands and screaming at his dad that he wants to go home.

I feel ya, kid.

The Malaysian team's car which, apparently, is named Lotus. I have no clue if Lotus is the name of the car or the name of the team. All I know is, at one point, one of the tyres of the car caught on fire near where I was sitting. Initially I thought the Lotus restaurant owned the team but nope, it's Tony Fernandes. Then the Air Asia stamped on it suddenly made a lot more sense. See? See how dungu I am when it comes to F1???

I went back thinking ''ok, one day there is enough experience. I just won't use tomorrow's ticket.'' Then I found out the tickets cost 800 Singapore dollars. *heart attack* How to not use??? You tell me. Howww??? So the next day I saw this view again:

But I was glad I went. I managed to catch Shakira live. Oh my goddd she's so beautiful I want to cry. And she's so fit. Watching her belly dance made me want to go to the gym right away. And she's sooo good live.

The pictures I managed to get of Shakira. -______- It was too crowded and everyone was jostling one another so my hands kept shaking and I couldn't get a clear pic :(

I was staying in Bishan and they had an event there that Tony Fernandes was supposed to attend. My grandma is a HUGE F1 fan. And an even bigger Tony Fernandes fan. While we were at the circuit, she was diligently watching at home, and on the day of the event, I asked her to go shopping with me. You go la girl, I'm not feeling well today. I got sore throat, and my legs are so painful. Growing old already then must go through all these things, I also don't know what to do. Today I just don't feel strong enough to do anything.

Then the minute she heard Tony was coming she changed from her house clothes into what she calls her 'special function going out clothes,' powdered her face, grabbed my hand and said ''ok, I'm ready, let's go see Tony.'' -_______- Super con job, my grandma. I felt so bad for her. We got there and they said he wasn't coming because he was held up at the tracks. My grandma immediately marched up to the most official looking person there. ''Where is our Tony? He's supposed to be here now they're saying he's not coming. I came all the way to see our Tony.'' OUR TONY?!?! Look at her, haha, I practically had to drag her away.

My grandma was supporting Sebastian Vettel all the way.

I saw Mr Blond hair brown eyes and immediately decided to support whatever team he was on

Nico Rosberg

Hamilton

*all images from Google Image*

I had no idea F1 drivers were so comel. Unfortunately the track marshalls have somewhat of a problem with people crossing the track to talk to the drivers :( I googled the drivers and the sport in general because I think the reason I don't enjoy it is because I don't really know much about it. Fun facts I discovered:

1. There are cars that can go from 200 kmph to 0 in about 2 seconds.

2. F1 drivers can lose up to 4kgs per race due to dehydration.

3. When an F1 driver hits the brakes on his car he experiences deceleration comparable to a regular car driving through a brick wall at 300kmph !!!

4. The downforce provides enough suction to lift manhole covers so all of the manhole covers on the streets (during street races) have to be welded down before the race to prevent this from happening!

Also the Marina Bay Sands Hotel has an infinity pool (something I'm currently obsessed with) and costs about 600 Singapore Dollars per night. *shakes piggy bank*

The funniest part was seeing all the girls who came there dressed in heels and clubbing clothes who came there with the sole purpose of camwhoring. I felt so bad for their boyfriends. They would be trying to take pictures of the track and the cars when their girlfriends would stand up and strike a pose. They'd snap the picture and point their lens back to the track when their girlfriends would insist on seeing the pictures they'd taken, then if not satisfied insist they take another shot. Super funny seeing the annoyed looks on their faces. Look at me laughing at other people's misery. See how mean the sun made me :(

Manja

2011-09-22T16:41:00.000+08:00

Came home to find this:

The little genius chewed it just enough to make it completely useless. Every other part of the slipper is untouched. Naturally the owner of said slipper, aka dad, was furious.

Everyone started scolding her and I felt so bad ok, she has the most adorable eyes in the world and when she thinks people are unhappy with her she gets this really sad look on her face. My mom was like ''you're imagining things. The only thing this minion of the Antichrist is thinking is when she's going to get her next meal. Look at her unrepentant face. This is all your fault. Whenever I scold her for digging the flower pots and destroying things you rush in to defend her going my sayang my darling I know you didn't mean to do it. She SO means to do it. You have to be firm with her or she'll never learn.''

Ok fine, I'll admit I manja her a bit too much. But I don't understand. How can anyone not melt at the sight of this face?!?! I tried scolding her.

Sammy, look what you did, are you happy with yourself? Bad girl...ohhh nooo don't look so sad, I take it back I take it back, darling girl. I wuff you, look at those itty bitty lion paws, aww Schammy so cute. You have the woofliest nose in the world. It's ok sayang, when I get my own place you can come live with me and dig all the flower pots and chew all the slippers you want, ok?

I super fail, ok!!! Everyone's right. She has me wrapped around her little paw and she knows it.

Dear Nit

2011-09-21T00:31:00.000+08:00

Nit flew down for 2 weeks (I thought law school was grueling, but medical school makes it seem like a vacation. A very expensive vacation) and even then she was studying everywhere she could. Even in the car. I tried to make her watch Korean dramas with me but she started talking about skin, bones, veins, arteries and other gross stuff. With my dad. Over the dinner table. During dinner, ok. Rudeness. Imagine eating spaghetti while people around you are talking about intestines. Ewww.

It was so much fun having my crazy buddy back home and ganging up with her to kacau Av and my mom. We serenaded them in public places, pda-ed them like nobody's business, and spoke to them in different accents for hours at a time. Poor Av, her most used phrase the last 2 weeks was ''you're both nuts. Mom and dad should admit the two of you into Tanjung Rambutan.''

Dear Nit,

You were only home for 2 weeks, but boy oh boy did you leave your mark. Wanted to shower after coming home from the airport and walked into the bathroom to see my toothpaste squeezed from the middle of the tube. I don't understand. I thought we had a 'talk' about how it's more 'organized' to squeeze toothpaste from the bottom of the tube. And you left opened pore packs all over MY bathroom shelf. I guess the dustbin 2 inches to the left of the shelf was too far away.

Then I noticed that my luxury champagne body bath has, um, significantly depleted. You know, the one I told you I only use when I have special functions to attend because it costs a significant portion of my likely future salary. Did we not establish that ''I just bathed Sammy now it's time for my bath'' is NOT a special function? No? My bad.

I was quite upset til I walked into the kitchen and saw all the goodies people had given you to take back which you left because there was no space in your bag after you packed half my closet in there -______- Oreo cheesecake, chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, giant tongs of muruku, cranberry cookies, boxes of chocolate, and a whole bunch of other stuff. You want me to put on weight, don't you? Pschht, purposely trying to sabo me by leaving all my favorite food.

When you come back again in February I will have already turned your room into my walk-in closet. Lol, kidding. Av will still be stuck in the UK when you come home in Feb so we can focus all our kacau-ing attention on mom.

Kissy faces and mock slaps,

Nush.

PS: Sammy misses you. She dragged your crocs into her kennel and used them as her pillow.

As you can tell, I don't really miss Nit that much or anything :(

Busy bee

2011-09-20T21:26:00.001+08:00

I've had the busiest 2 weeks of my life ever. Birthdays, farewells, super important wedding, dinners, interviews, and a whole bunch of other functions.

Usually I do everything properly. I plan and plan until cannot plan anymore. But these 2 weeks I've been functioning on 2-3 hours of sleep a day, so the only plan I had was for a 15 hour 'nap' when the 2 weeks were over. I love making cards for people, especially when I get to use my paintbrush. 4 birthdays this month and I only managed to make one card due to time constraints. ONE. Since I didn't spend that much time on it, I doubled the affection I put into it.

I also gave a tiny speech at my cousin's wedding reception. I love her to bits, but 2 hours before the reception when I was writing the speech while getting dressed I was kicking myself because I'm quite shy when it comes to speaking in front of a lot of people. Made Av read it beforehand so she could give me her honest opinion.

''It's good, but you should pause after this sentence.''

''Why? People will think I'm a retard who forgot the words.''

''No it's funny so you should pause to let them laugh.''

''Whaaattt?!?! What if no one laughs? So embarrassing. You purposely trying to sabo me.''

''They will laugh lah.''

''But what if they don't.''

''Then I'll laugh really loudly.''

-__________-

But these 2 weeks, tiring as they have been, have also been so much fun. The 6 of us finally on the same continent at the same time after so many years. It was basically 2 weeks of non-stop giggling and cam-whoring. We had to ambil kesempatan because usually one or two of us are always overseas. And I might be starting work soon. It's time to grow up. No more lame chicken jokes. Ok fine, just one.

What did the baby chicken drive to work?

A yolkswagon.

*rolls on floor laughing* No? Not funny? Pfft, whatever. I can see Av rolling her eyes. Everyone we met was asking her if she's the eldest sister the whole of last week. She thinks it's because of my chicken jokes.

New chapter.

2011-09-14T15:15:00.000+08:00

Shalbal,

I've known you since...well, I've known you my whole life (I have albums full of pics of us hugging each other as toddlers to prove it, pictures that usually would not see the light of day because I've discovered that I was the ugliest toddler alive, but I'll make an exception this once).

It was always the 6 of us against the world but you and I were special pals and you were always like the big sister I never had. Parents, I think, are always the hardest on their firstborns, and I'm so glad that I had you there when I needed to rant about how unfair life seemed.

Can I say seemed when I'm pretty sure that I was the only 14 year old Rangers troop member not allowed to go to a campfire for the sole reason that it was a joint one with La Salle boys school? I remember after the futile pleading session with my parents I was frustratedly complaining to you and you said 7 simple words. ''Don't worry, I'll talk to your dad.'' I got to go. To a campfire with boys. I still have no idea how you achieved this miracle which is akin to being able to convince me to become vegetarian. Of course, the minute they said I could go it lost all appeal for me. But needless to say, you were my hero that year.

What I remember most is wanting so much to be like you. You were always poised and knew exactly what to say and do in any given situation (you've seen me through hundreds of little panic attacks but I don't think I've seen you having even one). One day I saw you playing Rayman on the computer, freeing things from cages and jumping up and down to collect rings of energy. It looked sooo cool so I immediately went home and told my dad ''I wanna play computer games like Shal.'' The next day he brought home 2 games for me. Word Stomper, a game that untruthfully claimed to be both 'fun' AND 'educational.' And Nine Month Miracle, a documentary for kids that explains the stages of a pregnancy from conception to birth in cartoon form masquerading as a computer game to fool unsuspecting children. I didn't feel anywhere near as cool as you that day -_________-

In 2 days, a lot is going to change. Duh, you're getting hitched. About to become a married woman. Now when I ask you to go yum cha, instead of hearing ''I'm working on weekdays let's go on a weekend'' I'll probably get a ''Nush, me and Shal are on our honeymoon, stop bugging her. Ask Shiv to go with you'' from Arjun. Instead of asking your parents if you can come over for slumber parties, I'll have to ask your hus...your husb...your husba...*chokes*...dammit the word doesn't want to come out. I'll call him by his name, ok. I'll have to ask Arjun *sticks out tongue at him*

And um, not to be a snitch or anything, but look what he did when he got hold of my camera:

He took a picture of a cicak. A cicak ohhkaayyy!!! You know about the hate-hate relationship I have with lizards. He purposely one.

Ok, on a slightly more serious, sappier note though, I've known Shaljun (geddit geddit?!?! *looks pleased with self*) for 8 years now, and the two of you are perfect for each other. I see the respect with which he treats your parents and how well he fits into our huge super close and, lets face it, slightly off-kilter family (the fact that he plays Scrabble is a bonus). I also see how much you support him and jaga him. But most importantly, I see how much the two of you care for each other, and I know I speak for everyone in our giant, tight-knit, slightly-unconventional-but-we-wouldn't-have-it-any-other-way family (and I'm pretty sure I speak for everyone who knows you and Arjun) in congratulating the both of you on your upcoming marriage and wishing you all the love and happiness in the world.

Giant hugs and kissy faces,

Nush.

P.S. But fudge la, you were always my buffer because you were first in line. Now Arjun's taken away my buffer and I have to come up with a zinger of a comeback for when people ask me when it's my turn *cries*

Being a girl is EXPENSIVE.

2011-09-11T00:40:00.001+08:00

Teman-ed Av to go get a haircut. I'm very low maintenance in this department. Usually get my hair cut at the same place I've been going to since I was 5 unless I'm curling it or whatever. This really huggable aunty near where I used to live. She's known me since I was tiny, gives me a ''special price'' of RM 8 because I'm a regular customer, and I love her. She always greets me with a giant smile on her face, tells me I've grown up so much, and asks me about my sisters and parents and tells me about her daughter. It's not the poshest place in the world. A tiny hair salon that still has the same people working there now that used to work there when I was a kid, always filled with the same crowd. But it's familiar. And comfortable. And gives out happy vibes.

Look where Av got her hair cut now:

Posh-NYA!!!!

I got bored after reading about some prince in Tattler while waiting, so I asked the stylist about hair perms. He came over to where I was sitting and poked through my hair. Then he asked me the question all hair stylists ask me.

''What hair styling products do you use?''

And I gave him the answer they all hate to hear.

''Um, basically I shampoo it everyday, then I wrap my head in a towel turban style until it dries.''

Av rudely chimed in.

''She's a gone case, don't even try, she tak sikat rambut pun.''

She super kepoh one!!!

They charge between RM 520-650 for a digital perm. Homaigoddd!!! I think when the stylist told me I did my eyes-go-big thing because he quickly said the price includes hair treatment. Dude, I don't care if the price includes 10 minutes of alone time with Aragorn. That's like, 1/6 of my Thailand travel fund.

I could see how sakit hati Av was to part with her money after the haircut, LOL. She was shooting me her kasihan face the whole way home.

Being a girl is expensive man. Eyebrow threading, manicures, pedicures, hair styling, hair products, facial stuff, makeup...craziness. And I've seen girls 2 years younger than me using ANTI-AGING products. Anti-aging, ok. And all these things do not come cheap. Not when you add them up over months and years. I don't do any of these things, so came home, calculated and showed my parents how much money they ''saved'' from when I was 13 by not having a very girly-girl daughter. Sadly, they weren't impressed.

Game face ON!!!

2011-09-09T21:39:00.001+08:00

These last few months, I've had so many opportunities thrown my way. From amazing people who meant really well. But I wanted to see how far I could get on my own, so I ignored everyone and sat down one day last week and mailed out applications on my own. Everyone called me stubborn. I ignored them. It's always better to try and get something through your own effort alone because if you do get it, it feels so much better. Like you truly 100% earned it by yourself.

I had an interview yesterday. My first proper grown up interview. OhmyGOD, I was freaking nervous. The possibility of rejection is SCARY. And suddenly I started second guessing EVERYTHING on my certs. All those grades didn't seem good enough. For 2 days before the interview all my family and friends heard was ''will they like me? But what if they don't like me? I hope they like me...do you think they'll like me?'' T was like ''if you keep this up for 2 more minutes, I won't like you.'' But it's better than what my mom told me, which is ''I won't lie to you, it's a possibility...'' -______-

Practiced my interview skills on my family during dinner. They took it as a chance to gang up on me. My dad told me that if I didn't know how to answer a question, I should tell the interviewer ''I watch Glee religiously but this has never come up on their show.'' Nit offered to come along with me as my financial advisor. Av started laughing and told me I was confirm going to rugi because Nit can't count for nuts.

Mel gave me one of the best pieces of advice. If you don't know the answer to something, tell them. Don't try and BS your way through because you'll look even more stupid in the end. My dad told me to just be genuine and honest and that they would appreciate that. So I took their advice. I went, laid all my cards on the table, and I was so lucky. Everyone's been so nice to me so far and I have no horror stories to tell at all. They all put me at ease the minute I walked through reception, the questions they asked were on issues I was genuinely interested in, and the advice Mel and my dad gave me WORKS.

Now I have tough decisions to make. But attending all these interviews has made me realize how much I miss the...pressure. That pressure of trying to get something done within a certain amount of time. I complain about it, I know, and it's stressful, but successfully pulling something off, it's a very good feeling. Now I can't wait to start learning again. If you're going to do something, you should do it properly, so I want to learn as much as I can so I can be really good at what I'm doing. Game face ON!!!

Making friends with elephants.

2011-09-08T13:13:00.000+08:00

I've been wanting to go to Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai for the longest time. It's an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center. The only thing is, there's tons of other things I want to see and do in Thailand. Tiger Temple, Tiger Kingdom, parasailing, paragliding, white water rafting, Krabi beach...how to do everything in 3 days, you tell me. How, huh, how???

So I did the next best thing. I went to the Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary in Pahang. It was a very spur of the moment thing and we only decided to go the night before. No let me rephrase. Nit had to be dragged there with a muka masam. ''Why? Why do you want to feed and bathe the elephants when you can stay at home and feed and bathe Sammy?''

She was outvoted 4 to 1. Her response to the voting results was ''you guys get trampled then only you'll know.'' Her idea of fun is a trip to the mall -____- But she changed her mind when we got there and she saw how beautiful the elephants are.

If you want to feed, ride AND bathe the elephants, you should call in advance and book a place, because it's limited to 150 people per day. But even if you don't, you still get to feed and bathe them.

Sunny. Perfect day to go make friends with adorable elephants.

I just had my bath, now gimme makan.

look, I can stand on 3 legs.

Feeding the elephants was amazing. They're so big, but so gentle. They don't rampas the food from your hand or anything. In fact, I've used more force when grabbing the pizza carton from my mom's hands when she comes home from Pizza Hut.

smiling elephant

This elephant was just plain adorable, look at it's groovy hairstyle, haha.

Happy Birds

2011-09-06T00:45:00.000+08:00

Went to visit my niece and she was so excited to show us her Angry Birds toy set. My super cool dad asked her ''where is your Happy Birds toy set?''

-_____________________-

To a 3 year old, ok. Then he started laughing at his own super lame joke. *Buries face in hands* When??? When did he become so lame???

_____________________________________________________________________

On another note, Amarin in Mid Valley has the best Thai food I've tasted so far in KL. Pfft, waayyy better than sucky Thai Express. But then again, your wallet will hurt more after your dining experience too.

Coca cola love.

2011-09-02T13:05:00.002+08:00

I miss the little mini fridge I had in my room in London. Being able to stock it with whatever I wanted without being nagged at about my unhealthy lifestyle.

I always had the important stuff. Coke, milo, soya bean, milk, chocolate, cincau, instant food and lettuce to make me feel less guilty about consuming all the other things.

Over the years my hairstyle has changed, my outlook on life has changed, but one thing has remained constant. My loyalty towards coke. Pepsi who??? I'm not allowed to have it at home so when I was overseas I totally ambil kesempatan.

Coca cola in Paris:

Coca cola in Madrid, Spain:

Coca Cola in Pompeii, Italy:

They should totally make me brand ambassador.

I get a LOT of lectures from EVERYONE on the evils of coke.

''Eh, one can has NINE tablespoons of sugar, ok. Get diabetes then you know.''

''You know, if you put raw steak into a bucket of coke, after 24 hours all that's left is bone.''

''Did you see that ad where a rusty coin was rust free after being rendam-ed in coke?''

And my personal favorite:

''They use it to clean toilets. TOILETS. Imagine what it's doing to your insides.''

I've always tried to defend it.

''But look at the ingredients, it has VEGETABLE EXTRACT. That's healthy stuff.''

But the bottom line is, I know everyone's right. I know it's unhealthy. I just choose to ignore that little fact.

When I was in Aber me and Bella were staunch coke fans. The rest of our flatmates would be like ''Oh Pepsi's coke in different packaging'' to irritate us. They purposely one. It totally is not ok. There's a world of difference between the two. They would hide our stash because it's unhealthy so we used to sneak out at weird hours to the co-op to buy more. 2 girls struggling back with a carton of coke each close to midnight. That was us.

It's my one vice *shamefacedly hides face with pillow* and my friends have given up lecturing me. Now they just hide their face so they can't see.

Liz pretending she can't see me drinking coke in Italy -____-

But my parents are verrryy strict when it comes to diet, especially now. No soft drinks in the house. We aren't even allowed to order it when we eat out. There's no sugar, even. I came home, opened the snack cupboard and all I saw was packs of organic pitted prunes and organic roasted chestnuts. This would never happen if I ruled the house. Everyday would be cake day and the cupboards would be full of Mars bars.

My mom felt kasihan for me so she got me one bottle when I came home. The mini bottle. ONE ONLY OK!!! It's still sitting in the fridge because I'm saving it for a rainy day. It's nestled in between the cartons of fruit juices. How sad is my life.

''Mom, I'm getting another bottle, ok.''

''No, there's one in the fridge at home, why do you need another one?''

''The one in the fridge is lonely. All your juice cartons are being super lan si and refuse to layan it.''

But it didn't work. I miss my mini fridge. Dad is calling this the detox programme.

Lyric police

2011-08-27T10:47:00.001+08:00

I'm in love with this song. The first time I heard it, I immediately knew how I was going to play before I even touched the piano.

Was proclaiming my love for him to TL who's a long time fan, and she went ''WTF? Last time when I told you Jay Chou is so cute you kept saying 'eww you like Gay Chou, he's so uggers' and now you're waffling on about how awesome he is.'' I seriously don't remember saying this, but it sounds like something I would say. Maybe I changed my mind after watching this movie trailer:

His piano playing in this movie is unfreakingbelievably amazing. His fingers move so fast you can barely see them.

And I know all the words to that song. Like, I really really know them. Which is amazing, because I never know all the words to even English songs. I just cincai and throw in similar sounding words. It drives EVERYONE crazy.

''I heard there was a secret door, that David prayed and it pleased the Lord, but you don't really care for music do you, and it goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, the mind of all and the major lived, the battle king come closer hallelujah.''

That's me singing Hallelujah. I'm more of a melody kind of person, but seriously, I should just learn the words to songs I like. I mean, what I'm singing doesn't even make sense. The mind of all and the major lived??? WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!?!?! This is what's being constantly yelled at me in my house:

''Those aren't the words, shut up, shut up, SHUUTT UUUPPP!!! How does that even make sense?''

Suddenly everyone's a lyric police.

Getah rambut

2011-08-24T19:37:00.000+08:00

Walked into Evita Peroni a couple of days ago. Shiv was with me and we saw a picture of a girl who had tied pigtails with flowered elastics. Super pretty. So we went and asked the salesman if they had it in their store.

He took it out from a display case to show us and it was sooo cantik. I was thinking to myself ''ok la, never mind if it's slightly more expensive than usual. Just buy 2, then can tie like the girl in the picture.'' My hand was already caressing the fabric rose on the elastic band, silently communicating to it that it was coming home with me. I looked up at the guy.

''How much is one?''

''RM 189.''

RM 189?!?!?! For a getah rambut? What.The.Fudge!!!

I think my eyes opened really wide because he tried to justify the price. That and also because I immediately stopped caressing the fabric rose and put down the elastic band.

''No, it's actually reasonable, because the fabric rose on the elastic band is handmade.''

Ohhh. My bad. I didn't realize it was handmade. HANDMADE BY WHAT??? GOBLINS???

''Ask your father to buy for you, I'm sure he will.''

Hahahhah *rolls on floor laughing* Ask the guy who coined the phrase ''10 cents also I dowanna buy'' to buy me an elastic band to tie my hair for 200 bucks. I could practically hear my dad lecturing me then and there.

Whaatt? Rubber band for your hair for 200 ringgit? And you want 2? Is your hair made of gold? There are people in the world who don't even have enough to eat. Do you know what that 400 ringgit can do for them? Because you've led a privileged life you don't know the value of money. When I was your age, I had to walk through the jungle and take a sampan to go to school. I wasn't dropped off at the front entrance in a big car. Nowadays everything is so easy for you kids. Always asking to turn down the air cond temperature because it's not cold enough. Just because you studied in the UK you think you're mat salleh? When I was young we didn't even have a fan, we had to fan ourselves with paper ok....

A lecture that will go on for half an hour. Better to just put it down and walk away. Some things are just not meant to be. There's no way I could spend 200 bucks on an elastic band in good conscience anyway.

I went home, looked it up on their website, stared at it wistfully for awhile and then moved on with my life. 2 days later I was in The Curve. I walked into this random store and saw this:

Fabric rose elastic band. I swear I wasn't even looking for it.

IT SO TOTALLY WAS MEANT TO BE!!!

3 for RM 10. It's not exactly the same, but who cares.

Dream library

2011-08-23T13:41:00.001+08:00

I love reading and I'm always on the lookout for new treasures to bring home and add to my collection. When I was in primary school everyone wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer. I wanted to own a library so I could read everyday. My library was going to have a fireplace, a giant leather armchair, floor to ceiling dark mahogany bookshelves with one of those wheelie ladder things so I could reach the higher shelves. And wooden floorboards and white fluffy rugs because despite all the couches, beds and chairs at home, I still close my room door and read while curled up on a rug on the floor with a pillow. TL was just teasing me the other day about my library dream, LOL.

There are books that I just have to come back to and reread over and over again. Little Women, the Anne series, Pollyanna, Emily's trilogy, Pride and Prejudice, Jame Eyre, Goodnight Mr Tom, The Railway Children, and What Katy Did. I have 2-3 copies of each of these books, all equally worn out because I've read them so many times.

This is the main reason why I was always ''dressed like a hobo'' as Av and my grandma claim. All my allowance money went towards expanding my book collection. My parents used to get me a few books each month but when you go through 4 books a day that, um, just doesn't cut it. Priorities, people!!! Old books are THE BEST. I'll spend more money buying a worn out copy of a book than a new one with crisp corners because I think books with raggedy covers, yellowed pages and creases on the spine have more character. The creases on the spine of a book are in direct proportion to how much it's been loved by someone. Well, that's my theory, at least.

I'm looking for copies of Clover and In The High Valley by Susan Coolidge (sequels to What Katy did and What Katy Did Next), but it's sooo frustrating. CanNOT find them anywhere. Not even in my usual secondhand bookshop haunts. Grrr. Copies are available on Amazon but I don't like the look of the Amazon ones. Found an excerpt of Clover online and I can't wait to read it.

--- "Then, since you are in such an accommodating frame of mind, it seems a good time to break my views to you. Don't be shocked, Clovy; but, do you know, I don't want to be married in church at all, or to have any bridesmaids, or anything arranged for beforehand particularly. I should like things to be simple, and to just happen."

"But, Katy, you can't do it like that. It will all get into a snarl if there is no planning beforehand or rehearsals; it would be confused and horrid."

"I don't see why it would be confused if there were nothing to confuse. Please do not be vexed; but I always have hated the ordinary kind of wedding, with its fuss and worry and so much of everything, and just like all the other weddings, and the bride looking tired to death, and nobody enjoying it a bit. I'd like mine to be different, and more—more—real. I don't want any show or processing about, but just to have things nice and pretty, and all the people I love and who love me to come to it, and nothing cut and dried, and nobody tired, and to make it a sort of dear, loving occasion, with leisure to realize how dear it is and what it all means. Don't you think it would really be nicer in that way?"

"Well, yes, as you put it, and 'viewed from the higher standard,' as Miss Inches would say, perhaps it would. Still, bridesmaids and all that are very pretty to look at; and folks will be surprised if you don't have them."

"Never mind folks," remarked the irreverent Katy. "I don't care a button for that argument. Yes; bridesmaids and going up the aisle in a long procession and all the rest are pretty to look at,—or were before they got to be so hackneyed. I can imagine the first bridal procession up the aisle of some early cathedral as having been perfectly beautiful. But nowadays, when the butcher and baker and candlestick-maker and everybody else do it just alike, the custom seems to me to have lost its charm. I never did enjoy having things exactly as every one else has them,—all going in the same direction like a flock of sheep. I would like my little wedding to be something especially my own. There was a poetical meaning in those old customs; but now that the custom has swallowed up so much of the meaning, it would please me better to retain the meaning and drop the custom.'' ---

I love Katy.

My friend had no sympathy for me when I was sighing over how my library dream would be incomplete if I didn't manage to get my hands on copies of these books with the exact cover I wanted.

''I don't understand. Can't you just get it on Kindle?''

See the attitude of someone who's reading material consists solely of car magazines?!?!

Then he found a copy of the e-book online for free. He thought I would be happy. Hahhh, as freaking if!!! Kindle and e-books are evil, ok. Nothing compared to the feeling of holding a book in your hands and turning the pages with your fingers. Even printing out an e-book is not the same. Once Liz found the 6th Harry Potter e-book online and printed it out to read. I almost disowned her -____-

Road Trip

2011-08-22T01:55:00.000+08:00

Decided to go on a road trip to Penang. It was quite impromptu. We decided the night before to leave at 7 am the next day. Because that's how we roll *flips hair* Well, almost. There was a sliiightt revision of plan. We couldn't wake up so we ended up leaving at 9. That's how we roll. Always just a bit late. I am queen of road trips. I always go prepared. All those years being a scout prepared me for these kinds of things.

Giant window blocker thing so people can't look in and see me sleeping : check!!!

Wallet, Ipod, asam, electric pink hairband and allergy meds: check!!!

Bantal busuk to peluk and book to read if I can't sleep: check!!!

I even brought cotton candy in case I needed a sugar fix. It was squashed near my leg in case anyone tried to curi while I was sleeping. Trust no one. This motto I didn't learn from being a scout. I learnt from experience the day Nit and Av started stealing my clothes while I was at college -_____-

We took the ferry there. I love boats and I love water but homaigod, so dirtyyy. I could see plastic bags and things floating around. My dad told me that when he was a kid traveling from KL to Penang once he saw a guy commit suicide by jumping off the ferry. So sad that there are things that can make a person want to jump into the dirty water to end their life.

ferry painted a nice subtle shade of blue -___-

I don't like being inside when I'm on ferries or any other boats. So the whole time I was sticking my head out.

Penang is so charming. I saw 2 pak ciks sitting on the pavement playing checkers with a few people standing around watching them play and I fell in love. It's like time slows down a bit there compared to KL. There's less congestion and so much more character.

I wonder which came first, the graffiti or the signboard.

Plus the extra yummy food.

Penang char kuey teow.

This is why I'm afraid to drive. Well, one of the many reasons, anyway.

Tree directly in front of road sign. Awesome planning -________-

Choices.

2011-08-20T04:12:00.001+08:00

Life is all about choices. A self proclaimed wise person *looks at dad* is always telling me that the choices you make in life define the person you are. There will be external factors affecting certain choices, but the extent to which you let these affect the decision making process, at the end of the day, is up to you (a choice in itself). Once you decide to do something, do it genuinely and wholeheartedly. Always be prepared for the worst case scenario. And if something goes wrong accept the consequences of your decisions without complaining and without troubling others, because you brought it upon yourself. That's why it's important to think carefully before making any decisions, to see all the possible outcomes and in any event be prepared to deal with the worst case scenario.

One of the many talks we have during our 2 am Maggi curry bonding sessions. Then after that I'll make my contribution to the conversation. I'll put my fingers to my cheeks and tegangkan my kulit muka upwards and tell him ''Dad, this is how I'll look with botox. Nice or not?'' But I do listen and retain what he tells me. He's my very own walking talking self help book.

The first time I had to make a decision solely by myself it was harder than I thought it would be. I'd romanticized the idea in my head and associated the whole 'finally-not-having-to-ask-anyone-for-their-opinion-and-just-doing-whatever-I-want-to-do' thing with freedom. But it's so scary. That's when you realize that if something goes wrong, you'll have no one to blame but yourself.

Who said growing up is fun?!?!

After a year.

2011-08-19T00:02:00.000+08:00

Staying in touch with friends when you're overseas is easier said than done. There's the time difference (8 hours if one person's in the UK and the other person is back in Malaysia), the very hectic study schedules, the millions of things each person has going on and crazy expensive overseas call rates.

But the thing about really good friends is that you can not talk for months, then when you meet up again there's no awkwardness or silent, uncomfortable pauses. Basically you never run out of things to talk about. Jo's one of my best friends from high school. We used to get into trouble all the time with teachers because they, um, had a bit of an issue with us talking at the same time as them in class. The discipline teacher even used to mix us up and call me Jo, which is weird because we could not look more different. We used to laugh at everything. And we snuck food up to class after recess to makan under the desks when the teachers weren't looking.

Finally met up with her after a YEAR, and omg we had so much to talk about. A lot can happen in a year. Our hairstyles have changed, we dress differently now and we've grown up a bit, but one thing's the same. We eat like pigs. And we still giggle at everything. Started off in Pappa Rich then moved along to Thai Express.

roti bakar with kaya and yummy butter

Pappa Rich has variety going for it, but I prefer the roti bakar from Old Town White Coffee House. It's more...bakar-ed.

There was a bit of a fail moment in Thai Express when Jo looked up after ordering and went ''kamsahamnida.'' Whattt??? Kamsahamnida is Korean, ok. Seriously, she's so embarrassing. Cannot bring her anywhere.

''Huh? It's Korean? Then what's Thai?''

''Sawadee ka la, doofus.''

''Oh, yeah, now I remember.''

-_______-

pineapple fried rice with seafood

seafood green curry

We were supposed to go to 1U but, as usual, I didn't know the way from my house to the mall. And the battery on Jo's GPS ter-died when we were in front of the Curve. Which is good for makan but doesn't really have much by way of shopping. What it did have, which is so much better, was...BUNNIES!!!

I love pet stores. Especially the puppy section. Unfortunately they don't let you play with the puppies. I wanted to pretend that I was going to buy one, play with them then tell the shop assistant ''ok, I think I want this one, but wait first, need to confirm with my fiance, if he gives me the green light then I'll come back and get.'' But Jo threatened to leave me there if I lied like that. Pfft, party pooper.

I try to avoid the reptile aisle. Who in the world would want a cicak as a pet? You can't hug them, or sayang them or cuddle with them. They have forked tongues that flicker out at you, and they have evil eyes. Bleugh.

Aquarium full of cicaks. Yuck.

Cicaks give me goosebumps. But I got over it when I walked out of the pet store and saw the cotton candy stand. The lady tried to give me a bag to put it in. I was like ''no need, no need, I pegang and makan now.'' Honestly, as if I've been deprived from food or something.

I believe Heaven is a land that has a river of coke running through it. You can reach up and touch the clouds. And eat them. And they taste like cotton candy. It rains icing sprinkles and all the houses are made of candy. No one is ever angry. Everyone just laughs together and eats and never grows fat. Ok nonsense talk over.

She bought a hairband in this one shop and immediately wore it. Then we walked into another shop and saw an identical hairband for sale. I kept scaring her, telling her they would think she stole it from their store, LOL.

''Jo, see this hairband? I'm going to wear it and walk out without paying.''

''What? Why? They'll stop you.''

''I know. Then I'll say 'kenapa I tak boleh but dia boleh?' and point to your hairband.'' *evil laugh*

I know the evil laugh is supposed to sound like ''muahahHAHAHAHAHA!!!'' but mine is just a cross between a giggle and a squawk. So no one takes my threats seriously. They just point and laugh at me. Fail.

We went back to my place and she raided my hairband and sunglasses collection while waiting for her GPS battery to recharge. Jo, faster finish CLP and come work in the same place as me. It'll be sooo much fun!!!

Near concussion experience

2011-08-17T21:16:00.002+08:00

I had a near death experience today. Ok fine, not near death. More like a near concussion experience. While I was out walking my dog. What is it with Labrador retrievers and their need to eat rubbish??? I Googled this and apparently it's a common trait in this breed.

Some apartments (I was telling my dad that he should front me the money to invest in one, but I found out that the minimum price is 4.5 million. Ringgit, not drops of blood. Was everything always this expensive and I just didn't realize?) are being built near where I usually walk her and construction has been going on since before I left for the UK. So whenever I walk her I have to keep a hawks eye out for any sampah the construction workers leave behind. Today I had to practically wrestle her away from someone's abandoned nasi lemak packet. Aargh, buanglah dalam tong sampah.

While I was trying my best to pull her away (no easy feat because she is freakishly strong) a huge metal tiang fell in front of me, missing my head by thiiiiiss much *holds fingers really close together* It fell from up the hill so it hit the ground pretty hard. I. COULD. HAVE. DIED. And Sammy, fearless guard dog that she is, immediately ran and tried to hide behind my legs shivering. Seriously, I feel so safe when I'm out with her -_____-

My first thought was ''if I'm paying 4.5 million for an apartment, I would bloody want the tiangs to hold up better than that.'' I was complaining to my friend on Skype. No, not complaining. Advising.

''You know, you should be nicer to me from now on. I almost died just now. Because of a metal pole. And the last thing you said to me was ''I think you have brain damage'' after I told you my chicken joke. How would you feel if I died and that was the last thing you said to me? You would feel guilty for the rest of your life.''

''Death by pole? Hahaha. Bullshit. Stop being such a dramaqueen. You always exaggerate everything tenfold.''

I. DO. NOT. EXAGGERATE!!! I totally tell it like it is. Su-per annoying. This is like the time I stepped on a snake in Batu Caves and everyone refused to believe me. They were like ''don't bluff, I bet it was a cacing.'' IT WAS NOT A CACING!!! I know the difference, ok.

Then he made it worse:

''Oh my god, what if it's like Final Destination? What if that pole was supposed to hit you but you cheated death? Do you know what happened to those people in the movie who cheated death?''

Why, god, why??? Why you gimme such horrible friends like this??? I scoffed at his stupid theory and called him a loser, saying I don't believe in such things. But I've been super careful whenever doing anything even remotely dangerous after that conversation. Hmm, maybe this isn't the best time to go parasailing in Thailand.

Sammy's french.

2011-08-17T00:26:00.000+08:00

I love kacau-ing Av. It's sooo much fun because she takes everything so seriously. She's only back for summer hols then she's flying back to the UK. Since Nit is also studying overseas I won't have anyone to kacau soon, so I'm taking full advantage now.

We'll be lazing on the couches in the living room and Sammy (my adorable Labrador Retriever) will be looking at us with the ''kasihan face'' look she's perfected over the years.

''Av, do you know what Sammy is thinking right now?''

''No, do you?''

''Yeah, I'm fluent in canine thought.'' *at this point if my mom's also there she'll start shaking her head*

''What is she thinking then?''

''Oh, vhat I woo-dent geeve for a pah-late of mah-ca-roons ahnd a tah-mee rub right nohw''

''Why do her thoughts sound like that?''

''Because she's french, duh!!!''

''I can't deal with you. Mom, good luck living with her after I fly back to the UK.''

Poor Sammy though. There's fireworks going off in our area practically every evening now and it scares the crap out of her. Today my mom opened her car door to take out her shopping when a particularly loud one sent Sammy flying into her car. She's huge, so getting into the front passenger seat was no easy feat. She just sat there, a chicken in Labrador clothing, and refused to move, shooting us the 'kasihan face' look that always melts my heart. Awwww...

Putrajaya fieldtrip

2011-08-16T00:13:00.004+08:00

Mel had to submit some forms in an office in Putrajaya so she asked me to teman her. I'm an awesome friend so I agreed without hesitation *polishes halo*.

''Oits teman me to Putrajaya tomorrow? I'll come and fetch you.''

''Can, pukul berapa?''

''8. Don't you just feel like dying now?''

''pm?'' *in hopeful tones*

''You wish la, am. I'll call when I'm outside your house.''

8 in the morning. Even my arch nemesis Mr Sun has barely woken up at that time, ok. Poor Mel. I stumbled to her car all bleary eyed, and barely even registered the fact that we were wearing almost identical outfits. She was hoping I could somewhat direct her to Putrajaya *rolls on floor laughing*

Everyone knows I'm hopeless when it comes to directions. Once my granddad came to fetch me from school and instead of directing him to my house I directed him to a cemetery. No one was amused. Except Av who kept annoyingly chirping from the backseat ''I told you so, I told you not to follow her. Nush is rubbish at directions.''

Mel was like ''ok, look out for signboards that say Putrajaya or Lebuhraya Persekutuan.'' I missed the first 2 signs because I was yawning. I yawned so much my eyes started tearing up.

''Oh you must be tired, do you want to stretch out and sleep?''

Waahhh look at her being all sarcastic. I got better though. 5 minutes in the car with someone who curses like a sailor whenever a car cuts in front of her tends to wake you up. Haha, kidd-dingg!!! Mel, you're an awesome driver. Except for that 5 seconds when you drove the wrong way on a one way street and made me fear for my life -______-

We got a bit lost. It took us 2 hours to get to Putrajaya. Obviously we will not be teaming up to join the Amazing Race Asia anytime soon. Walked into the office to hear that we'd come to the wrong place. We were in precinct 4 when the papers were supposed to be submitted to another office in precinct 1 or something like that. Putrajaya is beautiful, but it is freaking huge. And the signboards there are so confusing. Apparently I'll have to drive there when I start working. Not looking forward to that at all.

Our reward to ourselves for making it back from Putrajaya alive:

the apple pie makes this a healthy meal

She tried to convince me to thread my eyebrows, but Nit told me that it's super painful and once you start doing it, you have to keep doing it for the rest of your life unless you want to look like you have a misai growing above each eye. M was like ''not pain, I promise. You won't feel anything.'' I refused and just stood by her chair sipping my coke. Barely 1 second after the woman started threading her eyebrow she started tearing up. I'm never threading my eyebrows. It looked so painful. I'll just make do with my current ones.

London riots 2011

2011-08-15T14:09:00.001+08:00

The rioting and looting that went on London is so scary. So much damage to property, so many people hurt. And most of the perpetrators of the looting, based on what I've read online, are youths. Such a sad display of what a lack of conscience and disregard for how your actions affect others results in.

I read an article saying that what stops most of us from committing such acts is the feeling of belonging in society. We refrain from doing such things because we have too much to lose. That the looters were people who felt like they had nothing to lose because they didn't feel like they belonged anywhere. It's an interesting perspective but I don't know if I entirely agree with it.

This article is also an interesting read.

Painting my face

2011-08-11T22:30:00.001+08:00

I never went through a girly phase when I was growing up. Nit and Av would spend hours playing masak-masak or combing their dolls hair, then putting them in their toy strollers and wheeling them around the garden. I was either busy playing with my red indians and cowboys set or playing catch in the park with the neighbor's son.

Now I'm not such a tomboy anymore. I read Cosmo and I worship at Zara and Topshop. But makeup is another thing altogether. Went over to Shiv's place for awhile because she wanted to ''main make-up''. Actually not main la, it's for this thing we're going for in a couple of weeks and I have to get all dolled up so this was kind of like a test session before the real thing. I don't usually wear make-up because I don't like it.

Ok fine, actually the main reason is that I just don't know how to apply makeup and never bothered to learn. I find the whole process a bit ''ma fan.'' You spend ages applying it, then afterwards you have to spend ages removing it. My whole life I've only worn it twice. Both times for functions. And both times I felt really uneasy. Like there was something heavy on my face. Tak suka.

Poor Shiv. I wouldn't sit still. And I have a sliiigghtt issue with things coming near my eye, so she had her work cut out for her when it was time to apply eyeliner and eyeshadow. When I was younger my eyes would become really red because I was reading all the time and my parents had to wrestle me down on the bed after chasing me around the house and force my eyes open to put eye drops in my eye. So when Shiv brought out what I used to call the color pencil stick (now I know it's eyeliner) I immediately covered my eyes with my hands protectively.

''You have to take away your hands or I can't apply it.''

''What if you jab my eye? I can't become blind now.''

''I won't la, I know what I'm doing, I do this all the time.''

I think I was justified, ok, I remember when we were younger she used to have trouble coloring inside the lines. This isn't a Beauty and the Beast coloring book. This is my eye *wails* Plus the headline would be ridiculous. ''Girl becomes blind after being jabbed in eye with eyeliner stick.'' -______-

But it turns out she is actually quite pro at wielding an eyeliner stick. And homaigod she was so patient with me. Which I know wasn't easy because I was either whining or pulling monkey faces in the mirror the entire time, LOL. Before I knew it she was done and it was time to move on to the next thing. Couldn't wait to cuddle on the floor with this cutie:

I swear he looks like a baby seal with fur. A-dorable!!!

The finished product:

I didn't look like myself. Even Kibbles-the-seal-with-fur didn't recognize me. He took one look and went far far away to lie down, shooting me a ''don't come near me, I dunno you'' look.

Makeup can really make a person look different. I guess once in awhile it's fun to try new things, but I know myself really well and I don't think I'd have the patience to sit down in front of a mirror and apply all this to my face everyday. Came home and told my mom that I wasn't cut out for a daily makeup ritual.

You don't realize how lucky you are. Without makeup you don't look completely terrible *gee, thanks mom, don't compliment me so much, after my head won't fit through the door -____-* because you've been blessed with good skin and sharp features. In fact you should thank me, because you get it from me. It's my legacy to you. Faster sembah my feet. Then after that gimme massage. I had to wake up early to go buy your nasi lemak for breakfast and my back is killing me.

Pfft, look at her being all vainpot.

Tooting horns and accepting compliments.

2011-08-09T23:56:00.008+08:00

I've always had a hard time writing personal statements. There was this uncomfortable awareness at the back of my mind of how toothpick thin that boundary is between selling yourself well and tooting your own horn. I can't even receive compliments properly so I find this kind of thing super hard. I used to do that thing where when someone gives me a compliment I'd either flat out deny it or I'd say something bad about myself to neutralize the nice things they said.

''Wow, you look so pretty in this picture.''

''Oh it's just the angle, trust me, still as uggers as ever.''

''You painted this? Eh really nice la.''

''No, it's terrible. Look, the brushstrokes are so shoddy, you should see my sister's work.''

Then I watched Oprah and realized that this is a really bad thing to do. That the right thing in such a situation is to gracefully accept the compliment. I used Av as my guinea pig and waited for her to compliment me for something. Which is like waiting for pigs to fly because most days all I get from her is ''For the love of god, can you at least comb your hair before you come out with me. And don't wear a shirt with lubang here there all. You look like a hobo.'' But finally, one day when I was randomly sketching:

''Not bad, that drawing is quite nice.''

''Quite nice? Puh-leeze, it should be hanging in the Louvre. Now polish my tiara.'' *flips hair*

Haha, kidd-dinggg!!! I would never say something like that seriously.

Usually when I have to write something I just dive right in and start writing because I hate writing out plans and drafts. So whenever I had to write stuff like personal statements where I had to write at least 2-3 drafts before I was satisfied I used to alternate between this:

...and this:

Now I'm in the process of writing cover letters for job applications. It's like the same process all over again, but this time it's a tiny bit easier. Wow, I must be growing up. Either that, or I've done it so many times already and you know what they say about practice. But I'll always be more comfortable with expressing how passionate I am for a particular thing than why I think I'm qualified for it.

Driving me crazy

2011-08-05T01:40:00.000+08:00

I've been putting off calling a driving school to enquire about refresher courses. Unfortunately it has come to this because my parents ~~don't love me enough to teach me themselves~~ are busy. After following me on the road for all of 30 minutes my dad told my mom ''I can't do it anymore, she's such a dramaqueen. It's your turn.'' Kudos to mom, she lasted 10 minutes longer than that before she asked me whether I really passed the driving test (yes I did on my second try, and no, I didn't bribe the examiner -____-).

I think my reluctance to drive stems from the event I've dubbed the Really Traumatic Experience. The guys in A-Levels used to bully me. A lot. Once Liz had to go sit far away from me (behind behind there) because she didn't want to get caught in the crossfire. My mom is super conservative and they knew it. When she phoned me, they would stand really close to my phone and say nonsense things like ''Nush, give me my shirt back, we shouldn't do this in a classroom'' or ''hey, we have the whole lift to ourselves, finally we can be alone.'' Because I didn't get into enough trouble with my parents on my own they decided to help me out -_____-

One day, I'd just finished calling all of them losers and kacau-ing them, then I stalked outside to where my mom was waiting and told her I wanted to drive home. I forgot to put the gear in reverse and ended up getting my car stuck on a curb. Right in front of the main entrance to the building. On results day. And it wouldn't budge. I swear the universe has it in for me. Always putting me in ridiculous situations right out of sitcoms. It was so difficult for me to swallow my pride, go back inside, smile sweetly and ask the guys to come and help me lift my car off the curb. ''You want us to what? Swear you won't call us losers again for a month, and tell us how good looking we all are.'' Normally I'd have a comeback ready but I had to hold my tongue. Sadness.

9 guys, 15 minutes of teasing and laughing, 10 minutes of ''1, 2, 3, lift'' and 1 guy who pulled out a camera phone to video the whole thing and who almost got smacked by me later, I got into the car. Passenger seat, due to my mom's insistence (you make one tiny mistake...) and no thanks to one of the doinks who went ''aunty, don't let her drive anymore, not safe for other people on the road.''

I got home 10 minutes later and immediately called Liz who had missed the whole thing because she'd been on the other campus to tell her about my traumatic experience. News spreads like wildfire ok. Even as she went ''hello'' I could hear someone in the background saying ''...on the curb, and it was HILARIOUS. Everyone saw...'' Su-per embarrassing.

Now when my mom tells me ''I don't understand why you don't want to drive'' I remind her of that incident. Then she stops bugging me, because I think that incident embarrassed her too. She was like ''Ala, what if people think it runs in the family? You always embarrass me...'' Someone called my mom and offered to take me driving, a kind of informal refreshers course. And while he was on the phone with my mom, my dad goes ''no, poor guy, he'll be so traumatized, ask him not to put himself through it.'' I looked to Av for words of encouragement and got ''try not to kill him, he's supposed to fly to the States in 5 days.''

I know I have to learn, especially since I'll be starting work in a few months. My parking is particularly bad. I always feel like I'm going to scrape the side of the car along the curb, then I'll get down and see that I've parked in the middle of the road -____-

Reflection mode

2011-08-02T12:10:00.000+08:00

I'm slowly realizing how important it is to surround yourself with people who make you want to be a better person, people who are genuinely happy for you when you succeed in life but who at the same time motivate you to reach greater heights. More importantly, people who accept you for the person you are, imperfections and all, but who are not afraid to tell you about your flaws so that you can improve on yourself and become a better person.

Telling you what you want to hear is easy-peasy, anyone can do it, but someone who genuinely cares for your well-being will tell you what you need to hear, even if they can sense that you don't want to hear it and there's a chance you'll hate them for a while after that.

They say that you don't get to choose your family but you do get to choose your friends, so you should choose wisely. Thank god I've been really lucky in both departments. Hopefully I'm somewhat close to being this kind of person for the people around me.

Weighing scales are evil.

2011-08-01T23:13:00.001+08:00

When I studied in the UK I discovered this thing called cheesy chips. Basically fries hot from the oven with melted cheese drizzled all over them. Super yum. And super fattening. I stole a picture from Google image:

cholesterol overload

Then I came back to KL and wanted to kill myself when I stepped onto the scale in my parents room. I gained 4 kgs. I calmly turned to my mom who was standing there being kepoh. ''Your scale is obviously inaccurate. I hate it, and your room is uggers.'' *stomps away after kicking scale*

For 2 days I had to put up with her coming to my room and asking me to try on clothes in her fake innocent tone. Then when it didn't fit she'd shake her head and say ''oh really? That's so weird, when I was your age, that top was too big for me. But you're saying it's too small for you? Oh dear oh dear oh dear,'' all the while unsuccessfully trying to hide the big smile on her face. If it had been anyone else I'd have told them to take their 'oh dear(s)' and shove it. Finally I told her that I was going to daddy's office to weigh myself on the really accurate scale. My dad has one of these in his office:

So cool, can measure height AND weight.

The next day my dad was laughing at me standing in his office, wailing ''omgggg, I didn't gain 4, I gained 5. I hate your stupid scale!!!'' I even took off all my accessories and shoes, but the needle still pointed to the same number.

Av was also laughing at me. But the last laugh was on her. She went to the gym, watched what she ate, went for yoga classes and long walks with my parents, and did sit ups at home for a month after that while I avoided the gym and any form of exercise like the plague, ate all the junk food I wanted and ordered McDonalds for myself everytime they went for their yoga classes. At the end of 1 month, she gained weight and I lost weight. She's still whining about it.

But I've been thinking about it and I'm definitely going to join a gym. As much as I hate to admit it, my parents are right. It's not about losing weight, it's about being healthy. And the two are not always synonymous, unfortunately.

Gift dilemmas

2011-07-30T01:28:00.000+08:00

Buying gifts is not my forte. Especially when it comes to guys. Guys are so lucky, ok, it's like freaking easy to buy a girl a present she will like. Just get flowers, chocolate, anything fluffy, or make a reservation at a spa. I mean, we already don't expect much from you because we don't think you'll remember the important dates. You can buy us a box of Jacobs Cream Crackers and we'll just be happy you even remembered the occasion. But OHMYGODDD I hate shopping for guys. Most of the ones I know have read 2 books in their lives, so books are out, and it's not like you can get them decorative ornaments. All the guys who know me are so unlucky. They just get shirts for every occasion.

The only thing harder than shopping for guys is shopping for people in their 70s or 80s. We had the birthday party of a close family friend to attend and we were trying to come up with gift ideas. What do you get a person who has everything? In my unbiased opinion, my suggestion was the best *flips hair*. I suggested buying her a turband. Everyone ignored my suggestion. Rudeness -_____-

I Googled ''useful gifts for mature women'' to get some ideas. Pfft, waste of 10 minutes. I mean, what is anyone going to do with an engraved palladium clock?

It's difficult because they're at a stage in their life where they don't really want anything (but when I'm 80 I will still want hairbands and a pony), and everything they need they already have. I turned to my dad. ''Not that you're not old now, but when you turn 80 what would you want as a gift?'' He flicked my head and said that on his next birthday the invite would say that instead of presents he would prefer it if people donated money to one of the listed charities instead. Then he asked me whether I'd follow suit. ''Um, yeah, maybe when I'm 80, because my next one is going to say please donate to my DSLR fund.''

Turband

2011-07-29T11:26:00.000+08:00

I'm so into hairbands now. My collection is rapidly growing, and I think I have about 20. Everything from simple and understated to ones with prints and embellishments. Unlike my clothes, where I say I love them all equally but secretly I love a few of them more than the rest, I love all my hairbands equally. If I didn't think my parents would throw a fit I would spend hours every night cooing ''my preciousss'' while stroking my hairbands before falling asleep. Just like Smeagol and his ring.

Bought most of them in London and a lot of effort was involved. My usual shopping buddy is Liz ( it's good to have a best friend who's sensible when it comes to the departments in which you lack willpower, in return I stop her from buying up entire shoe shops) who is verryyy strict with me when it comes to shopping and who doesn't understand the love affair I have with hairbands. Poor thing. I put the hairbands on and followed her around the store making kissy faces at her until she relented and went ''homaigod, you're so embarrassing, just buy la.'' In fact when P came down to the UK for awhile and asked me to teman her shopping, Liz just looked at her and said ''You're going with Nush? Good luck, man.'' -____- Su-per Rude.

Now there's this turban styled hairband, which I think they've dubbed the turband (ewww hate the name). Initially I wasn't sure how I felt about them, but I found these on ASOS and I think I quite like them.

Immediately pasted the link on Liz's wall going ''yay or nay? Please say yay!!!'' Sadly, she called me crazy and said nay :'( I chose to ignore that and asked Mel. She said I'm nuts too. I'm going to pretend I didn't hear what she said. After all...

...if it's good enough for Kate Moss...

Although, I can't imagine where I'd wear it to in Malaysia. I definitely don't think my family is ready for it. Wore my giant bow hairband out that day.

My grandma pulled the bow up and went ''you think you look very cute is it?'' -________-

Life would be so boring if everyone dressed entirely sensibly all the time.

Sandy growing old.

2011-07-27T01:01:00.001+08:00

I went outside to the front porch today and Sandy didn't come running like she always does. Usually the second she hears the clinking of the keys, even before I manage to get the lock open she's already waiting for me, prancing in circles with her tail wagging (if I'm carrying food, there will be some major drooling going on as well). Another sign my darling is getting old. I've only seen her once a year for the last 3 years, so when I came home I immediately noticed the differences. The whiskers on her face are graying, she doesn't jump in circles anymore, and she doesn't drag me along the way she used to when I walk her.

But one thing is the same, she is still verryyy manja with me. I sat down to spend some quality time with her and she immediately came over and put her head on my lap. Such a familiar gesture. It just brought back all the memories of how she would come and lie on my lap for hours so I could stroke her head while I daydreamed or whenever I was upset.

After manja-ing her and telling her how adorable and lovable she is (in baby talk of course) I tried to get up to go inside and she put her paw on my arm to stop me. I didn't have the heart to ignore that so I stayed out with her for awhile longer. She's not allowed inside the house so I used to go out to teman her last time when there were fireworks or thunder because she freaks out when there are loud noises, especially that period when we first got her. Dogs that have been abandoned can be quite skittish.

It's so heartbreaking that dogs have such short life spans. She's already 10. I wish dogs could live for as long as humans do. Losing a pet is always horrible. Even contemplating it can make me tear up.

But then 2 days after that, I gave her a bath, which she always hates and tries to squirm out of, and she started merajuk-ing and wouldn't look at me for the rest of the day.

Wordplay

2011-07-26T00:34:00.001+08:00

I love word games. Everything from vocable, scrabble, boggle, bananagrams, crosswords, and upwords. But my absolute favorite is scrabble. I have 5 scrabble boards at home. Unfortunately, my whole family refuses to play with me. I've tried pleading, bribing and nagging. Nothing works. They give me every excuse in the book. My personal favorite is Nit's excuse. ''Don't ask me, I don't know how to play.'' It's depressing. They don't even come up with decent excuses. My scrabble boards were just sitting there staring at me accusingly.

When I was in HELP, they had a scrabble board in the DSA and I somehow managed to wheedle Chris and Schmandrew into playing with me. I put down my first word, then they started flicking the tiles at me one by one. Rude-ness -____- I even tried to convince the best friend to main, but she's in her guitar hero phase and doesn't think she will ever go through a scrabble phase. I'm disowning her for obvious reasons.

So I did what the Chess people who have no opponents do. I started playing against myself. Even the scrabble tiles are laughing at how big a loser I am *hangs head in shame* I was so happy when facebook came up with their scrabble application. Grr but no one will play with me on facebook too. Well, no one will play fair, that is. They're all more than happy to play if I pass my turn 5 times before putting down my first word and if I don't put down any bingo words. Pschht, as if!!!

When I was in sekolah menengah I actually joined scrabble competitions which were so much fun because you get to play with other people your age who also enjoy the game. The prizes were a bit...redundant though. Once I won 3 scrabble boards. But gave them to my school. I mean, what am I going to do with 8 scrabble boards? Use them as place mats?

Mommy's spa day

2011-07-25T00:59:00.000+08:00

For my mom's birthday, we had the whole day planned out. Breakfast at my her favorite place Old Town White Coffee House, trip to my grandma's house where cake was waiting, then after that because we were sick of her already we decided to dump her in a spa and leave. *rolls on floor laughing* No la, she's always running around after us kids and my dad, doing a million things at once, so I thought she deserved a break from us brats.

It was supposed to be a surprise so I panicked a bit when she overheard me on the phone making the reservation. But I think I recovered pretty well *flips hair*

''Who were you speaking to so quietly?''

''Um, my secret fiance Pedro the crack dealer. Oops I guess not so secret anymore.''

''Don't bluff, I heard you say spa.''

''Deaf la you, I said spar, because he wants to take up fencing.''

Brought her to a spa in Desa Sri Hartamas, which is so beautiful. It had a water feature I fell in love with and I've now decided that I'm going to install something similar in my future home.

I know what my mom's like so once she'd been whisked away for her pampering session, I went to the spa owner and told him not to tell my mom how much the session cost. He started laughing at me. ''No you don't understand, she can be very persuasive, so you have to hold your ground and refuse to tell her. Be strong.'' I even made the muscle man pose. He started laughing even harder.

True enough when she came home she asked me ''what did you tell the owner? I asked him how much the session was and he said he was under strict orders not to divulge that information.''

I realized that I'd forgotten to specify that I wanted her to get a Balinese massage. I felt so bad when she said a fat woman sat on her (I think she got a Swedish massage). But not that bad. I like to lie on the floor on my stomach when I'm watching TV, and she'll always say ''the sofas aren't there for decoration.'' After asking me to sit up a couple of times (requests which I'll pretend not to hear), she'll come and sit on me and say while giggling ''what??? I'm giving you a massage. Appreciate it.'' This is what they call karma.

Annual fake out.

2011-07-24T00:52:00.002+08:00

Whenever results are pending, I always go into worry mode and second guess everything. Did I put in enough effort? Maybe I should have spent that one weekend studying instead of having that Gene Kelly movie marathon...maybe I should have paid attention in class instead of building castles in the air...made more short notes, started revision earlier...Then by the time results are actually out, I would have moved on to stressing over the next thing and I won't even take the time to celebrate.

I was so worried about the results for the Bar exams being published. The thing about having a really large close knit family is everyone cares and takes an interest in how you're doing so there's this added pressure of not wanting to disappoint so many people. It's not about being kiasu or anything like that, I just really hate the idea of disappointing the people I love. I told everyone results were coming out a month after they were actually coming out so I could have time to adjust if I actually failed.

Tried telling myself that results don't matter, the only thing that matters is that I tried my best and worked hard, but the stupid devil on my shoulder kept saying ''pfft, they don't hand out certs for hours clocked in the law library.'' I hate the small devil on my shoulder. She's the one who sneakily whispers ''it's ok to buy birthday cake just to eat the icing. Just ask the people at the counter to write Happy Birthday on it and they'll never know'' and ''yes, the criminal litigation exam is tomorrow, but I think you can squeeze in one more Glee episode now.'' The devil on my shoulder is evil and has gotten me grounded so many times when I was younger. I told my dad he should be grounding the devil on my shoulder but he said that the only one he sees horns on is me -______-

Came down for breakfast on results day with a PMS face and locked myself in my room until 9 am UK time. Then after I saw my results I tried to hide the giant smile on my face so I could give my parents their yearly ''oh no I failed'' fake out. Went to my mom. ''I failed la, how now?'' She looked at me for a long time. ''No you didn't.'' As I was insisting ''yes I did, would I, your firstborn, lie to you about this? Look at my halo, is it not shining extra brightly?'' a smile was already creeping on my face. Damn my sucky poker face skills.

Dad was at work, so I thought it would be easier to bluff him. I even put my crying voice on when I phoned him up. ''Daaaddd, I failed 2 papers, I don't know how, I worked so hard and now it feels like my heart is breaking into a million tiny pieces. I don't think I'll ever get over this.'' I dunno why he didn't believe me. Too much? Ok fine, maybe I overdid it a little. He was like ''why is it that I have more faith in you than you have in yourself?'' One of these days if I really do screw up *touch wood like crazy* them not believing me is going to make me feel so much worse about myself.

Results day was a bit bittersweet. I said goodbye to my last year as a student. I think. My parents are still trying to convince me to do a PhD. I don't anticipate them being successful. The idea of everyone who teases me now having to address me as Dr is so tempting, but I've spent 5 loonggg years reading law. Most of my friends started work last year because they did their Bar exams while I was doing my Masters and I feel so left behind. Their work related complaints seem so grown up compared to my ''I haven't slept in 48 hours because of this stupid exam and I'm behind on all my tv shows'' grumblings.

A little bit homesick

2011-07-22T01:12:00.000+08:00

I've been missing London quite a bit this week. You don't live somewhere for that long without it coming to feel a bit like home. And everyone keeps kacau-ing me by sending me super long facebook messages about how good the summer sales are and sending me pictures of their happy faces at Oxford Street and Covent Garden carrying all the carrier bags with my favorite store names stamped on them. Smack them. They purposely one.

Was bragging to my friend who's stuck in London until September awhile back and texted her going ''oi, guess what...at restaurant having Nasi Lemak with a side of Hainanese Chicken Rice. Later for dessert having yummy Wantan Mee at Petaling Street. You should join us. Oh wait. You're stuck in London. Guess it's fish and chips for you today then *rolls on floor laughing* ''

2 seconds later I received this message. ''At Zara your house of worship and everything is 50% off. You should totally drop by because everything here just screams your name. Oh wait, you're not in London. Oh well, guess you'll have to make do with Petaling Street *laughing so hard I dropped my hundred Zara carrier bags* ''

-_______-

Su-per Mean!!!

Then just when I was feeling homesick for my kind-of-other home, I got 2 packages in the mail. From the UK. Made me feel so loved, and at the same time it kind of made me miss London a little bit more. And this time it wasn't the shopping that I missed (yes, occasionally, I do think about other things), but the people :(

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2011-07-20T01:26:00.003+08:00

Just got back from seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. J.K. Rowling is a genius. I love the Harry Potter books, reread them countless times and it's amazing how she's managed to create a world so detailed that you can see it in your mind as you're reading even before you see any of the movies. A million times better than that stupid Twilight series which depends solely on teenage angst and sexual tension to attract it's tween audience. I love the fact that there's this background story of good triumphing over evil *polishes wand - ok fine, it's just a broken rotan*

We had dinner in Esquire Kitchen (which has amazing service btw, the Tropicana City Mall branch at least) and throughout dinner me and Av were quizzing my parents to see if they were worthy of being admitted into Hogwarts.

Av's question was ''what's a muggle?'' and my mom went ''aiyah, that one I dunno la.'' My uber cool dad immediately chimed in ''I know, I know, a human being'' with a smug look on his face. It's sad really, how excited he got over this quiz.

My question was super easy. ''What's Quidditch?'' My mom couldn't answer fast enough. ''Omg I know this one, it's what they call their brooms.'' -_____- Obviously not worthy of being admitted into Hogwarts, this one *gets Hogwarts reject stamp ready*

The best part of watching movies in the cinema is the trailers they play before the movie itself. I always go super early to catch the trailers. I'm sad like that. The Rise of the Planet of the Apes trailer came on. I immediately turned to Av and whispered ''look, it's your identical face twin.'' Then the pop drink advert came on where the guy drinks a bottle of pop then starts skateboarding like a pro. I turned to Av again. ''Do you think if I drink pop I'll be able to skateboard like that?'' She pretended not to know me. Rude-ness.

When did this...

...become this:

The cast is all grown up now, and seeing them makes me feel a bit old. This movie wasn't as frothy and fun as the other ones, it was a bit more dark and a bit more grown up. One thing hasn't changed though. Rupert Grint is still as adorable as ever *swoon*

Alan Rickman was brilliant as Severus Snape. Even while doing the vilest things he played Snape in such a way that a tiny part of me was convinced there was some good in him. There was a vulnerability there and I found myself kind of rooting for Snape throughout all the Harry Potter films. And Helena Bonham Carter played Bellatrix Lestrange beautifully. I left the cinema in pain and feeling quite sad. The sadness was because there aren't going to be anymore Harry Potter books, and no more films unless they remake them many years from now, and everyone knows that most remakes butcher the originals. The pain was due to me breaking in my new Aldo shoes.

When I complained of the pain, dad smugly pointed out how comfy his feet were in his crocs. If my feet hadn't been dying at that point I would have informed him that while I'm sure crocs are comfy they're so uggers they hurt my eyes.

When we reached home after the movie, mom pointed to a plane in the sky and told me ''look, the star is moving.'' Then she started laughing hysterically because she thought she was being so funny since she made me look at the sky. Lame-ness. Just how stupid does she think I am? Pfft.

I would so quit law school if I could go to Hogwarts.

Weekend at grandmas

2011-07-19T16:59:00.000+08:00

Grandmas rock, no one manjas you quite as well as them. Went to stay over at my paternal grandmas place over the weekend to teman her and I had so much fun. Whenever I come down from the UK both my grandmas always have a feast prepared for me. All my favorite food, all at once. My parents always shake their head going ''they think you starve yourself in London is it? Do they know you spend more money on food than you spend on clothes?''

It's so funny, back there, my handphone is practically glued to my hand, while my other hand is frantically typing away at my laptop. But I haven't gotten a Malaysian sim card yet. My first week without a phone, I felt like I was missing a limb or something. Then it just felt liberating. Now I'm putting it off for as long as I can. Plus I was ''internet-less'' when I was at her place.

Everyone should do this whenever they're feeling stressed. Just switch off your phone and put your laptop away. Your stress level immediately drops. You get so much more accomplished during the day when you're not stuck on facebook and replying texts. Not only that, but when these electronic distractions go away, you develop a new found appreciation for the people around you.

I had the best time, asking her about how my dad was when he was little and whether he was as good as he *ahem* claims to have been (it's important to find out these things so I have something to hold over his head the next time he looks at me holding up a handbag with a hopeful expression on my face and instead of saying ''of course, my angel, anything you want, you deserve it'' he instead says ''another handbag? what for? Your room already looks like it's an altar built to worship the god of handbags'').

Time just flew by, we'd talk over breakfast and suddenly realize 3 hours had passed, it was almost lunch time and we were still sitting in front of our breakfast plates. My last night there, I stayed up with her til 3 am showing her my London and Europe pictures, going through old family pictures, talking about all the memories we had and everything under the sun, from future career, life, my dreams for the future and boys. She has so many life stories and I realized that sometimes I tend to forget that the easy life I have now and the main reason both my parents are the amazing people they are today is due to the hard work and sacrifices my grandparents made.

Last weekend also made me realize that grandparents are with us for much too short a time and it's important to appreciate them while we have them here with us. I remember one day when I was 16, my dad had given me his umpteenth lecture on my potty mouth. Later that day he was driving me, Nit and my grandma somewhere when this car suddenly just cut in front of him without signaling. I had a few choice words ready to describe the driver of that car but I swallowed them remembering the nagging I'd received earlier on bad language. Then from the backseat, my not-even-5-foot-tall grandma loudly goes ''look at that bloody bugger, which jackass gave him a drivers license?'' Nit and I almost lost it trying not to laugh out loud. Dad just shook his head.

I reminded her of this incident, pinching her cheeks and ruffling her hair while teasing her about how I probably inherited my potty mouth from her (not the only thing I inherited from her. There's a huge treadmill at her place and the only time she uses it is to rest her feet on when she's talking on the phone, the same way I hang clothes on the handlebars of my gym bike). She laughingly told me ''yeah, this one you go and pick up, but all those years I spoke Tamil to you, that one you couldn't pick up.'' -_________-

Why you gotta be so mean?

2011-07-15T19:24:00.000+08:00

I don't know why, but some people really don't like seeing others happy or doing well. No matter how well we're doing in life there will always be someone who's better off than us, someone who's better looking, who's more charming, who's richer, who's smarter, etc, and it's normal to feel envious of such people, but jealousy is ugly when it's harnessed in the wrong way. That's when the catty comments start coming out.

It's one thing to use it to motivate yourself to do better, to try and achieve greater things, to aspire to be like the person you envy, but there are people out there who like to try and bring the other person down, whether by words or by actions. It smacks of bitterness. Obviously if someone comes and tells me something in private, I know they're probably just trying to get me to improve on myself so that I can be a better person, but if someone announces something loudly in front of a room full of people, I'm not stupid. I'll still take it as constructive criticism and use whatever they said to better myself, but I know their main intention is to make me feel small and embarrassed.

My way of handling it is to not stoop to their level and say something mean back. I try to just laugh it off while at the same time trying to see if what the person is saying has any truth or validity to it. People can say anything they want, it doesn't detract from the person you are or your achievements. They're just words and if others are so easily influenced by those words then they're not people whose opinions should be affecting me anyway.

At the end of the day all that really matters to me is that my conscience is clear and I can say that I've never intentionally said or done anything to hurt someone's feelings, which is more than certain people can say. My parents were right. Sometimes people just say certain things to see if they can get a reaction out of you. Not reacting and brushing it off while laughing is the best way to handle these situations. You get to be the bigger person while at the same time annoying the other person by your lack of reaction, because it shows that what they say doesn't affect you.

The gym is my enemy

2011-07-12T19:40:00.000+08:00

When I was around 16, my dad came home from work one day and nonchalantly informed me and my sisters that he had just made us members of the club he and my mom go to. Now, I'm not a club person. Even in high school when joining all the persatuans and clubs was mandatory I tried my darnedest to get out of it.

PBSM? Oh, sorry the meeting day clashed with my (non-existent) violin lessons which I just couldn't drop because my mom had a lifelong dream that her firstborn child would master this beautiful string instrument. Kelab Badminton? I attended the club meetings, but conveniently had severe migraines everytime the phrase ''ok, let's go to the badminton court'' was mentioned.

Don't even get me started on PE classes. Every week I would insist that I had period cramps and couldn't participate in PE classes. When my teacher finally got sick of my blatant lying and went ''eh macam mana ni Anusha, you ingat cikgu bodoh ke, setiap minggu mana boleh kena period'' I resorted to softly telling her ''err, saya allergic bola la, kalau sentuh getah yang mereka guna to buat bola tu, nanti kena hantar hospital.'' Needless to say, I'm not a fan of exercise.

So when my dad rattled on about how this club was awesome because it had a huge pool, badminton courts, tennis courts, a gym, horse riding, blah blah blah, I was already trying to figure out if he would fall for my period cramps excuse. Here's the bad thing about having a dad who's a doctor. Once when I felt really unwell during an exam, the invigilator had to call my dad. I waited for my loving dad to come and fetch me home and fuss over me because I was ill. He came to school, gave me an injection, patted my head and wished me good luck for the remainder of the exam -______- So no, he didn't fall for this excuse.

When I found out how much membership fees at that club are (don't even get me started on how elitist I think these clubs are), I felt like I'd been running on a treadmill for 10 hours. Do you know how many pretty clothes I can buy with that money??? I immediately turned to my parents and held out my hand. ''I forfeit my membership, give me the money instead.'' My mom was quick to reply ''I forfeit you, give me back all the money I spent feeding, clothing and educating you.'' Damn, why la my parents so smart.

All these years, I've been to the pool maybe 5 times, and the badminton courts twice. My first time at the gym in the club was only today when my mom forced me to wake up at ~~9 am~~ the crack of dawn to teman her and Av to the gym. I temaned them once before a couple of years ago before I left for the UK, but I gave them my fake period story and spent an hour and a half bonding with my new best friend the vending machine and cooing terms of endearment to it while they gymmed it out. So I was not a happy chicky today. Pfft, some more they dragged me there without having the decency to give me my coffee first. Grumpily stalked up to the sign in counter and asked the lady where the nearest cafeteria was. She looked amused then started to laugh. My mom and Av just shook their heads in embarrassment. I half expected them to go ''oh my, I don't know who this strange girl is, she just followed us in from the parking lot.''

Walked in and saw all the scary looking machines. They look like the things aboard the mothership that the aliens used to conduct experiments on people in Steven Spielberg's Taken miniseries. Would have walked out if my mom hadn't had one hand in a vise like grip around my arm.

My mom was like ''ok you try the treadmill first. I'll put it at a really slow speed for you.'' So I got on, and started walking. Was just thinking that it wasn't so bad when I heard a beeping sound and it started going faster. Then another beeping sound and it went at Sonic the Hedgehog speed. Randomly jabbed buttons in panic, trying to get it to slow down but it wouldn't and when I looked for my mom while having a minor heart attack, she was looking at the ceiling, then the floor, then the walls, basically looking everywhere but at me. That's when I knew. My mom sabo-ed me -____-

Decided not to make the same mistake twice and settled for the safe option, the bike. Finally something that has a ''stop'' button clearly marked. I'm very pro at using the gym bike. When I was 13, my dad bought Nit and Av giant normal bikes each. Then because I don't know how to cycle *hides face in shame* he got me a gym bike. Nit and Av used to cycle around the park on their bikes. I hung clothes on the handles of my bike.

Told myself to just work through the pain. That it would be worth it because in the end I would get a super toned body like this woman in the picture that was hanging on the wall of the gym.

What do you mean this isn't the position everyone adopts when they lift weights?

5 minutes later, I was like this:

I'm so lucky I have a high metabolism, especially with all the junk food and crap I eat. But dad had a serious talk with me and I totally get why he wants me to exercise. It's not about getting a hot body or whatever, it's about being healthy. He said that I'm becoming an adult now, and I need to be more careful about what I eat and my fitness regime. Basically he told me that they're annoying me because they care, LOL.

A better Malaysia

2011-07-11T23:02:00.000+08:00

Stumbled upon an article on Free Malaysia Today and saw a picture of Datuk A Samad Said who joined the Bersih 2.0 rally on Friday. He's 76 years old. He walked 8 km, and for 5 of those km he walked barefoot because he lost his shoes in KL Sentral. Do you know what I was doing when this amazing man was doing this? I was at home, not doing my part. Just looking at that picture alone made me feel so ashamed. Some issues are really too important not to take a stand on. People like Datuk A Samad Said, Ambiga Sreenevasan and Marina Mahathir are so inspiring. They go all out to support the causes they believe in, fearlesly and unselfishly disregarding the possible adverse consequences to themselves.

I missed home a lot the whole 3 years I was in London. I love the fact that Malaysia is probably one of the few, if not the only, place in the world where you can say a sentence comprised of words from 3 different languages like ''eh, that ang moh guy in the kemeja merah in the corner there is so leng chai lah'' and practically everyone around you will understand exactly what you're saying.

I'll be honest. Throughout primary and secondary school when they made us sing Negaraku at every assembly and made us memorize the Rukun Negara, seeing the Malaysia Truly Asia ads, and later on when the 1Malaysia concept was shoved down our throats, not once did I feel as much patriotism as when I saw pictures and heard accounts of how people of all different races took to the street united by their vision of and desire for a better Malaysia.

What democracy?

2011-07-10T17:59:00.001+08:00

Surely you don't decide to support something based on the people connected to the cause. That makes it nothing more than a popularity contest. You support something based on the vision/ idea/ principle it stands for, independent of the individuals who propagate it, and whatever their reasons for propagating it are.

''a pure heart cannot make a wrong act right; neither can an impure heart make a right act wrong.''

- Rachels, J.

A reasonable person would realize that people can go out to rally for a cause without being influenced by the intentions of the people who organized the rally and without any violence ensuing, as long as those people are reasonably intelligent and know how to think and reason for themselves.

The Malaysian police force made what seems like a preemptive strike in order to prevent a rally calling for electoral reforms by locking down certain parts of KL. Our country is so weird. The government tries to cripple rallies calling for a more transparent election system claiming they're illegal and will cause unrest, but they go and do things like send mat rempits who are a menace to society on sky diving expeditions.

I've seen larger rallies for less serious causes in London where the activists were aided by the police instead of being fired with tear gas canisters. There was no violence, and the police assistance minimized any disruptions to other civilians. The justifications for how the government handled things just illustrates that they think Malaysian citizens are unable to think for themselves. But then again, this isn't the first time something they've said or done has illustrated that this is how they think of us. All they succeeded in doing is acting as if they have something to hide, and it was their actions that caused the very thing they claimed they were trying to prevent.

I feel sad, a bit disappointed, but not very surprised. I spent ages trying to convince my parents that returning to KL was the right thing for me to do. That the things they told me about were just small matters that had been blown out of proportion. Now I'm starting to second guess my decision.

Hair adventures

2011-07-06T18:44:00.000+08:00

I have dead straight hair that I inherited from the Chinese side of my family, and for 20 years, the most daring thing I did in terms of hairstyle was change the parting on my head from the right side to the left side. Even that I spent like 2 hours badgering my mom ''are you sure? Are you sure parting my hair on this side doesn't make my face look fatter?'' She got so annoyed that after an hour she was like ''aiyah, just shave all your hair off la, then you won't have this problem, you will stop bugging me, and I can watch my drama in peace. Oh and I can save on shampoo also.'' -________- See how much she loves me???

My friends and cousins used to straighten their hair, curl it, dye it all sorts of colors, highlight their hair and go for hair treatments, but my dad's a doctor and he scared me with horror stories of what the chemicals they put on your hair during these processes can do to you (I don't know how true these stories are, I'm pretty sure the ''I know someone who did this and all her hair turned into straw'' story is so NOT true), so for years I just looked on jealously as everyone I knew went to functions looking so glamorous and different while I looked like my same caplang self.

Then last year I decided to just take the plunge and curl my hair. I don't know if it's like this for everyone, but the first time you go to a hair salon knowing you're going to get a bucket load of chemicals poured onto your scalp can be really nerve wrecking. I was second guessing my decision the whole drive there. Thoughts like ''crap, what if they misunderstand what I want and give me afro hair like mom said?'' and ''what if the chemicals make all my hair fall out, am I really confident that I can pull off the bald look?'' and ''that Kay Kay girl from chick vs dick curled her hair and looked super aunty afterwards, what if that happens to me?'' kept floating around inside my head.

Just to make sure there was no miscommunication, I went there with a picture clutched tightly in my hand:

I had my eyes closed the whole time they were perming my hair, just telling myself to think positive thoughts. When I opened my eyes, I was shocked to see that I looked like a poodle. Pfft, obviously the positive thoughts thing doesn't work. And Av chose that moment to kindly inform me that on the way back we'd be stopping to take our passport photos for our UK Visa applications. She purposely one. Smack her. Thanks to her, my current UK Visa picture looks more like a mugshot. Went home and snuck quietly into my room without seeing my parents to hold off the ''I told you so(s)'' for as long as possible.

But after I washed all the chemicals out of my hair the next day (supposed to be 2 days but I cheated) it looked amazing. Better than I expected.

Smugly went to Av and Nit, flicking my hair and bragging ''wow, look, I have Kate Hudson's hair.'' Of course they didn't take this sitting down, years of sisterly bickering has led to snappier comebacks and they didn't disappoint. ''Too bad they couldn't give you her face also.'' -____-

But it's true, chemicals do damage your hair. I could feel that my hair was dryer than usual, and they said it would last me 6 months, but it lasted me all of 2 days so they told me to come back so that they could reperm my hair. That was a fun experience. Sitting in the hair salon while the hairdressers loudly kept repeating ''it's because you have VIRGIN hair'' putting extra emphasis on the word virgin. I wanted to bury my face in my magazine and be swallowed up by their amazingly comfy black leather swivel chair. Made an informed decision not to inform my parents about my double dose of hair chemicals.

Now my hair's straightened out again. I miss my curly hair. My straight hair seems so boring compared to the curls I had a few months ago. But everyone keeps confusing me. Mel and Sooj were like ''straight hair suits you better.'' Pfft, if I didn't know better I would think my mom had gotten to them first. TL thinks I look more exotic with the curls. In the end my dad gave me the best advice:

I think you look nicer with straight hair, but at the end of the day you should leave what everyone else thinks aside and do what you feel you like. As long as you are happy with the end result, whether everyone else is happy with it or not is irrelevant. As long as what you do doesn't affect and has no negative consequences for anyone.

He's so wise, my dad. Mom took the high road as usual. She was like ''come darling, I know you malas to go hair salon, I'll trim your hair for you on the back patio.'' On hindsight, I should have been more suspicious. She never calls me darling. It's always ''oi, lazy bum!!!''

I told her to snip off 2 cm because I just wanted to get rid of split ends before I re-curled my hair. 10 minutes later, I was staring at the huge chunk of hair on the ground, horrified. She'd cut it to shoulder length. That's like, more than even 2 inches ok, let alone 2 cm. She innocently went ''oh dear, the scissors slipped and I accidentally cut it a bit shorter than I meant to so I evened it out...oh no...I guess you can't curl your hair now, otherwise it will shorten to your ears and you'll look like a boy with curly hair.'' I don't know why she thinks she can fool me with that tone. I invented that innocent tone.

I didn't speak to her for 2 days. Thank god my hair grows quite fast. Just have to postpone my plans for a month.

Dinner at Marche

2011-07-02T14:39:00.001+08:00

I have quite a big extended family and I'm very close to each and every one of them, so one of the things I missed the most when I went to the UK to study was how we would regularly pop into each others houses to say hi and chill, the noise level, giggling and laughter that would fill my house on any festival or occassion, the yummy food during our group pot luck dinners...and you get the drill. Plus everyone ended up on different continents to study, so the time difference and hectic schedules made it next to impossible to skype or call each other (facebook was our savior). Was super excited to have our first group outing in ages, just the 5 of us cousins (normally 6 but Nit is still overseas with no hols coming up in the next 3 months so after rubbing how much fun we were going to have in her face, we left her to slave over her medical text books. We are so kind like that).

Decided to head to The Curve for a makan session (omg it's changed SO FREAKING MUCH since the last time I went there) at Marche. I'd put up pics of us, but everyone is so pretty (why?? why did I lose out in the gene pool lottery???) and I look quite caplang next to them, so for vanity's sake, I'm only putting up pictures of the food.

yay my first air kelapa since coming home.

I was super jakun about the coconut water. It's one of my favourite drinks in the world, and in London, it's not the same because it's not fresh, they pour it out of a can and it's disgusting. But ohmeegod. Almost 10 ringgit for a coconut?!?! Did Marche hire unicorns to pluck the coconuts or something?!?! My pak cik in the pasar malam sells it for RM 2.

brownies!!!

Shiv was like ''which dessert should we take? Maybe the Apple Crumble?'' but I wasn't listening because she was talking while I was smushing the Brownie while trying to put the largest slice on my plate. She just looked at me, rolled her eyes and went ''I dunno why I asked. It's you, and there's something made out of chocolate on the selection tray.''

Grilled chicken chop with mushroom sauce and a side of mashed potatoes

After eating the chicken chop, I was quite full, everyone was full so since I'd greedily picked the biggest slice of brownie they looked at me with gleeful ''I'm too full so I'm going to see how you eat this'' faces -___-
Let me just say that the brownie was my Everest that day. Told them this and Shobs said ''it's not about how fast you get there, not about what's waiting on the other side, it's the climb.'' This from the person who told me my chicken joke is lame -______-

I've never been to Marche before this, and it was definitely a unique dining experience. When you step in, they give you this card:

It's basically like a cleaner, posher version of an indoors ang moh mamak. There are stalls, you walk around and pick what you want, they stamp your card, you carry the food back to your table, then after you're done eating, you bring your card to the cashier and pay.

The scary part? About 20 minutes after we arrived, I'd chucked my stuff somewhere as usual and couldn't find my card. Everyone at the table gleefully pointed out that losing it would incur you a rm 200 fine. I nearly had a stroke. Thank god I found it squashed under my camera case in my bag. If not can just stay there and wash plates til I pay off the 200 bucks.

On the whole, the food was quite nice, but I found it to be just a tiny bit overpriced. Or maybe I'm just used to smaller numbers and I'm having some trouble snapping out of the 'pounds' and into the 'ringgit' mental frame. Because when you divide what I paid by 5, it actually seems quite reasonable, LOL.

Delusions

2011-06-29T23:46:00.000+08:00

In life you have friends who pull you back to earth when your head is in the clouds...

Me: Omg, I'm watching this korean drama and I totally think I look like Kim Tae Hee...

Liz: Which part of you? You jangan mimpi la, ok!!!

...and then there are those friends who cannot help you because they are just as delusional as you are...

Me: Have you seen My Princess??? Don't you think I look like Kim Tae Hee?!?!

Mel: Please la, I know who Kim Tae Hee is and where got, I'm the one who looks like her!!!

-_______-

Back home

2011-06-23T21:54:00.000+08:00

Before leaving London, Av was like ''don't cry in the airport, I cannot deal with emotional people.''

''Pfft, I'm so strong ok, I'm not the crying emotional type. ''

An hour later people were flooding my phone with goodbye texts and the waterworks started. Av just looked at me and went ''omg you're so freaking embarrassing I can't take it.'' She's so heartless.
Landed on Malaysian soil 2 days ago. It's still the honeymoon period in my house, so when I eat peanut butter out of the jar with a spoon my mom closes one eye. But I'm under no delusions. In a week, she'll go back to asking me if I was raised by wolves when she sees me doing such nonsense. That's why my last week in London I had tubs of Ben & Jerry's for breakfast, squirted whipped cream into my mouth directly from the canister, had condensed milk on toast (sometimes not even on toast *hides fat face in shame*) and drank all the coca cola I wanted.

I paid for it though because the first thing my mom said to me in the airport after 9 months of separation was ''omg what is that giant tomato doing on your neck'' -_______- Someone kill me now. Apparently my face is super round now. Damn you, Ben & Jerry's, why do you put fish shaped chocolate chunks in your ice cream???

Mummy monster bought a new high tech juicer and thinks she's the Jamie Oliver of juices. She chucks random stuff into it, like dragon fruit, cucumber, kiwi, oranges, GRAPES (I know, like, wtf), starfruits, apples, bananas, strawberries, then she blends them altogether and presents them to us beaming with pride at her vile concoctions. Av just pinches her nose and swallows it all in one big gulp. I can't do this. I have to bribe people to drink my portion.

''Av, drink for me. Please. I'll pay you.''
''How much?'' *so selfless, my sister*
''One ringgit.''
''Pschht, drink yourself.''
''Ok fine, 2 ringgit.''
''I've gotten used to pounds now. Give me 2 pounds.''
''That's my baby!!!'' *kepoh dad steps in, encouraging HER NONSENSE.*

-_________-

My dad will make it worse by encouraging this because he thinks the lengths I will go to in order to avoid doing things I hate is hilarious. I used to pay Av to do all sorts of things, like to do chores when it was my turn. She used to be quite noob last time so she'd do it for like, 50 cents. Then once I heard my dad cucuk-ing when he thought I wasn't listening. ''50 cents to do that? No, ask for more. You deserve more. Then if she pays you late, ask for interest on the amount she owes you.'' Then he would flash me his goofy smile and say ''See? You should just stop being so lazy and do the chores yourself. It doesn't seem like it now, but I'm actually trying to help you by encouraging your sister to do this.'' By the time she was 15, Av was charging me 200% interest per day for each day I was late in ''making payment.'' *smack her*

Looking back, it's actually quite funny. The parenting methods my parents employed weren't very conventional, but they worked.

Now I'm just looking forward to yummy malaysian food and catching up on everything I've missed while I was away *bliss*

Leaving on a jet plane...

2011-06-21T00:49:00.001+08:00

I've been so emo lately about going home. All this while I was airily telling everyone ''of course I want to go home, I miss home like crazy.'' Now that my last weekend here has come, I've done a 180-degree turn. I'm going to miss everyone so much, but I hate appearing emotional in front of people and I can't say all the sappy 'I miss you'(s) and stuff, so I've been acting all nonchalant (note use of big word please) going around telling people ''Eh I'm leaving on Monday, you don't miss me too much, ok.'' In fact just wrote on Liz's wall telling her I'm leaving in a few hours and to ''jangan terlalu emosional.''

Have a strong feeling that in a few hours, I'm going to be desperately clutching the tiang in Heathrow airport wailing ''whyyyy??? Why won't dad let me stay til summer sales finish?'' while Av tries to pry my fingers off and drag me into the plane.

I hate goodbyes. They suck big time. ''...there's nothing good about a goodbye. It's a very poorly named ritual. It's a bad-bye. A very bad-bye...''

X-Men: First Class...

2011-06-18T07:04:00.000+08:00

was X-Cellent.

X-Men, X-Cellent. Geddit, geddit?!?!?!

Omg, I'm too witty for words *rolls on floor laughing*

I loved every minute of the movie and was so sad when the movie ended. I wanted it to go on forever, that's how good it was. Even Liz, who didn't like Harry Potter (how??? how can someone NOT like Harry Potter?) loved it. After watching, the both of us also wanted to become mutants.

Not only was the storyline good, but the main cast was amazing.

The person who cast James Mcavoy as Professor Charles Xavier is a genius.

Plus we had the whole cinema to ourselves because we went super early in the morning on a weekday. Super syok. As the credits were rolling we were thinking ''hmm, prime camwhore opportunity.'' But the minute I pulled out my camera a cinema staff member came in, so I hurriedly shoved it back into my bag. Didn't want him thinking I'd recorded the movie and was rushing home to upload it onto pirate bay or something =S

Packing

2011-06-17T07:26:00.000+08:00

Packing can be so exhausting. And worse, it can make you feel so guilty. Especially when you dig deep in the depths of your cupboard and unearth clothes you don't even remember buying. WITH PRICE TAGS ATTACHED. Honestly, it's like all these clothes just crawled into my cupboard when I wasn't looking and hung themselves on hangers *looks at parents innocently*. Now they're staring at me and mocking me. Buy some more la, I'm not even that nice looking. Cards are evil. You don't see the money leaving your hands, just swipe here, swipe there. In the shop at that moment it almost feels like you're getting the clothes for free. Then you come home and the receipt falls out of the bag. No wonder my dad made me book tickets home for before the summer sales start. Wise man.

On another note,

my dad found this funny when he saw it hanging on my wall at uni, but what are the chances he will let me hang it up at home?!?!?!

Strolling around Sorrento

2011-06-14T01:17:00.001+08:00

Sorrento is gorgeous. I hate vacationing in busy cities because back home I live in KL and in the UK I study in London, so when I go on vacation I like a change of pace and Sorrento was perfect. It wasn't overrun with tourists when we went, the weather was sunny but not scorching, everyone was so friendly, and Sorrento itself is beautiful. Think little side alleys with tiny shops selling souvenirs, colorful flowers everywhere, leafy trees, the coast, cafes and pastry shops along the main street so you can people watch while you drink coffee, gelato stands, people smile at you as you walk past, and everywhere was so clean, especially compared to KL where sometimes it seems as if people take exceptional pleasure in littering around the ''DO NOT LITTER'' signs on the road -_____-

We stayed in Ulisse Deluxe Hostel which in my opinion can rival any posh hotel. I think Liz and I paid about 32 Euros per person for a double room which is very reasonable, especially since that price included a buffet breakfast. The room was HUGE, extremely comfortable, it was cleaned everyday, there was a tv, fridge, the bathroom was huge by any standards, and I wanted to dismantle that bathtub and shower and bring it home with me. The service was amazing. The staff at reception were so friendly and competent, and helped us out with whatever we asked for.

For the price we paid, Liz and I were expecting a hostel with grubby rooms, but look at the lobby above, so cantik. And omg the buffet breakfast. Toast, croissants, a selection of cereal, yoghurt, cakes, ham, cheese, salami, and the best hot chocolate and coffee selection ever. The minute I saw the room I told myself that once I start working and earning money I'll bring my parents to Sorrento for a holiday.

Random shots:

The first day there, we decided to try out a random restaurant. So pricy and the food was ok only. Maybe we ordered the wrong things.

Bruschetta

Ravioli

Spaghetti something something

Next day we decided to ask the hotel for a recommendation. Smartest thing we ever did. They recommended a restaurant called Ristorante Da Filippo which isn't quite in the town centre, but the restaurant provides a free pickup service to to and from selected hotels.

Fried calamari and shrimps

Fries Italian style

Parsley potatoes

Grilled fish

Not only was the food amazing, but it was the best service I've ever received in any restaurant I've ever been to. The waiters are really friendly and charming. And the portions are huge, so big that we couldn't finish what we ordered. One of the waiters was teasing me, saying I couldn't leave the restaurant til I finished every bite on my plate. He even cut the calamari and put it on my plate. ''Take your time, you can stay the whole day.'' Then Liz was like ''esok nak pergi restaurant suami kamu again tak?'' -_____- Haha but we ended up going back the next day. We ordered wisely this time.

Pork ribs

Tiramisu

Fried shrimp

And the food is very reasonably priced as well. Best meal in Italy, hands down. Plus they gave us free limoncello shots when we went in for lunch on our last day. The waiter was so frickin-frackin' adorable. ''You're leaving, I'm so sad. I pack my suitcase already. I come stay with you. Forever.'' Awww, I wanted to put him in my pocket and bring him home. Liz wouldn't stop making fun of me.

Before leaving for Naples, we spent some time near the coast and I went slightly bird crazy.

I had the longest muka masam a few hours before our flight. Liz kept trying to make me laugh for pictures, and I think this is the only one where I semi pulled a monkey face, the rest all I look like I'm going to attend a funeral or something, LOL.

My dad facebook-ed me saying ''see if you'd decided to work in the UK you could go to Sorrento anytime.'' Pschht, look at him, rubbing salt in people's wound. He was pushing for me to go on this trip, I think because he could see how stressed I've been these past few months. When I called him after I came back, he told me I sounded much better and that he was glad I'd gone because I'd needed it. It made me realize that sometimes we really underestimate how well our parents know us.

It also made me realize how lucky I am. I know my parents traveled while my dad was in England, but he was working and he paid for the trips himself. And here they are paying for me to go to amazing places and to enjoy myself because they want me to be happy, and to have all these experiences. Before I left my mom was all like ''just go and enjoy yourself, bring extra cash, don't worry about anything.'' Hopefully someday I get to pay them back for everything they've done for me. For now I'm a happy chicky indeed.

A day in Pompeii

2011-06-13T02:45:00.000+08:00

Pompeii was exhausting...in an amazing way. I mean, how many people get to say they climbed to the top of Mount Vesuvius? My legs still aren't speaking to me though =(

This is what we climbed all the way to the top to see:

the crater

Can imagine my mom going ''aiyoh, climb so high to tengok lubang is it?'' Haha. I'm not a huge fan of walking uphill. Hell, I even try to avoid walking on flat ground (I've made numerous suggestions to my guy friends that they should carry me on a palanquin but they refuse to take me seriously -____-), so I've mentally blocked out that part of the trip from my memory. But Liz thinks my ''fudge how long more to the top'' expression in this pic is hilarious. Sometimes best friends take perverse pleasure in your pain I tell you. And look at her looking all happy. Pschht, show off. I think I threatened to push her down the volcano at one point.

My favorite part of the Pompeii excursion was definitely the ruins of Pompeii near Pompeii Scavi.

We were scared it wouldn't be possible to do both Mount Vesuvius and the ruins on the same day. Thank god it was and we didn't have to compromise on anything. Needless to say, I developed serious leg muscles on this trip.

Chillin' in Capri

2011-06-11T18:51:00.000+08:00

I've been wanting to go to Capri for a really long time. And by 'a really long time' I mean a few months. Honestly, I don't know why people call me a dramaqueen -_______- But I really wanted to see the Blue Grotto and ride the chairlift up Mount Solaro. But mainly it was the Blue Grotto. I had exams up til the week I left for Naples, and my screensaver was a picture of the Blue Grotto and after hours of studying I'd look at it and just tell myself to read a bit more, because it'd all be worth it when I was on that rowboat about to enter that 2 meter high opening.

Capri was the highlight of the Italy trip for me (and probably the lowlight for my dad once he sees how expensive it was, LOL) because it involved two things I LOVE - the ocean and boats, the sea was so clear and blue and beautiful that I wanted to cry. Before we left the hotel they did tell us that entrance to the Blue Grotto was dependent on how rough the sea was at that time because unless the sea is really calm it's dangerous for a rowboat to go through an entrance that small as it could be tossed against the rocks.

The Faraglioni rocks

The boat ride was...perfect. There's something so calming about the way the boat moves with the waves. But the sea was quite rough and some of the people on board got sea sick. Poor Liz wasn't feeling too well, at first I didn't realize because I was busy sitting outside wishing the boat would just go even faster and the waves would get even higher already, then I looked over and saw that her camera which is normally fused to her hand was in her bag and she was looking at the floor of the boat. I felt so bad for her that she couldn't enjoy it because that boat ride was...magical. The rocks and cliffs against the blue sky with seagulls circling them, the sea so blue. I'm so getting a houseboat when I'm older.

Once in Capri, we hopped on a bus to Anacapri to take the chairlift up Mount Solaro.

I didn't really realize how high up we were until I looked down and saw this:

Was so scared my pasar malam Birkenstocks would fall down. But omg the view was amazing, even though it was really misty and you could hardly see anything.

We had lunch at a restaurant recommended by one of the really sweet pakciks who had a stall by the beach. Light lunch because we were going to board a boat back to Sorrento in 2 hours.The restaurant was amazing. So reasonably priced, no cover charge (which is rare because most places charge 10% or 2 Euros even if you're just ordering coffee), very efficient and pleasant service and the food was so yummy and fresh.

spaghetti with clams

We were supposed to hit the Blue Grotto on the way back to Sorrento, but when we went down to the beach and I saw the color of the sky and the waves half of me knew that there was no way the Blue Grotto would be open. Miserably texted my dad who must have told Av, because I got texts from both of them. Av was like ''come down next time and we go together.'' I'm going to hold her to that, LOL.

The owner of the boat showed us this statue of a boy built on the rocks. His name is Fabrizio and he's waving at the people who are entering/leaving Capri. If I was better in Italian I would have asked him how on earth they managed to get that statue up there.

I read online that Capri gets really crowded and that takes away from it's charm, and that it's very touristy. I think we went at a really good time because it wasn't crowded at all, there were local school children running around excitedly talking to each other, and I found Capri as a whole to be a very charming place. Imagine living there. Every weekend I'd nonchalantly be telling my mom ''I'm heading down to the Blue Grotto, bye.'' I can still dream, right?!?!