tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328673722024-03-14T03:44:35.460+08:00Curses and CandorMusings on how life isUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-42425114008106094132013-10-31T19:57:00.003+08:002023-12-20T21:54:12.864+08:00BERTANDUK<br />
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BERTANDUK</span></b></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Sehari suntuk jiwa meragam</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Fikiran lucah datang bertamu</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Suara nafsu tidak tenteram</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Yang aku rindu belaian mu</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Kiriman kata hasrat bermanja</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Pengganti diri tak sempat ketemu</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Tandus, gersang berminggu lamanya</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Yang aku rindu belaian mu</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Jarak jauh menyekat kehendak</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Mengharap masa lekas berlalu</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Tanah ku pijak beransur becak</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Batin meroyan bagai dipalu</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Ku sangka cukup merenung gambar</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Namun menderas denyutan nadi</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Sukarnya diri menahan lapar</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Fikiran terus menjadi-jadi</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Yang ku rindu lengan memeluk</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Hembusan nafas mengusik tengkuk</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Dakapan erat hangat dirasa</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Lemas dirangkul tubuh yang sasa</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Belaian lembut beralih kasar</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Beransur keras tubuh bergetar</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Badan berlaga lidah bertarung</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Syahwat menghampir pasrah meraung</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Bergilir-gilir meronta-ronta</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Kucupan bertubi pengganti kata</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Tubuh dihidang nafsu disuap</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Santapan berahi di dalam gelap</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Aduh.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Sehari suntuk jiwa meragam</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Fikiran lucah datang bertamu</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Suara nafsu tidak tenteram</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Yang aku rindu belaian mu</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #222222;">Yang aku rindu belalai mu</span><br /><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-50784975068037998452009-08-11T02:45:00.010+08:002009-08-11T03:13:47.096+08:00The Abomination: Pavilion Crystal Fountain<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">The first time I saw this.. this.. abomination.. my immediate reaction was, <strong>WTF</strong>?!?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368410864523217234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SoBtPPxBCVI/AAAAAAAAA9c/HJZ8W4y-2Q0/s400/1IMG_2548.JPG" border="0" /><br />To borrow something from a dear friend of mine: at what point in their lives did the people responsible for this giant piece of crap wake up from their sleep and go, "Bowls! Bowls would make a beautiful fountain in front of Pavilion!"<br /><br />From a design point of view, it's all wrong, be it in terms of scale, colour, and most of all, context. It has no relevance to its site. What sense would three oriental bowls make in the commercial street that is Bukit Bintang? Its interpretation is too literal. Hibiscus flower, three bowls to represent the three main races living in unity, placed in an ascending manner to signify 'growing aspirations' bla bla bla.. With such a mindless interpretation, <strong>I am saddened by the reality that we as a country have not evolved beyond pretentious signs of progress or prosperity.</strong> What happened to critical thinking? Or thinking in general? And the hibiscus is said to symbolise opulence and passion. What passion?? I don't feel anything artistically passionate here other than a fervent commercial intent. <strong>This is not art. <span style="color:#ff0000;">It's an insult</span>.</strong><br /><br />How big of an insult? Try RM8 MILLION - are you freakin' kidding me?? The sorry excuse of a 'sculpture' is apparently made of crystal - hence the hefty price tag - and was especially crafted in China for a good 18 months.<br /><br />And the absurdity doesn't stop there:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SoBuB7wUTyI/AAAAAAAAA9k/sskWdExHV1g/s1600-h/1IMG_2551.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368411735324905250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 370px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SoBuB7wUTyI/AAAAAAAAA9k/sskWdExHV1g/s400/1IMG_2551.JPG" border="0" /></a>In typical Malaysian fashion, the fountain is now the tallest crystal fountain in Malaysia, as approved by the Malaysian Book of Records. Wow. Surely the previous record holder is shitting bricks now that his millions were spent on something second-rate in comparison. I'm surprised the fountain didn't get a bonus credit as the country's Largest Crystal Bowl. And of course they want us to throw coins into the damn thing - they want their RM8 million back.<br /><br />Yet apart from mediocre design and weak concept, I find the fountain's inexcusably <em>bodoh</em> attribute to be its purpose, as voiced by one Governemtn minister. To quote The New Straits Times: <em>Describing the new sculpture as a key landmark in Malaysia, (the minister) says <strong>it could stand tall among other world-renowned iconic fountains such as the Trevi Fountain </strong>and Four Rivers Fountain in Rome, which are popular tourist attractions. </em><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Are you effing kidding me??</span></strong> Can you hear the Romans - and the rest of the world - laughing at such a grandiose delusion? [<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3366ff;">Trevi fountain pictured below</span></em>]<br /><div><div><div><div><div><br /><blockquote><em>"With the installation of the Pavilion Crystal Fountain that reflects our<br />nationalistic ideologies, <strong>now there's one more reason to visit Malaysia</strong>."</em> </blockquote><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368413145077145890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SoBvT_fcYSI/AAAAAAAAA90/9x1Sf-lDR_A/s400/fountain2.jpg" border="0" /><br />But of course. This is why people visit Malaysia. To throw coins into our fountains. I can just imagine Middle Eastern families and backpacking South Americans excitedly planning their next visit to KL when news of this new fountain gets out. <strong>How their friends would envy them when holiday photos are shown of them posing - in great wonderment - by the Pavilion Crystal Fountain. <span style="color:#ff0000;">'Take that, Trevi!' the photos would say</span>.<br /></strong><br />Oh, kill me. Kill me now. We can't even compare this to Singapore's majestic Fountain of Wealth (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3366ff;">below</span></em>) yet we have the audacity to rob Rome of its fountain-loving tourists? In the words of the city's happy community: <em>Feeeeliinnng...!<br /></em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368412873388507362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SoBvELX0wOI/AAAAAAAAA9s/kBx0hQjWzzI/s400/fountain1.jpg" border="0" /><br />See, bad design riles me up, especially when it's public design or public art. To think that for a second there I thought nothing could be as hideous as that banal pitcher plant fountain in Dataran Merdeka. Then this monstrosity cropped up to prove me wrong.<br /><br />I mean, <strong>how difficult is it to commission one of our local artists to create a sculpture/fountain at a tiny fraction of that RM8 million?</strong> Or to get a design firm to execute something contemporary to complement Pavilion's structure, similar to Kuching's very own Hornbill Fountain (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3366ff;">below</span></em>) maybe?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368413752741841314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 247px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SoBv3XN_yaI/AAAAAAAAA98/6PwBoDn_S2I/s400/fountain3.jpg" border="0" /><br />And I love Pavilion. How it upsets my stomach that from now on, whenever I make my trip there, I'd have to puke first before I walk in.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:180%;">A.</span><br /></span></strong><br />P.S. A friend made too viable a postulate: the Pavilion fountain could have very well been design by the same architect/designer Ayah Pin used for his Sky Kingdom (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3366ff;">below</span></em>). That explains it, no?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368414234799131266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 203px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SoBwTbBaSoI/AAAAAAAAA-E/sZjbxt9aZxU/s400/ayah+pin2.jpg" border="0" /></span></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-22429477516193420302009-07-16T18:44:00.005+08:002009-07-16T19:17:03.211+08:00Of prose and cons: "Scum"<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">I have not written a poem for too long a time and I just happened to chance upon this little something while I was clearing the room that is to be my study.<br /><br />I laughed when I reread it because it took me to a time some 5 years back when my then hopeful heart suffered the painful stab of deceit. Too naive for my own good back then, I didn't quite know what I was getting myself into; <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">ensnared by a pretty facade that in reality was nothing more than plastic</span></strong>. Duped by whom I thought to be a gentleman but in reality was closer to a coward. Played by an opportunistic scumbag.<br /><br /><strong>And how I have learned.</strong><br /><br />That's all in the past though because we get along okay now. I harbour no ill will -- I just simply accept him for the plastic that he is :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/Sl8Iu7k4wLI/AAAAAAAAA5s/kDRp-Lx-7Eo/s1600-h/heart_break_01.jpg"><em></em></a><em>"Scum" (2005) <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/Sl8KaOgwbMI/AAAAAAAAA50/o45qxSHzLo4/s1600-h/heart_break_01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359013527282543810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 282px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/Sl8KaOgwbMI/AAAAAAAAA50/o45qxSHzLo4/s320/heart_break_01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Cast away the mask, will you?,<br />don't fool me with pretence.<br />I'm grappling for some logic here<br />since nothing makes much sense.<br />I've lost all shred of dignity,<br />abandoned each defence.<br />Mistaken what is casual<br />for something more intense.<br /><br />Wipe away that smille, will you?,<br />it hardly looks sincere.<br />Its sweetness tastes like venom now,<br />its charity a sneer.<br />That warmth you safely hide behind<br />is meaningless, I fear.<br />Whatever cause for liking you<br />now lost to me, my dear.<br /><br />Peel away your arms, will you?,<br />just free me from your hold.<br />Your act is uninspiring,<br />your tenderness feels cold.<br />The whole routine of playing nice<br />gets tedious and old.<br />Mocking this demeanour<br />I am struggling to uphold.<br /><br />Played me all you could, eh dear?,<br />so cunning was your art.<br />Ensnared me with your gentle ways,<br />you fooled me from the start.<br />Ignored me so conveniently,<br />how swift your change of heart.<br />To lose concern with how I feel,<br />to leave me ripped apart.<br /><br />Have you lost your balls, my dear?,<br />amid all this debris?<br />Too empty is your soul to care,<br />too blind your eyes to see.<br />You're not the man I took you for,<br />that man you'll never be.<br />I doubt that you're a man at all<br />for you're just scum to me.</em><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>A.<br /><br /></strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Falling down ain't falling down<br />If you don't cry when you hit the floor<br />It's called the past cause I'm getting past it<br />And I ain't nothing like I was before<br />You ought to see me now.<br />- <em>Alicia Keys, "Lesson Learned"</em></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-21971575343623513272009-06-22T20:37:00.007+08:002009-07-16T21:01:25.292+08:00Sneak Peek: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (out 2010)<div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><div><br />It's still a long way to seeing Tim Burton's interpretation of Lewis Caroll's classic fairytale on the big screen. But howsabout some sneak peeks, eh?<br /><br /><br />Here's my girl, Anne Hathaway, as the White Queen:<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359037562468774034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/Sl8gRQjtMJI/AAAAAAAAA7M/Va2pcctUqCY/s400/original3.jpg" border="0" /><br />Heavenly.<br />And here's Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359037766408379042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/Sl8gdISsmqI/AAAAAAAAA7U/mct__SXm754/s400/original.jpg" border="0" /><br />Scary.<br />Then Matt Lucas of Little Britain as those portly twins..<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359038333967827026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/Sl8g-KnagFI/AAAAAAAAA7c/9xZ86-eXlYg/s400/4921_118323261163_784176163_2897550_7233322_n.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Uncanny resemblance one might add.<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Alice is played by Australian actress, Mia Wasikowska.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359041389453286418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/Sl8jwBL6nBI/AAAAAAAAA7s/EedKep9bpEU/s400/hr_Alice_in_Wonderland_5.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><br />But what of the fiercest character of them all? One has to ask, who makes a better Red Queen?Helena Bonham Carter:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359041707112798578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 271px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/Sl8kCgj2GXI/AAAAAAAAA70/OPsn1tLjg1Y/s400/original1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Or John Galliano??<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359041908663075506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 276px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/Sl8kOPZLQrI/AAAAAAAAA78/X2FsatLqIsc/s400/e1bukg.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Can't wait for the movie. Calloo callay!<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">A.<br /></span></strong></div></span></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-42539628546008668292009-06-01T19:38:00.000+08:002009-11-25T19:52:07.344+08:00Love - who's to say?<div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><b><i>May 27, 2009</i></b><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" ><i style="font-family: times new roman;">prelude</i></span><br />“Do you think I can make a good boyfriend?” he asks.<br /><br />The conversation thread of the night had followed the common pattern of work-life-relationship, so I'm not surprised by his query. I am surprised though, by my decision to go diplomatic.<br />“You're only as good as your expectations,” I hear myself say. “See, each relationship is unique. I mean, what I look for and expect in a relationship is perhaps different from what you look for. The question is, are your expectations similar to your boyfriend's?”<br />“Heh,” he chuckles,”you are such a politician.”<br /><br />“Okay,” he continues, not letting the subject slip off too easily. ”when we were together, did you think I was a good boyfriend?”<br /><i>Oh, fish kebabs</i>, I thought. My smile is pursed. His are eager, innocent even, complete with twinkle in the eyes. “Well... we broke up didn't we?” I offer.<br />He laughs, “Hahaha! Yeah, I guess we did.”<br /><br />“But I'll tell you this though,” he picks up again, “since I'm being honest, and I think you have a right to know anyway...”<br />“Yes...?”<br />“I did really love you..when we were together.”<br />I didn't see that coming at all. Some significant level of affection, sure, I felt that when we were together. But 'love'?<br />“Oh,” is my response. Huh?, is my reaction.<br /><br />Funny how some people find courage only after the relationship is over.<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="photo photo_none"><div class="photo_img"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2729707&op=1&view=all&subj=109220212320&aid=-1&auser=0&oid=109220212320&id=784176163"><img style="width: 460px;" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs082.snc1/4555_109031361163_784176163_2729707_8370534_n.jpg" alt="" class="" onload="var img = this; onloadRegister(function() { adjustImage(img); });" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="clear_none"><br />* * *<br /><br />I can't remember the last time someone told me straight to my face, without obligation, past or present tense, that they love me. With enough honesty for it to actually carry weight. And without me secretly thinking, 'Uh huh. Yeah, sure you do.' It's a cushy feeling to hear someone say it.<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="photo photo_right"><div class="photo_img"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2729736&op=1&view=all&subj=109220212320&aid=-1&auser=0&oid=109220212320&id=784176163"><img src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs102.snc1/4555_109032231163_784176163_2729736_4515477_a.jpg" alt="" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="clear_right"><br />Almost with every guy I've been with, I would always pose them the question: do you know the difference between '<span style="font-style: italic;">cinta</span>' and '<span style="font-style: italic;">sayang</span>'? People use the word 'love' with such wild abandon that they strip it off of its romance. That being said, '<span style="font-style: italic;">cinta</span>' is different to each individual so any effort to give it a universal definition would be like wearing nipple tape: pointless.<br /><br />I have a friend who takes 4 weeks to fall in love – if it doesn't happen then than it's never gonna happen, he says. One other friend can take a weekend, then falls out of love after 3 weeks only to fall in love again with a different guy another weekend. Some other people take a lifetime to fall in love. So who's to say that each form of love is not genuine?<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="photo photo_left"><div class="photo_img"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2729694&op=1&view=all&subj=109220212320&aid=-1&auser=0&oid=109220212320&id=784176163"><img src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs082.snc1/4555_109030501163_784176163_2729694_5725031_a.jpg" alt="" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="clear_left"><br />Then, throughout my very laughable history in couplehood, four guys I've dated had vehemently insisted, in one form or another, that they were “so in love” with me only to not realise that they were actually in love with my sex than anything else. Whatever trace of smart conversation or common sense dissolved once I answered their carnal calls of the boudoir (or living room, or washroom). Every date after became grounds for sexual innuendo while each persistent phone call, text message or instant messaging gave way to curiousity over whether I was naked or not at the other end of the line. Every one of them. Every phone call. <span style="font-style: italic;">Every message</span>. They didn't understand that their being 'in love' was in actuality being 'in lust.'<br /><br />But again, who am I to say that their feelings weren't genuine?<br /><br />So I haven't the faintest idea how people would define or understand love. But I do know my thoughts on it.<br /><br />Now, I can't remember what it was like the first and second time I was in love. But that third time... that has taken pride of place in the annals of my three-decade history.<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="photo photo_left"><div class="photo_img"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2729737&op=1&view=all&subj=109220212320&aid=-1&auser=0&oid=109220212320&id=784176163"><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs102.snc1/4555_109032841163_784176163_2729737_4536356_a.jpg" alt="" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="clear_left"><br />It was 1997, what I now refer to as my Black Period, the year when I turned anti-social and became a recluse. The day I realised I was in love was a Saturday because I didn't have classes and the lads in Kota Bharu didn't have classes either. Handphones had just started to infiltrate everyday life back then but never one to conform, I was the guy with plenty of loose change in his pocket. It was late afternoon and I had just finished calling Zack in KB from a public phone in Desasiswa Bakti. And as with every chat with Zack, I was left feeling fantastically buoyant.<br /><br />It was a glorious day. The walk from Bakti was met by a bright island sun and calm sky as the breeze shook leaves from the trees lining the path along Cahaya, where my quarters resided at the very end of the path. As I turned into that path, two girls were having difficulty starting their motorcycle and had asked for my help. Unfortunately, Arin had yet to teach me how to ride a bike let alone start one.<br /><br />After several failed attempts with that ignition-pedal-thingy, I left them with an apology. After a few feet away I laughed to myself, at my own incompetence. And it was a year when I rarely laughed, so coupled that with the buoyant mood I was in, and the gorgeous summer day, I suddenly felt a swell in my chest. Then, out of nowhere, his face played in my mind.<br /><br />And my heart just stopped. My feet had ceased to walk and there I stood in the middle of the street, physically stunned. I felt great ache under my ribcage. It felt as if a phantom hand had reached into my chest and gripped my heart, slowly - ever so slowly - tightening its hold. I couldn't breathe. I started gasping for air and almost doubled over.<br /><br />Seconds felt like eternity as my visions blurred but then as sure as it began, my heart picked up again. The ghostly hand had loosened its grip, finger by finger, bringing my heart back to life steadily and surely. I felt as if my senses were heightened. Like the time when I got high on some really good stuff. Blurry images sharpened to reveal a shower of leaves falling around me still. I could see every fold and every leaf vein and branch above me in their brilliant shades of green and yellow like never before. Sunlight never looked and felt so beautiful.<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="photo photo_right"><div class="photo_img"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2729743&op=1&view=all&subj=109220212320&aid=-1&auser=0&oid=109220212320&id=784176163"><img src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs102.snc1/4555_109034351163_784176163_2729743_2356351_a.jpg" alt="" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="clear_right"><br />I started breathing again. And all that time, his face was in my head.<br /><br />I couldn't wrap my head around it. What the hell had just happened? And I couldn't shake off his face in my head either. But then, it all made sense.<br /><br />Good God in heaven, I have fallen in love. With <span style="font-style: italic;">him</span>. And I didn't see it coming at all.<br /><br />* * *<br /><br />Nobody is greater a cynic than I. Perhaps my naturally expressive nature or overtly creative imagination exaggerated what science or medicine could probably explain better with regards to what happened that day. But it's a feeling I have yet to experience again.<br /><br />And that experience helped me understand my take on love. There's this saying that I hold to heart: “Love is giving someone the power to destroy you, but trusting that they won't.” It's all about trust, and respect falls into my equation too. To me, love doesn't happen at first sight. Love does not have a calendar. Love doesn't involve multiple sex partners. Love isn't about whether I'm naked at the other end of the line or not.<br /><br />Love is about accepting someone for who they are, not who you want them to be. And about being who you are, not who you think your partner wants you to be. Love is about wanting to go the distance without asking for something in return.<br /><br />The kind of love I look for is one that catches me off guard, one that could stop me in my tracks. One that could jolt my heart and make me see the beauty around me in a new light.<br /><br />The kind of love I look for is genuine. By my say. But what do I know?<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="photo photo_none"><div class="photo_img"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2728045&op=1&view=all&subj=109220212320&aid=-1&auser=0&oid=109220212320&id=784176163"><img src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs082.snc1/4555_108969076163_784176163_2728045_6251532_n.jpg" alt="" class="" onload="var img = this; onloadRegister(function() { adjustImage(img); });" /></a></div></div><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> * * *</span><br /> <br /> <i style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-weight: bold;">epilogue</i><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “So what you're saying is,” Alek voiced one night,</span> “<span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">if by some miracle, or in a parallel universe, he were to suddenly turn around and say, 'Oh, </span><i style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">aku buta selama ini</i><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">. Ziz, you're the one!'; that would be it huh?”</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> I don't understand why Alek conceives my life to be all about drama when he's the one who is more prone to exaggerated dramatisation, as he was demonstrating then. There's a drag queen in there somewhere.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “That would be it,” I echoed. “I would drop everything, regardless of who I'm with. Unless, of course, I'm with Ryan Reynolds..”</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “Oh ya, of course,” he intoned sarcastically before turning his head to the side, muttering, “and that's another parallel universe...”</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “Oh shut up!”</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “But, man... so all he has to do is say 'yes' and your life would be perfect then, huh?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> I nodded.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> [Cue more dramatisation] “An asteroid could be on its way to destroy the earth, or you lose your job and live on the street..</span><i style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">tapi happy lah kawu</i><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “Yup.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “Wow,” Alek concluded. “</span><i style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Bodo kawu oh?</i><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">”</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “</span><i style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Kimaaaaaak!!</i><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">”</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “You know it's never gonna happen, right?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “You never want me to be happy, do you?” I accused.</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “No lah,” he said, adopting a softer tone infused with mockery. “I don't want you to get hurt </span><i style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">bah</i><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “Yeah, I know,” I replied, </span>“<span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">but what we have now is fine with me. He loves me in his own way, to the best of the capacity that he allows. You know?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “Yes, now I understand” he said. “Both of you are </span><i style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">bodo</i><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">.”</span><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> *images are art work by Steve Walker at </span><a style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" href="http://quest.sasktelwebhosting.com/" onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span>http://quest.sasktelwebhos</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>ting.com/</a><br /> <b style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:180%;" >A.</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-59281518921003196572009-05-08T12:32:00.009+08:002009-05-08T12:44:02.731+08:00styling: Laura Laine for Muse magazine<div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">A colleague of mine introduced me to the works of 24-year-old Finnish fashion illustrator Laura Laine.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Whimsical yet hauntingly beautiful, her drawings are just spectacular on their own. But when paired with irresistible fashion products in a fantasy editorial for Italian fashion/art mag Muse? Sublime!! I can look at her drawings over and over again, at the waves of hair and fabric, eyeing her precise attention to detail.. hypnotic is what they are.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SgO2amXweyI/AAAAAAAAA2U/ezRN_IXq5hs/s1600-h/laura-laine-editorial-for-muse-magazine1.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333306951829846818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 339px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SgO2amXweyI/AAAAAAAAA2U/ezRN_IXq5hs/s400/laura-laine-editorial-for-muse-magazine1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SgO2njKi4kI/AAAAAAAAA2c/FqI74vqVb0k/s1600-h/laura-laine-editorial-for-muse-magazine-4.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333307174307422786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 341px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SgO2njKi4kI/AAAAAAAAA2c/FqI74vqVb0k/s400/laura-laine-editorial-for-muse-magazine-4.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SgO2wA1VWwI/AAAAAAAAA2k/PYaT8HS1TFQ/s1600-h/laura-laine-editorial-for-muse-magazine-5.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333307319710472962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 381px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SgO2wA1VWwI/AAAAAAAAA2k/PYaT8HS1TFQ/s400/laura-laine-editorial-for-muse-magazine-5.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SgO24LoZYEI/AAAAAAAAA2s/wnuMuD0f_Mc/s1600-h/laura-laine-editorial-for-muse-magazine-6.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333307460047953986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SgO24LoZYEI/AAAAAAAAA2s/wnuMuD0f_Mc/s400/laura-laine-editorial-for-muse-magazine-6.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SgO2-29Em7I/AAAAAAAAA20/k-_yd5nC2Ts/s1600-h/laura-laine-editorial-for-muse-magazine-7.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333307574756613042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SgO2-29Em7I/AAAAAAAAA20/k-_yd5nC2Ts/s400/laura-laine-editorial-for-muse-magazine-7.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">and here's one wearing Balenciaga from a few seasons back:<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333307976881109426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 244px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SgO3WQ_BebI/AAAAAAAAA28/W5GUg-TntOg/s400/lauralaine6.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Scoot over to <a href="http://www.lauralaine.net/">here</a> for more.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">A.</span></strong></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-44269621774506285872009-02-05T03:55:00.003+08:002009-02-16T01:04:49.375+08:00Birthday 2009 - part 8: gift from the parents<span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;">From sister Marge:</span><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><em>Feb 1, 2009</em></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><span style="color:#666666;">Been having really shit personal problems (as per usual) so forgot your birthday. Sorry. Looks like you had a pretty good one nonetheless :)<br /></span></em><br /><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMuugKt05I/AAAAAAAAA14/SjGdax1uok0/s1600-h/DSC02852.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301632562788946834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMuugKt05I/AAAAAAAAA14/SjGdax1uok0/s400/DSC02852.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">And Pap is in town -- finally -- but he will be staying at the hotel for a month while I get the apartment ready in time for him to move in. And though it's been years since he did so, he got all smiley as he presented me with a box.<br />"Since it was your birthday, so I got you this when I was out buying a new bag," he said.<br /><br />I have not worn a watch for all these years, thinking that one day I would get to wear the Baume & Mercier Pap once allowed me to wear as a teen. But that was </span><a href="http://anakemas.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-parents-were-robbed.html"><span style="font-family:georgia;">stolen</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> more than a year ago so I never did wear another watch </span><a href="http://anakemas.blogspot.com/2008/07/reason-why-i-dont-wear-watches-is.html"><span style="font-family:georgia;">because the ones that I do like, I can't afford</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> - yet.<br /><br />But this (<em><span style="color:#3333ff;">left</span></em>)? This is a beauty!! All I can say is: I thank God for giving my dad a sharp sense of style. I believe that's where I got it from. As for the more flamboyant side of my style sense, that's all Mam.<br /><br />Speaking of which, we called her during dinner.<br />"Did you get the watch?"<br />"Yes, Mam, I did."<br />"Do you like it?"<br />"I <em>really</em> like it, thanks!"<br /><br />The last time the parents gave me a gift to commemorate a special occasion was perhaps a pen or mobile phone (that belonged to Mam) when I graduated. That and a laptop. And now this, this is the kinda timepiece that I would probably get for myself. Unpredictable, classy, distinctive. So this is pretty cool. <em>Way</em> cool. 32 is a good age alright :)</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">A.<br /></span></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-33514217482669027222009-01-31T10:57:00.003+08:002009-02-12T14:06:02.984+08:00Birthday 2009 - part 7: party #3 at Delicious<span style="font-family:georgia;">Zai roped in Ezwan, Zaki, Neyna who was in town for his dad's medical procedure, Mijie and Adly for the dinner he organised in Delicious, Bangsar Village II. Guy and Yanie couldn't make it and I invited Fari and Kast -- who was coincidentally in town -- along. A small crowd, because one, I didn't want it to be too big a party, and two, because Zai didn't have all the numbers of my dearest (sorry, Jas!!).<br /><br />'Twas a simple gathering of fabulous peeps peppered by Ezwan's bimbo moments and Neyna's loud personality. And then there were the gifts:<br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMTGhOLNBI/AAAAAAAAA1A/xKW04WEZnuo/s1600-h/DSC02859.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301602189063173138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMTGhOLNBI/AAAAAAAAA1A/xKW04WEZnuo/s320/DSC02859.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />Ezwan got me this (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">left</span></em>) a couple of weeks back when we were checking out Bimba & Lola in Pavilion. I have a lot of bags already but I've always been on the look out for something resembling a traditional briefcase. And when Ezwan saw this, we went all gushy. The corduroy pattern reinterprets the look and the colour is just alluring. And it comes with a shoulder strap to turn it into a messenger. I love!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMV0tNuAOI/AAAAAAAAA1I/-lgGU2fhHWU/s1600-h/DSC02885.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301605181579722978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMV0tNuAOI/AAAAAAAAA1I/-lgGU2fhHWU/s320/DSC02885.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Kast and Fari got me this cutie (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">right</span></em>). Though I don't associate myself with stuffed toys anymore, this one is just so adorable. I'm guessing he's a bear but the ears look like they belong to a mouse. I am calling him Bolhassan for now because I like that name for some reason. He looks kinda sad, like he has issues. Which is part of the reason why I can relate to him hahaha...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMWrRgjp_I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/6P8_Z4K2cF0/s1600-h/DSC02877.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301606119035348978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMWrRgjp_I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/6P8_Z4K2cF0/s320/DSC02877.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br />Mijie excused himself in the midst of dinner to drop by Dude & the Duchess to get me these (<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;"><em>left</em></span>). I've been eyeing these since they first came out but thought they were a bit much to spend on something I won't be wearing as frequently as most other items of clothing. Rather unconventional colours, but hey, it's me we're talking about here :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMXhkkcCgI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/C5tp6X6Ef-E/s1600-h/DSC02871.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301607051864836610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 176px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMXhkkcCgI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/C5tp6X6Ef-E/s200/DSC02871.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">I really didn't expect Zaki to get me anything because he's not wired that way and I'm okay with that. So it was cool that he still got me these. Simple gifts but I gotta tell ya, I love socks (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">right</span></em>). I can never get enough of them particularly because my shoe collection is expanding now and I need more socks to mix and match with. These are cool.<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Sometime halfway through dinner, Zack called. Remembering the rather uninventive text message he had sent, I chose to be difficult.<br />"Give me one good reason why I should be talking to you right now...," I began.<br />Then out came his voice, "Happy birthday to you, happy bithrday to you..."<br />I could tell he was smiling the whole time, and when that was done he switched to 'Allah selamatkan kamu.' Sigh. I melted there and then.<br />"Sorry lah, I've been busy," he explained later. I could never did get mad at him for too long.<br /><br />There was another message or call I was hoping to get before the night gave way to a new day. True enough, at around 11:55pm, Guy called.<br />"So you had a good day?"<br />"I was wondering when you would call!" I hollered. "You almost missed it by 5 minutes."<br />"Oh yeah?"<br />"Yeah. And Zack called me earlier and made up for a lousy SMS by singing me birthday songs. I was hoping you would be more creative."<br />"Great. You're pressuring me now. Surely nothing I can do can beat his singing?"<br />"Good point. So are you going to tell me your leaving my sister for me <em>kah</em>?"<br />"<em>Iye deh</em>! Funny <em>lah</em> you."<br /><br />I really have a soft spot for Guy. We met exactly 14 years ago, on my birthday, at the airport where we ended up sitting in the same aisle on the plane, then lived in the same dorm, mucked about in the same class for two years in Muar followed by another three months in an English academy in Cheras before meeting up with each other again during matriculation in Kulim, Kedah, followed by those crazy years in USM, Penang. As far as best friends go, he is my most constant. We were in the same debate team, briefly 'formed a band' together (hyuk hyuk) and get up to crazy things that I don't do with my non-hetero friends.<br /><br />"Oh hey, before I forget," he said as we were ending our conversation, "happy birthday, Ziz."<br />"Thanks, Guy. I'll catch up with you soon yeah?"<br />"Alright. Goodnight now."<br />"'Night."</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">A.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-15882221209486806112009-01-31T01:09:00.001+08:002009-02-12T14:02:58.804+08:00Birthday 2009 - part 6: FB shout-outs<span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><span style="color:#333333;"><strong><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">On January 29, 2009<br /></span></em></strong><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Toge </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(Jakarta/photographer friend)</span> - 1:46am<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">HAPPYYYYYYY B'DAY...........................................................MWAH MWAH<br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#000099;">Zai </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF/USM,Layang Sari/roomie)</span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> -</span> 7:52am</span></em><br />hAPPY fABULOUS bIRTHDAY hOMMIE!<br />bEAUTI-FOOL aLWAYS!<br />gOD bLESS U!<br />XOXO<br />aLWAYS hAVE aLWAYS wILLZ.<br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Neyna</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF/KL-Kuching/sisters/ex-roomie)</span> - 8:27am</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">I just want to wish you a happy b-day, may you are blessed with so much love, endless prosperity, eternal success and peace & happiness always...Stay gorgeous & stay fabulous!<br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Aidot </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(USM,ex-classmates)</span> - 8:34am</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy Birthday Aziz! That's right; I still remember yours is 1 day after mine! May you have a great day!<br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Yanie </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(USM/KL, partner-in-crime)</span> - 8:42am<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Darling...Wish you Happy Birthday yang ke-23! Erk!! I Love you..Muah Muah Muah....My Parents dah tgk gambar you...They like you so much..approve..so anytime you blh masuk minang i!!! Hahahahhahaha!!!! ;-)<br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Fari</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF/KL, sisters)</span> - 8:56am<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Babes!Happy Birthday! ur fancy oven cum foam machine tu dah siap pasang ke?hehe<br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Jerry</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(KL)</span> - 9:09am<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy Birthday Dear. May you achieve as many goals and look fabulous doing it at the same time!<br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Kri </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF/Kuching, sisters/photographer friend - might steal your boyfriend)</span> - 9:49am<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">another year, another birthday. have fab one then.xxx<br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Milin</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(USM/KL, photographer friend)</span> -10:05am<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy birthday Aziz!!!Wishing you happy days all thru the year.. murah rezki and dirahmati Allah selalu :)<br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Azman</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(KL)</span> - 11:01am</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy BIRTHDAY!!! Here's a toast for many great years to come!Enjoy your day.. :)</span><br /><em><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Lucy</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF/JAZINO/Penang, fellow supermodel)</span> - 1:28pm</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">HappY bDaY C... God GivE You anOther woNdeRful yEar..EnjOy yoUrseLf anD looKInG foRwarD foR oUr tRiP toGeTher..</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Ghea</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF/JAZINO/Lucy’s alter-ego)</span> - 2:10pm</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#666666;">hAppY bDaY to ThE mOsT lucKieSt Kid in ThE woRld</span><br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Sya </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(USM, ex-classmate)</span> - 2:24pm</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">yello... happy birthday aziz! :-)</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Mazri </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(Dubai/USz/best friend with benefits hehe)</span> - 2:31pm</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy Birthday dearest!!! May you age gracefully :-P Senyum sokmo!</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Nazim</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(USM/KL, partner-in-crime)</span> - 2:37pm<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">happy birthday Ziz!always keep that smile k...</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Rizal</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(USz/Doha)</span> - 3:18pm<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy birthday.. mabrouk!!!</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Ezwan </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF)</span> - 3:27pm</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Panjang umurnya..panjang umurnya..serta muuuuliiiiiaaaaa....serta muuuuliiiiiiaaaaa...</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Aidid</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(Dubai)</span> - 3:46pm</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy birthday Aziz.. semoga lagi tua lagi handsome</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Kast</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(Kedah)</span> - 5:07pm</em><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">darling, happy birthday to you!<br />here's a poem i picked up from d net especially fo u.<br /><em>I’m wishing you another year<br />Of laughter, joy and fun,<br />Surprises, love and happiness,<br />And when your birthday’s done,</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;"><em>I hope you feel deep in your heart,</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;"><em>As your birthdays come and go,How very much you mean to me,</em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;"><em>More than you can know.<br />By Joanna Fuchs</em><br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Sham-sham</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(KL, ex-colleague turned partner-in-crime)</span> - 5:52pm<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">happy birthday azizah and where the party at? Xoxo<br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Zack</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF/LOML)</span> - 11:13pm</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">HAPPY BDAY CAYANG</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Emma</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(USM/Layang Sari)</span> - 11:35pm<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">I hope its not too late to wish happy birthday! Hope you had a great day today<br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Elymaton</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(USM/Layang Sari)</span> - 11:43pm<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Salam... happy birthday & many happy returns!mmuuaaahhhhhh!!! XOXOXO</span><br /><em><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Jiman</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(KL)</span> - 11:55pm</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Like oh am gee!! Like seriously, have I like forgotten to, like wish you?? Like I really should already right? I mean, like, duhhh! But like, I kinda hope it's not like, too late or anything. So anyway, like happy birthday to you. Here's wishing you all the love, and success, and wealth and health, and laughter and like, all good awesome stuffs! Like, cool. Take care okay.<br /></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /><em>On January 30, ’09<br /></em></span></strong><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">See Ming</span> - 5:48am</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy birthday!!!<br /></span><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Lan <span style="color:#ff0000;">(USz)</span> </span>- 10:43am</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">babes, happy bday. i cant believe i missed it! :D anyway, u had fun i'm sure. when's our private session again - dinner i mean. hehe. btw, remind me to get the toy story book from you when i see u. cheerio.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy 32 bday to one of my best supermodel pal. Stay gorgeous and al the best to you.. love, Linda E.<br /></span><em><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Sam</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(Kedah)</span> - 11:09pm<br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">aziz, happy birthday to u dear, many happy returns =) .. mwah</span></span><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;"></span></span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">A.</span></strong></p></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-91000058183576989212009-01-30T04:03:00.004+08:002009-02-12T14:01:45.838+08:00Birthday 2009 - part 5: when the SMSes start coming in..<span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Neyna called sounding chirpy and all, which was a good thing 'cause it forced me to wake up and get ready for work. She's a God-given, that girl. Checked my phone and no messages came in. The phone was obviously all jammed up due to Yus' texting. Sigh.<br /><br />Got to the office and logged on to FB and Asri ping-ed me:</span><br /><br /><em>10:52am</em><br /></span><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">ajiz :D<br />don’t shoot me if I got this wrong .. isn’t it your birthday today?</span><br /></em><span style="font-family:georgia;">10:55am<br />haha<br />yesh it is :)</span><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">10:55am<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ahhh ... happy birthday then :D</span></span></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">10:55am<br />thanks, big guy :D<br /></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><em>10:55am</em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>actully my wife reminded me .. hehe .. yeah i know .. its pathetic :P</em></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">10:55am<br />haha, cemane dia tau plak?<br /></span><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">10:56am<br />zack was mentioning it to her</span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I was in a jolly mood to be productive so got some work done. As the day was coming to an end, messages backlogged from last night started coming in simultaneously. Got off early because I was psyched about cleaning up my new apartment and even went out for a swim in the pool. Zai was planning a dinner with a group of friends to celebrate later this evening so I went to get my hair cut. Told my barber to go all punk with my head but instead of the usual rectangle in the middle, he asked me to try something a little more unconventional, shaving off my sides in a circular kinda cut, leaving a somewhat aerodynamic centre. I like it.<br /><br />Then my phone came to life and the messages started pouring in.<br />[NOTE: <span style="color:#666666;">message</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- person</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(affiliation)</span>] </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Though the first official SMS that came through the night before was Ezwan's, judging by the time it was sent, this was the actual first SMS sent to me:<br /></span></span><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy bday</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Nas</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(ex)<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">I didn't expect him to remember, so as succinct as the message was, it warmed my heart a bit. It could've been more personal but I wasn't surprised that it wasn't. Sweet still nonetheless.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy birthday to u, happy birthday to u, happy birthday to a<span style="color:#666666;">aaziiizzz</span>, happy birthday to u!!!</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Nisa</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(USz)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy bday! </span><span style="color:#000099;">- Zack</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(LOML)</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I did not expect this one to be impersonal, so I was a tad pissed by that...if anyone was supposed to make me feel special, Zack was it. Bastard.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Hapi birthday my fren.. ;-) wish u panjang umur murah rezeki</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Milah</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(Agensi Milah)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy birthday u royal gorgeousness!have a good one today! 32 is such a beautiful number so enjoy it. speak to u later k. lots of luv xxx </span><span style="color:#000099;">- Kri</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy birthday! muah :)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">xdpt ku merik bingka kinek tok, kch banjir lagik. Kelakku molah bingka Oreo. My new recipe!</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Epen</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(JAZINO/BFF)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Aziz, happy birthday!!! Semoga panjang umur, murah rezeki & bahagia selalu.</span><span style="color:#000099;"> - Sarah</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(USz)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Mmm.. Let's see.. Happy 32nd birthday. May your dreams come true & may you find happiness always. Wekkk.. Skema tak? Hahaha...</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Yus @ Awang</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF/USz)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy bday dowh! dtg umah k sabtu tok.</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Yus @ Adly</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy birthday 2u, Happy birthday 2u, Happy birthday 2 Aziz, Happy birthday 2u! Best wishes & hope that u have an enjoyable celebration.</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Joe</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(HC)</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">This was from a colleague of mine - easily the message I least expected, if expected at all.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Wishing you a wonderful and happy birthday today! :-) Is it your birthday??<br />I guess it is your birthday, so.. Happy birthday sweetie!!! :) muahs!</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Andre </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(MP)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy birthday!</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000099;">- A-ah</span> </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(sister)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Babe, happy birthday! I've transferred to the new phonw but didn't transfer the birthday reminder! Happy birthday again!</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Zaki</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(USz, BFF, ex-roomie)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy birthday toots! And happy moving house</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Viv</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(Hyper gang)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Z! I'm driving! Happy birthday bitch!</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Geek aka. Sam </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(Hyper gang)<br /><br /><br /></span><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">A.</span></strong> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-69144246404341805972009-01-30T02:25:00.003+08:002009-02-12T03:04:02.307+08:00Birthday 2009 - part 4: party #2 at home<a href="http://ayusli.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Yus</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"> was the first to call. He phoned at the very stroke of midnight, which was also the very moment Zai and Mij broke out into song.<br />"<em>Berapa orang yang nyanyi tu??</em>" Yus asked.<br />"<em>Dua orang!</em>"<br />"<em>Hahahaha! Bunyi macam ramai je! Well, happy birthday, dear.. nak aku hantar SMS ke? Well, since ko selalu post kat blog kau, aku hantar jer lah yer? hehe</em>"<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYsf2Jnj9kI/AAAAAAAAA04/_-7TIRRQMUE/s1600-h/IMG_0038.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299364401686771266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYsf2Jnj9kI/AAAAAAAAA04/_-7TIRRQMUE/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">To my surprise, Mij and Zai had bought an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins and somehow managed to smuggle it into the house without my knowledge when Mijie dropped by earlier. It was a banana strawberry Oreo cake. Tasted a tad..peculiar.. but it was sweet all the same.<br /><br />Zai decided to record the celebration and Mij was trying his best to be butch -- needless to say, to laugh-out-loud results. Having to laugh my ass off with close friends is the perfect way to celebrate, if you ask me.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Mul went out to see dek Ya at the clinic because his back was giving him trouble again but they came home together to join the 'party'.<br /><br />Zai presented me with this:<br /><br /></span><br /></span><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299363718937591602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYsfOaLePzI/AAAAAAAAA0g/QdaMseb0-yE/s400/IMG_0024.JPG" border="0" /><br />I knew what was inside because I picked it out, heh. But to take effort in wrapping it up and all, that was golden, but then again, that's Zai :)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299364047774538610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 344px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYsfhjMT23I/AAAAAAAAA0o/u2pPGgnpMQI/s400/IMG_0062.JPG" border="0" /><br />I was thinking about getting this for myself but Nora then offered to get it for me as my b-day gift. I know I have quite a number of zipped-up jackets already but this one was different; more biker jacket, less structured and brimming with attitude. The striped lining sealed the deal for me.<br /><br />Then my phone beeped and I thought it was Yus with his text message.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy bday! Hope im d 1st 2wish! Have a great one babes. may Allah bless u alws..lots of love..</span> <span style="color:#000099;">- Ezwan</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">(BFF)</span><br /><br />I felt all mushy inside :) And then I realised something.<br /><br />Though it works perfectly most times, my phone would start misbehaving the moment Yus or Nas tries to text me. I have no idea why those specific two are singled out, but such is the fact. And seeing as Yus' message never came in, I thought, <em>Shit. Now all the wishes people are sending me this very moment are going to get clogged up and I'll only get them tomorrow noon</em>.<br /><br />Oh well.<br /><br />I feel great though. And I thank God for that :)<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">A.</span></strong> </span><div><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-10014201329553817112009-01-29T02:52:00.001+08:002009-02-12T03:03:12.799+08:00Birthday 2009 - part 3: cards and gifts from the 'family'<div><br />This was the card the 'family' got me:</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301616250125825570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMf4-wwNiI/AAAAAAAAA1g/DH3VfSIzKp0/s400/IMG_0053.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>The messages:</div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">ZZZZZZ! Oops, fell asleep there. HAPPY B'DAY Ah Boy!</span> - E<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Love you really! Happy 22nd...</span> - Lena<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Z BABE,<br />Happy sweet 18 again...how many sweet 18 ar?<br />Love, J</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Dear Miranda,<br />Happy birthday!!</span> - Weelie<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Much love</span> - Ro-ro<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Z Darling,<br />There's noone else I'd rather have as a lesbian lover!<br />Love ya,</span> Jen-jen<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Happy birthday ya beautiful bitch.</span> - Sam</div><br />They got me the dress shoes, of course.<br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>This was from Francis:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301616821655934450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 261px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SZMgaP4JlfI/AAAAAAAAA1o/WmSu5t1TD2Y/s320/IMG_0057.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">A.</span></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-23409376398140321832009-01-24T10:53:00.009+08:002009-01-30T02:32:32.121+08:00Birthday 2009 - part 2<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><span style="color:#666666;">Seeing as everyone will be taking a whole week off for Chinese New Year, the Hyper family arranged to celebrate my birthday a week earlier. They took me to </span></span><a href="http://www.tamarindsprings.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#666666;">Tamarind Hill</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#666666;"> on Jalan Sultan Ismail. To think that before the turn of the new year <strong>we had off-handedly decided to <span style="color:#ff0000;">make do without the usual birthday circus</span> in favour of more intimate functions with close 'family' members in the comforts of someone's home with home-cooked meals. Yeah, sure.</strong><br /><br />Still, Tamarind was niiiiice...<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYHPtoNMq_I/AAAAAAAAAzA/YMRtUDINn5A/s1600-h/tamarind3.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296743019558251506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYHPtoNMq_I/AAAAAAAAAzA/YMRtUDINn5A/s320/tamarind3.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#666666;">The stairs leading up to the restaurant (<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;"><em>left pic</em></span>) brought about a romantic vibe, it felt as if it took me outside of the city and into a fantasy plane. You know, after having to tackle KL traffic, to suddenly find yourself walking languidly up a set of stairs amid lanterns and candles.. it's almost magical like.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Inside, the ambience was intimate, warm and soothing (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">below</span></em>). Didn't feel like we were in the dead centre of KL, almost felt like we were on holiday. Food was generally delectable though we all thought the tom yam could've done with a little bit more kick. The chicken with century egg and duck with pomelo salad were especially tasty.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296760185825239314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYHfU1iLoRI/AAAAAAAAAzI/Bu1U61iXZjE/s320/tamarind1.jpg" border="0" /><br />The dressing theme for the night was </span><a href="http://www.cluedo.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#666666;">Cluedo</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#666666;"> -- we had to dress up in monochromes referencing the boardgame's central characters. I had a choice between red or white but there was no way I was going to be Mrs. White, so... Did try to get hold of red pants and found a pair of fancy striped city shorts in Pavilion but the only sizes left were fat. Which was a good thing because the restaurant didn't allow shorts in, and you gotta wear a shirt with a collar too. And it was MY birthday dinner after all so I was forgiven for not going scarlet top to toe.<br /><br />And this was what the gang got me:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296777575031074930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYHvJBX7cHI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/df-b2r8iKTw/s400/IMG_0059.JPG" border="0" /><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">A gorgeous pair of black patent shoes to go with my tuxedo!</span></strong></em> Woooohoooo..! And I get to switch between a choice of black or blue laces. You gotta love versatility. The blue makes the shoes pop out more. I like :)<br /><br />Gerry was in the middle of a shoot and wasn't able to make it, but he did text. Ben, who I was supposed to end up snogging (purely for kicks, mind), was a no-show too but he did call so that was sweet.<br /><br />Dinner was followed by 2009's first karaoke session at Pavilion but the night felt incomplete because they didn't have <strong>the song that inadvertently became my signature number: <span style="color:#ff0000;">Karyn White's <em>Superwoman</em></span></strong>. Apparently, the first time I sang it, it was so convincing and emotive that it caught everyone by surprise -- even Gramps commented on how my vocal lilts and afflictions were spot on. My reasoning? "I have issues!"<br /><br />Indeed.<br /></span><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">A.<br /></span></strong><br /><br />via SMS:</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">Happy big b day aziz! Sorry cant make it. Just finished la. Gong xi fatt chai ya. Catch u soon!</span> - <span style="color:#ff0000;">GrrGrr</span><span style="color:#333333;">, photographer friend</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-63362248931391748852009-01-22T20:32:00.004+08:002009-01-30T13:21:27.672+08:00Of table manners and Birthday 2009 - part 1<span style="color:#666666;"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">There was a lot to do before the Chinese New Year holidays hit so I was proud of myself that I managed to squeeze in two photo shoots into my schedule before the week ends.<br /><br />I roped in Ya to help me go collect products on Tuesday, finding our way to the newly revamped Bangsar Shopping Centre (outside looks cool, inside still pretty much the same), then Taman Desa and eventually Pavilion to collect products (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">below</span></em>) consisting of crystals, glasses, plates and other pieces. All fragile and rather heavy.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296947129197120578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYKJWX3RzEI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/XPG57HRi7-w/s400/22012009360-001.jpg" border="0" /><br />The first shoot was for HC, and I called it <em>Table Manners</em>. It was to be a product shoot consisting of tableware involving three different settings. To make things easier for me and Chris, I had decided to use my rented apartment as the location. Zai really spruced up the place throughout our stay here so there were more than enough corners for me to manipulate.<br /><br />So <em>Setting 1</em> was by the blue wallpaper we put up for Raya, just outside my room, with the old table Ya brought in from his old place. This was to be a romantic and somewhat decadent setting:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296796881129659490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYIAsyMhXGI/AAAAAAAAAzg/w7TGHlP-xeI/s400/HC1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><em>Setting 2</em> was against the beige wall in the living room anchored by a white tablecloth covering the coffee table. I wanted to create a clean atmospehere for a breakfast setting and borrowed stainless steel with porcelain toast rack, teapot and cup & saucer:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296797131629633922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYIA7XYXoYI/AAAAAAAAAzo/-aeo8xjK8Ps/s400/HC2.jpg" border="0" /><br />Lastly, for <em>Setting 3</em>, I used some gold damask I got from Kamdar and stuck that to the wall to mimic wallpaper, then placed the loose top of the rickety table we use in the kitchen on top of the coffee table. This was for a more opulent setting, and the light blue tabletop gave a great contrast to the gold wall:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296797316480988978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYIBGIAXdzI/AAAAAAAAAzw/2nBN7NRHZZg/s400/HC3.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#666666;">The second shoot was for SP, and so I won't have to borrow from too many brands, I chose to feature drinking vessels. <strong>Since SP is more high-design and high-concept, <span style="color:#ff0000;">I wanted the spread to be clean but art-sy</span>.</strong> I envisioned the featured goblets to be surrounded by lesser glasses that are smashed, cracked or shattered. Thinking that concept might require more work and mess, in the end we kept it simple by just playing with the strong backlight then added character and whimsy with some food colouring.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296797572171219218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYIBVAhqwRI/AAAAAAAAAz4/e7GM0Hzpwc0/s400/SP1.jpg" border="0" /><br />The result? A spread that was a cross between Mondrian (three basic colours) and Pollock (a whole lotta mess). It was the juxtaposition of organisation and chaos. One of my most favourites shoots yet!<br /><br />Chris and I finished in 6 hours for both shoots. That's what I love about working with Shooter. We relate to each other on an aesthetic level and play off each other when it comes to ideas. And because of that, we works really fast because we both know what we want the end product to look and feel like. It's a partnership, which is an important golden rule for such a job: <em><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Every stylist has to have a photographer he can work brilliantly with</span> -- and vice versa. </strong></em><br />It's but a bonus that we've become good friends too. Since he was unable to join my birthday dinner tomorrow, Chris bought me tiramisu cake as well as a card and gift.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The card: </span></em><br /></span></span><br /><br /><div><div><span style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296799163999878194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYICxqjMfDI/AAAAAAAAA0A/hqYV_IYmsm4/s400/chris+card1.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;"><em>The gift:<br /></em></span><br /></span><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296799567997601234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYIDJLjwhdI/AAAAAAAAA0I/FW9t8JjQR-8/s400/IMG_0052.JPG" border="0" /><br /><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">The cake:<br /></span></em><br /><br /><span style="color:#666666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296952283253369906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 393px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SYKOCYOC7DI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/FrYyl7v6K-E/s400/25012009363-001.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />A splendid way to wrap up a tiring day, I would say.</span><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="color:#000099;"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">A.</span></strong> </span><br /></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-84489630781007690252009-01-16T02:38:00.009+08:002009-01-16T03:01:04.660+08:00the new love of my life<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">A while back I made it known that the </span><a href="http://anakemas.blogspot.com/2008/09/saturday-i-am-sooo-in-love-right-now.html"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">love of my life is my new apartment</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">. I think I spoke too soon because as of now, I am enamoured once again. My heart is such a fickle bitch, I know.<br /><br />Behold:<br /></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1923231&op=1&view=all&subj=62976267320&aid=-1&oid=62976267320&id=784176163"></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291592063933289794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SW-C8jMFFUI/AAAAAAAAAxk/-UHdoeyu4lo/s400/perspective_small.jpg" border="0" /><br /><em>Tadaaaahh!!</em> What's better than a new apartment? A new apartment with <strong>gorgeous kitchen cabinets</strong>!! The second I laid my eyes on them, I felt a swell in my chest and a tear coming. Thing was, since the contractor took longer to complete them due to a slight miscalculation coupled with a plumber who has yet to make an appearance, I just wanted it to be over and done with already. So I expected nothing more than functional doors and ample storage space. <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">I just didn't realise it could be this beautiful.</span></strong> Especially since the schematic drawing looked like this:<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1923238&op=1&view=all&subj=62976267320&aid=-1&oid=62976267320&id=784176163"><br /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291592331746108658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SW-DMI3oZPI/AAAAAAAAAxs/Y6fo5tQyEU8/s400/drawing-small.jpg" border="0" /><br />But Izad -- the contractor -- did such a good job at Lan's place, I had complete faith in the guy. I always root for those who do it old-school anyways.<br /><br />I insisted on black and white though Izad suggested that wooden hues were the more popular choice. <strong><span style="color:#666666;">But my instinct said to "go with Chanel."</span></strong> The result? Très Chic! </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1923230&op=1&view=all&subj=62976267320&aid=-1&oid=62976267320&id=784176163"><br /></a><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SW-EEuYeN1I/AAAAAAAAAx0/5sWH7GaQhyw/s1600-h/front_small.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291593303888639826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SW-EEuYeN1I/AAAAAAAAAx0/5sWH7GaQhyw/s400/front_small.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">That gaping hole at the bottom is where the oven will go. I may not be a culinary genius just yet, but dammit!, I will BAKE! I vow to be the best darn master-baker this side of PJ!! ;p<br /><br />Well, to be honest, the oven was partly for sister Farah because she likes to experiment with baking.<br /></span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1923258&op=1&view=all&subj=62976267320&aid=-1&oid=62976267320&id=784176163"><br /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SW-EZKcjtbI/AAAAAAAAAx8/-ojyOri8uuo/s1600-h/sink_small.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291593655019353522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SW-EZKcjtbI/AAAAAAAAAx8/-ojyOri8uuo/s400/sink_small.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The faucet needs to be moved, hence the need for the plumber, where ever he is...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And of course, the second part of this tour leads you to:<br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1923347&op=1&view=all&subj=62976267320&aid=-1&oid=62976267320&id=784176163"></a><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SW-EpNJYcmI/AAAAAAAAAyE/vf1RTEB_enk/s1600-h/wdrobe1_small.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291593930622136930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SW-EpNJYcmI/AAAAAAAAAyE/vf1RTEB_enk/s320/wdrobe1_small.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Every clothes horse's fantasy: <strong><span style="color:#666666;">the walk-in wardrobe!!</span></strong><br /><br />Pants and shirts on one side, shoes and jackets on the other with upper storage for whatever else. Since my precious shoe collection is still growing, this will do for now. Not-so-precious shoes can be kept outside.<br /></span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1923348&op=1&view=all&subj=62976267320&aid=-1&oid=62976267320&id=784176163"></a><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SW-FA6inDDI/AAAAAAAAAyM/cYe_FOSHM4g/s1600-h/wrdobe2a_small.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291594337944538162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SW-FA6inDDI/AAAAAAAAAyM/cYe_FOSHM4g/s320/wrdobe2a_small.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bags can go in the various pigeon holes along with folded tees (colour coded, naturally) while shorts, accessories, 'delicates' and junk can hide it the drawers.<br /><br />I've asked around and normally kitchen cabinets would cost you around RM6-7K to get done. Mine was about a little over RM5K -- and to think that Izad wanted to throw in a free hood and hob too, so that's a freakin' bargain! But I have my eyes set on another brand so I declined his generosity.<br /><br />Seriously, if you need a new set of cabinets, by all means, please use my contractor. He delivers within 2 weeks of agreement and took but two days to set everything up for me because he prefabricates everything in this workshop first. The workmanship is meticulous and him and his crew leave very little mess behind. He's a God-sent. Ask me personally for his number - leave your email in the Comments section and I'll get back to ya.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>A.</strong></span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-80575771596139802082009-01-12T21:49:00.011+08:002009-01-24T22:27:24.702+08:00Fashion at the 66th Golden Globes - the oohs and the eews<span style="font-family:georgia;">Chose to skip work today because I fell sick so thought I might as well tuned into the Golden Globes. And here are my personal hits and misses.<br /></span><div><div><div><div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtOz1-q-qI/AAAAAAAAAwc/9nfca1Am_q4/s1600-h/january+jones+Versace.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290408839847017122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtOz1-q-qI/AAAAAAAAAwc/9nfca1Am_q4/s400/january+jones+Versace.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">January Jones in Versace. It's quirky and unpredictable yet have a modern feminity to it. I love the blue and the uneven pleats that help to adjust an otherwise boring silhouette. Gorgeous hair. It's like classic Hollywood meets avant-garde Hollywood. And something about the whole dress, hair and make-up looks very ice queen like, and that appeals to me.<br /></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtPGrEIa8I/AAAAAAAAAwk/uM9Jn6UKvzY/s1600-h/sedgwick+in+ODR.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290409163334642626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 247px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtPGrEIa8I/AAAAAAAAAwk/uM9Jn6UKvzY/s400/sedgwick+in+ODR.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Oh mama!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">This is just <em>chaaantek</em>! Contemporary elegance that is ultra-feminine as only Oscar de la Renta knows how juxtaposed beautifully with an inner strength like only Keira Sedgwick knows how. The colour is just rich and the details of the bustier and belt complement each other, and Keira's hair is one of the best of the night - she hardly needs accessories because she is just stunning. Probably my second most favourite look.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtPcRJXdmI/AAAAAAAAAws/xqBfQK-4Paw/s1600-h/drew+in+Galliano+for+Dior.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290409534334400098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtPcRJXdmI/AAAAAAAAAws/xqBfQK-4Paw/s400/drew+in+Galliano+for+Dior.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Oooooh, magical!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">I like it that Drew Barrymore was bold enough to settle for this hairstyle: it's fun, it's memorable, it's Drew. Only someone with her child-like personality can pull this off, then paired with such a dreamy, flowy, girly gown by Dior, it's a refreshing take on red carpet dressing. The punch of red in the form of her purse makes for a stunning accent but I'm thinking if she added a slim belt also in red, that would've amped her wow factor. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtP4eVVtBI/AAAAAAAAAw0/VfgBqj5qS_g/s1600-h/beckingsale+in+J.+Mendal.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290410018910614546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtP4eVVtBI/AAAAAAAAAw0/VfgBqj5qS_g/s400/beckingsale+in+J.+Mendal.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Ooooh sexy!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Kate Beckingsale in J. Mendal - simple yet sculptural. Almost architectural an hour glass dress - which explains why Shukri loves it :) Love the slick hair, the bracelets and chandeliers. Simple, chic, sexy.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><div><br /></div></span><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtQILfLNGI/AAAAAAAAAw8/IGUMsJSgwMI/s1600-h/melissa+george.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290410288729502818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 274px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtQILfLNGI/AAAAAAAAAw8/IGUMsJSgwMI/s400/melissa+george.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">And my most favourite of all:</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Melissa George. Not sure whose dress this is by - is it Marc Jacobs? I'm loving the black lining because on closer inspection, the lines resemble hand-drawn marker drawings, giving the elegant dress an off-beat aesthetic. The metallic bits are innovative - it's a sophisticated yet young dress. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">And now for the Eeewws...</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtaGYNQkYI/AAAAAAAAAxE/0Lw8_5F9x7w/s1600-h/Untitled.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290421252900557186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 390px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWtaGYNQkYI/AAAAAAAAAxE/0Lw8_5F9x7w/s400/Untitled.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Seriously? <em>Seriously??</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">J.Lo is trying too hard in Marchesa - she's obviously trying to stay relevant by reenacting her Versace-Grammy moment. It's like she ripped off the curtains and tried to pull them off as couture. Not flattering, but rather trashy. Eew.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">As for Eva, this is predictable. Always with the tousled hair that I feel don't reallt go with the dress. Speaking of which, those extra fabric appears like fashion vomit. Again, eew. Hardly flattering.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">But the biggest faux pas, and obviously so:</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWta_Y7OxUI/AAAAAAAAAxM/zGdGLS6FYkM/s1600-h/eeww..+Zelweger+Herrera+bloouse.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290422232345920834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWta_Y7OxUI/AAAAAAAAAxM/zGdGLS6FYkM/s400/eeww..+Zelweger+Herrera+bloouse.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Renee Zellweger. Honestly, the Herrera top is quite chic, but it doesn't go with the fishtail skirt. Had it been just a pencil skirt or a slimmer long skirt, maybe it could've worked. But then again, <em>that hair</em>. She should've gone with a slicker 'do. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />This is similar to the time Charlize Theron wore the green Dior with the big bow for the Oscars or when Nicole Kidman wore that gold-sequined flapper dress: a celebrated actress known for her can't-do-wrong style trying something extremely experimental.<br /><br />Maybe if the hair was different, this could work still. Oh well.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">A.</span></strong></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-4470808289027899032009-01-10T22:07:00.003+08:002009-01-13T17:30:06.304+08:00The very first one<div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">It was supposed to be just another Saturday spent in the Curve. We browsed through magazines, bought some clothes and was about to meet up with Ezwan for some coffee. Ezwan was already settled at the café and never one who likes to keep people waiting I walked several paces ahead of Zai and Adly who were more leisurely with their Saturday stroll.<br /><br />I realised we were walking against the rush of people so as I was trying to locate the café, I suddenly found myself stopping in mid-traffic. <em>There. he. was.</em> A vision of beauty walking pass my right. My legs were suddenly rooted to the spot, and my heart flipped, not believing what I saw. <em>Is that who I think it is?? It can't be!</em> I spun around, catching the back of his head as he was talking to his friend. I felt my mouth move, calling out his name but the words formed were without sound. I figured it was because <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><strong>my heart had flipped and somersaulted too high that it was then lodged in my throat</strong></span>.<br /><br />I found myself turning to Adly and mouthing the guy’s name over and over again.<br />“Isn’t that…?” Adly asked excitedly.<br />Yes. Yes, it was. It was the very first boy I had fallen for.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;">* * *<br /><br /></span></strong><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWxeDZjVJyI/AAAAAAAAAxU/jA5ZrOLjKfI/s1600-h/boylonely2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290707074745181986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWxeDZjVJyI/AAAAAAAAAxU/jA5ZrOLjKfI/s400/boylonely2.jpg" border="0" /></a>It was the first day of primary school and Pap couldn’t stay with me for registration because he had to go and send Farah to her school for her first day as well. So I was left on my own. Puan Ngo looked at me and asked me nicely to go find an empty seat. Never one to be naturally sociable, I felt odd and extremely out of place. I thought I didn’t know anyone at that time until this boy, Man, whom I had befriended on the last day of kindergarden, waved my way and called me over. “Hey, you can sit here!” he suggested.<br /><br />Man and I had gone to a co-ed kindergarden together and on our last day there, we played tag with a bunch of other kids. Funny thing was, when I was ‘it’ I ignored everybody else and all the girls who would’ve been easier to chase because I was only interested in chasing Man around the playground.<br /><br />Man was a jolly kid. Dark skinned, bushy hair, chubby cheeks, toothy smile, concerned eyes. As I took the chair next to him that first day at school, he turned to me and introduced me to his cousin, who was sitting on his other side. I turned to face the boy…and my heart melted. I was seven.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">He was the most beautiful boy I had ever seen</span></strong>. I was just so taken aback by the sheer purity of his face. Fair skin, high cheekbones, sharp nose, prominent jaw line, floppy hair and perfect symmetry. He looked like an angel. He was handsome, but in the pretty sense normally associated with Middle Eastern masculinity. And there was this air of sophistication about him. In my then young, innocent eyes, he was royalty.<br /></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1907992&op=1&view=all&subj=62457402320&aid=-1&oid=62457402320&id=784176163"></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">So the boy became my very first crush. I cannot say if I was ever in love with him because -- let’s be honest here -- <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">what would a 7-year-old know or understand about love?</span></strong> But a crush is more short-lived in nature and I was into the lad for years to come. Perhaps what I felt was some kind of an infatuation, I’ll never know. I just knew that looking at him or talking to him got me all giddy.<br /><br />When I was nine, Mam thought it was time I had a birthday party. So I had invited the lad over, handed him an invitation card and all. But he never came and I remember feeling somewhat gutted by that. But then again, a lot of other friends couldn’t make it as well because unlike the bulk of kids from St. Joe‘s who stayed in Kuching North, my family resided in Kuching South. That’s like staying in Subang but going to school in Bukit Bintang with the majority of kids staying in Ampang and Keramat. So I wasn’t too dejected.<br /><br />Then I had to move schools but before long found my way back to St. Joe’s again. And whenever I saw him afterwards -- by then already in our early teens -- my knees would go weak. He still looked like who he was when I first saw him, only naturally the features were more mature. And man, he was fit!<br /><br />But that’s all history now. Prior to Saturday, the last time I saw him was 4 years ago at the Rainforest World Music Fest. I was hanging out with my third-nephew when a coupla guys came by to see him. The apple of my eye was one of them. “Hey, you know him, right?” my nephew had said, and the best I could muster then was, “Uhm. Hey.” This was then followed by my head thumping itself on to a nearby tree. “Look at them,” my friend Shukri had commented, “They’re like the cool kids and we’re the social outcasts.” Even then at the age of 28, my life had felt like a scene from The Breakfast Club.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWxeNMnVVxI/AAAAAAAAAxc/F6h7sr7VYl0/s1600-h/patrickmoberg_blog_151_418px.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290707243071002386" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 361px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWxeNMnVVxI/AAAAAAAAAxc/F6h7sr7VYl0/s400/patrickmoberg_blog_151_418px.jpg" border="0" /></a>We were never really great friends, him and I. Just kids who went to the same school and shared the same friends, and occasionally conversed with one another. He was a cool kid, something of a ladies’ man. I remember him having a great laugh, one that was hearty with a little huskiness in his throat. And he had eyes that twinkled, but that could be just me being biased.<br /><br />I figured I'll probably bump into him again in Kuching one day. But he was here, in of all places, The Curve! And when I saw him that Saturday, he was still the same guy. The beauty of his features were still there -- the cheekbones, the jawline, the chin -- and he was lean and looked well put together. He looked good <em><span style="font-family:verdana;">lah</span></em>. Since I’m being biased and all, it is of my very personal belief that no guy has ever come close to his beauty -- not then, not now. His face is like perfection with nary a bad angle. I’m not a fan of perfection, but with this one, I surrender.<br /><br />“Why didn’t you say ‘Hi’??” Adly demanded.<br />Because he would make a blubbering idiot out of me. He would make me feel like I’m 7 all over again. It’s not like I still have the hots for him or anything, but… I don’t know. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">Sometimes a fancy or a fantasy is better left as it is</span></strong>, for fear that knowing them better would spoil the make-believe of it all. In a world defined by harsh realities, we need the occasional outlet to be able to dream. I mean, I have no illusions about ending up with him or anything - the lad is straight, after all - but it’s kinda cool to still have a soft spot for him.<br /><br />But here’s another thing: like most everybody else, I have been somewhat jaded by the whole mating game, or the prospects of relationships and couplehood. I’m not exactly the wide-eyed dreamer I used to be. But as cynical as I tend to come off as now, it feels greatly refreshing that <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">some where, out there, someone still has the capacity to stop me in my tracks</span></strong>. It’s a yummy feeling. It feels great to be able to feel like I’m 7 all over again.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">A.</span></strong></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-87403157946564636712009-01-02T03:58:00.017+08:002009-01-10T05:07:25.084+08:00measuring 2008<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000000;"><em>“525,600 minutes<br />525,000 moments so dear<br />525,600 minutes<br />How do you measure - measure a year?”<br /></em><strong>- Jonathan Larson’s ‘Seasons of Love’, RENT</strong> </span></span><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><div><strong><em>My 2008 in numbers:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWe24Bxe_oI/AAAAAAAAAv0/WHbITkwJvEA/s1600-h/pic1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289397361034854018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWe24Bxe_oI/AAAAAAAAAv0/WHbITkwJvEA/s320/pic1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></em></strong><br /><br />At least 500 cups of coffee<br />At least 125 packs of Dunhill Lights 14<br /><br /><br /></div><div>311 editorial pages<br />33 photo shoots<br />RM1.4 million in ad revenues<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWe3xtRkGkI/AAAAAAAAAv8/PJWt5iTBFDU/s1600-h/pic3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289398351964674626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWe3xtRkGkI/AAAAAAAAAv8/PJWt5iTBFDU/s320/pic3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />3 pregnancies<br />3 births<br />1 hospital visit<br />3 cases of slip discs<br />7 deaths<br />2 funerals<br />9 times cried in the 24 hours after Din passed away<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWe4rEVRQgI/AAAAAAAAAwM/S2l9jEGEZG4/s1600-h/pic2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289399337406775810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWe4rEVRQgI/AAAAAAAAAwM/S2l9jEGEZG4/s400/pic2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />15 Birthday parties, lunches, dinners, suppers<br />7 reunions<br />1 farewell party<br />4 karaoke sessions<br />7 pairs of new shoes<br />1 pair of Bottega Veneta<br />2 cans of lychees<br />1 Brazilian wax<br /><br />5 people I was involved with (none bloomed into relationships)<br />3 engagements<br />5 weddings<br />7 break-ups<br />4 divorces<br /><br />1 meltdown<br />1 hatchet buried<br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>After the brutality of 2007, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Life really went out of its way to give me a break last year</span></strong>. I dare say I worked my hardest and because of it I experienced what was the most comfortable lifestyle I’ve yet to taste. Money was generally okay, work was fantastic. And though I was contemplating a return to the convent after the disastrous end to that relationship in 2007, I didn‘t (Shukri would be proud). Sure, I wasn’t my predictably secluded, celibate self but I wasn’t as big a slut as I could be or as my natural sexuality would lead some people to believe either.<br /><br /></div><div>The year began with a kiss, and it ended with one too. But if I were to measure the past 12 months as how Larson prescribed i.e. to measure in love, then zero would be the times I was in love. Maybe I came close once, though my logic tells me it was just a heightened, accelerated form of adoration. Not to say I was adamant about being in love last year. To be perfectly honest, I was too comfortable with how Life was playing out that unlike years past <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Love factored little in the general equation of things in 2008</span></strong>.<br /><br /></div><div>And I’m not saying that to make myself feel comfortable or anything, but that was really how I generally felt throughout last year. Any measures of love could only be derived from the poor unfortunate souls who had to regard me as their friend. My family, my glam squad, my posse. Ezwan, Zaqrul, Alek, Asri, Dzul, kak Na. Zaki, Zul, Yus, Kairul Nizam, Lan, Mahadzir, Mazri. My lesbian lover Jenjen, Hun Sung, Ro-ro, Viv, Shooter, and yes, Gramps. Zai, Neyna, Fari, Wawa, Lucy, Abu, Adly, Mijie, Farah, Marge, dek Ya, Aida and yes, Shukri, heh.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWe41edjXmI/AAAAAAAAAwU/w0mP72LjrB4/s1600-h/pic4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289399516219530850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 386px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SWe41edjXmI/AAAAAAAAAwU/w0mP72LjrB4/s400/pic4.jpg" border="0" /></a>And <a href="http://anakemas.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html">Halimuddin</a>. I still cannot believe he is out of my life. He’s still too great a loss. When I was staring at his lifeless body in the morgue that Wednesday night, I expected him to suddenly wake up and laugh at us and announce it was all a joke. Because it just didn‘t make sense. One day we were laughing over breakfast, then the very next day, he died. For the few weeks, even months, after he had passed away I would find myself tearing up while waiting for the bus, or in the LRT, or in the shower, even when I was pooping. Once while watching TV, I excused myself from the living room to cry in the bathroom because I was reminded of him.<br /></div><br /><div>Halim was like a younger brother to me, much like Yazid. He was probably the only friend I could never say “no” too. He was the most foul-mouthed, most animated, innocent little angel with an uncharacteristically strong grasp of vocabulary - which was why I could relate to him so much, haha. Even in anger and sadness, he would turn to comedy. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">He was one of my most trustworthy best friends</span></strong>. And man, could he make me laugh. Nobody could produce as strong a comic effect at the mere utterance of “cipap”. I love that boy, I do; and I still miss him tremendously.<br /></div><br /><div>Another unexpected thing happened in 2008: <a href="http://anakemas.blogspot.com/2008/11/i-think-its-about-forgiveness.html">I forgave</a>. It was a long time coming but since the wound was cut so deep, the healing process took longer than I would‘ve preferred. Maybe because being in a more stable state of things, I finally found clarity. So I forgave.<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">But however I measure it,<span style="color:#cc0000;"> thank you, Allah</span>, for what was a great year</span></strong>. I wouldn’t have been able to go through it without You.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Life is good, God is Great.<br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000066;">A.</span><br /></span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000000;"><em>Five hundred twenty-five thousand<br />Six hundred minutes<br />Five hundred twenty-five thousand<br />Moments so dear<br />Five hundred twenty-five thousand<br />Six hundred hinutes<br />How do you measure - measure a year ?<br /><br />In daylights, in sunsets<br />In midnights, in cups of coffee<br />In inches, in miles<br />In laughter, in strife<br /><br />In - five hundred twenty-five thousand<br />Six hundred minutes<br />How do you measure<br />A year in the life?<br /><br />How about love ?<br />How about love ?<br />How about love ?<br />Measure in love<br />Seasons of Love<br />Seasons of Love<br /><br />Five hundred twenty-five thousand<br />Six hundred minutes<br />Five hundred twenty-five thousand<br />Journeys to plan<br />Five hundred twenty-five thousand<br />Six hundred minutes<br />How do you measure the Life<br />Of a woman or a man ?<br /><br />In truths that she learned<br />Or in times that he cried<br />In bridges he burned<br />Or the way that she died?<br /><br />It’s time now, to sing out<br />Though the story never ends<br />Let’s celebrate and remember<br />A year in the life of friends<br /><br />Remember the Love<br />Remember the Love<br />Remember the Love<br />Measure in Love<br />Seasons of Love ...<br />Seasons of Love</em></span><br /><br /></span></div><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-10383239936139735412008-11-11T17:48:00.005+08:002008-11-11T18:39:57.463+08:00"The undisputed first Malay supermodel!!"<div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Someone came across my <a href="http://anakemas.blogspot.com/2008/09/flashback-superdupermodels-reunion-in.html">'Supermodel Reunion'</a> entry a while back and was kind enough to send me some praise. I think he was doing some research on Nora Ariffin and in his efforts, stumbled upon my writing. I say that because the guy has just started a website devoted to "the undisputed first Malay supermodel."<br /><br />So since he was so nice, I'm going to do my part to help promote his website. So if you wanna learn more about the Singaporean lass, please go to </span><a href="http://www.nora-ariffin.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>www.nora-ariffin.com</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267336079151306002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 392px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SRlWQaZplRI/AAAAAAAAAu8/EtLr1ppuecM/s400/nora1.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;color:#3366ff;"><em>That's Nora on the very right</em></span><br /><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267344218543383026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SRldqL_8YfI/AAAAAAAAAvM/7UzC1qNlIp4/s400/nora2.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;color:#3333ff;"><em>The first Asian model to be the face of Chanel Allure.<br /></em></span></p><p>Golly gee, I have another fan. And finally, not the kind that would send their dirty gym shorts to my office or leave lewd MMSes on my phone either (whoever you are though, please don't stop because it makes me feel important).<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">A.</span></strong></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-57615664577081826722008-11-11T12:53:00.004+08:002008-11-11T13:53:26.258+08:00A most poignant argument<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000099;"><strong><em>Tuesday</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">I am quite indifferent when it comes to gay marriage - I'm neither for it nor am I against it. Since it bears no true significance in this country or its politics, I dare say it doesn't affect me.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">I'm sure that statement alone opens up a whole room for argument. Because legalising gay marriage is not just about getting a certificate that allows you to live together, it's also about attaining access to the very things heterosexual marriages are privileged with. You know, such as shared legal rights to property, joint adoptions, joint insurance policies, next-of-kin status for hospital visits or medical decisions, etc etc.<br /><br />The thing is, I know gay marriage will NEVER be legalised in Malaysia. You can fight and scream all you want, it's not gonna happen. But coming from someone who has learned to adapt as a matter of survival, what you can do is work your way around it. The way I see it, in the Malaysian context, if two men or two women decide to be eternally committed to each other, they should go ahead and do it. Call it a commitment ceremony or whatever, have the whole shebang of a grand affair, recite your vows in front of your loved ones and celebrate it. You don't need the government to approve it - in my books, as long as those that count bless it, then you're married in their eyes. It's not the peachiest of solutions, but hey, short of moving to a country that embraces same-sex marriage, it's not that bad a prospect either.<br /><br />As for argument from a religious point of view: it's between God and you. <span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>Berani buat, berani tanggung.</em></span><br /><br />Now, you may think that this whole disclosure is prompted by the controversy over Proposition 8. Well, okay, that's partly true: I don't really make it a habit to follow politics, especially when it's not even our own so by right, I am not emotionally invested in whether Prop 8 doesn't come to pass or not. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">But I am invested in arguments, and I was just significantly moved by one Keith Olbermann. A heterosexual news anchor and political commentator, he delivered a strong argument regarding Prop 8 on MSNBC's Special Comment.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">You just have to watch it. It is the most beautiful, most poignant argument I've ever heard that it almost brought me close to tears. I said 'close', because I don't like crying. His points made sense, and it gripped me. Judge for yourself:</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cVUecPhQPqY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cVUecPhQPqY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>A.</strong></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-19235523743423038292008-11-06T18:27:00.009+08:002008-11-06T18:54:14.760+08:00I think it's about Forgiveness<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Thursday afternoon</span></strong><br /><br /><br />I’m thinking this was a long time coming.<br /><br />But pain or scars in whatever shape or form, heal at their own pace. Some people overcome the pain swiftly, others – that’s me – take longer. Partly because along with that pain, there were layers of betrayal, lies, disappointment, dejection, anger... rage. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Which was why getting over it took too long a time, because I looked the idiot more than anybody else. And I hate looking the idiot.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SRLJvs3JXGI/AAAAAAAAAus/99nc4BX_DUE/s1600-h/miranda_hobbes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265492735683026018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SRLJvs3JXGI/AAAAAAAAAus/99nc4BX_DUE/s400/miranda_hobbes.jpg" border="0" /></a>When we were watching the <em>Sex and the City movie</em> some months back, my friends said India.Arie’s rendition of <span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/indiaarie/theheartofthematter.html">The Heart of the Matter</a></span> was my song. At that time, they were referring to my supposed fictional alter ego, Miranda (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3366ff;">left</span></em>), because it was her song. But whether life imitated art, or art imitated life, the song became my own soundtrack.<br /><br />About a week back, I came across a picture of the Ex, by accident. As I looked at it, I smiled and felt... nothing. No rage, no disgust, no hate. So that was when I realised it.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">I’ve forgiven him.</span></strong><br /></span><br /><br />My cold, cold heart has finally given way to warmth. And I say this with great conviction, with nary hint of sarcasm: I truly wish him all the best in his life. In fact, I wish he finds great joy and contentment. And I will cease to call him by any degrading moniker that I have assigned him. Clean slate.<br /><br />But I'm in no rush to tell him that :p<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000099;">yusli: finally?<br /></span>me: yeah.. I mean, I'm not gonna go up to him and shake hands and say "water under the bridge" <em>ke apa</em><br />me: but I hold no grudges, what's done is done<br /><span style="color:#000099;">yusli: understood :)</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ff0000;">Jen: good on you, hun.. sounds like the poison has worked its way out of your system.</span><br /><br />Indeed.<br /><br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:arial;">The more I know, the less I understand<br />All the things I thought I knew, I'm learning them again<br /><br />I've been tryin' to get down<br />to the Heart of the Matter<br />But my will gets weak<br />And my thoughts seem to scatter<br />But I think it's about forgiveness<br />Forgiveness<br />Even if, even if you don't love me anymore<br /><br />All the people in your life who've come and gone<br />They let you down, you know they hurt your pride<br />Better put it all behind you; cause life goes on<br />You keep carrin' that anger, it'll eat you up inside<br /><br />I wanna be happily everafter<br />And my heart is so shattered<br />But I know it's about forgiveness<br />Forgiveness<br />Even if, even if you don't love me anymore<br /></span></em></span><div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><em><span style="font-family:arial;">I've been tryin' to get down<br />to the Heart of the Matter<br />Because the flesh will get weak<br />And the ashes will scatter<br />So I'm thinkin' about forgiveness<br />Forgiveness<br />Even if you don't love me anymore<br />Even if you don't love me anymore<br /><br />- from "The Heart of the Matter", Don Henley/India.Arie<br /></span></em><br /><br />So that’s that :)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265494276146916834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 377px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 271px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SRLLJXiW7eI/AAAAAAAAAu0/enkXRB8qrRg/s400/forgive.bmp" border="0" /><br />And while I'm singing this note, a very witty, charming man shared this with me earlier this week:</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>"Out with the negativity, in with the love!"</strong><br /></span><br /><br />Corny, but true.<br /><br /><br />So here's two snaps for love, beautiful people!</span></div><br /><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>A.</strong></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-37754072989218175872008-10-16T00:37:00.006+08:002008-10-16T02:03:16.602+08:00Of feeling high and feeling low..<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Wednesday night</span></strong><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">About an hour ago we had just wrapped up Jenjen's b-day bash at my current fave spot, The C. Club. I'd like to say, had I was left in charge of the guests list the dinner party would have been a classier affair. But who am I kidding? Our guests were a truly well-mannered bunch. But the posh venue turned into a fancy diner that fell prey to hooligans - us. Jen, Roro, E, Hun and I (and Auntie HL) couldn't help but to be our unabashedly loud selves. I'm thinking 'titties', 'man milk' and sexual connotations of the brand 'Lalique' shouldn't make up fine dining conversation. You really can't take us anywhere. <em>Anywhere</em>!<br /><br />Heh. I love those guys.<br /><br />And we had our very first 'family portrait'. Hun and I have agreed that it was something we must do on each birthday.<br /><br />Jenjen also motioned for a review of the privilege we bestowed upon the birthday person to be able to say whatever he/she feels like saying on his/her birthday with no restrictions or objections from other parties. Meaning, come your birthday, your word is gospel. It's been our tradition for the past 2-3 years. But that privilege will only take effect on your actual birthday. Since the party was way before, and she won't be around next week, Jenjen could not practice the privilege.<br /><br />It was a great night, one I managed to endure in spite of three hours sleep in 36 hours (and counting).<br /><br />But then </span><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7672083.stm"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff0000;"><strong>this</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"> happened.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SPYvHKzeywI/AAAAAAAAAic/RiSytnJ-5o0/s1600-h/ALO-006065.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257441415207504642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SPYvHKzeywI/AAAAAAAAAic/RiSytnJ-5o0/s320/ALO-006065.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Dammit. I truly feel sad about this. I was so sure that they would stick it to the end and prove naysayers wrong. Sigh. I feel so sorry for the kids, but mostly for her. It's like the crashing down of a real-life fantasy: the foreign land, the fairytale wedding, the country manor, standing by her man through all his projects... it's now all dust. It's just so depressing.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">And the media is going to rip her to shreds. For being too ambitious, too hardworking, for trying to stay legitimate and sexy at the age of 50 yet still not being able to keep her man.<br /><br />The only way I could view this positively is if she were to start writing her songs of despair again. And emote. <em>Like A Prayer</em> part II perhaps?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Sigh. I feel so sorry for Rocco.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">A.</span> </span></strong></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-80613965128299975182008-09-27T20:21:00.002+08:002008-09-29T00:51:44.441+08:00the new Love of my life<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><strong>Saturday<br /></strong><br />I am sooo in love right now. Seriously. I am in a heavenly bliss, an emotional high that enraptures me so, I feel like crying. And I've not felt this for quite some time now.<br /><br />I bought a unit in Sterling, Kelana Jaya some years back. I was supposed to move in before Ramadhan but since my deadlines have been madness then, I had to postpone that desire. And I've been to my unit a coupla times but always with somebody else and it was all business.<br /><br />So today I went there - alone - just to check out the wiring for my lights and fans and air-cond. And when I walked through the front door, it hit me: oh my God. This is my house. <em>Mine</em>.<br /><br />It was a bit emotional an experience being there on my own, thinking about the many years that it took for me to get here. Though I've been renting for 8 years now since I moved to KL, the one place that I seriously called home previously was my shoddy flat in Brickfields, mainly because I had the place to myself, no roomies. It was incredibly small and I had to share the bathroom with my next door neighbours. Kinda like a dorm. But I had my own kitchen. And rats. There were lots of rats. The only real assets I had then were a folded mattress, a table fan, a minibar and a patio lounge chair, all bought from Carrefour. It was my true beginning as a KL-ite, a struggling artist of sorts trying to make it in the world of publishing.<br /><br />And 6 years later, I finally have my own home. I feel so grown up. I am deeply in love with it. As with everything, I'm picky and to find a mid-range high-rise that I would love wasn't easy. But this? This is fantastic.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN96hTNoTGI/AAAAAAAAAg0/22oraMEmesU/s1600-h/27092008291-small.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251050403049000034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN96hTNoTGI/AAAAAAAAAg0/22oraMEmesU/s400/27092008291-small.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Here is one of the main reasons why I bought the unit. Most mid-range condos in KL express lousy layouts: normally the first room you encounter after walking through the front door is the dining room or kitchen and only after that would you find the living room. I think that's stupid. Any architect who designs that way should surrender their useless degree.<br /><br />I mean, if you're having a dinner party, you wouldn't want your guests to see you sweating in the kitchen before they even get to sit down in the lounge. So this (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">above</span></em>) was what attracted me to my unit: after the front door, you get a full view of the living hall, with no trace of where the kitchen or dining is. And it stretches right out to the balcony.<br /><br />I'm imagining dark grey walls (Night Jewel 1 by Dulux) with white dado rails and panelling and expressive wallpaper. Plus, rich wooden flooring.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN99_ytqZVI/AAAAAAAAAg8/TwkvKXGxxTQ/s1600-h/27092008292-small.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251054225435813202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN99_ytqZVI/AAAAAAAAAg8/TwkvKXGxxTQ/s400/27092008292-small.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">This here is the other clincher: split-level layout!! Another rare find in high-rise units in KL. I want my home to be an exploration of spaces. A spatial adventure of sorts, if you will.<br /><br />That's the front door. The wall next to it offers a setting for a transitionary space, or a smaller sitting area. The steps lead into the dining and kitchen. Right next to the door is maid's room. But I'm turning that into 2/3 walk-in wardrobe then 1/3 storage space. So I won't have to bother fitting a wardrobe in my bedroom.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-KLVCer2I/AAAAAAAAAhE/FIgp5-dZHjE/s1600-h/27092008294-small.jpg"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-MD6tAAUI/AAAAAAAAAhM/QlCjpr8FUB0/s1600-h/27092008294-small.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251069689462784322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-MD6tAAUI/AAAAAAAAAhM/QlCjpr8FUB0/s400/27092008294-small.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">This is an alternative view, from the kitchen looking into the living hall (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">far left</span></em>). That's the door to my master bedroom. The second view is the hallway leading to the other rooms.<br /><br />Because I've stayed in units where the heat was unbearable, I purposefully chose a unit with a North-South orientation so I wouldn't get direct sunlight. And true enough, I was at the house at 12:30 noon and even with all the doors and windows closed, the interiors felt cool.<br /><br /></span></p><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-ND4hpjBI/AAAAAAAAAhU/EO1y0HLaelw/s1600-h/27092008296-small.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251070788389932050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-ND4hpjBI/AAAAAAAAAhU/EO1y0HLaelw/s400/27092008296-small.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">On to my master bedroom. A tad small for my preference but I can live with that, especially since the whole house is mine, heh. Can't make my mind up yet on how I want it to look. But yes, wooden flooring throughout. Tiles tend to make me sick. Really. I have sensitive feet.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /></span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-OSvaRR2I/AAAAAAAAAhc/FuCl0PmzLNs/s1600-h/27092008299.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251072143152727906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-OSvaRR2I/AAAAAAAAAhc/FuCl0PmzLNs/s400/27092008299.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">And the attached bathroom. Not really loving the shower head but not hating it either. It's effective for now.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-Ox24DJ7I/AAAAAAAAAhk/LnQXFHpwLOE/s1600-h/27092008301.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251072677732624306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-Ox24DJ7I/AAAAAAAAAhk/LnQXFHpwLOE/s400/27092008301.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Here's the spare bedroom. My sister insists on giving her one room to decorate. She wants an English country theme. The thought of it still makes me cringe.<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-QY0J3PkI/AAAAAAAAAhs/0KW05I02dLk/s1600-h/27092008302-small.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251074446528560706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-QY0J3PkI/AAAAAAAAAhs/0KW05I02dLk/s400/27092008302-small.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">This is the other spare room. I'm turning it into my Miranda Priestley office, heh. The nook is where my work desk is going and I'll prop up a sofa-bed by the windows. This is where I'll sleep should the parents and sisters come over.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251074929457957538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-Q07NNCqI/AAAAAAAAAh0/3QFDPU6JjGw/s400/27092008307-small.jpg" border="0" /><br />This is the balcony. Yes, the view sucks but the other alternative was looking into the public swimming pool area, which is more distracting a choice for me, or the highway, which is noisy. If my unit were higher, I'd get a better view but I didn't like the idea of paying more - with each floor, I have to pay additional RM1,000. Boo. But then again, I purposefully chose a ground floor unit because it saves me the trouble of waiting for the lift. The ground floor gives me 20 seconds walk to the pool area and moving furniture will be easier. Nothing's perfect and I'm not one to really appreciate a good view.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-TGpb8cxI/AAAAAAAAAh8/XbpjMnbhK5o/s1600-h/27092008308.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251077432948847378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-TGpb8cxI/AAAAAAAAAh8/XbpjMnbhK5o/s400/27092008308.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Here's my front door - just looking at it gives me goosebumps! And the other picture is the ridiculously spacious hall leading to the residential units. And that glass wall area? That's the lift lobby. Fancy huh??<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The bonus to this place is the landscaping. Check out the swimming pool area. Nice. And the location. The arrestingly iconic commercial precinct <a href="http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=462444">Paradigm</a> is a stone's throwaway, what I anticipate to be something akin to Pavilion (but I could be wrong). Giant is just opposite that and if I'm loyal to my company, I plan to cycle to work (it's that near). Unless that other job offer pans out positively, which is cool because it's only in Uptown.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251078228482141970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-T09B3LxI/AAAAAAAAAiE/QJT7uHhf2vU/s400/27092008311-small.jpg" border="0" /> This is leading to the pool area (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">above</span></em>). Public tables and chairs fitted with chess boards are sporadically placed throughout the compound, as are exercise contraptions and reflexology paths.<br /><br /></span><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251078564651509106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-UIhW4pXI/AAAAAAAAAiM/2TSKo_s0Jok/s400/27092008312-small.jpg" border="0" /><br />The pool. Sigh.<br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251078936209246098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN-UeJhJx5I/AAAAAAAAAiU/0V8263Yongk/s400/27092008314-small.jpg" border="0" /><br />A cascading water wall, which you encounter upon entering the condo premise.<br /><br />And I will looking at light fixtures come Monday. I've decided that once the lights are in, I'll just move right in and get my contractors to go and do their work while I'm there. Won't bother me one bit, 'cause hey, I'm in love.<br /></span></div><div><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">A.</span></strong><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SN96hTNoTGI/AAAAAAAAAg0/22oraMEmesU/s1600-h/27092008291-small.jpg"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-4510966445426701002008-09-18T08:11:00.003+08:002008-09-21T00:56:34.604+08:00Flashback: superdupermodels reunion in Vanity Fair Sept '08<span style="font-family:georgia;"><div align="left"><br /><span style="color:#333333;">I can hardly contain myself.<br /><br />This recent discovery is bringing back a whole lotta memories of a group of boys who wished they were a group of girls in a little town called Kuching. We were turning 13, having just survived UPSR, making our way to secondary school. I can't quite recall how we first got together but we did: me, Jay, Abu, Epen. <strong>We were never formally introduced to each other and were all in different classes but shared the same friends. <span style="color:#ff0000;">I guess we just gelled</span></strong>.<br /><br />Saturdays were usually our time to hang out, when we would find a vacant spot or empty classroom to do whatever we felt like doing. That included organising impromptu beauty pageants (even back then we were such queens), talking about boys, learning choreography and whatever else little boys get up to (heh). </span></span></div><br /><div align="left"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SNUhV-tyKHI/AAAAAAAAAf8/IL3TA2Y00uU/s1600-h/supermodels+by+Meisel.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248137602266179698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SNUhV-tyKHI/AAAAAAAAAf8/IL3TA2Y00uU/s400/supermodels+by+Meisel.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>Different as our personalities were, we shared one thing in common: <span style="color:#ff0000;">a passion for fashion</span></strong>. I'm not quite sure how that started but Fashion TV played a significant role, I guess, and eventually we started buying magazines. For the life of me, I don't know why but I found myself gravitating towards Cosmopolitan and I remember some issues of Harper's Bazaar or Elle or something but not quite sure if anyone actually had Vogue. So somehow, suddenly, we began discussing designers and supermodels.<br /><br />And it was the right time too. <strong>It was <span style="color:#ff0000;">the Era of the Supermodels</span>, the glamazons who ruled the runways, magazine covers and print campaigns</strong>. We learned the designers (Oscar de la Renta, Westwood and Versace were favourites back then) and got acquainted with Cindy, Linda, Naomi, Claudia, Christy, then Kristen McMenamy, Nadege, Vendela, Yasmin Ghauri, Niki Taylor, even Tengku Azura, Nora Ariffin to luminaries the likes of Steven Meisel, Herb Ritts, Peter Lindbergh, Mario Testino. We organised impromptu photoshoots around Kuching (and eew, the pictures were horrendous!) and taught ourselves to sketch clothes, and practised fashion poses and catwalks - by age 16, I already mastered the Vivienne Westwood gallop. We even pretended to fall like Naomi did circa 1993</span> (<em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">below</span></em>)!<br /><br /><br /></div></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248140796810452434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SNUkP7UfXdI/AAAAAAAAAgk/HWHj3uxqLMw/s400/naomi_fall_365x470.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="color:#333333;">Years rolled by, I went to MRSM (where I managed to impart my knowledge of fashion to unsuspecting innocents) then new designers and newer models arrived on to the scene - Stella Tenant, Carolyn Murphy, Kate, Jenny Shimizu, Michelle Hicks, Shalom Harlow, Tyra Banks, Sophie Dahl - but none fascinated us as much as the Originals. So much so that we had assigned each other a supermodel counterpart: Being the serious over-achiever, I was Cindy (berangan!!), Jay with his lanky limbs was Linda, Abu and his dark skin, fiery temper and drama was fittingly Naomi and Epen... regarded as a late bloomer of sorts, Epen was Nora Ariffin (hehe). It was a great fashion fantasy of mine to do a shoot with Cindy, photographed by Herb Ritts. And when Herb passed away in 2002, I was devastated.<br /><br /><strong>Sadly, as we know it <span style="color:#ff0000;">the Era of the Supermodels is no more</span></strong>. But the girls remain in our hearts as our friendship grows from strength to strength. And we still get a kick out of seeing them headlining some of the big campaigns out there still.</span><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248144075294968178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SNUnOwoHCXI/AAAAAAAAAgs/kBGolDyV248/s400/nadege.bmp" border="0" /> <p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;"><em>L-R: Nadege, Shalom and Stella.<br /></em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;">Then a coupla days back, I chanced upon <em>this</em>:</span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248139038852141426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SNUipmakUXI/AAAAAAAAAgE/qjrOPeWPp30/s400/VF1.bmp" border="0" /><br /></span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;">I have neither been keeping up with my </span><a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/"><span style="color:#333333;">Vanity Fair</span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> nor my fashion blogs updates as of late. Which only made my recent discovery even greater a surprise because of it. I flipped through the pages and saw this:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248139432240739826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SNUjAf5t9fI/AAAAAAAAAgM/CozKNIj5xVI/s400/VF_models.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="left"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">Clockwise from top left: Cindy Crawford, Stephanie Seymour, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelist, Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell wearing Dolce & Gabbana</span></em><br /><br />And this:<br /><br /></p></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248140132656766594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SNUjpRJ6XoI/AAAAAAAAAgU/NTW0uty3s2k/s400/VF_models_3.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">My girls wearing Prada!!<br /></span></em><br /></p></span><span style="color:#333333;">Then this:<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248140362376905042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8BpdLhxy-8s/SNUj2o7dgVI/AAAAAAAAAgc/KAhDQyycn0Y/s400/VF_models_2a.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="left"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;">The Originals in Atelier Versace.</span></em><br /><br /></span></p><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;">I was gobsmacked. I couldn't believe my eyes and was all giddy! My first instinct was to text Jay, ordering him to go and get a copy. His reply:</span><br /><em><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000099;">Copy that. So its like kita pun reunion la. Kita kan the fabulous four. Best zaman ya oh? I sik sabar nak carik trus isok.</span></em><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;">We.. I mean.. the girls look phenomenal still. Or perhaps I should rephrase that. The main difference I feel about supermodels then and now is that Cindy, Linda and co. were undeniably women, strong young women. This new breed - Natalia, Stam, Gemma, Liya etc fabulous in their own right - they're more like girls (save for Kate and Giselle).<br /><br />Wow. I should get copies for Abu and Epen.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">A.</span></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32867372.post-17071661371670549752008-09-10T17:38:00.000+08:002008-09-10T17:48:13.664+08:00The saddest birthday this year<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">Sigh.<br /><br />That's a very heavy sigh by the way.<br /><br />It's Halim's birthday today. He would've turned 29. To be honest, I've been dreading this day for the past week. In this group, the birthdays that I make a point to remember are Mazri's and Din's. And it just feels so empty now that he's not around.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">So at noon, I texted this to a coupla friends:</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3366ff;">12:34pm<br />Happy birthday, Che Din... :-(<br /></span><br />The replies:</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3366ff;">12:01pm<br />:'( How come this happened to us?..<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3366ff;">12:47pm<br />tsk tsk... I miss him :-((<br /><br />1:00pm<br />I don't want to remember and please don't remind me again :'( I want to think that he's still around. Usually, I will give him my wishes when I see him. So let me wait until I see him again to give him my wishes.<br /></span><br /><br />I didn't expect that last one to respond that way. I guess it just goes to show that though it's been four months, we're missing him like crazy still.<br /><br />But this was even more unexpected:<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3366ff;">5:07pm<br />A little after 11pm tonight will be Che Din's anniversary. Today... I just feel so sad right now.<br /><br /></span><br />Part of me sympathises, part of me... just can't bring itself to sympathise. I still don't know how to see the predicament. I know how Din would want me to view it, but... I'm too bloody judgmental I guess.<br /><br />I really really, truly, deeply miss you, Lim.</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>A.</strong></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1