Tuesday, March 30, 2010

the most mundane things make a nice day.

1. clean, authentic Jap lunch in an understated underground cavern of an Izakaya with fellow foodie, J. S's absence was sorely missed.

2. discovering J has many more quirky habits: being able to choke on enoki mushrooms (I offered to scissor them into shorter strands but J's too embarassed by it) and having what I deemed as a "brown thumb" due to her being able to plantsit a cactus and it withering away in just 3 days. A cactus that is able to survive 50degrees in the hot dessert sun without water can die in her hands. Good on you, J. You're the best.

3. finally finding the hole-in-the-wall that served the yummiest coffee in Melbourne. But I'll still go back to Seven Seeds, coz I'm loyal like that and it was one heck of a cramped hole at BBB. But the hanging chairs on the ceiling make a good convo topic, if they don't suddenly fall from the sky and hit you and your coffee-sipping friends.

4. sitting on the GPO steps, clutching said latte and enjoying live music in the warm sun.

5. said live music piqued my interest and I ended up joining their mailing list, becoming one of their many admirers.

6. watching little girls twirl around hand-in-hand to said live music on said steps.

7. indulging in an AWW magazine, seeing as I was too damn busy to go hangout at Borders' GJ.

8. managing to cook the most awesome "zha jiang" noodles for dinner. lols.

9. a 15-minute impromptu telephone convo with mum.

10. buying ingredients for a lean-mean beef, fennel and veggie soup for tomorrow's dinner. recipe from said AWW!



Dear Sandra, I keep going back to your blog, as if I expect you to pop in with a new post. And I still smile to myself when I go through your archive. You're such an amazing bubbly girl. Yes, you are.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

of half circles and 10 years

it's been quite a wonderful week.

1. saw IH and fell more in love with her.

2. laughed my way through 2 amazing comedies.

3. went a little adventurous with dinner choices for 2 nights straight in a row.

4. attended a mini primary school reunion and yumcha sesh. It was just the 8 of us. But how cool is it that there are a total of 8 of us Foon Yew 2 students here in Melbourne?! And it just so happens that we were quite close back in the good ole' days. It's been quite a wondrous thing because throughout the whole time we were reminiscing, we kept saying "Remember that thing that happened 10 years ago....?", "Remember how you tripped me over 10 years ago?". Being able to say "10 years ago" so easily and surely quite amazed me, because it HAS been 10 years since we last were little kids in primary school, where we boys and girls played together without worrying about situations brought about by sex hormones. lols. And Celine even joked about how in just an instant, we're gonna be able to say "Remember that thing that happened 20 years ago...?", but by that time, instead of being able to squeezed into 1 table like we did today, we probably would've to booked a few tables and get a private room and it'll be a heck lot more noisier than today.

And with a reunion comes loads of gossip about our schoolmates and how some got married ALREADY and how some even had kids or were planning to have kids.. Jolynn even showed us the size of the daughter of this one schoolmate we had with her hands, and let me tell you this, the daughter must have been at least 2 years old. And almost of us at the table today had stable, long-running relationships. And there were some of us had their partners planned into their whole future, and some had established homes with theirs. And it was such a nice, buttery feeling when I looked around at their happy fulfilled faces. JH and me probably felt a little left out with all the wonderful sweet love stories being proudly regaled, but you know what? They looked so contented and comfortable talking about their relationships that I couldn't help a smile licking my face. We've known each other for around 15 years and they are the few genuinely nice people I've met and they truly deserve all the happiness in the world.
We used to talk about uni studies and what we did in secondary school, but now the topics of choice for the day are relationships, job interviews, officewear (!!), cars, money etc.
I think we've come halfway around the circle.
And dimsum never tasted that good before.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Had a lovely evening with the two girls.
Everytime we go out even after not seeing each other for a long long time, we still get on like fire on a dry strawhouse. Magnificently.
Food and after-dinner entertainment was good, thanks to the comedy festival which is mad love. (I currently have this weird phrase "mad love" in my brain and I just use it with everything. Weird, my cognitive function.)

Oh, I'm officially having IH-withdrawal symptoms. boooo.
I need a quick fix. And oh, I just realised she didn't sing "Goodnight and Go" which totally pulls at your heartstrings.

And the weekend cannot get on with a better start, thanks to some AMS crap that I need to handle on a Saturday morning at 10am. And I was looking forward to VicMarketing and a treat at Border's GJ plus stuffing myself silly with magazines. Myeh.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Had one of those summery awesome nights yesterday.
The weather was heavenly, the right amount of heat.
The Imogen Heap gig was unbelievably great.
I've seen her on YouTube and I've listened to 4 of her albums countless times.
But omg, that all pales in comparison to her live persona.
And and and we got there so early that it wasn't funny and we were like frggin' 3rd in line so we had the pick of the whole dancefloor. And and and we were standing right up front, like 1 metre away from the amazing IH, and I could totally see her blusher and her painfully-chic white feather flower ornament in her hair and her black sequined eagle top which is to die for.
And last night was one of those nights where I didn't bring my camera. Booo... What luck!

But omg, I can't stop thinking about how great she was.
During the too-short gig, I was in electronica heaven. I actually had that melty, buttery feeling in my chest when she opened with "First Train Home". And that feeling lasted for the entire gig. The only words I could form throughout the gig were "OMG, how amazing was that?!" or "OMG, how great was that?!" which were both practically the same thing. lols. But the whole thing was just so breathtakingly beautiful that it rendered me speechless. So I floated on high for almost 3 hours (the opening acts were not bad, just wasn't as impressive as Miss Heap herself)
And after the whole thing, I came out and that great feeling lasted for an hour or so and the mamak supper tasted so much better or maybe it was coz I was kinda starving after standing for like 4 hours straight. And then, I became a little deflated like those limp balloons. You sort of just slowly come back down to dull, mundane, uninteresting earth after a tantalizing time in Miss Heap's quirky, cute-as-buttons, groovy company.

And boy, was she groovy! I could so tell that she was enjoying herself so much on stage, she was bopping really prettily up and down the stage in what my gig buddy deems as "those 70s, 80s moves". Lols, not very hip, I know. But on her, it looks completely natural and you just enjoy her performance that much more.

And can I just rave a little bit more on her improvisation, synthesization prowess?! You hear her quirky studio songs with those weird noises. But she actually recreated and improvised those sounds live and holy schmoly, was it just a little bit more electrifying than the studio albums songs?!

And oh, I can't choose my fave song for the night. But "Little Bird" deserved a mention coz I just thought it was so cute she used this little plush bird that made bird noises and "Aha!" was just that bit more special with the guest cellist. And "Swoon" is awesome stuff too, coz she had this little dance routine going on. And she uses the weirdest stuff on her sets! She had those Chinese medicine balls that made a ting-ing sound and a plastic capsicum that made those "shar shar" noises and this plastic tube that she whirled above her head and made this "whoop" sound. Lols. It may sound all just a little weird but you gotta be there to witness and feel everything. And she did "Hide and Seek" and my all-time fave song "The Moment I Said It", but sadly, not gig buddy's fave song "Let Go". And she sounded huskier last night but me like it big time.

And omg, she is such a cute, unpretentious person. She had this quiet, whimsical chatter going on throughout the gig, as though she was talking to herself or her imaginary friends. And since it was a small, cosy affair, you felt that much closer to her and her songs and since we were like right in front, it was even better! And we met these 2 other girls in the line from Brunei and Indo and we chattered on and managed to get front barrier standing room. Totally VIP placements man! And the girls were very cool chicks.

Verdict: Totally worth the 60 bucks I paid. Compared to those hundred-plus bucks for Lady Gaga, this was waaaay better. And to think I almost almost almost missed it coz I thought no one wanted to go see! And that would have been a total, kill-me-now tragedy. I'm still pissed about missing The Script's gig last year. Grrrr. So thank you, gig buddy! I can't wait for November when she comes back again! We will go again, with Kim this time in tow.

YES!! IH is coming back this very year. woohoo.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

omg, blardi cold now.
too cold to stay full for long.
I foresee a few extra pounds on my already-shapely frame. lols.
I really think I'm a summer baby.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Just a short rant, even though Pheyyee is online now and she's been taking a little of it right now. lols.

Went to see Precious just now, and it's like this super sad emotional rollercoaster throughout the movie, with swear words for abuse left, right and centre throughout the whole movie. And there was even this extremely disturbing scene where a baby was dropped and the mother attempted to off the daughter by dropping a television on her which fortunately narrowly missed.
Hello, just reading the above abridged description of the movie puts you in a sad funk, right?

But noooo, this couple sitting next to me in the cinema was totally making out the whole time ok?
I could even hear the damn lip-smacking noises, like PY described as suction noises.
C'mon people, you're friggin' in your late 20s already but you still act like a pair of hormone-crazed teenagers out on their first date.
If you want to make out, kindly get a room. And stay there until the dawn of time or when you break up, whichever comes first.
I totally sound like a lovelorn b**** here.

But my pet peeve is people disturbing my hard-earned Nova time with incessant chattering, incessant opening-of-plastic-bags, incessant mobile-checking and incessant making out.
When you come to a cinema, just sit back, turn off your mobile, open your bag of chips before the movie and enjoy the damn movie.
Surely your messages/emails/kisses/calls can wait 1 and a half hours right? lols.


on a side note, I need to practice my dirty looks on someone, coz the couple next to me was completely immune to me shooting dirty disgusted looks once every 10 mins. PY said she and the girls are gonna teach me some tricks.


AND 4 DAYS TILL IH!! woohoo.
Just a short little entry.
Happy birthday to dad, Jacq and Jasper!

Even though I'm 22, I'm still my dad's little girl.
I still snuggle up next to him when he sits on the floor of our lounge.
And I still love the little petname that he gave me when I was a baby.
And even though he is old-er now, his cheeks are still chubby enough to be pinched. Mine too.
And even though goodness know I'm old enough to make my own decisions, somehow I still run to him for affirmation, coz he gives the best advice.
And he still looks like a kid when he laughs.
And I always did love his scratchy stubble whenever he hugs or kisses me. It adds that little special something, I think.

And dear Jacq turned 21 with her loved ones and friends around her.
I think we did do our part in making sure she had a memorable one.
And Jasper turned 22 with chocolate and friends surrounding him.
So I think it was all good, except I wished that we could've wrapped the girl in wrapping paper and a bow and make it a special air-mailed present for him. lols. What fun would that be!



Dear Sandra,
Whenever a birthday rolls around, I reserve this little space in the festivities for you. Don't worry, I am 100% there in body, soul and mind, having fun. But I still think of you sometimes and how you could've celebrated more birthdays with your favourite pink sunhat sitting jauntily on your head and how I regret it now that I never made the time. Well, I hope you have pretty sunbursts and thousands of hats now. xoxo

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Had the weirdest dream last night.
It was pleasant nonetheless. And it was oh-so-realistic. I could actually smell my surroundings and hear the background noise.
And when I woke up, I remembered thinking, "why the heck am I in my bed?!".
Must be the onslaught of IH's music that I've been playing last 2 nights. Her songs have always been strangely trance-like and therapeutic. But I like her previous album better. The new one is abit too pop for me. And I always thought she belonged to the alternative genre, but when I was at a CD shop, it was catalogued in the POP section! Geez. Currently hooked on The Moment I Said It.

But back to my dream! I literally saw two elephants at this gig that I was at. They were dancing and swaying to the music and looked so in love with each other. Weird stuff, my REM cognitive function.

And I met the ex-boy-next-door at the supermarket.
Normally I liked grocery shopping alone and wandering up and down the aisles aimlessly.
But today was nice. It's been too long since we last talked properly.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Dear Sandra,

It's been a wee bit over 2 months now. It still stings the eyes, but it's been better so far. And all our fathers had a little get together of their own just last week, a mini post-CNY reunion. And I'm sure you were there, right?

Just the other day, I stumbled upon these photos we took in 2007. It was a great day, wasn't it? I think we spent more time talking than eating while the boys just sat sulkily in a corner, ey? Lols. It was such a pity Michelle couldn't be there, otherwise we would have all been complete.
Isn't this a beautiful picture of us girls? We should photoshop Michelle into the picture!

I don't think I can say the D word just yet.
I miss you.
In memoriam of the beautiful girl that you are, Sandra. xoxo.
Kinkybluefairy (who is completely spunky with blazing red hair) was saying how she took a plunge because she finally found someone that she thinks about constantly, even upon waking up and the last thing before bedding down. And she talks about how smitten kitten she was that she felt happy just talking to him.

And just the other day, the girl-next-door had the exact same sentiments. I could literally see the glow and the blush that came with her spilling everything. She literally lit up while sitting on my bed in her winter jammies and actually became all giggly. Even when I think about that scene, I can't stop a smile licking my face. lols. She was utter cuteness.

I think I'm a romantic, but not a huge one.
I've kept pretty much mum about the whole thing, because I wanted it to be a close chapter and frankly, I do not want to be a whiny ninny. And like I said before, I've cut all my strings.
I don't think I missed him.
I think I just missed the supposed camaraderie we had and that warm buttery feeling.
But now that I understood everything, I'm back to walking in my grown-up high heeled shoes and cliched as this might sound, I'm happier than ever.
And no, I am not gloating. I do wish him well.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

I 'accidentally' wandered into the young adults fiction section today and was happily browsing the stacks when I noticed a few things.

1. There are few or no Enid Blyton or Roald Dahl books.
2. Books about vampires crowded the damn shelves. Apparently, Twilight started an obsession with the undead.
3. Examples of titles include Gossip Girls, Luxe, The Sevin Sins etc. Hmmm, something going on there that I can't quite put my finger on.


That aside, I found the coolest Alice In Wonderland illustrated book. I want it. Need to live on bread and water for a few days. And I'm dying to get The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and its sequels. Will need to live on bread and water for a few weeks then.

Autumn Gray is playing now. A delightful discovery.
Diary of a Falling Man has haunting lyrics.
Am thinking of going for their gig in April.
things that perk up my day:
1. my awesome new lappy that I can actually play my music on and organise my database without worrying about the sudden crashing
2. my organised music library
3. blueberry crumb bar that the baking goddess in my life bestowed on me
4. impromptu night visits by the baking goddess and her funny-as-hell, Twister-eating, Malay-looking sister
5. super yummy and healthy lunch at Animal Orchestra with mum
6. surviving 2 back-to-back fitness classes. gotta work it, baby!
7. supposed hot cocoa with the girl-next-door. lols. no, we didn't make it to Koko Black, thus the supposedness
8. dinner!!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

I'm thinking of just using my journal from now on. Then I get to doodle a little on the sidelines.
But this Notebook: of mine is kinda the ticket for mum and dad back home to see what shenanigns I get up to in Melbourne without parental guidance. Thus, the almost religious daily entries these few days for poor lonely ole' dad at home. lols.

Anyways, my damn Toshiba lappy is driving me insane right now.
The keyboard is laggy, can't even friggin' keep up with my ultra-slow typing speed, and eats up certain alphabets.
My music player which is like my right hand, is giving me a damn headache.
The processor regressed to the intelligence and speed of a temperamental 5-year-old kid.
Makes me not want to start sorting out my database. blah.

But lappy woes aside, mum got me some cute PJs which apparently cost peanuts at DFO. now, I'm happy, cute-looking, warm and cuddly. lols.
And did you see the sunny skies today?!
It was totally sunshiney goodness.
Makes you wanna lay out on the grass, blare Kina Grannis' Valentine and India Arie's Video and draw cartoons.

I'm discovering CC's SummerSessions songs and they are yummy.
they totally offset the bout of sad, somewhat depressing books that I'm reading so far. Need to find me some good recommendations of nice, non-confrontational, placid books. Now is the best time to whip out my Magic Faraway Tree series. Too bad it's back in good ole' JB.

Monday, March 08, 2010

1. Mum pronounced Wii as "Why". As her defence, she claims -ii is like saying "I" except you just drag it out longer. Thus, W-Iiiii.

2. Apparently, the older you get, the clumsier you are, according to Aunt Julie and mum. I'm sooo screwed then.

3. Lady Antebellum is being replayed over and over again, for the moment.

4. I've cut the last remaining string between us. I think I must have done it a long time ago, but I blame it on being too busy/ignorant/soft-hearted to notice.

5. Geek chic = yummy.

6. There's a new huge happy orange mug on my table right now.

7. I need more flats. Of the shoe variety.

8. I will be home alone tomorrow. Always wanted to do the Tom Cruise-Jerry Maguire dance routine in the sitting room then.

9. The Hurt Locker > Avatar.

10. Fireworks in Melbourne rock.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

It was a whimsical simple Sunday birthday brunch, filled with family, friends, first loves, lovely pressies, floaty balloons and pretty cake.
I think it had everything a girl wants for her sweet 21st.
And the birthday girl seems delighted with the whole shenanigan that we managed to cook up, despite the worst of Melbourne weather. (Those damn hailstones really made a dent in all our meticulous plans but hey, we managed to schtick to some of them, thanks to our diligent awesome manly flower boy.)

Happy sweet 21st, girl. You deserved the best we can give you.

*Mika's I See You is on replay now. He has the cutest lyrics. This song brings to mind a guy taking the train everyday and sees this girl on it and slowly gets to know her reading preferences, her dress style, the way she talks on the phone, the way she bobs her head to the music in her iPod, the way she gives up her seat to an elderly gentlemen, the way she giggles to herself when she gets to the jokes section in the papers. And he quietly, surely falls in love with her. Lols. Cheesy, ey? *
I'm sitting across from you
I'm dreaming of the things I'd do
I don't speak, you don't know me at all

For fear of what you might do
I say nothing
But stare at you
And I'm dreaming, I'm tripping over you

Truth be told, my problem's old
You mean the world to me but you'll never know
You could be cruel to me
Why go risking the way that I see you
That I see you, that I see you, that I see you, that I see you, that I see you

Saturday, March 06, 2010

I had the laziest Saturday morning and early afternoon.
I drank a yummy cinnamony large chai.
I read Vanity Fair and Vogue and Frankie from cover to cover, curled up in a comfy but somewhat dubious-looking armchair at Borders' GJ leisurely.
I reread Pride and Prejudice on that armchair.
I watched the fist-sized hailstones outisde the window and was kinda scared by it.
I watched this little girl drinking hot cocoa and reading her picture book quietly with her mouth smeared with choc frosting from her brownie. She was tres cute.
And I walked home in the rain, soaked like a wet rat and slightly shivery but refreshed nonetheless.

And I hope everything goes well tomorrow!

And on a side note, Rihanna doesn't quite do it for me anymore. Maybe it's the weird blonde side-swept hair. Myeh.

Friday, March 05, 2010

of milestones and pearl necklaces

Years of Enid Blyton and Anne of Green Gables and Little Women and Eight Cousin and all those yummy classics have made me a tad more sentimental.
Certain things were given to me at certain milestones in life and they meant the world to me.

When I was 17 going on 18 and about to venture overseas for the first time in my life, mum got me my first ever branded bag from Guess. It was a versatile black leather one. To me, it was like marking the beginning of my passage to adulthood and how I have to learn to be independant and take care of myself. Til this very day, it's my favourite bag and it will always be.

And on that very year too, I got my very first cheongsam from my parents and I was supposed to wear it for my Trinity valecdictory but stupid me gave in to peer pressure and wore a boring black suit instead. lols. To me, it just reminded me that no matter how far I go and how much I learn, I am first and foremost, a Chinese and a Chinese daughter to Chinese parents, no less. 'Nuff said.

And when I got into 1st year Med, I got myself a tattoo on my ankle. A nautical star in blue. A new direction in life. The first step into something that I could never back up of. And my parents gave me their blessings. In fact, mum went with me to get the ink done.

And when I turn 21, my parents gave me the traditional key pendant on a necklace that is my favourite jewellery to date. And the thing that meant the most to me was how my usually-frugal dad chose the necklace with my mum and gladly forked out the money for such an extravagant small little necklace. When I have a daughter of my own, I'm thinking of giving the very necklace to her. It'll be a heirloom of sorts. And I can save on a diamond necklace. lols.

And I got my early birthday present from mum. Finally, a matchy matchy wallet with her. After all that I've gone through, she has done it all with me without any complaints and has supported me every single time. So the wallet is like this invisible bond that I have with her.

And when I graduate, my parents will get me my first pen. It'll be the pen that I will start my internship with. The pen that I will sign my name as a doctor and write my first prescription and scrawl unintelligible doctor's notes. And that pen will be in my right shirt pocket til the very end. And they will get me a pearl necklace. I've adamantly refused to let mum get me one or get myself one, because I want it on my graduation day. I always did associate pearl necklaces with being grown-up and having all sorts of ladylike qualities eg graciousness, gentility, humility, charity etc. Must be all that classics that I've read. All my favourite heroines in those books had a pearl necklace given to them after conquering their flaws, facing trials and tribulations and became wonderful, honest women of the world. The pearl necklace will simply remind me of all the expectations of my family and mine too.

I think I've led a vey comfortable life so far, want of nothing. That's why I have all these little things given to me, to remind me of those important events. But at the end of the day, my parents can give me the cheapest plastic pearl necklace from those funfairs and I wouldn't care, because to me, cliched as it might sound, it's the thoughts and memories invoked that counts.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Just the other day, I saw this man walking his mastiff mix and when he reached tha stretch of Grattan with the 4-feet-high ledge, his dog jumped up onto the ledge and started walking it like a tightrope, without stumbling or hesitating.
It was like a circus performance.
The dog was even more freakin' agile than me.
If I squinted a little, I could totally see the colourful conical hat on the dog's head and hear the circus drumroll in the distance.
And that sight made me smile the entire way home and way into the night.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

of circumstances and sophisticashun

So circumstances dictate that I forgo the medical conference and stay safe and sound in my cosy little apartment in Melbourne.
Well, I not won't need to push the panic button on my theses just yet, I also get to revel in all the festivities that is Melbourne in March eg birthday parties and hanging out with the peeps.

and mum and I have now got matchy matchy wallets now. woohoo.
totally makes me happy whenever I make a purchase.
it actually makes me wanna buy something, anything just to whip out my wallet.
mum knows best.

and I just found out today that there's a bloody Wiki entry on Manglish and another on Malaysian English vocab.

among the delightful homegrown phrase are:
chao/chow - goodbye/see you
kautim - to finish a task. From Cantonese term 搞掂
zibai - pussy (F**k) [ Hokkien ]
Wat la yu? (What lah you?) spoken in a rising disappointing tone means How could you? or How stupid can you get?
barsket - derived from 'bastard', general derogatory term. May also be derived from 'basket case'.
bladibarsket - derived from 'bloody bastard', profane derogatory term.
dablardigarmen - ie 'the bloody government', a catchall phrase for the malevolent powers that be.

mempersiasuikan - disgraceful, derived from hokkien "siasui" + malay.(e.g. "Sungguh mempersiasuikan" or "Very mempersiasuikan" which means very disgraceful/humiliating/embarrassing)
Cun - Describe a pretty woman (e.g. Wow that girl is so cun)
Pon - to skip school/play truant/apon (from Malay "ponteng", meaning the same)

Makes me wanna jump up and start sprouting, "Walau ey, Malaysians damn cun, even got our own language page on Wiki la. Veli sophisticashun wan."
*credits to nosy*

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