So we were talking about first impressions the other day, the Chenster and I. When he asked what I thought of him when I first met him, I told him I didn't really notice enough to form any concrete opinion but the one thing I registered in my mind was that he is a really good brother.
Chenster: I'd like to think it makes me a better person.
Me: Mhm. You mean, having your sister makes you a better person?
Chenster: No, I mean, I make myself a better person.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
.JPG)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Stereotyping Taiping: A Tribute to My Chinese Roots
My dad sent me a forwarded e-mail titled '30 ways to know if you are a Chinese'. So here's my chance to prove once and for all that I do retain some of my original culture, haha.
1. You unwrap gifts very carefully, so you can save and reuse the wrapping (and especially those
ribbons).
Guilty as charged. Actually, I don't reuse wrapping paper but I just like unwrapping gifts carefully. It is an experience to be savored slowly to maximize enjoyment (you should hear me talk about stationery). But I do reuse ribbons or other decorative stuff simply because I enjoy devising a different way to use things. My mum is creative so I think a bit of it rubbed off on me.
2. When there is a sale on toiletpaper, you buy 100 rolls and store them in your closet or in the bedroom of an adult child who has moved out.
It's almost as if someone went to our family home to observe my parents before coming up with this conclusion. My parents can be the epitome of 'kiasu'. Sometimes, if certain shops limit the purchase of every customer to only two units, they'll even make my brother and me buy them. You'd think it would embarrass me but I'm so used to this form of emotional bullying/abuse that it only amuses me when I think of it now. I miss my parents.
3. You keep a thermos of hot water available at all times.
My grandma does this. My parents do this back home as well. Oddly enough, it has never occurred to me how weird this practice seems to be. Over here in Australia, I've never found the need to 'store' hot water. If I wanted any, I would just boil some; it only take a minute anyway. Hmmm...interesting.
4. You save grocery bags, tin foil, and tin containers. You use the grocery bags to hold garbage.
Well, I am by nature a hoarder. I'm not sure why but I always think I should keep things in handy because I'd never know when I might need them. So yeah, I do save grocery bags to be used to line my wastepaper basket, though P.Chen always nags me about it. But who the heck keeps tin foil and tin containers? Can reuse meh?
5. You hate to waste food:
(a) Even if you're totally full, if someone says they're going to throw away the leftovers on the table, you'll finish them. (Your mom will give a lecture about starving kids in Africa).
I used to do that. Then I realized that was why I was not losing weight. Marilyn vos Savant, who supposedly has the highest IQ in the world, opines that you would not be helping starving children in Africa by over-eating. In fact, you're doing yourself more harm because increasing food intake to a level above requirement would result in weight gain, and we all know the risks that come with that (*cough*fat ass*cough*). So yes, I am proud to announce that I have risen above stuffing myself silly for the sake of reducing waste. Though that is not to say I'm not prone to over-eating...
It could be psychological as well. Your mind equates one portion with an entire serving on your plate; thus you only feel full when you're visually stimulated by an empty platter. But that's another story for another day.
(b) You have Tupperware in your fridge with three bites of rice or one leftover chicken wing.
Back home, we rarely use Tupperware. I don't even know if we have any. We just use bowls or plates and put it in the fridge; Glad-wrapped if necessary. And no; it takes too much effort to keep three bites of rice and if there's one leftover chicken wing, you can bet your firstborn child that my brother would devour it before you can say 'Rumpelstiltskin'.
6. You don't own any real Tupperware- only a cupboard full of used but carefully rinsed margarine tubs, take out containers, and jam jars.
I think we have Tupperware but I don't know where my mum keeps them. Frankly, it's a waste of effort for me to try to find them because I just don't give enough of a damn.
Over here in Australia though, I find myself needing Tupperware because I'm living with other people. Judging by the condition of my sink, I don't think I can extend enough faith in them to allow my food to be exposed to the risk of contamination. Also, I cook now and marinate meats, so Tupperware comes in handy.
7. You have a collection of miniature shampoo bottles that you take every time you stay in a hotel.
My mum used to bring them home for me from her travels because when I was younger, I was stupid enough to be conned out of having an actual souvenir. But nah, I don't actually use these things unless I'm too lazy to pack a travel kit because most of these miniatures are too harsh for me anyway. Though I do think I'd bring them home if they look very cute/pretty because that's how I roll yo'.
8. You wipe your plate and utensils or wash them in a small basin of hot water before you eat every time you go to a restaurant.
Not everywhere. But if I can see that the utensils have been handled in an unhygienic way, then of course I'd wipe them down. It's just disgusting if you imagine other people touching your cutlery after touching door-knobs full of bacteria, or going the the toilet without washing their hands (and don't grimace because I know for a fact that many people don't do this). Urgh. I hate it when people refuse to live within the social boundaries I impose upon them.
9 . You own a rice cooker and a slow cooker.
Yes and no. It's funny though; my American Caucasian flatmate uses my rice-cooker more often than I do. I am just too lazy to wait for rice to cook most of the time. Plus, it is a bitch to wash.
10. You wash your rice at least 2-3 times before cooking it.
Back home in Malaysia, I would because it is the logical thing to do when the water after the first rinse is still so murky. Over here, I find that the rice is much cleaner so I just rinse once (that's if I remember).
11. You fight (literally) over who pays the dinner bill.
If it's with my family, then obviously I don't. I think it brings my dad a lot of joy when I don't have to pay the bill (at least, that's what I'd like to believe, hehe). With my friends, it depends. I can be generous to people who are not calculative with me but if I know that someone is particularly calculative, then I treat them the same way just to tell myself that justice is served.
I think that money matters are delicate and as with all other things, should have a balance. Not an equilibrium, perhaps, but just enough of a give-and-take to leave neither party feeling short-changed or upstaged.
12. You have a teacup with a cover on it.
Nope. I got one as a gift but I've never used it before. I can still picture it where I left it on the bookshelf of my room back home.
13. If you're under age 20, you own a really expensive Walkman if you're over 20, you own a really expensive camera.
The Walkman was so last decade. And no, I don't own a really expensive camera. I have an older-generation iPod and a camera that takes the shittiest pictures you can imagine. But I do not use any of these gadgets that much anyway. I've never used my camera since I brought it here to Australia, so that's about nine months now. Plus, my self-worth is not positively-correlated with the price of my gadgets, so I'll use whatever my parents toss my way. Also, I actually prefer not to carry expensive equipment around because I'm such a klutz and I always lose things.
14. You're a wok user.
Nope.
15. You only make long distance calls after 7pm.
Nope. I rarely call people anyway.
16. You prefer your shrimp with the heads and legs still attached-it, means they're fresh.
I prefer my shrimp to be chicken. Or fish. Or lamb. Or anything except shrimp.
And if I really have to have shrimp, I would prefer it de-shelled and ready to be eaten. Remember my life motto: minimum effort, maximum gain (which also explains why I am not fond of crab and 'kampung fish' with lots of bones).
17. You never call your parents just to say, ' Hi. '
My parents never call just to say 'Hi'. In fact, my parents have never once called me since I came here, not even on my birthday! Must be busy stocking up on discounted toilet-rolls.
18. If you don't live at home, when your parents call, they'll ask if you've eaten, even if it's midnight.
Rub it in, why don't you? I already said my parents never call.
But thank goodness they are not the type that will call a few times a day. I would honestly be quite exasperated.
19. Your parents tell you to boil herbs and stay indoors when you get sick. They also tell you not to eat fried foods or baked foods because such food are ' heaty' ('yeet hei' in Cantonese).
My grandma tells me this, haha. She always forces us to stay indoors during the spirit month or ghost festival month or whatever it's called. And although the education system has taught us modern science (or forced us to learn it ourselves because of teaching incompetence), I have always believed in some aspects of traditional medicine, especially in 'heaty' foods, because I know from my experience that it is true. There might be a term for it in English or western medicine but I can't be bothered researching it now.
20. You e-mail your Chinese friends at work, even though you only sit 10 feet apart.
Well, I talk to my brother on MSN back home when he's in the next room; does that count? And what racism is this: 'e-mail your Chinese friends'? Cannot e-mail Indian friends meh? (Don't worry, Tasha, girlfriend's got your back!)
21. You always cook too much.
I'm guilty of this, especially when I'm cooking for company. I don't like to ask people to come over for dinner and then give them so little food that they have to go back and eat more. I'd rather cook extra and keep the leftovers in the fridge if they cannot finish it.
22. You eat every last grain of rice in your bowl, but don't eat the last piece of food on the table.
Haha, how weird is that huh?
23. You starve yourself before going to 'All You Can Eat' buffet.
My parents always joke that they should starve us (my brother and I: the kids that would pay you to adopt us) before bringing us to a buffet. They've never actually done it. Yet.
24. You know someone who can get you a good deal on jewelry or electronics, computers.
Er... no. I just tell my dad what I want; then all I have to do is wait 5 years for the model to be obsolete and the retail price to plummet to a figure in the negative regions. But I can probably scout out deals for cheaper cosmetics, skin care and fragrances back in Malaysia. It's a talent; bow in my presence!
25 . You own your own meat cleaver and sharpen it.
...Not unless my well of tolerance for Michael's nonsense finally dries out. The shit will hit the fan, Mikhil; just you wait. One more mention of 'Taipeng' and BAM!
26. Your toothpaste tubes are all squeezed paper-thin.
I have this annoying habit of starting a new jar/bottle/tube of something before the old one finishes. I convince myself I'll eventually get around to using the old one with like 5% left but before I know it, it's a decade past expiration date and my mother is holding a big black garbage bag forcing me to throw out stuff to make room in my room.
27. You call a sausage a hotdog.
Nope.
28. You wrap with napkins all the knives, spoons and forks of the airline that you fly on and put in your travel-bag as souvenirs.
What the fuck? This is a joke, right? Right? I'll never forgive anyone that tries to pass off plastic airline cutlery as a souvenir for me. So don't say I didn't warn you when that sharpened meat cleaver accidentally-on-purpose lands on your back.
29. You never forget to take with you all the unused bath and facial tissues when you check out from the hotel because you believe that you have paid it all.
What is a bath tissue? But anyway, no, I won't unless I really needed tissues and didn't have any in my bag.
30. You have BonusLink or Real Rewards or whatever cards that earn you points and free of charge.
I don't like having loyalty discount cards because I'm not a loyal customer. I am fickle and I will just as easily hop over to your competitor's store if they are offering a better deal. But I do have a Priceline card and a StudentEdge card; the former because I am single-handedly keeping their share value up and the latter because everyone said I'd use it (they were wrong, as always).
So what's the verdict?
P/S: The title is a tribute to Michael, my favourite human robot, who keeps telling me I'm from 'Taipeng' macam he's from Hollywood liddat.
1. You unwrap gifts very carefully, so you can save and reuse the wrapping (and especially those
ribbons).
Guilty as charged. Actually, I don't reuse wrapping paper but I just like unwrapping gifts carefully. It is an experience to be savored slowly to maximize enjoyment (you should hear me talk about stationery). But I do reuse ribbons or other decorative stuff simply because I enjoy devising a different way to use things. My mum is creative so I think a bit of it rubbed off on me.
2. When there is a sale on toiletpaper, you buy 100 rolls and store them in your closet or in the bedroom of an adult child who has moved out.
It's almost as if someone went to our family home to observe my parents before coming up with this conclusion. My parents can be the epitome of 'kiasu'. Sometimes, if certain shops limit the purchase of every customer to only two units, they'll even make my brother and me buy them. You'd think it would embarrass me but I'm so used to this form of emotional bullying/abuse that it only amuses me when I think of it now. I miss my parents.
3. You keep a thermos of hot water available at all times.
My grandma does this. My parents do this back home as well. Oddly enough, it has never occurred to me how weird this practice seems to be. Over here in Australia, I've never found the need to 'store' hot water. If I wanted any, I would just boil some; it only take a minute anyway. Hmmm...interesting.
4. You save grocery bags, tin foil, and tin containers. You use the grocery bags to hold garbage.
Well, I am by nature a hoarder. I'm not sure why but I always think I should keep things in handy because I'd never know when I might need them. So yeah, I do save grocery bags to be used to line my wastepaper basket, though P.Chen always nags me about it. But who the heck keeps tin foil and tin containers? Can reuse meh?
5. You hate to waste food:
(a) Even if you're totally full, if someone says they're going to throw away the leftovers on the table, you'll finish them. (Your mom will give a lecture about starving kids in Africa).
I used to do that. Then I realized that was why I was not losing weight. Marilyn vos Savant, who supposedly has the highest IQ in the world, opines that you would not be helping starving children in Africa by over-eating. In fact, you're doing yourself more harm because increasing food intake to a level above requirement would result in weight gain, and we all know the risks that come with that (*cough*fat ass*cough*). So yes, I am proud to announce that I have risen above stuffing myself silly for the sake of reducing waste. Though that is not to say I'm not prone to over-eating...
It could be psychological as well. Your mind equates one portion with an entire serving on your plate; thus you only feel full when you're visually stimulated by an empty platter. But that's another story for another day.
(b) You have Tupperware in your fridge with three bites of rice or one leftover chicken wing.
Back home, we rarely use Tupperware. I don't even know if we have any. We just use bowls or plates and put it in the fridge; Glad-wrapped if necessary. And no; it takes too much effort to keep three bites of rice and if there's one leftover chicken wing, you can bet your firstborn child that my brother would devour it before you can say 'Rumpelstiltskin'.
6. You don't own any real Tupperware- only a cupboard full of used but carefully rinsed margarine tubs, take out containers, and jam jars.
I think we have Tupperware but I don't know where my mum keeps them. Frankly, it's a waste of effort for me to try to find them because I just don't give enough of a damn.
Over here in Australia though, I find myself needing Tupperware because I'm living with other people. Judging by the condition of my sink, I don't think I can extend enough faith in them to allow my food to be exposed to the risk of contamination. Also, I cook now and marinate meats, so Tupperware comes in handy.
7. You have a collection of miniature shampoo bottles that you take every time you stay in a hotel.
My mum used to bring them home for me from her travels because when I was younger, I was stupid enough to be conned out of having an actual souvenir. But nah, I don't actually use these things unless I'm too lazy to pack a travel kit because most of these miniatures are too harsh for me anyway. Though I do think I'd bring them home if they look very cute/pretty because that's how I roll yo'.
8. You wipe your plate and utensils or wash them in a small basin of hot water before you eat every time you go to a restaurant.
Not everywhere. But if I can see that the utensils have been handled in an unhygienic way, then of course I'd wipe them down. It's just disgusting if you imagine other people touching your cutlery after touching door-knobs full of bacteria, or going the the toilet without washing their hands (and don't grimace because I know for a fact that many people don't do this). Urgh. I hate it when people refuse to live within the social boundaries I impose upon them.
9 . You own a rice cooker and a slow cooker.
Yes and no. It's funny though; my American Caucasian flatmate uses my rice-cooker more often than I do. I am just too lazy to wait for rice to cook most of the time. Plus, it is a bitch to wash.
10. You wash your rice at least 2-3 times before cooking it.
Back home in Malaysia, I would because it is the logical thing to do when the water after the first rinse is still so murky. Over here, I find that the rice is much cleaner so I just rinse once (that's if I remember).
11. You fight (literally) over who pays the dinner bill.
If it's with my family, then obviously I don't. I think it brings my dad a lot of joy when I don't have to pay the bill (at least, that's what I'd like to believe, hehe). With my friends, it depends. I can be generous to people who are not calculative with me but if I know that someone is particularly calculative, then I treat them the same way just to tell myself that justice is served.
I think that money matters are delicate and as with all other things, should have a balance. Not an equilibrium, perhaps, but just enough of a give-and-take to leave neither party feeling short-changed or upstaged.
12. You have a teacup with a cover on it.
Nope. I got one as a gift but I've never used it before. I can still picture it where I left it on the bookshelf of my room back home.
13. If you're under age 20, you own a really expensive Walkman if you're over 20, you own a really expensive camera.
The Walkman was so last decade. And no, I don't own a really expensive camera. I have an older-generation iPod and a camera that takes the shittiest pictures you can imagine. But I do not use any of these gadgets that much anyway. I've never used my camera since I brought it here to Australia, so that's about nine months now. Plus, my self-worth is not positively-correlated with the price of my gadgets, so I'll use whatever my parents toss my way. Also, I actually prefer not to carry expensive equipment around because I'm such a klutz and I always lose things.
14. You're a wok user.
Nope.
15. You only make long distance calls after 7pm.
Nope. I rarely call people anyway.
16. You prefer your shrimp with the heads and legs still attached-it, means they're fresh.
I prefer my shrimp to be chicken. Or fish. Or lamb. Or anything except shrimp.
And if I really have to have shrimp, I would prefer it de-shelled and ready to be eaten. Remember my life motto: minimum effort, maximum gain (which also explains why I am not fond of crab and 'kampung fish' with lots of bones).
17. You never call your parents just to say, ' Hi. '
My parents never call just to say 'Hi'. In fact, my parents have never once called me since I came here, not even on my birthday! Must be busy stocking up on discounted toilet-rolls.
18. If you don't live at home, when your parents call, they'll ask if you've eaten, even if it's midnight.
Rub it in, why don't you? I already said my parents never call.
But thank goodness they are not the type that will call a few times a day. I would honestly be quite exasperated.
19. Your parents tell you to boil herbs and stay indoors when you get sick. They also tell you not to eat fried foods or baked foods because such food are ' heaty' ('yeet hei' in Cantonese).
My grandma tells me this, haha. She always forces us to stay indoors during the spirit month or ghost festival month or whatever it's called. And although the education system has taught us modern science (or forced us to learn it ourselves because of teaching incompetence), I have always believed in some aspects of traditional medicine, especially in 'heaty' foods, because I know from my experience that it is true. There might be a term for it in English or western medicine but I can't be bothered researching it now.
20. You e-mail your Chinese friends at work, even though you only sit 10 feet apart.
Well, I talk to my brother on MSN back home when he's in the next room; does that count? And what racism is this: 'e-mail your Chinese friends'? Cannot e-mail Indian friends meh? (Don't worry, Tasha, girlfriend's got your back!)
21. You always cook too much.
I'm guilty of this, especially when I'm cooking for company. I don't like to ask people to come over for dinner and then give them so little food that they have to go back and eat more. I'd rather cook extra and keep the leftovers in the fridge if they cannot finish it.
22. You eat every last grain of rice in your bowl, but don't eat the last piece of food on the table.
Haha, how weird is that huh?
23. You starve yourself before going to 'All You Can Eat' buffet.
My parents always joke that they should starve us (my brother and I: the kids that would pay you to adopt us) before bringing us to a buffet. They've never actually done it. Yet.
24. You know someone who can get you a good deal on jewelry or electronics, computers.
Er... no. I just tell my dad what I want; then all I have to do is wait 5 years for the model to be obsolete and the retail price to plummet to a figure in the negative regions. But I can probably scout out deals for cheaper cosmetics, skin care and fragrances back in Malaysia. It's a talent; bow in my presence!
25 . You own your own meat cleaver and sharpen it.
...Not unless my well of tolerance for Michael's nonsense finally dries out. The shit will hit the fan, Mikhil; just you wait. One more mention of 'Taipeng' and BAM!
26. Your toothpaste tubes are all squeezed paper-thin.
I have this annoying habit of starting a new jar/bottle/tube of something before the old one finishes. I convince myself I'll eventually get around to using the old one with like 5% left but before I know it, it's a decade past expiration date and my mother is holding a big black garbage bag forcing me to throw out stuff to make room in my room.
27. You call a sausage a hotdog.
Nope.
28. You wrap with napkins all the knives, spoons and forks of the airline that you fly on and put in your travel-bag as souvenirs.
What the fuck? This is a joke, right? Right? I'll never forgive anyone that tries to pass off plastic airline cutlery as a souvenir for me. So don't say I didn't warn you when that sharpened meat cleaver accidentally-on-purpose lands on your back.
29. You never forget to take with you all the unused bath and facial tissues when you check out from the hotel because you believe that you have paid it all.
What is a bath tissue? But anyway, no, I won't unless I really needed tissues and didn't have any in my bag.
30. You have BonusLink or Real Rewards or whatever cards that earn you points and free of charge.
I don't like having loyalty discount cards because I'm not a loyal customer. I am fickle and I will just as easily hop over to your competitor's store if they are offering a better deal. But I do have a Priceline card and a StudentEdge card; the former because I am single-handedly keeping their share value up and the latter because everyone said I'd use it (they were wrong, as always).
So what's the verdict?
P/S: The title is a tribute to Michael, my favourite human robot, who keeps telling me I'm from 'Taipeng' macam he's from Hollywood liddat.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Adele's 21st Part Two
The birthday girl lookin' smokin'!
The pretty cake!
[Standing L-R] Mel, Yas, Me, Adele, Sara, Div, Elise and her boyfriend (if I'm not mistaken).[Sitting L-R] Shahirah, Jeevers, Caryn, Vik BFF.
Same-lah but I got a special kiss from the birthday girl! :DLook at my BFF; so happy because he's on the couch with both his girlfriends, hehe
(Caryn, you're cuter than Jeevs, don't worry).
Which Part of 'Leave Me Alone' Don't You Understand?
That night when you called and I made the mistake of answering, you promised you wouldn't call again or read my blog. You are still reading my blog. You said that is the point of having a public blog. You're wrong.
My parents can read my blog.
My cousins can read my blog.
My ex-boyfriend's girlfriend can read my blog.
My boyfriend's ex-girlfriend can read my blog.
Strangers that call me fucking bitch and slut can read my blog.
Pink unicorns and crippled fairies and cross-eyed monkeys can read my blog.
But YOU cannot read my blog.
I'M FORBIDDING IT.
Yes, you stayed awake to help me tag my legislation book.
Yes, you wrote and played songs about me.
Yes, I puked on you in your car.
I have more than made up for that with every chance I gave you to prove yourself worthy of my friendship. Chances you just took a dump on without so much as a blink.
You said you'd never find anyone as awesome as me and I wish I could say the same about you.
You said you would never forget me but I have already forgotten you.
Prove to me that you have finally made me a promise you're willing to keep; stay away from me.
My parents can read my blog.
My cousins can read my blog.
My ex-boyfriend's girlfriend can read my blog.
My boyfriend's ex-girlfriend can read my blog.
Strangers that call me fucking bitch and slut can read my blog.
Pink unicorns and crippled fairies and cross-eyed monkeys can read my blog.
But YOU cannot read my blog.
I'M FORBIDDING IT.
Yes, you stayed awake to help me tag my legislation book.
Yes, you wrote and played songs about me.
Yes, I puked on you in your car.
I have more than made up for that with every chance I gave you to prove yourself worthy of my friendship. Chances you just took a dump on without so much as a blink.
You said you'd never find anyone as awesome as me and I wish I could say the same about you.
You said you would never forget me but I have already forgotten you.
Prove to me that you have finally made me a promise you're willing to keep; stay away from me.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Adele's 21st Birthday
On Adele's birthday last week, we went for a quiet 'Girls Only' lunch in Fremantle to celebrate because almost everyone had assignments due or tests coming up.
The view from Kaili's, where we had fish and chips.
The sexy birthday goddess.
Me. Adele. Shahirah. Divya.
Still us, with a different pose
(by different pose, I mean I somehow managed to make my eyes look even smaller).
Shahirah and I.
Shahirah. Sara. Me. Adele. Divya.
Adele wanted to know why there is so much space in between us.
What happened was, we used the timer on Sara's camera.
Then Shahirah said, "Move to the right" so we would fit nicely in the middle of the picture
but I think Adele and Divya didn't get the memo, hehe.
Me. Adele. Divya. Shahirah.
Still us, but cuter.
I know I look 'damn unglam' wearing my slippers but I like this photo a lot.
I almost wanted to Like! it on Facebook and then comment on how cute we looked.
Sometimes I wonder why I have any friends.
I did not know I was in this shot.
I thought Sara was taking a photo of Divya and Shahirah.
As soon as I said "I thought you said you want to go to the gym today?",
Divya and Adele knew who was at the other end of the line
and chorused "Yes, go to the gym!"
I've been trying to get my legs to tan a little so that my arms and legs would
at least look like they belong to the same body but to no avail.
The universe loves me like that.
(Credits to Sara for the photographs)
The view from Kaili's, where we had fish and chips.
The sexy birthday goddess.
Me. Adele. Shahirah. Divya.
Still us, with a different pose(by different pose, I mean I somehow managed to make my eyes look even smaller).
Shahirah and I.
Shahirah. Sara. Me. Adele. Divya.
Adele wanted to know why there is so much space in between us.What happened was, we used the timer on Sara's camera.
Then Shahirah said, "Move to the right" so we would fit nicely in the middle of the picture
but I think Adele and Divya didn't get the memo, hehe.
Me. Adele. Divya. Shahirah.
Still us, but cuter.
I know I look 'damn unglam' wearing my slippers but I like this photo a lot.I almost wanted to Like! it on Facebook and then comment on how cute we looked.
Sometimes I wonder why I have any friends.
I did not know I was in this shot.I thought Sara was taking a photo of Divya and Shahirah.
As soon as I said "I thought you said you want to go to the gym today?",
Divya and Adele knew who was at the other end of the line
and chorused "Yes, go to the gym!"
I've been trying to get my legs to tan a little so that my arms and legs wouldat least look like they belong to the same body but to no avail.
The universe loves me like that.
(Credits to Sara for the photographs)
The weather was perfect for a lovely lunch and stroll/light shopping after that. I am so lucky to be blessed with so many high-happiness-factor days. More of those to come, pretty please?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Halloween 2009
I was not planning on attending the student village Halloween party but the girls decided to go about 3 hours before the event so I had to figure out what to wear. I chose to go as a schoolgirl (the not-so-naughty version). Rogan teased that I don't look any different from my usual self.
Both Kiki and I are dressed as schoolgirls; though Kiki did pull off the look a lot better than I did.
That’s me holding Greg’s beer for him when he went to the toilet, with Mel and Divya on the right.
I wanted to hold the axe but he refused to let me have it.
Isn’t it ironic that Nawar’s halo is perfectly positioned over my head while I’m looking like an alcoholic?
Me, Adele, Mel, Divya, Yasmin and Shahirah.
Greg, finally reunited with his beer but Yasmin managed to steal his axe.
Harry Potter!
Me, Caryn the Catwoman, Shahirah and Yasmin the Bohemian Babe.
Goody-Two-Shoes meets Nawar the Angel.
Me, Shahirah, Caryn.
Me, Yas, Rogan in the back dressed as the Karate Kid (or whoever he’s supposed to be), Caryn and Shahirah.
Okay, I don’t actually know some of the girls so I won’t embarrass myself by trying to name them.
Me, Caryn. Shahirah. Yas.
Caryn. Me. Nawar. Shahirah. Yas. Christiana.
Mel and Adele in the front.
P.Chen and I.
Credits to Shahirah, Caryn and Yasmin for the photos. I know some of them are pretty dark but I’m too lazy to edit them on Photoshop. There are tonnes of other photos of the event floating around on Facebook and as always, I’m only posting the ones in which I don’t look like the lovechild of Shrek and Golum.
The Bitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Whale-Watching
About two weeks ago, on a hot Sunday afternoon, we went on a whale-watching trip in Fremantle organized by the Malaysian Association of our university. It was $50 per person including a BBQ dinner, which I think is money well spent for the experience. And somehow, I managed to buy a maxi dress for $10 to wear in the summer before we boarded the boat. Shopping WIN.
Me, Yas, JJ in the back, Azfar with the semi-retarded pose, and Caryn in the boat.
That's half of Caryn, Shahirah and I.
Shahirah reckons I'm always camera-ready but I told her it's the Yasmin training.
Half a year of Yasmin sneaking up on you trying to get idiotic-looking photos and you have to wise up.
Whales!
More whales!
Still whales... What did you expect-lah? WHALE-WATCHING.
Probably the same ones but I can't tell the difference.
That's me, shielding my face from the trauma that is the scorching hot sun.
Christiana at the bottom right.
Another whale.
Nawar and Christiana.
Yasmin behind.
Shahirah and I.
At the BBQ dinner after whale-watching.
Poser tak jadi.
(Credits to Eman, Shahirah, Caryn and Yasmin for the photos. The artsy ones are Eman's.)
Me, Yas, JJ in the back, Azfar with the semi-retarded pose, and Caryn in the boat.
That's half of Caryn, Shahirah and I.Shahirah reckons I'm always camera-ready but I told her it's the Yasmin training.
Half a year of Yasmin sneaking up on you trying to get idiotic-looking photos and you have to wise up.
Whales!
More whales!
Still whales... What did you expect-lah? WHALE-WATCHING.Probably the same ones but I can't tell the difference.
That's me, shielding my face from the trauma that is the scorching hot sun.Christiana at the bottom right.
Another whale.
Nawar and Christiana.Yasmin behind.
Shahirah and I.
At the BBQ dinner after whale-watching.Poser tak jadi.
(Credits to Eman, Shahirah, Caryn and Yasmin for the photos. The artsy ones are Eman's.)
P/S: I've still got photos from my Margaret River trip but there are quite a lot; I won't have time to go through them and upload them before my final papers. I'll have them up before you know it :D
Celebrating Cultural Diversity
When I was younger, people often mistook me for being Malay or Chindian, among other things, due mostly to my tan complexion, I think. Now, even though I've become slightly fairer and look about as Chinese as you can get, people still say I am Indian on the inside or as I have demonstrated during a recent roadtrip to Margaret River, super Melayu as well (Tagline: 'Eh, ko ingat ko hensem ye?").
So is it any wonder that I still celebrate Hari Raya and Deepavali even when I'm here so far away from home?
Swan Festival of Lights in the city
with Caryn, Yasmin, Shahirah and Eman (he's the one that took the photo).
Caryn, me and Yasmin:
Hari Raya open house hosted by Razeen and Nawar.
[Standing L-R] Alwin, Vishant, Emanjit, Philip, Razeen, Adele, Mel, Divya.
[Seated L-R] Nana (Razeen's sister), Nawar, Shahirah, Shayma, Yas, Caryn and me.
Family away from home :D
Good food, good company; what more can I ask for?
Shayma, Yasmin, Caryn and me at the Hari Raya gathering.
So is it any wonder that I still celebrate Hari Raya and Deepavali even when I'm here so far away from home?
Swan Festival of Lights in the citywith Caryn, Yasmin, Shahirah and Eman (he's the one that took the photo).
Caryn, me and Yasmin:Hari Raya open house hosted by Razeen and Nawar.
[Standing L-R] Alwin, Vishant, Emanjit, Philip, Razeen, Adele, Mel, Divya.[Seated L-R] Nana (Razeen's sister), Nawar, Shahirah, Shayma, Yas, Caryn and me.
Family away from home :D
Good food, good company; what more can I ask for?
Shayma, Yasmin, Caryn and me at the Hari Raya gathering.The Bitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Golfing
On a Sunday afternoon over a month ago, Jarred and Alex almost knocked down my door to get me to wake up to golf at a driving range in Leeming. I am not a fan of the sun and I am crap at golf, but I'm glad I went because we had so much fun.
The obligatory pose.
Justine and Greg, Team Mauritius!
Kiki and I.
Kiki and I with Alex to the right.
Jarred, the only one among us who even had an inkling of what he was doing.
That's me, being the pro-golfer that I was born to be.
Even from my stance, you can tell I'm destined for greatness.
Alex.
Greg.
Kiki.
After golfing, we decided to get a huge tub of Baskin Robbins ice cream and lazed around the pool to cool down. Then we had dinner together before I headed out for a night-walk to enjoy the pleasant breeze. Mmm. The perfect way to wrap up what was a perfect weekend.
The obligatory pose.
Justine and Greg, Team Mauritius!
Kiki and I.
Kiki and I with Alex to the right.
Jarred, the only one among us who even had an inkling of what he was doing.
That's me, being the pro-golfer that I was born to be.Even from my stance, you can tell I'm destined for greatness.
Alex.
Greg.
Kiki.
After golfing, we decided to get a huge tub of Baskin Robbins ice cream and lazed around the pool to cool down. Then we had dinner together before I headed out for a night-walk to enjoy the pleasant breeze. Mmm. The perfect way to wrap up what was a perfect weekend.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The Bitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Sandboarding
As I mentioned in the previous post, the recent study break was filled with activities. I went indoor rock-climbing, sand-boarding, golfing at a driving range, swimming and tanning by the pool (in a bikini!) and then took a 3-day, 2-night trip down to Margaret River.
I know I'm way behind in my postings because all these happened at least 3 weeks ago but I've been neck-high in assignments, essays and tests so you'll just have to forgive me or answer to my mother.
Michael, Julien, Cat, Kee Ghin, another guy whose name escapes me at the moment, and I went sand-boarding on a Saturday afternoon at the sand dunes in Lancelin, which is about an hour's drive away. We rented the boards at a convenience store for $10 each hour (if my memory serves me right). We didn't need one board each, so we just shared 3 boards between the six of us.
The most important thing to remember is to put on sunscreen, bring a bottle of water and go to the toilet before you go to the sand dunes because there were no public toilets within sight. Also, store your belongings in a big plastic bag or you'll find sand in your bag even a month later. Wear slippers, unless you like having sand in your shoes (which drives me insane).
At first, we couldn't quite figure out how to get the boards to go down the dunes smoothly without getting stuck in the middle. Then we realized the trick is to find the steeper angles and to wax the undersides of the boards. That was when the fun began.
It was NOT fun having to climb up again with the board after surfing down though. After a while, it became a torture to climb up because it was so difficult, tiring and endless.
There were some dirt-bikers out to soak up the good weather too.
The sand dunes.
A stretch of powdery white sand.
Kee Ghin.
Michael.
Me picking up the board.
Me picking up the board again (is it just me or is that all I seem to have done?).
Cat and I.
Still Cat and I. The winds were pretty strong.
Definitely something I would want to do again.
I know I'm way behind in my postings because all these happened at least 3 weeks ago but I've been neck-high in assignments, essays and tests so you'll just have to forgive me or answer to my mother.
Michael, Julien, Cat, Kee Ghin, another guy whose name escapes me at the moment, and I went sand-boarding on a Saturday afternoon at the sand dunes in Lancelin, which is about an hour's drive away. We rented the boards at a convenience store for $10 each hour (if my memory serves me right). We didn't need one board each, so we just shared 3 boards between the six of us.
The most important thing to remember is to put on sunscreen, bring a bottle of water and go to the toilet before you go to the sand dunes because there were no public toilets within sight. Also, store your belongings in a big plastic bag or you'll find sand in your bag even a month later. Wear slippers, unless you like having sand in your shoes (which drives me insane).
At first, we couldn't quite figure out how to get the boards to go down the dunes smoothly without getting stuck in the middle. Then we realized the trick is to find the steeper angles and to wax the undersides of the boards. That was when the fun began.
It was NOT fun having to climb up again with the board after surfing down though. After a while, it became a torture to climb up because it was so difficult, tiring and endless.
There were some dirt-bikers out to soak up the good weather too.
The sand dunes.
A stretch of powdery white sand.
Kee Ghin.
Michael.
Me picking up the board.
Me picking up the board again (is it just me or is that all I seem to have done?).
Cat and I.
Still Cat and I. The winds were pretty strong.
Definitely something I would want to do again.
The Bitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Rockclimbing
Over the last study break, I decided to get out and do some different things. I tried indoor rock-climbing for the first time at this place called The Hangout with Divya, Vishant, Melissa, Philip, Adele and Eva.
Obviously I did not try any expert-level walls but I was pretty proud of myself for reaching the top of every wall I set my mind on climbing. And everyone else should be proud of me too; physical activity AND ass way up there in the air for all to see? Hello, if I'm not getting at least a Nobel prize nomination for that, then I don't know what's wrong with the world.
I had more trouble coming down than going up because I realized I have some serious trust issues. I found it so difficult to completely lean back and trust the belayer; I kept a tight grip on the ropes which made it very painful for my poor palms.
Not as easy as it looks.
Siblings Vishant and Divya.
Adele belaying while Mel climbs.
Mel totally kicked all the girls' asses.
Me. Mel. Adele. Divya. Eva.
Anyone that makes fun of my pose gets a punch in the face.
Please-ah, if I'm good at posing, I'll go to work as a model, no time for rock-climbing anymore.
(Photo credits: Melissa and Eva)
It was very enjoyable and I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. Skydiving, anyone?
Obviously I did not try any expert-level walls but I was pretty proud of myself for reaching the top of every wall I set my mind on climbing. And everyone else should be proud of me too; physical activity AND ass way up there in the air for all to see? Hello, if I'm not getting at least a Nobel prize nomination for that, then I don't know what's wrong with the world.
I had more trouble coming down than going up because I realized I have some serious trust issues. I found it so difficult to completely lean back and trust the belayer; I kept a tight grip on the ropes which made it very painful for my poor palms.
Not as easy as it looks.
Siblings Vishant and Divya.
Adele belaying while Mel climbs.Mel totally kicked all the girls' asses.
Me. Mel. Adele. Divya. Eva.
Anyone that makes fun of my pose gets a punch in the face.Please-ah, if I'm good at posing, I'll go to work as a model, no time for rock-climbing anymore.
(Photo credits: Melissa and Eva)It was very enjoyable and I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. Skydiving, anyone?
Monday, September 28, 2009
This Is War
I left my room for about 10 minutes today to talk to Greg and came back to find the ceiling in my room in this condition:
My toothbrush, toothpaste, mascara, mirror, teddy bear, keys, scissors and Nixoderm taped to the ceiling.
"JARRED! ALEEEEEEEEEEX! GET YOUR ASSES IN HERE!"
"What? Aren't ceilings supposed to look like that?"
My toothbrush, toothpaste, mascara, mirror, teddy bear, keys, scissors and Nixoderm taped to the ceiling.
"JARRED! ALEEEEEEEEEEX! GET YOUR ASSES IN HERE!"
"What? Aren't ceilings supposed to look like that?"
Girl Gossip (GG)
J: He's really hot!
X: I love his arms.
K: Yeah, his body's... wow.
J: Well, his head is not bad either.
X: I love his arms.
K: Yeah, his body's... wow.
J: Well, his head is not bad either.
Caryn's 21st Birthday
Two weekends ago, we celebrated Caryn's 21st birthday on the Saturday before Hari Raya. Pre-drinks at her flat, then clubbing at Metro City. The complete albums are on Caryn's and Yasmin's Facebook accounts. I only picked the ones in which I look remotely human:
SexyBack/Sexy Bitch
Me. Yasmin. Eman. Caryn. Chris.
Me. Lydia.
Shahirah. Caryn. Half my face. Yasmin. Divya. Melissa.
Yasmin. Me. Shahirah.
Philip. Me. Divya. Lydia.
Me. Emankiut (I won't call you Emanjit for the next hour).It was a good night out, although Metro City was so empty (they hosted the Asian Cocktail the night before that). But oh well, more space for us.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Emotional Abuse
Michael says (4:34 AM):
That's the difference.
I'm awesome and you're a tree.
Okay, back to anime.
Lulu Lunaberry says (4:34 AM):
=.=
And you dare call ME Anime Girl.
The 'tak-tahu-maluness'.
Michael says (4:34 AM):
I watch anime.
You're a freakin anime.
That's the difference.
I'm awesome and you're a tree.
Okay, back to anime.
Lulu Lunaberry says (4:34 AM):
=.=
And you dare call ME Anime Girl.
The 'tak-tahu-maluness'.
Michael says (4:34 AM):
I watch anime.
You're a freakin anime.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
psmall.JPG)
