First entry from Telford

Hi everyone! I've arrived safely and am now eating Coco Pops for breakfast, listening to the Goldeneye soundtrack. Eric Serra is the best composer in the world.

I purchased the new Harry Potter book yesterday for £9.99, meaning it's more than RM30 cheaper than back in KL! HA HA HA. I can't gloat TOO much though because after I bought the book, I went to Tesco and they were selling it for £7.99. Hmm... well, at least I saved some money compared to the KL-ites back home.

So far I've been to loads of places (and pubs). Taken lots of videos too. Here are some pictures I took. By the way, Charly, I will be in Paris after the 25th.

Me and Mom at the airport having a drink before I fly.

White Baa-Baa at Hoo Farm.

Black Baa-Baa at Hoo Farm.

I think this is the same White Baa-Baa. I had a nice conversation with this one.

Grey, Black and White Baa-Baas at Hoo Farm.

Black and White Moo flicking its tail.

Emperor Kuzco's second cousin 5 times removed. At Hoo Farm.

Poor little lambs trying to get out.

Two Baa-Baas trying to get the food in my hand.

Me on the Ironbridge, Shropshire. First iron bridge in the whole wide world.

Very impressive and huge power stations in the background. But what's nicer is the reflection off the river.

Interesting looking house.

A museum of something at Ironbridge.

Cute clock at Telford Shopping Centre. Your one-stop ssshhhhhopping experience.

One of two owls on duty during the Magical exhibition thing. Probably held in conjunction with the launching of Harry Potter.

My Piano String!!

I was importing songs from my CDs into my iPod, getting ready for my travels, and it was taking a long time, so I thought instead of sitting in front of the laptop, I'd go downstairs and play some piano since I hadn't touched the piano keys for ages now. So there I was, nicely tinkling "Scarlet" (piano solo version from Ayashi no Ceres - very nice) on the piano. Everything went well for that song. The next song I decided to play was Rei's Theme from Neon Genesis Evangelion. It's a REALLY nice song. I entered the 7th bar when suddenly "Twang!"! My 'E' string broke I think!! I tried pressing it several times and suddenly there was no sound at all. Previously there was a sound of a little hammer struggling to reach a string. But now - ZILCH.

Hopefully it gets fixed by the time I come back from Europe HEHE.

Yes, I have taken quite a few video clips already with my new camera. It's really fun! I've taken shots of my sisters, dogs etc so I can watch when I'm in England whenever I miss them.

Okay, I'd better get packing. I'll keep you guys updated on what I'm up to! Check back often! And Malaysian Devil can finally make his appearance on my blog! Two blogs merging! :D

A Video Camera!

I just bought a digital camcorder today!! It's from JVC, Japan VICTOR Company! Hahaha... What a weird name. But anyway, I wanted Sony, but they were both the same price, and the JVC packs a punch compared to the Sony!

One really cool feature I like in the JVC is its built-in light that can automatically turn itself on when there is too little light to shoot.

I'm going to start shooting myself packing tonight and the next few days, then maybe a bit more at the airport. It's gonna be so fun!

Hello Hello

I know it's been a really long time since my last post.

I've been sick for the past few days with fever, sore throat and a cold. Right now, I've got a bit of fever left and a nasty headache and my voice is only 80% back. I don't feel so good!

I suppose Charly doesn't feel too good either, with the Olympics being held in London 2012! What did you do when you heard the news Charly??!

Nice to see that Janice has finally visited my blog and left a message! Sorry for not updating, but I guess you would have read a lot of my posts and seen all the pictures since you haven't been here for a while. It'll be good to see you again in August!

I'm flying to Manchester next week, and hopefully have a great time there.

I've been watching BBC all night last night and all morning this morning to find out more about the London blasts. It's simply horrific!! I can't help crying when I hear the eyewitness accounts and when I see people hurt. I feel so scared that there can still be these kind of people in the world with such evil and cruelty without remorse in their hearts. And who seriously believe they're doing something good!

Well, my head is really aching and my body is so heavy... I'm so sick of lying on my bed too. I guess I'll have a lie down on my sofa and watch Jamie Oliver. I wonder what he's thinking right now in London?

Ms Heartbreaker's 23rd Bash @ Poppy Garden

Yes! Yes! Finally the pictures have arrived! This night was really hectic for me because I'd been to Beach Babe's grand banquet before (for her birthday - pictures in the previous post) and then I had to leave early and rush to Ms Heartbreaker's party in town.

How could I miss it? I've known Ms Heartbreaker since I was 4 years old! Of course, she wasn't such a heartbreaker then... more like a little monkey.

Look how she's blossomed now...



Ms Heartbreaker and Boyfriend.

Ninjaboy et moi.

Gentle Giant et Binks.


Ms Heartbreaker et moi.

Ooelatualet et moi.

Binks and I.

Binks et sa femme HEHE.

Mr Always Late and I.

Binks' Femme, Az and I.

Az et moi.

Huey et moi.

From left to right: Az, Mun, Chun, Me... um, I can't remember his name. Please enlighten me!

Beach Babe's 21st Birthday Bash

This party was also in April, but better late than never, eh? Pictures, I mean.

By the way, I just got a new keyboard, a real tiny, slim one because the normal desktop keyboards make my hands really tired cuz I have to lift my fingers up higher to hit the keys... hehe... I'm used to the laptop keyboard. So anyway, this keyboard is pretty cool, but I need time to get used to the miniscule Space Bar. I always accidentally press ALT instead! I guess this keyboard is even smaller than a laptop keyboard... imagine that.

Okay here are the pictures.

Birthday Girl et moi.

The Woman et moi.

The Woman lapsing into childishness.

Mel et moi.

Birthday Girl with Pooch (Lacey).

What a techie!

Guess what?! My dad has agreed to buy me a video camera! Whoopee!! I'm definitely getting it before my trip to UK so that I can catalog my whole journey. Especially Paris. And I'll put some clips on my blog too so you guys who've never been to one of the most amazing cities in the world (Paris) can experience some of it.

By the way, my friend Charly has put some videos on his blog too from Paris ("Paris Pix de Malaysian Devil" on the right of this page) but I find it lacking in buildings. You should film more buildings Charly!

I'm also gonna try write in my blog at least once every other day to put up pictures so you can trace my journey. Not that I'm going to many places, but it'll be nice to look back on.

What do you guys think of the new song on my blog? Any comments, anyone who wants it taken off, just let me know.

Karen's Wedding @ Marriott Putrajaya

Okay so this was MONTHS ago, but here are the pictures!

This is Regs' sister's wedding reception at the Marriott. A very grand affair, indeed.

Me and Ms Heartbreaker
Rennie and Ms Heartbreaker
Rennie and Me
Me and Ms Heartbreaker making a claim for Larry King
Now we're fighting for Regs
Regs wondering which of us stole her boyfriend (Larry King).

We're putting on sweet, innocent faces.
Regs sued Ms Heartbreaker for theft. That's Ms Heartbreaker's lawyer on the left. Regs and I best friends again.

I don't know why, but in the end, we were all asked for mug shots. Look at Ms Heartbreaker thinking she can giggle her way out of it.
Ms Heartbreaker wondering who to set her sights on next!

Just a little note

Yikes! Okay I know I haven't written in a LONG time but I've been SO busy working and shopping it's crazy! Hehe...

Now all I need is a belt...

And, yes, I've been working too... it's been nonstop, with people asking me to do this and that job. I suppose it is good for me to get money for my travels. But I don't have time! Argh... and I'm going up to Genting this Sunday too with the family.

I still haven't watched Madagascar! But I've been quite up to date with the French Film Festival here. So far I've watched Arsène Lupin, which is quite a confusing show but charming anyway. And Les Choristes which was a really really pleasant show (the one nominated for Best Foreign Film and Best Song at the Oscars this year).

Lounge Paris: Velvet Underground is happening this Friday night. Apparently "...an evening dedicated to Parisian lifestyle and nightlife." Got this all from the FFF flyer. Well, still deciding if I should go, since I haven't been getting enough sleep.

I really really must remember to put up the pics from the parties in April! Gosh... I totally forgot about them. I'll try to remember this weekend. Till then, take care everyone!

I'm not being racist

My previous post was not racist. I was merely stating that I don't think we should back down and cower from being injured by fanatical religious activists. If we are truly faithful people, we don't have anything to fear.

Of course it's very easy for me to say this, sitting in my room in comfort. But I would really like to see more people with more faith.

The Rights of Religion and Politics

I heard a rumour - at least I hope it is a rumour - that the Three Little Pigs are about to be renamed to God knows what. Why? Because of the word 'Pigs'.

Last Christmas, London didn't celebrate it with decoration-lined streets and Santas. Why? Because they didn't want to seem overly Christian, trying to convert people.

I can't think right now of other examples, but doubtless there are several more situations of oversensitivity to the Islamic religion.

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Well - I've been asked to remove the next several paragraphs out of sensitivity issues. Just the sort of thing I was writing about. Anyway... love live truth and freedom of thought.

Thoughts on my name

This blog has had over 5500 visits in a matter of 7 months - and only 3 visitors actually come here purely for my ramblings. Haha...

You know why I have so many visits then? I just checked out some of my stats the other day and I realised that it's the BOOBS that has 'em rollin' in!! Haha!

I was thinking of changing my blog name to something of a Masochistic feel, but I realised it'd sound like those depressing blogs that aren't really depressing, but because it has a title like "The Revelation of the Philosophical Epiphanies of the Sadistic Virgins", it just puts the readers in a rather black mood and I dare say (my favourite phrase of the moment - "I dare say") that even though my blog is not depressing, it would put a whole damper on the reader's mood while reading my blog.

Did anyone understand the previous paragraph? I so totally didn't. I just know what I meant because I know what I mean, but I don't know what those words above mean.

Oh gosh. The Ramblings of a Masochistic Piggy.

Hahahaha... Oh... back to work.

Oh my... I DO sound like those sad, depressing blogs! NOOOOOO HELP ME!!!

Okay okay... well I did get a cheque today for RM1000... WOOHOO!! It can all add up to my Travelling Fund. So happy!

Joyeux Anniversaire Charly!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLES!!

Sorry I forgot about your birthday, but don't worry, your present will be delivered soon!

Tu as vingt trois ans, n'est-ce pas?? I know you are! Wait for le cadeau!

OUTRAGEOUS! + some CD reviews!

I was watching TV last night when I saw a commercial for ASTROMobile advertising their new Phone Tattoos or something like that. It was just a simple, plain ad, definitely not worthy of the gazillions of ringgit Astro sucks up every minute from its subscribers who don't have any other choice of satellite TV.

At the end of the ad it says,

"It's Funky!"
"It's Outrages!"
"It's........"

Okay, I didn't notice the rest because my eyes had popped out of my head. "Outrages"?? ASTRO's 60 second advertisement not even undergoing spell check from a director? Was it not even checked before it was sent to be circulated on all the TV channels?

Surely ASTRO can afford better designers/directors/copywriters/spell checkers.

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CD Spree!

I went on a wonderful CD buying mission today. I was planning to get the Kingdom of Heaven soundtrack and Ciara's album. Unfortunately, the former was not released yet and the latter was sold out. Instead I bought the new one by Télépopmusik called Angel Milk, French Kiss (compilation), the new one by Garbage called Bleed Like Me and the CSI Soundtrack.

Here's a review so far:

Télépopmusik Angel Milk : Very nice. Much smoother and a more sophisticated and slightly different sound from the first album Genetic World. Sounds just a teeny weeny Delerium-like according to my sister. Maybe that's why I like it. The sounds are less funky electronic-y and more ambient-y.

French Kiss (from Intentcity Records) : A compilation of songs which are supposed to be Paris-y and romantic. I must agree. Maybe not romantic, but they sound very delicious. I especially love the first song, Tu Es Le Seul by LornaLee, and the last track, French Movie by Loner. A few French songs, very smooth, very chilled and pretty sensual.

Garbage Bleed Like Me : Personally I prefer Beautiful Garbage to this, but it might grow on me later. I just bought it for the loud factor before I slowly die out from all the chilled music playing in my car. I like Shirley Manson's vocals. I usually like females singing on loud rock songs.

CSI 1st season Soundtrack : I haven't finished listening to all, but I can tell you I will love it! Every time I watch CSI I fall in love with the music they play. It's a great buy, I tell you! You've got deep grooves mixed with alternative tracks, but always sound great together. On the whole, an upbeat, deep groovy sound.

I watched Kingdom of Heaven today and I really liked it. Not only was it a good movie (especially the music - brilliant!) but it was very suitable to my current state of mind and it really spoke to me.

In the beginning of the movie there was a scene of a few medieaval knights resting in the woods. And looking at them, and how they live and fight to survive, I found myself thinking again about how blessed I am to be living in this age, so comfortably. So, yet again, I thought to myself, "What does God want me to do with all the abundance of gifts he's showered upon me?"

ps. I LOVE the music and architecture in the film. Well done!

Renaissance of Catherine the Great

I just had a renaissance (ie. enlightenment) when I was driving earlier.

I saw an elderly Chinese man struggling to pull some really heavy things on a wheelbarrow at the side of the road. He was incredibly tanned and he looked like he was really struggling, poor man. I got to thinking, "I wish I could help him - but how can I help him? Thank God I have this life where I'm so blessed and comfortable and the only thing I have to worry about is getting my degree, and saving up money to go travelling around Europe..."

Then I thought about all the blessings I have - I have all my physical capabilities, I have money, I have talents, skills and knowledge... but what am I using them for? I'm using just enough of it to get by and I'm not helping anyone who's less gifted than I am. I feel useless all of a sudden. And suddenly I wish I had ambition.

Been so busy...

I know I haven't been posting recently, but I tried twice before cuz I wanted to put up pictures of some parties I attended but my Photoshop hanged while I was saving the pictures! So here's just a note saying that I've also been too bogged down with work to do anything else at the moment. However, I'll try to put up the pics during my breaks.

Happy Holidays, Charly!

Violations to environmental peace

Kelvin! I'm sure you don't drive at 50 km/h on that road. No one does. Not even the bicyclists. Plus, that bus was full of people, and a certain responsibility goes with being a bus driver: 1. A public service transportation, 2. Maximum 50 passengers on a bus, 3. A bus driver is trained to drive a big vehicle, 4. A big vehicle can cause mucho mucho damage in an accident. So there! :P And, yes, I will be careful on that road.

Anyway ANOTHER traffic incident to complain about! This time, not driving, but more of an environmental issue.

At least once a day I'll see a truck or bus with black smoke coming out of its exhaust pipe. And that really pisses me off because the city is just getting hotter and hotter and what with the HUGE fire yesterday (70 houses burned down, 500 homeless), imagine the poor ozone layer and all our oxygen.

So anyway, this cement mixer was the 3rd vehicle today in violation of our environmental peace. He had absolutely jet black smoke coming out. I really don't understand why the drivers or the maintenance people, or the boss, can't do something about it? Like clean some part of the engine or exhaust pipe??! They're so damn ignorant. I hate them! Curses on them and their own vehicles.

I got a number off this mixer : KV 5046A. I dunno if it's the number plate, but there you go. Shame on you! And if anyone comes across this post and knows why people won't take care of their engines, do tell me.

And don't give me some stupid dumb 'MONEY' reason, because our environment is more precious than any amount of money.

My gosh, how frustrating is it to know that people are visiting your blog, yet refuse to leave comments in writing?

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I encountered a really dumb, stupid bus driver today. Drivers like him are the ones who cause fatal accidents! Bloody idiot.

First of all, I want to state that his license plate number is WFW 1192 and it's a RapidKL blue-white-red bus travelling the route to Cyberjaya.

I was driving at about 100-105 km/h on the right lane of a two-lane curving road. This bus suddenly appears behind me nearly kissing my ass! There are a few cars in front of me going at the same speed I am, but he still insisted on tailing my backside! First of all, it's unnerving having a huge bus so close behind you, secondly, he's going as fast as I am, meaning that if I had braked, or gone over a huge rock and swerved, he would have run over my car, crushing me! I felt so angry at him after thinking about what he had done! And what he could have done!

When there was an opening in the left lane, he went back to the left lane - AND SPED UP! He was already going at 100+ km/h when he's only supposed to be doing 80 km/h on a non-highway. Then he overtakes me, meaning he went above 100 km/h, and then what? He stops at the side of the road a bit further up to drop passengers! I also took a look at him and he was driving with his left hand only. His right hand was comfortably rested on the door. I wish I could report him and his reckless driving! God, just imagine, I could have been crushed underneath that huge mass of a vehicle if the cars in front had emergency braked, or I'd swerved over something.

So if you see the bus, don't get on it! Or give it one hell of a punctured tyre. You might be in a bus accident next. Take care of yourselves, KL-ites.

To Hip and Happening Parisians! Pour tous les très cool Parisiens!

I've decided that this trip to Paris, I'll do more local things rather than visit touristy places again. So if any happening Parisian happens to drop by my blog, do leave a comment for me. I'd like to know :

1. Your favourite nightspot (restaurant, café, club, bar)
2. A great and cheap place to eat with lots of ambience
3. Good shopping
4. Places to sit and listen to great music (lounges/bars)
5. Best places for people-watching (Parisians!)

And anything else you might like me (and others) to know! Remember to leave addresses or nearby landmarks so I can find these places.

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My sister Elle was caught by evil Zwerklings the other day.

Here's her story...

"I was walking down the street one day, near the Eiffel Tower. It was a great day - the birds were chirping, the ground was slightly wet and slippery from a little snowfall earlier. Suddenly, I felt something pulling me off the ground! It was so freaky! I lost consciousness, and the next thing I knew, I was sitting on a metal chair and there were Zwerklings all around me. They looked weird, man."

"They asked me lots of questions but I refused to talk."

"Because of lack of cooperation, they locked me in a glass prison."

"I decided to cooperate with them before they did anything further. However, they told me they were done with questions and they were fed up with me. They would go straight to tortures. I should've stayed in the glass prison. What tortures lie in store for me...?"

"They gave me a hideous bowl of curly worm-like carbohydrates to digest."

"I downed a full glass of vodka to prepare me for the disaster."

"Oh God! I'll just pretend that I'm on Fear Factor."

"Strangely enough, after I finished the torture, the Zwerklings released my sister, whom I didn't realise was on the spaceship a prisoner as well. We both celebrated our release with glasses of vodka - neat."

Fancy a pee, anyone?

Do you always feel like peeing whenever you enter a toilet? Well, of course I don't mean when you go to a toilet to pee, but maybe you've accompanied your kid sister/brother and you're just hanging around, waiting for them to finish their no.2 when you suddenly get the urge to pee as well. Ever felt like that?

How about when you brush yr teeth at night - do you do like me - I pee first, then brush my teeth. If I ever brush my teeth first, I'll feel a terrible urge to use the toilet! Therefore I was just wondering if this reaction is purely psychological or could it be the same for everyone else?

Well, it probably IS psychological - after all, whether you brush before or after, your body doesn't really know. It's your brain which is telling you that you're in a toilet and therefore you should use it! Any comments?

Recommended Webcams?

My Creative webcam is giving me problems. My image is always orange! Does anyone know how to fix it? On another level, can anyone recommend a good enough webcam for a low price that is reliable?

Went for lunch at La Gourmet House today in Ikano Power Centre. It's located on the Lower Ground floor, next to a Fish Market restaurant and Uncle Lim's Kitchen (or something like that). The décor was not too bad, just some decorative plates were crooked, and some furniture was mismatched, for example, they use the same chairs that Little Penang Cafe in Mid Valley uses. They also play extremely mismatched music, like 1990s hits (??). The lighting was nice though. Just to explain, the restaurant is supposed to have a European feel, judging by the shelves of condiments etc for sale at the back of the shop, the wooden interior and the name of the place. So why the mismatched furniture and music? Anyway, the pasta I had (Famous something... pesto with chicken and some chilli thing) was not bad, smelt funny but tasted okay. But I do warn you about their Recommended drink - the Coffee Cola. That tasted really really strange. The Segafredo coffee is good, but the mixture is horrible. So take my advice, and just buy the coffee, or the cola. Not both.

That's it for now, back to the slave galleys for me. Oh, and remember to recommend some webcams please. Speak up, people! I'm not buying it so soon, so even if you read this a week late, just post your suggestion. Thanks.

Again! It happened again!

That's it! I've had just about enough. If people don't wanna invite me to do things, then just go to hell, I say!

La Senza and some website grouses.

I'm so thrilled. I managed to catch La Senza on the last day of its sale without knowing it! Luckily my aunt suggested we go to 1U, so I suggested we visit La Senza and Yippee, I managed to get a nice set of you-know-whats. Haha. And today, I went to buy more, not La Senza unfortunately, but I'm running out of money. I think I'm a Lingerie Lover. All I need now is for a La Perla store to open in KL and I'll go broke straight away. I've been to the La Perla website and although the pictures are all nice etc, I hate it when they just show you one or two products in each collection, and the whole website looks more like a work of art than an informative one. I know the website design is très important, but Seriously, what are we going to the website for?

Some other sites that are pretty much a waste of webspace is (unfortunately) FCUK and Russell and Bromley. They have really interesting websites, but what the heck? I can't find any proper pictures of products in there.

I can't think of any really good fashion goods sites right now, but when I do, I'll try to remember to list them here, shall I?

Talking about lists, I've managed to eliminate a lot of things on my famous Wish Lists. Firstly, I've got more Calvin and Hobbes books from my birthday gifts (although I still want more - email me for a list), La Senza lingerie... the only thing I really wanted that I haven't got yet is a new toilet flush handle. Anyone care to get me that? Just leave a comment with yr name and number ;)

Also, a special thanks to both Malaysian Devil and Grandpa G. Thank you to Malaysian Devil for the wonderful birthday present. I haven't started reading it yet, because as I told you in my letter, I've only gone through about 30 pages of Le Petit Nicolas (the first book you sent)!! Haha... I've been so absurdly busy these past few weeks. And Grandpa G, thank you so much for my eBay things (my FCUK shirts etc). I'm still looking forward to getting my Indispensable Calvin & Hobbes! And my two pairs of shoes of course. Oh, and you, naturally. HEHE. I can't wait for the finale of my presents *wink wink. Ah, Paris in July... lalala...

See you, guys, keep checking back.

Burnout!

My neck's been awfully stiff for the past couple of days. What a great present for turning 22. Only this morning did it start to feel slightly better. It's made me feel really tired very quickly because of the pain. And it became one of the rare times I actually didn't want to think about work and not caring if I handed up assignments late. But, now, it's getting better and I know I better start thinking about homework again.

This weekend is Easter weekend, so Lent season is nearly over! Yippee! I can have junk food again! (I gave up junk food for Lent). I know it's done a world of good for me, but last night I seriously needed it cuz I was feeling quite down. I passed the test, though, and slept instead.

My friend Beach Babe has a new dog called Lacey, a poodle. Haven't seen it yet, but I shall post pics of her soon as Beach Babe passes me some.

March seems to be creeping slowly by, doesn't it? I feel like January and February just WHIZZED by, but March is just one big escargot of a month.

Talking about escargots, it's confirmed! I'm going back to Paris! Bring out the champagne, guys! Yes, Grandpa G has offered to bring me to Paris as a late birthday present. How very sweet and generous of him. And what a sacrifice! Hehe.

Okay, let's see if I have any new pictures for you... nope, unfortunately... haven't been uploading pics from my camera. Until next time, then. Also, a big HI to Jap Chick Crazy Dale, henceforth known as JCC Dale. Good luck with your preparations for the Big Move. I'm doing the same thing next year, so I know how it feels like!

Joyeux Anniversaire Catherine!

Hehe... I had a nice birthday. Although the 20th is my birthday, everything seemed to happen yesterday on the 19th. Sharon threw a surprise dinner party for me which was really nice of her and the guys. Unfortunately I ordered a Red Lantern cocktail and felt really sick after that. The owner asked me what I had and I told him, and he said "Oh it was YOU who drank it! I thought it was one of the guys". Apparently that mix is for guys. Sheesh... the name is so feminine I thought it was nice that's why I ordered it! Anyway, felt a bit bad the whole night till about an hour or so after I drank it.

And anyway right now I'm a bit tired from the heat and my right wrist is a bit weak and numb, no idea why. Tomorrow is supposed to be hottest day here, so drink lots of fluids and stay in the shade, Cat! Seeya, guys.

Something came right!

BSC was a total jinx for me this evening! So many things went wrong, I'm just amazed I didn't blow up like a kettle. Firstly I went to BSC this morning to get breakfast with my dad and I was wearing a bra with a detachable jewel (a huge diamond) on it, and when I came home, I discovered that the jewel had dropped! It was really sad!!

Then in the evening I went to BSC again with my sister to get some dinner. In the car park I discovered there was something wrong with the car's reverse system. It just wouldn't budge, as if I was stepping on the brake while reversing. And, no, the handbrake wasn't engaged. PLEASE! So that was really weird and a bit freaky, but I managed to park the car without anything else going wrong.

We went to Cold Storage to buy drinks and my sister bought a yogurt kiwi drink. The first one she bought had already been opened, so we exchanged for the second one - which was expired before the date stated. Then she went to get a third one - which had brown marks on the drinking part. HMM. So we asked for a refund and thankfully got it without any problems.

After that we bought food etc and we went to pay the ticket. We'd only been there 1 hour so I paid RM1.50. Then I decided to top up my prepaid card before leaving, so we went to the phone shop. Back on the escalator, I realised I'd forgotten to retrieve my ticket from the machine! Careless, I know, but imagine it happening it to you and you'll feel sorry for me :'(

We rushed back to the machine and I can't believe the dishonest people around! The ticket wasn't there anymore. It was maybe 10 mins since we left and the place wasn't even busy. Look, it was a ticket, obviously it's something the person would immediately miss because after paying, you usually go straight to your car, right? But noooooo some dishonest person had to take my ticket, already paid for! I asked the security guard who was sitting next to the machine if anyone had returned a ticket and he just asked me to go to the ticketing office downstairs. STUPID. No wonder he's a security guard. Gives a bad name to guards everywhere! Stupid stupid...

So I went down and I had to pay for a lost ticket! RM20 down the drain! I just kept saying that I couldn't believe I'd thrown away RM20 just like that!!! I'm just really thankful it wasn't RM30 like at my school. Sigh. I was really quite down and really afraid something else would go wrong. Oh, and as I exited the car park, I scraped the tyre on a curb (which I've NEVER done in BSC). So you can see why I hate BSC today.

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Talking about my school, the redeeming part of the evening was when I went to pick my photos up. I'd taken some pics of my school for a project. Here's how my school looks like :

Panoramic view in the evening.

Hey... cool imposing sort of pic, eh?

Nice lighting at the white building. Although it doesn't look white in this light.

Is it just me, or does this remind you of the Centre Georges Pompidou?

It doesn't look AS nice in real life. HEHE.

My Advanced Diploma! Woohoo!

Look what I found! Academy Awards speech generator!

Did you watch the Academy Awards? Looks like they tried to do things a little differently... just felt sorry for the... who were they, art directors or... no... those people who didn't get to go onstage. The award presented by Cate Blanchett amongst the audience. Poor people. Everyone should have the chance to get onstage.

I liked the song Beyoncé sang from Les Choristes, "Voir sur ton chemin". Too bad it didn't win. Too bad Phantom didn't win anything!

Anyway, here's what I found : An Academy Awards speech generator. Try it out :D Here's mine.

Cat's Acceptance Speech for the Stupendous Animal Costume Design Oscar:

"Thank you! Oh! Thank you! I can hardly believe this! I feel so lucky! And this statue - it's so shiny! Oh, thank you again! I just want everyone to know that even in my wildest hallucinations, I never would have fantasized that this could ever help me get laid so much. And to the other super-amazing nominees, I want each of you to know how totally mega-pumped your fake smiles makes me feel right now!

You know when they first told me I was n't blonde enough, I just had to take a minute and think about how freakish my fans have been. I guess it all just makes me feel kinda special.

You know, there are so many back-stabbing talentless success stories to thank! First off though, I want to thank the glorified prostitutes of the Academy, who looked deep within their Magic 8-Balls before giving me this fantastic award! Also, I want to thank my guru, for being such a powerful force in my contract negotiations. And to Mom, who taught me to take life by the day. And finally, to all the Producers I slept with - I couldn't have done it without you!

Thank you America, and good night!"

First week of school

This week I've embarked on my journey of my final year at art college. AAAAHHHHHHH! It's sort of welcome, and also unwelcome, if you know what I mean.

Well, it seems to be really serious this year. We've got loads of work to do and looks like there ain't gonna be no rest for us seniors. I don't mind having a lot of work to do, as long as I've got TIME to do it.

(Is anyone sick of hearing rappers speak with bad English? Like this from Eminem : "...when we was teenagers..." I'm sure he knows that's not right. But why say it? Does it sound cool? Is it good to teach the young ones bad English? I'm sick of hearing people calling it 'American' blablabla... it's English, and English it should remain.)

ANYWAY. Yes, it's true, there's a whole lot of assignments we'll be given this year, and we'll be expected to produce a dazzling portfolio at the end of it so that we can all get good jobs in good agencies etc. How stressful. I hope I can cope with it as time goes by.

3 months to Grandpa G's arrival!

Paris, Paris, Paris!

Did I mention, after much thought, I decided to give up on the Mukluks? Yep.

Anyway, my ticket to England is booked! I'm going in July, hopefully the weather's cool enough. I've also been thinking and thinking about going back to Paris and do the parts I missed out on last time (and also do some parts I did last time). Only thing is, Grandpa G, who'll probably be taking me if I go, doesn't really like France! Pfff...!

I just visited some websites for Paris hotels, and just looking at the pictures and finding rates and availability reminded me of when I was planning my last trip there and it made me want to go even more!! Thing is, I probably won't have any money at all for the trip, so I really will have to rely on Grandpa G, whom I hope will be willing to spend a bit of money just for lil me.

I'm getting so excited about seeing Paris again. I don't know what it is about the place - maybe the scenery, the buildings, the air... but I just really miss it! I know my good friend Malaysian Devil will be positively delighted to hear me say this HEHE... yes, yes, I know, Paris is a wonderful city.

I like walking down the little lanes, seeing the windy roads, cars parked inches from each other... then you get the really huge, wide roads, the Arc de Triomphe (absolutely love it) and Champs-Elysees... and of course, I have to go to Montmartre which I missed out on last time, and which I really regret not visiting. Would love to take pictures of the Tour Eiffel, which I didn't last time cuz I only visited it on the first night, and didn't feel like carrying my camera. Sigh... just thinking about it is making me so excited. If only my French were good enough for me to move there instead of England (ssh...HEHE).

And Paris is so Expensive! This time I don't think I can live more than 2 or 3 days there. My bank account is so wiped out after getting the ticket to England.

Anyone care to give me some spare Euros lying around?

I seriously need a PEDICURE!!

Going for dinner tonight with the gang... don't know really know where we're going yet, but I hope it's nearby, inexpensive and good.

I'm still wishing for the Return of the King Extended DVD! I know I can get it for myself, but I just feel like I'd rather spend my money on clothes. You know what I mean (if you're a girl).

For the past 3 days I've been so infatuated with Mukluks. You guys know what Mukluks are? They're the most ADORABLE boots with moccasin shoe base and fur from ankle to mid-boot! WOW. And for someone as boot-crazy as I am, it was really a struggle for me not to hit the "Buy It Now" button on eBay. In the end, my practical side won, and I decided to use the money I "would have spent" on the boots, to buy me the new Glamour UK (if it's out - February's seems to be missing) and other casual baby tees.

Okay, some general knowledge here. Mukluks are originally from Canada and incorporates Native Indian design in the form of embroidery or beads on the boot. They use real rabbit fur and the material is usually some animal skin, like sheep skin.

That's it for the general knowledge of the day. Don't you feel a little smarter?

And before people start screaming at me, OF COURSE the boots I was going to buy wasn't made of real rabbit fur! (Those cost more than GBP150 for the cheapest boots) But of course I wouldn't buy things made of cute rabbits' fur! I had 3 rabbits before for goodness' sake. And while I agree it's not nice to keep rabbits shut in a cage (I did let Russ out to run occassionally), better than skinning them and using them as fashion right?

Post-Chinese New Year

Technically it's still CNY, but since people have gone back to work, the holidays seem somewhat over. Today, however, is called "Yan Yat" for the Cantonese, meaning it's "everyone's birthday"!! YIPPEE!

So as you know, I went up to Penang for CNY last week, and no worries, I'm safe... no more tsunamis there.

Penang is a LOVELY place. It was part of the Straits States when we were under the British rule way back when. As a result, it has many old colonial buildings, some turned into heritage mansions, some turned into restaurants and shops, and others demolished in favour of more efficient space-saving condos in prime real estate areas. Here, I have some images of Penang for you who have never seen it.

ps. Penang is also really famous for its food.

I think this is the Assumption catholic church. Tiny, but pleasant looking.

Oh this is the famous Blue Mansion. It belonged to the famous Cheong Fatt Tze who was an incredibly rich and successful Chinese businessman for his time. Apparently his dwelling is absolutely 100% Feng Shui perfect. You can go for a tour of this house and learn more for RM10 Adults. It's really very interesting.

Some Indian shops [Bollywood Indian Fashion and a minimart] next to a Hindu temple.

The oh so famous and oh so posh E&O hotel. Very swish, very expensive, very classy, incredibly beautiful.

Some Chinese shops down a street. Kedai Ubat means medicine shop.

MC Exhibit 3 : This man is not so interesting as others I've seen in Penang, but just wanted to illustrate that Penang is the Land of the Motorcycles.

Peking Hotel, a budget hotel in a nice building. Hopefully there are no rats. Next to it is the SOHO Free House serving home cooked food. Never been there, but looks good.

I think these are Malay shops. The one with the red sign looks like a minimart with the blue ice cream box in front, and the one on the right looks like a clothes shop. Very old-fashioned and quaint, isn't it?

St George's Anglican church, I think. Doesn't it just look so British? You can really see the difference between this and Catholic churches.

My Wish List...#4? And about Chinese New Year.

So here's presenting the fourth(?) installment of My Wish List :

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King extended DVD
2. More Calvin and Hobbes
3. Less addiction to eBay
4. More (affordable) party heels and less office heels in the shops
5. A ticket to England that's less than RM2000
6. Lots of loaded 'ang paos' this CNY
7. A new flush handle for the toilet

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Chinese New Year

With CNY just round the corner (February 9 and 10), I'll be back in Daddy's hometown - Penang - Pearl of the Orient - recently hit by the tsunami. Not hit very badly, thank goodness, but affected all the same. I think it needs more dried beancurd and mandarins this Rooster year ;)

So here's a toast to lots of ang paos and a list for you on CNY symbols :

• Black moss seaweed and Egg Rolls = Wealth
• Dried Beancurd = Happiness
• Chicken = Happiness and Marriage or Family reunion (if served whole)
• Eggs = Fertility
• Fish (served whole) = Prosperity
• Lychee nuts = Close family ties
• (Longevity) Noodles - A long life (esp when lifted high above the table with chopsticks!!)
• Oranges = Prosperity
• Peanuts = Long life (again - although why eat to long life when Buddhists/Taoists believe in reincarnation?)
• Pomelo - Prosperity and Fertility
• Seeds - lotus seeds/watermelon seeds etc = Many children
• Mandarins/Tangerines = Luck

Men's Fashion - What's That??

Hehe... even with men's fashion getting more adventurous these days, sometimes men still don't see the light. They're probably the most clueless in formalwear or officewear, eg. ties. For instance, how many of you guys, or you girls' boyfriends, tie their tie knot in only one way? [FYI, did you know that most guy's tie their knot in the Windsor style? At least in my experience.]

So here, I've stumbled across a very interesting website on ties and 8 DIFFERENT WAYS to knot your tie. Girls, do your guys a favour and teach them how to knot their tie, and how to choose patterns. Guys, you have no idea how much a well-dressed and neat person is admired by girls!

Here's the website : Ben Silver Classic Style :: The Classic Tie Knots

Also, check out the meaning of different knots. Click on "All About Ties" then "History of the Tie".

Useful information for parties, eh? :P

Idiots on eBay Malaysia

I can't even BEGIN to describe how upset I am. Remember a few posts back about the eBay bidder who bid on my item a few hours before auction end, then apologised for bidding accidentally? What an idiot, right?

Well, I just received a negative feedback from that person because I left him one! Tell me, is it my fault for leaving a negative feedback when someone has caused me so much trouble with relisting the item and only selling it at half the price it was going for before he "accidentally bid" on it?

I'm truly sorry it had to be like this, but I really don't see why someone should leave me negative feedback when I was upset with that person for not being responsible. I also left that negative feedback because I'd emailed that person 2 or 3 times asking about his next action, if he really wanted to buy it... just to let me know what he wanted to do. But NO... no contact at all. What am I supposed to do then? Just sit and wait? I really don't understand Malaysian bidders on eBay. Half of them are GREAT A+++ and the other half are total asses. Typical Asians. Always have to have an eye for an eye.

And now I have this negative feedback on my score, it'll look SO bad when you don't see that "positive feedback score = 100%" on my profile. Aarghh... that's really upsetting!

And to top it off, I'm just waiting to get another negative feedback from this troublesome buyer who's so sarcastic and calls me intolerant for keeping her item for more than 2 weeks after auction end without any contact and leaving her negative feedback. Is it so damn difficult to contact someone?

Curse these monkeys' asses.