Gear Up

I said on twitter that all good things come to an end.

The past 3 months has just been amazing. I find holidays therapeutic. A time to indulge in your creativity, doing things you normally wouldn't have the time for.
Had my first office job, launched Yhart Sale, catching up with high school mates, celebrating CNY.... There wasn't a dull moment.

Ironically I'm starting to feel bored now. Just quietly soaking up the last moments of what seems to be a dream. I guess the boredom is timely considering my semester begins next Monday.


I'm ready for "reality". In a strange way I look forward to it. I know that sounds insane and is unlike me, but deep down there's something about education that excites me. Don't you agree? Just to move on to the next chapter, and experience some sort of progress.

Holidays are indulgent, but for the same reason they also feel floaty, like being suspended in your own bubble and unable to push ahead. It's a joyful period but you don't want to be stuck there forever.

To sum up everything in one sentence: I'm ready to move on from my holiday.
(yeah I know I say way too much)


P.S. I like this song. Odd but interesting collaboration between Timbaland and Katy Perry. The music video is about a jewelry thief who falls for an art thief. Go figure.

House Hopping

I like the term, reminds me of rabbits. Cute ones of course.

My first time doing this, along with the usual suspects we made 6 stops in total. First time visiting Lok Mun, Yee Thong, Ding Sheng & Shengyi's place. The other 2 homes we invaded was Chai Yee's and mine.

12 hours of eating, talking, laughing, mahjong. Tiring but exciting as well!
Chai Yee is going to Australia soon, if you are reading this take care Chai Yee!


There's another one going on today, with S5 mates but can't attend :(
Went to the hospital this morning for appointment... same stomach problem that has no end. I also feel a sore throat and flu coming along, the crazily hot CNY weather is finally getting to me.


I realized my 3 month break is ending REALLY soon. Just another week before reality kicks in. I feel bad, after such a long lay off I'm sure my brain is full of rust. Gonna be a real struggle next month :(

Alexander McQueen (1969 - 2010)

A great loss in the fashion industry. I became a fan some time last year.

If you have seen Lady Gaga's Bad Romance video, then you have seen his creations. All the killer heels that Gaga wore in that video and the golden symmetrical shaped dress were McQueen's amazing design. Some of Kylie's tour outfits were also crafted by the late British designer.

Just as Gaga incorporates art into music, McQueen truly was an innovator at incorporating art into fashion. His creations were unreal, unimaginable... until you see it on a figure, then it just comes together as a literal WORK OF ART.


Here are some pics (from Style.com) of his Spring 2010 "Plato's Atlantis" collection.

He may be gone, but his legacy remains.

Post Valentine

It's refreshing that Valentine's days is overshadowed by Chinese New Year. Didn't even see a single Valentine related thing yesterday. All single Chinese ppl must be grinning cheekily :p

If anyone of you saw my Valentine's playlist on Channel [V], it was cool wasn't it? I even have some friend requests on fb from ppl who saw my name on TV. Hope you liked my song selections.

But honestly those songs don't reflect me. Sure they are great tracks I love, but I only chose them to suit the theme for the contest.

Actually this Valentine's I'm feeling more like this:


We should celebrate singlehood like Rihanna! So so hard! :)

last day last minute cleaning

Everyone knows the "no sweeping on the first day of CNY" rule. It doesn't make sense. I suspect it started years ago when ppl were lazy to do housework so they made this up as an excuse to slack off.

We spent much of today cleaning the house, with the help of the part-time maid of course.
The cleaning wasn't about tradition. For me it's just nice to be in a clean state. Also it would be super embarrassing if relatives & friends came over next week and saw how filthy the house is.

I like the smell of detergent, the touch of new sheets, dust free furniture and shiny, reflective surface of the mopped floors.

OK maybe not reflective.


Almost got into an accident while picking up the maid this morning. If I hadn't stepped on the breaks hard enough, my car would have been crushed.... and my mum and I would probably be in a hospital now.

Talk about a narrow escape.


SO YEAH... I'm glad I'm alive to celebrate CNY tomorrow.
Have a good one guys! :)

home made CNY deco

The Yhartist strikes again!

Was bored today so I decided to get creative and made CNY decorations.

If you saw my 'Sweet Valentines' collection in Yhart Sale, you will notice that's where I first got the circular flower idea from. Only this time I made red versions to suit the CNY theme.

Also made 'figures of 8', since it's such a favoured number with the Chinese.

The designing-printing-cutting process took just about an hour. Really simple, you can try it too! Basically you create a crescent shape and then copy, paste and resize/rotate it multiple times to create all kinds of prints!

Stacking two of the '8's gives a whole new look!

So many ways to play with it, here are some different arrangements...

Hope you like it!

I'm Gonna Be On TV!!!

I'm truly excited to share this moment!

The last time Roger Federer came to KL, my sis and I managed to get on the front page of The Star. Really small pic among a sea of ppl, but still it counts!

This time to be on TV is just way cool. OK...... I'm not going to physically appear on your screen, but my name is, and for half an hour I get control over what videos are aired on Channel [V]!

Here's the deal. I took part in a Valentine's edition of a show called 'The Playlist', and my submission was one of the 5 selected entries! Each weekday Channel [V] will air the 5 chosen Valentines playlist, and one lucky finalist will win a Technomarine watch worth RM1000!

The winner will be announced later, but just to have my playlist aired throughout Asia is cool enough, whether I get the watch or not doesn't really matter.

SO you can check out my playlist and dedication at:

Channel [V], Astro Channel 714
Premieres Tuesday, 9 Feb at 9.30pm
Repeats on Wednesday, 10 Feb at 3.30am / 7.30am / 11.30am

Thank you! And have a great Valentines everyone ;)

H' warming & B' day gathering

A fun weekend indeed :)

Attended a high school mate's house warming.
Let's just say I have never been more impressed by a residence than this in my life.
I admit I'm easily impressed, but this blew me away by huge proportions.

For some interesting facts check out a friend's description:
http://melodyorange.blogspot.com/2010/02/big-huge-enormous-warmth.html
hope you don't mind Melody ;)

I also hope the home owner doesn't mind me talking about her crib, for I speak of it with genuine admiration & sincerity!


Today... went to Wong Kok to celebrate Yee Thong, Yew Fai & Don's birthday! You can never get sick of the gigantic Birthday Milk Tea even though I've seen it just about a hundred times :P

Happy to see some of them after such a long time! It's always nice and warm to hang out with you guys ;)
I'm sure pics will surface on fb soon :)


Been attending a handful of gatherings and trips these 2 months, partly becoz some are going overseas soon. I'm glad we are still hanging out! It's strange coz I feel we are closer now than before, even though we don't see each other so often anymore. I'm really getting to know some of you guys.

I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder... Am I using this saying correctly hehe?

Making The Egg Stand

Today I can be a mythbuster!

Myth:
Some Chinese folks believe that it is possible for an egg to stand upright during "Lap Chun" (first day of spring) which happened to be yesterday, 4th February 2010.

Experiment:
An egg was placed upright on the ground repeatedly until it could stand still on 4th Feb.
Observation:
After many tries, it worked! Even my mum had success making the egg stand.

Experiment 2:
Same experiment was carried out today (5th Feb, NOT "Lap Chun" anymore).
Observation:
My sis was able to make it stand!


CONCLUSION:
Yes it is possible to make an egg stand upright if you try hard enough, and it can be achieved ANY time of the year!

MYTH BUSTED!!!

Helping Haiti - Everybody Hurts

Simon Cowell's charity single



Lyrics
Leona Lewis: When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone
Rod Stewart: When you're sure you had enough of this life, well hang on

Mariah Carey: Don't let yourself go, coz everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes
Cheryl Cole: Sometimes everything is wrong
Mika: Now it's time to sing along

Michael Buble: When your day is night alone
Joe McElderry: (Hold on, hold on)
Miley Cyrus: If you feel like letting go
James Blunt: If you think you had too much of this life, well hang on

Gary Barlow(Take That) : Coz everybody hurts
Mark Owen(Take That) : Take comfort in your friends
Gary Barlow: Everybody hurts

Jon Bon Jovi: Don't throw your hand, oh no
James Morrison: Don't throw your hand
James Morrison & Alexandra Burke: If you feel like you're alone, no, no, no, you're not alone

Susan Boyle: If you're on your own in this life, the days and nights are long
Aston Merrygold(JLS) : When you think you've had too much of this life
Marvin Humes(JLS) : To hang on

Shane Filan(Westlife) : Everybody hurts, sometimes
Mark Feehily(Westlife) : Everybody cries
Kylie Minogue: And everybody hurts, sometimes
Robbie Williams: And everybody hurts, sometimes, so hold on, hold on

Everyone: hold on (everybody), hold on, hold on, (everybody), hold on, hold on

On Aussie and Grammys

I know I'm late, but still gonna say it :)

Going for the trip made me missed the live telecast of the men's and women's singles final of the Aussie Open. Watching the repeat wasn't as fun because I already knew who won, but the quality of the 2 matches were still impressive.

When Serena is serving like a man, no woman can beat her (this is a compliment!). I still wished Justine won though. And Roger Federer continues to make history, when I saw him trash Tsonga in the semis I already knew he would win the title. Sure enough he outclassed Murray. Murray didn't play poorly, yes he made some nervous mistakes here and there, but it was really Roger being TOO classy! His serve was so effective, the pace of the ground strokes.... just so KENCANG! Beautiful backhand whipping Murray from start to finish.

It seems the only player worthy of contending with Roger in Grand Slams is Nadal! My fav player will be back for sure!

Now on to the Grammys, Beyonce was the big winner taking home 6 trophies. Lady Gaga wore bizarre outfits once again. The best part of the show was the spectacular performances. My favourite was Pink. She performed a high risk act, it looked like she could fall off the air and break her bones any moment.

A must watch!

About the Animal Trip :)

Back from Sekinchan! Interesting trip, I experienced various 'first times' throughout the weekend, mostly related to creatures of the animal kingdom!

Saturday
The ride wasn't long. Reached Sekinchan- first thing noticed was vast paddy field. Was less than appealing. Jit Teng explained harvest season just passed in December, so there wasn't much of a view besides dry mud and little green patches.

Seafood dinner. Cheap & decent! Haven't had fried sotong in AGES! yum yum.. Also had 'Chow Bak Goh', when they ordered it I thought it was "fried white fruit" as in the white ginkgo fruit found in barley tong sui. Turned out to be a flour dish, something like Pan Mee.

Nite. Went to Firefly Park Resort @ Kuala Selangor to see.... obviously fireflies! Pretty cool, I expected the glow to be fiery yellow, but it was actually fluorescent white, like mini artificial lights on a Christmas tree. The boat ride was relaxing, supposed to be quiet to not spook the fireflies, but heck we were the noisiest bunch hehehe. The moon was gorgeous.


Sunday
After breakfast, we went eel fishing! Actually I think 'eel' isn't the right term, in Cantonese they call it "Wong Xin", some snake/eel like creature that dwells in the muddy waters of the field. This was by far the highlight of the trip! Our fishing rod was just fishing line & hook tied to a PVC pipe, the bait was chicken intestines that Jit Teng got F.O.C. from the market. Simple home made contraption but it WORKS! Basically you put the bait at the opening of their mud burrows and wait for some action!

The 9 of us had no luck initially, it was getting boring and the sun was seriously scorching. Suddenly someone spotted one and we rushed there. Boy oh boy, this eel was a smart one. It managed to eat the liver while avoiding the hook. We were hell bent on catching it, so we kept trying, I'm surprised that greedy eel kept entertaining us by going for the bait over and over again without getting hooked. We could only see the head coming out, it was snake like! The scariest part was the loud sound it made everytime it charged out and chewed off the chicken intestine in lightning speed. Damn aggressive. We were scared like crazy, especially the person holding the rod. Needless to say there was plenty of screams. We took turns, finally our senior Teng Chun struck gold when he felt a jerk on the rod. Within seconds, he calmly pulled back on the rod and out comes the eel! OMG I was stunned when I saw the length of that thing! About 15 inches I would say.

After a while Ding Sheng caught another one. Lunch time we headed to a restaurant with our catch of the day. Yup, that's right we ate the eels. I'm sure you heard of Kung Po Chicken, but what about Kung Po Eel? The chef did a good job. I thought I would throw up at first, but it was actually OK. Texture sort of like fish.


Left Sekinchan late afternoon. On the way home, we stopped by Bukit Malawati to see (I quote from Jit Teng) "silver monkeys". Actually they were just black bodied monkeys with grayish white fur. Nevertheless I was still fascinated. A tram ride brought us to the top of the hill. These monkeys were tame and friendly, unlike the typical brown monkeys you see in PJ & KL. We also saw fishes, peacocks and porcupines up close.

By the time we were done it was late so we skipped our plan to the beach. Reached PJ, had dinner and said our goodbyes.. Although the trip was short, I had so much fun coz the activities were exciting and there was no shortage in laughter!


Thanks guys for this experience, especially tour guide Jit Teng.
If Sekinchan is next on your travelling list, then Jit Teng is the go to person for some tips!

pics on fb!
cheers :)