Fab Not Fat

The summer that never really arrived has ended.
Maybe it has ended long time ago but I was just in denial.

Anyway, I cleared away all my summer clothes and took out my winter clothes. I reckon I won't be on any hot hols anytime soon so the summer clothes are all nicely tucked in the spare cupboard.

As I was sorting out my stuff I thought I might as well do a bit of spring clearing.
Clear the clutters and chuck old stuff away. Good for feng shui apparently.
It is always difficult work and you end up finding things that should have been chucked away ages ago. Couldn't do it then and couldn't do it now. Sentimental freak.

I found a bottle of perfume - Hypnose Lancome. There was still like a wee bit left in it. I thought I lost it when I moved from Warwick.
The top was stuck and I tried to jerk it out and ended up having a big whiff of the perfume. Then I look at the colour of the perfume. It was light brown when you hold it against the sun light. I tried to remember the colour when I was given the perfume. I think it was light blue. Shite! The perfume has gone bad! Or does perfume get better with time like cheese? I chucked it anyway in case it was toxic.

Also chucked away some make up that I bought when I was Warwick. They were all brand new. Not sure why I bought them. Must be for some function. Probably used it once or twice.

Someone asked me recently what my makeup or beauty regime was.

Well..

I clean my face with Excel cleanser.
Then I moisturise with Biotherm moisturiser.
On a really bad day I might put a bit of Lancome face powder.
I tried to think of anything else I can add to the regime.

Nah, thats it. Actually probably everyone else has a longer beauty regime than me. You boys included.

I know a lot of people who feel naked without make up.
I suppose the feeling is like I feel masked with make up.
And I have really sensitive skin that breaks out the few times I had to use make up.

Personally I think 'make up' is just an invention for women to give women a hard time. A lot of time women are just too critical of women which is why women have a different view from men when rating a women's beauty.

I remember I was having pizza with a girlfriend once.
She looked at me very seriously and said : 'You are actually really pretty.'
I was taken aback and almost chocked on my pizza. Those words sound 10 times better when said by a woman compared to when said by a man (who say it for one reason mostly). I feel very flattered whenever I am told that by a fellow women (who actually mean it when they say it).

Isn't it nice just to be a bit less critical? I don't know what kind of pretty my friend saw in me that day but I just thought she was being a less critical woman that day.

Women should not let anyone tell them they are anything less than fabulous.

P/s - This post is inspired by Grace who reminded me of something I wrote 2 years ago. If you have too much time on your hands, feel free to revisit my ramblings then.

October Snow

It started snowing when I was on the phone with Sing Cher cause it was Diwali and I can call India for free. Sing Cher is my oldest friend. I have known her since I was 6! We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary next year! I remember she taught me how to play 'batu seremban' (five stones) and we even invented our own game called 'tek tek tek'. Its the most brilliant game ever using pencils (those mechanical ones) as dolls and creating the house with whatever we had in our pencil cases.

Also caught up with bro. My bro has the most entrepreneurial brain ever. I think he should have done business instead of medicine. Maybe he can be a doctor when the economy is in recession then do investment/finance when the economy is booming. Anyway, I love chatting with my bro, he makes me laugh. He is becoming more and more like dad.

Its Wednesday! This time next week I will have finished the exams. Big thank you to Ferny and Geong Sen for their good luck card and also their lovely gift from Italy.

Ok I shall get back to my notes. The end is very very near and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...

No More Procrastination

Its the last week of October. Not long to Christmas. This year felt quick and slow at the same time. I can't wait for this year which has been really tough personally to be over. Now that it is ending it makes me emo.

I finished reading The Shadow of The Wind. I take back my words that it is much better than The Da Vinci Code. It is not.
It was brilliant the first 1/3 of the book. Then everything just clicked on my mind, I knew the ending of the book without even finishing it. The story is nothing we have not heard before. I have to say I was disappointed. Very disappointed. I was like Come On surely there is more. I hate to say this but I felt I wasted my time reading it. Gosh I can't believe how cruel I can be. I was rooting for it to be good but was disappointed.

But credit has to be given for bringing Barcelona to live.

Barcelona is the first European city I ever visited.
And it is definitely one of my fave cities.
I often wonder if the Sagrada Familia will ever be completed in my lifetime.

Was in London for 3 hours yesterday to meet up with Joanne. I am glad she is doing well, feel like a proud mum when I see my friends do well.

I shall stop now and follow Jong's last words before we parted.

'Don't procrastinate.'

Ok I shall revise seriously now. Last week of revision. Bring it on.

The Shadow of the Wind

I just can't stop reading this whole week.

The feeling is like I have not eaten for a long time and suddenly I keep getting surrounded by all these amazing food.

Its like all these books asking me to read them. How can I say no to that.

This is my third book of the week - The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (translated by Lucia Graves) I am reading it slowly because I want to savour it. Its really weird. Usually I just can't wait to finish a book. But this book, I just don't want it to end, for some odd reason that I myself can't comprehend. I am only 1/3 through it and its so captivating. Many people have hailed it as the Da Vinci Code of Spain. I have to disagree, this book is much much better than the Da Vinci Code. I think the Da Vinci Code is way over-rated.

Reading has been the only exciting thing this week.

But the award for the most exciting thing this week has to be that the Jong is here.

See you tommorow Jong! Excitingness.

Rain Drop Tear Drop

Rain Drop Tear Drop (Shoko Mikami)from Corichan.
Writing the lyric: Nao Yoshida
Composition: Hiroshi Furukawa

In the way back which it turned distantly
Just the footstep echoes to be lonesome a little

It was season when it makes memory
In the afternoon of that day it was the sky of the same color

This way, continuing to walk directly
If it is to be forgotten
There is no either expectation how of becoming lonesome
Crossover of human being packed

With bus stop of the evening
The air which looked at you doing
It may be perceived the opening of heart being
The rear form which you have waived

As for the day when the rain falls without pointing either the umbrella
The lonely night has counted the lamp of the town

As for the tear becoming the rain
It shone in rainbow color
Even in the human wave which continues to pass each other

I reckon the essence of the song is lost in translation. Bro sent this song to me. I love it but somehow I can only load half of the song. Japanese songs always sounds so much more emotional than songs from any other languages. Imagine singing that in English. No one will get it. Ok I should stop procrastinating now. Ciao.

Love Simply Is..

My first Paulo Coelho's book was The Alchemist.
Probably one of the best book I have read this year.

I was looking for Eleven Minutes by Paulo at the library.
Alas it wasn't meant to be. But I found The Witch Of Portobello instead.

The Witch of Portobello is actually much more profound than the Alchemist if you really read into it. I think I read a bit too much into it. There was some moments when I actually felt my head hurt a wee bit. And I had to constantly remind myself that the book is a work of fiction (or is it?). It is so cleverly written that towards the end I was actually believing that I had read a real life biography.

And the book makes you realise that many things just simply is. Like Love.

Love is not a habit, a commitment, or a debt. It isn't what romantic songs tells us it is - love simply is.'

I shall not say more about the book because you have to read it for yourself.

Here and Now

The best thing I love in the morning is waking up feeling warm and cosy under my duvet. It is always a bit cold in the night when you go to bed but when you wake up in the morning, you feel so warm and you get that fuzzy fuzzy feeling in the stomach. If any of you missed that feeling this morning be sure to feel it tommorow and tommorow and everyday.

I spent all day reading The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (recommended by Simon). Many people cried towards the end. Even though I hardly shed any tear (well, maybe a wee bit) for this book, I loved it.

The story reminds me of a Japanese movie that I watched - also a love story about time travel. Can't remember the movie's name but initially I thought it was a ghost love story but it was actually about time travel.

Audrey Niffenegger did a good job to actually make time travelling believable in the book. I wonder if there are actually people who could actually time travel. I reckon there must be - somewhere out there.

Imagine if The Time Traveller's Wife was a true story...

I envy Clare who knew what she was waiting for all her life.
So many of us are just waiting and not knowing.
The feeling of not knowing is the worst thing in the world.

It makes me think about 'fate'.
Is life a line that is yet to be seen or a line yet to be drawn?

Would Clare have gone to Chicago if Henry had not told her they would actually meet in Chicago?

She went there because she knew he would be there.
Then it also shows her strong 'faith' because he might not have been there.

They say love is all about 'fate'.
But 'fate' alone is not enough.
You have to make it happen if you want it.
Like all things in life, you have to work hard for it.
And like all good things in life, you have to wait with lots of faith and patience.

We all have to wait and not know unless we can time travel or the one we are destined to be can time travel. Perhaps some things are better left unknown.

Next book : The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho.

Autumn Love

Blog needs a bit of picha love.

Look what came in the post.
Sassy top from Stella.



Thanks Stella. I love it!
Wrong way to spell my name Stella. Ef does the same too all the time.
Its E-I-I-E! Pei Jie.
Hey actually my name is pretty cool.

Chai tau kueh and noodles.



The chai tau kueh (radish cake) turned out really well.
Right consistency. My agak agak (estimation) skills is getting better.
Bro stayed up all night to jaga the steamer while I went to sleep. Lol.

Cucur bawang (onion fritters) with udang (prawn).
Recipe from mum's cook book. Its in Malay, lazy to translate lah.



Was really craving for cucur bawang.
Another one of my random cravings.
I just really really wanted some cucur udang!
I tried to be healthy and added some celery. Hoping that the celery will soak all the oiliness. I know it doesn't work like that. But it was actually really yummy with celery and I don't feel as guilty for eating deep fried food. I used to hate celery and Stella was the one who convince me that it is actually edible. Now I love it. I use it to make soup, curry, stir fry...

This is the absolutely gorgeous Hazelnut Matchsticks (Allumettes Noisette Thym).




Recipe from Chocolate and Zuchinis cook book that I proudly own and adore.

It is actually quite simple to make unfortunately I did not have any thyme. So I just used some Italian mixed herbs as substitute. It will be delish with soft boil egg. Imagine dipping the cheesy hazelnut matchstick on a perfectly cooked 4 minute soft boiled egg. Heavenly.

I was craving for something savoury to munch while revising at night.
No more peckish nights this week.
Gosh I will be a fat fishball soon. I so need some exercise.
Maybe I will stop taking the lift and use the stairs. Its only 5 floors lah.

Happy happy weekend my dear friends!

P/s - Thanks for the many good luck wishes for the exam. Keep those fingers cross for me.

Obama v McCain

Yesterday was one of the most restless day I had for a long time.
I woke up with good intentions to revise but I just felt so restless.
In the end I went for a run just to let all the restless out.

I tried to study after I got back but ended up watching Deal or No Deal and all the rest of the crap on TV.

At 10.30pm I thought I should try at least to do a bit of revision.
So I did. I felt suddenly super semangat (motivated).
I was as usual multitasking. Writing my notes and listening to the final US presidential debate on TV. It was awesome.

I absolutely love the drama of the whole US presidential election.
It is highlight of the day following the news on the TV or reading about it in the papers or magazine.
The Americans are stressing this election is not about race but values.
Personally I still think a big element of it is about race.
The older white Americans will most likely vote for McCain because they can relate to him better.
It is not about being racist. I think it is just a normal human reaction to connect with people we can relate to. Its like when you are at uni, you end up hanging out mostly with people you can connect with. And for me majority of those close uni friends I made had Chinese roots like me. Its not like I am a racist. If I had to vote for a Chinese or a Malay, I would vote the Chinese. I don't think that is racist. It is just reacting to our normal instinct. A racist would be to not want to be friends with people from different racial background or to actually think that his or her race is superior to others like Hitler. Although I am proud of my Chinese roots,but at the same time I am really proud that I am Malaysian.

I hope Obama wins but perhaps my sentiments would have been different if I am a white American from the older generation.

I love watching the presidential debate. I just love how civilised the whole debate went. And I love the smart and careful choice of words used by both Obama and McCain. I thought McCain did a really good job in the final presidential debate. I might have picked him if my decision was just based on that very debate alone. It is also interesting to see how hypocritical politics is. Both parties campaigners have been really nasty to each other and when they sit down to debate, they shooked hands and wished each other good luck.

Its all so civilised and bitchy at the same time.
Real life political drama.
I love it!

I Heart Autumn

I looked out of the cab window and was greeted by the beautiful autumn colours. Part of me wanted to jump out of the cab and walk along the pretty lined trees of orange and yellow leaves.

Almost forgotten that it is autumn already.

And I was reminded of how pretty Warwick is during the autumn.

Autumn is the silent and often forgotten season.
It is my favourite. It is the prettiest season of all.

It was really weird to be back at Warwick.
Secretly I wish I am still at uni. Happy days.

Was quite overwhelmed by the mixture of students I met. Some were so sure of what they wanted to do even though they were only first years! Some still don't know what they wanted to do even after graduating.

I guess I am the first group of people. I always knew what I wanted to do.
I thought I knew anyway.

When you are at school, you aim to do well in your exams and go to uni.
When you are at uni, you pray to get a good job.
When you finally got a job, you feel lost.

So what's next? Is this what I really want to do in life?

I am at this point in my life where I don't really know what I want anymore.
Its like been there, done that, what's next?

I guess I just want to wake up every morning looking forward to the day and be able to do something really meaningful. Something that makes a difference in this short life quickly ticking away.

But then there are some many things to think about now.
Bills, responsibilities, the lot...

If only I could turn back time and be that little girl who thinks being cycled around the taman by dad is the most amazing thing in the whole wide world.

One More Day

Absolutely knackered today.
Have been working non-stop till 5 minutes ago.

Off to Warwick Uni tommorow to help with some career fairs thingy.

Its gonna be so weird.

Should be good though.

Brain is not working anymore. Good night world...

She's The One

I spent an hour at the hairdressers today.
When I got there and there were so many people. Its a Thursday afternoon.
People no need to work or study?
Can't believe everyone had the same idea as me to come on a Thursday afternoon.

Had to wait for half an hour and she took half an hour to cut mine.

I have been thinking of visiting the hairdressers. Something I have not done since March. And it is already October!! 7 months have passed! Actually its been a while since I wanted to get my hair cut. I always feel a bit nervous on the way to the hairdressers. All these thoughts of what if she screws up my hair or cut my ear..

But I love my hairdresser in Birm. I have not had many hairdressers in my 24 years of life. I think I can count with just one hand. But I think she is The One. She just knows how to handle my hair. I remember when I was a kid. I always cry after a hair cut because the hairdressers always screws up my hair. And these hairdressers always talk way too much. They must suck in so much hair from talking and cutting hair at the same time. But not The One in Birm. She will ask me a few questions and my answer is almost always 'as you like. whatever. as long as it is nice.' and then she focuses on doing a good job on my hair. She has not disappointed me so far. I love her and I love my new short hair. It is a bit like Hinata's(from Naturo) hair.

I think the best thing about a trip to the hairdressers is you get to listen to a variety of conversations. The hairdressers I go to is one in Chinatown and this Chinese guy sitting next to me getting his hair cut was telling the boss of the shop how times are bad and shit.

And the most amusing thing he said was '...the £500bn by the government to help the banks is useless. It is not even enough for the olympics, how can it be enough for the banks!'

A Bit of Random Banter

I realised that I only have a few more weeks to my exams.

My last one hopefully.

My living room is a mess at the moment and strangely I love it. Feels like a real home.

The carpet is filled with my revision notes. Folders of past exam papers. And on the corner of my living room is scattered with paint brushes, sketches, paint, and PJ's master pieces in progress.

It is all so messy and I love it.

I had a small disagreement with my tutor today.

In fact I was a wee bit infuriated. Somehow it turned into quite a good debate and I am proud I managed to put my point across regardless of whether he agreed or not. ( I don't think he did.)But professionally I think I am right. But there is always a grey area in things as such.

'I have to disagree with you because...'

I can't disclose what it was about because I think the subject matter is quite sensitive.

As I walked home after college and reflect on the matter. I was like OMG I just had a debate with my tutor! Giler.

I just thought of when I was in school. I never debated or questioned anything that the teacher says. I think it is just the whole culture and education system which does not encourage us to think for ourselves - Route learning.

Asian people are doers and not thinkers is what many westerners perception of us.

But the truth is it is just a cultural difference in the way we approach things.

We all have our own strengths and weaknesses.
And we should take away the differences that can strengthen us and learn from it.

Jumping Jumping

I am so happy. I have been dancing around my flat.

Mum and dad will be here next month!

I asked my dad where he wants to go and he was so sweet.
'Your mum really wants to go to Vatican. So we must go there lah...'
Isn't he sweet...

And after booking the trip to Italy, I just thought its like so precious that they are coming. So I booked a day to bring them to London again.
I am hoping we can catch a musical. I want to go to the Tate again!

And I thought of a conversation I had with my bro when we were at Eiffel Tower.
'Dad would love Eiffel Tower and if he came here he would go back and tell everyone in Sgabong about it!!'

So I booked flights and all to Paris! I wish we could do Lourdes too. Mum would love it. But unfortunately, there are less flights there in the winter and my neighbour said that it is most likely closed for restoration in the winter. Next time hopefully.

I am so happy. I have sorted everything out now.

All I need is to get tics for the musical!

Happy.dot.com

Mini Gathering

I love playing badminton. I wish so much to be good but I am naturally clumsy, slow and un-athletic. I blame the genes. Its just not in the family to be sporty. This is something I was always reminded off when I get a C for Sports Education at school. Andrew gave me some badminton coaching today. Thanks Andrew for coming to Birmingham so early.

We went to watch How to alienate people movie. It was actually quite funny. We even got a free book - The Sound of No Hands Clapping by Toby Young. Not sure if the book is any good but it was a pretty good deal. Movie and book for £ 3.50!!! Bargain. Although I didn't pay for it. Thanks John for the treat.

It was really nice to see old uni friends. Can't believe its been 2 years now since we left Warwick!! Feels like yesterday when we were having so much fun at Claycroft 2. Good times. I wanna go back to uni!!!

The Friday Night Project

All that kept me going during today's mock exam was the Friday night project.

12.45pm and somehow my brain saw it as 1.45pm. Shit only 1.5 hour left I thought. So I started writing like crazy. Then I look at the time again 1.15pm. So I blank out and stared at my question paper for like 5 minutes. Then I started writing again at normal pace. Still got time PJ.

3.10pm. I look at the clock again to check it perhaps it was 2.10pm. Noooooo...
5 minutes to go and I still have a section to finish, a one page executive summary to write and a conclusion to wrap up my report.

Somehow I manage to do all the above in 7 minutes. Yes the tutor came in 2 minutes late to collect the papers. Not sure how I did it but I did it. Hope it is enough for me to pass.

I was all ready for my Friday night project when I realise I don't have everything I need.

So off I went out in the cold (6 deg) to get sugar for my first creme brulee.
I seriously am the craziest person I know.

I heart Friday evenings.

PS - Heroes season 3 is awesome. Like awesome. I think Hiro should run for the US VP. I can't believe how rubbish Palin is. Even my dad could update me on the American bail out issue just by watching Channel News Asia. Seriously...