Mad Men

The cast of Mad Men


Season 4 promo poster

What to say about this tv series. In all it's glory, most elegant, swankiest (and darkside) of 60s - I'm hooked. I know the series debut 2 summers (few years) ago, but then, the downside of living at the other end of the world is that it took some time to reach our shore. And I meant, the DVD box set, not the actual running show on TV - not sure whether Mad Men will ever be running on local channel anytime soon. Anyway, all is well and I got my fix of all 3 seasons somewhere late last year. Season 4 opened last night in US and in the mean time, I'll probably scouring whatever bits and pieces I can get online. What a pity. Did I mention about the leading star? a good looking, talented with ever-brooding expression Jon Hamm. He is delicious. If you haven't heard of Mad Men - read more here, here, here, and here. And how about some glamorous pictures? I love them all.

isn't he yummy?

Listen : The Only exception - Paramour

In-Between

This in-betweens are really getting on my nerve. Lemme clarify. It's the situation where I can't proceed on something (that I'm soo looking forward to) due to something else been pending and to make me feel even worst, it's kind of out of my control. sheesh! don't you just hate it when you're in this kinda spot? I have some faith left that cogs will clear sooner or later and wheels will roll over to the intended destination ( mucho faster indeed!) In the mean time, I want to continue dreaming of these sweet, gorgeous, elegant and some fun colourful living/sitting rooms. See if you like any. All pics from House Beautiful

Jonathan Adler

David Lawrence

Chantal Dussouchaud

Annie Selke

Jacqueline DerreySegura

Listen : Replay - Iyaz

Birthday of This Blog

Owh! I missed the 5th birthday of this blog by a month. The first post dated June 16th, 2005. And although for the next 3 years after that, post and entries were sporadic and inconsistent, I knew somehow that I'll always come back to blogspot and pour (some of) my hearts out here. This is such a special place to me, indeed. Of late, I've been actively blogging here and to tell you the truth, visitors are not totally shun out, but don't expect warm welcome either coz I write mainly just for myself. And of course, all opinions and thoughts belong to me and I don't try to make anybody happy here except myself. Anyway, this is MY feel good space and not yours. Scoff!

The Power Of One

Hello all,

I know the World Cup 2010 is over and all the hypes are now quieting down. But in actual fact, my fascination with African Continent, in particular South Africa has started about 12 years ago. It all began when I borrowed a book from my best friend (it was his brother’s book actually!). Its title is ‘The Power of One’ by Bryce Courtenay. Boy, I was hooked! I was so in love with the story and ended up reread it for like another 10 times. I even gave it to my brother to read and he also likes it so much.
The setting of the story was circa 1940-ish and apartheid is already poisoning and dividing the nation. ‘Peekay’ grew up and truly survived all the hardships he encountered along the way to achieve his dream of becoming the Welterweight Boxing Champion. He was sent as 5 yrs old to a bording school where he is the only English among the Afrikaner and was bullied by students at the hostel led by biggest boy called ‘Judge’. On Peekay’s way to East Transvaal town of Barberton to his new home, he met Hoppie Gronewald (Boxing Champion of South African Railways) on the train and learnt about boxing. He later met and befriended a German Professor whom he called ‘Doc’ who took him under his wing and nurtured and taught him so much from Latin, Botany, Mathematics, chess and also piano. He was awarded scholarship to study at Johannesburg Prince of Wales School and there Peekay met his Jewish friend, Morrie Levy and together they embarked on the interesting journey of education, boxing matches, taking bets and forming ‘the Bank’ for their fellow students at school. Both are also involved in the movement to educate Afrikans (black people) and later were instructed to stop by Police. Nevertheless, that episode left black remark on Peekay’s application for Rhodes scholarship to study in Oxford. He was frustrated and felt that he had let his mother and grandpa down. Heck, even whole Barberton town were frustrated. And that includes his boxing coach and team at the local prison where he trained. Peekay’s name also became more and more famous after he won many matches and excelled as a boxer. However, he surprised everybody when he decided to go and worked in the Copper mines at Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) to save money for his own education. Peekay has grown into a matured man of his own and never waver from his belief instilled by Hoppie that said ‘first with the head, then with the heart’.

Oh well, if you want to read much more about the story, you can check out the much longer and details on the plot at here . Bottom line, go and read the book. I have since scouted Bryce Courtenay books whenever I could. A truly gifted story teller and I love his style of writing. Awesome reads, I think. And yeah, after so many moths holding it (at that time), I finally returned the book to my friend and few years back, I borrowed it back and has since kept it under my care. I even started to read it again few days ago. Hence, this post.

Listen : Dangerous - Akon ft Kardinal Offishall

Gerhana (english : Eclipse)

I finally went to watch the Eclipse. 3rd part of Twilight Saga. And to tell you the truth; It was pretty awesome! I like the facts that they're telling background stories of some vampires in Cullen coven ( Rosalie & Jasper ). Edward (Rob Pattinson) & Bella (Kristin Stewart) are convincing enough but Jacob (Taylor Lautner).. oh wow! he is a hunk! total heart breaker and he got such amazing body. I don't understand why some critics said that 'Eclipse' kind of boring and gave quite bad review, where as I think, if you read all Twilight books and knows the storyline & characters - you will appreciate whatever effort they made to bring the story to life. I know of course that, an adapted film could never be 100% or exact blow by blow as detailed out in the book, but as a fan, you go and just enjoy the movie whole heartedly especially when the characters were saying their dialogues exactly like what was written in the book.

Honey! Bring me some tea..

Right on Dear..and then I'm off to our wonderfully made kitchen to boil some hot water for tea. While there, let me just whip-and-bake some delicious scones or pavlava to go with the piping hot tea.

Ahh..what a dream. I mean, the wonderfully made kitchen, not the whole charade of being almost a servant-like and obidient type of a wife to a husband like that. It's ok to spoil your loved one once in a while, but not to make it a custom. They'll ended up being just that - spoilt spouse. Trust me, I'd seen the prove of it. If I am to be someone's wife one day in future, he would have to take me as I am. Not perfect but continously working on it. and same goes for him. He does not have to be a superbly good looking, but I value more the good personality. Qualities like attentive, open minded, having similar wavelength of thinking and adventurous type of person. And oh! I don't mind a romantic and occasional bouquet of flowers too! Anyway..where were we? Ahh kitchen. No doubt it's an important part of any house and let's continue enjoying some very fabulous kitchen made up by these designers I came accross while browsing the House Beautiful recently.

Jonathan Berger

Gil Schafer

Susan Tully

Kay Douglass

Carol lalli

Ruthie Sommers

and i think this is the most complete and dreamiest kitchen by Joan Schindler. Awesome!

Listen : Cry Me Out - Pixie Lott

Campeones Del Mundo!

Oh My God! Spain Won the World Cup 2010!!! I told ya`..Spaniards are the best! and the match was super charged with action packed and a physical game at best, couple with most generous amount of yellow cards being thrown about. Congratulations Spaniards! Usted es el mejor! David Villa tried his best but did not scored. Xavi, Ramos, Alonso and Puyol worked their hardest. And when Fabregas & Torres were brought in, they also created lots of chance which in the end, Iniesta managed to grab the opportunity and did what he did best. Iniesta truly proved that he's one of the best player. Such a great playmaker.

And what is wrong with the Dutch lot? played like a bunch of thugs! seriously, De Jong should be red carded, no question asked for that kick to chest of Alonso! and Heitinga well deserved the red he got.

Ahh...the sweet victory to the greatest team of all!El espana fantástico!



And this is as the reminder of how ugly the dutch played. Such sore losers!



ok, now let's back to our mundane, boring life. Haha



Listen: Break Your Heart - Taio Cruz

This is It! Who Is The Champion?

Oh wow! in about 10 hours , the final match of World Cup 2010 will start. I'm pumped for Spain! Although Netherlands also not a shabby team to begin with. This is going to be a memorable match - not only for the 2 teams in the final but also a success to the organizing country - South Africa. May the best team wins. Buena Suerte Spaniards!

p/s : David Villa - You rocks! Mwaahh!

Listen : What you waiting for - Mizz Nina ft Colby O donnis

Atomic Kittens!

Hah! these are not atomic, or at least free from any nuclear particles. If that's any of your concern. My best friend found these kittens in front of her beauty spa and brought them home. Owh! so sweet. After we bathed & cleaned them up, these lot are ready to rumble and tumble. I picked one and gave the name Alex as I'm not sure whether it's a male or female YET. If it's a he, the full name will be Alexander/Allejandro or if it's a girl, then it'll be Alexandra/Alexis. Wah! so many names! I got myself confused too. The other two were named Jacob (as in Jacob Black from Twilight fame. Although I swear there is no black colouring/stripe at all on his body!) and the other one called Winda (of this one currently-running Infonesia soap drama, Benci Bilang Sayang). So far so good. They're curious little things! I love to play with them. *Melt*

And oh! Spain is in Final of World Cup! How bout that? Woot! Viva Espana~

Listen : Nothing on you - BOB ft Bruno Mars

There you go..

See, I have such high hopes & enough faith in the Spanish team to win their quarter-final match against Paraguay. And now, we're in the semi final. to go against Germany. Ouch! that's another team that I admire for their tactical and smart game everytime they outplayed their opponents.

Buena suerte to the spaniards!

Listen : Your love is my drug - Kesha

Soy Feliz!

Hola!

David Villa es totalmente impresionante. Spain is my favourite (out of 3 teams. Chile & US are already out of the race) to win the World Cup. I'm obssesed with the whole Spanish squad. This morning, I woke up after only 2 hours sleep and went to office with such bleary eyes but it's totally worth it. And how is your favourite team doing so far? Buena Suerte.

listen : Pyramid - Charice

Come on Spaniards!

Hello people!

Yeay! Spanish team won their second match against Honduras 2-0 early this morning. And now, on to their most crucial game - to beat Chile team. Which I suppose is on cloud nine after their 2 consequetive wins against Honduras & Swiss. Leading the pack in Group H and ready to advance to next level, Chile is truly an underdog team who did rise above other people's expectations and holding true to their fighting spirit. Bielsa's team could go much further in this tournament, I think. Unlike Spanish team, somehow, there seems to be lack of something in their performance, was it their passion? I'm sure they are high strung & stoke to be playing at World Cup - it's every footballer's dream, right? or is it tactical and strategies which has not really worked that well so far? Oh well, whatever it is, Spain is one team that played most entertaining game for me. Funny, lotsa people prefer Brazil as the team most entertaining to watch but then, this is football, nobody said you should be a conformist. Bottom line, since MY country not in the World Cup (I honestly don't think I'll be alive to see Malaysia ever qualify) but then again, in football anything goes, eh? eso es todo.

All the blood and sweat sacrificed to hold this.

Listen : Shut it down - Pitbull ft Akon

Home Sweet Home

Oh.My. God. I looove and so crazy about all of the designs by Joe b Moore + partners. There can't be anymore gorgeous, awesome, fantastic-looking houses than what have they designed and built. I'm digging their stylish, clean lines, spacious and non-clutter decorations that goes perfectly to complement the structure of either a room or the whole house itself. Genius. Pure genius! Now, lets have some eye candies to enjoy.. (Among my favourites of their works)

All pictures from Joeb Moore + Partners Architects, LLC website

This Time Of Africa

World Cup 2010 is here! and it's already well into second week of the tournament. What a bliss to the football fans worldwide. I know, I'm one of the football diehard fan too. It’s either you enjoyed watching football and had been waiting 4 darn years for this tournament to arrived or you couldn’t care less and you just didn’t get it – the hype, excitement, drama etc. For me, besides getting daily dosage of great football games, this is time to drool over awesome skills, chisel figures and fabulous abs of my favourite players. So far with lots of upsets in the score from the matches and few favourite teams had not proved their mettle and delivered, oh wow! anything goes and everybody got their chance to advance from this group stage to next level. Let's pray Spain won their next match! ? Viva Espana! Buena suerte y todo el mejor.

Listen: This time for Africa - Shakira

Tick Tock

Rain falls. Sun shines. And yes, it is already June folks! We are already in the second half of this year. And yet, it felt just like yesterday we’re welcoming the year 2010. I’m astonished at how fast time flies. This fact never ceases to amaze me. To think, that 154 days have gone by just like that. Erghh! Why is it so hard for me to learn the lesson? I always feel that I have not fully maximized the usage of time (24 hours in a day) appropriately. And yet, it’s not that I’m not aware the importance of time management, working on your checklist etc etc. But then again, I can just be the classic case of procrastinator in a snap. When it strikes out - that’s the end of it. At that point, I might just say goodbye to all the efficiency and deadline out of the window. It’s bad. I did not recommend it at all and if you insist to be one, I disclaim myself from being responsible of any bad effects from your actions. Seriously.

Listen: Oh My God - Usher

Crazy Hearts

Hi Y'all..

By this time, I’m sure you’ve heard that Jeff Bridges won the Oscar for Best actor award this year, right? Well, I’d say he deserved it! And the film ‘Crazy Hearts’ has left me feeling poignant and reminded me how much I love country music. Not that I like it less now, but the country music that I listen to nowadays are mostly by crossover artists of country/pop genre like Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and most recently Lady Antebellum. There are definitely influences or sounds of Country in their music, but they also more appealed and reachable to much younger generation of crowd, I suppose.

“The film was written and directed by Scott Cooper and based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Thomas Cobb. Jeff Bridges plays Bad Blake, a down-and-out country music singer-songwriter who tries to turn his life around after beginning a relationship with a young journalist named Jean, portrayed by Maggie Gyllenhaal..” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Heart

Somehow, I feel deeply moved by this movie and can’t write much about it here. You have to see it for yourself. All I know is that; watching this made me feel lonely and sad, but more importantly, it taught me not to give up on your life. Other people can only do as much, but it’s the heart within that can really make the change and turn things around. And yeah! We have to forgive ourselves too. Even if it’s one of most difficult things to do.

Listen : The weary kind - Ryan Bingham (soundtrack of Crazy Hearts)

Hot & Cold

The interview went well. I was practically already offered the job during the interview. So, what’s the catch, you might ask? For once, they can’t offer me the requested salary. I’m not heartless, of course it is negotiable and furthermore, it’s not just a figure I plucked out of thin air (Current + 20% increase) Considering that I would have to forego an average- 4- months yearly bonus somehow, going there feels like; not leaving for something better off than now.

I asked around for friends’ opinion(s) and generally they told me, it’s not worth it. I might wait out for a while now, and in the mean time; keep sending out applications to other companies. We’ll see how, eh? I now realized that going for interviews can really drain your mind & brain. But knowing that you got offered or accepted has really pushed my ego few notches up. Is that bad? I digress.

Listen : Hot & Cold - Katy Perry

Making My Move..

I finally hauled my ass. As in; got my resume updated and applied to some job vacancies online. And guess what? I was called for an interview recently. I thought, 'Whoa! That was fast. And I’m not even psyched myself to face any interviewer YET'. Anyway, I went for it and did my best to impress. There was 1 hour session to answer some tests (2 case studies & 1 aptitude kinda test) and then, I was led to meet the panel for the interview. I think I answered really fine. Oh well, considering that the job I’m applying is quite similar to what I’m doing now, so I do know what I’m talking about and not just some rambling and saying bullshits promises or lines such as..’I’m a fast learner even though I know shit about the job’. I really heart those newly graduated candidates that went for job interviews. Don’t get me wrong, I was one of them too 10 years ago and it was never easy to appeared eager (but not too much!), confident (but not cocky), smart (but not a show off) and at the same time convincing enough to let them people give you the job. So at the end of almost 1 hour session, the panel said they will inform if I’m shortlisted for the 2nd round of interview soon. In my mind I was like, 'ok whatever'. And I’m definitely won’t let my hopes goes too high since I was soo out of the game and have not attended any interview for few years. 4 days later, they called me for the 2nd interview. Woot! I'm stoked. but so freaking out. So, wish me luck! And we’ll see what will happen next week, eh?

Listen : Baby – Justin Bieber

Jakarta Oh Jakarta

2 weeks ago, I was at Jakarta, Indonesia. Not for holiday per se, mind you. It was a combined/joint event with also auditors from another SBU of the company. More or less, a kind of holiday trip for the whole department plus some training sessions thrown in for good measures. Well, to justify the trip, I suppose the organization committee has had to come up with some convincing itinerary and it doesn’t matter that we already had gone through one of the training session before, more important is that we got to sit for 2 days training in the hotel and then ready for some leisure & shopping time for the last 1 and ½ days after that. Kinda neat, I’d say.
Jakarta’s traffic was so bad, at least, during the peak hours. And they were few times when I had the pleasure to be on road after the traffic rush at night time, and it was bliss. The distance from our hotel to say, Tanah Abang Shopping Mall was actually not that far off. But then, in a city with 11 Million ‘registered’ souls, what do you expect, eh? Total area of Jakarta is 661 square kilometers (255 sq mi) and is the most populous city in South East Asia and 12th largest city in the world. That’s one hell of packed town, I tell you. If you would like to know more about Jakarta, you can click here or here or here

click for larger pic

Listen : I lost my MP3! erghhh!

Ouch

Damn it! Why did he send message at YM to me anymore? Owh, Man! To be reminded of that unfortunate episode. Honestly, there is nothing to be sorry about and I had long moved on. Surely, I can attest to the fact that nothing well ever came out of my love life. It was practically a muddy business, poisonous, dark clouds and hazardous all around. Believe me, I am such a loser in love. The repetitive question of whether will I find the happiness? Ok, still no answer for that. I’m almost a non-believer in love now. Seriously, to be hurt time and time again, I just don’t have the courage left in me. I’m scarred, drained and numb. Let me just keep whatever left of my shredded feelings to me. Let me nurse these wounded heart of mine.Alone.

But then, as much as I’m harping on how unlucky I am, I still have some positive thinking in me. I know this pain will pass and I’ll be fine again. It is as if I’m wired that way. We all have different ways of dealing with our broken hearts but if we didn’t come out of it and ready to face this life, then life would not be much meaningful anymore. And that’s my friend, is one thing I won’t waste away. There are so much more to life than just love and been in love with a partner/boyfriend/husband. Granted, love completes our life, but the definition of love itself, is huge and also includes our parents, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and why, of course our dear friends! So yeah, come to think of it, I’m not a total loser. But then, since when do I care what people think of me? Enough rambling now and I’m off to find some comfort food.

Listen : Try sleeping with a broken heart - Alicia Keys

Nobody here but us servantless American cooks..

I heart films by Nora Ephron so much. Among of her hits are such as When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and you’ve got mail. For a sucker of sappy romantic comedies like me, these are hands down; the best and sure winner on any of my movies nights. Her latest work is Julie & Julia starred Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Both have worked together in a movie called ‘Doubt’ but that’s totally different story altogether and lets save it for another day. But Julie & Julia is so much fun! I like how the director/writer made the scenes from 2 different women life’s seamlessly goes back and forth in telling their stories. It is as if you’re watching and following 2 different stories or characters being developed in the same movie but not being annoyed with it, because you know they are somehow bound by the same passion; French Culinaire!

Well, According to Wikipedia ;

“…The film depicts events in the life of chef Julia Child in the early years in her culinary career, contrasting her life with Julie Powell, who aspires to cook all 524 recipes from Child's cookbook during a single year, a challenge she described on her popular blog that would make her a published author. Ephron's screenplay is adapted from two books: My Life in France, Child's autobiography, written with Alex Prud'homme, and a memoir by Julie Powell. In August 2002, Powell started documenting online her daily experiences cooking each of the 524 recipes in Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and she later began reworking that blog, The Julie/Julia Project. Both of these books were written and published in the same time frame of 2004 to 2006. The film is the first major motion picture based on a blog…”

If you have not watch the movie, go and get the dvd.Honestly, reading the blog and watching the movie made me want to learn the French Cooking as well! Bon Appetit!

Listen: Aku bukan Untuk mu - Rossa

Blue Sky

Where is the blue sky that I miss so much?

KL is inundated with endless rain these days. And rains make life looks so gloomy (as if it's not gloomy enough!) and feels so hopeless. I got very moody without knowing the reason why. And it's ugly. I hate feeling down due to the weather. It could have been due to other things though, but blaming it on the weather seems an easy option, eh? tsk, tsk.

Listen: You & Me - Zee Avi

Are You The Real Alice?

For the most times whenever I’m at cinema last year, catching movies with friends or by myself; I’ve been so excited to see the promo posters and trailers of ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Aside from the fact there is one hot man named Johnny Depp in it, this is the works of Tim Burton, man. I think his films are quirky, enigmatic and perhaps like the man himself, bit kind of eccentrics.

Anyway, if you have not watch ‘Alice’; go to the nearest cinema and oh! Get these; watching in 3D is so enjoyable & satisfying. But sometimes, you get tired of actually trying to squash the bugs away from your sight. They kind of jumped out the screen, you see. Besides, the places and the characters are brilliantly colorful and the make-believe underworld looks awesome albeit with gloomy and brooding feel. I can’t however tell you whether I like the book or the film more because I’m yet to read the book. (Hah! That’s another one to add to my must-read book list for this year) but regardless, I think I enjoyed it very much. Worth the money spent. The story itself, if you’re non-reader (not yet read the book) like me, some info from Wikipedia said;

“Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (commonly shortened to Alice in Wonderland) is an 1865 novel written by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll.[1] It tells the story of a girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by peculiar and anthropomorphic creatures…The journey had started at Folly Bridge near Oxford and ended five miles away in the village of Godstow. To while away time the Reverend Dodgson told the girls a story that, not so coincidentally, featured a bored little girl named Alice who goes looking for an adventure….” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice

Listen : It's my Life - Bon Jovi

A New Day

So this is it. The day has finally arrived. It’s my birthday folks! Like I mentioned previously, I usually couldn’t be bothered that much, but today..Well, today is wee bit special because I am getting a god daughter this afternoon. I hope her imminent arrival to this world will mark as beautiful additional to her wonderful family. I hope she will grow up and make her parents and her god mother proud. I wish her all the best and I promise to try and be there whenever she needs me. This is the closest to being an actual mom that I can be. So help me God, I don’t intend to screw this. Yikes!

Updates (by text msgs to/fro)

@ 10.30 am – The Mummy (aka My Best Friend) has checked into the maternity ward and is waiting for the scheduled C- Section Ops.

@ 1.00 pm - Off to Operation Theatre. Gulp!

@ 3.00 pm - Yeay! the baby has been safely delivered.

Listen : Rock a baby lullaby

Random Things

These are so random, almost pointless even. But what the heck..

*A colleague recently left the company for greener pasture. Good for him! And that has triggered endless questions and discussions (and envy) among us. The most glaring and repetitive one is; what the fcuk are we still doing here??

* I watched ‘Heroes’ and finished whole season 2, 3 & 4. And I’m exhausted, man. The storyline is like..’phew! Let’s crammed all ideas we got and throw everything and anything into the series’ Seriously, WTF? But whatever..I digress. Still, Peter Petrelli is fun to drool over.

* I adore tone deaf people who are not afraid to make fun of themselves. In fact, I love the people who are not afraid to laugh at themselves once in a while. And getting up and singing in public probably not everybody’s forte, but when you take it with pinch of salt and having fun with your friends while doing it; total awesome, man. Who cares if you didn’t get the rhythm right?

* I accidentally and mistakenly had bought another copy of ‘Digital Fortress’ by Dan Brown. Where as I’m actually dying to get my hands on his latest ‘The Lost Symbol’. Damn it. Am such an idiot.

* Can’t wait for my god daughter to arrive. Yeay!

Listen : Meet me halfway - Black Eye Peas

Countdown has started?

A friend, ok scrap that. MY best friend in this whole wide world – N, is about to give birth to her second child. And for the last 3 days now, she is updating her facebook status with some sort of countdown to the exact day that she’ll be having her C- Section. Funny thing is, the date she had chosen is also will be my birthday! (not a coincidence there, Einstein!) Yep. Bar any unwanted consequences err.. like me being dead much earlier than that; I’ll be 33 freaking years old in 16 days! (Thanks to the countdown. Blergh!) Usually, I don’t really looking forward to my birthday, I mean, nothing earth-shatteringly special had happened in the past (on my birthday) but I do always appreciate and be thankful than I’m alive and still kicking! But anyway, I’m getting the BEST Birthday present this year. Another God Daughter. ( I have few godsons & god daughters, but that’s story for another time!) So, no complaints. And this is life. As it is; we get some, we lose some. I digress.

Listen : Honey Bee - Zee Avi

Perhaps

Hi y`all..

enjoy this okeh?

Changes

Why do we have to change and suddenly became someone else when we’re in love or a relationship? Is it normal? I mean, of course we have to adapt and be more considerate, now that there is another person involved. But, how much changes that we’re talking about here? I’ve heard that if you love someone, you’ll have to also deal with; not only the good things about him/her, but their warts, habits and all. I couldn’t agree more with that. Of course, it is a mutual, double lanes highway. As in, they also have to understand, be considerate and accepting our (bad) habits or styles etc etc. More importantly, the issue here is to find a common ground between two people. Yes, I’m sure that differences are inevitable. But, communication is vital. Talk things over and discuss what matters most to both of you ~ that are the best advice given to me in regard of love/relationship by a dear friend. I am so following that.

Wish me luck! :)

Listen : Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles

January

Hullo..

What a rollercoaster kind of life. What a ride. What a year (so far). And it’s only January, folks. I love every minutes of this life, oh well, after all this is only life that I know. Be it happy moments, heartache, being in love (again. Finally!) or some heart-wrenching, eye-opening and nerve-wrecking situations. Am truly soaking up this life! I want to feel positive like this forever! Even if some things did not come my way or not turn out to be as what I wish for; I would still be able to believe that things do happened for its own reason, no?

Listen: The Climb - Miley Cyrus

Happy New Year 2010!

It's already the end of year 2009.

The time went by so fast like you would not believe it. So many things had happened this year and some will be remembered and some are best to be forgotten. We live and learnt, we move forward.It's the cycle of this life.

Anyway,
I would like to wish all of you a happy new year 2010! and here's to a more wonderful, lovely, successful, happy, fantastic year to come~! Bring it on.

Listen : Speechless - The Veronicas

Some Hearts!

"Some Hearts"

I've never been the kind that you'd call lucky

Always stumbling' around in circles

But I must have stumbled into something

Look at me

Am I really alone with you

I wake up feeling like my life's worth living

Can't recall when I last felt that way

Guess it must be all this love you're giving

Never knew never knew it could be like this.. But I guess

Some hearts

They just get all the right breaks

Some hearts have the stars on their side

Some hearts,

They just have it so easy

Some hearts just get lucky sometimes

Some hearts just get lucky, lucky sometimes

Now who'd have thought someone like you could love me

You're the last thing my heart expected

Who'd have thought I'd ever find somebody

Someone who someone who makes me feel like this

Well I guess Some hearts

They just get all the right breaks

Some hearts have the stars on their side,

Some hearts,

They just have it so easy

Some hearts just get lucky sometimes

Some hearts just get lucky sometimes Ohhhhhh

Even hearts like mine

Get lucky, lucky sometimes

I'm Not The right Kind Of Monster For You

I suppose if you have not read the Twilight Saga books, you will still can make sense or get the gist of the whole human/vampire/Warewolf love story by watching the New Moon film. But it’s not the same if you have read all the books first. Read the books and went to see the movie is much more satisfying, I think. For me, the characters from the book came alive and saying exactly (and more) than what was written in the book and the emotion displayed by the actors are more believable and convincing to me, well, you know how painful the looks on Edward’s face and exactly why was he acting that way (if you read the book). And like what my friend (who, obviously had not read any of the book) commented during the movie,” why Edward looks so excruciatingly in pain all the time?” hmm..Come to think of it, yeah.. his expression is kinda annoying, but I like Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) this time! She is much more relaxed and her acting is so much better than in ‘Twilight’. Overall, I think if you are Twilight saga fan, ahem, (Like Moi) then you’ll enjoying the movie very much, thank you. But then, if you aren’t, well, it’s your money and you can say whatever you want. By the way, I am soo in Team Edward – why you asked? He got the coveted girl! Need I say more? Haha

My December

Currently, I am soo head over heels and crazily in love with Royal pains! I watched the whole season 1 DVDs in single sitting. How bout that? Really, it was that enjoyable and the 12 episodes managed to captivate my interest and made me laughed throughout the marathon session. I admitted that what really piqued me are of course the plot and the cast! Oh my, Mark Feuerstein is hot! And I always love him since I saw him in that awesome movie called ‘ In her Shoes’ with Toni Collete. He’s a sweet, sweet man & such a doll! Seriously. Watching him makes me want to pinch his cheek. I honestly don’t know why.


the story went like this..

“Hank (Mark F.) is a rising star in the New York City medical community, until he loses everything fighting for the life of a patient. With his career stalled and his personal life in shambles, Hank is in need of a new beginning. That's where his younger brother Evan (Paulo Costanzo) steps in. Fed up with Hank's personal pity-party, he convinces Hank to join him on a last-minute trip to the Hamptons for Memorial Day weekend. When the brothers crash a party at the home of a Hamptons billionaire and a guest falls critically ill, Hank saves the day. His dramatic medical rescue draws attention from the crowd, and soon Hank's phone starts ringing off the hook with patients demanding house calls. Inadvertently, Hank has become the hot new "concierge doctor" in town. Though Hank is initially reluctant to embrace this new career, with encouragement from Evan and an ambitious young woman who volunteers to be his physician assistant name Divya, he decides to stay in town for the summer. Once again solving medical crises and helping those in need, Hank is back to doing what he does best. And now he's reinvented himself as the Hamptons' hottest new doctor-in-demand.”
http://www.usanetwork.com/series/royalpains/theshow/overview/index.html

the worst part is to wait for the second season which will only premiere next summer in 2010, like, Hello! that's pure torture, folks.

Anyway, we’re already in December now and it feels that the year is flying by so fast I can barely catches my breath. I know time waits for nobody but I do wish that some things would remain the same. I mean, if there are any changes, sure, we’ll have to adapt. But I get tired of adapting, sometimes. But then again, It’s such the nature of life and we’re pretty much can’t do anything about it. It’s either we’re adapting to changes surrounding us or get lost or left into oblivion.

Have a productive last month of the year. I know I’ll try to tying all loose ends, finishing all outstanding matters and probably try to spend some of my annual leave contemplating again and again about this thing called life. Oh! Joy.

Listen : When you look at me – Carrie Underwood

I'm not dead yet

Owh. This hurts badly.

Apparently, the one thing that I’m (currently) really wishing and hoping for will not materialize, this time around. Feel so bad and frustrated to bits. Was it because I had doubt lingered in my head all the time? Was it because I keep questioning my own capabilities? I don’t know. But I do know that things happened for its reason, which sometimes we, mere mortal could not fathom. I vow not to dwell in sadness and keep feeling down like this.

It things are not meant to be, who am I to say or do otherwise, eh? Alas, I digress.

Another day, another chance for happiness.

Listen : Play On - Carrie Underwood

Do or Die

Hello people.

Am so freaking out right now. I’m about to make a life-changing and super huge decision. Ever. It feels like standing on the edge of a cliff and about to jump off into the ocean. It is, as if I can see the millions reasons of why I shouldn’t jump in but at the same time, I know in my hearts that this is what I always want to do. The fleeting moments of doubts keep creeping up but I’m holding on to what my heart always belief in and what my head already decided on. God willing, I won’t back out and I won’t give in. So help me god, I’ve no intention to ruin someone’s life. Yikes!

p/s : sorry if this sounds ridiculous & does not make sense. Will share the details once I’m back in reality. And oh!. I’m not suicidal though. No worries.

Listen : I will be - Avril Lavigne

Hello again.

Owh! I miss updating here!

but the thing is, I'm so outta ideas what to write. Okay, I probably have tonnes of things going on for the last 3 weeks, but you know, what with the festive season-and-long holidays and neverending eating sessions, all make my mind muddy and extra laziness crept in. Hah! what an excuse!

Anyway, it's back to normal routines now. I hope. But what's routines? I was bored with routines. Routines sucks! I need some spur-of-the-moment kinda thingy and I wanna be more spontaneous! yep. To avoid this slow and painful death by boredom.

Take care all.

Listen: Dream on Hayley - Jim Morrison

The end of Ramadan, and 1st Syawal beckoning

although there are still few more days left of this Ramadan month. I would like to wish a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Happy Holidays to you all!

Take care and don't road hogging eh? or I'll kick your sorry ass haha..

Listen: Suasana Aidilfitri - Annuar & Elinna

State of Play

Hi there.

Have you watched the movie 'State Of Play' ? This is another Political Conspiracy story from The Capitol Hill, DC. The main characters are a reporter named Cal McAffey (played by overweight Russell Crowe, but still brilliant!) who is a college friend of congressman Rep. Stephen Collins (played by Ben Affleck! Not so convincing to me, but oh well, I’m probably so used to congressman being portrayed as old-almost-senile type). 2 murders and 1 near fatal shooting opened the story at the beginning and from then on, the motives and linkages unravel to a more complex conspiracy surrounding the congressman, his sex scandal and more profound reason of all the madness, money (of course). In between all that, there seems to be old wound or history in the friendships between Cal, Stephen and Stephen’s wife Annie (played by Robin Wright). As a friend, Cal seems unrelentlessly trying to protect Stephen, but at the same time he is also a true journo at heart and chasing the scoop of news and bringing out the truth is what he does best. It is also fun to see the dynamic between Cal and his sidekick, a dewy-eye cub-reporter name Della Frye. (Played by Rachel McAdams – I love her!) I feel the movie is refreshing as we are also been thrust to look at things from a newspaper/reporter’s point of view and how things work in a news room. And yeah! Helen Mirren rocks as the tough cookie Editor of the Washington Globe.

Quiz Time!

Hello y'all,
you know there are so much quizzes that you can do over at Facebook, aight? but I came across this one at Ellyn's blog sometimes ago and it was fun. Fun as in ; I'm too lazy to do my work-and-it's Friday-so can't wait for the weekend kinda fun. So yeah, try it. But am not tagging anybody tho..

rules: copy to your own note, erase my answers, enter yours, and tag ten people. use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. they have to be real - nothing made up! if the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. you cannot use any word twice and you can't use your name for the boy/girl name question.

1. what i would prefer to have been my name : Shazmin
2. a four letter word : Shit
3. a boy's name : Shia Le Beouff
4. a girl's name : Shakira
5. an occupation : Stock broker
6. a color : Sparkling Red
7. something you'll wear : Salvatore Ferragamo
8. somewhere you want to go : Salamanca, Spain
(hah! i made this question up, because I dunno where the original No. 8 went to :P)
9. a food : Soup
10. something found in the bathroom : Shower foam
11. a place : Seremban
12. a reason for being late : Stuck in traffic
13. something you'd shout : Sweett!
14. a movie title : Slumdog Millionaire
15. something you drink : Sirap Limau
16. a musical group : Spice Girls
17. an animal : Seladang
18. a street name : Santa Monica Boulevard
19. a type of car : Subaru Impreza
20. the title of a song : Say my name – Destiny’s Child


And now, some flowers and green stuff for our eye's pleasure. Can't possibly put up food pictures now, being fasting month and all, rite?

Okay people, have a nice weekend ahead. I know I will, because it'll be extended til Monday. Woweee! State of Selangor is observing Nuzul Quran (17th Ramadan) so, yeah. I love days' off. Throw it my way. Anytime.

Listen : Have you Ever - Westlife version. Although I also love the original version by Brandy

Malaysia Satu

In conjunction with Independence Day celebration recently, a song-writing competition was launched to find a song that truly representing the spirit of 1 Malaysia concept. When the advertisement for the final shortlisted songs came on air, I thought this is the one with most catchy chorus & it instantly became my favourite. And yeay! to Audi Mok, Nurfatimah & Faizal Tahir coz they won the competition!

The lyric..

Ku teguh berdiri tiada lagi ragu atau gentar
Ku terus berani melangkah maju ke hadapan
Satu impian nyawaku pertaruhkan
Genggaman tanganmu, semangatku terus membara janji ku pada mu,
Harapanmu ingin ku laksanakan
kau adalah ilham pada mereka yang ingin Berjaya
Kau terus berjuang demi membawa perubahan satu impian oh berjuta harapan
Genggaman tanganmu, semangatku terus membara janji ku pada mu,
harapanmu ingin ku laksanakan
Satu Malaysia,
kita inspirasi pada dunia Nama kan dijulang,
kita menjadi kebanggaan
Satu wawasan bersama bergandingan..
Genggaman tanganmu, semangatku terus membara janji ku pada mu,
harapanmu ingin ku laksanakan

And now the song..

Big Shout Out to a Friend - yes Roz, to you! :)

May our friendship last forever by Nicholas Gordon

May our friendship last forever;

May I sail upon your sea.

May we go through life together;

May there always be a "we."

May I be your endless sky;

May you breathe my gentle air.

May you never wonder why

Each time you look for me, I'm there.

May we be for each a smile

Like the warm, life-giving sun;

Yet when we're in pain awhile,

May our suffering be one.

May we share our special days,

The happiness of one for two;

And if we must go separate ways,

Let my love remain with you.

Happy Birthday Roz, my dearest friend!

What Independence Day did to you..

Yesterday Malaysia celebrated 52nd Independence Day! Yay to my beloved country.

And over the long weekend, I had some time to reflect and ponder. Then, it just hit me. Like 'Bamm!' and I realized that some days on a rare occasion, I kind of like my work and what I’m doing for living. But most of the times, I freaking hate this job. If it isn’t for the money, I’d surely had blown this job into oblivion! Seriously. I cannot fathom the reason why I’m bothered to stay anyway. I’d be whining how much I hate my job to friends and almost bore them to death with my sad & sorry life. What makes it so hard for me to leave? To just walk away from all of these? Apart from the financial reason, I think the single biggest reason why I’m rutting here is due to ‘the unknown factor’. I am scared shitless to start all over at a new place, getting to know new colleagues, trying my best to fit in, urgh! That’s a borderline to a nightmare for me. It’s kind of funny because friends would be saying, ‘it shouldn’t be a problem for you because you’re such a friendly person’ well, as friendly as I am as to the next Miss Congeniality, I actually hate to be friendly all the time, people. Really, I know it’s my nature, being born under star of Pisces and all, but can a person sometimes go against their nature? They can, right? People change every day, I think. And what you read in horoscope not necessarily depict a real you and your truly self. Of course you’ll be a fool to let those prediction rules how to live your life. I am an example of how hard it is to leave my comfort zone. Even the thought of leaving would give me a minor heart palpitation. So distressing. Yep, it’s that bad.

But the thing is, after 7 years and half you know it's high time for you to pack and leave. Things have stopped being rosy many years ago. And it merely just a job now. The hunger has gone, the initiatives has long since wilted away. I need a change. Badly. So help me God.

Listen : Move Along - All American Rejects