...simply said...

Almost forgot today was Valentine's Day. Ok, I did forget. But so what. Now Valentine's Day doesn't mean much to me. And who celebrates V-Day anyways??!!

Of course back in sec school, V-Day was always such a big thing. We used to watch with so much interest who got flowers, song dedications etc etc on Valentine's. Secret admirers were the talk of the town!! Ok, class. And I used to feel left out and depressed. A lot. Lol... I don't really remember ever getting anything on Valentine's actually. *drops head in sorrow* (Or maybe I just don't remember) So I would get so involved in Interact organizing flowers and card orders. I remember CW ordering a dozen flowers '11 pink and 1 red in the middle' for YS in Form 2. I thought it was so sweet. And nearly went green with jealousy. haha.. ok not really. If I'm not mistaken I was in-charge of the V-Day project in Form 4.. that was heaps of fun.. and work! Then in the later teen years, V-Day meant a lot more - celebrating the day of love with that special someone.

Now, I've come to realise that heck, I would much rather my special someone shower me with love every single day of the year then wait for a commercialised day to show his affection. It would be wonderful to celebrate, I have no doubt, but it would be very depressing if that was the only day I was shown love. At least I have nothing to complain about. =)

However, I would love V-day if I were selling stuff or a restaurant owner. Walking around MidValley today, I saw girls carrying huge bunches of roses that would've probably costed an arm and a leg and are heavy as well. It was almost as if they were parading with their flowers in one arm and their boyfriend on the other leaving them barely visible. (how many married couples would do that??) And restaurants were packed!

On a lighter note, it was nice to spend V-Day with my family.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to my mommie and daddy who have loved me long before I was even born, my brothers, my uncles, aunties and cousins everywhere, my Aussie parents, my German sister, my twin, all my wonderful friends, my housemates and last but definetely not least, Bei Ji Xiong. (Thank you for reminding me, btw. Wo hen xiang ni!).


Hugs and kisses, all!


*An after-entry dedicated specially to my dearest Svenjay.. thank you so much for the lovely e-mail - it almost made me cry. I am missing you as much as ever and wish I could destress you and make you your ol happy self. I love you so much, babe. Hugs and kisses from me in Msia to you in Germany. Do send my love to your parents as well!

Chinese New Year is getting depressing. No complaints about the ang pows, but it seems to be the only tradition that is withstanding westernisation and the general lost of interest in culture / tradition. CNY now seems to be all about ang pows and a break off work / school. What happened to the joy of visiting relatives and friends, dressing up in traditional gear, coming home to family and bonding? Now it seems everyone can't wait to get back to the comfort of home to ............. sleep.

When international friends ask me about CNY and chinese traditions, I have to dig up memories of my childhood. Now it seems it's only me and my dad who are interested in going visiting. After all, I came home just for CNY.

I predict that when eventually, traditional costumes will be almost impossible to get - or will be modified beyond recognition. CNY will be just a one day holiday. Traditional food will slowly disappear. People will become less bothered to come home for CNY. Decorations will disappear from the streets.

But I am hoping ang pows will disappear when time comes for me to be the giver, not the reciever.

Why do I doubt that will happen.

Chorus of 10 Days by Missy Higgins..

'But time has changed nothing at all
you're still the only one that feels like home.
I've tried cutting the ropes and I let you go
but you're still the only one that feels like home.'

Dedicated to all my friends in M'sia who are comfortable like old undies.

I don't think I phrased that the way I want it to mean.
...

It's great being home! Besides spending time in my new home and getting adjusted to my still messy new room, I'm seeing all these ppl I haven't seen in eons and it's really really great! Aunt and cousins came over last night. Gee! How people can change in one year! My 'little' cousin Claire is not so little anymore but a young woman now! Probably shot up a few inches as well (did not even try to compare height for fear of embarassment. Bad enough always being the shortest in Aust, worse still in Msia!!) Hehe... I remember those days of growing into my pinafore and learning to cope with period cramps (and hiding period stains - oh the nighmare!) and being so much in awe of couples popping up (and breaking up?) everywhere and finding true friends (Ok, when does the quest ever end?!) and learning to accept yourself. I remember how it took me awhile to realise that I'll never have a Barbie doll figure although that's what society demands. Now I can say I am truly comfortable in my own skin (- big ass, short legs and all) as I learnt that you are loved not just for how you look but for how beautiful you are on the inside. And after all, if someone were to reject you based on how you look, stuff them! Their loss! I don't think I've ever lost any friends cause of that, thank God but I can imagine it has happend. Btw, i think the rap song that goes sth like 'I like big butts ....' is fantastic. LOL.. Illona and I requested that song at The Alma and danced in celebration of our curviness!!

Had breakfast with Jolene a couple of days ago, and I think it's strange how distance can sorta bring ppl together, esp with technology.. MSN! Then met up with Jia Min and we spent a long time talking and catching up and walking aimlessly around Pyramid (which hasn't really changed all that much in the past year) I still think it's fantastic when you can see a friend you really have talked to much and not seen at all and yet be able to talk like old times and feeling a connection without being too awkward.

Looking forward to meeting G3-ians tomorrow in Bt Jalil and THANK YOU MELVYN FOR PICKING ME UP! And then there's 5 Azamians - Sally Wally, Christine and Chin Yen (maybe Vina too!) on Tuesday! Just had a not-long-enough chat with my twin, Sandy. haha.. have to admit, we both wonder where the twin thing started cause we look nothing alike now. She might even have lost a few kilos... maybe donated them to me? haha.. Well she'll be joining me in The Festival State, Adelaide!

I will be going for eye surgery on Thursday. *hears gasps* Well technically it is not definite cause they will have to test the suitability of my eyes for the surgery and I wanna make sure it will be 101% safe (I only have 1 pair of eyes!!) But if all goes well, i will have perfect eyesight and never have to poke my eyes again while putting on my contacts after Thurs!


Well it has taken me

1 day to .. Realise it is just not ok to speak to random strangers and cashiers.
2 days to .. Get used to not being the smallest / shortest. Quite the contrary, actually.
Get used to seeing so much black hair
The size of supermarkets / shopping malls
3 days for .. My Malaysian accent to kick into action. Muahaha..my true colours are reemerging!
4 days to .. Get a good night's sleep!
Learn the sizes of Malaysian coins again. (Eh! 20 cents so small??)

and I still...

• haven't figured out the lights and switches in my house
• got my own set of house keys
• get lost in my own house. (4 flights of stairs! Should have 'Level 1', 'Level 2' etc signs!)
• haven't really organized my room as much as I'd like
• haven't bought a bed
• gotten used to the weather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2% humidity -> full on tropical mugginess

Well, what a long and amazingly pictureless entry! Toodles!

Hey everyone!

FYI, I am home in M'sia and contactable at my brand spankin new Maxis prepaid no 0129117396 or at my brand spankin new home 6203 4478.

First of all, for all who don't know, I am not living 31, Jalan SS19/4, Subang Jaya anymore, but now have migrated to Desa Hartamas. Ask my mom for directions... I'm still feeling so friggin lost.

Anyway, got back yesterday, reunion dinner time, quite tired cause i could barely fall asleep on the plane. The 2 times I managed to keep my eyes shut and actually fall into some sort of shallow sleep, I was woken up by flight attendants
1. asking me if i want a 'light meal' (No, I would prefer sleep, thank you)
2. telling me to buckle up cause of 'turbulence'. hah! the plane was hardly wobbly!
Hardly slept the night before cause I had to pack my bags in a hurry (starting at 9 pm) cause me being my genius self locked myself out of my own house because I had gone out the night before with my key in my jacket pocket and left my jacket at home. Along with my mobile (which I now realise I rely on very much) For some reason I could remember Mark's home no which is strange cause I usually can never remember numbers except my own and those that are dialled extremely frequently. So I got him to contact someone else to get my housemate's no, but housemate was not answering. Bleurgh. At least I was saved by Illona who gave me refuge from near anxiety attacks and a roof over my head.

Anyhow, here are some pics of some happenings in between Congress and flight MH138 from Adelaide to Kuala Lumpur


Mark's surprise party

Yes, I officially pulled off my first attempt at throwing a surprise party. Lotsa planning and stealing phone numbers and smsing and emailing and collaborating with partner-in-crime, Mr Franky T. about 2 weeks before the party AND during travelling.

But party was a success (it WAS a surprise!) Everybody (i hope) had fun esp with karaoke. I think many would agree that banning housemate Phil from karaoke is a good idea. When he sings, you don't quite know whether to laugh or cry cause it is THAT bad. In the words of Mark's dad, 'He can release new versions of the songs cause it sounds nothing like the original'


The man who redefined karaoke. (I didn't say in a good way)


Before...


Yay! Good number of ppl came


Birthday boy and parents


Birthday boy and uni friends


Partner-in-crime making Sangria


More karaoke




After that, went to a club down the road and the guys played pool while us girls hit the dance floor. Ok, music was pretty average, but it was good to work off all the tension. Finally got home at 4am. =)


Next day, his mom made a Gourmet birthday lunch/dinner with


Oysters au naturale



Slurp!



Sushi, octopus, dolmante, rollmops, olives and artichokes and pesto dip in the middle.. (drool..)

and Orange Chicken which unfortunately has not been photographed AND trifle!!! wooooh!!



...and then Victor Harbour

A fairy penguin in its burrow

View from Granite Island

You cannot walk, you can only fall.

Because my heels were giving me a lot of pain, I decided to walk AROUND Granite Island BAREFOOT. Not so smart, Quin. After awhile, each step was like walking on needles esp cause my feet were sore and raw from dancing. So, I 'borrowed' Mark's shoes... they were a tad too big for me though..

Call me, ppl!!