25 yo Melbournian. Born and bred in the shadows of a city called KL. Survives on chocolates, lots of sleep and the comfort of good company. Loves a good laugh, a good book, a good cry, a good movie.

"Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for." - Joseph Addison

Engagement gift

23.9.06

Whoever invented the idea of a wedding/bridal registry was briliant. It saves the guests so much time, grief and headache. Not to mention saving the couple from having 10 different sets of toasters and blenders and vases.

Then, there's the Chinese type weddings which are even more brilliant. Why give a gift which may or may not be liked? All you need is a red packet with some money in there. There are even set rates that one usually tries to adhere to.

But when it comes to the engagement, what do you get someone? I've never really gone to an engagement party so I had to google "Engagement Gift" the other day. Wine, wine glasses, photo albums, little hampers of indulgence.

While browsing through the wine glasses section today, I came across the Ritzenhoff collection which totally caught my eye. From salt and pepper shakers to piggy banks. They had the egg holders that came with a little sock to keep your egg warm in. So cute!

I think I might start my own little collection of Ritzenhoffs.

September birthday frenzy Pt 2

18.9.06

OK this is super belated but I'm a lazy blogger these days.

12.09.06 HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIT PING! This is one of the smartest people I know. Smartest and most hardworking! Back in the school days, she would come early to school. I would come early and copy her homework! *haha* Especially add maths. And I have vague memories of a potato for a present once. And now she's decided to go back to MORE studying in her quest to further conquer the world!!! Anyhoo, kudos to you girl for taking all the big steps in life. May you enjoy student life once again!

14.09.06 HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRISCILLA! Here's another one of those people taking big steps in life! With her infectious laughter and the bundle of energy that she is, Shanghai watch out! Doing all the things others only dare dream of - travelling the world, walking the streets of Paris, hooking up with hot guys, being a groupie... I miss you girl - it has been too long! Here's to hoping you have a fantastic journey when you finally relocate. Remember, spare room for me to crash in!!!

15.09.06 HAPPY BIRTHDAY YEN! You make Melbourne just that little bit more interesting. So wish I could have made it to Manchester Lane just to toast you and all the wonderful memories that we've shared. A someone tumbling down some hilly slope in school. Ziggy humping the pillow I was sleeping on. Proms. Parties. The Knights of Camelot. The Sunday morning brunches. My vegetable hating partner in crime. *hugs* May a hot, handsome spunk (none of that "he must be nice" kind) be waiting for you in bed tonight!

Seven Wonders of The World

13.9.06

Because we had nothing better to do, feefs and I were brainstorming to see if we could name the 7 wonders of the world. Sadly, we failed. Seeing as I have always wondered about the wonders, I decided to wikipedia it.

Seven wonders of the Natural World

1. Mount Everest, Nepal
2. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
3. Grand Canyon, Arizona USA
4. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
5. Northern Lights
6. Paricutin Volcano, Mexico
7. Harbour of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Seven wonders of the Ancient World

1. Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt - the only surviving wonder
2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Iraq - destroyed by earthquake
3. Statue of Zeus, Olympia, Greece - destroyed by fire
4. The Temple of Artemis (also known as Temple of Diana), Turkey - destroyed by fire
5. The Mausoleum of Maussollos, Bodrum, Turkey - destroyed by earthquake
6. The Colossus of Rhodes, Rhodes, Greece - destroyed by earthquake
7. The Lighthouse of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt - destroyed by earthquake

Seven Wonders of the Modern World (as compiled by the American Society of Civil Engineers)

1. Channel Tunnel, England-France
2. CN Tower, Toronto, Canada
3. Empire State Building, New York
4. Golden Gate Bridge, San Fransisco
5. Itaipu Dam, Brazil/Paraguay
6. Delta Works, Netherlands
7. Panama Canal, Central America

Seven Tourist Travel Wonders (as compiled by Hillman Wonders)

1. Great Pyramids of Giza
2. Great Wall of China
3. Taj Mahal, India
4. Serengeti Migration, Tanzania
5. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
6. Grand Canyon
7. Machu Picchu (also known as the Lost City of the Incas), Peru

The list of the original seven ancient wonders is in the midst of revision, given that only one still exists today. The 21 finalists remaining in the selection of the world's most notable monuments are:

1. The Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece
2. Alhambra, Granada, Spain
3. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
4. The Pyramid at Chichen Itza, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
5. Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
6. Roman Colosseum, Rome, Italy
7. Statues of Easter Island, Chile
8. Eiffel Tower, Paris
9. Great Wall of China
10. The Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey
11. Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan
12. The Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow Russia
13. Machu Picchue, Peru
14. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
15. Petra, Jordan
16. Pyramids of Giza
17. Statue of Liberty, New York City
18. Stonehenge, United Kingdom
19. Sydney Opera House, Australia
20. Taj Mahal, Agra, India
21. Timbuktu

We can vote here for the election of the new 7 wonders.

September birthday frenzy Pt 1

11.9.06

Firstly, to one of my dearest and oldest friends - miss mindy lim. It's been 11 (or 12?) long years. Somehow, we've managed to end up in the same country, in the same city. When we were younger, people used to mistake us for sisters - probably because we were both short (still are) and had long hair and small eyes? But we couldn't be more different otherwise. She's full of energy and life. I'm a sloth that she tries to drag around sometimes. She can talk till the cows can't home. I can listen till the cows come home. She's athletic. I like to sleep. She likes to cook. I like to eat. But these differences have a way of complementing each other. So babes, happy belated birthday and thanks for the wonderful friendship and the honesty throughout all these years.

Secondly - mr hoong fai. All he ever wanted was to sing and act and perform. And he's well on his way to living his dream. Musician/Singer/Model/Stage performer/Actor. From school heartthrob to superstar in the making. I remember the endless guitar strumming. The numerous renditions of some teeny boppy song that you put me through. Things look to be happening for you now and I am so happy for you. And GLAD that I met you. GLAD that we shared some laughs and some tears. And GLAD that we have remained friends through the years. Happy birthday to a guy who is truly one in a million.

Last but not least - mr ben hon aka dj nottifish. Melbourne truly misses you. And I know that you miss Melbourne too. It is only right that you return. It's too bad that we haven't had the opportunity to catch up much this time around. But with you, I know that even after 10 years, we will be able to sit back down and pick up from where we left off. Still living the party life and doing what he enjoys the most. If you ever want to see ben at his peak, drop him in a room with some hard pumping nrg (is that what it's called these days?) and watch him light up. I miss the long mindless chats. I miss laughing with (and at) you. And I miss you. Happy birthday superstar!

9.9.06

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

I believe that this is true. And you should too.

We have all been through hard and tough times at some point in our lives. Moments when we've felt the ground crumbling under us and the walls collapsing around us. But through each of those points in our lives, we've somehow preservered and survived it all. Survived the worst.

I think I can understand why sometimes, we remain hung up on a certain someone and on a certain relationship. Despite the fact that the relationship remains doomed. Despite how undeserving the person is. And despite what all your closest and dearest friends try to make you realise.

It isn't easy to let go. But holding on is even harder.

So chin up. Dry those tears. And put a smile on that face. Happiness will find it's way to you if you let it.

Home. Or is it?

6.9.06

I may have spent the first 15 years of my life here. But the 8 years away has turned me into a total tourist with each return.

Things have changed a great deal. Some I find amusing. Others ridiculous. E.g. at the IC place, there were paper signs placed above each counter in a FAQ manner. And one read... "Berapa lama mesti tunggu untuk nombor dipanggil? (How long do you have to wait for your number to be called?)... "Kalau tak ramai orang, sekejap aje!" (Not long if there's not many people).. O_o.

I must admit though, that this back-to-basics type approach seems to be effective. I've noticed, in my 3 days of sitting and waiting in the different government departments, that the service isn't as bad as it used to be and that the public is generally more orderly. People are actually quite helpful and friendly. I never used to believe that when "tourists" used those words to describe their Malaysian experience.

It is nice to be back though. This place still holds alot of memories. Some old, some not so old. And despite all the changes, they will remain memories nonetheless.