My Other Escape.

2008-04-28T23:52:00.001+08:00

Busy Busy Bee.

2007-10-22T11:47:00.000+08:00

Yes, I'm absolutely guilty. I haven't blogged for the longest time. Life has never been this hectic before that I can't even recall the last time I had woken up late. I don't even have time for myself. Crap! Anyway, I'll just briefly summarize the recent events to keep up to speed.

Currently, I'm on attachment. 6 freaking months, ending on 8th December, 5 1/2 days a week. This Jap company is the main contractor for the much publised ION Orchard. Well, my job scope is pretty boring, most of my time is spent attending meetings and the working environment here is harsh because making mistakes equals to vulgarities. But the perks would probably be my not-so-bad pay, the gossips that circle around some of my horny, jap bosses, the nicest sub-contractors that I've gotten to know over the last few months and lastly Darren and Chin Ee, my fellow NTU mates who have made every work day fun and more bearble. Meeting them is truly a blessing and I can see it as the beginning of a lasting friendship.

Mischief in the Sample room

Apart from work, the tuitions that I have to supplement my savings and allowance has just been insane. 5 students, 3 of which are taking their O levels. Weekdays after works and sundays too. Pure insanity. I'm saving so much solely for my US trip. No matter how run down I feel at the end of the day, I always remind myself of the light at the end of the tunnel.

And yes, that light has gotten brighter. Airil and I have gone for the interview and signed the contract for the Work & Travel USA. If all goes well, we'll be flying off on the 4th of May and make our way back on the first week of August, 12 weeks of work and 2+ weeks of travel. We'll be working at Sandusky, Ohio - Cedar Point Amusement Park, World's No. 1 (http://www.cedarpoint.com/) as chamber maids, cleaning up rooms, making beds and lots of cleaning. I just pray that the rooms wouldn't be that terrible -cross fingers-

Hari Raya
Hari Raya this year was different from those of the previous ones. For one thing, we celebrated it at my grandparents house in JB. The 'crisis' in my family has gotten better, though there was this silent awkwardness in the air when we all met. Everyone was trying to be friendly and in good spirits. But deep down, I guess we all knew that we'll never be as close as before because of all the things said and done. Still, the highlight of this raya would probably be simply getting together with my whole family.

Hari Raya at JB

Another highlight would be having Airil's parents meet mine. Yes, it was nerve-wreaking for the 2 of us. Somehow, the chinese dads and the malay moms manage to get along pretty well. There was lots of sharing of photo albums between the parents while the kids, Airil and his siblings, Mahirah and I, played monopoly and card games - the true, conventional ice breakers.

Airil's family and Mine

I haven't had time to go visiting because of work. Hopefully, the usual NTU gang will meet up again so we can. Really looking forward to that.

Birthdays
This year's birthday is truly an unforgetable one. There wasn't any elaborate celebrations like what some of my friends had. I'm thankful for all the birthday wishes from my friends and family who remembered my special day. It really means alot. It's been great celebrating birthdays this year.

Spectacular View from Glass Cabin

Birthday Boy unwrapping presents at Carousel

Birthday dinner at Sakura

Khus' Birthday

Ghost - Howie Day

2007-08-18T11:33:00.000+08:00

Lately I've been thinking. Lately I've been dreaming with you. I'm so resistant to this type of thinking. Oh, now it's shining through. I was alone for the last time. Before my night's vacation with you. Alive from the first. Now I'm denied by the ghost of you.

You take yourself a photograph and laugh at me. Please...

I know there's little use in crying. It's more wide awake and dying then I'm used to. I thought we'd walk these streets together. Now I'm hoping that I'll never have to meet you. Step aside from all this anger. And somewhere in between I can feel you. Ask me should we try again. I'm thinking no. Y'know, it's not what I believe in. It's not what I believe in.

You take yourself a photograph and laugh at me. Please...You make yourself a photograph and laugh at me. Please.

No I, wanna taste you, love. No I...no I... No I, just wanna taste you, love.

Standing in your shoes. I turn and now. You're standing bare in my doorway. I only wish that I had been prepared. I'm gonna have to go along with your way. Just take the plastic camera out. It's the pants you borrowed in the driveway.

Alive from the first. Now I'm denied by the ghost of you.

The women in life

2007-08-12T21:07:00.000+08:00

A recent event in my office stirred up some recollections that I've constantly struggled to keep at the back of my mind. My collegue's national day getaway with his girlfriend ended in a really low note cos they just found out that her father was having an affair and her mom is contemplating divorce but at the same time hesitating in fear of losing the kids.

I felt bad for the lady but what I heard is nothing new. I grew up hearing all these crap. Adultery, scandals, falling out of love, money, and many many divorce. At the age of 11, I witnessed a pregnant women who is close to me attempt sucide due to her husband's constant infidelity. Her downcast, sobbing face is still vivid in my memory. By the end of primary school, I knew very much that marriage was far from a fairy tale. Through my secondary school years, I saw how a man would deceive and even delude women into marriage just for money and to fulfill his lust. I bumped into him recently at a store, and I recognized immediately who he was. Not at all to my surprise, he was with another woman. There's plenty of other stories that I can go on about...the wife beater, the one who secretly married, etc.

I saw the women in my life getting hurt over and over. Maybe that's the reason why I am close to them. Their misfortunes are also mine, like a ripple effect. For a long time, the only way I saw marriage was it ending in a divorce. I'm not fearful of commitment. I'm more afraid that it'll be short-lived. And, I fear marriage because it's one huge risk, a gamble with unimaginable consequences. Marriage is not just about the nice, white dress or the 10-course dinner. It's about complete trust to your spouse and tons of work.

Despite everything, I do want to take that gamble one day.Airil has taught me so much about myself for the last 2 years and he brings so much joy to my life. He helped me believe that I can have a lasting relationship too just like my parents. I'm very thankful for all that I have, my loving parents, my sister, my friends and him.

As I approached adulthood in less than a month, I carry with me all the life experiences from my past. I have come to a realization that sometimes, the only person you can rely on is yourself. Those you thought were closest can turn their backs on you. I have to stand on my own two feet.

2007-07-25T14:29:00.000+08:00

Oh dear friend,

please forgive me.

My dear soul,

it's sometimes bleak,

it's sometimes cold.

Oh dear friend,
I hurt you deeply.
My busted heart,
it's filled with sadness,
it's tainted with cuts.

Oh dear friend,
will you understand.
My teary eyes,
I see memories in disdain,
I judge you from all the lies.

Oh dear friend,

let's retrace back our steps.

My self, my self,

Stop this condemnation,

Shame and blame shelfed.

-Mira-

Finally!

2007-05-26T00:16:00.000+08:00

After ample tries of permuation and combination (cos I forgot my username)... finally i managed to log in again. Phew!! Blogging is hard to up keep man. When you're absorbed with all other things, it's just the last thing on your mind.

Anyway, I'll promise to update more frequently, at least once every fortnight, cos now my 'Dressing Me Pretty' blog is all under one account. No more excuses. Hee.

Happy New Year!!!

2007-01-01T22:25:00.000+08:00

New Year'r eve was all about peace and solitude. I decided to stay home, really wasn't in the mood for crowded places and blasting music. I spent the last few minutes of 2006 in front of my TV, watching the Vivocity countdown while eating bread and butter. Haha.

Today was much better. I went out to shop at IMM and bought some ingredients for the cake that I was gonna bake - Chocolate Valentino. The name sounds pretty intimidating but surprisingly it's so simply. You only need baking chocolate, eggs and butter.

Airil came over to help. He's really skilled at egg beating. Anyway, the chocolate batter turned out fine but the cake sort of got burned in the oven cos the temperate was a too high and I used the wrong type of circular pan according to my mom. Who knew that baking pans could make such a difference. Lesson learned. I had to scrape off the top layer which was nearly totally black. Haha.

Overall, the cake turned out fine and it was pretty delicious especially when we added whipped cream to the topping. I guess I need more experience when it comes to baking cakes.

Merry X'mas

2006-12-26T17:47:00.001+08:00

This year's christmas was pretty lowkey for me. No big dinner, no walk around town. I don't really celebrate actually except for the occasional get together at my aunt's place (from my dad's side) and the pretty presents Mahirah and I will get from her. However, this year's christmas is a memorable one.

Airil picked me up at Tampines and we drove to Changi Airport for lunch and a lovely, long stroll around. They replaced the old sky trains with the new ones which seem faster and more spacious. We managed to watch some take-offs. I'm so envious of all the people checking in cos they get to enjoy all the facilities that we by-passers can only look at. The next time I do get to fly off somewhere, I'm gonna check into the arrival hall like many many hours earlier so that I can wonder around, use the gym, watch a movie, go to their gardens etc.

After that, we headed back to Airil's place and his mom gave me two containers full of these little chocolate cup cakes, backed by his mom and sis, that were simply to die for. The recipe was gotten online at ttp://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/232391. Durga tried it but I don't know how it turned out.

Anyway, the memorable part comes later when he drives me home. Usually he only drives around the eastern side of Singapore. This was gonna be his very 1st time. Yikes! The traffic was pretty heavy and I was honestly feeling a pinch of fear cos he has never driven that far before. I was like a naggy, old hag pin-pointing his every driving move. "Don't go over 90!", "Don't steer towards the other lane!", "Why are you so slow!" I was worse than any driving instructor. Haha. Girls are always way more paranoid and cautious than guys. Or maybe it's just me.

Fortunately, he was understanding and patient enough to not scream at me though the pressure was stressing him enough to stall the car quite a couple of times while parking. I'm so sorry, but thank you for making this Christmas unforgetable in a non-Christmas yet funny kinda way.

I miss HOME

2006-12-21T15:35:00.000+08:00

It feels so good to be back home after nearly 2 weeks. My holiday took so long cos the whole big bunch of us, my family plus my aunt, uncle and 2 cousins, went all over Malaysia. 2 nights each from KL to Ipoh to Cameron Highlands to Sunway to Port Dickson and lastly Melacca.

The holiday was enjoyable because:

of the huge amount of SHOPPING we all did. I bought 7 tops, 1 pair of jeans, 2 necklaces, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 bottles of perfume, 1 belt, 1 pair of sunglasses, my year long supply of contact lenses and quite a few magazines. But my cousin ShaSha was the top shopper. I think she spent around S$250, considering that she's only 14.
I did lots of reading and sleeping. When you're on the road for hours, you can't do anything else but read and eat and sleep. You're practically a pig.
Mahirah, ShaSha and I, despite our moderately large age gap, managed to have lots of laugh and nonsensical girl talks regarding school and guys. I feel like I was back in secondary school.

We played lots of Tai Di, everyday for 10 consecutive days, whenever we got bored.
I ate like 5 slices of Secret Recipe cake (Mud Cake, Chocolate Indulgence, Tiramisu, Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Mud Brownie) throughout the whole trip cos it's cheaper in Malaysia.
My dad drove through 2 floods. I know 'fun' isn't the right word to describe it but Mahirah and I were more amused than scared while my mom on the other hand was praying hard that our car will make it through the waters.
I drove 3/4 the journey up to Cameron Highlands. The narrow, winding roads were quite scary. I stalled the car twice while trying to overtake a lorry. But overall, it was a great experience.
I had a good laugh when I was bowling cos I use a ball a little to small and when I was just about to bowl, the ball got really stuck to my tumb. My sister had to yank the ball out.
I was surrounded by the prettiest, colourful and fresh flowers, fruits and plants at Cameron Highlands. It's just so refreshing and relaxing and keeps you in high spirits. Plus the cool weather, an average of 18 degrees, is just right.

I ate my very first SUBWAY sandwich. Yes, I'm a little slow but it's the only halal subway I saw. I got SO excited the moment I saw the Subway outlet at Sunway. The sandwiches were HUGE and YUMMY! I think it can serve at least 3 people. Haha.

I ate RAW corn. My first too. Not boiled like the usual corn, the raw corn which was from Cameran was really sweet and pretty addictive. It's whitish and yellowish in colour. Interesting!

I'm really glad to be back home cos as soon as we left from melacca, it started to flood terribly. I would have been stranded if we went home any later. The sights on the journey home were quite depressing; the highway was flooded, rubber and palm plantations were submerged in water, streams filled to the brim, houses were only recognizable by their roof tops. Gosh! I'm so thankful that I'm back in Singapore.

Farewell dinner

2006-12-08T15:38:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was a pretty ''big'' night for me. Airil's dad was leaving for Doha on the 18th for work purpose and decided to give a treat before flying off. The idea of all of us going out together made me pretty nervous at first. It's not that I've never had dinner with them, but it was the first time that we were going out on an outing together. Sort of like a stepping stone.

I dropped by at Airil's place first, waited for his sister to get back from school. All 6 of us managed to squeeze into Uncle's car and travelled all the way from Tampines back to Choa Chu Kang, ending up at a seafood restuarant at CCK park cos his parents wanted to try the food at my west area. Haha. The food was plenty and yummilicious - shark's fin soup, not forgetting Kang Kong, black pepper beef, lemon chicken, Satay, Tom Yam soup, etc. My tummy nearly exploded. Airil's brother, despite his size, was a massive eater just like him.

We headed to Lot1 next and his mom and sister did some shoppping. Uncle was really funny. He just bought a new phone and was snapping many candid shots and recording us while we were rounding the shops. And his reason was, "Just nice. I can look at the pictures when I'm in Doha." We went for a movie at 9.30, DeJa Vu. Another great Denzel Washingston movie. It really boggles your mind. It has all the elements for a good movie - action, suspense, romance, a good twist and a relatively unexpected ending.

The night ended of on a good note. I was very comfortable going out with his family just as much as he is comfortable going out with mine. This meant alot to me cos I got a chance to know his family more, vic versa. I'm glad I got this opportunity to go out with them; his parents are really nice, chatty and comical.

I'm nearly done packing, just left to chuck in shoes into my bag. I'll be going to Malaysia from the 8th to 20th. Nearly half of my holiday is spent there. I'm looking forward to do some shopping there. Yey!

8 trivial things I'm Amazed about.

2006-12-06T09:06:00.000+08:00

I'm not goin out today, simply feeling like lazing at home and doing nothing. Then, I began wondering on some stuff. I always think too much and I'm abit insane sometimes.

8 trivial things I'm Amazed or amused about:

I'm amazed at how much babies and dogs just puts a smile on my face. It's just the way my brain works. I want both but I know I can't have a dog. A baby...maybe in due time. Haha

I'm disgustingly amazed at how loud I can fart sometimes. It's terrible and gross but I really wonder how the compressed gases just releases into an obnoxious, weird sound. Thankfully my farts don't stink most of the time.

I'm amazed at how filthy rich some Singaporeans can be. They are not international superstars, just plain Singaporeans who live extravagant lifestyles. I was watching 'The Finer Side', a channel 5 show hosted by Dick Lee and Denise Keller, and it showcased a bunch of very rich socialites. They hire chefs to cook for them personally at their home, they do their hair (simple blow drying and combing) for $800, buy a half a million dollar watch after looking at it for like 10 seconds. How these people get so rich? I have no idea.

I'm amazed at how easy it is to get into engineering but how freaking hard it is to stay in the course without failing anything. I guess most of my fellow engineers-to-be feel the same way. Most of us take about 7 to 8 modules per semester and we study till our brains are about to explode. While my other friends from FASS or biz take about 4 or 5. Some even have only 2 examinable modules while the rest are all project-based. Engineering should be for all those who ace their A levels man. I wish I had studied harder for my A levels and gotten into business or accountancy.

I'm amused at how Airil can be so similar to Jessica Simpson, in a bimbotic way that is. Haha. For 22 years of his life, Airil thought that Tuna, which we often eat in sandwiches, is actually Sardine. Yes, he thought that Tuna is from Sardine but with a different name, not 2 seperate fishes. I had the best laugh from that. Hahaha. His mind works best with cars and aeroplanes only.

I'm amused at my little cousin Syifaa. Despite being only 8, she's obsessed with the Korean drama - 'Princess Hours'. I love the show too. During her malay composition exam, she used the characters of the drama as the characters of her compo. 'Yul goon', 'Shin goon', 'Chaegyung' and 'Hyorin'. Her teacher nearly threw a fit but she still aced the compo. Haha.

While mugging for exams in the school library, my friends and I were giving ourselves nicknames from the movie 'Batman'. AND my friends called me CATWOMAN...but since my liking for dogs, i decided to call myself DOG-GIRL... Apparently, Airil asked me... do you know what a female dog is called? the rest was history... I've been stucked with that nickname ever since. I'm DOG - GIRL.

Lastly, I'm amazed at how bad my spelling that my sister and my mom have to correct it. I spelled obnoxious as 'abnorxious', filthy as 'filty', museum as 'muesem' and emperor as 'empirer'. Gosh! I think I should go for phonics lessons like those primary school kids.

Only 8 so far. But there'll definitely be more to come.

Happy Feet vs Tenacious D

2006-12-05T12:53:00.000+08:00

Going to the theatres with a bunch of friends or just someone close is my kind of thing. It's an expensive hobby but it is quite worthwhile when you catch really nice shows that just stir up emotions that are seldom felt. When you watch a horror flick, your heart tends to pump harder. I would always use my hands to cover my eyes, which means I only watch about half a scary movie. Yes, I'm chicken shit! I flung a whole cup full of popcorn once at Krys when I got startled watching
'The Eye 2'.

Anyway, in the space of 3 days, I just saw 2 movies. More of the light-hearted type. I went to Vivocity to watch Happy Feet. I don't see why everyone is making a fuss about that place. It's an ordinary shopping centre but probably a little bigger. But I really like the cinema cos it's all new and clean, the arm rest can be brought up for all the seats and the seats are more spacious.

Happy Feet was about this little emperor penguine who was unable to sing his 'heart song' which was required when he wants to find a mate. Unfortunately, he couldn't sing and became an outcast. However, he had a gift for dancing and ya da ya da his dancing helped to solve the problem of the disappearing fish. Ooooooooooo! What I loved most was how adorable the baby penguines were. All teeny-wheeny and fluffy.

The ending was a little sudden and it sort of spoilt the show but overall it was not too bad. Robbin Williams is ever so talented, playing the voices of 3 or 4 characters. Still, I think 'Cars' is the best animated film so far.

Moving on, I just watched Tenacious D today with Airil, complementary tickets from my aunt. I saved 16 bucks. Phew! The movie starts off with how Jack Black aka JB runs away from home and meets Kyle Gass, who is seriously an awesome guitarist, and they form Tenacious D. The rest of the movie is basically about this guitar pick which apparently has some special powers and the duo goes through a hilarious adventure to steal the pick from the Rock & Roll museum.

There's plenty of songs, vulgarities, heaps of laughter and from the movie, you can really see that Kyle is brilliant on the guitar. His fingers are just so fast and flexible. Jack works well with the lyrics and his voice is not bad actually. They don't look like the average rockers, which makes it even funnier. To me it's one of those 'Must Watch' movies. It'll just cheer you up if you're feeling down or bored.

Here's the lyrics from one of my favourite songs by Tenacious D entitled I'm The Only Gay Eskimo. But it would be better if you hear the song itself.

I'm the only Gay Eskimo
I'm the only one I know
I'm the only Gay Eskimo
In my tribe

I go out seal hunting with my best friend Tarka
But all I wanna do is get into his parka
I'm the only Gay Eskimo
In my tribe

Well, me and Nuckfluckchuckbuck
We both like Blubber
But me, I've got this crazy fetish for rubber
I'm the only Gay Eskimo
In my tribe

I make a wish on the northern lights
That I could find a decent pair of whale skin tights
I'm the only Gay Eskimo
In my tribe
And the seals, they sing now:(kooky seal grunting noises)

I'm gonna download more of their songs for the blue, lousy days.

Bright Lights = Great fun!

2006-12-01T15:57:00.000+08:00

My morning started off really early. I was in town by 10, bearly awake while eating my Hotcakes. Mama didn't want to get caught in the crowd so she made us take the 9 o'clock bus and we were wondering about Taka by 11. I borrowed a whole shelf of books from Taka's national library. I must say that their adult fiction section is pretty good (they have a number of Meg Cabot's latest books) plus the ambience was just so relaxing and peaceful, not like the other national libraries around housing estates.

By 2pm I was off to Airil's place. I needed to kill time so badly cos I was only meeting Krys at 7 in town again. He was still mugging for that one more paper before the end of his exams. His round, chubby cousin was at his place and he couldn't stop reminding me that I stole his french fries. Oops!

Immediately after watching 'Lake House' (Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock - not such a bad pair) on his laptop, I was off to town again. Dinner was yummy. I had 'Boo-Boo'; delicious chocolate cake. 2 tumbs up! I recommend it to all chocolate lovers. Then Krys, Suff, Nic and I just walked the whole stretch from Wheelock place to Heeren, taking tonnes of photos and having lots of laugh.

Suff and Krys became the new models for 'SK fashion', a new line of unisex clothes. Haha.

And as ususal, we had a Ball of a time.

To end it of, we had 'glowing' mouths.

It's amazing how a bunch of lights can just add so much more life and joy to a place especially when you're out with friends. Nic! We're all looking forward to the Christmas party come sleepover. I miss you guys already.

Night's out with good company.

2006-11-30T03:58:00.000+08:00

Woohoo! I met up with my dearies tonight after I haven't seen them for so long. It's simply refreshing to see familiar faces of the people that I've missed so much. After the long and draggy exam period, a get-together with old friends is really what I need.

It was dinner with my secondary school friends, Daniel, Huimin, Durga and Ruilong. We chit chatted at Starbucks after that Yu Qian and Wei Chiat, whom I haven't seen in 4 years, dropped by. It was just enjoyable recollecting all the silly, childish stuff we did in secondary school.

Durga and I joined the talent time in sec 1 and we danced to Spice Girls. Amazingly, we got 2nd , considering I can't dance for nuts. We even got a trouphy for it. Yu Qian, who used to hang out with gangsters , transformed from an aggressive 'Ah Lian' to a demure, sophisticated chick with a phobia of animals, including hamsters. Oh, we used to end our national anthem with "Majulah, Wei Chiat wear bra!" Haha. And I learned from Daniel that everytime a fighter pilot ejects from his plane, his spine actually compresses by 6cm. Yikes!!

I guess all of us are still the same people on the inside but with a more hip look and better dress sense. And probably not so naive and blur anymore, at least for me. I didn't know where Heeren was until I was 16 or 17. I'm such a country pumkin.

Thank you, guys for the wonderful night out! LOVE IT!

My very 1st entry.

2006-11-29T11:09:00.000+08:00

Yeah! Exams are over. I think I may have failed a module or two =P But finally, I can get my social life back. It's been a really long time since I've been online, seems like a decade ago. I haven't met Durga in months, and the last time i saw the girls was at Lanxi's house which was in late September. I miss window shopping and going to town. I wasn't able to be at Caleb's granny's wake and my cousin's wedding banquet. So upsetting!

For the past month, I've started to realize the importance of blogging. When I'm super busy and I have to do work online, very often I go to blogs. It's like a link to your friends and the outside world. I know that Lanxi was late for her Jap paper and how Nic got this fabulous job that pays 10 freaking bucks an hour. (She's always so lucky!) I also get the best laughs from Suff's writings and I know what or who Faisal is upset about.

Besides being an avenue to express my feelings and hopefully improve my writing skills, a blog is like a mean to update your friends on what's going on with your life. That's why the first thing I did once I ended my exams, was to create this little space with lotsa help from my sister who's like an expert at blogging. Now that I have time on my side, there's just so many things I wanna do.

My To-Do list:

Catch up with all friends.
Spend more time with my family.
Clean up my extremely messy room.
Do some baking; brownie or cookies.
Rent a car for a day. My dad won't let me use his car alone cos he's afraid that I might crash it into a tree.
Go ice skating and kite flying.
EXERCISING!!!! My tighs and tummy have became flabbier. Argh!
Catch up with some reading. I haven't read a book for so long.
Roam around shopping centers and do some shopping. The end of the year sale is coming up.
Go to town for this year's X-mas lights.
Dress UP! I've been going to school in jeans and shirts that I've forgotten how to dress up nicely =(

That's about it for now, I'll try and fit in more stuff before school starts. And I need to start tuition soon... I'm nearly broke!