Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Stop! But only for a second

Receiving two awards in one day can be emotional, and gratifying.

Unless of course, you're receiving something like a Nickelodeon's Kids Choice award. Or, a "Most Likely to be Murdered" award at your high school graduation. OR, getting slimed after receiving a Nickelodeon's Kids Choice award at the Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards.


But today, in receiving a Dean's List Award and the Presidential Scholarship Award from Sunway ADTP/WMU, it brought a deep sense of satisfaction and justification.


All the hard work over the past one and a half years - throughout the five semesters - was evident.

The clear message of goodbye and achievement hit me, when i received my Certificate of Completion from Sunway. By no means was it a grand, or extensive, or spectacular event, but it needn't be. I had shone. I had set high targets, and hit them. And it felt amazing.

All the Dean's List recipients!

It was one step forward.

Jolene and I

The fact that the ceremony ended so quickly brought a realization that that was that. For all that has been accomplished, a lot more awaits ahead.


New York City beckons.

"I don't want to just rub off the Big Apple's shine.

I plan on taking a bite and leaving my teeth marks."

- Jann


I can stop.

Look back, and be glad.

But only for a second.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Its the tropical humidity I tell you!


I probably had somewhat unrealistic expectations that MU were going to trash M'sia since this was their first match since the Champions League final, and in alien conditions as well! Okay, so maybe I'm just making excuses..


Outside the Bukit Jalil National Stadium

Official Merchandise for sale.

But good on the M'sian national side to take that, and capitalize on all the lucky breaks they got during the match :P


Spent a good 20 minutes scurrying around trying to get a seat amongst a sea of red, speckled with yellow patches of about 85, 000 people



I found it funny that the national team came out in tracksuits in the sweltering heat while MU were sensible enough to just wear what was required.


"Walaupun kami akan kalah, mesti kalah dengan gaya!"


With goals from Rooney and Nani, MU were 2-0 up just before half-time!

Me and Vince (couldn't find MU jersey wear Ferarri pulak)


Then, 84,000 people (-1000 M'sian fans - I may be overestimating here) were silenced by a pretty superb volley over Van der Sar by Amri Yahyah (and yes, i had to Google who he was)!!


2-1 @ Half-Time


A while after the restart, there were some substitutions, notably the goalkeeper switch of Van der Sar to Foster. Things were going smoothly, until Foster was caught napping, completely mis-kicking from a routine backpass...


AMRI YAHYAH (YAHYAH!) pounced to take the ball from Foster's feet, round his flailing arms, and tap into the net!

This time, i was cheering my heart out! (YAHYAH MALAYSIA!)


A sense of awkwardness came over me as the scores stood tied. Is this for real?


But cometh the hour, cometh the man.


New boy Michael Owen, Anfield goldenboy, Galactico reject, and Toon flop, made his debut, coming on for Rooney.


With just 8 minutes to go, there was a buzz of activity in the Malaysian box. Giggs' shot was saved by the on-rushing keeper, but the ball rebounded out, falling kindly around Owen. His predatorial instincts kicked in as he pounced on a loose ball on the outside of the box...


GOAL!


3-2.

Malaysia almost Boleh, yahyah?

Friday, June 12, 2009

Of Devils and Candybars.


July 18 2009.

1730.

Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

Inevitably, unfortunately (*pause* NOT) Malaysia XI will get their ass kicked by the Devils :D

P.S.: Ronaldo not required to perform aforementioned task.

AND

Mom just got a free phone from DIGI, in exchange for signing up with them on a long-term contract where a minimum of RM200 (or something) is spent every month... And well she uses almost that much due to business so what the heck.

Finally my 6 year old phone may once and for all be put to rest. I'm sure most of you know it, the colorless, lifeless thing has been through a lot.

Even though i could not type with you the past 1-2 years, you served me as well as you retardedly could. Thanks.


But this is what I gots now!


And so now im stuck with a new phone with keys the size of 2 ants lined up horizontally.

Retarded has found its way back into my hands; albeit looking much better than before!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

My Cream Cheese Marble Brownies made specially for Mom!


Tis the season when true holidays and days of celebration begin to slow; when many years ago the people at Hallmark decided to charge things up by creating additional annual events; events that could and would not be missed by anyone; true innovators in a quest to boost turnover for themselves and the world over!

And now, boys and girls, many years later, we have Mother's and Father's Day!

This year's Mother's Day brought out my once unused poetic/baking skills to conjure up another heartfelt poem (last one being a few days ago for Dad) and a yummy batch of brownies! They say parents will love anything you give them. WRONG.

Haha, nah joking. My mom loved it. I think. Love you mom! :D


So the highlight of the day was a potluck dinner at my Uncle's place where all my relatives (Dad's side) came to celebrate all the mothers known/available to us!
As such, sorry mammas, but focus shifts to the food at any potluck :P



Nearing the house we encountered this huge parade - Wesak Day still going strong!


And onto the highlight reel!
Everyone with all the food!

Chicken. Can't go wrong with that. Actually you can, but this was really nice and tender.


AMAZING. This yummy pork dish who's name evades my mind. No one does it like my Aunt!


BooBooChaCha? NOT. But a good substitute of melons, sago, and lychee. Too watery though. 


Eggtarts. Yummy! 'Nuff said.

There was more, but what's there to say about Domino's, fruits, and keropok?

The moms and their cheesy delight!
Cheesecake sourced from Melting Pot @ Concorde Hotel, KL. 

Ladies, allow me.

Well Hallmark, it worked :)

Friday, May 15, 2009

Need a light?

The other night I was bumming around with some friends after dinner.
When someone pulled out their Zippo (a lighter), and another did the same.

And another.
And another.

Okay. So suddenly, all these people started doing 'lighter tricks' and i wanted to learn!

I thought it'd be a useful tool.. solely for showing off. Not that I would need a fancy way to light my own cigarette. Not that I smoke. Seriously.

My body is a temple. Most of the time.

These people literally walk, run, and sleep with a lighter no more than 5 feet away from them at all times, so I was way out of my league...


BUT can they do this??!!!


Monday, May 11, 2009

Forget politics, lighten up Malaysia!

Enough bickering amongst ourselves.

Lighten up

One Malaysia.

One huge ass pillowfight on Padang Merdeka, how cool would that be? :P


Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad.

You've always been there for us
And I know you always will be
You're the one who taught me everything
And you've helped me see

That you made me who I am today
By being that special person,
you know no other way.

I'm writing this to say
Thank you for being you
For always being there
For always being true

We love you dad
And today's your special day
So face your future
We're behind you all the way :)

This day was all about food. Food. Food. Food. All to celebrate a birthday that surely overkilled one of the seven sins - gluttony.

The day starts off in the dining hall...
Breakfast spread for Dad by yours truly :)

A present? 

From me?!
 
Will a 4.0 be enough, sir?!


For lunch, we head on to...
@ Westin Hotel, KL

A buffet spread awaits! 
And there goes my willpower, when I needed it most...










And finally, for dinner we move on to Villa Danieli @ Sheraton Imperial, KL!
Outside the restaurant, by the poolside.

Murals painted upon the ceiling; dim romantic lighting; stone walls.

Very authentic Italian feel to the place.
And so we ordered two sets to share, and another two mains. Had to order at least one thing per person in order to qualify for the 50% off with our Starwood card :D
Any feelings of guilt went away!

Pasta e fabioli (set - appetizer)
breaded scallops with creamy vegetables served on shells
.Only two sets = two soups when there was four of us. The waiter felt bad so he brought along two mini-soups in cups :)

Capesante in tecia (set - mains)
breaded scallops with creamy vegetables served on shells
A little too salty, but no doubting the quality of the scallops.


Risotto ai frutti di mare (set - mains)
mixed seafood risotto
Not too bad, but the rice tasted 'grainy', and could've had more seafood in it!


"Cappeletti"
homemade pasta filled with braised beef cheek tossed in ricotta cheese and tomato extract
Absolutely loved loved loved this! The cheese and tomato sauce was divine; the pasta had just the right texture; the beef, oh my... it was marvellous :)

Carpricciosa
basil, mozarella, beef pepperoni, grilled zucchini, and kalamata olives
Was too salty for my liking! Had the chef cook us up another pizza.

Vegetariana
basil, mozzarella, and grilled vegetables
Had this as grandma can't take beef, and surely can't be too salty. Good change!

Pera alla cioccolato gelato (set - dessert)
pear cake with chocolate ice cream
Unlikely combination that went well together. Well, almost anything with chocolate gelato tastes great, no?

Semifreddo di grappa con la salsa del espresso (set - dessert)
grappa semifreddo with espresso sauce
Not sure what the heck it was, but tasted like a more fuller creme brulee that was absolutely delish!

A sweet end to a pretty sweet day :)
Happy Birthday Dad!