Of Beer and Crabs

I was always an awkward teenager. I don't think there's any way to deny it, but teenage years sucked between the acne, glasses and untameable hair.

Somewhere in between stuff grew out. The hair became far more versatile, acne finally cleared post uni with a dosage of Roac and the glasses was the last to go at the ripe old age of 25. Despite that, there's another set of worries coming about such as the impending wrinkles and tired eyes that don't seem to be going away. There really is such a thing as wearing your age on your face, and apparently I'm a bit too readable.

But obviously this is probably the top of the curve and it's all downhill from here, man I really need to be more optimistic.

Had a great time last weekend catching up with someone that I'd only really met in the earlier part of the year, but sometimes you do realise that you click with people in sudden and unexpected ways. Barring age differences. Conversations about family, about life, about food, about dancing. When conversation isn't forced it is so comfortable and I've realised that people I click with all have family issues. Don't know what it is, maybe it translates into a certain personality that has learnt how to deal with adversity from a very young age.

Besides that tried my first AcroYoga class with C and dinner at Newton after before rushing back to get ready for Sunday's milonga which was fun, other than a very violent crash of heels of which I was not the recipient of. Oops.

Good weekend are of course followed up with Mondays from hell. The usual.

Back home this weekend, CAN'T WAIT!

Foodie trips

Had a quick getaway this past weekend to Ipoh and Penang with the Ethos bunch before the workload starts for the next 3 months. I foresee no holidays until Rinjani, but at least the dry-spell of no public holidays gets broken next Thursday, woot!

Went to Ipoh, ate brekkie stuff, waited eons for the chicken hor fun at Thean Chun before wondering around the Kong Heng/Plan B around the corner. Left for Penang, stopped by Jalan Penang for Cendol and Assam Laksa, then got into the hotel and promptly ended up by the poolside sipping cocktails. Seafood dinner finally arrived at 9:30pm and was gone in 10 mins flat before we went for a foot massage and realised that some of us are super sensitive to pain.

Woke up at 8 to play tennis with the boys before walloping a huge breakfast and floated dugong like in the pool...sat around for awhile more since checkout got extended to 2pm. Drove into town and past Karpal Singh's house, found Ayer Itam Assam Laksa, Mua Chee and amazing sugarcane juice which I promptly spilled all over myself. Also the cleanest public toilets in Malaysia.

Passed out on the way back to KL, before ending up eating dinner in TTDI-yet again, hungry.

Was a good trip! Off to Sg for more project work in the upcoming weeks, ah the travelling life of a consultant, airports need to be closer to home!!!

Chase

I. Am. Quite. Exhausted.

Just a little. This year has been a disjoint and draining on a level that I've never quite experienced before. Bipolar too. Next time I'll just count my blessings and be done with it. If there's anything that this year has taught me, is that it has pushed to the forefront the realities that life is never going to be always the same and status quos always change.

So, hold on, because life is and has always been a bumpy ride, but really, make your choices and do your best with whatever you choose.

This weekend came off a high of wrapping up a busy piece at work and started out on a Friday with KFC, two cakes, satay and plenty of booze, finishing off with champagne in the pool, boisterous chicken fights-where I almost drowned- and a rambunctious game of Marco Polo which basically wiped all us 20 something's out. Man, what happened to playing in the pool for hours at a time?

This was followed up with a bridal party on saturday with spa dates and hi-tea at Carcosa, then a 12 hours tango marathon where we smashed the last record of 7am, finishing at 8am with pancakes and bacon (which I did not get any of). Passed out for 6 hours before heading to La Boca and DJ-ing at Radius where by that time I was totally uninspired to dance. It's true! Too much of a good thing isn't really good either...

Anyway, December. Jeezus, this year has just gone and disappeared down some black hole again.

Dragon year

The last time my zodiac came around I was twelve, in year 7, awkward, unkempt, teenage years just starting. Ah Christina, how times...have changed :s I hope! Graduated, career facing, 24 yr old. I'm fine, time can freeze now please! Bakkwa, keropok, mini floss rolls, dao sa piah. Omg CNY you will kill my fitness regime!

Hail to the Victors!

A day isn't really limited by the hours, it's more limited by the duration of sleep, and really, the necessity OF  sleep =). It's been a whirlwind of a weekend that started out with a drive down to Singapore and a beautiful hotel room with a way too amazing bath overlooking Singapore. Dinns with the family, a spot of Tango (which was rather disappointing, and reminds me that I REALLY need new shoes), and a 4 hour 'The Game' at a random golf virtual driving range with Sg Mich Alumni's.

Having an opportunity to sing The Victors is always gold. Surprising seeing how Football was definitely more than a nuisance than anything 'fun' when I was there, but there are some moments such as stepping into a filled Notre Dame game stadium and seeing the sea of maize that honestly takes your breathe away. Not to mention the excitement of a nail biting close call win that is forever exciting in the world of sports. Nothing comes close to that level of chaotic energy.

Good lunches at 'Wild Honey' and catching up over long convos of life and updates. HnM shopping and pouring thunderstorms on Orchard Road. MBS gambling and walks around the bay area at midnight. Then drives back home and birthdays over FishnChips and High School reminiscing.

Kickoff to another worldwind travel times soon, and I still want to catch up with you. Sometimes the swells of regret wave upon the shores of my mind and all I can is hope that the breakwater is strong enough this time.

多麼熟悉的聲音 陪我多少年風和雨
從來不需要想起 永遠也不會忘記 沒有天那有地
沒有地那有家 沒有家那有你 沒有你那有我
假如你不曾養育我 給我溫暖的生活
假如你不曾保護我 我的命運將會是什麼
是你撫養我長大 對我說第一句話
是你給我一個家 讓我與你共同擁有它 

Musings

One thing that starting a job and moving past the eduction system has taught me is that, beyond the boundaries of school-primary, secondary and Uni- there exists a world that doesn't care what grade you got, doesn't care what you've done up to that point in time, doesn't care of your past achievement, but cares about what you are going to do. Right now.

Grades stand as markers of achievement, as a signalling effect that you can achieve high standards and you will be held accountable to that. Every job creates a new slate-albeit with expectations from higher ups-but above all, the challenge should be to yourself and no one else. Set your own goals and tick the list one by one.

Somehow it's November already. Where has this year gone? The variety of subjects that I've covered this year has been rather astounding, as is the ease at which I forget information nowadays, because sometimes you just cannot, cannot, cannot care too deeply about everything w/o killing yourself in the process.

The depth of musing that occurred over the last stretch of senior year has been replaced by rather mundane worries-a daily trudge of sort that is alleviated by catching up with colleagues, the people who determine how smoothly your forehead will look, or how etched with stress it is going to be.

But thankfully it's been a blast-support support!

Also good bday with friends around, grown exponentially from last years birthday for sure-thankful to have everyone in the same spot for awhile at least. Transitions, all the time.

Also an ability to make friends quickly, to project your best face forward that is not hampered by teenage drama and gossip. It doesn't really change, no, you still get your stereotypes in the real world, but at least this time you're not trapped in the ecosystem of school for years on end.

I'm kinda liking this grown up messiness =).

Hmm

The Bell Jar is a pretty good read, definitely recognizable as Sylvia Plath's writing through and through. Definitely not a read for when you're down though otherwise it might be a bit too overwhelming.

Monday. One week from today and it'll be my last day in Ann Arbor. For now, I'm just going to enjoy my time, attempt to finish the bucket list, sort out my life. For today, dinner with the girls and movie after, then shisha =).

Today, I took down the Christmas lights. My first step to pack up my life here. Everything kinda brings back memories, Christmas lights at 1009 church on a snowy day, under blankets, watching gossip girl. I physically sit here, but my mind is mentally mapping out everything I need to do over the next few days. Balance of severing all physical ties with this place and going all out with experiencing the things that are only ever done when you're on that last leg of time. Funny isn't it? 3 years of being here and there are still places I'm discovering that I need to go, things to do. Mainly food related of course. You never really appreciate things til you can't have or do them anymore.

Maybe that's why I hate leaving, the forced thoughts of "this is it, this is the last time I'm going to walk down this path, eat here, drink here." It wasn't really woven into the fabric of everyday life, but of course we all want to try new things before the chance is taken away from us.

Even after all the connections are gone. I'll have the memories.

Monday-Watched Babies with the girls and shisha sesh after.

Endorphin High

Waking up for a decently early run to North Campus was a great idea. Firstly coz it got me off my ass and exercising, secondly coz it made me wake up earlier and thirdly coz I'm now basking in post workout endorphin rush. Just went to Sweetwaters, got pics of the fairydoor which was rather anticlimatic. Carrot cake was good, Monkeycap was pretty good too, all in all a fair 8/10 I would give it.

Dress rehearsal in an hour and perhaps some practica tonight. Big day tomorrow =). Why can't all weekends be like this?

Why lahhhhh

Looking at blogs with pictures of Malaysian food at 2:30 am when you're hungry is not advisable. Why lahhhhhh is Malaysian food so good?!?!?!

Life is full of Interruptions and Complications

"Welcome to the land of fame, excess, am I gna fit in?"
~ Miley Cyrus

Ah Miami, home of the rich, the famous, the party goers. State of extravagance, excess and sunshine. How I love thee =).

Attempting to be studious before having too much fun.
 









Oh glorious sunshine, how I have missed you!


 









Barnyard reunited!



  









KLASSICS =) 


 










 Miami lovin'


 













Perfect days












Was amazing seeing everyone together again, and a pleasant surprise seeing how Miko, Hema and me had parted during summer thinking we wouldn't see each other til the following summer. Chalk up city no. 4 for me and Gil meeting in! =).

So first day consisted of me and Jing getting in at 11pm. Took a taxi to the terminal and lo and behold sitting in the shadows was a...COW! lol. Got on the island, spent time talking and indulging in Jing's Middle Eastern male construction worker fantasies >_<...Nancy Ajram is gorgeous.

Woke up late the nxt morning and headed to the beachside for some brekkie. (shorts! flipflops!) Then off for grocery shopping picking up a few bottles of wine along the way. Miko and Hema turned up around 4 pm and then we started cooking! Fun stuff with a lot of chaos in the kitchen especially when you have 5 girls attempting to slice, dice and cook.

Had dinns then sat around the balcony chatting. Watched Love Actually which is still an AMAZING film.
Next day me and Gil sat around a Football field watching guys play while Jing had her haircut. Ah. It's amazing how sunshine makes everything so much more interesting. Went shopping, didn't buy too much. Headed home and sat around reading mags (god how I miss being so free). Miko and Hema got back and then we headed out for dinner at the Italian restaurant, then out for a night on the town. Nothing was really happening seeing how Thanksgiving was just the day before so we sat down for drinks. No ID checking, woohoo. Got VIP passes for this nightclub however SOME people were underage so we didn't get in. No biggie, was a fun time anyhow.

Early morning of the last day, lathered up the suntan lotion, put on the shades and headed for the beach for a serious session of lazing. Beyond gorgeous weather, white deck chairs and plush towels. I have sworn that in 20 yrs I will own a house on an island. With a beach. Had our turkey sandwiches for lunch, said bye to Miko and Hema and headed back to the beach again. But the sun was waning by then so it didn't have the same effect. Sigh. End of a perfect day. Dinner at Il Gabbiano with the most amazing amazing cheese ever. Ever. Stuffed ourselves silly then headed home to conk out before being rudely awakened at 3:30am. Dragged the half comotose Jing and Gil to drop me off and spent the next 12 hrs or so passed out in between connecting flights and reading my txtbook.

Miami'09 <3. Beyond perfect.

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain

It has rained 24 hours non-stop and going. Wtf weather, I mean rain is nice and all but it really makes me want to go to bed.

I'm hungry. Got screwed over by the chicken. Never steam frozen things.

Tango in a half hour. I think I'm gna have to go warm up the leftover deep dish pizza. gr.

Weekend

Penultimate weekend to the end of my internship! I think I'm actually going to miss working...well, some aspect of it...

It's starting to become more dire as I ponder my future. Between me, Cristabel and Lilian we're going to be majorly stressed next year as we start to compile lists of jobs that are open, presentations to go to, networking stuff happening. At least Lulu is a US citizen, me and Cris aren't! I mean working back home does have its pros, but for sure it has its cons as well.

And can I really stand facing the million and one application forms? Questions like "Why do you want to work for xyz company? What are your strengths, what experience do you have?" CHRIST I effing dnt know!? Your company just appears in the media alot and you're like 200 yrs established and you pay well. DUH. But no, of course not, you put on that big plastered smile and think up some complete lie like "ohhhhh, because I am so fascinated with xyz industry and I've done xyz in school."

The weakness part always trips me up, I have a feeling that that's gna be my complete downfall. But in all honesty a weakness of mine is definitely being quite stubborn and adament in my opinions. I also don't take criticism well, or lying down. Which is definitely going to cost me a lot in the future. I'm sorry but I can't be the model robot employee....

I think its such a struggle to go from something that defines your self worth, within your control i.e. your studies/grades/extracurriculars, and having in a sense to sell yourself off in order to fit in with a company's profile or 'type'. I really wonder why I chose such a generic subject such as econs again. But I guess that's what trying to grow up is like isn't it? Learning how to sacrifice.

If I were a kid I could throw a tantrum and no one would care. If I threw a tantrum now everyone would immediately stare at me and go "act your age".

Anyway, busy weekend up ahead, tennis 2moz in the morning then Tsai Chin's concert at night, woohoo! Then dno what wedding dinner on Sunday night then next weekend Lulu's in town!!! yayyy

Spent yesterday going to the dermatologist when I decided I couldn't handle what was happening with my skin anymore. Watched Pelham 123 with Miko and Hema. Great movie that. Travolta ain't a bad actor but his voice still isn't that commanding esp. when he starts yelling, it kinda goes up a couple of tones. very ungangsterlike. Denzel Washington seems to have put on a few pounds...HAH, thought the guy who was the head of the team seemed familiar, he was in Transformers as the ex CIA guy...

Celebrated Hema's bday early at Nerovivo. Was a bit of a disappointment, either that or dnt let the friends order food =S. But Neroteca still is prob. the best one of the lot.

Headed to Lecka Lecka outside starhill after, yeah so much for gelato? Has somehow turned into a bar-restaurant-shisha place for Arab tourists? But shisha was good, paid 3x more than Hartamas Square. SHEESH. So much for location =S. Might bring Lulu there when she's down.

Got home around 11:30pm and went to work today. Tiredness.

Getting a bit annoyed at people who obviously get my message but don't bother replying. Well thanks. Just leave my invite on the table waiting for another (better) option to come along b4 replying. Or how bout this. Just don't reply at all. This is the last time I'm gna send out invites.

MZ Birthday

Omfg, you'd think by the age of 20 my stupid face would have begun its miraculous spring cleaning of its acne, but NO of course not.

I think I'm reacting badly to something...might be the salicylic facewash found in my cupboard...or Mei's handmade bathbombs, I'm not too sure. But what I'm definitely sure about is that I'm BREAKING OUT. hate acne hate acne hate acne

Onto happier things. Penang this weekend was a blast, headed off from work to Sentral then to my flight and was in Penang by 9:30pm where I was picked up by the gang. Went back to Mei's where I had some toast, attempted to practice you and I with Colin and Mei and failed spectacularly with me having no clue how to play the rhythm or chords, then headed off to E&O to start the deco around 11pm.

Not too much help I was, after awhile me, Hema and Colin were basically sitting around staring into space while Mei and Miko wrestled with the fake vines that were gna be placed in the bathtub. I was deliriously laughing after awhile coz I was so tired from waking up early the whole week and we were raining petals attempting to artfully strew them on the sheer gauze dangling from the century old lamps. Which by the way looked like they were going to fall very soon....The lamps, not the petals

We were done by 1am and Zoe joined us at Gurney hotel where we proceeded to lug all the foodstuff and snacks into room 2802. Took a shower and promptly fell asleep with Zoe on the floor (as she always seems to be).

Woke up at 10am with Mei knocking on the door asking whether we wanted to follow her to help set up, but yeah, I think we were all a bit out of it, so she and Miko headed there while I proceeded to book the spa day for me and Hema. Zoe went off to get bus tickets while the Americans (at least those in U's there) headed to Gurney Plaza to pick up presents for MZ parents. After much arguing and stressing, decided on foodstuff from Crabtree&Evelyn with their English teas/cookies/desserts.

Didn't want to pay 10 ringgit for a 3 min ride down the road(freaking taxis ripping us off majorly), so decided to walk back which took all of 20 mins or so. Went to the spa and after being told the lulur would turn us yellow, decided on something else instead. Massage was amazing, the cracking at the start was my spine realigning and felt slightly molested by the masseuse seeing how we were totally stripped....barring underwear....damn, awkward. Good thing she was a woman....

Scrub was nice and heating, took a shower after and decided that the skin felt much better. Ginger tea after was yum too, finished Hema's as well since she didnt like it. After that headed back up where Hema was due to be picked up for the hair apptment. Zoe and me headed to the pool for a bit after then back down to shower and get ready. Reminded me of prom so much.

The other two "americans" came back after and after much hassle we were off! Got barred from entering the arctic party area by MZ who looked sooo pretty =), went outside and camwhored alot more.

Then the party started, was nice meeting Mei's other friends from Penang days and some from London, the deco was beautifully done, and knowing Mei's penchant for control, everything was perfect. Good food, yummy champagne and even yummier desserts! Sugar overdose majorly that night!

Was a good night of eating, joking, reminiscing, posing, more eating, eating somemore, stealing candies...performances by Mei, Faiz & Colin, I chickened out of playing the piano seeing how I left the score in the hotel but I took pics with Uncles' gargantuous SLR which was SO much fun to shoot with! I WANT AN SLR!

Party wrapped up at 1am with the teens still around helping to clear the million and one balloons, and us having fun with the helium. E&O rooms are really really nice. Headed back to Gurney at around 1:30 am, changed, attempted to finish off her scrapbook and fell asleep exhausted. Miko was mad and didn't take a shower and fell asleep in the living room area. Her and her paranoia about being clean b4 hopping into bed!

Woke up at 11am on Sunday. Sunday revolved around eating. I'm not kidding. Woke up snacked on the crap we had bought, packed up, went for lunch at the Penang Chinese Association lunch thingy with home cooked food which was amazingly good. Endured bouts of loud singing by the oldies accompanied by the requisite clanging keyboard with backing beat, while trying to navigate the small square table loaded with food and 8 people surrounding it. My mum's cousin is apparently a trustee of the thing as her name on the plaque on the wall shows. Haha, man we're big in Penang =)

Headed back to Mei's where we sat in the kitchen snacking on more snacks. Headed to the market opposite E&O coz it's apparently heritage weekend. Bought candles and earrings from the bazaar with some kickass soyabean milk. Sat in the sauna that was Mei's van attempting not to stick to each other or the seats. Dropped zoe off at the bus station, then decided to go up Penang Hill coz it was SO HOT.

Our driver up Penang Hill also turned into our waiter in the restaurant on the top =S. Hema was very confused at first, but then we ended up laughing over it. Breeze was nice up there, tea was good at higher altitudes and the crepe was decent, small but ok you're not really paying for the food, you're paying for the nice high view n english garden feel....

Headed back down on the bumpy 15 min rollarcoaster ride downhill, dno how ppl walk up it! It's perfect for DOE Platinum!

Went to the airport to see her dad off, sat there and ate more McD. Then went for seafood dinner! Seriously, we ate at EVERY SINGLE STOP.

Dinner was lovely with crabs, tofu, prawns, watercress soup...mmmmm, love asian food!!!! esp seafood at a table set up by a walkway next to the sundry shop within reach of the pails they use for washing the dishes. Only in Asia methinks. Only in Malaysia =)

Got sent off to the airport and hopped on the plane back home to work the next day. Sigh.

Perfect weekend to say the least.