I Miss You.

When I was young, you'd never walk away from me.

You'd never whine, you'd never cry.

You'd never leave, you'd always be with me.

Even when I didn't ask you to come along, you insisted on being there.

You'd always have a watchful eye on me when I was outside.

You'd never let harm come close.

You'd rather give your life than have me lose mine.

You watched me grow.

You waited to see me everyday.

You were my legs when I could no longer walk.

Then... On that day, you went, and never came back.

And when you went, it rained.

How I wish I could have you back.
I really do.

If you're up there, reading this, I want you to know I miss you horribly. I want you to know you mean the world to me. I wish you were here beside me, quietly watching me type this.

Thanks for being my big brother; my guardian.


I miss you. =(

Reminiscence. Sheer Reminiscence.

As I sit here, typing this entry, partially worrying about my Accounting papers tomorrow, memories of the first thirteen years of my life flutter about my mind lucidly, much like butterflies. They are great in number, but vivid and colourful in nature.

Moments ago, I was scrolling through pictures of Teluk Intan. A dandy, peaceful town in Lower Perak; home to the Malaysian rendition of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was in this town that I grew up, and in this town that I first experienced the world, amidst tasting many other firsts. Mind you, it also possesses some of the best food dishes you will encounter in Malaysia, and perhaps even the world. For instance, the Chee Cheong Fun is a must-try.

But I digress.

The point is, while I was browsing through those pictures, I admit that tears did well up in my eyes. Not because they were painful and disturbing pictures... But because I miss Teluk Intan badly. This was my home once upon a time, you see. The place, the people, the environment. It's very much distinct from the Kuala Lumpur environment. Countless times have people asked me if I'd like to go back and live in Teluk Intan. My answer?

"Yes. Definitely".

Someday, I'd very much like to take my friends on a trip back to this home of mine. Yes, Kuala Lumpur is my current home. But it does not alter the fact that I was very much a part of Teluk Intan once upon a time; that I went to Saint Anthony's, where I met terrific friends, or that I lived in Jendarata Estate, where I grew extremely attached to nature.

Yes, Teluk Intan still has me very much smitten, and it always will. IT was the place where my life, and my adventures began. It was my origin, and I would not have it any other way.

Someday, I'll go home.



Cheerio.

My Earth, My Hour

Rushing downstairs, I made haste for the switches. Just moments ago, a glance outside informed me that informed that it had begun. Half the street was enveloped in darkness, except for the faint glimmer of lamp posts that lined the sides of the road. It was an eerie sight, truth be told, but at the same time, testament to the possibility that we could stand united as one race. As human beings.

Shutting off the lights that lit my house, I looked at the time display of my handphone.

8.30 p.m.. Earth hour was here.

Hahaha. Drama, much?

My earth hour revolved around quality time with friends. We went walking up a hill, planted ourselves on the metal railing by the side of the road, and waited for 9.30 p.m. to arrive, just so we could see KLCC turn its lights back on. Of course, when you're with friends like mine, every minute spent together is well... a minute that is lived to the fullest, so to speak.

It was nice to see a substantial part of town enveloped in darkness. Apparently, many people did care about the environment. However, there were those who turned on every single light in their houses. Of course, the main justification on their parts would be, "Turning lights off doesn't make a difference."

Think again.

Earth hour shows us that we can make a difference. It is a call; a gentle reminder that the environment is on the verge of eradication, destruction, and needs salvation. Turning your lights off for one hour saves a lot of energy, mind you. Yes, we still traveled in cars, televisions were left on, and computers were still running. But we did it without our lights on, unlike how we usually do. That, in itself is a major energy consumption effort.

So, to those who did off your lights, thank you for taking a powerful step in ensuring the existence of a future. And well, for those who didn't, hopefully you realize what you've lost out on.


Happy earth hour, world.



Cheerio.

Like The Sea.

There are only two constant things in life: Change, and death.

I don't know who first devised that quote, or whether it even is a quote belonging to someone else for that matter. What I do know, is that it is real. Very real.

It was not too long ago that I found myself surrounded by death. Be it real death, or impending death of those who are close to me, or those who were not, it was there nonetheless.

As it always has been, and as it always will be. Like the sea. It pulls, it pushes. It's always there.

You can't run from death. That's a fact. But knowing that should not be a cause of despair. True, it's painful to know that you can lose everything in the very next second. In the very next minute. In the very next day. But how does that translate to say that you should live your life like it's pointless?

Treasure what you have while you can. That's all I have to say. Because this lives of ours are worth living. They are, unless you deduce yourself that they are not, and choose to live it like it is worthless.

Fathom the concept of death, and you'll realize that everything in life, in brilliant. One way, or another.


Ooh, I watched Slumdog Millionaire. Brilliant wa ka lu kong. Recommended!

Cheerio.

The Watching Begins

I have begun streaming through a list of Academy Award-nominated movies.


Just finished watching Doubt.

This has to be one of my favourite movies of all time.

Call me tasteless, call me bland. But Doubt is abstract, and powerful. Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Philip Seymour Hoffman all put on brilliant, commendable performances. And while there is no physical action in the movie, it is purely magnificent in entirety. The twist only adsorbs the viewe even more, if anything.

A tale of redemption, retribution, and the most obvious of all: Doubt.


Fantastic indeed. Definitely recommended.


"Doubt is just as strong a bond as certainty".



Cheerio.

P.S.: Next up, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Table For Two - An Experience Like No Other

Let me start by stating that a certain Nikita Sia persuaded me to submit an entry for The Star Education's Table for Two. It was totally spontaneous, so you can imagine my shock when Sarah called me up an informed me that I was shortlisted for the actual event. IF you can't imagine, well, I was really shocked.


So, on the 14th of February 2009, 10 lucky youths gathered at Starbucks KLCC (the one near Aquaria) for, well, a blind date, and an eventful day of fun. We were briefed and paired up. I was lucky to be coupled with Natasha Joan Noronha, a gorgeous and cool lass.



All of us. Well, some of us, anyway.


Tasha and me


We had six challenges to participate in, throughout the evening. During all of these challenges, we were evaluated so as to discover "The Most Creative Couple" and "The Most Compatible Couple". The four people who made up these two couples would receive a Loreal hamper worth RM 400 each. All challenges transpired in Suria KLCC, by the way.


The first challenge was in Kinokuniya. Each couple was obligated the task of rummaging through a selection of self-help books, which were all related to relationships and love, and find the most creative and quirky tip you could within a book. Books were flying all about, and cameras were in our faces.

Poor Kinokuniya employees.

Then we rushed off to the Signatures Foodcourt, and were asked to interview three strangers in the foodcourt. Just approach them, get their names, and obtain their Valentine wishes. Poor foodcourt patrons. They must've been so traumatized to have strangers come up to them, asking things like that.

The third challenge was situated in Guess. The male member of each couple had to find two accessories that complemented their partners, after which, each couple was to catwalk in the middle of the store. From the end of the store, all the way up to the entrance. More shocked patrons, and a whole lot of laughter was involved.

Next, the fourth challenge saw each couple saying "I Love Ice-Cream" in the most creative manner possible. This happened in front of Louis Vuitton and Tiffany's. The worst part?
There were busloads of Chinese or Korean tourists watching us do those sketches. As a reward, each participant was awarded a purple Suria KLCC notebook.

The fifth challenge was even more humiliating, mind you. In the park area, near the fountain, each couple was asked to reenact a scene from Romeo and Juliet. Everyone was looking and laughing. Security was a pain though. Everywhere we went, they kept confronting The Star people, telling them not to record videos and stuff. Unfortunately for them, we had permission.

In your face, security people!

Then we had to run back all the way to the Starbucks near Aquaria, and each couple had to make our own Caramel Macchiato. Trust me, we made a mess of the kitchen. God knows if those Macchiatos were good or not; the judge just drank them without a word.

By the way, did i mention that we had free drinks from Starbucks throughout the day? Hahaha.


At work in Starbucks. "Not enough milk!"

After all that, we got changed, and settled down for a very, VERY romantic dinner at The Apartment, KLCC. The food was bloody good, you know. And it was free! We had this seafood broth-soup thing, followed by roast chicken, and strawberry with Chantilly cream or something of that sort.



The seafood thing.



Roast chicken with sweet potato and purple cabbage. YUMMY!



The strawberry with Chantilly cream dessert.


Drinks were water, and orange juice mixed with...

... Champagne. I kid you not. Champagne.


The drink

The whole event ended at about 11 or so. Each of the 10 shortlists received a Guess voucher of RM 200 and GSC movie tickets. Tasha and I were pronounced "The Most Creative Couple", winning ourselves two Loreal hampers. Something that we were very shocked about, but nonetheless grateful for anyway.


Loreal hampers, vouchers, notebook


All in all, this would have to be one of the most memorable days of my life. It was crazily fun, exciting, and awesome all the way through. Good company, great food, lots of prizes, and free Starbucks drinks. Killer combination, wa ka lu kong!

The only weird part was having cameras trail you everywhere and all the time. We felt like celebrities, seriously. Which isn't all that bad, when you think of it.

The Star will be covering the whole event today, the 15th of February, and next Sunday, the 22nd of February, in their Education section. So get your copy of the newspaper today! (Do I get commission for this?)


Cheerio.

One Utama

As probably all of you know, One Utama underwent some major renovations way back when.

Due to the fact that I live in the opposing end of KL, I never really had the chance to go and spend some time at the place.

Recently, though, all that changed...

And Oh Me Good God...


It has changed alright. For the better, I believe.

It much more cozy, fun, and funky. Spacious too. They might need to expand more though, seeing as they seem to be receiving more patrons than they can handle.


The highlight of the day however, was spending time with a journalist; watching her in action and at work.

Which led me to eventually resolving that, no matter what is said and done...

Being a journalist rocks!!! Not only do you get to travel, but you get to write! That's like, one of the most awesome combos ever! Yeah sure, the job has its fair share of downs too, but for me, the boons outweigh the banes!

Muahahahahahaha.


Two more days till... *ahem ahem*


Cheerio.