One of the Realities in Life

It's shocking as to how one deals with reality when it's in front of you.

I just visited a close family friend. We grew up together. Our mothers are very good friends, we go to the same school, eventually joined the same societies in school and have the same group of friends.

I keep her secrets, she kept mine.

Our friendship got a little more unique when my cousin dated her. Heck, now we're becoming future cousin-in-laws? We always smile and laugh at how we're connected in so many ways in our lives together.

She's a very sweet girl. My height. Always the smile on her face, short hair with a little bobby pin to keep her fringe on the side. Very cute. The guys in school were very fond of her, you know guys being guys at that age, you always want to tease the sweet girl to see how you can annoy someone. But yet, my cousin brother would always be there to protect her. He's a real ego. :)

Seeing her lying on the bed, with the blanket covering her body, I could see the thin frame of her legs. When she suddenly woke up in the middle of my conversation with the teary mother, I saw how my cousin consoled her to go back to sleep. She was crying in pain. The look on her face describes how painful it must have been.

I could never forget that look on her face. I wish I could do something to lessen her pain. So, that night, I prayed. I believe with the Buddha's compassion, my prayers would be heard.

I prayed to lessen her suffering, to help her go through this challenge in her life.
I prayed to give her family strength.
I prayed to Buddha, to bless my cousin, whom I'm very proud of.

He was there throughout her surgeries, even though it took more than 12 hours. He consoled her every night when she cried in pain. He was there to wash her up when she vomited because she couldn't eat. He was there to do everything to support the worried parents, especially the mother.

I'm very proud of him. He acted like a responsible man and a very caring + supportive one. I told my mother that my uncle and aunty has raised really good sons.

Of a man at his age, I would say he had made his family proud. This is what we all ask for in a child. To have a compassionate heart, loyal, supportive, caring and responsible. It's not easy, but he did it - in between his endless phone calls from his customers and business partners.

It is really amazing to see how some people react to certain unexpected realities in life. Some people say, that's the real moment of truth in life. When you get to see 2 sides of a person. Some chicken out, some just sit and talk like a pro, but some go all the way.

And my cousin ... he went all the way.


Get well soon, we miss you.


XOXO,
theRascal

My Obsession

1) The smile on a baby's face.

I was holding my phone trying to capture a picture of her. And I smiled, giggled a little bit, and she was smiling and giggling back. This is one of the many smiling pictures from her. She has indeed grown so much. She's learning how to turn her body now.



2) Darling was so proud he got his iPhone last week.

Now, he has his blackberry for work, and the iPhone to Whatsapp me whenever he wants to crack me up with his silly jokes. :)



3) Alexis Bistro

I am totally in love with desserts served at Alexis. My favourite would be their Pavlova and Tiramisu cake. I would prefer their Pavlova, because of the yummy crepe on the side and the juicy berries on the top! Now, my obsession for cakes at Alexis has been transferred to Pei too! :)


4) Crabs@ Fatty Crab Restaurant

Not many restaurants serve a good combination of food but only Fatty Crab, for now. They serve really good fried rice, the best fried chicken wings, toasted bread to go with the gravy of their delicious sweet and sour crab! I tell you, the crab is always so fat and FRESH that the meat just slides off the soft bones/shell you don't even have to dig them out. ;)


5) Olivia Ong


We happen to go into Speedy the CD shop to buy my friend's album. Heard of Josh Lai? He's an upcoming local artist, ready to storm the market with his songs. :) Anyway, I'm just giving my support as a friend. Who's there to judge? Definitely not me. I'm just a friend supporting a friend's hard work. Every artist definitely put in a lot of effort in composing and singing a song. It is not easy. Imagine the hours the spend in the studio.

Anyway, Darling and I can't get enough of Olivia Ong as well! So, he decided to purchase her latest CD. The packaging is so simple yet elegant. Very much the style of Olivia Ong. She's definitely one of the best Asian jazz singer.


So, what's your latest obsession? Something shocking? :)




XOXO,
theRascal

Sometimes it's just weird to see how some people react to things.


Like when I teared up when I watched Michael Jackson's This Is It concert videos.
I thought that I would never see such great talents anywhere else ever again. Be it the plastic surgeries and court cases, I bet he is a good man at heart. At the end of the day, he's also human. Nonetheless, with his talent, he is in a category of his own.


I have thing for little children.
I can barely hold my tears if I see children suffer in pain. I thought God must have did a mistake. But God is perfect. No mistakes are supposed to be done. So, I told myself ... it must be karma brought from the life before. I can only wish and do my best to lessen a child's pain. Even the Tarot Card predicted that I am not suitable to teach children at schools, because I will tend to be very emotional. I told myself that if I don't have the opportunity and gift from God to give birth *touch wood* , I'll opt to adopt a child. It will not be easy, being living around people with stereotype and conservative culture. Yet again, I'm not Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie or the Buddha to end sufferings. I just think that children should be given the hope of life.

So, when KDU's PR student held a charity dinner to raise funds for the Children Wish Society Malaysia, I couldn't be more than happy. I cheered proudly as I see the huge mock cheque given to the president. In my heart, I knew we have granted wishes of at least a few of many children suffering from various diseases in Malaysia. Visit their website by clicking on the link or visit them at their Facebook Page.


I don't think I have anything more to blog about for today.

So ... yah, come back again tomorrow when I have more time to post up pictures I took during my fab weekend ;)


XOXO,
theRascal

A While Ago in the Lion City ...

I knew I was going to fall in love with Singapore.

Not that I heart lions or whatever that is hairy.

But I love the fact that I feel safe and convenient no matter where I am in Singapore.

Best of all ... it's (almost) squeaky clean!

Although I don't really fancy authentic food in Singapore, they don't seem to be as authentic compared to Malaysian food. We still have the best food around. Even Singaporeans come all the way to Melaka and way up to Ipoh and Penang in search for good food!

Ahh ... the pride. :)


But anyway, one more thing I have to agree is that Singapore offers some good retail therapy! *rubs hands in glee* :) :) :)




Look at the beautiful pillars at Ion, calling out to me!


We walked around but couldn't find something fantastic to buy, ended up going to the lowest level where all the food are sold.

We found this interesting ...


Now Now ... crepe with either duck or pork!



A little pricey. So, we just bought a bit of each to try.



Not that fantastic either for the one with the duck. We love the one with pork better.




Then, we stopped by this little parlor for German sausages!


Not bad Not bad. Mr. D is truly a fan of German food. So am I. :)


Then, we walked to the new 313 Shopping Mall and found this Marvelous dessert!



NOW, THIS IS CALLING OUT TO ME!



Darling knew I really really really want to try one. So, he bought 2 for me :)





With every bite, I thank God for this creation. :P



Met up with my bestie Kai Pei and boyfriend for dinner.

She brought us to this superb place tucked a little further China Town for this noodle.


See so many people lining up? Shocking!!!



The noodle was okay.


I love the xiao long bao better.


And I was having a bad gastric. So I practically couldn't enjoy the food. Sigh.


But But But, we still manage a few poloroid shots to remember our moment! ;)


After dinner, Kai Pei's boyfriend decided to show us this little place near the port.


I was having quite a bad gastric, so we walked quite fast. Plus, poor Mr. D was sweating like a pig.



I felt so bad that we were not in the state to enjoy this beautiful place. I love these little places to just sit down, enjoy the scenery and have a heart to heart chat.

But having my stomach calling for help and Mr D sweating like nobody's business, I told her we have to head back home. :(

Before we head home, we MUST take a shot together. :)


See... I told you the view is superb right? Both Mr. D and I love to enjoy skylines. But for him, it has to be cooling. He's very sensitive towards sweat. You know, a typical city boy who doesn't like to sweat and always be under the sun. That's my guy.


'til then, Singapore. I'll be back!!!


XOXO,
theRascal

Art

Thanks to SY for introducing a new iPhone camera application.


Now I get to take pictures with new effects!

Photos taken when Darling was buying a belated birthday present for his brother at Sony Erricson. :)

Know what? I love things with big cute butts.
That's why my favourite Disney character is Donald Duck + Daisy and not Mickey.
Definitely not Goofy.
And yes, I love the cute hippo in the cartoon, Madagascar!


And I was cheering like crazy when I saw the hippo's butt facing the mirror at the Singapore zoo!!!!
Darling helped me take like SO MANY pictures.
I know I have a weird fascination.
There, I said it.

OK i have to clear this up.
I don't fascinate HUMAN BUTTS.
I only love animals + cartoon characters with huge butts.
Just because I think it makes them extra lovable and cute! :)

Love this artistic picture or not?
Am I an artist now or what!!!

When the big guy drives his car while I took one from the back from my car.
OK I don't know what is the point of this picture.

I love the quote I read from love-a-cupcake.

"It is easy to love and fall in love... but to stay in love is challenging"


So let's work our way to spice things up once in a while, to stay in love. :)

XOXO,
theRascal

Amazing ...

No, I'm not going to talk about something amazing like ...

Growing A Big Flower On My Head

Yes lah, of course it is a hairband!

I'm not even a good gardener for heaven's sake!

But I can cook. Please. :P

Oh btw, do you like my new hairband?


Sister: The flower is too big for me
Mr. D: Ok lah
Pei: The flower is big



But I love the huge flowers! It's the (end) of summer! :P
Whatever lah, I love it and Darling bought it for me. How nice :)








Well anyway ..............................




I was going to tell you something amazing, not to waste your time okay.

Imagine you holding this normal piece of paper.

Yes, it's just that image printed on this normal A4 paper.
Nothing else.




And once you project it on the screen on your laptop, with your webcam on .............

You will see KLCC!!!!!


And it becomes extra amazing that you can actually change what image to appear on the screen!


OK maybe you're not amazed. But I was indeed amazed because I know nuts about the technicality behind anything machine or IT.

But the little boy refuses to tell me how did he do it.

Which, in between our game, arguments and him persuading me to hold that piece of paper and look into the laptop trying to amaze me, wasted at least half an hour of the session.


Smart or not you say?

XOXO,
theRascal

Soul

It is very conflicting to be with a person.


Sometimes you just can't live without, at times you just want to live without.


And when you cry because you can't be with him, it will be one of those moments when you hate yourself for doing all the stupid decisions. Like being angry for petty things, for making him do the laundry, shouting at him for not being a little more patient, complaining because he wasn't patient enough, feeling cranky because he ask you certain things you didn't like ... or like Carrie (from Sex and the City) complaining that Big always sits on the couch.


And during those moments when you cry, you'll feel like a bastard for being so cranky.


You'll be asking "What the heck was wrong about sitting on the couch?"


It will be one of those moments when you wish life could be like a DVD player, and you can just click on the rewind button and re-live that moment. That's when you'll feel so helpless.


When I saw Jasmine's blog about how she appreciate Rui for doing that for her, I told myself that these are the little things in life that we should always appreciate. They are the role model for all couples, please take this credit, Jas. :)


I have that gut in me, always telling me not to have that moment. I don't want to feel like I want to re-live some moments I thought I could make a different decision, which would make situations better.


I don't like to do that. Nobody likes to do that. Because we don't get to live each moment in life twice.



So,



when I start to complain, I told myself to stop.
when I start to be angry, I told myself to chill.
when I start to feel sorry, I told myself to try harder.
when I start to feel an urge, I told myself to listen.
when I feel sad, I told myself to learn.
when I feel happy, I told myself to smile and memorise that moment.



I want to appreciate all these moments.

... so when he said his usual good bye, walked away, and then suddenly turned back saying he forgot to kiss me, I told myself to appreciate him more.




Much more.




So much that I wish I could give him so much more in life.

XOXO,
theRascal

Bloody Good Birthday

... I am back from Singapore!!!!








Very very very tired ... probably because we didn't have time to rest and everything was so jammed packed into 2 tiny days spent there.

What did I do?

Well...



Friday:
1) Arrived Singapore at 4pm after a short delay
2) Sister met us at the airport, called Jackson to arrange for a meet-up
3) Rested a while [half an hour?] and took a cab to 111 Mall in Somerset Road, just right behind 313 Mall.
4) Bought a Bose speaker + iPod dock within half an hour [Power or not?]
5) Walked to Takashimaya
6) Met my super gay friend, Jackson
7) We had a chat over his dinner because he was super hungry
8) Sister's bf joined us
9) Said bye bye to Jackson while we went for our dinner [again]
10) Rushed to Aunt's place in Bedok at 9pm and stayed on until 11pm
11) Kept reminding myself to sms Pei because it was her birthday countdown!!!


Saturday:
1) Woke up at 8.30am
2) Kept trying not to leak out the secret that I was in Singapore to Pei because we talk everyday
3) Andy (sister's bf) came and pick us up to Universal Studio
4) So disappointed the tickets were sold out that we could only take picture from the gate
5) Lunch at Chilly's [Had the Baby Back Rib!]
6) Contributed to Singapore economy at the Casino
7) Shopped at Vivo City [Mr. D bought me 2 hairbands from Forever 21!]
8) Surprised Kai Pei at her much awaited birthday dinner at Shinjuku Restaurant@ Orchard Road!
9) Ben & Jerry's for a while ... to kill my craving :P
10) Head back home

Sunday:
1) Oh, did I mention that my uncle happen to also fly back to Hong Kong after a week's holiday in Singapore on that day too?! Small world!
2) Called my uncle to plan for a meet up at Changi International Airport
3) Checked-in at our counter
4) Darling did his GST Refund
5) Catch up with uncle and told him will talk to him more in the terminal area
6) Had quick breakfast with my sister + Andy
7) Ate Mac + Fishball Soup [Missing Hong Kong soooo much]
8) Bid good bye to my sister + Andy
9) Met up with Uncle in the terminal area while Darling did his GST Refund
10) Uncle showed me a bloody expensive watch he helped a friend to purchase, retailing at SGD17,000 [bloody hell? And that was for the friend's son's 21st birthday!]
11) Did our shopping [contributed to Singapore economy again]
12) Realized our flight has be re-timed [FOL]
13) Touched down at1pm & took a cab home
14) Rested for a while
15) Headed to Midvalley for the Maybank Treat's Fair
16) Headed back to Darling's place and I played with the little one for the rest of the day!



That pretty much sums up my weekend!


Will update more with pictures the next time!



XOXO,
theRascal

Vamos Espana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday is THE DAY.


The world shall now worship Paul, the octopus.
The world shall now keep an octopus as a pet.
The world shall now stop for a moment and celebrate Spain for being in the finals.


And let's party on when they gain the title :)


I know nuts about football. I'm just supporting the country due to my connection with the people of Spain. It's amazing.


It's amazing and true about what people say about football. When football actually brings the world together, it blinds gap between people and blends the different culture in this world.


Tomorrow is Friday!! :D


XOXO,
theRascal

Pamper

I was at my usual session with Ming and I told him I was hungry.

He said "Ok! I'll go down ... you stay here and keep quiet, I'll sneak up some food because my grandmother is sleeping and she won't notice!"

He was so cheeky, he sneaked downstairs and came up with these!!!


It was some chips and a new version of Oreo biscuits from the US.

It was Ice-cream flavour.
It tasted so good!!!


Anyway, I just posted this picture below because it suits the title given to the post. Nothing in particular.


I was pampering myself at the hair salon when I got my hair-styled by my stylist for the first time for the Malam Seribu Mimpi Charity Dinner.


I looked fat with my hair tied up.
And my necklace made my neck look short.
My dress made me look fat.
My Chanel foundation was brown it made me look so tanned on pictures.


FML Max.




XOXO,
theRascal

Forgiving a Cheater?

WARNING: IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 OR CANNOT TAKE CERTAIN CRITICISM/ OPINIONS, CLICK ON NEXT AT THE TOP BUTTON OR READ OTHER BLOGS


This post is so inspired by Xiaxue.com. If you know Xiaxue, she is famous for her drastic point of views, which I find funny, entertaining yet enlightening, and infamous plastic surgeries.


Her latest post was about cheaters and how NOT to cheat. Well, I had cheaters and I totally love her post so much! Xiaxue, if you happen to read this humble blog of mine, who has maybe only 1% of blog traffic compared to yours, thank you for shouting to all cheaters/bastards out there for the rest of us.


Firstly, let's look into what defines a cheater.


Cheater = Is someone who acts dishonestly.



Yes, that simple.



But it seems like to some people, it is NOT simple at all.


Like we always see on the movies when the cheater [I am not specifying MALE or FEMALE. Can be either!] comes saying ...


"Oh it is just a misunderstanding ... not I didn't do it"


or


"Sorry, please forgive me. I didn't mean to do it! Swear to God!"
well, you swear to your own God lah


or


"Well who ask you to always be so annoying? That's why I cheated. And I was drunk!"
Oh, so if I want to cheat, I will just go make myself drunk and I am QUALIFIED to cheat?


Well, first and foremost, I would like to highlight that I am not writing this based on certain grounds and there has nothing to do with any of my family members including Mr. D.


I agree with Xiaxue. I always believe that if you love someone deep enough, you would not do anything to hurt him/her or anything that would risk loosing him/her.


Thus, if you did it, it as though means you don't love him/her much enough. It means you love yourself more.


I totally agree with Xiaxue when she said that it is very brave to put all your heart into one person, but it need extra more courage to cheat on the person you love.

When Carrie Bradshaw cheated on Mr. Big in Abu Dhabi by kissing her ex-boyfriend Aiden, I was a little pissed! How could she do that to Mr. Big?



Yes, he can be a little too settled.

Yes, he loves to sit in his couch.

Yes, he doesn't like too much parties on weekdays.



Well, it all boils down to the choice Carrie has made. Carrie chose to marry Mr. Big. She chose to be with him. Carrie chose Mr. Big. It was her choice and no one forced her. Right? So maybe she made the wrong choice?

If it is yes, then wedding vows mean nothing?


I have this believe that when you read your wedding vow (I imagine it would be like that), you'll look into the eyes of your husband/wife and you'll feel that "this is it". This is The One. Because if you don't believe that a person is destined to be with one another, then DON'T GET MARRIED.


I believe that marriage is for life. A wedding is to celebrate the union of 2 special individuals. It is not done just to put up a show or have the families fuss around something for a year. It is something to cherish for the rest of your life. So, think properly before getting into one.


When Xiaxue ask all cheaters who intend to cheat but don't feel like cheat to WALK AWAY so it won't happen, I wanted to cheer for her making that statement!

Yes! Don't invite trouble or get into too much trouble. Set the line. AND MAKE SURE THE OTHER PERSON KNOWS YOUR LINE/ZONE/LIMITS.

You know, humans are brilliant creatures who can never resist lust. You can say you don't, but never say never.

So, just don't get involved. You should be smart enough to just walk away or ignore certain issues that might invite trouble.

Just go home, or think of your partners waiting in vain at home. Think of the wedding proposal you have planned. Memorise your wedding vows and repeat that in your head.

Because at the end of the day, you will only regret hurting that person you love/married. You would never want to do that.

Again, if you still did it despite imagining/remember all these, you DON'T love her, YOU ONLY LOVE YOURSELF.

I love what Mike (Xie Xue's bf) said "Here's the litmus test - if it will upset the other party when they find out, I think it's considered cheating. So if you have to hide it, you shouldn't do it."

I can't agree more.

A relationship involves commitment from both parties. If you're not ready to commit, then don't. There's no trials in relationships.


p/s: Someone just bang my car. No biggie, Darling was with me. Thank God both of us are fine. I was the one driving. And luckily I don't have to do anything major to my car. . . what a day.


XOXO,
theRascal

I was wrong ...

1.

I was wrong about not being able to do something on radio!



Last Friday, Ruly (my colleague) and I did a brief recording for our upcoming Radio DJ Workshop on the 18th of July@ KDU College.


Being with the master himself, I have learned a great deal about intonation, voice control as well as being able to listen to myself (which sounded quite weird for the first time)!



We did a few takes despite the dialogue, which would only take 2 - 3 minutes.



Then, I witnessed the master doing the editing behind the ever amazing Mac Computer.

Man ... these are skills to be learned and I have yet to explore. :/


See all these console in the picture below?


It goes up and down automatically whenever our voices go high and low! Amazing stuff!


2.

On a sad note, it was Maha's last night in Malaysia.

Yes, the day has come where she has to move back to Dubai for good. *sobs*

I didn't attend her farewell dinner. There were a lot of things going on in my head. We had our special (brief) moments together and I really want to cherish them. I can't bare saying good bye to such a special friend.

I told Maha in my good bye SMS before she boarded the plane on Saturday that "I am not saying good bye because we're definitely meet again ... soon."

I don't know when, but soon. One day. Definitely.

I could barely speak a single word when I got through her phone on Saturday. She told me she'll call me back later. But we both know we'll communicate better via SMS. I was that sad.

Pei asked me why am I not like that when we bid good bye.

My answer was that "because I always know that if I want to meet you, I can meet you right away in a few hours, max"

This is the most difficult factor in most long-distance relationships experienced by many people. When you need him/her, will she/him be there in a very short time? Like right away? And when you can't explain that, it's difficult. Very difficult.

It was the same thing when my host-family came to Malaysia and had to leave after their 2-week vacation with me and my family. I went to the airport to say good bye and I teared. I could barely say the word "good bye". I only said "see you again... very soon".

And my host-father took me on my cheek, looked at me and said "we'll be waiting for you in Spain, alright? Just come. Everything will be taken care off."

I cried immediately. Because I couldn't tell him when would I be able to visit them.

My host-sisters cried when we hugged each other good bye. She gave me a kiss on my (then) wet cheek and said "I'll see you in Alicante, at home ... alright? I love you".

During the weekend, Mr. D accompanied me to Nationwide Express. For the first time, I opted a premium express post to post my parcel to Spain.

I was so annoyed when the guy there didn't know Spain is a country. He asked "which country was Spain from?"

Hello?!?!?!?!?! You work in Nationwide Express! You should know all the countries they cover!

It will be my host-sister's wedding (after waiting for so long!!!). It will definitely be a grand wedding up at my host-grandparent's summer house up on the mountain. Yes, they own a hugeass piece of land up on one of the many beautiful mountains in Biar.

Once again, I would be missing this very important event. :(

So, I sent a very nice wedding gift to the happy couple, and a nice story book for my host-father. I wanted to send Bak Kut Teh herbs to my host-mother (because like any other Spanish mothers I know, she can cook really well!), but Mr. D was afraid that they might not let my parcel go through altogether so we unpacked it from the parcel.


3.

I was wrong about World Cup. My apologies ... but the cheering is still annoying when it happens in the middle of the night and woke me up countless times!


Anyway, this time, we heard the cheering from the cinema when we were watching Nanny McPhee 2!

Believe it or not, it was that loud!


When the movie ended, we saw this:


all focusing towards the big screen in the middle of The Pavilion.


We were quite curious and it seemed like it was an interesting match!

The cheering was jaw-dropping, the crowd was huge, the game was Brazil versus Netherlands ...

so .......


*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*


both Mr. D and I, who don't really watch football, ended up among the amazing crowd that night!

Urrrgghhh ... I was feeling for my Brazilian good friends back in Brazil when they lost.

But anyway, life goes on. Spain won the match ... and I am still putting a lot of hopes on them!

Por Espana! :)

XOXO,
theRascal